Tex to stay in Atlanta?
The AJC’s Terrence Moore stated Saturday that the Braves intend to keep Big Tex throughout the remainder of the season. Moore listed two reasons for keeping him. 1. The Braves are still in the hunt for the playoffs. 2. He is one of the best first basemen in the game.
My take on the first point is simple. The Braves have set the MLB record for consecutive 1 run losses on the road, now standing at 24 games since Aug. 10, 2007, and are 4 - 22 in one run games overall this season and 15 - 32 on the road. They are currently 6 games under .500 and will have to pass 3 teams in order to reach 1st place in their division and reach the playoffs, as the wild card will most definitely come from the Central division this year.
That hardly makes me think that the Braves brass honestly believe that we are still in the hunt.
My take on the second point is more pessimistic. Sure, there is no denying that Tex is one of the premier first basemen in the game today and he is truly a 2nd half guy for his career and is currently in his prime. But his agent is Mr. Scot Boras. While Schuerholz was still the active GM he wouldnt even negotiate with Mr. Boras’s clients or even return a simple email. New GM Frank Wren may have a more agreeable disposition with the super agent but the final decision will still hinge on dollars and ¢ense. The Braves will definately free up a huge chunk of payroll this year with the loss of Hampton, Glavine, Tex, Kotsay, and possibly Smoltz. Will they….should they use the money to re-up Tex?
I am thinking that this is a wonderful time for a fire sale…get good young talent. Thats why I dont believe either of these two “reasons” that were given to the AJC for the Braves to hold on to Tex.
If Tex leaves through free agency at the end of the season then the Braves will be awarded two supplemental draft picks. If we were to trade him now for the best offer then we would lose those draft picks.
They tried to trade him, couldnt get what they wanted, and will opt instead for the two draft picks this winter.
I wouldnt pull the plug on this just yet. I dont care what Terence Moore said in his article, there are still 10 days left until the trading deadline and the Braves will not let a “no-brainer” slip through their fingers.
If you trade him now what are the chances that the “best offer” will be better than the two draft picks?
Given the statements made by Cox I say the best bet is to keep him. And giving up on a season when you are only 4 games out when it is halfway over seems kinda overly gloomy to me.