Oakland A's: 5 Reasons to Trade Dallas Braden
We are nearly one year after that wondrous day that saw Dallas Braden pitch the nineteenth perfect game in major league history.
Dallas Braden's day will go down in history, and should not be forgotten. But, given the A's offensive struggles, might the A's be willing to part with Dallas Braden in exchange for some greater hitting process.
It certainly difficult to fathom jettisoning one of the A's few "characters" but if he uplifts the A's playoff hopes, who are we to judge?
I personally love Dallas Braden, but lets objectively take a look at five reasons why trading Dallas Braden isn't such a terrible notion to consider.
Health
1 of 5
Of the A's current five, or six starters rather, Dallas Braden has the largest injury history.
He is currently on the disabled list and has spent multiple stints in previous years. Braden is the "oldest" A's starter, still at only 27 he is relatively young, but his health should continue to degrade over time.
He is currently dealing with shoulder issues and was forced to have shoulder surgery in 2005. Evidently he used to throw a screwball but was forced to stop after said operation.
His health over the years will continue to be a question, and something that must be considered when deciding whether or not to keep Braden long term.
Stuff
2 of 5
Dallas Braden is a work horse, that is sure.
His pitching acumen is solid but his level of talent likely lowest of the A's starting staff.
He does not have a dominating pitch. He mixes speeds well and has good control over all four of his pitches.
He does not have a go to pitch, and none are what would be considered above average.
Don't get me wrong, Braden is very skilled at getting outs and making the big pitches but he relies on smart situational pitches as opposed to overpowering stuff.
Roadblock
3 of 5
Tyson Ross is good, very good.
Dallas Braden is very good, but not as good as Ross.
If and when Dallas Braden returns from the DL he will supplant Ross from the starting rotation.
This might not be for the best. While Braden has a longer track record than Ross, Ross has much better stuff overall.
This season Ross has a 2.38 ERA in 23.2 innings. Braden has an ERA of 3.00 in 18 innings. Small sample size, but still numbers to go one.
Ross has shown in his previous two starts that he can pitch on the major league level. Ross has allowed only one earned run in his last two starts totaling 13.1 innings.
Ross appears to have the potential to upgrade the A's big three to a big four. If Braden stays, Tyson Ross will have to wait longer to have his chance.
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Trade Value
4 of 5
The A's have the best ERA in baseball. The A's starters are the best in baseball.
The A's have the best starting depth in baseball. It's undeniable that Ross has picked up exactly where Braden left off.
Sacramento currently boasts Bobby Cramer, and Josh Outman, both pitchers who should be starting at the big league level.
One place the A's don't have depth in in the offense.
Shipping Dallas Braden off in a package for a player like David Wright would vastly increase the A's firepower in the lineup while not damaging the pitching one iota.
Braden is a perfect game pitcher, many teams would be more than happy to have someone like him on their roster.
He's Peaked
5 of 5
His perfect game was great, but his season successes diminished after last mother's day.
Granted, its hard to top a perfect game, but afterward Braden slumped. He recorded a record of only 7-12 after his perfect game and his ERA jumped to above 3.50.
As I've said before, I don't personally want to trade Dallas Braden, but if we consider it pragmatically, his trade value might be higher than his pitching value on the mound for the A's.
It will take time to see what Braden's effect is if and when he returns from the DL. If he doesn't dominate, the A's might need to consider what they could get in return.
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