Fresh Idea

by jack dein on Sep 22, 2009 12:44 AM EDT Comment 38 comments

Three times now I haven gotten a feeling about a player that the Braves would go out and get. The time it was Mike Hampton while he was still in Colorado and a few months later he was a Brave. The second was Derek Lowe. He signed a contract a few weeks later. Tonight I had my third and it was Derrek Lee. Then I got to thinking about how good of a fit he would be with Atlanta. He is a solid overall hitter and a good defender. He is also a free agent after the 2010 season. If we are able to retain Tim Hudson's services for next season would a swap of Javier Vazquez for Derrek Lee be worth it. They are both free agents after 2010 and then we could let Lee walk and Freeman should be ready to start the 2011 season. I would hate to lose Vazquez but getting rid of his contract would make up for taking on Lee's salary. Lee would give us a solid everyday 4th bat in the lineup.

He is also right handed so it would keep our lineup from getting to lefty heavy. For the season Lee is hitting .303/.387/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI, 69 BB and 104 K's in 581 at bats.

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That would be pretty even for both sides and I guess it depends a little on whether or not the Cubs are comfortable with Jake Fox playing first. It would stink to see Javy go, though.

by acie4mvp on Sep 22, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that

is one of the better rosterbation idea i’ve heard in a while! I’ve always liked DLee.

Frank Wren for GM of the Year.
"Wait, bait and bash." - Jason Heyward's personal philosophy.

by mvhsbball on Sep 22, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, even though I sure would miss Javy, but we are going to have to give up someone good to get a big bat.
33 HR’s, 103 RBI’s. I could get use to that!

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by HEYJUDE on Sep 22, 2009 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO NO NO

I want to trade D Lowe for D Lee. That makes MORE sense!

by ATLforlife on Sep 22, 2009 1:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Cubs might be willing to take on Lowe’s contract. I would say that it would depend on them getting rid of Bradley first. I have also heard that they might try to move Zambrano. If they were to move him then they would be able to take on the contract.

by jack dein on Sep 22, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they could take on his contract

but there’s no way they’d do a straight up Lowe for Lee swap. haha, pipe dream for me I guess.

by ATLforlife on Sep 22, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That doesn't make more sense

Its just more of a rip off for the cubs

MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...

by nick9314 on Sep 22, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO NO NO

I want to trade D Lowe for Pujols and Wainwright. That makes MORE sense!

Don't fire Bobby.

by esadb on Sep 22, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol yall

its called sarcasm

by ATLforlife on Sep 22, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DLee is having his best season since 2005 in virtually every category. He will be 35 next year and I think he’s had some injury problems recently. All of this makes me wonder if he will be able to continue his return to 2005 numbers or if he will come back to earth.

I wonder — is it better to have Javy and try to sign LaRoche or is it just better to have DLee? If only LaRoche could be counted on to perform in the first half like he normally does in the second.

by Doghnut on Sep 22, 2009 7:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This

Like said above, Lee has been battling injuries the last few years, and his 3s have been declining until this year. Maybe he’s back to form, or maybe this is just a bounce up before heading back down hill. It’s not a bad move, but one I think where both teams would get less production than expected.

Jake Fox seems like an interesting one to me though. The guy has done nothing but rake since he got called up, despite sporadic playing time. Could he play LF, maybe be the 3B to replace Chipper, or maybe play 1B until Freeman is ready and we have to find somewhere else for him, but all in all, the guy would be a very nice right handed slugging addition to the lineup.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 22, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not 3s, should say #s...

Shift fail.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 22, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s no way Fox could play 3B. I think he’s kinda like the Mets’ Daniel Murphy, only far better on offense and worse on defense.

by acie4mvp on Sep 22, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't do the advanced defensive stats and such...

so maybe someone could elaborate there, but Fox does have a better fielding % than Aramis Ramirez or Chipper at 3B for the year (although in only 184 innings at the spot).

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 22, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uh-oh…

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

by justincredubil02 on Sep 22, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trust me, Jake Fox would be just awful for any extended period of time at 3B. Probably at 1B too, but they Cubs don’t have a DH.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
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by cbwilk on Sep 23, 2009 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we’re trading with the cubs I’d rather go after Jake Fox, Josh Vitters, plus one. Clears salary, gives us a 3B of the future, and Fox is a very good hitter who couldn’t be much worse defensively than GA in LF. Derek Lee has been steadily declining, I’d be hard pressed to say this is a bounce back year and he’ll continue to play like this

by McCann's the Man on Sep 22, 2009 9:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember when he was playing left when we played the Cubs? I think two balls got under his glove. At the same time, I would still want him and that’s a pretty decent trade idea.

by acie4mvp on Sep 22, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not arguing he’s good defensively in left but he could certainly play there or at first well enough for 1-2 years, play everyday, max out his value, and then trade him for another need. I can’t imagine him being much worse than GA as I said and the difference offensively is pretty significant so we’d be improved in LF

by McCann's the Man on Sep 22, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a bad idea

I’m never a fan of rosterbation, and soon it will be time again for a perma-rosterbation post.

things to consider:

This is a bounce-back year for Lee, especially on the power front. And he isn’t young. Considering his home field, you are running the risk that his current production won’t continue for even 1 year. He has problems with his back and neck as I recall.

Not saying that I wouldn’t like him on the Braves, but those things should be considered.

by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 22, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am not in favor of this at all. Vaz has more upside at this point in his career than Lee does. Just keep Vaz, resign LaRoche and be done with it.

It is evident that LaRoche is more comfortable playing in Atlanta with his BFF. Let’s keep him happy and watch him produce next year.

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

by justincredubil02 on Sep 22, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that is also a good point

plus, can never have too much pitching depth. KK could be great out of the bullpen, may even make a good closer with that hook of his.

by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 22, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How much and how long for LaRoche...

as much as I’m sure he loves playing across the field from Larry, I doubt it’s worth a guaranteed year or two and 8 figures for him to stick here. I’ve got no problem keeping LaRoche, but the question remains, how long and for how much? Say 2 for 20 or so would be great, but I’d suspect he’s gonna get a longer, bigger offer from elsewhere.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 22, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 for $20M is too much. I say 3 for $24M.

by KC Ryan on Sep 22, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hesitant to go 3 years on Roachy.

Ideally we would have two guaranteed years and then an option of some sort for the third year. Hopefully, our offer would be around the same as the other offers on the market and he’d pick us to stay in the ATL. He won’t take a huge discount, though.

We don’t want to block Freeman. I think DOB made a good point that the Braves aren’t a big payroll team and if we have young cheap players who can produce they need to be on the roster ASAP. Maybe we could trade LaRoche midway through his second year of the contract.

by ATLforlife on Sep 22, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First of all, I love the idea. In fact, I suggested Lee about two weeks ago. But a Javy for Lee swap doesn’t make too much sense for the Braves. Or the Cubs, really. If they try to win now, they probably do it with Lee, so if they traded him, they’d probably want something that will help them win later, not now. And Javy is much more valuable than Lee. Plus let’s not forget D-Lee has a full no-trade clause.

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by PWHjort on Sep 22, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think this trade makes all the sense in the world for the Cubs. Their pitching staff could be very bad next year. Harden is a free agent. Dempster was decent but not nearly as good this season as he was last year. Lilly is a good pitcher but he is far from an ace. There have been rumors that they would try to trade Zambrano who hasn’t been as good this year either.
Losing Lee would hurt their offense but they do have guys that if they return to normal production they could make up for his loss. Soriano was hurt a good portion of the year and wasn’t good this season because of it. Ramirez also missed a good portion of the season do to injury.
I would hate to lose Vazquez and if the trade was made I would be surprised if it was a straight swap. The Cubs would probably have to throw in another player to make the deal work. As for the no trade clause I have no idea if he would waive to come to Atlanta.

by jack dein on Sep 22, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder...

Rich Harden has great stuff, but an arm that wears out quicker than a Happy Meal toy. Maybe a bullpen job would allow him to stay healthier, and he could be brought in to close?

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 22, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you that Harden should be moved to the bullpen at some point but I doubt he would sign a contract to be a reliever. He probably still wants to prove he can start.

by jack dein on Sep 22, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harden

He’s eliminated his breaking pitches from his repetoire and throws only a fastball and changeup now. I’d imagine that will put much less stress on his arm and decrease injury risks.

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Sep 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

whats crazy

is hes still racking up the k’s

by drumzalicious on Sep 22, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No joke

Just shows how good those two pitches must are, particularly the change.

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Sep 22, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just fastball and changeups?

sounds like a closer.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 23, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or a more durable starter.

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Sep 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how many quality starters...

have 2 pitches?

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 23, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we please stop talking about trading Vazquez?

You don’t make yourself a better team by trading away your best player.

by eaheckman10 on Sep 23, 2009 7:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have to give that honor to McCann.

Here are Pujols's stats: 1.000/1.000/4.000/5.000. That's right. He is batting a thousand, with a thousand OBP (naturally), and every hit has been a home run, and thus his OPS is a perfect 5.000.

by TradeAndruw on Sep 23, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this year it has been Vazquez, i assume that’s what he was getting at. Going forward I’d agree that it looks like McCann, though Hanson and Heyward could make it interesting in a couple of years

by McCann's the Man on Sep 23, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs