M's trade 'happy' Boone to Twins for player to be named
July 11, 2005
CBS SportsLine.com staff and wire reports
Bret Boone was traded Tuesday to the Minnesota Twins, the Seattle Times reported.
"I'm pretty happy,'' Boone told the Times. "This is where I wanted to go all along.''
The move, which will bring the Seattle Mariners a player to be named later, was completed just hours before Seattle officials were to officially place the 36-year-old second baseman on irrevocable waivers and make him a free agent.
The specifics of the trade are unknown, but given the position the Mariners were in, it is doubtful there was any significant financial side to the transaction. If so, Seattle will continue to pay Boone the most of the pro-rated amount left owed on his $9.2 million salary for 2005, minus a pro-rated amount to be picked up by the Twins, about $150,000.
The Twins have grown unhappy with regular second baseman Luis Rivas, and did not deem backup Nick Punto a strong enough replacement in an offense that could use some punch.
"If it goes through it would be a good fit,'' an American League scout told the Times. "The Twins are a team that focuses on strong defense, which Boone can still play, but in need of a pick-me-up, especially at second base."
Boone, a four-time Gold Glove winner, struggled the past two years as Seattle fell from its place as a yearly contender in the American League West.
July 11, 2005
CBS SportsLine.com staff and wire reports
Bret Boone was traded Tuesday to the Minnesota Twins, the Seattle Times reported.
"I'm pretty happy,'' Boone told the Times. "This is where I wanted to go all along.''
The move, which will bring the Seattle Mariners a player to be named later, was completed just hours before Seattle officials were to officially place the 36-year-old second baseman on irrevocable waivers and make him a free agent.
The specifics of the trade are unknown, but given the position the Mariners were in, it is doubtful there was any significant financial side to the transaction. If so, Seattle will continue to pay Boone the most of the pro-rated amount left owed on his $9.2 million salary for 2005, minus a pro-rated amount to be picked up by the Twins, about $150,000.
The Twins have grown unhappy with regular second baseman Luis Rivas, and did not deem backup Nick Punto a strong enough replacement in an offense that could use some punch.
"If it goes through it would be a good fit,'' an American League scout told the Times. "The Twins are a team that focuses on strong defense, which Boone can still play, but in need of a pick-me-up, especially at second base."
Boone, a four-time Gold Glove winner, struggled the past two years as Seattle fell from its place as a yearly contender in the American League West.
