The Atlanta Braves beefed up for another playoff run, acquiring speedy outfielder Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros in a five-player trade Sunday.The Astros received outfielder Jordan Schafer and three minor league pitchers, but the Braves didn't give up any of their top pitching prospects to land perhaps their first legitimate leadoff hitter since Kenny Lofton played for Atlanta in the 1990s."I'm excited," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He makes the defense do things they don't want to do. Pitchers are going to throw pitches they don't want to throw."Bourn is hitting .303 and leads the majors with 39 stolen bases. He goes from the last-place Astros to a playoff-contending team that has one of baseball's best pitching staffs, but was downright desperate for offensive help because of injuries and lackluster performances."We haven't had that kind of threat in the top of our lineup in a long time," said third baseman Chipper Jones, one of the numerous players slowed by injuries. Source: ESPN
I like it, too. Adds a lead off threat, which we need and speed. Now, hopefully it's the start in the run toward the playoffs, and hopefully catching the Phillies.
