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
Coach
July 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
I consider Bourn more valueable than Pence. Houston wanted 2 top guns and 2 minor league players for Pence. Wren was willing to include Minor in the package offered for Pence, but Wren didn’t budge, kudos to him, and I feel that we got the better player filling our major needs without giving up ANY of our top guns, extra kudos for Wren with sugar on top. Question is, can Wren be even more creative and either get a quality right handed arm in to bridge the gap between the starters and the big three or pull a trade possibly dumping Lowe and some of that salary for Quentin? I think that Wren isn’t finished yet. I am very happy with the trade and expect to see great things from this team over the next couple of months.
Arthur Redding, Jr.
July 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
Francouer has benefitted greatly (as has Melky) from moving to the AL. NL pitching is clearly stronger–and NL East is the strongest of all.
But Wren said he still wants a RH bat but that it will be a player off the bench, not someone like Josh Willingham. But I have no idea who he’s looking at. Anybody?
Astros got legitimate propects in the Bourn deal, really enhancing their minor league pitching depth. Along with the players they got from the Phillies, the Astros have genuinely strengthened what was a weak minor league system. It’s a mistake to think the Braves got something for nothing.
61 year Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
1:14 pm
Let’s get Adams (for bullpen) and Ludwick (r.h.bat to platoon with Heyward) from Padres. Give up
Minor if you have to.
Optimistic Brave
July 31st, 2011
1:18 pm
Good move…you can safely add Furcal to that list.
61 year Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
1:20 pm
Bourne, Prado and then Freeman Wow. Freeman a great number 3 hitter. His singles to right send Bourne or Prado to 3rd almost every time. The kid is a natural hitter with a short, quick stroke.
Can’t Braves coaches teach this to Heyward whose swing is too long and who tries to pull
everything and winds up grounding out to 2nd base too often.
Red Stick
July 31st, 2011
1:23 pm
Good move by Wren. I think it would have been stupid to rent Beltran for 3 months (he’s prone to injury anyway) and give up our top pitching prospects. I think Bourn is a better addition than Pence.
I have never been sold on Schafer.
DawgDad
July 31st, 2011
1:23 pm
I liked Schafer’s hustle and hard-nosed approach but I’ve seen enough to know he’s not going to turn into Josh Hamilton. Bourn is in his prime and has established levels of expectation, which is what this team needs.
I do believe they still desperately need a right-handed run-producing bat in the outfield. The addition of Bourn leaves Hinske-McLouth-Heyward in left and right field, with Constanza and Ramirez in reserve, and on the off-day when Chipper manages to crawl onto the field they’re still overloaded with lefty hitters or Ramirez in the lineup. Under the circumstances, cutting Matt Diaz loose is looking more and more like a big mistake.
Coach
July 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
Ludwick is headed to the tribe, they are finalizing the deal now. Adams would be nice, but the price tag is too high, even higher than what they are asking for for Heath Bell. All they really need is a decent arm to help bridge the gap. They may elect to just bring a power arm up from the minors to help in the pen. I think that when Chipper gets back, Prado will move back to left and McClouth will be the swing man for the outfield, unless he gets traded. Infante would be nice, but it would appear that the fish are holding on to him.
DawgDad
July 31st, 2011
1:29 pm
I wonder, too, how much Bourn will appreciate the opportunity to stick a needle in the Phillies’ backsides.
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:32 pm
Why is Chipper not in the lineup? That MRI actually show a tear in his quad?
Rossie is getting a breather, I hope this Toscan can play. At least call a good game for Hanson.
Please, J-Hey, whatever is ailing you, bust out of it today. Please.
Optimistic Brave
July 31st, 2011
1:34 pm
From the sound of it from Wren, he may be looking to use a prospect to get that LF position filled by the next deadline. Wow, that would be a great addition to make Atlanta’s one of the best outfields in the game, speed and power.
P_The_Ricker
July 31st, 2011
1:36 pm
Coach,
I disagree w/ your assessment that mclouth is the swing man. hinske has proven to be just as effective in the field and has an obviously better bat.
neither hinske or mclouth are capable of playing cf, so lf is the preferred back-up position for both, with possibly rf as a last resort. for defensive purposes, expect constanza to get playing time late in games for either.
Bruce
July 31st, 2011
1:37 pm
I want to be excited but c’mon, Bourn is a career .271 hitter with 12 HRs and 140 RBI in five years. The one thing he brings is stolen bases assuming he can get on base. Bourn is essentially Jordan Schafer with more developed skills, and it cost the Braves three pitchers to get that.
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:38 pm
Jeff –
Are you online?
Coach
July 31st, 2011
1:40 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Chipper hang it up after this year. I would really like to see them get quentin before the deadline, then Prado can play third and Quentin in left.
Millermoose
July 31st, 2011
1:41 pm
I would rather have Bourne than Beltran (always hurt) or Pence (right fielder) We now have a lead off hitter which neither of the others could do and a legitimate base stealer which they also could not do. For my money, we got the best fit for our team and losing Schaffer is not really a loss since he too stays on the DL. GOOD JOB FRANK !
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:42 pm
Good inning, Tommy. Not too many pitches, slider looks filthy.
Steve
July 31st, 2011
1:42 pm
Jeff must be asleep, or drunk. Or maybe he melted?
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:45 pm
Coach –
You mean get Quentin by 4 pm today?
Nice hit, rook.
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:46 pm
@Steve – LOL.
mj
July 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
Guess Jose doesn’t want to go back to Gwinnett
Danny
July 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
Frank Wren pulled off one of the most impressive trades i can remember in a long time. I have been hard on him in the past for a few trades (Texeira, Escobar) but this one was excellent. A right handed bat would have been a nice luxury sure, but our biggest weakness was lack of speed and leadoff man……Wren just turned our biggest weakness into one of our biggest weapons with this move. I can’t believe he pulled this trade off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don Sutton
July 31st, 2011
1:48 pm
SWEET! Even if Schafer becomes above average player, we have run out of patience. We needed Schafer to be putting up Bourne numbers by now. Good job, Frank.
Joey
July 31st, 2011
1:48 pm
Whoo-hoo!
Perfect choice, Frank!
Go Braves!
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:48 pm
C’mon, Freddie – ducks on the pond
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
1:49 pm
Good trade for the Braves and lets get this early run in!
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
not the best way to get a run home, but I’ll take it
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:54 pm
22 games for Uggs. Watch out, DiMaggio
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
FOLKS– The new blog on the Braves’ trade for Bourn is posted. I considered creating a new blog but since everybody’s commenting over here it just made sent to delete the old one. I’ll try to catch up to your comments and questions now while we watch the game. Thanks. J.
Hillbilly D
July 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
I think Wren did a pretty good job this time. Bourne is a much better fit for the team than Beltran would have been.
They aren’t giving up a lot in Schafer, in my opinion. Abreu has a good live arm and the other two I haven’t seen. Only time will tell but at this point, this looks like a good deal.
aj
July 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
Be interesting to watch Jordan S. as he
matures in Houston. Seems players traded
from the Braves are having good 2011
seasons. ( FRENCHY-CABRERA-ESCOBAR)
Seriously?
July 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
Why is anyone on here upset about losing Schafer? The Braves should have given away Schafer and thrown in a few bats and balls for the other team taking him.
tdc
July 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
aj
July 31st, 2011
1:55 pm
Be interesting to watch Jordan S. as he
matures in Houston. Seems players traded
from the Braves are having good 2011
seasons. ( FRENCHY-CABRERA-ESCOBAR)
yawn……
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
Jeff: Omar changing Uni’s after the game?
tdc
July 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
Seriously?
July 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
Why is anyone on here upset about losing Schafer? The Braves should have given away Schafer and thrown in a few bats and balls for the other team taking him.
co-sign
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
1:58 pm
Dennis Felton — Sorry, I think you’re stuck with Gonzalez for the year.
Hillbilly D
July 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
Bourn is a career .271 hitter with 12 HRs and 140 RBI in five years.
You can’t really judge a lead-off man by HRs and RBI. Look at his OBP, which is .363 this year. He also has low strikeout totals and is good on defense.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
who cares what schafer does he had his chance
benchwarmer
July 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
well, McOut is going to tha bench, Shafer is gone. Heyward will hit again–someday soon?! Outfield just went up by a considerable amount. Infield and bench solid. Now if the bullpen doesn’t wear out I think Braves can actually compete with Phillies.
GTT
July 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
prophet, not profit
Fan since 1977
July 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
Well, Mr. Schultz has arrived. My only Q I posted earlier is why is Chipper not in the lineup? That MRI on his quad show something serious?
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
since all of you are clueless,chipper is still owed 13 million in 2012 whether he retires or not
Ralph
July 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
Jeff if we got Infante could he be the RH bat to platoon with J-Hey?
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
To all folks asking about other trades: Wren said it’s possible team will still make another team. But Braves also could just wait and make a waiver deal. He certainly didn’t act like another trade was coming today but that doesn’t mean anything.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:02 pm
hey jeff,
braves could swap with marlins after game get ramirez,stanton,braves give them nate,lugo,ago,minor,hicks
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:03 pm
TJ — I really doubt a trade for Carlos Quentin is coming. More likely team will look for a RH bat off bench and a reliever.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
its only a 2 hour trip from miwaukee to atlanta.why did braves say they hope he gets here before flight to wash?if deal was done at 10 am should be here right now,2pm at latest dont you think?
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:05 pm
Not so great to be a prophet, either. #writerswithouteditors
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:05 pm
iTiSi — The RH/LH thing was because the Braves already were lefthanded heavy. But Wren said when Dan Uggla started hitting well recently, it lessened the need for 1) A righthanded hitter and 2) an RBI guy. That’s how big of a difference Uggla’s hot streak has made. He changed what the team was looking for.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:06 pm
TMC — Bourn is up for arbitration after this season so the Braves can have him until at least through 2012. Obviously, they’ll try to sign him to long term deal if they like what they see.