Braves Trying To Get Rocco Baldelli

As you may know by now, John Schuerholz is working on a trade for Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli.  Baldelli would play left field for the '07 Braves, and then could shift back to center in 2008.

David O'Brien of the AJC cautions that the Braves are just one of several teams (White Sox, Orioles) going after Baldelli.  The general structure of the deal is thought to be catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, shortstop Yunel Escobar, and a starting pitcher.  The Rays want that pitcher to be Chuck James, but the Braves might only be open to Kyle Davies.

Saltalamacchia turns 22 next May; he struggled in 92 Double A games this year.  In his defense, he dealt with a wrist injury and also came on strong in July and August.  Plus, he hit .565 in the AFL before straining a groin muscle.  Salty is a switch-hitter with a sweet swing; he was thought to be untouchable last winter.

Escobar, a Cuban defector, turned 24 in November.  His bat didn't impress at Double A, but he has solid tools and plays decent defense at short.

James you already know.  In examining his Major League work a few months back, I decided that his stats were quite inflated and he's probably more of a 4 ERA guy.  Still, that's nothing to sneeze at.  He's a flyball pitcher with a fantastic changeup.

Davies turned 23 this year.  He's struggled in 151 Major League innings, but pitched well at Triple A as a 21 year old. 

Baldelli is just 25 and has 384 Major League games under his belt.  He showed nice power growth this year and has a favorable contract.

Comments

[Gleebo]

I would certainly like to see Baldelli on the Cubs. But I really dont think the Rays should trade him or Carl Crawford.

[kevybo1]

Yes i would like to see Rocco Baldelli get traded to the Cubs for Jaque Jones espicially since Jaque Jones does not want to be on the team next year they hould trade him for Baldelli but i think the Devilrays would want a starting pitcher in return though 2.

[Laputian]

Wait, why do the Rays need Jacque Jones?

[iloveraykim]

hahaha again, no mention of the cubs in this article. The Devil Ray's need pitching so why would they take back jacque jones who makes maybe 7 times more than baldelli? Geez cubbie fans your GM has bought a nice looking team. I have always liked baldelli, but seems like that is alot of prospects for a guy who can't seem to stay healthy for one reason or another.

[nrmax88]

Only a cub fan would propose Jacque jones for baldelli lol. What the fuck would the rays trade baldelli, for an older, shittier, more expensive outfielder for? Who the hell dont cub fans want. Everytime there is a talk of a FA signing somewhere, or a player being traded somewhere, the cubs fans are saying, u know, i would really like if the cubs get jake peavy, i would really like for the cubbies to trade jacque jones and cezar isturis for a rod. Come on hendry lets do it. Give me a break. Nobody wants jacque jones, sorry. Maybe you could deal him, but not for anybody important. Not straight up atleast. I love baldelli, if this guy can stay healthy he is a stud. Im not sure about his de, but i know he can run and hit. Plus his name is rocko, gotta love that

[allabouthephils]

Jacque Jones is less tradable than Pat Burrell and that is saying alot...

[nrmax88]

Im actually surprised nobody has made a move for pat burrel, with the contracts being signed this offseason, the money he makes doesnt look all that bad

[allabouthephils]

I dont know why the Braves would take a deal like this... Salty is a great catching prospect and James is a decent option for the middle of their rotation... Seems like a lot for a often injured centerfielder who hasnt really put together a full seasons' worth of production yet.

[allabouthephils]

I completely agree with you... I think the perfect fit would be milwaukee... I just don't know if 25 over two is in the cards for them... Plus, Gillick would likely want Turnbow in return and alot of the newspapers have said he is staying in Milwaukee..

[wihargo]

are the Braves really offering prospects though I mean, every time the braves trade 'prospects' it seems that they turn out to be busts. I'd be really wary about trading with the braves...

[kyledavidson]

I'd give up Dejesus for that trio....I'd think it would match up well with the Royals, Berroa sucks at SS so more middle infielder prospects are nice, plus Buck is on his way down IMO. Salty will be a stud. I know we're not giving Dejesus up, but for that I'd say you'd almost have to.

[nickjs21]

Ok now let me say what MY team should trade for Rocco...

Anyhoo. I don't think there should be any concern on either side if Salty is involved in a trade, because the move is motivated by his complete blocking in Atlanta by McCann (not any bust issues).

I'm really surprised that Atlanta would have to give up that much. Some teams I think would do Rocco for Salty. Rocco for Salty/mid-rotation prospect, you've gotta take that.

[allabouthephils]

someone said it yesterday or the day before...

BREAK UP THE ROYALS...

congratulations to all the royals fans who have stuck in there all this time and have hope their team will finish above .500 for the first time in a long time.

[allabouthephils]

The Braves arent exactly swimming in pitching right now... Hudson having an off year last year and Horacio Ramirez being dealt... I wouldn't give up salty without getting a pitcher back.... That might be why im not a gm though... lol

[xxxJamesxxx]

Miguel Cabrera to the Cubs for Bobby Howry.

Developing...

[jmonahan7]

"Im not sure about his de"

I've always thought he was a pretty good defender, definately league average and probably better. The kids got a cannon for an arm and speed to match.

[kevybo1]

I'm not saying that Jaque Jones will get traded to the Devilrays i'm just saying that it would be cool if it did happen. I don't think the Devilrays are that stupid. The Devilrays said they wanted veteran pitching so they should trade Baldelli for a top notch pitcher, Brad penny is on the block they should go after him. They should sign Miguel Batista.

[kevybo1]

Hey xxxjamesxxx where did you here about that. are you alking about Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins.

[tyler]

The Yankees should try and trade for that Braves catching prospect

[Francoeur Franks]

Salty for Melky??? Doesn't sound to bad. Braves wouldn't have to give up any pitching plus they'll get the leadoff man they desire...and the Yanks would have someone to step in for Posada. But I still hope we can get Rocco.

[nickjs21]

If Bobby Howry was being traded for Miguel Cabrera, it would be only be preceded by the words, "Carlos Zambrano and"

[allabouthephils]

hahahaha... you know that might be the only way they could get Miguel Cabrera... No other person on their roster would have enough value or contract flexibility to get that done... Plus, Aramis Ramirez would have to start playing shortstop...

[allabouthephils]

and no one should have to watch Aramis Ramirez try to play short... That would just be flat out ugly.

[bravesbeast]

Guys the howry for carbera thing is a joke, because the first statement in this message board were cubs fan thinking they could get baldelli for jones. The joke was making fun of the fact that some cubs fans believe they can get anyone in any trade.

[Gleebo]

iloveraykim,

Yeah we know the Cubs weren't mentioned here, but that doesn't stop us from hoping. Ive been a big Baldelli, and for that matter Devil Ray fan for a few years now. They have such a great crop of young players, I just really hope they come together and start to win sometime.

Whenever someone mentions Baldelli or Crawford I can't help but mention how much I would love to have them on the Cubs, even though it will never happen.

[stormstarter28]

You know, I would like to see the Cardinals get Baldelli. Oh, and I read that rumor about the Yankees signing Pettitte. I would also like to see the Cardinals sign him. You know, Santana's not bad...maybe the Cardinals...

[palehose35]

"Only a cub fan would propose Jacque jones for baldelli lol. What the fuck would the rays trade baldelli, for an older, shittier, more expensive outfielder for? Who the hell dont cub fans want. Everytime there is a talk of a FA signing somewhere, or a player being traded somewhere, the cubs fans are saying, u know, i would really like if the cubs get jake peavy, i would really like for the cubbies to trade jacque jones and cezar isturis for a rod. Come on hendry lets do it. Give me a break. Nobody wants jacque jones, sorry. Maybe you could deal him, but not for anybody important. Not straight up atleast. I love baldelli, if this guy can stay healthy he is a stud. Im not sure about his de, but i know he can run and hit. Plus his name is rocko, gotta love that"

Thank you.

[BravesFan002]

David O'Brein also said a few times that the Devil Rays would not get Chuck James. Any team think about getting James is just wishfully thinking.

[allabouthephils]

Nrmax88,

This is why you and I get along on this site... We might be bitter rivals but you usually make sense in what you say... Cub fans think that by signing Soriano to a massively unmovable contract and signing Lilly to an equally ridiculous deal that they have somehow climbed out of the cellar. I have said it a million times to every cub fan I meet. IF YOU HAVE THE WORST PITCHING IN BASEBALL AND THE LOWEST OBP you havent solved anything by signing a guy who struck out in a quarter or 1/4 or 1 out of every 4 at bats... and a guy who has been injured more than most pitchers who have logged twice as many innings... You will more than likely finish 3rd in your division. An improvement yes, but not where you think you are going to be...

[allabouthephils]

I thought James actually did really well last year. I don't know why they would shop him around especially in a package with salty for Baldelli who hasnt really proven he can stay healthy...

[Gleebo]

allaboutthephils,

You are correct on every point you made.

Even with the uncertainty of the Cardinals rotation after Carpenter and no more Pettitte or Clemens in Houston I am not remotely convinced that we can jump from a 66 win season to win the Division.

Doing what the Braves did with their worst to first(and then decade long dominance in their division) takes alot more than high dollar FA signing and dumb luck.

I don't expect a miracle out of Lou Piniella...but I do expect a steady increase in winning for the years to come.

[bravesrule14]

i would love to see Baldelli in a Braves uni next year, but only at the right price(Cub fans may not know wat that means) i dont want them to give up too much for a guy that is oft-injured. now Crawford thats a different story, but fatasizing about Crawford on ur team is just setting urself up for disappointment

[xxxJamesxxx]

Hendry has apparently balked at the idea of giving up Howry for Cabrera. He's countering with Marmol. More to come..

[stormstarter28]

What about a 3 way deal- the Cards get Marmol, we'll send Gary Bennett AND John Rodriguez to the Marlins, and the Cubs get Cabrera and Johnson. Sound good Cubs fans? Allright we'll make it happen!

[Gleebo]

As long as you guys dont ask for Hank White feel free to peruse the rest of our team as trade targets. And we're not giving you Roberto Novoa or Ronny Cedeno so don't even ask. Im sure there is a wicker basket or one of the kids from Tom Emansky's defensive drills video who has grown tired of Fred McGriff's bullshit and ugly 1988 mesh backed hat.

Although throwing the ball into that bucket from deep centerfield every day for the past 15 years has probably rendered his arm all kinds of fucked up. At this point the rest of the AAU have probably just stopped trying altogether. These guys are like the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball...and no one is willing to be their New York Nationals.

[ejruiz777]

Chuck James, "Salty" and Yunel Escobar sounds like the sort of package that we'd offer for Carl Crawford, not Baldelli. I would be shocked if the Braves gave up that much for a LF. Giving up James without getting an SP back would put Villareal or Cormier in the rotation, something that I'm not sure Atlanta would want to do at this point. Dealing Davies would lead to the same outcome, so I honestly doubt they do this deal. Again, they'd need a superstar in the making (Crawford) in order to give up a package like that.

[hood]

First off I am with you on not giving up James.Davies where I wouldn't want to see him go for Baldelli I'd pack his bags. To say you wouldn't give them up for a LF, but for Crawford you would. You must be an idiot because CRAWFORD IS THE RAYS LF. Baldelli plays CF for them if Crawford was a better CF then Baldelli he'd be playin there now. The Braves move Baldelli to LF and they have the best defensive OF in baseball. And when Jones leaves they move him back to CF. Maybe big John could get them to take Lerew instead of either pitcher. But don't count big John outta gettin a pitcher the RAYS might could use from another team for Giles. Or if Salty is the main ingredient to the deal, drive down the demands with a Salty for Melky offer which aint that bad of a deal in itself.

[hood]

But the Baldelli trade is jinxed now anyway. Nobody on this page gets dealt in a rumor bein discussed in here. If Baldelli did somehow come to the Braves I know Met fans will be like DAMN Fin Braves big John does it again. Improves the club without addin payroll how does he do it.

[hood]

Just heard James,Salty,&Escobar for Baldelli is a go and LaRoche & Hudson for C.Figgins,E.Santana & N.Adenhart was discussed at winter meetings.

[pinetarhand]

Baldelli has MASSIVE upside. If he can learn how to take a few more pitches & raise his OBP, he's equivilant to Grady Sizemore. He's locked up until 2011, but the best part is that the last 3 years are all club options. So if he goes bust, he's easy to get rid of.

Salty's worthless in Atl. with McCann there, so there's no reason not to trade him, but I do agree that if they trade James, they better have another trade up their sleeves for another SP. I've never seen James pitch, but his peripherals look pretty good, his minor league stats aren't too shabby, & he's under control for cheap for a long time. Makes you question why Atl would be willing to trade him.

[pinetarhand]

I guess my question isn't why the braves would give up James for Baldelli, it's more like why couldn't they trade James for Baldelli straight up, but I guess that's already been discussed between them.

[bsox21]

"Baldelli has MASSIVE upside. If he can learn how to take a few more pitches & raise his OBP, he's equivilant to Grady Sizemore."

And if Xavier Nady could hit .330 with 38 HRs, improve his RF defense and throw strikes to home plate on the fly, he'd be Vlad.

Whats ur point?

[bsox21]

As a Mets fan, I wouldn't mind seeing this deal go down. Here's why:

1) If the Braves trade these guys, they ensure that they arent going to be able to use them to improve their rotation.

All that trade value gets invested in an oft injured prospect with very low walk rates.

That would be ok with me. I'm more afraid of the Braves dealing those guys to upgrade their staff.

2) WE GET TO SEE EIJAH DUKES PLAY THE OF.

I'm so anxious to see him in the majors, I'd deal with my divisional rival getting a minor upgrade in the OF to see Dukes get the call.

Dukes is a BEAST!!!!

[nickjs21]

Yeah, the Devil Rays have a logjam of TALENT in that outfield.

Over/under on days Elijah Dukes spends on suspension in his major league career?

I say, 53.

[A2000]

To you guys who say that Braves prospects are busts. Where did Zach Miner and Adam Wainwright come from. I do agree that Marte hasn't turned into what we all thought he would but he still has plenty of time still being under 25.

[A2000]

Delmon Young needs to have a spot in the D-Rays OF thought there is a logjam. I saw him play a few years back in Single A Charleston before the club was bought by the Yankees. Just tears the cover off the ball and has and will do so in the Majors.

[kevybo1]

Who are the Whitesox willing to give up to get Rocco Baldelli.

[bsox21]

dukes is as good as delmon.

[kevybo1]

The Devilrays should trade Rocco Baldelli to the Dodgers for Brad Penny. The Devilrays would probably have to throw in another player to make that deal but look if the Devilrays did make that trade look at the first 3 guys in the starting rotation Scott Kazmir, Brad Penny, and Jae Soe that looks pretty good to me.

[SBE]

"Dukes is as good as Delmon"

LOL, please tell me you didn't just say that. You've said a lot of stupid things on here, but that takes the cake.

Even if Baldelli is traded, Bossman will be first in line to take the open OF spot. TB is desperately trying to trade Dukes because they know how much of a headcase he is.

Crawford in left, Upton in center, Delmon in right.....drool.

[nickjs21]

No, I'm pretty sure the starting OF would consist of Crawford, Young, and Dukes if Baldelli gets traded.

[kevybo1]

If Akinori Iwammura signs with the team he would play 3rd base woulden't he?

[kevybo1]

If Akinori Iwammura signs with the team he would play 3rd base woulden't he?

[SBE]

Again, Upton is a better prospect than Dukes, and he is ahead of him in the OF "pecking order". Upton's bat will play anywhere, but he has failed at SS and 3rd, and now they want to move him to center.

Dukes played 1st base in the AFL, and they actively trying to trade him.

Apparently not many people on here are up to date on TB's situation.

[kevybo1]

Rocco Baldelli and elijah Dukes for Brad Penny perhaps.

[akirell]

Contrary to popular belief, Baldelli is not an injury concern.

You should read the comments section of Dave O'Brien's latest Braves blog. He answers the people who think Baldelli is an injury risk.
And I quote:

"The injuries were fluke things, the ACL in an off-the-field thing, if I’m not mistaken, and he still has tremendous speed, and should regain all of it if he hasn’t already. He’s a 30-30 potential guy, for sure, with good average and great speed. And again, he’s the rare commodity, an experienced guy with a lot of talent who’s affordable _ like I said, $26 mill MAX over the next five years if both options are picked up and he hits his incentive triggers."

[nrmax88]

Delmon, Dukes, and BJ are all studs. Why not trade upton thouhg, if he cant play defense anywhere the put him, if they want arsm, im sure he can bring a good arm or 2

[nrmax88]

"Rocco Baldelli and elijah Dukes for Brad Penny perhaps"

Umm how about not.

I think you are tremendously over valuing Brad Penny. I wouldnt even give them dukes for penny straight up. In fact if that deal was proposed to me I would be sure to laugh arrogantly into the phone for a minute or 2 before hanging up on Coletti, just to embarrass him and make him realize what a ridiculous offer that is.

[kevybo1]

Who would you offer for Brad Penny nrmax88.

[crimedog652]

the Orioles are officially out of the running. No way you get Penny unless it is for Crawford

[allabouthephils]

The Blue Jays are getting first and last crack at Brad Penny in the Vernon Wells deal... I would be really suprised if the Jays rejected a Penny, Kemp, and Loney deal or something similiar... The Jays hold all the cards when it comes to Penny.

[henry14theking]

Wow... why is Penny's value so high?

[nrmax88]

Right... thats what im saying henry, i mean yeah hes a pretty good pitcher. No way i would deal dukes and baldelli for Penny. The only reason I would maybeeeeeeee do it for Baldelli straight up is because of the surplus of OFs the Rays have. Other then that, im not trading a prospect with huge upside for Brad Penny, who is a good pitcher, not great by any means, and is known for tiring out in the 6th inning or so. Vernon Wells is a different stroy, because Penny would be a number 3 in Toronto, and would also come with probably Kuo and nother prospect. Wells is also a one year rental who will be payed HUGE next season and Baldelli and Dukes are both young and cheap, and under their teams control for a while.

[nrmax88]

Penny for Crawford lol, thats even stupider then dukes and baldelli for crawford. God where do you people come up with this. If the D rays traded Crawford for Penny, then their GM should be fired and sentenced to death immediately

[bsox21]

sbe,

u dont know shit about dukes.

dukes will be manning CF by the all star break unless he's traded.

Dukes will be jus as good as delmon.

[nrmax88]

Dukes and Baldelli for Penny***

[pinetarhand]

well, bsox, I guess my point is that Baldelli is only 1 stat away from being as good as Sizemore, not 5 tools away like Nady to Guerrero. He's a 5 tool player the same as Sizemore, so it's very reasonable to compare the two.

[pinetarhand]

kevyboy, I think you propose the worse trades ever known in baseball.

[pinetarhand]

allabouthephils, how much a player K's really doesn't tell you how high a person's OBP is going to be. Compare Adam Dunn (and just about any freeswinging slugger) to Juan Pierre & maybe you'll see your correlation (no matter how you want to say it) has no merit.

[henry14theking]

Hmm.. I'd put Crawford in LF, Dukes in CF, Baldelli in RF.

Trade Delmon + Gomes for young starters.

No use trading Crawford just yet.

[beeniez]

How long is Penny's current contract? I can't imagine the Devil Rays wanting any part of that deal - especially if they don't even want LaRoche just because he's arbitration eligible.

Is there a risk that Baldelli will file to be traded at the end of the year? I know that players are allowed to file if they get traded mid-way through a long contract. But, Baldelli was stupid enough to negotiate his own contract so maybe he doesn't know how to do that either.

[kevybo1]

Maybe that's why i'm not a GM.

[allabouthephils]

"allabouthephils, how much a player K's really doesn't tell you how high a person's OBP is going to be. Compare Adam Dunn (and just about any freeswinging slugger) to Juan Pierre & maybe you'll see your correlation (no matter how you want to say it) has no merit."

Ok this has 0 bearing on this conversation....

[pinetarhand]

really? Cuz I coulda sworn you stated earlier in THIS conversation that the Cubs have a bad OBP that won't be helped by a guy that strikes out 1/4 of the time.

[allabouthephils]

I am too busy defending posts I made today... I can't defend ones that I made yesterday...

If you want though.... I am currently arguing with 6 diehard Cubs fans over in the Marquis signing blog over whether the Cubs have improved to a playoff team... Feel free to join in ....

[BravesFan002]

"Just heard James,Salty,&Escobar for Baldelli is a go..."

No you didn't. Quit lying.

[5953]

Escobar,Davies,and Pete Orr for Baldelli or Crawford
Then trade Salty to NYY for Melky
Then send Melky to FLA for Josh Johnson or Scott Olsen

[bravesbeast]

5953 i like the way u think, those trades actually makes sense, but i just dont think that the drays will think that trio would be enough

[bravesbeast]

that trade about laroche and hudson for figgins, santana, and adenhart i could stomach,

if we did a trade like that, i could see us being able to trade james for baldelli

[bravesbeast]

that trade about laroche and hudson for figgins, santana, and adenhart i could stomach,

if we did a trade like that, i could see us being able to trade james for baldelli

[bravesbeast]

hey hood could u post where u saw those trades at, like what site u saw them from, id be willing to bet my college education u heard it from a quote local report

[nickjs21]

"Apparently not many people on here are up to date on TB's situation."

Apparently not. Please link credible sources on the trading Dukes stories. If it's true, I'll concede the point.

And whoever suggested trading Delmon Young should never be allowed near a major league front office.

[hood]

I didn't hear that trade was a go meaning it was about to happen. I heard that its a go meaning those are the names if it happens will be moved. My bad on that should have worded it better. And I heard the Hudson & LaRoche to the Angels on a DC sports radio station. They were going over the deals they heard that may still carry weight for a later time. Also mentioned was Rincon & Bosner to the Rockies for Jennings. And Lieber to Brewers for Miller and Turnbow. And Blanton to the Reds for Denofrio. Also said don't count the Cards out for a Duncan & Encarnacion for Gonzalez & Bautista. Supposedly Larussa loves Bautista's ability to play multiple positions.

[hood]

Actually the station I listen to may not be outta DC. I am about an hour and a half to the west. Right on the border of VA and WV. It may be outta Hagerstown MD. I get alotta local high school sports from Chambersburg PA all the way down to Strasburg VA. But lots of baseball talk lots of football no basketball and no hockey. In the summer all baseball and nascar.

[hood]

Baseball is real big out here in western va and WV. James Madison University and Shenendoah University and they have a small summer league out here for college kids. Kinda like the Cape Cod league I guess only smaller. Lotta kids that get drafted play here before they sign and after their season in school is over. And underclassmen Juniors ans sophmores play hopin to get a scout's eye I guess.

[Rctab15]

The league you are talking about is the Valley Baseball League. It is a lot of younger athletes and is not as popular or talented as the Cape Cod League, but it is not a "small" league. It is a respected collegiate summer baseball league.