LIVE: Braves get Michael Bourn, now hope that’s enough
The Braves finally made a catch before the trade deadline: Welcome, Michael Bourn. (AP photo)
(UPDATED: 1:45 p.m. Folks, here’s the updated blog on the trade. I’m read to chat live now about the deal and the game. Sorry couldn’t get to earlier questions and comments but I’ve been kinda busy.)
It was the eve of the trade deadline, and Jordan Schafer was having trouble sleeping.
“I just had a weird feeling,” he said Sunday. “It’s something I hadn’t felt all along. I even sent a text message to my agent. I told him I thought I might be traded. He said, ‘No, there’s no chance.’”
And then he opened his phone to show a reporter the text message: “10:57 p.m. ‘Wonder if I’m going to Houston.’”
Sometimes, it’s not so great to be a prophet.
The Braves dealt Schafer to Houston Sunday. They made the move less because of what they believe Schafer might be one day than what he isn’t now: Michael Bourn. After dealing Schafer and three prospects to Houston for Bourn, the All-Star center fielder and leadoff hitter, Braves general manager Frank Wren said, “Michael is what we hope Jordan will be in three or four years. For a team that’s poised to win, we need a finished product.”
Wren needed the right sound bite. Braves fans have felt antsy, angry, frustrated, discontent and maybe even borderline hopeless after seeing San Francisco (Carlos Beltran) and Philadelphia (Hunter Pence) each spin major deals in recent days. So Wren hit on the right themes. What comes of this deal, we can’t possibly know.
Chipper Jones lauded Bourn’s speed, but when asked if the Braves are better team as a result of the deal, he said: “I don’t know. Talk to me in two months.”
The fact Jones was a big fan of Schafer’s might have fed into his comments. (At one point, he left his locker to walk over to Schafer, who was packing, to give him a hug, and the two spoke privately for a couple of minutes.) But Jones also struck the proper tone. There were some things about this year’s Braves team we projected back in spring training camp that haven’t panned out. So it’s best not to assume anything now.
Still, credit to Wren. He waited until the day of the trading deadline before pushing the button. The trade market had become increasingly difficult and expensive (opponents love desperate buyers). Wren made the best trade he could have possibly made at this point.
Bourn is hitting .303. He leads the majors with 39 stolen bases. He has 28 infield hits. He has won two Gold Gloves. He immediately becomes this team’s best and most established leadoff hitter since Rafael Furcal. So this is no minor acquisition.
“The perfect fit,” Wren called him.
The Braves certainly have World Series potential now. Then again, we thought that they had that in the spring. Championships assume two things: good health and expected production, and the Braves have used their opening day lineup only 11 times.
But consider this potential batting order: Michael Bourne, Martin Prado, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Dan Uggla, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Alex Gonzalez. If everybody’s clicking, there’s no escape. After all the angst, this may work out yet.
Some of what Wren said Sunday carried a trace of draft day spin. He acknowledged the team “inquired” about Pence and had interest in Beltran. But he also suggested the Braves never really wanted either that much.
“We could’ve had Beltran. … Same with Pence,” he said. “We were involved in everything but we weren’t really into everything.” (I’m assuming the comments would’ve been different had they acquired either.)
Wren got his wish: He held onto the organization’s four projected golden arms in the minors. He closed the deal for Bourn just before 9 a.m., then he phoned Schafer.
“I was backing out my driveway,” Schafer said. “As soon as I looked down at the phone and saw who it was, I knew. It sucks. But it’s a business.”
In a perfect world, Schafer goes on to have a good career, the Braves win a championship and Bourn turns out to be a lot better than the last time the team traded for a Gold Glove, All-Star center fielder who could hit leadoff (Nate McLouth).
We’ve learned not to project. But it certainly looks good.
By Jeff Schultz
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794 comments Add your comment
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:11 pm
We dont celebrate the losses. Braves been nails since 91.
todd grantham
July 31st, 2011
5:13 pm
Jeffrey, have you asked The Count if he has any inside info on additional Wren moves?
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:16 pm
I hope that happens phillies fan. braves and phils have some milestones left for this year. It seems like they are copying each other.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:18 pm
welcome to the 10,000 club!
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:19 pm
braves fans from at least ‘91 dont celebrate to much losing.
COOPER
July 31st, 2011
5:21 pm
Michael Bourn I think is signed through 2013 when he becomes a free agent. If that is true that makes this trade even better.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:21 pm
Wren are you guys gonna make a real deal? No one wants to come to Atlanta to play baseball. You know why? They dont want to play in front of half empty Turner Field during the playoffs.
nique
July 31st, 2011
5:23 pm
This is a great move!!! We didn’t give up a whole lot in my opinion to get an All-Star at a position of need for us. He adds another dimension to the offense and is an upgrade in the field.
In a meritocracy I don’t see why Chipper should bat 3rd if everybody is healthy enough to be in the lineup. At this point, McCann is definitely preferable and arguments could definitely be made in favor of Freeman and even Uggs now.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:23 pm
Has Turner Field had any sellouts this year? Beyonce concert doesnt count.
iTiSi
July 31st, 2011
5:24 pm
“Bourn to be Wild” is good, but I do like “BOURN TO RUN” better. That has to be played and flashed on the big screen when he gets on first.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:24 pm
Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Wren. Wren who? Wren is Atlanta going to get a real GM.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:25 pm
How about… “Bourn Atlanta Bourn” by the General Shermanators
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
5:30 pm
Phillies now 6 games up. Bourn to in the Wild Card race are the Braves
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:30 pm
braves will be alright with bourne. Bourne will put that pressure on the oponents pitching on the bases. Braves will improve with speed on the bases and getting the runs in.Its easier to drive in runs with fast base runners who can score from first on a double and get to third on a base hit.
Mister Frisky
July 31st, 2011
5:31 pm
Hopefully with a arrival of Mr.Bourn we won’t have any more 13 hit 1 run displays.
Ray Charles
July 31st, 2011
5:31 pm
Bourn To Lose
Robert
July 31st, 2011
5:31 pm
Well I hope the plan is to bring up these young arms soon to help in the pen. Since we totally passed on a right handed bat.
todd grantham
July 31st, 2011
5:32 pm
how about “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. you know, burn, burn, burn.
todd grantham
July 31st, 2011
5:33 pm
or the them from “the Bourne Identity”
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:33 pm
hey falcon, great analysis. Never heard that before about speed on base giving more opp to score. REALLY? send your resume to espn.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:34 pm
stillborn
philalamo
July 31st, 2011
5:34 pm
I’ll take crappy cities for $200 Alex.
Correct Question: “What is Philadelphia?” Also would have accepted “What is Filthydelphia?”
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:35 pm
bourn dead
mark
July 31st, 2011
5:39 pm
Its time to trade J Heyward while we can. Way overrated at the plate. Tries till kill everything. Tired of looking at that swing. Never tries for a team hit just a me-me-me home run.
ane
July 31st, 2011
5:40 pm
It’s a good trade, finally the braves get a legitmate CF [none since AJ] anf leadoff hitter [none since Furcal] I grew to like Shaefer and think he has potential a few years down the road. His problems are behuind him as he seemed to have matured. mclout on the other hand should be waived or sent down to AA ball where he belongs. Probably wont be back next season, hope his “strain” lasts through the end of this season. Good luck bourne
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:41 pm
dong.. are you new to baseball. let me tell you a few leadoff hitters who made their teams better with speed. Pete Rose, Ricky Henderson, deion sanders- do you know any of these people.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:41 pm
Peter Gammons: Wrens hands were tied. He couldnt trade away his minor league pitching talent because he knows that the Braves are going to lose some of the current staff to FA. Whereas, a team like the phillies are going for it year after year because they have the support of the fans who are close to selling out 200 games in a row. It comes down to money. The phils have it and the braves dont.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:45 pm
FALCON. you said…Its easier to drive in runs with fast base runners who can score from first on a double and get to third on a base hit. That is not analysis. That is common sense. Even a four yr old knows that. The smarter baseball fan knows that “smart” baserunning is much more valuable than speed on the bases. BTW, pete rose was not fast. He was a smart baserunner and he hustled.
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:46 pm
last word…WE GOT ASOMUGHA!!!
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:47 pm
Like i said you dont know baseball.
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:50 pm
dont talk about the eagles. With all that talent, the eagles should have won a superbowl. Chokes in front of all those sold out eagle games
dong kumong
July 31st, 2011
5:51 pm
im sure “falcon”fiend legitimizes you as a baseball fan. that team sucks too btw
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:53 pm
Hey, there are many braves fans that dont live in atlanta. go to a braves road game and you will see plenty.
Braves Homer
July 31st, 2011
5:55 pm
Wow, I like this move. A solid leadoff hitter in the lineup, and most of all, a solid African American Big Leaguer in Atlanta! I was starting to think the organization was a little racist
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
5:55 pm
falconfiend no where as many as the Phils have on the road. In Washington, Florida we outnumber their fans by a few thousand
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
5:56 pm
Braves Homer… Isn’t Heyward black? I hate this race bating talk.
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
5:56 pm
Tomahawk chop forever and a dirty bird. C DEION SANDERS GO INTO THE HALL OF FAME AS A FALCON. GO TO THE HOUSE THAT DEION BUILT AND ROOT FOR YOUR EAGLES BUT LOOK UP AND C THAT #21
kerryb
July 31st, 2011
5:57 pm
To outnumber Marlins fans is no great feat.
falconfiend
July 31st, 2011
6:01 pm
DONG GO TO THE HOUSE THAT DEION BUILT AND ROOT FOR YOUR EAGLES, BUT REMEMBER TO LOOK UP AND SEE #21 HALL OF FAME BANNER HANGING. BEST CORNERBACK TO EVER PLAY IN THE NFL. Leadoff hitter for the braves at one time. thats greatness.
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
6:02 pm
kerryb… Look at our road games we travel very well. You guys can’t outnumber anyone on the road barely at home. You never sellout.
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
6:04 pm
Did Deon ever win anything in Atlanta? Didn’t think so.
VABRAVE
July 31st, 2011
6:09 pm
PhilliesFan does the entire city of Philly suck.
PhilliesFan
July 31st, 2011
6:13 pm
VABRAVE you have obviously never been to the Rittenhouse Square, Old City or Queens Village, Fairmount or Society Hill sections of Philly. All are very nice. Our suburbs are awesome. The Mainline is as nice as any suburban section in the country
kerryb
July 31st, 2011
6:21 pm
So Philliefan, are you saying earlier that your guys are a bunch of nomads following your team around. Get a life.
ijudgenot
July 31st, 2011
6:21 pm
Bourn trade was a good trade, but it won’t mean a thing if Fredi keeps the same swing for the fences approach. Constanza, also a very fast guy, was on base 3 times today and did not attempt a steal once. Nor was there a hit and run called. Speed is only useful on offense if you use it.
braverforaver
July 31st, 2011
6:23 pm
Everyone here needs to admit that we failed during the trade deadline. No matter what Wren said, he did want Beltran and Pence. While other teams got option#1 before trade deadline, we got the third option at best. When is the last time we got option#1 to come here?
kerryb
July 31st, 2011
6:23 pm
Freddie’s hitting close to .300 he can swing for whatever he wants to.
dongkumong
July 31st, 2011
6:24 pm
hey falcon… read what ijudge said. obviously he understands deeper than the common sense level of baseball wisdom that you carry.
ian
July 31st, 2011
6:25 pm
Schultz, at least spell his name right — Bourn, not Bourne. Jeez. You gotta do better than that.
kerryb
July 31st, 2011
6:27 pm
braverforaver, I agree with what Wren did. Who wants to give away one of our golden prospects for a gimpy two month rental. Pence or Bourne. Well the Braves needed more team speed that can hit and Bourne is a career .271 hitter hitting .303 with 39 SB. Only caught 7 times this year. He’s also a 2 time gold glover which Pence is not. I’d rather had Bourne. The Braves needed a true lead off hitter. Not just another bat in the OF.