Trade Post: Jeff Cirillo

Jeffrey Howard Cirillo is a name that will live on forever in Brewers lore. Though not a Yount, Molitor or Cooper, Cirillo is a working class hero, a homegrown phenomenon who epitomized the essentials – moxie, grit, and blue collar work ethic. He is the all-time Brewers career batting average leader and a RFB favorite/guest poster. But as the immense threats of Y2K and the Spice Girls loomed in December of 1999, ‘Rillo’s Brewer career was interrupted when he was package with Scott Karl and cash in a three-way deal that sent him to Colorado and garnered the Brewers the return of Jimmy Haynes, Henry Blanco and Jamey Wright.

Before Leaving Town:
Over part of six seasons (including a strike-shortened 1994), Cirillo thrice hit over .300. Beyond his first season, his fielding percentage was always at or above .950, despite being moved between first, third, second and shortstop in the span. His lone Brewers all-star appearance came in 1997.

The Return:
In five seasons spent between Baltimore and Oakland Jimmy Haynes went a combined 26-34. 199 marked his worst season to date, finding him with a 7-12 record and 6.34 E.R.A in 30 games. Jamey Wright, brother of equally bad pitcher Jaret Wright, was 25-33 in his first four Major League seasons. At just 24 years old and coming off a decent 1999 season (4.87 E.R.A mostly in a hitter’s ballpark), Wright possessed considerable upside when he came to Milwaukee. Henry Blanco came off two less than impressive seasons spent between the Dodgers and Rockies, his first two professional seasons. But his defense made him worthy of inclusion in the trade.

The Payoff:
Cirillo was an all-star for the Rockies in 2000 with 11 homers, 115 RBI, 53 doubles, a .326 batting average and just short of 200 hits. It bears mention that He was traded to Seattle in 2002 for three players, one of which was Brian Fuentes. As most know, ‘Rillo returned to Milwaukee at the twilight of his playing days to provide veteran leadership in 2005 and 2006.

Haynes went 20-30 in two seasons as a Brewers starter. He posted E.R.A.s of 5.33 and 4.85 in the time frame. Wright pitched decently well in his first two seasons as a Brewer. He went 18-21 and kept his E.R.A. in the manageable low 4.00s – but made almost $3.5 M in the time. Sadly, he was resigned for $4.25 M in 2002, only to suck out loud and be traded to St. Louis. Blanco proved to be an alright pickup, but far from great as a cheap part-time backstop. Both Wright and Blanco were still active in 2008.

Turned Into:
Blanco was traded to the Braves for Jose Cabrera and Paul Bako (who was eventually traded to the Cubs for RYAN HOWARD…Gripp, a minor leaguer who amounted to nothing). Wright was resigned, but flipped to St. Louis for minor leaguers Chris Morris and Mike Matthews.

The Winner:
The Rockies – easily. They emerged with an all-star (who was then traded for another all-star). The Brewers, though handed parts to toss out on the field of play, lost an all-star, a fan favorite and Brew City icon for a fairly dismal period – and didn’t even save much money in doing so. And Paul Bako isn’t exactly Brain Fuentes in terms of extended return.