Extra Boost Could Help Braves

Written by Colin on July 29, 2009 – 6:57 am

Here we are in late July, and with the Phillies considering trading their future for Roy Halladay, it’s time for Sports Illustrated to bring back the same slideshow they’ve used for the last few seasons hailing the “best midseason trades ever.” Of course, Fred “Crime Dog” McGriff, David Cone, and some of the newer guys – Orlando Cabrera, Carlos Beltran, etc, are on the list. The Phillies figure to pick up Roy Halladay in exchange for some change, where some change equals some of their top prospects. Right now, they’re at an impasse, and let’s hope they stay there.

The Braves figure to stay where they’re at – maybe trade for a reliever to solidify the bullpen. And while that’s fine, and leaves them with a chance to win the Wild Card (they can pitch, and they do get Hudson back – who at the very least is a very bad-ass long reliever – which is why recent stories have the Braves backing away from trading for a reliever), but I really want to see us pull a 1993 – we need another bat. Where do we add someone? First base. Casey Kotchman is average. He’s good enough to play in the big leagues, but not good enough to wow anybody every night. Maybe, if Kelly Johnson is not going to suck, the answer is to play Martin Prado at first instead of Kotchman – Prado has been on fire – but what about some true pop? Why not go for it and make a trade designed to take on the Phillies? It doesn’t have to mortgage our whole future – we don’t need a modern day McGriff – we just need to upgrade. We don’t need a long-term fix – trade Kotchman away in exchange for another first baseman – with Freddie Freeman waiting in the wings in a year or two, we just need someone through the end of 2010. Maybe Prado’s that guy?

Note: I don’t mean to pick on Kotchman – I like the guy – but where else do we upgrade our offense? It’s been pretty awesome recently.

Hell, don’t trade anybody and give Barbaro Canizares a chance to bring the big bat to the majors. Let Kotchman sub defensively and give Canizares a chance to bring some of his pop to the lineup.

I want to see October baseball this year. Maybe this team does that. Maybe. But seriously, do something to take it over the top.

It’s been too long since we’ve seen October baseball in Atlanta.

Alright, Kent, your turn to write an article on how the Braves don’t need to make a move…


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