The Pirates made another trade deadline deal involving a high-priced veteran for a cheaper prospect.
But this time they weren't on the business end of a salary dump.
The Pirates carried out the rare trade deadline move of taking on a costly veteran when they acquired pitcher Matt Morris from the San Francisco Giants for reserve outfielder Rajai Davis and a player to be named Tuesday.
"We took on some more salary," general manager Dave Littlefield said, "but we think it's a value that makes sense."
Morris, who is 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA, makes $9.5 million this year. The Pirates will pick up the balance of his salary, or about $3.2 million, for the final two months of the season.
The 32-year-old right-hander is due to make $9.5 million in 2008, plus a $2 million payment at the end of the season, with a club option for 2009 that could reach $11 million based on performance.
So, as speculation had shortstop Jack Wilson or relievers Shawn Chacon, Damaso Marte and Salomon Torres the most likely trade candidates to contending teams, it turned out to be Davis, a 26-year-old outfielder who is batting .271 with one RBI and five stolen bases in 48 at-bats this season.
Morris, a two-time All-Star with 118 victories and a 3.83 career ERA, has struggled since a 6-2 start. The former St. Louis Cardinal, who won 22 games in 2001, is 0-3 with an 8.48 ERA in July and is winles in his past eight starts.
In his most recent effort, Morris struck out eight and walked none, but allowed six earned runs on 13 hits in an 8-5 loss to the Marlins on Sunday.
"Health-wise, I feel great," Morris said. "The ball has been coming out of my hand better than it has in years. I'm healed up and feeling confident with my stuff."
Said manager Jim Tracy, "When you look at this guy's track record, dating back to 2001, it's pretty impressive. This guy has been a workhorse. It's a tremendous acquisition on our part."
Tracy said Morris, expected to arrive in the next couple of days, will start against the Cincinnati Reds either Saturday or Sunday. Morris said he had no inkling he would be traded to the Pirates, a team careening toward its 15th consecutive losing season that typically uses the trade deadline to shed salary, not embrace it.
"I'm exciting about the change," Morris said. "I heard rumors all week about me being traded," Morris said. "When (San Francisco general manager) Brian Sabean called and mentioned Pittsburgh, it was a little bit of a shock."
Morris, who played for the Cardinals for eight seasons before signing with the Giants after the 2005 season, is the first veteran to arrive in Pittsburgh at the trade deadline since Shawon Dunston a decade ago.
Morris adds a veteran presence to a young pitching staff that includes Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm and Ian Snell. Morris, who has made 260 career starts, also can bolster the back-end of the rotation.
"We have tried to find a veteran starter who will fit in there," Littlefield said. "This is one we think will be a good fit for us. We think he can help stabilize and give us a little more leadership and veteran experience and ... help us out with the young pitching."
Wilson remains in limbo. The veteran shortstop, who is the first year of a three-year, $20.2 million contract and became expendable when the Pirates acquired Cesar Izturis two weeks ago, was part of determined trade discussions with the Detroit Tigers. But no deal was finalized.
Wilson could still be traded in the next month, as long as he clears waivers. As 4 p.m. neared, Wilson checked his cell phone in the clubhouse for messages from his agent, Page Odle. There was nothing, so he started getting dressed to start at shortstop last night.
"I didn't really sleep last night thinking something was going to happen," Wilson said. "Yesterday was a whirlwind. It was tough."
Davis, a 38th-round pick in the 2001 draft, was shocked to be summoned into Tracy's office yesterday afternoon and told the news.
"I wasn't expecting this," Davis said. "I had no idea. Hopefully, it works out for the best for all of us."
Morris, meanwhile, leaves the circus of Barry Bonds' all-time home run chase to rejoin an NL Central team.
"I'm looking forward to getting a media guide and reading up on everybody and getting to know my new team," he said.
Additional Information:
Matt Morris
Position: Right-handed pitcherAge: 32
2007 statistics: 7-7, 4.35 ERA
Salary: $9.5 million (in 2008)
Notable: Pitched at least 200 innings four times from 2001-06. ... Two-time All-star.
