Padres Deal Booker to Twins

Padre Manager Jack McKeon confirmed late Wednesday that the team had traded pitcher Greg Booker, McKeon’s son-in-law, to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named.

The player is believed to be Fred Toliver, 1-3, 7.76 ERA, who has yet to clear waivers. If left unclaimed by this afternoon, Toliver will be joining the Padres Friday in St. Louis.

Booker, who has not appeared in a game since June 9, was almost traded a month ago in a deal with the Chicago Cubs that would have also involved outfielder Carmelo Martinez, infielder Randy Ready and prospects in a package that would have brought shortstop Shawon Dunston.

This time, though, there were no collapses in the trade talks, and for the first time in his career, Booker will be playing for someone outside the family.

Booker is expected to report to the Twins’ triple-A club in Portland for a 10-day assignment before joining the big-league club after the All-Star break.

Toliver pitched parts of four seasons in the National League for Cincinnati and Philadelphia, where he compiled a 1-7 record with a 4.25 ERA in 91 innings. In 1988 with Minnesota, Toliver was 7-6 with a 4.24 ERA.

In his five combined major league seasons, Toliver struck out 141 batters in 205 2/3 innings.

Booker was 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA this season with the Padres. His ERA is the highest on the club. Booker had a 5-6 career record before this season with a 3.76 ERA.