Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > July > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves must keep Teixeira
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s not going to happen. Well, they sort of suggested as much on Saturday night at Turner Field. That said, if Braves officials do trade Mark Teixeira before the July 31 deadline, they should apologize to everybody on their roster, and then they should give rebates to those entering Turner Field the rest of the season.
Surrender never should be rewarded in sports. That’s especially true when you’re part of an underwhelming division, and you’re a medium-sized winning streak from first place, and you have this Teixeira guy who is pretty good as both a cleanup hitter and a first baseman.
Teixeira can become a free agent after this season, but so what? If he leaves, the Braves get a couple of draft picks. If he stays, it saves Braves officials the difficult task of trying to find another slugger as good or even better. So you keep him through September no matter. In fact, to hear all parties involved tell it before the Braves’ 8-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, he isn’t going anywhere. Braves manager Bobby Cox informed Teixeira and others as much on Friday in a team meeting.
“Bobby pointed out that there had been rumors about me and [reliever Will Ohman], and he told us not to listen to media reports and to those rumors, because this team is still trying to win the [National League East],” said Teixeira, 28, giving one of the two primary reasons those rumors never made sense. Here’s the other primary reason: He is pretty good.
Since joining the Braves on last year’s trade deadline from the Texas Rangers, Teixeira has shown often why he has two Gold Gloves and counting. There was the sixth inning Saturday, for instance, when he converted a nasty hop into an easy out to increase his major-league lead in putouts by a bunch. He also is a switch-hitting terror at the plate. He has hit safely in nine of his past 11 games, and after a slow start earlier this season, he has accumulated 12 homers and 38 RBIs since late May.
No wonder Cox said emphatically before the game, “We’re buyers, not sellers. We’re trying anything to improve. We’re not seeking to move anybody. I don’t know where [people] got all of that stuff from. There’s a time to [start trading players], I suppose, but we’re in this thing.”
Which brings us to the question that causes Braves officials to waffle regarding Teixeira’s future: What if the Braves tumble out of “this thing” in a hurry? Their next seven games are against division foes. After the Nationals leave town today, the fourth-place Braves travel to Florida to face the third-place Marlins. Then the Braves head to Philadelphia for a series against a first-place team that has whipped them eight out of nine times this year.
Said Braves general manager Frank Wren, whose team had more than a few uneven moments in this one at the plate, on the mound, around the bases and in the field, “I think we all have to be realistic. We have to play better baseball in the second half to continue to stay in this thing. As long as we’re in it, we’ll keep this approach. But once, I think, we realize that it’s a situation where we need to start looking toward ‘09, then we’ll try to do what’s best for the organization.”
Keeping Teixeira is best for the organization, period.
Permalink | Comments (94) | Categories: Braves/MLB
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By dwaynerice
July 19, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Fat chance of that happening. I am a 30 yr Braves fan, through thick and thin, but the last 2 1/2 yrs show that no 11 of 15 or 15 of 18 win streak awaits them, which is what would put them back in this thing. And if I know human nature, and the Braves’ purse strings, even if we keep him through the end of the season, he walks. Go Braves!
By DirtyDawg
July 19, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
After watching a good part - check that, just most of since nothing was good - of tonight’s game, I’m over these guys. Keep Tex or let him go, it just doesn’t matter. Tell Glavin and Hampton not to bother - just go home. As for Soriano, to hell with him. He wasn’t much to begin with. And I really don’t care if they keep Francoeur or not. The kids got a lousy attitude and the Braves don’t need lousy attitudes that can’t recognize a hittable pitch if his life depended on it…and as for his defense, when has he made a play that mattered?
So all this talk about the trading deadline, who cares, it’s time to call The Dawgs.
By TNJeff
July 19, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Well I hadn’t really come to any conclusions as to what the Braves should do with Tex. But if Moore is for keeping him, then it seems obvious what’s best for the team and for the city is to trade him ASAP.
By Kashi
July 19, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
I agree keeping Teixeira all the way and try to work something out. If that does not happens then be happy with two draft picks. I have a feeling he will sign with Braves. Mets, Yankees and Red Sox
By justafan
July 19, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Yes, I would love to see the Braves keep Tex, but Meet Mr. Boras. There is not way the Braves will resign Tex, and 2 picks = nothing. You get it Mr. Moore? If you trade Tex that don’t mean you give up…you could get a player to play 1st and get a power hitter for LF and give’m hell. But the Braves have other bigger problem and I hear the Fat Lady warming up. Cox needs to pass the torch and retire he’s had his Glory Days.
By chris
July 19, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Why should we keep tex? I know hes a great player but he has a 75% chance of leaving this offseason. Why shouldnt we trade and at least get something for him instead of hi leaving this offseason for “free”
By Retch
July 19, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
If the Braves do as you suggest they will languish at .500 or below. You have to offer arby to Tex to get draft picks. The Braves didn’t will Andrew will they with Tex.
This team should have rebuilt two years ago. Keeping Tex would be dumb!!
Terrence saying keep him should be proof enough that he needs to go.
By Robert S
July 19, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I think a reality check is in order. The Braves got whomped by the worst team in baseball tonight, and won ugly last night.
They still strike out too much with runners on. Jeff Francoeur is still inconsistent.
Their bullpen outside of Ohman, Carlyle, Gonzalez, and Boyer is shaky.
Their bench is virtually nonexistent, Greg Norton’s meaningless homer tonight notwithstanding.
The potential for starters like Jurrjens, Reyes, and Campillo to have the dreaded “dead arm” slump in August looms as well, as none of these pitchers have ever thrown as many innings in a professional season as they have this year.
We have some good bats in the lineup - just not enough. It may take two players to help the offense, not just a Nady or Bay or whomever the Braves wold have to overpay for. Pitchers still can exploit the Braves’ weaknesses……
So unless Frank Wren can come up with a solid bench guy, a veteran starter whose name isn’t Glavine or Hampton, and a clutch bat or two, it might be over real fast.
And keeping Teixeira would be a waste………..
By Big Al
July 19, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Keeping Tex on this club for the rest of the season will accomplish nothing if they continue to play the type of indifferent baseball they have played pretty much all year. This is a mediocre team that has no realistic chance for the playoffs. They need to trade Tex for the best prospects they can get because he will be saying adios to the Braves at the end of the season anyway.
By jimcpa
July 19, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Management will only keep in to prevent the talk of how much we lost in getting him in the first place. He ain’t worth the dough, his agent is hated by Liberty and the Braves and we could get a couple good pitchers for his price tag
By Mike
July 19, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Couldn’t disagree with you Moore. Trade Tex and get 2 or 3 players who have the potential to be major league players that can be scouted now in the minors. It’s a better bet than taking 2 draft picks. Atlanta is 9 games out of the wild card with 7 teams in front of them. We are done, unfortunately.
By James
July 19, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
I agree, I never believe in giving up on a season. In the divison we’re in, all it takes is to hit a hot streak. As far as the idea of keeping Tex maybe past this year, what kind of money are the Braves going to have to work with for next year?
By gayle
July 19, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
There is no question that Tex is a premiere first baseman. But when I think about a player who has had an impact on this team, I think of Fred McGriff.
When he joined the Braves mid-season in 1993, the team caught on fire right along with the press box. It was an incredible pennant drive leaving the Braves with 104 wins to San Francisco’s 103.
As good as Tex might be, he has not had any kind of impact on this team. The record bears this out. Since he joined the Braves last summer, the Braves record is under .500, 74-78.
Draft picks would certainly soften his departure, but those draft pics would need to hurry to be able to support the strong nucleus of young players that the Braves have.
There is no player or group of players that Tex or anyone else could bring to this team before the deadline that would make this team a contender. But trading Tex instead of keeping him would yield propects who would help this team sooner than draft picks - in time to work with this great bunch on young players already here.
Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a new manager to go with those prospects as well!
By joe
July 19, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
If you don’t respond to this guy, maybe he’ll go away……don’t respond!!!!!
By Whatever
July 20, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
We’ve given up 5 players for Tex. He has NOT produced offensively in key situations this year. He has NOT been the guy you want hitting behind Chipper. Chipper gets passed all the time.
In spite of all the praise he got last year, our record was no better after he came over than before.
Has he given any hint that he would like to stay in Atlanta rather than squeezing every dollar out of a Boras contract? NOT that I have heard. Get what you can for him now. It has happened too many times in the recent past that we get NOTHING! If he wants to stay, let him open his mouth and say so,,, or would Scottie get angry.
This time we rented a player for a year and a half instead of just one year. Expensive rent!
By Teddy Jack Eddy
July 20, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
When’s the last time you wrote an article that entertained or informed ? I get that this is your shtick but it got old long ago.
By X
July 20, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
God, you are a horrible columnist with not a shred of logic. Now I see why everyone thinks you are a joke.
By Skyler
July 20, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
First! And yeah keep Tex, I like watching the Braves play even if they aren’t in first place. They are an exciting team, and once they begin to play consitintly they will be a terror around the league
By George "Boston Braves" Spitz
July 20, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
I would like to see the Braves trade Teixeira to the LA Dodgers for James Loney and, if possible, Matt Kemp. Loney would admittedly mean less home runs, but his average is slightly higher than Tex’s and his defense is almost as good. Kemp provies speed and right handed bat. The Braves should have at least one Afro-American in their lineup. We are not living in the 1930’s.
By rebels1978
July 20, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
The Braves do have a lot of needs, but if they could land a starting pitcher and someone to play LF, they could make things interesting.
By Ben
July 20, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
I love the Braves, but I don’t think sending off Tex for prospects that are more of a sure thing than a couple picks in next year’s draft is giving up on the organization. The 2008 Braves just hasn’t been and most likely isn’t suddenly going to be a great team. We’re half a dozen games under .500 and more than half-way through the season. There’s been ample time to turn things around but it hasn’t happened. The team is 6.5 games out of first place. It’d take 7 straight wins by the Braves and 7 straight losses by the Phils (and 6 straight losses by the Mets, and 5 straight losses by the Marlins, or so) to capture first place, which is most certainly more than a “medium sized winning streak.” Winning 7 in a row isn’t out of the question, but needing 3 teams in front of you to lose almost as many games illustrates the Braves’ real predicament. 3 teams are ahead of them, by 5 games or more, IN THE DIVISION. And we’re even FARTHER out of wild card contention. It’s just unreasonable to think that suddenly this team can turn the switch and make a run at the playoffs.
Moreover, making arguments to just make the playoffs really doesn’t inspire me anymore. We should be aiming to put a team on the field that can win in the playoffs. That means a team with great starters, timely hitters, and a solid bullpen. When Smoltz went down for the year, that immediately put our 2008 chances in doubt. When Glavine showed his unreliability, along with Soriano, Hampton (of course), and Acosta, it really looked doubtful. We’ve relied on Ohman and Boyer like crazy, and while getting back Gonzo has been great, it’s still a tired bullpen otherwise. Huddy and Jurrjens have been mostly outstanding, but other than them I think it’s foolish to have much faith in this team in the playoffs. Even Jurrjens is a question mark.
And then there’s the offense. Chipper and Mac can only take us so far. Teixeira’s overall numbers are decent (though lower than anyone expected - especially the average), but our outfield is dangerously close to Nationals-esque (Frenchy’s season is unquestionably lost), Yunel’s hurt, and Kelly is slumping. Not good.
The run was great, but it’s long gone. The team can’t make the playoffs every year, and shouldn’t think it has to. When you’re hit with the injuries we’ve been hit with, you look reality in the face and say, alright, there’s next year. Trade Tex for some young pitching or outfield help, FOR THE FUTURE. He’s just one player anyway - who’s to say the team will just self-destruct if he’s traded?
If we trade Tex, there’s no reason to apologize to the current players or give out freaking rebates. Losing happens in sports. If Braves fans can’t handle it, they should consider the plight of Royals, Mariners, Nationals, Pirates, Reds, and Orioles fans. Those poor fans have to endure losing seasons every single year. Cutting our losses and getting some value for Tex could make the difference between playoffs and mediocrity next year. You just never know until you dangle him and see what’s out there.
If anyone should be apologizing, it should be the following, in no particular order: Mike Hampton, Tom Glavine, Jeff Francoeur, Matt Diaz, and Soriano. With the exception of the first, we were relying on them for our success this year, but they’ve dropped the ball. As a fan of the Braves through thick and thin, I’d find it exciting to trade Tex while planning for the future, and watching the young-ins or newbies develop before our eyes.
Let’s go braves!
By LA Dawg
July 20, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Blah blah blah. This is about winning a World Series title. This team can’t do it. Cox couldn’t do it with three HOF’ers in the starting rotation and he certainly can’t do it with this bunch of slackards. So, we wrade him cause he ain’t gonna re-sign. It’s really very simple.
By proeye
July 20, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
But come on… We could get some great prospects in return for him! Isn’t that the point? Sometimes you can’t build a championship team in one year. I’m not sure why Terence doesn’t know this given that he’s been around for so long. Wouldn’t it be far better to get two can’t miss Chipper Jones’s and wait for them to get good? What else can this team possibly do except mortgage their farm system to get the players they need? Hasn’t anyone noticed that this team isn’t so hot?
Wouldn’t it be better to strike while Tex has the most value? What is Moore thinking when he says basically, “Oh well, we can always get two draft picks for him if he leaves via free agency.” What in the world??? A draft pick is akin to my grandmother playing for the Braves! Who knows if she would work out! Two great AAA prospects would be far better because they could work out NEXT SEASON when we need them! Look at the trade we made with Detroit where we let the great Edgar Renteria go. We got two great players in return, AND we gave Escobar a chance to play full time. It was like getting 3 players for 1. Have we even noticed that he was traded???
THERE YOU GO. Trades can be brilliant if they are done right. If we wait to trade Tex we will lose. HE IS NOT WORTH $20 MILLION PEOPLE.
By moonkween
July 20, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
I love Tex, but how can dude “demand” $20+M/year from any team with his numbers? They’re pretty underwhelming for that kinda money…
He’s not exactly tearin’ up any Top-10 lists.
I will admit, his glove would be missed, but the Braves’ record isn’t good enough to warrant the type of money for which this Boras client is asking. What’s Tex really worth to the Braves??
By Edo River
July 20, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore you are wickedly devious :-) Might you be the model for The Joker in the Batman movie. I have to admit your writing skill. Your shrewd positioning of your articles’ opinion. I think you are an asset for the paper, a particular voice of …….(what :-)
I am really curious if you were to write about things other than baseball, I wouldn’t spend good money for it, but if it were free I would read it. Regards from Japan, and say the same to Hummer-san.
By Bob
July 20, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much for writting this article!! Finally someone thinks that Teixeira should stay! Braves are going to win the NL East! Go Braves!
By Drew
July 20, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
I like Tex just as much as the next guy. I would like to see the Braves resign him. He is a great 1st baseman and even though he’s not lived up to potential at the plate this year, he’s still a great hitter. But the Wren still needs to do something to give the lineup a boost. I don’t know what it is, but that lineup needs a spark of consistency. 7 runs one night and 2 the next will not even get you anything past mediocre.
By csg
July 20, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Do you watch this team? They cant score runs, they are terrible on the road, they are terrible in close games and clutch situations, our outfield is the worst in baseball, we are under .500 since trading for Tex, we are in 4th place in the division. Bobby keeps sitting KJ (who hits lefties at a nice .330 pace) against lefties. Our setup guy, starting closer, lf, cf, and 3 of our starting rotation guys are all injured. Our backup catcher has more passed balls than the starting catcher and he’s hitting under .100. Not to mention that Wren made himself look like a joke with the whole Jeff Francoeur issue. Jeff is officially becoming the worst RF in baseball, but yet they put him in the lineup day in and day out. This season was lost weeks ago. If the right trade comes along then yes you trade Tex, you trade Ohman, and you trade anyone else on the roster that can help you next season and there after. You’re fooling yourself if you think this team is good enough to not only win this division, but actually make a run in the playoffs…sell now
By Kev
July 20, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
If they just got to keep him then do this offer him a two year deal worth about 25 or 26 mil. that puts him in the ATL for two years. Then see where the team is. He will only be about 30 or 31 and still can draw big bucks.By then Atlanta may have enough money to offer a long term deal.
By csg
July 20, 2008 2:21 AM | Link to this
Do you watch this team? They cant score runs, they are terrible on the road, they are terrible in close games and clutch situations, our outfield is the worst in baseball, we are under .500 since trading for Tex, we are in 4th place in the division. Bobby keeps sitting KJ (who hits lefties at a nice .330 pace) against lefties. Our setup guy, starting closer, lf, cf, and 3 of our starting rotation guys are all injured. Our backup catcher has more passed balls than the starting catcher and he’s hitting under .100. Not to mention that Wren made himself look like a joke with the whole Jeff Francoeur issue. Jeff is officially becoming the worst RF in baseball, but yet they put him in the lineup day in and day out. This season was lost weeks ago. If the right trade comes along then yes you trade Tex, you trade Ohman, and you trade anyone else on the roster that can help you next season and there after. You’re fooling yourself if you think this team is good enough to not only win this division, but actually make a run in the playoffs…sell now
By Herschel Talker
July 20, 2008 2:36 AM | Link to this
You are officially a moron. You must be paid to write stupid things just to rile people up. It’s the only explanation for this lunacy.
By Dr. Warren
July 20, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this
He’ll be gone by the 31st.
By George N "Boston Brave" Spitz
July 20, 2008 3:32 AM | Link to this
The Braves should trade Mark Teixeira to Los Angeles for First Baseman James Loney and, if possible, outfielder Matt Kemp. Loney may not hit as many home runs but his average and on-base percentage will be good and his defense is more than satisfactory. Moreover, the Braves will have a first rate first baseman for a number of years who will not break the bank. Kemp will provide speed and a right-handed bat. Furthermore, Loney and Kemp are Afro-Americans, something rarely seen in the Braves lineup in recent years. After all, this is not the 1930s.
By Jon
July 20, 2008 3:38 AM | Link to this
the Braves get a couple of draft picks? Last time i checked they would have to offer him arbitration to get draft picks and we know what will happen with that.
By Chris
July 20, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this
Wow for the first time in my life I actually agree with you totally Terence. Plus when you dump Hampton’s salary for next year and add that to the money Tex is making this year then you’ll have enough to keep him around for several more years. This team needs Tex in the clean up role for his prime years to come. Make it happen Braves!!
By captain Midnight
July 20, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
They do not have a snowballs chance in hell in making the playoffs. They have a bunch of rejects and several over the hill people who have had there day in court. It don’t make a damn whether they get rid of Tex now or the end of the season. Stick a fork in this bunch of overated clowns. They can trade Frenchy too as far as I’m concerned.
By Jon
July 20, 2008 4:19 AM | Link to this
the Braves get a couple of draft picks if he leaves? this only happens if the braves offer him arbitration which they probably will not do since they will have to pay a huge amount for 1 year. Trade him now or we get nothing, well except for the players we wasted in getting him here for 2 losing seasons.
By keef1234
July 20, 2008 5:48 AM | Link to this
If Scherholtz/Wren had no intention of signing him for 5 years or more, then why tease the fans with an exciting young superstar when they are FAR more than 1 player away from the WS?? The Best move the Braves could do is hire Theo Epstein away from the Redsox…
By Capt. Obvious
July 20, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Nice to see you keep pumping out those no-substance articles, Terence. Teixeira, good; losing, bad? What a groundbreaking concept. Sometimes I think you should be arrested immediately for impersonating a sports writer.
Someone who put a little more thought into the content of his columns would know that the business side of baseball is much more complex than good and bad. Obviously, Teixeira is a valuable player. But that’s not the point.
The question is: “Is he worth $20 million per year to the Braves organization?”. Even the most ardent of Tex-lovers would have to find that price a bit steep.
Consequently, the Braves can opt to trade him for future gains or cling to the ever-waning hopes of hoisting up another mediocre yellow pennant over left field.
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the Braves do sneak into the playoffs. Do they have any chance of winning the World Series? Not really. Another trademark early exit in October would surely follow. And Teixeira walks anyway.
And what will we have gained? Well, we’d be heading into ‘09 with McCann, an aging Chipper Jones, and a very streaky right fielder…surrounded by 22 nondescript journeymen who will all but ensure that we’ll be having this same conversation next July. Are we buyers or sellers?
No one wants to give up on any season, but I submit that we should sell now and retool for �09. Holding on to this mediocrity for dear life is what Atlanta fans should be getting rebates for.
By Dallas
July 20, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
It’s a hard pillow to swallow after all the years of winning, but it’s better for all the fans if we’re buyers this year when winning seems unlikely to give us a chance at next year. The 2 draft picks will be nice compensation but by the time those players get to Atlanta Chipper will be in his 40’s. This is a good team we need to build on for now, meaning the next few years, not later, meaning 5 years down the line. Kotsay can’t be counted on for next season. Blanco shows promise and Frenchy will hopefully find his form next season. Schafer is more of the same young uncertainties we have in the line up now. Trade Blanco or Schafer. Whichever seems less promising. Bring in a proven bat for the outfield. Trade Tex for prospects and a solid to consistent first basemen. With Chipper, McCann, Yunel, Jeff and the newly acquired outfielder we won’t need “switch-hitting terror”, just someone who won’t hit .250 and lose games in the field.
By Casey
July 20, 2008 6:12 AM | Link to this
If Teixeira is such a fantastic player, then how is it that the Braves were 56-51 last year before Teixeira and are 74-78 since we got him?
Even if you believe Teixeira is the greatest who ever played, which he is not, only a moron would believe it is “best for the organization” to give up 5 of the best prospects in baseball for 1 player to play 1 1/2 seasons here.
Are you serious?
By Casey
July 20, 2008 6:19 AM | Link to this
Here are some more numbers for you.
Last year before the All-Star break (before Teixeira), the Braves scored 409 runs. After the break they scored 401.
I don’t see exactly how Teixeira is setting the world on fire since he’s been here.
By Clint Langley
July 20, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this
What draft picks are out there that would be better than keeping Mark. Keep him at all costs. Chipper has been the anchor of this team but he has been injured often. Texiera provides another anchor to build this club around. Keep him.
By Kenneth Burgess
July 20, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
Whatever decision the the braves make about Tex you can know one thing- it will be the wrong decision!
By Charlie
July 20, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Trading Teixeira is the only thing to do. Are the Braves going to be in the playoffs if they keep him? Heck no. They have 3 teams ahead of them in the division, and NO SHOT at the wild card. Get real. Since the Braves got Teixeira last trading deadline, they have a below .500 record. He has no intention of re-signing with the Braves. He’s a Bora$ Boy. His ego is in his pay check. Saturday night, one game past the All Star break, the REAL Bad News Braves showed up again, getting hammered by the lowly Nationals, leaving a ton of runners in scoring position, and Frenchy playing pretty much like his pre-Mississippi weekend. One meaningless single, to go with a strike out, double play ground out, two flyballs hit over his head, one throw to the backstop, and another far, far up the line. Pretty close to worthless. But I’m sure, as Jeff would tell you, hitting-wise though, he’s “almost there”. AJC Mark B…get out your PR pen, and earn your money defending Frenchy. This season is over. There is nothing to give up. (You have to HAVE something, in order to give up on it.) The Braves, since May have never been in it. They are much too flawed, regardless of injuries. Cut your losses. Put Tex on the block see what the offers are. Keeping him serves no purpose. The trade to get him was to make the Braves winners. That didn’t happen. Move on with it.
By greenvegas
July 20, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Man, you are an idiot. It is amazing you still get paid to have such dumb ideas.
By Kenneth Simpson
July 20, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
I agree that the braves should not trade Tex if they don’t get close to what they gave up in get him. They need to give Hampton the boot and accept the fact that Glavine and Smoltz are has beens and use that money to sign Tex and get another pitcher or 2 and another big bat from somewhere. I hope they don’t trade away the rest of the farm system this year to rent another player. Where would the braves be this year if JD Drew had not come to Atlanta for one year?
By You got to be kidding me
July 20, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
Are you sure they had journalism classes at Notre Dame? You are by far the worst op/ed writer I have ever read! How in the hell do you have a job?
By greg
July 20, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
Maybe now the Braves braintrust will quit trading top prospects for a rental especially one that they know probably will leave for bigger bucks. Poor judgement resulted in trades such as Adam Wainwright for JD Drew, Joey Devine for sore backed Mark Kotsay, and Salty and friends for Tex which they could have gotten at least a third baseman to take Chipper’s place for many yearswhen he retires instead of Tex for a little over a year.
By The Black Knight
July 20, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Surrender never should be rewarded in sports. That�s especially true when you�re part of an underwhelming division, and you�re a medium-sized winning streak from first place, and you have this Teixeira guy who is pretty good as both a cleanup hitter and a first baseman.
The above statement along with Cox’s constant drivel of positive statements remind me of the Black Knight character in the movie Monty Python’s Holy Grail. The Black Knight is standing there after having both arms and a leg lopped off….hopping up and down on one foot….blood spurting from every wound and shouting, ” its only a flesh wound!”
By Tinman
July 20, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Tex is the franchise for the future. Smoltz and Glavine are fading veterans and if we free up their salaries, we free up the green to sign Tex longterm. Tex, Escobar,Mac and Jurjens. I’m likin’ it!
By Rob
July 20, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Terrance you are completely wrong on this one, this team isnt a playoff contender it is mediocre at best. Also 80% of the fan base want TEX traded and get something for him because we all know that he is leaving at seasons end for NY and we have to restock all we gave up to get him especially since we got no playoffs out of these 2 seasons.
By GT
July 20, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Terry, about the Braves apologizing to everyone… it should be not for trading Texiera, but for playing so poorly and making so many poor decisions that there is no choice left but to trade him. Surrender should never be rewarded in sports, but neither should such poor play as we have seen from the Braves this year. Wake up. There is no postseason future for the Braves this year. Maybe you’ll realize this before October.
By Mike
July 20, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Tex a switch-hitting terror? Don’t make me laugh. He’s really an annual October golfer.
By Casey
July 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Hey, Terrence…….check the upcoming draft!! Those two picks we get for Teix are garbage. This draft is being called one of the weakest EVER. E-V-E-R.
You trade him now, we get help for next year and beyond. Your two precious draft picks, IF they pan out, won’t see ML time for 3-4 years.
I think NOT trading him now shows the fans that they are giving up on the next couple seasons.
By Josh
July 20, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox is keeping this team from moving on. Of course you can’t expect him to coach a team that is rebuilding, but we can’t continue to take this approach. Tex does not equate into enough wins to take the divison. We’re not going to pay him 20mil a year, nor should we. Sell him to the highest bidder and hope a couple of the guys you get will contribute. We need to use the money coming off the books at the end of the season improving across the board. There is no reason to keep him if we’re not going to win this year and you’re going to resign him.
By Tim Matacio
July 20, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Talk about having your head in the sand. The Braves are not going to catch 3 teams in the east. They must deal Tex, and for once, face reality. They are not in the pennant race. Tex is not going to resign. Get the best deal you can. Please.
By jamey
July 20, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
You know, it doesn’t matter who they keep, get rid of, or sign next year it will not get better until they change thier passive attitude. Emotions in baseball aren’t like they are in say, football. Hey Bravos, act like you want to be at the ballpark. Serious;y they really depress me to watch them. Don;t get me wrong, I love the Braves but show some life will ya?
By dobearsbare
July 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
The one thing you said there, Terence, is that surrender shouldn’t be rewarded. There’s a lot of truth to that, and trading Teixeira would widely be perceived as waving the white flag for this season. On the other hand (and I’d submit it’s the bigger hand), if the Braves don’t trade Teixeira and get major-league player(s) in return, it could be perceived as them waving the white flag on the next two or three seasons. It’ll take at least that long for any compensatory draft picks they get to pan out. If they drop four of six in Florida and Philadelphia, only the blindest optimist could look at it and say they were still “in this thing,” and at that point, my belief is they’d be irresponsible not to trade him.
By Rafael
July 20, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Keeping Teixeira is best for the organization, but if we play bellow 7-2 this next few days we should trade him.
By Joe
July 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
The braves are cheap just like every other Atlanta franchise team.
By George
July 20, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Sure… sounds like a decent plan Terence!
Only problem is that Tex’s agent Scott Boras will ask for multi-year deal averaging $20M that only top tier markets can support. With long shadow of John Schuerholz still cast… Mr. Wren will be hard pressed to even guarantee 1 year @$20M.
So, why not move the guy while there is ‘potential’ value rather than certain defeat.
But, hey playing for the future hasn’t helped the Tampa Devil Rays, right?
By jill
July 20, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
who cares?
By JimK
July 20, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Mark Teixeira should sign now or shut up and pack.
If we trade Mark to Boston for Youkilis and a couple of young pitchers we’d be almost as competitive this year, and much more competitive in the years ahead.
Teixeira would have a very good shot at a couple of rings in Boston, and the Mets would have to made do without him.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
July 20, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
I would agree at this point in time.
By stew
July 20, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Unless they lock him up, they should definitely trade Tex and get something for him. In fact let’s dump all the over the hill players and get younger. Sorry Chip, Smoltzie, Glav, Diaz, Kotsay, Soriano, Campillo, Corky.and Acosta-but it’s time to clean house. I can live with losing and rebuilding.
By thomas
July 20, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
THANK GOD
By braves70
July 20, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Keep him, trade him. What does it matter, Tex will not be here in 2009 and the Braves will not win in 2008. Trading Tex would not be surrender. It would be an investment in the future. The Braves should offer refunds to their fans for trying to pretend they still have a chance.
Cox said emphatically before the game, �I don�t know where [people] got all of that stuff from. There�s a time to [start trading players], I suppose, but we�re in this thing.�
It is that kind of delusional thinking from this over-the-hill skipper that has sunk the Braves ship the past few seasons.
By The Grinch
July 20, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Yes, Tex is an excellent player. He’s also grossly overrated. Like a-Rod, he’s one of those rare players that puts up big numbers but somehow manages not to make the team he’s on any better (the Rangers certainly aren’t crying about his absence, and the Braves record since he got here speaks for itself). Honestly, he’s saved a couple of wins with some flashy leather and he’s one maybe one or two I can think of with a big hit, which undeniably makes him valuable. But as valuable as you and Boras claim? Not hardly. This team has several holes that are going to keep them out of the playoffs as they’re currently constructed. Trading Tex could fill most of those holes, and make this team not only better for the future but an infusion of new blood might even make this stale, businesslike bunch have a better shot THIS year. Tex is good, but he doesn’t play three positions (which his supposed value on the market could translate to) and he’s an unlikeable mercenary to boot. Third place again (if we’re lucky) and two draft picks is a really bad deal for what we paid, Terrence.
By Warren Spahn
July 20, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
It’s Very obvioud to me that that the real problem with the Braves this year is the positioning of the defense. The Braves should try to get back the coach sitting in the Washington dugout who used to be here. His job was positioning the in and out fielders for each opposing batter.
Just last night, our batters would cold c** a ball and the Washington players were exactly where the ball was hit while our players were way out of position when the Washington batter hit a ball.
Also, the Braves should replace the Greyhounds in their outfield with the likes og Willie Harris.
By Kamac
July 20, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Thank you. I agree.
By Booby Cocks
July 20, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
TMoore, great column. To trade Tex would be a HUGE slap in Atlanta’s face. We are not out of this race, by a longshot. It’s clear 88 wins will probably win the division. No one in the East is playing well, save the Mets. And we know their pitching is as suspect as anyone in the division.
If we go 43-24 the rest of the way, we’ll win the East. Mark it down. We’ve got two HUGE series’ coming up with the Fish and the Phils. Win 4 or 5 of 6 and we’re right there in contention again.
By moonkween
July 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I love Tex, but I just don’t see how he & Boras can “demand” $20+M/year with his underwhelming numbers. He ain’t exactly burnin’ up any Top 10 lists.
I’d miss his glove, that’s for sure…
By GetReal
July 20, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Braves are buyers, not sellers?
Is that why Boston turned down the Braves’ proposal? Is that why Frank Wren is calling around the majors to gauge interest in Tex?
The Braves need to trade Tex, cut ties to Glavine and Hampton, and get a head start on the 2009 season.
Our starting five pitchers are gelling and will be a dominant staff for years to come. Why demote somebody because of Glavine & Hampton, neith of whom will be here in 2009.
A solid firstbaseman & leftfielder should be top priority in offseason.
By JIm
July 20, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Everything you said is true BUT if we are 9 out before the end of July we should trade Tex. We are very young as a team, lets continue the rebuilding.
By captain Midnight
July 20, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
It don’t make a damn whether they keep Tex or not. No way in hell is this team capable of making the playoffs. They started with 2 pitcher who used to be great but are now over the hill and han ging on for there 12 to 14 million a year. 2 or 3 rejects from other clubs and a over rated local yokel (Frenchy) who is finding out this ain’t his local high school. If it was not for Chipper and McCann this team would be really doomed mor than it is. Stick a fork in this overated bunch of buffons.
By Scott
July 20, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
There are a number of angles to look at the Tex situation. He IS a gold glover at 1st and a very strong switch-hitter. The question isn’t whether the Braves can afford Tex, it’s whether they WANT to afford Tex. They’ve been a little burned recently by some high salaried players (Hampton, Maddox in arbitration year), and are always conservative and I just don’t think they’ll want to pay 20% of their total payroll to one guy…a guy who EVERY year plays below average in April and May.
With Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton likely gone next year, that’ll open up $35 million or so. They already pay Tex $12 million, so they would need about $6 million or so more to resign Tex. AND the above 3 pitchers have already been replaced by young cheap pitchers (Reyes, Jurrjens, Campillo, Morton). So, it is very doable.
Also, the list of teams that will likely consider a trade for Tex is small: Yankees (just signed Sexson), Red Sox (won’t replace Yukolis, no doubt misspelled), Mets (not a chance), Cubs (they have Lee)…maybe Dodgers? Somebody may take Tex on just to try to win it all this year, but all the Braves will get in return are minor leaguers and draft picks, so don’t expect to trade Tex for a big outfield bat.
The guy who is most tradeable is Will Ohman…been lights out, and MANY teams want a tough lefty in the late innings to make their push… I think Atlanta might get more value in return for Ohman than Tex.
With or without Tex, the Braves won’t make the playoffs, so Wren might as well do what’s best for the long term.
By Tomy Fournier
July 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
MR. “MORON” COX…SAID:WE….WE??? ARE BUYERS…BUYERS OF WHAT????LOOOK AT THE PHILLIPS…THE METS…THE BREWERS…AND WHAT ATLANTA BUY???/YES…COFFEE TO MR. MORON COX…WAOOOOOO!!!!
By Braves=losers
July 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I have an idea, stop signing 40+ pitchers that are on the down side of their career. Release Soriano and Boyer. Trade Escobar and get a legit short stop. Can Hamption and get over the fact that we just wasted 15 million dollars on some one who layed out of work for 2 years. Sign players that will attract fans; we have not had an exciting team in a few years. Wren get it together and get some good players or no one will show up and watch the team that will finish under .500.
By Larry
July 20, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
With or without Teixeira, this team is still plagued with the worst in-game strategic manager in baseball, so what difference does any of this really make this year, or next, as the goobers up stairs have extended the contract another season of the goober downstairs.
This is why we look forward to football in July.
By csg
July 20, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Do you watch this team? They cant score runs, they are terrible on the road, they are terrible in close games and clutch situations, our outfield is the worst in baseball, we are under .500 since trading for Tex, we are in 4th place in the division. Bobby keeps sitting KJ (who hits lefties at a nice .330 pace) against lefties. Our setup guy, starting closer, lf, cf, and 3 of our starting rotation guys are all injured. Our backup catcher has more passed balls than the starting catcher and he’s hitting under .100. Not to mention that Wren made himself look like a joke with the whole Jeff Francoeur issue. Jeff is officially becoming the worst RF in baseball, but yet they put him in the lineup day in and day out. This season was lost weeks ago. If the right trade comes along then yes you trade Tex, you trade Ohman, and you trade anyone else on the roster that can help you next season and there after. You’re fooling yourself if you think this team is good enough to not only win this division, but actually make a run in the playoffs…sell now
By Whopper Dawg
July 20, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Terence,
Tell the FLA Marlins never to surrender. They retool correctly and have won more championships than the Braves and spent less money. The Braves had a good run, but now it is time to retool. Keep and get the prospectives and let them mature.
Whopper Dawg
By Drew
July 20, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
agreed
By Bob from Acworth
July 20, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
So. Tex says this team is “still trying to win the National League East?” Down 12-4 to WASHINGTON? And they haven’t even finished 4 Innings in the Sunday game? REALLY? Hey Mark? Whatever it is you’re smoking,I have a feeling you brought enough to share with your team mates. Because the ENTIRE TEAM is playing like they’re on DRUGS! This team hasn’t been THIS BAD since “The BAD Old Days of the late ‘80’s and 1990! Please,Mr. Wren. Do the Braves and their fans a favor. He and his IDIOT AGENT are going to want the moon and stars to stay with the Braves. Trade him for whatever help you can get for this club BEFORE the Trading Deadline. PLEASE! Thank you.
By Pat
July 20, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves should try to sign him to an extension before the trade deadline. If the deal is more than fair and he wants to stay, why wouldn’t he sign? The Braves have a lot of salary coming off the books next year (Glavine?, Smoltz?, Kotsay, and Hampton, plus Teixeira’s $12.5 from this year already)and should be able to afford something in the $18 million per year range. If he doesn’t sign, then all bets are off. Trade him and take the prospects or established players.
By bill
July 20, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Right. Just like keeping Bobby Cox.HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
By andrew
July 20, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Trade Tex Unless we come back today (Sunday)
If you lose 2 of 3 to the Nats at home when the entire team and the GM has said the next 9 games will determine their fate then obviously this team does not have what it takes to pull off a winning streak to get back into it. The Braves needed a 7-2 or better mark in this 9 game stretch and losing a pair to the Nats shows me this team needs to cut its losses and look to 2009 or else the same thing will happen again next year!
By NR
July 20, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
SORRY TO BURST THE BUBBLE BUT THE BRAVES ARE DONE…TRADE TEX
By Jon K.
July 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Being a season ticket holder for 16 years, I probably deserve a vote here. This Braves team is not going anywhere this year and even if we had a free pass to the playofs, we’re not getting out of the first round. Too many gambles on old and fragile players. No one should be surprised by what has happened except Mark Lemke who is the bigest “homer” in MLB.
I would love for the Braves to begin rebuilding for the future now by trading Texeira now. If we could get Craig Hansen or Kevin Youkilis, or both, let’s do it. With Texeira’s lawyer Scott Boras, we can always get in the sweepstakes after this year anyways if money becomes available. (this $100M payroll is not made for a $20M player per year)Do any of you really think this team has a chance? Do you believe Hampton and Soriano will play in Game 7 of the World Series this year?
Let’s start rebuilding now.
By Jared
July 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Moore, this is a good article with some excellent points. I like the “old school” analysis of giving up when you are only 6.5 games out half way through, being cowardly! Too many fans are quick to throw in the towell when there is a lot of baseball left.
By schuest
July 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
It just doesn’t matter. With Tex or without Tex, the Braves are a mediocre team and organization. The glory years are behind them and that seems to be fine with the owners and the front office. Let’s root them on to another .500 season. Oh, and nice game today — getting spanked by a very bad team. Go Braves !!
By WJM
July 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I will preface my remarks by stating that I am not a fair weather fan. I have followed and cheared for the Braves since the early 70’s.
But, losing two out of three to the last place Nationals at home, just after the All-Star break. Let’s face it. This team is not that good and it’s time to start thinking about the future. The Braves have some good young talent. Tex is not going to make that much difference this year. Trading him would not be a sign of giving up, but making a smart baseball decision. I feel bad for Chipper, but he had a great run of winning with the Braves for the majority of his career.
By George N "Boston Brave" Spitz
July 20, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
The Braves should trade Mark Teixeira to Los Angeles for First Baseman James Loney and, if possible, outfielder Matt Kemp. Loney may not hit as many home runs but his average and on-base percentage will be good and his defense is more than satisfactory. Moreover, the Braves will have a first rate first baseman for a number of years who will not break the bank. Kemp will provide speed and a right-handed bat. Furthermore, Loney and Kemp are Afro-Americans, something rarely seen in the Braves lineup in recent years. After all, this is not the 1930s.
By Casey Stengel
July 20, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
By losing 2 of 3 to the sorry Nationals, its time to start working on 2009. This season is cklearly over, or will be once Florida & Philly clean our clocks this week.
Tex - nice knowing ya ! Enjoy all that money in New York or Baltimore.
Cut Glavine & Hampton loose, immediately !
Lets target a solid leftfielder & firstbaseman in the off-season. I like the makings of our starting staff, which will only get better.
A new hitting coach, and a younger, alert manager would be nice.