Brewers Trade Vina To Cards

December 20, 1999 / 5:43 PM EST / CBS/AP

Fernando Vina passed his physical Mondy and the St. Louis Cardinals acquired the second baseman from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee gets right-hander Juan Acevedo and two minor leaguers to be named for Vina, who was flying home to Sacramento, Calif., when the trade was announced.

The teams have been talking about a trade since the winter meetings last week. Vina fills the Cardinals' needs for a second baseman and leadoff hitter.

"Fernando is the type of player we have been seeking for some time," general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement. "He's a proven leadoff hitter who runs well, plays solid defense, and will serve as a catalyst for our offense."

Acevedo was 6-8 with a 5.89 ERA and four saves last year. He began the year as the closer and after some trouble he was also tried as a starter and middle reliever.

"Our primary goal was to improve our pitching," Brewers general manager Dean Taylor said. "The addition of Juan Acevedo adds another strong and experienced arm to our staff."

Vina was injured in a collision with Brewers right fielder Jeromy Burnitz while trying to catch a popup May 9, sustaining a deep bruise to his left quadriceps. He rushed his rehabilitation and developed tendinitis in h s left knee, and played only seven games the rest of the season all in August.

Vina hit .266 with one home run, 16 RBIs and five steals in 154 at-bats. He batted .311 in 1998 with seven homers, 45 RBIs and 22 steals.

Vina will make $2 million next season, the option year of a three-year contract. He is eligible for free agency after the season.

Acevedo was 15-for-16 in save opportunities down the stretch in 1998. The Cardinals had preferred to trade another right-hander Garrett Stephenson.

"If they didn't want to give me up, they wouldn't have traded me," Acevedo said. "But no hard feelings. I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and this is probably my best chance to be a starter."

Acevedo said a plus was getting a chance to pitch against Mark McGwire, who hit a record 70 home runs in 1998 and 65 last year.

"I always wanted to see how I'd do against Big Mac," Acevedo said. "If he hits one off me, I want it to be a bomb. Nothing cheap."