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
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.