The Braves and Blue Jays haven’t had any discussions about Marcus Stroman, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). While Stroman would be a fit on at least half the teams in the league, Atlanta stands out as a natural landing spot due to both the Braves’ talented but generally inexperienced rotation, and the connection between Stroman and Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos (who had the same job in Toronto from 2009-15). While a lack of talks to this point doesn’t mean that Stroman couldn’t eventually become a Braves target, Atlanta has been linked to other pitchers such as Madison Bumgarner or Zack Wheeler, and could simply prefer one of those players (or another arm altogether) to Stroman.
More from the NL East…
- The Phillies focused heavily on position-player additions during their splashy offseason, but a lack of focus on the rotation looks to now be a mistake, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber writes. The team’s starters have delivered middling-to-mediocre results all season, and depth has now become a particular issue given Jake Arrieta’s injury concerns. While the Phils could still make a move to acquire a starting pitcher (or two) at the deadline, such a move will cost the club more prospects from a system that has already been thinned out by other trades. As Lauber notes, the Phillies also haven’t done a great job of developing their own pitchers over the last four years, with Aaron Nola standing out as the last success story.
- Trades and trade rumors come with the territory for any baseball player, particularly at this time of year. This being said, there’s an obvious personal toll that comes with knowing one could soon to be moved to another team on another city, and it’s naturally hard to entirely block out all of the speculation. “You see a couple things and that’s all it takes for your brain to run wild a little bit with some of that stuff,” Nationals closer Sean Doolittle told NBC Sports Washington’s Todd Dybas about some early-season rumors buzzing that the Nats could start trading Doolittle and other veterans if the team continued to struggle. Doolittle is no stranger to midseason deals, of course, as it was almost exactly two years ago that he came to D.C. as part of a very notable five-player trade with the Athletics. Needless to say, the Nats’ re-emergence back into the postseason race has ended talk of the club being deadline sellers, which is good news for Doolittle given how he and his wife quickly grew to love being part of the Nationals family. “I will say it’s tough because you don’t have control over [a trade],” Doolittle said. “For some people, it might be easy to say, ’Hey, I’m not going to think about it because I can’t control it.’ At the same time, that’s why it’s a little disconcerting, is you don’t have control over it. After going through it once before, it’s not as scary as maybe it was. I don’t know. I really want to be here. I like it here.”
Atlanta’s pitching depth is a natural phone call from the Blue Jays front office. They should be first up.
I’m sure AA wants Sanchez in an 8th inning set-up role as well, Scott Boras be damned. I’m sure he’s salivating at the prospect of acquiring Stroman and Sanchez for some AAA ceiling arms like Julian Merryweather which Atkins will probably covet
Funny.
Well, if AA wants Stroman, Sanchez and even Giles, start negotiating. Then deal Galvis because Bo Bichette clearly deserves the promotion now.
Does anyone actually believe the braves will make a big move before the trade deadline?
On a separate I’m kinda scared to make a move. I know it’s a newer GM, but history doesn’t seem to favor the braves in big moves this time of year. Smoltz might be the exception…
newer GM in ATL but Alex has never been Afraid to go for it (see Price & Tulo)
Sorta think that had more to do with him
knowing he wouldn’t be back their next year.
Even for all the big time trades he’s made, the only clear cut “we shouldn’t have traded him” was Noah Syndergaard.(imo). And he’s repeatedly said in his Atlanta tenure that he learned that for all his splashes, he only had one postseason appearance to show for it.
Well considering AA track record of big time trades it would seem like something is defiantly coming, along AA in season trades were good at the time trades for the jays but seemingly ended poorly
I’m only scared if it’s Stroman. I don’t care for him honestly, and he would require a big return and I think AA would overpay to get his beloved Blue Jay. Anderson, Pache, and Waters should be untouchable. And I would prefer not to trade Mueller and Wentz. Anyone from AAA I’d be comfortable with being traded.
I agree that Anderson, Pache and Waters should be untouchable.
What’s wrong with Stroman? He’d make the Braves pitching staff a lot better.. Anderson/Pache are probably untouchable, but Waters (as much as I love him) might be worth it to bring in a talent like Stroman
What’s right with him? They essentially made a Stroman-like trade getting Gausman last year. Stroman appears to be outperforming his FiP – not unlike Teheran. If we’re giving up top prospects, we need proven difference-makers – and Stroman might be that, but doesn’t appear to be.
Sidenote: anyone catch Stroman as the last one at the end of the AL All-Star roster introduction and the sudden drop between the next-to-last guy and then Stroman at an intimidating 5’7″ on his tip-toes?
Gausman ain’t Stroman. Not on his best day.
Agreed, but is the difference between the 2 really equivalent to giving up top prospects? Take away Stroman’s 5.3 WAR 2017 (where he still maintained a 3.90 FiP) – and you have someone quite comparable to Gausman that pitched in the same division – before Gausman fell off the edge this year.
I think Stroman goes to the NL East and becomes a fringe ace.
Look, I do not like Stroman’s act on or off the mound. He sulks, he’s not the leader he thinks he is and he hasn’t handled adversity well.
However, there has never been a shortage of effort and he never stops fighting. The brighter the lights the more focused he becomes.
I believe leaving the AL East and to a contender will make him even better. His interleague numbers are good. I also feel if you can pitch well in the AL East you can pitch well anywhere.
Stroman makes the Braves better this season and gives them a much better shot at winning in October. The franchise hasn’t won a playoff series since 20o1 and trading one of their top prospects isn’t going decimate their farm. The pitching staff just isn’t good enough and Stroman would improve the staff a lot.
Wasn’t McGriff one too?
He was a mid season pickup back in 93, they nearly burned down the stadium the first night he played LOL!
Atlanta took off after that trade. McGriff was underrated his entire career.
As a Blue Jays fan, AA dropped the ball in 2014. Heading into the deadline they were on a roll.. They were 1.5 games back of the division and about 5 from the 2nd WC. They got Danny Valencia and stood pat. The locker room vets were pretty upset. From there they took a huge tumble in August.
Although AA redeemed himself a year later, all bets are off on what he will do.
This, in a nutshell, is the internal struggle of a Braves fan. Faithless a trade will get done. Worrisome about the risk if one is done. Close the blinds, friend. It’s a scary world out here with all the sharp edges.
As a Giants fan I’ll never forget the Braves trading for Fred McGriff, who almost singlehandedly took them over the Giants in the standings and into the playoffs.
His first game featured a fire in the press box at Fulton-County Stadium — Crime Dog was on fire while we had him.
Articles of Braves discussions they Aren’t having smh…feel like we’ve reverted back to the offseason somehow lol
You do realize they’re in first place?
yes I do….soooo what’s your point?!
where are all the haters who said “4th place braves” in the offseason because we were smart with money?
Heyman only put that tweet out because some nobody decided to start rumors that the Braves were trading for Stroman, and that the package was including Ender.
If the Braves are willing to take Grichuk in-return for a package with Stroman in-return for Ender, sure.
The Blue Jays need starting pitching. They do not need Ender Inciarte! Atlanta has many pitching prospects. They should be able to get a deal done.
Yes. I said if Ender is in the deal they have to take Grichuk in return. Jays would get salary relief, a better defender in CF and an opening for Alford in RF.
Stroman and Giles bring back at least 3 arms.
if CIN and ARI are selling, the phillies can get Roark (flier prospect) and Greinke (cash) for fairly cheap.
DarkSide8301 min ago
if CIN and ARI are selling, the phillies can get Roark (flier prospect) and Greinke (cash) for fairly cheap.
This would be the best possible outcome. The lack of quality arms will drive up the price for everyone this year though..,.
im not betting on it, that’s for sure. but the team certianly had the pieces to offer for Roark, (say Silva and Anderson or something) and the cash to take on the whole contract for Greinke. Klentak made plenty of moves when the team didn’t even have a chance last year, im sure he can be aggressive this year.
They could have Keuchel for cash too. Not that he was anything great but the rotation needs have been evident for while now. I would be shocked if they did much more than trade for Happ again. Ugh
*have had
There is no way that Greinke comes “fairly cheap”.
Only in terms of prospects. If the Phils take on the whole contract… They might be able to get him. Greinke/Nola/Roark/Efflin/Whoever actually sounds VERY nice.
I agree , if the phillies take on most of the contract they could get him cheap. I also think Arrieta should just get the surgery.
Yeah maybe if we had a different GM and front office.
I’ll eat my hat if they make any kind of impact move. The next 7 games will pretty much define the remainder of the season and it’s not looking good.
yeah, its more “relatively.” the team has the cap space, and idealy theyd fill it with a pitcher anyway in the offseason, so why not Greinke? also shouldn’t be bad on the prospect side. might even get a lotto ticket back if Arizona really wants to save some money.
His risidual value is -$12mm. So they should give him away if there are any takers. Snakes would have to add about $24mm to get a decent prospect.
Rather have Giles
Objectively excellent offseason… a fantasy. Klentak should be fired for uttering those words.
appart from pitching, it was pretty good. he’s not responsible for the struggles of the hitters they brought in.
Actually when you empty your already barren cupboards for Realmuto and give the most money and term to Harper it was a pretty easy offseason. Maybe the resources could have been allocated differently, but both of those moves were the right ones imo. Failing to take a hard look at a starting rotation that was not even mediocre last year and relying on three pitchers over the age of 32 to work your high leverage late innings was borderline incompetent.
I disagree. There was nothing borderline about it.
So glad AA didn’t pull the trigger on a deal to send Riley and Soroka to Miami for JTR. #UnansweredPrayersAndTradesNotMade
Stroman is not a difference maker. Do not give up multiple potential impact prospects for a number 3 or 4 starter. Pass
Stroman this year is great, sure, but what if he’s 2018 Stroman next year? that’s why i stay away.
Stroman walks to the NL East and he’s no less than a #2.
If anything were to happen to Soroka; this club best be prepared in the event to fill his size 50 shoes because he is the absolute ticket in the postseason and every topic of series win starts with him. He is pure and simple; the only consistent shutdown pitcher start in and out who can be relied upon like Smoltz, glav, and maddog were. He, greinke, and keuchel/madbum/stroman would be pretty formidable in a postseason series. (Outside of atlanta’s top 1 or 2 right now, you don’t know what you’re guna get..)
Teheran is great to have as a regular season innings eater 4 or 5 with occasional great stuff to help get a team to the postseason, but consistency will always be his downfall just like folty and newk (as starters). Hence, Teheran can only sniff a postseason roster as 6th/7th inning BP guy.
Newk and/or folty should get a shot at the closers role and could possibly surprise, cool hand Luke is usually a trip in the 9th. Those two guys are meant to pitch limited innings at a time.
Gausman, ender, and Duvall are all great insurance replacements to step in on a good/quality team such as this team.
Keuchel has time to prove himself as a number 2 and if he keeps pitching like his last outing, it’s game on.
Otherwise, definitely need 2 power pitchers that can end a rally with a strikeout or 2, deep power hitting lineup that can make a team pay for walking guys (which we have), and a very solid consistent bullpen which is only getting better and better as the season goes.
Both Newk and Folty walk to many to be a closer. Just saying. Get a proven closer.
Newks been a different animal out of the bullpen. You’re sure correct as a starter he walks too many though. Think he and folty thrive off high adrenaline situations.
Depends which Folty you’re talking about. Happy folty or pissy Folty. His attitude is waaay too volatile to close
I think he just needs to get some confidence under his belt again and nothing would help him better than 3-5 saves in a row to get in a rhythm. He’s got the arm and stuff to close no doubt.
He let’s his frustrations build up and carries them to the next inning as a starter and gets way too down on himself to have the energy to make it through 5. If he knows he only has to go out there for 3 batters, that will work in his favor IMHO. By the looks of his beard, his Irish temperament gets the best of him at times.
I don’t know. I’d love to see him figurebit out in some way. Last year was so exciting. Thought he turned the corner for sure. Now he’s back to that thing he does where he’s gesturing in one way or another before the pitch even hits the mitt.
He has the ability. But i myself would have no trust in him to close out an elimination game
Yea even last year I never got too excited for his starts because he’s always a bad call away from a melt down.
I think he should be working out of the BP in the 8th and 9th right now in the minors in lower stress situations and hopefully the Braves can build up a big enough lead in the standings to bring him up to try it out and see where it goes.
Hes close to his last straw with the organization and this may be the ticket for him to stay a brave. Personally, I could care less if he ever starts again for this organization, he’s just never been consistent enough for my liking. 2018 was an outlier.
Well, doesn’t Stroman possibly have an issue with his elbow that just came to light? Maybe why the Yanks backed away.
No. Left pectoral muscle.
No, he missed a start due to a left (non-throwing side) pectoral cramp that ran up into his shoulder. No elbow problems that I’ve heard of.
Ahhhh I see.
In order for the Braves to not trade Waters or Pache they will have to line up with a team that wants/needs pitching. Bowman’s latest article mentions that trading with the Giants will definitely cost 1 of the 2. Not that Bowman is always right, by any means, but the Giants needs outfielders. I think anyone thinking we will be able to use Ender or Duvall as a key piece in a trade is way off base, IMO. Ender is an expensive defensive replacement at this point and Duvall hasn’t proved he can hit “again” in the majors.
I agree with others that have mentioned Waters and Pache should be untouchable but it’s going to be hard to do.
The Blue Jays really want arms and arms if they are dealing Stroman (or, they should). Specifically if I am the Jays I target AA and AAA arms looking for a chance to be a starter for the 2020 rotation.
Jays have a projected OF of Gurriel, Grichuk, Hernandez, McKinney and Alford with Biggio and Drury as emergency. Not exactly Berra-Mantle-Maris but a trade for any OF means they need to deal from a position of weakness with one of their current OFs not named Gurriel.
No problem trading Pache as long as Smith comes with MadBum & MadBum comes with an extension
Also any secondary pieces going to the Giants will have to be minimal.
I absolutely wouldn’t give up Pache for a Bumgarner and Smith.
No Top prospect for madbum or wills. They just are not worth it.
Duvall has proven he can hit juiced balls like everybody else and hasn’t been given an every day chance since coming to ATL so that point is moot honestly. It’s a whole different world since he was last a starting outfielder in the bigs.
AA will definitely make 2 moves before the deadline.
SP (MadBum) & RP (Giles)
Would prefer Greinke & Smith
Giles will be traded. Doubtful that Shatkins moves Stroman.
I see Stroman to the Braves for Kyle Wright, Kolby Allard, and Joey Wentz. That’s a top 40 prospect, a borderline top 100, and a former top 100. That is a good haul for Stroman.
I make 2 trades,
1. Stroman for Kyle Wright, Joey Wentz, and Kolby Allard
2. Will Smith for Kolby Allard, Travis Demeritte and Freddy Tarnok.
Makes the Braves better and gets both trades down I think. It also doesn’t strip the far system either. We get by without dealing the any of the 4 untouchables.
I see the juiced balls are helping Alex Jackson build up his trade value as well.
So you trade Allard to 2 different teams, interesting
The Braves and Blue Jays haven’t had any discussions about Marcus Stroman, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports.
Meanwhile, the pigs flew to their hockey game in hell.
Maybe AA recognizes the number and doesn’t bother?
As a Phillies fan, I don’t wanna see any of those good SPs traded to Atlanta nor do I want the Braves to get a proven closer (Smith or Giles). The latter might be their Achilles heel and enable the Phillies catch them.
If the Phillies can get Greinke, I say, “Go for it!”. A one-two punch of Nola/Greinke means we have a great chance to win 2 out of every 5 games. If Eflin can pitch well, then it won’t much matter if Arrieta is just average the rest of the way. SP #5? Dunno. Let Velasquez and Pivetta fight it out.
Fifty year Phillies fan here. The Phillies are not going to catch the Braves. The Braves are an exponentially better team than the Phillies.
The sad part is they really could catch them. Theres enough talent here. NJ paper had an article and said one thing that really defined the problems: no one here is taking losing personally. Half the time they look like zombies. Realmuto is better than McCann, segura is arguably a proven talent ahead of Swanson. Harper has the making of someone HOF bound. Neris has been one of the most solid closers in baseball. 3 through 5 have shown flashes of being great but they get in their own heads. Hoskins could be great if he worked on fielding. I mean, theres a reason this team was favored in the spring. They have the pieces mostly.
But ATL playing like they want to win and Philly is just showing up.
Thats the difference rn. And the infield/cf/rotation lol
Atlanta’s lineup is definitely deeper and scarier up and down. It’s all going to come down to the rotations and pens.
Id like to see a little more smart ball of bunting and taking advantage of these shifts with men on and 0 or 1 out and put the pressure on the d. Take that run and start rallies when given to you.
Braves could get Greinke, $24 cash, Bradley, and a lefty for Camargo and Gohara.
Damn. Braves gang taking over in this thread.
IMO Greinke is the best option, ATL can take on cash to lessen the prospect load (if AZ sells).
A front three of Greinke, Soroka, Keuchel could stand up to the dodgers
I also believe if we could get a good closer and move Jackson to a lower leverage spot the Braves could have one of the better bullpens in the whole MLB
Add that with the Braves lineup…..
The Braves need a SP and a closer too. No not Luke Jackson. Please no. He stinks. Every save opportunity is an adventure.
The Braves are a fun team to watch.
Even if/when the Mets go into full sell mode does anyone really think they will trade wheeler to the Phillies or Braves? That would be like pouring salt in your own wound, and the plausible idea is still to win games, not help your rivals win. You know, optics and all too.
honestly though with degrom, noah and wheeler if you cant win with that id be firing everyone. id love for braves to have that pitching rotation. i know noah is a always hurt but with those 3 and the braves lineup, thats a shot at the WS.. but to answer your question if im in sell mode i go to the braves bc they got the best prospects in the league rivals aside.