AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > August > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTrust me, Vince and Jennifer are an item
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clearing the decks after a day off spent in lovely Milwaukee, where you can buy Falcons gear on the discount rack at the sporting goods store in the mall next to my hotel:
OK, first things first. I’m told that Vince Vaughn and/or Jennifer Aniston deny there’s anything going on between them, that they’re merely shooting a movie together in Chicago. Folks, I know what I see, and what I saw Wednesday night at the Dwight Yoakam show at House of Blues in Chicago was Vaughn and Aniston with hands all over each other in an opera box overlooking the stage. And no, the movie cameras were nowhere around. If they’re not an item, they did a great job acting like one….
But enough of that. I know the seamheads are going, ‘If we wanted gossip on movie stars, we’d go to the lifestyle section.’ But man can’t live on Francoeur/Smoltz/Farnsworth/Chipper information alone, right? By the way, Yoakam was awesome, and I’d highly recommend purchasing a CD by his opening act, a dude named Jackie Green. He’s gonna be big, I predict.
OK, where were we? Oh, Francoeur. I can report … well, actually I can’t. He did nothing on the off day that I know about yet. I imagine he went fishing with some other Braves who had that on the itinerary. The team bused to Milwaukee after Wednesday’s day game, for once making the writers’ travel itineraries actually preferable to the team’s (we all stayed in Chicago the extra night, and a couple of writers stayed there last night, too. Me, I didn’t want to fight traffic driving out of Chicago this morning to get up here in time). This and Los Angeles-San Diego are the only driving legs of the baseball season for the team or the writers, with exception of spring training, of course.
But I did see Blaine Boyer at the Yoakam show. Smart rookie made his own travel plans to get to Milwaukee the next day.
So what do people who may have noticed it think about the little nugget in my Furcal story in today’s paper, about the team believing they can re-sign him? It was a surprise to me, honestly. I didn’t think there was any way they’d be able to afford him. But after being told otherwise by someone who should know, and examining where the Braves might save money because of all the rookies who’ve shown they’re ready, and realizing that Hudson will only make $4 mill next year in his heavily backloaded contract, I started to see how they might actually get Furcal signed if they can get him to a four-year deal for, say, $30-32 mill.
Folks, I think it’d be huge for them. Those who think you could just plug in Betemit and be on your way, think about it: Who’s gonna lead off? Giles? He’s no leadoff hitter. And who’s gonna be ready to back up the oft-injured Chipper if Betemit’s at shortstop?
They don’t have another legit leadoff hitter. The way Furcal’s played since late June, he’s been the best leadoff guy in the league for two months. Too bad he’s so inconsistent from half-season to half-season. But still, he’s a force for most of the time he’s in the lineup — and he plays most of the time, hurt or not.
The Braves will have dirt-cheap corner outfielder next year with Francoeur in right and either Johnson and/or Langerhans in left. They could have dirt-cheap catcher if they decide to go with McCann and trade Estrada (haven’t heard that they would trade Johnny, but since he’s gonna make some money next year as an arbitration-eligible player, it’s a possibility). They’ll have at least a few low-salary pitchers with Boyer, Davies, McBride, and a cheap utility guy in Orr, plus another low-salaried position at first base, assuming it’s Franco and LaRoche again.
The big money next year goes to the Joneses, of course, climbing all the way to $30 mill for that pair (Chipper gets $17 mill, though some deferred without interest; still counts against payroll). If Braves decide to bump payroll up a few mill in light of attendance improvement — and I don’t know that they will — they could keep Furcal and still make budget, but just wouldn’t be able to add big salary anywhere else, probably. They might be able to keep him even if they keep payroll around $80 mill.
Your thoughts?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Jack Scism
August 26, 2005 04:19 PM | Link to this
Do your calculations include the umpteen millions braves must pay hampton next year. since it now looks like he will have little impact this year and be unable to show he’s still got it, it appears unlikely braves will be unable to unload him by eating some of his future salary.
By david o'brien
August 26, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this
I’m including $8 mill for Hampton, since that’s what they’re using for his payroll number for their calculations, the average annual value of their $48 mill commitment to him.
By Andy
August 26, 2005 05:36 PM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong—I love Furcal—yet I would rather have Farnsworth and another good/great pitcher in the pen. I do hope we deal Estrada(free up a little money) instead of dealing any of our young catching propects for Bulpen arms. I don’t think Thompson will be back—and I don’t think its impossible(not likely) to deal Hampton. He hurt his back this year—next year his forearm will have alomst a year plus of rest—its nagged him for years now. Come on yankees take Hampton—-the schools are much better in NY.
By Del Young
August 26, 2005 06:24 PM | Link to this
David: I personally feel that it is extremely imortant that we resign Raffy. for the exact reasons you state. If Chipper stays at third, I would expect we will need someone to fill in for him about 33% of the time. Who better than Betemit I would give Wilson a lot of training at first base also, thereby increasing his value and adding a little insurance cause of Julio’s age. That would provide the Braves with very good backup, having both Orr and Betemit.
If we plan on keeping Farnsworth, then you need to add some $$ for his salary upgrade. I certainly hope that Estrada, Kolb, Thomson and possibly Reitsma are on the non-return list, and that Perez and Jordan are retiring.
To me though, Raffy is the key man on both our defense and our offense. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD WE NOT WANT TO RESIGN HIM ??
By david o'brien
August 26, 2005 06:47 PM | Link to this
In addition, I also believe a swap of Andruw Jones for Ken Griffey Jr makes alot of sense as well. First off the Braves would save about $5 million. Secondly it gives Atlanta a chance to sell high, as we all know this is Andruw’s career year and is very highly unlikely he’ll repeat.
By Nicholas Irwin
August 26, 2005 06:51 PM | Link to this
Losing either Thomson or Hampton would be alright, but I don’t think I’d wanna lose both of them. I think a veteran prescence in the back of the rotation would help, rather than just having Sosa, Ramirez and Davies back there. Remember, Davies hasn’t pitched really all that well since the first couple of weeks he was up and Ramirez is still wildly inconsistent. Having the steady prescence of either Hampton or Thomson in the rotation would help greatly, I think, assuming they can keep their injuries under control next year. Now, I’m guessing financially it would be cheaper to keep Thomson, so maybe we should go that route. However, it would be easier to keep Hampton since he’s already signed and I believe Thomson is a free agent next year.
By David O'Brien
August 26, 2005 07:01 PM | Link to this
OK, I didn’t want to have to use the special code that designates me, differentiates me from the masses. But anyone who’d think I would trade Andruw Jones for Ken Griffey Jr is an … uh, not supposed to call anyone names on here. So I’ll just say, that’d be ridiculous. I wouldn’t trade for Griffey, period. But I certainly wouldn’t trade Andruw Jones for him.
And I don’t think this is Andruw’s career year, either. It’s best of his career so far, perhaps. But he’s fully capable of hitting 40-50 homers annually, and with a much higher average than he’s currently batting.
So sorry, but the bored and not-very-creative individual who wrote the blog under my name. Everyone will now know that if I reply, it’ll be with this typeface, etc. Try to duplicate that, smart guy.
By Del Young
August 26, 2005 07:32 PM | Link to this
I’m with the REAL DOB. I am not a huge Andruw fan, but just about the last thing I would do would be to swap Andruw for Junior. With both Junior and Chipper on the same team along with Hampton it would be a perpetual DL musical chairs. NO THANK YOU.
By True Braves Fan
August 26, 2005 09:50 PM | Link to this
Del Young…Great ideas for roster moves for 2006. DOB…Thanks for clearing up the Griffey thing. I didn’t think you had gone off the deep end.
By glennbo
August 26, 2005 10:45 PM | Link to this
How about dealing Hampton and his 39 MIL to the Yankees along with Marte or La Roche or Johnson for multiple draft picks and prospects. Sign Raffy. Platoon Chipper with Betemet and Franco at 3rd and 1st. Keep Estrada - he should be better after he gets psycho-therapy for the Erstad incident. Keep Thompson, but not for the option price in his contract. Let the young pitcher guns develop. And hope like hell that Farnsworth and Reitsma equal 40 holds and saves.
By 3Pitch
August 26, 2005 11:20 PM | Link to this
To me, Furcal should be the Braves top priority in the off-season. He gives them more of a chance to manufacture runs, and his defense is superb. If they can sign him for $8 M per, it would be great. I think he is the best SS in the league in spite of his sub-par 1st half.
The Braves could create more salary room by refusing Thomson’s option, non-tendering Kolb, trading Cris Rietsma, and perhaps trading Hampton with a few dollars attached.
By T Robb
August 27, 2005 07:43 AM | Link to this
Vince and Jen are an item? I feel so much better now. From what I read in Glamour, the poor girl was licking her wounds, crestfallen about Brad and Angelina, and didn’t know if she’d find love again.
So hope abounds - why, there’s a chance the Braves could discover their missing offense, as well. Thanks for showing the way, Jen.
See, DOB? You can do gossip and sports, you just have to tie it together in a neat little bow. Glad I could help. Like the new AJC blog, no charge.
By BB FAN
August 27, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this
glennbo. I agree with you on trading Hampton. And we would probably have to include LaRoche or Johnson to do it. The only thing is MLB does not allow draft picks to be traded. So it would have to be for a few prospects which the Yankees do not have many of. I would prefer including LaRoche. The Yankees might likr that as he is great defensively and he is a lefty. He would probably do great at Yankee stadium.
Estrada should go though. He has never been good at blocking the plate. And seeing how the only time he ever has, he got knocked out, he will never be the same. mcCann is a great player. Pena is a capable backup. And the Braves have a couple more great catching prospects.
Thompson would be good to keep if he took less money. And the Braves should really consider keeping Furcal. but I would not overpay for him.
With the young pitching and hitting the Braves have, they should be good for years to come. That outfield is going to be great.
By HB
August 27, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
Honestly, I think the Yankees and the Boss have finally learned their lessons about taking on broken-down, over-priced has-beens (and I mean that in the nicest say possible if Mr. Hampton is reading this). Would be awful generous of him to defer half of the money he’s currently not earning over the last two years of the deal so we can definitely pay Raffy. Fact is, if you look around the league, there are only a handful of true lead off hitters in the game. Add to that surprising power, which should lead to double digits dingers for the foreseeable future, and, unquestionably, the strongest arm in the game at the SS slot, and it’s hard to fathom not paying him half of what we pay Chipper to stick around for four or five more years. And Andruw is doing exactly what Pendleton said he would over a year ago. Said he wouldn’t peak for several more years. Anyone who followed the reports of Andruw’s off-season efforts and willingness to finally change his approach at the plate shouldn’t be surprised at his production. I drafted him on all my fantasy teams a round or two before all the experts suggested he should go. Experts. So easy to throw that word around these days.
By F-Zero-X
August 27, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this
I just got rear-ended and had a car acciedent at the same time! Let me tell you when I blew my wad I swear I lost ten pounds! My lovely wife Karen is doing awesome and our love making is now at an all time hing, 3 times a day. Also, I would like to thank Kwame for being so supportive, all I want to do is opne peoples minds, so many people are mentaly inflexable. Well, I can hear Karen calling for me, this is round two of the day. Wish me luck! (Who am I kidding, im a sex god!) Well I wish you all my best, go Braves!
By F-Zero-X
August 27, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this
Me and my lovely fiance sure an unbiased love that is still growing. We express our lust for each other in so many exotic ways. Just last night we licked honey off each others sickly toes. I also got a little to close to her toenail fungus, and got a whiff of its sour milk/peanut butter stench. W/ a lime green ooze.
On another note, is Walt Weiss still with atlanta?
-Zero-
By T Robb
August 27, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this
If you people (AJC) won’t stop Cafaro, how about stopping this clown?
By F-Zero-X
August 27, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this
Tomorrow, Ms. Karen Fout, and I Andrew Savoie, will become Man and Wife. Lets hope she likes my crusties, and doesnt mind engaging in marital relations.
-Zero-
By Kwame Masi
August 27, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this
First off, I think I speak for all when I say good luck to Sir Andy Savoie and Mrs. Fout. I hope the find happiness through there passionit love making. (I here Savoie is a handful in the sack and that Mrs. Fout is no slouch either!)Anyways I just wanted to say that John Smoltz should shave his head before he losses all dignity!
Watch “Rescue Me� on FX Tuesdays at 10pm! (Denis Leary rules!)
CiCi ya later!
By Kwame Masi
August 27, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this
I for one enjoy F-Zero’s stories. They are very descriptive and I hope he sends in more. I can’t wait to hear what he does next! I think we could all take a page out of Zero’s playbook and learn to be more open about our sexuality
By Eric Webb
August 27, 2005 12:26 PM | Link to this
^^^^^^Go back to your tribe in the Congo Kwame.
By Kwame Masi
August 27, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does F-Zero-X remind you of Bob Saget? His ronchy sence of humor is enough to make Conan O’Brien blush. (Conan is a very sickly, yet funny man)But to tell you the truth I enjoy his jokes, and find them very arousing! All I can say is that Bob Saget has one of the dirtest stand-ups in the Biz. He is a potty mouth. Well i must go and practice my Stick Fighting attack, last time i got reamed in the a*s! ;)
Also is Bobby Cox still coaching? He looks as though hes one McDonalds French Fry away from having a heart attack. But send him my best!!! ;)
-Kwame Masi
By True Braves Fan
August 27, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this
DOB: Your blog title started all this non baseball junk…NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO PUT A STOP TO IT.
By F-Zero-X
August 27, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
I never realized how arrousing it could be to suck on my wifes disgusting toes. They are so yellow and sickly, most would puke at the site of them. Not I though. I find that the fungus infection is oddly tasty. I hope you guys can understand where I am coming from.
Andy Savoie
By David O'Brien
August 27, 2005 12:55 PM | Link to this
^^^This guy is so original, and funny. Keep up the good work!!!
By Mark Casteel
August 27, 2005 01:25 PM | Link to this
One problem with glennbo’s proposed trade is that baseball does not allow picks to be traded. They can only be assigned to other teams as compensation for free agents.
By HobNailBoot
August 27, 2005 02:06 PM | Link to this
Even though Atlanta is not RFurcal’s original hometown, he is looking at it as his home away from home; it has been expressed by him his gratitude at the way he has been treated (with dignity) by the Braves and most of the Atlanta community. He has a feeling of closeness to Bobby Cox (who has nurtured him from boyhood to manhood in baseball). Now financially, he is not naive or stupid - if the gap is too big to ignore, he will leave. But if the offer is close, he is a Brave for the next 4 or 5 years.
By True Braves Fan
August 27, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this
**By David O’Brien
August 27, 2005 12:55 PM | Link to this
^^^This guy is so original, and funny. Keep up the good work!!!** DOB: I believe that you told us that blogs using your name in this typestyle did not come from you..Right?
By F-Zero-X
August 27, 2005 03:22 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to update everyone on my marital relations with Karen. Things are going very smoothly, and have yet to hit a snag, like Francouer has batting wise. We hope that someday we can publish our own Kama Sutra guide. Until then, this will have to do. Who new an ATL blog could be so useful.
Regards your old pal Andy Savoie M.D.
P.S. Email me if you have an sex-ed questions.
-Z-
By **David O'Brien**
August 27, 2005 03:33 PM | Link to this
Is it me, or is Zero still a wild dog, he’s going down to Club Pirahna and getting crazy, I told him we would meet him. (In Stu Cuttler a.k.a. Shooter McGaven a.k.a. Michael Spillane’s dad voice)
By T 2 the D
August 28, 2005 05:10 PM | Link to this
Here we are on the 28th and it’s getting interesting. If you’re like me and remember ‘91, ‘92, ‘93,…At least we won’t have to wait on west coast scores… God I love it! It’s in the Braves hands!
By glennbo
August 28, 2005 09:00 PM | Link to this
Apologies to Mr. Casteel and BB Fan on the draftpick faux pas. Age has hobbled my faculties. I really think Braves fans are stuck with Hampton for the long haul. I wish he had more pride than to suck out loud like he does. It would go a long way to making himself a part of the Braves culture if he would defer some money, but it won’t happen because he doesn’t think enough of his team to take care of himself during the offseason.
By george
August 28, 2005 09:34 PM | Link to this
have heard that furcal wants to stay in hotlanta. think we need him more than most would think. pay him what he has to have, trade chipper for a closer that can close and we are good to go. think about it ……. andruw plays much better when chipper is laid up so make it permanent. but what do i know!!
By David O'Brien
August 28, 2005 10:13 PM | Link to this
This string of comments is the single most embarrassing thing I’ve ever been associated with in my entire life.
The dude talking about the toes … I mean, I wish it at least made me smile or even slightly amused me. But my man, Denis Leary would be ashamed that you watch his show.
I mean, seriously. You’re just not funny. That’s not such a bad thing, though. Not everyone is. You, you’re not. At all. Not. One. Bit.
By AL
August 29, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this
Even though I just cashed my refund check (a hearty $10.75), I kinda miss the days when these blogs were a paid subscription, so only people who actually care about the Braves would chime in.
Furcal is, and has been for years, the catalyst to our offense. He should definitely be a priority, and is still young enough to think that he has plenty of upside over the next few years. He has shown this season that he hasn’t lost his aptitude for steals, and now that he has regained his health, he’s been invaluable at the top of the order. He and giles are among the best, if not the best, 1-2 in the game. It would be terrible to break that up.
By Braves fan
August 29, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this
Will the real Dave O’Brien please stand up? DOB, wouldn’t the Braves raise payroll from this year to the next, simply based on inflation? I mean maybe they can raise it more if attendance was good, but they can’t possibly hold the threshold at $80 million every year can they? I think keeping Furcal is a good move. Maybe they can use the SS depth in the minors to help improve the bullpen situation. When Furcal is hitting I wouldn’t want any other shortstop (save A-rod, Tejeda or Jeter). Plus his defense has been spectacular this year.
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 29, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this
DOB - Thanks for the informative piece. I think Furcal is indispensible, and it is good to see that the Braves will make a real effort to keep him. I think he’ll be a HOFer when it is all said and done. However, it may take 9 or 10 million to keep him, as I guess that the Cubs would jump into the bidding — they need a shortstop and lead off guy too.
By Eric Webb
August 29, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this
DOB— Thankyou for taking a stand, and putting that creep in his place. On another note, I believe we can/should keep Furcal. I belive that he is a very intricate part of our offense, and would suffer greatly w/o him.
We need to get this done. Huddys contract is back loaded. And attenance is up. We can do this! Go Braves— Eric
By Hal
August 30, 2005 02:50 PM | Link to this
except the idiot that ‘thinks” and i use that term loosely hes funny this is a very good string! Keep Furcal leave Thomson go Sighn Farnsworth promote Davies were good to go Hell who needs Js Sighn me too