Braves among many in pursuit of pitching
Washington – Ten days from the trade deadline, the Braves are still pursuing starting pitching help and remain in the mix for Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster. They are keeping an eye on Brewers ace Zack Grienke as well, though a potential trade there could take longer to develop.
Greinke skipped a turn to “recharge his batteries” and won’t pitch again until Tuesday against the Phillies. Also, he is reportedly mulling the offer of a $100 million contract extension from the Brewers, who would prefer to resign him rather than trade him.
The Braves are one of maybe a dozen teams in pursuit of the same thing – starting pitching. That’s one reason why the Braves recently put feelers out for Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester, who makes his home in Sharpsburg, Ga., even though the Red Sox don’t appear prepared to trade him.
“Pitching is at a premium,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said Saturday. “It’s hard to get pitching and there are limited guys. There are a lot of guys bandied around out there, but they’re not even really available because teams haven’t determined if they’re in or out. In some cases they haven’t determined whether they can sign them or they can’t. So many variables make it a really tough market.”
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17 comments Add your comment
BC
July 21st, 2012
5:48 pm
Huge start for Delgado tonight – I have a feeling he is our prime trade bait. A solid start makes him the stud in whatever package we offer.
bananajacket
July 21st, 2012
5:54 pm
I obviously don’t know as much as the “front office” guys, but would think going after Dempster would be a smart move. Just my opinion.
Jasons Shrinking Waist
July 21st, 2012
6:00 pm
I like Garza
lee maye
July 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
We actually need 2 starters, one to replace JJ and one to replace Hanson. Hanson’s ERA is as bad as Delgado’s and he seems to be losing velocity fast as well. Only 2 pitchers in the rotation hitting 90 does not bode well for the future and those 2 are Sheets and Minor. Hudson can fool them with the sinker, but Hanson and JJ don’t have sink.
Largo
July 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
The Braves management may not share your like for Garza after our hitters beat on him so successfully when we played the Cubs recently. At best, he is a .500 pitcher.
fanATicaL
July 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
Can Frank Wren pull off a combo trade and bring Greinke and Upton to the team ? The loss of Delgado and maybe Uggla can be absorbed.Because the end result team would clearly be an penant contender.
UNCBrave
July 21st, 2012
6:17 pm
So I guess Rosenthal was wrong on the Braves wanting a top-le-the rotation guy…
neither one of those guys, except GREINKE is one….
dumpster and Lester are # 2 starters AT BEST
Drew10
July 21st, 2012
6:45 pm
I like Dempster, however there are a few issues in making that deal. The biggest issue is that he is having a career year, by far. Leading the league in ERA and his long scoreless innings streak really jacks up what the Cubs are going to want for him. Dempster has always been a solid pitcher, but not a #1, he’s more of a 3/4 guy, but the Cubs are going to try to capitalize on his 1st half success by wanting more for him that an years past. Secondly, he’s no spring chicken so any deal for dempster is not going to be a long term solution. I say go get him as long as you don’t have to give too much up.
Drew10
July 21st, 2012
6:48 pm
I’m still shocked the M’s arent shopping King Felix a little more aggressivley. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon and in this market you could get back a TON of young talent for him.
Steve From Dalton
July 21st, 2012
6:55 pm
I don’t think anybody trades for Grienke until after the outcome of his next start.
MyThoughts
July 21st, 2012
6:57 pm
Jon Lester for JJ and a prospect !!! Pick up Cody Ross with Diaz out.
MyThoughts
July 21st, 2012
6:59 pm
I remember years ago Boston offered Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury for Jeff Francouer !!
mpimentel
July 21st, 2012
7:59 pm
MyThougts….don’t fell bad about it …we get ryan church for him…ouch!
Snarky in McDonough
July 22nd, 2012
12:01 am
fanATicaL, please quit playing fantasy baseball with this line up!!!! Why would either of those two teams trade for a second baseman, when both the DBacks and the Brew Crew have very good second basemen of their own? If you are going to make suggestions about potential trades, please keep them realistic. Could the Braves really get players of the caliber you are talking about by just giving up two pieces that the other teams don’t even need? The answer is no. Use your head for something other than a hat rack, will ya?
say what?
July 22nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Remember the old saying: buy low / sell high… Dempster is a buy high. He’s good but i hate rental deals. let’s not have another Tex deal to regret – give up the farm to miss the playoffs again.
74bravesjersey
July 22nd, 2012
1:24 pm
What to do? Oh what to do? Should frank deal or no deal. Some body call Howie Mandell. Get Frank Wren on Deal or no deal? An ideal show for Frank, he would probably stand pat or look for low #’ber’s.
Martha Morris
July 22nd, 2012
2:09 pm
Need to send Jurrjens back down or better yet get rid of him and search for another starter!