LaRoche(ATL) for Gonzales(Pit)

[Handlebar McSkullet]

According to ESPN...

[radarluv1]

IBL?

[Balsa]

Kinda strange deal.

[cbbryan]

ESPN bottom line is reporting LaRoche for Gonzalez AND a PTBNL.

[cbbryan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2734082

[RynoRules]

Dude, Eyre and Ohman are worth a ton right now. Do something Jim!

[Jake]

Fox Sports reporting a minor league infielder. Probably Bixler or Lilliebridge.

 

Someone coming our way. No idea who.

[cheapseats]

Fox Sports reporting a minor league infielder. Probably Bixler or Lilliebridge.

 

Someone coming our way. No idea who.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=155

 

Nate Silver thinks the Braves definitely got the better end of the deal.

[Jake]

It's Lillibridge going, Jamie Romack coming.

 

No idea about Romack. Lillibridge was someone we're high on, but he still had a ways to go to get here.

 

Wow. I don't believe this.

[Jake]

Fox Sports reporting a minor league infielder. Probably Bixler or Lilliebridge.

 

Someone coming our way. No idea who.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=155

 

Nate Silver thinks the Braves definitely got the better end of the deal.

 

So do I. But, we needed to do it, and we dealt from a position of strength. I think Lillibridge was a lot to give up.

 

OTOH, this makes us competitive this year.

 

With our pitching a year older, we're going to surprise some folks.

[BigbadB]

I think the Pirates won big time in this deal.

[Guest]

I think the Pirates won big time in this deal.

 

I think the Braves win this deal, considering Thorman could eventually become a better player then LaRouche. And that fact that the Braves get a tough lefty who can be a set-up or closer, is a benefit for the Braves. LaRouche is a good player, but you can always find decent productive first baseman, without giving up a legty reliever as talented as Gonzalez.

 

Pirates did not do bad, but they didn't win this deal.

[imb]

Uh, how does this trade make any sense

[Guest]

I don't know about the trade, but I'm really liking the back end Braves pen at this point. If you average out the prices they paid to acquire Soriano and Gonzalez, it looks much better. :D

[Bruno7481]

I think the Pirates won big time in this deal.

 

I think the Braves win this deal, considering Thorman could eventually become a better player then LaRouche. And that fact that the Braves get a tough lefty who can be a set-up or closer, is a benefit for the Braves. LaRouche is a good player, but you can always find decent productive first baseman, without giving up a legty reliever as talented as Gonzalez.

 

Pirates did not do bad, but they didn't win this deal.

 

What has Thorman done to show he could eventually be better than what Laroche did last year?

 

Thorman has had a couple good years, but prior to that it would have been a stretch to call him average.

[mg420]

wasnt gonzalez out at the end of 06 with an elbow injury? if he needs surgery will it still have been a good trade for the braves? i still think that jones will be gone before spring training. perhaps the giants are still interested in him.

[Jake]

Uh, how does this trade make any sense

 

For us, we badly needed a left handed power hitter. We have exactly 0 people that can fill that roll on the major leage level. Our strength was our bullpen. Yes, we gave up a lot for him in Gonzo and Lillibridge.

 

But, in the 'Pen we have Sol Torres who can close, and John Grabow and Matt Capps who will set up. That set up will get us wins most of the time we head into the 7th leading. Oh yeah - Can't forget Damaso Marte.

 

That's not a bad foursome.

 

The real pain for us was in giving up Lillibridge. Lot of potential in that guy.

 

We got a guy who's an excellent defender and was 10th in the NL in OPS last season, for a reliever. I don't want to make lite of Gonao at all - big shoes to fill. But, if we can't take the lead in the first place, there's nothing to save.

 

Check out:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07018/754774-63.stm

 

Our lineup now looks like:

Duffy, Wilson, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, Castillo.

 

Bautista will push Castillo for playing time.

 

I like our team a lot more today than I did yesterday. A Lot more. If this team doesn't win more than it loses, Tracey should be fired.

[mg420]

Uh, how does this trade make any sense

 

For us, we badly needed a left handed power hitter. We have exactly 0 people that can fill that roll on the major leage level. Our strength was our bullpen. Yes, we gave up a lot for him in Gonzo and Lillibridge.

 

But, in the 'Pen we have Sol Torres who can close, and John Grabow and Matt Capps who will set up. That set up will get us wins most of the time we head into the 7th leading. Oh yeah - Can't forget Damaso Marte.

 

That's not a bad foursome.

 

The real pain for us was in giving up Lillibridge. Lot of potential in that guy.

 

We got a guy who's an excellent defender and was 10th in the NL in OPS last season, for a reliever. I don't want to make lite of Gonao at all - big shoes to fill. But, if we can't take the lead in the first place, there's nothing to save.

 

Check out:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07018/754774-63.stm

 

Our lineup now looks like:

Duffy, Wilson, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, Castillo.

 

Bautista will push Castillo for playing time.

 

I like our team a lot more today than I did yesterday. A Lot more. If this team doesn't win more than it loses, Tracey should be fired.

the lineup does look pretty good and the pen isnt too bad even without gonzo but what about starting pitching?

[Jake]

the lineup does look pretty good and the pen isnt too bad even without gonzo but what about starting pitching?

 

That, indeed, is the big question for us.

 

We're set with our first four starters for now:

Ian Snell had a good year, to be sure.

Zach Duke started off shaky but came on strong towards the end of the year.

Tom Gorzelany came up mid season and looked good, let's see how he does.

Paul Mahalom was shaky all season after a decent showing at the end of '05.

 

Contenders for the 5th spot: Shawn Chacon would seem to be in the lead. Still not sure he'll go North with us, though.

There are the three hurtin' former phenoms: Sean Burnett, Bryan Bullington John VanBenshoten. Burnett has a very legit shot to make it, VanB might be pitching long relief and could be the Sixth Starter. Bullington's not quite ready yet, but may very well be starting for us later in the year.

 

Shane Youman, who, if he doesn't make the rotation, could be in the 'Pen.

 

I think there's one or two others I'm not thinking of.

[Bruno7481]

the lineup does look pretty good and the pen isnt too bad even without gonzo but what about starting pitching?

 

That, indeed, is the big question for us.

 

We're set with our first four starters for now:

Ian Snell had a good year, to be sure.

Zach Duke started off shaky but came on strong towards the end of the year.

Tom Gorzelany came up mid season and looked good, let's see how he does.

Paul Mahalom was shaky all season after a decent showing at the end of '05.

 

Contenders for the 5th spot: Shawn Chacon would seem to be in the lead. Still not sure he'll go North with us, though.

There are the three hurtin' former phenoms: Sean Burnett, Bryan Bullington John VanBenshoten. Burnett has a very legit shot to make it, VanB might be pitching long relief and could be the Sixth Starter. Bullington's not quite ready yet, but may very well be starting for us later in the year.

 

Shane Youman, who, if he doesn't make the rotation, could be in the 'Pen.

 

I think there's one or two others I'm not thinking of.

 

If Bullington even makes it to the Major Leagues, that would be a feat.

 

Probably the most "reach" pick ever taken #1 overall. I know finances played a role. But when he was drafted Littlefield made the comment that if he achieves his potential, he COULD be a #3 starter. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a #1 overall selection.

 

I hope he does well, I played against him on a regular basis in high school.

[BigbadB]

Probably the most "reach" pick ever taken #1 overall.

 

Local San Diego HS shortstop Matt Bush was quite a reach for the Padres as well. I hear that he's been converted to a pitcher now.

[baseball7897]

Uh, how does this trade make any sense

 

For us, we badly needed a left handed power hitter. We have exactly 0 people that can fill that roll on the major leage level. Our strength was our bullpen. Yes, we gave up a lot for him in Gonzo and Lillibridge.

 

But, in the 'Pen we have Sol Torres who can close, and John Grabow and Matt Capps who will set up. That set up will get us wins most of the time we head into the 7th leading. Oh yeah - Can't forget Damaso Marte.

 

That's not a bad foursome.

 

The real pain for us was in giving up Lillibridge. Lot of potential in that guy.

 

We got a guy who's an excellent defender and was 10th in the NL in OPS last season, for a reliever. I don't want to make lite of Gonao at all - big shoes to fill. But, if we can't take the lead in the first place, there's nothing to save.

 

Check out:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07018/754774-63.stm

 

Our lineup now looks like:

Duffy, Wilson, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, Castillo.

 

Bautista will push Castillo for playing time.

 

I like our team a lot more today than I did yesterday. A Lot more. If this team doesn't win more than it loses, Tracey should be fired.

 

Im a fan of Matt Capps. I think he has alot of potential to succeed in that setup role for the Pirates for many years.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

OTOH, this makes us competitive this year.

 

Competitive is a rather subjective term, no?

[Jehrico]

Our lineup now looks like:

Duffy, Wilson, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, Castillo.

 

If that's your lineup, your manager should be sent to the firing line. I didn't realize you guys had a Dusty Disciple filling out your lineup card. Duffy, Paulino, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady for the first six with the pitcher, Wilson, and Castillo sharing the final three slots in any order makes alot more sense IMO. Wilson has a career OBP of .306, and should be a #8 hitter on most teams, maybe #7 on some. There's no excuse for him to ever sniff the number two spot on any team.

[Jake]

Our lineup now looks like:

Duffy, Wilson, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, Castillo.

 

If that's your lineup, your manager should be sent to the firing line. I didn't realize you guys had a Dusty Disciple filling out your lineup card. Duffy, Paulino, Freddy, LaRoche, Bay, Nady for the first six with the pitcher, Wilson, and Castillo sharing the final three slots in any order makes alot more sense IMO. Wilson has a career OBP of .306, and should be a #8 hitter on most teams, maybe #7 on some. There's no excuse for him to ever sniff the number two spot on any team.

 

Agree, mostly. Remember, these are the same people who thought Freddy was a utility player (Check out how he did in '05 once he became an every day player.)

 

My lineup would be Duffy, Freddy, Laroche, Bay, Nady, Paulino, bautista, Jack.