Rays Second Baseman Iwamura Heads To Bucs In Exchange For Pitcher Sanchez

Pittsburgh, PA (AHN) – The Pittsburgh Pirates, weak at second base after trading Freddy Sanchez in July, acquired two-bagger Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday in exchange for pitcher Jesse Chavez.

Apart from shipping right-hander Chavez to the Rays, no cash was reportedly involved in the deal.

As a result, Iwamura, who finished his third major-league season on the shelf due to a knee problem, becomes the current highest-paid player of the Pirates franchise.

Iwamura’s $4.85 million salary in 2010 will be shouldered by the Pirates.

It could be a short stay at Pittsburgh though for the 30-year-old left-hand hitter native of Japan.

Iwamura’s contract only runs through 2010. A clause in his contract will make the former Japanese baseball star a free agent after the season.

Iwamura was limited to only 69 games this year due a partially torn ACL in his left knee that required surgery.

While with Tampa, he batted .281 with over 100 RBIs in 344 career games over three seasons