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Trade Bait – Huddy Looks Peachy in Home State Georgia
Each year it seems that the Braves come out of nowhere to make a trade that startles everyone. Names like J.D. Drew, Gary Sheffield, Mike Hampton and others come across the wire that befuddles even those who think they have Atlanta Braves GM John Schuerholz figured out. This year is no different. Shortly after receiving Dan Kolb in an unexpected trade, the Braves went out and acquired the pitcher with the 2nd best record for the decade in Tim Hudson.
“Huddy” is a sure-fire ace that can lead any rotation in baseball. Now, with John Smoltz now back in the rotation, the Braves have a 1-2 punch in their rotation that they haven’t had since Maddux/Millwood.
This trade will not only benefit Hudson and Smoltz, it will improve the rest of the rotation. By moving Hampton down to the three spot, it improves his value as well. Hampton will enter his third year under Leo Mazzone’s tutelage and may fare well enough against other 3-hole pitchers in the league to improve his confidence and his statistics. The same theory also applies to John Thompson who is entering his second year in the organization.
Continuing the domino affect, Horacio Ramirez will benefit from Hudson’s acquisition by being placed in the less used 5-spot in the rotation for the start of the year. Coming off shoulder problems that placed him on the bench for most of the 2004 season, using Ramirez somewhat sparingly through the season may ease him in to be more regular in 2005.
Sure, Billy Beane lost his staff ace, but it was unavoidable as the salary demands for Tim’s services after next year could place him out of the A’s price range. In completing this trade though, Billy has improved his team in many aspects.
The only prospect acquired in the deal, Dan Meyer was considered by some scouts to be one of the top five starting pitching prospects that were ready for the majors. This lefty has a good repertoire and should be able to step right into the depleted A’s rotation. Although not the pitcher that Mark Mulder was, Dan could be a decent replacement for the recently traded southpaw.
The second pitcher dealt, Juan Cruz, has great stuff. He just started putting things together under Leo’s guidance this year, showing that he could be a solid setup man in the majors. Although some still see him as a starter, he may have shown last year that his place to flourish is the bullpen.
The final player was Charles Thomas. This outfielder came out of nowhere this past year to produce good on-base numbers, speed, and great defense in left field for the Braves. Although his numbers dropped off in a late season swoon, he should be a good 4th or 5th outfielder for the A’s. Most likely, he will be placed into a platoon with Eric Byrnes to hit against the toughest righties and to be a defensive replacement for him as well. His addition also provides insurance against injury problems to Mark Kotsay or rookie problems with Nick Swisher.
This is one of what seems to be few trades that made good sense. The Braves have a true 1-2 punch (Russ Ortiz and Hampton are not the type that should head a rotation) and the A’s acquired some good talent with low service time to rebuild for another run in 2006.
The future is one of the main reasons for this trade. The Braves hope that given that Tim Hudson was from Georgia, they can sign him easier to a long-term contract before he hits the market next year. Together with Smoltz’s extension, the Braves would be able to solidify the top two spots in the rotation until Smoltz retires. Hampton is stuck in the rotation and would serve as a great 3-spot starter (although overpaid). Assuming that Horacio Ramirez redevelops into the great pitcher that he was becoming, he should move into Thompson’s spot next year, allowing prospect Kyle Davies to ease into the bottom of the rotation.
For the A’s, in 2006 they will have Meyer with enough experience under his belt to develop into a very reliable pitcher. With the expected emergence of Huston Street and Jario Garcia, Cruz may be expendable and serve as a good bargaining chip in the next off-season. Finally, Charles Thomas should continue to be good defensive replacement for the outfield that was just a couple years ago in complete defensive disarray.
A’s Retool for ’06, Look Bad for ’05?….No.
Going into the off season, it was assumed that Tim Hudson would be the first of the “big three” A’s starters to go from the vaunted rotation that had produced so many wins. He carried a relatively low salary and exists as one of the best starters in the industry. His position of existence one year from free agency prompted the A’s management to trade him in order to receive at least something in return. Yet “Huddy” was not the only pitcher traded of the big three. Mark Mulder drew much surprise when he was traded to the St. Louis.
Now the Oakland A’s begin a new era, an era that may need to be written about to make another best seller, like the earlier Moneyball. The A’s now have only one pitcher remaining of their “Big Three” and the term “rebuilding year” is being spat around like they are the Kansas City Royals. Yet this is not completely accurate if you look at their roster.
The starting rotation took the biggest hit through the recent developments of the offseason. With Mulder and Hudson removed, many only see Barry Zito as the only viable remaining starter. Yet Rich Harden proved in the second half of last season why scouts drooled over his abilities. Although he doesn’t have Zito’s tenure, he may just push his way into the ‘ace’ role out of spring training. Rich is that good.
The next starter of mention is Danny Haren, a pitcher that the Cardinals had high hopes for when he was just a prospect. Even though reality has sunk in, Danny still seems to be a good innings eater and a nice fit in the 3-4 spot in the rotation.
After Haren it looks to get somewhat shakier, yet the potential still exists. One of the pitchers that the A’s acquired from the Braves for Huddy was Dan Meyer, who they considered one of the five best majors-ready pitching prospects. This lefty should be able to hold his own during his first year in the A’s rotation. Yet Meyer isn’t the only starter available to the A’s to fill out the rotation. Much-heralded Joe Blanton is nearly ready for a decent shot at the majors. He has the talent to be a solid upper tier pitcher in the big leagues with some experience.
What better way to bring along young pitchers than an experienced, gritty, veteran catcher in Jason Kendall. Kendall not only has the ability to handle a young pitching staff as he did in Pittsburg, he can also hit for a good average at the top of the order. His addition strongly solidifies the catcher position until newly acquired power prospect Daric Barton takes over in 2-3 years.
Although the options along the right side of the infield are mediocre, they are decent for a slim budgeted team. Scott Hatteburg is a low-priced option for a first-baseman. Will this be the year the they finally bring one of the first basemen in their minors up for a chance? Dan Johnson has more potential power production upside. If this really is a rebuilding year, this may be the year that the new era in A’s first basemen is ushered in.
Second base is a little more shady. Although the A’s may want Mark Ellis in for his defensive abilities, last year’s injury leads many to wonder if he can be as productive as he was in 2003. Billy acquired a more-hit, less-glove option in Keith Ginter. Ginter brings power to the position and a gradually increasing batting average. It will be interesting how this position battle shakes out.
Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Bobby Crosby, is firmly entrenched at shortstop for a decent price. Look for him to hit for a better average and power this year to help displace the loss of Jermaine Dye. Equally as secure is the offensive mainstay of the organization in Eric Chavez. Eric has the ability to be an annual Gold Glove winner and 40+ home run hitter. The left side of the infield is set for the next few years.
The outfield is now less of a concern as it has been the past couple years. Mark Kotsay holds down centerfield with great defense, a good line-drive hitting bat, and speed on the bases. He now has more stability in left field with him in Eric Byrnes who can put up steady double-digit numbers in home runs and steals while providing a spark the team with his all-out play.
Yet it is right field where many students of the game are going to be watching this year. Nick Swisher is set to take over and be the centerpiece of Billy Beane’s emphasis in development. Swisher was mentioned so often within Moneyball to the point that he may be thought of as god-like to Billy. Nick combines high On-Base-Percentages with good power, central to Beane’s development principles.
In the end Oakland may not be able to compete with the high spending Angels this year for the division crown, but they may still be contenders with a late season push. It is 2006 that should be the most interesting. With all the above-mentioned young talent having at least a year under their belts, the team could turn many heads, fast.
All too often I am critical of GMs that trade top talent for minor league prospects. Many times the executive rushes to get the player traded and doesn’t make sure that he is getting top talent possible. Yet Billy Beane’s work this off season has been commendable for what he has received from the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals.
