Lowe upset about trade talk, Braves need to move him
Last season didn't go as well as expected for Derek Lowe, and now the Braves may move him.
Even before Derek Lowe complained about being singled out for his struggles last season – and I’ll get to that in a minute – it was safe to assume the Braves were not going to get much for him in a trade. Now that he admits he’s miffed about the trade talk and has made the need for a deal a little more desperate, I’m sure they won’t get much.
Trade him anyway. It would be significant addition by subtraction.
Lowe, a relative bust as the Braves’ $60 million free agent last season, told Mark Bowman of MLB.com: “I’m just waiting for it to happen. I don’t think it’s a matter of if anymore. It’s just a matter of when.”
And then came the money quote (pun absolutely intended): “It kind of [upsets] you in a way. It’s well-documented that I stunk the last two months of the season. But I look at it as, ‘Am I the only guy who has struggled for a couple of months in his first season after signing as a free agent?’”
Lowe also said he is bothered that nobody from the organization has contacted him directly about a trade possibility.
Dude. Seriously?
The Braves didn’t exactly cozy up to franchise icons Tom Glavine or John Smoltz on their way out the door. How much good will does Lowe think he has built up? Besides, I would think his $15 million salary last season would buy a little therapy.
He went 7-3 with a 3.44 ERA in his first 13 starts. He fizzled to 8-7 and 5.59 in the next 21. Remember, the Braves got better in the second half, not worse.
Lowe was given No. 1 starter money. But by the last two months of the season, he looked like the rotation’s sixth most important pitcher (partly because of economics). Ahead of him: Javier Vazquez, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami and Tim Hudson (back from surgery).
Before, the Braves wanted to dump him. Now, they almost have to dump him.
Vazquez would be easier to move because he’s entering his free agency year. But Vazquez (15-10, 2.87) is coming off a great season and Frank Wren wants Lowe’s contract off the books.
There are a lot of rumors flying around — not quite to the level of Georgia defensive coordinator rumors, but close. One has Lowe going to the Angels for outfielder Juan Rivera. Another has him headed to the Yankees for Nick Swisher.
Wren probably would jump at either. But I’m guessing he’d settle for a couple of prospects who don’t bruise so easily.
Just getting Lowe off the payroll would give Wren $10 million to $15 million to spend in free agency (or via trade). He needs that to strengthen the lineup.
It’s not like there’s zero upside to keeping Lowe. He has been a solid pitcher through his career. But the upside has significantly decreased.
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313 comments Add your comment
raymond
December 17th, 2009
10:17 am
We are only going to get prospects for Lowe and we will mess around like last year until the only thing we can get is an over the hill J. Dye at a cheap price. Why don’t we package some prospects to San Diego for A. Gonzales. He has two years left on his contract and he is a PROVEN star. I know some people are going to talk about Freeman’s potential, but he hasn’t proven anything at the Major League level, put him in the package and lets gete the hitter we need. If Vasquez has another year like last year we won’t be able to keep him anyhow. I say if we can’t get what we want by dealing Lowe, trade Vasquez and lets get the hitter we need. Phillies just got Halladay and the Mets are fixing to get Bay, we have to do something to compete.
Dzjenn
December 17th, 2009
10:20 am
DLowe is kind of creepy…get rid of him. Don’t go talking family business outside the family. That ain’t the Braves way. See ya!
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
10:21 am
bvillebaron — if he fully understood the business, then he shouldn’t have said anything.
Branch Rickey
December 17th, 2009
10:22 am
Jordan Schafer has no value. He hit .204 with ATL, and has done nothing to distinguish himself in the minors. Another minor league bust in the Braves’ organization.
Noah
December 17th, 2009
10:22 am
Coach Smith..
perhaps but other teams can match the offer. Seattle didnt give up any of their top guys to get Cliff Lee and they’d likely through in an All-Star type player in 2B Jose Lopez as well to get Gonzalez.
Willy Montanez
December 17th, 2009
10:22 am
Anyone remember me? I can still pick it at 1b !
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
10:23 am
Random — No, you’re the one who’s off base. Teams know they can get a great pitcher for a year and not have any financial obligation beyond this season. No, for teams that may want him long term, that’s a different story. But not a lot of teams looking to acquire long-term contracts these days.
LG
December 17th, 2009
10:27 am
Coach Smith
I live in New England and the Red Sox Fans are a little ticked off today since reports are that the Red Sox will include Ellsbury and Buchholz along with other minor leaguers if a trade occurs. The signing of Mike Cameron yesterday isn’t sitting well either since that makes Ellsbury available to be traded.
If the Braves or any team is going to get Gonzales they are going to have to give up a lot of young Major League ready talent. Remember last year when the Braves and a few others were trying to get Jake Peavey, they wanted Escobar and 3 or 4 prospects including Tommy Hansen. Good thing Frank said no to them.
Keith
December 17th, 2009
10:27 am
Doesn’t this just highlight another incompetent decision by Wren?
Wren = Moron
A Rod
December 17th, 2009
10:28 am
I remember hearing the announcement of lowe’s signing on 680 the fan earlier this year. I was like really? If Wren hadnt made those good moves after the all star break the lowe and kawakami deals should’ve cost him his job. I’d still like to see wren go tbh
Noah
December 17th, 2009
10:28 am
Jeff: Good point but a lot of teams are nervous about giving prospects for a one year deal (See Teixtura to Braves or Bedard to Mariners). Now if they don’t have to give much to get him that another story. The Phillies weren’t trading for Halliday unless they could sign an extension with him
Sonny Clusters
December 17th, 2009
10:29 am
Lowe sweats a lot on the mound. His cap gets soggy. This is an indicator of a pitcher that throws a heavy ball. We never sweated much but we was on a team with Stinky Wintes and he took sweating to a new level.
Random
December 17th, 2009
10:30 am
JS (December 17th, 2009 10:05 am): “I bet John Smoltz would have at least performed equally to Lowe..Smoltz would’ve cost you 1 to 2 million..13 mil left for the big bat..Hummm”
“Would have“???
No need to speculate — Smoltz played, but he DIDN’T “perform equally to Lowe”.
I’ll take that bet.
(Btw, Smoltz made $5+M in 2009).
. . . . .
Rumors rumors… (December 17th, 2009 9:21 am): “So you think Nick Swisher is good then I take it?”
Show me where I said that, moron.
” Moron statement of the year to you sir, congrats.”
Idiot.
Noah
December 17th, 2009
10:31 am
The signing of Lowe and KK was not bad. I loved it and still do, remember our pitching in 2008. I’ll still take great pitching over hitting, especially come playoff time. KK makes 6 million, half of what Oliver Perez makes for the Mets and KK actually gives you something, I bet he is even better in his second year.
Brian
December 17th, 2009
10:32 am
I think the dominoes seem to be falling into place for a Lowe trade to the Angels. With the moves the Mariners are making, they have to do something. That sense of urgency will help the Braves. I disagree with Don, who says the Braves need to wait. I think now that Lackey and Halladay are off the boards, and Lowe is one of the better options out there, the Braves’ leverage will not be higher than it is now. If the right deal comes along, take it. Juan Rivera would be a good return, but I haven’t seen anything from the Angels’ perspective that says they would want to trade him. I’m actually more inclined now to believe the Braves will get mid-level prospects for Lowe, and use the money saved to acquire a bat.
Random
December 17th, 2009
10:35 am
Jeff Schultz (December 17th, 2009 10:23 am): “No, you’re the one who’s off base. Teams know they can get a great pitcher for a year and not have any financial obligation beyond this season. No, for teams that may want him long term, that’s a different story. But not a lot of teams looking to acquire long-term contracts these days.”
You seem to be confusing fantasy baseball with the real thing.
(Did you forget your meds again?)
Brian
December 17th, 2009
10:35 am
Swisher was actually pretty well last year. In fact, it was the best year of his career, with an excellent .869 OPS. The only people who will deny Swisher is a good player are the few people left who still think batting average is a paramount statistic.
shmoe
December 17th, 2009
10:37 am
Luck Fowe. What a crybaby. He needs to take a good luck at himself and have a little humility. Is he a decent pitcher? Yes, but he stunk it up last year and would’ve won 8 games if the offense had not picked him up to the tune of 7-8 runs per start. He should just say, “I totally understand that I didn’t perform up to my contract and why they would trade me. I’ll do better for another team next year.” End of story.
shmoe
December 17th, 2009
10:39 am
Hey Lowe…my wife is working for 11/hour. She has to work 40 hours to make less than 440 a week. How much are YOU making a week, douchebag?
GovClintonTyree
December 17th, 2009
10:40 am
Jeff: Consider my 7:45. I’m interested in what you have to say.
GovClintonTyree
December 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Jeff: Consider my 7:45a. I’m interested in what you have to say.
Brian
December 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Y’all are making too big a deal out of this Lowe stuff. He was asked the questions, and he answered honestly. It’s not like he called a press conference to announce he was unhappy. He didn’t say Cox or Wren were stupid or insult your momma.
PMC
December 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Juan Rivera isn’t really all that good an option for the Braves, they need a guy that slugs a ton. Lots of extra base hits and or 25hr’s a year.
If we are going to operate like a small market team… I guess they want prospects.
This ownership group is going to turn this team into the Pirates with this budget.
They’ve already started the process giving CHipper that albatross contract for a superstar with declining skills and ability.
Rumors rumors...
December 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Just reread your first post Statboy. You come across as a complete a$$ in your posts btw. No one likes a know it all who is full of stats and quotes from other peoples articles. You probably are a Tech fan/alumn too…
raleighbravefan
December 17th, 2009
10:42 am
Random – great post about Jones vs. Jeter. This is similar to many of the “facts” assumed by some of our brilliant, knowledgeable bloggers who usually don’t want to be confused with the facts. Chipper has also shown value by:
– Being the popular face of the franchise (selling tickets, shirts, etc )
– Great PR for team
– sacrificing for the team by changing positions, being a great influence in the clubhouse, etc.
– BEING WILLING TO RESTRUCTURE HIS CONTRACT SEVERAL TIMES TO FREE UP MONEY FOR BRAVES TO MAKE AQUISITIONS, AND TAKING A “HOME TOWN DISCOUNT” WHEN HE COULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE AS A FREE AGENT.
Chipper is worth what he is paid for the above reasons, but also because he still has a lot to contribute as a player.
shmoe
December 17th, 2009
10:43 am
PMC…dont have a specific link for you, but I seem to remember Chipper saying last year that if this year wasn’t back to normal, he would retire and cancel the remaining contract. The dude has taken significantly less money than he could’ve had elsewhere for the same production and has repeatedly said that he’s emabarrased by the amount of money he’s made in his career. I think he would do the Braves right, as much as possible. We’ll see tho.
Noah
December 17th, 2009
10:45 am
PMC:
not sure how you can say Braves are small market for the Pirates. They had the 11th largest payroll in baseball last year. Many teams with smaller payrolls are competitive. For $90-100 million if you can’t field a good team you need a new front office. Sure you don’t make stupid long term deals like the Mets did with Perez for 12 million per year but the Braves have enough money to win.
raleighbravefan
December 17th, 2009
10:45 am
JS – I don’t think John Smoltz would have wone 15 games, or pitched nearly as many innings. Our bullpen was worn out as it was!
Francouer sucks
December 17th, 2009
10:47 am
Mr. Lowe and Mr. Boras set Mr. Lowe up as the mercenary ace of last off seasons f/a class. the looked to to the biggest offer for the max years, and it came down to really the braves and mets, with the mets not willing to pony up a fourth year to an aging lowe, preferring to give the extra year to a ollie perez who had hints of an upside. now perez can only have wet dreams about performing as well as lowe did last year, but would lowe really have been happier/ better off last year in NY, probably not, hindsight is 20/20 Mr. Lowe. you set your self up as the ace for hire who didnt require a no trade clause, you’re agent got you exactly what you sought, so y bitch now? you knew the braves would be having to make this decision and that if you wanted to stay there you would have to perform, which compared to the rest of the rotation you didnt, i’m sure the braves would be willing to restructure your contract to stay for less pay and get better value back for vasquez in a trade anyway, but i don’t really see Mr. Lowe coming back for 10 a year, maybe if they threw in a no trade clause
LG
December 17th, 2009
10:49 am
A lot of folks are playing the Monday Morning QB here and throwing a lot of %#$@ at Frank Wren. Lowe was not the first choice last year, Peavey and AJ were and when both of those failed Lowe was it. The Braves needed pitching and Frank went out and got the best that was available. If I remember correctly the Vazquesz deal was the one most people didn’t like because Tyler Flowers was invloved in it. How’s that trade look now? As far as Kenshin Kawakami goes I think the Braves got what they thought they would out of him. When he was good, he was very good but around August fatigue set in like it does the first year for many Asian players and he was bad. Year 2 will be the determining factor as to if this deal was a good one or not and I believe he will a decent starter this year.
Even though Javier Vazquez will probably walk at the end of the season the one thing you get with him is an added bat to the bench. The way Bobby used him to pinch hit when he needed a bunt was brilliant last season. I mean the guy was automatic.
Humbug
December 17th, 2009
10:53 am
If the purpose in trading Lowe is to free up money to get a better bat that we can also not afford then why not offer Lowe and Kawakami as a pair? That would free up a whole lot more money and make a better bait. As it stands now we will get very little for Lowe alone and probably have to eat a lot of his salary which lessens our chances to save money or to afford a bat.
raleighbravefan
December 17th, 2009
10:55 am
Don – It would be great (and a luxury) to keep all pitchers. However, that leaves no room to make any moves payroll-wise. DUH!
If you are happy with our line-up, then let’s keep them all. (unless Ted Turner buys the team back)
I will disreguard your usual drivel about BC, as it has no value.
Biff Pacaroba! It just makes me laugh everytime
December 17th, 2009
10:55 am
Hell just keep Lowe and go to 6 man rotation. Tell these starters that they are going to have to pitch deeper in ballgames because of extra day. That will help Kawakami, who is use to that in Japan. I don’t think Swisher or Rivera is any better than what we have in OF. I know they want to get Lowe’s contract off the books but if Swisher or Rivera is the best the can do just keep it.
Sam The Man
December 17th, 2009
10:57 am
I disagree with this article 100%. Derek Lowe is a tough, solid pitcher. He had a poor 2nd half of the season but his resume speaks for itself.
I don’t understand the need for everyone to pile on with negativity. So the guy is a little hurt that a team he CHOSE to come to and work his tail off for, now may not want him. It’s human nature to care and have pride in your team. Why are we criticizing him for this?
All of this aside, we need a bat and shedding his contract is ideal. However, if his deal doesn’t get done and he’s starting for the Braves on opening day, why stir up all of this negativity, now?
Isn’t this what everyone said about Mike Woodson too? Wasn’t Roddy White a “bust” 2 seasons ago?
grammar champion
December 17th, 2009
10:59 am
How do I [i]italicize[i] and [b]embolden[b]?
grammar champion
December 17th, 2009
10:59 am
A little help here?
Sonny Clusters
December 17th, 2009
11:00 am
We was reading about moving Chipper to first base and we was wondering how that would help him any. He would have to learn to do some fancy footwork with bad feet and bad toes and weak groins and weak hamstrings and obliques and thumbs and probably some more things we don’t remember. Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron moved over there so Chipper can too, when the time comes – but he’s still going to get hurt.
Random
December 17th, 2009
11:02 am
Rumors rumors… (December 17th, 2009 10:41 am): “Just reread your first post Statboy. You come across as a complete a$$ in your posts btw. No one likes a know it all who is full of stats and quotes from other peoples articles. You probably are a Tech fan/alumn too…”
Oh, yes, by all means, let’s get the stats out of baseball.
They’re just so darn confusing, I’m sure they make your head hurt.
And instead of reading what other people who know more than us write about baseball, let’s just make up our own stories about who sucks and all. That’s way more fun.
PS: Ever thought about how you come across, arrogant little igmo?
Brian
December 17th, 2009
11:02 am
Humbug, it’s going to be hard enough to get teams to take Lowe, much less Lowe AND somebody else. You can’t just keep piling on names onto offers; that’s not how trades work. Lowe + Kawakami would be a much WORSE package than just Lowe, not a better one. Plus, then we’d be looking at acquiring another starting pitcher. We don’t need to get rid of two.
BraveMan
December 17th, 2009
11:04 am
for 60 million dollars i would let the entire front office of the braves organization beat me with a baseball bat and then let them take turns urinating on me… they could video tape this if they like, and then put it on sportscenter’s “not top 10″.
so derek, cry me a f*cking river… jeez.
Reality
December 17th, 2009
11:06 am
Braves had 11th highest payroll in 2009; hardly like Pittsburgh’s. Truth is recent teams like Tampa, Florida and Colorado have reached World Series on lesser payrolls. But, when you trade off your prospects for rent-a-players and tie up large chunks of the payroll in old players like Chipper Jones, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson, stop whining that Liberty Media is cheap !
Noah
December 17th, 2009
11:06 am
Why would it be hard to get teams to take Lowe yet John Lackey who doesnt stay healthy and doesnt give you the innings just got over $80 million. If you dont expect the world in return there are some teams that will have interest in Lowe.
Branch Rickey
December 17th, 2009
11:12 am
Nick Swisher would put the Braves into the post-season. Sure he would.
Noah
December 17th, 2009
11:13 am
Liberty Media is NOT cheap. We are not Florida, Pittsburgh, Kansas City etc.
Our payroll is in the same realm as Seattle, White Sox, Dodgers, Houston and greater then St Louis, and much greater then Texas, Minnesota and Tampa by almost 30 million.
Brian
December 17th, 2009
11:15 am
First, Lackey has been a better pitcher than Lowe, both last year and in the past five years. Significantly better, and in the American League. Second, Lackey has a pretty good medical history. He had a couple injuries the last two years, but still made a combined 51 starts. And he never missed a start in the years prior to that. Mike Hampton he ain’t. Finally, and most importantly, Lackey is 31, and Lowe is 36.
I’m not saying no teams want Lowe. But he and Lackey are as comparable as you’re suggesting.
Brian
December 17th, 2009
11:15 am
*Should say “AREN’T as comparable” in my above post.
Richard Dawson
December 17th, 2009
11:15 am
Poor baby. Where’s DOB in all this? He cheerled the signing of Lowe and just about everything else Wren has done.
Richard Dawson
December 17th, 2009
11:17 am
Evaluating a pitcher by his W-L record, largely outside of his control, is foolish. It’s amazing how stupid people are given the otherwise “enlightened” world we live in. The world of baseball statistics and analysis is mired in the 1800s, when pitching was a complete-game, mano v. mano contest.
Klaus
December 17th, 2009
11:18 am
I think the odds of getting Rivera or Swisher for Lower are single digit. Both players are well liked by their mgt and are cheap.
So Wren will likely get prospects for Lowe and pocket 13mm/yr.
That coupled with say ~$10mm they could spend and be “near” last year’s payroll figure gives them 23mm to spend.
There is jack squat on the FA market in terms of bodies you would want to spend all that money on.
Nady is a 3mm guy at this point so what do with the other 20mm? Overpay Derosa, Dye and Byrd? Good lord. Offer a recovering Nady 5-6mm to play 1B?
I smell payroll cut never mind limitations if they move Lowe for propects b/c there is not enough of anything in FA outside of Holliday and Bay to consume 23mm and be proud of what you just did.
For $23mm they can sign Holliday (18m/6yrs with a team option for yr 7) and Nady ($3mm 1yr + 2nd yr option FF insurance) and Glaus (1yr $2mm 1b/3b/ph)
You could also go with a 1mm PH and toss another million at Holliday.
bvillebaron
December 17th, 2009
11:23 am
Jeff:
You media guys crack me up. First, you criticize players for giving “pat” answers to your “probing” questions and then when someone is honest, you want to rip him, get him out of town (and give him away to boot). I don’t have any problem at all with Derek Lowe saying how he would be disappointed to be traded after only one year. Sounds to me like a guy who would prefer to stay in Atlanta. Apparently, you can’t grasp the concept that understanding the business and performing if he isn’t trading after the season starts and voicing unhappiness about the propsect of being traded after one year are not mutually exclusive.