Braves trade for Bourn, the leadoff hitter they’ve lacked
What the Braves got in Sunday’s trade for Astros center fielder Michael Bourn was the high-octane leadoff hitter they’ve lacked since Rafael Furcal left six years ago.
A two-time Gold Glove winner and All-Star last season, Bourn has hit .303 with a .363 on-base percentage and National League-leading 39 stolen bases, with 26 doubles, seven triples and one homer. He led the NL in steals the past two seasons, with 61 in 2009 and 52 in 2010.
“He gets on base and creates havoc,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
“He’s a game-changer,” Braves veteran Eric Hinske said. “When he gets on first base, it’s fits for the pitchers.”
Bourn, a 28-year-old Houston native, has a .271 career average and 212 stolen bases in 662 games over parts of six seasons.
The Braves got him from the Astros in exchange for center fielder Jordan Schafer and minor-league pitchers Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens and left-hander Brett Oberholtzer. They finalized the deal Sunday morning before the 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.
“We had a team last year that took the [eventual] world champions right to the brink, and that was with a crippled team,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said, referring to the division-series loss against San Francisco. “I think if we get healthy and with the way our guys have come along, and the additions, we think we’ve got a strong chance to go all the way.
“[Bourn] was the one thing that we were lacking. We really haven’t had a prototypical leadoff hitter in five or six years.”
Bourn, 28, couldn’t get to Atlanta early enough to play Sunday afternoon against Florida, but met up with the the Braves at the airport for the team’s late-afternoon charter flight to Washington. They start a three-game series and nine-game road trip on Monday.
“One thing I’ll say for them [Braves] is they’re going for it,” said Bourn’s agent, Scott Boras. “Good for them…. There were eight teams trying to trade for him. He’s excited. He’s obviously got an opportunity to win.”
Wren said Bourn, who’ll wear No. 24, would help the Braves become more of a speed- and defense-based team that he intends for them to be going forward. Bourn is eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, and a long-term contract extension could be discussed later.
He won’t come cheap, and Boras clients usually test free agency to see what they can get on the open market. Bourn is making $4.4 million this season and could command a raise to about $7 million next season through arbitration.
“This is the kind of club we aspire to be,” Wren said, “which is a speed and defense team that takes extra bases, that runs the bases aggressively, steals bases. But you have to have the right personnel. We’ve been drafting with that kind of focus, with speed as a priority, and I think Michael Bourn will give us a head start in getting our club in that position.”
The Braves are still looking to add a right-handed reliever and possibly a right-handed bench player, and Wren said they could fill those needs through waiver trades in August.
To get Bourn, they didn’t part with any of their top four pitching prospects — Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino, Randall Delgado or lefty Mike Minor. Wren said the Braves could have landed for Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence, two outfielders they pursued, by parting with higher-rated prospects.
He said they wouldn’t do that for a three-month rental (Beltran is a pending free agent) and insisted they didn’t “go to the mat” to get Pence because Bourn was the player they really wanted. He said their focus shifted in the past couple of weeks from right-handed power hitter to center fielder.
Pence was traded to Philadelphia on Friday, and Wren said it was only in the past couple of days that the Astros made it clear Bourn was available. Negotiations progressed quickly.
Bourn is a left-handed hitter, but has improved steadily against lefty pitchers, hitting .281 with a .341 OBP this season, compared to .311 with a .372 OBP against right-handers. In his first full season in 2008, he hit .229 overall and .190 against lefties.
Wren said his upward-trending career numbers were important in the decision to pursue Bourn.
Braves players felt bad for Schafer but were pleased with the trade.
“We are so banged up right now, a move for a guy that has some Gold Gloves out there, a true leadoff hitter, is something we’ve been lacking,” catcher David Ross. “They like to put [Martin] Prado in the two-hole and I think that makes our lineup a lot deeper.”
Bourn has a modest .338 career OBP, but has been over .350 in two of the past three seasons.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about him as a person, too,” Braves second baseman Dan Uggla said. “We’re excited to have him. We’re sad to lose Schaf. He worked his butt off to get up here.
“Michael is going to help us out a lot. He’s one of the fastest guys in the league. He plays an unbelievable center field. He’s going to put together good[at-bats] and get on base.”
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones developed a fondness for Schafer, 24, after the younger player sought him out for career advice and hitting tips during spring training.
“I feel bad for the kid,” Jones said. “He worked hard to get here, and unfortunately got hurt. Bourn’s a dynamic player, steals a lot of bases, gives us some speed at the type of the lineup, the ability to manufacture some runs. Kind of like what Schafer gave us. It’s going to help our ballclub.”
“The last time I looked he was leading the league in steals. We haven’t had that type of threat at the top of our lineup in a long time, consistently anyway. We’ll see how it all turns out.”
Schafer’s career was stalled by a broken hand in 2009, which caused him to miss most of two seasons. He missed only one game after a sinus fracture in June, but went on the DL again this week with a broken left middle finger.
“I thank the Braves for sticking by me the entire time,” Schafer said while packing his belongings at his locker Sunday. “With everything I’ve been through, they’ve been great to me. It’s a business. They have to do what’s best for the team. They have to what’s best to try to win a World Series.”
“It sucks, truthfully. I was comfortable here. At the same time I’m excited to go there. Any time you get traded the team obviously wants you.”
Schafer has hit .240 with a .307 on-base percentage, one homer and 15 stolen bases in 52 games this season. Center fielder Nate McLouth joined him on the DL Friday with an abdominal strain.
The Braves are getting Bourn while he’s hot, hitting .355 with a .395 OBP in his past 28 games.
“Michael is what we hope Jordan will be in three or four years,” Wren said. “That’s really what it came down to. And a team that’s poised to win, we need the finished product. That’s what Michael is.”
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250 comments Add your comment
VP
July 31st, 2011
12:14 pm
Very excited about this move plus we didn’t give up any of our studs. Can’t argue with that.
Dave P
July 31st, 2011
12:15 pm
Welcome Mr. Bourn!!!
real braves fan
July 31st, 2011
12:21 pm
he is a boras client. so that means we will have to trade him next year?
Phils fan
July 31st, 2011
12:23 pm
Well done! Now show some real blanks and hp get b.j. Upton too.
wayn-o
July 31st, 2011
12:23 pm
yessssssssssssssssss
dogsbrekky
July 31st, 2011
12:24 pm
I love the comment from the Cobra that he wants us to be based on speed and defense..
This may be the slowest moving baseball team in Braves history..
Chipper, McCann, Freeman, Uggla, Hinske, Ross and AGONZ are slower than molasses
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
12:24 pm
Bourn usually slide feet first too
berrygin
July 31st, 2011
12:25 pm
Soon we will see the Bourn Supremacy….jokes…1st in that respect. Never been prouder.
Hey, don’t worry about trading him next year(we can get 2 picks for him IF he doesn’t sign with the braves after 2012) and cheer getting the best base stealer, the best leadoff hitter in the game!
Mets stink
July 31st, 2011
12:25 pm
Great pickup. Much better fit than pence would have been. Uggla is the right handed bat we needed at the trade deadline. Uggla won’t keep his current pace going all year but if he’s the player he was last year then the braves are set up to make a run at the phillies.
LowCountry XPlant
July 31st, 2011
12:25 pm
Great move! This was the best possible trade at this point.
Craig
July 31st, 2011
12:26 pm
Just when you think Wren is down for the count, he makes us all look like uneducated idiots. Nicely done Mr. Wren and welcome to the Brave Mr. Bourn. I think this was the best move the Brave could make. It all starts with the leadoff hitter.
Top 5 Players who could be Dealt | Sports News. By Bums Like You.
July 31st, 2011
12:26 pm
[...] season. The Nationals, Reds and Indians have some interest in him. The Braves were too, until dealing for Michael Bourn earlier [...]
Jamaaliver
July 31st, 2011
12:27 pm
Alas, poor Schaefer, we knew him well.
Gotta sting going from the penthouse to the outhouse. But at least Jordan will get plenty of opportunities there to play. Hopefully he gets to become a free agent soon and get the heck outta there.
Houston is AWFUL!!!
mathman
July 31st, 2011
12:27 pm
Still very susceptible to lefty pitching. Still need a RH hitting bat for the OF and a reliever. Gave up much too much. Here’s predicting that Schafer will give Houston 4-5 years of .280 and 35 SB’s. We will see. Meanwhile, Braves against lefties will still have 4 lefty hitters in the lineup.
sam
July 31st, 2011
12:27 pm
Rafael Furcal?…lol I think he mant Kenny Lofton. Dont ever remember Furcal as a leadoff man.
MAC
July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm
any chance he’ll be in today’s starting lineup? i’m doubtful but hopeful….. if that makes any sense.
jason
July 31st, 2011
12:29 pm
It doesn’t matter because we can start a game first and third nobody out.
jason
July 31st, 2011
12:29 pm
@MAC I think he’s on his way and he has to get his physical
Nuzzy Futz
July 31st, 2011
12:30 pm
Love this trade, this guy could be a real difference maker.
MAC
July 31st, 2011
12:31 pm
yeah thats what i was thinking, just excited to see him, I just saw DOBs tweet, looks like Constanza to lead us off.
BravesDave
July 31st, 2011
12:31 pm
When you stop and think about it, Wren is on some kind of run. He’s acquired Dan Uggla and Michael Bourn without giving up any of the organizations top prospects. That is almost incomprehensible. he really deserves a lot of credit.
I am really anxious to see if he can work some more magic in the next 3.5 hours. Still would love another bullpen arm…or Josh Willingham (since Quentin seems to be a no-go). Before the Bourn deal, I had no desire for Willingham to be a Brave. Now, the entire picture has changed.
PABrave
July 31st, 2011
12:32 pm
when does bourn play is first game?
Theo Williams
July 31st, 2011
12:34 pm
Now I wanna see all those Frank Wren haters come on here and bash this trade! Fantastic job by Wren the magician!!!
gene garbage
July 31st, 2011
12:36 pm
this is a good deal. now can we go get tyler green from the Cards to play SS, they obviously don’t need him anymore…speed speed and more speed..
MAC
July 31st, 2011
12:36 pm
Much better than the Yunel/Agon fiasco of last year, we needed this.
Robert
July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
Excellent move! Hope this isn’t the end. Would still love a right handed bat. How about Upton for left field and move Prado to 3rd? Great defensive outfield, plus you just know that Chipper will get hurt again when he comes back.
David
July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
This is a great trade. And Furcal was indeed a lead-off hitter for the Braves, and the last legitimate lead-off hitter we had.
Father of 5
July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm
For the first time in years, I will have to go buy some tickets. I went to Gwinnett after the way Wren treated Smoltz and other icons, but now we’ll go downtown again. A great CF changes a team, and we haven’t seen one here since AJ. Bourn is not a great leadoff hitter yet (needs to learn discipline), but I can’t wait to watch him run once he finds himself on base. The Braves just became a much better team.
Choppinmama
July 31st, 2011
12:38 pm
Yeah, first and third, nobody out……………..we might even see a few steals at home before the season ends. Set your sights high, Michael.
Congrats, Braves braintrust. Good acquisition, minor pain endured.
ijudgenot
July 31st, 2011
12:38 pm
With what they gave up to get him, this was a good deal and a better fit than Pence. With the trade of Lowe in the offseason coupled with Minor, the Braves can get the leftfielder or 3rd baseman of their future. Not sure they have enough righthanded power this year to win it all, if no more moves are made.
berrygin
July 31st, 2011
12:38 pm
Wren truly is amazing. Most likely told the team couldn’t afford Pence, plus those above him probably didn’t want JHey on the bench or the minors, and got the best leadoff hitter out there, that the team has needed for years, without giving up any of the top 4 pitchers everything thought he HAD to give up. GM of the year…
Adam
July 31st, 2011
12:39 pm
Forget Furcal or or even Lofton. This reminds me more of the days of Otis Nixon. Lofton had some power to his stroke. This is pure speed and great D. It’s great to have a true table setter today and yet we paid nothing for him.
Choppinmama
July 31st, 2011
12:41 pm
Let’s have a moment of silence for the Schaefer-that-could-have-been. Injuries just ruined the gift of centerfield he had been given a couple of years ago. Good luck to him in TX.
bvillebaron
July 31st, 2011
12:42 pm
Theo Williams:
In response to your question about the Frank Wren haters, I offer Mathman. Hey, I may well be Schafer’s biggest fan and I hope he turns out to be another Bourn, but we have the real deal now. Wren also did not give up any of the big 4 pitching prospects for him. Hopefully, some of his many detractors will finally give him some credit. IMO he has done a great job rebuilding this team since he took over after the 2007 season.
Around The Horn
July 31st, 2011
12:42 pm
Boras clients always test the market.
That pretty much dooms the Braves plans for an extension — unless they want to overpay, as is usual with Boras.
Art Vandelay
July 31st, 2011
12:42 pm
“McLouth has underperformed for most of two seasons and will not be brought back in 2011.”
I assume you meant 2012, but we can dream, can’t we?
Steve
July 31st, 2011
12:44 pm
I have been a Wren basher. I have to eat crow because the man came through in a big way.
pat h
July 31st, 2011
12:45 pm
Great move by the Braves here. Feel bad for Schafer a bit though- he was the victim of some rotten luck. Looking forward to seeing Bourn over the coming weeks. Go Bravos!
Stizz
July 31st, 2011
12:45 pm
This is turning out to be one of the better trade deadlines.
Frank still looking for RH bat.
mdubthewiz
July 31st, 2011
12:47 pm
Why isn’t this the top story on the AJC Sports page?
Tampa Gator
July 31st, 2011
12:49 pm
Bourn is what the Braves have been lacking…..a outstanding Glove in center, makes consistent contact, and can run big time in the leadoff spot. Schafer was an excellent fielder, but he struck out too much….and has good speed. But Bourn takes the position up a big notch and makes the Braves….instantly….a better team. I would not be surprised to see Wren add another righthanded bat and a reliever before the end of the day……both probably from the Padres.
Jimbo Jones
July 31st, 2011
12:49 pm
@ijudgenot
They may need some of that dough from Chipper, Lowe and McClouth to keep Bourn around beyond 2012. Still there should be some change leftover to try and find a RH left fielder. Prado will be at 3rd if he can stay healthy, which is a big if…
Tman
July 31st, 2011
12:50 pm
This is great news. Bourn provides us with the kind of run manufactoring capability we’ve lacked the past couple of years. Maybe now peopel won’t badmouth Wren so much. He MIGHT just know what he’s doing.Now we just need an inning-eating reliever. It says everything that the Braves feel compelled to use Venters and Kimbrell with a four then five run lead last night. They are in serious danger of overwork.
Phil in GA
July 31st, 2011
12:50 pm
Art Vandelay –
Ha, I wish that was the case, too. How you doin’ man?
Sorry to see Schafer go – really think he could have turned into a near-Bourn. But I like the trade. If we can’t get legit RH power, I’d much rather have legit speed than a middling Willingham/Ludwick OF type.
Just too bad we couldn’t dupe the ‘Stros into taking McLouth instead of Schafer. Imagine the speed we could employ off the bench with Schaf. Or both at the same time when Chip was injured (and Prado at 3rd) or Heyward struggling – Schafer and Bourn both in the OF and atop the order. That could have been fun to watch.
don
July 31st, 2011
12:52 pm
Theo,
You can’t grade the omelet when you buy the eggs. Let’s wait a while to see if it turns good or bad. You were probably giddy when the Braves got Drew and Teixeira.
From the posts, one thing is certain, The local stores are selling a lot more Charmin and Fruit of the Loom today.
No one has bashed Wren any worse than have I. I will say that, unlike the aforementioned trades, this one has a possibility of being positive. However, time will tell and Wren’s transcript is not passing. Don’t break out the Jack Daniel’s yet.
Edge8602
July 31st, 2011
12:52 pm
LOVE this pickup for the fact that we gave up 4 guys that 3 of which have no future in the Braves organization unless like 5 pitchers go down with injuries.
Kimbrel rocks
July 31st, 2011
12:54 pm
now….all the Wren haters…please step forward and say you are sorry
DHD
July 31st, 2011
12:54 pm
I don’t know why you would feel bad for Schafer. He will be the starting centerfielder in Houston and will make more money than most of will ever see. We feel bad for him? Living the dream, playing in the majors? Get your thinking back into perspective.
BRAVES TRADER
July 31st, 2011
12:54 pm
We move Schafer and not Nate? Hmmmmm. Good ol’ boy system strikes again in Atlanta.
The Dude Abides
July 31st, 2011
12:55 pm
DOB, do you have any info the Infante talks?
JDawg1785
July 31st, 2011
12:58 pm
Bourn is the guy that the Braves needed. Welcome to ATL, Michael!!
Good Riddance to Schafer
July 31st, 2011
12:58 pm
Glad the Minor League Druggie Schafer is gone – he was and is a continual LOSER……. Now let’s get Bourn in centerfield and win some games.
South Georgia Boy
July 31st, 2011
12:58 pm
Good move. Bourn is same type as Scafer(good defense, base stealer) but is a better hitter with more experience. Don’t worry about the minor league pitching prospects. Some prospects turn out good, but most don’t ever make it.
MFin04
July 31st, 2011
12:59 pm
Now its being reported that the Braves have a great chance at getting Bourn. Lol.
Great pickup for the Braves. Sorry to see Schafer go. Hope he does well.
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
1:00 pm
I wonder why there has been no talk of trading Carlos Lee to anybody. I know he has really fat contract but he is hitting .352 against lefties.
DaveinNEPA
July 31st, 2011
1:00 pm
On the surface this looks like a great deal for the Braves.
That said, I’ll remain skeptical until I see that Bourn hasn’t morphed into McClouth/Kotchman/Ankiel/Gonzalez/Lee and the other deadline deals that have been done in recent years.
Ghostrider
July 31st, 2011
1:01 pm
I sure hope this isn’t a 2 month rental….Please say it isn’t so.
The Dude
July 31st, 2011
1:01 pm
Great Trade!…..and Braves Trader….we can’t move Nate, no one will take him.
PDOG
July 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
Great trade, much rather have Bourn then Beltran or Pence but for those of you who feel the Braves didn;t give up anything beware I think Clements could be a stud.
Brave New World
July 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
Now trade Nate and a low minor prospect to rent Josh Willingham for the rest of 2011.
Noone, Alot, Loosers, Than, Then & To Much
July 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
Aah, the Bourn again Braves. Gotta luv it!
DC Brave
July 31st, 2011
1:02 pm
About to talk to Frank Wren on ESPN Baseball Tonight
SAL
July 31st, 2011
1:03 pm
Good job Mr. Wren. Proven CF & leadoff hitter and keeping the 4 top pitching prospects. Now, just get him signed to an extension like you did with Uggla.
JerseyChoppin
July 31st, 2011
1:04 pm
mathman, where are you getting the projection of Schafer batting .280 for next 5 years? Nothing leads me to believe he will project even that high, unless of course he needs an atmosphere of zero pressure. I liked Schafer, but to say this deal wasn’t good for braves because of schafer is a bit off.
Here are his cumulative Batting Avgs:
AAA (3 seasons) .227;
AA (2 seasons) .253;
A (3 seasons) .273;
A+ (1 season) .294
Rkie Lg (1 season) .203
Minor league BA: (7 seasons) .258
2009 ML Braves: 167 AB, .204 BA
2011 ML Braves: 196 AB, .240 BA
JerseyChoppin
July 31st, 2011
1:06 pm
Just sucks that Bourn is a Boras client. Well Braves, this buys a few years of time to acquire a young CF talent and get him ready to take over in CF.
Zing
July 31st, 2011
1:06 pm
Looks like a great trade. I just hope we don’t get McLouth’d. (That looked like a great trade for a center fielder at the time, also).
wut
July 31st, 2011
1:06 pm
“Glad the Minor League Druggie Schafer is gone – he was and is a continual LOSER……. Now let’s get Bourn in centerfield and win some games.”
I think the real loser is the dude sitting in his basement slamming someone who’s making six, seven figures in pro ball…
Jabbo
July 31st, 2011
1:07 pm
Good luck to Jordan Schaefer. Your effort was never in doubt. I hope you have a great career.
darren
July 31st, 2011
1:07 pm
The Braves will have approximately 13 million next year when Mcclouth,Kamakasi come off the books and another 20 million if we can offload Lowe and for the love of God and all Atlanta Fans Chipper retires. He is killing the team. We could afford any player in the league with his pay. Please Chipper do the right thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ToccoaBrave
July 31st, 2011
1:07 pm
Good luck Schaf, I hope you heal up and become the player we always knew you could be.
JASon
July 31st, 2011
1:09 pm
Bourn is hitting .284 against lefties.
Beltran is hitting .230 against lefties.
Bourn is a much better fit for the braves than Beltran or Pence. Why the other two got all of the local media attention is beyond me.
Itsthetruth
July 31st, 2011
1:09 pm
Braves Trader, you do know that both teams have to agree to make a trade. You can’t get something for nothing…
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
1:10 pm
nice comparison jason
Ted M
July 31st, 2011
1:11 pm
I’ll be rootin for schafer too
eager kid
July 31st, 2011
1:12 pm
I was ecstatic as I clicked on the link stating that the Braves acquired Bourn. I was shocked to learn that we didn’t lose Minor or any other top-tier prospects in the process. Way to go Wren. Also, well written and great job on the coverage DOB!
gcs
July 31st, 2011
1:13 pm
Wow, Wren pulled a “Schuerholz”.
Schafer has promise and things were looking up for him but I don’t think he’ll ever be an All-Star. He probably won’t even hit over .275 for a season.
Abreu, Clemens and Oberholtzer each have a chance to turn into pretty good pitchers but they aren’t named Minor, Teheran or Beachy.
.
BravesFAN
July 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
Braves Trader – We didn’t give up any of our big 4 arms and all we had to throw in with the 2nd tier arms was a career .220 hitter for a golden glove cf that’s batting .307 with a .363 OBP and leading the NL in stolen bases with 39 and you’re still complaining???? Ahaha we literally just robbed the Astros and you’re talking about how we gave up Schafer and not Nate?? The reason we had to give them Schafer is because at least he may have some upside Nate is a bum that nobody wants. If you wanted to trade Nate and the prospects we just traded we may have been able to bring Melky or Jeff Fran back not a player of Bourns caliber. Be happy and stop complaining dude your GM made an amazing trade and just made the Braves a lot better…
K-man
July 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
Love this deal! Outstanding job by Frank Wren… “well done good and faithful servant”…getting exactly what this team needed (base-stealing CF with Gold Glove defense) at a price in prospects that does not set us back.
Schafer is replaced by Bourn, a definite upgrade for this season and next
Oberholtzer was our No.9 prospect (according to Baseball America), but not 1 of our Top 4 untouchable pitching prospects, and has a projected ceiling of a number 3 starter, more likely a 4
Paul Clemens is not projected as a number 1-3 type starter,
and Juan Abreu is a strong armed RH, but we have a dozen others like him and Clemens.
Way to go Frank!
Now a RH hitter off the bench (like a RH Hinske) plus a middle reliever for our over-used bullpen, and I like our chances of winning the whole thing.
J-Man
July 31st, 2011
1:15 pm
We still need some Bull-pen help
JerseyChoppin
July 31st, 2011
1:16 pm
JA Son: because of the longball, thats why. Bourn has 1 hr this season. I think Bourn is a much better fit for the Braves than Beltran/Pence. Not taking anything away from those guys, but we needed a leadoff who can (and is willing, Beltran) play CF. Especially with Mclouth and Schafer going on DL.
And as far as Bourn becoming Mclouth: Mclouth doesn’t have the speed Bourn does, which I think makes all the difference. Plus, we were trying to make Nate into something he wasn’t. His best years were hitting 3rd on an awful Pitt team.
ry
July 31st, 2011
1:17 pm
Any chance prado can make the move to short (in the event that chipper sticks around next year)
BravesFAN
July 31st, 2011
1:18 pm
Mathamn Schafer hasn’t hit .280 in the minors or majors in nearly 5 years and even then he only did it once in A ball. You’re a complete idiot if you think the Braves didn’t completely and utterly dominate and win this trade. We just added a great leadoff hitter, that might be the fastest player in the MLB, that plays gold glove defense in CF. STOP YOUR CRYING YOU’RE THE WORST KIND OF FAN. NO MATTER WHAT THE BRAVES DO YOU”LL COMPLAIN. WE COULD WIN THE WORLD SERIES AND YOU’D FIND A WAY TO CRY AND COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. YOU’RE A JOKE…
Art Vandelay
July 31st, 2011
1:18 pm
Phil — Agreed that it would’ve been nice to send McLouth instead of Schafer. But the speed we lost by trading Schafer comes back in spades with Bourn (along with a guy who is actually cut out for hitting leadoff), and it looks like Constanza (no relation to Art Vandelay) could be a great sparkplug/pinch runner off the bench. A+ on this deal for Wren.
gene garbage
July 31st, 2011
1:20 pm
sure would be nice to get Moylan back in Sept., wouldn’t it?
David the Shepherd
July 31st, 2011
1:22 pm
Amen! Hallelujah! We have a legitimate lead-off man who can certainly be a game-changer. There is much to fear from a walking triple.
Rob In Fayetteville
July 31st, 2011
1:24 pm
@BRAVES TRADER: The only way the Braves can rid themselves of McOut can be summed up in three words:
Designated for assignment.
No team in their right mind would take on McLouth via trade. A 29-year-old mediocre CF with a .677 OPS making the balance of a $6.5 million contract? At least Schafer is 24, making the major league minimum, and still has some upside. Unless the Braves decide to eat McLouth’s contract and let him go, we’re stuck with him, much like Kawakami in AA….
On the positive side of things, Bourn is a great pickup! Now if we can pry Infante back from Florida…
BERNIE
July 31st, 2011
1:25 pm
I think the Braves need to get rid of Heyward. In 2 years in the big leagues he has done absotely nothing. So come on Mr. Wrenn pull the plug on a trade for Mr. Heward
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
July 31st, 2011
1:26 pm
Frank Wren isn’t done yet……
My gut feeling is that there will be another trade announced by the end of the day. We still need help in the bullpen and on the bench.
UKUGA
July 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
Great trade. Shocked that we didn’t give up one of our top 3 minor league starters.
Auburn Fan
July 31st, 2011
1:31 pm
So maybe the Braves are not going to fizzle out in the post season? Maybe? Maybe not.
Frank Wren has a posse!
July 31st, 2011
1:31 pm
Way to go Frankie! Now just get Moylan/Medlen healthy and dump Mclouth somehow. Gonna miss you Schafer!
Brave New World
July 31st, 2011
1:31 pm
BERNIE July 31st, 2011 1:25 pm
I think the Braves need to get rid of Heyward. In 2 years in the big leagues he has done absotely nothing. So come on Mr. Wrenn pull the plug on a trade for Mr. Heward
BERNIE: While a BUI (Blogging Under the Influence) is not as serious as a DUI, you still need to sleep it off.
gobraves
July 31st, 2011
1:32 pm
We have him through the end of 2012, is that right?
Can't spell McLouth without OUT
July 31st, 2011
1:32 pm
sigh
A Schafer
July 31st, 2011
1:33 pm
I’m gonna miss a lot about this team. But really glad to not have to read this bias blog!
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
1:36 pm
Kudos to FW for getting the CF/Leadoff man that we all wanted. And don’t count on Bourn leaving after he becomes a FA, we have a ton of money coming off the books with Lowe and Chipper being gone after next season (if not before). Wren didn’t deal away our young (and affordable) starting rotation of the future so that means we’ll have more $ for position players. Go Braves!
David O'Brien
July 31st, 2011
1:39 pm
CHIPPER JONES on Bourn trade
“I feel bad for the kid [Schafer]. He worked hard to get here, and unfortunately got hurt. Bourn’s a dynamic player, steals a lot of bases, gives us some speed at the type of the lineup, the ability to manufacture some runs. Kind of like what Schafer gave us. It’s going to help our ballclub.”
“If he’s on base, he’s definitely a threat. The last time I looked he was leading the league in steals. We haven’t had that type of threat at the top of our lineup in a long time, consistently anyway. We’ll see how it all turns out.”
If that’s the only move, are you a better club today?
“Talk to me in two months.”
On Schafer’s injuries
“It’s the same old story for him. Seems like he had it going in the right direction, and another injury kind of knocks him off track. He certainly showed a lot of improvement and some promise this year. I was proud of him. He set out in spring training to make difference, and you can honestly say he did that.”
Jim 11
July 31st, 2011
1:40 pm
Bourn is a nice fit in center. It was a good deal for both teams. The Astros freed some salery and got prospects to rebuild with and the Braves kept the top tier talent in the minors.
We need a few more pieces to make a run at the Phillies with the Astros trading Pence there tho. I think he will help their unbalanced lineup alot.
A Schafer
July 31st, 2011
1:45 pm
O’Brien…posting others comments are not your opinions to the blog. It’s a poor way to show you’re not bias. You don’t give that kid a fair shake. I hope he never has a reason to give you an interview.
Tbraves
July 31st, 2011
1:45 pm
Great trade….plain and simple!
if we dont get a BP arm, you can bet that Vizcaino and Moylan will add great value later on!
Wouldnt be surprised to add another OF bat though….someone like Willingham/Frenchy or even Ludwick
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
1:49 pm
I’m not sure Chipper was the right guy to ask about JS being injury prone… If he (CJ) could come back strong down the stretch I think THAT helps our club more than just about anything else as far as postseason aspirations. Having Bourn and Prado hitting in front of him and Mac, Uggs, and FF behind him is downright SCARY.
Biff_Pocoroba
July 31st, 2011
1:50 pm
Can it be? A Frank Wren move that almost everyone cheers? I thought the whole point of these blogs were to roast the guy.
collegeballfan
July 31st, 2011
1:50 pm
Todays team, today 7/31/11, gets a shot in the arm from Bourn and then shots from the return of McCann and, hopefully, the return of Chipper.
With Bourn in center I can live with Hinske in left.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 31st, 2011
1:50 pm
Awesome trade. Never judge the GM until after the trade deadline is over. Wren managed to get a clear upgrade for the lineup without parting with any of the top 4 prospects and for that he deserves to be commended. I like Schafer, and it sucks to see him go, but Bourn is a better version of him in every respect. Bourn is a perfect fit for this team.
Now get the man signed to an extension and plug him in the leadoff spot for the foreseeable future.
darrin
July 31st, 2011
1:53 pm
good job fw now get willingham and bailey from oakland
Tbraves
July 31st, 2011
2:01 pm
good job fw now get willingham and bailey from oakland
Willingham maybe…bailey will def cost us a top 4 prospects…andu know what that means
Furman Bitcher
July 31st, 2011
2:02 pm
Shuddup A Schafer
Furman Bitcher
July 31st, 2011
2:03 pm
Never question if Chipper is a good source. future HOFer.
Doc Holliday
July 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Chip, the wild card lead over Arizona is 4 and a half…not 5 and a half. I would think you’d know that.
JRW7
July 31st, 2011
2:05 pm
BERNIE, YOU MUST BE CRAZY!!!!!
Robert
July 31st, 2011
2:06 pm
Well, we might not have gotten quite the player that the Phillies, Giants, or Indians got, but we certainly got him cheap.
We gave up a guy who cant play without PED’s, a second rate lottery ticket, and some minor league filler
That’s a steal any day of the week
And the thing is, if any or all of those guys work out for the Astros, it was still a steal.
Now, let’s USE that speed. Any time he gets on base, Bourn should run run run. Make the opposition constantly have to execute plays. Never give them a minute’s free respite
As far as lineups if and when everyone gets back healthy, if it were me it would be
1. CF – Bourn – l
2. 3b Chipper – sw
3. C – McCann – l
4. 2b – Uggla – r
5. 1b – Freeman – l
6. Lf- Prado – r
7. RF – Heyward – l
8. SS – AGon – r
J-Man
July 31st, 2011
2:09 pm
We need Infante back and another relief pitcher and then were set
Robert
July 31st, 2011
2:11 pm
“Gave up much too much”
A failed prospect, a lottery ticket that wont pay much even if it’s a winner, and two minor league roster filler afterthoughts is NOTHING for a major league ballplayer – much less a genuine leadoff hitter
New York Nick
July 31st, 2011
2:14 pm
Rob – They’ve been talking all over the place how they like/want to have Prado batting #2… Why on earth would u put Larry there in stead of his normal #3 spot?
1 Bourn
2 Prado
3 Jones
4 Uggla/McCann depending on RHP or LHP
5 Uggla/McCann depending on RHP or LHP
6 Freeman
7 Heyward
8 Gonzalez
knockahomerx
July 31st, 2011
2:15 pm
I don’t like that we included Obertholtzer. I had him on our staff soon as a LHP.
VinceVanGo
July 31st, 2011
2:15 pm
I used to like to tell Bobby Cox how to manage and make out his lineup(though never to his face), and so I’ll do the same for Freddi G. He can do what he wants until we get everybody back, but then he needs to talk(and stand up to Chipper) and tell him that he needs to take one for the team and be willing to drop in the batting order. Bourn is a legitimate leadoff, Prado a classic #2, Freeman has been a perfect #3 and Uggla a prototype cleanup hitter. Then what? McCann needs to be no lower that #5, and that puts Chipper in the 6 hole. Then what? Freddi G. likes the lefty/righty alternation so put Chipper #6 against lefties and Heyward #6 with Chipper #7 against righties. Either way Chipper doesn’t have much protection(Heyward/Gonzo) but he’s a Hall of Fame hitter and doesn’t need any if he’s a patient batter(which he hasn’t been lately). In this batting order the Braves probably have as good a top 5 as anybody and a very good hitter at #6. Us fans will pray when Heyward and Gonzo come to bat.
Robert
July 31st, 2011
2:16 pm
“That said, I’ll remain skeptical until I see that Bourn hasn’t morphed into McClouth/Kotchman/Ankiel/Gonzalez/Lee and the other deadline deals ”
If that happens, then you figure we probably broke even
Gary
July 31st, 2011
2:16 pm
All you Wren haters out there owe him an apology. This was a great move. The dude knows what he is doing. This team is going to the Series.
Honest American
July 31st, 2011
2:17 pm
Great trade. This is exactly what we needed. However, what sticks out to me here is the professional quotes of Jordan Schafer in this article. No bitterness, just good professional stuff. What a stud. Good luck to him.
TheAntiMe
July 31st, 2011
2:17 pm
Michael Bourn is just what the Braves have needed for quite a while being a speedster who can put the ball in play and go get it in CF. I’m not at all concerned about him being a left-handed hitter because since he will bat at the top of the lineup the Braves will have a very good right-handed hitter in Martin Prado to hit behind him followed by another left-handed hitter in either Chipper or B-Mac.
One of the things that puts a smile on my face about this deal is the fact that the Phillies, IMHO, definitely overpaid for Hunter Pence and put a serious dent in their future by trading away both their top minor league hitting and pitching prospects while the Braves hold on to their top prospects and get the player who will actually help them the most. Excellent job, Mr. GM!
Mountain Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
2:20 pm
Christmas would come early to Atlanta if Wren could get Willingham from Oakland. Prado, Heyward, and Jones have all missed significant time and Willingham would be a more than adequate replacement for any one of them going down the stretch and into the playoffs. Willingham could also platoon with Heyward against lefties and would be a dangerous right handed pinch hitter off the bench. Oakland shouldn’t want the moon for him because he is a rental, and Oakland is going no where this year. They will get compensation when he leaves next year as a free agent, so whatever you offer has to be more than that.
Robert
July 31st, 2011
2:22 pm
““I feel bad for the kid [Schafer]. He worked hard to get here, and unfortunately got hurt. Bourn’s a dynamic player, steals a lot of bases, gives us some speed at the type of the lineup, the ability to manufacture some runs. Kind of like what Schafer gave us. It’s going to help our ballclub.”
“If he’s on base, he’s definitely a threat. The last time I looked he was leading the league in steals. We haven’t had that type of threat at the top of our lineup in a long time, consistently anyway. We’ll see how it all turns out.”
I wonder if Chipper realizes that within the space of about fiffteen seconds, he completely contradicted himseldf. First he says Bourn is kinda like Schafer. Then he says we havent had a guy like Bourn in a long time.
Chipper needs to realize that even at Chipper Jone’s bat is a much greater force than his mouth
Joshua
July 31st, 2011
2:24 pm
To the people saying we gave up to much: huh? We got the best CF and fastest player in baseball for Jordan Schafer and b prospects – are you kidding? This is a coup. Frank Wren FTW.
Peter
July 31st, 2011
2:25 pm
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
Realignment has been approved; Astros moving to the Pacific Coast League. (just kidding…)
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
2:26 pm
Jon Heyman reporting that Willingham staying put…
Joshua
July 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
One a side note: the 3 remaining Astros fans have to be really bummed.
MFin04
July 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
Still enough time to trade Tommy Hanson, the guy just can’t put hitters away, can’t hold leads, can’t hold runner. He drives me crazy.
Braves trade for Bourn, the leadoff hitter they’ve lacked | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
July 31st, 2011
2:28 pm
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
Robert
July 31st, 2011
2:28 pm
“Why on earth would u put Larry there in stead of his normal #3 spot? ”
The 3 spot is for your best hitter. Chipper has had a HOF career, but right now McCann is our best hitter. I like Chipper at #2 because he still gets on base at a decent clip. That said, Prado second and Chipper sixth would work also
John Galt
July 31st, 2011
2:28 pm
For all of the people who have been stroking out and attacking Wren over the last few days, the line for apologies to Frank will start to gather now. Wren learned under the consummate pro (John S.) and seems to have learned his lesson well.
Bourne is a much better fit for the Braves than Beltran, Pence or Quentin, and the cost was minimal. I was a big Schafer fan, but as Wren just said on TV, Bourne is NOW what we hoped Jordan will be in a few years.
I know Wren will finish strong, as well. I had not heard Infante mentioned befor but I’d love to see him on our bench again. If we don’t get the additional BP arm we need, maybe Vizcaino and Moylan will fill that hole.
We have the 4th best record in MLB behind 3 teams with unlimited budgets. Wren may be the best baseball executive in the league. He certainly learned from the best.
BravesHound
July 31st, 2011
2:29 pm
Bourn Free, all the bases he can steal and create havoc on the bases. Good move Bravo’s.
Joshua
July 31st, 2011
2:30 pm
Robert, only you would bat Chipper 2nd.
Bourn
Prado
Jones
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Gonzo
Heyward
That line-up is scary.
Joshua
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
John Galt: I absolutely agree about Wren. Even before this trade I would have argued he is the best executive in the league – now there can be little doubt.
He played the entire baseball-salivating media like a fiddle, drove up the price on Pence, and acquired the better player for dirt cheap.
And he did it while protecting the prospect corps that so many ESPN pundits were criticizing him for not parting with. Remember Julio Teheran on ESPN’s front page as a “trade chip”? LOL. Wren is beast mode.
ATLfan15
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
Love this trade…didn’t think it was gonna happen, but it changes this club for the better.
Bravo, FW!! oops…i meant BRAVOS!!
Joshua
July 31st, 2011
2:34 pm
This trade makes us, when healthy, the BEST team in baseball. Period.
GaryinBham
July 31st, 2011
2:35 pm
Seems like a great trade, I like Bourn. Haven’t seem him much, but when we played ‘em I hated seeing him come up. Seems like a reasonable trade at this point. Great job, FW! Wish Jordan Schafer well. I think he’s a gamer.
richie_rich1986
July 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
and this is why I have like a dozen baseballs signed by Frank Wren. I swear the man is a pure Genius!
BigDave
July 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
Good trade for the Braves,didn’t give up that much for a very good player!
doc
July 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
bourn to be wild
Lost Cause
July 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
Good job Frank Wren! Patience gets you the right guy!
Lank
July 31st, 2011
2:49 pm
The way Freeman and Uggla are hitting now, I would have them at 3 & 4.
Bourn
Prado
Freeman
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Heyward
Gonzalez
You can swap Chipper and Prado if you want. It would be waste of Chipper’s high obp to bat that low in the lineup. Plus we really don’t need a great bunter in the 2 spot with bourn having so much speed. He could steal second and Chipper could swing away. This is a great lineup though. I’m glad we went after a guy with speed instead of another power hitter to hit the ball to the warning track of our pitcher’s park. I’ve been trying to figure that one out for a few years now.
Columbus
July 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
Hinske is not slow.
John Galt
July 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
i love Jordan Schafer’s approach to the game- how fitting that his last game as a Brave had him play 5 or 6 innings in severe pain after getting hit in the damaged, chipped finger. I appreciate that the stats don’t support this, but my observations also say he could give the Astros several years of .280 and 35 steals, with a Gold Glove thrown in, and I hope he does.
This was a great deal for the Braves, though, the present obtained for the potential. Good luck and adios, Jordan.
Columbus
July 31st, 2011
2:51 pm
Chipper is 3rd, 4th or 5th. Period
John Galt
July 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
@Lank-
I love that lineup but it doesn’t happen unless Chipper volunteers to be dropped. He has restructured a couple of contracts in the past to benefit the team, so maybe he can do the right thing. It would say a lot about him to make that clear concession.
Columbus
July 31st, 2011
2:57 pm
Switch hitting Chipper is 3rd, 4th or 5th. Sixth is out of the question. 2nd is not as bad as 6th but Prado needs to be high in the order so I think 2nd is not an option either for Chipper. 3rd, 4th or 5th. He is a switch hitter and a tough out and with big bats behind him will be all the much better for it.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
We truly won’t know whether this trade works out for the Braves for a while, of course, but it does seem as though Wren has hit the sweet spot with this one. The price was considerable, but, all things considered, not too much. It would be very nice to see another reliever come along sometime today, too. It seems to me that Wren is a highly competent and competitive GM.
ABF
Lank
July 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
I love Chipper and have supported him batting 3rd his entire career. But our best hitters right now are Freeman, Uggla, and McCann. Bobby isn’t our manager anymore, so our lineup won’t be the same everyday and will be juggled around based on who’s hitting better. Freeman has been a streaky hitter so far and is bound to go through a slump and moved further down in the lineup. But right now, I would say Prado is our 6th best hitter, and that tells you we have a scary lineup.
Ernest
July 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
Very good post at 1:04, JerseyChoppin! I’ve stated many time that I did not understand this lover affair with Schafer. He had one good season that was tainted by his use of PEDs yet most seemed to think he was the next coming of Brett Butler for the Braves. He is an above average defensive player that strikes out too much, walks to little, and does not make enough contact while at bat, resulting in a low OBP. This is not the model of a good leadoff hitter.
Now that he is gone, I wish him the best in his career
northbeach Scott
July 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
Really pleased to have a key piece like Bourne joint the Braves, especially without giving up an real MLB talent. Classy comments by Schafer, wish it could have happened for him in Atlanta. It will be good for him to have a fresh start and perhaps he will finally blossem in the non-pressure environment of Houston.
I hate to give up any young pitching, but we have so much depth, you have to give up something for a Gold Glove CF, SB champion that will bat leadoff.
Very nicely done, Frank Wren.
ted
July 31st, 2011
3:05 pm
Would solve a lot of problems if J Hey could hit. The problem between his ears might prevent him from matching his talent with production
Gary O
July 31st, 2011
3:07 pm
What’s up with the Braves and their inability to execute?
Leadoff double, and they can’t score. Runner at 3rd, with one out, can’t score. I hope the Bourn will have a trickle down effect, because we will need to be able to move him over and bring him in.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
3:08 pm
ted: I have worried that Jason would not live up to the hype since early last year. I particularly am skeptical about his ability to avoid or play through injury. He needs to retool his swing, I think, and that always is really hard to do. We’ll see, but I’ll be surprised if he ever does become the hitter he was projected to be. On the other hand, I’ve been wrong many times before.
ABF
David O'Brien
July 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
Braves reactions to trade
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/07/31/braves-reactions-to-michael-bourn-trade/
Bud
July 31st, 2011
3:11 pm
Hope Bourn is a road warrior. The Astros are playing the last game of a 10-game road trip today, and the Braves start a 9-game trip tomorrow. Potentially an 18- or 19- game road trip for Bourn.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
Most of the Braves hitters have a serious problem with situational hitting. That is exactly the reason why I like Chipper is in the 3 hole, plus I believe his avg with RSP is still very good although I don’t have the stats in front of me to back that up.
Alex Gonzalez is A Waste
July 31st, 2011
3:52 pm
Wow! This man reminds me a lot Furcal. If he scores a run or hit, he typically follows up with either an in-field error or 2-3 strike outs in row at bat . Very inconsistent.
Is it too late to trade him for something.
Alex Gonzalez is A Waste
July 31st, 2011
3:59 pm
Personally, I think the Braves biggest issue is with Gonzalez. He was suppose to be that consistent right hand batter. But he’s so inconsistent, the Braves are having to search far and wide to compensate for his inability to hit in clutch.
Out of all the trades the Braves made, I beleive Gonzo is probably the most disappointing. Please trade this guy…He’s killing us at the plate.
Freddie G
July 31st, 2011
4:05 pm
A very good trade and credit to Frank Wren who has made another remarkable move in improving the ball club. He has done just that ever since he became GM, yet some fools on this blog continue to give him hell. Frank is not like JS who always wanted to be the story, and who you would often see on the phone in full view during the games as if he was working a trade. Frank has rebuild the farm system which was ravaged by JS, and he is building a long term winner here.
Thank you Frank Wren.
Churchy
July 31st, 2011
4:10 pm
The key to this is giving Bourne a chance to run. Schaefer had a decent amount of SB’s in a short span when he was healthy and owned CF so it seems like they can do it.
Kind of glad I no longer have to think about Eminem whenever they show Scheafer’s face.
Blankster
July 31st, 2011
4:28 pm
Best trade possible. Schafer is a bum. Bourn has speed and OBP. And we keep our top pitching prospects. We probably only gave up our 5th best pitching prospect and schafer (who sucks). Good deal wren.
old man
July 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
I’m a Schafer fan, but this is quite a good deal.
Curious of there is a follow up move.
Charlie
July 31st, 2011
4:57 pm
Marlins game over…Braves 13 hits, 1 frittin’ run. A 15 year minor leaguer starts, and strikes out twice, with a man on third. Geee Fredi, ya hear of pinch hitting? Another minor leaguer runs the bases like a 10 year old. Brooks Conrad can’t get a damn bunt down, and costs a run. Alex Gonzo is the worst, most unprofessional hitter in the history of Major League baseball.
This team has so many BAD parts. What a give-away ball team. They don’t deserve a playoff berth. This team deserves to lose. They will piss away the wild card, as Fredi and Larry sit on their thumbs. LOsers.
01HAWK
July 31st, 2011
5:02 pm
McOUT should be nervous with CONTANZZA playing well today. I can only imagine the pressure that BOURNE and CONSTANZZA would put on the defense.
FREDDI just stated on TV that he would like to see what BOURNE and CONSTANZZA could do in the lineup together. Fred Hicks and Brian Jordan are talking about it also. This maybe the end of McOUT………………..I hope so. They have and I am sure they are considering doing this. Maybe we can do a trade in August because he will pass thru waivers for sure.
They are still talking about it as I am writing. We have no choice but to put both in batting 1st and 2nd. WOW…………………………….Lineup will change overnight.
BOURNE
CONSTANZZA
CHIPPER
MAC
UGLA
FREEMAN
PRADO
GONZO
braves are pretenders!!
July 31st, 2011
5:19 pm
Doesn’t matter who the braves pickup, this is the worst managed, and the worst team in baseball when it comes to simple fundamentals. And this all starts with the pathetic manager. How can a team have 13 hits and score only one run. simple, they have an incompetent manager that sits on his ass and has no clue how to manufacture a run with runners in scoring position. This is what happens to this team if they don’t get a lucky ass 3 run homer. They sit there and squander away scoring opportunites time and time again. It is sad to watch this moron of a manager sitting there with that dumbass look on his face, while his team plays like a little league team when it comes to bunting, baserunning, moving runners over, and fielding. Simple fundamentals of baseball, but this poorly coached team, is awful at every phase of the game fundmentally. So get whoever you want in trades, want make any difference, this team is going nowhere, and you can thank Wren for hiring this moron as a manager. Thank god it’s football season in a few weeks. This little league team needs to go home and watch good fundamentally prepared teams play in the playoffs
Edward
July 31st, 2011
5:27 pm
How can you call this a big trade?
1991 braves
July 31st, 2011
5:47 pm
Fredi G, whatever you are smoking tell me where i can get some. Every move Wren has made has been a great move that benefited the team. Are you fuc—- kidding me. Every move this moron has made has been a disaster. He signs Lowe to $15 million a year for 4 years, and the guy is the 5th best pitcher in the rotation, with the 5th highest era. He signs K.K. to a huge contract, and the guy loses 12 or 13 games in a row last year, and he is the highest paid pithcer in AAA. And every player he has signed is hitting under 240. That includes Nate the Great, Gonzo, who might be the worst hitter in the N.L., Uggla who just got above .200, and Rick Ackiel from last year that was a huge bust. My god, there isn’t one player this guy has brought in that is helping the team now. Add to that the worst decision he ever made was signing this moron manager Fredi. He is the worst manager in baseball when it comes to fundamental baseball, and handling a bullpen. Maybe you are the Fredi the clown, sure sounds like it. If you are, congrats on another terribly managed game.
01HAWK
July 31st, 2011
5:48 pm
CONSTANZZA WAS SAFE. Umpire blew the call.
Tom
July 31st, 2011
5:53 pm
I like that kid Constanza, what speed and excitement he brings to the game! Do not send him down, cut McLouth loose if necessary! Wonder if Prado can play SS, just a thought when Chipper comes back? Bourn and Constanza in the line-up at one time, excitement!!
Dogfan
July 31st, 2011
6:08 pm
The worst thing about this trade is Scott Boros. IHe is Borne’s agent
LeftyLeach
July 31st, 2011
6:11 pm
Super trade, but let’s not get overly giddy… Good left handed pitching still ‘eats our lunch’.. Ludwick seemed to go for very little, Willingham would help… Irony: we virtually gave Frenchy away, ditto Melky—- & let Ross go to the Giants for clutch post season performance… Oh Well.
cutty
July 31st, 2011
7:24 pm
“On whether getting Chipper Jones back in the line-up will make the braves a better ballclub? Get with me in a couple of months.
Still HATE Wren
July 31st, 2011
7:32 pm
Wren is nothing but a Bat Rastard….Can’t stand the sight of him!!! Hope he takes his last breath soon…..like Schafer, he is not worth a pile of spit. Schuerholtz did it much better! Alas, poor John where are you when we need a REAL GM.
dachino860
July 31st, 2011
7:50 pm
I really liked jordan, and will be sad he is leaving. However getting bourn is great! and I am really looking forward to seeing him be part of our team!
Dennis Reynolds
July 31st, 2011
8:02 pm
Anyone familiar with my posts know how happy I am. We got our man!
Dudes about to show all the Schafer lovers what a TRUE leadoff man does. Schafer will never pan out to be anything more than a .250 hitter with good defense. A good 8 hole hitter.
Speed is a necessity in todays game and now we have one of the fastest players in the league. Its really going to pay dividens in the postseason, too.
Great job, Frank Wren. Never should’ve doubted you.
Dennis Reynolds
July 31st, 2011
8:03 pm
Sounds like Chippers not thrilled about this move……
No idea why.
Sam The Swami
July 31st, 2011
8:03 pm
The last 5 days have been torture. I probably visited ESPN.com, SI.com and followed everyone possible hoping to see the Braves make an impact move. I wanted Pence and feel he significantly improves the Phili’s.
That said, Bourn is a huge upgrade over anyone we could’ve trotted out in CF and he changes this line-up big time. I love the move and commend Wren for pulling this one off.
We still need a RH OF to platoon with Heyward but hopefully we can find a way to make that happen via. Waivers or non Waivers trade.
In Wren We Trust!
GO BRAVES!
Dennis Reynolds
July 31st, 2011
8:05 pm
1.Bourn
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Man
5.Uggla
6.Freeman
7.Heyward
8.Gonzo…(sigh)
Still a GREAT lineup. Easily will rival the Phillies once Heyward comes around fully. He’s definitely starting to get back on track.
Frank
July 31st, 2011
8:05 pm
We won’t be platooning Heyward. Period.
Jimmy
July 31st, 2011
8:08 pm
1) Bourn
Pitcher
2) Heyward
3) Chipper
4) McCann
5) Uggla
6) Freeman
7) Prado
9) McClouth
Prado at SS, McClouth in LF to give us 2 leadoff hitters essentially.
Bluestreak
July 31st, 2011
8:09 pm
I like Schafer and wished it could have worked out for him here. I liked his edge and swagger. But, Bourn is a major upgrade.
Frank Wren once again proves his doubters wrong. When will you folks stop doubting him until deadlines have passed. Of the three OF that were actually improvements to what we had, Bourn is the best fit and fills two huge needs. The fact that he hits lefties pretty well even though he’s a lefty kinda negates the whole need for a RH OF. Our original fix to the RH power hitter has finally come around and is performing like we had hoped. If we can get one of those lesser OF for bench help (that article on Mike Deveraux, I still can’t spell his name right, reminds me of just that type of hitter) now, that makes this trade EVEN better. To have Hinske and a similar hitter on the bench, then I think the Braves will be extremely tough to beat in the post season.
Bluestreak
July 31st, 2011
8:14 pm
I meant to note that its the same mentality a lot have with Thomas Dimitroff and he hasn’t swung and missed too often. Always seems to do the right thing, if not the popular thing.
mikeingray
July 31st, 2011
8:15 pm
THIS DEAL LOOKS GOOD FOR US….YES, SOME OF YOU COWARD POSTERS BIT.CH ABOUT ANYTHING REGARDLESS…USUALLY DUE TO YOUR STUPIDITY AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME AND ITS ECONOMICS….BUT ENOUGH THERE….OUR PERFECT LINE-UP NEEDS SPEED AT THE TOP SO BOURN IS THERE FOR SURE…BATTING SECOND REQUIRES SOLID CONTACT, A DECENT AVERAGE AND AN ABILITY TO MOVE RUNNERS WITHOUT FAIL…THIS FALLS SQAURELY ON PRADO…BATTING THIRD BELONGS TO YOUR BEST PURE HITTER WITH A STRONG ABILITY TO DRIVE IN RUNS…EVEN WEBSTER KNOWS THIS IS MCCANN…..CLEANUP IS DEFINED AS PURE POWER (THE 3-RUN HOMER TYPE!) AND THIS FITS UGGLA ALL DAY LONG…FIFTH SHOULD BE A POSITION OF STRENGTH AS WELL SO THE #4 ISN’T WALKED TO GET TO YOU….CHIPPER’S EXPERIENCE MAKES HIM A SLIGHT FAVORITE OVER OUR “R.O.Y” FEDDIE FREEMAN WHO COMES IN AT SIXTH (AND THIS COULD JUST AS EASILY BE REVERSED WITH NO REAL ISSUES)…BATTING SEVENTH WOULD FALL TO HEYWARD FOR HIS POWER POTENTIAL TO FOLLOW # 1-6 (MAYBE HE CAN LEARN FROM FREEMAN?) AND THIS LEAVES GONZO, CLEARLY OUR MOST TROUBLED HITTER (WASN’T THAT POLITE?) WHO MIGHT BE WALKED TO GET TO THE PITCHER…BETTER THAN STRIKING OUT, RIGHT?
1-BOURN (LH)
2-PRADO-(RH)
3-MCCANN (LH)
4-UGGLA (RH)
5-JONES (SW)
6-FREEMAN (LH)
7-HEYWARD (LH)
8-GONZALEZ (RH)
GOOD LUCK BRAVES…GOOD JOB FRANK WREN…MAKE WINS, NOT EXCUSES!!!
Dennis Reynolds
July 31st, 2011
8:21 pm
Jimmy, why in the world would you bat Prado 7th?! Are you crazy?
Prado is THE ideal 2 hole hitter for any team in the major leagues.
Jimmy
July 31st, 2011
8:54 pm
Heyward has done well in that role and he’s our superstar. Prado is good, but he’s not a star like Heyward.
CharlieAlphaBravo
July 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
“Alas, poor Schaefer, we knew him well.”
Apparantly not that waell…
Mitch McConnell's Chins
July 31st, 2011
9:39 pm
Bourn is a better fit for this team than Pence would have been, and without giving up a top pitching prospect as the Giants had to do. It makes no difference at all that he hits left-handed. In fact, that’s what you want. He’s a leadoff hitter with speed so he can beat out more hits batting from the left side. And we’ve picked up a good right-handed power hitter for the second half. Dan Uggla. We hope Constanza stays up and plays left when Chipper isn’t in the lineup. Bourn hitting first, Constanza second. Reminds us of Nixon, Sanders hitting one-two, at least from the speed standoint, and speed is what the team has lacked. We think this puts us in the playoffs.
Freddie G
July 31st, 2011
9:40 pm
@ GCS – Wren did not pull a Schuerholz as you stated and thank God for that, he remains true to his beliefs and stuck with his plan and therefore we still have our top prospects.
@ BERNIE your 1.25 P.M.- You stated that Heyward has done nothing in two years in the Majors and I must ask you which rock you crawled from?
or did you just got released from the assylum.
Mitch McConnell's Chins
July 31st, 2011
9:48 pm
Oops. We meant Beltran, not Pence. Little tired from all the arm-twisting today.
Horner's Corner
July 31st, 2011
10:00 pm
It sounds like the old dude in the clubhouse just lost his best friend. The one guy that was still young and dumb enough to listen to all his old war stories. Time for Chipper to retire.
isproab
July 31st, 2011
10:05 pm
I like this move. AWSOME!
Fred
July 31st, 2011
10:10 pm
Great deal..Glad Schafer is gone!
Keep Constanza his speed is great also.
Go get Willingham are Omar
Move Proctor and Nate…
If no JW are OI, then bring up Gartrell for RH power.
great job Wren..thanks!
DEPhilsPhan
July 31st, 2011
10:21 pm
I just checked and the Braves are still 6 back in the loss column with only 54 to play. If the Phillies continue to play at their current pace the Braves would need two nine game winning streaks between now and the end of the years to catch them. That is not happening…even with Michael Bourn.
You need to check Bourn’s stats… .271 hitter who strikes out more then 2 times for each walk. This year so far he has 30 walks and 90 strikeout. He can only steal if he can get on base and his lifetime OBA is only .338 which sucks for a lead off hitter.
Still playing for the wild card…if Bourn was so good the Giants would have taken him in a heartbeat.
greenjean
July 31st, 2011
10:41 pm
Will miss you in Houston! Love you in Louisiana too! Good luck Michael!!!!
DaveinNEPA
July 31st, 2011
10:41 pm
There’s an old axiom in baseball……………”get em on, get em over, get em in”!
Gettin them on hasn’t been much of a problem for us, it’s gettin them over and gettin them in has been a major problem for this team. Situational hitting and hitting w/RISP is terrible. Unless Mac, Freddie,Chipper, or lately Uggla are at bat, we don’t score anyone.
Bourn’s speed should be a huge addition but if these guys don’t start hitting with runners on base, our gooses are gonna be cooked come the postseason.
Grace
July 31st, 2011
10:44 pm
FANTASTIC move. Poor Schafer? Please. He just flat didn’t hit. If he’s like most of our trades tho watch out. His bat will magically come alive once he leaves.
Freddie G
July 31st, 2011
11:17 pm
Jason Heyward had two good plate appearance today that resulted in a double and a single. He has the ability to be very good if he stops trying to pull every pitch as the commentators stated today and like I have stated previously. I wonder if the Hitting coach and the others who have his ears have not brought this to his attention or is it that he is just stubborn. I am rooting for him and still believe he has the ability to be very good if he corrects this fault. His propensity to pull reminds me of Andruw Jones who would try to pull every pitch despite the efforts of T.P.and kept grounding out to third or short.
Last season during his wonderful rookie season I believe he homered to left field off a lefty so he has power to all fields and does not need to be constantly pulling the ouside pitches and grounding out to 2nd.
I cannot understand why so many folks have turned on him like they have, he is till young and if he correct the faults he will be scary, and will realize his early promise he demonstrated in the minor leagues.
truth
July 31st, 2011
11:18 pm
The truth is Bourn is an upgarde over Shafer but it isnt the trade we needed. We dont need a lead off guy or a guy who can steal bases. We need guys who can drive guys in. We have to lead the univers in runner LOB. We cannot bunt and we cannot hit sac flys. We cannot drive in runs. Now we will just leave guys on second and third more than we leave them at first now. We had Bourn today in Contanza but look how that ended up for us? 1st and 3rd no outs twice and we can dirve them in. Gonzo is trying to hit a homerun and pull the ball twice and killed us today. Get an RBI guy not a SB guy.
steve brown
July 31st, 2011
11:18 pm
I don’t know Schafer personally but those of you who really liked him (including Jones) need to explain why, as a ball player that is. In my eyes good field and no hit, but being I guess being a Jones buddy makes him special. Wake up people, Jones is more of a liability than asset and has been for some time now.
Freddie G
August 1st, 2011
12:12 am
@ 1991 Braves your 5:47PM – If see that you are still bashing Wren about the signing of Lowe, KK, Nate, Gonzo, and Uggla. I will explain all the above to you and hope you will follow:
Lowe – He was a last resort after Burnett spurned the Braves and went to the NY. Lowe however proved to be a better deal when compared his 16-12 win loss record last year compared to A.J. Burnett 10-15 and $20 Million less. At the time of signing Lowe Huddy was lost to injuries, Smoltz was douubtful and the prvious season we could hardly find a startin pitcher due to injuries. I would be happy to hear from you who were the better options available to Wren at the time.
K.K.- This was a risk but based on the cost, and the fact that we could have him for three years until our young pitchers were ready was worth the gamble.
Nate – When he came here he was a very good performer for the the Pirates, always killing Braves pitching and playing a good centerfield.
How would you know he would perform this poorly in a Braves uniform.
Gonzo – After his predecessor traded away Elvis to Texas in that horrible trade, he was forced to trade away Yunel to Toronto to satisfy Bobby. That trade hurts us greatly offensively, as Yunel would have provided more punch from the rightside to help our struggling offense. But that was a clubhouse issue and his back was to the wall in that situation.
Uggla – If you question the signing of Uggla based on his past performance over the last 4 years then I may not be able to help you and neither can anyone.
Why did you not mention the prospects he has in the pipeline and the emergence of Hanson, JJ, Freemen and Heyward. You seem to be the crazy one not me.
bfred
August 1st, 2011
12:47 am
As much as I’d like to give Wren credit for this, I believe thanks go to the Houston front office. They have now traded away four all-stars (in order, Oswalt, Berkman, Pence, Bourne) in less than a year with effectively nothing to show for it.
Just Wanna Say
August 1st, 2011
1:59 am
There is no e on the end of his name.
BravesAC
August 1st, 2011
2:06 am
For everyone thinking Schafer is a washout, remember that Bourn was a project himself when he first came up. With the big field working to his advantage, and his acceptance of the type of player he needs to be, I think Schafer can make it. I sure wish him well. The guy who gutted out the long game with Pitts, after being hit on the wrist, showed me something.
Sam Potts
August 1st, 2011
2:24 am
What a great trade, solid player and we didnt have to get rid of a whole lot! Great job Frank
bobbybrave
August 1st, 2011
4:12 am
good trade…but pence would have been better….
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2011
4:13 am
good trade…but pence would have been better…. — bobbybrave
I respectfully disagree. For the Braves’ particular needs, I think Bourn was better. For the Phillies, Pence was obviously better, but not for the Braves.
Trade Deadline Winners & Losers | Sports News. By Bums Like You.
August 1st, 2011
5:36 am
[...] are highly touted, but they’re years away from making an impact in the majors. In the Bourn deal, he acquired Jordan Schafer, a center fielder who can’t hit, and prospects the Mets [...]
1. Bourn Becomes Brave ‹ The Daily Dunk
August 1st, 2011
6:51 am
[...] Read the story at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution [...]
Sailor
August 1st, 2011
6:53 am
Great move for you guys..now take care of the Giants in the NLDS and we’ll see you in the NLCS…..GO PHILS
Arkie
August 1st, 2011
7:59 am
Good luck Jordan, hope you have a great career. I have been asking for speed and defense. The old saying “you have to be strong up the middle” wins ball games. We still have holes to fill. Gonzo hits well for a few games and strikes out alot when a hit is needed. Will Heyward rebound to be productive? Needs – right handed, left fielder with power and bull pin help. We may be ruining our young pitchers arms using them too often. Wren, is working on the remaining pieces. He needs more money to be and stay competitive. New owners would be GREAT. Go Braves
BoatDoc
August 1st, 2011
8:29 am
Chipper is wise when he responds “ask me in two months” if it was a good deal or not, but on paper it looks like the Bravos have the leadoff hitter and CF they haven’t had since Otis Nixon.
William O
August 1st, 2011
8:37 am
I really dont know why you guys are talking about trading such a talent. next season we will be 14 million less because of chipper retiring and the possible 13 million less because we will get that cuz its lowes walk year. not to mention KKs contract. we will be in great position to sign both JJ and bourne. This team has dealt with SB before with maddux and they can do it again. That way they can have the ability to go for it for years to come. We lucked out on this trade . It would be sacrilidge to trade him in the middle of next season. We have pitching DOTF but nothing else that comes close to what we have in bourne. You dont want anoither texiera trade on your hands. the same goes for JJ. you guys are all nuts if thats what you want to do. You never get true value in those kinds of trades Lets keep the players and get rid of the owners lol
scbrave
August 1st, 2011
9:06 am
well kinda wonder why astros trade him if he that great? he got one yr left on contract and they got guys who are not that great. trade is over we got nothing else. chipper needs play off bench now for rest of season unless someone else gets hurt.
John
August 1st, 2011
9:32 am
I am happy to say that I think this is the absolute best deal the Braves could have done within reason. He fills a huge need as a CF and as a leadoff man. It does not force us to platoon corner outfielders. If Chipper does get hurt, Prado can go to second and Hinske can play left. McLouth can also fill in at LF if we need him too (once off the DL).
Doug Price
August 1st, 2011
9:48 am
To the guy suggesting Chipper should retire
I love the Chip but Wren should have told him “Chipper, we love ya and we’ll always have a job for you after retirement, but we’ve just got to say goodbye and take that money to sign Tiexira to a long term contract. Tex may be the best 1st base/hitter in baseball. We’d be right there with the Phils if we had him.
John
August 1st, 2011
9:49 am
1. Bourn
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Freeman
6. Uggla
7. Heyward
8. Gonzalez
Someone earlier mentioned benching Gonzalez, starting Prado at SS, and playing McLouth in LF. This makes no sense now that we traded for a CF. Gonzalez’ defense helps us alot, while having McLouth and his little league arm in LF really hurts us. Plus, McLouth is not much, if at all, better at the plate than Gonzalez. Gonzalez is also right handed at the plate which we need in our line up. Moving Prado to SS maybe made sense if we traded for a corner outfielder and if Gonzalez’ struggles continued at the plate.
alanfalcon
August 1st, 2011
10:05 am
Bourn is a nice addition, we’ve seen what speed does for the team, now lets move forward and learn how to play small ball when needed, it seems that all want to be hero’s instead of scoring runs just look at how many body’s we leave out there. Now a question, what is it with Braves pitchers when they get alead, it seems as though they feel compelled to give the lead back, it would really be nice if they could start keeping the lead and not have to go back and recapture it.
O'flarity's water bottle
August 1st, 2011
10:35 am
Enter your comments here
O'flarity's water bottle
August 1st, 2011
10:49 am
Gonzales needs to hussle on offense. One play he hit the ball to the SS in one one of the recent games. He didnt hussled out the box, beacuse he hit the ball straight to the player. The SS fumbled the ball and the play at first was very close. So, he probably could have beat out the through if he wasnt lazy.
BraveMan
August 1st, 2011
10:49 am
The acquisition of M. Bourn looks like a good deal, but does it help the Braves counteract the major shortcoming — driving in runs? Look at Sunday’s game: 13 hits, 1 run, 10 LOB. How many times this season have we watched the Bravos leave men on third when all that was needed was a sac fly? I was hoping Carlos Quentin was in the mix at the deadline (20 HR and 62 RBI). McCann leads the Braves in RBI with 55. Speed on the bags helps, but runners need to be driven in!
Bird Flu
August 1st, 2011
11:06 am
CHIPPER JONES :
“Yeah, Schafer kind of reminds me of myself. Gets hurt a lot and prevents Braves from being a solid team. Hell, he’s the younger version me. What am I thinking ?”
Matt
August 1st, 2011
11:06 am
Can’t wait to watch the game tonight
This is so exciting! We have a leadoff hitter again! Watch him steal 70 bases for us next year, and at least 25 for the rest of this season.
Bird Flu
August 1st, 2011
11:09 am
Bourn will be just another man LOB so instead of a runner stranded at 3rd by Gonzo or Ugglait will be runners stranded at 2nd & 3rd by them. Is Wren an idiot or what ? Braves needed a power bat to drive in men LOB not another speedster.
Bird Flu
August 1st, 2011
11:12 am
DOB “Bourn better for Braves then Pence.”
Are you serious ? A 2 tool player like Bourn is never better than a 5 tool player like Pence. Ever.
Dougger
August 1st, 2011
11:13 am
Yup, Gonzales not only doesn’t hussle, he’s not a clutch hitter either.
Somehow the Braves need to figure out how to get runs home when they’ve got runners ISP with less than 2 outs (or with 2 outs for that matter). Bourn won’t likely be that. More LOBs then I would like to see.
The Swami
August 1st, 2011
11:16 am
I agree about benching Gonzo and playing Prado at SS. Let’s be real, Gonzo doesn’t know how to swing the bat very well…
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 1st, 2011
11:18 am
Like the Bourn deal, but did not like the way Fredi managed yesterday. Ross should have hit for Boscan earlier in the game when we had first and third and one out and Boscan struck out.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 1st, 2011
11:19 am
I have said once before Prado or a guy like Nick Punto will be playing SS next year
The Swami
August 1st, 2011
11:19 am
Wren reminds of my son. I ask him to go to the store and bring back a loaf of bread and milk (power hitter) and he brings back a Pepsi 2 liter and eggs (leadoff hitter)…
The Swami
August 1st, 2011
11:22 am
What’s up with playing Boscan any way ? i mean Ross should be fresh to be the starter now since he played only about once per week all year. I hate platooning. The good teams just play the starters and scrap the platooning crap.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 1st, 2011
11:33 am
Catcher is one of those positions where you have to give them a day off when you can. Fact is Dave has pl-ayed every day since the 19 inning game in which he played 10 of those innings. The Bravos don’t get another day off until Thursday I believe.
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2011
11:34 am
“Bourn better for Braves then Pence.” — DOB
Are you serious ? A 2 tool player like Bourn is never better than a 5 tool player like Pence. Ever. — Bird Flu
Yes, I was quite serious. To not take into account a specific team’s needs when judging such matters is so simplistic. By your reasoning — you said “ever” — a team could have two perennial All-Stars, even two future Hall-of-Famers, in their prime at the outfield corners and McLouth playing CF and leading off, but would be better off adding Hunter Pence than it would be adding Bourn. And that’s just silly.
Also, which scouting report are you looking at that rates Bourn a two-tool player? Speed, defense and throwing are three tools, and one could argue that now that he’s hitting .303 and steadily raising his career average, he might even be four-tool. Only tool that’s obvious glaring deficiency is power, and that’s not his game, like it’s not for the majority of top leadoff men throughout history. Besides Rickey, how many five-tool players can you think of who were leadoff hitters?
By the way, Pence has a .290 career average and modest 61 stolen bases in 97 attempts (not a good rate at all). I’ll give you average as a tool for him, but his speed/baserunning, you really think that qualifies for him? There’s a difference between hustle/aggressiveness and speed/baserunning ability, when judging it as a tool.
snowflake
August 1st, 2011
11:39 am
Being from Houston, I’m very disappointed to see him go, obviously! One of the few, and maybe THE last, good player the Astros had. But he deserves to be on a winning team, so I truly wish him the best. Congrats Braves! I will have to start watching the Braves and Phillies now that my two favs are with them now. I have no reason to go to/watch anymore Astros games at this point.
Atlanta Braves Make Deadline Deal for Michael Bourn | Out of Left Field
August 1st, 2011
12:22 pm
[...] the Braves sent Jordan Schafer, Juan Abreau, Paul Clemens, and Brett Oberholtzer to the struggling ‘Stros. The Braves certainly gave Schafer a shot, but injuries hampered his [...]
jt
August 1st, 2011
12:24 pm
Oh Boy, all we get at trade deadline is Bourne, Holy S%@T, are we LOSERS or What????
jt
August 1st, 2011
12:36 pm
What are you rambling about DOB?????
The Truth.....
August 1st, 2011
12:36 pm
Before we start kissing each others butts lets get one thing straight….The rest of this team must step up their games! Bourn can’t bat everytime and catch every ball….During Sundays game they had 1st and 3rd AGAIN with no outs and got nothing! Way too many LOB to win.
jimmya
August 1st, 2011
12:45 pm
bourn cf
prado ss
ugga 2nd
freeman 1st
ross or mac c
chipper or conrad 3rd
heyward rf
constana lf
sorry bout that gonzo
Bernard
August 1st, 2011
12:57 pm
Well done Mr Wren:-)!
BravesSince57
August 1st, 2011
1:00 pm
how about trading Frank Wren for someone who knows baseball. we need right handed power hitter so we get another left hander with 1 homer. Ok – beltran is a rental – but Hunter Pence? not only did we not get him, we let the phillies have him – a team we already can’t keep up with. that said, I feared Bourn every time we played the Astros. we will not catch the phillies with this team.
Bourn Ultimatium
August 1st, 2011
1:02 pm
Next thing we need to do is dump Gonzalez(A-Gone) and Lowe….let McOut walk and bring up a couple more good prosects…..Pastornicky and Teheran especially!
Mark's for the Braves
August 1st, 2011
1:56 pm
The reason McClouth wasn’t traded (and Shafer was traded) was the salaries. Astros didn’t want to take on McClouth’s $6 million salary and were happy to get Shafer’s low salary and speed on the base paths.
Glad we have a legit leadoff hitter now. We were in the playoffs all the time when we had Furcal.
Hoggy II
August 1st, 2011
1:56 pm
I agree. Lets see what Pastornicky and Teheran can do.
David O'Brien
August 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
DOB, I read recently that Johnny Cash and Dylan laid down a bunch of tracks when Dylan did Nashville Skyline. But only “Girl From The North Country” made it onto the LP.
Do you know if any of the other tracks were ever released?
Bootleg even? — Phillistein
Those tunes are so freakin’ good, it’s amazing they haven’t been released officially. But they’re widely available on bootleg. Someone on this blog sent me a copy a few years back, and I play it frequently. Great stuff.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 1st, 2011
3:07 pm
I don’t think we can DFA McClouth until he gets off the DL. I think we will first try to place him on waivers and see if someone claims him. If they do, then we let him go.
Joshua
August 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
The Truth…what happened on the previous 63 games we won? Kind blows your theory out of the water – you know the 4th best ML record and all.
God so many stupid Braves fans.
Lobosolo
August 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
BravesFAN=petulant, no-class asswipe… How can you call yourself a fan, Mr. Prickman?
Jon
August 1st, 2011
4:44 pm
I think Bourn helps a little… But we really needed more power – pop from the right side! Oh well… I should learn to accept that we never go for bigger prizes.
Chipper Jones
August 1st, 2011
4:54 pm
Me and Bourn are already great friends. Now welcome your fantastic Atlanta Braves team!
Chip
bfred
August 1st, 2011
5:36 pm
A guy batting .303 is going to leave fewer runners on base than the rest of a team batting .243, even if it’s not with home runs. He slugs a little higher than his HR totals would suggest due to an ability to stretch singles to doubles and has scored 64 runs on a pathetic offensive team (projects to 96).
Yeah Pence’s right-handed bat would have been nice but Bourn makes his own fun offensively. Plus Pence only has 11 HR (tied for 39th in the NL, playing at Minute Maid Park) and 54 runs scored on the season. It’s not like he’s Texiera.