Braves Looking For Right-Handed Bench Bat

by gondeee on Mar 24, 2011 11:14 AM EDT in Braves Trade News

Yesterday the Braves tried to sneak left-handed pitchers Jose Ortegano and Lee Hyde through waivers off the 40-man roster to triple-A. They did not make it, with Hyde being claimed by the Nationals, and Ortegano by the Yankees. The speculation is that the Braves are opening up some roster spots to make a few claims of their own in the coming week or two as teams trim their rosters.

Yesterday David O'Brien tweeted the following:

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez reiterated today what GM Frank Wren has said: Braves would like to add RH-hitting backup to complement Hinske [...]

And no, by complement, I don't mean someone to say, "Hey, Hinske, nice haircut." Or, "Hey, Hinske, nice car."

Good humor by DOB, and certainly something to keep in mind with these roster moves. Matt Eddy has a post up at Baseball America about some out of options players whose teams might try to sneak them through waivers. A couple that interested me were Mets right-handed first-baseman/left fielder Nick Evans, and Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin. These players are long shots to be placed on waivers, but if they do I would imagine the Braves might have an interest in them as a right-handed bat off the bench.

Evans is the most interesting player since he's blocked by both Ike Davis and Lucas Duda. The Braves have seen a lot of him this spring, and if the Mets don't have a spot for him on the roster, Atlanta may be interested. Keep in mind though, at this point he is only really useful against left-handed pitching.

Maybin is more of a stretch to be placed on waivers, and if he does it's even more of a stretch that another team ahead of us doesn't claim him before we do. He would present an intriguing option as a future replacement in center field to Nate McLouth.

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RH Bench Bat: Hey Hinske nice car what the-

/car gets pounded by a baseball

Hinske: /falls to his knees dramatically, yelling “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEYWAAAAAAAAARD”

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Mar 24, 2011 11:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 4 recs

love it

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.

by TurnerTheBurner on Mar 24, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Wonder who it'll be

we should’ve tried to get a guy like Scott Hairston if free agency

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.

by TurnerTheBurner on Mar 24, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

Didn't we have this in Diaz?

I miss Matty D

"Wade is no longer the coach." Jason Garrett

by k2spitfire88 on Mar 24, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

We most certainly did

I’m not sure why we cut him only to turn around and basically say we really need someone who can do exactly what he did.

"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs

by duwanis on Mar 24, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

$$$$

To much $$$$ arbitration-wise based on what his role would be. I miss Matty too, but it’s the biz of the game

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If I remember right

Matty basically said he’d take a pay-cut to stay with the Braves. So I don’t buy it.

"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs

by duwanis on Mar 24, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

This.

We shoulda kept him.

"Wade is no longer the coach." Jason Garrett

by k2spitfire88 on Mar 24, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure there was an article

stating Matty would have stayed for the same amount he was making.

by TCfromDubVee on Mar 24, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

His lack of defensive flexibility hurt. He couldn’t play anywhere but LF or RF. With Prado moving to the outfield there would be no time for him out there. If he knew first base, he would have been a useful bench option. Not being able to play any other positions or hit righties at all made him pretty one dimensional and not worth the roster spot, even though he was extremely good at doing what he did do well.

Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"

by BenDuronio on Mar 24, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

But ATL wasn’t even willing to pay what jr was making, or even the 20% reduction allowed through arbitration. Plus Matt says now he’s glad he didn’t take a pay cut and moved on.

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

But ATL wasn’t even willing to pay what jr was making, or even the 20% reduction allowed through arbitration. Plus Matt says now he’s glad he didn’t take a pay cut and moved on.

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Well, yeah

he’s not going to talk about how he wished he hadn’t signed with his new team :p

"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs

by duwanis on Mar 24, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

What He was making, not jr… Stupid phone

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Evans will be available.

The Mets are considering bringing 13 pitchers up and even if they don’t, their bench will consist of Nickeas, Hu, Murphy, Harris, and Hairston. Evans will be the odd man out unless they send Murphy down, which I deem unlikely. If they decide to go 13 pitchers then there is no shot Evans makes the roster.

I could see the Braves going after him as a platoon option with Hinske if Freeman struggles or Chipper gets hurt, causing Prado to move in to 3B. An Evans/Hinske platoon is not a bad backup option offensively.

Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"

by BenDuronio on Mar 24, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

I'm

Pretty sure SD is hell bent on having Maybin as their every day CF, I don’t see them trying to push him through waivers

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:37 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Mather

Does this mean the Braves are cooling on Mather?

"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G

by bighop on Mar 24, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

i think thats whats up

by willlinn on Mar 24, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I never got what they saw in him to begin with.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 24, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

mets?

The mets have nothing we want….or need. Play ball!

by Kimbrel11 on Mar 24, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

+1

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Though it would be totally awesome if we could take someone they discard and turn him into gold.

by gondeee on Mar 24, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Like Frenchy? Or did you mean current players?

by Sparhawk on Mar 24, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh, give me one David Wright to go please.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on Mar 24, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be a miracle if the Braves got Maybin

But I would be pretty stoked about it.

The posted great numbers in the minors at every stop. Good BB%, great power, etc.

Having him and Schafer and being able to wait for both to fulfill their promise would be nice to watch.

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 24, 2011 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, just checked. What are you thinking Gondee?

Maybin is hitting .349/.391/.512 in Spring Training.

Its not a stretch for him to be place on waivers, its a complete impossibility.

He would have to personally punch Moorad in the face to be placed on waivers.

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 24, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

STNDNMA

Spring Training Numbers Do Not Mean Anything

If the Padres get sick of his act, or just think that he’s not going to help them in the future, they could easily put him on waivers. Of course, that’d raise the question of why we’d want him when he just wore out his welcome with the Padres so quickly.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 24, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Not saying the numbers mean he’s gonna be a star in 2011, but there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that they trade for him, watch him tear in up in ST, and then immediately place him on waivers and risk losing him.

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 24, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Two birds...one stone.

Trade KK + mid-level prospect for Doumit and $500k. We basically get $1.5MM salary relief and the money for Doumit’s buyout. Doumit’s a switch-hitter, but better from the left side…but he’s not actually the pinch-hitter we’re looking for.

Ross becomes our regular RH pinch-hitter along with his backup catcher duties, Doumit takes Conrad’s spot on the bench, playing a bit at first, and an occasional day at the corner outfield position. He probably doesn’t see much action at catcher.

-C

It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?

by cthabeerman on Mar 24, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Doumit might not be bad, but he’s nowhere close to what he used to be offensively.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on Mar 24, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

and not very good defensively

by Braves24 on Mar 24, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

I figured that was assumed lol.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on Mar 24, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

thats great

it allows ross to be that right handed bat.. because really.. we have the rhb, we just cant play him

by willlinn on Mar 24, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

Doumit has negative value as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t take him for free, he’s so bad defensively. And he’s rumored to be a malcontent on top of that. (Though I guess it’s hard to be “content” on the Pirates…)

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 24, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Doumit’s a headcase too. The guy thinks he’s great and everyone else sucks.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 25, 2011 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I like it

Ross has a nice bat…To much bat to only be using it when he catches…This makes a ton of sense…That’s what I told my wife anyway…hahahaha : )

by Kimbrel11 on Mar 24, 2011 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Ross has a superb bat, if he hit everyday, his numbers would show it. That was my first thought, give Ross more at-bats. Call up a 3rd catcher to allow for it.

by Marshall S on Mar 24, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Conrad

hit a homer to center from the right side a couple days ago

he also hit 8 homers coming off the bench last year! I think its ridiculous to not give that a spot on the bench.. Unfortunately last year 7 of the homers were from the left side, so I see where Wren is coming from.. still, he had a 370 obp from the right side and a 450 slugging.. I think Conrad is the man..

by willlinn on Mar 24, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

The Braves wouldn’t want Maybin. He’s a lazy headcase and completely opposite of the type of person they look to bring into the organization. There’s a reason he hasn’t realized his potential.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 24, 2011 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

Or maybe its because he is only 24 and the Marlins rushed him?

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 24, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

No, it’s because he’s lazy and doesn’t think he needs to work. The guy is the last to show up and the first to leave and goes through the motions when he’s there.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 24, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

"The guy is the last to show up and the first to leave and goes through the motions when he’s there."

Link?

by YakuzaFro on Mar 24, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt there is a link

CB is pretty tuned in to these things. I’d guess it’s what saw with his own eyes.

"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G

by bighop on Mar 24, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I know he is, but it seems like you’d need to put some effort into crushing minor league pitching as well (which he did). Was he completely lazy at that level, too?

by YakuzaFro on Mar 24, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s specious thinking. He’s been lazy at every level, because he is lazy. The scary thing is that he’s gifted enough to get away with it in the Minors. He’s more physically talented than other players and he’s never needed to work to be better. You see how much he struggled in the Majors, that’s no coincidence. To be a Major Leaguer you not only have to be talented, but you have to work hard.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 25, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

RH bat on bench

I heard Ochocinco is looking for a new sport, lets bring him in to be a RH role player =)

by Marshall S on Mar 24, 2011 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

he would make an excellent pinch runner and I guarantee he would steal atleast 40 bases if he could get on that many times lmao

by Marshall S on Mar 24, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Cameron Maybin

::drool::

"The WAR folks like yunel apparently. i know this, bobby cox hated going to war with this guy." - Jon Heyman

Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue

by PWHjort on Mar 24, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

If we could get a RH centerfielder who can play good D

I would be ecstatic.

As for Evans, he seems like an interesting addition. Certainly better than Joe Mather, though it still leaves us without a real CF option if McLouth sucks… or even if he plays well, since Nate should not be a CF.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Mar 24, 2011 6:40 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, it'd be nice to have an Andruw Jones.

by Bronn on Mar 24, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Quick, someone tell Matt Young to learn to bat right handed.

Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."

by Lennox on Mar 24, 2011 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to rosterbate right in front of everyone, but..

Wouldn’t signing one of the Hairston brothers have made a ton of sense for this team? Both right handed, both play CF, both are non-terrible with the bat (Scott wRC+ 95, Jerry 86. which I guess is actually kind of terrible), and were very cheap this off season. Scott signed for $1.1M and Jerry for $2M.

by YakuzaFro on Mar 24, 2011 10:30 PM EDT reply actions