LaRoche Joins Former Braves Mates in Boston
by gondeee on Jul 22, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
46 comments
What do J.D. Drew, Mark Kotsay, Nick Green, John Smoltz, and Adam LaRoche all have in common? If you said, they are all members of the Boston Red Sox, then you're correct. The Red Sox acquired former Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche today in exchange for two minor leaguers. That's a lot of ex-Braves on one team.
As for the Pirates, they continue to completely unload their team in what must be the seventh or eighth rebuilding process in the last 15 years. For every Braves fan that says they want to trade away veterans and rebuild, this is what it looks like, and it's not pretty.
This is also the annual Pirates send the Red Sox their best player time. Last year it was Jason Bay, this year it's Adam LaRoche. I wonder where he'll play on that team, they seem to be set at DH and first base.
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Rochey didn’t play with Kotsay, but I’m pretty sure he was around for Green, Smoltz, and Drew.
All of these guys are good supplemental guys, but none will play a key role.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LaRoche is insurance for Mike Lowell
If they sign him long term, they will move Youk over to 3b permanently.
by Andy Braves Fan on Jul 22, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oh, the pirates
It won’t be too long before Wilson, Sanchez, Capps & Doumit are traded as well.
by beeswax on Jul 22, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Might as well...
They could be a good team in 8-10 years now….haha, what am I thinking???
A man walks into a meat shoppe and goes to the counter. The cashier asks, "Thinking about buying some meat?". The man replied, "No, I'm going to buy meat, I was thinking about punanny."
by bwellnjonesco on Jul 22, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha yeah but then they’ll be having to trade away morton, hernandez, mccutchen, and locke
by BravesRaleigh on Jul 22, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone know the minor leaguers going to the Pirates? Even though the Pirates are rebuilding again, are the players they are getting in return even worth these trades?
Does anyone even care?
by Sparhawk on Jul 22, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
nobody good
an outfielder who is all defense, and a projectable righty. Of course, it’s only 2 months of LaRoche, but still, with the possible exception of the pitcher if he figures it out, not a great haul and won’t help them rebuild. I guess better than a sandwich pick (LaRoche should be a solid type B), but not much better.
by Andy Braves Fan on Jul 22, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz.
Diaz is an all-glove, no-bat SS (so basically Tony Pena Jr) and Strickland is a right-handed starter at high A with a decent fastball and slurve, but a change-up that needs work. Strickland is probably the big part of this deal, as he projects as a guy who can be a decent 3-4 starter if he continues growing as hoped.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
SS, Diaz is a SS, don’t know where myt head was there…
by Andy Braves Fan on Jul 22, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Truth is, if I’m a Pirates fan, I’m liking where their franchise is going. Everything seems to be aimed at 3-4 years from now-they’ve been targeting largely college players (Pedro Alvarez, Tony Schneppers, Jorge Sanchez) and their trades are all at the high-A/AA level. They’re doing a good job over there of building up a farm system that was ruined by bad drafting and even worse trading.
Both of these guys are potentially roleplayers for a winning team.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess
but eventually they have to make a trade for a premier prospect, or a possible premier prospect. They haven’t done that.
by Andy Braves Fan on Jul 22, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Drafting for one counts. Pedro Alvarez might be that guy-he’s potentially got a huge bat at third base.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I thought this was a pretty crappy haul. I’ve seen both these guys play a little over the last few years and neither are really worth remembering. I’d like to apply for the Pirates’ GM position; I guarantee I couldn’t do worse.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Jul 22, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not at all
Diaz and Strickland are ranked as the Sox 29th and 38th highest prospects. The former has a good glove, but anemic offense, and the latter is an average pitcher in A ball.
Looks like a steal for the Sox in terms of talent, but the Buccos were probably just eager to unload some payroll.
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 22, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ironically...
The arrival of LaRoche pretty much means it’s the end of the line for Kotsay in beantown.
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 22, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Go Pittsburg
Pittsburg got fleeced again. The GM there should be fired and baseball should take ownership of this once great franchise. This is pathetic to watch year after year. I feel bad for the players and coaches. Kind of like taking a rock to a gunfight.
by Dammit JIm on Jul 22, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m having a tough time telling if you’re joking or not.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not joking
Kidding aside, this is terrible for the players and coaches. Think about how good a team they had there 20 years ago. I like to ridicule the moves of teams and thoughts of people out of fun, but none of the players, coaches and especially fans deserve this from a PROFESSIONAL? franchise.
by Dammit JIm on Jul 22, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You need to realize that the GM there WAS fired just a couple years ago, and the new guy is trying to rebuild a franchise back into a contender without a huge cash flow. The way to do that is to take every trade-able commodity and get something of value back for it.
In this case, you’re talking about 2.5 months of a very average first baseman who’s having a down year. He wasn’t going to bring back the next John Smoltz.
Lately, this franchise has been drafting well, building trades, and making sure to get back solid prospects. In 3 years, they could have a very solid team if they avoid making foolish decisions.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It s hard to sell that when you trade away your good players year after year. Maybe two years down the road it is different but it sure looks like the same operation of the recent past.
by Dammit JIm on Jul 22, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How so?
Draft
Previous regime: passed on BJ Upton for Bullington, passed on Lincecum for Lincolm, passed on Wieters for Moskos; didn’t go overslot
Current regime: drafted the best player in 2008, is going significantly overslot this year; has been a player for the best Latin prospect available
Free agents
Previous regime: Derek Bell, Jeromy Burnitz, etc.; signed past-prime veterans to bad contracts
Current regime: Has limited free agent signings to cheap role players like Eric Hinske; is working on trading them for prospects
Trades
Previous regime: Traded for Matt Morris’s contract
Current regime: Unloaded free agents-to-be for legitimate future major leaguers
by 17843 on Jul 22, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Andy LaRoche is once of your "good players",
you might as well be trying to rebuild.
Trading away mediocre players who are being played like good players is another story.
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 22, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess Pearce moves to 1B for Pitt. What’s the projected Pirates OF? McCutcheon, Milledge, Tabata? They still have Pedro Alvarez coming up, and Doumit is a nice piece. Still need pitching, but they aren’t awful.
If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).
Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.
by TradeAndruw on Jul 22, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
PS. Did you know they drafted Dan Moskos ahead of Matt Wieters?
If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).
Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.
by TradeAndruw on Jul 22, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably Garrett Jones moving to first base and recalling Lastings Milledge. Milledge has been raking at AAA, so if his head is in order, maybe he’s finally ready to contribute.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, don’t forget about Gorkys. He’s struggling since he came over for McLouth, but if makes good on some of his promise, he’s in that OF picture.
I’m trying to project their future pitching rotation-I’m guessing it probably involves Zach Duke and Charlie Morton, maybe Ian Snell, but they supposedly have a guy named Brad Lincoln who’s going to be pretty good. Overall, they could be assembling a pretty good defensive club.
The big question for me is where Andy LaRoche fits in when Alvarez is ready, which is only a year or two away.
by Bronn on Jul 22, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
god i hope not
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 22, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they have some talent in their farm...
LOT of OFs…speedy guys who can run and play great defense…
however…i wonder if the pirates would do a Medlen + Freeman for Alvarez thing?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jul 22, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont
even want to do that as a Braves fan.
by drumzalicious on Jul 22, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well the question is where does andy laroche fit in?…. you answered as our future 3B….thats what lead to me saying “GOD I HOPE NOT”….
it would be awesome to get alvarez s our 3b of the future…but is he really that much better than Freeman
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 22, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Many
would consider Freeman a better prospect than Alvarez at the moment.
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 22, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Pedro’s thick body is gonna let him play 3B for very long.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Jul 22, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wonder if we could get ahold of one of their bullpen arms. we could def use an arm or two . .
by drumzalicious on Jul 22, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably it seems they are divesting anything of value for prospects. wonder what the would give us for Jo Jo.
by Dammit JIm on Jul 22, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i mean
im sure we would have to give up a prospect of sorts but i wouldnt mind getting a hold of Capps.
by drumzalicious on Jul 22, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a Brave, again
A few weeks ago, on various sites, folks were talking about LaRoche coming back to the Braves. That theory has dissipated since Kotchman has found his stroke. Hopefully, after this trade, we don’t have to have any more grand ideas about creating a Braves team from a bygone era.
by hollerin' brave on Jul 22, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
small market teams
How are the Pirates supposed to keep a fan base when its the same story year after year?
Proof that when posting while high or intoxicated can lead to some really funny posts
by bravesrbaseball on Jul 22, 2009 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm with Bronn
I like the moves the Pittsburgh FO has been making.
And Pitt is a great sports city… I don’t think the Bucs have to worry about ever totally losing their fanbase.
by get swoll yunel on Jul 22, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya know
they actually have decent pitching, but they can’t ever seem to get everything together at once. I’m sure one year it’ll all fall into place for them
by beeswax on Jul 22, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2081
will be the year.
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 22, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I turn 100 that year.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Jul 23, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
101 baby!!
"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09
by 10-4 on Jul 23, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the year before they will start winning
they will trade there best 5 players for unproven minor league talent, so they can be economically sound for the future of the team. Yeah I am not buying that crap. If the Braves pulled this crap any more I would be a disgruntled fan.
Proof that when posting while high or intoxicated can lead to some really funny posts
by bravesrbaseball on Jul 23, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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