TRADE ROUNDUP | Sunday's moves

Indians: The St. Louis Cardinals improved their infield Sunday, acquiring second baseman Ronnie Belliard from Cleveland for Hector Luna in the latest move by the underachieving Indians. Belliard, an All-Star in 2004, gives the NL Central-leading Cardinals a steady, everyday second baseman for the stretch run. St. Louis has used Aaron Miles and Luna at second this season, but neither has been particularly productive at the plate. "Sometimes you have to seize the moment," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "This is our chance to win." Belliard was batting .291 with eight homers and 44 RBIs in 93 games for Cleveland. He can become a free agent after the season. "I've been here the last three years," he said Sunday after the Indians' 7-3 loss to Seattle. "I didn't think I would get traded. I was surprised." Luna has started 34 times at second and is hitting .291 with four homers and 21 RBIs. "I'm platooning here. I'll play every day in Cleveland," the 26-year-old Luna said. La Russa said he thinks Luna can become a "special" player. "There isn't anybody who's had more confidence in him than our staff," La Russa said. "We've given him playing time. He's responded. I think he has a chance to be a special player and he's still learning." Cleveland's loss Sunday -- its 11th in 15 games -- dropped the Indians 13 games under .500 and 24 1/2 games out in the AL Central. After the game, Belliard went around the clubhouse and said his goodbyes. "We were excited about the season, but everything has gone backwards," he said. "There are a lot of good young guys here. I'm proud I could play with them." Indians catcher Victor Martinez, perhaps Belliard's closest friend on the Indians, was stunned. "I'm not mad, but I am sad," he said. "It's the sad part of baseball. You never know what will happen." The Indians certainly didn't foresee a disappointing season that has left them moving established veterans for younger players instead of fighting for a playoff spot. After winning 93 games a year ago, the Indians have dropped out of contention in the AL Central and been among the busiest teams as today's trade deadline approaches. The Cardinals should get a boost from Belliard, a steady player for Cleveland since signing as a free agent before the 2004 season. "The scouts who have been watching the American League and Belliard believe he's a more complete player for our stretch run," La Russa said. "Miles and Hector have both been solid. I just think this guy is a more complete player." Belliard's departure leaves the Indians without a veteran second baseman. Rookie Joe Inglett and Luna, who was signed by the Indians at age 19 in 1998 but lost to St. Louis in the Rule 5 draft after the 2003 season, will likely share the position for the remainder of the season.
Yankees: New York acquired All-Star right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies for four minor league prospects. Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East. "It's a good team. They have some good players. It's a team everyone wants to go to," said Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York. A .301 career hitter, Abreu fills a major void in the lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for most of the season. "Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win." Abreu's arrival could mean Sheffield won't return to New York next year. The Yankees hold a $13 million option on his contract for 2007. The Phillies get left-hander Matt Smith and Class-A shortstop C.J. Henry -- a first-round draft pick in 2005. They also landed rookie league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios. "You never think you got enough, but we're happy with what we got," general manager Pat Gillick said. Abreu was batting .277 with eight homers and 65 RBIs. His 91 walks led the majors and his .427 on-base percentage was third in the National League. He has 198 home runs and 841 RBIs over 10 seasons. Lidle, 34, is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this season.
Yankees: New York acquired All-Star right fielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Philadelphia Phillies for four minor league prospects. Desperate for pitching and a productive bat in their depleted outfield, the Yankees took on Abreu's hefty contract, hoping he can help them catch first-place Boston in the AL East. "It's a good team. They have some good players. It's a team everyone wants to go to," said Abreu, who already has an apartment in New York. A .301 career hitter, Abreu fills a major void in the lineup. New York has been without injured outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui for most of the season. "Things started heating up with Philadelphia in the last few days," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "The commitment left with Bobby is a pretty good commitment. This club has worked so hard and with so much fight. If I could, I wanted to give it a chance to win." Abreu's arrival could mean Sheffield won't return to New York next year. The Yankees hold a $13 million option on his contract for 2007. The Phillies get left-hander Matt Smith and Class-A shortstop C.J. Henry -- a first-round draft pick in 2005. They also landed rookie league catcher Jesus Sanchez and right-hander Carlos Monasterios. "You never think you got enough, but we're happy with what we got," general manager Pat Gillick said. Abreu was batting .277 with eight homers and 65 RBIs. His 91 walks led the majors and his .427 on-base percentage was third in the National League. He has 198 home runs and 841 RBIs over 10 seasons. Lidle, 34, is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this season.
Red Sox: The Texas Rangers traded right-handed reliever Bryan Corey to Boston for minor league pitcher Luis Mendoza. Corey was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Rangers activated starting pitcher Adam Eaton from the disabled list. Corey was 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 16 appearances for Texas after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Oklahoma on June 9. Mendoza was 1-5 with a 6.38 ERA in nine starts for Double-A Portland after starting the season at Class-A Wilmington, where he went 5-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 13 starts.
Rangers: Texas acquired catcher Miguel Ojeda from the Colorado Rockies for cash on Sunday and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma. Ojeda has played in parts of four major league seasons with San Diego, Seattle and Colorado. He has a .222 average with 15 home runs in 207 career games. Signed by Pittsburgh in 1993, Ojeda spent most of 1995-2002 playing in his native Mexico. In 25 games this season for the Rockies, Ojeda hit .230 with two home runs and 11 RBIs.