OK, so there's been a ton of rumors in regards to what moves the Braves might/will make as we approach the MLB trade deadline. Most of those rumors involve Jeff Francoeur (if people actually want him), some involve Yunel Escobar (not gonna happen), and the rest involve Javier Vazquez (a major trading chip).
I think Frenchie's gotta go if we can get rid of him. He hasn't turned it around like we hoped he would, and if he has any trade value now, we gotta move on it.
Escobar should be untouchable. Yes, he can be moody at times. But we can handle that. But he's young, is solid in the field, and most importantly hits well (.292 AVG/.355 OBS/.430 SLG) -- especially with RSIP (.413 AVG/5 HR/38 RBI).
Vazquez is the major chip according to most, but I think we should hold on to him in light of Derek Lowe's recent struggles. Everyone points to Tim Hudson's return in about a month's time, but nobody has any idea what that'll bring. If he's in his top, Cy Young contending form then great. But we can't for sure know that. Vazquez should stay. Our starting pitching is what gives us an edge in the race, we shouldn't weaken that advantage.
However, I think there's someone everyone is overlooking: Casey Kotchman. Kotchman still has value on the market, and we have a younger, hotter 1B in Martin Prado right now. Prado has been tearing it up this year. Compare the two:
Kotchman: 71 G/242 AB/.273 AVG/.339 OBP/.384 SLG/3 HR/30 RBI
Prado: 58 G/167 AB/.317 AVG/.377 OBP/.503 SLG/4 HR/ 15 RBI
I think a Francoeur/Kotchman package could get us a serious bat in the middle of the lineup.
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