IF Atlanta is to stay in this thing, they REALLY needed to sweep the Padres. MAYBE with some good luck and two straight wins to end the "first half" they can stay in the race. Last night's shutout loss which dropped them to 7.5 GB didn't help, BUT....
if the Braves do make it to the end of the month still as “buyers,” the team will be in the position to make a deal or two to boost a run at a playoff berth. Though the Mark Teixeira deal at last year’s trade deadline zapped away a great deal of talent, this farm system is still one of the top organizations in all of baseball. Braves fans have had a chance to check out some of the potential trading pieces this season because of some injuries, but some of the best prospects are still in the A and AA levels and haven’t even sniffed AAA yet.
Now that Rich Harden is no longer on the market, some pitchers such as Joe Blanton of the A’s and Kevin Millwood of the Rangers are still available, as well as Xavier Nady and Jason Bay of the Pirates for the outfield. But who will the Braves have to give up to have a shot at these guys? Let’s take a look at the farm system.
Outfielder Brandon Jones auditioned not just for Atlanta’s open leftfield spot but also other clubs during a recent call-up and he had some success at the big league level with a .278 average in 54 at-bats. He has shown an ability to stroke doubles in AAA action. Josh Anderson is another name from Richmond that has had a cup of coffee in Atlanta this season. Anderson is fast on the basepaths with 2 SB and a .318 average for the Braves. Anderson, who has 17 steals with Richmond was thought highly enough to give up a key long reliever in the offseason could be the bait for another pitcher. Catching prospect Clint Sammons is ubertalented, but has hit a wall with three-time All-star Brian McCann sitting behind home plate for the parent club. Sammons, who as of last week was hitting .236, might be attractive for a team needing a defensive catcher. Should a team need a middle infielder, Diory Hernandez is a name that has popped up as he rises through the Braves minor league system. Hernandez has 70 hits for Richmond this year and is second on the club in RBI. Going deeper into the club, former first round pick Eric Campbell and Jon Gilmore are both promising third basemen, and while Jason Heyward is probably off limits, former first rounder Cody Johnson could be the centerpiece of a mega-deal. Johnson has 13 home runs for the Rome Braves. Gorkys Hernandez is another guy that the Braves probably want to save for themselves, but if the right deal came along, Hernandez, who will play in the Futures Game as part of All-Star game weekend, could be sent out less than a year of his being acquired.
Sometimes it takes pitching to get pitching. The Braves certainly have plenty of young arms, and it will be interesting to see who the Braves deemed expendable in order to get a ready-made arm. Under the previous General Manager, the Braves never seemed to give up a future ace in order to get a deal, but teams kept accepting pitcher from the farm system nonetheless. The current crop of prospects includes, from Richmond: Phil Stockman, Chuck James and Jorge Julio. James has struggled for the last few seasons, but he has “young Tom Glavine” written all over him and Jo-Jo came around after three years, perhaps James can too once he gets over his arm troubles. All Stockman did this season when called up to Atlanta was throw strikes, so he might be attractive to suitors. Also Julio is a former closer on the MLB level with Baltimore and a team might hope to catch lightning in a bottle with him. AA-Mississippi’s Tommy Hanson is fresh off a no-hitter, which would intrigue some folks and two lefties from Rome (Jeff Locke and Cole Rohrbough) could draw interest.
If the Braves do decide to make a move, they have the bullets needed to cock the gun. But remember, with Matt Diaz coming back from injury and Tex starting to heat up, this offense will get better. Plus if Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine can both make it back from injury around August 1, this team will add two quality starting pitchers without giving up anything. The next three weeks will determine everything.
All-star Brian McCann had three hits last night. His teammates MUST start helping him out. This is the catcher aka THE MOST DEMANDING position on the entire field, and he plays that position NEARLY everyday. If anyone needs some help, it is this guy. Kind of makes you wish you didn't trade Saltalamaccia, or that Clint Sammons was a little better. Corky is NOT helping out AT ALL. His hitting is turrbul and I don't think he calls THAT great of a game. The Braves are lucky to have BMac, but he needs some help. Imagine his numbers if he could take a day off every now and then on a regular basis. less games, but more power. PLUS if Mac has the "day off" what a bat to come off the bench!
Just saying.
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