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
urban redneck
July 27th, 2011
8:40 pm
do it
Bill
July 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
Yes, I believe Wren will step up and get the job done…
curtisjones
July 27th, 2011
8:43 pm
My guess is Wren will confound the experts and pull off a major deal. I think there will be a name or two that have not been tweeted around the world. I think you’ll also see a left-side infielder in the mix. That’s my guess and I’m sticking with it.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
Pence, Bourn, Adam Jones, Upton….for the long run…
Sonny Clusters
July 27th, 2011
8:44 pm
Piper paying can be very costly. Still, the way they are stranding runners they need somebody with a bat.
JoshTown
July 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
I’m for it. Gotta break some eggs to make lemonade. I think.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
I’m just not sure B.J. Upton qualifies as a big bat anymore. He’s hitting what McLouth is, give or take.
Lebrick
July 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
Trade someone for one of the Cubs bats…Soriano, Ramirez, or Fukudome…all of them are upgrades
Bill
July 27th, 2011
8:51 pm
Mark, agree his BA is down but 15 homers 56 rbi, 48 runs better than the three Braves OF’ers.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
Soriano makes a ton of money. He’s no option
bravos007
July 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
no offense Mark, but pay the piper with what? are you referring to money? you do realize the braves are strapped and have several players coming up for arbitration, right? the reoccurring theme of “trade baby trade” being put forth by the AJC on a daily, if not hourly basis, is a little predictable for a media outlet.
tybeedawg
July 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
….and next in line is Upton…not sure we need him. The one SURE braves quality is chemistry. I am ok with Wren’s patience and reasoning thus far….i am just hopeful he is being more discreet than inactive..or closed minded. Time to get a bat and an arm. San Diego package?
Barry Watson
July 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
No. Once again the braves will sit on their hands and wait for an underachiever to come up from the minor leagues. The deadline will be gone and one of these pitchers will come up and do nothing. Way to go frank.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
8:54 pm
Soriano and Fukudome is way to high…Ramirez hell yes…
G
July 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Why do you think Wren will do something? He hasn’t in the past. All he has done is make some bad trades and signings of guys. Kawakami – no, Lowe – no, Derek Lee – no, Glaus – no, Uggla – not really… The guy will go out and get some Greg Norton type and tell us all about how we are set for the future with 10 starting pitchers…
Max Sizemore
July 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
I can’t believe those who are advocating giving up young pitching are failing to consider that Hanson and Jurrgens are both gone in a couple of years. Add to that the injuries that pitchers often have, and it’s easy to understand why “you can never have enough pitching.”
Sage of Bluesland
July 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
Stop listening to these journalists–and remember the Texeira fleecing.
No thanks to short-term rentals at such high costs.
Laughable, really.
Mike
July 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
Id like to see Omar Infante back again. That is a very realisitic amd doable move. And then another arm in the bullpen would be nice.
tybeedawg
July 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
i have been refreshing the mlbtraderumors.com page every 15 minutes all day long…..yeesh!
Mike
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
@tybee: same here. For the past month.
PMC
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Excelsior, a leadoff hit in the 6th!!!
Bill
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Fukudoma is also 15 million year.
JohnGTFan
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Pence will end up in Philadelphia, probably before the end of tonight. I don’t think Wren will ante up as you suggest. I’d love to be wrong, but I don’t see it happening. And if he’s not careful, the Band-aid Braves are going to miss out on the wild card. I see Hunter Pence as almost their only option. If he doesn’t ante up for him, Quentin would be ok as would Ludwick, but neither the player that Pence is. But again, I think he’s a Phillie tonight.
SB75
July 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
Yes Upton would bee an upgrade! Better than McLouth defensively and has more hr power, not to mention he’s getting ready to head in a contract year next year. If a trade for Upton is made, we will get the very best he has to give. He wants a fat contract like everybody else.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:01 pm
You would have BJ till 2013 but he will get ARbitration those years..
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
Mark, the Braves CAN hit. Just not in a sequence that scores runs.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:03 pm
Mark..Who would you go after if you were the GM?
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:03 pm
When Dan Uggla is 2 for 2 then somebody else ought to be hitting the pitcher.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:04 pm
I think the Braves are going to go hard at Pence.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:05 pm
now Danny Boy is 3 for 3. Oh danny boy, the pipes are calling
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
from glen to glen… or maybe from wren to wren.
jb
July 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
told g, have you looked at the players ba lately..how low can u go!
JohnGTFan
July 27th, 2011
9:06 pm
Mark, they SHOULD be…but are they doing it hard ENOUGH?
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:07 pm
Man, I hope they do..if they get Pence I’ll buy you a steak..
bravos007
July 27th, 2011
9:09 pm
guess the next couple of days will now be about pence and how the braves should trade 5-10 people for him.
JohnGTFan
July 27th, 2011
9:09 pm
The Phillies are going to offer a lot…Braves better offer more.
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:09 pm
I say give McLouth away; wimpy arm, low on mental intelligence; re: throws consistently to wrong base, overthrows cut off man, gets thrown out for arguing strikes when team is short-handed. How smart is this guy? I’m saying not very. He ole’d a ball the other night and skipped (yes skipped) after it. I’ve seen enough of this one.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:10 pm
Not sure anyone would take Nate.
JohnGTFan
July 27th, 2011
9:10 pm
Pence should have been no.1 on Braves radar from the start…very good all around player and under control thru 2013…no brainer
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:11 pm
Not Teddy Ballgame and his .406. Maybe McLouth and .249 first.
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:11 pm
Get rid of McLouth. Throws consistently to wrong base; overthrows cutoff man, gets tossed arguing strike call when we are short. How smart is he? I’m saying not very. Better off without him.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:11 pm
Houston has all ready turn Phillies down..per ESpN Insider..Braves are talking now with Astros.
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
Sorry, didnt realize first post made it. Just dropped off there for a minute.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
or “anyone would not take Nate”. means the same but more grammatically correct.
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:12 pm
Agreed Mark, so why do we keep him. Release him as he is costing us games. Even Joe Simpson has taken to pointing out how he is costing us runs.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
Nates pretty smart he gets 6 million a year for that.. bad brad.
Robbie
July 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
Tell me again, do the Braves have a hitting coach? If so, what is his name and does he make an appearance in the dugout?
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
are we in a time warp here?
bad brad
July 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
On a bright note; it is getting late in the game and Chip hasnt complained about the time or how long the game is taking. He’s another one that should be gone. One of the greatest jobs around and he is constantly bitchin about it.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
9:15 pm
grammer, Mark. Grammer. Just like my first grade teacher tought me when i was reading War and Peace.
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.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:50 pm
Giants win..wilson save 38..
JohnGTFan
July 27th, 2011
9:51 pm
Latest update has Houston holding on to Pence and trading him in the winter.
Bill
July 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
What ever Braves do I hope it makes everyone happy and the Braves better..good nite and God Bless you all.
Eric Jay the Brave Fan
July 27th, 2011
9:54 pm
Alright enough injuries! Take some steroids already.
M
July 27th, 2011
9:57 pm
10 hits. 1 run. Typical of the braves. How is that possible anyway?
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
9:57 pm
Tonights Septet: (sent 20 minutes ago, but didn’t make it for some reason)
For those that clamor for Pence
Your judgment seems to be dense
For what the Astros require
The Braves aren’t quite that dire!
Though the lad can swing the stick
With talent the young Brave arms are think
So armchair GM’s back to your mouse with a click!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
Mr. Clutch …weak grounder to short… This aint ‘99 anymore.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
9:59 pm
Julio Lugo has struck out four times.
Breaking News |Breaking News
July 27th, 2011
10:01 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:02 pm
M:
It’s possible because (1) the Pirates haven’t walked anybody; (2) the Braves wasted 2 chances with bunts despite not having anybody in the lineup that can hit with men in scoring position and (3) they’ve struck out 9 times already – worst team at making in contact in the league.
Theo Williams
July 27th, 2011
10:02 pm
Gonzo actually did something…
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:04 pm
oh, boy there’s a good lookin girl said wren
right here close to the Braves bullpen
a sundress so blue
and the face of few
i tossed her a ball and just said “when”
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:05 pm
Make that 10 strikeouts – and another out with RISP.
Just wnat both teams were praying for – extra innnings!
Theo Williams
July 27th, 2011
10:05 pm
11 hits, 4 doubles, one run. Remarkable.
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:07 pm
TODD:
Nice retort limerick my man.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:08 pm
Gwinnett Fred, a limerick carries 5 lines.
Columbus
July 27th, 2011
10:09 pm
Wren will make the best move possible if the right player is available. Only an idiot would have given up Minor for a 2 month rental. Pitching is most valuable and to give it up a player that will work this year and future years is a MUST. Do not FORGET there is another trade deadline come Aug. 31st and there may be a few more sellers at that time. But if the deal does not feel right, dont do it. Like the saying goes, sometimes the best deals are the ones you dont make.
Also if you havent noticed, the Braves starters are all righties. ALL righties. We could use a lefty or two in the rotation next year or sooner. We may need to trade some of our OTHER pitching prospects for a lefty starter and if we traded Minor also, we would deplete our prospects and still only have one lefty starter for next year. So if you look at the BIG picture, Beltran would have been most likely too costly. Minor is a LEFTY STARTER, YOUNG AND CHEAP so he is worth MUCH more than a rental of ANYBODY. Especially when we have NO lefties and need RH bat or two, a shortstop, a reliever. Prospects would be gone before you know it with Hudson aging and Lowe on the way out asap. You do not GIVE them away for a rental.
Bravefanforever
July 27th, 2011
10:09 pm
Wren will not make a major trade. He is scared.
How long can we live on the 95 title.
Heyward is another Francour trade Heyward for majot talent now!!!!!
mr. D
July 27th, 2011
10:09 pm
Mark are we spoilt,soured?….lol We all were believing, will Wren do anything to confirm that belief?………that this team can and will be in the playoffs and contend again?
LOB Braves
July 27th, 2011
10:10 pm
When you have Ramirez, Lugo, Seabass, and McLout in the lineup, you have no chance. And of course also with Linesuck or Proctor.
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:11 pm
Todd:
What’s your point??? I said your 5-line poem was a limerick, just like I said my 7 line poem was a septet. Are we not reading carefully before making less than intelligent posts?
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:16 pm
More thinking has to go into a septet.
But back to serious matters.
This Braves lineup makes me cringe almost as much as that disaster of a lineup we put on the field against the Padres in the 1998 playoffs. Holy Crap – that team couldn’t beat the Toledo Mud Hens!
UGA Grad
July 27th, 2011
10:17 pm
Mark, I am tired of losing games 2-1 or even winning games with that score. JJ is a free agent after this year and I see him headed to the Bronx. I say trade Jurrjens for Kemp straight up. Am I crazy thinking this.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
10:18 pm
You mean the one with Tony Graffanino, Eddie Perez, Gerald Williams and Danny Bautista?
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:18 pm
wth is moderation?
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:19 pm
Yes, that “lineup” – but I was avoiding listing names – many of your readers might be too squeamish!
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
10:20 pm
I’m moderating.
M
July 27th, 2011
10:20 pm
12 hits now. 1 run. I wonder what the record is. Gotta be close.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:21 pm
little know fact in baseball rules. after the 10th inning the 3erd base umpire moves behind the plate
DetroitBraves
July 27th, 2011
10:21 pm
Columbus, I think you’ve overstated Minor’s value, with or without caps lock. Unfortunately, the Mets probably did not. So with Wheeler on the table, a Minor for Beltran deal wasn’t likely an option.
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:21 pm
I suppose that’s better than ovulating
todd grantham
July 27th, 2011
10:23 pm
told yo Freddie’s teh real mccoy
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
10:24 pm
The Pirates are wallking a man hitting .205 with first base occupied.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2011
10:25 pm
Braves win. Ross with the single.
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:25 pm
M:
Record is 14 hits allowed without scoring any runs at all.
Steve Avery, back in 1993, Beat the Pirates 2-0 with a 13-hit shutout!
So this isn’t anywhere close to a record – but still incredibly frustrating nonetheless.
Theo Williams
July 27th, 2011
10:26 pm
Way to go, Ross!!! That’s a hit!
Gwinnett Fred
July 27th, 2011
10:27 pm
Mark,
Yes, they walked a .205 hitter – but is still the most dangerous hitter in the Braves lineup the past 3 weeks!
Hey – just like last night – take ‘em any way we can get ‘em!
DetroitBraves
July 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
I wonder how we would feel about this deadline and the various rumors had not the Teixeira transaction, and it’s ultimate futility not transpired.
MB, do you remember what you wrote about the deal at the time? I’m not picking on you. I, for one, was excited to land a bat that could have made a difference. I don’t remember many mainstream “experts” questioning the move at the time, though there is a bit of revisionist history when it’s brought up today.
Maybe we’re a bit wiser this time around, but hopefully that experience doesn’t paralyze the organization.
UGA Grad
July 27th, 2011
10:38 pm
I have to say, it is always comical to me when people say the Tex trade set the franchise back so many years. Yes, Andrus and Feliz are young all-stars; Harrison looks like a possible good #4 starter; Salty is with the Red Sox now DH’ing and Beau Jones is lost in minor league world. I can’t really argue about Andrus as he could be starting for us (maybe Pastornicky or Lipka can be legit). I agree that Feliz with this bullpen would be sick, but it isn’t like our bullpen has an era of over 5. Harrison, we already have 6 “great” young arms in AAA and AA. Salty would have eventually been replaced by Freddie. And again, Jones has made no impact. Please people, quit acting like the braves are the Royals because of that trade. I bet the ones saying all this were the ones begging for big Tex to come to the ATL.
tybeedawg
July 27th, 2011
10:39 pm
isnt JJ under team control next yr? Just arb eligible for the first time?
Tony
July 27th, 2011
10:45 pm
B.J. Upton may be batting what McClouth is with TB, but inject him into the Braves lineup and his average should rise tremendously. He has a little pop, too…so Upton, Prado, Uggla, Freeman…hmmm! Speed is a tremendous asset on the offensive side of the ball…gotta have it to score runs.
Mark Acres forever
July 27th, 2011
10:48 pm
Go get Willingham, platoon him w/ Heyward in RF & w/ Prado in LF when Chipper’s out of the lineup. He’s not going to cost you much. The problem remains what to do about CF. Seems the organization doesn’t want to put Heyward there, even if its temporary. Mclouth & Jordan ain’t getting the job done. Afraid there’s little to nothing we can do about it. Trading Jordan & 1 of our stud minor leaguers for BJ doesn’t exactly fit the bill, unless BJ figures it out here…
UGA Grad
July 27th, 2011
10:50 pm
He may be, but I think another team can pay him a big salary if they want to. I can’t talk though about that because I understand arbitration about as much as how to build a rocket.
Hillbilly D
July 27th, 2011
10:52 pm
Trade someone for one of the Cubs bats…Soriano, Ramirez, or Fukudome…
As a Cub fan, I’d offer this: Fukudome is a singles hitter, who starts off good and goes downhill through the season, in the batting average department. He is a good defensive player. It’s doubtful the Braves would make that move.
Soriano is done, and has a humongous contract that goes 2-3 more years, I think. Can’t see the Braves making that move.
Ramirez is going pretty good and has some value but he plays 3B. Can’t see the Braves making that move either, although it’d be good for the Cubs.
Big Braves Fan
July 27th, 2011
10:52 pm
prospects are just that,prospects. They haven’t proved anything at the major league level. Go get Hunter Pence. The guy has proven himself. With the way the Braves scout pitching and hitting prospects they will be ok.
DetroitBraves
July 27th, 2011
10:52 pm
UGA Grad, totally agree. Harrison is nothing special, Salty could not play for Atlanta (not ahead of McCann and his bat wouldn’t play anywhere else). Andrus is the one I would like back. Feliz is talented but he’s had some physical problems in the bullpen. I believe Atlanta would have slotted him in the rotation, but would he have held up there? Maybe. He has less value in the bullpen. Yeah, I would gladly take him back but young pitchers that are already showing some wear and tear don’t necessarily have the longest shelf lives.
sports
July 27th, 2011
10:54 pm
That was a dirty call against Pittsburg last night. Play for 19 innings and then get screwed by the umpire. That turkey was out 2 yards before home plate…this is why baseball needs instant replay. That umpire should be fined and suspeneded for the rest of the year.
Greg
July 27th, 2011
11:00 pm
Imagine how the offense would be if everyone was healthy with dan hitting the way he is. His average this month is awesome! Just hope he can keep it up. What would be funny is if his hit streak gets up into the 40’s. Would be funny considering how bad he was the first 3 months.
tom
July 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
uga grad have we won anything recently? won a playoff series? i rest our case. it was a setback when you lose any all star. it took us 3 years to recover and were still suffering offensively from it.
choozer
July 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
Braves really needed a guy like Jeff Keppinger instead of Lugo to back up the infield spots. Giants had the good sense to get him, and now the Braves are having to start Lugo. And paying for it.
jonny
July 27th, 2011
11:24 pm
I agree mark wren wont trade for he knows he cant give up prospects for a player who hasnt been that great yet
UGA Grad
July 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
Tom: People like you were probably one of the guys I was talking about who were screaming for Teixeira. Tex was a solid bat at the time, just like the guys we are looking at now. You don’t need 7 awesome minor league pitchers who have potential. The only guy anybody had even heard of that we gave up was Andrus and Saltalamacchia had shown SOME promise, not much. You act like we gave up 3 or 4 solid offensive players. Yes, Andrus would have started over Brooks in the Giants nlds series. We may have won the WS, we could have got swept by the phils in the nlcs. Also, the funniest thing ever….the braves have like 5 really good trades compared to this minor setback trade.
jk
July 27th, 2011
11:26 pm
what about going after hardy from baltimore…put him at SS, and our offense might be solved…anyone know what his contract status is
Don Green
July 27th, 2011
11:29 pm
I’d go after Bourn over Upton or Pence. Then grab anther RH platoon player like R.Johnson, Ludwick, Willingham, Cuddyer, or a Nationals flip of Gomes. Whichever one of those RH sticks you could get the cheapest.
Bourn will come cheaper than Pence and in my opinion fills a legitimate need, a speedy leadoff hitter to disrupt things on the base paths and create havoc for defenses. Guy is a great glove, too.
The other RH bat could then platoon in RF with Heyward against lefties and play LF when Prado was needed to spell Chipper to keep him healthy.
Then you could field this order:
CF-Bourn
LF-Prado
3B-Chipper
C- McCann
1B-Freeman
2B-Uggla
RF-Heyward
SS-Gonzalez
Guys like Schafer, McLouth, Hinske, Ross, Lugo, would be a strong bench. Then I would concentrate on one more decent, cheap bullpen arm for depth.
So I say go for:
1. Bourn
2. A cheap rental as RH outfielder
3. A cheap rental as a RP
4. Possibly a better cheap SS than Lugo
5. Another cheap RP if he fell in your lap
Don’t think you would have to give up much in the way of prospects. If Bourn is too expensive for you after arbitration next year you trade him over the winter. Especially if you think Schafer could do the job.
I also might look at Ian Desmond from Washington, they seem willing to trade him. Maybe something for Desmond, Gomes, and a Nationals RP in a package.
Maybe the Houston trade could include CF-Bourn, SS-Barmes, RP Melancon
The Washington trade could include OF-Gome and an RP
Don Green
July 27th, 2011
11:30 pm
Hardy was a free agent, but he just signed a 3 year extension with Baltimore. Would have been a great get for the Braves.
Brett
July 27th, 2011
11:31 pm
Can we trade for rowand? for cheap…..seams that his production went down because of the stadium….
Brett
July 27th, 2011
11:34 pm
TRADE FOR ROWAND!!!!!
Tony
July 27th, 2011
11:36 pm
If Wren is serious about the Braves’ chances, he will have to add first an outfield bat. There is uncertainty with Chipper and two of the outfield positions. We must seriously be thinking about the possibility of injury in the stretch run. So, let’s go Wren and let’s go Braves!
Don Green
July 27th, 2011
11:39 pm
Pat Burrell just got released by the Giants. Jorge Cantu got released by the Padres two weeks ago. Sign both of those right handed sticks to a minor league deal and see if either could be ready by the end of August to provide some bench depth.
ToccoaDawg
July 27th, 2011
11:40 pm
I agree with wren. Don’t sell the future for a short term fix. We will need ALL those young pitchers in the years to come. 29 innings in 2 days should have proven that. we have other prospects we could trade that won’t hurt us as bad.
VinceVanGo
July 27th, 2011
11:41 pm
I don’t have the answers but I know this! With McCann out of the lineup opposing teams are going to be very careful about giving Uggla & Freeman anything to hit because they are all the Braves have left that are producing right now. They can be easily pitched around because the rest of the Braves lineup is so weak. I suspect that most teams could intentionally walk Uggla & Freeman back to back and not give up any runs(unless David Ross is batting behind them.) It’s a scary scenario and one that calls to go out and get a right handed hitter who can give protection until B. Mac comes back.
Mister Frisky
July 27th, 2011
11:44 pm
Yeah keep all those young arms I’m sure those guys on the farm can’t wait to get to the Bigs and not get any run support either.
Why Not?
July 27th, 2011
11:47 pm
After seeing Christihan (sp) Martinez hit last night… see if he can play the OF? Gotta be better than what’s out there now.
Seriously… I believe someone mentioned Adam Jones from Baltimore??? I’d love to see that but is that really even an option???
jonny
July 27th, 2011
11:47 pm
I have got it!!!!!!! why dont we go back in time and trade delgado minor viscaino and tehran for beltran reyes and bobby parnell world series hahah
jonny
July 27th, 2011
11:50 pm
but seriously would the mets be able to resist a package including two of our four upcoming top pitching prospects (delgado minor viscaino and tehran) for reyes? or do you think that would be too much for a year or so rental
Don Green
July 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
I can’t believe Baltimore trading Adam Jones, but you might as well make the call. He is arbitration eligible next year but only makes $2 million right now. Has 18 HRs from his CF spot.
Dam Arizona is winning again in San Diego. Up 4-2 in the 7th and have 2 runners on with no outs , so it should get worse. Need to keep our eyes on them. Right behind us in the wild card race.
UGA Grad
July 27th, 2011
11:56 pm
Don Green: It is almost certain that if we got Bourn, then we would have to give up Schafer in return. I agree though, I would go after him before Upton.
Top trade needs in this order, not that we need all of these IMO:
1) A serious power bat (Kemp, Pence, Justin Upton, Ramirez) not Ludwick or Willingham.
2) A leadoff man such as Bourn.
3) A good RHP reliever (Clippard, Adams, Wuertz)
4) A good utility man, I think going after Infante would be awesome. That would mean we basically got Uggla for nothing, haha.
5) A back end of the rotation guy.
M10
July 28th, 2011
12:22 am
You mean to tell me the Braves did’nt want to give up Minor for Beltran,just stupid.You need OFFENCE.
JORDAN
July 28th, 2011
12:27 am
WREN WILL MAKE A MOVE I JUST HOPE ITS BETTER THEN THE RICK ANKEL MOVE HE PULLED LAST YEAR…. I STARTED A BRAVES BLOG YALL SHOULD CHECK ME OUT- IF YOU LIKE MY BLOGS FOLLOW ME AND FEEL FREE TO COMMENT.. HERES THE LINK
http://jordanhbraves.blogspot.com/
rboggs
July 28th, 2011
12:31 am
is there anyway we could trade DLOWE for just crap as a salary dump, then trade minor for pence? that we free up some money, plus Lowe isn’t that good.
Athenzdawg
July 28th, 2011
1:42 am
Please don’t waste our time for Josh Willingham if we needed another outfielder who was a “platoon” player who batted .240 which is his average now….we might as well keep who we have. We have won or lost with the crap thats in the field now, might as well keep our pitching and not give it up for more crap
SB75
July 28th, 2011
2:18 am
Bourn is a good player, having a great year. But I don’t think the Braves FO is ready to give up on Jordan. Houston would likely want him in the package. Everything I have jeard sounds as if they are pleased with the kid, despite that OBP.
SB75
July 28th, 2011
2:31 am
The Braves should just go ahead and get Upton, Place him in CF now and RF next year moving Jason to left and putting Jordan in CF. Sit back and watch B.J. have a career year in his walk year!
Away: .278/.357/.471/.828 with 9hr’s and 11 SB’s
Grass: .275/.361/.473/.834 with 8hr’s and 9 SB’s
Get him out of Tampa and on grass and a good CF’er offensively and defensively.
Parker
July 28th, 2011
2:40 am
Trade whatever it takes to get Bourne, then use whoever is hot between mclouth and heyward in right and bat them 7th. With Moylan coming back we could use one more rh reliever for now, and then move Lowe and Beachy to the pen for the playoffs since you only need three starters for the playoffs. Bourne would keep us legitimate for now, and then when McCann and chipper come back the lineup could look like this
Bourne cf
Prado lf
Freeman 1st
McCann c
Uggla 2nd
Jones 3rd
Heyward/McLouth rf
Gonzalez ss
The 7, 8, 9 spots would probably be a black hole, but otherwise a solid top 6 that could easily get enough runs for our pitching.
Parker
July 28th, 2011
2:42 am
You’d also have a bench of Hinske, mclouth/ Heyward, Conrad, and Ross. Not bad.
clay
July 28th, 2011
2:47 am
After the beltran thing is through. We def HAVE to get Pence. He would be here 2 more years and we could re sign him. So it would make sense to give up minor for Pence. I dont understand why Wren hasn’t made a trade yet. It’s obvious we need a bat and a middle reliever.
Adolfo guzman
July 28th, 2011
3:36 am
He has made crap choices in the past it won’t surprise me if he doesn’t do the right thing before sunday. Pitchers come and go put if you want to win ballgames and head into the post season with a chance of going all the way than we need a great right handed hitter. So in the next couple of days we will see if the braves gm do the right thing and I hope he does because I’m a huge braves fan, and hope we win tomorrows game to catch up to tue phillies or give us a bigger lead in the wild card
GwinnettDad
July 28th, 2011
3:42 am
Julio Lugo? I mean, Julio Lugo? Any team that has to play Julio Lugo needs a transfusion!
No Braves team has had as many .220 hitters!
My grandmother could throw a pitch past Heyward if ishe located it on the outside corner.
Seems to be with a few exceptions, such as catcher and first base, and recently second base, the Braves need offensive help at every position. Thank heavens for pitching and defense.
Comparing the Braves and Phillies outfields: Fan’s outlook – Yahoo! Sports – 5138th Edition | latest information from USA
July 28th, 2011
4:39 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Packer Ed
July 28th, 2011
5:21 am
Braves need to part with Lowe and chipper and save about $30,000,000 for next year. Should be able to get two (2) free agents with that money saved or at least one very good free agent. The four (4) pitching prospects would be untouchables if I were Frank Wren. One of the four would fill Lowes spot.
Vicdawg
July 28th, 2011
7:10 am
Just came back from LA and saw the Dodgers play. Hey how bout Matt Kemp. Right handed batter and centerfielder. Over .300 average, 27 HR and a boatload of RBIs. Has played in 306 consectutive games–so he must be durable. Braves need him NOW!!!
Marvin Mangrum
July 28th, 2011
7:13 am
I would only trade my hurlers for a Ty Cobb type or a Ruthian sort, 15 homers and a 262 average is a little off. Again, a little off. However I would do this, I would fire the person who, on a AAA team has 4 guys batting under 200. Then I would fire the person who brings those 4 up to the majors, Im assuming so they can bat just a little bit worse. I watch, last nite the hitters after Freeman, hell, I thought they were little leaguers. If our right fielder can no longer hit, is there no where to send him, until he can possibly bat 240 or some other scary #? 4 players, maybe, and a pitcher then 4 I dont knows, or huhs! Gees!
Rumor Mill
July 28th, 2011
7:33 am
MARLON BYRD . CASE CLOSED
LeftyLeach
July 28th, 2011
7:34 am
Think we need more ‘O’ at the top ? Andrus, got ridda him. Escobar, too emotional ? Look at their OBP’s vs. our CF’s… Like a right handed bat? Diaz, Francouer, Cabrera, Ross,Betamit, Rivera… didn’t want em ! Church & McClouth; wanted Them ?? Go figure.
Southpaw
July 28th, 2011
7:49 am
Pence is the reasonable player to pursue. We’ll probably have to eat McClouth’s (most of it) salary if he’s in the deal. We will have to give up a valuable pitching prospect, but that’s what’s needed today (to complete the big trade) to stay in the race. If we don’t make a move, then the wild card is up for grabs.
GTT
July 28th, 2011
7:58 am
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.”
Best news I’ve heard.
Duh
July 28th, 2011
8:17 am
But here what he did say. You know that if he can get a young, non-boras, outfielder, that will be a long term fix, then it will be worth a trade. Mark, gees, Beltran make no sense unless you are able to sign him long term. Now, with the injury bug alive and well, we need several pieces. Giving a young potential arm for two months is like icing on a bad cake. Duh!
DetroitBraves
July 28th, 2011
8:20 am
Packer Ed, how exactly would you part with Lowe and Chipper? I mean, without paying them. They’ve tried to part with Lowe but there have been no takers. Chipper has 10-5 rights.
I also always love the “untouchable” prospect stance. Inflexibility breeds championships, don’t you know?
Vicdawg, just saw Ryan Braun play. I liked him. Thinking the Braves could trade McLouth and Lowe for him. Maybe if they throw in Scott Proctor the Brewers would pick up half of Braun’s salary.
The case for Marlon Byrd is closed if it is the case of the league average bat playing below average defense.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
8:22 am
Guys we cant pitch all of those guys. We have a surplus so trade one of them for a bat we can control for a few seasons. I didnt like the Beltran deal for 2 months. But get a guy like Pence or Upton that we control then I say Bye Bye Minor. Remember we just drafted a Minor clone in Gilmarten.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
8:23 am
We also have a couple of other good arms below the top 4 guys
NEW CARS
July 28th, 2011
8:23 am
Would you give up a Delgado and a couple of other guys for Adam Jones….Upton is a definite upgrade over what we have and have an answer for next year or two….I’m for bringing up Pasternicky now and putting Lugo out to pasture, he was never all that good in the first place and there is a reason he wasn’t playing before we signed him…
juice sourcer
July 28th, 2011
8:26 am
Didn’t the Giants just win the World Series last year with pitching and very little hitting? Timely hitting yes but their everyday line up was nothing like many of the other teams in the playoffs.
DetroitBraves
July 28th, 2011
8:30 am
Adam Jones has walked 21 times in 417 plate appearances so he would fit right in with the Braves. His defense is hard to get a a read on. I believe he’s a good defender, but there have been years, including this one, where the numbers don’t support that. But either way, is he even available? Still young and relatively cheap. In Baltimore’s position they probably have to consider everything but I wouldn’t think he would be the first guy they want to ship elsewhere.
Blackberry Cobbler
July 28th, 2011
8:31 am
Watching Ramirez and Lugo last night was frightening. Those 2 in the lineup is horrible. The Braves need a big bat desperately especially with Mac out and Chipper so fragile not to mention that Gonzalez is a huge dissappointment and Shafer just doesn’t have it.
rock
July 28th, 2011
8:38 am
This is a no brainer. You got 4 or 5 starters hitting around .200 and your hitters can’t hit left handed pitchers. THE BRAVES NEEDS SOME HITTERS ESPECIALLY RIGTH HANDED HITTERS. The Braves need to make several trades to up-grade a dismal and weak line-up. Wren has been very tardy on correcting this problem.
Zach Carey
July 28th, 2011
8:39 am
The braves should just go all out for Hunter Pence, before da Phillies decide to take him.
Give up Minor if u have to but take Hunter Pence unless u want bitches like Nate Mclouth and Julio Lugo in Ur lineup
Zach Carey
July 28th, 2011
8:39 am
The braves should just go all out for Hunter Pence, before da Phillies decide to take him.
Give up Minor if u have to but take Hunter Pence unless u want bitches like Nate Mclouth and Julio Lugo in Ur lineup. Just do it Wren
Dr. Phil
July 28th, 2011
8:41 am
If Wren should get Pence, I will take back most of the bad things I have said about him.
Roger "The Beaver"
July 28th, 2011
8:46 am
An Atl homeboy here, 55+ years…depressing to admit that we only have one WS title. Wren, as the GM you have the power to make the moves for “The Now” required to bring us another WS Title…sorry Chipper feels we don’t need anyone else, but, hey we do! This would really be a sad shame to see the Phillies continue to rock the east, when we have the opportunity to rise again to the top. Mr. Wren, simply put, don’t worry about job security and “pull the trigger” for Hunter Pence, NOW.
Our desire for another title in atlanta is all consuming at this time, as this is the ONLY objective….”win baby win.” As “Pit Bull” would say, “give me tonight, we may not be here tomorrow.”
Frank, a challenge for you…Get Hunter Pence, and earn your own WS Championship Ring, and place in baseball history.
Katherine
July 28th, 2011
9:03 am
What about going after hanley ramirez? There have been rumors about him either wanting to leave florida or other players wanting him to leave……..That would be amazing to have a good short stop who actually hits. I think the shortstop position is more of a problem than the outfield. And what was with the lineup yesterday? No heyward, hinkse, or even conrad? Really? I’m hoping it was just because of the 19 inning game the night before but it was an awful lineup.
Katherine
July 28th, 2011
9:07 am
What is up with comments not showing up? Anyway…I said before…why not go after Hanley Ramirez? There have been rumors about him wanting to leave florida… wouldn’t that be amazing to have a shortstop who doesn’t hurt your team on a nightly basis?
Katherine
July 28th, 2011
9:07 am
ok i give up….my comments are not showing up at all
MATT ATLANTA
July 28th, 2011
9:16 am
The Braves are not trying to win a championship they don’t have the money like the other contenders, and trying to hold onto Mike Minor for low pay , what are they going to do have a 8 man rotation it doesn’t make since, this team is good they don’t have the record as the phillies but head to head they are even and now they have to worry about San Fran the team that beat them last year….
Atlanta87
July 28th, 2011
9:44 am
Let’s trade McCann, Heyward, and Freeman for three more pitchers. Can’t have enough of those pitchers, that you can only use one at a time. Wren is the man. I just love the job he’s doing soooo much!
DMAN
July 28th, 2011
9:45 am
Unless FG starts managing better,none of these moves will help!
Teddy Granthem
July 28th, 2011
9:55 am
Enter your comments here
Dawgdad (The Original)
July 28th, 2011
10:03 am
I say go BIG, and do something long term that will help the club. Put JJ and Hanson out there, both Boras clients destined to leave. JJ is the better long term pitcher, Trade Hanson preferably, before he throws one too many of his middle school curve balls and hurts his elbow. Maybe Hanson for Curtis Granderson, or put them both out there for Ryan Braun. These mickey mouse type trades like the Franceour and McClouth are just swapping one average player for another, doesn’t improve the team long term. And, don’t give me this trade D Lowe for Albert Pujouls crap, D. Lowe is untradeable unless we absorb most of his salary.
Bama Aaron
July 28th, 2011
10:09 am
Don’t trade the young pitchers. Lowe is old and pretty much done as a Brave after this season. As much as I hate to say it Huddy is getting old and not the same pitcher he used to be. Those young arms will be needed in another season or two.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
July 28th, 2011
10:12 am
Our Braves need depth, bullpen pitching, one big bat, help in the outfield, help in the infield, help at the top of the order, an improved bench etc. etc. etc.
Frank Wren’s a smart guy, so he already knows this to be true. I’m gonna put my two cents in for one last time, hopefully somebody in the Braves organization reads what I have been working on for days.
How to meet all the team needs without breaking the budget, stripping most of the pitching depth in our farm system and fitting it all into the 40 and 25 man roster’s. I keep coming back to the Marlins and I know those guys like to retool due to their small payroll. Here is what I came up with. The Fish will want pitching. I’m giving it too them without hurting our crop of young starting pitchers.
Trading Arodys Vizcaino, Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens (all pitchers) plus Brandon Hicks, Nate McLouth and Julio Lugo if the Marlins want him. In exchange: Logan Morrison, Omar Infante, Emilio Bonifacio, Edward Mujica, and minor league outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
That’s three pitchers, two infielders, one outfielder in exchange for one outfielder, two utility players, one middle relief pitcher and an OF prospect. Six for five. Even up it’s a solid, fair, smart baseball trade. Plus we pick up the tab, all of it. Our Braves pay the remaining 2011 salaries for everyone. But here’s the beautiful part. It all adds up to under 3.5 million total. Even more exciting, all these guys are young. They can all be part of the equation for years to come.
We get our big bat, outfield and infield help plus a bullpen arm. The Marlins get three young arms, two infielders, one outfielder and payroll relief. It’s doable, it really is.
Infante and Bonifacio would impact our offense, defense, bench, depth, infield, outfield plus clean out the kitchen sink. The two would give Fredi Gonzalez all kinds options for his batting order. Both can hit at the top and bottom of the order, both play six positions, both can start, come off the bench, pinch hit, pinch run….basically everything we need. Morrison is the big bat everybody craves.
There is my two cents. Can Frank Wren come up with a better mouse trap? I sure hope so but it’s highly doubtful.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
10:14 am
WE NEED QUINTION FROM THE WHITE SOX. IF FRANK WREN LETS THE PHILLIES GET HIM HE SHOULD BE FIRED.
KB
July 28th, 2011
10:19 am
Upton has some raw talent but is unpolished and has an attitude that is…shall we say…not compatible with our clubhouse. Given his stats on the year, he’s not worth the risk.
I know what’s been said about Houston wanting to retain Hunter Pence but I bet they might change their tune if we dangled a few pitching prospects in front of them. Given his contract would run through 2013, I’d be content with that deal.
Since Rasmus and Beltran are off the block so early, my gut is Wren is working hard to make this happen. At least I hope…
Taco
July 28th, 2011
10:20 am
I love the Marlins big move scenario. I also like idea of Matt Kemp for one of our big prospects if we get him for more than 1.5 seasons. That guy is a stud. Just not a whole lot of great players available on sucky teams. Maybe we could get the judge from the Casey Anthony trial to rule that we deserve Matt Kemp because the Dodgers are broke.
Golddawg
July 28th, 2011
10:33 am
We will end up with Josh Willingham and an eight man rotation next year. Bet on that…
Golddawg
July 28th, 2011
10:35 am
I can’t believe Wren won’t give up Minor for an OF upgrade.
JoeS
July 28th, 2011
10:48 am
With the way that this club is hitting, one new hitter will not assure them the title or even a playoff spot. You just cannot give up a major pitching prospect for a short term possible fix.
Robert
July 28th, 2011
10:57 am
Adam Jones from Baltimore would be a huge upgrade. Trade Minor for him.
Bill
July 28th, 2011
11:01 am
agree Robert on Adam Jones and CQ does have another arbitration year on his contract. Sorry Robert I was wrong before.
Golddawg
July 28th, 2011
11:13 am
I would say a Minor package for Pence is not a short term fix.
PMC
July 28th, 2011
11:16 am
Why would Baltimore trade a great young player for a maybe pitcher?
Pitchers pitch ONCE every 5 days and anyone we trade would get shredded in that division especially with no CF.
Yeah, we’d love to have Adam Jones and Curtis Granderson too, those guys aren’t available for a reason.
Frank Wren is more worried about guys that pitch once every 5 days than the guys that play everyday.
noseknows
July 28th, 2011
11:34 am
As long as Schuerholz is around and looking over Wren’s shoulder, the Braves won’t pull the trigger. Schuerholz only cost the Braves 3 to 4 WS rings when the Braves HAD the money.
don
July 28th, 2011
11:36 am
When Wren pays the piper he funds it with an overpayment of prospects. His unwillingness to trade one of the four pitching prospects offers hope. Unfortunately, shortsighted sportswriters and fans who have unrealistic expectations will probably force him to pull another Teixeira type fiasco.
Mitchell
July 28th, 2011
11:51 am
If Dan Uggla wasn’t such an unbelievable disappointment, we wouldn’t have to trade for a bat.
If we didn’t have the worst hitting coach in baseball maybe Jason Heyward wouldn’t be in the tank right with Uggla, McLouth and Gonzalez.
Trading a young pitcher like Minor, who, granted, probably has little chance of becoming the next Adam Wainwright, just would have been pointless for a guy who will only be here for two months.
You simply have to get more than that to part with a top prospect, especially when it’s to a division rival who you face 18 times a year for five years or however many it was to be.
All Carlos Beltran does is make the Giants now the 25th best offensive team in the majors as opposed to the 27th or 28th.
Their line-up is still weak. They just manage to grind it out and win by holding onto leads with their pitching and bullpen.
I still like our chances against them especially with Chipper and Martin in the line-up this time around.
If Brian is healthy, he could be our MVP when it comes down to it. They don’t have anybody like him in their line-up.
I say BRING IT.
PMC
July 28th, 2011
11:58 am
Teixeria wasn’t a fiasco Don. JD Drew was a fiasco mostly because he simply wasn’t worth Wainwright and he’s a freaking flake mentally. One or two of those 5 prospects would have worked out here and the Braves got a year and a half out of Tex. Of course Tex only plays for half a season, and due to a variety of issues related to a transition in starting pitching (poor relief pitching) and just not scoring enough (what else is new?)
Prospects count nothing towards a team winning. Teams that win championships don’t give two craps about who is in the minors. We shouldn’t either if we want to win championships anyway. The only thing good prospects are for is keeping the costs down and being fairly relevant. Our position players especially in the outfield and at Shortstop are incredibly lacking.
The Braves can find pitchers, they have no freaking clue how to scout outfielders if the results are any indication.
PMC
July 28th, 2011
12:00 pm
Trading for a player doesn’t have to mean Beltran, but seriously, who is the offense in this outfield? Who can you count on?
The Giants weak lineup just won the WS, why? Because we trotted out Raw Dog at 2nd and Rick Freaking ANKIEL was our answer in Center.
RICK ANKIEL. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? The team with the largest radio network that has fans all over America… felt they could fix the massive black hole in center….with RICK ANKIEL….Awesome.
LawDawg
July 28th, 2011
12:05 pm
Has everyone already forgotten what the JD Drew and Tex rentals cost us?
I, for one, would hate to have Beltran for 2 months and then watch as the pitcher we trade for him becomes another Adam Wainwright.
Michael
July 28th, 2011
12:09 pm
I’ve repeated this on every article questioning the wisdom of not signing Beltran – smart move Braves. He missed 100 games in 2010, and half a season in 2009. In 2009-2010 he hit a combined 17 home runs. This guy has gotten far too much mileage off of what he did for the Astros…SEVEN years ago! Yet some sportswriters here seem to think trading a young gun for this injury prone, power long gone hitter was the thing to do. WRONG. Beltran is one foul ball off his foot away from finishing his only season with the Giants on the bench – and you want to face one of our top talents for FIVE years for this guy? Thank God Frank Wren calls the shots and not Bradley or Schultz. Funnier still? Read what the Giants sports guys thought about this move before the trade went through…http://bleacherreport.com/articles/782186-carlos-beltran-short-term-rental-of-injury-prone-star-would-be-idiotic-move
LawDawg
July 28th, 2011
12:11 pm
“The only thing good prospects are for is keeping the costs down and being fairly relevant.”
PMC, what does this mean? Every major star was a prospect at some point. The reason you do not trade prospects is because sometimes they become Wainwright. If the Cards had traded Pujols out of their minor league system for some rental player to get them to the playoffs in the late 90s, early 00s, do you think they would be saying “who cares, he was only a prospect?”
LawDawg
July 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
Michael – you are exactly right; Beltran is being way overrated based on a good half year this year, which means he is on pace to play only about another 4 games this season.
hanley ramirez
July 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
What about me? I solve your RH bat problem and your SS problem. Continue to platoon the outfield. I promise I will get along with Fredi.
PMC
July 28th, 2011
12:25 pm
For every Pujols there are 5000 Todd Van Poppel’s.
We are going to sit through close playoff loss after close playoff loss waiting for pitchers to develop while the everyday lineup continues to lose games becuase they can’t produce runs.
don
July 28th, 2011
12:36 pm
You are correct, PMC, the Teixeira trade was not merely a fiasco. It was one of the absolute worst trades in the history of baseball. The old standby that prospects wouldn’t make it with the Braves although they made it with other, better teams is ridiculous. If Andrus, Harrison, and Feliz wouldn’t make it with the Braves, it says a lot about the ineptness of the Braves management- both on and off the field.
The Teixeira trade will always stand as a textbook example of a panic move by a GM that produced nothing positive for the Braves and a treasure trove for the Rangers.
On the other hand, I agree with you about the Drew trade. It was another panic move that garnered nothing. Wainwright was far too much to give up for a rental. Some seem to forget that the Braves also gave up Marquis. Like him or not, Marquis is a decent starting pitcher. His sin with the Braves was that he was not particularly impressed with Mazzone. Of course, a lot of people were not impressed with Mazzone. A head of lettuce would have looked good with the rotation Mazzone had at his disposal all those years.
K. Conley
July 28th, 2011
12:47 pm
Pence is the only answer as I see it. I don’t want Willingham or Quentin. I want the spark-plug, tough, young baseball player that goes hard 24-7. If I’m giving up young pitching talent, I can live with myself making the trade for Pence. I’m not sure I could with the other 2. Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows what I mean. Give up Minor and some lesser prospects and get it done. I just would not trade Vizcaino or Teheran.
Reality Check
July 28th, 2011
1:06 pm
K. Conley – Completely agree.
Reality Check
July 28th, 2011
1:07 pm
K. Conley – completely agree
HAL
July 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
i laughed out loud reading the post above about mclouth overtherowing cutoff men not being too bright etc right discription wrong player that would be the big dumb jerk usually to the left of nate in the outfield lol
Larry
July 28th, 2011
2:50 pm
this team is a joke who gives a shyt?
Larry
July 28th, 2011
2:51 pm
BRAVES JUST TRADED FOR PENCE
Brave Mike
July 28th, 2011
3:12 pm
All of the players mentioned in trade talks suck! Why even make a trade if this is all there is on the trade block?
Brave Mike
July 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
I have a part time home in Houston & go to an occasional Astro game. Let me say this…Hunter Pence sucks out loud! LOL
case
July 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
here’s my position. the bravos NEED to make a deal. they’re hurting. bad. as far as BJ Upton goes, he could be in the same situation that frenchy was in: in need of a new place. jeff went to the mets and thrived. my ideal guy would be pence or bourn. you have to give up talent to get talent. trade minor because he has let us down for the most part.
Braves20
July 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
Any way to permanently block someone who puts up a piece of crap like the post at 2:51?
urban redneck
July 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
pence is not going to leave the lone star state.
and anyone who questions an author’s grammar……………….should know there is no “e” in grammar.
Really?
July 28th, 2011
6:13 pm
How about trading Jason Heyward and a lower pitching prospect for a proven bat????
luvthosedawgs68
July 28th, 2011
6:23 pm
I love FW’s stance at the moment. He’s not gonna give up the top arms in the farm system unless a high production name comes our way. I don’t really think that there is a whole lot out there, so we will see if some of the prices come down between now and the deadline.
John A.
July 28th, 2011
7:19 pm
Frank could pull a coup with Baltimore, and put plenty of zing in the lineup…..trade AGON, McLouth, Proctor, Beachy, and a player to be named later for JJ Hardy, Vald Guerrero, and Nick Markakis (the player to be named later)…in other word borrow Markakis…things like that have been done in the past.
Hardy, Markakis and Guerrero add hitting power to the lineup, plus Baltimore needs pitching. Frank still has ties in Baltimore, and hould be able to pull off such a deal.
treyingeorgia
July 28th, 2011
9:36 pm
I am so tired of blaming the hitting coach… everybody was railing on Pendleton for the Brave’s lack of hitting… he might be the hitting coach; but, honestly guys it is in name only. He can only suggest and be a sounding board for the players. The point I am trying to make is the players currently on the roster save for 1 or 2 are just not very good hitters… and it has been like that for years… they don’t hit and run, bunt hit to the opposite field… they fail to make adjustments– Heyward sorry I just don’t see it… you are so far off the play that you have to lunge to get the outside pitch… if they do in fact go after QJackson from the White Soxx that will be first professional hitter they have acquired in age’s… if they get him maybe his mindset will rub off on the rest of the players…
treyingeorgia
July 28th, 2011
9:37 pm
and now this year people are asking for the Braves to get rid of Larry Parish this years hitting coach…
K Conleyh
July 28th, 2011
10:17 pm
@ John A. that’s about as dumb as it gets. Where in the hell would Guerrero play? He can barely walk, much less play a position. The Orioles just locked Hardy up with a new contract, so that makes zero sense.
jgral
July 29th, 2011
12:00 am
Don’t force anything, you can always check, the Phils look real good anyhow.
–
Atlanta Insight: Top 5 Moments in ATL Sports History – http://bit.ly/atlblog
Keith
July 29th, 2011
12:58 am
Mark,
YOu see the updated story on ESPN about how the Braves have made an offer for PENCE? I’m sure you have.
I guess the GM is pitting Wren against the Phillies’ GM. Classic.
GO BRAVES! We need offense.
Steve
July 29th, 2011
4:31 pm
Can we trade Frank Wren?
Robert
July 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
“Complicating matters, Chipper Jones remained unavailable to do more than pinch-hit Wednesday night”
Anyone remember this beaut from Chumper? – What Jason needs to realize is that Jason at 80 percent is a force, and Jason at 80 percent is better than a lot of people in this league. And that there are a bunch of his teammates that are out there playing with discomfort and not healthy, and still going at it
I guess to be fair Chipper didnt say he was one of the ones playing hurt
CodyT
July 29th, 2011
7:13 pm
I completly agree with complaetly agree with JohnA.
CodyT
July 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
I completly agree with john a
Steve
July 29th, 2011
10:28 pm
Very hard time to be a Braves fan with Fumbling Frank at the helm. Why is it other teams are able to get things done?
martyjames
July 30th, 2011
8:08 am
Bourn will makes this team awsome, An u go after the best player, Dont worry about left handed hitter his speed an glove will make up for that plus he his a perfect fit!!!!!!marty
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
8:43 am
Question to Frank Wren?
Which of these teams got better in the last 48 hours? Phillies, Giants or Braves?
Which of these teams got worse in the last 72 hours? Phiillies, Giants or Braves?
Which of these teams has the best chance of going to the World Series? Braves or Giants, or Braves or Phillies?
I’m so disgusted now.
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
8:46 am
Once again, how in the hell does a team like the Phillies find a way to get much better near the trade deadline and the braves always end up with Junk: (Derek Lee, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnwworth). Its a disgrace.
And on top of that, you expect us the fans to go and expect great things in the post season? I see us getting losing in the first round against the Giants.
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
8:52 am
Here is what Frank Wren, and Fredi Gonzalez is going to say after the trade deadline:
Frank Wren: “We tried to improve our club. We made a reasonable offer for Carlos Beltran and Hunter Pence”, but the price was too high. We didn;t want to mortgage our future.
Freddi Gonzalez: “We are going to be okay with the guys we got. Chippers coming back. That’s like getting a new bat in the line up. We’re getting Brian McCann back. That’s another big bat. This way we don’t have to give up anything…blah blah blah”.
A bunch of horseshizzt. The fact of the matter is, we have very little chance of beating The Phillies.You know it. Frank Knows it and the players knows it deep in their heart.
Wait til next year….we get to do it all over again…Hey, we at least have great prospects!
NEW CARS
July 30th, 2011
9:51 am
The reason our minor league system isn’t ranked at the very top is our depth of prospects. Yes, we have 4 of possibly the top 25 pitching prospects in baseball, but we don’t have a lot after that…Salcedo (not available), Pastornicky (probably not available), Bethancourt and maybe Lipka (who has struggled this year) are our top position players and none are Top 50 prospects at this point..We do have some more pitching depth with Perez, Clemens, Oberholzer, Spruill and a few others, but we have got to do something to bring in some position players with some upside..I have no interest in Coco Crisp or Willingham..I think Quentin would be the best fit, short and long term, with Upton being next..We are going to have to give up at least one of those top 4 guys plus a couple of lower prospects to get those guys…If Wren wanted to get real ambitious, he would flip Minor and Bethancourt and someone like Filak to Tampa for Upton and then be ambitious and send Delgado, Gosselin and Clemens to Chicago for Quentin…
That would protect us against Chipper relapsing, Heyward’s struggles and having to count on Shafer and McLouth in CF…We would keep Teheran, Vizcaino, Spruill, Oberholzer, Perez, Abreau, Hale and the bottom guys….If Chipper packs it in, which I think he will after 3 straight injury plagued years…Then next year we would have
Upton
Heyward
Prado
McCann
Quentin
Freeman
Uggla
Pastornicky
That’s scary and we would still have our top 2 prospects, plus Salcedo and the other position players!!!!
Falcons4Eva
July 30th, 2011
10:20 am
What’s the difference between The Phillies and The Braves?
The Phillies give up prospects who MIGHT help then win in the future, and win World Series NOW. The Braves hold on to prospects Noand get bounced in the early rounds of the playoffs (if they make it that is).