Waiver Trade Deadline

With the waiver trade deadline passing a couple of days ago, many Braves fans are asking why we didn’t go after a pitcher that had cleared waivers, like Odalis Perez or Josh Towers. The obvious question is “Would an acquisition have really mattered?” But for the sake of dicussion, let’s take a look at these players and evaluate whether or not they could have helped the Braves.

Odalis Perez, the former Brave is an interesting case. His ERA, 5.57 doesn’t look great, but he hasn’t been helped by a .337 BABIP, or batting average on balls in play. Here is a short Wikipedia article explaining BABIP. Whan you consider that a .300 BABIP is league average, you can couclude that Perez has been unlucky. His ground ball %, 45%, is very solid as well. Now to the negatives. His K/9 rate has dipped to a career low 4.19 while his BB/9 rate has increased from 2.21 to 3.28. This probably means that he is pressing too hard, trying to be perfect too much. Brandon Webb had similar symptoms earlier in the season, and I’d say he’s done all right, so the problem is most likely fixable. The main problem is his contract. He’s making 7.75 million this year, and has a 9 million club option for next year. As a result, any trade may have been a rental.

Verdict: Good Decision to Pass

Josh Towers is a more interesting case. As of now, Towers sports a 5.19 ERA, but he’s pitching in the toughest division in baseball. Shave about a run-and-a-half off that ERA (shift to National League and easier division) and you have an excellent ERA. His peripherals are soild across the board. His K/BB ratio is 3.60 (right behind Jake Peavy), which is exceptional. His HR/9 rate and BABIP are too high, suggesting that he’s been unlucky as well. His contract isn’t bad either. He makes 2.9 milllion in 07’, and he’s arbitration eligible in 08’. He has had clubhouse issues, dissing fellow Blue Jays, but that clubhouse does that to people. If you don’t remember, Shea Hillenbrand became upset when nobody in the front office congratulated him on the adoption of his child and he later got in a fight with manager John Gibbons. Anyway, I hope Schuerholz at least inquired, but no rumors have provided evidence to support it.

Verdict: Should’ve Taken A Stab