Phoenix trades veterans Molitor, McDowell January 25, 1998
Pending league approval, Phoenix owner and GM Patrick Bridges
announced his team's second off-season trade.
Phoenix has agreed to send experienced veteran and contact hitter Paul
Molitor, number two pitcher Jack McDowell, and utility infielder Mark
Lewis to the Spokane Paladins for pitcher Wilson Alvarez, shortstop
Alex Gonzalez, and Spokane's 2nd round free agent draft pick.
McDowell, who had a team-low 2.51 ERA for the Gila Monsters this
season, was shocked at the trade. "This is just a move by Phoenix
management to avoid playing experienced players like myself and Paul
what we're truly worth. This is an outrage." Gila Monster
representatives declined to speak to the press about the issue, as
they were busy manning the phones, supposedly talking about yet
another trade, this one involving Todd Ziele.
"We're busy at work on our team right now", said one Phoenix
representative. We were very happy with out team last year, but think
we can do even better this next year with the trades we've made.
