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Jason Heyward

Braves Rumors: Heyward, Wagner, LaRoche

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We've been hearing for a while that the Braves may trade from starting pitching depth to free up money, but what other moves might we see? MLB.com's Mark Bowman has some answers:

  • Braves GM Frank Wren says there are "a lot of trade conversations going on" around the league.
  • The Braves don't seem concerned about finding another outfielder, because they will consider letting top prospect Jason Heyward start the season in the majors. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves sign an affordable outfielder, in case they decide to keep Heyward in the minors for a couple months.
  • The Braves are interested in Billy Wagner.
  • Free agent Adam LaRoche would be a good fit, but the Braves, who have prospect Freddie Freeman in the system, may hesitate to offer LaRoche a multi-year deal.
  • Frankie Piliere of AOL FanHouse hears that the Braves will deal Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez.
  • Piliere adds that the market for Rafael Soriano should be strong.

Atlanta’s Offseason Needs

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If and when Tim Hudson signs an extension with the Braves, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says GM Frank Wren appears likely to shop Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez. Moving one of the two veterans would create the financial flexibility to allow the Braves to pursue a first baseman, a closer and, possibly, an outfielder.

It's a "strong possibility" that Adam LaRoche, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano will all sign elsewhere as free agents. Bowman says the Braves may consider signing Billy Wagner or trading for Matt Capps if they don't retain Gonzalez and Soriano. 

Jason Heyward looms in the minor leagues. He's arguably the game's top prospect, but the Braves may choose to sign an outfielder. This would enable Heyward to pick up more minor league experience – he's only played 50 games in the upper minors – and would allow the Braves to prevent Heyward from becoming a Super Two. It's the strategy they used with Tommy Hanson this year and it makes sense to do the same with Heyward.

Last week, Tim suggested the Braves spend on a first baseman and a left fielder. To cut costs, he recommends the Braves save on the bullpen. Trading Vazquez would free up $11.5MM for the upcoming season and trading Lowe would free up $15MM, but the Braves may ultimately need the pitching depth.

Odds & Ends: Heyward, Yankees, Astros

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Some more afternoon links…

  • Jason Heyward – probably the game's best prospect - looks great so far in the Arizona Fall League, according to Jason Grey of ESPN.com.
  • MLB.com's Mike Bauman says so far the Yankees' decision to commit hundreds of millions to C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett looks good.
  • As Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports, Ned Yost stressed his experience during his interview for the Astros' managerial opening.
  • James Schmehl of MLive.com suggests the Tigers should at least consider replacing hitting coach Lloyd McClendon with Rudy Jaramillo or another top batting instructor.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Rangers promoted four members of their front office.

Odds And Ends: Angels, Red Sox, Heyward

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Another round of links…

Olney On Heyward, Draft, Payroll Cuts

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Top prospect Jason Heyward reminds ESPN.com's Buster Olney and Mississippi Braves manager Phillip Wellman of the same player: Darryl Strawberry. Heyward's still in AA, but he's only 19 and he has an OPS over 1.200 so far in the upper minors. He's easily one of the top prospects in baseball, along with teammate Freddie Freeman. Braves GM Frank Wren notes that pitchers Julio Teheran, Craig Kimbrel and Jose Ortegano have all impressed this year as well. 

One AL executive pointed out that the Mets, who are the only team with one of the eight highest payrolls in baseball not currently in a playoff spot, are the only one of baseball's top-spending teams that closely follows the commissioner's recommendations on signing draft picks. Another official believes the teams with the worst systems are often the ones that don't spend over-slot.

Finally, Olney hears that many teams will attempt to slash payroll this offseason.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday

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12:08pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Towers still considers the Braves the best match for a Peavy trade.  Cafardo says the Braves appear willing to trade shortstop Yunel Escobar.  He adds that the Red Sox haven’t been ruled out but they’re far down the list.

9:35am: Padres GM Kevin Towers arrived early at the GM meetings, with trading Jake Peavy high on his to-do list.  The latest from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune:

  • Towers is "focused on three" teams.  Krasovic believes these to be the Cubs, Dodgers, and Braves.  He’s matched up with Jim Hendry and Ned Colletti before, and has known Frank Wren for many years.  It is believed that Towers would charge the Dodgers a premium for being in their division.  The Braves do not want to include top prospects such as Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward.
  • Towers isn’t opposed to a three-team deal, but he’s never done one.  He’d prefer to make a normal direct trade. 
  • Towers wants quality over quantity, saying the right two or three players could get it done.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Sunday

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Jake Peavy, on the block:

  • According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Braves have told the Padres they will not deal Tommy Hanson in a package for Jake Peavy. This despite heavy scouting of Hanson by the Padres in recent days. MLBTR touched on this topic on Friday, but it seems the Braves are standing pat that even Peavy won’t loosen their grip on their prospects. If the Padres are putting something together with the Braves, it’s not likely to be structured around Hanson, or Jair Jurrjens, Jason Heyward and Julio Teheran for that matter. As MLBTR noted before, it could all be speculation from rival GMs.
  • Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune brings us information from Baseball America: Peavy would waive his no trade clause to play for the Cubs. While Rogers notes there’s not much of a fit he suggests a package that includes a swap of Adrian Gonzalez and Derrek Lee. Intriguing, but far fetched.

Peavy Rumors: Friday

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As Kevin Towers and Barry Axelrod intended, things are slowing down on the Jake Peavy front.  The Braves, considered the favorite, got the word out yesterday through the AP that they do not want to trade top prospects.  Of course, that may have been a strategic move.

  • Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren today.  Wren says there are players he will not trade under any circumstances, and O’Brien believes three of those are Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward, and Julio Teheran.  Freddie Freeman, Jordan Schafer, and Gorkys Hernandez are close to untouchable, according to O’Brien.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney wonders if the Braves may have enough quality young players to pull off a Peavy deal without surrendering Heyward, Hanson, or Jair Jurrjens.
  • Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains that the Cardinals do not have what the Padres are looking for in a Peavy trade.
  • MLB.com’s Corey Brock says not to expect movement on a Peavy deal for the next week or so, as Towers takes a step back and conferences with the pitcher.  Towers wants to figure out which teams he can engage before the November 3-6 GM meetings.  Peavy’s five preferred clubs are known publicly, so perhaps Towers hopes to expand that list.
  • Jason Rosenberg analyzes the MLB.com report over at his blog.

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