Pirates Trade Simon to Cubs

First baseman Randall Simon was traded Saturday by Pittsburgh to the Chicago Cubs for a minor league outfielder -- the third regular the Pirates have dealt to the Cubs in less than a month.

The deal follows the July 22 trade that sent third baseman Aramis Ramirez and center fielder Kenny Lofton to Chicago. In this deal, the Pirates get Ray Sadler, who is hitting .291 with 31 doubles, six homers and 42 RBIs at double-A West Tenn.

Simon is probably best known for hitting one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ racing sausages with his bat last month, drawing fines from local authorities and Major League Baseball in addition to a three-game suspension.

With the Cubs looking for production at first base, Simon figures to get considerable playing time. The left handed-hitter is batting .274 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs.

Simon, who is making $1,475,000, is eligible for arbitration after this season. With the Pirates looking to trim their payroll by as much as $20 million in 2004, General Manager Dave Littlefield said he didn’t fit into their long-range plans.

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The Cincinnati Reds put left fielder Adam Dunn on the 15-day disabled list. He sprained his left thumb while trying to make a diving catch on a sinking line drive in the sixth inning of Friday’s night’s game against Houston.... The St. Louis Cardinals put right fielder J.D. Drew, who has a strained oblique muscle, on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 9, and recalled So Taguchi from triple-A Memphis.