With Oswalt trade looming, should Braves worry about Philly?
Mad skills: Roy Oswalt can pitch and blow a bubble at same time.
If you’re a Braves’ fan, this would be a good time to pull for anybody other than Philadelphia in the Roy Oswalt trade sweepstakes.
While the Braves have gone through a relatively magical run this season, with unlikely subplots like Brooks “The Big Bambino” Conrad, it figured to be only a matter of time before the Philadelphia Phillies re-emerged as a factor in the National League East. And here they are.
The Phillies have won four straight to trim two games off the Braves’ division lead (down to five). That’s of some concern. But these are the bigger issues:
♦ The Phillies have struggled all year with injuries, most notably to shortstop and leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins and shortstop Chase Utley. Rollins has missed over half the season (playing in 42 of Philly’s 98 games), but he is 9 for 21 (.429) in the past five games. Utley was 18 for 49 (.367) over 13 games before he had to go back on the disabled list after thumb surgery. He likely is out at least another month.
♦ Many expect the Phillies to be players before Saturday’s trade deadline. Philly must know now that they botched it in the winter when they traded starting pitcher Cliff Lee (acquired last July from Cleveland) to Seattle. (Lee was traded again two weeks ago to Texas.) They need a starting pitcher. Houston’s Roy Oswalt is the most likely candidate.
Former AJC comrade Joe Strauss, now of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, is reporting the Cardinals are unlikely to acquire Oswalt, who had made it no secret that the Cards were his first choice. That may leave Philly as the most likely buyer.
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, scouts from Houston and Tampa Bay both were in attendance at the Phils’ game against Colorado Sunday. Philly is said to be dangling Jason Werth in any potential deal.
If the Phillies get Oswalt, they’ll have Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt at the top of their pitching rotation. That’s pretty sick.
Combine that with Rollins and Utley coming around, and Philly could again look like the team that has won three straight National League East titles.
So what’s your level of concern? Should this increase the pressure on Braves general manager Frank Wren to make a deal, and if the Phils get Oswalt, do you think that gives them a leg (or arm) up in the division race?
♦
Instant re-post on demand (in HD)
♦ Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4)
♦ Dooley calmly moving from one fire to next at Tennessee
♦ Richt’s words, actions haven’t changed ugliness at Georgia
♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
318 comments Add your comment
George
July 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
The Phillies are the team to beat in the division, not the Mets, not the Fish. The Braves need to decide on center field. If they are not trading (as I believe they should if they can make a reasonable deal) then give the center field job to Omar or Melky and move on. Give Mat the opportunity to play left and prove he can help every day not just with lefties. Nate should be traded if the organization feels he is done or sent down for the remainder of the year if not. I still feel good about our chances but do feel changes need to be made. Bobby has not and probably won’t consult with me but that is ok, I still think he is the best.
NO MORE BOBBY
July 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
YES the Braves should worry about the Phillies. They are crazy and will do whatever to win (I like that). They will sit players that don’t perform unlike Bobby and they will fire coaches that are not getting the most from players (once again something Bobby won’t do).
Be very scared of Philadelphia. I said a month ago we should deliver the knock out punch while they were down but we didn’t. So now prepare for them coming after us and hate to admit it but I think they now have the upper hand.
59bulldawg
July 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
As long as Bobby Cox is the manager, hell even the Nationals are still in it!
Clay
July 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
Jeff, look at Nate’s two seasons before joining the Braves. Unbelievable what has happened to him . . .
Those years (’07 & ‘08) show Nate hitting .273 and .253, while driving in a combined 164 runs with 46 dingers, not to mention 42 stolen bases.
What’s so stupid about getting a young, Gold-Glove winning centerfielder with stats like that. Wren can’t be blamed what has happened since Nate got to Atlanta
Bernard
July 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
ppplease get rid of Kawakami, Mclouth, Chavez, Jordon Schaefer & Derek Lowe for Roy Oswalt before it too late. Braves starters are somewhat over rated?
Bravo
July 26th, 2010
1:30 pm
Jeff: I would think Pods could transition to play CF fairly easily, given his speed. Or do you think he would struggle?
Poorbave
July 26th, 2010
1:30 pm
Not saying U wrong Jeff but MLB said Scott had one year deal for less than million and no option. But what ever. Keep up the good job.
Idot
July 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
Bobby is going to keep on giving Nate a chance to pull out of his funk.
What other reason would he pull a player out of the game, that had hit a HR in the game.
I hope McLouth can get IT together.
Captain Midnight
July 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
There’s nothing we can do if Oswald goes to Philly or St. Lousy. We need to make a trade based on our needs not out of fear of where Oswald goes. For goodness sake get rid of McClouth even if we have to release him and take the loss.
Turtsnap
July 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
Has Mclouth been cut yet???!!!
Atticus
July 26th, 2010
1:34 pm
They should be concerned. CF is a hole and I am worried about Glaus too. He is all feast or famine. I would say trade one of the young pitchers in the minors and go get a CF.
Philsfan
July 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
As a Phillies fan, I am well aware of their situation and I can tell you right now the Braves should be worried. The Braves have been playing a lot better than they actually are and they’ve been too hot for too long. They will start to taper off soon enough and if something happens to McCann or Prado it’s going to be hard to keep up with the Phillies. The Phillies have massively underachieved this season but the pitching has been coming around. Roy Halladay is Roy Halladay. Hamels has been pitching like he did in ‘08 and have a fantastic season so far despite his record. The Phillies will most likely land Oswalt because GM Ruben Amaro will want to make up for the Cliff Lee blunder. Joe Blanton has always been a second half pitcher and has been coming around lately. So, I think the rotation is pretty good right now. The bullpen is still shaky, especially with Lidge, but as long as our lethal offense keeps producing, there is no reason why the Phillies cannot win this division…and win it by several games.
BTW, for all of you who keep saying the Phillies getting rid of Werth will weaken their offense by a lot, I have to disagree. We have the second best prospect in the minor leagues in Domonic Brown who many project to make an immediate impact if Werth is traded. He’s also a power hitter. I’m not too worried about saying bye to Werth.
Poorbave
July 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
Turtsnap, the Braves will not cut 10 million………..
Ebenzer Snerdberg
July 26th, 2010
1:36 pm
Send Chavez anywhere,just anywhere but here. Bring up some of those young arms. My stomach was just gettin’ over Norton and now McOut. Just DFA McOut and say hookay son, yew got da ball! Its time for Cox and Wren to fish or cut bait on these two…NOW! And don’t get me started on Kamikaze. As long he sits in the bullpen and maybe throws BP and is NEVER even allowed into another game this year it’ll be fine!
Poorbave
July 26th, 2010
1:36 pm
Werth is having a bad year.
ReddJonn68
July 26th, 2010
1:36 pm
Hey Jeff. Frank Wren better worry about our team. If not for Prado’s MVP type season this ballclub would be in deep trouble. Every team goes thru a slump at least twice a season, so we better prepare for hard times before we reach the end. This thing about McLouth is something that should have been addressed long before it got to this point, so we have bigger issues than what the Jones’ of the NL are doing. Philly did us a huge favor trading Lee early on, so don’t look for anymore treasure in the same hole.
We know that we will not continue to pull out these miracle comebacks each game, we need another bat or more speed. Where its gonna come from is the big question, do we go out & get somebody or do we call up a young outfielder, because given the looks at the plate McLouth has gotten, those could have been the seasoning some young guy needs. Yes we need to look within for the real answers to how far this club will go. Looking back at the trades we made with Pitt & NY 2 yrs ago, neither actually made this team what it is now.
Philadelphia has been pushing the right buttons the last few years & given their young talent base they will continue to succeed. St. Louis has put themselves in a bad situation because they have to resign Pujols next yr, but they will be o.k. they always find a way to be competitive. By now Frank knows this team & knows what we are lacking to fight off those final pennant contenders. Yes we are ” King of the Mtn ” for now, but how long will it last. Whether its Upton or whoever, we need extra rounds in the chamber when the battle heats up, because some of the rounds in our clip are blanks.
POAD
July 26th, 2010
1:37 pm
Just read your email Jeff. is this better?
hit me one
July 26th, 2010
1:37 pm
The Braves have gotten by so far on magic beans and pixy dust.
Wren has to make a move to get a more productive outfield going..IE CENTER FIELD!
I think Florida is going to keep knocking at the National League backdoor until they finally knock it down..
Poorbrave
July 26th, 2010
1:39 pm
Will Ohman would be a big spark. Players loved him in clubhouse and Team player.
mclOUTh
July 26th, 2010
1:41 pm
Can you imagine the Philly fans if we snuck in and got Oswalt? They would burn their stadium down up there. Package KK (eating half his salary) and a prospect. Work on dealing Lowe in the off-season. Pick up additional revenue from an extended post season run. OR…if Chipper retires we have his salary covered.
Oregon Brave
July 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Jon. You’re not asking for a trade ‘partner,’ but a trade ’sap.’ And for all of you out of work grave diggers, get a grip. Nate (contract) is the new Mike Hampton. Deal with it.
JRW7
July 26th, 2010
1:45 pm
Frank Wren, We are in serious trouble, We are in the beginning of blowing a good lead to the Phillies.!!!!! Bobby Cox, Why did you bat McOut with the bases loaded yestersay????? This righty/lefty thing you are hung up on, never seems to work!!!!!! Come on BRAVES!!!!!!
papadawg
July 26th, 2010
1:46 pm
The Braves running the bases look like a overwieght Church softball team. Who was it that couldn’t score from 2nd on a single to right. GOOD LORD
JRW7
July 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
Come on Bobby, the BRAVES should have sweept the past two series and you know it!!!!!! QUIT PLAYING MCOUT!!!!!!!
Nacho Daddy
July 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
Maybe we can trade, Nate, KK, and Chavez for Oswalt.
hit me one
July 26th, 2010
1:50 pm
its as simple as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8FwBSITW-4
Atticus
July 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
These people saying trade KK and McLouth are fools. Nobody is going to take those two players at that contract. Send McClouth down and leave KK in the pen. How about Posednik or Adam Jones?
J-Man
July 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
simple answer……… YES!!!!!!
mclOUTh
July 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
We seem really good at going from 1st to 3rd on a single…but can’t go from 2nd to home. Hmmmmm…..
hit me one
July 26th, 2010
1:52 pm
throw in a prospect and it might work. heck we have a farm system full of eggs.
Alpha9
July 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Why should we be worried about the Phillies are the allowed to use the Binnoculars to steal signs again.As far as not stacking up against strong teams…lets see 2of 3 from Tampa Bay(WS PICK)..2 0f 3 San Diego Nl West leader one of the best pitching staffs in MLB.2 0f 3 Minnesota..and last time 2 of 3 from the Phillies.not too mention we made the second coming of God Sthrasburg look ordinary..I guess fairweather fans will always be in Atlanta FIRE ALL ATL FANS NOW
BoroBall3
July 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
…well that was a bummer… Rockies score two and the Philes bonuce back for 3 in the second
Nacho Daddy
July 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Atticus…. Frank Wren did.. Ha !
MATT KEMP in CF!
July 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
If Matt Kemp were to be in CF every day, this team would be at lock for AT LEAST the NLCS! What would it take to get him? Kris Medlen, Mike Dunn + Melky Cabrera? Would the Dodgers do it…? There would not to a weakness in that lineup!!!
Alpha9
July 26th, 2010
1:55 pm
The worst thing about Philly is that little league park they play in..How else do you think guys like Victorino Werth and Rollins hit 20 + Hrs a year..Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are the only real offensive threats they have..My 10 year old could rip one out of that park
Alpha9
July 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
If you put Infante in center you want Mclouth pinch Hitting in a tight game..Think Poeple
PJ
July 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Delgado, Hoover, McLouth + cash to the Brewers, Corie Hart to the Rays and Desmond Jennings to the Braves.
mclOUTh
July 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Hey Alpha…maybe we wouldn’t HAVE as many tight games if we put our best lineup on the field every day. THINK MAN
PJ
July 26th, 2010
1:58 pm
The above deal could work.
ReddJonn68
July 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
@ Too tough 44 12:58…. ” who was on the bench ” I believe Matt Diaz & Omar Infante were still available when Bobby sent McLouth in. I would have put a bat in Kris Medlen or Tim Hudson’s hands before sending McLouth out there.
Pizzaman
July 26th, 2010
2:02 pm
Remember last year when Bobby put Matty in the lead off role for a while? And his OBP duing that stretch was like .500 or something? Why not try that again? With Prado batting second, he would get SO many more chances at driving in runs.
And I know this might sound silly to some, but it’s time to bat J-Hey third, and move Chipper down in the lineup. I know he said something earlier this season about he would “be ok” with the move down the line-up.
The MAIN thing(s) that HAVE to happen is McClouth has to be benched. No way we unload that contract to anyone. Speed off the bench for playoff run. And Chavez has to be sent down. Put KK in a specialist role or something. A trade WOULD be nice – but I really don’t see it happening.
Looking at the bench – man, what a strength we have. I would put our bench against ANY bench in MLB.
Maybe platoon Matty/Omar in LF and bat leadoff. Move Melky into CF. Platoon Glaus/Henskie at first.
Fixed.
Bobby Coccyx
July 26th, 2010
2:03 pm
Nate’s just gettin’ some bad breaks. He sure does hit that ball hard, but it just always seems like it goes right at somebody. He’s a good kid. I’m gonna’ keep puttin’ him in there every night and the breaks will soon be comin’ his way. LIke I said, he’s a good kid.
Braves Junkie
July 26th, 2010
2:03 pm
I’m not sold on Glaus any more. How about Prince Fielder and Corey Hart for Glaus, Diaz and a prospect?
Bruce Mac
July 26th, 2010
2:04 pm
Don’t worry about the Phillies, they are going to win the East going away. Braves only hope is to win the wild card and that won’t happen with one ligitimate outfilelder. Center and Left field are pathetic defensively and average offensively. No team can win a pennnant with the current talent level at these two positions. Then you have two oft injured and fading players at the corner infield positions to boot. You have a great bullpen if and only if the starters can go 7 every time out. If the starters fade at all then you have to go into the KK and Chavez portion of the pen. Talk about vulnerable, what a joke. Why are they taking up space on this team?
Craig
July 26th, 2010
2:07 pm
If we continue with a lineup that includes the likes of McOut, then yes we have a need to be worried about the Phillies. Those worries increase if we continue to pitch Chavez and I don’t care if he is our 12th pitcher. I do not want to see him on the mound unless we are hitting against him.
Nacho Daddy
July 26th, 2010
2:11 pm
Nate must have pictures of Bobby in a dress.
NEW CARS
July 26th, 2010
2:11 pm
If we want to really get gutsy (I know it’s not a word), how about Melkie, Medlen, Dunn and a low level guy like JJ Hoover or Robinson Lopez for Oswalt AND Hunter Pence…If we want to send Bobby out on a high and set this team up for Fredi that might be the way to go..Pence would be manageable in CF and would give up a good option in the 6 hole..And Oswalt would probably work with us a little like he was willing to do with the Cards…
DaveinNEPA
July 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
JS I have several good reasons why I don’t think the Phils acquire Oswalt.
Oswalt’s NTC and his desire to have his option for 2012 picked up. The Phillies payroll is already in the vicinity of 140mil. I can’t see THAT ownership allowing it to go much higher.
Trading Werth and bringing up Brown (he’s a trade untouchable) makes their line-up even more overwhelmingly lefthanded. The Braves with no lefties in the rotation wouldn’t match up well but we only have 6 games left with them this season. A lot of other teams in this league do have lefties in the rotation and the Phils have been susceptable to lefties. Taking Werth out of that lineup makes them even more so.
Even with Oswalt, the back end of the Phillies rotation (pick any two of three) Blanton, Happ and Kendrick are spotty. Happ as kept down after his rehab because his velocity hasn’t been where it was last season and was only brought up due to the injury to Moyer.
One more worry for the Phils is their bullpen. Lidge is still a worry from day to day. You never know what you’re going to get. Their middle relief has been better lately but they still have some problems there.
I don’t think the Braves need to worry about the Phils so long as they keep taking care of business. (losing one series in a month isn’t time to go into panic mode)
Our exalted manager has to stop with the brain cramps and keep guys like McClouth out of the lineup. Wren could help with that situation by sending McClouth to the Camden River Sharks or Long Island Ducks and then bring Blanco back up.
Carl Jung
July 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
Oswalt is having a horrid year. Why is a “change in scenery” going to alter that ? Regarding center field, can’t Diaz play or he just a pinch hitter ?
JRW7
July 26th, 2010
2:12 pm
Come on Bobby, let’s play to win. We are losing games we should have won. McOut has the worst batting average for a CF in MLB, and you let him bat with the bases loaded!!!!! I can’t believe this crap. Looks like we are just going to give the lead to the Phillies!!!! Come on, GO BRAVES!!!!!!