Braves/A's trade

On December 16, 2004 the Atlanta Braves acquired Tim Hudson from the Oakland A’s in exchange for OF Charles Thomas, minor league RHP Dan Meyer, and RHP Juan Cruz.

Here is a look at each involved players 2004, and career translated statistics.

For Dan Meyer, and Charles Thomas, I will present their 2004 un-translated statistics because translated statistics for them were unavailable.

Braves receive:
Player (Player’s age in 2005)

Tim Hudson (29)

2004: 3.26 ERA, 9.4 H/9--0.4 HR/9--1.7 BB/9--4.6 K/9

Career: 3.03 ERA, 7.9 H/9--0.6 HR/9--2.4 BB/9--6.1 K/9

A’s Receive:

Dan Meyer (24- combined 2004 at AAA Richmond, and AA Greenville)

2004: 2.50 ERA, 8.0 H/9--.5 HR/9--2.6 BB/9--10.4 K/9

Charles Thomas (26--was called up from AAA Richmond halfway through season, statistics accumulated with Braves are presente here)

2004: .288/.367/.445 in 267 Plate Appearances

Career: SAME AS 2004

Juan Cruz (24):

2004: 2.61 ERA, 7.1 H/9--0.8 HR/9--3.4 BB/9--7.7 K/9

Career: 3.72 ERA, 7.2 H/9--0.8 HR/9--4.0 BB/9--7.3 K/9

Even though the Braves filled a huge hole by acquiring Hudson, a hole left open because of the departures of starting pitchers Jaret Wright, Paul Byrd, and Russ Ortiz via free agency, I believe the A’s got the better end of this deal, even before looking at each player’s contracts.

Even though Hudson is one of the best pitchers in baseball; if one were to take a look at the ages and statistics of the players the A’s are receiving, they would find that the average age of the A’s newest players is 24.67. One would also find that two of the A's three new players have already played in the big leagues, AND have shown success.

Just based on talent, I think the A’s, just barely, got the better end of this deal.

Now I must take a look at the money situation.

Tim Hudson is signed through 2005, when he will make $6.75 million. The Braves now own this contract.

I do not know the contracts of the players the A’s are receiving, but what I do know is that they are still under their minor league contract structures. Therefore, I’m fairly sure that all three of the players combined salaries in 2005 will come out to be less than the $6.75 million that Hudson will make.

I also know that once minor league players are called up to the majors, their major league team has rights to him for, I believe, 7 years.

***Again, note, that I am not completely aware of the minor-league baseball salary and contract provisions (I looked all over to get specifics), but what I do know is not so inaccurate that it couldn‘t be used for this analysis.***

Thomas was called up to the Braves for the first time last season, which would mean that his major league contract--now owned by the A‘s--will run through at least 2010, at a minor league salary!

With Meyer being called up toward the end of last season for the first time, he is also under contract--now for the A’s--through at least 2010.

As for Juan Cruz, his first call up to the major leagues came in 2001, so his contract--now owned by the A’s--will run through at least 2007.

Each of the A's new players will be making minor league salaries throughout their contracts, which will save the A's a lot of money next season.

Not to mention, now they A's do not have to worry about trying to resign perennial All-Star Hudson after the 2005 season, who is sure to ask for more than $10 million per year next season.

While I cannot make an estimate as to how much money will be saved by Oakland, I know that they WILL, in fact, save money, and that they acquired two great prospects in Thomas and Meyer, and a youngster who has already shown a good amount of success at the major league level in Juan Cruz.

Taking a look at how the Braves will use Hudson, one would find that he is there to replace Jaret Wright (29 in 2005), the Braves best pitcher in 2004, whom they lost via free agency. With Hudson being the Braves new best pitcher, let's take a look at Wright’s 2004, and career translated statistics to see how they stack up against eachother (Hudson‘s statistics can be found earlier in article):

2004- 3.84 ERA, 8.3 H/9--.5 HR/9--3.0 BB/9--6.8 K/9

Career- 4.76 ERA, 9.0 H/9--.8 HR/9--3.8 BB/9--6.5 K/9

Hudson had a slightly better season in 2004, but throughout their careers, Hudson is clearly the better pitcher. Both players will be 29 years old in 2005.

While the Braves made a clear upgrade to their pitching rotation, at a bargain price--only $6.75 million for Hudson is a steal compared to the salaries that the current free agent starting pitchers are making--they gave up too much.

***One last piece of information to translate however you want:

Hudson missed part of 2004 due to an oblique muscle injury. I chose not to use this information in the analysis because Hudson still accumulated 188.7 IP in 2004. The injury was a minor one, at most.***

I give the edge, slightly, to Oakland in this deal.

Thank You for reading.

Frank Bundy III

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to email me at frnkbndy@yahoo.com