OK, so on the surface, the idea that the Braves might be willing to trade another collection of prospects for a soon-to-be free agent first baseman seems, well … ridiculous.
You’ll recall that in July of 2007, Atlanta acquired Mark Teixeira(notes) from Texas in exchange for a package that included, among others, the Rangers’ present-day shortstop (Elvis Andrus(notes)), closer (Neftali Feliz(notes)), catcher (Jarrod Saltalamacchia(notes)) and fifth starter (Matt Harrison(notes)). The Braves then finished third in the NL East, missing the playoffs. The following year, they dealt Teixeira to the Angels for Casey Kotchman(notes) and a minor league pitcher who remains in the minors (Stephen Marek).
Surely no one in Atlanta has any interest in repeating that experience. Nevertheless, the team’s current first baseman is batting .167/.237/.278 (Troy Glaus(notes)), and Plan B is a 32-year-old with a career OPS of .775 (Eric Hinske(notes)). Freddie Freeman(notes) is a terrific prospect, no doubt, but he’s only 20 and he’s still trying to figure out Triple-A.
As a result, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Adrian Gonzalez-to-Atlanta rumors have begun, though not with any confirmation from either team. It’s just pure speculation from Fox’s Jon Paul Morosi. Freeman would presumably have to be a component of any Gonzalez trade. (Again, not that there is one). And of course Gonzalez will command a nine-figure contract at the end of his current deal, which is up in 2011. And then there’s the long shadow cast by the Teixeira trades.
Still, on behalf of the global community of fantasy owners who’ve invested in Gonzalez in NL-only leagues, I fully endorse this non-deal. Let’s bring together some Pads and Braves fans in comments and hammer out a trade, then send it to the league for approval.
If Glaus can’t hit in April and May — historically, these are his best months — then he may simply be finished.
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