Roy Oswalt to the Braves? Great idea. Won’t happen
There’s this All-Star player, see? And he wants to be traded, see? And he has apparently told folks one of the places he’d be willing to work would be Atlanta, see?
Too bad it can’t happen.
Our story so far: Roy Oswalt, the fine Astro hurler, last week requested that Houston deal him away, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. (Apparently Oswalt has watched the Astros play this season.) Back in April, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reported that a friend of Oswalt’s claimed the pitcher’s preferred destinations would be Atlanta, St. Louis or Texas.
Sounds promising, huh? It’s not, alas.
Oswalt is under contract through 2012 (the final year is a club option) for roughly $16 million per annum. That’s Derek Lowe money. And what did the Braves spend most of December trying to do? Trade Derek Lowe because he makes too much money. (As we know, they wound up trading Javier Vazquez instead, thereby treating us to the inspired outfield play offered up by Melky Cabrera.)
A decade ago, the Braves would have been all over Oswalt. Rule 1 in the Baseball Manual: You can’t have too much pitching. But the Braves and Frank Wren just told us that, with this club and its finances, you can have too much pitching.
The Braves believed shedding Vazquez wouldn’t hurt their rotation. And it’s true that he has been terrible as a Yankee. But he’s also pitching in the American League, which is a whole ‘nother ballgame. Ask Roy Halladay if switching to the NL is like going to pitching heaven.
Regarding the Braves, the reality has been rather different. Only Tim Hudson, who’s 5-1 with an ERA of 2.09, is having a big season. As for the other starters:
• Tommy Hanson is 3-3 with an ERA of 4.18.
• Jair Jurrjens is 0-3 with an ERA of 6.38 and is hurt.
• Lowe is 6-4 with an ERA of 5.30.
• Kenshin Kawakami is 0-6 with an ERA of 4.98.
Taken together, the Braves’ starters are 14-17. (Kris Medlen has had three no-decisions as a starter, though he has pitched well.) Could this team use Oswalt? Oh, yes. Will it happen? Oh, no.
Watch him wind up in Philly.
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203 comments Add your comment
GTHorsie
May 25th, 2010
11:12 am
Braves could definitely use him!
BravesFanForever
May 25th, 2010
11:20 am
If you ask me… Derek Lowe needs to develop another pitch like a split finger, forkball, or change up. He has good stuff but it seems like it’s all at the same speed and there’s no mystery as to what is coming. Maybe an eephus would do it… LOL
Chris from the Rock
May 25th, 2010
11:22 am
He’s not going to Philly. If anything Philly will add a reliever like Putz. I’m guessing Oswalt goes to the Twins, who seem to have $$$ to spend because the revenue that new stadium is bringing in. And the likes of Slowey, Perkins and Blackburn don’t scare anyone.
JT Grace
May 25th, 2010
11:22 am
Javy’s problem this year has not been pitching in the American League as much as his fastball is 2 – 3 mph slower than it was last year. He would likely have a lower ERA in the National League, but not that much.
While Oswalt would be nice he also could very well turn into another Derek Lowe, owed lots of money but with marginal return. I think the Astros will have a difficult time trading him to a contending team that also can afford his salary.
LEGEND
May 25th, 2010
11:22 am
FIRST!!!!! We need oswalt; trade melky and chipper
Bravesman
May 25th, 2010
11:24 am
Phils wont get him either. Remember they traded Cliff Lee because of payroll.
Brad in AL
May 25th, 2010
11:24 am
MB what is the deal with Chris Resop’s minor league contract? Will a trade of him land us anyone of worth?
ExecutiveStinger
May 25th, 2010
11:25 am
My impression is that we’re stuck with who we got because of fat contracts. I don’t mind being stuck with Hanson, Hudson, and Jurrjens, but I’d give Lowe and Kawakami to whoever wanted them. Unfortunately, no one does with them making that money and we can’t afford to send either to the ‘pen, so no Oswalt or anyone else this year. I’d like to see Medlen permanently replace Kawakami, but I doubt that’ll happen either.
Chief pitchanono
May 25th, 2010
11:25 am
Noooooo! Don’t do it. Our pitching will be fine. If we have 16 mil sitn around go get a hitter or two. We have too much money wraped up in starting pitching already (Lowe & Kawakami) Medlin would do just fine in either one of there spots and makes much less. Only way to make it work would be to trade one of these two and theres no way Houston wouuld go for that.
Ross
May 25th, 2010
11:26 am
The Braves should trust their farm system – three names: Neftali Feliz, Elvis Andrus – and Mark “El Jerkface” Teixeira. Latter batting .209 – former two are products of the Braves’ system – Andrus batting .310, Feliz with 12 saves. And remember Salty? Don’t trade for over-aged steroid cases.
Fire Frank Wren
May 25th, 2010
11:27 am
What, you think Oswalt is better than KK and D Lowe? Old Frankie really knows how to pick em. Good thing we are not strapped with high salaried non productive players like the Cubs and Mets? At least the Orioles and Pirates saved the money old Frankie threw up a wild hogs arzz. How does it feel to be dumbest team in all of baseball?
TuckDAWG
May 25th, 2010
11:27 am
legend you never trade chipper he has earned the right to finish his tenure as a brave i do agree we need to package Lowe and some prospects for Oswalt would improve the team tons
UKUGA
May 25th, 2010
11:29 am
Who thought we would get Oswalt? Why even write this article? We all know the Braves are not out to acquire a top line starter.
Charlie
May 25th, 2010
11:32 am
Given the choice of Vazquez for a year and Hudson with a longer term deal, I’d say Wren made the right call. Imagine if Hudson were tearing it up right now for the Yankees and Vazquez were stinking it up in ATL. Granted Melky stinks, but Hudson’s been great!
This Guy Doesn't Have A Clue
May 25th, 2010
11:33 am
Could you please use something other than wins and losses and ERA?
Tommy Hanson has been one of the best 10 or so pitchers in baseball. Tim Hudson would’ve been lucky to have a 4.00 ERA the way he’s pitched. Which shows you just how damn lucky he’s been.
BBaller
May 25th, 2010
11:35 am
Let’s just trade Lowe for Oswalt.
GT_Thrasherfan
May 25th, 2010
11:36 am
Mr. Bradly I’m afraid you’ve filled the air with nothing but hot gasses. You say we can’t, repeat we can’t, and yet give 0 reasons why. Would the Astros not be willing to roll the dice with Lowe as an Oswalt replacement? Do we just not have any pieces in the minors we’d be willing to give up?(aka the untouchables Freeman, Teheran, Vizcaino, Minor)
If you’re going to make a declaration of no way, no how, could you at least add a little substance to it?
NJChoppin'
May 25th, 2010
11:38 am
Wow: Big News, the Braves could use Oswalt. Umm, I’m pretty sure just about any team could use Oswalt. I see you mention Tommy Hanson. 3-3 is certainly mediocre, but his ERA was 2.88 prior to that 8 run meltdown against Cincy.
What’s Roy Oswalt’s record? Sometimes we put too much stock is put into W-L with pitchers.
And I don’t think Vazquez’s ERA jumping to over 10 is just because the AL is a whole ‘nother league. Expect an ERA about 1 point higher, not 8.
When JJ gets back to being healthy, we’ll be fine. Until then, I’ve liked the way Medlen has been pitching.
XTX
May 25th, 2010
11:38 am
The only problem with Wren and the Braves trying to come up with a package deal to trade with is that the package would be like a kid opening a christmas present and finding a fruitcake in it.
Peric Isenstein
May 25th, 2010
11:39 am
I would rather see the Braves go after Lee it makes more sense, the Braves need a lefty in there rotation to go after the Phils big bats from the left side. Also Lee is a free agent after this year so they would be on the hook for only the remainder of his salary for this year.
Chief Nock A Homa
May 25th, 2010
11:45 am
BBaller and GT fan are on the right track….
How about Lowe for Oswalt and throw in a top minor league piece…. Even pick up the difference in salary for a year…
It would be worth it!
bravedawg
May 25th, 2010
11:46 am
So, in essence, you’re saying “The Braves could really use Oswalt!” And also, “The Braves can’t afford Oswalt.”
First-rate reporting, “Breaking News Bradley.”
stevie zero
May 25th, 2010
11:47 am
this guy. not sure how anyone can complain about hudson. lucky to have a 4.oo e r a? his last 2 starts 8 innings and 3 hits in each? running out of things to complain about i guess. sound like my girlfriend. (thats a counterpart of the opposite sex used for reproduction)
Hey Legend
May 25th, 2010
11:47 am
You are not first and you are a loser.
.
May 25th, 2010
11:51 am
Trade Lowe for Roy…$ about even?
XTX
May 25th, 2010
11:52 am
Why would a team that is not scoring any runs like the Astros want to trade for Lowe? The only reason he has won most of his games is because of Braves scoring a lot of runs for him, not counting how many times the bullpen has had to come in and pitch several innings after he runs out of gas or falls apart. If the Astros cant win with Oswalt they sure wont with Lowe on the mound or bench.
Pat
May 25th, 2010
11:52 am
Another pointless article by MB.
bvillebaron
May 25th, 2010
11:55 am
Another day, another stupid Mark Bradley column. Oswalt going to Atlanta is not a good idea at any level. As you correctly point out, Oswalt has a very expensive contract. Like it or not, the Braves operate within a budget. You can lament these circumstances as much as you want, but as as they say these days “it is what it is”. He also has recently spoken about retiring at the end of this contract which could mean after next season. It also makes no sense for the rebuilding Braves to send even more prospects for Oswalt (some people still haven’t learned the Texeira lesson I guess).
Your comment about only Hudson having a big season so far is both ironic and incorrect. Ironic because if I recall correctly you were one of the many who were critical of keeping Hudson and trading Vazquez (by the way, there is no way you can explain Vazequez’s performance so far this year solely on the fact that the AL uses a DH). As I predicted for most of the winter, Hudson would prove why he has always been a better pitcher than Javier “Career Year” Vazquez. Finally, I for one think Hanson is having a big year too. His ERA prior to last Thursday’s aberation was 2.88 in case you forgot.
don
May 25th, 2010
11:56 am
The Braves should have been smart enough to realize that there was a solid reason why no one offered Lowe remotely as much as did the Braves. Signing Lowe cost the team Vazquez and left the Braves paying a Mercedes Benz salary to a Dodge Neon pitcher.
They sure don’t need to empty the farm system for Oswalt like they did for Drew and Teixeira. Let’s hope that they have learned something from their past burnings. But, I guess I am being optimistic.
.
May 25th, 2010
11:57 am
XTX, Yes I know Astros going with younger players, rebuilding etc. Just being a smart a@@ ok.
Tweets that mention Roy Oswalt to the Braves? Great idea. Won't happen | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
May 25th, 2010
11:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Matt Cornelius. Matt Cornelius said: Chris Resop is a better option – RT @MarkBradleyAJC: Roy Oswalt to the Braves? Great idea. Won’t happen http://bit.ly/dkWFVK [...]
bvillebaron
May 25th, 2010
11:59 am
This Guy Doesn’t Have a Clue:
While I agree with your Hanson’s comments, your comments regarding Hudson being lucky are way off base. If you look at Hudson’s career numbers, you will see that he has been very good throughout his career which includes several years pitching in the AL. Was he “lucky” his entire career?
don
May 25th, 2010
12:00 pm
I really enjoy all of these posts about the Teixeira debacle. Where were all these experts prior to the trade? The outcome of that disaster was obvious from the first day it was considered but not too many of us se3emed to know it.
Mad Mike
May 25th, 2010
12:00 pm
well just how would you suggest we go about trading for oswalt, mr. bradley?
Bill
May 25th, 2010
12:02 pm
Thanks Mark for up date. Some people like” bvillebaron” with their “I told you so BS” and want to be GM are after your job. Keep up the good reports.
NEW CARS
May 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
Just thought that I would visit the zoo….A better column might have been directed at the other Astro that will be available, Lance Berkman…If he comes around with the bat, he might be a consideration as his knee improves…I wouldn’t give up much for him, but rather offer to eat all of his salary…Maybe a Robinson Lopez and Jordan Schafer package, although I hate to give up Schafer..Might surrender Freddie for him straight up if they ate a little contract and we threw in a Brett Devall type prospect…No reason to tie more money and prospects up for a another pitcher….We need another established bat in the lineup and I don’t think that there are any cheap ones out there
Christaffa
May 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
Trade Lowe for Oswalt straight up!!!
Joe
May 25th, 2010
12:05 pm
Trade Kenshin Kawakami and Derek Lowe to Houston for Roy Oswalt and Brett Myers.
Jerk This
May 25th, 2010
12:06 pm
How about Heyward for Oswalt? Remember Frenchie, the natural?
ITP Brave
May 25th, 2010
12:10 pm
Mark:
I agree that there is no point in the Braves signing Oswalt. They need hitting, not pitching.
With that said, I would like to point out that there is a huge difference in paying Lowe $15Mil and Oswalt $16Mil. One of them is worth every penny and, unfortunately, it isn’t the one currently playing in Atlanta.
Boston Braves
May 25th, 2010
12:10 pm
Is Oswalt a Buck Commander? or does he want to be? If so, get Ole Chip on the phone to talk to him. Trade Lowe to Yanks as a pure Salary Dump (But Roy has to tell the Yanks he won’t go there 1st) and take on Roy’s Contract. Same $ but one less year and a better pitcher.
XTX
May 25th, 2010
12:12 pm
Maybe we can trade Wren for Oswalt since great GM’s are hard to find. The Astros can replace Oswalt with one of the batboys since they cant win reguardless of whos pitching.
kurula
May 25th, 2010
12:13 pm
i’d rather see if they could get zach greinke from the royals. he’s younger and makes half the money.
yep
May 25th, 2010
12:15 pm
Hanson’s pitched short of that game against the Reds. But he should fine so long as he doesn’t have any more dizzy spells. Lowe and KK seem to coming around a little and I think Jurrjens will be productive once he’s back and healthy. Plus we got Medlen to fill in where needed. Venters could probably fill in if need be and Resop is tearing it up in Gwinnett. we got pitching. what we need is a CF. If we’re gonna make a trade with Houston it should be McLouth for Michael Bourne.
yep
May 25th, 2010
12:16 pm
Hanson’s pitched well
Gumby
May 25th, 2010
12:19 pm
I would not trade much of anything for Oswalt. Our pitching has been OK, sometimes even great. Need I remind anyone that if KK had some run support, even 2-3 runs a game, his record would look much better. And Vasquez had a carrer year in 2009. Keeping him in place of Huddy would have been as stupid as trading Wainwright for JD Drew. I’m not unhappy with the Braves right now. I’m not ready to fire TP, hang Frank Wren, make one year trades for a hired gun, etc. Let it play out. I want to win too but common sense says that until MLB fixes inequities like the top teams payroll being $230,000,000 more than the lowest payroll, the big money is going to win most of the time. Let it play and let’s not panic yet.
Idiots surround us
May 25th, 2010
12:20 pm
It amazes me how many people post on here that don’t have a clue. Lowe for Oswalt? You really think the Astros would do that? They would be trading Oswalt to dump salary and get YOUNG players in return. Not a guy like Lowe. If the Astros were to pick up Oswalts 2012 option, he would make only 2 million more over those 2 years than Lowe. How does that make any sense for a team that is rebuilding?
Joey
May 25th, 2010
12:20 pm
Mark, Melkey’s hard to watch so far this season, but so is Vasquez… and try to remember it wasn’t a straight-up, player-for-player trade. We got Vizcaino and Dunn also. We’ll be watching them long after Melkey and Vazquez are done.
Ben
May 25th, 2010
12:22 pm
I take issue with the underlying message of this article. Oswalt to any team makes them better – he’s better than every single fifth starter in baseball. It is obvious to even the casual fan that the club has more pressing needs than acquiring another overpaid (although only mildly overpaid in Oswalt’s case) starting pitcher.
Oh, and he’s not ending up in Philly. Their payroll is already bloated at $142 million. They have to worry about either extending or replacing Werth at the end of this year. Their farm system is nothing more than mediocre. I’d actually welcome an Oswalt to Philly move. They’d be mortgaging a lot of their future for a shot to win the WS this year, and their most probable WS opponents, the Twins, Yanks, and Rays would all still be better on paper than the Phils.
It seems like somebody had to meet a deadline…
meh
May 25th, 2010
12:22 pm
If Oswalt went to St Louis they’d have Carpenter/Wainwright/Oswalt as there top 3. I don’t think Houston would want that in their division. The Rangers just filed for bankruptcy so I don’t think they’d pick up Oswalts salary. That leaves Atlanta of three teams mentioned, but Atlanta’s on a budget. I figure Houston will have pick up a good chunk of salary to send Oswalt to one of those teams.
Jim
May 25th, 2010
12:22 pm
The American league was “a far different league” for the last few years and there is the additional factor of the DH, but the Yankees look a lot older, the Red Sox are not the offensive team when as when they had Manny and a younger Ortiz, and many of the top young players have come into the NL in the last few years. Right now there is just as much offense in the NL.
Matt the Brave
May 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
What the Astros are going to ask for Oswalt, no, I don’t want him. I’m sick and tired of seeing how many GREAT Texas Rangers rookies there are. They are all from the Teixera trade!!! ARG! I don’t want that to happen ever again.
Sonny Clusters
May 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
When the Braves was discussing trading you-know-who for Zach Greinke we was flabbergasted! Too bad that never happened and we ended up with Ryan Church and you-know-who ended up where there are no Dairy Queens to be found. If we was Frank Wren we would move some players around and give ‘em some new numbers and let them think they was getting a fresh start.
Tom
May 25th, 2010
12:23 pm
It is a great idea for the Braves. We could sure use him. It doesn’t really seem like Houston is giving him any run support.
Joey
May 25th, 2010
12:25 pm
Sure, Christaffa, then let’s re-sign Greg Norton and trade him for Ryan Howard straight up!!!
Woooo!
May 25th, 2010
12:25 pm
Reckon they’ll take Lowe and some strong prospects for Oswalt?
Make it a salary swap and throw in whatever prospects they want.
Bob Honor
May 25th, 2010
12:27 pm
Of course we can use Oswalt. But, who are we willing to give up? If anyone things they will take Lowe or KK, he is simply dillusional. The reason Astros might consider trading Oswalt is they want to re-build. They gave upon this season, so why would they want a veteran? I’m not even sure if they would take Hudson.
Are we willing to give up Kimbrel? Freeman? No way. Both Lowe and KK seem to get their acts together. Neither one will win 20 (well, Lowe might if the team keep scoring 15 runs every time he pitches), but as 4/5 starters, they are sufficient.
When JJ gets back, the team will have to make the decision. For the long term, it will be nice to develop Medlen as a starter – Hanson, JJ, and Medlen can be the top three for the next 10 years.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
Our pitching will come around, we still need a power hitter in outfielder the most and perhaps even a shortstop.
Herschel Talker
May 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
Frank Wren is a buffoon. He’s still justifying trading Melky for Vazquez because Vazquez is stinking it up in NY. Meanwhile, we all know he wouldn’t be pitching like that here. I’m not saying it would be as good as last year, but it would certainly be better than he is doing in NY.
So now we look at our rotation. Jurrjens is injured. Kawakami and Lowe stink (though to be fair, their last outings were decent). So at this point, we have two dependable starters. We cannot win the wild card under that scenario. We need at least 3 dependable starters, and likely 4.
IlliniBrave
May 25th, 2010
12:29 pm
Unfortunately, I agree that it’s unlikely Oswalt will end up in ATL – mostly because of the dollars involved. But what most of the posters here are missing is this:
Nine Quality Starts, one strikeout per inning, a 2.60 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP. We have NO ONE pitching this good.
Folks are focusing on his 2-6 W-L record – but that is totally a function of a lame Astros lineup. And this is how Oswalt pitches every year.
Two years for $28M would be a steal – esp. compared to the return on Lowe and KK.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
12:31 pm
Does anyone know if the Blackhawks’s Duncan Keith wearing a mouth piece when he lost his teeth?
Idiots surround us
May 25th, 2010
12:32 pm
Why does everyone keep saying Wren traded Vazquez for Melky? Melky was a throw in. That trade was all about getting the pitching prospects they got. They needed to dump a high salary and got more than a decent return.
GTSteve
May 25th, 2010
12:33 pm
Anybody that thinks that the Astros would trade Oswalt for Lowe straight up needs to log off
Shane
May 25th, 2010
12:34 pm
As we know, they wound up trading Javier Vazquez instead, thereby treating us to the inspired outfield play offered up by Melky Cabrera.
And dumping Vazquez huge contract and his 8 something ERA and getting the Yankees best pitching prospect in the deal as well. Funny how you always leave that part out.
A Real UGA Fan
May 25th, 2010
12:37 pm
I’m all for it. I volunteer Derek Lowe to Houston.
SC Smith
May 25th, 2010
12:37 pm
Like to have Roy but we know it ain’t happening. And an answer to they cut kinda cutting on Hudson.
Just this morning on ESPN radio they said that Hudson is only one of four active pitchers in basball to have 100 or more wins and an ERA under 3.50. But Oswalt was another one.
Herschel Talker
May 25th, 2010
12:39 pm
Idiots surround us –
If Melky was a throw-in, then he should be a bench player. As for getting more than a decent return, that remains to be seen. You may be right, but you may not. We shall see. In the meantime, we may surely linger in this race for quite some time, but we can’t win the thing with Lowe and KK pitching like tomato cans.
Patrick
May 25th, 2010
12:40 pm
Great Article Mark!!!
I wish you owned the Braves!!!
Adrian
May 25th, 2010
12:43 pm
We should use any money we have available towards hitting, no more pitching.
Move Kawakami to the pen, replace him with Venters.
Keep Medlen in place of JJ while he is hurt. Once JJ is back, I say it should become a battle between Venters and Lowe for the 5th spot in the rotation.
Peter
May 25th, 2010
12:43 pm
Great idea…………LEGEND…….We need oswalt; trade melky and chipper
Too bad they are in love with Chipper !
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
12:45 pm
I’m reasonably certain Houston wouldn’t go for D-Lowe, GTSteve.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
12:45 pm
Why does everyone keep saying Wren traded Vazquez for Melky?
Did you forget they gave Melky a 3 million dollar contract? Even tho the prospects were the long term main part… Melky is hurting our roster with his bloated contract in addition to his bad defense and automatic out as a hitter. Melky is the current main part and its bad.
Carl Childers
May 25th, 2010
12:46 pm
Would I like Roy Oswalt in the rotation,let’s see…would I like to have Natalie Gulbis in a “clothing optional” two person scramble as my partner? What kind of question is that? Do you think either of those scenarios will take place? NOT HARDLY!!! The astros would be idiots to trade Oswalt for Lowe.I think the Braves would be stupid for entertaining any option that would include prospects for a pitcher that has hinted at retirement with the pay package that he has. Mr Bradley,I applaude your grasp of the obvious. Keep printing those “nuggets”
James
May 25th, 2010
12:47 pm
@GTSteve
You’re right the Astros would be crazy to want Lowe.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
12:50 pm
Trade Lowe for Oswalt ha. Why don’t we just trade Glaus for Pujols?
LWB
May 25th, 2010
12:50 pm
Why would we attempt to get Oswalt Mark? Why write this article? Has anyone mentioned trying to get Oswalt? Not to my knowledge. Unless Oswalt can hit 30+ homers a year, why would we be interested?
JT Grace
May 25th, 2010
12:51 pm
If Melky was a throw-in, then he should be a bench player.
Melky was supposed to be a bench player but Diaz and Nate were so bad that he got a lot more playing time than what was anticipated.
Benjamin
May 25th, 2010
12:52 pm
Hanson’s had a very good season, minus one start, MB. Just putting that out there. Also, Jair’s been unhealthy since spring training. I don’t think that can be ignored.
Kawakami and Lowe? No excuses for them. Were I Bobby, once Jair returned, it’d be Kenny K going to the bullpen rather than Medlen.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
12:54 pm
Yes, those eight earned runs against the Reds will ruin the ol’ ERA, Benjamin.
That said, he didn’t get a loss that day, either.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
12:54 pm
Why did a team closely watching its payroll give a backup $3mil?
JT Grace
May 25th, 2010
12:55 pm
Melky is hurting our roster with his bloated contract in addition to his bad defense and automatic out as a hitter.
Melky rarely plays so he really isn’t hurting the team that much. He also is only one of two players who can play centerfield so it is necessary to keep him. Also, his defense isn’t that bad, it is about average. Finally, 3 million is not a “bloated” contract – it is the same as what Ryan Church made last year as the 4th outfielder.
kurula
May 25th, 2010
12:56 pm
the braves are gonna have a hard time making any moves at all, really. they don’t have a loaded farm system. it’s decent, but all the good players will be coming up sooner rather than later. the only thing they could possibly do is parlay the pitching prospect they got from the yankees into a trade for a proven starter. but i don’t think oswalt is that guy. he’s too old and expensive. if they can somehow trade lowe for a bag of dirt (if only to shed those dollars) and chipper were to retire, that would clear a load of cash for a big name free agent next year…possibly a first basemen. named prince fielder… which would realistically free up freedie freeman for a trade…maybe for a cheaper pitcher that is relatively younger and cheaper and with lots of potential. like zack greinke or fausto carmona…just some food for thought.
Scoots
May 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
According to The Count, Texas won’t be getting Oswalt either. That leaves St. Louis of his three preferred choices. Can you imagine a starting staff headed by Carpenter, Wainwright and Oswalt?! Not to mention their current #3 (forget the name) has been really solid this season too.
Carl Childers
May 25th, 2010
12:59 pm
Besides,Natalie never returns my phone calls!!!
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
All Lowe needs is a few good starts heading into the TD and Boston will take him and his contract of our hands.
Scoots
May 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
Actually Tommy Hanson has been pretty shaky in his last 3 of 4 starts: 4,5, and 8 earned runs in those appearances
Wes
May 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
trade Lowe and McClouth for a middle of the line thumb protector for heyward
Scoots
May 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
That’s a bad trend
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
1:01 pm
Hanson was sick and dizzy in his last nightmare start.
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:01 pm
We Are Not getting The Wizard (Oswalt) “Bank On It!”
We have little Money to spend and the stros will demand that a team dumps their farm system to get him. The Rangers seem like a perfect fit if and only if they are still in the race a month from now…
St Louis Makes “Sprint Sense” as well, even though I not sure how much depth they have in the minors
Just Me
May 25th, 2010
1:01 pm
Trade Lowe and KK and a prospect for Oswald. We keep KK money and pay it as hes a free agent next year right. We let Medlin continue to be a 5th starter.
Wes
May 25th, 2010
1:03 pm
trade lowe to the st paul saints for a bucket of used bp balls. preferably cleaned
JJ
May 25th, 2010
1:06 pm
Wow…..that anyone actually believes the Braves NEED Oswalt is just shocking. The Braves don’t NEED his payroll or his pitching, but they DO NEED the prospects and/or star players that would be necessary to acquire him.
Frankly, Mark, I’m mildly surprised (again, only mildly) that you actually thought this topic was worthy of writing about. I guess your time isn’t as valuable as I thought.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
1:06 pm
I just googled Natalie…I like the way she stretches with that golf club.
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:07 pm
We do not need any extra pitching! We need a an OF bat that could be our leadoff hitter
I’m already lobbying for Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates
My basis for making that statement is that it seems like the Pirates have been our AAA Farm system fot the players we have gotten from them within the last 5 years or so…
Wren and the Pirates GM must have a good relationship since they have done business with Wren so easily for so many years…
Mike Gonzales, LaRoache (even though we raised him), Nate-Dawg Amongst others
McCutchen will be the next brave that has come up through the Pirates system…
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:09 pm
Add to that Oswalt is nothing like he was 5 years ago…It doesn’t make sense especially with his back injuries…
Trading for him has a Jake Peavy Fiasco written all over it…
awesomeo
May 25th, 2010
1:11 pm
not really fair about hanson
hes been great except for his last start and u just bunched him along with the rest
thats bad writing and reporting
thats why i cant stand u and that bearded fellow.
DOB is head and shoulders above u two
oh and carol too i prefer her
Outside Robber
May 25th, 2010
1:13 pm
….’and Slim just left town.’
AND, None was driving.
fieldofdreams
May 25th, 2010
1:13 pm
Given that he would make us World Series ready, I suspect that Liberty would approve a deal for Oswalt. We do have some pitching at the A and AA level to deal with, as well. Why not package Yunel Escobar, the Vizcaino lad we got for Vasquez, and another prospect, in a proposal to Houston for Oswalt?
awesomeo
May 25th, 2010
1:13 pm
tomahawkin
thats ur claim about pirates being our AAA?
mike and nate?
sorry man but thats just a dumb statement
how do u even add laroach?
we traded him for mike
and we got him back from redsox.
and nates been useless
Joey
May 25th, 2010
1:13 pm
Actuall, kurula, the Braves farm system last year was rated the 2nd best in all of baseball, behind the Yankees (and we got their top pitching prospect, Vizcaino). Don’t know where it is this year, with Hanson and Heyward in Atlanta now, but it’s still pretty loaded with highly rated pitching prospects, Freeman, Schafer and others.
Kentavo
May 25th, 2010
1:15 pm
Let’s see: Oswalt and Berkman for Lowe, KK and Escobar…that will about do it.
Bobbi Dud
May 25th, 2010
1:16 pm
If McCutchen came to the Braves…Tp would have his batting average down to 200 and Bobby would never let him steal bases!
NORRIS
May 25th, 2010
1:16 pm
Well, we all know that the braves are going to make a move. They will pick someone up. So the question is who and when not if.
Looking at the lineup we all agree that we need more pop but there is no one in this lineup that they plan on doing away with. So the only thing left is to get a pitcher. I say if your going to get one you might as well get the best available. We are going to have lots of money freed up next year. we need to think about the team next year as well.
Kentavo
May 25th, 2010
1:20 pm
Er, Norris, where’s the freed up money coming from next year?
Glaus and Hinske?
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:23 pm
NORRIS
“We are going to have lots of money freed up next year. we need to think about the team next year as well.”
So who is coming off the books? Because I know we have several guys who are gonna get Nasty raises next year due to arbitration
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
1:25 pm
There’s a possibility Chipper Jones comes off the books.
kurula
May 25th, 2010
1:25 pm
joey, i overlooked some folks to be sure. i guess i’m lamenting the loss of so many players for rentals. like the rangers starting line up and closer and adam wainright in st. louis amongst others. the point i was really making was that other than the handful of really good prospects, the farm system isn’t as deep as a few years back. oh, and i think that mcclouth will be designated for assignment or traded and schafer will be here at or just after the all star break.
NORRIS
May 25th, 2010
1:25 pm
Kentavo,
odds are that chipper wont be back. If he does come back then he has already said that he would look at the money and he wouldnt hamstring the organization.
Glauss is gone, hinske was a one year deal, and wagner was a one year deal. but the majority of the big money is chipper.
david
May 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
He will end up going to the Yankees or Red Sox
NORRIS
May 25th, 2010
1:29 pm
saito comes off the books, Ross is a free agent, and infante.
There is no way they keep Melky. He will be traded. \
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/04/2011-contract-issues-atlanta-braves.html
this website lists the contract issues…
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:30 pm
“Glauss is gone, hinske was a one year deal, and wagner was a one year deal. but the majority of the big money is chipper.”
So If all that happens, that thats about 22 mil off the books combined per se? That Money will be used to pay the raises due to all the players on the team that are gonna recieve Arbitration raises next year, unless . L Media bumps up the payroll and I’m not gonna bank on thatespecially after how cheap they went last offseason
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:31 pm
We Gotta keep Rossy, He’s the best backup catcher in the league! He is a starting catcher on half the teams in baseball
Chris
May 25th, 2010
1:32 pm
Dear Liberty Media,
PLEASE SELL THE BRAVES TO SOMEONE WITH DEEP POCKETS AND A LOVE OF BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
EVERY SINGLE BRAVES FAN!!!!
kurula
May 25th, 2010
1:33 pm
chris- not gonna happen until the collective bargaining agreement expires.
Chris
May 25th, 2010
1:36 pm
kurula, consider my first drink tonight as a toast to 12/11/11.
Joey M
May 25th, 2010
1:37 pm
Lowe is proven in big games. He has beaten the Yankees before. The Red Sox need pitching too. Is there any possible way Lowe goes to the AL East and take on most of his salary? The Yankees have Vazquez in the bullpen. If we were able to get Vazquez back for Lowe and get Oswalt, I would love it. I hate how signing Lowe has crippled us. (At least we don’t have Jason Bay, right?) I know my ideas are dreams and the only way I can make it happen is on my Xbox but it would sell tickets and increase revenue.
Walker, Texas Ranger
May 25th, 2010
1:39 pm
Same people that want a trade of Oswalt are the same that said the Tex deal was a good deal. Only way is to trade Lowe and 1 prospect with a couple of mid level prospects thrown in. Trade contracts and give up 1 top guy which is good for both teams. And by the way, where are the goof balls that said Yunel was better than Elvis. That trade gets worse everyday even with Salty sent to the minors.
Fire Frank Wren
May 25th, 2010
1:41 pm
Mark, you know better than that. Wife, former wife and kids won’t let him walk from $28 Million. You are dreaming or smoking something good there. There is 0 payroll coming off next year. Point towards 2012 and make all decisions around that. Braves have a chance starting in 2012 unless Frankie stays and then all bets are off.
Chris
May 25th, 2010
1:44 pm
Here’s to 12/11/2011 (end of the current CBA).
freshd
May 25th, 2010
1:45 pm
I’LL take Micheal Bourn for Nate Mc-Popup straight up and solve two problems. The Braves would have a real leadoff hitter with speed, and Nate can hit all the homeruns he want in the ASTROS bandbox stadium.
Braves Fan 84
May 25th, 2010
1:46 pm
Ownership will spend money if you go to games. We average in mid 20,000 per home game. That will never land us a top player. Stop complaining and show support.
kurula
May 25th, 2010
1:49 pm
braves fan 84- i don’t think the corporate ownership cares how many people show up. i honestly don’t think it would matter. conversely, no one wants to show up to see mediocre baseball. it’s a catch-22.
Oswalt is God
May 25th, 2010
1:50 pm
I’d give them Freddie Freeman AND Kris Medlen AND Craig Kimbrel if they would just take Lowe off our hands.
Tami
May 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
I have to admit that I allowed myself the luxury of daydreaming about the possibility of Oswalt joining this year’s Braves pitching staff, wondering if they’d take Yunel & Kawakami in exchange. Then, reality slapped me in the face. The epiphany: There’s no way that the Astros would take anything less than a Hanson, a Freeman, a Heywood, or 2 of the 3, are ALL 3 before the Braves could land Oswalt. So, I guess we’ll just continue daydreaming since it’ll never be reality.
Baseball guy
May 25th, 2010
1:54 pm
Don’t need him anyway, article is pointless. We need a legit bat.
Baseball guy
May 25th, 2010
1:55 pm
Oswalt is God- thank the good Lord you aren’t running things.
Tomahawkin
May 25th, 2010
1:55 pm
BREAKING!
Gregor Blanco just Called Up! There’s our leadoff hitter and our savior at the top of the lineup! (Sarcasm)
Captain Lou Albano
May 25th, 2010
1:55 pm
Why would Houston want Lowe? If they trade Roy, it means they’re rebuilding. Which implies they want young players to help them rebuild, and to be honest we don’t need Oswalt. We need a center fielder and a shortstop that can bring their bats to the game on a regular basis.
Tami
May 25th, 2010
1:57 pm
In short, I’d be happy if Oswalt went to an AL team (if the Braves can’t have him). But NOT the Yankees or the BoSox. Those 2 teams get every good player! Some have said this already, and they’re right: Even if we got Oswalt, he’d be gone within a year or so. I’m still pinching myself because I can’t believe we STILL have Hudson!
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:00 pm
Houston does not want Lowe, all these people are just dreaming. However I’ll say it again…all Lowe needs is a few good, not great, starts in row and Boston will take him and his contract off our hands.
Oswalt is God
May 25th, 2010
2:01 pm
Baseball guy – You’re right. Throw in Jordan Schafer, too. That should just about get it done.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
or the Angels.
The Dude
May 25th, 2010
2:02 pm
Lowe for Oswalt…get real…the only reason the Astros would trade Oswalt would be to cut payroll and an aging starter. A Lowe trade would not only keep the payroll the same, it would add more contract years the Astros would be on the hook for…plus Lowe is not in the same league as Oswalt. Please understand that Baseball is a business, it’s not like our government…these guys like to stay within the budget.
Wes
May 25th, 2010
2:03 pm
Gregor couldn’t start for my beer league softball team.
Brian G.
May 25th, 2010
2:03 pm
Minor correction: The Braves tried to trade Lowe because he makes too much money AND he sucks.
The Dude
May 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
Ted M, let’s hope you are right. Sounds pretty smart.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:05 pm
Oswalt is God – I’m sure you’re being sarcastic otherwise we’d have to question your intellect.
bob
May 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
we need oswalt.
we have a bunch of pitchers but not enough pitching.
wren spent too much on lowe and kk because of the glavine smoltz situation…wren had to make a splash and give some hope for last season.
this season we have some hope. heyward is slowly becoming the team leader with contributions by prado and hinske and conrad. chipper is in a funk because he knows he does not deserve to be playing third and batting third.
oswalt would mean another great rotation addition (this year and next) so we need only score 3 or 4 runs to win a game and not score seven runs in the bottom of the ninth to win a game. he is worth an extra 8 to 10 wins taking the braves from an 80 win season to a 90 win season.
give houston kk and melky and a minor league player plus cash and add oswalt. can you imagine a rotation of hudson, oswalt, hanson, lowe and jj? top to bottom the best in either AL or NL.
meh
May 25th, 2010
2:09 pm
I think McLouth is still not over getting traded. He started thinking “I must really suck if the pirates would rather have Charlie Morton” and messed him up mentally. Once he gets the expletive over it, he’ll start hitting.
KSU Student
May 25th, 2010
2:09 pm
We could get Oswalt, just get Houston to agree to eat half his salary, like Colorado did with Mike Hampton so many years back.
Shane
May 25th, 2010
2:10 pm
like the rangers starting line up
Who in the Rangers starting lineup is a former Brave?
One. Elvis Andrus. Every other single player we gave up in that deal has been a bust. Salty cant even throw it back to the pitcher anymore.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:10 pm
The Braves have a lot of pitching in the minors, apparently Chris Resop is tearing it up so much some are kinda comparing him to Strasburg, if we can unload Lowe’s contract 2011 is looking really good.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:13 pm
unless McLouth gets really hot for a month no will want him and then we would.
Juan
May 25th, 2010
2:16 pm
Hey..i think it’s posible to get Oswalt..With a Minor league Pkg and Melky …let say Mike Minor /Betancourt/Melky, then we trade KK to some team in LA and re-negotiated Chipper Contract.Also Houston pay some of Oswalt salary.
fifthbusiness
May 25th, 2010
2:19 pm
Hi Frank Wren here. We will give you Derrick Lowe, Melky and Jo Jo for Ole Roy. Don’t laugh now I’m serious.
The Dude
May 25th, 2010
2:23 pm
How great would it be to have Elvis Andrus back? .300+ avg., .400 + OBP, 17 stolen bases. Sounds like he’d be a pretty good lead off guy. Still can’t believe we gave up that much talent for a rental.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:29 pm
Yunel Escobar is the quintessential enigma of baseball players.
The Dude
May 25th, 2010
2:30 pm
Shane
Neftali Feliz has 12 saves now and people say he has the best stuff in baseball. We’ve already mentioned Elvis. Matt Harrison hasn’t been dominant by any means, wouldn’t quite label him as a flop though, but I’m willing to bet his numbers would look a lot better in the NL. Salty is a switch hitting catcher who was great trade bait…we would have traded him anyway. Truth is we traded 2 all stars for a rental.
Ted M
May 25th, 2010
2:34 pm
The Dude – You’re absolutely right and Wren’s logic that it cost us nothing because they would not have made our lineup is flat out ridiculous. We could have traded them for a full time outfielder.
Shane
May 25th, 2010
2:41 pm
Truth is we traded 2 all stars for a rental.
True although ive seen Feliz pitch. He by no means has the best stuff in baseball. Not sure where a closer bats for the AL in the starting lineup like you said earlier either. Matt Harrison is terrible.
Fact is almost all Braves fans were all for the trade when it was made. Hindsight is 20/20. If Tex gets us to the playoffs that year it would have been worth it.
Shane
May 25th, 2010
2:43 pm
Truth is we traded 2 all stars for a rental.
How many All-Star teams have Andrus and Feliz made? Answer Zero.
bruce
May 25th, 2010
2:46 pm
Anywhere but philly, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese.
GoodTraction
May 25th, 2010
2:52 pm
Sonny C – we was wonderin where you been . . . you jumped ship on Jeff’s blog and we miss you.
Should the Braves Pursue Roy Oswalt? | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
May 25th, 2010
2:57 pm
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution also discusses the idea as a good one, but as one that simply isn’t going to happen. A decade ago, the Braves would have been all over Oswalt. Rule 1 in the Baseball Manual: You can’t have too much pitching. But the Braves and Frank Wren just told us that, with this club and its finances, you can have too much pitching. [...]
Joey
May 25th, 2010
3:17 pm
Come on, Mark! Ego or not, Chipper will NEVER leave all that money on the table! Even after a competent manager jerks his butt out of that 3rd-spot, he’ll ride the pine and make that $80,000 per game til the contract runs out!
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 25th, 2010
3:23 pm
Roy Oswalt is a gamer. Whoever he winds up with, will be glad they have him. He’s never been flashy or a big name but he’s been Houston’s best pitcher, and one of the more solid pitchers in the NL, for quite a while.
Joey
May 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
For all of you guys ready to ship Esocbar, here’s what a guy wrote on Shutzie’s blog after he made the dubious remark on top. Oh and I agree 100%:
Schultzie: ” Yunel Escobar is enormously talented but has regressed to the point that he’s a question mark now.”
Clay: Huh? Shultzie, did you sleep through last season? .299 average, 70+RBI, second in the league in batting with runners in scoring position (clutch hitting). He’s been on the DL this season and in Bobby’s dog house for a couple of games, but I think he’s earned more than 1/6 of a season before he is deemed a question mark.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
3:40 pm
Shane, last I checked Neftali Feliz is the Rangers’ closer. And Matt Harrison is a member of the rotation (when not hurt).
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
3:44 pm
Joey, there’s no way Chipper Jones comes back to sit on the bench. No way, I say.
JASON BARBER
May 25th, 2010
3:49 pm
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN ID SAY THE CHANCES OF THE BRAVES GETTING ROY OSWALT WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE PHILLIES CHANCES GIVEN THE FACT RUBEN AMARO JR admitted as recently as yesterday that the phillies farm system has been depleted due to the large number of players they had to give up in the cliff lee and roy halladay deals.Furthermore the braves farm system always has been and always will be significantly deeper than the phillies farm system.THIRDLY Mark bradley knows less about the true innerworkings of the braves and cannot be trusted with anything he ever says about the braves because half of what he says wont happen does and half of what he says will happen doesnt when it comes to trades concerning the braves organization.I have been a braves fan for 35 years and know far more about the braves organization and its players than he ever forgot
Mitchell
May 25th, 2010
3:53 pm
Somehow it doesn’t surprise me at all that he would want to come here. It is the good ol’ boy club after all.
I’d take him though.
Personally, I’d just let the Astros have Matty, Melky and JoJo if they want ‘em. We don’t even need Oswalt in return.
I’d take him though. But not with all that money he’s owed.
Ralph
May 25th, 2010
4:11 pm
I think the only trade the braves should make is BOBBY COX for FREDIE GONZOLIZ. The braves have all the talent they need except a manager that can make up a lineup card.
Woooooooooo!
May 25th, 2010
4:15 pm
It really wouldn’t be a bad idea at all to package Freeman and other prospects for Oswalt, if it was enough to get them to take Lowe with them.
There is nothing that says any prospect is a sure thing. Franceour sure wasn’t. Neither was Saltalamacchia. Nor was Chuck James or Kyle Davies.
Think about ANY prospect we’ve had come up in 20 years. Other than Chipper and, apparently, Heyward, is there a single one that you wouldn’t trade straight up for Oswalt?
Wes
May 25th, 2010
4:16 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! — two words: Barbaro Cantizeras
Needs a break
May 25th, 2010
4:30 pm
Mark…I would love to get on here and see a blog that gets me excited…instead you just end up shattering my hopes…you should also write a blog about how the hawks will never get lebron
athdog
May 25th, 2010
4:45 pm
Wren has made some shaky moves, and he’s made some nice ones, as well. Bringing in JJ and Vasquez, if even for a season. Can’t blame him for not having payroll to work with.
I think the Braves are, at the very best, average until another owner takes over. Liberty seems content to coast along status quo. With few exceptions, corporately owned sports teams don’t seem to reach elite status very often.
Michael in Dunwoody
May 25th, 2010
5:00 pm
Mark, maybe for your next column you can cover NFL hypocrisy: New York City (New Jersey) was just awarded the 2014 Super Bowl. I guess when they complained about the weather in Atlanta after our last Super Bowl they were merely inferring that it wasn’t cold enough.
Einsteindawg
May 25th, 2010
5:11 pm
While it would be nice to have Roy, please don’t trade our future stars for an aging pitcher. Of course, if Houston would take Lowe, KK, and Terry Pendleton as a package deal. I’m all for it. I’d even do a sign and trade with Greg Norton as a bonus to Houston.
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2010
5:12 pm
What is Houston going to want in return? Martin Prado? Freddie Freeman? I wouldn’t trade either. You have to consider also that we have good pitching prospects in the minors.
I like this team, though I want to see the pitching come around. As for Jair Jurrjens, he should be fine upon return. Derek Lowe is showing signs of coming around, and Tim Hudson, yes, has been lights-out. Kenshin Kawakami got off to a slow start last year and then pitched very well down the stretch. Let’s see how he pitches tonight.
It’s time Liberty Media stepped up and spent money. Truthfully, ownership stinks. It absolutely stinks. Do what I do: Boycott the company.
Clay
May 25th, 2010
5:17 pm
Oh ye of little faith. All I ever read from MB is Braves bashing.
bob
May 25th, 2010
5:21 pm
I am sure they would trade him for Heyward and Hansen, maybe even pay a little of his salary. But can he teach hitting?
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2010
5:21 pm
What’s the point about the “good ol’ boy” team? Elaborate.
Elvis Andrus’s or anyone else’s not being an All-Star doesn’t nullify someone’s being a good player. Show some understanding of the game next time.
Roy Oswalt HAS been a big name, and the only reason he doesn’t get a lot of air time (a moot point) is because he plays in Houston and not in Boston or New York– the allegedly-educated part of the country, where every obscure gesture gets unnecessary air time. Oswalt, lest we forget, was the best pitcher in baseball in ‘04 and ‘05. In fact, I’m not so sure I would’ve pitched him in Game 6 against St. Louis in ‘05 because it eliminated all potential of using him three times in the World Series. Phil Garner maybe made a mistake in using him that night; he definitely made a mistake in NOT using Brad Lidge that night.
Hank44
May 25th, 2010
5:24 pm
Everyone knows that pitching and defense will win games. The Braves have pitching so far, but, to add Roy Oswalt to the mix will only solidify them as their pitching is falling apart at times. Down the stretch it will only help to have him in the rotation. Who we give up? Don’t know. But I do know that we can’t afford to give up prospects for him.
Penis McFlanagan
May 25th, 2010
5:29 pm
Great idea? More than 30% of our payroll is already tied up in mediocre pitching and you want to add another has-been to the rotation? How is that a great idea? The only thing we need to do with the pitching is offload Lowe and put Medlen in the rotation. If we trade for anything it needs to be another bat.
Tdawg
May 25th, 2010
5:36 pm
Bradly what is it with you and these washed up players? May be I can see a Lowe for Oswalt deal but that’s about it. Maybe we can sweeten the pot a little by throwing in McClouth maybe even that Milky guy or even KK but that’s it.
R W
May 25th, 2010
5:38 pm
MB
That is why you put a package together of
Medlin/(or)Minor
Cody Johnson
Lower Level prospect
Lowe
for
Oswalt
Player to be named later
MitchC
May 25th, 2010
5:43 pm
Why would any team trade for any of the pitchers we have in our rotation? Even though we have been playing well lately, there isnt a pitcher in our rotation now that I’d want, except Tommy Hanson.
Lowe- Brutal. The only reason he has a winning record with us is that we score tons of runs when he’s pitching.
JJ-Great potential, but injured.
Hudson- Has pitched well, but is getting old.
Hanson-Sometimes struggles, but still has the potential to be great.
KK-Unmentionable.
If I was Oswalt, I’d want to end up in Philly. Right now, they might be the team most likely to win a championship. We know Tampa is playing out of their minds, and we just have to wonder when and if the Yankees will rally back.
Mark may be right. Oswalt to Philly could very well happen.
ET
May 25th, 2010
6:38 pm
Let’s trade Lowe to Texas for Neftali Feliz, Elvis Andrus & Salty. Hey, we were dumb enough to trade the 3 to Texas for Texeria, maybe Texas will have a brain f-a-r-t and bite on the deal. The Braves can’t be the only dumb f’s in this league. Don’t they always say it all evens out in the end…well it’s time to even out that horrible trade. At the time I said to everybody that the only way the trade made sense was if Texeria had agreed to sign an extension to his contract. Obviously that didn’t happen.
What happened was we gave away a pitcher who throws 100 mph, a SS who has a stronger arm than Escobar & is hitting 300+ & a catcher who Baseball America called the top catcher prospect in the minors for a year & 1/2 of Texeria. It made me puke the day they announced the trade. I felt like my high school sweetheart just left me all over again…And that happened 38 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roy Oswalt Will Not Be Traded For Stephen Strasburg, But Where Will He Be Going? | cardinals.baseball-news-update.com
May 25th, 2010
6:47 pm
[...] for $16 million in 2012. Also remember that Texas just filed for bankruptcy and, according to Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves can’t afford him either. So who does that leave? It leave St. Louis. It makes the [...]
ScottBravesfan
May 25th, 2010
6:47 pm
Philly? Their tapped out on payroll and they are going to lose Jason Werth in the offseason. I would rather spend the money on offense and do something with our outfield.
Oswald will probably end up in Dallas with the Rangers once their ownership problems are solved also don’t count out LA with the Angels. The Nationals are supposedly interested and they have the prospects to actually get him and if they did that would be a huge deal for them. With Oswald and Strasburg forget about the Phillies the NL East would be all about the Nats, especially with their offense and the rotation they got already is pretty good.
ScottBravesfan
May 25th, 2010
6:50 pm
The Astros are trying to cut payroll why in the hell would they take Lowe’s contract back?
Also people that are ripping the Lowe deal were happy when it happen. The guy was money for the Dodgers and the Red Sox it’s not Frank Wren’s fault that the guy gets to Atlanta and forgets how to pitch. The only knock on the deal was the 4th year they signed him for but that’s what it was going to take to get Lowe to come here.
Roy Oswalt to the Braves? Great idea. Won't happen | astros.baseball-news-update.com
May 25th, 2010
7:23 pm
[...] Roy Oswalt to the Braves? Great idea. Won't happen [...]
Delbert D.
May 25th, 2010
7:51 pm
Problems with big contracts? No problem. Get in touch with Alberto (Ears) Marcellino. Last known residence, Miami. It’s an open city, so no problems with other families.
thunderbull56
May 25th, 2010
9:07 pm
Anything for a headline! Yeah I’d take him over Lowe,but what’s your point man? He don’t bat three hundred and he don’t knock down ground balls! ‘Course I could see Wren trading off another class of prospects for another year of mediocrity.
jojatek
May 25th, 2010
9:33 pm
Wren doesn’t realize it yet, but his job actually depends on bringing Oswalt to Atlanta. When the final chapter is written on Bobby Cox’s last season, taking a pass on this opportunity will loom large on the list of short-sighted, penny-wise/pound-foolish decisions that are beginning to define Wren’s tenure (and this franchise). Do it for Bobby… do it for Heyward… just do it!
MitchC
May 25th, 2010
10:36 pm
Mark, do you think Bobby will remove KK from the rotation soon? At 0-7, with it being only May 25, KK had a shot at either a 15 or 20 loss season.
Also, Mark, do you remember a guy named Anthony Young, who pitched for the Mets in the early and mid 90s? The Mets were brutal back then, and Young lost something like 27 straight decisions in a row, before finally winning a game, in spite of having an ERA of like three and a half. Every bit of hard luck seemed to happen to Young. KK reminds me a bit of him.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
10:43 pm
I do remember Anthony Young, MitchC. But I don’t think Kenshin is there yet. He’s 0-7, but his ERA isn’t off-the-charts bad.
intellibird
May 25th, 2010
10:54 pm
Here’s a clue, Mark. The Braves should have kept Teixera, then we would be actual contenders. The whole league is pretty much a joke and we can thank Selig and the Yankees for that. Maybe the player’s union will figure out that it doesn’t behoove the majority of its members to allow the big market teams to grab all of the best players.
Mark Bradley
May 25th, 2010
10:59 pm
Not sure how the Braves could have kept a guy who signed for $180 million.
intellibird
May 25th, 2010
11:06 pm
Then that just shows that the league is screwed by its pay structure, and I sympathize with teams like the Pirates who lose someone like McLouth. And all of the other small market teams. Where is the uproar? Selig and this inequitable system should have been gone a long time ago!
intellibird
May 25th, 2010
11:10 pm
If we couldn’t keep Teixeira, who had ties to the city, then it is obvious that we will not be able to keep Heyward beyond 5-6 years. That is a real shame. Are you going to throw a monetary figure at me again, Mark?
Coach (2011 or Bust)
May 26th, 2010
12:59 am
Chipper off the books?
Definitely, absolutely. He’s too proud of a ball player to keep embarrassing himself like this. Right now Larry Wayne Jr. projects to finish with about 10-12 HR’s and 50-60 RBI, which if it happens would be career lows for him.
Now, if only Derek Lowe could be traded. Of course that won’t happen even though it needs to, as the Braves continue to keep up the appearance of competing for the sake of Bobby’s last season at the helm.
Our Bravos are 23-22 after 45 games. Frank Wren knows this team has huge holes, he will attempt to fix them even though it’s not the correct course of action. Why? Because Cox will find a way to under manage this team. They will finish with a winning record, they will come up just short of the playoffs. Count on it.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
May 26th, 2010
1:08 am
Small market teams are screwed?
WRONG, wrong, wrong and badly misinformed. Ever heard of the Tampa Rays? How about the Minneapolis Twins?
Two small market teams which win by drafting great athletes, investing in their minor league systems and by playing the game the right way. Winning doesn’t require a 100 plus million dollar payroll. It requires smart baseball minds. The Pirates can’t win because they are a horrible organization with terrible ownership, ditto for the Orioles.
bravefan
May 26th, 2010
1:19 am
yeah we could use albert pujols and ryan braun too! lets just trade glaus and melk-man for them (this is how some folks think in this town!)
intellibird
May 26th, 2010
2:15 am
Okay, Coach 2011, I researched and saw that Minnesota won in 1991 and TB hasn’t won a World Series. Are you going to defend the present system? Look at where the talent is pooling and then tell me that there is equity among teams.
intellibird
May 26th, 2010
2:19 am
Okay, if Pittsburg and Atlanta draft smarter and improve their minor league systems then we can compete with the Yankees. You probably are a fan of the present system and the Yankees themselves.
MitchC
May 26th, 2010
8:47 am
Mark, someone I know whose a Mets fan told me that KK is much worse than Anthony Young. KK’s ERA this year is nearly 5. Young’s career ERA was 3.89, but I understand what you’re saying about KK not being Young just yet.
The Mets fan told me that he does not feel sorry for KK’s 0-7, but rather, he feels sorry for Oswalt’s 2-6 with a 2.66 ERA. That is unreal to think about.
My bet: Whether the Braves are hot, cold, or up and down, Frankie W wont make any moves, because he has no money.
Also, you mentioned the question of Chipper’s contract coming off the books. I’ve always been a Chipper fan, but I hate to say, if his year continues as it is, I really hope he retires after 2010. 10 to 15 mil would be a lot of money this team could use, to sign a much more productive bat than his.
TommyJack
May 26th, 2010
10:03 am
I’ve seen over half of the braves games. Pitchin ain’t the problem. Furthermore, old Bobby (and I like him) just seems to be going thru the motions.
Skeezix
May 26th, 2010
10:05 am
Our dismal record against teams in our own division speaks volumes. But, overall, it isn’t pitching that has been hurting us — it has been the lack of offense. Still, we do need another quality starter and I would love for Oswalt to join the Braves – but it will never happen under this ownership/management group. Us Braves fans are basically screwed — as far as NL Pennants and World Series go–as long as our team is controlled by Liberty Media and idiots like Frank Wren. On the positive side, it has been loads of fun watching young Jason, Hanson, Prado and then Huddy coming back into form. Hinske has been a pleasant surprise. I have resigned myself to another third place finish–maybe we will squeak in there and finish second if Chipper gets his bat going and J.J, has a successful return from the DL.
Roy Oswalt Will Not Be Traded For Stephen Strasburg, But Where Will He Be Going? | astros.baseball-news-update.com
May 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
[...] for $16 million in 2012. Also remember that Texas just filed for bankruptcy and, according to Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves can’t afford him either. So who does that leave? It leave St. Louis. It makes the [...]
Mike D-O-double G
May 27th, 2010
2:07 pm
I’m starting to get a little better feeling about this season because of our hitting. If we keep tearing sh** up, and if JJ gets back to pitching well, we’ll be close to the end, probably win the WC.
Steve
May 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
I would love to see Oswalt in Atlanta, but only if we could shed Lowe or Kawakami in the deal. Otherwise, I am like the majority of folks here in saying that the Braves need to trust their system. We got in our current state of average baseball by trading away prospects for rentals of less than one or two years and getting very little value back for them when they left. We need to stop pretending throwing away our talent.
Sure, only a small percentage of prospects end up playing worth a darn, but every time we shrink our numbers of good prospects it makes it less likely we will have any decent ones come up.
Lowe is pitching MUCH better as of late. In his last 5 starts he has 4 very solid appearances. Maybe he is turning it around. Kawakami on the other hand is imploding. You can’t keep blaming run support when the Braves are routinely behind by 3-4 runs after a couple of innings. That can sap the life out of an already feeble offense.
Rotation until Jurrgens returns should be (not picking the order, jsut the pitchers):
Hudson
Hanson
Lowe
Medlin
Venters
After Jurrgens gets back you can move Venters or Medlin back to long relief, or maybe even use Jurrgens there until he proves he has figured out the issues he was havingbefore he got injured. In other words, let’s remember Jurrgens wasn’t pitchign well at all before his injury.
Then you look at what we have still in the minors and you notice we have more pitching on the way, with Minor likely to be ready by next year and a couple of others by 2012. Oswalt would help, but we have plnety of pitching .. IF the Braves would stop screwing around with vets and let these kids have a shot. I really like Bobby Cox, but his tendencies towards playing decaying or terrible veterans over up and coming rookies is annoying. He basically only plays a rookie when there is just no other choice or the fans would beat him down. Need I bring up all the crappy vets we have continually put on the field for no reason in the past.
Leave Medlin in the rotation. Drop Kawakami for Venters. See how things go.