Adios Estrada

It is being reported by ESPN and the AJC that the Braves have traded Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks for two pitchers. The Braves would receive Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal from the D-Backs. Both pitchers, ages 25 and 24 respectively, have primarily worked out of the bullpen the last two years. This looks to be a move to add more arms to the pen. Villarreal is probably the hotter commodity here with 3 plus pitches, a slider, two seamer, and four seamer, he is primarily a sinkerballer. This deal may be a sign that the rumored three team trade between the Braves, D-Backs, and D-Rays is dead.

My first impressions of this trade are mixed. While the D-Backs were one of the teams I listed as a possible destination for Estrada, I had thought we would use him as a major chip to get either a shortstop or closer or perhaps one of their better bullpen arms. The fact that we got two average middle relievers makes me think we were just looking to get rid of Estrada and his salary. This seems to be a positive move if you’re a Brian McCann fan, as he will in all likelihood take over as the primary catcher next year. It also seems to indicate the rumors that had him being included in a trade to Tampa Bay are all but over.