MLB Trade Rumors: Andre Ethier To The Braves??

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 5, 2009 1:00 PM EDT in Baseball

After re-reading Buster Olney's Saturday morning blog post regarding the Braves trading starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, the following sentence relating to the Dodgers interest in Vazquez sparked an idea:

The Dodgers also have some payroll flexibility, and they have an extra outfielder, as the world knows. Juan Pierre hit .318 during Manny Ramirez's absence, but presumably, the Braves would prefer someone with a little more thump.

The last sentence in bold gave me a trade idea that would help both teams. Would the Braves trade Javier Vazquez to the Dodgers for Andre Ethier? I think it makes sense for both teams. Ethier is having another fine season with a .252 Avg, 15 HRs and 52 RBI. He could play either LF or RF in Atlanta and bat 5th or 6th in their lineup, providing the "thump" they so badly need.

The Dodgers could move Matt Kemp to RF and instill Juan Pierre as their leadoff hitter and CFer. I can't believe I just wrote that, actually. But, Vazquez provides the veteran starting pitcher the Dodgers would need if they want to reach the World Series this year. A rotation of Vazquez, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf would be tough to deal with in September and beyond.

Then again, if you are trading Andre Ethier, maybe you wait to see what other starting pitchers become available in the next few weeks.

Poll

Should the Dodgers trade Andre Ethier for an ace starting pitcher like Javier Vazquez?

Yes, they need an ace starting pitcher to get beyond the NLCS.

238 votes

No, GM Ned Colletti should wait a few more weeks to see what other starters become available.

214 votes

452 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

If I was the Dodgers and decided to trade Either

I would shop his name around before making this deal, see what else is out there. But the deal doesnt sound bad. It would really help both teams

by Civardi on Jul 5, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Honestly

I think the Dodgers would have to add more to Ethier to get Vasquez. The Braves want a SS but could use a 1B or OF propsect too.

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by faketeams on Jul 5, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

Ethier is cheap

wouldn’t that come into play?

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 5, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

One problem: There is no way, no how that Vazquez is going to waive his no trade clause to the West Coast teams. So all of this speculation about the Dodgers, Angels, Rangers, etc is moot because the Braves can’t trade him there.

by soup du jour on Jul 7, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions