All-baseball Bradley’s Buzz: Will DeRo be the Braves’ hero?
A triumphant return for the pride of Vinings Estates?
He played quarterback at Penn. He played everywhere for the Braves. He drove in the winning run in Game 2 of the 2003 NLDS against the Cubs. He lived in my subdivision (and, after leaving for Texas, rented his house first to Chris Reitsma and then to Mike Remlinger). And now Mark DeRosa might be coming back to the ol’ neighborhood.
So speculates Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. DeRo, as he’s known, now plays for Cleveland, and the Indians stink. (Apologies to all my pals in that fine American city.) The Tribe, Stark reports, wants pitching, and that’s the one thing the Braves have. But Frank Wren, Stark also writes, won’t part with any of his top-tier arms, meaning a trade partner would have to settle for Kris Medlen, Jo-Jo Reyes or Charlie Morton.
As for Frenchy: Stark believes the Braves are “mostly listening” to proposals for Jeff Francoeur, “in part because they need to add bats, not subtract them, and in part because no one is too sure of Francoeur’s true value anymore, including the Braves themselves.”
OK, you’re asking: Where might DeRo play if he again became a Brave? Pretty much wherever. He has been deployed at six of the eight non-pitching positions over his big-league career. (The exceptions: Catcher and center field.) And he could always serve as the backup quarterback.
(On a totally extraneous note, I should point out that Mrs. DeRosa was voted most attractive baseball spouse by Fantasy Baseball Dugout.)
The prospect prospectus
You’ll recall Gordon Beckham: Played at Westminster, led Georgia to the finals of the 2008 College World Series, was drafted No. 8 overall by the White Sox. Well, he’s tearing up the pea patch in Class AAA and could be summoned to the majors any minute (link requires registration), according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Goldstein notes the Pale Hose are so high on Beckham they’ve been giving him looks at third base to expedite the process.
More Goldstein: “[Tom] Glavine is ready for a return to the big leagues, but at what cost to the Braves? He’s a surefire Hall of Famer who absolutely deserves respect, but at this point, he’s no more than a No. 4 or 5 starter. Tommy Hanson is much, much more than that, and adding Glavine to the rotation delays Hanson’s arrival that much longer. It’s a tough position for Atlanta, where wins might go head-to-head with public relations.”
And this from Tom Verducci of SI.com: The annual post-Memorial Day promotions have begun. Writes Verducci: “Generally, if a team waits until after Memorial Day to start the major league service clock of a player, he won’t qualify as a ‘Super Two’ and get into the arbitration system a year earlier than he otherwise would — a tactic that saves millions of dollars for the club. Next up: Tommy Hanson. The Atlanta pitching prospect has been dominating Triple-A hitters.”
Loading ...The wait is over for Wieters
You’ll also recall Matt Wieters: Was a catcher (and a closer!) at Georgia Tech, was draft No. 5 overall by Baltimore in 2007 and was generally regarded as the minor leagues’ best prospect entering this season. He made his big-league debut — he’s now a full-time catcher — Friday night, and he got his first hits (a triple and a double off Justin Verlander) on Saturday. And Tim Kurkjian of ESPN.com quoted one unnamed former catcher as saying of Wieters: “He is Joe Mauer.”
FYI: Kurkjian quotes Don Werner, the Orioles’ minor league catching instructor, as saying Wieters learned to call games by watching Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz pitch for the Braves. (Wieters is from Goose Creek, S.C., which is near Charleston.)
Oh, and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun notes that the first opposing batter — Josh Anderson of the Tigers — tested Wieters with a bunt Friday night. Wieters threw him out.
Josh Anderson. Name rings a bell, doesn’t it?
Another name that rings a bell
Jake Peavy is now seen as the solution to the hole in Philadelphia’s rotation that opened with the loss of Brett Myers. But Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggests Peavy mightn’t want to play in Philly, either. Why not? Because Citizens Bank Park is a hitters’ paradise.
If you’re keeping score, Peavy has already vetoed a trade to the White Sox, and apparently he did the same regarding a deal with Atlanta in November. It was then widely believed that the Braves pulled out because San Diego GM Kevin Towers was asking too much, but Frank Wren has since admitted the deal fell through because Peavy said no to Atlanta.
OK, so now you’re asking: Will Peavy ever say yes? Kevin Kaduk of Big League Stew is getting impatient. I’ll note that Jake is 15-16 over the past two seasons and leave it at that.
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229 comments Add your comment
Big Al
June 1st, 2009
7:34 am
Why should the Braves worry about public relations in the Glavine case? Look how they treated Smoltz. Smoltz was a far better pitcher than Glavine ever was plus he is still able to win games. Glavine is just hanging on for the pay check. Bring the pitcher to the big show that can help the Braves win games.
Booger
June 1st, 2009
7:42 am
Why not let Bobby Cox make the pick?
Mac
June 1st, 2009
7:56 am
If a trade is made for DeRosa, I hope the pitcher to go is Kawakami.
DeRosa and I are proof you don’t’ have to be Brad Pitt to land a hot wife. Et tu?
carlton johnson
June 1st, 2009
7:59 am
Hey, Big Al! Glavine is hanging on for the pay check? Tom is not worried about his next meal…this year or ever. Hubris, maybe. Hunger, not so much.
mitch
June 1st, 2009
8:00 am
I’ve been gone awhile and used to go by another name. If you guess what it was, you win. YP, Mitch
Mike Lum
June 1st, 2009
8:10 am
Trade KK & Frenchy for DeRo. Would the Tribe take KK’s big salary? Keep Medlin, but JoJo or Morton could go. Insert Glavine & Hanson in the rotation. Remember, we have Hudson coming back in August. With the problems the Mutts & Phillies are having, if we can hang close & get Chipper healthy, we have as good a chase as anyone.
make Jo Jo go go
June 1st, 2009
8:10 am
Medlen showed yesterday why he absolutely has to stay. Morton has had a few, repeat few, moments arguing for him staying. Jo Jo? Bye-bye. Maybe Morton and Jo Jo come to think of it. But puh-leeze hang onto Medlen. He, Jair and Hanson could be the cornerstones of this franchise for a decade or more. The arms have been very solid so far with the exception of KK, who may have turned a corner recently. What we need are bats. At this point, we could add by subtracting…Surely someone somewhere could play rf and give us more ‘d’ and ‘o’ than we’re getting there so far. And while we are at it, when does Jordan take an extended breather? Blanco is across town and he was more ready to play at the Ted last year than Jordan seems to be now.
LeTwan Anthony
June 1st, 2009
8:18 am
“If you’re keeping score, Peavy has already vetoed a trade to the White Sox, and apparently he did the same regarding a deal with Atlanta in November. It was then widely believed that the Braves pulled out because San Diego GM Kevin Towers was asking too much, but Frank Wren has since admitted the deal fell through because Peavy said no to Atlanta.” – Bradley
What? Peavy did not fall over wanting to play for Bobby? Maybe Peavy’s been watching those Atlanta runners return to the dugout after a Francoeur at-bat. No one really knows, huh? It seems the Braves have courted quite a few players that have spurned advances. Money being the same, the organization and the manager no longer make a difference for the Braves.
Skeezix
June 1st, 2009
8:19 am
Trade Medlen? Are they nuts? It would be another example of sacrificing the long term for the short term, as they did when they traded away DeRosa to begin with.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 1st, 2009
8:20 am
Monday’s edition of the Sports Buffet, hosted by ‘Chef’ Tim Dix and Rich Tate, features discussion on the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Bulldogs, Yellow Jackets, and more. The broadcast begins at 9:00 PM ET, and is brought to you by Georgia Wrestling History’s GWH Radio Network. Click here to listen live at showtime. Feel free to call (347) 324-5735 to join in the conversation
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
8:23 am
Welcome back, Leland.
Er, Mitch.
matt_T
June 1st, 2009
8:24 am
“I’ll note that Jake is 15-16 over the past two seasons and leave it at that.”
Come on Mark. Wins mean nothing, he played for one of the worst offenses in the league over those 2 seasons.
Willy Wally
June 1st, 2009
8:24 am
There’ll be much more of a p.r. hit pitching Glavine, and keeping Hanson in the minors, than pitching Hanson, and telling Glavine to hang around on the DL or in the minors just in case Hanson ain’t good enough yet in the majors.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
8:27 am
No offense — and I mean, “no offense” — but Gregor Blanco is hitting .242 in the minors. I don’t know that he’s an answer, either.
mitch
June 1st, 2009
8:33 am
I swear, I can’t get nothing by you, Mr. MB. YP, Mitch
dawgfan1911
June 1st, 2009
8:42 am
It’s interesting that the Braves dont have any good prospects they can possibly bring up from the outfield. It just does not look good for the Bravos right now.
Willy Wally
June 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Smoltz was a far better pitcher than Glavine ever was plus he is still able to win games. (BIG AL)
Say what?!?!?!?!? That’s a joke. Glavine was better than Smoltz. Glavine’s got the 300 wins to prove it. After all these years, Smoltz has barely got over 200. Even without the years in the pen, Smoltz would’ve barely been over 250. And if you look at the era of the big 3 from 1993 through 1999, Maddux and Glavine were better than Smoltz in the regular season AND in the postseason.
Smoltz has stayed better longer because he has somehow been able to remain a power pitcher into his forties. Somehow, he has done that. Until the roid era, how many pitchers besides Nolan Ryan remained power pitchers into their forties? Can’t really name any. But somehow Smoltz has defied the odds.
How many power pitchers in the roid era have remained power pitchers into their forties? Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson?
And, as for Nolan Ryan, when he was in his forties, it sure must have been great being a teammate with Julio Franco, Jose Canseco, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Kevin Brown. Or maybe, when they were kids, it was great for Canseco, Franco, Pudge, Juan Gone, Palmeiro and Brown to learn from the master of freakish, unprecedented performance.
Coach ( Moon Pie, Anyone?)
June 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Mark DeRosa might be the sexy pick but Jamey Carroll makes more sense due to the absence of Omar Infante, plus the Braves need for someone who can play 3B, SS and 2B. The Indians would be much more amicable in this regard.
Don’t be surprised if Carl Pavano ends up in Philly with the way he is pitching.
TommyP
June 1st, 2009
8:47 am
Coach: Jamey Carroll? Please.
DeRosa plays 3B, SS and 2B.
K Rack
June 1st, 2009
8:52 am
If I remember correctly, DeRosa was given plenty of chances to show what he could do while he was in Atlanta. He may have shown a few flashes but he was mostly average at best.
oldmike
June 1st, 2009
8:53 am
MB-”Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun”. Really? With a name like that he has to be good. Is he?
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
8:56 am
I don’t know that I would give up KK and Francouer for DeRosa. He’s a utility man. I’m not sure there are any good solutions for the Braves other than a veteran like Lofton but word is he is looking for a decent sized contract. I just don’t see them paying for Holliday.
Mark – do you EVER hear Bonds’ name come up with any team? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone with such production fall off the earth like he did.
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
8:58 am
Also – regarding KK, we have to give him some time. He’s not only adjusting to a new league but a country as well. I’m sure there’s some culture shock involved. I’m optimistic about him. I think he’ll be fine once he starts locating better.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
9:01 am
Peter Schmuck is a fine fellow and a good writer.
DHD
June 1st, 2009
9:02 am
DeRo is only a utility guy when he has managers who think so. Did you the the time to see his full time stats from last year? He had 21 HRs, 87 RBI and hit .285. Don’t you think we could use that? I say bring him in here, but don’t give up too much. Cleveland is not going to take KKs salary,
Coach ( Moon Pie, Anyone?)
June 1st, 2009
9:06 am
NO TOMMY , he doesn’t. Not unless you consider Dero to be a utility player and he’s definitely not that guy.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
9:08 am
I don’t see Kawakami going anywhere. He makes too much money and hasn’t yet had much success.
And no, to answer Wawel’s question, Barry Bonds’ name never arises. It’s as if he no longer exists. Nobody wants that baggage.
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
9:10 am
The two years before that he had 13 and 10 HR’s in 136 and 149 games respectively. In fairness, he is on pace for 27 this year. I would love to have him over Franceour but at what cost? it’s not only who we trade but he is probably due between 3.5 and 4 million for the remainder of the season. I’m not sure the Braves are going to pony up that much for him.
Coach ( Moon Pie, Anyone?)
June 1st, 2009
9:11 am
OK, I’m kidding. Mark DeRosa is a very good utility player. But no he can’t exactly play SS anymore. 3B, 2B and both corner outfield spots are his primary positions. And a little first base too.
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
9:12 am
There must be more to the Bonds history than I know. Is he any worse than the trouble Manny causes? Bonds was still putting up pretty big numbers in his last year, if I recall correctly.
LT- A Blogger
June 1st, 2009
9:14 am
I’d trade Jojo Reyes and Jeff Franceour for Heidi DeRosa. Let Heidi wear that outfit in RF and I’m betting Turner Field attendance would rise.
David
June 1st, 2009
9:24 am
I like Mark DeRosa but he is NOT the answer Mark. If Medlin does what he showed yesterday, and Hanson continues to shine, they may have to trade a pitcher and KJ or a young player that is behind other players to go get a bat.
DirtyDawg
June 1st, 2009
9:28 am
I’m not so sure about a lack of interest in Kawakami. Seems to me his performance against SF last week would have impressed the impressionable West Coast – where a Japanese pitcher could mean revenue. Perhaps the Mariners were scouting that game, or maybe San Diego. I mean the guy has shown sparks of brilliance, and even if we have to pay a portion of his salary, and assuming somebody had somebody we could use, why not?
Kentavo
June 1st, 2009
9:29 am
By the way, the Braves didn’t trade DeRosa.
Billball
June 1st, 2009
9:33 am
Why blame our talent (i.e. Andruw Jones, Francoeur, Kelly Johnson)? Once they get here and blossom, then seem to go downhill, our batting coaches have never been any help. We haven’t had a decent one since Don Baylor. Francoeur is a very good ball player we are just giving up on. Kelly Johnson should be a .300 hitter by now. Who made the decision to dump Josh Anderson? When was the last time the Braves executed a sacrifice bunt?
Keep the talent and dump Terry Pendleton. Dump him.
jch
June 1st, 2009
9:39 am
DeRosa was not a game-changer when he was here before—that’s why we didn’t keep him. Why does anybody think he will make a difference now?
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
9:52 am
True, DeRosa washed out at third base when given a full-time chance here. But he has gotten somewhat better since.
johnny evans
June 1st, 2009
9:54 am
my, my===with all the knowledge listed in the comments i just read… all should be on the field managing, coaching, etc..to many teams are 4 A now, why not admit it..
jle
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
9:57 am
I’m pretty sure San Diego would not take on KK. They’re already trying to dump Peavy.
JD
June 1st, 2009
10:14 am
Mark Derosa’s only had one season where he’s hit more than 13 homeruns. He’s 34 and hitting .266 this season. Unless he pulls a Bonds and gets incredible with age, I don’t see what benefit he’ll be.
JD
June 1st, 2009
10:14 am
ahh shoot…burned on the bold
Keeping It Real
June 1st, 2009
10:16 am
Are you kidding? Why do the Braves keep bringing back retreads for sentimental reasons while giving up good young talent in return. Please, please play the young guys. Why lose with former Braves when you can give experience to the young guys and win later. If this is a business, then why not improve the product. Another thing, please go out and find some speed and put him or her at the top of the order. This is probably the most boring team that has ever been in Atlanta….and that is really saying something.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
10:23 am
I took the liberty of fixing the boldface for you, JD. Hope you don’t mind. Thanks for the effort.
Braves73
June 1st, 2009
10:38 am
Dero for any of the pitchers mentioned (Reyes, Morton, or Medlen) would not be a wise move. The long-term value is not there and the short-term is in question. The move would be desperate (right now), and really doesn’t truly solve the Braves lack of power. I think Wren will have no choice but to wait until the trading deadline…a)To see if the Braves are still in the race & b)to increase the teams leverage. Other than that, they will have to hope for the best (in regards to health/Chipper) & make some internal changes.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
10:44 am
DeRosa for Reyes? You wouldn’t make that trade?
I’d make that trade in about two seconds.
The Grinch
June 1st, 2009
10:50 am
LT-A, that’s not the ONLY thing that would rise…hey-o!
LaTwan, do you think your mom could teach Frenchy’s cute little wife how to properly bake a pie? That may remedy the entire problem.
DeRo would be an upgrade in RF, but then so would Susan Boyle. No way at the cost of Medlen. And what’s with all the “Trade Jo-Jo” stuff? For what, a pickup load of fresh fertilizer? He hasn’t learned in three years what Medlen’s learned in three games: Trust your stuff and throw at least some of it near the strike zone and good things will happen. If we trade any legitimate talent at all it needs to be a serious run at a serious hitter. As much as I loathe Texiera as a person and that whole trade outcome, making it or something similar this season instead would have made much more sense.
Braves73
June 1st, 2009
10:52 am
It’s the only one that would be a “maybe” in the equation. Reyes was pretty dominant in the minors and he is a lefty. Bobby loves the kid and believes he has the “stuff” to be a major league pitcher…good luck trying to change his mind.
The Grinch
June 1st, 2009
10:52 am
MB, agreed. Then run like thieves before they came to their senses.
steve
June 1st, 2009
10:56 am
I was always a fan of “DeRo”. In fact, I was quite sad when the Braves parted ways with him. However, at this point in his career, he is NOT what the Braves need.
Braves73
June 1st, 2009
10:56 am
If it were me, I would still keep Reyes…he hasn’t had the “moment” where he realizes that he is good enough to be in bigs. I know that he hasn’t yet proved anything, but he is impressive in spurts. I believe that it may take some time, but he will be a greater long term value than Dero. Now, if the same proposal involved a sure fire power hitter (like Adam Dun) then I would change my tune…which of course you would too. The biggest challenge is that Dero (while being an upgrade) would still not fill the “power hitter” void the Braves lack.
crap-wheelie
June 1st, 2009
11:00 am
I would love to see DeRosa back. But will Cox. He used him terribly when he was here.
Bill
June 1st, 2009
11:02 am
DeRosa for Reyes! In a heart beat. But no for Medlen and Morton. Braves have others that could get that deal done. Thanks Mark for info.
Curious George
June 1st, 2009
11:09 am
Do you think Texas will trade us back any of our young “prospects” from the now-infamous Teixeira trade?
:’(
Curious George
June 1st, 2009
11:11 am
Who would’ve thought Andruw Jones would make such a productive “utility” player?
Ninju
June 1st, 2009
11:12 am
If we trade JoJo for DeRosa, he can play second which would allow us to Shop KJ (maybe package him with Morton and ship them to the White Sox for Dye). That way we gain more power in 2 key spots and as a bonus we get rid of JoJo Reyes. Can’t beat that.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
11:14 am
No, I don’t, Curious George. And I’m pretty sure you don’t, either.
Peadawg
June 1st, 2009
11:17 am
Good to here Gordon Beckham is doing good. Thanks for that update!
George
June 1st, 2009
11:21 am
Please bring Mark back. We really need him either in outfield or at 3rd if Chipper has more down time.
Mark's Bradley
June 1st, 2009
11:23 am
When you say “top tier arms”, are YOU judging who they are, or did someone from the front office say “Morton, Medlen, and Reyes are not our top tier arms”?
JeanE
June 1st, 2009
11:32 am
As the kids say: OMG! OMG! OMG!!! I want DeRo back here where he belongs so badly, although if might mean less playing time for Matty D….he would help the Braves so much, Chipper is always dinged up & he can play anywhere & hit!!!! It’s a no-brainer!!!! Come on Frank, do it!!! Who cares if they want Charlie Morton or whoever like that!!!!
Bravissimo
June 1st, 2009
11:40 am
I forgot what i was reading after I saw the pic of Mrs. DeRosa
Horner's Corner
June 1st, 2009
11:47 am
Straw poll, is Jamie Moyer a HOF pitcher now that he has 250 wins?? No one ever mentions him, but he’s had a great career without having overpowering stuff. He has pitched for a WS Champion and he was the anchor of the Mariners staff during the franchise’s best years. (Mariners won 90+ games each year from 2000-2003 and during those 4 seasons Moyer was twice a 20 game winner)
He currently holds the Mariners franchise record for career wins, IP, games started and Win-Loss % (based on pitchers with 100 or more franchise starts). He also holds the club record for wins in a season with 21.
Just curious what others think.
mesejs
June 1st, 2009
11:49 am
Mark – why aren’t we hearing anything about OF Cody Johnson in the Braves minor leagues – he has 17 homers after yesterday. If I remember he was early draft prospect a couple years ago. Tell us something.
chad
June 1st, 2009
11:54 am
Why in the world would Peavy veto a trade to Atlanta? Makes no sense, Turner Field is a pitchers ball park and it is close to home. He sounds like he might be on the bratish side.
Mark Cuban or Aurther Blank.. Please buy the Braves!
June 1st, 2009
11:58 am
Enter your comments here
chad
June 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
I like what Billball said. He makes a lot of sense.
1eyedJack
June 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
Can we just trade for Mrs. DeRo?
Mark Cuban or Aurther Blank.. Please buy the Braves!
June 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
I really like the idea of putting Dero at second. You can then move KJ to center or use him for trade bait to get a powerhitter. Then when Omar comes back we can put Dero in the OF. But don’t trade Medlen to do it! That one would haunt us for years!
Shoeless Joe
June 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Mark’s Bradley 11:23
I was wondering the same thing myself.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
Mesejs, here’s a Cody Johnson scouting report from Hot-Prospects.net. You’ll note the comparison to Adam Dunn — lots of power, lots of strikeouts. And if you check his stats, you’ll see he has struck out 70 times for Class A Myrtle Beach already this season.
Cameron
June 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
I would do DeRosa for Morton or Reyes. I might even be willing to part ways with Medlen for DeRosa. We need someone to provide the versatility that Ofante had and he provides much needed pop to our lineup. It does look like Garret Anderson is coming to form though. He has always been a slow starter, plus he missed a lot of ST. I will have to say, when everyone is healthy our lineup is good enough to win the wild card, maybe even the division. But, DeRosa can make a healthy lineup better and more versatile. The most value would come when we have an ijury or two, plus he can afford us the opportunity to sit struggling OF’s (Schafer and Frenchy). I like the target, but let’s not mortgage the future for DeRosa.
Mark's Bradley
June 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
Mark,
When you say “top tier arms”, are YOU judging who they are, or did someone from the front office say “Morton, Medlen, and Reyes are not some of our top tier arms”?
PMC
June 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
Peavy is further evidence why no team should EVER EVER EVER allow a no trade clause be given to a player.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
Nobody from the Braves’ front office said that to Jayson Stark, I’m guessing, but someone (or several someones) from other front offices did.
And by top-tier young arms, I’m thinking the Braves have two of those — Jair Jurrgens and Tommy Hanson.
Hoosier Aaron
June 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
I have to agree with the Hitting Coach comments. It appears to me that we’re trying to clone all of our hitters into being one type. Frenchy was a swing from the heals hacker who drove in 100 runs two years in a row – but he struck out 130 times….who cares how many times he strikes out….Ryan Howard strikes out 199 times per year…big deal.
As far as getting another bat – I hope we don’t do something silly. We have Heyward coming and Cody Johnson is mashing the ball…btw…he swings and misses a few times too. If Schafer doesn’t work out…Gorkys looks like a good CF prospect. If we must get another outfielder – let’s target someone like Hunter Pence or Luke Scott…pay the price and get a good one.
johnny bravo
June 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
I’m a regular fan and I reported this over a week ago,
tale of woe
June 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
After yesterday’s performance I would take Medlen over Glavine any day of the week. I think he needs to stay and we can not think about trading him. Jo Jo can go go to Cleveland, but I would like to know how much longer DeRo is signed for. I don’t like giving up young pitching for a one year rental.
No More Bobby
June 1st, 2009
12:42 pm
This is the big deal we have been waiting for? Cmon!! There has to be players out there that wasnt once a Brave already!!! Im a bit embarrassed to be a fan. Its becoming Spinal Tap like the way this team is handled.
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
12:43 pm
Hoosier – the more stikeouts you have, the less you put the ball into play = less chance of getting a hit/causing an error/getting on base. Strikeouts are a very telling stat. Personally, I never wanted them to get Dunn because of this reason. It looks like he is working on this aspect of his game, though.
Chief Noc-a-homa
June 1st, 2009
12:46 pm
I know an OF who we could have had for very cheap. DH for TEX, hitting .282 with 5 HRs in just 25 games. Hindsight’s 20/20 but it would it have hurt to have given him a shot?
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
12:48 pm
Oddly enough, the Spinal Tap comparison arose in a previous Buzz installment. (I believe I likened Garret Anderson’s mobility in left field to, er, Stonehenge.)
BRAVES BULL........pen
June 1st, 2009
12:52 pm
i’m a braves fan and live in milwaukee and today’s news were saying that vasquez could come here to milwaukee may be for corey hart.
brewers outfield is amaizing, braun(35 to 40 homers), cameroon(20 to 25), hart(15 to 20) you are talking 70 to 75 homers just from the outfield. WOW thats is production.
WREN
June 1st, 2009
12:54 pm
if we deal, deal for some body that will stay at least for 2 years. not just for 3 months.
wawel78
June 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
Yeah, I’m also reading on mlbtraderumors.com that Vazquez might be available.
Jeff R
June 1st, 2009
1:10 pm
Why would Wren surrender Medlen, with all his upside for DeRosa? Reyes or Morton, maybe. But Medlen is bulldog competitive and showed what he’s capable of in yesterday’s win against Arizona.
DeRosa has proved to be a better player than he showed in his stint with the Braves, but he’s older now. And Infante will be back in 5 weeks.
Could the Braves want to acquire DeRosa in anticipation of another move?
Spud Webb
June 1st, 2009
1:12 pm
It’s starting to slip away Wren. Not sure why Derosa? Unless he’s an everyday outfielder that can hit for power and drive in runs??? Which I Love Dero, but he isn’t. So I don’t really care about this chatter. WREN MAKE A MOVE. You have got to get the OF situation fixed ASAP.
Paul Lentz
June 1st, 2009
1:13 pm
Mark DeRosa is not the long term answer for the Braves offensive woes. However, for this year’s purpose, he is a right handed bat with some pop in his bat, he hits for a decent average, and he can play some defense. The Braves will not have to give up that much to get him.
I’ve said this in other threads. I really hope the Braves do not bring up Tom Glavine. Paying him $3.5 mil to solidfy what is already a strength (particularly when a much cheaper Kris Medlen has the ability to do the job), is not the move to make. Signing Glavine in Spring Training made sense because the Braves did not know how the health of the starters would hold up. Now that Medlen has demonstrated that he can make the necessary adjustments (plus Tommy Hanson is waiting in the wings should one of the others get injured), the move is to graciously let Glavine go.
Trading Franceour now, (his $2 mil remaining salary for this year) and not paying Glavine the $3.5 mil that he would get if he stayed on the roster for the rest of the season, would give the Braves $5.5 mil to go towards acquiring a right handed bat with some pop in it.
DFARASDFG
June 1st, 2009
1:14 pm
If the Braves trade Vazquez, they are completely out of touch with reality and destined to fail…just my opinion. Vazquez is good…a solid starter.
Jesse
June 1st, 2009
1:16 pm
seems like a Josh Willingham would be a better fit (check out his OPS this year) and probably wouldn’t require as much talent back.
what do you think mark?
Born2Buzz
June 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
Please don’t trade Medlen. The kid showed me something after the 4 run inning in SF. Whats he given up, 1 run in the last 10 innings since. Medlen and Hanson are going to be the cornerstones for this franchise for the next 8-10 years.
Now about Frenchy, I think his grace period is up. We will see more and more of Diaz in RF from now on. And if we get another bat, be it DeRosa or anyone else, we might just see Jeff shipped to the minors. He still has options, right?
Lazy Dawg
June 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
Where in the world would you insert Delro and why would you trade back for someone you already gave up on.
the truth...
June 1st, 2009
1:25 pm
I have posed the idea on Dave’s blog but have seen no response…why not get Jack Llewelyn to help Frenchy work on the mental aspect of his game?
Who’s Jack Llewelyn?
He’s the dude that sat behind the backstop wearing a red shirt so Smoltzie could be reminded of what they had worked on. Lest anyone forget, Smoltzie had a huge mental block back in those days…I think it is worth a shot to see if Mr. Llewelyn could help the kid?
What thinkest you?
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
1:25 pm
Oddly enough, I floated the Vazquez possibility a couple of weeks ago. And got hooted down on here, as I recall.
Just me
June 1st, 2009
1:26 pm
If the Braves don’t want to play Diaz on a full time basis then trade him to some team that will. He could be a super star if given the chance.
Noah
June 1st, 2009
1:27 pm
Mark – do you EVER hear Bonds’ name come up with any team? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone with such production fall off the earth like he did.
Obviously Bonds situation is unique because of Steroids but he isn’t alone. Kenny Lofton was productive and no one wanted to bring him back in 08. Frank Thomas hit 26 HR’s in his last full season. There is a trend towards younger and cheaper over experience. Ivan Rodriguez had to play well in the WBC to get a job and I believe Pedro Martinez is still at home, although its because of his demand for top dollar.
Mark Bradley
June 1st, 2009
1:28 pm
I know Dr. Jack has been ill. (I believe Ms. Carroll Rogers wrote about it.) I haven’t seen him around the ballpark in a while.
MatthewH
June 1st, 2009
1:38 pm
I know you gave your apologies to Cleveland on this blog, but you really are trying to get invited on Cleveland TV again-aren’t you?
steve
June 1st, 2009
1:38 pm
Can we just trade for Mrs. Derosa?
P-Town Brave
June 1st, 2009
1:41 pm
Obviously Jordan has gotten his chance and should be sent down to Triple A at this point…Blanco’s face is shown under the word mediocre in the dictionary…
At this point, I think there’s really only 1 option, and that is to bring the kid, Gorkys up from Double A…I understand its quite a gamble, but according to most, the Braves more than likely won’t be keeping both Jordan and himself at some point anyways…
This kills two birds w/ one stone, getting a new leadoff hitter, and getting Kelly back to a more comfortable spot in the lower half of the order.
Also, I do agree that a DeRo for Reyes trade, I would pull the trigger on in 2.5 seconds!
WREN
June 1st, 2009
1:44 pm
jo-jo for eric byrnes??