Braves

By BillsNV

February 26, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the update DOB! Go Braves!!

By GermanBravesFan

February 26, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Second?

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the Blog DOB.

the Braves didn’t rank among the top six teams in any major offensive statistical category during last year’s final two months… The fact that Edgar Renteria was lost for nearly five weeks [and was replaced by Yunel Escobar] just one day after Teixeira’s arrival certainly prevented the opportunity to know how good that lineup really was.
Mark Bowman

By GermanBravesFan

February 26, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Great Blog, DOB!
From what it sounds like, chances of re-signing Texeira are slim, especially with Scott Boras as his agent! Let’s enjoy it while it lasts and hope that Tex will take the Braves all the way into October!!!

GO BRAVES!!!

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Good to read all of this about Tex. It’s sounding more and more like Tex’s “walk year” will be the exact opposite of Andruw Jones’.

Went and saw “The Diving Bell and Butterfly” last night — amazing, beautiful movie.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

So, Tex knows Coach Yoc, you think, LOL? Bodes well for leotard-strapping in 2008.

By Epinephrine

February 26, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

I think that was exacerbated, too, by KJ’s decline and Andruw’s awfulness. I truly believe our lineup this year, without a gaping hole in the clean up spot, a ready to go KJ, and a jacked up Frenchy, is better than last year.

By N8

February 26, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

“He raises his leg until it’s parallel with the ground, straight out to his side. Then the other leg.”

WOW! That’s amazing. Like a real live Matrix special effect, right before your very eyes?

OH….I be he puts the other leg down, before he switches, right?

Never mind.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Pretty simple, really: Francoeur hit 29 homers in his first full season but hit for a low average/OBP. He hit 19 homers his second season but hit for a much higher average and improved OBP.

Beat that, McFanny,…whoops!…I mean, McFann. That’s why your man will NEVER bat in front of my man Hardcoeur Francoeur.

Still think he shoulda won that Rookie of the Year Award, cried when I learned he lost to Howard. :(

Beat what, Fan-coeur? He’s trying to improve his numbers? Good, so is the rest of Major League Baseball. Oh and, hey, my man bat in front of your man 314 times last year. We’ll see how it goes this year, dude! We’ll just see!

(Sorry for the entire repost, but with the new blog, I had to.)

By Chris

February 26, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Tenth!

By N8

February 26, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

On a serious note. The way I see it, one way to make the “odds” better that Tex stays in Atlanta (at some sort of discount), is to win the WS (or even get there).

Dude has been stuck in Texas (and out of the playoff race most of the time), his whole career. So if the Braves do really well this season, and go deep into the playoffs, (and of course make a reasonable offer), he may just choose to stay.

The other thing that could greatly help, is if the young pitchers REALLY come around (JJJ, Chuck, Jo-Jo). Because if Glavine and Hampton aren’t expected to be back next year (which is not too far off base), Their money could be used to pay for tex (along with Kotsay’s money - assuming Anderson or Schafer are ready to play full-time next year).

Wren could back load the contract, so when Chipper and Smoltz are done, Tex’s money won’t be that bad.

Add to that, we don’t really know how much LM will allow payroll to be raised. If this team wins the division, and goes deep into the playoffs, maybe enough tickets get sold, and money made, that allows Tex to get an offer from the Braves that is on par with the Yanks, and Sox (among others).

After all, if we DON’T do well with Tex in the lineup all year, what’s the difference, right? More than likely won’t be Tex’s fault. Which means the TEAM had many more holes, than it appears we do right now.

Meaning, the money ear-marked for Tex should probably be spent on multiple players, rather than on one guy. Plus, if Escobar, KJ, McCann and Francouer improve we might not need Tex. (I’m only half kidding - I would like him to be THE centerpiece of our lineup for the next half decade - but I’m trying to be realistic).

L8r.

By ncgary

February 26, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

we were discussing tex contract offer the other day we came up with 10 million sign bonus, 15 first year 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, with an option at 30, would be one of the largest ever , but one that wouldnt be unrealistic or untradeable after 3 years if no world series rings,but it probably insures chipper hof first year numbers, the 7 yr tex contract w/o option would be around 22.4 million annum , and with the option over 23.3, may be more than liberty wants to spend , but if he delivers like he has in past this would probably be a bargain, and the merchandising sales alone would probably justify the salary and if you want to trade after 3 years he cost you 20 million a year basically

By louisville slugger

February 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hoping to put a positive spin on the “Tex is likely to leave” scenario, I’m hoping that the Braves sprint out of the gate in April and get the fan base energized (and in the seats at the Ted) early in the season. The resulting revenue increase might give the folks at Liberty pause about letting Tex get away after this season.

By Jim

February 26, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

We hear that baseball salaries are increasing at well above the rate of inflation because the rich teams can afford to pay the luxury tax and the less well-off teams are making money from luxury tax payouts and MLB merchandising revenue. Why aren’t the Braves tapping into this stream?

If the Braves are to keep pace with the other teams in their division, they must be able to increase their payroll more than what they have over the past four year running average. The Mets will have a new park next year, and the Nats have a new park this year (and will probably be out-spending the Braves soon), even the Marlins are getting a new park — not to mention the increased revenue a new Yankee Stadium might do to the overall salary structure. With Hampton and possibly Glavine coming off the payroll next year and Smoltz nearing the end of his career. The Braves must be able to sign someone they paid such a high price to get in future talent. Not only did we lose the three players you mentioned, but we also “threw in” a young pitcher with a tremendous upside as one of the hardest throwers in the minor leagues and another guy that was a sandwich pick 3 years ago. To add to the irony, Baseball America projects Salty to move to first base for Texas.

By eware

February 26, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

I like our chances of resigning Tex. Take away Hampton and Glav’s salaries and we’ve got $23M. That should cover his contract. Plus, FW is known for his structuring of contracts. It’s all good, shorty’s. Spring Training!!!

By Epinephrine

February 26, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

The way to re-sign Tex is pure and simple: putting butts in the seats. If Liberty thinks revenue is going up because of Tex-people like him, team does well, and people go to the games-then he would be a cost effective investment for them. If not, then I’m not hopeful.

Still, I would be surprised if attendance didn’t continue its upward trend this year. By how much ought to play a role in our future payroll.

By David

February 26, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Tex seems to fit in so well as a Brave that I hope somehow, someway a long term deal can get worked out. I liked a few other Braves short-timers, but Tex seems like more of a true “Brave” than, say, Sheff.

By timthebrave

February 26, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Hampton’s money could be used to sign Tex. You could easily move that 15 million to Tex next year. I say sign him and add him as a center piece for the braves in 2009 and beyond.

By GeorgetownKid

February 26, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I really like Tex and he’s a fun player to cheer for, and it goes without saying that he’s an absolute stud on the field. I think it also says a lot that everybody seems to like him, from the players to the press corps.

However, we will learn a lot about him this coming offseason. The Braves will probably offer him more money than they have ever offered any other player - enough money to ensure that his great-grandchildren never have to work a day in their lives.

Several teams will undoubtedly offer more, however, such as the Yankees. If Tex leaves, it will be hard to be disabused of the impression that he cares only about the money and he’ll play for the highest bidder.

I very much hope that the Braves make an earnest attempt to resign him, and I hope he proves that some ballplayers are motivated by more than money.

I’ll climb down off my soapbox now.

By N8

February 26, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

T-Paul

Let’s not forget (since Bowman apparently did), that Willie Harris still managed to get 147 plate appearances in August and September, despite a .181 Batting average and an abismal .272 OBP.

I wonder if THAT had anything to do with the overall numbers of the team dropping a bit.

Bowman makes it sound like losing Edgar, was the reason we dropped.

Edgar from April through July (up to the Tex trade:

454 PA’s with an OBP of .389

416 AB’s with 140 hits (.336 BA)

Yunel in August and September:

203 PA’s with an OBP of .403

179 AB’s with 60 hits (.335 BA)

Hard to fault Yunel, when Edgar went down, since his numbers were pretty much IDENTICAL to Edgar’s, huh?

Now I will say this much. Edgar was consistent last year. He OBVIOUSLY wasn’t gonna lose his job, if he hadn’t got hurt. So with Edgar in their, and KJ and Yunel platooning at 2B, we might have been better, since KJ did happen to tail off later in the year.

But it is HARDLY Yunel’s fault. In fact, I’ll be SHOCKED if Yunel doesn’t have better numbers than Escobar this year (or at least keep up with him).

By ncgary

February 26, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

now the other run on sentence bloggers need not worry

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

Epinephrine: That could be. That was when KJ hit 2nd, Escobar 8th and AJ was 7th. Leadoff was Willie Harris. That line up was doomed from the get go. A guy that can’t hit at all is backed by a guy that strikes out a ton.

By N8

February 26, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Forgot to add in my last post, that we STILL had Andruw’s pathetic bat in the lineup in August and September, didn’t we? No matter how good Tex and Chipper were together, it’s hard to make up for having two guys like Andruw and Harris (along with the pitcher’s spot) in the lower third of your order. Yikes.

Andruw’s numbers in Aug-Sep?

202 PA’s, with an OBP of .297

181 AB’s with 43 hits (.237 BA)

Hey!! His BA for the entire year was .222, and the OBP was .311.

So I guess he was “consistent” too, huh?

Good luck Dodgers.

By Braves20

February 26, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

The odds of signing Tex are what 75-25 against? A lot of what the Braves front office will be willing offer will depend on how he performs in his first real pennant race. Will he be Chipper-like or Sheffield-like in the clutch?

And if not Tex - who? Perhaps the biggest question the Braves will face in the second half and the next off season.

By Epinephrine

February 26, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Lord, I forgot about Willie Harris, who hit below .200 during the months of August and September combined. In September is OBP was .204. Andruw hit .207, OBP .277 in Sept. Kelly, .200, .282. Wow.

How could our lineup be worse?

By Shamus Thacker

February 26, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Wren has a more congenial relationship with Boras than, well, pretty much anybody. I doubt it provides an edge with scoundrel Boras in signing Tex, but it sure can’t hurt…

By DAP

February 26, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

alright, DOB, no more secret blogs! :-)

By TrboDawg

February 26, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

N8 says: “But it is HARDLY Yunel’s fault. In fact, I’ll be SHOCKED if Yunel doesn’t have better numbers than Escobar this year (or at least keep up with him).”

If Yunel has better (or worse) numbers than Escobar I’ll eat my hat…. ;)

By Bay Area Steve

February 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

I miss the “New blog is up.” Those of us with “teetering sanity,” or teetering sobriety, need the help.

Braveheart, I think you should repost that here.

Scoots, I’ve seen the point that you’ve continually made regarding rotation slots, and agree in this case.

But I’m curious if you’d ever separate your 1,2. Let’s say you had two heavy right-hand sinker, slider guys (two Hudsons), and a lesser 3. Do you think, as I do, that an opponent may fare better on the second day, if the pitchers are not separated.

Similarly, would you split Glavine and James, even if they were clearly the 4th and 5th best starter?

By TI

February 26, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Mark Bowman is a bum!

So second-rate compared to David O’Brien.

By Alan

February 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

DOB, great job, as always. My take on Tex is simple. If the Braves don’t sign him before the end of this season, he’s gone. You can crunch numbers ‘til the cows come home (no Hampton, no Kotsay, no McGriff, no Covington for us old timers who fondly recall the ‘57 Braves) — it won’t matter. There’s no way the Braves will be able to compete with the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Orioles and probably the Mets, all of whom will engage in a bloody bidding war for Tex’s services. He’s very likely to receive the richest contract in baseball history. Therefore, I suggest that we all sit back and enjoy the show, and I do think it’s going to be enjoyable. With this lineup and the vastly improved pitching staff, the Braves are a serious contender this year. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m not going to worry about next year. It sounds like Mark Teixeira and Frank Wren feel the same way.

By mcgary

February 26, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

n8 4 a stickler , i would also be surprised if yunels numbers dont compare to escobars too, probably be better than renterias too, lol

By N8

February 26, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

TurboDawg

Wow! I must be on crack. What flavor hat do you have? I’ll take some too?

Obviously, I meant Yunel will have equal to or greater numbers than EDGAR. (too many names beginning with “E”, I guess)

By 22oz

February 26, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Reports always speculate that the Orioles will make a push for Tex, but i absolutely can’t see him going there. The Orioles are in EXTREME rebuilding mode, and Tex wants to win, he’s played on enough losing teams. Even though he’s from Baltimore, i can’t see them being major players for his services. I think the Yankees will be the Braves fiercest competition for Tex, and of course the Scott Boras “mystery team.”

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

N8: Yunel hit eigth last year when Escobar went down. If there is fault to be handed out it belongs to Cox for keeping Willie at the top of the Order and to a lesser extent KJ for slumping when he was needed most. (Though in fairness KJ’s slump could be attributed to always starting off with 1 out in the first, sort of the handicapped leadoff man)

By Fan-coeur

February 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

McFann:

Do you know what ‘coeur’, the french word means? It means ‘heart.’ The guy sure does have a lot of heart, and his name sounds better than ‘hey, my name is mac cann, yes I can’ that is so pathetic compared to a guy who has ‘heart’ in his name.

Beat that!

300-something yeah so what, you’ll see that number decrease each year.

2008-200 2009-120 2010-85 2011-none….

(at bats batting in front of Hardcoeur Francoeur)

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if I read too much into it, but reading Mark Bradley’s column this weekend about Chipper, there was the following:

Until July 2007, Mark Teixeira was one of those outside observers. Today he hits behind Jones and says, “He’s the most underappreciated player in the game … No doubt Alex [Rodriguez] is the most talented player I’ve played with, but Chipper is right behind him.” And then: “Chipper could get a lot more attention in New York or L.A., but he’s a country boy who likes to hunt and fish.”

To me, it tells you that whether Tex signs or not is not entirely about money, it is also about respect, appreciation, name recognition and also a lifestyle choice. I think Tex craves those things even more than Chipper and Smoltz do. That may be because Tex has never had his greatness respected at a young age the way Chipper and Smoltz did at a tender age.

But you can also tell that those things bother Chipper and Smoltz as well. Smoltz seems perturbed about all the talk that Schilling and Beckett are better postseason pitchers since Smoltz has not really had a chance to prove his postseason greatness deep into the playoffs in almost a decade now.

Chipper seems to get ticked that has not made more All Star teams, did not win the Gold Glove last season, and has not received more MVP recognition.

I think those are things obviously weighing heavily on Tex’s mind in addition to the money.

As pointed out by DOB above, Tex has put up great numbers over the last 5 years but until he became a hot topic because of his trade last season, he was rarely talked about the way similar players are.

And I don’t think Tex will make the lifestyle choice to hunt or fish or not move his children at this stage of his life or career.

I say Tex is long gone. We’d better just hope he hits 50 homers, wins an MVP, and the Braves get a few draft picks for him next season.

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

N8: The complaint was AJ was in the clean up spot. There was no chance he would be benched for a third of the season. Pushing him to 7th was the best you’d get. But even without him in the cleanup spot and Teixeira in the cleanup spot the Braves didn’t really go nuts with the scoring. That could be due to Willie Harris leading off. KJ’s slump didn’t help.

Here’s what the Dodgers are dealing with

By Epinephrine

February 26, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

I think Escobar has a chance to be a real leader if Yunel can’t step up. I also feel good about McCann if Brian should go down, and Frenchy in case Francouer gets hurt.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN:

TOMORROW’s LINEUP, or at least the first part of it (Bobby didn’t know if Diaz would be here because his wife had birth induced today)

Anyway, here’s the part most of you care most about anyway:

1. KJ

2. Escobar

3. Hoss

4. Tex

5. Francoeur

Sammons will catch tomorrow (Dawgs thing, you know) and McCann will travel to Vero to catch Huddy on Thursday.

Bobby’s plans to take the outfield to Vero, but probably not many if any starting infielders. The infielders work out at Dark Star in the morning Friday. (Dodgertown infield isn’t very good, and it’s hard to pick up the ball because of all the fans directly behind the plate, no screen, etc)

By sri

February 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

a funny read..

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/02/26/baseball.shape/index.html?eref=T1

By Fan-coeur

February 26, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Look, McFann, don’t get me wrong. I respect your man. When was the last time we had a complete player as catcher?

I can’t even remember. Maybe Joe Torre was our last ‘complete package’ catcher (I’m sorry, Estrada fans, he fell short).

It’s just that I really can’t see McCann batting in front of French. French is more patient now, he can get on base more often than before, he can hit for average (MAC struggled with his average last year, even though I know, his average ain’t bad for a catcher). We really need to look at the stats of each batting fifth and compare first before we get into a discussion, but I think Francoeur is just more effective at No.5. That’s all.

By FJR

February 26, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

one thing that really irks me is when people lambast guys for taking more money. It would possibly even be different if Tex had come up with the craves and had been here for like 10 years or something. But jesus people, he was traded to the braves last year. He owes no real loyalty to this team. You can bet that if the braves somehow imploded and were out of playoff contention halfway through the year he would be traded faster than you could say “If Tex leaves, it will be hard to be disabused of the impression that he cares only about the money and he’ll play for the highest bidder.”

The funniest thing about all of this is that there is not a single person here, who, if they got transferred to a new job in a new city wouldn’t take 5-7 million dollars per year more a year later.

Sure, it would be nice if Tex took a discount, but get over yourselves criticizing him for “going to the highest bidder.” He has no reason not to. The Braves have done nothing but trade for him. Its not like they took some sort of chance and revived his career. They traded for a premium player in the heat of a pennant race.

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Francouer OBP was higher because he hit for a higher average. He took about 10 more unintentional walks in 2007. I guess that is improved- although its still a terrible OBP for a corner bat.

OBP is the best way to create and score runs. But your OBP being raised by an increased batting average as opposed to walks is not a bad thing. A higher batting average leads to more total bases and more runners being shuffled around the bases than a mere walk. It also leads to more execution in RISP situations.

As for Frenchy allegedly having a terrible OBP for a corner bat, that is not true either.

The average NL rightfielder last season had a .275 AVG, a.344 OBP, and a .442 SLG, 21 homers, 87 RBIS last season

The average NL #5 hitter had a .269 AVG, .339 OBP, and .438 SLG, 38 doubles, 21 homers, 92 RBIs.

The average NL #6 hitter had a .273 AVG, .342 OBP, and .442 SLG, with 34 doubles, 22 homers, 88 RBIS.

So, saying his OBP is horrible is just wrong. Saying his OBP and SLG for his position and lineup slot is just average is more accurate.

But people seem to forget that he was only 23 years old and that last season should have been his true rookie season. He most likely should have spent all of 2006 in AA and most of 2007 in AAA.

Where Frenchy is not horrible or average is with RISP. Sure, he gets more opportunities as we are constantly reminded, but he also executed last season in those opportunities well above how the league average hitter did.

The fact that he does not draw many walks also helps him in those RISP opportunities to get the run in. I believe the Braves would rather have Frenchy try to get the run in himself rather than draw a walk to pretty up his OBP to the detriment of the team because he passes that responsibility on to the incompetent and truly horrible likes of Scott Thorman, Ryan Langerhans, Craig Wilson.

Frenchy had a .341 AVG, .389 OBP, and a .527 SLG.

The average NL hitter hit .269 with a .357 OBP and a .423 SLG with RISP.

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Yunel hit eigth last year when Escobar went down

Ha! Doesn’t help me one bit that our shortstops both had a name that started with E. That should have read “Yunel hit 8th last year with Edgar went down”. But I’d imagine you picked up on that.

By Fan-coeur

February 26, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

*Anyway, here’s the part most of you care most about anyway:

KJ

Escobar

Hoss

Tex

Francoeur*

AMEN!

Heard that, McFann??

By FJR

February 26, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

I really don’t see the mets commiting 50 million per year to two players. It would handcuff them way too much down the road and they don’t have the farm system to allow them to spend that much (since they are going to have to pay FA pitchers down the road).

So, its probably between the Braves, Sox, dodgers and Yankees. I see the Angels having already locked up too much money.

Another wild card is C.C. Sabbathia, as virtually the same teams will be bidding for him as well. The Red Sox probably have less interest in him, but may again drive up the bidding because they can.

So, it could be a case of you can get one. As much as I love Tex, in the N.L. East, it may be more valuable that we get a dominant lefty like CC. He’s young and none of our young guys projects as a #1. Hudson is a GREAT #2, but not really what I consider a true #1.

So maybe the Tex money is better spent on CC, but I’d be thrilled with either one.

By Austin

February 26, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Thanks again DOB, for Soriano’s and Moylan’s debut.

The Braves could probably find the money to resign Tex. But at what cost? They likely wouldnt have any money to spend after that.

Tim Hudson did the Braves a huge favor for signing for a much cheaper cost. He said back when they signed him that he would have commanded 15 million a year as a free agent according to ESPN.

McCann will be making about 2.7 million more next year from 800,000 to 3.5 million.

These are the current 09’ contracts

Soriano 6.1 Million (Up 3.7 Million) Hudson 13 Million (Same) McCann 3.5 Million (Up 2.7 Million) Smoltz 12 Million (Down 2 Million) Chipper 8 Million

All in all I think the money will be there.

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

He most likely should have spent all of 2006 in AA and most of 2007 in AAA.

Not that anyone cares but I meant to say that Frenchy should have spent most of 2005 in AA and most of 2006 in AAA before starting his true rookie season in 2007.

By Fan-coeur

February 26, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

My bad, about my last post. McCann won’t catch that game, Simmons will. My bad, again.

But either way, ain’t it cool to see Frenchy hit fifth?

By The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy

February 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

DOB,
Here’s the spoken intro I keep talking about at the beginning of “18 Wheels of Love.” Tells the story of Mama, and Chester, and R&D Trucking. The Alabama A*-Whuppin’ version is better, but you get the idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njni_Z5HtlY&feature=related

“And there was this one truck-driver. He was the biggest-meanest ######-###### at R&D Trucking. His name was Chester,….and Chester weighed 350 pounds, and he was solid muscle and gut.”
Only Patterson Hood could pull this story off. Love it.

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Braves20 — you said, “If not Tex, who?”

I saw a list of free agents for 2009 at this website. Not sure if the Braves are likely to sign a free agent 1B, but who knows…

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

What is this silly debate about who should hit 5th or 6th? Cox bats McCann fifth against righties and Frenchy 5th against lefties. And with very good reason.

For their careers, against righties, McCann hits .304, .361, .499 while Frenchy hits .265, .302, .431.

For their careers, against lefties, McCann hits .273, .324, .470 while Frenchy hits .317, .361, .545

By N8

February 26, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

FJR

For the most part, I agree with you about Tex and taking the highest bid. Just so long as the highest bid comes from a team, that is better suited to contend, than the lower bids are.

Not that Tex (or any marquee player), shouldn’t feel that THEY are the “missing link” to making a perenniel loser contend.

But is say, Tex would get offered 20 million to play with the Braves, and 23 from the Yankees, and then all of the sudden, the Orioles (after moving Bedard and Tejada), would step in and offer 25 million, and he took that offer. That would bug me. What if Texas makes the highest offer, would he go back there, even though they haven’t won anything?

It would make it purely about the money. Which is his decision. Not mine.

But then SAY THAT. Just say it.

“IT’S ABOUT THE MONEY. I don’t care WHERE I play, just so long as my agent takes the highest offer.”

Some people might still rag on him. Others would commend him for his honesty. But do you REALLY think that Neagle went to Colorado because he liked the schools? Come on!

If Tex chooses the Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, or any of the other HUGE market teams (even the Mets), over us. I really have no problem with it. Those teams that have all that money, will ALWAYS do what they can do (in terms of free agency and trading for other team’s expensive players), to put themselves in a position to compete.

But if he takes the biggest offer, and it comes from a team like the Twins, Royals, Rays or Marlins (teams that if they gave ONE PLAYER that much money, would handcuff themselves from keeping up with others), then it was NEVER about anything but the money.

I actually believe Tex, when he says he wants to win. Guys like Sheffield, Schilling, Randy, even Glavine when he left for the Mets, had already won Championships. They wanted to get paid, and their new employers to show that they REALLY wanted them.

Tex appears to be VERY hungry to be in the post-season. So we’ll see what happens come contract time.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

BASteve, one thing for sure…I gotta stop making the point to which you allude, if I’m getting “continually” for an adverb, LOL.

Re splitting starters, guess it depends on how much “lesser” the lesser pitcher might be. :-) But I’m certainly more in favor of throwing two good pitchers back-to-back, regardless of pitching style, as opposed to creating an artificial “balance” in the rotation based on the hand with which they shave.

Though I admit, too, that I wouldn’t want three lefties back-to-back. Call me schizoid, I guess…I want it both ways. HA!

By Austin

February 26, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Thanks again DOB, for Soriano’s and Moylan’s debut.

The Braves could probably find the money to resign Tex. But at what cost? They likely wouldnt have any money to spend after that.

Tim Hudson did the Braves a huge favor for signing for a much cheaper cost. He said back when they signed him that he would have commanded 15 million a year as a free agent according to ESPN.

McCann will be making about 2.7 million more next year from 800,000 to 3.5 million.

These are the current 09’ contracts

Soriano 6.1 Million (Up 3.7 Million) Hudson 13 Million (Same) McCann 3.5 Million (Up 2.7 Million) Smoltz 12 Million (Down 2 Million) Chipper 8 Million

All in all I think the money will be there.

By OrlandoFan

February 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Don’t know if anyone posted this before today (I’ve been away), but the Braves must have a little red face because a full-page ad in Sunday’s Orlando Sentinel spelled their first baseman’s name as “Teixeria.” It was only in the “headline” of some copy. It was correct a few other places. But a very poor error (especially considering you can read the back of his jersey just below that). E-marketers.

By Fan-coeur

February 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

*For their careers, against righties, McCann hits .304, .361, .499 while Frenchy hits .265, .302, .431.

For their careers, against lefties, McCann hits .273, .324, .470 while Frenchy hits .317, .361, .545*

Oops…enough said.

Ok, McFann, truce? I think we have a tie.

By tee

February 26, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

here is a suggestion for resigning tex. DB could charge each of you for posting on his blog. Say $1 a post. By the end of the year he could raise enough money to help the braves foot the bill. For a few dollars a day, teh denizens of this crazy little world could change the real world where the braves play. what do you think?

By DAP

February 26, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

N8 I’ll be SHOCKED if Yunel doesn’t have better numbers than Escobar this year (or at least keep up with him).

is this like a jeckl and hyde thing? N8, ill be shocked if Yunel doesnt have the EXACT SAME NUMBERS as Escobar this season. :-)

to me, the only way we afford tex is if pay role goes well over $100 mil. if we can raise payroll 15mil i think we can afford the guy. to raise payroll like that, we need to win the world series.

our mission is clear.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

sri, thanks for that Verducci link. Had me rolling in the floor.

By TNRON

February 26, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Hey McFann, It doesnt matter where you hit its WHEN you hit and Brian is clutch.I’ll even go one farther abd say I think McCann would drive in more runs from the 7 hole behind Tex,Frenchy,and Kelley.Think about it,both Tex and Kelley can get on base so the opportunity for 3 run homers would be great and Frenchy and Kelley can both score from first on one of Brians many doubles.Again its not where he hits but when.And he most certainly will.

By DonCoburleone

February 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

I’ve been thinking about life after Teixera, and we are really going to have a problem on our hands at first base for 2009. The 2009 1B Free Agents are backup level players at best: (Sean Casey, Scott Hatteberg, Richie Sexson are probably the best ones available after Teixera, YIKES!).

So far, I’ve heard one good suggestion from this blog: Move Chipper from 3B to 1B, Escobar from SS to 3B, then Lillibridge will be our starting SS in 2009. This move makes some sense (assuming Chipper would agree to move to 1B) because it allows us to save alot of money which can be applied to other areas of need; but it also creates alot of uncertainties - Can Chipper be good enough defensively and can he stay healthy at 1B? Is Lillibridge capable of being a solid everday SS in the major leagues? Can we afford a mediocre power hitter (Escobar) at a power position (Third Base)? Does it give us too many extremely young positional players? (That would give us 3 regulars with 2 years or less of major league service time - Escobar, Lillibridge, Schafer)…

I think alot will depend on how good Escobar does this season. If he can produce a .310-.330 BA with a boost in power numbers (maybe 18-20 homers and a .460-.480 slugging %) I think one could easily justify moving him to 3B. But if Escobar shows some growing pains this year, or if Chipper rejects a move to 1B, or Lillibridge fails to pan out, the decision becomes much more difficult…

By midtownBrave

February 26, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t help but agree with Austin and say that we will have enough money to re-sign Tex. We going to erase Hampton and Glavine’s salary from the payroll next year, if Hampton doesn’t re-sign (he will have a great year) and i think Glavine is going to retire. That frees up around 15+8 = 23 million add to that tex’s 12.5 and you have 35.5 million. We can afford to give Tex around 20-24 and still have enough to go out and get a pitcher capable of handling the 3rd spot. Maybe Jurrjens will prove this year we might not need to do that. I will be confident with 1. Hudson 2. Smoltz 3. Jurrjens 4. Morton 5. Jo Jo (Hampton, if he gives us a huge discount) for next season, if that will allow us to keep Teixeira. Plus with the extra money we can finally give Francoeur a contract and account for the rise in salary of other players. Anyway, this year looks good so far and we’ll see what happens next year when next year comes around. GO BRAVES!!

By TBraveFan

February 26, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Speaking for this female who sits in the 3rd row by 1b… watching Tex stretch is a work of art… a true masterpiece!!

By Bay Area Steve

February 26, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the response, scoots. I wasn’t trying to be derogatory in any way. I have the same problem; Smoltz and Hudson are clearly the 1,2, in any order. But, I don’t want the three lefties in a row.

It occurs to me that at least 2 of the 4 lefties we’ve got will probably end up on the DL, so this is all pointless. (As if my blogging wasn’t anyway)

Speaking of continually, DOB, I need the “New blog is up.” I’m not that bright.

By midtownBrave

February 26, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

maybe i am too crazy to think 10-15 million should be enough to sign Francoeur and Hampton (with his discount), and still be able to account for other players’ salary rise. Hopefully guys like Morton, and Jo Jo can step it up in the minors this year.

DOB, how long till guys like Locke and Rohrbough be major-league ready?

By DAP

February 26, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

FJR But jesus people

are you talking to us? we’re “jesus people” now? no religion on the blog, dude. and Jesus has a capital “J”.

(see mccann, i do capitalize certain things)

By Ramblin Wrecker

February 26, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

DOB,

So do you put much weight behind KJ being in the leadoff spot in the first lineup of the season, or is the opposing starter a righty which could indicate a platoon flip-flop of the leadoff spot?

By Steve McP

February 26, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Tee - just did the sums on your idea for the blog covering Tex’s salary, sounds like a nice idea, but it would need nearly 60,000 entries a day for the whole year.

The Braves could put $5 on ticket prices as a Tex levy, (in the same the way that airlines add money to ticket prices when they feel like it), but of course the Braves already do that every season anyway and just call it inflation!

By Steve McP

February 26, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Just did another sum, somebody paid $20,000,000 a year earns $2283 an hour (put another they earn over $18,000 during their 8 hours of sleep.

For a baseball player to earn this sum and play every game of the regular season, he earns $123,456 per game.

For a pitcher multiply it by 5, for a relief pitcher the cost per inning is enormous in the light of the crazy salaries that they are commanding now, but hey if that’s market price and teams are willing to pay it, everyone pays more (including the fans)

By bigblackfurrycreaturefrommars

February 26, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

DAP:

I completely agree with you. Not just about escobar, But in the clarity of our mission- WE MUST WIN THE WORLD SERIES.

We might be able to sign tex AND CC then. Eh, but I doubt it.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

A reminder of the actual, true importance of spring games…when discussing the probable date for Martinez’s first appearance this spring, there was some ambiguity expressed in the article because Moreover, the club has been inclined to have Martinez pitch in televised [spring] games.

Archive for use, to be re-posted the next time a poster gets all cranked about the spray pattern of someone’s ST BP, let alone his performance in an actual ST game.

By Ramblin Wrecker

February 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

I’ve heard that the Braves could explore moving Jason Heyward (a huge beast) to 1B from RF (since he’s not going to be in RF in Atlanta any time soon). That doesn’t necessarily work for 2009, since Heyward has yet to play a full season of minor league ball, but he’s not likely to stay on the farm long. He went from high school to one of the Braves top 3 or 4 prospects in a matter of moments after the Tex trade last summer. It’s a potential move that makes sense. The Braves have plenty of future outfield options for CF-LF in guys like Josh Anderson, Jordan Schaefer, Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Cody Johnson and the incumbant LF, Matt Diaz or even Brent Lillibridge. What they don’t have are highly touted 1B or 3B prospects. I don’t dismiss the idea of Chipper moving to first, and using a combo of Escobar and Lillibridge for SS-3B, because it’s a good use of available talent. But I think that with the LF experiment, it is obvious that Chipper Jones plays way better when he’s at 3B and happy. So unless moving to 1B is his idea, I don’t see that happening.

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Daybed: I had posted a complete list of pitchers and 1B 2009 free agents a couple of blogs ago. There was all this talk about how the Braves will just sign a Free Agent with the money saved from not signing Teixeira. After scanning the list that doesn’t sound like the best option. Especially when you factor in the player desire for a long term deal. Most of those guys are guy you wouldn’t want short term much less obligated to run them out there every day for the next 3-5 years. When Teixeira goes to NY, LA, SF or maybe Baltimore, the Braves will have to trade for a replacement. Especially if they dump Thorman. There is no one in the system ready to step in and take over for 2009. Going to have to enjoy it while we can. The silver lining about next year though, the rotation could go from an average age of about 36 to an average age of about 27 depending on who stays and who leaves.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Ramblin’ Wrecker, I’m not really sure. But if I had to guess, I’d lean toward Kelly as the every-day leadoff guy. But I’m not leaning too severely.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

so this is all pointless. (As if my blogging wasn’t anyway)

There are no pointless bloggers, only points unclearly blogged, my friend. Neither of which seems to apply in your case.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Fan-coeur, truce. OK…there was really no real “battle” from my standpoint. But that whole thing you did about their names was kinda weak, dude. (Besides, your name seems to be a rip-off of mine) “See the numbers decrease”? Gee, how nice of you to say, ye of little faith. (And yeah, Francoeur is batting fifth tomorrow because McCann’s not playing, heh heh.) But OK, since we are in a “truce”, I guess maybe you could almost be considered slightly off the hook, but watch it, buddy.

Thank you TNRON!!

By DAP

February 26, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

N8 you think tex wanting a championship is gonna keep him from signing with the yankees or the red sox? nope.

By Austin

February 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

DOB

Any word on the blue uni’s? How do the majority of the players like the Sunday red?

By 22oz

February 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Hampton’s salary has been prorated over the past few years so that he’s only accounting for ~8 mil on the payroll, not 15. So it really only frees up 16 mil for Tex with Glavine’s 8 million. Not to mention raises that will be needed for Francouer, Soriano, Diaz, and others.

By CARTZ

February 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Orlando-fan:

that whole article was chock full of errors. from misspelling tex’s name to referring to johan santana as ‘a powerful right hander.’

they also implied that soriano will be closing, trying to succeed where ‘dan kolb, chris reitsma, and MIKE GONZALEZ have all failed.’

i didn’t know having arm surgery in the first half of the season is failure, or that gonz was ever our closer for that matter?

i was tempted to email the writer, but i didn’t feel like wasting my time. it was just another fluff piece trying to get people in the seats at disney. hence why i love DOB’s blog, man knows the braves!

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Scoots, LOL. Spring training BP spray charts. Why not?

I would be more concerned if Frenchy was not able to turn on a Chino heater during BP.

By Greg in TN

February 26, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Afternoon gang…

Whether Tex will be here in ‘09 or whether he’ll bolt for Fort Knox, The Bronx or anyone else with deeper pockets will be a question for the offseason.

I believe one of the factors that Liberty and the braintrust at the Ted will use to determine will be the attendance. Average attendance has been trending upward from a Turner Field low of 29,399 in 2004 to 33,891 last year (source). Money always talks loudest to the folks with the purse strings.

Scoots, DAP, I understand your arguments on rotation slot. To me, if you have a couple strong power guys it makes sense to split them up in the rotation and put in a guy that lives on the corners with offspeed stuff in between. When you have a bunch of guys in the rotation that won’t hit the upper nineties, slotting them turns into more of a gray area. Once off days and rainouts begin, the rotation matches up depending on that team’s rainouts and off days and skipped starts and everything else. First couple weeks of the regular season and the postseason is different because usually you have two staffs that are in sync.

DOB, hope you have power down there, lots of Florida seem to be having issues after the storms rolled through today.

By DAP

February 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

i LOVE bobby’s lineup for the first game. thats exactly what ive been saying i wanted all winter, and i never thought it would happen that way. maybe its just a spring thing…but maybe…..

By Random

February 26, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

ncscoots —

Agreed — well put.

As far as how best to maintain a lefty-righty balance, it all depends on the final starting five.

If you’re gonna have 3 righties, then 2 of them will have to be consecutive at some point in the rotation. If so, then why not make them your best 2 — that means there’d be no problem for Hudson and Smoltz to be 1-2.

But if we wind up with 3 lefty starters, it’ll be more critical to separate the 2 righties.

Wonder if this gives us any insight into Cox’s predilections for the 5th starter (as well as his assumption that Hampton will make it) — maybe he “knows” he’s gonna wind up with 3 lefty starters.

By sean in columbus,ga

February 26, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Hi David, So it sounds like you may think the pitching order will be smoltez,glavine,hudson,hampton,jurr. Sounds great. It looks like James wont have a spot unless someone is injuried.One question for you. If the Braves were to trade whoever what do you think their looking to strenghten.Thanks

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

TennPaul — you’re right, I’m not sure who on that list I’d want the Braves to sign. Unless one of them has a great 2008 season, nobody looks good. And if they did have a great 2008 season, they’d probably get signed by someone who could pay more than the Braves…

I wonder if the Braves would consider moving one of their extra outfielders to 1B for a season or two…

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY:

Braves did baserunning drills to close the workout. They ran home to first, home to second, first to third, and finished with first to home, going one-by-one, the entire position-player roster, on each segment.

They’re gathering to start the drill, and Chipper says sarcastically, in his slow drawl, “This is my favorite, Skip.” And Cox answers, “Got to do it, Chip. Got to get those bunions going.”

So then it starts, and who goes behind arguably the slowest Brave, Brian McCann? None other than newcomer Josh Anderson, possibly the fastest Brave.

There was much debate on whether Anderson would be able to catch up with McCann (each player had about a 15-yard start over the player behind him).

The whole thing was good-natured fun, players poking fun at McCann’s lack of speed (though he’s not nearly as slow as Johnny Estrada was).

On the first-to-home segment, many of the other players who’d already finished or were further back in line were shouting for Anderson to catch him. Alas, a grinning McCann held off the hard-charging rookie.

There was applause from fans. Good stuff.

By Eric from MO

February 26, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

You can take Hamptons 15 mil and Tex 12 mil and easily sign back Tex. The only question is would we rather spend that money another way such as an Ace.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

RANDOM!! Welcome back, dude.

Good story, DOB. Ya know what they say, “Slow and steady…”

; )

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Oh, and for those who might be wondering when Smoltz will make his first appearance on the backfields, I’ll relay the response I got from the manager: “He’ll tell me.”

By woogidy

February 26, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Here’s my two cents on the leadoff hitter. I think Bobby will use KJ(.278 avg/.378 obp/14 hr/51 rbi - vs. RHP in 363 AB) to lead off in games started by a righty, and Escobar(.355 avg/.409 obp/1 hr/14 rbi - vs. LHP in 141 AB) in games started by a lefty. Bobby may also want to flip-flop McCann/Francoeur at 4 and 5 and Kotsay/Diaz at 7 and 8 in the batting order with lefty righty I’d think. That would be a lineup of L,R,L,L,L,R,L,R against a righty, and R,L,R,R,R,L,R,L against a lefty assuming Kotsay and Diaz bat 7,8. Just my opinion.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Just one other thing, before I forget: Carroll went down to Vero yesterday to do a story on Andruw for Thursday’s paper. She asked him, and he confirmed what we were certain of: Yes, he would have accepted arbitration if the Braves had offered it.

Considering that Ryan Howard just got awarded $10 million in an arbitration win, and Howard won’t even be a free agent for four years, what do you think Andruw might have gotten?

By brian

February 26, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

eric - the Braves are counting Hampton as 8 million this year for accounting purposes I believe. Still, 8 mil plus 12 mil give us that 20 million. If I had 20 million to spend on an “ACE” or on Tex, I would spend it on Tex.

By Daybed Wagmoe

February 26, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Awww great, the newcomer can’t outrun BMac? (Kidding.) Gotta love Bobby’s letting Smoltz run loose and determine his own schedule.

DOB — Was that a rhetorical question about how much Andruw might’ve gotten, or a serious one? I’d guess about $15-16 million because last year’s numbers were so poor for him. What would you think?

By kdbanks

February 26, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Glad to see the initial batting order has KJ first and YE second. Hope that works well for the team this Spring as that’s my preferred lineup.

Good to see Hampton’s still getting good reports. (knocking on wood)

DOB - you gonna try out the Tex calisthenics and give us a report? :)

By OrlandoFan

February 26, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Cartz. Agreed on the “Soriano can succeed referece.” I did alert to author to that about Gonzalez and the misrepresentation. I missed the Santana reference. But the misspelling I referred to was in fact in an ad created and paid for by the Braves. That’s why I said they had to be redfaced. That’s poor.

By wiki

February 26, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Do you realize that once the Marlins’ new park is built, (I believe)that Turner Field will be the 4th oldest NL ballpark? (Cubs, LA, Rockies)….wow.

By jrjags

February 26, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

DOB Wasn’t Damian Moss invited to Spring Training. I was wondering how he was doing and what his prospects were.

By CARTZ

February 26, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

OrlandoFan:

yeah i read that article and immediately trashed the section, didn’t bother to look through the rest.

although i will say the throwback unis smoltz and glav were wearing look really cool.

By Nick

February 26, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

This just in…Mets needed a 9th inning HR to escape with a tie against the University of Michigan. http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080226&contentid=2390452&vkey=spt2008gamer&fext=.jsp&cid=nym

By Gator

February 26, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Andruw accepting arbitration would have been the best possible outcome for him. A one year agreement to rebuild his value and at a very high rate.

By Andy K.

February 26, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

DOBWhen is Javy making his first start behind the plate, or does Cox not announce that stuff?

By DonCoburleone

February 26, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

“These are the current 09’ contracts:

Soriano 6.1 Million (Up 3.7 Million) Hudson 13 Million (Same) McCann 3.5 Million (Up 2.7 Million) Smoltz 12 Million (Down 2 Million) Chipper 8 Million

Don’t forget that Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur will be first-time arbitration eligible players next year, so they will each see a raise of at least $3mil. And I think Yates will be 1st time arbitration eligible as well. Also, Diaz will get another raise (2nd Arb. Year). So on top of what you mentioned, I would also add around $6-$8mil for the players I just mentioned…

By Nick

February 26, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Hm…I guess I’ll try that Mets link again.

By ncscoots

February 26, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

DOB, is Brandon Jones MIA or something? I realize there are a whole bunch of people in camp, but, not a whisper about that guy, so far.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Andy K, no idea. He doesn’t give the lineups for the entire week.

By OrlandoFan

February 26, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

DONC: On the salaries, I think it’s important that the Braves sign Francoeur to a new deal and maybe a new setup for Chipper. He is grossly underpaid compared to many, and that should be rewarded. Tex will be there for the discussion, but I think he would have to fall in love with the team to stay. If money drives the discussion — and, yes, it is Boras — then he will be back in the AL soonest.

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Daybed, I’d guess $16-18 mill (they don’t go on just last year or two years, like they do when classifying free agents)

jrjags, Damian is in minor league camp, and they’re just getting here now. I won’t see him unless and until he’s brought over for a big league game as an extra to fill out the pitching staff.

By Andy K.

February 26, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Nick, nice link, always good to see a Mets lineup lose to a college team…

By Andy K.

February 26, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

well, tie, but its just as good as losing

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

Howdy Denizens-Haven’t read much on the last couple of blogs, so all I know is McFann has been receiving grief and Ten Paul (good friend that he is) is absolutely, positively one of the most pessimistic people around. Good Lord, Dude, even Coach waits until July to claim he knew in June the season was over.

Anyway-Don’t know if DOB has mentioned it, but Brandon Jones has not been taking his batting practice cuts at the main field-Josh Anderson has. This leads me to believe that Josh will be the fourth outfielder-contrary to what I previously thought. Interesting. The kid has worked VERY hard and is a good guy.

Nathan-you speculated on the readiness of Schaeffer and Anderson. From my point of view, I haven’t seen JSh. play (though he did sign a ball for me), but Anderson is ready NOW. He is hitting line drives and the kid flat out has jets for legs. He motors. Almost lapped ( two runners back, at Frenchy’s request) McCann in today’s second to home drills. Lillibridge also runs very fast and Wil Ohman is no slouch either. If he pitches as good as he runs the bases, he Wil be the steal of the season(after Kotsay, of course,who has looked greatallSpring).

It’s been a great, fun Spring Training. I’ll go see my Dawgs play tomorrow(wearing my Georgia shirt and hat, of course) and that’s it for the Artist for this spring. Got lots of artwork and baseballs signed. Wurlitzers will be awarded. Gotto meet Bobby Cox and Chipper. TalkedtoKtsay, Tex, KellyJohnson and Anderson.

Also had the pleasure of talking to Braves’ Head Groundskeeer Ed Mangan for a half hour the other day- The only man I’ve ever met who makes discussing sod interesting. You never think of Ed when you think of the Braves, but it would not be the same game without his expertise. I got his autograph, too. The Man deserves his props. He does a great job.

As usual, Bobby Dews is an incredibly great guy. I am honored to have him commissioning me to do artwork and illustrate one of his stories for him. What a pleasure to have made his acquaintance (yet again) and to have shake my hand.

McFann-Never ever say that The Artist is not a wonderful Grandfatherly person. I had McCann sign a ball for you. Patience Grasshopper, I’ll send it when I get home-which will be next week sometime.

By Austin

February 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

DOB

Is Kotsay going to take it slow in spring training? Or does he have the green light?

By McFann

February 26, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Haha! Anyone know what the Mets’ record against colleges is? I know the Braves are 19-0-1. But their tie came about because of rain.

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

One more thing. I too, saw Tex start his workout. Unfortunately, Tex was standing right in front of me so my view was of…….well, let’s just say I didn’t watch.

By BossLady

February 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Andruw will be just fine in Dodger Blue. If Scott Boras was not the way he is and JS was not like he is then something could have been done. Two guys in a P!$$!N contest changed a man’s career and life. Sheeshh!!

By GoBravos

February 26, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

DOB How will Howard not be a free agent for four years? Will he go through arbitration every year ‘till, barring a contract? Good article as always! How bout one on Acosta, I think he’s gonna be special.

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Austin-I have not seen Kotsay take it slow in the nine practices I’ve seen. He claims he is healed and feels great. I have no reason to doubt him. He is hitting and running quite well. I have a strong feeling that this was the deal of the offseason and that Kotsay (he is a really nice guy) will become a great fan favorite in Atlanta and we will be sorry to see him leave. I’m just sorry he will likely have only one season in Atlanta. I would enjoy painting his portrait, but probably won’t get the chance since he’ll be one season and out.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

With Chipper , Tex and Frenchy , the middle of the order is formidable.

The apparent weakness of the Braves lineup is unchanged. We don’t have a Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins at the top of the order.

Josh Anderson can run , except that he will be the fourth outfielder.

We all know that Cox relies more on the HR rather than by playing little ball. There is nothing wrong with that philosophy , other than the fact that it’s flawed. Baseball is meant to be played in it’s totality.

Rickey Henderson proved that it is impossible to be thrown out stealing second base when executed properly.

I for one would love to see the Braves run more , which would open up the offense and give the power guys in the middle more RBI opportunities not to mention seeing a lot more fastballs.

Not having an Otis Nixon or Rafael Furcal batting lead off continues to be the Achilles heel that usually shows up in the playoffs.

By Anders

February 26, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Lew

McFann-Never ever say that The Artist is not a wonderful Grandfatherly person. I had McCann sign a ball for you. Patience Grasshopper, I’ll send it when I get home-which will be next week sometime.

No Glavine ball for me?

All kidding aside - very nice thing you did there. McFann certainly deserves it.

Did he make it out to “McFann”?

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Coach-The Braves have speed. I watched all the baserunning drills today and Anderson, Schaeffer, Lillibridge, Hernadez, and several others flat out motor. I think you will be quite impressed when you see them on a regular basis.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

With Chipper , Tex and Frenchy , the middle of the order is formidable.

Uh-huh…yeah. Frenchy’s gonna bat sixth sometimes, I think, so there’ll be somebody else in there……

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Anders-No, he just signed it-he was mobbed for autographs. Never did get a Glavine (or Chipper) autograph this spring. Come over to section 114 tomorrow and say hello to The Grinch and to Me. We’ll share a soft drink or something. Might even buy you a beer.

I will say one thing about this Spring’s workouts. I have been going to ST since they opened this ballpark and I have NEVER seen the players work this hard or to be more focused than they are this time out. It WILL be a great season. Anyone thinking that this is an inferior team will be quite surprised.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Gee, Lew…THANKS A LOT!! Now I’ll have something to replace my Lance Cormier ball!! Can’t wait!!

By Lew

February 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Coach-One more thing. The Braves have worked quite hard on base running drills and hitting up the middle and going the other way. I have the feeling that there will be much more attention paid to station to station baseball.We might see a bit of a change in philosophy this year.

By N8

February 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

DAP

“N8 you think tex wanting a championship is gonna keep him from signing with the yankees or the red sox? nope.”

You didn’t read the entire post (or all of the posts. LOL!

I stated that if he accepts higher offers from the Yanks, Sox, Mets etc… That I wouldn’t be that offended. Because he’d be taking more money AND still going to a contender.

But for instance if the Pirates offer him 25 million per year (only about 65 percent of their TOTAL salary of 38 million in 2007), it would be VERY CLEAR that all he cared about was the money. Because they can’t compete the way it is, much less with one guy taking up that much moolah!

Now, before you jam the fact that the Pirates would NEVER offer that much to one guy, down my throat…..I GET IT! Just speaking in a hypothetical sense.

If we offer 20 million and the Yanks offer 25, he’s gonna be hard pressed to turn that down. Believe me. If you read the comments that JS made about one player being worth 30 million a year (where he said he thought 10 million was a VERY reasonable salary for a ball-player), I don’t think we’ll be offering much more than an average salary of 20 million to him.

I know JS is not the GM anymore, but as team president, I’ll assume such a large contract would have to be OK’d by him, in some manner.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Lew , my pulling the plug on the Braves last season and in 2006 was an easy call. Not to mention the fact that I was right.

When the Braves signed Glavine this past off season after trading for Jurrjens , I knew they had become playoff material.

My calling the 2008 Braves a playoff team three months before the season even starts should be a clue to all.

By William

February 26, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Do you know what ‘coeur’, the french word means? It means ‘heart.’ The guy sure does have a lot of heart, and his name sounds better than ‘hey, my name is mac cann, yes I can’ that is so pathetic compared to a guy who has ‘heart’ in his name.

You guys realize that these guys play on the same team. A team that I assume you are both fans of. So, why not just hope they both have great years?

By McFann

February 26, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

You got that correct, Lew. I have been receiving grief. [sigh] But I’ve learned to live with it.

I didn’t know Dews was an author. That’s pretty cool.

By Lew

February 26, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Coach-I’ll agree with you for this year. This is an extremely focused team with LOTS of talent and depth. Anyone discounting them (not you, this time) from the division and Championship race is And Idiot. Jimmy Rollins, Pedro, Beltran and Reyes are going to be eating their words-once they get over their shock and surprise that the Braves are in front of them all the way.

By McFann

February 26, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

I hope they both have great years, William. But what Fan-coeur said was a bit hurtful. Saying someone’s name is “pathetic” is not very nice. Who cann help what their name is? It’s not like McCann chose that name, and I think it’s a fine name! Making fun of someone’s name is very low, IMHO.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

ya’ll heard the Mets rumor yet ? They were trying to unload El Duque (Orlando Hernandez) during the off season.

HELLO ! the Mets pitching ain’t all that. Pelfrey has bombed so far and no one knows what to expect from Pedro as of yet. The Mets have a dozen non-roster pitchers in camp……the Mets have rotational and depth issues already.

By Chris

February 26, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe people are still obsessed with speed at the top of the lineup. Its the single most antiquated notion of what is important for a hitter left in baseball. Guys at the top of the lineup NEED TO GET ON BASE. That is what is important because that is how you score runs.

By Anders

February 26, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Lew

I was kidding about being at the GT game last week. I guess it didn’t come across that way - my bad. Rather be there than up here in NY with more bad weather on the way. Enjoy the game.

By N8

February 26, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Chris

“Guys at the top of the lineup NEED TO GET ON BASE. That is what is important because that is how you score runs.”

While you are correct about speed not being THAT important, you act as though it has zero purpose.

I’ll agree with you that getting on base is the most important thing for them to do (while they are in the batters box). HOWEVER, once they DO get on base, their most important thing to do is to SCORE RUNS (which ultimately is the MOST IMPORTANT THING of all, right?).

So let me ask you. Matt Diaz is up at the plate, and a runner on 1st. Who would YOU rather have that player be? Brian McCann (since DOB stated earlier that he is the slowest Brave), or Kotsay?

Add to that, that MOST of the time, guys with speed, can find more ways to get on base more often: Throwing AND fielding errors, by infielders that are “rushing” themselves due to a fast runner; Infield hits on ground balls up the middle or in the hole; drag bunts.

Not to mention that a fast guy, can turn a normally routine single into a double by taking the extra base. Or better yet, if they are a skilled base stealing artist, they can just take that extra base on the next pitch, NO MATTER HOW they got on.

But I’ll take a guy that gets on base and can drive in runners that happen to be on base before him, in the lead off spot, than a guy with ALL the speed in the world, that can’t hit a lick (those guys are called PINCH RUNNERS/4th Outfielders). :-)

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Hey Chris , I have some antiquated notions for you son. Ichiro Suzuki , Jose Reyes , Jimmy Rollins , Grady Sizemore , Carl Crawford , Juan Pierre , Brian Roberts , Chone Figgins , etc. etc. etc.

By N8

February 26, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

William

You typed:

“You guys realize that these guys play on the same team. A team that I assume you are both fans of. So, why not just hope they both have great years?”

YOU realize that you’re scolding two 12 year old girls, right? :-)

By Nick

February 26, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

Coach: Do you think we’d be better off with Juan Pierre?

From Rob Neyer’s ESPN chat today: Mitch (Boulder, CO): Rob, are the Braves penciled into third place across the board? Or can they run into at least the wild card?

Rob Neyer: They’re one of a dozen or so teams that’s penciled in for 78-86 wins and definitely could get into the Wild Card race. It’s the Mets’ division, though. Link

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Huge black clouds, rain and wind over the stadium now, just as I’m about to leave. Niiiice.

By N8

February 26, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Coach

Chris probably thinks pitchers that get strike outs in key spots are less impressive/important than guys that don’t. Especially guys in the closers role too.

By Fan-oltz

February 26, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Just joinging in on the fan + name puns.

By AdirondackDave

February 26, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Nick — Thanks for that story. I got a double charge out of it as a Braves fan and a University of Michigan graduate (back in the days of the dinosaurs and crewcuts.)

By McFann

February 26, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

UGH!! Really, Neight, I’m not twelve.

By Choppinmama

February 26, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this

All this fretting over Teixeira’s “will he or won’t he?” at the end of the season will only lead to stomach upset and anxiety.

Why don’t we all just sit back, watch him play his brains out this season, help the team get to the playoffs - and hopefully, beyond.

Then, whatever happens, send him a loud and heartfelt “thanks, Tex ol’ buddy” and let the free agency auction play itself out.

By Choppinmama

February 26, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Lew: I’ve enjoyed your posts from “Hartman On Scene.” Hope you don’t have trouble getting back home. Heard Vermont mentioned quite prominently in the snowfall report today.

Was your area affected by the power outage today? Guess not. Doesn’t Disney have it’s own nuclear power plant to keep the Kingdom powered up?

By Dipper Jones

February 26, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

This right here is reedickulos of coursee I didn’t cheat I means on my wife whoops I mean with Andro no Andruw we didn’t take no b-12 I do like to dip HGH

By Capt. Caveman

February 26, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

N8

As a former player I agree with your opinion on speed. But you also can add in the influence it has on the coaching. Managers will substitute fielders and pitchers based on an opposing players speed. For instance, putting in a pitcher or fielder with better defensives skills, or a catcher with a better arm. All of these things will affect the game — especially if they are giving up offensive players on the substitution. I have seen games were the entire infield was changed in the 9th for defense and were unable to prevent the tying run and then unable to mount the offense in extra innings to produce a win. And all because of one or two players SPEED on the basebaths.

By 585

February 26, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

147th!

I know it’s February, but that Mets struggling against a college team thing is PRICELESS.

Not to get too ahead of ourselves, (especially after a previous post, sorry Choppinmama) but if Francoeur puts up numbers like last year, or better with his “Andruw”-ish mentality (Chipper’s quip isn’t without some degree of truth) what sort of arbitration award could he get in one year? He doesn’t have Howard’s statline exactly, but another .290+ with 20-30 HR and another Gold Glove could net him some real bank. How is the office supposed to pay for Tex if things like that happen?

And why is Chipper making so “little?”

Should I be thinking about this during February 2008, or 2009?

This a lot of questions?

That last one wasn’t really a question.

By jeffery

February 26, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Ok; maybe a bit early to just start going stark raving mad with excitement but has anyone just stopped to wonder at this clubs talent in the entire organization as well as the field? I mean , I know all about thinking of living in the past but ,objectively ,this is a really good team .Maybe that statement was a bit of an over generalization ( or maybe I am just JAMMIN’ excited the season is starting to roll along) but this year has potential to be special. We can get pretty technical and in depth on this blog as baseball is made to be that way.It is specific and statistical and made to be over evaluated.That’s the fun.But as in depth as we look at it sometimes the objective look is nice when an option. The Braves have more than one legend working craftily going in this season.It seems different this season ,in a good way.I am going to enjoy this greatly.I have a suspicion we all are.Just an Atlanta fan thinkin’ October thoughts in February …

By Braveheart

February 26, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

Speed is also important because the mere threat of it changes the way the pitchers pitch and the way defenders are positioned. It creates more havoc. You don’t want a crappy OBP guy who can run but the ability to run does so much more for your team.

A fast runner at the plate causes infielders to be drawn in a step or so which makes it easier for the hitter to get a hit.

A fast runner at the plate who poses the threat of a bunt creates even more nightmares defensively and the mere threat of the bunt causes more hits through the drawn in infield if the hitter swings away.

A fast runner on first who can steal second has the pitcher and catcher worried about more than just pitching, has the first baseman holding him on the bag, has the middle infielders shaded up and in closer to second, has the centerfielder more worried about backing up a poor throw, has the rightfielder more worried about loading up his gun should the guy try to go first to third on a hit, and has the leftfielder and pitcher more worried about backing up third base in case of an errant throw from the rightfielder.

A fast runner on second who can steal third has the middle infielders worried about holding him, the catcher worrying about him, the pitcher worrying about him, the third baseman worried about shading slightly up and in towards third to make sure he gets there in time in case of a steal, the leftfielder worried about backing up an errant throw from the catcher in case of a stolen base attempt, and has all the outfielders more worried about making a good throw to third on a sac fly or a good throw to home in case of a hit.

A fast guy at third can cause the outfielders to be more shallow so they can gun the guy at the plate and at the very least has the outfielders worried about the possibility of not gunning him out.

Speed kills. And so does the mere threat of speed. People like to act like AVGs, OBPs, and SLGs are this static thing that are not dependent upon other factors like what lineup slot you are in, how you are pitched, who hits behind you, are their people on base, what kind of speed does the guy on base have. A guy with speed is going to cause more

How much better guys like Rollins and Reyes and Furcal make the rest of the lineup because of their speed and the threat of their speed should never be underestimated. And, no, unfortunately, it probably can’t be quantified to the satisfaction of those who worry about such things.

By Lew

February 26, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

ChoppinMama-No blackout this far in from the coast in Florida. Looks like it was only the I95 corridor up and down the coast. We really live on the Cocoa Beach side (east)of Orlando. It takes me about 45 minutes to get to the House of the Mouse and Duck.

As for Vermont- My wife says 12-15 inches of snow by tomorrow. Of course, she can work at home with the laptop. We rarely ever lose power. Vermont handles that amount of snow routinely.

Nothing really closes down and the only real negative ramification is $30 to plow the driveway each time (over $500 this year so far) and sanding the driveway when it ices ($35 a shot and around $140 so far). Except for the expense it is little more than a nuisance,to us, but would shut down most other states.

By N8

February 26, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Chris

Pierre (a few years ago) was a MUCH better leadoff hitter, than he was an outfielder (with that Sally-Arm of his).

A little convenient of you to mention possibly the ONE GUY that has all the speed in the world, and can’t get on base consistently, isn’t it?

Not to knock on KJ, because I think he’s a helluva good, young hitter (that will more than likely get better and hit for more power), but his career OBP is .360, while Pierre’s is .348. Rafael Furcal (who many think was such a BIG missing piece as a lead-off hitter last year), has a career OBP of .349. Giles, who NOBODY would ever confuse as a “burner”, but would consider a good hitter, has a .335 career OBP as a leadoff hitter.

Where guys like Ichiro (.379), Sizemore (.379), Rollins (.339), Reyes (.331), seemingly aren’t THAT MUCH better than a guy like Pierre, though the perception is that they are because they are disruptive.

Now, for a blast from the past, we could talk about guys like Rickey Henderson (.401) or somebody like Jeter (.390). Even Paul Molitor who was a leadoff hitter for over 1500 games, only had a .365 OBP.

The above 3 are all HOF guys or gonna be, in the case of Jeter.

What EXACTLY do you want, out of a leadoff hitter?

When I asked DOB last year, why (in Chipper’s absence), doesn’t Bobby put McCann in the 3-hole, after all he’s a GOOD situational hitter. HELL! He’s a good hitter. DOB responded that it was because he would “clog” up the base-path for the guys behind him in the order.

WHY can’t you understand that the guys in the 1-2 holes, SHOULD at least be the faster runners on the team? I’m with you, that they don’t have to be “all-world” base stealer’s, but I couldn’t disagree MORE about it being necessary for them to be fast (or as I said….”faster” than average).

BTW, all of the numbers in parenthesis, are those players numbers while in the leadoff spot in the order, for their career.

In case you were wondering. :-)

By William

February 26, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

N8 I didn’t, but I do now.

By adam

February 26, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

DOB

I have reworked my question. I know I read somewhere this past offseason (presumably from Mark Bowman’s offseason coverage on the Braves website) that they were adding some more seats at the Ted that were closer to home palte, and were also possibly adding a new club, or some type of area under the field at home palte. Is this rubbish or do you know any ifo about it. I tried to dinf it in the archives, but to no avail. If any other bloggers on here know anything post something please.

By Lawrence

February 26, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Tex is a slow starter when it comes to power numbers.The numbers are there at the end but,he has started slow the last couple of years.That could cause discontent here from the fans.And don’t look for the Bravo management to shell out anything close to 20 mil per either.They hate Boras and Tex can’t change that.They had best keep Thorman around to take over next year.He will be the cheapest 1st sacker and they can spent money on pitching for 09.

By N8

February 26, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

EXCELLENT 7:23 post. Pretty much sums it up, IMO.

Check out my last post, where I broke down the OBP for many of the guys Coach mentioned.

Surprisingly, guys like Reyes, Rollins and Furcal have VERY AVERAGE OBP’s as lead-off men, for their careers.

Yet, ask any pitcher/catcher combination out there, who they’d rather have on first base leading by a run….any of those guys, or a guy that hits for better average without speed.

Tell me that in the 1995 WS, Lofton didn’t make you nervous EVERY TIME he got on base. If I recall correctly, in game one of the WS, we picked him off of first base, and he STILL beat McGriff’s throw to second.

I mentioned it the other night. The BIGGEST play of the Game six clincher in that WS, was NOT Justice’s HR (though that was VERY important), it was Belliard’s running catch of Lofton’s foul pop-up for the first out of the inning.

If he doesn’t catch that, maybe Lofton get’s on base, and when he got on base in 1995……he scored.

Tell me that the most explosive (yet consistent) offense we’ve had in Atlanta, wasn’t the lineup with a RED HOT Lofton, and Tucker hitting 1-2 at the top of that lineup in 1997.

Anyhow. Nice post.

By Dipper Jones

February 26, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

I plan on working till Ima 40 I guarandamntee

By JJMB

February 26, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

*”It’s potentially opening up a big can of worms. There’s the potential for so many problems with the way that it’s handled, the way it’s stored.”

Glavine said he could envision a player’s career being ruined by blood sample being tampered with by someone with a vendetta.

“On a personal level, it scares me to think of somebody having my blood and the potential to tamper with it down the road,” Glavine said. “Your career could be ruined, and you wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.”*

Glavine sounds like an OJ juror.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

I’ll give you guys the definition of what a leadoff hitter is.

Your leadoff hitter is essentially the catalyst of your team’s offense. His job is to get on base any way he can , by drawing walks , bunting or making solid contact hits.

He also provides a spark by stealing bases , moving himself into scoring position , and generally giving fits to the opposing pitcher by creating more RBI opportunities for the middle of the lineup.

Thus, a good leadoff hitter will have high speed and contact values , as well as a high on-base average (OBA). Batting average is also important , but OBA is a better indicator since it also takes walks into account. With few exceptions , leadoff hitters generally don’t hit for power.

That’s it in a nutshell.

By Lew

February 26, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

Lawrence-If Tex is not resigned next year, it would stun me to see Thorman as the starting 1B. A much more likely scenario with the loss of Glavine’s ($8 mil), Hampton’s ($8 mil) and Tex’s ($12.5 mil) salaries is to go out and get a one or two year Free Agent (like Nick Johnson) to hold down the fort until Heyward, Kai’hue or another is ready for their shot.

By Chief NocaHoma

February 26, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Back when Bob Horner was king we would get all geeked out he would hit homers and I would dance around a teepee oh! what fun we had in the 70’s today’s fan is a pompous a*

By Choppinmama

February 26, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Lew: Brrrrrrrrrrrr!! Enjoy the green ground in late Feb/early March while you can!

By brian

February 26, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

agreed Lew on the 1B. It would surprise me if Thorman is on the roster on Opening Day

By ippississiM

February 26, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Guess I’m on the 60-day DL. Over the weekend I got a partial tear in my left ACL and dislocated three ribs, and by Monday morning the ribs are infected. weekly bullpen sessions are now postponed indefinitely, but at least the blog’s picking up so I’ll have something to read.

By Choppinmama

February 26, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

I read Bowman’s article on the Braves site about Tony DeMacio, the Braves scout that signed Glavine out of high school, getting reacquainted with Tom down at ST. DeM also signed Chipper.

DeMacio’s quote about Tom’s 300th win - “It was a quiet proudness,” DeMacio said. “I was extremely happy for him because he’s always gotten his due, but I don’t think he’s gotten his due as much as a lot of guys. He’s always been a quiet assassin.”

OK denizens, a new nom de player for Tom (to quash Turncoat Tommy)……….The Quiet Assassin

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

February 26, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

At any rate , the 2003 team had what was by far the most explosive offense.

They hit 235 HR’s , scored 907 runs and recorded 872 RBI’s with a team BA of .284

And stolen bases you ask ? just 68 with 22 caught stealing for an aggregate of plus 46.

They lived with the HR during the season and died by the HR in the playoffs losing to the Cubs 3-2 in five games.

The Cubs out homered th Braves 4-3 and stole 6 bases to the Braves one.

The moral of this story is , live by the sword , die by the sword.

By NY Jay

February 26, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

This is the funniest thing ever.

http://philliesblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/whos-afraid-of-mets.html

I’m so glad baseball is back. It provokes sheer lunacy.

By TennesseePaul

February 26, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Ten Paul (good friend that he is) is absolutely, positively one of the most pessimistic people around. Good Lord, Dude, even Coach waits until July to claim he knew in June the season was over

Ha! That one made me laugh Lew. Good stuff.
For the record, I don’t think the season is over. By no means. I’ve been saying this team should compete for the Division Title all off-season. I just think that Wren, new GM that he is, missed a few big opportunities this off-season. And to his credit, he didn’t take some of the bigger wastes that he could have.

But anyways, pessimistic (“The doctrine or belief that this is the worst of all possible worlds and that all things ultimately tend toward evil.”) doesn’t quite capture my point of view. “Jaded” as in “To wear out, as by overuse or overindulgence” would be apt.
The overuse of favorable reviews of all moves made by the Braves and the eternal sunshine that is implied in said reviews of the future of this orginization. That coupled with the overindulgence in a certain few liquid libations… which is why I’ve switched to Fat Tire. A nice, tasty beer from New Belgium Brewery.

Give it some time, Lew. This brew may just hold the key to allowing me to work my way back into mid-season form. Then we’ll be talking about belligerent (“warlike; given to waging war”) optimism of my beloved Braves.

Besides, isn’t this what Spring Training is about, getting warmed up and ready to go? While I cannot warm up in Florida with you and DOB and the team, I am warming up over here at Blair Field watching the next generation of MLB superstars march towards a College World Series. Now, off to the game!

GO BRAVES!!
go dirtbags!!

By We're All Bozos On This Bus

February 26, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

pat—

Thanks for posting the entire NY Post article for us.

(Except the article was wrong – he gave up 5 ER , not 4. See this boxscore.)

But I agree – we’re not arguing about how Perez did in any particular game. (Exactly what about ”Forget all that — I’m just raggin’ on you.” did you not understand?)

”Can you just shut up and agree that Glavine can have a positive influence on young pitching.”

I’m working to my schedule, not yours. Right now, I’m just gathering info – I haven’t ever said one way or the other whether Glavine was or wasn’t a “mentor” to young Mets lefties, or whether or not he could reasonably be expected to “mentor” young Braves lefties.

“can” does not mean “will” – you seem to be using them interchangeably. And then to cover your @ss, you say if it turns out that the young lefties don’t benefit from Glavine being around, it’ll be all their fault for not listening to him.

Yeah, right. Whatever.

PS: no apologies for punctuation or typos are ever necessary.

By We're All Bozos On This Bus

February 26, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Oops.

By chucktown

February 26, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Not to get in the middle of an argument between Pat and Bozo but I find this to be interesting. Baseball-reference.com says that Perez game up 6 earned runs in that game.

You can find it about halfway down this page

I know it’s not really pertinent to their discussion but I find it interesting to see that three different sources cite three different stats for the same player in the same game. Who do you believe?

By richbrave

February 26, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

SWA-E-E-T:

Just read the article on Morton. I’m gonna’ enjoy going to the ball-park on the days Charlie Morton pitches. Go R-Braves!!

By richbrave

February 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

TENPAUL:

Can’t ever have enough pitching. Remember that!!

By Chief NocaHoma

February 26, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Can’t have enough teepees in a ballpark, Bob Horner needs a statue in da corner, bring back Claudell and Murph

By Fred Secunda

February 26, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

DOB, do you think as long as Brandon Jones does fairly well offensively as the platoon left fielder, this will be Matt Diaz’s last year with Atlanta as he will be a second year arbitration player looking for a due to get a big raise? I think trading Diaz could bring a good arm for the bullpen and cut some salary in the process. Trading him could be like the Renteria move was this offseason.

By Niels Boor

February 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Chucktown—

Come on in — the water’s fine.

I believe the boxscore.

Even though the article said 4 ER, the ERA it computed over the 5.2 innings pitched equates to 5 ER.

I suspect either a typo in the original article or some typical underhanded deviousness from the troll. Only pat himself could say for sure.

Plus, Perez also started game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, in which he got no decision. The 6th ER may be from that game. Easy enough to check — yep, Perez: 6 IP, 1 ER. If I found the correct stats you were referring to, they were for Perez’ total 2006 NLCS performance — 2 games, 11.2 IP.

Thanks for joining the convo — the average IQ of the participants has probably quadrupled.

By Duke

February 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Great story on Morton DOB. Along with JoJo and Jurrjens, the future of our pitching staff is looking positive. Of course without any setbacks, but it wasnt too long ago that there were alot of people on this blog questioning our future pitching staff. It looks like it could be very good for years to come if everyone stays on pace.

By the way, have you ever heard of Griffin House? They are a pretty good band.

By chucktown

February 26, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Niels, now that I have put my glasses on, I see that the 6 earned runs were cumulative for the series. I beg your pardon!

As for the average IQ quadrupling, evidently not!

By Random

February 26, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Thanks, kid — it’s good to be back.

;->

By Niels Boor

February 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

Ah, chucktown, you reckon without pat.

By Niels Boor

February 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

Ah, chucktown, you reckon without pat.

By Niels Boor

February 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

Ah, chucktown, you reckon without pat.

By Shamus Thacker

February 26, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

Why do I feel like I just entered a room fulla drunks?

By Jeff R

February 26, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

I’m still one of those fans that thinks rent-a-player trades are incredibly shortsighted. Acquiring Tex for five top prospects was all about bringing 2006 and 2007 post seasons to Atlanta. If it wasn’t for that, what was it for?

Rather than grabbing Tex for the short run, management could have been far more strategic in its thinking. In terms of trades to boost the team’s pitching, what could Wren have done with those prospects last winter? Might the Braves have made a serious run at Haren?

Let’s hope the Braves pitching delivers in 2008. There are concerns and question marks, but, overall, it is a good staff. Good, not great. Note that the Yankees and Bosox, among others, are tearing a page from the Braves’ 90s playbook by placing emphasis on developing top notch pitchers in their minor league systems. They’re making those talented young arms their teams’ cores. Then they’re building out from there.

The Braves have done a superior job developing their position players, but whatever happened to the old emphasis on plenty of talented pitchers in the system?

By chucktown

February 26, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Hey Shamus, I resemble that remark!

By Mayor Shirley

February 26, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Pass the dutchie on the left hand side

By David O'Brien

February 26, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Just got back from dinner with Kincaid and his 680 boys, in time to see the last 7 minutes of the Vandy-Tennessee game. What a streak for Vandy, four wins in a row at home when they face No. 1-ranked teams….

Hawk’s Landing…mmm good. NY strip, 16 oz of heaven

By Shamus Thacker

February 26, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

lol

By mighty mike

February 26, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

Speed. I worry about speed. The Mets have Reyes (78 SB last year); the Phils have Rollins (41 SB last year). The Braves stole a total of 64 bases last year, with Willie Harris on top with 17. Homer runs are good; pitching is critical; but putting pressure on the opposing defense somehow gets overlooked … at least in my opinion.

The Dodgers won the National League Pennant in 1966 with only one .300 hitter (Tommy Davis) and Jim Lefebvre led the team with 24 home runs. Maury Wills stole 38 bases and Willie Davis stole 21. Of course that team had Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale and Claude Osteen. But small ball works.

To wit: The St. Louis Cardinals won the National League pennant in 1969 with only two players who hit more than ten home runs: Mike Shannon and Orlando Cepeda. Lou Brock, however, stole 62 bases. Of course that team had Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton and Nelly Briles in its starting rotation.

Still, speed kills.

Just a word on the might mike thing. Years ago, I had a good friend named David who called me Mighty Mike. Don’t know why, but since this blog is David O”Brien’s blog it somehow seemed appropriate.

Resolution: I am going to try to be as involved as I can in this blog this season. I have been lifting verbs and nouns during the off season and I have worked out with prepositions and a few inappropriate interjections as well. So I am looking forward to the upcoming season.

Thanks, David, for making this so much fun.

By chucktown

February 26, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Jeff R., I believe that you are correct in making the assumption that the Braves traded for Tex to compete in the 07 and 08 post-seasons. Bear in mind that they were trying to patch a huge hole in the offense of last year’s team. Of course, there were at least two holes (starting pitching being the other main one) but you may recall that there were no quality SP’s on the market last summer. I don’t blame JS for doing what he did. He was trying to compete and he did so by filling the one hole that he was able to fill.

If you want to be upset about a trade, be upset about the Laroche trade. While that trade did bring a quality arm (albeit one that got hurt) it also brought a very high quality prospect in Lillibridge. The only thing to be upset about here is the overestimation by Braves officials of what Thor could do on a daily basis.

Incidentally, it should be noted that JS made that trade from two positions of great depth. Salty was blocked at catcher and clearly had much greater value there than at 1b. Andrus was also blocked by Renteria, then Escobar and Lillibridge. Harrison was the other “big name” that was sent to Texas but I have serious reservations about him ever becoming a dominant pitcher at the MLB level. I’ve met him in person several times and he is about as meek and timid as a mouse. Nice guy but doesn’t come across as a MLB pitcher.

Yes, perhaps the Braves could have been players in the Haren trade, or the Santana trade, or the whomever trade. Hindsight is 20-20. Honestly, I think we’ll have to look back at this trade in 3 or 4 years to evaluate if it was a good one or not.

One thing that I will agree will you completely on is the fact that the Braves have had very little success developing dominating SP over the years. The last ten years or so are littered with the names of guys who were considered top-flight prospects who never panned out as advertised. I hope that the efforts being expended today are addressing that effort.

By chucktown

February 27, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

DOB, I hope Kincaid picked up the check!

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Duke, I’ve heard of Griffin House but haven’t heard any of their music. They’re from Nashville, right?

Speaking of up-and-coming bands, you folks who like straight-ahead rock with a psychedelic edge might want to try the first CD produced by a band with an excellent name, The Lord Is My Shotgun. The CD is “Smoke In The City.”

Gotta confess, a friend of mine is the drummer. But I really think any impartial rock lover would agree they’ve a talented group. They paid for and produced the album themselves, and for now it’s only available on their site, www.myspace.com/thelordismyshotgun

Hey, it ain’t easy being a talented but unsigned band.

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Interesting note on Andruw Jones, and the reason I’m not sad about him being gone.

By uga-brave

February 27, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

got to agree with coach and braveheart on the speed thing. early in games and late in close games speed defintely is a huge factor.

reyes and rollins make you nervous everytime they come to the plate. not only do they have the ability to stretch a single into a double, they force the pitcher to throw more fastballs.

you can make a point that the three best leadoff hitters in baseball (sans ichrio) are in the N.L. east rollins, reyes, and ramirez. all have the rare combination of speed and power. in late close game situations those are huge intangibles.

this just in scott kazmir has discomfort in his elbow and will undergo an mri. also ESPN just said david wright has really slimmed down and might go 40-40, lol. seriously.

By Nick

February 27, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

TennesseePaul: Fat Tire is a great beer—one of my favorites.

ippississiM: Thanks for the Andruw link. I certainly appreciated his 10 years here, but I can’t say I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, “If only we still had Andruw”.

Now, on the speed issue: I remember watching a game between the Giants and Mets early last season. The Giants took the lead in the top of the 12th inning and brought in Armando Benitez (I know, right?) for the save. He walked Reyes, and then balked TWICE en route to losing the game. So, yes, I certainly agree that speed kills.

Now, let’s look at the Braves this season. There isn’t a Reyes type guy on this team. But how many guys do we have that can go from first to third on a single to right, or score from second on a single? Yunel, Kelly, Chipper, Frenchy for sure (don’t doubt me on Chipper—I know you’ve all seen him do it).

Now, how many guys do we have who can plug the gap? Unlike the Mets and Phils, everyone in our lineup has that capability. Would you rather have David Wright on second and Moises Alou at bat, or Chipper at second and Frenchy at bat?

I thought so.

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

**VERO BEACH, Fla. — The exhibition season hasn’t even started, and on Tuesday, the Dodgers were reminded they have too many outfielders.

“It’s a nice problem to have,” said manager Joe Torre, but his problem nonetheless.

In an intrasquad game, Matt Kemp homered. And Andre Ethier homered. And Jason Repko homered. And Juan Pierre had a single and leg-double.

Andruw Jones went 0-for-3 and lost a fly ball in the wind and sun, but he’s a lineup lock. **

I’m just glad we don’t have that last problem as a “lineup lock” anymore.

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this

Someone needs to fill out a Missing Persons report on ChopChick.

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

Nick: The funniest thing about it was the defensive blunder, which was always previously such a given. I think the Dodgers are pretty happy that they only gave him a short-term deal right about now.

uga-brave: Honestly, how much impact do you think Kazmir’s health will reall have on who wins the AL East?

By Bobby's Cox

February 27, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

the Braves didn’t rank among the top six teams in any major offensive statistical category during last year’s final two months… The fact that Edgar Renteria was lost for nearly five weeks [and was replaced by Yunel Escobar] just one day after Teixeira’s arrival certainly prevented the opportunity to know how good that lineup really was. Mark Bowman

I hate Mark Bowman. DOB, can you please write on the braves MLB site?! Please. I’ll love you like McFann.

By Bobby's Cox

February 27, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

the Braves didn’t rank among the top six teams in any major offensive statistical category during last year’s final two months… The fact that Edgar Renteria was lost for nearly five weeks [and was replaced by Yunel Escobar] just one day after Teixeira’s arrival certainly prevented the opportunity to know how good that lineup really was. Mark Bowman

I hate Mark Bowman. DOB, can you please write on the braves MLB site?! Please. I’ll love you like McFann.

By BayAreaSteve

February 27, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

good stuff at 12:42, ipp

By ColoradoBravesFan

February 27, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

Andruw Jones went 0-for-3… against minor leaguers and non-roster invitees..?

By Andruw Jones

February 27, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

If Larry Wayne doesn’t stop talking smack about me, I swear that if our teams brawl this year, I will take as big of a swing at him as I do against an outside slider in the dirt….

and this time i won’t miss.

By ColoradoBravesFan

February 27, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this

Don’t know if this has been discussed before, I just found this release/announcement of baseball America’s top 100 prospect list…

*Baseball America has issued it’s list of the 100 best prospects heading into the 2008 season. The top 25 are listed below, but definitely check out Baseball America’s list in it’s entirety. And don’t forget to also check out MLB Fleece Factor’s very own interview with Baseball America’s Jim Callis.

Without further ado, here are the top 25 according to B.A. (with player’s current age and anticipated Major League arrival date in parentheses):

1. Jay Bruce, OF, Reds (20, 2008)
2. Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays (22, 2008)
3. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Yankees (22, 2008)
4. Clay Buchholz, RHP, Red Sox (23, 2008)
5. Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals (21, 2008)
6. Cameron Maybin, OF, Marlins (20, 2008)
7. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers (20, 2009)
8. Franklin Morales, LHP, Rockies (22, 2008)
9. Homer Bailey, RHP, Reds (21, 2008)
10. David Price, LHP, Rays (22, 2008)
11. Travis Snyder, OF, Blue Jays (20, 2009)
12. Matt Wieters, C, Orioles (21, 2009)
13. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox (24, 2008)
14. Andrew McCutcheon, OF, Pirates (21, 2009)
15. Jake McGee, LHP, Rays (21, 2009)
16. Brandon Wood, 3B/SS, Angels (23, 2008)
17. Wade Davis, RHP, Rays (22, 2009)
18. Mike Moustakas, SS, Royals (19, 2010)
19. Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers (19, 2010)
20. Fernando Martinez, OF, Mets (19, 2010)
21. Rick Porcello, RHP, Tigers (19, 2010)
22. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Athletics (22, 2008)
23. Matt LaPorta, OF, Brewers (23, 2009)
24. Nick Adenhart, RHP, Angels (21, 2009)
25. Jordan Schafer, OF, Braves (21, 2009)*

By Bobby's Cox

February 27, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Man, listen to you all talk about speed. Speed is VERY important, even more so in late innings that early ones. I don’t think Boston would’ve come back 3-0 against the Yanks in ‘04 without Dave Roberts.

But, that is why Josh Anderson will make the club. He’ll replace a slower Diaz in late innings and pinch run late in games. Our bench has lots of speed.

By ColoradoBravesFan

February 27, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

Well, I should have looked more at the BA top 100 list. Jason Heyward is #28.

25 JORDAN SCHAFER OF, BRAVES 176: His hits in 2007, the highest total in the minors. Opening Day Age: 21 ETA: 2009

28 JASON HEYWARD OF, BRAVES 14: Picks he lasted in the 2007 draft, a number we never may be able to fully explain. Opening Day Age: 18 ETA: 2010

Don’t know if I agree Heyward will be in Atlanta in 2010

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this

LATEST BASEBALL AMERICA 2008 PROSPECTS LIST

Shafer #25 Heyward #28-how great is that for a guy with 50 or less minor league at bats? Jurrjens #49 Brandon Jones #70 Hernandez #92

Lillibridge did not make the top 100 No Braves pitchers

Elvis Andrus was rated at #19

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this

TennPaul — you’re right, I’m not sure who on that list I’d want the Braves to sign. Unless one of them has a great 2008 season, nobody looks good. And if they did have a great 2008 season, they’d probably get signed by someone who could pay more than the Braves…Daybed

yeah not much there, but the Braves seldom go for free agents anyway, They are far more likely to make a trade sending prospects, even if the free agent pool is better than the upcoming one. I seriously doubt that Chipper goes to first.So here’s hoping they can resign Tex, but I’ll be surprised if that happens.

By Metropolitan Man

February 27, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this

DOB, talk about your cheesy lyrics, you have been full of them the last few days. I have never even heard of most of the crap you have been listing.

By Yars

February 27, 2008 1:47 AM | Link to this

Tex is going to have a monster season. None of us will be surprised if he puts up .320/48/130 type numbers, & maybe even wins NL MVP. I’m not going to be a fool & become attached too him. None of us should. A year from now, he’s going to be in Yankee pinstripes. I will always be glad we traded for him, especially if we make it to the WS this season. Let’s say payroll is upped to over $100 million, giving one player $21 million + per season is absurd. We will then have more than enough $$$ to be able to lock up both Frenchy & KJ long term, make sure Chipper finishes his career in a Atlanta uniform, & sign a solid SP, among other things. now playing: Houses In Motion by talking heads.

By Moby Grape

February 27, 2008 1:52 AM | Link to this

Not having an Otis Nixon or Rafael Furcal batting lead off continues to be the Achilles heel that usually shows up in the playoffs.Coach

I’m not so sure about that. The correlation between team stolen bases and wins is not that awful high,except in the minds of the traditionists that is

By Roman Gal

February 27, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this

ColoradoBravesFan Did you see Kevin Goldsteins list?

Schafer, Heyward, Lillibridge, Jones, Hernandez, and Jurrjens are all in the top 100.

By Moby Grape

February 27, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe people are still obsessed with speed at the top of the lineup. Its the single most antiquated notion of what is important for a hitter left in baseball. Guys at the top of the lineup NEED TO GET ON BASE. That is what is important because that is how you score runs.Chris

AMEN, brother

By Roman Gal

February 27, 2008 2:07 AM | Link to this

Here’s a clip from a Q&A thing on Basballamerica.com with John Manuel. Here’s the link

Q: jim from white plains ny asks: You obviously have a lot of love for heyward. Are we looking potentially at the next number one overall prospect or Just a real good player?

A:
John Manuel: He could definitely jump up there, and I think there’s a chance he and Moustakas are fighting it out for that distinction next year. Love both those high school bats from last year’s draft.

Q: Mike from Easton Pa asks: Best of the Bunch, LaPorta, Vitters, or Heyward.

A:
John Manuel: Heyward, more well-rounded, and we believe in the bat.

Q: John from Atlanta asks: No Cole Rohrbaugh?? He has big stuff and dominated the Sally League weeks after signing…pretty impressive for a guy coming from a JC..

A:
John Manuel: John, Rohrbaugh was in my top 100, not just top 150. I’m all over Cole Rohbaugh. Chris Kline didn’t rank him and Chris, if I recall correctly, just wanted to see the guy do it a little more, and there’s merit in being judicious on a pitcher with a good breaking ball striking out tons of guys at low levels or in JC ball. He’s going to have get guys out with his fastball, but I think he can do that, it’s up to 94 at times. I am a big Rohrbaugh guy.

By Moby Grape

February 27, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this

BTW, all of the numbers in parenthesis, are those players numbers while in the leadoff spot in the order, for their career.

In case you were wondering. :-)N8

It is nice to have speed no question, but a fast guy who can’t get on base above say .340 vs a moderately fast guy who gets on a lot more often , the OBP guy should bat leadoff. There are hundreds of fast kids in the minors who never learn to get on enough to make use of their speed, and there have been a fair number of leadoff hitters in the bigs who led off cause of their speed but shouldn’t have. I might be wrong but I doubt that Anderson for instance will get on base enough to ever make the best of his speed and if he started then 8th would likely be a better slot.Speed is great…if the other skills are there too, but it does not make up for the lack of other skills and is not the most important criteria for a lead-off hitter, Ok, enough for me. :-)

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 2:34 AM | Link to this

What does anyone know about Barbaro Canizares? He was 1B at Richmond most of last year and seemed stats-wise to be doing okay.

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 2:44 AM | Link to this

and there’s merit in being judicious on a pitcher with a good breaking ball striking out tons of guys at low levels or in JC ball. He’s going to have get guys out with his fastball,

yes there is. Guys who have quality slow or breaking pitches at early minors levels will often have outrageously good stats if they can locate that pitch pretty well.Hitters are not used to it at all and they not only swing and miss at the ones in the zone, but also at most that are anywhere near it. but as the article says you gotta get guys out with heat too cause as you get to AAA and the bigs hitters become a lot more selective and handle the junk stuff a lot better than those in the lower levels. IMO one of the main reasons that Chuckie’s lower minors numbers were so outstanding, and if he had a killer #1 he might get by on mostly 2 pitches, but he doesn’t and that combined with only having two pitches limits his effectiveness at this level.

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this

Canizares was a star on the Cuban team. He is not a young man and there is discussion about just how old he is .Hits for a great average but not much pop so far though that could change as he is a fairly big guy, say 6’2” 210 ot so.Hits lefties real well i think. DOB might know more but I do not have the impression that the Braves consider him a viable replacement at the MLB level perhaps mostly because of age?

By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)

February 27, 2008 2:57 AM | Link to this

Barbaro Canizares played on the Cuban national team , read the link.

http://www.rbraves.com/team/roster/index.html?player_id=73

By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)

February 27, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this

After reading Dave O’Brien’s article on Charlie Morton and taking a look at his minor league record of 23-45 / 4.93 ERA …. My conclusion is , sometimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

If this kid really is all that , the 2002 draft is starting to look like the mother of all drafts for the Braves.

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the link Coach

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 3:39 AM | Link to this

Still, if Tex can’t be re-signed, using Canizares as a stopgap until someone else is available might be possible, especially at the MLB minimum salary, allowing money for a possible mid-season trade for 1B help if needed. Given the thin free agent crop for 2009, I’d rather have a cheap in-house scrub than an expensive free-agent scrub.

By nOLIE

February 27, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this

yeah, I’m not even sure that he would be a scrub. Might hit pretty well considering his history. I heard that he is not a great defensive 1st sacker, but I don’t know that for sure. DOB, any word on Canizares?Is he even at ST?

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this

nOLIE: he’s not on the 40-man or the posted list of non-roster invitees, so I’m assuming his only chance of sharing the field with the big boys might be as a b-team callup for a grapefruit league game.

Painkillers are finally getting the best of my battered body, so I’m calling it a night. Shine on you crazy bloggers….

By Braveheart

February 27, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this

Come on, Noc-A-Homa Nation, it is time to rise and shine and for our Braves to go all MV7 on some Broad Street puppies.

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

nOLIE, he’s not in major league camp. I’ve heard mixed reviews on him from minor league coaches and roving instructors in the past, so I can’t really tell you much with any certainty.

What you need to know: He’s not in camp. Not invited. Should tell you plenty.

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

DOB, talk about your cheesy lyrics, you have been full of them the last few days. I have never even heard of most of the crap you have been listing.MetroMan

You don’t know how good that makes me feel, to know you and I have absolutely nothing in common. Seriously.

By richbrave

February 27, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Barbaro Canizares:

1. Looked good when he was here. Hurt and out of the line-up quite a bit in ‘07. Good bat. Either he or Pena had visa issues in ‘07. Can’t remember which.

By Moby Grape

February 27, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

They may have a great case against Clemens now. I see that players have said that he often told the story anout his wife and Canseco’s wife at the party. He mighta gotten himself in a lot of trouble by telling Congress that he was never there. Pride cometh before a fall, Roger Dodger.

By Bravesfan79

February 27, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

The Braves made 2 HUGE mistakes last year: Not signing Glavine away from the mets, and putting Orr/Woodcrap on the team over Escobar.
I still truly believe if the Braves had made the postseason last year they woulda been the best team in the NL playoffs! (2 bad the mistakes form the first half of the season killed us!)

Yea i laughed at all you fools who this time last year said “escobar is unproven, we need veteran leadership instead” HAHA….yea some career crap vets that hit around .180 for us??
DoB your guilty 2 man, as you mistakenly thought escobar could use more work in the minors. As you can tell i seriously hate chris woodcrap enough to not even say his real name. I hope i never hear that ex met trash’s name again!
it was bad enough watching him get out time and time again with RISP, but knowing that a .350 hitting Escobar was tearing it up in the minors (just like he did in spring training) made me really question Bobby Cox’s decision making. (sadly…because i love the man and the team)
Hopefully Bobby cox learned from his stubborness last year. Go Braves!!

By eware

February 27, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know if today’s game is on the radio? Would be a whole lot cooler if it was…Alright alright alright!

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

Evidently the Dawgs brought the weather down with them. It’s in the 50s and windy as hell today. Down here, with the damp air and all, that makes it downright chilly.

Crusading Everyman, chilled.

By ssiscribe

February 27, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Eware: If you purchase the Gameday Audio package on MLB.com, you can listen to today’s game. It’s $14.95 and I bought it last year (just renewed this morning for this season). Listened to most of the Braves spring games last year. For that price, you get 150 spring games, every regular season game (home and away feeds) and every postseason game.

I listened to games on my computer all day and half the night all season long. It’s worth it, in my opinion.

—30—

By webhead

February 27, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Does anyone have a problem paying Tex Twice the amount of Chipper. I have a problem with anyone who has to have full price on their services . If he’s that type of person then we’re better off without him.I’ll take 9 Chippers anyday over Arod or Tex.

By ssiscribe

February 27, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Yeah, it’s not too pleasant up here, either. Moving week this week (why I’ve been absent). Left the new house at 11 last night and it was snowing ever so lightly. Saw some more flurries this morning.

Two days ago, it was 70 degrees and I was sitting outside in shorts. This morning, the wind chill is 16. It’s official: I hate winter.

At least there’ll be baseball coming through my computer speakers in, oh, four hours or so.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By eware

February 27, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Cool. Thanks, Scribe, I’ll check that out.

By Ben

February 27, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

DOB!!

GAME DAY!! Woohoo! You going to be live-blogging the game? Very excited that the games are starting up, even if they mean nothing.

Oh, and thanks for getting some pictures of Charlie Morton up there. He looked way different than I had him pictured in my head. Good to match a face to a name.

By roan st

February 27, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

What kind of stupid front office stratigies are the braves employing these days? If we are a team that can’t afford superstar talent then why in the heck do we trade all of those good young prospects for tex? The braves have payroll limitations which should mean they build thru the farm system like the rockies. Yet we trade off a big chunk of our farm system only to watch our asset leave 1 1/2 years later? And to make matters worse shuerholz trades for a player who’s agent ( scott boras) just happens to be his #1 nemesis. Am I missing something? It sounds like were not going to be able to resign this dude so where do we go from here? The braves are already throwing out the excuse that we got him for one big shot at this years playoffs. If that is the case then will they trade him at the deadline if this season falls apart? Is he tradeable since he is in the last year of his contract?

By 22oz

February 27, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know why UGA and Tech aren’t allowed to use aluminum bats when they play the Braves? There is quite a difference between the two, handling wise. It just seems like a disadvantage for college teams, to have to make that adjustment against major leaguers, or high prospects.

By 22oz

February 27, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know why UGA and Tech aren’t allowed to use aluminum bats when they play the Braves? There is quite a difference between the two, handling wise. It just seems like a disadvantage for college teams, to have to make that adjustment against major leaguers, or high prospects.

By McFann

February 27, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

MetMan has never heard of John Fogerty? Sheesh, that’s odd…Now I like Fogerty even better!!

Can’t wait for the game, even if it’s not on TV…or the radio…oh well, GO BRAVES!!

By Moby Grape

February 27, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I have a problem with anyone who has to have full price on their services . If he’s that type of person then we’re better off without him.webhead

….oh, nevermind.

By Rod

February 27, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

243rd ???

By Jeff R

February 27, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

chucktown - I recall the history and the reasoning for the Tex deal. For what it’s worth, at the time of the deal, some of us posted our objections. The Braves’ offense wasn’t the big need last summer, it was pitching. I grant that there just wasn’t a lot of talent out there to plug holes with. But I stand by my argument that I’d rather management had held those prospects to the winter to bargain for pitching.

Your point about the Braves farm system being a bust in the last decade in producing quality arms is very true. It just goes to show that the toughest thing a team can do is find and develop strong arms that actually make it to the big league roster and produce over time. You’ve got to put a lot of talented prospects in the big end of the funnel so a few good ones come out at the narrow end. It’s a much tougher proposition than locating and developing position players.

Morton may prove to be very good. Jurrjens (an import) may prove to be very good too. But you can’t count on just a couple of arms every now and then. The team needs to keep pushing talented kids through the pipeline regularly.

By BossLady

February 27, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Loved the 6:56 am, LOL!!!!!!

By Bravesfan79

February 27, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Mets fans: you couldnt beat Michigan!… how u gonna win the NL?? haha…

By Rod

February 27, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

22oz - are you serious?

You don’t know why Tech and UGA can’t use aluminum bats against the Braves???? The Braves aren’t about to take a chance that one of those super-fast liners that come off of aluminum bats hits one of their pitchers.

No way, ever. Ever.

And, if you think it’s a disadvantage for the college teams — well, they don’t seem to mind. Haven’t seen a college team cancel playing a pro team yet. GREAT learning experience for them.

By Tom

February 27, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

22cal…

Most of these guys (GT, UGA players) have already or will shortly be playing in wood-bat leagues in summer (Cape, Northwoods, AK, etc…) so the transition is no big deal.

And if I’m a MLB manager, I don’t need to have my multi-million$$ pitchers and IF’s playing in an exhibition with guys like Murton or Peisel swinging for the fences with a metal bat.

By MGL

February 27, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

If God had thought baseball should be played with aluminum bats, he would have made aluminum trees!!

By wiki

February 27, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

MetMan

I wouldn’t expect anyone who aerobicizes to Olivia Newton John to know any of the music discussed on this blog. By the way, good thing you guys aren’t playing the Wolverines any more this season.

By matta

February 27, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

What disadvantage? The last time I checked, those games don’t count.

By Josh H

February 27, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Is today’s game on the radio? Not that it really matters…I have the dvr all set up for friday :)

By Braveheart

February 27, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

don’t the mets know better than to schedule michigan for homecoming. you gotta schedule a patsy like app. state.

By McFann

February 27, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

MGL, that was funny!!

By Biff

February 27, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

If you have game day audio through MLB there is a webcast of todays game.

By 22oz

February 27, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

These games may not count, but don’t you think those college players want to play their absolute best against a major league team? And i have a hard time believing that little leaguers, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college players can face aluminum bats, but major leaguers, who are supposed to be the best of the best, might get hurt if they have to field a ball of an aluminum bat? You’re telling me these college players are hitting the ball harder than Gary Sheffield? i think the big boys can handle it.

By Rufus Redman

February 27, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

My my the litigious Mr Glavine can’t seem to help poking fans with a stick.His convoluted comments on why he doesn’t think players should be subjected to blood test for HGH could give a litigation attorney a boner.I was happy to see Tom return home but I wish he understood he’s not Norma Ray,he isn’t and doesn’t represent working class folk.He is and represents wealthy,pampered people who get their wealth from hard working middle class families.A little more appreciation for fans who spend hard earned income to support his family and less energy making those of us who welcomed his return look like jackasses would be appreciated.

By Kentavo

February 27, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Yeah, what’s on MetroMan’s iPod? Probably tons of Journey, Styx, R.E.O., Survivor and just for show, to prove he’s keepin’ it real, some Young M.C.

By 22oz

February 27, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

And don’t get me wrong, i think aluminum bats are sacrilege. It sounds terrible, no “crack of the bat”. I wish every level used wood bats. But the point i’m making is that there is a difference in wood and aluminum; the weight, the way they swing, the way the ball comes off them. i just think that having college players switch it up when they are used the way aluminum bats handle and swing takes a little bit away from their game.

By Biff

February 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

David, I have a friends son scheduled to pitch second inning for Dawgs. Let me know how he does. We are excited to see whom he may face. Do you have complete line up for Braves?

By Duke

February 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

DOB, Im not exactly sure where Griffin House is from, but they have some really good music. I just heard them for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I love their sound. The lead singer has a great old school type voice and they are especially good for those foggy morning drives to the park.

By ippississiM

February 27, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

I still can’t figure out why the NCAA doesn’t go to wooden bats. In my eyes, fake bats means fake stats, and it cheapens the whole thing to me, almost more than the DH.

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Got a new blog finished, but not able to post for some reason. our system has a glitch or something. hang on

By DAP

February 27, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

im very excited to see what kelly johnson does in 2008. hes a great hitter, and i think he is going to be a big asset to this team.

DOB any word on what the diaz’s had? boy/girl? or a name? just curious. congrats matt.

By eware

February 27, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

A buddy of mine that went from college ball to the minors said that the switch to wood bats was the toughest part. That and making $350/per week.

I would love for college to adopt wood bats, but I’ve got to think that would cost a lot of money. Which, in turn, would raise tuition costs for everyone else. Haha. Seriously, though.

How much to wooden bats cost?

By David O'Brien

February 27, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP

By Anders

February 27, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

ississiM

I still can’t figure out why the NCAA doesn’t go to wooden bats. In my eyes, fake bats means fake stats, and it cheapens the whole thing to me, almost more than the DH.

That’s easy to answer - $$$$$$ Plain and simple. Wooden bats break. Aluminum bats don’t, generally speaking.

By Braveheart

February 27, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I still can’t figure out why the NCAA doesn’t go to wooden bats.

because there are alot of NCAA teams. college baseball is a very underfunded sport since it is not a money generating sport. the top programs can afford it and will get sponsors to get them good bats. the poorer schools will have inferior bats and not enough bats if they are able to secure bats at all. wood bats in college baseball would mean less teams and less students able to play.

if mlb was serious about the development of young players, they could afford to donate their money to college baseball programs, even slap a few logos on the bats. but that would mean mlb doing something that would make them look good and would somewhat make sense. why would mlb ever do such a thing?