Baseball Digest Daily Blog: Brewers - D-Backs Pull Off Big Swap

The Milwaukee Brewers today acquired C Johnny Estrada, RHP Claudio Vargas and RHP Greg Aquino from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for LHP Doug Davis, LHP Dana Eveland and OF David Krynzel.

Estrada, 30, finished his sixth Major League season in October, hitting .302 with 11 HR and 71 RBI in 2006-his first season with Arizona. His 2006 batting average ranked fifth among N.L. catchers. The switch hitter owns a lifetime batting average of .280 with 32 HR and 227 RBI and was selected to the N.L. All-Star team in 2004 when he hit .314 with 9 HR and 76 RBI.

Estrada played in Atlanta from 2003 - 2005 and spent his first two Major League seasons with Philadelphia where he was selected in the 17th round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft.

"Estrada has been a very good offensive catcher during his career," Melvin said. "His ability to switch hit and his high contact/low strikeout approach is something that the Brewers offense has been missing."

Vargas, 28, went 12-10 with a 4.92 ERA in 2006. He made 30 starts and a relief appearance last season with Arizona. His 12 wins were second on the Diamondbacks, behind N.L. Cy Young winner Brandon Webb. A four-year Major League veteran, Vargas holds a career record of 32-32 with a 4.92 ERA.

A native of the Dominican Republic, the right-hander began his Major League career with Montreal/Washington (2003 - 2005) before joining Arizona in June of 2005.

"Vargas appears to be coming into his own," Melvin said. "He is a big, physical starter who has a power arm and will fit right into our rotation."

Aquino, 28, recently completed his third Major League season with the Diamondbacks where he went 2-0 with a 4.47 ERA in 42 relief appearances. Aquino is currently pitching for Estrellas de Oriente of the Dominican Winter League where he holds a 2-0 record alongside a 0.00 ERA with 7 strikeouts and no walks through 3 games.

In 2004, his rookie season with Arizona, Aquino recorded 16 saves. Also a native of the Dominican Republic, Aquino has spent his entire career with Arizona and owns a career record of 2-3 with a 4.93 ERA in 111 relief appearances.

"Aquino has always had a power arm, throwing in the 94 - 96 mph range," Melvin said. "He will add depth to our bullpen and he has the ability to pitch late in the games as evidenced by his 16 saves in 2004."

Davis joined the Brewers in 2003 and won at least 11 games in each of the last three seasons. Eveland and Krynzel were each Brewers draft picks and spent most of their 2006 seasons in the minor leagues.

"Doug Davis has been very dependable and a workhorse for the Brewers the past three years," Melvin said. "His competitiveness and steadiness will be missed. Dana and David are both still young, promising players and should have good Major League careers."

Brewers - D-Backs Pull Off Big Swap

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