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
Clay
July 30th, 2010
8:41 am
What would be bad if Wren goes out and gets somebody like Dunn, who is happy-go-lucky, swinging-away for a team 14 games behind. The guy comes here in the middle of a pennant race and chokes, McLouth style. The players you see hitting dingers in one park, may tighten up and hit popups in another.
Clay
July 30th, 2010
8:44 am
Phillistein, didn’t Oswalt have a third year team option for like $16M that he wanted guaranteed before he would agree on a trade?
fsuseminoles
July 30th, 2010
8:46 am
if the braves need a hitter and a relief why not trade for matt capps and adam dunn just a thought
N-R-D-DAY
July 30th, 2010
8:52 am
Just the facts. The Braves are 1 game under 500 since the Escobar trade and Toronto is 5 games over. At the N-R-D-Day that good chemistry thing Escobar left in Atlanta don’t look as if its working.
Clay
July 30th, 2010
8:55 am
It kills me for guys to post here, criticizing Wren for McLouth. In Nate’s two seasons before the trade, he hit a total of 42 dingers, 164 RBI, and 40+ stolen bases with a .260+ BA, a .340 OBP, and .800 OBP.
Now, who wouldn’t want a young, speedy, athletic, leadoff hitting, centerfielder like that? I guess Wren should have looked in his crystal ball and known Nate would lose his swing, or whatever has happened to him!
Phillistein
July 30th, 2010
8:56 am
Clay
July 30th, 2010
8:44 am
Phillistein, didn’t Oswalt have a third year team option for like $16M that he wanted guaranteed before he would agree on a trade?
Yes he did. At first he said he would not approve a trade to a team that didn’t guarantee 2012 money. However, not only did Rueben Amaro get Wade the moron to kick in $11 million but the Phillies DID NOT guarantee Oswalt 2012. (They may allow them to resign Werth – hopefully)
The down side is that if he walks in 2012 they lost Happ – who is only 27.
But, you pays yur money and takes yur chances. You guys have played surprisingly well. And frankly, I’m glad there’s a race in the NL East – keeps everyone on their toes. And as I always say – look at the bright side – you could be the NY Mutz
I will make the Braves win- Barnes
July 30th, 2010
8:59 am
Clay the answer is no on the 16 million. Braves can’t afford Dunn. Gonzalez forgot to bring his power with him from Jays.
Reds are on fire..they smell blood……get ready for some action.
Don't condescend to me
July 30th, 2010
9:00 am
“You guys have played surprisingly well.”
After last year’s second half, you write that? Seriously? Pfft.
Don't condescend to me
July 30th, 2010
9:01 am
By the way, you haven’t taken first place back yet. It’s heading that way, but nothing is certain.
I will make the Braves win- Barnes
July 30th, 2010
9:02 am
Phillistein, has the correct ans on 16 million.
I will make the Braves win- Barnes
July 30th, 2010
9:04 am
agree clay.
Phillistein
July 30th, 2010
9:05 am
Don’t condescend to me
July 30th, 2010
9:01 am
By the way, you haven’t taken first place back yet. It’s heading that way, but nothing is certain.
*********************************************
I hear ya.
A lot of “IF’S”
However, I’m optimistic. Utley could be back in 4 weeks or so. And we’re getting to the time of year when Howard normally goes NUTZ.
Don
July 30th, 2010
9:12 am
There is no reason to get excited about the Oswalt deal – Because Bobby Cox was and is probably going to BLOW IT regardless of whether they acquired Oswalt.
Not even talking about questionalble in game strategy moves (that you could argue back and fourth about); just look at the absolutely absurd things that Cox has already done this year – already costing the loss of who knows how many games:
(1) Playing Mclouth full time during the first 1/4 of the season or longer when he was producing almost nothing – with both Infante and Hinske both on the bench.
(2) Starting to use McLouth again when he came off the DL – even after there had been no indication in his rehab at AAA that he had improved.
(3) Using both Melky and McLouth in the outfield at the same time (one in a corner spot) during the first 1/4 of the season – when neither of them were producing – with both Infante and Hinske on the bench.
(4) Hitting Chipper in the 3rd spont in the batting order all season even when he was hitting in the .230s and below most of the time and with very poor RBI production.
(5) Continuing to play Glaus full time without giving him a break to see if that would help him – when he as been in a terrible, long term slump.
(6) Continuing to hit Glaus in the middle of the batting order even when he was producing almost nothing for long periods of time.
(7) When Heyward was off to such a great start – being patient, being selective, hitting great — Cox said that he should be more aggressve – and he started not being patient and selective, started overswinging, swinging at bad pitches, started trying to pull everything (or at least a lot more), and his hitting went in the tank.
ben
July 30th, 2010
9:23 am
However, I can sense the Braves season slipping away. I just never felt as strongly about a trade as this one (Escobar-Gonzalez). If Chipper Jones hits 40 HR and has 120 RBI, then if he wants Escobar out, then fine. But Chipper is a shell of his former self. In fact, for the money he gets ($14 million in 2010; .251 BA, 7 HR, 41 RBI), we could have got 2-3 good players. And the Braves didn’t want to pay Adam LaRoche $6 million/year. Are you freakin kidding me?
And Bobby Cox will be gone after this year (so no reason to jeopardize our future for his sake).
I also wonder about the anonymous quotes about Escobar: “Bobby hates Escobar” and “Escobar doesn’t have a lot of friends in the clubhouse.”
It makes me think these quotes come from only 1 player (probably Chipper Jones). I’m happy for Escobar; from Sportscenter highlights, I see it is all smiles and he is on an offensive tear in Toronto.
And it’s not because I don’t like Gonzalez (he’s had a fine career; seems to be a good teammate), it’s just I’ve see what Escobar can do. Trading him away reeked of panic from the Braves management.
Bottom line: Escobar is a Chevy Corvette (not 100% reliable, but still a high performance vehicle); and Gonzalez is a Cadillac Cimaaron (looks like a Cadillac, but just really a Chevy Cavalier with leather seats).
FactsAreFacts
July 30th, 2010
9:25 am
JeanE – That awful Phillies team, which is beset by injury upon injury to key players, IN ONE WEEK since the All-Star break, have cut the Braves’ division lead from 7 games to 2.5 games!! I repeat – IN ONE WEEK! Sixty-some to play, baby. I’ll stop back next week to check in. In the mean time, try not to be too scared. Have a good day!
Joe
July 30th, 2010
9:29 am
just read on MLB the Braves are talking to Brewers about “Fielder “.Can U believe that?
ChippersLoveChild
July 30th, 2010
9:34 am
Milwaukee Journal Setinel has reported that the Brewers have pulled Prince and Corey Hart off the market, so going from an actual credible source that covers them, no, Joe, I cannot believe that.
Godfather
July 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Frank Wren please do not make any moves. If you bring Bautista, Dunn, Willingham, DeJesus, Young, and send players (like Medlen and Minor), you will look real dumb! these are all players with major flaws. I would not mind you bring player like Braun, Crawford, with reasonable cost, but other teams will be stupid to let them go. So no trade please! stand pat.
Phil
July 30th, 2010
9:48 am
It really doesn’t matter if we win the division by 20 games or get in as the wild card. We still have Bobby Cox come playoff time, which is the kiss of death. He should have been run out of town 10 years ago.
Let’s just get the season over and start fresh without him next year. That’s what Toronto did and they won 2 World Series, during the same time period Cox was winning his 14 straight division titles I might add.
Things will get better when that clown is finally gone.
PMC
July 30th, 2010
9:48 am
There isn’t a reason to panic, the braves have one of if not the best home records in baseball and they lost some tough games on the road. BFD.
What has changed that we didn’t already know. Derrick Lowe is a #3 starter at best and he is RIDICULOUSLY overpaid. The guy is incapable of shutting anyone down. He was brought in and overpaid because at the time the Braves needed a good starter. It was a bad deal and everyone knows it including Derrick Lowe.
The Braves STILL have a 2.5 game lead and they have slumped the past week. They still have a lot of ability, they still have some excellent starting pitching that is much deeper than the Phillies and if they hit at all they will be in the playoffs and they can still win the division.
Philly HAD to make a move to have a chance. The Braves need a clean up hitting bat…they do, but if it’s going to cost the farm to get an average player for 2 months it would be a waste.
There is no hard deadline tomorrow. They can make a move all next month.
We are fine…and the Braves are winning the division!
PMC
July 30th, 2010
9:49 am
The Phillies had to correct thier own stupid mistake of trading Cliff Lee… the only reason they accomplished that is due to the Astros miserable incompetance.
meh
July 30th, 2010
9:59 am
just need to do something to get the offense going again. whether it be a trade or shuffling the lineup or whatever.
FactsAreFacts
July 30th, 2010
10:09 am
PMC – U R correct: The Phillies were IDIOTS to trade Cliff Lee. We had him locked up for this year at $9M. We fans have been on them pretty good for that one – justifiablly so. At least this somewhat makes up for that. Oswalt should help us.
#1 GT fan
July 30th, 2010
10:12 am
the braves need to get a power hitting, rbi producing, nice, calm team player to play center field. Or move J-hey to center, and get someone to play right. The key is… power. The braves do not have a true 4 spot batter. Brian is more like a 5 or 6 and so is Glaus.
This sounds crazy but…. i think this would be a pretty good lineup.
1) Martin Prado-2b
Melkey Caberra-CF
2) Matt Diaz/ Hinske-LF
3) Jason Heyward-RF
4)Brian McCann-C
5) Chipper Jones-3B
6) Troy Glaus-1B
7)Alex Gonzalez- S.S.
9) Pitcher
Sounds good to me. And it could sound even better with a lagit power hitter.
AND THE BRAVES BETTER KEEP MEDELEN OR THEY ARE SCREWED IN THE FUTURE
#1 GT fan
July 30th, 2010
10:16 am
AND JASON. CANT FORGET ABOUT JASON
Jim
July 30th, 2010
10:32 am
LOL! Attention Braves fans. Your team is going down now. You have no shot at winning this division. Good luck in 2013. Hahahahaahhha!!!!!
J
July 30th, 2010
10:33 am
We need Dunn, Hart, or Crawford. We need them not only to win the division or Wild Card, Hopefully the division, but we will also need the production they would bring to the post season. I think Dunn is the best option because he can play First base as well giving Glaus a break. I would start Infante in Center if he can play Center it looks like he can play about anywhere. If he is not a big defensive liabilty we need the production. Lets get one more World Series title for Bobby’s legacy. Bieng a Braves the last 2 decades have been great but people always point out we only have one title. Lets get number 2. A world series title is worth any prospects we have in the minors. Lets get it done boys.
Jim
July 30th, 2010
10:37 am
Bobby’s legacy? It is a fine one. But the Braves are living in the past with him. Time to send him out to pasture with Chipper. This is and has been the Phillies era for the last 4 years. Remember, Braves fans. Think 2013. Until then, you will be looking up to the Phillies in the standings.
Max
July 30th, 2010
10:40 am
Give up Medlen and another prospect for Dunn. Adam Dunn is a perfect fit for this club. He could play Right Field and we could move Heyward to Center. Put Dunn in the Cleanup spot.
1. Prado
2. Heyward
3. Chipper
4. Dunn
5. McCann
6. Glaus
7. Gonzalez
8. Hinske/ Cabrera
Bruce Mac
July 30th, 2010
10:41 am
Ben, you hit the nail on the head. Another Frank Wren mistake. Frank is like the US Congress, the more he does the more bad things result. Please don’t make the previous bad decisions worse by trading away another all star performer for the sake of putting lip stick on this pig. They are not going anywhere.
Grady Jackson Barber Shop
July 30th, 2010
10:42 am
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Nesbitt for Heisman
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Roy Hobbs
July 30th, 2010
10:44 am
I hope we dont waste prospects (or young starting players with elite talent) on aging journeymen.
Would love to see a move for an impact leadoff hitter or 3 or 4 hitter. Anything short of that is just giving away prospects for the sake of saying they did something.
Kneecap
July 30th, 2010
10:49 am
roy
how do u suppose Frank gets an impact leadoff hitter or just a 3 or 4 hitter?
PMC
July 30th, 2010
10:57 am
With the Nationals killing the Braves like they are now (due partially to the fact that they actually have a clean up hitter in Dunn and some other good players like Willigham and we have pitchers like Lowe who can’t help but groove pitches in key spots) and we want to ship them Medlin?
No thanks. The Braves could easily have added Dunn when he was available. I’m not really sure why they didn’t considering it’s not like his defense is much worse than Garrett Anderson.
Wren has done a lot of good, he still has yet to address the obvious need for a true clean up hitter and production in left or center…. not to mention the huge drop off in production at 3rd base.
Brian
July 30th, 2010
11:02 am
For those that point out Oswalt’s record against the Braves, well there are only 6 games remaining against each other and he’ll pitch two at most. So that’s irrelevant. Second the Phillies have a vastly superior line-up than he’s had. Spells doom for the Braves and won’t even make the playoffs. Two teams in the Central with their weak remaining schedules. It’s like a horse race when you see that superior horse bide it’s time and then win by ten lengths. Same thing here. Phillies will win the division by at least 8 games.
dw
July 30th, 2010
11:05 am
go get dunn
J. Jordan
July 30th, 2010
11:24 am
If the Braves don’t add a stick to their line-up, they are done. The Phillies proved they were real by going out and getting Oswalt, great move by them. You can’t sit on your hands Wren!
Smoker
July 30th, 2010
11:33 am
Please not Fielder. Get Dunn or Crawford. Maybe Hart if he is healthy. NOT Fielder
Smoker
July 30th, 2010
11:34 am
AND DON’T TRADE Medlen
K with a K
July 30th, 2010
11:43 am
Trade for Berkman!
Pardo 2B
Chipper 3B
J-Hey CF
Berkman LF
Glaus 1B
McCann C
Gonzo SS
Melkey/Diaz RF
Jesse James
July 30th, 2010
11:51 am
We definitely need a big stick. I am afraid getting Dunn is out of the question. They will want too much. Please don’t trade Medlen or Minor. If we can’t work out a trade, bring Freeman up. He has been impressive at Gwinnett. I like Glaus and really thought he was the anwser but I am afraid he isn’t.
JPopNC
July 30th, 2010
11:51 am
Not worried about Oswalt, but keep checking AJC every 15 minutes to see if Wrenn has pulled the trigger to fill the OF void. He needs to do something before I get fired for surfing the Internet too much.
Was hoping they’d leave DC with Willingham in tow.
what?
July 30th, 2010
11:54 am
K with a K – Just what the braves need, a clean up hitter batting around .250 with 13 hrs…isn’t that what they have now in Glaus?
fsuseminoles
July 30th, 2010
11:54 am
wren needs to get his head out of his a** and do something or this season is over i have a bad feeling wouldnt it be nice to get berkman and myers from houston
bravesfanalltheway
July 30th, 2010
11:56 am
what? i agree with you has anyone heard anykind of rumor
Don
July 30th, 2010
11:57 am
No matter who the Braves might acquire, Bobby Cox is probably going to blow it anyway – SO THE BRAVES ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT GIVE UP GOOD PROSPECTS FOR A TEMPORARY PLAYER.
what?
July 30th, 2010
11:58 am
ESPN reported the Braves were one of three teams interested in Berkman and that he would come cheap. Not sure that helps the team much unless he goes on a tear the rest of the way.
Jesse James
July 30th, 2010
11:58 am
Poor old Bobby! Who will we blame next year?
wcg
July 30th, 2010
11:59 am
if the braves fail to make a move it will tell me its time to move on and start focusing on can Matt Ryan step up this year and be the true leader the falcons need
KJDH
July 30th, 2010
12:08 pm
Berkman? Give me a break, if they got Berkman I would throw in the towel, he’s playing horrible this year, do yourself a favor and go check out his stats, then you can come back and delete your post. FW is the most frustrating GM in all of baseball, he needs to be sitting next to JP Riccardi on BBTN. He trades our future for a rental in Teixeira, imagine if we had Andrus and Feliz right now. Also he makes a panic move in the offseason by signing Derek Lowe to a ridiculous contract which he clearly has never shown he deserves. It seems like Glaus doesn’t care anymore just by watching his mannerisms. Bobby, for some unexplainable reason, still has Chavez in the bullpen, and has wasted 2 of Kimbrel’s 3 options, when we should have just kept him up. The middle of our lineup is just like our past few seasons, old and washed up, it’s sad to see this, but I think it’s downhill from here, I just don’t know how to stay positive when we are losing series to the Marlins and Nats, if we can’t beat Miguel Bautista and Scott Olsen, then how in the hell are we going to contend with and rotation. I think the only thing that helps us now is a big move for a guy that we can control for a while, my hope is that the Dodgers move Kemp for the same reason we moved Escobar (attitude) or the Rays move Crawford to get something in return for his expiring contract, but only if we can get a long term deal done. I don’t really know what to say right now as a Braves fan, it’s hard to watch them lately, hopefully things get better soon.