3/26/08 - Tyler Yates to the Pirates for Todd Redmond
After posting a 5.18 ERA with the Braves in 2007, Yates posted similar ERAs of 4.66 in 2008 and 7.50 so far this year.
Redmond held his own in AA Mississippi in '08, going 13-5 with a 3.52 ERA. However, some other numbers did not bear this success out: 7.2 BB/9, 4.03 K/9, 8.9 WHIP. Every one of these numbers has been even worse this year, even the already high WHIP. All things said and done, Wren got something for a player we didn't want anyways, albeit something seemeingly not worth taking.
No Thumbs
3/29/08 - Claimed Ruben Gotay off waivers from the Mets
In 88 games in 2008, Gotay hit .235/.322/.343. I have nothing else to say.
1 Thumb Down
7/4/08 - Signed Julian Tavarez
Tavarez actually pitched pretty well after signing with the team in mid summer, appearing in relief in 36 games and posting an ERA of 3.89.
1 Thumb Up
7/29/08 - Mark Teixeira to the Angels for Casey Kotchman and Steve Marek
Most Braves fans probably know how Tex (nickname used solely for ease of typing, no affection here) performed in half a year in Anaheim, but in case you forgot, he simply hit .358/.449/.632 with 43 RBIs in 54 games.
After some well documented struggles after changing leagues, Kotchman seems to have found his grove this year. This is about what to expect out of him: hitting .281 with 16 2Bs, 24 RBIs, and 17 Ks to 14 BBs, all while playing gold glove caliber defense at first. Meanwhile, Marek has done nothing to impress in AA last year or this. This deal obviously doesn't look great because Tex is such a great player, both on offense and defense, but his stock was deeply declining last summer, as teams realized they would only be getting a rental. Since the Braves couldn't afford his $180 million contract, this is probably about as much as could be had for the rental. Additionally, Kothcman is still arbitration eligible, a factor that becomes more and more important to the Braves every year.
2 Thumbs Up
8/27/08 - Mark Kotsay to Red Sox for Luis Sumoza
Kotsay played nothing short of terrible for the Sox last fall, hitting .226 in 22 games. Sumoza, a 20 year old outfielder in Rome, isn't doing anything special, though he isn't approaching Schafer/Francoeur numbers either. Wren effectively rid himself of Kotsay and his back for a mediocre prospect.
1 Thumb Up
11/21/08 - Claimed Eric O'Flaherty off waivers from Seattle
An excellent pickup so far for the Braves. While being the only lefty in the bullpen, O'Flaherty has appeared in 24 games with an ERA of 3.12 and a 0.865 WHIP. Filled a big need for the team with some of the hitters in the East and filled it well.
2 Thumbs Up
12/4/08 - Tyler Flowers, Jonathan Gilmore, Brent Lillibridge, and Santos Rodriguez to the White Sox for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan
After a brilliant performance in the Arizona fall league (eclipsed only by Tommy Hanson's) that saw Flowers hit .385 and lead the league with 10 HRs, his value as a prospect sky-rocketed. Though I doubt he will stick to catching due to his big frame, there will hopefully not be an opening there in Atlanta for quite a few years. He was the gem of this deal from the White Sox perspective. Gilmore is hitting .214 thus far, while Lillibridge's stock has cooled the last few years as he has lost his bat. Rodriguez averaged 14 BB/9 in 2008, but a young kid all the same.
Javier Vazquez has pitched absolutely phenomal in 2009, although his 4-4 record does not show it. He is leading the league in strikeouts and is on pace for about 280 for the year. He's got a solid ERA of 3.58 and a WHIP of 1.15. You know he is going to eat innings up throughout the year, something that the Braves truly lacked last season and stands to help the bullpen immensely. Given some run support, he would be a shoo-in for an allstar spot (sound like any other Braves pitchers?). Logan has pitched decent in Gwinett this year, sporting a 3.13 ERA but a 1.300 WHIP. Clearly the Braves gave up some possibly elite prospects in this deal, but they got an inning eater who strikes guys out and doesn't get hurt. Although his price tag has sparked some rumors that the Braves may be shopping him for a much needed bat, I like this deal a lot since he is a sure thing, whereas none of the prospects are.
4 Thumbs Up
1/13/09 - Signed Kenshin Kawakami to a 3 year deal worth $23 million
Probably still too early to call this one. That price tag is awfully steep, and the "shoulder fatigue" coupled with his early season performance certainly set off alarms for Braves fans. However, over 5 starts in the month of May, Kawakami had an ERA of 3.03 (even though he pitched only 29.2 IP in that stretch). Plus, during that stretch, his WHIP was an unimpresive 1.416. I'm still a little nervous about this one.
2 Thumbs Down (so far)
1/13/09 - Signed Derek Lowe for 4 years, $60 million
Lowe has pitched like the ace he was advertised to be in the offseason when Wren took the plunge on a 4 year deal with a 36 year old pitcher. $15 mil is a lot for a pitcher that old, but the guy has been consistent. Since returning to the NL after a failed stint with Boston, he posted a 3.59 ERA while averaging 212 IP over 4 years. Among the league leaders this year in wins so far. Barring a major injury, I like this move despite the steep price tag.
2 Thumbs Up
2/20/09 - Signed Tom Glavine for 1 year, $1 million (incentives up to $3.5 million)
Wren took another shot on Glavine, again a sentimental move. Talked in Part 1 about his saeason in 2008. Thus far in the minors this year, Glavine, who starts tonight against the Augusta Green Jackets, has an ERA of 3.60 over 10 IP. With a plethora of major pitching talent waiting in the wings (Medlen, Hanson, maybe even Morton), could this move actually make the team worse? I love Tom Glavine, and his experience and knowledge about the game would be invaluable for this team, espcially the young pitchers I just mentioned. That being said, I would like to see him take on a consultant's role rather than a starter's. Of course, he could totally prove me wrong, as I hope he does.
1 Thumb Down
2/22/09 - Signed Garret Anderson for $2.5 million over 1 year
A move made to try to improve the abysmal outfield offense of 2008, Anderson hasn't quite lived up to the expectations. After being hurt early in the year, Anderson has improved his stats to .266/.294/.358. Given his consistency the last few years, those numbers are likely to go up. If they stay where they are, though, it is certainly not an upgrade over Matt Diaz, who is probably a little better defensively. On the other hand, if he can bring them up closer to his career averages, this is as good a way as any to spend $2.5 million.
1 Thumb Up (for now)
4/20/09 - Blaine Boyer to the Cardinals for Brian Barton
Boyer has posted a 5.06 ERA in 13 games so far in St. Louis. The 27 year old Barton is hitting just .241 in Gwinnett. Nothing special here.
No Thumbs
That conlcudes the exhaustive review of Frank Wren's tenure with the Braves. The total tally on the RJTS: 19 Thumbs Up vs. 12 Thumbs Down, with 9 positive moves vs. 7 negative ones. Given the budget constraints, the floundering hometown heroes, the phenoms that transform into dazed rookies, and some of the streakiest players in baseball, I think Wren has done pretty well overall. Feel free to leave me a comment if you disagree on a move or if I left something out.
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