As a Braves’ trade target, I’d hustle after B.J. Upton
B.J. Upton hustles on occasion. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Braves’ starting outfield for the first two games against Washington: Eric Hinske in left, Gregor Blanco in center, Melky Cabrera in right. Blanco began the season in the minor leagues, while Hinske was imported primarily as a pinch-hitter and Cabrera as a fourth outfielder.
The Braves’ outfield health: Lousy. Jason Heyward (bum thumb) just went on the disabled list. Matt Diaz (ditto) just exited the DL. Nate McLouth (sore head) is still there.
The good news: The Braves remain in first place.
The reality: They’ll need more outfielders to stay there.
The rumor: Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com reports that the Braves are seeking a right-handed outfield bat before the July 31st trade deadline. Morosi names three names: Josh Willingham of Washington, Corey Hart of Milwaukee and Jose Bautista of Toronto.
The caveat: All three will become free agents after the 2011 season, and we know how well the Braves do at keeping free agents. So any of the three would likely be a 14-month rental and would surely require the Braves to trade one of their minor-league pitching prospects. (Morosi mentions Mike Minor, the club’s No. 1 draftee in 2009.)
The better option (says me): B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay center fielder.
The story so far: Upton is one of the game’s biggest talents, but he’s also among its greatest mysteries. He’s hitting .226, and a guy this skilled should be able to bunt .300. He got into a dugout dust-up with teammate Evan Longoria over Upton’s disinclination to hustle after a ball Sunday, and Tampa manager Joe Maddon didn’t start Upton in Tuesday’s game. (Though not, Maddon said with a straight face, for disciplinary purposes. Just to rest the young man, who apparently wasn’t getting enough rest while playing center field.) But Upton was deployed as a sub, and he legged out an eighth-inning triple. So there.
The downside: Upton might not be manageable. He might continue to swing at everything. (He has more career strikeouts than hits.) He might play no better for the Braves than he has for the Rays.
The upside: He’s 25. He makes only $3 million (but is arbitration-eligible after this season). He’s right-handed. He plays center field. He is, as noted, a talent of the first rank, and we can’t really say that about any Braves outfielder other than Heyward. If/when Upton does figure things out, he’ll be a major star.
The obvious risk: The Braves’ clubhouse, never a boiling cauldron, is utterly harmonious at the moment. Upton could upset the equilibrium.
The potential gain: A first-place team would get a lot more talented in a hurry, and Upton won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2012 season.
Loading ...The upside for Upton: A change of scenery, which can’t hurt if he’s getting into it with Longoria, who’s the main man in Tampa. And a different managerial voice in Bobby Cox, for whom everyone loves playing. And the promise of an even different managerial voice when Fredi Gonzalez takes over next season. (Wait. Am I getting ahead of things here?)
The potential snag: Fredi Gonzalez doesn’t like guys who don’t hustle. Ask Hanley Ramirez.
The worst-case scenario: Upton comes here and continues to hit .226, which would still be an upgrade over McLouth, who’s hitting .176. The Braves don’t win the division and then, disenchanted, don’t tender Upton over the winter. Which means he walks away and the whole thing is written off as a Teixeira-sized fizzle.
The best-case scenario: Upton gives the Braves their desired right-handed bat, plays the best center field the Braves have seen since Andruw Jones discovered carbohydrates and re-invents himself as the missing piece on a championship team.
The bottom line: Me, I’d do it. Upton is a far more dynamic player than any of the three mentioned by FoxSports. (Hart is the most intriguing of the three — he has 60 RBIs — but he’d also be a mighty expensive quick fix.) Unless you believe Jordan Schafer, who’s hitting .221 at Class AAA Gwinnett, is still the center fielder of the future, the Braves must move to upgrade that essential position at some point. Why not now, I say? Why not upgrade with Upton?
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417 comments Add your comment
bufbox
June 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
Commit to the future, and go get Markakis from Balt. He will stick in ATL. at anywhere near market value, and can play CF. Might have to bite payroll bullet for a season or 2, but can eventually pay him with $ realized when some of these non-producing contracts run out (McClouth). We got J-Hey cheap for the next few years, we should find room in the budget for at least one good productive relatively-inexpensive outfielder.
Joe Stanislau
June 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
I support my vote is that he has talent. BJ Upton doesn’t seem like the 1st round prospect the Rays looked forward to having since he was drafted. Upton supports a 364 AVG against the NL East (excluding Atlanta) according to ESPN.com.
Upton doesn’t hit well against Atlanta or the Marlins but he does really well with 56 hits in his past 154 at-bats. I personally believe he would be a lot better option than Willingham because we don’t want to send our prospects to a division rival and we would rather shake up the AL and NL East with a trade.
Greg Norton's pee wee hitting coach
June 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
Sneaky suspicion that Yunel is playing his last month as a Brave. I think we get a SS and a LF or CF in return for prospects, Yunel and McClouth.
BehindEnemyLines
June 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Would be insanity to acquire an apparent cancer who is barely hitting anything.
Bruce Mac
June 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Wawel78, because it didn’t work you knuckle head. We gave up two great players for nothing, absolutely nothing. Why wouldn’t we be upset about it? Mr. Wren and his predocessor get paid very handsomely to make good decisions not to make bad decisions or give it the old college try. That trade was a total disaster.
Joe
June 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
We need Chris Young from AZ
Nacho Daddy
June 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
B.J. Upton … first name says it all.
danny
June 30th, 2010
4:24 pm
COREY HART is a beast
Ted Striker
June 30th, 2010
4:25 pm
I’d do it too.
BravesFan
June 30th, 2010
4:26 pm
Willingham makes the most sense and is a great fit.
Dude hits for average, and like Chipper has a great OBP which would be a big shot in the arm for a mediocre hitting outfield.
Don’t think it would take a ton to get him either and because of that, the Braves actually could look to make another trade as well if it made sense.
I’d love to get a real CF because being strong up the middle has always, and will always be, fundamental championship baseball 101. However, there aren’t really that many good realistic options out there that wouldn’t cost too much.
And Mark Bradley, you should be shot for even suggesting the Upton trade. You don’t reform headcases like this regardless of the obvious physical abilities. Guys with respect issues, get in fights with friends that are also teammates are unequivocably NOT guys you bring it to help you get over the hump.
Willingham should be first choice and then go from there. The guy would be a great fit in this lineup.
Braves Fan Since "80
June 30th, 2010
4:28 pm
In a perfect world Upton would come to the braves and be a crime dog….. i heard he was not a great teammate. Winning helps but someguys have it and some do not…. I’d prefer the 2009 version of Escobar to the kinder version we are seeing this year
Chemistry while important does not mean you win or lose just how you look doing it….. I say why not if you can claim damaged goods at below market rates……… Our outfield would not start in the CWS but they are all good guys
DC3
June 30th, 2010
4:29 pm
Hart has 18 homers and 60 RBIs can you imagine that in our lineup……..scary
jerry
June 30th, 2010
4:29 pm
Check with TP. If he says he can make a hitter out of BJ, go for it.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
4:29 pm
To all of you who keep clamoring for a “leadoff hitter”… what the crap do you think we have now? Prado is proving to be one of the best pure hitters in the NL with one of the top 5 batting averages all year and about a thousand multi-hit games so far… who the crap cares if Upton is a step faster? He never gets on base.
I’ll take Prado at .326 ANY DAY over Upton’s .226. And Prado is a team player. And Prado has a way of making things happen at the top of the lineup. And Prado’s teammates love him and don’t get in fights with him in the dugout. Etc. etc. etc.
Folks, there are very few “pure” leadoff hitters in baseball anymore — guys who hit .340, have 4.2 speed and steal 75 bases, and can score 150 runs while getting 200 hits and 80 RBI. I think today’s modern leadoff hitter is MUCH more like Prado — get on base, hits to all fields, a touch of power, and plays smart, fundamental baseball.
ONCE AGAIN TO YOU UPTON SUPPORTERS: I rest my case that the Braves, as constructed, don’t need a “one year rental” for the playoff push… this bunch has worked its way up to 1st place on their own, let’s let ‘em close out the last 3 months of the year.
Dance with the ones who brung ya, people… I’d bet you $100 right now that Atlanta makes the playoffs with this roster, without any major changes.
Remember, this is a first-place club that looked pretty dang good lately against Tampa, Philly, the Dodgers, the Twins, the Tigers, etc…. and we haven’t got much at all from Jurrjens or Chipper or Escober or McCann.
My prediction as of June 30: Braves finish 90-72, win the division by 2 games over the Phillies, beat the Dodgers in the NLDS and lose to the Cardinals in the NLCS.
hdhd
June 30th, 2010
4:31 pm
yeah, zambrano too.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
4:31 pm
And by the way, I agree with those of you talking about how good Corey Hart is… I LOVED that song “Sunglasses at Night”, and also “Never Surrender” was good….
Oh, wait… not the same guy? My bad….
OSCAR
June 30th, 2010
4:35 pm
No comment.
crackbaby
June 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
Don’t like the idea at all. The worst case scenario is far worse than you make it out to be, Mark. Upton provides NO leadership. In fact, he needs leadership. He is a less talented version of Kenny Lofton with far less upside potential. He could poison a winning clubhouse atmosphere.
Vomax
June 30th, 2010
4:38 pm
Just say no to Corey Hart: (1) we’d be “buying high” – he’s never hit more than 24 homeruns in a single season in four previous major league seasons, but he’s got 18 right now; (2) dovetailing on that, considering he’s never before been this productive, how do we know his power numbers will continue? How do we know it isn’t a fluke? This makes Hart a big gamble that we’d have to pay a perhaps enlarged premium to get.
Of thre three the article mentions, give me Willingham. I believe the Glaus comparison to be somewhat apt. of course, the problem there is an intra-division trade.
so that leaves us with bautista? another big question mark: sure, he’s got 20 home runs right now, but he’s never hit more than 15 in a season. this is his sixth. not sure i’m willing to take the gamble. but i guess between he, willingham, and hart, i’d at the very least be curious as to what the asking price would be.
Time
June 30th, 2010
4:39 pm
@JDA – I was making a more historical statement about how we’ve dealt alot of elite minor league pitching talents (David Nied types) and outside of Wainwright and maybe Jason Schmidt none of them have went on to become established big league aces.
And people really need to get over that Tex deal. Salty was overhyped and blocked, Andrus is a good fielding, good speed SS but was blocked. Still think Escobar is better anyways. Feliz is pitching well early on in his career, but is just a closer, and they are the players that are truly a dime a dozen. Watch what happens every year as closers fall and setup guys rise to take the role. Harrison is decent, but nothing special and the other guy, I can’t even remember who he was.
Yea, Tex didn’t resign and was just a half a year rental player that didn’t work out. I still make that deal all day every day from the Braves standpoint.
Time
June 30th, 2010
4:43 pm
@ Vomax – Corey Hart is a straight beast. He’s now in his 5th real season as a big leaguer. Some guys take longer to “get it” than others. But he’s been a guy on everyone’s radar for a while due to tremendous talent. At 28, just entering his prime. He along with Carlos Lee should be the Braves two top trade targets.
Stuart
June 30th, 2010
4:43 pm
Good idea, but I think there’s too much risk than reward at this point. Plus, what’s the story on Schafer? If we got a solid 1 year rental who wasn’t able to return, shouldn’t Schafer be coming up next year anyway? So a 1 year rental wouldn’t be bad (as long as you don’t give up the farm for him….).
jer
June 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
We somebody who provides moderate power. Upton provides little except potential and speed on the bases and Bobby almost never fully utilizes speed on the bases, even when he does have it. His attitude says no and his lack of power doesn’t fit the bill. Without another hitter with moderate power, other clubs will soon start pitching around our one slugger, Glaus. I think Willingham is the best option (there are several others) as he has enough power to make automatically pitching around Glaus questionable, without likely costing so much that the club is ruining its future. A big-name trade, a la Teixeria, would cost too much. The Braves also need to negotiate with several teams so that they do not get hung up on getting one guy no matter what the price.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
4:49 pm
Time — what irks a lot of us about the Tex deal was the AMOUNT of what we gave up. Two or three good players is one thing, but what did we wind up giving away, 5 or 6 guys total? True, all of them haven’t developed into stars yet, but still…. it was WAY too much to give up, especially for a flawed team that was NOT going to to the playoffs no matter WHO we had hitting cleanup — Pujols, ARod, Hank Aaron, etc.
The thing about our minor leaguers — if some are “blocked”, well that’s what the minors are for, to develop new positions. Andrus could have easily become a 2nd or 3rd baseman or a utility guy… and Salty could have learned first base. I think the move out of Atlanta, coupled with throwing problems at catcher, have hampered his career.
I hope the Braves learned from that situation: it’s one thing to trade a couple of guys for a player mid-year… but to empty the whole freakin’ farm system, that guy had better be the next Babe Ruth and he had BETTER sign here for a decade.
Jordan
June 30th, 2010
4:58 pm
I don’t mind trading a young(er) pitching prospect. We have 2 very good ones, and Teheran should be up within a couple of years (2013 at the latest). But it means for the immediate future we need to hold on to Jurrjens, Medlan, Hudson, and Hanson. (Get Lowe off the books when we can and give his starting position to Teheran when the time comes).
Remember that Tampa Bay did draft Minor in the 13th round of the 2008 draft, and he returned to school. Not saying that they would do a straight up trade for him, but it wouldn’t shock me. If we did this, I would like to see us get Upton bolted down for several years. Say a 3 year deal worth 7-8 million a year?
Brandon
June 30th, 2010
5:00 pm
I say we trade for that Pujols guy.
P Rose
June 30th, 2010
5:01 pm
Did anyone hear Joe Maddon’s press interview after the game, regarding the Upton-Longoria incident? I happened to be in Tampa at the time, and was watching the local sports. He said – get this – that he was glad Longoria reprimanded Upton, so he wouldn’t have to do it himself; he thought it meant more coming from a teammate. Unbelievable! Unlike Maddon, Bobby would know how to handle Upton. The problem is – Bobby won’t be here next year. I wouldn’t give up too much for the guy, because without Bobby, he may be unmanageable.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
5:02 pm
By the way, MB, here’s a good idea for a future blog: what is the Braves future? who are the up-and-coming minor leaguers and fans are most excited about? who on the current roster are fans hoping the team will build around? who would be expendable in trade scenarios in the next year to two years? what direction would people like to see the Braves take in terms of manager and coach hires for next season?
I think that would lead to some lively and spirited discussion.
Maurice
June 30th, 2010
5:04 pm
Heyward’s issue is the Braves issue. They should have sat him long ago to deal with the thumb. Whatever. It’s better to deal with it now than later. About our outfield, we should have kept Francouer. Yes, he got on my nerves last year but considering how he’s doing and what we let go to keep him in our outfield, Wren should be ashamed. I honestly think we should have kept Kelly Johnson and moved him back to the outfield. Keeping Prado at second. Hindsight’s a B.
larry
June 30th, 2010
5:15 pm
I live in Tampa Bay area and get to watch the Rays nightly, BJ has talent but is very moody, I would pass.
sportsmandh
June 30th, 2010
5:25 pm
Maurice, hindsight is 20 20. And besides, just b/c Franceour is doing ok doesn’t mean he’s that great. It’s like with KJ, yes there’s still some potential there. But they are still inconsistent, and if you look at the last 2 years of performance here, they played their way off the team.
Bottom line Prado > KJ, Heyward > Franceour.
So end of discussion.
GT Alum
June 30th, 2010
5:28 pm
Maurice, I really wondered why we couldn’t find enough in the coffers to keep KJ. He wasn’t very expensive, and did show some ability while playing here. Of course, it all depends. If we kept Kelly, whose roster spot would he have? Conrad and Hinske have done pretty well for themselves.
The problem with keeping Frenchy would be he would’ve probably continued to start. And maybe this is one scenario where a change of scenery did help. Even though NY is a tougher place to play, I wouldn’t be surprised if he feels less pressure playing there than here for his hometown team.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
5:34 pm
GT Alum — great point. I was a huge Frenchy fan, and I still root for him a little bit even though he’s a Met… but I know the hometown pressure was immense and I don’t know if he would have ever been able to relax enough to perform like he’s capable with that weight on him.
I think Francoeur was the victim of too much success too soon and a lot of natural ability which covered up a few flaws in his fundamentals. Over a couple of years, other teams found these flaws and exposed them… and the pressure to go out every night and please 30,000 fans in your hometown and millions more on TV probably didn’t help things.
The thing that puzzles me is Johnson… KJ had every opportunity in Atlanta and just never performed. He was not a high-profile guy or hometown hero or super-expensive acquisition… I never could fathom why he couldn’t even hit his own weight. Then seeing him in Arizona this year… well, just goes to show that there’s a fine line between a star player and a struggling guy who is just trying to keep his job.
Jeff
June 30th, 2010
5:35 pm
GT Alum — great point. I was a huge Frenchy fan, and I still root for him a little bit even though he’s a Met… but I know the hometown pressure was immense and I don’t know if he would have ever been able to relax enough to perform like he’s capable with that weight on him.
I think Francoeur was the victim of too much success too soon and a lot of natural ability which covered up a few flaws in his fundamentals. Over a couple of years, other teams found these flaws and exploited them… and the pressure to go out every night and please 30,000 fans in your hometown and millions more on TV probably didn’t help things.
The thing that puzzles me is Johnson… KJ had every opportunity in Atlanta and just never performed. He was not a high-profile guy or hometown hero or super-expensive acquisition… I never could fathom why he couldn’t even hit his own weight. Then seeing him in Arizona this year… well, just goes to show that there’s a fine line between a star player and a struggling guy who is just trying to keep his job.
wawel78
June 30th, 2010
5:41 pm
Emptied the farm system on the Tex trade? Really? we seem to be doing just fine.
You guys complain about everything so I shouldn’t be surprised you’re so upset over the Tex trade. I’m happy the team tried to make a run for the playoffs. For the 2 good players we sent, we have Escobar & Wagner filling their positions. We’re fine.
I believe ATL was 4 games out when that trade happened. You guys act like they were 10 out. And I never hear that we also got Mahay. It wasn’t just for Tex. They filled 2 holes with the trade.
MitchFarted
June 30th, 2010
5:41 pm
P rose- Great point about Maddon. That was a terrible way for Rays to handle that situation, all around. Best way to handle something like that is after the game in the dugout in private. By publically humiliating Upton, the Rays have made it an US vs. YOU situation. Not good and its not at all how Braves would have handled it. If it were the Braves, Chipper would have spoken to him 3 hours after the game was over, in private.
scottbravesfan
June 30th, 2010
5:44 pm
BJ upton is overrated. Justin Upton is a stud. Also Mark Bradley Josh Willingham is a WAY better option than BJ Upton, Bautista, and Hart. Corey Hart’s 60 RBI is because the Brewers score a ton of runs. His OPS is not that great and his history is not that great in terms of OPS.
bubba
June 30th, 2010
5:49 pm
Yeah, Upton would be a perfect fit. Him and EsocobaR will work great together. Then the Braves could have two players that arrogantly dog it and demand respect from their insane manager. Hart is playing better than Texeria minus the RISP .Hart could be costly for the Braves but that has never stopped the Braves before. Braves would have to give up Hinske and prospects for Hart.
IlliniBrave
June 30th, 2010
5:50 pm
Anybody else recall a former Brave who was a lightning-fast but light-hitting super centerfielder – one with an oversized ego and some behavioral issues, but who stole bases and made game-saving plays in the outfield?
BJ Upton = Otis Nixon
Upton would change the way our team plays, just the way Nixon did. Just keep him away from the coke and crack!
MitchFarted
June 30th, 2010
5:53 pm
I hate it when I just start making comments after Mark has called it a night.
Jordan
June 30th, 2010
6:03 pm
I’ve long been thinking that ATL will be trading for Rajai Davis. He’s a leadoff hitter with speed and plays defense and could use a change of scenery. He wants to get out of OAK. Who wouldn’t? LOL
AL HRABOSKY
June 30th, 2010
6:14 pm
Play the hand you’ve been dealt.
I think that it would be utterly stupid, to trade any top prospects for an Upton, or anyone like him.
If they need anything, it’s a big bopper, that can hit some HRs.
But I wouldn’t trade the future for a rental, and the Braves don’t seem to have the money to get a top notch player that they can keep for two or three seasons.
Let these men that they have now, fight it out and see if they can pull off the upset in the East or take the WildCard.
I’m going to cheer them on win or lose. Because they don’t seem to ever give up, and they always fight it out to the end of every game.
Oh yeah, bad idea MB.
Greg
June 30th, 2010
6:15 pm
Dude can’t hit, another Nate McClouth(good fielder,speed,potential, average power, not so great BA).
ArkyTech
June 30th, 2010
6:16 pm
So, Mark, Tampa would just give him to us?
GT Alum
June 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
Well, wawel, if we weren’t spending 7M on Wags, maybe we’d have a more potent lineup now.
You’re entitled to your opinion and we’re entitled to ours. If you don’t want to read people’s complaints about that trade, then skip them.
Greg
June 30th, 2010
6:20 pm
Mark Teixeira is one thing, but giving up your top prospects for a Nate McClouth clone is ridiculous
taudawg
June 30th, 2010
6:27 pm
Jimbodude, Fredi is a great choice for manager. He has been my pick all along. He is a terrific manager and motivator. He knows the franchise. It would be seamless.
He had nothing to work with in Florida and did great things.
Paddy
June 30th, 2010
6:27 pm
A feel good clubhouse is over-rated. A big league manager must do 2 things well. Handle a pitching staff and control the clubhouse. Bobby is a master at both. Don’t think for a moment that the Braves under Bobby have not had their share of clubhouse problems. They have, all clubs do. Bobby will take alot and give the player(s) a chance to come around to his way of thinking. If Upton is your guy and he is trouble, give him to Bobby to get it worked out. There is no better mgr to handle this situation.
MyPatooti
June 30th, 2010
6:34 pm
Am I the only one still not sold on Jason Heyward yet? So far he is just average at best, in the field and at bat. All the hype seems to have preceded and exceeded him. I think he is one of those who could go either way. Next year will be a very telling year for him. This year the pitchers have found his weaknesses and are taking him to the woodshed.(At least the smart ones are) The only thing consistent about him is his, well………..inconsistency!
Mark Bradley
June 30th, 2010
6:35 pm
Yes, I think you’re the only one who isn’t sold on Jason Heyward.