D-Backs Get Womack For Minor

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 26, 1999 / 8:43 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

The Arizona Diamondbacks completed a scaled-down trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates today, acquiring veteran second baseman Tony Womack for minor league outfielder Paul Weichard and a player to be named later.

The teams were negotiating a trade last week that would have sent Womack and outfielder Al Martin to Arizona for outfielder Bernard Gilkey. The teams, however, reportedly were unable to work out details of how much of Gilkey's contract the Diamondbacks would be willing to assume. Gilkey wanted to stay in Arizona and various reports claim he refused to restructure his contract.

But the Diamondbacks still managed to land the 29-year-old Womack, who should move in as the team's leadoff hitter. He batted .282 with a league-leading 58 stolen bases to go with three homers and 45 RBI last year. In 351 career games, Womack has hit .278 with nine homers, 103 RBI and 122 stolen bases.

The Diamondbacks will likely convert Womack into an outfielder and use Jay Bell at second base. Womack, who played center field the last five games of the 1998 season for Pittsburgh, likely will compete with Luis Gonzalez at winning a job in right or left field next to Steve Finley.

On Saturday, the Pirates signed shortstop Pat Meares to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, setting up their infield for 1999 and clearing the way to trade Womack. The Pirates plan to try prized prospect Warren Morris at second base.

The big loser in today's deal was the 31-year-old Martin, who lives in Arizona and hoped to be traded to the Diamondacks. Martin will likely be the fourth outfielder on the Pirates behind Brian Giles, Brant Brown and Jose Guillen.

Weichard, 19, hit .293 with 28 RBI and 19 stolen bases last season for Lethridge of the Class A Pioneer League. He was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia.