Q: Should the Braves trade Jair Jurrjens? A: Are you NUTS?
Better trade this guy before he messes up and breaks too many records. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Usually Braves fans posit trades in this fanciful way: “Greg Norton for Albert Pujols — that’d be a great move!” But here, courtesy of Buster Olney and his ESPN Insider blog, we have something different. We have baseball people asking if the Braves would consider trading Jair Jurrjens.
Writes Olney (link requires registration):
Some rival executives have wondered if that pitching depth would allow Atlanta to consider a very bold move with a pitcher whose stock has reached its zenith — Jair Jurrjens, who is 10-3 with a 2.07 ERA and a midseason candidate for the Cy Young Award. If the Braves actually dangled Jurrjens in the market, they could put themselves in position to get an impact offensive position player in return.
Just to reiterate: All the discussion among rival evaluators about Jurrjens is pure speculation.
Well, thank heavens. The Braves have had many good pitchers over the past 20 years, but not many have ever been better over half a season than J.J. in the year 2011. As Joe Lemire notes on SI.com, since 1990 only four starting pitchers have finished a season with an ERA under 2.00 — Greg Maddux twice, Pedro Martinez twice, Roger Clemens twice and Kevin Brown once. Jurrjens is, as Olney mentioned, at 2.07.
Oh, and there’s this: He’s 25 years old! He’s arbitration-eligible again after this season — he and the Braves settled for $3.25 million over the winter — but he won’t be eligible to become a free agent until after the 2013 season. (Yes, his agent is Scott Boras.) He can be the ace of this superb staff for at least two more years.
I know, I know. His trade value will never be higher than it is today. Neither will Brian McCann’s, and I’d suggest the Braves hang on to him, too.
As for Kenshin Kawakami … I might part with him if the Rangers offered Josh Hamilton. Might, I said.
By Mark Bradley
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270 comments Add your comment
Jamaaliver
June 30th, 2011
2:03 pm
Geez, Mark. I’ve been waiting on a new article, literally all day.
Mark Bradley
June 30th, 2011
2:04 pm
Sorry, Jamaaliver. Moving slowly today.
Hankie Aron
June 30th, 2011
2:08 pm
Beat me by a nose again MB
Hankie Aron
June 30th, 2011
2:09 pm
This silver medal is a heavy one though
Mark Bradley
June 30th, 2011
2:09 pm
I know the feeling, Hankie.
Pudge
June 30th, 2011
2:10 pm
I was an advocate for trading JJ before the season started. After the year he’s had so far, I’ve definitely changed my mind. Tommy Hanson on the other hand…
59bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
2:11 pm
Holy John Smoltz! Are you kidding me? I want Jurrjens to be here longterm. Have you seen how he mentors young pitchers? He’s an asset to the organization for more than just his pitching.
ChopAttack
June 30th, 2011
2:13 pm
I’d assume Lowe is gone after this season. That still leaves 5 spots for 8 guys. JJ, Hanson, Hudson, Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Delgado, Teheran. Minor is likely trade bait.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 30th, 2011
2:14 pm
if and only if he can keep up what he’s put together so far in the long run. my only concern is come 2014, what will his satan of agent demand for JJ?? you could package KK, McClouth & maybe Minor for some offensive player.
ChopAttack
June 30th, 2011
2:15 pm
Hypothetically, if the Braves traded JJ where would the bat play? The two positions that can be upgraded on offense are SS and CF. I don’t foresee a big trade this season.
really???
June 30th, 2011
2:16 pm
Well, considering that most of the comments I see in the Vent tell me that the Braves suck out loud and that they are failing miserably this season, I think a firesale is in order. We can surely get some bats, balls, and maybe even a draft pick or two if we trade Jurrgens, McCann, Freeman, Heyward, Prado, Hanson, Hudson, and Chipper. Heck, we might even get a centerfielder if we tried hard enough.
Willy
June 30th, 2011
2:16 pm
Jair Jurrjens for Albert Puljos and all the beachfront property in the Dominican Republic.
ChopAttack
June 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater “You could package KK, McClouth & maybe Minor for some offensive player.
Combine those three and you get zilch. No one wants McLouth or KK for any reason or any trade. Minor by himself would be better.
Jamaaliver
June 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
If we had ownership committed to consistently putting a contender on the field, as oppsoed to only worrying about the bottom line, then I’d say ‘YES’. A resounding ‘YES’.
A big bat in the order, a dependable one, would put us in the same air as Boston, NYY and the Phillies. We’re soooo close.
But three more years of J Jurrjens is far from a terrible alternative.
Casey
June 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
Why trade him? He’s a potential ace. He was the ace on this staff a couple years ago. He’s still young. If anyone goes, it should be Lowe or KK. Keep the young pitching. Young pitching is an advantage!!!
59bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
2:20 pm
I’d say Minor for sure! Beachy has passed him by. Will both Degado and Teheran be ready for the bigs next season? Can’t remember when Medlen is expected to return. Will it be this season? Would like to see how he pitches after his surgery. There were time last season when I thought he was one of the two best pitchers on the staff. We definitely have room to maneuver . . . but definitely not JJ!
Brad Markley
June 30th, 2011
2:22 pm
If the Braves are going to deal a pitcher, JJ makes the most sense.
Lowe is too expensive, no team will take him. Huddy is too old, any team that takes him won’t be willing to part with much. Beachy/Minor make for good trade bait, but they won’t net you a big time player, just another role player on a team full of them.
That leaves you with Teheran (who is, rightfully, untouchable), Delgado (who should be considered untouchable as well), Hanson and Jurrjens. Hanson is cheaper, younger, and under team control for longer… ergo you trade Jurrjens.
Why trade JJ? Because he can get you a big return (Upton, Kemp, Ethier) as opposed to a tiny return (Pence, Bourn, Ludwick).
Now if I were Frank Wren, I wouldn’t move Jurrjens. This team is good enough with everyone healthy (and I’m considering Uggla’s sucking a disease). The real moves that Wren needs to make are for a right handed version of Hinske, a better middle infielder off the bench, and another reliever to prevent us from destroing Jonny Venters (Moylan and Medlen’s return might be sufficient in that regard).
However, I can see why one would want to move JJ. This lineup becomes a lot more intimidating with a big name in it.
Could you imagine: Prado (LF), Heyward (RF), Jones (3B), Kemp (CF), McCann (C), Uggla (2B), Freeman (1B), Gonzalez (SS)?
DHD
June 30th, 2011
2:24 pm
It depends on who you got in return. Any trade that can make your team better is worthy of consideration.
trade him
June 30th, 2011
2:24 pm
trade him now while we can…he is great but we need some more pop…how bout for Reyes? slide Schafer to eighth, problem solved. Mcclouth is horrible, had one good season.
Chief Tradapitcha
June 30th, 2011
2:24 pm
Boy, are you STUPID??
Bill
June 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
Agree Mark…How many times have we traded someone that become Stars somewhere else. However to get something you got to give up something. It better be equal value.
KK for Hamilton..LOL… I’ll take the deal!
Peter
June 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
Why do we have to make a trade right now? The offense is going to come around. I don’t want to give anyone of those guys up for some half season rental. With Schafer and Prado 1-2, followed by McCann, Chipper, Freeman, Heyward, and Uggla this lineup is going to be very potent. I wouldn’t mind getting a right handed hitter off the bench or another middle reliever to get the big 3 some occasional rest.
ncb34
June 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
while i agree, we shoud keep jj. but what about jj and gonzo for reyes?.. atleast worth a thought.
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
We was thinking the same thing. Clusters would normally say you can’t have too much pitching but Clusters would also say you have to have some hitting to go along with the pitching. We was wondering if there will be extra security at the game on Dan Uggla Bobblehead NIght? We can see a whole lot of Bobbleheads on the field that night. Speaking of Bobbleheads . . . do the players model for those little statues? And if so, wouldn’t Bobbleheading put Chipper on the DL?
59bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
2:28 pm
I agree with Peter!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
2:29 pm
Lowe,Hudson,Hanson,JJ,Beachy,Minor,Teheren…..
Thats 6 arms….JJ possibly can bring you a legitimate impact player everyday. Not just once every 5 days. In the playoffs pitching rules supreme, but you have to be able to score some runs aswell. If you can bring in a impact player at SS,3B,LF then it may have to be looked at. A playoff rotation of Hanson,Hudson,Lowe,Beachy is still in the upper echelon of baseball. Then next year you work on either Minor, Teheren for the 5th starter.
His stats dictate that you do not though. 8th best home run allowed rate, best BABIP % on the staff, only getting 3.86 R/S. He is not doing this with smoking mirrors. That is why if the Braves ever entertained the move it would take a haul. It would have to be a impact MLB along with impact lower minor league type prospects.
I could never see Wren making the move, but it could not be scoffed at with the Pitching depth the Braves have coupled with the offensive wows that are prevelant.
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
2:29 pm
We was censored!
JC Boscan III
June 30th, 2011
2:30 pm
No, let’s keep Jurrjens. But, in the spirit of some of the trades suggested by fans, why not package Julio Lugo, Kawakami, Nate McLouth and yours truly (almost), JC Boscan, and let the Astros give us Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn…!? Might as well…………
……Or, we can offer the same group to the Marlins for that slugging 2nd baseman of theirs, the one that always kills the Braves….what’s his name….oh yeah, Dan Uggl……. oh wait…………. NEVER MIND….
Bill
June 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
Reyes will be a free agent, we don’t want a 2 month rental trade. Like we did with Texas few years back.
Brad Markley
June 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
It should be said that, given their financial uncertainty, the Dodgers are not parting with Kemp or Ethier.
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
2:34 pm
Dan Uggla should be getting started about tomorrow because tomorrow is July! Slow starting is one thing but not starting at all is something else. We was wondering if Dan Uggla might have hemorroids because they slowed down Georg Brett one time and nobody would talk about it for awhile because it was hemorroids. Mark, can you ask around?
beauvighn
June 30th, 2011
2:36 pm
Unless Arthur Blank buys the Braves, the Braves will be unable to afford JJ when his contract expires..Scott Boras will be looking for the richest contract in league history for JJ and unless we have an owner who is willing to spend money, he will be gone..JJ is the rock of the rotation right now but if he plays out the contract, we will be left with nothing…BTW, I wouldn’t urinate on Scott Boras if he was on fire..
Skeezix
June 30th, 2011
2:37 pm
Trade J.J.? You gotta be kidding me? Surely FW isn’t that daft. If they trade him I’ll be angrier than I was when they let Jermaine Dye go.
Trade J.J.? No,no,no,no,no…..very bad idea.
Andy
June 30th, 2011
2:38 pm
You make it sound like equal value for Jurrjens does not exist. Trading him for prospects is probably unwise at this point, but if you can return an equally talented outfielder who’s also under team control for three years, the team benefits more. Not many players fit that description, but no player should be considered untouchable.
Cagey Veteran
June 30th, 2011
2:40 pm
I love Jair, no way I’d trade him! I sure hope he can stay healthy though.
BTW Mark, I gotta tip my hat to the Phillies’ Cliff Lee. Not sure if I can recall a better month from a pitcher. One earned run in 42 innings with 29 Ks.
As Dean Wormer said, “I hate those guys”.
Joes Johnson
June 30th, 2011
2:41 pm
I would trade for Reyes in a heart beat…. IF he had more than the rest of the year left on his contract. He would be perfect for this team but hes gonna hit free agency next year and see what he can get. Which will be a ton. If we trade JJ for some one, it needs to be for someone who either has a few more years on their contract of someone we could extend. And thats just too many if’s when you consider we could only really improve at maybe 2 different positions. And with Reyes not really a possibility there is no one else at SS that could help.
Bryan G.
June 30th, 2011
2:41 pm
Sure, in a vacuum don’t trade him. But if the mets want to send us Reyes, a reliever, and a bench guy…um, maybe.
ryanomite
June 30th, 2011
2:42 pm
Leave it to ESPN to pull crap out of thin air.
i'm swiss
June 30th, 2011
2:42 pm
“Lowe,Hudson,Hanson,JJ,Beachy,Minor,Teheren…..
Thats 6 arms….”
Not to nitpick, but that’s actually 7 pitchers. And 14 arms.
o-me
June 30th, 2011
2:44 pm
new law starts July 1..all children under the age of 8 are required to ride in the back seat of car or boster seat. $100 fine and 2 points against license. Just thought everyone should know.
If you trade JJ make damn sure you get someone that will be here and has value. Not here today and gone tomorrow.
George Brett
June 30th, 2011
2:46 pm
If Uggla had hemorroids he’d be taking a wider stance and running bowlegged.
Mike
June 30th, 2011
2:49 pm
I get so sick of all this talk from people that say we should trade Tommy or JJ because their stock is high. Imagine if we had traded Smoltz or Glavine because they had high stock? You don’t trade players like that unless you are a small team building for the future, which we are not. You SIGN guys like that. I don’t care if Boras is JJ’s agent. So was another guy from Curacao…Andrew Jones. And I seem to remember him staying with us regardless of what Boras wanted.
Our young talent like Terahan, Delgado, Visciano, and Minor are no sure things. Plus Hudson AND Lowe will be off the books soon and we will need two more guys then. We have Chipper, Lowe, and Hudson money coming off the books by the time we need to sign guys like Hanson and JJ, and not a whole lot of other positions of need.
Everybody chill out with the trade our ace pitcher crap.
cajdawg
June 30th, 2011
2:50 pm
If pitching were breasts, the Braves would be Dolly Parton.
ByteMe
June 30th, 2011
2:51 pm
I’d dangle Lowe instead. Someone’s gonna need an arm that can eat up innings and might be willing to danlge some high-AAA speed+bat who could play… hmm… there’s the problem. There aren’t enough positions open.
chc4
June 30th, 2011
2:51 pm
I’m not saying we should trade JJ but think back to last year. He was hurt/totally ineffective. He’s had a fantastic first half of 2011. If the Braves think he will regress back to the mean then dangling him in a deal isn’t such a crazy thought. The return would need to be huge though.
Jeremiah Weed
June 30th, 2011
2:53 pm
Keep JJ…. pitching is the reason why we are in the wild card lead now.
Skeezix
June 30th, 2011
2:54 pm
In a year when you already have a rotation that provides a real opportunity to do something special, like win a pennant or a World Series, you don’t trade your ace.
The Lemmer
June 30th, 2011
2:55 pm
Stop with the KK, McOut, & Minor garbage, nobody wants to take out our trash, trading them would net us nada!!! How bout JJ & Heyward for Kemp & Eithier? An oufield of Prado in left, Kemp in center, Eithier in right? OMG even Fredi couldnt screw up that lineup!!!!
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
2:57 pm
If it is hemorroids somebody needs to tell Dave Pursley. We would not want to be the trainer that had to deal with that.
ByteMe
June 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Dolly Parton has 6 strong breasts??
dps
June 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
The way I’ve heard it, nobody is even calling Alderson to inquire about Reyes availability… Are they scared he’d be a rental for the rest of the season? I’d at least inquire about him, and see if he’d like to go to war with us against the Phils for the next few years. It’s probably gonna take $48M to $60M over 6 years to sign him (Wren, you set the market for middle infielders with Uggla), plus your gonna have to give up some combo of Delgado/Minor/Vizcaino for this year…
Oh, and who says this is JJ’s best? Remember, he’s only 25. Are you sayin’ he can’t get better/craftier? jus’ sayin’…
Fredi G is alright
June 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Yeah, I’m thinking we take the money we are paying KK, Lowe, and Hudson will go to JJ and Hanson when that time comes. That is wishful thinking from the sharks that no longer develop there own talent (Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies).
dinkdunk
June 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Hell yeah I’d trade him-but have to get a ton back.
JJ is a solid pitcher but I can’t see him winning more than 15 a year any year. Spends some time on the DL too. As hard as he throws, likely will have a missed year with injury at some point.
A couple of good young bats would be just the thing.
fredde
June 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
remember you never have enough pitching
pinkygonzales
June 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
I don’t see the point of moving JJ right now. We would need an impact right-handed centerfielder or shortstop in order to make a difference in our lineup. Kawakami and his $6.67 million and McLouth and his $6.5 million both come off the books next year. We are going have holes at both shortstop and center next year. Schafer can be the every day guy next year, which is not ideal, but is an option. But we are going to have to sign a shortstop (because the team obviously believes that Prado can’t play there, other wise LF field would be a trade option, as would be keeping Schafer and McLouth in the outfield when Prado returns and moving Martin to SS). JJ is under team control for three more seasons. We would have to get back either a proven CF or SS who is under team control at a relatively low salary who can make an impact on our line-up, and outside of Matt Kemp (who WILL NOT BE TRADED), I don”t see that kinda player out there. Now, if the Yankees get desperate and start asking about Derek Lowe, I would not only drive him to the airport myself, I would drive him all the way to NYC if Hartsfield was closed for some reason.
o-me
June 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
Didn’t Dave Pursley retire?
Mike is JJ a sure thing?
Farnsworthy
June 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
Geezzz Mark: See what you started? We just come off of a sweep of one of the best pitching staffs in the AL and the offense is finally waking up and you got to come out with this article about trading away J.J,. and now you got everyone cranky, hyperventilated and fired up!
ANDRUWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
His name was ANDRUW. Not Andrew. ANDRUW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bossman Senior
June 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
How great would Bossman Junior Upton look in a Braves uniform. That would be sooooo much fun.
Go Braves.
Tray
June 30th, 2011
3:06 pm
I wouldn’t trade anyone, except some minor league prospect(s).
Team is coming together. Go with it.
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
3:06 pm
Dave Pursley won’t have to deal with it after all. Jeff Porter is the trainer. Can’t say we envy him. Hemorroids probably make Uggla grumpy, too. No wonder he can’t hold his head still when he swings and that could explain his falling to the ground when he swings and misses.
o-me
June 30th, 2011
3:07 pm
Farnsworthy~~~Mark just giving you ESPN BS.
Andruww!!!!!! 2 points for the Spelling bee King…lol
Sonny Clusters
June 30th, 2011
3:08 pm
Ointment may be what this team needs. If we was Jeff Porter we’d let somebody else apply it. Being trainer isn’t as glamorous as it seems on television when you get to put wet rags on people’s heads.
dps
June 30th, 2011
3:10 pm
FYI, dinkdunk, Jurrjens doesn’t throw that hard… his FB is around 89-91. His “secret sauce” this year is the change in the two-seamer/sinker grip he learned from Venters and his improved ability to locate his pitches. He’s become a poor-man’s Greg Maddux – fewer K’s but pitching to weaker contact… jes’ sayin’…
WreckBuzz
June 30th, 2011
3:16 pm
To me the discussion about trading Jair Jurrjens begins and ends with this question: Who are you going to trade him for that’s worth losing Jurrjens?
Matt Kemp is setting the world on fire now, but this is the first time that’s ever happened for him. Is it for real? The Dodgers have questioned his work ethic and focus. But he’s arbitration eligible just like Jurrjens, so if the Dodgers were to trade Kemp, it would be to save money considering their financial situation. But in a salary dump you don’t trade for a player likely to make just as much as Kemp in arbitration, which a Cy Young candidate pitcher is likely to make.
Jose Reyes would fit a huge need in the Braves lineup. But he’s a free agent and you don’t trade a player under control of Jurrjens caliber for a player not under control.
I just don’t see anybody out there good enough at the two positions of need CF and SS that are good matches for Jurrjens. And that’s not even considering whether you should be dealing Jurrjens at all. The guy is good. Derek Lowe will be gone in 2013 and Tim Hudson could be as well. Do you really think the Braves are ready to go to war with a rotation of Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy as the #1 & #2 starters? I like Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Kris Medlen, Randall Delgado & Arodys Vizcaino, but until at least two of them are winning regular starts at the MLB level I am not parting with Jurrjens.
Bill
June 30th, 2011
3:18 pm
Mark I am trying to think of a team in the sellers market that would have a bat the Braves would deal for.Beltran,H.Ramirez, for example?I know the Braves want no part of Ramirez,but do you think Beltran would be a target?If not him then who?
Calvin Johnson
June 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
So if Matt Kemp or Reyes was Offered no?
freshd
June 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
Keep JJ. The Braves should make a play for Mike Cameron who has been designated for assignment by the Red Soxs. He would be an upgrade over the AAA players that keep coming up and he would bring some righthanded power to the bench, and he would come without giving up a high prospect.
o-me
June 30th, 2011
3:20 pm
Wreckbuzz~~very good points.
Steve
June 30th, 2011
3:23 pm
I love all of the comments saying, “Don’t trade JJ!!! Trade KK or Minor instead!”
Who exactly do you think the Braves are going to get for KK or Minor? Here’s a hint: it likely won’t be a starter or even a legitimate MLB player.
I’m not a proponent for trading JJ this season, but I think the Braves should eventually trade him. They have a ridiculous amount of good, young starting pitchers with more on the horizon. JJ is a Boras client, which means that the moment he is a free agent you will see him in New York or Boston. (At this rate, the Yankees may offer him 20Mil a season.) The longer the Braves wait, the less trade value they will have for him.
If the Braves traded JJ this offseason, I suspect they could get an impact bat AND a prospect or two for JJ. Depending on how the starting rotation looks going into 2012 (and it should look very good with or without JJ), the Braves should certainly listen to trade offers for JJ.
WreckBuzz
June 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
I say you give Jurrjens the $15m per season that Lowe is making and keep on trucking. $56m is going to come off the books for the Braves in 2012 and 2013 with the departures of Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, Chipper Jones and lessor players like Nate McLouth, Kawakami, Linebrink, Sherill, Gonzo, etc.
The Braves will have the money to afford to keep Jurrjens AND sign/trade for a big bat to replace Chipper’s production. Not the mention that Liberty Media will be free to sell the Braves this offseason. If you’re Frank Wren, John Schuerholz & Terry McGuirk, do you really want to trade a premier pitcher that you think you can’t afford under the current ownership’s payroll when there’s the good chance you’ll be answering to a new, more payroll friendly owner very soon? I think we’re going to see an owner very soon (Arthur Blank perhaps) that would give the Braves the chance to resign BOTH Jurrjens & Hanson and create a pitching dynasty like the Braves used to have.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
Kemp- Dodgers cannot trade him because of his value $$$ wise to the impending sale of the franchise. That should answer any question of is he worth moving JJ for.
Reyes- F/A at end of year. Enough said.
If we wanna toss names out lets just go big and say Jose Bautista? That at least gives you a guy who can play 3B and the OF. Who is RH and under contract,lol!
Joshua
June 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
Rule of thumb…Never trade your ace. If it ain’t broken don’t fix it. JJ and Hanson are the best pitchers on the staff right now. They are both young but established now. You build your staff around them. Add Hudson at #3 because he still eats up innings and gives you quality starts. Throw in Peachy and Minor to finish the year and you have a rotation that can compete with anyone. I would trade Lowe and offer any outfielder who is not Prado or Hinski. Prado may be the best weapon at the top of the line up and the only player to consistently get on base. He is also the next thirdbaseman. We need hinski off the bench. I would offer up Schaefer, McClouth and or Hayward for a strong defensive cenetrfielder who can bat lead off consistently. I might would also offer Uggla up for an outfielder and move Prado back to second. Unless you can move Lowe or an outfielder for an outfielder who can bat leadoff with a good average and gets on base, I expect no big moves. Look for maybe a relief pitcher or a decent right handed bat in the outfield to platoon with heyward who cannot hit lefthanded pitching
John norris
June 30th, 2011
3:25 pm
we need a leadoff hiter and a righthande hiting outfielder we are too weekagainst lefthanded pitching
so mark bradley backoff
bob leblah
June 30th, 2011
3:26 pm
I think we should give up a whole bunch of expensive bad ballplayers for a bunch of cheap good ones.
G
June 30th, 2011
3:26 pm
I am more concerned with how we might be able to get someone to play third base for more than 120 games. The talk needs to begin about the possibility of him keeping this team from moving forward. The guy is struggling at the plate, numbers are down and has lost some range. He does not need to be an everyday player, which he hasn’t been the last few years. Let’s get someone in to replace him, like a Michael Young.
GT Alum
June 30th, 2011
3:29 pm
Really?? -
Then the people who post in the vent don’t know anything about baseball. The Braves haven’t been hitting much at all, but they’d be the wild card if the season ended today. If we can keep everyone relatively healthy the rest of the season and Uggla, Chipper and Heyward start hitting, this team will be serious playoff contenders.
DDPO
June 30th, 2011
3:30 pm
I nominate Sonny Clusters for the Bloggers HOF… Classic!
Thomas
June 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
Bradley it is good that you now see the value of JJ to this pitching staff, because I do recall that you were among those advocating that he be traded last season.Some folks want to trade JJ who has proven he is a starter at the Major League level because of prospects we have in the minor leagues. Those guys are prospects who we are not sure will be as productive as JJ has become. Lowe and Huddy will be gone in another year and two years resp., and Medlen, Minor and Theron we hope will fill those two openings. Medlen has proven that he can do it at this level, bot neither Minor or Theron has proven yet that they belong.
yoyoyoyo
June 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
There is one person and one person alone i would do this for. Matt Kemp in a straight swap. But in my opinion they would have to throw in some money.
FW
June 30th, 2011
3:38 pm
KK & McOut are the ONLY salarys off next year, maybe Lowe if we can give him away, Chipper & Huddy will be back & may even return the year after that, both will retire here. We need a SS,LF, & CF with the plan to move Prado to 3rd, still thinking about the JJ & Heyward swap for Kemp & Eithier, whata outfield we would have, should I go for it???
Joe
June 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
JJ for Justin Upton!!!!
Herschel Talker
June 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
MB:
Which pitcher should we trade? We have too many, and we need a bat.
HT
Dawg Whisperer
June 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
I’d part with Kawakami for Hamilton if the Rangers would throw in a little cash and possibly a pitching prospect, otherwise, the Rangers might as well forget it! I’m pretty sure I coild handle this baseball GM stuff. Play ball!
Bobby's Cox
June 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
Jair grew up a huge Braves fan. Maybe that means he stays true when Boras begins negotiations in a few years. Boras and Wren seem to have a better relationship than Boras & Scherholtz
Frank "Wrong Again" Wren
June 30th, 2011
3:42 pm
A: Why, yes, I am NUTS!
joekill
June 30th, 2011
3:43 pm
jj is the man hes worth the dough mark
HereComesBream
June 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
Trade JJ, haha….no way!
Frank "Wrong Again" Wren
June 30th, 2011
3:46 pm
Our “Big Bat” is Dan Uggla to whom I gave all that money before he even saw the first pitch here.
How’s that working out for us?
Chipper, go get some of whatever Bonds was taking.
Frank "Wrong Again" Wren
June 30th, 2011
3:47 pm
A: Why, yes, I am NUTS!
Frank "Wrong Again" Wren
June 30th, 2011
3:50 pm
Mark, would you like to cuddle?
Mike Hampton Owes Me Money
June 30th, 2011
3:50 pm
MB, what about Beachy and a good minor league prospect for Reyes? You get the rest of the year with the most dynamic player in the game, and maybe we convince him to re-sign…or a sign & trade (Joe Johnson style)
slurve
June 30th, 2011
3:50 pm
Trade Uggla for Infante, straight up.
Hillbilly D
June 30th, 2011
3:53 pm
It’s true his value may never be higher but I’d hang on to him, anyway. Buster must have had writer’s block when he wrote that column.
chem
June 30th, 2011
3:53 pm
JJ and Mclouth for Hunter Pence = Braves make a run at title
then
Hanson, Hudson, Lowe, Beachy, Medlen — Can’t complain about having those guys as your starting 5. Braves have to trade JJ now.
Rilo
June 30th, 2011
3:54 pm
Go get CoCo Crisp (Michael Bourn would be good as well)….see what kind of an upgrade we could get at SS. Don’t rule out trading JJ. Olney is right on one thing….he’s GREAT trade bait. So may deals get started with talking about one guy and wind up trading another guy. We are in a great spot as long as our ownership sees the “value” in upgrading for a few extra million in order to make a deep run in the playoffs. This is FW’s chance to save his reputation.
GT Alum
June 30th, 2011
3:54 pm
Mike Hampton Owes Me Money -
Baseball rules don’t allow sign and trades. And how electric Beachy has been, I’d be reluctant to trade just him for half a year of Reyes, especially since the talk is he’s going to get Crawford-esque money, which means the Braves aren’t likely to sign him this offseason regardless of whether he spends half a season here or not.
Kentavo
June 30th, 2011
3:56 pm
This is just plain stupid on Olney’s part.
GT Alum
June 30th, 2011
3:57 pm
chem – There’s very little chance Medlen starts this year. If he has to stretch out to start, he won’t be back until very late in the year, which means we’d have to bring up someone like Delgado or Tehran to fill in until then. If we call up one of those guys, I doubt Meds knocks him out of the rotation when he comes back. Meds will likely end up in the ‘pen this year, and, if our SP prospects develop, that’s his likely destination for the rest of the time he’s a Brave.
really???
June 30th, 2011
3:58 pm
GTalum at 3:29 – I was being facetious. I can look at this team and see that, yes, the offense is under-performing, but the pitching is in a class of two with Philadelphia. Everyone else in the league is looking up at those two staffs. Of course, Tom Verducci at SI says that Jair is maybe the third best pitcher in the NL, behind Halladay and Hamels. I can see the JJ/Halladay argument being close, but I’d take Jurrgens over Hamels any day.
Fan2011
June 30th, 2011
3:59 pm
Tell Dan Uggla to get his foot out of his A**, ans the Braves offense will be fine. I have never seen a player with so much batting power and presense SUCK as much as Dan Uggla has this year! When he was with the Marlins, he hit like 400 in Atlanta against the Braves and now the guy cant even get the ball out of the infield! If you demand the big bucks, You better be able to show that you are worth the money and I will tell you right now this is the last MAX contract Uggla will ever see so he better spend his money wisely! I thought the move was Great when the Braves got him and I still think he will have an impact when its all said and done, but Geesh, this guy is hitting below 200! WTF!
mike
June 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
He’s going to leave anyway. We have enough pitching to keep this team afloat. If you can get an IMPACT, ELITE player in return, why not?
@pinkygonzales: it’s already been reported that the dodgers are taking calls on everyone. now who they want in return for kemp or if they’ll go for JJ, who will cost them down the road, is another question.
JJ for Kemp? I’d do it. We have Minor and Teheran to be the back end of the rotation guy. Especially with Beachy being so surprisingly good.
GT Alum
June 30th, 2011
4:02 pm
really?? -
It’s hard to tell on these blogs. Some of the people on the AJC sports blogs seem stupid enough to post something like that and mean it.
really???
June 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
chem – I’d have a hard time making the JJ for Hunter Pence trade, much less JJ and another player for Pence.
Heisenberg
June 30th, 2011
4:06 pm
JJ could only be traded for Matt Kemp, Ryan Braun, or Josh Hamilton. He is on that class.
k.chubbs
June 30th, 2011
4:08 pm
Last time we traded a peaking player, we received Dan Uggla. I vote NO.
Elliot Garcia
June 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
Trade Uggla!!
slurve
June 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
Keep McCann, Prado and all the pitchers except for KK. When Prado returns, he and Mac, along with the pitchers, will be what keeps the Braves in contention. FW should entertain offers for everyone else, including Heyward. Freeman could become an untouchable if he avoids the strikeouts but I think the jury is still out on him.
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
The dodgers have said NONE HAS ASKED ABOUT KEMP OR ETHIER
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
I told you guys along that mr.wren said the no pitcher is UNTOUCHABLE if the right deal is there….This INCLUDES JJ,TEHRAN,HANSON,ETC..
GT Alum
June 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
really???
Well, in fairness to chem, I don’t think he’s looking at McLouth as another asset we’re giving away in that trade, but as addition by subtraction. At least, that’s how a lot of Braves fans would view it. And I’m not sure they’d be wrong. We’d save a pro-rated portion of his salary, and Pence would make 1 of McLouth and Schafer redundant.
Tom in ATL
June 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
Yes you trade him if you can get another young stud hitter. Maybe not today – in the middle of a pennant race – but he’;s certianly trade bait. Why trade JJ? Folks past performance does not gaurantee future results. JJ is due for some regression – not that he’ll be bad – but he is not nor will ever be anything resembling Greg Maddux – He’s got 95 Ip and 55K’s – he’s good – but he’s also been very lucky – His ERA may be 2.07 – but from here on out I would be suprised if it’s under 3.50 the rest of the season. The Braves have a ton of quality arms. Yes I like him – yes he’s good -But should we trade him straight up for Andrew McCutchen if possible – no doubt.
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:12 pm
FINAL
BOSTON 5
PHILLY 2
4 GAMES BACK
Houston
June 30th, 2011
4:12 pm
Trade him straight up for Hunter Pence
Afan
June 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
Bautista would be nice.
But once again the dodgers are NOT trading anyone until ownership is settled. I dont see that being settled for a while…
JASon
June 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
Thanks, buster, yeah that’s a great idea- trade your best pitcher. You moron. What a piece of crap. Hey buster olny, go f yourself. You are a disgusting human being working for the worst entity on earth. What an entitled jerk.
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:14 pm
hey gms listen up………The braves are not interested in pence…..according to mr.wren
Joshua
June 30th, 2011
4:15 pm
Like I said it ain’t broke don’t fix it. With the exception of Lowe every pitcher has given the braves a chance to win in the majority of their starts. I would give up Lowe, Delgado, Schaefer, and mcclouth for andrew mccutchen and Matty d. Mcclouth had success in pit and Diaz had success in atlanta. Diaz gives you a utility outfielder who can play both corners, catch a little and typically hits lefthanded pitching. Mccutchen gives a rangy cf who can bat lead off. Getting rid of Lowe allows for minor to move into the 5 spot in the rotation and gives 5 starters who have consistently given quality starts. Starting lineup of mccutchen, Prado, jones, mccann, freeman, uggla, heyward, Gonzales, pitcher could be one of the most productive lineups in baseball
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
LISTEN YOU MORONS!!! BUSTER ONLY IS REPORTING WHAT MR.WREN TOLD HIM,AND WHAT I SAID EARLIER IN THE POSTS.GO F YOURSELVES IF YOU DONT LIKE IT!!!!
Afan
June 30th, 2011
4:17 pm
Olney never said the braves were trading anyone. Just said that they have been questioned. One would be foolish to not at least listen to the offer.
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:17 pm
If you people had a half of a brain you be dangerous
bias
June 30th, 2011
4:19 pm
jASON
GO BACK TO YOUR SUCKY JOB YOU ARE A MORON AND A PIECE OF CRAP
the truth...
June 30th, 2011
4:19 pm
I have been a Braves fan since 1957….and if I have to look at Reyes silly hair hanging out of his hat and his gloating grin every time he does something good….
I will no longer be a Braves fan….
Reyes is a “me” player just like “MeAnglo” and so many others in both the NFL and the NBA….and a cancer in the club house…he is NOT a good fit for this team….
Afan
June 30th, 2011
4:20 pm
geez guys
hdhd
June 30th, 2011
4:24 pm
Jurjens IS pitching well player _____ MAY have an impact in the offense. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Don’t get greedy.
Braves Insider
June 30th, 2011
4:25 pm
As the name says i know a lot more info.than all of you guys combined.While i will not give out specifics,on fear of job loss,leaked info.,etc.,i can say that mr.wren has talked to a few teams,and yes jj,hanson,minor,tehran and others were mentioned,not necessary in a trade,so yes buster onley is correct.We are still 31 days away,and plenty of time.As of now we are getting a feel of whats out there.I can say with 100% the braves are not interested in reyes,thank you.
Puma
June 30th, 2011
4:27 pm
It isn’t really fair to JJ, but despite all of his success (he has probably been the best Braves pitcher over the last 3 years) I keep expecting him to come back to earth, or for guys to figure him out. I think it’s probably because he always seems to be getting in and out of trouble. Those type of pitchers usually pay for it eventually. But he’s been doing it for a few years now so I think I should be convinced by now…but I am not.
However, someone else brought up the point, if we were to trade him, what position would we be looking for, really only CF, maybe SS. AGonz is super cheap at short so I don’t think he’s going anywhere. So who would you really want in CF, Bourn?? Guys strikes out an awful lot for lead off.
I just don’t think it would make sense unless there is someone I am overlooking. You’re not gonna get Kemp straight up, so thats not an option in my mind.
Hillbilly D
June 30th, 2011
4:29 pm
Speaking of best pitcher in the NL, I think you’d have to take a look at Cliff Lee, if we’re talking, right now. In his last 5 starts he’s 5-0, 42 innings pitched, 21 hits allowed, 29 strikeouts, 8 walks and an ERA of 0.21 (1 earned run in those 5 starts). You can’t get much hotter than that.
benito
June 30th, 2011
4:31 pm
FIRST!!
needle dick
June 30th, 2011
4:32 pm
@ JASon
When I read your posts I hear bells.
Like a garbage truck backing up
needle
June 30th, 2011
4:34 pm
LOL I forgot that the kids are out of school for the summer
a.j.
June 30th, 2011
4:34 pm
Braves haven’t done very well on the trading front,
though they did get Jurgens from the Tigers.
Don’t touch the pitching except for Lowe.
Hopefully the offense will get going.
Phillies are better than the Braves in the
division, however, the Braves are just as
good as anyone else for the Wild Card.
chem(dawg)
June 30th, 2011
4:35 pm
GTalum
If you compare WAR statistics, JJ for Spence makes perfect sense, but remember you have to take into account JJ’s replacements are better than average (+WAR) and replacing Mclouth has a negative WAR. Also, Spence is only 28. Where are Teheran and Delgado going to pitch next year? Medlen will be back in August, and he’ll be ready just as Hudson was. It’s the same training staff.
Bob
June 30th, 2011
4:37 pm
Why not if you can get some immediate/long-term offensive help. With four Cy Young pitchers (three certain HOF), we won only a single WS. Of course, I’m thinking Bobby Cox should have been able to win at least two more. You need good pitching; however, you have to score runs, too. Just my opinion.
Bill Goldberg
June 30th, 2011
4:38 pm
Trade Heyward and Schafer. They suck but if you read this blog, they are the best ever. So, maybe other teams will feel the same.
Heisenberg
June 30th, 2011
4:41 pm
What is up with the man-crush on Hunter Pence? He is nice complimentary piece and I like the way he plays, but I do not see him as a middle of the order carry a team type of guy.
chem
June 30th, 2011
4:41 pm
Did I say spence?
Matty D
June 30th, 2011
4:42 pm
JJ and Hanson, both Boras clients. Can’t keep both of them! Why not trade one for a young, impact bat?
chem
June 30th, 2011
4:42 pm
Who else is available at CF?
beebee
June 30th, 2011
4:47 pm
I say “fergit” the big bat we all think the Braves need. Keep this stellar pitching. It can get us to the World Series. We get a new big bat in the lineup and watch it/him go into some horrid and deep slump at just the freakin’ WRONG time!
Let the current team finish “jelling.” Make sure the mystical Conrad isn’t in the game in critical late moments during the playoffs, and we’ll be just FINE!
beebee
FW
June 30th, 2011
4:47 pm
Red Sox called, said they would give us Ellsbury & Youkulis for JJ & take McOut off our books as a throw in, that gives us a CF & 3rd/1st baseman, what should I do? Heck I dont know let me sleep on it…………………………………………………
john ryan
June 30th, 2011
4:47 pm
why cant the braves sign jj to a deal similar to verlanders ,no way i trade him if we can pay lowe 16 mil then we can pay jj!!!!
kirkinga
June 30th, 2011
4:50 pm
If JJ was a kid from Cobb County,people would be demanding the Braves pay him and keep him. If you can get Pujols, well yeah, go ahead and make that trade, but you don’t trade a JJ for much less than that.
And the idea that his trade value will never be higher? What if he wins the Cy Young this year, or next? He could, this isn’t the first season he’s been among the NL elite starters.
Remember when the Braves were forced to go out and overpay for KK and Lowe?
Until those guys in the minors show they can earn and hold down a spot in the rotation, the Braves are in no position to trade JJ or Hanson. Medlen was good as a #5, but only after struggling, and now we don’t what we’ll get from him when he returns. Beachy could probably hold down the #4, but he’s not a top of the rotation guy.
Trading JJ could be a job killer for Frank Wren. If he were to get a return similar to what we gave the Rangers for Tex, then he’s safe. Anything less and he’s gone.
GoBraves!
June 30th, 2011
4:50 pm
Before this season started they’re debating whether the Braves should trade Jurrjens for Colby Rasmus to get offensive help. Some Cardinals fans were saying Jurrjens alone wouldn’t be enough. Rasmus looked good before but now he’s just one of many outfielders hitting below .270 with single digit homerun while Jurrjens is leading the league in ERA. You never know in baseball. Unless it’s a sure player don’t trade Jurrjens not just yet.
jrn
June 30th, 2011
4:52 pm
totally agree
jrn
June 30th, 2011
4:54 pm
jj is the next maddux with more velocity
jerry
June 30th, 2011
4:54 pm
The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in the WS with 2 pitchers; Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. What you want is 2 very good starters, a good closer, the rest of the staff good enough to get to the playoffs, and a sledgehammer offense. You don’t need excessive starting pitching since they are not neccessary in the playoffs. The Braves beat the Yankees in 1957 with mostly 1 pitcher, Lew Burdette, but they also had Aaron, Mathews, Adcock, and Crandall.
urban redneck
June 30th, 2011
4:54 pm
trading JJ has been an idea of mine for months. we still need a right handed bat in our lineup. we need to package JJ and McLouth for a better CF.
Bob
June 30th, 2011
4:56 pm
@jrn…4:54. You’re probably correct, but JJ doesn’t have the durability.
BravesFan79
June 30th, 2011
4:57 pm
I knew last summer that JJ was the Ace of this staff, and who id want on the mound in a game 7 of the playoffs! No way id trade JJ!! Now D Lowe on the other hand, he should of been traded while his stock was decently high. Gluck finding anyone to take on his salary now.
Not trading D Lowe while his stock was high, will hurt the Braves financially for year.
jrn
June 30th, 2011
4:58 pm
chipper, mccout, lowe, kk are all coming off the books in the next 2 yrs the braves are in a great spot if they dont do something crazy(trade jj). we need a real owner
braveshoo
June 30th, 2011
5:01 pm
Pitching is 85% of winning. You dont trade your best pitcher. We can use KK and McClouth money to pay JJ and Hanson next year, and Lowe and Hudson money to sign them longterm in 2012. Uggla will hit in the 2nd half, and we will have Prado back, and all this talk about another bat will stop. Both Gonzo and JS are great defensively, so leave them alone. JS, Heyward and FF are all young and will get better and better with time and experience. This year we will get Moylan and Medlin back to help the BP in Sept, and this is already a major strength. In 2013 our rotation is JJ, Hanson, Beachy, Minor/ Medlin, and Tehran/ Delgado. FW is setting us up to be really good for a long time, and you dont mess that up for any shorterm benefit. Remember the Texiera trade!!!!!!
jrn
June 30th, 2011
5:01 pm
@ bob true but he is young and has what cant be taught.instincts
KB
June 30th, 2011
5:02 pm
How about some package of Lowe, Beachy, Minor, Teheran for New York’s Reyes? (Might as well throw in Gonzalez at short, too). It gives the Mets the arms they’ll need in the future and the Braves a much better shot this year.
NorCalBrave
June 30th, 2011
5:02 pm
Acquiring JJ from Detroit was best trade of last half dozen years. I get nervous thinking about how much pitching talent we might part with to get a bat. From Uggla, to McClouth, to Ryan Church to Derrek Lee, I can’t think of any deals to boost hitting production that have gone well lately. Hinske and Ross have been terrific role players, but I would aim a little lower than a Matt Kemp or a Jose Reyes if that means giving up top of the line pitching.
jrn
June 30th, 2011
5:05 pm
by the way medlin seems to have what it takes to, i remember watching him and thinking he knows how to (pitch)
Will
June 30th, 2011
5:07 pm
Without a doubt make the trade if we can. I dont see Jurjjens staying healthy for long and being a long time fit here. Great player and fantastic right now, but could bring in even better offense ( Which is what we need ). Great thing about being a braves fan is our farm system, we have surplus of pitching right now.
Frank M from LA
June 30th, 2011
5:08 pm
jrn, did you say the Braves need a new owner? I expect to be looking for a team to purchase soon.
jrn
June 30th, 2011
5:10 pm
we missed the boat when we didnt go after a. gonz
jrn
June 30th, 2011
5:12 pm
frank m from la sweet when can u start could u bring kemp with
Frank M from LA
June 30th, 2011
5:21 pm
Not sure if they will let me but how about Grissom and Manny? A CF + a right handed bat. What more could you want?
IlliniBrave
June 30th, 2011
5:22 pm
@beauvighn:
“BTW, I wouldn’t urinate on Scott Boras if he was on fire.”
Damn, that is funny as hell! I could not stop laughing!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
5:22 pm
Jose Bautista, again it gives you a 3B for when Chipper needs to sit and a RF,LF to spell Heyward and Prado. Also Prado then can move to 2B to spell Uggla and this lets Bautista play LF. Also with his production his 65million/5 year deal looks like a bargain.
Heisenberg
June 30th, 2011
5:29 pm
Bautista is tempting but the last guy we got from Toronto who was hitting a bunch of taters is not hitting so many in the ATL. Better take a closer look at the home/road splits to make sure homer friendly ballpark is not inflating the numbers.
JC Boscan III
June 30th, 2011
5:41 pm
Trading JJ would be foolish, but standing pat with the current roster (no offense to Pat) might lead to a blown opportunity to make the World Series and even WIN it. There’s no dominant major league team this year. But, the current Braves offense seems almost incapable of doing the little things necessary to win when the pitching gives up more than 2 runs (stuff like bunting, hit and run, taking the outer-half pitch to the opposite field, NOT flailing at outside breaking balls, etc.).
JS isn’t getting on base consistently enough to be THE leadoff hitter. Prado isn’t the ideal leadoff man, either, due to a lack of speed. Heyward needs to bat much lower in the lineup until he gets his swing back. I wonder if ANY major league team has weaker combined batting averages in the top 2 lineup spots………!
Our 2nd tier of minor league pitchers (JJ Hoover, Todd Redmond, B. Oberholtzer, E. Cordier, Carlos Perez, etc.) are probably better than many organization’s best prospects. 2-3 mid-level pitching prospects should be enough to get, at worst, a decent right-handed bat to come off the bench and to start somewhere against the lefties that Heyward, Uggla and others just aren’t hitting….. That might be the best FW will do this year……..if anything……. GO Braves….!
Mark's for the Braves
June 30th, 2011
5:48 pm
Trading JJ is out of the question. Medlen, Minor and especially Lowe I can see, but you’d better get a good stick for any of them.
Time
June 30th, 2011
6:19 pm
If you can get a legitimate impact bat (Matt Kemp, Justin Upton) that will resign extension in Atlanta upon arrival, then yes you do trade Jurrjens. Anything less than a real middle of the order beast then it’s a no.
Want to trade pitching for a bat? Tommy's your man.
June 30th, 2011
6:20 pm
Tommy Hanson is the most overrated pitcher on our staff. We have young guns like Beachy and Minor, not to mention ole Kris Medlen coming back. Hanson was supposed to be the next big thing, a guy who could strike out 10 repeatedly, throw 200 innings and win 20 games. Turns out, he’s a middle of the line pitcher in our rotation. Let him be someone else’s disappointment. Trade him for a solid LF. Do it in a heartbeat.
ChicagoBrave
June 30th, 2011
6:29 pm
@Want to trade pitching for a bat? Tomm’y your man
Do you watch baseball, or take the time to look at player’s stats before you pollute this blog with those comments?
Career Numbers: ERA 3.05 WHIP 1.06 8.2 K/9 and he pitched 202.2 IN last year, and is on pace to surpass those career numbers this year…oh yeah, he’s also 24 years old. What is there to be disappointed about?
TruthSeeker
June 30th, 2011
6:42 pm
A Jurrjens-for-Kemp deal would make a lot of sense for the Braves. As great as Jurrjens is, we’d still have a borderline elite rotation without him.
That said, I wouldn’t do it, even if the Dodgers were willing. An ace pitcher is still the rarest commodity in baseball. And, Jurrjens, I do believe, is an ace. I compare him to a right-handed Tom Glavine. He may not dazzle with overpowering stuff or big strikeout numbers, but he can locate the down and away fastball as consistently as anyone in the game.
Peter
June 30th, 2011
6:47 pm
I don’t want to see them give up ANY of the young arms this season. Next year or future years, probably, I mean we don’t have room for them all. But not this year. This year we have a special team that can win it all. I mean the offense hasn’t hit at all yet, and it will, but we still have the 3rd best record in baseball!! There is no need for anything drastic.
vermont 39
June 30th, 2011
6:54 pm
Never trade inside your own league…especially inside your own division!!!
Columbus
June 30th, 2011
6:57 pm
Did not want him traded before the year, now next year, the year after or the next 5 years! He is young and shown at the beginning of his career that he was special and could be the ace of the staff…would you want to have traded Glavine, Smoltz, Maddox when they had an injury, or an off year when they were 25 too? People do not know baseball. Without pitching, you have NO chance. The more the better! You must PAY a power hitter also more than we pay JJ. NEVER trade JJ, or Hanson or Beachy the nect 5 years!
Mr Charlie
June 30th, 2011
7:01 pm
NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AFAN
June 30th, 2011
7:05 pm
STOP saying KEMP! The dodgers wont be making any deals period. they are in ownership limbo…geez
Bob the Blogger
June 30th, 2011
7:06 pm
The only way I would trade JJ would be if I thought that Boris was going to try to get $20 million a year for him. Even though his trade value will be going down as his free agency approaches, we have to consider that Lowe will be leaving, Tim Hudson’s age, and Terehan isn’t an experienced ML pitcher yet. Aces don’t come along very often.
Mr Charlie
June 30th, 2011
7:08 pm
Did we trade Smoltz after 2003? Did we trade Glavine after 2005? We might have a big 3 better than the big 3. There is a reason we have records that compare with the Red Sox, Yankees, and Phillies, teams with payrolls 2x ours….and it ain’t Dan.
Mr Charlie
June 30th, 2011
7:10 pm
Bob, we have JJ, Beachy, and Hanson. Plus we got Medlin, and Minor. If JJ commands 20mil a year, just imagine what he is gonna do in the next few years.
Mike
June 30th, 2011
7:14 pm
Not Jair but surely Derek Lowe while he still has some value.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 30th, 2011
7:16 pm
Before you talk moving Hanson go look inside his numbers. The young man is a beast. Hanson is by far and away the anchor of this staff for the next 7-10 years. Baseball is not all about W’s and ERA.
McDawg
June 30th, 2011
7:20 pm
bats are hot and cold but pitching is gold
nique
June 30th, 2011
7:25 pm
Can’t imagine a team with a chance at winning the WS trading its ace. I’m sure that’s never happened.
Paddy
June 30th, 2011
7:26 pm
The only folks that would trade JJ are the same folks on this blog during spring traing said, dump this guy, he’s finished. Some even went so far as to say release him outright.
Paddy
June 30th, 2011
7:27 pm
Sonny Clusters….Dave Pursley has been retired for 3 years now.
Notso Fast
June 30th, 2011
7:39 pm
I was for a trade before the season but now it would have to be a deal loaded with can’t miss prospects. The Braves seem to have a farm system with picting prospects but very few position players that are near ready. I don’t think that this present team can go all the way and I don’t see a 3rd baseman or outfielder that could lead this team in our system.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
June 30th, 2011
7:50 pm
Give Larry away ……… He lays out 25% of the time and belittles teammates when they need a rest.
OldTimer
June 30th, 2011
8:06 pm
Been pissed off with the Braves for a while. They are starting to get it together though. No trades are necessary. They can take the Phillies as is.
Kevin
June 30th, 2011
8:21 pm
Better Trade Atlanta Sprit LLC for albert Pulijos and 20,000,000…Be best bet to me u think i goin see hawks never at Philips arena run by those clods…Oh and NBA on strike lets see how long Mayor reed runs to keep hawks here but a word when thrashers left!Oh sorry we Talkin baseball here oh why Braves sweep weekend series be 50-35 after sunday here at home…We in 2nd place this not washington are Ny are florida is it…stay tune when braves win worldseries too
SAL
June 30th, 2011
8:30 pm
199rd
Milo Hamilton aka OldTimer
June 30th, 2011
8:32 pm
There’s a drive…
Ronald Millsaps
June 30th, 2011
8:52 pm
Let’s not throw around “jeez”, “holy”, and all the crudeness.
Trading Jair only would be reasonable if we got serious return for him. Mark makes a better argument; we have him locked up through 2013. He’s 25, and folks, who says he won’t improve?
I would trade Heyward first.
Chipper's ACL
June 30th, 2011
8:52 pm
We’ll have issues keeping JJ and Tommy with Boras as their agent. Our track record with him is less than satisfactory. Neither should be let go at this time. Actually I doubt any ML arms will be traded prior to the off season. I’m sure the Yankees would be willing to take Huddy and may entertain Lowe, but at a low price. Does it really matter what we got in return for Lowe? A salary dump is worth the trade. So all the OF names tossed around this blog will do what for us? Team chemistry is too important and pulling out one of our starting position players right now would do more harm than good. Now if the Uggla deal had not been made then sure a power OF would be worth a look. Maybe a roll, multi purpose player would be a plus. A Zobrist or Swisher. This team is right at the edge and could swing to be very good or fall in the toilet.
Now back to the pitching blog. There will be two needs moving onto next season. LF, assuming Jones is gone, and SS. Now assuming Wren will fill those needs via trades theres one area we should address, LH starter. Minor hasn’t shown the consistancy needed to remain in the rotation. A trade for a solid lefty would complete the staff. That’s where a trade of JJ or Tommy may come into play. The next few months will be interesting.
Ronald Millsaps
June 30th, 2011
8:53 pm
Let’s make no trades. Keep the team as it is, and perhaps pursue Jose Reyes in the offseason.
darren
June 30th, 2011
8:53 pm
Mark, I live in Laguna Beach California but grew up in Atlanta. I go online everyday and read AJC Sports. I have been reading your articles for years (decades). I don’t know your job as you don’t know mine but Damm is this all you can come up with in eight hours. Mark you have the best job in the world other than a professional athlete. Please drive up to UGA or go to flowery Branch and get us some much needed information on our teams.Please provide us a story that requires research and access that we don’t have.
Thanks (a loyal reader)
Ronald Millsaps
June 30th, 2011
8:54 pm
In response to the recent McCann article, he might be our second-best player over the past two decades, but ranking him ahead of McGriff, Justice, etc. is questionable.
The Monger
June 30th, 2011
9:21 pm
You guys are IDIOTS if you want to trade JJ, or any of our GREAT depth of starting pitching. Right now we have like 10 good major league quality starting pitchers- Lowe, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy, Minor, Teheran, Medlen, Delgado, and Vizcaino. Plus we have our first round draft choice, that kid from florida state, who will be ready in a year or two. Thats 11, and we need every one, so we can rebuild a dynasty like the 90s and early 2000s Braves had with Great and Deep pitching. You all have seen how deep a staff must be just by watching this years Braves-we have already used 8 starting pitchers, our top 5 plus Minor, Teheran, and Delgado already, and the season isnt even half over, so yes we need these guys to be dominant.
I have already stated that I dont think this offense is too far away- I am dissapointed so far too. But I do believe Heyward, Uggla, and McLouth to some degree will turn it around in the 2nd half. That right there will improve the offense tenfold, and I think Chipper needs to be moved lower in the order, but it wont happen. Freeman is gonna be ROY, and once we get back Prado, we will have a good offense again. Our bench is deep with Conrad, Ross, and Hinske. If we add a high average bat, and make a few sensible moves with the young guys coming up, we will make it to holding that WS trophy yet again, just be patient. A good bat for this team would be a Michael Bourn (dream scenario), but any good, speedy outfielder will do…
ASG = JERKS
June 30th, 2011
9:29 pm
Screw the Atlanta Spirit Group and the Hawks.
Nick n Richmond
June 30th, 2011
9:40 pm
With Minor and Teheran almost there, and Medlen coming back….I think the Braves should pull the trigger on JJ this winter…I think a team like the Indians may be interested, especially if they gave us Lonnie Chisenhall to be the 3B of future, and Grady Sizemore for CF
kirkinga
June 30th, 2011
9:47 pm
JJ> Beachy, Minor, Medlen, or anyone in the minors.
So how do you replace JJ? You don’t give away a #1-2 a plug in some dude with encouraging minor league experience.
Best that Chipper retire after the season and allow the Braves to use at least some money to get a bat or pay for the outstanding pitching they already have.
GT2010
June 30th, 2011
9:55 pm
Hell NO!!!
GT2010
June 30th, 2011
9:56 pm
Trade McClouth and Minor for Matt Kemp of the Dodgers.
Fan of the Game
June 30th, 2011
10:00 pm
I look for the Braves to make a Fred McGriff type deal. That is all this team needs. Alittle more punch like McGriff brought.
jason
June 30th, 2011
10:01 pm
hell no…. If the Braves actually dangled Jurrjens in the market, they could put themselves in position to get an impact offensive position player in return.
well didn’t we think we’d get that from uggla? only if we got david wright and reyes would i do it and that isn’t gonna happen
Fan of the Game
June 30th, 2011
10:05 pm
The Braves will not trade Jurrjens. Not as long as Schurholtz has a say. It may be Minor or Tehran, but not Jurrjens.
valdosta native
June 30th, 2011
10:13 pm
I know a ton of people would be against it. But I think a sexy deal would be to send Minor along with a couple of our minor league prospects….not including the “untouchables” for Jeff Francour. He’s having a decent season with the Royals and we all know that our system has always had a very good relationship with KC ever since John Scheurholtz landed in ATL. Jeff would be a good addition to our outfield defensively, and reuniting with McCann in his hometown i think would ignite him and jump to another level of play. He’s definately better than a Mclouth or Schaefer in the outfield, or even better now than Hewyard and provides for some more veteran experience with many years ahead of him.
Tom in ATL
June 30th, 2011
10:17 pm
People – JJ for Kemp? The Dodgers would laugh in your face. Ubaldo was 15-1 with an ERA south of 1.00 last year for A HALF SEASON. The Braves are blessed with deep pitching – use it. Go get a bat – but you have to be realistic. JJ is not bringing Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Miguel Cabrera, or anyone else close to that tier. Spence possibly, Rasmus possibly – McCuthchen who I love – no – it’s the Pirates and they have a stud in place for several years at a cheap price. One guy who would make a lot of sense would be the Brett Gardner from the Yankees – true leadoff hitter with speed – 27 years old – and the Yankess need pitching.
arrowhead1959
June 30th, 2011
10:21 pm
Wrong Jeff; Add Keppinger (not Francour) for next to nothing and can sub for all three infielders that need hitting help; funny all the talk about Freeman as ROY (and deservedly so) but SI has Kimbrel ahead of Freeman as ROY.
valdosta native
June 30th, 2011
10:21 pm
In all honesty, with the ownership we have now…I see the organization trading away one proven major league pitcher (not a star pitcher) and a couple prospects to fill in our offensive needs in the outfield. I think it’s fair to say the organization is waiting for Chipper and others to be off the books and use that money to transfer to our young pitching core. Believe you me, the past year and next year is an audition for that core in who the organization is willing to shell out the money to keep. JJ is one, Hanson is in for sure. Beachy, Minor, Delgado, Tehran, and others are up for the “audition” and whoever is left in the wing is to be used for trade bait for the here and now and maybe a prospect or two for the future. I don’t see any huge deal for the Braves this year or even next. They will only be willing to dump salary in Lowe, Hudson, Chipper, KK, and others to provide for the younger braves, but not at the expense of being a bottom dwelling team. Don’t look for them to sell the farm, but don’t look for the organization to dump salary and then add as much salary in high priced hitters. It just won’t happen in this day and era. Trust me.
billy
June 30th, 2011
10:46 pm
Braves trade Jair, u’hhhhh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
kevin
June 30th, 2011
10:59 pm
How about Gonzalez for Troy Tulo? And maybe McLouth for Ryan Braun?
Bill
June 30th, 2011
11:03 pm
Willie Harris’s baby died during chid birth …RIP and prayers for family. Always loved Willie’s play. Now he is better known as the Braves killer.
Bill
June 30th, 2011
11:08 pm
kevin~~ no MLT would trade for Gonzalez and McLouth. It would take JJ plus one more for Tulo & Braun.
Fan of the Game
June 30th, 2011
11:10 pm
Our thoughts are with Willie and his family. Definitely one of baseballs good guys.
jrn
June 30th, 2011
11:36 pm
seen j. teheran in louisville tonight, man he looked good 5 in 4 hits 1 er 9-1 1.79 did walk 4 look out in 2012
jrn
June 30th, 2011
11:37 pm
Enter your comments here
jrn
June 30th, 2011
11:39 pm
seen teheran in louisville tonight ,he looked great 9-1 5ip 1 er did walk 4
Kirk Cameron
June 30th, 2011
11:41 pm
My goodness, people on this board are beyond idiotic. Listen to some of the dumb suggestions:
“Trade JJ to the Mets for Reyes” – Yeah, like the Braves are gonna hand over an ace to make their bitter rival a better team for the next couple of years in exchange for 2 months of Jose Reyes. Give me a break.
“Trade McLouth for [player who is good]” – Who in God’s name would want Nate on their team? And how could he make a team better? He makes a ton of money to be one of the worst everyday players in all of MLB. And he’s gonna be a free agent after this season (translation: there isn’t a damn thing you can do about him and the Braves are just going to ride it out and not pick up the option after 2011)
“Add [slugging outfielder who struggles reaching base] via trade” – We don’t need another one-dimensional all or nothing guy. We’ve got like 5 of them in the lineup already. A fast guy with a .350ish OBP would be fine.
The only thing on this board that makes sense is the suggestion of adding Michael Bourn in exchange for a package of young talent. Everything else mentioned is just idiotic. Everyone here is stupid except for me.
what
July 1st, 2011
12:07 am
in a word. HELL NO
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
12:37 am
The Braves are chasing the Phillies for the Eastern Div., they have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs and win, and some of these people want to trade, the best pitcher on the staff, (that the Braves have locked up for 2 more years, after this season, before he becomes a FA)??
I thought that DOB had some morons on his blogs, but they don’t hold a candle to a lot of the idiotic dumbbutts on this thread.
Ed
July 1st, 2011
12:41 am
You either trade him by next season or lose him as no way the Braves will be able to re-sign him with Scott Boras as his agent.
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
12:42 am
Oh yeah, Buster Onley sounds like a jackass.
And, how does he know that JJ’s stock has reached it’s zenith?
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
12:45 am
JJ has two more seasons(that’s 2012 and 2013) before he becomes a FA, in the year 2014.
scottbravesfan
July 1st, 2011
12:46 am
He will be traded in the offseason most likely so the Braves can sell really high on him. If you look at the more advanced stats Jurrjens has been very lucky so far this year and that luck most likely will not continue. He’s a good pitcher but not at the level he is pitching this year. If the Braves can get a really good offensive player for him you do it. Besides the Braves will not over pay him winter after the 2012 season anyway when he will get a huge sum from his last year of arbitration.
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
1:21 am
They will pay him 7 to 8 $mill. in 2012.
Yeah 10-3, 2.07 ERA “lucky”.
I don’t believe that they will trade JJ until 2013, if then.
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
1:22 am
Doesn’t make any sense to trade him. It would be kind of stupid.
Dirty Dawg
July 1st, 2011
3:55 am
Hey Mark, how about writing something on the Yunel Escobar/Matt Diaz dustup from Thursday’s Pittsburgh/Toronto game. Matty went in hard – arguably with an illegal body-block – Yunel looked as it he was gonna hit Diaz between the eyes with a ‘low-bridge’ throw but ended up pulling back at the last instant. Yunel later had a hissy in the dugout – wonder if he was mad at Matt, himself for not going through with the throw, or the realization that he was that dis-liked by his Braves teammates. The think that I found interesting was that none of the announcers that talked about the incident pointed out that they were, in fact, teammates for a couple of years here…the thing that would make this a story in the first place.
Dirty Dawg
July 1st, 2011
4:11 am
As for the question of considering trading JJ…we need to hold onto the best of our best for as long as we can – no more Wainwrights. At the same time we seem to have a surplus of pitching and if we’re to improve the offense, then trading pitching for it is inevitable.
If Lowe has a couple more quality outings, somebody may decide to ‘take him off our hands’…Hudson’s got to be winding down in a couple of years, so his ‘market value’ may not get us much…that leaves Hanson, Beachy and JJ – along with the prospects including Minor. I’m concerned that Hanson’s ‘all-arm’ delivery will ultimately mean problems for his shoulder, and, frankly, to me, JJ seems to be doing it with ’smoke and mirrors’. The guy I don’t want them to ever let go is Brandon Beachy. This kid looks like a pitcher that could be contending for the Cy Young year after year and I hope he does it here. He’s got the raw-boned size and strength, the demeanor, the stuff, the control, in short, everything that a top of the rotation guy needs. I just hope Wren/Sherholtz (sp?)/et. al. don’t let the ‘wrong one’ get away.
Ted M
July 1st, 2011
5:09 am
Usually Braves fans posit trades in this fanciful way: “Greg Norton for Albert Pujols — that’d be a great move!”
Mark – That’s funny and true but why the 2 year old analogy? Today its “we should trade garbage for Matt Kemp…Wren is such an idiot for not trading garbage for Matt Kemp”
Scott B from Montgomery
July 1st, 2011
7:13 am
Funny. I was just thinking that Wren will try and trade JJ and Alex for Jose Reyes.
Joey
July 1st, 2011
7:35 am
And of those four pitchers, Clemens and Brown were linked to PEDs, and if Martinez didn’t use, he was about the only star on the Red Sox not partaking, in that era.
Maddux obviously didn’t. He claimed that his wife looked at him coming out of the shower and said something to the effect of, “I can’t believe you are a professional athlete.” Then he once told reporters that “his body was built on Krispy Kreme!”
JJ’ having a career year, one that will make him (and Boras) richer soon, so I wouldn’t be suprised to see him traded this season or next – his value is at a peak right now.
bigstack
July 1st, 2011
7:40 am
I would trade Kawakami for a Biff Pocaroba rookie card!
Tami
July 1st, 2011
7:41 am
Here’s my answer, short & not-so-sweet: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Ahem…there. Whoever came up with that lame-brained idea needs to be flogged! ;-\
PMC
July 1st, 2011
8:27 am
Is there an offensive player in baseball (that would be traded anyway) that would give a team the impact of Jair Jurrjens? No. There isn’t it’s not even close. Jurrjens is far more consistant than any offensive player that would walk through the locker room here, not to mention whomever it may be would have a 6-8 month slump right after they got here.
No, don’t trade Jurrjens, start trying to find the next Albert Pujols instead. Takes a lot of draft picks to find gems so since we seem to simply draft pitchers, trade those prospects for other prospects instead of ready made major leaguers.
meh
July 1st, 2011
8:31 am
we don’t need to trade JJ to get and “impact offensive player”. just need to get Uggla to start doing what he’s done his whole career and there’s you impact player right there.
the truth...
July 1st, 2011
8:31 am
Yes you are nuts.
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
8:33 am
How about trading McCann for a power hitting 3rd baseman, or CF, or for Reyes, to improve the offense.
That was a suggestion made by one of the amatuer GMs, on DOB’s blog about a week ago.
Joycee Banicheck
July 1st, 2011
8:43 am
I’d trade Kamakazi for a signed Josh Hamilton jersey right about now…
ken
July 1st, 2011
8:49 am
Joycee…I am not sure anyone would go for that trade:)
The Braves are interested in trading for Josh Willingham but will see how he performs when he comes off the DL Sunday, Josh has proven to be a Phillies killer and would make for a nice addition to the team for the pennant run.
Dr. Phil
July 1st, 2011
8:50 am
Please don’t give Wren any ideas. This team is competitive in spite of Uggla and McOut’s anemic bats.
Let's Go Bravos!
July 1st, 2011
9:09 am
I don’t want JJ to go because he’s been amazing this year, but what if we could trade him to someone and have that team take KK and McClouth’s contracts. That would free up a lot of money to get a big bat and maybe another young pitcher.
Dan morton
July 1st, 2011
9:10 am
Enter your comments here
ken
July 1st, 2011
9:11 am
We do not need any young pitching, we are loaded with it!!!
and NOONE will take KK, just have to suffer through a bad signing!!!
Mcclouth is fine with the Braves but could go in a deal if right parts come into place!!
Dan morton
July 1st, 2011
9:14 am
Would trade jj for kemp if we thought we could sign kemp long term then we would have kemp in center flanked by hey ward and prado when chipper retires we can move prado to third and put Schaefer in his spot also think kemp is a rh bat what a batting order that would be
PMC
July 1st, 2011
9:18 am
They are 8-2 in the last 10. Something is working.
Let's Go Bravos!
July 1st, 2011
9:24 am
Scratch my earlier comment. KK is in his last year, so we will free up money after this year. I can’t think of anyone I would want that would be as productive as JJ has been. What offensive person in either CF or SS is that productive? No one! Statistics say that we’ll be a better hitting team in the 2nd half as long as we’re healthy. As long as our pitching staff keeps performing, I like our chances to make the playoffs!
Marvin Mangrum
July 1st, 2011
9:28 am
Id trade kk for elsie the cow! And then Id give them $100 to boot.
Dirty Dawg
July 1st, 2011
9:51 am
…and another thing, if Liberty Media is likely to sell the Braves after this season, doesn’t it make sense to hold off on moving any of our young pitchers? I mean, maybe a new owner will change the salary dynamic to the point that we can keep ‘em all if we should want to.
Robert 08
July 1st, 2011
9:59 am
ESPN should stick to covering the stuff it is good at … like LeBron and D-Wade not going to Chris Bosh’s bachelor party. Leave real sports coverage to local newspapers and beat writers.
Joycee Banicheck
July 1st, 2011
10:01 am
Ken, so if Texas picked up Kamakazi’s contract in a trade and gave us a signed jersey you don’t think EVERYONE would go for that?
Trading JJ would be a stupid stupid decision but from time to time Wren is stupid stupid so don’t hold your breathe. Having him for two more years on the cheap is the way to go here.
leebabe
July 1st, 2011
10:02 am
What does everyone think of this trade?
JJ and McLouth/Schafer to the Indians for Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin Soo-Choo. We solve our SS and LF problems for 2012 with one swing of the bat.
2012 Line-up and rotation:
Cabrera SS
Prado 3B
Heyward RF
McCann C
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
Choo LF
Constanza CF
Hanson
Hudson
Teheran
Beachy
Minor/Medlen/Lowe
D man
July 1st, 2011
10:05 am
We do have an offensive weapon already in Jiar Jurrjens because he saves a couple of runs every time he pitches.
Joycee Banicheck
July 1st, 2011
10:05 am
I see Sum Ting Wong with trading for Shin Soo Choo
Gary
July 1st, 2011
10:07 am
I would keep JJ. You can never have too much pitching (see Braves 2006-2008) and the Braves can get a good bat (Pence, Upton) without giving up JJ. Face it folks, Matt Kemp is not going anywhere and the Dodgers are content to build around him, Ethier, and Kershaw. Hunter Pence would be a great addition – can hit for power, average, and has good speed – and can be had for a decent package.
Chris from the Rock
July 1st, 2011
11:06 am
I see Delgado, Clemens and perhaps Lowe in the offseason, as most likely to go. The Braves really need to hold onto Minor and Olberholter merely just because they are the only lefties in the upper levels in the system.
ATL > PHI
July 1st, 2011
11:16 am
Is it just me or has Mike Minor showed me sooo much less than Beachy AND teheran and delgado when they made spot starts?
heartofdarkness
July 1st, 2011
11:36 am
A 30 year old Frank Robinson was sent to Baltimore in exchange for pitcher Milt Pappas, pitcher Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson. During Robinson’s five year career in Baltimore, the Orioles won two World Series. Along with winning the triple crown, Robinson was a tremendous leader in the clubhouse. Milt Pappas won over 200 games during his 16 year career, was the ace of the Oriole staff when he was traded to the Reds and the starting pitcher in the All Star game.
It does not appear that there is a player of Robinson’s calibre and reliability playing today. The trade was made by both teams to fortify perceived weaknesses on the respective rosters, not in response to escalating salary considerations. That being said, clearly there can be a good argument in favor of trading your ace.
reckingball
July 1st, 2011
12:16 pm
Talk it to death, but, bottom line, trading JJ, aint going to happen.
bobby
July 1st, 2011
1:55 pm
anybody who suggests to trade J.J. is a moron.
Jared
July 1st, 2011
1:58 pm
no wonder most of the people that typically post on the ajc blogs are idiots… they inherit it from the bloggers themselves.
jurrjens is the ONLY pitcher on the staff that would bring anything of value. nobody will take Lowe’s entire salary. huddy is a 10-5 player and will likely reject any trades. hanson has more years of team control. beachy is cheap. minor brings us nothing.
if we want an impact MLB player, and not a 1/2 year rental, we will have to trade an impact MLB pitcher. Jurrjens is our only one.
but it probably wont happen during the season. watch out this winter, though.
aprilglaspie
July 1st, 2011
2:59 pm
This sort of mindless specculation takes place all the time. For instance, there is endless talk about the Dodgers trading Kershaw, like that might happen.
heartofdarkness
July 1st, 2011
6:22 pm
april, what did GHWB tell you to tell Saddam?
Chief pitchanono
July 1st, 2011
6:49 pm
Wren has to at least listen. Its doubtfull, but if someone throws a ridiculous offer at you then maybe you make the move. If we could get a good outfielder that we can control for a while, and some studd prospects of the bat variety, (think were good on pitching down there) then maybe you do it. I mean we go to the playoffs without him last year, and this is the most valuable he will ever be so you gotta at least listen. I mean we all know that he will be traded sometime in the next 24 months so its really just a matter of when. My guess is this time next year, by then I expect at least one or two of our top prospects to be knocking on the door and Jurggens will still have good value with 18 months or so left before free agency. If the offense wasn’t struggling so bad I could see Wren possibly doing it this year and getting maximum return, but with no guarantees with the offense, I don’t see it happening. Go Braves!!
fluffhead
July 2nd, 2011
12:49 am
Jared, (and everyone pushing for a trade, sorry you’re the last one pushing it and attempting to sound like an expert-which you aren’t and look stupid) I’m glad you aren’t our GM.
Jurrjens is the best pitcher in our system. He is an impact MLB player, not to mention legitimate Cy Young candidate. Why trade him?
William O
July 2nd, 2011
5:15 pm
Ill give you a couple of reasons that you dont deal JJ good pitching will negate any hitting and you can never have too much quality pitching. next year lowe goes, the contract is up on KK. minor and teheran arent ready you will have a big three in JJ hanson and hudson. you dont need powerhouse lineup if you have great pitching. medlan you dont know how hes going to come back. when chipper retires after the season and all the money thats coming off the books. it will be more than ample enough to go out and get some bats. this team minus the players coming off the books is more than enough to get by. what you would be getting at the deadline is nothing more than a rentals. Im tired of giving up talent for rentals. You go out and get an outfielder with some speed and can hit for average. we have more than enough pop in the middle of the lineup. we need setup men to drive in. theres going to be guys out there. maddux was borases guy back in the nineties and you have to admit that we always found the money to sign him and with all the money coming off the books at the end of the season and the season after that is more than enough to cover.. and you dont have to mortgage the farm. You dont throw away a cy young award winner for a guy like nelson cruz who will be what 32 with a guy like JJ that is only 25 and could be achoring the the staff for years to come. use your good sense man. great pitching concels out great hitting. dont believe that just ask the texas rangers about the world series. they came into the series with the best hitting team in the majors and who won? You got it We will stilll have the nasty boys in the back end of the pen. we have moylan and O’flariday in the middle. We have prado coming of the dl we should send chipper to get the minor arthroscopic sergery now and we have the break at the all star break we would be back just after the break and we would be back just after the break and at full strength.
Big Fly
July 3rd, 2011
10:01 am
Remember the scene in Frankenstein where all the townspeople form a mob with pitchforks and torches? That’s what it would be like among Braves fans towards Frank Wren if he trades J.J.
gomabman
July 3rd, 2011
10:07 am
Uh…never!
Roll Tide
July 3rd, 2011
10:55 am
Trade Lowe. He just does not fit in in Atlanta. Or, trade Moylan.
JOHN
July 3rd, 2011
2:28 pm
TRADE FOR HALLADAY
JOHN
July 3rd, 2011
2:32 pm
TRADE FOR HALLADAY YOU WANT PRINT IT
This week's Braves trade rumor: Beachy to the Pale Hose | Mark Bradley
July 6th, 2011
3:24 pm
[...] week Buster Olney of ESPN Insider wondered if the Braves would trade Jair Jurrjens, who just might be the National League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. This week [...]