Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Box Score, Jordan Pacheco Signing, Julio Teheran Trade Rumors

Baseball Reference

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: A good ol’ Saturday night pitching duel!  Julio Teheran against Jacob deGrom.  You can’t ask for much more out of your starting pitcher than what these two guys gave their squads.  Both pitchers went eight innings, Teheran gave up five hits, no walks and seven strikeouts while deGrom gave up seven hits, no runs, one walk and six strikeouts.  The game ended with a 1-0 score and that run came in the top of the 11th inning when Kelly Johnson hit a blast (being very sarcastic) to right field against Braves reliever Dario Alvarez.  The former Brave, Met, Brave and now Met again, Johnson hit a ball that he just got enough of as it hit the top of the wall.  The Braves won the ‘hit’ battle again as they had nine hits compared to the Mets eight.

Braves lose 1-0

MLB Trade Rumors

Red Sox Have Pieces To Acquire Teheran, Vizcaino

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Is the trade deadline here yet? It won’t be until then or until we do trade Teheran that these “rumors” will continue to pop up.  Many enjoy reading and getting excited about a possible trade, but others grow exhausted.  The Red Sox seem to have the hitting prospects we’re looking for with Yoan Moncada, Brian Johnson, Michael Kopech and Andrew Benintendi.  Like we’ve said recently in the last few weeks, it’s going to take a trade proposal that blows John Coppolella out of the water.  I’m still on the side where I’d like to keep Teheran in Atlanta, but if they trade for hitters who are almost ready, it may be tough to turn down.

"The Red Sox have the strong farm system necessary to acquire Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino from the Braves, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes.Braves GM John Coppolella, of course, recently said he wasn’t going to trade Teheran, but Cafardo dismisses that claim as “GM speak” and points out that Red Sox senior vice president of baseball operations Frank Wren was GM of the Braves when Teheran and Vizcaino were coming through their system. (Vizcaino played minor league ball in the Yankees and Cubs organizations as well.)Cafardo points to the Red Sox’ 2005 trade of Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez to the Marlins for Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell andGuillermo Mota. The Red Sox paid heavily, as they would likely have to do to acquire Teheran and Vizcaino, but they won the 2007 World Series partially because of the deal."

13 WMAZ

Braves send struggling Blair back to Triple-A Gwinnett

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Braves send Aaron Blair back to Gwinnett after another struggling game on Friday night against the Mets.  The 24-year-old has given up at least two runs in his last nine starts which included games where he gave up nine, six, six and eight runs.  No word yet on who the Braves will slot in the rotation.  I think we were all thinking Mike Foltynewicz would be a great fit here, but he just now starting his rehab stint.  The Braves called up left-handed pitcher Matt Marksberry and now that gives the Braves four lefties in the bullpen.  Casey Kelly could get a spot start. 

"The Atlanta Braves have optioned rookie right-hander Aaron Blair to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled left-hander Matt Marksberry.Blair allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings in Friday night’s 8-6 loss to the New York Mets. Blair’s ERA climbed to 7.99 as he allowed at least six runs for the third time in five June starts.Marksberry was 2-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 22 games, all in relief, for Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett this season. He allowed one run while recording two outs in his only appearance with Atlanta this season."

MLB Rumors

Braves To Sign Jordan Pacheco

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The one positive with this signing is that the Braves continue to look for help and guys who can still play.  This won’t be the sexy signing we’re all looking for, but you’ve got to give it up to Coppy for continual searching and work.  Does this guy go home?  

"The Braves have agreed to a minor league deal with catcher and utlityman Jordan Pacheco, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (via Twitter). Pacheco had elected free agency after being outrighted by the Reds.Atlanta could conceivably deploy Pacheco in any number of ways if and when he’s needed at the major league level. He has spent time behind the dish and at first, second, and third base. Of course, the 30-year-old has never been much of a threat at the plate, as he delivers a solid batting average but doesn’t draw many walks or deliver a lot of power.On the year, Pacheco has a .157/.157/.235 slash over 51 plate appearances. His best season came in 2012 with the Rockies, when he hit .309/.341/.421 in 505 trips to the plate — though even then, that rated as below league average in terms of overall productivity once accounting for hitter-friendly Coors Field."