(Durham, offering a farewell tip of the cap to the Giants on Sunday)In a direct slap in the face to the Our Year dreams of Cub fans, and Rickie Weeks’ .218 on the season, the Milwaukee Brewers dealt two prospects and some cash to add Ray Durham‘s switch-thitting .293 bat to the NL Central. The Crew’s Doug Melvin will immediately bench Durham, as back-up for Rickie Weeks. For what, a week? At least it’s a bench in a play off race. As the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Haudricort reports, the break-up by the Bay didn’t go easy:
Ray Durham spent the first three innings Sunday sitting in the San Francisco dugout at AT&T Park, watching the Giants take on Milwaukee. All the while, he knew he had been traded to the Brewers, a deal that wouldn™t be announced until after the game.
œI sat there for three innings, but I couldn™t take it anymore, Durham said.
œGuys were looking at me, like, ˜What are you doing here?™ I got up and went back to the clubhouse.
Looking for a veteran left-handed bat on the bench (Durham is a switch hitter) and an alternative for Rickie Weeks should he be unable to improve his offensive numbers, the Brewers acquired the 36-year-old second baseman for two minor-leaguers, left-hander Steve Hammond and outfielder Darren Ford.
To make room for Durham, who joined his new teammates on their charter flight to St. Louis, the Brewers sent infielder/outfielder Joe Dillon to Class AAA Nashville.
The deal actually was completed Saturday after Durham approved the trade. As a œ10 and 5 player (10 years in the majors and at least five with his current club), Durham had the right to nix the deal.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the players union has a rule that 24 hours must pass before such a deal is finalized.
œHe™s a guy that we wanted, a veteran guy to come over here and help our club, Melvin said. œWe™re looking at the left-handed side more so because we™re so right-handed.