In addition to acquiring OF-L Brian Giles from the Pirates, the Padres also dealt OF-R Rondell White to Kansas City for RHP Brian Sanches and LHP Chris Tierney on Tuesday. White doesn't figure into San Diego's plans next season, so there was little reason for the Padres to retain the pending free agent when dealing him would open up playing time, a roster spot, and a little payroll room for Giles.

With the Padres, White hit .278 with a .330 OBP and .465 SLG on 115 H, 17 2B, 3 3B, and 18 HR with a 25:71 BB:K and 1/5 SB% in 413 AB. He doesn't possess strong plate discipline skills, and while a career low G-F has helped him reach these power numbers, he still hits a good number of ground balls. However, he's put together a solid 2003 and moving from Qualcomm to Kauffman Stadium should help him finish the season strong, as he's done for the last couple of years. The Royals offense wasn't weak before the trade, and this acquisition should significantly improve their lineup, especially against right-handed pitchers.

Mike Sweeney likely will need to occupy the designated hitter slot in the lineup for most of the remainder of the season due to his back condition, and when Sweeney's not DHing Kansas City probably will want to give Carlos Beltran a rest from centerfield. Consequently, White should start in left field. OF/1B-L Raul Ibanez, who has been covering left, will shift to either first base or right field in place of 1B-R Ken Harvey and OF-L Aaron Guiel respectively. As both Harvey and Guiel suffer from a substantial platoon split, I'd recommend Ibanez play first against right-handers and right when the Royals face a southpaw. Kansas City hasn't announced specific plans regarding playing time yet, but Harvey does look likely to lose the most at-bats as a result of this trade.

Kansas City drafted Sanches out of Lamar University with their 2nd round pick in the 1999 draft. He closed out the 1999 season with Spokane in the Short-Season Northwest League and then spent 2000 at A+ Wilmington in the Carolina League. Now in his third season at AA Wichita, Sanches compiled a 73:17 K:BB with 84 H and 8 HR allowed in 85.1 IP for a 3.16 ERA over 38 appearances including six starts before the trade. While I don't have the splits available to review, the 25-year-old's control and dominance have increased each year as he's made less starts and more relief appearances, so his future seems to be in the bullpen. If the Padres quickly reach the same conclusion, he probably could contribute to their relief squad as soon as the second half of 2004 provided he does well when exposed to AAA.

The Royals drafted Tierney out of high school with their 7th round pick of the 2001 draft. He completed that season with their Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate and then spent last year at Burlington in the A Midwest League. Prior to the trade, the 19-year-old compiled a 73:48 K:BB with 160 H and 11 HR in 127.1 IP for a 4.38 ERA over 26 starts at A+ Wilmington. Neither Tierney's control nor his dominance merit praise, however he's young and left-handed, so if he doesn't improve as a starter after a few more years, he still can probably move to relief and spend a few seasons in a major league pen.