Derek Lowe Rumors: Friday

I really don't know how anyone can believe Boras anymore.

The Braves need Lowe, while the Mets could upgrade (i.e. not get Pedro)

bbxxj - agree 100%

Ruben make this happen!! This would be so great to rub in the Mets faces, and would be an awesome addition to our rotation

I wouldn't mind having a rotation that houses 3-4 potential #2/good #3 starters. Hudson is our ace, if we exercise his option (sign an extension, or whatever) and the fact as to if he can pitch again on the same level. Could be an interesting staff in the next few years.

CottonNash I agree 100% with you. The reason Burnett will go for more money is because his flame throwing ability. He has potential to throw for 150+ K's if he stays healthy. However, Lowe is a very effective pitcher also. He is more of a ground ball guy who will go far in the game. His best season was in Boston when he won 21 games, and he is getting older but I still think he would fit nice in Atlanta. The Braves need to do something now that they have lost Smoltz and the fans are becoming annoyed with the Wren's lack of success.

I think 3/42 is a good price for Lowe, may not sign him for that, but I think that's a competitive offer. FW is running out of options in the SP FA market. I think they will sign D Lowe.

I'm very confident that the Mets will sign Lowe to a deal that looks like one of the following:

3/42
or
3/39, 4th year option to make it 4/50

I like the looks of the brave with Lowe, but I don't want to add two more righties to the rotation. We need atleast one good lefty to throw out 3 to 4 times against the Phils. They killed us last year and that lefty core of theres is here to stay for a while. I'd like to see us get Lowe and either try to bring in Perez or try to trade for Maholm. If we could get Maholm we would have a lot more balance going forward. We might end up with Glavine this year but Reyes doesn't have the mental makeup to be a consistant starter. And our other pitching prospects that are close are all right handed: Hanson, Morton, Parr. If we could get Lowe a solid lefty and a righty bat, we could be very dangerous next year. (Yes I know its a tall order)

I don't know why we should even bother. The Braves aren't going to sign this guy. Why get into a bidding war with the Mets. The sooner Frank Wren realizes that the Braves should go into full rebuild mode, the better off they'll be. I'm tired of getting my hopes up just the see the Braves get used to drive up the price, lied to by agents, or having Wren bungling everything so far.

No matter who signs Lowe, Burnett will get more money because a) he signed with the Yankees who had lots more money to spend than anyone and b) he signed early in the winter, before the impacts of the economic meltdown were fully acknowledged.

Boras is blowing smoke as usual. Lowe may get 4/$56 or maybe a little more when all is said and done. But there's no way in hell he's getting more per season than Burnett, even on a two- or three-year deal.

"We never should have traded flowers for a $10 million+ starter when Jon Garland was still available. Idiocy."

Thinking Jon Garland is a good starter. Idiocy.

Javy Vazquez is a much, much better pitcher than Garland, and you'll be pretty happy with that trade when all is said and done.

Vazquez has posted very good peripheral numbers his whole career, and last season was no different. He's posted K/BB ratios of 213/50 and 200/61 the past two seasons, and has pitched at least 198 innings for nine straight seasons.

Meanwhile, Garland's peripheral numbers have been declining ever since 2005, his breakout season, and he's now no more than a solid 4/5 starter. Offering Garland any more than 2/12 is a big, big mistake.

I don't know if this would play, but could the Reds offer Lowe 4/50 to be their #2. Then turn around and deal Arroyo and Bailey(with another piece or two) to the Yankees for Swisher.

The Reds would add 8.3M in payroll, which is within their budget, upgrade the rotation and add an OF bat that is signed for 3 more years.

I might be dreaming but would love to see it happen.

I would love Lowe for the Mets. But I really am having a tough time making up my mind...because I'm kind of scared on choosing Lowe over Perez and having Perez really develop and take it to the next level. Ollie has incredible stuff. So I say as long as only three years guaranteed will get it done for Lowe, do it! But if the Braves go a fourth guaranteed, move on to Ollie.

Lowe is obviously the more sought after pitcher here, but if who ever does not land Lowe ends up with Ollie I really don't think they will be disappointed throughout the years they have him. In fact, the Ollie signer may just win out in the long run...but of course you have to go with the proven consistency at this point.

Bravesfan21,

I'd like to see Abreu on the Braves. But that Greienke deal won't happen. Why should the Royals do that? If he is the ace everyone says, the Royals will keep him -- at least until the deadline, because he's cheap.

If they need to shed payroll, Meche is a much more logical choice for a trade. And the Braves would be nuts to offer those players for Meche.

Oh and Bravesfan21,

I don't care what you've read, Prado is not the second best hitter on the team. Better than Chipper? Better than McCann? Please.

Teammates may say polite things about their colleagues, but a lot of that's BS for public consumption.

The royals would have to be blown away for Greinke. Sanchez would be interesting, as a back end guy, I've heard he has "Ace" potential, but I've never seen him pitch. We really need some pop in the middle, but I'm not crazy about Ankiel/Ludwick, Nady, Dunn (I actually like Dunn, but I don't think he works for the Braves), or Abreu (the best overall hitter of the group IMO). Anyone have any other ideas for some power?

bravesbacker11,

Jermaine Dye, maybe? We've already dealt with KW this winter, of course.

My guess is it'll be an Abreu signing or a deal for Nady/Swisher, with the Braves giving up more if Swisher is the guy.

I'm still not ruling out Edmonds as a LF platoon, for no more than two years and for less dough than it'll take to get Abreu. Last year his OPS vs. lefties was .883. I'll take it.

Frency He has plenty of Whiff Power...But seriously maybe the Braves can do a 2/18 on Abreu...Otherwise French/AJ WILL be the option. Imagine how many K's thoughs two could put up?? Hopefully both can have Average to above average seasons in 09.

It would take a lot to get Grienke, but the Braves should do that kind of deal. Our team is getting younger, thank God and still has talent to contend. Sign a young ace potential pitcher like Grienke/Sanchez while they are still cheap.

I like Dunn also, but could not see him signing for a 2-3 year deal considering it would block Heyward and I don't see the FO giving up on Frenchy yet.

I would rather not do a deal for Nady/Swisher considering we would have to give up players. Instead, we can sign a 1 year deal like we did with Kotsay for Abreu/Edmonds/etc.

The Braves should be very busy in the next week in order to prepare for the annual catchers/pitchers meetings.

Bravesfan21,

I disagree about Grienke. Dayton Moore has pretty much said he's untouchable. That means even if he could be acquired, the Braves would be expected to overpay for an inexpensive, potential top-of-the-rotation starter. The only way they wouldn't wind up overpaying is if Francoeur has performed some sort of Jedi mind trick on Dayton Moore.

The Braves need upgrades in the OF and should not downgrade their offense, which is what they would do if KJ were in any deal. I'd deal KJ for a bona fide ace, but Grienke isn't.

That said, if he were a lefty, I might change my tune.

I hope they get lowe and either kawakami/sheets

i say we take that same package that we would have given smoltz, increase the base salary to 5 mil and offer it to sheets.

he is a guy coming off an injury and he knows it. if he pitches he makes his 12 mil/year deal if he doesnt he’s out 7 mil and braves can prob get some of the 5 mil back from insurance. i would go so far as to give lowe an incentive contract.

3/year at 13 mil
4th year vests with 550 innings pitched in first 3 years (at least 180ish innings per year)
if he completes 30 starts he gets an extra 2 mil each year that he does.

to be honest i believe almost all contracts should be a few million below market value and if they play average it is up to market value and if they are above average the contract goes above market value. but i guess thats just me

or we could do scribbletones trade for grienke minus rohrbrough and add in 2 of our other starters (morton/reyes/parr)

With the way things have gone this offseason for the Braves, the cynic in me can't help but feel that this is a ploy by Boras to drive up Lowe's price for the Mets. With all that has happened so far in regard to the Braves I would not be surprised at all if they make an offer and then the Mets either match it or top it by a little and Lowe takes it.

BTW, whoever gets Lowe will be more than happy with him. He is a reliable workhorse and a great presence in the clubhouse. A real leader and should be healthy for years to come. I actually had the opportunity to meet Lowe at the end of the 2007 season and I was shocked at how personable and nice he was. I feel the guy is a superstar and he was totally down to earth and a great guy. I would still love for him to come back to LA. Lowe you will be missed, good luck!

I'm wondering, what does everyone think about Lowe signing with the Braves? By this I mean, hes going to be a good addition, but hes past his prime, already being 35 and all. Will he still be worth the investment when Heyward/Hanson and all those prospects are major league ballplayers? It seems like the Braves are geared up more for 2010+ and that an investment of Lowe would mostly benefit the team he signs with the first year of his contract.

Sharx,

I haven't looked up his numbers, but Lowe still seems very effective, especially in the NL. It seems that he may a lost a little velocity but nothing to worry about, probably a result of age. He's not a power pitcher by any means and doesn't rely on strikeouts, he has great control and uses the sinker to get outs. I see him more like a Maddux type pitcher, in that he relies on location and variation of pitches to be effective. Which is great for whoever signs him because he should still be effective by the end of his contract. This is also why he has never been on the DL. Plus, he's a monster down the stretch and in the postseason. I see him as a terrific addition to any team that picks him up. Also, Lowe seems to work well with young pitchers, he complements young power pitcher quite well since his style is so much different. For example, I felt that Bills/Lowe or Penny(when he was healthy)/Lowe made a great one two punch on the dodgers because you would see such different styles from one day to the next.

Why didn't the Yanks make Lowe an offer he couldn't refuse instead of signing Burnett? Age? I would rather have Lowe than Burnett.

"If we could get Dunn for 8 a yr I'd be ecstatic, but I honestly think he'd rather lose for than Nats at 12 to 13."

Probably. But that doesn't mean we should give him $12-13M/yr...he isn't worth it.

I realized that the money came in over and to fix this you could just defer some money in either dunn's or kawakami's deal until next year. Bullpen is not a strength for the ballclub by the current makeup but i dont see the braves going out and adding another bullpen arm except for possibly ohman. in the end i think he'll get more money elsewhere and go there. the braves just dont put out money for middle relievers/set-up men in free agency. Full years from Gonzalez and Moylan will do wonders for the pen and soriano can hopefully contribute as well. We have Kimbrel and Marek ready to break through to the majors probably at some point during the year so i dont see us spending money on relievers. The money they have to spend, which now stands at around 34 million (assuming a payroll right around 100 million) was factored after arbitration raises.

12 million per year

Drumzalicious,

I like your thinking, but you are assuming that Hanson, Rohraugh, Locke, and Teheran all become successful major league starters, and Jair continues what he's started. (That alot to assume, I realize they all have tremendous upside, but with injuries, and guys like Rich Hill and Rick Ankiel out there, I just think counting on more than 3 of the 5 is risky.)

Plus in any other division I agree about lefty righty not mattering too much in starters, but with that phils lineup you need every advantage you can get.

Who does, Cyyoung, who does???

I like the idea of obtaining many mid rotation starter but I have to wonder, if we have
Lowe
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Kawakami
Glavine
where does the future go.
If the braves are supposively unable to compete then where are the young kids going to get their chance to gain experience. I havent given up on Morton(who was hyped almost as much as Hanson) or Reyes (who may have the better stuff but just needs to get his head strait)
I even pondered the idea of a rotation of Jurrjens, Glavine, Morton, Reyes, and Hanson. Of course tht was before Vasquez was aquired. Just to put young players out there and let them learn. Although Im not so sure other fans would be as accepting of the the plan as i am, not to mention Chipper Jones. And who knows, the rays do it every year and it can work out. I enjoyed watching the young guys pitch last year even when they struggle. Just watching them learn game to game. And if you think they should be dealt for next to nothing or left in the farm, then just look at smoltz and glavines numbers in their first years and see for yourself.

HAHA BRAVES!. U GUYS ARE DONE U HAD UR YRS OF FUN LOL

NO MATTER WHO U GET WITH PITCHING UR OFFENSE ISINT THAT GOOD

METS ON TOP FOR YRS TO COME ;)

Cobrasnake, anyway you put them thats a sweet 3-4-5 in the lineup. Two guys with good power but also high averages and then a masher who also walks a ton.

zephyr,

The Braves have many arms in their system. Its like christmas you see all these new un used toys that you know are yours but you gotta wait

kinda sucks lol

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/mlb/players/l.mlb.com-p.5944

i think 2 years 24-26 is a solid bet on dunn. More and it is a risk that he has a fall off reminiscent of richie sexson. however he could maintain his 40 homer pace which has lots of value to atlanta

Would the dodgers get the braves #1 pick if they signed Lowe?

I believe the Braves #1 pick is protected.

Is there any way the Cardinals or Blue Jays decide they have to have Lowe? That would be wonderful. Or even the White Sox or Brewers. Anyone with an unprotected 1st round pick that hasn't already signed a Type A free agent (as Lowe is the lowest ranked Type A FA out there it seems this season). Barring that, I'd rather have Lowe sign with the Braves than Mets since I'd rather have the 7th pick in the 2nd round than the Mets late 2nd round pick.

Well i think protection matters in certain circumstances and depending on the pitcher as well.

for instance, Chipper Jones, Albert Puljols, A-Rod, Manny, etc Batters of their caliber do not need protection. they have good strike zone judgement and will make the opposing pitcher work and often times the pitcher will call themselves putting it on the corner but these guys make them pay wherever the pitch is.

then you have your 2nd tier of hitters who benefit in a way from hitting infront of a guy like the first tier because the opposing pitcher will try to get them to hit pitches that result in a groundball or fly ball so they dont have to face one of the elite hitters of MLB.

the whole rationale is if the elite hitter hits a HR with runners on its bad, if he just gets a single/double its still bad but if there are no runners on your looking at less damage on the scoreboard.

oh yea the reason why i said i think it depends on the pitcher is because you have some bulldog pitchers that are downright filthy and dont care who is batting and will go after them the same. guys like Santana, Halladay, etc in other words the true Aces of MLB

I think there's only one variable in the offer that the Braves are perparing for Lowe. The guaranteed 4th year. Well it be guaranteed or an option? Considering the Braves were willing to pay Burnett 18mil per year then I don't see the salary part being an issue. I bet it'l be around 15mil to start out then they can go from there. I know he is a Boras cliant but if the Braves offered him a 60mil contract for 4 years considering what he has seen from the Mets that would almost be "an offer he couldn't refuse."(Godfather)

The Mets should trade Castillo and Evans to the Yankees for Nady and Cano. I'm sure a change of scenery for both Castillo and Cano will help them. The addition of Nady would give them the right handed bat that they've been lacking. Evans would shore up the Yankees outfield/bench. The Mets' Lineup would look like this:

Reyes
Cano
Wright
Delgado
Beltran
Nady
Church
Schneider