Moves The Braves Won’t Make

Written by Colin on January 17, 2009 – 12:46 pm

We’ve gotten a lot of comments and suggestions over the past few days on the Braves’ next move(s). Here’s a few that have been suggested that I don’t see happening. I could always be wrong, but I don’t see these moves fitting into the Braves’ plans.

Sign Ben Sheets / Jon Garland

Why? Why do we need another pitcher? We have Lowe, Kawakami, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Campillo, Morton, and Reyes. Yes, Buddy Carlyle is still on the 40 man roster. Sheets and Garland would be great, but we need to promote some youth within the organization. That means Morton and prospect Tommy Hanson need somewhere to pitch and need to eventually get into the rotation. If we sign Sheets or Garland, where are the young guys going to pitch?

Sign Manny Ramirez

This would be fun (I suggested it originally), but there’s NO WAY the Braves sign a self-centered personality like Ramirez to a long-term contract with the kind of outfield prospects we’ve got lined up. That’s Jordan Schafer, Matt Diaz, Josh Anderson, Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Gorkeys Hernandez, and Jason Heyward. Why sign Manny?

Sign Barry Bonds

I floated this last year just to get a reaction. It got a reaction, all right. Still, NO WAY IN HELL.

Move Kelly Johnson to LF

I don’t see this happening. They’ve spent a lot of time and money training KJ at second. He’s coming along. He’s not as horrible defensively as people think. We’ve actually got our chief KJ fan, Akshay, working on a post about him as we speak (or sometime soon). I think KJ stays at second because the Braves need a power bat. They’re not going to sign a power hitting second baseman. Plus the Braves don’t need more outfielders.

Those are the moves I think the Braves won’t make. We’ll see what happens with regards to Andruw Jones, other outfield bats, and Tom Glavine. What do you think? Am I way off base?

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8 Responses to “Moves The Braves Won’t Make”

  1. By Tim on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply

    I agree with everything you said. Before we signed Lowe and Kawakami I was wanting Jon Garland. But we don't need him now. As far as the OF goes I really want the Braves to stay away from Andruw. Josh Anderson deserves a chance to play CF and be our leadoff hitter. I would love to see him still 50 bases. I like the speed game more than I do the power game and I think it's safe to say no matter how the 25 man roster shapes up this will be the fastest overall Braves team we have had in years. The Twins have shown for years you can win games without being homer happy. The Braves need to take note of that. I feel the reason for all of the Braves postseason struggles especially this decade was due to a lack of speed. We couldn't hit homers in the playoffs and so we couldn't score and we couldn't win. It wouldn't hurt to get someone like Nady, Dunn or Abreu to play LF but I don't think it's the huge concern everyone thinks it is. Matt Diaz kills lefties and Blanco was doing great last year in a platoon role until he was forced to play everyday.

  2. By Ryan Gee on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply

    They need to sign Andruw Jones.. We need him back in our outfield. I don't care how bad his offensive numbers were last year. He has a hell of a glove and that's what we need. I would like to see them sign a better shortstop too. I dont really care for Escobar.

  3. By Larry312 on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply

    I agree about the Pitching. The only other move to be made would be whether or not to sign Glavine. I think this is a Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz. Jones showed in the past (Minors) that he is capable of power numbers. Blanco is another option but strikes out to much. Anderson has the speed for lead off but not the OBP. He showed last year his lack of strength to lay off the low pitch. Adding Andruw to CF gives us a good glove and possible good bat. You dont have to hit for high average to be successful. Ryan Howard proves that every year. As long as the rotation and bullpen can avoid injury and stand up to the hype I think the Braves have a shot at the Wild Card. 2010 is our year to make a run at the division.

  4. By Colin Ake on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply

    I'm not so convinced we need him back for his glove – the new guys are plenty fast and cover ground, and he's not the fielder he once was, what with his hurt back and such.

    Escobar has potential – he's not going to be an all-star overnight, but I think he'll get better with time.

  5. By Tim on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply

    How can you say we need a better SS? Escobar is awesome. Escobar has played 230 games in the majors and has posted a .303 career average in 833 at-bats. He has 15 homeruns and 88 RBIs and is clutch in the late innings. I just don't see how you can say we need a better SS.

  6. By Tim on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply

    I agree. I have been saying that to all my friends too. Andruw's defense has slipped mighty in recent years. Anderson has the speed to cover a ton of ground in CF and showed it last year.

  7. By Larry312 on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply

    I just saw this a day ago and I'd like to hear what everyone thinks. I know were not in need of a second baseman but I heard the Braves were inquiring about Brian Roberts from Baltimore. I like what he brings to the table, he would serve very much the way Furcal would have. If we would have to give up KJ for this I strongly oppose it. But anyway what truth or comments do yall have on the subject?

  8. By dave on Jan 21, 2009 | Reply

    what about K.J. to left Prado to second. lets start using start using some of our young players that are ready mix in some vets for leadership and see what happens . However i do think there are some great cheap free agents out there. Just how interested the braves are is hard to tell. I am so thankful to Jake Peavey for not coming to Atlanta and depleating our farm system again. please powers that be remember free agents in the long run are cheaper than trading the stars of the future, and then have to watch them become great players for someone else. It is still hard to stomach the Texas trade. I think it needs to be a great lesson for us. I only hope the players we have now as a result of this trade will develop and someday make us all that feel this way feel better. I read where Elvis is going to get his chance with Texas I wish him well. God Bless You All

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