The hottest rumor going for the Braves if they are to be buyers at the trade deadline has us acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady from the Pittsburgh Pirates. But do we really want Xavier Nady?
The Good:
The Bad:
Certainly Xavier Nady would not be the sexiest trade acquisition we've made in recent memory, and yet we would still be counting on him to be an offensive spark plug in the lower-middle part of our order for the remainder of the year. The biggest drawback (or red flag) to this trade from my perspective is that Nady has never really shown this kind of offensive prowess in the major leagues. But... he has been fairly consistent throughout this year and maybe at age 29 he's ready to be more than an average major leaguer. If that's the case and we are able to tap into it for a couple of years then I'm okay with this trade. I do like the fact that Nady "could" be a potential replacement for Teixeira at first base next year; I don't think it would be hard to find another outfielder if Nady were to move to first, besides, many of our almost-ready-prospects are outfielders.
While I'd rather not give up any more prospects in trades (especially after the deals last year), this may be the perfect place to use Gorkys Hernandez -- long thought to be a chip we would use in the trade market ever since his acquisition from the Tigers last November. We may also be able to sell high on a pitcher like Kris Medlen. I would probably be okay with that trade, not devestated or blown away, but okay.
We'll have to see if the Braves make this move. With the ability of Nady to play first, this may be a trade that is made whether or not the Braves keep winning in the next week or two, with the intention that Nady would be the replacement needed anyway next year for Tex. A lot depends on what we have to give up, but I'm warming up to this trade more and more.
0 recs | 10 comments
Trades
There is no reason for the Braves to be buyers this year. They should either sit and do nothing, or sell some of their pieces in order to begin rebuilding for the future. This year is all but finished, and we don’t need to sell off all of our prospects like we did last year for Teixeira.
drdonkeypunch - July 19, 2008
Unless by July 31........
We’re 3 1/2 out of 1st then I think we need to either keep the current players we already have or sell. We have too many teams to leapn not saying it can’t be done but the odds of that happening are very slim. And besides we’ll know by next weekend if we’re going to be buyers or sellers!
Jay212033 - July 19, 2008
The last I read was....
that they Pirates were wanting alot for both Nady & Bay. I hope the Braves don’t get desperate and give up some quality prospects when we are still behind 3 teams and so far out. If we get hot and get within 2-3 games, then maybe, but not until then, and not if the Pirates want too much.
frozen rope - July 19, 2008
i would hate to trade Gorkys. I would actually much rather trade Schafer. If we trade Schafer we could get Bay.
SayHeyWerd - July 19, 2008
Sounds much better than Nady
Bay is actually a good player and not on some fluky year. But please, no buying this year!
VictorW - July 19, 2008
No Nady, please
He’s just that not good and not worth the prospects the Pirates want. No reason to buy this year. Like other people are saying, stand pat or sell some (like Teix).
VictorW - July 19, 2008
Hard to say what we should do now. After the Phillies series we’ll have a better idea of whether or not we’re buyers or sellers. If we are in the race Nady would be a solid addition though Hernandez should not be a part of the deal.
dwbrave - July 19, 2008
If we are looking to improve we shouldnt trade for mediocre players like nady. Bay is the way to go on this trade. I would be a little hesitant at this point to give up any high level prosects as it seems like we may be going through some rebuilding years in the near future and many of these prospects will actually be ready to contribute. I just dont wanna see any more wainrights, jermaine dye’s, neftali feliz, etc.
bravesguy95 - July 19, 2008
If the Braves are going to add pieces in some Quixotic attempt to contend, hopefully they add someone who will actually be hitting in the second half (Bay) rather than Nady’s second half 742 OPS compared to first half 812. Especially when they’re the same age and Bay can just as easily be shifted to first as Nady next season.
17843 - July 19, 2008
nope Nady. Maybe to Bay. I’m not sure who I would trade for him. I like Medlen, but we do have several good young pitchers in the majors already and some a couple years away plus Hanson and Chuck James lingering around the high minors. And I would give up gorkys if it got us Bay, But not nady
yondaime4 - July 19, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.