Deadline report: Braves have stood out by doing nothing
Yunel Escobar seems like he's looking at the standings, but he just got hit on the wrist by a pitch Thursday night.
Good morning. The Braves haven’t made a trade yet. Why do I get the feeling I’ll be able to type the same thing after breakfast?
Did something a little bit different last night, while switching between the Braves-Marlins and the “The Doors” movie on HBO (and by the way, it turns out Jim Morrison was kind of dark and had a drinking problem). I arranged all of the National League playoff contenders by winning percentage. The idea was to determine if only the best teams are being aggressive as they approached the trade deadline.
The maybe-not-so-shocking results: Yes.
As you go down the list, notice how as the winning percentages decrease, the lesser teams are napping. (This includes your Braves: No. 8 with a bullet.) Now, doing nothing isn’t surprising for a non-playoff contender, unless you’re the Pittsburgh Pirates and the idea is to see how much you can sell off your major organs for. But every team I’m listing below is at least a legitimate wild-card contender. Or is supposed to be.
The list:
♦ 1. Dodgers (.618): They just made a trade with Baltimore for All-Star reliever George Sherrill, who can close or be a set-up man. There’s the added bonus of Sherrill not having failed a drug test in 2003, which sets him apart in the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
♦ 2. Phillies (.580): The team the Braves have pretty much ceased chasing in the East tried to swing a deal for Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay but couldn’t get him. So they settled for Cleveland’s Cliff Lee, a Cy Young winner. Assuming we can call that settling.
♦ 3. Giants (.549) They’re one of the teams that has benefited most from the Pirates’ yard sale, acquiring All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
♦ 4. Cubs (.540): Not a huge move but a solid one, acquiring reliever John Grabow from Pittsburgh. Grabow is 3-0 with a 3.42 earned run average. Seems like he’s a guy who could have helped the Braves’ bullpen.
♦ 5. Rockies (.539): Nothing big this week but last week added set-up man Rafael Betancourt from Cleveland. Opponents were hitting .225 against him. So far he’s allowed one base runner in three appearances in Colorado.
♦ 6. Cardinals (.533): Acquired someone who potentially could’ve put the Braves over the top for a wild-card spot: Oakland outfielder/first baseman Matt Holliday, a legitimate home run hitter. (Correction from earlier reference to “40-home run hitter.”)
♦ 7. Marlins (.520): Nothing.
♦ 8. Braves (.510): Nothing.
♦ 9. Brewers (.500): Nothing.
♦ 10. Astros (.500): Nothing.
Does this disturb you? We’ve weighed in on the whole should-the-Braves-deal-or-stand-pat thing several times. But seeing them at the bottom of this list and doing nothing jumps out at me. Isn’t the idea to be aggressive in a pennant stretch? Or is this just about 2010?
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149 comments Add your comment
mudcat47
July 31st, 2009
2:54 pm
Toronto has a relief pitcher, Brandon Frasor that they are willing to trade. With a 2.13 ERA pitching in the A.L. East, he must have some pretty good stuff. Are you listening Mr. Wren?
Braves Fan in Dawg Country
July 31st, 2009
2:57 pm
I think Frank Wren has done a great job. The McClouth trade is as good as any at the deadline (well, possibly with the exception of the Phillies getting Cliff Lee for nothing), only they got him weeks earlier. I wasn’t a fan when they traded for Vazquez during the off season, but I was wrong. He has been spectacular. Holliday sounded good, but Garret Anderson has really turned it on lately and is now hitting above .300. Actually, checking the stats, Anderson is hitting .301 while Holliday is at .302. Holliday has 1 hr in his last 10 games, Anderson has 3. So I don’t think it would have been much of an upgrade, so why give away a lot of talent just to say you made a(nother) trade? And Adam Dunn? He has hit lots of hr’s, but if we wanted him, shouldn’t we have simply signed him during the off-season where we wouldn’t have to give up our prospects? I agree with what a lot of others have said … if you count Huddy and Infante as additions, then we will have upgraded our roster. Good Job Frank Wren!
thirdwheel3131
July 31st, 2009
2:58 pm
His name is Nate Mclouth. This is the major addition we needed and we made it when we should have.
There is no hitter out there that wouldn’t cost an arm and a Heyward.
Other than perhaps going after QUalls or Juan Cruz, there really isn’t an obvious upgrade.
Unless they can convince someone to take on Kawakami… Which is doubtful.
Yet for some reason there is a perception that if the Braves don’t make a move it’s a bad thing?
Why?
Sure the Phillies added Lee, but this is because after HAmels they have massive issues.
And it’s time for the BRaves to stop sending out their best prospects. If they can win the wild card, great. If not, they are set up for a good run next year — a run that will require the addition of 1 more real bat. Maybe Heyward will be ready.
But the idea that standing pat is like settling is ridiculous. If anything Wren has been more aggressive than anyone. He’s doing a great job and if they can stay healthy the wild card is for the taking.
Raphy "Witch Doctor" Soriano
July 31st, 2009
3:03 pm
If we didn’t have Tim Hudson and Omar Infante coming off rehab, everyone would say we should trade for Tim Hudson and Omar Infante. What’s the difference? BULA BULA!
Raphy "Witch Doctor" Soriano
July 31st, 2009
3:06 pm
Adam LaRoche back to the Bravos?
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/braves-interested-in-adam-laroche.html
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
i’m not at all down on Wren – i think he’s done a good job. But I thought we might get a reliever, and the clock is winding down. we simply cannot keep using our bullpen the way we have and then expect them to be effective at season’s end. Four pitchers have combined for 207 appearances – and three of those pitchers have had recent major arm surgery.
lee
July 31st, 2009
3:21 pm
they are saying now that if Boston Gets martinez from cleveland and if the Red Sox would make Adam LaRoche availiable–the Braves would like to bring him back to atlanta!!
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
3:31 pm
a note on Cox’s overuse of Gonzalez – he uses him 3 games in a row against Colorado before the break, but then is forced to sit him for 10 days with tendinitis. As soon as he comes back, Bobby throws him out there for 4 out of the next 5 games, including putting him out there on back to back nights with a 6-run lead each time. He takes a line drive off the arm and is unavailable for 2 days. Then Bobby pitches him in 3 of the next 4 games.
To be clear, in the last 12 games in which Gonzalez has been at all available, Bobby has used him 10 times!!! While the guy is struggling with tendinitis. Criminal. I love Bobby, but his abuse of the bullpen this year is borderline senile.
Unusually Big Papi
July 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
KOtchman to Bos for LaRoche
http://www.nesn.com/2009/07/red-sox-adam-laroche-traded-to-braves-for-casey-kotchman.html?mtr
Unusually Big Papi
July 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
Kotchman goes to Boston for LaRoche…yes it’s true.
Steve From Dalton
July 31st, 2009
3:37 pm
Come on AJC- let’s get a report posted on the trade.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
3:39 pm
See you later Kotchman! And he may be traded again given the glut the BoSox still have at first.
Meanwhile, somebody dig out the Ritalin pills for LaRoche.
…And once again, no one from the AJ/C sports writers asleep-at-the-switch-club reports anything to do with this trade…..Way to go Schultz, Bradley, Dave O’Brien, Carroll Rogers, etc. Do you guys ever break any story?
Rusty
July 31st, 2009
3:40 pm
Is Kotchman ever going to develope power?
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
3:41 pm
Check out this link to see how real sports journalists do their job:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/07/trade_rumor_cen_1.html
And furthermore we don’t even have anyone at AJC.com to keep a running tally such as what is shown via the link above.
AJ/C: PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A NEWSPAPER and WEBSITE!
Rusty
July 31st, 2009
3:41 pm
Didnt they break the Griffey Jr. story… They must be gun shy… Right Dave?
01HAWK
July 31st, 2009
3:49 pm
Welcome home Adam LaRoche for Kasey Kotchman. No need for LaRoche once BOSOX get Victor Martinez from Cleveland.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
3:51 pm
Adam LaRoche’s numbers are stellar compared to the singles hitting 26 year old Casey Kotchman. The 29 year old La Roche (he’ll turn 30 in November) had 32 HRs and 90 RBIs in 2006, last full season with the Braves. 21 HRs and 88 RBIs in 2007 with the Pirates and 25 HRs and 88 RBIs in 2008 with Pirates. His career average is .269 and his hitting is off this year at .248 (but he has 13 homers or double CK’s total) — hopefully, plopping him into the Braves line-up will easily improve that.
At first glance, this looks like a smart and opportunistic move by Wren. Way to go Frank!
LET’S GO BRAVES!
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
Boston Globe also reports that the Braves picked up a million dollars in cash along with LaRoche for Kotchman.
AD
July 31st, 2009
3:56 pm
Where’s the word Schultzie, too busy covering #7? JK, but seriously though, lets get a report. Will he play tonight?
Unusually Big Papi
July 31st, 2009
3:58 pm
maybe the title “Standing Out by Doing Nothing” referred to the AJC beat writers, JS in particular?
hmmm…
it really wasn’t very hard to find this info – all you need is a computer, web access (even dial-up would work), & the ability to spell.
in their defense, perhaps they have a clause about reporting trades until they are absolutely official??
apparently no such clause exists for the Boston writers.
DerrickT
July 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
I’m stunned that its 4:00 PM and you guys have yet to update your website to make note that we have brought back Adam LaRoche ! Come on AJC….
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
4:00 pm
Kotchman in July .320, 4 HR, 13 RBI, .934 OPS
LaRoche in July .169, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .502 OPS
Kotchman for the season .764 OPS
Rochy for the season .772 OPS
Is this an upgrade? I’m confused.
Tom
July 31st, 2009
4:02 pm
It makes more since to make your deal a few weeks early instead of waiting until the last min when your going to give up the most, I think that is what the Braves did, they did there dealing early and didn’t have to give up an arm to get a finger.
who cares
July 31st, 2009
4:02 pm
Doesn’t matter at this point what the braves do or dont do at trade deadline. There is nobody out there that will make this team better than a 500 team. Besides it wouldnt matter, because until Cox and crybaby chipper are gone, this is what braves fans will be stuck with. It was good to see Cox’s boy Kelly Johnson make another error last night that would have lost the game if not for McCann. It was also good to see Cox’s other boy chipper make a pitiful attempt to field a ground ball, by showing off his athleticism and almost fall down. Im sure he will be out of the lineup the next 2 games because hes not accustomed to moving without pulling something. And lastly, it was good to see cox’s third favorite player, Gonzo come in and give up a single, walk a couple of batters, and once again ruin an awesome pitching performance by a starter that certainly deserves better than to have this clown blow it for him once again. How many times does a manager have to watch kelly johnson to realize he is not a major league player, and how many times does a manager have to have Chipper crybaby jones sit by him on the bench to realize this guy is no leader. Hey bobby, why not make the clown a coach, he sits by you more than leo did. And lastly, how many times does a manager have to watch this pathetic reliever Gonzo walk or hit the first batter he faces. Oh lets see, now his excuse is he couldnt grip the ball. Give me a break, did the starting pitcher have trouble gripping the ball in the heat and humidity for 7 innings. This guy doesnt have it, and everyone knows it but dumbbbbbb bobby cox. This guy is one of the worst relievers in baseball when it comes to retiring the first batter he faces, and even worse, he is at the bottom of the league in allowing inherited runners to score. Yet good ole cox, doesnt seem to know this. Face it braves fans, you are stuck with this 500 team until this moron bobby cox is gone. Until then, continue to watch kelly johnson kick balls all over the place, and continue to watch cry baby taking every 2 or 3 days off, and continue to watch gonzo walk, hit, or allow the first batter he faces to get hits.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
4:03 pm
lee
July 31st, 2009
3:21 pm
Over 40 minutes since your post about the Kotchman/La Roche deal and still nothing from the AJ/C…..tell me why I was my time with this paper and website again? Anyone? Little help, here….
ranger
July 31st, 2009
4:06 pm
NOt sure I would not just as soon keep Kotchman til Freddie gets here. It is a chemistry thing, and I do in some ways mean Adam’s lack of concentration at time. But do remember he is a second half sort of guy.
My vote keep the Kochy unless ths Sox throw in smthing worthwhile like……….?????
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
4:06 pm
who cares: Given the length of your post, I’m guessing that you do still care. But if you don’t, do us all a favor and shove off because, I know one thing, and that is Bobby Cox ain’t going anywhere. Now don’t misunderstand: you don’t have to like Bobby and sometimes many of us don’t, but he’s ours so, for my sake, please move on or at least talk about things that might happen…..like the Braves winning the wild card in 2009! Yeah!
LET’S GO BRAVES!
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
4:07 pm
two of the slowest braves in recent history traded for each other. if we could only have worked sid bream and johnny estrada into the deal somehow….
All I'm Saying Is...
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
Ranger: Deal is done, my friend. BoSox threw in $1 million and that’s it…
the real Andy: Good research, sir. Let’s hope La Roche pulls it together in the second half now that he is on a winning team and a team that wants to win (Pirates leadership gave up when they traded Nate (although they denied it) and they have clearly given up now and all the players there want out). If you saw my post, La Roche’s hitting history shows he’s been consistently a much better batter than what we’ve seen so far in 2009. Hopefully, he’s matured a bit since his first go-round with the Braves and focus won’t be an issue.
JR
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
I’ll take the sid bream, johnny estrada and bruce benedict trifecta, please.
Roy Hobbs
July 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
You have to be kidding. A steadily improving, 26 year old gold glove 1B for a 29 year old that cant hit .250 and has already been shipped out of ATL once?
Where is the upside. Seriously. So many nice little moves to get better at bats, and now this trade moving a guy who works the count and has shown real improvement for a guy who closes his eyes and swings for the fence.
HORRIBLE TRADE. Just adding an easy out back into the lineup.
bry22
July 31st, 2009
4:36 pm
Now that the trading deadline is over. We have what we have. LaRoche is a minor upgrade in power at first. About the same defensively. I know Casey has not made an error in a year! Adam is a good 2nd half hitter, is faster, hit for more power. All in all a minor upgrade. Now cut Norton loose, bring up Conrad and let’s see if we can fight for Wildcard berth.
ijudgenot
July 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
Hobbs, I can’t agree more. this is a downgrade for the Braves Laroache has the “sweet swing” because it is always the same. The pitcher has to hit his bat for him to be succesfull. The Braves now have another hole in the lineup. A good pitcher will be able to pitch around Mac or Anderson to get to this esay out. The Braves raped the Pirates when that got Gonzales and Lillibridge for Laroache, now Boston has gotten revenge for Pittsburg. I was just getting comfortable with Wren’s decisions, but this is pathetic. Silver lining is it makes spring trainfing much easier for Freeman to make the team next year..
Javy Lopez/Vazquez
July 31st, 2009
4:42 pm
Simple. Another NO IMPACT trade! LaRoche a difference maker??? HELL NO! A waste of time, sure he has SOME power but he’s slow as hell, has a lower avg., & daydreams that he’s off hunting in the woods with Chipper, plus another lefty bat, Booby musta pulled the trigger on this one! DUMB!
TSmiley7
July 31st, 2009
4:50 pm
LaRoche is easily better than Kotchman. Everyone has been crying all year about Frank Wren doing nothing to stimulate our power outage despite trading for McLouth, Church, and now Ad. LaRoche. LaRoche is just as solid a defender, hits lights out in the 2nd half every year and provides power at a position where we haven’t had any. Everyone has been screaming at Wren to trade Kotchman the past 3 weeks over Jeff and Marks’ articles. Kotchman is gone in return for a better player PLUS the Sox picked up the $4.2 million excess in salary between Rochey’s $7.05 and Kotch’s $2.885. Quit crying and shooting down everything Frank Wren or Bobby Cox does. You guys must be Philly fans
TSmiley7
July 31st, 2009
4:55 pm
Great move Wren! 3rd one this year. Keep it up!
(PS) In addition to my earlier post: We have to make trades like this to keep up with the Phils who are making moves. Seriously guys? Hating on your own team who has a very legit chance at reaching the playoffs? When did you start cheer/booing for the Filthydelphia Braves?
TSmiley7
July 31st, 2009
4:57 pm
Javy L/V: It’s not another lefty bat. We didn’t trade a righty for LaRoche
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:00 pm
hey guys, could we retire the term ‘raped’ when talking about trades? it’s just so harsh, it hurts my sensitive little ears. if we need a stronger word than robbed, how about we go with “Enron-ed” or “donkey-punched” or something.
Boy we sure Enron-ed the Tigers on that JJ deal.
It’s starting to look like the Rangers really donkey-punched us on that Tex trade.
Anybody got other suggestions?
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:02 pm
It sure seems like we AIG’d the Pirates on that McClouth trade
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:04 pm
Anybody remember the Len Barker deal? Boy, Cleveland sure “New Yankee Stadium ticket price-d” us on that one
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:06 pm
In the long run, we sure took Detroit’s lunch money and gave them a wedgie on the Smoltz trade
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:08 pm
blog ate this post last time, so i’ll try again…
In the long run, we sure took Detroit’s lunch money and gave them a wedgie on the Smoltz deal. (or maybe we could just shorten it to “we wedgied them”)
the real Andy
July 31st, 2009
5:10 pm
hmm blog keeps eating my post…..
In the long run, we sure took Detroit’s lunch money and gave them a wedgie on the Smoltz deal (or maybe we could just shorten it to “wedgied them”)
Larry A
July 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Seriously like the trade, it is good for everyone. Kotchman will have much more success in Fenway with his swing. LaRoche adds some desperately needed power. Both are good fielders, it is just a smart move by both teams and I think the Braves definitely upgraded.
Unusually Big Papi
July 31st, 2009
5:29 pm
as long as LaDouche doesn’t bring the same attitude (ADD or not) that he had 4 yrs ago, it should be ok.
he knows Bobby & Bobby knows him…that’s a plus I think.
besides, he’s just keeping the spot warm for FF until middle of next yr at the latest.
Ed Glennon
July 31st, 2009
5:32 pm
It is so great the get rid of Kotchman. It is also good to get Sleepy LaRoche back. I guess Overpaid Tex is really laughing now. I am glad wren pulled the trigger and made the trade. Wren has done a good job this year.
LWells2000
July 31st, 2009
5:46 pm
So the Braves traded tit for tat. So what~?
Craig
July 31st, 2009
7:34 pm
To summarize. We pretty much traded 5 great prospects to Texas and over the years only ended up with Mike Gonzalez and LaRoche back???? I don’t get it!!!!
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