With Van Slyke headed elsewhere we need a solid backup CF to cover Reggie Sanders' defensive shortcomings and give us some depth chart reinforcement at the position.
It doesn't take us long to identify our guy and we acquire him from the Dodgers with the following trade:
We will, all things remaining equal, be making a fairly concerted attempt to retain Bonds when his current contract expires in 1997.
We've timed it so Bobby Bo will be walking at the same time and that will improve our chances of getting this done. If Barry is happy with something not too far in excess of his current salary then we're in. If not, Derek looms as a viable alternative and profiles really well with Moises and Reggie.
Becker is a talented guy who tore up AAA last year and won the MVP in that league but he is an ineligible and we are keen to keep that spot free if at all possible. When the Dodgers came to the party with that chunky retention over the rest of DB's contract it was a no-brainer.