Worst thing I saw all year? This Vazquez-Cabrera trade!
I guess it’s not a bad a year when it takes until Dec. 22 to happen across something really awful. And that was our lot in Atlanta sports. Even with Willie Martinez and Dave Wommack misdirecting defenses; even with Jason Elam developing a case of the yips; even with Greg Norton whiffing and Paul Hewitt wrangling timeouts … even then, it took until the penultimate week of the calendar year to find something that made you throw a shoe at yonder wall.
And here it is, and here goes said shoe.
Javier Vazquez for Melky Cabrera. The Braves’ best pitcher for the Yankees’ eighth- or ninth-best player. The anchor of a good rotation for a guy who isn’t really a big bopper.
I’ll have more to say on this later and at greater length, but for now I leave you with these words:
Frank Wren = Epic Fail.
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797 comments Add your comment
the real Andy
December 22nd, 2009
11:19 am
Vazquez for a fourth outfielder. I sure hope those prospects are good. ouch. hope wren has something up his sleeve.
Analogy Man
December 22nd, 2009
11:20 am
Frank Wren just traded a Lexus for a Geo, to free up money in his budget. If he buys a big, honkin’ F-450 with it, then the family will be happy. If not, he’s sleeping on the sofa, permanently.
juvenal
December 22nd, 2009
11:20 am
Merry Christmas, & safe trips to all…maybe Shumpert makes it a little easier to get the ball inside?
EW
December 22nd, 2009
11:25 am
We will use Melky to acquire what we really want with the freed up cash. I HOPE
Gman
December 22nd, 2009
11:25 am
FRANK WREN ABSOLUTELY SUX!!!
The only team in the majore with a glut of quality starting pitching and all he can get is Cabrerra. OMG!!! Just resign loser
Nobody gets worked like Wren
1eyedJack
December 22nd, 2009
11:26 am
Liberty Media SUCKS!!! We will never be serious contenders again until the Braves are owned by an individual with a passion for WINNING baseball!!
Alabama Jack
December 22nd, 2009
11:27 am
So Milkey is the new UGA defensive coordinator, eh?
Who cares, dawgs are so irrelevant.
Ted Striker
December 22nd, 2009
11:27 am
Excellent observations about “storyline” and “shot attempt.” (Leads me to believe you’d enjoy browsing my library, which includes a fairly substantial collection of tomes on etymologies and obscure and unloved — yet worthy — components of communication.)
Here’s my take on “storyline” and “shot attempt.” Your criticisms are just and right. However upon further review — ha! — they may have a place, even if smaller than current use.
“Storyline.” — You rightly wonder whether there’s a difference between a “story” and a “storyline.” I say yes. Here’s why. Some topics presented as “stories” simply aren’t worth more than a line…if that. Yet those who produce storylines do so out of their own need/desire to produce a story, or by the demands of a demanding public. If Tiger Woods burps into a microphone, it’s a story. Should it be? Not my call. But if it doesn’t become a story, it becomes a storyline for someone, somewhere.
“Shot attempt.” I’ll be splitting hairs on this one. (You may say I was splitting hairs on the last). When a player shoots, he makes it or doesn’t. A made shot and a missed shot are both shots. But when a player attempts to shoot and cannot do so — for example a blocked shot — it’s not a shot, but an attempt at shooting. He was thwarted. That’s not how “shot attempt” is used, but it’s the reason I see the phrase as having some bit of validity.
All that said, here’s something I’m unclear about. If Kobe Bryant is attempting to dunk on a private basketball court hidden away in a forest — with nobody around to witness it — but a tree falls on him before he can complete it, is it a storyline about a shot attempt?
MightyQuinn
December 22nd, 2009
11:29 am
This trade has GOT to be step one in a sequence of moves. It HAS to be. Melky Cabrera? MELKY CABRERA????
Mark, where are you? Help!
ZamBonE
December 22nd, 2009
11:30 am
I am from NY and a big Yankee fan and I hate the trade. Vazquez has already proven his worth in pinstripes (14-10 with a 4.91 ERA). I would have preferred to sign a FA Pitcher than trade away a young and proven Melky Cabrera. Melky was the most under appreciated player on the Yankees last season (great late game hitter with the most walkoff hits). He has tremendous upside.
As a fielder, the Braves get a guy with a knack for getting great jumps on the ball off the bat. Not as great as andruw jones, but how many are. Melky has a laser for an arm and can play all three outfield positions. Not the fastest guy, but makes up for it with his great reaction skills.
He is a switch hitter with good plate discipline from both sides of the plate. Can hit for average and power from both sides as well. Smart base runner. Melky is only 25 years old and his room for growth is very high.
Just Dang
December 22nd, 2009
11:33 am
If he CAN hit for average and power, why hasn’t he? Huh? Braves fans want to know. I hope you get that 14-10, 4.91 Vazquez back, because he didn’t get nearly what he’s worth.
Just Dang
December 22nd, 2009
11:33 am
WE didn’t get nearly what he’s worth
Just Dang
December 22nd, 2009
11:37 am
I thought that first comment was quite moderate. Oh well, no skin off my #%@$#^
randyarnold
December 22nd, 2009
11:43 am
As a Yankee fan, I would like to thank Frank Wren for the excellent pitcher he sent to the Bronx. It’s a shame he didn’t include Tommy Hanson in the trade, but I’m certain the Yankees will be able to find the outfielders needed to complete the 2010 championship roster. Perhaps Xavier Nady will return, or maybe Jermaine Dye will come to NY. Just someone to tie the Yankees over until they sign Carl Crawford next year.
Driver 8
December 22nd, 2009
11:43 am
Once again Wren gets nothing for something.
JV would’ve contended for the Cy with ANY run support. So Wren trades him for a light-hitting utility outfielder??
DUMBA$$
Just Dang
December 22nd, 2009
11:46 am
Just to clarify, there was absolutely nothing objectionable in the original post I made. I don’t work blue.
Don
December 22nd, 2009
11:49 am
Story Line For The Braves:
Is it possible to make a worse deal than to give up one of the best pitchers in the league for what they received? Especially when the only possible way to win with Bobby Cox managing is to have pitching so far far superior to the other teams that it overcomes his incompentency and enables you to win the Division over the long 162 game schedule in spite of him. This is the way it has always been with Cox managiong. Of couse, even with the great, great pitching they had in the past, this was not enough to enable him to win in the short series as evidenced by one WS in 14 opportunities.
Sonny Clusters
December 22nd, 2009
11:53 am
We was thinking Bobby’s going to have a hard time coming up with a better name than Melky. Melky already ends in a “y” so maybe Bobby will just go with Melky instead of some other pet name. If Chipper wasn’t already a nickname Bobby could have gone with Chippy and then we’d have Chippy and Melky. That sounds like a circus act much like Corky and JoJo awhile back. Whatever happened to JoJo?
Matt
December 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
Frank Wren “inhales vigorously”!!
Man, what a terrible trade. To top it off, Lowe, who has been alienated by ownership/management already and had a horrible season remains on the team? That’s going to be an absolute cancer in the clubhouse.
Fire Wren, Fire Cox and Fire Liberty Media.
With Kovy not looking like he’s going to re-sign, this had turned into a truly depressing week.
(P.S. Fire Waddell)
Kasim Reed
December 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
This city is an absolute DISASTER!!!!!!
chris
December 22nd, 2009
12:21 pm
“not really a big bopper?” He’s terrible. He’s a 4th outfielder. His bat won’t play in a corner spot. It barely plays in CF. He’s awful. Best case scenario for the Braves is non-tendering Cabrera and using the money to sign Holliday. And that’s unlikely.
They just traded their most valuable ‘09 player for a replacement level outfielder. Right now, Wren looks pretty stupid. But we probably have to wait to see what else he has up his sleeve before we start calling him Dayton Moore.
Chippy
December 22nd, 2009
12:21 pm
I’m trying not to hit the panic button on this trade (even though i’m about to vommit). We can only hope as Braves fans that this 9.5 million free up gets us 1 of the following options. If none of these happens Wren needs to be out to pasture. I will put them in order of how I would like to see them
1) sign Jason Bay
2) Trade for Dan Uggla
3) sign both Nady and Laroche- when Nady can’t play the outfield we can give him rest with this Melky Character.
ZamBonE
December 22nd, 2009
12:22 pm
Just Dang and Don…
Look at Vazquez’s career numbers. What makes you think he can duplicate his numbers from last season? Last season was the first and only time he ever had an ERA under 3 and in 12 big league seasons, he had an ERA under 4 only 5 times. He hadn’t had strike out numbers (238) that high since he pitched for the Expos in ‘03 (241). His WHIP, 1.03, was also a career best.
While pitching 4 seasons in the American League, he has an avg ERA of 4.54 with a high of 4.91 (Yankees), an avg K total of 187 with a low of 150 (Yankees), and an avg WHIP of 1.26.
Since the Braves have Lowe, Hanson, and Jurrjens, with Hudson coming back from injury, getting value for Vazquez after last season was a smart move. Vazquez had a great season, but history isn’t on his side to do it again.
Chipper Murphy
December 22nd, 2009
12:23 pm
How much money does this free up to spend on another long term free agent fiasco like Derek Lowe’s contract?
Luv 2 Hate Me
December 22nd, 2009
12:23 pm
Today is a sad day for Braves baseball. Just when I thought Wren was on the right track he throws yet another curveball. O well Bobby this is your going away present!
Dap01
December 22nd, 2009
12:23 pm
Mark: Any insight to the Brave’s trade?
Shane
December 22nd, 2009
12:23 pm
Like Dezi used to tell Lucy
Sombody got some splainin to do
Section 320
December 22nd, 2009
12:25 pm
freeing up cash buddy
SRF
December 22nd, 2009
12:26 pm
SHOCK and DISGUST at this “trade”
ExBraves Fan
December 22nd, 2009
12:26 pm
NOW you see why I am no longer an avid Braves fan. This kind of stupid, crappy move. Trade their best pitcher for nothing!!! WHY???? Because the STUPID GM signed an nothing 36 year old pitcher for $60 million last year and got a crappy year out of him and wanted to dump payroll!!! WHY, why, why in the he-double tooth picks did the idiot sign him in the first place! Javie got the best of this deal. Milk-Dud probably wondering who he pi$$ed off to get sent to the crummy Braves. The only thing the Braves have too look forward too is maybe Hanson has a nice year. OH, and enjoy Hanson while you can, because at his free agency time, he too will be sent packing for a package of over the hill, injured, used up high contracts or nothing prospects. Enjoy Braves fans. You have NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING positive too look forward too this year. Braves are TOAST even before spring training.
Mark Bradley's Fan Club
December 22nd, 2009
12:28 pm
ARGHHHH!!!! Wren! Why????
As a long proponent of the trade-Vasquez-and-keep-Lowe club, this is NOT how I envisioned this going. Couldn’t we have gotten a big(ish) hitter for Vasquez? What the hell? How is this team better than last year’s? Is Cabrera better than Francoeur? Numbers say “NO.” And we’re not even going to have LaRoche, either.
WOW. Just… WOW.
Ben
December 22nd, 2009
12:28 pm
This trade stinks. It is all about money. Obviously the Braves don’t want to spend any. We have outfielders but need quality pitching.
ExBraves Fan
December 22nd, 2009
12:28 pm
Sonny: Milk’s name is now MILK-DUD. That should fit with his .255, 2 hr, 34 rbi season he will have at Jane Fonda park.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
December 22nd, 2009
12:29 pm
Bad trade no doubt, but the worst thing I saw (other than your man lust for Paul Johnson) was a tie between the excessive celebration call against AJ Green and the Ga defense (or lack thereof) against Tenn
Charlie Hustle
December 22nd, 2009
12:29 pm
I don’t know what you’re talking about Mark. This is exactly what the Braves need to energize the fanbase- a journeyman outfielder with no pop in his bat. Genius.
Chipper Murphy
December 22nd, 2009
12:30 pm
Ok, the best I can tell is that Melky is due to earn $1.4 million. We give up 11.5 for JV and about 427,500 for Boone Logan. I guess the value of this trade will depend on what we can get for the 10 and a half million that this frees up on the market. So who do we get?
F-105 Thunderchief
December 22nd, 2009
12:30 pm
Somewhere, Len Barker is laughing, and breathing a sign of relief.
Without-a-clue
December 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
Even if Cabrera has a career year it will STILL be an awful trade. What was Wren thinking?…if in fact he was!
Justinstud
December 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
I don’t like this either, initially. We Braves fans need to see what is up Wren’s sleeve (assuming there MUST be something) before we make a call on this one. Not sure what to make of this, much like the rest of you. May have to take a look at Bay or Holliday, but even if they signed, where the hell would you put Cabrera? Scratching my head.
Chuck Liddell
December 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
Frank Wren needs a little ground and pound. Get him in the octagon!
ATLNick
December 22nd, 2009
12:31 pm
Do we honestly think this is the last move the Braves are going to make? I don’t. You got a younger version of Garret Anderson and younger Boone Logan (why is everyone mad about this? Javy would have walked after 2010 for more $$. This frees up about $9M in salary to get a decent bat to help the lineup. Plus Javy might be down in 2010.
GULFWAVES DAWG
December 22nd, 2009
12:32 pm
I AGREE 100%. REALLY POOR TRADE.FRANK WREN HAS BEEN A FAILURE!
Joshua
December 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
I’m not really sure how you think this trade is a bad thing. We get 3 nice young players, including one who is an infinte upgrade over Ryan Church or Jeff Franceour, and also upgrades us defensively as well. We get a young hard throwing Lefty who could make a very solid starter. We get the #3 prospect in the Yanks farm system. We shedded one of our higher salaries on a guy who has never had back to back great seasons before. So we upgraded our lineup and freed money to upgrade it even further all while improving our defense and acquiring two of the Yanks better pitching prospects, including a mid 90’s mph fastball lefty (RARE). And this is a bad deal? Please, all of you, shut up. I am glad to be a Braves fan today and can’t wait until you all choke crow.
Reptillicide
December 22nd, 2009
12:35 pm
Frank Wren is like a 14 year old girl who has just been given the keys to a Ferrari. He has no idea what he’s doing. This is the most ridiculous thing he’s done yet. OK, I get that it’s a “salary dump” so they can go after a bat, but who here thinks that we’re going to land a “big bat” with the 9 million he freed up in that deal? I sure as heck don’t. We just lost the ace of our staff, for an outfielder that doesn’t help us, and we did it for the hope that we MIGHT land a big bat with that money. Wren is gambling with the team’s season and he’s going all in on a hand in which he’s chasing a straight.
Hunkerdown
December 22nd, 2009
12:36 pm
I think Wren and Chief Knockahoma have the peace pipe out smoking it. Someone is on cloud nine to make this trade.
Reptillicide
December 22nd, 2009
12:36 pm
This is absurd. Wren is like a 14 year old girl who has just been given the keys to a ferrari. He has no idea what he’s doing. It’s a “salary dump,” but what good does the extra 9 million do you? We’re not going to get Jason Bay or Matt Holliday. So what was this for? We’re trading away our best pitcher so we can sign Mark DeRosa? Wren is gambling with the team’s season, and he just went all in on a hand in which he’s chasing a straight.
Icon
December 22nd, 2009
12:37 pm
Bah, Brit Massey. UGA will always be minor league, corrupt football. Don’t try to impose your UGA-verse on the rest of us.
Pro leagues have their issues but exploiting “student” athletes for billions of dollars isn’t one of them.
Opinion
December 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
Okay Mark, I never thought I would say this but I think Billy Knight could runs the Braves better than Frank Wren……….what an idiot, if you really want to make a trade look bad why not trade for a few buckets of balls……..thats pretty much what we got in cabrera.
Nick Esasky's Inner Ear
December 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Frank Wren= the Manchurian GM. We are fast becoming the Atlanta Expos.
Billy
December 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Schuerholz would have never made a trade like this. I’m afraid the Braves got robbed on this one!!