The trade deadline nears. Will Braves GM Wren pay the piper?
Mike Minor could be the key man in a major move. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
Look on the bright side. If you have to put your catcher and your center fielder on the disabled list, better to do it four days before the trading deadline than four days after. Right?
“You didn’t give me the alternative of not putting anybody on the disabled list,” Fredi Gonzalez said, speaking before his Braves played the second leg of their odd Wednesday doubleheader. (The first part ended at 1:50 a.m.) But the DL has become to the Braves as the Downtown Connector is to the Georgia DOT — a place of high occupancy and much consternation.
Among other developments over the course of 19 innings Tuesday-into-Wednesday, the Braves lost their best player. Brian McCann went on the DL with what we like to call Braves Syndrome — a tweaked oblique. Jordan Schafer, who got plunked in the left forearm in the 11th inning, was disabled with a broken left index finger. (”Needs to take the target off his left arm,” Gonzalez said.)
Complicating matters, Chipper Jones remained unavailable to do more than pinch-hit Wednesday night, and Jason Heyward, who was hitting .222, didn’t start because the Pirates were deploying left-hander Paul Maholm. This was the Braves’ starting outfield: Martin Prado, who’d gone 0-for-9 over the 19 innings; Nate McLouth, who was hitting the McLouthian .228, and Wilkin Ramirez, just up from Gwinnett. Batting cleanup for your Atlanta Braves: Dan Uggla, just now nuzzling up to .200.
The belief before those 19 innings was that general manager Frank Wren would make some manner of major trade ahead of the deadline. That belief is now a raging conviction. But doesn’t the knowledge that the Braves are without McCann complicate matters?
“Obviously it changes things a little bit,” Gonzalez said. “I think we were going to try to improve our club no matter what — even if Mac hadn’t gotten hurt. Now maybe the asking price just got a little higher.”
Did it? Said Wren: “It’s not as if he’s out for the year. If that was the case, things might be different. But for what we’re trying to do, the dynamics haven’t changed.”
A day that began with plate umpire Jerry Meals making a lousy call that became the buzz of the sports world remained frazzled throughout. (The Braves would win Wednesday night in a scant 10 innings, amassing two runs on 14 hits.) Colby Rasmus, identified by some as a person of interest to the Braves, was shipped to Toronto by St. Louis. Various reports held that Carlos Beltran, seen as the biggest of available names, was headed to the Giants, who might again play here in the Division Series.
It had been reported by Buster Olney of ESPN that the Braves removed themselves from the Beltran bidding by refusing to part with any of their four top pitching prospects — Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado. Was that indeed the case?
Said Wren: “We’re not going to trade those guys for a short-term fix. That really doesn’t make sense. Those are premium-type prospects.”
Such a hard line makes sense — in theory. Beltran will become a free agent at season’s end and is represented by the dreaded Scott Boras. If the Braves are going to deal a Minor or a Delgado (or both), in a perfect world it would be for a guy like Houston’s Hunter Pence, who fills a need, makes reasonable money and is under contract through 2013. That said …
When you look on this lineup, you see, shall we say, imperfection. The scary part is that Uggla has hit in 18 consecutive games and raised his average, at least for a couple of innings, above the Mendoza Line, and still the Braves are hitting under .240. And that was with McCann having an MVP-type season. What happens these next few weeks?
“We’d like to improve our team,” Wren said, and the proper adjustments could make this club, which is on pace to win 93 games, a world champion. But those adjustments could come at a hefty price. As much as baseball are loath to part with young pitching, sometimes it’s the only way.
We’ll know soon enough if this GM is willing to ante up. The guess here: He’s willing, and he will.
By Mark Bradley
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261 comments Add your comment
braveheart8
July 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
Lugo and Ramirez are pitiful! Put Heyward in!
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
He is the guy with gray beard.Larry Parrish…….
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:16 pm
@Bill, I’m thinking smart has nothing to do with it. Somebody sold the Braves a bill of goods with McLouth. Whoever it is with the Pirates should win some sort of prize/award.
DetroitBraves
July 27th, 2011
9:18 pm
If the Braves land Pence with Minor as the centerpiece it will be a major coup. Though given the ineptitude of Houston’s front office, not a total surprise. Pence has his flaws – it’s doubtful that his batting average is sustainable given his propensity for being hacktastic – but obviously he’s an upgrade of most of the Braves bats. And Minor is only the #4 prospect because someone has to be. When he’s gone then Gilmartin or someone else ascends to that position and no one notices the difference.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:18 pm
ah, yes. War and Peace. all the works of Dostoevsky. Camus. i should have stayed in grade school.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:18 pm
You may be right..
Pence makes no sense!
July 27th, 2011
9:18 pm
Seriously you are going to trade for a guy who has no experience in Center?
Heyward cant play center… Prado cant play center…
and they cant play short either which by my count are the only two positions we have an opening for this and next year.
You have to go after a CF bat. Upton or Bourn. end of story…
Bradley as always you are an idiot.
Mclouth in 312 ABs had 33 R, 4 HR, 16 RBIs and 4 SB.
Upton in 357 has 47 R 15 HR, 53 RBI and 23 SB.
If you are telling me 75 R 25 HR 85 RBI and 37 SB isnt an impact bat you are an idiot.(which is what Upton is projected to produce)
Not even going to talk about what a change a scenery and moving to a big market like Atlanta could do for him.
Not to mention he gives us an upgrade defensively.
Yes
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
Being reported that the Astros turned down a 3 player swap offer from the Phillies for Pence that included a couple highly regarded prospects, so Braves fans don’t need to be getting too excited about the prospects of getting Hunter.
Not just no, but HELL NO regarding Soriano.
I wouldn’t mind it if they made a lesser deal for the recently benched Alex Rios. He’s healthy and as recently as last year hit .284 with 21 bombs and 88 rbi’s. And getting as far away from Ozzie Guillen could be what he needs to get 2011 turned around!!!!!!!!!!!!!
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
Mark, do you think the Braves will spend dollars rather than pence to chase Pence?
LOB Braves
July 27th, 2011
9:20 pm
Didn’t everybody in the stadium know that Ramirez and Lugo would strike out.
Jon l
July 27th, 2011
9:21 pm
Mark,
Any chance the braves would add beachy to the package for pence? If Teheran and vizcaino are off limits, I’d say they might want beachy over minor and probably Delgado too. What do you think?
jb
July 27th, 2011
9:21 pm
told g, u sound like the son in the book BLACK ROSE.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
It’s hard to know what the Astros want. They might want to keep Pence no matter who offers what.
Frank Wren
July 27th, 2011
9:26 pm
I know this will excite all Braves fans. After tricky and skillful negotiations by me, I just signed McLouth to a new deal extending his contact 6 years and paying him an additional $2.5m per year.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Pence are more valuable in Mexico than the US
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:28 pm
Pence can play CF..he did 4 or 5 years ago and can now. Why do thing he can’t? Bowden ex GM said he could…
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:28 pm
Know what they say when Hunter makes a diving grab?
Pence on the ground.
carney johnson
July 27th, 2011
9:28 pm
i think wren showed commendable restraint by not trading for beltran. what this team needs is a right-handed bat to platoon with heyward. ie, you dont have to mortgage the future by signing an all-star; you just need a righty who can hit lefties. then you go get a RHP for the pen.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:29 pm
Thursday is supposed to be Chipper Jones Bobblehead day but unfortunately all the dolls were shipped to Rome. Italy
bigbrave
July 27th, 2011
9:29 pm
Pee Wee Nate got a hit!!!!
carney johnson
July 27th, 2011
9:30 pm
everybody’s got their pence in a wad over the trade deadliine.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
Know what they say when Hunter catches a long fly? Pence at the fence
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
Fred, two top prospect the phillies offered were in class a ball. Astros want someone that will help now.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
cuddyer?
jrn
July 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
i say we get reed johnson and ludwick in small deals and hold on to our prospects, and a ss
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
I’d hold out for Willis Reed. He plays hurt.
mr. D
July 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
i do not care what they have to give (money wise) they have to bite the bullet and make the move. quit charging me higher tickets,parking,merchandise,food if you are not going to put the product out there. lugo and ramirez are terrible(AA players)
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
ludwick will be a rental..FA in 2 months
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:37 pm
said the family surnamed Pence
we’ve had a baby that’s ugly no offense
he can hit the ole ball
and get the ump’s call
but this whole lymerick makes no sense
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
Why would the Astros care about getting somebody to help now? They aren’t close to being a playoff calibur team – at least 2-3 years away, so class A good prospects would make sense.
Back to Rios: I know they would want the Sox to eat part of the $12.5 million salary, but even hitting an anemic .208 this year – he’s hitting .287 against lefties and is a great defensive player. For those wanting a Heyward platoon righty bat – I say he fits the mold (again, if the Sox eat half his contract).
Chris
July 27th, 2011
9:38 pm
The Braves have one of the best farm systems in the Majors and a very young, talented pitching staff. Why give up on what could be an absolutely dominate team in 1-3 years because we are currently in the wild card race? Keep our young talent and sign/trade when the value is there. That is the formula for success. Right now, I don’t see the value at all. We will end up overpaying and always be just below great because we continue to overpay for mediocre players and/or temporary answers.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:39 pm
Willis Reed the Basketball player?
jrn
July 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
mr d totally agree i got mlbtv just for braves games and attended two of the three games in cincy,why support team if they are going to act like a small market team
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:41 pm
you didnt fool the coach with willis reed
a great nba’er and steed
they said he was glass
when he fell on his gluts
alas, no more the basketball he shoots
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
Maybe Uggla can be 4 for 4 with a homer.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
Fred, now would be any of our 4 top pitching prospects.
Rios, I like and Greg Walker the hitting coach for WS also likes him but Ozzie?
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
Wasnt Willis Reed a principal in the Atlanta school system?
reality check
July 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Pence needs to be the guys…… give up an arm it will be worth it.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Todd..lol
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
I like what was mentioned on the other blog, Ty Wigginton?
SB75
July 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Don’t recall who said it, but Beachy for Pence is very interesting. For those downing Minor, come on. He is a very good young pitcher and LH’ed. With the problems we have with lefty’s, why would we trade him?
Heb11:1
July 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
You don’t know how powerful faith is until the chips are down. Braves need to hang in there until their wounded return.Get into the playoffs and anything is possible.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Also I may stand corrected on Upton. Check his home/Road splits. he is hitting the ball on the road for sure. May just not be happy in Tampa anymore.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Freddie is the real McCoy. Heyward is a flash in the pan.
jfreak13713
July 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
I like the Pence deal better than Beltran because he is more than just a rental but his has not put up very good power numbers for playing in a HITTERS ballpark?? Playing here I think he would be 15 homers or less per year with 75 – 80 rbi. Thats good not great and I would question giving up top pitching for good not great return. However, he does hit for avg and has a little pop and placed in right spoint (2nd or 3rd) in lineup could put up good numbers.
I also like the power hitter at White Sox. .265 / 20 / 60+ rbi! We could really use those numbers but I don’t think he plays CF??
Pence would probably be a safe move but I don’t know that he is the game changer the Braves MAY need but we know what they say about beggers!
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
Uggla picks a bad time to pop up
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:46 pm
Giants beating Phillies in 9th 2-1
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
ouch
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
Tonights septet:::::
For those that want Pence,
You might be a little dense.
Seeing what the Astros require,
I don’t think the Braves are that dire.
While he can certainly swing the stick,
The talent of our young arms are quite thick
Maybe we need Mr. Wren to just retire!
Before The Season Started
July 27th, 2011
9:48 pm
Before this season started, I predicted that McLouth would be a dud again. He is simply never going to hit any more. The perfect off season of prepping to get ready for this season has resulted in a .220 hitter. He is nothing. A waste. Release him. Eat the contract. What good is he any way. I predicted Chipper would be hurt all season and not hit .260. Again, right. I predicted that Heywood would dud out this year with an off season thanks to the Soph jinx. Nuff said. I also said that the $15 million pitcher that the Braves thought was going to be the next Phil Niekro would once again fail. Another nail on the head. I did not think Martin could redo last year either. I thought McCann would continue to hit and do well. He is the Braves best property. I was worried about Hudson having a good year. He has been so so. Basically what I am saying is that this team was not good from the start. Few teams win with a team batting average of below .250. Unless you have outstanding pitching they would be 25 games under .500. This is basically not a good hitting group of players. I don’t care what Chipper says. I have watched MLB for over 60 years. I can tell when a player is a player and a dud is a dud. This team is a dud. Even if they squeek into the playoffs, they are out in the first round. 3-1 at best.