Braves Playing Hot Stove Hardball with Trades

by gondeee on Dec 19, 2006 9:02 AM EST in Trade News Comment 4 comments

It may not be the Tampa Bay Devil Rays give-me-all-your-prospects approach, but our approach certainly seems to be one that is demanding top dollar for any player the Braves are offering in a trade. Perhaps that is why we were unable to get any sort of warm body in return for Marcus Giles. But Giles and LaRoche are very different types of players to be trading, so I'll give Schuerholz credit for trying to get maximum value for Adam.

The juiciest tidbit of rumoring comes from Ken Rosenthal who says the Braves may be targeting Chris Ray of Baltimore:

The Braves probably would want another player in addition to Ray -- perhaps Penn. They have been reluctant to trade LaRoche for Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez without receiving another piece in return.

He doesn't cite a source or an anonymous club official; instead this seems to be pure conjecture. But his comments do give us some insight into what we are expecting in return for LaRoche - which seems to be two players. For my two cents, I would do Ray and Penn for LaRoche in a heartbeat.

Along with the talks between the Braves and Orioles heating up, we get word that the talks between the Braves and Pirates have cooled off - most likely because of what Rosenthal alludes to above; that the Braves want another piece in addition to Gonzalez. The Braves also seem to be demanding a lot of the Yankees if they were to indeed flip Gonzalez to New York. I had mentioned yesterday that the Braves were after Scott Proctor along with Melky Cabrera, and that is echoed in this NY Post bit:

As for the Yankees adding Gonzalez, the Pirates are dragging their feet. They have returned to the original plan of wanting lefty-hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche from Atlanta. However, the Braves want Gonzalez and more and the Pirates are balking at the proposal.

If the Braves land Gonzalez, they want to deal him to the Yankees. Initially, they asked for Scott Proctor and Melky Cabrera. That was too high for the Yankees, who have questions about Gonzalez, who missed the final five weeks of last season with tendinitis after going 24-for-24 in save situations.

The Red Sox, who are still closer-less, are also believed to be interested in Gonzalez. Here is some insight into what they might be willing to offer:

Pittsburgh is expected to have at least one opening in their bullpen, once they decide where to trade 28-year-old Mike Gonzalez.

The Sox, New York Yankees and Atlanta are believed to be the most ardent pursuers of the lefty. The Sox have mentioned Coco Crisp and Eric Hinske, but the Bucs are believed to have their eye on either Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche or Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera.

Yumm! That's some good Tuesday morning rumor.

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Ray and Penn

I think that is something we need to at least go fish for. Ray would be a great addition to our pen, and would be a cheap closer option for the next 5 years.

Penn would give us another piece to trade. We've been hearing so much about Davies being traded for Baldelli or Rios, acquiring Penn would give us a pitcher to spin off in a similar deal, or at least allow us to trade Davies without being down to only 4 starters.

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by McCarroll21 on Dec 19, 2006 10:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If we trade LaRoche.....

I say we do it for Gonzo and Castillo. For how much they need a left handed power bat, especially at LaRoche's age and contract, this would seem like a reasonable trade. Then focus on moving Davies and a prospect for Baldelli, or somehow figure out how to aquire Figgins. I think Gonzo has tremendous talent, having him, Soriano, and Wickman in the pen definately solves the bullpen issue, not to mention we need another lefty (Gonzo). Then you have Baldelli or Figgins leading off, Castillo hitting 7th, and Thorman 8th. That would be an attractive lineup not to mention a solid bullpen. Starters are ok 1-4, 5th could be someone from last year or a call up. Remember, post season you start mainly just 3 and with that bullpen and lineup we would have a great chance of going all the way.

by surge on Dec 19, 2006 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3 closers

Why do we feel the need to have three closers? We've got Wickman for closer, and Soriano for set-up, but is closer-quality. Why would we need a 3rd one? Gonzalez seems like overkill for someone who would only pitch around 50 innings in a setup-setup role.

I'd rather depend on our young bullpen arms to give them more experience. I really like Paronto and McBride.

I'm comfortable with Aybar/KJ filling in at 2B next year. However, the more I think about it, the less comfortable I am with Matt Diaz in LF, mostly due to defense. He's a great guy and a great hitter, but if we can get a speedy, reliable LF person, I think we should spring for them over another relief pitcher.

by subwindow on Dec 19, 2006 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Castillo

from Pit is just not impressive to me. That lifetime .301 OBP is horrid for someone with three years of experience - and after next year he would start getting expensive. I don't think the Braves have ANY interest in him.

Perhaps the desire to acquire Ray or Gonzo and have three "closer" types in the pen is a bit of overreation from last year.

But if we can get two arms the likes of Gonzo/Gorzellany or Ray/Penn then we make the deal. The one thing we had a lot of last year is offense, and most of the prospects we have that are close to the majors are batters. And by acquiring some extra pitching, we could more readliy move it to fill our other needs.

by gondeee on Dec 19, 2006 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs