STROUD PUTS ON HIS TRADING HAT

                ST. LOUIS (AP)—A week after dealing away two outfielders, Andy Stroud brought another one in to help fill the gap left in the Slug Sauce lineup.

                Stroud announced Friday that he and Daniel Shoptaw, owner of Padawan Learners, had come to terms on four-player deal.  Larry Walker and Craig Biggio will be leaving the Learners for Darryl Kile and Edgar Renteria.

                This comes on the heels of the blockbuster trade with Chad Skelton, which sent Lance Berkman and Brian Giles to the Smokies for star pitcher Kevin Brown.

                “I’m trying to get my roster squared away before the dealing deadline,” stated Stroud at the press conference.  “I’ve had talks with every team in the league, and I’m still willing to do some more talking in the next two weeks.”  The trading deadline is September 1.

                Stroud is in the driver’s seat for his third straight Friends League crown, but he’s also keeping an eye on next year.  “I’ve got a lot of studs on this team,” he said, “and they can’t all be here next year.  I’m trying to get my roster worked out so that I’ll be in good shape for a four-peat.”

                Shoptaw, who is no stranger to big trades, stated that getting an established pitcher was the key.

                “We’re not going anywhere this year, I know that.  After getting Andruw [Jones] and [Ken] Griffey Jr. in here a couple of weeks ago, I could afford to move an outfielder.  And I was looking at going into 2002 with [Kerry] Wood and [Matt] Morris as my only two pitchers.  I wanted a big-time guy to go along with them, and Kile brings that to us.  We’re glad to get Renteria, of course, but chances are we’ll have to let him go free agent at the end of the year.”

                Kile will most likely go in for Ben Sheets, who will be placed on the disabled list.  Preston Wilson will be activated to take Walker’s place.

                Stroud’s moves were still up in the air at the moment, though roster space would be cleared before the Saturday deadline.