AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA peek into Andruw’s thoughts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cleaning out notepads from the last couple weeks of the season, I came across an interview I did with Andruw Jones in Colorado, on the last trip of the season. Thought I’d share some of it here that I didn’t use (and why I didn’t use it, I don’t know).
A couple things he said that were interesting and perhaps revealing. You decide.
I started by asking him about playing in Colorado, could he imagine playing all his home games there, considering his stunning stats at Coors Field (.351 average, 12 homers, 34 RBIs, 1.161 OPS in 39 games) and the vast outfield expanses where his defensive skills were always evident.
Andruw: “I’m not a cold-weather guy. I don’t even like spring training when it’s cold. When it’s cold, I need to be in the house. I don’t think about it [when I’m playing], but I hate it.”
(Cross a few cities off his list of possibilities should he leave the Braves).
I asked him about playing since the whole waivers stuff made headlines and about his contract status; he’s signed through 2007.
“I don’t think about it. I just let it be. Like I said, I’ve got one more year left. Maybe next year in the middle of the season, if they want to talk, we can work out a deal. I would love to stay in Atlanta. I like it here. I’ve got my house here, my family likes it here.”
On the Braves’ outlook after their first losing season since 1990:
“I think next year we’re going to have a good team again. We’ve got good guys here, and we know our [starting] rotation. We just have to build up the bullpen the right away, and we’ll be fine.”
On whether the possibility of Bobby Cox retiring and not being here for the length of a possible multi-year extension for Jones might affect the center fielder’s decision whether to re-up with the Braves:
“He will [be here],” Andruw said of Cox.
Even if you sign, say, a four-year extension?
“Yeah,” Jones said. “He’ll be here.”
(I found this interesting, since Chipper Jones a couple months back said he couldn’t imagine Bobby Cox retiring, and indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if the manager is still here a few years more).
I asked Andruw what Cox has meant to him and how much he influences his desire to remain a Brave.
“Great person, great manager,” he said. “Being on a competitive team is one thing. Playing at home [where you live full-time] is another thing. But especially playing for him, that’s the best thing.
“So many managers out there are great people. But he’s on a totally different level. He comes and talks to you when he needs to talk to you. He tells you what he wants or what’s on his mind. Some managers don’t do that.”
Considering how much wear and tear he’s put on his body, breaking in so young, playing virtually every day and banging into walls and making sliding catches, I asked him how much longer he thought he could play.
“I’m going to push for 10 more years,” he said (and I had to ask again to make sure I was hearing right.) “We’ll see what happens, but yeah, I’d like to have 10 more years and then I’m done.”
Would he consider playing DH in the American League to stick around a long time?
“If I had to, but I don’t want to,” he said. “I want to stay at one position my whole career. I like how Willie Mays did it. He played one position his whole career. That’s awesome.
“That’s what I want to do, finish as a center fielder, not a DH or first baseman. But we’ll see. It depends how long you can stay healthy.”
Going back to that 10-more-seasons goal, I asked him if that indicated how much he still enjoys playing baseball.
“It’s not a bad job, with the schedule and all,” he said, smiling.
Then he turned serious. “This game is what I do for a living.”
A few days later, back in Atlanta during the final homestand, I asked Andruw again about the waivers thing, when he found out through the media in early August that he’d been placed on waivers (along with many other marquee players in what amounted to a procedural move by the Braves).
I asked him if there was any lingering tension between him and John Schuerholz after Jones had said publicly that he should have at least been notified by someone in the front office and had the situation explained to him.
His answer, in full: “Me and Schuerholz talked already. When we got back from that roadtrip he told me, ‘I should have picked the phone up and called you and told you what’s going on or what’s not going on.’ I said I appreciate that. Only thing I said was, I wish someone had told me something, and he said, ‘I should have, because we have a good relationship and I should have picked up the phone and called you.’
“I said I don’t have a problem, and now I understand what was going on with the waiver thing. I said I don’t have any problem, I don’t want to get traded because of that or anything.
“I know he can’t tell me anything, but what he told me after we got back from that road trip is that if something happens, ‘I’ll call you and tell you what’s going on.’ So we’ll see. It’s a business, and sometimes GMs like to keep things secret from the players. I understand that part.”
OK, so that’s the rest of my Andruw stuff. Stay tuned in coming weeks for possible updates. I’ve heard nothing yet, but that’s to be expected since Braves are just now having organizational meetings and really getting into discussing next year’s team….
On an entirely unrelated matter, everyone’s following the ongoing saga of the Yankees/Torre/A-Rod, etc., and A-Rod’s horrible recent postseason results have been bandied about on ESPN and elsewhere.
What hasn’t been given is his earlier career performance to give it context and underscore just how far he’s slipped in the postseason. Rodriguez hit .363 (33-for-91) with 14 extra-base hits (six homers), 16 RBIs and a 1.062 OPS in the first 23 postseason games of his career.
In 12 postseason games since, beginning with Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS vs. Boston, he’s hit .091 (4-for-41) with one double, ZERO RBIs and a .424 OPS. He’s got twice as many errors (two) as extra-base hits in that span.
But I’m wondering why so few have pointed out Gary Sheffield’s equally absysmal postseason work in that same period (other than the fact that Sheff makes quite a bit less than A-Rod and doesn’t seem to rub people wrong in the same way).
Anyway, here’s what Sheff has done in exactly the same postseason stretch, beginning with Game 4 vs. Boston on Sept. 17, 2004: He’s hit .160 (8-for-50) with ZERO extra-base hits, three RBIs and a .396 OPS, including .236 on-base percentage….
One more thing, Braves fans:
It was on this day a year ago when Chris Burke’s18th-inning homer ended the longest postseason game in baseball history, Houston beating Atlanta 7-6, to advance into the NLCS. The Braves’ late five-run lead was erased by an eighth-inning grand slam by Lance Berkman and a two-out ninth inning solo homer by Brad Ausmus, just above the outstretched glove of Andruw Jones.
Ah, such wrenching memories for Braves Nation. Damn you, Kyle Farnsworth.
And now for something pleasant that came out of the Lone Star State:
“Nothin’”, by Townes Van Zandt (a great Texan)
Hey mama, when you leave/don’t leave a thing behind/I don’t want nothin’/I can’t use nothin’
Take care into the hall, and if you see my friends/tell them I’m fine/not using nothin’
Almost burned out my eyes/threw my ears down to the floor/I didn’t see nothin’/I didn’t hear nothin’
I stood there like a block of stone/knowin’ all I had to know/and nothin’ more/man, that’s nothin’
As brothers our troubles are/locked in each others arms/and you better pray/they never find you
Your back ain’t strong enough/for burdens doublefold/they’d crush you down/down into nothin’
Being born is going blind/and buying down a thousand times/to echoes strung/on pure temptation
Sorrow and solitude/these are the precious things/and the only words/that are worth rememberin’
Comments
By journalist jimmy smith
October 9, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
can this be playoff fever?
oprah winfrey collapsed from heat exhaustion when temperatures pushing 100 degrees and high humidity caused her to feel unwell. an onlooker said oprah collapsed.
“she was getting dizzier and dizzier, she started sweating profusely and her vision became blurred. her knees were buckling under her and she nearly blacked out.
“oprah quickly stepped back and found a seat. she tried to revive herself by putting cool compresses on her head and drinking liquids.”
in an effort to recover, this journalist has learned that oprah ate almost an entire tub of cookie dough ice cream and drank more than a keg of root beer.
perhaps oprah has a future in the braves bullpen.
By Andy
October 9, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this
I hope the yanks trade him soon/get it over with. I think Andruw will play out the rest of his career here. It will be fun to dream adding a-rod(won’t happen) but the line up would be pretty.
I know it is only dreaming…but come on. I know the braves need pitching and don’t want to turn into the rangers or anything. Just one season it would be fun. Think how many more pitches Andruw would get if A-rod was behind him. Since this is only a dream Glavine and Maddox each take less money one last year see what happens. Ohhh it’ll be a long off season.
By TC
October 9, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
Nice pun in the headline.
By TennesseePaul
October 9, 2006 06:06 PM | Link to this
DOB: Nice blog. Thanks for the extra AJ quotes. And for the research on the two flopping Yanks.
I have a feeling AJ will be in Atlanta for a while. But we’ll just have to wait and see. Replacing him would be harder than replacing Furcal. And I think, after this years results, no one wants to go through another losing season anytime soon. JS will figure something out though and it will more than likely work.
By TennesseePaul
October 9, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this
A-Rod in left. I’d like to meet the man who sells that to him. A-Rod, waive your No-Trade, go to a smaller market than NY, and change positions again. Sold! =)
By kg
October 9, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
Sheff has continued what started in Atl, he’s horrible in the post season. How about bringing Torre in to manage the Braves. He could be bench coach for a year, give him time to decompress and then take over for Bobby.
By Thomas
October 9, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
I understand how fond you and the Devil Rays fans are of Carl Crawford, but it seems as though his name constantly comes up in trade talk. In that spirit, I offer you a potential deal with my Braves. What would you think of the following: Atlanta sends Chuck James or Kyle Davies and Ryan Langerhans to Tampa Bay for Crawford.
I’m sure that more could be added to either side to make it work (i.e. the Braves maybe add a solid prospect and the Rays throw in some cash) but it’s just an idea. Kazmir and James/Davies would make a very solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation… —Ernesto R., San Jose, Costa Rica
Sorry, I don’t buy that one. Crawford is the best player in franchise history and he keeps getting better every year. The Braves players you mention are good players, but are any of the three an impact player? I don’t think so. Crawford is potentially a guy who can have 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, a .300 average with 50 steals every season, not to mention the disruption he creates with the other team’s defense. He’s an impact player whom I believe is a superstar in the making
By Thomas
October 9, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this
With the Braves needing a leadoff hitter who can play left field, what are the odds they could acquire Carl Crawford? — Tyler N., Macon, Ga.
It certainly seems the Braves’ biggest offseason need is to locate a legitimate leadoff hitter, and Crawford seems to be the most appealing option. If the Devil Rays are truly going to trade this potential superstar, they’ll be looking to get young pitching in return, and the Braves certainly could pique their interest with either Kyle Davies or Chuck James.
But even if the Braves were to offer either Davies or James, the Devil Rays would want even more. At 25 years old, Crawford has the potential to be the most exciting player in Tampa Bay’s short history. He’s a good defender who possesses speed and power.
So, obviously, the Braves will at least inquire about Crawford. But if they weren’t able to work out a sensible deal, then they could also look to find another leadoff hitter who doesn’t necessarily have to play left field.
The overwhelming belief is that Marcus Giles won’t be back in Atlanta next year. Thus the Braves could also seek a second baseman who could serve as a leadoff hitter.
Some of you have said they should look to sign Gary Matthews Jr. as a free agent or trade for Ryan Freel. As good as Matthews was this year, the fact remains that it took him until the age of 31 before many casual baseball fans even knew who he was.
Matthews will command a large raise this season, and his asking price might reach a point where the Braves and other teams have to truly wonder if he’s capable of producing another season like the one he just had.
As for Freel, the Reds owe him just $1.7 million next year and I don’t see much reason for them to look to deal this versatile threat whose .367 career on-base percentage certainly proves he’s capable of being a valuable leadoff hitter.
Although the Braves managed to score the second-most runs in the National League this year without the benefit of a true leadoff hitter, I still feel they must find somebody who can provide the consistent spark that Rafael Furcal did during his six seasons in Atlanta.
As the postseason continues to unfold, the importance of a leadoff hitter will be highlighted. Had Furcal or Kenny Lofton — the top two hitters in the Dodgers’ lineup — done any sort of damage this past week, the Mets wouldn’t have gotten away with entering October with an injury-depleted pitching staff.
With both Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz’s contracts expiring after the 2007 season, does it mean that the greatest GM/manager combo in the history of baseball will be retiring? Or is there a plan in the works to keep both of them until Judgment Day? — Dexter H., Birmingham, Ala.
I’m assuming you’re using the Biblical reference to refer to Judgment Day and wondering if both Cox and Schuerholz will be around forever. Unless you know something that I don’t, this obviously won’t be the case.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to enter the 2008 season with both still in their current positions. Last year at this time, I wasn’t so sure.
My thinking was that they’d both done more than enough to solidify legitimate candidacy for Cooperstown and that there really wasn’t much more for them to prove.
But then this year arrived with a multitude of disappointments, and by the end, it was obvious both were determined to make sure next year won’t be the same.
Both Cox and Schuerholz may be growing old in age, but neither has shown any sign of losing their mental abilities. What they’ve done in Atlanta over the past two decades certainly earns them the opportunity to continue working in their roles as long as they want.
With last week’s changes, they brought a little more youth to their coaching staff, and that should certainly be a benefit that could pay dividends for many years to come.
By David O'Brien
October 9, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
KG, I like that idea, but Torre’s owed $7 mill _ yes $7 mill, about three times what Cox and most other top-salaried managers get _ and I’d bet he’d decompress at home counting his money for a year if another managerial job wasn’t to his liking. Not to mention, Braves already filled their bench-coach opening. “Hey, Chino, we love ya, but about that promotion …”
By Kraig Brown
October 9, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
A “peak” into Andruw’s thoughts might mean something of an apex of sorts. I’ll take just a “peek” and that should do. Thanks
By Robert
October 9, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this
“Jim lost to Cox, twice!”
Yes. And you know what TP? If you sat down and played heads up poker with Phil Ivey, you’d win a hand or two. Doesnt mean you compare to him as a player
Y’all I stopped talking about Cox, and now seem to have allowed myself to be dragged back into the conversation
I am tired of it. We can go on and on round and round. I dont care if the players love the manager. I dont care who lauds the manager. I want one thing - world series titles for my team.
Some day, it will end. Cox will eventually retire (or die, I suppose). Lord help us he manage as long as Connie Mack. (Take that back - I’d love to see him manage the Yankees, or the Mets, or any other team I dont like, in perpetuity) God willing, I’ll be alive to see the post-Cox Braves. Then we’ll see what happens. The debate wont be settled, I’m sure. There will be other factors responsible if the Cox less Braves suddenly start winning the World Series. It’ll be luck, it’ll be the wind blowing the right way, it’ll be that Gary Sheffield wasnt good enough but now is gone, whatever
My bet offer stands. The first year that the Atlanta Braves play a full season with a manager not named Robert Joseph Cox, they will win at least ten more games than they do in the final year in which Cox manages for the entire season - 6 pack of beverage of winner’s choice - as many of you as want to take the bet
Second bet offer - No Atlanta Braves team managed in the postseason by Robert Joseph Cox will ever win another World Series title.
That part about Cox possibly being here four more years. I got nauseous reading it. Literally, I could just cry.
But you know, in the end, if they get their wish, it’ll be Chipper and Andru that retire ringless -
Hopefully, I think I can avoid discussing Cox from now until the turning point of the ‘07 season (which will be the day that pitchers and catchers report and Cox is there to greet them)
DOB - what excuses and justifications will be used next October and the next three after that?
When I die, I’ll know if I went to heaven or hell depending on whether Cox is managing my favorite baseball team
By Robert
October 9, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
“With both Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz’s contracts expiring after the 2007 season, does it mean that the greatest GM/manager combo in the history of baseball will be retiring? “
Is there a god?
Dont tease me like that.
By Thomas
October 9, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this
Crawford would turn 26 next season, and its being arbritation eligeble. With the Braves looking for a leadoff hitter, in the market, Crawford definitely comes into mind. I just gave copy/paste the mailbags of the Braves and Devil Rays, and they both say it is unlikely that Crawford is traded, the possible trade is Kyle Davies or Chuck James, and Ryan Langerthans for the speedy Crawford. It doesnt look bad if the braves get him:
By kg
October 9, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this
We signed Gary Matthews, Jr a couple of years ago as a free agent and had him in camp. As I recall, he was cut before the begining of the season. He didn’t produce much, but the way he was cut leaves me to believe that there was more to it than meets the eye.
By TennesseePaul
October 9, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
Thomas: Crawford hasn’t done to well in the lead-off spot. Think Giles. Giles’ numbers were fabulous. And when you put a .300 hitter with a great OBP and a ton of doubles at the top of the order it looks good. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. Not to mention that pitching was the issue this season. Trading pitching for a position player doesn’t seem like the best move to make.
By summerteeth
October 9, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
It ain’t Hobex!
By Robert
October 9, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this
Ok, I’m off for a week again (y’all can celebrate if you like)
DOB - I just have to when it comes to players rating managers, Chipper’s and Andru’s opinions have particular weight because they have played for so many different managers in the bigs
“…. Cox …. may be growing old in age, but neither has shown any sign of losing their mental abilities. “
One can not lose what one never had
See y’all in a week
By Mike A
October 9, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
Did someone take away Chipper’s 1995 ring? What did I miss? I’m still trying to figure out how he’s going to retire ringless. Maybe his first wife got it in the divorce?
By David O'Brien
October 9, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this
Mike A, you’re letting facts get in the way of emotional rants. Come on, now, don’t stand in the way of the crusade….
Anyway, sorry I quoted one of the player’s on the team. Should have omitted the quote about Cox, apparently.
I mean, dude, what the….? Deep breath, let it out, yes…better.
By David O'Brien
October 9, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
Now he’s got me making errors … sorry about the apostrophe in players. Typo sent too late to pull it back…
As for peak _ mountains, man. Colorado. Oh, nevermind. I’ll see if I can change it.
By Billy
October 9, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this
Read this and it might clear up the Matthews thing. He just wasn’t a very good player back then. Good for him now, but what if he goes back to his old ways next year. Is he worth the risk on such a short one year tracck record.
Nov 24, 2003: Claimed by the Atlanta Braves off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
The Gary Matthews Jr. era with the Braves ended before the journeyman outfielder reached Atlanta.
The Braves asked for Matthews’ unconditional release on Wednesday morning, 03/31/2004 , just hours before they would have been obligated to pay his entire $800,000 salary.Because they released Matthews before Wednesday’s 2 p.m. ET deadline, the Braves are now only obligated to pay 25 percent ($200,000) of the contract they presented after they claimed the 29-year-old outfielder off waivers in November.
When Matthews arrived at Spring Training, he was the clear favorite to begin this year as the Braves’ fourth outfielder. But that was before he batted just .154 and struck out 17 times in 52 at-bats this spring.
“He wasn’t horrible this spring,” Cox said. “He played fine. He wanted to have a better spring. I like Gary. But the other guys are playing good.”
Those other guys are non-roster invitee outfielders Dewayne Wise and Damon Hollins, who have produced with both their bats and gloves since the Grapefruit League season began.
By David O'Brien
October 9, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this
Remember last week when I had in the blog that McCann led the majors in average both with runners on base and with runners in scoring position and two outs?
Check this stat from Elias, in regards to the latter stat:
Brian McCann was 24-for-51 with two out and runners in scoring position this season, a .471 batting average. The last time a National League player had such a high average in at least 40 at-bats in those situations was in 1969, when Pete Rose went 32-for-64 (.500).
By Calvin
October 9, 2006 08:29 PM | Link to this
What about bringing in Eric Gagne for the setup role this year and after Wickman retires next year, give the closers role to Gagne. Let him build himself back up for a year and then get that dominant closer that won the Cy Young in 03. You never know..
By David O'Brien
October 9, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this
I could be wrong, Robert, but I think most bloggers here would prefer to hear what Andruw has to say about Cox and the likelihood of him staying around for the length of Andruw’s possible next contract, as opposed to what you or I has to say about him. Again, I could be wrong. But I really do think most bloggers care to hear what the players have to say about the manager as it pertains to their careers, etc.
That or “Hee-haw.” It’s a toss-up.
By Snowball's Chance
October 9, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this
Nice interview, DOB. This is the first year I have followed the Braves on the AJC. What do you cover in the offseason? Thanks for providing a place to hang out and learn about the Braves and music. The Braves will abide.
By Bob, journalist
October 9, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
Jimmy, I’m curious … “putting … and drinking liquids” … what choices did she have … solids?
Robert, you emote so much sometimes that if I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re riding Buttermilk … and, there’s more to being a fan than just wanting the team to win World Series.
By Dave knockahomer
October 9, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DOB! I thought everyone had gone to sleep and would wake up in February or something :) thanks for the AJ stuff…I pray to the gods of baseball that he stays with the Braves! Just can’t imagine him in any other uniform. Cox? he drives me nuts but downright crazy in the postseason. He is a darn good regular season manager but in the post season, he seems to ‘lose’ whatever sense he might have. I will never forget him bringing in Jeff Reardon who gave up a winning home run. Then in the next game or two [I forget who we were playing—-tis me old age memory problem] BUT he brought Reardon back in again! I could not believe it!!! Building up confidence or being loyal to a player is one thing, but doing it at the expense of the team is another. Well, Reardon gave up another home run! The players probably like him because he does NOT take names and kick butt!
Look at Leland..he had a total fit about midway in the season! There were folk who said he had gone overboard! Au contraire…he only brought the Tigers to the ALCS where I expect them to beat the Athletics and take the World Series, barring injuries. As he said just recently……when he needs to take a pitcher out, he does it and whether the pitcher, the fans or whoever likes it doesn’t matter. IT IS WINNING! Damn, can we hire Leland?
Wow, there would be some discipline, that fer sure. Anyway, am glad the off season has killed your posts, DOB! any rumors yet? :) by the way, poor George! IF I were him and I had spent all that crappin money and nothing happend……hell, I’d fire me a whole bunch of players and start over! Begining with A-rod who seems to have gotten a psych breakdown; then Shefflied, Giambi…… oh well…. GO LELAND!
By flbravesgirl
October 9, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this
Calvin, I don’t know that BigBob is planning on retirement that soon. He always signs for one year at a time. He may decide to pitch for a few more years. Gagne, on the other hand, scares me. He’s turning into the closing version of Wood/Prior it seems.
By The Grinch
October 9, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this
So Oprah collapsed, huh? I was wondering why half my books fell off their shelves earlier. Does she drink the official root beer of journalists? Speaking of someone who ought to retire…
Bob, riding buttermilk? You got me on that one. Was/is it a race horse? The only buttermilk I know is to soak cornbread in or make biscuits.
By Dave knockahomer
October 9, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
Dave: I make a big typo!
I said: “Anyway, am glad the off season has killed your posts, DOB! any rumors yet? :)”
WHAT I MEAN TO SAY WAS: Anyway, am glad the offseason has NOT killed your posts, DOB!
sorry about my typo, man!
By brian
October 9, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
On the Gary Matthews thing. Don’t forget if Matthews wouldn’t of been cut we might have never had Charles Thomas and Marrero as the great LF combo it was. It Thomas didn’t get an opportunity we might have had to trade Giles instead of him to get Hudson. But hey that time last year that’d be a good point. But with Giles and Hudson both coming off disapointing years that statement doesn’t mean much.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
October 9, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this
It’ll be interesting to see what happens to Andruw during the offseason. I found his comment about approaching him in the middle of next season about an extension interesting.
As for the Yankee drama, all I can say is its a bunch of crap! Torre is a great manager. He’s not the genius who didn’t get quality pitching for the team. He’s not the wizard who thinks that getting nothing but high paid players is the way to win championships. All Torre did was manage all those egos and continuously get them into the playoffs.
If you look at those teams that won those 4 titles in 5 years, they didn’t have the ungodly huge payroll these current Yankee teams do. Pettite was an ace before he was “big money”. O’Neil manned RF, Scott Brosius (sp?) played 3B, Knoblauch at 2B, and a young Posada at catcher. Those Yankees were much more balanced.
By dadgum
October 9, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, I read what you are printing about Andruw dude. Truthfully, I feel he does want to stay in Atlanta. The family warm weather thing and all but why then does he in the same breath say he hopes things can work out contract-wise during the ‘07 season. Seems like if he is so willing to remain with BC and company he would be just as eager to get the extension done pronto. It would be easier on everybody. Is it just me or is Andruw simply posturing. Can’t believe the Braves would gamble and begin ‘07 with Andruw in limbo.
Maybe they can gamble if they get the most glaring need (top starter) via free agency or another trade. Obviously the Braves are very close to being a very good team and Andruw knows that plus he also knows that his situation must be cleared up (from the Braves point of view) soon so they can go after other needs. Oh well sorry to rehash the views but it seems that what Andruw is wishing for isn’t the same as what he is saying to the media. Just my take. For the record I want Andruw to remain a Brave.
By Alan
October 9, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t Buttermilk Dale Evans’s horse? Dale, of course, was Roy Rogers’s wife. What any of this has to do with baseball is beyond me. Maybe Dale was Darrell Evans’s aunt. Or something. Anyway, David, thanks for your post. Good, interesting stuff. And I love your retorts to Robert, the Bobby Cox basher. I have no idea why he’s on this hopeless crusade, to rid the world (or at least the USA’s Southeast) of Cox, who by just about everyone’s account - including a recent poll of major league players (but what do they know?) - is the best manager in the game, but it is sooooo tiring. It’s like beating a dead horse - aha - Buttermilk!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
October 9, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Dadgum, I totally agree. I want Andruw to stay but the situation must be resolved this winter and not after next season. If Andruw wants to stay like he keeps saying, then why not work out an extension now instead of waiting until the middle of next season or after?
By Lew
October 10, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
It may not be Andruw’s decision on whether they begin negotiations in the offseason or during 07. Besides, what does it really matter if they wait until next year? He’s under contract and usually it’s the player who doesn’t want to negotiate during the season. Apparently this is not a problem for Andruw. I don’t know how he can say any stronger that the Braves can sign him if they really want to. Seems like the ball is in the Braves court. Good night. I have pontificated.
By Kentavo
October 10, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
How ‘bout Andruw and Renteria for A-Rod, and put him back at SS?
By journalist jimmy smith
October 10, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this
much is going on today - there is a sick beluga whale, oprah has collapsed, and ted turner is dating an anchorman. joe torre is rumored to be fired. bob has introduced buttermilk to the blog. buttermilk was indeed dale evans’ horse. if robert is riding buttermilk robert is riding a dead horse. that’s the way bob talks. caution robert: if bob mentions trigger remember that trigger is stuffed (could be full of it). word to the wise. now, no baseball tonight but espn managed to devote most of the night to the yankees. they did lose, right?
By Head Coach
October 10, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this
If it were left up to the baseball Gods , Bobby Cox would have three world championships. Lonnie got deeked in 91 and Wohlers flopped in 96 so dont blame Cox for the players not getting it done in the postseason. Correct me if I’m wrong , but dont they give out a big trophy for winning the N.L. championship ? if so there are six trophy’s on display along with five pennants fluttering in the wind at Turner field along with 14 division titles and that aint bad. Barring major catastrophe in the injury department Andruw Rudolf Jones will lead the Braves back into the postseason in 2007. P.S. dont you just feel sorry for the Yankee’s ? NOT ME , lol !
By scott
October 10, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this
Robert, Chipper isn’t going to retire ringless. He was on the 1995 World Champion Atlanta Braves.
Also you’re insane if you think that Bobby Cox isn’t one of the best managers of all time.
By The Grinch
October 10, 2006 02:07 AM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy, thre is a collapsed Beluga and a collapsed Oprah; this could be Yin/Yang and threfore symbolize unity/harmony. A new phase! I’m sleepy. I think I’ll pull the trigger on a glass of buttermilk. Whoo-ha! Grinch out.
By ncscoots
October 10, 2006 06:20 AM | Link to this
Ah yes, buttermilk, banana pudding, and Black Keys. And what does this have to with baseball? Absolutely nothing, and glad of it (but if you insist), perhaps in 2007 Braves need more “b” players instead of “p” players.
By VolsRock
October 10, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this
Go LELAND … fire BOBBY … and if the Yankees fire Torre for losing in the first round, then Bobby should have been gone long ago because that’s his specialty!
By journalist jimmy smith
October 10, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this
better be careful what you say, DOB will be ignoring your stupid azzez…hey, when I wipe my azz I start at the ankles!…
By bigHairybeast
October 10, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this
Sure is refreshing to visit so many other MLB sites and not be insulted by Deadbeat writers!
By KC
October 10, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this
WOW THANKS DOB!
Thanks for bringing up that 18 inning loss last year. Perhaps you would like to kick a few of us in the crotch while you’re at it.
By KC
October 10, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
Please forgive my re-posting this for the sake of sake of conversation:
My BRAVES TOP 10 FREE AGENT WISH LIST:
I put together my top 10 wish list a few weeks ago, but after giving it some thought, I’ve revised it slightly. I know that most of these players are very unlikely to sign with Atlanta for various reasons, but that’s why I called this a WISH list.
1 – Jason Schmidt: I think the Braves’ rotation is already well stocked with the return of Hampton and Ramirez, but Schmidt would substantially upgrade the starting staff. Power pitching usually wins in October. Yes, I know… I’ve heard that he doesn’t like to pitch at Turner field. I strongly suspect that we would adjust if he were pitching here on a regular basis.
2 – Alfonso Soriano: He can lead off and play 2B. He’d be a perfect fit in Atlanta. If the Braves were to sign him, I think they would still have a decent shot at resigning Andruw. Soriano would have to accept a slightly back-loaded deal, taking a little less over the first two seasons in ATL, and Andruw would need to take less in the first year (2008) of any new deal. After that, the Braves would have much more flexibility to pay both as the contracts of Hampton and Chipper will expire after 2008.
3 – Juan Pierre: If the Braves were to land Soriano (which I know is very unlikely) then Pierre wouldn’t be needed. However, of the available free agents, he’s the next best option for a leadoff guy. His OBP has been rather inconsistent throughout his career, but he atones for it with the havoc he wreaks on the base paths.
4 – Barry Zito: I’m not positive that he’s any better than any of the pitchers currently in our rotation (I think Tim Hudson will bounce back, and feel that HoRam is better than most people realize). Over the last 3 seasons, Zito has gone 41-34 with a 4.04. That’s nothing to write home about. However, he seems to step it up in October.
5 – Kenny Lofton: He’s still a base stealer, and a pretty good hitter (against righties anyway). Whether the Braves use him in the leadoff spot nearly every day or as a pinch-hitter/runner, it would be wonderful to have at least one real base-stealing threat on the team. Though if the Braves were to add Soriano or Pierre, then Lofton would be much less important.
6 – Danys Baez (resign): It’s unlikely that he will resign with ATL, but it sure would be nice to keep him as our setup man. He was very solid for Atlanta overall after the trade. His occasional struggles can be traced largely to health issues which are no longer a problem.
7 – Steve Kline: He’s a solid veteran lefty who could meet Atlanta’s need for a setup man (assuming Baez leaves).
8 – Wes Helms: He’s been one of the best part-time players in baseball over the last few years. Over the last 3 seasons, he hit .294 in 683 AB’s. He can play 1st, 3rd, or the outfield and would give us the right-handed pop off the bench that we’re currently lacking.
9 – Jeff Conine: If we can’t get Helms, Conine is the next best thing. He can also play 1st, 3rd, or the outfield, gives us a good right-handed bat off the bench.
10 – Jason Grimsley: He knows were to get really great vitamin supplements!
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this
I think Arod’s post-season numbers are under scrutinity just because his teams haven’t done much in the post-season. Also I think it’s fun for many fans and many in the media to blame him because of his salary, because he’s put on a pedestal due to his skills, and because he’s seen as a jerk by many.
Sure, Alex Rodriguez is one of the minor reasons the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2000. But there is plenty of blame to go around. Baseball’s a team game and putting the Yankees disappointment all on ARod’s shoulders is rediculous.
There are quite a few “superstars” who struggled in the post-season and no one even remembers or cares—probably because you could blame other disappointing aspects of their teams or because their teams won anyway. Mark McGwire hit .217 with a .320 OBP in the post-season.
Rodriguez has actually hit .305 AVG/.393 OBP/.534 SLG in the post-season…not too shabby if you ask me. Yeah, this year he didn’t do so hot, but he’s been on base 32 times in 96 post-season plate appearances and 20 post-season games with the Yankees. He’s created an estimated 24 runs offensively in his teams’ 35 post-season games in his career. He’s created about an estimated 12 runs for the Yankees in the post-season.
By Thomas
October 10, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this
Possible Leadoff Hitters for Braves:
Possible Pitcher:
By Matt T
October 10, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t speculate as to why Sheffield gets a free pass for the steroid issue or his struggles in the postseason, but I think that most of that are Braves fans are well aware of his post season struggles and thought of that when the Yanks signed him.
It is amazing how some of the best hitters in the game can’t handle the pressure of postseason baseball.
By KC
October 10, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
TennPaul Wrote:
“KC: Baez has already stated he doesn’t want to come back. He wants to be a Closer. I don’t think any of those players will be Braves next season. Maybe Pierre, sad to say, but even then I think it’s a long shot. JS is talking about getting back to the strong pitching heritage. This seems to imply that the defense will also be improved, or at least maintained. Peirre is a step back in defense. Well, several large steps back.”
TennPaul, sorry I didn’t have a chance to respond yesterday. I agree, most of the people on that list are not likely to sign with the Braves. I think there are a few here that Atlanta would have a very real chance of signing. If I had to rank these 10… well, actually it’s just 9 (the Grimsley thing was obviously a joke)… but if I had to rank these 9 player in order of their probability of signing with the Braves, it would look like this:
1 - Steve Kline: The Braves are looking for a proven setup man, and he’s the only decent one on the free agent market that I can think of.
2 – Wes Helms: If the Braves bring back D.Ward, it’s unlikely that they would also try to acquire Helms, but he would be a great fit and he liked being a Brave when he first came up with Atlanta.
3 – Juan Pierre: Pitching is Atlanta’s stated top priority. However, they may pick up a pitcher or two via trade without having to cough up much cash. If that’s the case, they may use some of those left-over funds to pursue a leadoff hitter.
4 – Jason Schmidt: He still holds BC and the Braves organization in high regard, and Atlanta might be willing to offer him something close to market value for his services. It’s unlikely that he’ll sign with Atlanta given that he’ll probably get offers from both NY teams commensurate to the gross national product of many small nations.
5 – Barry Zito: Unlikely for the same reasons as Schmidt. The Braves can’t and won’t get into a bidding war with deep pocketed, pitching desperate teams. However, Atlanta’s always seems to be an attractive option to players, especially pitchers.
6 – Jeff Conine: Not likely simply because of his age. When the Braves acquire a player like Conine, it usually seems to be in the middle of the season when they’re gearing up for a stretch run. That said, he might be a nice fit.
7 – Danys Baez: He wants to be a closer. However, if the only closer opportunities he’s offered are with losing teams for a modest salary (by MLB closer standards), he might change his mind. Not likely though.
8 – Alfonso Soriano: The Braves probably won’t look to spend this much money in an attempt to upgrade what was already the best offense in the league this year. But he would be an absolutely perfect fit. The Braves are going to have to get their leadoff hitter from either 2B or LF. Soriano can play either position. Oh yeah, and he’s one of the best hitters in the game.
9 – Kenny Lofton: It makes me sad to list him as the least likely of these 9 to sign with Atlanta. It just doesn’t seem like Atlanta’s ever had any further interest in him since his one year with the Braves about a decade ago. But I think he could be an extremely valuable addition, I really do. I wish with all my hear that the Braves would offer him a 3-4 mill, one year deal.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this
ARod’s Not a Choker
I think Arod’s post-season numbers are under scrutinity just because his teams haven’t done much in the post-season. Also I think it’s fun for many fans and many in the media to blame him because of his salary, because he’s put on a pedestal due to his skills, and because he’s seen as a jerk by many.
Sure, Alex Rodriguez is one of the minor reasons the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2000. But there is plenty of blame to go around. Baseball’s a team game and putting the Yankees disappointment all on ARod’s shoulders is rediculous.
There are quite a few “superstars” who struggled in the post-season and no one even remembers or cares—probably because you could blame other disappointing aspects of their teams or because their teams won anyway. Mark McGwire hit .217 with a .320 OBP in the post-season.
Rodriguez has actually hit .305 AVG/.393 OBP/.534 SLG in the post-season…not too shabby if you ask me. Yeah, this year he didn’t do so hot, but he’s been on base 32 times in 96 post-season plate appearances and 20 post-season games with the Yankees. He’s created an estimated 24 runs offensively in his teams’ 35 post-season games in his career. He’s created about an estimated 12 runs for the Yankees in the post-season.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
Thomas,
Is there any reason a team that finished in the top three in their league in runs scored needs to overpay for a “prototypical” leadoff hitter?
By KC
October 10, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
THOMAS: In regard to the leadoff options you suggested…
Brandon Phillips has a career .290 on-base percentage. For a leadoff hitter??? Ouch. We’re much better off looking within our organization.
Gary Matthews Jr. isn’t really a proto-typical leadoff hitter. He’s not a base stealer, and 2006 was the first year of his career in which he posted what would be considered a decent OBP for a leadoff hitter. Matthews is a free agent coming off an all-star season. He would cost every bit as much or more as it would cost us to keep Marcus Giles.
This year was an off year for Giles, but over the last three years, his on-base percentages looked like this: .390, .378, .365. Giles has proven that he can get on base, and he runs well to boot. Let’s not forget also that if we pick up a leadoff hitter to play LF, he better be good enough to justify benching a guy (Matt Diaz) who hit .327 over 300 at-bats. And since LaRoche has established himself at 1B, left field is also the only place the Braves will be able to get more of a look at Scott Thorman, who may be a big part of Atlanta’s future.
I seriously doubt anything will happen for Carl Crawford. He is under contract with TB at a very modest salary through 2008, with a team option for 2009. One of the biggest problems for small market teams is that they can’t afford to hold on to their best players, and fans become disenfranchised waiting for their star players to leave. TB has actually managed to keep their star offensive player for a while at an affordable price. It’s very unlikely that they will part with him. Even if they did, they would expect a king’s ransom in return.
I think Pierre is a more likely option than any of those 3, but I don’t think Braves are likely to get him either. Ultimately, the Braves know that they are already as good offensively as any team in the league, and their much more concerned with bolstering their pitching staff.
By Lew
October 10, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
Please People-We are not going to get Carl Crawford. God, even Mark Bowman on the Braves site is becoming delusional on this point. Carl Crawford is NOT A LEADOFF HITTER. He bats second or third. He is one of the few players the DRays can count on and he’s still cheap. They won’t trade him. KC-I sure hope you were having a whimsical attack with your nine pickup ideas. Dude, the only ones on that list that are even vague possibilities are Helms OR Conine. Kline? Really? I’d rather try John Thomson as a set up guy. Pierre is not going to be any kind of priority. BC has stated he doesn’t think we need a classic leadoff hitter and JS says he will concentrate on pitching. Schmidt hates pitching at Turner field and if you look at his career numbers, he does not pitch well here. Look at this years results when he pitched against the Braves. Zito-Haven’t we had enough of A’s pitchers? Hudson has not shone and Mulder hasn’t either for the Cards. This should tell you something. Baez wants to close and someone will give him a chance. Not the Braves. Soriana is a pipe dream at best for many reasons. About $18-20 million of them. Look instead for maybe Marcus going home to San Diego in return for pitching. SD needs bats AND a second baseman. They have pitching. That’s what we really need.
By BB FAN
October 10, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
The Braves offense was in the top 3 or 4 in scoring runs in 2006 but they struggled to win one run games. That is where a guy, who gets on base and has speed, at the top of the order would help. The Braves had no problem scoring runs in bunches, but when they needed one run, they could not manufacture it.
The Braves also need one more solid starting pitcher. Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Ramirez and James are all very good picthers. The problem is that Hampton is coming off Tommy John surgery as well as knee surgery. He has not pitched in 2 years. Hudson just had a nightmare season and seems to be just getting worst. Ramirez has not been able to stay healthy for more than 10 starts in a row. Even though Smoltz was very good in 2006, he will be 40 in May. And then our 6th starter, Kyle Davies, just has not proven he belongs in the majors yet.
Now, this rotation could prove to be one of the best, however it also has the potential to be just like the 2006 version. Another solid starter would make me feel a lot better. Even if they had to trade Ramirez. Ramirez may become the consistant 15-18 game winner the Braves thought they had, but it may have to come under a change of scenery.
By KC
October 10, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
LEW:
How much do you know about Steve Kline my friend?? He has been one of the more reliable setup men in the league for years now. He has a career 3.42 ERA, and he’s one of those guys who just doesn’t blow leads very often.
And as I’ve said multiple times, it was a WISH list man!!! Kline and Helms are probably the only two truly viable options the Braves might have serious interest in. (Conine is certainly an option, but I doubt the Braves would pursue him if they bring Ward back).
The Braves would like to add Schmidt or Pierre, but will outbid considerably for both.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
BB FAN,
A team’s record in one-run games has nothing to do with having a guy who gets on base and speed hitting at the top of its order. Record in one-run games are a product of luck. Teams that win or lose a lot of one-run games one year will not win or lose as many one-run games the next year.
By Lew
October 10, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
BB Fan-The Braves’ dismal record in one run games was not attributable to lack of a leadoff hitter. It was the result of terrible pitching. Our offense kept us in the games.
By Jeff
October 10, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
All right, A. Jones is a good guy and a future Hall of Famer, but he’s going to be one expensive center fielder. He’ll wind up eating a lot of the $80 million payroll that the Braves are stuck with. The name of the game is pitching, and a team never has enough good pitching on its roster or coming through the pipeline. Jones may fetch a couple of really solid arms and maybe more.
Schuerholz will shop Jones. If he doesn’t, he may be cheating the Braves out of their best chance to acquire top-notch pitching talent.
By KC
October 10, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
LEW:
You could be right. With the emergence of Meredith and Cassidy in their bullpen, they might be willing to part with Linebrink.
I just noticed something… the Padres have 15 players this year who are eligible for free agency. 15!!!!! Something tells me they’ll have a different look next season.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
Lew,
Record in one-run games tells us nothing about a team’s overall ability. Bullpen may have something to do with it. There may be some other factors. But mostly a team’s record in one-run games is luck.
By KC
October 10, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
BBFAN:
Like you, I would very much like to see a solid leadoff man who is well suited for the job in the Braves’ lineup. However, I think Atlanta’s lack of success in one-run games had nearly everything to do with pitching. If the Atlanta pitching, especially the bullpen, had done it’s job, then most of those games would have ended with Atlanta on top by 2-3 runs or more.
As to Mike Hampton… yes, he’s coming off of Tommy John surgery, but the only reason that’s often an issue for pitchers is that they come back after only 12 months. Doctors say it takes a full 18 months for pitchers to recover from Tommy John surgery. That will be exactly the length of time Hampton will have had to recover when spring training rolls around. It is very rare these days for Tommy John surgery to have any lasting effects on a player past that 18 month mark. I wouldn’t worry too much about Hampton’s health… no one in the Braves organization is.
John Smoltz will be 40, but he’s showed no signs of slowing… not in the least. His body is holding up just fine, and his stuff is as nasty as ever. True, Smoltzy can’t keep doing this (at this level) forever, but there’s every reason to believe that he’ll be able to do it for at least another year or two before he starts to show any real signs of age.
You are correct that Tim Hudson had a nightmare season. However, I think it’s asinine the way people keep talking about him like this was only the latest step in his decline. In 2005 for the Braves, Hudson finished with 14 wins that would have been at least 18 with even so much as an average bullpen behind him (same with Smoltz this year… Smoltzy should have won 20-plus), and a 3.52 ERA. That ERA put him in the top 15% of all major league starters. This year, it would have been good enough to place him in the top 7% of MLB starters. Yeah, everyone was hoping to see him compete for a CY Young in Atlanta his first year here, but come on!!!! If you can hold major hitters to 3-1/2 runs per 9 innings, you are one hell of a pitcher.
Please lets get this straight… IT WAS ONE BAD YEAR!!! Nothing more. It was the first bad season of his career. No one will deny that Tim Hudson sucked overall in 2006. But based on prior performance, and the fact that he still showed brilliance sporadically throughout this season, including his last start… there’s every reason to look for Hudson to come back strong. Tim Hudson had some mechanical inconsistencies this year that led to inconsistent control issues. He’s only 30, and his stuff is still there. If anyone wants to bet that his ERA will be over 4.00 again next year… I’ll gladly accept that wager.
I agree with you that HoRam’s injury proneness is a concern. However, I don’t think a change of scenery will have anything to do with HoRam’s future success or lack of it. He’s just got to stay healthy… plain and simple. I also agree with you about Davies. He’s got a lot of potential, but hasn’t really shown us much just yet.
By BB FAN
October 10, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
Shaun and Lew,
I understand that the bullpen had something to do with the struggle to win one run games, but not being able to manufacturing runs contributed as well. Then of course, luck has something to do it as well.
The bullpen was a lot better after Wickman was acquired, but the Braves still struggled to win those one run games. And that’s because without speed at the top of the lineup getting on base, they could not manufacture a run when only one was needed. They had to wait for the big 2 out hit or the 3 run homer. Well, as you saw, guys go into slumps and don’t always come through with two outs. Speed at the top of the order is important when it comes to winning close games…just as important as pitching. And both have as much to do with it as luck does.
By journalist jimmy smith
October 10, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
toes. that’s right, toes. “Cliff Floyd’s injured left foot will be the focus when the New York Mets work out Tuesday ahead of the NL championship series opener against St. Louis, and general manager Omar Minaya acknowledged it would be a risk to keep the outfielder on the roster.”
“Floyd reinjured his foot (read:toes) during Saturday’s first-round clincher at Los Angeles when he ran hard to score from first on a double. While the Mets described the injury then as a strained left Achilles’ tendon, Minaya said the team’s medical staff treated Floyd’s ankle on Monday.”
everyone knows it is toes. toes are not to be trifled with.
will esteemed cliff floyd wear one of pedro’s big red shoes today? has the red goose shoe representative been called? what can be done with a playoff-time toe injury? oh, the humanity!
now, tom glavine … which tom glavine will we see?
By BB FAN
October 10, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
KC, I hope Hudson can turn it around and it would not surprise me if he does. However, there has been a steady decline since 2003. Some of it has been injury and some bad performance, but there has been a decline.
Ramirez boggles my mind. The guy just can not stay healthy and consistant. I think he will become a solid # 3 starter. Hopefully it’s with teh Braves. But he will probably make $3.5 - $4 million this year through arbitration. That’s a lot for a team with a self imposed cap of $80 million. Especially when the team needs consistant, healthy starts.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
BB FAN,
Yes, not “manufacturing” runs may have had something to do with losing so many one-run games, but it was mostly just bad luck.
If a team is set up to blow out its opponents, its not going to have to worry about one-run games.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
BB Fan,
All you can do is build your offense around hitters that don’t make many outs (i.e. high on-base percentage) and hitters with power and you should score plenty of runs. Build your pitching staff around pitchers that don’t walk a lot of guys, don’t give up a lot of homeruns and stikeout a decent amount of hitters, and a defense that gets to a lot of batted balls and you should prevent a lot of runs.
If you build a team around “manufacturing” runs, you aren’t going to score too much.
By KC
October 10, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
BBFAN:
If you want to call going from extraordinary to great a decline, go right ahead. Keep in mind that Hudson’s only had two seasons where he posted an ERA of under 3.00. That’s what everyone’s expected of him each year since. That might not be entirely realistic. An ERA in the mid or lower 3.00 range is still “ace” territory. His ERA in 2005 was pretty well on par with his career ERA heading into last season with the Braves.
By BB FAN
October 10, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Shaun,
You can not set up a major league team to blow out every opponent! I hope you were kidding with that statement. No team in the majors will blow out every team they play. There will be close games.
A team needs to be able to manufacture runs because there are always going to be those close games in baseball. Sure, there will be nights the Braves win or lose 13-2 or 13-8, but there will also be the 2-1 or 8-7 games. Those are the games that they need to manufacture a run to either tie it or go ahead. Having a speedy guy that gets on base alot helps.
By Braves 20
October 10, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
DOB - I generally agree with you on things but “Damn you Kyle Farnsworth??” Here’s an interesting exercise for the off-season. Pull out a tape of Farnsworth’s eighth inning last October against Houston and then view a tape of our inning against Borowski late in this season - remarkably similiar - both cases the guys threw five or six outs and the defense (or in our case both the defense and the umps) did not perform. That was a team loss not one you can lay solely at the feet of Mr. Farnsworth - who, had we re-signed him would have made the difference between playing and sitting at home in October this year. His numbers last year were remarkably similiar to Wickman’s this year. Either guy all year and we’re in the playoffs.
By KC
October 10, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
BBFAN: To follow up on my last post…
As you mentioned, injury did play a role in Hudson’s 2004, 2005 seasons. There was a 2/10 of a run difference between Hudson’s ‘05 ERA and his career ERA heading into that season. I think you can easily attribute that much to the fact that he was playing hurt last much of last season.
2006 was it man. This was the only bad season of his career. As I mentioned, he’s still young, has lost any of his stuff, and has a “mad as hell” determination to prepare himself this winter to get back to his former dominance.
To tell you the truth, I would be shocked if he doesn’t have a good season next year.
By Alan
October 10, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
To KC and others compiling lists: How can you not include Dave Roberts as a potential leadoff man? He’s the only Padre who hit in the NLDS - plus he plays left field. Some of your other suggestions make sense - Kline and Helms among them - but there’s no way the Braves are going to get in a bidding war for Soriano - and you’re all delusional if you think the Braves are going to steal Crawford from the Devil Rays for guys like Davies, T. Pena and Salty. It kills me that everyone is raving about Salty, who just had a very ordinary year in the low minors. Do you really think the D-Rays are going to give away a budding superstar for 3 or 4 unproven players?! No way! Now, if Giles and Ho-Ram are part of the package, along with Davies and Salty, then something may happen. Otherwise, get over it, already. Now a little note about Joe Torre. It cracks me up when folks compare him with Bobby Cox and say how much better he is. Really? What does he do? All game, he sits like a zombie in the same spot on the bench with his water bottle, alternatingly unscrewing the cap, sipping, and rescrewing the cap. He never changes his expression, no matter what, almost never argues a call, never double-switches (which doesn’t exist in the AL) - all he does is walk (verrry slowly) to and from the mound to change pitchers (verrry frequently this past season). But he’s a genius. Not in this millennium.
By BB FAN
October 10, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Shaun,
That’s why the Braves would benefit from a speedy guy that gets on base alot. They already score with the best of them. And if they add the ability to manufacture runs then they will be even better.
The ability to manufacture runs protects a team when your power hitters are slumping. Because no matter how good a hittter is, he will slump at some point during the season because they are all human. Sometimes it’s an unjury, sometimes the “dog days of August,” other times it’s personal matters outside of baseball. It’s a part of the game because it is played by humans.
By Phat Bat Boy
October 10, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Batting lead-off for the Atlanta Braves, Dave Roberts. Bet on it!
And let’s trade Hudson and Giles to the Yankees for Cano and change. Reduce payroll and get a great young 2B. Move Renteria to 8th in the line-up and we’re good to go.
By Shaun
October 10, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
BB FAN,
No team is going to blow out every opponent every game, but you can set yourself up to score more runs than anyone. Look at the Red Sox—they’ve built their offense the last few years around hitters that don’t make many outs and hitters with power. And what do they get? Well, from 2003-2005 they were among the most prolific run-scoring teams of all time. They certainly didn’t try to “manufacture” runs one at a time. They may have played for a single run when they had to have only one run, but they didn’t play for one run at a time. The best way to manufacture runs is by avoiding outs as long as possible and gaining as many bases in as few plate appearances as possible.
By KC
October 10, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Alan, my list was a free agent wish list. That’s why Robert’s wasn’t on it.
Dav