By Jim Callis
August 25, 2003

The Cubs have been one of the most active buyers and the Reds one of the most vigorous sellers in the 2003 trade market, and the clubs kept at it with a minor deal on Monday. After waiving Felix Heredia, the last lefthander remaining in its bullpen, Cincinnati replaced him by acquiring Triple-A southpaw Phil Norton from Chicago for Double-A lefty John Koronka.

Heredia is eight appearances from vesting a 2004 player option that calls for a $1.7 million salary or $400,000 buyout. He informed the Reds that he planned to take the buyout, so in order to save the $400,000, they let the Yankees claim Heredia on waivers.

Norton, 26, was a 10th-round pick out of Texarkana (Texas) JC in 1996. He started for his first five pro seasons, then moved to the bullpen in 2001. After missing all of 2002 because of Tommy John surgery, Norton has returned to go 4-2, 3.78 with one save in 48 games at Iowa this year. He has a 43-24 strikeout-walk ratio in 48 innings, and opponents have batted .242 with four homers against him. Norton's best pitch is his curveball, and he also has a high-80s fastball. He made four appearances for the Cubs in May and has a 0-1, 8.25 career record in six big league games.

Koronka, 23, signed as a 12th-rounder from a Florida high school in 1998. The Rangers selected him in the major league Rule 5 draft at the 2002 Winter Meetings, but returned him to the Reds for half the $50,000 draft price after he posted a 6.75 ERA in five spring-training appearances. In his third shot at Double-A, Koronka has improved but hasn't stood out. In 25 starts at Chattanooga, he has gone 7-13, 4.39 with a 115-60 K-BB ratio in 156 innings. Batters have touched him for a .298 average and eight homers. Koronka has a good changeup and a high-80s fastball, but will have a hard time advancing as a starter if he doesn't refine his breaking ball.