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
B.O.B
July 29th, 2010
4:06 pm
I’m pretty sure that Bautista was in the original Yunel/Gonzo trade with McLouth… but Wren wanted to see how Nate would return after his injury… haha well good thing we waited around!
The Grinch
July 29th, 2010
4:06 pm
We have a .300 hitter sitting on the bench while our 1st baseman (and to a lesser extent our 3rd baseman as well) is killing us because he needs an occasional rest and isn’t getting one. “Hitting out of a slump” doesn’t work when the slump is directly caused by being overworked and in pain. This is obvious from the cheap seats; wonder why it isn’t from the captain’s chair? We should work on using what we have correctly before worrying about adding pieces. Infante alternating at 1st and 3rd everyday would essentially add three bats by making Chipper and Glaus more effective when they DO play. It isn’t very complicated.
Blackberry Cobbler
July 29th, 2010
4:07 pm
Todays game could not be stronger proof that this Braves team suddenly looks vulnerable. The offense struggles and aside from Hudson and maybe JJ, there are just no dependable starters in this rotation.
Getting a bat in the OF won’t be enough. The pitching is too weak to complete the run.
Kerryb
July 29th, 2010
4:07 pm
papadawg, The Phillies are about to finish their run in between the time that the Braves had to reload to take the Division again. The Phillies and the Mets have depleted their farm systems trying to make this run for two years while the Braves were stocking theirs up. The run is about to start again. Absolutely not envious of the position the Phillies are about to be in.
Phillistein
July 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
PMC
July 29th, 2010
4:02 pm
Has Ed Wade tendered his resignation for incompetance yet? Wow it must be miserable to be a fan of the Astros. They are Awful and they have no hope.
LOL
Ed Wade is still on the Phillies payroll. Actually, he’s trying to make amends for years of incompetence. If he was still GM in Philly Ryan Howard would still be in AAA.
I read on a Houston blog that they transplanted Wade’s brain into a bird and it flew backwards into a tree
Kerryb
July 29th, 2010
4:09 pm
Ralph, how do you do a package for Hart and Crawford when they are not on the same team? I’d rather keep Minor. He has been mowing people down in the minors. We don’t have a lefty starter. I’d rather deal Medlin and bring up Minor who is at Gwinette right now.
GWB
July 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
Everybody FREAK OUT!
I don’t buy into the Oswalt hype. Happ is a great young pitcher. The Phillies just traded same for same. Hammels is mediocre
Kerryb
July 29th, 2010
4:11 pm
In seven starts Oswalt is 0-3 against the Braves and has a 7.58 ERA. That is a big pickup.
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
4:11 pm
The Jays pulled the same scam on Frank Wren that he pulled on Brian Cashman. We got the Yankees to bite (though not give up as much as they should have) on a guy having a career year with no real reason to think he would continue playing at that level. That is exactly what we got in Gonzalez and he conveniently picks now to play like his old self while Escobar is showing every reason we thought he was an elite talent. Those of you who say Esco would have never have thrived here and compare it to Francoeur are ignorant, Escobar is talented, Francoeur isn’t. Frenchy focused too much time on two sports in his developmental years and he will never have that level of baseball talent.
IlliniBrave
July 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
@BuckheadBrave: I agree with you, though for different reasons. I think you’re right, in that they did not think they would be in this place at this point in the season. But I don’t agree with your premise that they never intended to challenge for the division lead. I think Wren brought in several 1-2-year guys as bridges to the future (e.g., Glaus-Freeman, Wags-Venters, Kawakami-Vizcaino/Teheran, Gonzalez-Salcedo). Wren is building toward 2011-2012, where the Braves will be younger, more exciting, and cheaper.
Nooga
July 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
If I’m not mistaken, its Braves 7 and Oswalt ZERO in his career starts against the Bravs.
Kerryb
July 29th, 2010
4:12 pm
That shows you how the Phillies have depleted their farm system. I think it is pretty stupid to trade a good young pitcher like Happ for a rented pitcher who is around ten years older than him.
Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respond – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Colodec
July 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
[...] Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respondAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Roy Oswalt joined a Phillies' starting pitching rotation that includes Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. (AP photo) When rumors started to heat up the other day …Report: Roy Oswalt headed to Philadelphia PhilliesWashington Post (blog)Quick Pitch: Roy Oswalt-to-Phils deal is close; Podsednik to DodgersUSA TodaySource: Oswalt plans to OK tradeESPNNew York Times (blog) -Bleacher Report -Yahoo! Sports (blog)all 520 news articles » [...]
Bear
July 29th, 2010
4:15 pm
He wrote Hart OR Crawford. Reading comprehension – catch it!
IlliniBrave
July 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
@BuckheadBrave: if talent was all that mattered, then half of the trades in baseball might be questionable. It’s also about fit, chemistry, timing, and depth. I don’t wish Escobar any bad will, but ever since the Braves traded his best buddy Brayan Pena, he has had bad feelings toward the head office. It was time to part ways.
Finally: Roy Oswalt to the Phillies is a done deal – Yahoo! Sports (blog)Trends Update | Trends Update
July 29th, 2010
4:16 pm
[...] Roy Oswalt-to-Phils deal is close; Podsednik to DodgersUSA TodaySource: Oswalt plans to OK tradeESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -New York Times (blog) -Bleacher Reportall 529 news articles » This entry [...]
Bear
July 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
Did everyone stop reading about Vazquez after his first eight starts? Dude is 6-2 over his last eight decisions. Melky? Dunn? Three-years-away-if-ever Vizcaino? Wren got hosed.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:19 pm
Jon: 3.42 (after a couple of bad recent starts). If you want to go strictly by ERA, he’d be No. 2 starter on Braves behind Hudson.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
July 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
Wren’s moves have stunk. Should have signed LaRoche for three years, traded him after two. Should have held on to Vazquez unless he could get a better-than-average everyday player. Kawakrumi? Nuff said.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
GTax — They said “floundering”? That might be a little strong.
Eugene
July 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
Oswalt is good. He used to be better. And he shined more because he was on one of the WORST teams in baseball. He definitely helps the Phillies, but not to the extent that Phils fans might think. Like I’ve said before, “You can’t win when you score zero runs.” And the Phils have done a lot of that. I know, their scoring more runs now. I’m just saying.
Smack
July 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
Hate to say, but you got to make a trade centered around Randall Delgado for Josh Willingham and have him leave on the plane with us today.
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
Look I’m not saying Oswalt isn’t legit because he is. But on any given day we have the pitching to line up with halladay and oswalt. plus a great pen and a great core of hitters. Freeman and minor on the way, and teheran and salcedo in shouting distance.
http://ijpb.blogspot.com/
The Grinch
July 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
@BuckheadBrave: Vizcaino was the centerpiece of the Vasquez trade. A talented lefty reliever (Dunn) and Melky were important but not essential throw-ins. You people crying “Don’t mortgage our future” at the same time you’re bashing Wren’s moves don’t seem to be able to see past this season.
With a limited payroll, in two to three seasons we may have four ace-level starters all under long term club control for peanuts. The trade of Escobar isn’t important in the long run because Wren signed Salcedo out of Cuba who has much more talent and will be cheaper for longer, and Alex can fill in the time gap perfectly. Assuming Freeman pans out as well (and Chipper, Lowe and KK’s money are all off the books) that leaves an enormous amount of money freed up to pursue free agents that can round of a very talented club without breaking the bank for years to come, and I didn’t even mention the young bullpen arms we have coming up.
You Wren bashers won’t be at it for long; there’s a reason he’s in there and you’re not.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
Steve: I would phone Liberty Media and ask how I can take budget, then take it from there. Bottom line: not time for caution.
Poorbrave
July 29th, 2010
4:23 pm
Hart ? Kemp ? Lee with Cubs? Bantista Jays plus they have 2 good relief pitchers up for trade. Ohman Balt? Royals have couple relief pitchers? Upton? Get your A@@ busy Frank Wren and get it done!
No to Ross. Maybe Dunn but he wants a 3 year deal.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:24 pm
Chippers Daddy — I write my opinion. Sometimes people agree. Sometimes they disagree. It’s really that simple.
ArkyTech
July 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
BuckheadBrave, which Braves are having career years to make Wren look good? Chipper? Yunel? Melky? McCann? McLouth?
That comment wasn’t very well thought through. If half those guys were having AVERAGE seasons the Braves would be running away with the division.
Yunel #1 Fan
July 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
I think Willingham is a GREAT fit for us. He is right handed with REAL power and very good OBP. And hits very good vs the mets and phila. He is just what we need. Willingham LF, Heyward CF and Melky/Diaz RF. That looks very good to me.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:25 pm
Ted Striker — Bonds! Brilliant! Can we get McGwire and Sosa too?
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
Dunn makes no sense BTW unless you plan on having him play a corner OF position. and if in RF moving Heyward to CF. But first is covered if you havent heard of freeman.
http://ijpb.blogspot.com/
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
No to willingham. we already have willingham. his name is diaz.
ReddJonn68
July 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
The Braves & Philly were exact opposites at the first half of the season. Braves had the edge in pitching when they got rid of Cliff Lee & the Phils had the bats. Now the Phils have the edge in both areas. We have won with help of a rookie who wasn’t even suppose to be here in the first place. Wren better take a good hard look before making a dumb move, because this lineup is not exactly putting fear in anybodys heart.
Now all those people that championed the Yunel trade are having second thoughts ( just check out what they are saying the Blue Jays blog ), but its too late now we need a solid bat with some pop to energize this lineup. Hopefully we can get a guy with speed to boot if you take away J-Hey & Yunel steals we have a total of 31 in 100 games played. This is not going to cut it we rank 21st in hrs & 24th in steals. Yes if we don’t make a move this parade is gonna come to a screeching halt, cause Philly isn’t even healthy.
Don
July 29th, 2010
4:28 pm
This team is in big trouble. Philly going for what win #8 in a row? Another series loss for the braves and they play at cincy against tough pitching this weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sweep there and philly takes the lead in 11 days after being down 7.5. Amazing. But that’s the choke crap factor of atlanta teams. And some moron for the ajc said 8 reasons why the braves would win 7 days ago. Friggin idiots at this paper.
Poorbrave
July 29th, 2010
4:28 pm
Willingham is not good “D” player with Nates arm. 200ab last month.
dcp
July 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
Who is the idiot that said the Phillies regulars are on the down side of their productive careers – really? That team is not going to be in the mix for 5 more years, and this deal helps their cause. Are we to depend on Lowe and his constant underachievement as one of the top 3 starters? Face it – this makes Philly better. A guy with a 3.42 ERA added to a CY Young Award winner in Halladay and quality starter in Hamels – those three are as good as any 3 combined out there. If the guys on the DL come back with anything left, the Phillies will be a very formidable team. If you cannot score much, you better shut teams donw. The Phillies now have 3 guys that can go 7 innings a night, taking pressure off their terrible bullpen; an area where the Braves clearly possess an edge.
Greg
July 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
5-3. Pathetic team. Nice job jap.
Poorbrave
July 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
Dunn just dunn it…out in CF.5-3, now.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
KerryB — I’ve seen that stat passed around. But if Oswalt has, say, 12 starts the rest of the year (Phillies have 60 left), how many of those will come against the Braves?
The Grinch
July 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
Chipper’s Daddy, I happen to agree with you. But I expect if you keep bombarding Jeff’s blog with a link to your own you’ll get banned.
Braves2010
July 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
To get Bartolo Colon, Oscar Minaya, then GM of the MLB owned Expos, traded minor-leaguers Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips. This was the the worst trade made at the deadline since 1985 as ranked by Dayn Perry of Foxsports. The Teixeira trade was the 5th worst though he noted it might move up if our 5 players now with the Rangers do more.
Now we know why the Mets can’t win it all.
Minaya was appointed the job and must hae used that experience to land the same job with the Mets.
What fools the Mets were to hire him.
Also the Braves best trade as ranked by me was Doyle Alexander traded to Detroit for then AA pitcher John Smoltz. Bobby Cox did that trade before moving back to the field.
Yunel #1 Fan
July 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
Im not a Wren fan either. He has made dumb moves. Like overpaid for Lowe and Kawakami, Yunel for Gonzalez and the Glavin deal, Tex for Cotchman!!! !omg im getting angry again!!.
Steve
July 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
We can’t even win a series against washington and didn’t even play strausburg. Yeah I’d say they are in trouble. Philly plays at wash after we leave. Watch them go there and sweep them.
Ralph
July 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
Wow, i’ve never known it to be this hot in APRIL, oh, its not april, sure seens like it.
Jeff Schultz
July 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
Poorbrave — Hey. Adam Dunn! (But seriously, I don’t think Braves will pay what it would take to get him.)
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
4:32 pm
The Braves are sucking today like they have been for the past week. We don’t need to respnd, we HAVE to respnd to what Philly did. We need to do what it takes to get a big bat
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
4:32 pm
I am all for writing opinions JS. But it seems to fluctuate to such polar opposites during the course of the season. Know what I mean? But I suppose that happens to all of us over time when we experience emotional highs and lows that a season has to offer.
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
4:32 pm
**respond**
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
Arky Tech,
Martin Prado and Omar Infante for example. Troy Glaus was unexpectedly matching his career pace until recently. Eric Hinske has been far more effective than thought, hence the fact he was pretty much an everyday player in LF for most of May and much of June. Derek Lowe has been better than thought, Tim Hudson is on pace for one of his best years, Kris Medlen is having a break out season as is Johnny Venters, Billy Wagner before the Marlins series was on pace for a career year. There are plenty on this team carrying more of the load than expected. That was my point the guys Wren brought here to be the “core” and carry the team are the ones being carried by bench players, guys nearing retirement, and rookies. Frank Wren should get credit, but with a grain of salt because the team is performing but not in the way he designed it to.
Jason
July 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
Let’s see we just scored 0, 3, and 3 runs against the Nats, and no Strasburg didn’t pitch. I’d say we need some offensive help. But as we know Bobby’s brilliant (non) offensive strategy and TP as hitting coach are tough to overcome.