Spectic Tank
07-31-2009, 05:12 PM
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
07/31/09 5:37 PM ET
ATLANTA -- Braves general manager Frank Wren didn't know if he'd make a deal before Friday's Trade Deadline expired. But once the Red Sox acquired Cleveland's Victor Martinez and Adam LaRoche became expendable, Wren opted to bring the first baseman back to Atlanta.
Shortly before Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, Wren sent Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox in exchange for LaRoche and cash considerations.
With this exchange of first basemen, the Braves gained one that provides power on a more consistent basis. LaRoche has hit at least 20 homers each of the past four seasons, while Kotchman hit a total of eight in the 130 games he played for the Braves.
Kotchman, who was acquired by the Braves before last year's Trade Deadline in exchange for Mark Teixeira, has shown some recent signs of life. In his past 22 games, he has hit .333 with four homers and a .528 slugging percentage.
"I'm a little surprised, but not overwhelmingly surprised, with how the game is and how the business is," Kotchman said.
LaRoche, who had been acquired by the Red Sox in a July 22 trade with the Pirates, has consistently provided most of his offensive production after the All-Star break. His career second-half numbers include a .295 batting average and an .899 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage).
While Kotchman has two more arbitration-eligible seasons remaining, LaRoche will be a free agent at the conclusion of this year.
LaRoche, who previously played for the Braves from 2004-06, is expected to arrive in Atlanta some time Friday night. The Braves have promoted Barbaro Canizares from Triple-A Gwinnett to be available to play during Friday night's series opener against the Dodgers.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090731&content_id=6169036&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Not too exciting...
07/31/09 5:37 PM ET
ATLANTA -- Braves general manager Frank Wren didn't know if he'd make a deal before Friday's Trade Deadline expired. But once the Red Sox acquired Cleveland's Victor Martinez and Adam LaRoche became expendable, Wren opted to bring the first baseman back to Atlanta.
Shortly before Friday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, Wren sent Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox in exchange for LaRoche and cash considerations.
With this exchange of first basemen, the Braves gained one that provides power on a more consistent basis. LaRoche has hit at least 20 homers each of the past four seasons, while Kotchman hit a total of eight in the 130 games he played for the Braves.
Kotchman, who was acquired by the Braves before last year's Trade Deadline in exchange for Mark Teixeira, has shown some recent signs of life. In his past 22 games, he has hit .333 with four homers and a .528 slugging percentage.
"I'm a little surprised, but not overwhelmingly surprised, with how the game is and how the business is," Kotchman said.
LaRoche, who had been acquired by the Red Sox in a July 22 trade with the Pirates, has consistently provided most of his offensive production after the All-Star break. His career second-half numbers include a .295 batting average and an .899 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage).
While Kotchman has two more arbitration-eligible seasons remaining, LaRoche will be a free agent at the conclusion of this year.
LaRoche, who previously played for the Braves from 2004-06, is expected to arrive in Atlanta some time Friday night. The Braves have promoted Barbaro Canizares from Triple-A Gwinnett to be available to play during Friday night's series opener against the Dodgers.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090731&content_id=6169036&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Not too exciting...