The Braves: Serious about saving $$$, less so about winning
Melky Cabrera: The latest in a series of cost-cutting imports. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
The Braves just traded the man who might well have been their Opening Day starting pitcher for an outfielder who might not start on Opening Day. Think about that.
Think also about this: The Braves just traded a man who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young voting because he was making too much money. And here’s how much Javier Vazquez is scheduled to make in 2010 — $11.5 million. That’s not even half what CC Sabathia, his new Yankee teammate, will earn. And that tells us all we need know about the Braves.
They keep making noises about contending for division titles, but it’s just noise. They can’t afford to do real business any longer. From the day the 2009 season ended they were looking to dump a starting pitcher, ostensibly to add a power hitter, but Melky Cabrera isn’t a power hitter. He was the eighth-best position player on the Yankees. He might not beat out Nate McLouth in center field here. He might wind up in a platoon. And he’s what the Braves got for the man who was their best pitcher last season.
“A perfect fit,” Frank Wren called Cabrera, speaking on a teleconference Tuesday, but the only thing perfect about this trade was how completely it detonates the Braves’ claim to being serious players. You don’t trade an ace unless you get a big bopper in return. The Braves got a guy who hit 13 home runs with 68 RBIs last season.
Yes, there’s more to the trade than Cabrera. Mike Dunn should help in the bullpen and Arodys Vizcaino is a young power arm, but the cold truth is that the Braves just played what they deemed their trump card — a surplus of starting pitching — without improving their run production one whit. And don’t fool yourselves: That $11.5 million they saved on Vazquez won’t allow them to splurge on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday. Those guys are out of price range, out of sight.
“We’re very fortunate to be able to make a deal like this,” Wren said. Then this: “We’ve been focused on [finding a run producer] all offseason, and we were waiting on the right match. And we’re still waiting.”
But Vazquez is gone. Can’t trade him twice. And the Braves can’t trade Derek Lowe because they’re down to five starters. So the best that can be reasonably hoped is that they find a Marlon Byrd or a Xavier Nady or — knowing as we do that the Braves love recycling old favorites — a Mark DeRosa or a Jermaine Dye. Except none of those players will make them better in the way that losing Vazquez makes them worse.
Loading ...As someone who has defended Wren in the past, I have to say I’m stumped. Obviously the Braves’ salary constraints are worse than we’d been led to believe if they had to make this sort of deal so soon — Santa Claus hasn’t yet come and Javier Vazquez has left the building — but even more puzzling is Wren’s contention that this enabled him “to improve our club.” Maybe it improves it in 2012, when Vizcaino is ready to join Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens. But the way the Braves operate those pitchers will have been sold off by then.
Nothing about this offseason suggests that the new Braves are any better than the ones who finished third in the NL East. Is Billy Wagner an upgrade over Rafael Soriano? No. (But he’s cheaper. And also older.) Is Takashi Saito better than Mike Gonzalez? No. (But he’s cheaper. And also older.) Is the new first baseman … oh, wait. They don’t yet have a new first baseman.
For all this motion — Wren is forever in a hurry — the Braves will enter January 2010 a lesser team than in September 2009. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. But that is, sad to say, the way it works here, where $11.5 million for a big-time pitcher is considered too much, where the drive to win is trumped by the need to scrimp.
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748 comments Add your comment
Mel
December 22nd, 2009
7:51 pm
g.h/RA, I’m with you. Win or lose…I love the Braves!!!! It beats loven’ the Mets.
g.h
December 22nd, 2009
7:51 pm
@ MARK BRADLEY’S FAN CLUB
If we could trade Chipper for a couple of hotshot prospective infielders we would in a heartbeat. He was arguably the worst regular starter in baseball last year and he’s RETIRING as early as next fall. That just goes to show how ignorant you and all the other Mark Bradley acolytes are. You sound like my mom…. wait…. IS THAT YOU, MOM?
Big L
December 22nd, 2009
7:51 pm
Is there any damn wonder that noone give two fuzzy squirts about this team anymore? Since Te sold it, it has necome a bottom line bussiness that maintains rich peiples lifestyles. Ownership does’nt give a damn about winning and this stupid , one sided move proves it. Javy is a strike pitcher who wins game when it counts. Oh well , just 8 more months til meaningful football.
grady
December 22nd, 2009
7:54 pm
I disagree that this was that bad of a trade. Vasquez had a career year last year in terms of K’s and no doubt, he is a workhorse. However, last year is the only year he was below a 3 ERA and he is a .500 career pitcher. Would I rather see Lowe go? Yes. Cabrera brings some runs to the club and some youth. Is it all we need? Heck no. But let’s be honest, we weren’t going to be able to go out and get a big bat. Our biggest issues last year were scoring runs and holding leads. I think we have addressed that. Cabrera doesn’t need to beat McLouth, he can play all three outfields. He just needs to show he can produce.
ATLBravesFan
December 22nd, 2009
7:55 pm
lol look at melky on this picture.
http://api.ning.com/files/iOvqmnhbC6XQ-4*zgG5Ey2zGnpF29I9-NSzUX-3uptg0jnZphOPyw*V4gMfRRUm8ZD2hwwChWwHkk7P4ioLQruwWfX9aLm5B/MelkyCabreraKissyFace.jpg
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
7:55 pm
grady- We have addressed scoring runs??????????When?
Mark Bradley why dont you wait until this all plays out before you bash Wren
December 22nd, 2009
7:56 pm
Why do you hate Wren so much?! Don’t you realize that there is more than just a big time pitcher being traded for prospects and a good (not great) outfielder? We freed up 9 million meaning we have about 17 million to spend. And if you look at our rotation it is still the best in the national league. (Don’t you dare say the Phillies is better because it has not nearly the amount of depth that ours does) We will get a guy like Nady or Derosa or Byrd but isn’t that all that we could do. Seriously there wasn’t a better move to make to allow us to get a solid outfielder or firstbaseman. And with the addition of one of these guys our lineup will be way improved that one that had Kotchman, Garret, Kelly, and Jordan in it. We have Wren to thank for getting us a center fielder, a fantastic arm in Jair (for nearly nothing lost besides Renteria who was out played by Yunel), and finally the decision to release Glavine and call up Tommy. All these decisions were all mocked at the time but I didn’t see people like you ever bringing up these arguements ever again. You just wait and see how this plays out before you bash an excellent GM in my mind.
Kaiser Sousse
December 22nd, 2009
7:57 pm
At least the Grinch turned things around eventually. Wren just keeps on f-ing with us
Mark Bradley is a HATER
December 22nd, 2009
7:59 pm
By the way how can you make a claim that were saving money when the final payroll hasn’t been set. WE’RE NOT THROUGH SPENDING YOU DOUCHER. Why dont you go and make a valid arguement, i believe thats your job.
Mel
December 22nd, 2009
8:00 pm
To all: If Javy had only an average year (based on his averages) what would we have gotten? His value has never been higher and Wren got what he could. I’m not happy, but…….
NORRIS
December 22nd, 2009
8:02 pm
Mcann doesnt play everyday. Chipper doesnt either. Who is the power bat when these two guys are out? Once again we are looking at a subpar lineup with no pop. these two are replaced with infante and ross. Boy that brings fear to the other teams lineup. WE HAVE NO ONE IN OUR LINEUP THAT BRINGS FEAR TO THE OTHER PITCHER. WHEN OTHER TEAMS PLAY THE BRAVES THEIR PITCHERS ARE PROBABLY RELIEVED. WE HAVE NO ONE IN THE LINEUP CAPABLE OF HITTING OVER 3O HOMERS.
4 jacks
December 22nd, 2009
8:02 pm
I only go to about 10 games per year with my son. I will not go back. If this is what the ownership is all about, then screw em. Why not just wave a white flag and quit, better just trade everyone of any value then see where your attendance is. Don’t talk to me about last year. The Braves muddled around 500 ball all summer, then had a streak to get somewhat close…just at the time college football was ramping up, that is why attendance was down towards the end. This disgust me, and no I don’t necessarily blame Frank Wren. This comes from ownership and if we can’t get local ownership then I say move the club, or at least do not expect me to buy a ticket again.
DawgDad
December 22nd, 2009
8:03 pm
“would your opinion change if they take the Vazquez money and put it toward signing Holliday or Bay?” — Yes, of course, but it still doesn’t erase the feeling Wren should have held out for more value in return. The ONLY way this makes sense is if Bay or Holliday (or some other big-bat, big salary arriving via trade) signs within the next few days, meaning this trade was a necessary prerequisite to finalizing a free agent signing or swinging a big deal. If he DOES NOT land a Bay or Holliday or similar slugger then this deal is certainly a short-term disaster, a thumb of the nose at the players and fans.
I’m not arguing trading Vazquez (it was inevitable), I’m arguing the paltry return. Melky Cabrera is barely an upgrade over Ryan Church and quite possibly not that. Dunn is a set-up man at best. An A-level prospect is a long-term gamble; that’s what you get in return for dumping Boone Logan’s salary. Geez.
I just can’t bring myself to believe Toronto, Tampa Bay, or Baltimore wouldn’t pony up more in return for Vazquez both because they need his arm and they need to keep him out of NY. The AL East is going to be NY, Boston, and the least. If I was a fan in one of THOSE cities I’d be absolutely furious.
Now, if Wren signs Bay or Holliday AND LaRoche then I’m liking what I see; that’s called taking your best shot without being foolish with the owner’s money.
San Diego Brave
December 22nd, 2009
8:04 pm
This trade makes no sense at all. I keep reading the posts here saying that this is a small piece of a bigger trade to be made later. I’m not really buying that. This is my opinion..if we see the Braves resign LaRoche in the next week or two then there is no other trade coming. 1st base + power is the only missing piece to the roster. LaRoche would fill that role and the Braves will save money. This makes no sense for the Yankees either unless they rework Javy’s contract. The last year of his contract + the luxury tax will cost the Yankees over $16 million just to rent him for 1 year. That is crazy.
I smell frankenstien!!!!
December 22nd, 2009
8:04 pm
The Atlanta Braves trading Javier Vazquez to the NY Yankees for Melky Cabrera cries of a rip-off, that’s fore sure. But the trade does make one wonder if the Braves and the crafty Frank Wren plan to make a move for Adrian Gonzalez to play first base.
The Braves have alienated Adam LaRoche, who came to the Braves in the second half to add some life to the declining offense. Many who follow baseball thought LaRoche had earned a starting spot. But the Braves haven’t said a word to him, which led him to tell the press, “Maybe I should have batted .400.”
Yeah, I am stumped, too.
But by trading away the fourth-place finisher in the 2009 Cy Young race for a second-rate outfielder certainly has the smell of Frank Wren all over it. The Braves are likely trying to go after one of the top first baseman in the game in Gonzalez.
Even if that is the case, it still does not make sense. The Braves feared the nearly $12 million they had to pay Vazquez and ch0ked. They choked.
The Braves are going to have to still pay big bucks for Gonzalez, at the cost of pitching.
I cannot make heads or tails out of these moves, can you?
grady
December 22nd, 2009
8:05 pm
Cabrera can score runs. He’s not how we addressed it but he’s got decent speed and can get on base. Most important, we made a commitment to Prado and jettisoned Church. We shed 9.5 million here and according to Talkingchop.com, have about 15 million to go after someone. I think we need a better leadoff guy. Nothing wrong with Nate, but he likes to hit lower. Lineup shakes out as Mclouth, Prado, Chipper, McCann, Yunel, random first base, Diaz/Cabrera/Random outfielder to round out 7 and 8.
juice soucer
December 22nd, 2009
8:06 pm
This is a pathetic move. Please explain to me how a crappy city like Philadelphia can do what they do when Atlanta dominated them for 15 years. How can they afford the talent they have while the Braves keep dumping players. Please explain.
Mark "jump to conclusions" Badly
December 22nd, 2009
8:08 pm
Look the whole premise of the article is that the braves are trying to do it on the cheap. Why dont we wait until all the spending is done to make a argument like that. There are still some quality free agents out there and we do have the pieces to make a move at a big bat under contract.
MAKE A VALID ARGUMENT, this is your job description, correct?
grady
December 22nd, 2009
8:09 pm
San Diego-Have the Yankees ever cared about money?
Everyone who hates this- I like to wait and see, but I feel you. However, Last year was Javy’s best year, good to strike while the iron is hot. What if he sucked this year? Then we pay 11.5 million for nothing. Talkingchop says that focusing on the Javy for Melky part is the wrong place to look. Need to look at the prospects we got. Particular the Vizcaino kid.
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:10 pm
When the reactionary transaction is made, our offense will be the same and our pitching will be weakened.
mudcat
December 22nd, 2009
8:11 pm
Well, at least this makes the Philly and Mets fans happy. We NEED a cleanup hitter to bat between Chipper and McCann. If Wren can’t do that between now and April 4th, it could be another long year, regardless of how well our pitching staff does.
Biff Pocoroba
December 22nd, 2009
8:11 pm
Great trade. Moved Vazquez while is stock is high and picked up some good players. There is going to be another deal piggy-backed off this one and we will be in better shape for next season.
Until then leave the Baseball to O’brien.
Atticus
December 22nd, 2009
8:13 pm
Good move, now the next move……no more season tickets, no more $$ spent on the Braves.
The Grinch
December 22nd, 2009
8:13 pm
There will be a big trade soon. We have 10-15 mil to get a decent free agent and a SLEW of minor league talent to land a big hitter in a trade. Wren will surprise us with something out of nowhere as he always does. We’ll also have Heyward coming up. Quit being fair-weather fans; Bradley knows this just as well as I do. He’s just trying to stir the pot. It’s his job.
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:14 pm
That “big hitter” may be a Marlon Byrd or Xavier Nady
cooper
December 22nd, 2009
8:15 pm
Bring back the Crackers!The Braves aren’t worth watching.
hmmm
December 22nd, 2009
8:15 pm
yes the vizcaino kid is a good pick up but is this not Bobby Cox last year at the helm? i would have thought they would make more of an effort for a World Series bid, This move baffles me!
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:16 pm
Shouldn’t a team on the Royals or Pirates level be getting excitedabout picking up one of those “big hitters”?
SuperToddLong
December 22nd, 2009
8:18 pm
This stinks, I got a call and my buddy said hey the Braves made a trade. I said oh now. He said they made a deal with the Yanks can you guess it. I did he said, how did you guess. I said I just thought who is our best and their worst.
I am a huge Chipper fan and realize he is the best thing we have, but why don’t we let him go where he can win and get back the types of player he would bring. Not Dale Murphy to the Phillies for no one kinda deal, but a contender would be willing to give something up for Chipper.
Also, the Yanks have no farm system so I would not get to excited about these prospects.
San Diego Brave
December 22nd, 2009
8:18 pm
If this was a cost cutting move, then why not just put Infante in right field until Heyward is ready? Omar can produce as much, if not more, than Cabrera + Omar can hit lead off if needed. This trade stinks.
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:18 pm
I doubt our return will be an AllStar caliber player.
jfreak
December 22nd, 2009
8:18 pm
This move looks really bad on the surface and may turn out to be worse than some fear, but I agree with the opinion to reserve judgement until spring training is over?? It does however appear that the Braves are no longer the kind of spenders that can contend for a title. We are what we are and that’s a wild card player and that’s about it.
willie martinez
December 22nd, 2009
8:19 pm
wren just telling the simple truth would have been nice: we gotta cut payroll and i cut the best deal i could.
Greg
December 22nd, 2009
8:23 pm
Mark, you are dead-on. This penury has been true for years now. I’m no longer a fan.
ernisTbass
December 22nd, 2009
8:24 pm
Flash: Yankees steal Vazquez! Braves fans left feeling Lowe!
Max Sizemore
December 22nd, 2009
8:27 pm
As of today, I am no longer a fan of the Braves. I will not read about them, I will not watch them. It is over.
Necromancer
December 22nd, 2009
8:27 pm
When in the hell is Liberty Media going to sell the Braves? They have to be the worst owners, behind the Ford Family of the NFL Lions!
We need new ownership who is willing to spend money. We have seen what big wallets get? (Yankees, BoSox.)
MLB made a huge mistake in ever approving the sale of the Braves to Liberty Media!
Time Warner was idiots for blocking Arthur Blank’s bid to buy them!
Please,for the love of God, Liberty please sell the Braves to Arthur Blank!!!
Fire Wren!
December 22nd, 2009
8:30 pm
Seriously? All we have done this offseason is go ass backwards. we didnt even keep one of the relievers we were going to, havent even signed a first basemen, (i think we should have gotten Nick Johnson…) and not to mention this trade. We got nothing!!! and who did we keep? Derek Lowe. really?!?! Derek Lowe. a note to Frank Wren….. try to get BETTER instead of turning us back into the club we were in the 80s. Of course he is going to say “Oh yes, Melky is a perfect fit for the organization…” Yes he is going to say that because he made the trade! unbelievable. You suck Frank Wren.
Matt the Brave
December 22nd, 2009
8:30 pm
Welcome back to the mid-80s Braves. Lots of money lying around, not a lot of wins. A couple of good players, a lot of mediocre players, and a bunch of losing pitchers. I hope I’m wrong.
ernisTbass
December 22nd, 2009
8:31 pm
Details still milky but fans looking ahead to 2011
Mark Bradley
December 22nd, 2009
8:31 pm
Let me see if I have this correct: The Braves just traded their most effective pitcher in order to set the table for another trade that might solve everything. And that trade would involve … who for whom? To land a true big bat, aren’t they apt to have to deal another big name (or a package of big-name prospects)? What exactly did this do to pave the way for that? (And don’t tell me, “It saves $9 million.” That’s half of one year’s salary for a true run producer.)
Matt the Brave
December 22nd, 2009
8:31 pm
FYI, Necromancer, Liberty must hold onto the Braves until at least the end of next year. I’m sure they’ll sell them after that because Liberty is not exactly a sports franchise company…
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 22nd, 2009
8:33 pm
For those of you who weren’t around to see the 1970’s Braves teams, you’re fixing to get your chance.
Marc in FL
December 22nd, 2009
8:33 pm
Has it occured to any of you that the reason we need to cut payroll is so we can lock up guys like JJJ, Hanson, and Hewyard before they get too expensive?
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:34 pm
True Mark. In order to get Gonzalez, it’s gonna taka a good player, not just prospects. We BETTER NOT give up Heyward or Hanson. We will get a bat with 20-25 HR ceiling. Might as well just re-sign Laroche and cut our losses.
kt
December 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
Good column. Frank wren is an idiot…
NORRIS
December 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
Hey Mark, your getting it…
we have nothing and dont look to be getting anything
Baba O'Riley
December 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
Back to the powder blues.
findthemorons
December 22nd, 2009
8:36 pm
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013………….is this trade like the healthcare bill? Pay for it now and it doesn’t kick in until 2013 or 2014.
NORRIS
December 22nd, 2009
8:36 pm
call rick camp now and lets bring back the old school boys…