You don't trade #2-3 starters for set-up guys who are the same age straight up...especially not when you already have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
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I like it better for Angels. Hanson, well, was not so long time ago in the category of the best young pitchers in the league. He was quite a terrible last season but Walden was pretty much expendable for LAAA. It's nice trade every time you get young and useful pitcher who could give you 200 IP for bullpen arm.
You don't trade #2-3 starters for set-up guys who are the same age straight up...especially not when you already have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
You do when shoulder problems threaten his career, which pretty much all shoulder problems do these days.
I like this for LAAAA. Though i think this indicates Atlanta thinks Hanson's velocity drop will be permanent.
Still even if Hanson becomes a #3, a guy who is under team control for 3 years and can give you 200 IP for a reliever is a good deal.
I think Atlanta has one more deal up their sleeve. They have some ridiculous depth at BP and with the holes at LF and 3B, unless you have a deal ready for one of those guys, im not sure this makes much sense (doesnt Towers love his relief pitchers ).
I'm not sure what to think yet as an Angels fan, Walden lost a step last year and as hope fades that Grenkie resigns in Anaheim we are in desperate need of pitching, I think Hanson can still be a decent #3-4 guy I will be more comfortable if we can get Lohse or Sanchez, both would be nice though.
Hanson is sitting in high 80s these days and looks out of sorts. They are taking a risk here but then again Walden isn't exactly setting the world on fire.
Dont get why Braves would want Walden. They need hitting.
Do you really think Dayton Moore is that clueless? You might be right.
I still don't understand this from a Braves' POV. Hanson did suffer from an acute loss of velocity last year. I think it was really obvious that he wasn't the same pitcher during the last few months of the season that he was early on. But he still had decent strikeout numbers and his BABIP was way higher than his career mark. I can understand Atlanta trading him, but I cannot for the life of me understand trading him for a worthless bullpen arm like Jordan Walden.
Because there is an excellent chance Hanson is right handed Scott Kazmir. I wouldn't be surprised if he only lasts another year in baseball.
Not sure I see the reasoning for this comparison. Kazmir always had major control issues, whereas Hanson has not. I would argue that the premise for being the "enxt" Scott Kazmir has to be based around the inability to throw a ball near the strike zone. Which Hanson has always had.
Not sure I see the reasoning for this comparison. Kazmir always had major control issues, whereas Hanson has not. I would argue that the premise for being the "enxt" Scott Kazmir has to be based around the inability to throw a ball near the strike zone. Which Hanson has always had.
Hanson's command has gotten worse with his loss of velocity, a common trait for power pitchers who can't run FBs past hitters anymore (see Lincecum, Tim). Couple that with his seemingly now chronic shoulder problems and I wouldn't be surprised if he folds. At least Anaheim's stadium will help with his HR issues.
Do you really think Dayton Moore is that clueless? You might be right.
I still don't understand this from a Braves' POV. Hanson did suffer from an acute loss of velocity last year. I think it was really obvious that he wasn't the same pitcher during the last few months of the season that he was early on. But he still had decent strikeout numbers and his BABIP was way higher than his career mark. I can understand Atlanta trading him, but I cannot for the life of me understand trading him for a worthless bullpen arm like Jordan Walden.
I am almost certain that Dayton Moore is that clueless.
Along the same lines, Atlanta could probably fleece the Yankees by selling Kimbrel as a replacement for Soriano. When Wren calls Yankee Stadium, he just needs to make sure to ask to be connected to Randy Levine instead of Cashman
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