AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves trades are brewing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Winter Haven, Fla. _ I’ve always told myself that one of these years I’d stop by Webb’s Goat’s Milk Fudge in Haines City on my drive over to a spring training game in Winter Haven.
I was wrong.
Unless it’s open when I drive past tonight on my way back, or I have some other uniminagable reason to ever drive to Winter Haven again after the Indians pull up stakes and head to Arizona next spring, then it looks as though I will not be sampling any goat’s milk fudge. At least not from Webb’s.
Anyway, let’s get to it. Smoltz’s shoulder or trade talk, which do you want first? OK, trade talk it is.
No, wait, first I need to tell you, Bobby Cox confirmed this morning that Tom Glavine would slip into the home-opener start March 31 if sore-shouldered John Smoltz is on the DL, which seems like a certainty at this point.
Smoltz didn’t throw today at Dark Star, but said he would do some light throwing tomorrow for sure. If the arm’s ready, he’ll pitch in a minor league game or simulated game this week. Folks, you all probably realize this, but it’s DL for sure, with him expected to come back and pitch in the seventh game of the season April 6.
The Braves would open with Tim Hudson pitching opening night Sunday at D.C., then Glavine on Monday at Turner Field. After the Tuesday off day, Cox said either Mike Hampton or Jair Jurrjens could pitch Game 3, with the other going, obviously, the next day. He hasn’t decided whether to split up the lefties with Smoltz out of the rotation.
With Smoltz in the rotation, Cox said he would have split up Glavine and Hampton. He didn’t give specifics, but I think it would have gone Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, Jurrjens, Hampton.
Oh, yes, without announcing Jurrjens was in the rotation, Cox did announce it by saying Jurrjens could go in the third slot, or Hampton could. You have to read between the lines, put 2 and 2 together, etc, a lot on this beat. Not that anybody expected Jurrjens wouldn’t be in the rotation, which has seemed like a done deal since that game March 5 right here in Winter Haven, when he pitched three perfect innings against the Tribe in his second Grapefruit League start.
By the way, Pirates plan to start Ian Snell in the March 31 game at Turner, followed by Tom Gorzelany and Paul Maholm.
OK, now trade talk: When I asked GM Frank Wren 20 minutes ago whether he anticipated a trade, he gave me a refreshing, honest answer: “I do. I think we’ll make a deal or two,” he said. “I’m not sure of the magnitude yet.”
The Braves are looking to add a bench player with a more-proven bat than they have now, but I can’t give you any names yet. You know how these things go - it’s likely going to be an extra player from another team that has a surplus at a position, like the Braves have a surplus of relievers.
Nobody thought the Jorge Sosa-for-Nick Green a few years ago was much of an impact deal for the Braves at the time, but Sosa ended up being a pretty major piece for the Bravos, at least for a season.
You know the out-of-options Braves relievers, but just to remind they are Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates and lefty Royce Ring. Boyer and Resop have had very good camps, and Ring’s shown at least some progress using more breaking balls to help him against right-handed hitters.
Not saying Ring won’t get traded, especially since Braves expect to have lefty Mike Gonzalez back from Tommy John surgery the first week in June, Cox said again today.
But to me, Yates looks like a goner. Plenty of teams interested in a guy who had 75 appearances last season and had a 3.96 ERA in 56 appearances in 2006. I look for Yates to be traded this week.
Who else? Perhaps catcher Brayan Pena, who has plenty of interest from catcher-needy teams. He’s a switch-hitter who can play a few other positions and not embarrass himself there (the outfield corners and the infield corners).
I don’t expect the Braves to keep both him and backup 1B Scott Thorman, both out of options. They might not keep either, but I definitely don’t see a 25-man roster with both of them on it.
Braves might trade Thorman and not have strictly a backup 1B (which is what Thorman is, a backup 1B and pinch-hitter; he hasn’t played any OF this spring). In the event Mark Teixeira got hurt, they could use one of several guys - Mark Kotsay, Matt Diaz, Pena if he’s on the team, Infante when he gets back - to play a few innings or games at first base.
And if Teixeira has a DL-type injury? Well, the Braves would need to go get a guy anyway, since Thorman has done nothing to make them believe he’d be ready to be a productive every-day 1B, no more than he was last season when he had that job.
So the Braves would have to make a trade for a Nick Johnson or someone else if Tex got hurt. Keep in mind, he’s only had one significant injury in five seasons, and that was a quadriceps muscle strain last year that kept him out about four weeks. Other than that, Tex has been extremely durable.
Oh, and this is a free-agent contract year for the Scott Boras client. He’ll be playing 155-160 games as long as he stays healthy.
Braves seem like they want to keep Corky Miller as their backup catcher.
They like rookie catch-and-throw guy Clint Sammons a lot, but he’s young and probably needs to keep playing plenty at the minor league level, rather than once a week in the majors. Plus, he’s not much of a hitting threat off the bench - Corky at least can give you a little pop (double-digit homers in the minors in ’05 and ’06, and a grand slam this spring, plus some mighty displays in batting practice. Hey, I still get impressed by B.P. sometimes, I’ll admit it).
Stay tuned. Trade news could happen anytime this week. We’ll let you know soon as we hear any rumors.
Oh, and I don’t get a sense the Braves are interested in Reed Johnson. They’ve got enough outfield depth, and he makes good coin. Robert Fick also drew no response that would lead me to believe Braves have interest.
Wes Helms? That’s a possibility, if they can’t do better.
John Smoltz update: OK, how’s your level of consternation over the Bearded Icon’s shoulder injury? Braves had said he’d do some light throwing today or tomorrow, but he didn’t throw today. Smoltz said probably tomorrow.
Unless and until he can’t pitch in the seventh game of the season April 6, or unless someone with knowledge of the situation will tell me otherwise, either on or off the record, then I’m going to have to assume Smoltz and the Braves aren’t downplaying the injury and that it is, indeed, just soreness in the trap muscle between his shoulder and neck.
“I think he’s coming along fine,” Cox said today.
Don’t know how they’d gauge that, other than Smoltz saying his shoulder feels better just moving it around (he hasn’t thrown since Wednesday).
Smoltz has rested his shoulder since being scratched from his Friday start, which would have been just his second Grapefruit League game (he skipped his other turns in order to follow his unique, some might say radical, throwing program of simulate games to let him work on breaking pitches).
“It’s stuff you go through in spring occasionally,” Cox said of Smoltz’s shoulder. “We wanted to play it safe. He’s ready to go. He’s been throwing since January, so he’ll be able to stretch out to six or seven innings.”
I’m not saying it might not be something worse, just saying there’s no reason to speculate irresponsibly just yet. Look around baseball and see how many veteran pitchers, and some young pitchers, have sore elbows or shoulders in spring training. It happens. A lot. I just noticed Kevin Millwood didn’t debut until last week for a similar situation.
Kelly’s sore knee: Martin Prado is playing second base again today in place of Kelly Johnson, who has a slightly sore knee from playing so much on the hard fields down here. “I’m just resting Kelly,” Cox said. “He’s played a ton. Too much, really.”
Today’s lineup: 1. Mark Kotsay, CF; 2. Yunel Escobar, SS; 3. Chipper Jones, 3B; 4. Mark Teixeira, 1B; 5. Jeff Francoeur, RF; 6. Matt Diaz, LF; 7. Martin Prado, 2B; 8. Brayan Pena, DH; 9. Clint Sammons, C.
Buddy Carlyle toeing the slab for the Bravos, RH Jake Wesbrook for the Tribe.
Music warning: Don’t read the next two paragraphs if you’re not into music (I always feel compelled to warn folks who like to complain about any divergence from baseball talk). I had my second and final CD buying splurge of spring training over the weekeend, my annual trip to downtown Orlando and Park Ave. CD, an outstanding indie shop. Found some terrific stuff.
I got Paul Thorn’s A Long Way from Tupelo, which I listened to on the drive over this morning. The white-boy former professional boxer and bluesy singer-songwriter is outstanding, on the appropriate named Perpetual Obscurity label. I also got Mike Doughty’s Golden Delicious, The Gutter Twins’ Saturnalia, and Bauhaus’ first CD or original material since 1983, Go Away White. And for the funk lovers out there, I strongly suggest the splendidly late-60s/70s era Carolina Funk compilation from the First in Funk set. If you like James Brown, you’ll love this stuff. I got two others from the fairer sex, and both are great: Kathleen Edwards’ new Asking for Flowers and a CD by someone I’d never heard of but loved when I listened to on the headphones at the store, Nicole Atkins’ Neptune City. Enjoy. I do.
“TOM TRAUBERT’S BLUES” by Tom Waits
Wasted and wounded, it ain’t what the moon did, I’ve got what I paid for now
See you tomorrow, hey Frank, can I borrow a couple of bucks from you
To go waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
I’m an innocent victim of a blinded alley
And I’m tired of all these soldiers here
No one speaks English, and everything’s broken, and my Stacys are soaking wet
To go waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
Now the dogs are barking and the taxi cab’s parking
A lot they can do for me
I begged you to stab me, you tore my shirt open,
And I’m down on my knees tonight
Old Bushmill’s I staggered, you’d bury the dagger
In your silhouette window light go
To go waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
Now I lost my Saint Christopher now that I’ve kissed her
And the one-armed bandit knows
And the maverick Chinamen, and the cold-blooded signs,
And the girls down by the strip-tease shows, go
Waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
No, I don’t want your sympathy, the fugitives say
That the streets aren’t for dreaming now
And manslaughter dragnets and the ghosts that sell memories,
They want a piece of the action anyhow
Go waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
And you can ask any sailor, and the keys from the jailor,
And the old men in wheelchairs know
And Mathilda’s the defendant, she killed about a hundred,
And she follows wherever you may go
Waltzing Mathilda, waltzing Mathilda,
You’ll go waltzing Mathilda with me
And it’s a battered old suitcase to a hotel someplace,
And a wound that will never heal
No prima donna, the perfume is on an
Old shirt that is stained with blood and whiskey
And goodnight to the street sweepers, the night watchmen flame keepers
And goodnight to Mathilda, too
Comments
By Mark Fanxeira/ BBFCFM
March 24, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
F1rst!?
By Robert
March 24, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Watching Kotsay play defense is painful. First yesterday now today. When can Schafer get here.
By Robert
March 24, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Watching Kotsay play defense is painful. First yesterday now today. When can Schafer get here.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Kotsay just got turned around again going straight back on a long Jhonny Peralta drive to straightaway center. Went for a double after Kotsay raced straight back, looking first over left shoulder, then over right. Ball fell about a foot or two in front of his glove. Second time in two days.
By Renegator
March 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
4th?
By midtownBrave
March 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
kotsay, escobar and chipper strikes out!
By Murphy
March 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
yay, new blog! I was wondering why the other one stopped refreshing…
No worries jet on Smoltz. YET. Love the news on the trades though! You would think we would be getting lots of calls for our bullpen guys.
By Robert
March 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Kotsay sucks at defense
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Jake Wesbrook has struck out five of the first six Braves hitters.
By midtownBrave
March 24, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
who’s pitching for the bravos other than buddy? yates, boyer?
By flylikeeagle
March 24, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
first??
By Murphy
March 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
yikes. Hope that defense get’s better. The one yesterday looked horrible.
By hk
March 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
… ‘MVP’ (Runs + HR’s + RBI’s) through yesterday … also, factored by at-bats …
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/mvp08.htm
By Javy's back (ok, maybe not)
March 24, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
I cannot wait for the season to start, especially after my brackets got busted like a NY govenor. DOB, your blogs are great and we all appreciate them. Please keep us updated on the game today as I am stuck on my computer all day.
By Murphy
March 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Is the game on TV? All I can find is the Astros game from yesterday.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Scheduled to relieve today: Moylan, Ridgway, Yates and Ohman.
By Robert
March 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Westbrook is getting all those borderline strikes
By McFann
March 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Derick Richards—
You’re welcome. Glad to be of service.
Ron R—
If you take me up on the cut-and-paste (which I spelled wrong before, darn it), you cann stick at the end of the last blog, so as not to use up too much space over here. If not, no prob.
Thanks for the new blog, Chief!
Trade Yates! Trade Yates!
By KneeJerk
March 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Dave, I went to Webb’s a few years ago when I went to see the Royals play. I think Goat’s milk fudge is an acquired taste. I’ve yet to make that acquisition.
By Workinlkeadawg
March 24, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Please Bobby bring Schafer back
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Sammons just drove a ball to the RF wall, but Gutierrez robbed him of extra bases with a nice leaping catch for third out in third….
Braves down 1-0 heading to bottom third. Only run scored on Peralta’s double that Kotsay didn’t get to in the first inning, after Haffner had walked.
By John B.
March 24, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Got a nice shout out by Peter King, DOB. “f. Want to read an enjoyable blog, a guy who blogs the way blogs were meant to blog? David O’Brien has a great slice-of-spring-training-life in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Very human, with snippets of how he does his job (not as easy as you think), the music that accompanies him on trips around central Florida chasing the Braves, and the fun scenes he sees — like the Hooters with the defunct Hooters Motel behind it.” http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/03/21/mmqb/2.html
By BillyBrave in Germany
March 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Game is on MLB.com
By tomahawknation
March 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
What are some options as far as Power Hitting bench players?
By BrandonC
March 24, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t know if I can handle watching Kotsay get turned around on a regular basis. I know he’s not Andruw, but he IS a professional baseball player and should know what routs to take by now.
By Since Mr. Modest won't tell you ...
March 24, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Peter King of Sports Illustrated tells his readers that one David O’Brien blogs the way bloggers should. He even mentions positively the music stuff, which I could live without. Thanks for the warning on that today and congrats on getting props from King.
By SpringTraining
March 24, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
I hope Anderson is on the roster. We will need him for defensive purposes in close games. Kotsay cant run em down like Anderson can. I have seen Anderson in action and hes fast.
By knowitall
March 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I’m a faithful reader of Peter King for my football news. He gave you a shout out in his column today. Congrats. You are the official King Of the Blog!
By Alan
March 24, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I’m not at all worried about Smoltz - he’s fine as both he and Bobby Cox have been saying for days. I am concerned about Kotsay, though. Didn’t see either yesterday’s or today’s miscues, but they sound absolutely awful. He’s got to do the job defensively - that’s the main reason he was signed, right? He hasn’t done much at all on offense this spring. I expect Yates and Ring both to be traded - probably Pena and/or Thorman, too. I can see the Braves getting a right-handed hitter with power and a bit of versatility - someone like Kevin Millar or Brandon Inge. Wes Helms might work, too, but he’s not as good as either Millar or Inge. This week will be very interesting - not only for the Braves but for every other team as well.
By Reid in EAV
March 24, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Question that may not have an answer in this forum, but gotta ask it anyway — Why, with a game now being played, is SportSouth replaying yesterday’s Braves-Astros game? Maddening.
By Rob U
March 24, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Westbrook, a perfecto through 4, our bats have cooled down in the last week. Hopefully thats a sign that there gonna be warming up come Sunday.
By Larry
March 24, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Glavine start the home opener? Why?
Isn’t this the same greedy, self-centered guy who took just a little more money to walk away from the franchise that gave him his start and paid him millions and moved to New York and left his wife and young children behind?
Yep! This is the same old nose mining, cheerleading “bubba” manager who is 1-14 in the final must win game of the postseason who is still today making the dumbest of all decisions!
Why not start Mike Hampton? This guy has been though everything to get back on the mound and is one of the hardest working teammates on this team!
Another year of boobie ball!
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
I have this funny sensation that I am going to mutter “Andruw would have caught that” alot this year.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Lillibridge in to play SS now. And wouldn’t you know, first batter of the fourth inning, Gutierrez, hits one that gets under Lillibridge’s glove. Tough play to make, but Yunel might have.
By TrboDawg
March 24, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I see that Lillibridge is in the game and Yunel was grabbing his back/oblique during his at bat. Anything there????
By Novice Ned
March 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Finally saw Liilibridge on TV yesterday. I seriously wondered whose kid was getting a chance to stand in the field between innings. You know, kind of like whose best golfing buddy gets a few hacks during BP. He looks like he should be working a paper route on a bike (oops, showing my age). Whatever happended to Daryl Ward and can we get him back in a trade? He was a very useful pinch hitter with more than a little pop but can he play 1B?
By TPM
March 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
If Glavine opens up at Turner Field, who will come in to relieve him in the fifth inning ?
By Oregon_Braves
March 24, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Speaking of dead horses…
Larry, give it a rest. All that anger is not good for the soul, my man. Do you possibly have a brother named Robert??
By TJ
March 24, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
I still say keep an eye on what Oakland does. From what I’ve read, they’ve got to choose from between Mike Sweeney (who’s on a minor league contract but appears likely to make the team) and Dan Johnson, who we discussed the other day. Either one would be the kind of impact bat we need (and Johnson would be a great backup and possible replacement for Tex).
We’d probably have to give up something of value for Johnson, though, because he has value.
And I think Wes Helms would be a good (not great) addition for a year, but not so sure that the Phillies and Braves want to do much business with each other.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Westbrook has no hit stuff today.
By Randy S
March 24, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Wow, just realized that although the Big 3 (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz) probably won’t all be in the same HOF class, Bobby might be in one of their classes. Do managers go by the same rules (5 years after retirement)? Might have to trek up for that induction weekend.
As to that, has anyone here been to a HOF weekend in Cooperstown? Is it worth it? I know the town seems to have become a bit of a joke by now, overrun with cheesy baseball stuff. And I bet HOF weekends are madness there. Still, would be great to see Glavine and Cox or Smoltz and Cox go in together.
Also, the Indians announcers are plugging Grissom’s baseball charity. Cool move by them, taking an entire half-inning talking about him.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Braves STILL HITLESS through five innings (I hurriedly told you Francoeur singled earlier; he did not. That ball was a 1-6-3 groundout).
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Westbrook is perfect through five frames with seven strike outs.
By Mark Fanxeira/ BBFCFM
March 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Larry,
actually nevermind.`
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Ridgway just made a terrible throw to first that let in TWO RUNS in the fifth inning. Not one, but two runs. Bunt to left side of field, should have been a simple sac, turned into mayhem for the Braves.
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Okay Larry, you are the boobie, and not the good kind.
Why not start Mike Hampton? It IS the home opener vs. your biggest rival, who has a potent lineup. Oh BTW, it is Mike’s first start in over 2 years.
Maybe Bobby wants to start Mike against the Pirates, a team that, I think it is fair to say, doesn’t have as potent of a lineup. Maybe that will give Mike a better chance to have a modicum of success in his first start in over 700 days to build on.
Maybe Glavine, who got low-balled, (not by much, but he was) by the Braves, deserves to come back to cheers. He does kind of know the Mets hitters, but to give your weak argument defense, they know him as well.
I am not a fan of how Bobby handles the pen, and I don’t agree with everything he does, but he has won somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 games. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt a bit this year, at least during the first week of the year at least.
I just love this whole ‘heart and desire’ arguments on here. If the players dont have fire and desire, the manager, I dont care who it is, ain’t going to install it into someone making millions. Great players/business people, etc. motivate themselves.
GO BRAVES!!!!
I can’t wait for the season to start.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Now a BALK by Ridgway has let in another run. Two walks, a balk and an error. NEXT!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Ridgway stinks here in the fifth. Two walks , a hit , an error and now a balk. Three runs are in so far….
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Another hit off Ridgway , 5-0 Cleveland.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Jason Michaels just CRUSHED a double to the base of the CF wall. Five runs have scored against Ridgway in this inning.
Rumor is there’s a cab in the parking lot, ready to take him to Richmond.
By Rob U
March 24, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
I think it’s safe to say Ridgeway sealed his fate today.
By bullpenfan
March 24, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
maybe today is saving day for yates…when he is on, he is on…i hope they keep him. boyer looks great out there this year and royce comes and goes…but has seemed to get more control. with ohman and mikeG coming back i think he could be on the block, more so than yates…bobby seems to really like him.
By kdbanks
March 24, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Anyone know where I can get a replica Boston Beaneaters cap? Love that name…
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Ridgway has just punched his ticket back to the minors for darn sure.
Two walks , three hits , a two base error , a balk and five runs so far….6-0 Cleveland.
By Jon
March 24, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Stuart Why not start Mike Hampton? It IS the home opener vs. your biggest rival, who has a potent lineup. Oh BTW, it is Mike’s first start in over 2 years.
Since when are the Pirates our biggest rival?
By Blake Penno
March 24, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
DOB
Smoltz said something on yesterdays broadcast about pitching in Rome, have you heard anything about this? The open on Thursday of next week, so it seems as if he wouldn’t pitch in a real game if he did pitch there, though my assumption could be off.
Regardless, Ridgeway looks pretty rough on TV right now
By AGTfan
March 24, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
I loved the Peter King comments about DOB on SI.com. One of the few times that I agree with him completely. I think we Braves fans are lucky to have DOB. I bet even teh Mets trolls will agree.
By Brad
March 24, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Dave, I don’t usually get in to the music portion of your blog very often, but I will say this about Mike Doughty’s new album… if you’ve followed him at all in the past, you know that the track “27 Jennifers” is a previously recorded song, but, he’s added a little something extra to the instrumental portion of the new recording, and I like it a lot better than the older version that I have…
Thanks for the updates on the trade talk… any ideas of specific guys the Braves might go after in a trade, or teams that might have that ‘surplus’ at specific positions and might need a Tyler Yates/Brayan Pena/Scott Thorman type?
By Luther
March 24, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
The never ending inning. Hey this is supposed to be an enjoyable Spring training listen. Thank you Lillibridge, I didn’t want to turn the game off because of frustration before the season even started.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
The Lil’ Bridge just made a spectacular diving stop to mercifully end the inning. Braves down 7-0.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Close the book on Ridgway. six runs on four hits , two walks , the balk and a two base error in one inning. FUGLY.
By DCbrave
March 24, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Yep, Ridgway just showed himself the Rich way, Richmond, that is.
By Tommy T
March 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I think Dmitri Young is going to be the odd man out at 1B for the Nattys. I know he has some lbs. issues, but he would be a dangerous stick off the bench. I know he used to play the OF corners some, might’ve had a few too many Big Mac’s to do it now though.
By DAP
March 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
stuart the pirates are NOT our biggest rival, and they DONT have a potent offense.
By kdbanks
March 24, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Anyone know where I can get a replica Boston Beaneaters cap? Love that name…
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Three up and three down for the Braves in the sixth inning . Westbrook has a perfect game through six with eight strike outs.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
The Braves, who pitched a no-hitter until two out in the ninth here last time we were in Winter Haven, are now being not just no-hitted, but perfect-ed (inventing word usage). Westbrook hasn’t allowed a thing.
By Brent S.
March 24, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Here’s a music question for you. How’s the Bauhaus and Mike Doughty albums? I wasn’t sold on Bauhaus, but have been previwing the Doughty on iTunes. Also, did you like the Raveonettes and The Black Crows new albums? I’ve been trying to like the Ravenonettes, but really enjoy the Crows new one.
By BT
March 24, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Looks like Greyhound would be more appropriate more Mr. Ridgeway. Did he have much of chance before today?
By Efrim
March 24, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
How many Braves games will I see if I purchase MLB Extra Innings? Does anyone know?
By ManOfTeal
March 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Go Marlins!!!!
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Blake, Smoltz could pitch a rehab game at Rome to build arm strength before he comes off DL (assuming he’s going on it, which he is). Gotta pitch somewhere between now and April 6, in a real game somewhere, not just camp games or sim games.
By Steve McP
March 24, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Efrim, it depends where you live - when you go onto the site to purchase you can enter your zip code and that will show which teams games are going to be blacked out.
I live near Asheville NC (3 hours drive from the Ted) but I am in the black out area, so decided to go with just the radio package, which only costs about $15 for the year and gives coverage of all games.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Then again, if they’re not starting until a week from Thursday (I haven’t checked) then I can’t see him pitching there before a Sunday April 6 start against the Mets….
Brent S., I love that Raveonettes album. Don’t have the Crowes.
If you like Peter Murphy, you’ll probably dig the Bauhaus.
By timmy
March 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
DOB, you’ve said more than necessary about Ridgway. I think after a stinker like that, a cab would be too much to give him.
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I misspoke, I keep thinking forgeting about the Pirates series being sandwiched in there. Of course I dont get peachtree TV, so does it even count? My bad.
By Wayne in Utah
March 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
With all the other arms we have for the bullpen, was there any doubt that Ridgway was heading to Richmond before the debacle today?
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hoss breaks up no-no with two-out double off Jorge Julio in seventh.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Chipper busts up the perfect game with a double.
By ROCHIE
March 24, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
cant wait to be there for opener!! you guys go out and support the bravos!!!!guess ridgeway lost any chance he had by todays outing!!
By ROCHIE
March 24, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
cant wait to be there for opener!! you guys go out and support the bravos!!!!guess ridgeway lost any chance he had by todays outing!!
By Brad
March 24, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Hoss saves the day. Being “perfect-ed,” even in spring training, would have been embarrassing.
By Tomahawkin
March 24, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Anyone interested in bringing back Kenny Lofton as arole player off the bench? I know I will probably get My Chops busted but last year he stole 23 bases for Cleveland last year, and we definitely need more speed off our bench…Granted his Defense is only half the caliber it was ten years ago…
but “It’s hard to believe (Harry) that no team signed ex-brave/phillie Kenny Lofton for the coming season. Lofton hit .296 in 490 at bats last year, and hardly looked like he was finished. He played a key role in getting Cleveland to the ALCS. He’s a .299 career hitter with over 620 stolen bases. Even at age 40 somebody should have signed him.”
By timmy
March 24, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Efrim, you get all the games that arent nationally televised in your region(games on Tbs, Espn or Fox). I am from NYC, so I wouldnt get of the Braves nationally televsed games that are on the same day as mets or Yankees Fox days.
DOB, I agree with the Reed Johnson comment. Where do people get this idea that we are interested in him? I know he would be concsidered a bat but I remember in one of you blogs last week, you said Wren was looking for a bat that people would fear coming off the bench. Reed Johnson hardily strikes fear in an opposing pitcher, especially in a late game RBI situation. I also think Pena makes the roster but will be traded at the deadline. He has a steady bat and does offer the opportunity to be versatile versus Thorman. Plus, he is a switch hitter. He is almost like 2 hitters, and he can only benefit from being around Tex and Chip, two the best switch hitters in the game
By Steve McP
March 24, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Stuart - the Wednesday and Thursday games vs the Pirates are on FSN and SportsSouth, Peachtree TV has about 40 games this year, but it seems to include almost every Friday and Saturday game and about 70% of the games in late June and July
By DonCoburleone
March 24, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Dang, Braves getting no-hit by Jake Westbrook? Kind of reminds me of one of those nightmare games from last season where the Braves inexplicably forgot how to hit. Remember those games? Where we made random pitchers (like Jason Bergmann or Oliver Perez) look like the second coming of Sandy Koufax?
I know there were more average pitchers who shut us down last year, anyone remember???
By VENEZUELA
March 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
DOB DOB DOB
What ever happened to SORIANO???
Wasnt he supposed to pitch yesterday? or the day before?
I thought he was pitching today for sure…so much time without him for a game…
Is he gonna be ready, heard he has only played 4 games or something…last year he played 9 and that seemed like to little…wouldnt 5 or 6 games (x inn.) be pushing it ?
By STRETCH
March 24, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
DOB, or anybody…is Thorman gone or Pena? By the way, how much is that MLB pax going for? Im in Pensacola and i am really looking into it. Who is this Ridgeway guy?!
By Efrim
March 24, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Steve McP
Thanks man. I live in CT. I am pretty sure I should be able to get a fair amount of them.
By flange1
March 24, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
DOB,
How did the other relievers look today? (Besides the explosive outing by the Richmond bound Ridgeway)
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I’m getting all 162 games and these spring training exhibitions. Having my cake and I’m gonna eat it too.
By David O'Brien
March 24, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Moylan’s getting squeezed, just gave up an RBI double that bounced over the RF fence after it landed in front of Francoeur. That swirling wind must be playing havoc with balls, because I don’t think we’d see Kotsay and Francoeur both misjudge them that badly in the same game.
By flange1
March 24, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
No to Kenny Lofton, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Jeff Weaver.
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Stuart - the Wednesday and Thursday games vs the Pirates are on FSN and SportsSouth, Peachtree TV has about 40 games this year, but it seems to include almost every Friday and Saturday game and about 70% of the games in late June and July
Dang it, I am the boobie today. I deserve it.
By SBowers
March 24, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
First of all, DOB great job
Secondly…about Tom Glavine. Although I respect his accomplishments (over 300 wins and tons of innings pitched) does anyone else have a sour taste in their mouth over the union and strike way back when? I recall an interview with Glavine as he was about to tee off over at Country Club of the South with Donald Fehr as the players were about to strike. Just curious if anyone else remembers that period. All that being said…I think the players should get all they can if someone is willing to pay it. Fair market value I just have trouble with the way he handled it I suppose.
By Steve-O
March 24, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Efrim- I live in NY, and got the extra innings package last year. I got every game that wasnt on ESPN or TBS. the Mets games were blacked out, but I just watched them on SNY.
By Blake Penno
March 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
STRETCH
Your in Pensacola also? I don’t have dish, so I can’t say much about the extra innings package, but I love the mlb.tv online package. My plasma has a computer monitor hook up, so I just sit back and watch every game on the couch like I did when I lived in the ATL area.
By BlueDevilCBW
March 24, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Is it reasonable to assume that Cox will keep 12 pitchers again?
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Being a Braves fan and all, is it wrong to cheer against Tyler Yates? I am conflicted. I don’t wish harm on anyone personally or career wise, but I do not want Yates in the pen, especially over someone like Boyer or Ring.
By Interested Observer
March 24, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
I’ve never understood why the Braves value Corky Miller more than Pena as a back-up catcher. It sounds like several catcher-needy teams are interested in Pena. I doubt many of them are beating down the door to get Corky.
By Pete H.
March 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I admired Glavine for his union rep work. It would have been easy to let someone else do it; he already had HIS money, but he held out for the young kids who weren’t likely to make the big bucks. The vast majority, the vast-vast majority, of players never even sniff the big bucks or a pension or much more than a weekly paycheck and some meal money.
Glavine has always been a class act and I am very happy to have him back, even if it is only for a year.
By StingerSplash
March 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks to Chipper, the Braves have been spared the ignominy of being no-no’ed in Grapefruit League. Usually the only time “no no” is said down there is when one of the players’ breaks his line and pole when trying to reel in a bass in the afternoon.
By Christy
March 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Please, no more Glavine bashing. it’s been done to death here and IMHO it’s unfair. If it hadn’t been Tommy, it would have been someone else on the team assigned that role. Would all Glavine haters be as unhappy if it was Smoltz who had represented the players during the strike years? Before you say no, think about it and be fair. Glavine had a duty and if you ask the players, he did right by them. If they say otherwise, then we as fans can gripe. If they support his role in the strike then we have to blame all the players.
Glavine gave us great years and Atlanta’s only World Series to date.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy Opening Day. It’s Spring. new beginnings for everyone, and that should include Glavine…
By Bobby Cool
March 24, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
DOB You problaly answer this question , but If you know what Javy lopez going to do now that he is retired, If he has a Business in the Atlanta Area? I know much of this Player when retired there already have investment.
By Brad
March 24, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I may be biased, but I think the Braves have the most talent 1-25 in the entire NL East. I’d like to know the team’s take on this. At times it felt like a huge gap last season, but we were really never that far away from the Phils and Mets. What’s the most critical thing to look for this season that will determine whether the Braves win the division?
By STRETCH
March 24, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
BLAKE PENNO,
Thanks for the info, i have DISH network, tried that but in the end i didnt see ANY baseball. The NBA packages were great, but MLB? I got NOTHIN. So im gonna go with the MLB.TV online…sounds promising.
By Chop Chop
March 24, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I’ll get all the games outside of the Peachtree TV ones. I apparently wouldn’t be able to get those 45 games even if I had MLB Extra Innings or MLB.TV. Gotta love living in Braves territory and not in the metro Atlanta area, right?
I don’t know if anyone else has done this, but here are some games that you will miss if you are unable to see the Peachtree TV games:
The home opener against the Pirates.
Six (that’s right, SIX) of nineteen games against the Mets.
Eight (yes, I said EIGHT) of nineteen games against the Phillies, including three of their final six September games.
Three of six games against the Cubs this year, including two of three at Wrigley. What a joke.
Five straight games (3 vs. Marlins, 2 vs. Phils) from June 3-7.
Two three-game runs: June 19-21 (1 vs. Rangers, 2 vs. Mariners); July 3-5 (1 vs. Phils, 2 vs. Astros)
While it’s true that I’m lucky to able to watch the Braves without having to purchase MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, I submit that losing more than a quarter of my favorite team’s games without recourse is a crappy proposition. I guess I’ll get reacquainted with my radio in 2008.
By Stuart
March 24, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does this team still strikeout a ton?
By ObiWanKobe
March 24, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
DOB, How about Kendry Morales of the Angels? Looks like Scott Shields is going to go on the DL. They have other bullpen issues as well as their best 2 starters on the DL. They might be in a place where they have to make a deal even if it isn’t for equal value. They expect to be a contender and don’t want to tank the begining of the season. Any thoughts?
By AdirondackDave
March 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Brad —- Sometimes I think the Braves do have the best 1-25 but not when we have games like today. I’m not sure we’ll miss Andruw’s Ks and DPs but how can we not miss his defense? It’s not just center but he also had a positive impact on left and right and maybe the middle infielders as well. Time will tell, but I’m concerned.
By loafer
March 24, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Give me abreak….Glavine the Met in the home opener. I paid $150 a seat to see that traitor pitch for us. How the heck am I gonna boo him if he’s pitching for us. He’ll get bombed out in two innings anyway then I can boo him off the mound. I’d rather see on eof the new guys.
By DCbrave
March 24, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Oh well, on a day like this when you were almost perfected upon and striked out 11 times, the only thing we could say is this is only spring training. The good thing is that we are not gonna see these guys again until in Oct.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 24, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
The Braves will carry twelve pitchers. Cox has already said as much.
The roster will look like this.
1.Five starters.
2.Seven arms in the bullpen.
4.Four outfielders.
5.Seven infielders.
By NY Jay
March 24, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Does any Brave fan think that the loss of A. Jones will alter the pitching philosophy?
Kotsay, Francouer, and Diaz in the outfield isn’t exactly ideal in terms of defense.
The infield is very good if not the best in the NL defensively but I wonder if a pitcher will take a chance on throwing a belt high fastball now that they know Andruw isn’t there to outrun a rope up the gap to make a catch.
On top of that I also wonder if Cox will play his corner outfielders a little more toward the gaps to help Kotsay.
So here’s the question to any who wants to debate it;
Will the Brave outfielders hurt the pitching staff?
If so then would you rather have Jordan in CF and batting eighth because he can play defense or keep Kotsay and see what happens by the All-Star break?
Keep in mind, two dynamic players in the NL East, Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins, played their first season providing defensive stability at their position while providing little offensive impact.
By Steve McP
March 24, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
chop chop - my dish network gets WGN which is a Chicago channel that gets the Cubbies, so you might get those games at least.
By 22oz
March 24, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Well, that game is mercifully over. Errors, no hitting, poor defense, not too good of pitching. I think the only bright spot was Yates, which probably further complicates the bullpen picture.
By Wayne in Utah
March 24, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Can Lofton play any first base? I would see him on the Braves, only if we were keeping 5 outfielders. His value would be more in the ocassional start, or a modified platoon with Diaz.
I think Kenny will be available for another month or so….just a guess.
By Kevin
March 24, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Hopefully they got a game like this out of their system before the season started. Jake Westbrook is not that good.
By DAP
March 24, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
so i guess peachtree didnt work out a deal with any cable channels to broadcast some of the games in the southeast?
supposedly, they were working on something like this, no? like a simulcast or something?
that ticks me right off. at least they will be on the radio, though…
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
March 24, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Considering the backup catcher will catch no more than one game on most weeks I don’t know why Corky Miller would be picked over B. Pena. Yes, Miller’s defense is a lot better but it is the backup job. Pena is a better hitter and more versatile. If Pena is traded, I hope the Braves get something good for him and I think he will become one of those players that can blossom if just given the chance to play.
By Chop Chop
March 24, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I don’t have a dish (Dish Network or DirecTV) and I don’t get WGN through my cable system. As a kid, I used to get WGN down here in Albany, GA. I’d come home from school and watch what was left of Cubs’ home games. WGN hasn’t been carried on Mediacom (or any other cable provider) in my area in at least 15 years.
Long story short, I’m not going to pay more money for a dish to get a couple of games that I’m getting screwed out of seeing.
(Don’t worry. I have cheese to go with my whine.)
By Pete H.
March 24, 2008 4:07 PM |