Cardinals Let Go Of Gary Gaetti

The St. Louis Cardinals designated third-baseman Gary Gaetti for assignment Saturday.

The move means that after 10 days, if the Cardinals haven't traded him, Gaetti will be free to sign with any team.

Gaetti, 39, in his third season with the Cardinals, was hitting .265 with 11 homers and 43 RBI. The Cardinals acquired third-baseman Fernando Tatis from Texas in a July 31 trade, making Gaetti expendable.

Since the trade, Gaetti has said he would like to be traded to a contender.

Gaetti has 343 career homers in a career that began in 1981 with Minnesota. He was part of the Twins' 1987 world championship team, and also played for California and Kansas City.

His best year was 1986, when he hit .287 with 34 homers and 108 RBI. He won four straight gold gloves from 1986 through 1989.

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