Braves, Wren send right message with deadline trades
Rick Ankiel, a converted pitcher, hit 25 homers in 2008 and will fill the Braves' void in center field.
Sports fans scream for a championship every season. But really all most expect is for somebody in the executive suite — whether it’s the person who’s making trades or clutching the checkbook — to care as much as they do.
As a general rule, “We’re building for next season,” just doesn’t play well with the guy in the $6 seat.
Given that, the Braves should be commended today. They’re being as passionate and proactive off the field as they have been on it. They’re trying to win now, not sitting back and praying for unicorns.
Maybe Philadelphia’s acquisition of Roy Oswalt spooked them a little. Maybe they see something special in this team. Maybe they’re intent on trying to send Bobby Cox out with a championship.
Kyle Farnsworth excelled as a closer for the Braves in 2005.
Does it matter?
Drink this up Atlanta: You have a team going for a championship.
Faced with a tight trade market and a thin budget, general manager Frank Wren managed to improve the team anyway. This is the way things are supposed to work with playoff contenders at trade deadlines.
Trade deadlines highlight the serious players and expose the pretenders.
The Braves made a five-player trade with Kansas City. Outfielder Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth come this way. Gregor Blanco, Jesse Chavez and prospect Tim Collins go that way. If you break this deal down by player, Chavez’s exit will result in the loudest single cheer. At some point, the question became not whether he would make it as a Brave, but whether he would make it to the parking lot.
He had a 5.89 ERA. He had given up six home runs, 40 hits and 12 walks in 36 2/3 innings. Torch-carrying villagers were starting to wait for him outside the stadium.
But Ankiel and Farnsworth provide immediate help. Ankiel can fill the Braves’ black hole in center field. He brings some power (having his 25 homers in 2008), even if he’s currently hitting only .261 with four homers. Farnsworth, who was briefly a lights-out closer for the Braves in 2005, has been strong out of the bullpen this season (3-0, 2.42).
Neither is a centerpiece. Neither has to be.
They fit what the Braves need and what this team has become. The roster lacks star power, but makes up for it in depth, aggressiveness and chemistry. They just needed a boost lately, with Philadelphia rising, the lineup settling and Troy Glaus looking more and more like a one-month wonder.
Credit Wren. If this and other recent moves lead to the Braves’ first postseason berth since 2005, he may have just sewed up Executive of the Year honors.
Approaching the trade deadline, Wren had to feel like he was duct-taped to a lamp post. Dead money was killing the budget. Fact is, for all of Wren’s success in rebuilding the roster over the past three years, he still was paying the price for three significant miscalculations: Derek Lowe (four years, $60 million), Kenshin Kawakami (three years, $23 million) and Nate McLouth (three years, $15.75 million). The three read like a bad 401k portfolio.
Lowe was signed to be an ace. He quickly become a fourth starter making $15 million a year. Kawakami was signed to be a second or third starter. By midway through this season he couldn’t even hang on to the No. 5 job and was jettisoned to the bullpen.
Nobody has seen him since. He’s like D.B. Cooper.
McLouth, acquired from Pittsburgh, was expected to be the perfect bridge to Jordan Schafer. That’s an “oops” to the second power.
Expensive mistakes hamstring general managers. Lowe, Kawakami and McLouth represent $27 million of an $85 million payroll (31.7 percent) this season. Factor in Chipper Jones’ $14 million contract, and that’s $41 million for four players (48.2 percent).
Wren suggested in recent days that he likely wouldn’t do anything. The market was too tight. The budget seemed blown. He also kind of liked his team.
“We’re talking to teams,” Wren said a few days ago, “but we’re not putting a full-court press on.”
Either he was being less than truthful then or something changed. Doesn’t matter. He chose not to sit back. Serious teams don’t do that. The message about this season seems clear.
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You don’t need no stinkin’ DVR: Last 3 posts
♦ Dwight Howard opens up on LeBron, Shaq and Josh’s wedding (sssh)
♦ Roy Oswalt going to Phillies, and Braves need to respond
♦ Blank says Falcons are playoff team again (and maybe more)
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490 comments Add your comment
turkey caller
July 31st, 2010
8:29 pm
Braves need a true #3 hitter instead of Cox parading Larry Jones in the batting order. I said early in the season that Cox and Jones would kill any postseason hopes and it appears that is what is happening. Infante needs continued playing time and to hell with the lefty/righty junk Cox is hung up on. It always seems we bench our hottest hitters in lieu of players Cox trots out with some crazy notion of it being a stategy. Prado, McCann and Infante are really the only consistent game to game offense we have had all season. Hinske has been productive and Heyward also to some extent. Sure, we are in first place but this is beginning to be the time of year good teams really start playing ball. This lineup has not had a #3 hitter all season because Cox continues to play Jones when it is evident he is just going thru the motions and is washed up. He may have been a good player in the past but he is a damned joke in the power slot and defensively is slow as a snail. I don’t watch the Braves just because it is Cox’s last season or because Larry Jones is still on the team. I like to see them play good, smart baseball but at times Cox makes that impossible. They knew damn well before the season they needed a big stick or two and instead played the bandaid approach. This team leaves baserunners game after game and more often than not the heralded Larry Jones kills any chance of productivity. Loyalty is one thing folks but enough is enough.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2010
8:29 pm
BoroBall3 — The biggest surprise about Farnsworth leaving after 2005 season is Braves were offering him the closer role. He was only going to be setup guy in NY.
JG2112
July 31st, 2010
8:30 pm
@ Alberto – I disagree. Glaus has been terrible for most part of the season, but where would we be if it wasn’t for that “only productive month” he had with us? For the money he is getting I can’t say I could ask for more. Unlike Lowe, who is getting PAID but isn’t honoring his salary.
@ Everybody crying for Blanco – Yes, the dude had a nice few weeks “this season”. But I keep reading people saying things like “Why never give a chance to Blanco?”, to that I say… are you serious? How many more chances do you want to give Blanco? He got 430 AB back in 2008 and the very next year he couldn’t beat Anderson for a roster spot.
He is what he is. A guy that can work the count and get some bxb, plays average defense (he isn’t as Willie Mays-esque as some are putting him to be) with a BELOW average arm, and gets some singles now and then.
If you check the stats, we are having NO PROBLEMS getting WALKS. Glaus and Chipper are doing great. What this lineup needs it’s more POP and that’s what Ankiel should bring. If you check at Ankiel’s numbers, he is having a bad year but still has a SLUG. of 450+ Which means he is getting it done in the extra base hits department. If you ask me THAT’S what we need. Plus, I think that Bobby Cox can get creative and use more Hinske in 1B, Ankiel in LF and Melky en CF vs RHP. That could help Glaus to get going again.
Finally, you guys need to remember the names of Charles Thomas, Dewayne Wise, Nick Green, etc. Those guys did great as roleplayers, but after they left they became nothing. Simple because like our friend Blanco, he is NOT starting material.
But’s that’s just me thinking.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2010
8:30 pm
Thanks Josh. Maybe I should’ve led with that.
What is Bobby C thinking?
July 31st, 2010
8:30 pm
Jeff, why does Bobby wait so long to pull a starter. This has happened so many times. Do you have any idea why?
RealPerspective
July 31st, 2010
8:30 pm
Why are these “Braves fans” not only not at least happy with the deal, but flat out upset with it? Breaking the deal down piece by piece shows it is AT WORST a wash for us.
Farnsworth over Chavez – no brainer. People complaining about getting a good bullpen arm, familiar with the club, and experience on a big stage are certainly not getting it. This is also addition by subtraction.
Ankiel over Blanco – Blanco may have done alright a week or so ago when he was up but he spent most of his time for the last decade in the minor leagues. He will be taking his ONE CAREER HR and his 3 to 1 strike out to RBI ratio with him. Do people really think he is this young up and coming player still? I like him fine but will not likely notice he is gone.
Collins over cash – Unless the cash is a considerable amount that makes a difference in the future for roster flexibility. That being said, we had him for a very short time and he is no lock to be anything special.
Then what bat do you get? Corey Hart? hurt thumb and mixed results. Carlos Guillen? will fly through waivers next month. Who else seriously??? I wish we could have pried Marlon Byrd from the Cubs but there is no reason to think that was even in the realm of possibility. I pick him because he plays center and hits with average and some power… plus he plays amazingly hard every play.
Sit tight and ride it out.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2010
8:31 pm
Oregon Brave — Thanks. Hampton was a great deal for about a year, a long and expensive nightmare thereafter.
Furman Bitcher
July 31st, 2010
8:31 pm
Was Arod not available for trade or could we have landed Rivera. We should have done the package with Lowe, McCouth, KK & Chavez. Who would turn that down.
moldavite731
July 31st, 2010
8:31 pm
did we forget that these braves were 7 games ahead of the phillies, they have held unto first place for 2 months now, everbody was on the bandwagon now that the phillies are coming back people are jumping ship saying they’re not going to win it, but this is the same team thats been winning it. what changed? nothing. the only thing philly did was pickup oswalt. thats it. and he lost last nite. pitching will win the division for the braves. come playoffs we will see if we rise to the ocasion
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
Real Perspective — I think there’s going to be significant movement in the next month. Two factors: 1) Several teams being convinced they’re no longer in wildcard race and willing to move players; 2) Players w/high salaries not being claimed on waivers because of economics, allowing deals to be made.
Time
July 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
You people ripping the trade are clueless. Even if Ankiel does nothing but sit in our two position OF platoon, getting Farnsworth will prove to be a great move. You can never, ever, have too many good relief pitchers.
I wanted a big time power corner outfielder just like everyone else. Problem is, once the Brewers pulled Hart off the market, there were none to be had that were worth getting. Could have overspent for Hawpe, or maybe gotten Berkman and been terrible defensively.
Now, move Lowe to the pen, bring up Mike Minor. Then move Glaus to the bench and bring up Freeman.
RealPerspective
July 31st, 2010
8:34 pm
Keith Law is notorious for using obscure stats in his favor while ignoring others. He is also famous for watching the comments on his blog and selectively responding to points in an off-the-handle manner while ignoring good points.
Lastly his whole analysis is irrelevant and weak. He has been high on the little reliever and has barely mentioned any of the other players in either Atlanta deal in a positive light.
Bob Horner had a big fro
July 31st, 2010
8:34 pm
This is a good move. It isn’t a “breaking news” kind of trade, but it gives us a good #6 or #7 hitter and lets us use Hinske at first base more. The bullpen upgrade is solid, and I think we gave up little and could get much more in return. We needed power, not another utility outfielder, and that is what we got. I think Wren did the best he could. The McLouth, KK and Lowe contracts are hurting him right now, but the REAL key to this team is not Ankiel versus Blanco – it is Glaus and Chipper needing to come through with some hits and power. We won’t go far without those two getting going – and soon.
Bill Stanfill
July 31st, 2010
8:35 pm
The Braves made a reasonable trade. Chavez did not contribute; Blanco is not productive enough at the plate; Collins, despite his innings/strikeout ratio, does not rate as highly as at least 10 of the minor league pitchers in the Braves’ system.
Farnesworth will be a reliable presence for 6th and 7th, maybe 8th, inning work. Ankiel is solid defensively, has been impressive lately in what has been a short season for him because of injury.
The Braves gave up none of their valued prospects; they’re deeper in the pen; Ankiel has more up-side than any of the others in the CF-LF rotation.
RealPerspective
July 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
Jeff – thanks for the reply, but any early insight in what the Braves may look to do in regards to waivers?
Also I found out that the comment box does not allow the less than and greater than symbols, and that is why my comment got cut off twice.
Bob Horner eats red meat
July 31st, 2010
8:38 pm
I agree w/ your post but that didn’t cost us the game….we’re not hitting…..(I’m a genious) JJ had good stuff today…Bobby stuck with him 1 inning too long…(and I agree w/ that call….I would have as well..).that said when we were going to the bottom of the 7th and I saw who the Reds had coming up I said to myself this is the game…and it was…if we win tomorrow it’s a 4-5 road trip and we fly back to Atlanta with agood taste in our mouths…..if we lose the lead could could be 1.5…..
JRW7
July 31st, 2010
8:39 pm
BOBBY COX!!!! Please play Eric Hinske at 1st, Glaus is killing us, he grounds out or pops for the last week and you continue to play him WHY?????
Bob Horner eats red meat
July 31st, 2010
8:40 pm
my last post was for @Concerned
Jimmy in Gainesville
July 31st, 2010
8:41 pm
Jeff, could you ask Bobby Cox why he chooses to leave tired pitchers in the game so long?
free advice for JRW7
July 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
JRW7 …because Bobby sticks with “his boys”…..you didn’t know..???…realize it…accept it…if you don’t you’ll drive yourself insane…it “is what it is..” and it will NOT change….
ryan
July 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
Well what if Braves have stand pat then what you have said i bet if we Cody Ross you people still would upset or Corey Hart. You so called Braves fans should be happy we got some help . We are banged up with Chipper and Prado so this was a good move as insurance .
Yunel #1 Fan
July 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
Im NOT a Wren fan but this is not a bad trade. Ankiel is better than what we have and i love Farnsworth. Now we have the best pitching staff in MLB.And a decent CF. And we still have our prospects.
This trade only helps us this year, and same thing with the Yunel trade (stupid trade) so we better win it ALL this year.
Finally im truly worry about next year, no Bobby, no Chip, no SS and a lot of dead money. So its NOW or never.
IceColdATLien
July 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
Think about the great strategy involved with this move: You have Ankiel-Cabrera platoon in center field, and Hinske-Diaz in left field. That maximizes their strengths as well as give us great depth… and that’s assuming McLouth doesn’t get it together this year.
This was a nice move overall, especially when you add to the bullpen depth with Farnsworth almost as a throw-in. I’m happy with this.
RealPerspective
July 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
I’d like to ask all of these people complaining about the Wren deals (which may suck, not really arguing) what they think we are missing? There were no major bats to buy at this deadline. Do you want Tejada or Berkman… sure if it is 2002. Do you want to deal with Boras for Prince Fielder?
I’m more interested in seeing what is up with BJ Upton or (I WISH) Carl Crawford next year. I am not sad we didn’t buy on Figgins.
As for Lowe. Maybe we overpaid but he is literally the poster boy for consistent.
BuckheadBrave
July 31st, 2010
8:46 pm
The comments are gradually getting more positive. Its because those trade deadline watchers who probably have three computer screens up two tvs on ESPN and running analysis on how trades will affect their fantasy teams are the ones who always could have made a better move and scrutinize every word out of a GM’s mouth. The rest of us normal people and normal fans were out with members of the opposite sex doing things and you know, having a life and enjoying a weekend. Rick Ankiel or Gregor Blanco have no impact on my life and you have no idea how the next 2 months can play out. I am as big a Braves fan as there is im the one to my friends who is obsessed with the Braves but you people make even me want to say, who gives a sh*t, get a life. Now if you excuse me im going to go return to my weekend.
@IceColdATLien
July 31st, 2010
8:49 pm
and that’s assuming McLouth doesn’t get it together this year.
How do you type this and and hit the “submit comment”..?????? I’m not a blogger bully but I’m calling you out on that statement….McClouth was wretched this year…debate over
KC trades Ankiel, Farnsworth to Braves
July 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
[...] Braves, Wren send right message with deadline trades Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) – Jul 31st – 18:24 [...]
Beef Pocoroba
July 31st, 2010
8:51 pm
I am surprised to see so many against this trade.
We gave up a guy with a career .309 slugging percentage (think about that for a second), a scared and scarred mop-up man, and a prospect who was in our system for two weeks.
We got a much needed bullpen piece who is sporting an ERA under 2.50, and an outfielder who can provide some much needed power and play a solid center field. All without taking on too much salary.
Any team with several high OBP guys needs someone to hit a bomb now and then to capitalize on it. At least Ankiel provides that possibility
Christopher Chance
July 31st, 2010
8:51 pm
Ankiel has killer arm playing center field………something that we havent had in quite some time.
Marc in FL
July 31st, 2010
8:52 pm
After thinking about it more, I still don’t get it, lol, this trade continues to baffle me. Maybe Ankiel will hit 20 HRs down the stretch and rack up 10 assists. Maybe Farns will replace Saito and be an elite set-up man for the rest of the year.
Or maybe Ankiel will continue to be an out machine with slightly above average defense and health concerns. Maybe Farns will be a 6/7th inning guy that mostly just replaces Chavez in the pen.
I don’t know, I want to belive in Frank, but this just doesn’t inspire me.
IceColdATLien
July 31st, 2010
8:52 pm
exactly my point. We have depth even without McClouth. Calm down and take a moment to read the actual words…
Yunel #1 Fan
July 31st, 2010
8:55 pm
D*ckheadB- KMA “real fan” my ass. I do care what my Braves do or not do. I spend a lot of time watching them play. So go f yourself and dont comment if you dont like it.
@IceColdATLien
July 31st, 2010
8:58 pm
sorry…my dislike for Nate’s offensive production crosses over into personal life…….I need help…..I want to make millions for hitting a buck-fifty……and be “liked” in the clubhouse….and by Bobby…
Marc in FL
July 31st, 2010
9:01 pm
And I don’t think anyone is questioning getting Farnsworth, I think most people are a bit baffled with the Ankiel acquisition. I’m beginning to think Moore wouldn’t trade Farns without including Ankiel in the package and we were the only team willing to bite.
Michael C
July 31st, 2010
9:02 pm
Numbers, your numbers speak volumes. But what they don’t say is that Escobar wasn’t going to produce that for the Braves. The chemistry between Yunel and his teammates, or Yunel and Bobby Cox, was bad. Yunel needed to move on.
Marc in FL
July 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
moldavite731 – “did we forget that these braves were 7 games ahead of the phillies, they have held unto first place for 2 months now, everbody was on the bandwagon now that the phillies are coming back people are jumping ship saying they’re not going to win it, but this is the same team thats been winning it. what changed?”
Troy Glaus sucks again.
JoeFan
July 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Makes all the sense in the world to DL Glaus and promote Freeman. Glaus is definitely hurting. You can see it by the way he hits and runs. Give him the time to heal and lets see if Freeman is as his numbers indicate at AAA.
ryan
July 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
I remember a few years ago some on here said we have to get Ankeil because in St . Louis he was one of the reasons why they one the World Series and with the Royals he played pretty good and there a bad team.
Jesse James
July 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
Yunel is where he needs to be! Out of the country!
Chris G.
July 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
Freddie Freeman is on fire right now!!!! Bring him up and sit Glaus down. He is the jolt we need. He is going to be the real deal. They can at least let him bat against right handers.
Jesse James
July 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
JoeFan – You are right about Glaus. Weak effort on low throw today but I believe it was because of his knee and foot. Freeman has been impressive and I like his approach to the game, very professional.
don
July 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO GREGOR BLANCO AS HE ESCAPES ATLANTA AND WILL NOW GET A CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF.
Blanco obviously was never going to be given a chance in Atlanta. He is njow a Royal. Good for him.
He parallels Javier Vazquez in many ways. Why was Vazquez traded? Because the Braves couldn’t unload the vastly overpaid Lowe and/or Kawakami. Only the Braves were fool enough to sign these two and no one was dumb enough to take either of them off their hands.
Same goes for Blanco. Why was Blanco in the trade rather than McLouth or Cabrera? Simple. No one would take either of these duds off the hands of the Braves.
Wren was true to form. He grabbed a couple of unwanted rentals for the rest of the year. Will they bring a NL championship? Not likely. It didn’t work with Drew or Teixeira. It isn’t likely to work with these two retreads.
By the way, didn’t Wren tell us that Collins could be the next Billy Wagner? He sure chanced his mind quickly.
Still, all in all, I’m pleased with the transaction. I am pleased because Blanco escaped and will now get a fair shot. He deserved it a long time ago.
TheAntiMe
July 31st, 2010
9:08 pm
I like it. And even though the Braves were definitely one of the buyers at the trade deadline they came out almost like a seller by getting K.C. to pony up some Pesos for the salaries of Ankiel and Farnsworth.
Okay, so we gave up Tim Collins who probably will see some success in MLB as a relief pitcher but we did not give up any of the following:
Mike Minor
Craig Kimbrell
Julio Teheran
Arodys Vizcaino
I like it.
BehindEnemyLines
July 31st, 2010
9:09 pm
Put me in the “it’s not bad, it’s just not more than marginally good either” camp. Overall, it’s definitely an upgrade of the roster IMO, just not seeing how it’s enough of an upgrade to maintain the division lead and doesn’t make me think holding onto the wildcard is more than a 50-50 proposition. That said, I expected this to border on a hundred loss team when the season began, so I’m having a tough time doing the righteous indignation level of anger about it.
Chris G.
July 31st, 2010
9:11 pm
Ankiel is a gamble but he is 10-24 last 6 games since cming off DL with HR. He is hot and maybe his best is to come this year.
steve
July 31st, 2010
9:12 pm
DL Glaus! Use Infante MORE! Bring up Freeman! Hinske/Diaz LF Ankiel CF Heyward RF
Chipper/Infante 3B Gonzalez SS Prado 2B FREEMAN! 1B McCann C The key is to bring up Freeman If he can’t perform at the big league level, you have rested Glaus and maybe you can alternate Hinske and Glaus at 1B for the rest of the season with acceptable production Does anyone have a better idea?
Idot
July 31st, 2010
9:12 pm
WHO is Kieth Law, and why should I give a ding dong dangit about what he thinks.
ESPN is a hack network.
The heck with em.
Marc in FL
July 31st, 2010
9:14 pm
Watching the White Sox / Athletics game right now… Andruw looks like a natural RF out there. Too bad he had to hit bottom before he turned it around. I’m happy for him but wish he would have done that in a Braves Uni. We wouldn’t have this CF/RH power bat issue.
RealPerspective
July 31st, 2010
9:15 pm
@Marc in FL – how does this deal baffle you? We got rid of our worst reliever and added a far better one. Then we took a 10 year minor league player that was in the minors just before the trade and got a center fielder that has some power. At worst we got a veteran to add to the rotation, the upside is added a power bat with a chip on his shoulder. Then we got rid of a guy we had for a few weeks that is riddled with question marks. This deal is fairly straight forward, low risk, at least some improvement.
@don – Why weren’t McLouth or Cabrera included? The Royals were DUMPING salary not taking it on. Blanco has done nothing in the decade he has been with the Braves. Why such a loyalty to him over the Braves? Did you catch his ONE homerun ball? On the other points, I am not sure even you know what you are talking about.
Idot
July 31st, 2010
9:15 pm
This trashing of Glaus is the same bull that the non-believers were spewing in Apr.
Glaus will get his MOJO back.
I personally hope that he waits until around the middle of Aug.