Constanza is a great runner if he can ever get on base. I am not sure what else he can do. He also seems overmatched in the outfield. The only problem he is the only depth in the minors for outfielders.
Why would Demster want to leave the Dodgers for the Braves. The Dodgers hit, the Dodgers are at the top of their division and at the top of the wild card. The Dodgers are a good chance for the playoffs, the Braves have nothing. They cant even hit a rookie pitcher. If I were Demster I would look at the Dodgers and tell them “I am not going to the Braves”.
We don’t owe Chipper anything. He earned millions of dollars to play for this team. We OWE him nothing. He OWES us playing time and to go the extra mile instead of sitting on the bench so much when the games look hard to win.
After “The Trade” with Texas I shudder everytime the Braves look to makeanother trade. Yes, Braves sorely need another solid starter ( still need a right handed bat with some pop) but if this is another rent a player and throw away some of the future I’d rather just wait.
As most here I’m against this trade. This is the first time I am questioning Wren and front office. Didn’t Wren say the other week that they are look for a “top of the rotation” pitcher and will not trade for a lesser player? Just because Dempster is having a career year, doesn’t mean he’s a great pitcher. If this trade goes through many fans will not be happy!
I do not think that pitching is the problem. Three of the last four games could/should have been one with a tiny bit of hitting. We should be looking for some players who have a little knowledge of fundamental baseball…… bunting, making contact between the ball and bat, hitting to opposite field. After 48 years of the same lackluster effort, I am sick of this crappy style of baseball, The old Atlanta Crackers were much more entertaining.
Trading the future in order to try to win this year, just so that Chipper can go out a winner, would be a terrible mistake. This team has too many holes to win it all this year anyway, even with the addition of a player such as Dempster. But I won’t be surprised if Wren makes the move.
If they do, imagine this worst-case scenario. The Braves win the Wild Card, lose in the Divisional Series, and then lose Dempster to free agency. Delgado (or Minor, or whomever they trade) will blossom next season, while the Braves become a truly bad team, and Chipper gets to gloat in his belief that he was the only reason the Braves used to be any good.
I know that’s a rather extreme scenario, and I hope I’m wrong! But if Wren trades away the team’s future aces, the results could be disastrous.
Frank Wren, through one of his lackeys, leaked the deal to Bowman because he knew Dempster would blow up if he heard about the trade through the media and not his manager. Wren is counting on Dempster voiding the deal, and that’s why he dangled Delgado. Wren really wants to base a trade for Greinke around Delgado, but the Brewers are hesitating. Wren’s bluffing in order to force the Brewers’ hand.
The argument that Dempster is “overachieving” is ridiculous. The Braves are trading for him because he is achieving versus the 60% of our rotation that isn’t.
Would prefer Dempster as a rest-of-the-year rental over signing him long-term. He’s having an anomale year at 35, would command a high-salary long-term contract, probably resulting in a regrettable move similar to the Derek Lowe contract.
Trading Delgado is risky, but could pay off. We have him, Minor and Teheran as potentially good starters for many years – but all three are still unproven. Likely that 1 or 2 of them will turn out to be very good, but probably one or two of them doesn’t pan out. The question is who? With prospects it’s all a roll of the dice.
If the Dempster trade does get done, it only gives the Braves a shot at the World Series if it’s accompanied by another 1 or 2 moves. We have to add SOMEONE to the roster who can hit left-handed pitching very well. Our depth stinks this year. Bad pinch-hitting and a lineup with poor efforts against lefty pitchers. If Minor’s recent improved pitching does not remain consistent, Medlen also needs to be added to the rotation along with Dempster. Hanson, for whatever reason, can not be trusted now, either. As long as Uggla’s hitting like a kindergartener, our offense has no shot in the playoffs. We may need another reliever if we use Medlen as a starter (but if the real Everyday Jonny steps up, we probably have enough bullpen strength.).
Losing Delgado is no big deal- at best, he is inconsistent with potential. Every team has several pitchers like this in their organization. Dempster replacing Jurgens would be a HUGE improvement. Still, our inconsistent hitting is what will cost us in the long run.
What is it with you fans insisting on trading Uggla! Who will take him at his salary?!!! Also, we don’t have another 2nd baseman. When he goes on a tear, everone will be glad we kept him.
@ Jon
Your thoughts on the on trading Delgado for Dempster may be right on. It could be (I only hope so) a ploy to get Greinke. I am sure the Braves will try to extend Greinke but not Dempster. I also believe Greinke has stated many times he likes Atlanta.
There’s only one manager in all of baseball who would be writing “Uggla” EVERY DOGGONE DAY! He’s an automatic out, and I’m to the point that I’m happy when he strikes out — at least it’s just one out. Fredi is putting his own future here on the line with his blind loyalty, and Frank Wren is desperately trying to justify another big mistake. Face it. Dan Uggla is done. If he has options, send him to Gwinnett to find his stroke, and if he has no options, waive him, and DFA him. Put someone at 2B who can Mendoza at least?
bruce, we have an All Star second baseman playing LF, don’t we? And pending a trade for an outfielder we have a RH hitter at Gwinnett who has missed most of this season injured, Jordan Parraz, who has some pop and hits for a more consistently better average than Uggla — but then anybody does that, right?
Delgado for Dempster would be a coup for the Cubs. Dempster’s having a great 1/2 season, yes; but look at his career numbers. Nothing to get excited about. He’s also pitching great for a team that isn’t going anywhere. No pressure situations, at least no division/playoff race worries.
Dempster’s Teams
98-2002 marlins: most team wins 79, twice
02/03 reds: most team wins 78
04-current cubs: 2 playoff apps (2007 1IP, no runs in 8th)
2008 4.2IP, 4ER, 7BB, 2K & the LOSS
Not saying it means anything other than he’s 35 and has very little big game experience. The experience he DOES have isn’t anything to brag about.
If he doesn’t want to be here, great. It’s an easy out for FW. Delgado is a promising YOUNG SP on a team with a weakness at SP.
The Braves need to back out of this fiasco. Wren has agreed to another of his infamous boner rental trades. To be given a chance to undue the harm, is a gift. Wren shouldn’t waste it. If he carries on, he has further proven that he is a moron of monumental proportions.
No Dempster it’s a bad idea all around. I would love to see Medlen as a started again I believe he is the answer. Some production from 2nd base would be amazing! I do think we need to go for it It’s WS or bust for this crew.
On another note I would like to know how Fredi or Chipper or anyone did not tell one of pitchers to plunk Melky he was just asking to be hit especially when he Taunted Heyward and then took a decade to round the bases after his home run. That is baseball code you have to plunk him.
Other possible OFers to check on might be Denard Span whois CF that could take Bourn place next year. Twins may want tomuch forhim. Another Twin for the bench is RFer Mastronni, good arm with some speed. He might come cheap and could be a good bench player. He alsohits from the right side.
It’s usually a mistake to think you are one or two players away from a Championship. The Braves need multiple pieces to win this year. If they get them according to the standard formula most likely it will cost several young arms; there are no guarantees and 2013-14 could get REAL ugly.
If the Braves take a shot with Hudson, Hanson, Sheets, Dempster, and Minor — good luck. With this group they might not have enough starting pitching to play out the 2012 schedule and in the playoffs the Braves lineup could be shut down by an ace righthander and any collection of lefties.
I have to say, to be fair, if the Brewers would take Delgado for Greinke I’d make the deal in a heartbeat. But failing to land the future staff ace, the Braves can make a half-hearted run this year or they could potentially set themselves up as a force for years to come. The core of young position players and the closer is too good to squander in mediocrity. Wren should trade Hanson before he blows up like JJ and becomes worthless, because he essentially has no future here. He needs to give Bourn/Boras a re-sign now ultimatum or trade him and get something valuable in return. Now would be the perfect time to trade Sheets, too, and demand top-shelf prospects in return. And Dan Uggla needs to go; his contract and style of play don’t fit in the plan.
Make some bold moves, get a couple of young starters and position players back, still have a reasonable shot this year, and be in a much better position age and salary-wise to compete for the Division in 2013 and beyond.
Dempster will be a Brave by the end of the day it look like. Braves think they can resign him.
Braves wanted Greinke but there were issues involved etc. and instead of dealing with that situation, the Braves moved onto Dempster. Look for Dempster to be a Brave any minute and the Cubs to pay some of his remaining 5.5 million salary for this year….
Washington wanted him too….so did other teams but the Cubs like the Braves offer better than the others…thank goodness Washington didnt get him!
WREN HAS TO BE KIDDING…THE GUY HAD A ERA LAST YR OF ALMOST 5…..HE IS SOON TO BE 36…AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH…HE MAKES WHAT CHIPPER MAKES…14 MILLION A YEAR….BRAVES FRONT OFFICE HAS LOST THEIR MINDS…
HEY J…..ON THE TOPIC OF HITTING PLAYERS ….CHIPPER GOT HIT BY PITCH THE OTHER DAY..HIS FIRST SINCE 2009…PITCHERS TODAY BELONG TO A UNION..OTHERWISE CHIPPEE WOULDA GOTTEN PLUNKED LONG AGO
What is wrong with 1,2,3 baseball. Tying runs on first and second with no outs. Have Heyward bunt move runners to third and second. Chipper’s hit and we are tied. Bring Bobby back or get someone who knows how to coach the game to win.
Agree completely with Greinke being worth more than Dempster, even much more. Brewers apparently are dangling $100M for him to stay 5 years, and if he rejects that, he may be available next week, or beyond, after waivers, or on the free agent market off-season. He likes Atlanta, it is said — but then so did Georgia Tech’s own Mark Texeira, didn’t he? You’ve still got to find the big bucks to hold the big guys. The question becomes — would Greinke for the rest of this season be worth the price we have to pay — Delgado, plus another pitcher, maybe Avilan or Gilmartin, and a minor league position player? Steep price, but I would pay it. If it should then happen that we get into the playoffs and Huddy, Sheets and Greinke carry us deep, maybe all the way, then imagine the feeling! But for now? Let’s pass on Mr. Dempster and wish him the best, except when we knock the stuffing out of him.
“His last Start was friday when he gave up 4 Runs in 6 innings”… Yea Now That’s an Improveement Worth Trading The Farm for… Total LAme-A__ Lack of Thinking on the Braves Part…. He is NOT a High-Quality Pitcher, Why Anyone with any Sense is Going After Dempster.. is Total Insanity. If you’re gonna bet the Farm, save it for Greinke, not some over-rated overweighted material like Dempster…
and GET MEDLIN in the ROTATION… Why did MGMT Ship Medlin Down to the Minors… to Prep him for STARTING…. Does ANYONE in BRAVES MGMT KNOW What the HELL they are doing???? Apparenly NOT.
There are issues with getting Greinke and it might not have ever worked out. Braves wanted him but had to move on. Dempster can be resigned at less than his current contract if the Braves want to offer one.
This is about THIS season OK? Dawgdad you are saying forget about this year?! The Braves have a chance to win the division and you say focus on the next couple years more than this year?! HAve you lost your mind? There is no dominating NL team. The Braves can win in the playoofs against anybody. That means they have as good of a shot as anybody in the NL to get to the World Series and you say throw in the towel on this year?!!! Trade Bourn this year? Trade Hanson this year? Why not trade Hudson too? Hes no spring chicken?! Trade Sheets? Then maybe in a couple years the young pitchers we get in return MIGHT be ready to make a run with the young position players? The pitchers we have now are ready to make a run and when there is another TOP NOTCH starter in the rotation to go along with the bullpen and a lineup that s capable of putting of lots of runs THE TIME IS NOT LEXT YEAR, IT IS THIS YEAR. IT IS CHIPPERS LAST YEAR ALSO AND THE BRAVES ARE AND SHOULD GO FOR IT!!! THEY AHVE SOME EXTRA CASH NEXT YEAR BUT THEY ALSO HAVE SOME YOUNG GUYS CONTRACTS COMING UP THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET PAID AND PAID A LOT!
SURE THE BRAVES HAVE A SHOT TO GO TO THE WORLD SERIES BUT DAWGDAD SAYS FORGET ABOUT IT WREN. TRADE SHEETS AND HANSON AND BOURN AND UGGLA NOW! IS HE SERIOUS OR TRYING TO BE COMIC RELIEF?!!! LETS WAIT UNTIL THE PHILLIES AND THEIR 180 MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL ARE STRONG NEXT YEAR AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THEM AND THE DODGERS AND A STRONGER NATIONALS TEAM!
WE CAN WIN THE DIVISION THIS YEAR BUT DAWGDAD SAYS SCREW THAT?! WHO PLAYS TO WIN THE DIVISION WHEN THE OPPURTUNITY IS WELL WITHIN REACH? EVERYBODY BUT DAWGDAD?!
TRADE UGGLA….IS HE OUT HIS MIND? UGGLA IS ALWAYS BEEN STREAKY….ALWAYS! WHERES YOUR RIGHT HANDED POWER THEN DAWGDAD? WHERES YOUR MOST CONSISTENT HOMERS AND RBI MAN EVERY YEAR OF HIS CAREER ON THE ROSTER NOW? UGGLA IS CONSISTENT. HE IS STREAKY BUT HIS YEAR END NUMBERS ARE DEPENDABLE. HE HIT 36 HOMERS LAST YEAR? HE IS CHEAP FOR THOSE TYPE NUMBERS. HE PROTECTS OTHER HITTERS IN THE LINEUP AND WILL CARRY A TEAM FOR 2-3 MONTHS AT A TIME AND HE IS FEARED BY ALL PITCHERS AND YOU TRADE HIM? THANK GOD DAWGDAD IS NOT OUR GM THIS YEAR OR THE SEASON WOULD BE OVER. IN CHIPPERS LAST SEASON? ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE AND A WORLD SERIES RUN? OH WELL! HILARIOUS!
THE BRAVES ARE NOT IN THE METS OR MARLINS POSITION. THE BRAVES ARE BUYERS AND ARE GOING FOR IT! AND IF THEY DIDNT WREN WOULD BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF BASEBALL! THE BRAVES CAN WIN THE DIVISION….HELLO? DAWGDAD? OVER 2 MONTHS TO GO…..THE BOYS JUST HAD A NICE STREAK GOING….HEYWARD IS DOING WELL, MCCANN HAS FOUND HIS SWING, FREDDIE IS HITTING WELL. SO IS BOURN AND PRADO AND CHIPPER AND UGGLA WILL BEFORE SEPTEMBER….ALL STARTERS HAVE BEEN PITCHING GREAT EXCEPT JJ’S LAST 2 STARTS….WE GOT THE BEST CLOSER IN BASEBALL AND A FEW OTHER DARN GOOD RELIEVERS BUT SHOULD THROW IN THE TOWEL AND TRADE EVERYBODY?!!!!!
ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE AND A WORLD SERIES RUN? OH WELL?!! LETS BUILD FOR THE FUTURE? THE FUTURE IS NOW DAWGDAD! THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE FINE TOO….THE BRAVES SHOULD BE SELLERS THIS YEAR…….HILARIOUS!
The Sanchez/Infante trade would have been better than a Dempster trade. You still would have the pieces to trade for Grienke. You would improve your bench tremendously. Reason Uggla is in lineup everyday b/c there are no better options. With Infante on team, that could change and it would have helped Uggla to have some days off. And if you don’t get Grienke, I still think Braves could contend at least for a wild card playoff spot especially with an improved bench.
Chippers last year is a bonus but its not about Chipper dufus, its about having better than a slim chance at getting to the world series THIS year and the Braves having extra cash to sign free agents if needed next year….Wren is smarter than all of you put together….ALL SPORTS PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS WILL HELP THE BRAVES TREMENDOUSLY. You see all the contracts coming up in the next year or 2? Several guys will be gone.
The time is now. Only 4.5 games back with only 2 dependable starters for a couple months….add Sheets and Dempster and Uggla getting on fire with MCann back and Minor and Huddy and Hanson pitching well and a strong bullpen with Bourn, Freeman, Prado, Heyward and Simmons coming BACK….the time is NOW people.
Get on the A-Train because it is rolling FULL SPEED AHEAD AND GOING FOR THE RING THIS YEAR! DOnt get left saying the Braves shouldnt go for it and stick with what they got. Youre missing the oppurtunity at hand. Phillies and their MASSIVE payroll are not in the picture like they will be next year. Braves can replace Delgado, they have the cash to sign a FA for 3 or 4 years…AND they still have some good arms in the minors….
Bottomline is that the Braves have aa good roster NOW and have a great shot in 2012 but NOT IF THEY DONT HAVE STARTING PITCHING DEPTH. WREN IS ROLLING THE DICE AND HE SHOULD!
SEE YOU NAYSAYERS IN OCTOBER BABY! GO WREN GO! GOT TO HAVE ANOTHER STARTER AND
DEMPSTER DESTROYS THE NL EAST BABY!!!! LOOK IT UP…..KILLS THEM!!HEAR THAT NATIONALS? KILLS YOU!!
OK i get what everyone is saying its to risky to go after Demster and Grienkie would be a safer choice Braves are struggling and we remember what happen last year with the collapse .
12:43pm: Dempster doesn’t want to be traded to the Braves, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Instead, the right-hander hopes to be dealt to the Dodgers. While the Dodgers had interest in Dempster and were considered by some to be the favorites to acquire him, they didn’t reach an agreement with the Cubs. Chicago would lose leverage with the Dodgers if Dempster rejects a trade to the Braves, his second choice.
Ken Rosenthal (consider the source) reporting that Dempster wants to go to the Dodgers and won’t agree to a Braves trade until the deadline (the 31st) giving the Cubs more time to work out a deal with LA.
OK time to try another pitcher since Dempsty Dumpster does not want to be a Brave. He wants to train in Arrizona to stay near his family. Dodgers wouldnt give Cubs what the Braves wanted.
The Braves should go hard after some other starting pitcher BUT maybe the Braves could pull off a three team deal here. Dodgers get Dempster, Cubs get Delgado, Braves get Ethier????? LOL
How does this make the Braves look bad? How is Frank Wren incompetent in this situation? Do you know HE leaked the story? OR Are you just throwing a blog temper tantrum?
I know the Braves never officially announced anything and I have no idea whose fault it is, but the reports/misreports/rumors/etc. on Dempster are making the Braves and Cubs look bad. If it is true that he really prefers L.A. then Wren should back out now (if he can).
If it’s true that Dempster wants to go to LA than Wren definitely needs to walk away from this deal. If he doesn’t want to be here I fear he’ll be worse than JJ or Delgado.
Okay… Frank Wren is trying to trade a young, promising arm for a 35 year-old rent-a-player who has given up 4 runs in his last 6 innings and says that move plus Ben Sheets’ addition (must admit Sheets has out-pitched anyone else on this staff of late) will help turn the corner. Sounds like another “Braves” thing to do.
Why not tell your manager to get off his ass and manage this team! Fredi is less involved in the game than the iPad-loving fans who are shown on TV behind home plate during the games! One of those was on her cell phone and was obviously told that she was showing too much cleavage and made a quick adjustment! At least she MADE A CORRECTION! Please take note Fredi… When something is not right you might try to do something!
And, by the way who said this team is a “contender”?
I so hope Dempster tries stringing this trade along until at least tomorrow. At that point Greinke will have pitched again and Wren and crew can make an offer to a guy who has said that he wants to play for the Braves.
Let’s say that Dempster accepts the deal to the Braves, even after word has gotten out that he prefers the Dodgers. (My guess is that the deal doesn’t get done for that reason, but for the sake of argument, let’s go with the idea that Dempster goes to Atlanta).
Remember what happened about twelve years ago when John Schuerholz traded for BJ Surhoff (who we affectionately referred to as “Surly-hoff”) to shore up the offense. It was obvious from the moment he was traded that he was less than enthusiastic about being in Atlanta, and he played like it. He whined about leaving Baltimore, and sure enough he went right back to the Orioles when his time was done here.
If we do get Dempster, knowing now his first preference is L.A., how certain are the Braves that they are going to get a guy who is fully motivated to being here, and being a part of a team, when his desire is to be with another?
I say the deal falls through, and I hope it falls through. A guy whose heart isn’t into being here has no business being here, period.
Dempster will be motivated to make the playoffs and advance. He’s a fierce competitor. Even though his #1 would be LA, he will be just fine here as far as his motivation. Especially if we sign him to another 1-2 years.
I saw screw him. If he doesn’t want to be here, he will just hurt us. Go get Grienke Frank. If you pay him, he will come. Make Dempster feel like an idiot for nixing this deal.
ummm…until we get a real owner, this is all for naught. Why? because you may not have noticed but MANY stars do NOT want to come/stay in Atlanta…to name a recent few…Peavy, Burnett, Teixeira, and the list goes on. Why? Payroll. Period. Why go to a team that can afford “you” and then the well is tapped for the other 2-3 pieces you will need to win the world series? And then become a bridesmaid instead of a bride as we saw 13 straight times in the 1990’s…
Have you also noticed that if a semi-good player comes available ( Dempster is s SUB .500 PITCHER WITH an overall 4.35 + era…we scramble for him (scraps) as if he is Tom Seaver??? it’s really embarrassing…
If we don’t get Demster so be it what i hate about all these pro’s in NFL , MLB , NBA is there selfishness to only wanting to play in New York or LA or Miami i am just getting tired of it .
I’m all for getting Dempster . . . but not at the expense of Delgado! Hell I’d give them Hanson, Jurrjens, and Minor . . . 3 for 1 . . . but Delgado is too much. The kid is getting better with each outing and is gonna be a star one day.
The braves make very few good trades and especially at trade deadlines. We got McGriff one year was a good one, but there are 5 bad ones for every McGriff trade.So we trade Delgado and with all the holes we still have we are not going to the World Series. What do we do next year without Chipper and Dempster signed with someone else? If this turns out bad which I think it will Wren needs to go.
i clapped when i heard it was a done deal on the radio, mlb network, and internet.
but now…..maybe not a good idea. putting a guy who deosnt want to be here into our playoff bound team? he’s not gonna pitch to his potential if he comes. watch.
These deadline deals are for teams with no pocketbook strings. Teams like NYY, PHI and BOS. Those teams can afford to re-sign FAs they deal for. Based on Dumpster’s career numbers, I can’t figure out why the braves even are going after him. Dempster pretty much has no postseason experience, but unlike Delgado, he WON’T be getting any better.
4 years ago Dempster started in the NLDS, went 4.2 innings, coughed up 4 runs (all earned), WALKED 7 and struck out 2. Oh, and he had a 2-0 lead after the second inning but couldn’t get out of the 5th and lost the game.
That’s it folks. Aside from an inning of relief (in another loss) the year prior, that is the extent of Dumpster’s postseason exp. So, to trade for a 35 year old with a career 4.31ERA and 1.432WHIP just because he had 15 good starts for a team 18 games under .500 is ridiculous.
Delgado’s got (despite the extremely small sample size) a 3.98 (4.42 this season) ERA with a 1.374 (1.429 this season) WHIP. Dempster does have better career K/9ip, H/9ip, K/BB ratios, but you know he only has one direction to go: DOWN.
Delgado, however, will get better. You want help in the rotation and you JUST HAVE to trade for someone, then go after GREINKE. But you better damn well make sure he signs long term. And he will cost Teheran and maybe others. But Delgado for Dumpster defies logic. Put Medlen back in the rotation before you send away a quality young arm for an old guy who’s pitching way above his career #s, and who WILL NOT sign an extension.
Its a no brainer Frank. Dumpster did you a favor. Back away, but don’t do it slowly. RUN like hell.
If he don’t want to come now he won’t sign later. Renting him for the rest of the season at the expense of Delgado is just stupid. Wren is an imbecile! He wrecked the Orioles, now he’s trying to wreck the Braves. I know you have to give up something to get something but this makes no sense.
I would never trade a player like Delgado for a rental like Dempster. I would make that deal for Grinke only if he signed an extension. Dempster is old and at the end of his career. He’s pitching for a new deal. Let’s just move Medlen back to the rotation. He’s a better starter anyway.
I just got the news that the Dempster trade went thru. Good Addition to the rotation for sure I think he would be happy to be on a team that has a good chance to get to the postseason.
Ignore Bulldawgman49. The trade has not gone thru yet. It looks like Dempster will be going to Anaheim. This is a better fit because we don’t need a 35 year old rental player.
I don’t like trading Delgado for Dempster only because Dempster will not sign any long-term deal with Atlanta and will be simply a multi-month rental.
At best, the Braves are a wild card team. I do not see the Braves catching the Nationals. Even if the Nats shut down Strausburg down in early September, they have enough pitching to avoid losing streaks and I don’t see the Braves (with or without Dempster) going on the kind of winning streak that the Cardinals did last season. Remember, the Cards were widely considered a grossly underperforming team until they finally heated up. They always had the overall talent to win, but apparently forgot how until the last month of the season!
Winning for the emotion of sending out Chipper on a winning note is not a wise idea when the price is giving up one of your conerstone young pitchers. The Braves don’t have the money to chase after free agent prime pitchers and therefore those in your farm system with the capability to become that kind of pitcher are just too valuable to give up for a rental.
382 comments Add your comment
DeepDiver
July 24th, 2012
9:42 am
hate to give away Delgado. On balance, hate the trade, but maybe we owe it to Chipper.
Nattering Nabob
July 24th, 2012
9:43 am
Sign Greinke and pitch him, without fail, every Monday.
Art
July 24th, 2012
9:52 am
Constanza is a great runner if he can ever get on base. I am not sure what else he can do. He also seems overmatched in the outfield. The only problem he is the only depth in the minors for outfielders.
Braves rooter
July 24th, 2012
9:58 am
Why would Demster want to leave the Dodgers for the Braves. The Dodgers hit, the Dodgers are at the top of their division and at the top of the wild card. The Dodgers are a good chance for the playoffs, the Braves have nothing. They cant even hit a rookie pitcher. If I were Demster I would look at the Dodgers and tell them “I am not going to the Braves”.
BravesFan99
July 24th, 2012
9:59 am
We don’t owe Chipper anything. He earned millions of dollars to play for this team. We OWE him nothing. He OWES us playing time and to go the extra mile instead of sitting on the bench so much when the games look hard to win.
doug
July 24th, 2012
10:16 am
After “The Trade” with Texas I shudder everytime the Braves look to makeanother trade. Yes, Braves sorely need another solid starter ( still need a right handed bat with some pop) but if this is another rent a player and throw away some of the future I’d rather just wait.
Why?
July 24th, 2012
10:31 am
As most here I’m against this trade. This is the first time I am questioning Wren and front office. Didn’t Wren say the other week that they are look for a “top of the rotation” pitcher and will not trade for a lesser player? Just because Dempster is having a career year, doesn’t mean he’s a great pitcher. If this trade goes through many fans will not be happy!
Ed
July 24th, 2012
10:39 am
Enter your comments here
Ed
July 24th, 2012
10:46 am
I do not think that pitching is the problem. Three of the last four games could/should have been one with a tiny bit of hitting. We should be looking for some players who have a little knowledge of fundamental baseball…… bunting, making contact between the ball and bat, hitting to opposite field. After 48 years of the same lackluster effort, I am sick of this crappy style of baseball, The old Atlanta Crackers were much more entertaining.
P Rose
July 24th, 2012
10:48 am
Trading the future in order to try to win this year, just so that Chipper can go out a winner, would be a terrible mistake. This team has too many holes to win it all this year anyway, even with the addition of a player such as Dempster. But I won’t be surprised if Wren makes the move.
If they do, imagine this worst-case scenario. The Braves win the Wild Card, lose in the Divisional Series, and then lose Dempster to free agency. Delgado (or Minor, or whomever they trade) will blossom next season, while the Braves become a truly bad team, and Chipper gets to gloat in his belief that he was the only reason the Braves used to be any good.
I know that’s a rather extreme scenario, and I hope I’m wrong! But if Wren trades away the team’s future aces, the results could be disastrous.
JOn
July 24th, 2012
10:50 am
Here’s the deal:
Frank Wren, through one of his lackeys, leaked the deal to Bowman because he knew Dempster would blow up if he heard about the trade through the media and not his manager. Wren is counting on Dempster voiding the deal, and that’s why he dangled Delgado. Wren really wants to base a trade for Greinke around Delgado, but the Brewers are hesitating. Wren’s bluffing in order to force the Brewers’ hand.
Implausible? Impossible?
ryan
July 24th, 2012
10:53 am
Looks like Wren is going to back out of the Dempster trade typical Frank meanwhile the Yanks get Ichrio from the Mariners Wren sucks .
Why?
July 24th, 2012
10:58 am
@ryan……You really want Dempster for Delgado?
leftrecursion
July 24th, 2012
11:01 am
The argument that Dempster is “overachieving” is ridiculous. The Braves are trading for him because he is achieving versus the 60% of our rotation that isn’t.
Scoots
July 24th, 2012
11:09 am
Would prefer Dempster as a rest-of-the-year rental over signing him long-term. He’s having an anomale year at 35, would command a high-salary long-term contract, probably resulting in a regrettable move similar to the Derek Lowe contract.
Trading Delgado is risky, but could pay off. We have him, Minor and Teheran as potentially good starters for many years – but all three are still unproven. Likely that 1 or 2 of them will turn out to be very good, but probably one or two of them doesn’t pan out. The question is who? With prospects it’s all a roll of the dice.
JC Boscan III
July 24th, 2012
11:23 am
If the Dempster trade does get done, it only gives the Braves a shot at the World Series if it’s accompanied by another 1 or 2 moves. We have to add SOMEONE to the roster who can hit left-handed pitching very well. Our depth stinks this year. Bad pinch-hitting and a lineup with poor efforts against lefty pitchers. If Minor’s recent improved pitching does not remain consistent, Medlen also needs to be added to the rotation along with Dempster. Hanson, for whatever reason, can not be trusted now, either. As long as Uggla’s hitting like a kindergartener, our offense has no shot in the playoffs. We may need another reliever if we use Medlen as a starter (but if the real Everyday Jonny steps up, we probably have enough bullpen strength.).
Grandma Giffin
July 24th, 2012
11:30 am
“Why would Demster want to leave the Dodgers for the Braves.”
Good thing Dempster is on the Cubs.
JOn
July 24th, 2012
11:30 am
Has a team that’s winless on Mondays (8 more Monday games, so it could happen) ever made the World Series?
Few_DaProud_DaBraves
July 24th, 2012
11:39 am
Grandma Giffin I was the thinking the same thing when I read the post.
bruce benedict
July 24th, 2012
11:40 am
Losing Delgado is no big deal- at best, he is inconsistent with potential. Every team has several pitchers like this in their organization. Dempster replacing Jurgens would be a HUGE improvement. Still, our inconsistent hitting is what will cost us in the long run.
bruce benedict
July 24th, 2012
11:44 am
What is it with you fans insisting on trading Uggla! Who will take him at his salary?!!! Also, we don’t have another 2nd baseman. When he goes on a tear, everone will be glad we kept him.
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
DOB, is Sheets a FA at the end of this season and why is his contract information not available? https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tujElf32-2d237jk3IzWLsg&output=html
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
Could we inlude Uggla in this trade deal for Reed Johnson?
southgabrave
July 24th, 2012
12:07 pm
@ Jon
Your thoughts on the on trading Delgado for Dempster may be right on. It could be (I only hope so) a ploy to get Greinke. I am sure the Braves will try to extend Greinke but not Dempster. I also believe Greinke has stated many times he likes Atlanta.
Hal J
July 24th, 2012
12:08 pm
There’s only one manager in all of baseball who would be writing “Uggla” EVERY DOGGONE DAY! He’s an automatic out, and I’m to the point that I’m happy when he strikes out — at least it’s just one out. Fredi is putting his own future here on the line with his blind loyalty, and Frank Wren is desperately trying to justify another big mistake. Face it. Dan Uggla is done. If he has options, send him to Gwinnett to find his stroke, and if he has no options, waive him, and DFA him. Put someone at 2B who can Mendoza at least?
tyrion lannister
July 24th, 2012
12:11 pm
Dempster had his little streak but he’s out of quality starts. I say the Braves gamble — bring up someone from the farm and roll the dice.
Hal J
July 24th, 2012
12:16 pm
bruce, we have an All Star second baseman playing LF, don’t we? And pending a trade for an outfielder we have a RH hitter at Gwinnett who has missed most of this season injured, Jordan Parraz, who has some pop and hits for a more consistently better average than Uggla — but then anybody does that, right?
panamajack
July 24th, 2012
12:16 pm
Maybe we could trade Uggla for a rent a player, that would be sweet.
Ralph
July 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
Gattis is going to save us in September!.
Deadline Dopes
July 24th, 2012
12:19 pm
Delgado for Dempster would be a coup for the Cubs. Dempster’s having a great 1/2 season, yes; but look at his career numbers. Nothing to get excited about. He’s also pitching great for a team that isn’t going anywhere. No pressure situations, at least no division/playoff race worries.
Dempster’s Teams
98-2002 marlins: most team wins 79, twice
02/03 reds: most team wins 78
04-current cubs: 2 playoff apps (2007 1IP, no runs in 8th)
2008 4.2IP, 4ER, 7BB, 2K & the LOSS
Not saying it means anything other than he’s 35 and has very little big game experience. The experience he DOES have isn’t anything to brag about.
If he doesn’t want to be here, great. It’s an easy out for FW. Delgado is a promising YOUNG SP on a team with a weakness at SP.
don
July 24th, 2012
12:20 pm
The Braves need to back out of this fiasco. Wren has agreed to another of his infamous boner rental trades. To be given a chance to undue the harm, is a gift. Wren shouldn’t waste it. If he carries on, he has further proven that he is a moron of monumental proportions.
Back out, Idiot Wren before it is too late.
J
July 24th, 2012
12:24 pm
No Dempster it’s a bad idea all around. I would love to see Medlen as a started again I believe he is the answer. Some production from 2nd base would be amazing! I do think we need to go for it It’s WS or bust for this crew.
On another note I would like to know how Fredi or Chipper or anyone did not tell one of pitchers to plunk Melky he was just asking to be hit especially when he Taunted Heyward and then took a decade to round the bases after his home run. That is baseball code you have to plunk him.
southgabrave
July 24th, 2012
12:27 pm
Other possible OFers to check on might be Denard Span whois CF that could take Bourn place next year. Twins may want tomuch forhim. Another Twin for the bench is RFer Mastronni, good arm with some speed. He might come cheap and could be a good bench player. He alsohits from the right side.
tyrion lannister
July 24th, 2012
12:31 pm
J, plunking Melky would have been a nice sight but the Braves needed that game and couldn’t afford to have Huddy ejected.
DawgDad
July 24th, 2012
12:34 pm
It’s usually a mistake to think you are one or two players away from a Championship. The Braves need multiple pieces to win this year. If they get them according to the standard formula most likely it will cost several young arms; there are no guarantees and 2013-14 could get REAL ugly.
If the Braves take a shot with Hudson, Hanson, Sheets, Dempster, and Minor — good luck. With this group they might not have enough starting pitching to play out the 2012 schedule and in the playoffs the Braves lineup could be shut down by an ace righthander and any collection of lefties.
I have to say, to be fair, if the Brewers would take Delgado for Greinke I’d make the deal in a heartbeat. But failing to land the future staff ace, the Braves can make a half-hearted run this year or they could potentially set themselves up as a force for years to come. The core of young position players and the closer is too good to squander in mediocrity. Wren should trade Hanson before he blows up like JJ and becomes worthless, because he essentially has no future here. He needs to give Bourn/Boras a re-sign now ultimatum or trade him and get something valuable in return. Now would be the perfect time to trade Sheets, too, and demand top-shelf prospects in return. And Dan Uggla needs to go; his contract and style of play don’t fit in the plan.
Make some bold moves, get a couple of young starters and position players back, still have a reasonable shot this year, and be in a much better position age and salary-wise to compete for the Division in 2013 and beyond.
Columbus
July 24th, 2012
1:01 pm
Dempster will be a Brave by the end of the day it look like. Braves think they can resign him.
Braves wanted Greinke but there were issues involved etc. and instead of dealing with that situation, the Braves moved onto Dempster. Look for Dempster to be a Brave any minute and the Cubs to pay some of his remaining 5.5 million salary for this year….
Washington wanted him too….so did other teams but the Cubs like the Braves offer better than the others…thank goodness Washington didnt get him!
BATBOY
July 24th, 2012
1:06 pm
WREN HAS TO BE KIDDING…THE GUY HAD A ERA LAST YR OF ALMOST 5…..HE IS SOON TO BE 36…AND IF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH…HE MAKES WHAT CHIPPER MAKES…14 MILLION A YEAR….BRAVES FRONT OFFICE HAS LOST THEIR MINDS…
BATBOY
July 24th, 2012
1:09 pm
HEY J…..ON THE TOPIC OF HITTING PLAYERS ….CHIPPER GOT HIT BY PITCH THE OTHER DAY..HIS FIRST SINCE 2009…PITCHERS TODAY BELONG TO A UNION..OTHERWISE CHIPPEE WOULDA GOTTEN PLUNKED LONG AGO
BBall
July 24th, 2012
1:13 pm
What is wrong with 1,2,3 baseball. Tying runs on first and second with no outs. Have Heyward bunt move runners to third and second. Chipper’s hit and we are tied. Bring Bobby back or get someone who knows how to coach the game to win.
Hal J
July 24th, 2012
1:14 pm
Agree completely with Greinke being worth more than Dempster, even much more. Brewers apparently are dangling $100M for him to stay 5 years, and if he rejects that, he may be available next week, or beyond, after waivers, or on the free agent market off-season. He likes Atlanta, it is said — but then so did Georgia Tech’s own Mark Texeira, didn’t he? You’ve still got to find the big bucks to hold the big guys. The question becomes — would Greinke for the rest of this season be worth the price we have to pay — Delgado, plus another pitcher, maybe Avilan or Gilmartin, and a minor league position player? Steep price, but I would pay it. If it should then happen that we get into the playoffs and Huddy, Sheets and Greinke carry us deep, maybe all the way, then imagine the feeling! But for now? Let’s pass on Mr. Dempster and wish him the best, except when we knock the stuffing out of him.
Chipmunk
July 24th, 2012
1:18 pm
I say put Medlen in the starting rotation, and move Jair to the bullpen. The former has been really impressive so far.
BrandonLee49
July 24th, 2012
1:25 pm
“His last Start was friday when he gave up 4 Runs in 6 innings”… Yea Now That’s an Improveement Worth Trading The Farm for… Total LAme-A__ Lack of Thinking on the Braves Part…. He is NOT a High-Quality Pitcher, Why Anyone with any Sense is Going After Dempster.. is Total Insanity. If you’re gonna bet the Farm, save it for Greinke, not some over-rated overweighted material like Dempster…
BrandonLee49
July 24th, 2012
1:28 pm
and GET MEDLIN in the ROTATION… Why did MGMT Ship Medlin Down to the Minors… to Prep him for STARTING…. Does ANYONE in BRAVES MGMT KNOW What the HELL they are doing???? Apparenly NOT.
Columbus
July 24th, 2012
1:31 pm
There are issues with getting Greinke and it might not have ever worked out. Braves wanted him but had to move on. Dempster can be resigned at less than his current contract if the Braves want to offer one.
This is about THIS season OK? Dawgdad you are saying forget about this year?! The Braves have a chance to win the division and you say focus on the next couple years more than this year?! HAve you lost your mind? There is no dominating NL team. The Braves can win in the playoofs against anybody. That means they have as good of a shot as anybody in the NL to get to the World Series and you say throw in the towel on this year?!!! Trade Bourn this year? Trade Hanson this year? Why not trade Hudson too? Hes no spring chicken?! Trade Sheets? Then maybe in a couple years the young pitchers we get in return MIGHT be ready to make a run with the young position players? The pitchers we have now are ready to make a run and when there is another TOP NOTCH starter in the rotation to go along with the bullpen and a lineup that s capable of putting of lots of runs THE TIME IS NOT LEXT YEAR, IT IS THIS YEAR. IT IS CHIPPERS LAST YEAR ALSO AND THE BRAVES ARE AND SHOULD GO FOR IT!!! THEY AHVE SOME EXTRA CASH NEXT YEAR BUT THEY ALSO HAVE SOME YOUNG GUYS CONTRACTS COMING UP THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET PAID AND PAID A LOT!
SURE THE BRAVES HAVE A SHOT TO GO TO THE WORLD SERIES BUT DAWGDAD SAYS FORGET ABOUT IT WREN. TRADE SHEETS AND HANSON AND BOURN AND UGGLA NOW! IS HE SERIOUS OR TRYING TO BE COMIC RELIEF?!!! LETS WAIT UNTIL THE PHILLIES AND THEIR 180 MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL ARE STRONG NEXT YEAR AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THEM AND THE DODGERS AND A STRONGER NATIONALS TEAM!
WE CAN WIN THE DIVISION THIS YEAR BUT DAWGDAD SAYS SCREW THAT?! WHO PLAYS TO WIN THE DIVISION WHEN THE OPPURTUNITY IS WELL WITHIN REACH? EVERYBODY BUT DAWGDAD?!
TRADE UGGLA….IS HE OUT HIS MIND? UGGLA IS ALWAYS BEEN STREAKY….ALWAYS! WHERES YOUR RIGHT HANDED POWER THEN DAWGDAD? WHERES YOUR MOST CONSISTENT HOMERS AND RBI MAN EVERY YEAR OF HIS CAREER ON THE ROSTER NOW? UGGLA IS CONSISTENT. HE IS STREAKY BUT HIS YEAR END NUMBERS ARE DEPENDABLE. HE HIT 36 HOMERS LAST YEAR? HE IS CHEAP FOR THOSE TYPE NUMBERS. HE PROTECTS OTHER HITTERS IN THE LINEUP AND WILL CARRY A TEAM FOR 2-3 MONTHS AT A TIME AND HE IS FEARED BY ALL PITCHERS AND YOU TRADE HIM? THANK GOD DAWGDAD IS NOT OUR GM THIS YEAR OR THE SEASON WOULD BE OVER. IN CHIPPERS LAST SEASON? ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE AND A WORLD SERIES RUN? OH WELL! HILARIOUS!
THE BRAVES ARE NOT IN THE METS OR MARLINS POSITION. THE BRAVES ARE BUYERS AND ARE GOING FOR IT! AND IF THEY DIDNT WREN WOULD BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF BASEBALL! THE BRAVES CAN WIN THE DIVISION….HELLO? DAWGDAD? OVER 2 MONTHS TO GO…..THE BOYS JUST HAD A NICE STREAK GOING….HEYWARD IS DOING WELL, MCCANN HAS FOUND HIS SWING, FREDDIE IS HITTING WELL. SO IS BOURN AND PRADO AND CHIPPER AND UGGLA WILL BEFORE SEPTEMBER….ALL STARTERS HAVE BEEN PITCHING GREAT EXCEPT JJ’S LAST 2 STARTS….WE GOT THE BEST CLOSER IN BASEBALL AND A FEW OTHER DARN GOOD RELIEVERS BUT SHOULD THROW IN THE TOWEL AND TRADE EVERYBODY?!!!!!
ANOTHER DIVISION TITLE AND A WORLD SERIES RUN? OH WELL?!! LETS BUILD FOR THE FUTURE? THE FUTURE IS NOW DAWGDAD! THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE FINE TOO….THE BRAVES SHOULD BE SELLERS THIS YEAR…….HILARIOUS!
Detroit Got It Right
July 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
The Sanchez/Infante trade would have been better than a Dempster trade. You still would have the pieces to trade for Grienke. You would improve your bench tremendously. Reason Uggla is in lineup everyday b/c there are no better options. With Infante on team, that could change and it would have helped Uggla to have some days off. And if you don’t get Grienke, I still think Braves could contend at least for a wild card playoff spot especially with an improved bench.
Columbus
July 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
Chippers last year is a bonus but its not about Chipper dufus, its about having better than a slim chance at getting to the world series THIS year and the Braves having extra cash to sign free agents if needed next year….Wren is smarter than all of you put together….ALL SPORTS PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS WILL HELP THE BRAVES TREMENDOUSLY. You see all the contracts coming up in the next year or 2? Several guys will be gone.
The time is now. Only 4.5 games back with only 2 dependable starters for a couple months….add Sheets and Dempster and Uggla getting on fire with MCann back and Minor and Huddy and Hanson pitching well and a strong bullpen with Bourn, Freeman, Prado, Heyward and Simmons coming BACK….the time is NOW people.
Get on the A-Train because it is rolling FULL SPEED AHEAD AND GOING FOR THE RING THIS YEAR! DOnt get left saying the Braves shouldnt go for it and stick with what they got. Youre missing the oppurtunity at hand. Phillies and their MASSIVE payroll are not in the picture like they will be next year. Braves can replace Delgado, they have the cash to sign a FA for 3 or 4 years…AND they still have some good arms in the minors….
Bottomline is that the Braves have aa good roster NOW and have a great shot in 2012 but NOT IF THEY DONT HAVE STARTING PITCHING DEPTH. WREN IS ROLLING THE DICE AND HE SHOULD!
SEE YOU NAYSAYERS IN OCTOBER BABY! GO WREN GO! GOT TO HAVE ANOTHER STARTER AND
DEMPSTER DESTROYS THE NL EAST BABY!!!! LOOK IT UP…..KILLS THEM!!HEAR THAT NATIONALS? KILLS YOU!!
ryan
July 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
OK i get what everyone is saying its to risky to go after Demster and Grienkie would be a safer choice Braves are struggling and we remember what happen last year with the collapse .
Why?
July 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
DOB anything on the below? I hope its true!
12:43pm: Dempster doesn’t want to be traded to the Braves, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Instead, the right-hander hopes to be dealt to the Dodgers. While the Dodgers had interest in Dempster and were considered by some to be the favorites to acquire him, they didn’t reach an agreement with the Cubs. Chicago would lose leverage with the Dodgers if Dempster rejects a trade to the Braves, his second choice.
Preston Hannatized
July 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
Ken Rosenthal (consider the source) reporting that Dempster wants to go to the Dodgers and won’t agree to a Braves trade until the deadline (the 31st) giving the Cubs more time to work out a deal with LA.
Art
July 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
OK time to try another pitcher since Dempsty Dumpster does not want to be a Brave. He wants to train in Arrizona to stay near his family. Dodgers wouldnt give Cubs what the Braves wanted.
leftrecursion
July 24th, 2012
2:18 pm
The Braves should go hard after some other starting pitcher BUT maybe the Braves could pull off a three team deal here. Dodgers get Dempster, Cubs get Delgado, Braves get Ethier????? LOL
fladawg
July 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Hey…. Why doesn’t someone leak this. Frank Wrenn is incompetent. Could he possibly have made the Braves look any worse in this situation?
C from Marietta
July 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
@ fladawg
How does this make the Braves look bad? How is Frank Wren incompetent in this situation? Do you know HE leaked the story? OR Are you just throwing a blog temper tantrum?
ryan
July 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
So what happens if the Braves come away with nothing .
Skeezix
July 24th, 2012
2:54 pm
I know the Braves never officially announced anything and I have no idea whose fault it is, but the reports/misreports/rumors/etc. on Dempster are making the Braves and Cubs look bad. If it is true that he really prefers L.A. then Wren should back out now (if he can).
Brvs1fan
July 24th, 2012
3:01 pm
AroundthehornAHOLE……..how do you know what the trade is for? Just shooting your mouth off with no verified info!!!!
leftrecursion
July 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
If it’s true that Dempster wants to go to LA than Wren definitely needs to walk away from this deal. If he doesn’t want to be here I fear he’ll be worse than JJ or Delgado.
GimmeAbreak
July 24th, 2012
3:06 pm
Okay… Frank Wren is trying to trade a young, promising arm for a 35 year-old rent-a-player who has given up 4 runs in his last 6 innings and says that move plus Ben Sheets’ addition (must admit Sheets has out-pitched anyone else on this staff of late) will help turn the corner. Sounds like another “Braves” thing to do.
Why not tell your manager to get off his ass and manage this team! Fredi is less involved in the game than the iPad-loving fans who are shown on TV behind home plate during the games! One of those was on her cell phone and was obviously told that she was showing too much cleavage and made a quick adjustment! At least she MADE A CORRECTION! Please take note Fredi… When something is not right you might try to do something!
And, by the way who said this team is a “contender”?
leftrecursion
July 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
I so hope Dempster tries stringing this trade along until at least tomorrow. At that point Greinke will have pitched again and Wren and crew can make an offer to a guy who has said that he wants to play for the Braves.
Rob In Fayetteville
July 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Let’s say that Dempster accepts the deal to the Braves, even after word has gotten out that he prefers the Dodgers. (My guess is that the deal doesn’t get done for that reason, but for the sake of argument, let’s go with the idea that Dempster goes to Atlanta).
Remember what happened about twelve years ago when John Schuerholz traded for BJ Surhoff (who we affectionately referred to as “Surly-hoff”) to shore up the offense. It was obvious from the moment he was traded that he was less than enthusiastic about being in Atlanta, and he played like it. He whined about leaving Baltimore, and sure enough he went right back to the Orioles when his time was done here.
If we do get Dempster, knowing now his first preference is L.A., how certain are the Braves that they are going to get a guy who is fully motivated to being here, and being a part of a team, when his desire is to be with another?
I say the deal falls through, and I hope it falls through. A guy whose heart isn’t into being here has no business being here, period.
Keith
July 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
Wren has done a pretty darn good job with what he has had to work with in my opinion…giving what he knows at the time.
Keith
July 24th, 2012
3:26 pm
Dempster will be motivated to make the playoffs and advance. He’s a fierce competitor. Even though his #1 would be LA, he will be just fine here as far as his motivation. Especially if we sign him to another 1-2 years.
Joey The Bull
July 24th, 2012
3:43 pm
I saw screw him. If he doesn’t want to be here, he will just hurt us. Go get Grienke Frank. If you pay him, he will come. Make Dempster feel like an idiot for nixing this deal.
keef
July 24th, 2012
3:58 pm
ummm…until we get a real owner, this is all for naught. Why? because you may not have noticed but MANY stars do NOT want to come/stay in Atlanta…to name a recent few…Peavy, Burnett, Teixeira, and the list goes on. Why? Payroll. Period. Why go to a team that can afford “you” and then the well is tapped for the other 2-3 pieces you will need to win the world series? And then become a bridesmaid instead of a bride as we saw 13 straight times in the 1990’s…
Have you also noticed that if a semi-good player comes available ( Dempster is s SUB .500 PITCHER WITH an overall 4.35 + era…we scramble for him (scraps) as if he is Tom Seaver??? it’s really embarrassing…
ryan
July 24th, 2012
4:18 pm
If we don’t get Demster so be it what i hate about all these pro’s in NFL , MLB , NBA is there selfishness to only wanting to play in New York or LA or Miami i am just getting tired of it .
Art
July 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
Go for Garza since he is under team control thru 13.
Bobby Cox
July 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
If Dempster doesn’t want to come to Atlanta……Screw him!!!!!
Bobby Cox
July 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
If Dempster doesn’t want to come to Atlanta……Screw him!!!!!
59bulldawg
July 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
I’m all for getting Dempster . . . but not at the expense of Delgado! Hell I’d give them Hanson, Jurrjens, and Minor . . . 3 for 1 . . . but Delgado is too much. The kid is getting better with each outing and is gonna be a star one day.
skep
July 24th, 2012
4:40 pm
The braves make very few good trades and especially at trade deadlines. We got McGriff one year was a good one, but there are 5 bad ones for every McGriff trade.So we trade Delgado and with all the holes we still have we are not going to the World Series. What do we do next year without Chipper and Dempster signed with someone else? If this turns out bad which I think it will Wren needs to go.
Old Guy
July 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
Sell, sell, sell. Trade McCann, Bourne, Hudson and clear up some salary for the coming years. Get while the gettin’s good…
angry acworth fan
July 24th, 2012
5:23 pm
screw dempster!! its obvious that he doesn’t want to come here so let the piece of crap have his way!! i’d rather have greinke anyway!!
brave braverson
July 24th, 2012
5:35 pm
i clapped when i heard it was a done deal on the radio, mlb network, and internet.
but now…..maybe not a good idea. putting a guy who deosnt want to be here into our playoff bound team? he’s not gonna pitch to his potential if he comes. watch.
Deadline Dopes
July 24th, 2012
5:47 pm
These deadline deals are for teams with no pocketbook strings. Teams like NYY, PHI and BOS. Those teams can afford to re-sign FAs they deal for. Based on Dumpster’s career numbers, I can’t figure out why the braves even are going after him. Dempster pretty much has no postseason experience, but unlike Delgado, he WON’T be getting any better.
4 years ago Dempster started in the NLDS, went 4.2 innings, coughed up 4 runs (all earned), WALKED 7 and struck out 2. Oh, and he had a 2-0 lead after the second inning but couldn’t get out of the 5th and lost the game.
That’s it folks. Aside from an inning of relief (in another loss) the year prior, that is the extent of Dumpster’s postseason exp. So, to trade for a 35 year old with a career 4.31ERA and 1.432WHIP just because he had 15 good starts for a team 18 games under .500 is ridiculous.
Delgado’s got (despite the extremely small sample size) a 3.98 (4.42 this season) ERA with a 1.374 (1.429 this season) WHIP. Dempster does have better career K/9ip, H/9ip, K/BB ratios, but you know he only has one direction to go: DOWN.
Delgado, however, will get better. You want help in the rotation and you JUST HAVE to trade for someone, then go after GREINKE. But you better damn well make sure he signs long term. And he will cost Teheran and maybe others. But Delgado for Dumpster defies logic. Put Medlen back in the rotation before you send away a quality young arm for an old guy who’s pitching way above his career #s, and who WILL NOT sign an extension.
Its a no brainer Frank. Dumpster did you a favor. Back away, but don’t do it slowly. RUN like hell.
59bulldawg
July 24th, 2012
6:04 pm
If he don’t want to come now he won’t sign later. Renting him for the rest of the season at the expense of Delgado is just stupid. Wren is an imbecile! He wrecked the Orioles, now he’s trying to wreck the Braves. I know you have to give up something to get something but this makes no sense.
HelpBraves'Fans
July 24th, 2012
6:11 pm
Move along, Braves. Move along.
ryan
July 24th, 2012
6:19 pm
Dempster the Dumpster that new name for this jerk .
Joey M
July 24th, 2012
6:27 pm
I would never trade a player like Delgado for a rental like Dempster. I would make that deal for Grinke only if he signed an extension. Dempster is old and at the end of his career. He’s pitching for a new deal. Let’s just move Medlen back to the rotation. He’s a better starter anyway.
Jerry
July 24th, 2012
6:29 pm
This trade is a mistake, Dempster is doing us a favor my not coming here. You don’t want a player that doesn’t want to come here.
Bulldawgman49
July 24th, 2012
6:46 pm
I just got the news that the Dempster trade went thru. Good Addition to the rotation for sure I think he would be happy to be on a team that has a good chance to get to the postseason.
Joey M
July 24th, 2012
6:53 pm
Ignore Bulldawgman49. The trade has not gone thru yet. It looks like Dempster will be going to Anaheim. This is a better fit because we don’t need a 35 year old rental player.
Ken Stallings
July 24th, 2012
7:00 pm
I don’t like trading Delgado for Dempster only because Dempster will not sign any long-term deal with Atlanta and will be simply a multi-month rental.
At best, the Braves are a wild card team. I do not see the Braves catching the Nationals. Even if the Nats shut down Strausburg down in early September, they have enough pitching to avoid losing streaks and I don’t see the Braves (with or without Dempster) going on the kind of winning streak that the Cardinals did last season. Remember, the Cards were widely considered a grossly underperforming team until they finally heated up. They always had the overall talent to win, but apparently forgot how until the last month of the season!
Winning for the emotion of sending out Chipper on a winning note is not a wise idea when the price is giving up one of your conerstone young pitchers. The Braves don’t have the money to chase after free agent prime pitchers and therefore those in your farm system with the capability to become that kind of pitcher are just too valuable to give up for a rental.
I hope Dempster declines this trade.