Would you trade Tommy Hanson, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward for Albert Pujols? *updated*

Would you trade Tommy Hanson, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward for Albert Pujols? updated

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 1:22 AM EDT Comment 54 comments

Gondeee made a post earlier in the year about "Would you trade...." and i thought it was a great discussion (I believe it was Hanson for Upton, but i may be mistaking). I thought about this last night and was really torn.

Again, this is TOTALLY FOR FUN.I know there's an ice cream cone's chance in hell of this deal happening. And i didn't really think it was rosterbating, but if the big dogs (aka Gondeee, Big Joe, yondaime4, etc.) think it is, ill be happy to post this in the rosterbation thread cause im really interested in what you guys think. But anyways...

Would you trade Tommy Hanson, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward for Albert Pujols?

Before we get into my argument, take in account all current contracts of the 3 players. Also, for arguments sake, say the Braves could afford Pujols if they got him. I KNOW WE COULDNT AFFORD HIM! But then again, this is just a fun discussion.

You guys know Hanson's, Freeman's and Heyward's contracts (well, Heyward's and Freeman's when he gets to the bigs at least).

Heres Pujols' contract: $16M in 2009, $16M in 2010 and a $16M club option for 2011 w/ a $5M buyout.

When i first thought of this proposal, I immediately thought i'd rather have Pujols. He's the un-questioned best player in the league, not to mention one of the best and nicest guys you'll ever meet (i went to a couple of his fundraisers a few years ago when i lived in Missouri.) His production is unmatched and would do wonders in our lineup for the next 2 1/2 years. Pujols has also been healthy every year of his career except for an oblique strain a year or two ago. And his defense is above average at 1B.

But then i started to think, do i really wanna trade 5 or 6 years of a relatively cheap Hanson, Freeman and Heyward for 2 1/2 years of a superstar? I'd like to think we could re-sign Albert, but we could never compete with the Yankees or Red Sox in terms of money (Mark Teixeira is a perfect example.)

I couldn't make up my mind.

There's something about holding on to your young, up and coming players. You get to watch every one of their career firsts. Hanson's first complete game. Hanson's first double digit strikeout game. Hanson's first perfect game...okay, maybe not, but you get my point. Jason Heyward has scouts drooling over him. He has a perfect frame for a perennial all star, not to mention a really good player for a really long time. He's truly a 5-tool player at the age of 19. Not to mention he'll make his MLB debut at the age of 20 or 21. Not too shabby. And the same goes for Freddie.

After weighing all the pros and cons of each side of the deal, i think i'd rather keep Tommy, Freddie and Jason than Mr. Pujols.

But that's just my opinion.

So, channel your inner GM and let me know what you think. Hanson, Freeman and Heyward or Pujols?

LETS GO BRAVES. AND LETS SHOW THE GIANTS WHO REALLY HAS THE BEST PITCHING IN THE LEAGUE.

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Yes. I would.

by esadb on Jul 20, 2009 12:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would too. And I’d feel like I got a steal.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What if we added freeman? I thought about it, but thought we would be giving up too much.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 1:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I would consider it.

by esadb on Jul 20, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the input

I think im going to change the post to include Freeman. Thinking about it, the Cards would have to get a 1st baseman in return, and I don’t think Kotchman is enough. I wanna make it as fair as possible.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 1:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you should probably change it

I think most people would say yes to just Heyward and Hanson.

by esadb on Jul 20, 2009 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Updated my friend!

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 1:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I think I’d still do it. And still feel like I got the better end. You get a game changing hitter and you’re losing only one player off your major league team, which maybe Hudson could replace soon enough. Sure, you’re screwing the future a little, but whatever offense Heyward might create in the next three years, combined with whoever would play first, would be outmached handily by Albert.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would take Pujols in a minute over the 3 prospects for the next 2 years. BUT,, we would have Freeman, Heyward and Hason, in their primes, for 2 or 3 years after Albert.

That’s why I wouldn’t do the trade.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 2:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

He’s the best baseball player in the world.

by esadb on Jul 20, 2009 2:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

This. And it’s a lot easier to sign a guy when he’s already on your team.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, sir.

Pete Rose was actually banned from baseball for teaching Jeff Francoeur how to play. He made up the gambling stuff to hide his shame.

by VivaLosBravos on Jul 20, 2009 1:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, and Logan. If you are talking about prospects for Albert they could have the whole damn farm!

Baseball is my life

by That a boy on Jul 20, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

For Pujols?

Name your price. Every man’s got one.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 20, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and everyones gonna pay

The New Punchout for Nintendo Wii......get it

by bravesguy311 on Jul 20, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BAHAHAHAHA

MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY

BravesHeart, my new, corporate-sponsored blog - FANBALL BLOG OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009!!!!!

by bigjoe on Jul 20, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, that belt is so pimp. I was elated when i saw his action figure came with it. And he had Virgil just for the extra muscle when the refs turned their backs. Def the man. Always was a Warrior fan thou

The New Punchout for Nintendo Wii......get it

by bravesguy311 on Jul 21, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kudos for the Virgil reference...

But if Liberty sold the Braves to Macho Man Randy Savage, I think it’s safe to say the other 29 teams would be too scared to even try for the playoffs, let alone the World Series.

"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Jul 23, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Random Fact: Randy Poffo, before he became Randy Savage, the Macho Man, was a pitching prospect for the Cardinals, Reds, and White Sox. So way to actually take this pro-wrestling quip, and steer it back onto the topic of baseball.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 23, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its a vicious circle

but that is a killer fun fact. very interesting.

oohhhhhh yeeeeaaaahhhhhh

I thought hurricane season was over........

by bravesguy311 on Jul 23, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great now I've got the Ted DiBiase entry music stuck in my head...

“money, money, money, money, moneyyyyy (Ted DiBiase laugh).”

"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Jul 23, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dag

that would be the 2nd great pitcher we gave them lol

by drumzalicious on Jul 20, 2009 3:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tommy is going to be much, much better than Wainwright.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The question is...

would Pujols be cool with batting 4th for us?

by BravesRaleigh on Jul 20, 2009 3:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chipper would bat 4th… Im sure he would realize thats best for the team… the reason he has never wanted to bat 4th is he feels he is the best hitter on the team (which is true)… the best hitter should bat 3rd. But if Pujols is on the team… Im sure CHipper would recognize that Pujols needs to bat 3rd and CHip bat 4th

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Jul 20, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forget the player. Hire the scouts that find him and others like him. Much cheaper. :P

by bravos1984 on Jul 20, 2009 4:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t. Pujols is worth roughly $50 million the next 2.5 years. Before the season, Hanson, Heyward, and Freeman were worth about $75 million and have only increased in value since the season began.

by 17843 on Jul 20, 2009 5:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

THAT is exactly why i took our trio.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 5:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For sake of the post, we can afford Pujols’s contract, which is 16 million a year. This means that when Hanson, Heyward, and Freeman come up to the majors for their total cost of like 3 million a year for a couple of years, we would have another 13 million to spend on something. At that point, Our infield would pretty much be set, with Chipper, Esco, Prado/KJ, and Freeman. We would have McClouth and Heyward in the OF. Maybe spend the money on a big outfield bat? Rotation would be at least Hanson, JJ, Lowe and KK. Maybe another pitcher? We need help in the BP, and extra money would go a long ways in helping some weaknesses.

All in all, I wouldn’t b/c of the money.

by dlkinser86 on Jul 20, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO

Were sitting pretty for the next three years and have the structure to be a long term winner with our upcoming stars.

by Charmin519 on Jul 20, 2009 6:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes. That would immediately fix the major problem with the team and give them a great shot at winning a championship the next few years. Heyward and Freeman may end up being great in 3 years or so, but to date they haven’t had a single AB in the majors. For all we know they may flame out like many other supposed can’t miss prospects (Mike Kelly, Ande Marte, Kyle Davies, Jeff Francoeur). Meanwhile Pujols is one of the top 3 players in the game. Obviously this trade is totally preposterous and impossible, but I’d certainly do it if I were Frank Wren and it somehow become a possibility.

by redwards95 on Jul 20, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You know, I was all for saying NO to this trade, but your Francoeur argument may have converted me.

by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All 3? Maybe

any one or combination of 2 of the 3? In a heartbeat.

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

by justincredubil02 on Jul 20, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's a tough one...

…but I think Albert Pujols may be the best player EVER. Plus I am in love with him as a person.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Jul 20, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Right now, yes. In the offseason, probably not all 3, depending on how much they develop. I still think that Heyward makes the team out of ST, so that would mean 2 players off of our ML roster.

I think a good question would be, “For whom would you include Jason Heyward in a trade for?” I can only name a few; Lincecum, Braun, Pujols, and probably only a couple others. The list could probably be counted on two hands.

Now I feel like I gotta go shave my palms.

by soup du jour on Jul 20, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t trade him for Braun or Lincecum.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Braun is an interesting case, but as I see it, his production is about the 80% projection from Heyward, and Braun has the added benefit of having proven it in the majors. So yeah, I would do the trade, since Braun has proven himself adequate defensively in LF.

Lincecum is an interesting case, but I can see why others wouldn’t; I still would 1:1.

Others on the list would be Utley, Hanley, and Justin Upton. But thats about it.

by soup du jour on Jul 20, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I’d go no on all three of them too, especially Utley.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 20, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why? He’s a stud and signed for a long time cheap.

by 17843 on Jul 20, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I’m just convinced Heyward can be as good or better, and very soon. And be a much, much better defender to boot.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Jul 21, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two words

Word #1 – NO
Word #2 – WAY

We would be giving away a guy [Heyward] that will be one of the Top 5 players within 5 years. JMO, but I just have this feeling about that guy. Also would be giving away a #1 Starting Pitcher [Hanson], and those are really hard to come by.

by Braves fan since 1966 on Jul 20, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here…Heyward is a very good talent, no doubt. But, he wasn’t even a top 5 prospect coming into this year. Saying he will be a top 5 player in 5 years is a bit optimistic, IMO.

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

by justincredubil02 on Jul 20, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BA had him as the #5 prospect in all of baseball.

by yondaime4 on Jul 20, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he was also one of the top prospects in his draft class (was that 2007?). it still amazes me how he fell through to us at #14.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the fact that he got walked and pitched around so much his senior season no one really knew what his bat was really like. Credit that to t he Braves scouting department

by yondaime4 on Jul 20, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't do

Thats just too much talent to give up for a little over two years of Pujols, especially since Pujols is getting paid more per year than Hanson, Heyward and Freeman would make combined in 3 years.

Pujols is an 8 win above replacement level player per year. So that comes to about 18.5 wins over the life of his remaining contract. I think over their 6 years of team control Hanson, Heyward, and Freeman will probably be worth well over 30. This is just speculation of course, but 18.5 wins for 3 players of 6 years is 1 win per season- or about the amount of value Kawakami has alreday given the braves in barely half a season…

by krsracker on Jul 20, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If money is no option – yes (wow, it must be nice to be a Yankee or Sox fan)

But money has to be factored in so no. We will likely need the cheap contracts of these three prospects over the next 3-5 years.

Then again, think of what Pujols would do as far as ticket and merchandise sales. Is there any professional athlete that earns their salary (in terms of performance and revenue generation) more than him?

by DCP916 on Jul 20, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tough one but no

this is why i wouldn’t do it: Ok look at it this way Albert is the BEST player in the game no doubt about it i mean who wouldn’t want this guy on their team? Im thinkin Heyward will be ready maybe sometim next season if not ST or at least opening day 2011 depends how slow the FO wants to go with this guy, he is gonna be a good one though as long as he can stay healthy. Freeman we wouldn’t need obviously with gettin Pujols BUT Freeman will prolly be ready about the same time as Heyward or maybe 2011 opening day depends how slow the FO wants to go with this guy as well. But Freeman has strong defense like Pujols and an above average stick at 1B. He will be good as well as long as he can stay healthy. Hanson is an absolute STUD. I like him and Volstad of the Marlins alot as 2 good young starters. Hanson has Ace potential or #2 potential and worst case prolly one of the best #3 starter in MLB. He just has to stay healthy.

Now your gettin a great hitter in Pujols now but there goes your RF and Stud SP along with Freeman, those 3 in 5 years from now could be kickin ass first and then taken names later and Pujols will still be good just not equal to them 3. I realize not all prospects work out but these guys have great chances to at least be above average MLB guys with skys the limit potential. All of our other prospects we have in the minors i dont have the greatest confidence in and all could bust i just have alot of confidece in Heyward and Freeman to become MLB regulars.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jul 20, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The problem with this scenario is you can’t just say money doesn’t matter. Part of the total value of Hanson, Freeman and Heyward is that if they were all in the majors right now the three of them make less than 2 mil combined over the next 3 years.
Its a tough choice but I think i would rather have the 3 good players than the one great player.

by yondaime4 on Jul 20, 2009 7:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Beyond the Box Score

I ran the numbers using Beyond the Box Score’s trade calculator (using PECOTA’s projected WAR for the next two years and approximating how much WAR Pujols is on pace to make for this year, went with 4.5 to be conservative). It put Pujols’ value at $61 million. Comparatively, BtBS puts the value of a Top 10 hitting prospect at $36.5 million. So, by their math, it wouldn’t even be worth Freddie and Jason.

by sexbobomb on Jul 20, 2009 8:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs