Braves righty Bud Norris had a dismal start to the season, but he’s righted the ship over the past seven weeks or so and is drawing trade interest from multiple clubs, including the Marlins, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (via Twitter).
Norris, 31, isn’t exactly a marquee trade chip but would be an affordable arm for contenders that could pitch either out of the rotation or bullpen if teams are convinced that his recent turnaround has some sustainability. Norris was rocked for an 8.74 ERA through five starts in April, but since that time he’s pitched quite well, recording a 2.43 ERA (2.80 FIP, 3.74 xFIP) with 7.8 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and a 52.4 percent ground-ball rate across 40 2/3 innings between the Atlanta ’pen and rotation. (Norris has recovered his starting job after briefly losing it due to the aforementioned struggles.) He’s earning a modest $2.5MM this season after inking a one-year deal in the winter, and he’s owed about $1.38MM of that sum through the end of the season. As such, he’s affordable to virtually any team in the Majors from a financial standpoint.
It’s unrealistic to expect a significant return for Norris, his recent success and low financial commitment notwithstanding. He did, after all, struggle tremendously in 2015 when he posted a combined 6.72 ERA in 83 innings between the Orioles (who designated Norris for assignment and subsequently released him last summer) and the Padres. His track record prior to the ’15 campaign was that of a mid-rotation starter but not necessarily an innings eater; he logged a respectable 4.06 ERA from 2011-14 with the Astros and O’s but averaged just 174 innings per season in that time. The Braves may be able to leverage his recent success and improved ground-ball tendencies into a fringe prospect, and that was probably Atlanta’s ideal scenario when signing him to that one-year deal in the offseason in the first place.
Heyman also lists the White Sox, Mariners and Tigers as possible teams that Norris could assist, though he does so in a speculative fashion as opposed to listing those clubs as teams to have inquired with the Braves. The Marlins, though, appear to be casting a fairly wide net in their search for rotation help. Norris is the third starting pitcher this week that’s been directly connected to the Fish, who reportedly have interest in Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi and Padres lefty Drew Pomeranz as well. Norris is a much more plausible target for Miami, as the team has one of the weakest farm systems in the game, and the asking price on Norris will be considerably lower than the price on a controllable, prime-aged arm like Odorizzi or Pomeranz.
I think if Atlanta can get who they have gotten for KJ (added Juan in 2015) the last two years from the Mets (Gant, Whalen, and Morris), Norris could get them a decent low prospect as well. Hell start crazy and ask for Prado and $4M, then extend him.( I know, not happening)
do it before he implodes again. Any fringe prospect will do.
just as i thought and talked about in other post. Marlins can only go after Straily, Norris types of SP…the farm is horrid.
Telis would be a great get his floor is backup catcher if he keeps improving behind the plate he could be an everyday guy still., Braves would probably have to include something else to get him though.
Here’s an idea. If you can’t get anybody decent in return for him, then DON’T TRADE HIM. I’m sick of solving other teams problems while not doing anything to improve this club. If I was Commissioner of a Fantasy League, I would throw Coppy out on his butt.
but he’ll be a free agent after the season… Why keep him? Field some offers and pick the best one….
Haha that is awesome. Like the Grilli trade or KJ where we ended up paying more of the remaining contract than the receiving team?
I’ll be thrilled if Bud Norris brings back something like the KJ trade of last year (John Gant and Rob Whalen)
You are totally missing the boat if you didn’t realize that the main purpose of signing Bud Norris was for him to regain some value only to be traded to another team so the Braves could gain another player (think minor leaguer still under control contractually. Basically the Braves signed Norris to a major league contract with the goal to play in a few months in Atlanta and then deal him for someone who may develop or at least be minor league filler.
The majors are not fantasy league teams. There is no simple or quick way for a team under tight budget constraints from their owner to make quick and substantial fixes to their team. That will only be done through time. The Braves are not going to put a good product on the field this season. That was not their goal either. If you didn’t already realize that then someway you haven’t really paid attention.
Southi, you are my Yoda.
No reason at all for us to keep Norris. His contract is up at the end of the year anyways. Sure, the Marlins might be temp better than us from us trading Norris, but they could sign him this offseaon anyways. Might as well scam them and steal a couple decent prospects. Not that they have much. but still..
You do know they were talking about Bud Norris and Julio Teheran, right? I know it’s easy to be confused with so much attention on Julio, but they are different people.
I seriously think this thread went to the crapper.
I’m sorry you’re unable to see the big picture. Choppy is one of the best at what he’s doing.
Who is that directed to cdb?
Chris Paddack perhaps?
This
Go get Telis or ask high and get Kloek. I see no reason a deal doesn’t happen unless other teams are truly interested. Telis is a legit possibility.
It’s great to see other teams joining the Braves in dumpster diving!
If the Marlins can’t work out a trade for Bud Norris, maybe they’ll settle for Derek Norris.
To me it doesn’t make sense to trade a fringe pitcher who has had marginal success for his career and poor success in the last two years (the last 40 innings not withstanding) for another fringe pitcher or player from the minors. What is the likelihood that a fringe minor leaguer is going to make to the major league scene? I say keep Norris through the season just to take a spot until another prospect come up. AT some point, the Braves are going to have to spend SOME money. I realize it’s not a great season but that doesn’t mean we have to go for the major league record for losses. Give the fans something to cheer for and make sure the current players aren’t completely demoralized.
What about Gant? We acquired him in the Uribe/KJ deal, now he is a young rotation piece. If Norris can bring back as much, maybe more as starter is more valued, why not?
Ever hear of Scott Feldman? He’s a fringe starter and netted the Cubs Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop. There is always a chance with good scouting you can get something that will help out in the future
You could make the same argument that by leaving Norris in and not trading him even for a fringe piece that he could be taking up a roster spot for someone that could use the spot, like Tyrell Jenkins getting a look in some spot starts.
What braves fan is going to lose any sleep over Bud Norris??? Why does it matter if we win 65 or 55 games?
Of course you trade Norris if you can get something of value in return. But the gist of the article is that they won’t get anything of value in return. If you get another low A injured pitcher who will never pitch in the majors in his lifetime, then it’s stupid and/or cheap. Pay Norris and let him pitch. Tired of trading for NOTHING and then continuing to pay the guys shipped out. That’s the definition of idiocy. if you trade him, get something back!!
A lottery ticket is worth more to the Braves that Bud Norris even if said lottery ticket has very little chance of winning. Norris innings in a Braves uniform is worth next to nothing the team is going to lose 100 games with or with out him. No one is buying tickets to see Bud Norris pitch either.
I’m so sick of guys like Bud Norris and Albert Belle and Chris Truby worshipping the devil.