Braves considering Kotsay or Patterson for CF?

[HMFFL]

But as I

[dms269]

Patterson has speed. The records he set at Harrison are mind blowing. I was over there one year for a baseball game and they have records up and wow. 81 runs scored, 38 sb's, 22 homers in only 38 games is amazing.

I think if he comes in he could possibly work with Terry and reduce his K's.

[lpsevier]

I'd welcome Patterson for the right price. I'd rather start a young guy than pay Kotsay however.

[HMFFL]

Braves, A's discuss deal for Kotsay

The Braves might soon have the short-term veteran center fielder they've been looking for, and Mark Kotsay sounds excited about the possibility of coming from Oakland to fill the role.

Athletics general manager Billy Beane called Kotsay on Friday and told him they were discussing a trade to send the 32-year-old center fielder to the Braves for a mid-level prospect. The A's would also have to agree to pay a significant portion of Kotsay's $8 million salary in 2008.

Kotsay is a strong defensive center fielder and .282 career hitter in 11 major-league seasons, but back surgery limited him to 56 games in a career-worst 2007 season (.214, one homer, 20 RBIs).

He said he's fully recovered now from the March 2007 arthroscopic surgery and feels "great." Kotsay was on an elliptical machine during a workout Friday when he confirmed to the Journal-Constitution that he could be traded soon to Atlanta.

"It does excite me," the former Marlins and Padres outfielder said of possibly playing for the Braves -- even if only for one season, before he became a free agent after the 2008 season.

"I love Bobby Cox, and I like Atlanta and the Braves, as far as the team and organization, the history they have. They've always been competitive. It's a great opportunity if this [trade] happens."

During spring training Kotsay had microdiscectomy surgery, during which a portion of a herniated disk was removed from his lower back. He said Friday that he rushed his recovery because he wanted to help the A's try to stay alive in the playoff race.

"My team needed me, and I probably came back too quickly," said Kotsay, who had 72 doubles, 30 homers and 145 RBIs in 1,188 at-bats during the 2004-05 seasons, before his back problems flared in 2006.

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