Paul Byrd to the Halos

[Tony Clark is my son]

That's my point. So he won 18 games and threw a no-no. What was his record last year? 9-6? With a 4.85 ERA? And how about 2003? 14-12 with a 4.01 (okay, that's not all that bad...). Those are average stats AT BEST!

Not to mention that the no-hitter means he was great that one day. Remember David's Cone perfect game? After that, he couldn't get a guy out. Not that Millwood's the same, but a no-hitter doesn't mean a pitcher will continue to dominate afterwards...

[trevisc]

At $5M for 1 year, I think the Angels overpaid just a little for Byrd. They must be expecting 2002 results.

Wow..that's ironic because that's the exact amount I heard the Braves offered for Milllwood

[Dawgpound 1613]

At $5M for 1 year, I think the Angels overpaid just a little for Byrd. They must be expecting 2002 results.

Wow..that's ironic because that's the exact amount I heard the Braves offered for Milllwood

Millwood - 98-64/3.89 ERA/1134 K in 1367.1 IP/1.25 WHIP 30 y.o.
Byrd - 60-32/4.33 ERA/552 K in 907.1 IP/1.30 WHIP 34 y.o.

Hmmm - if I was going to give $5M to a pitcher, who would I give it to????

And, with the Braves (and Mazzone), he had seasons of 17-8/18-7 and 18-8. As for last year, he was hurt (big negative), but his K/9, HR/9 and K/BB weren't far off from his career numbers. Only his H/IP, which could be explained by the injury, was off. If healthy, he is a MUCH better gamble at $5M than Byrd, IMHO.

[trevisc]

couldn't agree more. The only problem is I don't think millwood will accept that offer

[kentx12]

Byrd is good but just not a good fit for the Braves. I think they'll be ok if they can land Hudson or Millwood or both

Why is he not a good fit? He pitched well for them last year and I wish he would have came back.

[Dawgpound 1613]

couldn't agree more. The only problem is I don't think millwood will accept that offer

I agree unless that's all he can get and he signs a 1 year "make-good" contract ala Nomar to push his value up for 2006.

Even so, with their budget, I can't see the Braves spending $5M on any pitcher not named Hudson. If they get him, there's no room at the inn with Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Thomson and Ramirez. Same if Brown subbed for Hudson. Only if they get neither can I see them taking a chance on Millwood, and I'm sure someone else will give him more for 1 year or a 2 year deal with what's happening with pitcher contracts this off-season.

[TheYanks04]

The great Mazzone did not do a thing with Millwood in 2000 (4.66 ERA) or in 2001 (4.31 ERA). He has a good year in 2002, goes to the Phils and basically is OK in 2003 qnd stinks in 2004 and all of a sudden he is a great pitcher? Please. Millwood has had 2 good years, 1999 and 2002. That is it. He has a lifetine 3.9 ERA In the NL, which is hardly earth-shattering. Mazzone or no Mazzone, this guy is nothing special.

[trevisc]

Byrd is good but just not a good fit for the Braves. I think they'll be ok if they can land Hudson or Millwood or both

Why is he not a good fit? He pitched well for them last year and I wish he would have came back.

Well Byrd obviously wanted to pitch on the west coast and had been reluctant to sign a long term deal with the Braves even though they took a chance on him when he had his surgery. He was said that he thought the move to Anaheim was a good move for his family. The part I don't get is why would he go there for just one year?

[Dawgpound 1613]

The great Mazzone did not do a thing with Millwood in 2000 (4.66 ERA) or in 2001 (4.31 ERA). He has a good year in 2002, goes to the Phils and basically is OK in 2003 qnd stinks in 2004 and all of a sudden he is a great pitcher? Please. Millwood has had 2 good years, 1999 and 2002. That is it. He has a lifetine 3.9 ERA In the NL, which is hardly earth-shattering. Mazzone or no Mazzone, this guy is nothing special.

Yet the Yankees just spent $21M on a pitcher who has had 1 good year and a career ERA over 5 and $40M on another pitcher who's also only had 1 good year and an ERA of 4.2+ (all in the NL, BTW). Not that he'd sign for it, but based on this, I'd say Millwood at $5M would be a steal.

[TheYanks04]

Pavano has the potential to be very good. Wright I am not high on either ...the Mets paid 7.5M for Benson, making just about anyone a good signing at 5M...so what? Millwood has been around for years and you know what he is...a mediocre-plus SP who is capable but not likely of having a pretty good season. This guy is not going to be some savoir for anyone/ Hudson is a top SP. Millwood is nothing more than a decent #3 IMO and may not even be that good in a bad year.