Braves should pursue a trade for Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez hit 40 home runs last season for San Diego.
The last time the Braves made one of those, “The future is now,” trades, John Schuerholz sent a bundle of prospects to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira.
Didn’t work out. Teixeira wasn’t the missing piece for a World Series team. He wasn’t even the missing piece for a second-place team.
Here’s another chance to get it right. I don’t know if the Braves are one player away from playing for a championship. But Adrian Gonzalez gets them closer than any other player they could acquire. Economics may force the San Diego Padres to trade the All-Star first baseman.
There is no downside to getting Gonzalez, other than whatever/whoever it is the Braves would have to send San Diego in a trade. But here’s the upside:
♦ He gives the Braves the power hitter and run producer their lineup desperately needs. His home run totals have consistently increased — from 24 to 30 to 36 to 40. Last year, he also drew 119 walks. With a.277 batting average, that gave him a .407 on-base percentage, which would’ve ranked first among Braves’ regulars.
♦ Gonzalez has a favorable contract: $4.75 million and $5.5 million in the next two seasons. Then he becomes a free agent. It’s the same situation the Braves faced with Teixeira (they traded him before the deadline in year two when they dropped out of the playoff race).
♦ Gonzalez is a better option than re-signing Adam LaRoche, who may require a three-year contract and isn’t nearly as good of a player. It creates a situation with prospect first basemen Freddie Freeman, but the genuine concern over that probably is a year away — unless Freeman is included in the deal.
♦ Gonzalez gives the Braves a power hitter in his prime to go with all of their pitching. It lessens the offensive load on Chipper Jones, who is coming off a down season, and takes the pressure off Wren for acquiring a high-impact corner outfielder to strengthen the lineup.
The San Diego Union Tribune reported at least three teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and Seattle — expressed interest in Gonzalez at the deadline last July. The newspaper also quoted a source saying, “I think it’s only a matter of time until they trade Adrian,” and reported the player was “conspicuously absent” from a season-ticket brochure mailed to fans.
He would be a needed boost for ticket sales — and the lineup — in Atlanta.
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286 comments Add your comment
matt
November 11th, 2009
10:19 am
I’m not in favor of trading a ton to get him. They need to get rid of him more than we need him. If they’ll take Reyes and a scrub or two then sure. I’m not at all in favor of giving up someone of value for something we really don’t need.
Bobby
November 11th, 2009
10:20 am
With Gonzo, you don’t need Freeman, thus package Freeman with Medlen. You also throw in a low level prospect and Clint Sammon. They need a catcher. This is all about money for SD with the owner’s divorce hanging out there.
Mike S
November 11th, 2009
10:23 am
To get Adrian Gonzalez in Atlanta I would have no problem with the Braves sending a blockbuster package of prospects to the Padres. Kris Medlen, Jordan Sheafer , Freddie Freeman, Jo Jo Reyes.
Medlen is now blocked by the other starters, Reyes is even furthur blocked, but both have star potential. Sheaffer is now expendable with McClouth on the roster, and Gonzalez makes Freeman a trade piece.
Leo M
November 11th, 2009
10:23 am
Bugman = Idiot
Don = Dumber than a box of Rocks
Stupid loves to see it self exaggerated self in print….. Shut up losers
tr
November 11th, 2009
10:25 am
Jim
Would you feel differently if he were signed for 5 or 6 years?
If Braves extended at, say, $14M, $16M, $18M, $20. Add in his ‘10 & ‘11 salaries (@ $10M) and prorate it (for budget purposes, something the Braves have a recent history of doing) and he’s locked up through 2015 @ $13M/year.
Max
November 11th, 2009
10:26 am
I say we trade Freeman, Jo-Jo Reyes, and Diory (maybe put in Medlen) for Gonzalez and a reliever. You would almost have to have an extension agreement in place to make this, cus the Braves don’t want a rental
Poorbrave
November 11th, 2009
10:28 am
Agree, Jeff if we don’t give away the Farm. It could be done, but” to get something of value you got to give up something of value.”
Also agree with a few above about Bobby Cox. Be glad when he’s gone.
ChipChop
November 11th, 2009
10:29 am
Jeff, you countered you’re own suggestion by pointing out how mortgaging the farm for one player turned out with Mark Texeira. The problem is that not only do you need a first baseman but you need and left fielder, a right fielder and soon a third baseman. Which players fill those holes if you trade what it would take to get an Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego?
ATL Fan
November 11th, 2009
10:29 am
If we do trade for Adrian Gonzalez, I don’t think that his increase in value after two years will be a problem. We will have to spend the $10 – $15 Million on a good offensive player at that time. Chipper will be 39 and we will need someone to step up and fill the role that Chipper has performed.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
10:29 am
Adrian Gonzalez is one of the elite young players in the game today who is also signed to a team friendly contract. It would cost a TON to get him. And, yes, it would cost one of Hanson, Heyward, or Jurrjens. I am guessing that it would cost something like Jurrjens, Freeman, Kimbrel, and DeVall. Another possibility would be trading Vazquez for 2 – 3 very good to elite prospects and flipping those prospects along with Freeman and Kimbrel to the Pads. However, I just don’t see the Braves giving up that much for one player, unless they can sign him to a long term extension prior to the trade.
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 11th, 2009
10:33 am
It’s an interesting idea but as you say it depends on what the Padres want in return. If I were running things though, I would hang on to Vazquez and Heyward.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
10:33 am
Max: I say we trade Freeman, Jo-Jo Reyes, and Diory (maybe put in Medlen) for Gonzalez and a reliever.
Now exactly why would the Padres trade one of the best players in baseball for one good prospect and a couple of scrubs? Trading for Adrian Gonzalez will require a very heavy price, much more that what many fans here think.
o-me
November 11th, 2009
10:33 am
Agree Mike S.
Won’t be that much—————Just Me!.
Tomas
November 11th, 2009
10:36 am
It’d have to be an awful lot. I’m talking, Jordan Schafer, Brandon Hicks, Jo-jo Reyes, Todd Redmond, and Stephen Marek isn’t enough because they all suck.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
10:37 am
We was shocked! LaRoche is a Buck Commander. He will be back and will be sporting a deerskin glove. Deerskin on the corners.
Nativebird
November 11th, 2009
10:39 am
You’re right on, it’s a NO BRAINER deal on the level of the Fred McGriff trade during the 90’s, THE defining deal (other possibly than the Maddux FA signing) that defined the Schuerholz era and put the Braves OVER the top and solidified their World Series run.
I would have no problem packaging Lowe AND kawakami, plus LaRoche to make that deal. No problem.
A big time All-star calibur (thats right A. Laroche will NEVER even dream of allstar production) power-hitting RBI-producing 1st baseman at the corner is the MEDICINE this team needs.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
10:41 am
o-me, I think you and Mike S. are very wrong. The package of players required to get Adrian will be HEAVY, it won’t be just Schafer, Medlen, Freeman, etc.
I like it if...
November 11th, 2009
10:43 am
Maybe give them Freeman and the rights to Chuck James, throw in Kelly Johnson and Greg Norton, too. Add Jo Jo Reyes and I like it a lot.
EW
November 11th, 2009
10:44 am
Don, Bobby is in his last year. Put in your resume since you got it all figured out.
Go Braves
November 11th, 2009
10:44 am
The problem I see is that the Padres will likely play it like the Peavy deal. They will ask for way to much from all teams involved and end up treading him mid season. The Braves did not want to relinquish the talent they have (for good reason) and I don’t see them giving up the talent for a possible two year rental. If they could assure that he signs an extension or at least be confident of such a deal, I don’t see it happening.
Herschel Talker
November 11th, 2009
10:45 am
Schultzie:
It makes no difference as long as Booby is the manager. You could give Booby the Yankees, and he’d figure out how to screw it up.
FIRE BOOBY COX!
I like it if...
November 11th, 2009
10:46 am
Might as well throw in McClouth. With Bobby managing, speed on the basepaths is not a factor.
o-me
November 11th, 2009
10:46 am
U may be right. Its depends on who else is after him and just how much we want him.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
10:47 am
Plus, they is gonna be some deerskin batting gloves being used next season. If they go with deerskin caps we was hoping they’d do the blue caps with the red bill and not those ugly caps they was using last season. Deerskin caps would also be good under batting helmets and we can’t wait to see what happens when Lowe starts sweating into a deerskin cap. That could be ugly or it could be useful with Lowe wanting to get some outs so he can get in the dugout and take off that sweaty deerskin cap. We was environementally friendly and animal friendly when we was playing ball and our caps was standard issue caps from the cap store.
I like it if...
November 11th, 2009
10:47 am
We still own Glavine’s right, do we not…throw him in, too. And Blane Boyer .
Joshhh...
November 11th, 2009
10:48 am
I don’t like the idea of trading Freeman away…if we got Gonzalez I see him staying around and being productive for about 3 years then he’ll fade away…why would we want to send Freeman who has nothing but upside to him?…
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
10:50 am
Jeff, when skinning a deer where do you go for the cap? Is they a particular portion of the deer that is best for caps? Baseball blogging is our favorite and whenever ol’ Jeff cranks up a baseball blog a Clusters will be right here.
Delbert D.
November 11th, 2009
10:50 am
Sounds like a good one to me. Trade a pitcher.
MWC
November 11th, 2009
10:50 am
Yo Just Me…gotta agree,
this deal will never happen
I like it if...
November 11th, 2009
10:51 am
Also, throw in Chipper. He’s over the hill, and hasn’t realized it yet. Prado is better defensively and after last year, gets on base more. Infante at second and we are set.
One more thing, Jeff. Why did we go after a Red Sox guy to oversee the minor league pitching when Leo is up in Gwinnett wasting his time on the lamest morning sports talk in town…and considering their competition, that’s saying something.
Sonny Cluster is back
November 11th, 2009
10:52 am
We didn’t use deerskin at Parkview. or did we? Go ask Frenchy.
paulie29233
November 11th, 2009
10:54 am
are you considering a trade with the same San Diego team that we couldn’t get a deal worked out on Peavy. Though i think we could use him, i say let try elsewhere.
dawg
November 11th, 2009
10:55 am
Freeman is not your blue chip, Heyward is. If it means getting A-Gon, TRADE HIM. Trade him, Kris Medlen AND Mike Minor. If this lineup had a 40 HR/yr type of guy, they’re unstoppable.
AdirondackDave
November 11th, 2009
10:56 am
I can’t see Jurrjens, Hanson, Heyward, or Teheran going anywhere for anybody, including Gonzalez. However, a big bunch of these guys, Freeman, Schafer, Medlen, Hernandez, Minor, JoJo, Johnson etc. might reel him in. I would only do this if Wren is ready and able to extend Gonzalez. That means $20m per year for another 3-4years. This scenario is not likely, but it is also not impossible if Frank is serious about a clean-up hitter. There will be suiters for Lowe later this winter when starters are in short supply, even if the Braves need to eat $2-3M per year.
bugman
November 11th, 2009
10:56 am
OK Leo, why would you call me an idiot? Bring on your perspective and let’s see what kind of a genious you are.
Andy
November 11th, 2009
10:57 am
Jeff, if you’re going to write this article, don’t you have to give us some sort of basis that it could reasonably occur? Any of us could have told you that the Braves should trade for Adrian Gonzalez if it doesn’t cost us an arm and a leg. I know Kevin Towers is gone, but given what the Padres wanted for Peavy last summer (Hanson), they certainly won’t be giving in when we offer non MLB-ready prospects. This trade is nice to dream about it, but we’ll never see it play out.
Max
November 11th, 2009
10:57 am
Just Me
The padres wanted jojo to be part of the peavy deal, they already showed they wanted him. Paired with Freeman, and Diory, possiby medlen, they would at least take a look.
AdirondackDave
November 11th, 2009
10:57 am
DAWG — I don’t see them trading Heyward for 2 years of Gonzalez. Or 2 years of anybody.
klaus
November 11th, 2009
10:58 am
You realize given how cheap Adrian is you could trade for him and still sign Holliday or Bay. LaRoche will cost 9/10mm/yr (for 2-3 years) and Gonzo is 4.5 and then 5.5mm. Also since he is not a Boras client you have a decent shot at keeping him assuming you don’t shoot the wad on Bay or Holliday.
Also we didn’t have Tex for two full years (as we would with Gonzo). Tex started Aug 1st 2007 and was gone July 31st 2008. So you dumped 5 players for 6mos of Tex in a Braves uniform. Worst trade ever for this team. But I digress.
If they are willing to trade JJ + FF + pen prospect they can get Gonzo but w/o JJ its very unlikely.
It’s too bad we used Morton, Locke and Gorkys to land McClouth. We could have used them in a package for Adrian w/o having to give up JJ.
Since we had almost no shot at a ps berth (back in June 09) – doing the hail mary for a .260 hitting CF with those trade pieces was not a great idea.
We still ended up in third place and McClouth did little to change that fate. Prado and LaRoche saved the season in terms of avoiding another 90 loss train wreck. Had we stuck with KJ at 2b and Kotch at first can you imagine how the summer we have unfolded.
Blanco or Church in CF would have been just about as good as McClouth was and you would still have valuable trade pieces in AAA/AA. Oh well.
Hopefully with contacts McClouth will improve at the plate but he still has a weak arm and should be in LF.
Wren needs a 20mm payroll boost, to sign Holliday and keep JJ. If only. If only.
dawg
November 11th, 2009
11:00 am
Adirondack, you’re right. I should have clarified – I’d only be in favor of doing that if the Braves are willing to lock Gonzalez up long term (read: not make the same mistake they made with Tex).
mudcat
November 11th, 2009
11:03 am
Young 40 home run guys are rare. The price will be steep. The Padres aren’t stupid. They’ll demand either JJ or Hanson as the centerpiece of the trade plus some combination of Freeman, Kimbrel, Teheran, perhaps Minor plus a couple of minor pieces. It won’t be cheap! They will not take 2nd tier prospects like Hicks, Reyes, etc. They won’t take expensive contracts. Just young talented sure-fire players who are affordable. I say no way!
Chris
November 11th, 2009
11:05 am
Baseball ended a week ago, can we do this some other time?
collegeballfan
November 11th, 2009
11:05 am
We have six starting pitchers. Trade one, the 2 kids are off the table, for Gonzalez plus whatever else is needed to complete the deal.
If Gonzalez is the one, the deal must be a sign & trade for a multi year contract.
Poorbrave
November 11th, 2009
11:06 am
AdirondackDave, agree with your 10:56 blog. Hope Wren can see Chipper is not the old Chip and Braves need a 40 hr man. Time to get serious!
MWC
November 11th, 2009
11:07 am
klaus, That was a great post…
Sign him up AJC
7
November 11th, 2009
11:11 am
kiss off chris or go to another blog
BravesfaninWis
November 11th, 2009
11:12 am
JS,
I like the idea of getting Gonzalez, but the Padres are going to want to much for a guy we would only have under control for 2 seasons. We all know they are going to start with one of our current starting pitchers, most likely Hanson or Jurrgens. Then they are going to want a 1st baseman in the deal which would probably have to be Freeman, then they would want a OF and probably want Hayward, and they could still try to weasel Escobar from the Braves.
If that is the case, which I am sure it is, then we are better off resigning LaRoche for 2-3 years, and search for a power OF bat either by trade or free agency. I would love to see Gonzalez in a Braves uni, but not at the price it will take to get him.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
11:16 am
The padres wanted jojo to be part of the peavy deal, they already showed they wanted him. Paired with Freeman, and Diory, possiby medlen, they would at least take a look. –Max
No, they would hang up the phone roaring in laughter. Diory and Jo Jo both have ZERO trade value. Medlen and Freeman have some value but not even close to getting a guy the caliber of Gonzalez. The Red Sox were rumored to have offered Buccholz, Bowden, and Lars Anderson for Gonzalez. That is roughly the equivalent of Jurrjens, Medlen, and Freeman.
Supes
November 11th, 2009
11:16 am
Shultz,
You’ve lost your mind, but we already knew that!
Yeah…he’ll help “sell tickets” in ATL, I guess “the latino” population around here needed an incentive to get to the TED.
That maybe the worst thing you’ve EVER written Schultz.
Aside, Padres will want what the BRAVES do not want to give up. Ready for this…Tommy Hanson or Jair J. (plus a Freddie Freeman).
Then, there is no guarantee that Gonzalez will WANT to resign here in 2 years time when he becomes a FA, and is going to be DUE a huge pay raise.
Bottom line…would Adrian Gonzalez be a huge addition to this team…DUH, will the Braves want to pay the price…NOT a chance.
It’s people like you that wanna sell off the future that just don’t get it, or don’t have the patience to wait 1-2 more years. In that time, the Braves will be poised for another championship run. Starting Rotation will be excellent, Heyward will be ready and playing, you never know what other moves Wren will make.
Trust in Wren to get it right. Braves will contend WITHOUT Adrian Gonzalez just fine, it’s people like you that wanna sell off the future (next 10 years) for a 2 year (rental).
Tucker
November 11th, 2009
11:17 am
Has anybody pointed out that this guy is a defensive putz! Keep LaRoche until Freeman is ready.