Arms Race

The Mets had the best pitcher in the NL East for about six hours. The Braves have traded for Tim Hudson and only gave up Charles Thomas, Dan Meyer, and Juan Cruz in return.

Thomas went .288/.368/.455 with 7 homers and 31 RBIs in 83 games in his first major league season and is only 25 years old though not that highly regarded as a impact player in the future. Dan Meyer, who was rated the Braves 4th best prospect prior to the 2004 season by Baseball America, was the Braves top left handed pitching prospect. Meyer was taken in the first round of the 2002 draft and posted a 2.79 ERA in AA with a 3-3 record in 2004. He's struck out over a batter per inning for his entire career in the minors and pitched in two major league games totalling two innings against the Mets as a September call up. Juan Cruz has not lived up to his expectations so far as he is known for having very live arm. He seemed to adjust to the pen in 2004 with the Braves.

Overall, for what the Braves got and the teams to be rumored in having interest, it's hard to believe this was the best deal. The Braves get Tim Hudson who is one of the best pitchers in the majors. Not only that, smart money is on him to be the best hitting pitcher in the National League as well. In 1997 he made the All-American team as a DH by hitting .396/.430/.670 with 18 homers and 95 RBIs with the Auburn Tigers. A great pickup by the Braves and bad day for the Mets and to add insult to injury they do it on the day we announce Pedro. UNREAL!!

But the Braves still have question marks at both corner outfield spots and have questions as to how much they can rely on John Smoltz's arm as he returns to the rotation. Looks like the Braves are priming themselves to still be the team to beat.