MLB Trade Deadline Thread

Scroll down a bit in this one. According to this story, the Diamondbacks really did offer Tracy and Owings for Teixeira, but the Braves chose the Angels' offer because Kotchman is younger and cheaper than Tracy. He's also better, which I'm sure figured in the equation.

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/8391628/Manny-likely-to-stay-put-for-rest-of-season?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=3498

 

Braves' average home attendance is 31,371 (1,662,668 in 53 home dates), which ranks them 10th in the NL.

As for the pitchers, I'm coming to the point where I kind of wish Smoltz and Glavine would go ahead and retire. They are not what they once were, whether for injuries or otherwise, they're expensive, and their occupation of roster spots, in my opinion, is impeding the major league development of younger pitchers. That's a tough spot to be in, because there are a lot of emotions attached to Glavine and Smoltz. The club from 1991 to 2005 made cold-blooded decisions and left emotions out of the equation, and it worked well for them. The Braves as an organization are not what they were eight years ago, either. Now is the time for them to bite the bullet and say, "we're going to go with a younger staff, and if we have to take some lumps as a result, that's the cost of being better in the long run." I think this trade indicates their mindset is nearing that, and because I think that, I'd be surprised if they go all in on the free agent pitcher signings. Besides, the pitching without Glavine or Smoltz has been adequate, the past week notwithstanding.

 

So given that Tampa Bay has a lot of surplus talent down on the farm, who should they trade for? Given the way their lineup's hitting (only two starters today at .280 or better) and the small-ball strategy that Maddon uses, they don't need an Adam Dunn-like slugger so much as they need a good contact hitter.

 

Manny Ramirez.

 

Somebody's not paying attention. Typical clueless Yankee fan.

Teixeira would have been perfect for Tampa Bay (hits more than just home runs), but re-signing him would have been an issue.

 

Gonna have to call you on that one.

Manny is much, much more than a home run hitter. He is a true contact hitter.

He's hit way better than Mark Teixeira can even dream of.

 

Even then, there's no chance that Boston trades Manny inside the division. Teixeira would have been a better fit in the locker room, anyway.

 

OK, just so we're on the same page here...

Braves 2008, opening day salary total = app. $102 million
Mike Hampton = app. $15.1 million for 08, all on the Braves, club option for 09
John Smoltz = $14 million for 08, club option for '09 since he didn't throw 200 innings this season
Tom Glavine = $8 million for 08, free agent in 09
Mark Kotsay = $7.5 million for 08, free agent in 09
Mark Teixeira = $12.5 million for 08, not on 09 team

That's about $57 million next season, if Smoltz doesn't come back. Even if they don't spend all of that, and I'm sure they won't, remind me again why they can't take a run at CC or Sheets? I know the new owners are a little tighter with the wallet, but especially considering guys like Escobar, Kotchman, Frenchy, Jurjjens and Johnson will be extremely cheap next season, why is it so crazy to think they'll sign a top-notch pitcher (especially if Hudson is out for the season and Smoltz is gone)?

 

I agree with the second sentence, but I could see the Sox trading him in the division if it means they get something more valuable than two draft picks for him.

 

I don't see it. Helping the Rays make the playoffs this year at their expense (should the Yankees or someone else get the wild card) would be one way for Theo to get run out of town.

 

Sox won't trade with the team they're contending with. Maybe Manny goes to Seattle.

Still trying to decide who the Rays might go after.

 

Sheffield?