Kuzul

There are two ways the Giants can face recent adversity. And if they stay focused, they can turn this season into a triumph.

The news of Melky Cabrera‘s suspension for PED use stunned the San Francisco Giants. According to The Sporting News, Giants GM Brian Sabean described it as “deflating.” They lost the game to the Nationals the day the suspension was announced.

Then they had an off day. The off day could have been spent reading the volumes of columns about Cabrera, including Yahoo! Sports’ Steve Henson’s column bringing up the Giants’ history of turning a blind eye to PED use.

Or they could have spent the off day focused on the game ahead.

They came back on Friday night and obliterated the Padres. Each run scored by the Giants seemed to scream “Melky who?” Each out recorded by Matt Cain reminded everyone this team is favored for the arms, not their bats.

The eight-run explosion in the third inning almost seemed cathartic. It was a baseball equivalent to a primal scream.

Around the time they were pounding San Diego, the Dodgers coughed up a late lead and would lose to Atlanta in extra innings.

So now with all of the hand-wringing and worrying and thousand yard stares from the Giants after Cabrera’s suspension, they hold their destiny in their own hands.

The Giants’ magic number is 43. Between now and the end of the season, any combination of wins and Dodgers losses equaling 43 would clinch the National League West for the Giants.

They have two more games against San Diego and then they go off to Los Angeles. Each win in Chavez Ravine cuts two off the magic number.

If the Giants used that off day to get mad and then take it out on the National League, then the Cabrera suspension could be a rallying point. It could be the moment the team came together and forced their way into October even without their All-Star outfielder.

The Giants have a chance to feast on some of the losing teams over the next few weeks. Besides the three games against the Dodgers and four against Atlanta this week, the Giants will have a steady diet of games against the Padres, Astros and Cubs through the beginning of September.

If the Diamondbacks, currently one game over .500, slip under the mark, then the Giants will play teams with losing records 30 of their last 43 games including the final 19 games of the year.

If the Giants stay focused and win the games they are supposed to win and don’t feel sorry for themselves, they can turn the whole Cabrera fiasco into a mere footnote on the way to a division title rather than the moment that crashed the season.

43 is the number. Stay focused, Giants, on the number, not the suspension.

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The American League All-Stars didn’t have a memorable night in Kansas City, but the National League’s starting center fielder, Melky Cabrera, certainly did.

Following the NL’s 8-0 drubbing of their counterparts, Cabrera was named the All-Star Game MVP in  ballpark he called home last season with the Kansas City Royals.

Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored, and the 27-year-old switch-hitter was presented with a 2013 Chevy Camaro for his performance.

There were a couple other options to choose from for the 2012 Midsummer Classic MVP, but Cabrera was definitely the best choice.

Ryan Braun got the scoring started for the N.L. with a run-scoring double in the first inning. 

Justin Verlander then walked a pair to bring Pablo Sandoval to the plate, who promptly rapped a base-clearing triple off the right-field wall.

Dan Uggla came up and drove in Cabrera with an infield single to round out the first-inning scoring for Tony La Russa’s team.

The game was quiet until the fourth inning when Rafael Furcal tripled to right. He was chased home by Matt Holliday, who was pinch-hitting for Carlos Gonzalez.

Cabrera then stepped up to the plate and drilled a 2-2 fastball from Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison over the left-field fence to push the lead to 8-0.

It was a dull game after the fourth inning, as there were only six hits combined over the final five frames at Kauffman Stadium.

Cabrera is hitting .353 with eight homers and 44 RBI this season. The Giants are surely hoping that this award helps him to build on an already impressive season out West.

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The National League jumped out to a giant lead early, and never looked back in their convincing 8-0 win over the American League at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for their third straight All-Star Game win.

Melky Cabrera (Giants) won named the game’s MVP after hitting a two-run home run en route to a 2-for-3 night with two runs.

The 83rd annual Midsummer Classic started off with a bang, as the NL was able to tag Justin Verlander (Tigers) for five runs in the first inning.

A Ryan Braun (Brewers) double scored Cabrera, but the big blow came four batters later when Pablo Sandoval (Giants) smacked a bases-loaded triple to the corner of right field to give the National League a 4-0 lead before the American League had a chance to bat.

From there, it was smooth sailing for the NL.

The pitching staff was brilliant, led by starter Matt Cain (Giants) who threw two innings of one-hit baseball. After Cain, it was Gio Gonzalez (Nationals), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), R.A. Dickey (Mets), Cole Hamels (Phillies), Craig Kimbrel (Braves), Aroldis Chapman (Reds), Wade Miley (Diamondbacks), Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) and Jonathan Papelbon (Phillies) who combined for the six-hit shutout against an incredibly talented AL lineup.

They are the true MVPs of the ballgame, the first All-Star shutout since the NL blanked the AL 6-0 back in 1996. The eight-run margin marks the biggest win the NL has ever had over the AL. 

Twitter Reaction

Verlander is one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball right now, but he got absolutely shelled by the NL lineup. How rare is it for Verlander to give up five runs in the first inning? CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler has the answer:

Before 1st inning tonight, last time Verlander allowed 5 in any inning was 4/11/2010 vs. Cle (also 5 in 1st)

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) July 10, 2012

Not only did Sandoval hit a triple, but so did Braun and Rafael Furcal (Cardinals). That’s an All-Star Game record according to Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi:

#NL has hit three triples tonight – an all-time #ASG record. @MLBONFOX

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 10, 2012

There is no question the most valuable team on Tuesday night was the San Francisco Giants. As ESPN’s Buster Olney points out, they are now owed an apology by critics who didn’t approve of three of them being in the starting lineup:

SF fans took a beating for their ballot-box stuffing…Apparently, they will be owed the thanks of NL team at the start of the World Series.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 10, 2012

Billy Butler (Royals) stepped to the dish in the seventh inning for his first official All-Star plate appearance to resounding cheers from the home crowd.

He was facing Cole Hamels, who is still taking heat for plunking Bryce Harper (Nationals) for no reason in particular earlier in the season. Former MLB legend Dale Murphy made this priceless joke making light of the matchup:

Wait a sec… that was Billy Butler’s 1st All-Star game at-bat right? Why didn’t Cole Hamels hit him?

— Dale Murphy (@DaleMurphy3) July 10, 2012

Say what you want about whether the All-Star Game winner should be awarded home-field advantage in the World Series, but it’s clearly important, as CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us: 

Since the All-Star Game determined World Series home field advantage, the home team has gone on to win the title 6 of 9 times.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 10, 2012

Analysis

This was a rather boring All-Star Game to say the least.

It was exciting to see all of the runs scored off Verlander, but it made for a rather mundane rest of the game.

The AL was only able to muster six hits, and only posed a real threat to score in the fifth inning.

The only memorable moment from the game came when Chipper Jones (Braves) was able to single in his lone plate appearance. Considering this will be his final appearance at the All-Star Game, it was cool to see him leave with a hit.

You could argue Tony La Russa using three pitchers in the ninth was a fitting end to his career, but most of America had already changed the channel by that point.

In the end, a ton of credit goes to the Giants. They had a pitcher go two scoreless innings, and three hitters who combined for five RBI, including the MVP of the game.

Whoever makes it to the Fall Classic needs to thank San Francisco for the Giants’ respective efforts tonight. 

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Ryan Cook has been almost lights out for the A’s this season. Tonight was not one of those nights. The San Francisco Giants overcame a 3-1 deficit with four in the ninth to beat Oakland 5-4 and take the opener of the Bay Bridge series in Oakland. Cook took the loss, while Giants reliever Clay Hensley got credit for the win. Former A’s reliever Santiago Casilla allowed Josh Reddick’s 16th home run in the ninth, but picked up his 20th save.

A’s starter Jarrod Parker went six-plus innings, allowing only a single run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Struggling Giants starter Tim Lincecum actually resembled his former dominant self after the first inning, going six innings and allowing three runs on only three hits. Lincecum struck out eight. But he did walk four batters, as his control remained elusive.

After Parker went 1-2-3 in the first, the A’s immediately struck against Lincecum. Coco Crisp led off with an infield single. He then promptly stole second and third base and scored on Jemile Weeks’ single to center field. Josh Reddick then snapped his 0-for-19 slump with a bloop single that landed just in front of Nate Schierholtz. A walk to Yoenis Cespedes loaded the bases.

Then Seth Smith hit a grounder to Giants first baseman Brandon Belt. 

Belt, instead of tagging first base for the force out, stepped over the bag and threw home, where Weeks slid home to beat the tag of backup catcher Hector Sanchez. Brandon Inge followed with a bases-loaded walk to force home the third run of the inning. To Lincecum’s credit, he stopped the bleeding, striking out Brandon Moss, Kurt Suzuki and Cliff Pennington in order to keep the score 3-0. 

The Giants scored their run in the top of the third when, after a leadoff single by Sanchez, Parker threw a wild pitch to advance him to second. Gregor Blanco then singled to right field for the RBI, making it 3-1.

But Parker would allow nothing else, and the bullpen effort of Jerry Blevins and Grant Balfour was splendid. Cook just could not shut the door. Belt’s two run double and RBI singles by Sanchez and Blanco put the victory in the Giants’ win column.

Good: Jarrod Parker. He definitely deserved to win. Unfortunately for him, it was one of those deals where the closer just didn’t have it. But Parker was solid. He threw six-plus innings and did enough to exit with a 3-1 lead. He kept the Giants guessing with his fastball and changeup and continues to impress at home.

Bad: A’s 7-8-9 hitters. You can’t completely scapegoat the bottom of the lineup, but they do deserve some criticism. It’s is not really the overall performance (1-for-10 with five strikeouts), but the lack of production in the first inning, when the A’s could have ended the game right away. With the bases loaded and no outs, Moss could not put the ball in play. Needing only a sacrifice fly, Suzuki could not put the ball in play. And the last chance to produce, Pennington, struck out meekly. The A’s gave the Giants an opening and they took it.

Ugly: Ryan Cook. It was bound to happen. Most closers have a bad appearance or two in the course of a season. Cook’s was definitely tonight. His control was off from the beginning and walks—a season-long issue—were his undoing tonight. In total, he was charged with four earned runs. That is double the two he had allowed entering the game. This was a disheartening loss for the A’s, who appeared well on their way to getting the opener against their Bay Area arch rivals. 

Looking to bounce back from this tough loss, the A’s will send Tyson Ross against Madison Bumgarner on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

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Just in case you’ve hibernated for the past two years, let me update you on the Giants‘ pitching.

Jonathan Sanchez is no longer a Giant. Ryan Vogelsong has stepped in and pitched very well. Barry Zito is playing well. Brian Wilson has a beard, Sergio Romo does too, and Javier Lopez was traded to the Giants and he has played very well.

Oh, and there’s also this other guy named Madison Bumgarner, and he’s pretty good.

Bumgarner stepped in during June 2010, and he played well throughout the regular season. He was good enough to earn a starting spot in the playoffs, where he went 2-0 and pitched in four games (all won by the Giants).

In 2011, he was great, and in 2012, he’s played well too. Although he is only 6-4, his ERA is just above 3.00, and he has anchored San Francisco’s staff. With San Francisco’s offense improving, so should Bumgarner’s stats.

Bumgarner isn’t even in his prime yet, which is a scary thought for opposing hitters. He has great stuff, and he is developing into one of the game’s best pitchers. However, I think he’s already in that class.

Here are four reasons why Bumgarner is one of the MLB‘s best pitchers.

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For those Kansas City Royal fans who thought the last 15 years were the worst, wait until they get a load of next year. The Royals might have the best farm system in baseball and are gearing up for 2013, but they are officially in bottom-out mode in 2011.

The team GM Dayton Moore is going to field in 2011 will be the worst team in baseball. Outside of Zack Greinke, who will most likely get traded, and Billy Butler and Joakim Soria, this team has zero talent on their roster.

And their recent acquisitions haven’t helped the situation either.

This week, the Royals signed outfielders Jeff Francoeur ($2.5 million) and Melky Cabrera ($1.25 million) to one-year contracts. To sign one free-agent scrub outfielder, who doesn’t walk is tough, but to sign two of them? Well, that’s the equivalent to Chinese water torture.

Both Francoeur and Cabrera are fourth and fifth outfielders on most teams, but will be everyday players with the Royals. Not only will they be everyday players with the Royals, but looking at their depth chart, I could see Francoeur batting in the middle of their lineup.

That’s how bad this team will be in 2011.

Here is their—or I should say my—projected lineup for 2011:

1. Getz, 2B

2. Aviles, 3B

3. Butler, DH

4. Francoeur, RF

5. Ka’aihue, 1B

6. Gordon, LF

7. Cabrera, CF

8. Kendall, C

9. Betancourt, SS

I just threw up in my mouth as I typed out this lineup. I have seen more talent at a strip club in Milwaukee on a Tuesday night than there is in this mess of a lineup.

And don’t get me started on Cabrera. I was quite pleased when he was exposed as a fraud in Atlanta this season. Nothing angered me more than New York Yankee fans walking around with Cabrera jerseys on, telling me how good he was. I felt like I was talking crazy pills.

He was a clown in New York that just so happened to be surrounded by eight All-Stars. Anybody with some sanity would have noticed that Cabrera isn’t a starting-caliber center fielder on a Major League club.

I can only imagine how poor he is going to be surrounded by nobodies in KC.

The Royals are in the bottom-out phase of Moore’s plan, which means they need to sign mediocre veterans to fill out the starting lineup. It’s like when they signed guys like Terrence Long, Reggie Sanders, Jose Lima and Matt Stairs at the end of their careers to start in years past.

It’s going to be at least two years before top prospects like Mike Montgomery, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Tim Melville and Aaron Crow contribute at the Major League level. Until then, there are going to be some more lean years in Kansas City.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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Ever since Javier Vazquez made a name for himself in 2004, after giving up a grand slam to Johnny Damon in the American League Championship series, Yankee fans have dreaded the sight of the right-hander on the mound. 

When the Yankees traded for Vazquez in the 2009 offseason, mixed feelings were going around. He was coming off an incredible, Cy-Young worthy season, during which he recorded a 2.87 ERA for the Braves, but Yankee fans still had a hollow spot in their hearts for Vazquez.

To everyone’s dismay—and to some, their surprise—Vazquez revived, and sealed those horrible feelings in the 2010 season. Finishing with a 5.32 ERA in 26 starts, Vazquez hurt the Yankees more than he helped.

For a trade that seems horrible for the Yankees at initial glance, you would think that Yankee fans—of all people—would be up-in-arms over the Yankees decision to bring Vazquez back to New York.  

However, while Yankee fans may be very loquacious, they are equally intelligent.

When measuring the success of the trade, clearly you need to measure both sides: the players the team received, and the players the team lost.

On the Yankees side, they gave away Melky Cabrera, a very popular switch-hitting young outfielder who played the first five seasons of his career as a Yankee, and Arodys Vizcaino, a 19-year old prospect who pitched to a 2.13 ERA with the Staten Island Yankees, and who was ranked as the 69th best prospect in 2010 by Baseball America.

Cabrera, now 25, had a sub-par year for the Braves, ultimately ending in his release. Had he stayed with the Yankees, he would have served as a fourth, or maybe even fifth, outfielder. In other words, he would have made minimal difference.

Vizcaino, on the other hand, presents an interesting situation. Very successful, young stars, are always a point of interest. But in baseball, even a No. 1 rank usually has little predictive value, let alone a 69th ranking. (Not to mention he was put on the disabled list in July with a torn elbow ligament, which is usually horrible news for a young pitcher.)

On the Braves side, they sent over Vazquez, along with Boone Logan, a 25-year old left handed relief pitcher.

Vazquez, as was mentioned earlier, did little help to the Yankees. He had one good run in June and July (when he pitched to an ERA just above three) but was otherwise atrocious. 

However, if Vazquez were not there, we have little idea what the Yankees’ rotation would look like. Given what we saw in 2010, the Yankees wouldn’t have gotten anything much better from their minor league system, or bullpen. Yes, it is true that the Yankees may have been more inclined to go after Cliff Lee if Vazquez was not around, but that would have had its costs as well, probably including the Yankees young catching prospect Jesus Montero.

Logan, on the other hand, may have made the deal all together worth it. In 51 appearances, Logan had a 2.93 ERA, and struck out 38 batters in 40 innings pitched this season for the Yankees. At just 25, Logan can be a very valuable left handed pitcher in the Yankees’ future.

As quick as many may be to criticize the Yankees for this trade, or come up with reasons to hate Vazquez, it is important to weigh both sides of the equation. Yes, the Yankees gave up a young outfielder and a pitching prospect for virtually a useless starter, but the two pieces they gave up have questionable values. Furthermore, they gained an extremely valuable member of their bullpen that may succeed for years to come.

Trades are tricky, and they usually end up having unpredictable results. In this case, it may or may not have worked out, but it won’t be until years past until we truly know the value of this trade.

For the top analysis of the week, subscribe to Bronx Weekly. To read more thoughts and analysis, check out my blog. Subscribe to my articles and blog posts here. Also, follow me on Twitter, send me an e-mail, and check out more at jesskcoleman.com.

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With the non-waiver trade deadline looming less than a week away (this Saturday), the Atlanta Braves are sitting in a pretty good spot.

Granted, they just lost two of three in South Florida from the now-.500 fourth place Marlins, but the club still holds the National League’s second-best record (57-41) and a five game advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies.

But, there is a little room for improvement.

Well, actually, center fielder Nate McLouth’s .168/.279/.265 line offers room for a significant amount of improvement (and a slumping Troy Glaus isn’t much to shout about, either—but we’ll refrain from discussing that at this time).

And the question right now is: Where is that improvement going to come from?

The first, and most painless, option is to look at the options already available within the organization.

Melky Cabrera has been a serviceable outfielder for the Braves, posting a .263/.320/.360 line with, overall, solid defense in the outfield.

But, he’s not exactly injecting any “pop” (or awesome on-base skills, for that matter) into the lineup (his most valuable asset seems to be a positive attitude in the clubhouse).

And Jordan Schafer …well, let’s just skip him (I was wrong with what I said about him earlier in the season and I’m feasting on my plate of crow right now).

The third internal option is Gregor Blanco , who was a valuable asset in his 36 games with the big club earlier this season.

In a grand total of 58 at-bats, primarily batting eighth, Blanco was able to work the count, bunt, and slap his way to a .310/.394/.362 line (two of his 18 hits were of the extra-base variet—a double and a triple).

His defense was more than adequate in center and the only real knock (besides the power—which no one expects from him) on him would be his 15 Ks—but that .394 OBP makes up for that.

All in all, Gregor was a fine option for the bottom of the Braves’ order and is, for me, the best option of any of the Braves’ “major” center field options.

But, if the Braves decide to make a move outside of the organization, who’s there?

Corey Hart-types (you know what I’m talking about) are going to demand at least one of the Teheran/Minor/Vizcaino (who is injured)/Delgado crop and it doesn’t seem reasonable to let go of primo young pitching for a player without a proven track record in the midst of a career year.

The most likely option seems to be Florida Marlins’ center fielder Cody Ross (who’s received mixed reviews as far as true interest from the Braves’ front office), so we’ll focus on him right now.

The .273/.330/.402 (which amounts to an OPS 24 points lower than Blanco’s—just keep in mind that Gregor posted his in very limited playing time…just think it’s work mentioning) line Ross has posted has come with eight homers and nine stolen bases—the former being far off pace from his 24 homers in 2009 and 22 in 2008 while the latter is the highest SB tally he has posted in his career (full season or not).

While his numbers certainly aren’t gargantuan, they are a definite upgrade over McLouth’s and Ross seems to be a much more reliable option than my choice from within the Braves’ organization (Blanco).

But, what are the Marlins going to demand from a divisional rival for a player that they’re iffy (at best) on trading?

I figure that Melky Cabrera, Zeke Spruill/Cory Gearrin, Adam Milligan/Cody Johnson (pick your combo) would be enough…but what if they demand one of the young studs I mentioned earlier?

Do the Braves pull the trigger then?

It’s a tough decision, that’s for sure—one I don’t envy.

Should the Braves go for a more reliable bat in center for the stretch run or should they stick to their guns and run with what they’ve got?

Whatever they do, I’m just hoping that Nate “McOut” McLouth is out of town by the time Sunday rolls around.

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Matt Diaz deserves to be the every day starting left fielder for the Atlanta Braves.  His batting skills have earned it for him.  If he plays everyday in left, the Braves have a better chance to win the NL East. 

The Braves haven’t had a regular left fielder since the days of Ryan Klesko.  That’s so long ago Jason Heyward was in the second grade. Being a left fielder in Atlanta is about as safe as being the defense against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts. No player has held down the starting position in left for 13 seasons. 

The one-and-done fill-ins have included the immortal likes of Garrett Anderson, Gregor Blanco, Ryan Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, Charles Thomas, B.J. Surhoff, Reggie Sanders, and Gerald Williams.  The only pseudo-stability occurred when they put a third baseman, Chipper Jones, in left from 2002-2003.  This was a complete disater, not only because of Chipper’s fielding but because Vinny Castilla provided nothing in his stead at third base.

Matt Diaz had the job for a spell in 2007, but injury prevented him form securing it again in 2008.  He deserves a second chance. 

The Braves acquired Diaz from the Royals in December 2005. Up to that point, Diaz had only played in 58 career games.  No one really knew what he could do.  Bobby Cox gave him a chance as a platoon player in the outfield.  Since then Diaz has done nothing but hit. 

In 470 games as a Brave, Diaz has produced a .314/.361/.466 batting line.  This includes two seasons in which he was injured and his production severely decreased.

In his three full seasons, Diaz produced an OPS+ of 114, 123 and 133 (OPS+ is a measure of how far above the league average OPS—set at 100—a player is). 

Diaz is clearly an improving, above average hitter.  He is certainly better than the Braves’ other left field prospects at this time, Melky Cabrera (.259/.319/.355) and Nate McLouth (.169/.282/.268).  Putting these two players in the lineup is not much better than having another pitcher hitting in the eighth spot. 

Since returning form the disabled listed on June 29th, Diaz has hit .378 with an OPS of 1.182.  He hit home runs in three straight games and has a hit in every game he’s started since returning. 

One knock against Diaz has been his fielding.  But Diaz has actually shown improvement in his fielding for four straight years. 

Baseball-Reference uses a formula to calculate the number of runs a player is better or worse than an average fielder.  Diaz’s last four years (staring in 2007) are -5, -2, 0 and 2.  The evidence suggests Diaz has worked diligently to improve his defense.

Bobby Cox uses Diaz in a platoon split, only allowing him to start against left-handed pitchers.  But in 2007, when Diaz got to play more in left because of injuries, he hit .318 against righties.  Diaz simply hasn’t had enough of a chance to establish himself against right-handers.  If given a chance to face them and adapt, he may well increase his batting prowess against right-handed pitching.

The same thing happened to Ryan Klesko in Atlanta.  He platooned and never started against lefties.  Then he was traded to San Diego, started everyday, hit just fine against lefties, and became an All-Star.

Allowing Matt Diaz to start everyday in left field gives the Braves the best chance to win.  He is much better than the current versions of Cabrera and McLouth.  Over his five seasons in Atlanta he has proven himself to be an accomplished hitter and an improving fielder.  He has earned the opportunity to provide Atlanta with some stability in left field.

I appreciate all feeback in the comments section or on “The Twitter” at twitter.com/ryanvooris.

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I know, I know.

The Braves are a first place team with good vibrations all around.

They’ve been one of the best teams in the game since the beginning of May and really lack any substantial holes in their line-up.

But…I like to think ahead.

And, right now, I’m thinking about how Frank Wren and Company can improve the National League’s top run-scoring offense.

There are a couple of different routes the Braves could pursue to achieve this.

They could go with a speed guy (a dimension lacking in the line-up), but there really isn’t anyone readily available that fits that description (unless you’re thinking of Juan Pierre and his .248/.318/.278 line or Co-Co Crisp and his and injury-prone nature) – and Martin Prado has been on an absolute tear since taking over the lead-off spot.  He has pretty much eliminated the need for a “stereotypical” lead-off hitter.

An extra power bat, specifically from the right side, could also be of benefit to the Braves.

Again, there aren’t a lot of options that the Braves could pursue for this venture since teams aren’t going to just trade away a legitimate power threat if they’re even remotely close to being in a playoff race.

The other thing the Braves could look at is an everyday center field option that just, if only barely, out-performs the guys that they’ve been throwing out (Melky Cabrera and Nate McLouth and their combined sub-.550 OPS) at the plate, while playing at least average defense in the field.

And, of course, versatility anywhere would be a plus.

And with the infield set-up with Jones-Escobar-Prado-Glaus from left to right…the outfield seems to be the most viable option for an upgrade.

So, all things considered, here are two guys the Braves should be pursuing at the trade deadline.

Luke Scott

The Baltimore Orioles outfielder, who still has two more years of team control remaining on his contract, has posted a .276/.347/.505 through 219 plate appearances from the left side of the plate (although that is acceptable considering his .852 OPS) thus far in 2010.

Now, his splits aren’t pretty (.905 OPS vs. RHP to .696 vs. LHP), and his 13 games in the outfield might make him a liability from a defensive standpoint.

And (this is why he’s No. 3 – there are a few downsides with Scott) his line looks a little poor compared to current left-handed “platooning” outfielder Eric Hinske ‘s .311/.377/.548 slash (his splits are a little more drastic with .946 to .633 OPSs versus right- and left-handers, respectively).

But, even once Matt Diaz returns and Hinske continues in his platoon purgatory, Hinske’s numbers are bound to move more and more towards his career marks of .256/.338/.442.

That’s why I like Scott — his career line is .265/.349/.496 which is much closer to the numbers he has posted en route to his 10 homers and 24 RBI in what has proven to be a rather anemic Orioles offense (in other words, even if in only a platoon, he’s more likely to sustain his production).

Considering their 19-51 record and recent firing of their manager, you have to figure that Baltimore will be “blowing it up” and building for the future — so MLB-ready talent probably won’t be a “must” in a deal.

But, close-to-primo prospects will be.

And with a lack of top-flight depth in the outfield down on the farm, and the old mantra of “you can’t have too much pitching” likely coming in the negotiation process, this would be my package if I’m the Braves…

Potential Deal: Cody Johnson (OF), Randall Delgado (RHP), and Scott Diamond (LHP) for Luke Scott  (OF) and Pedro Viola  (LHP)/Jim Johnson  (RHP).

David DeJesus

Remember the “barely-better-than-the-current-options” guy?

Here he kinda is (I say “kinda” because he’s actually significantly better than the other options without being a total top-flight offensive threat).

But, for the sake of comparison, pick one of these lines blindly (with career lines)…

.260/.319/.337 (.269/.330/.380)
.323/.395/.485 (.289/.361/.429)
.176/.295/.282 (.253/.339/.439)

Obviously, you pick the dude in the middle, who is not surprisingly David DeJesus.

He’s one of the top players on the Kansas City Royals and has, as evidenced by his career line above, always been the sort of player he has been this year – one that gets on base while hitting with a little pop (i.e. an ideal No. 1 or No. 2 hitter).

His five homers and three steals don’t expire much in the “flashy” categories, but he’s been getting the job done to the tune of 22 doubles (tied for third most with many others in the AL) and three triples from the top of KC’s line-up.

You plug that sort of production, even if he is left-handed, into the top of Atlanta’s line-up between Prado and Chipper Jones and you’ve got a pretty good set-up (especially of Heyward gets to move down to a run-producing spot where he was more comfortable at the beginning of the year).

Now, to the deal.

Kansas City has some holes at various spots around its minor league system and DeJesus has an option on his contract (the Braves would be trading for a year and a half of the center fielder) — so a deal with an “eclectic” feel would likely work.

Potential Deal(s): Kris Medlen (RHP), Melky Cabrera  (OF), Zeke Spruill (RHP) OR Arodys Vizcaino  (RHP), Adam Milligan (OF), Cole Rohrbough  (LHP) for David DeJesus  (OF) – preferably the latter package.

Oh, and I will admit to being generous in my deals with talent being given up from the Braves’ perspective — I sometimes think too much into the “talent-for-talent” theory and surrender too much in certain packages.

(This article is also featured on The Hey Train .)

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