Ray Lankford Left Field St. Louis Cardinals Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 91 15 39 38 4 .235

SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Woody Williams, a favorite among the fans and his teammates, was traded from the San Diego Padres to the St. Louis Cardinals for disgruntled outfielder Ray Lankford and more than $2.8 million on Thursday.

Lankford has been on leave from the Cardinals since Tuesday. He complained about a lack of respect before leaving the team. Lankford waived a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Cardinals were unable to complete a deal with San Diego before the non-waiver trade deadline on Tuesday.

Both players had to clear waivers by midday Thursday before the teams could agree on the swap. The deal then had to be approved by the commissioner's office because of the amount of cash involved.

Minutes before the move was made official, manager Tony La Russa remained angry at Lankford and his agent.

"They're getting advice and it's like a champion's entourage," La Russa said. "He knows the light's red, but it must be green and he walks out and gets run over."

San Diego had been looking to trade Williams because he'll make $7.25 million next year and it opens a spot for one of the organization's young pitchers as the Padres build toward the opening of their new downtown ballpark in 2004.

Williams, acquired from Toronto for Joey Hamilton as part of the Padres post-World Series retooling in 1998, wanted to be part of a winner here. But the Padres finished fourth in the NL West in 1999, fifth last year and are currently fourth, 8½ games behind Los Angeles going into Thursday's games.

"It's the business part of it," Williams said. "I think with the stadium being pushed back as far as it has, to 2004, and even at that, has a lot to do with it."

The ballpark was supposed to be open by next spring, but has been delayed by lawsuits and a federal investigation into stock dealings by a former city councilwoman in a software company owned by Padres owner John Moores.

Williams said he was relieved that a deal finally happened after a week of rumors.

"Anybody that wants me appeals to me," said Williams, 34. "My time here ran out and the same thing may happen there, but we'll have to wait and see. St. Louis is a great baseball town and it's exciting to go to a place like that."

Williams is 8-8 with a 4.97 ERA this year. In nine big league seasons he's 58-62 with a 4.32 ERA.

The right-hander had been scheduled to start the Padres' day game against the Chicago Cubs, but Junior Herndon was recalled from Triple-A Portland to make his major league debut.

Williams missed two months of the 2000 season after undergoing surgery to repair an aneurysm under his right armpit.

On the day he had surgery, Williams' teammates hung his jersey in the dugout.

"To get this kind of support from the community and the organization during my problems last year, it really made me feel good and it's something I'll never forget," Williams said.

Williams would likely start Saturday for the Cardinals, who had not listed a probable pitcher for that day.

"I haven't seen this guy throw since last year," pitching coach Dave Duncan said Wednesday. "So I don't know exactly what my opinion would be of him up close."

The $2.8 million the Padres will receive from the Cardinals will offset the difference in Lankford's and Williams' salaries this season and next.

Williams is due $7.25 million next year. Lankford has $8.6 million guaranteed after this season, including $7.6 million in salary next season and a $1 million buyout in 2003. Lankford has a $7.5 million option for '03.

Lankford, 34, was batting .235 with 15 home runs, 39 RBI and 105 strikeouts in 264 at-bats.

Lankford had been with the Cardinals his entire career. He's hit at least 25 homers in four of the last six seasons.

Although in a cost-cutting mode, the Padres are willing to take on another high salary as long as it's a position player with power. Obtaining Lankford won't block any corner outfielders coming up from the minors.

The Padres will have a crowded outfield for the rest of the season. However, Tony Gwynn, struggling to get back into the lineup due to a sore right knee, is retiring at season's end and it's doubtful that Rickey Henderson will be brought back. That would give the Padres a projected outfield next season of Lankford, Mark Kotsay and Bubba Trammell.