Doug Davis, set to become a free agent at the end of next season, was sent from Milwaukee to Arizona in exchange for Johnny Estrada, Claudio Vargas, and Greg Aquino. Arizona also got a couple of seemingly inconsequential prospects in the deal.
It really says something about the value of starting pitching in baseball when a journeyman 32 year-old coming off a disappointing season in which his ERA was barely under 5.00 can force a deal because he won't sign after next year. The value of Doug Davis is his consistent ability to log innings. In 2004 and 2005, those were better than league-average innings as well.
From Arizona's perspective, they have added another innings eater to pair with Livan Hernandez behind their ace Brandon Webb. They'll likely mix a rookie arm or two into the rotation behind a top three of veterans.
Milwaukee may end up making out nicely in this deal in both the short and long term. While Arizona now has to worry about signing Doug Davis to a long-term contract, Milwaukee has three players signed for at least a couple years apiece at reasonable prices. Estrada has demonstrated the ability to be an offensive contributor from the catcher's position, Greg Aquino is a useful bullpen arm who could emerge as a legitimate set up man, and Claudio Vargas showed the ability last season to be an innings-eater.
In fact, last season, it could be argued that Vargas outperformed Davis. Throw in his horrific home performance in Arizona (Vargas had an ERA over a run-and-a-half higher at home), and the fact that he is younger and cheaper than Davis, and this looks like a nice move for the Brew Crew.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsfrog.com/2006/11/six_pl....
It really says something about the value of starting pitching in baseball when a journeyman 32 year-old coming off a disappointing season in which his ERA was barely under 5.00 can force a deal because he won't sign after next year. The value of Doug Davis is his consistent ability to log innings. In 2004 and 2005, those were better than league-average innings as well.
From Arizona's perspective, they have added another innings eater to pair with Livan Hernandez behind their ace Brandon Webb. They'll likely mix a rookie arm or two into the rotation behind a top three of veterans.
Milwaukee may end up making out nicely in this deal in both the short and long term. While Arizona now has to worry about signing Doug Davis to a long-term contract, Milwaukee has three players signed for at least a couple years apiece at reasonable prices. Estrada has demonstrated the ability to be an offensive contributor from the catcher's position, Greg Aquino is a useful bullpen arm who could emerge as a legitimate set up man, and Claudio Vargas showed the ability last season to be an innings-eater.
In fact, last season, it could be argued that Vargas outperformed Davis. Throw in his horrific home performance in Arizona (Vargas had an ERA over a run-and-a-half higher at home), and the fact that he is younger and cheaper than Davis, and this looks like a nice move for the Brew Crew.
Original Story:
http://www.sportsfrog.com/2006/11/six_pl....
