DOB: Braves offseason about to get a lot busier. - Gamel released.

[clvclv]

The Cubs are in rebuilding mode. Their farm system is loaded with talented young position players. But they don't have a catcher of the future and are weak in pitching prospects. They match up incredibly well with us. The trade is there for the making:

We can get Samardzija by offering them Bethancourt plus any three our minor league pitchers not named Sims or Cabrera.

The three I suspect they would choose if they had that offer would be Hale, Graham and Simmons.

I would not include Wood, Sims or Cabrera in any trade for Samardzija.

This trade would be similar to the Michael Bourn trade. We gave up Schafer, Oberholtzer, Clemens and Abreu in that trade. None of these guys are of the caliber of Bethancourt as a prospect. We would be offering a stronger package for Samardzija.

I don't think you could get it done without one of those guys, but given Theo and Jed's desire to begin stockpiling arms to go along with their position players, I think an offer of Cabrera, Hursh, Hale, and their choice of Northcraft or Martin could get it done.

[nsacpi]

I don't think you could get it done without one of those guys, but given Theo and Jed's desire to begin stockpiling arms to go along with their position players, I think an offer of Cabrera, Hursh, Hale, and their choice of Northcraft or Martin could get it done.

Hursh and anyone who was drafted in 2013 can't be traded for another six months. The Cubs do have a desire for pitching prospects. But they have an equally significant gap at catcher. Bethancourt is one of the top 100 prospects in the minors. I'm pretty sure he'll make BA's list next year. Given that we have Gattis to catch the next five years, it is unlikely that Bethancourt will realize his full value with the Braves. He'll be more valuable to a team like the Cubs.

[tvsportscaster]

Mark Bowman and DOB aren't on the same page. Bowman said the Braves aren't even pursuing Smardzija and that they have talked to the Twins about Kevin Freakin Correia. God I hope not. Braves nation would be pissed if that happened.

[emk418]

Mark Bowman and DOB aren't on the same page. Bowman said the Braves aren't even pursuing Smardzija and that they have talked to the Twins about Kevin Freakin Correia. God I hope not. Braves nation would be pissed if that happened.

Kevin Correia seriously? Just re-sign Freddy Garcia

[nsacpi]

Kevin Correia seriously? Just re-sign Freddy Garcia

We did sign Yunesky Maya. So I think we already have our 2014 Rodrigo Lopez.

[clvclv]

Hursh and anyone who was drafted in 2013 can't be traded for another six months. The Cubs do have a desire for pitching prospects. But they have an equally significant gap at catcher. Bethancourt is one of the top 100 prospects in the minors. I'm pretty sure he'll make BA's list next year. Given that we have Gattis to catch the next five years, it is unlikely that Bethancourt will realize his full value with the Braves. He'll be more valuable to a team like the Cubs.

They absolutely can be traded...just have to be included as PTBNLs.

[Russ2dollas]

Cubs have money. Make them take Uggla too. They can flip him to someone for 5 million a year for 2 years of uggla.

CB + Wood + Gilmartin and 2-3 others not named Graham, Sims, Cabrera. They take Uggla too.

I like CB but don't really believe he'll hit. I love Wood but don't believe he'll stay healthy as a starter. I want Graham b/c I think he's our next closer when CK walks.

[Jay212033]

Cubs have money. Make them take Uggla too. They can flip him to someone for 5 million a year for 2 years of uggla.

CB + Wood + Gilmartin and 2-3 others not named Graham, Sims, Cabrera. They take Uggla too.

I like CB but don't really believe he'll hit. I love Wood but don't believe he'll stay healthy as a starter. I want Graham b/c I think he's our next closer when CK walks.

Dude stop! IMO Wood WILL BE better than Samardzija.

[nsacpi]

They absolutely can be traded...just have to be included as PTBNLs.

Technically yes it can be done. But teams rarely do this knowing they have to wait seven months for the player to be named, with all the attendant injury and other risks during the intervening period.

[nsacpi]

Dude stop! IMO Wood WILL BE better than Samardzija.

I wouldn't trade Wood either. I think he is more likely to turn into an ace than any other Brave on the major league roster or in the farm system. I would trade Minor, Teheran or Sims before I would trade Wood.

[Dalyn]

I wouldn't trade Wood either. I think he is more likely to turn into an ace than any other Brave on the major league roster or in the farm system. I would trade Minor, Teheran or Sims before I would trade Wood.

Really? Is he your son?

[Hawk]

Susan Slusser (SF Chron) says the Braves were one of the teams to express interest in Brett Anderson. At least Wren is stalkin' them SPs.

[Heyward]

I wouldn't trade Wood either. I think he is more likely to turn into an ace than any other Brave on the major league roster or in the farm system. I would trade Minor, Teheran or Sims before I would trade Wood.

[Hudson2]

. I concur

[cajunrevenge]

Technically yes it can be done. But teams rarely do this knowing they have to wait seven months for the player to be named, with all the attendant injury and other risks during the intervening period.

I believe trading recent draft picks as PTBNL can only be done to a team in the other league.

[Tapate50]

Really? Is he your son?

I know that shocks you as down on him as you were last year but the guy has great stuff and is a lefty that throws hard. He has as much upside as anyone we have.

I think Wood will be a better pitcher than JS over time.

[Hudson2]

I'd take Minor and Teheran over Wood in a heartbeat

[Dalyn]

I know that shocks you as down on him as you were last year but the guy has great stuff and is a lefty that throws hard. He has as much upside as anyone we have.

I think Wood will be a better pitcher than JS over time.

I wasn't down on him; I was realistic. And he didn't even make the playoff rotation. It should shock EVERYONE that a fan of the Braves said they would trade Simmons over Wood.

[yeezus]

I wasn't down on him; I was realistic. And he didn't even make the playoff rotation. It should shock EVERYONE that a fan of the Braves said they would trade Simmons over Wood.

Pretty sure he meant Lucas Sims, not Simmons.
I wouldn't trade Minor or Teheran over Wood though. Not yet, anyway.

[Dalyn]

Pretty sure he meant Lucas Sims, not Simmons.
I wouldn't trade Minor or Teheran over Wood though. Not yet, anyway.

Even if he did, Minor or Teheran over Wood is also insane. And, for the record, I like Alex.