White Sox Trade For Tartabull In Attempt To Bulk Up Roster

The Chicago White Sox, looking to add more power and protection in their lineup for Frank Thomas, acquired outfielder Danny Tartabull on Monday from the Oakland Athletics for two minor leaguers.

Chicago sent left-handed pitcher Andrew Lorraine and outfielder Charles Poe to Oakland.

“I get the opportunity to be in a lineup with a force in the game like Frank Thomas,” Tartabull said. “You can only benefit from being around a guy like that.”

Four players avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to contracts, including St. Louis center fielder Ray Lankford, who received a $12.5 million, three-year deal.

Also settling were Philadelphia’s Mickey Morandini, who will get $1.75 million next season; Houston’s Sean Berry, who agreed at $995,000; and Colorado’s Andres Galarraga. Terms of Galarraga’s contract were not disclosed.

St. Louis traded outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the New York Mets for three minor leaguers.

The Cardinals received pitchers Eric Ludwick and Erik Hiljus and outfielder Yudith Ozorio, none having played above Class AA.

The Milwaukee Brewers signed pitcher Ben McDonald to a two-year deal for slightly less than $6 million after the No. 1 draft pick cleared a physical.