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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♦
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501 comments Add your comment
Cracker Jacket
July 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
Braves need a big bat! Trade Derek Lowe and throw in a few of those low cost players for Dunn!
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:06 pm
I just don’t see KC trading Greinke. His contract is very affordable, considering the level of talent he possesses. 7.25m this year, and 13.25m for 2011 and 2012 respectively. The level of prospects one would have to give up to get him would make the Tex deal look like a steal in the Braves eyes.
bvillebaron
July 29th, 2010
6:06 pm
FactsAreFacts:
Agree with everything in your post, except what appears to be your opinion that Carmona is in the same class as Greinke.
Bob Horner @912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
6:06 pm
912 is the area code of the Max security Prison in Reidsville,Ga…..just sayin….(tryin to re-inforce my point on the Tex trade on my earlier post) I think Wren does nothing….
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
6:06 pm
DAWG – Werth is definitely staying put this season, as Victorino was placed on the DL last night (joining Utley) Werth moved to center and we brought up Dom Brown, a Top 15 MLB prospect (he’s our Jason Heyward sp?). Brown’s a stud; he went 2-4, 1R, 2RBIs in his first ever MLB game…Holllla!
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:07 pm
Cracker Jacket
July 29th, 2010
6:05 pm
Braves need a big bat! Trade Derek Lowe and throw in a few of those low cost players for Dunn!
—-
While we are at it send Chaves and KK in the deal
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
6:07 pm
joemoedee
Never said LaRoche would put them over the top, That ia why I had him in a PACKAGE along with Chris Young
Terry Jacks
July 29th, 2010
6:08 pm
As the old song goes….
“We had joy, we had fun, we had a season in the sun.
But the wine and the song,
like the season, all have gone.”
If changes are not made, don’t expect a post season.
FactsAreFacts
July 29th, 2010
6:09 pm
BTW, Werth had been struggling of late, but he is a major beast. He’s recently broken out of his funk. Holla again!
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
6:09 pm
The current guy already has. Let’s not lose perspective on Bobby Cox here, sure he does some questionable things and there are those of you who thinks he should have won more but your are being a spoiled little child to complain about what he has done here. There are teams every year that hinge their hopes on guys like Dusty Baker, Lou Pinella, Buck Showalter, Bobby Valentine…now those guys are overrated not Bobby.
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
6:10 pm
@Bob Horner, good re-inforcement. If he doesn’t there will be alot of pissed Braves fans.
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:11 pm
Sorry, im not in the mood to morgate next few years for Boobi’s senile self… No thank
bvillebaron
July 29th, 2010
6:11 pm
Joemoedee:
Think you are probably are right about Greinke and I sure am not advocating repeating the Texeira deal. All I said was it doesn’t hurt to pick up the phone and see (1) if he might be available and (2) if so, what it would cost. This is KC and they do have to pay him $26.5 million for the next 2 years.
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
6:12 pm
At least we’ve never had to be in that position, where you hope your team hires Bobby Valentine. Look at the Cubs they fire Dusty Baker and replace him with someone MORE overrated in Lou Pinella.
Vote For Prado
July 29th, 2010
6:12 pm
Get your MVPRADO shirts at http://sportscrack.com/tees_mvprado.html
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
Chris Young is signed to an affordable contract through 2014, and they expect to compete before then with he and Upton as the core. So I highly doubt the Dbacks are looking to move him.
LaRoche, K. Johnson, and Qualls would be what I would suspect the DBacks to be shopping.
James
July 29th, 2010
6:13 pm
Braves should trade for Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur and see if they could sign Jermaine Dye. We can get those players without having to give up much and I’m sure Jermaine Dye wouldn’t mind coming back to Atlanta where he started his career.
Erik
July 29th, 2010
6:14 pm
Adam Dunn would be a mistake. The braves would be paying for a player who is having one of the better years of his career to this point. They would overpay for a LEFTY hitting Strikeout, Walk, HR Machine.
I would rather the Braves go after Brad Hawpe of the Rockies. Very Solid Track record although he has struggled this year with injuries and is in the last year of his contract (club option for ‘11). PLus in a bad year he still has an OPS close to .800 which is good. Only Prado, Heyward and BMac have an OPS over .800 (Hinske and Conrad do as well but dont qualify in ABs)
The guy is a High OBP hitter(over .380 the last 3 seasons) which I think will gel best with the braves this year. He is an OF who could platoon with Diaz or take over full time and Allow Cabrera to roam in center
BuckheadBrave
July 29th, 2010
6:15 pm
Why would we trade for Francoeur, do you miss the black hole in the OF now that Nate is gone?
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
6:17 pm
BTW Berkman is not a solution for 1st, rather LF, or RF should we move Jason to CF.
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:17 pm
Can we get a refund on Gonzalez yet?
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
6:18 pm
Anyone know who the Marlins are getting in return for Cantu?
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
6:18 pm
For whatever reason I don’t think us losing 4 out 6 is an anomaly…I’m panicking….we need a bat…BUT…if we sweep the Reds…then I’ll take it back…Baseball is a fickle game…I hope Glaus picks it back up…I hope Cox plays Infante more…I hope Hanson pitches like we all know he can…and I hope Heyward starts “lifting” the freaking baseball…one more thing….Chipper…please go to lighter bat..you’re 38 and swingin late…
James
July 29th, 2010
6:18 pm
@BuckheadBrave I would rather have Jeff Francoeur than Nate McCloth we can trade Nate to the Mets for Francoeur. Maybe Jeff can revive his career back in Atlanta with a second chance.
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
6:19 pm
JOD…I hear you…Yunel was better…I don’t know about the clubhouse…but I do watch EVERY game…that trade sux IMO right now….
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
6:19 pm
James. while e are at it lets get smoltz avery glavine justice millwood javy lopez and andres galeraga and just dump all our other players. lol
The Grinch
July 29th, 2010
6:21 pm
While this may be Bobby’s last year as a manager, this is NOT my last year as a Braves fan and unless Wren is able to completely bend someone over and get a major, season-changing player under contract for a while I think we should stand pat. We’re still in first, fixing to come home for a long stretch, and may well still win this thing with no further moves (though I must reiterate that Bobby needs to put the best players we have on the field for this to happen). And if we don’t, then we can be content knowing that we’ll have some truly killer teams in the near future. Being on a short losing streak isn’t the end of the world.
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:21 pm
James
July 29th, 2010
6:18 pm
@BuckheadBrave I would rather have Jeff Francoeur than Nate McCloth we can trade Nate to the Mets for Francoeur. Maybe Jeff can revive his career back in Atlanta with a second chance.
——————————-
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, no Francine “strike’em out” Francoeur! Thats just parallel option, and in some cases worse.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
6:23 pm
In all seriousness
A small move to aquire Andruw Jones would be nice espicially if it comes along with another mid-level move like Bautista or Willingham
Bob Horner
July 29th, 2010
6:23 pm
I’m a dreamer…we get Frenchy back and he has his MOJO back…and we win it all….(I’ve been drinking..)
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:23 pm
Thank you Grinch for also re enforcing my point on not giving away some great talent just for Cox. I could care less if this is his last year, as we will still be here next year, and he wont.
Chippers Daddy
July 29th, 2010
6:24 pm
Oh James lets also try and pry Greg Norton from his manager job and play 1st?
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:25 pm
@Erik – Adam Dunn, batting wise, is a premier player. His numbers this year fall in line with his career line, outside of a little bit higher batting average. You’re basically guaranteed 38 hr, 100+ rbis, 100+ walks and 160+ Ks with him. The only hesitation I’d have in saying they NEED him is… fielding. He’s actually been OK this year, but in years past (especially in the OF) eh… dumpster fire with a glove.
If you slot him in the lineup between Chipper and McCann, you’d not only see production out of him, but you’d see their production increase as well.
Hawpe’s having a down year, but has been a solid player in years past as you’ve stated. If you’re comparing OPS, Dunn is clearly superior. (Career OPS of .904, OPS+ of 133)
Hawpe’s signed for 7.5m this year, and has a club option of 10m next year that he could void if traded. So either one could potentially be a rental, but Dunn is having clearly the superior season.
James
July 29th, 2010
6:27 pm
Jeff Francoeur and Jason Heyward on the same team would be a good look those guys are both products of the Atlanta area I would love to seem them play together. J-Hey in left field, Francoeur in right field and Andruw Jones in Center. We can trade Melky Cabrera to Chicago White Sox for Andruw Jones.
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:27 pm
@James I’d bet on McLouth making a career revival versus Francouer who never really had one to begin with.
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:28 pm
Problem I have is the guys we would need to give up in order to get a trade completed… IMHO, Hanson, JJ, Medlin, Minor, and few others are untouchable… That is who these other teams want.
joemoedee
July 29th, 2010
6:29 pm
Francouer? Andruw Jones? I’d take Julio Franco over either of them today. At 73 years old.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
6:29 pm
In all seriousness
A small move to bring in Andruw Jones, espically if it comes with another mid-level move like Bautista or Willingham would be a good move
JOD
July 29th, 2010
6:29 pm
James, is it April 1st… I didnt get the memo.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
6:30 pm
I wouldn’t mind a small move to bring Andruw Jones back, Especially if it comes with another mid-level move like Bautista or Willingham
that would be subtle but strong “tweaks”
Keith
July 29th, 2010
6:31 pm
Jeff, you disappoint me. Saying that we HAVE to respond sounds like a subjective, highly emotional fan that follows and reacts to every pitch!
While I must admit I’ve not followed a baseball season this much (i.e. almost every pitch) in July…well, pretty much ever! 
The heart of this team has made for some exciting baseball and finishes.
I say we don’t need to react to the Astros move today….that’s not what I worry about so much….this is what I’m thinking….
Here’s the thing guys. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction saying that we absolutely HAVE to get a bat now that they got Oswalt. Remember when we were in 1st place by .5 game, 1 game, 2 games? It was back and forth for a while…then in a week it JUMPED to 6-7 games…in the same week, now, it’s back to 3 games. Still have around 60 games left.
However, I’ve always felt that we needed a bat if we are shooting to win the WS. I look at the AL lineups of the rangers, yanks, and rays, and think we sure could use another bat. However, you also need to think about the expanded rosters and guys we could bring up like Freeman or a Minor.
I’m still conflicted on what will happen, but I’d like to see us get a good bat (I’m not talking Cody Ross….but maybe Willingham, Dunn, or Berkman (if he can play every day). Get us over the hump to have a real shot to win the Fall Classic.
So we’re ok for now, but we need something extra to win it all IMO.
coach smith
July 29th, 2010
6:31 pm
joemoedee
Andruw Jones has 14 hrs in limited playing time….name me ONE Braves outfielder who even has that many in FULL Playing time??? Oh..wait..you can’t
Keith
July 29th, 2010
6:32 pm
*Correction to my last post. The “jumping” of the standings (from .2 games to 7 games and back to 3 games) all happened in different weeks, not the same on as stated).
Keith
July 29th, 2010
6:34 pm
Re:James
Frenchy does nothing for our offense. While I agree that it is nice and warmy and fuzzy to see JHey and Frenchy out there….I think it hurts our ability to win the WS with him out there. Does nothing for us offensively….the Mets aren’t even starting him fulltime.
JeanE
July 29th, 2010
6:36 pm
1st of all, stop the panicking people. You don’t make a knee-jerk move just b/c the Phils did. And those stinkin’ Phillies are stupid, should’ve stuck with C. Lee who’s better than Oswalt. Now you’ve given away Happ, too?? Bring it on, Phils, not afraid of you. I knew D. Lowe would have a hard time today, hot as Hades, he’s a sweathog in moderate weather and he’s no spring chicken. He wasn’t that bad, considering. And you can’t blame Matty D, where would you have been without his 2 run cranker? He’s a rotten bunter, yes the DP stunk but he’s not like Nate in that he actually hits. I love the lineup someone posted with J-Hey in CF, Omar/Hinske in LF and Matty the regular RF. Matty did great there last yr after Francoeur was traded away. Freeman will be brought up for sure and can spell Troy. Don’t understand why Bobby doesn’t use Hinske at 1st, what he was signed for. I still like this team alot, some of our parts are a little tired and need more resting!! We will rebound. Go Braves, kick some Cincinnati Butt!!!!!!!
READ THIS JEFF:
July 29th, 2010
6:36 pm
one over-rated pitching prospect (like viscaino, heard he has durability issues) and jordan schafer maybe an infield prospect (not freeman, lipka, salcedo) for McCutcheon or Fowler. solves the cf defense, consistency, and give us a true lead-off for prado and j-hey to move around the bases. we need youth and signability in this trade if we don’t think hinske, diaz, mcclouth, blanco, cabrera will be long term outfield pieces.
johnny bravo
July 29th, 2010
6:37 pm
no one would want jesse, lowe , kk, or mcout, sad but I miss ted turner owning this team at least he’d be willing to spend, not always but much of the time it’s the spenders that win it and the braves will only trade for a middle of the road player now. imagine if we could’ve gotten a.gonzalez from san diego,
912 Dawg
July 29th, 2010
6:38 pm
Jeff Schultz, you hearing anything?
READ THIS JEFF:
July 29th, 2010
6:38 pm
jeff or you folks tell me what you think, i’m a new baseball fan so not sure how these moves work but what i propose seems resonable. the pirates and rockies will be sellers and i’m pretty sure the angels have of’s and are looking to next season already. what do ya think? thanks!
kirkinga
July 29th, 2010
6:40 pm
There would ber less pressure on the Braves to make move had they not given away a couple of games since he break. The first thing the Braves need to do is recover from those losses or else any new player is just going to be stuck in the same funk.
Just look at the guy they picked up in the Escobar giveaway. Where is all the power he was supposed to have? He might have been hot in Toronto, but he has come here and not distinguished himself offensively.
If the Braves want a bat, Houston would give then