Fri, Jul 29, 2005 at 2:00pm

O'S, ROX SWAP OUTFIELDERS

The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfielder Eric Byrnes from the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Larry Bigbie.

What does it give the Baltimore Orioles
The Rockies had been rumored to be thinking of handing off Byrnes from the moment he was traded there on July 13. Surprisingly, he struggled in the thin air, but he is known to be an extremely streaky hitter. And curiously, he makes their lineup even more right-handed than it already was, as the left-handed Bigbie waves goodbye. But he does have a whole lot of heart and plays the game hard, so he should be a good influence in a contending clubhouse.

What does it give the Colorado Rockies
Probably one of the key reasons the Rockies made this trade is that Bigbie is two years younger than Byrnes. He gives them another big guy in the outfield who has occasional pop, which could occur more often in the thin air as he's worked into the crowded outfield mix.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Baltimore Orioles

Eric Byrnes OF

Colorado Rockies

Larry Bigbie OF