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
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:26 pm
chef please explain to us how 42 million is coming off the books
kk 7 million is all,we buy out nate for 1,65 million
jeff please explain to these people who know nothing about baseball,i do and will also answer any questions you have
once again chipper money is guaranteed
Ralph
July 31st, 2011
2:27 pm
Hanson’s inability to get a bunt down and hold runners on really hurts his chances of winning.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:28 pm
jeff
if you read the posts you really think chipper is walking away from 13 million?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:28 pm
To bad they didnt ask Wren about Infante. You know he would not give specifics, but he certainly had to take note of it.
Ricky II
July 31st, 2011
2:29 pm
ricky @ 2:26PM,
you’re the last guy on this blog that is capable of answering any questions w/ any “baseball sense”
to quote you
“why is mclouth untradeable?”
that’s probably the dumbest question ever posed on here……well, you may get beat by the guys asking if we could trade gonzalez for tulowitzki straight-up.
Scott
July 31st, 2011
2:29 pm
Wren is in the booth,lookslike he is done for the day.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:30 pm
Chipper Jones 3b
3 years/$42M (2010-12), plus 2013 option
3 years/$42M (2010-12), plus 2013 option
signed extension with Atlanta 3/31/09
$3M signing bonus (paid each Jan. 15, 2010-12)
10:$13M, 11:$13M, 12:$13M, 13:$7M club option
2013 option guaranteed at $9M with:
123 games in 2012, or
average of 127 games in 2011-12
2013 option price increases by $1M each for:
128, 133, 138, 140 games in 2012, or
averages of 132, 137, 138, 140 games in 2011-12
Runner-
July 31st, 2011
2:32 pm
Jeff, any new info on whether or not the Braves will deal for Infante? Game shouldn’t end by the 4 o’clock deadline, so it would be kind of funny to see it happen
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
Jeff, this may be posted somewhere in the previous 6 pages of comments, but have you heard who is involved in trade talks for Infante?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
You are arguing with yourself Ricky. Re-read the post. Again YOU said the following
“since all of you are clueless,chipper is still owed 13 million in 2012 whether he retires or not”
Now again you mention him being paid if he retires. Again if he does not complete his contract he does not get paid. This does not imply if I think he will or will not play. I am simply trying to give you the correct information.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
ricky11
oby.u r the dumbest a player on dl can be traded,even if nate has a no trade clause in contract he can approve a trade or reject it
furcal had a no trade clause and approved a trade to st.louis
being in baseball last 20 years i think i know more than most here ty.
doc
July 31st, 2011
2:33 pm
funny i was saying to myself if they dont want to give up an arm then what do they have to offer instead? the only name that came to mind was shaefer. hope he does well just doubt he can be what we got in return. just hope bourne can be what he is as a brave and doesnt forget what he was as mclouth seemed to. he could be better than nixon and on par with jones and that says a lot.
good trade. dont know what the other four represent so it might be like tex nor do i know how long bourne will he here but it fills two huge deficiencies in one swap.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:34 pm
Ricky — Chipper’s money guaranteed if he plays. Unless you know something I don’t know, there’s no language in contract about him getting a $13 million retirement present. Braves would never do such a thing. (That’s not to say that wouldn’t do something for him.) … Also, I know cynics might find this hard to believe — but yes, I think he would walk away from $13 million if he didn’t think he could play.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:34 pm
heath bell has been traded to texas
steve brown
July 31st, 2011
2:35 pm
Jones thinks he is the team leader-he is not. Either the manager or an everyday clutch player or both are the team leaders. Jones hasn’t been an everyday player for 7 years or so. He needs to either be positive or keep his f’n mouth shut, I am sick of him.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:35 pm
Runner — No trade updates. Obviously Infante is in the game for Marlins.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:36 pm
Kevin — I can’t even verify there are trade talks for Infante, just that he’s been discussed.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:36 pm
Thanks Jeff, wowser… Just think the Giants got Cody Ross in August so just because the deadline is today does not mean the Braves are finished dealing.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:37 pm
Now batting . . . Mickey Mantle.
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:37 pm
Thanks, Jeff.
Ricky II
July 31st, 2011
2:38 pm
ricky,
i’m not impressed by your 20 yrs of experience hanging around little league and being a fan.
mclouth is “untradeable” b/c no GM w/ any sense would take on that salary for that lack of production. has nothing to do w/ him being on the DL.
where’s the “off” button on your computer?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:38 pm
Average up to a svelt .208!
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:38 pm
I don’t know if Mickey Mantle kept that big a wad of tobacco in his mouth!
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:38 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg — “… just because the deadline is today does not mean the Braves are finished dealing.”
…. Exactly.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
Uggla sends it to the warning track. … Who is this guy?
Runner-
July 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
Yep, Braves will acquire a RH Relief Pitcher in September with Peter Moylan, and will get McCann back by mid August and should have McClouth back as backup. No need for a trade for a Reliever/ Backup as we can get stellar ones in about a month for free
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
Mickey just drank a lot . . .
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
FYI—Jeff Gordan leading the Brickyard at close to halfway. If anyone cares
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:39 pm
i said that chipper will not walk away with a 13 million contract .If he does i know that he will get paid some but not all ,since he restructured his contract years ago.
ok just for u all if chipper retires where is the 42 million someone keeps on saying here?
13 7 =22 million lowe is still owed 15 million
jeff off the subject,how much cash did houston give?1.00?LOL
Hillbilly D
July 31st, 2011
2:40 pm
just because the deadline is today does not mean the Braves are finished dealing
This is true. After today players will have to clear waivers before a trade but it can still be done. Happens every year.
steve brown
July 31st, 2011
2:40 pm
One last thing, someone needs to explain to me why Chipper is over hugging Shaefer (a bust) but has nothing good to say about Bourn. Could it be skin color?
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
I’m not sure how much this counts as a compliment: But Uggla’s 22-game hitting streak is the Braves’ longest since Kelly Johnson (22 games, Sept 1-24, 2008).
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
Braves can still make trades in august,have to wait for players to go thru waivers
Ralph
July 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
I still see two gaping holes in braves lineup.
Sonny Clusters
July 31st, 2011
2:41 pm
“A man is picked up by a fishing boat, bullet-riddled and without memory, then races to elude assassins and recover from amnesia.” After all that, playing for the Braves should be a snap. Nothing against Houston but we hope Bourne will develop his own identity here in Atlanta.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:42 pm
Classic Sonny…
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
Steve Brown — I considered deleting your comment for its sheer stupidity, but decided to leave it up there for the same reason.
Bruce
July 31st, 2011
2:43 pm
Hillbilly, I agree that OBP is a better measure for lead off guys, but his career is .338 which doesn’t stand out to me. I bring up his power numbers to show he has none. Bourn also strikes out a lot for a leadoff and doesn’t walk that much. I’ve been dying to see the Braves get a real lead off guy for years and was hoping Jordan would be it. Now I’ll hope Bourn is it.
It will be fun to see Bourn turn singles into double and triples with stolen bases
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
if braves do anything more they will do this by aug.31
while rosters expand to 40 players on sept.1,players are not elgible for postseason starting sept.1st
expect the braves to do something next month
Runner-
July 31st, 2011
2:44 pm
lol @ steve brown, someone always has to throw race in the picture. Why did Chipper hug Heyward after his first home run in the Majors if he is racist? Jordan, who is not a bust but definitely a disappointment, has been trying hard to improve his game to the next level, and Chipper respects his work ethic and him as a teammate so of course he will hug him goodbye. He’s being cautious by saying if this trade was good because we have seen players fall off after being traded to a new team and new stadium.
Bruce
July 31st, 2011
2:45 pm
It seems to me Alex G’s stellar defense has dropped back to last year’s level.
Kevin
July 31st, 2011
2:46 pm
Here’s my preferred lineup for the rest of the year. Assume Chipper to be often/continually injured and don’t plan on him at all.
1. Bourne CF
2. Prado 3B
3. McCann C
4. Freeman 1B
5. Uggla 2B
6. Hinske LF
7. Heyward RF
8. Gonzalez SS
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:47 pm
Bourn does have a issue with K’s. I think I post on a blog a week bag that his ratio was 1 K for every 5 AB whereas Prado was 1 k for every 8 AB. So the benfit I guess is now having a 2 hole hitter who can handle the bat.
Ricky II
July 31st, 2011
2:49 pm
Kevin,
no arguement here.
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
rangers got adams from sdiego as well wow
Runner-
July 31st, 2011
2:50 pm
atta boy Tommy
Sonny Clusters
July 31st, 2011
2:51 pm
There’s lots of new things we can have fun with now. Bourn Again. Bourn Free. Bourn to Die. Bourn to Run. Bourn in the USA. Bourn this Way. Bourn to Lose (let’s hope not). Bourn Ugly. Bourn to Steal (looks like it). Can you think of some more? Bourn a Clusters (and grateful for it).
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
Not to jinx it but someone is working on a NO-NO!
ricky
July 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
kevin
as i posted earlier heyward will never get out of his slump with agon behind him,heinske is not a everday player either,lol
Ralph
July 31st, 2011
2:53 pm
I don’t understand why Hinski wasn’t in todays lineup as hot as he has been lately especially against a RHP.