Add Atlanta to the list of potential destinations for Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny. ESPN's Buster Olney writes:
Atlanta is one of the teams in conversation with the Boston Red Sox about veteran right-hander Brad Penny, according to sources, at a time when the Red Sox have been doing their own research on Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur.
As the Braves do their background work on Penny, this is part of what they have ascertained: The 31-year-old right-hander started horribly for the Red Sox, but he has pitched better in recent starts, allowing three earned runs or fewer in five of his past six starts.
Overall, Penny is 5-1 with a 5.63 ERA, with his velocity increasing as the season has progressed, and his penchant for generating fly balls might make him a better fit in the National League, and in a pitchers' park, such as Turner Field.
Unlike a shortstop such as J.J. Hardy or Jack Wilson, Francouer would be a luxury and not a need for the Red Sox. Unless, of course, the Sox want a fourth outfielder who is healthier and more reliable than Rocco Baldelli. Though Francouer is not the prototypical player that Theo Epstein covets - his career OPS is .736 and his career on-base percentage is just .309, Francouer is a defensive whiz in the outfield, hits from the right side and has power, and is just 25. The 2002 first round pick of the Braves played in all 162 games in 2006 (29 home runs, 103 RBI, .260 average) and 2007 (19 home runs, 105 RBI, .293 average).
Regarding Hardy, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel posted a Tweet this afternoon that read, "There is talk in Boston of interest in SS J.J. Hardy. The Brewers would have to get a very good pitcher in return to think of doing that."
He followed up with another Tweet that said, "I don't think the Brewers would trade Hardy. He's one of those "glue" players that holds team together. Would have to be a blockbuster."
It will be interesting to see if Epstein decides to bring in someone like Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson to serve as the shortstop until Jed Lowrie is ready to return from wrist surgery later this month or in early July, or if he opts to make a blockbuster trade for Hardy, and use Lowrie in a super utility role. If the Sox get Wilson, he would become a backup shortstop upon Lowrie's return who would start occasionally when Lowrie is on the bench, and also play when Lowrie spells Lowell at third and Pedroia at second.
Update: According to Mark Bowman, who covers the Braves for MLB.com, "It's been an eventful and hectic week for the Braves. But contrary to an ESPN.com report, a Major League source said that the Braves don't have any interest in acquiring Brad Penny from the Red Sox." So who knows whether Olney or Bowman are right? This is just like the Hot Stove League, when rumors are frequent and you never know which ones are credible and which ones are false. Welcome to the countdown to the July 31 trade deadline!
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