Friday, August 01, 2008
delayed reaction: the Mark Teixeira trade
Given the circumstances, this wasn't a bad trade. Casey Kotchman is a solid offensive player, an above-average defender, and will be under Braves control through 2011. First base has always been a position of flux for Atlanta, but with Kotchman it'll be as stable as it's been since the days of McGriff. Stephen Marek could make an impact in the bullpen next season, and has the potential to be the consistent closer they've lacked since Smoltz was relieving. So the Braves took the two draft picks they would've gotten when Tex signed with New York or Boston or wherever, and turned them into two promising young(-ish) players that could fill out what have historically been the team's most troubled positions. So, honestly, rationally, not a bad trade. So why do I feel so disappointed? Because I was hoping for a potential ace like Nick Adenhart or Max Scherzer? Or a young 1B with the potential to be like, well, Mark Teixeira, and not just Mark Grace? Or because when I look at the series of deals that lead to this one, LaRoche to the Pirates for Lillibridge/Gonzalez, and then the monster that landed Teixeira, I feel like the Braves are a worse team, overall? I was cautiously accepting of the Tex trade, thinking that it would be worth it if they made the playoffs or were able to resign him. Now, though, it's obvious it was a mistake. And that initially mistake makes it hard to be happy with this latest trade.
Given the circumstances, this wasn't a bad trade. Casey Kotchman is a solid offensive player, an above-average defender, and will be under Braves control through 2011. First base has always been a position of flux for Atlanta, but with Kotchman it'll be as stable as it's been since the days of McGriff. Stephen Marek could make an impact in the bullpen next season, and has the potential to be the consistent closer they've lacked since Smoltz was relieving. So the Braves took the two draft picks they would've gotten when Tex signed with New York or Boston or wherever, and turned them into two promising young(-ish) players that could fill out what have historically been the team's most troubled positions. So, honestly, rationally, not a bad trade. So why do I feel so disappointed? Because I was hoping for a potential ace like Nick Adenhart or Max Scherzer? Or a young 1B with the potential to be like, well, Mark Teixeira, and not just Mark Grace? Or because when I look at the series of deals that lead to this one, LaRoche to the Pirates for Lillibridge/Gonzalez, and then the monster that landed Teixeira, I feel like the Braves are a worse team, overall? I was cautiously accepting of the Tex trade, thinking that it would be worth it if they made the playoffs or were able to resign him. Now, though, it's obvious it was a mistake. And that initially mistake makes it hard to be happy with this latest trade.
