 |
|
|
| |
« Rangers DFA Tejeda, Cruz | Main | MLBTR Logo Contest »
Blocked Prospects: Brent Lillibridge
One of the key components of the Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh deal in early 2007 was shortstop Brent Lillibridge, who came over to the Braves along with Mike Gonzalez. Lillibridge, who had a decent shot of making the Braves as a utility player this spring, was one of the team's final cuts and will start the year in Richmond.
Lillibridge's instincts have always drawn raves and he's matured quickly. Many would argue he's Major League ready now. But for the foreseeable future he's blocked by Yunel Escobar, himself a newly appointed starter. Lillibridge managed a .400 OBP during two Class-A stops in 2006. In 2007 he hit 10 homers in 87 games at Triple-A Richmond and projects as a 15-20 HR guy in the bigs. He's got good, but not blazing speed. Yet in 309 minor league games he's swiped 105 bases, including 28 with an 85% success rate in Richmond. It's the instincts, man.
However, with Escobar's fantastic close to the 2007 season there was little doubt who the Braves starting shortstop would be going into 2008. Lillibridge had a shot to make the team as a utility player, and in early March was even given a surprise start at third by manager Bobby Cox despite not having played the position since the 2004 Cape Cod summer league. "He can play, man," said Cox after the game when questioned about the move. Lillibridge also saw time at second and in center (where he spent two seasons in college) during the spring.
The reason he didn't head north with the team this year was partly because he hit just .224 this spring (and led the team with 18 whiffs), but also because the team would like to get him regular at bats, something that wouldn't happen if he'd made the team as a bench player. At the very least a late season callup seems in order, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that he'd get some starts in center should Mark Kotsay's back flare up.
You get the feeling Cox would like to find a place for Lillibridge. His name often surfaces in trade talks, but that probably has more to do with other GMs coveting him than any willingness to deal on the part of the Braves. Still, it's fun to think about what an "intangibles" kind of player like Lillibridge might fetch. He could end up being a key piece to the Braves getting a top player for the stretch run.
Aaron Shinsano writes for East Windup Chronicle.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e200e5519bbe4f8834
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Blocked Prospects: Brent Lillibridge:
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
He could be a factor come late July trade talks. If Escobar performs as expected, look for it. The Braves might prefer to hang on to him if Escobar doesn't live up to expectations this year.
Posted by: Stephen Peele | March 30, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I hope Beane markets his pieces well and makes a trade for Lillibridge when the Braves are looking for that little extra they'll need for a playoff run.
It would be awesome if Beane got a SS to take over for Crosby and then sign Ellis to a long term deal.
Posted by: BaseBallz | March 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Lillibridge could be a factor come late July trade talks. If Escobar performs as expected, look for it. However, the Braves might prefer to hang on to him if Escobar doesn't live up to expectations this year.
Posted by: Stephen Peele | March 30, 2008 at 10:11 PM
If Jurrjens struggles or one of their key pitchers gets hurt, I could see Wrenn using Brent in a trade to get a cheap starter around the deadline. Could Baltimore be a possible suitor?
Posted by: Bravesfan89 | March 30, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Yeah Baltimore needs another Braves Minor League SS (L.Hernandez). I can see a deal for him. But it would have to be for an RP like Sherrill.
Posted by: XD23 | March 30, 2008 at 10:48 PM
The difference in Hernandez is that he doesn't give the Orioles the upside and potential a Lillibridge would give them. And imo, I would prefer a starter over a reliever. Jeremy Guthrie?
Posted by: Bravesfan89 | March 30, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Lillibridge sure does seem blocked right now. I hope the Braves will be able to go slow on trading him though. I think he's got more "tools" than Escobar.
Either way, he's a nice player and will benefit Atlanta on the field or through a trade.
Posted by: AtlantaMike | March 30, 2008 at 11:10 PM
guthrie or sherrill seems a bit ridiculous for lillibridge. both those guys r at the core of the orioles rebuilding plan. no way they trade them.
Posted by: Joelcards | March 30, 2008 at 11:18 PM
I don't know about anyone else, but i would think that if you try and trade with the Orioles before the deadline, by the time the trade is done the WS will already be over.
I agree, Guthrie is at the heart of their rotation. Or, basically the only guy whos solid in their rotation.
I'd say trade with Oakland for Gaudin if he's healthy, which he's looking like. By the AS break he should be in top form.
Posted by: BaseBallz | March 30, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Or even, have lillibridge as part of a deal for Huston Street.
Cause who closes if Soriano goes down ?
Posted by: BaseBallz | March 30, 2008 at 11:23 PM
gaudin seems like a fair deal straight up. they will nedd to include plenty more to get street though. i agree they need him. when does gonzalez come back?
Posted by: Joelcards | March 30, 2008 at 11:30 PM
How much more would the Braves have to give up to get Harden?
Posted by: Bravesfan89 | March 30, 2008 at 11:37 PM
"How much more would the Braves have to give up to get Harden?"
A lot more than Brent "the K-master" Lil' Bridge. Dude strikes out at an absurd pace.
Posted by: Land-Man | March 31, 2008 at 12:03 AM
If the Braves re-sign Tex, Lillibridge will be traded. If Tex leaves, Chipper moves to first and Escobar/Lillibridge will fall in at SS and 3B.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | March 31, 2008 at 12:09 AM
"A lot more than Brent "the K-master" Lil' Bridge. Dude strikes out at an absurd pace."
How much more do you think? It's obvious the A's want to hear offers and the Braves have worked with them in the past.
Posted by: BraveNewWorld | March 31, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Depends on which Harden plays this year. Is it the guy who dominated the Red Sox or the guy that can be counted on for 5 to 10 starts a year?
Harden's value is tied almost exclusively to the perception of his health. If teams buy into the fact that he has overcome injury issues then Harden becomes one of the most sought after players in baseball.
If Harden holds up like he has over the past 2 years then Lillbridge would be way too much.
Posted by: bjsguess | March 31, 2008 at 12:39 AM
I don't think it would take much more.
Beane has been waiting for years for Harden to stay healthy long enough to trade.
He doesn't want to pay the guy however man millions to play on a rebuilding team. Beane wants to turn him into more pieces of the puzzle he needs to complete his team for 2010.
He needs a SS, pitching, a 3b.
He needs a SS, and Crosby isn't it, so why not Lillibridge ? Oakland needs to teach him how how to take a walk, but that is what their known for.
It would really fill a huge need for them. And if the Braves throw in a arm with some upside, i say that would be a great deal.
Posted by: BaseBallz | March 31, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Do you guys really think that after Mike Hampton, the Braves would take a chance on Rich Harden? No way that happens.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | March 31, 2008 at 07:41 AM
hey you listened to my idea!!! Good going Tim. Next time do Jason Botts, Delwyn Young and Brandon Moss
Posted by: Deuce | March 31, 2008 at 07:49 AM
If the Braves can throw in an old washed out reliever, that could be one of Wayne Krivskey's trades.
haha im jk. WK is incredible at scouting out position players, but struggles with choosing veteran pitching. Hopefully Fogg and Addefeltd will work, but im not sold on Keppinger starting at short, and Gonzales did not impress me.
I would love to see this kid on the Reds, Hatteberg and Belisle and Freel are all available.
Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | March 31, 2008 at 07:52 AM
The braves have no need for street for the price that Beane would want. He would ask for lillibridge plus schafer and another prospect. Remember, Beane did want Phil Hughes and Joba for Blanton. The braves will move lillibridge for either a left fielder or center fielder who will be a difference maker in the strecth one, or for a young starter who will help when our age begins to show.
JoelCards, Lillibridge for Chad Gaudin in no way is a good idea. Gaudin came to his true form over the last two months of last season, which is not a very good pitcher at all. Plus, he is coming off hip surgery. That trade makes no sense at all. The braves will trade lillirbridge for a durable and mmre proven option if they trade him at all.
Posted by: bravesbeast | March 31, 2008 at 09:20 AM
By July, the already shaky Braves rotation (Smoltz, James, Hampton, etc.) may need someone to hold down the fort and the equally shaky Cardinals may have a surplus with the potential returns of Carpenter, Mulder, Clement and Piniero. There could be a fit there since St. Louis has a black hole at shortstop.
Maybe something like Kyle Lohse, Anthony Reyes and 1B/3B Allen Craig to Braves for Brent Lillibridge and Cory Rasmus. Craig could be a long term answer at 1B if Teixeira moves on. The Cardinals might find appealing the prospect of Cory Rasmus eventually joining his brother Colby in St. Louis and Reyes has fallen out of favor in the eyes of Duncan/Larussa, but could be rejuvenated in another setting.
Posted by: Devlsh | March 31, 2008 at 03:40 PM
look bravesbest, i understand u r a braves fan so maybe u think lillibridge is some great prospect but hes not. gaudin isnt great either but he has proven he could be a 4 or 5 starter. the braves could certainly use that. i guess they have 5 but if someone gets hurt(which always happens) u would rather have jojo than gaudin? lillibridge is exactly what the post says, a blocked prospect. also not really a good prospect.
Posted by: Joelcards | March 31, 2008 at 05:09 PM
dont trade for harden, bravesfan89. Mike Hampton 2.0
Posted by: fgsfsfbbbrd | April 23, 2008 at 10:11 AM