O'Brien: Braves looking to get relief

[General]

Macay McBride and Blaine Boyer could join John Foster on the disabled list to start the season, adding more urgency to the Braves' efforts to trade for bullpen help before opening day.
The player being shopped around is starter John Thomson. Two officials with American League teams confirmed the Braves are trying to trade him and are seeking a reliever as part of any package in return. Kyle Davies would be the likely candidate to replace Thomson in the starting rotation.
With McBride and Foster hurt, Mike Remlinger is the only healthy left-handed reliever. The Braves are considering moving lefty prospect Chuck James to the bullpen instead of Class AAA Richmond's starting rotation.
General manager John Schuerholz said the Braves wouldn't have a problem with that. While teams have done it less in recent years, it once was common for future starters to begin their careers in the bullpen.
"Our philosophy ordinarily is that even the best minor league prospects aren't hurt by --- and are usually helped by --- having that introduction to the major leagues in a relief role," Schuerholz said.
"We don't think there are [negatives]. Maybe on rare occasions, there are guys who can't do that, and we have to put them back in a starting role in the minor leagues. But that's rare."
Jason Marquis, now with St. Louis, was a recent case of a Braves starter strongly opposed to moving to the bullpen. He was ineffective in the role after reluctantly making the move.
Davies never complained after being moved to the bullpen last season as a rookie, but he was uncomfortable and it showed --- he had a 9.00 ERA and .314 opponents' average in seven relief appearances.
He was 6-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 14 starts in 2005, and his work this spring (0.64 ERA in four starts) could earn a rotation spot if Thomson is traded.
The Braves are trying to trade Thomson and his $4.75 million salary while he's healthy. He missed five months in 2005 with a middle-finger tendon injury, and has allowed 23 hits and 12 earned runs in 14 innings this spring.
The Braves' trade priority several weeks ago was a bench player with experience. Now, their biggest need is bullpen help because of injuries.
Relievers who could be available include Detroit right-hander Franklyn German, Kansas City lefties Jeremy Affeldt and Jimmy Gobble, and Oakland right-hander Juan Cruz, who had a 2.25 ERA in 50 appearances for the Braves in 2004.
McBride and Boyer were projected to be key members of this year's Braves bullpen, and still could be. But for now, they are question marks.
McBride hasn't pitched in three weeks because of a forearm problem.
"It's an injury we haven't seen before," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "A little muscle tear around the wrist. It's a concern, because we were counting on him to be a big part of the bullpen."
Assistant GM Frank Wren said it's a strain or slight muscle tear. Cox said McBride probably wouldn't try to throw again until next week.
Because he's pitched just one inning this spring, he probably will need to begin the season on the DL and regain arm strength and sharpness.
Boyer hasn't pitched in any spring games because of recurring soreness in his right shoulder. He's scheduled to throw in a minor league game today and still holds out some hope of making the opening day roster.
But with only 11 days until the April 3 opener, he might also need to begin the season on the 15-day DL.
DL stints can be backdated for nine days of spring training, provided a player isn't used in an official Grapefruit League game during that span.
Backdating would make Boyer or McBride eligible to pitch for the Braves as soon as the sixth game of the season April 8 at San Francisco.

While I don't think we'll get enough for Thomson in any trade as he is in his contract year, I wouldn't be opposed to moving him if the deal is right. Where could he go though? Sending him with someone else to Colorado for Fuentes would be great.

[Fishercat]

Pfft, like they'd give up teh Fuentes. Fuentes owns.