ESPN.com: MLB – Dodgers trade Sheffield to Braves for Jordan, pitcher Perez
The acquisition of Sheffield helps the Braves immensely, because he is as good a hitter as Chipper Jones, while Brian Jordan is not. The Braves have often had a problem scoring runs, particularly last year, but if Rafael Furcal is able to get on base the way he did his rookie year (not last year when he entered the season with a subluxated shoulder) they won’t have any problems. Even if Marcus Giles and Wilson Betamit struggle. Atlanta’s park is marginally better to hit in than Dodger Stadium, but the fact is that both team’s problems last year were dismal on-base production in the #1 and 2 spots in the order. Sheffield’s numbers will rise and fall based on how the guys ahead of him get on base.
Jordan has developed a certain consistency over the last few years. There’s no obvious reason why he shouldn’t continue to do pretty much what he has been doing. Will he match his 2001 numbers? Or stumble to the 2000 level? He says he’s on a mission to prove the lying, heartless Bravos wrong, but I’d still say he’ll end up somewhere in between.
Odalis Perez could bail the Dodgers out. He is still young and after missing all of 2000 made good strides last year, showing that he’s healthy enough to succeed. Now he has to do it. He may not be pressed in LA. They have a lot of arms, though there is continuing talk of Eric Gagne ending up in the bullpen. Perez is well worth a modest bid this year. What his price is going to be will depend on how much hype he provokes this spring.