Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Thoughts on today's trade

Today Nate McLouth was traded for a package of prospects, headlined by Gorkys Hernandez, the #62 prospect in baseball. Some wonder where the Braves dynasty failed, and it's becoming fairly obvious that the keystone in the stone fence was Jon Schuerholz. What's changed since the 90's dominance other than him? Bobby Cox is still there, Chipper still mans 3rd, they have great pitching, a strong farm system,etc.

The only major difference in how this team is run is the man choosing which personnel to employ. Jon Schuerholz had an eye for talent. Frank Wren does not. Today, Wren traded a centerfielder who could be a legit starter for the next five to ten years for a .255 hitter. .255! Could Gorkys Hernandez right now be much worse than what Mclouth has been his whole career?

Popular media will say that the Braves traded for an impact bat and glove. Smart media will tell you they added an average bat and glove. Nate Mclouth is merely Eric Byrnes 2.0. A streaky player who makes exciting plays who put enough hot streaks together in one season to masquerade as an elite player, who's then signed to an expensive contract that's priced far beyond his talent level. Pittsburgh will get hammered for this deal by the media, but they've actually made out like bandits.

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