The recent success of Braves right-hander Bud Norris could make him an attractive option to playoff contenders as the Aug. 1 trade deadline nears, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Norris dominated the Mets on Sunday over seven innings, surrendering just four hits while striking out eight. The 31-year-old lowered his ERA to 4.22 along the way and improved his strikeout and walk rates to 7.68 and 3.58, respectively, per nine innings. After a nightmarish April and a May spent in the bullpen, Norris has made six starts this month, allowing seven earned runs and collecting 29 strikeouts against eight walks over 29 1/3 innings. Norris is playing on an affordable salary ($2.5MM) this year and will be a free agent at season’s end. FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that multiple teams, including the NL East rival Marlins, are interested in Norris.
More from the National League:
- Infielder Jose Reyes might be more than a 2016 stopgap for the Mets, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN.com. The contract Reyes, 33, inked with the Mets on Saturday also includes a team option at a league-minimum cost for 2017, according to Rubin. It’s worth noting that, thanks to third baseman David Wright’s injury troubles and second baseman Neil Walker’s status as a pending free agent, multiple positions in New York’s infield are unsettled beyond this season.
- Rockies right-hander Eddie Butler has worked out of the rotation and bullpen this year, struggling in both roles, but the club isn’t bailing on his chances to serve as a long-term starting option. “For Eddie, his stuff is plus. You don’t want to give up on that,” manager Walt Weiss told Ben Weinrib of MLB.com. “We’ve seen him good as a starter. We’re not there yet where we’re going to give up on him as a starter.” A former high-end prospect, the 25-year-old Butler has racked up 42 1/3 innings as a starter this season and compiled a 6.54 ERA, 5.91 K/9 and 2.53 BB/9. Those numbers have contributed to his unimpressive career totals from the rotation (138 innings, 6.20 ERA, 4.89 K/9 and 3.98 BB/9).
- The Rockies’ best current pitching prospect is righty Jeff Hoffman, whom they acquired from Toronto in the Troy Tulowitzki deal last year. Hoffman is faring well with Triple-A Alburquerque of the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, as Nick Groke of the Denver Post details, but general manager Jeff Bridich told Groke that the Rockies aren’t going to rush the onetime Tommy John surgery recipient to the majors. For now, the 23-year-old Hoffman will continue sharpening his arsenal in Albuquerque. “He’s had all four pitches available to him and he’s using them,” Triple-A pitching coach Darryl Scott said. “He’s starting to recognize hitters. He’s coming into games now with a scouting report he put together, for a plan of attack. Not very many young pitchers take that step so early.”
Wanta trade Norris? Fine. Just make sure you get back something of value for him. Stop giving players away for nothing. And how about a position player instead of another injured Low A pitcher?
In what trade, other than the Olivera deal, have the Braves just given away a player without getting a talented back in return?
Lol ikr
You could argue the Simmons trade, there is nothing in his minor league career that suggests Newcomb is going to start.
3.14 ERA career in minors starting isn’t suggestive of starting…? He’s maybe more of a thrower than you’d like but he’s further along with raw stuff than most pitchers.
Zero for Grilli
Zero for Kelly Johnson
What did they give up? Look I’m a braves guy but seeing grilli go was a relief. Johnson did a fine job in his role but that was limited. They weren’t gonna score a star prospect with either of those guys. The only trade I don’t like has been for olivera and let’s see how that one pans out.
Still don’t know why a rebuilding team traded their top prospect at the time, in Peraza
Dude they got Akeel Morris for Johnson this year. He was a Mets top 30 prospect. They have gotten a top 30 prospect each of the last 2 years for Johnson. I think that’s good value for Johnson. Why are you complaining about Johnson and Norris? Even though they actually did get value for Johnson and will probably get a little value for Norris, but because you probably won’t know him because he isn’t a superstar prospect or you just don’t care to do research and find out who the prospect is, you’ll probably complain about the Braves giving Norris away for nothing
Akeel has struggled this yr, but he’s a good buy-low candidate for the Braves. I’m not saying he’ll be a stud, but maybe a RP guy in a couple years. Johnson wasn’t exactly tearing it up this yr.
The only big thing Akeel Morris has struggled with is his control. That is the only thing that has hurt him. Morris has only given up 23 hits in 32 innings so far. He has a BAA of .197. He has struck out 44 in 32 innings but unfortunately walked 22. So he has a 12..375 k/9 and a 6.1875 bb/9.
He hasn’t started a game all season, so he was already profiled as a relief pitcher (but one with back of the game potential). Morris was a very good pick up for KJ.
I hate the Olivera trade, but we did get Joey Wentz and Paco Rodriguez (assuming he can come back from TJ) out of it. Not what I would have preferred, but we did get some talent out of it
Even though I think almost everyone would agree that the Braves need more offense (both in the major and minor league levels) I can’t complain about the pieces they’ve received in deals in the last year and a half. The only one I have had issue really was the Wood/Olivera deal. That was specifically an attempt by the Braves to acquire offense by giving up pitching. So far that move bombed.
You’ve got to like the return the Braves received in the last two seasons dealing Kelly Johnson (and Uribe last year) to the Mets. John Gant is already contributing to the major league team this season (ask the Mets how he did against his old organization), and Rob Whalen is has a 2.43 ERA in AA. This season’s acquisition for KJ was Akeel Morris who many Mets fans, in various media, lamented as a big overpayment..
I don’t expect to much to be acquired for Norris but if the Braves feel the risks are worth it to accept a former high upside pitcher coming off injury (like Max Fried was) then I’m not going to complain if it is better than the other offers.
I was disappointed by the Simmons trade. Assumed he and Freddie were the two building blocks for the team. Maybe Newcomb makes it well worth it, who knows.
Not saying it was Olivera bad, just not a fan. I’ve been impressed with pretty much every other deal during the 3 year trade-frenzy.
Don’t discount Chris Ellis. of course Aybar was supposed to be a lot better, he still couple have some but not much value with his contract. Don’t forget though that Simmons’ deal isn’t much of a bargain if he continues his offense fallacies.
Agree sir, spot on with the Wood/Olivera trade being the only bomb. But had we kept Pereza, the Swanson trade might not have ever happened.
I think Norris could bring back a decent prospect, again like you said, even the KJ type return would be great. Love what we are seeing from Gant already.
Peraza was Wren’s and with Albies flying through the system and the chance to gain the #1 reigning overall pick at a coveted MI position – I don’t think Peraza who still was showing he couldn’t get on base at AAA was going to stop a golden opportunity.
Pereza was a Hart/Coppella trade actually and Coppy came out the other day and said that was one they wish they could take back. Money aside, I don’t think Pereza has panned out yet though.
Yeah saw that, but I think most of that comment has to of come from the domestic violence issue. Had that never happened, would still be boasting major support to Olivera.
Exactly. Both Gant and Whalen are doing doing decently/well….which makes the trade a solid obevforbtge Braves.
Didn’t they get the good side of a lopsided trade of Shelby Miller?
Trade Bud Norris to the Red Sox for Trey Ball and Yoan Aybar.
I’d think if the Braves were offered Trey Ball and Yoan Aybar they’d agree quickly.
Which is what I’m saying. They aren’t close to the best prospects the Red Sox have and it would really be a decent stop gap for the Red Sox until the trade deadline when they deal Benintindi and Moncada for Teheran (sarcasm)
Awesome comment.
Yep. Very.
Norris is not worth very much.
Dave Stewart disagrees.
I bet you some contender finds him worth something.
Norris and AJ to LAD?
Could see that.
I was hoping to see what Chris815 (or one of his other screen names) would value Bud Norris at. Surely, he is a solid #2 and he has the stats from 5 years ago to prove it.
You called it. He just didn’t talk about Norris. He has a long list of stats down there haha
If they offer trey ball the braves will agree quickly…even before they finish the sentence
To all of you don’t think Tehran is no ace. Well I got you ha ha . I can prove to you all I have the stats to prove it . Tehran is in 6 season but you really can’t count them because first two years he only pitched in 7 major league games . So he is in his 4 full major league season . Well this is where I got you . So I want to compare Tehran to 2 of biggest Latin pitchers that are around the same height and weight as him so I compared Tehran’s numbers to Pedro Martinez , and Johnny cueto at same first 4 full season starts not only does he compare to them but in some cases his numbers are better. So hear they are
Pedro Martinez Johnny cueto. Julio Tehran
First 4 years. First 4 years. First 4 years
Wins 48. Wins 41
Loses 20. Loses 37
Era 2.86. Era 2.52
Starts 88. Starts 116
Ings 663. Ings 687
So 657. So. 532
Bb 238. BB 232
Hits 538. Hits 653
Runs 271. Runs 321
Er 251. Er 292
Hr 56. Hrs 80
Fip 3.39. Fip 4.25
Whip 1.363. 1.285
War 14.1. War 8.3
Here are some stats: Number of people spell the word “oh” as “ow”. 1. Yep, just you. Those red squiggly lines underneath words mean they are spelled wrong.
Julio Tehran’s
First 4 years And his 4 season is not is not over yet
Wins- 42
Lose- 36
Era- 2.28
Starts- 112
Ings- 713.1
So- 626
BB- 193
Runs -282
Er- 256
Hr- 84
Fip- 3.81
Whip- 1.112
War- 12.0
If you look at these 3 pitchers you will see that he is better then you all think and he is only getting better . I hope this shows you all he is a ace. Better then you realize ok Boston fans look very closely
He is not an ace, an ace is a guy who can go out and guarantee to end a losing streak, or give you less than 3 runs night in and night out. There’s only about 5-7 true aces in the league. And Teheran would be a terrible fit in the ALE anyways, he gives up way to many homers
Ow really he also has made 11 starts against American League teams and he has 2.90 era
Wow 11 whole starts, you just proved me wrong
You’re wrong regardless..JT is a stud
An Ace is a #1. Just like in cards. Just like in dice. If you think he isn’t a #1, then tell me 29 pitchers that you think are better.
Ow I forgot his hits total here
Hits 653
Sorry Tehran’s 4 years hit total 620
I have another two stats for you all
Avg and hits per game and all so total at bats
Pedro. Martinez. Johnny cueto. Julio Tehran
Tab- 1989. Tab- 2061. 2140
Avg – .271. Avg- .316. Avg- .289
HPG- 6.1. HPG- 5.6. HPG 5.5
Here to more stats for you
So/BB radio , strike per game
Pedro Martinez. Johnny cueto. Julio Tehran
So/BB% – 2.76. So/Bb%- 2.29. So/BB% 3.24
SoPg- 7.5. SoPg- 4.6. SoPg- 5,6
Sox fans are too busy over rating their trash prospects…no thank you.. give me Gallo or Joc Peterson for JT or I’d definitely keep him
Daaamn you worked for that one. Good job. In my humble opinion he’s not an “ace” yet, but he’s still very young and he came up through the system as an untouchable for a reason. Personally I hope they don’t trade him. Unless it’s just too much to pass up. And with the timing it may well be. Interesting stats
Love it hope people say Tehran is not ace and he won’t make it I. American League but the. They don’t take time to look up the his true stats .but difference I do and I proved it. Including taken one Boston legions Pedro Martinez . Who show them there wrong ow bye the way Tehran has career era against American League teams of 2.90 in 11 starts
Boston fans are putting him down because he doesn’t have that big name that they want. They rather focus on the name than the stat facts.
LOL could you imagine how much they’d be singing Teheran’s praises if he had produced similar career numbers in a Red Sox uniform?
Well that is different, he would be a dead set HOFer if he came up thru BOS system.
I, for one, think Norris is an obvious sell. He is a rental for a losing team anyway, and his value is the highest it will ever be. Why not take a gamble with a average prospect?
I agree. Here’s my list of who I think they should trade, if they have decent offers:
Norris
Jim Johnson
Aybar (provided he continues to play better, to have value)
AJ Pierzinski
Francoeur
Emilio Bonafacio once Smith is healthy.
Obviously they won’t trade all of them, but most of them don’t have much contract left, could help a potential playoff team, and wouldn’t affect the Braves much by trading them.
I don’t see them trading Aybar or AJ. They would have to essentially give them away. Also, I don’t see them promoting a catcher right now
Aybar is batting .302 in June. Provided he only played 13 games, but if he continues to hit around .275 or better the next few weeks, he’ll have enough value. You’re probably right about AJ.
Yeah I actually can see all of them dealt only thing is I don’t see any type of return of significance coming back