Angels sign Byrd

[nodiggity59]

A 1 year deal, amount unknown, per foxsports.com.

Another 5th starter option down the drain. He would have been affordable, at least.

[1917]

Maybe they are backing out of the Clement race?

[nodiggity59]

Hopefully. I think teams like Cleveland and Toronto will max out at $24 mil. If the Sox offer $21, he could be ours. Only Boston and Anaheim scare me, they could go to $27mil.

[Jjav829]

Wow, his deal is worth $5 million for one year. :o:

[MRKARNO]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041214&content_id=922495&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp

Angels trade Ramon Ortiz and his 5 million dollar contract to Cincinnatti for a nothing prospect, thus freeing up the 5 million dollars for Byrd

[soltrain21]

According to Rotoworld it was one of Cincy's best prospects.

[munchman33]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041214&content_id=922495&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp

Angels trade Ramon Ortiz and his 5 million dollar contract to Cincinnatti for a nothing prospect, thus freeing up the 5 million dollars for ByrdSo they cleared a dead weight contract just to pick up another? I don't get it. :?:

[Foulke You]

So they cleared a dead weight contract just to pick up another? I don't get it. :?:
Ramon Ortiz wanted to start and the Angels lost confidence in him as a starter last year and put him in the bullpen. In 2002, Byrd had a career year and went 17W-11L which got him his 2 year deal with the Braves. After missing the 2003 season due to injuries, he rebounded with a solid (not stellar) year for the Braves going 8W-7L and appearing in 19 games. I think the Angels just felt better about Byrd as a starter and wanted to avoid any clubhouse issues with Ortiz. Just my opinion. If Byrd is healthy, it is a solid pickup by the Angels but jeez, is the market for pitching ever high right now. $5 million for a starter who went 8W-7L? I would have done $2 or 3 million with incentives.

[MUsoxfan]

It would have been nice for our Sox to sign Byrd.....I've been high on him since his K.C. days. I know he's been injury plagued, but his current numbers are more than good enough to be our #4 starter for very cheap. Oh well