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
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
11:18 am
They is no reason to get snippy about baseball in November. Baseball in Atlanta ends in September under Bobby Cox but they was some teams playing baseball in November this year. We was hoping they will have a slick fielding team when everybody gets the new gloves.
1eyedJack
November 11th, 2009
11:22 am
We couldn’t swing a deal with San Diego last year because the guy wanted a third of our line up and half the farm system. What makes you think we could find common ground this time around?
Voice from the past
November 11th, 2009
11:28 am
Hmmm…
Sonny Clusters, are your toes to be trifled with?
John
November 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Considering Gonzalez makes such a small salary, any team in baseball can afford him. Therefore instead of competing with a few teams like it was when we got Tex, we would be competing with the entire Majors to get him. You would have to give up waaaayyyy too much. Just say no.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
11:35 am
Has anybody pointed out that this guy is a defensive putz! Keep LaRoche until Freeman is ready. –Tucker
Adrian is an elite defensive 1B, one of the best in baseball.
Raider Fan
November 11th, 2009
11:39 am
Would love Gonzalez, as I agree, I think he would be the perfect fit. The big question would be what we gave up, though. If we can hang onto Teheran, Heyward, Freeman, I’m pretty much OK with what we give up. I could see Craig Kimbrel going to SD in all of this.
AZBravoFan
November 11th, 2009
11:49 am
Does anyone know how Gonzales hits lefties? I thought we were looking for a right-handed power hitter.
Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Homes
November 11th, 2009
11:49 am
Keep LaRoche, because his name reminds me of La Mort Rouge, scene of my solving of the Scarlet Claw case.
BRAVE CHIEF
November 11th, 2009
11:51 am
Schultz……not a bad idea but can the Braves keep him around for more than a year or a year and a half?Don’t think so….Liberty Media doesn’t want to spend the $.The Braves will soon turn into the Pirates of the South!It’s happening now..a little at a time.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
November 11th, 2009
11:51 am
Hanson for Gonzalez, straight up.
Don Marsh
November 11th, 2009
11:54 am
This is from a long-time Braves fan who lives in San Diego and also has season tickets to the Padres. I like the idea of getting Adrian Gonzales and I’m NOT convinced it’d be as expensive in terms of players as some of you guys think. The last couple years, the Padres have tried to buy fan loyalty using local products – Brian Giles and the Gonzales brothers in particular. But last week they released Edgar Gonzales and they’re not bringing Giles back. Plus, they’ve got a promising kid named Kyle Blanks, who at 6′6″ and 300 lbs. is WAY too big to be patrolling the Petco outfield.
So I say start with Reyes and Johnson, both of whom could fill immediate Padres needs, add another fringe prospect or two until the new GM out here says “Yes”.
Given the Padres history of cost-cutting at every turn, it shouldn’t be that hard an idea to sell.
Jerry
November 11th, 2009
11:55 am
The Braves should only trade for Gonzo if it allows them to keep thier key pieces in place (JJ, Hanson, Mac, Esco, Heyward, Freeman, etc.).
Go Braves
November 11th, 2009
11:58 am
The braves need Matt Holiday & Gonzo !
Ray Pugh
November 11th, 2009
12:02 pm
Freeman, Schafer, Medlen and Teheren gets it done.
Don
November 11th, 2009
12:03 pm
With Bobby Cox back for the 2010 season, what are the chances of TBS once again carrying all the Braves games? — They could justify it as a comedy show.
trade bait
November 11th, 2009
12:04 pm
simple trade…..kelly johnson, greg norton for gonzo……san diego cares more about sun and surf than baseball so i am sure they would go for it!
Veteran Fan
November 11th, 2009
12:09 pm
This trade is perfect! However, our real problem is at third base! Bring Adrian in to play first base or move Chipper over there until Freeman is ready and groom one of our prospects or Matt Diaz to play third. Chipper cannot get around on the fastball anymore and is guessing on the curve. His fielding was terrible to watch. He is really at the point where he needs to be a DH in the American League to end his career but do we have the courage to let him go! An all-time Brave great that we need to help finish his career in style but not here! Maybe there is an American League contender with a third baseman they would trade for Chipper. He could make a real impact with those short right field fences over there (see World Series MVP Matsui).
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
All I’m Saying … Honestly, I’m not sure of Freeman’s background as an outfielder, but I would imagine he’s at first base for a reason.
EW – I’m saying it’s a trade, Gonzalez doesn’t have a choice where he goes – only where he signs as a free agent in two years.
Tucker T – No conspiracy theories necessary. If I’m on record as pushing for a trade, I’m not going to rip the trade if it happens.
Yunel Asscobar – Liberty Media hasn’t phoned me yet, but I’ll keep you up to date.
Uncle Rico – That would be interesting if Braves would be willing to push the button on dealing Schafer so soon.
SadDawg – Petco is death for lefthanded hitters, which makes Gonzalez’s numbers that much more impressive.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
12:17 pm
Clusters are finely conditioned athletes that have perfect toes and agility to get to the ball and make the play in the field. Bad toes can affect baseball play.
kate gosselin
November 11th, 2009
12:19 pm
Don
You really put off a negative vibe. You being consumed with Bobby Cox a month after the season ended is just weird. You will look stupid if the Braves win the Series next year with such vapid drivel.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
12:22 pm
ChipChop — The roster is better situated for the future right now than at the time of the Teixeira trade. And certainly I’m not suggesting they give away everybody.
Clusters – I don’t hunt and don’t skin. And Bambi has the cute wiggling nose.
Andy – What do you want, percentages? I think they should pursue a trade. Fairly simple. Do I think it’s plausible? Yes. Will Padres demand too much? Maybe. But if he’s available, then he’s available.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
12:22 pm
Next after they go for deer skin gloves, go for deer skin uniforms. We was talking about getting a full uniform made by deer skin.
A.S.
November 11th, 2009
12:22 pm
Jeff, we know the Braves could use his talent but what would it cost? The Padres could use a MI and apparently were scouting KJ last year but his value has dropped severely. I can imagine a package of KJ, Schafer and a pitching prospect.
Casey Stinkle
November 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
Why does everyone refer to the Teixera deal as a bad one? At the time, they needed a power bat like that. I don’t see any of the players the Braves dealt for Teixera on the American league all-star team. AG hit alot of homers last year in a park that’s harder to homers in than the TED. I say go get em, and this time just might be the piece they need to run with the Phillies.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
How about signing Mike Cameron. Local boy, gives you great defense and 24hr’s for less money then Bay and no long term committment. I would love to see him sign here.
PMC
November 11th, 2009
12:25 pm
Of course they should. But why in the world would San Diego consider just giving us the best player on thier team for anything we’ve got?
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
12:27 pm
1-eyed Jack – Good point about the Peavy trade but the Padres have changed general managers since then. Kevin Towers was fired last month. The team has relatively new ownership and a new GM (Jed Hoyer).
Just Me – A defensive putz? Is that why he won a Gold Glove?
BraveChief – Can’t answer that question. Don’t know him well enough, or his agent. I’d also say if Braves had a nice run with him, he’d be inclined to stay. But, yeah, obviously there’s some risk involved.
Vince
November 11th, 2009
12:29 pm
Gonzalez is a viable option. They definitely need some power. Resigning LaRoche would be one step towards getting the power they need, but they still need to get a power hitter in trade or free agency.
btw, what’s with these losers posting first just so they can say “I’m first” Okay, you’re first…that means you need a friggin life!
Nuscrypt
November 11th, 2009
12:29 pm
Jeff – I LOVE the idea of making this move. And of course the Padres are going to look first for JJ, Hanson, or Heyward. That DOESN’T mean that they will ultimately refuse anything else. Just depends on what other teams are offering. I think a package of Freeman, Minor, and Medlen (and perhaps another prospect: Schaefer, a pitcher?) would be good value for him. They get a major league ready starter in Minor and another who is already pitching in the majors.
Anyway, short of giving up JJ, Hanson, or Heyward, we need to d something like this!!
Dick
November 11th, 2009
12:30 pm
off them four people. Adam Larouche, Greg Norton, Mr. K the pitcher and Bobby Cox. Also throw in 100 baseballs and 50 bats.
PMC
November 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
I guess they could trade Freeman and a pitching prospect and a middle infielder at least have a go at it. He would fill the obvious gaping hole at clean up.
Depends on what they want really. If they can include KJ in the deal… bonus.
Sir Stealth
November 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Adrian Gonzalez is pretty much a best case scenario for what Freddie Freeman could ever turn out to be. He has put up great power and on-base numbers while playing in what might be the hardest park to be a power hitter in in all the majors, and has put up even better numbers playing on the road. I think the Braves would have to give up a lot for him, but he is worth a lot. I’m not even sure we could get him without giving up someone like Teheran (obviously we’re not giving up Heyward). I would give up Freeman, Medlen, and maybe even Schafer for him though, and then desperately try to sign him long term.
PMC
November 11th, 2009
12:32 pm
If they get him. they had better be ready to pay the man his money.
gcs
November 11th, 2009
12:34 pm
Braves need to STOP with the trades and sign free agents.
.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
12:35 pm
If we was to get Adrian Gonzalez, they won’t keep him it would end in a trade as they is used to seeing.
bugman
November 11th, 2009
12:36 pm
Sorry Kate, gotta come to Don’s defense here.
Did you happen to catch this morsel a few weeks back?
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/09/25/bobby-cox-a-bad-tactician-because-of-puckett-come-on/
Howzbout this one?
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/09/08/your-attention-please-this-guy-here-criticizes-bobby-cox/
Funny how Bradley went from admiration of his accomplishments to disdain of his lack of accomplishments.
Plenty of supporting factoids in alot of bloggers’ posts that reflect how poorly the man has done given the huge amount of talent he has had at his disposal.
Sorry, I can’t root for his return. To myself and alot of other folks it doesn’t matter who comes to ATL from where, until Booby is gone, ain’t nuthin gonna cure the Braves woes.
Marc in FL
November 11th, 2009
12:36 pm
I still think it’s a lot more likely that we’ll trade JV to either Derek Lee or Prince Fielder. Both would be better than either Adrian or Adam anyway.
tr
November 11th, 2009
12:39 pm
What’s the harm in ASKING what they’d want and doing a little negotiating, BEFORE dismissing it as too expensive! After all:
1) It’s NOT the same people as last year – Towers is GONE!
2) We can only SUPPOSE what happened last year with Peavy. It’s just as plausible that Peavy refused to wave NTC as it is Towers asked too much.
Chriss
November 11th, 2009
12:41 pm
I’m not sure how much I like the ida b/c we are already overloaded with lefthanders. Considering that we play in a division that boasts Johan Santana, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels, I think we would be better served with a slugger who bats from the right side. Along those lines, does anybody know how much truth there is to the rumors of Nelson Cruz from texas?
Noah
November 11th, 2009
12:42 pm
GCS…Salaries are very important in building teams these days. You’d get Adrian for $5mil OR pay $15 mil for Jason Bay and not have money to sign your other pieces. Another reason JJ and Escobar are so valuable right now…great stats and low pay.
Braves Fan Since "80
November 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
Kris Medlen, Jordan Sheafer , Freddie Freeman, Jo Jo Reyes. , Minor should all be available for the right people, not the right person….. the Tex deal was a good gamble if the pitchers had not been included…. he would have been ready to close this year on the cheap or at least a top set up…. we could have let go of Chipper if we had kept the short stop which would have been better for longterm…… we tend to wait too long and then give too much Ie we should be replacing chipper now not two years from now when we have to go with a sop gap or rookie….but we keep Norton’s and Infante’s on the Roster
Hamad Meander
November 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
As long as the Braves can lock him up for a few years and not give away the house, I’m in favor. I’m constantly reminded though of the Adam Wainwright – J.D. Drew trade and how little the Braves got for a guy who is now an elite pitcher.
Jesse
November 11th, 2009
12:53 pm
This deal would make us better next year and the year after, but it would hurt our chances of establishing a consistently good club over the next 5-6 years.
The Padres will without a doubt ask for freeman, and I’m guessing 4 other players/prospects as well, probably hanson, teheran, schafer and medlen. Hanson and Teheran are clones of each other, and both have cy young potential. Freeman, schafer and medlen could all be special as well. I think a package like that is way too much for us to give up.
If we stay the course and sign 1-2 year deals for delgado and dye, we would have the following core of early/mid-twenties players: Mccann, Yunel, Heyward, Freeman, Schafer, JJ, Hanson and Teheran. I bet if you asked any talent evaluator in baseball to rank the best 8-man core of early/mid-twenties players in any organization, this group would be in every single one’s top 3. These guys could play together for 5-6 years and do some very special things.
Just think about that. Dye and Delgado (or maybe just one of the two) make us a contender next year with our pitching staff, and we keep that core together. Thats how you start another dynasty.
Ron Roberts
November 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
I’d tell the Padres that the only guys off the table are Jurrjens and Heyward, but to make us an offer, otherwise.
JJM
November 11th, 2009
1:04 pm
Schultzy, I was worried because at first glance I thought that was a picture of Mike Hampton. I’d love to see the Bravos make a move to bring AG in. The salary seems very reasonable and I think the reasons, detailed in your article, make lots of sense. I just hope we keep Vazquez. I think with AG in our lineup this past year we would have seen a 4 to 6 game swing.
Shame on Braves Management
November 11th, 2009
1:04 pm
I can tell you what the Padres will want. Hanson, Heyward, Jurrjens and Freeman. They will think thats a steal for Atlanta. They might even want two AA prospects and cash and every players first born child in return. That Padres GM is a total nutcase.
Andrew in P-tang
November 11th, 2009
1:08 pm
get this crap off the internet
fieldofdreams
November 11th, 2009
1:09 pm
By all means, get him, but at what cost?
Johnny Hazeltine
November 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
The Padres would begin every conversation with the Braves by saying, “so, is Jair Jurrjens in the deal?” If not, they’ll move on.
Johnny Hazeltine
November 11th, 2009
1:13 pm
Braves fans need to prepare themselves for Jurrjens pitching for another franchise. I’m not saying I like it, or it’s the right move. I’m just saying, he is our biggest trading chip.