From Ken Rosenthal, we learn that the Atlanta Braves have had what seems like several conversations with teams about trading starting pitcher Derek Lowe, but they have had little luck finding a taker:
The Braves' most extensive discussions concerning Lowe have been with the Brewers about a trade for outfielder Corey Hart, according to one source.
But the Brewers are not sure they would want Lowe even if the Braves included significant money in the deal, another source says.
Another team showing interest is the Angels:
The Angels, who showed interest in Lowe about a month ago, according to sources, could use him to replace Lackey in their rotation. The Braves, seeking a right-handed hitter, like Angels outfielder Juan Rivera.
Rosenthal also speculates that the White Sox could be a match for the Braves, in a possible swap for right-handed first baseman Paul Konerko, but no sources are cited for that rumor.
The rumor about the Brewers seems quite credible since Rosenthal mentions two different sources, and the Braves have long had eyes for Corey Hart (though I don't know why). Once John Lackey signs, the market for Lowe may open up, with those teams who lost out on Lackey willing to up their offer to get Lowe. The Braves could still reverse course and choose to deal Javier Vazquez, but for the moment it seems clear that they are focused on moving Lowe and his contract (even if they have to eat part of it).
[UPDATE 8:15pm]
Mr. Rumor Clarification (aka Mark Bowman) was quicker than he normally is in clarifying the above rumor. Here's Bowman:
The Braves see the Brewers as a potential suitor for Derek Lowe. But contrary to a report on FOXSports.com, they have never been interested in trading the veteran sinkerballer in exchange for Brewers outfielder Corey Hart.
Good. I feel the same way about Corey Hart. No thank you. Bowman reiterates an statement he made earlier in the off-season that the Brewers are primarily interested in Javier Vazquez. He also mentions that the Braves have strong interest in trying to match up Lowe with the Angels in a trade.
0 recs | 87 comments
Konerko
interesting
esadb - November 19, 2009
That's who I've been asking for the whole time...
cleanup hitter, good pop, right handed and plays 1B. Exactly what we need.
The problem is, with their trade for Peavy added to Buerhle, Danks, and Floyd, they don’t really need to Lowe, especially with his salary. He’d be nice for them, but not really a necessity considering their other starting options and lack of a Yankees-size payroll.
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
Other problems
Away from Chicago Konerko’s just an average offensive 1B.
He’s at best average defensively.
He’s under-performed his contract 3 years running.
He’ll be 34 at the start of 2010.
He costs $12M for 2010 and has 10-and-5 no trade rights, meaning he’d probably ask for an extension from the Braves to agree to the trade.
Yakker - November 20, 2009
YA THINK!?!
southman - November 19, 2009
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/braves_not_interested_in_hart.html
Bowman told K-Ros to shut up, again. Our beat writer has been on point so far this offseason.
bravesfan91 - November 19, 2009
Good news, bad news
I’ll let you decide which one’s which:
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Whats bad about the Braves at least asking for Wood in return for Lowe?
bravesfan91 - November 19, 2009
Nothing.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Ah, then I agree with you. Trading Javy really shouldn’t be an option.
bravesfan91 - November 19, 2009
Agreed. While I’d prefer Walden instead of Wood (especially if he’s going to play 1B), I’d be fine with either for Lowe.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
wood plays for the Angels, right?
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 20, 2009
Yup
Yakker - November 20, 2009
so...
why would we trade Vaz to the Brewers to get Wood from the Angels?
I think we should just do something like:
Lowe
Kelly Johnson
12 million
for
Wood
Rivera (if they don’t want to give up Rivera, then Sandoval)
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 20, 2009
they have very little reason to take on KJ, they have Izturis, Aybar, and Kendrick
and thats just the ML talent, not inlcuding Chone who they would like to resign.
Swo12bv - November 20, 2009
Huh?
Um, we wouldn’t. Read the string. Don’t trade Javy to the Brewers or anybody. Trade Lowe to the Angels, for either Walden or Wood. I don’t know what’s so confusing.
Yakker - November 20, 2009
Psh,
the Braves are NOT gonna just “end up having to trade Javier Vazquez to the Brewers.” It’s not like the Braves are thinking “Ah man, looks like Vazquez has to go.” If the Braves trade Vazquez, we will be getting something good in return. He’s not a salary dump like Lowe.
And just to let you know, the way you posted that makes it look like we were thinking of trading Vazquez for Wood…
alligatorimpersonator - November 19, 2009
Yeah, sorta like no way the Braves would have to trade Kevin Millwood for pennies on the dollar. In the world of budgetary constraints and corporate owners, anything’s possible.
We shouldn’t even be talking about dealing Vasquez, we should be talking about locking him up for the next 3 years.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Is Wood even that highly regard anymore?
blitzerlover - November 19, 2009
oh yeah.
go check his numbers. i have no clue why the Angels dont play him.
mvhsbball - November 19, 2009 via mobile
I know he puts up good numbers in the minors, but you would think the Angels would have given him a chance in the Bigs by now.
blitzerlover - November 19, 2009
well to be fair
he has kinda been blocked by Chone Figgins. So with that thought you have to think that they would be more likely to move him if they cant resign figgins
drumzalicious - November 19, 2009
According to Sosh, they don’t think Wood is a very good situational hitter. Press reports say that the Angels will be big in the Beltre sweepstakes, making Wood at best the 3rd choice.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Good
Now lets go trade for him. Last year i could have sworn we almost got Morales but decided to get Kotchman instead. Then look what he did this year.
drumzalicious - November 20, 2009
At the time though...
look at them at the time of the trade. It looks bad now, since we could have had Morales at 1st, then probably move him to LF when Freeman was ready, but see the deal then.
They are the same age,but it was Kotchman who had won the big league job. Morales ripped it in the minors, but again at the same age, Kotchman had the big job not Morales. And Kotch’s lack of power didn’t really show as bad until he got here. In 05, he had 7 HR in 31 starts taking the job at the end of the year. 06 and 07 was mono and some injuries if I’m not mistaken. And his power seemed to be coming back when we added him (11 HR in 443 ab in 07, had 12 already when we got him midway through 08). Unfortunately, his power disappeared on arrival in Atlanta with a mere 8 in the 450 ab’s here.
Maybe all the scouts would have said differently at the time, but looking at their raw stats at the time, asking for Kotchman instead of Morales seems like the smart play. 20/20 hindsight is different, but look at their numbers prior to the deal, and then say which one you’d prefer.
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
This
Also, fielding had Kotchman way ahead.
Yakker - November 20, 2009
I’m sick of Bowman. He offers nothing new and the only time you hear from him is when he says something isn’t true. He’s such a kill joy.
jack dein - November 19, 2009
I’m sick of Rosenthal spewing made-up “rumors” and trying to pass it off as news.
bravesfan91 - November 19, 2009
Yeah Rosenthal does get more credit then he deserves but he at least talks about the Braves once in awhile. The only time you hear from Bowman is when he says something isn’t true or when a deal does happen he talks about a day later.
jack dein - November 19, 2009
Is that a joke?
Bowman updates his blog all the time. It just happens to be a slow time in baseball right now. During the season he always has a new post. There just happens to be jack going on in baseball right now.
His blog will pick up in the winter meetings, i guarantee it
worst call ever in being sick of Bowman and not offering something new
GoBravesNY - November 19, 2009
I dont think he actually makes up stories.
esadb - November 19, 2009
Rosenthal is a font of worthless misinformation.
John Holton - November 20, 2009
No joke...
how many articles has that been so far essentially saying, Don’t believe what Rosenthal wrote.
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
Lowe for Juan Rivera?
If that’s what K-Ros is implying, someone needs to tell him to go to the doctor immediately. The Angels aren’t drunk.
alligatorimpersonator - November 19, 2009
I have been saying this for a while
And let’s face it—-if the Angels were down with that, I would hope Wren would take the deal in a heartbeat and we’d be done with that.
cavebird - November 19, 2009
is this insider information?
scottsharp76 - November 19, 2009
I really do think Lowe would pitch better in a ‘not-so-hot’ environment.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - November 19, 2009
It’s possible. Roy and I had a conversation about this a little while back. Lowe’s slider went from very good in his career and excellent in 2008 to downright terrible in 2009. Is it the humidity? His mechancis? Who knows.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Father time?
Salty - November 19, 2009
Perhaps. But it’s not like he lost velocity, he just threw the slider with more horizontal and less vertical movement this year. Unless he’s hiding an injury, I don’t see how a guy goes from a pitch value of +5 or more on his SL to -10 essentially over night.
Yakker - November 19, 2009
Corey Hart?
Ugh, no thanks.
ATLandUNC - November 19, 2009
Trading Lowe would be a mistake.
I know he’s overpaid and mostly just cares about the money, but come on! How many teams have the luxury of having 6 legitamite starters? The importance of pitching depth cannot be underestimated.
GouldisGold - November 19, 2009
I think it showed this year that, while having 6 good starters is great in all, it doesn’t do well if you can’t score very many runs.
dlkinser86 - November 19, 2009
Since dumping Lowe’s salary seems to be the top priority, Frank Wren may see it differently.
And I don’t understand where the Lowe “mostly just cares about the money” assertion is coming from. He is a solid professional as far as I can see.
fandave - November 19, 2009
He is a Boras client.
And he probably would have signed elsewhere if he were offered more money.
But as I was saying, we shouldn’t trade away our pitching depth. Let’s put it this way: Let’s say every team in the NL East(including us) loses a starter for any lenth of time due to injury. Who do you think would come out on top?
GouldisGold - November 19, 2009
We don't have the money to have the luxury
of keeping the pitching depth. It’s nice in theory, but if we can salary dump Lowe and use that salary for a couple of bullpen arms, a first baseman, and, say, Mike Cameron, we’d be a much better team for it. We have plenty of options for fifth starter if a pitcher gets hurt. If it is like 2008 and we lose 4 pitchers, well, we’ll just lose. Outside of New York and Boston, nobody can afford enough depth to survive losing that many pitchers.
cavebird - November 19, 2009
Earning a substantial amount of money is actually the primary point of playing out the existing contract and becoming a free agent.
fandave - November 19, 2009
I don’t think the Braves can say that…the Braves can say that they have 7 legit starters – Medlen isn’t bad, and I’d rather have him as the “6th” starter than Lowe at this point. Not because Lowe pitched so “badly” this past year, but because Medlen is about $14.5M cheaper.
justincredubil02 - November 19, 2009
I agree
if anyone gets hurt, I have faith that Medlen will do just fine filling in. Plus, I know anything can happen, but it’s not like we are going into the season with battered and beat up starters – Huddy may be the only one I see missing a few starts.
alligatorimpersonator - November 20, 2009
Konerco
I’d do that deal in a second, even if we have to equal the salaries (Konerco makes 3 mil less than Lowe). Here’s why:
1) 2 less years of 15 mil
2) Don’t have to commit multiple yrs to Laroche
3) He’s RH
4) Pretty good defender
5) A lock for .270 and 30 hrs
6) Will at least be a Type-B FA, could be an A.
graf - November 19, 2009
only thing i worry about
he’s played at a hitters paradise, U.S. Cellular, the last 10 seasons.
And i’m a little surprised to see he’s only 33. I thought he was at least 35 or so.
Besides that, I think it would be a great move. It’s a great bridge player to Freddie Freeman.
mvhsbball - November 19, 2009
I’d rather have LaRoche for much cheaper.
justincredubil02 - November 19, 2009
did someone say that Konerko is a "pretty good defender"?
then they’re drunk.
the guy’s a career DH from this point forward.
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 20, 2009
This just in...
Cardinals agreed to take Lowe in exchange for A. Pujols citing that they have no decent starting pitching.
>.<
I need facts not silly rumors
Trek - November 19, 2009
im leary for trading for Pujols…. he really hasnt proven anything to me lately
Swo12bv - November 20, 2009
Yeah, didn't he just have surgery?
He sucks now.
buzzdeadwax - November 20, 2009
hmm
I like the approach the braves are taking with going after prospects with lowe.
I wonder who we would have to add in that deal for Brandon Wood. I highly doubt they give us Wood straight up for Lowe
drumzalicious - November 19, 2009
Lowe I believe is going to end up an Angel.
D. Lowe is a gone that we have all figured out and since we cannot seem to get anything as far as major league ready talent we need to raid the Angels farm system for a couple of medium grade prospects or simply one top quality 3B prospect but I checked out their minor league system and they have decent pitching depth (as much as any other organization not named the Yankees) but corner IF prospects is not something they have alot of.
I would go with the idea that braves get Juan Rivera and a mid-grade pitching prospect for D. Lowe & Braves throw in some cash (5-10 mil) this season to help out the Angels and then they can do whatever they want do with him after that.
Angels are just the best fit at this point but they only have 12 million or so to spend so I am not so sure they are willing to eat D. Lowe and his huge contract unless we put the cash in with it.
Hmm… I do agree that Lowe would be the second best opition on the free agent market after Lackey and if we removed three piss poor starts then Lowe’s season ERA would have been around the 3.87 mark.
As for moving Vasquez, it is simple Brew Crew give me a Ryan Braun and you can have Vasquez he was in the Cy Young voting and did pretty well I might add for himself this season with a streaky and often non-existent offense.
Go Braves.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 19, 2009
How ’bout we let more than 2 weeks pass since the World Series before we close the door on any trade possibilities. How the hell do you know that we cannot get any MLB-ready talent in return for Lowe? Has Wren called you and informed you that he has exhausted all possibilities already? I mean, hell, it is 19 Nov…the offseason has, oh, about 90% of its time remaining!
God, some of you people need to just slow down and know your roles – internet GMs. In all honesty, none of us know what is going to happen any more than you know my phone number.
justincredubil02 - November 19, 2009
bold statements
are part of internet GMin.
Maybe the people who think that Lowe’s contract is like an anchor are right or maybe the shortage of pitching will overcome that. I don’t know, but my guess is that given nobody wanted to pay him 15 mil last year and you got what may be the best year of the contract, that it’ll be hard to move him. Boras has a knack for getting teams to bid against themselves – who knows what the 2nd highest bid was.
Salty - November 20, 2009
we outbid the Mets for Lowe’s services, implying they were willing to pay him 15M
Swo12bv - November 20, 2009
Wonder if they'd be willing to take him now...
with their starters worse this offseason compared to last (Santana wasn’t hurt last winter, and Maine/Pelphrey seemed a little more promising). But then, if we sent Lowe to the Mets, what would we ask for back? Who would they send back that we’d want and they’d be willing to give up?
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
I wouldn’t want to have to face Lowe in divisional games…the guy can still pitch very well.
justincredubil02 - November 20, 2009
Depends on the return, and what you do with the money saved...
he’s good, but at some point during the season you always face food pitchers. If it makes my team better, I don’t care who I’m dealing with. They’ll have to face whoever they gave up too.
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
Yeah
I wouldn’t mind facing Lowe either if we could throw out Vazquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Huddy, or dragon-slayer against him.
alligatorimpersonator - November 20, 2009
good pitchers, obviously
damn these fat fingers. Where’s my dialing wand?
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
Everybody knows what you were saying, but it is a funny image. Shades of the Belushi Animal House scene.
Salty - November 20, 2009
Mr. Sanchez - November 20, 2009
No way in hell that the Brewers give up Braun for Vazquez. Vazquez is signed for just one more year and the Brewers don’t exactly have the money to sign people to long term contracts. Braun is a power hitting OF who is signed cheaply for 6 more years at $41.5M. He’s a all-star caliber player who won’t make over $10M a season until 2014.
jack dein - November 20, 2009
Could Wren be....
Reading the message boards?!?! I have been pushing Jose Arredondo and Freddy Sandoval for Lowe forever! I’d absolutely love this deal it would free up tons of money for the Braves to sign either Bay or Holiday plus get more BP help and they could still re-sign LaRoche or trade for a 1B all because of this one deal!
Jay212033 - November 20, 2009 via mobile
who the hell is Freddy Sandoval?
mvhsbball - November 20, 2009 via mobile
Sandoval
He’s a switch-hitter that can play several positions. mainly the IF but has played in the OF as well. He has decent pop and would fill a key spot in the bench.
Jay212033 - November 20, 2009 via mobile
Signing Bay would be a terrible, terrible mistake.
Yakker - November 20, 2009
THIS
Swo12bv - November 20, 2009
Signing Bay to that kind of contract (Years and $$$) would be a big mistake. Signing Bay for 2 years or so would be awesome. Bay is the best hitter on the market. While his D is questionable (The Green Monster tends to make guys look worse than they really are), his bat alone would instantly make us a legit contender next season, regardless of his defense.
justincredubil02 - November 21, 2009
but signing Holliday
would be a mistake, but not nearly as big as Bay?
apoxonbothyourhouses - November 20, 2009
Signing Holliday would be a mistake, sorta like dropping five Gs on a weekend w/ a Vegas stripper. You know you’re going to regret it on Monday, but man it feels good at the time.
Yakker - November 20, 2009
Matt Holliday is a badass.
mvhsbball - November 20, 2009 via mobile
I still find it quite funny, that after all the courting we did to get Lowe (trips to Turner, dining out, recruiting video by Alan Jackson), that we’re trying to get rid of him the very next year. I’m sure he’s loving this.
10-4 - November 20, 2009
Dont forget the Jeff Foxworthy shmoozing, that might have sealed the deal
bravesguy311 - November 20, 2009
Was he in on it? I thought he had soured on the Braves after Smoltz left.
10-4 - November 20, 2009
Good call. I remembered something about it, and it turns out they wanted him to shmooze D Lo, and he wouldnt because of the Smotlz saga
http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/blog/tag/jeff-foxworthy/
bravesguy311 - November 20, 2009
It's business
It happens all the time even on normal jobs companies compete for an employee’s service and the company hires the employee if the employee does not perform up to the company’s standards the employee is released from that contract. That’s a long way to explain that if you don’t perform up to expectations yo ass is grass!
Jay212033 - November 20, 2009 via mobile
I get the feeling
that even if Lowe’s ERA was at 3.50 last year and worked 200 innings that we would still try to trade him this offseason. We have pitching and no hitting, and Lowe is the odd man out with the huge contract.
alligatorimpersonator - November 20, 2009
Fake Pujols’ death, then erase his memory and have the Braves sign him. Shave his goatee and stick glasses on him and nobody will ever know.
TradeAndruw - November 20, 2009
somebody’s imagination is working hard today
Swo12bv - November 20, 2009
Right now, I could care less who we get in return
My main concern right now is seeing his $15 million annual salary go elsewhere.
SmithnCompany - November 20, 2009
amen
drumzalicious - November 21, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.