Murray Dodgers Trade Reported

The Baltimore Orioles have traded slugging first baseman Eddie Murray to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was reported today.

A source told the Associated Press that an agreement was reached earlier in the day. The source said the Orioles were to acquire pitcher Ken Howell and two of the organization’s top prospects, outfielder Mike Devereaux and shortstop Juan Bell. Murray, a seven-time all-star, would fill the Dodgers’ need for a hard-hitting first baseman. Both teams denied the inter-league deal was done. “To me, you don’t have a trade until you’ve closed it,” Orioles general manager Roland Hemond said. Dodgers general manager Fred Claire also said the trade had not been finalized. Murray, who will be 33 next season, batted .284 this year with 28 home runs and 84 runs batted in.