Dealing Lowe is risky but it may be Braves’ best option
The Braves mob (and douse) Freddie Freeman after his game-winning hit. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Alex Gonzalez brought the handfuls of dirt. Peter Moylan brought the cups of water. Everybody else just pounded Freddie Freeman into a celebratory submission and Baptism following his first career game-winning hit Sunday.
A win over the Washington Nationals normally wouldn’t seem like a cause for such a celebration, but these haven’t come easy. The Braves had to scramble and rally twice to beat a Nationals team that generally has been a punching bag since 2005 (459-607) but insists on punching back against Atlanta (the all-time series would’ve been tied at 59-59 with a different result Sunday).
But if you’re the Braves, this game was a good sign. They somehow turned an ugly sequence of events — including an improbable poor start by Jair Jurrjens — into a win. They trailed 6-2 before a five-run fifth, punctuated by Brian McCann’s three-run homer. They trailed 8-7 before the .226 hitting Nate McLouth hit his first homer in two months with two outs to tie it.
In the ninth, Freeman, the 21-year-old rookie, hit a two-out single to score Martin Prado to win it 9-8. Then came the dirt-and-water shower. Boys.
“I think it shows our character, and it shows how good our bullpen is,” said McCann.
The first series after the All-Star break only reaffirmed the Braves aren’t going anywhere. They remained 3½ games behind Philadelphia in the National League East and now head on the road for seven games. But they’ve got some decisions to makes, and one of those involves Monday’s starting pitcher in Colorado: Derek Lowe.
Will Derek Lowe be tipping his cap and saying goodbye to the Braves before the trade deadline? (AP photo)
The baseball trade rumor mill has Lowe possibly sitting in the Braves’ departure lounge. The latest is a Foxsports.com story that indicates interest from Detroit. When asked if he could comment on the report, general manager Frank Wren smiled and responded, “Yeah. We don’t comment on any trade rumors.”
That’s true, of course. But if Wren had been asked about a rumor that McCann might be traded, the response would’ve been something along the lines of, “Are you nuts?”
Know this: There is interest in Lowe, and the Braves are listening. But this will be their most difficult decision before the trade deadline (July 31).
Wren hasn’t finalized what he is shopping for, but a right-handed hitter and a middle reliever are the team’s greatest needs. It’s both logical and risky that Lowe might be the bait.
First, the logic. He is the Braves’ highest paid player ($15 million per year) but has been only their fourth-best starter this season behind Jurrjens (Sunday not withstanding), Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. The organization also is pitching-rich again, which makes Lowe expendable.
Here’s the risk: Down the stretch and in the playoffs last season, Lowe was the Braves’ best pitcher. He won his last five regular season starts with a 1.17 earned run average, 29 strikeouts and three walks. He lost both of his National League Divisional Series starts to San Francisco but that was mostly a byproduct of the Braves’ offense: He allowed only three runs and six hits in 11 2/3 innings.
Lowe’s exit also would leave the Braves with a young rotation for the pennant stretch. Hudson is 36, but he’s followed by Jurrjens (25), Hanson (24) and Brandon Beachy (24). If Lowe goes, the fifth starter could be Mike Minor (23) or Julio Teheran (20).
Lowe and trade rumors have intersected frequently since his signing his four-year, $60 million contract. He was upset when his name was floated in the winter following his first season in Atlanta, telling MLB.com: “It’s well-documented that I stunk the last two months of the [2009] season. But as I look at it, ‘Am I the only guy who has struggled for a couple of months in his first season after signing as a free agent?’”
He’s handling the rumors better this time. He joked in the clubhouse, “Hey, I’m going to the American League,” and told our Carroll Rogers, “Why stress over something that you have no control over? … People say we may need a hitter and we have a lot of pitching and I make money. So it’s kind of obvious why you’re named. And we have a lot of good young pitchers.”
Give him credit for laying out the logical argument that could lead to his own departure. Lowe’s contract is far more palatable for a trade partner now than it was last year. The Braves may need to make one more move, and using Lowe as the bait is starting to make too much sense.
By Jeff Schultz
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196 comments Add your comment
Stey Roy
July 18th, 2011
2:47 am
Jerry, your comment about Chipper was hilarious.
Gilley
July 18th, 2011
3:06 am
Enter your comments here
K Johnson
July 18th, 2011
3:15 am
lowe and gonzalez for hanley ramirez, !!!
lowe, gonzalez, and prospect for reyes!!!
lowe, and prospect for ubaldo jiminez
lowe, gonzalez, mcclouth, prospect for ubaldo jiminez
lowe, gonzalez for a. ramirez, and castro
time to wake up
wishful thinking lol
Stinger2
July 18th, 2011
3:29 am
I have read all of the suggestions above from Frank Wren`s self proclaimed ” assistant general managers”. It was amusing and fun to do so. Thankfully, Frank does not read and follow advice from his assistants.
Gilley
July 18th, 2011
3:29 am
Braves should stay with what have in house there are winning games. Unless approached and blow away sure they could use more offensive but they have a long term core built in that’s only going to get better if they don’t blow it. The only avaible player that makes a major affect for this te am is carlos Beltran but the braves can’t take on salary as reported and can you imagine helping a major rival with out demanding more from them. I know I sure as hell wouldn’t while picking up the tab too. Plus
K Johnson
July 18th, 2011
3:30 am
i think upton from tampa,
gonzalez from colorado
pence from houston
we have a good line up honestly
prado
heyward
jones
mccann
freeman
uggla
gonzalez
Buzz ME
July 18th, 2011
4:47 am
hasta la vista Derek
Columbus
July 18th, 2011
4:49 am
I did not even read the article……TRADE HIM before you trade ANYONE! That is trade him for the right player for THIS year. We can really do a LOT with 15 million dollars next year and afford just about ANYONE for the rest of THIS year. He is NOT worth but half that 15 million.
It would be a GIFT from God if someone took him from us! He is the weak link on the staff and we have some STRONG young arms but yes they are inexperienced. I say if we can get a good deal do it. If we can get a GREAT deal, JUMP ALL OVER IT!
I know someone could get hurt but hey I really believe Kawakami could do as well if he goes to Smoltz’s shrink and hets his head straight. He was the GIANT SLAYER then just lost it. If not him….well if no one gets hurt we will be fine. If they do then come playoffs we go to a 3 or 4 man rotation anyway I say. We WILL be in the playoffs so I say do it!
Columbus
July 18th, 2011
4:54 am
Well if not one gets hurt we will be fine. We have enough to get through the regular season with our young guys. If someone gets hurt come playoffs we go to a 3 or 4 man rotation anyway. We WILL be in the playoffs barring a long losing streak or collapse so I say do it and go to a 4 man rotation and give some of the young guys and/or Kawakami a spot start here and there when needed.
Gilley
July 18th, 2011
4:55 am
Braves should stay with what have in house there are winning games. Unless approached and blow away sure they could use more offensive but they have a long term core built in that’s only going to get better if they don’t blow it. The only avaible player that makes a major affect for this te am is carlos Beltran but the braves can’t take on salary as reported and can you imagine helping a major rival with out demanding more from them. I know I sure as hell wouldn’t while picking up the tab too. Plus do the braves want to see one of there top pitching prospect which it will take plus more for a rival. Do you want to see them pitching against you for 6 years so the braves should not unless they think they are comletly fleecing them maybe if your core built is aging or you for want to send chipper out on top but they didn’t go all in for bobby so I don’t think they will this time which is the right choice we all that know what happened when the gm was moving up and went all in for mtex? Set us back more imagine having felix, salty, and best of all elvis whom is what we are missing so badly well that and dan uggla and that average which the power is still there and the physical tools all mental atleast hopefully the fans and media lay off it realize we are winning anyway and he just takes it harder said than done. We are a pitching made team and with the only open potential spot cf. So I say the best deal we can get on a late inning righthand pitcher. If chipper is going to stay health the the best ultily guy that can hit left handed pitching and play all over the infield no abouts in the outfield expect cf. Martin can hit anyone and jason is not going to split time they are not risking screwing up development he will play everyday. What we have is enough to have legit chance at winning it all as is if pitchers stay healthy. Before you trade close dlowe do you want 2 starters with no postseason experience both rookies pitching in the world series against a offense like boston. Thats a big gamble for a team that has to to win on pitching and even handing and jrrijens as good as they have been haven’t been tested much in that atmosphere. Derek is a good insurance policy for the braves why give that up? Midseason unless just for money relief with no one to get win it
Gilley
July 18th, 2011
5:02 am
Sorry abou tthe grammar my fingers are far to big for this mobile phone keyboard.
Don Flamenco
July 18th, 2011
5:26 am
Anyone know what’s up with Heyward? Is he playing hurt… or is he just terrible? What a flop of a player he’s been this year. He looks like he could use some tuning up in Gwinnett.
Casey
July 18th, 2011
5:42 am
Trade Lowe. We have Medlen coming back.
mowreck
July 18th, 2011
6:15 am
Who the hell says we need to make a trade anyway?
Gary
July 18th, 2011
6:58 am
Trade Heyward. He is the weakest outfielder and his plate production is terrible. Look at his numbers compared to what Francoeur’s were coming up. Remember how much Jeffy drove us crazy with his hitting? Heyward’s not even close to being as good as Jeff was during his WORST stretches with the Braves. Think about that.
Phil
July 18th, 2011
7:00 am
Trade him now! When Chipper retires…hopefully this will be his last year..the Braves will have some serious money to pickup a good hitter or pitcher that’s not on his last leg!
bull-gator
July 18th, 2011
7:02 am
Braves need hard hitting outfielders. Heyward is too fragile and McLouth is a good bench player. I’d play Hinske e verday befiore I would McLouth. It seems to me the Braves can’t develop quality outfielders for some inexplicable reason. I fear Heyward is almost as much overhype as Francouer was.
Old Gold
July 18th, 2011
7:02 am
Trade Heyward for Francoer! The Frenchy thing goes down as one of the worst screw-ups in braves history!!
Maggot
July 18th, 2011
7:10 am
Did you hear Chipper talk how great a player and hitting expert he is with the guys in the booth? Make me sick!! He is so full of himself! Be glad when he retires to killing deer instead of the Bbraves payroll!!
James
July 18th, 2011
7:20 am
I have heard that the Royals are shopping Melky Cabrerra. He’s a player I’d like to have back. A solid utility man who, at age 26, has plenty of years to grow and get better.
James
July 18th, 2011
7:23 am
Is Kawakami still with the organization? Is there NO way to dump his salary?
James
Top Dawg
July 18th, 2011
7:42 am
What about trading Kenshin Kawakami? Would the Tigers be interested in him?
archie
July 18th, 2011
8:10 am
If the Tigers will give us two ushers and a beer vendor for Lowe, it’s worth it just to get rid of his sweaty, drunken a$$.
jim
July 18th, 2011
8:13 am
People, people, remember – the Braves have made two great deals with Detroit. We got Smoltz from the Tiger system on a trade for a washed up Doyle Alexander. We also got Jair Jurgens from the Tigeres. The added piece – Derek Lowe was born and raised in Dearborn ( suburb of Detroit ). It would be a great deal for him and if history repeats, a great deal for the Braves!
Al H
July 18th, 2011
8:16 am
Lowe was a good reliever, move him to the bullpen and we’ll have our right hand guy there, then bring up one of the young guys. It doesn’t cost us anything. I personally would trust Lowe in a tight late inning appearance and he is available if something happens to a starter late in the season.
vermont 39
July 18th, 2011
8:31 am
Magglio Ordonez???
He is struggling and the exchange would be favorable for both. BRAVES are a very good team and will show it this half.
brandon
July 18th, 2011
8:34 am
Lowe’s playoff experience could be a big plus for the young club, though.
reckingball
July 18th, 2011
8:38 am
Melky back? You’re kidding, right?
Lowe must Go
July 18th, 2011
9:05 am
I would give Lowe up for nothing!Maybe the Yankees would take him!
phil
July 18th, 2011
9:09 am
We can only hope it’s true and that Lowe is gone as quickly as possible…the guy is way too inconsistent to be relied upon.
It’s time for goodbye…
phil
July 18th, 2011
9:11 am
brandon
July 18th, 2011
8:34 am
Lowe’s playoff experience could be a big plus for the young club, though.
**************************
Certainly.
All that experience was a real big help last year when we lost both of his starts against the Giants because we couldn’t hit a pitch out of the infield….
Experience talk is just that….talk.
Go win the dadgum games and shut up.
phil
July 18th, 2011
9:14 am
Maggot
July 18th, 2011
7:10 am
Did you hear Chipper talk how great a player and hitting expert he is with the guys in the booth? Make me sick!! He is so full of himself! Be glad when he retires to killing deer instead of the Bbraves payroll!!
********************
I missed the bragging, but he’s right.
And you’re wrong.
We will be a lot worse off when his playing days are over.
Nice screen name, by the way….you must be a joy to be around in real life…lol
Kendawg
July 18th, 2011
9:14 am
If the Braves got a right handed hitter for Lowe, where would he play? It seems to me that most of the positions are pretty well occupied. Who would he replace? I don’t see it, even though Lowe has not been that good this year.
Ted Abernathy
July 18th, 2011
9:16 am
Let’s see, apres’ Crimedog, we’ve done real well with getting these re-tread hitters, Caminiti, D.Lee. Who this year, Mo Vaughn? Let’s keep the solid pitching rotation, nix to trading D.Lowe.
chris
July 18th, 2011
9:16 am
It only makes sense if the Bat we get in return is an impact player. I know Lowe struggles at times but when its on the line He has been lights out in pennant runs and in the playoffs. Just go back to his days with the Red Sox and even last year with the Braves. I’d rather have Lowe on the mound than Beach or Minor in a Game 4 of the playoffs.
phil
July 18th, 2011
9:18 am
Don Flamenco
July 18th, 2011
5:26 am
Anyone know what’s up with Heyward? Is he playing hurt… or is he just terrible? What a flop of a player he’s been this year. He looks like he could use some tuning up in Gwinnett.
*************************
All you optimists branded this guy as a hall of famer before he could play a game.
This is what you get.
This is what we all get.
He’s not very good, it turns out. It is what it is. Frankly, he needs to go play another year in AAA and then try again. I was at the game Sat. nite, and he was pathetic….booted a ball in right, couldn’t hit a pitch if I had been underhanding em to him….it’s sad, actually.
AND DID YOU NOTICE? After FF won the game yesterday with that hit, did Wayward bother to run out and celebrate it with his loving former roommate?
Nope. No sign of him that I could see.
FL dawg
July 18th, 2011
9:19 am
Non sensical as for who ya gonna get for him? The only positive would be the bottom line for Liberty. I don’t see the Braves obtaining anyone that’s gonna make them a better team. Lowe is going to end up helping whoever he’s with in September. That’s a fans perspective, I know Liberty’s accountants think differently.
Chris Goltermann
July 18th, 2011
9:30 am
I’ll take Brennan Boesch for Lowe ANY DAY. Do the deal.
Chris Goltermann
July 18th, 2011
9:30 am
Enter your comments here
Josh
July 18th, 2011
9:35 am
The Heyward comments are ridiculous, go look at Jay Bruce’s numbers his second season in the bigs. Give him a break.
ban colin cowherd
July 18th, 2011
9:36 am
Buzz McAllister comes through big, he should be rookie of the year!
Herschel Talker
July 18th, 2011
9:39 am
James:
Your two comments at 7:20 and 7:23 put you in the competition for the stupidest human alive.
HT
Freddy
July 18th, 2011
9:45 am
Lowe to Mets for Reyes…best deal for this year WS……
D man
July 18th, 2011
9:46 am
Lowe does a good job in the fall, I say keep him and stay with what we have in place today. We have been playing good offense of late so just play ball and win this division with what we have…
Bill Dent
July 18th, 2011
9:47 am
I think of him as” four innings Lowe ” Good riddance to an ineffective and expensive player
Freddy
July 18th, 2011
9:52 am
Herschel..stupidest human alive, just for giving his opinion? Thats not the Herschel I know talking.
JeanE
July 18th, 2011
9:52 am
I can’t believe I’m going to say this but don’t trade D-Lowe (at least not ’til the offseason). The Braves almost did it last year and if we’d had either Chipper or Martin, we would’ve moved on in the playoffs. Lowe, the sweater, it a big game pitcher and it makes me too nervous to count on the younger guys in crucial games. Oh and we HAD Matty Diaz and decided he wasn’t worth the 1 million, he’s having a very respectable season on an exciting Pirates team, go Bucs! I laugh every time they talk about needing a RH bat, he could’ve platooned with J-Hey or in LF but noooooo. I say stand pat at we are, Moyland will be back as will Chipper and this team has good chemistry. Side note, why isn’t Hinske getting more play? J-Hey is so overated but they’ll never ever admit it.
Dr. Phil
July 18th, 2011
9:54 am
Lowe should go.
denizenoftheday6182007
July 18th, 2011
9:55 am
Truthseeker and buzz – great coherent arguments. I could go either way. But, I’d be curious what Lowe’s numbers are in hot weather. It seems like he swoons in July and August but starts and finishes strong. I don’t know if he can’t get enough sink or if he tires more easily. His other teams played in cooler summers – Seattle, Boston, LA. Anyone have stats on that?
Ted M
July 18th, 2011
10:18 am
Trade Lowe for prospects just to dump his salary. We’re not ganna get a difference maker this year for him so go for prospects.