Braves Sign Rafael Furcal, May Talk Trade with Pirates
by Charlie on Dec 16, 2008 1:48 PM EST
26 comments
The Braves have agreed to a deal with Rafael Furcal, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The interesting thing about it is that the Braves didn't exactly need a middle infielder, as they already had a pretty good middle infield in Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson. So this could set the Braves up to either move Johnson to the outfield or trade one of their middle infielders for pitching. The AJC suggest that the Pirates could be involved in that trade if that happens, perhaps trading Paul Maholm.
This would make some sense--if Jack Wilson is traded. Right now, the Pirates already have a middle infield. I like Escobar a lot, but I don't think he alone would be enough of a return for Maholm. Johnson is a better hitter, but a trade for him would seem more unlikely: like Sanchez, he's had injuries that limit his ability to throw, so he couldn't play shortstop, in which case a Wilson trade wouldn't open a spot for him.
Anyway, this move probably can't go anywhere until a Wilson trade goes down, and I have my doubts now that it ever will. But it's worth keeping in mind.
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I hope that trade never happens
I am against trading Maholm for more middle infielders irrespective of their talent unless their names are Joe Morgan and Ernie Banks. Simply put, trading Maholm makes no sense since he appears to be our best prospect for next season. Hasn’t management learned anything from having Wilson and Sanchez? You never trade your best starting pitcher or power hitters for “glove-men” with limited power and no speed. Secondbase and shortstop are the last two pieces of the puzzle and not the first. I sure hope we don’t make that trade.
by Illinois Pirate Fan on Dec 16, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m not saying we should trade Maholm, but Escobar looks like a pretty good hitter, much better than Wilson already. He has very good plate discipline and some power. He’s not just a “glove man.”
by WTM on Dec 16, 2008 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All For It
Trading Maholm for Escobar.
Escobar is a very good player right now, both offensively and defensively.
Plus, he plays everyday.
by thegunner on Dec 16, 2008 7:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t see it as an easy decision if that deal was offered. And I’m not convinced the Braves would give up Escobar just for Maholm.
by WTM on Dec 16, 2008 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I probably take that deal.
Even if you assume that Maholm’s progress last year was all genuine (and I think some of it was luck), then you’re talking about trading a player with two years of service time for an equivalent player with three years and a little bit.
I’m not entirely convinced that Escobar will ever hit for much power, but I do think it’d be nice to have his OBP in the lineup.
by Vlad on Dec 17, 2008 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with Vlad
If this deal were presented, I might take it as well. I really like Escobar and like Vlad said, the OBP is nice. He never really hit for power and his 10 HR last year was the most at any level, so who knows if he will develop it further or not. Even if 10 HR is his peak, he is a very solid option and would be an upgrade at SS from Wilson.
Also, who knows if Maholm will repeat what he did last year. I hope he does, but nothing is certain.
However, this deal will make no sense whatsoever if Wilson doesn’t get traded anyway. So before anything can happen with Maholm/Escobar, something will have to be done about Wilson, which may never happen.
by northsidenotch on Dec 17, 2008 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt this would trade would happen, though if I were Wren or NH I’d at least take a shot at trading for the other team’s player.
The fact that Escobar is younger and is under team control longer would likely mean that the Buccos would have to include someone besides Maholm to get Escobar. Still, I’d rather have a slightly above average SS than a slightly above average SP.
Speaking of clearing space for this hypothetical trade to go through, why is no one interested in Freddy? Is his shoulder really that bad?
by Chad Bahamas on Dec 17, 2008 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fear over the shoulder...
…combined with an awful offensive season and a middling salary.
It’s kind of like the situation with Bay last year, where nobody wanted to gamble in the offseason, but there was demand once he showed he was healthy and hit well for a few months.
by Vlad on Dec 17, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Making Trades Takes Guts!
There are no easy decisions, but the good GMs pull the trigger.
And the good GMs make more good trades than bad ones.
That’s why they call them “good” GMs.
by thegunner on Dec 16, 2008 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The things one can learn on BucsDugout:
“And the good GMs make more good trades than bad ones.”
“That’s why they call them "good" GMs.”
by patthatt on Dec 16, 2008 11:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey Charlie --- Please Get Rid Of The Troll --- He's Back!!!
by thegunner on Dec 17, 2008 12:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
thegunner
Why does sharing my opinion cause me to be a “Troll”. If you don’t like what I say then ignore me but leave me alone. I honestly don’t like the trade and was sharing my opinion in hopes that others would explain to me why they liked it. It wasn’t done to irritate you or cause a fight. I thought that’s what this board was all about—sharing ideas.
Thanx for the help, Vlad.
by Illinois Pirate Fan on Dec 17, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Easy IPF, you're not a troll
I don’t know, maybe you are, I can’t really remember. Anyway…
patthatt, instead of replying to thegunner’s comment, made a new comment mocking one of thegunner’s comments. So thegunner, instead of replying to patthatt’s comment, created a new comment referring to patthatt as a troll.
That’s how I read it anyway.
by azibuck on Dec 17, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
IPF
You are not the troll - the troll is the Cat In The Hat.
by thegunner on Dec 17, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
In which case, I'm sticking with my previous statement.
It’s pretty rich to see you call Pat a troll.
by Vlad on Dec 17, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
IPF
I don’t agree with most of your baseball observations, but I realize from this exchange that your intentions are good, that’s why I want to call you a “good poster.”
by patthatt on Dec 17, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Patthatt
Thank you. I enjoy sharing thoughts with you guys on this board because I can’t find any Pirate fans in Central Illinois and you guys bring a fresh perspective that I can’t get here. I admire the passion of you guys and hope to meet some of you the next time I visit my relatives in Pittsburgh. The Iron City will be on me.
by Illinois Pirate Fan on Dec 17, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
A bit back, Tim Brown (Yahoo! Sports) mentioned that the Dodgers were nearing an agreement with Furcal.
by UtesFan89 on Dec 17, 2008 3:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ken Rosenthal confirms
says Furcal has decided to sign with the Dodgers.
by UtesFan89 on Dec 17, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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