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Matt Thornton-Braves Rumor Shot Down

By Tim Dierkes | December 6, 2011 at 1:53pm CDT

1:53pm: This rumor is bogus, tweets O'Brien.

1:37pm: A potential trade of White Sox lefty reliever Matt Thornton to the Braves is picking up steam, tweets Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.  However, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says this one's not happening.

Thornton, 35, posted a 3.32 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 0.45 HR/9, and 48.8% groundball rate in 59 2/3 innings for the White Sox this year.  He's owed $12MM through 2013 on an extension signed in March.  It's unclear whether Sox GM Kenny Williams would further deplete his bullpen depth after trading Sergio Santos to Toronto today, but relievers generally aren't crucial to a rebuilding effort.

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Atlanta Braves Chicago White Sox Matt Thornton

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89 Comments

  1. Drew W

    14 years ago

    okay….

    Reply
  2. HTF

    14 years ago

    Doesn’t make sense. Has to be a precursor to another deal or part of a bigger deal. 

    Now is the time to trade Venters. He’s been worked more than a single mom with 3 jobs. 

    Reply
    • Michael Brown

      14 years ago

      But O’Flaherty is the one due for a raise.  Venters is still making league minimum 

      Reply
    • Brv Rocks

      14 years ago

      I agree.  This rumor makes little or no sense unless the Braves plan to flip him in a separate trade for a shortstop or back-up centerfielder.  The Braves have extremely limited financial resources and they are considering using a big chunk of it for a reliever????? 

      The only other thing that could make sense is if they already have a deal in place to trade Jurrjens and need to move Medlen back into the starting rotation.

      Reply
      • bravesdude

        14 years ago

        You may have just hit the nail on the head .

        Reply
  3. Patricio

    14 years ago

    This makes no sense.  Braves are loaded with very good, cheap relievers.

    Reply
  4. NYBravosFan10

    14 years ago

    Love it. Thornton is a veteran presence that actually has talent unlike Linebrink.

    Reply
    • xBraveNewWorldx

      14 years ago

      This would have been a horrible move. Your knowledge on baseball is questionable at best.

      Reply
      • NYBravosFan10

        14 years ago

        How is trading for a veteran reliever that will probably have some eaten salary a bad thing? And don’t call my knowledge questionable. My knowledge is just as good as any other person that isn’t involved with the MLB.

        Reply
        • I_Like_Baseball

          14 years ago

          I don’t believe Williams will pay for any of Thornton’s contract if and when he trades him. Thornton makes about what he deserves and if I was in Kenny’s shoes as a GM, I wouldn’t pay for any players that I trade since I’m rebuilding. Other than that, he IS pretty valuable. (Like what you said at the end of your last post in response by the way) 

          Reply
          • NYBravosFan10

            14 years ago

            Thank you

            Reply
  5. Michael Brown

    14 years ago

    If true, Wren has another deal in the works.  This essentially means that one of Venters or Eric is on the block in said deal.

    Reply
    • bravessfan2013

      14 years ago

      MOST LIKELY O’FLAHERTY OR MOYLAN SINCE THEY ARE BOTH ARB ELIGIBLE

      Reply
      • Michael Brown

        14 years ago

        Even though this rumor is squashed. I doubt anyone trades for a rehabbing Moylan.

        Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          Really ? The guy has a career 2.60ERA , is 19-9 , 0.5 HR/9 , 7.2 K/9 . If the Braves were to want to trade him , they would get a few calls .

          Reply
    • Matt Lawson

      14 years ago

      not one bit.  I can guarantee that Wren considers them about 95% untouchable.  With the performances they have given, I wouldn’t blame him.  No, if some deal gets done, it will be for prospects as the Whitsox will be in rebuilding mode.

      Reply
      • bravesdude

        14 years ago

        Wren also said that any deal is possible to improve to them . I can guarantee that also .

        Reply
  6. Brendan Regan

    14 years ago

    well throw in Carlos and make the return worth it at least

    Reply
    • bravesdude

      14 years ago

      I read the report and thought to myself that he (Quinten) may be a part of this deal and just not mentioned .

      Reply
  7. grownice

    14 years ago

    notsureifsrs aint gonna like this one bit!

    Reply
  8. Garrett Thestutterer Allen

    14 years ago

    This is a DUMB DUMB move on the part of both parties. Kenny Williams is dumb to move a great arm like Thornton. Plus the Braves need a RIGHT arm in the pen, OH they already got one….

    Reply
    • Joey 2

      14 years ago

      I would argue its dumb to keep an asset like Thornton, and his $6M salary when your in full rebuild mode and looking to acquire young talent.  Why keep him, to turn your 75 win team in 77 wins, for what.  If they are going to trade Santos for prospects then they will do the same for Flloyd, Danks, CQ, etc.  This is what a rebuild is, move the pieces that wont help you win in a couple years, get some salary relief, get some young talent here, and go from there.  And frankly I dont understand why guys like you and people on message boards are so afraid of this.  All team go through rebuilding periods, this is KW first in 12 years and your moaning like a little kid whose favorite player got traded.  This is professional sports, lose the emotional attachments and see things like an adult.  Thornton is a valuable commodity that has little use on a rebuilding 75 win Sox team, get what you can while you can get it and move on.  PERIOD!

      Reply
      • Garrett Thestutterer Allen

        14 years ago

        HAHA Im not even a Sox fan, Im a huge Braves fan. So what if your rebuilding. Dont trade your Vets for just prospects. Its KW fault he gave all that money to the Lefty. If this trade is true and the Braves get him, it wont be just Thornton, carlos is coming too, if not him than Rameriez is…

        Reply
        • I_Like_Baseball

          14 years ago

          you’re missing the whole point of “rebuilding”….

          Reply
  9. Cobby Box

    14 years ago

    Wren worried that O’Vembrel is overworked? Not really sure why the Braves would need to give up anything of worth to shore up their bullpen, and Thornton is worth something certainly. Very weird.

    Reply
    • 101andcounting

      14 years ago

      Hahah O’Vembrel. I love this website.

      Reply
      • nm344

        14 years ago

        that has been around since forever

        Reply
      • NYBravosFan10

        14 years ago

        it’s O’Ventbrel

        Reply
        • Cobby Box

          14 years ago

          Kimbrel earned an extra two letters when he won ROY.

          Reply
          • NYBravosFan10

            14 years ago

            ah, good point

            Reply
    • coolstorybro222

      14 years ago

      They ARE OVERWORKED. Fredi keeps pitching them everday. we need a guy that can take a good amount of their workload off their shoulders. 

      Reply
      • bravesdude

        14 years ago

        A better offense would do just that .

        Reply
  10. Andy Ledford

    14 years ago

    he could really help carry some of the workload at the back of our bullpen. Thornton,  oflahrety, venter, and kimbrel are all really solid. But this isn’t really a need, and he’s not cheap. hmmm

    Reply
  11. TDKnies

    14 years ago

    Odd to go for ANOTHER bullpen arm (and a lefty at that), but if the cost isn’t high then I’d be a happy guy if it happens.

    Reply
  12. Triple Hawpes Brewed

    14 years ago

    They must have left out the part where this is a package deal with Quentin included as well…

    Reply
    • bravesdude

      14 years ago

      I would agree . There has to be something more to this .

      Reply
  13. Ahmed Musa

    14 years ago

    ………………why? 

    Reply
  14. coolstorybro222

    14 years ago

    Hey Wren, why not bring up Quentin if you keep talking to Williams. 

    Reply
  15. Sean

    14 years ago

    seems odd for both sides depending on who else is involved.  Could be a Quinten deal but they are keeping that part quiet, never know this time of year

    Reply
  16. notsureifsrs

    14 years ago

    dammit boston

    hey braves, want jed lowrie for thornton? eh? eh? fine

    Reply
  17. bbxxj

    14 years ago

    Kimbrel
    Venters
    Thornton
    O’Flaherty
    Vizcaino
    Moylan
    Medlen

    …filthy

    Reply
    • Nick Stephan

      14 years ago

      dude that is ridiculously filthy

      Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      14 years ago

      Moylan out for a bit. Put Varvaro, Gearrin, C. Martinez or Hoover in there

      Reply
  18. MLB_in_the_Know

    14 years ago

    I am a big fan of Thornton and have long believed he would be a great addition to the Braves bullpen, that being said, the White Sox better be picking up a big part of his tab if we are trading for him. 

    Reply
  19. Nick Stephan

    14 years ago

    So exciting, I wonder if there are any other white Sox players in the deal!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • NYBravosFan10

      14 years ago

      Alexi Ramirez

      Reply
  20. JunKim

    14 years ago

    Quentin and Thornton both good amount of salary eaten by White Sox, for Minor and Delgado.  

    Reply
    • Brv Rocks

      14 years ago

      Uh, no!!  Two top young pitchers for a rental player and a relief pitcher??  Dream on.

      Reply
      • JunKim

        14 years ago

        Fine then.. enjoy 7man pitching rotation with 3rd place in NL East.

        Reply
        • Garrett Thestutterer Allen

          14 years ago

          ^^^^That guy is clueless! 3rd in the NL East?? how So?? Maybe 1st! Dont hop on the Miami team just yet, the just signed an injury prone player to a 100+ contract! Yep there goes your wiggle room when they need it. Phillies are getting old, Howard will never be the same again, plus he wont play until May or June. 7 man rotation? Really? DO you watch baseball?? Minor may be on the move if any pitch besides JJ is, Delgado isnt goting anywhere. the only thing i agree with you on is that the Sox will be eating salary if he is moved

          Reply
        • Brv Rocks

          14 years ago

          Fine then…..enjoy last place in the AL Central. 

          Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          Ozzie Guillen , is that you ?

          Reply
    • atlbravosfan11

      14 years ago

      No

      Reply
    • bravesdude

      14 years ago

      Quentin and Thorton for Jurrjens , Matt Diaz , O’Flaherty ?

      Reply
  21. stewie75

    14 years ago

    trading thornton would free up about what rios makes next year, so i don’t see how this would be a bad move for the sox, esp if they can get a prospect back. they’re depleting payroll around the sunk costs. wsox are looking more and more to be in the same boat as the cubs, with a few more tradeable assets. it’s a race!

    Reply
    • Antonio Nicarelli

      14 years ago

      Not even close, Stewie.  Thornton will make $5.5M in both ’12 and ’13.  Rios will make $12M in ’12 and $12.5 in ’13.  Plus, there is no reason for the Sox to “eat money” on a Thornton trade – he gets about what he is worth.  Now, why would the Braves go there is another question.

      Reply
      • stewie75

        14 years ago

        i meant thornton makes over the next two years what rios will make next year. never said the sox would eat money, either.

        Reply
  22. Julio Alberto Cruz

    14 years ago

    i really, really hope this thornton talk is just part of a bigger deal that includes Carlos Quentin.

    Reply
  23. bravessfan2013

    14 years ago

    you can bet your last dollar that theres more than just thornton included in the deal

    Reply
  24. MLB_in_the_Know

    14 years ago

    I really doubt Moylan is around next year.

    Reply
  25. Josh Coble

    14 years ago

    oh my god, we would of made the playoffs if we had him on our team last year. We would of won atleast 4 or 5 more games if O’ventbrel wasnt overworked. This is simply for more depth, makes plenty of sense for the braves, but it doesnt appear as if it will happen.

    Reply
  26. bbxxj

    14 years ago

    Not even counting Martinez, Vavaro, Gearrin, Asencio and Hoover who all could make some MLB pens.

    It may seem excessive but while we have a ton of starting talent all of it has some sort of age/injury question mark and a deep pen could be vital to a deep playoff run.

    Reply
  27. Joey 2

    14 years ago

    How is Thornton not a tradeable asset?  He is a quality back end left reliever who has little use to a rebuilding mid 70 win Sox team.  And he makes $6M next year, Rios makes $12.5.  If Rios was tradeable he would be gone too, but we all know he has zero trade value.

    Reply
  28. Kyle Buttermore

    14 years ago

    Thorton for Heyward?

    Reply
    • HARRISON ROSE

      14 years ago

      Thorton, Quentin, + prospects for Heyward and mid-level pitching prospect

      Reply
      • Kyle Buttermore

        14 years ago

        No deal, giving up way too much for Heyward. Thorton straight up.

        Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          Heyward>>Thorton

          Reply
      • Suh Girls One Cup

        14 years ago

        lol.

        Reply
      • Garrett Thestutterer Allen

        14 years ago

        Your both crazy! Heyward is only 21 years old! Easy on the trading thing with him, if anything he spends time in AAA or AA to wake him up. 

        Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          It won’t take going to the minors . He will be fine this year .

          Reply
    • bravesdude

      14 years ago

      Hahahahahaha….hold one sec . I have to pick myself off the floor . Woops , I slipped again…..hahahahahah .

      Reply
  29. alex collins

    14 years ago

    Glad to see we are answering the signing of Reyes.

    Reply
  30. jwsox

    14 years ago

    my guess is that its thornton and carlos quintin together for a pitcher from the minors of the braves.

    Reply
    • Gary Evashenk

      14 years ago

      Quentin won’t be in this trade for just “a pitcher from the minors of the Braves.”  What happened to the Beachy talk?  Is he off the table now?

      Reply
      • bravesdude

        14 years ago

        I would say ‘YES’ .

        Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          Meaning that he is off the table . At least for just Carlos .

          Reply
    • Antonio Nicarelli

      14 years ago

      I hope you mean at least one decent prospect each.  Both of those guys for one talent that is not yet major league proven would mean Kenny W has TRULY lost it!

      Reply
      • jwsox

        14 years ago

        I did mean a top prosopect like beachy or minor

        Reply
        • Antonio Nicarelli

          14 years ago

          Still wouldn’t do it.  Maybe add a role player.  But I would never trade two quality major leaguers for one prospect.  And, more importantly, I know Kenny wouldn’t either.

          Reply
        • bravesdude

          14 years ago

          I don’t think Beachy is going anywhere . Minor if the price is right .

          Reply
    • bravesdude

      14 years ago

      Sounds ggod to me .

      Reply
  31. grownice

    14 years ago

    notsureifsrs is really gon like this!

    Reply
  32. TDKnies

    14 years ago

    My hopes.  What have you done to them? :'(

    Reply
  33. firealyellon

    14 years ago

    If KW can take a couple of major steps towards rebuilding the team simply by dumping relievers, it will be a very good week.

    Reply
  34. alex collins

    14 years ago

    haha DOB —- basically saying “you people are crazy”

    Reply
  35. Michael Kenny Jr.

    14 years ago

    Cowley fail.

    Reply
  36. John Adams

    14 years ago

    Quentin should be easy to get… he is blocking a spot for the White Sox in the outfield and they need to get some of these contracts unloaded.

    Reply
  37. Chippers_Knees

    14 years ago

    That was a nice 16 minutes.

    Reply
  38. Geaux_Braves

    14 years ago

    Since we are talking to the Chisox, we might as well get Ramirez.

    Reply

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