Trade pitcher for power bat

[HMFFL]

Twenty-one major league teams hit more homers than the Braves this season, but not a single team had a better earned run average from its starting pitchers.

That, plus the fact the Braves finished the year with more proven starting pitchers (six) than a rotation can accommodate, makes it less than surprising that some time this winter, they might trade one of those pitchers for a slugger.

But if it’s Javier Vazquez, who has one year at $11.5 million remaining on his contract, general manager Frank Wren had best prepare to be second-guessed by more than fans.

“I’m not going to play GM. I’m just going to give you my opinion on it – Javier Vazquez needs to be on this team next year,” third baseman Chipper Jones said. “I think we’d all be disappointed if he wasn’t.”

Manager Bobby Cox said: “I haven’t thought about ever trading him. I know we’ve got him for one more year. Damn, you’d have to get an awful lot.”

The starting pitcher surplus, along with the closer and first-base situations and immediate future of uber-prospect Jason Heyward, are compelling offseason situations for Wren. He wants to add here without subtracting too much there in an effort to end the club's four-year postseason drought.

“It’s an obvious area of strength,” Wren said of the pitching depth. “And when you improve your club, you’re looking at where you can afford to improve it at the expense of some other area.”

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-brave ... 57114.html

[lpsevier]

JJ for Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder, straight up.

Resign Hudson - win world series.