I was all set to post a picture of a cricket and the text [crickets chirping] when it looked like the Braves would stand pat at this afternoon’s trade deadline, but then the team announced that they had acquired 1B Adam LaRoche and cash from the Red Sox in exchange for 1B Casey Kotchman. This trade makes little sense on the part of the Red Sox because they still have the problem of too many first basemen on the roster. The Red Sox already have Kevin Youkilis, Victor Martinez, and David Ortiz (interleague games mostly) on the roster who have played first base, and they recently released 1B/OF Mark Kotsay because they didn’t really need him any more. Now they add Kotchman to the mix to replace LaRoche, and I’m not sure why.

The Braves at least bring back a familiar face, albeit a mostly expressionless one. The Braves originally sent LaRoche to the Pirates in 2007 in exchange for reliever Mike Gonzalez. Adam hit .274 and slugged .504 with 65 home runs and 213 RBI in his three seasons with the Braves. The Braves will be pleased if he produces similar numbers in his return. LaRoche will be a free agent at the end of 2009, and I doubt the Braves will re-sign him long term with Freddie Freeman on the near horizon.

I would call the addition of La Roche a slight upgrade (at least power-wise) over Kotchman who was solid but not spectacular in his one year Atlanta. In 130 games Kotchman hit .267 and slugged .433 with 8 home runs and 61 RBI. Kotchman also played an errorless first base as a member of the Braves.

The Braves did not, however, make a move for a reliever at the trade deadline. They will need someone to step up to take some of the pressure off Peter Moylan who leads the league in appearances one year removed from Tommy John surgery. Mike Gonzalez and Eric O’Flaherty are also in the top eight in the league in appearances. I don’t think they can maintain this pace and continue to be effective down the stretch.

It’s important to remember that just because a move wasn’t made today that more moves won’t be made in August. A player just has to clear waivers first to be traded now.