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PITTSBURGH - Brian Giles, one of the NL's best hitters for five seasons, was dealt Tuesday to the Padres in a long-rumored trade that further depletes the talent-thin Pirates.
In an uncommon late-season deal involving a name player going from one noncontender to another, the Pirates got promising left-handed starter Oliver Perez, minor-league outfielder Jason Bay and a player to be named.
After acquiring Giles, the last-place Padres sent All-Star outfielder Rondell White to the Royals for two minor-league pitchers.
Giles, a San Diego native, has averaged 37 homers and 109 walks since being traded by Cleveland before the 1999 season, and he has topped a .400 on-base percentage and .590 slugging percentage every season with Pittsburgh. He is hitting .299 with 16 homers and 85 walks this season despite sitting out a month with a knee injury.
The Pirates, headed for an 11th consecutive losing season, are rebuilding with younger and lower-priced players.
"There's a lot of disappointment, and satisfaction," Giles, 32, said. "It's disappointing because when I signed here, I wanted to play for a championship club here, but it just didn't work out. ... But I'm excited to go back and play in my hometown."
The Pirates have dealt their top starting pitcher (Jeff Suppan), closer and setup man (Mike Williams and Scott Sauerbeck), two most productive position players (Aramis Ramirez and Giles) and centerfielder Kenny Lofton since mid July. The trades came after owner Kevin McClatchy claimed losses of as much as $30-million since PNC Park opened in 2001.
White was hitting .278 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs and joins a team contending for the AL Central title. The Padres got left-hander Chris Tierney and right-hander Brian Sanches for White.
Meanwhile, Pirates right-hander Jeff D'Amico was scratched from his start because of flulike symptoms and replaced by right-hander Pat Mahomes.
YANKS PLAN AHEAD: New York, already preparing its postseason roster, optioned right-hander Jeff Weaver to Class A Tampa and designated left-hander Jesse Orosco for assignment.
The moves cleared space for left-handers Gabe White, activated from the disabled list, and Felix Heredia, claimed on waivers from Cincinnati.
Sunday right-hander Jose Contreras is likely to be optioned to the minors and infielder Erick Almonte recalled from Triple-A Columbus, moves that would allow the team to carry 10 pitchers on its postseason roster.
Contreras and Weaver would be recalled from the minors Monday, when active rosters expand to 40, and both would be eligible for postseason play because New York has two pitchers on the disabled list.
ANGELS: Scouting director Donny Rowland was fired. Special assistant Gary Sutherland will oversee the department until a director is named.
BRAVES: Second baseman Marcus Giles hit his 42nd double, breaking the Atlanta record of 41 set in 1997 by Chipper Jones. The modern franchise record is 47 by Tommy Holmes in 1945, when the team was in Boston.
CARDINALS: Shortstop Edgar Renteria missed the opener of the Cubs series with a sprained back but said he doesn't expect to be out long.
INDIANS: Omar Vizquel is not sure if his surgically repaired right knee will hold up, but he wants to find out. The nine-time Gold Glove shortstop, out since June 6, was activated from the disabled list and started against the Tigers.
MARINERS: Reserve infielder Greg Colbrunn needs a second surgery on his injured right wrist and will miss the rest of the season.
RANGERS: Rafael Palmeiro's 521st career homer tied him for 13th with Willie McCovey and Ted Williams.
ROYALS: Right-hander Runelvys Hernandez will need Tommy John surgery to replace a torn ligament and is not expected to return before the middle of next season.