AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USImagine a Furcal-Escobar DP combo….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don’t know if it’s worth cranking out a new blog before this early Sunday afternoon ballgame, but we’ll give it a go and let the comment volume answer that question.
In other words, let’s get a lot more of that good Braves/MIB discourse going here today.
And I’ll start by asking what you think of this idea: The Braves should re-sign Rafael Furcal as a free agent after this season. That suggestion was made to me by someone connected to the Braves (I’ll leave it at that; not going to tell you whether it was a player, coach, team official, etc). And it made me think.
And I gotta say, much as I like Kelly Johnson’s potential as a hitter, the thought of Furcal and Yunel Escobar as a double-play combo and 1-2 combo at the top of the order is … well, wow.
Yes, your leadoff problem would be solved for, say, three years, if you could get Furcal to accept another contract as short as the one he signed with the Dodgers when he left Atlanta.
And you would have the best, most entertaining double-play combination in baseball with Furcal and Escobar at second base and shortstop, whichever way you want to arrange it.
It would probably cost you more than $15 million per for Furcal, but I have a very strong suspicion the Braves aren’t going to pay $20 mill a year for Teixeira. So “Fookie” could be your big-ticket free agent. Give him $16-17 mill a year, if that’s what it takes.
(And if it takes $16-17 mill to sign Furcal, you can bet that will be a marketplace that will guarantee $22 mill or more for Tex, in a longer deal, at least six years.)
Furcal’s worth it, long as you can keep it to three seasons, with perhaps a fourth-year option. The Braves have the money. Spend on him and a starting pitcher next winter. That’s all. Add another $10-15 mill to next year’s payroll and you’re there.
Furcal, 30, is hitting .409 with five doubles, two homers, seven RBI, 15 runs and a .500 on-base percentage. Not bad. And he’s got an absolute cannon for an arm, he disrupts pitchers with his speed on the basepaths, and he’s a great presence who gets along with everyone from every nationality and brings energy to a clubhouse.
The cons to such a move? Obviously, the Braves would still have to find a first baseman. But they’re easier to find than a leadoff man/middle infielder in the prime of his career, who loves Atlanta and the Braves.
I don’t think Tyler Flowers could be ready to play first base next season for the Braves, so that’s probably not a serious option. But the Braves have got plenty of trade pieces that other teams want, a surplus of young outfielders and middle infielders that are serious prospects, and all of them can’t play here.
And obviously, if they planned to pursue Furcal, it would mean that Kelly Johnson would be expendable. And there are plenty of teams that would love to have Johnson. So there’s another potential big trade piece.
All I’m saying is, there are players/prospects you could deal to find a first baseman if you went into the offseason with that as a targeted position to fill. Frank Wren is a very creative GM; he could make that happen.
I don’t think Chipper Jones has any interest in moving to first base, and the way he’s playing the Braves would be crazy to ask him to do something he didn’t feel good about. So forget that as an option.
But here’s my own idea, and let me know what you think: Simply move Kelly over to first base. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a great second baseman, and he certainly has the athleticism to play first. And the power to be a 25-homer guy. I like his bat too much to move him (and he’s affordable for several years).
Kelly is a very good hitter with the potential to be a great hitter. If I were the Braves, I’d start planning now to move him to first base to take over for Tex. And I’d start feeling out Furcal and his agent about the possibility of coming home.
Folks, with Furcal, Escobar and Chipper in the first three spots in your lineup, you’d have the potential to have one of the most dynamic teams in the league. And like I said, the double-play combo would be worth the price of admission, with those two covering more ground than any other middle-infield pair in the league and possessing the best two infield arms in all of baseball, gunning down runners from everwhere. Think about it.
Now write your congressman and make it happen.
OK, let’s play ball. It’s Sunday and it’s beautiful out here at Turner Field and the Braves are going for a sweep of Andruw and Los Dodgers. As I said on the other blog, Gregor Blanco is back in left field for the third consecutive game against a right-hander.
And Bobby Cox acknowledged this morning that it could be a platoon situation emerging. If so, Matt Diaz sure didn’t get much time to prove himself as an every-day player.
This was not a good time for Diaz to struggle, though he’s always been a slow starter in April, as we discussed a few days ago here. I’m guessing Bobby will just play Prado while he’s got a hot bat, but that it won’t be a straight platoon. At least not yet.
But we’ll see.
The Earle is in town: We’re going to see Steve Earle tonight at the Variety Playhouse, with his talented and beautiful wife Allison Moorer on the same bill.
Steve once famously said, “Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that!”
Well, I don’t know that anyone’s better than Dylan. Ever. But Steve and Townes are definitely in the conversation. Right now, this one’s particularly good for me:
”GOODBYE’S ALL WE’VE GOT LEFT TO SAY” by Steve Earle
I could tell it when I woke up this mornin’
‘cause i can smell it when a heartache’s comin’
Not that i’m in such a hurry to lose you
I’d call you up but there’s nothin’ that I can do
Talkin’ won’t do any good anyway
‘cause goodbye’s all we’ve got left to say
I don’t think that it’ll get any better
So maybe you could just write me a letter
And i could open it up when I’m stronger
Another ten or twelve years, maybe longer
Guess I just don’t feel much like bad news today
Goodbye’s all we’ve got left to say
Don’t try to call me ‘cause i’m takin’ my phone out
‘cause if it rings, i’ll know what it’s about
And don’t you worry ‘bout me ‘cause i’m alright
Maybe you’ll run into me somewhere, some night
And if you do just keep goin’ your way
Goodbye’s all we’ve got left to say
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Comments
By Kevin
April 20, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Is anyone elses tbs blacked out?
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
As much as I would love to see the lil guy (fookie) back with the Braves, I am also not a fan of shelling out 40-50 mil over 3 years for a lil guy who is prone to running into big guys (Andruw)….and he is’nt getting any younger….
By Epinephrine
April 20, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
DOB, I like the idea. KJ has the ability to get the job done for as a lead off hitter, but he definitely isn’t naturally suited to the role. He’d be more effective as a guy knocking runners in at the 7 spot.
But as a first baseman-maybe it could work, but it’d be asking an awful lot of KJ.
Perhaps instead, we could move Kelly back to left field. No it doesn’t solve first base. For that, though, we could maybe sign a Frank Thomas as a stop gap for a year, or perhaps move Kotsay to first. Then Blanco, Hernandez, or Schafer could take over center.
If we make the playoffs and attendance goes up, maybe pressure to resign Tex increases. Then we could have Schafer or Blanco leading off, and still push KJ back to 7th.
By FEAR
April 20, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
pretty good ideas
By Horner 82
April 20, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
1st
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
corky….catch and throw guy, good jump or not by fookie, his throw was nowhere near the bag…
By Philliesuk
April 20, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
DOB, like the idea. But I would prefer trading Kelly than moving him to 1st base. I would rather see more of a power hitter over on the right side and a true clean-up hitter.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
corky….catch and throw guy, good jump or not by fookie, his throw was nowhere near the bag…
By Kozzie13
April 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
It’s on SportSouth too
By chase
April 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Game is on SS………
You make some good points DOB
BUT it has been sooooo long since the Braves have had a consistant power-hitting first baseman..that I would really hate seeing a young star like TEX leave over a few million dollars either way…
Would you really rather give FURCAL 16-17 million at his age than give TEX 20 million at his age and potential???????
I say NO WAY!
Especially when you are going to make someone unhappy moving to second base!
Remember CHIPPER has only a few years left and AJ is gone…TEX could anchor the middle of the lineup for a long time…
I’m not against bringing FURCAL back, moving Kelly back to the outfield, and keeping TEX..But I would not take FURCAL over TEX
By DAP
April 20, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
DOB i like your idea as long as it does not involve trading kelly. move kelly to first, or move chipper to first(not gonna happen) and put escobar at third.
if we dont resign tex, we basically have alot of money left to sign pitchers. there arent many other 1st baseman out there, and we are pretty well stocked at other positions.
i dont see the braves getting a middle infielder, i see themm getting a 1st baseman, left fielder, and/or pitching.
By Randy S
April 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Yup, Bravos are on SportSouth and blacked-out on TBS. The Braves are blacked-out in Atlanta on TBS. Feels weird.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Well, seems so. The p2p stream (which I think is also the TBS feed) is not working either……
By DAP
April 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
overlord i have no idea how you can misconstrue chuck’s start yesterday to show he isnt pitching well. he pitched well yesterday. face it.
hes not a great pitcher, but hes good enough to win games in the majors.
5 innings, 4 hits, 1 run. he kept us right in it, and we won it, thanx to him.
By chase
April 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Guys…JAIR IS HE REAL DEAL from what I’ve seen so far
By Steve C.
April 20, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Gotta say as much as I like Furcal, I don’t like this idea at all. I would much rather hope the Braves could find a way to spend a little more and keep Tex, an overall better hitter and in his prime as well. Plus, if you spend that money on Furcal, what do you do with that gaping hole at clean-up?
By Philliesuk
April 20, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I also think $16 mil would be way too high for a player of Furcal’s caliber.
Two other thoughts…if the Braves are thinking about bringing up Schafer/Hernandez next season, then we don’t have a need for a leadoff hitter. Also, I think the Braves would be a much better team with Tex rather than Furcal (given what we have right now, of course).
By bravesfan
April 20, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
DOB why would they give Furcal 17 million a year, and not give Teixeira 20 million? Just a difference of 3 million dollars…
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
It didn’t take long to lose my loyalty to TBS. I didn’t make it through the top of the first before I changed over to Sports South to listen to Boog. Sort of like I wouldn’t trade Kotsay for AJ.
By bruce
April 20, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Dave, May I suggest a second Rafael for the infield, this one at first base, saw him play last night: Barbaro Rafael Canizares
By MEB
April 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Kevin… my screen is black as well on TBS. I am receiving the game on SportSouth with Boog and Joe on the mic. I don’t know what’s up with the broadcast today.
GO BRAVES!!!
By richie
April 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
DOB, that would be nice to have Fookie back. However, hasn’t always said he wants to only play SS, instead of 2B?
By hk
April 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
… ‘MVP’ (Runs + HR’s + RBI’s) … through yesterday … http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/mvp08a.htm
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
grrrrrrrr, on the one day the game is at 7 pm for me, the streams die!! And missing out on JJ as well, sucks!
DOB Sounds like a plan. At least trying to get furcal. Not so sure about the Kelly-1b idea. Maybe smarter to do a good trade for a good prospect on 1b (no idea who though……)
By TJ
April 20, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
DOB, $15 mil for Furcal? You’re too impressed with his hot start!
In 2007, KJ had a much higher OBP (.375 to .333), a hugely higher SLG PCT (.457 to .355), more doubles, more triples, more home runs, and more runs scored (in less at bats).
Plus, Furcal had an OBP over .375 once (in his rookie season); he’s never had a .457 slg, never hit 16 HR, all of which Kelly did in his first full season.
Furcal can be exciting and can steal some bases, but he’s just not that good.
In 2009, the Braves’ leadoff hitter will be Jordan Schafer, Gorkys Hernandez, or Brent Lillibridge. Whichever one it is, will be making the major league minimum.
Anyway, I know you’re just goofing around with this… I would think SS is about the last position the Braves are likely to spend money on.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Dodgers pitcher is gunna give our guys some trouble 1st or 2nd time through the order, just seems like one of those pitchers that is tough on us, here’s hoping JJ can keep it close for our offense to figure that guy out
By McFann
April 20, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Glad Escobar was there to catch that throw from Corky. Sheesh…
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’ll tell you what I think is crazy. You’ve already given Tex $20M a year with Andruw type numbers. I could see it with Chippers’ stats, but YOU ARE CORRECT IN THAT HE WILL GET IT. That’s what is crazy. The game will continue to get less competitive as these figures continue to rise. I just hope the Braves can continue to hang on to the upper level payroll teams and never join the teams who have no chance,
By chase
April 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Another thing…if the Braves didn’t pay Furcal to stay before when he was a few years younger..why would they pay him even more to come back now?
17 million to a 30+ year old SS when you already have ESCOBAR or 20 million for a switch hitting 27 year old 1st baseman who hits 40 HRs a year and bats 4th…seems pretty clear to me!
By JasonInMaine
April 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I would LOVE to see Furcal back. It would be interesting to see who they would ask to play 2nd…probably Escobar? It would certainly make the offense more dynamic and give Bobby a few more options.
By bravesfan
April 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is hitting the gun at 95-96 consistently…wow!
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Terrific play by Tex, who looked like a Gold Glover there with that leaping stab…
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Wow, if you cut that blast by Dewitt up into pieces, you’d have two, maybe three bunts in front of the plate.
As for Furky and Yunel, imagine the money we’d spend for padding in Kelly’s glove. Every throw would be like catching a cannonball.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 20, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
I’d rather pay Tex, not only because he’s younger and less likely to have his skills decline over the course of his next contract, but because we gave up five freakin’ prospects to get him. It would be really, really tough to see all the players the Braves gave up to get Tex still with the Rangers while Tex is in pinstripes or something.
By MEB
April 20, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
DOB… I would rather pursue Tex to retain a power-hitting first baseman that is the consumate clean-up hitter. I’m of the opinion that KJ is more than adequate at second. If we are unable to keep Tex than pitching must be our priority with our cash surplus. I think we have enough talent in the wings to keep our offense very potent. I do like Mark Kotsay and retaining his experiance and leadership only makes our team stronger.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Great catch by Tex, tex has 2 inches on KJ…would KJ of saved us a run there….lil fun to make believe, personally I don’t see KJ occupying 1B for us, than again I never saw the Braves before June of last year making a deal for Tex
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan and Chase: $17 mill is the absolute highest I’d even consider going with Furcal. But by the same token, $20 mill is about the lowest that I can see Tex signing for. Depends where market goes. But if Furcal gets $17 mill per, I’d bet that Tex will get $22 mill per, and in a much longer contract. Tex will get at least six years.
I’d make Furcal a three-year, $45 mill offer.
By Yars
April 20, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Would KJ want to move to 1B? That is what I wonder if he were to be asked.
By chase
April 20, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
DOB
Your article is thought provoking BUT…IF me or someone else on here had suggested it..WE’D BE RIPPED UNMERCIFALLY!!!!
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
anyone else cringe when Corky was announced, be honest
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Just doing by preview thing for Nationals two-game set. Hudson couldn’t have hand-picked a better team to bounce back against than tomorrow’s tilt with the Nats.
He’s 6-1 with a 1.11 ERA in 10 career starts against them, including 5-0 with a 0.80 ERA in five since the beginning of the 2007 season and 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two this season.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I like your ideas, there pretty good, but I still think the Braves can and have to resign Texeira. Otherwise it will be another dumb trade like the one for JD Drew. And Tex deserves the 20 million, and with Hamptons contract coming to an end, the braves will have the flexibility to sign tex.
Furcal is a tremendous player, but there is no way I give him 15 million, max i give him 10, because he is injury frenzy. And Kelly is not big enough to play first, if we were to sign furcal and tex(no way that is possible but it doesn’t hurt to dream about it) I will move kelly to left field which is a position he already knows how to play, and if he were to struggle against lefty’s we can platoon him with Matt Diaz.
Tom Glavine Im 90 percent sure he is going to retire after this season, that makes 7.5million available, Tex is paid 12.5million right now you add that and its 20 million, thats done. And there is 14 million available to get a starting pitcher left by Hampton who is in his last year of his contract.
By chase
April 20, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
CORKY + KOTSAY = 2 SURE OUTS
How do all you Kotsay lovers feel now? Kotsay hits into MORE DPs than AJ..If FRENCHY had been at first that last AB that would’ve been another DP!
So far AJ has had the better series of the 2 and that is bad considering he has struck out like 4 times
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I think there is almost zero chance Tex is coming back. Both the Mets and the Yanqis have nothing but warm bodies at first, their most glaring weakness, and both have the cash to WAY outbid us for Tex. And he is going to take the best offer, no question.
So now is the time to start thinking about what to do once he’s gone. I’m not sure Furky is the best alternative, but it’s not a bad idea.
We’ve got a few good 1B options in the minors, but they’re kinda far away right now. This move would be rather cheap and would certainly give us some production while we wait for the young guys.
By David
April 20, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
furcal’s speed is nice, and the double play combo would be amazing. personally though i like kelly better at leadoff because his potential kills furcal’s average and on base percentage over the years. rafeal was an inconsitant hitter though most of his time with us. although i must say he’s started this season on fire. i really do think the johnson gives us a whole lot more depth to the lineup.
By Bowie
April 20, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
No way I’d Sign Furcal over Tex. Furcal and 16 million? NO!!!and if so I’d rather give up 3 more million for Tex. I’m Not crazy about Fookie or Kelly. Keep what we got if we can and get LF and pitchers.
By eric the elder
April 20, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Brian Jordan said today that players don’t play for the fans - - they should just play for themselves.
In light of that, a Furcal-Escobar middle infield might be worth the price of admission, but maybe that’s not relevant.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
boog and joe are saying jurjens only has two pitches…fastball-changeup.
i thought jurjens was fastball(sinker)-slider-changeup…? it looks like he also has a backup fastball that tails in to righties…so what are these guys talking about?
By McFann
April 20, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
anyone else cringe when Corky was announced, be honest * Fsubravefan10*
I’ll be honest: YES!!
Dude. As much as I don’t want to not like Corky, I just don’t like to see him in that situation…
By chase
April 20, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
DOB
Even IF TEX requires 22 MIL and FURCAL gets 17 MIL…To me (and most people) that is still a no-brainer!
Who cares if TEX’s contract is 5 years..HE’s only 27 years old!
Remember that Hampton’s 15-18 mil is off the books at the end of the year..add 2-4 to that and you could basically trade Hampton’s salary for Tex’s with only a slight increase
Then use the rest of your cash to go after a couple of arms…
With other young middle infeilders in the system and Schaefer/Anderson who could lead off..it doesn’t seem smart to make FURCAL the Braves’ highest paid player!
By Gator
April 20, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Way to blog Mr. Obrien. Although very uncharacteristic of your usually conservative view. I don’t see Furcal coming back being unrealistic but a salary over about 12 million per would definitely be.
My 2010 lineup: Furcal ss, Escobar 2b, Jones 3b, McCann c, Francouer rf, Johnson 1b, Heyward lf, Schafer cf
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
I’m on radio duties now and it sounds like JJ is doing well? Even picking up a full count and nearly getting his first hit:)
Go Braves!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
O’Brien, going after Furcal isn’t a bad idea.
However, I wouldn’t give up on resigning Teixeira just yet.
Ya’ll stop griping about Corky Miller, maybe he can’t hit, but the rest of his game is outstanding.
Besides, McCann has to have a day off.
Go Braves, bust out the brooms today !
By Hampton Update
April 20, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton was able to take a shower this morning. Trainer Jeff Porter and pitching coach Roger MacDowell looked on as Hampton worked the soap for about twenty minutes. “Things were going really well until I realized I was out of conditioner” Hampton said. MacDowell reported that “he looked good, real clean.”
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
DAP i never said Chuck didnt pitch well, i clearly said he pitched OK, my point was, 1 good outing against a team thats struggling offensively is not enough to convince, at least not me, that he is back to his good chuckie form of 2006.
Dont take me wrong. I will always support 90% of our players, and nothing would make me happier than knowing Chuck is back to reality and that we can once again count on him.
My other point is that is i had to choose between bennett and chuck, right now i would go jeff 100 out of 100.
DOB I would have to applaud you on your point about Furcal for next year. Of course i think by far our best option is to get TEX back if possible. But getting furcal as an offensive weapon to make up for the TEX loss is a great plan B. And even if i dont like KJ play this season, moving him to 1st and bat him 6th behinf jeff and brian would also be very very promising. And in that way we save some millions to get better SP.
By DAHope
April 20, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Hey Dave, 1st time blogger, longtime reader. How would you feel about the Braves dealing for Kevin Youkilous(Sp?) from Boston as a Replacement for Tex?
By Im
April 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I dont think yall are getting the main problem with signing tex. Yeah, we might be able to free up enough money to sign him, but the big question is whether or not its worth tying up 20-25% of your limited team salary in one player for 6+ years. That said, I hope the braves sign him, but I dont know if the front office will be able to rationalize giving 1/4 of the team salary to one guy.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
If FRENCHY had been at first that last AB that would’ve been another DP!
less than 2 outs runner in scoring position, Kotsay hit the ball to the rightside to move frenchy over…a smart baseball move, he made a productive out, but I guess if I never played above t-ball I would not of realized that either
By DAP
April 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
chase thats because andruw strikes out alot. kotsay is a contact hitter, which lends itself to hitting into double plays.
everyone, what do you think about the braves extending hudson after this season? his contract is up after ‘09, right? or does he have an option? anyways, we know we will need pitching, why not lock him up for another two or three years before he is a free agent again?
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
furcal and escobar at the middle would lead the majors in double plays. They both have basucas in there arms.
By terry p.
April 20, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
We’ve got to continue. We have our teeth into the jugular, and we need to keep it there.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
FSUbravefan10: At least one in the pressbox cringed. Schultz, sitting next to me.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
kelly has another walk, he is beginning to going back to his old self getting that on base percentage up.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
chase dont be absurd. No matter what, AJ makes me sicker than Kotsay. At least Mark looks like he is trying and at times looks like he is coming out of it. With AJ, you just know your season is doomed. He will not hit above .200 again this year. Take that to the bank. And dont be surprised if traded and LA pays some of his salary.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Chase, who said anything about five years for Tex? I said at least six years. Probably seven.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
over/under Tex making 25 million next yr, I’m taking the over, good fielding, smart hitters with power don’t grow on trees.
By Wayne in Utah
April 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I think 15 million is too much for Furcal. 10-12 maybe? I like (and have suggested several times) Kelly to first. I have always thought if Tex doesn’t stay (and I don’t think he will), KJ might end up at first or third.
My thoughts are to hope that Lillibridge comes around, one of our quick CF’ers steps forward, and we spend the Tex money on pitching.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
TEX has a 5 game hitting streak….. 1 more and Ill declare him back to live.
By reddawg
April 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
You need to stay away from the brownies.
By Wide Right
April 20, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I love the idea of getting Furcal back but I just don’t see it as a practical move unless you could get Chipper to play first or left again. We already know Yunel played a good 3b as a rookie…i think he could be a great defensive 3b. But Yunel won’t play second. I remember he wasn’t even considered for the spot after Giles left. That puts Fookie at 2b. And I defer to the experts but for me thats like signing Andruw and putting him in left? You’d end up paying for that golden arm and wasting it. I mean…Luis Castillo would be an equally if not better defensive 2b than Furcal. Yes, furcal is a good leadoff hitter but we all know he can have long stretches as a offensive liability. He commands 15MM a year because he is a great defensive SS…and I think that pos. is Yunel’s
By Risingstar
April 20, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
This is the first time I’m watching Blanco on tv and when he appears on the screen suddenly an image comes to my mind, he looks like a young roberto alomar playing on a blue jays uniform, I know that roberto was an infielder but Blanco has something that makes me remember Alomar
Let’s hope Blanco becomes on an excellent and profesional player as Roberto did
By Greg in TN
April 20, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Afternoon ladies and gents…
As triple-J begins work on inning number four at the Ted, possibly under the watchful eye of Jurrjen’s Surgeons, DOB gives us food for thought on a Sunday matinée blog.
While the thought of having a Escobar-Furcal DP combination up the middle is indeed intriguing, I’ve never been on the Furcal bandwagon in terms of his approach to hitting in the lead off position.
There are some guys in the NL that have good pop off their bat in the one hole, in fact, there are two good examples of that in the NL East in Hanley Ramirez in FLA and Jimmy Rollins in Philly. Furcal goes through stretches where all he seems to want to do is hit the ball out of the ballpark and ends up either striking out or popping out to the infield. Speed at the top of the order is absolutely useless to a team when you’re only showcasing it on the jog back to the dugout and I wouldn’t be comfortable shelling out the kind of money he’ll want for more of the same.
Chipper should stay at third, period. He has no interest moving to first and I have said before that I believe that moving to first isn’t in his or the team’s best interest in terms of the footwork required there and the toll it would take on his feet, which have been problematic for him in the past.
Looks like Tex is starting to heat up, an RBI single puts the good guys up early.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
DOB was it him walking to the plate, the soul patch, or the pathetic effort at showing off his pudgy legs with the stirrups rockin’…
By Father Guido Sarducci
April 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
They both have basucas in there arms…
I think you mean they have basilicas in “there” arms. English, she is a funny language. No?
By MEB
April 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
The Pope is taking the mound at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks will do anything to beat the Red Sox.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
If Kotsay is a sure out, then what KJ is???
And agree…… How could you hit into a DP is you strike out every single AB??????
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 20, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Some guys don’t get the credit they deserve.As I watched Chipper stroke yet another hit with smarts,guts and a near perfect swing one of those forgotten guys came to mind.So with deep appreciation I wish to thank…Todd Van Popple..thank you,thank you,thank you.
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Chase, are you serious about Kotsay being an automatic out? Or was that a joke?
As others pointed out, you have to actually HIT the ball to hit into a DP. It helps to have at least one runner on as well, something the Dodgers haven’t been all that great at.
I know that was perhaps a bit too much “inside baseball” for some here, but looking at one stat and somehow turning that into a judgment of a player is really grade-school.
As in, Dave Kingman hits a lot of homers, he’s a great player.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
overlord i never said Chuck didnt pitch well, i clearly said he pitched OK,
ok, but a direct quote from your post on the last blog:
James??? AJ homered against him, that should tell you how bad he is pitching, at least right now.
so im sure how you can see how i misunderstood.
james pitched well yesterday, although it was not against an offensivly hot team. they were major leaguers, though. i couldnt be happier about what chuck did yesterday. and my point: your just wrong about chuck pitching bad yesterday. he didnt.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
DAP , The Braves and Tim Hudson have a mutual option for the 2010 season at 12 million. I would not concern myself about Tim Hudson until after the 2010 season.
By nolie
April 20, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
I’d vote no on Fookie. I like the little guy and he can be exciting, but stolen bases do not have enough effect on scoring to pay him $15 mil a year no matter how many years.
I believe that Tex isn’t coming back for less than $22 mil more than likely, so we need to get a good young starter and a cleanup hitter to replace Tex. Kelly at any position is not a cleanup hitter, nor is anyone else on the roster. The minors do not have available prospect in the near future either.
JJ looks good so far today.
By nolie
April 20, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Damn. As soon as I send that compliment about JJ, BOOM!. Bah.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
grrr…it was to be expected to get a HR on his pitching, but hate it anyway. Specially on a 1-2 count… But it still sounds (:)!) like a good game to watch guys.
Go Braves!!
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Fsubravefan10, I think it was the rockin’ of the stirrups.
By ncgary
April 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
why not sign tex to a creative 7 yr contract with big signing low annual first 3 yr big raises 4-7 and unload before he is 10/5average of 7 yrs could even be 25 million as long as someone else is the one paying 30 and 35 for his last 2 yrs
By Matt in Athens
April 20, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I’d love to have Furcal back, but when you have as cheap and effective a DP combo (at least offensively) as KJ and Yunel, why spend $15-17 million there?
Other places after this season where that money could come in handy (I’ll omit Tex if you really think he’s gone):
By TJ
April 20, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Sorry, DOB, I honestly thought you were kidding. You know the Braves and baseball better than I do, but I think $15 mil a year (times 3) for a 31-year-old league-average hitting SS (and moving him or another SS to 2B) is simply a terrible idea. On a team with a $100 mil payroll, and all kinda depth at middle infield… well, more so.
If it was Hanley Ramirez I could see it. But Furcal just ain’t all that.
If the Braves have $15 mil to spend, it should be spent on pitching, corner outfield, corner infield.
By WrathofRussNixon
April 20, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Youkilis is not going to be dealt. He is batting .366 with 12 RBIs. Although he will not continue on that clip (102 RBIs and over 200 hits), he is only making only 3 million a year. I don’t know anything about the farm, but who could you trade that we would find expendable going forward? Further, which major league ready talent would we trade for him now.
Youk leaves much to be desired if he was on our team, primarily because he has hit only 38 home runs in 3+ years of service time.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 20, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
DOB, very interesting thoughts about re-signing Furcal. I would hope that Atlanta would plan to put him at 2b and let Escobar continue to excel at SS, his natural position.
I don’t really know about moving KJ to 1st. I know that he’s getting better at 2nd base defensively, but I’d say he’s a fair fielder at best. How would he fare at 1st base, being involved in every play on the infield as well as digging balls out of the dirt? I know that he has 25-hr potential, but if Furcal takes over at 2nd, I would hope that they’d look into having someone who is more of a power threat at 1st. Might be better to trade KJ for a starting pitcher if they’re looking at Furcal…
By chase
April 20, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
DOB
Even if TEX is 6-7 years he would only be 33-34 years old at the end!
FSUBravefan10
Excuse me brother but NO..when Kotsay hit that ball with Frenchy at 2nd there were it made the Braves have 2 OUTS not 1..
you only are conscerned about getting a runner to third WITH LESS THAN 2 OUTS! Otherwise it doesn’t matter cause it is most likely gonna take a hit to score him anyway!
Coach LGB
Excuse me but you said lay off Corky he’s not much of hitter but THE REST OF HIS GAME IS GREAT ?????????
Are you forgetting that he had TWO PASSED balls in that game against the Pirates that cost braves some runs, he hasn’t thrown anyone out yet, and has an error…not to mention he just dropped a strike that was right down the middle!
yeah..the rest of his game is “Great” indeed!
By DAP
April 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
coach thanx for the info. what a great signing THAT has turned out to be, hunh?
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
OK DAP you are right on that one, i hope i made myself clear now, sorry if i didnt express myself clear enough.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Miller looked so bad on that K. He was like 10 minutes late on that swing, come on, its not like LAs pitcher is hitting 110 mph.
By bRaVeS
April 20, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah, my TBS is blacked out too. The game is on SportSouth though.
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Dutchie: JJ is pitching very, very well, particularly for a 22 year old. We got a great deal getting this kid, plus Gorkys, the young CF who could be a big star some day. Just getting a reliable pitcher like Jair who doesn’t cost millions a year is a big plus for us.
By Randy S
April 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
The last Braves CF before Marquis Grissom to win the Gold Glove? (for those of us watching on SportSouth)
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Kotsay came into today hitting .252 and is tied for 2nd in the MLB for hitting into DPs..with 6 in 59 at bats!
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
insert KJ complaint now…
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Daybed, if they can afford to pay a 1B, then yes, trade for one. Just thinking about their needs, including another starter this winter, and wondering if they might need to save cash at 1B if they spent for the two I mentioned (Furcal and a starter).
TJ, average hitting SS? Oh, OK.
Throw out last year’s stats (he played hurt) and look at his year-by-year totals in doubles, homers, average, OBP, stolen bases … and tell me how he’s an “average” hitter.
By Milledgeville Man
April 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I dont think there is any way the Braves are going to be able to pay Tex next year. His agent is going to ask for at least 6 years and at least 25 million per IMO. The Yankees and Bo Sox have that in their loose change jars. For the Braves, thats like taking on a second mortgage.
In today’s economics, you have to be creative if you dont have the money. If we dont resign Tex, but use that money to bring in one or two bats dynamic bats(and they dont have to be mashers, just people who can give us quality at bats on a consistent basis) plus a starting pitcher thats a better use of money IMO. And we have still have some chips(G. Hernandez, Lillibridge, etc) that can be used to get pieces that fit.
But we also have great young talent everywhere, on the big league level and in the minors. So we might just need to bide our time, wait for Schafer, B. Jones, and Heyward to be ready, and then have something special and homegrown.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
corky is not having a great day. another bad throw, after striking out twice with runners on.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
In addition to “Kotsay’s Hot Gays” (guys in Daisy Dukes, muscle shirts exposing midrift, thin mustaches, and combat boots), how about “Corkey’s Porkys” (fat guys dressed like women reminiscent of those Red Skins fans) and “Chipper’s Strippers” (no description needed)? Would liven up the ballpark experience…
By roan st
April 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
I’m no fan of giving TEX 20 million because I simply don’t think he is that level of superstar. However, it would be asinine to give furcal 17 million and then let TEX walk. Hell if your going to give furcal 17 million we may as well cough up 20 for tex. I understand we would be great up the middle with defense but the area that needs the most attention for the braves next season will be starting pitching. The Braves must infuse more quality young arms into the starting rotation. The braves cannot continue to rely on 40 something pitchers to carry the team.
By bRaVeS
April 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Yeah, my TBS is blacked out too. The game is on SportSouth though.
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Chase
Would you rather have a hitter strikeout and leave a runner at 2nd, where with a base hit you have a play at the plate? Or would you rather he be able to jog home? As I said earlier he made a productive out, better than a popout or a strikeout.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
In addition to “Kotsay’s Hot Gays” (guys in Daisy Dukes, muscle shirts exposing midrift, thin mustaches, and combat boots), how about “Corkey’s Porkys” (fat guys dressed like women reminiscent of those Red Skins fans) and “Chipper’s Strippers” (no description needed)? Would liven up the ballpark experience…
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
So now the braves have 11 Errors and KJ has more than 33% of them. I know he is a middle IF, but thats just ridiculous.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Good first 5 innings by JJ. Hope he can keep it up for another 2, 3 more.
Guys, what’s going on with KJ? His 3rd, 4th error of the year allready?? Got away with it this time.
Now start batting, like yesterday! Get some runs for JJ!
Go Braves!
By TJ
April 20, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
TJ, average hitting SS? Oh, OK.
Well, his career numbers are .286/.351/.411. For an OPS+ of 96 (below average). He’s a good player, but not worth $15 mil. No way.
Like I said earlier, I think you’re way too impressed with his first 2 weeks.
As KJ goes deep…
By Bob
April 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Nice one by Kelly.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Chase
No no. Coach said the rest of his game was “outstanding”. Boy! What a stretch that was!! Haha…seriously, dude! You could make some good taffy…
How ‘bout that no doubter from Johnson?! Nice!
By Bob
April 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Nice one by Kelly.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
I’m telling you, Kelly’s got big-time offensive potential. And wouldn’t have to make as many backhanded plays as 1B….
By Steve C.
April 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Way to make up for the error KJ! Nice dinger…
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Overlord
You said: If Kotsay is a sure out then what is KJ*
Well in his last 20 ABs he has 2 HRs and 6 walks!
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
hahahaha! Anyone else want to commit an error and then hit a lead off dinger straight after??! I’m game!
Go Braves!
And yes PeteH, that’s Dutch for you….cheap as hell! ;)
By Justo
April 20, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
The braves just need to open the Check book grow some balls and sign Tex. Do not let that guy go to the mets.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Randy S dale murphy.
By Interested Observer
April 20, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
I ask this in all seriousness. Is Brayan Pena really that bad defensively behind the plate? I haven’t seen him play a lot but I don’t recall him being awful. Maybe the pitchers don’t like throwing to him..I don’t know.
But I think it makes it difficult for us to get a catcher-needy team to give us good value for Pena when the Braves are obviously against having him catch.
By Bravesfan79
April 20, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Tex is WELL worth the extra 3 or so million instead of having Furcal. Now i like Furcal, but dont think hes worth more than 10 mill/year max!
I remember watching Furcal very well, he thought he had power so started trying to hit everything out.
Furcal: master of the popup!
Id much rather pay that kinda money for Roy Holliday or Oswalt than a position player (unless its a Tex whos gonna give u Puljous type numbers)
17 mill/year for Furcal?? DOB you shouldnt drink so early in the morning my friend.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
By the way, Soriano still hasn’t thrown off mound, so I think we can forget seeing him at least until late in the week, though he’s eligible to come off DL Tuesday.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Tex would probably land with the Yankees before the Mets. I think deep down, most players would jump at the chance to play for the Yanks simply because of the history and mystique.
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
FSUbravefan10
Do you understand baseball?
It is only a “Productive out” via moving a runner over IF the runner is moved from 1st to 2nd with one out OR from 2nd to 3rd with one out!
If a runner is already at 2nd with one out then a HIT is all that really matters…
if moving them over mattered when you already have one out you’d see people sac bunting runners over to third with one out…come on man
and as we speak..Kotsay hits yet another ground ball to second with runners on base! Rally killer
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Chipper out of game. No announcement.
Looked like he might have tweaked a quadriceps on that slide at end of the double in the fifth. But not sure.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
That was smart managing by Joe Torre. Pitching around Tex and going after Francoeur.
Frenchy is driving me crazy, he just cannot keep his head on the ball and square up on the pitch.
Good job by KJ jumping on the first pitch fastball and driving it into the seats. 2-1 Braves.
Chipper is hurt and he has been that way for quit sometime. Hopefully the trainers can keep his bat in the lineup because he has been carrying the offense all season.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Chipper out???????? Im sick!!!!!!!
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 20, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Prado in at 3rd….
Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no…
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Roan St, one more time in a simple sentence you can understand: If Furcal commands $17 mill next winter, it will be a free-agent marketplace that will yield at least $22 mill a year for Teixeira. At least.
And Tex will probably get a deal of at least six years, possibly seven.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Yea baby ! that’s the Andruw Jones I know. 0-3 with three strike outs.
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Great a one run game and Chipper (our best player/hitter) leaves the game! Hope he is okay…seems like we are just trying to turn the corner
Milledgeville Man
Why would the Red Sox need TEX..don’t they have Big Poppi and Youkilous?
FSUbravesfan10
Frenchy would score on any single from second and it would’nt be a close play… can someone help explain “moving runners over” and “productive outs” to FSU?
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Typical AJ…. 3K afternoon. I sure dont miss that.
If KJ has potential, he sure aint showing it leading off.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
JJJ said of facing Andruw Jones: “It’ll be fun to strike him out.”
Andruw’s batting vs JJJ today: 0-3, 3 strikeouts.
Nice.
By Philliesuk
April 20, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Anybody still upset about the Renteria trade?
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan79, are you aware that Furcal is in the final year of a three-year, $39 mill contract now?
That’s $13 mill a year. If he stays healthy this year and hits .300 with a .400 OBP, 15 homers, 30 steals, etc, I suspect he’ll get at least $15 mill per year.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
This JJJ kid surely looks as our #2 for years to come, or at least #3 if braves make a big acquisition. Just great stuff and still learning. He looks like a veteran already.
By eric the elder
April 20, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Man, this JJ is legit. And what a dazzling smile and great kid!
Let’s hope he isn’t the Braves designated no-offensive-support pitcher. And even the defense has looked suspect.
By mitchie-san
April 20, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Corky Miller has to be my least favorite Brave of all time.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Anything serious wrong with Chipper? Or is it precaution?
Btw, JJ still pitching hard guys. Fastball still in the mid 90’s and allready 8 K’s. Looking good.
Go Braves!!
By Fsubravefan10
April 20, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Agree to disagree Chase, all I know is that on a hard hit ball to Andruw I would rather Frenchy start running from third, rather than 2nd, which makes it a productive out in my mind.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
What happened to chipper? If he got injured and its serious im going to puke.
By JP
April 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
OH GOD, OH GOD, OH GOD, OMG, Im going to pray for Chipper….this cant be happening… OMG…OMG…OMG
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Let’s hear it Corky’s Porkys!!!
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
What about Blanco? he is looking very good.
Miller must go, i like Peña better.
By Murphy
April 20, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Seriously why is Corky Miller even on this team? God he is terrible.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Jair did a very good job. At last a starting pitcher that goes at least six.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Umpire just blew that call on KJ, should have been bases loaded with 1 out. KJ had a very good AB there and nothing to show for…….
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Chipper aggravated his right quad on that slide.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Least favorite Brave of all time? Kenny Lofton followed closely by Dan Kolb and Robert Fick
By nolie
April 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Ok, let’s see how this works. Escobar looks like he is cooling off. Chasing outside the zone lately.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
@Fsubravesfan10 If that’s the way it is, then JJ would have been 3-0 going into tonight instead of 1-2. He’s pitched 2 good games, but didn’t get the offense. Therefor 2 losses. But in HIS mind it would have been 3 wins. But hey, that’s not how it works, right?
So, yes, we probably disagree:)
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Braves’ priorities in my opinion:
What I’d do:
Let Hampton’s 18 mil, Kotsay’s 1 mil, Glavine’s 7-8 mil get off the books
That gives you 27-28 mil freed up..some other players’ contracts will change BUT if the BRAVES are serious about the payroll going up then say you have a total of 40 million new dollars in TOTAL to play with
I’d
Give TEX 20-22 mil for 5-6 years
Keep Glavine as 4-5th starter for 5 mil
Extend Francoeur’s contract or wait one more year to save money
Use the rest of the money to get the best starter (3 type) and reliver I could
Bring up Schaefer for Center Feild and Anderson for Platoon/Bench
Obviously I would look for trades as well with some of our other margianl or young prospects for a veteren outfeilder and relief help
EITHER just robbed us!
By McFann
April 20, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
FSU—
Yes. It is a productive out. I agree.
By Epinephrine
April 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Absurd call on Kelly, that wasn’t even close. Oh well.
This team absolutely cannot afford to lose Chipper for any significant stretch. Also, Prado just got robbed.
By Mark Lemke
April 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
i am not near a TV or radio why did chipper come out of the game???????
By Bob
April 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Great catch by Ethier. Damn it.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Reinjured right quad. I suppose day to day.
I suppose we wont be seeing much of chipper in at least 2 or 3 days.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Great Coors Lite commercial. Too bad it tastes like urine
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Mike Winters, the home plate umpire just cost the Braves what would have been potentially a huge inning. It should have been bases loaded and one out with Escobar batting.
Instead, the Dodgers walked Escobar with two out and first base open, pitched to Prado and got out of the inning.
Dumbazz umpire just cost the Braves two or three runs.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGG!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
By brent a.
April 20, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
1) Yes, to Furcal 2) Chuck was solid 3) Jurrjens is the real deal 4) Our bullpen has been amazing since the last 3 games. 5) Prado got robbed 6) Chipper, if he stays healthy, will win the MVP, regardless of our record. 7) IMO, this has been a telling week-end about the psyche of our team. 8) Go Lakers! 9) Go Braves!
By Bravesfan79
April 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Keylargo: its not us that lost our loyalty to TBS, but TBS that lost loyalty to us! They dissed there very root base of fans for crappy shows like house of pain (sorry but tyler perry sucks) and reruns of Friends??
TBS is like the Compound nightclub in midtown is now and how Buckhead became when it started going downhill, they start off as really nice place that specilizes in being a upscale nice place, and has a great crowd.
But then eventually they get money hungry and start having hip hop night and advertising on v-103 and 107.9, drawing a BIGGER crowd….but definitly not a BETTER crowd!
Gotta say i was not surprised when i read in the AJC this week someone was shot in the chest at compound during “hip hop night” man that place has gone down hill…. kinda like Clayton and Decatur, hmmmm…..i wonder what all those s** have in common??
(yes i can talk s** ive worked in 70% of the apt complexes throught AtL…so i know the areas probably better than any of yall)
So congrats to TBS for screwing over their most loyal fans….and replacing it with a house of pain…as in painfull to watch!
By nolie
April 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Man did Prado ever get robbed. Great play by their RFer. Marteen couldn’t do much more than that.
By JP
April 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Chipper re-aggravated his sore quad..OMG…OMG..OMG…i really hope its precaution and give him some rest at leats 1 or 2 games…OMG
By Murphy
April 20, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Glass half full—Really? That Coors like commercial could not be dumber. Seriously??
By BosnianBaller
April 20, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
I’m not so sure thats a great idea DOB.If it was Furcal and no Tex then the middle of the lineup would be very weak especially considering Chipper is 36 and could get injured like he did today.The way I look at it is that if the payroll is going to go up and Hampton’s and Glavine’s contract come off the books in the offseason then there is the $22 Mil for Tex.I much rather package Kelly to Oak for a SP like Joe Blanton who could be available b/c Oak is a seller.And Blanton doesn’t have that big of a Salary.Martin Prado can play second every day.
By chase
April 20, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
How is it a productive out?
You either have a runner at 2nd or 3rd with 2 outs EITHER WAY it is MOST LIKELY going to take a HIT to score him..
some of you would create a rash of sac bunts with a runner at 2nd and one out if you were in charge…
It was just an out plain and simple!
By brian
April 20, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
great blog DOB. I would love to see Furcal back with the Braves but I do not see the Braves wanting to move Escobar from SS to 2B full time. Do you think Furcal would accept a 3 year contract offer and accept 2B as his position? If the Braves are high enough on Lillebridge would they want to spend $15 million per year instead of having Lillebridge with years before free agency?
Who are other 1B coming to the free agent market?
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Wow…that was 7 fastballs in one AB at 95 miles, in the 7’th. Good defence there by Garciaparra. He’s really impessing me guys. Hope he will play in the WBC with us!!! :)
Go Braves!
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
That’s 108 pitches for Jurrjens. This might be last batter, if he does or doesn’t get him out.
By richbrave
April 20, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
DAVID O’BRIEN:
That article makes good sense. In fact it’s downright tantalizing. Liberty is not going to spring for a 168-170 million $ six-seven year deal with Teixeira. If the bidding gets frenzied he could get up to 27 million a year for a shorter term(like 5 years). My congressman’s in Virginia though, but John Warner owes me one. I’ll see what can be done.
By Randy S
April 20, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
DAP - Indeed, Dale won 5 straight GG in CF from 82-86. Not that tough of a question, but I forgot he won 5 straight. And of course, in 82 and 83 Murph won the Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and MVP.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
JJJ looks as fresh as if it was the 1st inning. Look what the braves just found!!!!!!!
By Bob
April 20, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
My oh my. Kelly Johnson should be benched. LOL
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 20, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
GREAT play Kelly!!!! Did I say “a fair fielder at best”? No way!
By McFann
April 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
By any chance, DID YOU SEE THAT PLAY???!! Dude! That was a great play!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Yeah, yeah. Bring back WCW to TBS…no, the NWA from the 1980s. I wanna see Magnum TA, Dusty Rhodes, and the Road Warriors vs. the Four Horsemen as the featured main event while Tony Schiavone screams “We’re out’a time! See ya next week!”
By I'd do it in a heart beat
April 20, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t think its really about who you would take over who. If we are talking fantasy baseball where money is not an issue then im pretty sure we can all agree that we’d take Tex before we take Furcal…(If its fantasy who says we would have let him go three years ago).
But this is not fantasy its reality. The reality is Furcal’s probability of being a Brave next year is higher than Tex’s chances. Remember who Tex agent is (Boras). Tex is bout to get paid, and the Braves will not be the ones paying him. There are a few needs thats already been mentioned in the blog.
DOB, I would go after Furcal and deal Kelly in a heart beat. A trade for Kelly should get us another qaulity starter like a Jair (who’s lights out by the way). I think Wren has the guts to make the deal (See trading Edgar Rentaria a legit All-Star for Jair). Furc and Yunel defensively are so far beyond Kelly. Kelly at times has an iron glove. Just the other night he dropped what would have been a double play from Chipper and that’s not the first time that has happened. Kelly does not have the range that a Furcal has…..he doesn’t have the range that Marcus Giles had and I would have traded Giles just as fast as I’d trade Kelly.
I also keep seeing people bring up the OBP numbers, and I’m glad you mentioned it DOB…..Furcal had a bum ankle last year. The Braves haven’t had a legit lead off hitter since he left. We need a threat at the top of our order. Kelly is a decent hitter, no doubt there, and he may turn out to be a 20 home run, 80 plus RBI man but I believe Furcal is the better overall player. I see people keep mentioning his age. Don’t forget that your shortstop the past two years was in his late 30s.
I like Kelly as a player and if there is a chance that he can hang around and play a little first after Tex is gone thats good as well because we can then move him down in the order where he would better suited. I think it would still be an experiment with him defensively at first because, again, at times he has an iron glove and I don’t know how he would be when it comes to scooping the ball out of the dirt.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Murph, I just like the enthusiasm of the guys as they’re saying “Let’s vent.”
By Mark Lemke
April 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
when does michelle hampton come back??
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
That’s a good outing tonight for JJ. 7 innings, 8 K’s, 3 BB, 3H, 1R. Now that’s a good days work.
Let’s get one or two more runs and close up shop!!
Go Braves!
By eric the elder
April 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
If the Dodgers want to keep Furcal, they will keep him. They aren’t exactly strapped for cash. If they don’t want to keep him, then it’s fair to ask why we would want him.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Look out, TEX is up to .239.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Next up, Washington: Since winning their first three games, the Nationals have gone 2-14 with a .220 average and 5.19 ERA, with a win apiece against the Braves and Marlins in that stretch
By MattyRoss
April 20, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
That would’ve been a pretty awesome play by Russel Martin on the Kotsay pop up.
By Bravesfan79
April 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
GHF: WHAT…. Coors light tastes like freakin Champagne compared to Budlight and other beers!
And how can you even compare those guys man to Chris Woodward from last year??
Fick, Lofton and Kolb had hall of fame careers here compared to Woodcrap!
Woodward is easily my most hated Brave ever. Especially when u consider he came from the hated mets and cost us having Escobar on the roster to start last year!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Unnecessary theatrics from Russell Martin just like Jim Edmonds. That dude would dive at a pop fly and then be all over Sportscenter
By BosnianBaller
April 20, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Also if Furcal and Escobar are up the middle then you need a pretty good defensive 1st baseman b/c there are going to be some wild throws.
By Ole Miss
April 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
One run game and we take out Blanco - who has had a strong hitting series, really fast, better defense and put in Matt Diaz who is a defensive liability - it is obvious there would be a pitching change as well - lets hope he gets a hit but this makes no sense in a one run game where defense is so important - Corky Miller is a joke what is the point
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
McFann, sure i did. Maybe if he makes the routine ones i would be more pleased. Great play, cant deny it. You know what i think of his glove, an ESPM gem wont make me change my way of thinking. Ill have to admit he is starting to look better at the plate, more patient. That to me is more important that the gorgeous play he just made.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Glass Half Full, funny you mentioned Tony Schiavone. He’s sitting four feet from me, on the next row — he’s the official scorer of today’s game.
Were you aware that he’s one of the Braves’ scorers? Well, he is. Also my man at WSB, the dude I send my interview MP3 files to each night on the road.
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Thanks ChrisKlob and DOB for the time line for returning from the DL. Just trying to think how long Hampton could have to get ready again.
JC from UT, you caught me without an answer. Didn’t think about it. Now that I have looked there isn’t a good option. Perhaps Stockman or Ridgeway. If there is a way that Bennett and James can go down during that long stretch that they are not needed (between the 25th of April and the 10th of may)then they should be to get in some quality innings of work.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Come oooooon. Get some insurance now!
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I must be missing something, why is matt in the game? he is not hitting righties, you take blanco who is hitting well??
Is bobby with us or against us?
By Kev
April 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Diaz is better in a platoon…not ready yet to be an everyday player…again swinging at ball 4…
By Ole Miss
April 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Matt Diaz - swings at ball 4 that is 6 inches off the plate and then manages to strike out. Who ever saw that coming? Glad we have his glove in the field…
By george
April 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
I say let Furcal stay in LA, or somewhere else, and pay whatever it takes to keep Teixeira. I’m perfectly happy with Kelly and Yunel. By the way, do you think LA might want to have that 36.2 million back they are paying Andruw?
By DAP
April 20, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
im very dissapointed in diaz for that at-bat. it should have been bases loaded and one out with mccann coming up.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Aw…Doggoneit!!
By Tony Stark
April 20, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
McCann breaks his bat. Too many broken bats in the game these days. Should use someting other than wood. I know, how about iron, man?
By Kev
April 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Diaz is better in a platoon…not ready yet to be an everyday player…again swinging at ball 4…
By Epinephrine
April 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Boyer again. Cox sure does love to kill the relievers, though I don’t know what else could be done in this situation. Should be Boyer and Acosta again.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
hmmmm….a great opportunity on some extra runs gone begging. Why bring in Diaz? Let Blanco play. Saver defensively as well (you’re right Ole miss).
Anyway, keep it shut now! Get the W.
Go Braves!
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Not to mention it weakens defense…. Never mind, Boyer on the mount. GOOOOOOOOOOOBRAVES
By McFann
April 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
OK, OL.
Re Russell Martin: What some guys will do to try to catch a pop-up! Haha! Cann you see our catchers try that? LOL! Don’t think McCann’s much of a jump-and-climb-the-net type guy—even before he got that spur in his ankle. And Corky…LOL…
By DAP
April 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
DOB tell tony i used to love him announcing on WCW!! i was pretty into wrestling in middle school.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
All of a sudden I get this nagging feeling… AJ on deck…. Man on 2nd……
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
All these broken bats and more than a few theory’s as to why.
The switch from ash to maple bats.
Thinner handles and bigger barrels on the bats.
Stronger players.
Lots of reasons and few solutions.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
DOB: didn’t know Tony was a scorer but I’ve heard him during Bulldogs’ postgame shows.
Bravesfan79 Coors is “too watery.” I’m a Miller Lite man myself.
Also, I just don’t like Lofton. It has nothing to do with ability. As for Fick, I lost all respect for him when he tried to interfere with Eric Karros’s catch during the 2003 NLDS.
Oh, and Woodward sucked too.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Nice day for Andruw: Three strikeouts, then the one thing Dodgers needed him to NOT do with a runner at third and one out: Groundout to the left side.
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
DOB,
If only Tony Schiavone were available for our questions on an AJC blog…
By McFann
April 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Dude, no!! Not two stolen bases by the same guy in one inning! Oh…oh…I’m OK……
By MEB
April 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Are we surprised that Andruw would pull the ball to left side of the infield? Talk about be predictable.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
pfffff….AJ grounding out on a 2-0 count with a runner on 3rd…. Toooo close for comfort guys!
Just get throught the inning now….. 2 bb allready……
Let’s go Braves!!!!
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Come on Boyer……get your K and get us 3 outs closer man!!!!!!!!!
By Kev
April 20, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Wanna STEAL Home too, Juan Friggin Pierre!!!!!!!
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Don’t know how Boyer did it, without throwing strikes, but hey….
3 outs left guys for the infamous 1 run W.
Go Braves!
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I remember how Dream used to call Tony “Tow-knee Sha-VON-TAY”…
Ahhh, the good ol’ days.
By Bama
April 20, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
They better not lose this game after JJ’s great job. Look what speed can do, man on third, one out, 2 steals? Thanks u Lord no runs.
No! to Furcal, 16-17 million for a good starting pitcher or Tex.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
I agree with Chop Chop. I’m sure Tony has some excellent Ric Flair stories…
By braves fan since '76
April 20, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
My all-time least favorite Brave is 1990 third baseman Jim “Hound Dog” Presley.
His three errors in one inning on September 16, 1990 tied a major league record. That, along with a bizarre incident involving a fight with his mother, did not endear him to Atlanta management, and they let him go to San Diego that offseason.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
“I’ve wined and dined with kings and queens. I’ve slept in alleys and dined on pork ‘n beans.”
By Epinephrine
April 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Man…not sure we were justified in being worried about our bench. Gotay, Prado, Pena, and Blanco have all been really good off the bench
By Stephen
April 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
at a boy tex
By Savannah Guy
April 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
But here’s my own idea, and let me know what you think: Simply move Kelly over to first base. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a great second baseman, and he certainly has the athleticism to play first. DOB
Moving Kelly to first base makes good sense for several reasons, not the least of which is because I’ve had the brilliance and foresight to suggest it here myself several times for a year or more. Aside from my apparent (not intended) self-aggrandizement, it just makes good sense… especially if we get something like a Furcal-Escobar combo up the middle and have cash left to spend on pitching.
Now, I say this after watching KJ crush a home run then make an almost highlight play going to his right with an off balance in-air throw to first and just now drive a double to left field, I’ll still contend (agree) that Kelly just isn’t consistently a good second baseman. Not bad… just not good. He’s certainly no Lemmer.
As good of an athlete as he is, Kelly isn’t cut out for all that’s included in manning the second bag. His usual difficulty in making plays to his right and his trouble aggressively charging slow ground balls or his over cautiousness covering attempted steals are reason enough, but more problematic is that he’s hard-wired to not take a hit while turning a double play.
I’d be happy to get Furcal back but would prefer another good second baseman, prototypical leadoff guy than him. With Tex all but certainly going away in search of the golden grail after this season (and for what it would cost us to keep him) something’s gonna have to give. Pitching should and needs to continue to be Braves priority.
It might seem that I’m bashing Kelly, but I’m really not. I like him a lot. Even with KJ’s mediocrity as a second bagger, he’s a potential Olerud type star at first. The swing is there and the athleticism is there. At first he won’t need to range to his right nearly as much and he won’t have to worry about being bulldozed on a double play. Well, as long as Robert Fick isn’t beating out a single anyway.
By nolie
April 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Prado is the man!!! Love him and Blanco.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
kelly johnson with a double down the left field line…
just a quick thought…i read someone last night complaining about KJ, about how he had a great april last year…just keeping mind…kelly didnt have a good april, he an AMAZING 2nd half of april. up until about 14 games in (this is game 18 were watching here) KJ was not that great, then he went crazy. may he will do it again this year….he has really started to get on base and hit well.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Good work by KJ and Prado. Makes me breath a bit easier:)
Maybe add one more!
Go Braves!
By radoncbravesfan
April 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
way to go tex!!!!!!!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Great idea for some toliet reading…”The Quotable Dusty Rhodes.” I’m totally gonna compile that book.
By MEB
April 20, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Bobby says “Way to go Mark T!!!”
GO BRAVES!!!
By JP
April 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Will WREN PLEASE SIGN Tex Now!!!! Sweep SWEEP Sweep Sweep!!!!! 4 game streak!!!!
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Renegator, the Braves must not have gotten the memo about shutting it down and having tractor pulls at Turner Field this summer.
By Bob
April 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Not bad Tex. Throw in Four straight outstanding pitching performances and Huddy going tomorrow and things looking up, if Chipper not hurt too bad.
By Spazz
April 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Pony up the $ for Tex right now!!!
Can we play all 162 against the Dodgers?
By radoncbravesfan
April 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
YEAHH YEAHH GOOD BYE DODGERS
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
There it is in a nutshell - why Kotsay is more valueable than AJ> Single in the clutch, bad throw home, runner takes second on bad throw.
By Dutchie
April 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Wow…and I only hoped for ONE more! :)
Great rally guys!!!!!
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, we’ll see about that. Won’t rule out Tony sitting in for a while to answer questions.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
If chipper sits just 1 day, i dont think we should be upset, it could be seen as a day off. Even if he sits 2 days he would still be in a good pace to play the expected 150.
More than 3….. i would start worrying.
Since we have not heard much about the injury, maybe its not as bad.
TEX back to .250, welcome back TEX, we all missed you.
Kotsay with another good game, i would still give Blanco playtime in CF as part of a mixed platoon in CF and LF.
Tomorrow id go:
KJ
Prado/Blanco
Yunel
TEX
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
You know if Chipper needs a day or two off, especially with the Nats coming to town, I think Prado may be able to hold his own.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
6-1 and on ice !
SWEEP !
SWEEP !
SWEEP !
SWEEP !
SWEEP !
Broom handles and four straight wins.
Hey, Joe Simpson, AJ hasn’t has an arm since 2005. Thats the last time he posted double figures in assists.
By radoncbravesfan
April 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
No 1 run win today
By Ole Miss
April 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Joe Torre didn’t have much a decision to make in terms of whether to bring in a new pitcher or not. Matt Diaz was up, he knew that was a K. All Proctor had to do was bounce it up there and Good Ole Matt would do the rest. 2 at bats = 2 strike outs. He is the MAN
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Jim Pressley is the hitting coach for the Marlins.
By nolie
April 20, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
All them stolen bases by Pierre didn’t count for diddly. who needs them? ;-)
By beki
April 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
One person who needs to go is Gotay. He’s one person who hasn’t done diddly sqat since joining the Bravos.Oh, and, it’s bazookas ( the anti-tank weapon of WW2)that you meant. Anyway.we’re two outs away from a sweep.That’s dang good.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Joe Torre is a very bad manager. Man how could he leave proctor for two innings in a close game for two innings, when you have one of the best setup guys in the league in Jonathan Broxton. He has a very talented team go to the ground. With the Yankees all he needed to do was to fill in the lineup card and fell asleep, and when he woke up they won.
By DAP
April 20, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
YEAH BABY!!!! GO TEX!!!
thats huge. now that its not a save situation, i hope bobby will give acosta a breather.
and one goes kotsay’s way! score that one 8-3-8-4!!!!
By StingerSplash
April 20, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
A terrific outing by Jurrjens. Just what the doctor ordered for the bullpen. On to Furcal — if you do bring him back, my guess is it would be for the length of one contract (be it 3 years with a 4th year option or a 4 and 5) deal and that’s it. He’d be in the 34-35 range when it’s done. That’s a lot of mileage for a shortstop/leadoff guy. Lastly, uh, DOB, I know you meant Blanco (you wrote Prado - I say Blanco, you say Prado … that one’s not going anywhere is it … I digest …) when you were writing about a possible platoon just before you dove into the brief but very warranted discussion on Mr. Earle. Look, if you guys need some editing help, I work cheap. Will edit for a supply of Sweetwater 420 and Vandy’s barbecue.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
KJ is a very good hitting second baseman. He’d be a very weak hitting first baseman.
By Bama
April 20, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Diaz=2K’s Poor ole Joe, the Dodgers look sick and AJ will soon be on the bench. Looks like the Braves are waking up!! GO BRAVESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS JJ gets the WIN!!
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Back to even. The season starts NOW!
Once again, terrific pitching and timely hitting. That’s the real Braves. Let’s hope Chipper is OK, but Prado looks like a whole different player now that he’s bulked up a bit.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP nice doing by everybody in the team, and nice rebound from a horrible trip.
By $cott Bora$$
April 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Tex i$ warming up! $cu$e me, I hear the pin$tripe$ calling.
By Josh
April 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
DOB
Nice thoughts in the blog on the Furcal/Teixeira situation. Seems like a very “Braves” move: get creative with the roster pieces in place and add free agents on low-year contracts who already have an Atlanta connection. Johnson is already familiar with the right side of the infield, and if his 2007 offseason is any indication Johnson will not only put in hours & hours working on his defense at 1st, but I could definitely see him bulking up to improve on his already solid power-hitting ability. The only concern I could see would be there would be know one you could count on for plus to elite level power besides Chipper. If Frenchy fulfills his potential this concern could be moot.
Another option could be to implement Lillibridge into the lineup in the same way you would use Furcal, if the Braves feel he is ready to contribute at the ML level. That would open up lots of possibilities for spending money on starting pitching or any other area of the team.
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I know there are a lot of Braves fans out there who also watched NWA and WCW. A Q&A with Tony would be pretty damn cool. It would be really cool if it goes down.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Dodgers can steal them some bases, no doubt about that. Five in 3 games. But if speed is the answer, why did they score 3 runs in 3 games against our number 5, 6 and 4 starters?
By DAP
April 20, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
nice sweep of the dodgers with the bottom of the rotation going.
bennett, james, and jurjens, and were back to .500!!!
im a happy braves fan today.
By Mike in LA
April 20, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Texas Brave, I was thinking the same thing. With KJohnson, Texeira, and others starting to heat up, the Braves playing better, and the Nationals coming in it is a perfect time to give Chipper some rest for two games. I don’t think it is a serious injury but it can’t get any better running on it everyday. I think he’s earned some rest
By McFann
April 20, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Chim-chiminey, chim-chiminey, chim chim cher-ee…
(Or however you spell all that!)
I say that after every loss, Bobby should hold a meeting…
Oh, and that meeting on the mound after Ohman walked Furcal wasn’t McCann telling him what to through or anything. Brian was just like, “OK, ‘Man, now, my knee really hurts! Let’s get this over with!”
9-9! Hoh yeah!!
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
I should say “cool” again because I am too lazy to think of any other adjectives.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
HOLY COW !
The Blue Jays just released Frank Thomas and they are still on the hook for the remainder of the two-year $18-million contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006.
Would he be able to back up at 1st base for the Braves and pinch hit off the bench.
The Blue Jays are paying him, I’m sure he could be picked up for the league minimum.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I remember when the Saturday night NWA show would be shortened to an hour during baseball season and that was usually a bummer because alot of those mid to late ’80s Braves teams were unwatchable…even to a 10 year old who loved the game.
By MEB
April 20, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Sweeping the Dodgers is ever so sweet! Maybe more so than sweeping the evil Mets. I still remember the Dodgers as our biggest rival and we always enjoyed some great games against them.
This team plays with some great intensity and I think Chipper and Smoltz have a lot do with our recovery from some really bad luck. Back at .500 and the pesky Nationals coming to town. Lot of game balls today and I would give them to Jair Jurrjens, Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixeira, and Martin Prado.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Bama
April 20, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Josh I believe Lillibridge is hitting 150 in Richmond. But it could turn around quick. You don’t want to rush these kids.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Frank Thomas’s numbers this year have been Andruwesque
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Look at Diaz coments on platooning again: “He’s phenomenal,” Diaz said of Blanco. “He’s been hot and I can completely understand having him in there. That’s how I got my playing time two years ago. I got hot.” he said he is struggling against righties and lefties right now: “It’s not like I stunk only against right-handers,” Diaz said. “I stunk against lefties, too.” He is a gamer, puts the team first, and i have faith he will get hot at any moment now.
Another comment of Blanco, he reminds me of Shane Victorino. They both can run, and play good defense, neither of them are power hiters, they get a lot of infield singles or groundballs that get to the outfield. The only difference is shane is a switch hitter.
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Diaz isn’t being platooned. He’s being BENCHED. The guy seems to have forgotten how to hit. My cat could have done better today. Something is wrong with him, be it physical or mental, but something is clearly wrong. He looked helpless.
By JT
April 20, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
This is JUST great…could anything else happen to the Braves:
R.Soriano to Stay on Disabled list
By fastasballs
April 20, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
I thought I heard Frank Thomas was released, but I just thought I had heard something wrong. I guess the Jays had heard enough from him.
Geat Blog DOB. That’s an interesting thought on Furcal. I guess it depends on the pitching situation & how much money will be needed to patch that up. With the Yankees & Muts needing a first baseman the market will go crazy, at least for him,
Jair is opening some eyes & Gorkys is eating up Carolina League pitching so the Edgar trade is looking great to this point.
I thought Blanco did a great job in left the past three games. Just the threat of his speed caused the Dodgers pitchers to change their approach which always favors the offense. Diaz looked lost at the plate today in his two AB’s so I suspect we will be seeing a lot of Blanco.
By Jack G
April 20, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
DOB SS and 2B aint broke so dont try to fix it. 15 or 17 mil. could be spent on more pressing problems.
And just when I thought you had a little practicle sense.
By Greg in TN
April 20, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
The pride of Willemstad was on the mound today rather than centerfield as Jair Jurrjens and the Braves both reach .500 today and complete the sweep over the lads of Chavez Ravine.
One mistake for Triple-J today which was deposited beyond the left-field fence by Russell Martin, but the rest of the afternoon he kept the Dodgers on their heels with 8 Ks, 3 BBs, 3 hits and one ER over seven innings. Boyer and Ohman both came in from the pen and all of a sudden what has been a very suspect bullpen has suddenly clamped down on opposing lineups.
BC just mentioned on the postgame report on SS that Chipper is questionable for tomorrow but it doesn’t appear to be any worse than that. Really happy to see Tex continuing to improve and see Martin Prado smack an RBI triple after getting robbed by a great catch by Andre Ethier to rob him and the Braves of runs in the sixth inning.
Folks a sweep against these guys is tremendous after what was a horrible road trip. We’re at .500 and can look to build on what has been a strong homestand against the Nats tomorrow with Hudson on the mound against Matt Chico. Chico pitched well against the Braves on the 11th, but Tim was just a little better and got the win. All eyes will be on Huddy tomorrow night with the issues he had on his last start, and with Chipper likely on the shelf, it’ll be important for Tex, Escobar and company to keep on keepin’ on.
By Logwat
April 20, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
DOB:
You said Furcal will get a $15-17 million a year contract if he finishes with a .300 BA, 15 HR, .400 OBP, etc.
Well, considering he’s only hit .300 once in his career, only had 15 HR twice in his career and only had a .400 OBP once (his rookie season), the odds of all that happening aren’t very good. His career OBP is .351..
He’s a good player but certainly not one you want to spend $15-17 million a year on. The Braves were against giving him $11-12 million a couple of years ago so I don’t see any chance that they spend that kind of money on him now.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Rafael Soriano is done. I think his elbow is going, going, gone.
T.J. surgery awaits in the near future.
By N GA BOB
April 20, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Mortgage THE Farm or whatever is necessary….just keep TEX!!!!!!!!!!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 20, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
And yes, I’m well aware that Soriano had T.J. surgery back in 2005.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Chippper’s going to try to play tomorrow, but I think he’ll probably be held out until Tuesday.
Didn’t hurt it specifically on that double and slide, though he said that didn’t help. It was sore the last couple of days, but really sore when he woke today, and never really loosened up.
So he decided not to push it anymore after that double. But it’s not something that he felt pop or pull or whatever. Just a continuation of earlier problem, original injury in Colorado and then had that day in D.C. where it was pretty bad again.
By Larry
April 20, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
DOB: “Dumb Old Boy”
Give $16-17 million to a 30 year old (we think—he’s a liar, remember?) SS with a strong arm finally having a good April to replace a much younger SS with strong arm and a better hitter who replaced a good SS and great hitter while in the meantime we have two 40+ pitchers breaking down and a 36 year old in his last season?
Dave, you write as dumb as you sounded the other day on the radio smacking on a chocolate chip cookie while your interviewers were trying to ask you questions!
Dumb, Dave! Really, really dumb!
By Mike
April 20, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
I like moving McCann to first — save his knees to keep his bat healthy a few more years — and find a defensive catcher.
By TennesseePaul
April 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Another great game by the Bravos.
Couple things I noticed. TBS wanted to show this one. Here in LA, the second largest media market in the US of A, TBS was blacked out and the game was on KCAL 9 with Dodger announcers calling the game.
I watched the Dodger announcers call this game and Friday’s game. They know very little about the Braves. Very little. Got most of the names wrong. Pretty much assumed everything wrong about this team. Took a look at the DL list and assumed that meant no one was left on the Braves team that was any good. I’d imagine this made the sweep that much more painful for Dodger fans. Ha!
Hope Chipper heals up swiftly. The man is on fire. Absolute fire.
Furcal and Yunel. That would be a good middle infield. But, as long as we are speculating and dreaming, I’d rather have Chipper and Teixeira than Chipper and Furcal. But Teixeira is a gonner after this season. The good news is we can offer him Arbitration and gain some picks. Even if he accepts, we’d have a good player. But there is no way he goes for a one year deal over a 6 year.
By Train Wreck Bystander
April 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
TBS wasn’t blacked out on satellite - dish Network had the game on both TBS & SportSouth.
Now if they could only get the PTV games figured out…
Jurrjens looks better with each passing week. I was most impressed with his pitching today.
By Jeff321
April 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Bring Furcal back to Atlanta? HA! Regardless of what Furcal’s doing right now.. You can rest assured Mr. Kelly Johnson will spank him in EVERY category by year’s end.
By tpm
April 20, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Furcal is having a great spring, but what is the game becoming if he is worth 17 million bucks. Gve me a break
By tpm
April 20, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Furcal is having a great spring, but what is the game becoming if he is worth 17 million bucks. Give me a break
By Pfunkatl
April 20, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
GREAT game today from JJ…told the boys at the blog party that I thought he was the REAL DEAL. ALSO think that Frank Thomas as “back-up” first baseman and “strike fear” pinch hitter is a GREAT idea. BTW, had a GREAT time at our opening day party, LOVE to see more of those.
By richbrave
April 20, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
For those PHIL STOCKMAN advocates. He had another effective relief stint last night for Richmond. Now has 11.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 14 SO, and a 1.62 ERA. A little light at the end of the tunnel to Atlanta if he can hold this line or improve it. He’s throwing strikes.
CLINT SAMMONS continues his quality play. Now hitting .395 for the year(17-43) in 13 games with his first HR last night.
BRENT LiLLIBRIDGE had his second two hit game of the season.
By RRR
April 20, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Sorry OB, but this makes no sense whatsoever. Frankly, if the difference between locking up Tex vs getting Furcal is only $5mil per year, it’s obvious the choice should be Tex. Not resigning Hampton will free up lots of money. This should be a no brainer for the Braves Wren, and hopefully, Wren can get it done with the agent that JS wouldn’t talk to. Tex is really important to the future of the Braves. Furcal simply is not. Wasn’t then, isn’t now.
By JP
April 20, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
DOB
So if Soriano is staying on the DL,do they put him again and he spends 15 more games out or retroactive or day to day…or what???
By The Dirty Scribe
April 20, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
DOB Sorry to change the subject to of all things music, but will there be a Steve Earle concert review? I’ve got tickets to see him in Nashville Tuesday before coming to Atlanta for The Boss on Friday.
By Pete H.
April 20, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Frank Thomas is not going to be a pinch hitter. He wants to be a DH, and there are a few teams in the AL who will be interested. Seattle, perhaps. The Yanqis? Baltimore? They could all use his bat. A slow start means nothing with that guy…he’s a tremendous offensive player. But he’s not fit to play 1B more than a couple times a month.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Also have Boss tickets for Friday
By Murphy
April 20, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Coach—Frank Thomas was complaining about his lack of playing time, so I dont think he is interested in going somewhere to play off the bench. But, you never know!
By Kev
April 20, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
DOB
After i saw the news on Soriano… i wonder ,why doesnt he had a MRI or something done to figure out whats wrong with his elbow??? im worrying more and more with this guy…
By Kevin
April 20, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
No way. Tex is the #1 concern this off season. If the Braves sign him (and they better), they won’t have the cash left to sign Furcal. Besides, I’m sure a more pressing position will come up between now and then.
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy good to see you starting to post more as the season wears on. I knew you would start coming through for us in the clutch sooner or later.
As for getting Furcal back as much as I like the guy and the fact that we need better prototypical lead off guy, I think there will be greater concerns for this team come next year and other places where our money could be better spent.
I for one still hold out that we can sign Tex, which if that is the case will take a lot of money. Second, we are going to need at least one good starting pitcher to go along with the rest of our young guns. Possibly some bullpen help as well.
Lets say we can’t sign Tex. Then we most definitely will need to sign someone who make up most of the power numbers lost. KJ and Furcal will not come close to equaling the numbers that Tex puts up.
Lastly I wonder if there wouldn’t be a little rift between Escobar and Furcal. Both have good reasons to stake their claim to SS. Just wondering if the odd man out wouldn’t be put off a little by having to play second fiddle.
By Allen
April 20, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
WOW! I haven’t posted in about 2 weeks. The last thing I think I remember posting about was with the discussion of Chase and his GIGANTIC man crush on Andruw. As I’ve read over the past couple weeks it seems that 90 percent of Chase’s posts are still in regard to the GIGANTIC man crush he has on Andruw.
Chase you might want to post on the LA blogs since he’s on their team. I’m sure they’d love to hear about your Andruw man crush and all the good historical Andruw stats. Start out with the home runs he hit against the Yank’s in the World Series when he was 18.
I’m sure once they hear about all those cool historical stats on Andruw they’ll join in with you on you Andruw man crush and you can have T-shirts made. Yall can compare Andruw tats and it’ll be all good.
They’d probably forget all about his .182 average and his 3 strikeouts today and that beautiful ground ball he handed to Yunel….eeeehhhh probably not. They’d probably rather have Kotsay right now.
By the way, when Kotsay got the RBI hit today, did you sob uncontrollably while gripping tightly to your Andruw jersey? “NO, NO! sniff, sniff ANDRUW’S BETTER!”
By Scoots
April 20, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
The Braves offense is starting to look like we thought they would - “They are who we thought they were!! (Denny Green). Chipper and Tex are rolling, and KJ and Franc the Tank are starting to hit their stride.
Jurjjens is looking promising -really promising. Good for him getting a win after two undeserving losses. I’m done counting on Hampton, so it’s great to see a young guy take up some slack - someone who could be their young arm of the future.
So after a slow start, and a horrendous road trip, things are finally looking up for this team. Let’s just hope this continues and they don’t get hit with another plague of injuries.
Dave: what’s the latest word on Glavine?
By Jaye
April 20, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
What a difference a hot streak makes. A few years ago, many Atlanta Braves fans couldn’t get Rafael Furcal out of town soon enough. And now, comparing his blazing start to the slow start of Kelly Johnson somehow bore an open-mindedness among the fans who apparently wouldn’t mind entertaining having Fookie back for the millions he “wasn’t worth in 2005.”
Also, someone argued that KJ had a better first full season than Fookie. I can’t, for the life of me, figure out how THAT comparison is relevant here or how it ultimately matters.
By Andy
April 20, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I’d love to have Furcal back, but our ownership will not allow for a payroll that allow us to do so. We will be moving Hampton($15 Million) Glavine $8 Million, and Kotsay($2 Million) off the books next year. First and foremost, we should attempt to resign Teixiera, even for as high as $22 Million a year. If we cannot sign him, then I would certainly bring Furcal back for $15 Million. We miss his speed, and the top of our lineup would really be dynamic. I believe we could acquire a serviceable first baseman. Nick Johnson would be an incredible pick up. Adding Furcal and Johnson would total around $22 Million, which is Hampton and Glavine combined, approximately. We would need to use the $10-15 million(raise in payroll) for a SP and some relief help.
Kelly Johnson wouldn’t be my first option at 1b, but he would certainly work there. He comes cheap, and does have decent power potential.
So, since DOB has already mentioned the future today, here is my 2009 lineup: 1. Rafael Furcal-SS 2. Yunel Escobar-2B 3. Chipper Jones-3B 4. Nick Johnson-1B 5. Brian McCann-C 6. Jeff Francouer-RF 7. Jordan Schaefer-CF 8. Kelly Johnson-LF
By Andy
April 20, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
I’d love to have Furcal back, but our ownership will not allow for a payroll that allow us to do so. We will be moving Hampton($15 Million) Glavine $8 Million, and Kotsay($2 Million) off the books next year. First and foremost, we should attempt to resign Teixiera, even for as high as $22 Million a year. If we cannot sign him, then I would certainly bring Furcal back for $15 Million. We miss his speed, and the top of our lineup would really be dynamic. I believe we could acquire a serviceable first baseman. Nick Johnson would be an incredible pick up. Adding Furcal and Johnson would total around $22 Million, which is Hampton and Glavine combined, approximately. We would need to use the $10-15 million(raise in payroll) for a SP and some relief help.
Kelly Johnson wouldn’t be my first option at 1b, but he would certainly work there. He comes cheap, and does have decent power potential.
So, since DOB has already mentioned the future today, here is my 2009 lineup: 1. Rafael Furcal-SS 2. Yunel Escobar-2B 3. Chipper Jones-3B 4. Nick Johnson-1B 5. Brian McCann-C 6. Jeff Francouer-RF 7. Jordan Schaefer-CF 8. Kelly Johnson-LF
By Irod
April 20, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Coach
i hope youre just joking around on Soriano…(gulp)
By Scoots
April 20, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
I relish the Furcal-Escobar possibility, but also hate to give up Tex, with his switch-hitting power. I just love the combo of two back-to-back prolific switch hitters with he and Chipper. I definitely agree that they couldn’t grab Furcal without giving up Tex. If we had a New York payroll, we could make it happen, but that’s just not the case. Imagine this line-up:
Now that would be sa-weet!
By keef1234
April 20, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
KEEP TEX!!! don’ t start compromising. we gave up too much and Liberty Media will spend to being a W.S to Atlanta (I live in Connecticut but trying to find a job in your beautiful city)
GOOOOOOOO BRAVES!
By Timothy J Bradley
April 20, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
DOB: I completely endorse your views on obtaining Furcal and moving KJ to first. It’s a boss move which makes both baseball and economic sense. Let’s go for it, blog!
By Andy
April 20, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Correction: Escobar at ss, and furcal at 2b,
By kev
April 20, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Andy: You wouldn’t bring back Kotsay? Who do you think would be a good replacement for him?
Kevin: I know securing Tex would be an important step in this securing this team for another 5 years or so, but what about the pitching staff? Do you think that the staff is good enough next year? Who do you envision being on the rotation? There’s a good possibility that Hampton and Glavine are gone and a slightly slimmer chance that Smoltz may be gone as well, leaving only Hudson (if he’s not hurt per se) and Jurrjens as the two certainties in the rotation with the possibility of Chuck James taking the third spot…
In all honesty, I think the pitching rotation could arguably be the bigger priority next off-season. Thoughts? (AGAIN, I do think signing Tex is VERY important but I don’t know if it outweighs the need for solid starters)
By chris
April 20, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I gotta say this is the first time in my three years of reading your blog that I strongly disagree with you. You wouldn’t simply have a hole a 1b but a gaping hole to fill in the clean-up spot. Even if Texierra can’t be resigned, $16 or $17 million for Furcal at age 31 who has been known to get hurt is quite the risk. Johnson is only going to get better— though I don’t see him as a 25 homer guy. I just think the upgrade isn’t worth that much money.
Chris from MD
By TJ
April 20, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
DOB and everyone buying into this “Furcal for $15 million” idea… you’re out of your mind!
Rafael Furcal is NOT THAT GOOD. Please: look at his offensive numbers, his defensive numbers, and the Braves’ needs for the next few years. It’s absurd to even think of making an offer like that to Furcal.
By Overlord
April 20, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Really “good” news on Chipper. Id say he sits tomorrow, no need to force him to play. Let the guy take a day off, it will pay dividends.
After i saw the news on Soriano… i wonder ,why doesnt he had a MRI or something done to figure out whats wrong with his elbow??? im worrying more and more with this guy…
MRIs are just made in case they dont know what the problem is or how bad is. It seams as if they now for sure its an inflammation cause by something they saw on a previous MRI and then there wouldnt be a reason to perform a new MRI study.
Maybe hell be OK once inflammation over time diminishes. But to tell you the truth, it doesnt looks promising on him. Dont be surprise if his season finishes in may as moylans.
We might be in trouble, good thing James pitched well yesterday, he could work as a midseason addition as gonzalez.
We might end up with a bullpen looking as this:
Gonzo closing; Acosta as setup; Boyer , Ohman and James as 7th inning pitchers and Bennett and/or James as long relievers. Then the others.
By John
April 20, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Tex is going to cost over 25 mil a year and he will not give the Braves a hometown discount primarily because this is not his home. He will be gone at the end of the year making just under A-Rod type money.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
McCann to first?? Oh yeah, that would work…
By Jaye
April 20, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Enough of the swooning over Enough with the swooning over Teixeira. He’s a great player, but I wonder if the real priority for the Braves this off-season won’t be the organization’s perennial priorities: pitching.
By Andy
April 20, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Kevin, the A’s are paying him $5 million, we are only paying $2. There is no way we pay him more than $2, or so. We have blanco, and other cheap options. I really like Kotsay, and think he is a great defensive guy, and clubhouse leader, but can’t afford him unless he takes a major pay cut. If we could keep him and pay him nothing, and plug him in left if schaefer plays center, i am all about it. Where does KJ go?
By 18 Wheels of Love
April 20, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Ahhhh, having flashbacks to the 80’s and NWA wrestling on the Superstation!
“Let me tell you sumpthin’, Tony Shiavone!”
Heard that one many times from Ric Flair.
By Andy
April 20, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
In regards to trading for Nick Johnson, some may say that we couldnt do it because he in our division. The mets just traded for schneider and church, while giving up Milledge to the Nationals. The Nationals would prob ask for Kelly Johnson. They have a weak middle infield.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 20, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
richbrave O’conner did a good piece on the R Braves in today’s Times Dispatch.
I had planned to go to the game today and tomorrow but it looks like it will likely get rained out. Even if it doesn’t, I may not take a chance. They will be back in town next Friday.
By Jaye
April 20, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Wheels of Love,
That’s a flashback? It was only like ten years ago. Or am I just getting old in my mid-20s?
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
If it is a certainty that we will not be able to sign Tex, then I have a feeling Frank Wren will have to show some creativity. I don’t think we should mortgage the future to TRY and win this year. By this I mean losing Tex with no compensation and having no control over where he goes. If we can not sign him then I would try and trade him to someone out of the league - Yankees maybe - and get something in return for him. How many times did you want to kick John S in the butt for losing AJ with no compensation. Yes, I know that would mean trading for another first baseman, but that is part of FW’s job. I just simply not ready to roll the dice in an all or nothing gamble for this year. What if we lose the division, don’t make the playoffs and Tex signs with the Mets. 09 will be off to a pretty glum start.
By ole timerbrave
April 20, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Thought I heard at the first of the game taday that Furcal loved playing in LA. If so why would he be willing to leave.
By BravesFanChris23
April 20, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Oh the memories of WCW/Wrestling on TBS during those days. I am a big fan of wrestling, but more so an old school fan of back then. Seeing those old memories on here makes me smile a bit.
As far as today’s game, glad they swept the Dodgers. Hopefully they can continue the streak for a little while and get more positive things going.
Furcal/Escobar double play combo does sound interesting. I would definitely love to keep Tex, but if we can’t when the time comes, this wouldn’t be a bad deal. I like someone’s idea of getting Nick Johnson for 1B if Tex leaves.
By MiamiBraveFan
April 20, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Hey everyone, we’re 9-9 with all these terrible injuries and maladies on that road trip.
Chip is hittin over 450 and back to back multi-homer games on a bad quad, wanna see what he can do with a healthy pair of quads.
they are 9-9 and heading to washington, i see us over .500 and this team is starting to heat up
kj has walked more times in the last few games than he had the entire season up until now. I agree that KJ could be a first baseman, I believe the kid can hit, when he is patient at the plate, boy can he hit. I was at dolphin stadium the night he hit the 2-run jack, he had just missed two prior to that one.
BTW, Tex is heating up with clutch singles to give the braves the lead and hitting homers
and DOB I think it does makes sense if you lose out on Tex to sign Furcal, I mean Chipper can carry a team with Frenchy and Mac even more experienced. Also, I would like to see Kotsay around since it is likely that Schafer won’t be ready next season due to the suspension, dunno, but doubt Kotsay would sign a 1 year deal
all in all, we will be okay guys, they are heating up!
GO BRAVES!
By Dan
April 20, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Most Important Stat I remember is 2 DUI’s
By BravesFanInRockies
April 20, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I like the way you think. Esp. about moving KJ to 1B next year if you can’t find a reasonable replacement for Tex. Kelly is a very productive hitter, would work in the three-hole (does Chipper become your cleanup hitter then?) and would be a relative bargain.
And if Furcal can’t be signed to play second, why not Lil Bridge?
Keeping Kelly in some capacity works for me.
How bout some love for Boyer, who’s been very impressive the past week?
When Soriano and Gonzo return, you do have some (wait for it) depth in your bullpen.
By Efrim
April 20, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Braves can do a number of things this offseason. They have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and 30 million coming off the books.
By kev
April 20, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Andy: I think bringing back Furcal is an interesting proposition but I don’t think it’s in the best interest for the club. It seems like a compromise to me. What I find more important for next year is finding the suitable replacements for the likes of Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton.
If Kotsay walks, Schaefer may be ready to go…depending on how he responds to his problems. My preference is for Kotsay mostly because of the “intangibles” of this player as an experienced clubhouse leader, etc…
But then again, it seems like these are all secondary to the issue of the 2009 rotation. Who replaces (or begins to replace) the likes of Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton?
By Duce
April 20, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
DOB wrote
“Folks, with Furcal, Escobar and Chipper in the first three spots in your lineup, you’d have the potential to have one of the most dynamic teams in the league.”
We already have one of the most dynamic teams in baseball!! Considering the injuries, I believe the worst stretch of the season is over, barring serious injuries to some key players. Why on earth would you sign Furcal for 3 or 4 million a year less than Teixeira, and not try to re-sign Tex to a long term deal? DOB, I agree with most things you say, but this idea is moronic. Hampton, Glavine, and Smoltz are not going to be pitching for the Braves forever, due to retirement. With their contracts gone why not offer Tex 8 - 10 year back-end heavy $20-$25 million/per yr, contract?
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
As much of me trying to stay positive about kelly johnson in second base i have to say that he sucks at fielding that position. He has 4 errors in 15 at this rate he will have 27 at the end of the season. I think he should be move back to left field and use martin prado at second.
By Wayne in Utah
April 20, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Chipper needs to sit for a day or so, with the Nats coming up. McCann is NOT a first baseman, but a very good catcher. Just gotta get that caloric input down a bit.
Why in the world would we sign Furcal, when we are strong up the middle now, with Lillibridge in the wings?
Lets spend some money on some starting pitching!
Who will be available via trades or free agency? Let’s have some rumors started right here on the MIB BBQ blog.
(and, for the record, lots of us have thought that KJ would move to first or third when Lillibridge joins the party)
Also, Tex is a goner. Lets ride him hard, and put him away wet!
By Hue Jass
April 20, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Looking forward to the game tonight, even though I’ve gotta listen to Joe Morgan express his unconditional love for Jose Reyes.
Go Philthies…
By LMartin6
April 20, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
this idea is completely stupid. If you can’t pay Teixeira 20 mil a year, you sure can’t pay Furcal 16+. There is no way Furcal is that close to having the same value as Teixeira.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
On this old school wrestling note: WWE is releasing a Best of Starrcade DVD set and a new Ric Flair compilation in July. Should be sweet as long as there’s lots of Rhodes and Flair and less Hogan and Vader.
By Andy
April 20, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Kev, I definitely agree with you. Pitching should definitely be the most important offseason priority. Our payroll should go up next season, so we should be able to afford a Furcal, N. Johnson, and a SP. I felt compelled to comment on adding Furcal, since that was the topic of the blog. What pitchers should we target? Sheets and Sabathia are the top two options off the top of my head. Both are obviously very expensive. Sheets has been in the nl, and would be the most obvious choice to pursue, but he has such injury issues. I believe he is from the south, and he is also a brave killer, so I would like to see him in a Braves uniform, if only I knew he would definitely be healthy!
By kev
April 20, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Duce, signing Tex to a 8-10 year contract would bind the team financially for years and considering the fact that their payroll will most likely hover around $90 mil AT BEST, spending about a quarter of your resources MAY not be the best idea, despite the fact that we can all agree Tex is one hell of a player.
Who would hit clean up with DOB’s line up with Furcal, Esco and Chipper? …Francoeur? …McCann?
By ncgary
April 20, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
lets say pads fall out early, what all does it take to pry peavey, scott thornton and 50 % of braves stock?
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I think the Braves do have the money to go after Texeira, if they would have resigned andruw that would have been a different story, and consider the fact that Tom Glavine 7.5million and Mike Hamptons 14million will be out of the braves way.
Tex is paid 12.5 million, you give him an extra 7.5 million and there he will have his 20 million, and a six year 120 million dollar contract will be in place for him, and you still have 14 million to go after a quality starting pitcher or Furcal, but i bet it will be for a starting pitcher.
By fastasballs
April 20, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Here’s a quick list of free agent pitcher after this season, an * means they have an option, either team or player.
Kris Bensen BAL A.J. Burnett TOR (may opt out) Paul Byrd CLE Jon Garland LAA Tom Glavine ATL Mike Hampton * ATL Rich Harden * OAK Orlando Hernandez NYM Jason Jennings TEX Randy Johnson ARZ John Lackey * LAA Esteban Loaiza OAK Braden Looper STL Derek Lowe LAD Pedro Martinez NYM Matt Morris * PIT Mike Mussina NYY Jamie Moyer PHI Mark Mulder * STL Carl Pavano NYY Brad Penny * LAD Odalis Perez WAS Oliver Perez NYM Andy Pettitte NYY Mark Prior SD Horatio Ramirez SEA C.C. Sabathia CLE Ben Sheets MIL John Smoltz * ATL Julian Tavarez BOS Steve Trachsel BAL Brett Tomko KC Claudio Vargas MIL Woody Williams HOU Randy Wolf SD
By Dan
April 20, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
NICK JOHNSON ???????? Has he played a full season yet? yes another DL’er on this team would be great. BEST looking DL team in the MLB. lol Biggest need WILL be pitching.
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
I hope the WWE will release a DVD set called “The Black Scorpion: A Retrospective.” Truly one of the finer angles WCW ever produced.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
The best starting pitcher in the free agent market after this season is going to be CC Sabathia, who wants a bigger contract than Barry Zito, so falls into the no way category. Other quality pitchers are Randy Wolf who is off to a very good start this season and mets oliver perez, I think either of those two will be a wise choice.
By Paul
April 20, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
Sign Furcal? Are you all crazy? Has the $13 million the Dodgers spent on his worked out for them? NO. The money is better spent on pitching.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
fastasballs, was Santana a free agent this year? Bedard? Haren?
No! It’s really hard to say who will be available, but with a lot of prospects to trade, you can almost bet that whoever we get (if anybody) won’t be on that list of free agent pitchers. It’ will probably be someone a year or two from free agency, and not so much a money deal, as us giving up a couple of prospects to take on a player with a couple of years before free agency.
(the Tim Hudson acquisition is the best analogy, but we’re not likely to find another deal like that - thank you, Billy Beane.)
That’s my bet, anyway.
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
And add AJ Burnett,Ben Sheets,Brad Penny, and John Lackey to the list of quality starting pitchers this offseason.
The best two are John Lackey and CC Sabathia. CC will ask for 20 million at LEAST, and LAckey something around 18 million.
AJ Burnett and Ben Sheets have a routine of injuring themselves every season and that makes them unreliable, but damn they are quality pitchers. The problem is that they will ask for 14 to 16 million.
And Brad Penny is a very good choice but he will ask I think for at least 16 million.
By Joe
April 20, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Are you an idiot? There’s a reason the Braves didn’t sign Furcal for the price he was asking 2 years ago….there is no way they’ll try to sign him for 16 million. The guy isn’t worth it…hell, he’s not worth $13…..If they can sign him for $16, they need to go ahead and pony up 20+ for Tex.
By AuburnBrave
April 20, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
I think we’ll be needing to get some young innings eaters for next season. Glavine and Smoltz will be even older, and both are starting to wear down, we won’t be paying Mike Hampton and ungodly amount of money to ride the pine anymore, so that’ll help us be able to spend on a good arm, or try to re-sign Tex.
I’m just enjoying the surge and looking forward to the rest of this season, way too early to be wondering and pondering about next year, though I do like the idea of a Furcal-Escobar tandem down the middle of the infield, that’d rival the Utley-Rollins duo in Philly.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t expecting a lot from Andruw, but I’m stunned by how poorly he’s hitting. I mean, it’s really, really bad.
By John in Wichita
April 20, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
DOB…
This thought has probably been brought up already, but how much of Chipper’s great start do you think can be linked to having Tex hitting behind him?
Yeah, I know Tex has struggled a bit (though is warming up, it seems)… but slumping, Tex is much more of a threat than Andruw was the last 2 or 3 years.
Chipper is mashing everything he is seeing at the moment, so it’s not entirely the environment around him in the order, but I think maybe a contributor.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
You’re killing me Chop Chop. The Black Scorpion? Personally, I liked the Funk-Flair feud. Not often you get to see someone “smothered” with a plastic bag
By Salty
April 20, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Lew told me to stay away from here, but since he’s not policing today, I’ll make a quick hit! (Just kiddin’, Lew!)
Furcal-Escobar combo…that’s a very juicy prospect. And so much better than any Baldelli/Figgins talk! LOL!!
If Kelly is attractive in a trade, what about Kotsay moving to first…take some load off his back (not that he’s showing any deficiencies)? He could work with the new CF, and fill in as needed…plus nice veteran presence. Of course, it’s early…hopefully his praises are being sung this summer…I suspect they will! He’s been a nice addition to date.
By Josh
April 20, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Joe
The per year amount isn’t the deal-breaker for the Braves, it’s the total amount of the contract. DOB’s suggesting spending $45MM tops on Furcal, while it will probably take a $120MM offer just to get in the door on Teixeira. The Yankees, Mets, and possibly the Red Sox will be in the market for a first baseman this upcoming offseason; if two of those teams get into a bidding war over Teixeira that’s gonna price the Braves out of the conversation before they even start it.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
I like Penny as a possible FA signing. He’s 30 this year and can bring it. Good compliment to Hudson, Smoltz, Jurrjens, and ?????
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 20, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Actually, Kelly would have had another walk were it not for the terrible call by the home plate umpire in the eight.
By Braveheart
April 20, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Here’s something to consider: The Braves are 3-3 so far when their fifth starters Chuck James and Jeff Bennett start.
Last year, the Braves were 9-26 when their fifth starters started.
The Braves did not win their fourth game started by a fifth starter until they won a Lance Cormier start on August 11th of last season.
Until that August 11th start by Cormier, the Braves had been 3-20 in games started by their fifth starters.
THey were 1-4 with Redman, 1-2 with Larew, 0-1 with Buddy, 1-6 with Davies, 0-2 with Cormier, and 0-5 with JoJo starting as the fifth starters until August 11.
In figuring that number, I considered Davies to be the fifth starter after Buddy’s June 5th start last year which made Buddy the fourth starter.
By Eric from MO
April 20, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
We have a ton of middle infielders and you want to spend 16 million on another. That is ridiculous. If he was not a former Brave this would of never even been thought of. A starting pitcher or two would be much better than Furcal.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
*McCann is NOT a first baseman, but a very good catcher. * Wayne
Exactly!
By Bob Dole
April 20, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
O’Brien, that is a f*** idiotic idea.
By Shamus Thacker
April 20, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Andruw is now an everyman swingin a bat.
By Braveheart
April 20, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Oh, dammit, I messed that up. They are only 2-2 when Bennett and Chuck start so far and not 3-3 like I said. Regardless, you get my point that things are a whole lot better at the bottom end than they were last season.
By Zerevan
April 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
We need Tex as a Brave..we want Tex as A Brave…Tex wants to stay here..we just need to get the money to sign him..YES..It is possible. I like KJ better than Furcal. He is cheaper and has a good future as a hitter. No he is no Furcal but if we want to keep Tex it is just the way it goes you can’t have both. DOB is the BEST in this field..simply the best and I mean that. GO BRAVES
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 20, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
DOB, I actually like your idea. I like the idea of acquiring Furcal putting him at the top of the order with Escobar to follow. Kelly could then hit third with Chipper in the cleanup role (even though I know he doesn’t much care for it).
If Kelly were to be traded I thiink plenty of moves could be made. The Braves could contact the Pirates and get LaRoche back possbily. (Not a preferred move by me but it is viable.) The D-Backs could be in the market for a 2B if Orlando Hudson sticks with his asinine proposals and Connor Jackson could be available. The Cards could be willing to part with Chris Duncan who could play 1B.
Also, there is the American League. The Tigers could be willing to part with Marcus Thames even though I don’t see how Kelly would be apart of any deal there. A guy like Kevin Milar would be available and could be used as a stopgap until Flowers or Canziannes (sp?) are ready. And, let us not forget the Nats have Dmitri Young and Nick Johnson. I know they have Belliard and Lopez but Kelly Johnson is better than either one of those guys.
By CC Rider
April 20, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
DOB, I like the idea of Furcal and Yunel at the top of the order, but I would like to suggest another long term solution at 1st base. I know many bloggers and probably you as well will disagree but has anyone noticed the start and progress of Clint Sammons at Richmond? I love Brian McCann but as a catcher he is average at best at receiving and throwing out runners. I know Sammons is considered one of if not the best defensive catchers in the minors, plus if he continues to hit for a full season then the Braves would be better with Sammons behind the dish and Brian at 1st base. Brian would have to work as Kelly Johnson over the winter to make the transfer and also lose some weight to be more nimble, but he would benefit offensively from the wear and tear of catching and his bat would be in the games most of the time. I like Kelly but as with Sammons he would have to show me a complete season of hitting before I would like that idea.
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
DOB don’t know if you have any pull with Chipper or not but how about trying to convince him to take a day off no matter how he feels tomorrow.
By Supes
April 20, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to sign Tex, up to 22 mil per year six year contract is reasonable considering what he could get from the Yankees and the Muts.
Braves need to address starting pitching and relief pitching, it’s where any spare money (if they don’t sign Tex) should go to.
Maybe even work a trade…trade to the A’s or the Giants for one of their young starters.
Last thing we need is another over the hill overpriced infielder. So no to Furcal.
Prado and Brent L. are much cheaper options and it’ll continue the youth movement forward.
Don’t forget, if the Braves don’t sign Tex…we’ve got Jayson Hayward in the minors…he’s 2-3 years away…and his upside, scouts compare him to a Derek Lee. I think the Braves would be happy with that. So you’d need a stop gap first baseman.
By Efrim
April 20, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
John Lackey isn’t a free agent at the end of the year. Neither is Brad Penny. I believe the only starters of note that are eligible for free agency are Oliver Perez, C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, AJ Burnett(assuming he opts out) and Derek Lowe.
I don’t like any of those options. Either too old, too injury prone, or too expensive.
Braves will probably have to get a starter via the trade route. It shouldn’t be a problem with the depth they have in the farm system. And they do have young major league pieces to deal as well.
By Shaun
April 20, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
DOB, don’t know if anyone has brought this up yet but the problem with Furcal is what he would command (I’m guessing at least $12M a season). But if we look closely, while a solid player, Furcal has never been all that special. He’s never finished in the top ten in batting average, on-base percentage or slugging. 2008 is his best season so far but it’s still extremely early. I suppose if the Braves could get him at a discount and they could move Johnson back to the outfield, it may be worth looking into. But I just don’t know if he’s worth what he will likely command.
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
GHF,
I’m 28. I probably started really watching and paying attention to wrestling when I was 8 or 9. I basically gave up on it around 2000-2001 and haven’t really gone back. I remember waaaaaaaaaaaay too much about wrestling.
Since I mentioned the Black Scorpion…
Black Scorpion Stuff
I love that stuff, man. So corny.
By Braveheart
April 20, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I also forgot to include Bennett’s two starts last September as a “fifth starter” start. THe Braves were 1-1 when Bennett started last season. So that made them 10-27 when their fifths started last season. Things are looking a whole lot better from the fifths this season.
By brian
April 20, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
looking at Andruw continuing his decline reinforces how brilliant JS was as a GM. Not just for the people he got for the Braves, but for knowing when to let go of players. In this case though, $18 million per season for Andruw is ridiculous and I do not think it took a genius to know that Andruw is not worth that anymore
By Chop Chop
April 20, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
(In my last comment, note a costume and mask-wearing Tony Schiavone interviewing Sting.)
By Shaun
April 20, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Throw out last year’s stats (he played hurt) and look at his year-by-year totals in doubles, homers, average, OBP, stolen bases … and tell me how he’s an “average” hitter.
Furcal’s career OPS+ (OPS adjusted for ballpark and league, where 100 is average): 96.
Like I posted before, Furcal has never ever finished in the top ten in average, on-base or slugging. He’s never finished in the top ten in runs created. He’s only finished in the top ten in times on base once and that was in 2006 when he finished eighth.
I like Furcal and think he’s a very solid player. And I wouldn’t be opposed to the Braves signing him for below market value (if that’s even possible, which I doubt). But I think Furcal has been somewhat overrated by some in his career because of his speed and arm.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I’ve been arguing this all day. Furcal is just NOT THAT GOOD. Strong arm (but who cares if you’re gonna play him at 2nd base?), and speed … yes, but not a great hitter. His best year at the plate is not as good as KJ’s rookie season.
By woogidy
April 20, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Braves could get Tex cheaper annually with more years, say 10 years, $185 million. Just a suggestion. Say 17 per year for 2, 18 per for 2, 19 per year for 6, and 20 for the final year. Add some MVP $1 million bonuses, and I say he’ d probably sign that deal. I mean he’s guaranteed 185 million dollars. $50+ more than a 6 year, 22 million per season contract. He’d be 38 at the end of his deal.
By Jim
April 20, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
No way would I pay Furcal $16 mil period…. has everyone forgotten how he hits a dinger and then forgets that his game is not swinging for the fences every at bat. If he could ever have played with a Brett Butler, learned how he could reek havoc just slapping the ball to left, dragging a bunt down third, then distracting the pitcher…. that might be different.
For me, I pay for Tex and let second be the battleground for the Johnson, Prado, Infante and the other lurking surprises fighting their way up the hill………. I remember when Furcal and Giles were knocking on the door….soon there’ll be another two or three…
By Matt the Brave
April 20, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, I saw the other day that the talks with LaRoche are stalling in Pittsburgh. Did you hear anything about it, and would you think that the Braves would be open to getting him back if Tex walks and the price is right?
By shawshank
April 20, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Sign Tex. He’ll be worth more than $5-7 per year than Furcal. He’ll help Chipper get to 3,000 quicker. Which is good for all Braves and Braves fans.
By keylargo
April 20, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
woogidy
This is just one of my many quirks, but I would want a guy I was paying $20M a year to pay me back a million if he didn’t win the MVP. Call me frugal if you must. Just kidding but I think I have a point.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
CC! CC! Hold the phone, dude!!
Why in the name of corn on the cob would you want to move Brian to first base?? Even if he did lose weight, it wouldn’t help! He’s too slow for the infield! That’s why he became a catcher—he started out as an infielder, but it just didn’t work. Granted, that was before high school, but it still proves my point partially. I like the idea of less wear and tear, but he’s a catcher—an All-Star* catcher!
Sorry, dude. But it just wouldn’t work. Nor would it look right, IMO. And I don’t think the Braves are so desperate to have Sammons as their everyday catcher to make such a drastic move.
By Lew
April 20, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Matt-Now that makes much more sense to me. I just don’t see that Furcal fills any kind of glaring need we may have next year, whereas letting Tex walk and picking up LaRoche does.
Roachy won’t cost anywhere near the $15 mil a year range and then we can find some pitching-likely through a trade-and still have $$$$ to pay them.
Another point-It has been said all winter long by many Braves’ sources that Jurrjens is going to be a top, rather than bottom of the rotation starter in the next several years. I think his performance to this point should lay to rest the doubts of those who did not believe this. This kid is going to be good. Keep in mind he’s only 22.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 20, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
TJ: His [Furcal’s] best year at the plate is not as good as KJ’s rookie season.
WOW, what a statement. Let’s look at that:
KJ’s rookie season, 2005: .241 avg, .334 OBP, .397 SLG; 9 hr, 40 rbi; 75 k, 40 bb; 290 ABs. Remember: a player is considered a rookie if he exceeds 130 ABs (or 50 IP for pitchers).
Furcal’s best year at the plate: I would think that’d be 2006: .300 avg, .369 OBP, .445 SLG; 15 hr, 63 rbi; 98 k, 73 bb; 654 ABs.
By gotigers72
April 20, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Let’s say the Braves don’t sign Teixeira, but do sign Furcal. Then they move KJ to first. Who will hit behind Chipper to keep teams from pitching around him? Not KJ for sure. Not Frenchy who still has lax [yet improving] plate discipline. Who would pitchers rather face, Chipper or a wild swinging young player? [By the way, I still believe Frenchy will be a superstar, but he’s not ready to hit 4th behind a Chipper. Since he will be a superstar, the Braves need TO SIGN HIM!!] So the Braves currently have no one that could serve to protect Chipper. You see the benefits he gets this year from hitting behind Teixeira. Last year after Teixeira came and started hitting 4th to replace that limp bat of Andruw’s, Chipper almost won the batting title. Look what he’s doing this year at a soon to be 36 year old. Can he play or what? It would be a shame to not have anyone hitting behind him to protect him next year.
Could the new first baseman be the person to do it? Not if it’s anyone in the Braves’ farm system. Can they get someone good enough by trade or free agency to do that job? It would be hard. Nobody in the National League would give them somebody that good, and most of the hitters in the American League that would fit as “first baseman” are currently designated hitters.
Here’s my solution. Ted buys the team back and pays Teixeira what he wants. Then for the next 3 years, the Braves have the best offense in baseball. Then Chipper retires and Ted pays someone to hit third. I know DOB, don’t jump on me and tell me how stupid that idea is. Can’t a guy have wishful thinking? It worked for me when I wanted to marry a beautiful woman. I still haven’t figured that one out.
By Dadgum
April 20, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
DOB….did anyone notice Prado today. My man Prado who I have been touting as the 2nd baseman for over a year now. The man would have had two triples save for a great play by Ethier. I see no need to bring back Furcal at that price. What exactly is wrong with Prado/Escobar?
Just curious, does Kelly Johnson actually have a natural position? I thought it was LF some years back. Looks like we are always trying to do or suggest a makeover for the guy at every position on the field. Now 1st base may have some merit given Kelly’s power. In fact I like it as opposed to paying Tex 22 mil on the open market.
Oh yeah if it was Furcal/Escobar there is no doubt I would put Furcal at 2nd. Escobar has better range and just as good an arm and he is bigger. Both will make their share of errors during the year. But as I mentioned I wouldn’t sign Furcal without a hometown discount which won’t happen anyway.
I would spend the big dollars on the starting pitching needs this year or off-season. As our pitching staff greys and we constantly resemble a mash unit. Pitching is where it is at baby. Always will be.
Rock on!
By tj
April 20, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
After reading ALL these blogs, I wonder if any of you might realize why Bobby’s ( and the Braves ) philosophy is to not get too high when you win or too low when you lose. It’s baseball, Major League Baseball, a very long season. Just a few days ago the season was over if you read the negative blogs on here. I suspect one of the things Bobby did in his closed door was to remind the younger guys not to pay any attention to all that negative crap. The veterans already know.
By Logan23
April 20, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Gils missing link Interesting article on Richmond Braves.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe, my mistake. Knew it as soon as I posted it… meant KJ’s first full year. Point taken.
Anyway, it’s a moot point IMO. Furcal is an okay hitter who can steal a few bases.
Not worth 15 pct of our payroll.
Dodgers have some speed - furcal and pierre - on their roster. But scored 3 runs against our bottom three pitchers this weekend. I don’t want that kind of baseball - gimme a couple of 2-run jacks … but obviously, some do.
By McFann
April 20, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
OK, I could be done for the night here. So CC—or whoever might agree with you—if you wish to further argue your position-shift, I’ll respond tomorrow.
Night, all!!
By radoncbravesfan
April 20, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Chase Utley 2 home runs tonight, 8 for the year.
By ernesto
April 20, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
The thing about resigning Fookie is, when he left you couldn’t swing a dead cat without reading a post from someone saying “Furcal’s a good shortstop but not worth 13m a year, glad we ddin’t’ resign him.
And you’ve got to admit he’s probably earned his money in LA, but ATL has filled in without losing much, if any, productivity for A LOT LESS money.
Teams like ATL who aren’t going to be spending NY/Bos money have to be more creative. And if you’re getting good production for the money from two positions already…why screw with it by adding 15 mil to the payroll?
Once again, Fookie’s nice. But 15 mil? I’d rather get another arm…somone in the bully…take a runner on a 1b…I don’t know, there are a lot of things you can do with 15 mil than solve a problem you don’t have.
And I know he’s a speed guy, etc. Still, I don’t htink it’s the most judicious use of limited funds.
By the way, 4-0 phils over muts. Good times.
By Alex
April 20, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
two non-braves, non-baseball notes:
1) Forgetting Sarah Marshall : Hilarious…I’m not saying it is unquestionably the funniest of the Apatow related movies…but if someone else did, I wouldn’t disagree with them either. A really great funny movie.
2) A buddy and I made burgers completely out of bacon. Amazing….my left arm has been hurting for a few days now…but amazing regardless…and of course we topped them with bacon. I’ve got a recipe if anyone is so inclined/suicidal.
and a Braves note:
as far as signing Furcal goes….I guess it is just a question of do you a) Sign Tiexiera or b) sign Furcal and a mid tier pitcher? either way I’d be happy…not a bad position to be in
By Serge
April 20, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
This is maybe one of the worst ideas ive ever heard.
By 30YrBravesFan
April 20, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
It was a nice series. On to the Nats!
Cudos to Jair. He is the next young gun for the Bravos.
GO BRAVES!
By Tomas
April 20, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
The real question everybody should be asking, is who do you prefer, Furcal or Mark Texeira, because if you are going to pay a guy 15 million you might as well go with the power guy in mark texeira for 20million. I repeat the braves have the money to go after him and i sign a quality starting pitcher. This offseason there is no excuse, Hampton 14 million dollar contract will be out of the picture, there is no andruw, and glavine will not be resigned. They can do all the things that couple of years a go they couldn’t, like giving Franceour a contract extension, signing tex to a long term deal, and you can sign a quality starting pitcher.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 20, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
TJ: It’s easy to forget that KJ had a year between his rookie and first full years. Just to follow up on your point, here are the numbers for the comparison you were trying to make:
Furcal 2006: .300 avg, .369 OBP, .445 SLG; 15 hr, 63 rbi; 98 k, 73 bb; 654 ABs.
KJ 2007: .276, .376 OBP, .457 SLG; 16 hr, 68 rbi; 117 k, 79 bb; 521 ABs.
Furcal had the better average, but KJ had better numbers otherwise. I must admit that I’m surprised — good point. It’s also worth mentioning that they’re just different types of players and have different strengths.
It’s also interesting to note that Furcal has had a better OBP only once (2000, with .394), and KJ’s 2007 SLG% is better than Furcal has ever posted. Likewise, KJ’s 16 hr is more than Furcal’s single-season total (15, twice), and his 68 rbi is more than Furcal has registered in one year. KJ’s 2007 walk total is also more than Furcal’s highest single-season (73), but Furcal has only had more than 100 K’s once.
A category KJ will likely never surpass Furcal: stolen bases. In fact, I would venture to say that KJ will never have surpass Furcal’s lowest one-season total, which is 22.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
30YrBravesFan, good point… kudos to Jair. Almost overlooked in this silliness about Furcal.
Actually, Jair was throwing in the mid-90’s today, and dominant. The “book” on him is that he’s a middle of the rotation guy, but he sure looked like a #2 or better today. At 22 yo, that’s pretty impressive.
By kev
April 20, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Andy: In all honesty I’d prefer that the Braves pursue a pitcher like Jair Jurrjens—a relatively young starter. I’m sure there are few of those out there somewhere in someone’s farm system.
If Smoltz doesn’t stay on, I’d agree with you in chasing after guys like Ben Sheets or C.C. Sabathia who can establish the top of the rotation along with Hudson and Jurrjens. Whether or not they get either one of them is a questionable…
Here’s what the rotation may look like next year (sans John Smoltz, sans any roster moves):
Tim Hudson Jair Jurrjens Chuck James Jeff Bennett Jo-Jo Reyes
…heh, do you think someone like Joe Blanton may be available? does anyone know any other possible starters in the system we may be able to pick from?
By TJ
April 20, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe, Thanks. It’s also worth noting that KJ makes about $450K, while we’re talking about Raffy making 30 times that. No?
By chase
April 20, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Allen I don’t even remember talking about AJ today except to say he had struck ot like 4 times in the series coming into today…
If you only post every couple weeks or say, maybe you should keep your mouth shut about people!
All the conversation from me today has been about DOB’s blog
By kev
April 20, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with Ernesto.
Furcal is a good player, but for $15 mil I’d much rather sign Tex or a new starter who can solidify the rotation.
Signing Furcal would be a good option if Tex cannot be signed AND if Frenchy proves that he can carry some of the offensive load for the team. (I feel like Francoeur hasn’t done it consistently enough to be depended upon…like one would with Tex)
Who would hit 4th if the Braves don’t re-sign Tex? Mac? Frenchy? Chipper?
By chase
April 20, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
I agree…Saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall today and it was ABSOLUTELY GREAT!
Kristen Bell is smokin’ hot
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Here’s what the rotation may look like next year (sans John Smoltz, sans any roster moves):
Tim Hudson Jair Jurrjens Chuck James Jeff Bennett Jo-Jo Reyes Kev
Man that is too many young guns. We will need at least one more veteran to make it work. No way in the world would I want to go into a season with that starting rotation. Don’t get me wrong, I like all of those guys, but we need more experience than than if we hope to accomplish anything.
By Stuart
April 20, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
If the team cannot sign Tex, then DOB you have a pretty neat idea. KJ can hit and Furcal and Escobar can cover alot of ground up the middle.
My only hickup with the idea is that your Furcal team really becomes a slappy team. Tex and Chipper are the only ones with ‘proven’ pop. Unfortunately, Chipper is injury prone and that would be an even bigger loss than usual in your senario. Frenchy only hit 19 HR last year. McCann is good for 18-22 HRs. KJ is probably a 20-25 HR max guy. LF and CF are below average in power, but Escobar is going to hit 15-20 a year. That would be an average to slightly below average power team considering Turner Field is not a launching pad.
If Frenchy can ever put it together, and becomes the beast master he can be, then the lineup becomes very dynamic. However that is not a certianity and bat control is not the strength of these young guys, The lineup with Furcal would require more of that.
On the positive side, how many games would Huddy win by getting guys to beat the ball into the ground to those guys. Sign a guy like Aaron Cook for the 3-4 spot in the rotation and you should be good to go.
I have another question, how come the braves do not sell naming rights to the stadium? There is 10-20 mil a year right there for Tex.
If the braves put it together this year and make a run, then Liberty Media needs to spend the money to sign Tex. A signed Tex will pay for himself (at least pay the difference between Fookie and Tex) in tickets and jerseys, etc. It would help the buzz factor of the team.
However, if the braves stay at .500 and sputter, why not try something else. The fookie idea at the top of the order is as good of an idea as I have heard.
Finally, I think we are going to enjoy the Jair Jurgens era.
By Shamus Thacker
April 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Ah, the air smells sweet again..
You know, if Andruw wore a doo rag, he’d look just like Aunt Jamima.
Have any more folks fell outa Shea? They’re gonna have to install an upper-deck catch fence [like NASCAR] to keep those idiots in the ballpark.
There’s nothing like a winning streak to end a whining streak. The ole blogosphere is so much more upbeat, and fun…
I’d pay $10,000 for scalpers seats to Hammy’s next pen session. To see Hambalina actually throw a pitch would be equivalent to a visit from aliens or the resurrection of Elvis..
WAY TO GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By TJ
April 20, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Tom Gorzelanny may be pitching his way out of Pittsburgh. He’s a good young arm having a terrible early season, on a team that’s not likely to spend much more money.
I don’t know that he’s “our guy” but this is the kind of player I’d expect us to get next year.
By chase
April 20, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave
Why would the Braves rotation be w/o SMOLTZ next year? If he wants to come back the Braves will have him back!
He already said he didn’t want to retire yet
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Who would hit 4th if the Braves don’t re-sign Tex? Mac? Frenchy? Chipper? Kev
Man none of those options are great. Mac is too slow, I don’t even like that he is batting as high as he is just because it takes more hits or a home run to get him around the base paths. French doesn’t have the plate discipline to be the clean up man. And I would much rather have Chipper in his customary 3rd spot in the line up.
So where does that leave us? Either sign Tex or we will have to go out and find someone good enough to take Tex’s spot in the line up.
By Shamus Thacker
April 20, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
I’m more exited by a fast runner stealing runs [Furcal] than by a slugger [Tex] trotting round the bases. Speed NEVER goes in a slump.
By Shamus Thacker
April 20, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
I’m also more excited!!
By Efrim
April 20, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Going after Furcal doesn’t make much sense to me. Not with the current middle infielders that we have. Braves will need pitching next year. Possibly all sorts of pitching considering the injuries some of our best relievers are having.
By KC
April 20, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
We’re rolling. Things are looking good. But what happens tomorrow may tell us all we need to know about the season.
I’m glad to hear he hasn’t had any pain or discomfort before, during, or after his last start, HOWEVER…
When you suddenly lose 7mph on your fastball like that, I just can’t imaging that there’s nothing wrong.
If Hudson comes out tomorrow and throws in the 90s, I will feel extraordinarly good about the rest of the season.
But he again tops out in the mid or upper 80s… that will be a very, very bad sign for the Braves.
By monty
April 20, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Signing Tex is priority one! If Chipper goes down with one of his injuries and he will(my favorite player),then you have got to have some big stick to take up his slack. Furcal at that price is ridiculous. All he is is a singles,doubles hitter. Tex can drive in 125 per year. If Kelley can put together a consistent year, hit .275; 20 HR,70-80 rbi’s those are really good numbers. Prado could start for many teams. We need him as Chippers back up, but he may be too good to be a reserve by next year. He may be trade bait, or maybe trade Kelley and start Prado at 2nd.
By chase
April 20, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
I seem to remember FURCAL doing A TON of “trotting around the bases” AFTER EACH AND EVERY POP OUT
No thanks…He and Giles were pop up machines at the top of the order
By TexasBrave
April 20, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Chase
Kev was speculating what the rotation would look like if Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton didn’t return and no other major moves in the rotation were made. If John wants to come back then by all means he would be our other veteran presence. I was just saying that the afore mentioned line up needed a little less youth.
Yet at the same time I could see the following happen. Braves win the World Series and Smoltz goes out a winner!!
By AGTFan
April 20, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
I’m more exited by a fast runner stealing runs [Furcal] than by a slugger [Tex] trotting round the bases. Speed NEVER goes in a slump. Yeah. It was exciting watching the Dodgers stealing bases today. The speed game is wonderful……………..if you like getting swept.
As bad as Druw was this series, he did score 2 or the 3 Dodger runs and had 1 of their 3 RBIs.
I’m betting Chipper plays tomorrow. I can see the conversation when BC tells him he want’s him to take a day off. “But, Skip! As long as the pitchers are throwing me beachballs, I want to stay in the lineup.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
If the Braves don’t resign Tex, and if we don’t add a big bat, then KJ hits 3rd and Chipper hits cleanup. Not the end of the world, IMO. (though I’d rather have Tex)
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop enjoyed the Black Scorp stuff…I’m only 4 years older than you so I remember the angle well. Those were the days when there’d be only 4 PPVs a year (eight counting WWE). After Sunday night church we’d go watch wrestling at the deacon’s house who had satelitte. I actually remember the Starrcade where Flair was unmasked. We were all pretty shocked because it wasn’t a “Flair” match.
By Cody
April 20, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
If the Braves lose Tex, I think they will be a big player in the Sabathia sweepstakes. Could you imagine 1. CC, 2. Hudson, 3. JJJ, 4. Smoltz (age moved him down) and Reyes or James. That is one hell of a rotation. A decent 1st baseman would still make this a great team. We use Hampton’s salary and part of Tex’s to sign the guy (CC). Then sign Furcal and move Kelly to second. We just need $10 more million from liberty though.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 20, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry guys I actually let the cat out of the bag in a “discussion” with the wife. I told her guys play golf to get away from the house (i.e., responsibilities).Good news is, she didn’t believe me.
By Cody
April 20, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry I mean’t move Kelly to 1st. i was reading kelly’s ESPN Bio when I typed that. Anyway you look at it, ATL will need pitching next yeat. GLAVINE and INJURY BUGITIS will be gone. Oh sorry that would be Hampton.
By David O'Brien
April 20, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Great game today, and terrific Steve Earle concert tonight. What a tremendous acoustic show, nearly two hours of Earle, with Down In The Hole to close the show, then an encore of Guitar Town, Copperhead Road, and the song Steve wrote for his son Justin, “Little Rock ‘n’ Roller,” and now dedicates to both his son and his dad, who died just after Christmas.
Awesome performance, including songs ranging from My Old Friend The Blues to Billy Austin to Steve’s Hammer (his tribute to Pete Seegar)….
Alex, how can the movie possibly be funnier than Superbad?
By chase
April 20, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave
That’s cool..wasn’t attacking…just was wondering why you were assuming SMOLTZ wouldn’t be back…
I wouldn’t mind seeing a rotation of #1 HUDDY, #2 SMOLTZ, #3 AARON HARANG/DEREK LOWE, #4 JAIR JURRJENS, #5 GLAVINE
you could arange those however you want but I think Glavine would be great value as a #5 next year and I think you could afford an innings eating sinker pitcher like LOWE or HARANG (both free agents)
Or maybe you can go after both of those guys or (2 pitchers) and either talk SMOLTZ into closing again or let Glavine go
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 20, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
DOB I was driving home this afternoon and listened to ”Ky-mani Marley live on our local NPR radio station.He did a couple of cuts from last year’s cd titled ”Radio”.It was a revelation,kind of a young Ray Charles/The Band/Guns and Roses blend.The two cuts ”I pray” and ”The conversation”.When I got home I downloaded samples and while it was good the almost profound blend of the live music wasn’t there.Most of the cd was a disapointment (obviously catering to the young hiphop crowd) but it’s still worth a listen,especially ”I pray”.
By chase
April 20, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
DOB
Forgetting Sarah Marshall is funnier than Superbad by a good bit
I love movies, the wife and I go at least once a week and Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of the few that we both came out and said we’d see again at the theater!
Go see it…It has everything Superbad has and MORE..not to mention the HOT women
By 3Pitch
April 20, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
DOB $15M - $17M for Furcal??? Surely you jest. The Dodgers overpaid for Furcal in order to sign him. Look at Jimmy Rollins contract for a better comparison of what Furcal should have signed for which is around $8.5M per year.
Remember the Dodgers jumped in at the last minute with their $13M per year offer in order to keep him from resigning with the Braves. Otherwise, he would have signed with the Braves or Cubs for Rollins type of money.
I suspect at his salary level he will resign with the Dodgers. The Braves would be crazy to try an match that salary, or crazier to even think about a higher offer. $15M-$17M???? Ridiculous.
By TJ
April 20, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Just one stat to end the night:
Matt Diaz, Career OPS, April: .572
Matt Diaz, Career OPS, May: 1.042
Don’t know why it is, but it is. Give him some time.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
April 20, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
For argument’s sake:
If I have the choice between signing Furcal to a 3-year $16-17 million deal, or Teixeira to a 6-year $20-21 million deal, I’m afraid I’d take Tex every time.
Yes, Fookie is an outstanding all-around player, but I’ve been there, done that, failed the sobriety test. It’s true that speed doesn’t slump, but it does age, and Fookie is pushing 30. It just doesn’t make sense to sign a big-name free agent SS, when we’ve already got the all-star caliber, young (and cheap) rising star of Escobar. And then we would re-shuffle the infield yet again and slide KJ over to 1st to start a new position all over again?
Sorry, I prefer the Gold Glove, switch-hitting, Super-Mega-Power bat at that particular corner of the infield. Tex is one of the game’s premier players, and if anyone is worth the $20 million price tag, it’s him. Now if the Braves are unwilling to pay that much, or Tex opts for the bigger deal, then Furcal becomes an interesting proposition, but this still leaves a fairly serious lack of power in the middle of the Atlanta lineup… Unless the boys from my backyard (Mac and Frenchy) are able to put up 55-60 homeruns together, but I would still prefer them in the five and six holes…
All that being said, it’s still real early. Ask me again in a few months, and I’ll probably say something completely different. Either way, GO BRAVOS!!!
By jed
April 20, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
i love furcal but no way i’d pay 17 mil for a player prone to slumps. KJ could easily move to 1b, and it would probably be a better position for him. i agree that he should turn into a good hitter, but never a good 2b.
then again, like i said this past off-season, since we have no chance of signing tex, we shouldve traded tex last winter, held on to renteria and just moved him to first or 2nd base. i’d rather pay 10 mil for renteria than 17 mil for furcal or 22 mil for tex.
By uga-brave
April 20, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
DOB,
i guess you are under the impession that liberty media is actually going to spend money this off season.
i will believe it when i see it. corporations have a long history of saying something and doing something different. then they let their spin doctors go to work.
if the braves have money to spend they should spend it on TEX. he has very simillar makeup to HOSS.
it is very hard to find a middle of the lineup guy and HOSS aint getting yougner.
as for hoss, he will go down as the best atlanta brave position player ever.
the guy is such a professional. we will not see his likes for a long time. francoeur will never be a 3 or 4 hitter.
frenchy is what he is, a good right fielder that is streaky. nothing wrong with that but he will never be a franchise player.
gotta love what jjj has done this year. i think we got a keeper.
as for soriano, i think he is headed for the butcher. it is rare that a pitcher that has had a sore elbow for so long makes a overnight recovery.
it is very possible that frank wren just flushed 9.1 million down the toilet.
either way great 4 games that the braves just played. selah.
By Lew
April 21, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
Chase-I think it’s time to realize that Smoltz’s shoulder may not hold up for another year. He may have the desire, but at age 42, he might not be able to go to the post much after this year. Look at the pain he’s already pitching in. He’s changed his motion again and is throwing sliders.
We know he’ll throw sidearm, submarine or use a knuckleball to keep going, but the arm is bound o fall off sooner rather than later.
By Allen
April 21, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
Chase glad to hear you’re getting better on the whole Andruw thing. If you could go an entire blog without mentioning his name, that would be great! Hang in there buddy! Now if we can get you to actually pay attention to what Kotsay does. Kotsay is a sure out??? WHAT?!?! I agree with you on Corky, but Kotsay?? Yikes! You need to pay attention to his at bats dude. Most of his outs have been line drives. RBI single yesterday and today.
By Murphy
April 21, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
I dont think anyone has mentioned this, but if the Braves game Furcal 15-17 mil, wouldnt that be more than Chipper makes right now? I could be way off on this…
By TennesseePaul
April 21, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
TexasBrave: Man that is too many young guns. We will need at least one more veteran to make it work. No way in the world would I want to go into a season with that starting rotation. Don’t get me wrong, I like all of those guys, but we need more experience than than if we hope to accomplish anything
That’s the truth. JoJo has done nothing, absolutely nothing to make me comfortable with him pitching in the rotation. But even still, moves must be made. That rotation listed would result in zero depth and depth is the key to being able to win over 162 games. Unless, of course, you manage to have 3 hall of famers in the rotation. Don’t think that is going to happen again for a long, long time. This team will need another vet starter. Hopefully they’ll get a good one. Not CC. I have a feeling that guy isn’t going to last long even if he can recover this season. Too heavy. The rest are some what old and will most likely be retained by their current teams. At least they won’t be worth the contract they’ll demand. We’ll need to make a trade. And Kelly will more than likely be our trade bait. Let’s hope he has a fabulous season so we get our full value.
By chris
April 21, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
I like the idea of resigning Furcal. However, instead of moving Kelly Johnson over to play 1B, I think the Braves would be better off moving Matt Diaz to 1B and bringing up Brandon Jones to play LF. Diaz is just as good (if not a better) hitter than Johnson, but something tells me that Johnson, who plays a position with very few great players, would bring more in return in a trade. The 2009 lineup could look something like this: 1-Furcal, 2-Escobar, 3-C. Jones, 4-Francoeur, 5- McCann, 6- Diaz, 7- Schaffer, 8- B. Jones. Not too bad.
By Moby Grape
April 21, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Oh boy. It scares me that anyone involved with the Braves’ could come up with such an unproductive move. His stolen bases would not make enough difference(like Pierre’s 2 worthless steals today) in the win column to be worth anywhere near 15 million per year. A young established starter and cleanup hitter/first baseman should be their priorities. Sheeeesh!
By Chop Chop
April 21, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
I think we’re looking at a Smoltz-less, Glavine-less, and Hampton-less (par for the course there) rotation next year. There will be plenty of money to spend on starters, but the Braves have got to start producing solid starting pitching prospects in the minors and grooming them into solid major leaguers. That’s the surest way to be competitive.
The odds of signing Sabathia are basically nil. The best free agents want to believe that their next team is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Whatever we think of Andruw (and throw in the strong likelihood of Tex departing), free agents see players like that leave and figure that the Braves are unwilling to compete financially for the best talent or, most importantly, to win. When you factor that in with the likelihood that Bobby Cox is very close to the end of his tenure…well, that’s not good news for us.
It’s really up to Liberty to spend the money. Not signing Andruw was smart, but letting Tex leave will be a tough pill for a lot of fans to swallow. Re-signing Furcal to a big contract isn’t going to fill the gaping hole in the lineup. With Chipper’s health a constant issue, we desperately need a big slugger that we can count on. Can Francoeur grow into that kind of guy? Maybe, but he certainly isn’t there yet. He’s the only guy on the present roster who might have that particular kind of upside. Maybe Flowers or Heyward will be that guy in the future, but that’s a few years down the line.
I’m heading to bed, but make sure that you’re listening to some music…and that you play it all night long.
By Cherokee
April 21, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Here’s a quick list of free agent pitcher after this season, an * means they have an option, either team or player.Fastasballs
Fans are always talking about perspective free agents, but the Braves seldom use that approach in improving their team. Much more likely that they would trade for a starter.
By Goodoleboy58
April 21, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
DOB not to toot my own horn, well maybe just a little, but I mentioned this possibility many many blogs ago I think when KJ first when down in the beginning of the season because I was watching the Dodgers game and they said Fookie’s contract was up after this year… I’d love to make it happen, not sure at 16 million per but hey it aint my money… Much as I’d love to have TEX for 12 more years I can’t imagine the Braves shelling out that much dough even though it’d be well worth it. Who knows though can you imagine the arms on Furcal and Escobar around 2nd base… that is a pipe dream
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 21, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
If I were Hoss and smoking hot with the stick, I wouldn’t want out of the lineup either.
Chipper, sorry my man. You have to rest and get healthy. There are 144 games left on the season. If you are to have any hope at playing your stated goal of 150, taking one or two games off will be necessary.
Check that last statement, I think 135-140 games is more realistic.
The Nationals are struggling and hungry for a win, lets not let this dog eat anytime soon.
How about those Marlins, 11-7 and leading the N.L. East. They better enjoy that while it lasts.
By Alex
April 21, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this
DOB-
The Sarah Marshall movie seemed a bit more developed and consistent than Superbad…it didn’t have the huge peaks of hilarity (although the peaks that did come weren’t too shabby) but it did have a more consistent high level of humor…regardless, I can’t think of anyone that has had as successful a run of hilarious films as Apatow…starting with the 40 Year-Old Virgin up to this new one, it seems everything the man and his friends touch is comedic gold.
By Alex
April 21, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
also, if any of you are fans…or curious about My Morning Jacket, go find the new single “Evil Urges” they just put out for free online…its a great track and it makes me super excited about their upcoming album
By Moby Grape
April 21, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
Braves’ sources that Jurrjens is going to be a top, rather than bottom of the rotation starter in the next several years. Lew
I did not see anyone say that he would be a bottom of the rotation pitcher, rather that he was projected by most to be a middle of the rotation guy. Very astute that you can already tell that he is better than that.
By Murphy
April 21, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
Is anyone an Insider over on ESPN? Olney has a blog up about Chipper…
By Moby Grape
April 21, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this
I’m more exited by a fast runner stealing runs [Furcal] than by a slugger [Tex] trotting round the bases. Speed NEVER goes in a slump.Shamus
oh yeah, Pierre’s two steals really produced some runs today huh?
The correlation between stolen bases and runs scored is not all that high, certainly not near as high as the correlation between homers and runs scored. You want to be excited or do you want them to score runs? Mets’ fans were ‘excited’ 200 times by stolen bases last season but the Braves scored more runs.
And that old saw about speed never going into a slump is silly. If the player can’t get on because of a slump then what good is it doing?
By cashmere
April 21, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this
look people jus bring up lillibrige and move kelly to LF and when the season is done get a 1b and 2pitchers.
By Pfunkatl
April 21, 2008 3:29 AM | Link to this
I grew up in KC with George Brett…give me 135+ outta Chipper and I will be THRILLED…also, although I LOVE “fookie” i would MUCH rather have TEX if possible…AND I WISH those rumors of that Blanton for Schaffer rumors were TRUE!
By HotBabesRule
April 21, 2008 3:32 AM | Link to this
..not to mention the HOT womenChase
did your wife like them too?
By CC Rider
April 21, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
McFann, I Understand your trouble with moving Brian, but the facts are as follows: If Tex is not resigned, we lose our cleanup hitter and in a few years, maybe sooner with all the injuries, Chipper will retire. The Braves will have to change the nature of the team to a more defensive and pitching team. We have no one other than Chipper and Tex that are true 3 and 4 hole hitters, Jason Heyward may develop into one but we don’t know if or when that may happen. Brian is the best of the current group ( He hits righties and lefties, hits for average and power just not as much as Tex and Chipper). He needs to be in the everyday lineup not sitting once or more a week. He could play an adequate 1st base (See Prince Fielder, Dmitri Young, Adam Dunn, Jim Thome,) We would lose defensively at 1st, but would gain at catcher with Sammons. The Future Lineup might be as follows LF G. Hernandez, CF B. Schafer, SS Escobar, 1B McCann, RF Francoeur, 2B K. Johnson,(OR Furcal if DOB proves Prophetic, in which case Schafer would be here) C Sammons and 3B ??? This is not a very powerful lineup. but if Furcal truly replaces KJ then every position other than 1st base would be top notch defensively and the speed of Gorky, Furcal and Schafer would give us an offense that could create more runs. The money saved would be put into pitching: both relief and starting. The team would look a lot like the early 90’s teams with Nixon, Deion, Gant, Bream, Olsen, Pendleton, Justice and Belliard. The pitching staff would not be as strong at the top (Glavine, Smoltz and later Maddox) but would be really good 1 thru 5 with more quality depth in the minors. The bullpen could be top of the line. I hope we sign Tex ,somehow, and the future lineup is more like Escobar,Schafer, Heyward, Tex, McCann, Franceour, A solid 3rd Baseman and KJ., Unfortunately, the feeling DOB has that we won’t sign Tex is the more likely outcome and McCann at 1st would in my humble opinion be the best answer.
By nolie
April 21, 2008 3:59 AM | Link to this
OLNEY ARTICLE IN ESPN INSIDER
*Chipper Jones in complete control posted: Sunday, April 20, 2008
Chipper Jones watched videotape of Chad Billingsley early Saturday afternoon, pausing for a moment to consider this question, among others: What has he learned about hitting that he didn’t know a decade ago?
“I’ve always watched videotape,” Jones said, “but back then, it was more so watching myself. I was mostly concerned with my mechanics, making sure I was sound. That was stupid, on my part.”
When he watches videotape now, he focuses on opposing pitchers, to pick up possible tendencies: What does a pitcher like to throw in a given ball-strike count? If he likes to throw his offspeed pitch in a 2-0 count, what pitch is it, and what kind of location might he aim for? When he throws a fastball, what kind of fastball will he throw — a cutter, perhaps, or a sinker that veers away from a left-handed hitter.
“I’m sitting here watching a tape of Billingsley pitching against the Padres,” Jones said, “against Adrian Gonzalez, Brian Giles and Jim Edmonds. Those are three left-handed hitters who are a lot like me, and so, I’m basically looking to get a feel of what he likes to do against them.”
Jones figures that he has a better recognition of the relative strengths of opposing starting pitchers, of “staying within himself. There are some pitchers that I’m going to face that I’m probably not going to take deep.”
So he might go into a game with a plan to grind out his at-bats against a given starting pitcher — generally looking to drive the ball through the middle, or the other way. If the ball-strike count turns in his favor, well, then he can take his shot. But against certain pitchers, he says, he “won’t try to swing from the heels.”
Scouts watching Jones so far see a hitter who is completely in control, even in at-bats when the pitcher seems to have an advantage. “Even when he’s fooled, he does a great job of keeping his hands back,” one scout said.
Billingsley had excellent stuff Saturday, and Jones drew a walk and pulled a single through the right side of the Dodgers’ infield, adding to his staggering early-season numbers:
Chuck James filled in capably for the Braves on Saturday, writes David O’Brien. You get the feeling that this is rope-a-dope time for the Braves: If they are to keep up with the others in the division, they need to find a way to survive this period, a time when Tom Glavine and Rafael Soriano and other members of their pitching staff are down.*
By Michael
April 21, 2008 4:34 AM | Link to this
DOB…What about Jason Heyward”
I know he’s still two to three years away but isn’t he a 1st baseman or being groomed for 1st? Also…I’m assuming that if we can’t keep Tex…that it would be a lot easier moving K.J. when and if Heyward’s ready?
By nolie
April 21, 2008 4:52 AM | Link to this
HERE IS THE LAST PART OF THE OLNEY ARTICLE THAT DID NOT COME THROUGH INTACT
*Billingsley had excellent stuff Saturday, and Jones drew a walk and pulled a single through the right side of the Dodgers’ infield, adding to his staggering early-season numbers:
By nolie
April 21, 2008 5:24 AM | Link to this
Now that is weird. Both times the print showed in the post box b4 hitting the post button and did not come through correctly.
One More Time On The End Of The Olney Article
He’s hitting .449, with a .487 on-base percentage.
He has just seven strikeouts in 69 at-bats.
He’s hitting .486 after getting ahead in the count 1-0.
He is hitting .750 (6-for-8) when swinging with a count of 2-0 or 3-1, which means that when he’s getting a pitch to hit, he’s killing the ball.
He is hitting .586 (17-for-29) with runners on base and .688 with runners at first base only, which means he has been able to do what he did Saturday against the Dodgers — pull the ball through the first-base hole.
He has been more aggressive in his at-bats this season, averaging 3.22 pitches per plate appearance; interestingly, the best seasons of his career have come when he’s averaged fewer pitchers per plate appearance, in general.
By Greg
April 21, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
Is there any word on Hudson? Is he back up in the high 80s on his velocity?
By gotigers72
April 21, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
uga brave - in your 11:58 post, you said that Chipper will go down in history as the best Atlanta Brave ever. I agree with you that Chipper is an elite player, one of the best in the majors, and the best Atlanta has seen in awhile. Maybe even gets his 2nd MVP award this year. But there was a guy named AARON that was an Atlanta Brave for a few years, and a guy named MATHEWS that was an Atlanta Brave for a year or two. Neither one of them were too shabby. Also one named named Murphy, but I think Chipper, in the end, will end up being considerwed better than Murph. Anyway, I think you need to think that statement over. It’ll be awhile before Atlanta has anyone better than “The Hammer”.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 21, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
The possible answer to the Braves riddle at 1st base in 2009.
Joe Koshansky.
By Jeff R
April 21, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
Management shouldn’t have let Furcal go in the first place. It created holes the team really hasn’t filled since.
Having said that, the Braves need to put the dollars into their pitching. If they want to move Johnson to first, then they have other options within the system or, inexpensively, via free agency to meet the team’s needs at 2B.
With Smoltz and Glavine nearing the end of their careers, with Hudson being 32, management has got to find or develop more young pitching talent. In 2006 the problem wasn’t hitting; it was pitching. In the early going this season, the trouble has been pitchers with major or minor physical problems, some of that is tied to age. The bats are coming around.
The Braves need a much bigger and better pitching pipeline. That’s the route that the Yanks, Red Sox, Tigers and Angels are taking. It makes a lot of sense.
By JimD
April 21, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
JeffR: Management shouldn’t have let Furcal go in the first place. It created holes the team really hasn’t filled since.
Are you familiar with the names Renteria and Escobar?
By Braveheart
April 21, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Hanson still hasn’t allowed a run to score. 32 Ks in 22 IP with a WHIP of 0.50. Oh my!
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Jeff R, maybe you aren’t aware that without Furcal the Braves finished second in the league in runs scored the first year, third the second year and look like a great offensive club this season…they are full of holes!
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
gotigers72, interesting debate about Chipper versus Aaron.
Aaron played nine seasons as an Atlanta Brave and all were great. He posted OPS+’s over over 140 every season except his last in Atlanta when he posted an OPS+ of 128.
Chipper so far has played parts of 15 seasons (really 13 full so far; this will be his 14th full). Just looking at the full seasons Chipper has had five seasons in which his OPS+ was under 140. But he’s been over 115 every season except his first full season (108 in 1995).
In Atlanta, Aaron led the league in runs created once and finished in the top ten six times. Chipper has also led the league once. He’s finished in the top ten seven times. Aaron has four top four finishes and Chipper has one.
Chipper spent most of his time at a position where there aren’t as many elite offensive players while Aaron was a corner outfielder and first baseman.
Aaron was great for a long time but Chipper was not quite as great but was still great for longer.
Really hard to pick one, if we’re talking greatest Atlanta Brave. Right now I’d say Aaron is 1 and Chipper is 1a. But with a few more great-to-very productive seasons out of Chipper, he could overtake Aaron as greatest Atlanta Brave.
By N8
April 21, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
nolie
I’ll “add” to your Olney notes, by saying that when Buster was on the ESPN radio “Baseball Show” or whatever they call their Sunday Radio “pre” Sunday night game crap, that he said Chipper told him he’s approaching his video research differently this year.
Chipper said that in the past, he’s only looked at himself on video and watched for his mechanics and tendencies and that this year he is watching video of how pitchers have approached LH hitters and RH hitters and “which” fastball they were using in certain counts.
Sounds like Chipper is going all “Curt Schilling” on the video archives. Whatever he’s doing is working.
Perhaps Chuck James could sit down at Chipper’s house with a bucket of Popcorn and do some research on opposing hitters. LOL!
On a side note, the Dodgers series was a very nice one from the stand point of starting pitching first and foremost. But secondly, the hitting and the timing of said hits, was impressive as well. Not just the HR’s. Third, the bullpen shouldn’t have their work go without being praised. They did a very nice job as well.
Let’s hope that the pitching wasn’t more of a product of poor Dodgers hitting, but a sign of things to come. Either way, it was still and impressive display of pitching by the home team. 3 runs allowed in a 3 game series will gain a series victory more often than not.
However, Boyer and Ohman each allowing a walk in an inning of work apiece is a little disturbing (you didn’t think my post would be ALL positive, did you?). Had it been a 1-run game, their lack of command, could and will make games more interesting than they need to be.
By ChampDawg
April 21, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
DOB— You’d pay $16=$17 million for Furcal but wouldn’t fork over $20 million for Tex?! I’m sorry, bud…. I usually like you posts and ideas but you are way off on this one!
By Efrim
April 21, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Anyone else worries about the amount of innings are starters are throwing? More importantly, the starter who leads us in innings is 22 years old? I mean, how many want Jair Jurrjens to go down with a shoulder/elbow injury? I wouldn’t want him to throw more than 170 innings this year….at very most.
So with that said, where are the innings coming from? Hudson will probably throw his usual 220 innings. Smoltz? If the man gets to 180 this year, I would consider that a win. Glavine? 180 TOPS. Hampton? I am sure many expect James and Bennett to throw more than 100 innings.
Bobby Cox is going to have to do a heck of a job to manage these starters innings. The team already has a depleted bullpen. Look at how many innings Blaine Boyer has thrown?!?! This is a guy with a history of shoulder issues.
Not sure if anyone has brought that up. I guess it is something people don’t worry about in April. Where are the innings pitched coming from?
Lew
I think it’s time to realize that Smoltz’s shoulder may not hold up for another year. He may have the desire, but at age 42, he might not be able to go to the post much after this year. Look at the pain he’s already pitching in. He’s changed his motion again and is throwing sliders.
We know he’ll throw sidearm, submarine or use a knuckleball to keep going, but the arm is bound o fall off sooner rather than later.
Couldn’t agree more with what you said. Although I think I caught the convo a bit late. It pains me to watch the guy throw. He is still effective, so I guess it can’t hurt that much? I don’t know if he will hold up all season. Like I said, 180 innings from Smoltz would be great. Next year? Well, I really don’t know about next year yet. It doesn’t look good for him to ever get back to that 200 inning mark.
By chc4
April 21, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
If we aren’t willing to pay Tex $20mm/yr then why in the world would we pay Furcal $16mm? Tex @ $20 is a FAR better value. Can’t see the logic in that at all.
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Actually, looking at Murphy, he deserves to be in the discussion possibly over Aaron, if we are just talking Atlanta. Murphy led the league in runs created three times and played Gold Glove defense for a five-year stretch.
Problem for Murphy was he was great for six-seven years then very ordinary the rest of his time with Atlanta.
By Efrim
April 21, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
We have the advantage in starting pitching matchups the nest 7 days. 5-2 would be great.
By KC
April 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Chase: Just saw Forgetting Sarah Marshal over the weekend, and I will say this…
There’s no need to compare it to Superbad, because they’re both among the best comedies of this generation.
By Supes
April 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
If Tex is out of reach financially, Braves need to either sign or trade for starting and relief pitching. Pitching needs to be priority number 1 after the Tex situation is resolved one way or another.
We need at least 1 proven starter or 1 starter on the verge of aka like JJJ has turned out to be, and 1-2 new good bullpen pitchers to help with depth so we don’t have to depend on Resop, Ohman and other scrubs.
By Doug
April 21, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Check out this article based on Pitch FX data. Justifies the Leo approach “low and away” with quantative pitch data!
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/how-fast-should-a-fastball-be/
By Josh H
April 21, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
N8:
It was a one-run game with Boyer in, and Juan Pierre made it all the way to third base. I don’t recall Boyer walking him though, it was a play escobar tried to barehand but didn’t have a play regardless.
Unless we’re talking about a different night. I really didn’t get to watch the game at all Saturday, and only a small part of Friday.
By David
April 21, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Wow, just wow….I love movies, and all kinds of them, too - horror, suspense, crime, whatever. And I really love comedies, especially “stupid” comedies - I could barely sit through all of Superbad. It was just plain superbad, in my opinion. I like most of the other movies mentioned, but Superbad? Maybe I missed something…..?!
By McFann
April 21, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
CC—
I know what you mean, but……I just can’t see that happening. Maybe I’m too close-minded or something. Sammons is a good catch-and-throw guy…hmm…they say that about Corky, too…But I can’t see the Braves replacing McCann at catcher so soon. (Not sayin’ it won’t ever happen in his career, though I cann dream…) I like the idea of his bat being in the lineup every day, but I don’t know what kind of a defensive first baseman he’d make…
Guess we’ll leave it up to those in charge, but I’m sure they’re keeping McCann behind home plate. When they signed him to his contract, that’s what they had in mind.
Good news! The Mets lost last night. But dang! They’re 10-7? Holy cow…When did that happen? Oh well, INBD…
By Scuba-Steve
April 21, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Was anybody as impressed with Kelly Johnson’s defense the last couple of games, as me?
By long-time-braves-fan
April 21, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
I like the idea, except for giving up on Tex. A great DP takes more than a great short and 2nd. Someone has to catch the ball from Furcal’s cannon arm and/or Escobar’s. Furcal’s batting .409 this year, but he hasn’t always been that good. Tex is off to a slow start (what else is new?), but quickly picking up steam. If you want a really great infield that dominates every offense, the lineup should be Chipper @ 3rd, Raffy or Escobar @ short, Raffy or Escobar @ 2nd, Tex at 1st. And if there is any way to find the money, the next priority is a good young starting pitcher to shore up the Brave’s pitching staff. Face it, Smoltz is aging, with an arm problem; Glavine is aging; Hampton’s no spring chicken, and neither is Hudson; and JJ seems to be the only pretty good up and coming kid on the pitching horizon.
By BossLady
April 21, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the Braves for the sweep.
My highlight this weekend was the illustrous and infamous Greg Maddux taking one for the team.
That Goodbye song was a great pick.
By ernesto
April 21, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
I’d love (for obvious reasons) to see us get going on a nice roll, not just to help the W-L record, but last year we never seemed to be able to put together any momentum.
We started off well, then played some variation of “win a game, lose a game” for the rest of the season. I think we put together maybe 2 or 3 5-game win streaks all year.
I think the lack of any sustainable momentum hurt us as much as any Redman outing last year.
By ernesto
April 21, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
McFann - The Mets swept 3 from the Nats, and almost swept the Phils. They got healthy in a hurry. Hopefully the Cubbies will cool them down.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
ernesto that lack of momentum last year came from the black hole at the end of our rotation. it seemed like everytime smoltz’s spot came up, he was trying to stop and losing streak, and if huddy or smoltz didnt pitch well one start, we faced a real possibility for a losing streak.
good pitching is imperative if you want momentum. this year, we have enough good arms to do that. look! weve just won 4 games in a row, and hudson and smoltz are up next! thats a great feeling.
By flange1
April 21, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Morning all,
4 is a row sounds good to me! Let’s keep it up with the Nats.
Responding to some blog talk of last evening:
I see no way that we can sign Tex next year. My guess is 22-25 million per year for 7 years. The Yankees are stinking up the world right now and need Tex in the middle of the lineup. They will pay whatever is needed for Tex.
Furcal/Escobar would be VERY interesting and entertaining to watch. KJ could work at 1B, and then trade for an Austin Kearns type for LF. I like those thoughts.
Chuckie and Bennett back to AAA to “stretch themselves out”. NO WAY! I have been pushing for Chuckie and Bennett to be long guys in the pen to basically do exactly what they did in this series. Keep them on the team spot starting and pitching 2-4 innings in relief.
Moylan is done for the year. Hate it, but I agree.
Soriano is done for the year. GULP, hope not but we will see. Also, why is throwing too much in the outfield? This is the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard of!! CONTROL YOUR PLAYERS ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE HURT. Paging Roger McDowell! This is your job!!
The bullpen has been great. I think we keep Campillo, James and Bennett in the pen, Moylan to the DL, and dump Ring and Resop.
Trade suggestion: Ring, Resop and B Pena for Kyle Farnsworth. 1 more power arm could not hurt. He has pitched poorly for the Yankees and maybe a change of scenery might help.
By Renegator
April 21, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
April 20, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Renegator, the Braves must not have gotten the memo about shutting it down and having tractor pulls at Turner Field this summer.
DOB
It was your responsibility to get them the memo. What happened?
By chase
April 21, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Remember before you write off SMOLTZ…there is nothing structurally wrong with his shoulder…His “TRAP” muscle just knotts up toward his neck.
He has just won his first 3 starts for the first time ever in his career
He also has an 0.56 ERA and is averaging 7 strike outs per start..
I bet ALOT of pitchers wish they were in that kind of “Pain”
By westy12
April 21, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
If I could pick any 4-hitter in baseball for a Braves pitcher to face in a key situation, there’s no doubt it would be Andruw Jones.
Thank you, Dodgers! The Braves wouldn’t have swept that series without Tubbo in the 4-hole.
By STRETCH
April 21, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
I must say that the Braves have looked really good pitching. And look at the 0-6 or 0-7 start in 1 run games. They should be closer to first.
But they have rebounded, lets hope their luck changes for the better. But once again im really impressed with the pitching right now. Hope they can salvage what they can from their pitchers/bullpen and make a run!
By chase
April 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Flange1 Ring, Resop, AND Pena for Fransworth..?????
I’m not sure a suggestion that stupid deserves a response but here goes
You want to trade a leftie reliever, and a right hand power reliever (not very good one) AND one of our best trade peices in PENA a versitale young, switch hitting catcher/inf/outf for FFARNSWORTH?
A guy being paid WAY TOO MUCH MONEY who can’t get anyone out?
He and RESOP are the same pitcher at this point and you want to give away two other valuable peices to get him?
HAHAHAHA
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Renegator, and where are all the “platoon or trade Kelly Johnson” folks?
I have an interesting discussion going on Dugout Central. Just to get your thoughts: Assuming he is unable to bounce back offensively, what do we make of Andruw’s Hall of Fame chances?
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
flange1, Farnsworth walks over 4 batters per 9 innings. I don’t think he should be in key situations of key games.
By Lew
April 21, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
MOby Grape-It’s not me that made that determination, Dude. The Braves’ brass have been saying all along that Jurrjens is a number two or top of the rotation guy all along. All I’ve done is repeat what they said all winter and spring. If you had been reading the posts by the Denizens during that time period, you would have seen complaints of him being nothing but a bottom rotation pitcher-constantly.
I have watched all of his games and I like what I see. If you saw something other than a 22 year old kid who has excellent command of his fastball, changeup and breaking pitches, and exhibits no fear, then you weren’t watching the Braves’ games I saw.
Oh yeah-one more thing. I AM an astute observer. You haven’t figured that out yet? Have you seen something that leads you to believe my observation is flawed?
By ernesto
April 21, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I’d love to keep Tex but would you rather spend 20-25 mil a year on a 1B with a big bat or a front of the rotation starter?
If Santana set the market, we should theoretcially be able to go after a legitimate #1 with that coin. And if we could get an ace for the next 6 years for the money, I’d rather see it spent there and look for a cheaper bat.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
efrim re: innings pitched…
i tried to post this earlier, but its lost in cyberspace somewhere!
i think having jurjens pitch alot of innings now is exactly what this team needs. with glavine out, smoltz battling a sore shoulder, and hampton yet to make a start, we need innings somwhere, and right now only huddy and jurjens can give us that. we need jurjens to go as long as he can to help rest the bullpn. he will get his chance to skip a start, or to pitch 5 innings and then come out with a huge lead.
at this point of the season, and with everything that is oging on with this team, we need him to be our horse. i wouldnt worry about his IP right now.
By McFann
April 21, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
ernesto—
Yeah, I was just kiddin’. I know the Mets had a five-game winning streak goin’ on.
Let’s hope the Braves cann break .500 tonight.
By Epinephrine
April 21, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Moylan is done for the year. That I am counting on.
I do not think Soriano is done for the year. But I’d be surprised if got him back any earlier than we get Gonzo.
In the meantime, Ohman, Boyer and Acosta are really going to have to step it up. I think they can. Time will tell.
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Renegator, see, there’s always a danger that your entirely premature declarations will actually be remembered here. You can’t make outlandish statements not even ONE-TENTH of the way into a season (they hadn’t played 16 games when you said they were “done”) and not expect blowback when those statements look silly a week later.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 21, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Well I haven’t posted in a few weeks but I see that you guys are still in fantasy land with all the “trade/free agent” stuff.
Last week you guys were all doom and gloom about a few losses and now we just got a sweep and a .500 record and all the talk is about next year and deals that may or may not happen.
Just proves my point that you guys are a bunch of worry warts and bad news bears. DOB really suckered you into the Furcal possibility.
I check back again to see if you guys have grown a brain or two around here.
Until then — GO BRAVOS !!
By flange1
April 21, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Chase,
Well then my man what do you suggest (other than trading for Andruw)?
By flange1
April 21, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Chase, further, what do you think Pena is worth? He is a 3rd string backup, basically a 25th man on a team. He is little value. My guess is we could get back back a “prospect” like we got for Yates.
Same with Ring and Resop. They are 1 step above DFA.
My thoughts are package 3 for 1.
Farnsworth has not pitched well this year, but has pitched well before. From what I am reading, his velocity is not down, it is his control that is the issue.
I think it might do him good to get out of NYC.
He did a pretty good job here when the Braves traded for him.
By TJ
April 21, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I think AJ probably gets in. Even if he continues to hit poorly, he’s likely to reach 400 HR; add that to the 10 GG, I think he’ll get in - not first ballot or anything, but eventually.
Ernesto, I’d love to keep Tex but would you rather spend 20-25 mil a year on a 1B with a big bat or a front of the rotation starter?
Personally, I probably rather spend the money on a bat. Pitchers are too injury prone, and too unpredictable, to throw down huge, longterm contracts, IMO. Just look at Sabathia… he can’t get anyone out (and is not injured).
I’d much rather trade for a guy with 2 or 3 years on a manageable contract than put up $100 million over 5. It can be done, just like we got Hudson, Jurrjens, even Hampton (our $48 mil over 6 years was really a bargain, if not for injuries).
By kev
April 21, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
I totally agree with ernesto on that.
In reference to the “speculative” rotation I posted earlier (the rotation without Smoltz, Hampton and Glavine), I’d much rather spend the money on a quality, veteran starter who could solidify the rotation with Hudson and Jurrjens.
If we can get a replacement for Tex who can hit 20+ HRs and drive in 90-100 RBIs in a season, I’d be content. But then again, finding a suitable CLEAN UP hitter who can confidently backup Chipper in the line up is NOT going to be easy.
And I agree with someone else who was saying that they don’t feel comfortable with Mac and Frenchy possibly going into the 4th spot in the line up. I think they are perfectly suited for the 5th ot 6th spot…
By james
April 21, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB, I know i asked u about gilmore and rohrbough, but do you have a timetable on rohrbough or another guy i was expecting to already be pitching, eric cordier?
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Flange1, I can tell you there is NO CHANCE the Braves pursue Farnsworth. Zero. He was probably the worst fit in the clubhouse in the six years I’ve covered the team. Totally aloof, constantly wore his headphones, didn’t even try to establish even basic connections with teammates or the staff.
Not to mention he was stubborn with his pitch selection.
By Gary
April 21, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
DOB, I think we are fine with the infield we have. I’d rather sign Tex than Furcal even though I was a big fan of his as he came up through the Braves. I have to question your judgement about songwriters though. I can think of at least 25 songwriters off the top of my head, both male and female, who are much better than Dylan. C’mon you’ve been listening to hype for too long.
By Lew
April 21, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Efrim-Point well taken on the IP situation. here’s something interesting in a related subject-kids under 25 and how much of an increase in innings pitched from one year to the next.
We have discussed Tom Verducci’s thesis that you end up with injury problems boosting an under 25 pitchers’ IP more than 50 IP in any season over the preceeding campaign. This has happened time and again. I even called the shots last year on Nolasco, Sanchez and Olsen pre season-all had DL stints of varying lengths.
Now with JJ-in 05 he pitched 142.2 Innings. In 06 he pitched 140.2 innings and last year between AAA and Detroit, he pitched 143 innings. This should put him in good stead to pitch 180 innings this year with no lasting effect. We can only hope he is not pushed much past that point. Looks like someone has been paying attention to his development. Hope it continues.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 21, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Oh no! Did you guys read the story on the AJC Braves Front Page?
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
DOB— You’d pay $16=$17 million for Furcal but wouldn’t fork over $20 million for Tex?! I’m sorry, bud…. I usually like you posts and ideas but you are way off on this one!ChampDawg
One more time, what I posted yesterday, which you probably just overlooked: If Furcal commands $17 mill next winter, it will be a free-agent marketplace that will yield at least $22 mill a year for Teixeira. At least $22 mill per.
So to answer your question, no, I wouldn’t give Furcal $16-17 mill if I could sign Tex for $20 mill per.
But YES, I’d give Furcal $16-17 mill per year for three seasons, rather than give Tex $22-24 mill per year for six or seven seasons.
I’d offer Furcal three years, $45 mill. But if the market shapes up to where he’s got other offers and it took the Braves, say, three years and $48 mill to get him, I’d give that contract over, say, a seven-year, $154 million deal to Tex.
Given the Braves’ payroll constraints, that is. Now, if they take the payroll up by at least $20 mill, then I’d do the Tex deal. But I don’t think they’re going to go that high.
And I can’t see paying Tex more than one-fifth of the payroll. Just can’t see it. Not when you need to keep Chipper and Smoltz as Braves until retirement (which they really need to do) and sign other young players to extensions, etc.
By cricket
April 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
*Capt. Caveman (the original dawg) * I have to give you props for the very sane April 21, 2008 11:18 AM post.
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
DOB, just curious, would you vote for Andruw for the Hall assuming he can’t bounce back offensively?
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
DOB, just curious, would you vote for Andruw for the Hall assuming he can’t bounce back offensively?
Also, what do you think other players, writers, managers, coaches, etc. think of his chances?
By 3trees
April 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
DOB - Caught the Steve Earle show last night. Very good, although I thought it took a while to get going. I liked his “lock the doors, nobody get out without singing” line during “Hammer”. Moorer didn’t really do much for me.
Furcal? Hmmm… Saw him once in a Marshalls with his family during his rookie season. I think they had 3 shopping carts full of stuff. He’s probably shopping Rodeo Dr. now (and deservedly so).
Boy, its been really good to see the bullpen come through the last few games. It’ll be important to balance appearances until/when/if we get our SP healthy (bullpen for that matter).
Go Braves!
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Scuba, you’re right about Kelly’s D, at least Sunday — he made a terrific play going toward left field and throwing across his body to first base….
Alex, couldn’t agree more on Apatow. He’s on a cinematic comedy roll like none other in my lifetime that I can recall. I love his last three movies, and plan to see the new one this week.
By Efrim
April 21, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
DAP
I understand the thinking with Jurrjens, but it still isn’t good that we are depending on a 22 year old to be one of the workhorses of this staff. But I agree, there is nothing the Braves can do right now with the injuries to Glavine and Hampton….and Smoltz’s shoulder limiting him to 16 innings through 3 starts. If Smoltz averages 6 per start and has 30 starts he’ll get to 180. In my mind that is the best case scenario considering his shoulder issue.
By TennesseePaul
April 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
i wouldnt worry about his IP right now.
I would. Jair is supposed to be our future for the rotation. He hasn’t pitched more than 140 innings in a season in his professional life. If he ends up with more than 165 innings this season he’ll spend next season on the DL recovering from surgery.
By kdbanks
April 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I, for one, am disappointed there won’t be any tractor pulls at 755 Hank Aaron Drive this year. Darn winning streaks.
By McFann
April 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Ugh…The Braves did have Farnsworth in 2005. He blew our post season! I don’t ever want to see that man here again!!
By kdbanks
April 21, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
I, for one, am disappointed there won’t be any tractor pulls at 755 Hank Aaron Drive this year. Darn winning streaks.
By MGL
April 21, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Seems like this would render this discussion moot - “Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal and the Dodgers are open to discussing an extension during the season.”
By McFann
April 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Daybed—
Good grief.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
TJ how do you expect andruw to get in to the HOF if dale murphy cant get in? so far, murphy has accomplished more than andruw has, and he cant get enough votes.
unless andruw turns his career around right here, and wins an MVP, and gets his lifetime average up, i dont think he will get in, gold gloves or not.
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’m not sure why the Braves would give Furcal $15M for three seasons. Don’t get me wrong, I like Furcal as a player. He’s been solid and I think he’ll be solid for a while longer. But they have Escobar. If he or Kelly Johnson were to flop for some reason, they have Lillibridge. And Furcal hasn’t been a great hitter. He’s never finished in the top ten in any significant offensive category (AVG, OBP, SLG, Runs Created). There is however a lot to like about Furcal but I’m just not seeing how he’s worth $15M a season especially after 30.
By TJ
April 21, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
If we signed Tex for 6/$120 mil, it’d probably be something like $16, $18, $20, $20, $22, $24 mil a year. The out years would be a little tough, but by then the books will be clear of most of our current big contracts, and with inflation, not so terrible.
It’s a lot of money for a 1B, but he’s somewhat unique: switch hitter, great power, great obp, great defense. And just entering his prime. For the foreseeable future, the Braves probably won’t have to spend a fortune on catcher, 2B, SS (unless we take DOB’s advice!), CF, RF (frenchy will get a contract, but it won’t be huge, I don’t think) or LF.
Hudson will probably be extended if he stays healthy, and that will cost some real money. Jurrjens, Hanson, any one of the lefties now at A ball, James, Reyes, etc should provide a solid core of starters, and there will be enough $$ to pick up a quality starter (but not a $20 mil one) if needed.
I’m not generally a fan of huge contracts, but to me, the stars are aligned such that we should make a real run at Tex.
By Saltywoody
April 21, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Be careful of “Sarah Marshall.” I wasn’t expecting it, but there is some serious full-frontal male nudity. And I’m not typically shy about things, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel like a little less of a man.
That said? HILARIOUS.
By TennesseePaul
April 21, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Lew: This should put him in good stead to pitch 180 innings this year with no lasting effect
The one problem I see with this is Jair has pitched those levels and mounts resulting in arm issues each of the past few years. It isn’t like he’s been a pillar of health while maintaining the same work load. He hasn’t been on the DL, but has missed starts or had to be shut down those past few years due to rotator cuff issues.
“Although the young pitcher’s shoulder appeared to do something on the mound, an MRI Sunday evening showed no damage significant enough to require surgery. You can read that as a Grade II strain, likely of the rotator cuff. Jurrjens has a history of shoulder strains in the minors, but MLB.com reports that the previous pain he had was lower, while this pain is in the back. Every symptom points to an acute cuff problem as the result of seasonal fatigue, though he’s at about the same innings level that he’s been at the previous two seasons. Jurrjens may have a ceiling on his workload.”
—Will Carrroll, Baseball Prospectus
By Efrim
April 21, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t give Furcal more than he got from the Dodgers 2 years ago. 3 years and 39 million.
Braves have other needs. Pitching and a power bat to replace Tex.
By Eric C.
April 21, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
DOB, very interesting about Farnsworth not fitting in…thanks for the insight.
Also, I feel bad for AJ. Do you think his problems can be attributed to his tendency for real slow starts? Or is this just a continuation of the funk he was in last year?
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
how do you expect andruw to get in to the HOF if dale murphy cant get in? so far, murphy has accomplished more than andruw has, and he cant get enough votes.
As great as Murph was, he was never regarded as the greatest defensive centerfielder of all-time, that I can recall. I’m not saying Murph doesn’t belong but he’s never mentioned along side Willie Mays when it comes to glove work like Andruw.
I think that will get Andruw in because of his glove work and because of about ten years worth of decent offense. Compare Andruw to Bill Mazeroski. Mazeroski had 13 okay offensive seasons and is regarded as the best defensive secondbaseman.
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Michael, no, Heyward is neither a 1B or being groomed to play 1B. At least not yet. That was just me speculating this spring, because I think if Tex leaves and Frenchy stays long-term, that’s where Heyward could eventually move (he’s built like a young D-Lee, legit 6-5).
But Bobby says Braves really like Heyward in the OF, so maybe he’ll stay there and eventually be Braves LF. Just too early to tell. But he’s at least 2-3 years from the majors anyway, I’d think.
By TJ
April 21, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
DAP, I don’t feel real strongly about it (AJ as a HOFer).
Actually, unless he relearns hitting, AJ will probably end up with offensive numbers very similar to Murph’s. But twice the GG for AJ.
I do think Murphy should be in. He absolutely carried his team for several years (and that’s supposedly part of the criteria), won the 5 Gold Gloves, and was a model citizen (which should count for something). And of course 2 MVPs. Yep. Should get in.
As to AJ, I’m on the fence, but I think 10 Gold Gloves is pretty special - it means he was the best (defensively) at his position for a decade. That’s meaningful. And a good (not great) offensive player to boot.
Anyway, I’m not the biggest AJ fan in the world - I always thought he should have been much better than he was. But I think the voters will look at 10 GG and 400 HR’s (if he gets there) as HOF worthy. Just a guess, not a recommendation.
By ernesto
April 21, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
The 2009 class of free agent pitchers: Sabathia, Sheets, Lowe, Penny, Garland, Burnett (opt out), Lackey.
I’d rather put my 15 mil towards shopping at that store than Fookie.
Even O. Perez is coming up (I think) – we should sign him just so we don’t have to face him anymore.
And I agree with DOB, can’t see the Bravos spending 1/5th of the payroll at 1B.
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
TJ, I’d be SHOCKED if Tex signed for “only” six years, $120 mill. Barring a market correction, I think he’ll be more valuable than that in today’s marketplace. He’s a rare commodity, Gold Glove-caliber, switch-hitting slugger who’s barely in his late 20s and will give you .300-40-120 or so a year.
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I have to question your judgement about songwriters though. I can think of at least 25 songwriters off the top of my head, both male and female, who are much better than Dylan. Gary
Wait a second, let me pull myself off the floor.
That’s the single most ridiculous thing posted here in a month. Without question.
By Efrim
April 21, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Ernesto
Lackey and Penny have options that will most definetly be picked up by the LA teams. The options are for 9 and 8.5 million. They are team options. Cross those two off the free agent list.
By Danny
April 21, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
While it would be fun to watch, I think Yunel is our future at SS, and Furcal is getting a little older by this point. I think the focus should be signing Tex. We need to keep hold of him, and we’ll be able to put up a decent bid once we lose Hampton’s hefty salary and after having already lost Andruw (unfortunately). Also, although Glavine’s salary isn’t that bad, every little bit helps if he decided to retire at the end of this year. So, it comes down to Tex in the end, but I think we need to re-sign him. That should be the focus of the offseason, not picking up another middle infielder. We have a bunch of those in the minors.
By Virginia Brave
April 21, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
DON’T BE STUPID! SIGN BIG TEX! AND KEEP KJ AT SECOND! WE DON’T NEED FURCAL! KEEP THOSE YOUNG BRAVES IN THE SYSTEM AND STOP TRADING ALL THE TALENT AWAY!
By Clown Scientist Panda Man Pretend Monster Toucher Hello What Is Porridge, Exactly?
April 21, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
OK, Gary. Please name those 25 songwriters.
Gogogogogogo!
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
TJ, I agree. I think there are better players not in the Hall than Andruw (assuming he’s not going to get any better). But I do think his career was as good as a few legit Hall of Famers.
By flange1
April 21, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thanks for the Farnsworth info. I had heard he was a jerk, but didn’t realize it was that extreme.
I do think we need to look for and experienced guy in the pen who brings heat or a lefty that has a quirky delivery in case Soriano is down for the year.
Love to hear Gary’s list of songwriters that are better than Dylan!
Wonder if Nightranger is on that list????
By Choppinmama
April 21, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Here’s a story to illustrate the fact that baseball rivalries permeate EVERYTHING:
Pope Benedict was at a packed Shea Stadium yesterday to celebrate a Mass with throngs of Catholic faithfull.
Before Mass started, a greeting was being read, and mention was made of the bicentennial founding of several city church dioceses in the US. Boston was the first mentioned, and the NY faithfull actually boo’d Boston!
I’m sure it will take some delicate explaining to the Holy Father about baseball rivalries in the NY area.
My broom remains handy chairside. Let’s squash the (G)nats in this short series.
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Shaun, gotta think so. Those 10 Gold Gloves, plus he’s only 30. Even if he’s a bad hitter the rest of his career, he’ll end up with around 500 homers. Just don’t see how he’ll stay out with 500 homers and 12 or more Gold Gloves.
He’s still at .262/.341/.495 for his career.
By ernesto
April 21, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Efrim - good info. thanks. But I read on some rumor site that the Dodgers might not be interested in reupping Penny b/c of young arms coming up. Just a rumor I know, but just goes to show, you don’t know what’s going to happen.
After this season, with Hampton gone, Glavine likely retired and Tex (unfortunately) likely gone, we’re going to have some MONEY to spend. I think we could at least make a run on some of those names.
By Susan
April 21, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Leave the team alone and sign pitchers. We will need them bad after this year, if not this year. If we are not ahead by 10 runs I still get up and leave when the pen comes in. Proven losses here. Pitching, sign pitching.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
10paul i wouldnt worry about his IP right now.
I would
well dont. he’s pitched 25 innings, guys. its a little soon to assume bobby is going to run him our there for 230 this season.
and right now, when weve got two starters on the DL, one nursing a shoulder, and another building stamina from rehabbing, we need jurjens to shoulder the load a bit.
lets not ignore what we need right now to save for the future. right now we need innings from jurjens, so lets get what we can.
By dumber&dumberest
April 21, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
That’s the single most ridiculous thing posted here in a month. Without question.DOB
I gotta agree. It’s even dumber than the idea of resigning an average producer like Fookie for anywhere near 15 million dollars per for 3 years or so. Not much dumberer mind you, but definitely dumberest. You’re right.
Please God, let the Dodgers resign the lil’ fella as indicated above.
By flange1
April 21, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Interesting piece of news:
Giants DFA Rajai Davis. RH hitting speedy outfielder.
He looked GREAT against the Braves last year.
Don’t thing we have room, but he would be a nice addition if we didn’t have Blanco and Anderson.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 21, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Lackey and Penny have options that will most definetly be picked up by the LA teams. The options are for 9 and 8.5 million. They are team options. Cross those two off the free agent list.
I thought that youse guys would know your own team better by now. The Braves don’t do big name free agents. Too cheap. They will trade for someone more than likely.
By DCbrave
April 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
DOB I know that your discussion is set between whether to sign Furcal for 15 mil or Tex for 22 mil. But I would argue neither, but rather spend all the resources on finding a true # 2 or co-ace type of pitcher for the post Smoltz/Glavine era, which is really not far away.
For the lineup, Chipper will be around for several more years and B-mac and/Frenchy look to be decent cleanups after him, but, within a year or two, here’s our post Smoltz/Glavine rotation. We only have Hudson that is a proven ace assuming we can resign him, which is not a guarantee BTW. Chucky, based on what we know from the past couple of years, will be at best a #3 or #4. As to JJ, we have no idea how well he will hold up for a year or two even though he looks really good now (but so did Kyle Davis). Again, he might be a #3 or #4.
In the past half a dozen years, the Braves just do not have a good track record of having their own pitchers from their farm systems who could hold up well in the majors. They were usually good or even great their rookie years, but then withered away somehow either with injuries or simply mysterious struggles.
This is true for Horacio Ramirez, who was regarded as a young Glavine in his rookie year; true for Kyle Davis, whom Cox praised as “the real deal;” then chuck James, who was also called once by somebody as a young Glavine. Davis and James looked even more impressive than JJ now. Even before Ramirez, we had Kevin Millwood, Damion Moss, et al. After Glavine, the Braves just have not raised their own real #1 or #2 pitchers except that some might argue that Milwood was/is a #2 guy but not a true ace.
Now Smoltz and Glavine will be gone in a hurry, and Hudson’s resigning is not a guarantee, I really believe we should focus all our resouces on getting an ace or at least #2 pitcher. Or it doesn’t matter whether we can sign Tex or Furcal or whoever to the lineup, there is a big chance we’ll be behind the Mets for some years, who have Santana and John Maine locked up as the real #1 and #2. So, for the lineup, with Chipper, we can wait for another 3 years, but for the rotation, it is more urgent.
By nolie
April 21, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Wonder if Nightranger is on that list???Flange
David Cloverdale definitely should be.
By Choppinmama
April 21, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Just re-read my post and it needs an edit: Mass was at Yankee Stadium!
By ole timerbrave
April 21, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Thought I heard at the first of the game taday that Furcal loved playing in LA. If so why would he be willing to leave.
By TJ
April 21, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
there is a big chance we’ll be behind the Mets for some years, who have Santana and John Maine locked up as the real #1 and #2.
Maine is a number 2? Since July 31, 2007, in 14 starts, he’s 4-6 with a 5.62 ERA.
He’s off to a decent start this year (a 3.78 era), but has only gone 16 2/3 innings in 3 starts. But hey, only half a run below our #4.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
shaun
but murphy won 5 gold gloves himself, as well as 2 consecutive years where he wont the MVP, Silver Slugger, and gold glove.
over-all he was an all-star 7 times, and had 4 silver sluggers.
andruw on the other hand, has never been the MVP, has one silver slugger and 5 all-star appearances to go along with 10 gold gloves…and he isnt getting better or even being consistant.
i know im preaching to the chior, because you think dale should get in the HOF too, but if andruw retired RIGHT NOW, or if he doesnt improve alot, i think he will be stuck on the edge, much like murphy is.
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
DAP, but how many MVP’s did Mazeroski and Smith win? I honestly think Andruw is the outfield version of those two players.
By Shaun
April 21, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
New blog is up. Not DOB, though.
By Chris
April 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
What makes you guys think Furcal likes Atl more than LA. From what I remember, he was happy to go to sunny LA. The Red Sox are the model. Have they had a pesky baserunner to get in opposing pitcher’s minds? I don’t thinks so. If we win and attendance goes up. Maybe Tex will become more human, than Boras and go for a little less money and remain a Brave, with Chipper, Francoceur, McCann and the rest of the Brave lifers.
By DAP
April 21, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
i think maine is as good as jurjens. that doesnt make him a #2, but it might, and it makes him pretty good. i think the mets will have an ok rotation for awhile.
By Nate in Maine
April 21, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I think that if we cant sign tex to a contract then the heck with him and trade him half way through the season so we can get something in return for him. If I am correct we did just give up the farm for tex so why let him walk .
By ghbrave
April 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
DOB, too bad the Cubs are not in the market for a 1st baseman,huh? Tex is tearing it up in day games, at least this year and last year.
2008 Day .478 1.397 11.5 2008 Night .143 .478 24.5 2007 Day .382 1.235 10.9 2007 Night .278 .865 20.2
How many more day games we got left this year?
By RRR
April 21, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
OB: It now seems that the only “issue” you have in the Tex v Furcal $ debate is the number of years. Good move on your part, since there is really no comparison otherwise.
Honesty, besides his hot start this year, Furcal has never been a “great” leadoff guy and/or SS. Don’t you recall all those years with the Braves? Critical stats for great leadoff guys would be avg/obp and steals v cs. Raphy has never been known to take the walk. Heck, his OBP is only a career .351. That is horrible! He also gets thrown out stealing almost 30% of the time. Not to mention his D (strong arm aside): his fielding pct is only .967 for one of the most important positions on the field (if not THE most important). In fact, he averages over 22 errors per season in less than 120 games per year over his career at SS. Remember how Edgar was crucified for his D while at Boston? Well, he had 30 in over 150 games, which works out about the same as Furcal.
Anyway, IF I had the money, there would be no problem adding the extra years to keep a talent such as Tex. We’ve done it before with Chipper, etc. Hopefully, the men in charge see the importance as well. DAMN corporate ownership….
Time to cry “uncle” on this one OB. ;)
ps
Exactly whom do you think are better song writers that Dylan? And, would that be comparing current with current, or current with his heyday? To be honest, I’ve always called Jackson Browne “the poet laureate of rock and roll”, and the Boss is pretty good, too. Or, at least, they were, back in the day…
By David O'Brien
April 21, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Time to cry �uncle� on this one OB. ;)RRR
Really? Then go ahead and cry it, my friend.
By ncgary
April 21, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
anything over 7 million a year for furcal would be ludicrous, in fact that would be ludicrous too, we are supposedly loaded up the middle why bother
lewgot the estrada wurlitzer today, mucho gracias
By Overlord
April 21, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
Time to kick azz and show the nats we are a championship team and they are just the nats…… GOOOOOOO BRAVES!!!!!!!
By Overlord
April 21, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
If Yunel, Chipper and TEX combine for 6 or 7 games today, the league better start worrying.
By ncgary
April 21, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
if we just want to waste 15 to 17 million why not sign cc, at least we would be wasting it on a position we have needs at
By Overlord
April 21, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Theres a message for those who think Prado is nowhere near the player KJ is…… 3 blast in 3 straight ABs.
Getting on base to leadoff the game!!!!
By Desperado Dave
April 21, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I don’t know how anyone can say that Prado isn’t even the player KJ is. I like KJ as a player, but Joe Simpson hit the nail on the head Sunday. He has limited range at second. Glove side, he’s good. Running in or ranging to his right and he struggles. Things looked hairy a couple times against the Dodgers. Move KJ to left, put Prado at second leading off and you have a solid lineup. Matt Diaz had three hits tonight, but this move would only strengthen the bench and Diaz could spell in left field and pinch hit. I like Prado as a second baseman. Someone has to notice the spark he gives the team soon.
By RRR
April 21, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Geesh OB. I thought you would be above all that. I wasn’t being disrespectful after all. Many others were. Oh well….live and learn.
By RRR
April 21, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
[quote]By David O’Brien
April 21, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Time to cry �uncle� on this one OB. ;)RRR
Really? Then go ahead and cry it, my friend.[/quote]
Truly sad….and, I guess I’m out of here now, too. But hey, you’ve got plenty of “yes men” ‘round these parts. Enjoy it while you can….
By Patrick
April 21, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Dylan’s one of the greats, no doubt.
But Lennon and McCartney I see as both better.
By aswingruber
April 22, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
I was skimming through the blogs and could not stop laughing after reading this one by Hampton Update…
Mike Hampton was able to take a shower this morning. Trainer Jeff Porter and pitching coach Roger MacDowell looked on as Hampton worked the soap for about twenty minutes. “Things were going really well until I realized I was out of conditioner” Hampton said. MacDowell reported that “he looked good, real clean.”
…now that’s effin’ comedy.
By Santa3247
April 22, 2008 4:15 AM | Link to this
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in from Jinhae(Sea of Glass) southkorea now.
Hey!! Daniel Smith, you were the best the two-dimension over Joseph Reyes who is friend of Babylonian living underground korea through neutron(Resonance Schumann).
Now your status is worst I think. Your catcher Boscan is friend of Joseph Reyes and so many fielders and batters of Missisipi Brave can’t help you for brain-wave’s problem. And good players are now in Mytle Beach(A). Strangly binding to A.
How can you penertrate this painfull circumstances? Radiate the light of Messiah in your mind’s eye about players, penertrate them in mind’s eye, don’t worry about result. God and Yerusalem makes the result.
This force of Messiah is present from God to the good people of Judah’s 12tribes. Keep in mind. This is like Resonance Schumann, no proof exist.
I will send you a Bright Morning Star(Golden Dragon) to your Guardian I will promise. ^*^
From Santa left foot in the seashore, right foot in the land, for the lack of Money.
May the force of Messiah be with you.
P.S: David(Okada Mokich) was painful for heap of defts for 24years by the disturbance of Babylon and Neutron. The painfullness by Babylon’s disturbance can purify your heart world and must be ready for the last judgement. ^*^
By Santa3247
April 22, 2008 4:19 AM | Link to this
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in from Jinhae(Sea of Glass) southkorea now.
Hey!! Daniel Smith, you were the best the two-dimension over Joseph Reyes who is friend of Babylonian living underground korea through neutron(Resonance Schumann).
Now your status is worst I think. Your catcher Boscan is friend of Joseph Reyes and so many fielders and batters of Missisipi Brave can’t help you for brain-wave’s problem. And good players are now in Mytle Beach(A). Strangly binding to A.
How can you penertrate this painfull circumstances? Radiate the light of Messiah in your mind’s eye about players, penertrate them in mind’s eye, don’t worry about result. God and Yerusalem makes the result.
This force of Messiah is present from God to the good people of Judah’s 12tribes. Keep in mind. This is like Resonance Schumann, no proof exist.
I will send you a Bright Morning Star(Golden Dragon) to your Guardian I will promise. ^*^
From Santa left foot in the seashore, right foot in the land, for the lack of Money.
May the force of Messiah be with you.
P.S: David(Okada Mokich) was painful for heap of defts for 24years by the disturbance of Babylon and Neutron. The painfullness by Babylon’s disturbance can purify your heart world and must be ready for the last judgement. ^*^
By Santa3247
April 22, 2008 4:21 AM | Link to this
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in from Jinhae(Sea of Glass) southkorea now.
Hey!! Daniel Smith, you were the best the two-dimension over Joseph Reyes who is friend of Babylonian living underground korea through neutron(Resonance Schumann).
Now your status is worst I think. Your catcher Boscan is friend of Joseph Reyes and so many fielders and batters of Missisipi Brave can’t help you for brain-wave’s problem. And good players are now in Mytle Beach(A). Strangly binding to A.
How can you penertrate this painfull circumstances? Radiate the light of Messiah in your mind’s eye about players, penertrate them in mind’s eye, don’t worry about result. God and Yerusalem makes the result.
This force of Messiah is present from God to the good people of Judah’s 12tribes. Keep in mind. This is like Resonance Schumann, no proof exist.
I will send you a Bright Morning Star(Golden Dragon) to your Guardian I will promise. ^*^
From Santa left foot in the seashore, right foot in the land, for the lack of Money.
May the force of Messiah be with you.
P.S: David(Okada Mokich) was painful for heap of defts for 24years by the disturbance of Babylon and Neutron. The painfullness by Babylon’s disturbance can purify your heart world and must be ready for the last judgement. ^*^
By Santa3247
April 22, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Hey Freemason grand masters please!!
Boss of Samsung Group is not culprit, he didn’t know anythin until implanted in Hospital.
This is just hypercritic play by Babylon for the purpose of deceiving people over the world
Keep in Mind.
May the force of Messiah be with you
By jimelyyes
May 9, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
By jimelyyes
May 11, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.
By jimelyyes
May 12, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.