ATLANTA -- Quickly remaking their starting rotation, the Atlanta Braves acquired Russ Ortiz from San Francisco on Tuesday and signed free-agent Paul Byrd to a $10 million, two-year contract.

		Tuesday, Dec. 17 With the emergence of Jason Schmidt, Russ Ortiz was probably the No. 2 starter in San Francisco, while Paul Byrd was the clear No. 1 in Kansas City. Their additions protect the Braves against Greg Maddux leaving. If they re-sign Maddux, then the Braves have six starting pitchers. The surplus gives them the option to move either Jason Marquis or Kevin Millwood to get help at first base. And they aren't terribly solid at third base or second base either. Maddux is still the key guy. If they re-sign him, they will be the favorite to win the NL East again. They could also move Marquis to the bullpen. The verdict is still out on whether or not they strengthened the rotation, but their bullpen, which was the best in the National League last season, is weakened with the losses of Mike Remlinger, Chris Hammond and Tim Spooneybarger. After the fifth inning, the Braves were nearly unbeatable. For the Giants, trading Ortiz had something to do with money. Payroll is important, especially after they signed Edgardo Alfonzo. Ortiz is owed $4.4 million in 2003, and the Giants can tie up Damian Moss without having to spend big bucks.

"Russ was the Giants' No. 1 starter last year and has demonstrated on a consistent basis his ability to be a top-of-rotation starter," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

Ortiz, who beat Atlanta twice in the playoffs, is to earn $4.6 million in 2003, and the Braves have a club option for $5.7 million in 2004 with a $300,000 buyout option. The option could increase by as much as $900,000 based on the number of innings he pitches next season.

Byrd pitched for Atlanta in 1997 and 1998 and went 17-11 last season with a 3.90 ERA for the Kansas City Royals.

"This was always my first choice and I was glad the Braves were interested,'' said Byrd, who also was looked at by Seattle, Kansas City and Philadelphia.

"I narrowed it down to the Phillies and Braves by yesterday, and when (Braves manager) Bobby Cox, John Schuerholz and John Smoltz, a good friend, called last night, I made my decision."

Scott Boras, the agent for Maddux, said it wasn't clear whether Tuesday's moves would affect his client's decision.

"As I've said all along, Maddux is Maddux," Boras said. "He's got some decisions to make, some choices to make. He's had offers from the Braves and other teams. He's kind of on his own timetable."

Moss, a 26-year-old Australian, went 12-6 with a 3.42 ERA as the Braves' fifth starter last season, his first in the majors. The left-hander signed with the Braves as a free agent in 1993 and spent seven years in their minor league system.

"To acquire a player with Damian's upside at this point in his career is an opportunity that we couldn't pass up," San Francisco GM Brian Sabean said. "He has a quality arm that hitters in the league have obviously had a tough time figuring out. He's the type of pitcher who will have quite a bit of success in our ballpark."

Moss will become the first Australian-born player in Giants franchise history.

The Giants also got Mateo, a 20-year-old right-hander who went 7-3 with a 1.98 ERA in 12 games with the Braves' rookie Gulf Coast League team last season.

San Francisco saved more than $2.5 million with the Ortiz trade, and Moss is likely to get $1 million to $2 million in arbitration.

"It was brutal," Sabean said. "I really had a hard time getting on the phone with him. You draft him, see him develop under your eyes. If it weren't for Russ, we wouldn't have gotten to the World Series.

"Quite frankly, I hope Russ beats everyone in our division. We're not competing against Russ Ortiz, per se. With the business at hand, which is very complicated, you have to make the best deal and move on."

The Braves also agreed to terms on a minor league contract with left-hander Chris Haney on Tuesday. Atlanta invited the 34-year-old to their major league spring training camp. He had one save and a 4.20 ERA in 24 games with the Red Sox last season.

Atlanta traded infielder Wes Helms to Milwaukee on Monday for left-hander middle reliever Ray King.