Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respond (UPDATED)
Roy Oswalt joined a Phillies' starting pitching rotation that includes Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. (AP photo)
(UPDATED: 4:45 p.m.)
When rumors began to heat up the other day that the Philadelphia Phillies were pursuing Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt — the gem of baseball’s trade deadline — I mentioned that such a deal could put pressure on the Braves to make a move.
Well, it just happened
After reports surfaced late Wednesday that the Phillies and Astros had specifics of a trade in place, ESPN and Fox Sports now are both reporting that Oswalt has waived his no-trade clause and signed off on the deal. The Astros will get pitcher J.A. Happ and two prospects in return.
Oswalt will start for the Phillies in Washington Friday night.
What does this mean for the Braves? Simple. They need to do something.
The acquisition of Oswalt doesn’t guarantee Philly will overtake the Braves in the National League East. But it’s a significant and aggressive move by a three-time defending division champion, one that should madate a response by Braves’ management.
General manager Frank Wren said the other day he was uncertain if the team needed to make a move before Saturday’s non-waiver traded deadline, but can there be any doubt now?
Everything Wren has done of late has been about setting the Braves up for a pennant run in Bobby Cox’s final season as manager. Most notable: The recent trade of shortstop Yunel Escobar to Toronto for Alex Gonzalez — a deal more about this year than the future — and the demotion of center fielder Nate McLouth to the minors.
With Oswalt joining the Phillies, it would be risky, at best, for the Braves to settle for what they have. The team needs offensive help, preferably somebody who plays center field. They also may need a reliever, with Eric O’Flaherty on the disabled list, Jesse Chavez just plain awful and Kenshin Kawakami having apparently been lost in a black hole.
Is it panic time? Not at all. But worry time, maybe.
The Braves lost to Washington today. They’re 6-7 since the All-Star break and their lead over Philadelphia in the East is down to three games (pending the Phillies’ game tonight at Arizona). The Phillies are only 8-6 since the All-Star break, but they have won seven straight and scored 41 runs in the last six games. They’ve hung around despite being wrecked by injuries most of the season (second baseman Chase Utley and center fielder Shane Victorino currently are on the disabled list).
Now, Philadelphia has Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt at the top of its starting rotation.
If Wren doesn’t respond with a deal, he will be playing a dangerous game.
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501 comments Add your comment
TheAntiMe
July 30th, 2010
12:13 pm
Hey, it’s not a big deal if the only trade the Braves make before the deadline is the Escobar for Gonzalez SS swap. The Braves just need to start winning again like they were before the All-Star break and the Phillies just need to start losing again like they were before the break. The Braves will then win the NL East. See, no biggie. Problem solved.
So, starting today in Cincinnati – Chipper, B-Mac, Glaus, Jason, and all you other Braves – you guys just need to start winning at least 6 out of every 10 games for the rest of the season. Then, almost everyone will be happy again except that ugly looking Phillie Phanatic who will be crying as the Phillies fans start hurling their cheesesteaks. I love happy endings.
DawgDad
July 30th, 2010
12:23 pm
Priority 1: Go get a center fielder. Bourn, Kemp, someone that can actually play center AND get on base. Make a long-term acquisition, because you have no long term in-house.
Priority 2: Shore up first base. Could be a corner outfielder or a first baseman to ease the load and reliance on Glaus. Could be Freddie Freeman, and that flyer doesn’t cost much. Spend the bucks on center field and look to the future at first base now.
Priority 3: Need another arm in the bullpen. Wagner and Saito are aging-wilt-in-the-heat risks and Venters/Moylan are a wear-down risk. I suspect this will be shored up both internally and with a relatively low-profile acquisition.
We haven’t lost anything with Escobar gone because he wasn’t contributing anything to begin with. Gonzalez is a solid and steady veteran ss but he’s not a splashy improvement. Right now, there’s a huge talent hole in center field and we’re getting sub-standard production out of the corner infielders. That is what is dragging the team down. Infante/Diaz/Hinske/nor anyone else on the roster not named Glaus or Chipper will solve those problems; we need help.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
July 30th, 2010
12:30 pm
this is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy- Clark Griswald. Give us something Wren!!
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
July 30th, 2010
12:33 pm
Roy Oswalt is a good pitcher but has never done well against the Braves so i am not too worried. I like the idea of Berkman coming but, I am unsure of what it will take to get him. Any deal should include McClouth though
GeorgiaDawg
July 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
Come on Wren..counter the phils…you must because this team is tired and needs a spark…i can just see it limping across in 3rd place..
ReddJonn68
July 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
We Braves fans have to live with the losing as well some lucky winning. If not for Prado & Heywards’ unexpected contributions we would be in last place even with our pitching. Whatever we decide to do, it may effect us for the next 3 to 4 yrs. Has Bobby actually wowed anybody with some great managerial moves in the first half of this season, NO !!! Bobby is a great evaluator of talent to a fault, he does not combine players strengths & weaknesses together, therefore hiding our teams flaws.
Everyone in the league knows our style of play. Take a look around us, Manuel continues to do a fine job no matter what he’s given. Dusty has Cincy playing live ball, you never know what to expect with that young group. We have been blessed enough receive a lot of timely hitting, but when the pennant race is coming down to the wire you have to make your own breaks. Face it folks we just don’t have enough pop in our lineup to sustain staying on top.
I feel sorry for Wren a lot of the behind the scenes stuff we have no idea exists. For example look at the A-Rod situation, Texas is bankrupt & they owe him 24.9 mil six yrs later after trading him to NY ??? WTF !!! So Wren is in a tight spot do you make colossal blunder because the fanbase is screaming ? Knowing even if he makes the so-called right move Bobby may not get it done, & the franchise is stuck with a big tab & robbed of its young talent ta boot ? Or do you play it safe stick with what you have, bring up the younguns, & let Bobby take the blame if it backfires ? All I can say is, I hope some of that late inning luck we’ve been used to this season goes Frank’s when he makes a decision, he is going to need it !!!
rekingball
July 30th, 2010
12:41 pm
Free Jonny Venters.
Idot
July 30th, 2010
12:42 pm
Yeah!
Idot
July 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
I say, stand pat Wren. and play the hand you have.
Don’t auction off the farm.
Look to the future.
ReddJonn68
July 30th, 2010
12:52 pm
LMAO I was looking at some of the proposed new lineups on this blog if we made a move brought in help, everyone is bashing Glaus, yet they still keep putting him in their batting order !!! DUH ?
Kneecap
July 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Wren tells DOB(or Carroll not sure)that he talkin alot but doesnt think there are any players that meet their needs.
His big move is already done. He shipped off Esco so Bobby wouldn’t have to deal with him.
Frank Wrenn
July 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
I don’t know what to do. I am in over my head.
Jo-Bu
July 30th, 2010
1:29 pm
So now the Phillies two top 5 pitchers on there staff in a 5-man rotation. Until they get three, I’m not worred, each of which is capable of pitching a complete game, I’m not worried about the Phillies. That still doesn’t fix their bullpen is their achillies heel, hence the complete game reference. Halladay and Oswalt won’t be going everyday but their bullpen will. The Braves just need that big bat. Heyward and Prado need to be a little more agressive. They’re both taking lots of first-pitch strikes lately as well as the rest of the line up, it seems.
RollTide86
July 30th, 2010
1:35 pm
No options?? Kemp, Adam Jones, Bautista, Come on Wren pull the trigger!
Jo-Bu
July 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
Everyone is panicing like the braves will never win another game or series again. Frank Wren knows what he’s doing or at least has bought enough capital with me for this season. I think he’s doing the smart thing and waiting for the “right” player with the talent and attitude in the clubhouse. We’ve gotten this far with what we have and as long as this cold spell does’t parlay into another 9-game loosing streak, the Braves will be fine.
skimaskkilla
July 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
braves doin what dey always do sit on their ass during the deadline. and 2 u guys bragging on this so called great farm system do u really know how freeman or any of the other guys will pan out what if they don’t turn out to be good players then what?
RollTide86
July 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
We do have a good farm system, 5 guys in the top 50 including 4 pitchers. So yes we can brag all we want about our farm.
RollTide86
July 30th, 2010
1:39 pm
Mike Minor is ready to be called up, We need to go big or go home and I think medlin is our best trade chip.
acepenetrate
July 30th, 2010
1:41 pm
braves need 2 make a move another wasted year lowe sucks kk sucks mcclouth sucks absolutely horrible moves by the front office and what makes it worse u have 2 make plenty moves during the off-season to replace chipper and glaus and add outfielders (and get rid of lowe and kks sorry asses, but prob stuck wit those loser) another thing the mets and phillies don’t have 2 have loaded farm systems when the front office is not afraid 2 spend money countin on unproven players in the farm system will get u beat
Braves95WS
July 30th, 2010
1:57 pm
Any trade rumors floating around right now?
Jim
July 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
Stop the madness of thinking you can contend at this point!!!!! You are doing an unjustice to yourself and the community of Braves fans. The Phillies are running away with the division. Superior hitting, defense and pitching. 2.5 games up the Braves are currently. Next week this same time; 1.5 games back and the slope increases. No matter what trade deadline move the Braves make, it will not matter.
Tomahawk
July 30th, 2010
2:11 pm
I just wrote this on Mark Bradley’s column:
I’m going to go ahead and call it: Braves are working on a deal for Torii Hunter. He was held out of the game two days ago without reason (and they had an off day yesterday). He’d be an absolute perfect fit, has said in the past that he’d love to play in ATL, and I’m sure the Angels would be interested in the Braves pitching prospects. It makes waaay too much sense for it not to happen.
Jim
July 30th, 2010
2:12 pm
And, by the way, the Phillies are playing the Nationals this weekend, with Roy Oswalt starting tonight. You guys have Cincy to play. You will be lucky to take 1 game this series. We, however, are in a position to sweep… For a change, doesn’t it suck that the Phillies are a beast and will do what it takes to win and your team philosophy is to stay slightly above the fray….
Jim
July 30th, 2010
2:13 pm
T Hunter? I guarantee you will not get him. Are you living in a dream world? LOL!!!!
Tomahawk
July 30th, 2010
2:18 pm
It’s not that ridiculous. Consider this: the Angels are looking more and more like sellers. TX has a very good, very young team that will, for the most part be controlled for a while. Torii Hunter is making $9 million more than any other player on the team and the Braves have some VERY good young pitching.
Tomahawk
July 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
Hm… just responded and it didnt show up…
but anyways, all what I wrote was that it’s not that ridiculous to think the Braves are trying to get Hunter. He’s making $9 million more than any other player on a team that’s looking like sellers. TX is going to be able to keep that young, talented team together for a while, so now wouldn’t be a bad time for them to start trying to get some young, power pitching prospects, and what better way than to unload Hunter, his contract, and look to the future?
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
2:24 pm
All you clown Brave fans need to realize that the Phils are trying to sustain their success. The future doesn’t matter so much when you have a WS under your belt and have gone to another. Phils aren’t depleting the system like you think. We kept Brown and Singleton and theres always new prospects each new year from prior years drafts.
ryan
July 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
I guess the Braves should go after Matt Kemp Dunn to Tampa.
Smoker
July 30th, 2010
2:29 pm
If you think T.Hunter will be traded to the Braves, you are crazy. I would like for it to happen though.
beekay
July 30th, 2010
2:32 pm
Enough of this the Blue Jays arewinning since Esco came on board and we ar losing….THe Blue Jays are 6-0 against the lousy O’s since Esco came on borad they played two series against the worst team in baseball ansd swept both….The B-Jays could have won all 6 withMickey Morandini playing SS
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
2:33 pm
ryan- Did your magic 8 ball tell you that? There is nothing listed about it on mlb.com or any site not under North Korean control.
beekay
July 30th, 2010
2:33 pm
T Hunter is a bigger race baiter than Terrence Moore…I’ll pass. I’d rather trade a few minor league studs and lock up Carl Crawford long term
ryan
July 30th, 2010
2:41 pm
Petro1989 ESPN has been saying it all morning if your talking about Dunn . Tampa is the the team pushing hard for Dunn.
Tomahawk
July 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
Figured I’d go out on a limb and point out something that other people hadn’t seemed to notice/thought of yet. If they really want to compete they need a difference maker in center. Hunter is probably the best fit and I thought it was a little suspicious that he was held out of the lineup. I’d be VERY surprised if ATL hasn’t at least spoken to the Angels about him. I agree it’s not the most expected or likely trade rumor, but I still think it’s very possible. And, hey, at least I didn’t just spew out the same thing everyone on here has already read on the internet 8 million times already.
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
2:42 pm
BTW Bravo fans…..Utley is resting up and avoiding the meatgrinder that is July & August. He’ll be back along with Victorino & Rollins. I never complain about injuries as tehy’re apart of sports. All I’m saying is that, your Braves let the Phils cut 4.5 games from their lead with the likes of Wilson Valdez, Kyle Kendrick & Cody Ransom playing.
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
2:43 pm
ryan- ESPN says many thing. Many.
bozz
July 30th, 2010
2:48 pm
ooh, adam jones would be NICEEEEEEEE…
Smoker
July 30th, 2010
3:02 pm
25 hrs left
N-R-D-DAY
July 30th, 2010
3:04 pm
beekay, so what if toronto is beating the sister of the poor, they ‘re still wins. look at who is beating the Braves, Florida and Washington. Not the best in the NL.
beekay
July 30th, 2010
3:09 pm
Florida and the Nats are much betterthan the O’s. I’m happy for Yuni but let’s wait to see how the season plays out before we rush to judgement. Word is the other Brave players couldn’t stand him. I didn’t hear one Brave say they were going to miss him.
Pat H
July 30th, 2010
3:10 pm
I do think the Braves need to make a move because the offense has not been cutting it for a bit. I wanna know why the Braves haven’t bothered to call up Barbaro? He could be a good bat to have in the lineup.
beekay
July 30th, 2010
3:10 pm
Petro
The Braves will have 11 xtra home games when they get back from Cincy. That lead will be back up to 5-7 games when the schedule evens out
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
3:22 pm
Beekay- Yeah? Too bad 8 of them are against the Giants who pitch well and the Dodgers who are at least a well over .500 team.
beekay
July 30th, 2010
3:25 pm
Petro
Too bad we don’t get a chance to play the Phils this month. We waxed you in Philly. Oswalt will be on DL with a stiff back soon.
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
Beekay- Please don’t change the subject. Braves did take 2 of 3 then and that’s fine. Worry about the future. You’re basing Oswalt’s stiff back on????????????
beekay
July 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
Flared up alot last year bro….
http://espn.go.com/sports/fantasy/blog/_/name/bell_stephania/id/4364311
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
Really? All while STILL pitching 181.1 innings and having a 3-1 k to BB ratio. He did that while being the ace of the Astros while he’s a 33 with us. Try again.
Petro1989
July 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
What’s the matter Beekay? Deep fried cauliflower and sweet tea got your tounge?
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July 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
[...] ♦ Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respond [...]
bravesfanforlife
July 30th, 2010
10:31 pm
what are the chances of getting jacoby ellsbury?