ATLANTA – The conventional wisdom surrounding the Atlanta Braves’ hole in center field dictated the Braves would try to find a stop-gap measure to bridge the gap between Andruw Jones and Jordan Schafer.
Conventional wisdom gave way to open opportunity this weekend, when Atlanta general manager Frank Wren wrestled Mark Kotsay away from Oakland for reliever Joey Devine.
Kotsay, who bats and throws left-handed, is a proven veteran who is owed $7 million. Word is Oakland will pick up at least $5 million of the tab for Kotsay, provided his balky back (which limited him to 56 games in 2007) passes a Monday physical in Atlanta.
The deal is expected to be formally announced Tuesday; sources with both teams have confirmed the trade.
Kotsay, 32, gives the Braves a veteran presence in the middle of their outfield, which would’ve been missing after Jones – the starter since 1997 – signed a free-agent deal with the Dodgers last month. He’s a .282 career hitter in 11 major-league seasons, and comes with a reputation for playing hard and being a leader in the clubhouse. In 2004 with Oakland, Kotsay hit .314 with 15 homers and 82 RBIs. He’s also played with San Diego and Florida. Defensively, Kotsay has six seasons with double-figures in outfield assists.
Schafer, just 21, is one of the top prospects in the Braves’ system. But he’s never played above Class A, and Atlanta’s brass wants to give him a chance to play at least part of this season in Class AA. Wren brought in rookie Josh Anderson from Houston, and Anderson and Schafer figured to contend for the starting nod in spring training.
Now, odds are Anderson will start the season at Class AAA Richmond, while Schafer will begin 2008 at Class AA Mississippi.
To land Kotsay, the Braves gave up Devine, a fireballer who was the team’s top draft pick in 2005. Devine rose to the majors that season, only to allow grand slams in his first two career appearances. His season ended with a series-ending walkoff homer allowed to Chris Burke of Houston in the 18th inning of Game 4 of the NL Division Series.
Injuries and wildness marked Devine’s 2006, but he bounced back with a strong 2007. He dominated in stints at both Mississippi and Richmond (1.89 ERA in 50 games combined between Class AAA and Class AA), and went 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in 10 games with the big-league team. But some within the organization wondered if Devine ever could win the full favor of manager Bobby Cox after his inauspicious debut season, followed by his inability to throw strikes.
Whether this deal turns out like another deal made in the dark of winter – the trade of prospect Adam Wainwright for the rental of outfielder J.D. Drew – remains to be seen. Drew was healthy for his one season in Atlanta (2004), then left to sign with the Dodgers. Wainwright went on to serve as closer for the Cardinals as they won the World Series in 2006, and begins spring training as the Redbirds’ No. 1 starter.
If anything else, the deal guarantees Schafer will get a chance to show he can hit pitching at the Class AA level before getting the keys to center field. If Kotsay can prove he’s healthy, the deal could be a real steal for the Braves.
Technorati Tags: Atlanta Braves, Oakland, Mark Kotsay, Center, Joey Devine, Andruw Jones, Jordan Schafer
Written by Bud L. Ellis - Visit Website
Do you think Devine was worth Kotsay?
Susan: Yes, I believe this is a trade that will help both teams. Kotsay is the short-term veteran solution the Braves need in center field until phenom Jordan Schafer is ready to take over. Devine is one of several hard-throwing right-handers who would’ve competed for, at most, two openings at the back of the Braves’ pen.
Devine most likely would’ve been squeezed out because he has options left. He’s a great kid with a ton of potential, but there have been whispers in the organization whether he ever could establish himself in Atlanta after his debut season in 2005, in which he gave up the two slams in his first two appearances, then gave up the season-ending longball in the NLDS.
So, you trade from a position of strength — meaning you give up a talented young reliever, of which you have several — for the only solution out there that completely works for you in center field. No way the Braves could’ve afforded to trade prospects for Coco Crisp, or take a flier and sign a Corey Patterson (an Atlanta native who has struggled with injuries and consistency). Also, most free agents out there want more than a one-year deal.
Personally, I thought Josh Anderson had a great chance to win the job outright in spring training. Really impressed with the kid’s numbers through the minors and what he did with the Astros in September. But if you can get a veteran guy like Kotsay and have the other team pick up most of the salary (Braves on the hook for only $2 million) and only have to give up Joey Devine, then the deal definitely was worth it.
And again, I think it’ll help both teams. Devine gets a fresh start in Oakland. Hutson Street is locked in as the A’s closer, but I think Devine definitely will have a chance to pitch key innings for Oakland if he can throw strikes and be consistent with his breaking ball.
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