Only one loss for the Braves in today's Rule 5 draft, as Minor League starter Sean White was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates and immediately traded to our good friends the Seattle Mariners for cash. (You know, we could have just included him in the trade yesterday and saved everyone in Seattle and Pittsburgh a lot of time.)
As predicted, the Braves passed on selecting anyone in the draft. With 40 men already on their 40-man roster they would have had to let someone go. (I can think of a few people who were recently added who don't need to be there.)
White is not a big loss to the organization. He was a capable starter last year for Mississippi, he'll be 26 next season, and will likely not be anything other than a back of the rotation starter or long reliever. No one at Talking Chop even listed him on their top-25 prospect ballot last month, so this is not considered a big loss at all. My projection is that he'll be at best a Travis Smith/Jason Shiell type player.
0 recs | 12 comments
I
enjoyed watching Sean pitch the past couple of years. He did really well when he did well.... then he'd have those bad games or times when you just know if wasn't your day.I wish him all the best though!
...so since the Pirates traded him to Seattle ...do the same rules apply to Seattle ...having to keep him on the 40-man or him come back to us for 25K
SJsftb27 - December 7, 2006
well...
nevermind... I found it... the MLB site says that Seattle has to keep him on the 25-manSJsftb27 - December 7, 2006
Sean White
I really wish the Braves had protected White rather than a couple of others, even though I agree with the comments made here about his inconsistency and pretty low ceiling.What I do not understand is that the Braves have managed to let go of White and Wright (almost a tongue twister) at a time when the starting pitching in the upper levels of the system is already quite thin. Trading HoRam (which is a great trade) means that after Davies all the Braves have is Lerew and Kevin Barry. The offseason is hardly over, but I wish that the Braves' upper level pithcing on the farm was not so depleted.
One more comment--once again the Mariners astound; do they really want to keep Sean White on their 25 man roster? I realize that he is a local product, but it still looks like a stretch....
Stephen @ Talking Chop - December 7, 2006
yea...
good points! I agree... and if they don't does the same apply... they sell him back to us for 25K?so that could still be a possibility
SJsftb27 - December 7, 2006
Upper level Minor League Starters
Lerew and Barry are from the last wave of prospects that included James and Davies (and Frenchy and McCann). There might be a lull for a year, but the next wave is coming and it includes Matt Harrison and Jo-Jo Reyes as its opening act. Those guys could step in as early as next season if pressed into service, but they will be challenging for a spot in 08.gondeee - December 7, 2006
yea...
that's true... they're comin' on!SJsftb27 - December 7, 2006
Top level starters
Losing Wright really hurt our upper level pitching prospects but I don't think the other moves hurt it more than it is already lacking.Barry and White aren't really prospects. Lerew is a prospect but his struggles have been well documented. Losing Ramirez doesn't hurt because nobody wanted him in our rotation anyways. We already have two lefty starters so I didn't want to see HoRam in the rotation anyways.
If we can get through this current dry spell (it wouldn't be such a dry spell if Davies pitches to his ability) we have loads of young arms. The guys right after Harrison and Reyes are even more plentiful.
Zbrave - December 7, 2006
Not Rule 5 Comment, But...
mlbtraderumors.com is claiming that the Cubs are close to a deal with Daryl Ward.DW is a solid player -- I'd hate to lose him to the Cubs. He must be demanding more than JS wants to pay him. And the Cubs seem to have plenty of cash this offseason.
wuky - December 7, 2006
Jeez
Knowing the Cubs this off-season, they'll probably give Ward a three-year $9 million contract to be a bench player.gondeee - December 7, 2006
Already signed?
I thought we'd already signed Ward? Or was he just listed as the only free agent we would keep?secondbass - December 7, 2006
Hmm...
I thought I had read somewhere that Ward has ALREADY signed with the Cubs sometime earlier today.SJsftb27 - December 7, 2006
Harrison
Harrison could pitch next year in Atlanta and possibly should at some point during the second half of the season. By losing pitchers like Wright (and to a lesser extent White), the Braves might be tempted to rush Harrison to the majors--which is the last thing I would like to see with any quality Braves' pitching prospect.I agree if Davies recovers his form, the Braves should be alright.
Obviously, I do not want to see Kevin Barry having to start either!
Stephen @ Talking Chop - December 7, 2006
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