2011 Braves Season Thread

[PureBaseballFan]

where would nate play? 4th OF? bourne is signed thru 2013, i believe so i like that. I really like getting keppinger too. Perfect RH bench guy. I am fine with this i suppose. Just was looking to avoid trading one of our top prospect pitchers.

Nate would move to the bench and be a nice late inning defensive sub (ie. move Prado to 3B or 2B and McLouth to LF for the 7th or 8th onward) or pinch runner. I would also like to see them add a late inning reliever because while Moylan and Medlen might be late season additions I don't want to count on them pitching effectively coming off of surgery.

[chip&smoltz95]

Nate would move to the bench and be a nice late inning defensive sub (ie. move Prado to 3B or 2B and McLouth to LF for the 7th or 8th onward) or pinch runner. I would also like to see them add a late inning reliever because while Moylan and Medlen might be late season additions I don't want to count on them pitching effectively coming off of surgery.

i think moylan will be fine. not as confident about meds. moylan pitching effectively for a couple weeks before he finally had the surgery, so I don't see why he couldn't do it afterwards.

[PureBaseballFan]

This is a list of potential trade targets for the Braves, if you feel I left anyone out feel free to day them.

Baltimore Orioles

Luke Scott :: LFer but in the Hinske sense, down year so far but has posted an OPS north of .800 in the past 4 years, Lefty, last year of contract making about the same as Nate.

Koji Uehara :: RH reliever, not overpowering but does get strikeouts by mixing his fastball (89 - 91) with his solid offering of offspeed pitches, HR rate should drop coming to the NL and into Turner, makes $3 Million with $.5 Million in incentives for games, Vesting option for 2012 at $4 Million if he pitches in 55 games or finishes 25 and is at 37 games currently.

Minnesota Twins

Michael Cuddyer :: RH OFer/1B, good hitter all-around though doesn't do any one thing great, not very good defensively at any position he plays, contract is up after this season but is owed likely more then the Braves can take on so cash would have to be part of any deal, question that he will be traded because of a weak division that the Twins might take a run at.

Oakland A's

Josh Willingham :: RH LFer, good hitter having a down year in a pitcher's park, knows NL and NL East, is one of those guys the Braves have chased after for a few years now, poor defensively, injuries have been a problem in the last few years, last year of contract should be owed around $2.5 Million at the deadline.

Coco Crisp :: RH CFer, average offensive CFer little power but OBP is less then ideal, speed threat, good defensive CFer, should be owed less then his teammate Willingham.

David DeJesus :: LH OFer, has really struggled in the Coliseum but has a good track record of numbers similar to a Martin Prado, has been connected a couple times with the Braves in the past, can play all three OF positions but best left defensively in the corners, free agent at the end of the season and owed the same amount as Willingham.

Houston Astros

Michael Bourn :: LH CFer, having good year offensively and adds very good speed, very good defensively in CFer, is under control for another year.

Hunter Pence :: RH OFer, is a very good all around player with his only real weakness being he doesn't walk much, good defensive RFer and could stretch into CF but likely not going to be anything but average there, is under control for 2 more years so he will get raises that should top $10 Million by the end of it all, is valued by the Astros management and would cost a very good prospect haul to get him.

Jeff Keppinger :: RH utility, high average and gap power with low strikeouts but doesn't walk much in the utility role, has played every IF position but not all that well, is under control for another year and is basically another Omar Infante type.

Chicago Cubs

Marlon Byrd :: RH CFer, solid average and power guy though nothing special in the power department, has been a good CFer in Chicago, similar money to most of the other OFers mentioned with the total for the year being $5.5 Million, is under control for 2012 at $6.5 Million.

Kosuke Fukudome :: LH RFer, .250 to .270 hitter with doubles power and a high walk rate nothing special but likely better then either Schafer or McLouth, been subpar RFer, owed a lot of money and either someone like McLouth would be going the other way or money coming back to Atlanta, free agent after this season.

San Diego Padres

Ryan Ludwick :: RH LFer, solid at best who has been declining since his one great year in 2008, has been solid defensively in LF for San Diego, free agent after the year and very similar money situation to several of these guys.

Heath Bell :: RH reliever, one of the best closers the past 3 years, has said would become setup man if it meant being on a competitive team, free agent and Type A so even if you trade quality players you should get a chance to get quality to replace them, $7.5 Million for the whole season so would be expensive.

Chad Qualls :: RH reliever, solid reliever most of his career but imploded last year and has is back to being solid, pitches to contact getting groundballs and low strikeouts, $2.55 Million in total for 2011 including the buyout for his $6 Million club option.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Thanks for the list PBF.

[Los Bravos]

Luke Scott would be a colossal disruption.

Bourn is the guy I would most like from that group.

[PureBaseballFan]

Luke Scott would be a colossal disruption.

Bourn is the guy I would most like from that group.

I agree the only other deal I would love to see the Braves do is get Heath Bell and maybe throw in Ludwick. Bell would be the major part of the deal because I think getting him would take pressure off of everyone in the bullpen and hopefully push Proctor out of a job, the other good thing about him is because the Braves aren't committed to him past this season you could basically let Fredi run his arm into the ground because he isn't your problem in the future.

[Los Bravos]

If Ludwick is half the pain for us that he is against us, I would love to have him.

[PureBaseballFan]

While the Braves might not make a huge splash on this year’s trade market, they will be certainly be active in their search to land a right-handed reliever and right-handed hitting outfielder.

An American League scout proved more specific Friday when he said, “They’re looking for a right-handed hitter who can play each of the outfield positions.”

While the Braves might not necessarily find the versatile outfielder they are seeking, they would seemingly be satisfied to strengthen their bench with the right-handed equivalent of Eric Hinske. This would provide manager Fredi Gonzalez at least another option to combat situations when opponents can attempt to take advantage of the heavy left-handed presence in the Braves’ lineup.

The desire to add a right-handed reliever is obviously aimed toward limiting the innings compiled by top middle relievers Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty down the stretch. The Padres’ Mike Adams has been mentioned to be on the Braves’ wish list.

Adams and his All-Star teammate Heath Bell have also reportedly been on the Phillies’ wish list, which seems to look a lot like the possessed by the Braves.

Here is another name to the potential trade targets.

Colorado Rockies

Ty Wigginton :: RH bench, hits for good power against both lefties and righties but is great against LHP putting up a line of .311/.417/.607, has played 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and RF in the last 2 years though isn't great at any position, signed for next year at $4 Million with a 2013 option for the same amount which might make the Rockies hold on to him even if they continue to fall out of contention, basically the Hinske of the right side.

I could add some more relievers to the list (my personal choice would be Koji) but instead here are a few internal options.

Erik Cordier :: Good stuff is the best thing you always come back to with Cordier but his control has always been poor in past years. Cordier has been working exclusively as a starter this season but with his continued control problems his best bet to contribute to the major league team is going to be in the bullpen.

Anthony Varvaro :: A pickup during the offseason from the Mariners Varvaro has always had good stuff but like Cordier has always struggled with control. Varvaro's strikeout rate is the highest it has been since his first year in the minors but his walk rate is higher then his last year in the minors.

Juan Abreu :: A minor league free agent signing from 2009 he has quickly become the best arm in the Gwinnett bullpen. He sits in the high-90s and features a solid slurve, like the rest of those mentioned he does have a walk problem but it is lower then Craig Kimbrel's walk rate last year in Triple-A. Here is a little write-up from ScoutingtheSally.com.

All 3 guys are on the 40-man so none would require a move, guys like Teheran, Arodys, and Randall could all move to the bullpen in the stretch run and a darkhorse could be J.J. Hoover who can really bring the gas when only working one inning.

[PureBaseballFan]

Sounds as if the #Braves could be close to making a deal for a RH bat

That is all for now, nothing from Bowman.

Edit :: Zeke Spruill reportedly having his start skipped, could be the fact he pitched only 60 innings last year but he has thrown 135 IP in 2009 so his current amount isn't strange for him.

Edit :: 2 Mark Bowman appears to have shot it down.

Spruill just got skipped to protect his arm. Doesn't sound like the #Braves are close to making a trade

[Los Bravos]

Gomes is off the table now, which makes me very happy. I doubt FW would've gone for him but I'm glad to be assured that it won't happen.

[9&10]

Sorry, everyone, but that was a gift win for the Braves last night against the Pirates. Could quite possibly be the worst call I've ever seen.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Sorry, everyone, but that was a gift win for the Braves last night against the Pirates. Could quite possibly be the worst call I've ever seen.

Why are you sorry? If Lugo had been called out like he was supposed to, there would have been two out and Schafer still at second base, possibly even third. That is, unless McKendry had the presence of mind to throw to first base. Then, they would have been in the 20th inning...

[Los Bravos]

Sorry, everyone, but that was a gift win for the Braves last night against the Pirates. Could quite possibly be the worst call I've ever seen.

Jeffrey Maier and Buster Posey were worse, in bigger situations.

[PureBaseballFan]

So Beltran is off the market and at the price the Giants paid I am glad the Braves didn't match the offer.

[Cowtipper]

In the wake of Brian McCann’s injury, the Atlanta Braves went all-out to replace their All-Star catcher. They searched high and low, and were able to acquire Wil Nieves from the Brewers for cash considerations.

Read more:

http://calltothepen.com/2011/07/28/w...-traded-for-1/

[PureBaseballFan]

The rumors right now are basically the Braves looking at a HR, 2B, or a Single.

The homerun is Hunter Pence who after the Phillies gave their final offer (Cosart, Singleton, and another prospect or reportedly a package around Brown) and it was rejected it would appear that the Braves are now the last team talking to Houston about him. Some question why Houston would make a deal with Atlanta after rejecting a strong offer of Cosart and Singleton but there might be good reason, both of the Phillies prospects are at A-Ball and likely at least a year and a half away. Ed Wade is automatically on the hot seat with a new owner coming in so he needs to prove why he should keep the job and is likely looking for guys that can contribute right away which is the main difference between the Braves and Phillies potential offers. I doubt this deal gets done because I just don't think Houston wants to move him (even though it likely is in their best interest) but perhaps an offer of Minor, Arodys/R. Delgado, and another prospect would entice them.

I have seen some not like the potential addition of Josh Willingham but Willingham is a good bat who is having a down year in a pitcher's park. The good news about Willingham is he is coming back in July with a month very good month so far (.278/.403/.500 in July), the biggest downside is that he is a pure LFer and isn't a sure thing to stay healthy.

The final name connected with the Braves is Ryan Ludwick, he is far from a sexy pickup and at his best is a slightly above average player. This is the worst move the Braves could make and wouldn't be a huge upgrade, the only way a move for Ludwick would be big move is if it was a part of a package to get either Bell or Adams.

Another name to add, according to Rosenthal Braves are "hot" for Carlos Quentin.

[PureBaseballFan]

According to Bowman Ludwick is on top of the Braves list, if this did turn out to be the only move the Braves make my only reaction would be .

I am all for keeping prospect cost down but I doubt Willingham is gonna cost one of the 4 pitching prospects and while Ludwick can play an above average LF/RF (according to UZR) it really isn't enough to make up for his mediocre bat. Basically the Braves would be getting Rick Ankiel from the right side without the arm.

[PureBaseballFan]

Braves get Bourn.

The Prospect package is Brett Oberholtzer, Jordan Schafer, Paul Clemens, and Juan Abreu, hard not to love this deal.

[Goo64]

8:59am: The Astros will receive center fielder Jordan Schafer, southpaw Double-A starter Brett Oberholtzer, righty Double-A starter Paul Clemens, and righty Triple-A reliever Juan Abreu, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. None of the three pitchers are top 50 prospects, but they did rank ninth, 26th, and 27th respectively for the Braves on Baseball America's preseason rankings.

The above was taken from mlbtraderumors.com. Looks like the Braves got their outfielder and lead-off hitter and will have him next year as he is arb eligible. We got a pretty dynamic player and didn't lose any of our top pitching prospects. At this moment I have great respect for Wren, as long as he doesn't spend a top prospect on a reliever or something. We don't need a fancy reliever, there are a lot of relief arms in the majors that are better than Proctor, Gearrin, Linebrink and Sherrill.

[PureBaseballFan]

8:59am: The Astros will receive center fielder Jordan Schafer, southpaw Double-A starter Brett Oberholtzer, righty Double-A starter Paul Clemens, and righty Triple-A reliever Juan Abreu, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. None of the three pitchers are top 50 prospects, but they did rank ninth, 26th, and 27th respectively for the Braves on Baseball America's preseason rankings.

The above was taken from mlbtraderumors.com. Looks like the Braves got their outfielder and lead-off hitter and will have him next year as he is arb eligible. We got a pretty dynamic player and didn't lose any of our top pitching prospects. At this moment I have great respect for Wren, as long as he doesn't spend a top prospect on a reliever or something. We don't need a fancy reliever, there are a lot of relief arms in the majors that are better than Proctor, Gearrin, Linebrink and Sherrill.

Linebrink and Sherrill are fine, Sherrill needs to mainly be used against lefties and Linebrink is just one of those guys that will have a few good outtings then one where he gives up 2 runs.

Something to keep in my is that trading both Schafer and Abreu clears two spots on the 40-man roster, one will be filled by Bourn but there is the potential that either another deal could be worked out for a reliever/bench player or the Braves could add Arodys Vizcaino to the 40-man considering he has been used as a reliever the past month or so.

[PureBaseballFan]

So some great news this morning, the Braves will release Scott Proctor! The other news is that the Braves will bring up the one pitching prospect that hasn't been in the majors yet in Arodys who will join the bullpen and hopefully be the RHP the bullpen has been looking for.

[SamtheBravesFan]

So some great news this morning, the Braves will release Scott Proctor! The other news is that the Braves will bring up the one pitching prospect that hasn't been in the majors yet in Arodys who will join the bullpen and hopefully be the RHP the bullpen has been looking for.

Hooray!

The Scott Proctor experiment, though noble (it was worth it to see if he had SOMETHING left), is finally over...

[PureBaseballFan]

Jose Constanza now has 2 HRs in the majors, in 3164 minor league PAs he had a grand total of 6 go figure.

[Edgartohof]

A couple more weeks like he is having, and Uggla will finally have his BA back into the respectable territory. At least it is over .200 now. In fact, he has raised his BA 50 points during his 32 game hitting streak. And I just noticed that he has been averaging nearly 1 RBI/game during this stretch (especially here in August).

[Edgartohof]

And with a single in the bottom of the 1st inning, Dan Uggla pushed his hitting streak to 33 games!