Willy Aybar’s tumultuous time with the Atlanta Braves has come to an end. The troubled Aybar was dealt today to the Tampa Bay Rays as a part of a 3 player deal. Also parts of the trade was lefty Jeff Ridgway who will now play for the Braves. Minor league infielder Chase Fontaine was dealt to the Rays as a part of this deal.

Aybar’s last major league action was in 2006, when he had just 115 at-bats with the Braves. In 2007 Aybar was suspended indefinitely by the team for undisclosed reasons. then later on in the season he was suspended again for failing to show up for treatments involving his broken hand. Aybar’s agent then commented that his client had been struggling with, “Drinking and drugs.” All of these suspensions further distanced Aybar from the team.

“The important part is that we want to get with Willy, talk with him about the circumstances and get it right,” Braves General Manager John Schuerholz said at the time of the suspension. “That’s our goal. That’s our mission.”

Chipper Jones remarked on Aybar: “I didn’t even know he was still on the team.” Aybar will hope to put his past behind him and succeed for the 2008 Rays.

Ridgway was 2-3 with a 3.06 ERA with the Triple A Durham Bulls in 2007. Jeff struck out 67 batters in 64 innings.

Chase Fontaine hit 3 home runs with 26 RBI’s in Class A Rome last season. He hit for a .288 average, had 90 hits and stole ten bases. Fontaine’s been praised for his hitting ability but is not considered to be strong at any one position.