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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284 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.