Braves 2010/11 Offseason Thread

[PureBaseballFan]

That's a good question... let's see... what about Ted Lilly? His WHIP was still crazy good with the Cubs (1.137), so the boost he got with the Dodgers (0.991) doesn't skew things too much.

Lilly is reportedly going to resign with the Dodgers for three years.

Some free agent starters to take a look at.

Kevin Millwood :: Old friend that could benefit from the move to the NL and leaving Oriole Park for Turner Field.

Jeff Francis :: Not the same pitcher he was a couple of years ago but still a solid lefty that could benefit from a move to a more pitcher friendly park like Turner.

Aaron Harang :: Another guy that could benefit big time from getting out of his current team's stadium, him in Great American Ballpark looks bad but him in Turner could look pretty good.

Hiroki Kuroda :: Of the Free Agents not named Lee he has been the most productive pitcher, he would cost the most money but would likely be better then most on this list.

Javier Vazquez :: Another old friend, his fastball isn't the same but I also think he just mentally isn't the right pitcher for New York that plus he benefitted hugely from Turner Field.

Jake Westbrook :: Another Groundball pitcher tha when healthy you know you will likely get 200 innings and an ERA around 3.50 to 4.00

Here are some guys that I think the Braves could trade for.

Paul Maholm :: Not a very attrative option to be honest.

Zack Duke :: See Pitcher above.

Matt Garza :: Good option but one where the team will likely want offense/position prospects which the Braves don't really have.

James Shields :: See Pitcher above.

Jeremy Guthrie :: Interesting option if he is put on the market, not a big strikeout pitcher or groundball pitcher which makes him quite odd.

Daisuke Matsuzaka :: In my mind is by far the most interesting option if the Red Sox put him on the market, Dice-K has a full NTC and has already commented he would be willing to wave it for a West Coast Team so that is a hurdle. He make $10 Million a year for 2011 and 2012 so any deal would have to include some money coming from the Red Sox. Trying to figure out a deal is tough because if the Sox are tired of him (Dice-K has had some comments about the Sox management which could have rubbed them the wrong way). If they want to just move on then Kenshin, O'Flare, and a prospect could make sense but that is purely a guess and one I can't say is realistic in anyway.

Any deal that would add Dice-K has huge hurdles to overcome but if you want to add a potential Ace like starter then no one else on this list comes close to him.

[chip&smoltz95]

don't you guys think realistically if the braves do move JJ then KK will have to be in the rotation? i don't see them leaving KK in the bullpen, nor do I see them trading both of them.

[PureBaseballFan]

don't you guys think realistically if the braves do move JJ then KK will have to be in the rotation? i don't see them leaving KK in the bullpen, nor do I see them trading both of them.

I think no matter what KK will be traded, not only is the potential salary relief big but I think both sides want to move on. Worst case scenario Minor and Beachy become your 4th and 5th starters which is likely better right now then Kenshin in any position.

[chip&smoltz95]

I think no matter what KK will be traded, not only is the potential salary relief big but I think both sides want to move on. Worst case scenario Minor and Beachy become your 4th and 5th starters which is likely better right now then Kenshin in any position.

that just seems like to me, that the braves would be turning a strength (SP depth) into a weakness by trading two starters. I mean the braves used 8 starters this season, for example.

[PureBaseballFan]

that just seems like to me, that the braves would be turning a strength (SP depth) into a weakness by trading two starters. I mean the braves used 8 starters this season, for example.

To be honest I don't think they see Kenshin as a part of the strength and if in a theoretical world the Braves could grab Rasmus for Jair and Arodys, and a traded Kenshin the Braves could potentially save $10 Million which then could reinvested into another starter allowing the Braves to keep their depth. Basically the rotation depth would be similar minus one pitcher that the Braves clearly wish to move on from.

Rotation Depth Chart

1. Derek Lowe
2. Tim Hudson
3. Tommy Hanson
4. Free agent or trade lets say Aaron Harang
5. Mike Minor
6. Brandon Beachy
7. Scott Diamond
8. Todd Redmond
9. Randall Delgado
10. Julio Teheran

The only difference in a scenario of keeping Kenshin in this case would be Kenshin as the 4th starter instead of a free agent and depending on the starter you could make arguement that the Braves would be better off with a free agent instead of Kenshin.

I would agree with you if in the scenario I laid out the Braves simply made Minor the 4th starter and Beachy the 5th starter that would make me worried about potential depth problems but I think if the Braves were to trade two of their starters they would at the very least replace one with some outside player.

[Los Bravos]

All of your listed options are intriguing. If we could get them reasonably, I would love to have Vasquez or Millwood (probably in that order) back here.

[chip&smoltz95]

I would agree with you if in the scenario I laid out the Braves simply made Minor the 4th starter and Beachy the 5th starter that would make me worried about potential depth problems but I think if the Braves were to trade two of their starters they would at the very least replace one with some outside player.

I would agree with that. Just seems that the braves would more likely keep JJ than bring in another starter. I guess JJ is going to arb for the first time this season, right? I think with his down year he would still make less money than a FA of his caliber on the market. Should be interesting to see how the braves play it.

[PureBaseballFan]

I would agree with that. Just seems that the braves would more likely keep JJ than bring in another starter. I guess JJ is going to arb for the first time this season, right? I think with his down year he would still make less money than a FA of his caliber on the market. Should be interesting to see how the braves play it.

I doubt the Braves end up trading him but if the Braves were going to trade a starter not named Kenshin then Jair by far makes the most sense.

[chip&smoltz95]

I doubt the Braves end up trading him but if the Braves were going to trade a starter not named Kenshin then Jair by far makes the most sense.

agreed. and it looks like cody ross isn't going to come cheap with the way he is playing in the playoffs. dang!

[SamtheBravesFan]

All of your listed options are intriguing. If we could get them reasonably, I would love to have Vasquez or Millwood (probably in that order) back here.

I'm not sure Millwood is a good option anymore: his WHIPs have been in the 1.5-1.7 range three of the last four seasons.

[Los Bravos]

That's why I put him second

[PureBaseballFan]

Braves released Melky Cabrera, Takashi Saito, and J.C. Boscan. Nothing shocking here, it will be interesting to see what they do with Diaz.

[Francoeurstein]

The Braves need to get this outfield/middle of the order hitter situation fixed!

[chip&smoltz95]

Braves released Melky Cabrera, Takashi Saito, and J.C. Boscan. Nothing shocking here, it will be interesting to see what they do with Diaz.

yay for melky! i wonder if matt young would be a candidate to replace diaz? he would be much cheaper and from what I hear he can play all 3 OFs spots, ideal for a 4th OF.

[PureBaseballFan]

It would appear the Braves are having serious talks with a Japanese team of trading Kenshin back to Japan. I would hope the Braves could get whatever team to take on 4 Million of the contract but 3 Million is fine in the grand scheme of things.