J.D. Drew

[bd811]

The radio is reporting that the Braves have traded for outfielder J.D. Drew. I'll see if I can find a hard source.

[bd811]

Hmmm...didnt see anything on any of the major websites or when I did a news search, but the radio is saying there is a press conference scheduled at the top of the hour (or in about 10 or 15 minutes.)

[bd811]

AP NewsBreak: Drew to Braves

RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
(12-13) 11:49 PST NEW ORLEANS (AP) --

The St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielder J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday for Jason Marquis, Ray King and a minor leaguer, The Associated Press learned.

The deal was to be announced later Saturday at the winter meetings.

The trade was confirmed to the AP by a baseball official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

[Yellow Dog]

The minor leaguer is top pitching prospect Adam Wainwright.

[redsoxman]

NEW ORLEANS -- The Cardinals received some much-needed pitching help and the Braves filled their outfield void in a trade Saturday afternoon.
Cardinals outfielder J.D. Drew and Eli Marrero are heading to Atlanta for Jason Marquis, Ray King and top minor league pitching prospect Adam Wainwright.

Marquis and Wainwright have both been tabbed as two of the Braves' brightest young pitching prospects in the recent past. Marquis' value has decreased in Atlanta both of the past two years. Marquis made 22 starts for the Braves in 2002 and went 8-9 with a 5.04 ERA. After a rough start to 2003, Marquis was optioned to Triple-A Richmond and recalled in July. He had a 5.53 ERA in two starts and 21 relief appearances for the Braves but will be used as a starter by St. Louis.

Wainwright, 22, has not progressed as quickly as the Braves would have liked since they made him their top selection in the 2000 draft but is still considerd a top prospect. In 27 starts at Double-A Greenvile in 2003, Wainwright was 10-8 with a 3.37 ERA. In 149 2/3 innings, he allowed only 37 walks while striking out 128. In his minor league career, Wainwright has struck out 560 and walked 163 in 539 innings.

King will give the Cardinals plenty of innings in the bullpen. The veteran southpaw has made at least 76 appearances each of the past three seasons.

King, Marquis and Wainwright all come relatively cheap and will give St. Louis some much-needed immediate pitching help.

Drew, who hit .289 with 15 homers in 100 games this year, has exceptional range and a strong arm. His career has been plagued with injuries. But when healthy, he has the potential to be among the game's best outfielders. The Hahira, Ga. native will fill the hole vacated by Gary Sheffield's departure.

Marrero will serve as Johnny Estrada's backup and has the potential to play a variety of positions. The 30-year-old veteran is a lifetime .238 batting average.

------

That's more of the story that I found.

[jwrenn]

If Drew can stay healthy this will work out marvelously for the Braves, if not...

Marrero is a great player to have. Two years ago the dude converted from catcher to every conceivable position on the field, both infield and outfield. He starts off hot and can be a really streaky batter, but his defense in so many positions makes him very valuable at a low price. He's one of those guys that won't make the headlines but will be on a MLB roster for 15 years. I'm happy to have him.

Not sad to lose Marquis or Maddux off the roster; Marquis never stayed steady but probably will soon, and Maddux isn't the same Maddux of the 90's. Schuerholtz has to be the best GM in all of baseball considering the budget he ISN'T given to work with and the results he gets. Who else could have gotten Mike Hampton and gotten the Marlins and the Rockies to split the cost? :D

[Yellow Dog]

Welcome jwrenn!

I have mixed feelings about this trade. To begin with, I didn't like to see them trade Adam Wainwright on the heels of letting Mike Belise go last August for next to nothing (Kent Mercker). I'm not sure how wise it is for a team that's going into a cost cutting mode to be trading away their top pitching prospects.

But the trade did fill two needs. A replacement for Sheffield and a back up catcher. The key will be if Drew can stay healthy and if he can be resigned if he does have a productive year. I believe he will be eligible for free agency next year and his agent is Steve Boros. I agree that Marquis is no great loss and from what I saw of King last year, neither is he. But I still think this is a risky deal for the Braves. We'll just have to wait and see how it works out.

[usc2002]

Drew wasn't "healthy" in St Louis, but he also didn't care for LaRussa....So now that he is out and in Atlanta he could be happy and actually care, if so and he can stay truely healthy i think this deal is a great one for the braves...Sure losing Wainwright was tough, he was a top 3 prospect in the organization, but Schurholtz knows what he is doing.....I say good deal, lets just hope they can sign some form of pitching option other than John Thompson....

[jwrenn]

Yeah, if nothing else I've learned to trust that John S. knows what he's doing. He somehow year after year keeps making moves with what he's given that has produced 12 straight division titles so I don't worry too much. What he keeps doing is trading the prospects that aren't a "for sure" thing and getting veteran experience to win now. It's worked so far...

[Yellow Dog]

It has worked so far but up until now he's never had to work under these financial constraints. In the past he's always had money to spend and that has given him much more margin for error.

Even if Drew has a huge year, there's a good chance won't be resigned for 2005. Ortiz will also be a free agent after next year. If guys like Belise and Wainwright have blossomed into quality pitchers by then, this will look like a bad deal.

Its not that I'm against the Drew trade, but I am a little apprehensive about it. Will it may work out nicely for next year, But I worry that Schuerholz may be mortaging the Braves' future by depleting the farm system of its best young arms.

The Belise for Mercker has Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz written all over it IMO.

[jwrenn]

All good points, which is what will keep us watching...

We'll just have to debate it all winter and see how it goes next season.:freak:

[usc2002]

They don't secure some pitching this will just be a long season.....Marlins, Phils and Mets are all looking better right now...Spos are done without Vlad and Vaz....so finishing 4th in the division wouldn't be all that fun after a 12 year run...

[jwrenn]

Agreed. Pitching is key to the Braves continuing their success as we still have Jones, Jones, and Giles to provide some hitting. Although Chipper will have to return to his MVP form for us to have a lot of success...

[Fragmentsofme]

I really can't believe that they traded Wainwright, basically for a rental and a back up catcher. This could turn out really bad, especially if Wainwright lives up to all his hype and Drew continues they way he's been his entire career...hurt.

[CorbenDallas]

In my opinion the Braves must be more solid in pitching.
Maddux is probably gone, they lost Glavine and Milwood in the last 2 years.
Hamton and Ortiz are good players but not champions.
Drew is a smart player but is not what they need.

..and Smlotz should be a starter.

[Baseball Guru]

I still think the Braves are better than the Mets at this point....

Phillies IMO look to be the best team (at least on paper) in the division followed closely by the Marlins who pretty much did everything right this offseason except being able to secure Pudge....

They just signed Benitez as their closer so that could be key....

I never underestimate the Braves as I though they were done a few times before and they still win the damn division....


Obviously I think Sheff will hurt but adding Drew IMO was a very good signing provided he stays healthy....
Drew if healthy I really think can be a .285-.300 type of hitter with 30-40 hr's and 100 rbi's....He can also add 15-20 SB's....

I think Hampton and Ortiz, while not Maddux or Glavine, are still a pretty good 1-2 punch.....

It is the rest of the rotation I would worry about as I am not a big fan of Thompson although I do like Byrd if he stays healthy and I really like Ramirez as I think he will end up being a very good pitcher.....

Smoltz is one of the best relievers in the game but I question the effectiveness of the rest of the BP...

It will hurt not having Javy but they are banking on Johnny Estrada on being a very good catcher which personally I dont see....

The middle still looks solid as Furcal is a very good SS and Giles is coming off a great season but it will be interesting to see if that was just a fluke or has he come into his own as a player....

The OF of the Jones boys and Drew is solid....Gary Mattews provides a decent backup to rest any of the OF'ers and plays great defense....

The starters on this team IMO are good, not great overall but pretty good....I would worry though if anyone goes down to injury and I do not think the Braves are as deep in the past....