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
amicusterrae
July 29th, 2010
5:31 pm
Berkman’s current season:
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+
298 39 73 16 1 13 49 60 70 .245 .372 .436 .808 117
Here’s Glaus:
AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+
337 47 84 16 0 14 61 57 79 .249 .361 .421 .782 111
HOW IS THIS AN UPGRADE FOR A LOT MORE MONEY AND LOST PROSPECTS???
boots
July 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
Prince Fielder is a free agent at the end of the year, and the Brewers are not expected to re-sign him. I would swap Glaus for Fielder and throw in a AA prospect for him, and we could carry his salary for the last two months of the season. Then I would keep Cabrera or INFANTE (please, Bobby, put him in somewhere!!!) in CF. We have to find a deal where no one else is looking to get someone great at this point. I know Glaus had an amazing late spring, but since then…
Heather Tupperman
July 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
If the 25 players on the roster would perform close to their abilities, no trade would be needed….I thought Alex could hit for power. Oh well, guess not.
MyPatooti
July 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
As I said earlier on another post, the Braves cannot stand prosperity. First place scares them to death. They do better when they are 2-3 games out of first. Also, BC needs to start reading those memos from FW to the players instead of ignoring them. The one like today that said, “O.K. boys we are in first place now, so play like it. You are playing the Washington Nats for crying outloud, not the Yankees, or the Phillies. Play with some heart and some enthusiasm. You guys are looking like “zombies” out there right now! The Nats are in LAST PLACE and you act like they are “world-beaters”. So, get your act together or you’re all on the trading block!”
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
5:33 pm
we, as a fan base, were pretty much guaranteed by Frank Wren that if this club was in contention he wouldnt be hesitant to plug some of the perceived holes, namely an outfield bat at the deadline. If his answer is Alex Gonzalez then Frank doesnt just look like a used car salesman, he operates like one. This team is so haunted by the Texiera trade that they are rendered paralyzed. That one didn’t work out, oh well. You have a lead this time, the situation is different, get out there and try it again. instead they will hoard prospects that they have no room for and continue to struggle at the MLB level.
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:34 pm
Bautista’s our best option, he woudlnt cost us TOO much. Plus he has a great arm in the outfield and can take over for chipper at 3rd next season when he retires.
Alvino
July 29th, 2010
5:35 pm
THE BRAVES DO NEED TO MAKE A MOVE, BUT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. THEY NEED TO PUT TROY DLAUS ON THE 120 DAY DL, AND TRY TO FIND A BAT FOR THE OUTFIELD, BUT OF COURSE THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. COME OCT. THE FRONT OFFICE WILL BE SETTING AROUND SCRATCHING THIER HEAD AND ASKING WHAT WENT WRONG.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:36 pm
Bautista is a beast. There had been chatter in Philly that the Phillies were scouting him, although the presence of our scouts in Toronto could have been because we were scouting their bullpen (i.e., Scott Downs). He would be a great addition to either the Braves or the Phillies.
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
5:36 pm
uhhh why would Milwaukee swap Fielder for Glaus? They are both free agents after the season, that doesn’t benefit them at all. It also doesnt help us much. We have a 1st baseman who has done his part, he is in a slump. Even when he was hitting we had no bats around him, Glaus isn’t the issue, the issue is 3 HR’s from your now starting CF.
IlliniBrave
July 29th, 2010
5:36 pm
@dcp: good point – I was a bit too sweeping in my statements. It’s just that up here in IL, both the Cubs and Cards fans really hate the Phillies fans – they always seem so damn annoying. But you are right about not making generalizations. Thanks for the reminder.
And I generally agree with your comments here. I think we are looking at a really bright future, beginning perhaps as early as next year, but certainly in 2012, where the Braves could be the dominant team in the division for the rest of the decade. We will be very young, but super-talented, and super-cheap, with money to spend on 2-3 solid veterans to bring experience and maturity (though guys like B-Mac and Prado and Heyward seem to be mature beyond their years).
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:38 pm
Within the Organization, what are you kidding me? Blanco is NOT the answer. Freeman doesnt need to be called up, not everyone is Jason Heyward he needs more time or we will ruin him. We need to make some moves outside of the organization. Mike Minor is the only prospect MLB ready and thats being hopeful.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
KneeCap – (BTW, yet another intelligently devised screen name; when will it end?) – Did you actually say the Phillies can’t beat the Braves? Remember, head-to-head doesn’t mean SQUAT if/when we win a fourth consecutive NL East and make a 3rd straight WS appearance this year. Geesh, and some of you gals say we’re over the top as fans….
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
I love J-Hey and his potential…but all I’ve seen lately is him beating the ball in the ground…
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:40 pm
If the Phillies get Bautista, Im sorry but we will not win the division. We cant compete with that. The braves lineup is mediocre and has been for years. Not one hitter strikes fear into the oposing pitcher. We have a team full of contact hitters. We need power and we need it now.
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
5:41 pm
As a Braves fan, i’m so pissed today fellas. How do we lose two series in a row against two teams that a normal first place team would have handled easily. We didn’t even have to face their ace starting pitchers.
amicusterrae
July 29th, 2010
5:42 pm
Bautista has 30 homers and 70+ RBI in Toronto’s launching pad. BUT, he’s hitting .256. I know he’s a kid that projects well, but the deal would be for this year. How is that worth one of our stud pitching prospects and who knows what else?
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
5:43 pm
I like a Berkman trade, mostly because i remember how miserable he and Beltran made us during the 2005 playoffs, havent paid any attention to him since then though. How well can he still play the OF? Maybe a move to a pennant race will really give him a boost.
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
5:44 pm
RollTide86 ..”contact hitters”….you need to apologize…..and rescind that comment…
Blaze
July 29th, 2010
5:44 pm
Hey Jeff,
What is the Braves record with Washington and Florida over the past 5 yrs.? I think we have had problems with them (particularly in their stadium)in the past!
I don’t think anybody needs to panic. Who is in first? But if there is a great deal out there, then YES take it…
amicusterrae
July 29th, 2010
5:45 pm
2.7 wins above replacement level soundds nice for Bautista, but how much of that is attributable to his homers in Toronto?
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:45 pm
Bautista will be affordable through salary arbitration next year. He isn’t scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2011 season.
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:46 pm
Haha ok I receind the conact hitter statement.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
5:49 pm
The only way I make a deal is if it is for a long-term answer
For instance
Approach the D-Backs for a package of YOUNG and LaRoche
OR
Approach the Dodgers for KEMP for a package of Medlen, Blanco, Dunn and a prospect
LaRoche would allow for a “Platoon” at first base with Glaus AND either Young or Kemp would be the CF of the future
THOUGHTS???????
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
5:50 pm
Anybody hear anything about Greinke being available?
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:50 pm
FYI fellow baseball fans!
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies/Source_Oswalt_preparing_for_Philly.html
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
It’s a great move for the Phillies, and lines up their top 3 starters with anyone else’s, which is what is needed for a playoff series.
The biggest question for what if anything the Braves do is payroll flexibility. According to Cot’s, they were 84 million on opening day, versus 97 million last year. Assuming that to be the limit, there’s definitely some moves to be made and stay within budget. Also, KK’s pitched what, twice in a month? Makes me believe they’re shopping him, or gave up on him. Throw out the win/loss record, as a low 4 ERA pitcher making 6.67m next year (My guess is 3.3m still owed this year) would have a winning record with run support and be an ideal target for a team looking for a back of rotation guy.
He has to be valued somewhere, if not in Atlanta. (Texas, who while going through bankruptcy is still spending? New York? St. Louis? Or the unlikely Philadelphia?) That potential move could also free up some money.
Worse case, if using last year’s payroll as the ceiling, you’re looking at picking up someone in the 12-13m range, or an expiring contract. Who fits that? Dunn? Werth? Fielder?
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
I would only go after Bautista IF the trade included Downs or Gregg in it
RollTide86
July 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
YES TO KEMP!!!!!!! They need pitching bad. Give them Medlin he makes me nervous, bring up Minor and it adds a lefty that strikes alot of people out. Kemp is legit!
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
912DAWG – Word in Philly is that Greinke is available, as is Fausto Carmona, who was Paln B for the Phillies.
Bryan
July 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
If a trade is made I hope it works out and not like Gonzalez for Escobar. Come on Wren!
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:53 pm
BTW, Werth is not going anywhere, now that Victorino was placed on the DL last night.
Chipper Jones
July 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
It’s hard being a major leaguer…. Did you see how hot it was today?
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
LaRoche? Do we really need to go down that road again? We already have Adam LaRoche, his name is Troy Glaus and is much cheaper. (Both streaky as all get out, with Glaus having a higher ceiling based upon past performance)
The 1B question is, do they see Freddie Freeman as the future, or do they take the opportunity to get a proven 1B now and potentially trade that future.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:55 pm
You guys should not trade Kris Medlin. C’mon now.
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
@FactsAreFacts, You know that Oswalt would rather be pitching in Atl right? He listed the Braves as a team he wanted to pitch for a while back. He has family connections in GA.
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
Jose Bautista? No. 30 year old guys that suddenly find power typically do not project as long term solutions.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
joemoedee
I suggested LaRoche becuase his contract expires at the end of the year and if he and Glaus platoon at first base it will help them both AND
as far as “going down that road before” have you forgotten the offensive powerhouse LaRoche was in the second half last year
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:57 pm
Okay, nice chatting with everyone down there. Best of Luck to the Braves the rest of the way from this Phillies fan!Time to ride the bike…..
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
5:58 pm
Kris Medlen would be expendable in my eyes. He never projected high, and hasn’t pitched more than 120 innings as a pro. (He’s 30 short of that now) Of course, it all depends on the deal made available.
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
5:58 pm
I’m panicking….now we go to Cincy…and I do not like the karma….(anybody remember Conrad’s walk-off granny..)
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
5:59 pm
Padres got Miguel Tejeda from the Orioles. Seems like teams are out making moves to improve a.s.a.p , let hope the Braves don’t wait too long.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
5:59 pm
Oh, I am certain Oswalt would rather have gone to ATL, no doubt. I mean, he is a good ‘ole southern boy, after all. That is completely understandable. But what does that matter now, my man…?
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:00 pm
I have said it before, and I will say it again, we do not need to mortgage our future on rentals just to “please” Booby lame duck Cox in his hunt for an illusional title. The two major mistakes that has contributed to these issues 1)Nate McClouth up from the minors, while sending down hot hitting center fielder Blanco, just dumb. 2)Missing Escobars defense and his spark whether it was positive or negative, for an at best average defense from Gonzalez, and same bat as Escobar.
bvillebaron
July 29th, 2010
6:00 pm
912 Dawg:
See my earlier post. It may, of course, be nothing but internet scuttlebutt, but I read somewhere the other day (might have been Rosenthal) that Tampa Bay contacted Greinke to see if the Royals might consider trading him. If true and, given Dayton Moore’s past employment with the Braves, I think it would at least be worth making a call to see about his availability. Let me assure all the panicking nervous nellies on here, if Wren could acquire Greinke (not 27 until October, already won a Cy Young IN THE AL, absolutely nasty and not afraid to pitch inside), such a move would MORE than answer the Phils acquisition of Oswalt.
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
6:01 pm
912 Dawg …nobody available gets my juices flowing…the Braves got “prison raped” on the Tex trade not so long ago….it’s still fresh in Wren’s memory……
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
6:02 pm
JOD,
I don’t know what that really means. We have been “building for the future” for awhile now, you can’t bank on that. Remember when our future was Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, and Kyle Davies? Yeeeaahhh i’d rather go ahead and win now thanks.
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
@FactsAreFact, Just letting you know. What are ya’ll doing with Werth?
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
LaRoche’s LH/RH splits aren’t drastic enough to be a huge improvement over Glaus, and is pretty pricey for a platoon player. Yes, I know he’s a second half player, but I just don’t see a Glaus/LaRoche platoon as something that would put them over the top.
Glaus is streaky, as he’s shown, and when he’s on he puts numbers up that well, wins him player of the month awards. If given the choice between LaRoche, LaRoche/Glaus, or Glaus… I’d have to go with Glaus.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
6:03 pm
Greinke is a stud. As is Fausto Carmona. Right now, even you boys would have to admit that in a playoff series, the Phillies 1-2-3 rotation is a bit better than the Braves, although the Braves 1-2-3- is as serious as a tombstone….
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
6:02 pm
JOD,
I don’t know what that really means. We have been “building for the future” for awhile now, you can’t bank on that. Remember when our future was Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, and Kyle Davies? Yeeeaahhh i’d rather go ahead and win now thanks.
——–
Well let me know when you find the manger that will be leading this team to a title, cause it is not the current guy. Good luck with that! Dumb