Sports Columnists

By Brooklyn

August 4, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

From the sad but true department, I think you’ve hit it right on the head. It will be heartbreaking to see Andruw in another uniform. My gut tells me that what we’ve seen for the last two years we’ll see more of for the next six. Maybe that’s why this is the best possible time to restock a minor league system that suddenly seems a whole lot thinner.

Adios, Andruw. Don’t forget your roots.

By ant

August 4, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

no no no dont trade andruw jones he is the face of the orginazation and a superstar who is a bargin at 13 million

By ant

August 4, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

no no no dont trade andruw jones he is the face of the orginazation and a superstar who is a bargin at 13 million

By Peter

August 4, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

“That leaves only Andruw Jones as a legitimate lever for rapid improvement”

Last season and half of this season just two of his stats:

76 HR, 250+ RBI, Gold Glover every season. Tell me what “prospects” are you going to get that will produce those numbers?

Coco Crisp? Hell he’s not even Johnny Damon. If you have to let a guy like Andruw go then you’re saying that for next season and the forseeabe future that Atlanta will take several steps backwards.

You’re giving a signal that you don’t want to compete. Teams this season recieved more money than ever before from different media partners. Approx. $13 million over the previous season and yet the Braves kept the payroll where it was last season.

Nobody is trading top prospects anymore and even if they were you’re still going to get a prospect not a proven MLB player. Wasn’t Salty the prize prospect a mere six months ago?

Brad Komminsk anyone? If he’s traded then the Braves under Liberty become like the other media owned companies, Cubs and Angels before Disney sold them. It’s going to be painful boys and girls.

By shawn

August 4, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

AJ said today he would veto a trade as soon as he has that power. Either sign him or trade him in the next 48 hours or you will get nothing after next year. I like AJ and he is a good kid but JS better do what is best for the Braves as a hole not just one player. It is telling that the Braves have not pulled him back off waivers yet. They are at least talking to someone about him………

By Nelson

August 4, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

This is a really hard decision. Andruw makes so many insane grabs in the outfield that its hard to imagine trading a guy like that. but on the other hand, we can get so many top prospects for him and build for the future.

By This gets old

August 4, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

1) We’re really going to trade the two guys who made it a point of WANTING to remain a “Brave” ?

2) Does anybody remember that when Andruw signed the current contract Scott Boras was also his agent and Andruw negotiated his own deal at BELOW market value? Funny a lot of the people who cursed Farnsworth, Drew and Glavine for being “disloyal” are some of the same people who write “trade Andruw now”

3) Andruw has worked with a lot of the young players that we brought up last season. This is what he gets for his loyalty? It seems to work like this..if a player LEAVES for more money the “all he cares about is money”

If the team trades that player to “save” money then “that’s the business of baseball” I don’t blame players anymore for going for all that you can get because when push comes to shove it is a business.

By shawn

August 4, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

He makes 13.5 million people it isn’t like he took bread crumbs to stay. It is a business both ways. Players walk for money…teams trade players to save money. AJ wasn’t always in CF and one day he won’t be again.

By Peter

August 4, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

Nobody is trading “many” top prospects anymore. That’s why Soriano and Burrel stayed put and why Abreau went for not ONE top prospect.

By Ron

August 4, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

The Braves are telling thier fans that we don’t intend to compete for the next few years. However please continue to come out and support the team, at what I am sure will be increased ticket prices.

What a bargain, a lesser product for a greater price. The player haters will always support management whenever they make a move to benefit the bottom line. Players who choose to make more elsewhere are greedy and disloyal.

By Look B4 U leap

August 4, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

“He makes 13.5 million people it isn’t like he took bread crumbs to stay”

See, that’s just the point of it. Not that he didn’t make millions but that he could have gottem more elsewhere. He did it to help the team.

13.5 is a lot to us but he could have had more if money were his only motivation. People come to see him play, he’s earned his money.

By Rip

August 4, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

I’ll take Coco Crisp any day over Johnny Damon. Coco makes 2million and Damon makes 13 million. Coco is young and Damon will be DH before long. AJ will demand 18 million or more with Mr Boras! 18 Million is more than all Fla”s team. Trading AJ now before Aug 15 when he becomes a 5 & 10 player when he can veto a trade. The time is ripe. I love AJ but the Braves can’t afford not to get all they can for him. I would never deal for a player that Boras has.

By Peter

August 4, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

Boras has always been his agent as well as Maddux. He signed for LESS.

By nathan

August 4, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

Look B4 U leap

But you are missing the point. When he signed that contract the team was still LOADED with verteran talent. He’ realized then what we are relizing now as fans: A team can’t win when one player takes up about 1/4 of the payroll! (Arod ring a bell to anybody?)

So don’t give him too much credit for not leaving a few years back. What organization, at that time would’ve been a better fit for a 25 year old Gold Glove CF that had no idea of what the strike zone is? (that he knows today - is still debatable!) It’s kinda like Farnsworth - why would he leave to be a set-up man as opposed to staying on as the closer? Maybe because he didn’t want the pressure. Ever think that Andruw like getting a paycheck without be accountable for his actions? Probably not, but I had to ask.

The answer to that question is none! Other than maybe the Yankees. And they had Bernie Williams at the time. And believe it or not, a few years back, most of the Yankees starting 8 (9 with the DH), was home grown! On until recently (when the Red Sox started spending) did the Yankees start spending money through trades or Free Agency. Most of their “high payroll” back then was similar to the Braves - rewarding home grown players with longterm contracts!

Back then Andruw was a great outfielder with a mediocre average and above average to good power (sound very close to Francoeur to me). He was also surrounded by, McGriff, Chipper, Big Cat, Sheffield, Javy etc….. in other words THE PRESSURE WAS NEVER ON HIM TO BE “THE MAN”! If I’m not mistaking, he hit around 6th or 7th in the order….also similar to Francoeur.

Yes last year, with Chipper out, and even the numbers he’s put up this year have proved that he has finally transformed into “The Man” on offense. He carries the load, he knocks in the runs all of that stuff that Clean-up hitters do. But then again listen to what I just said: “all of that stuff that Clean-up hitters do.”

Are you telling me that if Francoeur, McCann, Hell….even LaRoche weren’t given 500 AB’s in the 4th spot in the order they wouldn’t knock in 100-120 runs?

Do you know how BAD you have to be to not drive in 100 runs in the clean up spot? Look around the league and get back to me on how many 4th place hitter that didn’t have 100 RBI last year.

Anyhow, let the debate continue!

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley questions whether the Braves might trade Andruw Jones, either now or in the offseason. The real question is should they trade Andruw. And the answer is yes. Further, how Andruw might play in the future is really of no concern to the Braves given their current budget. If he wants more money, he’s going to have to go elsewhere to get it. Period.

So, it seems obvious that the Braves’ will not be able to re-sign Andruw Jones given current payroll constraints (unless he wants to offer a deep “home-town” discount). Further, the Braves’ greatest success has come when they’ve built the team around starting pitching, an area of weakness the last two seasons. Given that the fastest way to build a contending team is via pitching depth and defense, the Braves should trade Andruw Jones for at least one A+ grade pitching prospect (and another arm or two). In addition, clearing that much payroll will allow more flexibility in adding position players and resigning younger talent (the Braves have been good at signing players to long contracts that, in the end, make them relative bargains - Andruw’s current contract as well as Smoltz’s are good deals given the current market).

Offensively, keep in mind that Andruw is a good, but not great, player. Last season was his only great season and this year his numbers have returned to earth (granted he is more consistent, at least). Also, contra Mark Bradley, Andruw finished where he deserved in the MVP voting - behind Pujols, a superior player to Andruw Jones last season and for many more. And no, Andruw’s defense simply doesn’t make up the difference.

Finally, it should be noted that one of the Braves’ weaker offensive seasons, 1995, was the year they won the World Series. Not because of “clutch hitting” or players “stepping up” or “proven veterans” but because their pitching and defense were simply superior (and they had a few good hitters also - Justice, Chipper, Lopez, McGriff, Grissom, et al). It’s about talent and talent in the right place(s) at the right time(s)…And talent at the right price.

By Look B4 U Leap

August 4, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Nathan:

Cleanup hitters are there for a reason. You put guys in that spot BECAUSE they can produce runs. He was second in RBI last season (151) and he’s third this year with 93. So even among his peers as RBI producers he still stands near the top.

Add in the runs that he “saves” in the OF and it’s no contest.

By nathan

August 4, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Look B4 U Leap

I hear you, loud and clear. Anybody who has read my “babbling” posts the last couple of days, understands that I’m not by any means, undervaluing what Andruw can do both with the bat and with the glove.

But last time I checked, he was and is unable to jump 30 or 40 rows into the stands and make outs of HR’s (especailly ones that come after 1 or 2 walks)

It doesn’t matter how good he is with the stick or how many runs he saves with his glove. If we can’t pitch, WE WON’T WIN!

I don’t understand how you people don’t get this fact! It’s that simple. Yes, if we (JS) were allowed to spend money the way Ted used to let JS spend money, then you lock Andruw up for 5 more years AND go spend money on pitching. But that’s not the case. In fact that hasn’t been the case for about 4 years. JS has done a MARVELOUS job of keeping this run together with what he has had to work with. Most of his recent trades have worked out. Other than Kolb and Hudson. But had Smoltz not DEMANDED to be put back in the rotations, there would’ve been no need to find a closer! **WE AKREADY ONE OF THE TOP 3 CLOSERS IN MLB AT THAT TIME! (Rivera, Gagne and Smoltz IMO).

Then you add the fact that JS was “trying” to help the Braves obtain future draft picks by offering Maddux arbitration. That didn’t work out so well did it? Had Maddux not “accepted” arbitration (perfectly within his right to do, btw), We wouldn’t have “had” to trade millwood, probably wouldn’t have traded for Hampton or signed Thomson. (two players that have NOT pitched, more than they have pitched)

So essentially, after blaming Time AOL and Liberty Media for the “salary restraints” on the Braves now and in the future. A little bit of Blame has to be handed out to Smoltz and Maddux. As odd as that sounds, it’s true. Not that we should be angry with them, they were looking out for themselves. I’d do the same.

JS IS DOING THE SAME RIGHT NOW (for the Braves - not himself)……You see the similarities? Why is it OK for players to look out for number 1, but the GM’s aren’t allowed to think of the team and organization first, as opposed to ONE players “feelings”

That’s just baseball in today’s world. If you don’t like it……..STOP WATCHING!

But judging by all of everybody’s posts……somebody still cares.

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

Of course, study after study has shown that RBIs are one of the least effective measures of a players offensive production. A player’s RBI totals are influenced in large part by the quality of players around him. Considering that Chipper and Giles are both extremely effective at getting on base in front of Andruw - Chipper’s career OBP is over .400 - Andruw doesn’t have to bat .300 or hit 50 homers to drive in a ton of runs. Andruw hit only .236 with runners on base last season and still drove in 128 runs (I’m not sure where the 151 figure comes from - I looked at Sportsline.com).

By 2 homo boys

August 4, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

AJ signed for less the last time,but even though he says he wants to stay there is no guarantee that he will,unless he personally comes out and says he will not let Boras negoiate his contract and that he will give the Braves a home team discount then I would go ahead and tradee him unless he says these things,I don’t Trust Boras and he is gonna twist and wheel and deal and jack up the price so high that Andruw will become gredy like the rest and end up singning for the big bucks.As the old proverb states,Money talks and bs walks,in this case AJ is BS ing everyone,he will take the big bucks and go elsewhere regardless of how much he says he wants to stay,as my boyfriend and i recall we both remember Glavine and Maddux both said the samething but you see what happened to them,Look as JD Drew,he was a local boy from Georgia,he too said he wanted to stay but when the time came he took the big bucks,The Braves owe AJ Nothing more than paying him,they are his employer and they don’t have to be loyal to him.So trade him now while they can get something for him,don’t just give him away either,need something of equal or more value.like Cooco crisp,lester and Hansen,this is a good deal.

By nathan

August 4, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

By Look B4 U leap

“He makes 13.5 million people it isn’t like he took bread crumbs to stay”

See, that’s just the point of it. Not that he didn’t make millions but that he could have gottem more elsewhere. He did it to help the team.

13.5 is a lot to us but he could have had more if money were his only motivation. People come to see him play, he’s earned his money.

So let me get this right

Back when he “settled for less” (which he did - I don’t dispute that)

He was the “main” attraction on the Braves? Not Chipper? Not the three future HOF pitchers in the Rotation?

I just wanted to make sure. Yes, since then with all of his gold gloves, and the big jump in power numbers the last two seasons….Andruw has made himself a legitimate HOF candidate. But if Dale Murphy isn’t in with 398 HR that were all hit in an era when 30 HR was A LOT! Than Andruw hitting 3-35 a year in an era when 45 is the norm might not get him in.

I’ll do som checking, but my guess there isn’t too many .268 career hitters in the HOF. His defense should count for somthing, and it will, but MLB bases has had lots of players that are GREAT defenders and nothing more than average hitters, not make the HOF. YES, I get that last year he stepped it up a notch. This year is looking real good too. And yes, he probably has many years ahead of him. But face it, until last year, he was really when you compare to others around the league barely above average in the power numbers department.

By Ouch

August 4, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

It’s official…Andruw is going to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp and a bowl of clam chowdah. Hope Braves fans are koo-koo for Coco Crisp.

By Look B4 U Leap

August 4, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

You guys when is the last time in the last season and a half how many teams have traded their top pitching prospect? Even Boston wouldn’t do it.

If Coco Crisp [y Kreme] is so good then why was he deemed expendable to both Cleveland and now apparently Boston? And if McCann and Francouer can drive in 100 plus runs (which they can do) you’re still going to have to replace the runs that Jones drives in and saves in the OF.

Where’s that coming from?

By nathan

August 4, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

Look B4 U Leap

I still think you’re missing the point.

When did it become a neccessity to have 3, 4 or 5 guys knock in 100 runs, if you actually have pitchers that can get people out?

The only reason that it seems so hard to deal with the fact that we’d lose a lot of offensive production, by losing Andruw, is the fact that after watching the last two seasons of Braves baseball, we HAVE to score about 7 runs a game to feel comfortable as fans. (other than when Smoltz pitches)

If we lose Andruw, somehow JS will improve our pitching staff, through trade prospects, through Free Agency or through other trades of proven pitchers.

Don’t you all miss the days when we scored about 3 runs and we KNEW we were gonna win?

JEEZ what do you know, ROYCE FRICKIN CLAYTON hit’s a homerun off of our incredible pitching staff.

THIS GAME PROVES MY POINT PERFECTLY - THIS TEAM, WITH OR WITHOUR ANDRUW, CANNOT HIT ENOUGH HOUMERUNS TO COUNTER ACT THE HORRIBLE PITCHING WE HAVE.

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

I fail to see how the Braves’ problems have been the result of Maddux or Smoltz.

Smoltz is much more valuable to the Braves as a started. First, as long as Smoltz is a starter it means their best pitcher is in the game for 200+ innings each season rather than 60 or so. Second, it is Smoltz’ opinion and apparently that of Braves’ physicians that he is less injury prone as a starter. This, they claim, is because he has a regular schedule of work and 4 days (or more) of rest between starts. Closers don’t have that luxury (often times warming up even when they don’t end up in the game - on consecutive days or more). Third, the Braves’ starters have been mediocre to bad the last two seasons and Smoltz, alas, is the only consistent one in the bunch. The Braves would be an unmitigated disaster without him in the rotation this season and last (and next, for that matter).

As far as Maddux goes, he wasn’t the sort of pitcher who would bring a windfall of talent in a trade at the point in his career when he left the Braves nor did trading Millwood really leave the Braves shorthanded. In fact, Millwood has been pretty inconsistent and injured a few times since he left the Braves. Just ask the Phillies, Indians, and Rangers. That’s right - three different teams already (and only one really good season). Plus Estrada has turned out to be a really good Major League catcher, one of the most difficult types of players to find in baseball.

The real reason the Braves aren’t what they used to be is because they no longer have the incredible fortune of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz (at least 2 HOF’s there) in the rotation any longer. And that will never happen again. Schuerholz doesn’t have a chance to achieve that sort of success. I think, with what he’s got, he’s doing a great job…

By mike

August 4, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

Well atleast the Braves aren’t stuck with vick..

By nathan

August 4, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

Other than Smoltz NOBODY on this team knows how to pitch with a lead.

Hudson had one yesterday, that didn’t even last an inning.

James has a no-hitter for 5.2 innings and then falls apart because he doesn’t know how to handle a “fast” runner on base (walking a fast leadoff hitter with a 2 run lead should get you shot anyhow), he OBVIOUSLY was distracted by Freel out there. LET THE GUY STEEL 3 BASES TO SCORE A RUN IF YOU HAVE TO! But if you lose track of the guy at the plate, even if it’s Royce Clayton, he can take you deep.

Wow, what do you know? Paronto comes in and allows 2 inherited runners to score!

Boy, sure is good we’ve got Andruw’s incredible defense in CF to stop those line drives into the LF corner from going too far! I sure hope he gets 2 or 3 more AB’s to hit HR’s in, because we all know that he is responsible for ALL of our wins this year. We wouldn’t want to rely on good pithcing.

GOOD GOD The only way Paronto can get 2 outs, is by horse sh*t baserunning! Unbelievable!

By David Duncan

August 4, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

Andruh should have been traded several years ago. He is not consistent at hitting. His defense is his greatest asset. He is not a good hitter with men in scoring position. Get rid of him now. Try to get something for him.

By LB4

August 4, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this

Don’t you all miss the days when we scored about 3 runs and we KNEW we were gonna win?

Funny I was thinking about the other day but that rotation was an abberation. I’m not totally against trading Andruw. I just don’t think you’re get real value for him.

Can we name who KC got for Beltan? Toronto for Delgado? And if the franchise wants to start trading with an eye towards the future then why didn’t Smoltz go?

Yes I understand the stated reasons but HE certainly could have gotten Phil Hughes away from the Yanks. And I would have asked for Hansen and a Power Corner OF for Andruw.

I’m not against trading anybody. My question is value. No you don’t HAVE to have 4 or 5 (cripes look at this damned bullpen) guys who can drive in 100+ but it’d make life easier if you did.

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

It’s not that the Braves don’t realize how many runs that Andruw saves with his defense. In fact, I’m sure they’re aware of it. When Schurholz first arrived in Atlanta the first thing he did was put Sid Bream at first and Terry Pendleton at third. He knows that good pitching and good defense go hand in hand. The problem here is bang for the buck. At this point in his career, Andruw’s defense can only go down while his salary will only go up.

And there’s the thing with his chronic shoulder and back pain, remember…

By nathan

August 4, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

Brad in KY

Your are on line about Smoltz. But you have to admit, closer wasn’t our problem with him out there. Plus, last time I checked, we didn’t win anything last year, with him in the post season rotation (of course he pitched well - so it’s not his fault)

You are also correct in assessing your “trade value” of Maddux. But by having to give him so much money in arbitration, (that could’ve been used for other pitchers), we were force to unload Millwood QUICKLY. Every other GM knew we had to move him fast or release him so nobody gave us anything. Yes we got lucky with Estrada, but you have to admit that eve the genius JS, couldn’t have seen that coming - he was just happy to get anything in return. At that point the snowball had turned into an avalanche, which in reality is still gaining momentum. Here’s what I mean:

After trading Millwood, we needed starting pitching. We aquired Hampton with the thought that if he became effective away from Coors, we’d have a good deal. Especially without paying anything early in the first couple of years of the deal. But now we are paying the price for that. Hampton’s on the shelf, and next year we will owe about 12 million to a pitcher that we have NO IDEA of what we will get out of him. Not to mention we JUMPED at the opportunity a couple of offseasons ago to get Tim Hudson. Another big disappointment.

Do you realize that Hampton will count for about 15 percent of our payroll next year even though we might not get anything out of him? How assinine is that? Had Maddux not accepted arbitration or JS would have not offered it to him, the worst thing that would have come out of it would have been getting no draft picks in return! In fact that’s exactly what happened the next offseason, because JS wasn’t about to offer arbitration again!

That’s what I meant when I was “blaming” Maddux. It was nothing personal with him, but it’s fact. JS has had to be “creative” with his moves due to that one season of paying Maddux more than he wanted to.

As far as Smoltz goes. I’ll give him the health concerns. He and the doctors know his body a hell of a lot better than I do. So you have to assume that staying on at closer, he would’ve got hurt at sometime in the last two years. But you cannont argue with me about the fact that we would have NEVER have had to sit through Kolb, Farsnworth in the playoffs, Draft Devine and rush him to the bigs, Reitsma, Ray, Sosa and then trade for Wickman and Baez, had Smoltz stayed in the pen. I honestly think replacing Smoltz the Starter would’ve been easier, than replacing Smoltz the Closer. But I could be wrong.

By johnmrog

August 4, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

You’re 100% wrong, Peter. Andruw and his father negotiated his last contract. He didn’t hire Scott Boras ‘til later. You can be assured that Scott Boras will not hesitate to play hardball with the Braves with Andruw’s NEXT salary. And it’s gonna have to be close $18+ million per year.

By Peter

August 4, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

Man that was a bomb! No, Boras was his agent. I don’t think anybody is going to get 17 - 18 million anymore. Even if they did, in reality the Braves can pay that.

They shouldn’t but they could. The Braves get money from six different media companies for various broadcast rights.

The fairy tale of small market payrolls winning the WS is a wonderful tale because they don’t win very much. Nice catch.

Are we really ready to put our team in the Houston, San Diego, Milwaukee group??

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a bit unfair to say that Schuerholz got “lucky” with the Estrada deal. Estrada had been an excellent hitter throughout his minor league career and studies have shown that hitters that hit in the minors hit in the majors. Estrada was no exception.

Concerning Hampton, you are correct that he will command a large portion of the payroll next season, but the mystery surrounding his return is due to a severe injury…and that’s just bad luck. Perhaps a better way to look at the Hampton deal is to consider how much the Braves saved initially in the deal. If memory serves, the Marlins ate a good deal of his contract initially. Plus, Hampton, while inconsistent at times, had flashes of brilliance before his injury. So, as I said, that’s bad luck.

I’m not sure why you think Farnsworth was such a bad deal last season. In fact, there’s a good chance the Braves don’t make the playoffs without him. Rob Neyer at espn.com had a good article about this recently and he considers it one of the very, very few good trades made at the trade deadline the last few years.

Alas, the bullpen has been a mess. Kolb was just a terrible acquisition. Those happen. Reitsma, I think, still has value. As does Devine. I certainly hope you haven’t written him off yet. And the Braves attempted to get both Wickman and Baez in the offseason and I think they’re both fine pitchers (although Baez isn’t as good as the Braves say he is - the number of “saves” he had with Tampa don’t really tell us much).

The upshot is that Smoltz is hardly to blame for the Braves’ bullpen woes. And I think it’s clear the starters are more valuable than relievers. So, I don’t blame Smoltz. The bullpen is one area where the Braves farm system has let them down as well as Schuerholz’ inability to make a timely deal…and the reason he didn’t was because he probably thought they could make a Kerry Ligtenberg or Paul Clontz or Greg McMichael out of one of their farm guys. They just struck out this time…

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

LB4

For the record, Carlos Delgado was a free agent when he signed with the Marlins. So obviously the Blue Jays didn’t get anyone in return for him. I would also add that the Blue Jays offense hasn’t exactly struggled without him.

Beltran was traded by an incompetent GM from the Royals to the Astros (and that covers several of the Royals GMs since JS left). I would hope that Schuerholz would have made a better deal.

Third, a better way to analyze this issue would be to look at trades made in similar circumstancesover the past decade or two and determine how often the team in the Braves’ position is successful. It’s not helpful to simply list the deals that you happen to remember and that happen to have been bad.

By nathan

August 4, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

I didn’t think the Farnsworth deal was a bad one. It worked out very well. But had Smoltz still been the closer, a deal for Farnsworth wouldn’t have been neccessary or it would’ve just made him a really good set-up guy. Hmmm, kinda like he was and is!

As far as Estrada’s minor league numbers. They were far from spectacular. He was about a .280 hitter in the minors. And worse than that when he filled in for Leiberthall when he was hurt. NO WAY did they think they were getting a .300 hitter when they traded for him. So, I say we got lucky. Plus if he was so damn, good how come we couldn’t get more than Oscar and Cormier in return?

Yeah, Hampton’s injury is bad luck. This could all be a mute argument, reguarding Hampton. I for one expect him to come back strong next year and anchor the staff. I could be completely out of my mind, but it’s just a gut feeling. But it’s not the point. Yes, like Renteria we got him extremely cheap the first couple of years. But we might not have had to get him at all, if the whole arbitration thing with Maddux doesn’t happen. Yes you point to Millwood only having 1 good year since he left. You are absolutely correct. But my guess says we would’ve kept him had Maddux rejected arbitration. Or we could’ve at least traded him for more if we could’ve done it on “our” terms, when we wanted to do it. Not when we had to do it.

But over all, I agree with you. However these current circumstances came about, whatever moves or lack there of, have caused us to be in the situation we are in right now. JS has done a pretty good job with the roster. JD Drew worked out well, though I’d love to have Wainwright about now. It’s that damn Hudson trade that’s biting us right now. That one’s tough to swallow. All of this bickering among all of us would go away, if he pitched like the pitcher we thought we were getting. We need one more arm if not two to be reliable to take some innings away from the bullpen. I actually think the guys we have in the pen would do OK to really good, if they didn’t have to pitch so much! A couple of innings eaters in the rotation would go a long way, with this offense. But, that’s life I guess!

By Devo

August 4, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this

“Is Jeff Francoeur going to learn the strike zone anytime soon?”

That’s the big question we should be asking, he makes you want to choke him because he’s real talented, but sometimes it seems it gets to his head!! Look at tonight’s result against Cincinnati!!

But getting to the topic at hand, I don’t think the Braves will stay afloat if they trade him, my gut feeling is that if ownership trades him from the team for “prospects”, 1980’s all over again!!

I understand that baseball is a business, but don’t lose money by trading away a box-office hit for a indie flick!!

By DHD

August 4, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

For the record, when you lose a player to free agency, you do get a draft pick.

There’s only one thing that matters to me. The Braves have finished the regular season in first place every year that JS has been the GM. I don’t give a rip who he traded away or who he traded for. He is the man.

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

Hudson is killing the team but no one could have predicted him slipping this far. The trade itself didn’t hurt the Braves because they didn’t really give up much (Charles Thomas, Juan Cruz, and someone I don’t remember). I don’t think the Braves really regret the move…Hudson just hasn’t played as well as we would expect.

I disagree about Estrada…his first two minor league seasons (97 and 98) he hit .314 and .310 (although he played poorly the last half of 98 when he was moved up). Then he goes .277, .295, .290 and .279 the next four seasons. There’s not a whole lot of difference between .277, .295, .290, .279, and a .300 average. You’re talking a few hits. Luck, in other words. Then, he spent his first year in the Braves system at AAA and hit .328 (of course, he was 27, an age when many players peak).

That seems pretty consistent with .306 and .314 in Atlanta, at the peak of his career most likely. And, to be honest, I think the Braves knew it. Further, to say that the Braves took what they could get is a bit ridiculous. Good catching prospects that can hit are very rare birds. The Braves were able to plug Estrada in when Javy Lopez left for Baltimore at a budget friendly price. The Phillies, of course, had Lieberthal in place and decided to stick with him rather than Estrada. That’s why they stink…

And that’s why I think Schuerholz is the best (and some good scouting as well).

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Whether any of us want to admit it or not, Mark Bradley is 100% right. On the other blogs I have a proposed trade to the Angels. I think its one they would take. I had Giles, Langerhans, Ramirez, and LaRoche going to the Angels for Figgins, Erwin Santana, and Howie Kendrick. Maybe we keep LaRoche and Langerhans for another deal and insert Andruw instead. We get greedy and also ask for one of their top pitching prospects also. Something has to be done to shake up this team. Is it me or do they seem awfully complacent and fine with this sub .500 baseball they are playing?

By Ken Stallings

August 4, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

I agree with the trade this season because teams will tend to give more in a bid to make a playoff run. However, I’m not buying this BS that the organization could not have explained to Jones that he was going to be placed on waivers to explore trade options.

Obviously, this is pure bull that waivers are confidential. Manure of the purest form! Waiver rumors always are generated when a name player is placed on the wire!

Jones has done too much for this team to deserve being treated this way. Be upfront with the man and preserve your organization’s honor! It seems of late that has changed with Atlanta and it’s going to harm us a great deal in pursuit of free agents down the road.

By Brad in KY

August 4, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

DHD The context, I believe, was that of trading an established player for a package of prospects. I’ve never known a team to let a player walk away in free agency simply because they’ll be compensated with a draft pick. Technically, you’re right, I suppose…

By Ralph

August 4, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

The Braves aren’t going anywhere, let along the play offs. The one who should be traded should be the fair hair boy of Bobby, Chipper Jones he never plays long enough to help the Braves, that guy has more aches and plain than any 80 year man. It’s ridiculer with all the advances in the medical field how easy the braves players get hurt, Giles and LaRoche are up there with old chipper. The only one who plays hurt is A. Jones. JS wants to trade A. Jones for Co Co Crisps what a joke. Why don’t they go back to the old days where player didn’t life weight and weren’t on the disable list unless they broke something. I come to the conclusion that the whole braves team should be on the disable list, this would justify how lousy they have play all year long. The basic program with the braves is that they are predicable, in the way they play and how bobby replaces players doing the game. Example: Let take Francoeur, we know that with men on base Francoeur will either pop, strike out or hit into a double play. He will hit a home ran nine out ten times with no one or one men on base. He will swing down on the ball at lease two times during a game popping out and he will leave at least 3 to 5 men one base during a game. Right now Francoeur is young and his head is too big for his hat or maybe he won’t listen or maybe the brave’s Pendleton has not try to help him get rid of the down swing, anyway maybe he will improve as time goes by. The whole braves organization is in disarray from day one of the 2006 season, they acting to late to do any good, rumors of trading a super star isn’t good for moral , didn’t bring up their best players, didn’t get good relieves until its to late to do any good, act and play like losers. organization is in disaray

By Knockahoma

August 4, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

For all the talk about Smoltz, he only makes around $9M/year. He is certainly playing for a home town discount as he could be making $15M or more with the Yankees. We should be thanking John for all his contributions as he is the face of this Braves’ run. John will be forever linked to Braves history and I can only hope that the team will keep him until retirement.

By Lilman916

August 4, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

I like both McCann and Francoeur, but if they can do what Andruw does, then why did the Reds walk Andruw to face them with the bases loaded? Looked like a brilliant move, because it worked. There’s a big difference between driving in runs in the middle of the game, when there’s lots of innings left, and being in the spot that they were in tonight, with the game on the line.

JS has done a good job during his tenure, but it’s not like every trade he has made, has worked. Look at Hampton, he has the highest salary on the team, and hasn’t made a single pitch this season. The players have to get the money while they can, because as soon as they don’t perform, they’ll be sent packing by the team.

Why should Andruw give the Braves a hometown discount, JS is maximizing his salary. Look at how the Braves deal with their coaches, Leo in particular, and their players that are not eligible for free agency, (Giles, Furcal while he was here) signing them to contracts on a yearly bases, instead of locking them up for several years, like the Mets just did with Reyes.

Why didn’t the Braves have money to get bullpen help at the start of the season? Chipper renegotiated his contract, to free up $$$, and insurance is paying most of Hampton’s salary this season.

JS took a gamble by offering Maddux arbitration, and lost, that’s just how it was. I knew that no one was going to pay Maddux the money that his agent was asking. Why didn’t JS know?

The Braves are not making the playoffs this season, so why not look to the future. They need pitching in the rotation, and the pen. How often has a bullpen pitcher come into a game, before Wickman and Baez, and not give up a hit or walk? Maybe Leo was smart to leave when he did?

By Lilman916

August 4, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this

Oh, and what did JS get for Estrada?

By Greg

August 4, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

They will eventually trade Andruw Jones or will not exend his contract because they want to invest in Francouer, McCann, LaRoche,and Kyle Davies. I think they need to let Langerhans play everyday even against lefties! What is going to happen is that the Braves wont get anything good in return maybe got minor league prospects. I think if the Braves start retooling and began to lose 80-100 ball games again it is time for Shuerholz to be canned, because he has screwed up in letting big names like Drew, Sheffield, Lopez, Maddux, and Glavine go and recieve nothing in return. I see Smoltz and Chipper staying until retirement. They need to some how get rid of Hudson, Hampton, and Giles and put youth in their places and add a veteren star maybe in left field, starting pitcher, or a reliver. They need to re-sign Wickman,Baez, and Paronto.

By Matt

August 4, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

Is it football season yet? … For real, I think that it would be really dumb to move Andruw, but there again, we could end up being a whole lot better because of it. For example, we could send out AJ and Mike Hampton to the Yankees for a good started, and also have enough money left to keep both Baez and Wickman. It would be worth a lot more to me if we get our pitching shored up and use the players who are in the minors. Of course, the down side to that is that the Braves probably aren’t going to get that sweetheart of a deal, and probably will become the new ‘Hawks’ type franchise. I really hate to see us go back to late 80’s Braves baseball. (Any chance of the Braves going back to the powder-puff blues?) Like someone said, it’s going to be painful boys and girls.

btw, maybe when Liberty Media gets tired of their new toy, Arthur Blank will be able to buy them.

By Lilman916

August 4, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

Oh, what did they get for Klesko?

By just4fun

August 4, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Brad in Ky. Paducah, Ky.? Are you a coast guard officer?

By S**t

August 5, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this

S**t on Schuerholz and his 2-bit Braves!…

By S**t

August 5, 2006 02:01 AM | Link to this

Shyte on Schuerholz and his 2-bit Braves!…

By S**t

August 5, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this

Sh*t on Schuerholz and his 2-bit Braves!…

By bringbackTED

August 5, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Schuerholz does the best he can with the money given to him, to blame him is absolutely ridiculous. TimeWarner/AOl whatever the F%@K you call them are messing up the Braves so bad it makes me sick. Yet for all this we won the division every year, now it is finally catching up with us. Plain and simple a new owner that cares about winning is about the only thing that will save this team, NOT trading your best position player. But I’m sure that the I don’t give a S**T about winning as long as I make a buck owners don’t care. Schuerholz is doing the only thing he can to atleast try to improve the team with even worse owners on the horizon.

By Laurance Maney

August 5, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

I agree that its a logical move and to be honest would be in Andruw’s best interests since the fact of the matter is the Braves have never known quite what to do with him. With the exception of one season [2000] when he hit in the 2nd spot and had his best all-around offensive year, he labored in the bottom third of the order until last year when there was no one else to bat 4th and he was tearing up the league. Andruw plays hard and he plays nearly every game whether he’s hurt or not. When he came up it was obvious he was a throwback to the days of Mays and both Robinsons - Frank and Jackie - but that was never appreciated. Platooned his first full season with the immortal Michael Tucker he put on a masterclass in center field when Lofton was hurt and that was never appreciated. The Braves should trade Andruw for his sake but they should have the decency to let the 10 year clock ring so he can have some say in where he goes. they owe him that much.

By Bringback TED

August 5, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

The only way to be consistently good anymore is to spend the money; i.e. Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, Angels; or suffer through years of losing and building prospects; i.e. White Sox, Tigers(maybe), Marlins. Our current owners suck and the potential new owners will probably be worse. They are to blame for the Braves problems and ONLY them. We need an owner who is willing to spend the money end of story.

By Eddie

August 5, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

I don’t think anyone has really captured the value of Andruw. His offensive production is obvious, and while not quite up to Manny, Papi or Fat Albert, it is among the elite. But unlike the aforementioned productive hitters, Andruw saves runs almost every game. If we conservatively assess that Andruw’s defense saves two runs every three games, that amounts to 107 runs saved. Papi saves none, Pujols few; Manny, A-Rod, Berkman, and Miguel Cabrera actually cost runs with their defense. Only a very few elite players are top producers offensively and defensively. Jeter is tops, followed by perhaps Ichiro, Mauer, Beltran, Utley in no particular order (and we can argue this list in another posting). The Mets’ Wright and Reyes are coming fast, but not there yet. So we are discussing giving up one of the most valuable players in baseball when all is considered for prospects? And don’t forget that Glavine and Maddux said often they had confidence making certain pitches that might get hit hard because “Andruw will run the ball down and catch it if it stays in the park.” And Andruw is not yet 30 years old!

By mart

August 5, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

If the Braves get rid of Andruw it will set them back for a decade. What franchise trades a 29 year old, gold glove winning, 50 homer, 120 rbi dude who’s just entering his prime. It’s time to decide once and for all—-are the Braves a big market team, or are they a small market team. Getting rid of every single star once he comes close to free agency is the Kansas City Royals brand of baseball management.

By don

August 5, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Coco Crisp? Isn’t he the guy that Cleveland traded for Andy Marte? Now some of you want to trade Andruw for Crisp? I suppose Crisp is one of the top 30 centerfielders in the major leagues but he isn’t remotely in the top ten. Andy, on the other hand, is most likely, the top one.
The Braves got where they are much because Turner spent money like the Yankees and Red Sox. If we are now “bargain basement” we can’t expect to do much more than “battle” with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. The years of success had much more to do with greenbacks than with Cox, Schuerholz, or Mazzone.

I just hope that Andruw’s plaque in the H of F pictures him in a Braves uniform. Maybe Coco Crisp can get Andy’s autograph on a cereal box.

By don

August 5, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Coco Crisp? Isn’t he the guy that Cleveland traded for Andy Marte? Now some of you want to trade Andruw for Crisp? I suppose Crisp is one of the top 30 centerfielders in the major leagues but he isn’t remotely in the top ten. Andy, on the other hand, is most likely, the top one.
The Braves got where they are much because Turner spent money like the Yankees and Red Sox. If we are now “bargain basement” we can’t expect to do much more than “battle” with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. The years of success had much more to do with greenbacks than with Cox, Schuerholz, or Mazzone.

I just hope that Andruw’s plaque in the H of F pictures him in a Braves uniform. Maybe Coco Crisp can get Andy’s autograph on a cereal box.

By chiefnocahomer

August 5, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

tom glavine once said that Andy saves one run a game, one run a game so thats 150-155 runs a year plus 120 - 140 rbi’s a year. you say his defense doesnt make up for is offense. well how many runs a year does the human pinata (pujos) save a year? so i guess he would have to drive in about 300 runs a year to equal andy. if andy came to bat with a cue stick and still played great d i would pencil hime into the line up every day

By mrbrave31

August 5, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

It’s not about how good of a player Andruw is. There is not a question he’s the best defensive center fielder in the game. And one of the best run producers regardless of his average. It’s about the fact he’s currently making 13.5 million and will want a substantial raise after next year. The Braves simply cannot afford that and still put a championship caliber team on the field. They must listen to offers and consider a trade. It may not be possible to get equal value. But letting Andruw go without getting anything in return would cost the Braves dearly. This is a business, not just a game. And the Braves might have to act accordingly.

By Jim

August 5, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

It’s not about how good of a player Andruw is. There is not a question he’s the best defensive center fielder in the game. And one of the best run producers regardless of his average. It’s about the fact he’s currently making 13.5 million and will want a substantial raise after next year. The Braves simply cannot afford that and still put a championship caliber team on the field. They must listen to offers and consider a trade. It may not be possible to get equal value. But letting Andruw go without getting anything in return would cost the Braves dearly. This is a business, not just a game. And the Braves might have to act accordingly.

By Shaun

August 5, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

The Braves would be better off, objectively speaking, trading Andruw if they can get three really good young players. It’s better to have three really good players than one expensive great player. A lot of fans have a hard time being objective about this and rightfully so. Andruw is a great player and came up with the Braves. But remarkable GM’s like John Schuerholz, Theo Epstein and Terry Ryan must be objective and make unpopular decisions in order to make their teams better.

By alan

August 5, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

So a lot of the comments here revolve around trading Andruw now since we won’t be able to resign him on Liberty “Tax Shelter” Media’s budget. Prevaling wisdom seems to be that we should get young, cheap pitching for him, and try to be the Braves of old, building around starting pitching. Problem is, Leo’s gone now. I would like to give McDowell more than a year to prove himself, but the fact of the matter is that with the exception of Smoltz, who is enough of a vet not to need coaching, the pitching this year has been disappointing. Plus there have been a lot of injuries - could this be the result of a poor training regimen? Mazzone was famous for getting mileage out of pitchers. This used to be the place that old and/or broken pitchers came to be reborn. Just don’t see it happening anymore. So I don’t see losing Jones for pitching helping unless we trade him to the Orioles and get Leo back as part of the deal.

By Brad in KY

August 5, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

Alan

Although Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz et al certainly benefited from Mazzone’s tutelage, I would point out that there are many other teams in baseball that have fine pitching staffs with young pitchers, etc. despite the fact that Leo Mazzone is not their pitching coach. Further, I doubt Mazzone’s leaving has anything to do with Davies’ and Ramirez’s leg injuries or Reitsma’s numbness, etc.

Finally, the Braves’ pitching has been slipping the last couple of years while Mazzone was still here and the Orioles’ pitching has been as bad as the Braves’ this season. I think Mazzone is the finest pitching coach of his generation and perhaps of all time. That being said, Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Neagle, Millwood, etc will make a lot of pitching coaches look good. If the Braves’ plan is to rely on fix-em-uppers then it would fail whether Mazzone is here or not. The idea is to supplement a solid core with reclamation projects and that’s what the Braves (and Mazzone) were pretty good at (although not always successful).

By Brad in KY

August 5, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

RE Andruw’s Defense

A previous post claims that Tom Glavine once said that Andruw Jones saves one run a game with his defense. I’m curious to know how Glavine would know this. What sort of measure does he use? Why should we rely on Glavine’s anecdotal evidence concerning a teammate when what we really need to make a rational judgement is an effective and objective measure of a players defensive ability? No one denies that Andruw is a great outfielder (although he’s not as good as he used to be). The question is whether it’s worth keeping a 30+ year old centerfielder with the wear and tear on his body that Andruw has who has already seen his best years defensively and will probably never match his production from last season again offensively - and who will now command a huge salary. Andruw will continue to play at a high level for several more years, but you should be aware that he’s “peaked” defensively and he won’t be hitting 45 or 50 homers in a season again either.

Personally, I love to watch Andruw play. But I like the Braves more and I’m willing to watch Andruw, Chipper, Smoltz, etc walk away a little earlier than we’d like than to keep them around when they become burdens financially (and Chipper’s closing in fast on this distinction due to his injuries). This is the only way to keep winning these days…

By 1 + 2

August 5, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Get ready folks, the Braves are about to fall and fall hard. The reason Andruw must go is because JS made some horrible, high priced pitching acquistions - - Hudson and Hampton. If these two were not on the roster, then maybe Andruw could be kept. Think about it, outside of having a veteran pitcher like Smoltzie tutoring them, they would benefit greatly from Andruw patroling CF. Now my fear is the gold glove will be gone and Smoltz has one year left. A couple of people have said it before and I agree: in the offseason, attempt to trade Chipper to the Rangers for pitching prospects, because he has a home there and he can DH and that will allow him play 85% of the season. As long as Mr. Hooters is trying to play the field, he will not play more than 60% of a season. I also agree that his power numbers will surge again. Look at Giambi, they took him out of the field and his numbers have exploded again.

Oh yeah, how sad is it that we gotta trade one of our most productive players b/c we have a large portion of our salaries into 3 pitchers. 1 old, 1 broke down, and 1 that appears to be related to Mark Wohlers. FYI: I also agree that maybe we should attempt to trade Smoltz for some young pitching prospects b/c next year we won’t sniff the playoffs.

By Downtheriver

August 5, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

Hi guys. Welcome to Pittsburgh

By Bud

August 5, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing. If we can’t resign him later, he leaves with nothing in return for the Braves. This is a rebuilding year anyway, and we’ve seen how bad it can be for a ballclub to overpay for a single player (see Pay-Rod) Some team who needs immediate help will give us some players that can help us in the future, plus are payroll is freed to pursue other veteran players.

Sometimes, the accountants are right.

By Whopper Dawg

August 5, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

Hell, I think you are right and I am so depressed that I want to go with him.

By Mike R

August 5, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

This will be true test for Liberty and what they want the Braves to be. If they want to win and have a loyal fan base, they will sign Jones. If not they will trade him or simply let him leave as a free agent. If Jones leaves or if we have a payroll of less then $95 million, I hope the fans return to the 1970s when the Braves were lucky to have 3,000 in attendance and no one wanted to buy any Braves merchandise.

By Ralph

August 6, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

The braves have a monkey on their back call looser, and no matter what they do it just hands on and won’t let go. They can get the base loaded in every inning and they be lucky to score two runs. With all the young player especially Francoeur who in the last 3 games has left 10 men on base and LaRoche in one game left 5 men on base doesn’t help any. Bobby should have someone else to bat for Francoeur when they the bases loaded. They do alright when there is no one on base. Whether the braves have play careless or not they haven’t play like division champions or a team that was built to compete. The main reason I hear is that they have too much money tied up in just a hand full of players and three fourth of them are on disable list. The young player are good, but too much responsibility has been put on their shoulders. Braves had a good ran for a long time and but due to it’s organization who turn their back on the team, they won’t come close to second place this year. The organization has disappointed the fans by not trying to do something earlier when they had a decent change to compete. The braves should change their name to the general hospital braves. But like JS said it’s a business, and I say it’s a poorly run one.

By Ralph

August 6, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this

The ones who should be put on waivers should be Schuerholz and Cox’s.

By Alex

August 6, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

No way should the braves trade Andruw Jones. Despite this year’s struggles,this team is stocked with young talent (McCann, Francoeur, Chuck James, Adam Laroche etc) and now has a proven setup man in Danys Baez and an allstar closer in Bob Wickman. I would rather give Hampton or Hudson away for a player to be named later or cash and use their would be salaries to resign the best center fielder and last year’s true MVP. Hampton is making 14 million a year and certainly isn’t going to be worth that no matter what he does next year. Hudson is proving himself to be the biggest sports lemon of the decade. If the Braves give them away for nothing it would be addition by subtraction because you would free up salary. Resign Andruw, develop Chuck James and Kyle Davies and this team has a chance to continue their playoff run if not this year then next and for many years to come. Let Andruw go and you’re pretty much throwing in the towel and going back to the sorry Braves of yesteryear. Circa 1990 and before.

By Brandon

August 6, 2006 01:12 AM | Link to this

I think that one important fact that a lot of people are missing out on is the fact that if Andruw leaves it clears the way for Langerhans to take over in CF. Langerhans may not have the bat that Andruw does now but he was scorching hot early in the season when he was getting consistent starting time and makes many of the same plays everyone is praising Jones for defensively. That leaves Diaz/Thorman to play left and Frenchy in right. I think thats an outfield you could build on. It will also allow Pete Orr more PH appearances where he is hitting around .300. So I say if you can get any sort of pitching prospect/help for Andruw then you should jump on it. Hopefully Hudson will stop cramping, Hampton will pitch again and Davies will return to form. With a starting line up of Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson, Ramirez, Davies and the youth that highlights the other 8 spots on the field I think the braves might surprize next year. Even if we lose Giles… Just remember the name Prada.