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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,735 comments Add your comment
southern hope
July 29th, 2011
4:02 pm
I have been waiting for this column all day! Its pathetic but I am wwaaayyyy too much into this trade talk.
AlabamaBrave
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
First?
keylargo
July 29th, 2011
4:03 pm
* The Rays’ asking price for Upton is more reasonable than the Astros’ asking price for Pence, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
Mudge
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
It only happens once a year, like Christmas.
AlabamaBrave
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Dang it! Second. I am such a nerd. I have been eagerly anticipating this new blog entry.
Bobby Hill
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Early last winter when it became clear that Wren wasn’t going to acquire a CF I was disappointed but the more I thought about it the more I like Wren’s wait and see approach. There was at least a chance that McLouth would have a productive year or that the lineup would hit enough that McLouth simply didn’t matter. In either of those scenario it would have been a waste of resources to acquire a CF.
But Wren had to know way back in December that there was a pretty good chance he would have to acquire an impact outfielder during the season. Its not like we didn’t see this coming. So now its time to pay the piper and Wren is unwilling to fork over the prospects to get the bat we need.
Was he expecting to add an impact bat by trading B prospects?
Bobby
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
Why not trade Delgado to Houston for Dominic Brown? I know this allows Pence to go to Phillies, but Braves net best player in the deal over the long run.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:04 pm
You know how they normally have the winners and losers of each trade deadline.
Who’d like to wager a guess where the Braves will fall. There’s a valid argument for both sides.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
Thanks Dave O’Brien. Know you are working hard man.
Josh
July 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
Thanks Dob
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
Pence in Houston’s line-up.
Josh
July 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
Pence in lineup
richbrave
July 29th, 2011
4:06 pm
10th?
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Way to go richbrave!
I knew you could do it
southern hope
July 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
Like you said earlier, DOB…*somebody* is going to overpay for Pence…and it may be us and it may be them….but overpaying is the certain.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
Obtaining a good RH bat is more important to me then the debate about the budget in Washington DC. We can easily live without the federal gov’t but not baseball.
Pick someone up and get them suited up in the ATL.
Hillbilly
July 29th, 2011
4:09 pm
Where in the damn hell is my main man, Murph? Bat Masterson? How are we supposed to triumph over the poltergeist of a trade deadline without the complete A-team on hand?
archie
July 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Anybody who’s banking on Chipper ever being a regular presence in the lineup is dreaming.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Obtaining a good RH bat is more important to me then the debate about the budget in Washington DC.
O8
Eric
July 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
DOB thanks for your hardwork
Arthur Redding, Jr.
July 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
Great summation and analysis, Dave.
Braves are going to have to roll the dice, not keep shaking them in their closed hand.
Patrick
July 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
who cares if we get Ludwick AND Heath bell for instance. Ludwick is going to add NOTHING, ZERO PERCENT IMPROVEMENT to this already anemic offense, so what good is getting another reliever to protect leads you’re not going to have because your offense still cannot score any runs.
Thus, getting Ludwick is POINTLESS no matter what the situation.
MariettaDerek
July 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
I hope the Braves get DOUBLE PITS TO CHESTY with it tonight!
Joey
July 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
Man, I’ve wanted Shafer to be the man in CF for 3 years. But he is what he is. A better than average outfielder, defensively. Offensively, he is well below average. Low batting average, a terrible bunter, just can’t use his speed effectively.
He raked when he was obviously on HGH, but every athlete loses a lot when he get off it.
Andrew in PA
July 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
You cant compare the Tex trade. Braves are a more playoff contender then we were when we got Tex.
Mikeyc588
July 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
DOB –
Great song choice today. Looking forward to seeing them at Variety in late August. Always an awesome show.
David O'Brien
July 29th, 2011
4:15 pm
But would you do Minor and Delgado for Pence? — N8
No way.
TennesseePaul
July 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
aka Billy Jack – Nice to see you back.
Joe
July 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
I really hope it doesn’t come to acquiring Willingham or Ludwick. Those guys won’t do much. If Pence becomes too costly, then Quentin is a must. I think one top pitching prospect (Minor or Delgado) and another prospect is worth giving up for CQ. Thanks for the blog, DOB!
MFin04
July 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
DOB – Is there a chance the Braves try for a couple minor moves: Bourn/Willingham or Bourn/Johnson?
AlabamaBrave
July 29th, 2011
4:16 pm
Quentin could play left and Heyward in right. MccLouth in center and Prado at third until Chipper gets back (if he does)
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Joey,
I agree. I want either Shafer or Macout to work, but they are not. the cf spot is killing us at the plate. Macout’s defense continues to be worrisome.
Heyward will come back, but we still need a bat.
Bobby
July 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
Dominic Brown would be a good addition to the Braves and/or a better trade chip than Delgado. Plus he provide insurance in case Heyward is injured again or if Chipper does not return in 2012 (Prado to 3B, Brown to LF). That reduces 2012 shopping list to stopgap CF and SS, assuming Braves are committed to Schafer.
Joey
July 29th, 2011
4:17 pm
I have loved watching Chipper for all of these years. But damn, I hope he retires after this season, and that money is freed up to get some new blood in here.
Colby from Utah
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
It would be great to get Upton and Ludwick or Willingham.. Put Upton in center and be a true leadoff hitter and have Ludwick or Willingham platoon with Heyward.. And that would help our bench. Then in the off season if Chipper retires we can move Schafer or Upton to left and Prado to third. If Chipper doesnt retire then you can trade away Upton and Schafer can play center
Brava
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Braves have purchased the contract of Jose Constanza, according to Bill Shanks.
David O'Brien
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Those who’ve pined for Constanza to be brought to majors, you’ve got your wish — his contract purchased from Gwinnett today. He’s here.
Chris from the Rock
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Why won’t Wren part with Delgado? He probably has the lowest ceiling of the 4. And are the Braves planning on using an 8-man rotation? The last time I checked Lowe and Hudson are under contract for next year, plus Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy and maybe Medlen is in the conversation. Teheran and Minor will be ready to fill rotation spots come April. It’s time to use depth to trade….Heck, dangle Beachy at this point. How much pitching does one organization need for crying out loud.
And as a sidenote, if Pastornicky keeps it up, he might be ready to man SS come April as well. He’s killing it at AAA, hitting well over .400, albeit in just over 30 ABs.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
thanks Lew. Miss being here. Been at the Ted the last 3 nights. worked hard drinking all that expensive beer and taking in the scenary.
BravesfansinNC
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
ajcbraves David O’Brien
#Braves purchased the contract of OF Jose Constanza from Triple-A Gwinnett. No corresponding move announced yet
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Doesn’t really matter what y’all think of Schafer – he’s likely to be out for a while and is a moot point right now except for what the Braves consider his long term future to be. He’s a non issue in the current lineup and will likely remain that way for several weeks – or more considering how long it takes coming back from hand issues.
Bobby
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Pence is being completed overvalued by Houston and potentially/hopefully Philadelphia. Braves should steer clear of Pence.
BravesfansinNC
July 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
Did Chipper just go on the DL?
The Bream Team
July 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
Thanks for those home/road splits DOB. I wonder what Pence will do not playing having his games in the Orange box. Interesting splits for Quentin.
Eric
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
DOB, in your opinion who do you think we should bring to play OF?
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
wonder if jose constanza is trade bait?
Jim Hertel
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
The Braves should be bold and go for it. That means opening the cookie jar and dealing for Bourne and Quentin. We have the prospects. Only two should remain off limits — Tehrean and Visciano. Who are we kidding in withholding Minor? If he makes it big, I’ll eat my hat, but in the meantime we can win big with with the dynamic outfield we lack completely today. If Minor develops into a star, that’s what baseball trades are made for. Quentin can platoon with Heyward and play leftfield when Chipper is out. If Chipper retires, next year leftfied is Quentin’s, and the outfield is Quentin, Bourne, and Heyward. And, yes, I’d give up on Shafer. He’s a good fourth outfielder, nothing more.
In the meantime, get some more pitching for the bullpen — either through a trade or promotion from that supposedly stocked farm — and promote Pastornicky. I’m tired of some of the dead stiffs we have on this 40 man roster.
By the way, going bold is the only way for the Braves. We all know how Derrick Lee, Rick Ankiel and Farnsworth turned out last year. Ludwick or Willingham won’t get us to the World Series.
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
Joe – Really. If it comes down to Willingham and Ludwick – just don’t bother.
warlin antonio artiles
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
lo que necesitamos es un upton y ludwiks i seremos un buen equipo porf
The Bream Team
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
so Costanza is up with the big club? Obviously that mean changes to the 40 man right?
Joey
July 29th, 2011
4:20 pm
“No way.”
**************
DOB, how about Minor and Delgado for Quentin? Or Bourn?
admiral
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
DOB, how much of Minor being a lefty is holding up the braves from shipping him out? In my opinion, lefty/righty argument aside, I don’t really see a place for him among those three in the minors and the guys already with the big club.
admiral
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
mclouth to DL. unreal.
CrαZy
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
Mclouth to DL
Snotboogie
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
I’m guessing Varvaro will get sent down in a corresponding move.
Blankster
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
From other blog. My views:
Why doesnt everyone realise that the braves arent the phillies or the yankees. We cant just go around throwing prospects about to get overpaid slightly above average outfielders. We have to be smarter than that. Wake up people. Unless, of course, any of you would like to donate $25m to the braves to cover pences contract for two years?
Maybe those of you who want a big spash at all costs should go and support the yankees. They have more money than sense and will just pay the maximum for anyone with a pulse.
Dan_in_NC
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
Constanza…that’s our bat!!! Just like Brian Jordan always tells us on TV, it’s like signing a free agent…
DHD
July 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
I say McLouth has gone in a deal and we need a fill in for tonight.
John Adcox
July 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
DOB, any idea whose roster spot Constanza takes?
Mister Frisky
July 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
Wrens raisins are too small for this job.Get ready tomahawkers here comes Ludbag and Willingcrap two more lousy bats to go along with the likes of Mc Louth,Schafer,Heyward ,Gonzalez ,Uggla et al.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
If Macout is to the DL, then that temporarily solves several problems. Of course it creates some issues too. like who is going to play CF tonight and lead off??
BravesfansinNC
July 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
Mclouth to DL because he can’t hit neither can he throw out a runner
Blankster
July 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
David O’Brien
July 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
Those who’ve pined for Constanza to be brought to majors, you’ve got your wish — his contract purchased from Gwinnett today. He’s here.
Finally. Produce in AAA should give you a shot in the majors.
Brava
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
McLouth to DL with Noodle Arm Syndrome.
JT Grace
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
I truly do not understand the Braves front office love affair with Jordan Schafer. He has a .300 OBP. That is TERRIBLE!!! Jordan MAY be a decent player one day. Michael Bourn IS ALREADY a really good player. Trade Jordan and a pitching prospect to the Astros for Bourn and let the Astros deal with his development. Then get a bat for the bench like Ludwick or Willingham.
And why won’t the Braves part with Mike Minor for Hunter Pence? I understand why they don’t want to trade Teheran, or even trade Minor for a rental like Beltran, but Pence is not a rental and the Braves have no need for Minor this year and probably not next year either. However, they have a serious need for offense.
I’ve always trusted the Braves front office to make the right moves but refusing to move Minor and not wanting to get a new CF because of Jordan Freakin’ Schafer is frustrating to say the least.
JohninDC
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
If Atlanta is going to give up a talented package…which I doubt they will…I don’t see them making the commitment…would make too much sense, I’d rather see them do it for Bourn. yes, I know he’s not the right handed bat Atlanta needs/desires. But you can’t tell me that having him in Center, leading off, stealing bases, wouldn’t boost the offense. And he’s pretty darn good in the outfield. I have no problem giving up on Schaefer…of course, it’s Wren’s call. But for me, I’d trade for Bourn and immediately try to lock him up for the long haul. Hopefully Chipper will retire after this year. The guy has been awesome and I’ve always been a huge fan, still am, but he’s not cutting it. he’s turning into one of those “players who don’t know when to walk away when the game has passed him by”. Remove his salary from the books, KKs salary comes off, as does McClouth….I mean come on…could still be a MAJOR player in FA for a right handed slugger.
Lew
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Jim Hertel – Maybe you need to go back and check what Derrek Lee did while Brave – might just find that he was pretty damned good and if we were to get a performance equal to his last year for the Braves it would be pretty much exactly what we need.
George Washington
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Trade heyward, Schafer, McClouth, and Minor to Houston for Pence and Bourn.
CrαZy
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Braves are in Duram no way Constanza can make the game tonight, so I wonder who will play CF?
Bigwheel
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Oh man, this aint good. Lets get a bat, today!!!!
Hillbilly
July 29th, 2011
4:23 pm
Jose Constanza has 104 hits in AAA this season. 97 of them are singles…yes 97 out of 104.
John Adcox
July 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
Sorry, posted too soon. Thanks for the info.
Joey
July 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
“Who are we kidding in withholding Minor? If he makes it big, I’ll eat my hat”
*************************************
I totally agree, Jim.
afan
July 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
alright for real. who is gone for constanza to replace?
Blankster
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Joey
July 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
Man, I’ve wanted Shafer to be the man in CF for 3 years. But he is what he is. A better than average outfielder, defensively. Offensively, he is well below average. Low batting average, a terrible bunter, just can’t use his speed effectively.
He raked when he was obviously on HGH, but every athlete loses a lot when he get off it.
Yeh Schafer is living proof of how much PED’s truely do help you. Espicially in abseball. Steroids are a huge advanatge to a game played everyday
Brava
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Diory DFA
Bigwheel
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
GW- cant trade players on the DL
DHD
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Or McLouth to the DL
Jerry Blooger
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Atleast 5 of these post are brought over from last blog? Oh and dominic brown is still overrated
Bobby
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
DOB-Why just the 2011 stats for Willingham? He is in a new league and has been injured. I think he is a better option than Ludwick. Check out Willingham’s line vs Lefties his last three NL seasons (’08-’10)…
.271/.398/.520/.918
Better line than any Brave.
sick of the whiners
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Here’s the real beauty of the trade deadline:
For a couple of weeks before the deadline all the miserable malcontents can whine, gripe, bitch and moan that Frank Wren is a bum for not trading away prospects for a bat because the offense sucks and we HAVE to win this year and OMG the Phillies and Giants and a first round exit is Simply NOT Acceptable and FIRE FRANK WREN!
The nanosecond an actual deal is made for a living, breathing baseball player, all those negative nancies shift gears from fifth straight into reverse and call for Frank’s head on a platter for trading away the future of the team for that no-talent bum. The best part? They will all scream about the loss of any prospect that plays in the bigs for even one single solitary game for YEARS. Decades even. Why did that idiot Frank trade Brett Butler away??? GRAAAH!
It’s a cacophony of crabbiness only bested by the whining in the playoffs.
CrαZy
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
Heyward in CF tonight? Prado in CF tonight? This might force Chipper back into the lineup a few days early!
BraveOne
July 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
DOB who is your pick… who do you think the Braves will end up trading for?
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
July 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
I find it funny that we sit and here and ponder “why the braves will not do this?” or “why the braves will not trade such and such?”.
hey it takes 2 GM’s to make a trade. maybe nobody wants some of the cats we have……maybe some of the other GM’s read this blog for advice and realize that some of our players are not quite that good.
AlabamaBrave
July 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
@ DOB: who do you think will be the DFA victim?
dmack2027
July 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
If Philly is going to acquire Pence, and it looks like they will, it is important for the Braves that they surrender Dominic Brown.
I keep wondering how Philly continues to have the prospects to pull off these deals. I guess when you trade your legit stud prospects (Drabek), someone has to be your top prospect. I would be curious to know where Cossart and Singleton would rank in Atlanta’s farm system.
Here is my other question. Why not dangle a guy like Beachy in a trade? If you think Minor is ready, Beachy may be the guy you would rather part with because Minor has a higher ceiling.
MFin04
July 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
What’s up with Diory DFA?
Brava
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Diory Hernandez is the DFA victim.
Snotboogie
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Crazy – DOB said he’e here – meaning at the stadium. They probably knew about the call-up earlier today.
Shaun
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
B.J. Upton? Michael Bourn? Two dynamic talents that aren’t perfect fits for the Braves, but who are options nonetheless.
All that’s wrong with Bourn, for Atlanta’s purposes, is that he hits left-handed and would cost good young talent in return, which is fine if you’re going to make a commitment to have him play center field and lead off for you in 2012 as well as the rest of this season.
But are the Braves ready to essentially give up on Jordan Schafer by doing that? Because to me, that’s what that move would require, and I don’t know if the Braves would do it. (With all due respect, whether you or I would is irrelevant for this discussion, you know?)
This is hilarious. Bourn and Upton aren’t perfect fits but Carlos Quentin makes sense? The Quentin move would require the Braves to essentially give up on Heyward or Prado for the rest of this season. DOB didn’t seem to have a problem presuming the Braves would do that. Now it’s time to leave what we would do out of the discussion?
How many option years does Schafer have left? Doesn’t he have one more? The Braves could acquire Bourn or Upton and essentially not give up on Schafer. They could just let Schafer play everyday in the minors through next season, if he has an option year left.
Jake
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
We don’t need a leadoff hitter. Probably don’t need another bat. We just called up our next big thing. Jose Costanza will be the spark this team needs. A huge OBP and speed. We will start every game with a man on second. Don’t worry.
Craig
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
All we are saaaaaaaaaaaa-ying………is GIVE PENCE A CHANCE!!!!!
Brave New World
July 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
A few years ago, I would be hoping the Braves got Upton, but at 28, he has gone backwards in his development and is now a .240 hitter with speed who strikes out way too much. If we make a move I’m hoping for Bourn first, and if not Bourn, Quentin. Pence would be a welcome addition, but the asking price (top pitching prospects) is likely too high. Willingham, Ludwick, etc. are second tier additions, and if we don’t give up much, they might be ok. BTW, I am glad we did not trade Minor for Beltran.
PMC
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
Fine with me if they wait. They aren’t winning this year, it’s fairly clear unless something massive changes with the way they are hitting. One bat isn’t changing that.
K Conley
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
Nate McLouth to the DL!
braves phanatik
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
well give jordan some hgh and put him back out there for gods sake!!!
Eric
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
hm… Diory DFA… wonder why
The Bravery
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
So according to Dave, Diory Hernandez was designated for assignment. I wonder why
uhh, I dunno
July 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
Don’t panic…just get a big bat that plays outfield and middle reliever…simple
Do not overpay and…..
Damnit, take the reigns off Wren and let him get the rest of the pieces to this puzzle…
We’re sooo close this year…GET RID OF LIBERTY MUTUAL of omaha’s animal kingdom…
That company is killing the Braves with a slow death.