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By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

Richie Sexson has driven in more than 100 runs the last three seasons. (Aynsley Floyd/AP)

Richie Sexson joins the Diamondbacks: 56k | 300k

PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks filled their need for a power hitter Monday, acquiring first baseman Richie Sexson and pitcher Shane Nance along with a player to be named as part of a nine-player deal with the Brewers.

"I'm pretty excited," Sexson said. "Obviously I enjoyed my time in Milwaukee, but as a player, we obviously play to win and it got tough in Milwaukee. I'm pretty excited. I like the city of Phoenix. I've heard nothing but good things about the organization and I'm also very excited about the prospect of winning."

Arizona sent infielders Craig Counsell, Junior Spivey, Lyle Overbay and catcher Chad Moeller, along with minor league pitchers Chris Capuano and Jorge de la Rosa to the Brewers.

"This is a guy that is a damage-inflicting offensive player," Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said of Sexson. "I think it was clear to anybody that watched this team last year that we didn't hit the ball over the fence enough."

Richie Sexson   /   1B
	Height: 6'8" Weight: 215 Bats/Throws: R/R More info: Player page Stats Splits Hit chart Diamondbacks site

The Diamondbacks finished 10th in the National League in runs scored in 2003 and 12th in home runs, which made their top offseason priority to add some punch to the lineup. Sexson, whom the D-Backs have coveted for some time, batted .272 with 45 homers and 124 RBIs for the Brewers in 2003.

"I'm very excited," Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said. "For the time I've been in Arizona, it seems the one thing we've always been searching for is a right-handed power hitter.

"Richie Sexson is one of a handful of legitimate power hitters in the league," added Brenly. "This guy can hit the ball out of any field in any park."

The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $8.6 million in 2004. The Diamondbacks did not ask for a 72-hour window to try and work out an extension with Sexson, but contrary to some published reports, they do not view him as a rent-a-player.