Braves Acquire Infielder Jack Wilson

I like it

I can’t believe PTBNL is gone again..

You typed Jack Wilson from the Mariners, but clearly you meant Omar Infante from the Marlins, it’s an easy mistake to make.

I’m so happy with this move. Jack Wilson has been a favorite of mine for years. As was Alex Gonzalez. Wall at SS.

any nicknames for our newest Brave?

Really loved watching (Jumping) Jack Wilson when he was in Pittsburgh. He was always a fan favorite.

His offensive numbers aren’t confidence inducing, but he’s an all-hustle, all-the-time kind of guy. Top-tier defender, quick hands, smooth double plays, and can lay down a perfect bunt whenever needed. The little things that matter late in games.

He will make a great late-inning defensive replacement at 2B, and will harldly be a dropoff defensively at SS if needed to fill in for Gonzo.

.147/.202/.167 career at Turner Field

.283 OBP from a SS? Is that even allowed?

Before, I used to predict that Atl. would go to KC first off , I wonder why of all places we go to the Mariners?

it’d be almost impossible to do less to help the team than Lugo has done.

also now we have legit backups at every position.

He’s a solid player.

How do teams agree on that guy?

I like the move, Wilson’s defense is good enough that the Braves would be comfortable removing Gonzalez from a game or providing him a breather. While it is no real substantial upgrade offensively, it is a good move.

We will not have the displeasure of Brooks Conrad doing anything but hitting this postseason. Bully!

even if Jack Wilson is owed ~$1 million for the remainder of this year (but we did get a little bit of cash)

Very, Very smart thinking on Wren’s behalf. If he makes these trades at the dealine, not saying these players are really worth very much, but the price surely would’ve been slightly higher.

Wren added a solid player,in Diaz, who has great chemistry with the team, knows how to play “Braves Ball,” does not complain about playing time, and most importantly is a right-handed bat who solidly excels against LHP which is something this team has neeeded pretty badly.

Then to put the finishing touches on the roster, he addresses our last and basically final need. He miraculously manages to find a way to replace Lugo, which is solely an upgrade in itself; in doing so, Wren is basically reassuring fans and the Braves that Conrad will def. never see the field during the playoffs. Also, Wren lets us fans now know that we will never, ever again have the misfortune of seeing Lugo get another pinch-hitting opportunity!

Also, with FlapJack Wilson this team is getting a “workaholic.” He is not as smooth at SS as A-Gon, but he plays def. above average defense at short, great Defense at 2B, and he’s pretty solid at 3B as well.

This team has needed and been searching for this type of versatile utility man all season long. While he does not hit for much pop or even for good contact, he has quality, pesky at-bats, he knows his limits and does not try to do too much, he makes pitchers work by fighting off pitches, he makes good outs by advancing runners, bunting, and basically he just plays smart baseball.

IMM NOW, after these additions, this team is very complete, and is one of the more well-balanced teams Atlanta has seen in quite some time.

With the bench now complete and ridiculously flexible and with the bullpen being fucking absurdly amazing already, there is not one single game-type situation in which the Braves are not prepared for nor is there any reason they should not succeed in any given situation that arises!

So we traded for Alex Gonzalez without the power? Excellent!

Seriously, though. Huge upgrade over Lugo and if Seabass goes down there’s literally zero dropoff.

1. Lots of chatter about Jamey Carroll. There’s an LA writer claiming we could have had him for minor-league filler and they would have even paid us for the privilege. I’m calling “balderdash” on that one — if so, I gotta think we would have taken the deal. Carroll has played 126 games for LA this year, and was clearly more valuable – both to them and in general – than that (1.6 WAR just to throw one number at it).

But for all his bat does (healthy .355 OBP), Carroll’s fielding was clearly the weak link. He’s below 80% now in fielding plays in his zone, and has been dropping steadily as his playing time increased. Wilson is above average in Defensive Runs Saved. Carroll is not – except at 3B. So maybe the deal was more about a solid multi-positional backup? That case can be made.

2. Are Pirates (or ex-Pirates) really the difference-makers on Aug 31? Wilson, Diaz, and Bowker. Is that bizarre or what?

3. Oddly enough, I’m thinking that the recent trades may have taken some of the anticipation out of our off-season. By my reckoning:
a. Bourn and Diaz are already under contract through 2012.
b. Nate is going to receive a handshake and Lovely Parting Gifts (a buyout)
c. We retain Hinske ( I think we have an option on him)

The drama questions then will be:
a. What happens to Brooksy.
b. Would Wilson accept a backup role for $1-1.5m? (Don’t go all Pastornicky on me – he’s staying at AAA unless he’s going to be the starter… and if so, Alex is gone and we still need a backup)
c. Lowe/Hanson/Jurrjens – possibly Prado.

Of those – only “c” really constitutes “drama”.