Braves Leaning Toward Internal Options In OF

Is Hicks for Scott a fair return for both sides?

I think, if the reports are true that he's on the block, we should call Detroit about Marcus Thames. Platoon him with Diaz and the two combine for a .280ish hitter with 35 homer upside. It would basically be the same as acquiring Ludwick, only Thames will be cheaper because he's not a full-time player.

jfreak: Thames is right handed.

The Braves are in serious trouble if they don't make a move for an OF.....

So the Braves would want Griffey to be an old platoon outfielder, but for some reason Edmonds couldn't fill that role just as well?

Am I missing something here?

Seems a little light on the Hicks side but close to fair, yes. However, the Braves would want to give up pitching prospects rather than position player prospects. What would Detroit want in return for Scott? That is what type of player.

I meant Baltimore.

What are the Braves going to do with Hicks?

Of course, it is always good to have depth but with Escobar entrenched at SS and Chipper likely signing an extension, Hicks really doesn't have a future on the team unless you want him as a UTI guy.

Right now, the Braves need Scott a whole lot more than a player like Hicks.

They're deep with pitching prospects but shallow with position prospects so they're more likely to trade away farm arms.

YES! Finally Frank...showing some brains.

How about trading with the Dodgers for OF Juan Pierre. You were looking for a leadoff hitter earlier this offseason (Furcal) and he is left handed. No power, but great speed and we will eat some of his salary. We will take a conditional 62nd round pick for his too.

Sincerely,
Ned Coletti

An ideal situation would be to wait until July and make a play for Brian Giles. He won't cost much in terms of prospects, they'd be on the hook for about $4MM, and it'd only be for a half-season. Or, a one-year extension for around $7MM wouldn't look so bad in that trade either; perfectly setting up Jason Heyward's entrance in 2011.

Vernon Wells has 6 years and $100 million left on his contract. If the Blue Jays paid $5 million each of those years and the Braves gave up Rohrbough/Locke, Hicks, Hernandez, and Reyes. You move Wells to LF which would put less stress on him and allow to stay healthy.

Pleas stop saying trade for Thames and Pierre. neither of those will work.

Who the hell is Luke Scott?

WestCoastBias, good post on Giles. I guess the big hangup is his no trade clause, but I've been hoping his name would pop up... maybe it still will.

I do think that "going with the young guys" is an okay philosophy. Braves overall offense is under-rated by most, and if Brandon Jones can cut down on the K's, and Josh Anderson can get on base a little better, the offense will be okay, for half a season at least (they're both young and it's not unreasonable to think they'll improve).

Then do something via trade if needed, once we know what we've got and what we need.

Who are these internal options Tim?

The braves aren't in serious trouble without a move for an outfielder. Are they set for a pennant chase? Well, no, but they aren't hurting as bad as everyone lets on. A healthy Diaz will blister LHP, while someone like a Brandon Jones could play decently against some RHP. Its still February, so can we please not throw the season down the can yet?

Besides, this time last year, many Braves fans on this particular site were raving about winning the NL East and challenging for the World Series. All I'm saying is, lets play ball for a month or two before we decide to get our panties in too big of a bunch.

I don't think so. Scott for Rohrbaugh seems fair.

Rohrbough (note spelling!) is likely the next Tommy Hanson (who, of course, hasn't pitched in the majors yet, but...) NO WAY would I trade Cole. He'll be a top 10 prospect this time next year (I predict).

I would of course like to get Scott... Hicks and a couple of pitchers... Diamond, Medlen, Marek, Valdez, guys like that ... would be reasonable.

"Who the hell is Luke Scott?"

He's a baseball player, genius.

I don't really see the Braves contending this year. 90 losses last year, and that was with 100 games of 136 OPS+ from Teixeira. The Braves can expect to get less production this year out of CF and 1B. How do they make up those runs? Chipper and McCann were already playing at their peak last season, and KJ and Escobar are already probably pretty close to their ceilings as players. Frenchy remains the big question mark-- I suppose you could argue he has some upside but I wouldn't want to be in the position of counting on that guy to be a productive player.

The Braves should have slightly better starting pitching, but the bullpen really hasn't been upgraded. It's hard for me to see them contending in 2009. They're a few years away and if they're smart they'll hold onto all of their prospects and not make stopgap trades.

A couple of those pitchers no, one of them sure I'd do that. Hicks and Marek/Medlin seem more than fair for Scott. If they'd take Diory Hernandez instead of Hicks I would think Morton/Reyes could be had, especially if Atlanta signs Glavine. Doesn't seem like Atlanta has a spot for either of them through 2010.

I would love to see the Os get Cole Rohrbough for Scott. Didn't bother even offering for him here cus he's the top LHP SP prospect in the Braves system. I don't see the Braves dealing him at all.

After him the raves have a lot of OF and RP prospects, both of which the Os are swimming in. I think the way these teams match up is if the Braves put together a package more on depth than high grade prospects. Not anything like a 5 player trade. Not at all. Maybe a 2 player thing of C or low B prospects. I personally like Randall Delgado, Brett DeVall, and Zeke Spruill. Hicks' contact rates concern me but the power is hard to ignore. I like Eric Campbell too but he's about the same track as Billy Rowell, the Os own high cieling 3B prospect.

basemonkey, you're spot on. Braves have a lot of very good arms at the lower levels (and you accurately named some of them). Hi risk, high reward types of guys, because they're very good but very young. That's the kind of deal the Braves could afford to make, I think.

Yeh, like I said, I like the high potential of both Randall Delgado and Brett DeVall, but they are high risk too. Between the two, right now I'd go with DeVall only because the Os have seen its share of golden arms who have yet to work out the command a la Delgado. That being said, sometimes they actually work out. Of the bunch I wouldn't mind taking a chance on super young guy Zeke Spruill. He might be as much as 4-5 years away but I actually got a chance to see him and I like his frame and delivery. He has a lot to work with, but he's so young that he'd pretty much be as if the Os drafted him so I would expect something else solid thrown in the deal.

You can never have enough pitching in the pipeline. I think a Hicks-Delgado-Spruill deal might be pretty solid. I'm a little torn if it should be for 2 pitchers. It's just that both guys are SOOO young.

Freddie Freeman should start in Left field, for every run he gives up defensively, he'll give 2 back. I think he's 15 or something, but can hit a gnat flying at 100 mph with a bread stick from Olive Garden. Think Bill Brasky, people.....

SOMETHING BRAVES FANS CAN SMILE ABOUT

Remember that the Braves traded Andy Marte for Edgar Renteria, who was traded for Gorkys and Jair.

Today Marte was designated for assignment. It was pre-Wren, but great results for the Braves.

Crawfords got a steep price tag and wouldn't come without some serious prospects that Atlanta was unwilling to part with for Peavy, so I'm guessing for a speedy low power expensive Left fielder they'd still be off the table.

"I don't really see the Braves contending this year. 90 losses last year, and that was with 100 games of 136 OPS+ from Teixeira. The Braves can expect to get less production this year out of CF and 1B. How do they make up those runs? Chipper and McCann were already playing at their peak last season, and KJ and Escobar are already probably pretty close to their ceilings as players. Frenchy remains the big question mark-- I suppose you could argue he has some upside but I wouldn't want to be in the position of counting on that guy to be a productive player.

The Braves should have slightly better starting pitching, but the bullpen really hasn't been upgraded. It's hard for me to see them contending in 2009. They're a few years away and if they're smart they'll hold onto all of their prospects and not make stopgap trades."

They were also 8 games under their 3rd order pythagorean expectation. Meaning, even with all the injuries they suffered last year, they should've won 80 games all luck removed. Without injuries the current group the Braves have is projected to win 87. Add an outfield bat and its 88-90. With a little luck we're division winners.

I'm starting to think Hicks and Delgado would do it for me.

Maybe we can sneak in an upper level depth guy just to round it out. That's a lot of time to trade off. Scott is super cheap and pretty solid. Hicks-Delgado-organizational AAA player.

I'm supposing you mean Randall Delgado? Dimaster Delgado looks pretty good also. I don't know much about guys at that level, but it sounds reasonable.

What we really need is a new GM?

Nah, we need Ted back. Ted trades a quater of Montanna to Liberty Media for the Braves and TBS. Know thats a trade worth talking about.

"I think a Hicks-Delgado-Spruill deal might be pretty solid"

Sounds a little strong to me, basemonkey. Let's dial back on one of those pitching prospects, please.

"Nah, we need Ted back. Ted trades a quater of Montanna to Liberty Media for the Braves and TBS. Know thats a trade worth talking about."

Agreed. Then we'd get Manny and be done with the offseason ready to win the Pennant.

I wonder if Matt Young will see time in Atlanta this coming year if brandon jones and gregor blanco dont show anything call up young and give him a shot. He had a great year in AA last year give him a shot if we aren't going to pick anyone up...he isnt a power guy but he stole 30 bases and hit .289 and at least 30 some extra base hits

I can't imagine Young getting playing time over Josh Anderson. He seems like a future fourth outfielder and nothing more. He did hit for a heck of an average in Arizona though, not sure how many ABs though.

here you go....

PITCHES

Rohrbough throws three pitches all of which have at least plus-potential. He has the ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes, making them even more effective. He has good command. He throws all his pitches from the same arm slot and is deceptive in his delivery.

His fastball sits in the low 90s with plus movement. From a lefty, this can be a very devastating pitch. His fastball could be a plus pitch for him if he can continue to work on his control.

His change up is slightly above average. It lacks a real sharpness to it. It comes at hitters looking like a fastball with the same arm speed as his fastball.

Rohrbough’s best pitch is a knuckle curve. Most of his success is derived from this pitch. It’s his most consistent pitch and he controls it better than his other pitches.

INTANGIBLES

Rohrbough has a good pitching knowledge. Though he’s been on a strict pitch count this season, Rohrbough has taken a great attitude toward pitching. He has a great baseball mind.

taken from moundtalk.

You and me both melonis. Although I'd guess 1.5-2MM

Me too (Edmonds). Not opposed to the young guys, but it just seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it?

"Remember that the Braves traded Andy Marte for Edgar Renteria, who was traded for Gorkys and Jair.

Today Marte was designated for assignment. It was pre-Wren, but great results for the Braves."

Wren pulled off the Gorkys/Jair rapejob, so some credit does go to him.

"The more I research the happier i get about our farm system. If we hadn't traded for Tex we'd have to add another level to find them all a spot."

Can we go back in time and reverse that trade please?

Jay, absolutely. I was about to rave about Cole before you beat me to it!

One prominent scout (can't remember who) said that 99% of pitchers wouldn't even have gone to the mound on the ankle he had most of last year... which has since been 'rebuilt.' And supposedely he's an absolute mental badass on the mound. (in addition to great stuff)

You never know about pitching prospects, of course, but I'm looking for a huge year from him in '09.

I'm currently looking into a time machine, but I can't quite get the "flux capacitor" properly installed in my DeLorean.

Also I have to admit Ohman and Infante for Ascanio wasn't too shabby either. Although I think it will continue to look better for the cubs than it does currently.

Depends on the injury, melonis, and the likelihood of compounding it. I would guess he got some advice on that.

Jay212033, I honestly didn't know he topped out at that level. Where are you getting this information from. I'm confined to Arkansas, so I can tell you Marek can be absolutely nasty when he's on, but other than a few AA games in LR I don't get to see much baseball in person.

"Depends on the injury, melonis, and the likelihood of compounding it. I would guess he got some advice on that."

True, true. An ankle is obviously less risky than an arm/shoulder injury.

It's just that I am a fan of a team which has a very questionable reputation with injuries, especially to younger pitchers.

If Rohrbrough and Hanson work out to be what we think they are the 2011 and beyond seasons would have a rotation much like that of the 90's

1. Jair Jurrjens (Smoltz)
2. Tommy Hanson (Maddux)
3. Rohrbrough (Glavine)
4. Jo-Jo Reyes (Avery)
5. Charlie Morton (Burkett)

Clearly speculation but, hay it's fun to imagine that.

Jay... cool. Thanks.