Diamondbacks deal for Braves' Estrada

[Kolo]

per Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com:

The Braves have traded catcher Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks for right-handed relievers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal, FOXSports.com has learned.

The move means the Diamondbacks will no longer be pursuing any of the free-agent catchers on the market.
In related news, the Orioles are close to signing the Padres' free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I like the move if Estrada is healthy. He never seemed to recover last year after he was absolutely lit up by Darin Erstad in a collision. I was never that enthralled with Cormier like some on this board were. His lack of any good out pitch made him very hittable towards the end of the year plus he walked too many guys. And has Villareal never been healthy.

Plus we could get just as much production out of a Snyder/Estrad platoon as we could of from Paul Lo Duca with far less of an impact on payroll and in prospects given up.

 

[The Commish]

I think this will probably be a good move for the DBacks in the long run. Cormier, though our best reliever most of last year, doesn't have the devistating stuff that really excites me. Villareal is a good reliever, but since his rookie year he has struggled to remain healthy. Estrada comes cheap which is always a plus because it allows us to spend money in other areas. Does anyone know when his contract runs out? Also, is this just a stopgap move at catcher for a couple years, or is this something that we are doing for the long haul?

 

[clif]

I really liked Villareal. He seemed to have nice stuff. I am not a "seemhead" so I don't know all the particulars on any player, but I do thing he will never be the same after the "abuse" Brenly put him through in '03. How is it that every casual fan even knew he was being overworked, but the manager seemed to have missed it?

 

[dogpoo32]

Hopefully now with 2 gone from the horrid bullpen they will get some guys who will actually help the starters. I got shivers everytime a starter was pulled last year.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Estrada is an offensive minded catcher who calls a good game, but cannot throw out baserunners at all. Two years ago He made nine errors, most of them coming on poor throws, and retired a hair under 19 percent of basestealers. So if he preforms well offensively then I will think this is a decent trade. Villareal had potential, but like someone said never recovered after being over-used by Brenly.

Cormier doesn't have enough velocity to be anything but average at the major league level. Of course, once I say this... the wise men in Atlanta will turn him into the next Maddux. That coaching staff can work wonders with a pitcher.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Cormier doesn't have enough velocity to be anything but average at the major league level. Of course, once I say this... the wise men in Atlanta will turn him into the next Maddux. That coaching staff can work wonders with a pitcher.

Leo Mazzone is no longer in Atlanta, he'e currently the pitching coach for the Orioles.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Leo Mazzone is no longer in Atlanta, he'e currently the pitching coach for the Orioles.

Well then I take back my previous statement.

 

[BillsCarnage]

Here's the Azcent story
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1207dbacks-trade.html

I like this trade. Maybe now they'll have a solid catcher since Damien left.

 

[AZZenny]

I liked Cormier more than most here, but I strongly suspect he was damaged by misuse this season, like Villareal and Koplove before him. I still think he may do better as a starter, but we'll see. I don't think we lost a Capuano-sleeper in this deal, we didn't lose any top prospects, and we didn't get hosed for a moderate improvement.

This also means no more ST with half a dozen 90-year-old codgers squatting behind the plate trying out. THAT is a big plus.

Now take the money saved by not going after LoDuca and buy us Justin Upton for Christmas, Josh!!

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I applaud this trade since there was low risk involved.... Estrada is 29 and how an injury that really isnt career threatening and he should be fully recovered by Spring Training....

I dont think Villarreal will over revert back to his '03 form since Brenly and co practically destroyed his arm and I reiterate what AZZenny mentioned (something her and I frequently discussed during the course of last season) that Cormier seemed as the season progressed to develop some arm-strain that really much affected his velocity....

Is it a stopgap until Montero is ready? Perhaps, however, Montero is at least 2 years away from being a regular ML catcher and they acquired Estrada who hasnt even reached the prime age at his position... Lord..Im glad that they didnt get Lo Duca while the likes of Molina and Hernandez would have been too expensive and Toby Hall hasnt exhibited much consistancy to warrant being a regular catcher... Getting an All-Star calibre catcher with just sacrificing 2 average relievers who have serious issues with their long-term health is quite a coup.... This trade somewhat dictates that Byrnes is indeed in charge and it is certainly refreshing....

 

[devilfan02]

I really like this trade. I think we got the most value out of this years catching class (although we obtained Estrada through a trade). He's relatively young at 29 and we have him locked up for 3 cheap years, which is perfect. Estrada is a switch hitting batter who is known as a contact hitter with decent speed. He led the Braves 2 seasons ago with 38 doubles. In 2004, he had a great BA at .314 (in 460 + AB's) to go along with 76 RBI's. After Erstad trucked him last year he went in the tank and wasn't the same the rest of the year. I liked Cormier but I think Melvin pitched him way too much- it proved at the end of the season. He might have the same problems that Villareal had when Brenly turned his arm into hamburger meat. Villareal was totally expendable as he will struggle to stay in the bigs. It's unfortunate cause he was a great talent but his arm is that of a 40 year old. Overall, I think this trade was great for the Dbacks!

 

[boondockdrunk]

Now take the money saved by not going after LoDuca and buy us Justin Upton for Christmas, Josh!!

Think we call all try to pull money together? I got a coin jar with about 6 bucks in it... if everyone in Arizona sent money... maybe... just maybe Santa will make our dreams come true.

 

[devilfan02]

Think we call all try to pull money together? I got a coin jar with about 6 bucks in it... if everyone in Arizona sent money... maybe... just maybe Santa will make our dreams come true.

I'll throw in the money I'll get back from my books after finals. I can't believe we're doing this 2 years in a row. Hopefully Byrnes realizes how special Justin "Griffey Upton is and will sign him the first day he can.

 

[overseascardfan]

You know I totally forgot he was an all star C. Wow I guess it was a great deal if he returns from injury.

 

[devilfan02]

You know I totally forgot he was an all star C. Wow I guess it was a great deal if he returns from injury.

He was awesome in '04. He'll rebound

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I'm throwing my five bucks in to the "Sign Upton" fund.

Good deal for the Diamondbacks. This is one of those low risk, high reward deals that I enjoy. Estrada's definately adequate enough to be worth the risk and they didn't give up too much to get him.

 

[devilfan02]

I think we handled the catcher situation this offseason the best, 100%. The Mets are stuck with Lo Duca who is the most expensive and least productive of all the catchers available. The Orioles are gonna lock up Hernandez with a 4 year deal worth 27 mill. While Hernandez is good I don't think he's worth a 4 year deal. Plus, he wouldn't get near that amount of money if a bigger named catcher was out there. Molina is older and expensive and IMO has a very limited future. All we had to give up was a broken down reliever in Villareal and a decent reliever in Cormier. Great job Byrnes! You think Joe Jr. would have pulled that off?? Hell no, we would have had Lo Duca 2 weeks ago and it would have cost us Nippert. Moron

 

[Yuma]

Molina is the bomb. Of course he lives in Yuma, so I am biased!

 

[devilfan02]

Molina is the bomb. Of course he lives in Yuma, so I am biased!

I didn't realize that till a couple minutes ago. He went to Central AZ CC. He's def good but I think we went in the right direction with Estrada

 

[AZZenny]

Hey - I'll chip in ten bucks for the "Stuff my stocking with Upton" Xmas fund.

LOL - we actually ought to DO it -- pool together 30 or 40 bucks and mail it - or deliver it - to Josh Byrnes, to show him the fans are paying attention, and doing OUR part to get the kid signed.

 

[IndyDevil]

Hey - I'll chip in ten bucks for the "Stuff my stocking with Upton" Xmas fund.

LOL - we actually ought to DO it -- pool together 30 or 40 bucks and mail it - or deliver it - to Josh Byrnes, to show him the fans are paying attention, and doing OUR part to get the kid signed.

Does anyone have the link to the "Upton Contract Fund" PayPal account?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Oh man i love this trade. I love how Byrnes was almost questioning the trade due to the nature of the prospects and the team he was trading with. This deal is an absolute coup....Even if Cormier develops and Villereal reverts to form, we didnt give up any of the bullpen arms i liked (Valverde, Aquino, Bruney (kinda), Koplove and Lyon) and we got a catcher who is relativly young and has a precedent with his silver slugger award in 2004.

I remember watching him that year and (i thought he was like 24 at the time) and thought, this kid is going ot be a star....hopefully the desert heat helps with his back....

Plus i am hesitant to spend 7 million on any catcher that doesnt absolutly control a game defensivly which we were about to do. $450k is right up my alley and now that money can be spen in other areas

Lets get a starting pitcher and Upton signed with the money saved and get elite level prospects for Vasquez, Glaus, and even Gonzo

 

[outcent13]

I would actually like to see gonzo extended and his contract restructured as he is the lone " face of the organization" remaining. He has always been a class act and could probably contribute in a simialar role as Clark in the next few years. I have been a fan of Gonzo's since day one and would love to see him finish with the Dbacks.

 

[az240zz]

Oh man i love this trade. I love how Byrnes was almost questioning the trade due to the nature of the prospects and the team he was trading with. This deal is an absolute coup....Even if Cormier develops and Villereal reverts to form, we didnt give up any of the bullpen arms i liked (Valverde, Aquino, Bruney (kinda), Koplove and Lyon) and we got a catcher who is relativly young and has a precedent with his silver slugger award in 2004.

I remember watching him that year and (i thought he was like 24 at the time) and thought, this kid is going ot be a star....hopefully the desert heat helps with his back....

Plus i am hesitant to spend 7 million on any catcher that doesnt absolutly control a game defensivly which we were about to do. $450k is right up my alley and now that money can be spen in other areas

Lets get a starting pitcher and Upton signed with the money saved and get elite level prospects for Vasquez, Glaus, and even Gonzo

Wasn't Koplove released lat year???

az240z