Gonzo not on Braves selling list
As the Braves continue to prove they aren't legitimate postseason contenders, general manager Frank Wren is moving closer to trading Mark Teixeira, Will Ohman and Mark Kotsay. But despite some recent speculation, he is not shopping Mike Gonzalez and has no intention to do so.
Baseball Prospectus' Will Carroll speculated Tuesday night that the Rangers would be willing to deal Frank Catalanotto, Marlon Byrd or Milton Bradley to the Braves in exchange Gonzalez.
Reacting to that rumor on Wednesday morning, one Braves official said, "Gonzalez will not be traded before the deadline or during this off-season unless Texas offers us Josh Hamilton."
With the high salaries owed to Teixeira, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton coming off the books at the end of this year, the Braves will feel comfortable going into next year paying approximately $10 million to have both Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano in their bullpen.
Interest in Ohman has picked up recently. The Braves are looking for something greater than the Type B compensation they'd receive if they were to offer him arbitration and lose him to free agency this year.
In addition, the Braves continue to say they'll keep Teixeira for the remainder of this season if they feel they can get better compensation through the draft picks they'd receive after losing him on the free agent market.
-- Mark Bowman
Baseball Prospectus' Will Carroll speculated Tuesday night that the Rangers would be willing to deal Frank Catalanotto, Marlon Byrd or Milton Bradley to the Braves in exchange Gonzalez.
Reacting to that rumor on Wednesday morning, one Braves official said, "Gonzalez will not be traded before the deadline or during this off-season unless Texas offers us Josh Hamilton."
With the high salaries owed to Teixeira, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton coming off the books at the end of this year, the Braves will feel comfortable going into next year paying approximately $10 million to have both Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano in their bullpen.
Interest in Ohman has picked up recently. The Braves are looking for something greater than the Type B compensation they'd receive if they were to offer him arbitration and lose him to free agency this year.
In addition, the Braves continue to say they'll keep Teixeira for the remainder of this season if they feel they can get better compensation through the draft picks they'd receive after losing him on the free agent market.
-- Mark Bowman
Wow!Everyone was so excited about Gonzo comin back,now they want to trade him?!?!Dont trade him!!!! Unless,well,they give us Josh Hamilton
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They arent trading him!!! They said they will only trade him if texas offers Hamilton!! He is staying put and will be back next year as the closer!!
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They are only 6 games back. If the Braves plan on making the post season, they are going to need Mark Teixeira. Without him, you have no one to protect Chipper Jones then teams are just going to start pitching around him. I think the Braves need 1 thing. With all the injuries to the pitching staff, they need another verteran pitcher in that starting rotation instead of all these young guys. I know Hampton is ready but you never know when he may go down with another injury. If all possible it wouldn't hurt to have another power hitting outfielder but I think they will be just fine with Blanco, Kotsay, and Francouer; if they all play like they are capable of playing.
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