Top Ten Reasons Why We Should Trade Salty Now.

by ejruiz on Jul 18, 2007 2:05 AM EDT Comment 12 comments

He's no help off the bench: in just 10 pinch hit AB, he only has one hit and it was a single.
He's clearly unpopular in the clubhouse, for whatever reason: I'm not saying he's a bad person or anything like that, but I feel as though he just doesn't fit in with our bunch of guys and team chemistry is as important as it is underrated.
Our team needs a jolt: I don't believe in making a deal for the deal's sake, but this team might need something like that. Everyone's expected Salty to get traded since he got the call up and I think that's hurting everyone involved. Trade him for a pitcher and then acquire a veteran 1B who's doing well this season to let everyone know we're in it to win it in 2007 and beyond.
We're stunting his developement by keeping him from catching everyday: this kid is clearly on pace to be one of the best back-stops in baseball and it can only hurt him to be playing out of position almost as often as he gets to play behind the plate.
The value of his performance is negliable at this point: When you consider the fact that he's been bad at 1B (see #2) then we only benefit from playing him over McCann and that's nothing compared to what we could be sporting if we dealt him away.
His trade value will never be higher: he's had a major regression before after a monster season and if we don't trade him while he's hot, we might get stuck with a player without a position when he's down again.
We already have a young, All-Star catcher who is also a fan-favorite: McCann's season in ATL last year was better than any Salty has ever had as a pro at any level, he's just a touch older and he's already locked up long-term. He's had a rough year, but he's been hurt and still deserved his All-Star selection (NL catchers are weak).
He's overrated: I honestly can't believe anyone thinks he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the NL RoY award at this point. Not only are Braun, Pence and Loney in a tier all to themselves for that thing, but I can think of at least two other guys (Hamilton and Tulowitzki) that are more deserving than Salty. Hell, Fontenot, Fred Lewis and Mark Reynolds might all be ahead of our boy in that list as well...
He's not a good first baseman: not only is his defense shaky out there, but his .206/.263/.441 line with 2 HR in 34 AB at first base is not very good either.
We desperately need a young, impact pitcher more than anything else and trading him is our only chance at getting one: I can't believe anyone would hesitate in acquiring Snell/Gorzelanny for this guy or believe that a package of Yunel Escobar and change would be enough to do the same.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

Comments

Dude?

How do you know that he is unpopular in the clubhouse? It aint like 2005 when McCann came up with Frenchy, Davies, KJ and a whole lot of others from double-A! Its basically just Salty, and Escobar from double-A!!! If it was just McCann and KJ from 2005 it might be basically the same thing dude!!! Who cares if we are stunting his growth at Catcher, I want him to be our Everyday 1st baseman!!! He is getting better and better everyday he plays first base dude!!! To be honest with you, I doubt any player on the Braves team ever thought he would be traded this year, so I have no IDEA what you are talking about? Well Maybe we can have an ALL-STAR 1st baseman in Salty also!!! Ever thought about that? No doubt if we can trade him for Snell, I would do it, But I am not as high on Gorzelanny as alot of people are!!! And you are right about Escobar, he would not even come close to getting either one!!! I would trade Salty for Snell, BUT not for Gorzelanny!!! I just would not, I think he is a good pitcher, but not good enough for Salty!!!

Give me your list of players that you would trade Salty for. It can be any amount of players, just give me all the names that you would do a Salty for whoever trade:

braves#1

by rockybull on Jul 18, 2007 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Loud Noises!!!

Well, you seemed to be locked in on the lesser reasons why he should be traded, but that's OK. I believe it has been documented that he's had a hard time making friends in ATL, but I'd need someone like Velcro Vernacular and/or Gondee to back that up. Like I said, I don't believe he's a bad guy and his popularity within the team would increase over time (especially if he performs to his potential) but we might not have the luxury of time.

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but the fact is that he has a .206/.263/.441 line with 2 HR in 34 AB at first base thus far and, whether or not that's improving, it hasn't helped and it's a long way from helping. He could well be the best catcher in baseball if he's given a full-time job, but he won't crack the top ten at 1B even if you ignore his actual performance at the position and give him credit for his best seasons.

I also like Snell more than I like Gorzelanny, but it's really a matter of taste as their stats are pretty much too close to call. I'd even be willing to add change to our side of the deal to make it happen. Other than those two, there aren't many, if any, worthy AND realistic candidates to trade Salty for, but something could be worked out. Vazquez, a significant ammount of cash and change would be nice. Garland would also be a fine acquisition. I know that isn't much of a list, but I think something could get done with either team.

by ejruiz on Jul 18, 2007 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ejruiz

He's clearly unpopular in the clubhouse, for whatever reason: I'm not saying he's a bad person or anything like that, but I feel as though he just doesn't fit in with our bunch of guys and team chemistry is as important as it is underrated.

Why would you say something as stupid as Salty is clearly unpopular in the clubhouse?

by 525DP on Jul 18, 2007 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, ejruiz...

i agree with you. on all counts. it's really not fair to salty to force him into the 1B position at this point.

either snell (preferably) or gorzelanny would work for me. but the pirates are in the driver's position on this one -- they potentially hold the best pieces on the SP market -- doumit is no slouch -- we need an impact pitcher NOW, and they're losing terribly. i wouldn't be surprised if they just held until the winter.

vazquez would be nice. but everything i've been hearing has been centered around contreras.

please, no matt morris.

i know he's been piss poor lately, and i know the marlins have said that they won't trade him within the division, but i've always liked willis's stuff. so maybe... i don't know. maybe too big of a risk. davies has good sutff too, but that doesn't equal wins.

in any case, i agree that we must trade salty now, while he's still a top catching prospect. it just sucks that the market is awful.

by brndn on Jul 18, 2007 3:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed... Almost.

Snell would be my choice, with Gorzelanny a close second. Vazquez would be fine and I'd add Garland to the list, if possible. Morris is definitely out for me as well, unless he comes dirt cheap; we should look into Lowry, though I wouldn't give Salty up for him. Willis is where we come apart.

Dontrelle is an overrated media creation and has been since the day he first stepped on the stage. He stole Brandon Webb's RoY and he's nothing more than a glorified #3 starter (#2 at his best, but falling hard and fast now) who would come with an ace's pricetag. Not only is he an impossible dream, he'd likely turn out to be a nightmare if he wasn't.

by ejruiz on Jul 18, 2007 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forgot to Mention Doumit.

Doumit is more of a Craig Wilson type in PIT right now; so much so, that he's not listed as a catcher on their website. Salty would be replacing Paulino behind the plate, with Doumit moving permanently to a corner OF position. I think a deal that gets us Snell/Gorzelanny and Nady/Doumit for Salty, Harrison/Reyes and maybe some change would be best.

by ejruiz on Jul 18, 2007 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doumit

I've always liked Doumit. He has above average power and plays the game real hard. He would be a good bench/role player to have - maybe a Craig Wilson when he was good type guy.

by gondeee on Jul 18, 2007 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I agree

Ken Rosenthal said that players with tons of potenetial may not live up to the hype. Salty and Yunel could be in that category. I thought about trading with Texas:

Braves would get: Teixeira, Millwood, Cash

Texas would get: Salty, Yunel, Devine, Reyes

http://blabberinbraves.blogspot.com/

by Chipper on Jul 18, 2007 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mega-Deals

I like to think big as much as anyone else does, but the truth is that most teams don't package major trading chips unless they're getting an overwhelming package in return and this is not one for Texas. Moreover, I'd prefer to stay away from Tex and find a bargain, vet 1B who is hitting well this season; I think Millar is my fav among those at the moment. I'm also not sold on Millwood.

by ejruiz on Jul 18, 2007 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at the Oakland A's game today!!

We definately do not want Millwood he has been horrible this season and I believe that his struggles will continue. However, the guy who pitched for Oakland, Lenny DiNardo, is a lefty and was pretty impressive today as he has been all season long and I think the Braves should see if he is available.

by mvandonsel on Jul 19, 2007 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oi....

He's not a good first baseman: not only is his defense shaky out there, but his .206/.263/.441 line with 2 HR in 34 AB at first base is not very good either.

Lets forget the fact that your numbers are a VERY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE and could be taken with a GIANT grain of Salt (no pun intended).

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Jul 19, 2007 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs