Braves Claim Jordan Schafer off Waivers
November 2, 2012 at 1:45 am by David Lee under Atlanta Braves, Transactions
Center field seems to be coming full circle in Atlanta, although maybe it’s not a complete circle.
The Braves claimed Jordan Schafer off waivers from the Astros on Thursday, giving Atlanta an option for fourth/fifth outfielder or Triple-A depth.
After getting sent to Houston in the Michael Bourn deal, Schafer returns to the Atlanta organization during the same offseason as Bourn’s projected departure for the free agent market.
If bringing back Schafer means nothing more than minor league depth, I don’t care about this move and it’s probably not even worth this post. However, if Schafer is signed as a fourth or fifth outfielder (depending on whether the Braves platoon left field), it does make a difference, if just a slight one.
Fourth outfielders do play defense from time to time, and Schafer isn’t very good at it. He makes bad breaks on line drives and takes bad routes to the gaps at times, and he relies heavily on speed. Schafer’s one advantage defensively – and perhaps his entire game – is his strong arm.
Defensive metrics back up my claims, as well. For his career, Schafer has been worth -24 defensive runs saved and -10.2 UZR. Someone will be quick to say he’s good defensively based on speed, but speed doesn’t equal good defense, and I’d like to think we’re beyond that line of thinking by now.
Schafer’s offensive struggles are well-documented. He owns a career line of .221/.305/.301 with a .274 wOBA and 68 wRC+. He’s also had injury issues, including separating the AC joint in both shoulders, fracturing a middle finger and left wrist surgery. At 26 years old, his potential is pretty much tapped out.
As I said, if the Braves are bringing Schafer back as minor league depth, this move means little to nothing. If they expect him to play defense in a pinch, or more if he has to fill in for an injured starter, his below-average fielding does not make this a worthwhile move. A lot of this depends on how the outfield will shake out by spring.
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I don’t mind this move. I don’t expect Schafer to be anymore more than minor-league depth.
Jon Morosi is predicting the Braves will sign Josh Hamilton. What do you think about that? Is that a legit possibility or is that just another case of a baseball writer just throwing something against a the wall hoping it sticks?
His reasons for why the Hamilton will end up in Atlanta seem legit. He notes that Hamilton would be coming back close to home, Hamilton was born and raised in Raleigh, NC, they have to replace Chipper’s production, and that they’ll have the financial flexibility to make this move work.
I personally don’t see Wren making a big splash. I’ve convinced myself that we’ll end up with Shane Victorino (as much as I would hate that) playing CF next season.
Can’t see that happening, I just think his price tag will be way too high.
Yeah I don’t see it happening either.
This actually feels possible to me, but does the team have 20+m for the next few years?
Signing Josh Hamilton is the one move that has a chance to ruin the franchise for a decade. All other possible moves can only be moderately suboptimal or temporary setbacks. I’m not saying it certainly would ruin us, but you’d be paying 20 mil per year for the next 8 years for someone who will turn 32 near the beginning of next season, has a known drug problem, has a known mood disorder that affects his play, and is building a reputation for disappearing in the playoffs (1 HR in last 90 AB’s or so). There is no single move this team could make that would be associated with such catastrophic risk potential.
Here’s a few rebuttals to that. No team is going to give Hamilton a contract without escape clauses built in to guard against him getting into off the field trouble again. So there’s no need to worry about that. Also it’s impossible to project 8 years down the road. Heck it’s really hard to project 2 or 3 years down the road. That’s why I’ve always taken the mindset of worry about this year and next year and then then after that I don’t care. Just do what’s best for this year and next year. And to answer the question about the playoff issues with Hamilton, you’ve got to get to the playoffs first to have playoff issues and at least in the regular season Hamilton is one of the top 10 best hitters in baseball.
That, and nobody is giving him 8 years. We’d be giving him a slightly more expensive Uggla-like contract, essentially.
Not to get on a high horse, but what is this “mood disorder”? And his drug problem is now years-removed. You could crap on Greinke for similar vague reasons. Depression/Anxiety aren’t character issues, they are legit medical (treatable) problems.
Wasn’t it just last off-season where Hamilton was getting drunk in public? Not that getting drunk is a crime, but for an addict, it makes relapse to the drug of choice more likely. His addiction issues are not that far in the past.
I’m unclear if he has a mood disorder separate from his addictions. If a player has one that interferes with his ability to perform on the field, teams are wise to learn whether the player is taking steps to manage his condition.
As a 4th/5th OFer and pinch runner I don’t mind this move… Essentially on the major league team he’s Constanza with potential…
If they expect him to get more than about 50-100 ABs, then it’s a complete fail.
Constanza has the potential to steal 40+ bases and bat .300. Schafer doesn’t have that potential.
I’m not sure about this rule, but doesn’t he have to stay on the 25 man since he was claimed off waivers, meaning he can’t be minor league depth? Or does he only have to stay on the 40 man?
Exactly what depth does a player who can’t play on either side of the ball provide? Unless we’re defining down “depth” to mean “any living human being”, I don’t even like having Schafer in the minors where he’d be taking the roster spot of somebody who could at least be a replacement level player should Atlanta suffer major injuries in the outfield.
problem is the Braves don’t have much “replacement level” depth in the minor’s , well not CF capable OF depth anyway. Schafer provides that. Plus he’s an emergency insurance plan for Reed Johnson.
I seriously doubt he contributes much to the big squad other than some pinch running and a few AB’s come September barring any team injury issues.
Who would frediot rather have batting at the top of the order in a game in september with the division title hanging within reach?
last year the answer was constanza, this year the answer could be shaefer and i cant figure out which answer is worse
Seriously? You can’t figure out which is worse? Schafer doesn’t deserve a spot warming the bench, let alone actually getting any playing time. Constanza really hasn’t been bad when called upon. The guy did win a batting title in the minors, and I promise wouldn’t strikeout 150+ times if given a chance at everyday time. We’ve all seen Schafer with that chance, for two different teams. How well did that ever work out?
Ron, Schafer is the exact definition of what people mean when they refer to the term “warm body.”. And I’m glad that an Atlanta sportswriter finally comes out and says his defense isn’t as good as its made out to be. Schafer turns routine fly balls into what appear to be amazing, jaw dropping catches because he gets such bad breaks and take absolutely terrible routes to the ball. Just don’t see the love affair Braves management has with this guy or why they are wasting time beating a dead horse again with him. If the Braves were going to bring back a pompous, self-absorbed tool I’d take Escobar back in hearbeat over Schafer. Atleast he’s proven he can play and pull his weight without the use of performance enhancers.
Yesterday discussing my favorite Braves, today…
So this means Bourn’s gone? Why would we go after a player that was unsuccessful with the Braves before?
as a side not, I decided to go check out Baseball reference’s fielding numbers for Schafer, and they don’t totally make a lot of sense compared to UZR and DRS:
Range factor/9 inn: 2.36 (league avg 2.11) he’s also dead on league avg in range factor per game, YET, his BIS defensive runs saved above avg is -10 and Total Zone fielding runs saved above avg is -29 (both runs saved stats per 1200 innings)
it seems one set of stats says he’s dead average, and another (right next to em) says he’s far below average.
Perhaps it’s the small sample sizes doing this (he’s never played over 700 innings in any one season)
Sample sizes might have something to do with this. It could also be the different formulas don’t agree with one another, which is always possible, especially with defensive stats.
This is why I tend to go with my eye first and stats second when it comes to defense. I’ve never been impressed with Schafer’s defense.
With regards to Schafer’s defensive metrics, yeah, the samples are small, but I would give much more weight to UZR and DRS over Range Factor. Range Factor isn’t really an advanced defensive metric. While UZR and DRS are based on proprietary data, Range Factor is simply assists plus putouts/innings (or games). With such a simple measure that doesn’t take into account number of balls in play, etc., it’s barely better than fielding percentage.
With regards to Schafer’s defensive metrics, yeah, the samples are small, but I would give much more weight to UZR and DRS over Range Factor. Range Factor isn’t really an advanced defensive metric. While UZR and DRS are based on proprietary data, Range Factor is simply assists plus putouts/innings (or games). With such a simple measure that doesn’t take into account number of balls in play, etc., it’s barely better than fielding percentage.
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Off Topic – I’m thinking that Placido Polanco might be a good target for a third base platoon with Juan Francisco, freeing up Martin Prado to remain full-time in left field. I like his splits from 2011 versus left-handed pitching, and his fielding seems decent. He could be a candidate for a bounce-back season, and I don’t expect him to be expensive, or in line for a multi-year deal.
I’d rather the Braves get Hamilton and Pagan or some combination like that than to go into the season with a platoon of Polanco and Francisco.
Gattis is the top outfield prospect at Chop Talk. He is dominating in the Venezuelan League. Being one of Freddi’s favorites, is it possible that may affect the Braves’ willingness to go after a long tem player for either 3B or LF, instead getting a 1 year player, while concentrating on a long term CF? Of course, if they see the right player for the right price they may not wait.
I think if the right 3B is available they wouldn’t hesitate at going after a long-term solution there, given of course he’s a middle of the lineup quality bat also (Wright or Headley kind of guy). CF is definitely one they’ll look to solidify for the long-term, but also feel they could get by with short-term if unable to get “their” guy, whomever that may be (Fowler or Revere maybe?). Because Prado is so versatile, he gives the team many options and avenues to look down. He also makes Uggla at 2B expendable should both a 3B and LF long-term option become available (Royals giving Moustakas and Gordon together for Uggla, Delgado and Teheran?). LF is a spot they could fill yearly for the next decade if they wanted to, though, again because of Prado’s versatility.
I doubt Evan Gattis has an effect on the Braves’ dealings this offseason. His bat isn’t worthy of having an effect on major league transactions, and he isn’t a prospect that a team would leave a position open for.
Points in Gattis’s favor. 1) He is the clean up hitter on his team (Zulia) in winter league, hot hitting Mejia (Gwinnett) bats 6th. They are both hitting very well, but Gattis is hitting for more power. He is hitting against mostly AAA ptchers, some with MLB experience, some with just AA, or A experience. Wren said he is a good prospect. Good work ethic. The price is right. Has out performed expectations since initial season.
Signing Josh Hamilton is the one move that has a chance to ruin the franchise for a decade. All other possible moves can only be moderately suboptimal or temporary setbacks. I’m not saying it certainly would ruin us, but you’d be paying 20 mil per year for the next 8 years for someone who will turn 32 near the beginning of next season, has a known drug problem, has a known mood disorder that affects his play, and is building a reputation for disappearing in the playoffs (1 HR in last 90 AB’s or so). There is no single move this team could make that would be associated with such catastrophic risk potential.
****sorry to double post–I should’ve also added to the list of risk factors “has missed about 40 games per season over the last 4 years”
i will be surprised if Hamilton gets anything more than 6/$120 . I just think his age,risk factors,injury problems and potential A-rodesque collapse will preclude any teams from going over that level.
mayyyyybe soembody goes crazy and gives him 6/$150mill
I had a friend of mine see him take BP at a local ball field and Hamilton was hitting bombs into the football field next door and you wouldn’t want that kind of person to play for the Braves, I would take a chance but in the contract I would be what I call a Morals clause and that is if he goes back to his ways of drinking and taking drug the contract is null in void The Braves get the investment back and Josh is cut. See I would sign him to a contract like 4yrs at 70 mill per. He can hit pitching no matter what.
Am I the only one that thinks we should trade for Jacoby Ellsbury? His stock is low, his ceiling is sky high, Boston is rebuilding. We hear a lot on names thrown out, but never his. Thoughts?
I worry the return vs the cost may not add up. He’s only a one year “rental” if you will and is a Boras client. I think Wren is gonna be looking for someone they can control for 3 years or more if he goes the trade route.
Not to mention Ellsbury only played 18 games in 2010 and 74 games this season.
Have we given up on sticking Heyward in CF? Seems like it would be easier to find a RF than a CF, especially in the Braves’ price range.
The Braves have said time and time again there were never any plans for Heyward to be the starter in CF. The only reason he played as much CF as he did last spring was so they could evaluate him to see if he would hold his own if he needed to make a few starts there over the course of the season. He proved that he’s more than capable of playing CF defensively. But playing CF is tougher on your body because there’s more plays which means more running, crashing into walls and dives and a higher chance of injury.
I believe that’s one of the reasons Hamilton has had some of the injury problems he’s had. The Rangers tried to put in plans to limit Hamilton’s games in CF but injuries and under-performance of others always led Hamilton back to CF.
CF is harder on big men like Heyward and Hamilton than it is on smaller guys like Bourn.
I’ve always thought moving Heyward to center would be a good move, even if the position is more taxing than right. I actually think that would be a good thing for him. I think being in CF gives Heyward the chance to keep his speed tool around longer than he would in RF. Instead of rotting into a bulky power hitting corner OF, he could be a true 5 tool player in CF if that’s what is asked of him. I know that sounds stupid, and it is stupid, but I think it maximizes his value.
I say make a deal for Upton and just giving up Schafer Gattis and Hanson. Send Uggla to Seattle for Chone Figgins or Chicago for Alfonso Soriano and Josh Vitters
I know we would all like to get rid of Uggla but neither of those trades you proposed would be good trades for the Braves.
I don’t believe we can expect to get greater value out of 2B than what we already have.
and like I have said before, good GM’s don’t create need during the offseason. They fill needs and if via trade they move from a position of strength not a position of weakness.
I agree. There’s nobody out there we can get that would be an upgrade over Uggla.
Any chance we grab Colby rasmus, shouldn’t take much 2 grab via trade… Bourjos will not b had 4 peanuts.Justin Upton,would bring extreme value in left field, has 2 be better than Matt holiday or Carlos Gonzales.
Paul m 6.5 mill, Hanson around 3-4 mill is garbage 2 me..let’s trade them both, salary relief, any decent return prospects , then sign Zack greinke annual salary 15 mill, great 5 mill difference value.insert Julio or Delgado
Greinke,meds, huddy, minor. Julio or delgado. plus beachy coming back final stretch Run
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/josh-hamiltons-asking-price-is-seven-years-175mm.html
Hamilton is looking to get guaranteed money until he’s almost 40 at a clip of $25 million a season……….
Good luck with that boss.