Bradley’s Buzz: Fix the Braves by moving Chipper to 1B?
We’ve all been kicking around what the Braves should do before July 31 — my latest prescription is to do nothing — but Steve Goldman of Baseball Prospectus has a notion that is, as they say, out of the box. Writing for ESPN.com’s Insiders, Goldman suggests the Braves trade for Scott Rolen (link requires registration), the third baseman currently employed by Toronto.
And now you’re asking: Don’t the Braves have a third baseman? Why, yes they do. His name’s Larry. So what should be done with ol’ Larry?
Move him to first base, Goldman maintains. Here’s his reasoning:
“The Braves have been baseball’s most aggressive team in trying to fix what ails them, but even with the recent exile of Jeff Francoeur, there’s work to be done, as the offense remains weak. While Nate McLouth and Ryan Church might help boost aggregate outfield production above its present rank of 28th in the majors, Garret Anderson probably is a lost cause. It also remains to be seen whether Casey Kotchman will ever supply even average production at first.
“With their largely effective pitching staff, the Braves don’t have to follow the herd in pursuit of additional arms [although another solid bullpen contributor wouldn't hurt]. The Braves are 13th in the league in homers, and no player has hit even 10. Any power bat they add would have a disproportionate effect. One solution: Lift Scott Rolen from the fading Blue Jays and shift the defensively arthritic Chipper Jones to first base.”
This would presumably put Kotchman on the bench, which is where he probably belongs. But is Rolen, who’s 34 and who has played in as many as 120 games only once over the past four full seasons, worth the cost of, say, Jordan Schafer or Kris Medlen? He’s hitting .320, which is good, but has only six homers and 35 RBIs, which is Frenchy-like.
Loading ...The good news? Rolen wouldn’t be a rental. He’s under contract through 2010. The bad: He’s due to make $11.6 million next season, which is nearly as much as Chipper makes ($13 mil).
But do you uproot your best player this late in a season? Especially one who managed to hurt himself every which way when he was shifted to the outfield to make room for Vinny Castilla? Is Rolen, who fell out with Larry Bowa in Philadelphia (admittedly not hard to do) and Tony La Russa in St. Louis (a bit harder to manage) Bobby Cox’s kind of guy? And is a 34-year-old third baseman who has six home runs apt to tip this division race?
No, I say. No and no and no. It’s an intriguing notion, yes. But so was New Coke.
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149 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
July 17th, 2009
5:36 am
Big picture: I guess it depends on whether they feel Chipper will be done before Freeman comes up from the minors. I assume the answer to that question is no.
Getting Rolen specifically: no and no and no. As one wise sage put it recently.
Space Monkey
July 17th, 2009
5:36 am
Put Brooks Conrad at third, move chip to first. BC has been great. Last night he had the single best at bat I’ve seen from any Braves hitter this year. It was the winning run. Great job. Deserves to start.
Ernest
July 17th, 2009
6:08 am
Mark sais, >>Garret Anderson probably is a lost cause<<. Why no love for Garret? All he has done is do what he has done for most of his career, hit in the .280’s with lots of doubles. Last night he had 3 hits. Yes, we got him to hold the fort for this year and he seems to do what was expected. Do we believe we can get something better, especially considering what we are paying him?
El Bravo
July 17th, 2009
6:49 am
The best we can do is hold the fort until the trade deadline. Try to get back in the race with the players we have but if we fall further back then we need to explore trading Kotchman, Lowe and / or Kawakami for prospects. I really like Lowe but he is our highest paid player and could be very valuable come trade deadline. And with Hudson and Medlen we have a plethora of starters to choose from…
Smooth
July 17th, 2009
7:08 am
We need to get off Garret Anderson back, the guy has been steady.
Chief Nock A Homa
July 17th, 2009
7:09 am
And have Larry struggle again… No way…
That’s too much of a shakeup and we begin to lose any continuity we have….
Ernest
July 17th, 2009
7:09 am
El Bravo said, > we need to explore trading Kotchman, Lowe and / or Kawakami for prospects. I really like Lowe but he is our highest paid player and could be very valuable come trade deadline.<
Hmmm, you think some team would would our highest paid player that just signed a 4 year contract and is also 36 years old? What kind of logic is that?
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 17th, 2009
7:13 am
I’d like to see Chipper at first to reduce the wear and quite frankly, he’s looked rather human at third. Question is, where is the third baseman of the future? He’s not in the Braves organization…
Chief Nock A Homa
July 17th, 2009
7:25 am
Ernest –
You’ve got to see the value in the Lowe trade idea… He’s still one of the best pitchers in the game and, POTENTIALLY, another contender would want him – even at the cost and risk, etc.. Why not at least explore the option when we have such a solid staff???
dobearsbare
July 17th, 2009
7:36 am
Scott Rolen is not the answer. Surely, Wren is smart enough to see this. I still think the Braves are watchers. Or, more to the point, waiters. The only bat they’ll be adding is Omar Infante. If his wrist is healthy, that could be a significant addition. Otherwise, the team they have right now is the team they’ll have August 1.
Jt
July 17th, 2009
7:39 am
Not a good idea. First base needs to be reserved for Brian McCann. His great hitting will not last if he continues to catch. Plus I would like to see David Ross in the lineup every day.
MastersJacket
July 17th, 2009
7:45 am
Brooks at second, Prado at third Chipper at first. The outfield is not great but is good enough. I agree with Mark though (it was bound to happen eventually) that making the move this late in the season is not a good idea. Leave Prado at first and Chipper at third.
Bama Aaron
July 17th, 2009
8:00 am
Sounds like some reporters are just making stuff up now to have something to write about. That move makes as little sense as the earlier discussions about trading Yunel. We don’t need another aging guy with reduced pop in his bat playing 3rd.
I’ll admit Chipper is losing his luster for me this season. He’s making more errors (like last night) than I can ever remember. And all of a sudden he thinks he has to take over Franceours mantle of swinging at every 1st pitch. But moving him to 1st is not the answer. My estimation you need to play better D at 1st than you do at 3rd and frankly I don’t think he can do it.
If you’re unhappy with Kotchman at 1st then put Ross in there and find another back-up catcher. I’d love to see Ross’ bat in the lineup every day. Or move Prado to 1st and let Conrad take over the 2nd base job. He’s shown every sign so far that he can handle it.
And why the lack of love for Anderson? He did start off slow, but he’s been swinging the bat better lately and shown more range in the field than I expected.
Matt
July 17th, 2009
8:03 am
Ernest, do you follow baseball much? There are probably ten contenders who would eat that contract because of how good Derek Lowe has been down the stretch over his career. The Braves are in the bizarro baseball world where they have a bunch of good starting pitching and need offense. Take advantage of that and make a move or do nothing, as Bradley suggests, and finish with 80 wins, 10 games out, and wait til next year. Hate to be pessimistic, people, but that’s what we’re looking at with this team.
Fed up
July 17th, 2009
8:09 am
Chipper at 1st might be a good idea but trading for Rolen is not. We don’t need another injury problem at third. I say stand pat unless someone wants to give alot for maybe Lowe. We have some pretty good youngsters, finish out the year and plan for the future. We don’t have what it takes to win it all just yet
matt_T
July 17th, 2009
8:14 am
Everyone seems to forget that Omar Infante is back very soon. He can play 3rd, 1st or OF and was killing the ball. He can give the team Rolen type production without having to move prospects or take on salary.
Daniel
July 17th, 2009
8:24 am
Why couldn’t Rolen play first?
The 11.6 milion price tag is too much for a player of his caliber.
MiltonDawg
July 17th, 2009
8:26 am
Infante or Conrad could platoon at 3B. While Kotchman is great defensively, bottom line is that we need runs!! Chip at 1B may not be a bad idea. No Rolen- makes no sense for a “rental” and then pay out the arse for him. Is Boras his agent?
Freedawg
July 17th, 2009
8:30 am
Kotchman’s defense is second to none, but don’t forget Omar Infante, (I don’t know when he’s due back). That could be the bat we’re looking for. He can also play multiple positions.
Henry D.
July 17th, 2009
8:31 am
Garrett Anderson is indeed starting to hit a little bit, but I don’t know how many more times I can take watching him jog after a ball while the runners are circling the bases at full speed. Not to mention the play the other night when the ball was rolling slowly towards him and he was barely trotting to get it and the guy rounded second and took off for third and then he threw the ball away and cost us a run and we lost the game.
That’s his issue right now.
Jack
July 17th, 2009
8:34 am
Mark Bradley, the recent high volume in blog postings is beginning to show its absurdity. Now, you’re just quoting other bloggers who similarly have minimal (at best) inside knowledge and are just speculating. Please stop diluting what can be good columns when you give them more thought.
Akmed Picklesimer
July 17th, 2009
8:37 am
Kotchman plays great defense and I think if he can quit getting nicked and sick his production will be pretty good, too. But he’s got to start doing it.
Gorilla Glue
July 17th, 2009
8:38 am
RE: “Kotchman’s defense is second to none…” – Freedawg @ 8:30 am
Uh, can you say “Mark Teixeira,” boys and girls?
Eric Gehman
July 17th, 2009
8:39 am
Jones at 1B would be a solid idea – less strain on his body when he’s out in the field means less injury risk. Rolen may have had some clubhouse friction in the past, but he’s still a great defender and swings a good enough bat to serve as a massive upgrade over Kotchman. This plan makes a lot of sense to me, assuming the price on Rolen is right – an overall upgrade on offense and defense, without having to rush someone from the farm system, seems like a recipe for success to me.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 17th, 2009
8:41 am
Not a rental, then I guess Tex was not a rental since he had a year and a half remaining on his contract. I like the idea but maybe with someone else at 3B like Teahen or Encarnacion.
braveshoo
July 17th, 2009
8:43 am
Texas needs starting pitching.We have an abundance when Hudson gets back.I’m happy to stay pat,but if we could get Michael Young and Josh Hamilton for Vasques,or 1 of these two for Kawakami,I would do it. It sheds payroll for next year so we can resign Hudson, and greatly improves our ballclub.Young bats leadoff, and can play 2b,ss,or3b at an allstar level. Hamilton is a quality outfielder.
Nativebird
July 17th, 2009
8:43 am
Nope. Rolen is not a game changer. This team needs a bat that is a bona fide game changer, a difference maker. All other thoughts are simply mental excersizes that are in reality, pure ineffectiveness. If Wren REALLY thinks we can win the division THIS YEAR and make a run BEYOND the first playoff series, then he should make a deal for a TOP (and only a top) available MLB HR/RBI producer (right handed preferrably). If not? then hold your cards and bring up your farm talent slowly for 2010 and beyond.
Shadetree
July 17th, 2009
8:49 am
Chipper can’t dig balls at first base and the runs it would cost us are more critical than the runs Casey saves us. Remember Brian Hunter. We won with him and hes was average at first and the plate. Everybody needs to get off Loafs butt. He appears to not be hustling just the same as LaRoche did. Heck he just beat out an infield hit. Deceptive I tell you.
While people crawl Wren I say at least he’s doing something.
I wonder if the Brewers would be interested in Lowe.
We’re getting Infante back and I hope he takes off but when’s the last time he played a full season. We’re getting Huddy back and that’s as good as a trade.
I believe the bats are going to explode this 2nd half.
Scott B
July 17th, 2009
8:57 am
I admire Frank Wren’s ability to pull the trigger on deals. I do not, however, want to see him get trigger-happy. Letting Glavine go and going with Hanson was absolutely the right move, even if it did give the Braves a PR headache. I like the deal he made by bringing in Church. I believe that this deal, like all trades, will be judged to be more or less beneficial to each team over time. Don’t bring in Scott Rolen, however. I don’t think it might mess up the chemistry a bit, plus he’s not the player he once was.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 17th, 2009
9:11 am
The Rolen idea is a dumb one and we should skip it like a flat rock on a calm lake.
Someone else already wrote it on this blog and its still the best move which is to wait until Infante returns and improve from within by starting him at 1B.
GA is doing what we signed him to do (good thing Griffey turned us down after all) and doing it well so, for goodness sakes, leave him (and Escobar) alone.
I do believe there is merit in 2010 in moving either Chipper or McCann to 1B. Assuming David Ross is an everyday catcher, then that move would prolong the careers of either guy. Kotchman is a late game defensive replacement/ pinch hitter type who would flourish in that role.
Jorge
July 17th, 2009
9:18 am
Why was it that the Angels expected Krotchman to develop power over the course of his career and why is it not happening?
shane
July 17th, 2009
9:24 am
Last year when the Texieria/Kotchman was made, instead of Kotchman Wren should have taken Kendrey Morales. If Wren did that look at the braves lineup. Morales could have even played 3rd if you wanted him to.
C. Mccan .298, 8hrs, 37rbis
1b. Morales .284 16hrs, 51rbis
2b. Prado .328 4hrs, 18rbis
ss. Escobar .294 8hrs, 45 rbis
3b. Jones .289 9hrs, 42 rbis
Lf. Anderson .280 6hrs, 33 rbis
Cf. Mclouth .266 14hrs, 49rbis
Rf. Church/ Diaz .290 6hrs, 46rbis together
Cletus
July 17th, 2009
9:31 am
It would be FREE to put Infante at 3rd and Chipper at 1st and the end result would be basically the SAME. So it is a stupid idea.
JF McNamara
July 17th, 2009
9:32 am
Why are there so many articles saying the Braves need to do something? They’ve got enough to win the division right now with the McClouth, Church and Prado moves and they aren’t going anywhere if they get in the playoffs. It seems like patience is the thing they need.
Shafer will be back (and improved) next year and Heyward and Freeman are probably 1.5 to 2 years away. The rotation has 3 young guns plus Medlin in waiting. If they stand pat, they’ve probably got a 5 year window beginning next year.
Jo Bling
July 17th, 2009
9:34 am
Yes, get off Garret Anderson’s back. We acquired him for his bat, not his fielding, and his bat has been clicking. He’s not a gold-glove fielder by any stretch, but as long as he can be at least competent he’ll fill our need. He has bad quads, and I sense he’s trying to protect against re-injuring them by not over-accelerating when he runs to the ball. He’s looked better in recent weeks as he’s gotten healthier, and his bat is going to be huge down the stretch. You’ll see. The guy is a gamer.
One more point: I wish everyone would get over the notion that we are going to trade away starting pitching to acquire another bat. It’s not going to happen. Do you really think Wren spent the entire offseason bolstering the starting rotation just to start trading it away mid-season? I don’t think so. You can never have enough starting pitching. Period. Even if Hudson returns, which is hardly guaranteed.
Mark Bradley
July 17th, 2009
9:35 am
JT, who makes good points, makes yet another: First base should be reserved for Brian McCann — at least once a week, IMHO.
Moreworktodo
July 17th, 2009
9:36 am
I agree with moving creaky Chipper to first base, but not for a also fading clubhouse diva like Scott Rolen. If I were Frank, I would discuss sending some prospects and surplus pitching to Washington for Ryan Zimmerman. It is a stretch that Stan Kasten would consider trading his only all-star player, but the Nats need lots of pitching, which the Braves can provide… No doubt the Braves are improving their roster as this season progresses, but I think actual playoff caliber contention is still at least a year or two away for the Braves. Frank needs to be patient, do his homework, and get the right guys for long-term success (like he has by patiently pursuing McClouth), not waste money and prospects on any short-term acquisitions that won’t help us to the post-season this season.
DawginLex
July 17th, 2009
9:39 am
Anderson is hitting the ball and seeing the ball better than he has all year. I don’t understand the hatin’ on him. Chipper is not a 1st baseman. He plays 3rd. Leave him alone.
This team may not win the East(I still think they can), but I am sure enjoying the implosion of the Mets.
Instead of trading why not play McCann at 1st some and let Ross catch more? Extend McCann’s career and save money. You folks do realize we are about to get Tim Hudson back?
This could actually get fun.
Ronald Reagan
July 17th, 2009
9:41 am
If we could get Rolen for Medlin and Schaefer, I say go for it! Why not let Rolen play some First? Another big bat couldn’t hurt!
Atticus
July 17th, 2009
9:41 am
When Omar comes back, he needs to play some first. Nothing wrong with Kotch but a guy that hits 8 HRS a year should bat over .300. He doesn’t hit homers and he doesn’t hit for average.
EJ
July 17th, 2009
9:44 am
No trade for Chipper……moving him to first base is an excellent idea…..there is a slowing down….his good instincts are still there…Let’s try first base….great idea!!!!!!!!!!
don pardo
July 17th, 2009
9:44 am
I think they do need to move Chipper to first next year but not in the middle of season. Based on his numbers Rolen clearly is not the answer. The one name that’s interesting is Adam Dunn. I would offer a package of Jordan Schafer, Kris Medlen and some lessor prospects, but Washington would have to send some money this way.
Atticus
July 17th, 2009
9:44 am
Chipper’s problem is he isn’t hitting LH. If he can get it together, that will add runs.
We have fixed second, Garret is hitting, we need to use Nate more on the bases and we need more power from first and RF.
Rolen makes too much money to trade for Medlen and Schafer. Go for Zimmerman and move Hoss to first.
TSimm
July 17th, 2009
9:46 am
Hey Mark, Any idea what time they are supposed to start the Maddux ceremonies tonight? We have tickets to the game, but I want to make sure we’re there in time.
Thanks.
Mark Bradley
July 17th, 2009
9:51 am
Maddux ceremonies begin at 7:30, but fans are asked to be in their seats by 7:15. (You know how Friday traffic gets.) Game starts at 7:45 or thereabouts.
Monticello Dawg
July 17th, 2009
9:52 am
If this happens, Rolen would finally be playing in Georgia. Anyone recall Hugh Durham signing Rolen to a basketball scholarship? The baseball money won out and he never made it to Athens. I think Scott was a high scoring guard out of Indiana, and considered a good prospect.
George Bush
July 17th, 2009
9:53 am
guys the braves are in a situation that they dont wanna trade Vasquez UNLESS they get some top notch hitting.. i believe they will trade Kotchman and Vasquez or Lowe for an ALL-STAR hitter who hits alot of home runs. everyone needs pitching and the trade would make sense. we have infante comming back thats an upgrade. plus hudson is comming back thats another upgrade to the rotation. Chipper will stay at third and retire at third.
TSimm
July 17th, 2009
9:53 am
I appreciate the info Mark. I just didn’t know if they were planning a longer ceremony around 7 or anything.
Thanks
Skeezix
July 17th, 2009
9:54 am
No on Rolen-not worth the bucks . Moving Chipper to 1st and Prado to third is worth a try. Congratulations to Greg Maddux—as Skip Carey said about him, “the best, simply the best”.
Angus
July 17th, 2009
9:56 am
No to Rolen. We need speed or power – he’s lacking in both. Yes, he’s better at 3rd than Chipper, but Chipper would be worse at 1st than Kotchman. Mild upgrade offensively, a wash defensively – too much cash.
While a lot of focus is on Kotchman, did you all know Esco’s hitting .228 against lefties? Our 2nd best power hitting rightie can’t hit lefties….boggles the mind.