Should the Braves Make a Move Before the Deadline?

[Andy G.]

The trade deadline is about a week and a half away, and there aren't any real rumors regarding the Braves. There's the Holliday talk, but I don't believe it. Wren isn't going to give up the prospects it would take to get Holliday when our entire rotation is coming back next year. I think it's obvious at this point that Escobar will not be traded before the deadline. It would be difficult to improve our lineup while dealing him. Besides, if he is traded, I would want a talented young pitcher and a talented young position player. He should get us more than Renteria, and that trade was awesome.

Anyway, what do you think the Braves should do? Should they go for a big bat, the kind of guy that can hit cleanup for us? Should they make a small acquisition to bolster the bench or the bullpen? Should they try to get an outfielder who can play better defense than Anderson while hitting at or above his level? Or should they do nothing and let the season ride out? You can vote for multiple options.

I honestly feel pretty good about this team as it is. The Phillies are making things look awfully tough with their eight game winning streak, but we play them nine more times this year, and we're 7-2 against them so far. If we can keep winning, take care of business against the Phillies, and get a little help from the rest of the league against Philadelphia, we could find ourselves atop the division come October.

[Andy G.]

So there's a typo in the fourth option. If you couldn't figure it out, it's supposed to say, "We need to bolster our outfield, even if it's not with a real difference maker.". I can't figure out how to edit it.

[hoosjon]

When do Braves fans EVER hear rumors, though? We're not the the Phillies with a rumored trade every five minutes.

FWIW, I'd love a big outfield bat, but at what cost? What would it take to get Holliday (and is he a big outfield bat this season)?

[Dreamscape]

I'm still open to Holliday because I do think his value has shrunk enough that he won't be a high-priced rental and we can work with Beane. Kelly Johnson would probably be a focal point, and depending where you are on the fence, that will have a different impact on you. I love KJ, but I have come around to think that the Braves aren't that far away from being contenders. Give me Holliday and a reliever to bolster the pen and I'll take my chances I can make it to the playoffs.

Course...they won't ever just put me in charge...and if Holliday and the unnamed reliever cost heavily in prospects, I'll likely go small. Maybe try to find a bat to play 1B/LF who can hit for power, but isn't all that well established to go along with a reliever. Braves do need to do something.

[Hobbes]

So there's a typo in the fourth option. If you couldn't figure it out, it's supposed to say, "We need to bolster our outfield, even if it's not with a real difference maker.". I can't figure out how to edit it.

Fixed.

[-Dr. Brave-]

I think the Braves should make a move to Richmond.

[bravos4evr]

IF we can get an impact outfield bat without giving up anything more than KJ and a few pieces I say go for it. But I don't think we should start getting ridiculous or anything. IMO, we missed our shot at trying to pry Nelson Cruz away last offseason during the Peavy fiasco.

Holliday would be great if it isn't too pricey (as would Jermain Dye) but I think that we will prolly end up not doing much but maybe adding a bullpen arm..... but who knows! They have surprised me before!

[Dreamscape]

Some candidates for going small in terms of trading...

Ryan Garko, Cleveland, career adjusted OPS of 107, 102 this year
1B/LF/RF, R/R, arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason
...Garko showed solid power two years ago, hitting 21 homers and posting an .483 SLG, but has not displayed that power since. With 14 homers last year and 9 this year, he does still give the team some increased power. This year, Cleveland has used him in left and right in addition to first. He would give the Braves a right-handed power bat to go against lefties at first and off the bench.

Luke Scott, Baltimore, career OPS+ of 123, 145 this year
LF/RF, L/R, $2.4M this year, arbitration eligible for two more years
...Scott can hit. That much is clear. He may be very pricy, though. With two years of control, the O's don't have to deal him and might have to be overwhelmed. And the thought of them dealing with Frank Wren...how stupid this may sound, I don't buy them doing it.

Here are some relievers...
Rafael Betancourt, Cleveland, career adjusted ERA of 136, 127 this year
R/R, $3.35M this year, $5.4M club option next year
...Betancourt is hardly without his faults. He was almost unhittable for a three year stretch between 2005-2007 before falling on his face last year. He has rebounded slightly this year, striking out over a batter an inning again. The walks remain a bit high, but the control the Braves would have over him next year makes him a bit more appealing.

Michael Wuertz, Oakland, career ERA+ of 129, 143 this year
R/R, $1.1M this year, one more year of arbitration
...Wuertz was an okay pitcher for the Cubs who has been incredible for the A's this year. But that shouldn't be too surprising. For a flyball pitcher, going from Wrigley to Oakland is an answer to any prayers he might have. Again, he wouldn't be a real rental in the sense that the Braves would have another year of control. He's a strikeout arm that Beane might try to turn into a couple of prospects.

Well, there is a couple of potential targets. We know the O's, Indians, and A's won't compete. But where the Reds believe they are...at 44-47...will define how they decide what to do. If they are selling, add Johnny Gomes and a pretty good bullpen with Dave Weathers, Arthur Rhodes, and Nick Masset to the list.

If the Mets fall off much more...they could be sellers, too.

[Andy G.]

Garko would make sense. I wonder if Wren has looked into replacing Anderson with a right handed hitter like Garko. Maybe we'd get him, keep Anderson, and work Garko into the lineup at first and in the outfield. That would be the end of Norton's time in Atlanta. Wuertz is intriguing as well.

Thanks fixing the poll option Hobbes.

[Wahoo]

No. I think it winds up being a waste of resources if we do a deadline deal. It's only worth it, IMO, if it helps the team next year as well.

[KB 34]

If the Braves add a 35 HR player to this lineup instead of Anderson they make the playoffs this season. My belief is all the small ball hitters would come around a bit more with a power hitter better than McLouth leading the way. McLouth is the Braves biggest HR threat right now, scary bad. Of course that player must be under contractg for another year or two and not require one of the obvious 3 prospects to acquire. If it can be done great, but given the magnitude of acquisition this would be, the money involved, and the prospects involved I'd be surprised if this move was feasible.

[wordslayer©]

I just cannot see the braves making a move to acquire someone close to the deadline.

1) First of all, I don't think it would be smart of them to do so, because the team is getting healthier and we have some players that were injured who are coming back.

2) Second of all, we have gotten rid of some dead weight and that has helped us quite a bit.

3) The cost is just too high. Adding a good player to a spot that is producing major league averages is just not going to make that big of a difference, and the cost to do such a move would be way too high for the return you get.

4) Deadline trades are only good for a VERY FEW teams, and I don't think we are one of the teams that could really benefit from a deadline move.

For instance...the San Francisco Giants are a team that I think could really benefit from a deal being made. Their top two pitchers are perfect pitchers for the playoffs and if they get into the playoffs, a lot of good teams will be scared to death of them. Also, their offense is so bad that a pretty decent hitter can make a pretty big difference in their lineup. Their pitching is good enough that just some offensive tweaks could make them a very good team and certainly a team that could win it all.

Back to us.....IF we didn't have Heyward coming up before too long, and IF we didn't have Jordan coming back, along with KJ and Infante, then maybe you could justify making a trade, but again, I think the risk is just not worth the possible reward.

NOW...with that being said, I fall into the camp of thinking that Cox/Wren will do their very best to unload Escobar. I think Cox hates him. Cox just isn't the kind of manager that can teach a kid like this discipline, and he isn't going to be able to control him, so I think they will take the easy way out and just trade him. They may not do it IF they can't get a high enough return on him, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet on them trading him.

[Dreamscape]

I can see not making a deal for a bat for all the reasons you said, slayer. I do think it could potentially be a big move, though, especially a bat that could be used at first. Even Garko would be a solid fit there. He's not a significant, wow guy, but he can come in and produce, giving the position more power. Hell, maybe the competition for time could get Kotchman going.

I do think the team could really benefit from adding a reliever and believe they probably will. While adding Hudson in whatever capacity will likely add a reliever (whether it's Hudson or Kawakami), the pen remains a point of worry and I think Cox probably thinks so. While you can feel a certain degree of comfort with the varsity team of Moylan, Gonzo, and Soriano along with feeling good about O'Flaherty, you'd like to add just one more arm to give you a little more. Boone Logan has been nice and I feel Medlen could be a force, but maybe not this year. Add another arm, it's a deep and talented pen.

Unfortunately, I worry they will settle on a return of Bennett being the deal maker.

If this team does get to the playoffs, it'll be interesting to see what they do with the rotation, specifically Tommy Hanson, who could have a Wainwright-esque playoff coming out of the pen or could have a Beckett-esque playoff as a starter.

Oh, well, two months of baseball before that bridge even gets close.

[BraveFan]

A trade for a hitter is only worth it if the player is a major upgrade. Garko will make no difference and we are better off with Kotchman and Anderson who is killing the ball right now. I think the move of Prado to the 2 hole and Escobar to the sixth spot has made this offense awesome, not to mention the clown we let go.

I think the Braves will add another arm for the pen though.

[wordslayer©]

Yeah Dream, if the braves were going to do any kind of a move, then I would hope it was for some type of middle reliever. And honestly, I'm not too worried about Wren making a move, because I just can't see him making a really bad move.

I would love to see the braves get into the playoffs, because I love the trifecta of Hanson, Jurrjens and Vasquez. This threesome could really do a lot of damage in a short series.

[dirwin50]

I vote that they trade Lowe to help free up some salary for some flexibility in the offseason. Hell at this rate, Hanson will end up with more wins than our $15 million "ace".

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

I think that Wren should and will make a move if he can do it without hurting the future....If we could get another bat and a reliever I think we'd be in great shape...I think we'll get better by simply adding Hudson and Infante to the roster....That said we def need to add a corner OF with more pop and better range than Anderson...

[ChopTime]

I'm actually leaning towards "no deals" now, because I don't think there are any hitters to be had out there that we could get for a reasonable cost, and I think we're starting to see our current players play to their potential. With Prado now a full-time player, the Diaz/Church platoon, Garrett Anderson heating up and Chipper finally showing some power and coming out of his slump, we may have enough thunder to back up the pitching.

[Middle Man]

I'm sure they'll try to pick up someone for the pen. Best case scenario, if we are able to trade for a proven bullpen arm (rather than someone else's discards) and we are also able to add an effective Hudson to the pen, the pitching (starter + relievers) will be the best we've seen in a looooong time - lots of talent, depth and flexibility.

I'll be shocked if the Braves pick up a significant hitter - and maybe dismayed, depending on who they trade to get him. However, we do have a bit of a roster logjam on the horizon. Escobar, Prado, Hernandez, Infante, KJ, Conrad? Im not sure how all that will shake out. I guess guys like Conrad and Hernandez will simply head back to AAA. Or maybe someone will be traded for that extra bullpen arm we need.

[hoosjon]

I vote that they trade Lowe to help free up some salary for some flexibility in the offseason. Hell at this rate, Hanson will end up with more wins than our $15 million "ace".

Who would they dump him on? We paid too much and even the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox don't just like to throw away $15 million? (Think like the other team)

[hoosjon]

However, we do have a bit of a roster logjam on the horizon. Escobar, Prado, Hernandez, Infante, KJ, Conrad?

Not sure it's a real logjam.

First off, I LOVE how Escobar and Prado are playing right now. Yunel's attitude aside, he is both defensively and offensively superior to every other player you've mentioned there. Prado's AWESOME right now, but I wonder how long or if he can keep this up. Otherwise, he strikes me as one of the Mark DeRosa guys that never settles into one place, waiting for an injury to define his role. I would LOVE to get a 2nd baseman that was so good that we had Prado and Infante as utility backups again. I don't see KJ (too inconsistent), Diory, or Brooks playing much of a role, unless something big happened. Maybe Diory and Brooks go back to Gwinnett and develop into something?

[bravestud]

I like the way our lineup is looking now. We still don't have the big power bat, but the three black holes we had in our lineup earlier this year have now been filled. I think our offense is going to be fine the rest of the year.

My concern, like everyone elses, is the bullpen. What I would propose is putting Tim Hudson in the pen when he comes off the DL. It seems to me when he comes back the Braves are going to have to decide whether to stick with Kawakami in the rotation and put Hudson in the pen, or vice versa. Personally, I think we're better off with the former. Kawakami allows too many baserunners to be an effective addition to the bullpen, IMO, and he really seems to have found a groove in the rotation. While Hudson is clearly better, it's a big stretch to expect him to step into the rotation and be the Hudson of old right away. So why not ease him back by putting him into the bullpen, a la Smoltz in 2001? I think Hudson's stuff would translate into him being a lights-out setup guy.

[Lauren T.]

The highest-paid player on the team is a bullpen setup guy.

...No, that just doesn't sound right.

[Middle Man]

The highest-paid player on the team is a bullpen setup guy.

...No, that just doesn't sound right.

Well, right now he's a minor leaguer/cheerleader; this would be a promotion. ;)

I'm sure the Braves are keeping an open mind about the whole situation. If all 5 starters are pitching well, I would think they'd bring Hudson back as a reliever initially. But, as we all know, it doesn't take much to send a pitcher to the DL. Maybe come September, we'll desperately need Hudson as a starter - you just never know.

Personally, if Hudson has any productive role on the team this year, I'll consider it a bonus. It seems to me, a lot of guys really struggle for a while when they first return from Tommy John.

[bmitm76]

The highest-paid player on the team is a bullpen setup guy.

...No, that just doesn't sound right.

It sounds pretty right when you think about how he is coming back from major surgery...

[Lauren T.]

It sounds pretty right when you think about how he is coming back from major surgery...
That didn't stop Bobby from throwing Moylan out there every day. I'd rather protect Huddy from that kind of treatment, if at all possible.

[bmitm76]

But Huddy wouldn't have to be forced into that kinda duty because we have other solid options at this point.

[hoosjon]

I hate to bring it up but Hampton <cough> was one of the highest paid players in the game for YEARS ... and just had to put on a uni and show up.

Does easing Huddy back in as a reliever put less stress on him or more? Which one is better for him next year? Kawikami will be there either way. Maybe Huddy gives us the ability to trade an arm .... ? This year OR in the off-season.

[hoosjon]

That didn't stop Bobby from throwing Moylan out there every day. I'd rather protect Huddy from that kind of treatment, if at all possible.

Bobby seems to use and OVERUSE Moylan. Almost every announcer brings it up whenever he comes in. Most appearances in the majors .... etc. etc.

[Andy G.]

Even though I voted "No", I can't help but hope that a trade happens. Only because it's exciting. The only thing I can see as a possibility would be a bullpen arm, though.