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
Braves Fan Since "80
November 11th, 2009
1:14 pm
What are the chances that Heyward and Freeman will be like A Rod and Griffey…… Trading freeman for a proven over 3 to 4 years is better than grooming an up and comer who leaves after year four when year one they were below average, average for years two and three and above average for year 4….you get only two good years anyway
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
1:15 pm
They is a Sonny Clusters imposter posting here again but he is easy to spot with all the bad grammar and spelling mistakes. Clusters is one thing and that is smart. Imposters like the one posting here is never going to be a Clusters.
Bugman's 3rd Grade Teacher
November 11th, 2009
1:16 pm
There’s no “o” in genius, genius.
Wink
November 11th, 2009
1:17 pm
Adding Adrian Gonzalez would be a good idea, if we do not have to give up the farm to obtain him & he signs long term. If not, wait for Freeman. If he does sign long term, take a year to cross train Freeman to left field. Bring both Freeman & Heyward to the majors after Bobby Cox has his farewell tour.
Braves Fan Since "80
November 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
Braves fans need to prepare themselves for Jurrjens pitching for another franchise. after he reaches free agency
Reid in EAV
November 11th, 2009
1:19 pm
After all, San Diego GM Kevin Towers has proven himself to be a breeze to deal with, and super reasonable. Why wouldn’t a deal get done?
klaus
November 11th, 2009
1:20 pm
Thanks MW.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
1:23 pm
Jeff – I didn’t say that Adrian Gonzalez was a defensive putz. That was Tucker. I replied to him saying that he was one of the best defensive 1B in MLB.
bugman
November 11th, 2009
1:23 pm
Great comeback Leo (or Mrs. Evans, that was my 3rd grade teacher), that all ya got?
And you called ME the idiot!
JeanE
November 11th, 2009
1:27 pm
I love the idea but what would we have to give up to get him here, Javier V? I just hate partinig with him, I still maintain that given how strongly we finished the year, and with our starting pitching, we’d be fine. But you’re right about Chipper…Can we dump D. Lowe and KK for him instead?!! Probably not.
Just Me
November 11th, 2009
1:28 pm
To everyone mentioning Mike Minor as trade bait: Since he was only drafted last year he cannot be traded yet.
klaus
November 11th, 2009
1:29 pm
Towers was fired. The former Red Sox Asst GM is now the GM of the Padres. Plus you have new owners.
Different animal.
Still a really tough trade to pull off and if it happens it will need to happen very soon b.c once the Holliday & Bay price tags become official and well known San Diego will become very popular.
We know the Red Sox are going to try to get Gonzo so you need to swoop in and do a JJ/Renteria type trade (as soon as the window opens) while the Sox are focused on Bay and perhaps Holliday.
Again this is likely pie in the sky stuff but not 100% impossible.
Hoosier Aaron
November 11th, 2009
1:30 pm
I think any deal is possible – teams will do some crazy things when they are trying to shed payroll or trying to get the “one missing piece”….ex: Tex for half our farm system, Edgar for JJ.
We have options – It’ll just depend on how we and other team evaluate our talent. McLouth opens the door to include Shafer in a deal, maybe. If you do acquire Gonzalez, you wouldn’t hesitate to include Freeman.
I’d like to see us call the Rangers on Josh Hamilton. They need starting pitching. – Derek Lowe, Javy? We’d certainly have to include some cash or take some payroll from them.
It’ll be a fun winter for Braves fans. Wren did an outstanding job last winter.
How many were saying, “What? We trade Flowers for Vazquez! Fire Wren!”….now many are saying, “What? Trade Javy…he’s our best pitcher…are you crazy?”
JeanE
November 11th, 2009
1:33 pm
We don’t really need a left fielder, once Heyward is up, which so many people think will be in June, slide Matty D over to left and you’re set. I just don’t see A Gonzalez here, much as I’d like it. I love LaRoche but I bet we don’t resign him either. Who know with Freeman, go ahead and package him in a deal. But Heyward, no way.
Chas
November 11th, 2009
1:42 pm
I think it is worth exploring for the same reason the Tex deal made sense at the time. But the Tex deal wasn’t a failure because of Teixeria’s production, but more because we still needed pitching. Laroche is gone because of Heyward so we do need some pop. I’d certainly do it if we don’t give up a big prospect like Heyward or Hanson.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
We all know there is no imposter Sonny Clusters and you are just doing that for attention. Every post from Clusters has the same grammar and horrid spelling.
Jack Fate
November 11th, 2009
1:45 pm
AGon is a great player, but I don’t think it solves OUR middle of the order problem. He hits lefties a tad better than McCann. A player like Votto is a lefty who hits lefties very well would be a better acquistion, but the preferece should be a righty. Just because a player is awesome doesn’t necessarily mean we should acquire him when those prospects are better spent acquiring the best fit.
tr
November 11th, 2009
1:52 pm
I remember back in the day when me and Sonny and Jeff would hang at the DQ for free ice cream and cheap chicks. Man, them was the days!
Noah
November 11th, 2009
1:53 pm
Braves Fan Since “80…not sure what you mean by your Griffey comparision. He did not leave after 4 years, he was in Seattle for his best 11 years and named to the all century team he was such a great player.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
1:54 pm
JJM — You can usually tell the defense, because Hampton’s actually missing an arm and two legs.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
1:55 pm
Just Me — gotcha.
Andy
November 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
Jeff, I do agree that Gonzalez would be a fantastic addition to this Braves club. But is there some sort of basis that the Padres may be interested in what we have to offer? Seeing as the Braves dealt with them last offseason, it shouldn’t be impossible to figure out who interests the Padres. I feel that what we would be willing to offer the Padres is far inferior to what they could potentially get for him. I hope there is evidence to refute this, and would like to hear it if you have any. I just don’t get a sense from what I know and from this article that we could be a major player for him.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
Sign Mike Cameron — improves your defense a lot, gives you more power and a little speed.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
2:02 pm
Remember at the deadline the rumored deal included Seattle giving up Cy Young candidate Felix Hernandez to get him. Unless you give them several prospects they would probably want either a star or a can’t miss guy ala Tommy Hanson/JJ etc
Coach (2010- Mr. Overrated retires)
November 11th, 2009
2:03 pm
I’m gonna swim against the stream on this one and my reasoning has nothing to do with Adrian Gonzalez.
First thing, the Braves don’t have the prospects to make this happen unless they throw either Heyward or Jurrjens into any proposed trade. Second, this reminds me of Teixeira in so many ways. Tex was here for half of 2007 and all of 2008. Gonzalez is under contract for two more seasons. Third, the Braves are corporate owned and simply do not have the financial resources to keep Gonzalez in Atlanta beyond 2011. fourth, Gonzalez is the type of player who is World Series or bust and the Braves will likely go bust.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
2:09 pm
Coach…agree salary is important but the Braves can compete with the payroll they have AND…they already have guys on the team making $15 million which may put them in the range for a guy like Gonzalez long term. Whether you replace Chippers money with Gonzalez in 2 years is another question though. But between Chipper and Lowe they will have close approx $28mil/yr in a few years. Of course by then you have to pay Escobar, JJ and others so its hard to project.
ATL Fan
November 11th, 2009
2:13 pm
If money is the concern…Andruw Jones is available and had numbers similar to Mike Cameron.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
2:21 pm
ATL FAN…with due respect Andrew Jones did not compare at all to Cameron. He only played 82 games, hit .214. This article makes a good argument that Cameron is more vaulable then Jason Bay
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/bay-vs-cameron/
Martin
November 11th, 2009
2:24 pm
Mr Schultz,
Is there anyway if we get Adrian Gonzalez, we can also sign Jermaine Dye and Trade Derek Lowe for a closer or even make him a closer?
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
2:25 pm
If AG signs a long-term 6 year contract before the trade, I’d be extremely interested in acquiring him. He’s at the perfect age to acquire a stud 1b who has good defense and would actually be moving to an easier home ballpark. Signed prior to the trade, he’s our cleanup hitter for most of the decade.
If he’s signed for 6 years, Freeman is the main piece going in return.
The second piece is Teheran. I consider Teheran to be our most overrated prospect, as his stats have been very poor in the minors so far. His K/9 rate should be dominant given the low level opposition against the speed he brings, but it simply is not. His ERA is also scary bad. He has pitched very few innings, mostly due to injury, which I also do not consider a good thing. I don’t think he’s terrible, I just think he’s overranked as our #3 prospect at this time. Using Teheran as trade bait for a star cleanup hitter would be a good use in my opinion.
The third piece is Medlen or Schafer or Kimbrel. If they would accept a lesser 3rd piece than that, I’d give them JoJo as a throw in. I do think he could be somewhat useful to them next year.
Again I only do this if he is already signed to a 6 year deal. No trading our future unless we’re getting our future in return.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
2:25 pm
We had an old dog we called Jon because he had only three legs and was stupid. Like Jon without an “h” – something just wasn’t right about that old dog.
Supes
November 11th, 2009
2:26 pm
Adrian Gonzalez will command TOP dollar in 2 years when he becomes a free agent.
Guess who will be throwing MONEY at him…Teams that have the cash.
Braves, as long as they are OWNED by Liberty Media are RESTRICTED,
Damn some of you need to think beyond “2 years of Adrian Gonzalez”.
I’d rather have 3-5 years with a Tommy Hanson, Jair J., etc.
Listen to “Coach”, I can’t believe I’m saying this…but we don’t have the farm system depth to trade for this guy, and he’s not signing here in 2 years (at least with Liberty Media as the owners).
saash
November 11th, 2009
2:27 pm
dum article, dumb idea, not gonna happen , wren will call for an idea of what the SD want for gonzo then wren will turn his attention to more realistic pursuits
Noah
November 11th, 2009
2:28 pm
You can probably get Dye or Cameron for $10 mil, both of whom give you right handed power (25+hrs) with Cameron giving better defense.
Where does the budget stand with current contracts. How much is available for the bullpen and hitting
Supes
November 11th, 2009
2:28 pm
ugaaccountant,
yeah the Padres will take that trade…not. Let’s see..Schafer…huge question mark, Teheran…who knows, question mark, Medlen…decent trade bait, Jo – Jo Reyes..(he’s a throw in)…so far you’ve given the Padres NOTHING that will get a player like Adrian Gonzalez back here to ATL.
Braves aren’t trading Kimbrel, he’s the home grown closer of this team, something the Braves haven’t done since the John Rocker days.
Noah
November 11th, 2009
2:33 pm
The Braves have the 11th highest payroll in baseball so to say they don’t spend is False. 3 of the playoff teams had lower payrolls. Then there is the #2 payroll — The Mets, far out of the playoffs.
KennyP
November 11th, 2009
2:36 pm
So you think that getting Gonzalez is better than Laroche because it would free up room for Freeman in 2 years… but then you say that you would give up Freeman for Gonzalez… good thinking. We need to rid ourselves of a pitcher that the Pads would not want to pay for, not prospects – c’mon now, you have to come up with something better than this!
Tom in ATL
November 11th, 2009
2:41 pm
Inside info here – but Gonzalez is close to being traded to the Red Sox for a package of 4/5 young players – one of who is Clay Bucholz.
Winger
November 11th, 2009
2:43 pm
I think the Braves need to get off the long ball express and trade for some singles hitters with speed. Cox’s philosophy of only winning with the long ball is like June Jones’ run-and-gun offense. We need more balance, not home runs only.
Greene Hornet
November 11th, 2009
2:49 pm
The Braves have got to do something similar to this potential trade. I know we have toi develop the future, but we have the pitching right now and that’s the hardest (in my eyes) to assemble. It would be hard to go against Philly, the Mets, St Louis, etc without a big bat like his and I don’t know that we could be in the running for anyone bigger than him realistically. I hope they are really kicking this idea around….I know we would have to give up maybe Vasquez or whatever, but if we can keep the heart of the rotation intact, this deal would work…
skeeterleg
November 11th, 2009
2:50 pm
KennyP is right. It would be nice to get a first baseman of this quality to bridge the gap between now and Freeman, but there is no way San Diego wouldn’t want Freeman in this deal. They would probably want Schaffer and another prospect as well. Unless the Braves immediately signed Gonzalez this would be a bad trade, and that seems highly unlikely.
BigHittas
November 11th, 2009
2:52 pm
LOL Schultzie!
You say he could help Chipper afer a down season. Didn’t you mean to say after 2 or 3 down seasons? I say trade Chip and Kawakami for him!
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
2:57 pm
Supes – Freeman was the centerpiece, if they don’t value him, then no we’re not going to get close on a deal. The 1b for 1b swap has to be the key for us to get together on a deal.
I don’t know the red sox well enough to know the 4-5 prospects they are talking about, but Freeman has to be equal to or better than Bucholz as the centerpiece. Bucholz I like, but he’s been on the fringes of the Majors for a long time now and he’s nowhere near the can’t miss prospect he was 2 years ago. Still a good prospect I’d like to have, but we can compete against him in trade value.
And seriously, I was willing to give them the #2 prospect and the #3 prospect in our organization. Considering they want to eliminate payroll, that’s exactly the kind of package they want. If Schafer were still prospect eligible, he’d probably be around #4-7 this year.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
2:58 pm
So chipper had a “down season” in 2008 when he was the batting champ? Please pay some attention if you choose to post.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
3:02 pm
Clusters get a new insult story, I have seen that story about other people.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
3:10 pm
Clusters is the last thing to call anyone stupid.
The Point Is....
November 11th, 2009
3:13 pm
If the Braves don’t include Jurrjens, Hanson, Escobar, Heyward or Moylan in the deal and if they can sign Gonzalez to something long-term BEFORE the trade is done, then yes give them whoever they want not in that group. I know it may be a shock to some but Freeman is more highly thought of amongst Braves fans than anywhere else, if the Padres want him as a centerpiece, then yeah start there by all means.
The Braves problems begin with Lowe and Chipper, they needed both to perform to a much higher standard than either did this season. Now the Braves appear to be stuck with what is essentially dead payroll for the next couple of years, if they don’t bounce back in a serious way.
The Braves should ask Chipper for permission to trade him. I think Boston would be a great match and could return a couple of very good players and a prospect. (If we can imagine trading for Gonzalez, then we have passed the point where we can’t imagine trading Chipper)
I predict there will be a market for Lowe as pitching-needy teams turn to their 3rd and 4th options as some who didn’t make the trade(s) they wanted or sign the guy(s) they wanted still are left to address a pressing need. Don’t be surprised if both Lowe and Vasquez both are traded.
Who knows if Hudson will perform as we’d hope? But until the Braves clear Chipper and Lowe off the books and can spend that money on younger better players, then this team isn’t going anywhere unless those two and Hudson have a remarkable resurgence.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
3:13 pm
Nope, Jon, that was you. Using lots of screen names and not making much sense with any of them. Kinda like that old crazy dog we had to shoot.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
3:25 pm
Was that h taken out to feminize you, Jon? We was always saying that to Stinky Whintes after he shortened it to Wintes. Stick around and ol’ Sonny will surprise you with some more insults. G’night Jonboy, G’night MaryEllen. Go Braves.
Orlando Man
November 11th, 2009
3:30 pm
I think the Chipper’s days at 3rd are about to end. You will see him at 1st before he retires , and Freeman takes over, so you may want to focus on a new 3rd basemen instead of a 1st basemen. Gonzalez would be a great addition for sure and you can bet the Braves would try to extend his contract and therefore sending Freeman to San Diego in any trade for him. In any case, 2/3 of a season (at the most) from your number 3 hitter is no good. I love Chipper but the injuries are to much. He can not be counted on….unfortunately.