Braves News World

The Braves traded reserve outfielder supreme Eli Marrero and “cash considerations” to the Royals for Jorge Vasquez, a marginal Double-A closer according to the stats. Last year he had a 4-5 record with a 4.68 ERA and 18 saves in 49 appearances at Wichita before getting a cup of coffee with the Royals at the end of the year..

So now there’s two gaping holes in the corner outfield spots. It’s obvious that this is a salary dump clearing the way for one more big trade or signing involving an outfielder. Marrero was set to earn $3 million in 2005 with bonus opportunites and escalators that could raise his salary to $4.6 million. Schuerholz needed that much more room to negotiate for an outfielder.

I always thought Eli could get the job done on an everyday basis and would eventually get the chance to be a starter with the Braves. But, having shipped Charles Thomas to the A’s in the Tim Hudson deal, they decided to completely clean house in the corners and go with probably a rookie platoon (i.e. Ryan Langerhans and Billy McCarthy) in one position and a proven commodity in the other. Outfield names that continue to surface in rumors include Jacque Jones, Magglio Ordonez, Moises Alou, and Sammy Sosa (if the Cubs will eat most of his salary; fat chance of that). Another possibility from way out of left field, all pun intended, is playing Andy Marte at third base and moving Chipper back to the outfield. I don’t see that one happening. Schuerholz also indicated yesterday that Jeff Francoeur would be given the opportunity to compete for an outfield spot in spring training. I find it hard to believe he’ll be on the major league roster come April. They don’t want to rush him. But if he does somehow become a starting outfielder for the Braves it will be in place of the rookie platoon – not the veteran outfielder who will arrive shortly. Stay tuned!

The trade that’s been rumored all week finally came to pass: Tim Hudson is a Brave! The right-hander is 29 years old and has a 92-39 record with a sparkling 3.30 ERA lifetime. His 81 wins from 2000-04 is tied for the most in the American League during that span. He didn’t come cheap but Schuerholz has definitely worked his magic once again in rebuilding the rotation to be probably the finest in the National League. Tim Hudson, John Smoltz, Mike Hampton, John Thomson, Horacio Ramirez. Ramirez, who won 12 games in 2003, is the 5th starter? That’s just nasty.

This time, the Braves’ pitching riches came at the expense of top pitching prospect Dan Meyer, up-and-coming left fielder Charles Thomas, and hard-throwing reliever Juan Cruz. Dan Meyer, a 23-year old lefty, will vie for a spot in the vaunted A’s rotation right away and has, by some accounts, the goods to be an all-star pitcher for years to come. With Hudson hailing from Columbus, GA, the Braves will no doubt make a strong push to sign Hudson to a long-term deal and that’s what would make this deal worth it (alright, I’ll just settle for a World Series title next year ). Otherwise, the Braves are just renting Hudson for a year.

Though his hard-nosed play, fielding prowess and .288 average turned heads last year, Charles Thomas was expendable. Ryan Langerhans and Billy McCarthy are waiting in the wings and will likely platoon in one of the Braves’ outfield spots. The loss of Cruz is tolerable considering how adept Schuerholz and Mazzone have become at patching together decent bullpens at the last minute. Plus, who needs a bullpen when you have a rotation like the Braves have now? I just hope the losses of Capellan & Meyer don’t come back to haunt the Braves down the line. I’m sure Schuerholz figures the imminent arrivals of Andy Marte and Jeff Francoeur can mask any damage done to the current crop of minor league pitchers by these recent trades.