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It's In The Cards: Vina Headed To St. Louis
By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel Staff
Dec. 18, 1999
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Fernando Vina, who originally thought he would be traded last winter, won't have to wait much longer.
A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed late Saturday night that the Brewers have reached an agreement with St. Louis to send Vina to the Cardinals for right-hander Juan Acevedo and two minor-league players.
The deal is contingent on Vina passing a physical by the Cardinals' medical staff and will not be official until he does so. Vina, 30, missed all but 37 games of the 1999 season with a leg injury that resulted in patella tendinitis in his left knee but reportedly is back to 100%.
Vina made the all-star team in 1998 but was shopped around extensively last winter by the Brewers, who failed to make a deal despite interest from several clubs including St. Louis. During Vina's absence due to the leg injury, rookie Ron Belliard stepped in and did a marvelous job (.295, 8, 58), making Vina more expendable than ever.
Acevedo, 29, has pitched primarily out of the bullpen during his 2 1/2 seasons in the major leagues but is expected to get a crack at the Brewers' starting rotation. The Mexican native pitched in 50 games for St. Louis last season, including 12 starts, and went 6-8 with a 5.69 earned run average.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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