Friday, December 07, 2007
winter meetings
Last year I wrote about the MLB winter meetings every day. I should've done that this year. I enjoy talking about baseball, even though I know nothing about it.
The Braves don't seem to have been too active, but then you hardly ever hear about Braves talks until they're officially announced to the press. Who knows what Frank Wren discussed and who he discussed it with. We do know that the team dealt relief prospect Jose Ascanio to the Cubs for lefty reliever Will Ohman and utility infielder Omar Infante. Ascanio was fantastic in the minors last year, but mediocre during his few major league call-ups. He'll have the most long-term value of any of these players, but there's no telling how he'll pan out. Ohman had mediocre numbers overall, but his home-road and righty-lefty splits are crazy; he was absolutely brutal in Wrigley, racking up an ERA in the high sixes, whereas on the road he averaged less than two runs per nine innings. And lefties struggle mightily against the dude, so he'll fit the bill fine as Atlanta's LOOGY. Infante had a promising rookie campaign with the Tigers in '04, but has mostly floundered since; he can hit for a decent average, and can play anywhere in the infield, but his power, speed, and on-base percentage are all negligible. Those two will add a few million to the Braves' payroll, but with the additional flexibility provided by new owners Liberty Media that apparently is not much of an issue. Overall, this is a solid trade for Atlanta; yes, they traded away a promising prospect, but his departure fills two glaring holes, so I support this move.
Other than that, we have no idea what the Braves did in Nashville. They apparently talked to Pittsburgh about centerfielders Chris Duffy and Nate McLouth, but no deals are imminent. And Kansas City has labelled David DeJesus untouchable, for some reason, so that was a no-go. I hope they can acquire a proven player to man center until Jordan Schaefer or Gorkys Hernandez are ready in a year or two, but won't be too distraught if they have to make a go with Josh Anderson or Gregor Blanco at the start of the season. And one more reliable starter would be great, but I don't expect that to happen. I'm cautiously optimistic about the rotation, but between the ages of Smoltz and Glavine, Hampton's unceasing injuries, James' lack of endurance, the inexperience of Jurrjens/Reyes/Bennett, and my skepticism over Hudson's return to form, another proven starter would be nice.
It would be amazing if they could deal Hudson to LA for, say, Jonathan Meloan and either Matt Kemp or Andy LaRoche, then send Kemp or Laroche, James or Jurrjens, Devine or Meloan, and Schaefer or Hernandez to Minnesota for Johan Santana, but, um, there's no way in hell that would ever happen.
Last year I wrote about the MLB winter meetings every day. I should've done that this year. I enjoy talking about baseball, even though I know nothing about it.
The Braves don't seem to have been too active, but then you hardly ever hear about Braves talks until they're officially announced to the press. Who knows what Frank Wren discussed and who he discussed it with. We do know that the team dealt relief prospect Jose Ascanio to the Cubs for lefty reliever Will Ohman and utility infielder Omar Infante. Ascanio was fantastic in the minors last year, but mediocre during his few major league call-ups. He'll have the most long-term value of any of these players, but there's no telling how he'll pan out. Ohman had mediocre numbers overall, but his home-road and righty-lefty splits are crazy; he was absolutely brutal in Wrigley, racking up an ERA in the high sixes, whereas on the road he averaged less than two runs per nine innings. And lefties struggle mightily against the dude, so he'll fit the bill fine as Atlanta's LOOGY. Infante had a promising rookie campaign with the Tigers in '04, but has mostly floundered since; he can hit for a decent average, and can play anywhere in the infield, but his power, speed, and on-base percentage are all negligible. Those two will add a few million to the Braves' payroll, but with the additional flexibility provided by new owners Liberty Media that apparently is not much of an issue. Overall, this is a solid trade for Atlanta; yes, they traded away a promising prospect, but his departure fills two glaring holes, so I support this move.
Other than that, we have no idea what the Braves did in Nashville. They apparently talked to Pittsburgh about centerfielders Chris Duffy and Nate McLouth, but no deals are imminent. And Kansas City has labelled David DeJesus untouchable, for some reason, so that was a no-go. I hope they can acquire a proven player to man center until Jordan Schaefer or Gorkys Hernandez are ready in a year or two, but won't be too distraught if they have to make a go with Josh Anderson or Gregor Blanco at the start of the season. And one more reliable starter would be great, but I don't expect that to happen. I'm cautiously optimistic about the rotation, but between the ages of Smoltz and Glavine, Hampton's unceasing injuries, James' lack of endurance, the inexperience of Jurrjens/Reyes/Bennett, and my skepticism over Hudson's return to form, another proven starter would be nice.
It would be amazing if they could deal Hudson to LA for, say, Jonathan Meloan and either Matt Kemp or Andy LaRoche, then send Kemp or Laroche, James or Jurrjens, Devine or Meloan, and Schaefer or Hernandez to Minnesota for Johan Santana, but, um, there's no way in hell that would ever happen.
