At first I thought Epic Win....

My wife called me and excitedly told me the news. The Braves had made a trade for Jason Bourne. This was amazing news. The intangibles he brings to the team off the field would make up for any bad publicity that may come with him, not to mention visa issues just trying to get him across the border or through airport security.

 But alas, my ever helpful wife got the minute details slightly mixed up. we unfortunaltely did NOT acquire Jason Bourne. What we got was Michael Bourn. Slight difference.
Here, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence react to hearing they are no longer Astros.

 Good news, but for me sad news as well. We gave up three meh pitchers and one of my favourite Braves, center fielder Jordan Schafer. I really liked Jordan, even if his wrist is made out of rice crispies.

Yeah, I know, Michael Bourn is a gold glove all star center fielder who steals a lot of bases.

Reminds me of a trade we made a couple of years back. We acquired a gold glove winning all star center fielder who stole a lot of bases from Pittsburgh. His name is Nate McLouth. Michael Bourn's job is to do what Nate McLouth still has not done in three years.

I hope this one turns out differently.

Good luck Jordan, I'll miss you..... Welcome Michael Bourn. no pressure buddy.

Falling behind and catching up Goose Joak style

I've been neglecting my Goose Joak responsibilities. Been distracted by shiny things, pretty girls, snacks, not necessarily in that order.
Here we go.
First up, the worst Braves outfielder since Raul Mondesi. At least John Schuerholz had the decency to release Mondesi. It looks like we're stuck with Anderson.
Next, we have infielder Brooks Conrad. I posted about Brooks here. He hasn't stopped hitting since.

Diory Hernandez. In the minors, he was all stick, no glove. In the bigs, it's been the opposite. Go figure.

Now we have Javier Vazquez. Top of the league in strikeouts. His secret? He throws underhanded.

future CF'er Jordan Schafer. Jordan needs to remember to hit the ball on the ground, and Run Jordan, Run!

New Brave, Nate McLouth. Nate will be in left field next year. Garret will not. Thank the gods.

You can see the rest of 'em here.

Big things...

wow. A lot happening today. Many roster moves. Players coming and going. Let's start with the big trade first. I'll cover Glavine later. He deserves his own post.

Frank Wren stepped up today and traded away the future. Well, part of it anyways...
What we gave up.

Lefty Jeff Locke. The "Redstone Rocket" is a couple of years away from the big leagues. Jeff was in Myrtle Beach for the Braves high "A" team. He's young, a flamethrower, and a lefty. It's up to the Pirates to ruin him.
Starting pitcher Charlie Morton. Charlie was 7-2 with a 2.51ERA with AAA Gwinnett. He was the Braves best pitcher in the minors. And that's including Kris Medlen and Tommy Hanson. I knew he would be traded... the Braves have too much major league starting pitching, it was only a matter of time. He should slide right into the Pirates rotation. Maybe #3 or 4 for now.

CF Gorkys Hernandez. Again, no surprise that Gorkys is gone. The Bravos have a lot of young depth at CF. Jordan Schafer, Gregor Blanco, Gorkys... one had to go. Hernandez was hitting .316 at AA Mississippi this season. Gorkys should be in the PNC outfield next season.

Who did we get?

2008 N.L All Star and Gold Glove CF Nate McLouth.

The Braves MUST stop trading for players that I have no cards of. Vazquez, Anderson, now McLouth. Stop it.

27 y/o McLouth is signed for four more years, and as mentioned is the '08 All Star CF'er and Gold Glove winner. Atlanta now has two of last years Gold Glovers in the outfield with him and Jeff Francouer. This season, teams are not even attempting to run on Francoeurs arm, so the defense is solid. These two should be able to make up for Garrett "the human pylon" Anderson in left.

It's sad to see the youngsters go... especially Morton. But, at the same time it's exciting to see the Braves add an impact player that won't be leaving for big $$$ at seasons end.

I guess regardless of which side I'm on, as a Pirate fan of a Braves fan, I'm excited.

This, with the multiple pitching moves the Braves made today, make for an interesting rest of the season.