Braves - Pirates Rumors

by gondeee on Dec 9, 2008 6:50 PM EST in Trade News Comment 7 comments

John Perrotto started the Braves-Pirates rumors early this afternoon:

l [hear] Atlanta has interest in a couple of Pirates starting pitchers, left-hander Paul Maholm and right-hander Ian Snell, but won’t give up top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson in a trade.

D-Fab is also hearing some Braves-Pirates whispers:

Hearing that the Braves have asked the Pirates about LH Paul Maholm and CF Nate McLouth.

Asking price for McLouth would be huge, multiple top prospects at the very least, after he posted 76 extra-base hits (26 homers), 94 RBI, 23 steals and a .356 OBP and .853 OPS last year in his breakthrough season. Oh, and won a Gold Glove.

A Pittsburgh Pirates beat writer is hearing similar things:

Atlanta has asked the Pirates today about Nate McLouth and Paul Maholm, a source just told me. When I texted back to see if the source was sure, the reply came, "Yes."

Now, bear in mind here that the Pirates value these players immensely, and it would take a monster return for one player, let alone both. So assume nothing more here than that a phone call was placed. The Pirates have made it known that no one is untouchable, so it is reasonable that teams shoot high.

Later he adds:

I am further told that the Braves are going "pretty heavily" into trying to get one or both of these players. But I advise again: Imagine the return necessary to do something like that, and stay realistic.

Here are the stats from last year for all the Pirates players mentioned:

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Paul Maholm	9-9	31	31	1	0	0	0	206.1	201	89	85	21	63	139	3.71	1.28

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Ian Snell	7-12	31	31	0	0	0	0	164.1	201	107	99	18	89	135	5.42	1.76

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2008 - Nate McLouth	152	597	113	165	46	4	26	94	65	93	23	3	.276	.356	.497

There's some good young players in this lot, even if Snell had a bit of an off-year. We heard a bunch of Snell and Gorzelanny rumors last year, and nothing ever came of it. The Pirates have a history of liking obscure prospects in our system (Jamie Romak), so when they talk about prospects I wonder who exactly Pittsburgh is considering. Let's see how much this rumor gets beaten to death in the next two days, or how quickly one of the GMs debunks it.

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Comments

McLouth is vastly overrated...

he’s not a center fielder. Anyone who doesn’t realize that is a moron. It’s really that simple. The guy was an absolutely brutal fielder in 2008 and there’s no reason to think that he’ll suddenly get better. Depending on your preferred metrics, he’s at least 15 below average in the field. I’m not opposed to getting him – his bat can play at the corners and his defense there is probably decent – but not for “multiple top prospects.”

As for the pitchers, both of them have career FIPs in the range of 4.50. They’re 3rd starters at best. Better than Jo Jo Reyes, but they aren’t the kind of guys who we can’t do without.

by BraveBronco0121 on Dec 9, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

mclouth is a slightly better version of eric byrnes… and thats not really meant as a compliment

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 9, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

McCloth and Maholm would be good

but at what cost? We would have to trade the whole farm. All of it. Why are we hell bent on trading away our perfectly good players in the year we have the most money to spend. I just don’t understand. The market is flooded with big bats eager to accept contracts for much less than they anticipated and we sit around and come up with convoluted trade plans. We have the money, why not just go get Adam Dunn. Oh no he’s left handed, isn’t that why we have Diaz? I’m tired of all these trade rumors. We already made the only trade our prospects will allow us to make, now go sign somebody.

by someguy917 on Dec 9, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They would want Heyward

And I am actually concerned that Wren would consider trading him if he became desperate.

I really hope Burnett signs, mostly in fear of what Cox/Wren would do to fill needs.

by NEBravesFan33 on Dec 9, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like McLouth’s bat, but he makes Ryan Howard look good versus lefties.

by VictorW on Dec 9, 2008 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

said it before and i’ll say it again: maholm is the only one that interests me. he made some real improvements last year, and he’s never had a FIP above 5. doesn’t strike out A TON of guys, but strikes out enough. awesome GB pitcher (nearly a 2.0 career ratio). doesn’t allow a ton of homers. still young ENOUGH. would be under our control for 2 or 3 years.

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 9, 2008 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs