Braves May Still Look To Upgrade Team Through Trades
by gondeee on Aug 30, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
in Braves Trade News
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PrintJust when we thought that the Atlanta Braves were complete, they may still be looking to add the finishing touches to what will hopefully be a team that can go deep into the postseason. Jon Morosi from Fox Sports tweets this:
Braves are looking for bench upgrades before tomorrow's deadline, sources say.
This has been a stated desire for the Braves all season, and into last off-season, though it could be turning into a more pressing need. Not only do the Braves remember how the injuries last year to Chipper Jones and Martin Prado forced their bench into action, but bench stalwarts Eric Hinske and Brooks Conrad have shown some regression since the All-Star break.
Hinske is just 10-for-64 since the break (.196), and Conrad 8-for-35 (.229). The recently signed Wes Helms, who was released by the Marlins last month, is hitting just .129 (4-for-31) in eight games at triple-A Gwinnett, with zero extra base hits. The team signed him with the intention of bringing him up once rosters expand in September, but the Braves may have determined that he is no longer a viable option -- which those numbers seem to reinforce.
Beyond Hinske and Conrad, the Braves have relied on Julio Lugo as their backup infielder, but he's hitting just .136 with no signs of improvement. Jose Constanza should be another option for the Braves off the bench, but he has been playing regularly in place of Jason Heyward, and neither player has been used much as a pinch hitter.
It would behoove the Braves to acquire another bench bat (or two), so long as the price is not too steep. There should be plenty of options still out there, role players are not usually the victims of waiver claims or blocks. The final trade deadline is tomorrow, so we could see a minor move of some kind by Atlanta.
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PUJOLS PUJOLS PUJOLS PUJOLS PUJOLS
"It's not about me, it's about the team." - Martin Prado
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Aug 30, 2011 2:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Pujols for Linebrink. Done.
"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."
Haha Pujols for 1 AB a game… that would be hilarious
by SuperHeyward on Aug 30, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Like that !!
The guy knows how to play in Sept. and October !!
by bravesfaninchitown on Aug 30, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That right handed bench bat they've been wanting all year
I’m thinking Ty Wigginton would be good.
My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.
by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
Also, kind of a longshot option perhaps
But what about Juan Rivera? He’s hit lefties really well in his career, and is still hitting them really well…and there’s no reason at all the Dodgers should want to hang on to him.
My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.
by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
Not a bad idea, and keeping him another season might be beneficial as well
by SuperHeyward on Aug 30, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
This idea I like
Even if he’s still got some attitude, he seems to be playing for a contract for next year.
And I expect the Dodgers would be okay in letting him go for a minor pitching prospect.
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
I gotta think he's not in our sights
Under contract for 2012 – $4 million – plus a $500K buyout for 2013.
That’s quite a bit over our pain threshold.
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
Big Cougar
Lance Berkman made it through waivers but the Cards might actually want something for him.
Yeah, I'm curious how we didn't at least put in a CLAIM on him to see what the Cards wanted.
My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.
by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
Big Puma
The big cougar is Demi Moore
"You come at the king, you best not miss."
by a hooter's baby on Aug 30, 2011 2:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mmmmmmmmmmm....
Demi Moore.
"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."
Re: Berkman
I’m torn on this idea for a bunch of reasons…
1. It’ll cost at least a million for September… maybe $1.25m
2. St. Louis will want Type A-like compensation
3. He’s playing so well (offensively) that you kinda hate to spend that much for a bench bat — you buy him and feel like you oughta put him in 6 days a week.
4. Where do you play him, then, and who do you sit down?
5. But if you could get him for a “reasonable” cost — why wouldn’t you want that kind of production, then?
(Boy, you think we have debates about Heyward vs. Constanza now — let’s add Prado and Berkman to the mix… might have to shut down the freakin’ website. People could get hurt.).
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
1. $1.3 Million. But we’re practically locked into a playoff spot at this point, and having him adds a ton of value for the playoffs.
2. Yeah, that’s the stinker, who knows what the Cardinals want? On the other hand, of course, we’d end up GETTING type-A compensation for him when he inevitably signs somewhere else after the year. Cardinals still might raise the asking price too high, though.
3. Exactly. Put him every day. Stick in him left field, next to his old friend Michael Bourn, and then you just look for playing time for Prado. Some LF, some RF, some third base, some first base….it’s worth having Berkman in there every day. He’s better than Martin Prado. This gives you at least one really freaking good pinch-hitter on the bench every game.
4. See above.
5. Exactly.
My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.
by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT
Sounds like MLBTR’s interp is that St. Louis isn’t interested in even lending him out for a month – fear having to give away draft comp picks to the team taking him when they ultimately take him back (well, if they keep him, they have to pay him AND get nothing – I guess they wanna keep the high pick more than they want a prospect or two).
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
Interpretation: Wes Helms ain't cuttin' it at AAA and we need another idea.
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
Stunning: Helms with 2 singles last night – 2-3 with a K to raise his average to…. .176 (did I hear somebody yell “Bingo!”?).
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
I really like Theriot. Mainly because I hate Lugo and Hicks.
by michaeldlee1480 on Aug 30, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions
I would take TheRiot… slightly better bat; though worse fielder.
Cards would be happy for us to non-tender him on their behalf.
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
He would be a great fit. Very serviceable middle IF and decent bat.
by michaeldlee1480 on Aug 30, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, i mentioned this in the rosterbation thread with no response lol
Chopmaster: my link is my dad who has watched the braves since I don’t know. he’s 56.
I had actually forgotten about Renteria — I would take him over Theriot, though the fielding of both leaves something to be desired. I did am analysis of these guys some time ago, and the fielding numbers — compared to Seabass — were almost shocking. Theriot’s fielding was giving away runs at an alarming pace. The whole exercise made me appreciate Alex a lot more, as he’s on career high-like numbers in defensive runs saved.
Now, that said: we’re talking about a backup position here. Since either guy is hitting double the rate of Lugo, I think the argument is moot. If we can get either one, it’s an improvement to the bench. If Alex were injured, though, our left-side defense would be exposed.
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
Greg Norton…
"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 Aug 30, 2011 2:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Garrett Anderson
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
FUGA
Is an everyday player…
"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 Aug 30, 2011 3:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And quite the glider!
My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.
by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Aug 30, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
World Series clutch hitter!
I likey.
"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
Internal option
Stephan Gartrell….hope he gets a call up
"First!"...Who gives a damn if you are first
I would like to see him get a shot as well- he's earned a call up IMO
DFA Heyward. I'm dead serious
by wpf3211 on Aug 6, 2011 9:11 PM EDT
another vote for Berkman
The Braves need a consistent lineup and run production. Heyward and Constanza are ok but if we can get Berkman he is a instant upgrade over both. I love Heyward but let him get it together this offseason.
I’d give up a decent arm for him no problem. Someone like Hoover and Simmons. Then I’d switch up the lineup.
Bourn CF
Prado LF
Chip 3B
Berkman RF
McCann C
Uggla 2B
Freeman 1B
Gonzo SS
He can always be removed for a defensive replacement later in games. Also lets us utilize Constanzas speed as a Pinch Runner and such.
by drumzalicious on Aug 30, 2011 5:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Reyes
On a serious note, Jamey Carroll
Or the Renteria idea
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on Aug 30, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions
Rey Sanchez
and Keith Lockhart.
I’ll take one of each.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
I want me .....
Some Frenchy!!!!!! Only 2 more hits to 1,000…..
IT'S THE CAVEMAN!
"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11
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