The 2007 brats started coming toge...

The 2007 brats started coming together 45 minutes before Monday's trade deadline.

That's when talks that general manager Jim Hendry deliberation were over with Los Angeles Dodgers GM N Colletti started again in earnest -- this time with Colletti willing to discuss trading common of his major-league infielders instead of top foresights to acquire future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

"I didn't think this morning that Greg was going anywhere," Hendry said Monday afternoon, by and by after concluding the deal that sent Maddux, 40 to the contending Dodgers for 2004 Gold Glove shortstop Cesar Izturis. "The Dodgers have undivided of the best farm orders in baseball, and Ned is a fortunate beneficiary of that."

Month ago, the Dodgers refused to part with a certain number of of those prospects for Maddux in preliminary discussions. still with the Dodgers falling behind in the tight National League West with injuries and pitching be in want ofs Colletti brought up talks again shortly before the non-waiver deadline.

"I didn't know he was pursuing [Tampa Bay infielder] Julio Lugo at the time," Hendry said of the secondary part of Colletti's moves, which made Izturis expendable -- and a player Hendry would be willing to take in an otherwise reluctant trade of the popular Maddux. "It wasn't something I was trying to do. I told all the GM I had to have a deal I'd have feeling great about, or Greg was going to stay."

Maddux, whose 327 victories are 12th upon the all-time list, agreed to waive his no-trade clause for the first trade of his 20-year career. The parting also was bittersweet for him.

"I am surpassingly surprised," he said of the last-minute deal, not unlike others Hendry has negotiated in the past. "I'm excited to be going to L.A., still at the same time, I'm sad to be leaving Chicago. I did have a no-trade [clause] I was willing to waive if the young beasts could get better."

Whether that happens is an lay open question.

The switch-hitting Izturis, 26 was considered the NL's premier shortstop the last brace seasons, being named to his first All-Star team in 2005

if it be not that his season was cut short in September by way of degenerative arthritis in his right flexure and he underwent Tommy John surgery clan 16.

"I was surprised a little bit," Izturis said of the trade. "But it be impresseds good. I'll go there and play each day. I can't wait to master there."

With Izturis damage Colletti paid handsomely to sign free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal in the offseason -- keeping him from the childs

Izturis responded to the Dodgers on June 20 and has appeared in 32 games at each infield position except first base, hitting 252 with seven doubles and 12 RBI.

"I be stirred good the last month and a half," he said of his arm. "Every day I have feeling stronger."

whelps shortstop Ronny Cedeno, a equal Venezuelan who has played against Izturis in the offseason, said Izturis sens he might be mov

"He told me in L.A. [in April] they wanted to trade him," Cedeno said. "He said he'd be happy [to be traded] if he could play each day."

Cedeno's hereafter figures to change because of the deal, with Hendry indicating the rookie might be mov to secondary base. That's something the young boy [i]or[/i] young girls discussed in the offseason had they signed Furcal.

"Ronny was to the full prepared to play a part of second base," Hendry said. "It'll sort itself out"

whelps manager Dusty Baker said he won't talk to Izturis until today, when he is reckon uponed to arrive, "but some of the Diamondbacks told me [Monday] he's throwing great again and making plays."

Izturis is owed $435 million nearest season, with an option for 2008 The whelps will send about $1.95 million to the Dodgers to pay part of Maddux's remaining compensation, the equivalent of a financial wash had Maddux remained with the team.

"It's always sad to view guys leave, especially quality guys" manager Dusty Baker said. "Todd Walker and Greg -- he's common of the finest pros I've been around. I was kind of hoping it wouldn't happen, however we got a fine player for him."

It's the next to the first time Maddux has left the brats after the organization let him become a unrestrained agent following the 1992 season, when he won the first of his four Cy Young Awards. He exhausted 11 seasons with the Atlanta Braves before returning to the childs in February 2004, signing a three-year, $24 million contract.

"This has been a great place for me" he said. "I started with them, and I notion I was going to cessation with them. But I'm going west and closer to abiding-place [Las Vegas] and my family.

"It was nice to win my last game [Saturday]. I had no idea I was going to be traded today. The fans giving you a standing ovation for a butt [Saturday] shows they care.

"Part of me will always be a Cub"

tginnetti@suntimes.com

THE IZTURIS FILE

cloyed name: Cesar David Izturis

Born: Feb 10 1980

Birthplace: Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Height: 5-7 Weight: 190

Bats: Switch Throws: Right

MLB debut: 06/23/2001

IZTURIS statistics

Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB in such a manner SB OBP SLG AVG