AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHampton hurt again; whither Andruw?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A quick one, before he’s away at the Winter Meetings (OK, that was fairly lame paraphrasing of the The Who’s rockin’ second album title).
If it seems like negotiation wheels are grinding slowly for free agents such as the Braves’ Andruw Jones, Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel, well, they are. But that could change abruptly Saturday, when the free-agent market really starts to take shape.
Saturday (Dec. 1) is the last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents. And unless another suitor is sure a Class A free agent’s former team is going to offer arbitration, there’s not much reason to sign that player before Dec. 1. Jones, Mahay and Dotel aren’t Class A free agents (Dotel isn’t even a Class B), but moves around baseball usually have a trickle-down effect.
Think about it. If you — you being the new team; c’mon work with us here in this example — sign a Class A free agent before Dec. 1, before that player’s former team declines to offer arbitration, then you have to give up a first-rolund draft pick.
And if there’s a reasonable chance you won’t have to give up a pick, well, why wouldn’t you wait until after Dec. 1? (I’ll answer that — you would wait.)
THIS JUST IN: Hampton is hurt … again.
I was just about to file the blog when Frank Wren returned my call from this afternoon. When I asked about Hampton and the report from the Spanish-language website that he’d hurt a leg in his Mexican Winter League debut, Wren confirmed.
Said he had no idea Hampton was hurt when I talked to him (Wren) early Friday morning before my flight to Kansas City. He got a call later that day from Hampton.
Anyway, I’ll just post here my story that I just filed for the paper on this latest ailment for the oft-injured lefty:
By DAVID O’BRIEN
It’s a familiar refrain, this time from south of the border: Mike Hampton is hurt again.
The Braves left-hander injured his right hamstring in the first inning of his first start in the Mexican Winter League last week. He left after one inning, and it’s uncertain if he’ll pitch again this winter.
“We don’t know when he’ll come back [in winter ball], if at all,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “There’s only four weeks left in the season, and hamstring injuries usually take a while.”
Hampton, 35, has missed the past two seasons recovering from elbow surgeries on his pitching arm, and the Braves hoped he could make seven starts in Mexico to better gauge the likelihood of having him back in Atlanta’s starting rotation for the 2008 season.
But the injury in Thursday’s start for Navojoa was another reminder of why the Braves say they aren’t counting on Hampton - not like they were counting on him a year ago at this time.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that Mike can bounce back and be a starter,” Wren said. “But it’s simple as this: there’s no guarantees.”
The Braves don’t plan to pursue another starter this winter. They say that even without Hampton, they’d have seven other pitchers vying for their five-man rotation.
John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine are penciled in at the top. Hampton will have the fourth spot if healthy, and incumbent Chuck James would have competition for the fifth spot from rookies Jo-Jo Reyes and Jair Jurrjens and September surprise Jeff Bennett.
Hampton hurt his right hamstring when he came off the mound to make a play near the end of the first inning Thursday. He tried to keep his leg loose and come back for a second inning, but the pain worsened in warm-ups before the inning, and he left the game.
Wren said Hampton called him Friday and told him the bad news, and the GM was informed by trainers that the muscle had “bled out,” usually a sign of something more than a mild strain.
Hampton is owed $15 million in 2008, the final season of an eight-year, $121 million contract he signed with Colorado. He was traded to Atlanta after the 2002 season in a three-way deal with Florida.
The Braves were responsible for $48.5 million of his salary during 2003-08, but insurance covered part of it the past two seasons. Wren said insurance would again pay part of it again if Hampton is DL’d in 2008.
The Braves have never disclosed how much of Hampton’s salary has been covered by insurance while on the disabled list; the amount was believed to be between 40-60 percent on a prorated basis.
Hampton has had eight stints on the disabled list since being traded to the Braves after the 2002 season. He hasn’t pitched in a game stateside since 2005, when he was 5-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts before blowing out his elbow and having Tommy John ligament-transplant surgery.
OK, back to the regularly scheduled blog….
Where were we? Oh, explaining why teams wait (or don’t) until Dec. 1 to sign free agents.
The Orange County Angels of Greater Laguna Beach had to know Minnesota would offer Torii Hunter arbitration (there was no way Hunter would’ve accepted a one-year deal with the Twins when he was in position for a huge, multi-year contract on the open market), so the Angels last week pulled the trigger on a five-year, $90 million deal for Hunter.
The Braves had to know the Mets would offer Tom Glavine arbitration — everyone knew Glavine already declined a $13 million option to return to the Mets, so there was no reason for the Mets to think Glavine would accept arbitration, which would’ve resulted in a salary below $13 million. The Mets would’ve loved for him to do that — they wanted him back, and are scrambling now for a replacement.
So instead of waiting for the formality of the Mets offering arbitration on Saturday, the Braves went ahead and signed Glavine last week to a one-year, $8 million contract. By doing so, the Braves gave up their first-round draft pick (No. 18 overall) to the Mets, who also will get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for losing Glavine.
Just so we’re clear, since several folks have asked me: You need to understand there was no way, no reason, for the Braves to think the Mets wouldn’t offer him arbitration, and absolutely no reason for the Mets not to offer it, since they wanted Glavine back and since his salary through arbitration would likely have been less than his salary through the option he declined.
Also, Glavine made it pretty clear to those close to him that he wanted to either pitch for the Braves or retire.
Most other significant moves this fall have been trades, with the notable exception of eyebrow-raising free-agent signings of relief pitchers to contracts so large — Scott Linebrink gets four years, $19 million from the White Sox? Oh, my — as to indicate baseball is back full-bore in salary insanity after a brief period in which the sharp annual rise in salaries had slowed a bit.
Again, everyone knew Linebrink would be offered arbitration, since there’s no way a relief pitcher in his situation would accept it and a one-year deal, instead of one of the multi-year, lucrative offers he was sure to receive.
The cases of Jones, Mahay and Dotel are all very different situations.
With Mahay, I’m pretty certain the Braves will offer arbitration, but you never know. Assuming they do, or if someone signs him before Saturday, the Braves will get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for losing Mahay, a Class B free agent. But that shouldn’t stop another team from signing him before then, if they wanted to, since they don’t actually give up the pick; rather, it’s created.
However, again this is likey a case of teams waiting to see how the market shapes up.
The Yankees, who are interested, likely know that Mahay’s not going to sign with anyone until the Yankees weigh in with their offer, right? So they’ll wait until after Saturday. At least that’s my read on the situation.
With Andruw and Dotel, I’d say there’s no way the Braves will offer arbitration to either. They don’t want to be stuck with perhaps a $14-16 mill salary for Jones, whose agent, Scott Boras, sent the Braves into scramble mode to meet payroll when he had client Greg Maddux accept arbitration from the Braves years ago, when the Braves thought there was no way the veteran pitcher would do so.
Everyone I’ve talked to believes as I do, that Boras has far overestimated the market for Jones, and that it’s a pipe dream to think the 10-time Gold Glove winner is going to get anywhere near $20 million a year in a long-term contract.
If Boras doesn’t think Jones can get more for Jones than, say, $14 mill per in a four-year contract (just tossing around figures, haven’t heard any proposed offers yet), then what’s to stop Boras from having Andruw accept arbitration?
I know what he’s told me and others about not taking one-year offer for Jones, but if Andruw accepted arbitration, Boras could simply say Andruw made the decision on his own, against Boras’ advice, because Andruw had such love for the Braves and a desire to come back for one more season with Atlanta in hopes of them reconsidering a long-term commitment to him in the future, etc., etc.
But the Braves can hope a team signs him before Saturday, since that would have given Atlanta a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, the only way they’ll get compensation for Jones without offering him arbitration. They wouldn’t get a first-round pick from the team that signed him before Saturday, because Jones is only a Class B free agent, not a Class A.
(By the way, I know it sounds strange that the 2005 MVP runner-up, a player who hit 92 homers during the 2005-06 seasons and has 10 Gold Gloves, would slip from the Class A ranks, but the latest collective bargaining agreement had revisions to the system and reduced the Class A free agents from the top 30 percent to the top 20 percent. Only the last two seasons are considered for such ranking purposes, so anything Jones did before 2006 doesn’t factor into this matter).
For much the same reason, teams are wise to wait to sign Dotel, who made $5 mill last season. The way the arbitration system is set up, players rarely take significant paycuts and usually get raises. The Braves don’t want to pay anywhere near the potential arbitration price for Dotel to be a setup man.
If I had to bet right now, I’d say Andruw will end up with the Dodgers or White Sox, Dotel with the Mets or Royals. But I’m glad I don’t have to bet.
Couple other matters: We’ll have another blog later in the week to re-address Braves needs heading into the Winter Meetings in Nashville, but those needs should be familiar by now, since GM Frank Wren has stated them clearly.
Left-handed reliever. Utility man who’d be the primary backup shortstop. And a stopgap center fielder with more experience than the three rookies the Braves currently have penciled in to battle for the job: Jordan Schafer, Josh Anderson (acquired from Houston in the Oscar Villarreal trade) and Gregor Blanco.
Again, if they don’t trade for a Coco Crisp or David DeJesus, the Braves say they are prepared to go with one of the three above-mentioned young players, who’ll compete during spring training for the job.
Wren has made it clear the Braves aren’t looking for another starting pitcher, because they believe they have eight capable starters for five spots: John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Glavine, Hampton (if healthy come April; gigantic “if”), Chuck James, Jo-Jo Reyes, Jair Jurrjens, and Jeff Bennett.
Now, could another starter fall in their lap through an expanded winter-meetings trade? Sure. But I really don’t expect that to happen. I expect the Braves to focus on their center-field and lefty reliever needs.
And judging from what seems like a less-than-aggressive approach regarding Mahay, I think the Braves have likely decided pretty much that his price tag is going to be out of their range. Maybe they’ll get aggressive next week and make him an offer, but I haven’t heard any indications of that yet.
B. Jones, Lillibridge, etc.: Asked Wren about Brandon Jones playing center field in the Mexican Winter League, and the GM said just what I suspected: Means only that that’s where Navajoa had a need. Braves aren’t considered him for center field, at all. “He’s not a center fielder at the upper levels,” Wren said, reiterating that the Braves plan on him remaining a corner outfielder….
Brent Lillibridge still hasn’t played any winter ball because of that wrist tendinitis he had at the end of the season. Wren said they’ll decide in the next week whether he’ll play this winter or just continue to work out and prepare for spring training. I asked about the possibility of the highly rated shortstop prospect being a utility candidate for the major league club, whether that’s something the Braves would consider, or if they believed he’s still at the stage where he needs to be playing every day in the minors rather than serving as a backup on the major league team.
“We’ll have a better sense of that in the spring,” Wren said. “Most anybody would tell you that if a young guy is not going to get a lot of at-bats, he’s better off staying in the minor leagues. But if there’s a way to get him at-bats, maybe you feel differently. In general, I’d tell you it’s better off to play.”
Alright, that turned into a very long blog.
let’s turn things over to The Possum….
“A GOOD YEAR FOR THE ROSES” by Jerry Chestnut (best sung by George Jones)
I can hardly bear the sight of lipstick
On the cigarettes there on the ashtray
Lying all the way you left them
But at least your lips caressed them
While you packed
Or the lip ring on a half filled cup of coffee
That you poured and didn’t drink
But at least you thought you wanted it
That’s so much more than I can say for me
What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
Lawn could stand another mowing
Funny I don’t even care
As you turned to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It’s been a good year for the roses
After 3 full years of marriage
It’s the first time that you haven’t made the bed
I’ll guess the reason we’re not talking
Is so little left to say we haven’t said
While a million thoughts go racing through my mind
I find I haven’t said a word
From the bedroom the familiar sound
Of young babies crying goes unheard
What a good year for the roses
Many blooms still linger there
Lawn could stand another mowing
Funny I don’t even care
As you turned to walk away
As the door behind you closes
The only thing I have to say
It’s been a good year for the roses
Comments
By jsizzle
November 26, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
first?
By TravInCumming
November 26, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this
second. cmon wren, get us another pitcher. and chone figgins ;)
By MCC
November 26, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
1st??
By hk
November 26, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
.. here are bar charts showing the latest conference rankings, using the raw BCS data …
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/bcs4.htm
By player to be named later
November 26, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
third?
By Billy Walsh
November 26, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
Still like the idea of trying to trade for Crisp. Edgar struggled in Boston, and flourished in Atlanta. I have a sneaking suspicion that Crisp could do the same. Did anyone hear the Clash on a Nissan commericial? Out all the songs in the Clash catalogue….lets pick Pressure Drop (which is off a highly underrated Super Black Market Clash Album) Joe Strummer must be turning over in his grave. As for the winter meetings, I would love for Wren to try and pry a starter from Oakland. There is no possible way that the braves can rely on Hampton. Imagine a Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Haren, and Reyes rotation.
By Jared
November 26, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
…and September surprise Jeff Bennett.
Ugh. I can’t believe the Braves stuck themselves with this guy. He’s got no options. Bowman said today he’ll likely start the season in the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen. Hopefully Bennett won’t lose more than two or three games for the Braves before he flames out and is released in late May.
By TJ
November 26, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
OH MY G!!!! DOB
By DonCoburleone
November 26, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton come on down! You’re the next contestant on The Worst Contract in the History of American Sports!
(intro music)
Lets find out!
Bryant “Big Country” Reeves
Six years, $65-million
Big Country? More like a Big Spare Tire. Know how many buckets of fried chicken you can buy with $65-million? We don’t, but we’re guessing that’s where most of Reeves’ money went. Big Country was supposed to be the cornerstone of the Vancouver Grizzlies (that was an NBA team in 1997). Some cornerstone. Reeves ate himself out of the league within three years and the Grizzles aren’t in Vancouver anymore. He was the epitome of a “big stiff.”
Alexei Yashin
10 years, $87.5-million
Even at the time (2001), everyone thought the Islanders giving Yashin a 10-year, $87.5-million contract was insane. Sadly for the Isles, it went from insane to plain stupid. He was supposed to be a star, but he never scored more than 32 goals or more than 75 points in a season. Last season, he limped to an 18-goal, 32-assist season even though he is only 33. His swan song was a no-points performance in a five-game playoff series loss to Buffalo. On the bright side, he had plenty of money to spend on model-girlfriend Carol Alt.
Steve Spurrier
Five years, $25-million
In 2002, the Ol’ Ball Coach was supposed to take his visor, ego and crazy offense to the NFL and light up the scoreboards on the way to Super Bowl titles for the Redskins. Then he found out there’s more to coaching in the NFL than a morning workout and an afternoon tee time. He was on the sideline for two years, 12 victories and 20 losses. We’ll do the math: that’s about $2-million a victory.
Wilson Alvarez
Five years, $35-million
The then-largest contract in Rays history (1997) makes for the biggest bust in Rays history. Unless you count time on the disabled list as being a huge success. Alvarez, who looked more like the Michelin Man than the man, won 17 games in a Rays uniform.
Alex Rodriguez
10 years, $252-million
Let’s set one thing straight. A-Rod probably is the best player in baseball, meaning he deserves to be the highest paid. But the Rangers’ plan to make him the centerpiece of a winning franchise crashed and burned in three years after the December 2000 signing, and the Rangers were desperate to shed themselves of him and his contract. The Yankees took it, moved him to third and are still looking for their first championship with A-Rod. It’s not his fault for the Yankees losing, but we can’t say he has helped win a World Series, either.
Grant Hill
Seven years, $93-million
Poor Grant. Nice guy. In fact, great guy. But no luck at all. Injuries ravaged his career and sunk the Magic, which signed him in 2000. Hill would get hurt climbing off the training table. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but this isn’t: He played just 200 regular-season games, which equals out to $465, 000 per game. And every single game, you held your breath while waiting for him to get hurt again.
Darren Dreifort
Five years, $55-million
Agent Scott Boras scared the heck out of the Dodgers, hinting that Dreifort, who really had never done a whole lot, was about to sign with a rival club in the National League West. So the Dodgers ponied up a huge contract in 2001. In the first year of the deal, Dreifort had to shut down his season in July. When the five years were up, Dreifort had missed the equivalent of two full seasons and had a 9-15 record.
Allan Houston
Six years, $100-million
Here’s all you need to know about this 2001 deal: Houston doesn’t play anymore. And he was the second-highest-paid player in the NBA. And we have more. The NBA created a rule that allowed teams to take its worst contract off the books. It became known as the “Allan Houston Rule.” Now here’s the funny part. The Knicks didn’t use the Allan Houston Rule on Allan Houston. What made this contract especially heinous is the Knicks offered Houston more than $40-million more than anyone else.
Kevin Brown
Seven years, $105-million
The first $100 million man in baseball was 34! years old when he signed with the Dodgers. He had a solid first season with LA going 18-9 with a 3.00era but after that he recorded only one more decent season in 2003 when he went 14-9. And I’m sure we all remember his disastrous stint with the Yankees after that…
Carl Pavano
Four years, $40-million
In his Yankees career, Pavano earned five wins while compiling a 4.77 ERA. For you math majors out there, that is $8-million per win.
Mike Hampton
Eight years, $121-million
The Crystal River native should earn two places on this list. A solid lefty pitcher in the majors always earns more than he deserves. But even experts raised their eyebrows when Hampton picked up $121-million in 2000 from the Rockies. In two years, he went 21-28 with an ERA of more than 6. Since then, his career has been sidelined by injuries. The kicker: The Rockies still owe him $6-million for a buyout in 2009 assuming the Braves (Hampton’s current team when he comes off the disabled list next season) don’t pick up a $20-million option. Uh, they won’t.
Ding Ding Ding!!! We have a winner! Congratulations Mike Hampton, and thanks for playing!
By David O'Brien
November 26, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Billy Walsh, you seen the Strummer movie that’s out?
I’m headed off to see Control, the movie about Joy Division and its lead singer.
By JerseyGil
November 26, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
DOB I just went to the pacific league web side and they announce that Hampton will pitch tomorrow again matzalan..Thay not mention his injury. I think Mr Wren need to go down to the Border.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
November 26, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Jared The limits of your apparent ignorance knows no bounds…..
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Please don’t start with Lillibridge in CF,until he patrols CF,he is a SS….,on to other scenarios please.
By JerseyGil
November 26, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this
here is for those Habla..
VENADOS VISITAN TERRENO MAYO
Navojoa busca quién pague los platos rotos
26 de Noviembre de 2007 (LMP / Alpha Comunicación).- Después de una dolorosa limpia asestada por sus archirrivales Yaquis de Obregón en la pasada serie, los Mayos de Navojoa recibirán a los Venados de Mazatlán quienes sacaron la mejor parte barriendo a los guindas en una doble cartelera en la que el pitcheo de los rojos se llevó las palmas avasallando a la ofensiva guinda y ahora con la misma medicina buscarán llevarse al menos un par de triunfos en la visita de tres días ante la tribu del Mayo.
Entre los muchos atractivos de esta serie los aficionados podrán ver en el montículo al millonario ligamayorista Mike Hampton quién después de una corta presentación volverá a lanzar para ofrecer una actuación más larga a su afición, Orlando Sánchez usará los brazos de Alejandro Armenta y Orlando Lara para el segundo y tercero de la serie, dejando a Hampton la responsabilidad del primer juego.
Por su parte los Venados quienes ahora son dirigidos por Eddie Díaz buscarán los triunfos confiando en sus lanzadores Héctor Navarro, Pablo Ortega y el importado Randy Williams quienes se perfilan como probables abridores para este compromiso.
En el bateo Mazatlán podría presentar novedades ante la salida de Neil Walker del club, mientras Brian Myrow y Roberto Saucedo siguen cargando con el peso ofensivo del equipo, algunos chispazos de Donzell McDonald y el recientemente recuperado Sergio García han llevado a los Venados a escalar importantes peldaños en el standing de este giro complementario.
Mientras tanto la artillería de los Mayos se muestra bien balanceada, los Mexicanos Luis Alfonso Cruz, Óscar Robles y José Amador son buena escolta para los cañones de Bárbaro Cañizares, Brandon Jones y el patrullero Douglas Clark conformando una ofensiva muy balanceada.
A partir de este martes 27 de Noviembre este par de novenas plagadas de talento se enfrentaran buscando definir de que cueros salen más correas.
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
And will somebody please put Mike Hampton,out of my MISERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By 200+ 150+
November 26, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton will make three starts for the Braves in spring training next year, then burst into flames.
By BosnianBaller
November 26, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
We gave up our 18th pick for Tom Glavine? Good god what have we become.Wasn’t francouer a 20th overall pick in 02.we gave our top pick to a rival.WOW.Our last three starters are going to be jurgens,reyes,and bennet or james.GET BLANTON. Smoltz and Glavine could get hurt at any stage considering they are 40+ yrs old. We have no centerfeilder and no leftfeilder. Where is all this money I keep hearing about. We have turned into a joke If we have 80 wins in 2008 I’ll be happy
By phiz50
November 26, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
DOB thanks for the information on arbitration. Makes more sense now. I don’t write much but I read the blogs on a daily basis.
I have a couple questions.
What was the name of the pitcher the Braves received from Kansas City for Tony Pena Jr. and what is his status? Do the Braves have a projected back up for Chipper besides Willy Aybar?
Thanks to the all the responsible bloggers.
By Hamstrung Hampton
November 26, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
help. i’ve fallen and i can’t get up.
By Scottie Evil
November 26, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
I’m with you Bosnian Baller. I want the Braves to show the “money” they always keep talking.And for my SANITY get another STARTING PITCHER FRANK…you know that Tim, John and Tommy are not enough to hold up the bleeding our rotation is going to have by July 31st of 2008…and then again you’ll start to look for a starter and come with the EXCUSE that “there aren’t any”. GET some B* braves managament and mame this TEAM a WINNER.
By Scottie Evil
November 26, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
I’m with you Bosnian Baller. I want the Braves to show the “money” they always keep talking.And for my SANITY get another STARTING PITCHER FRANK…you know that Tim, John and Tommy are not enough to hold up the bleeding our rotation is going to have by July 31st of 2008…and then again you’ll start to look for a starter and come with the EXCUSE that “there aren’t any”. GET some B* braves managament and make this TEAM a WINNER.
By Hamstrung Hampton
November 26, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
start sending the get well cards. i’m gonna need ‘em again.
By Alan
November 26, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
How about the Pirates’ Nate McLough in CF? He had a good season in ‘07 - including something like 23 stolen bases - and his salary is not much above the minimum. He’s due for a raise, of course, but not yet arbitration-eligible. Not sure if the Bucs are willing to trade him, but it might be worthwhile finding out. I have a feeling the more popular names, like DeJesus and Crisp for example, are out of the Braves’ price range. I was shocked to see DeJesus’s salary last year was over 3 million, and Crisp’s was higher than that. Some folks think Scott Podsednik would be a good stop-gap, but he’s not very good defensively and he has a lousy arm. Nook Logan may be an option, but he doesn’t hit at all. Whatever the Braves do, you can bet they’ll put a premium on defense. Which brings us to backup SS/utility IF. I have no idea what they’ll do there. Royce Clayton? Hope not. Miguel Cairo? Not bad. But I still prefer our old pal Wilson Betemit in that role.
By NorthBeachScott
November 26, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
DonCoburleone - Nicely done. Or should we say “thanks for not playing?”
DOB Thanks for the update. Great clarification on the strategy of arbitration and draft picks. Perhaps you will not have to repeat it, too often. Too bad about Hampton. Would it be possible to shoot or ban the first blogger who says to cut Hampton, because they do not understand MLB contracts? No one said life was easy. :-)
May we all now leave Andruw in peace? He is not returning to ATL.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
It was that Mexican water. The Mexican water caused the you know whats which caused me to be dehydrated which caused not enough water to be in my legs and caused me to hurt my hammmy.
By JerseyGil
November 26, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Phiz50 The name is Eric Cordier…he has tommy john surgery in 2005.
By Greg O.
November 26, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
The only reason Francoeur fell to No. 20 was because he was ticketed for Clemson on a football scholarship… only the hometown Braves and an offer of more money than is usually paid to the No. 20 pick got him into an Atlanta uniform. For reference, here are the No. 18 picks since 2000: Pete Kozma, ss, Seattle. Kyle Drabek, p, Philadephia. CJ Henry, ss, Yankees. Josh Fields, 3b, White Sox. Brad Snyder, of, Cleveland. Royce Ring, p, Braves. Aaron Heilman, p, Mets. Miguel Negron, of, Blue Jays. I’ll take Glavine.
By Jeff R
November 26, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
Hampton needs to stay injured, collect his $15 million and let the Braves recoup part of his salary. The guy’s snake-bit, that is if you consider a multi-millionaire “snake-bit.”
By rich brave
November 26, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
BOSNIAN BALLER and SCOTTIE EVIL:
Thanks for the post re: getting a real starting pitcher to be #1 and anchor the starting rotation. It’s obvious that the Braves are NOT going to get another starter as they contend they already have seven - maybe eight(Hampton). A real established starter like Santana would raise payroll in excess of 115+ million. Frankly, it makes me queasy to think ONE 150 MILLION ARM could end up like another Hampton. 20+ million per for an extended contract just sucks. But we need a stud to bring home the bacon like Smoltz and Hudson do. So take a chance and pull the trigger on a deal for major young undamaged goods as a SP unless the farm system’s been hiding a major pitching talent. That talent certainly hasn’t displayed itself in Richmond.
By Praying Hammy
November 26, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
Oh JESUS Help the Old Mighty Braves, that are going to have ANOTHER YEAR without Mike Hampton..OH LORD HELP THEM… Help FRANK WREN, to seek for the best of this team in next WINTER METTINGS,STARTER,CF, BENCH, BULLPEN…Oh LORD HELP Him.Oh lord HELP the METS to keep making ridiculous deals that between them they call them “Blockbusters”. Oh LORD HELP THEM. Amen
By BossLady
November 26, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Ya gotta feel for a person like Hampton with all the pain and suffering. Emotionally it must take its toll on him too. Business deals have gone bad for years in all areas of businesses.
The Braves will be just fine. They did not cut this guy by jumping the gun and losing all the reimbursement from insurance.
I know for certain that you get back what you put out there in this world. Yeah, the Braves will be just fine.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
is there a doctor in the house?
By bfan54
November 26, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Don Corburleone, for you have expressed my sentiments exactly. BTW would MO VAUGHN and JASON KENDALL qualify as “runners up”?
By skc
November 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
Ok have to add this. Hampton is going to pitch himself a cy young. With the luck hes had its time for good fortune.
Now Im hiding my head in sand.
By bruce
November 26, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this
Wow Dave: I did not intend to create a ten part to-do list for you, no concept that the quantity was that high, was expressing excitment, anticipation and thanks…. and those still apply even after the friendly gig back at me. On second thought, maybe you were dinging me for asking for 2007 best games two times in the same blog when you anticpate doing it later in the winter… oops slipped the suggestion in again (smiling).
However, wow-o this blog covered a quite a large number of interesting and informative thoughts and facts… and while I did not count them… it was lots of points of your ten list I suppose. Smiling and thanking… ps sorry about your game Saturday night. Bruce
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Hampton hammy? Some say he should be canned? Would that be a canned hammy?
I’m just peoplein’ around. How does that make you equine bashers feel? Don’t saddle me with derogatory glue factory or French restaurant references please, or hitch me to pony pitchers like James. Smoltz is a horse. Glav and Huddy are too. Jurry and Benn are horses. James is a pony. Nice pony, but pony. Two trick pony, not counting window installation.
Thirsty. I need a drink. I can’t fall asleep. I can pass out but I can’t fall asleep. You try sleeping on all fours.
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
skc Hampton a Cy Young? From where, ebay?
No, Hammy may just get a trophy. Love the guy. Really do. Just bad luck. Bad tendons and hammys, but good guy. Please don’t bash Hammy. It’s not like he wants to be out of the game. He’s a competitor.
It may be on account of those little hooves he’s got at the end of those legs. Not big enough to support him around the track. Jackie Gleason feet. Did you ever see him dance? Nice moves. Horse body, jockey feet.
Don’t get mad. You heard it straight from my mouth. My vet concurs.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
OW!
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Wow Bruce, wow-o, you sure do smile and thank a lot. Relax. Be patient. You seem like a nice enough human.
By BosnianBaller
November 26, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Buster Onley reported on espnews that haren and blanton are on the market. haren has 08,09,10 seasons left on his contract at 5 mill per each season.
By Metropolitan Man
November 26, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Thank you rubber leg Hampton. You my friend give fans of the NL east hope that its up for grabs once again. The best thing you ever did was not sign a contract with the METS when you were a free agent. Hey, how are those schools in Colorado treating your kids you greedy snake in the grass!!! Even though you will still get paid,you took from baseball more than you contributed.
By Bo
November 26, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
DOB- great job. I read on si.com that Royals said they were not going to trade DeJesus but would listen to offer for Gathright. What have you heard with your contacts? Still believe we need another starter for insurance. Whats Your Pick for Coach at GT. Just wondering.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
Don’t drink the Mexican water Thirsty Horse. It might make you get hurt like me. You talk too much for a horse anyways. Don’t need you getting hurt and ending up in the hospital with me. I like peace and quiet when laying in the hospital bed 9 months of the year. You would be far too talkative a horse to share a hospital room with. Oh, never mind. What am I talking about? With all the money I have been getting for doing nothing, I don’t have to share a hospital room with anyone, especially not a talkative horse.
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Metropolitan Man First, men don’t think or talk the way you talk about Mike. How could you possibly think he was greedy? Look up accident in the dictionary, then look up injury, then look up moron. The first two apply to Hampton. You are the moron.
From this point on you shall be referred to on this blog as the Mentalfrolicken Boy
By Roger
November 26, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
So Hampton will miss the chance to shake off the rust and stretch out this winter. I for one really don’t want to watch him struggle back to form for half the season, assuming he even gets healthy.
It also looks like the Braves are unwilling to fork over the money for another dominant lefty reliever. Here’s an idea: put Hampton in the pen. He doesn’t need to stretch out, and he doesn’t need but 2 pitches. Get him back faster, have a better chance of keeping him healthy, and give the rotation spots to the kids that we need to develop.
We won’t develop another quartet of young guns, the makings of another dynasty, by trotting 2 40-somethings and injury-prone Hampton out to the mound. Gotta give the kids a chance to sink or swim in the majors for a few years.
By David O'Brien
November 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Just went back up to the original blog and reworded some stuff, because what I wrote was a bit confusing and/or misleading. Teams don’t have much reason not to sign Andruw before Saturday, other than just waiting to see how the market shapes up. Because they really don’t have to give up a draft pick for him; the pick is a sandwich pick created between first and second rounds, not a pick forfeited by the signing team. So I just clarified that. Thanks to the dude from Rotoworld for pointing that out.
Same applies for Mahay. Dotel isn’t even a Class B, so no pick.
For any fans of Joy Division or good music from that era, period, you’ve gotta see “Control.” Great movie. Dark, heavy, depresssing at times, but great. And terrific music by Bowie, Iggy, Joy Divisioin, Velvet Underground, etc.
By Metropolitan Man
November 26, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Thirsty Horse: If you heard that sorry speech he gave about wanting good schools for his kids in Colorado when he was a free agent, which turned out to be crap, then you might be able to comprehend. Ok, take the best offer BUT produce. This guy knows he is ripping off MLB. In any workplace you get hurt on the job, get workers comp, that doesnt hurt the company you are contracted out to or the company you work directly for. Show some integrity and figure out a way to earn his keep. And I know you may call yourself a MAN, but the jury is out on that one Horse Manure Guy!!!
Dont blow smoke up the fans rear (you may like that). You going for the money, just say it and go, dont use you kids and family as scapegoats like some other pitchers we know do.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Chipper played 150 games a year until the Braves traded for me.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Okay, I’m done making fun of myself for the night. Ya gotta do it to yourself sometimes. It’s too depressing to work that hard to get back to have these things keep happening.
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone, When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on Don’t let yourself go, ‘cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it’s time to sing along When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on) If you feel like letting go, (hold on) When you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on
‘Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends Everybody hurts. Don’t throw your hand. Oh, no. Don’t throw your hand If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long, When you think you’ve had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes, Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on Everybody hurts. You are not alone
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Because they really don’t have to give up a draft pick for him; the pick is a sandwich pick
BBQ Roast Beef?
you’ve gotta see “Control.” Great movie.
A movie with Bowie, Iggy and Lou Reed et al on the soundtrack it sure ain’t Mary Poppins. Control is on my list. How many stars out of four?
By Robert
November 26, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Hampton - what can be said at this point?
Although I am sure Donk sees no cause for concern, just like he wasnt worried this past spring when Hampton messed himself up
Anyway - in other news - Herm Edwards did his best Bobby Cox impression yesterday with an incredibly stupid call that will probably keep his team out of the playoffs - sound familiar?
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Mentalfrolickin’ Boy
you may call yourself a MAN, but the jury is out
I AM NOT A MAN. I-AM-A-HORSE.
And you are an idiot that not only lacks compassion for human beings and their offspring and the importance for good schools (something you missed out on), you have no clue about how “MLB” baseball or TEAM insurance works. You probably wish you could retract that bit of idiocy, right? Very telling post I’d say.
Tell me, how does it feel to be outwitted by everyone on this blog and now mentally flogged by a horse? Must be a little disconcerting. But then, you are used to meltdowns by now right Mental Metboy?
Come to the post now boy……I have a saddle for you. It’s a small saddle. Should fit you just right.
By Robert
November 26, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
“The Worst Contract in the History of American Sports!”
The one renewed every frickin year for Bobby Cox
Hands down!
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Hamstrung Hammy, at least you appreciate good REM.
Now stop the Mike bashing. He didn’t plan it or want it. He’ll be OK. So will you. Hope so anyway. Stipe is.
By stew
November 26, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
I don’t get one thing. If Boras said to the Braves Andruw’s gonna get 20 million for five or six years. The Braves offer was only 15 million for 5 years. Now that Andruw’s market value has become more reasonable, why wouldn’t they sign him for less than they offered originally? What makes anyone think that Schafer will ever hit the 36 homers that Andruw is sure to hit next year. It’s like the guy has got leprecy. I guarantee that Tex is walking next year. The Braves will never ante up the 25 million the Yanks or Mets will give him. Ain’t baseball wonderful. Even in a year when the w******* loses ARod, he comes whimpering back to them and again raises the bar so that we can’t sign Tex. Somebody ought to put ARod out of his misery.
By Metropolitan Man
November 26, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Man, braves blog went to the horses and his mouth needs to be wired. Go suck on a worm….that has an apple attached.
I blog and blab and you my friend will add to my retorts. You must be new or your old handle must have gotten ran off, either way you probably live longer if you stay in the saftey of your basement and not venture out!!!
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
I,really would like to Thank our real Fans on this here blog,You guys make things very interesting sometimes,It is a pleasure to get Home and find a sense of normalcy,after hearing those damned,Tennessee,Whiny@ssers on 104 the fan Radio all damn day!!!If it ain’t crying about Vince Young(who is just another Mike Vick clone might I add),and will NEVER BE AN NFL QB,now it isn’t enough that the Volunkweers,backed into the SEC title game,they now don’t want our Beloved BullDawgs,ranked 4th…Geez,why don’t we just cancel the Superbowl,pull an OJ Simpson,on the Heisman,and crown the whole damned state National Champs,while were at it let’s Strongly Urge the BoSox to move to Nashville,and carry the W.S. trophy there too.Better Yet Tennessee fans EARN SOMETHING for A change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By stew
November 26, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
What so bad about the word w*******? It’s not a curse word. You people must be nuns or something.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
November 26, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
Metropolitan Man You need to do a little research. Workman’s Comp was created to limit the liability a company has towards its workers when the company is negligent. It sets caps and limits so the company cannot be sued. Workman’s Comp protects the company, not the worker.
So, can the bull crap. What do you care anyway? Hampton is signed with the Braves, not the Mets….
By chrisklob
November 26, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
stew, when did the Braves offer AJ 5yrs and $15m? What’s been reported here is that Boras floated a proposal to JS and he knew there was no way they’d ever offer anything close to that amount so they never bothered to negotiate with him.
And how are you so sure that he’s “sure” to hit 36 HR next year? He didn’t this past year. And who says that the Braves “need” or expect for Schafer to hit that many anyway. Braves offense is in good shape the way it is, minus the bench. They’re going to score plenty next year. Frankly, I’m more concerned about starting pitching, especially in light of the news that Hampton has had yet another setback.
As for putting Arod out of his misery, a very wise man once said “don’t hate the player, hate the game”. It applies here too. I don’t like what ARod has done to the game but I don’t hold it against him.
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Robert,dude what is your dig with Bobby Cox??? Let me enlighten you on some things, one Bobby Cox is a Future Hall of Famer,You sir are Nothing,never have been,never will be. second Bobby Cox,is at this point and time,THE BEST MANAGER in Baseball!!!You sir,are still Nothing,that’s right never have been,never will be… Thirdly,Every Major Leaguer (with the exception,of maybe Kenny Lofton)either,loves playing,for Bobby Cox,or has a strong Desire to play for Bobby Cox… You Sir,You guessed it,That’s right.STILL NOTHING!!!
Two Tickets,to see the Braves=85.00 Two Cokes,and Two dogs=26.00 Seeing Bobby’s Hoof planted in Robot’s @ss=Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!
By chrisklob
November 26, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
joebrave, umm, you weren’t quite clear in your last post. How do you really feel about Tennessee? :-)
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
Now on to some Hot Stove action.Ahhhhh,my favorite time of the year!!!
Maybe,Oakland will get desperate and really want Lillibridge, enough to give up Blanton….
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Mentalfrolickin’ Boy
I blog and blab - Yes you do. We agree at last.
stay in the saftey of your basement
Too bad you didn’t get some Hampton spelling safty edumacation, hungh?
Now, here’s what’s really funny: You are on late night Bravesblog getting your arse handed to you by a horse. The guys back at the Bravesbarn are going to get a kick out of this. But it was too easy. Maybe you could find some Mentally limited Metboys back at your own Met blog, or did that melt down too?
By chrisklob
November 26, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
joebrave, don’t both with Robert. Insulting BC is all he knows. In many ways, he’s kind of like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Rainman, except Robert is even more limited in his range of speaking and understanding. “Robot” is actually a very good description of him.
I’m sure he’s an excellent driver though.
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Klob,I really like,Nashville,the place has grown on me.some of the local food is delectable,However,those fans:dude,I thought Mutts fans were big babies…But them Titans,and Vols fans,SHEESH,everything,should be Gold Plated,and handed to them on a Platter!!!!!!
You really,should give those folks a listen sometime!!!
By chrisklob
November 26, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Interesting football game tonight. We’ve seen approx. 59 minutes of scoreless football. When was the last time that happened? The field is a mess due to heavy rains and a fresh layer of grass having just been laid on Saturday on top of the old grass.
Ricky Williams made his triumphant return tonight and promptly “got hurt” after five or six carries. My guess is that the sight of all that fresh grass was too overwhelming for him!
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
I wonder,if someone will teach Omar Minaya the Heimlich Manuever at the winter Meetings????He better do something to stop the CHOKING!!!!!!!
By joebrave
November 26, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Here is a comment from one of those,Tennessee Babies.
We are playing,in Our conference Championship,but Georgia has the chance to play for the National Title.Whaaaaaaa,why,why,why….
I can answer that one very simply,Don’t Lose To Alabama,and Florida!!!!!! They backed into the title game,period,and I hope LSU beats He11 out of Em.
By Hamstrung Hammy Hampton
November 26, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
ouch
By Wayne in Utah
November 26, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
If there were every any doubt, it is now official: Robert and Jared are BOTH idiots!
BTW, why all the indignation against Mike Hampton. As I recall, anyone on here with half a brain are saying that the Braves shouldn’t count on Hampton for anything, and if they get something, it is a bonus.
Now that he is hurt, all we hear is the moaning and crying. What did you guys expect????
Now, Lillibridge for Blanton??? I don’t know, but I would give Lillibridge and Reyes for Haren though.
And as for Gaithright, I would take a pass on him. I think our big three rookies would be a better bet for CF.
By Greg
November 26, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
We should start a pool. Will Mike Hampton throw a single pitch for the Braves this year? If he does, how many pitches will he throw. I’d say the smart money is on zero to 100. Hampton clearly is a steroid case. He was supposed to be such an athletic guy, but he can’t stay healthy. Looks to me like the steroid side effects ended his career. $15 million for watching baseball games from the bench. Nice work if you can get it.
By chrisklob
November 26, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
If there were every any doubt, it is now official: Robert and Jared are BOTH idiots!
Don’t limit us to just those two. There are a few others that are just as deserving of that tag also!
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
My thirst is quenched for the evening. The regulars are back and all is well.
If the Mentalfrolikin’ Boy shows up don’t be too hard on him. He’s been rode hard and put up wet. Don’t want two Met-meltdowns in one year.
By Thirsty Horse
November 26, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Georgia has the chance to play for the National Title.
Clip clop clip clop. Woof Woof Woof!!!! Thirsty Horse likes those Hungry Dawgs.
By Wayne in Utah
November 27, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
I see that Terrence is at it again. I gotta tell you folks, I have my little spreadsheet with my Braves roster, and the other sheets with possible free agents, and a couple of other sheets with trade prospects and middle infield prospects.
What I have obviously forgot to do is to have a column for the players race. Dumb me, I guess I am as guilty as the Braves and the Astros, in not making sure I have the proper proportion of differing players on my “mock” roster.
The more I think of it, I think we should get that Japanese guy, “F*******” “Dome”, so we can have our Japanese quota.
Come on Terrence, go report some real sports.
Just so long as we don’t get too many religious centerfielders, then we will be OK.
By Wayne in Utah
November 27, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
What’s Terrence going to do when Willie Harris gets cut next spring?
By Wide Right
November 27, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
DOB,
I read that Liberty Media was going to increase payroll when needed. Now, if Hampton’s contract ends after next season…wouldnt it make sense for the Braves to go after one more ace for this season? Maybe Eric Bedard or Haren. I can’t see a better time to try and get someone like that. We know that Hampton won’t be available for much of ‘08. Seems like if Liberty was really serious about raising payroll it would make sense to go after one more ace for ‘08, knowing that cutting ties with Hampton in the following year will free up payroll for a long-term deal for that ace.
By joebrave
November 27, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Thirsty horse,would You give Terrence Moore,a ride,Buck him off,and Kick that Sonsabitch in the face…
How in the He11 does this @sshole keep his job???? As my old Pappy used to say,That Boy,is about as useless,as t** on a boar hog!!!!!!!
By fastasballs
November 27, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
Another year & another Hampton injury. At least his arm didn’t fall off. Regardless this is the LAST year we have to put up with that situation. I wish him the best & hope he can give the Braves some innings this year, but GOOD GRIEF, enough is enough!
On to some football. Any of you Dawgs going to make the trip to Miami for the Orange Bowl? I’m waiting on the Hokies to punch their ticket after they kick BC’s azz on Saturday. What’s your take on a rematch from last year’s Peach Bowl?
UGA, VT, Missouri & WVU are playing the best ball in the country right now IMO. Too bad a 8 or 16 team playoff can’t be agreed upon. It would put March Madness to shame.
By Wayne in Utah
November 27, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
In Websters dictionary under the definition of snakebit: “Mike Hampton’s picture”
By geauxbraves2000
November 27, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
Well, I for one was not counting on Hampton at all this year, so this doesn’t surprise me a bit.
Also, I am not at all giddy about this pitching staff. I see 2006 all over again. Hopefully I’m wrong. I hear Santana may be available. Oh, what’s that, not a snowballs chance in a fire the Braves trade for him. Oh yeah, the Braves have these Cy Young candidates fighting for rotation spots, I forgot. Sure wouldn’t want to complete the starting 5 with someone like Santana.
Geaux Braves!!
By BossLady
November 27, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this
Why would anybody want to pounce on Michael Vick on this blog? This young man has ruined his life and a sweet career. He had the Owner in his pocket, something most players never accomplish. A sad case if I ever saw one when a young man who has everything going for him does not seperate himself from the sh!t in his past. His boys, road dogs or whatever stuck it to him, too.
We as sports fans are not the judges, jurors and executioners of these things.
I wish Mike Hampton and Mike Vick the best.
All I want is to see the Braves and Falcons do well. I am not gonna spend my time, words and energy demeaning them for their misfortunes.
Bobby Cox is a good manager, but, he gives a player too much benefit of the doubt. He is not a cut-throat and that is a good thing. If he were to ever be that way it would not be a good fit in the Deep South.
My greatest fear is that the Braves replace Cox with a you know what. This is our way down here to give players a decent opportunity.
Terence is a jackass and whoever reads and listen to him is also not dealing with all the cards.
DOB has been mentioned in the Braves Vent. Why would anybody want to vent about him when he is out there seeking and giving us information?
I just wish that DeKalb County would keep their criminals out of Douglas County!!!!!!!
By GermanBravesFan
November 27, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
Geauxbraves2000: what are the Braves supposed to pay Santana with? He’ll command $20 million per year after this season. He has a the right to veto ANY trade and people speculate he will veto any trade to a team that cannot/won’t sign him long-term.
Well, yes, it’s a snowball’s chance in a fire that the Braves will trade for Santana.
By mr baseball
November 27, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this
Instead of spending so much time ragging on our perpetually injured lefty pitcher with the ridiculous contract, why not subject the collective barbs of the blog where it’s merited — the penny pinchers who annually leave the Braves with sub-standard bullpens.
Why in the world would the Braves not offer arbitration to Mahay? Because he might get $750K or — hold your breath — $1 million more than the Braves think he is worth in their own little universe, which has little relation to the real world outside Atlanta. When given the choice of spending an extra million or so on a quality reliever as opposed to going with someone else’s reject, the Braves will opt for the cheaper alternative EVERY STINKING TIME.
Over the 14 years of playoffs, how many times did the Braves lose close games late because of lack of bullpen depth? And perhaps the prime reason for the end to the playoff run was the utter demise of the bullpen in ‘06. Schuerholz always thought he was smarter than every other GM and refused to shell out the necessary money for the back of bullpen. Until ‘06, it never kept the team out of the playoffs, but we’ll never know whether the Braves could have added a few more Series titles if the genius ex-Gm wasn’t such a tightwad when it came to building a bullpen.
McBride’s gone, Startup’s gone, Ledezma weas a disaster, Mahay’s probably gone & Gonzalez is likely useless this season. If Ring struggles with his control, the Braves will be without a dependable lefty in the bullpen (no sweat, there’s always Tom Martin or Burger King).
And we haven’t even gotten to the question of what do the Braves do if Soriano can’t cut it as a closer? But why bother ourselves with such trivialities when there’s always Mike Hampton to kick around or fantasy trades for some unattainable starter to be concocted?
By phiz50
November 27, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
Jersey Gil: Thanks for the name of the pitcher Eric Cordier. Do you know how his recovery from TJ surgery is going? He had a lot of promise at one point.
By DJ
November 27, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this
Hampton should be the least of our concerns. Locking up Frenchy and Texiera should be priority. With a little fine tuning, the Braves can win this year. But its time the Braves step up and start locking guys up so they don’t blossom in some other city.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
November 27, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this
Hampton injured ? Say it ain’t so , Joe. Well , this will leave the Braves in no mood to be trading any pitching until at least halfway through spring training.
If Mark Bowman’s latest article is accurate and the Braves think that 3.5 million a season is to much for Ron Mahay. I have to question the commitment that this organization has to building a competitive team.
Seriously , The Braves paid Craig Wilson , Chris Woodward and Mark Redman a combined 3.6 million last season after they were pulled off the scrap heap.