Braves Waiver Trade Possibilities

There are two names that could be moved by the Braves before the August 31st waiver trade deadline -- Mark Kotsay and Mike Hampton. Kotsay is the more likely of the two to get moved with two possible suitors mentioned by Ken Rosenthal on Saturday's telecast.

The Boston Red Sox have a need for a left-handed hitting outfielder. Their first attempt to add that bat resulted in Brian Giles rejecting the trade. With J.D. Drew now possibly out of action for an extended period of time due to (ironically) back spasims, the Red Sox are seeking backup options, and Kotsay could fill that role.

The Brewers may also have a need for an outfielder, and they have apparently exchanged a name with the Braves, but they would only step up their pursuit if Ryan Braun's rib cage injury worsens.

While Mike Hampton has only started six games in his road back from every injury a pitcher could possibly have, he has tossed two back to back quality starts, and with starting pitching at a premium a playoff team may want to add an additional starter as insurance for the final month of the season.

There's no telling what kind of prospect or player we may be able to get in return for either of these players. Both of them are still owed a good deal of money for the remainder of the season and what we get in return could depend on how much of their remaining salary the Braves would be willing to pick up. Any player we get in return would also likely be a player (or prospect) to be named later, and we would not find out who that is until the end of the season.

If Mark Kotsay is traded, the Braves may move to bring up top-prospect Jordan Schafer from double-A Mississippi -- something they may do anyway when rosters expand in September. After suffering through his 50-game suspension and the stuggles to get up to speed once reinstated, Schafer has been on fire in August, hitting .346 with a .705 slugging percentage.

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