KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals Friday traded third baseman Gregg Jefferies and minor league outfielder Ed Gerald to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Felix Jose and infielder Craig Wilson.
The 25-year-old Jefferies, who was obtained from the New York Mets in a major multi-player deal in December, 1991, was the Royals' offensive leader in at-bats (604), hits (172), total bases (244), runs batted in (75), sacrifice flies (9) and stolen bases (19).
Jefferies also tied for the club lead in batting average (.285), games (152), runs (66) and doubles (36) and compiled an 18-game hitting streak last season, the fifth longest in club history.
The Royals, anticipating the retirement of George Brett, had planned to use Jefferies as the designated hitter this season because of his poor defense. However, when Brett announced he was coming back for another season Jefferies became expendable.
Jefferies signed a new contract with the Royals earlier this week. Terms were not announced but Jefferies, who earned $1.15 million last season, had filed for a $3 million salary and the Royals had offered $1. 85 million.
Jose, 27, hit .295 with 14 homers and 75 RBI in 131 games with St. Louis last season. Jose had 22 doubles, three triples and 28 stolen bases and ranked fourth in the National League with 11 outfield assists. Jose hit .305 with eight homers and 77 RBI in 154 in 1991.
