First base is Braves’ most fixable problem: Adrian Gonzalez
Here's Adrian Gonzalez after he scored during Padres' 10-run fourth-inning against Braves. Oops.
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.
As I wrote then, the Padres need to trim payroll and there is absolutely no downside to the Braves pursuing a trade for Gonzalez: 1) He gives them a dependable power hitter and run producer; 2) He fills the great black hole that always seems to exist at first base in Turner Field; 3) He has a favorable contract ($4.75 million and $5.5 million this season and in 2011, respectively); 4) His name isn’t Troy Glaus.
Would Braves general manager Frank Wren have to deal some prospects for Gonzalez? Yes. Do the Braves still feel somewhat burned by the Mark Teixeira trade? Probably. But there comes a time when a franchise has to push the button on a deal, and the Braves can’t afford to drop too far out of the race and potentially miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
Now, back to Glaus. There is no shortage of problems in the lineup. We can start at leadoff, where the Braves are batting a sickly .091 — last in the majors by a longshot. Texas is next lowest at .138. The major league average is .252.
Detroit, which is led by would-be Brave Johnny Damon’s .323, is hitting .313 at leadoff. Sorry, just had to throw that in.
Chances are the Braves will have to deal with the leadoff issue all season. Their hope is that Nate McLouth or another player eventually gets hot (or even tepid) in that role. Or that Jordan Schafer can be brought back up and he takes it over. There just aren’t a lot of great leadoff hitters around.
The Glaus situation is different. The worst news is not that he stinks (.186 batting average, 17 strikeouts in 59 at-bats; slugging percentage of .305, even worse than Omar Infante’s .346). The worst news is that he might not get better. Consider that Glaus’ career stats show that his best months are April and May. In other words, this might be as good as it gets.
The career splits:
March: .250.
April: .276.
May: .270.
June: .233
July: .242
August: .252
September: .258
October: .151.
For what it’s worth, here are Gonzalez’ current statistics: .317, 6 homers, 14 RBI, .667 slugging, .429 on-base percentage, 1.095 OPS.
So the question is: How long can Wren afford to wait before pursuing a deal? And since some of you will bring up Freddie Freeman, here’s my view: Freeman can stay in the minors one more season. He’s not ready yet. Next year is next year, and that issue can be dealt with then. It’s about making something of this season.
♦
Earlier posts today
♦ Grading Falcons’ drafts, from Roddy (A) to Jimmy (ugh)
♦ Draft report card: Graders get an F, Falcons get 3 to 5 years
♦
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389 comments Add your comment
ATLfan15
April 26th, 2010
3:19 pm
The time to trade for AG was during the offseason. The Pads won’t give him up now unless they get a boatload of prospects in return.
And the Braves will not improve anytime soon until Cox stops trotting out a lineup with 4-5 guys hitting under .200. Glaus, McLouth, Cabrera (and maybe even Escobar) should all be ‘grabbing some pine’ right now…give some of the other guys a chance to prove themselves in the lineup, namely Infante and Hinske.
Rough Estimate
April 26th, 2010
3:19 pm
Bottomw Line: Until the Braves spend about $10-15million more per year in payroll, they won’t be able to compete with the elite teams and truely challenge for the playoffs consistantly. If they would have spent $10-15million more this off season they could have brought in Damon, re-signed LaRoche or brought in a viable firstbaseman (Adam Dunn?), and had a pretty decent looking team. Instead we are exactly where we were last year – offense sputtering (or barely running) and Wren will be scrambling to pull some midseason trades (after it’s too late) instead of addressing the problems in the offseason.
JeanE
April 26th, 2010
3:20 pm
It’s a nice thought but it ain’t happening. We already went through that with Tex. Freeman will be ready next year and I’m thinking, maybe sooner given how bad the offense is going. I think it’s time to stop all the lineup shuffling. It seems to be freaking guys out. Stick Nate at the top and let Matty get some starts in a row no matter who’s pitching that night. He’ll never get in a groove otherwise. I would like to see Hinske get some more play at 1st rather than just once a week. And Chipper, quit trying to prove how tough you are, sit your injured butt down b/c you are hurting your own team!
RaleighDawg
April 26th, 2010
3:21 pm
Watching Freddie go 0-4 yesterday in Durham makes me wonder if the big man will be ready next year…it was an ugly 0-4….
steve
April 26th, 2010
3:21 pm
No way would I trade Freeman way, not for a rental or a long term player. To think that Freeman is going to be able to come up get into the show this season is unthinkable. Freddie needs time to build confidence that an entire season of 3A builds (you get to see MLB pitchers rehabbing and those top prospects getting upped from Advanced-A).
If anyone, bring up Schafer when he’s made a full recovery and had about two weeks worth of plate appearences.
Rough Estimate
April 26th, 2010
3:22 pm
There is no guarantee that Freeman will be ready next season and even if he on the MLB team, that he will perform. He might pull a Jordan Schafer. The Braves don’t need to sell the farm to get Gonzalez, they should have just re-signed LaRoche.
carllange
April 26th, 2010
3:24 pm
Jeff – The Pads are in first place with a record 3 games better than the Braves and recently won 8 in a row. You think they are ready to deal their best hitter? Right now their team has more potential this season than the “ain’t going away” Braves. It’s nice speculation but ain’t gonna happen. Wren and Cox will give Glaus at least a half season to prove what some of us knew the day he was brought on.
steve h
April 26th, 2010
3:25 pm
Watching Freddie go 0-4 yesterday in Durham makes me wonder if the big man will be ready next year…it was an ugly 0-4…
… and that’s exactly why he needs to stay at GWT. He is not ready and he needs to learn how to recover from slumps. That’s said, most those pitchers down in Triple-A can get away with nibbling around the plate for success against non-MLB-ready prospects. So, Freddie needs to prove that he can be successful against that type of pitching first before facing the MLB.
scuba steve
April 26th, 2010
3:25 pm
at some point don’t we have to accept that the 90s and early 2000s are over and this is not a team that will be in the playoffs with any consistency or regularity? at best this team will be in the playoffs and out in the first round in 3 or 4 games.
the braves have a number of quality young players that simply need time to develop. having a quality team for multiple years two or three years down the road is much better than making a mediocre team possibly playoff worthy now. the braves haven’t been in the playoffs for four years what’s another two more if we can develop a team with hanson, heyward, jurrgens, teheran, vizcaino, prado, freeman, mccann, etc., etc.
that will be a good team, this team isn’t. let’s not mortgage the future for another mediocre year and half like with tex
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:26 pm
What about a Gary Sheffield or Jermaine Dye signing to play 1B or LF? They couldn’t be any worse than who we have now, and they should come cheap with no long-term commitment. Maybe even provide some power to the lineup?
Hmmmmmm!
April 26th, 2010
3:27 pm
It is obvious that the Braves problems start at the VERY TOP.
Ownership.
AJJ
April 26th, 2010
3:27 pm
Trading for AGon still doesnt solve the problem of having 2/3s of our out field being automatic outs. Derek lee will become available soon and will be much more affordable in a trade senerio. This would also give us the oppurtunity to have some flexibility to trade for another out fielder as well which we will have to have in order to compete.
gcs
April 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
I don’t like the idea of giving away any more prospects on this sinking ship. This roster is worse than last season’s roster. I cannot imagine the Braves making the playoffs this season.
If anything, the Braves should be sellers.
Give Bobby his gold watch, clean house and start over.
.
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
scube steve: I think the Wild Card has shown, that if you can just get to the playoffs, you have a real chance of doing some damage if your team is playing well at that time. The playoffs are often about who is the hottest team and not necessarily the best.
BravesfaninWis
April 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
Schultz,
I don’t see any way possible that we get Gonzalez without giving up Freeman. Yes Gonzo is cheap for the rest of this season and next, but he will be one of highest paid first basemen in the league after the 2011 season so we all know that the Braves won’t keep them because they have already proven to their fans that they are a bunch of cheap @ss owners that go 2nd and 3rd rate for players and hope like hell that they work which in most cases, they don’t.
Would I like Gonzalez in Atlanta? Absolutely. Do I want Freeman to be apart of that package and have no 1st basemen to look forward to down the road? No. So there it sits, the Braves are screwed either way. They already showed us fans how important winning was to them when they went after Glaus instead of trying to land LaRoche or another 1st basemen that could at least save us runs with his glove if he can’t get us runs with his bat. Glaus costs this team runs in both categories.
I myself wish that every fan would protest this team and not buy tickets to the games. That way when the Braves see 100-200 fans at each home game, they know they will have do get something done to get the fans interested again. I am just sick and tired of seeing this on a yearly basis since their last division title. No team in the history of sports has flopped like the Braves have. 14 straight division titles and only 1 WS Title, that is pathetic. Now since they last won their last division title, they have barely sniffed the playoffs. That has to be the biggest flop in pro sports history.
Think the Yankees and Red Sox win multiple Championships by being cheap? No, they go out and upgrade each position on a year to year basis whereas the Braves go out and replace a gold glove caliber 1st basemen (LaRoche) with a guy (Glaus) that really has never played the position and missed all of last season with a injury. Why? Because he came with a much cheaper price tag then LaRoche. I know the Braves can’t hang with the Yankees and Red Sox as far as payrolls go, but they can afford better players then what they have in order to contend.
Brian from SC
April 26th, 2010
3:31 pm
Yeah, that’s the ticket to improving the team. Stop coming to games, so the Braves have to drop their payroll to Pirates level. That’ll put us in a real position to succeed.
joe
April 26th, 2010
3:31 pm
I’d be fine with it if they could resign him, which isn’t likely due to the team’s thrifty nature as of late. It would take @ 16 million per or more to get him and I don’t see us doing that.
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
3:31 pm
Carlangge — That’s a valid question. They’ll get torched locally if they deal him now. But just saying what economics are there. Not sure if Padres can maintain this winning.
Blackberry Cobbler
April 26th, 2010
3:32 pm
The Braves have plenty of problems……….. mostly with how Wren and Company do nothing but pick up retreads in the off season.
1B is a problem……….. bu then so is LF, CF, and 3B.
To be brutally honest, Jason Heyward is the only reason I continue to watch this team. The only other entertainment value is waiting for McCann to make another of his great defensive moves, or waiting for Escobar to commit another error or brain-fart, or waiting to see the next boo-boo that will sideline Chipper.
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:34 pm
If you are a GM and you think you have a team that remotely has a chance of making the playoffs, you do everything you can to make that push. You don’t just say “well we’ll wait for 2-3 years down the road before we start worrying about winning” You go for it now. Look at teams like the Pirates who have been to the playoffs since 1992. There are no guaratees that it will happen in 2-3 years. You go for it now. Yes the Braves did that with Texeira and it didn’t work out, but at least they gave it an effort. By the way Texeira performed just as the Braves had hoped, it was the rest of the team that didn’t come through.
Brian from SC
April 26th, 2010
3:36 pm
The Padres can keep Gonzalez and still drop their payroll by 18 million if they wanted to next year. I’m telling you, they really like their team and will be looking to add a couple (small) pieces this offseason and make a go at it next year. Trading Gonzalez doesn’t fit in that plan.
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:37 pm
This is what scares me: I believe the Braves have something like $26milllion committed to Chipper Jones and Derek Lowe each season for the next two years. That’s about 25% of their payroll that is tied up in two past-their-prime quickly aging players that have not contributed much this year or last year. OUCH!
scuba steve
April 26th, 2010
3:38 pm
i’ll grant you that once you are in any team can win it, but mostly likely if the braves get in as the wild card they are (mostly likely) facing st. louis and wainwright and carpenter at least three times…
if they’re fortunate enough to get past them, it is probably philadelphia and not out of the realm of possibility that halladay throws three times. we all saw what the lineup does against him
i am sure the offense will produce better than it has been recently but i don’t think any combination of the lineups, even with gonzalez, makes the team legitimate pennant or world series contenders.
with the young nucleus kept together they will be by 2012 or 2013 and might have five or six good years to contend. i’d rather that than one outside chance this year
Carl Spackler
April 26th, 2010
3:39 pm
That was an excellent “save” You are back on my Christmas card list.
Roja
April 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
And why would Gonzales agree to leave a team that just came off a NINE game WINNING streak to join a 5 game LOSING streak team???
We had our first base problem solved and gave away the solution. LaRoche is hitting .278 and Kotchman is hitting 279 with 14 rbis and hasn’t made an error in his last 162 GAMES.
If we were serious about winning we already had Teixeira on the team and wouldn’t spend the bux to keep him…. so he won his World Series Ring elsewhere.
Problem is (and has been) that Cox needs to double up on his Aricept and Nimenda!!!
I Hate Liberty Media
April 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
This won’t happen. But if it does, they won’t sign him beyond his current deal. The problem is Liberty Media. As long as the team owner isn’t concerned with winning, it will continue to cut corners and to pick up the likes of Glaus and Cabrera off the trash heap. Ownership is apathetic. Management is apathetic. The players are apathetic. It’s no surprise then that the fans are also apathetic.
Braves One
April 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
Bring Brett to the Braves…
Pick up Brett Gardner from the Yankees…he has speed, hits for average, is base savvy and mans his outfield position without issue. A natural lead off hitter. Oh yes…he can bunt and knows the infield fly rule.
AJJ
April 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
I will pass on casey Kotchman
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
How about drop this whole Glaus experiment and bring up Freeman AND Schaffer now. Just saying.
AJJ
April 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
AGON probably doesnt have any say in a trade
suwaneedawg
April 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
They need to do something and this is surely something. This would be a darn good trade and giving up a prospect or two would be worth it. They are starting to make Bobby’s last year be a nightmare and he does not deserve it. Wren needs to pull the trigger on this soon.
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
BTW–doen with Liberty Media
Roja
April 26th, 2010
3:42 pm
The Cubs seem to be happy with mediocrity (65 years without even PLAYING one World Series game). Braves are quickly becoming the “Cubs of the South”
Mr. Phil
April 26th, 2010
3:43 pm
doen =down+done+ticked
blord
April 26th, 2010
3:43 pm
I would guess that it would take Freeman in the deal to get AG. I would love to have him but not sure the Braves would pony up on the deal. By the way, How is Jordan Schafer doing?
JASon
April 26th, 2010
3:44 pm
If we brought Gonzalez here, he would probably stop hitting good.
hammerin hank
April 26th, 2010
3:44 pm
Troy Glaus is the biggest joke of an offseason move that i have seen here in the A T L! I will come in and bunt every at bat and can get somewhat close to his average. PLEASE bring in somebody Mr. Wren. I cant stand looking at this guy anymore.
LuisG
April 26th, 2010
3:45 pm
Jeff Schultz
April 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
Newbomb Turf … Fred Mc…..what was his name?
JEFF: I think it was Wally Joyner, remember him? Along with Quilvio Veras and somebody else. I guess Bret Boone was part of that trade too.
DHD
April 26th, 2010
3:45 pm
You talked about it in November?? We have been talking about it for 2 years. But, that’s par for the course for you AJC guys. I do have to hand one thing to you, however…at least you aren’t asking for a former player to return. You are to be commended on that point.
As for AG…we’ll have to give them Freeman, Medlen and Escobar. Not too bad since we wouldn’t need Freeman and Escobar is in the dog house.
pete
April 26th, 2010
3:46 pm
Jordan Schafer was a product of HGH. He was terrible his first few minor league seasons then had a breakout. That was when he was busted with HGH
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
I don’t think trading prospects for Gonzalez or anyone is the answer for the Braves. If the Braves would have just spent a litte more in the off season on some decent free agents or gotten more out of the Vasquez salary dump, they would have been ok.
Reality Bites
April 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
Okay people, u cant shine sh_ _. This team will battle for 3rd in the division at best. Chipper-DONE, Glaus-omgrofl, McLouth-LOSER. All fo Frank Wrens people have been busts. this guy is NO Scheurholtz(sp). until he and Bobby(TP) are gone we are nuthin more than also rans. Hey JS, kwik question, who has squandered more talent, Peehuwett or Cox? discuss.
pete
April 26th, 2010
3:49 pm
Let Pendleton get a hold to Gonzalez, he will stop that hot hitting very quickly
Roja
April 26th, 2010
3:49 pm
3 games out of first place with 144 games to go does not a lost season make. But with Bobby managing, 3 games out with 144 left to play makes our chances questionable at best. There was a time when we had so much talent that even Ted Turner could manage the team and win, but those days are past.
Ben Roethlisberger
April 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
BEN WANT WOMAN, BEN TAKE WOMAN!!!!
RAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
GTSteve
April 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
“Give Bobby his gold watch, clean house and start over.”
Best Idea in a long time
Tucker T
April 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
We would have Gonzalez for the remainder of this season and next but he will be gone after that. There is little chance of signing him to an extention. He would want mega bucks. That sounds very similar to the Tex situation and we all remember how that turned out. There is no way I would give them Freeman. Maybe a package of ONE of the top pitching prospects, Medlen, and maybe Escobar. I could live with that.
TONE
April 26th, 2010
3:52 pm
they have to shake it up are all of the early fan support will be gone and if they ride out a pitiful season i wouldn’t put it past ownership to have a firesale marlin style so this season is important on many fronts
make a move get a run producer and keep the coaches away from him!!!!!!
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Lost
April 26th, 2010
3:53 pm
Everyone always blames Wren, but John Scherholtz is the still the team President. Don’t you think he has input on these moves? I think JS saw the writing on the wall in regards to payroll reductions and decided to get out of the GM position so he wouldn’t tarnish his “legacy”. In the 90’s JS could pretty much spend as much as he wanted.
Thoughts?
Jason W.
April 26th, 2010
3:54 pm
I say we pass on any AGonz trades unless they don’t include Freeman. That being said, I propose an alternative solution to fix 2 needs that would be cheaper on us.
1. Contact Houston and find out what it’ll take to land Bourn
2. Contact K.C. and see if offering some middle relief help in exchange for Billy Butler would work. (Butler may not hit 30HR’s but he’ll drive in 100 if our guys get on)