McCarroll21
06-17-2007, 04:43 AM
State Of The Braves
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
With the trading deadline just a month and a half away and the Braves in contention for a playoff spot, I'm going to take a detailed look into the Braves potential needs.
I. Starting Pitching
The most glaring weakness is one that has been staring the Braves in the face since Mike Hampton went down due to injury in Spring Training. The Braves need a starting pitcher to bridge the gap from John Smoltz and Tim Hudson to Chuck James and Kyle Davies. The Braves tried Mark Redman in hopes he would give them time to find a more suitable option, he failed miserably. Same for Lance Cormier after returning from injury. The gaping hole in the rotation has been complicated by the inconsistencies of James and Davies.
Currently, Buddy Carlyle is proving to be a valuable member of the Braves rotation. While Carlyle has helped patch the hole, he isn't the long-term answer, though if he keeps pitching the way he has, he may pitch well enough to earn a spot and force Davies to the minor leagues.
The problem with this particular need is that the solution doesn't appear to be readily available.
II. Powerful Bat
Another Braves need is that of a powerful bat in the middle of the order. Thanks to Andruw Jones lack of hitting, the Braves are currently in need of a cleanup hitter. Entering the season, the last thing the Braves thought they needed to worry about was another bat in the lineup, especially one in the middle of the order. All signs pointed to Jones having a huge season, being that he came to Spring Training in great shape and entering a contract year. Jones has responded by batting .215, a career low .413 slugging percentage and another career low with a .729 on-base plus slugging.
Could the Braves fill the lack of offensive firepower from within? With top catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia starting to take time away from Scott Thorman at first base, could his presence give the Braves what they need?
Short answer: Every little bit helps, but relying on a rookie to carry that much of a load is not the right idea.
The most likely scenario would involve acquiring a player that could play left field, allowing the Braves to have the platoon of Matt Diaz and Willie Harris available off the bench.
III. Relief Pitching
The 2006 season showed every Braves fan how important a bullpen is, and the Braves main mission in the off-season was to correct the problem that existed last season. After acquiring Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez through trade, the Braves appeared to have one of the top bullpens in the National League. Now the team is without a key member of the bullpen with Gonzalez undergoing Tommy John surgery and being lost for the season. On top of the loss of Gonzalez, the Braves have some pitchers who are on pace to throw more innings than ever before.
Tyler Yates has already appeared in 31 games for the Braves, his previous career high came last year with 56. He is already at 60% of his career high in innings pitched, though the team has yet to reach the halfway point in the season. Peter Moylan has already set career highs in games and innings pitched.
With a soft spot already there, and pitchers who may need to back off the workload, the Braves would benefit heavily from another relief pitcher.
Best case scenario would see the Braves pick up a left handed reliever, but the team isn't really in position to be picky.
IV. Solutions?
So, how about some potential solutions to our needs?
It's too early to know what will be available on July 31, though some rumors have already started to pick up steam.
On the pitching front, one of the names that makes a lot of sense for the Braves would be Steve Trachsel. He doesn't have the marquee name as someone like Mark Buehrle or Carlos Zambrano that may steal a lot of the buzz around the deadline, but he may become available sooner and not cost the team as much in terms of prospects and money. Trachsel's contract calls for him to make $3.7 million this year with a team option for 2008 priced at $4.75 million. Other than cost, Trachsel makes sense because he has spent a lot of time in the NL East with the Mets and is turning in one of his finest seasons in years in the tough AL East.
Again, their may be a more attractive piece available near the deadline, but Trachsel could come available as soon as the end of the month.
Now onto the second most pressing need, a bat. One name that every Braves fan knows will be rumored to Atlanta will be Ken Griffey Jr. This year, his teammate Adam Dunn may be a candidate to come to town too. The Reds would have more leverage in trade if they are trading Dunn because Griffey has a no-trade clause that could force them to accept something below market value. Griffey wants to play for the Braves, his dad was a Brave and he wants to be the same. Knowing this, he will not veto any trade to Atlanta, so the Braves may have the upper hand on other teams in that area.
The problem with Griffey is his history of injuries. A lineup card turned in with both Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. written on it would need to have a "FRAGILE - Handle with care" label.
Other bats that could potentially play left field for the Braves could be: Matt Kemp and James Loney of the Dodgers; Jay Gibbons, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora of the Orioles; Sammy Sosa of the Rangers; and Jermaine Dye of the White Sox.
Some other position players that could be available, though more suited for a bench role than a middle of the order bat are: Scott Spiezio of the Cardinals; Carlos Pena and Ty Wigginton of the Devil Rays; and Dmitri Young of the Nationals.
Finally, relief pitching. The Braves could use any and all relief pitching, though their primary target could be that of Brian Fuentes of the Rockies. Fuentes is a left hander that could take provide the exact same thing Mike Gonzalez did, a left hander with closer stuff. After Fuentes, the Braves may target a reliever from the Rangers, whether it be Akinori Otsuka or Eric Gagne, both of which have closing experience and would bolster the bullpen dramatically.
Some other names that have already been rumored available are: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler of the Astros; Al Reyes of the Devil Rays; Scott Williamson of the Orioles.
Another option for the bullpen could be Buddy Carlyle, should the Braves acquire a legitimate starter. As a starter, opposing batters are hitting just .133 (6-45) against Carlyle from the right side.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
With the trading deadline just a month and a half away and the Braves in contention for a playoff spot, I'm going to take a detailed look into the Braves potential needs.
I. Starting Pitching
The most glaring weakness is one that has been staring the Braves in the face since Mike Hampton went down due to injury in Spring Training. The Braves need a starting pitcher to bridge the gap from John Smoltz and Tim Hudson to Chuck James and Kyle Davies. The Braves tried Mark Redman in hopes he would give them time to find a more suitable option, he failed miserably. Same for Lance Cormier after returning from injury. The gaping hole in the rotation has been complicated by the inconsistencies of James and Davies.
Currently, Buddy Carlyle is proving to be a valuable member of the Braves rotation. While Carlyle has helped patch the hole, he isn't the long-term answer, though if he keeps pitching the way he has, he may pitch well enough to earn a spot and force Davies to the minor leagues.
The problem with this particular need is that the solution doesn't appear to be readily available.
II. Powerful Bat
Another Braves need is that of a powerful bat in the middle of the order. Thanks to Andruw Jones lack of hitting, the Braves are currently in need of a cleanup hitter. Entering the season, the last thing the Braves thought they needed to worry about was another bat in the lineup, especially one in the middle of the order. All signs pointed to Jones having a huge season, being that he came to Spring Training in great shape and entering a contract year. Jones has responded by batting .215, a career low .413 slugging percentage and another career low with a .729 on-base plus slugging.
Could the Braves fill the lack of offensive firepower from within? With top catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia starting to take time away from Scott Thorman at first base, could his presence give the Braves what they need?
Short answer: Every little bit helps, but relying on a rookie to carry that much of a load is not the right idea.
The most likely scenario would involve acquiring a player that could play left field, allowing the Braves to have the platoon of Matt Diaz and Willie Harris available off the bench.
III. Relief Pitching
The 2006 season showed every Braves fan how important a bullpen is, and the Braves main mission in the off-season was to correct the problem that existed last season. After acquiring Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez through trade, the Braves appeared to have one of the top bullpens in the National League. Now the team is without a key member of the bullpen with Gonzalez undergoing Tommy John surgery and being lost for the season. On top of the loss of Gonzalez, the Braves have some pitchers who are on pace to throw more innings than ever before.
Tyler Yates has already appeared in 31 games for the Braves, his previous career high came last year with 56. He is already at 60% of his career high in innings pitched, though the team has yet to reach the halfway point in the season. Peter Moylan has already set career highs in games and innings pitched.
With a soft spot already there, and pitchers who may need to back off the workload, the Braves would benefit heavily from another relief pitcher.
Best case scenario would see the Braves pick up a left handed reliever, but the team isn't really in position to be picky.
IV. Solutions?
So, how about some potential solutions to our needs?
It's too early to know what will be available on July 31, though some rumors have already started to pick up steam.
On the pitching front, one of the names that makes a lot of sense for the Braves would be Steve Trachsel. He doesn't have the marquee name as someone like Mark Buehrle or Carlos Zambrano that may steal a lot of the buzz around the deadline, but he may become available sooner and not cost the team as much in terms of prospects and money. Trachsel's contract calls for him to make $3.7 million this year with a team option for 2008 priced at $4.75 million. Other than cost, Trachsel makes sense because he has spent a lot of time in the NL East with the Mets and is turning in one of his finest seasons in years in the tough AL East.
Again, their may be a more attractive piece available near the deadline, but Trachsel could come available as soon as the end of the month.
Now onto the second most pressing need, a bat. One name that every Braves fan knows will be rumored to Atlanta will be Ken Griffey Jr. This year, his teammate Adam Dunn may be a candidate to come to town too. The Reds would have more leverage in trade if they are trading Dunn because Griffey has a no-trade clause that could force them to accept something below market value. Griffey wants to play for the Braves, his dad was a Brave and he wants to be the same. Knowing this, he will not veto any trade to Atlanta, so the Braves may have the upper hand on other teams in that area.
The problem with Griffey is his history of injuries. A lineup card turned in with both Chipper Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. written on it would need to have a "FRAGILE - Handle with care" label.
Other bats that could potentially play left field for the Braves could be: Matt Kemp and James Loney of the Dodgers; Jay Gibbons, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora of the Orioles; Sammy Sosa of the Rangers; and Jermaine Dye of the White Sox.
Some other position players that could be available, though more suited for a bench role than a middle of the order bat are: Scott Spiezio of the Cardinals; Carlos Pena and Ty Wigginton of the Devil Rays; and Dmitri Young of the Nationals.
Finally, relief pitching. The Braves could use any and all relief pitching, though their primary target could be that of Brian Fuentes of the Rockies. Fuentes is a left hander that could take provide the exact same thing Mike Gonzalez did, a left hander with closer stuff. After Fuentes, the Braves may target a reliever from the Rangers, whether it be Akinori Otsuka or Eric Gagne, both of which have closing experience and would bolster the bullpen dramatically.
Some other names that have already been rumored available are: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler of the Astros; Al Reyes of the Devil Rays; Scott Williamson of the Orioles.
Another option for the bullpen could be Buddy Carlyle, should the Braves acquire a legitimate starter. As a starter, opposing batters are hitting just .133 (6-45) against Carlyle from the right side.