Contract Status:
Contract renewable through 2007.

Became a Cardinal:
Selected by the Cardinals from the Montreal Expos in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 15, 2003.

2006 Season:
Laya hit .267/.299/.278 with 13 stolen bases in 18 attempts, splitting the season between high Class A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield.

Career Notes:
Signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 1998, Laya played for the Braves' affiliate in the Venezuela Summer League through the 2000 season. He did not play professionally in 2001 or 2002, but did come back and play in the Mexican League in 2003 before being signed by the Expos. He is a career .278/.328/.317 hitter with 89 stolen bases in 367 minor league games.

Photo: Springfield Cardinals