A number of years ago I subscribed to the Phillies electronic news letter. Most of the time, they just send me promotional junk, but a few minutes ago, I got this in the mail:

PHILLIES BREAKING NEWS
December 20, 2002

PHILS ACQUIRE KEVIN MILLWOOD FROM ATLANTA
The Phillies traded catcher Johnny Estrada to the Atlanta Braves for right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood, General Manager Ed Wade announced today.

So the remaking of the Braves rotation is complete. They're keeping both Marquis and Maddux, but the third M is off to division rival Philadelphia. This should be a very interesting battle in the NL East next year. Phillies have no doubt improved themselves. The Braves are strong but with question marks. Atlanta could easily run away with the division again, but I think the Phillies will challenge, and I think the Phillies are in a good position for when the new ballpark opens in 2004. And again, the luxury tax is looking more like a salary cap, where Atlanta wasn't able to keep one of it's better pitchers.

Update: Shawn Bernard is shocked by this trade:

The Braves couldn't find a taker for Millwood in any other division? They had to trade him to their biggest division rival? My mind is totally boggled by this trade. For a backup catcher?

Not even a month ago, there was talk of trading Ortiz (the same Ortiz the Braves traded Moss for) for JD Drew. But the Braves trade Millwood for a 2nd string catcher? What the hell?

Shawn

It's the luxury tax/salary cap. Unintended consequences?