Atlanta Braves shakeup: Glavine released, Schafer sent down, Hanson called up, McLouth moves to CF
Nate McLouth
Braves — and Pirates — fans may be calling it What The Heck Wednesday.
For Atlanta fans, it was a day that saw veteran pitcher Tom Glavine, 43, released after a comeback bid with his original, longtime MLB team and one day after outfield prospect Jordan Schafer was sent down to AAA Gwinnett after two months of floundering at the major league level. Then Wednesday took another stunning turn when Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouth was traded to the Braves for three prospects. Oh, and lest we forget, top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson was called up to the bigs. Got all that?
For Pirates fans, Wednesday arguably marked another strange chapter in the club’s recent losing history. If Braves fans were stunned by Glavine’s release, Bucs fans had to be speechless after their All-Star outfielder was sent packing at the quarter-point of a season when Pittsburgh is 24-28 and McLouth, a fan favorite, is leading the team with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Pirates players were none too happy with the trade and that GM Neal Huntington is braced for fan backlash, telling the paper, “I know how it’s going to be received back home. Believe me, it was the most difficult move I’ve made.”
YOU TELL US: We’re asking Braves AND Pirates fans to weigh in on the big moves made by both clubs Wednesday. Atlanta fans, share your thoughts on the Glavine release, McLouth deal, Hanson call-up and Schafer send-down (or just whichever move you think was best or worst). And Bucs fans, how will the loss of McLouth affect your team? Tell us what Braves fans will learn to like about Nate McLouth.
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229 comments Add your comment
Josh P.
June 4th, 2009
9:59 am
I think that we have strongly lacked production out of Schafer. He struck out ALL the time. Whatever we gave up is worth it. It is time to win Now in ATL. Us braves fans are sick of missing the playoffs. Bring your A-game Nate! Tomahawk Chop Baby!!!!
dogsbrekky
June 4th, 2009
9:59 am
Disappointed about Glavine but Wren has shown a ruthless streak that IO didn’t think possible and this may help put us back in the playoffs and that is what counts
McLouth is perfect for us. He is young, speedy, powerful and an excellent field and we got him with 3 guys who probably were not going to make an impact in ATL any time in 09/10
Steve
June 4th, 2009
10:00 am
Let’s go Braves.
jbgotcha
June 4th, 2009
10:01 am
This is a great series of moves for the Braves. We have a good draft position, minor league depth at pitcher, and G. Hernandez was blocked by Schafer anyway. Sad to see Glavine go, but it was sad to see him go to the Mets years ago. I think this will make our lineup incredibly better.
Gene
June 4th, 2009
10:02 am
Glavin deserved a shot. If he didn’t produce, then release him. I don’t like the way this franchise treats people. I hope that Smoltz and Glavin make Wren and company look stupid.
Justin
June 4th, 2009
10:03 am
As a Braves fan I think this is a huge step towards the future and a huge step in the right direction. As much as a love Glavine he is done and Tommy Hanson helps us more now and for the future. Nate McLouth is a beast. He won a gold glove last season and made the all-star team and he’s under team control for 3 more years its a win-win for the Braves great day!
Steve
June 4th, 2009
10:03 am
McLouth instantly becomes the Braves best OF this season, and imagine next year or 2011 – McLouth, Schaefer and Heyward starting. That’s a great OF.
hal
June 4th, 2009
10:04 am
hes not going to have the hr numbers in our park but hes a all star class cf and that kid couldent hit water if he fell out of a boat so all in all a definate upgrade now when scheafer forgets everything that wprthless pendelton told him bring him back up and put him in leaft to replace that post that standsa out there against right handers give us defence and speed in leaft and actually scheafers out homered the loaf anderson in limited time see there our offence is fixed lol when do i get paid? lol
Justin
June 4th, 2009
10:05 am
lol gene Glavine has already made you look stupid he didnt tell you there was a e at the end of his name.
ATL BRAVOE
June 4th, 2009
10:07 am
Nice trade for McLouth. However, Frank gave up just a little much for him.
William Burch
June 4th, 2009
10:07 am
The stab in the back of Glavine is unacceptable to me. I have been a Braves fan since 1966 but this is Steinbrenner-like. If they weren’t going to allow him to pitch, then why the take the time to allow him to rehab? I wouldn’t blame Tom if he chose to go into the Hall with a Mets jersey on. He should have at least been given a chance to try it one more time.
Stephen
June 4th, 2009
10:08 am
I’m glad that Frank Wren’s stepping up and making the moves that need to be made. Schuerholtz was too attached to the ’90s teams to make the right business moves that the Braves need now. Excellent trade for McLouth, and Tommy Henson is going to make all of the real Braves fans out there forget about Tom Glavine.
Tom in ATL
June 4th, 2009
10:09 am
The Mclouth deal is a great, great move by Frank Wren. People complain about what we gave up – Charlie Morton may go on and have a decent career – but we have JJ, Lowe, Vazquez and KK locked up, leaving only the 5 spot. TO handle that we have Phenom Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, and coming around the corner from injury – Tim Hudson and Campillo (the forgotten man, but pitched great last year for ATL) Even after trading Morton and releasing Glavine – Braves are stacked with starters. Gorkys is a speedy CF who will likely reach the majors in another year or so – but Nate McClouth is a stud – and signed at a very affordable price for 3/4 years. This is not like the Texiera trade – renting a player and trading away the farm to do it. None of the players traded were likely to crack the Atl lineup anytime soon – if ever. And we still have Schafer on the farm. But McLouth will instantly become a fan favorite, and will give the Braves the power and speed they lack.
As for Glavine – see the above list of starting pitchers – we just had no room for him. I would have liked to see him pitch at Turner Field again – but I think the Braves realize they just have no need for him now – best of luck to TOmmy catching on with someone else. And it’s harsh – but I agree with their assessment – He is not going to be very effective with MLB hitters anymore.
RB
June 4th, 2009
10:09 am
Hal, I’ll bet he can spell
ATLfan15
June 4th, 2009
10:11 am
I like the McClouth trade. I think we gave up a little to get quite a bit in return…can’t wait to see him in a Braves uni on Thursday!
Releasing Glavine was a business decision; that’s all. I realize what he has done for the Braves (and the city of Atlanta), but you can’t sit around and ‘hope’ that the surgically repaired shoulder and elbow of a 43 yr old pitcher will carry the fifth spot in the rotation. Wren is just trying to field the best possible team with the budget he has been given. It’s time to let Hanson come up and take his shot.
If they had kept Glavine and he ended up being 0-6 with 5.00+ ERA, you would hear these same people criticizing Wren for keeping Glavine on the roster too long…..can’t have it both ways.
Brian in Athens
June 4th, 2009
10:12 am
The timing of Glavine pitching well and being ready is the only thing I don’t like. Will Hanson give us a better chance than Glavine? I believe so. However, Hanson gave us a better chance than JoJo Reyes, and whoever else they have been running out there (Medlen is very good, too). It would have been nice for Hanson to be up a couple weeks ago and establish himself through 3-4 starts and then there would be no backlash for pulling him up and cutting Glavine.
As for McClouth, I really like it. There is too much pitching depth for Morton to help us the next couple of years and he deserves a chance. Especially with Hudson coming back later this year we still have 7 deep as far as quality starters including Medlen and Hanson. The young center fielder is very good, but again he would not be playing in Atlanta because Schafer and Blanco are still ahead of him in CF and now with McClouth who is signed for 3-4 years, he wouldn’t be playing at the TED anytime soon. On paper we gave up a lot for him, but in reality they were minor league pieces who will only contribute wins to our minor league system.
I am sensitive to people who wanted Glavine to finish this year with the Braves and ride off into the sunset. However, I lost my emotional attachment when he left for NY, very happy he pitched game 6 in 1995, but baseball is about winning now at the Major League level and we have a very good chance now. We are better with Hanson starting every fifth day.
Obama hates Cheney's bald head the most
June 4th, 2009
10:13 am
OK, im just upset now about the way Glavine didn’t even get a couple of starts or hell even some bullpen work with the club or AAA. We already paid him what he is going to make and the rest are escalators based on performance, WHY RELEASE A FACE OF THE FRANCHISE LIKE THAT? Give him an easy exit and don’t talk to me about “performace decision” crap; he has performed and deserves at least a shot.
Pete nose
June 4th, 2009
10:16 am
Hey Frank Wren don’t worry about the mule,just load the wagon.And justin if you wanted to be in a spelling bee it was the other night. i think you miss’ed it
Dan
June 4th, 2009
10:19 am
McClouth trade is great. Maybe we gave up too much…maybe not. That is obviously the risk in trading.
As for Glavine…tough break, I’m sure he will get over it. As he so well demonstrated, baseball can be a brutal business.
braves fan27
June 4th, 2009
10:26 am
You guys are worried that we gave to much. Charlie Morton , Hernandez, and who Locke. This was a great deal for the braves. Nate is an ALL-STAR people. Now we can compete! And Tommy Hanson is coming up, its about time. Forget Glavine thats what he told us a few years ago when he left us to go to the Muts. Remember people they are NL east rivals, But he didnt care he wanted to stick it to us. And now payback is a b%$##@ . Cant wait to see Nate and Hanson play. Should make for some fun and exciting baseball. Good Job Braves now lets make it to the playoffs. Oh and yes we will see being Huddy soon. Awsome. LETS GO BRAVES
Josh
June 4th, 2009
10:27 am
Congratulations to David O’Brien! Sportscenter Baby….ok enough of that.
I think the release of Glavine is something that had to be done but it should have happened earlier in the season or they should not have re-signed him. As for McLouth(sp?), he is a way better hitter than his .256 BA reflects and has a lot of power from the leadoff spot. He should balance out this offense to where we don’t score 10 and the 2 consistently. I don’t think I’m the only one that is excited about the arrival of Tommy Hanson. The only question I have about him is, what number will he wear?
Michael
June 4th, 2009
10:27 am
Josh P – Be quiet. “Whatever we gave up is worth it” is not true. Fortunately, what we gave up in this case is worth it. But abandoning the farm system to win now is bad strategy.
Mick Chuck
June 4th, 2009
10:29 am
I don’t understand what was so bad about the way the Glavine situation was handled. We had to go through the rehab process and see if he came out of it with an arm better than any in-house replacement. And he didn’t. Why would we pay a million to place him on the roster when it was deemed that he wasn’t better than options we were already paying for?
We have a great rotation and a back-end of the bullpen that includes Medlen, Gonzalez, & Soriano (and 2 months away from the return of Hudson). There simply wasn’t room for a future hall-of-famer who should have hung it up prior to the start of the 2008 season.
steve
June 4th, 2009
10:30 am
Glad the Braves got the last laugh on Glavine. Tommy has been paid millions over 20+ seasons and that was where his loyalty was, not with the Braves. So why should the Braves be loyal to Tommy? Get real people. Braves saved 3 million releasing him.
Dr Henry / augusta
June 4th, 2009
10:30 am
All of you who are miffed because the Braves released Glavine try to remember the last time he pitched in a meaningful game for us….It was the 2002 Division series….We lost that series because Glavines era was 15.26 in two starts….He was bombed and so were we….The Giants ace in that series was Russ Ortiz ( remember him? )….Glavine had a good year in 02 but was terrible in the playoffs….He then became a Met for 5 years and was injured in 08….The Braves did the right thing in releasing him…This decade is almost over and the majority of Tom Glavines success as a Brave was in the last decade – The 90s….
edward
June 4th, 2009
10:31 am
To Gene and all the other so called braves fans who are hoping Glavine puts it to the braves; really? You call yourself a braves fan but want players who are no longer with us, and rightfully so, to beat us?
Wren did whats best for the team. Hanson gives us a better shot in the rotation. Would you rather Glavine get rocked in 4 or 5 starts and then get released? Glavine was more than finished. And if he pitches againist us we will rock him like we did when he was with the mets. And getting McLouth was a steal, plain and simple. Hernandez will be good but he has no where to play in Atlanta, Morton is garbage, forget his stats this yr, and Locke is irrelevant. I am glad we have a GM like Wren who will do whatever it takes to win and will continue to be aggressive to accomplish that. I will cheer Smoltz and Glavine when/if they return to Atlanta for what they did here. But never to beat my team. Its time to move on guys and root for the braves and the players we have. If not, then we don’t need you on our side. We are a much better team today and I salute Frank Wren and look forward to getting back in the playoffs, starting tonight against the cubs. LETS GO BRAVES!!!
ATL Braves
June 4th, 2009
10:31 am
This seems like a great deal, to plug a All Star and Gold Glove caliber player into center field for 3-4 years will help the offense and help the staff tracking down balls. This should take a lot of pressure of Francoeur, there is no added pressure out of the 8 hitter; therefore, we will still be able to utilize his defense and cannon in right.
Charlie Morton was the 3rd best pitcher in Gwinnett this year and Gorkys almost seems like free trade bait since we already have got more than enough out of the Renteria/Jurrjens deal. Great move by Wren to re-energize the team and fan base in early June. It is like we acquired an All Star centerfielder and a potential All Star pitcher (Hanson) in the same day.
See you at the Ted!
Doug
June 4th, 2009
10:32 am
This is the most aggressive I can remember the Braves being since McGriff came to town and the old stadium burned. Good moves. Bring on the summer run to the top of the NL East.
Bamafan
June 4th, 2009
10:32 am
Wren stole us braves fans a very good centerfielder and should get a pat on the back for the trade.
I wish Glavine all the best and maybe catch on with another team and thank you for all the great victorys and world series games!!
Pete nose
June 4th, 2009
10:32 am
Dan– Baseball is a brutal business i guess. get cut by a team you spend most of your career with and only have 100 million to retire on.sounds brutal to me
Zack
June 4th, 2009
10:33 am
Love the McClouth trade. With our farm depth, I don’t think we gave up too much for a player of his worth. He has several years left on his contract with a club option at the end – we will have him for several years to come. We gave up great talent for him, but in places where our farm system has great depth.
Glad to see Shafer sent back down. He was up long enough to know what he needs to work on and will hopefully be much better next time he comes up.
I am sad to see Tom released; however, don’t look at it as a stab in the back. We paid him to rehab when few other teams probably would. I wish Tom the best.
Line Up?
June 4th, 2009
10:35 am
Has anyone heard any news where McLouth might hit? 4-spot? 5-spot? He hit in the the 3-hole for Pittsburgh, I doubt we would utilize him at lead off. What a brutal line up for right-handers to face when Kotch returns (Johnson, C. Jones, McCann, McLouth, Kotchman, G. Anderson all lefties). Too bad the best 2 pitchers in the division (Hamels & Santana) are lefties.
Blackberry Cobbler
June 4th, 2009
10:39 am
Now, get rid of Francine and Anderson and get one more good pitcher and I’ll be happy.
PMC
June 4th, 2009
10:44 am
Wren obviously has a plan, he’s sticking to it and he’s doing an excellent job as GM. He’s even putting a little more of the truth in his media contacts which I appreciate.
PMC
June 4th, 2009
10:45 am
Love Tom Glavine though and I hope he makes it back somewhere this year and I’ll always appreciate everything he did for our ball club.
Thomas
June 4th, 2009
10:46 am
More bumblin’, stumblin’, lying at every opportunity, Atlanta Braves. Don’t get me wrong, the McClouth trade is a steal, and Hanson is a much better option (long term), but you simply do not treat your icons in the manner in which the Braves have treated both Glavine and Smoltz. If you want to move in a different direction, FINE. But man up and give these guys the courtesy of letting them know from the get-go. Schuerholz went out of his way to drag Glavine through the mud in 2002, saying they offered ‘comparable’ dollars, when the facts point out that the offers weren’t even close. Wren does the same thing this year to Smoltz and now says the Glavine release was ‘performance related’………yet by cutting Glavine and his performance based contract he freed up almost exactly what Atlanta is on the hook for in regards to McClouth. Good baseball move….fine, but please call a spade a spade before we see our Atlanta-icons showing up in Cooperstown wearing somebody else’s uniform.
1eyedJack
June 4th, 2009
10:46 am
Hanson should have made the team out of spring training.
Though I have a fondness for Glavine and appreciate what he has done for the Braves, (300 game winner, game 6 of the ‘95 WS) I now have more velocity than he does. Glavine always lived by his changeup. Now that’s not much different than his fastball. We will get more production from the 5th spot with Hanson than with Glavine. It’ll be interesting to see, when we don’t need the 5th starter who gets passed over, Hanson or Kawakami? Medlin becomes the long man and spot starter out of the bullpen and is an upgrade over Buddy Carlyle or Jorge Campillo.
McClouth is an instant upgrade over Shafer in CF now and can slide over to left or right when Shafer’s ready. Instant offense as far as power and run production and I think the batting average will climb in this lineup. Gold glover too. I like Mike Gonzalez’s assessment, “a baller”. Maybe bring a little fire to the lineup. I wanted this guy since I first saw him play. Leave him alone TP.
As for what we gave up. Just prospects. Morton is a head case, no confidence. He may one day be a serviceable 4th or 5th guy. Locke is an A ball pitcher and a 2nd round choice. Give me a hundred dollars for every 2nd round pitcher who has ever washed out and I’ll be layin’ on the beach from now on. Gorkys may be the best prospect of the three but does he bring a different skill set than Shafer? I don’t think so.
Dogfan1
June 4th, 2009
10:47 am
Stabbed in the back???? Are you kidding me? This was a business decision, just like Tommy G said his decision was when he bolted for New York. You can talk about loyalty all you want, but there was not a whole lot of loyalty on his part several years ago when he went to the METS!
Chris
June 4th, 2009
10:48 am
What exactly is going to happen when all of our starting pitchers are healthy? Even with the release of Glavine we still have a total excess of pitching. 1. Lowe 2. Hudson 3. JJ 4. Javy 5. Hanson ? I know we’re not going to give up on KK that easily and I believe they’d like to keep Medlin pitching. Campillo I assume will go to the Bullpen. Any thoughts on that?
braves phanatic
June 4th, 2009
10:50 am
wren said something like “we havent had a true leadoff hitter since furcal, if that is indeed where booby decides to put him.”
i think bobby would be an idiot not to hit him first. he has the speed to jumpstart our stagnant offense. why put him 5th or 6th so kelly can do nothing at the top of the order. kelly should be down in the order….
mclouth
escobar
jones
mcann
anderson
johnson
kotchman
frenchy
lowe/jair/javy/hanson/kawakami
bullpen:
gonzo
soriano
moylan
oflarety
medlen
bennett (please be DFAd tomorrow!)
who am i missing here? buddy?
bench:
diory
diaz
ross
norton
not sure if that is everyone but that is a team fellas. and that is a hell of a lineup and a hell of a starting rotation and medlen adds instant depth to the bullpen.
wow. this team can win this division if we start to play consistent baseball. last night still pisses me off and we some how need to win against the Z man tonight or this series loss could kill the momentum of this trade maybe.
what a team this can be if everyone plays to their full potential and stays healthy….*cough* frenchy.
Danny
June 4th, 2009
10:50 am
As for the McLouth trade, I love it. I agree that what we gave up was not too much. Locke was a good young pitching prospect, but with the depth we have for pitchers, he was not gonna be used by us. Morton could find success, yes, but he will never be amazing. And I have more faith in Medlen/Hanson than I do in Morton. Hernandez was supposed to be a hell of a player, but he was blocked, so he was just trade bait. McLouth is an exciting player (about time…we don’t have too many of them left) with a great arm, great range, a good eye in the outfield, good bat, and he is an all-star and golden glover (well-deserved as well). Plus, he’s locked up for a few more years at a pretty cheap rate.
Schafer was not ready. I think he will pan out in the long run, but he was rushed to the Majors. Somebody’s future is in jeopardy though. Either Francoeur (McLouth and Schafer both have strong arms) or Schafer…because we all know that Heyward will take LF when he is ready (maybe sometime next year?), so somebody has to go. I don’t wanna see either go, because Schafer can play a sick CF. Francoeur I think will turn it around, but we’ll see.
I’m obviously excited to see Hanson pitch.
As for Tom Glavine, I am very angry with how the Braves handled it. To come out to the media and say that he just wasn’t good enough to join our club is a jackass thing to do. Schuerholz tried to keep relations with the fans strong, but Wren is not doing that very well. Smoltz abandoned us for more money, but Glavine did everything we asked him to do. He bent over backwards so he could stay with us, but we stabbed him in the back right when he says he’s ready to pitch. At least give him a few starts…make him show that his comeback wasn’t successful if you’re so sure about it. I think Stephen is completely wrong when he says real Braves fan will forget about Glavine. Real Braves fan will remember Glavine and be saddened that this is how his legendary career with Atlanta comes to an end. He has given the organization and the fans so much. I hope another team signs Glavine, and I hope for that game that he makes our hitters look foolish. He deserves it…and Wren deserves it…
Ozzy
June 4th, 2009
10:52 am
Awesome Trade. Charlie Morton had no place in Braves and had to be traded. Nate is a hard worker who also brings a lot of speed and a gold glove and could be our leadoff hitter.
Now let’s trade Jeff Francover away for another better outfielder to make this team really strong..
Cool Kat
June 4th, 2009
10:54 am
They gave Glavine a chance – they let him rehab. They gave him an opportunity. He just doesn’t have it anymore. You guys would be pissed off if he was put into the rotation and shelled more times than not. You would be crying that the Braves were losing. You would be crying that we didn’t make it to the playoff’s. It’s time for Glavine and Smoltz to hang it up and head on over to the glue factory.
Bdawg
June 4th, 2009
10:54 am
Generally I like the trade. But there is some caution. Yes, McClouth is an All-Star, but remember every team must have at least one representative in the All-Star game. It’s possible he was the only Pirate sent, so he may not have been as deserving. His current average isn’t all that great, but if you’re going to hit in the .250s you need to hit for power, something he is but Francouer isn’t. At least the team is addressing the biggest weakness on the team.
j
June 4th, 2009
10:55 am
“The stab in the back of Glavine is unacceptable to me. I have been a Braves fan since 1966 but this is Steinbrenner-like. If they weren’t going to allow him to pitch, then why the take the time to allow him to rehab? I wouldn’t blame Tom if he chose to go into the Hall with a Mets jersey on. He should have at least been given a chance to try it one more time.”
William Burch: Maybe you have forgotten that Glavine stabbed US in the back a few years ago when he bolted for the Mets. Why allow him to rehab? because they weren’t sure whether he could get back into form and be useful for our team. And just so you know, had we “given him a chance just one more time,” the Braves would have been on the line for another $1 million- thats just not a smart business decision for a guy who still has shoulder pain and who cannot reach 84 mph anymore. Lastly, with regard to the Hall and going in as a Met, since 2001, the Hall, and not the players, have the final say on what team a player goes in as.
BIGMAC FAN
June 4th, 2009
11:00 am
Obama Head or whatever, the face of the franchise,give me a break. Hoss is the face of this franchise!!
Noah
June 4th, 2009
11:04 am
Now, get rid of Francine and Anderson and get one more good pitcher and I’ll be happy.
Why would you get rid of GA. He playing well and you want to get rid of him to play who? a rookie. Great, lets get rid of our LF and RF and bring up two guys from AA. One more pitcher? You mean starter? Where on earth would you pitch in the rotation.
ugacpa02
June 4th, 2009
11:04 am
When everyone is healthy will be next year. Hudson, will not be fully healthy this year. He’ll be a 6th starter subbing in with Kawakami or Hanson who will have their innings somewhat limited this year as they haven’t pitched a full MLB season before.
Medlen is going to be a bullpen guy. He was generally thought of as a bullpen guy in the minors, but was so good they allowed him to start awhile to get more experience quicker. He’ll be quite useful.
Campillo can be a bullpen option. Nothing wrong with having depth.
SavannahGA
June 4th, 2009
11:05 am
The will probably move Hudson to the bullpen for the remainder of the regular season. They did the same thing with Smoltz, after he returned from surgery. If Hudson does make the starting rotation, then I suspect we will either try to trade KK, or send him to the bullpen in place of Bennett.
bob
June 4th, 2009
11:09 am
The Braves tried to go with Smoltz and Glavine in 08 and it really messed up their pitching staff when both had arm problems. I thought they should have not signed them then and relied ontwo over 40 arms. Letting Glavine hang on for maybe one-half season, probably wouldn’t get them in the playoff. Making the trades yesterday might give them a shot at the division, or at least a wild card. If the hadn’t made the trade for Lamouth I would have put Kelly Johnson in CF and put Prado at 2b until Infante got back and you would have a better defense up the middle. I would keep Medlin in the starting rotation and put Kawakmi in the bullpen.
pirates62895
June 4th, 2009
11:10 am
This is a terrible loss for all of the Pirate fans. This loss will afect our team by I think that our team chemistry will be shaken up and the players will not be happy with our management. I think that it is offical that the Pittsburgh Pirates will have the most losing seasons ever. Very very hard day to be a Pirates fan, I am speechless and don’t expect to see any Pirate fans at the game today against the Mets or ever!
braves phanatic
June 4th, 2009
11:12 am
just a looking at mclouth’s stats here lately….
unofficially he is 5 of his last 34, which is a .147 average in his last 10 games. he has dropped 20 points off his average in those games. after May 17th he was batting .294. so he has been slumping over the last 15 games or so.
with that said his season totals so far:
.256/.349/.470/.819 9 HR 34 RBI 27 R and 7 SB
lets say he continues at this pace for the rest of the season…. his final numbers will look like this:
31 HRs 117 RBI 93 Rs 24 SBs
wow. that would be sweet. he is playing a bigger ballpark now so the homers may drop a little but i would expect the rbi to stay the same….
as far as some career splits go:
vs LHP, 359 ABs .259 avg 11 HRs 46 RBI
vs RHP 1114 ABs .261 avg 49 HRS 148 RBI
career Home numbers, this is a little surprising:
757 ABs .268 avg 30 Hrs 109 RBI
career Away:
716 ABs .253 avg 30 HRs 85 RBI
he has the same amount of HRs on the road as he did at pittsburgh. wow. granted, his away numbers this year have been awful that is still a key statistic imo.
Ms.Miya
June 4th, 2009
11:12 am
I live in Pittsburgh but I am orginally from Atlanta and I LOVE the Braves. I must tell you, the Pittsburgh fans are not happy about the trade. Honestly, I was a little shocked to hear Tom was being released but I think his time has come and gone. McClouth is a great addition for the Braves and he couldn’t have come at a better time. The Braves will have a three game series aganist the Pirates next week and this will give us Braves fan the opportunity to see what he is really worth!!!! Welcome to the team!
Joe B
June 4th, 2009
11:14 am
Baseball is about winning, not nostalgia. The Braves’ rotation is not what is wrong with this team, and Tom Glavine wasn’t the answer to the problems it does have.
Atlanta swindled the Pirates on the McLouth trade. The Braves, let’s face it, are in desperate shape in the outfield. They needed McLouth more than the Pirates needed anything they got in this trade.
ALforATL
June 4th, 2009
11:15 am
I would have hated to see the Braves trade any decent prospects for a short term rental – the JD Drew and Texiera deals just sting worse and worse every day. But McLouth has a 3 year contract plus the club option for the 4th, he is a major upgrade over anyone playing in the outfield right now, and we did not give up any elite prospects. Good trade.
I’m sad to see Glavine leave the team not on his own terms, but I’m not sure it was avoidable. Seems like the dominant sentiment on here was that it was a mistake to sign him back in the first place. So it’s a mistake to release him, now, too? Like someone else said, we paid him over $1 million to rehab and no other team would have done that much. We have a very good starting staff, and he certainly would not have been an upgrade over anyone we are currently starting. It was time to move on.
Wayne Kelley
June 4th, 2009
11:15 am
The Braves were very fortunate to have Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz all those years. I’m sure once you have had that kind of success and lifestyle its hard to retire. Glavine has been one of the greatest pitchers of all time and a classy guy. But, as a Braves fan I think Wren made the right move as baseball goes on and its a young mans game. The trade is exciting! We need hitting! The one I’m the most excited about is Tommy Hansen. He is from my hometown of Redlands CA and he is a great kid who can flat out pitch. He will be a number 1 starter soon. GO BRAVES!
StingDoc
June 4th, 2009
11:15 am
The trade for McLouth was bold, daring, and just what the Braves need to boost up the poor hitting by the outfield. You can’t land an All-Star without giving something up. Let’s hope this gets the Braves into the play-offs. I had hoped landing Texiera last year would do it, but that didn’t happen. Maybe it will this year. Something had to be done. Wren’s decisions with McLouth and Glavine will be vindicated if the Braves make the play-offs. If they don’t, he will probably be criticized. Injuries and DL’s have really hurt the team this year so they need to get healthy.
Ted
June 4th, 2009
11:15 am
What is McClouth’s contract status? Is this another Texiera type of trade where we give up promising young talent for “Rent-a-Player.”
GT Falcon
June 4th, 2009
11:18 am
Great moves. McLouth is not just a rent a player and we have him for 3-4 years at a cheap price. He already has more HR than all of our OF combined. Our pitching has been outstanding and all we needed is some more O to win the division. I’m pumped.
J williams
June 4th, 2009
11:19 am
The moves that were made were good ones. On the surface, it appears that Glavine was let go to free up money for McLouth. The monies are just too close for it to be anything else.
It would have been nice if they’d made a decision on Glavine before he went through the rehab starts, and proclaimed himself ready to pitch. Hanson’s been in waiting for 2+ months, and it’s been stated that he would be on the big club this season. With the rotation that they have, barring injury, how was he going to be brought up?
Bobby Lee
June 4th, 2009
11:23 am
The Braves mistake was resigning Glavine in the first place.
He bolted when,he could’ve helped and wanted to return after,becoming washed up.I say good riddance.
We traded three prospects for an all star at a position of need.That seems like a good deal to me although it’s too early to,make that determination.We’ll see how everything pans out.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 4th, 2009
11:24 am
The GM said he would play the players who gave them the best chance to win. How can anyone be critical of that?
Tommy
June 4th, 2009
11:25 am
For those Braves critics who feel Tom Glavine got a raw deal by letting him pitch rehab assignments and then releasing him, you’ve forgotten something. Opposing teams also scout pitchers rehab assignments…don’t feel sorry for Glavine, another team will pick him up if he really can still pitch…
Kirby
June 4th, 2009
11:26 am
This is Wren’s best move in his tenure as GM. Charlie Morton was one of the lesser of our best pitching prospects and Gorkys Hernandez may turn out as a good player but I will take McLouth. This guy is a stud and can be a centerpiece for the Braves future. As far as Glavine goes I am glad they finally parted ways. He hasnt been the same for quite some time now and I am sick of waiting around for old pitchers to heal and pitch for 1 or 2 years when we have great prospects tearing up AAA who deserve a chance in the majors.
PhilliesRule
June 4th, 2009
11:33 am
It doesn’t matter what player the Braves get from the Pirates—they will never get close to the playoffs with the Phillies and the Mets in the division, with better talent, better managers and better organizations. The braves have one title from 95—that’s why they call atlanta loserville up in Philly–best sports city in America!!!
Pierson Brave
June 4th, 2009
11:34 am
OK, so we are all on the same page. Our new CF’r is named Nate McLouth, not McClouth. He is going to be on the team for a while, so learn the name. BTW, thanks for the memories Glavine. May the HOF be kind to you.
JD
June 4th, 2009
11:34 am
I am as big a fan of Tom Glavine as anyone. Understanding the business side of baseball and his loss of velocity it is the right decision. Honestly it could have been handled better than it was, thinking over the reports of the last couple of weeks and hearing Tommy G. profess that he was ready to pitch in the Majors with little or no comment from the front office was the writing on the wall. Financially it only saves the club a small amount of money, but in the long run they get to find out just how special Tommy Hanson can be.
The trade for McLouth didn’t cost the Braves too much and his production on offensive is sorely needed. What does this mean down the road for Jordan Schafer? First things first, get himself sorted out at AAA and see what happens. If Frenchy plays as well as he can (?) and Schafer and Heyward reach their full potentials then in a couple of years the Braves are in a position that any club would love to be in.
Charles
June 4th, 2009
11:35 am
To the folks whining about Glavine…this is a businesss, and lest you forget Glavine left us a few years back for more money. The guy is finished, we don’t owe him a thing, and this saves us the million bucks we would’ve owed him for taking the hill – not that that’s a huge deal anyway.
Good moves all around. I’m ecstatic about seeing McClouth patrolling center, and Hanson is going to create a serious buzz…let’s hope he’s ready. We need to make a move in this race right now, and these moves were made with that in mind. Good day all around and the Braves just got a lot better.
don
June 4th, 2009
11:36 am
Braves duped again.
midnite
June 4th, 2009
11:37 am
When are you people going to let go of the past? The big 3 were great when they were here, but they are old and times have changed.
Maddux and Boras caused forced us to trade Millwood by waiting until the last minute to accept arbitration. Smoltz bolted in January for the money and Glavine left for the Mets for a couple of extra millions.
There is NO true loyalty in any big money business. Good riddance to the worn out old farts. To say the Braves mistreated those guys is a complete joke.
Thanks, Frank Wren for getting getting us Nate Mclouth. Great trade!
Pierson Brave
June 4th, 2009
11:38 am
PhilliesRule sorry to see that the flying Hawaiian has been grounded. Looks like the sparkplug might be gimping for a while. Go Braves.
phoenix falcon
June 4th, 2009
11:41 am
it’s about time wren DID something right.
i still think they need another bat.
Brian Bernard
June 4th, 2009
11:41 am
Longtime Pirates fan here, but sometimes I wonder why… This is another one of those occassions.
For Braves fans… be happy, be very happy. Nate McClouth is an extremely talented outfielder with growing skills, not declining. Do not worry about the average dipping slightly, he has had no support around him in the lineup and has been our only dangerous bat – therefore he’s been getting little to hit.
Outstanding defensively, taking exceptional lines to the ball with maybe 1 error over two years and double digit assists.
Not great speed, but exceptional at reading the pitchers and can steal 20+ bases per year.
Overall, our best player in several years and still young at 27 years old. A sad day for Bucco fans to be sure.
I’ve read your comments on your prospects included and frankly I’m dissapointed both from that, and from scouting reports I’ve read. The one bright spot for us is that our best prospect Andrew McCutchen gets a promotion to the bigs and he has superior talent. I hope he can live up to it.
Nate, I and I’m sure the rest of the fans here wish you nothing but the best and continued success… just not against us!
MiltonDawg
June 4th, 2009
11:45 am
Trade most definetly will have an immediate impact. Great move Wren! Tough for Tommy G but glad to see Tommy H being called up. Glavine, thanks for all the great years. Unfortunately, this is business and you got the short end of the stick.
Larry Croxton
June 4th, 2009
11:49 am
The braves have gone from being a class organization . Too JUST CLASSLESS ! I can’t think of any organization that would treat the faces of there Organization the way the braves have. I’ts truly a SHAME.
Todd
June 4th, 2009
11:54 am
I love teh McLouth move. He’s the best since Andrew left. I actually would have signed him back instead of having Schafer play center. Schafer was just not ready; misplaying balls in center and he just isn’t ready for big league pitching. If we can get Francover to stop taking the stupid 1st pitch swings when the opposing pitcher is laboring, especially with runnewrs in scoring position, he wold be just fine. Hate to see Tommy Glavine go, but he left us for the Mets
. I am notholding that against him, but I just remember.
Let’s see how things run with these moves. With Hanson coming up, he will help with the rotation.
Things are looking up in Braves Nation.
jbgotcha
June 4th, 2009
11:58 am
There is no way we get rid of Kawakami. He simply generates too much interational interest. Plus, he gives us an edge in recruiting from Japan in the future. He will never be more than a #4 or #5 starter, but we knew that going into this deal.
Threadkiller
June 4th, 2009
12:01 pm
I hate to tell you all this! Glavine did not bolt to the Mets for the money! He did infact bolt for a specific personal reason. If you all look back real hard, you’ll be able to figure it out!
Dennis
June 4th, 2009
12:02 pm
“Bidness is bidness”…heard that in a movie sometime, somewhere. Truth is that Glavine left Atlanta for the Mets for business reasons (more money) and Smoltz left for business reasons (more money). Where was their sentimentality. Where was their concern for the organization that nursed them through their rookie mistakes and paid them when they were hurt (remember last year when Smoltz made a gazillion dollars per win). Fact is that players, the players union, the teams and MLB are all invested in a business. We fans don’t go out if the team is losing and complain about the lack of moves when the team is floundering (sound familiar?). Wren made two baseball moves, smart ones at that, that opened up a spot for a 22 year old who promises to be superb and is surely better at this point in time than Glavine and then gets a quality outfielder for three players who may never have lived up to promise nor played well at the major league level. McClouth on the other hand has shown he can play very well at the major league level and is under contract through 2011 with an option for 2012. As Braves fans we should rejoice and I, for one, wish both Glavine and Smoltz well other than the times they would oppose the Braves. They were key components of past Braves teams but their time has sadly passed. Maybe ten years from now we can talk about the time we added our All Star McClouth or our Cy Young winner Hanson…think about it.
Ricky Muse
June 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
I am Very Mad at the way Tom Glavine was treated by the Braves! Tom should have been given a Chance to Show he can pitch on the Major League Level again. Then if he could not Perform, then Release Him!
Atlanta Braves Management done him Dirty!!!!
Dennis
June 4th, 2009
12:06 pm
Mmmmm…so we pay him a $1,000,000 roster bonus to let him pitch one time to see if he still can get out major league players….that is wonderfully logical isn’t it?
Biff Pocaroba
June 4th, 2009
12:07 pm
The Braves gave Niekro a curtain call, it would have been nice to give Glavine a final game at home. I can’t argue with the trade or bringing up the kid from Gwinnett. Pepe Frias and I say “go Bravos”!
Yo Bravo
June 4th, 2009
12:08 pm
As Tommy G said back when he left the Braves for the Mets-”It’s a Business, I made the best decision for me and my family”. The Braves did the same thing.Uncertain what they would get from Glavine(production wise),they were contactual obligated to pay him a million dollar bonus if he were on the roster today I believe. And several other bonus’s would then upcoming. With his age & recent health issue’s, the Braves just did’nt think if fiscal responsible. A pure business move. Would it have been nice to let him make 1 more start in a Braves uniform-yes. But it would have cost them the bonus cash to do it. From what I understand Glavine was given the chance to retire a Brave or be released-he chose the latter. If the Braves had done the good PR move and kept/paid Glavine and for the sake of argument he broke down or was ineffective, the Braves would have been strapped cash wise to make other moves. The Braves budget is what it is,sorry Tommy.
bob
June 4th, 2009
12:12 pm
As much as I like Glavine and Smoltz I think they both are trying to hang on too long. They both should have had class like Mad Dog and retired when they reache their 40’s. The Braves should have cut ties with them earlier instead of trying to bring back the old glory days.
Jarrett Storm
June 4th, 2009
12:13 pm
With the Glavine move we still have money leftover to sign a Power bat for LF or RF if we need to. McClouth will help out I hope. I am happy about the trade. Lets hope Tommy Hanson does the deed!
Hollywould
June 4th, 2009
12:17 pm
Wake up call for you who are saying Glavine should get another chance. This is not 1995. He does not get the 6 inch outside strike call anymore
as much as I liked it as a Braves fan. His time is over. 80mph does not get it. Let it go and give the young guys their start. Smoltz and Glavine WERE great pitchers but they are broken down.
ruppert
June 4th, 2009
12:19 pm
now can we release/reassign Terry Pendleton too? Then the work will be done. Hire Larry sr.
Casey Stinkle
June 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
I really hate that Glavine was cut loose like that after working so hard to get back, but I can certainly understand the Brave’s thinking too. Hanson seems to be the logical choice, and one would think that Glavine would understand that, but it sounds like he his a bit hurt by this. I am sure back in ‘87, Glavine was the young stud that took some older pitcher’s job too. The Braves seem loaded with starting pitching, and after seeing Smoltz and Glavine holding back this team in 2008, I can’t blame the Braves. I truly wish him the best, and believe there are several teams that probably will be calling. BTW, I LOVE the McClouth trade. Would like to see Holliday here too, but that may be asking a bit much.
johnnyboy
June 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
Great move. .500 baseball isn’t going to make the playoffs. If we can pick up an extra game per week with McLouth we’ll have a shot. Go Braves!!
Kudos to Wren
June 4th, 2009
12:23 pm
The team was a wreck when Wren became General Manager. We suffered through last summer, when Smoltz and Glavine broke down, Hudson was hurt and the young pitchers could not fill their shoes. Maybe Wren could have handled releasing Glavine with more finesse – and maybe not. Aging pitchers do not go gently into that good night. No one knows when to retire anymore. And Glavine turned his back on the Braves before, so maybe we shouldn’t cry too much. Bottom line: while saddled with Liberty Media’s constraints, Wren nonetheless is improving the Braves, with thoughtful acquisitions and bringing the new talent along.
Doug
June 4th, 2009
12:24 pm
Just another bonehead move by the “worst” professional franchise in all of sports. Try justifying this. You had a guy in McLouth who was a fan favorite, had decent power, well above average speed, solid defensively and you ship him out for once again, the proverbial prospects. The organization is a joke and deserves to be in Triple A at best. Watch the lineup they trot out tonight. Freddie Sanchez in the 3 hole-lots of power there. Think about the outfield at this time last year, Jason Bay, McLouth, and Xavier Nady and now Nyger Morgan, Andrew McCutcheon, and Brandon Moss. You are lucky in Atlanta not to have to put up with this mess up here. I am done and will not attend any Pirate games. Fans as well as his teammates are up in arms over the deal. The Pirates have to be the laughing stock of baseball. Whenever a team needs to dump their slop for a quality player just call the Bucs. They’ll be sure to accomodate.
ndadome
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
Dennis. Finally, the voice of reason. Well said, sir.
LivininAL
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
Braves needed a centerfielder, now we have one. Braves needed a fifth starter, now we have one. I even think that Hanson will beocme the #4 and KK will drop to 5 soon. I hate the situation and timing for Glavin, but I think he would give up 4 or more runs in 5-6 innings every outing.
jimmy
June 4th, 2009
12:33 pm
now all we need is apower hitting 1b/of and a hitting coach to handle them
Line Up?
June 4th, 2009
12:34 pm
I think Medlin will be a tremendous addition to the bullpen. I think he has tremendous upside on the bump, it’s unfortunate he had a few bad innings in his first couple of starts. But his last 10 innings or so were phenomenal. Think we could pitch a deal to Toronto for Kawakami? haha
Chad
June 4th, 2009
12:40 pm
I’m not angry over the Braves releasing Glavine but most fans are upset over the timing. We all recently heard about Glavine’s re-hab start and the scoreless innings. If we would have released him last month before he was in a game, this would not be a big deal. But, the Braves are coming off a horrible road trip, the budget is tight, and the risk was not worth the reward (with Glavine (5 to 6 innings a game giving up 3+ ER). GO BRAVES!
mark
June 4th, 2009
12:44 pm
look mclouth is an exciting young player. but remember this, he only did it for one year. He wasnt even projected to be an every day player one year ago. just thought i would let you know. Dont get to excited yet!
move on at last
June 4th, 2009
12:52 pm
I have only enjoyed watching one pitcher more than Glavine in his prime, and that was Maddux in his prime. Their prime was several years ago. Drove to Rome last night to watch the R Braves, the locals said Glavine looked good in his start for them on Tuesday, but only A ball good. Good luck to Glav, but it is time to move on. I’m happy Hansen is coming up, but Medlen had better numbers in Gwinnett and is sent to the pen. Don’t quite understand that one. And McClouth has GOT to be better than our other options in CF and Morton, though good at AAA, struggled mostly last year, and has been passed in the organizational chart by Hansen and Medlen. Excellent trade. Now, if we can just find a right fielder.
Mark
June 4th, 2009
12:53 pm
These are separate deals. The trade is great. An All Star centerfielder for three prospects that didn’t figure in the Braves plans due to the number of other players at their positions.
Glavine is a different issue. Wren gets paid to make the tough decisions required to win and manage the budget. I like Tom Glavine, and I think he received a lot of undeserved criticism for going to the Mets. This is a business and he maximized his value for himself and his family.
Wren’s decision was made over time and it was also a business decision. Why call up Glavine and pay a roster bonus when you believe you have two young starters who give you a better chance to win? If Wren forgets about the money, he may want to give Glavine a chance. However, you can’t forget about the money. Glavine didn’t.
Its also about the team. A few games back it was written that Chipper pulled himself and told Bobby to play Prado because it would give the team a better chance to win. This is the same type of decision. Play the players that give the Braves the best chance to win. That is what the fans want and just as importantly, it is what the members of the team deserve.
Wes
June 4th, 2009
1:02 pm
Does anyone know why Jason Heyward was moved back to the Danville Braves several days ago? That is the rookie ball team. It looks like Cody Johnson might have been moved to right for the Myrtle Beach team.