i like it good back up switch hits (replaces ol’ Brooksie as a PH). can fill in around the infield. Versatility was the best part of 2010. Downside is two utility guys making close to 10 million. if this move is made you have to keep Prado.

Wasn’t Wren looking for a talented young center-fielder earlier in the off season? I hear the plan is to keep Trout in AAA until the Angels figure out their massively crowded outfield, but I really like the guy. Clubs usually don’t trade players who put up 5-win seasons in their first full year, but clubs usually don’t have arguably the top prospect in baseball ready and waiting at that exact position either…..

I agree with ryan on Izturis and Callaspo, the Angels aren’t looking for starting pitching. I think one of Izturis, Callaspo, and Aybar will be moved at some point, but I doubt it’ll be to Atlanta unless they overpay in the pitching department. I don’t see Wren giving up one of Vizcaino, Delgado, Teheran, Beachy, Jurrjens, or Minor for either player though. Well, MAYBE Vizcaino, but I doubt it.

Also, Trumbo? I hear he has LF and 3B experience and I know the last thing this team needs is another sub-.300 OBP, 120 K guy with sketchy defense, but I have a feeling the Braves front-office would feel different about him considering the low-OBP guys they’ve been linked to these last couple of seasons. I think they’ll pursue him if they feel he can handle the outfield and/or 3B competently…….no idea what would happen to Prado there though(I doubt the Angels want him considering their depth in the outfield, corner infield spots, and 2B.).

this would accompany a trade of Prado
It would probably mean picking up Seth Smith to Platoon with Diaz
Smith and Izturis will cost less than Prado

This would probably be a better Left field than Prado
Both could be putting up 850+ OPS from their sides of the plate
Both are great weapons off the bench in games they dont start
Izturis gives us the high avg. bat off the bench
and a guy that can backup 2nd, SS and Chipper.

On the surface, I would prefer Prado,
and chipper will avoid sitting more in this scenario
but if it comes with a stud CF or 3B prospect,
it’s hard to say no.

We’d need to dump salary to acquire Izturis. The Angels don’t need Diaz. Maybe the Braves should shop Matt elsewhere, for a cheap prospect or journeyman.

Another year of a Diaz platoon won’t sell tickets in Atlanta. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Braves acquired Cody Ross to play LF full time when they clear about $5m in salary. But acquiring Izturis first without an offsetting salary dump could lessen their chances of being able to afford someone like Ross.

The sad fact is that the Braves salary cap for this year has seriously hurt their offseason profile, coming on top of the September collapse. Difficult to imagine advance ticket sales going well. The prospect of Josh Johnson or Steven Strausberg pitching to Matt Diaz doesn’t inspire optimism.

And that old Martin Prado versatility commercial isn’t going to sell any 2012 tickets either. Maybe get Jason Alexander to do a spot with Jose Constanza, featuring Larry David as the offstage voice of Frank Wren.