Padres trade Gary Green to Indians for Frank Wills
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:23 pmHOBOKEN, N.J. - In the second trade of the young 1986 season, the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians swap former first round draft picks, with the Padres sending shortstop Gary Green to the Indians for pitcher Frank Wills.
Gary Allen Green was signed as a Padre first round draft pick in the 1984 amateur draft. Gary was selected in two amateur drafts prior, but elected not to sign with the Giants in 1980 and the Cardinals in 1983 while pursuing other interests. Gary returns to the Ohio/Pennsylvania area to play near his hometown of Pittsburgh. Gary brings depth to the shortstop position in Cleveland, but he is not necessarily known for his range. Gary has a strong and accurate throwing arm and will hopefully find a place as a member of Cleveland’s active roster as he made no errors the entire spring for the Padres this year.
Frank Lee Wills was a first round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1980. After 2 years with KC, he moved in a 4 team trade involving the Royals, Mets, Rangers and Brewers. After spending the spring with the Mets, he was traded to the Mariners and landed in Seattle’s rotation for the 1985 season. Wills was released with only 6 days remaining in camp this spring, but the Indians took a chance by inviting him to join their minor league affiliate to start the year.
Neither manager was available for immediate comment; however, sources close to both clubs indicated that other deals between the Indians and Padres may be forthcoming but they wanted to cement this one as an act of good faith between the clubs. [i:b6d6fcee62]-- Adam DeCicco[/i:b6d6fcee62]
Gary Allen Green was signed as a Padre first round draft pick in the 1984 amateur draft. Gary was selected in two amateur drafts prior, but elected not to sign with the Giants in 1980 and the Cardinals in 1983 while pursuing other interests. Gary returns to the Ohio/Pennsylvania area to play near his hometown of Pittsburgh. Gary brings depth to the shortstop position in Cleveland, but he is not necessarily known for his range. Gary has a strong and accurate throwing arm and will hopefully find a place as a member of Cleveland’s active roster as he made no errors the entire spring for the Padres this year.
Frank Lee Wills was a first round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1980. After 2 years with KC, he moved in a 4 team trade involving the Royals, Mets, Rangers and Brewers. After spending the spring with the Mets, he was traded to the Mariners and landed in Seattle’s rotation for the 1985 season. Wills was released with only 6 days remaining in camp this spring, but the Indians took a chance by inviting him to join their minor league affiliate to start the year.
Neither manager was available for immediate comment; however, sources close to both clubs indicated that other deals between the Indians and Padres may be forthcoming but they wanted to cement this one as an act of good faith between the clubs. [i:b6d6fcee62]-- Adam DeCicco[/i:b6d6fcee62]