Monday, July 07, 2008
ATLANTA BRAVES BASEBALL
Seriously: the only way to rebuild my excitement in this season is to enter into a full-on rebuilding project. I guess a highly improbable months-long winning streak would excite me too, but the worst thing that could happen to this club is another extended period of winning between now and the end of July. They have too many holes to fix to make the playoffs, and I'd rather see them write off the present to strengthen the future than trade any solid prospects for mediocre starters or outfielders. Here are some thoughts.
1. I'm glad they finally sent Jeff Francoeur down. I hope that kid can right himself and quit killing this team.
2. Boston Herald dude says the Sox are keeping an eye on Teixeira. Awesome. Make a deal now. SP Justin Masterson, OF's Josh Reddick, Chris Carter, and Ryan Kalish, and SP Kris Johnson would all be good prospects to get back. Or shit, if they'd go for it, aim high for Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz and then one of those OF prospects. Reddick would be my pick, as he's from Georgia, younger than Carter, and probably closer to the major leagues than Kalish. I doubt the Sox would do that, and even Masterson / Reddick / third player might be farther than they're willing to go. Still, if they can't get a solid young arm like Lester or Buccholz and at least one top-flight position prospect, or else three top prospects, thent hey should let Teixeira play out the year and cash in the draft picks. (and hey, Herald: where were you with the Allston/Brighton brothel tip back when I lived over there?)
3. Seriously, they should trade Tim Hudson. They could get shit for him. Good shit! Maybe not from an AL team, as the "Hudson can't pitch against the AL" notion has spread like wildfire. But the Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers could all use another arm. And all have young guys the Braves could use.
The Cubs were hesitant to give up Sean Gallagher for CC Sabathia, so unless they get really desperate the next few weeks I doubt they'd offer him for Hudson. But then Hudson's under contract for at least one more season, unlike CC. Gallagher would definitely be a welcome part of any return. If he's still off-limits, then would the Cubs send phenomenal 3B prospect Josh Vitters, journeyman OF who's never really gotten a chance Matt Murton, and a low-level pitching prospect for a year-and-a-half (maybe 2 1/2) of Hudson? Reliever Kevin Hart is already 25 and hasn't shown much at the major league level, but has been fantastic in the minors. Pre-season top prospects Tyler Colvin (OF) and Jose Ceda (RP) have both struggled in the minors this year, but remain intriguing players.
Any trade talks with the Cardinals should start with OF Colby Rasmus. Dude's awesome, and an outfield of him, Jordon Schaefer, and Francoeur would gobble up just about every ball that didn't make it over the fence. He's probably untouchable, though. There's not a lot of interest beyond him. C Bryan Anderson would be a good pick-up if there was any intention of moving Brian McCann to first (not time for that yet), or moreso as an add-in to a subsequent Tex-to-Boston trade. They have a few potentially interesting minor-leaguers, like SP Ty Herron, RP Kyle McClellan, and 3B slugger David Freese, but few legitimate top prospects. Without Rasmus in play, any deal with the Cardinals would require quantity over quality.
The Dodgers' minor league system is stocked with quality young arms, and despite being only a half-game out of the West they might be content to sit pat and focus on next year. Yeah, they're a half-game out, but they're also two games under .500. The NL West is an embarrassment, yet again. Still, if they do plan on making a run, they could use a healthy, proven major league starter to bolster their injury-plagued rotation. Hudson would fit that bill swimmingly, plus be a handy replacement for the free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe. Top prospect SP Clayton Kershaw is, again, probably untouchable, although he's been mediocre in the majors this year and could be trade-bait for an upgrade to their anemic offense. If they won't deal him for Hudson, see if they'll offer up OF Delwyn Young, SPScott Elbert, and/or RP Jonathan Meloan. OF Matt Kemp would be a good pick-up, too, but I doubt he's available; also, the Braves strike out enough as it is.
4. Trade Will Ohman. Probably every single club still in contention would give up a nice prospect for a lefty as effective as Ohman. Call around, Wren, and make the best deal possible.
5. Be patient with Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton. Let 'em work their shit out in the major leagues. Only send them down if they struggle consistently and start to have their confidence shaken.
Seriously: the only way to rebuild my excitement in this season is to enter into a full-on rebuilding project. I guess a highly improbable months-long winning streak would excite me too, but the worst thing that could happen to this club is another extended period of winning between now and the end of July. They have too many holes to fix to make the playoffs, and I'd rather see them write off the present to strengthen the future than trade any solid prospects for mediocre starters or outfielders. Here are some thoughts.
1. I'm glad they finally sent Jeff Francoeur down. I hope that kid can right himself and quit killing this team.
2. Boston Herald dude says the Sox are keeping an eye on Teixeira. Awesome. Make a deal now. SP Justin Masterson, OF's Josh Reddick, Chris Carter, and Ryan Kalish, and SP Kris Johnson would all be good prospects to get back. Or shit, if they'd go for it, aim high for Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz and then one of those OF prospects. Reddick would be my pick, as he's from Georgia, younger than Carter, and probably closer to the major leagues than Kalish. I doubt the Sox would do that, and even Masterson / Reddick / third player might be farther than they're willing to go. Still, if they can't get a solid young arm like Lester or Buccholz and at least one top-flight position prospect, or else three top prospects, thent hey should let Teixeira play out the year and cash in the draft picks. (and hey, Herald: where were you with the Allston/Brighton brothel tip back when I lived over there?)
3. Seriously, they should trade Tim Hudson. They could get shit for him. Good shit! Maybe not from an AL team, as the "Hudson can't pitch against the AL" notion has spread like wildfire. But the Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers could all use another arm. And all have young guys the Braves could use.
The Cubs were hesitant to give up Sean Gallagher for CC Sabathia, so unless they get really desperate the next few weeks I doubt they'd offer him for Hudson. But then Hudson's under contract for at least one more season, unlike CC. Gallagher would definitely be a welcome part of any return. If he's still off-limits, then would the Cubs send phenomenal 3B prospect Josh Vitters, journeyman OF who's never really gotten a chance Matt Murton, and a low-level pitching prospect for a year-and-a-half (maybe 2 1/2) of Hudson? Reliever Kevin Hart is already 25 and hasn't shown much at the major league level, but has been fantastic in the minors. Pre-season top prospects Tyler Colvin (OF) and Jose Ceda (RP) have both struggled in the minors this year, but remain intriguing players.
Any trade talks with the Cardinals should start with OF Colby Rasmus. Dude's awesome, and an outfield of him, Jordon Schaefer, and Francoeur would gobble up just about every ball that didn't make it over the fence. He's probably untouchable, though. There's not a lot of interest beyond him. C Bryan Anderson would be a good pick-up if there was any intention of moving Brian McCann to first (not time for that yet), or moreso as an add-in to a subsequent Tex-to-Boston trade. They have a few potentially interesting minor-leaguers, like SP Ty Herron, RP Kyle McClellan, and 3B slugger David Freese, but few legitimate top prospects. Without Rasmus in play, any deal with the Cardinals would require quantity over quality.
The Dodgers' minor league system is stocked with quality young arms, and despite being only a half-game out of the West they might be content to sit pat and focus on next year. Yeah, they're a half-game out, but they're also two games under .500. The NL West is an embarrassment, yet again. Still, if they do plan on making a run, they could use a healthy, proven major league starter to bolster their injury-plagued rotation. Hudson would fit that bill swimmingly, plus be a handy replacement for the free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe. Top prospect SP Clayton Kershaw is, again, probably untouchable, although he's been mediocre in the majors this year and could be trade-bait for an upgrade to their anemic offense. If they won't deal him for Hudson, see if they'll offer up OF Delwyn Young, SPScott Elbert, and/or RP Jonathan Meloan. OF Matt Kemp would be a good pick-up, too, but I doubt he's available; also, the Braves strike out enough as it is.
4. Trade Will Ohman. Probably every single club still in contention would give up a nice prospect for a lefty as effective as Ohman. Call around, Wren, and make the best deal possible.
5. Be patient with Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton. Let 'em work their shit out in the major leagues. Only send them down if they struggle consistently and start to have their confidence shaken.
