One more name to watch in trade talks this spring: Jair Jurrjens.
He was a popular name on the market when the winter began. The Braves didn't trade him, in part because they couldn't convince potential trade partners that he's healthy and can stay healthy.
Perhaps he can prove that this spring. If so, the Braves could well try to move him again, according to sources.
As I pointed out in this column, big spring training trades have become a rarity in modern baseball. But Jurrjens isn't terribly expensive ($5.5 million this year), and when he's been healthy, he's been very good. His ERA in the first half of the 2011 season was 1.87, second to Jered Weaver among major-league starters.
Why would the Braves trade him? Skeptics would say that they don't believe he can stay healthy, but they would counter that they have a crowded rotation, even with Tim Hudson likely to miss the first few starts of the year after offseason back surgery. The Braves are convinced that Tommy Hanson's shoulder is fine (and say that Hanson is in much better shape), and they're excited about youngsters Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran.
And Jurrjens is due to be a free agent after the 2013 season, always a consideration for the cost-conscious Braves.
Even if Jurrjens looks healthy this spring -- and the Braves say he does -- it may be hard to convince teams that he is worth the risk. While the Red Sox could use a starter (and Jurrjens would fit into their price range), they're known to have had serious doubts about the right-hander's health.
Jurrjens missed the end of the 2011 season with a knee injury. The Braves say he recovered so well that he would have started a playoff game if not for their September collapse. But after making 65 starts in his first two years with the Braves, Jurrjens has been able to make just 43 starts over the last two seasons.
Is he healthy now? Again, the Braves say yes.
If he can prove it this spring, maybe another team will believe it enough to deal for him.
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade him
Posted on: February 14, 2012 11:38 am
Comments Add a Comment
AtlantaExpert
Since: Feb 16, 2012 |
Posted on: February 16, 2012 6:42 pm
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himPearls,
You are missing the point. Jones will make $13 million this year and can earn $1.5 million a year in performance bonuses: $750,000 each for 135 and 140 games. His contract contains a $9 million option for 2013 that would become guaranteed if he plays in 123 games in 2012 or averages 127 games in 2011-12. The option price could increase by up to $4 million: $1 million each for 128, 133, 138 and 140 games in 2012 (or averages of 132, 137, 138 and 140 in 2011-12). In addition, he could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on the earlier criteria. If the vesting option fails to become guaranteed, the club would hold a $7 million option. You can argue all day over whether Chipper is worth that money, but the bottom line is the Braves have too much invested in him to make him a bench player. |
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The Rambler
Since: Nov 30, 2008 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 2:28 pm
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himIs this the same Pedro Alvarez whose OPS dropped over 200 points from '10 to '11? The same one that struck out once every 3 ABs last year? The one with 14 XBH in over 250 PA last year? Alvarez has a lot to prove before he is traded for a pitcher the caliber of Jurrjens.
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AUinvestor
Since: Sep 18, 2008 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 1:25 pm
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himThe Pirates could give up Alvarez for him, but no one else. Certainly not Tabata and D'Arnaud. Maybe Alvarez and a long reliever.
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The Rambler
Since: Nov 30, 2008 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 12:29 pm
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himYou lost all credibility when you aid that Jurrjens stuff is as good as Hanson's.
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stringaline
Since: Jan 11, 2012 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 11:38 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade him@CODYPRKR: yeah, but wasn't it his back and his.....knee?!?! i see your point though; it's not a good track record. but I'll bet you $500 internet dollars he is 30+ starts this year! you in on that kind of action?
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CODYPRKR
Since: Oct 7, 2006 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 9:02 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade him"His trips to the dl are a little bit random"??? This guy is a guarantee to be injured at some point every season. He has his reservation for his 2012 trip planned already. Can't deny his talent, but his penchant for injury makes him toxic as they come. You can keep him stringaline.
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PearlsOfWisdom
Since: Nov 7, 2010 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 8:06 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himi can not understand why nobody's speaking about Braves' 3rd base situation..everybody loves Chipper but..please...now he's a below-average player..i think he could be good as bench-player covering corner infield and left field...but if they have no plan to move Prado at 3rd(considering they have absolutely nothing ready in the farm..) i suppose what braves are asking for JJ is a young 3rd baseman...
a trade i suggest(that could be profitable both sides): sending JJ and Prado to Pittsburgh(they need a n.1 starter) recieving..P.Alvarez(fill 3rd need and learn one year playing with Chipper), Tabata(LF and maybe CF next year if Atlanta loose Bourn)and D'Arnaud(a defensive infileder to improve depth) What do you think about? |
Mr. Palm Beach
Since: Apr 6, 2009 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 8:03 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himReading all of these reasons actually makes sense to trade him but I'd like to see him stay. I guess his health is a risk but may be one worth taking.
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YHATER1
Since: Jan 18, 2012 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 6:39 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade himI think it is buyer beware for both of these guys. They both have the dread inverted W and therefore are a ticking time bomb
Remember Prior, Wood, Stradburg, and Joba to name a few |
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tracyles22 |
Posted on: February 15, 2012 5:47 am
If Jurrjens is healthy, Braves could trade him Come on you idiot Redsox front office. This guy is a legit #2 when healthy. Give the braves a scrub AAA player for him and then reap the rewards of this guy staying healthy.
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