Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > November > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBradley’s Buzz: Much ado about Jake (and others)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sittin’ around the crowded hot stove
The trade that didn’t happen (yet) was the talk of cyberspace. The Padres balked and Frank Wren walked, at least figuratively, away from a big deal for Jake Peavy. Here’s Scott Miller of CBSsports.com reporting that negotiations had broken down, and here, just for fun, is the same Scott Miller’s assertion of two days earlier that a deal was imminent.
Writing in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tim Sullivan paints an unpretty picture as to why the Padres are looking to peddle Peavy. For one thing, team owner John Moores is getting divorced — here’s Bill Madden of the New York Daily News on the same subject — and you know how costly and contentious those negotiations can get.
Speaking of interpersonal relationships, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at the class of free agents and suggests pitcher Brad Penny, often identified as a Braves target, needs to get away from “movie-star girlfriends and horses.” (As we know, the two can lead to much distress. Ask Jack Woltz, the unfortunate movie producer from “The Godfather.”)
Speaking of negotiators who play hardball — I’m thinking of Vito Corleone and Tom Hagen — here’s a chilling suggestion from Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times: The always-helpful Scott Boras could wind up brokering a trade that would send Andruw Jones back to the Braves.
Speaking of more sensible Braves scenarios, Allan Ryan of the Toronto Star writes about pitcher A.J. Burnett. Joel Sherman of the New York Post identifies Derek Lowe as a Mets target. And here’s Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star describing the difficulty the Royals could face in keeping pitcher Zack Greinke, whom I know from recent personal experience is a favorite of AJC.com bloggers.
OK, back to Peavy. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports that the Yankees are now on the trail, which is bad news for all clubs who have financial constraints. And Peter Gammons of ESPN.com suggests that, because of the flagging economy, most clubs do. And that’s why, writes Buster Olney, also of ESPN.com, relatively unassuming pitchers like Penny and even Mike Hampton are desired commodities.
Enough baseball. How ‘bout those Hawks?
For one brief shining moment, our local NBA team was No. 2 in John Hollinger’s power ratings on ESPN.com. (Having lost three in a row, they were down to No. 4 at last check. And Peter Vecsey of the New York Post credits Marvin Williams’ improvement as a 3-point shooter not to Mike Woodson or shooting coach Mark Price but to general manager Rick Sund.
Tech man makes good
Perhaps you missed it, but Anthony Morrow, recently of Georgia Tech, set an NBA record for undrafted rookies by scoring 37 points in his first start as a Golden State Warrior. Janny Hu of the San Francisco Chronicle quotes former Warrior Baron Davis as saying, “Oh my god. Who was that guy?” And Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group reports that Morrow, who was known as “A-Mo” at Tech, now answers to “Ant.”
A personal note: I’ve always liked A-Mo — sorry, force of habit — as a player and a person, and here’s a little something I wrote about him last spring.
Conference championship not required
Remember last December? Remember how so many folks said Georgia didn’t belong in the BCS title game because it didn’t win its league? Well, Brad Edwards of ESPN.com offers a look at how ludicrous things might get this year if only conference champs were allowed to play for the national title. It’s fun reading if you hate the BCS, and boy do I.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Bradley's Buzz
Comments
By BravesFan79
November 17, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Congrats to Anthony Morrow! I saw his highlights on ESPN and am always glad to see a former GT Hooper do well. In fact i wish the Hawks would get Critt or Jack to backup Bibby. Lets hope D Favors lands at GT…and well make a SERIOUS Final 4 run in 2010!
The whole non playoff system of College Football really makes the whole sport a joke. GO FALCONS AND JETS!!
By Bo
November 17, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Thanks Mark for another great Post. Please No To Andruw Jones. He!! No!
By bill
November 17, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Mark you must have enjoyed AMC channel’s Godfather marathon this past weekend.
Wow a piece with no mention of UGA?This can’t be.
By Mark Bradley
November 17, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
I missed “The Godfather” marathon this time. But I figure I’ve seen the movies — well, at least I and II — 20 times each.
And there is, if you read closely, a Georgia mention near the end.
By BravesFan79
November 17, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Im dissapointed in the Peavy thing… but never liked the idea of trading one of the best SS in the NL in Escobar anyways. Among position players… Esco is easily the Braves 3rd best player behind Chipper and BMac.
Besides… i was reading on a Padres blog lastnight and even a Padres fan said Peavy is overrated and a product of his ballpark. Worst of all ….he isnt a BIG game pitcher! Does anyone remember the Padres getting out of the 1st round with Peavy?? i know if anything… i remember the Padres getting swept and not even being close to competitive in divisional playoffs.
I say we go after Lowe…. i dont like Burnett…think hes overrated. And if we dont get Lowe i say we hold off and dont waste the $ overpaying for a overhyped pitcher (Burnett)
That would allow us to go after a TRUE ACE…. in Roy Halladay. By midseason the Jays will be out of it in the AL East… and the’ll be more likely to trade Halladay.
If we can hang around .500 till June….look for the Braves to make a serious push for the playoffs in the 2nd half.
By Mark Bradley
November 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
And thanks, Bo.
By mountain_jim
November 17, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Nice info about Morrow!
By Lou Vales
November 17, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Dear Mark, AMAZING!!!!!! Peter Gammons writing in draconian fashion about the effect of Global Economic Meltdown(GEM) on MLB. New York Times on front page of Sunday’s sports section discussing same thing. Where have I read this before??
Now I understand the Yankees are being the Yankees, BUT you must understand the Tampa Rays and Florida Marlins have won more World Series this century than the Bronx Bumblers and I’m betting they will have a bad ending. It might just take longer.
By Mark Bradley
November 17, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Alas, I don’t believe even a Global Economic Meltdown could get Fox to start postseason games a half-hour earlier.
By Lou Vales
November 17, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Mark, As you know I ACTUALLY follow the poor, pitiful, penurious Marlins and I would like to issue a warning. AJ(AlwaysJaking)Burnett has NEVER won a MEANINGFUL game in his career. As Casey used to say “You can look it up”. To save you the time of looking it up consult with beat writers who have watched the travails of Nipple Ring Boy over the years. I’m sure they will tell you there is basically a “track Record” of performance ONLY when a season is essentially over. Adam James epitomizes Salary Drive—not that salary drives are even necessary any more. Kevin Gregg would have garnered a significant raise through arbitration after blowing 9 saves and running up an over 25 Percent Blown Save(BS!!!) percentage for entire year. Sorry for diversion, PLEASE check with Globe and Mail writers and others and see what they have to say.Thanks. AND he is due to visit Birmingham(His 2nd home), Alabama in the very near future, BUT only after some moron signs him long term. That’s my AJ>
By BravesFan79
November 17, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Mark: gotta say i agree with your vewpoints usually, and say you represent the AJC well….. while Terrance Moore continues to embarass himself and the state of Ga by going on the Jim Rome show and sticking up for the BCS.
Lou…. glad someone else knows AJ is overhyped.
Him and Peavy being non clutch in big games makes me that much more thankfull that we had Smoltz, Maddux, Glavine all those years.
Another non Big game pitcher….. Mike Hampton!
Id rather see us resign Ohman than keep Hampton.
I would like to see Hampton as our #4 pitcher next year, but not at a price of over 4 million.
By TURTSNAP
November 17, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark, I was reading the USA Today on Friday and their Free Agent special: They listed Raul Ibanez as a possible Braves target. I wonder if you or DOB have heard any buzz around that?
Nice post again
By GP
November 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Brad Edwards forgets that the BCS wouldn’t have the #5 and #6 teams play for the national title. They would simply jump #5 and #6 all the way to #1 and #2 in the final poll. If LSU can go from #7 to #2 in the final ‘07 poll, jumping several teams that also won (or didn’t play but didn’t lose) ignoring decades of unwritten poll protocol then the system can be manipulated anyway necessary to get the desired outcome.
I love it when the talking heads start explaining these ridiculous manipulations as though the system worked perfectly because, well, look at the end result.
My favorite aspect of the BCS is when these idiots conclude that the BCS is a great system because “everyone is talking about it”. When your constituency constantly talks about how unhappy they are, you must truly be a dunce to consider it a good thing.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
November 17, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
BravesFan79, Mario West and Anthony Morrow, getting more playing time in the NBA than for Coach Hewitt. Hmmmm (Sounds like the Mario West story).
So I guess that’s three NBA players on last years team that couldn’t even make the post-season.
By bill
November 17, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry Mark,my fault.I did watch some of the Godfather early Sunday.Great movies great writing and acting.
If they don’t get Peavy what pitchers to the Braves chase?Also no word on a poewr hitting outfielder.And please not the guy in LA.
By katz
November 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Never knew Bradley was such a linkwhore. And what’s with the Bradley Buzz thingie? Why not Bradley’s Bark? What are you, some wannabe Techie?
Well, anyways, good links. Always enjoy the reading material.
By SC DAWG
November 17, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
WOW…..A mention of GT, makes me want to throw up Bill.
By leland
November 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
MB—about the Peavy trade, I still think something imminent is about to happen. Your pal, Leland
By Mark Bradley
November 17, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I’ve heard Ibanez’s name but don’t know anything specifically about him vis-a-vis the Braves.
And Bradley’s Buzz was the creation — at least the idea and the title — of AJC sports editor Ronnie Ramos.
By BravesFan79
November 17, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
RAMBLE ON: no man…. Mario West was a Rookie in the NBA last year. He was on the team that lost to UNLV in the NCAA tourney because Thad Young took a bunch of dumb jump shots thinking he was Reggie Miller.
By Nocturnal Owl (N Nine)
November 17, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
I like Ibanez. The man quietly put together a solid year for a lame team, also he might cost less than others..
By Andrew
November 17, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Mark, do you see the braves maybe taking a risk if they feel a little deperate (brad penny), or do they still like him anyway? Who knows, but if he somehow could find it again..man he can be outstanding!
By RAMBLE ON!!!
November 17, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
BravesFan79, yes, but we still had 3 NBA players on last years nothing team.
By GT45
November 17, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I hear Amo was 15 of 20 shooting. If he follows suit, next game he will be 5 of 20! I love him, but he is as up and down as anyone ever at Tech!
By Zach
November 17, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbc08.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Check out who’s number 2 in the conference rankings.
By Zach
November 17, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
ACC is the #2 conference in the Sagarin rankings. Behind the Big 12. Ahead of… gasp, the SEC!
Way to go, Anthony!! I watched the highlights, and he was down near the basket a lot more than he was at Tech, where everyone just stayed out of Jeremis Smith’s way. Good to see him getting noticed.
By FinanceBuzz
November 17, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
UGA did not deserve to be in the National Title game last year not because they did not win the SEC, but because they simply did not deserve it over who went. LSU was a two-loss team just like UGA but neither of those was a major blowout like one of UGA’s was. If you are looking for tiebreakers, that alone was enough. Winning the SEC did not hurt LSU either, but that was not the sole reason they should have gone over UGA.
By Mark Bradley
November 17, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Actually, Morrow developed a nice little post-up game near the end at Tech. As I tried to write last spring, he’d stopped being just a catch-and-shoot guy.
As for free agent pitchers: These would be my rankings — 1. Lowe, 2. Burnett, 3. Dempster, 4. Penny.
By got Jake?
November 17, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
you Atl boys have to face another Jake (and his supporting cast) this Sunday.
Mattie might be on the ground a few times from Pepper spray!
By Andrew
November 17, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
hey mark and others what do you think about this…say the braves miss out on the big three pitchers..sign sheets to a decent contract that wont kill us..cuz if healthy hes an all-star..then finally get peavy…we’d still have money for SS and maybe think about ibanez or dye??
By Laughingly Similar 2U
November 18, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
How about how tough the Steelers R right now? Lovin’ their chances too.
The elite, elegant, beautiful NY Giants are obviously the team to beat. They have so much depth, not just in the line of scrimmage, (on both sides), but also in the backfield, (on both sides).
This Eli Manning character is sent directly to us in our time of need by the football gods to help heal our pain, no question about it.
Eli Manning is a beauty. He’s gangly, rough and tumble, clumsy, you cant really define him or even clearly see him exactly as he is. He’s this shadowy phantom guy back there, just doing the minimum it takes to execute the play. Eli’s performances are not spectacular, like the Falcon’s Ryan, or The Jet’s Favre, but his actions are insidiously mundane, and when you look at the score and see how well the Giants are doing, you are astonished because of the confusion-laced aura emanating from each post-huddle entanglement that comprise the NY Giant’s offensive game plan.
God, how I love this Q-back.
By richbrave
November 19, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
MARK:
I’ve been jousting with DAVE O’B. about acquiring A.J. BURNETT and JAKE PEAVY. He stated shortly after the season ended that WREN wanted TWO top-tier pitchers and a center-fielder.
I said, with the YANKEES in the hunt for BURNETT the bidding could go upwards of 25 million for A.J. and that if that sum was necessary we should go for it. He disagrees saying 25 million per for BURNETT is ridiculous. I agree that sum is ridiculous, but IF Mr. WREN wants TWO top-tier hurlers as DAVE avers, BURNETT appears to be the obvious choice - unless we target SABATHIA. LOWE’s with the agent of death and no friend of anybody when it comes to his commission - er $$$$ for his client.
I also agree with DAVID that the PEAVY deal would be great financially for the club. DEMPSTER’s off the table and I believe the CUBS to be out of the PEAVY sweeps.
I think PEAVY would be amenible to a trade to ATLANTA if he sees movement on our part toward a major upgrade which BURNETT would be. DAVE doesn’t see it that way either. Of course, I’m just performing a little nebular hypothesis. What do think of this scenerio.?