Ohman Could be Key in Teixeira Deal

by gondeee on Jul 29, 2008 11:21 AM EDT in Braves Trade News

The forgotten, but perhaps more sought after Braves player as we near the trading deadline, is left-handed reliever Will Ohman. Much like left-handed reliever Ron Mahay was the sweetener for the Rangers in last year's Mark Teixeira trade, Ohman could be this year's deal-sweetener. Many teams seem to be balking at the initial price for our power hitting switch-hitter, but with the addition of another key piece like a bullpen lefty, the prospect purse strings could loosen just a tad and allow for that third or fourth player to be added to the deal to make it meet with what Atlanta feels it needs in return.

Ohman has been one of the more valuable left-handed setup men in the National League this season. He ranks second with 55 appearances and third in holds with 13 among left-hander relievers. He is also among the leaders with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. This is as good if not better in some areas than Ron Mahay was last season when the Braves acquired him from the Rangers.

We haven't been hearing too much about any sort of combined trade, but the inclusion of Ohman could be tempting to potential suitors. The Angels have only Darren Oliver as the lone lefty in their bullpen. Arizona might have the most need for the services of a lefty specialist as they currently don't have any left-handers in their pen, and the one left-hander they had -- before he went on the disabled list -- was the highly ineffective Doug Slaten.

If a deal is to be struck, especially with Arizona, then Will Ohman is likely to be a part of it, and could be the key to the Braves getting what they want in return.

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Nope

Ohman + Tex doesn’t make the DBacks contenders this year. While Ohman fills a big hole, even including him doesn’t make it worthwhile for the DBacks to sell out their future to make this trade. No Scherzer, no Parker, no Conor. I think DBacks management will give up Tracy, but even that would be a mistake, IMHO.

by DBacksArb on Jul 29, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

then what in the world are they even talking for

I am guessing you would want to give up Buckner and Parra for Tex. Or is that even too much?

by NEBravesFan33 on Jul 29, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

maybe i am way to biased..

but i thought the inclusion of ohman would fetch us either:
Scherzer and Parker
or
Scherzer & Tracy
or
Jackson & Parker
.after reading that i realize that i am dreaming

by pj16 on Jul 29, 2008 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

Buckner and Parra is about the most I would offer if I was the DBacks GM. Not that Tex isn’t a valuable player, it’s just that the DBacks team is a bad fit for a trade like this. It is way too early in the team’s success cycle to sell out more of our farm for a run this year.

Again Anaheim should make an a better offer in their sleep. Do they really think they can win the WS with their offense and their first base dregs?

by DBacksArb on Jul 29, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

But they have Kotchman!

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 29, 2008 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

then Frank Wren walks away

by NEBravesFan33 on Jul 29, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Buckner and Parra don’t fit what the Braves want

by NEBravesFan33 on Jul 29, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

supposedly boston is looking hard at ohman…i wonder what we could get from them. obviously the top of the line prospects are out of the question, but they DID give up engel beltre for gagne last year…maybe we can get someone of value

by bigjoe on Jul 29, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with you. I feel a lot better about the depth of available prospects in the Boston system than I do Arizona’s, or especially the Yankees’. One fact I like is that their rotation is in good shape, and they have minor league depth that they might be willing to trade. Obviously Buchholz and probably Bowden are out of the question, but maybe someone from the next step down.

by VegasAces on Jul 29, 2008 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe.

The only shot at Parker, Sherzer or Jackson (list in order of decreasing attainability) would be to add Ohman and perhaps some significant cash to Tex. Even then, you’re talking about only one of those guys and perhaps a marginal prospect to go along with Parker, since he’s farthest from the majors.

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by ejruiz on Jul 29, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

If this is the case...

Then like I’ve said several times, Wren doesn’t do the trade. If you think we can’t even get ONE of those guys (which I think is nonsense) for Tex + Ohman then we don’t trade him to the D’Backs, or we don’t trade them at all. I’d rather see Tex sit here for the rest of the year on a losing team than trading him to a contender who’s going to give us exactly squat for him and Ohman.

by soup du jour on Jul 29, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I hear you.

But I read your statement as you being dubious to the fact that we could get any of them…which is why you also included a big chunk of money. I guess I was arguing with your degree of certainty; I disagreed with your ‘our only shot’ statement on account of we should definitely get one, not need to throw in an extra incentive and that one headliner + a prospect is all we get.

by soup du jour on Jul 29, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions