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
bugman
November 11th, 2009
9:09 am
Haha, 1st!
bugman
November 11th, 2009
9:11 am
” don’t know if the Braves are one player away from playing for a championship”
I think before they can be one player away, they are one coach away…
Bulldawg
November 11th, 2009
9:11 am
Jeff,
What do you think the Braves could/should offer for such a deal?
Jamaaliver
November 11th, 2009
9:14 am
No….emphatically. Free agency and the farm system should suffice in getting us where we want to be. A midseason trade might be in order, but only if we are able to get a beneficial trade at the deadline i.e. Mclouth.
MightyQuinn
November 11th, 2009
9:18 am
The Braves should offer Freeman in this deal ONLY if they are serious about signing Gonzales to a long term deal, and I imagine some other prospects would surely be included. The Tex deal wouldn’t have been a bust otherwise.
Toots
November 11th, 2009
9:19 am
But who are you suggesting they trade? Vazquez? If so, me no likey.
Dax
November 11th, 2009
9:20 am
The problem with the Tex trade was the quality of the players we sent to Texas for a 2 year rental. Gonzalez would require close to the same type of package, I’d imagine. Why would we want to make this mistake twice? I’m all for getting Gonzalez if we can do it without putting in 4 + prospects. I just don’t know that it’s possible.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:20 am
Bulldawg — Hard to answer because I don’t know what Padres want. But since payroll is an issue there I’m sure it would be prospects. I’d include Freeman but not Heyward.I’d also give them young pitching since team looks fairly set now for a few years.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:22 am
Jaamaliver — Not much in free agency this season, and getting players in trade also generally costs less from a payroll standpoint.
kate gosselin
November 11th, 2009
9:22 am
I’m still not speaking to you Jeff Schultz for being out until 1:36 a.m. with the Count. Probably celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Muppets.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:24 am
Toots — (see above) I’m with you on Vazquez. I’d rather do the deal without him. But I’m sure they don’t want Lowe or Kawakami.
EW
November 11th, 2009
9:25 am
JS..love the idea. Just not all that confident we will actually go after him. With Boston in the mix, he’ll probably choose to go to a guaranteed contender.
I like the idea some have mentioned on using the farm system. But when it comes to hitting, you’re better off taking someone who has proved he can hit at the big league level. We need offense NOW, can’t wait on the rookies to learn while our pitcher’s are doing their jobs. That’s what cost us last season. Javy and JJ should have been flirting with 20 wins each, especially JJ.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:25 am
Kate. Sorry, big mistake. I tried to hang with Oscar and he drank me under the table. Won’t you take me back?
Don
November 11th, 2009
9:25 am
More significantly than being a player away, the Braves are a MANAGER away from winning. As long as Bobby Cox is managing, any trades or free agent signings are pointless – we still will not win — Unless our Pitching should again be so great, so far, far superior to the other teams that it makes it almost imposible to lose the Division over the long 162 game regular season schedule – overcomming Cox’s management procedures and lack thereof. This is the way it has always been with Cox managing. The best example of his management skills is tha fact that in 14 opportuniies he won only one WS – even with the great pitching that we had – amazing.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:28 am
EW — Braves means he stays in N.L., I think they’re perceived as a contender at this point (even if not Boston) and I don’t think he requires approval for a trade anyway.
RHR
November 11th, 2009
9:30 am
Yes….emphatically. YES.
Don
November 11th, 2009
9:30 am
As always with Bobby Cox – To have a consistant offense, we must have hitters who (on their own) have the maturity to generate run production. Granted that Bobby Cox has never been the sharpest knife in the drawer — But it is still unbelievable that afer over 20 years as a manager, he still does not understand the absolute necessity to teach, emphasize, demand that hitters work the count, be selective, make the pitcher throw some pitches – if your are going to have consistant run production and good offense.
All I'm Saying Is...
November 11th, 2009
9:33 am
I like the way you are thinking on this one, Schultz, because, you are right, Adam has some serious deficiencies in his game compared to Gonzalez. Problem is I don’t think the Padres are stupid especially if other teams are sniffing around.
Given Gonzalez contract and proven production, they will likely want at least a potential starter or two and prospects knowing full well that his value should only escalate between now and the start of the season and/or the July 31, 2010 trade deadline.
Braves have to decide how committed they are to winning it all in 2010 and what they are willing to part with to potentially get there.
I agree that you only make this deal if you are going to sign Gonzalez to a longer term deal than the next two years.
Another thought if he’s not included in the deal is why can’t Freeman be moved to LF? Just because he’s played first to this point doesn’t preclude him from switching positions.
I’m just glad we don’t have Kotchman anymore at first grumbling in the clubhouse and hitting singles (with too many posters on this blog thinking that because he can field his position, then his lack of power is acceptable).
LET’S GO BRAVES!
rico43
November 11th, 2009
9:34 am
What concerns me about any deal with San Diego is that the club has a new g.m. who will probably feel like a Gonzalez deal will make his reputation. It might be Towers/Peavy all over again.
cattle dawg
November 11th, 2009
9:35 am
How old is this guy? Im a fan of laRoche. He has got a sweet swing. is there not a better deal out there
kate gosselin
November 11th, 2009
9:36 am
Oh, thats not what Miss Piggy said. I’m down for the Adrian Gonzales deal. When is the press conference?
EW
November 11th, 2009
9:36 am
Don- You’re not alone in your disdain for Bobby. But I’m not one of the ones with you. Throwing BC under the bus is a cop out. Of course his decisions are going to come under more scrutiny, he was in the playoffs 14 straight years! Every manager gets criticized more in the playoffs, that’s how it goes. But ultimately the players have to play. And in the Braves case I think we shot ourselves in the foot on offense much of that run. These guys are still major league hitters, and Bobby can’t swing the bat for them. Bobby is going to be a Hall of Fame manager and has earned the right to go out on his own terms. Your argument assumes we would have won 14 straight with ANY manager, and that just ain’t right.
Don
November 11th, 2009
9:37 am
What is so absurd about the Braves – is that they plan, worry, fret over possible trades, free agent signings, making the salary budget work, trying to make some improvement at different positions etc. — Yet completely ignore the biggest problem, the greatest weakness they have – the problem that is more significant than all their other problems combined. — They still keep Bobby Cox in spite of his obvious incompetency is so many ways.
Jeff Schultz
November 11th, 2009
9:37 am
All I’m Saying Is — If I’m the Padres, I’m probably asking for the world: Jair Jurrjens, Jason Heyward, etc. What the Braves would have to give up obviously depends on what San Diego is offered elsewhere.
Q
November 11th, 2009
9:37 am
I’ve been saying the Braves should trade for Gonzalez since the middle of this past season.My proposal has been send Medlen,Jo Jo reyes,Schafer, Kelly Johnson and maybe a couple of more prospects to the Padres for Adrian and Heath Bell. You get a 40 homer 100 RBI guy( even playing half his games in San Diego) and an allstar closer under contract for at least the next couple of years.If you can do it without adding Freeman to the deal then you give him a couple of years before you need him in Atlanta.Then you have a power hitter, a potential Gold Glove 1B,and a closer.And both cheaper than any good free eagent will cost.And the Braves would still have the money to upgrade the OF.
EW
November 11th, 2009
9:38 am
JS, I didn’t understand your reply…maybe I need more coffee.
T-Bone
November 11th, 2009
9:40 am
I think I had just as soon sign Rochy, and then find a power-hitting left fielder.
We really are only one piece–maybe two–from the post-season. Extrapolate our record from that point in June when FW’s trades turned us around and we probably end up with 90-100 wins. I think we can do this without decimating our farm, a la the Tex trade.
kate gosselin
November 11th, 2009
9:41 am
Please don’t include JJJ, Heyward, or Hanson. No way the Braves do that deal with those three guys.
MWC
November 11th, 2009
9:49 am
The Braves need to re-sign Adam and find a power OF, end of story…
J-man
November 11th, 2009
9:50 am
It’s not a terrible idea, but I’m personally not real fond of continuing to go down that old “rent a player for 2 years” model that got us Drew and Sheffield.
Scott
November 11th, 2009
9:50 am
i think we should swing a trade for A-rod. not saying who we should give up, or even speculate on what we may have to give up for him, but i’m just sayin’ we should do it, just as long as it doesnt involve any of our top prospects, like freddy freeman who may or may not be involved. MAKE IT HAPPEN FRANK WREN!
Smack
November 11th, 2009
9:51 am
Still would rather sign a 1-2 year stop gap and let Freeman take it from there. The cost for Adrian would be to great and I really don’t think we need to clear out the depth we have in our system. Hypothetically they would probably ask for Freddie, Medlen, Hicks and Teheran. Too much for one player when all 4 can contribute to whatever it is we are building towards.
Hawk n the Ham
November 11th, 2009
9:58 am
Too many left handed bats. The Braves will focus on a right handed power hitter this offseason. For what we would lose in a trade, I think keeping Rochy would be the best bet and going after that big bat in the outfield.
Braves Fan
November 11th, 2009
10:01 am
It is amazing to me that some people on this board feel like they have a better understanding of the basic concepts of baseball than Bobby Cox. Are you BC bashers trying to get a rise out of others or in your warped minds do really believe that he is the problem with the Braves? Do you think he just does not have an adequate understanding of baseball or that he does not have the ability to get the best out of his players?
roan st
November 11th, 2009
10:01 am
Hanson and Heyward are off limits. If not then wren and shuerholz need to be run out of town. I would absolutely not give up a bunch of young talent for this guy. Any player who bats .277 is not a star in my book. The Braves need to resign Laroche and go out and get another bat in free agency. Heyward will probably be here next june if not out of spring training and freeman could be ready by the start of 2011. Just be patient and don’t make the damn Teixeira mistake twice.
Tucker T
November 11th, 2009
10:01 am
Jeff, I’m kind of surprised you are advocating another trade where the Braves would be trading away their future. The cynic in me says you want this so you will have more columns to write about the awful trade just like you did for 126 columns you guys wrote about the Tex trade. I know you wouldn’t do that but it makes me wonder. Anyways, there is no way I would give up Freeman for a two year rental of this guy. You know that if he has similar years over the next two years he will be commanding a $15-20M contract, something the Braves can’t afford. They will have Freeman cheap for the next several years.
Rick in Jackson
November 11th, 2009
10:03 am
I think you are right on with this idea. It would surely solve a lot of problems with one move. What about offering the young 1B prospect (Freeman) to the Padres to replace AG and then throw in the confidential medical and scouting rports on 3 pitchers, Galvine, Smoltz and Hampton!!
Mark P.
November 11th, 2009
10:03 am
To those people who think that the Braves can get a top player by ridding themselves of garbage (K. Johnson, Reyes, etc.) the real world doesn’t work like that unless the GM has recently had a lobotomy. The Braves will have to give up real players to get this or any good 1B. If the Padres wanted castoffs like those mentioned, they would only have to go to the waiver list and claim them. The Padres need cheap young players. They can’t afford Lowe, K. Johnson, etc. or they would have kept Peavy. He had a very reasonable contract for his talent .
Yunel Asscobar
November 11th, 2009
10:04 am
Jeff – great idea. Are you open to becoming GM of the Bravos, or is this writing thing a full-time gig? Could this scenario work: D Lowe to closer; Kawakami to long relief/spot starter; and like Q said, offer Shafer, Minor, Johnson, Medlen, and JoJo for Gonzo? To sweeten the deal, we could even consider offering Greg Norton [ hard to imagine, I know], if the Pads play negotiating hardball.
Don
November 11th, 2009
10:05 am
Trading for Gonzalez or any other player we could trade for or any free agent we could sign would not help the team as much as getting rid of Bobby Cox — and this would not cost any players or prospects or any significant money.
Uncle Rico
November 11th, 2009
10:09 am
Jeff –
great idea…AG is someone we should have been pursuing all along. You neglected to mention his defense, which is as good as or better than Tex’s (and definitely better than LaRoche).
I’d trade Freeman, Schafer & another (lower level) prospect in a heartbeat for AG.
Gonzo is a proven & affordable commodity. The other guys are simply “potentials” at this point.
If this happens, the Braves are essentially set for 2010, except for some bullpen help & a more affordable option in the OF.
SadDawg
November 11th, 2009
10:09 am
Jeff, is San Diego a hitters park, cause “The Ted” sure ain’t, as Mclouth found out when he got here….
Branch Rickey
November 11th, 2009
10:10 am
Get Billy Butler from Kansas City. He’s only 23 and the stud firstbaseman that will give the Braves solid play for years to come. Gonzalez will come at way too high a price !
Andrew
November 11th, 2009
10:11 am
This Don is one angry Dude…Slow your roll man, your gonna have a heart attack before Bobby even retires!
P Rose
November 11th, 2009
10:11 am
I’d give them Vazquez and Freeman, but only if we could sign Gonzalez for a long-term contract. Vazquez is coming off his best season ever; chances are he won’t repeat it. Freeman might be good in the future, or he might not; but with Gonzalez we wouldn’t need him. It’s not going to happen, though. Remember when they were trying to trade Peavey? They wouldn’t budge unless we gave them Tommy Hanson. No way they let us have him without Heyward, Jurrjens or Hanson.
tr
November 11th, 2009
10:12 am
To the naysayers,
1) Towers is NOT there any more.
2) AG is great player with a very club-friendly contract and NOT represented by Boras
3) Expensive (in terms of prospects), of course. But we have a surplus of young pitching talent.
4) Long term costs – Besides his recent history of protecting his future against injury by signing a long term, club friendly deal, the Braves could prorate an extension (for budget purposes) and keep it in a very reasonable range for the foreseeable future.
5) You don’t know the expense (prospects) if you don’t ask and maybe discuss for a bit. For example, does anybody honestly see a place on the Braves’ roster for JoJo? But he could be a workable asset to such a trade because of their big park.
6) I’m not interested in gutting the farm or selling the future, but it’s worth exploring!
Duh
November 11th, 2009
10:13 am
Been saying this since the 08 season
Art Vandelay
November 11th, 2009
10:15 am
I think the situation w/ Gonzalez will play out much like the situation with Peavy last year. San Diego will ask for the moon and stars for him and will have a hard time finding takers. I’m all for getting a guy with his ability, but I’d rather see us find a bat for the outfield and keep Laroche at 1B. His defense is outstanding, and in the 2nd half of the season, he can pretty much match Gonzalez’ production. It’s that pesky 1st half we have to worry about.
MWC
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
Bobby is here for 1 more year and thats it…get over it.
Jim
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
While I would love to have Gonzalez in Atlanta, the cost is too high. I can’t see any trade that doesn’t involve Freeman and 2 or 3 other top 10 prospects. Two years of Gonzalez isn’t worth that much.
http://www.fanhuddle.com/atlantabraves
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.
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.
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.
Coach (2010- Mr.Overrated retires)
November 11th, 2009
3:36 pm
Noah, Adrian Gonzalez projects to make close to the same as Mark Teixeira come 2012. We are talking 20 million per season here, which is way beyond our Braves current budget.
P.S. Corporate ownership blows chunks in so many ways and ML baseball desperately needs a salary structure similar to that of the NFL.
bvillebaron
November 11th, 2009
3:37 pm
Who once said that stupid is as stupid does? Apparently you Jeff and other proponents of this nonsense never learn from past mistakes, including, in particular, the Texeira debacle. Instead of simply giving them Freeman, Schaefer, Medlen and Teheran, why don’t we really wipe out the farm system and throw in Minor and/or Heyward as well? Besides we all know that getting Adrian Gonzalez will guarantee that trip to the World Series. Aren’t you the same guy who argued that Atlanta should keep Vazquez despite his age, salary, career year and looming free agency? If you get get Adrian Gonzalez or a comparable impact bat for Vazquez, fine, but trading more prospects at this stage of the rebuilding of the Braves is sheer lunacy.
Bobby's Cox
November 11th, 2009
3:38 pm
If they can include KJ in the deal… bonus.
Not likely. The Pads want to dump salary, and Gonzalez only makes like 4.5 mil as posted by Schultz. KJ will make almost as much as him next year in arbitration, and when you throw in all the prospects, they’d be raising their salary.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
3:45 pm
Clusters this is my only name but honestly you can defend yourself and I like that.
Blackbird
November 11th, 2009
4:00 pm
I think I smell Wren getting played by the Padres again, ie Peavy!
bravesfan2051422
November 11th, 2009
4:07 pm
Okay…………….But………… How would they make this trade without giving up anybody too important??
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
4:13 pm
Bravesfan2051422 – San Diego wants rookie salaries or minor leaguers, not established players. We wouldn’t be giving up any current major leaguers, unless it’s Medlen. Then, as far as important prospects, Wren just needs to steer them to whomever is overrated.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
Okay, Jon, we can be friends. Clusters was always open-minded and they’s lots of folks stuck with only one name (Oprah, Prince, Shaq, Madonna, Jon ) and having only one name makes some of ‘em grumpy.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
4:19 pm
Jon without the “h” you is stupid. Anyway when we was playing we was winning because we was playing without Bobby Cox.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:20 pm
I know what you mean, and I guess that other Sonny is impersonating you.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:21 pm
Sonny, just ignore the fake one and you will do just fine. I read a comment from Jeff, he said, “Sonny the impersonation is the biggest form of flattery”. That was on an older post.
bugman
November 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
Sonny,
The most sincere form of flattery is being copied!
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:23 pm
I thought you were just being dramatic. My apologies Sonny.
robo
November 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
only works for me if they sign gonzalez to a multi-year deal.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
Bugman said it better than I did, I couldn’t remember the exact way that Jeff phrased it.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:27 pm
That Sonny Clumps character was definately a cheap imitation.
John Tucker
November 11th, 2009
4:28 pm
Could notagree more. Adrian GOnzalez is best 1B man in MLB not named Pujois; and Briaves should trade whaaomever they have to to get him for next 2 years and try bto sign him long term as Chipper leaves.
Nativebird
November 11th, 2009
4:29 pm
Never, ever deal Yunel. Ever. In any other media market, he is a periennial All Star. Keep the kids, deal anyone else over the age of 28. Anyone. (all of em).
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
Typo, I meant definitely.
Sonny Clusters
November 11th, 2009
4:32 pm
That 4:19 Sonny is the imposter. We was always wary of imposters and people that didn’t like Dairy Queen. When all this is over, Dairy Queen for everybody . . . on Jeff.
Melvin Flowers-Macon Georgia
November 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
Chipper Jones need to retire his pop in the bat is bout over. We might can use his bat on the bench at times.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
Oh, just ignore him Sonny. We can definitely get Dairy Queen.
Nativebird
November 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
Oh, and all these “never trade the farm build from within its too expensive in FA”, CONVENIENTLY forget that without the Fred Mcgriff deal, and without the Greg Maddux deal, you can have all the home-grown Braves you want, but the World Series and the 90’s run never happens, so SPARE me with your over-simplified “farm only” routines.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
John Tucker – No reason we couldn’t sign him long term as part of the deal. Can’t leave it up to chance like we did with Tex. Very similar players at similar ages. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
Nativebird – We’re on a budget now. We have to lose salary to add any more, so good players like Vasquez might be traded to clear the room.
Melvin Flowers-Macon Georgia
November 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
O By the way Braves fans remember PEAVEY- NO WAY, Don’t believe none of this.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:40 pm
Jeff is my favorite columnist. I used to like DOB’s stuff but he is a complete a**hole when he posts comments and Mark Bradley used to be too negative about our teams, but he has gotten much better since then.
Jon
November 11th, 2009
4:40 pm
Melvin also remember Furcal and Burnett?
jj
November 11th, 2009
4:41 pm
If you can get Adrian Gonzalez for a package of Freeman, Medlen, and a couple more #10-15 rated prospects in our system then of course you do it. This would allow you to trade Vazquez for prospects, which is much easier. Contenders don’t want to give up their bats, and non-contenders don’t want to give up prospects for rentals. Vazquez for Gonzalez with prospects washing out would make so much sense for this team.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
4:52 pm
JJ – I like your thinking. If we could get a stud prospect at 3b in the Vasquez deal, it would be golden.
JayD
November 11th, 2009
4:54 pm
Larry is the answer at 1st (it will keep him around a couple of years longer) – Go out and get a ThirdBaseman!
bob horner stayed hurt
November 11th, 2009
4:55 pm
I agree with jj….Gonzalez for Vazquez…it will hurt to give up Javy’s arm..but wwe need a bat folks…you get what you pay for…I think we need to hang on to Medlin…something about him..?? he’s a real “pitcher”..with a bright future…IMHO
Orlando Man
November 11th, 2009
4:59 pm
A Gonzalez for Vazquez deal would have to involve a 3rd team…which is fine. Then they, the 3rd team, could give up the prospsects. The Braves may only have to lose one prospect then. I like that deal then.
Bugman's 5th Grade Teacher
November 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
Who said “idiot”? Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just because you never made it to a 6th grade teacher is no reason to get all defensive and self-deprecating.
tdmorgan
November 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
I like the idea of Gonzalez, but Hoyer, the new GM for San Diego, said the only reason he would trade him is to restock the Padres system. He has an opportunity to start the rebuilding process quickly by trading Gonzalez. A possible trade could center around Minor, Christian Bethancourt (C), Freeman, and Medlin. It gives them a pitcher for now with Medlin who would be starting for several teams if it weren’t for the Braves pitching depth. Minor is a pitcher who is close to being ready, possibly up this year if not at the beginning of next. Freeman is an up and coming first baseman. Bethancourt is already a top ten prospect based on his defense and his offense is coming along, he only just turned 18. Plus Bethancourt is blocked by McCann. With the way he is progressing he could be ready in the next couple of years. This not only gives them a solid core but some players that have upside as well. If we had to, we could throw in Brandon Hicks while his stock is soaring after the AFL.
Also, some people have mentioned about him being left handed, but so is LaRoache, we can then find a RH for LF or RF. We won’t need to go after someone like Holliday or Bay but could go after a second tier OF with a shorter deal because Schafer will be up soon probably beginning of 2011 at the latest, he just needs to get his confidence back. We could possibly try to go after Mike Cameron and improve our defense by moving McLouth to LF and put Diaz in RF until Heyward is ready in June.
Orlando Man
November 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
Although, I don’t like losing Vazquez…. I rather Lowe…not a perfect world though.
tdmorgan
November 11th, 2009
5:07 pm
y’all, Vazquez has a no trade clause to Western Division teams
Geo123
November 11th, 2009
5:08 pm
Jeff,
Your loigc makes no sense at all. You say that the Padres are trying to lower their payroll and yet then you argue for the Braves to pick him up partially because his contract is so cheap. You can’t have it both ways. Then you add to the pjoor logic by saying even though this great player is signed chpealy tha tthe Braves shouldn’t give up any of their top prospects. Does this make sense to anyone at all? You get a top player in the game who’s signed cheaply for 2 more years and you don’t give up much. I’d like to live in your world. It was written around the trade deadline that the Red Sox were very interested and several of their top prospects were being named as trade bait. Here’s a quote form Heyman at SI atthe deadline. “The Padres wanted more than Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie for Adrian Gonzalez.”
Expanding on what others were talking about and adding Bell to the trade here’s what the Dodgers were offering according to Heyman.
” Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus.”
Here’s the link.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/failed-deadline-blockbusters.html
The point is the Padres may trade him but they won’t be in a hurry and if someone gets him this winter they will have to give up ALOT to make it happen. You will have to give up your good prospects so don’t write that you won’t…
Bugman's 6th Grade Teacher
November 11th, 2009
5:14 pm
I know and he was always trying Bugman’s 5th grade teacher. He was a little slower than the others and he liked to pick fights and lost. However, he never believed that he could like the engine, and he just dropped out one day. Sad really.
tdmorgan
November 11th, 2009
5:19 pm
but if we were to trade prospects to get Gonzalez, we could trade Lowe for low-level prospects with upside and may need to throw in a few million a year but it would be worth it. I hate when people do this but with what i proposed earlier our lineup could look something like this.
McLouth LF
Prado 2B
C Jones 3B
Gonzalez 1B
McCann C
Mike Cameron CF
Escobar SS
Diaz RF
once Heyward comes up you can bat him sixth and put Cameron eighth. People complain about Chipper getting older, but with legit protection with Gonzalez you increase the probability of him being more productive. Remember how well he played in 2008 with Tex providing production behind him, just in case you forgot 364 avg, 470 obp, 574 slug, 1044ops, he also had almost 30 more walks than strikeouts. This past year, everything was on him to provide production for the offense, he can’t do it by himself anymore like he did 8-9 years ago. With the savings from Lowe we can fix our bullpen. We would save on Gonzalez because he was cheaper than LaRoache, non-tender both KJ and Church, and we’ll also save 10 mil by getting rid of Mike Gonzalez and Soriano. Also we will get rid of Garrett Anderson even more saved. We would instantly be in great position to go to the playoffs.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
5:34 pm
TD Morgan – The vasquez trade is separate to any Adrian Gonzalez. As would be trading Lowe. Everbody understands that the Padres aren’t going to trade a $5 million dollar bat to save money, while taking on an $11 million dollar pitcher. They don’t have the money to do so or A. Gonzalez wouldn’t be for sale in the first place. People are saying that it could work in the Braves favor, but we’d need a couple of trades to happen.
“The Padres wanted more than Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie for Adrian Gonzalez.” So that was with 2.5 years left on his contract. We can compete with this offer using Teheran, Medlen, and Freeman. A well thought of SP, RP and Batter, but all are prospects, same as Boston except a little younger. Nobody knows if San diego prefers younger with more possible upside or ML ready and a bit more predictable. I think our 3 prospects in that list would be a very compeling option compared with Bostons.
I would not want to offer that though, unless he is signing a long term extension as part of the deal. Boston may not need such assurance, as they can always just up their financial offer until he does sign, or buy someone else about the same as him. Must be nice to be them
Geo123
November 11th, 2009
6:11 pm
ugaaccountant,
I think you gave a pretty good answer and that wold be a good offer. However I think that the Red Sox players are a little better, Bucholz or Masterson. Freeman is a better prospect to me than Lowrie, but doesn’t play a position of need for the Padres (if they trade Gonzalez I thikn they will move Blanks to 1B). . Bucholz was 7-4 in the majors last year and posseses at least 3 above average big league pitchers. His control isn’t perfect for sure. Masterson was traded to the Indians in the Martinez trade but ended the year averaging almost a K an inning. Once again contro lis an issue.. Medlen was tough but Teheran is too youbg to compare to those guys right now…
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
6:23 pm
Yeah, i’d pick Boston’s guys too. Just saying it’s at least an idea.
Uncle Rico
November 11th, 2009
6:36 pm
Unfortunately, Schultzie likely sealed the fate (unknowingly) of this trade happening w/a comment in his 12:27 approx post….”Towers was fired & Jed Hoyer is now the GM”.
For those out there who do not already know this, Hoyer was the Asst GM in Boston, & is a Theo Epstein protege (odd, considering they’re about the same age).
We all know that Epstein is no fool, & would drive quite a hard bargain if he had Gonzo on the block.
He’d demand AT LEAST two quality prospects (i.e. Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, etc) & probably more.
Someone out there will be willing to meet the Padres’ demands….with Hoyer calling the shots, it won’t be another Peavy saga.
Kelly
November 11th, 2009
6:36 pm
We can compete with this offer using Teheran, Medlen, and Freeman.
I would be flabbergasted if the Padres would accept anything close to that for Gonzalez. At the very, very least they would want Jurrjens, Freeman, and Schafer. Personally, I think it is a pipe dream to think that the Braves can get Adrian Gonzalez.
Braves For Life
November 11th, 2009
6:55 pm
Kelly- Teheran, Medlen, and Freeman is a good trade for Gonzalez. The trade proposal includes the 2nd (Freeman) and 3rd (Teheran) highest rated prospects in the Braves farm system and a MLB ready pitcher (Medlen). It may not be quite enough but it is a good starting point and you certanly should not be ” flabbergasted” by it.
ugaaccountant
November 11th, 2009
6:55 pm
Kelly – I think Schafer is slightly behind Teheran and Medlen in trade value. Obviously if it’s JJ plus more for AG, we have to simply say no thanks.
I wonder where Bucholz would rank on a full ML “prospect” list if he were still eligible? Easily top 100 but how high? Obviously it’s silly to think of JJJ in those terms, since he is likely to get some cy young votes this year.
Braves For Life
November 11th, 2009
7:08 pm
ugaaccountant- I give you credit for coming up with a good proposal. I was thinking of quality young cheap players that we had that SD would have interest in and Prado came to mind. I think throwing him in with Teheran, Medlen, and Freeman should get the job done. It would be borderline to much but then again give something to get something. Prado could fill in at either 1B, 2B, SS, and to a lesser degree 3B for SD and he is making the minium for another couple of years. What are your thoughts?
jim
November 11th, 2009
7:16 pm
If Gonzalez doesn’t catch a long hot streak, I’m not sure if batting .250 with 30 HR’s and a bunch of strikeouts is going to significantly help the Braves towards their longterm goal.
When you get into the playoffs, it’s harder to hit. For a batter to not be able to hit .300 during the regular season, you can’t expect much in the postseason. This guy would probably be 1 for 15 in a 3 game sweep loss for the Braves in the opening round.
marko
November 11th, 2009
7:26 pm
I enjoy reading how everybody thinks that another team would jump on the chance to make a big trade for players with the Braves that we don’t realy want or prefer.
If I am running a MLB team, I would not consider trading my allstar/gold glove 1B to a team in return for Medlin, Schafer, Lowe, or Kawakami (or all of them). I would not want any of them to ever be one of my starters.
desibrave
November 11th, 2009
7:35 pm
THIS IS A BIG WASTE OF A BLOG. Braves have nothing (that they be willing) to offer Padres that can land Gonzalez. Padres have solid young pitching, they need some hitting prospects and we don’t have anyone else but Freeman who wont be ready till 2011. So stop wasting time on this blog and talk about something else.
Braves fan since Milwaukee
November 11th, 2009
7:42 pm
My heart stopped momentarily. I thought the picture was Mike Hampton.
taxman kenneth
November 11th, 2009
8:32 pm
The braves would have to give up the rest of the farm for a 2 season rental which would be another Tex deal which the braves will never recover from. They won’t have a chance to keep him beyond the 2 year rental so forget it. Keep the farm system intact and let Freeman have a shot.
Brian
November 11th, 2009
8:40 pm
Don- do you get a kick out of repeating yourself so much? Honestly, the same asshat comments really do nothing to further discussion about what is best for the Braves organization heading into 2010. Besides, Cox is out after this season anyway. So i would expect our veteran guys to try to send him off on top. Anyways, if you have nothing better to say than “Bobby Cox is a terrible manager” then get off this board.
Sorry about that guys. Now as far as trades go, I say trade Vazquez for a hitter. He did have a great season last year, but as many have pointed out, his career numbers make last season seem like an aberration. I would be content with trying to give Lowe a second chance as a back end starter, as we already have 3 good starters (JJ, Hudson, and Hanson). I say Kawakami can either spot start or fill the long relief role. Hopefully, Heyward can continue his development in the minors to where we can call him up in the next year. I’m not sure we have all the pieces for a deep run in 2010, but we are getting there. Wow that turned into a book real quick, didn’t it. Have fun everybody, and GO BRAVOS!!!!
mrdonut
November 11th, 2009
8:51 pm
I think the Braves should resign LaRoche and spend or trade for a third baseman and a right fielder Father Time has caught up to Chipper who should be replaced by a slugger and while Church is good defensively he doesn’t provide the POWER we need from a right fielder. Don’t trade our pitching for hitting. Figure out something else.
Reid Adair
November 11th, 2009
8:59 pm
I like the idea of Adrian Gonzalez, but all the Braves really have to offer is Javier Vazquez, Derek Lowe and Kawakami – or a combination thereof.
I doubt that San Diego is interested in anyone other than Vazquez.
Former Braves Fan
November 11th, 2009
9:01 pm
The Braves paying big money and making a trade for this guy are simple, NILL AND NONE and none has left the house. They might trade half the minors for him in a stupid Tex like deal again and be stuck with nothing in a year, but they certainly will never pay him the millions he will demand in a year as a free agent. Answer, no, keep your kids and move on. Sign Roch.
kazoo
November 11th, 2009
9:04 pm
The problem with a potential trade like this is that 1) you have to give up a lot to get him; and 2) you’ve got to offer him a huge contract in one or two years to retain him–or he signs with a big-market club and you’re screwed (assuming you didn’t win the World Series). LaRoche is a good player–not a great player, not a power guy, but underrated in my view. I would resign him. I also wouldn’t trade Vasquez. What’s the point of trading your best pitcher?
Goldenglove002
November 11th, 2009
10:01 pm
Silly, silly Jeff. You sound like some of the fans on the message boards. Of course it would be nice to get Gonzalez, but the Padres probably start the bidding asking for 2 of Heyward, Freeman, Hanson, Jurjens, Escobar. And that wouldn’t be all. Just not something that the braves can do.
Geo123
November 12th, 2009
12:02 am
Reid,
There is no way the Padres would be interested in Vaspuez. If they traded Gonzalez ir would be to replenish their farm system as well as cut costs. Vasquez accomplishes neither.
Geo123
November 12th, 2009
12:11 am
Goldenglove002,
I agree with you. I would expect more from a writer in a major newspaper. You have to be realistic in your trade options. Gonzalez is a star that’s signed cheap for 2 more years. People should quit making silly trade ideas like Johnson, Reyes and an average player/prospect for him. That is laughable. You will have to give quantity and quality (sorry Jeff) to get high quality. In actuality the Padres want position players other than a 1B because Blanks will move in there. If you offer them a good young affordable SP they’ll take it…
reason
November 12th, 2009
12:21 am
Give San Diego or any team both Lowe and Kawakami, these two are about 22 million dollar payroll (not worth it,) and throw Adam LaRoche, in the deal that’s another 8 millions, (not worth it,) between the three they could open up 30 million and get a few excellent players in returned, while giving Freddie Freeman a opportunity to play. The team can stop premastering or procrastinating such simple decisions. I think I heard someone say from the club, that they’ll have the prefect team in 2011 or was 2012 maybe 2015.
reason
November 12th, 2009
12:33 am
KEEP, Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, Nate McLouth, Javier Vazquez, Matt Diaz, Yunel Escobar, Omar Infante, Brian McCann, Barbaro Canizares, Brandon Jones, David Ross, Clint Sammons, this is a start and they don’t make in the millions like some dead beat on the team.
scottbravesfan
November 12th, 2009
12:36 am
I wonder about the people on this board.
LETS TRADE KELLY JOHNSON AND JO JO REYES FOR ADRIAN GONZALEZ!!!! Yeah that’s a great idea lets trade a bunch of junk for one of the best first basemen in the game. And the person who said Vazquez and Freeman, are you serous? Vazquez makes 11.5 million dollars and only has 1 year left on his deal. The Padres are rebuilding and can’t afford to pay Gonzalez 4.5 million but yet they are going to pay Vazquez 11.5? Seriously you guys have to think before you type. If the Braves were to try and trade for Gonzalez they would have to give up Freeman and the Padres would probably want either Jurrjens or Hanson. Either way I would not give up either one of those guys.
Coach (2010 - Mr. Overrated retires)
November 12th, 2009
3:50 am
Adam LaRoche is almost as much a no-brainer as Tim Hudson. Is LaRoche a superstar? NO but he is a slick glove over at first base and his power numbers are steady. The worst thing said concerning LaRoche is his reputation as a second half player and few realize just how many runs his glove saves on defense. If it takes 10 million per season for the next three years, do it. LaRoche is a guaranteed 25 HR, 85 RBI, .270 BA, 800 OPS, near gold glove machine over at first base.
As for my personal recommendation…….Luis Durango (the Panamaniac) is the sleeper who can be had for a bag of baseballs. Dude is just awesome to watch. He probably needs another full minor league season at triple A before he’s ready for the big leagues but Durango has the one thing which has been missing in Atlanta for too long. Raw, unadulterated, blazing speed. I keep looking at his impossible career minor league 193 Strike out/ 232 walk split and wonder, Why can’t anybody else see it for what it is? Is he Juan Pierre? NO, Pierre can’t switch hit or maintain an OBP of .400. Durango is faster than Pierre, switch hits and creates sheer havoc on the base paths.
At any rate, some enterprising GM will snatch his butt out from under the Padres and turn him into an everyday ML lead off hitter, and in a couple of years I’ll be screaming, I TOLD YOU SO! Just like Nelson Cruz.
BravesFanForever
November 12th, 2009
4:35 am
Shultz is not saying sell the farm! All he is saying is that we should at least ATTEMPT a trade. I see nothing wrong with inquiring.
Wren is not an idiot. He is not going to start out selling high. Come on people. Let’s get realistic here. He is going to start out low, put out the feelers and see what can swing this trade. If it ends up too much for our tastes then so be it. At least we tried.
I’m of the opinion that we are not going to have to mortgage the farm to get Gonzales anyway. I see nothing wrong with trading Freeman, Teheran, Schafer, and even Medlen. I think we have enough pieces in place now to get us by for the next few years until we have to reload. Getting Gonzales would fill a huge need for several reasons:
1. Elite teams have elite players. Period. You can’t expect to win the World Series with a team that consists of average to above average players. At some point you have to get some guys in who can win the big one.
2. Chipper ain’t what he used to be. If we are going to win NOW, we need an offense that can compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and whoever… Gonzales would be a huge lift off Chipper’s shoulders and quite frankly with G batting clean up, don’t be surprised if Chipper has a huge resurgence. Maybe he won’t play much more than 120 games, but wow, would it be a very productive one! How much better protection can you get with one of the 3 best home run hitters in the game batting behind you??
3. We won’t need Freeman. Trade him. Besides, there is some question as to his supposed status along side Heyward. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he had some injuries which may have explained the poor results in AA. But you know, “they” all say that. The word “injury” always seems to come up to explain bad results. Please. He may not be the great prospect you all think he is. Don’t count your chickens people. Gonzo is for real NOW.
4. Gonzales hit 28 home runs on the road!!!! Man, get a clue people. He may have hit 50 if he was playing anywhere else but Petco! Guys like him are rare!
Come on, let’s not think that our farm system is static. Oh my, we lose all these supposed great prospects. 1. There is only so much room on the roster for all these people, 2. Only about 1 out of 5 great prospects ever makes it. I’m not talking about fringe prospects, I’m talking about GREAT prospects. Look back at all the wonderful can’t miss players that have come along in the Braves system and tell me how many are on a major league roster. Wasn’t JoJo considered a great prospect at one time? What about Marte and Frenchy? Look back at the 100 best draft prospects for the last 10 years and tell me where all these guys are. Look at all the #1 picks!! How many have made it?? 3. You can always reload. The team drafts every year and we are always bringing in new people. Gotta think in terms of what we will have 2 years from now and who is one years can’t miss is another year’s forgotten soul and what is one year’s so so player may be the next year’s elite prospect!
Don’t whine too much guys. That’s all I ask. The Braves system is a great one and I trust Wren to make the right moves.
BravesFanForever
November 12th, 2009
5:03 am
Trading away Medlen is not necessarily a bad thing. I would consider him a very good prospect since he did extremely well in AAA last year and he performed pretty well in the majors after a rough start. He is unique because he can start as well as relieve effectively. This is a very valuable commodity. I imagine he would be starting in Petco and would be a great addition to the Padres staff.
If we landed Gonzales, I’m certain we could either make a trade or sign a relief pitcher and/or fifth backup starter. Even if we had to pay more it wouldn’t be a big deal since the team would have saved so much in gaining Gonzales.
We could even attempt to dump Lowe on someone else without getting much in return for the sake of getting Gonzales. We would lose some pitching depth without having Medlen and Lowe but we don’t need 6 starters much less 5 since the fifth starter just isn’t that valuable. Most teams have some guy with a 5.00 ERA in this spot. With the huge increase in offense the Braves would gain we wouldn’t need to be as concerned about the 5th spot. And geez, we have Kawakami already.
Does anyone think that Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson, Hudson, and Kawakami isn’t enough? That is one heck of a starting staff people. Show me the weakness here especially knowing Kawakami is such a big game pitcher.
I’m certain one of the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Angels would take Lowe’s $15 million a year/$45 million for the next 3 if it meant not giving up much. We would give up prospects for Gonzo, gain $15 million in letting Lowe leave, and then we could turn around and sign a free agent and use up some of that $15 million for left field and gain more depth in the relief corps.
Think about a line up that looks like this:
1. McClouth
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. Gonzales
5. McCann
6. Heyward
7. Escobar
8. New leftfielder or Diaz
9. Pitcher
Or perhaps…
1. Diaz/new leftfielder (maybe get more speed and OBP)
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. Gonzales
5. McCann
6. Heyward
7. Escobar
8. McClouth
9. Pitcher
Show me the weakness in this line up!! Swapping out Chipper for Infante when he is injured and juggling the line up a bit woudn’t matter much with Gonzo in there.
Combined with the great staff, I can see a World Series win coming. No other team can match the offense and pitching combo the Braves would have including the Phillies! Just need to make sure that the relief corps is shored up and the team could be devasting!
santa3247
November 12th, 2009
5:23 am
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae City southkorea now. I failed long-term vivouac this month for horrible wind.
Adrian Gonzalez? Turner field is wide ball park I think. Adrian in first adgust to teammate for his good record. But Adam don’t need such a thing.
This year without Adam Atlanta Braves must failed earlier in the postseason race. Adam LaRoche is now confident don’t you think? ^*^
Players are not robot just like machine, the environmental being is human but it can fail whole thing I think.
May the force of Messiah be with you
P.S: For over 4days Clouds over the sky of Jinhae City moved from East to West, but in the picture of satelite Clouds moving from West to East. ^*^ After collapsing Neutron, you can check what is real satelite, what is fake one. ^*^
jerry
November 12th, 2009
7:01 am
I am willing to bet that whatever the Braves do it won’t be enough to win a World Series.
Geoff
November 12th, 2009
8:54 am
This might have already been addressed throughout the blogging… but he is a Left-Handed stick.. something the Braves desperately do NOT need
dpelfrey
November 12th, 2009
9:16 am
I don’t know where to start with this. Gonzalez is a great baseball player and would be a massive upgrade to the offense, regardless of which side he hits from. But here are the con’s, which must be looked at:
1. The Padres will likely be seeking at least two top-tier prospects and a few mid-level prospects. That means a package for him would have to start with Freeman and probably also include one of our top pitching prospects such as Teheran, Delgado, etc. The Braves have one of the best scouting groups in baseball, which is the only reason why they were able to absorb the effects of the Tex trade and still have one of the better minor league systems. But it’s too soon to empty out the stables again.
2. Gonzalez is a lefty and we are trying to compete with the Phils, who arguably have the two best lefty pitchers in the NL with Hamels and Lee. The Mets have Santana and will probably end up with Wolf as well, so a lefty-loaded lineup will likely have a tougher time in the NL East than in most other leagues. The same problem exists with LaRoche as well, excepth he won’t be batting between Chipper and McCann.
3. Gonzalez is better than LaRoche, but is he THAT much better. Keep in mind the aggregate cost of Gonzalez will be less monetarily, but the cost of the lost prospects also needs to be considered. Any sabermetrics guys want to chime in on how many more wins the Braves could expect with Gonzalez over LaRoche. I know there’s some stat called WAR or something like that, isn’t there?
Don
November 12th, 2009
9:48 am
If the Braves cannot acquire someone like Gonzalez, surely they will not acquire some low BA, low OBA, high K hitter just because he hits 20 or 30 HR. This is the most overranked thing in baseball. A 20 HR hitter is hitting one about every 30 times at bat or one about every 7 or 8 games. A 30 HR hitter is hitting one about every 20 times at bat or one about every 5 games. You must also realize that for many of these HR hitters, a significant number of their HR are in meaningless situations – games that your are winning big or losing big; and also many of these HR are with no one on base. More significantly, for the low BA, low OBA home run hitter, this usually means that most of his HR are against weak pitchers – which usually means not in significant game situations. Instead of worring about HR totals the Braves need to be concentrating on having hitters who make consistant contact and have a good BA and OBA. Their biggest failure is failure emphasize this and the failure to teach, emphasize, demand working the count, being selecive, and making the pitcher throw some pitches — which Bobby Cox has never done. It is unbelievable that someone could manage for over 20 years and not understand the absolute necessity for this.
dpelfrey
November 12th, 2009
9:57 am
Hypothetical situation. The Braves don’t get the cherished right-handed power bat they had hoped for. What options are left?
I think a decent internal option would be to put Escobar in the cleanup spot behind Chipper. I think Yunel profiles better in the third spot long-term, but Chipper isn’t moving and with all the lefties in the lineup Bobby probably won’t bat righties consecutively if he can help it. That’ll move Mac down to 5th and won’t cause any major shifting of the lineup when Ross is catching.
The reason I suggest this is Yunel was one of the best in the NL with runners in scoring position last year and in my opinion, he’s only starting to touch on his power potential. I think this year or next he could be a slightly down-graded version of Hanley Ramirez, slugging in the mid-.500’s.
It’s not the perfect solution, but it might be an interesting option to consider. I’ve always thought the the idea of a masher in the clean-up spot is silly anyway. If you want to protect Chipper so he gets better pitches to hit, all you need behind him is a guy that’ll cause the pitcher to think, “If I don’t pitch to Chipper, then this guy is going to burn me.” Escobar could be that guy if his power stroke starts to mature a bit, like I expect it will.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
November 12th, 2009
11:54 am
I’m saying it would take a package like Freeman, Minor & Shaefer to get talks going on this one…maybe even another AA or A pitcher
Bravo
November 12th, 2009
12:55 pm
I love the idea of getting Gonzalez. But if the motivation for the padres is to shed payroll, then they wont be interested in getting Vasquez or Lowe in the deal. Anyways, Vasquez has a no trade clause to a West Coast team.
The idea of offering Freeman is interesting. This is the guy we have all been wating for as far as power goes. This close to him making the Bigs(1-2 years). does it make sense to move him now?
UGA Girls are Dawgs
November 12th, 2009
1:10 pm
We should sign LaRoche and get an outfielder like Beltran – he could be had if we offer a packaged including Jones, McCann, Vasquez, Lowe and Escobar. I think he would be well worth the price
Kelly
November 12th, 2009
4:59 pm
We should sign LaRoche and get an outfielder like Beltran – he could be had if we offer a packaged including Jones, McCann, Vasquez, Lowe and Escobar. I think he would be well worth the price
That is a terrible joke. Even the Mets would win a World Series champions with the lineup that they would have.
Mountain Brave Fan
November 12th, 2009
5:24 pm
Adrian Gonzalez is a great player, but I am not sure he is the best fit for the Braves.
The Braves struggled mightily against left-handers this past season (LaRoche .243, Escobar .232, McLouth .230, McCann .225, Jones .289). That is why the Braves need a big bat in the lineup who hits lefthanders well, regardless of whether this player is a first baseman or an outfielder, and regardless of whether this player hits left handed or right handed. Adrian Gonzalez hit .234 against lefties this past season, although his on-base percentage was a respectable .339. If we are talking about pie-in-the-sky trades, how about 1b Derrek Lee of the Cubs? He will be going into the last year of his contract, and after the 2009 season the Cubs had, no trade should be off the table. He hit .300 against lefties this year, with an on-base percentage against lefties of .444. He is a legitimate cleanup hitter. Unfortunately, he is the Cubs best hitter and would not come without a price.
I have also heard talk about a possible trade for Nelson Cruz of the Rangers. I don’t think he is a good fit for the Braves either. He only hit .235 against lefties with a .320 on-base percentage. Rivera of the Angels might be a better trade possibility, and cheaper. He hit .333 against lefties, with a .385 on-base percentage and .645 slugging percentage.
But Adrian Gonzalez at a reasonable price would be a no-brainer, even if he can’t hit lefties.
braveUK
November 12th, 2009
6:24 pm
They don’t match up very well with us if they just want to shed salary.
We need a team that is either rich, or like ourselves, near to making the play-offs but unlike us needing pitching, then we can swing a deal to get get rid of lowe and either kawakami or Vasquez for a bat and another part.
bob
November 12th, 2009
6:34 pm
lowe for vernon wells….wells in left field will hit 20 plus homeruns and be a good influence in the club…the money owed him in the out years will be offset by the money owed to lowe in the out years….toronto will do this and the braves should consider this.
DP
November 13th, 2009
7:23 am
I heard the brewers are willing to offer up hitting for pitching so we should send vazquez to mil. while his value is high for Gamel to send over to SD. Gamel, Freeman (extend Adrian Gonzalez so we dont need him), Shafer, and JoJo or Medlin in order to get Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell and Kill 2 birds with one stone. Use the leftover money to pick up an outfielder like Vlad and another releiver/set up (hopefully resign one of soriano/m.Gonzo). This way you keep Hanson/Heyward. Get Bobby Cox another ring and get Ron Gardenhire the following year. GO BRAVES!!
Old Gator
November 14th, 2009
8:58 pm
The Braves are more than 1 player away and look a what they have traded away over the last several years. No trades for prospects.
aaron
November 19th, 2009
8:57 pm
d.lowe for p.konerko
MIKE MANGAN
November 21st, 2009
10:23 pm
ok here we go again thinking about ways to mortgage our future.The Texira deal should have shown our mistakes.Lets not repeat it again,Perez,Harrison,Salty,Andrus and Bo Jones ought to make us think long and hard remember Tex and Mahay and say NO WAY.If the Padres would take JO JO Reyes.Schaefer,and Diory Hernandez plus Cody Johnson that we probably would do.Send Terry Pendleton along as a coach and bring Julio Franco in as hitting coach…
SD jimmy
November 22nd, 2009
9:35 pm
That deal only happens with Heyward and Hanson. Just two guys and you get a guy who will be equal or better of any 1B in baseball. Trust me, this guy has HOF potential. GG defense, outstanding makeup, he’s increased his homer output every year the past 3 years and did it in the biggest parks in baseball. He is a MONSTER and Heyward will never put up the kind of numbers Gonzo will. The price is a stud pitcher and athletic young player for a future HOF’er. You have 2 years to clear payroll to give him his 18-20 million. Do it!, Its a fair trade.
Unless you can figure out a way to get a 40 homer gold glove clean up hitter for 5 mill another way?
First base is Braves' most fixable problem: Adrian Gonzalez | Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
2:26 pm
[...] A rumor popped up a few days ago that the Braves might have some interest in San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, which is interesting because I proposed the same thing in November. [...]