Braves trade for White Sox reliever Linebrink
The Braves kept wheeling and dealing on Friday, getting veteran reliever Scott Linebrink from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for minor league pitcher Kyle Cofield.
The White Sox will also send the Braves $3.5 million to offset Linebrink’s $5.5 million salary for the final season of the right-hander’s four-year, $19 million contract. He’ll cost the Braves only $2 million for 2011.
Although the 34-year-old setup man isn’t the dominant pitcher he was several years ago with San Diego, Linebrink was 3-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 52 appearances in 2010, and had 52 strikeouts with only 17 walks in 57-1/3 innings.
“His stuff is still good,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “He’s healthy, he’s solid, and he has [mental] makeup that’s off the charts. He had the kind of pedigree we were looking for in that role.
“We wanted a guy with some veteran leadership and a guy comfortable pitching in the last innings of a game, whether it’s the seventh, eighth or ninth.”
The move came a day after the Braves re-signed free agent outfielder Eric Hinske and 2-1/2 weeks after they traded for Silver Slugger second baseman Dan Uggla. Three days before baseball’s annual Winter Meetings begin in Orlando, the Braves have already filled their biggest offseason needs.
“It’s very different place to be than we’ve been in the last few years,” Wren said, “where we feel like most of the heavy lifting is done and we can focus on fine-tuning the team and seeing if there are other areas to improve.”
Wren will continue efforts to trade starting pitcher Kenshin Kawakami and possibly improve the bench depth.
Cofield, 24, was 25-26 with a 4.12 ERA in 118 games (82 starts) over six minor league seasons, none above the Double-A level. He had 342 strikeouts and a problematic 263 walks in 485 career innings, and wasn’t considered a top-level prospect in the Braves’ minor league system.
The Braves completed trades for Uggla and Linebrink without giving up any of their top pitching prospects.
“Cofield has ability,” Wren said, “but we have other guys now who have continued to rise up our list, and allows us to make a deal like this where it doesn’t impact our depth.”
Linebrink’s reputation was a big reason Wren mentioned to White Sox GM Kenny Williams last month that the Braves would be interested if the Sox wanted to move him. Williams called Wren on Thursday, and a deal was completed Friday morning.
The Braves’ bullen was one of baseball’s best in 2010. They lost closer Billy Wagner, who retired after the season, and 40-year-old setup man Takashi Saito, whose contact stipulated he be made a free agent after the season.
Wren said at the outset of the offseason that he would look for a reliever to assume the mentor role Wagner handled adroitly with young relievers including closer candidates Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters.
“Scott Linebrink fit to a T what we were looking for in this role,” Wren said.
Linebrink has pitched in at least 50 games the past three seasons for Chicago. His .262 opponents’ average in 2010 included .203 with runners in scoring position and .083 (1-for-12) with no walks when the bases were loaded.
His 11 home runs allowed were his second-most in 11 major-league seasons, the first eight of those years spent in the National League with San Francisco, Houston, San Diego and Milwaukee.
He has a 38-27 career record and 3.50 ERA, including NL marks of 30-16 with a 3.21 ERA in 384 games.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
356 comments Add your comment
Braves Fan in Illinois
December 3rd, 2010
3:25 pm
I figure maybe 5% of Braves fans know a thing about either guy, but there will still be dozens of them using it as fodder for complaints about Frank Wren.
David (Athens, Al)
December 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
FW is some GM … always got something cooking …
coloradobulldog
December 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
Excellent pick-up
@fauxfrankwren
December 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
Pedigree. Get used to that. That’s what we go for. Hinske’s got it. Linebrinks got it. And Greinke’s got it.
skattrd
December 3rd, 2010
3:32 pm
How much cash did we get with Linebrink? It needs to be quite a bit for an ok setup guy.
Yakman
December 3rd, 2010
3:32 pm
I can already hear Chip Caray’s legendary puns making me cringe throughout summer 2011… “Linebrink’s performance today has the Braves on the BRINK of victory today..” or – “The LINE on Linebrink was not pretty today, folks…”
Gray Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
3:34 pm
I’ve heard 1.5 million
Boston Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
3:37 pm
Like it. Would have liked it more in 2007.
JonnyVenter'sLeftArm
December 3rd, 2010
3:38 pm
OK, Frank, now get us a slick-fielding infielder for late inning replacement and a speedy 4th OF and we’re set.
Rowland Office Worker
December 3rd, 2010
3:40 pm
Looks like the only thing left for Mr. Wren to do this winter is find a utility man to play Short/2nd base. Not sure Diory is the answer.
Ralph
December 3rd, 2010
3:40 pm
Once again Wren makes a trip to the Landfill !
vermont 39
December 3rd, 2010
3:44 pm
Something must be up with Diorys…we don’t play him and can’t trade him
faux positive
December 3rd, 2010
3:46 pm
Now if the Braves can only find a team for KKI and the miserable mclout we will be in better shape. Where is Saito now that he is a free agent?
John OTC
December 3rd, 2010
3:47 pm
I’m confused by the comment that most of the hevy lifting. Don’t we need a seriously better center field option?
jimmymack
December 3rd, 2010
3:50 pm
now for a cf then a utility man ,then spring training
Joey
December 3rd, 2010
3:51 pm
Ralph is a sourpuss!
Dave in Buford
December 3rd, 2010
3:52 pm
OTC, yeah, but most of what the Braves have money for would just be McLouth part deux anyway. At this point if McLouth plays good defense and raises his batting avg to .250, the Braves would be in the plus side.
MikeY
December 3rd, 2010
3:53 pm
John OTC, my feeling exactly, we need a CF.
jonathan Simeone
December 3rd, 2010
3:54 pm
Linebrink will bounce back in Atlanta. As his numbers show he was really hurt by the home run ball in Chicago, but moving half of his games to Turner Field will help greatly with that; however, I don’t like the idea of a team with serious budget problems paying a setup relief pitcher four million dollars. Linebrink will be the fourth best pitcher in that bullpen, but he’ll be making as much money as the rest of the pen combined. It would have been much better to spend some of this money finding help for the bench–especially someone who can really play shortstop.
whitesoxfan
December 3rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Sort of a no big thing trade. As far as people go, Linebrink is top quality. Great clubhouse guy who makes friends easily. His pitching for the white sox last was just plain awful. The guy gives up long balls like they are going out of style. In fact, he gave up three fewer home runs than gavin flloyd who pitched three times as many innings. Got to the point where the sox only put him in in games that were well in hand. We get a nobody in return, but our pitching coach Cooper is on one of the best. Hope Linebrink works out for you all.
Casey Jones
December 3rd, 2010
3:56 pm
Fire Frank now.
VP
December 3rd, 2010
3:57 pm
>>>>I’m confused by the comment that most of the hevy lifting. Don’t we need a seriously better center field option?
JOHNOTC, we can’t afford a better CF option; not with Nate McLouth making $6.5 million dollars. We just hope he can make the transition from dead corpse to barely alive warm body.
rayk
December 3rd, 2010
3:57 pm
Linebrink has value for us, but I don’t see how we can afford to end up paying about $4 mill when we still need OF help. unless he pitches the 8th, that is an expensive middle relief guy. that leaves the Braves very little money to improve the bench by signing any free agent. the end result is Wren will have to lose another player in a trade where he offsets salary. also, by getting $1.5 mill, we likely had to give up a better prospect. in the end Liberty Media causes everyone grief with their penny pinching.
Jack
December 3rd, 2010
3:57 pm
Ralph, got to love your positive attitude… Great job Wren! Thanks DOB for your work…
PDOG
December 3rd, 2010
3:59 pm
Maybe this opens the door to trade Proctor?
Bib Horner's Blonde Mullet
December 3rd, 2010
4:01 pm
Yakman – this was a feelgood blog until you mentioned Chip Caray. Dude’s habitual cream-in-your-pants-when-the-opposition-scores game calling is enough to make me want to press the mute button. WHY is he still calling games? Hasn’t he been sh*tcanned by two different networks already?
Sure would like to see Smoltzie and Joe Simpson calling the majority of the games on TV, with Chip Caray somewhere far away – maybe in the Cubbies locker room sniffing someone’s jockstrap, where he longs to be.
kirkinga
December 3rd, 2010
4:02 pm
Good thing getting this guy in his contract year. While it remains to be seen how Gonzalez uses his pen, it might be worth noting that Linebrink pitched less innings than Saito last season.
If Linebrink and Proctor can approach anything close to their former selves, the Braves might have an even better pen than last season’s.
kenny johnson
December 3rd, 2010
4:02 pm
I think we could have found a cheaper option either in house or FA route. Putz or Jenks the cat wouldve only been a couple million more. Stupid move for an overpriced avg reliever. Kj
ryan c
December 3rd, 2010
4:02 pm
PDOG, did you see Proctor’s stats last year? he had a 7.08 era at AAA. who would want him? i’m puzzled why the braves would spend 3/4 of a million on him, but maybe they know more than i do.
SHA
December 3rd, 2010
4:02 pm
I think we needed a center fielder more then another pen reliever with a above 4 era.
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:03 pm
Hum, not so sure I’m on board with this trade. Seems like an awful lot of money for an average reliever. I think perhaps Wren could have done better for the same or less money. Guess we’ll see how it works out. Hope I’m wrong.
GO BRAVES!!
Trey
December 3rd, 2010
4:03 pm
Although this trade may not sound that impressive I am just going to wait to see how it plays out.
Trey
December 3rd, 2010
4:04 pm
I am sure Wren did alright with this trade, because he is the one who brought Uggla to Atlanta.
Jo Bling
December 3rd, 2010
4:05 pm
Wren has indicated he is committed to McClouth in center, since he is paying McClouth a ton of money and expects him to perform as the team’s starting center fielder. If we were to pick up a different center fielder, what were you proposing Wren do with McClouth and his $5 million salary?
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:05 pm
Hi, Trey! I’m excited about Uggla and that Hinske is coming back. Can’t wait for ST!!
JMAYNE
December 3rd, 2010
4:08 pm
Now get rid of KKs contract and go gt a cf. One of the upton bros., ellsbury (if the sox get crawford), maybe mcCutchen. The pirates are always lookin to give all-stars away.
Trey
December 3rd, 2010
4:08 pm
I am too, Brava! I have no idea how Uggla will do, but I am positive it will be great, same as any trade! I am not sure about Linebrink, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt!
kenny j
December 3rd, 2010
4:09 pm
Taking bets that Proctor won’t even make the team out of ST, and Linebrink will pitch his way out of any meaningful role by July. He’ll be mopping up blowouts like Farnsworth
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:10 pm
I feel the same way, Trey. Hope Linebrink has a great season with us. Hey, I hope all the Braves have a great season!!
Ron Roberts
December 3rd, 2010
4:11 pm
I’d have rather seen some of that money (say, I don’t know, apparently only a million) go towards Pat Burrell.
bobbymahlon
December 3rd, 2010
4:12 pm
I hate to see us waste 4mil on a so so pitcher, I think we could have put that 4mil to better use on a quality player. We have several pitchers in the system that are every bet as good as him. Once again
I think we wasted 4 mil.
Asheville Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
4:13 pm
Seems like we might be three years late on this move. But Wren did a good job of picking up the right players last year, so we’ll see how it works out. Let’s not forget Wren picked up KK and Lowe, still expensive mistakes.
Ron Roberts
December 3rd, 2010
4:15 pm
Asheville… the way DLowe pitched most of last year, particularly down the stretch, we’re paying him what he’s worth if he continues that.
Venezuelan Fan Brave
December 3rd, 2010
4:15 pm
I suspect that Prado will be trade
Michael
December 3rd, 2010
4:18 pm
While I don’t mind getting a vet pitcher, Him costing $4 million is high for next season. I do know that the Braves had their eyes on him several years ago, hopefully it will work out.
Braverman
December 3rd, 2010
4:18 pm
Sad we have to analyze every trade to the penny to see if its worth it when the real organizations are worried about 5th years at 20 million. Not saying we need to spend likeYanks and Sox, but another 10 mil on the bottom line for a legit CF would change the dynamic of this team completely, but Chipper could add that simply by retiring now. The thought that Justin Upton might be available is tempting but sounds like Arizona wants your whole minor league system. Anyway, Linebrink will be an upgrade over Chavez and Farnsworth and even Saito to an extent since he will be about 56 by the time the season starts.
ROOSTERJIMMIE
December 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Enter your comments hereron roberts,who are you gonna trade to san francisco to get burrell? he just resigned with the giants
Elmer Fudd
December 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Now get us a Rh outfielder who can hit for average and a SS.
John OTC
December 3rd, 2010
4:23 pm
Maybe I’m just frustrated but right now a Mike Minor for Dexter Fowler trade would feel really good to me. I would trade a top prospect for speed and defense. Probably a bad idea long term but I am just that frustrated by McUGHH!
ROOSTERJIMMIE
December 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
per the charlotte observer
The Real Brave
December 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Will we ever stop trading the future for 1 year contracts?
What happened to the outfield bat we still need?
Bill Mc
December 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Why are we still picking on Lowe? He was great down the stretch and in the playoffs with little run support. I think he made a great adjustment later in the year and I bet he continues it next year. He eats innings, rarely hurt and great clubhouse guy. If his biggest problem is his expense, then that was our fault not his. He has out-performed many pitchers that were more expensive than him. He will be a big key to us going further in the post-season next year. Go Braves !
Dan
December 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Thinking once the the Red Sox get either Werth or Crawford then it will open the door for the Braves to go get Ellsbury!!!
Braverman
December 3rd, 2010
4:27 pm
Agree on Lowe. He nearly matched the Giants Aces pitch for pitch except for our porous defense.
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Agree about Lowe, Bill Mc. He’s definitely not one of our problems. A lot is hinging on how Chipper and McLouth show up next season.
collegeballfan
December 3rd, 2010
4:29 pm
This move works for me.
And for those who would prefer to go with in house talent, you just never know how young talent will react when in the spotlight.
And if Chipper can play, we will play him.
T-Bone
December 3rd, 2010
4:31 pm
I think we need 2 more pieces, and I thjink they both can be found easily enough. We need a serviceable CF, in case McClouth tanks again. And we need a starting LF with a little pop. The idea would be to make A-Gonzo into the Infante replacement, the super-utility guy. That leaves Prado as a starter at either 2B or SS, depending on where Uggs plays. We’re going to need A-Gonzo in that role with the state of Chipper’s health.
If we can’t get both, then I say we go after a LF. McClouth may actually be decent this year.
hmmmm.....
December 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Does anyone know how much the braves have left to spend? I don’t wanna be stuck with mclouth and schafer in cf.
Ron Roberts
December 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Nobody Rooster….my POINT was that I’d have rather WE signed him.
justin1
December 3rd, 2010
4:32 pm
Un-BE-LIEVEABLE
Soo.. youre telling me A) We replace Diaz with Mather. B) We’re STILL platooning in left.
And C) We spend ALL of our remaining money on not a centerfielder, but an old ass reliever?!
Im all for finding a father figure for the young guys, but not at this cost!!!
Wren has made some good moves. This is not one.
Braverman
December 3rd, 2010
4:34 pm
Everyone hopes Chipper, one of the greatest Braves of all time, can play. I would love to win in his last year with him contributing. Problem is that he has had nagging injuries take him out for major stretches over the past few years, now he is rehabbing a ACL on top of just being small injury prone. So the fact that 13 million is tied to him fully recovering from a major knee blow out, not getting other injuries, being able to hit like his old self, and not embarrassing himself at third makes one less than excited about the chances. I love Chipper, wish they could pay him the rest of his life an annuity as he earned this contract, but since we have Scrooge McDuck as owners, he is an albatross on this years payroll.
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
4:34 pm
DOB just reported on Twitter the Braves are actually getting more than $2.5 million in the Linebrink deal.
I’m sure that will help pitch a few tents around here….
Michael
December 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
Nova Scotia Steve if that’s the case and the Braves only owe im 3 million this year then it’s a much more decent trade. I was hoping that the White Sox would pick up at LEAST half of his salary due to the contract they gave him .
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
Justin1
Who are we platooning in LF???? The only way Prado won’t play LF on a regular bases is unless Chipper is hurt or needs days off…
Tyler
December 3rd, 2010
4:37 pm
Wren gets his RH power bat and vet reliever for the pen before Winter Meetings?
I got a feeling that Wren isn’t done. We still have lots of arms in the farm to entice people.
GT Alum
December 3rd, 2010
4:38 pm
justin1 –
We are not platooning in LF. Unless you’re assuming that Chipper isn’t going to be able to come back at all, in which case the Braves will probably try to make additional moves when they find that out. The plan is that Prado will be playing LF full time. If Chipper needs occasional rest, Prado will probably move back to 3B and give Hinske, possibly Mather, or whoever else Wren gets to fill out the bench a spot start in LF.
space monkey
December 3rd, 2010
4:39 pm
DOB:
Excellent job covering the off season.
What kind of stuff does Linebrink have? I remember a few years ago he was mid-90s. Think he still had 90-92 with movement?
GT Alum
December 3rd, 2010
4:39 pm
Nice mental image, Nova Scotia Steve.
Geezer
December 3rd, 2010
4:40 pm
This guy’s nickname in Chicago was LineStink…….another has been…just like Melk-Dud
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
4:40 pm
Diaz was replaced by Mather because of his flexibility to play the OF and IF. AND he is a MUCH cheaper option than Diaz at $2.5 million or a similar salary.
Braverman
December 3rd, 2010
4:42 pm
its crazy how we still need major offense on this club and severely lack quality defense at no less than 5 positions. With this level of defense you expect a murderers row offense. other than catcher, first base, right field we are below average everywhere in the field.
John OTC
December 3rd, 2010
4:44 pm
I think it’s clear that Chipper will miss significant time for something next year. In the 5 years before last year he averaged 125 games played. That means we need someone else out there for about 25% of the season. If we don’t have a serious backup plan we deserve what we get.
klmballer
December 3rd, 2010
4:45 pm
I t would be nice if Chipper would restructure his contract, we trade McClouth, and go after one of the Upton boys to play CF.
Capt. Obvious
December 3rd, 2010
4:45 pm
Chipper your seat at Hooters is waiting on you. Please retire.
Sounds like this guy is gonna get paid to MENTOR. Money well spent if you ask me.
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:46 pm
NSS, yes, getting $2.5M in this deal does make it much more palatable. For a moment, I was thinking Wren must have had one too many before doing this.
Brava
December 3rd, 2010
4:47 pm
Wow! I should not have brought up Chipper. Always draws out the haters. When will I learn? Later.
Michael from Macon
December 3rd, 2010
4:49 pm
I think this trade could turn out to benefit the braves greatly if this guy can return to his former glory.
hmmmm.....
December 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
I wouldn’t mind the braves adding Scott Hairston he can play all 3 outfield spots and/or Xavier Nady he can play 1st and left plus they’re both righties. We need a good back for Prado because you know he’s gonna have to end playing at least 20 games at 3rd. But i don’t think the Braves have enough left to spend.
GT Alum
December 3rd, 2010
4:50 pm
Ron Roberts -
Lowe had a good 3 months, followed by 4 bad months, then improved to mediocre for 4 months, then had 7 spectacular starts. I’m hopeful he can pick up where he left off, but, so far, Lowe hasn’t been earning that contract. Oh, and he’s not an innings eater. Innings eaters don’t routinely leave the game before the end of the 6th inning and compile less than 200 IP/year when they make 33 or 34 starts each year.
hmmmm.....
December 3rd, 2010
4:51 pm
up*
reckingball
December 3rd, 2010
4:52 pm
2011 will be a comeback year for McLouth.
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
4:53 pm
RE: “Will we ever stop trading the future for 1 year contracts?”
I can’t believe some of the comments around here – i’m out after reading this whomper….If you can honestly tell me you’ve heard of Kyle Cofield (Had to look up his name again) before today – I will probably throw-up with laughter.
I hardly classify Cofield has “our future” and I guarantee no-one in the Braves organization feels they just traded away their future…
reckingball
December 3rd, 2010
4:53 pm
McCann will get his eyes fixed, and hit +30HRs.
bfred
December 3rd, 2010
4:55 pm
I wouldn’t even view this as a trade. The prospect we gave up will never see major league time – this is a $3MM one-year free agent signing. And that seems expensive.
Diaz had a pretty poor year and would have been too expensive to keep. For those complaining about Linebrink at $3MM, Diaz at $2.5MM is not much better.
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
4:55 pm
Scouting Report on Cofield: The 23-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2010 season at Double-A, where he posted a 4.39 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 55 1/3 innings. Baseball America ranked Cofield 24th among Braves prospects before the season, noting that he has a low 90s fastball and a plus curveball that he struggles to command.
Ted M
December 3rd, 2010
4:56 pm
“Three days before baseball’s annual Winter Meetings begin in Orlando, the Braves have already filled their biggest offseason needs.”
Nope…the need for an outfielder is huge. Certainly bigger then middle relief.
GT Alum
December 3rd, 2010
4:57 pm
Oh, and the Braves are NOT going to go out and do anything major to acquire a starting CF. Unless someone falls in our lap for next to nothing, McLouth will be given every chance to earn the starting CF job.
That said, we need to pick up someone who could do a quality job filling in if he fails miserably.
uga vii
December 3rd, 2010
4:58 pm
casey jones you are an ass
Ted M
December 3rd, 2010
4:58 pm
reckingball – Do you actually know if McCann is getting lasik’s surgery?
Tyler
December 3rd, 2010
5:00 pm
DOB,
We only owe Linebink $2 mil? If so, slam dunk deal for Wren and Braves.
$3 mil left to sign Utility Player.
SIGN:
Scott Pod-can’t spell it
Bill Hall
hAL
December 3rd, 2010
5:01 pm
the only two postions we get solid o is catcher and now 2b …bank it lol
don
December 3rd, 2010
5:03 pm
Another dumb move by Wren. Linebrink is another never-was, washed-up, overpaid dud. Cofield is a decent prospect. I wish him well and congratulate him for escaping Atlanta. A growing number have prospered once they got away from Wren and the rest of the dullards.
BoroBall3
December 3rd, 2010
5:04 pm
Make that $3.5 million received from the White Sox…
hmmmm.....
December 3rd, 2010
5:04 pm
And RF Heyward will be healthy and more adjusted
reckingball
December 3rd, 2010
5:05 pm
He needs to do something.
It was reported that he had one eye done in the off-season last year.
And I was under the assumption that he was to have the other eye repaired this off-season.
Perhaps David O’Brien could tell us something about it.
bascogcjs
December 3rd, 2010
5:07 pm
Yea, scotia Mather is cheaper option because the guy can’t play.
He should be cheap; we’re just throwing money away here.
Diaz should have been kept. Good hitter, hustler and baserunner,while d was better than many believed.
Linebrink was not well liked in chicago because of his failures. They are extremely happy to be rid of him like the Braves would be to rid Nate and his salary.
Ted M
December 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
I think McCann needs it too. He was always doing stuff with his eyes in between pitches.
Nova Scotia Steve
December 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
How bout Linebrink for $2 million.
This place is beginning to look like a campground there are so many tents.
ugaaccountant
December 3rd, 2010
5:10 pm
This is ok. Seems he should have been slightly cheaper though. But overall, Wren really seems to rush.
Bedell
December 3rd, 2010
5:13 pm
Linebrink for 2 mil — not too shabby Wren!