Braves Acquire Outfielder Matt Diaz From Kansas City
Pitcher Ricardo Rodriquez sent to Royals

     ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Matt Diaz from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league pitcher Ricardo Rodriquez. Diaz has been added to the Braves' 40-man roster.

     Diaz, 27, owns a .315 career average in seven minor league seasons. He batted .371 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in just 65 games at Triple-A Omaha in 2005. In 2004, Diaz played 134 games at Triple-A Durham and batted .332 with 47 doubles, 21 homers and 93 RBI.

     Diaz has spent parts of the last three seasons in the major leagues. He batted .281 while playing in a career-high 34 games for the Royals last season. He played in 10 games for the Devil Rays in 2004 and in four games in 2003.

     The 6-foot-1, 200-pound righthander was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 17th round of the 1999 draft out of Florida State University.

     Rodriguez has been in the Braves system since signing as a non-drafted free agent in 1998. He switched from infielder to pitcher in 2003 and went 16-16 in three seasons (3-9 at Class-A Myrtle Beach in 2005).

Courtesy of the Atlanta Braves Public Relations Department.

Ok, so you were probably expecting something a little more interesting. But, this really isn't that bad a deal if you look at what Rodriguez has done. Diaz is no star, or even starter, but he could provide a little depth in the outfield off the bench. Now where Brian Jordan fits in, I have no idea.