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
the real Andy
December 17th, 2009
2:41 pm
“Also is it just me or is Lowe on meth?”
actually he’s on Adderall for his ADD – and Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts
Random
December 17th, 2009
2:42 pm
scrotus ()December 17th, 2009 12:05 pm: “–”Random” appears to be a bigger arsehole than the legendary Mr Lentz”
(Says the empty ball sack.)
LOL —
— Not according to Mr Lentz.
PS: I’m sure they’ll descend one day. Good luck with that.
Random
December 17th, 2009
2:44 pm
Thanks, Joshhh… !
Joe Fan
December 17th, 2009
2:53 pm
Nothing surprises me anymore with the Braves. Which means I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves open the season with both Heyward and Freeman in the lineup. Can they do any better? Maybe but why waste good money on over the hill players when they can save money and get these guys some seasoning in hopes that in a couple of years when the Phillies are older the Braves will be ready to make a run.
Booby Cox
December 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
I will not turn 1st base over to a 20 year-old. That’s why Greg Norton, old “Rough n’ Ready”, will be rejoining us in 2010. As long as he hits above the Mendoza line and hits an occasional solo HR like the rest of the guys, we should be in good shape. Duh.
Random
December 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
Rumors rumors… (December 17th, 2009
11:25 am): “So career stats matters more than what a guy is currently doing? Statboy please.”
Again, show me where I said that, dumbaxe.
I merely said that career stats were a better indicator of a player’s capabilities than one play-off series. That’s what got you bristling, even though it’s prima facie obvious.
(Yeah, the Latin’s there just to piss you off.)
“The difference between you and I is I want a world series championship in Altlanta, you on the other hand are fine with another mediocre outfielder who can only contribute enough to get us close to sniffing the post season.”
Oh, I can think of a lot of differences between you and me (note correct grammar here, igmo) — but that’s not one of them.
“While the Phils are out grabbing Halladay we are talking about eating some of Lowe’s contract and possibly grabbing Nick Swisher. I imagine you are fine with that.”
That may be what you’re talking about — not me. You “imagine” a lot. That’s kinda hard to pull off when you have no active imagination, I would think. Is it?
PS: And just when was the last time the Braves were “close to sniffing the post season”? I wouldn’t turn my nose up at it.
As long as the Braves get into the play-offs I’ll be happy, ’cause it’s just a crapshoot after that, and they’ll have as good a chance (or better) as any other play-off team to win the WS.
Bushwacker
December 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
Lowe 15-10
Vasquez 15-10,
so because Lowe struggled the 2nd half he’s no longer worth keeping.
The guys won 15 games in a year in which he clearly struggled.
Myself I’M willing to give him another chance to see what happens if he does not struggle, maybe a cy young type season.
Every player has a bad stretch, we give up too fast!
gaternation
December 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
send lowe out west and bring use a player that can produce every nite………..We need a deep threat! Remember when we had a few in the line-up, believe me do that and you may get the fans back in the seats.
Timbo
December 17th, 2009
3:08 pm
The Braves should tell him if they are considering trading him. But unfortunately, “class” and “Frank Wren” do not belong in the same sentence, just like “Braves” and “winners”. This organization has went straight to hell without Ted Turner . . .
Joshhh...
December 17th, 2009
3:26 pm
Bushwacker – you can’t just look at the record you have to look at Strikeouts & ERA. I don’t like giving up Lowe but we have to get another hitter.
Vazquez:
15-10
238 Ks
2.87 ERA
Lowe:
15-10
111 Ks
4.67 ERA
The difference in ERA can make or break every game Lowe starts, it’s tough to keep him around with the lineup we have.
scrotus
December 17th, 2009
3:33 pm
for what its worth, Lowe sweats alot because of his ADD meds
–and “random”, its just that you keep calling people names who don’t agree with you, kinduv like someone else we all know…if you just stick to the facts/points, you’ll avoid being dismissed as a juvenile prick
tyger
December 17th, 2009
3:41 pm
Lowe was 15-10 in his 1st season.
What was the run support like during those games? I dont recall the Braves being very good offensively in years. Is that his fault too?
Why did you sign him in the 1st place? You look kinda stupid right now. On the hook for $15M again for a guy you dont like. Didn’t you learn from the Mike Hampton debacle?
Apparently not.
I would keep him, as I would have Soriano. You never have too many quality pitchers and it’s a crapshoot on what you are getting in the outfield, see Jordan Schafer.
Lowe could very easily win 18-20 games next year with a little run support. Proven veterans are invaluable if you could ever make it back to the post-season, but you keep stubbing your toes in the off-season.
Random
December 17th, 2009
3:51 pm
scrotus (December 17th, 2009 3:33 pm): “its just that you keep calling people names who don’t agree with you, kinduv like someone else we all know…if you just stick to the facts/points, you’ll avoid being dismissed as a juvenile prick”
Oh, I generally tailor my comments to match the comments they’re in reply to. You should have picked up on that if you’ve read them.
I called “Rumorboy” a “moron” only because he first called Wren an “effin MORON” — and I think I had better cause than he to employ that term. We then proceeded from there.
And with one exception, “Rumorboy”’s the only person I’ve called names, that exception being j.
I was wrong to call j “numbnuts” — and I can see how you might be especially sensitive to that.
Sorry, j — my bad.
PS: let us know when your voice changes, scrotus — we’re pulling for you.
PPS: Btw, thanks raleighbravefan!
Tami
December 17th, 2009
4:00 pm
You ALMOST feel sorry for him…almost. But! It’s a smart economic move on the Braves’ part to get rid of Lowe’s contract. Now if it could be renegotiated down in price (& I mean waaaay down) and Lowe wouldn’t mind moving to the bullpen, then maybe there’s a way to keep him here. But, I doubt very seriously that would ever happen.
Ed Glennon
December 17th, 2009
4:57 pm
I love it when a guy making $60 million is unhappy.
BravesFanatic
December 17th, 2009
5:16 pm
Trade Derek Lowe to The Los Angeles Angels for Juan Rivera and a good prospect that’s a good deal. Juan Rivera can play left field.
Sinatra
December 17th, 2009
5:53 pm
Its funny. When he was lying to FW saying he had better offers it was business… When the mets were consider better contenders and he signed w/ us for more $ it was business… Now he doesn’t want it to be?
Daybed Wagmoe
December 17th, 2009
6:03 pm
Well said Jeff. Atlanta ain’t a ballclub that likes having guys who bad-mouth the club and have a sense of entitlement. Granted, there aren’t really any ballclubs that like having those kinds of players, but Atlanta doesn’t keep those guys around for very long (see Bob Wickman), nor should they.
jfreak13713
December 17th, 2009
6:09 pm
Lowe has proven over his career to be a solid number 2 or 3 starter. I think he will bounce back and have a solid year but we already have a rotation full of number 2 and 3 starters that don’t cost as much as he does. Sorry Lowe but at the end of the day it’s business.
Offense is the issue at this point and Chipper’s power drop off makes that even more critical. I don’t think there is a power bat out there any better than LaRoche is there? If our young pitching stays healthy and the Braves find a big bat they Braves will be a playoff contender??? If?
Braves31Fan
December 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
I think the Braves should trade Lowe to the Angles along with JO JO Reyes and Kris Medlen to the Padres and the Angles send Juan Rivera and a couple prospects to the Padres and we recieve Adrian Gonzalez. I think Gonzolez is due 10 million this year so we use the extra money with what we have and sign Vlad to play in the outfield. We could keep Heyward at the Major League level and use Diaz, Heyward and Vlad to play the corner positions with McClouth in center. This would not put as much pressure on Heyward and Vlad could be a good mentor to him along with Chipper.
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
6:43 pm
Braves31 — I think you’ll have to give up more than that to get Adrian Gonzalez. Quality, not quantity.
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
Daybed Wagmoe — Wickman was a complete tool. I wouldn’t quite put Lowe in that category. He’s actually a nice guy, just a little misguided here.
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
6:47 pm
Braves Fanatic — If the Braves get Rivera, he’s definitely ticketed for left.
bravefalconhawk
December 17th, 2009
7:02 pm
Angels Pursuing Javier Vazquez?
By Luke Adams [December 17 at 5:54pm CST]
The Los Angeles of Angels of Anaheim are focusing on acquiring Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. Stark hears from rival executives that, in the wake of missing out on John Lackey, the Angels have turned their attention to the Braves and Vazquez.
The Angels will have an uphill battle, however, attempting to deal for Vazquez, as opposed to his teammate Derek Lowe. In addition to coming off a stronger season and having a more favorable contract than Lowe, Vazquez also has a no-trade clause that allows him to veto a deal to a west-coast club. A trade to the Angels would mean the right-hander would have to waive that clause, which he negotiated in order to stay closer to his family in Puerto Rico.
With Lackey, Roy Halladay, and Randy Wolf all off the market, Vazquez is one of the more interesting names still potentially available. The Braves have maintained all along that once Lackey signed, Lowe would become a more attractive commodity, and the same could be said about Vazquez. I don’t expect the Braves to move him, but they could demand a significant return if they did.
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
7:28 pm
Noah — I like Mark DeRosa as a guy and a player. But he’s not the key to anything.
Jeff Schultz
December 17th, 2009
7:37 pm
Noah — Could be. Remember the Dodgers had that philosophy. They were paying more per-year money but for shorter term and free agents were jumping at it.
Not a Lowe hater
December 17th, 2009
7:56 pm
Yeah, I can’t blame Lowe for being upset about all the trade talk. He’s been a solid pitcher for years–never on the DL. So two down months and he’s a has-been? He still won 15 games last year! I’d rather have him pitching a big game than Javier Vasquez, who’s barely a .500 pitcher,despite great stuff.
Some pitchers can’t make the big pitch, get the big out at the key point in the game- and they don’t have winning lifetime records. And that’s Javier Lopez. Ozzie Guillen was right about him Lowe, meanwhile, has been very good in post-season play.
If the Braves have to eat half or more than a quarter of Lowe’s salary to trade him, then it’s not a good deal. I’d rather see Vasquez go.
So blame Lowe for making $15 million a year, if you think it’s too much. Blame the guy who gave it to him
santa3247
December 17th, 2009
8:14 pm
Hi, I am Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae city southkorea now.
I think Derek Lowe & Joseph Sammon & Jordan Schafer & Joseph Reyes & Grego Blanco to Yankees for Philip Hughes, would be fantastic trade. ^*^
May the force of Messiah be with you
Kevin
December 17th, 2009
8:58 pm
Since when did the Braves judge a player by one year, Hudson didnt have a good first year either people. I say dont give up on Lowe and i dont blame him for being mad, he signed expecting to be here longer than one season.
To the Lowe Apologists:
December 17th, 2009
9:23 pm
Lowe will be 37 in 2010 and the Braves are on the hook for another $45 million. Scouts are saying his fastball has slipped & the sinker ain’t sinking like it used to. Vazquez is much younger and may be in the prime of his career. It only makes sense to shop Lowe NOW so Wren can acquire a much-needed bat or two to kick-start this lethargic lineup. WAKE UP ! ITS A BUSINESS !
Marc in FL
December 17th, 2009
9:31 pm
The fanbase is more interested in the young talent we have right now. People are excited about Hanson, JJJ, Hewyard, etc. It’s hard to get too attached to guys like Lowe.
BigHittas
December 17th, 2009
10:42 pm
I say just keep Lowe and Vazquez and trade one of the other pitchers to SD for their first baseman.
mike mangan
December 17th, 2009
10:54 pm
Soiriano,Gonzalez,Kelly Johnson and loaf are all gone,We need a righthanded power hitter who will compliment both Heyward and Freeman,Just signed mitch jones much like Cody Johnson are both big whiffers sign,Mark DeRosa a stop gap at first or Prado with Infante evryday second baseman.
Branch Rickey
December 17th, 2009
11:23 pm
Mitch Jones? All those HR’s were hit in high-altitude Albuerqerque, where balls fly out like bats out of a cave. I hope he’s not the answer to firstbase.
MitchC
December 18th, 2009
12:41 am
The quote that Bravesfalconhawk posted bothers me greatly. As anyone who has been to the official Braves website knows, the website says the Braves are trying to deal Lowe. If the Braves deal the much younger Vazquez, who has only a one year deal, and keep Lowe, with as poorly as be pitched in the second half, especially considering that contract he has, I will then know that Frank and Bobby have completely lost it. Frank will then deserve to be ripped on here, big time, for messing up, royally.
Don
December 18th, 2009
9:46 am
Remember that the key to winning in baseball is Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. With the Braves Pitching and even some minor hitting adjustments, the Braves could be good enough to win the Wild Card or even the Division. Oh, I forgot, Bobby Cox is still the manager. So forget it. There is no way that they could add enough players to compete with the Phils – with Cox managing. With his management procedures and lack thereof and his conitinous blunders, its like starting the season at least 10 games behind. The most amazing thing in baseball is that he does so many obvious things that defy logic and basic winning procedures – that would never be done by any good managr a any level of baseball – and yet keeps his job and is never challenged by the AJC Writers – when these things happen game aftr game after game.
Lowe Pissed Over Trade Talk - True Sports Core Forums
December 18th, 2009
11:08 am
[...] He has been a solid pitcher through his career. But the upside has significantly decreased. Lowe upset about trade talk, Braves need to move him | Jeff Schultz Get over it. U sucked last year, and we didn't feel like we owed Glavine much of an explanation [...]
Don
December 18th, 2009
11:09 am
The Braves keep talking about making trades or signing free agents when this is not their biggest problem. No matter how good your personnel, an incompetent manager will cost you game after game after game. (1) It doesn’t require a very good manager to replace a player in the lineup who obviously cannot produce – rather than waiting months to do this.
(2) It doesn’t require a good manager to be intelligent enough to move a hitter out of a key spot in the batting order who is in a prolonged slump – and down in the order.
(3) It doesn’t require a very smart manager to stop using a relief pitcher over and over and over who is not producing.
(4) It doesn’t require a very good manager to be intelligent enough to move hitters up and down in the batting order based on who is hot and who is not.
(5) It doesn’t require a very good manager to stop using a pinch hitter who never produces.
(6) It doesn’t require a very intelligent manager to adjust his lineup if he has a player who never his a certain pitcher or a player on the bench who has a record of hitting a certin pitcher really well.
(7) It does’t requre a very good manager to not overuse certain pitchers in his Bullpen year after year.
(8) It doesn’t require a very good manager to realize that in order to have a good consistant offense you must teach, emphasize, demand that your hitters be selective, work the count, make the opposing pitcher throw some pitches.
(9) It doesn’t reqiure a very intelligent manager to realize that you have to do more than make out the lineup and then be a cheerleader – that you must have an offensive game plan.
(10) And on and on
Erik
December 18th, 2009
11:22 am
Jeff,
Is Chipper going to make it though the season? That is the main issue the Braves need to be dealing with. This guy can not stay healthy enough to play 80 games a year. He has a lack of power and his contact is not what is used to be. We have great pitching and D. Lowe should not be a part of it. They need to trade him to Texas for MICHAEL YOUNG. This would help fill a void for the aling Chipper.
Jeff Schultz
December 18th, 2009
11:59 am
Erik — Obviously I’m no medical soothsayer so I can’t predict on Chipper. But given his age and history, logic says he’ll have a few ailments.
Yep
December 18th, 2009
4:09 pm
After the Braves two latest signings, here we come World Series. Phillies signing Halladay have nothing on the Braves and their signing of two 30+ career minor leaguers.
Skeezix
December 18th, 2009
4:17 pm
Trade him? He should already be gone! Hell should never have been signed, at least as a #1. I said Wren should have never been brought him on as a # 1. This is another example of Wren’s incompetence and I don’t understand why he hasn’t been held accountable for this multi-million $ screw up. Don’t cut Wren slack by saying Liberty Media won’t give him a higher budget–Wren has been wreckless and has not spent his budget wisely. He went out and got Lowe (no problem there), but paid #1 money when he should have offered #3 money (#2 at best). On this staff right now he’s a # 4 or a long reliever. I also think he way overpaid for McLouth who he got to beef up the offense—but only Wren would think a 250 hitter is going to improve an offense.
Skeezix
December 18th, 2009
4:34 pm
While Braves management sits on their butts, the Phillies have been busy strengthening their pitching staff. With the improved pitching, the Phils now have put themselves back into position to finish first in the NL East for 2010–and maybe win anothet NL pennant. The Phils now have as good a rotation as the Braves, but far better offense. As another blogger implied earlier, we won’t get back to the World Series until Turner (or someone like him) becomes the owner.
Art
December 18th, 2009
4:58 pm
Well since Vazquez has said no to a trade then Trade Lowe for Rivera and sign Blalock for 2 years at 1st. Braves have added right and left handed hitting capable of around 50 homers. Price should be right and no long term comitment on either.
BeachReck
December 18th, 2009
11:16 pm
Keep him!! We know we will have injuries and misses (disappointments). Lowe is solid, and there should be no rush. Don’t dump for a prospect. Pitching is everything- if all turns out ok, make a move to trade a pitcher mid-year. In the meantime, get a hitter!! Plenty of time to dump a pitcher. Upgrade, get us excited and raise tix prices until mid-year. Don’t pull another Smoltz/Glavine on Lowe/LaRoche. Treat our guys fairly and make Atlanta a desired destination again.
Unemployed Braves Fan
December 19th, 2009
11:51 am
Derek: I am scraping to put food on the table for a family of five, busting my butt everyday to try and find a minimum wage job, can’t afford to even go to a minor league game and then I hear that you (who makes millions playing a game) are crying about maybe being traded. Get out of A Town you overpaid jock, get a real job, and then let me know how you like it.
twister442
December 21st, 2009
8:22 pm
How about a trade for Frank Wren??
bvillebaron
December 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
Uh, Jeff now that the Braves have traded Vazquez instead of Lowe, let me know how your first interview with Lowe goes after you tried to run him out of town.
Tomas
December 22nd, 2009
5:26 pm
Now what, does Derek Lowe apologies and says he was under a lot of stress and so many rumors had him sure he was going out.
rfgh
December 22nd, 2009
6:11 pm
Lowe’s going no where now. Neither are the Braves.