Braves Acquire McLouth: Offense Still Bad

The Atlanta Braves made a flurry of roster moves today, but I will focus on the acquisition of star outfielder Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Braves, an offensively-challenged team, get a great mid-aged star to man their center field.  However, this trade has some effect on the lineup as a whole (from a fantasy standpoint), so let’s take a look at what could change now that McLouth is a Brave.

Nate McLouth is now an Atlanta Brave. (Credit: clarkandheptner.blogspot.com)

All in all, the lineup will not improve drastically.  The lineup is still extremely power starved, and while McLouth will contribute both power and speed, there are few players in the lineup that will be able to protect wherever McLouth bats in the lineup.  Brian McCann is a solid offensive catcher, and Chipper Jones is a solid contact hitter (declining power, injury prone).

Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar is due to get a raw deal with McLouth coming to Atlanta.  One of the two will be dropped to near the bottom of the order, more likely than not.  I would like to see Escobar lead off for the Braves, but Johnson will probably remain at the top.

All in all, you know that Nate McLouth can provide.  A .270 batting average with 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases is still a reasonable projection. The RBI projection should be adjusted slightly downward, but McLouth should remain a top run producer and speed option for all fantasy owners.