Poll time: If Braves get Lee, should they drop-kick Glaus?
Troy Glaus homered against Los Angeles Sunday but he has only two in his last 46 games.
If the Braves acquire first baseman Derrek Lee — and that’s a good move only if the Chicago Cubs’ first baseman doesn’t arrive in traction for his bad back — general manager Frank Wren has a question: What does he do with Troy Glaus?
Glaus has been a lightning rod almost from Day 1. First, he was an embarrassment (.194 with nine RBIs in April). Then he was a Godsend (.330 with 28 RBI in May). Now he’s pretty much flotsam again (.174 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 46 games). He has grounded into a team-high 16 double plays and struck out his first three times up Tuesday night against Washington (he wound up going 1-for-5, with a meaningless eighth-inning RBI double in a 10-2 win).
Manager Bobby Cox remains loyal to Glaus, but he’s in the minority. So what are the Braves to do? Here are the options:
♦ RELEASE HIM: Glaus can’t be traded. So if the Braves simply want him off the payroll, they’ll have to simply say goodbye. His base salary ($1.75 million) is a non-factor. But he already has made an additional $950,000 in bonuses for roster and plate appearances (that’s $2.7 million combined). He has 466 plate appearances. His next incentive bonus ($350,000) kicks in at 500 plate appearances. There are other plateaus at 550 PA ($400,000) and 600 PA, which isn’t likely ($550,000). So the Braves could save some money on incentives.
Loading ...♦ BENCH HIM: If the Braves want a potential power bat on the bench, they could simply make Glaus a reserve. This could appease Cox and leave open the possibility that extra rest would help Glaus’s ailing knees, potentially making him a viable option down the stretch. The built-in assumption there, however, is that he’s not already toast and still has something left to contribute. The other issue: Would you trust Glaus in a crucial at-bat in September or a postseason game?
♦ DISABLE HIM: Like benching Glaus, this would give him some needed rest. It also would put a stop sign on more incentive bonuses. If there comes a time when the Braves are confident Glaus is ready to contribute, then he could be activated, probably when rosters expand in September.
One final word on this subject: Many have you have screamed for the Braves to bring up prospect Freddie Freeman from Gwinnett. That’s understandable, given how he’s ripping up Triple-A. But it also seems clear that the Braves have some concerns about adding another 20-year-old to the roster during a playoff race (not to mention the financial aspect of starting the clock on Freeman’s arbitration window). Otherwise, Freeman would’ve been here already.
So what do you think? I’ll put up a poll but I also want to see your comments. If the Lee trade is completed, do the Braves release Glaus, bench him or disable him?
My vote, by the way: Disable him. It buys time and saves money.
♦
Miss the past few blogs? No problem
♦ Prado has three hits in comeback — and why not him for MVP?
♦ We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win
♦ Falcons and Patriots put aside NFL’s secret society (for a limited time)
♦ Countdown: Bikini-ball, Petrino’s death touch and ‘Real Housewife of Flowery Branch’
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200 comments Add your comment
Bill
August 18th, 2010
1:52 pm
Great move by Wren to get Lee. (If Back Ok) There’s your power from right side and great D plus good in clubhouse. Also sends a message the Braves intend to win this Race and on to WS.
From Insider its done and Lee will be here Thursday if approved.
Ice-Man
August 18th, 2010
1:53 pm
Agree Ghostrider-we wouldn’t be anywhere near first place without Glaus’
May production. The Braves moved into first on May 31st and have been hanging on ever since.
Chief Pitchanono
August 18th, 2010
1:53 pm
No way you dump him, without his bat during May/June we wouldn’t be in first place. Yes he has been anything but consistent this season, and know one can know what kind of September or October to expect from him. At the least he could be valuable off the bench, maybe spot start at third and or platoon at first if we get Derek Lee. I think the key to getting the most out of Glaus is rest. I don’ t think you have to DL him to do that, but you could. Point is he needs some time off before the craziness of September/October baseball starts and If we get lee or call up Freeman the Braves can afford to do that. Lee is not exactly the healthiest guy either so he’s gonna need some regular timeoff too so these guys will be good for each other.
ShaunC
August 18th, 2010
1:53 pm
Glaus is a big part of why we are in first place. Don’t release the guy. Get him some rest. He smoked spring training. I’d trust him in Sept and beyond. But only with rest.
RIlo Johnson
August 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
By Troy Glaus do you me “The Eraser” or “The Liability” Why on earth would you get rid of a guy that has given us 1 good month in a 5 month season so far. (Please pick up on the Sarcasm) If I hear one more person defending “the Eraser’s” efforts this season I’m going to get physically sick. He is a liability at the plate and in the field.
We haven’t had a quality 1st Baseman since the Crime Dog and Lee would be a great addition. I hope he can clear waivers.
ShaunC
August 18th, 2010
1:57 pm
Could the Lee interest be coming from Glaus acknowledging that his knees are hurting him and he needs a rest to Bobby?
Boss
August 18th, 2010
1:58 pm
Some of you forget this is a business…You are paid to produce and win just like your on job. Glaus is not producing now, you are out to win, give him time on DL and when he can produce he’ll be ready. BUSINESS is key word! He is hurting the team now..Business is Business.
Boss
August 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
Lee has to approve the deal.
Mike in NC
August 18th, 2010
2:01 pm
I say put him on the DL to rest up for now. Once he’s healthy, I’d use him as a pinch-hitter or a spot start for D-Lee. If the Bravos make a run to the World Series, then I’d look at him to DH as well.
LuisG
August 18th, 2010
2:07 pm
If we do get Lee and we bench Glaus, that would compromise our bench, since we’d have to demote Diory Hernandez, who can play the infield. I’d say, we could disable him, to give him some time to rest his knees or whatever is affecting him. We can’t drop him now, that’s not the right thing to do. He deserves another chance to prove he’s not done and that he can contribute for this team down the stretch.
JG
August 18th, 2010
2:08 pm
KEEP GLAUS. Play the hot hitter, releasing him is RIDICULOUS. The Braves would probably be 3-4 games behind the Phillies without Glaus, he carried this team in May.
D. Lee at best will be with the braves for 78 more days if they go to game 7 of the WS. He is always hurt, has no better numbers than Glaus & could definitely screw up the chemistry in the clubhouse.
Teams win the WS with great pitching, great chemistry and timely hitting. To dump the guy that got you there for a rental guy that is not a “true brave” and has no intentions to be is dangerous. The Marlins have more WS titles than us and don’t always have the big power hitting, big money lineups.
Win or lose the Braves should be LOYAL and treat the players right, screw the Teixeira’s of the league and Yankees who buy a title. I would rather have 1 title with home grown kid’s and guys you have had from day one than 10 with a bunch of greedy and ME FIRST ATTITUDE auction players. You only remember and respect the player’s and teams that choose to do it the right way!
Najeh Davenpoop
August 18th, 2010
2:11 pm
“If we do get Lee and we bench Glaus, that would compromise our bench, since we’d have to demote Diory Hernandez, who can play the infield”
Wouldn’t Brandon Hicks get sent down first?
Ed
August 18th, 2010
2:11 pm
We would be 8 games out if not for Troy. And the numbers for both are similar. I say play them both.
Nope
August 18th, 2010
2:12 pm
Disable him, because he is disabled. Have you seen the guy run lately??? It hurts my knees just watching him try to waddle out of the batters box.
coach k
August 18th, 2010
2:12 pm
quit screwing with the chemistry, give him some days off, platoon him with hinski. lee will only mess up or kama. keep omar in the one hole, put prado in the 2 spot and heward in the 3 hole and turn him loose. this team is fine just the way it is. glaus will be fine with some rest, hell he missed all last yr was player of the month in may
Yunel Asscobar
August 18th, 2010
2:12 pm
Chief Pitchanono may be smoking an illegal substance in the ol teepee if he’s suggesting a spot start for Glaus at 3rd. The guy’s like a redwood tree…if every ball is hit right at his face, perhaps it would work.
Bob Horner
August 18th, 2010
2:13 pm
Glaus was a huge asset in May…he’s part of the team…I say keep him on as a reserve..I don’t believe they should just cut him…but I’m soft hearted..(and I’ve been let go before) not fun
GoBraves!
August 18th, 2010
2:13 pm
Why would Braves want Ramirez from Cubs? He’s hitting below .230 and owed close to $15 mil next season. Some people here have no idea what they’re talking about.
observor
August 18th, 2010
2:15 pm
To me the obvious solution is to DL him for 15 days. This allows you to bring up another player that can contribute off the bench. Once the DL stint expires, the September roster expansion would of already taken effect so you won’t have to send anybody down and lose someone off the bench.
Lastly, should the Braves make it to the World Series, Glaus would make an ideal DH hitter. You could bat him 8th or 9th in the order, which wouldn’t be a spot you depend on for production, but he is still capable of hitting a ball out any at bat, which is a lot better then having a pitcher bat (with the exception of Hudson).
boots
August 18th, 2010
2:18 pm
DL and then rest him a lot. He can be a good power bat off the bench if he gets his bat speed back up after a rest. If he really does find it impossible to run, then I would consider just releasing him, but that is not good karma for the Bravos. He is part of the team and has helped us get where we are, so keep him.
Bob Horner had a big fro
August 18th, 2010
2:19 pm
I would not put him at third. If Lee is injury prone, we can use him as a backup first baseman.
coach k
August 18th, 2010
2:19 pm
we don’t need anybody from the Cubs, just say no thank you.
Steve
August 18th, 2010
2:22 pm
I say keep him on the bench. We know he could play third and he can still hit. I think his knees are killing him and he definitely would be fresher coming off the bench. Besides there is no guarantee that Lee’s back would hold up through the Postseason. Oh and I would sign Henski to a 3 year deal right now!!!!!
Mitchell
August 18th, 2010
2:26 pm
As bad as the Braves have looked at times (or perhaps have played), as hard as it is to believe that this bunch is really in first place what with scrubs like Nate McLouth, Rick Ankiel, Diory Hernandez, Troy Glaus and the late Jesse Chavez taking up space on the roster and as much reason as there is to believe that they’ll still find a way to choke with everything on the line (seriously, am I the only one who remembers that last week of 2009 at this point?)… they have 70 wins.
They’ve won three fewer games than the Yankees and have lost three fewer games as well. Really, the Yankees should be ashamed of themselves.
The fact that the Braves are even in the same neighborhood with the Yankees given the disparity in payroll is freakish.
This team continues to win in spite of major injuries to key players and the repeated transgressions of their Hall of Fame manager. They can play sub .500 ball the rest of the way and still feasibly win the wild card. If they play just slightly above .500 they are assured of winning 90 plus games.
To go about trading away even more prospects for a rental player, who until Friday had fewer home runs than Martin Prado, so our beloved Bobby Cox can go out a “winner” when he had ample opportunities to win it all with far superior teams and failed miserably thirteen times out of fourteen is unbelievable.
This team’s best years lay ahead but not if we continue to give away the future.
It’s not worth it. Frankly, he doesn’t deserve to win a World Series and Derrek Lee doesn’t guarantee anything.
The fact is this they can still win the division with Troy Glaus and winning the division is a major accomplishment in itself.
There’s almost no doubt they’ll lose in the playoffs. I don’t see the worth in making this trade.
Archie
August 18th, 2010
2:28 pm
Platoon Glaus with Derek Lee. Give Lee 4 starts a week with Glaus being the pinch hitter, then give Glaus the other 2 or 3 starts. Both are injury prone and always carry nagging injuries, so each could use the weekly rest that the other provides. Both guys are simply being overworked, it’s not talent or experience holding them back. With lightened workloads, both guys could get better quality at-bats in the games which they play. With their similar styles, they’re perfect compliments to each other. Same style hitters, both right handed, both are power hitters, both could hit in the 4-5-6 spots to break up our string of lefties at the plate.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 18th, 2010
2:29 pm
I saw somebody say they would rather have Ramirez than Lee, from the Cubs. As a Cub fan, I’d think you need to take another look at that. Both have had down years but Ramirez has been awful, most of the year. That doesn’t even take into account the contract you’d be buying into. Lee has a lot more potential upside than Ramirez.
Toy Gunn
August 18th, 2010
2:30 pm
I would definately keep Glaus on the bench with some starts to dispell Lee. It would be stupid to get rid of Glaus, his veteran playoff experience is needed on the bench and when rested he can still rake. Plus it would be bad kharma considering he is a major reason they went on the tear and have the division lead.
MP
August 18th, 2010
2:31 pm
at this point disable the guy. let him rest his knees. maybe platoon him once he comes off DL and if it looks like he’s not gonna be the same ole rally-killing, DP machine he’s been for two months put him wherever they hid kawakami a month ago!!!
Mitchell
August 18th, 2010
2:33 pm
ThreeDawgKnight
August 18th, 2010
1:18 pm
Loyalty: (not much left in today’s world)
BC’s greatest strength. That’s why everyone
in baseball [D.Lee] included wants to play
for the man.
Except Johnny Damon, Ken Griffey Jr., Jake Peavy and others.
Loyalty is Bobby Cox’s weakness. It’s why he won only one World Series in five tries.
Naf Sevarb
August 18th, 2010
2:33 pm
Glaus is already on my disabled list
PDOG
August 18th, 2010
2:37 pm
You would have to keep Glaus. 1) With Lee’s back issues you need some insurance 2) If the Braves make it to the WS and Glaus gets some rest he could be great as the right handed DH and 3) The guy played his heart out for the Braves, he carried this team for a month and half. Don’t drop him like an old shoe.
Mr. Sunshine
August 18th, 2010
2:38 pm
how many 1st basemen do we need? Trade for Lee disable Glaus if Lee needs a break we have Hinske who bats left which is ideal in a semi platoon situation. Prado can play first and after sept. 1st we can call up Freeman. I would love to see Glaus get healthy and be productive like he was in May but I think his knees were in alot better shape then.
Pepe Frias played here.
August 18th, 2010
2:40 pm
Put Glaus on the DL,which if you do it today, he will be eligible to come off when they expand the rosters on Sept. 1.
Mike in NC
August 18th, 2010
2:40 pm
@ Mitchell
Loyalty is why Bobby only won 1 World Series in 5 tries? I think it has something to do with running into a Yankees dynasty twice. I suppose Bobby Cox’s loyalty is why Chipper has a postseason batting average 20 points below his career regular season average too, huh?
Brave Dawg
August 18th, 2010
2:43 pm
I favor disabling him. My only fear is that Bobby later would let him pinch hit with men on base. He bats much better with no one on base and no pressure but has a tendency to strike out or ground into a double play with men on
richard
August 18th, 2010
2:44 pm
Sub with Lee. It is not like Lee is at his best anyway. Use Lee against right hander, Glaus against righthander.
DawgDad
August 18th, 2010
2:44 pm
Disable him. Frees up a roster spot for Lee, Glaus can be re-activated after 15 days and that being September he can be added back to the roster with both he and Lee playoff-eligible.
Cutting him is truly a bit cold-hearted and might not play well in the locker room. The team could elect to pay all or part of missed incentives to soothe over any bad feelings. That said, McLouth and KK were “cut” for performance reasons.
Disabling Troy at this point is doing him a huge favor. He can rest the legs and be back for the stretch run and as an available option for a playoff roster spot. Lee’s back might be an issue while Troy is on the DL but Canizares and/or Freeman are available as fall-back options.
I actually think disabling Glaus might happen even if the Lee trade falls through. We’re past the point where Canizares or Freeman is a better option at first base with Glaus hobbling around the way he is.
Bob Horners emotional issues
August 18th, 2010
2:44 pm
Gotta keep Glauss on the team-but will rest really help his wheels? How badly is he hurt?
All I'm Saying...
August 18th, 2010
2:45 pm
Trading for Lee makes sense. Lee is available, a good clubhouse guy, and a steady hitter with far more power than Glaus. Not much demand for Lee either since he’s 35 and in last year of his multi-million dollar per year deal. And, as if you needed more convincing, Cubs are way out of it and even Pinella is leaving town. So, Braves can get him (Phillies don’t need to do anything with all their guys including Ryan Howard coming back from DL) and probably do the proverbial player to be named later—much later—to pick him up.
As for Glaus, I’ll go with what you are able to see much closer Schultz and assume his health is questionable and a stint on the DL would do his body good (along with a cortisone shot too?—not sure and by no means a doctor–just asking). No need to jettison him as we need to load up on veterans who ought to be able to come off the bench and give a good at bat as you need them for the playoffs and rookies and September call-ups usually don’t know how to handle spot duty or pinch hitting.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
World's #1 Hoveround Salesman
August 18th, 2010
2:45 pm
Glaus will not be released. Stupid to even bring this up. When is the last time Cox let that happen. Glaus plays with you all year…hurt most of the time and you release him. C’mon.
If they get Lee that will afford Wren some time to put Glaus on the DL, let him gets some shots in his knees and get well.
Lee isn’t much better. Back issues don’t go away (just ask Randy Johnson and David Wells), especially when your job is to swing a baseball bat hundreds of times a day. We can still have Hinske as a fill-in guy at first if Lee gets hurt. Plus Prado has played first a few this year as well.
When rosters expand, Freeman will be here and he could get a little bit of time as well.
To all the idiots still saying put Glaus at 3rd…get a clue and watch a game or two.
Zebra Fields
August 18th, 2010
2:48 pm
I kind of like the idea of rotating the two creaky first basemen in and out… maybe Glaus and Lee would be extremely productive down the stretch giving each other plenty of days to rest. However, it seems like a better idea to bring the young guy up (Freeman) to spell the creaky guy (Glaus), rather than trade for another creak guy (Lee), though.
IceColdATLien
August 18th, 2010
2:49 pm
I say move Glaus to 3rd base… as in “3rd base coach”
Mark (another one)
August 18th, 2010
2:49 pm
Put Glaus on the bench but don’t DL him. If Lee’s back flares up, Glaus plays 1st. Otherwise, he rests his knees and is available for pinch hitting. Surely Glaus is worth the 25th spot on the roster. Also, it is 8/18 so rosters expand in less than two weeks.
I don’t know what is wrong with Glaus’ knees but he appears to be in pain, and rest may help. If not, he has obviously decided to await the off season for any repairs. The point is that the Braves know the situation and their options, and Glaus is the best option at 1st right now.
With Lee currently hitting over .300, that would represent an upgrade from the present situaiton, and even Glaus would respect that move. At the end of the day, these guys want to win, and he knows he isn’t 100%.
Give the man some credit
August 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
My oh my,
Glaus CANNOT and [most likely] WILL NOT play at third for the remainder of the year (barring something extremely tragic). If the trade for Derek Lee goes through, which I hope it does, you slide Glaus to the bench.
You might DL him for a bit to at least keep him on the roster so that he can eligible for the postseason.
Here’s the things, folks: Troy Glaus has 70 RBIs (34 of which came with two outs). There are still six weeks left in the season [give or take], and he has more than held up his obligation to the contract. Any team in the league would take his numbers for THAT salary.
Regardless of his OPS, AVG, SLG, wOBA, and whatever else you want to gripe about, he still is performing rather well. And he even has had quite a fair share of stellar defensive plays.
DawgDad
August 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
“They can play sub .500 ball the rest of the way and still feasibly win the wild card.”
Far more likely they could play .575 ball the rest of the way and MISS the playoffs. All it takes is for the Phillies to play to their potential and one team in another Division to get hot.
GTI in Chicago
August 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
I think you simply disable Troy. I think his legs are in bad shape and this has a lot to do with his vanishing power. Maybe it doesn’t explain everything about the long slump, but he’s definitely hurting. (Look at the effect a bad thumb had on Heyward for over a month.) Disable him, give him a chance to get healthy. Whenever he’s had a little rest, he’s come back swinging better for a little while.
Bring up Freddie on the 1st. Use him here and there to spell Lee and or Glaus. Give him a taste.
Yes, it’s 1st Base by committee, but with each of them getting their days off, I think they all (and the Braves) benefit.
BigD
August 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
Keep him. Put him on the DL for 2 weeks to heal up. Then he and Lee could play like three days in a row resting the other and using him to PH. That way they both could rest their ailing parts and be ready for the playoffs. GO BRAVES
Daniel
August 18th, 2010
2:55 pm
DL till roster expands to 40. Then include on the playoff roster. We need an experienced RH power bat coming off the bench. Plus if we make it to the World Series, he’d be valuable as the DH against a lefty.
Keith
August 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
Bye Bye Glaus! It’s time to go.
Braves Fan
August 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
Glaus can not be blamed for his legs giving out. He has shown a lot of intestinal fortitude by giving his best efforts every game at first base, even though in pain. Not many players can you say that about. This dedication deserves some respect. Cutting him loose would be a slap in the face for this dedication. We have plenty of players who will releive Lee. Cutting Glaus loose or not giving him some much needed rest would be a scumbag thing to do.