I like Paul Byrd – I’m a sucker for guys with pinpoint control. So naturally I was grinding my teeth when the Braves signed him. Maybe they all won’t work out, but adding Byrd, Hampton and Ortiz should give Atlanta fans some comfort that the rotation won’t disintegrate without Glavine and maybe Maddux, and Smoltz won’t be stretched beyond his bullpen role.
Why do I suspect that the Braves aren’t paying Byrd a whole lot more than the Mets gave Mike Frickin’ Stanton? Not that Stanton’s necessarily a terrible pickup – I have my concerns, though – but three years, nine million dollars for a setup man, when they had to let Alfonzo and Steve Reed go to save money?