Perhaps we can file this under "first official crazy winter meetings rumor of the day." Here is the interesting rumor in question, regarding our bullpen no less:
According to a team that talked to the Yankees about acquiring Brian Bruney, the right-handed reliever could be headed to Atlanta.
"We asked about him but hear he is going to the Braves," the source said.
Because the Yankees asked for prospects from the first team, they likely are looking for the same thing from Atlanta. Bruney, who made $1.25 million last year, is eligible for arbitration.
Say whaaat? I mean, I like Brian Bruney... some... but we seem to be fetishizeing on our bullpen a bit too much. Perhaps this was one of our backup plans before we acquired Saito last week. Or perhaps we really want another million$+ arm in the bullpen.
Here are Bruney's stats from last year:
[UPDATE: 11:00AM]
The other side of this Bruney rumor, is that it could be a part of a greater Derek Lowe deal. Here is ESPN's Buster Olney on the general rumblings of the meetings
this morning:
Last week, we saw quick movement in 3B market. Today, a lot of talk from agents and teams that starting pitcher market is intensifying.
If you're talking about the starting pitching market, you almost have to be talking about the Braves, who clearly have a starter they need to deal.
[UPDATE: 12:57PM]
According to the New York Posts
Joel Sherman, the Yanks have traded Bruney to the Nationals. So much for that rumor which had him headed to Atlanta. That seemed far-fetched from the beginning.
don't see it happening after last weeks signings
jraypritch - December 7, 2009
maybe we are gonna put all of our money into the bullpen and forget about scoring run and try to win games 1-0. throw lowe to the bullpen then to i guess.LOL
ccoolguy2003 - December 7, 2009
Is Rosenthal behind this one too? I mean come on already… Enough with the damn bullpen already!! I hear they’re bringing back Bob Wickman too lol
HansonManCrush - December 7, 2009 via mobile
actually king of NY post
GoBravesNY - December 7, 2009
D.Lowe for Bruney
I will buy that for a dollar
bravesguy311 - December 7, 2009
amen dude. that’d be like pocket change for the Yanks to do that trade.
Sparhawk - December 7, 2009
Hmmmm
Maybe Frank thought he signed Honus Wagner?
mikie baseball - December 7, 2009
This offseason is full of shenanigans so far
Pure shenanigans
ATLandUNC - December 7, 2009
I'm gonna go home and get my broomstick...
J-Freak - December 7, 2009
what's the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?
Mr. Sanchez - December 7, 2009
Uhhhh
Wat?!
Scott Coleman - December 7, 2009 via mobile
Ahhh, winter meetings….
please no?
GoBravesNY - December 7, 2009
Tim Dierkes over at MLBTR has already called BS on this one.
J-Freak - December 7, 2009
In the last paragraph, the author of that rumor states emphatically that he does not beleive a word of it.
braves99 - December 7, 2009
He's not the author of that rumpr
He just posted it. His guess on whether it’s true or not is no better than yours or mine.
The rumor came from King of the New York Post.
Benoit - December 7, 2009
Ah..Winter Meetings....
..“it’s the most won-der-ful time of the year”…
except baseball season, or course….
sddbaker - December 7, 2009
trading Soriano?
i know that if he accepts we can’t trade him until June 1.
But what if he waves that right and WANTS to be traded, say to the Yankees with Lowe for Swisher and Bruney.
Then the Yanks go out and sign Holliday and call it a day?
We all are happy and we can put Swisher in LF and focus the $ we save on a trade + extension for Fielder(?). I know Swisher isn’t a prototypical LF and RH power bat but he could balance the lineup a bit.
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 7, 2009
CBA treats FA signings different from Arb signings. Pretty sure the trade provision would not apply to Soriano’s case.
scstrato - December 7, 2009
oh
b/c there are MANY different stories around.
even if he accepts, the Yankees seem like a doable trade partner (seeing that they’re projecting a 220 million dollar payroll next year or some such bullshit).
apoxonbothyourhouses - December 7, 2009
Could we trade our rights to him today...
before he had the chance to accept? We’d miss out on the potential picks, but also the potential damaging salary.
Mr. Sanchez - December 7, 2009
Good point
First let me clarify that I was wrong, the trade provision does apply to Soriano if he accepts arb in that we would need his written permission to trade him before June 15.
As for your question, I’m not sure. The CBA is a very difficult read and I didn’t go into it looking for info covering this scenario (though that does not mean it does not exist), but if I had to guess I would say that we are unable to do anything like this until the arb process is complete. That would be nice though!
scstrato - December 7, 2009
The Yanks are also saying that they would like to reduce payroll to 185 mil by next year. Who really knows. Owner’s egos are every bit as big as any players’ and they like winning.
braves99 - December 7, 2009
$185mm leaves them what?...
ARod, Jeter, Tex, Sabathia, Burnett, Rivera, Posada, and 18 guys playing for the minimum?
Mr. Sanchez - December 7, 2009
Bruney traded to Nats
Squashed this one quickly
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/nationals-acquire-brian-bruney.html
bravesguy311 - December 7, 2009
Ah, now I understand
The “source” has been living under a rock for 10 years. When he heard that Stan Kasten was making a move for Bruney, he thought “Oh, so the Braves will get him.”
Makes perfect sense, now.
Bronn - December 7, 2009
He probably went on to inquire about Andruw Jones’ availability.
Bronn - December 7, 2009
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