Braves trade LaRoche

[DSGB]

It looks like the Braves have traded Adam LaRoche to the Pirates for reliever Mike Gonzales. There may be some minor league prospects involved, as well. The Braves definately need help in the bullpen, but I'm sure gonna miss LaRoche. I hope they get a new owner soon.

[muggs]

Yeah, LaRoche is a nice player, and I've never even heard of the guy they traded him for. That being said, I still don't see any World Series titles in the Pirates future.

[buckbuster11]

A low level minor league prospect was given up on each side as well.

Good deal for my Pirates I think, they needed a power bat badly. If LaRoche can can put up the kind of numbers he did last year he'll make the middle of the Pirates pretty good with Bay and Sanchez.

[MCH]

Good deal for the Pirates.

Braves? Not sure why they're giving up much needed offense for relief help.

They've already lost Giles, their spark plug and now Laroche, they're second best offensive threat.

Are they conceding this year???

[DSGB]

The owners are CHEAP! LaRoche is looking at a hefty pay increase with the numbers he put up last year and the Braves ain't gonna pay it.

[brownie65]

The Braves have a young prospect,can't remember his name right now, that they feel is ready to step in & replace LaRoche. Gonzalez has a very good arm. Was a set up man in Pitt. eventually became their closer then had some injury issues. I think this is a good trade for both teams.Pirates get a good hitting 1B & Braves get a good arm that can be a set up man or closer.

[MCH]

But honestly, the Soriano acquisition should've shored up any holes in relief. He's a hoss.

I'm betting that the Braves were looking for something more than a young relief ace for LaRoche, but had to settle.

Today's market, just blows my mind. A borderline number 2 pitcher earns almost 20 mil per year while a first baseman that put up MVP type numbers gets traded almost straight up for a relief guy because of the money he'll be earning his walk year.

I'll say it again. Something needs to be done fast.

[buckbuster11]

Rumor has it the Braves might be interested in using Gonzalez in another trade they are working on, possibly with the Yanks. We shall see.........

[rhine16]

[ QUOTE ]
The Braves have a young prospect,can't remember his name right now, that they feel is ready to step in & replace LaRoche. Gonzalez has a very good arm. Was a set up man in Pitt. eventually became their closer then had some injury issues. I think this is a good trade for both teams.Pirates get a good hitting 1B & Braves get a good arm that can be a set up man or closer.

[/ QUOTE ]
The young guy to step in and replace LaRoche may be Scott Thorman. He was brought up last year in September when you can add the players to your roster. He is right handed(i think) and swings a powerful lefty bat. He also saw some time in the outfield last year. I just can't see giving up a left handed first basemen with hands like Laroche. Possibly the best defensive first baseman i've seen as far as being good with the glove. The biggest thing to dislike about Laroche is that he always looked as if he played the game so nonchalantly.

[rhine16]

[ QUOTE ]
Good deal for the Pirates.

Braves? Not sure why they're giving up much needed offense for relief help.

They've already lost Giles, their spark plug and now Laroche, they're second best offensive threat.

Are they conceding this year???

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with Giles being the Braves spark plug, nobody puts out the effort he does. But i predicted that he would not be playing second base this year. However, the guy that i thought would be is now with the Dodgers so who knows what will happen now. I watched a guy in AA last year for the Braves who i feel will step in to the position. I think his name was Tony Pena. I maybe wrong. Willy Aybar might possibly step into that position also.

[rhine16]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Good deal for the Pirates.

Braves? Not sure why they're giving up much needed offense for relief help.

They've already lost Giles, their spark plug and now Laroche, they're second best offensive threat.

Are they conceding this year???

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with Giles being the Braves spark plug, nobody puts out the effort he does. But i predicted that he would not be playing second base this year. However, the guy that i thought would be is now with the Dodgers so who knows what will happen now. I watched a guy in AA last year for the Braves who i feel will step in to the position. I think his name was Tony Pena. I maybe wrong. Willy Aybar might possibly step into that position also.

[/ QUOTE ]
I guess i should get my sources straight before i start speaking . Just went to the Braves page and read some articles. The Braves are looking for either Martin Prado or Kelly Johnson to play second. I'm not big on Prado, so i'll give you some info on Johnson if you havent heard of him.
Johnson broke in with the Braves in the middle of the 05 season coming up to play left field. His first game, Chipper was hurt so Cox put Johnson in the 3 hole. He hit around 280 i believe that year, filling the 2 hole many times. In 06, he had very limited playing time because of Tommy John surgery. I was surprised to see his name in contention to play second, but i found out that he was drafted as a short stop. Johnson might be the fit for the Braves there.
The Braves also signed Craig Wilson. He can step in as a right handed bat at both first and left, where both projected starters hit southpaw

[DSGB]

Funny quote from LaRoche:

When LaRoche, who is an avid outdoorsman, was reminded that there is a Cabela's retail store located about 40 minutes away in Wheeling, W.V., he responded, "I know. I already checked that out."

He then added, "There goes about half my salary."