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The normally trade averse Denver Brewers G.M. (that would be me), today initiated a multi-player deal with the Philadelphia Mud Hens of the Shoeless Joe League. Having received a clear message from 40-year old veteran first baseman Pablo Gonzales that Gonzales was quite displeased with the way he was being used on the team, and with no intention of keeping Gonzales beyond the end of the 1966 season or using him in any way other than as a bench player in the meantime, he decided it might be best to deal Gonzales rather than risking unhappiness in the clubhouse. Plus, in a candid off-the-record moment he admitted that he was looking to free up some room in the budget as well.
As the deal transpired, the Brewers also dealt veteran relief-pitcher/swingman Tony Harrison (due to be a free agent at the end of the season) and minor league shortstop Corey England, who was on the major league squad in 1965 but showing little signs of having a future rule in the WPK.
In return the Brewers mostly received some minor league depth players but also got veteran relief pitcher Joey Brown, who looks like a better short-term option to fill the immediate gap in the starting rotation (with Lawson on the DL) than Harrison was.
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