Braves Trade Deadline Rumors

[nsacpi]

From mlbtraderumors.com

The Braves' priority is to add a left-handed reliever, writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman, with James Russell of the Cubs, Mike Gonzalez of the Brewers, and Wesley Wright of the Astros on their wish list. The Braves are more interested in Russell and Gonzalez, he adds.

The Braves' need for a southpaw reliever has increased with the plan to put Alex Wood in the starting rotation, possibly swapping roles with right-hander Kris Medlen. That would leave Luis Avilan as the only lefty in the Braves' pen, with Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters both out for the season due to Tommy John surgery.

The Braves also seek a backup infielder to fill the void after the loss of Ramiro Pena to season-ending surgery; they'd prefer a left-handed hitter with more offense than Paul Janish.

 

[Braves1976]

From mlbtraderumors.com

The Braves' priority is to add a left-handed reliever, writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman, with James Russell of the Cubs, Mike Gonzalez of the Brewers, and Wesley Wright of the Astros on their wish list. The Braves are more interested in Russell and Gonzalez, he adds.

The Braves' need for a southpaw reliever has increased with the plan to put Alex Wood in the starting rotation, possibly swapping roles with right-hander Kris Medlen. That would leave Luis Avilan as the only lefty in the Braves' pen, with Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters both out for the season due to Tommy John surgery.

The Braves also seek a backup infielder to fill the void after the loss of Ramiro Pena to season-ending surgery; they'd prefer a left-handed hitter with more offense than Paul Janish.

If the Braves are seriously considering dropping Medlen from the rotation. Then why not try to package him in a trade for Headley? The Padres reportedly are open to trading him (according to a recent MLBTR report). Also, Medlen is from Cali and a good pitcher. So I'd think they'd have interest in him. Plus Medlen won't be happy about going back to bullpen.

Of course, I already suggested this to you privately. I'm just repeating it here based on this latest report.

 

[emk418]

If the Braves are seriously considering dropping Medlen from the rotation. Then why not try to package him in a trade for Headley? The Padres reportedly are open to trading him (according to a recent MLBTR report). Also, Medlen is from Cali and a good pitcher. So I'd think they'd have interest in him. Plus Medlen won't be happy about going back to bullpen.

Of course, I already suggested this to you privately. I'm just repeating it here based on this latest report.

Completely agree. Moving Medlen to the pen is a complete waste of value. I have no problem removing him for Wood but Medlen needs to be traded. We could get a very good set up man plus at a minimum at top notch prospect.

 

[nsacpi]

Wren could go in several directions. Some possibilities:

1) Just strengthen the bullpen, mainly by getting a lefty.

2) Trade for Headley or some other third baseman.

3) Upgrade the starting pitching.

The above are obviously not mutually exclusive.

 

[emk418]

Wren could go in several directions. Some possibilities:

1) Just strengthen the bullpen, mainly by getting a lefty.

2) Trade for Headley or some other third baseman.

3) Upgrade the starting pitching.

The above are obviously not mutually exclusive.

Do you guys think Medlen gets us Headley since he's a free agent after the year? I would highly consider that.

 

[Braves1976]

Do you guys think Medlen gets us Headley since he's a free agent after the year? I would highly consider that.

I don't think Medlen alone would, no. But I do think we could possibly get Headley with a package built around Medlen.

 

[jpx7]

Do you guys think Medlen gets us Headley since he's a free agent after the year? I would highly consider that.

I think Headley actually isn't a free-agent until after the 2014 season, but the Padres might consider it anyways with Headley's down year and Medlen's being under-contract through the 2015 season. And, despite being a big Medlen fan, I'd personally probably lean towards supporting the move, considering Headley's good defense at 3B, Johnson's terrible defense at 3B, and the likelihood he hits closer to his previous norms in the second-half.

 

[Braves1976]

I think Headley actually isn't a free-agent until after the 2014 season, but the Padres might consider it anyways with Headley's down year and Medlen's being under-contract through the 2015 season. And, despite being a big Medlen fan, I'd personally probably lean towards supporting the move, considering Headley's good defense at 3B, Johnson's terrible defense at 3B, and the likelihood he hits closer to his previous norms in the second-half.

Correct, Headley is a free agent in 2015 and Medlen is a year later.

 

[emk418]

Correct, Headley is a free agent in 2015 and Medlen is a year later.

With that being the case then I definitely would package Medlen with another piece for Headley.

 

[tululush]

Also look at Headley's home/road splits. His numbers are supressed by PetCo. I say go get him and we fix our offensive woes a bit and turn 3rd base into a strength.

 

[thethe]

With that being the case then I definitely would package Medlen with another piece for Headley.

You would have to then have another trade for Johnson. Makes no sense not to capitalize on his value right now. I bet the Yankees would give us something for him.

 

[Enscheff]

I doubt Medlen gets Headley. According to MTR:

"People who have spoken with San Diego have gotten the impression it would take a special prospect to make the Padres even think about trading their star player. In the case of the Yankees, they don't have that kind of prospect to give and they'll probably have to seek out a bat elsewhere"

The Braves certainly don't have any special prospects, and I seriously doubt Medlen qualifies. I was one of the people who thought Wren should have sold high on Medlen this offseason, so I would obviously jump at a Medlen/Headley deal. I would even do Medlen plus CJ for Headley, but I doubt the Padres do that.

Of course, Headley has a 644 OPS away from Petco this year, so last year could have been a flash in the pan for him.

 

[Braves1976]

You would have to then have another trade for Johnson. Makes no sense not to capitalize on his value right now. I bet the Yankees would give us something for him.

True, but one step at a time.

 

[emk418]

True, but one step at a time.

I mean if he gets us something good then yes but he would be a great bat off the bench and spell Headley and Freeman.

 

[Braves1976]

I mean if he gets us something good then yes but he would be a great bat off the bench and spell Headley and Freeman.

Given the third base market and his career first half, you think he'd have as much value now than ever. So unless he was packaged in the same trade I'd guess he'd be moved should we trade for Headley.

 

[nsacpi]

I doubt Medlen gets Headley. According to MTR:

"People who have spoken with San Diego have gotten the impression it would take a special prospect to make the Padres even think about trading their star player. In the case of the Yankees, they don't have that kind of prospect to give and they'll probably have to seek out a bat elsewhere"

The Braves certainly don't have any special prospects, and I seriously doubt Medlen qualifies. I was one of the people who thought Wren should have sold high on Medlen this offseason, so I would obviously jump at a Medlen/Headley deal. I would even do Medlen plus CJ for Headley, but I doubt the Padres do that.

Of course, Headley has a 644 OPS away from Petco this year, so last year could have been a flash in the pan for him.

I think Alex Wood would get us Headley.

 

[thethe]

I think Alex Wood would get us Headley.

Trading Alex Wood would be a HUGE mistake.

First off, he will be dirt cheap for 3 years.

Secondly, the guy has sick stuff.

There is no way I am trading him for Headly and then having to pay him 12-15 million a year.

 

[Braves1976]

I think Alex Wood would get us Headley.

No doubt, but I don't want Headley that bad. I could see a number of packages including Medlen getting Headley. I also reject the notion that the Braves don't have any special prospects. Wood is a special prospect, but he's not the only one. The Braves have a lot better system of prospects than some give them credit, IMO.

 

[Braves1976]

Trading Alex Wood would be a HUGE mistake.

First off, he will be dirt cheap for 3 years.

Secondly, the guy has sick stuff.

There is no way I am trading him for Headly and then having to pay him 12-15 million a year.

I wouldn't take nsacpi's comment as suggesting trading Wood. He was likely just disputing the statement in the post concerning the Braves prospects (and using Wood as the best example to do so).

 

[nsacpi]

I don't want to trade Wood either. I just wanted to make the point we have the means to trade for Headley. And also for David Price or some other top pitcher if we wanted to.