AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWith Glavine back, notepads are full
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good morning and a raised cup (sixth, by last count) of coffee from The Happiest Place on Earth (rolled eyes).
The Braves are about to hit the field for their first pitchers-and-catchers workout, but we can assure you that at least one aspect of Tom Glavine’s game hasn’t eroded.
His interview skills.
Before the Braves had their initial team meeting (which they’re still in as we speak, at 9:53 a.m.), Glavine slipped into his Braves gear, went through a conditioning workout (before the team’s first official workout), and then filled it up for a half-hour in a media scrum in the Braves dugout at Champion Field (there, I’ve used the proper name. Hope they’re happy. Free passes to something, please).
If he can still pitch half as well as he can answer questions, then he’ll be a mighty solid No. 3 starter.
Glavine is still a bonafide ace in the interview dept. None better. None.
It was not the throng of reporters that he got used to during his five seasons in New York, but Glavine brought his “A” game for the 10 or so media members on hand, including a couple of NY reporters, a few Atlanta writers and TV types, and ESPN’s Jayson Stark (with his video-blog cameraman in tow. How ‘bout if we had a video guy to follow your Crusading Everyman around for this blog?)
Anyway, I’ll use a lot of the Glavine stuff for the story I’ll write for the paper and website later today. But a few choice morsels for now:
— Glavine said he arrived at 7:10 a.m., and only Bobby Cox, Eddie Perez and strength coach Frank Fultz were in the clubhouse at that early hour.
“All the old guys get here early — we need to make sure we wake up,” Glavine joked.
— I asked if the mood in the clubhouse was like it used to be, when the Braves were always reigning champions who expected to win, or whether he sensed it was more a hunger to get back on top. Glavine said, “A little bit of both. This organization, as successful as it’s been, there’s a built-in expectation to win.
“But obviously there’s the realization of what’s happened the last two years; that’s fresh on everybody’s minds. Everybody in [the clubhouse] is hungry to get things back on track.”
— Glavine said if the Braves hadn’t been interested in bringing him back this season, he would have retired.
He said that he knows those who are skeptical of his continued ability to still perform at a high level will point to his last three starts for the Mets, when he was 0-2 with a 14.81 ERA.
He said those who aren’t skeptical will look at his entire body of work from last season. Glavine was 13-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 31 starts before those final three.
“When people are skeptical of you, of course it motivates you,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s not a huge motivator for me.” Rather, he said he’s motivated by his personal expectations and goals for himself and the team.
— On the Mets: “They’re a big-market team that has the ability to be aggressive every yeaer. They’re doing a lot of things. Over the course of the last five years, they’ve done a good job reestablishing themselves as a class organization that will have to be contended with on a yearly basis.”
Folks, until we see Glavine pitch, here’s my bottom line on this subject, which we’ve kicked around and dissected all winter: He won 13 games and pitched 200-1/3 innings last season, and he was 8-1 with a 3.20 ERA in his 16 starts before those final three.
The Braves don’t need him to be an ace, and aren’t expecting it, though he probably will pitch like one some nights. What they need is a reliable third starter behind Smoltz and Hudson.
Glavine pitched 200-1/3 innings last season; the Braves got 430 innings from Smoltz and Hudson, but their next-highest total was Chuck James’ 161-1/3, and after that it fell off to Buddy Carlyle’s 104.
This rotation is so much deeper, with Glavine and Jair Jurrjens added and with Mike Hampton possibly back, the Braves aren’t expected to need Buddy Carlyle to make many, if any, starts. Even James will have to fight to win a job.
Bennett is serious: The Braves’ long man/spot starter could end up being Jeff Bennett, who was already running the stadium stairs when I sat down in the pressbox at 7:55 a.m.
Bennett has dropped nearly 60 pounds since last July, when he weighed 270 and his wife told him he was fat. He’s a slim 210 now, and Bennett came to camp with one thing in mind: Winning a spot in the rotation.
Don’t know if he’ll be able to do that barring a couple of injuries, but it’s possible. And that “sixth starter” job that Smoltz describes could go to Bennett, who seems perfectly suited to the role, given his background as both a major league reliever and his success late last season as a starter at Richmond, then with Atlanta and during winter ball.
Kotsay, Frenchy here: Most or all of the Braves’ outfield is here, after new center fielder Mark Kotsay and Jeff Francoeur reported and suited up this morning, six days before position players are required to report.
Left fielder Matt Diaz was the first non-catching position player in camp, arriving three days ago (but he lives just down the road).
Both Kotsay and Francoeur appear to be in outstanding condition. Francoeur, as I noted earlier, has added about 10-15 pounds of muscle, and it’s evident in the way he feels out his uni. Kotsay is about the same as I remembered him years ago when he was with the Marlins, except for the full beard (which I’d imagine won’t last long, since John Smoltz is the only one that gets away with that.)
(Well, sort of. Brian McCann grows his during the season, so it’s not really noticed. Next thing you know, he has a full beard and no one says anything. But I saw McCann with a beard yesterday, too.)
OK, gonna go down to the field: I want to nose around, see how Mike Hampton’s doing, talk to a few guys, check out some throwing sessions.
Oh, did want to say, I met Jurrjens this morning. Very polite, nice kid. Not quite as big as I anticipated, probably about 6-1, 6-2. But then again, if someone had told me two years ago that little Chuck James would win 11 games in the majors in 2006 and 2007, I’d have said, “You’re kidding, right?”
I’ll write plenty of comments later today. But it’s the first workout and I need to get down on the field, and figured you guys would rather me file early so you could start discussing things and coming up with some questions.
Who knows, maybe we can even get Chipper to post today, if he’s near a laptop (I haven’t seen him here, so I’m assuming he’s not coming to the ballpark today).
”SLOW TURNING” by John Hiatt
When I was a boy,
I thought it just came to ya
But I never could tell what’s mine
So it didn’t matter anyway
My only pride and joy
Was this racket down here
Bangin’ on an old guitar
And singin’ what I had to say
I always thought our house was haunted
But nobody said boo to me
I never did get what I wanted
Now I get what I need
It’s been a slow turnin’
From the inside out
A slow turnin’
But you come about
Slow learnin’
But you learn to sway
A slow turnin’, baby
Not fade away
Now I’m in my car
I got the radio on
I’m yellin at the kids in the back seat
‘Cause they’re bangin’ like Charlie Watts
You think you’ve come so far
In this one horse town
Then she’s laughin’ that crazy laugh
cause you haven’t left the parking lot
Time is short and here’s the damn thing about it
You’re gonna die, gonna die for sure
And you can learn to life with love or without it
But there ain’t no cure
There’s just a slow turnin’….
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Comments
By Matthew
February 15, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
First?
By David-ATL14
February 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
DOB hard to top the musical selection from yesterday but damn if you haven’t made an outstanding attempt with today’s selection.
Looking forward to the blog today.
7th??
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
OK folks, a clean slate. Let’s go!
—30—
By Josh H
February 15, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
DOB:
Since Matt Diaz is the emergency catcher, has he made himself available as a battery mate for some of these throwing sessions?
By McFann
February 15, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Glad to hear it about Bennett, DOB.
(Also glad to hear about McCann. He looks better with a beard. 8 ) )
By Wayne in Utah
February 15, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Maybe Lillibridge should grow a beard, so he will look a bit older. Does he shave yet?
By kdbanks
February 15, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
What’s the deal with the beards? Do the Braves have a facial hair rule or something? Odd.
Hope Kotsay’s added some yoga to his winter routine so that back will hold up.
By Yoga Berra
February 15, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
McCann with a beard. Cool. He looks more like a catcher with his beard.
By Ippississim
February 15, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
More like a catcher, and less like a preschooler. I had the same problem in my early 20’s about having a baby face, but my beard started greying at around age 24, so no longer an issue.
By ricky
February 15, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I have to keep telling my self to calm down and not get over excited at the prospect of having Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Hampton, and a battle for the 5th spot in place for this years starting rotation. We have all been burned on the notion that Hampton might pitch; but here I go again gaining hope that he might see more than half an inning. If Hampton does return this year and regain some of his former form…watch out! I just have to keep telling myself to prepare for the worst but then again I love to hope.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
February 15, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Well , I’ll be the first to admit that I am biased in favor of Jeff Bennett.
He really impressed me at the end of last season in Richmond and Atlanta. Then he went to winter ball and continued his success. Now the guy shows up at spring training fifty pounds lighter.
Jeff Bennett is going to make guys like James , Reyes and Jurrjens work a lot harder if they expect to make the team.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
U know TIGERS are like a battleship when you see the projected lineup and EDGAR RENTERIA
By BrandonC
February 15, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Sounds like Frenchy is looking to add some bigger power numbers this year by bulking up 15 pounds. I look for him AND Mac to have big years. I’m REALLY excited to see that competetion for the 5th rotation spot. We’ve got some big talent competing for it and it’s going to get interesting.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
U know TIGERS are like a battleship when you see the projected lineup and EDGAR RENTERIA is hitting 7th… amazing!!!
By McFann
February 15, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Dude!! My stupid emoticons keep getting messed up!! Hmm…oh well.
That John Hiatt has another good song called Perfectly Good Guitar. Great song, folks.
Haha, funny, Wayne. And you’re correct, Yoga Berra (Berri?): McCann so looks more like a catcher when he has a beard. Heh heh…yeah, he just needs to stick to that rugged look.
8 )
By ricky
February 15, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
You gotta love the competition and depth we have for the starting rotation. I remember last year we thought we had some quality depth which is why we traded Heracio to Seattle. Then we got burned on Hampton and Chucky couldn’t handle the 3rd spot in the rotation. We all know what happened after that. This year we at least have a solid 3 and potential 4 in our rotation.
I love the way Bennett has come out and been busting it for this spot. Hopefully it will push the rest of the guys harder to prove what they have. I still think Jo-Jo needs to start this season in the minors. JJ def has a chance but my prediction is that Chuck does win that 5th spot; which leaves Bennett in a position to be a great long reliever/spot starter to have with the team. We need someone to replace the loss of the vulture!
By BT
February 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I am really happy the Scribe is back!
By Longwood's Finest
February 15, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Daily updates from now on? I’ll take every other day…
Can’t wait for the season to start!
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
who do you guys like for the playoff picture in octuber? PREDICTIONS. Its early but the action is starting.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
I like James in the bullpen better than jeff if you ask me. I mean, i dont like the idea of having james in the rotation. I think JJJ will be the 5th starter and james will go to the pen and jeff will go down with jojo…… but i dont like the idea.
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Overlord: The Tigers’ lineup is sick, really really scary. They might average seven runs a game. Edgar hitting seventh, the dude who was fourth in the NL in hitting last year. That middle of Sheffield, Cabrera and Mags (last year’s AL batting champ) is really tough to deal with, and you put guys like Edgar and Pudge at the bottom and table setters like Granderson and Polanco at the top, and there’s not a weak link in the bunch.
Transitioning from that lineup to the Braves’ lineup, I’m interested to see how Bobby parcels out the spots at the top and bottom. Chipper and Tex hitting third and fourth, and Frenchy/McCann or McCann/Frenchy at fifth and sixth, really is a formidable middle four. I agree with whoever pointed out earlier this week that a big key is the continued development of the two Gwinnett kids.
As for the top? I think Escobar can handle hitting leadoff. I know he’s only been up for four months, but that kid is special. He plays like a guy beyond his years. I personally think Bobby will hit Kotsay second (provided Kotsay is healthy), veteran stick and a .282 career hitter in front of the big bats … could be an awesome fit.
And, if you hit Yunel and Kotsay first and second, you put Kelly seventh. He handles the bat very well and did a good job after being moved down in the lineup last summer. Diaz or Anderson or Brandon Jones will hit eighth, I would guess.
And it will be Diaz most days, a guy who hit .338 last year and .327 the year before. I think this lineup’s got the potential to be really solid from top to bottom and really, really tough on opposing pitchers, especially given the high average guys hitting low in the order and the two switch-hitters in the middle. There aren’t any Raul Mondesis or Brian Jordans (no disrespect to BJ at all; one of my all-time favorite guys) or Scott Thormans or Craig Wilsons in this projected starting eight.
We’ve talked a bunch about the flexibility the Braves will have in their starting rotation. That flexibility also will be present in the batting order. Three guys (Yunel, KJ, Kotsay) can hit leadoff. Four guys (Kotsay, KJ, Yunel, Diaz) can hit second. Yunel has speed at the top. If Anderson makes the team, he gives you speed at the bottom when he’ll spell Diaz in left. KJ has good speed (nine steals) and good power (52 extra-base hits a year ago; 26 doubles, 10 triples, 16 homers).
This team is going to score runs. Too many good hitters in this bunch not to.
—30—
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
BT: Thanks much for that. Very nice and greatly appreciated. Hope all is well.
Lunch time. Selah, good folks.
—30—
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I still like the dodgers in the west and the brewers in the central. look for the reds to make a splash. mets will get their wildcard. Phillies back to reality (3rd).
By Bryan
February 15, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
This is one of the best pitching battles we have had in a while - and i love that Hampton is an X-factor more than he is a A, B, and C guy. (meaning that, hey, he could be awesome - but we are not counting on him). I think that is going to help him come back steady and not rush …
I agree with Chippers sentiment - we traded Edgar for J2 because he could easily be a 4 or 5 guy … but i think half a season in richmond - at least - would be good for the guy.
Any word, Dave, regarding James and if he has thought about changing the way he studies and approaches the game?
Did anyone ask Glavine about Moss? Ask him if he was upset when he blew in in SF and the in the minors, will ya? Glavine looking to work with him again at all?
(new Drive By Truckers is getting better and better)
By 22oz
February 15, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
I’m hoping JJJ gets the 5th man job, and unless i hear otherwise, i’m putting Hampton in the fourth slot. A little optimism never hurt nobody. I think if Chuck shows he’s not hurt, he’ll be moved this spring. This depth is amazing; this team is capable of handling injuries at numerous positions. My main concern is if McCann goes down, we’re not really prepared for that, unless Javy comes back full bore. Tex going down would be not too good at all either.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Just asked Smoltz if he had any preferences for rotation order and if he thought he knew what Bobby would do. Smoltz said it’s a “no-brainer” that Hudson gets the opening day nod, said because of where Hudson’s at in his career, the year he had in ‘07, etc.
Smoltz said he’s past caring about opening day assignments and doesn’t care where he’s slotted, and he actually sounded like he meant it.
HAMPTON threw off mound today, faced a few hitters (Kotsay, Corky Miller, Huddy). He’s gonna do everything other pitchers are doing except PFP (pitchers’ fielding practice), which he’ll ease into over next week or so.
Hampton said he thinks there’s “very good” chance he’ll be in rotation when Grapefruit League season starts, that his arm feels great, only issue is making sure they don’t overdo the hammy.
I also asked him about fact that most people say they’d be thrilled if he made 20 starts, that plenty believe he won’t pitch at all, and what his own goals were in terms of starts.
He said, “30 to 32, normal. Whether they slot me in the third of fourth spot, whatever, my plan is to take my turn every fifth day.
“With the things I’ve done the past two years, I should be able to make that. I feel strong.”
By ncscoots
February 15, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I don’t know that the Tigers’ lineup is any scarier than the Indians’ of the mid-90s. But the Tigers do appear to have better pitching than those Indians’ teams.
I’ve come around to the idea of KJ batting down in the order, though I’m not particularly fond of it. It still wouldn’t surprise me to see him hitting leadoff when the season starts.
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the update DOB.
Now that the team is in Florida I’m all jazzed up. This is good stuff. Real good stuff. Just hope we stay healthy. If healthy this team should put a good run on.
Scribe, I’m with you on Kotsay. If that guy is healthy I’d imagine he’ll be hitting 2nd… I could see Cox alternating the line up a lot this year for the lefty/right match ups. We’ll see how it goes. Sometimes I get the impression some of these pitchers appreciate the heavy bent towards one side of the plate. They don’t have to adjust as much to hitting different spots for hitters on alternating sides of the plate. We’ll see though.
GO BRAVES!!
By 18 Wheels of Love
February 15, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
I’m one of those in the ‘Hampton will never contribute’ boat. Hope he proves me wrong but I got burned last year counting on him. I’ll take 20-25 starts. I just want to see the guy healthy. Just seems we’ve heard the ‘arm feels great’ talk before.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Sounds like everybody is feeling good in camp. Great news!!!
Mike sounds so healthy, hope he is not dreaming. He even feels as being 3rd instead of tom. That is a hell of a statement.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Hampton pitched to Timmy? That’s funny. Well, he’s the best hittin’ pitcher we have. (Course, I think Mike’s not bad.)
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the updates DOB, its a very exciting day, and the action is just starting.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Bryan, you don’t now Chuck or you wouldn’t ask that question, about whether there’s been any word about him changing his approach or studying hitters, etc. Just not in his nature, for good or bad. He’s not a real, uh, complicated dude.
By Jon
February 15, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
18 Wheels of Love I dont ever remember Hampton giving the ole, ‘My arm feels great’ speeches right before his last surgery. I remember him being very reserved about it saying things like ‘its not where i want it to be right now, but the doctors say thats normal’ Dont ever remember him saying his arm felt great.
By The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy
February 15, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
18 Wheels of Love,
Are you the “Gangstabilly” Version or the “Alabama A$$-Whuppin’” version with Intro Commentary?
I’m skeptical like you in a way, but I don’t think I’ll predict that he’ll never contribute. Considering how low he is on the depth chart, a small handful of decent starts would be a fine contribution…especially considering that I expect to see JJ, Jo-Jo, and Bennett make a fair share of starts. A “5th starter-by-committee” if you will. Will Hampton make a $15 million dollar contribution?,….no. Will he make or break us?…..I say he could make us but not break us, even if he does fall flat on his face.
By DAP
February 15, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
thats funny about bennet’s wife telling him he’s fat. i hope that day never comes for me! i got married 6 months ago and have put on about 10 pounds…im trying to stop it right there! nothing like your sweety calling you fat to motivate you.
heres something weird…ir maybe its not, but it is to me. i have light brown hair, but my bread grows in red and blonde, with a little bit of brown. weird?
By tylerwoods
February 15, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
After hearing that Hampton is pitching to Huddy, I just got a sick premonition about Mike getting hurt this year. He starts the year great going 6-1 with a 3.05 ERA, and the Padres come to town. He rips a double into the right field corner off of Jake Peavy, and severely pulls his hamstring as he rounds first. I hope I am wrong, but this thought came so clearly into my mind that it scares me.
By Robert Cox Master of Blogs
February 15, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Oh what’s the use? The big donk is just gonna flush it all away in the end.
By Randy
February 15, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
So what is up with the beards?
I know Bobby has the “no earring” rule, the “no music without headphones” rule, but I didn’t know he had the Steinbrenner “no beards” rule.
Can you give us a list of Bobby’s unwritten rules?
By Bryan
February 15, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Dave, thanks … that one of my favorite aspects of James makeup … he is “country smart” … i just wasn’t sure if the Braves were going to ask him to become a little more cerebral with his approach…
By Moby Grape
February 15, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
But Jurrjens potentially (that’s a dangerous word, I know, but I haven’t blogged with you guys in a while, so I’m rusty) could develop into a staff ace one of these days. He just turned 22 and has a world of upside. Being able to throw three pitches for strikes (404 strikeouts against just 121 walks in 503.1 career minor-league innings) shows there is a ton of talent there.scribe
I see you are saying potentially, but not according to most of the talent evaluators across the baseball nation. most rate him as a middle order guy, good control but not #1 quality pitches. The Braves do have a lot of depth in the starting pitching staff, but almost all of it is back of the order depth. If one, or God forbid two, of the Smoltz/Hudson/Glavine aging trio are hurt for any length of time it is going to be tough.
By CC
February 15, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
I’m hyped about this year, but even moreso, and I can take a BIG relaxed breath about it — no more disdain over AJ and that collapsing lunge of a swing.
And it don’t make me no-never-mind if some have troubles getting up to speed at the plate — This year I do believe I’ve got lots of patience to go around.
But not for Hampton. Get with it or get gone.
By TN-MAN
February 15, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
DOB, How did Kotsay look today? You get a chance to talk to him? Good news Hampton is back pitching.
By Renegator
February 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
DOB:
How does Kotsay look at the plate? Back seems healthy? Is he hitting well?
By BravesFanInRockies
February 15, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Talented as Chuck may be, unless he gets a little more “complicated,” he’s likely to spend his 30s (or late 20s!) installing windows rather than facing major league hitters, if you know what I mean.
How gifted people can conceivably p* away their opportunities is beyond me. It also makes me mad to see those stars smashing a perfectly good guitar, but that’s another thing …
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 15, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Bryan, you’re right about this being one of the best pitching battles we’ve had in a while. It’s very exciting, and I wonder if Jo-Jo, James and Jair have prepared for camp like Jeff has. I’d certainly hope so.
I’m glad to read DOB’s comment that “even James will have to fight to win a job.” Sounds like the 4 J’s will be given equal opportunity based on their performances in spring training and what they can do. I’m hoping that Jair wins a rotation spot, but I also agree that half a season in AAA couldn’t hurt (assuming that he’s not needed in Atlanta, which is to say that the rotation does well).
Great to read Hampton’s comments that he expects to make 30-32 starts and that, given what he’s been through, he should be able to do so. I also wonder if he made those comments knowing who he was talking to — i.e., that what he says would get printed.
I know that Smoltz doesn’t get the final say, but it’ll be good to watch Huddy pitch in Washington on March 30th. Hopefully it’ll go better than his start vs. the Dodgers in ‘06 went!
Music stuff: I’ve been listening to some new (to me) stuff this morning — Destroyer and Devendra Banhart. Both are different, but very good stuff. And yeah, Bryan, the new DBT cd has gotten better with each listen for me. Really like the album, especially “I’m Sorry Houston.”
By Bryan
February 15, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
My favorite song is Perfect Timing i love the line “I used to hate the fool in me, but only in the morning, now i tolerate him all day long.”
Hey, i heard Javey was catching Jo-Jo, James, Jeff, Jair, John, Jlavine, Jim Judson, and Jike Jampton…
things are getting intense down there … someone needs to pass a J
By Bravosimos
February 15, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Do you think now that Franceour has added muscle, he can hit the 290 from last year and add maybe 30 HR?
By OrlandoFan
February 15, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
You know, DOB, you could get yourself an RCA Small Wonder (about $100) and then become your own videographer. They plug right into the old laptop and download very good video (and audio) from close-up shots (don’t shoot a game with it). Then Mr. Stark would have nothing on you (as if he did anyway; he doesn’t).
By ricky
February 15, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I looked over KJ stats batting in the 7th hole and they look pretty good.
AB/2B/3B/HR/RBI/BB/BA/OBP/SLG
93/4/ 5/ 3/ 20/ 13/.355/.444/.602
Looking at Kotsay’s career two hole numbers: .281 BA and .344 OBP I must have to agree I like the way things could work out.
Here is my line up for the majority of the year.
Yunel/ Kotsay/ Hoss/ Tex/ McCann/ Francoeur/ KJ/ Diaz
By Epinephrine
February 15, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Have to disagree about people who say, “we’ve heard the arm feels great talk before”, regarding Hampton. The truth is, we have not heard that. In fact, last year Hamptom appeared to be somewhat pessimistic about his arm. He would have good and bad days-there was a lot of, “hopefully it continues to improve”. Anyone that was listening carefully had good reason to think his elbow was not in a great place.
I don’t hear any of that hesitation this time around, and frankly, it is getting me cautiously optimistic. A healthy Mike Hampton could be huge for this rotation.
By Dean
February 15, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
All these pleasantries about the Braves make me ill. I mean is everyone so giddy about Spring Training that they overlook the team that is unfolding? Who cares about beards and mohawks? I’d like some real reporting and not constant fluff. The bullpen from what I can tell is either so good we’re scared to talk about it, which I highly doubt, or it’s a game of, another blowup waiting to happen. I can see it now, Ohman stinks it up and Mike G comes back too soon and blows out his arm, etc. I guess we’ll play another game of “Let’s wait to see how bad this gets!” Oh, and backup catcher? Javy, oh please, tell me another…and so on.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
The new odd couple: Charlie and Chucky. They’re walking across the field now toward the parking lot, Charlie Morton and Chuck James. At pitching camp last week, Charlie told me that Chuck had been showing him around, etc.
I asked him if he was sure Chuck knew where he was going (kidding).
By richbrave
February 15, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
O’B - wan:
Re your post about James. He’s like -another Rocker? Pluueezzee!!!
By DisBrave
February 15, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I work near Death Star and want to go watch at least one of the practices, but I have one of those M-F 9-5 gigs. Do they practice on the weekend at all?
By DisBrave
February 15, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I work near Death Star and want to go watch at least one of the practices, but I have one of those M-F 9-5 gigs. Do they practice on the weekend at all?
By DisBrave
February 15, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I work near Death Star and want to go watch at least one of the practices, but I have one of those M-F 9-5 gigs. Do they practice on the weekend at all?
By Steve C.
February 15, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Wow, Dean, that was rather uplifting. Why would you assume Ohman will stink it up, and that Gonzalez comes back too soon? How do you know that Javy will even make the team??? Sorry if the pleasantries are making you ill, but your post made me ill. Not sure that anyone is afraid to talk about the bullpen, we all know there are question marks, especially since we can’t be sure who will actually be in the bullpen. But so much pessimism, when you or I don’t know the final roster, moves that may be made, injuries, spring training games, etc.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine, ill have to correct you, healthy mike hampton means playoffs, automatically.
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
I see you are saying potentially, but not according to most of the talent evaluators across the baseball nation. most rate him as a middle order guy, good control but not #1 quality pitches. The Braves do have a lot of depth in the starting pitching staff, but almost all of it is back of the order depth. If one, or God forbid two, of the Smoltz/Hudson/Glavine aging trio are hurt for any length of time it is going to be tough.
Moby, I’ve read what a lot of folks have said about Jurrjens. I don’t think he’s an ace now or even this year. But at some point in time, I’m willing to believe he could develop into a top-of-the-line guy. Maybe ace is too strong an adjective, maybe not. But he just turned 22 and, at every stop along the way in the minors, he exhibited great control. He certainly impressed the Tigers with his seven-game stint last summer.
I think this guy has a world of upside and is going to get better in the next two or three years. By 2011, I won’t be surprised at all if he’s a No. 1 or a No. 2. A guy who heater hits 93, 94 consistently, and can back it up with two breaking pitches and throw all three of ‘em for strikes, who’s so young, is indeed one to watch.
And I hear you on Smoltz, Hudson or Glavine getting hurt. I know Glavine and Smoltz both are past 40, but at the same time, I don’t know any team out there that wouldn’t be drastically impacted by substantial absences from two of their top three starters. If I’m the Braves, I feel much, much better with two 40-somethings in the top three this spring, knowing there is a ton of depth at the back end of the rotation.
I’m NOT saying if, say, Smoltz missed two months, that a Jeff Bennett or a Jo Jo Reyes would pitch like John Smoltz for those two months. I AM saying if one of those top three misses time, there is still enough pitching present to keep this team competitive and in the hunt. The thought of Bennett, Jurrjens, James and Reyes is much more calming than that of Redman, Davies and Lerew.
—30—
By McFann
February 15, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Randy, I don’t think Cox has a “no beards” rule. If he did, some of our guys would be in trouble!
That reminds me of 2006 when, at some point in the season, some of the Braves tried to grow fu-manchu mustaches. Boy, was that ever strange! Poor LaRoche just looked like he had been eating ice cream without napkins. (So did Francoeur, for that matter.)
Anyway, this is all a bit delayed, but I got this excerpt from an article from ESPN The Magazine. (Don’t subscribe, but Googled this back in August.) It’s about McCann:
“…[H]e’s grown a fuzzy blond beard he desperately hopes makes him look older…”
That goes along with what Ippississim said earlier.
Gotta go.
By DonCoburleone
February 15, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Sweet, new blog every day from now on DOB? I love that…
I thought the quote from Hampton: “With the things I’ve done the past two years, I should be able to make that. I feel strong.”
The “things I’ve done” are what exactly? Getting hurt and going through multiple rehabs without pitching in a competetive game in over 2 years? That is supposed to make him ready to make 30-32 starts? I don’t get that quote at all.
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
All these pleasantries about the Braves make me ill. I mean is everyone so giddy about Spring Training that they overlook the team that is unfolding? Who cares about beards and mohawks? I’d like some real reporting and not constant fluff.
Dean, you ever been to the first week of workouts? Because if you have, you would know there is precious little to write about as far as nuts and bolts stuff. Beards and mohawks? It’s called scene-setting, my man. It’s all good, so relax.
And as far as overlooking the team that’s unfolding, half of that team isn’t even in camp yet (first full-squad workout isn’t until middle of next week). So far this morning, we’ve talked about Glavine being back, the makeup of the rotation and the batting order, Hampton throwing to hitters, Francoeur putting on muscle in the offseason, Smoltz saying Huddy should get the start in the season opener, etc.
Not a bad first day of camp, I would say. You want to talk about the bullpen? Go ahead. Tell us who you think the seven guys who will make the team as relievers are, and what role they will play?
—30—
By Epinephrine
February 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
With the exception of Ohman, I don’t really see what the “question marks” over the bullpen are, especially in comparison with Braves teams past. It isn’t like our set up men are Reitsma and Remlinger. Frankly, I think the competition between Ring, Boyer, Morton, Stockman, and Bennett ought to lead to a pretty solid group.
I don’t have any questions about Soriano, Moylan, or Acosta, because they’ve given us no reason for concern.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine: Good point about Hampton. When he came back a year ago, the arm never felt right, but he and Braves assumed it was just scar tissue breaking up that forced him to abort that instructional league start previous fall. Actually it was a tendon tearing away from bone near the elbow….
Anyway, there is more reason this spring to hope, at least. I’ll still believe it when I see it with him, just because of the long list of injuries.
TN-MAN, renegator: Kotsay looked fine, no sign of back issues when he was at the plate or running. I asked and he said absolutely no restrictions on what he can do, whether lifting, running, etc. He said he feels good, no problems.
When he came into the clubhouse, bunch of us were talking to Hudson, and Hudson joked to Kotsay: “They’re waiting with that cortisone shot for your back that you asked about.”
Kotsay laughed and said, “Good. I can’t miss any games this year.”…
DEAN, you wrote: “The bullpen from what I can tell is either so good we’re scared to talk about it, which I highly doubt, or it’s a game of, another blowup waiting to happen.”
Uh, who’s scared to talk about it? Where you been, Dean? Down from the ledge, fella. It’s Feb. 15.
By Longwood's Finest
February 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Wonder if Huddy went yard against Hampton?
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Oh, one more thing: I asked Cox if anyone had caught his eye today, and he mentioned how great Charlie Morton’s stuff was. When I asked if Charlie might be a candidate for the bullpen, or if the Braves believe he needs to be in a rotation, Cox said in his opinion he needs to keep starting because eventually he sees him being an impact guy in the Braves rotation.
In other words, don’t expect him to be a bullpen candidate this spring. He’ll begin the season in a minor league starting rotation.
By DonCoburleone
February 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
DOB do you think that the performance of some of the Braves young hitters this season (Francoeur, McCann, KJ, Escobar) will in anyway affect a possible long-term contract for Teixera? And what I mean by that is, if by the end of the season it looks like the Braves offense can still be quite formidable even without Mark Teixera do they maybe use that money to go after other needs? Or maybe even use potential Teixera money on CC Sabathia after this year?
By hhness
February 15, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
With Glavine and Lopez back, if someone could just find Deon Sanders, Otis Nixion and David Justice, we might have something going here. Let Sid Bream coach and let Terry Pendelton run the organization. My mother-in-law saw Otis Nixon eating at a restaurant in Griffin so he’s still around. Dean is not commentating sports anymore so he is also available. Some of you might say I’m crazy but you probably are the same ones who called Sid Bread out when he came sliding into homeplate. If we work hard we could get Maddox back too and Gant who broke his leg riding a … motor bike. This thing is about to get real. I was there beating those drums in the cold with all those other fans, hell we didnt even have to go into the game we just loved the fact that the braves were kicking a* and taking names!
By James
February 15, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
So is that like a standing policy in the braves clubhouse? No beards? I thought only the Yanks did that.
By DAP
February 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Bravosimos i think what youll see from francouer is alot of those doubles in the right-center field gap from last year turn into homers. he wont hit alot of opposite field homers, but once he shows he can(and he will) pitchers will come back inside on him trying to get him out, and he will turn on those in a hurry. look for the big hits to keep coming from francouer this year.
hey dean, do you come on here much? i gathered from your post that you arent to familiar with this forum. why dont you just stick to reading for about a week, and i think youll get it.
By Wayne in Utah
February 15, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
How tall is Bennett? When people call me fat, my response is “I am just too short for my weight.”
Lew Where are you, my friend? Did you leave your laptop in the cold, far-reaches of the NE?? Have you connected with Hoss yet???
If you do, tell him he owes me an autograph for the time he snubbed my kids in Greenville in 1990.
:-)
I think Bobby should require all players grow a beard this year. Or better yet, maybe biker chops! Now that would be interesting. Bring back the Mad Hungarian.
Thanks DOB for another pretty OK start to spring training! Though I have a great job, I am still jealous.
(sorry, couldn’t resist!)
McFann: are your school grades suffering since you starting blogging on the MIB/BBQ/Rock ‘n Roll blog?
By ricky
February 15, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Dean: Wow! Why even call yourself a fan or even watch a game since you already know how the team is going to implode from within. Let me know what you qualify as a real reporting. There is nothing wrong with throwing in funny comments or stories about the players around the real reports as you call it.
As far as the bullpen I think we are set up pretty well. Wren has made some moves to add some depth.
We have plenty of quality bodies ready to compete this year:
R. Soriano
P. Moylan
M. Gonzalez
W. Ohman
J. Ridgway
M. Acosta
T. Yates
R. Ring
C. Resop
J. Cuevas
C. Morton
Z. Schreiber
A.Lerew
J. Bennett (If not in starting rotation)
C. James (If not in starting rotation)
If you don’t like the pleasantries then don’t read them and go sulk. Leave the discussion board up to people who enjoy the start of a new season and the hope it brings.
By Epinephrine
February 15, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Food for thought: this is Hampton from one year ago.
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/shared/sports/stories/2007/BBNBRAVES0306_COX.html
Also this: Feb 27, 2007 “I’m not where I need to be,” Hampton said. “It felt good early, then I threw some breaking balls. I didn’t feel as good later in the session as it did earlier.”
By James
February 15, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
DOB, you are the man. In fact, you’re my hero. Just wanted to throw that out there.
By DAP
February 15, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
dean, one thing to learn about this blog right away…never a good idea to criticize the whole post while also adding nothing.
By Wayne in Utah
February 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
To: Jeff Bennett
In case you are reading the blog, quit with the training and weight loss crap, your making it hard for those of us who are comfortable in our tubbiness!
By Epinephrine
February 15, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Well I can’t link to it, but I encourage anyone interested to back through the archives from February and March of last year. Pretty interesting stuff actually-watching Hampton go down, then Cormier, then the Redman signing…its like watching the season go down before we got started. And even then, we were in first til Chipper went down.
Favorite headlines: “The 29.5 Million Dollar Question: Braves Count On Hampton’s Return” (talk about a difference from this year) and “Redman Gets Chills Thinking of Debut”. So do I.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Wayne, Bennett is about 6-1, 6-2. He was a wide-body last year, now looks entirely different. Slender, but not skinny. I don’t want to mislead….
DAP, I thought Dean added a wealth of compelling and stimulating information.
By Yoga Berra
February 15, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Don’t understand people like Dean who get their panties all wadded up about the possibility of Javy Lopez being on the team. Are ya telling me that you get all worked up over the backup catcher? It would be pretty darn hard for Javy to not be better than the scrubs who have been playing backup catcher the last 2 years besides Salty.
Don’t understand the concerns about the pen. The Braves had the 3rd best ERA last year in the NL out of the pen. Which departure from last year’s pen are you exactly all worked up about losing? Paronto? Devine? Wickman? Ascanio? Dotel? Villareal? Oh, blogger, please.
The only one they lost who was worth anything was Mahay and he only accounted for about 5% of the innings of the third best pen in the NL.
Oh, blogger, please. Buy yoself a clue.
The Braves had the second highest run differential in the National League last year. According to the Pythagorean, they should have won 89 games last season. The only NL team who was expected to win more was the Rockies who should have won the 90 games they won.
The Braves have improved their offense with Tex instead of Andruw. It will be hard for Kotsay to not be better than how woeful Thorman/Wilson were last season. Brandon Jones is a definite upgrade over Willie Harris. There is much room for improvement from studs like Yunel, Frenchy, KJ, McCann. Their combined continued improvement should provide better results than they all combined for last season.
Smoltz, Hudson, and Glavine are pretty predictable. If healthy, Chuck James is pretty predictable as well. 5 innings, 4.00 ERA, and the Braves winning about 60% of his starts. The combination of Chuck James, Jair Jurrjens, Mike Hampton, Jeff Bennett, JoJo Reyes will provide better results than what the 4, 5 starters did last season.
The Braves should be a 90 win team this season. They only won 84 games last season but they should have won 89 if you put much faith in those sabermetrics.
I predict with the improvements from the offensive side, the Braves will score at least 850 runs in 2008. The ERA from the rotation should be about 4.00. The ERA from the bullpen should be about 4.00. Add the expected 0.40 unearned runs a game and the Braves should give up 4.4 runs per game.
With Braves scoring 5.25 runs per game and giving up 4.4 runs per game, the Braves expected Pythagorean record should be about 93 wins this year. Let’s hope they have better luck matching their Pythagorean record this season.
The Braves have underperformed their Pythagorean record by 11 wins the last 2 seasons. They are due for some better luck to go with their improved team.
By wiki
February 15, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
May be stating the obvious but regarding Morton, Bobby is certainly looking long term regarding his younger starters in that the rotation is likely to be overhauled in the next two years or so (Glavine, Smoltz, Hampton, maybe even Hudson if no contract extension). For that reason, I don’t expect any of those guys other than Bennett to be considered for a hybrid or strictly bullpen role. In other words, Richmond may have a very strong rotation with some combination of JJJ, Jo Jo, CJ, Morton, Carlyle, etc. and a ML roster spot is Bennett’s to lose.
By Tomahawkin' Again (like it's 1995)
February 15, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Just got back from watching the Bravos work out at Dark Star (and a little lunch at Chick-Fil-A). Absolutely gorgeous day here, low 70’s, partly sunny. Only @ Disney: as the Braves are beginning their workout, a couple hundred or so batron twirlers were warming up on the concourse on the 1st base side. It felt like a timewarp seeing Glavine, Javy, even Chris Chambliss back in a Braves uni. Speaking of Javy, he looks like he’s lost 20-30 lbs since we last saw him. When Bobby hit the field, he got a nice round of applause (sorry Donk-haters). Our very own DOB was looking quite spring-training cool in his finest Old Navy shirt and khaki’s. And, the biggest thing to come out of today, Hampton (as far as I know) made it through the hour and half workout…and is NOT on the DL.
By Yoga Berra
February 15, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Man, with a name like Dean, I was hoping Dean would be more optimistic and say something more Dean-ish like:
“Not only are we going to New York, DOB, we’re going to Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Miami, and Arizona.. And San Francisco And San Diego! We’re going to Chicago and Houston and Cincinatti! And we’re going to Saint Louis and Colorado and Milwaukee and Pittsburgh! And then we’re going to Washington D.C. to take back the Division Title! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
By James
February 15, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
I for one am very excited for the upcoming season. All I have to say is Pedro/Johan/(Insert Name Of Overpaid Mets Player Here) who?!?!
By DAP
February 15, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
DOB DAP, I thought Dean added a wealth of compelling and stimulating information.
youre right…it was between the lines. the information was that he didnt know what kind of forum he was in or what he was talking about.
By 22oz
February 15, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Lovin’ the confidence in Hampton’s voice. Last year he didn’t sound confident at all, but predicting 30-32 starts sounds great!
By Method Man
February 15, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
I love to give my chest hairs a perm
By Paladin
February 15, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, why don’t you try asking some tough questions for a change instead of this same ol’ boring crap. Come on man, get off that rear and get to work!!!
By BravesFanInRockies
February 15, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Yoga,
2:26. Good one.
By DonCoburleone
February 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I don’t really understand people who are advocating Mark Kotsay as our #2 hitter… Why? I’m kind of lost on that one. We have a very good 1-2 already in KJ and Escobar (although I would argue we need at least some speed from one of those 2 spots, but that is a different argument). All we need from Kotsay is solid defense and average offensive numbers for a center-fielder (anybody know what the average AVG/OBP/SLG line was for CF’s last year?). Anyway, here is my lineup against a righty: 1)KJ, 2)Escobar, 3)Chipper, 4)Teixera, 5)McCann, 6)Francoeur, 7)Kotsay, 8)B. Jones……. Against a Lefty: 1)Escobar, 2)KJ, 3)Chipper, 4)Teixera, 5)Francoeur, 6)McCann, 7)Diaz, 8)Kotsay…… I would do that until at least June and hopefully by then either Escobar or KJ will emerge as the best leadoff hitter and I’d keep it that way for the rest of the season. Personally I like the idea of KJ batting right in front of Chipper and Teixera so if he could handle it, I’d prefer Escobar at leadoff…
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
C.C. Sabathia has this Barto Colon image in my mind. Sort of the hispanic Mike Hampton. El Hamptonio. I appreciate what CC has done, but I’d be skeptical about giving him a 5 or 6 year deal at 20 million per. Looking at the pitching market next year I’m not sure there is any big time pitcher I’d want this team to shower with money. The time to acquire a top flight front line ace was this winter in a trade, not next winter in Free Agency. Obviously that opportunity has passed on by. Hopefully Smoltz can pitch til he’s 45/46 and hopefully Hudson stays on top of his game and with this team past his current contract. And lastly, hopefully these minor leaguer exceed expectations. I’ve read the reviews, only 1 of the projects to be a top of the rotation guy, and even he is projected to be a #2 starter. The odds are never in favor of a prospect to begin with so there is a lot left to prove.
This year though, the team should be pretty competitive. Yoga Berra’s run down was pretty good. But I think the results will be tempered a bit. Of the “big three” in the NL East, I can’t say anyone of them stepped back this offseason. I’d speculate that they all stepped up and improved. Same goes for about every contender in the NL last season. I’d say overall NL pitching has improved as a couple of the AL’s top starters just switched to the real baseball league. It’s going to be a fun season. A real test of what this team can do, and a real test of what these prospects will eventually be.
GO BRAVES!!
By richbrave
February 15, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Brother Dave:
Yours of 1:52 p.m. Woo-Hoo. I maybe see Morton in person. Can’t wait!!!
By ppaddy123
February 15, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Just want to put my 2 cents worth in on Kotsay’s back surgery. I had similar surgery and IT TAKES A YEAR TO BE FULLY RECOVERED Doctors will tell you 3 months….maybe 6, but it takes a full year before you really feel comfortable doing the things you did before.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Pedro Martinez knows his place in the Steroids Era.
“I dominated that era and I did it clean,” he said. “I can stand by my numbers and I can be proud of them.”
I think pedro is a great pitcher, but i also think this guy deserves a big lesson, as big as the one clemens is getting, hope the braves give it to him on the field, and show him his new Daddy.
By ppaddy123
February 15, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Don, if you look around the league, there are very few “prototypical” lead off hitters the caliber of a Reyes or Curtis Granderson. The lack of speed you mention is, to me at least, offset by Escobar’s “sneaky” base running and he’s a doubles machine.
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
DonC: Now, assuming Kotsay is healthy, here are the reasons I’d put him second. He’s hit there or first almost his entire career (so in truth we “already have” 3 players capable of hitting in the top two spots). He has solid numbers hitting there. When compared to Renteria (both are the same age and have been in the majors for about the same amount of time Renteria has a 1 year lead on Kotsay), prior to Renteria coming to Atlanta, and prior to Kotsay getting injured, Kotsay had a higher slugging and better OBP than Renteria coupled with equivallent averages and one other asset which I’ll bring up below. No one would question Renteria in the #2 hole…
But the biggest reason I like Kotsay in the #2 hole over KJ is the strike out to walk ratio. When Healthy Kotsay has a sizable advantage in this catagory. Even better than Renteria.
Looking at it from KJ’s perspective, having him behind Francoeur improved Francoeur and added that much more depth to the line up. It also gives a good OBP guy lower in the order to keep the innings running fluidly. This should reduce the number of times we fans groan about the “bottom of the order is due up next”.
All of it hinges on Kotsay’s ability to stay healthy and produce similar to his pre-back injury years. If he can’t do that then he should be dropped like a bad habit.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
ppaddy123 im sorry to disappoint you, but every persons recovery is different, some can recover in 3 weeks, some in 6, some in 6 months, some never at all. It depends in your body, your nutrition and your rehab.
By Capt. Caveman
February 15, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
* HEY DOB *
Like I said last night, I used to live on the northside of Orlando and was asking you if you had been to a few of the local spots. Have you ever been to any of the Cheers sportsbars down there?? Great place for a real fan. Also that steakhouse I was talking about I now think it was called LoneStar of Texas Steakhouse. It might be closed, they had that steak that was so big if you ate it all it was FREE!! I did and it hurt something awful. Just out of curiousisty what places to you go down their to relax besides the hotel and lobby bar?? I will be down to visit some friends and in the next few weeks and hoping to catch some Bravos and maybe run into you while I’m there.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
I think there are fast leadoff hitters in the NL at least.
Juan Pierre (furcal could also leadoff).
Chris young
Willie Taveras
Dave Roberts
But i get the point, it could be a lot more.
By OrlandoFan
February 15, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Pedro dominated what era? He was very, very good for 8-10 years. He is not in the conversation with Clemens, Maddux, Glavine, Johnson or Smoltz (whose record is similar and he has the 150+ saves). Yes, he had some great years and he does have great stuff, but the record just does not compare, and certainly not over as many years.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
The is nothing on earth that can replace dangerous speedy leadoff hitter.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 15, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
DonC: “We have a very good 1-2 already in KJ and Escobar (although I would argue we need at least some speed from one of those 2 spots, but that is a different argument).”
I’d say that KJ and Escobar both have pretty decent speed. Sure, neither will swipe 30+ bases this year, but they’ve both got at least some speed — KJ had 10 triples last year and 9 SB, and Escobar was 5/8 in SB. I know those aren’t alarming stats, but their feet certainly aren’t made of lead either.
By ppaddy123
February 15, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
overlord, personal experience tells me it’s a year. I’m not a world class athlete, and he’s not 22 anymore. it takes a year before feeling comfortable doing the same old things. We’re not talking about a knee…. it’s support structure for the body
By ppaddy123
February 15, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Overlord….’cept maybe a devil that hits laser beam line drives every time at bat and can steal 2nd while the pitcher ain’t lookin’
By ncscoots
February 15, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
[Pedro Martinez] is not in the conversation with Clemens, Maddux, Glavine, Johnson or Smoltz
Oh, man, you must have the guy confused with Ramon Martinez, LOL. Seven or eight years with ERAs under 3, a couple under TWO, get Pedro in just about any conversation on dominant pitchers in his era. The guy was a beast in his prime. Being a Braves fan doesn’t blind me to that, nor does his current condition as a shell of his former self.
He may be an idiot, but he was a bad-azz idiot.
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
ppdaddy123, Overlord: 3 months, 3 hours, 1 year, whatever. Kotsay had his surgery March 8th, 2007 (I believe it was the 8th). At any rate, he’s approaching 1 year and is well past the 3 to 6 month mark.
Just sayin’
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Caveman, I’m not staying in a hotel here. We have a house the AJC rents, about 12 miles west on 27, just north of I-4.
Been to Charlie’s and another big steakhouse here that I can’t recall, and to Colombia restaurant in Celebration and a few other good places. But haven’t been to the ones you mentioned.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
T-Hawkin Again, Re: Your 2:21 post. Come on, man. It’s a Lacoste I’m wearing, not Old Navy.
But then, your Crusading Everyman should be in Old Navy. So nevermind. Go with that.
By Rob
February 15, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
I think the Glavine acquisition is going to surprise a lot of people(mets fans). Two great pitchers ahead of him, a solid line up, less pressure all should lead to a great season for him. www.bravesreport.com
By McFann
February 15, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
McFann: are your school grades suffering since you starting blogging on the MIB/BBQ/Rock ‘n Roll blog?
Not too much Wayne. But there was that 85 in math… ; )
(Sorry for such a late response. Grammar, going to pet shops—that stuff takes time.)
BTW, just curious to know, DOB, where do the players stay during Spring Training? Do they stay at a Disney Resort? (Prob’ly not.) And I suppose they have to report to camp pretty early every morning, huh?
By ppaddy123
February 15, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, whadda ya’ think I been saying? He’ll be fine now having a year to recover.
By Capt. Caveman
February 15, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
DOB
Well I’m sure you get plenty of suggestions for things to do. One thing about Orlando is there is always somebody around that will be “recommending” places to go.
Hope to see you when I’m down there.
By OrlandoFan
February 15, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
NCSCOOTS: I know Pedro had great years. And I wans’t thinking of Ramon. I checked the record. My comment was “dominating the era.” He didn’t dominate like those guys or for as long. Johnson was next closest, I guess. Pedro has won (I think) 206 games in 16 years. That’s an average of nearly 13 a year. Very good. Maddux won 15 for 15 consecutive years. Clemens has won more overall games. Johnson dominates in strikeouts. I’ll admit that I maybe overstated my point, but I was doing that intentionally. I think his dominance was like 8 years and not all 16. And defnitely not an era, as he said.
By Adam
February 15, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Charley’s does have an excellent steak. Also check out Bonefish and if you are feeling rich, Shula’s at the Dolphin is excellent as well.
By Braveheart
February 15, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
If Pedro is not the conversation with Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Randy, Clemens, it’s probably because at their best, Pedro was more dominant than all of them. That doesn’t mean Pedro is gonna be good this year. But, man, I don’t know if there has ever been anything more exciting and dominating than Pedro at the top of his game in the late 1990s.
By knowitall
February 15, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
I would have to agree with ncscoots. I think Pedro has done enough to be considered one of the top pitchers of the current era. Remember, he started out on some Expo teams that had good young talent but could never put it all together because they either let everybody walked or traded them for even younger talent.
The only question ever about Pedro was whether or not his body would hold up because he was so small. I think it held up longer than most thought it would.
By DAP
February 15, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
orlandofan i think pedro was saying he dominated the steriod era. weather he’s right or not, the quote isnt endearing. tootin’ your own horn never is.
By Bluehose1
February 15, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’m a long time denizen first time poster but when I saw you mention the Columbia restaurant I had to chime in. The Columbia is one of my favorite places to go when we’re down in FLA. So far we’ve eaten at the one in St. Pete, the one in Ybor, and we eat at the one in St. Augustine every summer. Great food, and the Sangria is the best!
By ncscoots
February 15, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Pedro: career 2.80 ERA; career 1.03 WHIP; career K/9 over 10. Man, I don’t know, but that’s some pretty I-dont-wanna-face-THIS-guy kinda stuff.
By beekay
February 15, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
By Capt. Caveman
February 15, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
If you play golf then Deer Creek is very close and a nice course to play on for the average golfer.
By Mike S
February 15, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
I’m with you Braveheart; from 1997-2003 Pedro was the most dominant pitcher in the game. And frankly, I don’t think it’s even close. That stretch of his is one of the most dominating stretches of pitching of all time.
By Mickey Mouse
February 15, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Don’t make Mickey Mouse angry DOB. You won’t like Mickey when Mickey is angry. Mickey Mouse doesn’t want to go all vigilante on the Crusading Everyman.
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: Not that I ever saw this man live, but Koufax was supposed be something else. his annual ERA+ never reached as high as Maddux or Pedro nor is his career ERA+ higher than either, but he was something those last 5 years… 3Cy’s and an MVP.
Personally of the roid era I’d put Maddux at top. The man is always healthy and as consistent as an atomic clock. 4 straight Cy Youngs, always 100+ Ks, never walking more than 82 (only did that once in his third season), hasn’t walked more than 50 since 1993 (15 years), more than 3000 K’s, 17 straight seasons with 15+ wins, 20 straight with 13+ wins. And 7 straight season with an ERA under 2.75.
Yes. Pedro was good and certainly belongs in that discussion. His injury risk is his only knock against him.
By Mickey Mouse
February 15, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
I’m not staying in a hotel here. We have a house the AJC rents
What he did not tell you is that this house is called Cinderella’s Castle and is located in the middle of the Magic Kingdom that he likes to call Dark Star.
And, yes, the Crusading Izod was just spotted leaving Epcot Center locked arm in arm with Minnie Mouse, skipping with a big goofy smile, singing “It’s a small world after all”
I’ve never seen the Crusading Izod have this much fun.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
February 15, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Speaking of fast lead off men , Josh Anderson stole 237 bases during parts of four season in the minors with a success rate of eighty percent.
By N8
February 15, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
beekay
Your 4:45 made me smile.
Well done.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Mickey, good stuff.
By Roman Gal
February 15, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Just got back from our season opener. It was a good game…for my team anyhow. Our pitcher threw a nifty little one-hit shutout while we scored 12 runs.
I can’t wait for the bees to start buzzing, my truck to turn yellow, and baseball…ahh, can’t you just smell it? Spring is right around the corner.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Adam, best steak I’ve had down here is at Hawk’s Landing, at the Marriott. Great steak. Pricey, but great. Cox used to have his own table there, when he stayed at the Marriott.
By Anders
February 15, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Two thoughts on Orlando Fans ridiculous statement about Pedro. One, he didn’t throw pitches 4 inches off the plate that were regularly called strikes in the mid 90’s for other[s] that will remain nameless. Two - he’s 5 years plus behind the guys you mentioned he doesn’t measure up to. He plans to keep pitching after this year. Personally I don’t think he has to to prove his place but certainly that will take the numbers differentials off the table. Oh yeah, he pitched in the AL for most of that time against DH’s and stacked lineups.
By Supes
February 15, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Nothing but optimism this year as a Braves Fan!
I believe the Braves will improve from their 84 wins last year…to win 90+ games and be a more complete team.
Finally won’t have that BLACK HOLE in the middle of the lineup called andruw jones…so glad he took his pathetic batting average and SO total to LA, to steal their money not the Braves’.
We’ll have Tex for a full season hitting behind Chipper!
Full season for Yunel to show how awesome of a SS he is going to be.
KJ will be better defensively!
Excited to see what Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz will do in the LF platoon roles, if Matt hits like a crazy fool again, watch out!
If the NL is underestimating the Braves again, thinking they’ll be no better than last year…think again!
I know Mets fans are already nervous, that’s b/c they claim that the Phils are their only true opponent…yeah, keep thinking that Mets fans, and get ready to eat your words in September!
By Lew
February 15, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Well Denizens- I lied-I’m blogging from sunny Orlando.First workout was interesting.
Some of the high points were- Hampton and Gonzo throwing free and easy. Kotsay looked real good, hitting line drives. However, the biggest surprise was Brayan Pena. Everything the guy hit was a rocket shot- and he hit everything thrown to him. Javy hit several over the left field wall to the lawn.
McFann-BMac signed the painting.
All in all, a great day. I watched it all with Jason from Maine. Where are all the other denizens. Sunny and upper 70’s. Get y’all’s sorry butts down here.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 15, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Scoots:
I think that while in the end I’d pick Maddux pretty easily over Pedro for the career that Pedro definitely belongs in that talk.
He doesn’t have the career numbers like wins because of injuries at times, but his awesome ERA and such and just how good he was when he was at his best (along with the fact that he had a number of years at that level) are more than enough to get him into the debate.
Like I said, I still would take Maddux over him pretty easily and Glavine and I would also pick Smoltz career wise as better.
But also I think calling Pedro a shell of himself is pretty dismissive.
He has had some pretty tough times with injury that give me big questions about him this season, but when he does pitch he is still very good. Not his best, but still quite good.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Hey, Roman Gal, you should check out the photo galleries of Spring Training on the AJC. Got some photos of Javy.
So what about the players, DOB (Seriously, this is the last time I’ll mention it), where do they stay? Or maybe that’s who stays in Magic Kingdom. LOL.
By NY Jay
February 15, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Pedro Martinez’ numbers from ‘98-‘04(the steriod era)
1998 Boston Red Sox 19 7 2.89 251 Strikeouts
1999 Boston Red Sox 23 4 2.07 313 Strikeouts
2000 Boston Red Sox 18 6 1.74 284 Strikeouts
2001 Boston Red Sox 7 3 2.39 163 Strikeouts
2002 Boston Red Sox 20 4 2.26 239 Strikouts
2003 Boston Red Sox 14 4 2.22 206 Strikeouts
2004 Boston Red Sox 16 9 3.90 227 Strikeouts
Keep in mind he went 16-9 in ‘04 when he was supposed to be “past his prime.”
This list excludes his 1997 season with the Expos when he went:
17-8 1.90 305 Strikeouts.
Pedro, in 16 seasons, has not lost 10 games in a year and has not lost 100 games for his career. He is 209-93.
Conversly, Smoltz didn’t pitch under a 2 era until he became a closer. In 15 years as a starter, Smoltz has only pitched under a 3 era four times in a lesser league that we all say he has dominated.
Pedro pitched under a 3 era six consecutive seasons against American League lineups.
Pedro maybe arrogant but he’s got the stats to back it up.
By Lew
February 15, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Fat report-Terry Pendleton is a mere shadow of himself-he has lost considerable amounts of weight. Mac has lost 10 or 15 himself. Looking good. Now if only me and Chino Cadahia could lose some……
By Aram
February 15, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
David, ESPN’s spring training blog has some quotes from Wren saying that Jurrjens has stood out the most in the first couple of days. The blog’s phantom writer also goes on to suggest that the Braves may look hard at Jurrjens for a bullpen role if no spot in the rotation opens up. Have you been given any indication that the Braves believe he is a Major Leaguer to the extent that they would use his arm in the bullpen rather than send him to Richmond to start?
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Does anyone knows how are alou, castillo and delgado doing?
How about pedro and sanchez?
Key players with injuries……. not that i care if they are having a good time, just wondering about the evil…..
By Lew
February 15, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Anders-EVERY pitcher got that outside strike-not just Glavine and Maddux. It was nothing but the Umps’ way of evening things out-otherwise, all you would have had was 14-12 games. Plus-They never called a strike above belt high. Quit b!tch!ng, Dude. Do I even have to explain reality to you while I’m on vacation?
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
I’m looking forward to seeing Hampton’s surgically repaired arm work for us in up to 20 starts this season, and his bat work for us up at the plate.
Keep the inside info coming our way, DOB. 19 more days ‘til I report!
Someone please give the NIU president a dictionary so he won’t continue to talk about the “heart-rendering events……” Sheeessshhh.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Hey, Lew!! Great to read from ya so soon!! Which painting did he sign? (Pardon me for asking.) Is Chipper down there yet?
OK, sorry. Too many Q’s.
By Overlord
February 15, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Pedro has such a big mouth…..his is due for some lesson, he´ll get it this year…..if he stays healthy.
By Lew
February 15, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
McFann-They don’t stay at Fantasy Land. That’s the Mets’ Home.
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Lew - when I heard about the working out Javy did with Chino in the off-season, I wondered if it was going to benefit our bench coach also.
Not so much, huh?
By Lew
February 15, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
McFann- Check out LewHartman.Com-The painting is in the baseball gallery-THAT’s the one he signed. Chipper told me he would be there tomorrow and to introduce myself. I have his deer painting-and a portrait of him. We’ll try to get Jason from Maine to photo it.
By Anders
February 15, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Overlord
Pedro’s throwing free and easy and hasn’t felt this good since 1998 - His words not mine. He also reported that he didn’t need any ice or have any soreness after any of his 5 starts last year which suprised even him. Certainly good news to start (for Mets fans) but I still will be tentative until he’s pitched regularly. Sanchez also is throwing at 95%. Mostly fastballs. Needs to work on his off speed control - his words as well. He hopes to be on the roster opening day.
No word on the other guys other than Delgado wants to prove he’s not done. Those are just words at this point. We’ll see - He is in a club option year. That usually helps.
By Anders
February 15, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
BTW- David Wright will not be reporting to camp until next Tuesday as he won the pole position in the Daytona 500.
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
DOB: how ‘bout using your formidable clout there at the AJC and let’s get rid of the “turncoat Tommy” vent on the Braves home page? It been there for ages……..time to move on, don’t you agree?
By Fred Secunda
February 15, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
DOB, what actually goes on in a team meeting? What I mean is, it’s the first real day of spring training, what on earth could these guys talk about for an hour? Just how the day is going to shake out, I guess?
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Aram, that’s certainly a possibility with Jurrjens, but I really believe he’s going to be in the rotation.
Yes, however, I’ve been told he has the stuff to fill any role, and the Braves didn’t trade for him to have him in the minors.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Good one, Lew!
Sooo…you saw McCann, eh? Uh……If you see him again, say “hello” for me. (Not that he knows who the hey I am, but that’s as good as I cann do for now. Tell Chipper to teach BMac about the blog. LOL.)
Choppinmama, you sound like my brother with that one.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
McFann, players stay in a variety of accomodations, mostly rental townhouses in Celebration or rental houses near the ballpark. A lot of them used to stay at the Marriott years ago, but I don’t know that any do these days. Don’t know any that are in hotels.
By Aram
February 15, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Without putting words in your mouth, it would seem that if you expect the J-man to be in the rotation, then you expect either Mike Hampton or Chuck James won’t be. The Braves can’t trade Hampton, and Chuck’s value only diminshes if sent to Richmond. Reyes/Morton/Carlyle would all be fine in AAA. Along with the players out of options, do you see Chuck as Wren’s best trade chip this spring in an effort to further solidify the bench/bullpen?
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
By the way, Aram: Jurrjens didn’t even arrive until last night, had some visa issues. Braves officials didn’t even see him throw for the first time until today. Cox said he threw fine, OK, whatever, after I mentioned to Cox that Jurrjens wished he’d thrown better but that he hadn’t been able to throw for 4-5 days because of his visa problems and the traveling he had to do to get it.
By Roman Gal
February 15, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
McFann I did look at the pictures while I was at work. I have my Javy bobblehead on my desk…I’m ready to go!
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Oh, and I forgot a great line from Hampton, when I asked him about that uniform his Mexican winter-ball team wore, with all the advertising on it:
“I think all those ads weighed me down,” Hampton said. “I looked like a NASCAR hood.”
By McFann
February 15, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DOB. A few years back (Before McCann was on the Braves) we drove through that Celebration when it was decorated for Christmas. Dude! Those were some nice houses!! Would love to see the inside of one or two (or three or four…) of ‘em.
I guess thinkin’ that they would stay in a dinky hotel room for two months was a bit ridiculous on my part.
By OrlandoFan
February 15, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
I surrender on Pedro. NY Jay stuck a fastball in my ear. Those numbers represent as strong a 7-year streak as could be expected in this era of baseball. And, yes, he pitched in Fenway, which undercores many of those performances. I just always sort of wondered about his “automatic” HoF mention. But I see more why now.
By William
February 15, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
DOB
I asked this question on yesterdays blog. Do the Braves hold full squad workouts on the weekends? Thanks!
William
By Aram
February 15, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Oh totally…this time of year you’ve gotta take quotes like that with a grain of salt…that was just the first I’ve heard a Braves official allude to the possibility that the Jurrjens could begin the season in the bullpen. Personally, I like the other scenario best - Hampton stays healthy (knock on wood/Hail Mary/don’t step on the cracks), Jurrjens is #5, and Chuck is traded at maximum value for something we can use this year.
By Lew
February 15, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
ChoppinMama-Chino is like me-35 or 40 pounds might be a good start, but we would still have a pound or three to go. I don’t know about him, but I was not allowed to walk for the better part of a year-NOT conducive to weight loss.
By Lew
February 15, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
OrlandoFan-Pedro’s record for those years was as good as anyones’. The problem is that the Mets’ fans think he will still put up those numbers after missing 18 months, being surgicallty repaired, injury prone and not having been all that for the year before his injury. They need to face facts he isn’t that pitcher now and has not been since joining the Mets.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 15, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I say this as a Met hater since the Doc Gooden era and a Brave fan for many more years. 2008 could be a classic three-team race if:
The Braves’, Mets’ and Phillies rotations are durable.
The Braves’ and Mets’ potentially fragile stars (Hoss, Delgado, Alou) stay healthy enough.
And Brad Lidge isn’t lit up in that tiny Phillies’ ballpark.
Could be a barn burner, and I’d enjoy every minute of it —
By BravesFanInRockies
February 15, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Lew,
Yeah, Pedro’s a finesse pitcher now. He’s more like Maddux and as we all know, Mad Dog does get lit up every now and then.
By CARTZ
February 15, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
DOB, I live in Orlando and was planning to check out a workout either this weekend or this upcoming week.
Called Wide World of Sports and they couldn’t give me any information on the times, and I couldn’t find them anywhere online.
Any help? I’m hoping to show up tomorrow to see Glav throw on the hill.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
I’m ready to go, too, Roman Gal. I got my Bobby Cox bobblehead on my shelf.
One thing about those photos though…who’s feet are those in picture #12 of the first gallery? Haha, it’s pretty funny for some reason.
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Gosh, Lew, I guess you did a lot of painting and reading for that year. Have fun walking around in the FL sunshine while you’re down at DarkStar. Just be sure you use your 45- or 60-suncreen, or you’ll go home looking like a ready-to-eat lobster!
Keep posting your fan observations while you’re there. I’ll be looking for the official “bestowing” photo. Hmmmm…….you think if I crochet a lovely camouflage set of gloves, face hood and gun caddy I could get a “bestowing” with Chipper too??!!
By Roman Gal
February 15, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
McFann Those are Peter Moylan’s feet. I know my feet. Actually I’m lying. I haven’t a clue.
By William
February 15, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
CARTZ……..I have the same questions. It’s hard to find any info.
By NY Jay
February 15, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
LEW- Logical Met fans do not expect Pedro to be what he was but keep in mind he was 15-8 2.82 in 2005 In 2006 he pitched with a torn rotator cuff and was bad 9-8 4.48 in 23 starts.
When a hall of fame pitcher says he is fully healthy and ready to go coming off last years 3-1 2.57 in 5 starts, then you have to expect a decent year.
14-9 or 15-10 maybe. But no one expects Pedro to go 17-8.
His fastball barely hits 89mph but the man has a filthy curve, changeup, slider and cut fastball. Pedro can win in the national league.
I expect Pedro to be as good as Brave fans expect Tom Glavine to be. As a Met fan I am rooting for Glavine to have a g Thats reasonable.
By NY Jay
February 15, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
LEW- Logical Met fans do not expect Pedro to be what he was but keep in mind he was 15-8 2.82 in 2005 In 2006 he pitched with a torn rotator cuff and was bad 9-8 4.48 in 23 starts.
When a hall of fame pitcher says he is fully healthy and ready to go coming off last years 3-1 2.57 in 5 starts, then you have to expect a decent year.
14-9 or 15-10 maybe. But no one expects Pedro to go 17-8.
His fastball barely hits 89mph but the man has a filthy curve, changeup, slider and cut fastball. Pedro can win in the national league.
I expect Pedro to be as good as Brave fans expect Tom Glavine to be. As a Met fan I am rooting for Glavine to have a good year. Thats reasonable.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Great news, Lew!! Yeah, you know what I’m talkin’ about. Sorry, somehow I missed that one before. That really hurts my image. LOL
; )
By Chopdawg
February 15, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Looks like my only shot at getting to Disney this year is weekend of March 1…DOB, when does the activity on the back fields begin? I’m also feeling the need to make a pilgrimage to Vero Beach, before the Dodgers give it up; how long a trip is that from Disney?
By Wayne in Utah
February 15, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Did I hear Lew say that B-Mac had lost 10-15 lbs?? I hope so, for his sake. Gotta be easier on the back/knees/legs/ankles/feet etc.
If so, that is great news. I might have to think of another nickname, versus Baby Huey.
By JC FROM UT
February 15, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
I live in the Philadelphia area, the local sports radio is calling the Braves “over rated”. They belive the Phillies will win 90-95 games.
By Cupid
February 15, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
Happy belated Valentine’s Day to McFann, Choppinmama, and Roman Gal from your fellow denizens.
And, McFann, it is safe to click on it. I know you are usually very wise in being hesitant to click on links.
By Paladin
February 15, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
DOB, I see you still haven’t asked any relevent questions today. Come on man, this is ridiculous. Will Teixera take less to stay with the Braves? Will the Braves trade any of their surplus of relievers? Why have we not gotten a better center fielder? Would Andruw not take less to stay here? Are we going to make a trade for Rocco Baldelli or not?
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
McFann - would that be your older or younger brother? Then, I’ll know if that was a put-down or a positive comment!
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
After reports that Chuck had arm issues and then a “lack luster” season from 2007 complete with a DL trip I would say his value isn’t as high as it was the previous off-season. I hope the guy sticks around. I like Chuck James. Been a while since the Braves called up a pitcher and he was actually good. Typically they get all JoJo Reyes when they come up to the majors.
By ssiscribe
February 15, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Lew: Ah man, glad you made it. Enjoy camp and know next year, I’ll be there.
—30—
By woogidy
February 15, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
DOB - Seriously admire your dedication. At the park at 7:55, blogging with us all day, U da man, I appreciate it. My 8 hrs is up at my job, I’m out.
By Braveheart
February 15, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Typically they get all JoJo Reyes when they come up to the majors
Word to Jung Bong!
By William
February 15, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Ok, I have a question. How is Jeff Francoeur rated #116 among MLB outfielders for Yahoo Fantasy Baseball??!?!?!?
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
From all accounts it appears Glavine was the first Player to report this morning. Almost beat Cox. Gotta say, I appreciate it. After the split 5 years ago, going to the Mets, talk of retirement, then the reunion, he’s the first one in the park. Not a bad way to start it all back up again. Thanks Glavine.
GO BRAVES!!
By woogidy
February 15, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
One more thing, Y’all seen that show “How to Look Good Naked”? How are they supposed to get those women to look good naked when they don’t look good with clothes on? Someone had that show on at the gym today, and when they showed a woman take off her shirt, I almost gagged.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
It’s my older brother, Choppinmama. I have an older brother and a younger sister.
Another nickname? Aw, just when I figured out where “Baby Huey” came from. ; )
By DonCoburleone
February 15, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Oh dear lord, it appears Rocco Baldelli trade talks has reared its ugly head again… Paladin let it go man, he’s never going to be a Brave.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Paladin, we’ll try harder tomorrow. The Andruw question is atop the list for Saturday morning.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Chopdawg, backfield activity will be going strong when you get here.
And Dodgertown is about 2 hours south.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
CARTZ, workouts begin at 10 a.m. and run to 12:30 or 1. You can also get a few guys sometimes on the field earlier than that if they’re coming back from extra hitting in batting cage or they’re out running or something.
By David O'Brien
February 15, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
William: Days of the week mean nothing at spring training, in terms of scheduling. Monday is the same as Tuesday, is the same as Saturday, is the same as Sunday, etc.
By CARTZ
February 15, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
thanks! i was hard pressed to find information so thanks for helping me out, i will be there tomorrow!
By jb
February 15, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Paladin,
Rocco Baldelli? Isn’t enough the Braves alrealy traded for a CF with injury concerns in Kotsay? I still think the CF who should be in Center was in the Braves system before Kotsay was acquired. I didn’t think CF was too much of a problem. One of those young kids is ready, just not sure which one yet.
By Roman Gal
February 15, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Aww shucks, Cupid! Thanks a lot!
By Sean
February 15, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
This has got to be the best team we have fielded (well, at least with the most potential) since Time Warner started cutting the payroll. I can’t wait. www.braves-report.com
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Awwwwww - thanks, Cupid. A little piece of my heart is still with Adam LaRoche too!
By McFann
February 15, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Aww, sheesh, Cupid, thanks!! Very nice of ya!
Still so glad to hear what Lew had to say. Take that all you people who were gettin’ all over Brian these past few months!! (Except Wayne, he’s fine.)
(Oh, and, sorry. In my first post about it, I linked up the wrong post of Lew’s. (: O )
By McFann
February 15, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
Hey, Roman Gal, that’s pretty funny about the feet thing! I was thinking maybe they were Chuck James’, since they seem rather skinny. Woulda guessed Timmy, but he was wearin’ socks.
: ` (Testing out a new emoticon, there. Sorry if it looks dumb.)
By Roman Gal
February 15, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Chuck James was wearing socks, too.
By McFann
February 15, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Oh, well…OK. That kills that theory.
: )
By Aram
February 15, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
All this team needs to do is hang around until just after the AS break, then make a move. If the Mets & Phillies see the Braves surging that time of year, then find the Braves with a 3 game lead in mid-August, do you know what they’ll be thinking psychologically? Oh crap - the Bravos are back.
I’m not scared of either one of those teams, Santana or no Santana. Santana vs. Smoltz or Huddy is no guaranteed win for the Mets. Not by a long shot.
Despite the fact that the Mets won the division 2 years ago and the Phillies last year, neither of those teams have truly separated themselves as winning ballclubs. The Mets close, but not quite by virtue of the fact they’ve only won 1 division title in the past 19 years!
The Braves have had the expectation and the perception of a winning ball club since the early 90’s. The last two years they have dropped off, but not to the extent that they would ever be confused for a losing team. Expectation has changed but, generally speaking, subconscious perception has not.
If all of a sudden baseball fans (as well as Mets & Phillies players) look up on August 15th and see our boys with a 3-4 game lead (especially if this is the result of 2nd half momentum), they are going to think, “Dang, those Braves are gonna do it again. They’re not dead after all.” That realization will be a psychological burden on our chief inter-division competition, I think. If we can find a way to put pressure on those guys late in the year, I think we’ve got a psychological advantage. Not a huge one, but an advantage nonetheless.
Plus those guys suck.
By Lew
February 15, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
NY Jay-If you’re a logical Mets’ fan, then Dude, you’re the first ever to appear on this blog.
Cartz-Jason In Maine and I will be there tomorrow about 10:00. Stopover and say hello. I’m the one with all the art. I’ll be near the dugout.
ChoppinMama-I started blogging that year. It pulled me out of my depression and helped me heal. Why do you think I love this blog so much? That’s why I give away so much art to all you worthies.
By TennesseePaul
February 15, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Plus those guys suck.
That about sums it up.
By NY Jay
February 15, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Lew-I have read some Met fan posts on this blog prior to posting on it myself so yea its safe to say that I might be the 1st.
By DAP
February 15, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
NY Jay are you rlated to that science guy, bill?
By Shamus Thacker
February 15, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Did GlassMan, (Hampton), arrive in a bubble?
By Michael Land
February 15, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, and Maddox, are the faces of this Franchise. They were great. They are standards and role models for all. They represent everything great about baseball. In Atlanta, we should be and I know most are grateful for their baseball and off the field accomplishments.
However, they are all done. Smoltz is one pitch away from ripping his elbow. Even with an elbow in tact, Smoltz is barely a number two starter and closer to number three these days. Glavin, with all his greatness is especially done. At his age, he’s a serviceable fifth starter. Avery’s long gone. Maddox is still slightly better than Glavine, but no better than a fourth starter these days. Now, the rest of the team.
Hampton is two years removed from pitching in the bigs. He’s a multi-millionaire. Think about it…..how much work do you think this guy has done the last years with millions in the bank? Enough said.
Chippers still very good, not great, but very good. Mcann is good, but not very good. Jeff is very good and may be great. The Pen is average.
Mark Texeria is the team’s only superstar. A-Rods a superstar, but he still hasn’t won a World Series. Mark can’t do it with this team either.
I love the Bravos, I truly do, but this team is closer to last place than first place in 2008. It hurts because I hate to see Bobby Cox struggle after years of success, but it goes to show that talent wins, not coaches, and the Braves lack talent because they are too old.
Good Luck Regardless!! Go BRAVES.
By PAPA 10
February 15, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Frenchy is a hitting machine which is a good thing but i love 2 c the looks on baserunners faces when he rifles throws 2 home on the fly Worth the price of admission
By Choppinmama
February 15, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Lew - I was fortunate to discover DOB’s blog right after I moved out of the ATL area. It has saved my Braves sanity, as the official Braves fan forum is so lame.
Have another great day with the boys tomorrow. How long will you be staying in the lovely Sunshine State?
By BabyGoatEater
February 15, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Hey McFann if your still up (not meant in any mean way) take a look at Jayson Starks new story…sheeesh…he must be reading the blog, heh?
Dave (when you wake up) thanks for keeping those of us not so fortunate (jealousy for Lew) up on the comings and goings at camp.
I’m gonna say it…..maybe Hampton will contribute…..Smoltz,Huddy,Glavine,Hampton,James……nice!!
By GermanBravesFan
February 15, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Here’s what Jayson Stark wrote on ESPN.COM today:
“This isn’t just another cute little spring-training reunion story, you see. The return of Tom Glavine has a chance to be one of the most significant moves of the entire offseason — for any team.”
Enoug said….
GO BRAVES!!!!
By BabyGoatEater
February 15, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah..heres that link…..Jayson Stark
By ippississiM
February 15, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Aram:
Are you, perhaps, a Robert Jordan reader? Possibly a sword-totin’ tinker with an Aybara obsession?
By Lew
February 16, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Yeah Chipper’s not great anymore. He just missed winning the NL batting Title last year and had over 100 RBI despite missing 25 games or so. No he’s just not great any more.
Smoltz has pitched in the top five in innings and if not for blown saves, would have led the NL in wins the last several years, quite possibly winning a CY Young award if not for the blown saves. He has occasional shoulder soreness but is one pitch away from blowing out an elbow?
The Braves have come nowhere near last place for 18 seasons, yet they’ll be closer to last place this year despite getting better and deeper during the winter?
Dude-Are you sure it’s the Braves you’ve been watching?
By Aram
February 16, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Never heard of him…had to look him up on wikipedia. The fact that you view my optimism as fantasy is of course your choice. I maintain that this can be a dangerous team, and that they can be superior to both the Mets and Phillies in some key areas that factor into winning baseball games, both tangible and intangible.
Anything can happen if you are in still in the race around mid-August. The Mets collapsed. The Rockies came together and rolled to the Series. You never know.
I believe that no NL team is clearly or demonstrably more capable of winning down the stretch than the Braves. They should be right there, assuming relative good health.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Did GlassMan, (Hampton), arrive in a bubble? Shamus
No, Shamus, actually he arrived in a very nice car.
I love the Bravos, I truly do Michael Land at 10:49 p.m.
Michael, no need to convince anyone. It’s obvious. Just as it’s obvious you’re well-informed and factual.
By N8
February 16, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Michael Land
Oh…..where to begin ripping your theory to shreds? I guess I’ll start here:
“Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, and Maddox, are the faces of this Franchise.”
I’ll assume you are talking about Gary Maddox of the Phillies, because Greg spelled his last name with a “u”, not an “o”. Avery (one of my favorite Braves of all time), was part of 6 (of the 14 they won in a row), division winners and had very little impact in their lone WS victory.
“However, they are all done. Smoltz is one pitch away from ripping his elbow. Even with an elbow in tact, Smoltz is barely a number two starter and closer to number three these days.”
Are you frickin’ kidding me???? Dude…every pitcher in baseball is “one pitch away” from SOMETHING bad happening. As for him being closer to a #3 than a #1??? Smoltz was 7th in MLB (yeah, that’s right…BOTH leagues), with a 3.11 ERA. Jake Peavy was first with a 2.54 ERA, and the other 5 guys in between them ranged from 3.01 to 3.07, so excuse me for disagreeing with you. In case you’re thinking he did it with a “lighter” work load…Smoltz pitched 205 innings, of the top 7 guys, Brandon Webb led the bunch with 236 IP, the next closest was was Lackey with 224 IP. So Smoltz was close enough.
“Glavin, with all his greatness is especially done. At his age, he’s a serviceable fifth starter.”
Yup. The guy that LED the Mets (that’s right, I’ll look at his first 31 starts of the year…not the last 3), to within one game of the Phillies as THE ACE, has now reverted to a “serviceable fifth starter”!!..Yeah, OK. Maybe not better than a #3 ON THIS TEAM, but he still might be a #2 for half of the teams in MLB.
“Maddox is still slightly better than Glavine, but no better than a fourth starter these days.”
Again, he spells his name with a “u”. So excuse me for NOT taking you seriously as a Braves fan, when you continue to make that mistake. Again, you are WAY off. Maddux had the 44th best ERA in the majors last year (4.14), while making 34 starts and compiling 198 innings. Hmmm. Let’s see. 32 teams in MLB, 5 starting pitchers per team (that comes to 160 starting pitchers….without injuries). So explain to me how a guy that NEVER gets hurt, is ALWAYS around 200 IP, and is in the top 1/4 of the majors (again…BOTH LEAGUES) in ERA is a 4th starter??? As in the case with Glavine, MaddUx would/could be the #2 pitcher on MANY staffs in MLB.
“Hampton is two years removed from pitching in the bigs. He’s a multi-millionaire. Think about it…..how much work do you think this guy has done the last years with millions in the bank? Enough said.”
You are so ignorant it’s almost NOT worth me going on, but I’m enjoying laying into you too much, that I’ll continue for my own amusement.
Dude….Hampton has probably put in MORE WORK the last three years trying to rehab his arm (which he hurt while pitching pretty damn well for us), than not only YOU have probably done in your lifetime, but probably harder than any NON-INJURED pitcher on the Braves staff. Enough said? No…please go on with your lunacy.
“Chippers still very good, not great, but very good.”
Nope. Chipper is STILL one of the best hitters in all of baseball, he has just had bad luck with his health the past 3 seasons. Had you said he can’t be “counted on” to play in 162 games, I might have sided with you (though his injuries have been of the freakish side, in nature), but to say he’s not still a GREAT hitter, is just plain STUPID.
“Mcann is good, but not very good.”
Apparently you would like him to go right to the HOF, huh? Or did you notice he was in the All-Star game last year?
“Jeff is very good and may be great.”
HOLY SHT!!!! 20 paragraphs into your nonsense, you actually might be on to something. I guess it’s true. Blind men *CAN occasionally hit a bulls-eye while playing darts.
“The Pen is average.”
While some of our key members of last year’s bullpen are no longer Braves, I’ll remind you that the most important ones STILL ARE. Oh, btw…..the Braves bullpen was 4th in MLB (2nd in the NL) last year with a 3.54 ERA, while also being 7th in IP for ALL MLB bullpens. Let me repeat that….they were the 5th best and the 7th most used. I’d say that that makes them BETTER than average.
“I love the Bravos, I truly do, but this team is closer to last place than first place in 2008.”
Yup. Their gonna have a hard time fending off the Marlins for the cellar. Good god man! I’m not gonna predict a WS title, hell I’m not gonna predict a division title. We can’t control what the Mets and Phillies do (other than when we play them head to head), but CLEARLY we are a better team (on paper) than last year’s group.
“Good Luck Regardless!! Go BRAVES.”
To that last comment, I’m reminded of a T-shirt I used to have involving the Vikings and the Twins.
You say “Go BRAVES.”
I say:
Go Braves……and take Michael Land with you!
I’ll be pleasantly awaiting your response.
By NY Jay
February 16, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
DAP-I am but only in very small social circles.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Wow Michael Land sir,
I can understand in a way you’re hedging your bets. For me the fun of actually believing in something is worth the short time of sadness if the team drops out. What’s the use of watching if you don’t believe in anything? But in terms of your bet hedging, you are believing some things that are just patently untrue. (Similar to Dean.)
For one, Smoltz is far more than a number 3 this year. He could have won the Cy Young in 2006 (one off the league lead in wins). In 2005 and 2007 his ERA was 3.11 and 3.06. Plus he’s had at or near 200 Ks both of the last two years. As for his supposed frailty, he has averaged 33 starts a year for three straight years…so yeah…he’s pretty good.
As for our “fifth-starter” Tom Glavine, how many “serviceable fifth starters” in baseball pitched 198 or more innings for the last 4 straight years. He was 25th in the NL in ERA last year and 18th in innings pitched. (So he’d be a fifth starter in the league if there were like 6 teams in the whole NL). Yeah, he’s a regular Mike Maroth.
Chipper had the fourth best OPS in baseball last year, so yeah that’s “pretty good.” Not to mention he still had 500 AB despite that freak injury. Not saying his health isn’t something to be concerned over, it’s just a fact he held up pretty well last year. I’d say being one of the top 5 hitters in the game when in the lineup may make you a superstar.
The pen is far fom “average” and has huge exciting upside, but whatever. Also selling McCann short if he could play healthy most of the year.
As for the idea that Hampton won’t really try hard because he’s already got all that money. You guys act like he’s the only guy with a big contract to miss a couple years. Why even bother? …Maybe he just likes playing baseball. Maybe he’s not quite ready to open a car dealership or start selling insurance.
Sometimes it’s just worth it to believe in people (especially when the most you can get hurt is that your team loses a game), and even if Hampton gets hurt again, that will do nothing to hurt my image of his character and determination.
I like how because he has millions of dollars he wouldn’t he “work” to play baseball. If I had $100 mill I would hire people to play baseball with me all day. He’ll do all he can to get back and be as good as possible. I’m not saying bet on it, but at least give him a chance to try.
As for our old team? On opening day only 4 Braves will be 33 or older (assuming Hampton is healthy), the others are Chipper, Smoltz and Glavine (Javy would be the 5th). We have only 5 guys between 30-32 (Hudson, Kotsay, Diaz, Yates, Ohman).
So at least 15 of our spots will be filled with guys under 30. 80% will be 32 or younger.
Beyond Chipper, Diaz, Kotsay and Javy, no other Braves field player was born before 1980. That means that 10 of 14 field players will be younger than 28 on opening day (Tex will turn 28 on Apr 11, and the other 9 are more than a year younger).
Of the 12 people most likely to compete for the pen (including Gonzalez) only 2 will be 30 on opening day, (Yates and Ohman will both be 30), 7 born 1980 or later.
We do have three starters at or over 35, but beyond them and Hudson, the next four pitchers competing (Jeff (bennett), James, Jair and JJ) are aged 27, 26, 22, and 23, respectively.
No, we’re not close to the World Series favorite, but we could win it for sure. Have some fun with the season, let yourself enjoy it instead of making excuses (esp wrong ones) to not get attached.
By Moby Grape
February 16, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
WOW! [SPORTS ILLUSTRATED[(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jon_heyman/02/15/heyman.offgrades/) lists the Mets as having the best off-season and the Braves all the way down at #22. Kinda extreme.
By The Man
February 16, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
It is funny how someone like Dean and Michael Land get some of you in a complete outrage. Why….because they have ??? marks about this team! If everybody had the same opinion and agreed completely on everything this would be one boring blog.
By AmazinsAgin08
February 16, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
Ok, I have a question. How is Jeff Francoeur rated #116 among MLB outfielders for Yahoo Fantasy Baseball??!?!?!?
Cause only Braves fans think he’s anything special except for his arm which counts for nothing in fantasy ball?
By justdoit
February 16, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
where do braves fans get the foam tomahawks? - do they sell them in atl or at turner? cant find them anywhere online to buy - anyone?
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
This post/essay could be entitled, “On Optimistic Realism: Why I am excited for this season”
I like how I wasn’t even the first one with an epic post destroying Land’s post.
It’s fun to compare mine to N8’s epic one and Lew’s more brief destroying.
I think the reason this is so much fun this season is that, as much as I am an optimistic fan, (and usually my most optimistic thoughts end up being overboard, as I assume most people’s do), I and others can make a totally logical argument with little or no hometown bias that we are at least a very solid, good team with plenty of potential to complete, improve and win.
No, it wouldn’t be the most improbable thing ever to have Smoltz and Hampton miss most of the year, sure Smoltz could get hurt (but you’d be stupid to bet on it; not to say Pedro will, but he’s much much more likely). Glavine could put up a 5.50 ERA. Sure Chipper could have repetitive injury troubles again, Kotsay certainly could end with 100 ABs and a .200 AVG, and maybe Francouer struggles, maybe Soriano doesn’t make much a of closer, maybe KJ or Escobar hit .250 or even less, maybe McCann gets banged up again and doesn’t play at his best.
And if several of these things happen, I’d say we probably will finish third, maybe even fourth if enough happen. It would be a catastrophic season for us to be last.
It’s not guaranteed that even one of these things will happen, and we could handle a 2 or 3 of them and still be very competitive (unlike the last two years, when we had dealt with more than a few similar scenarios).
Maybe the Mets win 110 this year (unlikely with this division) or maybe they win 93, 88-90 would be the lowest I’d suggest without some major major problems, though certainly lower is possible. If they win 110, we probably won’t beat them. If they win 93, it’s no sure thing that we would beat them but we sure could. We could win 98 or even 100 (it wouldn’t be the most shocking thing in the world though needless to say a few things would have to go our way).
Could we win the World Series? Sure, have you seen some of these recent WS winners? They are either amazingly tough or amazingly mediocre. And we certainly at least middle of that range.
Could we have a good season and still finish third? Yeah, but it would take several things going wrong for us, or most things going right for the Mets or Phils. That’s the nature of this division.
As far as potential, I’d say the Mets are some amount higher than the Braves, I really believe that the Braves are a little above the Phils in best-case potential, just because of our much better pitching (starters 3-5, and likely better bullpen) and the fact that massive hitting attack last season pretty much was the best-case scenario and will be hard to totally match.
We certainly need several things to go our way to win the WS and even the division, (but be sure, there are plenty of things that could go the wrong way for the Red Sox, Tigers or Mets that see them finish with 85 wins too).
I am just glad to know that unless the Mets just go off (which is a possible though far from most likely scenario), that we are good enough to compete, even if a couple things go wrong.
And it’s impossible not to think about how good we could be if a couple things go especially right.
The idea that we could surprise/embarrass so many media guys, etc., that we could be the champions that almost noone predicted is a pretty fun thing to believe. And the time, whether now or 50 years from now, that the Braves do shock the world and win the division or the NL or the series against all conventional wisdom, you can be dang sure that I will be able to say at the end of the year that even if I wasn’t sure we would do it, I believed we could.
You can be optimistic and realistic, and that’s the best way to be I think.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
AmazinsAgin08
I believe you are misreading that fantasy ranking. Being the #116 outfielder in the MLB would have Francouer as the 26th best fourth outfielder in baseball.
He has actually improved consistently since the bubble burst on the ridiculous first month. And noone doubts he could be great, though some certainly don’t believe he will, they still all say he’s pretty good.
You can believe he sucks all you want, but that doesn’t make it true.
(Just the same as some Braves fans have been talking about how funny it will be when Johan somehow busts this season, people betting for the worst in players like this (not saying Jeff is on Johan’s caliber, just saying very good players) are going to be disappointed 95% of the time.)
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
p.s. Sorry for two ridiculously long posts nearly back to back.
I sometimes get a little excited, and those times are Feb-April.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
The Man, I wouldn’t say it’s outrage, but really, most of us are just trying to discuss the game intelligently.
We all have question marks too (though fewer now than the last two years).
If someone told me the Braves are the best team in baseball (especially without citing any facts whatsoever) I would be pretty dismissive of them as well.
People can certainly logically believe the Mets and Phils are to some extent better than the Braves, but this team is also too good to dismiss, and even if you are going to dismiss them, how about a little evidence for why.
Different opinions make the blog interesting, but pointless proclamations and unsupported opinions presented as fact sure don’t add much.
If Dean or The Man want to respond they are welcome to. (Anyone who posts on a blog like this I assume knows that they may be disagreed with). We just want to know what makes them believe what they are saying.
HURRAY DISCUSSION!
(p.s. I will admit that the Hampton won’t try, doesn’t care, etc remarks do annoy me from people who know nothing about the guy (who I’ve heard is a great guy). They are entitled to those opinions, just as others are entitled to tell them that it’s ridiculously judgmental and kind of pathetic.)
By N8
February 16, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this
The Man
I have NO PROBLEM with having question marks about this team. I have my own.
Like…Can Escobar handle the job for 162 games?…how will Kotsay play in CF and when will one of the youngsters replace him?….WHO will backup Tex at 1B?…can Chipper play 130+ games?….Who will ACTUALLY be our 4-5 starters?…..will all the projected bullpen guys pan out, or by July will our bullpen LOOK different than it does in April? (like it does EVERY YEAR)….Will Smoltz’ arm hold up (his ability is NOT in question)?….will Hudson be like he was last year, or the previous 2 seasons?….will KJ’s defense improve?…..Who will platoon with Diaz in LF?…..Will Tex sign a long-term deal?….etc….
You see I have questions too. I’m just not QUESTIONING Smoltz’, Glavine’s and Chipper’s ability to still play this game. The NUMBERS (which I responded to Michael with), CLEARLY state that they can. As with anybody in (or nearing) their 40’s, health is a question.
So Michael should have questioned THAT, not their ability.
I don’t have a problem with people questioning the Braves chances, their moves, or non-moves.
I DO, however have a problem with people making STUPID, uninformed statements that they have obviously NOT researched. Especially coming from somebody who can’t spell the greatest pitcher in the last 30 years’ name properly, when he pitched with the Braves for a decade.
Capiche?
By N8
February 16, 2008 2:34 AM | Link to this
The Goche (A.J.)
It appears we have two things in common.
1) Late night blogging. LOL!
2) Damn near the same thoughts about Michael’s ridiculous post, and The Man’s response to our responses.
:-)
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 2:34 AM | Link to this
With my what will likely be fourth post in a row, and will put me up over 1800 words blogged in under 2 hours, I think I will go talk to myself offline.
If anyone actually reads everything (or anything) I wrote I will be pretty surprised.
By nOLIE
February 16, 2008 2:53 AM | Link to this
If anyone actually reads everything (or anything) I wrote I will be pretty surprised.Goche
I read them and thought they were pretty level-headed. There are certainly questions with this club, some health related and a couple involvinf can Escobar come close to last seasons hitting over a full season, and which McCann is the real one…or is he somewhere in between. But those kinds of questions pertain to every club at this time of year. The top 3 clubs in the NLEast are IMO pretty close and any one of them could win it. Heck even the Nats seem to have improved thenselves. Looking forward to the season finally getting started. Why is it that the 6 months with baseball being played are so much shorter than the 6 months that it isn’t played?
By Desperado Dave
February 16, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this
DOB, per one of your earlier posters, “Can’t you ask ridiculous questions of Frank Wren that would provoke him to laugh in your face?” Some of these folks need to get real.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
ok its time for februarys trade question/ who all does it take to get joe nathan from the twins? do we want the best reliever in the game? if all the starters are healthy is carlisle and a reliever and utility infielder enough, or would chuck james straight up be enough?ok you can stop laughing now at that one
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
dont get me wrong, im high on soriano too, was extremely pleased when he was obtained, but nathan could be had, and he is an established premier closer, i think soriano will probably be a good closer too, but i know hes a heckuva setup man
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
although we already have 2 closers (2 pretty good ones at that), why would we want nathan?
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
Paladin, I love how they took you seriously on those questions. Be careful fellas in showing no sense of humor. Paladin can be merciless. It’s not a good idea to mock the veteran prankster on the first day of spring training when you are just a rookie.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
well a) nathan would be an upgrade? probably, b)leverage until july 31 in case another piece is needed
By Lew
February 16, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
The Man-Dude, we’re thrilled you’re not gender conflicted, but our objection to Michael Land’s statement is that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and is sadly misinformed. Many of us here have questions about the Braves-you’d realize that if you actually read the blog occasionally. The difference is that most of us have a clue.
Off to See Chipper. Later, y’all.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
ncgary, that makes little if any sense for one huge reason: Nathan is making a bargain-price salary of $6 mill this season in an option year on his contract, and will be a free agent who commands around $10 million or more in a multi-year contract after this season.
So you think the Braves should give up the ton of young talent it would take to get a guy who they wouldn’t be able to re-sign after this season, when they already have a closer they’re going to pay $6 million in 2008, backup options in Moylan and others, and several younger potential closers for the future? No.
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
gonz and sori are more than capable of developing into future closers for half the price of nathan. plus i think closers are more dominant in their beginning years than in their middle to end of the road.
By Psychopath
February 16, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Paladin, I love how they took you seriously on those questions. Be careful fellas in showing no sense of *humor. Paladin can be merciless. It’s not a good idea to mock the veteran prankster on the first day of spring training when you are just a rookie.Braveheart
He’s not a prankster, he’s a POS sociopath who gets his jollies bullying and insulting posters.
Here is a list of ways to identify a sociopath. This list is from “Profile of a Sociopath”. Is is a pretty good list of sociopathic indicators.
(Obviously, in order to be a sociopath a person doesn’t have to exhibit anything like all the above. Usually, the lack of a conscience, the manipulation of others, dishonesty and the inability to love and/or have lasting and profound personal relations and cruelty are key symptoms and often much more revealing than having been in trouble with the courts).
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
well your reasoning is part of mine, he is bargain priced this year, by obtaining him now, without sacrificing the farm , maybe 2 or 3 players on the bubble without options ??then you have a player you know could be moved anytime between now and trade deadline for any other position player that may not be panning out, and nathan isnt perfect , but i cant remember the last time he blowed up, i like soriano and gonzalez but closers are a key piece that can get value out of almost anytime of the season
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
i dont think paying a premium on a closer has any value when we get blown out because we have no starting pitching. granted we shouldnt have that problem this year, as even our 4 & 5 guys should keep us more in the game vs. last year.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
well look at the package the twins took for santana, 2 backend rotation guys who neither one could win braves 5 or 6 slot, a possible all star caliber left fielder , but many above average hitters at left field are described this way, gonzalez probably winds up no better than a number 4 outfielder, all im saying is nathan is almost lights out lock up when im done, if the twins would take 3 out of option on the cusp types from prado carlysle boyer thorman infante or maybe even b jones and one other this wouldnt be sacrificing the farm, maybe twins have no needs like this but you cant tell me that nathan at 6 million this year wouldnt be one helluva bargaining chip in case one other position isnt panning out
By GradyDawg85
February 16, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Dave - it’s a pleasure reading your columns and blogs. And watcha think; the best John Hiatt lines ever - which is saying something - have got to be….”She came on to him like a slow movin’ cold front. And his beer was warmer than than the look in her eye” from “Icy Blue Heart.” Thanks for your great work.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
my reasoning wasnt to give up the farm, the twins let the mets apparently rob them for an ace starter, i thought maybe they would return the favor to the braves for an ace closer
By Noch-a-homa
February 16, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
DOB and fellow bloggers
I’m new to your blog but a long time Braves fan, born and bred in Jacksonville, FL.
I attended yesterday’s workout. It was a great day: weather was perfect, players stretching & running (jogging), balls tossing, bats swinging, and women wearing ‘Welcome Home Javy’ shirts. It was sweet, baseball 2008 is officially underway.
The things I noticed from the stands:
Smoltz was first (of course) on the hill and I saw him break 3-4 curve balls. It will be interesting to see if he can make it work this season. I’m sure he will as 29 has always been able to make adjustments. Did you notice it DOB?
Glavine did not throw BP yesterday, I was disappointed, but, I found out from reading DOB he is part of the ‘every other day’ schedule and will throw today. In my mind that tells me Bobby is probably going to separate Smoltz and Hudson in the rotation with Glavine throwing in between. Just my speculation.
Mike Hampton threw, he looks good and healthy but he appeared to me to be a little mechanical minded on the mound. Maybe it was just me but I assumed he was nervous and it may take a little while to get his feel again, after all it has been almost two years. He did throw well.
Frank Wren was present and accounted for, I was looking for JS (wanted him to sign my copy of his book) but he was not present on the field. He split time sitting behind the batting cage and the bullpen transported by his personal golf cart.
Mark Kotsay led off BP. He did nothing spectacular but he was their and working. Hope his back holds up. IF Kotsay stays healthy he is at best a solid player/outfielder but I would not be surprised to see him end up in a platoon role against rhp.
Javy Lopez looked good physically. It was funny, as he was strapping on the shin guards outside the dugout a couple of his female fans came up welcoming him back. He was very polite to them but it was humorous to see the grin on his face when he noticed their shirts, “Welcome Back Javy”. I hope he makes it as a backup but he does have a little competition. I still remember when the Braves brought Steve Avery back for one last hurrah, he never made it out of spring training.
Wow, Jeff Bennett looks like a new man. Physically, he is a shadow of his former self. I believe his new found work ethic coupled with his sinker will make him a productive pitcher for the Braves. Whether that is out of the bullpen or in the rotation remains to be seen.
Will Ohman, #13 - I guess he’s not superstitious. I read a couple of disparaging remarks about Ohman on the blog but I believe he will prove to be a good LH specialist for Bobby. If you dig deep into his stats you will see at Wrigley field he was not good but away from Wrigley he was lights out. He has a good K/9 ratio, a good K/BB ratio and he shuts down LHB.
I believe the Braves staff looks good on paper; its February, the sun is shining in FL, the mitts are popping and bats are cracking.
Go Braves!
By Bryan
February 16, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
its past 9 …. No new blog ??? I just spit coffee all over my desk! Hey, this blog takes me 17.5 min to download onto my ti-83 …
This is lame, I am going to play snake …
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
i dont think the twins will do another trade of guys that are so-so like the nats do. i would rather not spend the money on nathan and use it for a starter in the future once the old timers start to retire. plus who knows if hampton will give an injury discount should he stay if effective.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
From today’s New York Daily News:
Hank Steinbrenner hopes they’re right, or his regret over not dealing for Johan Santana will be even greater than it already seems to be. Steinbrenner said. “I’d love to have a Santana or a (Josh) Beckett. Hopefully that’s not a move we should have made that I’m going to be (ticked off) about.
Like I said two weeks ago, the Twins should have sat tight to see how this Pettitte/Clemens thing played out. If Santana was on the market today the Twins would be back in the drivers seat.The Yanks are putting way too much on their young pitchers shoulders and I think they are just starting to realize it with Pettitte in this deer in the headlights frame of mind right now. If the Pettitte/Clemens thing didn’t go bad the Twins still could have made the deal with the Mets now. I know Santana wanted resolution before training camp but you can work around that. Tell him he doesn’t have to report until he’s either traded or taken off the block. For a chance at the Yanks he probably would have obliged for two weeks.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
another reason might be when june rolls around and mariano looks human instead of automatic what would the yanks give up to get him?
By Bryan
February 16, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
its past 9 …. No new blog ??? I just spit coffee all over my desk! Hey, this blog takes me 17.5 min to download onto my ti-83 …
This is lame, I am going to play snake …
By Tomahawkin' Again (like it's 1995)
February 16, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
DOB, this is me sucking-up to the Crusading Everyman. I was really impressed with you having the pen and paper as you were talking to Smoltz, Hampton, etc. yesterday. That was kicking it the old-school. No fancy recording devices for the MIB! Now a question, do teams still have inter-squad games during spring training and if so, any idea when the Braves will have their’s? (Maybe next weekend??). And, for anyone headed down here to Central Florida, DOB was right…Hawk’s Landing at the World Center Marriott (which is less than 5 minutes from Dark Star) has the best steak in town (and I say that not just because I work for their sister hotel, the JW Marriott; which, by the way, has the best italian restaurant, Primo’s).
By Bryan
February 16, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Ummmm … Sorry about that … I think I just posted 30 times …. (blame it on the ti-83) And it was a sarcastic post too.
Noch-a-homer, thanks for the perspective! That was really good to read - keep it up and keep coming back!
By TommyP
February 16, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
DOB: I’m wondering what the routine is for the weight lifters on the team. Do they workout in the mornings before team workouts or after (which I would assume)? Also wondering which Braves are big on the weights?
Lew: Just got a chance to view your paintings and I love them. My favorite, and my girlfriend’s favorite, is McCann. The “Sid’s Slide” is also incredible to this baseball fanatic.
To whomever doubting the greatness of Pedro Martinez’ career? You gotta be kidding me.
I’m not about to spout the stats that another blogger already did but he had an incredible run. And in the ‘roid era. At Fenway. ‘Nuff said.
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
the yanks can spend what they want and still dont get the desired results. we spend less than half and achieve much more, imo.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
DOB
From Nocha Homa’s post:
Glavine did not throw BP yesterday, I was disappointed
I’m fighting with every ounce of my being not to add sarcasm to this. Must……Hit…. post…..button…quickly.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Utica Club
the yanks can spend what they want and still dont get the desired results. we spend less than half and achieve much more, imo.
The 6 WS appearances, 4 WS titles,highest valued franchise, 4 million fans at home games, and most lucrative private network in sports not withstanding of course - right? Believe me, no one hates the Yanks more but they are an absolute ATM and I don’t blame them for the way they spend. Their roster is a loss leader to their business. That’s a fact.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Utica Club
the yanks can spend what they want and still dont get the desired results. we spend less than half and achieve much more, imo.
The 6 WS appearances, 4 WS titles,highest valued franchise, 4 million fans at home games, and most lucrative private network in sports not withstanding of course - right? Believe me, no one hates the Yanks more but they are an absolute ATM and I don’t blame them for the way they spend. Their roster is a loss leader to their business. That’s a fact.
By Utica Club
February 16, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
anders
they havent won since 00 (i think) and have spent enough to buy some countries. to me they try to buy WS and cant even do that.
By ippississiM
February 16, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Aram:
I was referring to your screen name only. Aram is a minor character who appears in the first book as a member of a totally non-violent gypsy-type group, but later, after much hardship, takes up a sword in battle, and so is cast out from his people.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Chippers still very good, not great, but very good. Mcann is good, but not very good. Jeff is very good and may be great. The Pen is average.
SHEEEEEEEEEESH!!!! Who the HECK have you been watching? What kind of statement is that?? McCann is good but not very good and Francoeur is great? Dude, how cann you say that? Francoeur is very good, McCann is very good. Compare their career averages, man!! Look at the strikeout totals for them each year. Who’s got more? Notice how close they were in home runs for ‘06 and ‘07!! And who hit .333 in ‘06? Yeah, he’s not very good.
You make me sick.
And Chipper’s not great? Yeah, OK. He just hit .337 last year and has yet to have more strikeouts than walks. Yeah, Chipper’s not great but Francouer (who’s recorded more strikeouts than walks in each year he’s been here) is. That makes sense, sure. Dude, read a stat sheet.
TommyP, you got one smart girlfriend. (And yer mot so bad yourself.)
; ) Something to smile about after Michael Land practically made me cry.
:,(
Neight is correct. We all have our Q’s about this year’s Braves team. Like mine, for instance:
Is McCann gonna prove all these skeptics wrong?
Sorry. Nollie, I’d be perfectly fine if “the real McCann” was somewhere in between ‘06 and ‘07. But obviously I hope he’s gonna be like his ‘06 self this year. (But without the May 20 incident.)
Sorry for the long post, and if there’s any typos, sorry. I don’t feel like re-reading the darn thing.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
T-hawkin’ Again, Braves really don’t have any intrasquad games, other than on the one off day of spring, when a pitcher will take his turn in one of those minor league intrasquad games.
Braves also don’t do “B” games like some teams do. Some teams have those at 10 a.m. before regular games, usually on a backfield, in order to get at-bats or innings for guys deep on the camp roster…
As for steak, I heard that Dave’s in the Omni over at Champion’s Gate is outstanding.
There’s a lot of solid restaurants off Sand Lake Road, off I-4 about halfway to downtown. Love the Samba Room and Timpano Chophouse.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Oh, I’m sorry, I get it now! When Michael said “McCann’s good, but not very good”, he was referring to Emmett McCann, the shortstop from the 1920’s. Sorry for the rant, dude. Mea culpa.
By richbrave
February 16, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
McFANN:
Yours of 10;28 a.m. O-0-O-O-O-O such hostility. Chill girl. Didn’t you know ignorance is bliss??
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is throwing BP right now on a beautiful, warm day (already 73 degrees). And yes, noch-a-homa, Smoltz said at pitching camp in Atlanta that he planned to work on his curveball this spring, along with his change and two-seamer. He’s gonna throw those pitches more this season….
Chipper and Kelly both reportered today and went to the cages to hit. Chipper, by the way, likes the idea of getting a code so his screen name will be in blue and no one can post as him on the blog….
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
By the way, someone mentioned John Schuerholz. He’s not here yet, but supposed to arrive tomorrow or Monday.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Glavine throwing BP now, after Smoltz finished. Smoltz looked fine, can’t really tell much this early with vets, who aren’t trying to do anything more than get loose, get their work in, etc.
ncgary: Twins wouldn’t take “two or three on-the-bubble guys” for Joe Nathan even if Braves had any interest in offering them.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute, richbrave…who’s the ignorant one here?
; >
By McFann
February 16, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
I think Chipper’s name should be in blue. It would be easier to find, and there could be no intruders.
By Brave New World
February 16, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
DOB:
I read Bennett will not be out of options, at worst. He could be the longman reliever…But what about Jurjens, Jojo and Buddy if they don’t make the rotation (assuming Hampton is the No.4 and James No.5)? Were are they headed? AAA? Trade bait? Relief pitching? Personally, I’d love to see Jurjens or Reyes as relievers instead of torturing myself by watching Royce Ring or Chris Resop or Tyler Yates load the bases with three straight walks in the 7th with no outs after leading 3-2, to call up Moylan early or Soriano to try to save the day,…and then the next day the same thing happens!!
Just wondering, lol!
By Brave New World
February 16, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
DOB:
I read Bennett will not be out of options, at worst. He could be the longman reliever…But what about Jurjens, Jojo and Buddy if they don’t make the rotation (assuming Hampton is the No.4 and James No.5)? Were are they headed? AAA? Trade bait? Relief pitching? Personally, I’d love to see Jurjens or Reyes as relievers instead of torturing myself by watching Royce Ring or Chris Resop or Tyler Yates load the bases with three straight walks in the 7th with no outs after leading 3-2, to call up Moylan early or Soriano to try to save the day,…and then the next day the same thing happens!!
Just wondering, lol!
By Home of the Brave
February 16, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Someone said Kotsay should be #2 in lineup. I can’t agree to that. I don’t like Diaz 8 and KJ 7 either. I’d say 1.Escobar, 2.KJ or switch them depending on how they do for a couple of weeks. Leave Kotsay for No.8, and Diaz 7.
By Home of the Brave
February 16, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Someone said Kotsay should be #2 in lineup. I can’t agree to that. I don’t like Diaz 8 and KJ 7 either. I’d say 1.Escobar, 2.KJ or switch them depending on how they do for a couple of weeks. Leave Kotsay for No.8, and Diaz 7.
By The Bravery
February 16, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
sure hope Hampton doesn’t lift weights this year and Chuckie stops fixing windows. One little intsy-bitsy false move and it’s bye-bye career for Mike, and no rotation spot for Chuck.
By The Bravery
February 16, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
sure hope Hampton doesn’t lift weights this year and Chuckie stops fixing windows. One little intsy-bitsy false move and it’s bye-bye career for Mike, and no rotation spot for Chuck.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
well that wasnt 5 future all stars they took for santana, cuevas was the best of the bunch and hes at least 2 years away from the big show, all im saying is the mets robbed em, might be worth seeing what they wanted for a gem like nathan
By I'm Chuck James, B$atch!
February 16, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe people are still talking about Rocco Baldelli…insane. Paladin, do you know anything about baseball?
neway, straight up, Charlie Morton is really making me work hard. Dude pitches very well, he’s tall, and he is serious about being a starter…better get back to the o’l drawing board.
also lookin’ forward to having Jordan Schafer with us, word! Lillibridge is far out dude too. Finally, Anderson’s speed is on point, you guys should be proud of this team, we’ve got guys who can do anything out there. we’ve got bench depth and you don’t know it well. Brandon Jones, Javy Lopez and Omar Infante aren’t the only bench guys, ya know. word!
By I'm Chuck James, B$atch!
February 16, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Minaya doesn’t seem to rest. Dude seems to be going mad…He recently signed Brady Clark to a minor league contract. Even before that, he signed Tony Armas for a minor league contract, he re-signed Jorge Sosa before that, Ben Johnson, Olmedo Saenz…He cracks me up sometimes.
No doubt, had he not signed Santana, he would’ve become the stupidest general manager in baseball history. word!
By I'm Chuck James B$atch!
February 16, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
No doubt that Mn gm has now surpassed Minaya as the world’s dumbest gm in baseball history. word.
By JEB
February 16, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
DOB I know you don’t control the poll questions on the story lines. But, the poll question on the Kotsay story is really a difficult poll question to answer. Who will have the best numbers this season Andruw Jones or Mark Kotsay? What numbers are we to consider? Offence? Defence? HR’s?, avg.? There is an arguement and case to be made all the way around this question. Not a simple poll question.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Anders thanks for the info.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, you people are picky about your polls.
; )
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, you people are picky about your polls.
You ain’t kidding, McFann. Remind me to never go fishing with these guys.
By beekay
February 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
DOB of all the off season moves the biggest head scatcher was the thrifty Brewers dropping 10 mill on a washed up Gagne.Would any other team have offered him half of that?
By McFann
February 16, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Good one, Braveheart!
By bravewannabe
February 16, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
DOB… are the Braves standing pat now as far as anymore trades. I don’t see a need now until the games begin and we see who cuts the mustard or not.?
By richbrave
February 16, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
HOME OF THE BRAVE:
Yours of 11:07 a.m. Like your line -up dude.
By richbrave
February 16, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
McFANN:
Not you lady. The post you were commenting on. I thought that might be confusing. Sorry. My bad.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 16, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
ncgary,
Nathan and Santana — two different situations. Only three teams were allegedly in the bidding for Johan. He had a full no-trade clause and could veto any deal. Looks like he had the Muts in his sights all along. The Twins decided to take the prospects (mediocre as they were) rather than pay Johan’s salary for one year and then get only two draft picks in return at the end of ‘08.
As for Nathan — many more teams would be interested in him, so the price to get him would be much higher.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Oh, that’s OK, richbrave. I had a feeling you meant that……other blogger. I was just jokin’ back, that’s why I posted a winky-smirky face. ; >
By nOLIE
February 16, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Sorry. Nollie, I’d be perfectly fine if “the real McCann” was somewhere in between ‘06 and ‘07. But obviously I hope he’s gonna be like his ‘06 self this year. (But without the May 20 incident.)McFann
don’t be sorry, it’s just a question. I figger he will be somewhere in between too. Maybe he will even play some D this year if he has lost some weight, huh? ;-)
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Beekay, I agree on Gagne. That move just made no sense to me, not at that price….
Everyone threw today except Hudson and Hampton, Hudson because he threw so hard on first day.
Smoltz went back-to-back days, and looked sharp.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Oh, Nolie, I’m sorry! That “Sorry” wasn’t s’posed to be there. Actually it was supposed to be all by itself.
I hope he’ll play some D. What I’d like to see from him this year is a .300 AVG, a pretty good HR count (say, 24 or so), a decent number of RBIs (95 would be good), and some good defense. I believe Lew when he says McCann 10-15 lbs lighter. I think that’s help a lot. (That, plus his ankle behaving itself this year. Oh, and the Lasik might help some, too. Sorry, Niels.)
By TBraveFan
February 16, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Choppinmama Hey - please remind me to send you the address of my condo…and IF Disney ever sends me my ST season tickets, I’ll send you the tix to the Detroit game.
I think about it every time I see you here online but never when I’m at home. Reading above where DOB stays… hey, we’re practically neighbors! He’s not too far from a few others we’d know LOL
ahhh….20 days and counting!!!!
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Talked to Francoeur and he added 17 pounds, up to 239. Kotsay’s locker is next to him. Kotsay told me, “That kid is country strong. One of his legs is the size of two of mine.” Folks, Frenchy is quite a bit more muscular, in the legs, neck, back, arms.
Oh, and McCann said he (McCann) is about the same weight, just redistributed better. (Or as McCann first said, “reorganized.”) He did a lot more heavier lifting this offseason, got stronger.
By The Man
February 16, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
the yanks can spend what they want and still dont get the desired results. we spend less than half and achieve much more, imo.
That simply is not true. I hate the Yankees as much as anyone but to look at their overall success. Every team has to be envy of them a little. Look what the Red Sox have done 2 out of the past 4 years with their spending.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
that’s help a lot.
Good grief. I meant “that’ll help a lot.”
By louisville slugger
February 16, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
DOB and all, I enjoy kibbitzing on the blog, rarely do I enter. I enjoy the banter! Does anyone know when single game tickets go on sale for the regular season? I’m gonna be in ATL in April and would like to catch a game.
By ncgary
February 16, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
that makes sense fan in rockies, still anderson thorman and boyer might be a package they would consider boyer could probably win their number 5 slot, and to take nathan on if only til june , would be a small price for 20 sure saves in the bank and a strong chip to offer out for any position that might not be panning out, as the old ad campaign used to state , this could be the year, and if nathan could be had for a few prospects now, his value would only appreciate by july, who knows best case scenario boston has relief problems and you might could steal away a clay, thats a reach for sure, but as the old adage goes , you never have enough good pitching
By Murph
February 16, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Comments like (and I am paraphrasing) Glavine was tremendous except for his last three starts are what you call homerism at its finest. If Mike Pelfrey didn’t have his 8 bad starts he would have been 3-0 with an ERA under 3.
Also I guess it doesn’t take much to impress the Atlanta media. Tom Glavine is the same guy that did not take ANY blame for the Mets collapse last year. It is very refreshing to see a guy who is young enough to be Glavine’s son (Jose Reyes) stand up yesterday and say that the collapse was his fault. Glavine never did that when he was one of the biggest culprits including not being able to get out of the first inning in the biggest game of the year.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
JEB that question has an easy answer. The winner will be the braves, they will have a better season with AJ gone. But braves fan will be the undisputed winner, since it will be so gratifying not having to watch AJ get on his feet after falling in the batters box after a miss & KKK.
Numbers? AJs numbers dont really matter, he harms the team more often than he helps it.
His glove and defensive instincts? sure they are almost impossible to replace, but i rather have a guy that fans half the times AJ does, and when he does doesnt looks like my 4 YO nephew. I rather have a guy that can hit more than .270 (not to say .220) even if he does not drives in 100 runs and hits 30 HR. We already have the guys to do that.
Winner: Braves fans, Braves organization, Kotsay.
By Murph
February 16, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Comments like (and I am paraphrasing) Glavine was tremendous except his last three starts are homerism at its finest. Thats like saying other than Mike Pelfrey’s eight bad starts he was tremendous because he would have been 3-0 with an ERA under 3.
Also I guess it doesn’t take much to impress the Atlanta media. Glavine constantly makes excuses (After the Mets lost 15-2 in his first ever Met start he blamed the weather) and he never takes accountability. It was very refresing to read that a guy who is young enough to be Glavines son (Jose Reyes) stood up yesterday and took the blame for the Mets collapse. Glavine never took any responsibility for the Mets collapse when he was one of the biggest culprits including an awful performance in the most important game of the season.
By Murph
February 16, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Comments like (and I am paraphrasing) Glavine was tremendous except his last three starts are homerism at its finest. Thats like saying other than Mike Pelfrey’s eight bad starts he was tremendous because he would have been 3-0 with an ERA under 3.
Also I guess it doesn’t take much to impress the Atlanta media. Glavine constantly makes excuses (After the Mets lost 15-2 in his first ever Met start he blamed the weather) and he never takes accountability. It was very refresing to read that a guy who is young enough to be Glavines son (Jose Reyes) stood up yesterday and took the blame for the Mets collapse. Glavine never took any responsibility for the Mets collapse when he was one of the biggest culprits including an awful performance in the most important game of the season.
By Murphy
February 16, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
I am sure glad ncgary is not in charge of building this team. You and Joe Nathan need to get a room.
By Amber
February 16, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Bryan - 17.5 minutes on a TI-83? That’s lightning fast! You’re bringing back old-school memories here.
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Maybe Reyes took the fault because it was his fault - much more so than Glavine. Reyes pulled a Rickey Henderson and dogged it the last few months of the season and had a much more direct cause on the collapse than Glavine.
Without Glavine, the Mets are not even 7 up on September 15. The Mets were 18-12 in Glavine’s first 30 starts. They would have only been up by maybe 2, 3 games on September 15th without Glavine.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
I just hope Frenchy is not a client of Mcnamee, he could be in the headlines because of all that muscle.
Murph im not a glavines fan, but i can tell you that losing the last game of the season was not the collapse. Reyes just played horrible september, he had a .202 BA and a .279 OBP. You are talking the catalyst, heart and soul of the offense here….. I think it was the right thing to do (what he did).
By N8
February 16, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
JEB
TOTALLY agree on the poll question.
I think Mr. Gump is writing the poll questions for the AJC.
Hmmm. If BOTH Andruw and Kotsay are healthy, who do YOU think will have better “numbers”?
One is costing their team about 18 million, the other….considerably less (I actually forgot what Kotsay is making. LOL! - but I know it’s less than 18 million).
I would sure hope that Andruw has better numbers at the end of the year, or the Dodgers got severely RIPPED OFF….they should have traded for Kotsay.
It’s about value for the dollar….not overall performance. We used the money we would have spent on the difference between Andruw and Kotsay to sign Glavine.
So if the AJC had any common sense what-soever, they would have asked who would have more “IMPACT” on their new teams…Andruw Jones or the combination of Kotsay and Glavine.
That would be a poll question in Minneapolis asking who will have better numbers…..Livian or Johan?
Hmmm. Let me think about it for a minute.
It’s so silly that if it wasn’t in print format, I wouldn’t believe it. LOL!
Not that it much matters, but still….
DOB
That’s very good news on Francoeur’s weight gain. I’ll assume he had a steady diet of B-12 shots this off-season. :-) (sarcasm of course)
By N8
February 16, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
“Glavine never took any responsibility for the Mets collapse when he was one of the biggest culprits including an awful performance in the most important game of the season.”
I’m not so sure he didn’t take “responsibility” for some of the blame. He repeatedly stated how embarrassed he was by his performance, and that wasn’t how he wanted to end his season (and Mets career).
As for claiming ANY start of the 162 game schedule is more important than others….that’s just silly. They ALL count in the standings. If it wasn’t for Glavine’s OTHER 34 STARTS, the Mets aren’t even CLOSE to being in position to have a one game playoff last fall.
Sure he’s to blame and responsible. He failed to get out of the first inning in a one game playoff, and he proceeded to give up 7 runs.
You’d think in a one game playoff, that Randolph would have gotten him the hell out of there, huh?
What do you want, a written apology from Glavine for having a bad 2 week stretch?
We finished 5 games behind the Phillies. I don’t see Bob Wickman apologizing for us missing the playoffs. Did he take responsibility?
Why isn’t that the same? Just because it happened in June and July, not a one game playoff? What about Langerhans and Thorman? If not for their horrible April’s, maybe we win another handful of games in the spring and the Phils and Mets are chasing US.
Don’t be silly.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Willie Randolph : “I didnt restart feeling really like myself until probably around holiday time.” MLB.COM
It sounds to me he has not recovered yet, pressure is on the air.
By The Man
February 16, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
You’d think in a one game playoff, that Randolph would have gotten him the hell out of there, huh?
I always thought the same thing. I figure Randolph’s job is on the line this. After signing Santana it is W.S. appearance or bust for the Mets. Just as soon the Braves not have that kind of pressure on them.
However, I do think this the Braves overall performance this season means so much determining on whether Cox will continue to manage or not.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Overlord
It sounds to me he has not recovered yet, pressure is on the air.
Which is exactly why Glavine left. He doesn’t feel up to it as I recall. He’d rather golf with his good buddy, put the kids on the bus and let others do the heavy lifting while he hides in the 3 or 4 hole which when you think about it is where he’s always been. The Mets had the wrong guy at the head of the mush line and the bigger the game the more apparent that became. We have a bonafide stud now. We can all move on.
By Rodney Derrick
February 16, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Lengthy article in the LA Times this morning about Andruw Jones. There are several pieces of information that I have never seen reported in the AJC or MLB.com. These include Andruw saying that he lost a lot of pounds last year before the season on Boras’ recommendation and that he has regained that weight and knows how to carry his weight. He also says that he would like to get a long-term extension from the Dodgers once he shows them that he is his old self. The link is http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-jones16feb16,0,1050007.story
By Metropolitan Man
February 16, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: Reyes did laspe in the end but Glavine’s guts didnt give any positive results down the stretch either. Glavine is a vet who now has let the METS down in a crucial time as well as the braves in the play-offs in the past and probably little league. Reyes is still learning so we can give both some of the blame, but does Glavine have any big games left in him as opposed to Reyes improving and learniing to come through in the clutch? Glavine got his 300 games as a MET, that was as good as it got. See for yourself the man that isnt really even worth 8 million, more like 3 million!!
LETS GO METS!!!
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Anders you think living under pressure is a normal way of life? If thats the reason tom left, good for him. Players can decide a) take tons of money and live under pressure. b) take less money, have a more normal live and try winning it all doing your best.
Maybe i would take option b. I like living under pressure, but i can tell you after years and years of pressure, you dont want anymore of it.
I hope Santana is able to withstand the pressure, if not, mets will have a loooooooong season.
By Anders
February 16, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
The Man
You’d think in a one game playoff, that Randolph would have gotten him the hell out of there, huh?
Randolph has actually talked about this. He said when you have a HOF type pitcher out there you just figure he’ll stop the bleeding and give the team a chance. When Glavine hit the opposing pitcher in the 1st inning with still only one out Randolph knew Glavine was done.
Sorry but no one expected Glavine to unravel like he did.
By DAP
February 16, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
i was going to respond to mike land’s outrageous post from last night, but i see many of you already let him know about it.
the man ??? are fine, we all have them as well, but when someone comes on saying stuff that just isnt true, showing that they probably dont have enough knowledge to be saying those things, they get called out on it. do you have anything to add or just criticisms of the blog?
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I would pay 8 000 000 anytime to watch the muts collapse so beautifully, anytime.
Are we ready for 2008 collapse part II??? or you wont even show up???
GOOOOO MUUUUUTTTTTSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
By Metropolitan Man
February 16, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
What Willie did in 1 year is equivalent to Booby’s Cox playoff record for the past 5 years.
In 2000 you got swept by St. Louis 3-0.
In 2001 you lost 4-1 to Arizona.
In 2002 You lost 3-2 to San Francisco.
In 2003 you lost to the Chicago Cubs 3-2.
In 2004 you lost to the Houston Astros, 3-2.
And in 2005 you lost to the Houston Astros, 3-2.
Now Willie is a new Manager compared to Booby and made his mistake early in his career just like Reyes opposed to Glavine in the stretch last year in the clutch. Willie made history but when you look at Booby’s playoff record, history is there somewhere, its called repeated failure and no one will ever “misremember” that!!!
By Metropolitan Man
February 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I’m ready OVERLOAD; This is the best one yet. I’m just suprised at some of the phithie fans arent as optimistic as you would think. but this METS fans is ready to watch something similar to what you guys did. You went from worst to 1st, we are going from outta nowhere to go get that hardware!!! The team is built to win once again but this year will be different. The ultimate goal will be the WS.
NY METS, your 2008 Champions!!
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Some asked about minor league camp. Their “early camp” starts on 25th, when pitchers and other top prospects (like Heyward) will report. First workout 26th. Full minor league camp starts on 5th.
By N8
February 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Anders
You addressed “The Man” about the following comment, that I actually made.
“You’d think in a one game playoff, that Randolph would have gotten him the hell out of there, huh?” Your response was:
“Randolph has actually talked about this. He said when you have a HOF type pitcher out there you just figure he’ll stop the bleeding and give the team a chance. When Glavine hit the opposing pitcher in the 1st inning with still only one out Randolph knew Glavine was done….Sorry but no one expected Glavine to unravel like he did.”
Of course nobody did. But you know what? A one game playoff is just like the 7th game of the WS. If you’ve got to use 15 guys out of the bullpen to win the game you do. In Game 7 of the WS, there literally is no tomorrow, so burning up the pen doesn’t matter.
But in a one game playoff there IS a tomorrow……if you win the game.
The SECOND Glavine got in trouble, Randolph should have had somebody up, and he would have been forgiven for having a quick hook (even with a HOFr), in a do or die game.
Why do I know this? Because for the past 17 years, I have watched a manager REPEATEDLY leave 3 different HOF pitchers in a game too long, when he thought they were gonna “stop the bleeding”.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, dontcha’ think? As much as Glavine probably won’t admit publicly that he should have been pulled, he more than likely wouldn’t have blamed Randolph for doing so.
Listen. I’m not denying that Glavine let you guys down in that one game playoff. He did.
But it’s still neither the here nor there of what he has to offer over a 162 game schedule to a team that had literally nobody reliable in the 3-hole of their rotation last year. Not to mention what he’ll do for Chuck James and Jo-Jo Reyes.
Ask Oliver Perez if having a HOF left-hander in the same rotation helped him prepare against a lineup. I’d be shocked if he didn’t say Glavine helped him put it all together last year.
Face it. You might not want to admit it, but until you guys traded for Johan, you weren’t thinking clearly and were just bitter that Glavine stunk it up his last three starts and then proceeded to skip town. LOL!
To deny that he was your “rock” of your rotation with Pedro out last year, is just silly.
I still stand by my assumption that Glavine will have MORE impact on OUR rotation than Johan will on yours.
The innings Glavine will save our bullpen will far outweigh what Johan will do (in comparison to what Glavine did for you last year), or are you forgetting that Glavine was 18-11 in 2002 for us, then proceeded to go 9-14 for you guys in 2003???
Johan is younger than Glavine was when he changed teams. But check out Johans post-season numbers. Not NEARLY as dominant as his regular season numbers (sound familiar?).
I have to go on the record saying that I’ll assume that Johan will win around 15-20 games for you guys this year, and the Mets will win most of the non-decisions. He clearly gives his teams a chance to win when he pitches.
That being said, I will NOT be shocked whatsoever if Santana has a lousy first year in NY. He’s a LONG way away from the quiet, non-evasive press of Minneapolis. He wanted out of the Twins organization and is now in the biggest market in the world.
We’ll soon find out which pair Johan brings to the table in NY….the brass pair, or the moth variety. :-)
Good luck. I’d hate for you guys to have invested 4 prospects and 150 million dollars into a bust. Yikes.
By Bow wow
February 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Metropolitan Man, Get off of this blog. I have been reading your s** for to long. I am so sick and tired of New York this New York that. You do realize that the country is bigger than your s** little island right? The Braves have done more under Bobby Cox than your Mutts will ever do under willie. So shut up and leave.
By The Man
February 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
DAP*
i do agree that Land’s post was in poor taste or perhaps knmowledge. However, i did want to see if I was the only one with questions about this team. Injuries scare me the most with 2 - 40 plus pitchers, Chipper and Kotsay. Whatever Hampton and Gonzo contribute will be a bonus I suppose.
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I have been presuming that Escobar’s AVG would drop this season but I am not that sure. I have obviously read some of those “experts” out there predicting a huge drop in batting average for Escobar. But I looked over Yunel’s numbers and compared them to Derek Jeter and Matt Diaz. It looks like his minor league average and BaBip numbers are similar to Jeter and Diaz.
Minor league AVG:
Escobar, .295;
Jeter, .308;
Diaz .315
Minor League Babip:
Escobar, .344;
Jeter, .356;
Diaz, .353
Major League AVG:
Escobar, .326;
Jeter, .317;
Diaz, .320
Major League Babip::
Escobar, .364
Jeter, .361
Diaz, .361
By The Man
February 16, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Anders -
N8 said it best with his response. Even Cox would have yanked Glavine out with all of the history they have had together.
By Capt. Caveman
February 16, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
N8
Dude, how long will keep banging your head on the wall trying to educate the truly stupid. As a former player I totally agree with “every game counts”. A person with real knowledge would understand that. It’s always easy to blame the last few games than it is to look at the whole season. It’s like blaming someone that bumped the table for knocking down your house of cards — instead of realizing that all houses of cards fall down eventually.
By jim
February 16, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
DOB
You posted that “everybody” threw during the past 2 days. Did that include Chuck James, and is there any word on how his shoulder feels?
By N8
February 16, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Anders
“We have a bonafide stud now. We can all move on.”
Hmmmm.
Johan has a 93-44 career record with a 3.22 ERA in the regular season. He has won 2 Cy Young awards (finishing in the top 7 each of the past 5 seasons), while having a WHIP of 1.094.
However, in the post-season, he is 1-3 (in 5 career starts), with a 3.97 ERA, while having a WHIP of 1.323.
Looks to me like you got yourself a REAL post-season “bonafide stud”. LOL!
For the record, Glavine in the regular season is 303-199, with an ERA of 3.51, with a WHIP of 1.309.
In the post-season, he has gone: 14-16 (35 starts), with a 3.42 ERA (better than his regular season ERA), and a WHIP of 1.270 (also better than his regular season numbers). So it appears as though Glavine has actually STEPPED UP HIS GAME in the post-season (when you claim he runs and hides), and Johan is the one that apparently doesn’t want to be the Ace of his staff come October.
Oh yeah, and Glavine pitched the Braves to their only WS championship with a masterful 1 hit performance of shut-out ball against one of the BEST lineups in the last 30 years.
What a choker. You might want to research your numbers before making such bold statements. The Johan led Twins teams went 1-4 in their 5 post-season series with him as the ACE.
Funny how that coincides with his 1-3 record and raised ERA in the post-season, huh?
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
The hatred for Glavine has little to do with Glavine for the Mets fan. It has everything to do with their shame and guilt knowing they don’t have any homegrowns besides Wright and Reyes.
By Bow wow
February 16, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Metropolitan Man, Get off of this blog. I have been reading your s** for to long. I am so sick and tired of New York this New York that. You do realize that the country is bigger than your s** little island right? The Braves have done more under Bobby Cox than your Mutts will ever do under willie. So shut up and leave.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Metro something wrote : “The team is built to win once again but this year will be different.”
LOL, please dude….. if you are not aware, muts didnt win anything last year. Or is it that you mean that muts will be named kings of HUMILIATION once again.
And for your own sake, i really hope it will be different. I dont wish so much pain to any human being.
By N8
February 16, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Capt. Caveman
Well said.
“Dude, how long will keep banging your head on the wall trying to educate the truly stupid.”
Until they get it. LOL! I’m a glutton that way. :-)
“It’s like blaming someone that bumped the table for knocking down your house of cards — instead of realizing that all houses of cards fall down eventually.”
I’m a BIG fan of analogies, and that was a good one. Well done.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, just by watching yunel play last year you can tell he is not dropping any numbers. Of course his AVG can go down 10 points 15. It can happen to pujols or ordoñez. But i dont expect to see him hit 280. This guy knows the game. He is chippers caliber guy.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Or as McCann first said, “reorganized.”
Ha! That’s funny, but not quite as good as the time he said (on TV) that hitting a home run off Roger Clemens in his first AB in the post season was “neat”. Guess they need a Thesaurus in the clubhouse.
: )
By Tom
February 16, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
DOB…Since you’re answering questions about minor league camp, maybe you could give us a little more detail on that front.
Where is minor league camp held? Is it at Disney? Or somewhere else?
Is it by invitation only? If so, who gets invited?
Do Cox or Pendleton or Frank Wren ever go by minor-league camp and look at/work with the younger guys? Do the young guys get to meet/talk to/work with any of the major-league players?
I’m really excited about our farm system, which got ranked 8th in MLB by Baseball America, despite the loss of all the guys in the Teixeira deal. There are some really fantastic young players down there, and I’m wondering what their experience is like in camp.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
N8, your 3:53 post was gr8.
By Efrim
February 16, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Interesting projections from Baseball Prospectus:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=757
By Jmart
February 16, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Metropolitan Man was discussing Cox’s playoff record. I truly believe that the reason we went to the playoffs 16 times and came away with only one WS is Cox’s propensity for going with a three man rotation. Statistics to not support the three man rotation theory. Its one of many decisions that Cox makes that he remains hard headed about. Now of course one of the WS could be attributed to Lonnie Smith’s running blunder. I am not sure but I believe that Cox has done the 3 man rotation almost exclusively in the latter years. Mot always in the early years.
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
This is from a mlb.com article about Joey Devine:
A’s general manager Billy Beane is hesitant to call Devine a “future closer” as so many others have, but he remains high on the right-hander with a powerful heater and a biting slider.
“To anoint guys as future closers when they’re in college is usually a mistake,” Beane said. “I think he’s got a chance to be a late-inning guy. Where remains to be determined. The ninth inning is mainly mental.”
That’s for the fellas who think anyone good reliever can close. Even Moneyballin’ sabermaestro Billy Beane acknowledges there is a different mentality needed to be a closer.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
I am really sick of people on this blog trying to say Johan Santana is in some way going to bust or stink.
I mean, surely the deal he got is a bit of a risk, as any deal that big and long to a pitcher is a risk, but it’s a risk I wish we could afford to take.
But no matter how much you say he’s some kind of choker or that he for some unnamed reason is going to have a bad season. If he has as “bad” a season as last year, I’d say the Mets would be plenty happy with that, and if you want to bet he’s going to be that “bad” or worse this year I’d take that action all day.
But the real truth is that if the rest of the Mets team plays exactly the same as last year (that includes no Martinez), that adding Santana could still in his best year push them upwards of 95 wins. Not to mention that Pedro and Duaner could both be back.
This talk is way more asinine than the talk that Glavine is going to be worthless for the Braves because of 3 bad starts. (which bothers me quite a bit as well)
Pretending the Mets suck won’t help anyone. I guarantee you the Braves aren’t sitting around the locker room discussing Santana choking.
Isn’t the thing that is most annoying about the Mets fans on the blog the way they try to say that the Braves just suck.
Let’s please accept the fact that to be a good team we’ll have to beat a good team and, instead of just wishful thinking, talk about how we might be able to do that.
By N8
February 16, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Jmart
“Now of course one of the WS could be attributed to Lonnie Smith’s running blunder.”
See, now that’s the same mentality that the Mets are talking about with Glavine being the only person responsible for the tank job last fall.
Yes. Knoblach deeked out Lonnie at 2nd base. But had it not been for Lonnie Smith, we’re not even CLOSE to playing in the 7th game of the WS that year. Or did you forget that Otis sniffed his way out of the playoffs and Lonnie filled in admirably for him?
But you’re correct about the 3-man rotation. In fact, when we won the 1995 WS, it was with a 4-man rotation (Avery also started 1 game in the WS).
Good call.
By Mr J
February 16, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Ephrim,
If I’m reading it right, the Baseball Prospectus site you linked to has the Mets winning the division by 10 games over the Braves, and the Brewers edging us out for the Wildcard by one.
Shaun, if you’re out there, refresh my memory on the nature of PECOTA. A proprietary statistical analysis, I think, but I don’t recall the details.
By Lew
February 16, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Got there too late today to catch Chipper, but Smoltz signed for a long time and signed a drawing-Javy,too. Got a Chris Chambliss signed ball to put next to my Dale Murphy ball to protect it. Jurrjens signed, Kotsay (very nice AND popular with the fans) signed a lot, McCann,too. Lots of sunshine and warmth. It was minus 5 in Vermont this morning. I used SPF 50. I truly have red neck now.
Any requests (aside from the Usuaual Suspects like Chipper, Smoltz or Kaiser Sose) for future Wurlitzers? I could get blank boards signed and draw the picture later.
By JEB
February 16, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Overlord Your 1:36 post is correct. However much I enjoyed wathcing AJ’s defence - it was sad watching him struggle at bat. I’ll miss him, but… baseball goes on! N8 your 2:05 post gave me a good laugh - thanks I needed that! :) I guess the only true answer then, is AJ will have the better numbers on his chek all year long! Only way I know to answer the question.
By TexasBrave
February 16, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
DOB - I was looking at the non-roster invitees and noticed two starting pitchers on the list DeSalvo and Drese. Being from Texas I am familiar with Drese, which is to say that he hasn’t been stellar.
Barring a total collapse from 5 or more of our potential starters what are their chances of making the team? Can they be sent down to the minors after ST or used in trade? Sure one of these two could wow the coaches but from what I have seen and their numbers suggest that they will not.
I can understand bring in the likes of Javy Lopez, but what are the potential benefits to the team in bringing in players that stand little to no chance?
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
We’ll post a new blog tomorrow morning.
Just filed a Soriano story, should be on the site before too long….
Tom, minor league camp is adjacent to major league camp, both here at Wide World of Sports, but in separate building. Players really don’t cross paths much, unless a minor leaguer is invited over to play in a Grapefruit League game or the college scrimmage. Several of them will get to play in a Grapefruit League game or two
Cox might go over and check out a player on a backfield from time to time, but most of the top prospects who could be here soon are already on the 40-man roster or non-roster invitees to big league camp….
Lew, how could you be late for a meeting with Hoss? He might bust your chops for that one.
By N8
February 16, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
The Goche (A.J.)
I’ll assume your 4:38 was directed at me. So be it.
But if you read my ENTIRE post, you’ll see that I predict that Johan’s more than likely gonna win 15-20 games, and surely put the Mets in a position to win more often than not. Certainly ACE material.
My nit-picking at his post-season “choke jobs” (which the numbers support), is due to Anders saying that Glavine is/was a choker and they NOW have a “bonafide ace”.
Nothing more. Nothing less. Two can tango, when it comes to dissecting numbers. And the numbers support that in relativity to their regular season careers, Johan is MORE of a choker when it “matters” than Glavine has been.
Again, I would LOVE to have Johan on this team. No doubt about it. But Johan won 15 games last year. Glavine won 13. I don’t see Johan and Johan alone, being responsible for the Mets winning 10 more games. Period. They are replacing a guy who was their ACE last year, with a better, younger ACE. But the bottom line, is that an ACE only does so much.
Who’s our ACE?? Smoltz, or is it Hudson? Horse a piece, right?
We on the other hand are replacing (or lowering Chuck in the pecking order), by installing Glavine and his 198 innings, into the #3 spot of our rotation. Replacing Chucks 160 IP.
So, I stand by my statement, in that I am NO WAY saying that Glavine is better than Johan (that would be silly at this point of their careers), but I still believe that Glavine will have a bigger IMPACT on our rotation, than Johan will have on the Mets’ rotation.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Murph, you might want to check out Jayson Stark’s ESPN.com story on Glavine for a non-Atlanta-media slant on the pitcher. It was posted yesterday, but I’m sure you can still find it on that site, or someone here can link to it.
By The Man
February 16, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Right now the team to beat is the defending division champions …The PHILLIES. Seems to me they came out of nowhere last year and beat the chokers….The METS. If anyone has bragging rights it is them and not Mets or Braves fans. You had also better watch out for the Nationals also. I hope most of you don’t bet with your money.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave, neither is going to make the opening day roster, that’s pretty obvious. They’re depth, and Drese, if fully recovered from arm problems, is a former 14-game winner who might be able to help later.
By McFann
February 16, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Bummer about Chipper, Lew.
Just read an article from atlantabraves.com. Great subject, but it had a typo:
Before his left thumb was injured on April 22,
He injured his left ring finger, not his thumb.
Then there’s this excerpt from another article:
Catcher Brian McCann is just days away from his 24th birthday, but the record already says that he is not only an accomplished defensive player, but also a hitter of significant potential.
Mr. Bauman should have typed:
Catcher Brian McCann is just days away from his 24th birthday, but the record already says that he is not only an accomplished offensive player, but also a defender of significant potential.
Don’t want to appear to be putting down my All Time Most Favorite Player, but I think he’s a little more established as a hitter than a defender.
But I gotta give U Kno Who an A+ on this quote:
“I think he’s an unbelievable talent and that he’s going to be good for a long time. He’s a good kid and he’s got a good head on his shoulder. He wants to continue to learn every day.”
If you’re lookin’ in on us today, Chipper, let me tell you, I liked that statement a lot.
: )
Can’t wait for the new blog, Chief.
By TexasBrave
February 16, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
So we can send non-roster invitees down to the minors if they don’t make the big team. Would you say this is future move for next year when we possibly loose two starters or just depth for this year?
By MGL
February 16, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Texas Brave - since ST is the time to loosen up pitchers slowly for the big grind (starters usually only start with 2 innings) it takes surplus pitchers (and catchers to warm them up). No big deal to have a number of non-roster types.
By AJ
February 16, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
I like Tom Glavine. He is a true professional. But as a Met fan, I’m glad he’s now in the Braves rotation. He doesn’t go deep into the game…your bullpen will suffer as the Met’s did last year. And he’s another year older. Going from Glavine to Santana is like trading in a Honda Civic for a Mercedes Benz CLS. If their rotation stays healthy, the Mets will win the NL Pennant. The name of the game is pitching, pitching, pitchig!
By simpleton
February 16, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
i believe that Redmond character from last year was healthy, but just sucked. i hope the same goes for your muts.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
AJ Honda Civic is the most reliable car (and best deal) in its class, please retry with a better example in order to get your point.
But at least you have learned the lesson braves gave you for 14 years…… pitching, pitching, pitching.
With the offense braves have, and the bullpen and the deep pitching staff, glavine will be just what we needed. And remember….. muts counted on glavine as their #1 (ace), he might end up being our #4. How is that similar to your rotation of last year?
By Choppinmama
February 16, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Lew: if you run across Diaz, Yates or Hampton, I’ll commission the artwork post-ST. Or…….I know McFann already has her BMac Wurlitzer, so I’d commission that one also. Deal?
By McFann
February 16, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
Hey, AJ, don’t knock Hondas, man! Hondas are the best cars ever! You must drive a Toyota.
By AJ
February 16, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Overlord…Get real. A $16,000 Honda and a $120,000 Benz. Please. You knew what I meant. When you are the only team in the NL with 2 or more 15 game winners in 2007 (Maine and Perez), and they both are only 26 and getting better, and they are your #3 and #4 starters this year…I’d say you’re pretty loaded. Add the best pitcher in all baseball (Santana), along with one of the greatest pitchers of all time,a now healthy Pedro…well you get the picture. Your best 3 pitchers are old (42,41,32)and have seen their better days. There is really no comparison and you know it. BUT….it’s a long season and your team must stay relatively healthy. Add in the Phils…it will be a great race in the NL East.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
See, this is why I had to change my name. Too many poser A.J.’s saying ridiculous things.
I don’t understand how Mets fans act like they swapped Glavine for Santana. Yes, there was a big boost from adding Santana, but you certainly didn’t gain anything from losing Glavine (except for a scapegoat).
Glavine was number 5 in the NL in quality starts last season (first among lefties). He also led the Mets in IP. How deep in games did you want him to go?
If the Mets pen suffered, it wasn’t the fault of Glavine.
You don’t even know about pitchers not going deep enough or overworked bullpens.
As for our team, we’re replacing a No. 3 starter who pitched 160 innings and seemed unable to pitch base the fifth inning (moving him down possibly to No. 5 or even our of the rotation) with a guy who pitched 200 innings last year and had 23 quality starts. We now have 3 of the top 5 in the NL in quality starts last season in our rotation.
I believe our bullpen will take that kind of “suffering” any day of the week.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
AJ, do you seriously think that 32 is “old” for a major league pitcher?
If so, have you been keeping up with the sport in recent years?
By Lew
February 16, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
ChoppinMama-I’ll see what I can do. Never drawn Yates’ portrait, or Diaz, either.
DOB-Maybe Chipper has better luck getting his sons moving in the morning than I do with mine. I can also plead that I had to drive all the way from the Daytona side of Orlando to get there. I don’t think Hoss stuck around that long. I’ll catch him on Monday.
By Jim
February 16, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
If you look it up, you will find that in almost all of the Series during the ‘90’s, the Braves went with a four man rotation. Alternating between Liebrandt, Avery, Neagle, and Millwod as the 4th starter. After 1999, the Braves did not ususally go deep into the playoffs, but still used 4 pitchers until the last two. If you want to blame Cox for not winning more championships, sticking with a 3-man rotation is not a reason to cite.
By the way, when the Braves and Yankees split 14 games between them in the ‘57 and ‘58 WS. Burdett and Spahn had all 7 Brave wins. And I believe all 7 were complete games — two in 10 innings. Burdett won games 2, 5, and 7 in ‘57, and Spahn won games 1, 4, and lost 6 in the 10th inning in ‘58. There was only 1 round of playoffs, but still a 3-man rotation was reduced to a 2-man rotation for the last 3 games of the series.
By Greg in TN
February 16, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Evening friends and neighbors…
I’ve thought for sometime that Lew was more deserving of a spring in the sun, watching some ball and handing out the Wurlitzers than buried to the armpits in snowdrifts back home in Vermont. Don’t get me wrong, Vermont has some beautiful scenery, but hey, give me sun and wooden bats and a spring of Chipper and Chris Chambliss and TP and all that is Dark Star (baseball related, mind you) anytime.
I like everything I’m hearing from Hampton on his arm. Another denizen made the perceptive remark that the words he’s saying this year about his arm are completely different than what we heard early last year.
It looks to be a three dog race in the NL this year. Barring injuries, I see no reason why the usual suspects aren’t slugging each other well into September.
Personally, I’d love to see Smoltz work a little more off his changeup in ‘08 and I am curious to see how Chuck James will come out and throw after his arm problems he had later in the year in ‘07.
Keep on keepin’ on Planet Braves. Opening night in DC will be here before we know it.
By TexasBrave
February 16, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
DOB - Just out of curiosity is Anthony Lerew in camp or is his head… uh arm still bothering him?
By AJ
February 16, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
OK Goche…I’ve been called AJ for about 35 years now…hardly an imposter. You love your starting staff? Great. You think it’s as good as the Met’s staff? Fine. We’ll see as the year progresses which team has the lower ERA. I know that if Pedro is as healthy as he looks and says he is now…and he didn’t look too bad when he first came back last September…then I wouldn’t trade my starting staff with any other staff in all MLB.
By Epinephrine
February 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
AJ you are such a homer. Wouldn’t trade your staff with any other in the MLB? No need to phrase it in precatory terms; the choice wouldn’t be up to you. That kind of proposal would draw a pretty robust laugh from at least a few GMs.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
AJ i dont get it, how come mets are so loaded in pitching and they didnt even made the playoffs…….. BAD LUCK HHMMM… Wish you luck next time.
I dont really get why you say perez and pelfrey WILL get better. If it is written somewhere that all young pitchers are meant to get better no matter what then we have james, jojo, bennett and JJJ.
Almost forgot, i hope you go and check on pedros age (36) and el duques age (43) before talking about an old staff. Not to mention your closers age (36).
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
AJ did you noticed Wagner posted his higher ERA since 2001? and that his ERA has increased progressively over the last 3 years? Wonder if age is catching up with him. Problem is he is your tough guy out of the bullpen. What about Alou and Delgado? What about you nonproductive catcher? Would you trade them? i think you would, i think you would trade them for TEX, DIAZ and McCann. And i think you would trade your whole bullpen for our without thinking about it.
What are the strenghts of your position players? Wright? Reyes? you bet i wouldnt trade chipper nor yunel for them. What about Beltran? you think jeff is not as good as him? What about your second baseman? is he better than KJ? or he “old” as you said our pitching is?
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Other A.J.:
You’re not the first to try to use the name AJ on this blog, and will likely not be the last, I’d suggest if you plan to continue to frequent the blog you might embellish that a bit to avoid confusion.
I would say that 1-5 if their healthy assuming Pedro is as good in 30 starts as he is in 5 and Hampton is still anything like he was 2 years ago, that the Mets probably have the edge.
Though don’t think that that 5 is that much better than say Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, and say Jair.
But I’d be a lot more concerned about your old guys than ours (other then Hampton).
Where we have the edge is depth. We have roughly 8 starters, you have about 5.
That will matter. Will it make the difference between the two teams?
Who knows, but I know that last year we were not prepared and I believe this year we are.
So lets see what happens.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave, Lerew is in camp and throwing. Could be cleared to throw off the mound very soon, and looking at being ready for games in July, barring setbacks.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Knee surgery for and OF, and in both legs……
Knee surgery to a middle IF….
I thought the muts were healthy, half of the position players have question marks because of health issues.
By Cleanuphitter16
February 16, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
As ESPN sportswriters trip over themselves on the way to print up their “Mets win WS!” hats, I find it difficult to believe there is anyone out there with a grain of intelligence that thinks Pedro or Orlando will make it through a full, healthy season. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…signing Santana does NOT make Pedro or Orlando a “sure thing” to make 35 starts and win 30 games between them. YET. DESPITE that. Story after story (and Met fan after Met fan) preach how unbeatable the Mets staff now is due to the addition of Santana.
Look, confidence and competition are fine…in fact, they are awesome and I can’t WAIT for games to start. But Mets fans are jumping waaaaaaay overboard over this Santana signing. WHEN El’duque and Pedro go down…and they will (wanna argue that? then you have to give me Hampton and a healthy season from him…thats the trade-off. Take it or leave it) WHO will replace them? Who?
Braves have SP options…GOOD options, and lots of them (tell me the Mets wouldn’t KILL to have someone like Jurrjens FIGHTING for a spot on the staff.) Braves are going to score just as many runs at the Mets this season. Braves bullpen is beyond good…look at the numbers.
Braves are not the flavor of the month because the Mets are (a) in New York, and (b) signed Santana. That’s fine…big market, big name…makes for big press. Just the way it works. But to write us off or to dog the rotation, lineup, bullpen, farm system…is just ignorant. Look at those four areas: Rotation and its options, Bullpen and its options and track record, lineup and its power, and farm system and it’s MLB-ready depth and tell me where the weakness is. WHY should we consider ourselves a third-tier team in this division? And for the love of all that’s holy, don’t say “Santana” Last time one SP won a WS for a team was….NEVER.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 16, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Overlord:
At the risk of agreeing with AJ #2, most of what you are saying is ridiculous.
This is not last year is one thing, and they still were better than us last year, so I wouldn’t say we have much to really harass them over.
They missed the playoffs by one game last year and added by many accounts the best pitcher in baseball.
Not to mention Maine and Perez (not Pelfrey) were pretty good last year, so don’t discount them.
This “that guy is old, this guy is old, i bet you’d trade for this guy,” stuff for doesn’t prove anything.
No need to get into a p** match. Let’s have some intelligent discussion.
By Aram
February 16, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
ippississiM:
Sorry bout that…misunderstood your comment. No, Aram is my given name…a popular Armenian one. Comes from the Bible.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Carlos Beltran walked into Mets camp on Saturday, took a seat on the dugout bench and said exactly what was on his mind.
“To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat.”
“Let me tell you this,” Beltran said. “Without Santana, we felt, as a team, that we had a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we’re going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We’ve got what it takes.”
Cant this guy at least come up with his own phrases? Airhead.
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 16, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
lew -
a week or so ago i believe i remember you posting your web site, would you do so again?
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Z Z Z Z Z
By Cleanuphitter16
February 16, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Overlord you’re dead on about not trading Yunel for Reyes. Wouldn’t do it in a million years, personally.
Now the Mets fans cry “blasphemy!” But the thing is…they have probably never stood down at the field and simply watched this kid warm-up and play…he’s amazing. With Reyes, Yunel, and Jimmy in the same division playing SS, the NL East has, by far, the most talented, young group of SS’s in the majors, not just the NL.
Give Met’s fans time and they will start to appreciate Yunel like we do. Difference right now is, we’ve seen seen him up-close. They haven’t.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Cleanuphitter16 dont forget about RAMIREZ.
By AJ
February 16, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Overlord…What planet are you from? Wouldn’t trade your left side of the Braves infield for Wright and Reyes, the starting SS and 3B of the last 2 AllStar Games? Both still getting better at 25? The #2 and #3 rated players in all baseball? (See MLB.COM Fantasy league Ratings of the top 100 players, as well as the top players by each position). ARod #1, Wright #2 and Reyes tied with four others for #3). Beltran tied at #16. The highest ranking Braves are Teixeira, tied for 20th, and old Larry Jones, tied for 42nd. I can only imagine how good David Wright will get when he reaches his prime.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Please give me a call when he reaches his prime. Youll treat your future HOFer with respect.
And please dont make me LOL, thats all that is…….fantasy, as it is your WS hopes. Are you trying to tell me wright and reyes are the 2nd and 3rd best players in the league? give me a break.
Could i ask what exactly wright does better than TEX? Hahaha, your answer should be interesting.
Oh and please….. dont forget… chipper never has never hit .202 in september (reyes). As a matter of fact i dont think he has done so bad in a month ever. I can recall chipper was injuried last year, but i cant recall Wright making a run for the batting title, weird. There most be something wrong with my memory.
By Overlord
February 16, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Dont forget MVP is just a voting stuff….. while batting championship…well…numbers dont lie.
By David O'Brien
February 16, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
See MLB.COM Fantasy league Ratings of the top 100 players AJ
No, we’ll trust you on your Fantasy League ratings. We’ll stick with real baseball here.
By Braveheart
February 16, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
With Reyes, Yunel, and Jimmy in the same division playing SS, the NL East has, by far, the most talented, young group of SS’s in the majors, not just the NL.
You neglected to mention the man who is by far the best shortstop in the NL East ….. Hanley Ramirez.
By Jared
February 17, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
And that “sixth starter” job that Smoltz describes could go to Bennett, who seems perfectly suited to the role, given his background as both a major league reliever and his success late last season as a starter at Richmond, then with Atlanta and during winter ball.
A team that probably should have gone to a 4-man rotation last season instead of continuing to let Mark Redman, Lance Cormier, Jo-Jo Reyes and Buddy Carlyle, etc. lose games is moving backwards apparently.
Less innings for Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine and more for Jeff Bennett. How is this a good idea in any sane persons’ mind?
By Metropolitan Man
February 17, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Wow, how easily we forget. In 2006 Pedro and El Duque went down before the playoffs. Maine, Perez and that bum Glavine would have pulled it off if Mota never shook off Loducas call pitch to Speizio. Now replacing Glavine with Johan makes a better 3 than they had in 06’ for a playoff rotation for 08. (yes I have them there). So dont worry about Pedro and El Duque, you need to get a reliable 4th starter and then shine 1 of them turds up to be a 5th starter.
The sleeping giant named Beltran has been awoken. He has always feasted on Braves pitching so this year we should see braves pitching e.r.a. shoot up whenever they see ‘BELTRAN” on the lineup card.
And another thing, Tex and Delgado’s numbers after their full seasons in the league are similar with Delgado getting the edge. Check them for yourself.
METS 08 WS champions.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
February 17, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Jared , the Red Sox went with a five man rotation last season and were rumored to be contemplating going with six starters.
The four man rotation has gone the way of the Dodo bird.
I guess the World Champion Red Sox know less than you , right ?
By Ippississim
February 17, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
I still don’t get why everyone dogs on Buddy Carlyle so badly. He went 8-7 in 20 starts. I must say, he was a little rough on the pen (22 G, 20 GS, 107.0 IP!), but he still got the win more than he got the loss, and his WHIP almost identical to C. James, while he actually had a better winning percentage and K/BB ratio.
All I’m saying is that you can’t call Carlyle a scrub without calling James a scrub, and I for one respect Buddy Carlyle for not giving up in the face of the made-for-TV movie script he’s been living since his first cup of coffee with the Padres.
Don’t count him out yet. He could still be useful in the 5 hole. He pitched above his slot several times last year and got jerked around a good bit, but he was one of only four starters on last year’s team to top 100 IP, and the only 4-5 hole starter to win more than four games.
Even if there’s not a spot for him on the 2008 Atlanta Braves roster, Buddy Carlyle should still have enough in him to get a few nibbles on the trade market during ST.
By Roman Gal
February 17, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this
Ok MetMan, whatever.
Delgado: 79 runs, 30 doubles, 24 homers, 241 tb 87 rbis, .258 avg, .333 obp , .448 slg
Tex : 86 runs, 33 doubles, 2 triples, 30 homers, 278 tb 105 rbis, .306 avg, .400 obp, .563 slg
By Roman Gal
February 17, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
OH!! And also MetMan, Tex did it in 7 less games than Delgado because he pulled his hamstring in Texas.
By Cleanuphitter16
February 17, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this
Ah yes, how could I forget Ramirez…he WAS on my fantasy team last season >.< Oops. Still…validates my point. Some awesome SS in this division, and Yunel is going to take his place among them this year. anyone who has seen him actually play knows that.
Well, Metroman, I really can’t argue with you if you are going on the assumption that making the playoffs is a given and all that is left for debate is how the 3-man playoff rotations will pan out. I’ll just go ahead and not worry about Pedro and Orlando. I’ll assume that they WILL implode this season, but it won’t matter because you have Maine, Perez and Santana, and that’s all you really need. No 6th starter, no talent whatsoever in the minors…you have Santana…God’s gift to Flushing. All bow before Him as he wins 40 games while Perez goes 12-12, Orlando makes 15 starts, Pedro goes 10-4 in 20 starts, and Maine goes 10-13. Jump on the ESPN/CNNSI bandwagon and ride it to Shea. I’ll be laughing as we score 7 runs a game and have a staff ERA under 3.90 for the season with more quality starts than 29 other teams.
Beltran = Sleeping Giant Awakened. Right. Ok, you can have that, but I don’t want to hear anything from you Mets fans about Chipper staying healthy and being hungry for another pennant. Giant vs. Giant. We’re even. If you get Beltran suddenly earning his salary we get Chipper playing 150 games this season. Both are equally as likely.
And Tex vs. Delgado in ‘08? … are you serious? It’s good to be positive on your boys and all…but thats just crazy.
By Ippississim
February 17, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Roman Gal: Um, wouldn’t the pulled hammy make Tex look LESS favored, as a possible injury risk? Just sayin’.
By johnbama
February 17, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
I dont post a lot here but I am really confused with the desire to Nathan on this blog. Like DOB says the prospects are not worth it guys. Soriano will save 35 games….more if we win 90 games. It makes no sense at all for us to try to deal for him.
DOB any word on Morton. I am really intrigued by the guy. How has he thrown?
By AJ
February 17, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
Overlord: No, Wright and Reyes aren’t rated #2 and #3 in the NL, but in BOTH leagues…all MLB!!! Don’t believe me? Check out MLB.COM’s top 100 MLB players in the fantasy league 2008 rankings section. The reason is potential improvement. Both are now only 25 and have been starting NL Allstars since they were 23.They haven’t even reached their prime. There is no telling how good they will be…especially David Wright.
I think Teixeira is a fine player. But Wright is 3 years younger, much faster (77-11 lifetime SB’s) Higher lifetime average (.311-.286) higher OBP (.388-.371) and very close in slugging % (.533-.539) despite playing his home games in a difficult HR park like Shea. Tex played most of his home games in the HR friendly Rangers Arlington ballpark. You asked “exactly what Wright does better than teixeira?hahaha. Your answer should be interesting”. Well I’d say it’s very interesting…David does just about everything better!!LOL You better start checking your facts before shooting off your mouth! Goche is right about you Overlord…much of what you say IS ridiculous.
By wiki
February 17, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
By Metropolitan Man Wow, how easily we forget. In 2006 Pedro and El Duque went down before the playoffs. Maine, Perez and that bum Glavine would have pulled it off if Mota never shook off Loducas call pitch to Speizio. Now replacing Glavine with Johan makes a better 3 than they had in 06’ for a playoff rotation for 08. (yes I have them there). So dont worry about Pedro and El Duque, you need to get a reliable 4th starter and then shine 1 of them turds up to be a 5th starter.
The sleeping giant named Beltran has been awoken. He has always feasted on Braves pitching so this year we should see braves pitching e.r.a. shoot up whenever they see ‘BELTRAN” on the lineup card.
And another thing, Tex and Delgado’s numbers after their full seasons in the league are similar with Delgado getting the edge. Check them for yourself.
METS 08 WS champions.
That post was almost as moronic as your PA line up card announcement post the other night. I see you’re speculating on the playoff rotation in February…..not surprised since you were doing the same thing with two weeks left in the season last year before the prodigious collapse. WS champs ‘08? Go find Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Mariners, Phillies, Cubs, D’backs blogs and post the same while you’re at it…….idiot.
By AmazinsAgin08
February 17, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Goche is right about you Overlord…much of what you say IS ridiculous.AJ
Tis oh so true
By cityofdecatur
February 17, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this
P.S. Otis is still around and doing just fine. Looks like he can shag a few fly balls too. Seen him 5 or 6 times this past year and he’s clean and sober and doin’ well. …….thanks DOB for the blog. just got home and this took me a long time to read (may have dozed for awhile). I got spring training on my bucket list maybe this year DOB you’ve expanded this ole man’s musical horizon’s. thanks!!!!!!!
By Jared
February 17, 2008 3:14 AM | Link to this
Jared , the Red Sox went with a five man rotation last season and were rumored to be contemplating going with six starters.
They didn’t so your whole point is irrelevant. Plus they had Josh Beckett, Curt Shilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. And
Sorry but Buchholz is in a little different league than Jeff Bennett.
I don’t really want to even get into this. No one knows what’s going to happen, other than Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine being the top three. Will Hampton be healthy? Will Chuck James? If they’re both healthy, I think they’re both in. But what if Jurrjens pitches great? What if one of Hampton-James is hurt but not the other.
It’s too complicated. But regardless, a 6-man rotation is moronic.
By Jared
February 17, 2008 3:14 AM | Link to this
Jared , the Red Sox went with a five man rotation last season and were rumored to be contemplating going with six starters.
They didn’t so your whole point is irrelevant. Plus they had Josh Beckett, Curt Shilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. And
Sorry but Buchholz is in a little different league than Jeff Bennett.
I don’t really want to even get into this. No one knows what’s going to happen, other than Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine being the top three. Will Hampton be healthy? Will Chuck James? If they’re both healthy, I think they’re both in. But what if Jurrjens pitches great? What if one of Hampton-James is hurt but not the other?
It’s too complicated. But regardless, a 6-man rotation is moronic.
By Jared
February 17, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this
Also, the questions surrounding Hampton and Chuck James should show everyone that the “starting pitching surplus” is a myth.
By Double Deuce
February 17, 2008 3:39 AM | Link to this
It’s funny how Spring Training washes last year away and hope springs eternal.That’s the great thing about sports, there’s always next year. I suffered thru football season just to get to today, to baseball and now life is good again. When you look at how the game has changed so much over the years, it is crazy how much of the game is dependent on the bullpen, yet if you look around both leagues bullpens are filled with guys you’ve never heard of, or in some cases, guys you wish you’d never heard of. Yet, after all the money spent on superstar third basemen, outfielders, starting pitchers, the season hinges on those bullpens filled with guys you’ve never heard of,guys struggling to stay in the big leagues and make a great living with other guys in AAA looking over their shoulder, waiting for them to stumble so they can get their shot. That’s the great thing about baseball, despite all the teams filled with superstars making millions of dollars, the season will be determined by guys you’ve never heard of, guys who may not even be on the roster yet but in September, with the winning run in scoring position and the division on the line, those guys will be asked to save the asses of their teammates who didn’t even know them three months ago. Some succeed, some don’t, but the fact is those are the guys that determine who wins and who loses. What a great game.
By William
February 17, 2008 6:34 AM | Link to this
**PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Carlos Beltran walked into Mets camp on Saturday, took a seat on the dugout bench and said exactly what was on his mind.
“To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat.”
It was unprompted, unscripted and completely unexpected. But with those nine words, Beltran instantly renewed his team’s rivalry with the Phillies and assumed a new level of leadership with the Mets. The usually quiet and reserved center fielder, perhaps emboldened by his team’s offseason acquisition of Johan Santana, stepped out of character — and there’s no reversing that now.
“Let me tell you this,” Beltran said. “Without Santana, we felt, as a team, that we had a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we’re going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We’ve got what it takes.” **
Well according to Mr Beltran we should pack up from Spring Training and go home. I see no hope in his comment that we have a chance. I guess we will just have to see about that. GO BRAVOS!!!
By TommyP
February 17, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
No, we’ll trust you on your Fantasy League ratings. We’ll stick with real baseball here.
That’s hilarious. Fantasy baseball is nothing but stats. There’s nothing more talked about on here than stats. LOL
By David O'Brien
February 17, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Beautiful morning here at the home of the Sinister Mouse, folks. Absolutely gorgeous, about 63 degrees already and expected to approach record highs, near 85 this afternoon.
Wish I had a helicopter to get to Daytona. Traffic’s too much for me to even consider dealing with that.
Mark Bradley’s staying in the house, got in last night, and he left at 6:30 a.m. this morning to drive over and cover Daytona.
Nice, wide-open ride to the ballpark for me today on the bike.
We’ll file a new blog after getting back up from the clubhouse.
By David O'Brien
February 17, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
JohnBama, I mentioned Charlie yesterday when I walked into Bobby’s office, because I’d just said hi to Charlie as I walked past on the way to see the manager. When Bobby heard me say his name, he made a comment about how great his stuff was, in a tone and with the raise eyebrows like, “This kid is gonna be special.”
By richbrave
February 17, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
TOMMYP:
Hilarious? No-o-o. That’s scary. You’ve been in fantasy-land too long my friend. When did Fantasy Ball become real? Stats are what they are. Get a grip.
By Stephen
February 17, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Just wanted to let you know that you quite possibly have the greatest job this side of the Mississippi.
By richbrave
February 17, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Gonna’ be really pi$$ed if the Braves don’t have Morton in Richmond. DOB, tell Bobby he’ll have to report to my office if he offends.
By Lew
February 17, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Mets’ Fans are as delusional as ever. I can’t wait until Alou and Beltran go down and the Mets have an outfield of Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson and Ryan Church. Now there’s an A;; Star outfield if ever there was one.
Then when Pedro’s arm and toe falls off and El Duque has his inevitable breakdown, what will the rotation (or lack thereof) look like? Tony Armas Jr. as number three behind Santana and Maine?
Don’t think it can happen? Just wait. We’ll see how Reyes and Wright carry the team. Sure we will. OH! The Anticipation!! Carly Simon is warming up the Ketchup Song for between innings at Shea.
By Efrim
February 17, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
This comment, from Buster Olney, on his blog on ESPN.com:
The player most asked for in Braves’ trade discussions this offseason, according to GM Frank Wren: second baseman Kelly Johnson.
Makes sense. He has four years left until he is a free agent, and shows the best plate discipline out of any of the Braves young players. It is like he is a 10 year vet. Personally, I could care less if he is only an average defensive player. His importance to the Braves lineup and team is huge. I think he is a better offensive player than both Frenchy and McCann. He should be just as untouchable as them, in my opinion.
DOB
What are your thoughts on Johnson as a player? Do you think Braves management feels the same way I do about his importance?
By PatioDaddio
February 17, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
I’ve noticed there are a couple of Mets fans who beat there chest here. The only thing that separated the Mets and Brave last year was 2 games, yes two games. If the Braves had won two games that were lost to the Mets, the two teams would have had the same identical record.
Two games is not something one should base their cocky attitude on.
Braves record 2007 Smoltz starts: 18-14 In Hudson starts: 22-12 In James starts: 17-13
Sub Total: 57-39, .594.
Quad AAAA Staters record: 27-39, .409
Redman starts: 1-5 Cormier starts: 2-6
Sub Total: 3-11
Now let us replace Redman with Glavine and Cormier with Hampton, JJ, Jo Jo or Bozo the clown, it shouldn’t really matter because anyone would be an improvement over the injured Cormier and the basement found Redman.
As you can see Mets fans, the Braves would have won the division last year if they had this years pitching options.
I am told that if Glavine and Hampton’s slot can just pitch .500 baseball then the Braves are a 90 win team if Smoltz, Hudson and James don’t even improve on last years performance.
So, you picked up Santana and his 15 wins and you lost Glavine and his 13 wins. Santana will be a slight improvement over Glavine, but Glavine will be a huge improvement over Redman.
By Jared
February 17, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Makes sense. He has four years left until he is a free agent, and shows the best plate discipline out of any of the Braves young players. It is like he is a 10 year vet. Personally, I could care less if he is only an average defensive player. His importance to the Braves lineup and team is huge. I think he is a better offensive player than both Frenchy and McCann. He should be just as untouchable as them, in my opinion.
Amen. Kelly Johnson should be every bit as untouchable as Francoeur and McCann. He’s just as big a young, offensive weapon as those two.
By Tilt3
February 17, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Efrim-I agree with you. I think that KJ will play a very important role this season, and I’m expecting a breakout year from him. I’m betting that he steps it up and is the extra piece we need this year. I’ll predict his season:
.297 BA, 27 HR, 79 RBI, .388 OBP
By TexasBrave
February 17, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Efrim - I too agree with you. However, something has go to give. I have not seen him play but everyone is really high on Lillibridge, yet he is blocked at every possible position. Do they keep this kid as a super utility player or do they trade him or trade either Yunel or KJ? One of these three will go by the beginning of next season IMO.
If Chipper were closer to retirement he could play 3rd. But Chipper says he wants to play until he is 40 which is 5 years away. We will not be able to hold on to all three of those guys that long.
By David O'Brien
February 17, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Efrim, the Braves really like Kelly a lot, and never considered trading him. Everyone impressed by what he did last season, after a year off and a change of positions.
OK, gonna write a new blog. Stay tuned. I’ll keep it short.
By McFann
February 17, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
“To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat” Beltran
Well, I’m glad the NL East has his permission, ‘cause that’s just what the Braves, Phillies, etc. intend to do: BEAT ‘EM!!
By richbrave
February 17, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
EFRIM and JARED:
Rightous posts dudes. Lots of Love for my man KJ. Hey, METRO PUKE. How about another ridiculous off-center post on Kelly, like the one’s you’ve deposited here before. The smell is gettin’ offensive man. Clean up after yourself. Phew!!
By KC
February 17, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
I have to say, in all honesty, I think the Mets could be sick this year. For them, I think a lot will hinge on Pedro.
If Pedro can remain reasonably healthy (and hasn’t lost any more of his arm strength through another arm/shoulder injury), then the Mets rotation could be essentially adding not one, but 2 aces.
However, I think the Mets were extremely lucky to get the kind of performances they got from Maine, El Duque, and Perez last year. I don’t think they’re going to get the same number from those 3 guys. But then again… they don’t necessarily have to since those guys are their 3, 4, and 5 starters.
I think the Mets will have a great rotation (again, IF Pedro stays healthy for the most part). Their bullpen should be good, and their lineup is also excellent.
Having said all of that… I think the Braves rotation will be every bit as good. I’m confident Atlanta’s pen will be at least every bit as good. And the Braves lineup is also at least every bit as good as NY’s.
So in the end, I think both the Braves and the Mets should win well over 90 games. In fact, if I had to guess… I’d say both will win something in the neighborhood of 95 games.
The Braves have a couple of wild cards that could push them over the top: Hampton and Gonzo. The Braves aren’t counting on either, but one or both could have a big impact on the NL East race.
The Phillies had better hope Lidge can return to dominance, and that Myers has a solid year in rotation. If not, Phili will be out of division picture by the first of September.
By AJ
February 17, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
KC: No, Maine and Perez’s numbers won’t be the same as last year’s…they’ll be better! Both just turned 26 and are going into their prime. Two of your starters are WAY past their primes. You can have your staff, I’ll stick with mine, thank you. It should be a great race in the NL East.
By Lew
February 17, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
KC-If you had seen Kotsay hitting the past couple of days you’re optimism level would have risen dramatically (not that anyone could ever consider you a pessimist, by ANY stretch of the imagination). The guy is obviously NOT in pain and has been hitting line drives to the gaps.
That may be the steal deal of the offseason. With him healthy and his arm what it is, the outfield will be just fine. He may not have Andruw’s power, but will be an exciting offensive player if he remains healthy. Haven’t seen him in the field, but from what I hear, his arm is as strong and accurate as Frenchy’s. Real nice guy, too.
By richbrave
February 17, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Braves have to CONSISTANTLY win within their division to go to the playoffs. 9-9 against the Phillies and Mets or 11-7 against the Nats won’t get it done. They’ve ALL improved. That said, even without Santana and Rowand, the organization really rolled up its shirt-sleeves and went to work in the problem areas. They will be better over last year. IF the stars are in alignment they may get to the Series without my two big men. Mets will not - even with one of them.
By Lew
February 17, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Something the Phillies and Mets’ fans don’t seem to understand, either-the Braves have five aspects that raise them miles above both of those teams- exceptional depth in the rotation, the pen, the middle infield, at catcher and in the outfield. The Phillies and Mets have no depth at any of these spots.
By KC
February 17, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Carlos Beltran walked into Mets camp on Saturday, took a seat on the dugout bench and said exactly what was on his mind.
“To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat.”
WOW… It really puzzles me why anyone would be overlooking the Braves.
Why would Ken Rosenthal or any other writer ever have to write a “don’t forget about the Braves” article… when this is a team with Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, plus rotation depth, a good bullpen, and lineup with Chipper, Tex, Frenchy, McCann, KJ, and other solid bats????
Ridiculous.
By Lew
February 17, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Excuse Me, my mistake. The Mets DO have four second basemen.
By Utica Club
February 17, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
I cant believe it! A post by KC that doesn’t have any stats. what is this blog coming to? I guess we’ll have to wait for some games to start.
By Andy
February 17, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
**AJ:It will be a great race in the East…between the Phillies and Braves. When Pedro breaks a finger changing uniforms halfway through the game, and Johan gets pneumonia when the sprinklers go off, your time is finished.
By Lew
February 17, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
AJ-You think Smoltz and Glavine are past THEIR primes, yet both have won 13 or more games the last four years-Glavine having NEVER been on the DL-NEVER. Then you think that Pedro and ElDuque are NOT past their primes when neither of them have come close to those numbers for at least two years and both have lived on the DL? Good God, Dude,,Pedro doesn’t have 13 wins if you combine his last TWO years. He’s pitched 28 innings in almost 18 months. You really think he didn’t pass his prime even BEFORE his surgery? Typically delusional Mets’ fan.
By JC FROM UT
February 17, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
I don’t think people should worry so much about the Phillies. The local radio station is saying that Brett Myers would rather be the closer, Ryan Howard is upset about not getting the same money as Chase Utley, and as soon as Brad Lidge blows a save or two he will be villified by both the fans and the media. In that ball park no lead is safe with Lidge. Also Geoff Jenkins will never put up the numbers that Aaron Rowand did last year. Their outfield defense really took a hit with Rowand leaving and Victorino moving to CF.
By Eric
February 17, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
The Braves are always over looked. Even during their string of division titles, very few sports casters/”experts” picked them. The “Big” media is just NE centric. Just like in the SE, people are more likely to pick the Braves. www.braves-report.com
By David O'Brien
February 17, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
NEW BLOGGAGE IS UP
oh, and sorry to report that Chipper doesn’t have a laptop with him at spring training (“I’m not a computer guy,” he told me today), so not sure how much we can expect to have him blogging. Only way is if he does it on the equipment-room computer or using someone else’s computer. Doubtful.
I’m ure he’ll be back when season starts, but probably not more than a post or two this spring. We’ll see which guys have laptops, maybe we can get someone else to stop by (if they aren’t already and we don’t know)
By KC
February 17, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
AJ: Though he’s been around a few years, last season was Maine’s first full season as a big league starter… and while he was great in the first half, he was not impressive at all over the last 2-3 months of the season.
Oliver Perez has to be considered the most unpredictable starter in the bigs right now. Look at his stats over the last few seasons. If I had to guess, I’d say he’ll be solid again this season… but who knows. His performance has been ridiculously erratic from year to year.
Again, I think the Mets will have a great rotation is Pedro’s healthy… but I think I’ll take Atlanta’s rotation right now.
The Mets now have 2 aces, but the Braves also have 2 aces that compare very favorably.
Smoltz 14-8, 3.11 ERA… VS. Santana 15-13, 3.33
Hudson 16-10, 3.33… VS. Pedro 12-9, 4.14 over last 2 seasons
(I had to throw some stats in there so as not to disappoint Utica Club!)
Glavine, Hampton, Jurrjens… VS. Maine, Hernandez, and Perez.
I think the Braves are as solid 3-5 as the Mets, if not more so (the Braves aren’t banking on Hampton and don’t need to).
I’ll take Atlanta’s rotation. I’ll also take the Braves bullpen. And if Gonzo makes a successful comeback, this pen could be sick down the stretch.
By KC
February 17, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I never really finished my point on Maine…
Again, it was his first full season as a starter, and I think NL hitters figured him out as the year went along.
We’ll see. But neither Maine or Perez could be considered locks to have quality seasons. The Mets don’t really know what to expect from those guys.
By Anders
February 17, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Lew
Apparently all of the national baseball media and experts are delusional except you and your cohorts on here. All I heard from you was how the Mets have no prospects that I was delusional yet they still have one rated higher than any of your vaunted Brave minor leaguers. Then I heard how they have no shot at getting Santana and I was delusional about it yet there he is in orange and blue in Port St. Lucie acquired for more of the prospects you told me the Mets don’t have. Now most experts give the Mets a better than average chance at winning the division and you claim everyone who says so to be delusional. At what point do others on here (including You Know Who) see you for the jaded Met hating Braves fan that you come off as? For someone who unlike myself is held in high regard by DOB and others on this blog a little objectivity would be nice. Even I have said that I expect a 3 team race all year long. I know you’re down in fantasy land there but a little realitiy would go a long way.
By Efrim
February 17, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
KC
I think you make some really good points. The Braves will always be overlooked, but I think that is they way they like it. Having the pressure the Mets currently have is something I wish upon no one. That said, Braves have a lot of pressure on them too. When you look at it, what will people say if the Braves finish in third place for the 3rd consecutive season? Third season in a row looking up at the Mets and Phillies. Not to mention Tex’s pending departure to Yankee Pinstripes. Sorry to be so pessimistic as usual. The Mets have a ton of pressure on them, but the Braves will look pretty damn bad if they finish 3rd again. Hopefully that isn’t the case. I think we will be damn competitive all year long.
On a side note, I was looking at the Cubs roster this morning, that is a very good team. Especially if they add Brian Roberts to that lineup. Power arms in the pen with Wood, Howry and Marmol. Solid starting pitching with Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill. A very talented lineup that stands to get better with a Bobby Abreu offensive clone in Kosuke F*******. In my mind,the best team in the National League at seasons end. Especially considering how many games they get to play against a weak NL Central.
By Overlord
February 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
AJ here is your ridiculous:
Mark Teixeira -vs- David Right 2007:
Games 132————-160
AB 494————-604
BA .306————.325
HR 30————-30
RBI 105————-107
KKK 112————-115
BB 72————-94
SLG .563————-.546
OBP .400————-.416
GDP 7————-14
3B 3————-1
2B 33————-42
I dont see your dominating wright, as you see wright has 110 more AB, but he couldnt hit more HR and only 2 more RBI. He doubled the G into DP. TEX had 3 times the amount of triples, he had no SB, ill admit that compared to davids 34 (Ill tip my hat to it).
Please dont forget batting is just half a players game……..
Fielding percentage, i guess ill dont have to say which number belongs to who, it is pretty obvious:
.996 -vs- .954 HUGE DIFFERENCE
As it is known, pitching and DEFENSE win championships. By the way chipper had .971 BIG DIFFERENCE there also.
By The Goche (A.J.)
February 17, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Wow, Anders dropping the vitriol.
That’s right I said it, VITRIOL.
By Paula
February 17, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
If I were the Mets players and Mets fans, I’d keep my trap SHUT after that historic and embarassing collapse last season.
By Kris in NC
February 17, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
It is obvious guys, that idiots like AJ and Metropolitan Man, are not trying to convince us how good the Mets are, they are trying to convince themselves how good their team is, so they have to spur their garbage on a Braves blog in order to believe it.
We know how good our team is. Beltran running that mouth, he has spent his time in NY not living up to that contract he signed, not winning the MVP but spending time on the DL. Word to the wise for Beltran and those two annoying Mets fans, go back to a Mets blog and talk your nonsense and if you are going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk. The Braves will do their talking on the field.
We got a nice mixture of young and old. David Wright can only imagine being as good as Chipper Jones, that is why Chipper owns the Mets especially in Shea.
GO BRAVES.
By Noch-a-homa
February 17, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
DOB
What’s the story on Mark Teixeira’s ?knee? I understand he had surgery in November.
By masivatack
February 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Yeah smoltz spent like a season with both the braves and tigers minor league systems. But was called up to the majors by the braves after a seasons worth of starts for richmond.
By AJ
February 17, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Overlord: You are being funny right? Comparing fielding % of a first baseman vs a third baseman? Don’t be foolish. And I’d like to point out that young David won the GOLD GLOVE last year. My stats above were LIFETIME, not one season. While I think Teixiera is a wonderful player, Wright is better, period. And he’s still years away from his prime…Tex is in his now. Wright will be, if he’s not already, the best player in the NL. Wait till you see the awesome numbers this kid puts up in the next few years.
By AJ
February 17, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Kris. Who’s been the starting third baseman for the NL the last 2 years..at the age of 23 and 24? Not Jones. I have a lot of respect for Larry, but his seasons are numbered at 36 and Wright, 25, will be around a long, long time. If you compare Wright’s stats to Jones at the same age, David’s is better. But both will be in the HOF some day.