The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting the trade of catcher Johnny Estrada to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In return the Braves got two right-handed pitchers.
Atlanta moved to add depth to their pitching staff by acquiring righthanders Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal from Arizona in exchange for catcher Estrada.
The deal was to be formally announced at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday)
Cormier, a 25-year-old who played collegiately at Alabama, went 7-3 with a 5.11 ERA in 67 appearances for Arizona last season. Villarreal, who just turned 24, was 2-0 with a 5.47 ERA in 11 games in 2005.
Estrada was Atlanta's starting catcher last season, but the emergence of Brian McCann in the latter half of the season made the veteran expendable. He hit .261, and was not as effective at the plate or behind it following a homeplate collision with the Angels' Darren Erstad in June.
Estrada was acquired by the Braves in 2003 from the Phillies in exchange for Kevin Millwood.
Johnny Estrada was seriously injured by the Angels' Darren Erstad in June at Turner Field in a collision at home plate.
Click to enlarge photo.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt