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259 comments Add your comment
Kris
July 31st, 2012
7:43 am
Wes – Raul Mondesi? Where did that come from?
wes covington
July 31st, 2012
7:43 am
Where is Livan?
James Cassara
July 31st, 2012
7:46 am
Does anyone here not like this trade? It seems one of the best that Frank Wren has pulled off. In terms of next year, how much payroll will be freed up when Chipper retires? And who is considered our best long term prospect at third base?
Sammy
July 31st, 2012
7:48 am
I want Maholm starting instead of Hanson who could barely go 5 against the Marlins AAA squad. Let’s not even talk about his inability to keep runners at first base. That 12-5 record is extremely deceptive. If Hanson was starting for the Marlins tonight I would certainly bet on a Braves win with Bourne stealing about 3 bases all by himself.
say what?
July 31st, 2012
7:51 am
For those unhappy with this trade – and i’m not saying it is perfect – what would have been better? please keep it real… i just don’t see great options. we didn’t get an ace but this should stop the bleeding and i don’t think anyone is unhappy with getting reed. so i guess the debate is: could we have picled up a better P and at what price
say what?
July 31st, 2012
7:51 am
For those unhappy with this trade – and i’m not saying it is perfect – what would have been better? please keep it real… i just don’t see great options. we didn’t get an ace but this should stop the bleeding and i don’t think anyone is unhappy with getting reed. so i guess the debate is: could we have picled up a better P and at what price
lee maye
July 31st, 2012
7:58 am
bravesboo: Have you forgotten about Brandon Beachy? He will be back in 2013 and 2014. Believe he will be a little better than Gilmartin.
Done
July 31st, 2012
8:03 am
I don’t like the trade one bit!
HAL
July 31st, 2012
8:06 am
johnson alone is worth the risk of trading viz who has umm potential the word i believe our sibermetrics guy used too intoduce bp hanson a few years back how has that worked out for you ohhh genius?
archie
July 31st, 2012
8:08 am
1. If Medlen does well tonight, which he will, keep him in the rotation, dump Hanson to the ‘pen. He’s been lucky to win some games, without the benefit of hardlly any quality starts.
2. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of Matt Diaz in a Braves uniform. Reed Johnson is an actual major league hitter and outfielder. Diaz is a nice guy, but has no business in the majors.
3. When Uggla begins hitting his weight, I’ll get excited. Until then, he’s a clueless hacker who will occasionally make contact when a bad pitcher makes a mistake.
BobDawg
July 31st, 2012
8:11 am
KRIS, this lines us up better for the playoffs with a left-handed starter… and if Hanson falters or doesn’t get his delivery fixed, this guy can move in his spot. The right-handed pinch-hitter was huge also as we can rest the outfield coming down the stretch…
Kris
July 31st, 2012
8:11 am
Say what – we’ll never know who was available for what, but I can tell you that I would rather see Medlen in the rotation than making a trade for Maholm.
Fastball
July 31st, 2012
8:12 am
Now trade Bourn before the deadline. Hire Chipper as Manager.
Kris
July 31st, 2012
8:15 am
BobDawg – I hear what you’re saying and maybe you are right, but I think it’s just a reflection as to how poor Hanson’s play has been rather than a stong endorsement for Maholm. Going into a best of 5 divisional playoff with Huddy, Sheets and Maholm….well I just hope Uggla turns it around soon because that is not a formidable October rotation and we’ll need some serious offense.
say what?
July 31st, 2012
8:17 am
For those that are unhappy with the trade – and I’m not sayig it is perfect – what would have been a better trade? Please keep it real. Due to Brave’s budget restrictions, there were no realistic “Ace” options without doing a bad Tex deal. I think everyone is happy with getting Reed. Maholm is not an ace, but we didn’t give up ace value in the trade. Maholm should help the pitching staff, not lead it -better than JJ and RD. To not add a solid P would have been foolish. I really don”t think we gave up too much and I don’t think ther was much else available – so what other options would have been better?
Mikey
July 31st, 2012
8:19 am
Finally a productive off the bench R/H bat that can also give Michal Bourn a deserved day off and the ability to move Prado to second if Uggla stays ugly. Love having another effective lefty starter to balance the rotation. Feel bad for Chris Medlen because you know he would love to be in the rotation, but have a feeling he may be replacing our 5 inning wonder Hansen soon.
say what?
July 31st, 2012
8:19 am
kris, skip last postig – didn’t think last poting took … Fastball is on crack…
a fan
July 31st, 2012
8:20 am
Kris
Malholm
9 6 3.74 21 20 0 0 0 0 120.1 115 51 50 12 10 34 2 81 .256 1.24 1.31
You are so stupid
JoeFan
July 31st, 2012
8:20 am
Appears to be a solid trade. Now send Hanson to the pen and keep Medlen in the rotation.
a fan
July 31st, 2012
8:22 am
Some of you would not be satisfied if we got Sabathia for JJ
Kris
July 31st, 2012
8:25 am
Nice research skills there ‘a fan’. I know it’s hard to believe, but there are far more advanced and accurate statistical analysis metrics out there. When you pull your head out of your backside you should educate yourself.
Brownie
July 31st, 2012
8:26 am
Some of you, based on your negative comments about this deal, need to get some sleep. The further into the wee hours of the morning, the weirder the comments.
In many ways, BB is all about numbers, and some of you are trotting out various indices to support your case either for or against Maholm. I will tend to overlook his relatively mediocre career stats, and focus more on what he’s done lately, because this is likely what he’ll give the Braves NOW. Plus, he’s put up very good numbers on a lousy team – even more impressive. We’ll find out how he performs in a pennant race – I expect good things.
Here’s one great thing about this trade (considering BOTH Maholm and Johnson) – we now have OPTIONS…..we didn’t before.
Wren wins another one.
Kris
July 31st, 2012
8:31 am
A fan – don’t be mad just because I don’t think this particular trade is an amazing win for the Braves. At the end of the day it’s just my opinion and it’s based on factors which I think are indicative of true performance. Maholm could be the next Tom Glavine as some have suggested, but I just think that he will be closer to the below average pitcher he has been his entire career as opposed to the savior of the Braves pitching staff. Agree to disagree mate.
Randal Patrick McMurphy
July 31st, 2012
8:33 am
Wow… this is actually quite a good deal, and under the radar as it were. Now if only Havana Fats can keep himself from screwing this all up, things are looking better for Chipper’s Boyz…
Kris
July 31st, 2012
8:34 am
Brownie – id just like to say you’ve done a heckuva job with that post. As to being tired, I live in Australia mate so your time zone doesn’t apply.
Hawes
July 31st, 2012
8:35 am
Vizcaino has no third pitch. He won’t be throwing again until the spring. His command will take time to return, and if he is to be a starter, he will need time to develop that third pitch.
Which strongly suggests that he would be a reliever if he stayed here. And they just aren’t that valuable. The Cubs have the luxury of letting him develop into a starter.
By the time Vizcaino is starting in the majors (if he ever does) Teheran and Delgado will be fixtures in our rotation.
Carl Farvman
July 31st, 2012
8:39 am
“When Dan Uggla goes on a hot-streak, everyone will be on his jock again, as per normal.”
You’re right. The fan base in the ATL market I’ve found to go from one extreme to the other…..and this goes for the radio/TV nitwits, who are the worst I’ve ever seen. A winning streak and we’re printing WS tickets and a few games into a losing streak and the fans are firing the GM/Coach and the radio/TV nitwits are blaming Cincy’s field dimensions. Really weird behaviour…almost as annoying as home fans ‘booing’ when the opposing team’s pitcher attempts a pickoff move at first more than once during a game.
flagger
July 31st, 2012
8:46 am
f… the dumpster we came out smelling like a rose on this trade.. go braves
ijudgenot
July 31st, 2012
8:59 am
Reed is a definite upgrade over Diaz. Now the question is who do the Braves keep as the lefthanded power hitter off the bench, Henski or Francisco? Henski had a good two year run with the Braves but Francisco seems to be able to fill that role and also back up Chipper. I think Henski still has value as a DH in the American league so why not package him with JJ and lower tier prospect pitcher for Shields.
Let Constanza stay and be Bourn’s backup rather than Johnson. Let Johnson play left and right field.
archie
July 31st, 2012
8:59 am
1. Dempster: enjoy being a Cub. You’ll have a longer offseason vacation for the rest of your career.
2. Why is Jurrjens still on the Braves roster? They didn’t even use him last night in a blowout.
RLG
July 31st, 2012
9:01 am
Good move FW. For those who like to sling mud all they do is remove ground.
cts
July 31st, 2012
9:02 am
Anyone saying not a good trade isn’t digging below the surface. Young pitcher who appears to be hitting a different gear in July. Would be one thing to take a risk on a pitcher with 2-3 great starts in the midst of mediocre career, but he has a 1.23 ERA in July in 6 games w/ 6 wins and 5/1 SO to BB over those games including against very good team in Pitt, StL, and Atlanta. Low 3 ERA when take out 1st 2 games of year which clearly could make him a # 2-3 pitcher if he keeps up his July production.
Love it. Does anyone know if he is good friends w/ Dempster?
Frznp
July 31st, 2012
9:05 am
Want to give the team the final piece that’ll insure a slot in the playoffs? Remove the uncertainty and sign Bourn to a new contract now. He is critical if we’re to be a playoff contender beyond this year… Boras has been a pain but this is business and the business of winning.
urban redneck
July 31st, 2012
9:07 am
did i just read what i thought i did? did someone actually call frank wren brilliant? what a difference a day makes!!
does this push medlen out of the rotation? that’s bullsh*t.
Kashi
July 31st, 2012
9:07 am
I liked the idea of giving Medlen a shot and moving JJ to bullpen. We would still have Viz in line for next year. I don’t see a upgrade from Medlen to Maholm but I like the Reed Johnson in our team. I’m still confuse is this a good trade to win the DIVISION (we are not a team to win WS)?
Frodo
July 31st, 2012
9:08 am
Wren hater here. Don’t care. He still blows. When 90% of your GMs trades suck up payroll for years on the books and the players involved turn out to be complete duds, you suck. You guys are forgetting what he almost did last week. He almost traded for a 2-month rental all the while giving up Delgado and god know who else. This was a last resort deal. Don’t get me wrong….I love the fact that he stuck to his guns on other offers and held our young guns, but that’s only because he has a lot of pressure following the past debacles (i.e. Tex). I wouldn’t doubt if this is actually a Schuerholz trade. Hope Viz has a successful return from surgery.
a fan
July 31st, 2012
9:14 am
for all the dooms day guys & gals
Maholm has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this month, with a 5-0 record and 1.00 ERA over his last seven games. Johnson, 35, is an experienced platoon outfielder in the midst of a solid season (.813 OPS in 75 games).
a fan
July 31st, 2012
9:17 am
Hey Fredo, Tex deal was not Wren’s JS did that one
henry tn
July 31st, 2012
9:19 am
best trade wren has ever made some of these yoyos on here would not like the trade no matter who wren traded for….
GRAPHITE
July 31st, 2012
9:19 am
i hope these 2 know how to BUNT…… ROLL ON
Frodo
July 31st, 2012
9:22 am
“Experienced platoon oufielder”. We’ve had a few of those over the last 5 years, but dumbo has either traded them or chosen to not to make a renewal offer.
What a difference a day makes is right. Typical public opinion flip floppers. Come on people. Now you all love this dufus???? Love the earlier comment from Farvman earlier. Sunday’s crowd was frightening. The screaming and yelling on a foul tip with 2 strikes. Odd reactions you don’t hear at other ball parks.
Uggla_ishorrible.com
July 31st, 2012
9:22 am
Getting Reed to rest Bourn & Prado…Yeah right, nice spin LOL….Reed is here so Prado can play 2nd. and Dan “not the man” Uggla can go ride go carts with Mike “i stiffed the braves” Hampton.
a fan
July 31st, 2012
9:24 am
Enter your comments here
Maholm has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this month, with a 5-0 record and 1.00 ERA over his last seven games. Johnson, 35, is an experienced platoon outfielder in the midst of a solid season (.813 OPS in 75 games).
jt
July 31st, 2012
9:24 am
How many of us really thought Wren would get quality players? I said a month ago he would go for cheap, and no help to team, I still say these two will not add anything to what we have at present. The only thing good is he traded a guy with T. J surgery, and no one knows if he was or would ever be a good pitcher.
My opinion, is the owners again called the shots on trades and today will come and go with nobody traded that will lend anything to the race for 1st place. Just wait and See.
a fan
July 31st, 2012
9:26 am
Frodo you need help
Ralph
July 31st, 2012
9:26 am
The old Silver Fox raided the hen house last nite. Biggest loser in this trade was Chris Medlen, will cost him millions of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Turtle Man
July 31st, 2012
9:26 am
Adding a left-handed pitcher into the mix of a right-handed dominant rotation is HUGE! Maholm isn’t the greatest pitcher but he is crafty and can eat up innings without giving up too many runs, which is what the Braves need. Reed Johnson is a SOLID pickup too. Viz is supposed to be really good but how many times have Braves fans seen or heard that and the pitcher just hasn’t panned out for one reason or another. It’s better for the Braves to have “proven” talent than to wait around for another decent or bust pitcher.
Turtle Power!
jt
July 31st, 2012
9:27 am
Ok so he is 5-0 in last starts, but I remind you that Tommy Hanson has won 12, and every time he takes the field, one wonders if he can go 3 innings. Very clouded wins in last two 7-7-7 remember?
a fan
July 31st, 2012
9:28 am
JT you are so wrong. go join Frodo
Ken Stallings
July 31st, 2012
9:28 am
Wren makes another outstanding move! He is patient and for the second straight season, this patience allowed the Braves to pull off a trade without mortgaging the farm.
Now, what I hope happens is that Maholm takes over for Tommy Hanson and we give Kris Medlin a chance in the rotation.
Batcork
July 31st, 2012
9:29 am
Looks like a nice move in terms of helping get to post season. Maholm doesn’t help us much in advancing through the post season, when starting pitching depth matters little. At that stage, Johnson is the more important piece, helping out the lineup when we face a lefty.
jt
July 31st, 2012
9:30 am
“a fan” but without baseball knowledge!!!!
Furman Bitcher
July 31st, 2012
9:30 am
This was a nice trade and does upgrade this team. Maholm has a better era than our whole starting staff so what the hell are you naysayers talking about. R. Johnson is EXACTLY what we needed for those days when Chipper, Uggla & Freeman need a day off and we need to move Prado around. We gave up a pitcher that wont contribute until 2014 so what the hell are you guys bitchin about.
D man
July 31st, 2012
9:31 am
Nice to see we are trying to improve our chances to win it all this year.
Amber Girl
July 31st, 2012
9:32 am
@Mr afan Is this all Wren will do? Will there be more.?
Abnerish
July 31st, 2012
9:32 am
These folks that say we don’t have a true ace must’ve missed the game on Sunday. During that game, FSN posted career stats of Tim Hudson and Roy Halladay and they were shockingly similar. I think Huddy is without a doubt our Ace. I think Huddy, Hanson, Maholm, and either Sheets or Minor is good enough to go far into the playoffs.
Biggun
July 31st, 2012
9:39 am
Great Value Move!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since the Marlins are floundering, what say a Mike Dunn back to the Atlanta pen? I believe he could be the additional piece, after all he has been here and was very effective.
LawDawg
July 31st, 2012
9:40 am
Very nice trade. We got essentially a #2 starter, signed through next year, and seriously upgraded the bench while only giving up a guy who will never be a starter, despite having great stuff?
Great job, Wren.
DHD
July 31st, 2012
9:42 am
Love it!! We kept our pitchers and picked up a guy that can be really good now that he is finally on a good team. Maholm is a Braves fan and a great guy for the clubhouse and community,
Ralph
July 31st, 2012
9:43 am
ijudgenot
July 31st, 2012
8:59 am
Reed is a definite upgrade over Diaz. Now the question is who do the Braves keep as the lefthanded power hitter off the bench, Henski or Francisco?
——————————————————————————————————————————-
I think they keep both, Diaz and Constanza will be gone, my oponion.
First
July 31st, 2012
9:44 am
For all the naysayers… you give up something to get something. You don’t get a #1 starter for what the Braves gave up. These guys can peform now. Who’s to say what the future holds for Vizcaino?
BMac16
July 31st, 2012
9:48 am
Kris, I see your point. However, how long do you expect Hanson to perform like he is (which really isn’t all that bad)? He is struggling mightily with command and I think he will get that worked out. Also, it is true that Maholm is not the top of the rotation starter that everyone was hoping for but the guy is going to be a dependable starter every 5th day and I feel like we need that more than anything right now considering the inconsistencies of minor and Delgado. We have Hudson, Hanson, Sheets, Maholm, and Minor, you can now bet on 4 quality starts instead of 3 which is why I think this is definitely a good trade. Not a block buster but a good solid trade that does in fact make our team better. Not to mention we have Meds in the pen in case one of the starters can only give you 5.
As far as Reed Johnson goes, I personally think giving up Viz was worth getting him and a mediocre reliever. To give up Chapman and Viz for Johnson and a quality starter in Maholm, I think Wren has made this team better.
ChillyMutt
July 31st, 2012
9:54 am
Loved Viz. But you have to give up quality to get quality.
O'flarity's water bottle
July 31st, 2012
9:54 am
Kris
July 31st, 2012
7:43 am
Wes – Raul Mondesi? Where did that come from?
Faded from baseball…
Pierre
July 31st, 2012
9:55 am
Terrible move. No one else wanted Maholm. Other teams are trying to get Dempster or Garza. I thought Viz was a top three prospect in our system? You trade a top three prospect for a journeyman pitcher?? We are going to regret this – maybe not immediately, but we will regret this move. Also, Reed Johnson? Really? Isn’t he just a defensive replacement at this point of his career? Terible move. We could have gotten both of these players without giving up this much.
Tell It Like It Is
July 31st, 2012
9:57 am
Every year the Braves give up young talent to acquire veterans for the push to the playoffs. Until they are acquired by an owner with some big bucks to spend, they will always remain an also-ran. It would appear that the Braves organization has become a farm team for the rest of the league.
Ralph
July 31st, 2012
9:57 am
I have a whole lot of Crow to eat today. I predicted we would finish no better than 4th place this season and that was because of the “stand pat” offense, now I feel confident we can win a wild card and if Uggla gets hot or they take him out of the line-up and we get Simmons back we should be able to overtake the Nats, GO BRAVES.
CRMAC300
July 31st, 2012
10:01 am
Some of you are forgetting that Medlen is on a 70 pitch count maximum and won’t be ready to go much more than that for awhile. He could be out of the game tonite in the fourth inning. Based on salary limitations from Liberty, Wren has made a brilliant trade here to get these two players. Unless the agent for Bourn makes a ridiculous demand, Braves should have money to sign him long term. By the way, Bourn and Prado are in slumps now and Braves are still winning. They should get well against the Marlins and Astros in the next six games.
Morris Code
July 31st, 2012
10:01 am
You mad bro?
macdwolfpack
July 31st, 2012
10:01 am
Great trade! Gives Braves balance in their rotation with 2 LH’s for the first time in a while. It also keeps all the trading chips in house and potentially frees you up to have Hanson,Jurgens, or Medlen for any blockbuster if neccesary. It strengthens the bullpen by allowing your best non closer reliever Medlen to move back as a bridge. Great move and it isn’t a rental either.
If people are still focused on a no.1 starter then you still have almost all you chips left to make a deal if one was available.
Probably best trade Braves have made in a while on this one.
HOF 10
July 31st, 2012
10:02 am
Much better than a Delgado for Dempster deal. You hate to lose Vizcaino, but you can’t pick up two players like these for nothing. At one time, Vizcaino was one of our top starting pitcher prospects, wasn’t he? They needed bullpen help last year and brought him up. He had a few bad outings which pushed up his ERA, but often he was dominant. Kid can bring it. Still, this is what we needed.
CRMAC300
July 31st, 2012
10:05 am
Isn’t it nice to say your team has a chance at the playoffs every year? Would you rather be a Kansas City fan or a Houston fan? Braves management finds a way to make this team competitive every year with a limited budget. Braves record only 4 games worse than the Yankees! Many of you complainers are completely unrealistic. Get behind your team and look for positives once in awhile. Stop whining. It is fun to be a Braves fan!
Just saying..
July 31st, 2012
10:06 am
Frank Wren is a solid GM, a principal reason for the Braves’ success.
Ralph
July 31st, 2012
10:07 am
Next years rotation:
Sheets
Maholm
Minor
Delgado
Medlen
We need to sign Sheets and Bourn to an extension, should be Wren’s next project.
nelson
July 31st, 2012
10:08 am
good trade !!
Bud
July 31st, 2012
10:16 am
Overall, I like the trade, and I understand why it was Vizcaino involved. However, all things being equal, I would have kept Vizcaino over Teheran.
toby
July 31st, 2012
10:19 am
2 Good pickups imo,got a veteran lefty in a RH heavy staff,plus 5 years younger than Dempster,and under contract through next year!!!!!! Also got a good veteran utility man with some speed also in Johnson,i have nothing bad to say about this deal,filled 2 needs!!!!!!
GTSteve
July 31st, 2012
10:36 am
Ralph, don’t forget about Beachy
Mark
July 31st, 2012
10:41 am
Wow what a fleecing you guys gave the Cubs. An injured pitcher who probably won’t be close to normal til 2014 and a 25 year old Four A reliever who resembles Carlos Marmol. Yuk. These are the new Cubs geniuses huh? Add this to the Cubs getting a Double A below average pitcher for Soto and we have lost three starters and have zip to show for it. Go Braves. Reed will leave his heart on the field and Maholm just lulls other teams to sleep. Great move by your GM.
rufus
July 31st, 2012
10:44 am
Now go get Jon Lester. It could be the time. He has the talent and needs a change from the sox.
aburtch
July 31st, 2012
10:46 am
Gotta say, I like Frank Wren’s moves as a GM. This was a good trade that improved our club without giving up too much. I also like how we were looking long-term as well and it wasn’t just a one-season rental.
Erik
July 31st, 2012
10:47 am
I absolutely hate this Trade.
Arodys has always been a higher regarded prospect than Delgado OR Minor. He is a slight shade below Tehran.
Arodys was ranked the 14th prospect in all of baseball and #2 in the Braves system by ESPN’s Keith Law before the season. Baseball America also had his as #2 in the Braves sytem he was not as high as 14th overall.
Keith Law said it best. “Atlanta gets marginally better for this year with the additions of Maholm and Johnson, but the Cubs land the best prospect they’re likely to obtain in this year’s trade market in exchange for two players they didn’t need….
The price for Atlanta, however, was too high. I had Vizcaino ranked as the 14th-best prospect in baseball coming into 2012, but an elbow ligament he partially tore in 2010 flared up again in March, leading to Tommy John surgery that ended his season, although he should be back for spring training.”
With the struggles of Tehran recently I would rank Tehran and Delgado as even or close to it in terms of future value.
This move IMO made us a first round playoff team and we gave up a legit shot at the WS in three years.
With a core of players like Simmons, J-Hey, Freeman, Beachy, Tehran, Viz, Minor, Delgado, Kimbrel, Venters we certainly would have been WS contenders. Consider all of those players would have been at below market value contracts due to service years. The braves would have had money to put a couple of pricey veterans in there for balance.
We will regret this trade. Viz will turn into a Dan Harenesque pitcher for the Cubs.
wait til next year
July 31st, 2012
10:48 am
Braves got a solid utility OF with a history of clutch hitting. Maholm’s last 6 games less than one run allowed and at least six innings pitched.
Morris Code
July 31st, 2012
10:56 am
@LawDawg…although I like the trade, he’s not a #2 starter. He’s a #3 at best…just because he’s a #2 for our team doesn’t constitute him being a #2 guy.
Tumbledown
July 31st, 2012
10:57 am
My two cents (maybe three with inflation discounted by a cent or two because I am not all that smart):
(1) The trade makes the Braves better this season. We get two proven ML players at the cost of two prospects.
(2) Nobody knows if the two prospects sent to the Cubs (especially Vizcaino) will pan out in majors. If you do, I want your stock tips.
(3) The Braves did not mortgage too much of their future to upgrade the pitching staff and bench this season. Remember, we still have Delgado, Minor, Teheran, Gilmartin, Graham, and hopefully a healthy Beachy returning for next season and maybe beyond.
@RPollardRealtor
July 31st, 2012
10:58 am
This is a good trade, I think. I don’t like giving up Viz, however we do have a surplus of pitchers that we need to deal to make our team Today better. However, this still doesn’t give us what we needed and that was an Ace of the Staff. We have plenty #2 and #3 guys. Look at the Angels Rotation. What guy on our rotation would you take over their rotation? Answer = Zero!!!!!
My question from the other day still hasn’t been answered.. If we don’t win the NL East, and get a Wildcard spot, Who are we going to pitch against Matt Cain, or Kershaw? I don’t feel confident in that pitching match-up.
doug
July 31st, 2012
10:59 am
Good trade, get a lefty starter who is proven in the NL, that right handed bat that has some pop and the Cubs throw in Cash towards both players saleries. What more could we ask for?
Yes we give up some prospects but as of yet they are unproven and with pitchers you never know on the young guys.
If Vizaino becomes the Cubs ace and a great ptcher so be it, we kept Minor, Terahan (sp) & Delgado and that is a huge plus. This time of year contenders looking for help can really get fleeced by teams looking for pacages of prospects.
Give Frank Wren a solid B+ on this trade.
Tumbledown
July 31st, 2012
11:02 am
Just to be clear, I think Vizcaino is the far better prospecrt sent to the Cubs. My previous post was not clear on this point. We may indeed regret trading Vizcaino as we did with trading Wainwright. Nobody knows for sure, however.
Tumbledown
July 31st, 2012
11:02 am
Prospect
@RPollardRealtor
July 31st, 2012
11:03 am
@Erik,
your 10:47 post, was spot on. That’s the same way I feel. Kinda sick to my stomach. It does make our team better especially with Johnson being part of the deal. However, that kid Viz, throws some real nasty stuff out there. I liked him a lot watching him in spring training. This still doesn’t give us what we needed in a #1 pitcher who will pitch the wildcard game and also will be counted on two times in a series in the playoffs.
Speedy Gonzalez
July 31st, 2012
11:08 am
Good move, Maholm is an upgrade & Johnson can take Diaz spot, very limited in what you can do when owners dont want to spend, FW just has to work with what he has & hope for the best, he doesnt write the checks!
Stump O Kelly
July 31st, 2012
11:15 am
All Hail Mr.Wren…………….Could be the trade that pushes us into the World Series. This pitcher is hot right now . Makes sense on paper anyways Welcome to Atlanta, Maholm and Johnson
Tumbledown
July 31st, 2012
11:15 am
Erik – How can you say we “certainly would have been WS contenders” in the future with the core players you mentioned? I think your points are very reasonable up until you talk about being certain. There is no way of knowing how prospects will turn out. There is no way to know about injuries and future trades, and a host of variables along the way.
It does seem that reasonable people are disagreeing about this trade. Let us see how this all unfolds. Maybe in time, this trade will be seen as pure folly, or pure genius, or something in between.
AdirondackDave
July 31st, 2012
11:15 am
Looks like a very positive move to me. Maholm brings (1) lefty, (2) experience, (3) ‘13 option (4) value as a trading chip if needed. Reed Johnson is an obviously good pick-up. Only possible negative is Medlen brain getting scrambled. His role will need to be clearly and firmly defined this winter.
I also think this move sets up a winter Hanson deal this winter for a proven power outfielder or 3B. Tommy will win probably 3-4 games in the last 2 months of the season finishing something like 16-8 with a career era 3.50-3.70. A valuable chip.
Call it wishful thinking but I’m getting the feeling that Uggla is beginning to straighten himself out.
bring back blauser
July 31st, 2012
11:17 am
Erik
viz is damaged goods who may not be the same as he was. Maholm has never been on a team that gave him support. You gonna see some beautiful results from him. GREAT trade fw
Braves fan always
July 31st, 2012
11:21 am
Ralph
You left out hudson and beachy
Keith
July 31st, 2012
11:21 am
Like the trade for obvious reasons:
1 – Got a LH starter:
2 – Signed through next year
3 – Set a cubs record for last 6 starts (hot hand)
4 – his current 3.74 ERA puts him our #3 best starter
5 – Bat off the bench who is hitting well this year
6 – He can play the OF to give bourn/prado days off
7 – We didn’t give up our 2 best prospects
Good job, Frank!
Braves fan always
July 31st, 2012
11:25 am
Ralph
July 31st, 2012
10:07 am
Next years rotation:
Sheets
Maholm
Minor
Delgado
Medlen
you left out hanson,hudson,beachy
You must think atl.does not pick up option for hudson,and trades hansen
beachy is back in mid 2013
Braves fan always
July 31st, 2012
11:29 am
the real rotation hudson
sheets
hansen
mahcolm
minor
beachy is out till mid 2013,if they fail have medlen
personally i trade hansen now,or in off season
Braves fan always
July 31st, 2012
11:33 am
diaz lost the pics he had on wrenn
t god he is gone