1. Announced that 3B Hensley Meulens refused assignement to Ottawa, and has
become a free agent. [9/30]



2. Announced that OF Joe Orsulak, 3B/OF Hensley Meulens, and RHP Jim Bullinger
have refused minor league assignment and have become free agents. [10/6]

Announced that OF Sherman Obando had refused a minor league assignment and
has become a free agent. [10/8]

The Expos begin to clear the roster of its unnecessary veterans. With the
exception of Orsulak, all should contribute to major league teams at the back
end of a roster next year.



3. Traded RHP Pedro Martinez to Boston for RHP Carl Pavano and a PTBNL. [11/18]

Traded 2B Mike Lansing to Colorado for RHPs Jake Westbrook and John Nicholson
and OF Mike Hamlin. [11/18]

Jim Beattie has gotten alot of credit for what he's gotten out of Tom Vu
clones who keep dropping him messages about what to do with his "distressed
property." Certainly picking up Pavano is a good move, but Westbrook and
Nicholson aren't outstanding, and neither move adresses the Expos big
offensive problems.



4. Traded RHP Dave Veres and a PTBNL to Colorado for CF Terry Jones and a PTBNL.
[12/10]

Traded LF Hank Rodriguez to the Cubs for RHP Miguel Batista. [12/12]

A lot of baseball folks are talking about what a dandy job Jim Beattie has
done in getting talent in his slash-and-burn campaign, but these aren't good
examples of it. Jones will never be an asset, and Batista (not to be confused
with the Miguel Batista who came up with the A's) is a plain-old bad pitcher
with no single outstanding pitch.



5. Acquired RHP Tony Armas Jr. from Boston to complete the Pedro Martinez deal.
[12/18]

This turns out to be a much better deal than some people would have you
believe, since they were saying that the PTBNL would be the execrable Trot
Nixon. Armas has looked good so far, but he has not made the jump to AA yet.
In 21 starts this year, he went 10-4 with a 2.81 ERA, coughing up 97 hits and
41 BBs in 115.1 innings, while striking out 99 batters.