Braves Shopping Thorman

Umm they have Teixeira. I really don't see the need for any more 1B since he should play about 150 games at least.

The Mets need a QUALITY first baseman, and the Braves need a QUALITY reliever.

The Braves don't need anything major-league ready in return for Thorman. They've got three lefties capable of being LOOGY's, a dominant closer, a great setup man, and a host of young talent vying for the other spots. The Braves actually have an excess of relievers, though most of them have options left.

I Would assume Beane would want Brent Lillibridge for one thing from the Braves.

Stephen Peele--i couldn't agree more. i agree that the braves should get what they can for thorman. although he has "potential" (i guess in terms of power) and has apparently had it for some time, if my memory serves me correctly his stints in the majors have been mostly atrocious and he has very little discipline. i bet a few teams could be enamored with his power, so if the braves can pickup another option at reliever in return, why not? the mets could make sense, but i'm not particularly a fan of what they could offer (schoenweis, sosa--best days (with braves mind you) are most likely behind him). the devine trade was a bit perplexing, but if kotsay pans out in center, even just for a year until schafer's ready, it's worth it. i see devine as a late innings guy who would've had to compete for time with moylan, acosta, gonzo (when he returns), and others. i liked the villareal trade for the same reason that Stephen Peele did.

Any guess as to who needs a 1B prospect? I'm guessing AL, probably for a minor leaguer with a live arm, capable of getting Ks.

Thorman for Papelbon?
Thorman for K-Rod?

Let's take a look at the Braves relief situation this year.

Carry overs from last year:
Soriano - Closer
Moylan - Set Up
Yates

Lefties:
Ohman
Ring

Long Relief Possibilities:
Carlyle
Bennett
Morton
Reyes
James

More guys fighting for a spot:
Boyer - out of options
Resop
Acosta
Stockman
Cuevos
Ridgeway

Injured:
Gonzalez

Now here's how I see things in the Braves camp right now, the three cary over guys will be there. Boyer hasn't given up a run in spring, and he's out of options so he'll be given one spot. They want to keep one lefty specialist minimum so Ohman defaults to that position right now, although Ring has been very good as well. That leaves 2 spots for 11 guys to fight for. Resop has been good, and Ring as I metioned has been good, but both of them probably won't make the team. They still need someone to do long relief and with Hampton in the starting rotation, I'm sure they're going to want one of Carlyle, Reyes, James or Bennett (whoever doesn't win the 5th spot in the rotation) around to spot start. So really there's not a lot of room to add anyone in the relief area. I just don't see them trading Thorman for a pitcher at this time, and everyone else who's posted the thought is correct to say that they don't need anything close to ML ready for Thorman. I see an A or AA prospect in return, and there might even be a pitcher thrown in the deal going away from the Braves because of all the arms they have and what little trade value Thorman could present as teams might just ask, why trade now when we can get him after he's been cut.

As far as a trade with the Mets, I HIGHLY doubt it. Schoenwies is not something they need in the least bit, and Sosa really shouldn't be an option. The Mets farm system is so bare right now, I don't really see much of value they could present there. Thorman also has some flexibility as he came up as an outfielder, so a team looking for a left fielder with some lefty power could also be interested. The Giants come to mind there, and they have nothing really to lose by adding him.

I was scratching my head on both deals at first. If Kotsay performs well (like stated above if just one year) then it's a good trade. You gotta remember it's baseball, not football there's many draft picks each year. So losing Devine isn't that big of a deal. With the Kotsay deal it does make Villarreal for Anderson questionable now. However the 'pen has enough competition as it is and I think they'll be just fine with what they have.

As for trading Thorman, YES! It's a waste to have him on the team. He'd pretty much be solely a pinch hitter as he'd only get 5-10 starts at 1B and very little time in LF. But the Braves don't need a reliever for him, just some prospect to add some depth. I'd like to see Joe Borchard make the club. He's only played 1B in 1 game, but he has the size, can play all 3 OF spots, and is a switch hitter off the bench.

The Braves don't need a ML ready pitcher at this time.

To the guy who pointed out the Braves bullpen situation Manny Acosta is a lock to be on the team. The game had a sub 3 ERA in 21 games last year and is having a great spring.

With Boyer throwing lights out and being outta options he will be on the team. Long relief is the only spot up for grabs and I see that going to Ryan Drese or Jeff Bennett.