The Atlanta Braves (thread 1)

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#5,527
#5,527
If he had just left, it would have been one thing. But a few weeks ago he said something in the papers about feeling like he owed the Braves for supporting him, being open to an incentive-laden contract, etc. What happened to that?

Way to make yourself seem like an ungrateful bastard, Mike. Have fun in the sweltering hellhole of Houston.
 
#5,529
#5,529
Depends on the contract. The sort of one-year, low-base/incentive-heavy contract that the press was talking about would have been great for the Braves, who are going to be in dire need of bodies to plug into the middle of the rotation next year. He's a heck of a lot better bet to be productive next year than John Smoltz is.
 
#5,530
#5,530
And to top it all off....he didnt even play enough to be considered a type a or b free agent so the Braves dont even get a draft pick for Houston signing him....Good riddance Mike, nice job stealing money for the last 4 years.
 
#5,531
#5,531
He took less money to go back to Houston and be closer to his family. I can't blame him one bit.
 
#5,532
#5,532
The Braves, moving to address their starting pitching needs, are in serious discussions with the White Sox about a trade for right-hander Javier Vazquez, according to major-league sources.

The White Sox would receive as many three players in return. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes and infielder Brent Lillibridge are among the names under discussion, sources said.

The Braves entered the offseason intending to acquire two front-line starting pitchers. When they failed in their attempt to acquire Padres right-hander Jake Peavy, they shifted their attention to free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett and began pursuing other trades.
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FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Sources: Braves look to deal for ChiSox's Vazquez
 
#5,535
#5,535
The AJC is reporting that Tyler Flowers, the Braves' power-hitting catching prospect, could be involved in the deal. If so, the Braves gave up way too much.
 
#5,536
#5,536
With McCann in front of him, you almost knew Flowers would get moved eventually. Flowers is tearing it up right now, but Catchers are a crapshoot so who knows?
 
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#5,537
#5,537
This deal sucks. If Flowers is part of it, then it REALLY sucks. Vazquez is a useful piece, in that he's a completely league-average starting pitcher who eats innings, but I just don't see how the difference between him and Reyes (who still has some upside) is worth Lillibridge and "another top prospect." Especially if it's Flowers. Obviously Flowers will have to be dealt sooner or later, but a power-hitting catching prospect like him ought to be worth more than a throw-in for a journeyman like Vazquez. You're supposed to sign guys like him off the scrap heap, not trade away top prospects for him.

Logan is a complete stiff. Useful for mop-up duty, I guess. Or maybe he could help out the equipment manager some.
 
#5,538
#5,538
Vercingetorix said:
This deal sucks. If Flowers is part of it, then it REALLY sucks. Vazquez is a useful piece, in that he's a completely league-average starting pitcher who eats innings, but I just don't see how the difference between him and Reyes (who still has some upside) is worth Lillibridge and "another top prospect." Especially if it's Flowers. Obviously Flowers will have to be dealt sooner or later, but a power-hitting catching prospect like him ought to be worth more than a throw-in for a journeyman like Vazquez. You're supposed to sign guys like him off the scrap heap, not trade away top prospects for him.

Logan is a complete stiff. Useful for mop-up duty, I guess. Or maybe he could help out the equipment manager some.
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I completely agree. Vazquez is a middle of the rotation guy. What happened to going after a big gun? With Hudson on the shelf the rotation is a wreck. Wren better get his ass on the ball. He's got a lot of work to do.
 
#5,539
#5,539
I think Turner Field will do Vazquez some good, but you guys are right, he's a low 2nd or 3rd starter. They are either going to have to figure out a way to do the Peavy deal or really dial up their free agent efforts.
 
#5,540
#5,540
I'd be happy to have Vazquez if they'd signed him as a free agent. He's just not good enough to have given away good prospects to obtain. This only makes since if the Braves have A) completely given up on Reyes and Lillibridge, and B) Flowers isn't included.
 
#5,541
#5,541
I think Reyes has driven them crazy for a couple of years and they don't think Lillibridge is going to hit.
 
#5,542
#5,542
Vazquez is only good at striking out people. He'll give you a ERA in the 4s most of the time. I was a big fan of Reyes so it hurts to seem him go. I agree though, we gave up too much.
 
#5,546
#5,546
An asset like Flowers is supposed to be worth more than being the third guy in a trade for a totally league average pitcher with only two years left on his contract. It's like having frequent flyer miles for a ticket anywhere in the US, and using it to visit your in-laws in Cincinnati.

Trade him for another prospect at a position you need. Or keep him, let him develop, and if you think he's the real deal, shop McCann around. Something. Good-hitting catching prospects are a rare commodity in baseball, and this is the second one in a couple of years that the Braves have traded away without getting anything tangible in return.
 
#5,547
#5,547
Vercingetorix said:
Good-hitting catching prospects are a rare commodity in baseball, and this is the second one in a couple of years that the Braves have traded away without getting anything tangible in return.
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But aren't they also the toughest offensive players to project? For every Javy Lopez and Brian McCann there are about 3 Tyler Houstons.
 
#5,549
#5,549
Vercingetorix said:
An asset like Flowers is supposed to be worth more than being the third guy in a trade for a totally league average pitcher with only two years left on his contract. It's like having frequent flyer miles for a ticket anywhere in the US, and using it to visit your in-laws in Cincinnati.

Trade him for another prospect at a position you need. Or keep him, let him develop, and if you think he's the real deal, shop McCann around. Something. Good-hitting catching prospects are a rare commodity in baseball, and this is the second one in a couple of years that the Braves have traded away without getting anything tangible in return.
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:realmad:
 
#5,550
#5,550
GAVol said:
But aren't they also the toughest offensive players to project? For every Javy Lopez and Brian McCann there are about 3 Tyler Houstons.
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Sure, but power-hitting catchers are among the rarest commodities in baseball. It seems like an awfully valuable coin to throw into a trade that's ultimately likely to be of no consequence.

It would be one thing if the Braves were a #3 starter away from competing next year, but they're not. Not with no outfield, only one other starter, and the Phillies and Mets in the same division. So the difference between Vazquez and Reyes next year doesn't matter anyway.
 
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