I just wanted to chime in about the OF...

by bravesbeast1985 on May 23, 2009 11:53 AM EDT Comment 27 comments

Obviously, the fact that Jordan Schafer, who has not homered since the 3rd game of the season, leads our OFs with a .660 OBP shows that a change needs to be made. In my opinion, the braves do not need to mortgage the future for a guy like Holliday, and they do not need to take on a whole bunch of salary with a Dye or Maggs.

The silver lining to this current situation is that the braves do not have to trade for a stud middle of the order bat in order for a trade to be beneficial. They need to focus on players who would provide an upgrade to our team, and since our situation is so dire right now, these players are ones we do not have to trade elite prospects for. A guy like Mark Derosa, a solid regular but by no means a gamechanger, would be a difference maker on our team because of how bad our OFs have been. My name in the hat would be Ryan Spilborghs. Yes, not a lot of power, but he makes solid, productive contact, can play all three OF postions, can show some speed, and probably is expendable. I think we could possibly use jo-jo as a starting point to get him.

I do not mean to add to the minute-by-minute rosterbation attempts and trade attempts, I just know that now is the time to get our situation some help. Obviously, Derosa is someone who could provide that help, and I wanted to add Spilborghs as a possibilty. Who else could the braves go after that are in the same mold as Spilborghs and Derosa, players who are utilitymen or partimers on their current teams but could provide great benefit to our team. Another guy I would love is Ben Zorbrist, but know that he is much less likely to be available.

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Oh, and Schafer leads our OF with a .660 OPS, sorry about that

by bravesbeast1985 on May 23, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Jordan Schafer was posting a .660 OBP, we might not be complaining about the outfield production. But then again, we probably still would.

by Bronn on May 23, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jo Jo isn’t a trade piece right now..He’d be more of a “throw in” than anything. He’s at the lowest value point right now that he’s ever been..
I think those who keep mentioning him as someone that a trade could be built around should seek other options.

by Whodunnit?4040 on May 23, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure you are...

that we do not need a big bat, but okay let’s accept that premise. By throwing out names that might help us ,you must consider what we have to give up and the trading partners needs. Spilsborgh would fit our need as an outfield upgrade, but what we we give the Rockies in return? They have a decent crop of young arms already at the big league level in Jimmenez, Morales and Delrosa. Jeff Francis is back next year and Cook is solid and Chacin and a few others in the wings.As far as Jo Jo Reyes being a throw in, I think he could be a decent “part” of a package in the right circumstance.What the Braves need is Ryan Braun, and they need pitching. You would have to start with Hanson in that negotiation.

by mikie baseball on May 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Braun is untouchable.

As is Tommy Hanson. I’m sure you’re just saying that to make a point, though.

by ATLforlife on May 24, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it kinda popped into my head when I thought of the hypothetical. I guess you could never say never.If you could clear your head of the fantasy of the trade it might have some very interesting implications for both teams however.

by mikie baseball on May 24, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Along the same lines ... Who are our available and desirable trade pieces?

Setting aside very problematic budgetary issues, the key component to any possible deal is who we would be willing to give up. To me, this is the starting point of any serious discussion re possible trades.

Rationally, one thing we should all know is that to get a quality, difference-making middle of the lineup corner outfielder who would positively help the team contend this season, we will have to give up quality.

And either management has a core group of true untouchables who absolutely are not and will not be available, to for sure include Hanson and Heyward, and to almost for sure (we would hope) include Freddie Freeman, Cole Rohrbough, plus current roster young studs Jurrjens, Escobar and Schafer; or they do not.

I say they do and it would be almost unthinkable to give up any of those guys.

Also, its hard for me to imagine any of the established vets and/or new signees – Chipper, McCann, Kotchman, Kawakami, Lowe, Vazquez, and our three top relievers – would be available; or 2d stringers or has-beens like G. Anderson, Norton, Diaz, Prado, Bennett, Campillo, et al, would be desirable.

That seems to leave some combo of Kris Medlen, Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke, Kelly Johnson, Charlie Morton and (maybe) Brandon Jones as our very best possible trade pieces.

Not to leave Francoeur out of the discussion, if management is in fact ready to give up on him, it is possible, imo, that some team could to take him on as a project, together with 2 or 3 of the others.

A difference-maker is what we need.

A small move to add a DeRosa or Spilborghs just doesn’t do much for us, imo.

by fandave on May 23, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A difference-maker is what we need.

A small move to add a DeRosa or Spilborghs just doesn’t do much for us, imo

I am with you.I would narrow your list a bit to reflect the urgent need for a big bat however.Tommy Hanson might be expendable. Ryan Braun came off the top of my head, and frankly, given our situation it might be the only exception where I would close my eyes and say done.Heyward, Freeman and in part because he is lefthanded Rohrbough are untouchable.I would move Kotchman off the list because we are waiting for Freeman in 2 years,or less.So if he could be moved to fetch a needed piece, he could have some value.

What I think ,on an organizational level this all shows, is our need to draft and develope some positional players at this point

by mikie baseball on May 23, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But if we trade Kotch...

Who’s our everyday 1B? Prado?

by MichaelProcton on May 23, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t get me wrong, I like Kotchman.I am just saying I do not believe he is untouchable.If you think about it,we went from Tex to Kotchman.Is the step down from Kotchman to Prado as big if you could pick up a piece that you need more and have Freeman in the wings a year or so down the road?

by mikie baseball on May 24, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would the Brewers want to trade Ryan Braun? He’s young and signed under market value for like the next 6 years. I mean, I’d love to have him too but come on.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 23, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one would want to trade Ryan Braun, agreed.However, if one were to think about exactly who the Braves might need (just imagine him in a Brave uni batting between Chipper and McCann and the existing rotation), and what the Brewer organization lacks (I think their best prospect Jeffress was just sent to A ball), well the lunacy of the thought makes for interesting fodder. In addition, the Brewers have Gamel, who is thought to have a very good bat , as a replacement.

I for one was happy to see Hanson not be offered for Peavy, but would think otherwise if it were in a package for Braun,considering what we did during the off season to bolster this staff.

by mikie baseball on May 24, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would just walk around with a permanent erection if we could land Braun.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 24, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1 Big move and 1 Small move away

From contending though it seems to me that we really don’t have the pieces to get a Impact bat with out including one the “Untouchables” Hanson/Heyward/Freeman. Which than if that is the case I just hope FW doesn’t make move for a Derosa/Spilborghs/Willingham/Zorbrist type player and expect big things to come. That would be a waste of prospects in what will get in return in production. This team will need a RH bat at some point but if that can’e be done I just say we get a legit leadoff guy/speed plus a quality OF bat with some HR potential. FLopez/JDamon/RWinn/Suzuki/Fred Lewis could be lead off type guys with would move everyone down in the lineup and than add that quality RH OF bat. This could be done much cheaper in prospects than trying to get that established cleanup hitter,

by Hanson-Ace on May 23, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m actually a big fan of Spilborghs, although I’m afraid his stats appear to be bolstered by ole’ Coors Field. With that being said, he’d still probably outproduce all of our outfielders right now. Kind of alarming to see his BB% and K% so drastically different than they were last year though.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol Smoltz's

Its great that we finally agree on something, that Garret Anderson preview is not holding too much value right now.

by bravesbeast1985 on May 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Could this work

In trying to Pry away Shin-Soo Choo from the Tribe?Considering that the Indians already have Ben Francisco, Matt LaPorta, Trevor Crowe and Nick Weglarz coming up through the system, they could potentially be willing to move Choo in the right deal.The Indians could really use some pitching help which we could package together acouple of the SP/BP Arms.

He would be Arb eligible next year and under control til 13’ but this guy plays good defense and hits alot of line drives.

370 PA in 2008: .309/.397/.549
183 PA in 2009: .295/.415/.463

Morton + Locke + JoJo ?

by Hanson-Ace on May 23, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would LOVE Choo, dude is awesome (especially in fantasy).

"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!

by bigjoe on May 23, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fo sho

I have him on my team… baller

by ATLforlife on May 24, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Choo is awesome. But didn’t Cleveland dump pretty much all RF options in order for Choo to play every day? The bigger problem also is that he’s due to serve his mandatory two years of Korean military service very, very soon (end of 2010 season, before he turns 30). He didn’t receive exemption, despite carrying the Korean team to the WBC finals.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 23, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Alexei Ramirez???

Williams is losing patience with his infieldand this could be opportunity to buy low for Ramirez. He is absolutely horrible right now and according to the link Williams is ready to make some moves. His contract is extremely affordable and he will eventually break out of this slump.

I think his right handed bat also give us flexibility in what we look for in the outfield. Ramirez has already shown the ability to hit 20+ HR and this lessons the expectations of what we immediately need in the OF.

I think we have the pieces to work with the south side on this one. The first link listed touches on Williams inclination to bring Beckham up earlier than expected. He is a natural shortstop and could be the internal replacement for Ramirez. If we offer Kelly Johnson we will allow Getz to serve as a utility man as he develops and KJ left handed bat will even out their RH lineup. I also think that Charlie Morton in the package would be plenty enough for this to happen. Obviously, their could be a throw guy here and there.

I think this is a trade that allows us to broaden our search for OF options. It’s pure speculation and could be way out there. However, I see this trade being something that could benefit both teams financial and logistically without jeopardizing future goals.

There is always the possibility of getting a third team involved as well. I see us being a good third team in any peavy trade. We have the prospect, the padres have peavy, who has the bat???

Thought I’d throw my two cents in with everyone else leaving smalls coils of emotion everywhere.

by Charmin519 on May 23, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Alexi could continue to walk like he has been, he’d be an interesting guy to look into. His ISO is way down so far this year though.

I didn’t open the links so maybe that’s why I’m not understanding, but who’s Getz?

by Smoltz's Beard on May 23, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Getz = Lillbridge with a better bat

by bigjoe on May 23, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What Joe Said

by Charmin519 on May 23, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Getz

was my fantasy sleeper pick this year…he has started to slow waaaaay down fantasy-wise, though.

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on May 24, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is everyone talking about trades?

everyone is like “to contend, we need this…we need that…this person will help, that person would be awsome!”

WE ARE 1.5 GAMES OUT, PEOPLE!!!

we dont need these trades to contend – we are already contending!!!

and let’s be honest, we are contending while going through some major injuries (chipper, escobar, heap and yes, G Anderson).

Let’s slow our roles a bit and continue to root for this really good team.

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on May 24, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Point taken and it’s a good one, but it is not a balanced team with respect to hitting and pitching.We feel good when we score just enough and pitch well to win 11 of 16, but in the longer run we need to strike a bit better balance. Wren would also probably make a better deal while we are playing well, than if we looked in deep trouble and playing poorly.

by mikie baseball on May 24, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs