Braves Trade Deadline Rumors

[jpx7]

Everyone was all over Medlen's jock last year, called me a fool for stating he should be traded last offseason at max value, and now look how predictably mediocre he has become.

He hasn't pitched to the amazing level of last season, but he hasn't been "predictably mediocre" either.

 

[Enscheff]

He hasn't pitched to the amazing level of last season, but he hasn't been "predictably mediocre" either.

Really? The man is 6-9 with a 3.62 ERA, a 106 ERA+, and 0.5 WAR. His next start is pushed back a few days, and there is talk of him moving to the BP.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of mediocre?

 

[jpx7]

Really? The man is 6-9 with a 3.62 ERA, a 106 ERA+, and 0.5 WAR.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of mediocre?

Not mine?

His next start is pushed back a few days, and there is talk of him moving to the BP.

And that's a move with which I'd disagree.

 

[The Tariff King]

Mediocre? That's andy ashby, kevin appier, sterling Hitchcock, territory.

Not sure if I'm ready to place Medlen in that category yet.

 

[Bdawg2309]

Their RISP numbers are insane. Gotta come back to earth eventually, right?

even if it drops .050 points, it still would be high

 

[Julio3000]

Ha...Andy Ashby. The quintessence of mediocrity. Even his name sounds average. Andy Average Ashby.

 

[stpeteirish]

maybe "average" is a more apt word to describe Medlen's performance this year. I keep thinking he's gonna find what he had last year but, realistically, he is what he is. This years number's look a lot like 09 and 10, and that's good enough to keep your job but not TOR stuff.

 

[Bdawg2309]

wooops, just realized that chat said it was tomorrow.

 

[jpx7]

Ha...Andy Ashby. The quintessence of mediocrity. Even his name sounds average. Andy Average Ashby.

Well, I'd say at the very least his name has an above-average number of the letter y.

 

[tvsportscaster]

Saw Crain to Atl a done deal if he's healthy. On a Chi article.

Guess we will see.

Here is the link to that article.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/23/rogers-crain-to-braves-a-done-deal-if-he-gets-healthy/

 

[drewdat]

even if it drops .050 points, it still would be high

Half-listening, so could be inaccurate, but I think they're at least .080 above second place, and the gap from 1st to 2nd is bigger than one from 2nd to 15th (or 30th, not sure if NL or MLB).

 

[bravesnumberone]

That'd be a great move, but I'd be reluctant to give up too much.

Here is the link to that article.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/23/rogers-crain-to-braves-a-done-deal-if-he-gets-healthy/

 

[drewdat]

Mediocre? That's andy ashby, kevin appier, sterling Hitchcock, territory.

Not sure if I'm ready to place Medlen in that category yet.

Appier was a fine starter for a quite a while. 140 ERA+ over his first 8 full seasons. The cutoff was 1998, when he had to have surgery for a torn labrum. Then he was precisely league average from (partial) 1998-retirement.

 

[Julio3000]

That'd be a great move, but I'd be reluctant to give up too much.

Could be a great move or Octavio Dotel 2.0.

 

[drewdat]

Half-listening, so could be inaccurate, but I think they're at least .080 above second place, and the gap from 1st to 2nd is bigger than one from 2nd to 15th (or 30th, not sure if NL or MLB).

Eh, .76 over 2nd place Colorado (.338 to .262), who is .040 above last place (!) Pittsburgh, hitting .222 and yet in strong contention. There are several AL teams ahead of Colorado, though again none close to St. Luckiest.

 

[tvsportscaster]

More lefty reliever rumors

Jon Morosi‏@jonmorosi41m
#Braves are interested in #Padres LHP Joe Thatcher, sources say. @FOXSports1

 

[bravesnumberone]

Looks like Thatcher is having a solid year.

 

[skidlee]

Would like both thatcher and crain.

the look for someone to replace pena and we would be about as set as we can be

 

[emk418]

Thatcher would be a solid 2nd LH.

 

[skidlee]

NEW YORK -- The Braves have the biggest division lead of any first-place team, but the Braves also have issues. Over the last six weeks or so, they've lost more games than they've won.

The problem, as anyone can see and as the Braves themselves fully admit, is that their offense has been wildly inconsistent.

So what are they looking for on the trade market? Pitching.

The Braves figure that the offense must heal itself, and they believe it can. They also figure that their bullpen needs a boost, despite a 2.63 ERA that is actually the best in baseball.

The main focus has been on finding a left-handed reliever, not surprising given that Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty were both lost for the season with injuries. But the Braves have also looked at right-handed bullpen help, and even at starting pitchers.

The Braves have watched both Chicago teams, and also the Brewers. Brewers lefty Mike Gonzalez would make sense for them, as would Jeff Russell of the Cubs. Marlins left-hander Mike Dunn has also been mentioned by some teams, but the Braves have been told he won't be traded.

Braves people suggest it's unlikely but not totally impossible that they would deal for a starter, with the idea of putting Kris Medlen and/or Brandon Beachy (who made another minor-league rehab start Wednesday night) in the bullpen. But it appears that they don't match up with the Astros on Bud Norris.

The Braves have stayed in first place, and even added to their lead, because the Nationals and Phillies have been even worse. But the Braves have two series each against the Phillies and Nationals in early August.

They know they need to get better. They know they need to hit more consistently, and they especially know that April star Justin Upton needs to get going again. Justin has a .668 OPS and just four home runs since May 1 (his brother B.J., having a horrible year and now injured, actually has more home runs over the last 2 1/2 months).

And yes, they're looking for pitching.