Estrada batted .278 with 10 home runs and 54 runs batted in after coming to Milwaukee in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks last winter. It was hoped that Estrada would provide an offensive improvement at the position over Damian Miller, who was moved into a backup role, but Estrada free-swinging ways did little to help a team that struggled to get runners on base or into scoring position.
More of a concern, however, was Estrada's defense. Despite being considered more for his offensive skills, Estrada struggled behind the plate. His inability to throw out base runners allowed teams to run at-will against the Brewers. At one point, 35 consecutive runners stole a base against Estrada who finished the year throwing out just 7.6 percent of runners attempting to steal.
Estrada, 31, struggled down the stretch from a number of ailments including torn knee cartilage that kept him out of the final seven games of the season. He recently underwent arthroscopic knee and elbow surgery in October. He was paid $3.4 million in 2007 but was set for a raise in his final arbitration year before being eligible for free agency.
In exchange for Estrada, Melvin added a right-handed arm to the Milwaukee bullpen. Mota, 34, was 2-2 in 52 appearances for the Mets last season. He posted a 5.76 ERA (39 runs, 38 earned) while allowing 63 hits and 18 walks in 59 1/3 innings of work.
"We are getting a quality relief pitcher who can pitch out of the back of the pen," said Melvin in a statement released by the Brewers. "We have been looking for a pitcher who can give us multiple innings and last season Mota showed he could do that, pitching 2.0 innings 13 times."
Mota missed the first 50 games of last season after being suspended for testing positive for a banned substance by Major League Baseball. He is already signed to a 2008 contract and will be paid $3.2 million next season.
The move makes it look like the Brewers will sign free agent catcher Jason Kendall. General Manager Doug Melvin has pursued the 33-year-old who batted .270 with the Chicago Cubs after a mid-season trade with Oakland last year. Combined, Kendall hit .242 with three home runs and 47 RBIs in 137 games. In 12 seasons, Kendall has compiled a .297 average is highly-regarded for his abilities to work with pitchers.
