Braves

By Lew

March 27, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

Well, provided the Tigers don’t put Smoltz in the hospital, I like the way the season shapes up. Good pitching seems in store and I don’t think we have any major problem areas. We should do just fine. No matter where we’re ranked.

By No Chop Zone

March 27, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Let’s see what happens when it counts.

By MBATL

March 27, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Sciambi and Simpson sound great - both are very ‘conversational’ in style, almost like 2 guys just chatting through a ballgame. I’ve always like Simpson, and the new guy seems very good.

Braves look brutal tonight, but who cares? AJ is putting on a show; and I’m looking forward to seeing Gonzo pitch.

I really think the Braves will be solid this year. No lofty expectations, frankly. I think the NL East teams will beat each other up, and about 88-90 wins will take the division. If we can avoid long slumps, like last June, we should be in the hunt.

By Lew

March 27, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

ChopZone-I’m sure we will. How would you like to be comforted by we, your friends, when the Braves whip up on the Mets? Will buying you a beer work?

By N8

March 27, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

OMG!

Smoltz has given up 6 runs tonight! I guess we should probably put him on waivers, huh?

“…Scott Thorman just made a really bad, bounced throw past shortstop Edgar Renteria in the first inning on a potential double play. We’re gonna miss ‘Ol Rochy, folks…”

Nothing you and I haven’t been saying for weeks, DOB. I wouldn’t be shocked if Thorman and Wilson IMPROVE upon LaRoches numbers offensively. That being said, they sure aren’t gonna make us forget about his glove.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 27, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

The thing I love about baseball is it being a team sport. Some games require for the hitters to win it and some days it is done with great pitching. Sometimes however, you just have to tip your cap to the other side and come back and get them tommorow. With that I bid ya’ll good night.

By Sir Stealth

March 27, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

No need to be brief DOB, the more the better. And thanks for putting up a new blog up and getting all that Red Sox crap wiped off. I’m also very optimistic about the team this season. Hopefully if Smoltz had a bad outing today he’s getting the early bad outing he often has out of his system. It would be disappointing not to have Cormier, not because I think Davies can’t step in, but because Cormier was looking like he could really be a good pitcher for us. I think we should stop worrying about the negatives of Andruw’s contract status and get optimistic about him putting up monster numbers for the Braves this year in his contract year.

By HawaiiBrave

March 27, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

I like the make up of this team.Offensive and defense seems solid enough. Good mix veterans and kids. How well they do, will be decide by performance of starting pitching.Other than Smoltz, I am not sold on anyone just yet.

By mr baseball

March 27, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Ruminations on platoons and back of the rotation starters:

Lots of people hate platooning, but there’s a reason managers do it. IT FREQUENTLY WORKS. Thorman is a prime example of a player who should break into the starting lineup as a platoon player. He will get the occasional hit against a lefty, but for every time he does, he will wave at a curve ball a whole lot more. When you have someone who hits lefties as well as Wilson, there’s no reason not to platoon, since the Braves are more concerned with winning NOW than developing Thorman for the future.

Sometimes a manager can go too long platooning a player. At least Cox sort of learned from his mistake with Klesko by giving LaRoche a chance to hit lefties last season, but that had as much do to with the fact that he had no one to platoon LaRoche with. Wilson needs to get his at bats, and platooning is one way to do it. Unless Thorman is killing righties, I expect Wilson will also get some starts against them.

There are 2 different types of back of the rotation starters and the Braves have 2 excellent examples. There are the Kyle Davies types, who have lots of potential and occasionally look like future stars, but at this point are not completely reliable.

Then you have the Mark Redman types, veterans without overwhelming stuff who will do a mostly solid job on a consistent basis, but will rarely shut down an opposing offense and will have the occasional night when they get unmercifully shelled. Braves fans need to accept the fact that Redman will typically not make it past the 6th inning, and will have nights when he isn’t fooling anybody. Cox needs to keep a close eye on him and get him out of the game sooner than later on nights when he doesn’t have his best stuff, if he ever does.

Guys like Redman are perfectly serviceable on teams like the Braves that score runs and can catch the ball (see Steve Trachsel, 2006 Mets). Just don’t expect him to win many 2-1 games, even with the bullpen the Braves have this season.

Looking at some of the other NL contenders, the Braves pitching questions are not nearly as difficult to answer, compared with our friends in Flushing.

By Randy

March 27, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

This team is solid. You have to love the depth at all positions, something the Braves were shown to be severely lacking when injuries hit last year. My only real concern is defense. The revamped pitching will remove a lot of frustration for Braves fans and players alike this year, especially given the expected huge dropoff in walks issued. I would just hate for new frustration to crop up on then defense on the right side. Laroche could dig out throws like no other over there. Agreed DOB, he will be missed. I also agree, Andruw is gonna have a wicked year defensively (as well as on the base paths). His defense had dropped off a tiny bit the last 2 years, but slimmed down this year, he is gonna be tracking down everything.

Always love the blog by the way.

By Tom C

March 27, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves look very competative this year. The rotation is beyond solid right up to #5 and then I would put Cormier or Davies up against Mets #4,5 or Phils #3,4,5 not to mention all of Washington’s staff. The fish may equal them in success this year. The bullpen is by far the best in the division and maybe best in NL. I would expect them to be in every game this year. The offense is coming together too. Some surprises are yet to develop, Bobby usually pulls something out of his hat. I would love to see them running more as they have this spring. Maybe get the pressure off the project guys if more runs are manufactured. I am really looking forwatd to this year.

T

By Braveone

March 27, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, you are the Columbo (“Oh, one more thing…”) of blogging! I LIKE IT!!!

By brent

March 27, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Nice shot, Andruw!

By brent

March 27, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

And McCann!

Glad we didn’t trade Smoltz for Zumaya! ;)

By David O'Brien

March 27, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

How ‘bout THAT? Andruw and McCann back-to-back bombs off the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball, Zumaya.

By kinley

March 27, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

HawaiiBrave: I like the makeup of the team also.

The offense may need some time to warm up, but I think it’ll be fine, top 4-5 in the NL seems like a reasonable expectation.

I’m not too worried about our pitching either, even with Hampton out until early May. I actually think it may end up being a blessing in disguise. Another month and a half without throwing at 100% can’t hurt his elbow. What’s important to me is that Hampton will be fresh for the stretch run through August and September, when a lot of other guys are wearing down.

The only thing I’m somewhat worried about is the infield defense. Other than Smoltz, the rotation won’t strike too many hitters out. I don’t have a stat on how many runners who reach base by an error actually score, but it could be something to be a little concerned about.

By No Chop Zone

March 27, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

talk talk….all you do is talk talk.

By aj

March 27, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Any chance Andruw will put that newfound speed to use on the bases? I miss the 20sb AJ.

By David O'Brien

March 27, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Zumaya had allowed only five hits and NO RUNS in nine innings this spring before those two homers _ by the way, that’s one-third the total he gave up all of last season, when he allowed six homers in 83-1/3 innings and had a 1.94 ERA and 97 strikeouts.

By Tom C

March 27, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

could McCann’s swing be any smoother! Nice!

By Henry

March 27, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

“No need to be brief DOB, the more the better.”

I second that, DOB. You’re the ONLY ONE here who doesn’t need to work on that. Ok, maybe JJS, who’s been too brief lately. (Did he ever give with the big news? Did it get lost among all the Red Sox garbage on the other page?)

Henry

By MBATL

March 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

That was an awesome inning! Chipper almost took Zumaya out on the 1st pitch - hard to tell on tv, but it looked like he hit it a mile high (“it’s too high!”), to the track - then AJ, then McCann took him out. Then Zumaya overpowered Frenchy, and got Thorman on a NASTY 79 mph curve after all those 99-mph heaters. Great baseball!

By Tom C

March 27, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, what is the latest on the 25 man roster? Any reason to think JS will make any other trades before next week?

By Lew

March 27, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Villarreal struck out the side. Paronto pitched two excellent innings and Gonzalez struck out two. Gonzalez did give up one shot that the wind held up at the wall, but all in all, the bullpen is looking good.

By Scalp 'em Braves

March 27, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Gil: Great take, man. Short, to the point and meaningful. As Rome would say, “RACK HIM”.

DOB

Glad you asked what we think about this team. I am stoked. Not so delusional to think this is a great team, but I think its going to be a damned good team (by the way, the wife just said, as I’m watching the game and typing, “If you’re on the blog, I’m going to kill you” - this may be my last post ever folks - this lady don’t mess around).

Here’s what I like about this team. As far as key position player components (whether offensive or defensive), we lost LaRoche & Giles. Think about it - that’s it, folks. Yes, we will miss Adam’s defense and 2nd half offense. We’ll miss Marcus’s defense, grit and doubles. But, I think the offseason moves (Wilson, primarily) and KJ seeming more and more comfortable at 2B and, I’ll take your word for it DOB (you da man, cuz you see em everyday), comfortable and productive in the leadoff. Otherwise, everything is the same, and I am looking for Langy to hit .280 or better, Andruw to kick butt in his walk year, etc.

Starting pitching - much better - no Thompson and strained ligaments in fingers, no Sosa and his penchant to used the the backstop as his target, Huddy better, no relying on Davies (at least not yet) youth and deer in the headlight propensity, Chuckie is a proven pitcher, and Smoltz is, well, Smoltz - a digger, a scratcher, a clawer, whatever it takes to win.

Bullpen - daylight and dark between this year and last - won’t go through each, but this one is FAR superior to anything we even dreamed of last year. Watching Gonzo pitch - the guy is an animal, but based on that ground ball he just booted, won’t be a Gold Glove candidate.

In closing, I can’t wait for this season to start - Come on Monday. We gonna SCALP ‘EM BRAVES!!!!

By Tom C

March 27, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

If Liberty cut me lose a little (and I were JSS) top 5 things I would do: 1. sign Andruw, nuff said 2. get Smoltz for one more with a option on year two. 3. nail down Frenchy for six 4. Go get a 30/30 left fielder (sorry Langy) 5. Young gun to replace guys aging and hurting.

What do y’all think?

By Greg in TN

March 27, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Evening everybody…

DOB I really like the makeup of this team. I think KJ is more than serviceable at second base and am happy at how well Langerhans is hitting this spring. I think it is in our best interests to start the season with Wilson and Thorman splitting duties at 1B.

Our depth in pitching has never been more evident than in the past week or so. It is encouraging to me that Hampton and Cormier are both responding well and that Chipper is ready to go.

I’ve said this a few times before, but I am quite impressed with the work done by Boog Sciambi and Joe Simpson. I’ve always enjoyed the job Joe does with color and Boog is the perfect complement. Very eager to hear more of these guys once the season begins.

I think these guys will do just fine, help us get the bad taste of 2006 out of our mouths.

Bring on the Phils.

By Jared

March 27, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

I doubt any more trades are coming, even the useless piece for an injured Class-A pitcher type trade seems unlikely. The Braves (and me) seem happy with the team as is. There have been the Oscar Villarreal rumors, but would the Braves do that? I don’t think so.

By Jared

March 27, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

“If Liberty cut me lose a little (and I were JSS) top 5 things I would do: 1. sign Andruw, nuff said 2. get Smoltz for one more with a option on year two. 3. nail down Frenchy for six 4. Go get a 30/30 left fielder (sorry Langy) 5. Young gun to replace guys aging and hurting.

What do y’all think?”

Easier said than done?

By JJMB

March 27, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Let’s see… Thorman gets handed a starting position AND he has a brand new infant. You don’t think wifey will be putting the screws to him? “You’re on the road having a great time, and I’m left taking care of YOUR baby! You need to come home!” Beautiful. I doubt this guy has a good year. I hope I’m wrong.

By David O'Brien

March 27, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Diaz doubled again in ninth _ that’s 3-for-4 with three doubles tonight and nine hits in his last 13 at-bats to raise his average from .190 to .309 in under a week.

By gd from nz

March 27, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Looking like a good team this year, i guess going forward the team is going to have less marquee names (Andruw, Smoltz) and more young home grown talent. Getting talent through the draft and developing it in the minor league system and then bringing them through and then signing them to longish term deals (ala McCann) when they prove themselves just seems like a much more realistic strategy than trying to compete in a ridiculous free agency market to “rent a star” for a few years. i thinks the organisation is doing a great job with this strategy and the future looks good beyond this year.

Don’t know why platooning gets such a bad rap, obviously if 1 player in the platoon performs he gets the bulk of the playing time. What is there to lose?

Lets hope this years team is not hit by injury otherwise its looking good. Even if injury strikes (and it seems to every year) it looks like there is good coverage in most positions including pitching to get by.

By Jared

March 27, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

And to think the Braves almost sold Matt Diaz to a Japanese team this offseason….

The guy has done nothing but hit, be it in the minors, with the Devil Rays, with the Royals and now with the Braves. Yet no one seems to trust Diaz. What’s a guy gotta do?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

March 27, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

I think Kelly Johnson will be just fine at 2B. He will be a good leadoff hitter. He is patient enough to get the job done. I really don’t worry about Thorman. I think once the season gets going he will get in a groove. I do believe that he should platoon with Wilson, if for no other reason that Wilson kills left handed pitching and his bat needs to be in the lineup at least a couple of games a week. I think Diaz will platoon with Langerhans unless the Braves can get something of quality for him in a trade.

I do predict though that Diaz and Villareal could be traded before this year is over. Please note I said COULD.

By Carlos Amato

March 27, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

All that talk about the Big 3 in the pen, but noone talks about Paronto.

I absolutely love the guy. He was the only consistent arm off the pen last season (prior to Wick’s arrival) and continues to do a great job this spring.

Love that sinker he throws. Gotta respect the big fella and lock him a spot in that pen.

By Scalp 'em Braves

March 27, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

25 Man Roster

1B - Thorman 2B - KJ SS - Edgar 3B - Chipper LF - Langy CF - Druw RF - Frenchy C- Baby Huey Bench - Wilson, Woodard, Prado, Pena (glad I don’t have to type an initial anymore to distinguish), Diaz

SP - Smoltz, Huddy, Chuckie, Cormier (hopefully, otherwise Davies), Redman

Pen - Beefy Bob, Gonzo, Soriano, McBride, Villareal (if not traded), Yates, Paronto

Anybody disagree?

By Wayne in UT

March 27, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Maybe I wrote Diaz off a few days too soon???

By Tom C

March 27, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

I heard Joe say Bobby was keeping 12 pitchers. Which 3 (2 if Aybar is DL) position players will go? It seems like a tough decision based on great play this spring. Orr and Prado have had a great spring, Diaz coming around but Wilson could cover LF.

By David O'Brien

March 27, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Jim Leyland on the Braves: “They look really good. They look to me like they’ve got a hell of a team. They improved their pitching. They’re going to be back right in the thick of it. You can tell that. They’ve got a good team.”

By True Braves Fan

March 27, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

DOB..Braves will be deciding on who makes the 25 man roster soon…Could you give us a definintion of the following terms that will be used for the players who do not make the cut? Reassigned Optioned Assigned Outrighted Released Thanks,

By Wayne in UT

March 27, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Scalp Em: What’s the chance Yates might be moved and then we bring in Moylan in his place to mark time until Boyer is ready??

BTW, what are the rumors these days? I have been out of touch with the rumor mill. Diaz?? Oscar?? Prado?? Orr??

By Joshhh

March 27, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Dave, can we please stop talking about Laroche??? He’s GONE!!! Deal with it….

Secondly, do you believe that there is any chance of Andruw leaving us at the end of the year and us signing Ichiro Suzuki??? That would be pretty weird but sweet to see him in an Atlanta uniform.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

March 27, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, the only one I will disagree about is that I believe Orr will be on the roster if Aybar is on the DL. Someone said Orr is Bobby’s new Lockhart and I think that is true.

By Scalp 'em Braves

March 27, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Robert(JITB):

Don’t disagree. Quite frankly, I forgot about Orr when putting the list together. You are right (as has been pointed out the past couple of days). Bobby has his “boys”, and is loyal to a fault. I would just prefer Prado over Orr (though I know Prado is limited to 2B - but can’t Woodward play 3B if Chipper needs a spell?). I like Orr - he is a hustler - but, despite his showing this spring, I still think his ability to get on base is suspect, and he NEVER comes through in the clutch.

As far as I am concerned, send Aybar to Zanzibar, or wherever. I have been thoroughly underwhelmed by the guy since he came over from the Bums. I still think we got screwed on the Betemit deal, though I understand what JS was thinking at the time - just didn’t work out.

Wayne: If Yates is being shopped, and sells, Moylan would be a likely candidate, though I personally don’t think he has the stuff to stick around - Boyer isn’t ready yet, needs more time to get his feet on the ground - who else we got? Definitely not that guy that grooved one in the 8th inning - can’t remember his name, but, not him, not now.

By MBATL

March 27, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I’d go with Orr over Prado, until Aybar comes back. Orr has more experience, and has done a pretty good job pinch hitting - and has more 3B experience. Plus, I’d rather see Prado playing every day at AA or AAA.

But, it may go the other way, and really doesn’t matter much, imo. When Aybar is healthy, it’ll be him, Wilson, Diaz, Pena, and Woodward on the bench, I think. Just like we thought 6 weeks ago.

By kinley

March 27, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

If I remember correctly, when Ichiro was being courted by MLB teams, he wanted to go to a city that had a sizable Japanese community. Don’t know if that would factor in this time around, but if so then Atlanta would seem to be out of the mix.

By David O'Brien

March 27, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Joshhh, I think there’s a better chance of LaRoche coming back next year than Ichiro coming to Atlanta.

(oh, sorry, there’s another mention of LaRoche).

What, do you think Ichiro’s going to come cheap? The dude’s going to make a fortune. When’s the last time the Braves went out and signed a big free agent (not their own) to a long-term contract?

Get back to me when you come up with one….

OK, give up? Greg Maddux. It’s been a while.

By Scalp 'em Braves

March 27, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

DOB

How is Diaz’s tooth? Doesn’t seem to have affected his hitting tonight. As I watched him steam around first on each of his three doubles (all but the last one “gappers” (rim shot), I was wondering what song he was whistling through his busted grill? “How Much is That Doggie in the Window”? “Crazy Train”? Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”? Could you hear it in the press box?

By bruce

March 27, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Regarding Matt Diaz: Go back and watch/listen to his interview on mlb here is the linkif you haven’t yet and you will hear that he was pleased on St. Patty’s day with how he was hitting after not being pleased at first even though he was getting good results. He is humorous and a fun listen. Maybe the tooth job helped today with the doubles! Great quote Dave tonight from Matt on Bobby saving his career last year and his smile this year. Thanks, Bruce

By ssiscribe

March 27, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Top of the evening, denzines. Now this is more like it, a night game followed by chatter. Guess this will be the routine starting next week (even though four of the first six games are during the day).

Gotta say I really like the way this team is put together. What you ask as a fan is to feel that your team, at the end of March, is conditioned to be able to last for the next six months, is strong enough to ride out the inevitable four-game losing streaks or the weekend of bad baseball everybody experiences.

The past couple of years, the bullpen was the 800-pound elephant in the corner of the room. We said the right things, but in the back of our mind, it was like shuffling the chairs on the deck of the Titanic, waiting for the sound of the iceberg ripping a hole into the hull of the ship.

Not anymore.

Management fixed this team’s biggest problem, turning it into the biggest strength on the team and maybe in the league. Management then went and got a veteran guy who’ll win double-digits at the back of the rotation. Management has cleared the way for young guys to take over at second base (full time) and first base (60-75 percent of the time).

There has been/is/will be plenty of trepedation about Kelly Johnson at second and Scott Thorman at first. Johnson has made exactly one more error this spring than the combination of DOB/JJS/Scribe/Lew (and we’re pretty good defensively; Grinch, worry about your range, bro, so couldn’t throw you on here; still luv ya, man).

Speaking of love (look at that transition; the Scribe is hereby ready for Opening Day), I love the lineup. Johnson isn’t Furcal, but he isn’t Giles batting leadoff, either. He’ll work counts, get on base and have a good OBP. Renteria is one of the best No. 2 hitters in baseball. Chipper, Andruw and McCann are a very solid, potent heart of the lineup. Frenchy, who has scuffled a bit of late, is a year older and has shown plenty of signs of discipline in spring.

Thorman fanned three times tonight, and he and Langerhans figure to strike out a good bit. But both are streaky hitters. Craig Wilson, when he’s in the lineup, and same with Matt Diaz, provide a little more consistent offense down at the bottom of the lineup.

Provided Smoltz stays healthy, he remains the bellcow of this staff. It may be unrealistic for Chuck James to win 11 games in four months the way he did last year, but he’s got the potential to hit double-digits. The combination of Mark Redman (the durable vet), Lance Cormier and Kyle Davies (who we will see at some point this summer) will do just fine at the back end. What will we get from Mike Hampton? Look for him to have an impact in the second half, provided his body finally stops failing him.

The key for me is Tim Hudson. Which Tim Hudson do we see this year? Is it the Hudson we all thought we’d see, the one who was so nasty on the West Coast, or the one who struggled through a very mediocre 2006? Hudson is the key for the rotation, and really, for the entire team, his performance the one to watch closest this season.

We’ve been through the bullpen many times since January, ability to lock down a game after six innings, versatility with three guys with closer’s stuff, plus McBride, plus Paronto the ground ball guy and Yates who has great stuff and Villarreal, who struggled most of spring but is an inning eater.

I like this team’s chances to win the East and do something once October gets here. A lot can and will happen between now and then, but as you climb into the starter’s gate, all you can ask for is a horse that’s able to run the distance.

There’s no doubt this year, the Braves are capable of doing just that.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By MBATL

March 27, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Scribe, isn’t it “denizens,” not “denzines?” (sorry, but that’s been keeping me awake at night)

By Thrillhouse44

March 27, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

As I drink an adult, liquid intoxicant, the following thoughts pop into my otherwise empty head: 1. I’m glad Smoltz won’t be facing the Tigers again anytime soon; with the way things have been going, he’d have to learn to pitch headless - if anyone could, I’m sure it’d be him. 2. When we signed him, I didn’t think Wilson would prove to be much of a commodity. Looks like I was wrong again. 3. I read that we tried to sell Diaz to a Japanese team; how much yen would that have netted us? 4. DOB, deserves this beer, but he’s not here. So, I’ll take care of it for him.

By ssiscribe

March 27, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

MBATL: You are correct. Indeed, I have a bad habit of switching the I and the Z. Maybe now we all can rest easy tonight.

If I can start spelling denizens right, then I’m officially ready for the season to begin.

Selah.

—30—

By MBATL

March 27, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

scribe, again, sorry to critique… I have a habit of saying ‘east’ when I mean ‘west.’ Don’t ask me for directions!

As to the Braves - it’s true that in general spring training means nothing. I don’t think for a minute that the Mets and Phillies will be .400 teams (or whatever they’re at now). However, sometimes a team really needs a springboard, and this spring has been it for Atlanta. There’s an air of confidence about the team that wouldn’t be there if our ‘pen had a 6 era, or we had a bunch of guys struggling to hit the ball.

Really, except for Hampton’s setback, there is nothing to complain about; everybody looks more than capable of filling their roles.

The bad news - the Mets’ staff is shaping up pretty good, imo. I still don’t think much of Perez, but Pelfrey and Maine might be solid. I think it’s going to be a dogfight, but we’ve got a pretty good shot.

By OddJob

March 27, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

I watched the Schuerholz interview on sports south.What great luck to get him to come to the completely lost disorganization.It’s clear that Bobby Cox and the rest of the Braves were incapable of dressing themselves let alone run a team.I know most of the players who won in the early years were already on their way to success and may have been a year and the right manager away,but they simply couldn’t have got it done without Schuerholz,just ask him.

By Talk Talk

March 27, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Really happy that NoChop knows who Talk Talk is (was years ago?)… impressive credentials out here

By Wayne in UT

March 27, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

I think if Smoltz leaves the Braves after this year, he should go to the Tigers……..for health reasons!

By flbravesgirl

March 27, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

I won’t repeat what everyone else has already said but just say that I have a very good feeling about the team. The only huge question to me is the obvious one… what do we get out of Hudson? Other than that, I’m pretty confident about the Braves’ chances for success right now.

Now for a somewhat unrelated & totally frivolous topic… My sister has me watching “Dancing with the Stars”. Yes, I know it’s cheesy but it’s kind of deliberately tongue-in-cheek cheesy. Who from the Braves would you “nominate” to be on the show? (In the offseason of course) Smoltz would be really funny.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Thrillhouse, that made me laugh. Thanks…

Scalp ‘em, the tooth was saved. Wrote a note about it tonight (below the Cormier note)…

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

Told you you’d see Andruw’s catch on SportsCenter _ but I can’t believe it was only No. 9.

You gotta love Eddie Griffin wrecking the $1.5 million Ferrari. Don’t you just feel so sorry for that producer whose car it was, whose fleet of cars was used in the movie? No? Neither do I.

By kinley

March 28, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

flbravesgirl:

Would Smoltz be funnier than Bob Wickman on that show? Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Smoltz was actually a good dancer. The guy can will himself to do anything

By A.J.

March 28, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

Aybar has been frustrating this March, but keep in mind. IT’S MARCH. This kid has only ever hit.

I don’t have the stats from his whole career but:

2005 minors: 401 AB, .297 avg, .356 obp 2005 majors: 98 AB, .326 avg, .448 obp 2006 minors: 207 AB, .314 avg, 385 obp 2006 majors: 243 AB, .280 avg, .364 obp

Maybe he is a little immature, but this guy should be a lot more exciting than a Prado or maybe even an Escobar. He’s no sure thing, but he has done it in the majors. Career major league stats, 329 AB, .292 avg, .387 obp.

I’m telling you, you’re going to be happy we have him.

By Oregon_Braves

March 28, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

DOB - If he was on the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets, you can be guaranteed that it would have opened the show and won an ESPY. The journalistic bias is pathetic, even for an info-tainment channel like ESPN.

By Oregon_Braves

March 28, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

And Dayn Perry is a complete douchebag.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Forgot to tell you guys. I’m in the clubhouse before the game tonight and see Aybar in street clothes, about an hour before the first pitch. I ask a Braves official what’s up with Aybar not suiting up. “He’s sick,” I’m told by the official, who said Aybar came down with some sort of sinus thing in the past few days.

I could not make this stuff up.

By OddJob

March 28, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

Four keys to the season 1 - Hudson 2 - the pen 3 - 2nd base 4 - 1st base. How many times has it seemed obvious who would man a position and by midseason the picture looked completely different? I’m not convinced Johnson will be the starter all season but I wish him luck.

By Coach

March 28, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

Yes Sir , they are looking good headed into the season in spite of the questions at the back of the rotation. The untold story as of yet is the fact that between AA Mississippi and AAA Richmond you can put a minor league all-star team together. The Braves system is over loaded with talent. Richmond is going to blow away the competition in the international league this season. If Aybar starts the season on the DL , Prado deserves to take his spot on the bench , he has earned it. But then again, so has Escobar. With Renteria’s home run , every one of the Regular position players have gone deep. O’Brien , I enjoyed the Kong reference in your article about Francoeur.

By TheSouthernJackAss

March 28, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

TheJackAss has spring fever, and is feeling friskier than a rabid jackrabbit in a hail storm!…fair warning…

By Bob, journalist

March 28, 2007 2:39 AM | Link to this

I got back in time to catch the last 3 innings … saw the score and thought that Oscar had given up a bunch of runs … instead, I find he struck out the side!

AJ, “… this guy should be a lot more exciting than a Prado or maybe even an Escobar”

Pardon my ignorance, but what qualities does Aybar possess that make him potentially more exciting than Escobar and a lot more exciting than Prado?

I know Aybar had trouble with his MasterCard … and that was exciting … but I’m not sure he really wants to play in Atlanta … perhaps his evaluation is the one that is important.

A frisky, rabid Jackrabbit in a hailstorm … what a visual

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

Good morning braves bloggers, heres a little more delusion for you:

A report on SI.com on Monday said that Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs’ ace who is a free agent after the season, would be more interested in the Mets than the Yankees.

Said the pitcher in the story, “I like the Yankees, but I don’t see myself pitching at Yankee Stadium. Too many rules. If I play in New York, it’s going to be with the Mets. First of all, because I get to hit. And I love hitting. I can’t say … that I would never play for the Yankees. Hopefully no, but you never know. This is a business.”

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this

Bob (J), I’d agree with AJ on Aybar being more exciting (if he ever plays) than Prado, because Prado’s not that kind of “excitement” player. He’s a solid, versatile guy who does little things you want, a good team guy. Not going to hit for power or a ton of extra-base hits. Aybar’s got good speed and does get on base a lot and hit a lot of extra-base hits. And he’s pretty damn good over there at third base.

But more exciting than Escobar? No, wouldn’t say that. Escobar is a very exciting player. Dynamic talent. Hasn’t done it at the Triple-A or major league level yet (or done it much at Double-A level, for that matter), but he will. I think he turned a corner in the Arizona Fall League. This year’s an important one for Escobar, given his age and all. Time to step up and make it impossible to keep him on the farm….

Greeeat: Just looked at the updated forecast for Philly, now calls for temps in the 50s and showers opening day. Rain chance 40 percent for April 2 and April 4, and of course just 10 percent for April 3, the scheduled day off, which is there in case of rainout. Looks like we might be using that day….

I swear, Philly’s a good town, good restaurants and great music scene and beautiful old buildings. But the rain … I’ve sat through more rain delays and had more rainouts there than any road ballpark, without question, over the years. Florida’s the only one that’s comparable, but the showers there usually pass and the game resumes. In Philly, they stay around all day.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

MetroMan, unfortunately for you guys, you won’t have Zambrano to help you this year. Love your lineup, but that pitching staff … less impressive by the day. But I still picked the Mets to win the wild card, again because of that awesome lineup.

Speaking of Mets, time to drive to Port St. Lucie. Two hours on the turnpike. Gotta pick proper tuneage and get on the road.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

Ah Metro Man, just what you need, another nut case in New York. John Rocker was not so far from the truth you know……

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Have a safe drive DOB and let those Mighty METS know the fans support in GA is at its greatest level yet. I know Zambrano is not a MET, but just the thought of him, Santana or both just makes it worth being a METS fan all these years. Them and those studs Perez, Maine, and Pelfrey lets me know everything is gonna be allright.

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

If Rocker wasnt far from the truth, then I know you own a Atlanta Crackers Jersey from back in the day, and it still fits.

By brandon

March 28, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

dave, any chance we trade prado for a legit first baseman? This platoon thing is starting to get a little old, and it’s pretty bad when the last time i can remember having a solid every day first baseman was the crime dog.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

ROTFLMAO

By Scalp 'Em Braves

March 28, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

Hey Metro Man - while you’re dreaming about FA pickups for next year, why don’t you just go ahead and pencil Druw in for you guys as well? That way, you could have a $200 million payroll, and will still find a way to fall short!

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Morning, all. I promise, no Red Sox talk.

All the “experts” seem to be picking the Mets. I’m more concerned about the Phillies. I mean, they are obviously one of the best offensive teams and they probably have the most starting pitching depth.

Yes, I am still saying the back end of the Braves rotation and the bullpen outside of the Big Three is what would cause trouble for them, if there is anything.

I think the difference between the Braves being a pretty good team that could contend for the Wild Card and a division title contender is one more starter stepping up (Davies?) and one more reliever stepping up (McBride?) to be pretty significantly above average.

I do think Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman are going to be better than a lot of people think. Prediction: By a month, month-and-a-half into the season, fans are going to fall in love with Kelly Johnson as the leadoff hitter and secondbaseman.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Brandon… You don’t think the “Big Cat” was a solid first baseman? Wilson was a great pick up behind Thorman who is still very young and given some time will come into his own. I would have loved for the Braves to have signed Sean Casey but they don’t consult me either.

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

No Scalpem, this year is here and I’m ready for it. Got my tix and everything for the Apr 6-8 games. I know we are going far again this year but knowing there will finally be something out there worth over spending for makes a good run, not a fluke year like you guys claim 2006 to be. The METS are getting better and better, check the status of the recent success. Every year you will be subjected to winning NY METS baseball.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Shaun… The Philly papers don’t share your rosy view of the Phillies pitching staff. What was once (two months ago) a front runner for the NL East title looks hard pressed to beat out the Marlins for third just ahead of the Nats who just don’t have the horses. No depth on that staff and a bunch of sore arms, they have had a terrible spring. They hope they don’t dig themseleves too far into a hole like they have the last two seasons and miss the playoff.

By The Grinch

March 28, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Morning, all. FBG, I agree Smoltz may be able to do many things, but dancing probably isn’t one of them. He’s too goofy-looking physically and self-concious. What about McCann strutting around like a pidgeon doing the “Baby Huey” or Wicky jumping around in a suit like the fat guy from the Mighty Boztones? Better yet, Wicky and Parantoe hooking arms and windmill-moshing; the water carafe on the judges panel wouldn’t stand a chance.

Scribe, no offense taken. Balancing the long ball with the error is a constant struggle in the life of a Grinch.

MetroMan, I understand your optimism about Zambrano; he seems to be an excellent pitcher. However, there’s a reason the Cubs haven’t tried to lock him up long term, and it ain’t money. Look at how much they spent in the off season, and consider how valuable a genuine ace is to a rich ball club with a huge fan base trying to get over a curse and establish themselves. Have you read any other interviews of this guy? He needs his @$$ whipped like nobody’s business, and it might just happen on the right team (though I doubt that’d be yours, they’d be too in awe of what a starting pitcher looks like). :-)

By The Grinch

March 28, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Morning, all. FBG, I agree Smoltz may be able to do many things, but dancing probably isn’t one of them. He’s too goofy-looking physically and self-concious. What about McCann strutting around like a pidgeon doing the “Baby Huey” or Wicky jumping around in a suit like the fat guy from the Mighty Boztones? Better yet, Wicky and Parantoe hooking arms and windmill-moshing; the water carafe on the judges panel wouldn’t stand a chance.

Scribe, no offense taken. Balancing the long ball with the error is a constant struggle in the life of a Grinch.

MetroMan, I understand your optimism about Zambrano; he seems to be an excellent pitcher. However, there’s a reason the Cubs haven’t tried to lock him up long term, and it ain’t money. Look at how much they spent in the off season, and consider how valuable a genuine ace is to a rich ball club with a huge fan base trying to get over a curse and establish themselves. Have you read any other interviews of this guy? He needs his @$$ whipped like nobody’s business, and it might just happen on the right team (though I doubt that’d be yours, they’d be too in awe of what a starting pitcher looks like). :-)

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Gil in Mechanicsville,

Don’t know about Sean Casey…It’s never a good idea to pay over $8.5 million for an average to below-average firstbaseman. Thorman will likely be as valuable as Casey for, what, less than 40 times his salary?

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

Gil in Mechanicsville,

Since when is the Philadelphia media optimistic about the Phillies?

I look for Brett Myers (who is healthy) to have even more of a breakout season, and Cole Hammels looks like the real deal. Eaton could be solid. They’ll get decent innings from Moyer. Garcia’s had some tendinitis but looks like he’ll be ready. Leiber’s the only somewhat major concern. And then they have Madson, who could step in and provide some decent innings.

If the Phillies media is taking as much of an alarmist view as you say they are, this is a perfect example of irresponsible coverage. It’s just plain stupid to only judge players based on a month of games, especially a month of Spring Training games.

I think they are just as much of a threat as the Mets, if not more so.

By Hunter

March 28, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

Good stuff as always from Buster Olney this morning on ESPN.com. His blog talks about comeback players and says this about Hudson…

• TIM HUDSON, Braves. Some of the same talent evaluators who privately wondered if Hudson was finished as an effective pitcher have walked away convinced that he’s ready to rebound, after seeing him this spring. “He’s back,” one scout said, flatly. “Same movement on his stuff that we used to see.”

He also mentions Francoeur getting better and says that he will get “better and better and better, during his career.”

Hope he’s right on both….time will tell.

By NO CHOP ZONE

March 28, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

METS, Phillies, Braves, Marlins, Nats. That’s how everything will shake out by the time the season ends…..

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Gil in Mechanicsville,

Should have said Thorman will likely be as valuable as Casey for about a 40th of his salary.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-Good morning. You’re an all right guy, but do you realize how pitiful it sounds when you claim the Mets’ redemption lies in signing a player who won’t even be a free agent for another year? I’ve heard of “Wait until next year” plenty of times in my years of watching baseball, but Dude, not even the Royals start a year ahead.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-Only in your very vivid dream life.

By VaBravesfan

March 28, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

I just read that CBS Sportsline ranked the Braves 17th in the major league rankings. Realiazing they have a few question marks, they gotta rank higher than that. After the Braves win the division again, CBS will tell us they knew it all along.

By stan

March 28, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the Warren Zevon item. Truly a great songwriter, who will be missed. I understand your need to digress during your blog, especially in a baseball game. Last night, I was broadcasting a college game (Duke at Campbell), and upon hearing “Heroes” (covered by the Wallflowers) over the loud speaker, I was able to go off on a tangent about Dylan, Pistol Pete Maravich, and the Campbell University Basketball School. If you’ve read Bob Dylan’s “Chronicles Vol. 1” and the latest Maravich biography, “Pistol,” then you’ll be able to make the connection as well.

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Lew, its called Optimism at its best and I possess it. I’m looking forward to this year, next year and those after no mater who we break camp with. So when free agents like Santana and Zambrano seem availble I peek into the future and see a competitive team becoming dominant. Somebody is gonna want to play for the winning METS, why not them. You heard it hear 1st LEW.

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Ok DOB, thanks for FINALLY answering my question on Thurm…….THORMAN!! Now I have another one that I hope doesn’t take me all day and 15 posts to get an answer…. Since the Braves have 3 closers in their bullpen, what are the possibilities on a mid-season trade with another team , probably AL, with one of these guys?? And if so do you think the Braves would do it for anything less than the Premium / Maximum Value they could get. Closers are all the rage on the trade lines in July and it certainly looks like JS might have had that little scenario in the back of his mind.

By NO CHOP ZONE

March 28, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Lew is so Delusional……

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

The thing about the Mets is I’m not sure Jose Reyes is really quite as good as he was last season. Delgado and Valentin are likely to regress. I say it’s about 50-50 as to whether Alou gives them above-average LF production. Their RF is Shawn Green…enough said there. Their pitching looks like it could be due for a big drop-off.

The Mets are still solid contenders because of their great core of Wright, Beltran and Reyes (he’ll still be very good even if he does regress). I just think they’ll drop off enough for the Phillies and Braves to jump into the mix.

No one is going to win the division by 12 games again.

By 25 Man Roster

March 28, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Aging Smoltz, Regressing Hudson, Fly Ball James, Loser Redman, Crappy Cormier, Dud Davies, Injured Hampton, Fluky McCann, Stiff Thorman, Roided Wilson, Kelly Girl, No Range Renteria, Wood/Prior playing third, Retard in Right, Fatso in Center, Lousy Langy, Stumpy Dumpy Diaz, Malignant Aybar, Pedestrian Prado, Waste of A Space Orr, Pablo Escobar, Woodless Woodward, Hee Haw Cox, Greedy Owners, Doublespeak Scheurholtz, Blase Fan Base, and the Krispy Kreme Krew in the pen. This crappy ignorant uninterested fan base finally got the team they deserve.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Mets Dudes-Let’s look at this rationally, position by position. 1B-I’ve got to give the Mets the edge here, providing DelGado stays healthy. 2B-Probably a wash. You have a better defensive option, the Braves the offensive edge. SS-Very slight edge, Mets. Keep in mind that Renteria was an All Star, too, but Reyes is good. 3B-Gotta give it to the Braves by an eyelash, especially if Chipper stays healthy. Wright had a good year, but Chipper put up very similar numbers in 40 less games. Neither are sterling defensively, but Wright’s not very good in the field-way too many errors. You won’t agree, but you’ll be wrong here. OF-Gotta go with the Braves here, two out of three. Francoeur is much better than Greene. Andruw gets the edge over Beltran, both power wise and defense. LF is a wash. Alou the better hitter, but Langerhans is a much better defender. C-No contest, McCann all the way. SP-Gotta go with the Braves here, for all the reasons we’ve pointed out to you for months. BP-Also gotta go with the Braves here, too. The Mets have now lost four (actually 5, but you get one back in 50 games) from last year’s bullpen and haven’t replaced them. This indicates to me that the Mets eat Braves dust this year. Sorry, but there’s just not much else you can say. I’m sure it won’t stop you, though.

By Luke

March 28, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Just wondering if Mike Hampton’s starts will be in triple-A at all? I live close to Scranton Wilkes-Barre, and the Richmond Braves play the Yankees in the 2nd week of the season, I am praying I get to see Hampton pitch, what are my chances??

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Metropolitan Man,

Yeah, I’m sure the Mets are guaranteed to get all the big-name free agent pitchers. Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers will never shell out big bucks for pitching.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Metro Dude-Which Santana are you talking about? Carlos? Dude, Erwin of the Angels is not even arbitration eligible and Johan of the Twins is not a free agent until after 08 (not to mention the Twins are trying to lock him up long term well in advance). I don’t understand why you think they’ll pitch for the Mets next year. You gonna trade Lasting Milledge for the guy who’s won two of three Cy Youngs? Besides, Dude, I repeat-Why are you talking about who you’ll pick up NEXT year? We have a full season to go first. Don’t you think they need the help now?

By NO CHOP ZONE

March 28, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Reyes will be Better in 07. He’ll have more homers and less strikouts. He’s only 23 and getting better.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Lew,

I do think the Braves will be much better and the Mets will regress so much so that it’s not as clear-cut as most of the “experts” think as to the division favorite.

I do think your analysis is simplistic, though, although it’s fun and lots of people like to do it this way. Breaking it down position-by-position doesn’t really tell us a whole lot about run differential, which tell us a lot about who’s the better team.

The Braves and Mets offense will both be impressive. It’s really hard for me to say who will score more runs. The pitching/defense is close too, but the Braves probably have an edge there if Hudson comes back as expected and the bullpen is as good as expected.

Again, I think it’s the Phillies that we should be more concerned about, to be honest. Their offense is just as good as anyone’s and their rotation looks deeper than the Braves or Mets. If they can piece together some semblance of a decent bullpen, they could pull away real quick.

By 25 Man Roster

March 28, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Say, DOB, what do you think the 25 man roster is going to be? I know that you told us in Christmas and on the first day of spring training and I know no one has really lost their jobs, but can you please tell us once again for the six millionth time what the opening day 25 man roster is going to look like? Some of the more ignorant amongst us seem to suffer memory loss when we fall asleep at night and forget that this same very question has been asked and answered by you six million times already.

By NO CHOP ZONE

March 28, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

It’s a good thing the games are won and lost on the field Lew. I’ve never heard of a game being won or lost by comparing rosters. If it was the Braves would have won the division last year according to you and other bloggers who were spouting the same predictions then too……Lets play!!!

By Scalp 'Em Braves

March 28, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Come to think of it, why wouldn’t ANY top free agent, position player or pitcher, want to become a MUTT? After all, the Mutts are the darlings of the New York media, they play in the best ballpark in the country (while gagging on jet engine fumes), they have the greatest, and most loyal fan base anywhere, who never, ever criticize players, management, etc., and, most especially, they play in the easiest division in all of baseball, own divisional rivals, and never have to worry about perennial division champs.

Metro Man - thanks for setting us straight on this point. Now we can really understand why every player wants to be part of Muttdom.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Shaun- You make a good point. You forgot the Cubs, though. Apparently they have no money to spend, either. I wouldn’t count on Zambrano if I were the Mets. The Cubs are trying real hard to lock him up.

By Martin Calloway

March 28, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

You would’t miss ‘Roachy if you’ve been watching him this spring. Have Pirates spring season tix, Adam has looked just awful. Not just missing pitches, but missing by a lot. Carrying it over to the field as well. He got a double inside the line Monday, and they promptly took him out, so he could sleep on a good AB, I guess. Hard to figure, after his breakout 2nd half last year. Pressure to be the slugger-savior in Pittsburgh? Who knows? But for a Braves fan who has always loved his swing, and wanted/expected him to do well with his new team, it’s been hard to watch.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-Well, I think comparing rosters is a much better determination than who you MIGHT sign in seven months after this season ends. I’m certainly ready for the season. Do you promise to come back and talk to us after the Braves kick some NY behind? Or will you run and hide, never to return to OUR blog? No, probably not. You’ll probably still come and talk trash, even after losing to the Braves for the 15th of 16 years.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE,

Reyes had a rather high batting average on balls in play. I think he could be less lucky in that area in 2007. Also, he’s not exactly the most disciplined hitter in the world, although he has improved.

That said, I do think Reyes is a great player and will continue to be a great player. I just think he’s due for a bit of a decline from ‘06.

By 25 Man Roster

March 28, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

They should stop doing preseason rankings. It really creates a bias. It becomes nearly impossible to move up the polls. Are the Braves really ranked 17th in one preseason publication? My goodness. When the Braves go undefeated this year, it looks like they just might get frozen out of the BCS championship game in January because of this. The Braves will end up like Auburn a few years ago - ranked 17th in the preseason and could never squeeze their way into the top two. It’s an East Coast bias, man. They hate us southerners. Those darn Yankee pricks. Damn ESPN! They lower our self-esteem. We need to revamp this arbitrary way of ranking baseball teams. We never figure out who the best baseball team is at the end of the year. Oh, wait a second. Braves fans are morons. This is baseball. Not college football. Is there any wonder this is often called the most ignorant, dispassionate fan base in professional sports?

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Martin Calloway,

LaRoche will most likely be fine. Never judge a player by a month of games, particularly a month of exhibition games. And LaRoche probably doesn’t even have truly a months worth of plate appearances.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Scalp Em-They have the outfield Apple, too. You know the one that never pops up when Chipper homers against them?

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-Of course they have to play the games, but by what criteria do you predict the Mets winning it all-Because they won last year? Try again. BTW-Do you answer rhetorical questions, too?

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Lew and Shaun — go get a room. Geez I’ve never seen a more long winded conversation with absolutely no meaning what so ever. Who gives a f@@k who you might pick up next year, and why is anyone even responding to you. If you want to be a loser than go blog where all the losers blog, on terence moore’s blog. TM SUX

By KC

March 28, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Metro Man: Just saw your post from earlier…

Congratulations on your upcoming winter signing of Zambrano! Also, in case I forgot to say so earlier… congratulations on your signing of Barry Zito. Oh… wait…

Personally, the thought of what the Braves rotation could be next year (though I feel very good about it this year as well) is mind-boggling.

John Smoltz is showing no signs of slowing yet whatsoever, so I believe he’s got at least another year or two after this one of pitching at a high level.

Assuming Tim Hudson will have turned 2006 into a bad dream this year… you’d expect him to carry that into next season as a legitimate ace.

Hampton will be fully recovered from the TJ surgery… and I don’t mean just in a physical sense, because he’ll be completely physically recovered by the end of this season. I mean that he will likely be completely back to form by the start of next season, giving the Braves at least 3 aces once again.

Chuck James is looking good… seems to be the real deal. With 1-1/2 of big league experience under his belt heading into 2008, you have to expect that he’ll get better with time.

Then I believe that Cormier and/or Davies will step up and become good major league pitchers.

That could be a rotation that’s comparable to any the Braves have ever had.

The bullpen, though Wickman may be gone, should still be great… so the Braves have a great chance of fielding one of the best pitching staffs in baseball this year and next year.

By Iron-ic Hoss

March 28, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Braves fans keep rooting for AOL/TW and LM to fatten their pocketbooks at the expense of wins and developing a good well rounded team. They keep demonstrating aggravating indifference and acceptance as star after star leaves their team. Braves fans are like the band on the Titanic that kept playing oblivious to the reality that the ship was sinking into the icy sea they will never be rescued from. The Braves are slowly becoming the Brewers and the Expos. Not that any Braves fans would truly care enough to notice.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Shaun-Dude-The day I analyze anything using your criteria is the day they ship me off to a nursing home. Simplistic though you may think it to be, am I wrong? Rhetorical question. You know I’m right.

By mesmo

March 28, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

F*** Warren Zevon and your musical tastes. Write about baseball.

By NO CHOP ZONE

March 28, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

To Quote Arnold….”I’ll Be Back”

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Caveman-I’m not DOB, but will my answer help? I doubt JS will make any deal this year for one of our closers. Gonzalez and Soriano figure into our plans for two more years after this. They are contractually tied to us for that time. As far as Wicky. First it would be a really rotten thing to do to him, especially since he may well retire after this year. Besides, I don’t see JS taking any chances. If anyone from the pen is traded, it will probably be someone like Villarreal or Yates-IF Boyer comes along as well as most think he will. Shaun-Were you aware that the Phillies already had to shelf Garcia with bicep tendinitis? Or that they just lost Lieber to an oblique starain? Their pitching is not as strong as Jimmy Rollins thinks and they still have to pitch in that sandlot stadium. All hit no pitch. That’s the Phillies. We won’t even discuss their bullpen. They need to find one.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Caveman-Get up on the wrong side of the rock?

By 25 Man Roster

March 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Lew, go back to Red Sox talk. At least some intelligence and, heaven forbid, PASSION was being displayed for once on here. The rest of you, please feel free to continue the circle jerk. I would say do the chop and the chant but that’s a tradition real fans would have maintained. Braves fans gave up on the chop, the chant, true passion, their players, their team, and going to playoff games years ago.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Caveman-Dude, I’m so sorry. I din’t realize I was taking time from your cutting edge posts. “Gee, DOB, why did it take SO long for you to answer my stupid question that had been answered at least 30 times previously? Could you please answer my next stupid question sometime today? I know JS did his best to overload our bullpen, this year, but do you think he’ll trade them now?” I don’t know about getting a room, Dude, but you need to get a life. You know it would actually help your case if you had something of value to say.

By Willy Wally

March 28, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Let me get this straight: Jose Reyes & Johnny Damon, not so good? Coco Crisp, very good? Thanks for the shared enlightenment.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

25 Man Roster-And what exactly crawled up your colo-rectal tract today? I refer you to my 11:00 post. It applies to you, as well. Haven’t seen you have anything worthwhile to say, either.

By Wayne in UT

March 28, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Just a thought or two about why it is better to be a Braves fan than a Mets fan. We all understand that teams must deal from strength to improve their teams, so while a totally home grown team is desired, it is not realistic. Look down the Braves roster and then take a peek at the Mets roster at the number of home grown talent versus the traded/purchased talent. Especially in the star category.

As a fan for the past 40 years, for my money, I like the idea of a large portion of my teams’ players being with this team for their entire careers.

It is easy when you can buy a team (Yankees/Mets/Red Sox), but I still love to see a team build from within, and then trade for the missing parts with that excess strength (Rent-a-SS, Hudson, Wickman, etc). And don’t come back to me with Smoltz was not home grown!! We adopted that guy early!!!! Lillibridge will someday be in that same category.

By Lil' Chopper

March 28, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

I just read a good article in the Detroit News about how the Braves have pretty much set the gold standard in terms of winning and how teams like Detroit should strive to follow the Braves plan.

It’s a good read and a good outside perspective on what we have here in Atlanta. I know most fans tend to overlook the home town team and it’s unprecedented streak of 14 division championships, but this article does a good job of putting it into perspective.

Here is the link to the article Copying the Braves

By Wayne in UT

March 28, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Mets Fans on a Braves blog:

Diagnosis: Rectal Cranial Inversion

Cure: A John Deere solution.

By John Hoar

March 28, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

David, is it possible to give us some information on the Direct TV, MLB situation? It looks like a complete rip-off with only a few games on cable and the rest we’ll either need a dish or will have to huddle around a 4x4 inch screen on a computer. While I have a computer and pay the fee for MLB.com, I realize that millions of fans don’t and can’t. I can really see a Dad and two kids circled around the laptop! As I understand it there are only 15 million homes served by Direct TV so we are screwed if we don’t want to subscribe and get a dish.

Politically, I have never liked anything John Kerry has done until now=from a news story I understand he is challenging the move under a restriction of trade law, but is only asking for some negotiation at this time, and MLB is willing to "look at" proposals for only thirty days. If the baseball stikes alienated millions of people, can you imagine what this will do- like alienate tens of millions of people?

 Additionally the picture quality and consistency, and customer service on MLB.com sucks. Have you ever tried to get a live response in customer service? Only one time was I successful and that was after a forty five minute wait.

 On a side, but perhaps brighter side, is not DirectTV owned by the Liberty group which is buying the Braves? Maybe that could translate into a positive to the payroll, but certainly not sure about that. 

 My last thought is that this is prompted by irresponsible greed on the part of Major League Baseball. My question is what can we do, write congressmen, boycott, whatever? I'm ready.

By TennesseePaul

March 28, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Aybar came down with some sort of sinus thing in the past few days.

That’s the worst. After my world travels, or actually, during my world travels I picked up a sinus thing. The pressure builds in my sinus so much that it pushes on the nerves under my teeth. It’s a blinding pain. My teeth feel numb and also hurt. It’s the wierdest thing. It feels like they are all being pushed out of my gums and my head is going to pop. It hurts so much. Then, it subsides and I just have a stuffy nose. After about 3 hours it’s back again. The pills they have me on… massive. I didn’t know I could swallow something this big. But, when your in this kind of pain, you find a way to swallow a basketball whole if they say it’ll help. I hope Aybar isn’t in the same situation. I wouldn’t wish this on a Mets fan. It’s terrible. But it better be something if he isn’t going to play. This is getting a little ridiculous.

By Wayne in UT

March 28, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Less than a week. I get all excited just thinking about it!!!

Gotta get back to ATL for a game this year, or maybe get out to Coors field for a Braves game!

By MBATL

March 28, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the link, Wayne… good article.

I know it’s been rumored, but what would be the point in trading Villarreal? I think those “middle innings” are gonna be crucial with a rotation that is not likely to go real deep into games. And he could spot-start without us having to make a roster move, if someone has a sore shoulder or something, but doesn’t need to be dl’d. And what might we try to obtain for him?

I could see trading Yates - he looks great on the mound, but the results haven’t been great so far. And he’s out of options, isn’t he? I’m not suggesting we should, but that makes some sense. Also, wouldn’t be surprised to see someone from among Escobar, Aybar, Prado, Orr traded - if we can get a good prospect at another position.

But I just don’t see any urgent need to trade anyone. I don’t think we’re likely to improve the major league roster with any of these type of moves - but maybe add some talent in the minors.

By ellaguru

March 28, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I think everyone’s upset because of that wrecked Enzo. Nothing like that should ever happen to a million-dollar Ferrari. Of course you should feel bad for the bloated plutocrat who owned it. It was an Enzo, for goodness’ sake.

And if caveman has such strong feelings about music topics in the blog I can’t wait to see what he says about someone going on about supercars…

By MBATL

March 28, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

oops - good link, Lil’ Chopper.

By Rafael Santana

March 28, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Once again, next weekend, the entire country will think that the home opener at the Ted is really the Mets home opener because of how loud and obnoxious and passionate and omnipresent Mets fans will be and because of how complacent, uninterested, silent, and nonexistent Braves fans will be. Feel free to wear your Mets clothing at the Ted next week folks. The socializing Braves fans will never realize that you are there or that a game is actually being played on the field. Mock the Chop all you want. By doing so, you might actually remind them that they had passion for a few years over a decade ago.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Wayne-You’re absomlutely right. Have you noticed that when confronted with logic and analysis, Mets’ fans revert to name calling and personal attacks. Chop Zone’s “Yo Mama” last week was one of the better ones. But, then again, if they had brains they wouldn’t be Mets’ fans, would they? Must have something to do with that stupid Apple in their outfield. You know, the one that draws the roaches we keep hearing about. When they break ground for their new stadium, I wonder how many organized crime grave sites will be unearthed?

By snowball's chance

March 28, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Wayne in UT, I concur with the diagnosis.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Lew,

Yes, Garcia is shelved with tendinitis but they expect him to be ready by Opening Day. Even if he’s not, he could still make an impact this season. The baseball season is 6 months long.

As much as it pains me to say it, I’ll say it one more time, the Phillies are the team we Braves fans (and Mets fans) should be worried about.

By TennesseePaul

March 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

LaRoche will most likely be fine. Never judge a player by a month of games

Interesting to hear you say that, Payne. So, subtract a month from last year and LaRoche returns to a .260 hitter with 20 HR. He wasn’t hot the whole season, just for the month of July/August. Prior to and after that he hit in the .240 to .250 range. I liked is overall numbers, but I think Thorman is going to be a little more consistant. Maybe we won’t get 30+ HR out of him, but we should get a guy who’s consistant throughout the year. His hustle alone will be a welcome sight. I love seeing this guy run all out on a grounder to Short. It’s inspiring.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

journalist thanks henry very much. no, jimmy smith is not yet at liberty to reveal the big news. perhaps journalist will be able to break the news by the weekend.

now, jimmy smith had an exclusive interview this morning with matt diaz and jimmy smith asked matt diaz if matt diaz will be an improved hitter in the regular season. here is what matt diaz had to say:

“thith hath not been a vewy good spwing fow me wif the bat but i aw-ways hit. i feel wike it will come awound. wosing my toof was vewy, vewy twoubwing to me.”

By Lew

March 28, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Ellaguru-Just sent you an email response. We will definitely do some business if you can get what we had discussed. Thanks, Dude. I appreciate your help.

By The Grinch

March 28, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Back again. Wow, our humble abode has been invaded by Mutts fans, cast-offs from the Falcons blog and two new stinky identities. Was the new computer really worth it, bro? As for the Ferrarri incident, anyone stupid enough to let “Undercover Brother” drive a rare and irreplacebale Enzo around the parking lot, much less on a superspeedway, deserves whatever he gets. What a dumb@$$. Off to the gym.

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

LEW Let me get this straight, you live on this blog and obviously read every single word cuz you got nothing better to do, and **I’M the one who needs to get a life?? Dude, I don’t care what you think, I was asking DOB what he thought, b/c I actually value his opinion and I could give a rats a* how many times some “bloggerhead” may have chimed in with his/her 2 cents. I’m asking for DOB’s opinion b/c he’s actually down there and involved in the team situation, not some adolescent peckerhead who’s probably on his MOM’s computer while she’s at work. And just so your fragile little ego doesn’t get shattered — I was “JOKING” with DOB and I think he knows that. See out here in the real WORLD we do things like that, you should come out your parents basement, get a job, and try having a life. Now if you’ve already done this and your married with kids —THEN DUDE — YOU JUST HAVE ISSUES.

OK DOB — GIMME SOMETHIN’ (lol)

TERENCE MOORE SUX

By Lew

March 28, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Shan-Maybe so, but Garcia gave up over 30 HR last year and in that stadium the total is not likely to go down. They have no depth in their rotation, especially since Lieber is down. Their middle relief is dependent on Alfonseca and their closer is another 40 plus year old. Adding Julio hardly strikes fear in anyone. Their pitching is mediocre, at best, though their rotation may be better than the Mets. Let Jimmy Rollins keep running his mouth. Chipper already responded . They haven’t won anything for 14 years.

By TheSouthernJackAss

March 28, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Some of you make about as much sense as a woodpecker on a new tin roof—Andres “Big Cat” Galarraga was one of the best defensive first basemen in the game, moved so fast he made lightning flinch—and more importantly, he was a good guy…

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Well, it’s not much better to judge a player by just five months. The larger the sample, the better.

Let’s take what LaRoche has done for his whole career, take into account age and judge him that way.

LaRoche is going to be a solid .275/.345/.520 hitter with about 20-25 homers, 30-40 doubles.

By the way, no one is going to be consistent throughout the year. There’s a fantasy article on Yahoo that talks about how Carl Crawford got a third of his steals last season in three weeks. That’s the way baseball is. Players are going to have ups and downs. They aren’t as good as their hottest streak and not as bad as their coldest. The larger the sample, the more we can tell about a player (and we also have to consider things like age and context).

I still think Thorman’s a fine replacement for LaRoche, but LaRoche will be very good for the Pirates.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Caveman-First of all, I really don’t care about your opinion, either, which to this point, hasn’t impressed me in the least. My parents have been dead for decades, well before computers were in use. I work at home and am self employed (quite successfully, thank you), so it is doubtful that I’m in Mama’s basement doing anything. I’m aware you were joking, but Dude, you personally attacked me. Do you think I’m going to let that pass? My ego isn’t all that fragile. You’re the one seemingly with issues. Quite honestly, if you hadn’t jumped in my sh!t, you’re presence wouldn’t have elicited much response, if any. I have no idea what rang your chimes today and furthermore, I don’t really care. However, if you want to get into a meaningless arguement with me, then by all means. Says much more about you than me. Just for the record, I value David’s opinion, also. That’s why I don’t repeatedly ask questions I can answer myself, or have seen the answers to at least 10 or 15 times. Like I said- You’re cutting edge.

By TheSouthernJackAss

March 28, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss has carefully analyzed caveman22’s last post and has determined that caveman22 is an imposter—and I am pretty sure who that imposter is—the style is very familiar…must TheSouthernJackAss expose caveman22 for “what” he really is?…

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Its all good people, I’m already into this season and next season. The winning braves have been disbanded and METLIFE is now taking over. I know I am in so called braves country so I wont be nasty, but just remember we wont hate you when you realize your team sucks. Here’s a famous line from the movie Waterboy that sums up the braves situation”……”Oh no we suck again!” Don your METS hats people becasue last year the wheels fell of the braves wagon, this year the wagon will implode.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Metro Dude-Quoting an Adam Sandler movie? Man, that’s definitely fine cinema there. I’m really going to enjoy seeing the Mets fall to their customary place in the standings-behind the Braves and wondering why all their moves were the wrong ones, yet again. Cheers.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 28, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

more from matt diaz: “did oo see me wif the bat wast night? thith ith weawy impwoving evewy day.”

now, aybar. tennpaul is right about sinus distress. jimmy smith remembers when young jimmy smith’s teammate yoweri jones, a third baseman, began to gasp and turn blue on the baseball field. jimmy smith rushed to yoweri’s side and asked, “whatever is the matter, yoweri?” yoweri did not answer - but began to viciously slap yoweri’s own nose with an open hand. suddenly, a small bird flew from the nose of yoweri … and the game was resumed. it is good that it was only a bird for yoweri would have died had yoweri required mouth to mouth resuscitation on the baseball field. yuch! could this be the problem with aybar as well? has a good bird man looked into the aybar nose for the braves? or perhaps an ear, nose, and throat man? or perhaps terry mcguirk?

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Brett Myers isn’t one of the top 5 or 6 starters in the league but he may be top 15-20. Cole Hammels looks like the real deal. Moyer will give them decent innings. Madson could be a solid fill-in. Garcia, although he’s not a great pitcher, provides solid innings. He gave up a decent amount of homers but he doesn’t walk many hitters. He also pitched in a very tough league and division and pitched his home games in a hitter’s park.

Curt Schilling gave up 37 homers in one of his best seasons, 2001 when he only walked 39 hitters. I’m not at all comparing Garcia to Schilling in his prime. I’m just saying the homeruns probably aren’t that much of a concern to the Phillies.

Middle relief is a concern but they are going to have their best pitchers throwing the most innings, which is obviously what you want.

Now, I’ve never ever liked the Phillies but they seemed to be getting overlooked by a lot of people simply because they’ve underachieved for the past five years or so. All I’m saying is they look like the team to beat over the Mets.

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

OH no, I am ssssoooooo scared !!! Let me quote Bill Bixby “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” Self-employed - huh?? Is that “code” for old retired guy living on pension or freeloader on welfare or disability?? Why does it matter to you if I ask “cutting edge questions”? I was asking for what I wanted to know and it’s buttheads like you who think the “run” the blog that look pathetic. Maybe next time I’ll spend my whole day reading a blog or I’ll spend 2 whole days reading every post from a past blog to get my answer. HELL NO!!! I just type my question and see if it gets a response, and you can BITE ME!! Once again, looking for dave’s “current” opinion, not your’s from 3 weeks ago. Now have I sufficently ruffled your feathers of do want to go on. FYI, I’m a comedian and a comedy writer so you stand as much of a chance a Britney’s hair after a 3-day bender.

* LEW SUX*

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

See, you don’t take away a hot month or a cold month to judge a player. You judge him by as much info as you can get—his hot and cold streaks, his age, etc.

We take those three weeks away from Crawford’s steal total, do we conclude that he’s merely an okay base-stealer? No. We take his career base-stealing total, compare it to other players and draw conclusions from that.

By BB FAN

March 28, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Metropolitan Man,

That is all the Mets can hope for is to sign the best free agent pitchers each year…they sure as hell can’t develop any on their own. All the Mets have ever done is buy their teams. They try to act like the Yankees but they just can’t win.

What makes you think all of these great free agent picthers want to go to the Mets? Smoltz said no to the Mets years ago. Maddux has said no to the Mets multiple times over the years. Hampton said no to the Mets when he signed with Colorado. And just this past off season: Zito said no to the Mets. Jeff Suppan said no. Jason Schmidt said no.

The only reason Pedro said yes a few years ago was because they gave him an extra 2 guaranteed years. Same with Glavine. But both were obviously past their prime.

Nobody wants to play for the Mets. One of the major reasons is because of the media frenzy in NY. Another reason is probably because of the a*******hole fans. One minute you love a player, the next you are calling for his head.

NY fans are the most obnoxious, ignorant, egotistical jerks in the US. And I am from NY. When I was a kid, my parents only ordered the first 17 cable stations. TBS was channel 16. Both NY stations were in the 24 and I think 27. Of course back then, I didn’t realize they were actually doing me a huge favor. And now that I’m 33, married and about to have my own son, I thank my parents every chance I get for that.

I find it hilarious that you Mets fans are talking about the Mets like they have this winning tradition over the last 15-20 years. Wake up! The Mets have not won the WS since 1986!!! 2006 was the first division title since 1988!!! They have only finished 2nd 4 times since 1991. They have been 10 or more games under .500 8 times since 1991. The last time they made it to the post season before 2006 was 2000. Hell, the Mets have only made it to the post season 3 times since 1991.

So Mets fans: A team is not considered a success until it has strung together at least 2 or 3 division titles.

Keep dreaming of signing all those star free agents.

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Lew, how can you not like Waterbiy, that IS fine cinema. Let me guess, your not the comedic type or did that Caveman guy tee you off.

By Da Northern Joke Arse

March 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

KC & the Caveman22 Band? Or the one who stole Christmas?

By flange1

March 28, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

WOW,

Things getting a bit testy this morning in here!

Shaun, I agree that the Phillies will be tough this year. I agree with Lew that their pitching is not as deep as it needs to be. From what I have read, after Myers and Hammels, Garcia is hurt, Leiber is hurt, Moyer is ok, just 85 years old! and Eaton is iffy. Their bullpen has no depth at all past Madson, Gordon and Alfonseca. If they can pull off a trade for a strong innnings eating relief pitcher, they will be tough.

It is interesting listening to the Mets fans. Now they want to talk about the players they are going to sign next year. They want us to believe that the Mets are now going to be great forever based on 2006. Now I am sure that Shaun can help me but I don’t think 1 year makes a trend. Maybe 14 years, but not 1!

By Lew

March 28, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Shaun-Brett Myers is the salvation of their staff. As far as Hamels-I have predicted all winter long and continue to do so-Sanchez and Johnson of the Marlins and Hamels of the Phillies were way overused last season. They WILL spend time on the DL and WILL experience sophomore slumps. I think Sanchez and Johnson are already experiencing problems. Hamels will break down sooner, rather than later.

By matt

March 28, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Anyone who doesn’t think the Braves will be much better this year and should be the favorites to win the division just doesn’t know baseball. We blew 29 or 30 saves last year? If we converted half of those we would’ve won the division!! I’m not saying it’s a lock to win the division but the Braves addressed their problems and are back. Last year was an off year and the Phillies and Mets better look out this year baby!!

By Joshhh

March 28, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Daveeee…Of course Ichiro wouldn’t come cheap, but I’m just trying to figure out who would cost more Andruw or Ichiro?? I think Andruw would cost much more than Ichiro, but you tell me.

By MBATL

March 28, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I’m having trouble seeing how the Phillies offense is going to be so great again.

I know they play in a hitters park, so there’s that. And Howard is outstanding (though it’s tough to repeat last year - we’ll see - he just might); and Utley and Rollins are quite good. But the outfield of Burrell, Rowand and Victorino? I don’t see that much pop out there; and Barajas is not Brian McCann. And Wes Helms at 3B?

I’m not saying they’ll struggle to score, but the lineup just doesn’t seem that loaded to me, despite what they did last year. Your thoughts?

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

MESMO, back at you. Got anything to say about baseball yourself? No, then leave. Or keep reading what I give you and keep bitchin’ and moaning.

Poor baby can’t get what he wants to read. I feel for you. Really I do.

By doc

March 28, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

glad to see the great jjs is in mid season form. really couldnt stop laughing. hope the braves are as ready as he seems to be.

By Roberto

March 28, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

There are only two things Brett Myers can beat: his wife and the thing that all men can beat. Sounds like Myers and Hee Haw would be perfect for each other.

By StingerSplash

March 28, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

I’m not that concerned that Thorman won’t be confused with J.T. Snow or Wally Joyner at first anytime soon. As long as he’s not Marv Throneberry. Or Willie Montanez. And DOB, thanks for the Zevon. A truly great artist. He put on one helluva one-man show. You know, I’m hiding in Honduras. I’m a desperate man… (I let you fill in the blanks). What are the pitching matchups for this weekend and are most if not all of the regulars expected to play the full nine?

By Lew

March 28, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Well, I think we all got a glimpse of the Caveman’s true personality. Lo and behold. He doesn’t have one. Rant on you anally challenged Dork.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

25manroster: Can I ask you something? Why do you care about power polls and “preseason rankings” of MLB teams? I mean, it ain’t college football or basketball. It matters not one iota what a team is “ranked” by anybody. They don’t seed playoff teams in baseball based on power rankings. They MEAN NOTHING. NOTHING AT ALL.

There, I feel better.

Now Mesmo, what did you think of the Zevon tribute album that came out last year, Enjoy Every Sandwich? I thought it was very well done, and you could tell the artists all put some emotion into it.

By Voice of Reason

March 28, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Woo-hoo!!! Los Bravos on ESPN!!!

By MGL

March 28, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know who decides on having a DH in ST games? Looking at today’s lineup, Braves and Mets are using DH.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Sahun-Underachieved for the last 5 years or so? Dude, I was norn and raised there. They’ve been underachieving for more decades then I’ve been alive. It won’t be any different this year.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

25manroster, that wasn’t just directed at you, but all those who keep asking or stressing about power rankings and the like. Most of them are done before spring training, before hacks even take a look at teams. Most folks I talk to have raised their opinion of the Braves since spring training opened….

Brayan Pena just singled in Renteria for 1-0 lead with one out in first, for those not watching on ESPN….

Stan, good stuff. The Pistol. Great Sports Illustrated story about Pistol Pete recently. Need to make a movie about him.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-No, Caveman is a non issue. He doesn’t have enough brains to take me on and this is cyberspace. I don’t really worry he’ll show up at my door. I just don’t think that much of Adam Sandler’s movies. As far as the Waterboy, it was a pretty inane movie (iknow, it never claimed to be anything else). I much preferred watching Feruza Balk get slammed by Edward Norton in American History X, though.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Hey caveman… Love your commercials :-)

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Langerhans just got hit in the arm, bases juiced for Francoeur with one out in first. This Jon Adkins pitching for Mets … not doing so good.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Actually, Hamels threw 132.3 innings in the majors last season in the majors and under 50 in the minors. 180 innings is not a huge amount even for a young pitcher.

I do agree the odds are against Hamels as they are against all young pitchers but that’s still only one pitcher. I think the Braves have bigger question marks at their four and five slots than the Phillies do with Hamels’s slot.

It’s not a matter of the Phillies starters being great—it’s that the likelihood of the Phillies starters being better than the Mets and Braves is pretty good, at least in terms of depth.

By Voice of Reason

March 28, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Amazing… These ESPN goobs are already apologizing and making excuses for the Mets…

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

GRAND SLAM for Francoeur. On a 2-2 pitch. This Adkins guy … uh, not doing well at all.

Braves up 5-0 headed to bottom of first

By TennesseePaul

March 28, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

The point Payne, was to highlight how misleading season statistics can be, or career statistics. A guy can have one hot month and make his season look good, but the truth is, he was below average for the greater portion of the season. Out of 6 months, he only played well for 1. The other 5 he wasn’t so impressive. It’s why you don’t just look at season averages and career numbers. You read the tides to see how they actually occur.

no one is going to be consistent throughout the year
That’s a bit of an overstatement. Some players are consistant throughout the year. Some are consistantly good, others are consistantly bad. And some work on streaks more than typical players. AJ, for example, works on streaks more than a “typical” player. Again, this is why it is good to have LaRoche replaced by Thorman. If Thorman can hit consistantly, which I think he will, we benefit from this. The team offense is less likely to become streaky as it was last season. That is to say, it is more balanced. This is one reason why the Mets are proclaimed to have a great offense. It isn’t a streaky one. It’s balanced. It shouldn’t stay in extended ruts, there should always be at least 1 piston firing. The Braves didn’t really have this last season. They piled up a huge portion of the overall runs in a one month span.

Now take it away Payne. That should be enough for you to argue ‘til you’re blue in the face.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

March 28, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Tell me Caveman, are the rummors true that they are going to turn the ads into a comic series?

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Adkins pitched pretty well for San Diego last season, 3.98 ERA in 54 innings, only gave up three homers.

Langerhans just came out of game. That pitch hit him in the wrist or forearm. Don’t think it’s serious, but we’ll let you know later.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Caveman-Excuse me, I owe you an apology. You’re not anally challenged. Quite the opposite. You’re so full of crap it’s backed up to your brainstem. Comedy writer, huh? Are you on vacation now, or just ran out of ideas? I sure find little humor in anything you’ve said to this point. In fact, the only thing funny about you is that you think you have anythig worth saying. Hell, by your own admissin, you put no thought into your questions.

By Oldtimer

March 28, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

DOB

Unfortunately, I get the same uneasy feeling with Thorman at first base that I did when Dale Murphy tried to play first. Every grounder and throw was an adventure. He kept the center fielder really busy. That being said, I am really excited about this team.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

MBATL,

Well, last season the Phils ranked third in OPS+ (OPS adjusted for league and park), which seems to indicate they were one of the better offenses in the league even though their runs scoring total may have been inflated by their great hitter’s park.

Burrell is actually underrated as a hitter (good OBP and good power), Victorino is decent and Rowand is going to be replaced by Bourn if he can’t hit anymore, which wouldn’t be a bad thing for them. Wes Helms should give them at least close to what they got out of Bell. And they didn’t really get much from their catchers last season.

Yes, Howard will probably drop off some, but their offense is still likely to remain one of the top three in the league.

I’m telling you now—the Phillies are more of a concern than the Mets.

By rammerjammer

March 28, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

One and done, met boys.

One and done.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Spotted with a 5-0 lead, Davies has walked the first three guys in the bottom of the first inning.

That, folks, is why Cormier will be in the opneing day rotation instead of Davies, provided Cormier is healthy.

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Something else to keep in mind about the Mets—their schedule is tough this season. Because of the idiotic way they do the interleague scheduling, they have tougher interleague matchups than the rest of the NL East. They have to play all of the AL playoff teams. This could be significant in what figures to be a tight NL East race.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Double play grounder drove in one run and Lo Duca single drove in another before he got out of inning, 5-2 Braves.

By Metropolitan Man

March 28, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

BB Fan you have 3 years on me. What part of NY did you live with those channnels back in the day.You didnt need cable to watch the METS or stankees. The METS aired on WWOR channel 9 and the stankees played on WPIX channel 11 only to switch years later and eventually have their own networks. Hope you watched more than just baseball on those cable channels.
Dont be mad becasue METS fans let the players who we root for “have it”when they dont perform. Just like any franchise we have great knowlegable fans and then there are fans you wish were braves fans only. We have bandwagaon fans and die hard fanatics like myself. Either way a sportsfan is gonna tell you how he feels about his squad. Now spin that.

By Epinephrine

March 28, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

DOB…Langerhans…how bad is it?

Also, these announcers are terrible. “Why wouldn’t Hudson do a off season regimen every season?” He used to, and he thought it was causing him problems.

“What bothers you about Franceour is that his OBP doesn’t bother him at all”. What?

“Oh, it looks like thats Clark in left field. Apparently Langerhans was scratched during BP”. Were you watching the first inning? Good lord.

By Austin

March 28, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

How bad does Davues look! I know its spring trainin but If Cormier is healthy enough to start the season I think Davies just lost his chance for a spot on the team.

By journalist jimmy smith

March 28, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

this journalist thanks doc. baseball is coming doc, and there will be many good times. now, what is this matter with the late ralph, whale shark … and what manner of doctor performs whale autopsy? maybe doc will know. bad news for ralph who had a thin stomach lining and developed peritoenitis. jimmy smith remembers when perry toenitis played ball - american league. and is toenitis threatening to toes as well? did ralph have toes? oh, the humanity! must ask doc.

By Jim

March 28, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

just curious, I thought the pitching rotation was set up so that Smoltz would have had 5 days rest between the last exhibition start aned opening day. That is why I expected Davies would pitch last night and Smoltz today. Am I missing something?

By Epinephrine

March 28, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Kelly has a fantastic eye. I know its early, but I think our leadoff man problems are solved.

By TennesseePaul

March 28, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

DOB: You sandbaggin’sunuvabitch. You set that Slam up so perfect. After my last post yours came up. When I went to check, Francoeur had knocked it out. That’s good reporting.

By Knickerbocker Man

March 28, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Since we are talking long term Mets pitching plans, do they plan on signing Ugueth Urbina 14 or so years from now when he is released from prison?

By Whitney

March 28, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

DOB, if for some reason Cormier isn’t healthy and Davies continues to pitch as he is today what do you think next option would be for 5th starter? Or is it Davies no matter what?

By KC

March 28, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Shaun Last I heard, there was some real concern being over Hamels having lost close to 5mph on his fastball. Has he regained that?

“It’s not a matter of the Phillies starters being great—it’s that the likelihood of the Phillies starters being better than the Mets and Braves is pretty good, at least in terms of depth.”

Gawd man! If I didn’t know you, I would think you were a Phillies fan with a statement like that.

I couldn’t disagree with you more completely. Hampton, Cormier, Davies, and Redman gives us plenty of depth at the bottom of our rotation.

Hampton is doing very well, and now should be back only 5 weeks into the season. I’m a realist on Hampton. I don’t expect him to come in and start effortlessly mowing hitters down right away. But I doubt it will take him long to eclipse the likes of Adam Eaton. And I’d take either Cormier or Davies over anyone the Phillies have outside of their top 3 starters. Speaking of their top 3 starters… let’s compare.

Brett Myers vs. John Smoltz: lol… we don’t even need to got there. Myers is a good pitcher, but…

F. Garcia vs. Hudson: Assuming Hudson has regained even a significant portion of his Oakland form (and that does appear to be the case)… advantage Hudson, hands down.

Hamels vs. James: Advantage James. Hamels may have a higher ceiling, though again, not sure if he’s worked out his problems yet… but James has definitely proved more last season and looked better this spring than Hamels.

And once again… with Cormier, Davies (though he’ll probably start at Richmond), and Hampton coming back, I’ll take the bottom of the Braves rotation any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Oh and BTW: “the likelihood of the Phillies starters being better than the Mets and Braves is pretty good, at least in terms of depth.”… I think your having put the Mets and Braves rotations in the same sentence like that will soon prove to be a mortal sin.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Sahun-The thing with Hamels is not how many innings he pitched last year, but how many he pitched in comparison to the previous year. It appears that young pitchers under 25 seem to have serious health issues if they pitch more than 35 innings than their previous season. Tom Verducci pointed this out in a great SI.COM article a while back. It has happened so often as to be much more than conjecture. Such is the case for the two Marlins pitchers and Hamels. Chuck James, however, pitched LESS innings last year than in 05. He should be fine. I don’t think the Phillies rotation can touch ours 1 through 3 and they do lack depth. Their pitching should be better than the Mets, but not as good as ours.

By KC

March 28, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

I KNEW IT!!!!!!! It’s my fault folks. I’ll take the lashings… I deserve them. In my last post, I said I’d take Davies (or Cormier) over anyone at the bottom of the Phillies rotation right now. As soon as I said that, I KNEW I had just doomed Kyle Davies to a rough outing, or at least a rough inning or two. I thumbed my nose at the universe, and now we’re paying the price. I’m sorry. Truly. lol

By Coach

March 28, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Yep , no quicker way to drive Bobby Cox crazy than to do what Davies just did. A five spot and all he needed to do was be aggressive and throw strikes.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Forearm contusion on Langerhans. That’s the announcement, and that’s all I’ll know until I see him or talk to someone else. They don’t let us run down to the training room and watch them treat him.

Jim, I think Smoltz just preferred to get the extra day of rest and avoid facing the Mets, who he’ll see next week. He was going to have to take five days’ rest either before his last spring start or before the opener, to make the schedule work.

By MBATL

March 28, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Because of the idiotic way they do the interleague scheduling, they have tougher interleague matchups than the rest of the NL East.

Couldn’t agree more. With post-season slots coming down to 1 or 2 games, it’s absurd that teams have such unbalanced schedules. The Mets caught the short straw this year (at least based on last season) - and the Braves get the Bosox twice, plus most of the best of the AL Central. It’s ridiculous.

By David O'Brien

March 28, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Gil Yes their actually is a comic book but it’s Capt. Caveman. I actually get a check from the caveman commercials b/c I wrote like 2 stupid lines in one draft copy of the first marketing campaign. It’s not enough to live on but it’s gotta be triple what LEW make sitting at home jerk’n off to porn. Speaking LEW-SER, evidently I got so far under his skin he can’t spell correctly anymore. Now if your gonna compete with me in the Main Event your gonna have to do better than “anal” and “no personality”. C’mon, accuse me of being upset that my Extends supply ran out and “that certain part of the male anatomy” is shrinkin back down to midget size. Or how about the fact that I invented lightin farts but wasn’t smart enough to patent it before it became public property. Good stuff like that!!!

C’MON LEW-SER, GIMME SOMTHIN’ lol

By CMC

March 28, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

DOB,

You described Travis Lee the other day as “not very good” as well as lacking the desire to play. I am beginning to wonder if Willy Aybar is beginning to match half of that assessment of Lee. While talented and providing the team with a switch-hitting utility infielder - not a commodity enjoyed by most teams in the league - Aybar doesn’t seem to understand how competitive that infield has become. I saw Woodward range deep in the hole last night and make a perfect off-balance throw to nail the runner. Looks like he can pick it pretty good. Prado is playing like he never wants to see Richmond again. Escobar and Lillibridge are a matter of when, not if. Are you hearing rumblings from the clubhouse or front office about Aybar’s desire or lack thereof? At this point, will they try to keep him on the roster as justification of the Betemit trade last summer? As we know, “Will He?” Aybar is the last piece of that deal remaining.

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

**YO DOB , WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT A BRAVES MID-SEASON TRADE OF ONE OF THEIR CLOSERS??? JUST ON A SCALE OF 1-10. B/C I VALUE “YOUR” OPINION AND NOT THE METS/RED SOX COALITION THAT SEEMS TO HAVE INFESTED YOUR BLOG !!

C’MON DOB , GIMME SOMETHIN’ lol**

By Lew

March 28, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Caveman-What do you care what I make? Do you pull out your ruler to check your own package, too? Whatever. Two whole lines in a commercial. How proud you must be. I’m impressed. I’m a published author and artist and receive royalty checks. So what?

By Shaun

March 28, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

So, you’re saying a player’s career numbers aren’t very useful unless you know how good he was at his hottest and how good he is at his coldest? I would tend to trust career numbers over looking at hot and cold and medium streaks—that will tell us more.

Yes, some players are consistently good and some are consistently bad but even the best players are going to have bad streaks and even the worst players are going to have good streaks.

I would like to see some evidence that some players are significantly more streaky than others. I’m sure that if there are players that go on extreme streaks, it would be worse for the team, as you say, but I’m not sure there are players that are significantly more streaky than others.

Why don’t I think that streaky-ness plays as big a role as you think? Well, because for the most part you can do a pretty good job of guessing a team’s W-L record. A team may blow out teams in one month but they may also lose a lot of close games during a particular month.

The Braves’ problem last season wasn’t a streaky offense—it was run prevention. If they would have scored the exact same amount of runs in each game and a better pitching staff, they would have been a playoff contender easily.

Streakyness may matter some but it’s not going to make a significant difference in a team’s win-loss record, it seems to me.

By TheSouthernJackAss

March 28, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Now right there is a perfect example of what you’re left with when crack actually doesn’t kill…

By caveman22

March 28, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

c’mon Lew, that’s not funny, that’s just SAD !!

By brent

March 28, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Last year, the Braves opened up in California, where it happened to be raining.

One gripe was that they should be opening up on the east coast.

Question: Why is the East Coast better? Isn’t the weather in California, usually better in April than the weather on the East Coast?

If it’s cold and rainy in Philly next week, will that be better?

Just curious.

By BB FAN

March 28, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Metropolitan Man,

I live in the very northern part of NY state. Only about 1 hour south of Montreal. I used to go to numerous Expos games every year. We were so far north, we needed cable to get anything other than ABC, NBC, CBS and CTV. I was able to see some Expos games on CTV.

I think you are right though, the Mets were on 9 and Yanks on 11 for a while. However, it was within a few years that they moved to other stations: I believe the Mets to 24 (FOX Sports NY?)and Yanks to 27 (MSG?). For a few years, the Yanks (11 and 27) and Mets (9 and 24)were each on two channels. I believe the Mets went to 11 (WPIX) a few years ago.

Then of course, the Yanks’ YES network was born 5 years ago and the Mets got their own network last year.

But there were not as many games on channels 9 and 11 as there were on 16 (TBS). Back then, TBS televised about 90-95% of the Braves games.

ANyway, I do agree that all teams have their bandwagon fans. And trust me, I complained about the Braves bullpen a lot last year. However, not like a NY fan would have.

NY fans are a different breed. They’re a little more violent when things don’t go their way. In fact, they kind of remind me of kids. They don’t realize that they are acting like a psycho when they throw the temper tantrums because they are not getting their way.

Obviously not all of them are like that. I have a few very good friends that are Mets fans. I will say this though: the one way you NY fans are all alike is that you talk like the Mets have a long history of winning ways over the last 15-20 years. All because you win one division title. The first one since 1988!

And you have to admit that the Mets have been trying to “buy” a WS title for years now.

By Lew

March 28, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Caveman-I’m not ttrying to be funny. I’m not a comedian-never have been and couldn’t care less. I damn well guarantee you I’m a better artist than you are a comedian. That’s a fact. Not that it really matters. Does it? Keep your ruler handy (in the other hand-that one’s in use, Im sure). Apparently you have some unfulfilled need to prove your worth.

By BB FAN

March 28, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I personally hate those damn “caveman” commercials. They have to be the most annoying commercials on TV.

By Eric Beaman

March 28, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Braves go from worst to first again! (with the bullpen that is)

Did you see Moylan today? Looks like we have a fourth potential closer. Bravo

By bobbymahlon

March 30, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Concerns : Since when do players try to learn a new postion in the majors, I thought that what the minors ae for. Why not send Johnson down to Richmond for awile and let Prado who earned it this spring play second until he loses his job or Johnson is ready. Also Wilson and Thorman look terrible hitting 196 and 240 respectivly at first base.