Braves dump a pitcher (Hanson) they once viewed as gold
Once a touted prospect, Tommy Hanson leaves Braves with unrealized expectations. (Curtis Compton)
Three years ago, Tommy Hanson was viewed as a precious commodity. The Braves would tell other teams, “Don’t even bother asking about him.” When the San Diego Padres asked about him anyway, as the key to a potential Jake Peavy trade, the Braves laughed. Not Tommy, he’s our guy.
On June 3, 2009, Braves general manager Frank Wren unceremoniously cut Tom Glavine, a future Hall of Famer who was expecting a call-up following a rehabilitation assignment. Why? Because they needed the spot in the pitching rotation for Hanson, who was called up on the same day. The younger Tommy now was their guy.
He was the Braves’ future. He was young and personable, a towering power pitcher who would be a staple of the team’s pitching staff for years.
Now Hanson is gone. Funny how quickly an athlete can go from being untouchable to, “Please, just take him.”
The Braves traded Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels for a reliever, Jordan Walden. This is like not being able to afford a suit at Nordstrom on one day and then suddenly seeing it hanging on a clearance rack at Value City the next. There’s Tommy Hanson, 10 feet from the toaster ovens.
This trade wasn’t made because the Braves suddenly fell in love with another team’s right-handed reliever. It was made because they completely lost faith in the starting pitcher they once fiercely protected and projected as a franchise centerpiece.
The spin you will hear is that the Braves did this to save money. Hanson’s salary was about to jump to $4 million in his first arbitration-eligible winter, and the hope is that payroll chunk can be used to help complete their outfield, preferably for a leadoff hitter. (Shane Victorino would complete this dream sequence.)
But that’s really not what this is all about because if Hanson had become what everybody thought he would become, the Braves wouldn’t blink at paying him $4 million. Or, eventually, $6 million or $8 million, or $10 million. Because that is the status level the organization once projected for Hanson, a top-of-the-rotation staple for several years.
This is why it’s always amusing when fans become apoplectic when an organization trades a touted prospect, as if “MVP” or “Cy Young” is stamped on anybody’s forehead. Hanson was considered a guarantee, and that guarantee was just sent three time zones away for a bullpen guy.
The Braves were concerned about Hanson’s back and shoulder issues. They were concerned about his messed-up pitching mechanics to compensate for those injuries and certainly about his ability in the future to deal with that. His velocity had dropped, and if a power pitcher can’t be overpowering, it’s a problem.
It was a bad season. Hanson wrecked his truck driving to spring training. He dealt with speculative theories about what might have led to that one-car wreck. The injuries and lack of success obviously wore on him. But what upset him most was the growing number of people who viewed him as a pitcher on the decline.
When we spoke about this in August, Hanson said, “I try not to worry about it. I just worry about myself, keep trying to get better, keep trying to keep my body healthy to perform. Anything after that, there’s no need for me to worry about it because people will say what they’re going to say, and they’re going to have doubts and think that there’s something wrong with me, and they don’t know.”
It’s clear, however, that Hanson is at the point where he has to prove to others that nothing is wrong. The assumption now is closer to: little is right.
So much for guarantees.
By Jeff Schultz
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111 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly D
November 30th, 2012
2:38 pm
There are no guarantees in baseball. It’s all “what have you done for me lately?”.
Furman Bisher used to wrote that the woods are full of can’t miss guys who did. Hanson probably is quite in that category but it’s a point worth remembering.
Hillbilly D
November 30th, 2012
2:38 pm
that should say “isn’t quite in that category”.
Leroy
November 30th, 2012
2:39 pm
First!
Baker
November 30th, 2012
2:42 pm
A real bummer for Hanson and I hope he turns it around, but this move definitely not as worrisome as trading for yet another guy who hits around or sub .250.
Doug
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
First!
Mick
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
Ever noticed how when the Braves trade a player, they end up being great in the next few years?
Pace53
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
The fans of ‘the singing cowboy’ in Anaheim will like is easy going manner and demeanor. Happy Trails….
Pace53
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
The fans of ‘the singing cowboy’ in Anaheim will like is easy going manner and demeanor. Happy Trails….
Pace53
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
The fans of ‘the singing cowboy’ in Anaheim will like is easy going manner and demeanor. Happy Trails….
Dawgs of Anarchy
November 30th, 2012
2:43 pm
Here comes Justin Upton! See ya Tommy and GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MVP
November 30th, 2012
2:44 pm
Good Luck Tommy. You’ll be closer to home in Cali. Wish you all the best
steve brown
November 30th, 2012
2:46 pm
the Brave brain trust seems to have a history of can’t miss players missing.
Benjamin
November 30th, 2012
2:48 pm
I actually feel bad for Tommy, who I believe is hurt and not admitting to it. He’s lost about a foot off his fastball, and I’ve never thought his delivery was one that screamed “long term arm health.”
Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs. Always loved the guy, regardless, and still do. Hope he does well in Anaheim…
…meanwhile, there’s a left fielder in Arizona whose brother just signed a mega-deal with us and whom we can now afford, provided we send Jair Jurrjens to non-tenderville, as expected. Stay tuned.
sam
November 30th, 2012
2:51 pm
so now that we’ve traded him, i guess we can expect him to win the Cy Young in a couple of years.
Disgusted
November 30th, 2012
2:53 pm
You don;t win games with scouting reports.
History is full of cannot misses who either missed or flamed out very early.
Hanson has flamed out after two and a half good yrs — he has done nothing since late June of ‘11.
Baker
November 30th, 2012
2:53 pm
@sam: Yeah, pretty much a given
Brave-for-Life
November 30th, 2012
2:54 pm
I have to say, I have never understood or liked Hanson’s pitching mechanic’s, as it had always seemed to me that he was ‘telegraphing’ his pitches, which to my way of thinking leads a pitcher to ’short-arming’ his throws and eventual arm-problems….I’m certain a lot of effort was made to correct his ‘mechanics’ by many, to no avail…Here’s hoping we can ’salvage’ something, and he can get a ‘new start’ with another organization…
Biff
November 30th, 2012
2:55 pm
Good article Jeff, it was obvious he’s not in the future for the expected pitching rotation. He came up the same time as Medlen (who had much lesser fanfare) and my did the expectations switch with them.
Datominator
November 30th, 2012
2:58 pm
Probably a good move for all parties involved: (1) Braves had a surplus of starting pitching, and always seem to have to scramble to fill bullpen spots beyond the late inning staples. Not to mention the extra money WILL be a help to fill that last outfield spot (2) Hanson is from California; he gets to go home to try to put himself back on track (3) Angels need starters – doesn’t look like they will resign Greinke.
Bills fan
November 30th, 2012
3:09 pm
Doesn’t take a serious injury to mess up a delivery. Tommy Hanson already had unusual delivery that was suspect and prone to missteps. For one, wasn’t good at holding runners.
I don’t doubt he gave his all, but injuries can slow the fiercest of competitors. I wish him well and hope that he gets the kinks worked out.
I have to remind myself that the average MLB player is a millionaire playing a kids game. Don’t fell sorry for them. God has been good to them talent-wise and make more than 99% of us.
GTT
November 30th, 2012
3:10 pm
He’ll probably win 20 with an ERA under 3 next season.
DrDave
November 30th, 2012
3:11 pm
Looks like another Wainwright like trade. Braves will regret this for years to come. Sorry to see ‘The Machine Gun’ leave town. Good luck Tommy!
Richard
November 30th, 2012
3:16 pm
Nah, Hanson was done. Good move to get a functional piece with a salary dump trade. Kudos to Wren
retired
November 30th, 2012
3:16 pm
Good luck Tommy …. playing before the home folks on a regular basis . Good no great move for Braves!
scrappy
November 30th, 2012
3:17 pm
Seems Tommy was caught in a numbers game, as much as anything else, with the development of several talented prospects. He hit a rough patch, and he–and the team–paid the price. The competition and the money he will make made him expendable. The trade leaves me quesy, though, anticipating what I hope happens for him: a return to form. Seems like we should have been able to get more for him, though. After all, he did lead the team in strikeouts last year.
RBI
November 30th, 2012
3:19 pm
It made me hurt to watch him pitch. His delivery is horrible. He needs to start over or give it up. Maybe this is the opportunity.
Tommy
November 30th, 2012
3:19 pm
You pessimists have no idea what you are talking about. Have you ever seen Hanson’s mechanics?? It hurts just watching him with that short-arm delivery. He’ll have a torn labrum in a year. I’m glad we actually got a useful player for him instead of paying out his contract insurance in a year or two.
Plus my grandmother could steal a base on him. Compare this to dealing Wainwright?? seriously? Fracouer, Marte, Boyer, and the other couple dozen prospects ruined by being rushed to the majors is a better comparison.
Combine Walden with Kimbrel, O’Flaherty and the rest of the pen, we’ll win 98% the games we lead after the 6th.
Solid move by a team executing a plan.
At least Hanson was...
November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm
…better than Brad Komminsk, and probably Francouer, too…both “can’t miss guys who missed by a long shot (though Francouer is still wildly swinging away at every pitch)..
Hanson Stunk It up! Duh!
November 30th, 2012
3:21 pm
I’m like that eTrade baby who gives his SHOCKED reaction when “Frank” doesn’t win big money for his retirement with his scratch-off ticket.
Hanson has always had fluke written all over him. His motion and mechanics have been trash from day one. Any team that wants to put a star tag on a guy with a motion like he is throwing darts is going to do what the Braves are notorious for doing and that is over value their prospects.
It’s amazing how some professionals who are supposed to know the game can jump on the bandwagon for a guy who had physical breakdown written all over him.
At least we won’t have to hear any more about the mystery behind Hanson’s lack of velocity.
Bobby Walden
November 30th, 2012
3:22 pm
Anyone not a blind Braves partisan could see this coming years ago. His poor mechanics damaged his arm. Remember Gary Nolan from the Reds circa 1970? I thought not. Remember Tom Seaver ? I thought so.
Realist
November 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
Jeff- what “speculative theories” were out there on the car wreck? I never heard any. Just wondering.
joja boi
November 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
There are a lot of people on here saying he will win a Cy Young now, highly unlikely, but if he does good for him. I agree with “Brave-for-life” on this one. I like Tommy as a clubhouse guy, but the injury thing and loss of velocity is (was, not our problem now) a concern. Don’t think we had enough spots in the rotation, especially once Beachy returns.
joja boi
November 30th, 2012
3:26 pm
oh yeah, Good Luck Tommy…
bulldogbubba
November 30th, 2012
3:30 pm
Hanson will probably have an O.K. career like Kevin Millwood.A change of scenery will help to advance his career. GO BRAVES!!!! SIC’EM ! WOOF! WOOF! Anybody seen Mr. Clusters?
Let's Go
November 30th, 2012
3:31 pm
Tommy was “Can’t Miss” for about 18 months and then the Braves and everyone else in baseball saw what he really was and that was a hard thrower with a bad delivery who probably was never going to be more than a 4th or 5th pitcher on any staff. The Braves tried to fix him but high pitch counts and bad velocity were his un-doing and in the long run this is probably best for both of these guys. Jorden Walden has a 3.06 carrer ERA over 114 innings can help the Braves a heck of lot more this year then Tommy would have. Also, Tommy is another Scott Boras guy who the Braves have rid themselves of. Great Trade.
Rodney Hampton
November 30th, 2012
3:36 pm
“There are a lot of people on here saying he will win a Cy Young now”
I guess one is a lot.
Zane Smith's Teeth
November 30th, 2012
3:37 pm
Medlin was called up before Hanson. Everyone was shocked that the can’t miss prospect took a back seat to a short middle reliever. Now look at that decision.
Sklipch
November 30th, 2012
3:40 pm
Yes, there are guarantees in baseball. Contracts. No matter how bad you play you get your money and even when you don’t play or are cut from the team.
Disbott3000
November 30th, 2012
3:42 pm
Sure, Hanson could go west, turn things around, and have a long, healthy, productive career, and I really hope he does. But the Braves couldn’t gamble on whether or not that may happen when his salary is set to skyrocket and we have lots of good, young options available to replace him. The way he pitched the past year and a half, he really couldn’t be more than an overpriced 5th starter for us. Maybe, out west, he will smooth out that crazy delivery of his, get and stay health, and get his career back on track. I hope he does and wish him well.
Hairy Dawg
November 30th, 2012
3:44 pm
Isn’t that what a GM is supposed to do – get rid of (soon-to-be) overpriced players on the decline??
What is the point here?? We have young, cheap arms waiting to go and Wren found a way to save money and (hopefully) picked up a good piece for the bullpen…
Sounds like he may have done a good job….
All I'm Saying Is....
November 30th, 2012
3:46 pm
Kent Mercker, Kevin Millwood, Bruce Chen, Jair Jurgens …weren’t they all can’t miss prospects? Hey, stuff happens. We wish Tommy Hanson the best. He may have a tough time pitching to nine hitters in the AL but hopefully he will do okay as he seemed like a nice fella.
More importantly, Braves need to get a lead-off hitter. I like what I’m hearing about either Dexter Fowler (Georgia native) or Shane Victorino (proven lead-off batter). We have to make a move as the Nats got Spann to lead-off for them which will make their line-up better. I suspect the Phillies are closer to having to sign Josh Hamilton too to try and keep pace but that will just make them more of a swing and miss team with Hamilton, Howard, and that big kid Mayberry along with a declining Utley at second.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Teddy B
November 30th, 2012
3:47 pm
Goodbye, Tommy! Wren has this knack for tricking the other GMs into taking our garbage, it worked again! So glad we got rid of this guy, best news of the off season even better than signing Upton which was a bad deal for us in the end. This guy isn’t worth 16 mil a yr at the end of the contract, its insulting to Chipper and will be insulting when we try to resign Heyward.
nobobfan
November 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
so, we get rid of an expensive bum (who led the team in strikeouts), in return we get a cheaper bum. WTF???
Now..do something with Uggla…ANYTHING!!!!
JB
November 30th, 2012
3:51 pm
Jeff, The Dawgs are less than 24 hours away from playing their biggest game in the modern era….And we get a blog about the Braves and Hanson……How about next Tuesday for this BIG NEWS……GEEZ.
Furman Bitcher
November 30th, 2012
3:53 pm
This was a good trade kids. We just got rid of a pitcher we didnt need for a young good 8th inning flamethrower.
Stinger2
November 30th, 2012
3:53 pm
JB: There have been enough blogs by the AJC about the Dawgs. YAWN.
blazerdawg
November 30th, 2012
3:53 pm
Always thought TH was a class act and appreciated his professionalism and many great starts. Hope he is able to make some adjustments to his picthing motion and that he enjoys great success in Cali.
Thank you for the effort, contribution, and wins TH!
Stinger2
November 30th, 2012
4:00 pm
bulldogbubba: My comment to JB was not intended to be disrespectful of UGA but to
dispute his contention that the Hanson trade was not newsworthy. I am pulling for the Dawgs to beat Alabame and ND and bring a NC to the State of Georgia. I also believe
Wren (when finished with his offseason work) will have made the Braves a real contender for the NL pennant and WS. Go Braves!
JayD
November 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Good luck Tommy. If he ever masters a 3rd pitch – He could do some real damage. If not?? – .500 career.
JB
November 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
Who’s live from the ACC title game…………The parking lot attendant from the AJC.
JB
November 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
I bought 20 power ball tickets for $2 and 20 ACC title games tickets for $2…..both now worthless.
JB
November 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
ACC title game on stand by for world record of local Boy Scouts and Boys Club attendance. Heard they have 30,000 coming….( all free of course)
JoeBravesFan
November 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
One of the Braves problems is that they hang on too long waiting for players to turn things around. Case and point, Jair Jurrjens: his trade value was NEVER higher than 16 months ago when he was being considered to start the All-Star game and we hung on to him at the trade deadline. Now he’s being non-tendered and we’re not going to get anything for him. Loyalty is a good thing, but in the end you have to do what’s best for the team…and sometimes that means trading away someone. I’m glad they didn’t make the same mistake with Hanson and let him go before his trade value was totally gone.
The Braves are very loyal to their players (sometimes TOO loyal), but most of the players are not loyal in return. Case and point Michael Bourn: We made it very clear to him that we wanted him back. But he, like most players, is going to go to the highest bidder.
I think Frank Wren is making some very good moves so far, however I can’t help but be concerned with the amount of money and years he gave BJ Upton. I’m really hoping, and counting on, Greg Walker to help him turn things around at the plate to lower his strikeouts and increase is OPS. I can’t wait to see what they do with the extra money.
Peter
November 30th, 2012
4:21 pm
Steve Avery is another that comes to mind….. he was wonderful, and fantastic in the playoffs….
I hope Tommy has a new start to a longer career.
bulldogbubba
November 30th, 2012
4:27 pm
@Mr. Stinger2.I will be pulling for the Dawgs tomorrow and your help will be appreciated.These next 3-4 months until we can see the fruits of Mr. Wrens labor will be like waiting on Christmas.The possibilities look good on paper but will they play out on the field. I can’t wait!!! GO BRAVES & GO DAWGS!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
notso fast
November 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
Even if Tommy wins 25 games next year, I will not have anything bad to say about this trade. He hardly ever reachs 90 mph and can not hold runners on first. I hope he does well cause I think he has given his all but it’s time to give his spot to one of the other prospects.
notso fast
November 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
Even if Tommy wins 25 games next year, I will not have anything bad to say about this trade. He hardly ever reachs 90 mph and can not hold runners on first. I hope he does well cause I think he has given his all but it’s time to give his spot to one of the other prospects.
notso fast
November 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
Even if Tommy wins 25 games next year, I will not have anything bad to say about this trade. He hardly ever reachs 90 mph and can not hold runners on first. I hope he does well cause I think he has given his all but it’s time to give his spot to one of the other prospects.
JoeBravesFan
November 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
If Hanson DOES turn things around, at least he won’t be in our league or division to pitch against us!
BubbaDaBaller
November 30th, 2012
4:38 pm
I hope he does well on the Left Coast…He’s in the American Beerball League and will have to get used to whatever end of a 12 to 9 score he gets. I think the interesting component of the “dump” was his diva-like response when sent up I-85 to CoolRay Stadium…Bobby & John Schuerholtz still maintain the Braves Mindset which is…”don’t care how good you are or think you are, our way or the highway”…just ask David Justice…
BravesGirl
November 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
I have always like Tommy Hanson, so I wish him all the best. And, it is true that most player traded from the Braves go on to make it big somewhere else.
He probably just got a case of Ugglatitis.
Klaus
November 30th, 2012
4:46 pm
Victorino is no dream sequence.
The Braves don’t need a leadoff guy and won’t be making that a priority. LF is a slugging position and expect a slugger or slugger potential guy there next year under 30 unless its Hamilton. The latter being the dream sequence.
I expect Wren to push hard for both Justin Upton and KC’s Myers with AZ’s Gordon as the fall back. He will go with the least painful trade.
Hamilton would have to gift wrap himself in a 18mm/yr three deal and even then it is probably more than that want to spend.
Kevin
November 30th, 2012
4:47 pm
Funny how a couple of seasons ago, Hanson and Jurrjens were close to being untouchable commodities. Now look where they are.
In response to JoeBravesFan, I’d rather have a loyal team than an unloyal one. Just consider the ramifications that the Marlins are going to be dealing w/ after their most recent fire sale in terms of their future ability to sign players.
Klaus
November 30th, 2012
4:47 pm
PS – Wren didnt do a salart dump on Hanson and a salary save on JJ to get the likes of Victorino.
He had the money for Victorino.
He is getting pieces and money together to get a key piece in LF or something more significant.
El Grincho
November 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
I’ll stick my neck out and be a Grinch here…but I certainly DON’T wish Tommy the best. In 2012, he never put forth the effort to change his delivery, go to a quicker slidestep with runners on, or get his act together.
On the plus side, our bullpen is gonna be sick. Can’t wait to see Walden in a Braves uni!
GAKnight
November 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
What’s this nonsense about “clearing” $4M so they can pursue an left fielder? Unless I missed something there is NO salary cap. The Braves can spend whatever they damn well want, which isn’t much.
RC
November 30th, 2012
5:09 pm
Both Hanson and Jurrjens were Boras clients as well as Bourn. This was a factor as well.
Glad they are gone.....
November 30th, 2012
5:11 pm
Ecstatic to hear that Whine-y Butt Hanson and Kawasucki JJ are both going to be gone – never to wear the Braves uniform again – both were worthless this year.
59bulldawg
November 30th, 2012
5:12 pm
I hate it for Hanson because I think he’s a classy guy. But this is a good move for the Braves.
Wrecker
November 30th, 2012
5:23 pm
Good luck, Tommy! I am sure you will be glad to pitching close to home.
slydog
November 30th, 2012
5:28 pm
some of this was about his declining skills. some of this was about money. the braves need ever ypenny over the next 2-4 years. remember, mccann comes up next year, and it’s probably best to lock up either heyward or freeman early at a lower cost. plus, next not forget about medlan.
Norman Cochran
November 30th, 2012
5:36 pm
Bingo “Lets Go”! You hit the nail on the head. “Scott Boras”!!! The Braves are a team that does not like the way Scott Boras does business. It is not that he is doing anything illegal or that he isn’t helping his client, but he has no compromise for the team payroll. Not everyteam can pay all of its players multi million dollar contracts. So a team has to do what a team has to do to put together a solid team on the field. I have no ill feelings toward Hanson I really wish him the best and I would love to see him succeed in Anaheim.
Brian702
November 30th, 2012
5:47 pm
I dont understand why everyone is so down on the Upton signing… Can anyone on here please tell me who would have worked out better for us that is available?
Felix
November 30th, 2012
5:52 pm
His mechanics are and have always been a mess. Why didn’t those responsible for evaluating talent in the Braves organization see that to begin with? Anyway, it’s the right move now and I wish Tommy good luck–but I fear that soon that elbow of his, with his pitching motion, has to blow out.
Rimfire
November 30th, 2012
5:54 pm
Hate to say it, but it’s a good move… crazy, messed uo throwing motion, cupping his wrist at a stuoid pause…then float the ball. Clear the spoy.
Rimfire
November 30th, 2012
5:55 pm
Spot…
ugaaccountant
November 30th, 2012
6:09 pm
Still better than Peavy was over this time frame. That’s what we all were screaming about back then. I’m not going to do the math, but Peavy had a 4 or so era and cost major money. Hanson was better and cheaper. We weren’t wrong.
Oldsquid
November 30th, 2012
6:11 pm
Good move for both Hanson and the Braves. If he is to have any chance of improving it has to be with a different team. He was not getting it done here.
ugaaccountant
November 30th, 2012
6:14 pm
We handled Hanson much better than we did Jair. We traded him right before his salary escalated, got value for him, and likely enjoyed the best 3 seasons of his career due to his unorthodox mechanics. A rough 2012 doesn’t mean he wasn’t a great contributor for the course of his career here.
o-my
November 30th, 2012
6:19 pm
Swisher -r- J Upton is coming…
John Leonard
November 30th, 2012
6:30 pm
Take the 4 mill we just saved and put it with the 15 mill we gave Upton,and you almost have enough to pick up Josh,then if you would of given up a minor league pitcher,you could have had Span.
ugaaccountant
November 30th, 2012
6:31 pm
Yeah, not getting Span was like a kick in the teeth
John Leonard
November 30th, 2012
6:35 pm
Ugga-a and kick were guys don’t want.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
Couple things-
“The Wreck” was symptomatic of the MANY rumors of him burning through the Atlanta nightlife.
Big Red and Steve Avery both pitched for the Braves and the similarities end there.
O'Ventbrel
November 30th, 2012
7:16 pm
Acquiring Chase Headley seems like the only reason Prado would stay in LF. Some of you have said that Wren already had enough to sign Victorino, so with that in mind I would say the Braves probably pursue a younger outfielder like Gordon or Myers from KC or even the other Upton.
Dawgdad (The Original)
November 30th, 2012
8:38 pm
He was supposed to be the second coming, but alas! Anyway, I have thought for a long time, someone should question why the Braves seem such poor judges of talent. Most organizations would have scouted Tommy and said, well he surely has been successful, but his mechanics are just not going to allow him to perform like this for long, better options out there.
keith
November 30th, 2012
11:32 pm
One more injury plagued season and they don’t even get Weldon. They were not signing a long term deal (Boras, shoulder, back and prospects in waiting). The 4 million is spent along with the available $10m for a high quality OF.
Alex
November 30th, 2012
11:55 pm
I said 2 years ago they needed to trade him. Funny I could see the writing on the wall.
COOPER
December 1st, 2012
12:04 am
I was a control picture until I was 21 and never had a losing record so I know a little about what pitcher have to deal with. A few years ago I said that if Hansen does not get better control of his fast ball then the braves need to trade him while they could still get something for him. They didn’t do it and now have to settle for a middle of the road reliever but at least they can unload his salary.
Hansen never lasted past the 5TH or 6TH ending and the only reason he got as many wins as he did was because the offense supported him a lot and the Braves have had great relief in the bullpen for a few years now. Hansen also walked 5 or 6 per game. When he lost his 95 to 96 MPH fast ball that was the last straw. Wish him the best but if the Braves are serious about winning another world series they have got to make unpopular decisions at times and this decision has is at least one year late but better late than never.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 1st, 2012
1:45 am
What I want to know is, what happens to this guy now?
COOPER
December 1st, 2012
2:38 am
should be inning , poor job of proof reading , sorry.
Rowsdower
December 1st, 2012
3:27 am
First!
MitchC
December 1st, 2012
4:53 am
I’m bothered by this move. Along with the cutting of JJ, we just got rid of two pitchers who are younger than age 28, to keep a guy in his late 30s.
Cutting JJ is something I could understand. He hadnt been good for us lately. Even with his “Bad” season, Hanson still won 13 games for us. He would seem too young, with too much potential, to give up on.
Someone mentioned Adam Wainwright, and I see the correlation. Something tells me that Mr Hanson will be motivated to be pretty good for the Angels next year.
Sad.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 1st, 2012
6:16 am
Nice kid and I wish him the best. Maybe someone in the Angels organization can get him back on track.
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR
December 1st, 2012
7:22 am
The Braves give up on a player in a split second. They have no loyalty to players. They are a disgrace. Give the player a chance to get better, God’s sakes!
bravofan07
December 1st, 2012
7:50 am
similar to the Kevin Millwood deal a few years ago. At least he’ll get to go be a hero near his hometown.
Mark's for the Braves
December 1st, 2012
9:03 am
I hate to say it, but good move. Always liked Hanson, but never thought he would be good enough to be our ace or anyone else’s ace. Let’s sign Justin Upton or Shane Victorino now and win the NL East. Can’t wait till 2013!
Dan
December 1st, 2012
9:19 am
Wonder in the Uptons were a package deal. Move can put the Braves in the driver seat. Justin says he would like to play for the Braves and this is not a Dwight Howard move because the owner for the Diamond Backs has gone public 3 times now saying they will listen to offers to trade Justin so no loyalty there. The thing is if I was the Yankees, Chicago, Dodgers and Red Sox am I going to deplete my team for a player that is going to sign with Atlanta in 3 yrs? I am thinking this possible puts Atlanta to get Justin and at a reasonable price? I know I would be putting that in everybody’s ear at this years Winter meetings
Ted M
December 1st, 2012
10:43 am
Why didn’t Frank Wren trade Hanson for Trout? LOL I haven’t read all the comments but I’m sure someone thinks Wren is stupid for not making that trade.
Ted M
December 1st, 2012
10:50 am
CYBORG HANSON TOMMY hahahaha
Boo Boo
December 1st, 2012
10:56 am
I remember the hype I first heard about Hanson … how he was giving the Big O to scouts and coaches in the Arizona Winter League … just wait till next spring. First time I saw him pitch I thought, “this guy throws like a girl. He’s going to have arm problems.” Short-armmed pitchers don’t last long.
johnny
December 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Mr.Wren we couldn’t get a left fielder for Hanson from minn.willingham has repeatly said he would love to play for braves.i had no problem trading Hanson i felt he would continue to get worse.I didn’t agree with Upton signing, we already had a dead pull hitter who wouldn’t adjust his approach with 2 strikes and avg.over 150 strike-outs a year.Im not sure how many strike-outs Chipper had for his career but between Heyward,uggla,upton and God knows how many strike-outs our future leftfielder will avg.,but one of these cats surely will break 1 of chippers records …STRKE-OUTS
Shouldn't have done all that acid in the 70's
December 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Nothing against Tommy Handsome, but he always looked like he had an itchy rear and had missed a wipe. He looked miserable whenever the camera showed him not pitching. Might have been a good guy but appearances do matter and he appeared to be scowling and snarky and not much of an interview. Don’t really care enough to say good luck or bad luck.
Nurse Ratched [aka Randal Patrick McMurphy]
December 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Jettisoned some more pitching staff ‘Dead Wood’…
I personally see no issue with that… good swap…
extremus
December 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
Both Hanson and Jurrjens had been far too inconsistent the past couple of years not to be considered liabilities. Both showed glimpses of potential greatness from time to time, but health issues and random days when they essentially threw batting practice diminished their stock in Atlanta. The clincher with Hanson was that he’s a Boras client, and parting with him now was considered a better risk even for a power bullpen arm with its own health history. It also freed up a few million on the Braves’ payroll to help address their remaining needs this offseason.
While proven commodities are what most of us would prefer, given the fact that Liberty Media is the ownership Frank Wren may well opt where possible to acquire/trade prospects in the interest of long term cost/benefit considerations. Another Uggla/Derek Lowe-type situation is exactly what the Braves and their fans don’t want, and after Upton I don’t see Wren taking a similar risk during the same offseason for any player with a glaring weakness. I’d love to see the Braves get Will Myers from Kansas City, but the departure of Hanson and Jurrjens likely means they’ll now hold onto the pitchers that the Royals might consider in return. But it’s only December 1st, and that means there’s still plenty of time for moves to be made, maybe even some pleasantly surprising ones.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
The reel reason was Hansen has a drug or alchohal problem. Ive been sayin it 4 a long time and even got band by O’Brain blog 4 sayin it but it is quiet oblivous he has a problem.
IdahoBravesFan
December 2nd, 2012
1:15 am
I always viewed his mechanics as horrible and wonder if he was unwilling to change them, hence leading to their decision to get rid of him. I remembered going to a minor league game here in Boise and watching the pitchers and thinking that they throw like Tommy Hanson. I view this as a good move. He had at least a little value left in him rather than waiting until he was a physical basked case. Only way he will ever succeed in the majors is a major overhaul of his pitching motion. He is all arm and it looks like a ruined arm looking for a place to happen. Unorthodox = horrible.
Steve
December 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Here is the problem with the Braves as it comes to pitching.
They do not have the PATIENCE to develop a power pitcher. They expect guys to come out firing like Clemens, Gooden, and Ryan from the age of 20. That is just to rare. The stories of guys like Halladay, Verlander and others that don’t come into their own until 4-5 years in the league happen more frequently.
The Braves grew impatient with Hanson and decided to change him. That windup change was the worst thing I have EVER seen done to a pitcher. It was horrendous and it hsould have been scrapped after watching one day of it. I don’t care what reasons the Braves had for doing it, you could tell the motion was completely un-natural for Tommy and it fought against his natural ability.
It took 3-5 mph off his fastball and completely eliminated the very small movement he had on his fastball. Usually when you overpitch your fastball it straightens out. Well, I think Tommy was trying to throw it as hard as he could from the new delivery and it straightened out the pitch and he still lost that much speed.
The Braves have no one but themselves to look at for Hanson’s downslide. If I am the Angels pitching coach the first thing I do is go out and throw the football with him and try to guage his natural motion, then get him to pitch like that. Yes, he might injure his elbow (so have the Tommy John if that happens and he comes back stronger). Yes, it might injure his shoulder, but that abnormal delivery is so against his natural motion that it’s liable to cause other problems anyway.
Point blank, the Braves demolished Hanson. he did everythign they asked and it might have cost him a promising career. Hopefully for Tommy’s sake the Angels can break him down and get him back on track.
As for the Braves, FIRE McDowell for even thinking that delivery change was a good idea. Get rid of him now before he destroys Minor, Delgado, Teheran and possibly Gilmartin. Go find a Leo or Dave Duncan disciple and let’s move forward.
Bob the Blogger
December 3rd, 2012
5:02 pm
So many people pointed out that Hanson’s delivery was going to cause him problems, even before he made it to the majors. However, I don’t think he can change it drastically; it’s his natural motion. I wish him the best – he seems like a good person.
Ronald Millsaps
December 6th, 2012
11:34 pm
Attention, Braves: Quit apparently considering getting rid of too much pitching. Also, is the team overworking some arms? How many guys have had arm trouble in recent years? How many times has the bullpen been overworked? Having a ton of pitching becomes nullified if half the surplus, if you will, is traded and the other half injured.
Why was the team not too interested in Shane Victorino?
I really like the idea of letting Evan Gattis play left; his story is quite inspirational. He might be a real slugger in the big leagues.
Bring back Matt Diaz, and why the haste to let go of Eric Hinske? I don’t get that…at all.
Pray about the decisions you make, Mr. Wren. John 3:16-17 KJV
Ronald Millsaps
December 6th, 2012
11:40 pm
Steve–excellent post. While I’m not sure we should fire McDowell, I’d consider it. I do think some guys need adjustments in how they’re coached.
Re-sign Peter Moylan also.
Tom Glavine would be a fine pitching coach.
The team has more money available than it indicates, as apathetic, greedy ownership misleads us. I would consider strongly reacquiring Michael Bourn, who likely becomes a Dodger or Yankee, as the team could indeed afford his services. If not, I still say to at least give Jose Constanza a month to six weeks at leadoff—and maybe the team should offer the first-base coaching job to Otis Nixon or (they wouldn’t do this in a million years) Deion Sanders.
Baseball needs a new commissioner and has for years, as do the other two of the “big three”. The “outfield fly rule” play supplanted Kent Hrbek’s pushing Ron Gant off of first as “worst call in baseball history”.
Don’t subscribe to the nonsense that a Phil Simms would feed you. He recently didn’t like a call but said he wouldn’t criticize a referee’s “judgment”. Well, Phil, not all judgment is reputable. The term “poor judgment” is indeed a substantiated term.