Updated with reaction: Braves trade for Bourn

Justin

July 31st, 2011
10:04 am

RT @jaysonst: #Braves agree on deal for Bourn. Hou gets J Schafer, lhp Brett Oberholtzer, rhp Paul Clemens & rhp Juan Abreu.

Justin

July 31st, 2011
10:05 am

We got our man! Go Braves!

Few_Proud_DaBraves

July 31st, 2011
10:08 am

Great move. None of the Big 4 included in the deal. Welcome to ATL Michael Bourn

Cory

July 31st, 2011
10:09 am

Good to se a move. How long is Bourn under contract for?

DC Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
10:09 am

DOB — any chance Braves will acquire another OF to platoon with Heyward and just to give them more of a RH presence off the bench?

gettotheplayoffs

July 31st, 2011
10:10 am

Another great job by Frank Wren by NOT giving up Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino or Minor…and still got who they wanted. GREAT JOB!!!

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
10:10 am

tell us about those prospects we gave up.

nola braves fan

July 31st, 2011
10:11 am

Fantastic trade. Didn’t have to give up any of the big 4 pitching prospects. Gets a player who will add exactly what braves need. Speed (top of the league speed), great glove, makes contact.

Well done Frank Wren … now how about one more arm for the pen. I think EOF, JV and CK’s arms are about to fall off!

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
10:11 am

Bourn, 28, is hitting .303/.363/.403 in 473 plate appearances, and he leads MLB with 39 steals. The Scott Boras client has $1.45MM remaining on his contract this year and is arbitration eligible for 2012 before hitting free agency. The Astros’ outfield purge continues, as they sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies on Friday.

Reggie

July 31st, 2011
10:12 am

Great move…we gave up nothing to get the top leadoff man in the game.We still have ammunition left to make another deal…either Quienton or shortstop.

Tom

July 31st, 2011
10:14 am

Awesome!!!!

DHD

July 31st, 2011
10:14 am

GREAT deal by Wren. Much better for us than Pence for Philly.

Good Riddance to Schafer

July 31st, 2011
10:14 am

Good Riddance to a DO NOTHING Druggie….glad to see you gone Jordan – you have done nothing for us….other than be an embarassment. So Good Riddance and Don’t Let the Door Hit Ya, Where the Good Lord Split Ya.

Fly On The Wall

July 31st, 2011
10:15 am

Let the games begin…nice job FW…best wishes for JS.

1eyedJack

July 31st, 2011
10:15 am

Will he be in the lineup today?

twheele3

July 31st, 2011
10:15 am

Let’s bring back Francoeur to platoon with Heyward!

What would JULIO LUGO do?

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSss

orangebrave fka billy jack

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

Good move

Few_Proud_DaBraves

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

I doubt Quentin with his replacement getting hurt in minor. Maybe Willingham and the new rumor is Infante is trying to be re-aquired

nobody

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

What would it take to get a reliever? Or maybe even willingham or ludwick to platoon in left? Or do you think Braves are finished?

DogPound

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

Good trade…anymore to come today?

ExBraves Fan

July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

Still don’t think this guy is enough to carry them over. Jones injured. Heyworthless not hitting. Uggla hot now, but can he keep it up. McLousy is lousy. SS would not hit water if he fell out of a boat in the gulf of Mexico. Still strangled with Lowe and his mega contract. He’s worthless. I always said the Braves would rule the day they signed this guy. He has not been a $60M pitcher. More a $25 pitcher. This division and the NL crown belown to SF or Philly. Braves are still an after thought.

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:17 am

Love Bourn, but is he another rental for the rest of this year only? Also, he’s another left handed hitter…need to see his splits vs lefties.

A Brave in Minnesota

July 31st, 2011
10:17 am

WOW……I hope he makes it to Atlanta in time to start the game today…….but I was glad to wake up to this kind of good news!!!

Hell of a trade to get this guy and not having to give up good pitching………it shows that Atlanta really wants to win after all!!! Bring on the Phils and Giants!!

Peter

July 31st, 2011
10:17 am

Dear “Pence-ylvania”,
Coming to a ballpark near you this fall: The BOURN Supremacy!!!

LET’S GO BRAVES!!!

phil

July 31st, 2011
10:18 am

Here’s hoping it works out for us. Schafer was fast but little else. Looks good on paper. Let’s see if Bourn actually does something before we celebrate too much!

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
10:18 am

After seeing top outfield trade candidates Carlos Beltran and Hunter Pence land with National League rivals, Braves GM made a splash today by acquiring center fielder Michael Bourn and cash from the Astros for center fielder Jordan Schafer, southpaw Double-A starter Brett Oberholtzer, righty Double-A starter Paul Clemens, and righty Triple-A reliever Juan Abreu. The Astros announced the deal via press release.

Schafer, 24, figures to replace Bourn as the Astros’ regular center fielder once he returns from the disabled list for a finger injury. He owns a .223/.310/.303 line in 414 big league plate appearances, coming in ‘09 and this year.

None of the three pitchers are top 50 prospects, but they did rank ninth, 26th, and 27th respectively for the Braves on Baseball America’s preseason rankings, and the team has a highly-regarded farm system. Oberholtzer, 22, ranked ninth and is seen as a potential third or fourth starter in the big leagues. Clemens and Abreu both have big upside and impressive fastballs.

Another GM

July 31st, 2011
10:18 am

The Braves made the smart deal. They have needed a lead off hitter at the the of the lineup for years. Kudos to Frank Wren for pulling this deal off without trading essentially anyone. When has the Braves had a player who can steal bases, and now they have the guy who has led the major leagues. Great for this year and hopefully the Braves can hold onto him in the future.

NorCal Brave

July 31st, 2011
10:18 am

I’m a Bourn again believer in our chances to get to the WS.

David

July 31st, 2011
10:19 am

Now we need to go get Upton. I would love an outfield of Upton, Bourn and Heyward….. Move Prado to 3rd. AWSOME!!!!!!!

WinderDawg

July 31st, 2011
10:19 am

If he comes in here and stops hitting, we have a problem….

Pendleton was the problem but we still can’t hit

Puma

July 31st, 2011
10:19 am

Everyone done talking smack about F Wren? Job well done!

So when can we expect him in uniform?

pete

July 31st, 2011
10:20 am

Bourn is signed thru next year

Kevin in Chatty

July 31st, 2011
10:20 am

WOW! Never thought we could get him without including a top prospect.

Nateforpresident

July 31st, 2011
10:20 am

We need a good bat for the bench now and a bullpen guy, hopefully one from the padress not named chad.

Righty

July 31st, 2011
10:20 am

Now they can go after Willingham or Ludwick to platoon with Heyward and maybe a right handed reliever and we’re good.

clint

July 31st, 2011
10:20 am

Looks like a good trade for everyone involved.

Nateforpresident

July 31st, 2011
10:21 am

and no Frank Wren still didnt get us the big bat we needed just a fast guy.

BravesinTN

July 31st, 2011
10:21 am

LOVE IT! GO BRAVES!!!!

01HAWK

July 31st, 2011
10:22 am

Doubt Bourn will be here today with the trade being this morning. Time to go get Willingham from Oakland.

Send Heyward to AAA to get himself right.

Can we trade MCOUT ?

Reggie

July 31st, 2011
10:22 am

Did Braves just take lead over Falcons in title pursuit? (Update: Braves get Bourne)

ChattaVol

July 31st, 2011
10:22 am

How long a flight is it from Milwaukee to Atlanta?

Puma

July 31st, 2011
10:22 am

DOB – you said signed through 2011? Its through 2012 though right?

TommyC

July 31st, 2011
10:22 am

Big Earl, from an earlier DOB blog: “And while he’s a left-handed batter, he does fine against lefty pitchers: Bourn is hitting .281 with a .341 OBP against lefties, compared to .311/.372 vs. righties.”

BeegBoy25

July 31st, 2011
10:23 am

DOB, if the bravos do not trade for extra bullpen arm can Teheran, Minor, or Vizcaino help out in August and September?

Kyle

July 31st, 2011
10:24 am

Bourne has good splits. Hitting .310 vs righties this year and .284vLHP. Great move by Frank Wren!

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:24 am

@ExBraves Fan… it’s “rue the day” not “rule the day”. Don’t use words you don’t know, shows ingnorance. But that wouldn’t take much considering your comments.

Brave Fan

July 31st, 2011
10:24 am

Braves team 42 Stolen bases, Micahel Bourn 39. Excellent move by the Braves. Nice to have an leadoff hitter who will be on base for the middle of our lineup.

B Mac is the man!

July 31st, 2011
10:24 am

Wow…great job by Frank Wrenn! Braves just took advantage of the Astros. We get the best available player for our needs without giving up a proven major leaguer or any high value prospects….

jumbo peanuts

July 31st, 2011
10:24 am

Wow, FW got a CF better that Ainkle

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

@ Kyle..thanks man. Good info. Makes the trade that much better!

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

The Braves are gonna get Infante next… then call it team

spike

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

Wren significantly upgraded one of the two offensive black holes for nothing of real value. Great job, and definitely 2011 NL trade deadline winner. If Infante could be had for next to nothing, and Lugo dismissed, I wouldn’t mind either.

hawesg

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

Yes, good trade for both teams. This made too much sense for it not to happen, although with Ed Wade anything is possible.

Dave in Buford

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

Okay………now, THIS one makes sense. Schafer is another one who probably needed to move on. The Braves get a leadoff hitter (which they’ve been missing since Furcal left) and fill a need without giving up AAA pitching. Nice job.

Steven

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

The “big bat” we needed was already in the clubhouse…his name is Dan Uggla !!

Captain Lou Albano

July 31st, 2011
10:25 am

Ok I know everyone is happy about this trade, but so was everyone when we traded for Nate. So lets see how Bourn plays in a Braves uniform. In front of fans who actually expect you to play well, before we celebrate.

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
10:26 am

“Michael Bourn is a perfect fit for our club, which focuses on speed and defense to match up with our strong pitching,” Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren said. “This trade gives us the first true leadoff hitter we’ve had in a number of years.”

??????? Huh ????????

Was the Michael Bourn trade step one in that process???

Chop-It-Up All-star

July 31st, 2011
10:26 am

Speed never sleeps; October has the potential to be fun!!

Ambushbug

July 31st, 2011
10:26 am

Of all the players the Braves were rumored to be pursuing, Bourn is by far my first choice. He fills multiple holes on our team and I’ve never heard anything negative about his attitude. I would have been happy with Pence, but would have been sorely disappointed if we had gotten Upton.

Hugh Cheek

July 31st, 2011
10:27 am

Smart move. We get a big time player and trade an outfielder with a questionable past and limited production. Can’t believe we didn’t have to give them one of the 4 big pitching prospects.

Matt

July 31st, 2011
10:27 am

EBF, try spell check bro.

the truth...

July 31st, 2011
10:27 am

Great news but for all who say we gave up “NOTHING”….. don’t forget that many of the prospects are labeled as nothing by us fans who don’t know squat about the minor league prospects below AAA.

We won’t truely know how the trade works out until several years as far as those pieces Wren shipped off. Of course Wren wanted Schafer to blossom here and hold those arms for tomorrow…say 2013 and beyond….but when Jordan went down that did it.

The trade cannot help but be a plus for this year….and if we want to resign him next year we’ll have some money from Lowe’s last year if we even have him then…

Wish we had the Blank Jet to send for the young man and see him leading off this afternoon…ah well maybe next July 31 it’ll be Blank dispatching the jet for the new guys!!!

phil

July 31st, 2011
10:27 am

Trade Schafer…

TommyC

July 31st, 2011
10:27 am

Fantastic trade – Bourne is a definite upgrade over Schaefer, is under team control next year, and none of the Braves top farm talent were traded. True leadoff hitter – fastest man in the league and good OBP, multiple gold gloves, perfect center fielder.

Let’s hope we get an arm for the pen that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg:)

Another GM

July 31st, 2011
10:28 am

Cant believe anyone would be complaining about this deal. The Braves needed a CF more than anything on this team. Bourne will change the whole way opposing pitchers approach the Braves lineup. The Braves have big bats, Uggla is busting the ball, McCann is coming back, Heyward is just not hitting. Maybe the Braves will add a bat like Ludwick but does he help? Quentin will not be traded.

Charlie

July 31st, 2011
10:28 am

Martin Prado is the biggest winner in this. Batting second with Bourn on first and distracting the pitcher. Prado has to love this trade.

Bourn to be Wild...

July 31st, 2011
10:28 am

Good trade overall, since we didn’t give up much. An improvement over Schafer even though he strikes out a lot. 474 career K vs. 211 BB….20% of his plate appearances have resulted in strikeouts, and don’t count on Larry #2 to remedy that anytime soon. Although Larry #1 might share some tips in his role as player/coach.

Dum Dum Dugan

July 31st, 2011
10:28 am

Which is a better (AKA worse) Chip Caray-ism: “The new Bourn identity is that of a Brave!” or “The Bravos got Bourn on the 31st of July, folks!” ?

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

I’m in…splits are good AND he’s arb eligable next year AND we didn’t really give up anything…YEA!!! Great trade FW.

Patrick

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

Maybe best move in the past few years that will help now and next few years to come.

Puma

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

Bravesfanforever – yeah I had to roll my eyes on that Wren quote – built on speed and defense???

I think this works better for us than Pence or Beltran – disruptive top of the order guy, gonna give Prado and Chipper a lot more fastballs

Paul in Statesboro

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

@ big Earl somebody said yesterday that Bourne was batting 289 vs lefties even though he’s a LH

ExBraves Fan

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

Big earl: bite it smart @. You know what I meant. I did not realize that my high school English teacher was on this site grading us. It is a stupid posting site. Not 10th grade English smart ass.

TPM

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

One more right handed hitter please

Dent

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

Braves probably looking for a righted handed relief pitcher. Need someone solid to take some innings off of the big three.

DC Brave

July 31st, 2011
10:29 am

Someone said we were going for Omar Infante….could that be true?

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
10:30 am

To follow up… The idea for trading for the horrible fielding Dan Uggla apparently was not just for offense but for defense as well. Putting inexperienced Martin Prado in LF was a defensive move. Being near the bottom in the majors in steals proves we are working towards speed… LOL!

Hey, great trade Frank Wren! Just playin with yah!

Robert

July 31st, 2011
10:30 am

Let’s just enjoy this and give FW some credit here. He held out and got the CF we need without giving up a top arm. Now a SS and a right handed bat in the OF would be icing on the cake. As far a pitching goes, why not bring up one or two of the young studs for middle inning duty?

Chall

July 31st, 2011
10:31 am

This was the right trade, Frank Wren got the job done. I wish there was a chance of signing Bourn to an extension, but Boras probably won’t go for that.

DOB is cool!

July 31st, 2011
10:31 am

With this guy hitting in front of Prado, the offense will be MUCH improved. Now can we release McClouth? And AlexGon could use some rest. How about trying to bring back Infante?

Bobby's Booger Finger

July 31st, 2011
10:31 am

Frank Wren continues to impress. What a move. Jordan will do fine in Houston. He will flourish now that no one is watching. Oberholtzer has great stuff. It was a fair deal all around.
Great job getting cash. Now let’s go spend it on a RH batting third catcher. We don’t need to go get a pitcher. Moylan is almost ready and we can bring up the babies when we expand the roster.

Banner229

July 31st, 2011
10:31 am

Great trade for the braves, with everything considered don’t give up top prospect need to go get infantie for depth.

DC Brave

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

It is not that we didn’t give up nothing….we just didn’t give up anything form this year, or next.

BravesFan

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

Love it! Good Job, Wren!

Kyle

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

Obviously he’ll lead off, but Bourn is hitting .333 w/RISP.

Mister Frisky

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

This is better than Pence.Great speed,defense,contact hitter.It’s Philly and Us.Giants offense still awful even with Beltran.

Just The Facts

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

Will be nice for some “small ball” opportunities in the playoffs when you are facing stud pitcher after stud pitcher. Maybe we can create more scoring chnaces by putting more pressure on the opposing pitcher. Once we lose McLouth, Lowe & Chipper contracts maybe we can retain him if he proves to be a main piece of the equation. Between now & then hopefully Boras will step out in front of a bus.

Busch leaguer

July 31st, 2011
10:32 am

What is Ed Wade smoking.? More or less a deal Bourn for Schaefer straight up. Did not give up a prospect rated in the top 100.

BRAVESFAN

July 31st, 2011
10:33 am

DOB, change the title to…and on the seventh day God gave Braves fans Bourn!

“Born to be alive” has to be his song when he goes to bat!

gojackets

July 31st, 2011
10:33 am

ExBravesfan- thanks for being an Ex.

Banner229

July 31st, 2011
10:33 am

Wouldn’t shock me if Schafer took off in Houston because he knows the Guy in center know… Which him the best luck a great talent

Chris Jones

July 31st, 2011
10:33 am

Move Lowe to the bullpen ASAP and bring up either Minor and/or Teheran. Braves do not need bullpen help. Lowe has pitched out of the bullpen and Minor/Teheran are an upgrade to Lowe as a starter.

Branch Rickey

July 31st, 2011
10:34 am

OUTSTANDING MOVE !

Gave up the disappointing Schafer & 4 prospects not ranked high for a true leadoff hitter that not only has speed, but is a gold glover.

Now we need to sign Bourn to a long-term contract.

Lets bring back Omar Infante !

Dent

July 31st, 2011
10:34 am

Enter your comments here

Joe

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

My humble opinion says this is a BAD trade. Now watch Schafer turn into the next Grady Sizemore after he gets what really is his rookie season under his belt. Braves were winning with him in the lineup, and truth be told his potential has not even been measured or reached yet. Braves needed an outfielder with some POW in his bat, instead got a singles hitter.

John Mayberry Sr.

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

That cat Born is faster than my man Willie Wilson!

Who do we need to cough up to pick up an Infante or bullpen help?

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

Very Nice Move. Congrats. The rest of the season and the playoffs should be fun. Love seeing both or teams really trying to do everything to win. I want this to be the NL version of the Yanks and Boston.

BRAVESFAN

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

Just read my last comment and I want to stress I do not think Wren is God but sort of has the same power of deciding who lives and dies.

Ostrich Racer

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

Great move. Schafer might be a star; Bourn already is.

RM

July 31st, 2011
10:35 am

Yeh baby! Way to go Wren!!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:36 am

Very Nice Move. Congrats. The rest of the season and the playoffs should be fun. Love seeing both or teams really trying to do everything to win. I want this to be the NL version of the Yanks and Boston.

JRW

July 31st, 2011
10:36 am

The only thing that raises an eyebrow is that Bourn is a Houston native. Just hope his production wasn’t because of being in his “comfort zone”. He didn’t get good until he moved back home. This has affected other players especially in the immediate future when no longer comfortable, or leaving family.

Banner229

July 31st, 2011
10:36 am

Not a better a trade then pence because his contract is team friendly and Pence is a better overall player.

Bill Stanfill

July 31st, 2011
10:36 am

Great News for Braves fans! Bourn is the one many of us have been wanting all along. As Wren said, we finally have a true lead-off hitter.

While the Braves didn’t give up one of the top 4, they did trade away some good young talent. Clemens and Abreu appear to be strong relief pitching prospects, and Oberholtzer has a good chance to be a starter for Houston in a year or two. Still . . .

Will the Braves also trade for a RH bat? That’s still a need but the pressure for a big name player is off.

Let’s get everyone back:

Bourn
Prado
Jones
McCann
Freeman
Uggla
Heyward
Gonzalez
Pitcher

(I’d consider swapping Chipper and Uggla, letting the hot-hitting U bat 3rd. Hinske needs to get his at bats too.)

Kane337

July 31st, 2011
10:36 am

Excellent pick up and didn’t have to give up our top prospects. Great job Frank Wren. Will miss Schaffer though. The kid was improving.

urban redneck

July 31st, 2011
10:37 am

crap, i just got abreu to sign a ball. twelve bucks down the drain.

but i’ll live. kudos to wren. i’ll sleep better tonight.

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
10:38 am

I love it, now get rid of Proctor. Glad Schafer is gone but I have always read that you cannot trade a player that is on the DL, so much for that rumor.

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:38 am

@ExBraves Fan…if you’re comments were not so negetive, I wouldn’t have pointed out your ignorance. I take it back, you’re not ignorant, you’re stupid because evidently you would rather keep using words incorrectly instead of learning their correct meaning. Keep digging your hole!

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
10:38 am

Chris Jones– that’s not a bad idea. The Braves only need 4 starters in the playoffs and Lowe is not only the weakest starter by far but he is also the most experienced in the bullpen. They could give Minor or Teheran more experience in the fifth starter position the rest of the season and the difference between one of them and Lowe would be negligible. What is the difference between a 5 ERA from Lowe or his replacement?

Matt

July 31st, 2011
10:38 am

gojackets – nice comment on Ex

AlabamaBrave

July 31st, 2011
10:38 am

At first blush, I like the trade. I sure would still like to get Infante and a RH RP as well. If not, I still consider this a successful trade season for the Braves.

Justin

July 31st, 2011
10:41 am

It’s a great day for Braves Country! Hope he makes it for today’s game, but I have no idea if that’s actually possible. He will wear #24 and be a huge threat on the basepaths. Excellent trade that helps keep our championship dreams alive! WooHoo!!

ray

July 31st, 2011
10:41 am

I must admit this is better than I expected. we keep the fab 4 and we also have Hoover. the only guy I was willing to lose was Delgado.
if we included one of the 4, we would have probably saved a player, but I prefer giving up quantity over quality. I was hoping Schafer would be dealt back to Houston as I knew Mc Louth has no value.
Schafer is not a kid anymore-he’s almost 25 and is approaching suspect territory. this also clears up space on the 40 man roster.
Frank didn’t cave in and made a good move. even though I am not a Wren booster, i’ll give credit where it is due.

phil

July 31st, 2011
10:41 am

Fire FG…

John Mayberry Sr.

July 31st, 2011
10:42 am

Who’s our trade bait for any further deals today? Ideas?

Peter

July 31st, 2011
10:42 am

Dave Winfield is an idiot. Saying Braves are trade deadline losers because they haven’t done anything, and that they NEED to trade for Michael Bourn. This is a LIVE Sportscenter.

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:42 am

Would LOVE to get Infante, but he looked like he pulled an oblique the other night … we don’t need any more of those.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:43 am

Rollins SS Bourn CF
Victorino CF Prado LF
Utley 2B Chipper 3B
Howard 1B McCann C
Pence RF Freeman 1B
Ibanez LF Ugla 2B
Polanco 3B Heyward RF
Ruiz C Gonzalez SS

It’s amazing how only one change to each line up helps so much. Pence balances the Philly lineup quite a bit and the Bourn trade gets rid of the 220 averages at the top of your order. Nice moves in my opinion

ppaddy123

July 31st, 2011
10:43 am

Let’s not forget about Omar!

DMAN

July 31st, 2011
10:44 am

How can you not like this trade,Don’t forget about Moylan folks!

Alvin

July 31st, 2011
10:44 am

Wow, i just hope Freddie and company don’t hold him back from playing his game though, if that happens, the trade won’t benefit the team. I would also like to see another player with some pop in his bat to platoon with Heyward, maybe that would shake him up.

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
10:44 am

Well done, Mr. Wren! Getting Bourn will have a far greater positive impact on The Braves than Pence’s impact on the Phillies. This is amazing news for Braves fans. We get one of the best defensive CF’s in baseball, the best base stealer, and one of the best lead off men in baseball. With Bourn on base, the Braves hitters will be feasting on fastballs. GREAT MOVE!!!

JoeFan

July 31st, 2011
10:44 am

Good move. Great move if Bourn works out and can be signed beyond 2012. Otherwise the Braves will be looking for another CF this time next year.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
10:45 am

This is a great move for us. I don’t know how Frank got Ed Wade to trade us Bourn without including anyone better than Oberholtzer, but I am thrilled. Oberholtzer has a chance to be a nice pitcher in the majors, but he doesn’t have nearly the upside (or the proven performance) of the others teams were asking for. Abreu is 26 years old and has never cracked the majors; he has a huge fastball which he has never been able to translate into consistent success, and we took advantage of the fact that he’s having a nice season. Clemens has decent numbers but doesn’t look like a huge prospect (but I honestly don’t know much about him). Schafer is, well, we all know what he is. He hasn’t lived up to his potential and he can’t stay healthy. Even when he was healthy this season, he had a sub-.300 OBP.

Short version — I don’t know how Wren pulled this trade off, but I’m glad he did.

CJ

July 31st, 2011
10:45 am

all the braves need to do now, is to get a solid reliever and they are set.

Who Me?

July 31st, 2011
10:45 am

Hey, if NOTHING else, we at least have an answer to the Reyes’s and McCutcheon’s in the league. i just hope his bat stays solid for the rest of this season, and hope we can resign the guy during arbitration….

John Mayberry Sr.

July 31st, 2011
10:45 am

damn Scott Boras client!

Dent

July 31st, 2011
10:46 am

All I can think about is 92 when we got Otis my man and he ran wild.

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
10:46 am

BTW, good luck Jordan in Houston. Schafer may blossom with a rebuilding Astros team.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:47 am

John Mayberry Sr… I just read that too. I thought I remember that from his Philly days. People hate Boras but honestly does anyone do better for his client then him. And thats his job but I hated it when Werth changed agents last year and hired him.

Furman Bitcher

July 31st, 2011
10:48 am

Nice move wren. Lets get it on. Now one more right handed bat for outfield platoon with Heyward

Peter

July 31st, 2011
10:48 am

Even if Jordan becomes a superstar in Houston (and I’ll be rooting hard for him, love the way he plays) I still think this is a great move because we didn’t give up any of our top pitching prospects.

bruce

July 31st, 2011
10:49 am

sorry to see schafer go, wish him the best.

katherine

July 31st, 2011
10:50 am

ExBraves Fan
July 31st, 2011
10:16 am

Still don’t think this guy is enough to carry them over. Jones injured. Heyworthless not hitting. Uggla hot now, but can he keep it up. McLousy is lousy. SS would not hit water if he fell out of a boat in the gulf of Mexico. Still strangled with Lowe and his mega contract. He’s worthless. I always said the Braves would rule the day they signed this guy. He has not been a $60M pitcher. More a $25 pitcher. This division and the NL crown belown to SF or Philly. Braves are still an after thought.

Wow…who peed in your wheaties? What a negative nelly…..the braves don’t need fans like you so why don’t you just state the obvious and say that you are a phillies fan?

RM

July 31st, 2011
10:50 am

Hey Joe, you are dead wrong. Schafer had the opportunities given to him and has shown he’s nothing more than a .220 hitter. Bourn is a true lead-off man and has as many sleals as the entire team had prior. This is a definite upgrade to CF and lead-off!

John Mayberry Sr.

July 31st, 2011
10:50 am

Next big FW move: trade Liberty Media for Arthur Blank and cash.

Alvin

July 31st, 2011
10:50 am

When Moylan come back, can we finally say goodbye to Proctor .

2centsdawg

July 31st, 2011
10:51 am

Can we just through in Mclouth to get rid of him

Who Me?

July 31st, 2011
10:51 am

You do have to wonder what the impact of taking him out of Houston, his home, and bringing him here in the middle of the season will do to his production. Hopefully he sees this as a win-win and can get his family out here to support him…. at least now he’s playing for a contender.

katherine

July 31st, 2011
10:52 am

Now…for all of you that were bashing wren the past few days….he obviously knew what he was doing. the phillies gave up a LOT for their guy…the braves didn’t. I do think schafer was tough and was doing a lot better though and I really wish him well.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:52 am

RM… I agree with you completely I like bourn when he was in philly. He is much better then schafer. The only thing schafer may have on him is an arm. I am not sure what schafers arm is like (maybe you guys could fill in this info). I believe Bourns arm is not bad but not a plus arm.

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
10:52 am

Get somebody, anybody, Matt Diaz, Frenchie to Platoon with J-Hey, could even bring up Gartrell, need to plug that hole in the line-up, guess we will have to live with A-Gone until Sept call ups.

Chris

July 31st, 2011
10:52 am

As a long time Astros fan its sad to see two of our favorite players go, first Pence to Philli, and now Bourn to Atlanta. Wish them the best and hope they do well for their new teams. Take care of Bourn for us Braves fans. Hope its another good year for the playoffs for you guys.

brave73

July 31st, 2011
10:52 am

Are we still trying to Queintin?

The Dude Abides

July 31st, 2011
10:53 am

GO GET INFANTE!!!

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
10:53 am

Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!

BravesfaninWis

July 31st, 2011
10:53 am

Awesome!!!. I really didn’t think they would get Bourn and would settle for a second rate player like Ludwick or Crisp. Very happy that they got Bourn and didn’t have to give up a single top prospect starting pitcher. Great trade by Wren here. I am a little sad to see Schafer go, but truly believe he needed to go to a different team as to much was on his plate in Atlanta with the whole HGH suspension, his injuries, not producing, and being labeled as a bust. This is a great move for everyone involved.

Who Me?

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

Agreed, AGon’s stick is still the weak link in the lineup. I still say we send Heyward down til Sept callups and let him get his swing situation fixed. Right now you have to hold your breath everytime we get runners on and these 2 come to bat.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

brave73… I think I read that they don’t expect the White Sox to move Queintin. I could be wrong I definitely don’t have any inside knowledge like some claim on these boards haha

The Dude Abides

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

I just lost a ton of respect for ESPN when they said we are the deadline losers and it was almost an hour after we acquired Bourn. Good reporting ESPN.

Fan

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

desperation move…. yawn

Hunter Pence is the one that got away…. Braves gotta open up the wallet quicker

mountain_jim

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/31/the-braves-addition-of-michael-bourn-was-a-masterful-move-for-the-braves/

First Bourn: he’s an elite center fielder, obviously. You can look at the gold gloves if you want to, though I don’t advise it. Look instead at the advanced defensive metrics which suggest that he’s easily the best defensive center fielder in the National League and, short of Franklin Gutierrez, probably the best in baseball. He is also an elite base runner, successful in 83% of his stolen base attempts in his career.

That glove and those legs have allowed him to more than make up for a fair-at-best bat these past few years, but this season has been an offensive breakthrough for him, as he’s hitting .303/.363/.403. His on base percentage is up, mostly because he has been a bit hit-lucky this year, but his power numbers are interesting. He has never been a home run hitter and still isn’t, but he already has more doubles and triples this season than he had all of last year.

katherine

July 31st, 2011
10:54 am

The only thing I can say bad about it is that he is left handed…is he a switch hitter?

JT19

July 31st, 2011
10:55 am

“Born to be alive” has to be his song when he goes to bat!”

Springsteen’s “Born to Run” would be better!

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
10:55 am

@katherine

Guess Wren does read these blogs after all!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:55 am

Who Me? yes but Agon good D and batting 8th makes him much more palatable

Txpeach

July 31st, 2011
10:56 am

Thank u FW!!!!!!!!

Braves Fan in Augusta

July 31st, 2011
10:56 am

AWESOME! I cringed when I saw four players but then I read the names… a fantastic trade! I hope this is an effort to get more speed on the basepaths… Jordan deserves credit for giving the Braves a boost but he is always hurt. Can’t wait to see him in the lineup!!

We definitely just sewed up the Wild Card in my opinion and will give the Phillies a good run for the division crown!

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
10:57 am

The only downside is come the end of 2012 we have to contend with Bore-Ass and will probably lose Bourn because he was just named 2012 NL MVP after wininng another Gold Glove, hitting .300+, scoring 120+ runs, and stealing 75+ bases. Oh well…

Brandon

July 31st, 2011
10:57 am

We are not gettin. Infante people. It would cost to much for what would be essential a bench player.

Who Me?

July 31st, 2011
10:57 am

PhillieFan – no question about the good D, agreed. Heyward is a different story though…

Big Earl

July 31st, 2011
10:57 am

@Chris…classy dude!

59bulldawg

July 31st, 2011
10:57 am

I hate to see Schafer go but this is a good deal as we didn’t have to give up one of our big 4 pitching prospects. This makes me think that we may have yet another trade in the works for another outfielder or shortstop. I wish Schafer the best … and still think he will be a star. Our needs just outstripped our ability to wait on his continued development.

mountain_jim

July 31st, 2011
10:58 am

(the rest)

So, acquiring Bourn is clearly a great move for Atlanta, who was in desperate need of an outfielder, especially a center fielder. What’s crazy though is just how great a deal they got for him.

While I have seen some commentary this morning about how the Braves are “high on Jordan Schafer,” I think the best way to take that is that they’re high on him in much the same way you might get high on a hallucinatory drug. He is clearly overmatched by major league pitching and has shown no real progress in that regard over the past few years. None of the prospects involved – Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu — are top tier guys. And the fact that the Astros are sending the Braves money in this deal is borderline criminal.

When I saw the good deal that the Phillies got for Hunter Pence — likewise not having to give up their best prospects — I sighed “well, there goes Ed Wade, playing favorites with his old employer again.” Guess Wade decided to share the wealth with the Braves as well.

Mitch McConnell's Chins

July 31st, 2011
10:58 am

Wow. Much as we like Schafer on defense and his potential as a hitter and leadoff man, Bourn is already where Schafer would get if he reaches that potential. Looks like a really good deal.

1eyedJack

July 31st, 2011
10:58 am

Arthur Blank would be dapper in Braves gear. He could pull it off.

Spoonmon

July 31st, 2011
10:58 am

1. Bourn
2. Prado
3. Freeman
4. Jones
5. McCann
6. Uggla
7. Heyward
8. Gonzalez

When all are healthy of course…looks damn formidable. I like it! Go Braves!

rally

July 31st, 2011
10:59 am

Fantastic! Great move Braves. It will be nice to stick it to the Phillies with a guy they developed in their own farm system (Bourn). He could be for this club what Otis Nixon was in 1991.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
10:59 am

Who Me?… Both Heyward and our Dom Brown suffer from their extreme success in the minors. I love that Brown will have the opportunity down there and not get rushed in the pressure cooker in Philly. And I like most think Heyward is a better prospect then Brown. The tough part though is you can develop bad habits against inferior (AAA) pitching too. It’s a tough call

59bulldawg

July 31st, 2011
11:00 am

Also agree with Big Earl. Chris, you’re all class.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:01 am

mountain_jim… Ed Wade drafted well while in Philly but he always seemed overmatched at trade time. Hopefully he is at least drafting well in Houston. haha

AFSOC 1st Sgt

July 31st, 2011
11:02 am

Not gonna bash Schafer – I think the kid had started to get his act together when the injuries piled up. I hope he has success with the Astros. While he might have developed into a good player, he was definitely not the lead-off hitter we need today, right now. All in all, a good trade for Atlanta. Got the high-average, fast, lead-off guy we need and didn’t give up any of the “top 4″ prospect that the “experts” said we had to give up to get a Bourne/Pence/Ludwick/, etc. .

Kelly

July 31st, 2011
11:02 am

Bourn is a great center fielder but I have to say I am very sad to see Schafer go. When he was healthy he provided a spark for the team in the lead off spot. I wish him luck.

katherine

July 31st, 2011
11:02 am

I think getting rid of heyward would be stupid…he is young and will figure it out. Maybe so time with chipper and his dad….

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:04 am

None of the potential outfielders we were considering had the ability to change the Braves as positively as Bourne does. We just addressed several needs in one fell swoop, and we really did not give up much (no disrespect to Schafer or trhe young pitcher, all of whom I hope blossom into stars for the Astros). Bourne is in the prime of his career and is now our leadoff hitter for at least 2011 and 2012. With our pitching staff, we have gone from playoff contenders to World Series contenders. Speed never slumps.

Honest Ingine

July 31st, 2011
11:04 am

Shaffer was fast, but you have to get on base…

Righty

July 31st, 2011
11:04 am

This is why we traded for this guy http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=10852671

Artsolis

July 31st, 2011
11:04 am

Wow , the waitting game to the end. Was worthed, (Bourne)
We still need a right bat see what happen. This last Hours of the trade deadline .

katherine

July 31st, 2011
11:04 am

So has the deadline passed? I thought it was 10 am but my boyfriend says its 4 pm and that they could still get infante…..

bobbymahlon

July 31st, 2011
11:06 am

Frank Wren did all he can do, now it’s time for Bourn to make the trade look good. I’m for bringing Franceour back and use him platooning with Heyward in right and using both at times with Heyward in left.

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:07 am

Anyone who suggests us getting rid of Heyward is a moron. This is a 5-tool talent who is only 21 years old. Most players his age are riding busses in the minors dreaming of making it to the big leagues. I’m not saying Heyward will some day make The Hall of Fame, but he will be a very good, and possibly great player during his career.

katherine

July 31st, 2011
11:08 am

Oh nvm I see on espn.com that the deadline hasn’t passed yet.

PJ

July 31st, 2011
11:08 am

Spoonmon, that’s the order that I would also like to see them bat. I like Freeman in the 3 hole.

Chris from the Rock

July 31st, 2011
11:10 am

Great move! Now let’s get Infante to improve the bench and “Old Yellar” Lugo, who stinks.

Obee

July 31st, 2011
11:10 am

While this looks good, I’m sorry to see Schafer go. I really wanted to see up close what kind of progress he could make over the next year or so. I hope someday that he might be involved in a deadline deal back to the Braves. I do believe that he will one day be a very good player.

tdc

July 31st, 2011
11:10 am

Jordan Schafer gone. Now all the braves have to do is get rid of Chipper and Nate McClouth to free up 19.5 million in cap space.

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
11:11 am

Maybe Fredi can get rid of his dart board now

sportsradio PD

July 31st, 2011
11:12 am

THE player I was hoping we would get and w/o giving up a “big 4″. BTW katheren Deadline is 4p

Jimbo Jones

July 31st, 2011
11:13 am

Wow. I don’t recall a bigger Wren love fest on this blog. He definitely deserves a ton of credit for not letting go of our top prospects. Even though Schaefer was never really raking, his speed alone remarkably improved our offense. The ability for Bourn to turn a single into a double is huge when you have Prado, Mac and Freeman lined up to drive him in. This is how I would like to see our llineup:

Bourn
Prado
Mac
Freeman
Chipper
Uggla
Heyward
Gonzo

I have thought for awhile Chipper is a perfect #5. He kills pitching with RISP. Plus his high OBP would be good to get him on base before Popeye comes up to bat. While the Braves have struggled offensively this year with the exception of Mac and Freeman, I am really excited about our offense. I think we are going to start seriously producing over the next several months.

Hopefully this will be a shot in the arm for Minor — the fact that we weren’t wiling to trade him. He is our best lefty in the minors after all.

Hopefully now we can get a utility infielder and some bullpen help. Me need a fourth stud in the pen. Unlike the Philies whose starters tend to go 7 or 8 innings, our tend to go 6 or 7, adn we are going to need someone else we can rely on.

Go Braves!!!

chc4

July 31st, 2011
11:13 am

If only Terrence Moore were still here to bask in this trade. His next column would be about how the Braves should still sign Griffey… even out of retirement.

TomTomClub

July 31st, 2011
11:14 am

Excellent trade!!!! Now go get Michael Cuddyer-RF from Minnesota and we can make a strong run at the World Series. Heyward is lost and needs to be sent down to get his swing figured out. Cuddyer would be a rental but his numbers are similar to Pence and wouldn’t cost nearly as much in terms of prospects. Go Braves!!!!!

katherine

July 31st, 2011
11:15 am

sportsradio PD
July 31st, 2011
11:12 am

THE player I was hoping we would get and w/o giving up a “big 4″. BTW katheren Deadline is 4p

Thank you I still hope they can get infante back….to play short once in awhile or wherever they need him.

Lexbrave

July 31st, 2011
11:16 am

I’ve said from the beginning that this is the guy the braves should have been after from the start so I am pleased, especially since we didn’t have to overpay to get him. He fills a much bigger need in the lineup than pence would have. Pence wasn’t good enough to carry the team by himself, the rest of the lineup has to stay healthy and contribute. If they do, Bourne will provide the biggest impact as a guy who can get in scoring position and be disruptive on the bases. Speed never slumps. Id love to see the braves now go grab a guy like ludwick as a righty hitter off the bench since he can be had for cheap. Another great move by Wren.

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
11:16 am

I think the Michael Bourn trade was a good one even though he is lefthanded. He is currently hitting .330 vs lefties! Compare that to Schafer who was only hitting .190 vs lefties, I would say this is a huge upgrade.

Frankly the 3 biggest contributors to the poor performance vs lefthanded starters was Schafer, Uggla and Heyward, and we just knocked one of them off the list in a big way since he is no longer with the team. If Uggla continues to hit the way he is, I don’t think this line up will have the same issues with lefties the rest of the way.

Mountain Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
11:17 am

I think the injuries to both center fielders on the Braves roster made the trade for a center fielder inevitable. What is surprising to me is that the Astros gave up Bourn so cheaply, relatively speaking. They basically had the Braves over a barrel and didn’t take advantage. Bourn, for the price, is a fantastic pickup.

Next season, if Chipper retires, the Braves should go hard for free agent to be right handed hitting outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the Twins and they will be set, except for SS.

darrell starks

July 31st, 2011
11:17 am

GREAT MOVE BY THE BRAVES, MAN I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE KEPT SCHAFER.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kat

July 31st, 2011
11:18 am

Just woke up, turned on my computer, went to the blog as I do everymoring and saw this headline pop up, great thing to wake up to!

Not a fan of the lazy Heyward

July 31st, 2011
11:18 am

Now ship Heyward to the South Cobb All-stars for a bucket of balls, get Willingham and call it a day.

ViningsMike

July 31st, 2011
11:18 am

Great move by the Braves. Just what the Braves need. Best of luck to Schaf. He’s had a rough time, but really gave the Braves some help recently.

tdc

July 31st, 2011
11:19 am

2 hour flight from Milwaukee. Hopefully he makes it in time for today’s game.

Don from Oregon

July 31st, 2011
11:20 am

Happy Birthday to me!! Welcome Michael. Let’s speed past the Phils all the way to the World Series.

darrell starks

July 31st, 2011
11:20 am

1. BOURN CF
2. PRADO LF
3. MCCANN CATCHER
4. UGGLA 2B
5. CHIPPER 3B
6. FREEMAN 1B
7. HEYWARD RF
8. GONZALEZ SS
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:20 am

tdc July 31st, 2011 11:10 am Jordan Schafer gone. Now all the braves have to do is get rid of Chipper and Nate McClouth to free up 19.5 million in cap space.

tdc: McLouth seems like a great guy who tries really hard, but he has been pretty much a complete bust for The Braves, so total agreement with you on him. With all due respect to Chipper and his certain Hall of Fame career, I really would like to see him retire after 2011. He can still hit when healthy, but 1) he is not healthy very often, mostly beacause he still plays the game hard at 39; and 2) his best these days is better than many, but a shadow of what he used to be capable of. I’d rather see Chipper retire and leave with the dignity he deserves than try to hang on in 2012. Plus, we have an all star ready to plug into 3rd (Prado), and with almost $20 million available we could get a darn good left fielder. Also, as bad as McLouth has been, he is a distant second to Kawakami and the $7 million/year he has tied up.

Mister Frisky

July 31st, 2011
11:20 am

Your right Dude Espn is lame and irrelevant.I’m sure if it involved the Yankees or Red Sox Karl Ravich would have put that squirrel on his head and burst in to the studio with the news.

don

July 31st, 2011
11:21 am

I see that history really repeats itself. Just as with Drew, Texeira, McLouth, etc., the posters are filling their pants.

We’ll see if this works out any better.

While far too many posters take their final vile shots at Schafer, I am happy that he will get a fresh start. He needed to escape Atlanta. Maybe it will allow him to succeed. I hope so. Escaping Atlanta has helped others.

Bourn has a chance to succeed because he has speed- something the Braves have sorely lacked for years. Still, he certainly doesn’t turn a wild card into a division winner.

milo

July 31st, 2011
11:22 am

Good look Schafer, continue to play hard.

Steve

July 31st, 2011
11:22 am

I take back all the negative comments about Frank Wren. Good Job!

katherine

July 31st, 2011
11:22 am

Don.

If you are actually reading the blog most people on here are sad to see schafer go and have nothing but nice things to say about him

Artsolis

July 31st, 2011
11:24 am

For how long the braves. Can be patience. With Jason. Heyward?
Remember. What happen to Jeff francouer he was untouchable at that. Time also.
Is hard to carry a death bat at the end Of the season. Uggla’s bat was death on the beginning so didn’t affect Braves run. but on the end of the regular. Season will affect our chances of cashing. Up toPhiladelphia .

Old Timer

July 31st, 2011
11:24 am

Excellent trade. Bourn is a true leadoff hitter with a decent batting average. I believe he will make things happen on the base paths that the Braves have lacked for a long, long time. Great Move by Wren !!

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
11:24 am

“They basically had the Braves over a barrel and didn’t take advantage. Bourn, for the price, is a fantastic pickup.”–Mountain Braves Fan

Not exactly. I don’t think the ‘Stros had an advantage. Both teams had the ability to walk away, Houston could have accepted offers from other teams and Atlanta could have been shopping elsewhere. It’s really about what works out for both teams. I think Houston did pretty well. They really needed more prospects who could be major league ready this year and next and the Braves gave them what they needed.

Astros fans need to quit whining. Houston has always been a good franchise and they just need to some time to overcome their current deficiencies. We Braves fans have endured some lean years too in the late 80’s and now in the 2000’s. They will come back.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:24 am

What is this with sorry to see Schafer go? He is 25 so not terribly young and hits 220? I would say good bye in a heart beat. He has been killing you all season

Justin Case

July 31st, 2011
11:25 am

Yesterday you people were saying that Wren should be fired, today he is your god, Braves Fans are seriously bipolar. And to the guy who called Bourne the best leadoff hitter in baseball, I think you forgot about that Reyes, who is way better then Bourne. I don’t see Bourne putting the Braves closer to the Giants or Phillies….Braves needed to go bigger to impact this division and they failed.

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
11:26 am

Uh oh… Just got word that Infante was traded to the Cardinals!!! DARN IT!!

BehindEnemyLines

July 31st, 2011
11:26 am

This deal makes me wonder when the braves secretly replaced GM FW with an actual GM. Not going to look a gift horse (aka Ed Wade) in the mouth though. It was almost as though Houston simply gave up at the deadline approached.

My one lingering memory of JS will be him gutting it out in the marathon game despite what had to be a painful injury. I wish him well going forward (so long as he keeps his serious mistake of the past behind him).

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:26 am

Bourn as a Brave = severe loss of euphoria in Philadelphia over Pence trade.

Philly fans: Please do not get me wrong here. Pence is a terrific player that makes an already formidable Phillies team even better. But, as far as improvement to a team goes, Bourn does more to make the Braves better than Pence does to make the Phillies better. It’s going to be a great rest of 2011.

bravesfanforever

July 31st, 2011
11:26 am

Scratch that! I meant Furcal!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:27 am

Is it possible that Heath Bell doesn’t get traded? That would be crazy if he doesn’t move.

Not a fan of the lazy Heyward

July 31st, 2011
11:28 am

Agree with Don. Schafer did something Heyward never would, he hustled. That is probably why he got hurt so much. I see Heyward growing fat and wasting space. The guy has no work ethic about him, another Frenchy. Just expects to walk up there and “work his magic”. Best to you Jordan.

Braves Re-Bourn!

July 31st, 2011
11:28 am

We dump KK contract this year, dump Derick Blowe’s contract and sign Bourn up for five years!

eager kid

July 31st, 2011
11:29 am

Bourn signed through 2012

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:29 am

Brave New World…”Philly fans: Please do not get me wrong here. Pence is a terrific player that makes an already formidable Phillies team even better. But, as far as improvement to a team goes, Bourn does more to make the Braves better than Pence does to make the Phillies better. It’s going to be a great rest of 2011.”

I wouldn’t say that at all. We were way to Left handed. Pence really does balance our lineup out. Bourn adds much needed production to the top of your line up. Both moves were the right fit for out teams.

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
11:29 am

Hey Braves Fans, no more Wild Card talk, we are going to beat the Phillies for the Division Championship.

Braves20

July 31st, 2011
11:29 am

Good pick up considering the circumstances. Probably will have to shop for a corner outfielder after this season.

Oh kid, about that number you wore in Houston. There was this left handed pitcher back in the 50’s and 60’s…….

John A

July 31st, 2011
11:29 am

I have to admit Bourn is an improvement, and FW has proven the theory that a bkind pig can find an acorn.

Now we still need the power bat that can also teach Heyward how to hit and play right field…..get Vlad Guerrero from Baltimore. He has power, plays right field, and has playoff/WS experience. He may be the experienced leader that JHEY needs in his quest for stardom.

Baltimore alsso has a RP that may be available….(Kevin Gregg). 6′6″ 230 lbs, and just got fined for fighting “BIG POPPY” in Boston (Size does not intimidate him), also in Baltimore is a SS (JJ Hardy) that hits with power. Who knows…..they may all be available cheap!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin Case

July 31st, 2011
11:30 am

Actually I think Pence makes the Phillies so much better then Bourne does for the Braves. It means that Howard and Utley see more fastballs to hit, as was the case in lastnights game. Howard 4-4 with a walk.

The Dude Abides

July 31st, 2011
11:30 am

@bravesfanforever

YOU SCARED THE HEII OUTTA ME

tdc

July 31st, 2011
11:31 am

Brave New World glad to see we are on the same page.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:31 am

Ralph… You are 5 games out and with our staff you know that is going to tough to make up. Plus possible your best player is out for 2 weeks. The phials are finally healthy. You are Wild Card Contenders.

don

July 31st, 2011
11:32 am

Katherine, read the blogs over the last year or so. Schafer has been vilified constantly. A few less than heartfelt statements after he is gone don’t balance the scale. It is like a funeral. Although you had no use for the deceased, you likely have something positive to say about him after he is gone. That is just one of many chicken sides of human nature. A few cloaked “good lucks” don’t clean the slate. Ask Francoeur.

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:32 am

PhillieFan: Good point. One thing we can both agree on, The Braves and Phils have just improved the two best teams in the NL.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:33 am

Brave New World

I agree. I think we should be talked about like the Yankees Red Sox this year. Although with ESPN we know that won’t happen

Jimbo Jones

July 31st, 2011
11:35 am

Okay all you Heyward haters…please enlighten me as to what Heyward has ever done to be labeled lazy and selfish? Go on the DL a few times in his first two years. Play hurt? Prado and Chipper are DL’d on a monthly basis but they aren’t lazy.

Just give me one tangible account of him not running out a ground out or mouthing off to the media dissing his teammates or self-promoting. What has he done to warrant all of what I believe are grossly unfair character assassinations? Please give me something. You’d think he was TO or Hanley Ramirez the way people rip him around here.

I tried to post this earlier but it misfired so apologies if this post shows up twice…

Navigator

July 31st, 2011
11:36 am

Schafer is in the transition, maybe upwards maybe not, but a .230 hitter leading off??? Now they have a player who will get on base, steals bases, and puts pressure on the other team’s defense. Now if the remaining folks on the DL return and get back to playing normally, well maybe Philly won’t feel so superior to the Braves when they play them.

Prince Fielder

July 31st, 2011
11:36 am

WHOA SON. WHAT A MOVE.

I GOT TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD OF JORDAN SCHAFER. THE BRAVES WERE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO GIVE THE KID A SECOND CHANCE, AND HE MADE THE MOST OF IT. KID HAS LEARNED TO HUMBLE HIMSELF AND DO WHATEVER HE NEEDS TO HELP OUT THE TEAM. THE ASTROS GOT A SOLID KID AND A FUTURE STAR, AND I WISH HIM THE BEST. GIVE EM HELL, SCHAFE.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM, BOURN. IF YOU SUCK, THE BLOG WILL LET YOU KNOW IN A HURRY.

JUST KIDDING. BUT NOT REALLY.

NOW LETS GET HEALTHY, GET OUR REAL LINEUP BACK OUT THERE AND LETS F%CKING GO GET EM BRAVES

Braves20

July 31st, 2011
11:36 am

Justincase – Do you realize how many more fastballs, Prado, Chipper and McCann are going to see the rest of year?

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:37 am

Jimbo Jones… I agree with you. I think sometimes when some athletes are so naturally gifted it doesn’t look like they are busting it. I think Heyward fits that category. I do think he should work on his body language though. He often looks defeated and you can’t have that

MURF4HOF

July 31st, 2011
11:37 am

nice move.. anytime you can trade a guy with potential for one that’s proven.. DO IT!….. Bourn leads the MAJOR LEAGUES in stolen bases this year. when’s the last time the Braves had that…… There will be a positive ripple effect through the lineup with this guy at leadoff. nice move FW

Dr. Phil

July 31st, 2011
11:37 am

I hate to see Schaffer go, but this looks like a good move. Good luck to Schaffer in Houston.

mvprado

July 31st, 2011
11:37 am

I’m utterly speechless. I really didn’t think Frank would pull the trigger. This gives the Braves an element that made them a perenial World Series contender 1991 thru 2005 (Nixon, Sanders, Grissom, Furcal).

Great rotation
Awesome bullpen
Speed at top of order
Power in middle

Just imagine if Heyward pulls and Uggla and finds his stroke!

I am absolutely STOKED!!!!!!!!!

jcfromut

July 31st, 2011
11:38 am

Michael Bourne is signed through 2012 right? Blog states 2011.

Paul Marks

July 31st, 2011
11:38 am

Nice job Wren. You didn’t sell the farm and got a huge addiion. I think this is the spark the Braves needed. HR were already a strong point. Runs and stolen bases add a different dimension we have been lacking in for a long while.

BravesAC

July 31st, 2011
11:38 am

Sorry to see Schafer go, but I would be more sorry to see him stay in Atl as a young player and have to sit behind Bourne – a chance to play and to continue to work on his slap hitting/patrol the outfield in the wide open spaces of the Astro outfield is a good deal for him. I do wish him well, I really think he’s starting to find himself and that’s great to see in any young person in thier career.
As for the trade, it’s great to get Bourne w/o giving up a big 4. OBP AND speed is such an asset in the playoffs when you are gring out runs. Gotta love Bourne and Prado in a lineup followed by Freeman, Chipper, McCann, and a red hot Uggla.
The price for Bourne seems reasonable – great even when you don’t have to give up a “big 4″. I bet in th elong run the Astros get more out of the Braves package than they will with the Phillie package they got. The Phillie package sure smelled overated to me – kinda like the package we sent to San Diego years ago (in the McGriff trade?). Nothing ever came of those supposed top prospects.

Tom

July 31st, 2011
11:38 am

Don’t get me wrong, I like Bourn, but I guess that means Braves did not see enough in Constanza(in 2 games) that they liked alot. Wish we could some how keep him because of his blazing speed? To bad he is not a RH hitter? What do others think?

Ralph

July 31st, 2011
11:39 am

I hope Constanza goes out with a BANG today, 4 for 4 with 2 stolen bases, probably won’t see him again but I wish him luck in the future.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:39 am

mvprado… One difference though. Ugla is a proven MLB producer while Heyward really isn’t

Philly Guy

July 31st, 2011
11:39 am

Great pick up Braves fans. It should be an interesting race down the stretch. I’ll echo the sentiments of some on this board by saying that I hope ESPN will now talk about our teams and division as much as they talk about the Red Sox, Yankees, and AL East. I think our teams and division are just as good. Anyway, Congrats…

BravesAC

July 31st, 2011
11:40 am

Oh, and bring up Constanza to pinch run after Sep 1. Bourne and Constanza on the bases – that’s a real track meet!

retired

July 31st, 2011
11:40 am

Bourne to run………. we need him Good move on paper not let the games begin. Chase down those Phils ala 93 and the Giants.. this could be a great race.

wreckmaniac

July 31st, 2011
11:41 am

Great trade. Bourne sounds topnotch. Sounds like giving up Abreu is a cost but you have to give up something to get something.
Schaffer is a class act. I wish I had shown as much at his age as he is showing. The Braves really gave him every opportunity. I hope he makes it in Houston.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:41 am

retired.. I don’t think so. I really think you are Wild Card bound. But you are much improved. I like bourn but this isn’t a McGriff trade.

Nola

July 31st, 2011
11:42 am

Good move, to bad we couldn’t have gotten rid of mcclout instead of Schafer. Now let’s go get a rh relief pitcher. I also like the idea of Lowe in the pen, he is usually great the first time through the order. Bring up minor, To take that fifth spot for now.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:42 am

wreckmaniac… Wasn’t he an HGH user? Cheater now = Class Act?

wreckmaniac

July 31st, 2011
11:43 am

Philly guy: The NL east is the best division in baseball. I don’t care what ESPN says ( or dosen’t say).

vesaversa

July 31st, 2011
11:44 am

I really hate to see Jordan Schafer traded he was a good looking young player .

tdc

July 31st, 2011
11:44 am

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:24 am
What is this with sorry to see Schafer go? He is 25 so not terribly young and hits 220? I would say good bye in a heart beat. He has been killing you all season

PhillieFan that is how it is down here. We overvalue guys like Schafer, McClouth, and Chipper rather than kicking them to the curb and getting guys that actually deserve the money they are making.

The Dude Abides

July 31st, 2011
11:44 am

Frank Wren was on MLB Network and he said that “We will add another bat before the day is over.” It’s going to be Infante.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:44 am

Also although we all love our Baseball on here a much bigger deal may get done as well this weekend. CNN is reporting that Congress is close to a deal on the Debt ceiling which would mean no default which is good for everyone on here.

glove51

July 31st, 2011
11:46 am

Good deal for the Braves. Good, not great; they could still use a RH bat. I’d be pissed if I was an Astro fan. Oberholtzer is a pretty good prospect, and they got 4 guys, but NONE of them just wows me if I’m an Astros fan. I imagine Ed Wade is about the most hated man in Houston right about now.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:46 am

wreckmaniac… If the NL east is not the best its damn close. I agree with you but the AL east is still very good. If you say the Phillies Braves = Yanks Sox I agree but the Rays are far better than our 3rd team.

Puma

July 31st, 2011
11:47 am

lets play some ball baby!!

too bad we don’t see the phils until September, but 6 games in Sept will be exciting

this guy

July 31st, 2011
11:47 am

say what you will about schafer but the guy worked his tail off. clearly he was well respected and liked by his teammates. on the other hand, i see heyward as being a guy with limitless talent and potential but without any sort of work ethic.
for the next few years between heyward and schafer, i’d want heyward no doubt because he’s so much more talented i think. but i always liked schafer and his hustle and intense effort, as evidenced even by his asking chipper this spring training what he’d need to work on to make the club.
best of luck jordan, and keep working that hard in houston and wherever your future takes you. it’ll all pay off, believe me

bravesgrl4lifeeee

July 31st, 2011
11:47 am

I’m gonna miss Schafer I know Roman Gal is going to as well.

Steve

July 31st, 2011
11:48 am

I like Bourn, but Schafer is as good or better defensively (coers the same ground but throws much better), and his offense is right at or ahead of Bourn at the same stage of their careers.

Is Bourn better now .. yes. But is the cost difference over the next 2 years worth it? I absolutely do not think so. I have a feeling the Braves will regret trading Schafer. He has more power, a better arm, and his SB/AB ratio is actually higher than Bourn’s this year which tells you he can run. If Schafer canlearn to bunt and stay healthy he will end up being a better player. Not to mention the fact Bourn is on the downside of his career. Don’t forget that before the steroid age most players didn’t even play into the mid-30’s.

Let’s also not forget how poorly players coming from low-pressure teams typically perform when thye join the Braves and the games actually matter.

Given our depth at the position, I would have rather traded Delgado (who looked like he was trying to emulate Rerun with his physique .. not to mention his pitching did not look top flight prospect to me) than trade a player who could impact 150+ game per year at a position we absolutely STINK at.

Prado will soon be at 3rd. Heyward will soon be moved (give him one or two more years and if he doesn’t start playing well the Braves will have to move him) and we are back in the ‘we are plyaing young guys or aging crap in the OF’. schafer was the only guy we had out there that was showing any promise at all for the upcoming seasons.

Quite frankly, I hope Schafer tears it up the rest of his career just to spite all the people on these boards that don’t remember how you develop talent for the long haul. Of course, I hope Bourn keeps playing as well as he has the last few months.

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
11:48 am

Now its time to trade Lowe to Yanks or Red Sox and bring up Minor…won’t change placing, won’t catch Phils and should beat out Diamondbacks.

Mike

July 31st, 2011
11:48 am

Good Riddance to Schafer

July 31st, 2011
10:14 am
Good Riddance to a DO NOTHING Druggie….glad to see you gone Jordan – you have done nothing for us….other than be an embarassment. So Good Riddance and Don’t Let the Door Hit Ya, Where the Good Lord Split Ya.

Your vicious response should not include any reference to the Good Lord. You should be ashamed of yourself. I really hope you never need some understanding and support. Chances are you will not get it but I will pray that you do.

Shakey

July 31st, 2011
11:49 am

Well,Philly Guy, I’ve been waiting for years for ESPN to talk about my team — my city, actually — and they have consistently been more interested in stuff like where LeBron is going to take his talents. That particular event is what pushed me over the edge, and I don’t watch any of their shows anymore — only specific events (and usually then with the sound turned down). I miss a lot, but people have noticed I don’t look so angry anymore.

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
11:49 am

so we made out better than the phillies without giving up any top prospects? LOL i fully expect all of you who have bashed Wren for the past week to formally apologize.

Reeves

July 31st, 2011
11:49 am

PhillieFan.

Get the hell out of here, no one wants you here. Go away and F the F’in Phillies. I did not come here to read comments of a Phillies fan this is a Braves blog.

tdmorgan

July 31st, 2011
11:49 am

DOB, on MLBTR there was a tweet that said there was 6 untouchables on the Braves…obviously its the 4 pitchers, but who would the other 2 be? Are they including Heyward and Freeman in that 6?

Mister Frisky

July 31st, 2011
11:50 am

Bourn sighted at the Southwest ticket counter,Send the private jizzy and get the Bourn in the hizzy.

collegeballfan

July 31st, 2011
11:50 am

” Bourn is signed through the 2011 season.”

He is arbitration eligible for the 2012 season.

His agent is Scott Boras.

Is all of the above true?

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
11:50 am

@Mike- AMEN to that. everyone deserves forgiveness and schafer has changed for the better. that should be commended not attacked by people who claim to be braves fans

Tball

July 31st, 2011
11:51 am

Wow only 16 multi hit games. Struck out 90 times, 1 home run, 66 runs scored, 32 RBI’s so what am I missing. Oh it must be his 271 career batting average and his 4.4 million dollar salary.
Not to happy with this transaction…

Quinn

July 31st, 2011
11:51 am

look i know the braves could have used a big bat but i mean we REALLY needed a center-fielder besides bourn leads all of baseball with 39 steals and is a 2 time gold glove winner plus we’re leading the wildcard by like 4 games so this trade should only help us

The Dude Abides

July 31st, 2011
11:51 am

@tdmorgan

He’s talking about Edward Salcedo and Pastornicky

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:52 am

Steve… What is it with the Schafer love. His progression is so far from a guarantee it’s crazy. He has killed you all season. Do you really think you can win the World Series with a lead off guy hitting 220?

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:53 am

Tball… Are you better off now or with Schafer?

K with a K

July 31st, 2011
11:53 am

Loved that we kept the big 4…lets bring up Vizcieno for the bullpen and we can go get a big RH bat in the off season. Not counting out another trade today. Q is not going anywhere but maybe wwe get R.Johnson or Willingham

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
11:53 am

My guess on the six untouchables:

1. Teheran
2. Delgado
3. Minor
4. Vizcaino
5. Carlos Perez (A ball)
6. Edward Salcedo (A ball)

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
11:54 am

@TDC- we do overvalue but we also love our players too…our scouts are the best and when we believe someone has real talent we don’t give up on them. unlike houston….i would be LIVID if i were an Astros fan

Ekim

July 31st, 2011
11:54 am

@Reeves, you don’t speak for me. PhillieFan and others are welcome to contribute to a thoughtful discussion of baseball. I’ll be the first to say something when discussion turns to smack-talking and put-downs with no basis in fact, but it appears that hasn’t happened here.
Lighten up.

AtlDawg

July 31st, 2011
11:54 am

great move, bravo’s now have a legit threat to leadoff and on the bases too. schaffer was good, and will be better.. thouh right now, atlanta needed bourne to make a push into to w.s.!

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
11:54 am

Really a great move by the Braves a proven commodity for unknowns…production over potential…conservative move especially when you look at Indians and others.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:55 am

Reeves…To bad I am leaving I like this blog for it’s out of town perspective for me. Whiny people like you are the only people that bother me on here.

Piedmont Blues

July 31st, 2011
11:55 am

What a great move. No top pitching prospects involved. And considering the fact that the Braves were seeing Coco Crisp as a fallback, it’s especially sweet (pun intended).

Brave New World

July 31st, 2011
11:56 am

PhillieFan: I have more faith in our teams than I will ever have for those egomaniac losers in Washington. This debt deal should have been done weeks ago, but each side has to use our money to point fingers rather than act in our best interests. Thank goodness for baseball!

l jones

July 31st, 2011
11:56 am

Jordan Schafer was never charged with using drugs, apparently never failed any drug test, and under baseball’s rules he was not allowed to say anything to defend himself. What we do know is he swung a bat with a broken bone in his hand for more than half a season before the Braves crack medical staff diagnosed it. He had surgery months later than he should have, then developed scar tissue, and eventually lost 2 seasons that might have turned out better if the Braves had more interest in protecting their most valuable assets. (How long did it take for the Braves to figure out why Brian McCann couldn’t see? A year and a half?) I wish Schafer and the other guys we traded all the best success. And I think Wren made a good trade. On the other hand, this is at least 3 Braves who are Scott Boras clients. That makes me a little nervous.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:57 am

I still can’t believe that Heath Bell hasn’t gone anywhere

Tom

July 31st, 2011
11:58 am

FYI – Beltran to SF, Pence to Philly, but guess what? Keppinger to SF, Kepp is getting about 2 hits per game, keeping his BA over .300! His trade for basically nothing, may turn out to be the best of all. Hope I’m wrong and the Bourn trade turns out best!

warren

July 31st, 2011
11:58 am

i think this is a good piece. i also think this isnt enough to unseat the phillies or anyone else. we dont have the pop of a right handed hitter and that is truley what we lack. if we can get carlos quinten we have a legitimate shot at the world series. even when mccann and mclouth comes back we still have no real power threat from the right handed side. lots of lefties, no righties. uggla is hot and freeman as well. no one else. lots of 230 or less avg in that lineup. and u gotta hope chipper can come back and play the rest of the season healthy. still too many issues. wren please pick up quinten! he is valuable and we really need him. you dont have to morgage the farm to get him just be smart about it. im so dissapointed!!!!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:58 am

Brave New World… AMEN to that.. Congress completely sucks

Reeves

July 31st, 2011
11:58 am

I wasn’t saying he can’t come here at all, it just gets annoying when every other comment is one of his.

YouKnowMe

July 31st, 2011
11:58 am

Well I like this trade,It is a upgrade for the top of the line up.Nice to have the speed.I would still love to see a proven big right hand bat to put in the middle of our line up and platoon in the corner outfield positions before Uggla goes back in a slump or someone else gets hurt…So if we are going to make a true run for the title lets dont hold back ,start now….

bball fan

July 31st, 2011
11:59 am

Big Earl – Learn how to use your and you’re before you start calling other people out on their post.

Shakey

July 31st, 2011
11:59 am

Is Scott Boras that much worse than everybody else? Don’t know, which is why I’m asking.

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
11:59 am

I wouldn’t worry you get this year and if things work out you trade before next year’s deadline and you should be right back where you started with prospects…its not like the guy is going lose value.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
11:59 am

Reeves…. Well get prepared to be annoyed hahaha

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
11:59 am

i don’t know why we couldn’t have kept schafer too. prado will be at 3rd eventually. schaf could have played left until Bourn left after 2012. two fast guys int the line-up would have been AWESOME.

Killer

July 31st, 2011
12:00 pm

OK Mark Cuban … Buying the Braves will be a great Christmas present for the ATL.

tdc

July 31st, 2011
12:00 pm

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
11:54 am
@TDC- we do overvalue but we also love our players too…our scouts are the best and when we believe someone has real talent we don’t give up on them. unlike houston….i would be LIVID if i were an Astros fan

I guess you don’t see all the hate on Jason Heyward. Maybe he should take HGH.

Ekim

July 31st, 2011
12:01 pm

Actually, Reeves, this is what you said:

PhillieFan.

Get the hell out of here, no one wants you here. Go away and F the F’in Phillies. I did not come here to read comments of a Phillies fan this is a Braves blog.

Don’t backtrack now. At least be man enough to stand up for what you actually said.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:01 pm

Kimbrel rocks… Schafer so far stinks. Who needs a LF hitting 220?

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
12:02 pm

Hey Shakey look at his track record his is THE WORST!

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
12:02 pm

looks like the braves are doubling down on defense, speed, and pitching…..pretty good strategy when your pockets are as lined as the rest. i like it.

loser

July 31st, 2011
12:02 pm

terrible trade !!!! we need schuerholtz making deals, wren lost our season for us!!!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:02 pm

I say Ekim for President he is very wise

Dale Murphy's Mole

July 31st, 2011
12:02 pm

Love getting a true leadoff hitter and strong defensive centerfielder, but wish Barmes would have come over in that deal as well. We still need a backup SS/infielder to replace Lugo and a RH reliever to replace Proctor in case Moylan doesn’t make it all the way back or there’s an injury. I don’t want Proctor near the mound in the playoffs.

JASon

July 31st, 2011
12:04 pm

If you look at the stats, bourn is as valuable, if not more valuable than Hunter Pence. I have been against salvaging our pitching prospects. But we kept our top 2 in minor and teheran. Great trade.

Peter

July 31st, 2011
12:04 pm

They keep talking about Plaxico on ESPN. Makes me hate the Jets even more, if thats possible (Dolphins fan)

Tom

July 31st, 2011
12:05 pm

I wish Schafer the best of luck. He is a good kid but injuries seemed to follow him every where he went. Kinda reminds you of Heyward, personally I think Schaf had more of upside than Heyward? How long do we give Heyward to come around? Should not matter if he is home-town boy or not. Do not forget Frenchy played in 162 games each of his 1st two seasons. I guess he was just not a brittle as some. He’s having a very good year at ATL West(KC), just check his stats. Sure would like to see him back in RF, but he probably does not want to come back.

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
12:06 pm

PhillieFan is right you need more pop from the corners…JS not the answer

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
12:07 pm

Lets get another bat and a reliever (or at least call up Delgado/Vizcaino)

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:07 pm

JASon… I don’t know about more valuable. For me its all about fit. Who is a better fit in Phily where we already have Victorino in Center and Rollins leading off? Pence. Who is a better fit in Atlanta where you have had ZERO production in center or leadoff all season? Bourn

Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)

July 31st, 2011
12:08 pm

I love it that we finally got a true lead off hitter who enable our offense to finally reach it’s potential. Bourne’s defense in CF will also be welcome along with his speed on the base paths. What Furcal gave us and has been missing for six years is finally replaced.

However, the price was steep and we may have given up far too much for one player. And as I hate giving up young pitching none of the three pitchers were the cream of the crop. But still, four players should have brought more than just one outfielder.

Speaking of outfielder’s. Man do I hate losing Jordan Schafer. The kids potential is as of yet unfulfilled. Schafer still has the ability to become a five tool athlete. So his talent alone going to the Astros makes me want to cringe. But good luck Jordan, you get a fresh start with an organization that want’s you.

All in all, we needed Bourne but gave up far too much. It is what it is.

DC Brave

July 31st, 2011
12:08 pm

Somehow I’m thinking at the end of today’s game Infante will walk through the tunnels and rejoin his old team.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:09 pm

Tom… Are you nuts? Schafer a 25 220 hitter has more upside than Heyward? WHo is 21 and already had a monster half season? You guys and your schafer love are out of your mind.

K with a K

July 31st, 2011
12:10 pm

I say we pull up Vizcaino and Moylan will be back in a few weeks bullpen done. Trade for R.Johnson. Unless sometime today Quentin can happen and then make that happen!!

Wink

July 31st, 2011
12:10 pm

Congrats Braves for finally getting a quality lead off hitter and some major speed at the top of the order. Maybe Jason Bourne can get up cranked up. Actually, in reverse…Bourne leads off with Jason(Heyward) to follow.

Last year Jason was our most patient hitter. Put him in the two hole. He should see a steady diet of fastballs. If Bourne steals base, he could still move the runner, by sacrefice, pull to right side, or base hit.

Bourne
Heyward
Jones
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
Prado
Gonzalez

Not bad line up to win the Wild Card. Then it’s a toss up in the playoff, but at least we would be able to compete…manufacture runs or long ball.

DC Brave

July 31st, 2011
12:10 pm

Prado and Omar will both be better if they are on the same team.

Braves One

July 31st, 2011
12:10 pm

With our new found speed at the top of the order it will truly be “Bourn to be Wild”.

jimmya

July 31st, 2011
12:11 pm

i think this might be wrens best trade about time

Wes Covington

July 31st, 2011
12:11 pm

Awesome trade!!

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:11 pm

Braves One… But not Bourn to win the division. But seriously with the Phils Braves and SF in the playoffs it should be very exciting

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:12 pm

I’m a lifetime Braves fan, grew up in ATL in the 60s/70s. So I’ve seen it all, and even have been at the fist division-clinching game ever (’69), first NLCS-clinching (@PIT ‘91), and first + only WS clinching game (’95). SO I root, but call it like it is.
Firstly, I hated the DLowe deal when they signed him, and hate it even more now. He never had a low ERA (i think upper 3’s when we signed him), and I’m sick of teams paying big bucks for “inning eaters” who are not effective. And this “big game pitcher” garbage is just that. Games in Apr-Jul count just as much as in Aug and Sep. I’m sick of his standard”5-6 innings-and-give-up-8-9 hits and 3-4 runs” performance. (There’s a reason his era hovers around 4.50. Stop saying you lve the guy and he’s a stud. He’s not. His era is twice that if the league leaders consistently.

I’ll post my thoughts on the Bourn trade and on “Gonzo” (hint: Bozo”) next.

Rufio

July 31st, 2011
12:12 pm

I like this move more than any of the moves the past few years. It is going to be good for both teams and it should be that way. This will be good for Shafer. He needs a new start. The 3 minor league pitchers have a better chance to get to the majors. They would have a tougher time with the Braves. As for Bourn, he has a great chance to get to the playoffs. The team taking the largest risk is Houston because all 4 players are not proven.

My advice to Bourn is not listen to Larry Parish. Just keep hitting the way you have been.

I would love to see Omar Infante come back to the Braves. Great player and good in the clubhouse. He will give the Braves a class A player on the bench for whoever is hurt in the infield. Heyward then can sit next to him on the bench and learn how to play the game while Hinske starts!

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
12:12 pm

K …why would the chisox trade this guy when they are 3 games out…if the braves did a trade like that you would go nuts. DOB says the guy in the minors to replace him is injured.

jerry

July 31st, 2011
12:13 pm

To anyone who would like to post on this blog but are reluctant to because they are afraid they will be criticized for spelling or punctuation, don’t worry about these idiots who have nothing better to do. Most people on here don’t give a rat’s ass about that if you have something to say.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
12:13 pm

PhillieFan — You are right that Pence was a better fit for you and Bourn was a better fit for us. I don’t think that the Phillies gave up all that much for Pence, but we gave up even less for Bourn. I think that the Braves and Phillies both won with these deals, and the only losers are Ed Wade and the Astros, who just traded the team’s two best players for two A-ball prospects, a CF with a career .613 OPS who can’t stay healthy, and a few other middling prospects. Oberholtzer looks like a nice prospect, but I think that the Astros should have done better or waited until the offseason to trade Bourn.

jrn

July 31st, 2011
12:13 pm

imagine what wren could do with some payroll

jrn

July 31st, 2011
12:14 pm

reed johnson!!!!!!

iTiSi

July 31st, 2011
12:14 pm

They should have Fed-Xed Bourn a Braves uniform wherever he was(Wash. I think) so he could put it on before boarding the flight, then he could hit the ground running when he got to ATL. (Like that? “hit the ground running”? Good one, huh?) If he gets here in the middle of the game hope he says, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play, centerfield” ! Hope they play that one when he hits the field. I envision him being put in as a pinch-runner late in the game and stealing 2nd and 3rd and scoring the winning run. Couldn’t be any other way!

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
12:14 pm

D’Backs Acquire Ryan Langerhans …hahaha… wtf for?

Peter

July 31st, 2011
12:14 pm

Jim Bowden calls Bourn trade best of the deadline.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post/_/id/1056/bourn-fills-braves-needs-perfectly

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:15 pm

Marty,,, Are you sure the Braves didn’t give up to much? According to a lot of the post on here Schafer in 2 years = Willie Mays haha

The Coach Chitwood

July 31st, 2011
12:15 pm

HECK YES! Braves sign Willie Mays Hays!

BravesFAN

July 31st, 2011
12:16 pm

HERE WE GOOOOOO BABY!!!!!!! BIG TIME PICK UP BY THE BRAVES AND FRANK WREN!!! BOURN IS LITERALLY THE PERFECT FIT FOR OUR BRAVES!!!!

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
12:16 pm

jerry..excellent punctuation…wink..dumb line-up with Prado batter so low in the order.

The Coach Chitwood

July 31st, 2011
12:16 pm

@Philliefan…are you saying that Schafer is going to be a racist in 2 years?

jrn

July 31st, 2011
12:16 pm

x nady????

Ted M

July 31st, 2011
12:17 pm

I don’t see where SF got Keppinger

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:17 pm

The Coach Chitwood… great reply haha

Mountain Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:17 pm

jrn, the Braves don’t need Reed Johnson now that they have Bourn. Bourn hits lefties well enough. If they get another outfielder, it will be a platoon right handed power type bat like Willingham.

tdc

July 31st, 2011
12:17 pm

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:15 pm
Marty,,, Are you sure the Braves didn’t give up to much? According to a lot of the post on here Schafer in 2 years = Willie Mays haha

lmao!

Gary

July 31st, 2011
12:18 pm

Ok I’ve been at Frank Wren all week for not making a move and possibly only making a deal for a scrub like Ludwick. I’m impressed at his deal for Bourn who will be a force at the top of this lineup not seen since Furcal left. Now we just need to get Mac, Chipper, and Moylan healthy and back active. With Freddie and Uggla leading the way over the next couple of games we should be fine until fully healthy. You also have to like how the team has responded this week with all that has gone on and be able to maintain their lead in the Wild Card and stay within striking distance of the Phillies. Still concerned about facing the Giants in NLDS, but we get a preview in two weeks at how well we will match up. The team still needs some minor upgrades – RH reliever, RH bench bat, and possible middle infielder off the bench. But I can definitely wait until the August waiver deadline to make those moves. If Frank already has something cooking for later today and pulls off a good deal then all the better. Stretch run is going to be fun to watch. Go Braves!

AK Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:18 pm

@Joe. I don’t see why you’re worried about Schafer turning into the next Grady Sizemore. I’d be perfectly fine with that; Sizemore sucks. One good season, one decent season, the rest are terrible seasons.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
12:19 pm

PhillieFan – The truth of the matter, for anyone who isn’t blinded by irrational Schafer love, is that the guy is almost 25 and hasn’t had even a marginally good season at any level since 2008 at AA ball. He also hasn’t been able to stay healthy in recent seasons. He has all the tools, but his window is closing. I have nothing against the guy personally, but he’s no star and likely never will be. Even if he blossoms into stardom in Houston, I would still love this trade for the Braves because it gives us what we need right now.

Michael

July 31st, 2011
12:19 pm

Have to love this trade. Bourne gives us a solid bat, a gold glove, and wicked speed which we needed desperately. My bet is that he will have a far greater impact at the top of the Braves lineup than Beltran will have with the Giants. In addition, teams have not had to defend against Braves speed on the bases – we didn’t have any. He will affect the concentration of an opponent pitching staff with his ability to get in scoring position for Prado, Jones or McCann to drive home. Great move, Braves.

Peter

July 31st, 2011
12:19 pm

Ryan Langerhans is still playing? wtf for?

BravesFAN

July 31st, 2011
12:20 pm

I can’t even begin to explain how important Bourn will be to this team and how perfect he fits our needs. This guy plays amazing defense, puts together great at bats (.306 avg), steals bases like fat kids steal cookies (39 SBs), and he just gets on base at a consistent level like a leadoff hitter should (.363 OBP). Great pick up for the Braves and great trade by Frank Wren we didn’t have to give up any of our big 4 and we have a .300 + hitter for this season and next. HUGE HUGE HUGE PICK UP LET”S GO BRAVES!!!!

Ekim

July 31st, 2011
12:20 pm

@jerry, Good point about grammar-mongers. They are people who can’t make an intelligent comment about the content of a post, so they feel compelled to strike out in other ways.

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:20 pm

.. and I hated even more when they traded Escobar (speed and defense) for “gonzo” last year for some “pop” in the lineup. Gonzales is lazy, doesn’t hustle, undisciplined, and is concerned merely about how he looks. He consistently kills rallies, trying to swing for the fences. for the full year since he was traded230-240? Who needs that garbage? I’ve seen several times where he has stood at the plate “admiring” his long drive, only to have it hit the wall and he either gets stuck with a double instead of a triple, a single instead of a double, or- worse – got thrown out at second base because he’s arrogant and selfish. I don’t care about his “d”, escobar was just as good. And Y.E. is now batting .85 pts higher than A.G, is 10th in the AL in hitting, and I believe has as many HR as A.G. I’d LOVE to see them get rid of A.G, and get someone in there who hustles and gets on base. I just wonder why more people don’t realize this about A.G. Our manager says “I don’t care about hi hitting”. Well, that’s BS. We supposedly got him for that. What a joke.

PhillieFan

July 31st, 2011
12:21 pm

Marty… I could not agree more. Also when people talk of the Phillies gutting their minors the last 3 season. Look up the names in the trades. None are doing anything. Even a trade of Bourn for Lidge. I would rather have Bourn now than lidge but it was a great trade for us at the time because we needed a closer and got one.

Mister Frisky

July 31st, 2011
12:22 pm

Puzzle almost complete.Braves can sacrifice O for D with Gonzo at short.I love the kid Heyward but can’t take a sub 220 hitter in RF down the stretch and into the 1st round.

PABrave

July 31st, 2011
12:24 pm

i don’t know why all you guys are so upset about the future…from what i hear isn’t the world supposed to end soon:)

BravesFAN

July 31st, 2011
12:24 pm

Oh yea by the way Bourn is July has been a beast. Hitting .349 with a .388 OBP he’s been killing it in July and I expect him to continue to get hits, get on base, and steal bases as a Brave now…

cry me a river

July 31st, 2011
12:26 pm

Another debacle by our front office! How many years has it been since we won a playoff series?

Joey The Bull

July 31st, 2011
12:26 pm

Welcome to the ATL kid. With a leauge leading SB and a CF that can run it down and catch it, we have just improved to one of the top 3 teams in the NL. Phills, Giants and Braves. Every other team is not even in the same universe. One of the 3 teams above goes to the WS and with the speed we just got, and keeping our pitching in-tact, we very easily could represent the NL in the WS. Way to go Braves and Wren, great job. I look forward to having a real speedster who can hit (we really need a .300+ hitter at the top). This kid will start setting the table and effect how our boys are pitched to. Thanks Wren!

BravesfaninWis

July 31st, 2011
12:27 pm

I really like this trade, but one thing is all that will bother me. Once Bourn is a free agent, the Braves won’t be able to keep him. I hope that with Kawakami’s, Chipper’s, and Lowe’s contracts coming off the books here soon that the Braves can actually sign a big time free agent as well as keep Bourn as our CF. It makes all the sense in the world this trade does, but I would really like to see the Braves keep Bourn for the long run.

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm

Also glad they didn’t follow this patter of picking up .255 hitters who are good for 12-15 hr’s per year. Just getting a mediocre hitter so we can say “we did something” is something they’ve done all too much of for the past few years. (D Lee, McLouth, Ankiel, Gonzo, Glaus (remember him? uggh), the list goes on and on…). It’s about time they got a legit .300 hitter who can run and get on base. Let’s just hope they don’t regret giving up Shaf the way they gave up Y. Escobar…. Difference is, Y.E. had shown he can hit, he was just having a bad few months. J.S. has yet to show anytjhing.

Rocky

July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm

I really liked Schafer. Schafer will eventually be better than bourne in the long run, but right now Bourne is matured and producing and we didn’t give up any of our elite pitchers. I think we should move lowe to the bullpen and bring up Julio Teheran who is dominating AAA. Lowe would provide us that right handed relief pitcher we need and I’m pretty certain Teheran can give us equal or better numbers than what lowe has been giving us. Also, I think if Tyler Pastornicky is still tearing it up in AAA in 2 weeks they should bring him up to. They are getting absolutely nothing offensively from Alex Gonzalez from the short stop position.

BirdDawg24

July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm

decent trade for the braves, no they did not get ahead of falcons in tittle run. both teams will have pretty good seasons but will fail in posteason if they make it.braves need one more Quality starting pitcher, they need another big bat.both braves and falcons are not ready for the big time yet. falcons need one more good corner , Bourne Supremecy , Bourne again lol, dont take much to get some folks excited.

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm

JIF Braves Fan,

Braves also received Tyler Pastornicky in the trade for Yunel. Probably our starting SS next year.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
12:28 pm

PhillieFan – I have hated the Phillies for years because it seems like every Phillie fan you run into down here is a jerk. But in all fairness, the idea that the Phillies have gone out and “bought” their team is just not accurate. Under its current GM, your team has spent money to keep some of its own marquee guys (Utley, Howard, Ruiz, Rollins, Victorino, Hamels) and then has made some nice trades to fill in the gaps with really good players (Halladay and Lee). Some of the trades/signings have not worked out so great (Ibanez and Oswalt), but it’s hardly a team of All-Star free agent acquisitions. It’s really pretty similar to what the Braves did in the 90s and what it appears they’re trying to do now.

K with a K

July 31st, 2011
12:30 pm

PABrave…I don’t know why they would trade Q, and in fact I don’t think they will. There have been conflicting reports if he is going to be traded. I just hope we get a RH bat. Q, Reed Johnson,Willingham any of them! We are very weak against LH pitching

Tman

July 31st, 2011
12:30 pm

Are you kidding me? This is a steal! The Braves give up Schafer, but he may or may not amount to much. Bourn is exactly what the Braves need, It’s irrelevant that he hits left if he’s batting .290 or so against lefties. Now the Braves have a legit leadoff hitter. Pence had better power, but the Braves are, I believe, 6th in MLB in home runss. What they needed was the ability to manufactor runs consistently. I don’t know what the Astros are thinking. i guess they are minimizing payroll. Great we didn’t give uo any top tier pitching prospects.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
12:31 pm

Also, those of you who are so upset about the Yunel Escobar trade have short memories. Escobar played his way out of town by not hustling and having repeated mental lapses on the basepaths and in the field. Anyone who thought that Alex Gonzalez was going to be a great hitter was deluded; we got him for his glove, which is unreal. The Braves don’t need a me-first hotdog like Escobar, who by all accounts was detracting from the clubhouse. While I’d love it if Alex started hitting better, he gives us most of what we need out of a shortstop — someone who can help our pitchers save runs.

Melky???

July 31st, 2011
12:31 pm

darn….I was hoping to come back to Atlanta. I’m hitting about .300 in KC…..I could probably do that in Atlanta too…….if they’d let me hit off a T-ball stand!!!

Jordan Schafer

July 31st, 2011
12:32 pm

Nice to go to a team where everybody stinks as much as I do. At the beginning of the season I asked Chipper what do I have to do to make this team. Here is the answers he gave me:

-carry his luggage
-pick his kids up from school
-pick up dry cleaning
-foot massage everyday

Now I can give my total attention to baseball and be the next Willie Mays like braves fan expect me to be.

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:32 pm

Komminsk – Thx for the info. I wasn’t aware of that, and am ashamed to say I hadn’t heard the name til a few min ago on this blog. Anyone but Gonzo! He’[s the worst!!
Can u tell a bit more re Tyler Pastornicky? Speed? Defense? Power? Avg? Base stealer?

Thanks.

Tom

July 31st, 2011
12:35 pm

+Phillie Fan – I’m not really nuts, remember Schaf hit a couple HRS in 1st couple games in bigs, then fractured hand/wrist? Has not been same since, just believe he has better all-around game than Heyward and McLouth but was happy for Bourn trade. We did not lose anything in way of salary, McLouth is 6 million ayr guy, his contract ends this season, he is gone and a paid Bourn here next season. After that who knows? Scaf plays great D, has good speed, if he ever learns how to hit grounders more consistently, he COULD become a star?

Rem

July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm

how long is his present contact for?

AnOldViolin

July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm

Bourn is free agent after 2011, so let’s go ahead and nail him down for 10 years. I really feel that this is a major trade for Braves, and hope he will feel the love and acceptance of the fans here. For the first time in a long time, I’m actually excited about a trade…..Welcome to Hotlanta Georgia Mr. Bourn……we need you, and we’ll appreciate you…….

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
12:37 pm

Oh, forgot to add “Melky” to the list of boring, listless, mediocre players the braves have obtained over the past years (D Lee, Glaus, Gonzo, McLouth, Ankiel.. Melky.. uggh, it’s no surprise the Braves can’t score runs.)

People consistently under-value speed and defense. For some reason they’d rather have a “right handed bat” who hits 20HR and bats .240.. That’s ridiculous. (See “Money Ball”) It’s all about OBP, and scoring runs. Socring a run is just as valuable as driving one in, right?

I double, you single me in. I should ghet more credit for the run than you!!!

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
12:38 pm

FAR better trade than Pence trade…….bourn, prado, chipper, mccann, freeman, uggla….REALLY?! good day to be a braves fan

superiorblogman

July 31st, 2011
12:39 pm

Not a bad move. Good move actually considering we did not give up too much no matter how it turns out. On the other hand, I am disappointed that we did not make our team better in other ways. I would have given up Minor, JJ Hoover, and 2 second tier guys for Jiminez. Move Lowe to the bullpen. We just don’t think like the Phillies of the world. We think we have enough pitching while they had Holliday and Hamels and go get Oswalt and Lee. We just don’t have the correct mindset. They will proclaim they did everything they could but they didn’t.

Good move on Bourn though.

smallmouth6

July 31st, 2011
12:39 pm

Good luck to Jordan. He put a spark in this team at times when badly needed. He also had some clutch hits that helped win games.

a fan

July 31st, 2011
12:41 pm

desperation move…. yawn

Hunter Pence is the one that got away…. Braves gotta open up the wallet quicker
You are an idiot

Capt-ATL

July 31st, 2011
12:44 pm

The kid is going to have pressure like he has never seen. We shall see. My fingers are crossed!!

a fan

July 31st, 2011
12:44 pm

justin case WRONG!

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
12:45 pm

Jif,

Tyler Pastornicky is at Gwinnett now, but started year at AA. 21 years old. Right handed bat. Combined stats of AAA and AA….Avg .314, SB 24 (33 attempts), HR 6, OBP .359.

Next time Atlanta Braves are out of town take a trip to Gwinnett and watch some of our future stars play!

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=SS&sid=t431&t=p_pbp&pid=543629

tdc

July 31st, 2011
12:46 pm

Bourn not in the starting lineup.

Marty

July 31st, 2011
12:46 pm

superiorblogman – What would we have done with Jimenez? And are you aware that he is having a mediocre season and has actually only had one really good season in his career?

Bill

July 31st, 2011
12:47 pm

Great job Wren!!!!!!! Love the deal. Now get Omar are Willingham to fill the need for RH hitter…Thanks Frank Wren………Oh, put Proctor on the road.

bravesfalconfan912

July 31st, 2011
12:48 pm

GREAT TRADE WREN!!!!
Now if only we could trade sorry GonzlASS and a pitching prospect for Troy Tulowitzki!!! I think the Rockies have given up on this year since trading Jimenez to the Indians. GonzlASS has done nothing this year but strike out with RISP, and Tuowitzki has been awesome!! HE will be the right hand power that we need. We can afford to give up one of the four pitchers for a superb lineup and a WS this yr! Come on Wren, please!!!!

Puma

July 31st, 2011
12:49 pm

so about 3 hours left before deadline…will we get another RH bench bat and righty in the bullpen???

John Mayberry

July 31st, 2011
12:50 pm

I think Prado and Infante belong together too. Neither one of them has performed as well as they did when they played together. At this point, our bench is a concern, and Omar would be a tremendous upgrade over Lugo, obviously.

Not sure about trading for a middle reliever with Moylan set to return…though he may need a few months to get back into form.

Who is our trade bait for Infante?

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
12:50 pm

Wren is going to be on Baseball Tonight in next 10 minutes.

No Crying

July 31st, 2011
12:51 pm

Help me out here. Is Bourn a gold glove CF like A. Jones or a gold glove CF like McLouth. Sure he can cover ground and get to the ball but does he have an arm to do something once he catches it. Is his head in the game, does he make the smart play?

Peter

July 31st, 2011
12:54 pm

Tulowitzki is signed through the next decade I think. Not happening.

worrywart

July 31st, 2011
12:54 pm

To Ex-Brave: Waddaya gotta have? A World Series Championship? God knows when that will happen again. Meantime, big bunches of us are still pulling for our competitive Bravos and watching one helluva lot of great baseball action this season. Baseball is still a great game to watch, and because the Braves are here, some of the best of it happens here.

Rem

July 31st, 2011
12:55 pm

when does his contact end?

Serbok

July 31st, 2011
12:58 pm

FW Strikes Again!
Awesome GM!!!
I doubt he’s done yet!!!

old braves fan

July 31st, 2011
1:00 pm

he is a rent-a-player, braves don’t keep Scott Boras clients.

JIF Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
1:04 pm

Tyler Pastornicky is a 21 year old right handed SS. Started the season in AA and hit .299/.345/.414 in 355 at bats. Came up to the G-Braves a few weeks ago. So far, in 11 games, he is smoking with a .435 BA in 46 at bats. Has plus speed and range, but an average arm. A line drive hitter. 143 stolen bases in the minors since 2008.

RJB in DC

July 31st, 2011
1:06 pm

My bad JIF Braves Fan–not enough coffee yet.

Mountain Braves Fan

July 31st, 2011
1:06 pm

Willingham would be nice because Prado, Heyward, and Chipper have all missed a significant number of games this season and he could fill in for any one of them. He could also platoon with Heyward against LHP and be a dangerous RH pinch hitter off the bench.

Galin Hulett

July 31st, 2011
1:07 pm

Why not Heyward and McLouth for Bourn Heyward has done nothing

DHD

July 31st, 2011
1:10 pm

@Galin Hulett

The ignorance of that post leaves me speechless.

chris

July 31st, 2011
1:11 pm

Willingham would be a great addition before four today too and I like the comments about Infante..i hated to see him go anyway even though we got the Bopper Dan Man in return

tdc

July 31st, 2011
1:13 pm

DHD

July 31st, 2011
1:10 pm
@Galin Hulett

The ignorance of that post leaves me speechless.

co-sign

fmw10

July 31st, 2011
1:15 pm

great deal wren . hit the spot with CF/ leadoff man now get us some bullpen help we will need it w/ all the games we have to use venters and kimbrel. RH bat off the bench. AND WE STILL HAVE OUR TOP PROSPECTS

DHD

July 31st, 2011
1:17 pm

Infante would be great insurance. Like I have said before, I would bring Minor up and put him in the rotation and put Lowe in the pen. He has closed before. Also, I bring up Teheran for the pen keeping innings off of him starting in Gwinnett. That solves the pen.

Roque Lobster

July 31st, 2011
1:21 pm

WOW!!! Thank you Mr. Wren! This is simply the best trade that any team has made at this year’s deadline. Completely changes the dynamics of this lineup and is a huge upgrade defensively. Philly gave up a big part of their future for Pence and ATL gave up a minimum amount for Bourn. Sorry to see JS go, but I think we’ve already seen his ceiling at this point. Icing on the cake would be to sign Bourn to a 5-7yr extension. Let me be the first to predict 75 SB and 100+ runs scored for him for the full season as a Brave in 2012. Well done Frank and welcome to the ATL Michael !!!

Fan since 1977

July 31st, 2011
1:23 pm

Great trade, we have needed a true leadoff man since Furcal left. Bourn can do for us what Otis Nixon did for ‘91 team (when not snorting Bolivian marching powder).

Not crazy he is a Boras client eligible for arbitration this winter, but maybe we can pen him to a decent deal.

Hate to say this, but I think Wren is done. I think he is counting on us getting healthy and for Heyward to rebound a la Uggla. What is wrong with Jason? Has the league figured him out? Is he still hurt and came back only because Chipper called him out?

Bravoland

July 31st, 2011
1:26 pm

I don’t think Bourn is a rental. I think FW is looking long-term with this deal, which makes a lot of sence! Cheers to the Bravo Brass!

Kimbrel rocks

July 31st, 2011
1:29 pm

wow we made out like a bandit!!!!!!!!!!! why is is this not on the front page of AJC website????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bravefaninok

July 31st, 2011
1:33 pm

Bravoland

July 31st, 2011
1:26 pm

I don’t think Bourn is a rental. I think FW is looking long-term with this deal, which makes a lot of sence! Cheers to the Bravo Brass!

He is here for at least 2012

Jawbreaker

July 31st, 2011
1:35 pm

I live in Houston, and this is a GREAT pickup for the Braves, even though I’m sorry to see Bourn leave Houston. The Braves now have a true leadoff hitter, who will have you having flashbacks of Otis Nixon, because he can steal bases also. I hope they sign him long term, would be a great fit on this team.

Gary

July 31st, 2011
2:04 pm

::facepalm:

That feeling you get every time you see someone on here post that we should put Derek Lowe in the bullpen. Sheesh!

the truth...

July 31st, 2011
2:15 pm

It’s amazing all the Pro-Schaefer Bloggers we have here now…..

I’ve been one of the very few boosting him and voicing my support for him. I love his hustle and almost reckless abandon pursiuing and catching the Ball.

Best to you Jordan, this is one Braves fan that will be cheering for you every day…go get ‘em!

DHD

July 31st, 2011
2:22 pm

@Gary….it’s been done twice in Lowe’s career. I was just saying I would do it. You are allowed to say what you would do too. It’s a wonderful country!!

BravesFan

July 31st, 2011
2:27 pm

Kominsk,

What kind of fielder is Pastornicky?

Seems to be a .260’s type of hitter until this year but with some nice wheels as he’s swiped some bases. Has had a great season this year batting pretty much .300 regardless of where he’s been which is promising.

However, he’s only going to stick in the majors IF he can pick it a this level.

Got any insights?

john crawford

July 31st, 2011
2:42 pm

finally some speed, you gotta play small ball against good pitchin on playoffs

Komminsk

July 31st, 2011
3:00 pm

BravesFan,

Defense and speed are best known attributes. Fielding percentage over the past 4 years is .955. I’ve seen him play about 3 times this year and made a couple nice plays. You are right majors will be a different set of pressure and he has to prove he can play SS in the majors.

Bravesfan HD

July 31st, 2011
3:12 pm

need more cluch hitting,

El Bravo

July 31st, 2011
3:34 pm

A lot of folks in the Atl are drinking the Schafer coolaid. Jordan is a career .300 OBP guy. If it weren’t for the word “makeup” he wouldn’t even sniff the Majors! Bourn is a big time upgrade at center and the price was not just right, it was a bargain…

flbravesfan

July 31st, 2011
3:54 pm

DHD agree with you. D. Lowe would better serve team in long relief in bullpen. He no longer serves the Braves well as a starter. Will most likely finish sub .500 w/l record. As well can’t go past 6 innings ,more recently less than 6 innings . Pretty much a given the bullpen is going work long & hard in most of his starts. Minor would probably serve team just as well if healthy. As well this is still a horrible hitting team with RISP as demonstrated by today. This is gawd d*am pitiful. What a freaking pitiful display of fundamental baseball especially out of Alex the rally killer Gonzalez. I realize who is playing today but still same old song all season long. GET ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL HITTER. One is not enough .

the truth...

July 31st, 2011
5:23 pm

@El Bravo

You Sir, are a moron. I guess the professional baseball players know less than you do?

Give us a break and go watch vollyball….You see the players interviewed today about “Shafe” as they call him…

You may think you are a baseball expert, and Chipper, McCann, Ross, Uggla all talked so much about what they felt like he brought to the team

You know in a couple of weeks the Little League World Series will be happening….you should stick that that level baseball cause everything else is clearly over your head…

the truth...

July 31st, 2011
5:27 pm

@El Bravo

I did not mean in my post to infer that I don’t like the Bourn trade…it is an awesome move and he is a great talent. He will boost this team big time.

However like all the Braves ballplayers and management….I’ll be cheering for Schafer and wishing him all the success in Houston where he’ll have a clean slate and center field to himself.

He plays baseball the old way….all out 100% of the time…. something you obviously don’t recognize….

flbravesfan

July 31st, 2011
5:47 pm

Enter your comments here

Sailor

August 1st, 2011
6:41 am

Great move for you guys…now take care of those Giants in the NLDS and we’ll see you in the NLCS…..GO PHILS

Updated with reaction: Braves trade for Bourn

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Updated with reaction: Braves trade for Bourn

423 comments Add your comment

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