MILWAUKEE, May 27 (UPI) -- The Detroit Tigers added some speed Tuesday when they acquired outfielder Alex Sanchez from the Milwaukee Brewers for a pair of minor leaguers.
Sanchez had been riding the Milwaukee bench since May 13 after Scott Podsednik pushed him out of the job as the Brewers' starting center fielder.
The Brewers acquired outfielder Gary Varner and lefthanded pitcher Chad Petty from the Tigers in the deal.
Sanchez was batting .282 when he lost the starting job. He had eight stolen bases, but his inconsistency on the basepaths irked the Brewers. Sanchez was caught stealing six times. Only Florida's Juan Pierre, who has been caught seven times, has been thrown out more often.
Podsednik has hit .255 with three homers and 10 RBI. He was 0-for-11 in the Brewers' weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but recently had an eight-game hitting streak.
"Scott Podsednik's performance over the last several weeks gave us this opportunity to trade Alex Sanchez," Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin said. "We were able to get two young players to add to our minor league system and we believe that Alex, with his talent, will get a better opportunity with Detroit and we wish him well."
Varner, who was batting .303 with three homers and 30 RBI with Class AA Erie, will report to Class AA Huntsville. Petty, who started the season at 3-4 with a 4.40 ERA for Class A Lakeland, will now play for Class A High Desert.
