First let’s look at Carlos Beltran. The 34 year old six time all-star is finally healthy again and back to putting up decent numbers. In 93 games this year he is batting .290 with 15 homers and 61 RBI’s and has played multiple outfield positions. Beltran has always been regarded as one of the best outfielders in the game and is showing it again this year after making the 2011 All-Star team. Maybe the biggest reason to get Beltran for a stretch run is his postseason numbers. In 22 postseason games Beltran is batting an amazing .366 with 11 homers and 16 RBI’s. Those numbers would be great for a team who always struggles to hit in the playoffs. The downside with Beltran is that he is 34 years old and is a free agent at the end of the season. So the Braves are looking at a “rental player” type situation which is never good when you have to give up your talented young prospects in return. And to get Beltran, the Braves will have to give up good prospects like Jordan Schafer and Mike Minor.
Then there’s Hunter Pence. The 28 year old two time all-star outfielder is under contract through the 2012 season and would provide an all around game to go with this Braves team. In 92 games this year Pence is batting.316 with 11 homers and 61 RBI’s to go along with his stellar defense in center field. In return the Astros are looking for good young prospects just like the Mets. Unlike Beltran, Pence would not be looked at as a rental player for a few months, and would definitely provide more upside for the future. Pence has never appeared in the playoffs but is the type of player that would fit right in inside the Braves clubhouse which already has great chemistry.
In my opinion I think either one of these guys would be a good fit for the Braves. I’m not big on “selling the farm” as they would say to get either one of these guys but I do feel this team needs to make a move if they want to be a true championship contender.
So now it’s up to the Braves General Manager Frank Wren to make the right move and put this team in position to make a deep playoff run. Wren has a track record of making good moves in the past and is also very hesitant to give up talented prospects out of the Atlanta farm system. So time will tell if the Braves will find what they are looking for and pull the trigger on it.
What do all the Braves fans think? What would you like to see the Braves do? Would you rather get Beltran or Pence or would you rather not make a move at all? We have got about 11 days until the trade deadline so let’s use this time to talk about what would be best for this team and what we see them doing the rest of the season.
4 comments:
If the braves deal for either one of these guys, I'm assuming they would play center field once Chipper comes back. So who would move into the leadoff spot? Im guessing the lineup would be Prado, Heyward, Chipper, McCann, Pence/Beltran, Uggla, Freeman, Gonzalez, Pitcher. Looks good on paper, but Prado isn't really a true leadoff hitter. I guess we'll see how it goes.
It does sound like a good lineup and Prado has hit leadoff before but like SmoothAsEggs said he is not a true leadoff hitter. The other thing is Schafer has been getting the job done so it would be tough to trade him away.
I think the braves should keep the lineup as is. To get either player would cost however either player could make them a playoff favorite but reality is the phillies are in the division and are built to when this year no matter what the braves do. So if u are a braves fan why not let heyward come out of slump nd get chipper back nd if anything get a the rotation some help.
Get the rotation some help? That's the least of their worries. The Braves need another RH bat in the lineup to help improve their dismal performance against left handed pitching.
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