 08/06/2004 10:34 PM ET
Cards add former MVP Walker
Rockies acquire Burch, two players to be named
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By Matthew Leach / MLB.com |
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| The Cardinals add another big bat to the lineup by trading for Larry Walker. (David Zalubowski/AP)
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• FastCast: Walker deal  56K | 350K
ST. LOUIS -- The National League's best offense is going to get even better.
The Cardinals acquired outfielder Larry Walker and cash considerations from the Colorado Rockies for minor league right-hander Jason Burch and two players to be named later. Walker, as a veteran of at least 10 Major League seasons, with the last five on the same team, had to approve the deal in order for it to go through.
Walker reportedly refused a trade to the Texas Rangers before the non-waiver trade deadline. However, after he cleared waivers and the Cardinals and Rockies agreed to terms on a deal -- in which Colorado will pay more than half of the $17 million-plus remaining on his contract -- Walker consented to go to St. Louis, which has the best record in baseball.
"It didn't take him long," said Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty. "In one conversation, he said he was about 95 percent sure. He was going to talk to his wife again. He did, called back and said he was ready."
The veteran outfielder was nonetheless hesitant to leave Denver, where he has established significant roots. Still, the lure of an almost guaranteed postseason berth was hard to resist.
"It's a good thing I'm going to a team that's [32] games above .500," Walker said. "It's tough not to be happy about that. It's a team that's going to the playoffs and has a chance to win a World Series. But I've spent a decade living here. I have a couple homes. I know a lot of people. And I've had a really good time. It's tough."
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