Will the Braves make any more moves before the trade deadline
by gondeee on Jul 20, 2009 9:28 PM EDT
in Trade News
38 comments
Mark Bowman passes along this quote from Atlanta Braves General Manager Frank Wren:
"There's a certain chemistry and feeling that every team has and when you feel like you've reached that right balance, you are a little hesitant to make a change," Wren said. "I know the guys on this club feel good about this team right now and that's a positive. That doesn't stop you from inquiring and seeing if there are other things that you can do. But we've done quite a bit already."
I don't know that the Braves have a lot of flexibility -- both financially and prospect-wise -- to make any more moves without moving a significant piece of the current team. Besides, hitting is at such a premium around the league, and there are other teams that can afford to pay more than we can. That reality makes the Nate McLouth trade, and to a lesser extent the Ryan Church trade, great moves.
The one thing the Braves might need down the stretch is some additional bullpen help. I've been saying that bullpen help is what we would most likely trade for, but the more I think about it the more I think we don't need to. We've got several guys coming back from injury who should be able to spell some of the tired arms in the pen. The combustible amateur wall-boxer Jeff Bennett should be back within a month, and well rested could provide some good relief. Buddy Carlyle and Jorge Campillo should be back at some point this year, and of course Tim Hudson could certainly provide help in the pen if he is not needed in the rotation. Add to them other guys like Jo-Jo Reyes, the recently demoted Luis Valdez, and maybe a hot hand between Bueno, Nunez, and Gomez -- though we might be in more trouble if it came to those guys.
The story here is that we're probably okay to stand pat with the team we have right now. It also seems that the players are okay to head down the stretch with the current team, whereas in years past they would usually expect a move to be made before the deadline.
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I think we’re ok. I know a lot of people would love another big bat in the OF, I mean who wouldn’t want that?, but I feel like the offense has been clicking really well lately, probably since Prado took over at 2nd. A bullpen arm would be nice but there’s definitely some depth in the minors to help alleviate some of the strain. It does feel like we’re starting to get on a roll and every facet of the game (starting pitching, offense, defense, bullpen) is really coming together well.
by beeswax on Jul 20, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like where we're at
We’ve got the pitching to contend both in the pen and in the rotation (plus Huddy is cominng back) and with the additions of Prado and Church in the lineup, plus Kotchman’s much better hitting of late, the lineup is probably good enough with the pitching this team has to make us a contender.
by was385 on Jul 20, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Bennett
just not in a close game situation…….bennett + close game= loss
by ottie on Jul 20, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
a la bob wickman/blaine boyer
Yunel is the Queen of Hearts
by GoBravesNY on Jul 20, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
on the Dbacks last i checked.
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!
by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The combustible amateur wall-boxer Jeff Bennett should be back within a month,
Hahaha +1
2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!
by mvhsbball on Jul 20, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not only some arms coming back, but some bats (hopefully)
In Omar Infante and maybe Kelly Johnson. If we can see Omar play like he was at the beginning of the year, he’ll be a nice RH bat. And Kelly…if he can return to a semblance of his past self…well, that’ll be a plus.
by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Turns out KJ still has some options, so we could (if we don’t plan on trading, which I’m against), take him off the DL and send him down to AAA for a while…if we wanted. At least until we feel comfortable or September.
by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be OK. Still like to see him packaged for a bat in the off-season.
by Dammit JIm on Jul 20, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m okay with riding the hot bat (Prado) but Kelly is a much better long-term option at 2B because he’s superior defensively, and his power projects better.
Even you want to trade Kelly, you can’t do so now, when his value is lower than it’s been in 2 years. Awful, unlucky start to season, combined with poor patience on his part, and now injuries are killing any value he could have. He was worth a decent OF bat in trade last offseason. Right now, we’d get a B+ pitching prospect for him, at best.
by Bronn on Jul 20, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kelly doesnt have great defense but he does have more power than Prado. And Prado has proven that he is a starter in 536 AB at or about a full season he has a line of .313/.372/.457 and OPS at .829. Prado can hit, he isnt just hot. Both of these guys will hurt you with the glove but Prado will hit the ball more and more consistently.
Baseball is my life
by That a boy on Jul 20, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kelly Johnson has turned into an above average second baseman while Prado remains a below average second baseman. KJ did butcher it in his first season, and since then every error seems to stick out, but the truth is that he has good range and does a very solid job around the bag, while Prado is fairly sketchy overall.
by Bronn on Jul 20, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah this is the first year Kelly has had a positive UZR but still his range isnt that great, the truth is both are playing out of position. Kelly LF and Prado 1st.
Baseball is my life
by That a boy on Jul 20, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Prado’s defense, he’s been a utility guy with no chance to settle down at a position. You could argue, that like Kelly, he needs time to figure 2B out and become average or better defensively.
by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could argue that about Prado, if I wanted to ignore the 485 minor league games he played at second base. Kelly Johnson played 0 professional games at 2B prior to starting out there in 2007 with Atlanta.
I also am not a big fan of defensive metrics, even UZR, especially when it relates to infielders. In my opinion, Kelly was much better last year defensively than UZR would indicate, and I think I’m being extremely fair. He was solid, not good, perhaps even slightly below average, he was below average a premium defensive position.
by Bronn on Jul 20, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not since 2007 has he had a significant amount of time at 2B, minors or otherwise. He’s been moved around the infield a good bit and he may be more of Mark DeRosa type for us. I’m not arguing that Martin is a better 2B than KJ, but if you’re going to give KJ the benefit of the doubt on his fielding, you have to consider Prado’s situation too. I’m a big KJ fan and he also deserves the time that he got to acclimate himself to 2B, considering that’s where the team put him.
by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
I thought Campillo was done for the year. I’ve heard it plenty of times, and I think it’s true when you look at the late move that took off the 40 man roster to put him on the 60-day DL. Additionally, I don’t care if we get Carlyle back at this point or not. He’s very HR prone, always has been, and he mixes that weakness with a penchant for walking too many guys, which is deadly.
The guy I want back in the bullpen as a long relief option is Jo-Jo Reyes. I know, he’s awful, a waste of oxygen, whatever, but he’s still been extremely unlucky and he keeps flashing his plus stuff repeatedly. I think he’d be a great bullpen option as a long relief man and an extra left-handed arm. We can get him in here and send either Boone Logan or Kris Medlen back down to AAA to get more work. I’d prefer to get Medlen back in Gwinnett because his future is ultimately as a starter, and I’d like to see him get in more regular work.
by Bronn on Jul 20, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Would it be dumb to suggest keeping Medlen in the BP for the rest of the season? Yes, he does need to be in AAA to get more experience as a starter, but we don’t need him next season as a starter in the majors. So why not keep Medlen as a sure thing in the bullpen to finish out the season, get another reliever or two in the off season, and send Medlen down as a start in Gwinnett in 2010?
by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, I think Medlen is more reliable as a long reliever than Jo-Jo would be.
by Gage23 on Jul 20, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn…I was hoping for Campillo…He was one of our bright spots last year and would’ve been great out of the BP.
by award6 on Jul 20, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
first, my bias: i’ve got a soft spot for buddy… at first maybe because of the friendly nature of his name, but now for his diabetes diagnosis. but since we’re talking baseball, i’m still ok with version 2008 buddy as a long reliever (a busy year for the long man with the braves’ depleted staff). 3.7 BB/9 at just above league average, .7 HR/9 at below league average, and a useful 1.24 whip. with the diabetes diagnosis, not sure if this is a form he can return to or not though.
by brndn on Jul 21, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please don't tell me that!
I can’t believe the Braves would put Bennett back on the ML roster. Carlyle could come back in long relief and to pitch in blowouts, then move Medlen to middle relief. Manny should be sent back to AAA.
I am ready for Omar’s return. That dude can rake! He can play anywhere except catcher.
by Braves fan since 1966 on Jul 20, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No thanks to the Bennett, Carlyle, Campillo trio. Bennett has the most stuff, but is way too damn hittable. Maybe put Lowe in the pen (he has been there in the past) and trade Gonzo for a bat?
1. 1b Kotch
2. 2b Prado
3. SS Esco
4. 3b Chipper
5. OF Anderson
6. OF Nate
7. OF Diaz
8. C BMac
9. 1 Vaz
10. 2 JJ
11. 3 Hanson
12. 4 KK
13. 5 Hudson
14.CL Soriano
15. SU Gonzo
16. SU Lowe
17. LOOGY Eric OF
18. Groundball pitcher Moylan
19, 20. Carlyle/JOJO/Melden/Acosta/Logan/Bennett
21. Norton/BJones/Conrad/whomever you want
22. SS/2b/OF/3B Infante
23. 2b/OF Johnson
24. OF Church
25.C Ross
hindsight is 20-13 just like Ted William actual vision- ken tremendous
by heapofoatmeal on Jul 20, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
a $60 million setup man?
really? I’m pretty sure that Huddy would be the first one to the pen this season if we still have all five starters healthy when he comes back.
by was385 on Jul 20, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm pretty sure
he means just for the post season
by drumzalicious on Jul 21, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the offense is going to be okay with Escobar hitting either fifth or sixth in the order rather than second. If Chipper can stay healthy and keep the power up then we’re in good shape. Plus Infante is coming back soon, that’ll be like making a good trade. And I can’t see us possibly dealing either Escobar and/or Vazquez while we’re in contention
by McCann's the Man on Jul 21, 2009 12:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
we shouldnt trade
People need to drop the B jones being in our outfield mix even as a backup he isnt coming up unless theres an injury he hasnt got the power he had last year . I’d like to see them use Medlen more as setup or as closer because if he does work we couldtrade gonzo or soriano for a bat .
by ~~banditwolf~~ on Jul 21, 2009 12:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Soriano and Gonzalez are both Type A FA’s. Doubtful that any team gives up the equivalent of two draft picks that we would get. I’d like to sign Soriano for 2 or 3 more years as well
by McCann's the Man on Jul 21, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vasquez rumors scare me
I really don’t want to see Vasquez traded, he is a pitching machine this season. Not only that he’s actually produced a couple RBI at the plate haha. I think he is a bigger part of the rotation than a lot of people give him credit for. he could be your Game 1 starter in a playoff series.
by thrilliam on Jul 21, 2009 5:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I expect Wren will look to trade for a quality reliever who is signed at least through ‘10 who could potentially replace Soriano as closer next year. I’m sure he’ll also check into what it would take to upgrade 1B, but he probably won’t pull the trigger there unless it doesn’t take any premiere prospects and cost much additional salary. The Braves can make do with Kotchman for another year until Freeman is ready.
by redwards95 on Jul 21, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
THEY BETTER NOT!
They have already made one dumb move by trading Jeff.
Ryan Church SUCKS.
He does no better than Jeff. Jeff does better than Ryan to me.
Ryan does good here and there.
So if they traded anyone else, it would be a very dumb move.
by BiggestBravesFan! on Jul 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"He does no better than Jeff. Jeff does better than Ryan to me"
Haha…wha?
by bbxxj on Jul 23, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also meant to say...
The McLouth trade was a great move.
He is an amazing center fielder.
(: I’m done.
by BiggestBravesFan! on Jul 23, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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