Rasmus gone. Beltran going. And the Braves get … Nieves?
It was a painful night/early morning: Jordan Schafer after getting plunked. (AP photo)
Busy afternoon, eh? Colby Rasmus, often listed as a Braves’ target, has been traded to Toronto for Edwin Jackson, who’d just been traded from the White Sox and is now a Cardinal. ESPN is reporting that Carlos Beltran, listed as a target for every decent team, is all but ticketed for San Francisco.
And the Braves themselves? Well, they just bought catcher Wil Nieves from Milwaukee. For cash.
About Nieves: He’s 33. He’d made the Brewers’ opening day roster but got sent to Class AAA after hittting .140 in the bigs. He then hit .170 for Nashville. Which means he might wind up batting cleanup tomorrow night at Turner Field.
OK, I exaggerate. Actually, the Braves will send Nieves to Gwinnett. But this is getting grim.
Today the Braves placed both Brian McCann and Jordan Schafer on the disabled list, and Chipper Jones is again available only to pinch-hit. Tonight’s outfield: Martin Prado in left, Nate McLouth in center, Wilkin Ramirez (summoned to take Schafer’s roster spot) in right. Jason Heyward isn’t starting because the Pirates are throwing lefthander Paul Maholm.
Nieves is cheap insurance in case David Ross and/or J.C. Boscan can’t catch every inning these next two or three weeks. And there now seems little doubt that Frank Wren will indeed make some sort of big(ger) move before Sunday’s deadline. This roster in July 2011 is starting to bear the look of last season’s team in October, which isn’t what you’d want.
There’s a buzz around the clubhouse as we speak, and it’s not just because of the 19-inning game only recently concluded on a terrible call. All the Braves aren’t even here yet, manager Fredi Gonzalez having told them they didn’t need to report until 5:30 p.m. (Usual time is before 4.) Nobody’s taking batting practice. A few guys are playing catch. Everybody else on hand is sitting around wondering what can happen next.
Stay tuned, won’t you? Back soon.
By Mark Bradley
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168 comments Add your comment
Rilo
July 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
We can blame the players (and they should take a hit for horrible hitting). We can blame Wren (an obvious Target) but with this ownership we will continue to struggle. Liberty Media ONLY cares about $$$$. Other teams in our position could justify flexing up with a few major pickups since we have a lot of money coming off the payroll in the offseason. It should happen but it won’t.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
6:33 pm
I have no doubt that Wren WILL make a deal.
bob
July 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
Were the Yankees really willing to trade the Grandy Man for Lowe? If so, how did the Braves not pull the trigger on that one? And, why did they not pull the trigger on that one?
I would flip Lowe for Gardiner…I like the speed and it solves the left field situation. Bat Gardiner first and JS second and leave JS in center.
Let’s face it…CJ is good for about 100 games a year and a team can not build a lineup around such a situation. Remember the days of Bob Horner when everyone wondered when the wrist would explode and he would be out again.
I would consider a trade for a SS this year. I would like to add more speed. Any ideas.
In short, let’s move away from the big inning home run plan to the speed and run production plan.
Any comments?
NEW CARS
July 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
I think Wren is will to give someone besides Teheran and Vizcaino up, but not for a 2 month deal. We have a hole in our system, a RH bat in the outfield for the next few years. Prado will move to third next year and we need to fill a spot for more than two montsh
Rilo
July 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
I hear ya Mark but the ownership won’t allow the deals we NEED to make.
fred
July 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
Discard Proctor..You would give Minor for Quentin? What a joke..CQ will be a free agent in two months..Not to smart. Adams Jones wake up!
Tom
July 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
Tim,@543p – “Heyward turning into Franceour before our very eyes”. I take exception to that comment, perhaps you should know certain facts before you make that comment.. Frenchy 2nd season – played in 162 games, 29HRS, 103 RBI’s, .260BA, his 3rd season – played in 162 games again, 19 HRS, 105 RBI’s, with .293BA. Think about that for a moment, played in every game for 2 years back-to-back! Ok, the next thing some of you guys like to say is he strikes out alot and will swing at anything? As of the other nite – Pence, Bourn and Franceour all had approx 400 AB’s this season, this may surprise you – Pence – 84SO’s, Bourn – 83SO’s, and Franceour – 73SO’s. No, I’m not trying to get him back, hell, he probably would not want to come back, I hear he likes it in KC. But truth be told his stats this year are better than Heyward, Schafer and McLouth added together. We are in serious trouble and one bat will not help much even it was Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron ! I just ask you real baseball fans to quit bashing him every chance you get, he is a good young man and a fine baseball player ! Thanks!!
heartofdarkness
July 27th, 2011
6:39 pm
Did I miss the instruction in MB’s column to construct a trade scenario, that should it actually occur would represent a 6- to 10-sigma event against the full history of baseball transactions.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
6:39 pm
Per MLB The Braves have started talking to Astros about Pence..Houston turn down the Phillies offer for Pence..The Braves have a chance..lets see what happens.
Ronald Millsaps
July 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
Your blog’s more professional than David O’Brien’s.
Atlanta needs not a trade but instead the guy on the bench tonight to step up. If he regains his swing, it’ll be better than a trade.
I think this team would do well to skip batting practice for two or three days; everyone seems to be pressing.
T.J.
July 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Bill where the hell have u been the past 6 hours. We all know that.
John Galt
July 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
I have grown sick of all of the man crushes on Hunter Pence. Houston’s owner does NOT want him moved-
Adam Jones JR
July 27th, 2011
6:45 pm
Fredster,
I would not give up Minor for Quentin. But would consider mid level prospects such Jairo Ascenio or Hoover….
Does us no good to have talented prospects rotting on the farm because they are pigeon holed behind Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson, Beechy, Vicaino, Teahran, Minor, etc…..
oasisbraves
July 27th, 2011
6:46 pm
Just do Minor and Delgado for Hunter Pence.
bigbrave
July 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
Suit up Ron Gant and John Smoltz!! Bring up the future with 3B Brandon Hicks and speedy outfield Jose Constanza from Gwinnett for some valuable playing time during these injuries.
Adam Jones JR
July 27th, 2011
6:49 pm
Fred I suppose you are content with McOut and Wilkin Ramirez. Or better yet, Lugo playing third because Prado has to play outfield while CJ gives himself ultrasounds?
This team is not better than they were last year, thus expect the same quick exit again with a stockpile of arms wasting.
Mike
July 27th, 2011
6:52 pm
Braves have so many weak spots ,no one trade would make any difference !! They should attempt to improve miserable run producing offense in any event !!!
Steve
July 27th, 2011
6:52 pm
Frank Wren is a reason to root for another team.
braveheart8
July 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
Why wouldn’t you leave Heyward in against a lefty so he can adjust? The future phenom needs reps against pitchers if he is ever going to reach his potential.
Ray
July 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
we would have had to outbid the Giants for Beltran. Wheeler is rated a better prospect than Minor. so Minor alone may not have been enough.
I’m not interested in trading top 7 picks for a 2 month rental (who can’t be offerred arbitration even if the Braves wanted to ) who doesn’t guarantee you anything.
you can get anyone if you overpay !. we did that wth Teixeira and Drew. how many times do you want to get ripped off ?
panic deals do not work. Colby Rasmus is not that great if you look at his nos.. his younger brother Cory (our supp #1 pick in 2006) is injured again in A ball. 5 yrs later, he’s in A ball. we need to chase after his brother ?
Keith in Macon
July 27th, 2011
6:54 pm
Okay I”ve had it with Jason Heyward. It’s a joke that your manager can’t even start you when a THIRD of the starting line-up is missing.
Time for him to grow-up or get gone.
Time is up. He HAS to be the stud he supposedly is NOW!! I don’t give a crap how young he is.
Mets Are Best
July 27th, 2011
6:55 pm
How much did the Braves pay that plate umpire last night? What a joke. Stooping to bribery. Go Pirates! Go Mets!
T.J.
July 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
Keith first of all STFU and secondly, this is just his second year in the bigs, now if he struggles this bad next year, then I will jump on board with you, but you and som many other stupid Braves fans have to realize he’s 21 and is going through a sophmore slump. People do it all the time in every sport.
Elmer
July 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
The good trade–JJ for Renteria
BehindEnemyLines
July 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
One move isn’t going to fix the problems this lineup currently has. The middle infield has been an offensive black hole, the outfield is better than that but still offensively unproductive, and Brittle Jones can’t stay in the lineup. This isn’t a situation fixed by the acquisition of a single bat (and certainly not an overpaid aging one).
Keith in Macon
July 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
Mets fans … scientific proof of how destructive inbreeding is.
don
July 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
The process has entered its most dangerous stage- Wren in panic mode. Fortunately for the good of the team Beltran is out of the picture. Still, Wren is sadly capable of unloading a boatload of talent for a mediocre player like Pence.
If the Braves want to make a move, why not get some much needed speed. Go after Upton or Bourn. But, in doing so, don’t grossly overpay as has been Wren’s mode of operation for years. Wren would make a great Democrat congressman because of his tendency to give away everything and get little or nothing in return.
Bill Goldberg
July 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
Braveheart, you don’t put him in against lefties because he has shown he can’t adjust. He will strike out or weakly ground to second.
detroitchris
July 27th, 2011
6:59 pm
Mark care to make a prediction for us?
Upton? Quentin? Pence? Or will the front office go cheap again and land a Ludwick/Willingham type who will make for a marginal if any improvement.
Adam Jones JR
July 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
Mets Are Best,
Tough times eh? Its pathetic you have to concern yourself with the Pirates these days. Shouldnt you be more worried about your team and what additional players get shipped out of your scum bag city?
IlliniBrave
July 27th, 2011
7:05 pm
It’s up to Uggs, Prado, and Freddie – those guys have got to carry us for at least a few days until Chipper is back at 90% (we know we’ll never have him at 100%).
Then hopefully someone finds Heyward on some playground and returns him to his rightful owner. Cuz that guy currently out in RF is obviously an imposter.
NcBravesFanatic
July 27th, 2011
7:05 pm
@ DOB I too believe Wren will make a deal I just think it’ll still be for Ludwick, Willingham or someone of that caliber instead of the deal we need to make. The Phillies reportedly wanted Pence pretty bad. I’d offer the Astros Minor, and some combo of Gearrin, Wilkin, Young or Gartrell. The only player Id hate to lose is Minor but we just drafted a Lefty with similar make up and we could always acquire one if thats what we lacked this offseason.
Tim
July 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
Tom, @635. You kind of made my point about Frenchy. He did not seem to decline until after the two years you cite but he did have a significant decline. I really like him (I still have the bobbblehead). Heyward is far too talented to drop off like he has. Could it be the team climate? batting coach? mentoring? I’m 60 years old and i still like being coached up at work (sales). Those who fail to adapt are prone to fail. This has been a tough year for the team with Bobby leaving which had to upset the stability to some extent. I think they have done a great job under the circumstances. I still curse the TV like I had Tourettes when things dont go well but I still love the Braves. I love the guys who are intense about winning but have fun. I love the guys who compete. My wife and I love to watch guys like Hinske and Ross who always seem READY. They battle, they adapt, they challenge themselves and are not ever satisfied with mediocrity. I always want more.
stephen
July 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
Bring back Jeff F.
Adam Jones JR
July 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
Elmer,
JUrrjens and Infante for Renteria was a solid move by Wren. In all actuality, it turned into Jurrjens (our Ace) and led us to Uggla (yet to be detrmined how he turns out) for 1.5 years of Renteria who absolutely sucked while in Detroit. This trade helps to offset the Texeria debacle….
stephen
July 27th, 2011
7:08 pm
He is hitting better than any of out outfielders are with more power, rbi
and obp. I thinik that he grewup
freshd
July 27th, 2011
7:12 pm
Wil Nieves, what? Corky Miller wasn’t available?
Tychus Findlay
July 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
Maybe we trade for Big Z….to hit.
PMC
July 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
If they get Pence where does he play? Still in right? Move Heyward to Left?
ryan
July 27th, 2011
7:17 pm
Frank Wren does nothing we are screwed McCann injured and Shaffer injured i mean it almost like we throwing in the towel Chipper Jones not 100% i mean Will Nieves come on man .
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
7:20 pm
Mark, how’s the weather at the Ted?
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
7:22 pm
we all thought, “hey, Chipper’s coming off the DL, we got Prado back, and the world is ours!!” fast forward to today.
katherine
July 27th, 2011
7:23 pm
its a new day…anything can happen so lets go braves!
katherine
July 27th, 2011
7:25 pm
i just hope gonzalez can do something other than pop up, ground into a double play or strike out but im not holding my breath
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
7:26 pm
if Sir Frank doesnt buy a bat, we may as well go back to worm farming.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
7:28 pm
table tennis is on channel 420 if anyone is interested.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
7:33 pm
is it wilkin or winkin in right field?
Rilo
July 27th, 2011
7:34 pm
ugggghhh…
Stinger2
July 27th, 2011
7:39 pm
Does anyone who has made a negative comment about Wren think he will ever see it or, if he did, care the least bit about what fans think about him?
Fred Herring
July 27th, 2011
7:40 pm
Maybe we can sign McGriff again!!!!! He still can hit better than most of the team