Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dempster, Victorino, Pence all traded

Dodgers hope Victorino’s bat can make a difference. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

Baseball’s haves picked up more players from the have-nots at Tuesday’s trade deadline, when Ryan Dempster was dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers and Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Jonathan Broxton all wound up on new teams.

Four days after the A.L. West rival Los Angeles Angels acquired former Cy Young Award winner Zack Geinke, the Rangers obtained Dempster for infielder Christian Villanueva and pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Texas also acquired catcher Geovany Soto from the Cubs for right-hander Jake Brigham.

Dempster was 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 16 starts for the Cubs and can become a free agent after the season. “It’s a great opportunity over there,” he said. “

The Philadelphia Phillies, last in the N.L. East and their run of five straight division titles all but over, sent Victorino to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handers Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin. They also shipped Pence to San Francisco for outfielder Nate Schierholtz, catching prospect Tommy Joseph and pitcher Seth Rosin.

Cincinnati received Broxton from Kansas City, also a cellar dweller.

Pence is batting .271 with 17 homers and 59 RBIs this season. He fills a major need for the Giants, giving them a right-handed hitter with power.

Victorino, nicknamed the Flyin’ Hawaiian, is batting .261 with nine homers, 40 RBIs and 24 steals. He helped the Phillies win five straight N.L. East titles and the 2008 World Series championship.

Miami Marlins traded pitcher Edward Mujica to St. Louis for infielder and sent former All-Star first baseman Gaby Sanchez and right-hander Kyle Kaminska to Pittsburgh for outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and a 2013 draft pick.

Clearing the bases

Texas Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz needs Tommy John surgery to repair a tear in his right elbow and likely will be sidelined until next summer … Boston Red Sox outfielder Ryan Sweeney is expected to miss the rest of the season after fracturing his left knuckle when he punched a door … The Baltimore Orioles placed designated hitter Jim Thome on the 15-day disabled list because of a herniated disc in his back …Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks is done for the season because of a left shoulder strain … Atlanta placed right-hander Tommy Hanson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back.