ESPN:

 

The Atlanta Braves have traded catcher Johnny Estrada to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for two pitchers, the Atlanta Journal-Consitution reported Wednesday.

 

The deal, which would send righthanders Lance Cormier and Oscar Villareal to Atlanta, is to be announced Wednesday afternoon, according to the paper.

 

Cormier, 25, was 7-3 in 79.1 innings over 67 games with a 5.11 ERA with the Diamondbacks last season. Villareal, 24, was 2-0 with a 5.47 ERA in 11 appearances.

 

Estrada was the Braves' starting catcher last season, but was made expendable by the emergence of Brian McCann late in the season. Estrada, 29, batted .261 with four homers and 39 RBI last season for the Braves and struggled both at and behind the plate after a June collision at homeplate with the Angels' Darren Erstad.

Good move by the Dbacks. I'm not a big fan of either of those pitchers and when Estrada is healthy he's a pretty good hitting catcher.

Estrada was useless to Atlanta due to the emergence of Brian McCann.

Estrada was useless to Atlanta due to the emergence of Brian McCann.

Sure, but I think Estrada has a little bit more trade value then this. That being said, Schuerholtz kind of knows what he's doing over there.

Now we can see what that Brian McCann can do as a full time catcher.The kid looked pretty good last season.

Edited December 7, 200520 yr by Pierzynski 12

I know the D'backs needed a catcher, but man their BP is getting worse and worse. Not that these two pitchers in particular were anything special, but at least they had some experience.

Good move by the Dbacks.  I'm not a big fan of either of those pitchers and when Estrada is healthy he's a pretty good hitting catcher.

How many times in the last 10 years have the Braves traded for a pitcher who you thought was finished up, washed up, or just not worth a dime, and turned them into key guys on their staff? The most recent example I can think of is Jorge Sosa, who they picked up from Tampa Bay for almost nothing and who turned into a key starter for them down the stretch last year.

 

Last year they had Mazzone to do it. Watch these 2 guys to see if that same magic still works without him.

Great trade by Arizona. If, and this is not high in probability, they can get the pen healthy then Lyon, Bruney, Valverde, and Aquino can be nice parts. I still have no clue why they gave up on Casey Fossum so quickly though

Yesturday, All the boys over at ESPN said this is day when a bunch of moves will happen. Looks like there already starting....

That avatar is so sweet, but that sig is so terrible....

 

I think this is a good trade for the Braves, they need some extra arms, smoltz aint gettin any younger and they are losing bullpen arms like crazy.