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Summer Hot Stove Heating Up – Trade Rumors
Written by Colin on May 29, 2008 – 10:03 pmThe Braves are playing amazing baseball at home, but not performing so great on the road. They’re also 2-14 in one-run games, a number that should improve once Smoltz, Soriano, and Gonzalez are all active in the bullpen (I shamelessly stole that line from Jayson Stark). But with the Braves moving John Smoltz from the rotation to the ‘pen, they’re short a starting pitcher. And even though Jo-Jo Reyes and Jorge Campillo are standing in admirably (Campillo more so than Reyes), the Braves are reportedly looking for a starting pitcher.
There are a couple rumors here – one mentioned by the announcers during today’s game involved the highest profile free agent on the team. Reportedly the Braves would send Mark Teixeira to the Cleveland Indians for starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia would provide the depth to the rotation the Braves need (he’s won an average of 15.3 games each of the last three seasons), but the Braves would lose Teixeira and much of the needed protection behind Chipper, who is powering the offense. Sabathia is only 28 and would possibly be harder to resign at season’s end than Teixeira will be – and we can’t count that out. Plus, who would play first? Other rumors include either a top pitching prospect or Jordan Schafer for Sabathia – neither of which make sense for a pitcher with under a year left on his contract. Don’t forget that if we trade Tex, we have nearly no chance of re-signing him.
The most popular rumor has Greg Maddux coming to Atlanta – something that I don’t think will happen. Frank Wren was very adamant pre-season that he wasn’t looking for a reunion tour of the big three. Now Maddux would be a very popular choice, but he’s older and may not be available for re-signing at the end of the year (no telling when he hangs up the cleats).
Jayson Stark offered his opinion on this earlier today:
“Clubs that have spoken with the Braves say they’re more focused on trying to find a younger starting pitcher they can hang onto for [more than] just the last few months of this season. So think more along the lines of the non-free agents who could pop onto the market…”
Stark goes on to mention Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Bronson Arroyo, and Jeremy Bonderman – but stresses the Braves could be after any pitcher in this category.
I think that the Maddux thing is a bit of a pipe dream as opposed to reality. He’d offer us a good fifth arm in the rotation if Reyes isn’t working out, but I think we’d have to give up too much to get him. I’d much rather see us trade a younger prospect for a pitcher with plenty left in the tank and a few years on his contract. It’s time we start stacking our rotation for tomorrow.
Who would you like to see come to the Braves? Chime in with your opinion and comment below.
Other tidbits: East Coast Bias had a great article today on the Braves one-third of the way through the season. Take a look – very good read.
Tags: C.C. Sabathia, Frank Wren, Greg Maddux, Jo-Jo Reyes, John Smoltz, Jordan Schafer, Jorge Campillo, Mark Teixeira, Trade Rumors
Posted in Speculation | 26 Comments »
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- Jun 9, 2008: Section 435 – Trade Winds: Starting Pitching
By Tim on May 29, 2008 | Reply
I’m wondering in a month or so if the Pirate’s Ian Snell will become available. Considering that Bay’s time with the Pirates are numbered, they could use a corner outfielder like a Brandon Jones.
Another team that comes to mind that “might” be selling at the deadline is Kansas City. And I’m wondering if there is any chance Greinke will be available. They’re a team that could use a young and talented shortstop.
By Rue on May 29, 2008 | Reply
i do NOT want to see maddux back. not even in the slightest. i hope frank wren holds up his word. and like he said, this isn’t the “reunion team.” it better not turn into it. i’d rather see developing talent and have a less-than-stellar season for a year and then build than bring back some dinosaurs.
By Ashley on May 29, 2008 | Reply
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Maddux bounce to another team at some point, if not sooner than later. At the same time, I don’t think he’s coming to the Braves.
By Jason on May 30, 2008 | Reply
I agree, the Sabathia trade doesn’t make any sense. Neither does one for Maddux, who although I love him, is barely holding it down in the best pitcher’s park in baseball.
Blanton would be my first choice among those guys but there is one big roadblock involved with that: The Oakland A’s, and specifically Billy Beane. They are so good at getting maximum value for guys , even if you don’t realize it at the time (see Joey Devine). And honestly, Wren is too astute to sell low on Schafer. If he’s going to be moved, it will likely be when his stock has increased some. But if Gorkys continues his assent to super-prospect status, it is likely to happen.
By Akshay on May 30, 2008 | Reply
I doubt we would have to give up much to get Maddux, it will give us a stable fifth starter in this case. There’s so much of a difference pitching for a losing team versus pitching for a contending team and I’m sure Maddux knows that and would make the adjustment. We’ve already had two less than stellar seasons with the developing talent. McCann, Francoeur, Escobar, Johnson, Boyer, among others are developing talent. Hell, Francouer’s still developing. I wouldn’t mind seeing Maddux back as long as it doesn’t take more than a C or a D prospect to get him, I doubt the Braves would give even a B prospect for a few months of service. They would rather use the B prospects to get those younger pitchers Colin talked about.
By Cameron on May 30, 2008 | Reply
It would be a foolish move to pursue Maddux who would require a lot and has been below the average of the other RHP available. I know how everybody would like to see the big three back together again, buts thats just foolish. We would be much better trading Schafer away for Rich Harden. Harden is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA. He’s only 27 and could lead th braves pitching staff along with Hudson for years to come. Frank Wren is a very smart man and knows the importance of not trading away prospects for players who only have a few years left.
C’mon Braves!
By Jonathan on May 30, 2008 | Reply
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Maddux is not the solution to our pitching problems. I’d like to see a young, 3-5 year veteran come in and take a multi-year spot that we can help build a rotation around.
By Josh on May 30, 2008 | Reply
What about Matt Albers and Kevin Millar for Tex and a low prospect or cash considerations? I would think also it would be on the contingent that Tex would sign a muti year deal with Baltimore. Which would be good for us so the mets do not get him! Im just bored at work. LOL just day dreaming
By Cameron on May 30, 2008 | Reply
Maybe someone like Jesse Litsch or Dustin McGowan from the Blue Jays. Toronto have tons of starting pitching and need some good outfield prospects.
By Cameron on May 30, 2008 | Reply
check out the headlining story on mlb.com
By Jonathan on May 30, 2008 | Reply
i presume you’re talking about this article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080530&content_id=2798240&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
By Cameron on May 30, 2008 | Reply
ya how did you bring up the link
By Shaun on May 30, 2008 | Reply
Honestly, I’d be surprised the to see the Braves making any big moves this summer.
By Brian on Jun 7, 2008 | Reply
Bring up Thomas Hanson 6’6 210lbs Randy Johnson eat your heart out.
By sam on Jun 23, 2008 | Reply
Mark Teixeira for Tim Lincecum and John Bowker straight up
By Tim on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'm wondering in a month or so if the Pirate's Ian Snell will become available. Considering that Bay's time with the Pirates are numbered, they could use a corner outfielder like a Brandon Jones.
Another team that comes to mind that "might" be selling at the deadline is Kansas City. And I'm wondering if there is any chance Greinke will be available. They're a team that could use a young and talented shortstop.
By Rue on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
i do NOT want to see maddux back. not even in the slightest. i hope frank wren holds up his word. and like he said, this isn't the "reunion team." it better not turn into it. i'd rather see developing talent and have a less-than-stellar season for a year and then build than bring back some dinosaurs.
By Ashley on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I wouldn't be surprised to see Maddux bounce to another team at some point, if not sooner than later. At the same time, I don't think he's coming to the Braves.
By Jason on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I agree, the Sabathia trade doesn't make any sense. Neither does one for Maddux, who although I love him, is barely holding it down in the best pitcher's park in baseball.
Blanton would be my first choice among those guys but there is one big roadblock involved with that: The Oakland A's, and specifically Billy Beane. They are so good at getting maximum value for guys , even if you don't realize it at the time (see Joey Devine). And honestly, Wren is too astute to sell low on Schafer. If he's going to be moved, it will likely be when his stock has increased some. But if Gorkys continues his assent to super-prospect status, it is likely to happen.
By Akshay on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I doubt we would have to give up much to get Maddux, it will give us a stable fifth starter in this case. There's so much of a difference pitching for a losing team versus pitching for a contending team and I'm sure Maddux knows that and would make the adjustment. We've already had two less than stellar seasons with the developing talent. McCann, Francoeur, Escobar, Johnson, Boyer, among others are developing talent. Hell, Francouer's still developing. I wouldn't mind seeing Maddux back as long as it doesn't take more than a C or a D prospect to get him, I doubt the Braves would give even a B prospect for a few months of service. They would rather use the B prospects to get those younger pitchers Colin talked about.
By Cameron on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
It would be a foolish move to pursue Maddux who would require a lot and has been below the average of the other RHP available. I know how everybody would like to see the big three back together again, buts thats just foolish. We would be much better trading Schafer away for Rich Harden. Harden is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA. He's only 27 and could lead th braves pitching staff along with Hudson for years to come. Frank Wren is a very smart man and knows the importance of not trading away prospects for players who only have a few years left.
C'mon Braves!
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Maddux is not the solution to our pitching problems. I'd like to see a young, 3-5 year veteran come in and take a multi-year spot that we can help build a rotation around.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
i presume you're talking about this article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080530&content_id=2798240&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
By Shaun on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Honestly, I'd be surprised the to see the Braves making any big moves this summer.
By Brian on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Bring up Thomas Hanson 6'6 210lbs Randy Johnson eat your heart out.