Braves Finally Get a Legit CF, Acquire Michael Bourn

After looking at various options, and losing out on Hunter Pence and Carlos Beltran, the Braves finally got their center fielder, trading for Michael Bourn of the Houston Astros. The package the Braves gave up was slim: center fielder Jordan Schafer, and pitchers Paul Clemens, Brett Oberholtzer, and Juan Abreu.

Bourn is a legit leadoff hitter and fantastic defensive center fielder, which is something that the Braves have lacked for years. The Braves traded for Nate McLouth in 2009 and Rick Ankiel in 2010, and neither was the answer in center. Bourn has been rated as above average by both DRS and UZR every year (aside from this year, where he's merely average). He has a league leading 39 stolen bases this year, which adds a dimension to this Braves team that they really haven't had since the heyday of Rafael Furcal. Bourn's overall stat line this season is .303/.363/.403. Considering that the Braves have been trotting out Schafer in center over the last two months, this is a huge upgrade.

Now, let's look at what's going to Houston in the deal. It's not a lot. Schafer hasn't been the same since a wrist injury in 2009, and has been a shell of himself. He has no bat, and is an all glove/speed outfielder. Abreu is a reliever in the long term of things, though he could be a good ones. Clemens is a 23 year old righty who started the year out on fire, but has struggled over the last two months, with a 4.91 ERA after the All-Star Break. Oberholtzer is the prize in the deal, a 21 year old lefty with excellent control who was a member of the Southern League All-Star team this year. At the end of the day, he was expendable with the pitching riches that the Braves have.

This is a great deal for the Braves, as all they essentially gave up for Bourn was spare parts. None of the players is really an impact prospect, and none will be terribly missed by the Braves. Meanwhile, they solidify their CF position for this year and next.

Meanwhile, ESPN still doesn't know how to use that whole "spell check" thing.

Source: http://www.bloguin.com