Time to accept reality

We're at the season's midpoint, and the Bravos find themselves in familiar territory. Not out of the race for the playoffs, but not really in it. Recently we've seen trades aimed at the present, with no success. This time, management should plan for the future. 

There's talk of the Braves pursuing an impact outfielder, such as Jason Bay, Xavier Nady or Raul Ibanez. Clearly the home team needs some offense, but at what price? Would you trade Tommy Hanson, the Double A pitching prospect who hurled a no-hitter Wednesday night? Or how about Gorkys Hernandez, who's been selected to participate in the Futures Game? Surely the Pirates would ask for a bounty in exchange for Bay, and the Braves don't have a lot to give. Better they restock. Trade Tex. Hell, I'd even listen to offers for Huddy. Look at how Oakland is competing with the prospects acquired for Danny Haren. Not only do the A's have a better record than the Braves -- they've won more than Arizona, where Haren now pitches.  The front office needs to ask itself: what's the ultimate goal? Are they content with barely sneaking into the playoffs? What are the odds this team -- even if it adds Bay -- advances past the first round? I'd prefer building an organization that can contend for years to come, one not dependent on the weakness of a division or league. Time for the Braves to make that call. Let's hope they don't opt for mediocrity yet again.  --CB

Comments

[wuky]

Hey all: "JC" over at sabernomics wrote an article why the Bravos should sign Barry "Big Head" Bonds.

http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2008/06/do-it-why-the-braves-should-sign-barry-bonds/

[Viva Rufino Linares!]

Here, Here!! I'd take a few off years and keep the talent in the minors for the future, as opposed to getting a rental player or a guy that is an unknown quantity. Bay was pathetic last year, not sure about this. The trade for Tex should be a cautionary tale. The front office gave up a lot future for what now appears to be very little. No Mahay and Tex will walk or get traded. We have to keep guys like Hanson, Hernandez, Hayward, etc. If we don't, then we are the Yankees South.

[wuky]

Couldn't agree more, CB. Wren will truly make his mark if we return to the World Series two or even three years from now with young, homegrown talent, rather than limp into the playoffs with rented mercenaries this year and maybe the next. I'm all for trading Tex, but I'd prefer to keep Huddy. Hudson's actually from the area and seems to really appreciate the opp'ty to pitch for the home team.

[CB]

Agreed, though I think you're overstating the potential of Blanco and Anderson. I think they're back-ups, at best. Too bad you couldn't combine the two, as Blanco gets on base at a better clip than Anderson, who is a much bigger threat on the basepaths. And Blanco's defense hasn't impressed me all that much. Haven't seen enough of Anderson with the glove to make a judgment.

[tbone82]

if we're talking about outfielding talent for the future, I think we've got it...between Blanco, Anderson, Hernandez, Schafer, we ought to let them develop. If there is anything we need to think about bringing in young replacements for, it's Tex himself. Just like the "who replaces Andruw" problem last year, we are going to have a huge hole to fill at first base the instant he's gone. I don't want Thorman to pick up where he left off. Dude is at triple-A and is only hitting .250 and on pace to strike out over 100 times.