Trade Rumors

After searching about on the site mlbtraderumors.com, I found a few bits on the Braves and their recent "rumors."

We've seen the Braves connected in Mark Teixeira rumors before; in late June Kat O'Brien included the Braves in a sizeable list of interested teams. Speculation for quite a while now has placed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the discussion.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Teixeira-to-Atlanta rumor was still making the rounds at the All-Star Game. He seems to be speculating when he says Jon Daniels would require Salty and another young player, but that sounds about right. Perhaps the Braves wouldn't be daunted by Teixeira's free agency after 2008. They could definitely let him walk and collect some valuable draft picks. That'd bypass a lot of the Boras factor, though they'll still have to arrive at a 2008 salary.

Braves' first basemen have amassed an ugly .211/.264/.374 line in 318 ABs, most of it coming from Scott Thorman and the since-departed Craig Wilson. But if they went with Saltalamacchia exclusively from here on out, would he be significantly worse than Teixeira?

The Braves are fourth in the NL in OBP and sixth in slugging, with Andruw Jones perhaps primed for a much better second half. The bigger need is in pitching, specifically the starting rotation. Atlanta's 4.60 rotation ERA is just 10th in the NL, and they have to be at least slightly worried about John Smoltz.

The problem is that Teixeira is definitely on the market, while an ace starter may not be. Javier Vazquez might be the best pitcher available.

Well, this just doesn't make any sense really. Saltalamacchia is projected out to be a player that is close to Teixeira. The only difference is the amount of years involved and price. I suppose if the Braves really needed hitting at this moment (they don't) then it would make sense. Just realize that Teixeira would probably be an upgrade at the moment, but for the upcoming seasons, trading Salty and perhaps another decent prospect is not worth getting him for a year and a half at a much higher salary. It is rather simple, just keep Salty at 1st base and play him ever day. You got a guy that has potential to play at the same level as Teixeira for many more years and at a much cheaper price.

Given the depth of the infielders in the Braves system, I would try to part with a few of them to get another starting pitcher. Pitching is obviously our biggest need.

Andruw apparently has campaigned for another starter. Also from MLBTR suggests that...

The names I think we'll be hearing in trade rumors this month as far as starters: Matt Morris, Kyle Lohse, Jason Jennings, Jon Garland, and Jose Contreras. There should be a few more second or third tier type guys as well (Odalis Perez, Steve Trachsel, Joe Kennedy, Wade Miller, Josh Fogg, Brett Tomko). I would not be surprised to see Oakland become sellers in short order, but they don't have much starting pitching to trade with Rich Harden and Esteban Loaiza injured.

I really wouldn't mind seeing someone like Matt Morris or Jon Garland on the team. Even welcoming back Odalis Perez at a low cost wouldn't be a bad choice either.

The Braves have also Inquired on Dmitri Young. Again, it doesn't make much sense, but having Dmitri off the bench or a casual replacement wouldn't be so bad depending on who we give up. It really looks like Scott Thorman will be removed from the team shortly.