Braves acquire Michael Bourn

Post #1 » by **ATL Boy** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:08 pm

BREAKING NEWS: The Braves just got Michael Bourn from the Astros for 4 unnamed minor leaguers Ken Rosenthal reports.

Post #2 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:26 pm

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Braves have acquired Michael Bourn from the Astros in exchange for four minor leaguers. rotoworld.com

ohara · Post #3 » by **ohara** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:33 pm

Like adding a .300 hitter with speed to the lineup. Wish we could get more power tho. Giants and Phillies added .300 hitters with power. But we sure as heck did not give up nearly as much as they gave up, so that works to our advantage.

Now, are we going to do anything else?

ohara · Post #4 » by **ohara** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:58 pm

As I scan over the wires for comments, seems the overwhelming majority think the Braves got a bargain. Got a true leadoff hitter, avg and speed, and did not have to give up any of the big 4 pitching arms, Cannot complain. I really thought Minor would have to go to get Bourn, but somehow he did not.

Seems Houston may have been on our side. Drove up the price on Philly to get Pence, and we got a great deal on Bourn. Thank you Houston!

Post #5 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:04 pm

ohara wrote:As I scan over the wires for comments, seems the overwhelming majority think the Braves got a bargain. Got a true leadoff hitter, avg and speed, and did not have to give up any of the big 4 pitching arms, Cannot complain. I really thought Minor would have to go to get Bourn, but somehow he did not.

Seems Houston may have been on our side. Drove up the price on Philly to get Pence, and we got a great deal on Bourn. Thank you Houston!

Houston still helped Philly so they wouldn't have to pay any luxury tax by paying $2 of Pence's salary.

I like Bourn and he should be effective as long as he is free to steal, so it's a good thing Bobby Cox is no longer the coach, but another trade would help me feel more confident about our chances during the postseason.

Post #6 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:04 pm

Update with players involved:

Braves acquired OF Michael Bourn and cash from the Astros for RHP Paul Clemens, LHP Brett Oberholtzer, OF Jordan Schafer and RHP Juan Abreu.
An impressive swap for Atlanta. The Braves didn't have to deal any of their top prospects and landed one of the top leadoff men and base stealers in the game. Bourn should play center field regularly down the stretch for the Wild Card leaders and is likely to gain a bit more fantasy value with a transition to a better all-around lineup. rotoworld.com

Post #7 » by **ATL Boy** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:29 pm

I applaud Frank Wren for getting this deal done, not only did we get the fastest player in the league (and a great leadoff hitter) but we didn't give up any of the big 4 to do so, we gave up Shafer, but in all honesty we wanted Schafer to become Bourn one day, and I'm all for Bourn's contract, when his speed wears out he'll become a liabilty, so 1 1/2 years is about right for me, he'll be the leadoff hitter this year, and our leadoff hitter next year.

Nemesis21 · Post #8 » by **Nemesis21** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 3:55 pm

Glad the Braves made a move, and glad Wren didn't give up a ton for Bourn. Sucks to see Schafer go, just couldn't put it all together. Wish Jordan the best of luck.

Superiorblogman · Post #9 » by **Superiorblogman** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:26 pm

Not a bad deal at all considering the prospects are all ranked in the 20's or below within the Braves farm system. On the other hand, I am slightly disappointed that we did not make ourselves better in other areas. We could have gotten Jimenez and Bourn that would make me feel a whole lot better to have Jimenez and send Lowe to the bullpen. It is what it is though and I am glad we got a CF, that is currently hitting over .300. Big Mac is the only regular over .300 so that should tell you how important Bourn could be if his numbers are legit.

Nemesis21 · Post #10 » by **Nemesis21** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:31 pm

Superiorblogman wrote:Not a bad deal at all considering the prospects are all ranked in the 20's or below within the Braves farm system. On the other hand, I am slightly disappointed that we did not make ourselves better in other areas. We could have gotten Jimenez and Bourn that would make me feel a whole lot better to have Jimenez and send Lowe to the bullpen. It is what it is though and I am glad we got a CF, that is currently hitting over .300. Big Mac is the only regular over .300 so that should tell you how important Bourn could be if his numbers are legit.

Bro again, that's wasn't going to happen. Braves had ZERO intentions of getting starting pitching.

Post #11 » by **Ruzious** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:53 pm

Gotta congratulate the Braves on this one. Frank Wren has really improved as a GM. None of those pitchers likely figured to be likely contributors in Atlanta, and Schaefer - at this point in his career at least - just can't hit at an acceptable level. Maybe it's because of wrist problems and/or inexperience, but the Braves weren't in a position to wait on him. And what hasn't been mentioned is that Bourn is a gold glove CFer.

I'd still be going hard after Carlos Quentin, but it looks like they're staying pat. Maybe they think his lack of range in the OF offsets the big-time power he would add.

Post #12 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:56 pm

On the MLB Network they interviewed Frank Wren this morning and he reiterated that it's in the best interest of the club to keep it's young prospects. He said there was not a big enough splash available to make him feel comfortable enough to let go of our young prospects.

IMO, if someone like Matt Kemp was available, we would probably have to consider it, but Hunter Pence seemed to be the top player we had a interest in.

Post #13 » by **dms269** » Mon Aug 1, 2011 2:14 am

The lack of power is a big worry. With McCann out and Chipper done, there really isn't anyone in the lineup that you are worried about taking you deep. Uggla can, but he is too inconsistent. freeman has been on a hot streak, but he isn't a true threat. Heyward hasn't shown much of anything.

I like the Bourn trade. It gives the Braves a true leadoff man. I still wished the Braves could have added a bat. Someone who can play LF and hit for power.

Post #14 » by **ATL Boy** » Mon Aug 1, 2011 4:36 am

uga_dawgs24 wrote:The lack of power is a big worry. With McCann out and Chipper done, there really isn't anyone in the lineup that you are worried about taking you deep. Uggla can, but he is too inconsistent. freeman has been on a hot streak, but he isn't a true threat. Heyward hasn't shown much of anything.

I like the Bourn trade. It gives the Braves a true leadoff man. I still wished the Braves could have added a bat. Someone who can play LF and hit for power.

I'll have to disagree with you on that one, we do have deep threats, first of all how has Uggla been inconsistent? He's on a 22 game hit streak, Freeman has proven to be a threat and is putting fear in opposing pitchers that's why he's batting cleanup right now. And I'm confident Heyward will get out of that slump if he plays like he did today against the Fish. We needed a true leadoff hitter that hits for average, can manufacture runs, and one that has SPEED, Bourn covers all of those needs with a .303 average, and a league lead 39 stolen bases. (our entire team has a combined 41 steals) We're poised for a World Series run.

TheKingofSting · Post #15 » by **TheKingofSting** » Mon Aug 1, 2011 8:08 pm

So excited for this but I also wish Jordan nothing but good luck in Houston.

Post #16 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Aug 2, 2011 11:50 pm

Kemba2Hendo wrote:So excited for this but I also wish Jordan nothing but good luck in Houston.

Chipper Jones was apparently not very happy about Jordan being traded. I never heard an interview or read any reports, but on AM sports they mentioned it.

Superiorblogman · Post #17 » by **Superiorblogman** » Wed Aug 3, 2011 9:58 pm

I like what I have seen from Michael Bourn so-far and good if Chipper is not happy with it maybe it will speed up his retirement he is taking up a huge part of the payroll to only be a part time player at this point.