Braves, Wren would be taking risk without major move
Frank Wren would like to hold up a trophy other than Jair Jurrjens' pitcher of the month honors for May. But to that, he may need to make a major move first. (Jason Getz/AJC)
(UPDATED: 11 p.m.)
Unless there is a sudden change in wind direction, don’t expect much. Major trades happen when a team is willing to give up a significant part of its present or its future, and as of now the Braves seem to be predisposed to doing neither.
They didn’t get Carlos Beltran from New York because they wouldn’t part with Mike Minor. To get Hunter Pence from Houston or Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox, neither of whom are impending unrestricted free agents, would take more than one young arm. Also, to get somebody Philadelphia really wants might mean showing a willingness to spend more money than the Phillies.
This doesn’t mean general manager Frank Wren won’t make some move. (Maybe Josh Willingham will be this year’s version of Ryan Church. You can never have enough former Nationals). It doesn’t even mean that the Braves, as currently constructed, aren’t capable of making the playoffs, or winning the division, or going to the World Series, or winning it all.
But can you be comfortable right now?
The Braves lost to Pittsburgh on Thursday night 5-2. In the last six games, they have scored 2, 3, 1, 4, 2 and 2 runs — and the 4 came in 19 innings. Record in that span: 2-4.
This won’t cut it in a pennant chase.
Wren would be playing a dangerous game if he doesn’t make a major move. The Braves aren’t healthy. They may not get healthy. Even Chipper Jones used the word “erode” when describing the decline of his own aging body the other day, adding, “For some reason, I can’t keep my leg muscles together.”
Wren wants to win. He certainly has done a nice job reshaping this roster the last couple of years (we attribute Kenshin Kawakami to temporary insanity). But without a significant acquisition, he would be banking on hitting a parlay. It goes like this:
♦ First bet: Nearly every injured Brave of significance gets healthy or can play at a high level with his existing injuries. That includes Jones (quadriceps, for now), Brian McCann (oblique) and Jordan Schafer (finger). It also assumes that Dan Uggla (who appears to have turned things around ) and Jason Heyward will be solid contributors in the next two months. Those are five assumptions.
♦ Second bet: Because sheer logic suggests that not everything will go right, the Braves will need to somehow recapture the chemistry and magic that enabled them to manufacture runs, wins games and endure injuries and obstacles down the stretch last year. And that has not always been evident this season.
When asked if he believed his team needed some help, manager Fredi Gonzalez chose his words carefully: “I think we can improve the ballclub, yes. I think if you ask 30 managers that, they’re all gonna say, yes. … If there’s a player out there who we’re able to acquire and he makes us better, I think we’ll do it.”
Is he more inclined to bang on Wren’s door after injuries like those to McCann and Jones?
“I think Frank’s watching the game,” Gonzalez said, smiling.
The Braves were a resilient bunch last season. They went through a blur of lineups and batting orders, survived a long string of injuries, made the playoffs as a wild card and ultimately lost three of four one-run games to San Francisco, the team that went on to win the World Series. A series of unlikely occurrences led to wins, with their final win of 2010 topping them all: Rick Ankiel (.210) homering in the 11th inning for a 5-4 playoff win over the Giants, making a winner of maligned reliever Kyle Farnsworth.
Ankiel and Farnsworth — there’s an unlikely exacta of heroes.
Much of the 2010 team remains in place, but chemistry isn’t an easy thing to recreate. The Braves need something more tangible — another bat.
Back in spring training, Gonzalez said: “It makes it fun to come to the ballpark when you’ve got good chemistry. When they take care of their own problems, it makes it easy.”
But it won’t be easy for the Braves to overcome their problems without some help.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
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409 comments Add your comment
Jordan Schafer
July 28th, 2011
10:35 pm
Trade yourself B-Mac.
O'Brien
July 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
The good thing with the Braves struggling to score many runs against the Pirates is it should reinforce to Mr. Wren that this offense needs help. If we were beating the Pirates by 4 or 5 runs per game, Wren might think the team is snapping out of their funk.
Jeff,
Do you think Heyward can learn something from Freeman? Maybe his stance, mechanics etc?
Brave Fan
July 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
It’ll take a whole lot more than that now because the Phillies and Red Sox are throwing offers in there.
I’d trade those two for Bourn
Rilo
July 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
Braves 10 hits….Bucs 8 hits
Mitchell
July 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
We cannot lose to the f*ing Pirates.
This just can’t happen.
The starting pitcher giving up three runs should not constitute a death sentence.
Why is it the other team gets to our guy first and the offense simply has no response?
It’s just pathetic.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
Jeff, can you explain to me why the Braves would rather add Pence/Quentin/Ludwick than Bourn? I feel like the biggest hole in the team is at lead-off and CF. Why add a corner outfielder that doesn’t fit into the Braves defense?
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2011
10:37 pm
Freeman now 3-for-4 this game and hitting .292. He’s 81-for-245 (.331) in last 63 games.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Hanrahan in… game over.
Is the Murph available?
July 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Biggest difference in Freeman and Heyward’s rookie years – Heyward’s stats went down over the season bc he didn’t adjust to pitching whereas F.F. has made adjustments constantly and shown great improvement in his hitting. Results?? – Heyward never makes adjustments and becomes the next Franceour, F.F. continues to work on his game and follows McCann’s success
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2011
10:39 pm
Cuba — Disagree. I think a guy to drive in runs is needed more than leadoff guy.
Brave Fan
July 28th, 2011
10:39 pm
I agree with Cuba. Leadoff guy that can actually get on base and then steal bases. Make pitchers go out of the stretch for a change with Prado, Freeman…at bat.
Jordan Schafer
July 28th, 2011
10:40 pm
Hey O’Brien,
Heyward can borrow my notes on Freeman.
Gen Neyland
July 28th, 2011
10:40 pm
So, who was doubting Freeman’s ability to contribute..? With pitching, all things are possible. : See 1991.
Rilo
July 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
Is the Murph available?
July 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Biggest difference in Freeman and Heyward’s rookie years – Heyward’s stats went down over the season bc he didn’t adjust to pitching whereas F.F. has made adjustments constantly and shown great improvement in his hitting. Results?? – Heyward never makes adjustments and becomes the next Franceour, F.F. continues to work on his game and follows McCann’s success
Totally agree but Heyward’s problem is his swing…Frenchy couldn’t lay off pitches off the outside corner of the plate. I like Heyward’s chances but he’s still a kid.
Jordan Schafer
July 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
“I agree with Cuba. Leadoff guy that can actually get on base and then steal bases. Make pitchers go out of the stretch for a change with Prado, Freeman…at bat.”
umm………….HELLO!
Seriously
July 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
Please tell me WHY you get a 3-0 count and you swing on the next pitch? Do these ball players not remember the rule…dont swing on 3-0? God Uggla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gen Neyland
July 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
…but forget Charlie Leibrandt, if you can…
Gen Neyland
July 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
Is a Kirby Puckett available..?
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
I just feel like the Braves have too many “power” guys already in the lineup that are supposed to be driving in runs. The Braves lack of speed just bothers the heck out of me.
DetroitBraves
July 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
The Braves need a guy that doesn’t make so many outs. If he’s fast or has power or both, all the better. But first and foremost, just don’t make so many outs. This team is hacktastic beyond any in a long, long time.
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
Good crowd tonight: 38,355.
Seriously
July 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
what the heck was wrong with those pitches? down the middle and ball?
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
“I agree with Cuba. Leadoff guy that can actually get on base and then steal bases. Make pitchers go out of the stretch for a change with Prado, Freeman…at bat.”
This is exactly my train of thought. There’s not a better lead off man in the league than Michael Bourn. Seems like he would make more of an impact than Ludwick and some of the other guys mentioned.
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
Goodbye.
RC in the ATL
July 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
So 18,355 go home without the bobble head?
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
Well… no chance in hell to win this game now. Good job, Braves.
Seriously
July 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
Game over!!!!!!!!!!!
Rilo
July 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
I got an idea. let’s walk the leadoff hitter. It never comes back to bite
Gen Neyland
July 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
Jeffy, hope you get to bed before 7 AM. I’m done and hitting the sack. Go Braves…
Caseyatthebat
July 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
Jeff, in the 19 inning game the other night I counted six of the nine players we had on the field having batting averages of .236 or lower. Especially with McCann and Chipper out, how can this team reasonably expect to finish in the playoffs?
Is the Murph available?
July 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
@Rilo – totally agree – different problems Heyward/Frenchy but the situation just seems all too familiar. Frenchy has finally started to listen to coaches/makes adjustments and is doing much better – just hope Heyward learns the lesson before getting trading away in a similar manner. Too much talent to waste on hard-headedness
Brave Fan
July 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
Thats the guy they wanted to play when they shipped Goldie Locks to us.
Sorry Jordon, the getting on base part is where you have had a little trouble.
Rilo
July 28th, 2011
10:47 pm
This team is back to being horrible. Trade will help but I think we’re seeing there is no way the pitching will hold up like it did in the 1st half of the season.
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2011
10:47 pm
I won’t say Braves have no chance to come back, but here’s their scoring output for last 6 games: 2-3-1-4-2-2(so far). And the 4 came in 19 innings.
DetroitBraves
July 28th, 2011
10:48 pm
O’Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrel and the Braves are golden. With the other guys they are…um…..less than golden. And yet it’s not physically possible for the lefties and Kimbrel to pitch every day. The bat is the bigger concern but the depth in the bullpen is a problem.
RC in the ATL
July 28th, 2011
10:48 pm
Well…the Braves are not playing good ball right now folks. Very uninspired since all-star break. They had to have a gift on Tuesday just to salvage a split in this one. To go back to the beginning of this thread entirely…I totally agree with Jeff Schultz…but with one slight modification. I think the Braves would be taking a MAJOR risk without a major move!
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:49 pm
Maybe if we acquire both Bourn and Pence we’ll make the playoffs.
Jordan Schafer
July 28th, 2011
10:50 pm
McCutchen reminds me of myself when I was on HGH.
Rilo
July 28th, 2011
10:50 pm
Better be a big trade tomorrow or I’m giving up on the Front Office. I’ll still support the players but the days of trusting the FO will be gone.
TheAntiMe
July 28th, 2011
10:52 pm
Something told me that George Sherrill’s good 8th inning had to me a mirage. Sherrill, Linebrink, and especially Proctor really need to go.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:53 pm
I’m not excited about Chipper coming back and hitting 3rd. Freddie needs to be our #3 guy in my opinion. Freddie/Uggla/Mac in the heart of the order. Chipper would be an ideal #2 guy IMO.
DetroitBraves
July 28th, 2011
10:53 pm
Murphy, look at Francouer’s on-base percentage, slugging percentage and walk rate this year vs. his career norms. The uptick is very, very slight. Almost certainly not meaningful. He’s virtually the same player. If the Royals invest in that it’s likely Fool’s Gold.
Hey we were one of top 4 teams
July 28th, 2011
10:53 pm
Can someone please tell me why “players” in ATL for the Braves cannot hit?
Is it the water? The ghosts from the old stadium?
What we do know…
- it is not Terry’s fault
- it is not Bobby C’s fault
So when will the MEDIA finally call out the pathetic batting approaches taken by various players?
The Braves are always teetering…. close to playing well, close to falling flat, close to teetering over, close to going on a streak…..
What a ride! (sic)
TheAntiMe
July 28th, 2011
10:53 pm
s/b had to be
O'Brien
July 28th, 2011
10:54 pm
From espn.com;
ESPN.com reported Wednesday that the Astros had turned down a trade proposal earlier this week in which the Phillies offered their best pitching prospect, Jarred Cosart, and their best hitting prospect, Jonathan Singleton, along with another pitching prospect.
The Astros have been telling clubs they need four “sure-thing” players in return in order to deal Pence, who is signed for this year at $6.9 million and can’t become a free agent until after the 2013 season..
I like Pence, but I would be surprised to see the Braves give up 3 or 4 top prospects for him.
Brave Fan
July 28th, 2011
10:54 pm
No way we get Pence with the Phillies wanting him. They probably don’t want him as bad as they want us not to get him.
Bourn and Quentin/Willingham, maybe!
Get Infante back too, he wouldn’t cost much right now
Cuba Gooding Jr.
July 28th, 2011
10:54 pm
Something told me that George Sherrill’s good 8th inning had to me a mirage. Sherrill, Linebrink, and especially Proctor really need to go.
You’re an idiot. Sherrill has been good pretty much all year. Linebrink is solid as well. I agree Proctor is garbage though.
BravesFan
July 28th, 2011
10:55 pm
Mccutchen is good example of the importance of lead-off man..He Makes the pirates go. The Braves don’t have that..Schafer don’t get the job done. McC 280 ba and 390 obp.
BravesFan
July 28th, 2011
10:56 pm
Let Varvaro take Procotrs place…
BravesFan
July 28th, 2011
10:56 pm
o-sp Proctor