AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves brass in bunker as rumors percolate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Be thankful you’re in Atlanta and not here in Kansas City, where it’s 40-something degrees and raining. In other words, World Series weather.
Anyway, I’ll skip the rehashing, reshaping and regurgitating of the Adam LaRoche rumor-du-jour, since I’m not even sure what the rumor-du-jour is, or whether it can be narrowed down to one. Probably not.
Suffice to say, all along I’ve felt there was no way the Braves would do the supposed three-way trade with the Yanks and Pirates in the form that it was most frequently cited, with the Braves getting 22-yr-old OF Melky Cabrera, the Yankees getting lefty closer Mike Gonzalez, the Pirates getting LaRoche.
Made no sense, and I’ll stick with that assessment until the Braves prove otherwise. They wer once asking for Cabrera and Yankees setup stud Scott Proctor, and they’re going to settle for Cabrera all of a sudden. No way. Never was a way they’d do that without getting something more, especially since they’ve said all along that pitching is the priority.
Braves officials have been in serious bunker mode since returning from the winter meetings, probably because they wanted to get a deal done before the new year. I do know they’ve been on-again, off-again, but never kaput in talks with the Pirates, Devil Rays and Angels, and with Yankees as part of the Pirates thing (the Yankees really, really want Gonzalez).
But where they are right now, today, in any of those deals, I’m not certain. Not going to lie and say I am. They’d love to have Baldelli from Tampa Bay, but aren’t going to give up Chuck James. They’d love to have Figgins and Kotchman from Angels, but Braves want more, and they’re not going to get reliever Scot Sheld in addition to Figgins.
They’d love to have Cabrera from Yankees, but not JUST Cabrera. At the minimum, I’d guess they’d also have to get 2B Jose Castillo, but I don’t know if that’d be enough or even if the Pirates, who drive a very hard bargain, would be willing to part with Gonzalez and Castillo.
They’d love to have Brian Roberts from Baltimore, but I don’t think the Braves OR the Orioles wants to give up their guy in a straight one-to-one, Roberts for LaRoche. I still say a three-way with Tampa Bay, sending closer Chris Ray from Baltimore to the Devil Rays, Baldelli to the Braves, and LaRoche to the Orioles, makes the most sense, long as the Braves also get a pitcher, at least a top pitching prospect like Hayden Penn, in the deal.
I wouldn’t do it, still, but I think the Braves probably would, because Roberts fills the 2B/leaodoff role for couple years before he’s a free agent. Repeating, I wouldn’t do the deal. Also repeating, the Braves don’t care what I’d do. Or what you’d do, perhaps unfortunately.
(I say that because getting rid of both Giles and LaRoche … well, they’d better hope if they do that, it works out as a whole next season, or be prepared for the storm of second-guessing).
The past couple of years the Braves tried to get everything done by the start of the new year, be it for internal accounting reasons or just to make sure they weren’t left with holes to fill and few players left available in January.
But if they get a trade done by then this year, it’s either going to have to be in the next few days. That, or Braves officials will have take the highly unusual step _ unusual for most clubs and particularly for them _ of working in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, when most teams shut ‘er down.
Rather than accept what they view to be a bad deal, I think the Braves would probably prefer to stand pat and try to pick up a veteran lefty reliever off scrap heap when the free-agent dust has settled or via trade this winter.
And if they had to, I think they’d be comfortable enough with their 2B options at least to go to spring training and see if any of them stand out and appear ready to handle the job. If not, again, the Braves have been known to make trades late in spring to fill needs. They could have an extra starter to trade, plus they have a couple of prospects, and the prize trade chip that many teams are after _ LaRoche.
If they don’t trade LaRoche now, the Braves could do it in January or even wait until the spring, after they see how Scott Thorman looks at 1B in Grapefruit League games (though they’ve already seen him quite a bit, just not on a every-day basis), or after they see how Kelly Johnson looks at second and decide whether they can expect to get good production from that spot.
So many things can happen that if a trade doesn’t go down now, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is the team the Braves will have opening day.
And if it is pretty much their opening day team, I don’t think the Braves would be uncomfortable with it, given the expected improvements in the pitching staff with Bob Wickman in the fold already, and with the addition of setup man Rafael Soriano (most fans in the NL don’t realize just how dominant he has been).
OK, enough with potential trades in this post. Besides, the whole situation seems so fluid, with speculation rampant and the rumor mill grinding right up to Christmas, it appears. So we’ll just keep addressing them below, I’m sure.
Hey, on an unrelated matter, I think the career projection I got out of the Bill James Handbook probably got overlooked buried down in yesterday’s blog, so I’ll put ‘em here again. If you read them already, just skip, don’t complain. Tired of complainers.
Here’s what the stats guru James predicts for career numbers for some guys you might be interested in these days:
Adam LaRoche _ projected 1,992 career games, .262 average, 509 doubles, 351 HRs, 1,138 RBIs, .337 OBP, .449 slugging, .836 OPS.
Derrek Lee _ 2,312 games, .276 avg, 506 doubles, 421 HRs, 1.260 RBIs, .364 OBP, .499 slugging, .864 OPS.
Carlos Lee _ 2,323 games, .283 avg, 520 doubles, 433 HRs, 1,504 RBIs, .339, .494 slugging, .832 OPS.
Alfonso Soriano _ 2,024 games, .272 avg, 485 doubles, 428 HRs, 1,129 RBIs, .324 OBP, .502 slugging, .826 OPS.
Andruw Jones (hand on to your seats) _ 3,051 games, .259 avg, 571 doubles, 677 HRs, 2,009 RBIs, .344 OBP, .500 slugging, .844 OPS.
Chipper Jones _ 2,629 games, .296 avg, 567 doubles, 516 HRs, 1,753 RBIs, 1,606 walks w/ 1,609 K, .395 OBP, .525 slugging, .920 OPS.
Brian Roberts _ 2,066 games, .276 avg, 510 doubles, 123 HRs, 750 RBIs, 343 SBs, .344 OBP, .395 slugging, .740 OPS.
Marcus Giles _ 2,158 games, .276 avg, 551 doubles, 207 HRs, 917 RBIs, 148 SBs, .354 OBP, .427 slugging, .781 OPS.
Couple other quick things:
Unless I’m missing someone, only Houston’s Craig Biggio and the Braves’ John Smoltz and Chipper Jones have spent at least 13 seasons their original major-league team and are still with that team (and don’t say Detroit was Smoltz original major-league team, because he didn’t reach the majors until he was traded to the Braves)….
I’ve been among those harping on the Braves’ dysfunctional payroll, point out that nearly 80 percent of their $80 million was tied up in seven guys, including more than $36 million for just the Joneses and John Smoltz (including prorated portion of signing bonuses for Chipper and Smoltz).
Rare is the team that wins championships with such a large percentage of its payroll sucked up by so few guys. But guess who just did it? St. Louis. That’s right, the Cards had an approximate $88 mill payroll, of which $38 mill went to three players and $53 mill to five, topped by Albert Pujols’ $14 mill. So it can be done. But it ain’t easy….
I’m suddenly possessed of the Christmas spirit, so I offer more reasons _ more Cardinals-based reasons _ for Braves fans to believe: The Cardinals won only 83 games last season, and they won the World Series with a starting rotation that included ace Chris Carpenter and the likes of Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver and Anthony Reyes.
Oh, and a closer (former Braves prospect Adam Wainwright) who’d never been a closer until late September….
The Braves went 4-2 vs. the Cardinals last season, batting .351 and racking up 16 homers and 55 runs in those games. The losses went to John Thomson and Jason Shiell….
Just two more stats (I promise): Since the wild-card era began in 1995, only three teams have advanced to more than three LCS: Yankees (7), Cardinals (6) and Braves (6), though the Braves haven’t gone since 2001.
Those are also the only three teams who’ve had their current managers more than seven seasons _ Cox (17 years in current stint, 21 overall in two tours with Braves), LaRussa (11) and Torre (11).
Comments
By MGL
December 20, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
DOB - Many thanks for all of the extra effort you put in on the blog!! Have a wonderfull Holiday!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
December 20, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
Bullshi t!!!…
By AJK
December 20, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this
DOB: Great post! Thanks! What’s your opinion on who the Braves most covet - Baldalli, Roberts or a bullpen “stud”? I would think Baldelli - seems to have the most upside, is signed long-term cheap (by relative standards), and may fill a gaping hole after 2007. Your thoughts?
By Voice of Reason
December 20, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this
Merry Christmas DOB and all…
By Nate
December 20, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
I hope we get Ray and give up ADDam
By GatorRayFan
December 20, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
DOB, I do love your blog. As a Rays fan, as you stated in your three team trade offer between the O’s, Rays, and Braves, trade Baldelli and get only Ray in return? He is under team control for another 5 yrs for only $26 million, which is a bargain and has been stated throughout all of your blogs. For this three team trade to work, LaRoche goes to the O’s, O’s send Ray and Penn to the Braves, Braves send Ray, Davies and Salty for Baldelli.
I have no idea where the SS need for the Rays has come from. We have Reid Brignac (strong AA numbers) and more highly rated than Escobar who will be in AAA this year. It was thought that Brignac would not be able to play SS as grew into his body (move to 3B), but the majority of those concerns have been eliminated after this year’s play. Unless the Rays front office wants to build SS depth through this trade as well.
As for a straight Braves-Rays trade, it would either be James & Salty (we would probably trade him or Navarro for more pitching, although the Rays front office LOVES Navarro) for Baldelli or Davies, Salty, Escobar (trade bait and depth) & another strong pitching prospect (Harrison). I really don’t think the 1st trade is that bad, although it favors the Rays (its close) and I don’t think the 2nd trade favors either team.
The Rays can afford to wait as they will not contend until at least 2008, when Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Jacob McGee, Mitch Talbot, and Andy Sonnastine will be able to add top-end depth to the rotation from the minor league system. Can the Braves wait? I think that, along with the outrageous contracts signed this offseason, are the leverage points the Rays are using in discussion with teams when discussing Baldelli
Thanks
By KC
December 20, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
DOB: “Rare is the team that wins championships with such a large percentage of its payroll sucked up by so few guys.”
An obviously valid point… HOWEVER:
When you have young impact players like McCann, Francoeur, and James, as well as Matt Diaz and over half over your bullpen, all earning between 300-500k a year. Not to mention thumper like LaRoche “only” making around 3 mill. There are a couple of other bargains here with Atlanta paying only 5-6 million of Renteria’s annual salary, and 6 million to Wickman (who could be earning twice that somewhere in this market).
It should also be noted that while Smoltz is not cheap… he’s still one helluva bargain this year at 8 mill.
With that many young guys and bargains on the team, the top-heavy payroll means far less to the Braves than it would mean to most.
By rammerjammer
December 20, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
If the Roberts deal can be done, that looks best to me.
He’s a proven performer, just turned 29, fills two needs (leadoff and 2B) for which we have no good answers.
His production would be an upgrade over Giles, and would help compensate for the diminished performance likely to happen at first base.
By Ron Roberts
December 20, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
If it were me, it’d be Baldelli the Braves should covet the most. It puts them in a position where they tell Scott Boras “face it, we’d like to keep your client, but we don’t HAVE to keep your client…so, how much can we agree on?” to keep Andruw in organization he’s grown up in, playing for the manager he admires so much.
But Baldelli works more for what we need now… a leadoff guy and left-fielder who really rounds out the lineup nicely to go with a rotation with a solid top-three pitching rotation and plenty of 4 and 5 starter options plus an already-improved bullpen. This team is already better than the Cardinals, who won it all. I personally think they’re better than the Mets, who should have been the best in the NL last season, and I think they’re more well-rounded in all facets of the game than just about anybody in baseball.
Give this team Baldellli (heck, if you can do it without losing LaRoche, and Schuerholz would be a genius) and then let the Mets have their presumptive key addition, Barry Zito. I’d take our team toe-to-toe with theirs.
By JasonInMaine
December 20, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I posted this on the other Blog while you were waiting for your flight. In case you didn’t see it, I am posting it again. If you saw it and chose to not reply; I apologize for posting it again (:
I read part of an article from the LA Times (too lazy to register, so I didn’t read the whole thing) that gives the impression that the Braves and Angles trade possibilities aren’t quite dead. It mentions that if the Angels would have been willing to include Shields before, a deal would have been done.
That being said, what is your best professional guess as to:
A) Will LaRoche be traded? B) Which team (Angles, Pirates, O’s, other) C) Will the Braves get Baldelli (50/50, etc)
Hey, I figured since you were at the airport (fun, huh?), you may not mind answering these annoying questions (: Plus, we may not get to communicate with you for a few days! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year DOB!
Regards,
Jason
By Spider29
December 20, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, right on! Thanks,DOB, for the new post and all your hard work to keep us Braves junkies informed. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
By kevin
December 20, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
fire john s he make dumbtrades he should have kept betemit
By The Grinch
December 20, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
James and Salty for Baldelli? You guys are on crack! I BET that’s the deal y’all are discussing; I would too. Thanks for coming over here and posting, though; nice to share info. and opinions.
Jimmy Smith, you’re an evil man.
Dave, thanks for the new blog; you’re a gentleman and a scholar.
By braves fan
December 20, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
DOB,
If the Braves stand pat, how do you see the lineup shaping up? Here’s how I’d put it together:
SS Renteria C McCann 3B Chipper CF Andruw 1B LaRoche RF Francouer LF Diaz/Langerhans (platoon) 2B Prado
I know people will say, “McCann can’t hit second, he’s too slow” or whatever. But here’s my argument. Of all the guys on this team, other than Chipper nobody has better plate discipline or handles the stick as well as McCann. And we know Chipper wants to hit third, so he’s not an option. McCann struck out 54 times in 442 at bats with a .388 OBP. Those numbers are comparable to Chipper, whom people regard as a high on base guy who doesn’t strike out too much. All those numbers as a 22 year old, with a lot on his plate as the catcher. I think his hitting attributes outweigh his negatives as a slow runner. Plus, unless the Braves plan on bunting the leadoff hitter over when he gets on base, you might as well have someone who is good with the stick getting extra at bats. I like Aybar, Prado, KJ, Diaz and Langerhans, but no matter which two of them gets to start at 2B and LF, none of them are on base machines, to be wasting the at bats that a leadoff hitter and #2 guy get during a season. What happens when McCann rests on every fifth day? That’s the beauty of my plan. On those days you can try out a Prado or a Langerhans, and use the bunt as a way of sparking offense that you lose by having McCann sitting out. Plus the lineup can be static at #1 and 3-6, adding consistency for all the big hitters. I mean who can argue with getting McCann a few extra at bats during a game and subsequently the season? I love seeing him hit, so let’s see it more often.
By Mac
December 20, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
Why would the Braves want Castillo? He’s pointless. Career line:
.258/.301/.388
He’s vastly overrated as a defender; he’s not bad, but he’s not Mark Lemke, and he’s no better of a hitter than Lemke was. Prado would be just as good — actually, he was slightly better in his very limited time last year.
By Peter
December 20, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
St. Louis winning the WS last season should really speak to the Braves. The very best that we could have done was win the wild card (I know teams have won the title in that position) in a league that had a down year.
I don’t see trading any more young players especially a LH high avg. bat. I think that someday we have to bite the bullet and start to rebuild.
I also can’t see trading Adam with two LH’s who run the ball low and away. Losing the defense weakens those guys. Two potential starters, Hampton and Davies (if he starts) and a question these days of how long Smoltz can stay healthy Is Hudson going to be the AL Hudson or the NL Hudson? How many games out of Chipper this year?
If it’s somebody that’ll put us over the top I’d say yes. I just don’t think we’re there yet.
Did you see that jacket that Bocifus wears on Monday Night Football. So tacky I almost like it!
By braves fan
December 20, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
GatorRayFan,
I don’t mean to sound confrontational, but if the Braves were to trade Chuck James to you, it’d have to be straight up for Rocco Baldelli. There wouldn’t be any Chuck James +1 scenarios. He’s better than any pitcher you have not named Scott Kazmir. Why would the Braves give him away for Baldelli? While I like Baldelli, he’s a leadoff/#2 hitter. That hardly equates to a #2-#3 starter, especially one with such a proven track record as James. He’s not a “potential” pitcher, he’s a “proven” pitcher. He’s never had any regression while working his way up. But I don’t even like a James straight up for Baldelli deal. We need James way more than we do Baldelli.
By eware
December 20, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to J. Shiell? He was dominant…in little league. Is he still in the organization?
DOB, bought the Shooter Jennings album at Tower yesterday. For the ratio of price (50 cents) to number of quality songs, it’s probably the best album I’ve ever bought.
Also, I bought the Trews’ album “Den of Thieves”. It’s pretty awesome, even for a band from Canada. They now rank third on my list of favorite Canadians (behind Pete Orr and Dan Aykroyd).
While you’re looking for Shiell, see if you can find what happened to Aykroyd too.
By Chris McAndrew
December 20, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
KC—Great post!
I agree the Braves are filled with huge bargains on this team from LaRoche to Smoltz to Andruw to Wick to McCann and many many others…too many to list.
So my big concern now is that if payroll doesn’t go up and in the next couple of years these bargain players (McCann, LaRoche, Andruw, Franceour, Diaz and others) start searching to get paid what they’re worth in this market then who are the Braves going to have left in a few years to build a championship team around??
These players won’t stay bargains forever. And with current market prices the Braves won’t be able to keep the players they’ve built up in their farm system around.
A few years from now McCann may demand $10-15 million or more, Franceour may demand $10 million or more, LaRoche may demand $8 million or more, if Chuck James continues to improve he may demand $10-15 million in another 5 years.
So in order to have those kinds of top-notch players you are going to have to spend to keep them around. And if the Braves payroll stays at $80 million then they’ll have to either continue to be top-heavy with their payroll to keep these players around or they’ll have to dump all of those players and build the team around far cheaper players.
So even when Hudson’s contract and Smoltz’s and Chipper’s all run out then they might not only lose those players but also several other great players in order to better balance out the payroll.
The Braves future looks very dark indeed if payroll doesn’t start increasing in the near future.
By MBATL
December 20, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
The thing that made the Braves a great franchise is pitching.
From ‘91 to ‘02 (and excluding strike-shortened ‘94), the Braves led the NL in ERA 9 times, finished 2nd once (96) and third once (91). We went to 5 WS in 10 years.
Since then, we’ve finished 9th, 1st, 6th, and 10th (in ‘06), in ERA, and not gotten past the divisional series. (And last year, of course, no postseason at all.)
Unless you’ve got a huge payroll, the best chance to compete for a championship is pitching. If we have a chance to go back to that kind of baseball, I say do it.
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
KC, you took my hopeful spin _ the Cards won a World Series ith a similarly top-heavy payroll _ and somehow made it sound as if I were being negative. I wasn’t. Or at least wasn’t trying to be….
Eware, can you believe how cheap some of the stuff was out there yesterday? I bought a few more at $3 apiece….
First person to see Rocky Balboa needs to give us a review. It’s actually getting pretty good reviews, even from the NY Times….
Oh, and next time, jackball, I expect you to be first in line to post a reply, waiting by your keyboard to respond IMMEDIATELY after I post. Got it? Good
By Justin
December 20, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
Braves Fan,
Check out Aybar’s numbers, and you will find that he is a high OBP type of hitter.
By Braves fan
December 20, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
Why does Roberts feel like Quilvio Veras to me?
By Robert (2)
December 20, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter what we do because Bobby Cox is so bad. 14 straight division titles and one WS proves he is a terrible manager. Blah, Blah Blah. Fire Bobby Cox. Blah, Blah, Blah.
(Sorry, for some reason I miss how angry the real Robert makes me)
By Billy (TBFnB)
December 20, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this
Yet anohter slow news day….I thought for sure the Braves would’ve had another move done by now. I’m not seeing LaRoach getting traded. No one is going to give up what he is worth.
Is it possible the Braves have to trade LaRoach becasue of payroll?
By tvsportscaster
December 20, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
DOB in regards to your thoughts about a possible Angels trade and wanting Figgins and Kotchman along with a pitcher. Why in the world would they want Kotchman, when they already have Kotchman on the team, his name is Scott Thorman. I find hard to believe they would want a carbon copy player. The more likely scenario if LaRoche were traded would to be sign a righthanded hitting first baseman, someone like a Craig Wilson to platoon with Thorman.
By The Grinch
December 20, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
Peter, you think Hank’s jacket looks tacky? Hell, I’d wear that every day, man! Especially if I was an undercover cop.
Braves fan; like the idea of your 3:33 post. It’ll never happen, though. This team is WAY too traditional.
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Braves just signed Chris Woodward to a one-year deal. Seriously.
By mr baseball
December 20, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone so hot on Baldelli as a leadoff hitter? Even with a .300+ BA last year, his OBP was .339 with 14 BBs in 92 games. He has never walked more than 30 times in a season and his career OBP is under .330. HE IS NOT A LEADOFF HITTER.
The Braves have already traded too many good young arms away with pretty much nothing left to show for it other than Hudson. Given the possibility that either Hampton or Smoltz will break down at some point during the season, the Braves don’t need to be making any more trades involving young starting pitchers, and Saltalamacchia is too valuable an asset to deal unless the return is overwhelming.
Renteria will be perfectly fine as a leadoff hitter (.361 OBP last year) and Chipper will be exceptional as a No. 2 hitter behind him. He won’t have to change his approach at the plate any, and his 100-RBI streak has ended already, so he probably won’t complain as much as Giles did about hitting leadoff. If Jeter can hit 2nd, so can Chipper.
The Braves DO NOT need to make a trade for the sole purpose of getting a “leadoff” hitter. They won a World Series without one, and never won a playoff series with Furcal in the lineup.
With the exception of a 2nd lefty in the bullpen, a veteran bat off the bench(Eduardo Perez?) and maybe a stop gap at 2B (Graffanino?), the Braves roster as currently situated is more than adequate for a playoff run.
The previous attempts by the GM to trade for a leadoff have been abject failures: Grissom & Justice for Lofton; Klesko & Boone for Sanders & Veras. Trading power for speed or a #5-6 hittter for a “leadoff” hitter is not the way to go.
Fill in the little holes holes on the current roster and don’t create bigger ones with ill-conceived trades.
By KC
December 20, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Chris, glad you liked it. Here it is again:
DOB: “Rare is the team that wins championships with such a large percentage of its payroll sucked up by so few guys.”
An obviously valid point… HOWEVER:
When you have young impact players like McCann, Francoeur, and James, as well as Matt Diaz and over half over your bullpen, all earning between 300-500k a year. Not to mention thumper like LaRoche “only” making around 3 mill. There are a couple of other bargains here with Atlanta paying only 5-6 million of Renteria’s annual salary, and 6 million to Wickman (who could be earning twice that somewhere in this market).
It should also be noted that while Smoltz is not cheap… he’s still one helluva bargain this year at 8 mill.
With that many young guys and bargains on the team, the top-heavy payroll means far less to the Braves than it would mean to most.
By reverend run
December 20, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
great post as always. thanks! this is real sports writing and journalism!
By ernesto
December 20, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
The possibility of the Mets signing Zito doesn’t really scare me - maybe it’s b/c we teed off on him a few years ago when we faced him. Let’s get that payroll up NY.
Get Baldelli, keep Adam, game on.
By berigan
December 20, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Bless you Mr. O’Brien, for the new, rocket fast blog! Best Christmas gift you could give us baseball junkies. Well, til the fix we will need in 2 days! ;)
By berigan
December 20, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
This just in: Dave, who he????
By Carolina Gent
December 20, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
DOBeatWriter— Many many thanks for your continued efforts to keep us informed. Your offseason dedication is unmatched! Now take some time off and enjoy the holiday!! The same for all of the other regular (and irregular) bloggers out there.
By Clint Ellison
December 20, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
What a shame that such a great organization as the Braves of the last 15 years is sliding toward the mediocrity of the 1970s and 1980s. The H of it is that the main impediment to progress is the infernal buyout that has taken over a year and is still not a done deal. It’s great to talk about trades and how this guy would do this and that guy would do that for us, but until the lawyers finish you can fuhgetaboutit. I’m an old guy, so I know that in December, everyone is an optimist. See me next July. Will Chipper be healthy? Will Wickman’s arm hold up at an advanced age? Will Andruw’s body fat kill his performance? Will Smoltz’s arm hold up again? Can Hampton come back? Does Soriano still have a fastball? See me in July.
By rammerjammer
December 20, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward. The poor man’s Chone Figgins. The really, really, really poor man’s Chone Figgins.
What’s next? “Braves General Manager John Schuerholz today traded a nickel for five pennies in a move designed to give Atlanta more options when making exact change.”
By JohnGTfan
December 20, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward…are you serious? JS could have signed me for less…I’m certain I would eventually get a hit in the majors.
By TheSouthernJackAss
December 20, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Well everyone I feel I should share why me and stinky is so angry all the time. As stinky said we both served(in prison) and we both had cushy jobs doing KP duty chopping up the grade F meat. One day we was doing this at around 8 one dark and stormy night for the next days breakfast. Then all of the sudden like the lights went out!!! We never were the most accurate of choppers to begin with but that sad, sad night, the big blades were too accurate and both stinky and me went from bulls to steers!!!! So, take pity on these 2 poor poor creatures that are more Rupaul than men. And thats why we waste time on a baseball blog talking about what badasses we are and insulting everyone
By tvsportscaster
December 20, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
Woodward is a good pickup that can play multiple positions, including shortstop and anything that might deem Pete Orr and Tony Pena, Jr. unnecessary is fine by me.
By Fed Up
December 20, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
Woodward! He batted .216 last year in 83 games with 1 stolen base. How does that compare him to Chone Figgins at any economic level?
By JohnGTfan
December 20, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
guess JS liked Woodwards 216 BA and 1 SB last year
By berigan
December 20, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
RammerJammer, What’s next? “Braves General Manager John Schuerholz today traded a nickel for five pennies in a move designed to give Atlanta more options when making exact change.”
Now that’s funny!!!!
By Braves20
December 20, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward!!!! Be still my heart. God I loved it when he played with the Mets, you could always count on 0-4 with him in the line-up. This has got to be a prelude to deal with Aybar, Orr, Johnson and Prado around. Let’s hope it’s Baldelli with a middle infielder going the Rays way. They have fallen out of love with Cantu. With a bullpen that could create six inning games next year, we don’t need more help there but Baldelli would be a good fit even if it meant LaRoche going the other way - that is the only circumstance under which I would trade a 32-90 guy.
By journalist jimmy smith
December 20, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
scouting report on chris woodward. oh boy, journalist can hardly wait.
“Woodward has quick hands and a wiry, athletic body that allowed him to show some pop in the past. Last season, however, he was an offensive as well as defensive liability who was easily overmatched, particularly by a high fastball. His bat speed dropped noticeably and he stopped making contact. Woodward has some quickness but lacks range in the field, and he makes far too many errors on routine plays. Woodward can steal a base, but he appears tentative at times.”
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
Rammerjammer, that was quite humorous.
Carolina Gent, wish I could. But as we currently have no backup Braves writer, I’ll be writing a Chris Woodward story for the next part of the afternoon.
Just so you guys know, they got him as a utility guy. ANOTHER utility guy, yes.
Schuerholz just said Prado and Kelly J currently would compete for 2B job, with “Aybar in the mix.” whatever that means.
But he also made it clear they’re still working on things, trades. of course gave no indication what they might be
gotta write a bit for the print edition
By JohnGTfan
December 20, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this
so Woodward’s offseason surgery isn’t a concern???
By berigan
December 20, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
Tvsportscaster, how, oh how is a guy that hit .216 last year an improvement over Pete Orr or Tony Pena Jr.????? Just checked ESPN(TO see who this guy was) and saw he made $825,000 last year! God, I hope we didn’t waste that kind of money on him. What, was Pete Orr going to make too much in 2007? Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Drew
December 20, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
The Woodward signing is very interesting. Is it a major league contract, or a minor league with a ST invitation? We already have the utility infielders we need, so unless he is going to start, this makes very little sense. I guess this could mean Woodward is the super-utility and Aybar could start. DOB, thoughts?
By MGL
December 20, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this
Woodward made $825K with the Mets last year. BA took a big dip last year - Hurt? He can play all infield positions.
By The Grinch
December 20, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
If this dude is as exciting as Sturtze…really, though, if we’re going to be throwing a half a mil here, a mil there to players we don’t need who might not even make the roster, wtf? I can only imagine they’re being aquired to use in a trade package for players we DO need, or that they’re going to be replacements for current players we’re fixing to trade in the same scenario. That’s GOT to be the case.
By berigan
December 20, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
JohnGTfan, no, the surgery isn’t a concern, Chris Woodward being in a braves uniform on the other hand.
By CJ2
December 20, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward???
He couldn’t start on my freaking church softball team.
By RC
December 20, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
It’s a stretch to even call Woodward a “utility” player, much less “super-utility”. I think if there was ever a definition of the term “sub-utility”, this guy would be it.
That being said, maybe we’ll pull a Matt Diaz with him and getting him LASIK or something so that he repeats his 2002 season.
By Lew
December 20, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
Unless, like Drew says, that this means Aybard will start a 2nd and Woodward will be the jack of all trades, this one doesn’t make much sense at all. They didn’t get him for his defense. I checked Baseball Reference and he has LOTS of errors in few attempts. Like Grinch says, this makes less sense than Sturtze. I sure hope someone knows something here that’s not apparent to me.
By The Grinch
December 20, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
The dude hit .216 and ONE homer last year AND had off-season surgury? Man, why didn’t we just go ahead and sign Bullwinkle the Moose, I’m sure he’s looking for work. At this rate, we might as well have re-signed Pratt. No, on second thought I’d prefer Bullwinkle.
By JohnGTfan
December 20, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
berigan great line…unreal, more utility players…dare I ask JS…WHAT NEXT? I hate to sound like I’m losing hope or faith…but come on. I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, I like our team right now (MINUS PETE ORR). But if there is any change…get Baldelli here for this year, and prepare for the probably Andruw departure. If that isn’t done, let’s just leave the team alone.
By Lew
December 20, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Hey Rocky-Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.
By JOURNALIST jimmy smith
December 20, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
dob, is this journalist not considered a backup braves writer by now? all dob need do is give jimmy smith the secret-probation access code to the ajc computer and a story will be filed immediately while dob enjoys family and friends. in this story, jimmy smith will use the newly acquired tool of transition.
this journalist has did all this journalist knows how to do to get a shot at the big-time. with the departure of guy curtright, a door should be opened for jimmy smith- unless there is some discrimination going on here at the ajc. what’s the matter with hiring jimmy smith? is it because jimmy smith is ugandan? and how many ugandans are now on staff at the paper? oh, yeah … jim wooten. still, can’t have too many ugandans writing for the paper.
oh, well … maybe scribe will give jimmy smith this journalist’s first break. and where is scribe today?
now, this is the best red velvet cake ever! the pies are also delicious! amazing how well they did in shipment! thank you unidentified blogger friend and baker extraordinaire!
if aybar is “in the mix” one wonders if betemit would have been in the mix or would have been the starting second baseman. oh, too big for second base. nevermind.
By tvsportscaster
December 20, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
bergan, Pete Orr and Tony Pena, Jr. didn’t exactly set the world on fire last year either. Woodward was injured most of last season, so perhaps he can be given a pass for his average last year. He hit .285 in 2005. In addition, he gives you a back up at First Base, for when and if LaRoche is traded.
By The Grinch
December 20, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this
That’s IT, Lew! JS knows how bad we want Baldelli so we can chant “Rocky,” but since we can’t afford him we’re going after Rocky the squirrell as the closest approximation. After every Braves loss, he can grab the sideline reporter’s mic and say “And now here’s something we hope you’ll really like” and they can cut to cartoons. BRILLIANT! Drink Guiness responsibly.
By MSC Braves
December 20, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
The best move the Braves could make is to sell the team to an owner who will invest money into the team! Give me a break! I don’t want them to go Cubbies on the free agent market, but $80M a year for a team that has been a consistent winner for 14 years? Unbelievable! We don’t have the Ken Oberfell, Terry Forester, Rick Camp, Bruce Benedict and Juan Berringer’s of the world to sign anymore.
By MGL
December 20, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
Maybe we got Woodward to play only in May. Last May AVG .333, OBP .429. Has to be good in this somewhere ….
By Head Coach
December 20, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this
Chris who? Yea , exactly. Woodward is a career backup cannonfodder infielder , nothing more than insurance in case somebody gets hurt or if the Braves fail to get a real two bagger in trade. My take on the Horam for Soriano trade is it was more about not paying horacio’s larger contract after arbitration than improving the bullpen. This trade I am proposing will never happen , never. It takes to much creativity and makes far to much sense. Laroche , Davies , Diaz and another pitcher( Cormier and or lerew ) for Ervin Santana , Erick Aybar , Kendry Morales and Nick Adenhart. Santana would give the Braves five quality starters , Aybar could play 2B and he is a switchhitter with eyepopping minor league stats who can fly , not to mention he is willy’s little bro. Morales is also a switchhitter and a first baseman , he could compete with Thorman. Adenhart is a top righthanded pitching prospect who would only sweeten the trade. The angels get the big bat and glove they covet in Laroche , Davies is an adequate fifth starter who would take santana’s spot in the angels rotation and Daiz would replace the retired Tim Salmon at DH because we all know Diaz can flat out rake. His .327 batting average for 2006 and career average of .305 proves that. Its a crazy trade , I know , but it would actually improve both teams. I’m out and before you attempt to savage my idea , come up with a better one. Merry christmas to all and a happy and succesfull 2007 Braves season.
By ssiscribe
December 20, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
Greetings, y’all, and Merry Christmas!
JJS, Scribe is reading letters to Santa, editing opinion columns and looking over religion stories. No backup scribe here, at least until the weekend rolls around. Transition never takes a break.
Another utility infielder? Guarantee you something’s going to happen between now and the start of camp. Maybe it’ll be after the backup beat person starts so DOB can enjoy the holidays and some KU hoops (who is the new backup beat guy, by the way, and are they also backing up on the Thrashers’ beat?).
Back to it, gang. Later.
—30—
By KC
December 20, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
KC DID NOT MAKE THE 4:16 POST.
Anytime you see “here it is again”. You can pretty much assume that it’s SouthernJackA$s using my screen name and repeating something I previously wrote. He apparently finds that incredibly amusing. Some people are easily entertained. I had a dog who like to lick his own rear end. He found that very amusing. Similar mentality.
DOB:
The Braves signed Chris Woodward. Okay, I just have one question… WHY?
By KC
December 20, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
When will the “Chris Woodward Bobblehead night” be at Turner Field next season?
By Don
December 20, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this
This just in - Re: Woodward
More garbage in!
Are there any more washed up and never was players out there we can try to add to the team? And to think we wouldn’t add a good second baseman after letting Giles go. Whew, am I happy now!
Man, am I impressed with this off season!
By mariner
December 20, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this
Signing Woodward for $850,000 plus possible incentives makes me wonder why we let Darly Ward sign with the Cubs for $1,000,500? Ward had much more value to the team and was coming off a great year in a reserve role.
By MS
December 20, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Woodward is a bad signing. He’s a veteran who could leadoff in a pinch, (.355/.394 there although in only 31 AB’s), can play EVERY position except P & C, and is a good defender with plus range and a good arm.
Now, he is by NO means an answer at 2B. But I think he is just what we need to have a little veteran stability there if none of the young guys step up or need to be eased in to the position. He also seems like a natural fit to backup Laroche against “tough” lefties, as well as being able to fill in ANYWHERE on the field late in games or when someone needs a day off.
By berigan
December 20, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
Grinch, sounds like someone is drinking Guiness irresponsibly already! ;)
By rainman
December 20, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
if they are so worried about the payrole why give this guy 850K when he is no better than orr this makes no since.I will say guys I love johnson at second if his d holds up but JS needs to get Roco or Figgins to play left for that to work because learning a new spot and hitting leadoff is a lot to put on a guy.
By mariner
December 20, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this
maybe he’ll be the right handed hitter in a first base platoon with thorman. maybe it’s back-up if laroache is traded. don’t know, but the mets fans reaction to the deal gives me some hope. seems like they liked him on the team and he was a contributer when healthy.
By KC
December 20, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this
Chris McAndrew:
You are correct. The concern is for the future. The Braves are fine right now. The top-heavy payroll issue really isn’t an issue, because we’ve got so many bargains on the other end. But what happens a few years from now if payroll isn’t increased? That’s a valid fear.
But we have no idea how things will shape up when new ownership takes over, so no need to worry about 3 or 4 years down the road just yet.
Again, just so you know, that wasn’t me who responded to you in the 4:16 post.
By ArkyTech
December 20, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
Poor Willie Harris.
By Ricardo
December 20, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
DOB - I think this is a minor deal (duh), but is this just to get more options at second? Is this a guaranteed deal? Happy Holidays to all!
By MBATL
December 20, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Braves have virtually no backup at SS. Orr has never really played there, and neither has Aybar.
If nothing else, the Woodward signing gives us a lot more experience, and a little better bat, than Tony Pena Jr behind Edgar, at a critical positon.
I have a feeling there’s more to this signing than that, but if not, it’s not a bad deal for a backup SS.
By Historian
December 20, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this
One subject, Adam LaRoche statistics. He’s maturing in the big leagues, and it’s obvious from last year that he will hit a ton during his prime years. Please, would the Braves please send LaRoche to the Yankees. I think George would gladly part with a 38-40 year player to replace him. I know Bobby likes those old players.
If someone can find the bunker door, please lock it.
By Jeff R
December 20, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
LaRouche for anything other than quality pitching makes no sense, whether that’s major league level or top minor league talent. Braves can find a way to patch the hole at 2B. Management will figure out something for the lead off slot. 2B and lead off aren’t pivitol to winning pennants; pitching is…
By mariner
December 20, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
maybe he’ll be the right handed hitter in a first base platoon with thorman. maybe it’s back-up if laroache is traded. don’t know, but the mets fans reaction to the deal gives me some hope. seems like they liked him on the team and he was a contributer when healthy.
By MBATL
December 20, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this
Simpson and Sciambi replace Rathbun and Torborg on Fox SS. Man, I think Simpson is really good … don’t know the other guy … but that’s good news to me.
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this
Here’s story I just wrote for the paper, which will be posted on our site shortly:
By DAVID O’BRIEN dobrien@ajc.com
While bigger trade rumors continued to swirl, the Braves took time Wednesday to add a smaller piece by signing free-agent utility man Chris Woodward after two seasons with the New York Mets.
He got a one-year, $850,000 contract and could earn up to an additional $525,000 in performance bonuses, though the full amount would require 500 plate appearances.
General manager John Schuerholz said the versatile veteran would fill a bench role and not be a candidate for the second-base job that was vacated when the Braves didn’t offer Marcus Giles a contract. Woodward, 30, figures to be the primary backup to shortstop Edgar Renteria.
After batting .283 in 2005, Woodward hit .216 with three homers in 222 at-bats for the Mets in 2006, playing much of the season with a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He had surgery Oct. 23 and will be ready for spring training, according to Schuerholz.
“We’ve been working on a lot of things you might characterize as bigger [than this signing],” Schuerholz said. “But Chris will play an important role for us. Our thing has always been to define guys that fit in and make the fabric of the team stronger. He fits that.”
A former Toronto starting shortstop, Woodward had 20 homers and 90 RBIs in 661 at-bats in 2002-03, including three homers in one game.
He holds a .247 career average with 32 homers in 515 games in the majors, and the Braves have seen him at his best: .306 in 20 games vs. Atlanta, and .360 with three homers in nine at Turner Field.
Besides home stadiums in Toronto and New York, the only other park where he’s hit three homers is Baltimore (three in 28 games).
He’s hit just .242 with seven homers and a .300 on-base percentage over the past three seasons, but the Braves like his versatility _ he’s played every position but catcher and pitcher _ and having a veteran on the bench.
When asked if utility man Pete Orr might be out of a job, Schuerholz said only that they now have players to choose from. That includes Willy Aybar, the former Dodgers prospect who’s penciled in as a backup second baseman and third baseman.
Aybar could spell Chipper Jones more frequently in an effort to keep the veteran third baseman healthy.
“I still think Kelly Johnson and Prado will battle for second base, and Aybar’s in the mix,” Schuerholz said. “But Chris has really established himself as a capable guy in that [utility] role.”
The Braves, still trying to add pitching and perhaps a leadoff hitter, have had recent trade discussions with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. Several are ongoing.
First baseman Adam LaRoche has been part of many discussions _ not because the Braves are eager to move the 32-homer, 90-RBI man, but because he’s so attractive to to other teams and because the Braves believe Scott Thorman would be at least a serviceable replacement.
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this
Oh, and add Baltimore to that list of teams they’ve been talking to. I left that one out.
By Chop Chop
December 20, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
Sciambi’s a hell of a lot better than Rathbun. I hope the Hawks kick him off their broadcasts, too. Rathbun must die.
By Negativity Don't Pull You Through
December 20, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
Why don’t we just put Woodward in the bullpen? KC absolutely loves anyone there.
By David O'Brien
December 20, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
“I’d prefer Bullwinkle”… Grinch comes through yet again.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
December 20, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
I join the ranks of those confused by the signing of Chris Wooward. I thought we already had two utility guys, Kelly Johnson and Wily Aybar. The only thing I can figure is that JS is stockpiling as many players as he can (both position and pitchers) to use in making some deals.
Now, it is trade time. I think a trade for Baldelli would be great but the Rays are on crack and asking way too much. Hell, I think Davies, Salty, and Escobar is a damn good package and probably a lot more than anyone else is offering for Baldelli. So, as I stated yesterday, I think JS should contact the Rockies about Brad Hawpe (who by the way hit better on the road than at Coors) or Willy Taveras, the Blue Jays about Alex Rios, the White Sox about Scott Posednik, the Reds about Ryan Freel, the Cubs about Jacque Jones and see what the Angles would want for Figgins that didn’t include LaRoche (which honestly probably means no deal). If I were JS and the Angels weren’t willing to give up some pitching then I would ask for Juan Rivera as well. The Braves could throw in Salty or Escobar and call it a deal.
I’m starting to get cold feet about trading LaRoche. If the O’s would give up both Ray and Penn and the Braves held onto both of them, maybe. The Braves could sign a guy like Eduardo Perez to platoon with Thorman and hope that Thorman is ready to be an everyday 1B in 2008.
Also, another way to get Baldelli would be to bring in the Cubs. See if the Cubs will give up Dempster or Sean Marshall (since both are expendable at this point) to send to the Rays along with Davies and the Braves could send Diaz to the Cubs and a mid level prospect of some kind (if necessary). However, the Braves would only send Salty OR Escobar along with Davies. The Rays would then get their two major league experienced pitchers and a high level prospect.
By DonCoburleone
December 20, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward signing = WTF???
Does JS really think that this guy can play a reliable utility role? The only thing I can think, the ONLY thing, is that John Scheurholz was reading this blog a week ago and saw my post begging and pleading that we sign a cheap 3B/utility guy who can backup Chipper. That way, Aybar can play 2B full-time AND lead off… Yep, that’s what happened, JS is clearly using my advice…
By geauxbraves2000
December 20, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
If this double posts, I apologize:
Anyhow, I think LaRoche is more valuable to the Braves right now more than anyone available in a trade. Of course teams covet him, like DOB said, 32HR 90RBI, and he is CHEAP. He doesn’t cost a team $18M. Who wouldn’t want his services.
On a side note, our gas went up 11 cents today, and I know Boras is somehow involved.
Geaux Braves!!
By Carolina Lady
December 20, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
Woodward? Ok, they can sign me to a one-year contract, $250,000 flat. I’ve got a great pair of heels that will look just great with the uniform. Need to find a cobbler to put cleats on them and I’m good to go! :-)) (Where did I put that glove….I know it’s around here somewhere…..)
By JC FROM UT
December 20, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
This might sound crazy but the signing of Woody could be a pre-curser to a deal involving LaRoache. Woodward was used by the Mets as a right hand hitting 1st baseman in 2005. Maaybe JS and BC figure on using the same way with Thorman. Also like someone else wrote, there is no one to backup Renteria. I know there is T.Pena but he has no bat.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
December 20, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this
It sounds like JS is concentrating on upgrading LF. If the Cubs are intent on trading Jacque Jones and having Felix Pie play CF (which more than a few people believes he needs another year in the minors) then the Braves could make a deal to get Jones and trade Diaz and a prospect perhaps. Of course, I would love to have Jones but I would like someone whom I know will be here for at least the next three or four years (Rios, Figgins, Baldelli, and Hawpe). Maybe the Braves could trade Escobar and Salty to the Angels for Figgins and throw in Diaz or Langerhans. It would be nice if the Angels bit at that deal because it would allow the Braves to keep LaRoche and not have to trade any pitching.
By DonCoburleone
December 20, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
DOB, it seems to me that JS is not that high on Aybar… Why not? I don’t understand it. Why make that trade with the Dodgers last year for Aybar and Baez? Did he really think Baez was the piece we were missing to make a run late (and I mean LATE) last season? Did he think (which would have been a real lack of foresight on his part) that he would be able to re-sign Baez in the offseason? Cuz otherwise, why the he!! did we trade for Aybar if all JS thought he could ever be is a poor man’s Wilson Betemit? Aybar should be the starting second baseman next year and bat leadoff, his OBP is insane!
By crimedogrules
December 20, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Woodward!!
Yee-haw there is the piece we have been missing. Its World Series time!!! Start pouring the champagne!!!
PS Im being sarcastic
By Bill
December 20, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this
JS signed Woodward so he could help steal the Mets’ signs.
By Don't worry be happy
December 20, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this
I’m willing to give Schuerholz the benefit of the doubt on Woodward. It wasn’t that long ago he put together a curious collection of retreads, has beens and never weres who turned out to be the best bullpen in the league. I don’t know if he’s smart or lucky and don’t care if the Braves win.
By matt
December 20, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this
i think these are good trades first trade andrew to the angles for ervin santana and figgins(maybe another arm)then seeing u got ervin trade chuck james and either salty or escobar for rocco, then trade adam loarche