Guest the pinjockey Report post Posted December 20, 2002 The Braves trade Kevin Millwood (18-8 with a 3.24 ERA) to the Phillies for backup catcher Johhny Estrada. BWAHAHAHAHA! Why would you trade a potential ace to a division rival that is actively pursuing an ace? You don't give the missing piece of the puzzle that the division rival is looking for without bending them over a table. And Estrada had no future in Philly so why would you only ask for him in return? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted December 20, 2002 This has to be a joke. Isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spaceman Spiff Report post Posted December 20, 2002 As a Phillies fan, this news rules, rulz, as wells as rools. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CanadianChris Report post Posted December 20, 2002 This has to be a joke. Isn't it? Nope. No joke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Cool three threads about the Braves recently. ::Reads thread: Eh- Milwood's wife was ugly anyway EDIT: I have a feeling AOL was breathing down their necks on this one or something b/c I really don't think John Scheurholz is that stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kingpk Report post Posted December 20, 2002 They probably wanted to dump Millwood's salary since Maddox accepted arbitration. What gets me is that they traded in their division. The Red Sox have a perfectly good backup catcher in Doug Mirabelli. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Glavine in a Mets uniform, Millwood in a Phillies uniform- what is the world coming to? They have Maddux, Ortiz, Byrd, Hampton and Moss as the rotation now right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest evilhomer Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Unless Millwood lost his pitching arm in an off season accident, there's no way this trade was made for anything other than financial reasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest the pinjockey Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Moss is gone, he was traded for Ortiz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Wait- we traded Moss so I guess Marquis is gonna start Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 As bad as this offseason has been- they got my favourite back so it's all good and I'm glad Millwood got to leave Hotlanta a winner who pitched fantastically in the first round. I really hope we can bring McGriff back. Him getting traded was probably the worst move the Braves ever made since he was my fave when he got traded Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Bob Van Darn Report post Posted December 20, 2002 The Braves' staff has really gone down. Ortiz & Byrd had good seasons last year, but they haven't proven it throughout their careers. Same for Hampton, who basically had 1 good year. Atlanta could be hurting this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 I still have faith the Decade of the Destruction will continue. The Mets look good on paper but they also did last year and depending on what Millwood they get the Phils could be either hot or cold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted December 20, 2002 In this case, they're either unloading $$$ to go after a good LF to supplant Chipper, or a 1B as they traded away Helms. Either that, or Schuerholtz had a temporary brain aneurysm while making this trade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 or a 1B Everyday I pray for Crime Dog Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Bob your the Braves fans. Would the Braves of been better off letting Maddux go, and saving money to sign Millwood next off season, or will this trade workout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 Here's the problem- I LOVE Greg Maddux. He is my all time favourite Brave and him resigning has made me tolerate this offseason. I'm not happy about the Millwood trade at all but like bravesfan said- if we use the money saved to fill some holes in the lineup then I'll be somewhat not completely pissed. I'd rather them keep Maddux, a proven pitcher then Millwood- a guy who is hit and miss. I think what also factored in the decision was it would look REALLY bad if they lost both Glavine and Maddux and I think it would hurt them in terms of attendance and stuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted December 20, 2002 or a 1B Everyday I pray for Crime Dog Why? It's not like this is the Crime Dog of 10 years ago. This is the Crime Dog that's 100 years old, on the verge of retirement. They need to find somebody that can play there for a couple of years not just one. Here's the explanation for the trade.... Braves general manager John Schuerholz explained the move, telling ESPN's Karl Ravech that this wasn't a baseball trade, but rather a trade fostered by the economics of baseball. "With Kevin's arbitration number projected to be $10 million this season and with Greg Maddux accepting arbitration we were $15 million over budget," Schuerholz told ESPN. "The economics in baseball stink. The economics stink, and if this isn't a clear enough signal to the doubters and naysayers, to be forced to trade an 18-game winner to your arch enemy ... The economics stink." Even so, some might question why the Braves would trade Millwood to a team within their own division. "I tried. No one was willing to take the $10 million this season," Schuerholz told Ravech. "Only one team (wanted to), and it was the team he was ultimately traded to. As late as 15 minutes before the deal was finalized, I was on the phone and not one team was willing to move." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 20, 2002 I mostly want Crime Dog back because he was my favourite Brave until they traded him. It's more for sentinmental reasons and besides- are there any other good 1B out there? I feel bad for Schuerholz as it looks AOL again busted his balls to make this trade. I wish Ted Turner had never merged as we lost WCW and it seems like the days of the free spending Braves are over. You would think with all this $ they must have- AOL would let them spend to stay competitive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted December 20, 2002 "I tried. No one was willing to take the $10 million this season," Schuerholz told Ravech. "Only one team (wanted to), and it was the team he was ultimately traded to. As late as 15 minutes before the deal was finalized, I was on the phone and not one team was willing to move." I'm content with this explanation. I can't imagine more than a handful of teams willing to pay Millwood $10 million, considering his ups and downs. The only suitors to Millwood's contract were those in his own division (Mets, Phillies), who were willing to take the gamble to "stick it" to the Braves in the end. I mostly want Crime Dog back because he was my favourite Brave until they traded him. It's more for sentinmental reasons and besides- are there any other good 1B out there? Cliff Floyd was signed by the Mets today, so there goes one potential player...I'm thinking Travis Lee and Fred McGriff as the only viable options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lethargic Report post Posted December 20, 2002 "I tried. No one was willing to take the $10 million this season," Schuerholz told Ravech. "Only one team (wanted to), and it was the team he was ultimately traded to. As late as 15 minutes before the deal was finalized, I was on the phone and not one team was willing to move." I'm content with this explanation. I can't imagine more than a handful of teams willing to pay Millwood $10 million, considering his ups and downs. The only suitors to Millwood's contract were those in his own division (Mets, Phillies), who were willing to take the gamble to "stick it" to the Braves in the end. I mostly want Crime Dog back because he was my favourite Brave until they traded him. It's more for sentinmental reasons and besides- are there any other good 1B out there? Cliff Floyd was signed by the Mets today, so there goes one potential player...I'm thinking Travis Lee and Fred McGriff as the only viable options. If they're already 15 million over budget, how could they sign either one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alkeiper Report post Posted December 21, 2002 ESPNnews just announced that McGriff signed with the Dodgers, pending a physical Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted December 21, 2002 FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bravesfan Report post Posted December 21, 2002 The Braves signed Julio Franco and Darren Bragg to minor-league contracts, so... What I've heard recently, is that either Javy Lopez will be moved to first, or he and his $7,000,000 contract will be traded to the Rangers in exchange for Hank Blalock and a minor-leaguer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest geniusMoment Report post Posted December 21, 2002 The reds offered Sean Casey for Millwood but the Braves said no and got estrada instead. Doesn't make much sense to me. Casey could have been their answer at first base plus they wouldn't have traded to a team in their division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted December 21, 2002 John Schuerholz is complaining about how fair the economics of baseball are. Whose fault is it the Braves were forced to trade Millwood? Could it be the guy who wasted money on Castilla, and Lopez last season. Take some advice from Billy Beane, Terry Ryan and a lesser extent Bill Stoneman. You can win with a low to medium ranged payroll. In the Braves case it's still one of the higest in the league, but they have to watch their payroll alot closer know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest alkeiper Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Heck, they added close to $10 million by aquiring Paul Byrd and Russ Ortiz LAST WEEK. What I've heard recently, is that either Javy Lopez will be moved to first, or he and his $7,000,000 contract will be traded to the Rangers in exchange for Hank Blalock and a minor-leaguer. That would be a worse trade than Millwood for Estrada. As for moving Lopez to first, Estrada's hardly any better at catcher. Right now the Braves should take a look at Brian Daubach, who is now available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RobJohnstone Report post Posted December 21, 2002 Here's the problem- I LOVE Greg Maddux. He is my all time favourite Brave and him resigning has made me tolerate this offseason. I'm not happy about the Millwood trade at all but like bravesfan said- if we use the money saved to fill some holes in the lineup then I'll be somewhat not completely pissed. I'd rather them keep Maddux, a proven pitcher then Millwood- a guy who is hit and miss. I think what also factored in the decision was it would look REALLY bad if they lost both Glavine and Maddux and I think it would hurt them in terms of attendance and stuff maddux will only be in atlanta one more year. One year of maddux or a career with a potential ace millwood. The answer is simple. They should have kept millwood, left marquis as a long reliever for the season and then next year when maddux leaves, put marquis there. Bad move, but, it can't be as bad as what my team just did signing floyd --Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
