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
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
196 comments Add your comment
Common Sense
July 17th, 2011
7:32 pm
I agree
Cfarm
July 17th, 2011
7:32 pm
First and agreed!!
TruthSeeker
July 17th, 2011
7:34 pm
“(Lowe) has been only their fourth-best starter this season behind Jurrjens (Sunday not withstanding), Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson.”
Although he’s missed some time, Beachy has been more effective than Lowe as well.
JP
July 17th, 2011
7:35 pm
This is a risk I’d readily take.
Alan
July 17th, 2011
7:36 pm
They also have KK in Macon ready to pitch!! Lol. So proud of Freeman! He seems to be a much more mature situational hitter at this time than Heyward. Need another RH arm for the bridge to the final innings. Proctor brings a can of gas and a match when he comes in! Pleased as to how Uggla kept a great attitude and kept plugging along. It seems to be paying off now!
buzz is wiser
July 17th, 2011
7:37 pm
I agree Lowe seems to be the perfect person to trade right now, but for what. What are the Braves expecting to receive in return for Lowe, a right handed hitter. Sounds good, here is the real problem, where is he going to play? There is no place for a new player on the infield, and the corner outfield positions are solid, is it center, we have two of those already. I say keep him and see what happens.
ted williams head
July 17th, 2011
7:39 pm
okay if Wren doesnt let him go for another McLouth which will probably happen
Bryan
July 17th, 2011
7:39 pm
I like minor shaeffer and a prospect for hunter pence. Or Bourne as a second choice but wouldn’t have to give up minor.
Common Sense
July 17th, 2011
7:40 pm
Has anyone else started to compare McCann and Francoeur to Freeman and Heyward? Francoeur and Heyward got the hype, but McCann became the real keeper, and it looks as though Freeman might follow in his footsteps.
LakeDawg
July 17th, 2011
7:41 pm
I agree. I’ve never understood why the Braves payed so much money for a mediocre pitcher. He throws a “slow” ball that sinks at the end, because it doesn’t have enough momentum to reach the plate. Hitters have figured out that they should just take his pitches and force him to elevate the ball to get called strikes. Then they Tee off on him. He pitches a gem from time to time, but he has to be about perfect to pitch a good game. And that doesn’t happen often. Zero room for error.
tjhook
July 17th, 2011
7:41 pm
Well, I’ll say thank you to Derek Lowe for his performance. He has pitched well for the majority of his time here but the contract is definitely going to be the reason he is traded. At the most, he would be traded after the season.
buzz is wiser
July 17th, 2011
7:42 pm
Is Pence on the trading block? and why would Houston add Lowe’s contract?
dawg4u
July 17th, 2011
7:47 pm
I would be hesitant to trade Lowe until after this season given his playoff record last year and experience. The Phils need the same things we do a RH bat and a middle reliever. The question is can the Braves afford not to make a move and what would we have to give up. I cannot see anyone taking Minor in a major deal with minor league talent. I think we would have to give up Beachy who I think could be the next great pitcher for this team. In order to add a bat we would have to give up either Lowe or Beachy and I wouldn’t part with either. Then again another series of us only scoring 5 or 6 runs could change my mind again. That is why Frank Wren is making the big bucks to make those decisions. I say stand pat and don’t make a major move because our hitting has to get better especially Uggla. Sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don’t make.
dougefreshtb87
July 17th, 2011
7:48 pm
Buzz is right, I know lowe hasnt been great. but at least i know what to expect from him down the stretch and into the playoffs. Unless we somehow turn lowe into getting a bonafide star as SS, where is this new “right handed” bat supposed to play??? Btw our starting lineup coming out of st has been together for 11 whole games this year. Keep lowe get a right handed reliever and maybe a right handed bench player and call it a day.
Bryan
July 17th, 2011
7:48 pm
Buzz, never mentioned Lowe. Pence can play either corner move heyward to center.
dougefreshtb87
July 17th, 2011
7:51 pm
yes he did earlier “agree Lowe seems to be the perfect person to trade right now, but for what. What are the Braves expecting to receive in return for Lowe, a right handed hitter. Sounds good, here is the real problem, where is he going to play? There is no place for a new player on the infield, and the corner outfield positions are solid, is it center, we have two of those already. I say keep him and see what happens”.
choozer
July 17th, 2011
7:58 pm
I could see them trading Lowe for prospects and trading prospects to Houston for Kleppinger to replace Lugo and give us a solid right-handed hitter off the bench who can play all infield positions so we improve our bench. Even if Kleppinger’s not the man, the idea is get prospects for Lowe and then trade prospects for the player or players you want.
Rupert
July 17th, 2011
7:58 pm
Ok first, Lowe would most likely be dealt in a SEPERATE deal, to clear money for both this year and next. The Braves would probably get a prospect or 2 back, but not much. The key would be they would free themselves of the $ next year, which is huge.
Second, Jeff tries to make some kind of argument of a risk. HA. There would be such MORE risk of not making a deal, not just for this year but for next year. 15 mil when the team has to many younger, BETTER starters and needa at other positions? That’s a risk. He pitched his tail off for a month and half last year. But basically that has been it.
Finally, they have severall options as to where they can put a bat. Center (Beltran, Pence, Bourne), SS (not sure who they would get). Heyward can play center for a few months if need be as well. This team is going to the playoffs, and is too good to go in without the best possible team. Too many times Shuerholtz set on his hands, liked his team, and didn’t add. The team then came up short in October. Go for it.
TruthSeeker
July 17th, 2011
7:58 pm
It’s true that Lowe has been a big-game pitcher, but if Jurrjens, Hanson and Hudson stay healthy, then that’s going to be your rotation in the first round of the playoffs. If the Braves make it to the NLCS Lowe might start the fourth game, but that’d be it.
I like Lowe, but moving him makes perfect sense.
Bob
July 17th, 2011
8:06 pm
Just getting rid of of his contract is a big add by subtraction. They can trade for someone and pay him oor free $ for a free agent this winter
extremus
July 17th, 2011
8:06 pm
As long as it is for a LONG-TERM, immediate-impact player (and an ABOVE AVERAGE hitter at that, with consistent average/power numbers and/or SPEED), I say go for it.
Is that asking too much? Depends on whether you think the Rangers “asked too much” for a partial-year Mark Texiera rental. The Braves would be MUCH better served to stand pat than repeat a mistake of that caliber, and with the abundance of great pitchers they have to work with right now (plus the fact that so many teams are NEEDING said pitching), they should be able to name their price for Lowe or several other pitchers/prospects. If Wren acts carefully and wisely he could utilize the current bumper crop of pitching in the Braves’ organization to shore up EVERY offensive need, and then some, for years to come.
collegeballfan
July 17th, 2011
8:10 pm
Would the Astros entertain a Lowe and another player for Hunter Pence?
choozer
July 17th, 2011
8:12 pm
Against left-handed pitchers, until Chipper returns, they could play Kleppinger at 3B and put Prado in LF. If he’s a tough lefty, they could sub Ramirez for Heyward. Only lefties in that lineup would be Schafer in CF, McCann and Freeman.
Banner229
July 17th, 2011
8:13 pm
The braves would have to give up D Lowe and top level prospect for Pence.
Lee Turner
July 17th, 2011
8:18 pm
The braves should not be hesitant to trade Lowe. He is costing the team way too much money for the output he’s given. Get rid of him and use the money to keep the young pitching talent.
Lee Turner
July 17th, 2011
8:20 pm
Repeat! No trade, just give him away and pay a small percentage of his contract. The money saved is the best value of any possible Lowe trade.
TK
July 17th, 2011
8:20 pm
Keppinger
#6
July 17th, 2011
8:21 pm
The trend with Lowe during his tenure with the Braves has been that he doesn’t pitch well in the heat of the summer. He tends to do very poorly in the middle of the season, but come September and October when the games mean more he transforms into this big game pitcher that is worth his money. I think some forget how big time he was with the Red Sox when they won it all in 2004. Playoff time is Derek Lowe time, so I say keep him because the playoffs isn’t just about being good, it’s about experience and Lowe has it.
Find a bat by some other means. We have plenty of stock.
DaveinNEPA
July 17th, 2011
8:22 pm
Forget the Astros taking on Lowe’s salary. Not gonna happen. If, and I think it’s a very big if, the Stros decide to trade Pence, it will be for a boatload of prospects. They want to rebuild and quite frankly Pence is probably one of the players they want to build around, not dispose of.
IMO it wouldn’t be a good idea to trade Lowe until the offseason. I like what the guy brings to the table in big games. He always seems to rise to the occasion and if we plan on going deep in the postseason, we’re going to need that.
Bobrobert
July 17th, 2011
8:23 pm
Detroit doesn’t have anything the Braves need. The idea of getting prospects and flipping them to another team for an impact player would be ideal course of action.
NickGranite
July 17th, 2011
8:25 pm
The astros need a major overhaul. Why would they take on a 38 year old pitcher still owed 21 million?
NickGranite
July 17th, 2011
8:28 pm
I think the idea is to just dump his salary. You could argue that giving him away for nothing and and maybe paying half the salary owed this year (3 mil on our side) would be to our advantage in the long run. If we get anything in return all the better.
1eyedJack
July 17th, 2011
8:28 pm
If somebody is willing to pay $14.99 a lb. for worn-out warhorse meat…I say have at it.
1eyedJack
July 17th, 2011
8:31 pm
Marinated in Budweiser.
Vain Jangling
July 17th, 2011
8:34 pm
Unfortunately, trading Lowe would primarily benefit Liberty Media’s bottom line. Under their ownership, the Braves are never going to be players in any knock-your-socks-off free agent signings. Every two or three years we’d better be content with rolling the dice on someone like Uggla. We’re never going to get an everyday starter for Lowe. At best, we’re probably looking at a serviceable bench player. So, where’s the upgrade? That being said, I’d rather stand pat with what we have this fall, and work to move Lowe over the winter. I don’t know what kind of clubhouse guy he is, but he’s a veteran, and he appears to be a gamer, which we want around because, unless this club goes comatose, we’re looking at the playoffs. Go Braves!
Supes
July 17th, 2011
8:34 pm
Unless the Yankees come calling this is all smoke and mirrors
Detroit would like to get rid of a “bad contract” of their own, but we are not taking on any of their aging vets, and don’t even bring up Carlos Q from the White Soxs, it’ll be about the same…if by some crazy scenario a team is willing to take on Lowe it’ll probably be the Yankees.
As far as adding a RH bat and Middle Reliever, what makes this so tough for Wren is the fact that you don’t know what you’ll get out of Chipper and Moyland when each comes back, if they’ll stay healthy, etc…if you did that right there is your RH bat (Chipper switch but irrelevant here) and Middle Reliever, as well known Moyland would be perfect for the 7th 8th innings.
Supes
July 17th, 2011
8:35 pm
Astros aren’t trading Pence unless they get a rich deal…which the Braves aren’t going to be offering. Quite frankly Pence is a fine player but he’s not a great player…and they are asking for a lot apparently.
#6
July 17th, 2011
8:45 pm
Moylan. Not MOY-LAND.
Solid Corners ?
July 17th, 2011
8:46 pm
Re: dougefreashtb87 @ 7:51. “the corner outfield are solid”? J-Hype and his 220 avg and mediocore fielding is solid ? When are we going to realize what a lot of writers otside of Atlanta have been saying for awhile now, that Heyward is just an average player at best are probably correct.
Milt Famey
July 17th, 2011
8:49 pm
@NickGranite The Astros will not trade for Lowe. They are not about to take on such a salary. If Lowe goes, he will go to somebody with $ who is in the pennant race, i e Detroit or NYY. Any additions to our roster will probably be from a 2nd trade
#6
July 17th, 2011
8:51 pm
Just looked at Detroit’s roster and I have no idea what the Braves would trade for. There isn’t anybody that is either worth the trade for Lowe or fits with our plans on our roster. I’m calling shanangans on this one. Sounds to me like either Wren or Detroit is trying to fool their other opponents.
Matt from MN
July 17th, 2011
9:02 pm
Trade him, I say.
jmor
July 17th, 2011
9:06 pm
I am sure any deal to take Lowe would have to include 10 million cash from the Braves. No team is going to take a 38 year old pitcher with a 4.30 era still owed 21 million.
P. Bull Terrier
July 17th, 2011
9:09 pm
If Detroit wants Lowe, then forget about getting a hitter or middle reliever from their major league roster. Just ask for one of their minor league starting pitchers and make the deal. Detroit does a nice job of grooming All-Star pitchers for the Braves.
Joe
July 17th, 2011
9:15 pm
Uhhh….he’s their 5th best starter….Beachy has been better.
Paul in RDU
July 17th, 2011
9:21 pm
Lowe to the Tigers? Maybe the Braves will get Verlander.
NorCal Brave
July 17th, 2011
9:22 pm
I see Giants adding Beltran and Philly getting Pence, making our need to add a solid RH bat that much greater. Lowe had a remarkable September/October last season, but he’s entirely expendable now if we can get the right players. Best OF on Tigers roster is Boesch, and of course he’s left handed.
Outside Observer
July 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
Lowe is the player we would most want to get rid of, and the player we would get the least for in return. Makes things a little tricky. I think the best value is getting rid of the younger guys for a bat. A Hanson or Jurrjens paired with an expendable player could get a top bat, a Beachy or Minor with an expendable player could fetch a solid bat. Trading Lowe would get us an average player at best, very little return in the short and long term, and a loss in value. Make the difficult choice and trade a young gun.
PMC
July 17th, 2011
9:26 pm
like anything else, it depends on the deal. What they can get back. The question is do they think they have enough experience in the staff to win in the postseason of they trade Lowe and if not, will what they get back help overcome that discrepancy.
smyrnabob
July 17th, 2011
9:32 pm
The Braves would have to give up a bat and cash for someone to take Lowe. This is a rehash of the article written in May where a Lowe for Granderson trade was suggested.
braveshoo
July 17th, 2011
9:34 pm
I would keep Lowe for his experience in the playoffs. However, if we could get prospects from Detroit that Houston would accept, then I would do the deal to add Pence. I would not use any propects to get a reliever. I would call up Viscaino for Proctor now, and use Moylan to replace Gerrin. That bullpen will be great.
Tom
July 17th, 2011
9:37 pm
Paul in RDU – Lowe for Verlander, wow, that would be such a good deal I will not be able to sleep tonite.Next to the Babe going from Boston to the Yankees that would be the most famous(or infamous) trade in the history of sports?
BravesWin
July 17th, 2011
9:43 pm
Sorry, trade-babies, but we need to stand pat for this season, resist the urge to trade away the store, and do our dealing in the offseason.
mojochopper
July 17th, 2011
9:44 pm
I initially think OH YEAH let’s trade Lowe to clear $$$ and get that big time RH hitter to put us over the top….but the more I think about it we might just be better to hold on till the offseason. It has already been mentioned about Lowe’s ability to come up big in big situations, and the dilemma of what position to upgrade. But what concerns me is ok we trade Lowe to clear payroll to add a big bat (difference maker) who is available??? hmm Beltran switch hitter playing good this season can probally play CF with Hayward in RF and Prado in LF when Chip returns…I like that idea but what are the Mets going to ask for in return. No way they take Lowe straight up it would take a 3rd party to take Lowe and give some of our prized prospects to the Mets to get that done. And I just don’t like the idea of trading any of our primo pitching prospects especially to a division rival. Who else is available and at what cost??? Pence—Houston is not letting him go, sorry people. C Quinton–PLS, Does he really make us a better team??? Kemp–I doubt LA makes a move, but I could be wrong….no way I trade Teheran, but if they were interested in Minor as a center peice i would listen. The only position than CF that I think we could conceivably upgrade is SS but are there any SS available that are really that much better than AGON?? If Mets decided to trade Reyes maybe and then we are back to trading primo prospects to division rival. So I don’t know if if it is wise to stir things up with a big trade right now. I think I am ok to keep Lowe until the offseason and just do a small trade or two to sure up the bullpen or maybe for a guy like Infante or Carroll who you can pull in at multiple positions to rest different guys late in the season. Meantime just hope that our offense is going to turn the page in the 2nd half as we get healthier.
Marcus
July 17th, 2011
9:45 pm
ditto, PMC @ 9:26 pm. Is there any companion rumor on who we would get in return from DET?
VinceVanGo
July 17th, 2011
9:47 pm
Lowe has proved that he’s a “stretch run” pitcher so I say keep him as insurance in case Hudson, Jurrgens or Hansen falter. Then trade him in the off season. With Lowe, McClouth and Kawakami gone that would free up 28 million and if Chipper retires the Braves could have or 40 million to spend if Liberty Media doesn’t put a freeze order on spending. With Wilkin Rameriz hitting at .333 and Prado returning to the outfield when Chipper comes back, they and the lefty trio of outfielders will keep us in the wild card lead until the September call ups and the Braves have enough right handed bats at Gwinett(Gartrell, Gomez, Hicks) to help get us into the playoffs. If some team wants to “give” us a right handed bat for a minor prospect then do it, otherwise stand pat.
Dawg Whisperer
July 17th, 2011
9:48 pm
I doubt a trade will happen unless it makes sense to Wren. There is no need to panic and force a deal that does not accomplish its purpose. Besides, the law of averages is likely to catch up with some of the under performing starters. Expect a better second half from Uggla, Heyward and McLouth. Stay the course.
Furman Bitcher
July 17th, 2011
9:51 pm
Trade Lowe for prospects and then get Beltran
Dennis Reynolds
July 17th, 2011
9:51 pm
Unless Wren is already working on a HUGE name, just go ahead and keep Lowe. Our chances at making the postseason are pretty good, and he’s a great big game pitcher. Plus the only real position we can upgrade right now is CF. Technically we could use a boost at SS but thats just not happening.
There are only 2 players that I can think of that would justify losing Lowe. One is apparently not going to be traded now (and if he is, his price tag is getting higher and higher by the day), and the other guy is probably doable and would be a extremely dynamic at the top of the order.
Hunter Pence
Michael Bourn
l jones
July 17th, 2011
9:55 pm
I like Derek Lowe. He’s a gamer, and he’s not a bad pitcher, but I don’t think the Tigers or anybody else (besides the Braves) is going to pay his $15 million salary next season. Would the Braves pay half of it in order to save the other half? I doubt it.
Jimbo Donnan
July 17th, 2011
10:00 pm
Anyone want to give me some money? I will make you rich.
Angie O'Plasty
July 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
I would trade Heyward. He’s very over-rated and would fetch a good player in return.
Duh
July 17th, 2011
10:07 pm
Come on people…Lowe deal will be salary relief for prospects and $$ to add in 2012. We won’t get any impact bat or player for use this year. That addition will be some other means. No more who will we get crap for Lowe…it’s not going to happen…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 17th, 2011
10:11 pm
I’m fine with trading Lowe as long as the Braves get someone useful in return, not the next Rick Ankiel. I don’t mind acquiring a rent-a-player since the Braves look like they could be a serious World Series contender this year. But if there is nobody out there who is a clear upgrade that the Braves can acquire for Lowe, it’s not worth it. Remember that Lowe also has a lot of experience as a reliever, so even if he’s only the 5th best starter the Braves have in the postseason he can still fill a valuable role in the bullpen.
jw
July 17th, 2011
10:14 pm
Only if we can get B. J. Upton from Tampa Bay – a centerfielder that should be able cover the range of our current crop AND hit for some more power.
Have to be careful and not mess up the chemistry of the team – they are perking on all cylinders right now – might be asking for a tune up and oil change at the wrong time!
Very risky right now – the team is young and in the middle of a pennant race – Lowe does provide some veteran leadership for the pitchers.
DawgDad
July 17th, 2011
10:19 pm
Lowe was very good down the stretch last year. Very good. He’s probably just one [cortisone?] shot away from a repeat performance, the issue being the timing of the shot. Too early, it wears off and he breaks down. Too late, well, more of the same.
The frustration with the Braves is knowing what they COULD be if not hamstrung by the salaries of Lowe, Chipper, and KK. Reality says if they trade Lowe they have to eat a lot of his salary, and they lose his down-the-stretch potential contribution. Reality says they keep paying Chipper . . . seemingly forever? Reality says KK isn’t going to contribute anything.
The Nats series put on front-window display the biggest problem the Braves have – they are going to see every lefthander able lift his left arm off the ground from here on out. They need a right-handed outfield bat at least good enough to platoon with McLouth/Schafer/Heyward. They need another Matt Diaz (the way he was, anyway), or better.
Some teams in this position would part with a top pitching prospect to pick up an everyday corner outfielder. If they could get a Pence-type who delivers multiple years of service to the Braves, I’d say they should do it. This is a team that could go all the way. Maybe they can win it all without a trade, but if they do it will be because Schafer, McCann, Freeman, Heyward, McLouth, and Hinske defy all odds.
Worldwide Clyde
July 17th, 2011
10:23 pm
FIRE LD
Solid Corners ?
July 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
@ Angie O’Plasty; My thoughts exactly. Someone commented earlier about us being “solid at the outfield corners”. J-Hype is nothing better then average. I’d trade him now while some other team still thinks otherwise.
jr
July 17th, 2011
10:30 pm
some of u fans are foolish jason is not haveing a good year but to give up on him at 21 is a follish comment hes still a kid and intime i belive minor will be a good picther in time hes not going no where we have many stud picthers but its time to get some hitters real washington in time in the next 2 years will be the team to beat along with atlanta
DawgDad
July 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
The Braves have a solid core of players who are very, very young or in their prime – Schafer, Prado, McCann, Freeman, Uggla, Heyward, (and theoretically McLouth). All they need is a big right handed bat to balance the order. The kids are helping this team win games, and learning on the job. Far, far too early to throw in the towel on Heyward – the guy could go .300/.400./550 or better next year, or down the stretch this year for that matter. He was one of the best all-around outfielders in the league last year; not a Gonzalez or Holliday or Braun, but pretty darn good otherwise.
daddydog
July 17th, 2011
10:37 pm
More important than this trade talk. Go ahead and make contracts to lock up JJ and Prado for 5 years.
jerry
July 17th, 2011
10:37 pm
Just get a trainer who knows a lot about steroids.
Solid Corners ?
July 17th, 2011
10:41 pm
@ jr: I’m not giving up on Heyward. i’m just calling it like I see it. I think (and so do a lot of baseball writers) he will be a servicable/average player and not the superstar that people were hoping.
Josh
July 17th, 2011
10:41 pm
We don’t really need another starter IMO, we need a middle infielder/utility guy who is right handed. I think any chance of Lowe getting traded went away as soon as Medlen was shelved for 6 more weeks. Guys like Jeff Keppinger, Omar Infante, Jeff Baker, Wilson Betemit, or even Adam Kennedy are more likely options and quite frankly more needed. Who wants to go into the playoffs with Lugo as our primary backup? Hopefully Moylan will return so we can end the Scott Proctor experiment. In September we’ll call up Teheran and Minor to work out of the pen and be okay.
Chase Utley
July 17th, 2011
10:46 pm
The Braves have the trashiest fans ever, the are all stupid and run onto fields with wedding dresses, every single one of them. They are the dumbest classless people ever. Yes Braves fans, this is how you sound… all the time complaining about Phillies fans.
GT Alum
July 17th, 2011
10:48 pm
I love this “clutch” title. A player can be mediocre at best most of the time, but if he happens to occasionally come through at a key time, he’s designated as “clutch” and given additional value.
Derek Lowe is a league average pitcher at this point in his career. Yes, he’s still got the ability to get on a hot streak, but most players do. He’s had an ERA over 4 the entire time he’s been a Brave. The past 2 years, he’s gotten the Braves’ best offense behind him and managed to pick up 15 wins, but this year he’s not gotten the offensive support and his record is reflecting that.
If you can get someone to eat most of his contract and send us a valuable player in return, do it now.
Trading Derek would also assuage my fear that he doesn’t hit a hot streak down the stretch this year but Fredi decides to put him in the starting rotation for the playoffs because of his experience.
Paul in RDU
July 17th, 2011
10:58 pm
@Tom
The other deal I was thinking of was Lowe back to the Red Sox for Adrian Gonzalez. It is as likely as any of the other ideas being thrown around.
Marvin
July 17th, 2011
10:59 pm
Hate to see Lowe go but, it does make sense. Please get rid of Proctor. Every time he gets up to pitch the ball leaves the park!!! Every time they put him in I go ahead and turn the TV off because I know the outcome will not be pleasant.
jr
July 17th, 2011
11:02 pm
dawg dad great comment we have a good group of kids and i think the braves and washington will be the teams to watch boy that washingtonteam i like what they are doing i hate that there coach quit i was shocked because most teams will envy washington because of the riches in there farm systemthey have solid coners i understand thats how u feel no hard feelings i always been i die hard braves fan all my life jason made the allstar team last year remember he carried this team at times as a rookie last year at 20 lets dont for get that.Also i still think minor will be a good picther for us i hope they dont trade him u have to be patient with the kids
Speedy Gonzalez
July 17th, 2011
11:05 pm
Trade Lowe with somebody to get a RH bat & dump his salary, ALL outfield jobs are open, we have the WORST outfield in baseball, get some help in here FW, my cousin Fredi is sweatin it!!!!!!
dan
July 17th, 2011
11:10 pm
PPlease get an OF who can drive in runs
The Wad
July 17th, 2011
11:14 pm
Outside Observer…you`ve lost your mind. Trade one of our front line pitchers now? Seriously……… if we could get Keppinger, Infante, or even Diaz and get rid of Lowe I`d do it tonight. Lowe has been good for this team but is not pitching worthy of being on the playoff roster. We have got to find a way to get a bat off the bench instead of Lugo. Lugo, Young, Hicks…need I say more? The playoffs will see us with options in the outfield but a core group that hits 230. OBP had better be good with them or we go down in flames. If the Braves would revert back to what worked so well at the beginning of last year and go deep in counts thus wearing out the opposing starter and getting to the bullpen, then we would find hitting and scoring easier. Not a fan of Parrish philosophy in hitting.
Devil's Advocate
July 17th, 2011
11:21 pm
Some people are total “flavor of the month” fans. What intelligent person would say Francour and Heyward were all hype after their rookie seasons then turn around and say Freeman is the real deal halfway through his rookie season? Seriously? Probably the same people who waffle back and forth between Chipper being old dead weight and the greatest Brave ever depending on if he’s injured or producing.
iTiSi
July 17th, 2011
11:37 pm
Yes, yes, yes, by all means trade him. Do it now, and on the night of his last game in Atlanta they should give away “DLo BobbleBody dolls”.
P. Bull Terrier
July 17th, 2011
11:47 pm
“…the Braves are never going to be players in any knock-your-socks-off free agent signings. Every two or three years we’d better be content with rolling the dice on someone like Uggla.” – Vain Jangling @ 8:34pm
Some of us have very short memories. Signing Dan Uggla was almost universally considered to be more in the “knock-your-socks-off” category than the “rolling the dice” category. There weren’t many RH bats available who were considered better than Uggla last winter and no one would have guessed he would struggle for the first half of the season like he did. There is no sure thing from year-to-year, but Uggla was a pretty good bet to be a sure thing for the next several.
double
July 18th, 2011
12:04 am
Trade Lowe, and throw in Huddy for good measure.
BravesAllTheWay
July 18th, 2011
12:20 am
Hmmm…considering his love of fast cars, Detroit might be the perfect fit for Derek.
Ted M
July 18th, 2011
12:25 am
Trade Lowe for prospects just so you can dump his contract.
Mgibby
July 18th, 2011
12:25 am
I agree that Lowe is a bit too inconsistent during the regular season, but in multiple seasons(including last year), he proved to be our best pitcher down the stretch and into the playoffs. Provided he gets run support(3-4 runs) he’s money in the bank when the playoffs come around.
As far as a bat, there is no one that I can see trading him for where I wouldn’t consider it a dissapointment, nevermind the fact that aside from getting a replacement at 3rd, there’s nowhere in the lineup to add a new bat. Assuming Uggla continues to get it together, the Braves have the pitching and the lineup to win it all this year and I think they should sit tight.
Solid Corners ?
July 18th, 2011
12:44 am
@ P. Bull Terrier: The Uggla signing was considerd “knock your socks off” by Braves fans. Not by the rest of the baseball world.. More like “roll of the dice “. $62 million? Jayson Werth was “knock your socks off” because of the $120 + million contract. Obviously the Philadelphia front office was much smarter then our front office. In hind sight the 120+ miillion for Werth was a roll of the dice.
Rowsdower
July 18th, 2011
12:52 am
The Astros have zero need of a 38 year old pitcher considering they’re the worst team in baseball. If they deal Pence (I assure you he’s not available) it would be for a boatload of young, near major league ready prospects. That would mean at least one of our stud young pitchers, probably 2 and another player. That didn’t workout too well for the Braves when they shipped a similar package to the Rangers.
Forget Pence…
Rowsdower
July 18th, 2011
1:00 am
If you can deal Lowe for a solid middle reliever and maybe a midlevel prospect, you do it to free up money to resign Tommy and JJ to long term deals. You use the remainder to get a bat in the off-season. The bats that are available right now aren’t impact players. No reason to give up anything of value for a bench bat. We have plenty of those. This lineup will be fine once Chipper comes back.
RJ Voorhees
July 18th, 2011
1:05 am
Josh Willingham is probably the most realistic target for the Braves. However, I would like to see Scott Podsenik in a Braves uniform. He has a high career batting average and he is super fast. Go Braves.
Darryl Blackberry
July 18th, 2011
1:12 am
This is a risk I think we’d all take…if John Schuerholz were still in the driver’s seat. I wouldn’t want the Braves to dump Lowe for a no-name .260-hitting mid-season rental, even if he happens to be right-handed. I agree that Lowe should be traded, but I hope Wren doesn’t give the guy away (along with God knows who else) for an Ankiel/Farnsworth kind of deal.
Common Sense, you got it right
July 18th, 2011
1:23 am
A few years back, I asked a certain Braves beat writer why Frenchy was getting all of the press and was becoming the new ‘face’ of the organization when Mac was so obviously heading toward a better career, at least it seemed so, then and now. Answer: ‘Frenchy has the ‘it’ factor’ .
I imagine those words are more vinegary than the ‘cue from Parkers right about now, and not nearly as tasty.
You’re still the best beat writer I’ve come across, DOB, and I read ‘em all.
ScottBravesFan
July 18th, 2011
1:48 am
I don’t want to be mean but if you think that the Astros would trade for Derek Lowe you obviously don’t know anything about baseball or pro sports in general. The Astros are awful and in full on rebuilding mode. Adding a 38 year old starter who makes 15 million a year, meanwhile giving up their best position player in Pence, would be one of the dumbest trades in the history of sports.
JASon
July 18th, 2011
2:15 am
“People say we may need a hitter”
Why don’t you ask the nationals what they think of their new “hitter” (werth). Or, better yet ask the white sox what they think of their new “hitter” (dunn). We went out and got our hitter in the offseason. Leave it alone.
Jason
July 18th, 2011
2:22 am
I have no confidence in Mike Minor, and at least one other person has demonstrated that he too has no confidence in him and that is Mike Minor himself. I cannot agree with trading Lowe now for a bench player, unless it is a replacement for centerfield and leadoff hitter.
Lowe’s experience will be invaluable down the stretch and in the playoff so I hope Frank Wren will review this trade properly.
There was a move made last year which is coming back to haunt us; the glaring need for a right hand stick could have been avoided if Yunel Escobar was not traded. The trade of Escobar was a bone head move to satisfy an old man who was on his way out and who had one championship to show despite very good teams and an owner who was willing to write the checks to bring the best talent to Atlanta.
bobbybrave
July 18th, 2011
2:27 am
go shopping in la……..they are a mess….be careful….the braves play togther like a very hungry team..bring in or trade the wrong guy could hurt the clubhouse
bobbybrave
July 18th, 2011
2:31 am
go shopping in La….they are a mess, but be careful trading the wrong guy or getting the wrong guy could destroy this team..they play very hard together as a team..they are hungry for a championship
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.
RMikel58
July 18th, 2011
10:21 am
Im not all in about trading Lowe for a middle relief pitcher. If he’s traded then it would have to a very RH Hitter. But trade pitcher for pitcher? Then again the team that usually wins in the playoffs are the ones who get great pitching with experience.
I think taking him out now woiuld hurt us in the playoffs. We really need another RH hitter who can hit left handed pitchers. But you know when Chipper comes back then i’d say we match up pretty good against anybody with our players.
I do think the most pressing need is to find a Middle Reliever out there somewhere but if we trade Lowe then we’ll be 1 short and hurt our starting rotation.
We gain 15 million a year but we lose experience and plus Lowe can still pitch and in the playoffs we might get hurt by an opposing team beating up our #5 starter.
I dont know , i guess thats why these people up in mgmt. make the big bucks. Its risky for sure.
UGAFAN13
July 18th, 2011
10:29 am
Lowe is good to start the year and not so good when the weather warms up. He may start winning again but it is doubtful he will be consistant. He is a nibbler when throwing and all the teams have figured out just sit on the pitches when Lowe gets behind in the count and has to throw a strike they are pounding it…so Lowe really needs to go.
DawgDad
July 18th, 2011
10:36 am
Couple of final thoughts: If we trade Lowe and one of the other starters goes down (it does happen), we could quickly be looking up at the Wild Card contenders. Melky Cabrera? Please. I really hope he’s turned a corner on his career, and Francoeur too for that matter, but MC was the worst starting outfielder in the NL last year and probably the most over-hyped player I’ve seen in 50 years of watching MLB. Braves need a Matt Diaz type bench player or better yet a right-handed hitting corner outfielder who can start and hold down the position.
RMikel58
July 18th, 2011
10:39 am
Heyward is afraid of getting hurt again. He’s not gonna give 100%. He’s just gonna limp thru the rest of the season and think about it over the summer. Francouer is tons better than Heyward and he knows that. Francouer wanted more money and the Braves had no options but to go with Heyward.
Dont blame him, blame Mgmt.
We can always look around the league where ex-braves play now and say that we wish we had them back and its easy to compare.
We can only speculate the “what if’s” when it comes down to a ball players performance., I’d take Jeff over Heyward but then again it comes down to money and not so much stats. Heyward may turn out to be better later on and Jeff Franceour might implode, we dont know.
We could do the trade and Franceour comes here and has a bad season, then what? We’ve all seen this before. Guys get the big trade and have bad years and then blossom on their last year of their contract.
We’re looking at the “Now” prospect and the player is looking at longetivity of the game.
Herschel Talker
July 18th, 2011
10:50 am
Freddy:
Of course he’s allowed to make those comments. The fact he’s making the comments isn’t what’s making him stupid, it’s the content of the comments. You must admit that both comments are completely ridiculous. Anyone who wants Melky Cabrera back needs his head examined. And anyone who thinks that there is a way to dump KK’s salary is even more braindead. Those are easily the most ridiculous back-to-back comments made on this blog.
FIRE MARK RICHT
HT
ChillyMutt
July 18th, 2011
10:52 am
I think a bat is a luxury right now. Chipper (not hitting for average but is still clutch), Uggla is starting to figure it out, have some speed and small ball ability with Shafer and McLouth, and if Heyward can turn it around this offense will be over the top. If we can get a solid middle reliever … and maybe a prospect for Lowe – I’d take that.
Bryan
July 18th, 2011
10:58 am
I agree an extra bat would be a luxury. Only please on D where we could fill someone would be CF. We really need bullpin help. the 3 headed monther (venters, CK, nd O’Flar) have been worked hard. Getting rid of Lowe this year is key to freeing up $$ for next year to go get a top OF guy. If Chipper retired and Prado takes over 3rd base full time, then you have a NASTY hole in the OF.
Jos Fan
July 18th, 2011
11:03 am
The Braves have holes and they are in RF and CF. A trade that would upgrade either position, especially offensively, should be considered.
JT
July 18th, 2011
11:06 am
Maybe we are all hyper sensitive after Frency but it does look like Francoeur 2.0 in RF, with worse defense. Forget hitting, when is the last time Heyward dove for a ball or looked like he wanted to win, not just stand out there in his uni.
Freddy
July 18th, 2011
11:13 am
you right JT
Remarkable
July 18th, 2011
11:24 am
Lowe is a Cold Weather pitcher. We will need him if we get to the World Series. Trade him in the winter, but not now.
Bryan
July 18th, 2011
11:30 am
Give heyward some time to develop. he is only 21. media hype has made him the next jesus christ, which has placed unobtainable expectations on him.
Steve
July 18th, 2011
11:51 am
Trade Heyward and Lowe as a package. For all of his talent, Heyward will not produce because he will not listen. Thinks he already has the game figured out.
PMC
July 18th, 2011
11:54 am
People, freaking relax about Jason Heyward. Seriously.
Bryan
July 18th, 2011
12:01 pm
@steve can you give us an example as to how Heyward does not listen? is he ignoring advise on his approach to hitting? fielding? life in general? or is he just not responding to your twitter tweets.
ghostwriter
July 18th, 2011
12:12 pm
I don’t see anyone that could realistically be traded for Lowe on the current Tigers team that would really help us out. So we may as well trade him for prospects.
Just taking a look at Detroit’s prospects, how about 3B Nick Castellanos? Or 3B Francisco Martinez?
The list I’m looking at is: http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2011/#list=det
Seriously
July 18th, 2011
12:25 pm
While it would be good to move Lowe’s salary, I doubt we make this move and not sure we should. In the playoffs, Lowe can be the extra long/middle RH relief we lack.
jarvis
July 18th, 2011
12:26 pm
Can we get Kowakami back in here?
Daniel Buck
July 18th, 2011
12:27 pm
It’s like nobody has heard of the sophomore slump….. That is all that is wrong with Heyward… Relax people
DawgDad
July 18th, 2011
12:28 pm
Anyone ever hear of the Sophomore Slump? With DU 50 fathoms below the Mendoza line and Chipper on the DL it’s hard for me to be overly critical of a 21-year old kid holding down an everyday job in Right Field, just recently off the DL himself. He’s struggling mightily against lefties this year, but he’s only had 85 at-bats vs. LHP. This does happen to left-handed hitters, and even Chipper has posted bad years vs. LHP.
ChicagoBrave
July 18th, 2011
12:37 pm
@Steve– Have you been trying to give him pointers? Your criticisms seem to point to a lack of maturity, however it’s the opposite that is universally regarded as one of his biggest assets as a young player. He’s 21 years old, and expected to be the face of the franchise in only his 2nd year as a big leaguer. When he develops his talent and puts it all together, which he will, he’s got the potential to be a perennial all star.
I was among the many who have been calling for Lowe and his bloated contract to pack up and leave Atlanta for the past few seasons, but I have to admit that at this point in the season, he’s just as valuable as anyone else in the rotation. It’s no secret that he can be inconsistent at times, but it’s hard to put a price tag on a proven and reliable work horse down the stretch. Even when he’s not at his best, he still go 6 innings and leave having kept his team in position to win…and that is invaluable come Sept-Oct.
If they can move him, I think the time for that comes this winter. Having a fully stocked rotation come September is paramount to any team chasing a title.
Brendan
July 18th, 2011
12:48 pm
First, I don’t like the idea of trading Derek Lowe. Pause. But, to get something good, you’ve got to give something good, and Lowe’s contract still is a good bit of money. It might not be bad, at all, to unload it. I just ask that the return for Lowe make IMMEDATE IMPACT and get the team into the NLCS again. It’s been too long now since the Braves made an LCS appearance. The last time the Braves won a game in the World Series … was Game Two, vs. the Yankees, in 1996.
Can’t be? It is. I checked. Time for the Braves’ new skipper to build his own legacy, as the team distances itself from the legacy of Bobby Cox.
Steve
July 18th, 2011
12:48 pm
After looking at that photo list of the highest paid players for each team in baseball I am shocked at just how well Lowe has done for us. If you look at those guys, at least 20 of them have been far worse values than Lowe. I really think he will spool it up again late this year. His arm will tire a little and that causes his sinker to drop more and for him thats like gold. He was ridiculously clutch for us the last two months of last year.
That being said, if we can trade him for a good RH bat then we just might have to pull the trigger .. BUT ONLY if we are not stuck paying for most of his remaining contract.
The big caveat here is that Detroit has ZILCH in hitting that I think they would be willing to move that is a RH bat. Cabrera, VMart, Oliva, Peralta are all guys they won’t move. Inge is horrible, and Jackson is no better than Schafer at this point. Boesch is the only hitter they have that I would be willing to take for Lowe, and he’s another leftie. I just don’t see us trading with Detroit and gettign the bat we want/need.
Zing
July 18th, 2011
12:49 pm
I agree with the couple of people who have pointed out that the starting rotation in any playoff series the Braves play will go (in no certain order): Hudson–Hanson–Jurrjens. And then maybe in a game 4, maybe–MAYBE–you start Lowe over Beachy, depending on how they’ve finished the season. So, yeah, trading him would seem to make some sense.
However, if you trade Lowe, then either Minor or Teheran finish the season… and there are some question marks there. Whatever you want to say about Lowe, he’s consistently pitched a lot of innings over several major league seasons. We saw how Minor faded towards the end of the year, and has Teheran ever pitched this much? It’s a move that is not without some risk.
However, due to the huge contract Lowe has and the fact that the Braves will need to start worrying about paying their young guns (Jurrjens and Hanson), I expect Wren to make some kind of move. I think that move will not entail bringing back some kind of big right-handed bat back, though. It’s more likely, seems to me, that we get a reliever and maybe a prospect. The only scenario for a big bat would also involve the Braves moving McLouth or Schafer, and no one wants McLouth and his contract, and the Braves still place some value on Schafer. Also, simply Lowe + McLouth/Schafer does not = big bat. It’s not enough. And the Braves are NOT going to throw in any big minor league prospect (Minor or Teheran or Viscaino).
Note also that Wren is not shy about making trades. I think every year since he’s been in charge he’s made some kind of move, sometimes multiple moves.
We’ll see how it plays out!
Daniel Buck
July 18th, 2011
12:50 pm
I beat you to it DawgDad….. great minds
Joey M
July 18th, 2011
12:53 pm
The Astros will never take on Derek Lowe’s contract obligations. I say never because the Braves will not package Teheran, Beachy and Minor to coax Houston into taking Lowe for either Pence or Bourne. If we are to offer a top tier pitcher to Houston, we need to ignore Bourne and go after Pence. Pence is going to be a superstar in this league. Bourne is fast but that’s about it. He is not an exceptional hitter. He manages. We have that already in Schafer. The only way the Braves should pursue a player like Pence is if Chipper retires and Prado man’s third base. If Chipper wants to come back next year, we are pretty much set.
As far as taking on another center fielder, I would only trade a top tier player for Guitterez in Seattle. That dude can cover some ground in CF.
Jason Bay
July 18th, 2011
12:57 pm
They can only trade Lowe as a Salary Dump or possibly get an even swap for Jason Bay. Braves dumped Texeria ,so they can dump Lowe too.
BravesFan79
July 18th, 2011
12:57 pm
Congrats Mr Schultz for being CAPTIAN OBVIOUS!! This article is about 3 months to late tho, he should of been traded while his stock was still high as i said when he was actually still winning games. We probably wont be able to get a decent hitter back now with his stock so low, and well be lucky to find a team to take on his entire salary.
Willi
July 18th, 2011
1:07 pm
Are you going to trade a very consistent pitcher for a righ handed bat? Look what is happening with Uggla and Mclouth, they supposed to be very good hitters. Bringing a right handed batter doesn’t garantee that it’s going to hit well, we know that Lowe is going to pitch well, specially down the stretch.
Go Braves!
July 18th, 2011
1:07 pm
ESPN had stat that said Lowe was 22-22 last 3 years before all-star break and 21-10 after the break. Might need to hold on to him til end of year, then trade in offseason.
Peter
July 18th, 2011
1:24 pm
No matter who we would trade Lowe for it is risky…….look at Uggla as the example.
SkokieDog
July 18th, 2011
1:27 pm
If we can get Len Barker for the stretch run, I say, “go for it!”
Steve
July 18th, 2011
1:42 pm
Sometimes I miss the obvious. After looking at Detroit I am now realizing this has to be a three deal swing. Maybe two separate trades, but three teams involved.
– Braves trade Lowe for prospects which clears money
– Braves trade prospects to another team for a bat
I found a ‘10 sluggers that must be moved’ writeup, and here is that list:
Ludwick
Bay
Francouer
Carlos Lee
Soriano
Cuddyer
Aramis Ramirez
Adam Dunn
Beltran
Jose Reyes
From this list the only ones that makes no sense in any format is Dunn. The rest would all provide a much needed right handed bat in the OF (Prado could move back to LF if Ramirez came over). Lee, Soriano, Beltran and Bay are all ridiculously expensive, even for rentals. Because of that we might be able to get one of them for fewer prospects just because the trading team will want to save a $4-5 million over the rest of the season in salary.
While normally teams won’t trade in their division, rental players should be treated the exact opposite. If the Mets can steal a couple of prospects from a competitor for a rental player it would make perfect sense to pull the trigger.
Personally, if we could offload salary with Lowe and then maybe free up money for Reyes then it would be worth the prospects .. but, we don’t have the luxury of knowing we can sign him beforehand.
Frenchy wouldn’t work because he is loving the run and fun style in KC and the Braves don’t know what a running game is. How in the world Schafer has as many SB’s as he does is beyond me giving the sludge he has to run thru by the Braves purposely watering down the infield to quicksand-like consistency. If he played in KC, Cincy, San Diego, or Tampa where they manicure the infield to help fast guys he would look ridiculously fast.
Ronald Millsaps
July 18th, 2011
1:50 pm
I wouldn’t make a trade. Team chemistry is too strong, and the team is improving. An unnecessary trade could disrupt things— even if the player(s) in question do well.
Dan Uggla’s doing his part in righting his own ship, and Jason Heyward, who doesn’t need to be batting ahead of Uggla, needs to follow suit. The Braves don’t really need a bat. Honestly, the Phillies need a bat more than Atlanta does– and I’m fascinated to see who they pursue.
Lowe also provides knowledge and a lot of intangibles and takes pressure off Hanson, Jurrjens, etc.. One has to consider the overall picture.
Jordan Schafer has been very strong defensively and offensively is improving significantly after being rushed to the majors two years ago— which very well might’ve been Frank Wren’s doing. Yes, he has ironing to do offensively, but he’s blossoming nicely. Impeding this development wouldn’t be wise.
Nate McLouth is earning a spot on the 2012 roster, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve wondered throughout his time here why he has struggled as he has, as he clearly has the God-given ability and the intelligence. I think he a) has lost bat speed; I’ve noticed he fouls a lot of pitches off to the left; b) hasn’t made adjustments to pitchers’ adjustments to him after 2008, and c) has found playing in Atlanta quite different than playing at PNC Park, as opponents tend to be much more focused. I suggest working diligently to bolster bat speed, i.e. workouts designed to increase explosiveness.
We have the best defensive outfield in the game, which is one of our homogenous points right now, and I’d hate for the team to self-inflict this asset.
Marcus
July 18th, 2011
2:06 pm
now that I think about it…maybe trading Lowe isn’t the best idea…#1 – any trade for Lowe will more than likely yield a middle of the road type player like a utility or bench guy #2 – we’re gonna ahve to eat some of his salary for next year and it doesn’t make sense to trade from a position of weakness when we’re only 3 games back…I say trade on of the young guys for a good hitter (which will only be a rental) or stand pat
dave
July 18th, 2011
3:37 pm
Overpaid and underperformed, let em go. No body in the world needs or deserves to be paid 15 million a year.
wins-by-a-link
July 18th, 2011
4:47 pm
Now would be the best time to trade Lowe, Contending teams are looking for pitching to make a run for the playoffs and may be willing to give up a right handed bat or some good prospects, Lowe has not endeared himself with management with his run-in with the Law, The Braves organization does not tolerate this type of behavior. This is the exact situation that brought John Smoltz to Atlanta in the trade with Detroit for Doyle Alexander.
F Troop
July 18th, 2011
5:10 pm
Why again do we need a RH bat? And where will he play? People are out of their minds. Don’t be shortsighted. Lowe is VET pitcher – $$ in the bank for the playoffs. We’re not built to catch Philly, but we can do damage in the playoffs and get to the WS. A post-season vet starter in the playoffs is worth 20 innings of under 3.0 ERA. Besides, our kid arms don’t need pressure handed to them this early in the season yet. I say stick with what we got.
Bryan
July 18th, 2011
5:25 pm
@F Troop. Agree with you 100%. only thing we could use is a little quality bull pin help. get rid of proctor!!
Packer Ed
July 19th, 2011
9:04 am
Becasue of the Smoltz trade and the J J trade, Detroit may be gun shy to do another trade with the braves.
Jump at the chance to trade Derek Lowe to Detroit. Phillies want to win in October and they will not be standing still at the trade deadline. Braves will win world series if Frank Wren can do what Brian Sabian did last year, trade for a player like Cody Ross and not give up much.
geno
July 19th, 2011
10:19 am
St. Louis has placed Colby Rasmus on the block. He is a solid CF and hits with a lot of power. They are in need of pitching. A young stud on the front side of his career. Go for it, FW! Go Braves!
Larry
July 19th, 2011
5:46 pm
i say keep lowe and waive that !@#$% writer DOB!!!.Worse thing ajc ever did!!!
Larry
July 19th, 2011
5:48 pm
genco
show us a link otherwise quit making up stupid shyt
Big Dude
July 20th, 2011
8:37 am
After last night, I don’t know if it would be a good thing to trade Lowe right now. Beachy crashed and burned and showed he’s not ready with only his slider. In Denver, sliders don’t slide, curve balls don’t curve, but homers fly out of there.
benchwarmer
July 20th, 2011
11:46 am
What we hear is that Heyward will be a really good ballplayer one day. I do get tired of seeing him in the line up while he is still mediocre. The man is not contributing enough. Problem is the whole outfield is below par. Braves need to fix that but likly not to happen soon.
eric jackson
July 21st, 2011
3:23 am
Derek Lowe is the guy the braves will need down the stretch. He was their best pitcher against a very powerful Giants team during the NLDS. Low era but the bats could not wake up. Trading him during mid season would be a bad move. I understand the economics so I think the braves may part ways with him in the off season to free up some cash. Kris Medlin is coming back and Teheran. The braves need him now make no mistake about it but next year ….probably not. When his sinker is working, d Lowe frustrates batters and he is very fun to watch. He does not give in. It’s not his m.o. to strike you out but ground out and hit some pop up.