A's send Koch to White Sox as part of six-player trade

CHICAGO -- Dumping yet another big salary, the Oakland Athletics traded closer Billy Koch to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in a six-player trade.

In exchange for Koch and two minor leaguers, the Athletics will get White Sox closer Keith Foulke, catcher Mark Johnson, minor league right-hander Joe Valentine and cash.

Koch, who turns 28 on opening day, has emerged as one of the American League's top closers, becoming the first ever to start his career with four consecutive 30-save seasons. He won AL reliever of the year honors this season, going 11-4 with 44 saves.

He led major league relievers in victories and led the AL with 84 appearances. Only Minnesota's Eddie Guardado had more saves, with 45.

In four seasons with Toronto and Oakland, Koch is 22-17 with 144 saves and a 3.48 ERA.

Koch had a $2.35 million base salary this season and made $150,000 in performance bonuses. He's eligible for salary arbitration this year, and his salary is likely to double.

By acquiring Koch, the White Sox hope they've finally found a long-term, reliable closer. Foulke saved a career-high 42 games in 2001 and ranks third on the White Sox saves list. But he struggled last season, losing his closer role in early June. He went from June 27 to Sept. 17 without a save, and finished with only 11.

He was 2-4 with a 2.90 ERA. He is due $6 million next season, the final year of a $10 million, two-year contract. He's eligible for free agency after next season.

Foulke did regain some of his old form at the end of the year, not allowing an earned run over his final 17 2-3 innings.

Cardinals sign Torrealba

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have signed catcher Steve Torrealba for the 2003 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Torrealba, 24, had played in the Atlanta Braves organization since 1995, making major-league appearances in the past two seasons. In the 2001 NL division series against Houston, Torrealba got a base hit in his only at-bat.

The Cardinals also offered major-league invitations to six players on Tuesday and agreed to contracts with 14 minor league players, all of whom were assigned to the club's Triple-A team in Memphis.

The players offered major-league invitations are: right-handed pitchers Kiko Calero, Todd Erdos, Nerio Rodriguez and John Snyder; left-handed pitcher Dan Serafini; and outfielder Mike Peeples.

Cubs, Dodgers talk trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers reached a tentative agreement with the Cubs on Tuesday to trade first baseman Eric Karros and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to Chicago for catcher Todd Hundley.

The Cubs, retooling their roster under new manager Dusty Baker, and the Dodgers were given 72 hours to finalize the deal. To make it happen, Hundley and Grudzielanek must agree to have their contracts restructured.

"We're working on it," said agent Sam Levinson, who represents Hundley and Grudzielanek.

Earlier in the day, the Cubs and free agent reliever Mike Remlinger finalized a $10.65 million, three-year deal. He was 7-3 with a 1.99 ERA last year for Atlanta and made the All-Star team.

All three players are still owed big money. As part of the deal, the Dodgers would send cash to the Cubs.

The Cubs are trying to reverse their recent struggles, which included a 67-95 finish last season. The Dodgers went 92-70 and were in contention for the NL wild-card spot until the final week.

Both Hundley and Karros are coming off disappointing seasons.

-- From wire reports