Mets, Brewers Swap

In light of the failure to acquire Yorvit Torrealba, the New York Mets traded reliever Guillermo Mota to the Milwaukee Brewers for catcher Johnny Estrada Tuesday.

Estrada hit .278 with 10 longballs and 54 RBIs for the Brew Crew this year, his last before the option of becoming a free agent becomes a possibility in 2008. His defense leaves much to be desired, however, as he threw out just 13% (11-of-84) potential base-stealers.

After re-signing backup catcher Ramon Castro last week, the Mets have left Paul Lo Duca to find a home elsewhere.

Mota was grounded for 50 games by the commissioner's office for a positive steroids test at the beginning of the season and finished 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 52 appearances.

The 34-year-old righty, who's all-too-familiar with hometown boos, struck out 47 and walked 18 over 59.1 innings. He is a career 28-29 with a 3.91 ERA over nine big league seasons.

[USA Today]

Brewers Give Estrada $3.4 Million

The Milwaukee Brewers gave catcher Johnny Estrada a $3.4 million, one-year contract on Friday, as their Opening Day catcher.

Last season, before being traded to the Brewers as part of a six-player deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in November, Estrada hit .302 with 11 homers and 71 RBI in 115 games.

Milwaukee has one player remaining in arbitration: outfielder Bill Hall, who is rumored to be getting as much as a four-year contract as soon as the next few days.

[Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]