Rosenthal On Vazquez, Hairston, Teahen

Vazquez wouldn't do Holliday for Vazquez. He has a no-trade clause to NL & AL West teams. And I don't think Atlanta would either. Vazquez has been one of the best SP in the NL and Holliday has underperformed. Plus Vazquez has a year more than Holliday left on his contract. Oh, and Holliday is represented by Scott Boras.

Atlanta would do Holliday for Vazquez.
That doesnt make sense for Oakland one bit however.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | July 07, 2009 at 05:03 PM

No, Atlanta wouldn't trade Vazquez for Holliday. They are pretty much out of the playoffs and Holliday is a 2 month rental. They might deal Vaz for prospects (if the deal was overwhelming enough) or a young hitter signed long term - but not a rental.

If the Pirates could get EYJ, that would be amazing.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO VOTE FOR BRANDON INGE FOR THE AL FINAL VOTE. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why are people saying the Braves are out of the playoff race? Yeah they're 5 out and in 4th place but they have proven they can beat the Phils at the Ted and the Bank. They have the best pitching in the division, and I am not convinced they wont add another bat. It wont be a big name I believe, but if they add a decent bat, I think they can still win this division.

If the Rangers had payroll flexibility (I know they don't, hence the word "If"), I would definitely be cool with a deal centered around Vazquez and Cruz.

Posted by: Bravesfan89 | July 07, 2009 at 05:11 PM

once again, vasquez can veto any deal to AL and NL West teams, as he most assuredly would do if he was sent to that pack of gum they call a stadium

why would the braves trade their most stable starting pitcher? this is ridiculous!

"EVERYBODY NEEDS TO VOTE FOR BRANDON INGE FOR THE AL FINAL VOTE. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I did. Kung Fu Panda too. I voted for 2 3B. Kinsler, eh. He does all his damage in his hitters' paradise of a home park. Plus Inge is a way cooler story.

"The Pirates covet Eric Young Jr. of the Rockies."

Um, the Rockies won't trade away their future at 2B, who is already a fan favorite because of his Dad, especially since Chris Nelson got injured.

Besides, O'Dowd and Monfort insist that they won't trade away their young talent.

I understand, csg. Though I felt like you might be suggesting a salary cap exists in MLB. Which isn't the case.

"The Mets inquired on Scott Hairston, who could have been an affordable stopgap, but balked when the Padres asked for Bobby Parnell."

Well its good to know that the Padres are least asked for a solid prospect back for Hairston. And Cabrera looks like the real deal, which is a shocking case for SD rule 5 picks.

I think its a bit premature to say the Braves are out of it. Before the weekend everyone was talking how the Braves didn't need a bat b/c they were right in the playoff race without one. Those are two seperate theories, and to me the reality is a combination of the two. The Braves can be in the playoff race (and make a serious run at the W.S.) IF they get a bat. I'd probably wait a week and a half to see where I am then but other wise i'd say the Braves should buy not sell.

If the Braves keep their pitching (maybe move one reliever) and add an impact bat like Luke Scott, they could be in the playoff hunt for the next few years.

Rosenthal may be right that Vazquez is more valuable than any available bat, but the Braves need a legitimate hitter more than they need Vazquez (or any starter, with Hudson returning and Medlen rotting in the bullpen).

The lineup is awful and the rotation is stocked. So if Wren plans to roll the dice and try to win in 2009, he'll need to overpay for a hitter.

They kinda snookered the White Sox when they got JV anyway, so even if they give away more than they get in a deal involving Javy, and they get a hitter who's more than a two-month rental, the trade would be worth it.

We could, you know, just keep the rotation depth intact and move someone (Kawakami) into the bullpen when Hudson returns.

Unless the Braves can get a deal that brings in a big bat for the outfield or 1B for Javier and/or Gonzo, then they should wait 'til the Winter to trade. That would enable the Braves to see how Huddy does when he comes back before trading one away, though I believe Hudson deserves another year. KK probably wont go to the BP. Too high of a cost for a BP pitcher too. Javier this year could get us more because a team, like the Brewers, may be desperate for pitching to contend. If all else fails the Braves can have a 6-man rotation next year and keep a Schafer, Prado, McLouth, Chipper, McCann, Yunel, Kotchman, Diaz/(free agent) for their line-up. LRLSLRLR

There is absolutely no reason for the Braves to trade a pitcher other than that they could have too many at a later point in time. But that time is not going to be this season. Hudson will not be ready to pitch yet come the trade deadline, and even then it is very possible he will spend the rest of the season in the bullpen.

And the Braves will likely be able to sign a bat over the offseason without having to dump salary like Vazquez's. Anderson and very likely Francouer will be gone, possibly even Kelly Johnson. Thats around 8 million dollars freed up right there, and I don't see them adding salary elsewhere. They should have the money to get into the bidding for 1 good OF bat.

"Not interested in your untested 26 year old AAA first baseman. Got one of those playing 1B tonight. But if you'd like Delcarmen, we can make him part of the deal for Hanley.

Posted by: Little Bear | July 07, 2009 at 08:03 PM"

Yeah with 6 other pieces.

How many times does the Marlins FO say Hanley isn't gonna be moved before Red Sox fans will finally believe it?

Marlins don't exactly hide when they start to shop guys. You'll know way in advance if Hanley goes on the market and there is zero indication of that. They signed him to be the cornerstone as they go into the new stadium.

Besides Manny Delcarmen means nothing as part of a Hanley deal. The Marlins just offered Gaby Sanchez for him so obviously they don't value Delcarmen all that much.

The Braves should not move Vazquez during the season, they will not get full value for him without including a third team which makes it complicated. In the off-season teams will be more willing to include ML players or near major league players because they can fill the hole through a different trade or FA. I'd rather trade Kawakami anyways but that's beside the point. As Golden Glove pointed out they could have all 6 starters back and still afford one big bat. Soriano (6.3 million), Gonzalez (~3.5), Francoeur (~3), GA (2.5), and Kelly (~3) could all be gone. Assuming you move Kawakami's 8.3 million the braves could have roughly 22 million or so after arbitration raises to fill one spot: LF, middle of the order bat. Matt Holliday fits the description

"You really gotta be on your toes with your insults around here, nowadays."

Or just grow up and make a reasoned argument instead of insulting people.

"How many times does the Marlins FO say Hanley isn't gonna be moved before Red Sox fans will finally believe it?"

No one is untouchable. That's just a bargaining position.

bravesfan, trading FA less than a year from signing them to a multi-year deal can be taken the wrong way. He came over from Japan, liking the Braves, wanting to hit, if they were to trade him... who knows what would happen. It's a part of baseball, but can still mess over a team.

I believe that the Braves need to keep Vazquez. If they are going to get rid of any body, make it Kawakami or Lowe. You keep Vazquez because no one knows if Tim Hudson is going to be like he was. He might turn out like Smoltz. Smoltz has not proved himself to the Sox since his surgery.

For all you guys that want to see a trade involving Vazquez, this is a blockbuster trade that makes sense for both ball clubs. Here it is:

The Braves acquire Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, and Mark Difelice(RP) from the Brewers for Javier Vazquez, Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson, Matt Diaz, and Jordan Schafer or Kris Medlen (Brewer's choice.)

Here is why this makes a ton of sense for both clubs:

Braves: 1. The Braves get out of their overload with pitchers by dealing vazquez and mabie Medlen too.
2. Bobby Cox doesn't have to deal with Yunel Escobar anymore. He can play with Hardy that is gold glove calibar and can swing the bat.
3. The Braves get the power bat they despretely need from Ryan Braun. He is a likeable guy in the clubhouse and would be a great addition to the Braves franchise.

Brewers: 1. They get Javier Vazquez that they despretely need.
2. They upgrade from j.j. Hardy to Yunel Escobar.
3. They get a franchise player in Schafer/Medlen to go along with Prince Fielder.
4. Matt Diaz is not a bad downgrade from Ryan Braun. Yes he is not going to hit 35 homeruns, but he hustles and can flat out hit.

Realistictly, this will not happen, but it looks good on paper.
(and im sure this comment will produce a lot of other comments.)

If the Marlins said Hanley was availible they would get the greatest haul of prospects ever seen in MLB history.

Teams would kill each other to have him anchoring their 3 spot for the next 10 years.

No doubt a few Red Sox fans will post on here saying Bucholz and maybe Brad Penny would get it done.

It would literally take everything the Sox have got to get Hanley.
Bucholz, Ellsbury, Bowden, Masterson & Andersen.

I am a Braves fan. Whenever the Fish play the Braves, Hanley always sucks it up. He might it 1 HR. But he its in the low .200'S and makes at least 1 error every series. I know there are 14 other NL teams the Fish play, but he is just overrated. Why do Sox fans want Hanley back. They got a great deal out of him by gettting beckett. If they didn't make that trade, the wouldnt have won the 04 World Series.

Dont get me wrong, he is a good MLB player, but not a top 5 player in baseball.

anybody who thinks the braves are out of it right now is pretty much an idiot. Sure they are under .500 and in 3rd place in the division, but the Mets are just before kissing their season goodbye if they dont get healthy, the Marlins have already shown how streaky they can be and the Phillies have major pitching issues. As of right now the phillies are tied with cincy, if cincy wins again tonight the braves are 3 back. They win we are 4 back. Unless atlanta gets swept in 4 games vs the rockies and philly wins 2 or 3 in pitt, 4-5 games is not out of reach. The Braves have the best pitching staff in the division that will only get better if Huddy returns healthy and effective. Great pitching beats great hitting all day long, look at the braves and phillies this year the braves are 6-2 if im not mistaking. Not saying they will win but if they can find a good bat, Nelson Cruz or Ludwick come to mind, they will be in a good position to make a run.

T_Rav, I could not agree ANYMORE dude..

The braves are 6-2 against the phillies, (2 of those series were in Philly.) Also the braves should be 7-1 against them but the brave's bullpen blew a win for Javier Vazquez in the third game of the season when the Braves were up 10-3 in the bottom of the 7th.

If the braves just had one of Rafeal Furcal, Andruw Jones, Mark Derosa, Edgar renteria, MARK TEXERIA, Gary Sheffield, J.D. Drew, Nick Green, or even Marcus Giles(mabie) the could totally be a different offensive team. Yes, believe it or not, the Braves actually had all of these players i mentioned within the past 10 years. think of a lineup like this,

1. Furcal
2. Mclouth
3. Jones
4. Texeria
5. McCan
6. Escobar
7. J.D. Drew
8. Sheffield
9. pitcher

Good god, its not like that lineup is unaffordable(excluding Tex), and the braves would coast away with the eastern division for another 14 years. And with the pitching rotation of

1. Lowe
2. Vazquez.
3. Hudson
4. Jurrjens
5. Hanson

OMG, the Braves could win 130 games every year. If George Steinbrenner owned the braves, all of this could be possible, (or mabie even still Ted Turner). But who am I kidding, this could only be done by the REd Sox and YAnkees (possibly Cubs) because they have owners that want to spend the money.

You just added about 45 million to the braves payroll, and it's a completely stupid comment. Every team has had great players go through their team. I mean the Mariners could say well we've had adam jones, tillman, george sherrill, raul ibanez, and a-rod recently so let's just take them back. That's not how baseball works and the braves operate on a budget you can't just throw out a scenario where you continually add salary

Posted by: bravesfan22193 | July 09, 2009 at 10:56 AM

omg, 45 million, your trying to tell me thats a lot of money in the offseason?? Wasnt Derek Lowe's contract worth 20 mill a year?? hmmm, 45 mill for 3 or 4 players or 60mil/3 years for 1 player who's era is 4.56? Peter Moylan and Kawakami have better ErA's. And dude, i said that only the cubs, yanks, and sox could pull this off. Why dont people ever read the whole comment.

Also BrentWt 34...you seriously want renteria back? after the trade for him to the tigers got the braves JJ and Gorkys which help get Mclouth...and you want marcus giles back?? give me a break you have no clue what your talking about

I can understand tradeing Francouer for Church. Since Frenchie hasn't swung the bat well for a long time the braves needed to get someone while they could.

But why has Jason Heyward not got at least a small chance to play? He is doing great in the braves farm systems and could be a valuable bat in the middle of thier lineup.

Seeing as how the braves are willing to trade within the division. What about Vasquez for one of the Phillies big bats?

Hanley is not overrated he leads nl in BA and hits HR and RBI's