Larry Walker is a Hurricane once again and the team is happy to have him back for 2002. He was traded to the then New York Express in a deal that brought Armando Benitez to Gulf Coast. After an injury-plagued 2001 season for the renamed Sterling Gas House Gang, Walker was reacquired along with John Rocker and Sterling's 10th round pick in 2002, in exchange for Jose Vidro, A.J. Burnett and Gulf Coast's 1st round pick in 2002.
Vidro became expendable when the Hurricanes acquired Bret Boone and Scott Elarton from South Street for pitchers Eric Milton and Mike Remlinger. Gulf Coast also dealt fan favorite, though it was only for the latter half of the 2001 season, Mike Piazza, and Tony Batista to the Albuquerque Turkeys in exchange for third baseman Troy Glaus and pitcher Jason Schmidt. Prior to all of these trades, the Hurricanes had dealt Armando Benitez to San Antonio in return for their 3rd round pick back in 2002.
All of these trades were precipitated in part by the expansion draft, which was held in November to round out the rosters of 4 new franchises which join the league for the 2002 season. . |
