Braves Report

Well, as Spring Training approaches, final cuts are made, dreams come true, and others wait for another year. Before all this happens, Frank Wren had to assemble the team, sign free agents, and make trades. This was a little weird for Braves fans as they have been used to John Schuerholz calling the shots. As I look back, make your own judgments on Wren’s job, but I feel this team is in good hands.

Waiver Claim: RHP Chris Resop (10-25-2007)

After an uninspiring 2007 in which Resop only pitched 4 innings for the big club, Resop was put on waivers, and the Braves snatched him up. In 2005 and 2006, Resop notched ERA’s of 8.47 and 3.38 respectively, so consistency has been an issue, and he’s never pitched more than 21 innings in a season. The Braves took a chance that the 25 year-old with a 98 mph fastball could come in, find some control, and stick with the team. So far so good for the Braves as Resop has thrown 10 innings with 10 Ks and 1 BB with a 1.80 ERA. Resop has gone from an afterthought to front-runner for one of the last spots in the bullpen. Good call, Frank.

Trade to Tigers: SS Edgar Renteria for RHP Jair Jurrjens, OF Gorkys Hernandez (10-29-2007)

At first, I didn’t really like this trade. We just gave up an All-Star shortstop that always came up with the big hit for a 21 year-old starting pitcher with little experience and a 19 year-old outfielder at least a few years away. Our remaining shortstop would be Yunel Escobar, who had impressed me so far but not enough to make me think he could replace Renteria. However, this Spring Training has completely changed my mind about this deal. Escobar has hit the cover off the ball (.417 BA, 3 DB, 2 HR), and although his defense has not been great, he may have the “Furcal effect” where he makes more plays than Renteria due to better range and arm to make up for the errors. He should be a fine replacement. Also, Jair Jurrjens seems destined for the starting rotation with a solid Spring. I know his last two starts haven’t been great, but his control has been (except for the dreaded Tigers game) and he seems consistent. Hernandez is harder to discern because he’s farther away, but early reports have been very positive. Touché, Mr. Wren.

Trade to Astros: RHP Oscar Villareal for OF Josh Anderson (11-16-2007)

I never really liked Villareal because you never knew if he’d have his control or not, but I can’t deny he gave us some good innings. However, we have plenty of bullpen options, but we needed a center fielder with Schafer too inexperienced and Blanco too immature. Now with Kotsay, this trade has taken a hit for importance but a bump up for practicality. Anderson may not be an every day player, but he is a great fourth outfielder. Yet, with Blanco and Schafer having great Springs, Anderson may find himself in Richmond stuck behind Schafer and Blanco in the depth chart and possibly traded by season’s end. It’s still a pretty good trade because Villareal was going to cost way too much for his talent. Fairly good call, Mr. Wren.

Free-Agent Signing: LHP Tom Glavine (11-19-2007)

At first, I hated this deal, and I screamed curses at Wren for not getting Garland for Renteria. However, this Spring has given me a more positive outlook on the deal. Last season’s ERA was 4.45, and he is only getting older at age 42 (today actually, Happy Birthday Tommy!). Yet, in 2003, Glavine posted a 4.52 ERA and then went on to have three mid-3 ERA seasons, and in 1999, he had a 4.12 ERA and followed with 2 mid-3 ERA seasons and a high-2 ERA season. So, by my calculation Tom should bounce back and have another mid-3 ERA season. I know it’s a bit of wishful thinking, but his 3.29 Spring ERA gives hope. Oh yeah, he’s had over 200 innings a season for most of his career, and we desperately need someone to eat innings effectively. Touché again, Frank.

Trade to Cubs: RHP Jose Ascanio for LHP Will Ohman, INF Omar Infante (12-4-2007)

This is one of the biggest steals of the off-season. Ascanio showed a live arm last season, and at age 23, he should have some good years ahead of him. However, live arms like his flame-out every year. In return, the Braves received a guy in Infante who can play almost any position on the diamond and is only 26 years-old, but because he’s injured, this hurts the value of the trade a little but not too much. Also in the trade, they also received Will Ohman who had terrible home/road splits (8.66/1.45 ERA) last season (hopefully he’ll have the 1.45 at the Ted this year). His ERA’s the seasons before were 4.13 and 2.91 with more work, so he’s had some success. Also, he has always struck out more than innings pitched until last year with 33 K in 36 IP. He may not be dazzling, but he is left-handed and had a good Spring (2.57 ERA, 0 BB). Great call, Frank.

Free-Agent Signing: C Javy Lopez (12-17-2007)

Similar to Glavine, this signing was more about nostalgia than anything. After peaking in 2003, Lopez had a solid 2004, but began to decline due to injuries in 2005. His offense was still decent, but his already suspect defense became dreadful. Later, his offense began to tumble as well. Yet, after working out with coach Chino Cadahia, the Braves gave Lopez a minor-league contract due to Cadahia’s praise. Unfortunately, Javy never panned out. Lopez hit 2 HR but with a .188 BA, and he had 1 error and was 0 for 6 throwing out base stealers. A few days ago, Cox told him he wasn’t going to make the team, so Javy retired. So long and thanks Javy, but it wasn’t meant to be. Good try, Mr. Wren, but this one didn’t pan out.

Trade to A’s: RHP Joey Devine, RHP Jaime Richmond for CF Mark Kotsay (1-14-2008)

Another trade I didn’t like at the beginning. We just gave up a great young arm for a guy who might be falling apart. However, I realized that when I said Ascanio could flame-out, Devine could as well. In other words, I was being a hypocrite. So, I waited to see how Kotsay looked. With a solid Spring with no back problems, Kotsay looks ready to go and play well. His veteran presence should help out a young team and gives Schafer a little more time to get ready. After being seriously considered for a spot in the Braves bullpen, Devine has been cut by the A’s and sent down. Pretty good call Mr. Wren.

Trade to Rays: INF Willy Aybar, INF Chase Fontaine for LHP Jeff Ridgeway (1-17-2008)

I’ll make this short. Neither Aybar nor Ridgeway was liked much by their teams, and each needed a change of scenery. Neither team lost or gained much. Aybar is a good young player, but he’s got a lot of problems. Ridgeway has some talent (1.23 ERA this Spring) but his control is iffy (7 BB in 7 IP). Not good or bad, Frank.

Extension: Rafael Soriano gets 2-year deal (1-24-2008)

Not really sure about this one. He makes $2.4 million this year, which is a bargain and a good deal, but the $6.1 million for next year is a risk. If he fails as the closer, $6.1 million is a lot of money for a set-up guy. However, if it works, $6.1 million is a serious bargain for a good closer in this market. My thought is that Soriano will succeed as long as he doesn’t just throw. He has to pitch. I like Soriano a lot, and I think this deal will work out well. Hopefully, when he gets a couple All-Star appearances, he’ll only want $10 million a year after that. Either that or Manny Acosta needs to be our closer of the future. I like this one, Frank.