How about a trade with the Braves?

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

What To Do With The Braves Outfield?

By Steve Adams [May 22 at 8:00pm CST]

In his blog over at MLB.com, Mark Bowman lays out the offensive woes of the Atlanta outfield, and in the comments section, Bowman even ponders the potential release of Jeff Francoeur:

 

"When I look at myself in the mirror, I'd have to say that my fault is that I've given Francoeur a break for far too long. There's no doubt that the leniency stems from the fact that he's a great guy. But at the end of the day we all have a job to do. My job is to relay information to the public and thus, I've written two entries this week preparing you for the possibility that Frenchy's days in Atlanta might be numbered. It will be very difficult for the Braves to trade him. As for a return to the Minors, I don't know if that would help anybody. Thus, you can't ignore the possibility that if things don't improve soon there's a definite possibility that they could release him."

 

Here's some of the unfortunate "highlights" of the Braves' struggles, if you can call them that:

 

In 12 games since being activated from the DL, Garret Anderson is hitting .283/.321/.326 with just one extra base hit - a double. All this comes along with limited range in the outfield.

In 66 May at-bats, Francoeur is hitting .197/.214/.273.

For his career, Francoeur has averaged 630 ABs per season. Over his last 631 ABs, dating back to May 6, 2009, Francoeur is hitting .235/.287/.341 with 11 HR. Over that time, among players with 500 ABs, only Michael Bourn, Chone Figgins, Bobby Crosby, Willy Taveras, and Jason Kendall have lower slugging percentages, and only Chris Young of Arizona has a lower OBP. Ouch.

Rookie Jordan Schafer's .660 OPS is the highest of any of the three Braves outfielders mentioned thus far.

So what's Frank Wren to do? He's clearly in need of immediate upgrades in the outfield, and Atlanta would seem to have the pitching to spare. Let's hear some suggestions from the MLBTR world: How can Wren save this situation?

 

How about trying to get Martin Prado in a deal for a package including Reed Johnson? Prado can play any IF position and is only 25 years old. His career line is .304/.363/.446/.809 in a small sample.

[Bear Cub]

Something has to be done to shake the Cubbies out of the funk they are in.

[Little Slide Rooter]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If we're trading with the Braves, I want Chipper. Ok, yeah that's not going to happen.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we're trading with the Braves, I want Chipper. Ok, yeah that's not going to happen.

 

Only if the throw in Tommy Hanson.

[Backtobanks]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

 

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

[Little Slide Rooter]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

 

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

 

We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best.

[Backtobanks]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

 

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

 

We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best.

 

My point is that I think Prado is definitely an upgrade to Miles/Freel/Scales (and right now Fontenot). Let's not forget that he a backup to some pretty good players (Jones, Escobar, and Johnson). He does have experience at 3B and some at 1B, along with the MI. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering acquisition, but he looks to be a capable fill-in for Ramirez immediately and a solid role player for the future. Blalock/Mora/Beltre is trying to catch lightning-in-a-bottle for two months and then they would serve no purpose and might cause problems with being considered a backup.

[Little Slide Rooter]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

 

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

 

We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best.

 

My point is that I think Prado is definitely an upgrade to Miles/Freel/Scales (and right now Fontenot). Let's not forget that he a backup to some pretty good players (Jones, Escobar, and Johnson). He does have experience at 3B and some at 1B, along with the MI. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering acquisition, but he looks to be a capable fill-in for Ramirez immediately and a solid role player for the future. Blalock/Mora/Beltre is trying to catch lightning-in-a-bottle for two months and then they would serve no purpose and might cause problems with being considered a backup.

 

We need the lightening in a bottle. The 2 monts back up is what they need. After that, they can be a pinch hitter for all I care. Even if Ramirez does make it back by July or August, he'll need a day off here and there. My point is, Id rather get someone we know can be an upgrade over what we have, not someone who might be.

[Backtobanks]

A veteran like Blalock, Beltre, or Mora would probably come cheaper than a 25 year old who hasnt hit his ceiling, and we surelt wouldnt get such a player for a package revolving around a career 4th outfielder on a 1 year contract.

 

Prado is a backup IF with the Braves and probably will remain a backup IF with the Braves. I agree that Johnson alone probably wouldn't do it, but adding cash and/or a prospect might get it done. The Braves OF situation is pretty desperate. Blalock/Beltre/Mora might be cheaper to acquire (in players), but would cost more in money. Also, Blalock/Beltre/Mora might not be able to succeed in a backup role once Aram returns while Prado could back up everywhere in the IF.

 

We already have enough backup middle infielders that were tyring to use as starters and it isnt working out. Martin gas respectable stats for a backup, but as a starter, hes probably Omar Infante at best.

 

My point is that I think Prado is definitely an upgrade to Miles/Freel/Scales (and right now Fontenot). Let's not forget that he a backup to some pretty good players (Jones, Escobar, and Johnson). He does have experience at 3B and some at 1B, along with the MI. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering acquisition, but he looks to be a capable fill-in for Ramirez immediately and a solid role player for the future. Blalock/Mora/Beltre is trying to catch lightning-in-a-bottle for two months and then they would serve no purpose and might cause problems with being considered a backup.

 

We need the lightening in a bottle. The 2 monts back up is what they need. After that, they can be a pinch hitter for all I care. Even if Ramirez does make it back by July or August, he'll need a day off here and there. My point is, Id rather get someone we know can be an upgrade over what we have, not someone who might be.

 

Are you sure Beltre (.213/.246/.308/.554 - $13 million) or Mora (.260/.315/.340/.655 - $8million) can deliver "lightning in a bottle". Those numbers aren't much different from Fontenot's for this season. While Blalock (.250/.281/.555/.837 - $6.2 million) might be able to give us some offense, he has only played 70 games at 3B over the last two years. Can he still handle 3B?