MLB Trade Ideas: 5 Possible Braves Moves To Pull Even With Injured Phillies
Last Friday, the Phillies announced that closer Brad Lidge would likely be joining second baseman Chase Utley on the Disabled List to begin the 2011 season.
The loss of Utley, who has yet to play a game this spring because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and Lidge, who is reporting discomfort in his shoulder, means the team that most picked to represent the National League in this year's World Series is already off to an unfortunate 2011 campaign.
In addition, the loss of two of their key players has given their NL East foes the ability to pull even and possibly surpass them in the early stages of the season. Here, we will examine some possible moves the Atlanta Braves must make to take advantage of their struggling counterparts.
1) Trade Kenshin Kawakami
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Atlanta owes pitcher Kenshin Kawakami $6.67 million this season, making him the fifth highest paid player on their payroll in 2011. However, it has been well documented that the Braves have been trying to trade Kawakami since since demoting him to Triple-A Gwinnett last season.
If they can find a suitor willing to take on a chunk, or even just a small portion, of Kawakami's salary, the team will likely pull the trigger on a deal.
Kawakami lost his first nine decisions in 2010, a year which saw him end with a 1-10 record and a 5.15 ERA. In his two seasons with the Braves, Kawakami has gone 8-22 with a 4.32 ERA and 164 strikeouts, something not many saw coming from the 1998 Central League Rookie of the Year and 2004 league MVP.
The Braves must find a way to deal Kawakami to free up some payroll space as well as dispose of a player who has underperformed. The team has an influx of pitching prospects in the Minor League, meaning hanging on to Kawakami is an unnecessary endeavor.
2) Trade Diory Hernandez, Pitching Prospect to Rangers for Michael Young
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The Texas Rangers signed third baseman Adrian Beltre to a six year, $96 million contract this offseason, hoping incumbent third baseman Michael Young would accept his new role as the team's designated hitter, which he did, for about a week.
Just two weeks before the start of Spring Training, reports came out that Young, the Rangers' all-time hits leader, had changed his mind about filling the team's designated hitter role and that he was demanding a trade.
There is no guarantee that Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has fully recovered from his torn ACL, or that he will be able to remain healthy throughout the course of this season, so trading for Young would give the Braves' infield a much needed sense of insurance.
Last Thursday, the Braves optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett, consequently showing that he is not an asset to this year's ballclub. Also, with an influx of pitchers working their way up through the Minor Leagues, the Braves can afford to ship a prospect, along with Hernandez, to Texas to complete the deal.
3) Trade Brandon Beachy, Jordan Schafer to Cardinals for Colby Rasmus
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As this slideshow has been quick to point out, the Braves have a lot of pitching. One team who needs a quality starting pitcher is the St. Louis Cardinals, who are still recovering from the loss of Adam Wainwright for the season.
In addition, Cardinals center fielder Colby Rasmus, who made headlines this offseason when he reportedly asked the team to be traded, is the power bat that the Braves have been looking for.
Rasmus has posted similar numbers for the Cardinals in each of his two seasons with them, hitting 16 home runs in 2009 and 23 in 2010. He's a career .263 hitter who averages 145 starts per season.
In trading for Rasmus, the Braves would also provide themselves with a quality outfielder who could start over Nate McLouth in center. This will ensure that McLouth can work his way back into the lineup slowly, serving as the team's pinch hitter and platoon player for most of the season.
The only downside to this deal is that the Cardinals would likely ask for an additional one to two prospects to accompany Beachy and Schafer in the trade, something Braves GM Frank Wren would have to come to terms with in order to acquire the power hitting lefty. However, after a failed attempt with utility man Joe Mather, who was cut on Sunday, the Braves are desperate for a power hitter.
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4) Trade Jair Jurrjens, Prospects to Diamondbacks for Justin Upton
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Rumors have been circulating that the Diamondbacks have been shopping right fielder Justin Upton since the early offseason, yet no deal has been made. With the Diamondbacks in need of strong starting pitching, this deal seems to warrant at least some of Braves GM Frank Wren's attention.
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers is likely asking for a lot in return for his former All-Star, and, with more than enough starting pitchers on the Braves 40-man roster, Jurrjens has been rumored to be on the trading block for some time now. With his departure, the Braves could fill his spot with Mike Minor or even top prospect Julio Teheran.
Upton is the right handed power bat the Braves are in need of. He's hit no fewer than 15 home runs in each of the past three seasons, with a career high 26 coming in a breakout 2009 season. Last season, he hit .273 with a .356 OBP and 69 RBI.
If the Braves could find someone to pick up some of the almost $7 million they owe Kenshin Kawakami, retaining Upton would not be an issue.
5) Trade a Combination of Rodrigo Lopez, Others for Reliever
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The Braves are one effective reliever away from having one of the top bullpens in all of baseball. If Jonny Venters can pitch similarly to the way he did during his rookie campaign and Craig Kimbrel can cut down on the amount of walks he issues, the back end of the Braves bullpen will be set. Peter Moylan has been one of the most consistent set-up men in all of baseball and has shown no signs of slowing down. Left-handed specialists George Sherrill and Eric O'Flaherty are also strong options for manager Fredi Gonzalez.
The only weak link in the Braves' bullpen is Cristhian Martinez, who was named to the team's 25-man roster on Sunday. Martinez did not have an outstanding spring, nor has he been overwhelmingly effective coming out of the bullpen during his major league career. In 18 games with the Braves last season, Martinez pitched 26 innings and allowed 14 earned runs while posting a 4.85 ERA.
In 2012, there will be numerous relievers hitting the free agent market, something their 2011 ball club's are likely already aware of. The free agent class is made up of pitchers such as Javier Lopez, Mike Gonzalez, Darren Oliver and others. With the addition of just one of these hard throwing, effective relievers, the Braves will jump out to a quick NL East lead over the injury plagued Phillies.
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