Atlanta Braves News & Rumors

[crques]

By Tim Dierkes [November 4, 2008 at 7:41pm CST]
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog.

He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they'd give up Kelly Johnson. O'Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta.
O'Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he'll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster's agent.
He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He's looking for a one-year deal.
The Royals still love Jeff Francoeur.

[WakeUnc2321]

I'm sorry but if the Braves make an offer to Hampton I will start rooting for the arch-rival Mets. No way a Scheurholz heir is that dumb...no way

It's not surprising the KC loves Francoeur b/c Dayton Moore used to be under JS as well. I say the Braves shop him around to see what value he can bring in...

[crques]

Quote: Originally Posted by WakeUnc2321

I'm sorry but if the Braves make an offer to Hampton I will start rooting for the arch-rival Mets. No way a Scheurholz heir is that dumb...no way It's not surprising the KC loves Francoeur b/c Dayton Moore used to be under JS as well. I say the Braves shop him around to see what value he can bring in...

I agree with you on Hampton. His contract was one of the worst deals in MLB history considering what Atlanta has gotten from him. I seriously hope that just because he was able to finish this past season healthy, that they don't think he'll never be injured again. Every pitch he throws is one pitch closer to the DL.

[crques]

Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday

By Tim Dierkes [November 5, 2008 at 11:00pm CST]

11:00pm: Meanwhile, Yahoo's Tim Brown says the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals are all working out contigency plans to replace the players they'd use in a Peavy deal.

10:53pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are the frontrunner for Peavy, "perhaps even ahead of the Braves." He says the Cubs also want to re-sign Ryan Dempster. The Cubs' dream rotation would be Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.

The Braves had a window of exclusivity to hammer out a Peavy trade, but that has apparently passed. The Padres like the Cubs' young pitching, even if it doesn't match Atlanta's.

If the Cubs pull this off, they'd have to cut costs by perhaps letting Kerry Wood go and going cheaper in right field.


I've heard that one of the key players in a deal that would bring him to Atlanta is Yunel Escobar. I really like Escobar a lot and would hate to see him go but Peavy is definitely someone Atlanta needs with the way their rotation was last season.

[Blzer]

I read a rumor about Furcal going back to Atlanta, but didn't look into it at all.

[Brandon13]

I'd like to see Furcal back in Atlanta, but I doubt it happens.

[crques]

Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday
By Tim Dierkes [November 10, 2008 at 9:31am CST]
Summing up this weekend's Jake Peavy information...

David O'Brien noted that the friendship between Padres GM Kevin Towers and Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod has raised some eyebrows. O'Brien also learned that Peavy's concern over Yunel Escobar being in the deal was overblown - it's more a general concern that the pitcher joins a strong team.

On Saturday, Ken Rosenthal had the Braves and Cubs as frontrunners with the Yankees and Dodgers on the backburner. He said the Padres discussed keeping Peavy if offers do not suffice. The Braves were said to be growing impatient.
Astros owner Drayton McLane indicated the Padres' demands for Peavy were too high for his club - "multiple players and some of our best players."

Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times had it as a race between the Cubs and Braves, with the Dodgers a long shot. De Luca said no other teams will be considered at this point. A Cubs deal would apparently include Sean Marshall, and possibly Kevin Hart and Mike Fontenot. Jeff Samardzija is not in the mix.
Dave O'Brien says the Braves' offer looks something like this: Escobar, Gorkys Hernandez or Jordan Schafer, and one or two pitching prospects (possibly Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes among them). Tommy Hanson is not in the mix. O'Brien agrees that it's between the Braves and Cubs, and likes the Braves' package more. O'Brien expects a deal before Thanksgiving, which is November 27th.

[p_rushing]

Why would the Braves give up Escobar. Who is going to play SS? They need to get a better 2B, LF, CF, and probably RF.

[crques]

Quote: Originally Posted by p_rushing

Why would the Braves give up Escobar. Who is going to play SS? They need to get a better 2B, LF, CF, and probably RF.

I don't agree with giving up Escobar either. I could live without the rest of those guys for Peavy, but Escobar doesn't make much sense. It doesn't look like they have many good options for LF right now, with Juan Rivera being the name I keep hearing that they are possibly interested in. I've heard that Kelly Johnson is on the trading block too.

[rsox]

Quote: Originally Posted by p_rushing

Why would the Braves give up Escobar. Who is going to play SS? They need to get a better 2B, LF, CF, and probably RF.

Omar Infante, Brent Lillibridge or Martin Prado would likely take over at SS for Escobar. There were a lot of rumors about Kelly Johnson being traded to the Cardinals for Ryan Ludwick, However, all of those rumors were circlulated when the Cards thought they were getting Matt Holliday. Scratch RF off the list because the Braves are probably not going to trade Jeff Francoeur. Whoever plays CF is only keeping the spot warm until Jordan Schafer is ready in may or june. LF is the spot that they could focus on to bring in a bat. Crques already mentioned Juan Rivera. Raul Ibanez and maybe Pat Burrell are possible if the Johnson/Ludwick swap does not happen.