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The Deadline Looms
Written by Jonathan on July 31, 2008 – 11:22 amMark Teixeira may have been the most noteworthy move that the Braves will make before today’s 4pm trade deadline, but Frank Wren and the Braves organization still have some potential moves to make. With Teixeira gone to the Angels in exchange for Casey Kotchman, it’s time to look more towards starting to rebuild the team for the 2009 season. The Braves are in definite sell mode, so here are some quick highlights of the thoughts and rumors that are going around:
Will Ohman – The likelihood that Ohman makes it to the deadline as a Brave is pretty low. There are a few teams interested in the relief he can provide, including the Cardinals who just happen to be in town. How strange would it be to be traded to the visiting team while they were here? Trading Ohman seems like one of Wren’s more likely moves today.
Mark Kotsay – I hadn’t really thought much about the Braves trading Kotsay, but Mark Bowman gives a 50% chance that he’ll be traded before the deadline. Bowman also indicates that he may stick around until August. I don’t really know what to think about this one either way.
Jason Bay – There has been some talk in the interest of acquiring Jason Bay from the Pirates, but with the talks going on between the Bucs and the Marlins/Red Sox, I don’t see much chance of this happening this season. I could see an offseason move to help acquire a power-hitting outfielder. Update: The Pirates are still shopping Bay around to other teams but the Braves have not come up in talks. Update 2: Looks like Bay is going to the Red Sox in a trade that is sending Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers.
Starting Pitching - Don’t look for any moves on the starting pitching front today as Wren is more in sell mode to see what he can make out of our roster for the rest of the season. Some names that have been tossed around for next year are possibly trying to obtain Sabathia, Sheets, or Lackey to help bolster the starting rotation. With Hudson likely gone for part of next year. This will be a big one to look out for for next year.
Completed NL East Trades:
Mark Teixiera to the Angels, Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek to the Braves.
Gaby Hernandez to the Mariners, Arthur Rhodes to the Marlins.
There’s what I have time to throw out there right now, I will keep updating as the day goes on. In the meantime, let us know the rumors you hear and the thoughts you have about the Braves at the trade deadline.
Tags: Braves Trade Rumors, Trade Deadline
Posted in Roster Moves, Speculation | 26 Comments »
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This is the first season he's pitched over 60 innings and really the first season he's been back since 2005. He's still developing, as is a lot of our staff. Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Gregor Blanco, Yunel Escobar, Manny Acosta, Jair Jurrjens, Jorge Campillo, Jojo Reyes, Charlie Morton, Peter Moylan. With the exception of Moylan and Campillo (who are 29) the rest are all under 25 and require time to develop. The unfortunate thing about that, is that I don't think the Braves fans realize that fully. It's really hard to depend on two young guys, Boyer and Acosta, for rubber arms when they haven't even had an entire season to develop their strength, especially Acosta, who is not the biggest guy in the world. I think it just needs time, these guys are already really good and not really any of them have entered the "prime" of their careers.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
As awesome as Ohman has been for us, teams out there will be offering him 3-4 year contracts worth anywhere between $12-$18 million. The Braves have never offered a relief pitcher that kind of money and I think they're better off turning their sights to a Ben Sheets or C. C. Sabathia – long term deal.
By Sean-Bo on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I heard frenchy is going to be traded…I really hope not, but thts just what I heard.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I wouldn't sweat the Francoeur rumors too much. I don't think Frank's willing to move him unless an unbeatable offer was put on the table.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'm in definite agreement on this one. We need to worry about bolstering the rotation. If we can get/keep Moylan/Gonzalez healthy, with a strong rotation, we should be in good shape.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Looks like the Manny deal is officially dead.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
lol, like Francoeur for Liriano, but we all know that ain't happening.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
…..and it looks like desperation is setting in with Chuck James being called up to pitch tomorrow night's game.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Definitely, plus Moylan won't be a free agent until…who knows when, I think 2010 or 2011 is when he'll get to test the market barring a long-term deal. As for Gonzalez, I would not be surprised if the Braves lock him up long term (at an affordable rate). I like Soriano, but he's been more valuable to this team as a set up guy as opposed to a closer.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I believe 2010 on Moylan. Wren seems to have indicated that he'd like to keep Gonzo around as a closer, which is a role I think he's highly capable in.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Something like 34 straight saves? Not close to Gagne's, but the guy's been money in close/late situations. Another name I just saw that's a free agent after the season on Bowman's blog is John Lackey, whom the Braves might even get for a less price than Sabathia.
Of all of the three, I'd say Sheets has the best stuff, but if the Braves want a guy that's gonna give them 30 starts a year, Sabathia would be the way to go. Unfortunately, it might cost them $40-50 million more on an 8 to 10 year contract for Sabathia as opposed to the other two guys.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
That's a bummer, I like Chuck, but until he can change his delivery and add a third pitch, he won't be of much help.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I think we're going to need to throw money at one or two power pitchers to help the rotation. Even Sheets and Lackey I'd be happy with. Though I would love to see CC in Atlanta.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Is nobody else skeptical on Sheets? I'd MUCH rather see Sabathia in the rotation. Hasn't Sheets had quite a few more injury problems than Sabathia?
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Wow. We could have sent you over and saved the Braves a plane ticket. Plus I know you'd probably only charge half what James would.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Hell, I'd do it for free. I can throw a Chuck Jamesesque game.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
So looks like no more moves for the Braves today. Overall, I very low-activity deadline day around the league.
By JBaldwin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
ugh… Chuck James…. Where's the revolver? I'm just gonna end it all now.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I presume this is payback for double commenting your post earlier today, JB?
By JBaldwin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I didn't realize I double commented… oops. DE-leted.
Yeah… talk of Chuck James just makes me suicidal is all.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
That makes two of us…
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I am, definitely. He hasn't pitched a full season since 2004, at the same time, he's shown that he can be an ace if he could just stay healthy. Remember the 18K game against us in 2004? That's probably him at his best.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
He's gone 3-3 with a 2.50 ERA in his last 10 starts at Richmond, a far cry from the CJ we saw at the beginning of the season. Hopefully he can bring some of that stability and success with him to Atlanta this weekend.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Griffey to the White Sox. I definitely didn't see that one coming.
By Sheryl on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I really hate losing Ohman….he seems to be one of the only dependable relief guys we have…I HATE Boyer….let's trade him….I know he is being "developed" but dang he has given up too many runs!
By Cheyanne18 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Ohman has shown how amazing he can be. With all of the money freed up next year I think Wrenn should make him a deal, with him and Moylan coming back hopefully the 7th and 8th could be taken care of!