Braves welcome back LaRoche...Bid farewell to Kotchman...

Today marked the last day Major League teams could make a trade. The MLB trade deadline was at 4:00 PM EST. It has come and gone. Former Cy Younger Jake Peavy was dealt to the White Sox again, the Red Sox landed C/1B Victor Martinez and the Braves brought back former 1B Adam LaRoche.

The Braves dealt 1B Casey Kotchman in exchange for Adam LaRoche and cash considerations. Kotchman was acquired at last years deadline in a trade that sent Mark Teixeira to the Angels.

Many Braves fans were caught off guard by the trade because Kotchman has been swinging a hot bat lately. The bottom line is that the Braves acquired a power bat in exchange for a player who hits for average. Adam LaRoche was fantastic his final year in Atlanta. He hit 32 long balls while knocking in 90 runs with a .285 average.

Wren landed one of the best second half hitters in baseball since 2006 in LaRoche. In '06 LaRoche hit 19 HR's, 48 RBI's and a .323 average post All-Star break; last year Adam hit 14 HR's, 42 RBI's and a .304 average. Kotchman's best second half came in 2005 when he launched 7 long-balls, with 22 RBI's and a .302 average. Although LaRoche has a much better bat, Kotchman plays better defense.

Kotchman is under team control for an additional 2 years and LaRoche becomes a free-agent after this season. But maybe the Braves will be able to reach a deal with the player they drafted in the 29th round of the 2000 draft. Tit-for-tat the Braves dealt a good fielder for a power bat which the lineup is lacking.

My projections have a healthy Braves lineup as follow:

1. McLouth CF
2. Prado 2B
3. Jones 3B
4. McCann C
5. LaRoche 1B
6. Escobar SS
7. Anderson LF
8. Church/Diaz RF
9. SP

Braves trade for Nate McLouth...Hanson to start Saturday

The Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates have reached an agreement to trade for outfielder Nate McLouth. Nate McLouth is coming off a terrific 2008 season in which he tallied 26 HR's and 96 RBI's while maintaing a .276 batting average. In 2008 he lead the National League in doubles with 46, was sixth in the majors in runs scored and won a Gold Glove. 

According to an MLB official the Braves are sending Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke to Pittsburgh for All-Star Nate McLouth. 

McLouth did sign a three-year extension with the Pirates in February. Here is the breakdown: 

2009 - $3.5 million ($2 million base and $1.5 million bonus)

2010 - $4.5 million

2011 - $7.75 million ($6.5 million base with $1.25 million buyout in 2012)

2012 - $9.4 million club option

Frank Wren did suggest that he will be a leadoff hitter; my guess is Bobby will utilize him as leadoff when McCann is in the lineup and bat him cleanup when McCann has the day off. 

As for Tommy Hanson; the Braves top pitching prospect is getting the call to the big-leagues. He will start Saturday vs. the Brewers. Hanson will move into the rotation as the 5th starter and his roommate will be Kris Medlen. Tommy has been fantastic pitching for Gwinnett posting a 1.49 ERA while striking out 90 batting and only issuing 17 walks in 66 1/3 innings.