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Giants deal Tucker, will recall Ellison on Monday
By Jeremy Harness August 27, 2005 |
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SAN FRANCISCO - A day after designating reliever Jason Christiansen for assignment, the Giants made another roster move on Saturday, trading outfielder Michael Tucker to the Philadelphia Phillies for a pitching prospect. The pitcher in question is 19-year-old right-hander Kelvin Pichardo, who went 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 games for Philadelphia’s Gulf Coast league club and is said to have a power right arm. At the time of the trade, the 34-year-old Tucker was batting .240 with five home runs and 33 RBI over 103 games with the Giants, but with the addition of Randy Winn at center and the Giants using Todd Linden more frequently in right field - Tucker’s usual position - the team felt it was time to make the move. “What a person in the clubhouse,” Alou said. “Clubhouse, airplane, everywhere. We’re going to miss him terribly.” “It has nothing to do with or anyone in particular, it is that the team is making a move.” With Linden again starting at right, Tucker got in as a pinch hitter on Saturday, grounding out to the pitcher to lead off the eighth inning of a 2-1 win over the New York Mets. Philadelphia will mark the fifth team Tucker has played for in his 11-year career, but in the Phillies, he is going to a team that is in prime position to make the playoffs. They currently have a 1½-game lead in the National League wild-card standings over Florida and Houston. “I told him he has a shot in going all the way to the World Series,” Alou said. Even though he expressed disappointment over being dealt, Tucker said he feels likewise about his immediate future. “It’s nice to be playing for something,” Tucker said. “It’s just one of those things that comes up, and you have no control over it, so you deal with it the best you can. “It’s tough anytime you get traded, after you’ve been in a place for over a year or so,” he said. “You get used to certain situations, (so when it happens), it’s a little different. (Especially) this late in the season, (when) you only got a month or so left.” With their season going nowhere, Tucker’s trade was just another chance for the Giants to get their young players some more live major-league action. This move is expected to make room for fellow outfielder Jason Ellison, who was recently sent down to Triple-A Fresno. Because they have to wait 10 days to bring him back up, the Giants will recall Ellison on Monday. |
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