AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRenewed optimism among Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Braves fans, you were not alone.
Plenty of Braves players were at least as concerned as most of you Braves/MIB blog denizens and other fans this winter as the team misfired on free agents (A.J. Burnett, Mike Hampton, Rafael Furcal) and potential trade acquisitions, notably Jake Peavy. Chipper Jones spoke for many when he wondered aloud whether the Braves were doing all that was required to put together a contender.
But after the recent signings of starters Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami, on top of the earlier trade for Javier Vazquez, I heard a genuinely optimistic tone from everyone I talked to when pitching camp opened Friday.
“You don’t know know how excited I was when I started hearing about some of the arms we picked up,” closer Mike Gonzalez said. “We can go out and compete, man. We’ve got the guys. We’ve got innings eaters, and the guys who can bridge the gap” between the starters and closer.
Gonzalez said he feels like he’s 20 years old again, like he has a “new arm” now that he’s 20 months removed from Tommy John surgery and coming off an offseason in which he was able to rest and do normal conditioning work, rather than spending all winter rehabbing his elbow.
Reliever Blaine Boyer spent the offseason working out with John Smoltz in a demanding regimen that helped burn more than 15 pounds off Boyer’s physique, and redistribute plenty of the remaining pounds from midsection to legs and upper body.
After fading down the stretch last year (he ranked among the major league leaders in appearances past the All-Star break), Boyer said his workouts this winter with Smoltz were designed specifically for endurance to get through the long season with a better chance of avoiding a late-summer fade.
“Lots and lots and lots of reps,” said Boyer, who worked out with Smoltz at an L.A. Fitness in Alpharetta, and said that yes, that created some interesting situations.
“I’d see people going, ‘I think that’s Blaine Boyer,’” he said, “and then’d they see Smoltz and go, ‘I know that’s John Smoltz.’”
Boyer said Smoltz, who signed with the Red Sox last month, is so intense, so focused during his workouts, he wouldn’t even notice the people stopping and staring at them during their workouts.
While he’s going to miss his mentor Smoltz a great deal, Boyer sounds more excited than ever about the approaching season.
“We’ve got three guys with 200-inning potential in our rotation,” he said. “I don’t think people realize how huge that is. That’s like a great gift from the clouds. Not only it is going to help the bullpen, but also the guys in the field.”
As for Gonzalez, Ohman said the same thing manager Bobby Cox said about the closer: “You can only imagine what he’s going to be like after a full offseason of rest. He’s going to be dominant this year.”
Cox said the pitching staff as a whole “is so much better than what we ended up with [in 2008],” and that adding innings-eating starters, “means a lot.”
Ohman to Philly? If the Philadelphia Phillies this week make Will Ohman an offer that’s closer to the two-year, $8 million deal that Jeremy Affeldt got from San Francisco than what the Braves have offered Ohman, then Ohman may be facing Atlanta’s many left-handed hitters a whole bunch of times next season.
No, Ohman’s never said what the Braves offered him in November, a deal that’s been on the table since then. But I’m told it wasn’t nearly as lucrative as the deal Affeldt got, and it hasn’t been raised since it was first made. And the Phillies expressed interest and expect to meet again with his agent this week.
Affeldt was fortunate that the Giants made him that big offer right away, and smart to have taken it. Subsequently, the market collapsed for most free agents, but particularly for lefty relievers and corner outfielders, none of whom are getting anywhere near the level of deals that were handed out in recent offseasons, before the general economic meltdown finally impacted baseball.
If Ohman were to get an offer from Philly that’s worth a $1 million or more than what the Braves offered him, then you can’t blame him for taking it. Because this might be his one chance to get a contract that could set him up for life (no, not every player needs tens of millions to be set up for life).
With a pitcher, particularly a reliever in his 30s, you just don’t know how long you’re going to last, when that elbow or shoulder might blow, or when that fastball velocity starts to be diminished or that pitch movement begins to dull.
So as much as the Braves/MIB blog and its denizens would like to see him back in Atlanta, hey, if the Braves don’t make him an offer that’s in line with what he might get from the Phillies or another team … well, then I guess we’ll just have to hope that either Boone Logan or Eric O’Flaherty, the two new lefties, is a big fan of The Big Lebowski and does a decent impersonation of Harry Caray reading the lineup card.
Oh, and the Braves will hope one or both can fill Ohman’s shoes in a significant role. The bullpen should be strong, but if Ohman’s not back, then that (situational lefty) is another question mark, alongside the twin setup men coming back from surgeries, Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano.
By the way, I just called Ohman and got his voicemail. When you call his number, you hear music instead of a ring. On Will’s phone, you hear one of two songs: The Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” or Ben Harper’s “The Will to Live.”
They don’t have options: It’s always important entering spring training to keep in mind what players have exhausted their minor-league options. Because if all things are equal, or even close, in a position battle, the guy who’s out of minor-league options is usually going to be kept on the roster over a guy who’s not out of options.
Players out of options have to clear waivers before they can be sent to the minors. That means, of course, that if that player has value, if he’s very good but there’s not a spot for him on the major league roster, a team will be more inclined to work out a trade rather than lose him on waivers to another team.
With that in mind, here’s the Braves’ list of out-of-options players on the current 40-man roster: OF Josh Anderson; right-handers Blaine Boyer, Derek Lowe, Anthony Lerew, Rafael Soriano and Phil Stockman; lefty Mike Gonzalez; catcher David Ross, and utilityman Greg Norton.
Kawakami update: While Kenshin Kawakami has been home waiting for his visa, the Braves’ new Japanese pitcher kept busy preparing for his first major league spring training.
My mole in Japan tells me Kawakami threw 157 pitches Saturday in a bullpen session at Nagoya Dome, the home park of his old Chunichi Dragons team.
By the way, for those who’ve asked, I asked again about Kawakami and WBC and was assured by Braves officials Friday that he will not be participating in the tourney….
Speaking of Japan and the WBC, if Kawakami’s homeland does well in the tourney, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Japan doesn’t have the depth of some Latin teams or the U.S., but its players have been working out together more than a month before the U.S. team’s first workouts.
What to make of BA rankings: Baseball American ranks the Texas Rangers No. 1 in its organizational rankings of top prospects, a spot held by the Tampa Bay Rays the past two years.
The No. 1 prospect in the top-rated organization is none other than right-hander Neftali Feliz, the best of a handful of prospects the Braves traded to Texas for Mark Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay on July 31, 2007.
One other of those traded Braves prospects made the Texas top 10 list this year, shortstop Elvis Andrus at No. 4. Andrus is the frontrunner for the Rangers’ starting-shortstop job entering spring training.
For what it’s worth, the last time BA ranked Atlanta the No. 1 farm system was 1999. The Braves’ top-rated prospect that year? Lefty Bruce Chen.
I’m guessing Perez will have a better career than Chen, who is 35-37 with a 4.63 ERA in 242 games (112 starts) in parts of 10 seasons, and didn’t pitch in the majors in 2008.
Sign o’ the Times: Won’t be able to look for that Prince CD or any other at Ella Guru after this month, folks. Yes, sad to say, my friend Don’s great excellent CD store is closing, another victim of the terrible economy on top of the already sharp decline in music sales in recent years.
Here’s the e-mail my man sent out just this morning:
Hello, lovelies:
There’ll be another e-mail on the same subject shortly but this one’s being sent to a list of EG’s best friends, customers, promoters, vendors and so forth. We’re closing the shop at the end of February and I want to give special thanks to those on this list. I can’t tell y’all how much it’s meant to me to have met, laughed with, talked about and listened to music with you, seen shows and partied with you, etc. etc. &tc.
Those there and supporting in all ways from Day One at the old LaVista shop: Mo (most of all), Ella and her girly-girls and boys, Mommer and my family, Darren A., Jim Ogle (NOT possible without you, Jimbo), G-man and Robbie and Kev and their spouses and lovers and kiddies, Dean and Amy and their beefy son Porterhouse, JoshyJoshyJOSHY!, James M. the speaker of Truth to Power, Mark B. and his Stanky family:, Aron and the Sage fam and Sandy too, the incredible Karin, MR. Acid Mothers Temple a/k/a John “Boris” Brite, Pete Patterson esq., Rogers/Samuelson gang, Jeff McCord and family, Mike Cooper, Coach Marty H. and family, Phil Tan, Rut, Hobbsie, Krista, John P., Keriann, Chris P., Marlene, Richbourg, Dougie and REDsters, Sylvia, Russell C., Alex at OK, James Kelly, Dan and Sean and all at WnF, Gene for having a real record store in Greenville, Matt Myers for having me and who knows what this feels like, Alex Ayers, Hunter and Brookie, Callie P. and Tess, J. Regan, Glen S. and family, Jeff Clark, Lee Fidler, Robert Drake, Craig V., the ravishing Stephanie F., John Beers, Reedy and the Barkers, Steve Witte, Jay Wardlaw, Ed Bishop, Chris Merrifield, Colm, Bill Buzbee & Lisa Chang, Matt Gewolb (my favorite Mets fan), Dave Lynch, Sean K., Mal M., the Marks: Apple & Snyder, S. Hedeen, Steve Scott, Steve Dancz, Joshy A. and the lovely Jessica, Gus M., D. Blackburn, D. O’Brien (who has the second best gig in the world), the mighty Hughs: Freeman and Suhr, David Williams and Kat, Drew D., drumho Don, J. Askins, Jarid, the members of the Justin/Turner Overdrive: Jeff, Kev, Stuey, Jerry, and Oliver (you got a month to come have a look at the shop, Ollie!), Calder, Jeremy O. and mom, the VTA guys, Kerry and Ryan, Lynn and Rebecca, Tasman, Brad McD. and so many more. There are tons I’ve missed. Y’all are the best. I only hope you can somehow all remain as cool as you presently are without EG to help you out :)
Um, Sean and Logan and David, y’all might want to advance the schedule on finishing your cool mural :)
Mercenary sale info to follow in the message to the wider e-mail list. There well may be a party. Watch this space.
D.
Folks, this is a real negative for some of us. If you’ve got any money left and/or plans to purchase music in the next month and you live in the area, do an old indie-record store owner a solid and stop by Ella Guru to wish Don well in whatever his next venture might be. For a Univ. of Florida alum, he’s a good dude, and he fought a good fight.
“PILGRIM” by Kris Kristofferson
See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans,
Wearin’ yesterday’s misfortunes like a smile
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams,
Which he spent like they was goin’ outa style
And he keeps right on a’changin’ for the better or the worse,
Searchin’ for a shrine he’s never found
Never knowin’ if believin’ is a blessin’ or a curse,
Or if the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down
He’s a poet, he’s a picker
He’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walkin’ contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin’ ev’ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars,
And he’s traded in tomorrow for today
Runnin’ from his devils, Lord, and reachin’ for the stars,
And losin’ all he’s loved along the way
But if this world keeps right on turnin’ for the better or the worse,
And all he ever gets is older and around
From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse,
The goin’ up was worth the comin’ down
He’s a poet, he’s a picker
He’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walkin’ contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin’ ev’ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
There’s a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home.
Comments
By Brooklyn Braves Brawler
February 2, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
First!
By Stat Boy
February 2, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
A few errors in the blog DOB.
it’s Neftali Feliz and I thought Kawakami wasn’t going to play in the WBC…
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 2, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
oh man - i’m devistated to hear ella guru is closing. i’ll have to head over a few times this month at lunch. such a shame.
By doc
February 2, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
sad day in the BIG A if ella aint around.
By Mark in Indy
February 2, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah, the only thing that still really gets me about the Tex trade was that Feliz was the throw-in guy … yeesh.
By Flamenco the Foot
February 2, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
I’m sure someone already said this, but it is Neftali Feliz, not Perez. Another great blog DOB.
By Mitchie-san
February 2, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this
Top ten!
By keylargo
February 2, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
If the Braves don’t sign Ohman, you can look for some real fireworks from the fans as he has become a fan favorite. Add some really irritated people still upset over the Smoltz situation and I think you can look for the Braves to put a priority on signing Ohman.
By Run Heap Run
February 2, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
Aw that makes me sad about Ella Guru. I will most definitely get by there before the end of the month.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
i think that its safe to say that were it not for the teixeria trade, the braves would be #1, since they would have two of the #1 team’s top 10 guys.
of course, how different would this team look? who would have played 1st base in 2008, and who would be be looking for to play there now? (since we wouldnt have gotten kotchman in the trade)
we probably would have had to trade some of those guys anyways for a 1st baseman, or other positions, but those players we traded away would have gone a long way toward players other than tex.
i guess we have to say looking back…whoops!
By kirkinga
February 2, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Good to see that the Braves players are optimistic. There many here who said they wouldn’t be heading into SS.
$4million/year for Ohman? To me that’s steep, but it depends on how it effects other signings. If paying him $4million/year means we can’t sign an LF, then I say no.
If paying him that amount means we can still sign a LF but not have Glavine, that is also a tough call, but I would lean toward having the starter over the reliever.
I know that seems crazy, but last year taught me to never ever believe you have enough starting pitching unless you’ve got 3 young Cy Young candidates in your rotation. Fact of the matter is, Glavine was among the leaders in Quality Starts and the Braves, and the bullpen, will benefit from another guy who is going to give them quality innings.
The best thing would be for Liberty to give the Braves some more coin and allow them to keep Ohman from going to the Phillies as well as sign Glavine and a LF.
By Brooklyn Braves Brawler
February 2, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
DOB
Are the Braves concerned with going into the season with a an all righty staff or are they for sure looking to bring Tommy back ala Jamie Moyer?
What’s are power righty bat situation look like?
thx
By dogsbrekky
February 2, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
Good stuff DOB, thanks for the updates…
Got raging drunk on superbowl Sunday so am not in the good books with the g/f today..
Oh well at least I did my Fantasy baseball draft.. Here is my roster… FWIW
C Jorge Posada NYY 1B Albert Pujols STL 2B Kelly Johnson ATL 3B Chipper Jones ATL SS Edgar Renteria SF CI Miguel Cabrera DET MI Mark DeRosa CLE OF Carlos Lee HOU OF Jermaine Dye CWS OF Rick Ankiel STL OF Shin-Soo Choo CLE OF Denard Span MIN UT Jim Thome CWS P Cole Hamels PHI P James Shields TB P Dan Haren ARZ P Brad Lidge PHI P Matt Cain SF P Mike Gonzalez ATL P Clayton Kershaw LAD P Matt Garza TB P Kenshin Kawakami ATL
Bench Troy Tulowitzki COL Bench John Maine NYM Bench Matt Wieters BAL Bench Troy Glaus STL Bench Mike Lowell BOS Bench Todd Helton COL
By DAP
February 2, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
another bad trade looking back (which is always unfair, but whatever) is the mark kotsay trade. i really enjoyed having kotsay on the team, loved him as a player, and enjoyed the night he hit for the cycle, but the guy played in 88 games and we traded oakland their closer for him. say what you want about joey devine, that he never would have made it in atlanta, blah blah…he had a great year and will probably be closing for that team, and would have been a great arm to hang onto. whoops on that one, too.
By ArkyTech
February 2, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
was assured by Braves officials Friday that he be participatin in the tourney….
Eh? Does that mean he will or won’t be in the tourney?
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
Brooklyn, Braves aren’t concerned about an all-righty rotation (of course, if they were I don’t think they’d say so anyway, but I honestly don’t think they are).
Is it ideal? No. But it’s more important to have five good pitchers, and they believe they’ll have five. And yes, Glavine could be one.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
imagine a bullpen of gonzalez, soriano, moylan, devine, ohman, boyer, bennett.
best in the majors, hands down. im just saying.
By BamaBrave
February 2, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
If I had a band it would now be called “My Mole in Japan”…
By Efrim
February 2, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
“The No. 1 prospect in the top-rated organization is none other than right-hander Neftali Perez”
Neftali Feliz. And it is incredible how the kid shot up the prospect ranking charts. I don’t even think he was ranked last year.
DAP
I saw your comment on the last blog, I agree that the Super Bowl is a different story, but the economy does have an effect on the quality of advertisements. Budgets that agencies have may limit what they can do. Just my opinion though.
By Steve McP
February 2, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
If the Phillies do make an offer in that range will the Braves have a chance to counter?
Would hate to see Ohman with one of our main rivals and that might be a good reason for upping the offer to match the Phillies if they really are going to those numbers (which seem high for the market).
One other small typo on the blog, in the Kawakami section you don’t say whether he will or won’t be pitching in the WBC, I presume you mean he will not as he has not been working out the Japanese team.
By bill
February 2, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
Inning eaters are all well and good.But if they leave in the 7th or 8th inning down 5-2 or 6-2,what good does it do?
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
Mark: Feliz was no “throw-in guy” in that deal. Far from it.
This is what I wrote in one of my early edition stories the day of the trade, before we knew there was a fifth prospect going to Texas from the Braves:
“The Braves are paying a hefty price for Teixeira and Mahay, parting with four prospects including switch-hitting rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, slick-fielding shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus and two of their top pitching prospects.
“It’s the most significant midseason trade for the Braves in 14 years, since they got first baseman Fred McGriff from San Diego on July 18, 1993. They hope Teixeira will help spark a playoff drive as McGriff did.
“One of the pitching prospects will be Matt Harrison, provided the Rangers are satisfied that his recently sore shoulder is sound. They will examine medical records closely and mightwait to see him pitch a couple more times.
“The other pitcher is right-hander Neftali Feliz, 19, a hard-throwing Dominican rated the Braves’ No. 18 prospect by Baseball America. He has 70 strikeouts in 55-1/3 innings in two seasons at the Rookie and Class-A levels.
“Saltalamacchia, Andrus and Harrison were rated the Braves’ top three prospects last winter, in that order.”
The “throw-in” that you’re referring to was not Feliz, it was lefty Beau Jones, 22, who spent last year in A-ball and Double-A with the Rangers.
Last season, Jones was 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 11 relief appearances in Double-A and 1-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 games (four starts) in High-A.
At the two levels combined, he had 60 strikeouts in 58-2/3 innings while allowing 51 hits and 29 walks.
By Efrim
February 2, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this
Mets ink Oliver Perez to a three year 36 million dollar deal. Wasn’t that the same amount they offered to Lowe? Suprising that Boras couldn’t get at least a fourth year vesting option for Oliver. A pretty fair deal for both sides. I wouldn’t say the Mets overpaid, 12 million per year seems about right for Perez. Guy has never thrown 200 innings, so more money per year would of been a little much.
By semiballcoach
February 2, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
adding to last blog
billy powell was a roadie for skynyrd…did the piano intro to freebird and was put in the band…
By Don
February 2, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
From the comment above (paraphrasing), the Braves hope that one of the two can fill the gap left by Ohman. To be a pessimist for a moment, isn’t that consistent (not in a good way) with the Braves thinking for the last few years? Let better Bullpen talent leave for FA deals and try to rebuild the Bullpen almost every year. Why does it need to be this way? Why can’t this team return a number of healthy, good arms instead of rebuilding every year. The ‘pen needs to be invested in just like the starters and the position players.
Right now, the Braves have based there hopes on a number of fragile arms.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave: outstanding. I didn’t even think of that. Pretty solid name for a band. Someone HAS to use it. I won’t even ask for royalties, and we’ll give them a big plug or 10 on the ol’ blog.
And folks, the next person who corrects the typo, letting us know that it’s Feliz and not Perez, will be the lucky 10th to do so, and will win … well, absolutely nothing. But it’ll feel good, so do it anyway.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
ArkyTech: It means he be not participating.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this
“the economy does have an effect on the quality of advertisements. Budgets that agencies have may limit what they can do.” efrim
dont you think that if a company was a little cash strapped and wanted to save money on advertising, they might just NOT advertise during the super bowl and spread their advertising out farther? i just find it illogical that companies that find it in the budget to spend $30mil on a 30 second spot, or whatever the price is, would then decide to sacrifice a little quality to save money. maybe they are idiots and thats what happened, but i doubt it.
by the way, i didnt watch alot of the commercials, i was busy being social, but i liked this bridgestone one
By brian
February 2, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
for what it is worth, on the ESPN.com rumor mill they list Delmon Young as being available from Minnesota for bullpen help.
Any chance the braves try to acquire Delmon Young to try and help with our OF situation as a CF or LF?
By Frank
February 2, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
DOB
Yeah, even tho I have disagreed with some of the things Bobby Knight did at Indiana (the chair-throwing incident, etc among others) I agree that the University of Georgia would be smart in hiring Bobby Knight.
ESPN had a interview on this morning done by Sports Center’s Rece Davis with Pat Summitt and Bobby Knight.
While I’m a true blue Kansas Jayhawker (and will always be) I have a lot of respect for both Pat Summitt and Bobby Knight for what they’ve both done for college basketball.
And btw for the fellow bloggers if your interested in knowing….Pat Summitt is going for win #1000 tonight (Monday, Feb 2) of her allustrious(sp) career which started the year I was born (1975).
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
This just in from Tom Glavine, via e-mail: No new contract talks. And he throws 75 pitches tomorrow.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
“Inning eaters are all well and good.But if they leave in the 7th or 8th inning down 5-2 or 6-2,what good does it do?” bill
one reason innings eaters are innings eaters is that they get left in the game. that usually doesnt happen if they are getting lit up. innings eater usually = quality starts.
By Epinephrine
February 2, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
I think the new optimism is well founded.
There is without doubt a difference between the optimism on the blog from last spring and this spring. Last year everyone was practically ecstatic. This year people don’t seem convinced that the Braves will even crack .500.
But we have so many more solid pieces this year. We ignored the age and injury potential of our pitchers last year, because the upside was just so great. But this year the Braves are a team that will be durable and consistent.
A lot rides on Moylan and Soriano (I don’t really have qualms about Gonzo). But if those two can even resemble their former selves, the Braves have a great shot at being in almost every game come the 7th and 8th inning. It has been a long time since we’ve been able to say that.
Picking up another bat is still essential. But I think this year, while the potential highs may not be quite as extreme as last spring, there is every reason to feel optimistic about the Braves’ chances of being in the mix come the end of the year.
Now…just can’t wait to see Hanson at spring training.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
Efrim
Where did you see the OP signing as official? I heard it was imminent but hadn’t seen it official.
$13 mil per is a little high for OP but I think that was the trade off for no 4th year.
Still some rumors around that the Mets are lurking on Manny. I think there is an angle where the Wilpons would love to make a splash right before ST to really fire up the fan base with the new park and all. You know how it is up here with the Mets up against the Yanks all the time.
Funniest thing I read this weekend. About the Mets maybe losing the Citibank naming deal. “They could call the new field “Second Class Citizens Park”
Good stuff.
By #1 Smoltz Fan
February 2, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
Apologies in advance DOB:
Any word on Andruw? Last I heard via the old blog, or one of the rumor mills was he could sign by end of last week, but it has been eerily quiet in the last few days?
This would seem to be a good thing for the Braves, as I assume if there was an offer, it would be on the bottom end as far as $$ goes. And I assume that the if an offer of real value had come across Boras desk he would have strongly suggested a signature.
I am thinking of taking the fam down to Dark Star this year for a couple of March ST games, and was wondering if the “Lawn” seats have a good enough view to enjoy the game? Got 6 kids and I can only afford sitting in the grass lol.
Thanks!
By N Nine (eta62)
February 2, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
imagine a bullpen of gonzalez, soriano, moylan, devine, ohman, boyer, bennett.
best in the majors, hands down. im just saying DAP
Far from it. Soriano and Moylan are healing
Devine? Ohman? ….You must be dreaming of what could have been. Our Pen is featureing player that really sucked last season (Logan, Boyer, and O’ Flaherty)
Ohman will go to our rival, Great
By aswingruber
February 2, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
DOB - Good stuff as usual. I remember seeing you speak to the Ga. State chapter of SPJ a year and half ago. I really enjoyed listening to your story of working for a small town paper in Kansas and then as a clerk at the Ft. Laduerdale Sun before getting your break. Very relevant to a recent grad who had to take unpaid internships in radio to finally land a full time gig with pay. So thanks for sharing and thanks for keeping me well up to speed on my Braves as I follow your beat blogs and stories closely from Houston. I share the optimism of the Braves players you talked to for 2009 with the solid rotation we’ve put in place with recent signings. I fear that we’re still a big outfield bat away from staying in the playoff hunt down the stretch. Either way, with the promise of a new Braves season, I’m psyched that opening day is just around the corner. It can’t come soon enough with football now over. Keep up the good work DOB!
By flange1
February 2, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Sad day in Atlanta is correct!
We are not only loosing Don at Ella Guru, but Dave at Midtown Music, the finest guitar store in the state is closing it down as well.
Two of my favorite places to spend money are leaving us….
Quite frankly, my only response is IT SUCKS!!!!!
By Anders
February 2, 2009 3:00 PM | Link to this
“Any word on Andruw?”- #1 Smoltz Fan
Yep, no new contract talks. He plans to eat 75 wings tomorrow.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Frank, agree with you entirely, regarding Knight. Quick hoops-related story: I had Jim Leyland introduce me to Bob Knight one spring, right after Knight left Indiana and before he took Texas Tech job. He was at spring training, as he is every year for a week or two with another of Leyland’s pals, La Russa (Knight and La Russa are close friends).
Anyway, Leyland was managing the Marlins at the time. I asked Jim to introduce me to Knight, and Leyland said in that gruff voice, “You know Dave, he doesn’t exactly like reporters.”
Anyway, he introduced me and I talked to Bobby for a few minutes on the field. He’s a big dude, by the way, about 6-foot-5, with ham-sized hands. Couldn’t have been nicer. Told him I went to KU and was a big hoops fan, etc.
Honestly, I know he’s a polarizing figure like few others among college coaches. But if Bill Self wasn’t coaching Kansas, I’d love to have Knight there. Alas, KU’s got a hell of a coach and a great recruiter.
But Knight, to me, has as good a basketball mind as there’s been in my lifetime. He and Larry Brown can coach ‘em up like few others have ever been able to.
If I was a young coach in high school or college level, I’d take notes every time Knight speaks when he’s doing analysis on ESPN. I feel like I learn something new every time he talks about spacing or defense or screens or anything else. His passion and knowledge are so obvious when he starts talking strategy. Sharp, sharp mind.
If Georgia has a chance to hire him, they’d be crazy not to, in my opinion. But I know plenty will disagree.
You give him just one or two of the top prospects this talent-rich state produces every year, and I think he’d have a top-25 team right away. He’s that good. Just look what he did at Texas Tech, which is way down the list of Big 12 schools in basketball tradition and recruiting. You ever been to Lubbock? ‘Nuff said.
OK, that story wasn’t so quick. Sorry.
By MattyRoss
February 2, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Glad the Mets agreed to terms with Perez. He’s been up and down (seems like mostly up against the Bravos, for whatever reason) but I’d much rather deal with him than Sheets. The Mets appear to be pretty much done spending, with the only major changes in their bullpen and maybe the back of the rotation. Their fans seem to think the deal was fair and are holding out hope for a Sheets signing. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen.
By Brett
February 2, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Bring Andruw back NOW!!!
By Anders
February 2, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
Efrim
Just saw the OP signing news. As for the Mets offering the same as they did for Lowe. I told you they were just staying in the Lowe thing to make sure the Phils didn’t swoop in. Omar, right or wrong, wanted OP all along.
Omar has landed K-Rod, OP and Putz for a lot less than I thought they would cost in total $’s and players. Of course the market is playing a role in that, but Omar’s has read the market very well since the Santana deal.
Maybe he gets Manny with a three year $60 - 65 mil deal back loaded? Just dreamin on a winters day.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
“Far from it. Soriano and Moylan are healing”
“Devine? Ohman? ….You must be dreaming of what could have been.” N Nine
duh. have you not been paying attention? dreaming of what could have been is EXACTLY what i was doing. and in my fantasy, moylan and soriano have healed. if your having trouble keeping up, nine, go back and read slower.
By Cleanup
February 2, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
No real number 4 hitter. Could still be a long season
By GeorgetownKid
February 2, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the new blog Mr. O’Brien!
Just to throw in my two cents (not that any more of such loose change is needed), I very much hope the Braves resign Ohman. I believe he is worth the money.
I also hope the Braves bring back Glavine. Among the many reasons I am in favor of this is my belief that keeping Hansen, Morton, Reyes, Parr, and Redmond together as a rotation in AAA would be in their (and our) long-term interest.
Lastly, and I seem to be in the minority on this one, I would be perfectly comfortable with a LF platoon of Diaz and B. Jones, especially if that would allow us to sign Ohman and Glavine.
A Diaz/B. Jones platoon would give us about 20 HR, solid defense, and a solid average. Both are similar hitters so they could occupy the same spot in the batting order. And, as mentioned, this would allow us to keep Ohman and Glavine.
If Diaz only hits lefties, he will bat well over .300 with respectable power. And if B. Jones faces only righties, he would be more than serviceable.
Thanks again Mr. O’Brien! What do you think?
By Efrim
February 2, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
Anders
http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/st/archives/2009/02/metsreachterm.html
Hope that works, but you can see all up to date stuff on mlbtraderumors.com.
It’s getting a little strange that Manny hasn’t come to terms with the Dodgers yet. Not an easy deal to give out though. I mean, Adam Dunn and/or Bobby Abreu are no Manny Ramirez, but giving anyone 20+ million a year during these times is difficult. It might be better for the Dodgers to go that route. I hear Dunn is waiting on Ramirez first, because he prefers to play with the Dodgers. Should be interesting. Wolf to the Dodgers should happen shortly now that Perez has signed. Ben Sheets? Your guess is as good as mine.
By mb
February 2, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Any news on adding another everyday player? Roberts, Nady, Swisher, Abreu, anyone…
I haven’t seen the Braves mentioned in any trades or free agent signings on the internet lately?
I think it’s to quiet, something must be brewing.
Personally, I wish they would sign Ohman, he adds proven depth to our bullpen. The guy can close games too. I don’t think you can have enough closers in the pen.
Thanks
Mark.
By NCBravesFan
February 2, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
DOB Thought you might appreciate this re: Bobby Knight if you had not seen it already. Written by Bruce Jenkins of the SF Chronicle in February 2008.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/a/2008/02/09/SPFLUV4K9.DTL
(Knight is mentioned toward the bottom of the column.)
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 2, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
In the “They’re out of options” section: the guy who’s out of minor-league options is usually going to be kept on the roster over a guy who’s out of options.
Shouldn’t that read “…be kept on the roster over a guy who’s not out of options”?
Man, I hope our new $15 million signing boy performs well in Spring Training since he’s out of options! :)
By mbatl
February 2, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
“If Georgia has a chance to hire him, they’d be crazy not to, in my opinion.” - DOB
Absolutely, positively agree. Man I hope this happens. Given a state with great high school talent and tremendous resources, UGA basketball has been an embarrassment for… well, pretty much forever.
Knight is just what this program needs. One of the best basketball minds EVER, and despite the occasional temper flare-up, a decent, forthright human being with solid values and great teaching skills.
I hope Michael Adams and Damon Evans see the light on this opportunity.
By Ed Glennon
February 2, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
We need to give Chipper an extension. I am still depressed about Smoltz but an extension for Chipper would make me feel a whole lot better.
By N Nine (eta62)
February 2, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Sorry DAP I didn’t read your previous posts, I figured you know better. ; I’m just not so positive on our pen. Gonzo brings that lone sunlight.
Guess spring willbring answers.carry on…..
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
DAP
RE: Super Bowl ads. Most of those slots are locked down months in advance, with contracts signed, etc. That goofy Cash4Gold ad (OK, Ed’s gold hip replacement was funny) was the final one sold, last week.
The depth of the economic crash wasn’t at all evident before early October, long after companies had made specific financial commitments to advertise at the Super Bowl.
By N Nine (eta62)
February 2, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
“We need to give Chipper an extension” ED Glennon
I’ve been screaming for it also but I think its the best interest of team to wait and see what Chipper will do this year. Chipper isn’t quite stable enough to comfortably throw cash at. Chipper should not be another Smoltz story. I think Chipper wants to be here more..
By brent a.
February 2, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this
Everyone I ever talked to who has met Bobby Knight and just “talked to him” always has a good story to tell.
It’s as if he has two completely different personas. One for the public, and one for the people he meets while he’s just hanging out.
By Mark in Indy
February 2, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this
I’ll take your word DOB that Feliz wasn’t a throw-in (and that may not even be the best word), but I thought I remember Feliz being the lowest rated prospect in the deal according to Baseball America at the time. And while obviously he had shown a great deal of potential, at the time of the trade neither team expected this kind of maturation in only a year’s time.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
DOB
If Georgia can sign Bob Knight and he stays around long enough to bring in talent, he could win quite a few more games there. He’s not exactly what you’d call a player’s coach (HA!) but he teaches the game the right way and his kids either stayed in class and got their degrees or he let them know they weren’t welcome in the program.
The SEC in basketball is in the same sort of shape as the ACC is in football. The old hierarchy’s been shaken and there’s an opportunity for schools that haven’t been traditional powers to make some noise.
By N Nine (eta62)
February 2, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
How come the blogmaster can use Italics and we can’t?
By Anders
February 2, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
Efrim
I hear you on the $20mil per thing but Manny is a monster. Plus the Mets have Delgado and Wagner coming off salary next year which would cover Manny’s $’s in 2010 and 2011. They replaced Wagner with K-Rod and they plan to play Murphy at first.
It’s not an impossible thought. Plus I thought Jeff Wilpon coming out and saying that Omar has never asked them about Manny this winter so they haven’t had to say no was unusual. He could have ended all speculation right there and he didn’t.
Dunn is absolutely waiting on Manny. He’ll get the most $’s from the Dodgers if they don’t get Manny.
BTW Bob Knight = Manny in my book. One’s a self centered guy who quit on his team the other is a self centered bully who quit on society.I have no problem if a team wants to sign either one. It’s their money and this is a business not little league. But what I do have a problem with is anyone who say’s signing Knight is ok because what he brings to the table in spite of his negative record but then won’t afford Manny the same leniency. Just my opinion.
By DAP
February 2, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
yes yes yes, extend chipper. this is very important, and should be done before spring training. no excuse not to.
By N Nine (eta62)
February 2, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
“I’m just not so positive on our pen” N Nine
Well to add, Boyer, Ohman and even some others DID quite well until they were grossly overused and this season we have “inning eaters”. We should rely less and hopefully what we have will get the job done! The few additions are more reclamation projects.
Stockman is out of option and should get the chances he finally needs!
By mbatl
February 2, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Anders, I’d suggest you contact every player who ever played for Knight and asked them if they’d do it over again. I’d bet that 99% would say, “absolutely.”
(get back to me after you’ve made those calls)
Manny is a very different deal; you could accuse Knight of lots of stuff but quitting on his team sure ain’t one of them.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Interesting piece from MLB.com about arbitration-eligible players.
“Recent trends disprove the theory that being subjected to an arbitration hearing — and to listening to a club barrister nitpick his game — dents a player’s confidence, leading to a psyched-out drop in performance.
However, the experience does tend to alienate them, with virtually every arbitration loser this century changing teams at the first opportunity as a free agent. …
Of the 18 arbitration losers who eventually became free agents while still with the clubs who had gotten the best of them in hearings, every one of them jumped to another team.”
So Frank — get KJ signed! As for Frenchy, well …
By McPoyle
February 2, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
am i sensing a little man crush DOB has for will ohman? hmm.
i wonder if pat knight’s antics the other night had anything to do with rekidling bobby’s thoughts of coaching. i was at a bar just dying when i saw that happen. awful call by the way, but still, the tantrum that followed was classic “knight”
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Comments on the bullpen:
We have the potential to be very good, IF some of our arms are healthy again. Goes without saying, I guess.
We have quite a few durable arms, and others who are close to showing some promise: Bennett, Carlyle, Acosta, Boyer, Campillo (I don’t think e will be a starter, but more likely a long man and spot starter), Logan, O’Flaherty, Ridgway, Stockman and Valdez. This is certainly not including Gonzo, Soriano and Moylan. Nor Marek, Medlen, and Kimbrell. Also, guys like Parr, Moron or Reyes could end up in the pen, or starting at Gwinnett.
If we get a little bit of luck, our pen will be OK. I would love to see Ohman back, but not at 4 million per year. Who’s to say he wont revert to his Cub’s ways.
As for LF, Abreu is sounding like a good possibility. If we could get him, what would be the chance that Chipper would move over to cleanup?
By sri
February 2, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
apparently Buster has no love for the Braves… from his chat
Bill Friedman, The Best-chester: Are the Mets better than the fightin’ Phils, assuming they sign Oliver Perez?
Buster Olney: Bill — hard to say that, don’t you think? Phillies look like they could be a pretty damn good team, and they’ve got the experience of the last two years working for them. As of today, I’d still go 1. Phillies, 2. Mets, 3. Marlins in the NL East, the Mets and Marlins pretty close…
Brad (Gadsden,Alabama): Is the braves going to get a big power hitter?
Buster Olney: Brad: We saw how they can change course quickly in the Derek Lowe situation, but as of Friday, they had indicated to others that they won’t be part of the Dunn, Abreu, etc. bidding. Now again, that can change with one phone call, especially since the asking prices for guys like Abreu are coming down quickly.
By 3trees
February 2, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
Don’t comment much anymore, but had to when I heard flange’s report of Midtown Music going down. Say it ain’t so. Its a great store, but I honestly thought that it hasn’t been the same since he went the dealership route with all that high end stuff. Still, sad to see it go. Flange - Its not great, but ever try Atlanta Discount in Chamblee?
Never shopped at EG, but know many loyal customers, good luck.
Good luck to the Braves too. Lot of question marks around this team again this year. Has KJ turned the corner, which Frenchy do we get, how many games will Chipper play, etc., etc..
But, spring’s around the corner… Best to all
AND Go Braves!
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah,
I’m with you. I think our cleanup hitter (at least against lefties) should be U Kno Who.
Yes, I understand, Chipper has resisted that move in the past. And he’s said he’s more comfortable hitting third. I do wonder, though, if he wouldn’t consider moving down in the order simply because we don’t have a reasonable alternatives when it comes to right-handed power. (Besides, even if we got Nady or Dye in a trade, No. 10 is likely to produce more runs than either of them in the four-hole).
I’m actually OK with Heap hitting cleanup vs. RHP. But vs. lefties, Chipper should be Da Man.
By Efrim
February 2, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
Anders
But can Dunn wait that long? Boras said Manny will sign around mid February. I guess that might happen. Maybe Abreu signing will get Dunn a little more anxious. We’ll see. And yes, Omar has had a very good offseason…..although it is puzzling that they will go into next season with the same starting pitching(I know Redding and Garcia are additions, but please) and offense. I suppose they filled up the hole that was their bullpen, but I think it would of made a lot of sense to upgrade at least one of LF, RF, C, or 2B.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
mbatl
Made all those phone calls. Turns out your right. Most would play for him again. Well, except for that player Knight had by the throat during practice. But let’s be honest, obviously that kid doesn’t understand what it means to play for a basketball god like Knight. I mean if a coach can’t choke a 20 year old to make a point how the heck is he supposed to win? Treating them with respect? Yeah right. Look how badly that’s turned out for coach K up there in Duke?
Now I have a question for you. If Knight is so innocent and desirable, why did he have to coach Texas Tech out there in basketball purgatory?
Again, I have no issue with him getting the Georgia job, but let’s not give him a pass and hold Manny accountable.
By Lew
February 2, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
DOB-It’s a shame to hear about Don’s business. Like you say, he’s one of the good guys. We saw Queen and Thin Lizzy together in ‘77 at the Hollywood Sportatorium-we just didn’t know each other at the time. Must be the sign of the times, though-one of our two Indie Record Stores up here in Glacier Land just bit the bullet last month.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
Efrim
Forgot to get back to you on Ben Sheets. I think he either goes to the Rangers as Nolan Ryan’s pet project (Ryan is really getting involved as team President) or back to Milwaukee.
We’ll see.
By ncscoots
February 2, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
Anders, you’ve obviously never been to one of Kryszewski’s practices.
By proeye
February 2, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
What does anyone here think the chances are of the Braves signing ANY MIDDLE RELIEVER—let alone Ohman—for more than $3 million?
Question—You will win $1 million play dollars if you get this one—What was the last middle reliever that made in excess of $3 million per season for the Braves? I’m not talking about starters who may pitch a few innings in middle relief—I’m talking about pitchers who throw only in the middle innings period.
Unless the Brave’s philosophy has changed with FW in charge, I think you can kiss Ohman good bye. They are not and will not pay $4 million for him—especially when it will be the top salary in the bullpen—more than their closer Gonzalez and more than the #2 guy who could be a closer—Soriano. No way, not going to happen.
You know how many middle relievers the Braves have simply let go without even negotiating over the years??? Way too many in my book. Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel should never have been let go (they wanted $4 million per so “good bye!”). You gotta have a few veterans around and not just scrubs and guys who have only 20 innings in AA ball. Have you ever seen an organization that rushes middle relievers to the majors like the Braves do? And we wonder why we lose leads after the starter goes out?
Middle relief is incredibly important in this day and age the way managers throw 8 pitchers out there per game. It used to be that 1 pitcher would start and finish a game. Then it was 2, and it is now 3 at a minimum. If a pitcher gets 6 innings, it’s considered a good day—even 5 for a rookie.
I just don’t understand the Braves philosophy. They apparently think you can throw anyone out there and they can do one inning. Maybe that’s true on a rare occasion, but not practically EVERY DAY.
I say, SPEND THE MONEY—keep Ohman! He is absolutely critical for this team because he is left handed and he can get righthanders out! Think of him as your insurance plan. We don’t know how Soriano and Moylan are going to pitch. Who knows? They might need more time to get back to full strength. We can hope but we saw how Gonzalez just didn’t have it. if we don’t have Soriano and Moylan, THEN WHAT??? Blaine Boyer??? Eric O’Flaherty??? Boone Logan??? Francisley Bueno??? Who are these people???
SIGN OHMAN!!!!
By Plato
February 2, 2009 4:30 PM | Link to this
UGA hoops NEEDS Bobby Knight!
By TennesseePaul
February 2, 2009 4:32 PM | Link to this
sri: Apparently Buster hasn’t read the latest blog. The Braves are excited about the unknown of Kawakami, the known of Vazquez and his plethora of Home Runs, or the age of Derek Lowe, who was unable to drag the Dodgers to the post season with mediocre rotations and no outfield pop (recall, it took Ramirez to get that team over the hill).
But this Braves team could surprise. They’ll need a series of fortunate events but they could surprise.
By ellaguru
February 2, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the love, D. And I know your blog can always use a little free content. Call it innings-eating :) Sorry the shop’s on the way out but we’ll have some sort of—yuck—virtual presence. It’s been like a ten-year vacation, some of it a vacation in financial Hell but overall it’s been great and life goes on. Thanks to your sympathetic readers, too. Wouldn’t expect less from your fans.
You going to see James Hunter tonight, Dave? You dang sure should be; everybody reading should, for sure.
By ChipperFan
February 2, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
DOB
Thanks for the update, sir.
I think Frank Wren’s priorities between now and Opening Day should be (in order):
Sign Chipper to a contract extension. We have nobody in our farm system capable of replacing him; he led the Majors in hitting and OPS last year; and he has already stated that he will not negotiate an extension during the season. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out how important this is, even aside from the PR reasons for doing it.
Get a cleanup hitter. Without one, everybody is hitting out of place in the lineup. McCann isn’t a cleanup hitter, Frenchy isn’t a 5 hitter and Kotchman isn’t a 6. These guys can’t handle hitting in those spots in the lineup, and that is going to force them to “press”, which is toxic for any major leaguer. All pro ballplayers know that you find success when you “stay within yourself”, not when you try to be Superman every time up. Just look at Frenchy last year for an example.
Re-sign Will Ohman. I don’t want to offend Eric O’Flaherty or Boone Logan (or their fans), but we need a proven, solid lefty in our ‘pen in addition to Gonzalez. And Ohman is certainly that. This is doubly important with our all-righty starting rotation.
If Wren can accomplish all 3 of these things, then he will get an “A” from me and I’d imagine from most Braves fans for this offseason. Come on, Frank. Finish the job.
By flange1
February 2, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
3trees,
David at Midtown Music used to be the best vintage and used place in town until the supply of used and vintage guitars dried up! (thanks eBay!)
When he changed to custom shop Fender and Gibson, the store did change. I agree with you it was better in the old days…
I have been to ATlanta Discount MANY times dating back to when Danny Baird worked there at the other location.
They have some great product lines (amps especially) and some decent used stuff, just never could feel comfortable in there. Don’t know why, the employees and the owner seem like nice guys…
Don’t understand why they have numbers on the guitars that are not prices. That one still puzzles me……
By Anders
February 2, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
Efrim
I hear you on Dunn. At some point he has to make a move. That’s why I think the Manny thing heats up this week. Say the Dodgers sign Dunn - Manny’s screwed.
As for the Mets, fixing the bullpen was huge. Again, 29 blown saves and they finished a game out. As for the other positions you mentioned I think they would have liked to address all but RF. They definetly would like to see Church for a whole year. I like the guy and hope he stays healthy. 2B and Catcher - what are they gonna do? They have contracts there and options were limited. As for LF I still think it might still be in play.
They will miss Endy Chavez. That guy filled a lot of roles. Excellent bench/4th outfielder.
By bobby
February 2, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Makes me ill everytime I think of the Texiera debacle. It would have to rate among the top 5 worst in Braves history with the Len Barker trade.
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
BFIR My biggest fear for this team has not changed. With our two best hitters (to date) being our catcher who misses about 15-18% of the starts and our third baseman who has missed 18-25% of his starts in recent years, who is going to man those positions when they are BOTH out? We will be weaker for close to 20% of our games, and substantially weaker if Chipper goes down, on days when Mac gets his rest.
This is the primary reason I have not been thrilled with the option of Prado or Infante at third when Chipper is out. Even if we go with someone who is older, or a defensive liability at third, I would still love to see someone signed or traded for who can bang some and play some third base.
Wiggington??? I don’t think Norton can handle third well enough? As much as I like both Prado and Infante, I don’t think either is a good option hitting third or fourth. For as little as Casey Blake signed for, I would have loved to have seen us make him an offer.
Or even somebody like Mark DeRosa or Jorge Cantu?
By DAP
February 2, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
“Unless the Brave’s philosophy has changed with FW in charge, I think you can kiss Ohman good bye. They are not and will not pay $4 million for him—especially when it will be the top salary in the bullpen—more than their closer Gonzalez and more than the #2 guy who could be a closer—Soriano. No way, not going to happen.” proeye
nope, soriano is making $6mil in 2009, and that signing last offseason already showed that the philosophy would be different under frank wren.
By Mitchell
February 2, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
Ella Guru is a good CD store. Well, it’s okay but I’m sorry to hear it will be closing.
I personally prefer Decatur CD, they have to my knowledge or recollection a better inventory. Lots of Blues and Country which doesn’t do anything for me but at least it’s not top 40 Nashville country music. Good stuff but I still don’t bother with it. But they have plenty of Byrds discs so I have to recommend it.
DOB I don’t know if you’ve ever been but I the last time I was there, true story, I overheard the skinny jean wearing hipster dude who works there compliment you on music picks while talking to the owner. He doesn’t strike me as much of a baseball fan, he must have heard it from somebody or maybe… he’s one of us. It was rather unexpected. He was somewhat measured in his praise but I think that goes with the territory.
Thought you might like to know that. It’s a cool little store though. I still like buying CDs, I don’t do it often these days but if I want a piece of music I simply can’t download it.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
“Anders, you’ve obviously never been to one of Kryszewski’s practices” - ncscoots
When I see the video of Coach K choking a kid at practice I’ll rescind the remark. Or one of him throwing a chair during a game. Either will do.
The real suprise about all this? Knight is everything the Braves aren’t yet some on here don’t seem to care if it will make Georgia relevant. Again, that’s cool but then don’t blast Manny for his actions.
By Rhett
February 2, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
DOB - I was in grad school at IU during Knight’s last couple of years and had season tickets for both. I was never a fan and those feelings were exacerbated by the many rumors flying around about Knights verbal and physical abuse (throwing things at his secretary, etc.). However, there was nothing better than watching Knight coach from the first couple of rows at Assembly Hall. He wasn’t just in control of his team, he was in control of the entire arena. It was a tough place to play, but never because of hostile or heckling fans… It was just a sea of crimson coming to worship at the altar of a flawed icon. Polite claps and loud cheers and one larger than life presence bearing down on the opposition. I’m glad I got to witness it…. I think he would have been this generation’s Wooden if not for his many personality flaws.
By Bayou Brave
February 2, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this
*By David O’Brien
February 2, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
This just in from Tom Glavine, via e-mail: No new contract talks. And he throws 75 pitches tomorrow.*
Pft. Call me when he throws 157 pitches.
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
proeye Who are middle relievers? They are pitchers who aren’t good enough to be closers, or pitchers who aren’t good enough to be starters.
I am not being critical of middle relievers. They are a lot like utility infielders or backup catchers. While they are important to a teams success, they are not going to command a large salary. 3-5 million per year for a middle reliever is bordering on too much money for a pitcher who isn’t good enough to close or to start.
I think this is basically the Braves philosophy. You could pay a middle reliever 3-4 million per year (Dotel gets 5 million, Mahay 4 million), or you could let some of your guys in the hight minors get a shot at it for 400K per year.
You can’t pay all your utility guys 4-5 million per year, and then have enough to pay your stars what they deserve.
Follow the money trail.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Glavine throwing 75 pitches. That reminds me of his last start as a Met.
Of course he didn’t get out of the first inning.(Sigh)
By Efrim
February 2, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this
sri
I can’t fault Buster for saying that. Not until they get a bat. It’s tough to sell the Braves as a legit contender at this very moment. As Tennesee Paul said “They’ll need a series of fortunate events but they could surprise”. I have to agree with him there.
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
I can’t even remember who we were playing or who was hitting, but I loved it last year when our Cuban guy Francisley Bueno came in and went head hunting after one of ours got dinged.
Gotta be a place for a guy like that around. I recall hearing Kevin Kennedy talking about Roger Clemens going after hitters to protect his teammates, even AFTER the manager asked him not to.
We need a bit of ‘tude on our staff next year. Who is going to bring it? Lowe, Kawakami, Vazquez? Maybe Big Tommy Hanson has it in him??
Anders I know it is not realistic to hope for, but I would love to see Manny shut out,and have to accept a 1 year 12-15 million dollar deal from some losing team! I would call that poetic justice. I bet he would have “knee” trouble in the middle of the summer!
In the same vein, he might be a good chip for a team to have to move at the trading deadline???
I can’t see the Braves making that move.
By SP
February 2, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB,
Since Boras said Andruw would probably decide by the end of last week, have you heard any more regarding Braves’ (or other teams) interest? While it would not excite me the way an Abreu signing would, I think a ML-minimum deal - perhaps reaching $1-2M on PA incentives - would be your classic low-risk/high-reward move.
I’m not as confident as I was a week ago that it will happen but wondering if you’re feeling has changed at all. Frankly, I’m not worried about clearing a spot on the 40-man because I don’t see any chance Lerew makes the team and since he’s out of options he seems the obvious choice to be DFA’d.
By Rhett
February 2, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
Anders, I was at IU and I’m no huge fan of Knight, but the Manny comparisons are completely off base. Knight had some personality flaws, but with a few notable exceptions, almost all of his players loved him. In addition, there were dozens of stories of Knight doing wonderful things for his ex-players and for those in the community. Is Knight a flawed man with a horrible temper? Yes…. but he never would have quit on his team in his prime, and in the middle of pennant race. I’m sorry, but bowing out during a sub-par season in your late 60s when you have a capable replacement is not the same.
By Time for real Change
February 2, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
At some point in time the Braves have to realize that all our good pen arms are signed away because they are cheap when it comes to the pen. If you have a good pitcher in the pen then sign him for gosh sakes. Havent we had pens that have blown enough games in the past. They need to stop letting the good arms go to the competition.
By William
February 2, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
DOB When is the first full squad workout?
By Frank
February 2, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised no one has commented on Pat Summitt.
She’s done a lot for the women’s side of college basketball.
By winterville
February 2, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this
Anders
Not trying to start an argument and this is a serious question. Do you actually know how many of the 29 blown save games that the Mets went on to lose. I ask because I don’t know but I doubt that they lost all 29 of them. A blown save can come in the earlier innings too like the 7th or 8th. I am just curious because you always talk about how the Braves are a 72-90 team but the Mets blew 29 games and lost the division by 1. If the Mets were unlucky, so were the Braves. I definitely think you guys addressed a weakness in the bullpen but hitting in close and late situations was as much of a problem for the Mets as the bullpen was and you guys haven’t done much about your lineup IMO. But it is misleading to claim that you had 29 blown saves and only lost the division by 1 game when in reality, you probably went on to win a fair amount of the games in addition to the fact that if the offense didn’t go to sleep after the 3rd inning, it wouldn’t have been nearly as glaring of a weakness.
By Randy S
February 2, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this
DOB - you here about the new Booker T album? His backing band is the one and only Drive by Truckers (with occasional Neil Young). Slightly intriguing. LINK to story
By TommyP
February 2, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this
Concerning the Bobby Knight/UGA story….
Guys…this is year 2 that Bobby Knight has informally inquired about the Georgia job. Year 2.
He did the same through his informant last year but hardly anybody knew. Felton went on that run that temporarily saved his job.
Knight, however, saw the writing on the wall for Felton and let Georgia officials know that he wanted the job….last year.
That Tex trade….wow, we sure sold out on that one.
If I never hear mention of The Big Lebowski again, I’ll be happy. Especially pertaining to Ohman. Good grief.
And the more I hear about Gonzalez, the more it confirms what I’ve been saying all offseason: Career year for Mike Gonzalez.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 5:20 PM | Link to this
SP: No, Boras hasn’t returned calls recently to me or anyone else regarding Andruw. I asked Frank if there was anything new to report about Andruw on Friday, anything going on, and he said no. He wouldn’t elaborate.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
Time for real Change,
The reason few teams lock up middle relievers to long contracts is that with few exceptions, relievers in general have relatively short careers. For every Papelbon and Lidge and Rivera there are dozens of guys who are unhittable for a year or two and then get lit up regularly. I’m fairly certain the Mets are going to regret locking up K-Rod before the end of their contract.
Remember Kyle Farnsworth? Scott Linebrink? Scott Proctor?
Putting together a bullpen is almost always a crapshoot. Unless you’ve got a Rivera or a Papelbon, you’ve got to manage turnover because relief arms blow up regularly.
By TBraveFan
February 2, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Rhett & Anders: I was at IU when Bobby was there and I AM a HUGE Knight fan. If you want your kid to get a good education in not only book learnin’ but also how to be a good man - let Bobby work with him.
I do agree if UGA has even the slightest possibility to hire Coach Knight they would be totally insane not to do so immediately…
btw - Mr. Wren… clock is ticking - I have 32 more days before I arrive in FL and I expect to see TOMMY in a Braves uni — tick tock tick tock….
By Reality
February 2, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this
Career year for Gonzalez I bet. Braves probably should have extended his contract in this down market. He’ll be by-far the best available next offseason in a very weak reliever free agent market.
Sorry I just don’t get the “wisdom” in extending Omar Infante over Mike Gonzalez.
By Eware
February 2, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Man, that really sucks about Ella Guru. Great store - good prices - great folks. Keep smiling, Don.
DOB, you mentioned that you liked Will Hoge. Did you read about him getting smashed by that van while on a scooter? He got hurt pretty bad. But, the worst part…Bruce Friggin Springsteen was coming to record with him the next day.
Read about it: www.willhoge.com
Sign Glav!!!
By Anders
February 2, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Rhett
I never said Knight quit on his team. What I’ve been saying is that both he and Manny are equally accountable for their behavior. Even DOB made a point about Manny pushing down the traveling secretary last year. How is that different than some of the things Knight has done that some are now willing to overlook? What Manny did last year was horrible. Will he do it again? Maybe. But then you can say the same about Knight. That’s my point.
I want the Mets to sign Manny. I’m not worried about what happened last year in Boston. He delivered 7 great years to them including 2 WS. He personally dragged the Dodgers to the playoffs last year. I want some of that.
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
Reality In regards to extending Infante over Gonzalez, well that is a two way street. Do we know they didn’t try to extend Gonzo?
By Anders
February 2, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
Winterville
No I don’t, but I’m thinking even if it was 75% I like their odds. What I can tell you is that Elias did a study and if all the NL games only went 8 innings the Mets would have won the division by 6 games.That tells you how bad things went very late in games for the Mets.
I think there’s enough empirical evidence here to say the Mets fixed a major problem. Two years in a row they were right there only to have the bullpen fail. They’ve addressed it. It’s not like they finished 6 out.
As for not hitting late in games. There was some of that to be fair. But I think you take the pressure off your bats late in games if you’re not choking up leads late in games 3 to 4 times a week in September.
General question - Who did the Mets pass on this offseason that they should have gotten? I can’t think of one guy who signed or was traded that they should have gone after.
By dogsbrekky
February 2, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this
Anders Did the Mets fans up here in NYC ban you from their blogs… cannot work out what you are doing on an Atlanta blog as it is clear you are not a fan… but seeing I am in NY too.. I think it great that the METS resigned Perez cause those balls are flying a LONG LONG WAY in Citifield and at $36m FOR 3 years, your beloved Mr Minaya just effed up all of the good work he did with the Putz/KRod cheap deals…
May the Mets choke again
“Shake and Bake”
By ChipperFan
February 2, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this
“General question - Who did the Mets pass on this offseason that they should have gotten? I can’t think of one guy who signed or was traded that they should have gone after.” -Anders
Uh, how about Derek Lowe?
By KC
February 2, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry… did I read that earlier post correctly? Did Buster Olney pick the Braves to finish FOURTH in the East???????
I will wager a testicle, right here and now, that doesn’t happen.
Olney must be assuming that Francoeur won’t bounce back, and he must be underrating the Braves’ pen. That’s the only thing I can think of. But picking the Braves fourth right now is asinine. The Braves likely have the best overall pitching staff in the East, which will count for a lot.
If the Braves get a healthy pen, plus a Frenchy bounce-back and/or another bat… the Braves can win this division. And even if they don’t get another bat, they’ll be competitive. Not a 4th place team anymore. No way.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky
Why are you a Braves fan living in NY? Did Atlanta Braves fans ban you from their city?
BTW- Shouldn’t you be out by flowers to get back in good graces with the gf?
By TommyP
February 2, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t think enough has been made of what Mike Gonzalez did coming back from surgery.
16 IP, 2.81 ERA, 22 K’s and 2 walks in save situations. These are numbers you want your healthy closer to log. He did this during a time when he should have been batting practice for the NL.
Weird numbers at home…17.1 IP, 7.27 ERA, and 30 Ks. Huh?
By winterville
February 2, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
Anders
I think they would have been better served this off season to let some of the kids fill out the bench rather than signing a bunch of crappy players for 1-3 million dollars a piece (Cory Sullivan, Rob Mackowiack, Tim Redding, Alex Cora.) If they had all that money back they could have signed someone like Abreu or Dunn to play left field or Hudson to play second or something of the sort given how far their prices have fallen. Also, the Freddy Garcia deal which I heard that if he was on the roster, he would hit alot of his incentives which would push his contract up to a significant value (8-9 million). That might have been better served with say Pedro or even just letting Niese pitch. I think you guys ended up with too many light hitting corner outfielders and number 5 starters where you could have sacrificed some depth and gotten better quality players rather than just quantity. All those small contracts add up and the money would have been better spent on Abreu, Dunn, Hudson or even Sheets (if they decided to load up on quality pitching and take a risk). That’s my take. What do you think?
By Bravesfaninmetsland
February 2, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
KC,
Ouch!! As much as I want the Braves to do well, I’m not willing to wager a testicle on anything I don’t have control of. Good luck with that one.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 6:11 PM | Link to this
Chipperfan
Derek Lowe at $15 mil per for 4 years is overpaying. The Braves had to do it based on Hudson going down. If Hudson wasn’t hurt the Braves wouldn’t have gone near that deal nor talked with AJ Burnett. Stuff happens so I don’t blame Wren, but no way the Mets had to go there.
I mean using your logic you should have started with CC Sabathia.
Care to try again?
By Anders
February 2, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this
KC
Left or right?
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 2, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this
ChipperFan “McCann isn’t a cleanup hitter, Frenchy isn’t a 5 hitter and Kotchman isn’t a 6. These guys can’t handle hitting in those spots in the lineup…”
While I agree that McCann should not bat cleanup, I wouldn’t exactly say that he “can’t handle” that spot.
Here are some numbers (2008, 162 AB):
AVG/OBP/SLG: .309/.374/.494
HR/2B/RBI: 6/12/33
BB/SO: 18/19
Not too bad—very comparable to his numbers batting fifth, which is where I like him to bat.
By dogsbrekky
February 2, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this
Anders I am an Australian living in NYC who just happens to be a lifelong (well from 7 years of age) Braves fan….
PS The g/f has given up me……
By Anders
February 2, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
winterville
Garcia, Redding Niese are all going to vie for the 5th spot. As DOB said a couple of days ago - you can’t bring too much pitching to ST. The Mets want depth in their system. If Garcia hits all his incentives I’m sure they will be thrilled to write that check. Cora is there because they can’t count on Castillo until they see him back playing regularly. I think Cora will push castillo for playing time.
Pedro wants more than he’s worth these days. Doubtful he fits in their plans now that they have OP.
By #1 Smoltz Fan
February 2, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
I am really watching the Andruw Jones front and hoping somehow we manage to lure him back home for a 1 year comeback followed by a lifer contract.
Anyway as I was searching the internet for a year by year analysis of his weight (unsuccessfully) I found a blog that really summed up exactly what I was thinking in regards to Jones and wanted to share it with all of you.
I think it is spot on!
[Andruw Jones for 2009 Comeback player of the year] (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/111797-andruw-jones-for-2009-comeback-player-of-the-year)
By sri
February 2, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this
Efrim
The second comment he had about the Braves not being interested in any of the remaining free agent outfielders is what concerns me. I am hoping that Wren is actually interested in them and is being tight lipped about his plans (after the earlier debacles). There is no need to panic yet, since none of them have signed anywhere, but what I dont understand is the Braves PR machinery this offseason. Why say openly that they are not interested in them (unless they really arent and that concerns me)? They were a lot of reports in Nov/Dec that the braves arent interested in Lowe, though he signed here since we were willing him a boatload of money. Maybe it is a negotiating ploy and it is all posturing and we secretly are in touch with them.. who knows..
KC Wow! I will bet your right one. If they finish 3rd or better I will give you five bucks.
By nolie
February 2, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite writers. He often uses rather complicated lyrics but they seem to flow off the tongue very easily. Thanx
By nolie
February 2, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
Yeah, the only thing that still really gets me about the Tex trade was that Feliz was the throw-in guy … yeesh. Mark-Indy
then you can feel better because Feliz was not the throw-in. That was Jones. Feliz was already a well respected prospect
By ChipperFan
February 2, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Derek Lowe at $15 mil per for 4 years is overpaying. The Braves had to do it based on Hudson going down. If Hudson wasn’t hurt the Braves wouldn’t have gone near that deal nor talked with AJ Burnett. Stuff happens so I don’t blame Wren, but no way the Mets had to go there.
I mean using your logic you should have started with CC Sabathia.
Care to try again? Anders
I don’t think I need to try again. The rumors were that Minaya offered Lowe a 3 year contract at $14m per ($42m). That’s only a million less than the Braves. Maybe we overpaid; but the Mets were willing to pay nearly the same amount. I don’t call that overpaying, I call it the winning bid. Just as, if you outbid someone on eBay by $1, you win.
The simple fact is that the Mets going into 2009 hoping that Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran have both found the Fountain of Youth (I’ll save you the suspense: They haven’t, and their numbers are going to fall off the map this year), and that John Maine and Mike Pelfrey will BOTH have career years as your #2 and #3 starters.
Since I know Omar Minaya is a smart guy, I’m confident in saying he didn’t want to have to hope for that. He wanted to be sure he was putting a good team on the field every day. And that’s why he tried to sign Derek Lowe. His failure will be felt every single time Pelfrey follows a dynamite Santana start by shltting the bed. Based on last year, I’ll say that’s going to happen about 11 times. Good luck with that. Lowe would have been an amazing #2 starter for you guys, but you whiffed.
Care to try again?
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this
Just talked to Ohman, who’s still having discussions with Braves along with the recent big interest from the Phillies. “There’s open lines of communication” is about all he wanted to say about it, stressing that his agent is still talking to Braves, but that Phillies really came on quickly in the past few days….
Eware, that’s a real bad deal for Hoge. Damn, that’s some bad luck. I saw him live with Isbell, but wouldn’t say I’m a big fan of Hoge or anything. He was good live, but I don’t have any of his CDs or anything. The college kids love him, though….
By Chop Chop
February 2, 2009 6:46 PM | Link to this
Rock on, Ella Guru.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this
Rhett, that’s a great Knight/Assembly Hall story. You painted a vivid picture, and I know what you mean. Even on the road, he had that presence. I covered his team in a NCAA regional in Miami one year, and when he came on the floor, all eyes were drawn to him. Some men are born to lead.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
EllaGuru (Don), just saw your comment. Not going to be able to go see James Hunter tonight, because my Jayhawks are at Baylor, late game on Big Monday. Just a TV night for me. Spending too much $ lately anyway. And plan to see Patton Oswalt do his comedy gig this weekend at The Earl.
By mets fan in atlanta
February 2, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
This has been such a slow offseason!! I haven’t been on this blog in almost a week cause nothing is happening. Today the Mets resign Oliver Perez, which i am glad about. He focused a lot better last season with the pitching coach change, maybe a full season under Warthen will allow him to have that career year that has been expected of him for so long.
I think its funny that someone on the Braves brought up the idea of the “innings-eater” today. Now they are getting desperate when they use the logic of the bloggers. As someone said earlier, just because someone pitches 7 innings, and the score is down 6-2, does that mean it was good? Another poster said that innings-eater means quality start, no it doesn’t.
It means that he pitched just good enough not to get taken out of the game. Especially in the American League. And even in the National League. Unless you are getting lit up, a good pitcher “with a reputation” will make it to the 6th or 7th inning depending on when his spot makes it up in the lineup. Doesn’t mean he has a lead, doesn’t mean he’s even pitching that great, sometimes the horse is expected to stay out there to “save the bullpen”.
Problem with the Braves last year was not overuse, per se. It was going to the same guy over and over and not using the little guys at the back of the pen. Bobby Cox relies on certain guys over and over, everyone knows this, this is why several of you were screaming during the season “Where’s Stockman? Where’s whoever?” because the Braves bullpen was not balanced out.
A few weeks ago, I gave an example of an innings-eater on a blog, but it disappeared soon after because the blog hit the 1000 mark. No one probably ever saw it. The short version is:
Frank Tanana was signed in 93, after the Mets terrible 92 season. 6 of the previous 7 years he went over 200 innings, , and in his career he had been a very good pitcher. All the talk was that he was going to be an “innings-eater” because he still had the longevity. And he did. He went out and threw 202 innings that season, but only 183 with the Mets. He was traded to the Yankees on September 17 (apparently he had cleared waivers) and made 3 starts with the Yankees where he pitched the final 19 innings for them. So you’re thinking “Wow, good signing for the Mets, he ate those innings, and they even traded him at the end for young talent.” And then you see his final line: 7 - 17, 4.48 ERA, 32 starts.
Some of you are now thinking: that Mets team was bad, so it wasn’t his fault. Problem was, the Mets that year had a puny offense. When you have a 4.48 ERA, and you’re pitching late into games, that means you’re actually giving up 4 or 5 runs each outing. If your offense can’t overcome that, you lose. It doesn’t matter how many innings you eat. And with the Braves’ hole in left field, and the “return” of Franceour, can they really expect to score 5 runs every night? Time will tell.
By 3trees
February 2, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
Flange - Copy. Good thoughts on the ebay’s influence. You’re starting to see some of the vintage stuff re-appear because the economy, but I sure can’t afford any of it. Hate to see Midtown go.
You nailed on ATL Discount. The vibe was better at the place on Clairmont (as I remember), but still… I did trade for my Princeton Reverb there, so its not all bad.
Peace
By Reality
February 2, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
Last year it was Ron Mahay the Braves just HAD to sign or it was all over and DOOOOOOOOOM was surely coming. Now it is Will Ohman.
People, it is just a middling left-handed middle reliever. Losing Ohman, like Mahay last year, is not the end of the world. You can find decent lefty relievers everywhere, they’re pretty much a dime-a-dozen. It’s not something a team needs to spend millions on.
By Lew
February 2, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this
KC-I’d say that was a safe bet. No one will want to collect if you lose.
By keef
February 2, 2009 7:10 PM | Link to this
can’t believe we’re talking about saving a few dollars by not signing wonderful Will. and the Yankees signed 1/2 BILLION in free agents. we all need to beg the Falcons owner to buy us and tell Liberty media to go F—- themselves. The LIEING that they make the CEO tell us about no payroll limitations REALLY irritates me… From a business consultants perspective we really should be around $150 million…
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 2, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this
Reality — Yeah, but the Braves didn’t sign Mahay and look what happened: 90-loss season! The fate of 2009 rests on our ability to Ohman!!!
By Lew
February 2, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
Anders-Getting KRod at the back of the rotation was a good move, but not as big a difference maker as you seem to think his acquisition will be. You talk about the 29 Blown Saves, but fail to mention that only six of them cam from Billy Wagner, who was 27-6 in save situations. KRod will, in essence, only be converting (you hope) saves for August and September over what Wagner did.
Is JJ Putz really enough to make up for the rest? I’m doubting it.
By Reality
February 2, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
“Yeah, but the Braves didn’t sign Mahay and look what happened: 90-loss season! The fate of 2009 rests on our ability to Ohman!!!”
But the Atlanta Braves had Will Ohman during that 90-loss season….
By flange1
February 2, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
3trees,
The Princeton Reverbs rock don’t they? I traded for a 66 down in Columbus and that amp is still one that I play every day…
Some of the new stuff is really good but you can’t beat a blackface Princeton. a silver face deluxe and a tweed Bassman…..
By AZBravoFan
February 2, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
DOB: Do you think the Braves and Francoeur will let it get to an arbitration hearing?
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 2, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this
“But the Atlanta Braves had Will Ohman during that 90-loss season….”
So true. If only they had had Ron Mahay…
I’m kidding anyway.
By Nelson
February 2, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
Every year by this time (I have seen this movie too many times), everybody in the organization is excited about the team, but then during the season Bobby plays slumpy players, and keep them in the line-up for the whole season turning the excitment into a nightmare!!!
By Total-E-Sports
February 2, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
Check out
http://www.total-e-sports.com
By Michael
February 2, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this
The blackface Bassman 50 with the 2 12”s is sweet too. Lost my old one, so now I have the Sovtek copy I use sometimes instead of my Marshall valve - state..
By KC
February 2, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this
Lew: I never thought about it that way, but I guess it was a smart wager to offer.
I wouldn’t bet that the Braves are going to win the division. No way I’d do that with the team as it stands, though I think they’ll be competitive. But FOURTH? No way. Barring something completely unforeseen, the Braves are going to be in the NL East race late into the season. I can’ t say that about the Marlins with any assurance.
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this
AZBravoFan: Don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
By brent a.
February 2, 2009 7:43 PM | Link to this
Personally, I think that Knight and Krzyzewski are very similar, with the main difference being that Krzyzewski seems to know how to mind his P’s and Q’s better at press conferences, etc.
He doesn’t exhibit quite the theatrics of Knight; but, the man is downright nasty when he wants to be.
By 18 Wheel s of Love
February 2, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this
DOB, did you ever own any of the AWARE compilations by Greg Latterman from back in the day?
By BravesFanInRockies
February 2, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this
KC
Buster still p.o.’ed at the Braves because the Peavy deal did not go according to his plan.
Anders
Congrats on signing Ollie. I still think he’s a good fit for you guys and it does strengthen the rotation. He’s erratic, to be sure, but Manuel seems to have the stomach to handle his good starts and his bad ones. He’s certainly worth the gamble because if he improves his control ever-so-slightly, he’ll elevate his game a lot.
By TERAP
February 2, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this
Winterville, I disagree with your assessment of the Mets having weak hitting corner outfielders. Church is good for 25 homers if he can avoid crashing into infielders on his way to 2nd and Tatis is a sure 20 plus homer player in left. The Mets biggest issue is getting runs after the 5th inning.
By nolie
February 2, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
Question—You will win $1 million play dollars if you get this one—What was the last middle reliever that made in excess of $3 million per season for the Braves? I’m not talking about starters who may pitch a few innings in middle relief—I’m talking about pitchers who throw only in the middle innings period Proeye
Yeah, I’ve been saying the same thing since the season ended. especially with them paying Gonzo and Sori as much as they are. However it might be a good thing that it’s Philly looking at him. The Braves might spend a bit more to keep him away from them. We can always hope anyway
By OuchIsRight
February 2, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Ouch!! As much as I want the Braves to do well, I’m not willing to wager a testicle on anything I don’t have control of. Good luck with that one. *BravesFanMetLand8
here’s hoping for a fourth place finish just to have some off-season excitement on the board. Go Marlins!!
By Anders
February 2, 2009 8:04 PM | Link to this
Lew
Nice to hear from you. So, it appears Minaya’s “low balling”, as you called it,for Perez paid off huh? .
As for K-Rod and Putz, come on Lew. The Mets added a guy coming off a record breaking saves season and a bonafide closer in his own right and you’re gonna argue that their bullpen isn’t markedly better?
Really?
By James is Red
February 2, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
I heard an interesting interview with a guy from Baseball Prospectus. He talks about our top 10 guys, AJ Burnett, McCann in the clean-up spot. Lots of stuff. It’s good.
By Danga
February 2, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
TERAP Church for 25 homers? Tatis a sure fire 20 homers?
First of all, both of those players have only had a combined 2 seasons where they played more than 140 games. Apparently crashing into infielders and such is a nasty habit for both of them.
Second of all, in Church’s only season of 140 plus games he had 15 home runs. Tatis did have a monster season in the year he played 140 plus. He hit 34 homers, but that was in 1999. I think Ryan Church is a nice player, but lets not make him into something he is not. Tatis gave the Mets some nice production last year, but I find it hard to believe that he will return to anything close to 1999 form 10 years later.
By Anders
February 2, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this
Bravesfaninrockies
Thanks. I agree - he’s erratic. Bad years I expect 11 or 12 wins from him, good years 14 or 15 wins and if he gets his stuff together he might give you 18 wins. I haven’t seen near the maturity it would take for him to win 20. So far that’s what Perez is. I’m still very surprised (and nervous) that there wasn’t more of a market for him. Are other teams that scared of him? A 27 year old lefty with flashes of electric stuff and positive big game experience? Seems like a risk worth taking for many. Maybe many think Dontrelle when they look at Perez?
We’ll see if Minaya’s faith pays off.
By StingerSplash
February 2, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this
no wonder he walked these empty rooms looking for something to blame. He gave his son the middle name of Friggin.
Too bad about Hoge. Radio station I used to listen to played him frequently and I heard he was very good live. Not a huge fan of his, but I wouldn’t turn off the radio if he came on - unlike the treatment system of a down and other bands get from me.
By TERAP
February 2, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Danga, Church was on pace to hit about 25 homers before the concussions and Tatis hitting 20 or more homers this upcoming season shouldn’t surprise anyone except maybe you. I guess that’s why they play the games……we’ll see.
By Savannah Guy
February 2, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
My Mole in Japan? Yep… catchy band name.
Could also be the name of a sequel to Lost In Translation. Or a sequel to Mothra vs. Godzilla. The Mole vs. Mothra and Godzilla’s nephew, starring Bill Murray.
Now, baseball: can Ella Guru hit and play left field?
By Lew
February 2, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
Anders-I didn’t say there was no improvement, just not nearly as much as you think there will be. You’re negating the fact that for the first 4 months of the season, you had a closer damn near as good as KRod. Wagner saved 27 games through the first of August posting an ERA of 2.30 and a WHIP of 0.89, so in essence, you improved your bullpen for August and September. Do you truly expect Rodriguez to post better numbers through July as that considering that he doesn’t know the NL yet? If you extend Wangner’s numbers through a full season, you’re talking about 41 saves. Will KRod save 41 much less more than that?
That’s the closer role. What about the rest of the pen? How many of those 29 blown saves (Wagner was only responsible for 6 of them-23 to go) will Putz realistically make up for? Half if you’re fortunate? You still have a weak middle relief corps-not to mention your rotation is no stronger. You don’t even have Heilman anymore and though his 5+ ERA was nothing to write home about, he was in damn near half your games (78). Who do you have to replace his innings that is better?
By Danga
February 2, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
TERAP If Church stays healthy, I could see him having a real nice season. Tatis is a real long shot from my vantage point. His 2nd and 3rd best homer years? 18 and 15 where he hit .253 and .228 respectively. But as you say, that is why they play the games. I’m sure we can both agree that spring can’t get here quick enough.
I can’t wait for stories out of Florida about prospects flashing their skills and washed up veterans suddenly looking like their 15 years old again. I think that is one of the best parts about baseball, every spring brings a sense of hope for the better. The hope that this kid from the minors or free agent addition or in the Braves case a Japanese pitcher who puts his soul into his pitches will be the piece missing which puts our teams over the top. I love this stuff and I can’t wait to see some green grass and some red clay.
By winterville
February 2, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
TERAP
First off, I never said you had weak hitting corner outfielders. I said you signed a bunch of weak hitting corner outfielders this off season (Sullivan, Mackowiack) which is true. Second, Church is a fine player but has never hit more than 15 dingers in a year and Tatis was out of the majors in 2007 along with 04-05. You can’t be serious to say that you actually EXPECT that sort of production out of them. Tatis has had one season where he hit over 20 and that was a decade ago. Don’t twist my words and don’t try to play anyone for a fool with those predictions.
By Lew
February 2, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
Anders-Even if KRod does exceed 41 saves, it is doubtful he will save anywhere in the neighborhood of 62 again, but more than likely will save his average of the three previous years-44-not that large a margin over a healthy Wagner.
In case you think I’m being peremptory here, After their highest save season over 50 saves, Smoltz was - 10, Gagne -10, Bobby Thigpen was -27 and Mariano Rivera was -22 one season and the next time he saved 50+ he was -10 the next. I’m betting KRod drops down to 45 or less.
Sorry-I just don;t see the Mets having made up 29 Blown Saves.
By Lew
February 2, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this
Anders-One more thing. I hardly consider a 3 year -$36 million contract for a pitcher barely over .500 in his Mets’ tenure (for a team that finished first, second and second during that tenure) with an ERA of over four and a high WHIP as lowballing. Better hope you get what you paid for, but based on his past three years performance it’s not such a sure thing. When y’all going to re-sign Pedro?
By Cut&Paste
February 2, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
KC-I’d say that was a safe bet. No one will want to collect if you lose. Lew
oh I don’t know. that trainer who’s job it was to rub the linament on Clemens’ testicles might be up for it
By David O'Brien
February 2, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
Brent A., I think you’ve quite perceptive about Coach K, who’s a protege of Coach Knight, after all….
18 Wheels: No, can’t say I’ve had or even heard of the compilations of which you speak.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 2, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
James Is Red — Thanks for posting that link. I’m listening to it now and you’re right, it’s some good stuff.
Someone should let the interviewer know that we signed Lowe to a 4-year contract, not 3.
By Raymond K
February 2, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this
Beau Jones (not Feliz ) was definitely the throw-in in the ill-fated Teixeira deal. I recall that it was a 4 for 2 and became a 5 for 2 when John Daniels conned John Schuerholz Jones was a sandwich pick in 2005 from Destrehan, La whom the Braves drafted prematurely at about 41st overall (BA had him rated 155th) The braves took the wrong La HS lefty as they left 6ft 8in Sean West for the Marlins (he is now one of Marlins top prospects) Luckily, Jones isn’t a good prospect or the deal would have even been worse. Bad drafting and an even worse trade.
By Lew
February 2, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this
Church was on pace for a 25 HR season before he missed a month and a half? Really? He had only hit 2 in his previous 21 games ( a pace for a 15 HR season over 162 games). Not much of a pace going on was there?
As for Tatis not surprising anyone if he hits over 20HR. Seriously? Based on what? The one time in the past nine seasons before he turned 34 that he hit 15?
And the Mets’ fans think We’re delusional?
By Lew
February 2, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
Cut and Paste-Ad you’re going to pay him? Need we ask what the victor will do with his spoils? Do we really want to know?
By MiamiBeachBravesFan
February 2, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Sorry to hear about ella guru. I am an indie music supporter down here in Miami and lament the loss of such sanctums of fine music.
When you come down for the first road trip against the Marlins, drop by Sweat Records, on NE Second Avenue and 55 Street in Miami’s Little Haiti. It’s right next to Churchill’s, one of the best live indie music scenes on the eastern seaboard. (If they play a day game, swing by C’s and I’ll treat on the first couple of Sierra Nevada’s - great fish and chips, too.) Sweat’s music selection is awesome, and the people are really cool.
Hope they sign Will Ohman, just for the fact that we do need a lefty setup guy. I’d rather sign Tom Glavine and Ohman and make LF the new 1B platoon position, like it was in the early-mid ‘90’s.
By TERAP
February 2, 2009 9:34 PM | Link to this
winterville, don’t take my post’s personal. I was just doing what you’re doing…giving my opinion.
By Tomas
February 2, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Braves aren’t going to sign Will Ohman. Well if they don’t, they should sign Abreu and Glavine.
By winterville
February 2, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this
TERAP
Definitely not taking it personal, I just wanted you to understand what I wrote and that I was not hating on Church or Tatis in my original post, I was hating on the signings of the lower tier players. But if you truly expect that sort of production from those two, you might be in for a long season. I hope you don’t take my posts personal either. it is not my intent.
By Steve McP
February 2, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this
DOB - how does it work with the Ohman negotiations? If the Phillies make an offer he likes does the agent come back to the Braves to see if they want to match/better it?
By Anders
February 2, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
Lew I have to laugh because I had written in my post to you about the lowballing “unless you’re gonna now tell me Minaya overpaid”. I took it out because I figured it would be inflammatory. Should have stayed with my instincts.
Talk about never being able to win. One minute you say he’s lowballing because Wilpon is headed to the bread line. Now he overpaid for Perez. Good lord, pick a tact and stay with it.
As for your Wagner/K-Rod argument,I never said the Mets would make up all of the 29 blown saves. I’ve said repeatedly that they had 29 blown saves and still finished only 1 game back. All things equal if they reduce that number to 20 blown saves that would be quite an improvement. With the addition of K-Rod and Putz I don’t think reducing the blown saves by 9 is a great stretch.I don’t expect K-Rod to get 60 saves. I don’t even know that he’ll have to get 50. BTW- I agree with you on Tatis (which is why I want manny)and the numbers support your Church argument, however, he’s a young guy who’s learning how to hit the long ball. Plus, he’ll be playing in what will probably be the best lineup he’s ever been in which should help. He has a nice stroke so let’s see how it develops. The wild card will be how the ball carries at “US Congress Park” ( I’m assuming they’ll be bailing out the Mets naming rights contract out).
By Anders
February 2, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this
“He doesn’t exhibit quite the theatrics of Knight; but, the man is downright nasty when he wants to be.” - BrentA
“Brent A., I think you’ve quite perceptive about Coach K, who’s a protege of Coach Knight, after all….” - DOB
There’s big difference between being nasty and being abusive. Knight has been verbally, physically and emotionally abusive to many around him for many years and makes no apologies for it. I don’t know of one incident where Coach K was that type of abusive. I’m not a big college basketball follower so maybe they exist and I’ve never heard them. But until I do I don’t think it’s fair to compare these two in the context of what is being discussed about Knight.
By nolie
February 2, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
My Mole in Japan? Yep… catchy band name. Savannah
maybe they can do a cover of “My Woman From Tokyo”
By GSU-Lee
February 2, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this
DOB, my only thing with Knight is that he is getting up there. I know his name alone recruits, but if I were UGA I might be looking for someone who would be there longer.
I would take a close look at Anthony Grant, VCU coach and former Florida assistant. He was responsible for getting Al Horford and Joakim Noah…I think a guy like that is more of what I would look for. Still, I don’t think many people will complain if Bobby Knight moves in Athens
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 10:42 PM | Link to this
Rosenthal is reporting that Ned Colletti and Scott Boras had a face to face meeting, where the Dodgers offered Manny a 1 year, $25 million dollar contract.
Boras is said to have stated he will get back to them. To me, this would be a good deal for Manny, and let him re-enter next year when hopefully the economics are better, and also give him a chance to rebuild his tarnished image.
Poetic justice for Manny? I should think so…
By Neon Deion
February 2, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this
Im sick and tired of saying it again and again… 1.Give Chipper extension NOW (think of Smoltz…) 2.Give Ohman what he wants. In other words, SIGN HIM. 3.Sign Dunn (or get Nady). 4.Sign Glavine. PLAYBALL
By Jethro
February 2, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Quite the Cold Stove we have here. Nothing much happening anywhere. Seems like the Braves are just waiting for prices to go down even further before signing a LF. But at the same time, no other teams are jumping in there and picking up, say, Abreu. Why not? I don’t want to jump to “collusion,” but it seems like there’s some sort of implicit collusion going on, in that teams are waiting, seemingly hoping for the prices to come down even further. I dont know. Any ideas on what’s happening here and when teams will start signing some of these free agents?
By Cameron in NC
February 2, 2009 10:51 PM | Link to this
DAP, you stated earlier that Ohman would be the highest paid player in the bullpin. I think Soriano is getting like 6.1 million this year.
By Thrillhouse44
February 2, 2009 10:52 PM | Link to this
Wayne, that sounds like a win-win for both sides. Manny gets his money and the Dodgers will get a hungry Manny playing in a contract year. If that dude stays focused for a whole season, it’d be scary.
By rotty
February 2, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
KC
If Buster is picking the Braves 4th it is based on his assumption that Wren will pass on Dunn, Abreu - find Swisher & Nady too expensive (trade piece wise) and try to make a go of it with Diaz/Blanco in LF.
If Buster is correct and Wren does try to limp along with on OF of Diaz/Blanco or BJones, Anderson and JF he is probably pretty close.
The Braves will not finish better than 3rd with that OF even if JF plays at 2006/7 levels. Heck even summer 2005 JF cannot carry the team. Chipper will miss 25+ games and McCann will need to sit.
JF is trying to save his career so don’t expect him to try to be a clean up hitter this year. He just needs to make contact every game and get on base.
The Braves are in desperate need of a power bat in LF who can hit clean up.
There are not great clean up guys out there apart from Manny but Dunn is the runner up from this year’s FA class.
I personally hope Wren reconsiders Dunn and makes an offer. He will make this team better and change their prospects which as of today = 3rd place if the pitching delivers as expected.
The team has a spotty offense and little HR power. You cannot beat the Phillies offense with this team.
They need more power. Even Abreu is not an ideal power guy and is more of a 2, 3 or 5 guy.
Swisher’s 09 is worrisome and scream stay away.
Nady is a 1 yr rental that will be expensive.
The Yankees don’t need to trade either of these players. They have enough money to sit on them until the deadline or all season without blinking an eye.
Dunn is the answer (imperfect yes) and if not him the Abreu.
Wren needs to avoid going into the season on key player short. The rotation is much improved but it is not lights out. These 200 inning SPs pitch to contact and runs will be scored.
The Braves will need to respond in kind and right now they don’t have the pieces to do that effectively.
By jbutler
February 2, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this
Great tidbits about Boyer/Smoltz. Guess I thought dudes making, combined, somewhere over 7 million/year might have a few weights in their own houses? Maybe the dude who looked like Ringo Starr next to me at the 24 Hour fitness here in Denver was really Jay Cutler! Hmm….
Hard to believe ST starts so soon..yippee!!
By Steve McP
February 2, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
Buster Olney is embarrassed that he predicted the Braves would win the league last year, this year he is really down on the Braves because they made him look so bad!
By Wayne in Utah
February 2, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
I personally like Abreu with a 1 year plus an option, IF, and this is a BIG IF, Chipper moves to cleanup. Abreu has the numbers for the 3 slot, and Chipper would be more productive in the 4 slot.
In the perfect world, Chipper should hit third, but if nobody steps forward to claim the cleanup spot (Frenchy is really the only option, as BMac is out too much for rest), Chipper is better than Abreu there.
It’s going to be an interesting year, what with the rebuilt staff, the potential of the bullpen, and the offensive possibilities, if all falls together well.
By ChipperFan
February 2, 2009 11:38 PM | Link to this
Anders
Gotta give you props on your 9:53 post re: Church, Tatis, and Wagner/Krod. Some good points in there. Well done.
(FYI it killed me to type that, but credit where credit is due.)
By Canadianbrave
February 2, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
How about Alfonseca in the cleanup spot…
Just kidding!
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 12:03 AM | Link to this
Does anybody else think Harrison should have been kicked out of the Super Bowl in that late 4th quarter hit?
Ridiculous that he was allowed to finish the game on the field after that display of stupidity.
By Canadianbrave
February 3, 2009 12:04 AM | Link to this
Just looking at the stats for the 1976 Cincinatti Reds(The Big Red Machine). Everyone thinks of their power, but they hit 141 homeruns and stole 210 bases. Now that’s a balanced offence.
By richbrave
February 3, 2009 12:11 AM | Link to this
Looks more and more like O’FLAHERTY and LOGAN are going to be our lefty BP options in ‘09. ???? for sure. I’m not sure having questions in that corner of the bull-pen is a wise situation on a rebuilding team.
So old “roo nads” is out of options. He should be picked up if sent down. “PHIL the HILL” was extremely effective here in RICHMOND during the first half of ‘08. LEREW began to perk up toward the end of last season as well and might be in some other organization’s plans.
With all the pitching moves the BRAVES have made this off-season, most teams will be watching us closely for potential talent which we must run through waivers. Probably not the YANKEES however. They’re in the same boat with us.
By Kentavo
February 3, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this
I feel Braves could have won the league last year had everyone stayed healthy - and obviously if they hadn’t traded Tex.
It may have been a flawed plan to bank on so many fragile arms, but, talent-wise, they could have made it to the playoffs if the 4/5 of the starting rotation wasn’t on the DL.
Look how they played before all of the injuries.
By KC
February 3, 2009 12:28 AM | Link to this
Rotty: If… IF Francoeur bounces back to an 05-07 level of play, and the bullpen is healthy, the Braves will have a chance to win the division.
They’re offense still wouldn’t be as good as NY’s or certainly Phili’s, but it would be solid. And again, a healthy pen likely gives the Braves the best pitching in the division, which counts for a lot.
I’m not saying the Braves are the favorites, even with a fully restored Francoeur, but they would certainly be contenders.
I agree with you that the Braves need another power bat. Someone like Nady (along with a rebound from Francoeur) WOULD, IMO, give a healthy Braves team a slight edge over NY and Phili. And I join you in hoping that something like that happens.
I just think that to say “The Braves will not finish better than 3rd with that OF even if JF plays at 2006/7 levels.”… is an overstatement.
Again, a restored Francoeur + healthy pen = contenders. With the pitching the Braves now have, they’ll have a shot in the east (and barring something completely unforseen, there’s no way in hell the Marlins finish ahead of ATL).
By N Nine (eta62)
February 3, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
“I will wager a testicle, right here and now, that doesn’t happen” KC
this is the kind of stuff that gives moms heart attacks or bad dreams. I think buster meant the Braves and Mets will be close for 2nd place..This could be Mets year however..
Braves will have better luck and have more depth, so the WL record should be improved.
By rotty
February 3, 2009 12:57 AM | Link to this
KC
A 2006 JF and Dunn you have something. A 2006 JF and Diaz in LF you have a 3rd place team.
They need a LF bat in a big way.
Good team but too light on power.
By N Nine (eta61)
February 3, 2009 12:57 AM | Link to this
productive Frenchy+healthy pen= big IF btw where is our cleanup hitter? That is a big hole…
Buster realized how bad the braves really were after the trade deadline. We have no power and better hope Chipper stays healthy, while over using our catcher.
Simply relying and hoping Frenchy will produce spells dooooom. -Wren, I suggest you get that much needed power hitter!
By Saff
February 3, 2009 2:06 AM | Link to this
We need a power bat in left and if we fail to aquire one it will be tough on the team with far more problems you must have a reliable cleanup hitter
By N8
February 3, 2009 2:12 AM | Link to this
“Buster realized how bad the braves really were after the trade deadline. We have no power and better hope Chipper stays healthy, while over using our catcher.” N Nine
True, the team was bad after the trade deadline, but the record really didn’t reflect that much of a drop off (22-32, after going 50-58 before the deadline).
In fact if you dig deeper, the runs scored per game actually went UP after the trade deadline (4.56 per game before, 4.81 after). It was the runs allowed (4.39 before, and an alarming 5.61 after), that was the true downfall of the final two months.
The reality, is that in terms of runs scored, the team was not only NOT worse off, but better, without Tex than with him.
It was the massive injuries to the rotation that not only caused the bullpen to be broken down, but it also allowed the younger starters to be “over-exposed”, by being used too much, too soon.
All winter, my guess has been as good as the next guy as to whether Wren has done enough to close the gap between the Mets and Phils (let’s not forget that the Marlins finished ahead of the Braves as well), even AFTER getting Lowe.
But there is zero denying that the Braves rotation should be improve upon last year’s unit, in terms of eating innings, and giving consistent (even if unspectacular - as in Vazquez), performances. Which works two fold with the bullpen.
Not to mention that with the “possible” returns of Soriano, Stockman, Moylan and with Gonzo decaring himself healthy, not only will the bullpen be more rested, it should be stocked with better arms to begin with.
I’m not so sure that another bat is neccesary to start the season. If Wren grabs a free agent (Dunn, Abreu), because he wants to. Fine. But I’m not sure I trade a prospect right now, if I’m him.
He’s done a fine job at making this team (on paper) improving over the squad that finished the season.
That being said, last January, you could have said the same thing.
By Bravo Nam
February 3, 2009 3:03 AM | Link to this
Phil Stockman
Haven’t heard anything on him for a long time…given he’s out of options, what’s his current health status and any indication that the Braves want to keep him?
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 3, 2009 3:14 AM | Link to this
N8, both the Phillies and Mets have improved their respective rosters.
Either of these two teams are more than capable of winning 95 games and one is the defending World Champion. Are our Braves capable of the same?
Therein lies the answer to the Braves entire 2009 season.
By N8
February 3, 2009 4:49 AM | Link to this
Coach
That’s my point. The Braves have improved, no doubt. About 162 or so games from now, we’ll find out if they’ve improved enough.
Either way, add Hudson to the mix in 2010, along with Hanson more than likely having some starts under his belt, and Heyward being one year closer, and this team will surely be ready to compete for real in 2010 and beyond.
Not saying they can’t this year. I really think they will. But truth be told, we were “competitive” last year before the pitching fell apart.
My opinion of “competing” and KC’s might be slightly different. Either way, this season can’t possibly be as frustrating as last year. Add to that, going into last year, expectations were high. Not so much this year. Perhaps a pleasent surprise is in store for us.
I would never wish injury upon any ML player or a rash of them to any one team. But maybe this is the year we don’t have any major setbacks and the Phillies have to deal with it.
After all, how good would the Phillies and Mets have been (or be in 09), if they were without 4 of their 5 opening day rotation guys, along with the closer (remember Soriano was our closer going into last year)?
My money is gonna go with that the Phillies would be in trouble without Hamels, Myers and Moyer, right? How about if Johan goes down?
Anythig can (and did happen to the Braves last year) happen.
Like I said two weeks ago (or so), I think the Braves win around 85 or so games and are “in” the wild card hunt all year. I can live with that until the next wave of stars are regular contributors.
Can you?
By elainer7
February 3, 2009 5:56 AM | Link to this
A team can have 5 of the best pitchers in the world, but if the hitters on that team are consistently inconsistent at the plate, then its all for nothing. Such is the story with the Braves.
By Billy Walsh
February 3, 2009 8:03 AM | Link to this
With the amount of one run losses that the braves had last year you would think that acquiring a bat would have been a priority. If the braves did acquire Furcal would the braves have signed both Lowe and Kenshin or just Lowe? 27 homers in the outfield is a problem. Having a catcher as your 4 hitter is a problem. I wouldn’t count on Frenchy bouncing back either. Platooning Diaz (coming off an injury) and Brandon Jones (limited AB’s in the majors) in Lf isnt the answer either. Abreu seems like the logical choice (1 year…7 million?). Signing Ohman and Glavine or signing a bat? Whats the priority at this point?
By theclipper
February 3, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
I’d like to attend ST just for the morning practices. Anyone know the procedure at Disney these days? Hard to find info, unless you want game ticks. Went 2 years ago after actual exhibition season (games) began and was told workouts were closed once season is under way, that you’ve got a window of about 2 weeks, between P&C reporting and games. Argh.. Ah for the days when my young son and I could attend these practices all through March, and they were free for fans, great PR. Maybe it’s still that way in other venues in Fla. Please advise
By Steve
February 3, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
Why hasn’t Atlanta at least made an offer to Bobby Abreu?…I don’t understand it…He’s going to end of landing in Seattle or Washington…like seriously…and another thing I truely believe the funds are not available to sign Ohman, Glavine, and a LF…actually I would put money on it…So its decision time once again…I serious think if we could lock up Ohman and Abreu (not Swisher, who I understand had an ‘off year’ in 08) We definitely contend in the East…Remeber there’s four to five YOUNG arms vying for that fifth spot…I realize the value Glavine COULD add on the mound and absolutley in the cluhouse but you can’t tell me Lowe and Javier haven’t bveen around the block…let’s go out and get some power and lock up a solid lefty out of the bullpen
By stamper
February 3, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
bonnaroo lineup…. insane!!!!!!!
i don’t really care for the two headliners, but the rest of the lineup is just unreal…certainly the best lineup in the past few years. TV on the Radio, Andrew Bird, Band of Horses, Beastie Boys. the Decemberists, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Of Montreal. Santogold, Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, Grizzly Bear, Okkervil River, David Bryne, Elvis Costello, Ben Harper, Bon iver, Crystal Castles, NIN, Snoop Dog, etc etc. can’t wait!
anyone else planning on going this year?
By Renegator
February 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
N8
I think your prediction of 85 wins is a little aggressive. Don’t forget they do not have ANY power in the lineup this year. Chipper’s power has dwindled significantly plus he will only play about 125 games. McCann is going to have to sit once every 5 or 6 days so we lose his bat a lot too.
I think this team will win 77 games and still be in the “hunt” until mid August - maybe 1st of September.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
Whoa…I’m ready for baseball season…
By DAP
February 3, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
Regenerator
the braves do have power in the lineup. the problem is, its spread out pretty evenly, so there isnt a guy with alot of power to put in the middle of the lineup. but its not un reasonable to expect 25 from both chipper and mccann, 45 homers total between escobar, kotchman and diaz, and another 30 from kelly, and a reasonably rebounded frenchy. add another 15 homers from bench players (norton, prado, infante) and weve got 140 homer power on the team.
another 25 homer guy (nady, or even abreu) would put us right about middle of the pack. we really do need a middle of the order guy. either one of those guys would give us a very solid lineup with options of where to slot guys.
By SeaAtl
February 3, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
Cleaning out my closet this past weekend and I came across an old CD I forgot I had - Drive By Truckers’ “Pizza Deliverance”. As the GC building a private high school in Fairburn back in 1999 I hired a firm out of Athens, GA to design and install the various sound systems (auditorium, dance room, gym, etc.). Really cool group of guys doing the actual installing, and usually worked odd/late hours. This was their “side gig” and they all worked with the Truckers producing this album, I am 99% sure one guy was even in the band while the others were support crew or something. Fuzzy memory, but as they were testing the various sound systems in the weeks before opening, they kept playing some really cool music & when I commented on it they gave the CD to me - and it was the Drive By Truckers’ “Pizza Deliverance”.
By AR Brave
February 3, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
ManRam turns down the 1 yr offer. Can anyone else see the Mets getting him now? I can. The braves are in a very tough spot with limited money and a wish list of at least three more players.
Are there any players out there that may come via trade that we haven’t talked about DOB?
Any chance BRoberts doesn’t sign the extension and we can still move in get him and sign an extension with us? I truly believe a player like him would do wonders for us this year and in the future.
Here’s to hoping the mets don’t get ManRam and we get the bat we need from JF and Wren.
For you music fans check out North Mississippi Allstars. And if you are a real blues fan try R.L. Burnside.
By Lew
February 3, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
Anders-No, I don’t think they really overpaid for Perez considering what pitchers make these days, I just don’t think he’s much better than an average starter and that Omar basically gave him almost all of what he originally asked for. He came down what- $2 mil a year after all the time it took him to sign the guy? That’s hardly like asking Manny to take $15 mil per when he was looking for $25 mil+ or Dunn possibly making $5 mil when he wanted $14 mil per. Who knows-Maybe Ollie will finally figure it all out and actually be worth what they pay him-stranger things have happened. I also think the Mets were damn fools for not going all out for Lowe. Not only is he much superior to Ollie, but y’all let a division rival sign him-a double whammy.
As for making up all that lost ground and losing by one game. That was then and this is now. You’re not taking into account that after Santana, your rotation is iffy as all get out. Can Pelfrey continue to develop? Can Maine avoid a more serious injury? Is Tim Redding even worth the resin in the resin bag he’ll pick up when on the mound? Better get moving and sign up Pedro real fast. Let us not even mention 2B or the outfield. Which DeGado will show up? The one from last year or the one from 07? Will Reyes learn what clutch means?
Add to this that the Phillies may well be much stronger than the Mets yet again, especially if Utley comes back early (though I doubt he’ll be back as early as he thinks) or if they sign Ohman and some more pitching. Let us also not forget that whether or not the Braves have the horses to win the division, they ARE much stronger than they were in 08 and we kicked y’all’s rear ends yet again even with no pitching last year.
It’s just like I mentioned last week. If the Mets (and Omar) wanted to win it all and make no bones about it, they would have done much more than what they did. No exclamation point has been placed to the Mets’ acquisitions this winter saying they will leave anyone in the dust. If they really had all that money you keep talking about, they would have made it so there was no doubt who was the team to watch as they left the rest of the division watching their backs as they won it all. It never happened and all your spin and high hopes can’t change that fact.
By Random
February 3, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
Joe Posnanski, 1 Feb 09:
“You know what would be great? If the Kansas City Royals announced tomorrow that they just signed Manny Ramirez and Ben Sheets. Convinced them each to come for one year, big money, mercenaries, and then they could go back on the market when the economy is a little better.”
By 1957 Braves Fan
February 3, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
Can we please sign players who say they want to remain with the Braves? It sure looks like Ohman will be signing elsewhere.
By rammerjammer
February 3, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
I’m really surprised at the lack of urgency in the front office regarding the outfield. All three spots are huge question marks. Yet, the attention is on re-signing a situational lefty.
We have a jillion candidates for the #5 rotation spot and a jillion candidates for the bullpen. Surely one or two guys can be exchanged for a solid - not even great - outfielder.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
AR Brave: If I hear about additional players the Braves might be discussing in trade, believe me, I have no reason not to share it with you. We’ve mentioned about 10 in recent months. I haven’t heard any new, at least not from anyone who has enough cred to make the rumor worth passing along….
Oh, and R.L. Burnside was the absolute real deal. We lost a great one when he died. He didn’t even gain any sort of widespread popularity until he was in his 60s, hard to believe when you consider how great he was and how much he was revered by other blues artists for decades.
I like his pure blues, the early acoustic stuff, but also dig the inventive mixes and electric stuff he did with Jon Spencer and others late in his career, like the A$s Pocket Full of Whiskey CD and songs like “It’s Bad You Know” off the CD of the same name.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
Billy Walsh: Our boy Rhys Coiro (Billy Walsh from Entourage) sure doesn’t have nearly the same charisma in his character on 24. His FBI suit character is actually pretty tame (and lame), without any resemblance to Walsh, with all his hair and great manic energy.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this
1957 Braves Fan: The Braves didn’t sign Ohman to begin with — they traded for him a year ago. He’s a free agent. If the Braves offer him as much as the Phillies offer, there’s no question where he’d be.
By AustinBrave
February 3, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
David I see that the White Sox’s are trying to sign Abreu and then trade Dye. What type of contract does Dye have now, and do you think this would be a good fit for the Braves. Who would we need to give up?
By Lew
February 3, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Rammer-Wren writes a column for Chop Talk. This month he talked about it being about 50-50 that they would sign someone before ST or during. He said they were not particularly interested in any of the available Free Agents because their defense was routinely sub par. He also said that he was in contact with several other GMs about potential trades for outfield bats, but that there were enough good defensive possibilites already on the roster, that they may just go that way after seeing them all in ST, but they had plenty of outfield/pitching trade bait to p[ull off a deal.
In other words-wait and see and continue speculating much like we have been. It doesn’t look like Dunn or Abreu are options, though.
By Efrim
February 3, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
White Sox made a one year 8 million dollar offer to Bobby Abreu. With all of the Jermaine Dye trade rumors, you have to imagine that he is one his way out if they sign Abreu. Dye is owed 11.5 milion next season, so I am guessing that the Braves wouldn’t be able to make that trade happen, unless they got rid of some salary first. And it doesn’t really look like they can get rid of enough salary to make something like that happen.
By cvbraves
February 3, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
White Sox offer Abreu $8 mil, 1-yr deal! Sox might trade Dye?
Your move, Mr. Wren (good job so far).
By rammerjammer
February 3, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Lew, thanks for the info. It’s not very encouraging. Frenchy, Diaz, Anderson, B. Jones…and Frank may go with these guys? Only one has been an everyday player and he had a horrible 2008.
But, hey, we don’t have the dough for a big dog so we’ll just have to hope for the best I guess. I think I see where Olney’s coming from, though.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Buster Olney had this note in his blog, which includes a Lowe stat that Braves fans might find interesting:
“All along, the Mets wanted to retain Oliver Perez, and they got it done. Personally, I like the signing for the Mets. Mark Simon, a Mets fan who works in ESPN Research, does not, and he sent along the following:
“I gave him credit for eight “dominant” starts last year … that was more than six innings pitched, two runs or fewer allowed (a notch above a quality start … you had to get an out in the seventh inning, and you had to allow two runs or fewer). That ranked tied for 44th most in the majors.
“Among those with as many, or more: Paul Maholm, 11; Tim Wakefield, 10; Edwin Jackson, 10; Dana Eveland, 10; Scott Olsen, 8; Zach Duke, 8. For the record, Derek Lowe had 14 … Mike Pelfrey even had 13. To be fair, Ben Sheets had 7.
“So then I went and looked at all the games where I got really frustrated by Perez … I used “Game Score” (found on ESPNcom) and found 14 starts in which Perez had a Game Score less than 50 … that’s the most by anyone on the Mets staff last season. So he’s basically a minus-6, in my book (eight dominant starts minus 14 frustrating ones). That’s worse than Jackson (minus-4), Eveland (minus-2), Wakefield (minus-1) and others. It’s hard for me to justify giving $12 million to a guy who is minus-6 (Sheets is minus-2), and who led the league in walks, even when there were basically very few other options (I wasn’t crazy about Sheets or Randy Wolf either).”
By Anders
February 3, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
LEW
If the Mets could have gotten Lowe for 3 years even at the $15 mil I would agree that it would be a better deal than Perez at least in the first couple of years. But to go to a 4th year was just too much of a risk for a team that didn’t need to take it. The Braves did need to take the risk(understandably). Simple as that. There is a side of me that prefers Perez over Lowe simply because he’s lefty and I think that can be very valuable against the Phils for obvious reasons.
As for the rest of the Mets starting pitching, it’s basically the same group they had last year and they were right there in the end. Will Maine get hurt again or Pelfrey take a step back? Maybe, but we could say the same thing about Gonzalez and Jurgens too. Will Chipper hit near .400 again without Tex’s protection? Will Mc Cann continue to hit as well as the catching takes it’s toll on him? Which Frenchy will show up? Will Soriano eclipse 13 innings?
See how this works? Same questions for all, so all you can do is look at last year, evaluate the changes made and assess wether we think it’s enough. You see the changes differently than I do - fair enough. Should make for a fun season.
BTW- What’s the obsession with Pedro? It’s very unlikely he will be on the team. I just don’t see where he would fit at any price. As for Redding, think of him as our version of Glavine except he’s 12 years younger, makes only $1 mil and is coming off a better year. Of course I’m assuming Glavine won’t fly the coop (again) to go take Redding’s old job up in DC.
Also, it’s all Manny all the time on the sports talk here in NY. If he’s forced to sign a one year deal he’s not gonna do it with the Dodgers out of spite after what he did for them last season imo. This could get interesting.
By rotty
February 3, 2009 10:55 AM | Link to this
The best thing could happen for those wanting a LF (Dunn or Abreu) is seeing the Mets get in on Manny.
It may be the only thing that prompts Wren to make a move for a real HR threat LFer.
He needs one in any case to compete with the Phillies but if the Mets look to be landing Manny he may bite the bullet and get Dunn.
Once Manny signs somewhere Dunn will get scooped up (I say within 36hrs tops of the deal).
He seems to really believe his pitching is so good that Diaz in LF will be ok until July 31st.
I don’t agree at all but he is the boss.
He needs some pressure from his division to overlook Dunn’s defense and price point IMHO.
Since Manny has rejected the Dodgers 1yr 25mm offer expect them to turn up the heat with Dunn.
I hope Wren is in contact with Dunn’s agent right now and can avoid completely missing out on Dunn.
By Steve from OH
February 3, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
Lew—thanks for that ChopTalk info. Based on that, I don’t see Dunn/Abreu/Dye happening either. Perhaps Ankiel? I don’t really like to hear that “lots of good defensive possibilites” statement though. Thinking of a Francoeur/Anderson/Blanco outfield is enough to make me puke. IMO, our best outfield from within the system is Schafer/Francoeur/B. Jones with Anderson/Blanco as 4th OF. But we really need to acquire an OF bat. 2 months of Blanco and Anderson in the same lineup will be enough to sink us, I think.
By Efrim
February 3, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
DOB
You beat me to it. That’s some good stuff that Buster had there.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
AustinBrave: Dye is owed $11.5 mill in 2009. So the other questions are probably moot. Oh, and he’s bad defensively, something Braves want to avoid….
Music: Those who recommended the new Andrew Bird CD, I just played it for the first time, and you’re right, it’s great. Great morning-time CD, by the way. That sort of alt-rock/chamber music isn’t for everybody (those who like to rock 24/7, just skip it), but those who enjoy mixing it up with some mellow, literate stuff like Decemberists or Sufjan Stevens, this one’s definitely worth trying.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
rotty
If Wren wants to land Dunn before Manny signs he better be prepared to overpay -again. See how payroll can spiral out of control when you don’t have three HOF pitchers at the top of your rotation?
Welcome to what the rest of baseball experienced while the Braves were on their 14 year pitching rich journey.
By N8
February 3, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Renegator
You may be right, 85 might be high. I guess I should specify, that’s about where I see this team capping out if all teams in the East stay healhy. I’ll meet you in the middle somewhere, OK?
As for everbody clamoring how much more power we need in the OF? True, 27 HR is pretty damn pathetic. But here’s my thought on that, and we’ll compare it to 1991.
I’m going by Baseball Reference’s “listing” of the 8 regulars with the most AB’s/Games.
In 91, the Braves OF (Gant, Lonnie Smith, Justice), combined for 60 HR (20 HR average among the 3), and the IF (TP, Belliard, Treadway, Bream, Olson), combined for 42 HR (8.4 average), giving the regular “8” a total of 102 HR.
In 08, the Braves OF (Blanco, Kotsay, Francoeur), combined for 18 HR (yikes), and the IF (Chipper, KJ, Escobar, Tex), combined for 87 HR. Giving the regular “8” 105 HR.
One could argue that what doomed this team (compared to 91 - as far as the lineup goes - obviously the pitching paled in comparison), was the lack of a TRUE leadoff hitter, and some clutch (sorry to bring that up), hitting. But anybody that remembers 91, clearly can recall seemingly EVERY night (especially down the stretch), TP or somebody coming up with the big hit like clockwork.
How else does a guy that hit .319 with 22 HR, 86 RBI and no GG, winning the MVP? Because he was clutch. TP was more clutch in 91 than Tex has been in his entire career.
Now, on to 2009. Assuming that Kotchman will NOT match Tex’s power output. We certainly could use some power from the OF.
But give me a leadoff hitter that causes havoc at the top of the order, and some clutch hitting, and we’ll be just fine.
I guess the point of this post, is that it doesn’t matter WHERE the power comes from in the lineup, as long as there is SOME power.
Clearly the 91 team had a “powerful” OF, and a TRUE cleanup hitter in Justice. But the infield was defense orientated and had solid, if not spectacular hitting.
If Kotchman can be more “clutch” than Tex was, this lineup will be fine, provided that Jeff steps it up a notch, and whoever bats leadoff, does their job.
On a side note (because Coach wouldn’t have it any other way), we stole 58 bases in 08. In 1991, the total was 165.
In 91 we hit 141 HR (total), and in 2008 the total was 130.
Who out there thinks that the 10 HR’s made the difference, as opposed to the SB? Clearly without a ton of power on the team, Cox used the speed.
The 08 team was lacking both. Not a good recipe.
Ironically, the 91 team averaged 4.62 runs per game, the 08 version averaged 4.64.
I’m gonna go with the theory that those 10 HR didn’t make much difference.
In 2003, when the Braves hit 235 HR as a team, the still only averaged 5.65 runs per game. The extra HR, only added a run per game. Obviously we’re not gonna hit 230+ HR in 09. But good hitting can allow teams to score runs too.
Let’s not focus on a guy like Dunn in the OF because of his power. How about go after a guy that can hit (and field)?
Don’t give me the arguement that “that was 91, it’s different now”.
The Twins had 19 less HR than the Braves did last year (111), and scored 76 (829) more runs than the Braves did. Granted, some of those come from the DH being a hitter. On the other hand, the Pirates had 23 more HR than the Braves had (153), and scored LESS runs (735), Milwaukee had 50 more HR than us, and only scored 15 more runs, Philly (in that little band-box) had 84 more HR than us (214), yet only scored 46 more runs than us.
HR look good on ESPN, good hitting wins games.
By Efrim
February 3, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
Steve from OH
I agree with your 10:56. If Wren values defense that much, than Jermaine Dye isn’t a Brave…because he is terrible. Used to be a good defender, but no longer. And I don’t understand that “good defensive possibilities” statement. Braves are lacking power, and shouldn’t be THAT concerned about left field defense. It would be great to get the whole package back in a trade, but I’m not seeing a match. Who knows though? Maybe Wren has someone on the radar that we don’t know about. That very well could be the case.
By Random
February 3, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
Anders: “Dunn is absolutely waiting on Manny. He’ll get the most $’s from the Dodgers if they don’t get Manny.”
? ? ?
But wouldn’t Dunn get zero from the Dodgers if they did sign manny???
(Btw — pretty funny.)
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
At least Mark Simon and I are reading from similar books re quality starts. It’s not the number of quality starts for me; it’s the percentage of quality starts, the ERA in those quality starts, and team wins in those quality starts.
In other words, how often does he do it, how well does he do it when he does, and does he do it against all caliber of competition well enough to overcome late-game meltdowns and early-game offensive slumbers?
By theclipper
February 3, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
DOB Any info on my spring training question workouts question? I sure ‘preciate it..Clip
By rotty
February 3, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this
Manny rejects deal. Sox offer a deal to Abreu the next day. The dominoes for FA OFs are going to start falling but quick.
Hopefully Wren has a dialog open with Dunn and Abreu’s agents.
That said it would be very discouraging to see Wren sit on his hands now and rely on one of our 4th OF to carry the load in LF.
Re: Dye he is too expensive at 11.5mm and in any case I think Thome is the one drawing the short straw in Chicago. They will keep Dye and unload Thome.
The GM of the Sox really likes Dye and will not part with him very easily.
Dye would therefore cost quite a bit in prospects plus more salary than Wren likely has for LF.
Come on Frank - you fans have been begging you to go after Abreu or Dunn - please don’t stop short of the last key piece needed for a good 2009.
Diaz/Blanco will not get it done in LF and JF is not going to be Babe Ruth incarnate this year. He just wants to be able to hit the ball and get on base. :)
By MiamiBrave
February 3, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
DOB
I know Griffey is on the decline at 39…but reading these articles on him today makes him sound worth a shot.
Seeing as Abreu has seemingly been offered around $8 Million by the White Sox, that takes him out of our range…while Dunn isn’t backing down about how much he wants and it is said he wants to go to L.A.
So DOB my question to you is, I believe if the Braves were to go and sign Griffey, that would leave enough to also sign Ohman and Glavine, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing in my opinion
Platooning him with Diaz would give him extra rest as well…
Dunno, I’d like the signing if it left the cash for Ohman and Glavine to be signed.
By Random
February 3, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah: “Anders I know it is not realistic to hope for, but I would love to see Manny shut out,and have to accept a 1 year 12-15 million dollar deal from some losing team!”
You mean, like the Braves?
Herr Doktor Heisenberg might have something to say about that, I feel certain.
8->
By Lew
February 3, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Anders-Dude, the big thing is that I’m not predicting that the Braves will win their division, hence discussion of whether or not Gonzo or Jurrjens backslide is totally immaterial, isn’t it? The Braves overall pitching staff will be greatly improved even if those two DO slide (which I’m not thinking will happen-especially with Gonzo).
Honestly, I’m just not thinking the Mets will be anywhere near as close to the division lead this year as you seem to think. They should have won it all in 06 and crapped out in the playoffs and do we even need to discuss the end of 07 and 08? They have proven conclusively over the past three years that they are NOT a clutch team and do not play well when the cards are on the table. No way for you to spin that, either-it’s now in the realm of historical fact.
Face it-the team they came in second to the past couple years is still stronger than the Mets and the Braves have improved considerably (more than anyone in the division has, though maybe not enough to unseat the Phillies). The Mets have not really improved themselves appreciably. They’ve shored up August and September at closer and given KRod a decent set up guy. That is ALL they’ve done. Will it be enough to make up the deficit against the Phillies? I doubt it. Will they improve against the Braves? No way. I see a 2nd or third place finish for the boys from Chop Shop U.
As for the Lowe contract being bad for the 3-4th years-Dude, if the Mets had all this money you still claim is there, they could have eaten the final two years of his contract to win it all now. That’s what your cross town betters do. You know-the team that DOES have a lot of money?
By Anders
February 3, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this
“But wouldn’t Dunn get zero from the Dodgers if they did sign manny??” -Random
Yes, but he would then fall back to the Braves and others in the market for OF’s. This OF market is gonna happen fast this week imo. These guys are all paying chickie. No one wnats to be the first guy to cave to an underwhelming one year deal, but you also don’t want to be the last guy standing with no gaurantee at all. Tick, tick, tick.
By Random
February 3, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
Randy S: “DOB - you here about the new Booker T album?”
DOB - or are you here chasin’ our women around?
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
N8
I’m not a big believer in “clutch” performances, for one thing because if a guy is good in the clutch does that mean he’s dogging it when no one’s on base or when the game’s not in the balance? Being “clutch” implies that a player performs better in those key situations. Why shouldn’t he operate at the same level of skill/concentration all the time?
Setting that aside, I agree that the ‘91 Braves and several other teams during that streak could do damage up and down the lineup. The overall team stats may not have blown you away, but there were eight tough outs on the field just about every game. And there were some seasons (if I’m not mistaken) that every regular hit double-digit HR.
You have the possibility for that this year if the Braves get a power bat for LF (or if they have solid production from a platoon) and Schafer is the CF on opening day and he plays anywhere near expectations.
If the team can hurt you basically at every position, with the improved pitching, the Braves should contend.
Wayne in Utah
I know you’re skeptical about having McCann hit cleanup because he can’t play every day. So what’s wrong with making him the principal cleanup hitter and then having someone else (preferably Chipper) in that spot when Heap takes a day off?
There’s nothing wrong with making changes in the batting order to accommodate matchups.
Besides, there really isn’t another alternative out there for the cleanup spot unless Frarncoeur really surprises a lot of us.
By Efrim
February 3, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
N8
“The Twins had 19 less HR than the Braves did last year (111), and scored 76 (829) more runs than the Braves did. Granted, some of those come from the DH being a hitter.”
Right, but they hit .305/.380/.446(.826 OPS) with runners in scoring position. Do you expect them to do that again? I sure don’t. The next closest team was Baltimore at .287. Twins were second in OPS after Texas(.856). So, DH being a hitter and the team hitting a ridiculous .305 with RISP allowed them to score more runs than the Braves with them hitting 19 less home runs. If that team continues to hit with less power, than let’s see them do what they just did again. Let’s see if the Twins can continue to be UNBELIEVEABLE in clutch situations.
By deepinmetsterritory
February 3, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
DOB, Patton Oswald was just in this movie called “Big Fan” about an obsessed New York Giants fan who gets his A$$ kicked by the team’s star player (apparently it’s very good and veers into Travis Bickle territory, only funny). Just played at Sundance, but not sure if you’ll see it in theatres or straight to DVD.
Also, there is a report that Abreu was offered a deal by the White Sox - if he takes it, do you think that prompts a trade for Dye or someone else?
By Steve from OH
February 3, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
Random—that’s uncertain, to say the least.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
Lew
Like I said - we see things differently. Much the same as we did on Santana, Glavine, Soriano, the wooing of players to Atlanta, and the loyalty your most sr. players would show the organization. But hey, sometimes I’m right and sometimes you’ll be right. Maybe this is your time? - finally! :)
By Renegator
February 3, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
DAP
Sorry for the delay getting back to you but what are you smoking? 30 HRs from Kelly next year? He hit 12 last year (2008) and the previous season he hit his highest so far in the majors - 16. He hit 28 total in his first TWO full major league seasons. Now he is going to magicly hit 30 in ONE year? I’d say the absolute most that Kelly will hit next year is 20.
Also, doubtful that the combo of Kotchman, Escobar and Diaz can hit 45 homeruns next year. Each one’s career high is like 12 in one year. I’d say that will be more like 35. Also, 15 from the bench? Maybe but that seems aggressive.
Sorry dude - I just don’t see that kind of power from the Braves this year. I think your numbers are way too high. I do agree with you that this team could compete if the Braves would sign a homerun hitter to play OF and bat clean-up.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
Manny will not have to take accept a $12 -15 million lowball offer. If his price falls as low as $20 million, the Giants will be all over it. His bat will be enough to make them instant contenders — and they’ll get to stiff the Dodgers in the process.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
I’d like to attend ST just for the morning practices. Anyone know the procedure at Disney these days? Hard to find info, unless you want game ticks. Went 2 years ago after actual exhibition season (games) began and was told workouts were closed once season is under way, that you’ve got a window of about 2 weeks, between P&C reporting and games. Argh.. Ah for the days when my young son and I could attend these practices all through March, and they were free for fans, great PR. Maybe it’s still that way in other venues in Fla. Please advisetheClipper
Lew and others who’ve attended spring training recently can probably answer this better than I can, but I can assure you that batting practice before Grapefruit League games and workouts on most backfields are not “closed” after the games begin (if that’s what you mean by “workouts,” because that’s all the workouts there are after the games start).
But yes, you definitely have to buy a game ticket at Disney to see anything. That’s the way it is there (and most or all other parks that I know of; you can’t watch batting practice without buying a ticket).
And at Disney, you have to buy a ticket to the Wide World of Sports complex just to get in and see workouts before the Grapefruit League games begin (or to see workouts on backfields after the games begin). Someone correct me if any of this info is wrong, but that’s my understanding.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
Randy S, that’s gotta be a strong album, with Neil playing guitar on all but one song and the Truckers as Booker T’s backup band. Damn. It comes out in early April.
Also, Truckers will play with Booker T at New Orleans JazzFest on April 24….
SPEAKING OF MUSIC FESTS: Anyone who’s been to South by Southwest in Austin, how difficult is it to buy (or scalp) tickets to a few shows that last weekend of the event, without buying a pass for the entire thing?
By Larry Wendland
February 3, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
When was the last time the Braves drafted, brought through their system and retained, usefully for several years, a pitcher.? WHEN?? Has it been eight or ten years. Thank you.
By Lew
February 3, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
DOB-You are correct, Sir. It cost $11 (I believe, but definitely subject to change by Disney) last year to get into WWOS at Disney to see the Braves. I just go to ST before the Exhibition Games begin, so I know little about the pre game routine as it relates to spectators.
For the early days of ST, it would behoove (beginning with the Chopping Cow references early this year) you to get there at least around 8 in the morning-especially if you’re looking for autographs. If that’s what you’re looking for, the fence by the batting cages or just to the sides of the Braves’ dugout are the best places. It’s a bit of a hike to get to the pitching fields (at least for fat old men like me), but some people enjoy watching the pitchers.
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this
BFIR, I’m all in favor of Chipper hitting cleanup EVERY day, if the Braves don’t get a legit big bat. I know he’s voiced his preference in the past, but, heck, I think the Braves are better served hitting Kelly third and Chipper fourth than they are with Chipper third and just about any of the other options mentioned here these days.
I know that also makes bullpen decisions easy for the opposing manager, but a man can’t drink Knob Creek ALL the time, I guess, LOL.
By steve
February 3, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
Report: White Sox offer Abreu 1 yr - $8 million…would likely mean a Thome or Dye trade!!!
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this
—Also, Truckers will play with Booker T at New Orleans JazzFest on April 24…—
Guess that might be because DBT are a group of guys who will appreciate the moment of following in the footsteps of Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, yes?
By AR Brave
February 3, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
RL was just living life and made some great music. I enjoyed the newer stuff but the acoustic is just classic.
Speaking of classic, Glav is risky but the rewards of the vet presence and a left-handed arm would be bueno. If we could get anything like the Phils got with Moyer, it would be mucho bueno.
I am ignorant, if we don’t have much more than 7-8 million left and sign glav or ohman or both how can we afford to pay a FA or a player via trade?
Dunn’s offense would be fun to watch, Abreu’s avg is great, nady and swisher are not appealing to me personally. Maybe wren can bring in some we haven’t mentioned or someone we have for cheap.
By Lew
February 3, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this
Anders-This is NOT a discussion of the Braves. They are what they are and I can make a case for them winning anywhere between 85-95 games, depending on how the questions we have are answered. You keep bringing them in as a Mets’ comparison and you really shouldn’t.
Compare them to the Phillies. They just don’t stack up. The Mets infield is weaker, both offensively AND defensively (Mets’ infield defense is terrible). The Mets’ have a better third baseman, but is well behind at first and second-equal at short (or damn close to it).
The pitching staffs are maybe even, but if the Phillies pick up another starter and Ohman, they will have the edge there. Both teams have an Ace and not much after. The Phillies (with Ohman) will likely have a more well rounded pen. Lidge probably won’t have a perfect season again, but I see them as being roughly equal at closer and that’s the Mets’ strength.
As for the outfield-you have Church and Beltran as certain starters. The Phillies have Victorino and Ibanez. The Mets have the edge with Beltran, but the Phillies take the other two slots hands down. Catcher is a wash.
Tell me again why the Braves matter in your equation. The Mets can’t even stack up to the Phillies-who won the Division the past two years.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Larry Wendland: Among starters, Kevin Millwood and Horacio Ramirez are the most recent who come to mind, if you’re talking several years spent at major league level with the Braves. (Kyle Davies was with major league Braves less than three years.)
By DAP
February 3, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
i just cant see the mets besting the 2 year $45mil deal already offered to manny by the dodgers. it just seems like if the mets had money like that to spend, wouldnt they have signed better pitchers this offseason than perez and redding? of course i could be wrong, but if they are willing to spend that much on one player, they should have upgraded thier rotation, which they havent done.
just my opine, plus sherman says the mets arent in it for manny or abreu, and are seeking cheap bench bats and a lefty reliever.
on the dye rumors, he is ideal for the braves, if only they could afford him, which im not sure they can do.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
Agreed entirely. Kelly hitting third and Chipper cleanup (Heap 5th) is the best lineup the Braves could field. Don’t see Bobby doing it and just can’t explain why. I think he lets the players fill out the lineup cards some days.
BTW, big game for you guys tomorrow. Go get ‘em. Don’t know how well Dook will respond to the kind of physical defense the Tigers should play.
Also saw that Clemson’s RPI rating is No. 8. Purnell has done a fine job upgrading the nonconference schedule. Should serve your guys well at tournament time.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
Lew
Sorry, I rarely get admonished for talking about the Braves here. My bad. Anyway, as for the Mets closing ground on the Phils (that whole game two years in a row)I guess we’ll have to see how it plays out.
As for the Braves questions that need to be answered to get them to 95 wins -it doesn’t sound like they have the money to spend this year to close that gap. But I’m sure you have a vision around that quandry as well.
By Original Jon
February 3, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
*Larry Wendland * Definitely not been 8 to 10 years since it has happened, or have we forgotten about Tom Glavine? He was with us for years and years before leaving for the Mets in ‘03.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Dye put up MVP type numbers last year, I would take him with average to marginally below defence in LF (remember he plays RF in Chicago) over any of the other defensive FA LF clowns.. but $11.5 is a bit much for our depression era Bravos
By Mark
February 3, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
theclipper You can get into the morning workouts at Wide World of Sports by either showing your game ticket for that day’s ST game or by buying a ticket just to get into the complex for a few bucks left. Just go in the front gate and head to the back fields behind the main stadium. There are always minor league games going on back there, as well as major leaguers taking infield or BP…Coolest place to go at ST if you ask me because of the access and how close you can get to the players…
By Nate
February 3, 2009 12:18 PM | Link to this
The Braves really have question marks at all three outfield positions right now. There isn’t a single outfielderon teh team who can be counted on to be above league average, and there’s the posibility for some of them to be far below average. There really isn’t any upside to any of the outfielders either. Signing Griffey may seem like just adding anotehr question mark, but Griffey at least has upside. Griffey could hit HR and make the all-star team. None of teh otehr guys currently on the team has that potential, and he’ll come cheap on a short term deal.
I think the team needs to re-sign Ohman and find a way to dump Soriano’s salary. He an injury prone head case and his money could be put to a better use. Do the Yankees need a setup man?
By Anders
February 3, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
DAP
Burnett (injury prone) and Lowe (Old) were overpriced imo. That leaves CC Sabathia as the other upgrade for the Mets. No way they were going to have two guys on their staff at those $’s. I mean, there is only one team that can afford that. And BTW- the Yanks passed on Santana last year with the intention of getting CC this year. Why didn’t they get both?
If someone like Peavy was a FA and the Mets passed I’d agree with you, but not the class that was out there this off season.
By matt
February 3, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
SeaATL: I played drums on DBT’s Pizza Deliverance. I seem to remember Patterson and Earl Hicks (he did the engineering and played a little on the record), and possibly Rob Malone (guitar/bass player at the time) doing some sound installation stuff around that time. I’m guessing that’s who it was. My memory of that time is a little fuzzy as well.
By N8
February 3, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Efrim
To answer your question about whether the Twins can keep it up or not?
Yes, within reason, I do.
Under Ron Gardenhire, they’ve been extremely disciplined ALL OF THE TIME, not just in clutch situations (RISP).
Here are the numbers the past 5 years (BA, OBP, SLG, OPS)
2008: .305, .380, .446, .826
2007: .276, .347, .412, .759
2006: .296, .373, .448, .821
2005: .271, .354, .410, .764
2004: .277, .356, .447, .803
Pretty darn consistent, if you ask me. Other than the BA spike last year.
Watch the Twins for a week or two. Then watch the Braves. Either somebody is being coached better, or somebody has a roster that listens to the coaching better. Night and day.
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
Dave I really don’t see the Braves going the Dunn route, and Abreu will probably get more than FW is willing to pay.
Anybody just under the radar? Junior? Edmonds?
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
Anders and other METS watchers
No way the Metamucils go near Manny as they are very close to their limit $$ and also such a move would trigger the “luxury tax” (if they signed MANNY). We all know what cheap b******* those Wilpons are even before the government bullies Sheety Bank to cancel their crazy $400 deal to name SHEA 2, “LoserField”..
plus as I have said before the Wilpons and Sterling equities are having significant cashflow problems on NYC property developments…
The signing (hilariously poor one) of Ollie “Walk me Please” Perez has cooked the goose (as it were).
And before anyone tells me the Mets got a good deal I have read 5 different analyses of the deal which think the Mets got effed over big time….
By Beldar
February 3, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this
Has anyone thought of looking into Mark Mulder or Kris Benson? They are both young but both have had injury problems. If they have recovered as they preach to everyone about, we could pick them up at a good price. They’d be good fillers is they pan out.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this
Television Trust Me - thought I would give this show a 2nd try but it really is dogs bollocks…..
By Original Jon
February 3, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
Beldar Seriously?? Mulder or Benson?? Our 1-4 is set in the rotation, 5 will either be Glavine or one of the youngsters. Why the heck would we want Mulder or Benson?
By Anders
February 3, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky
Where do you find time to do all this baseball research between your mensa meetings?
By Lew
February 3, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
Anders-Again, We’re talking about the Mets here. Isn’t that your constant intention, anyway? To get to 95 wins, everything would have to go right for the Braves, but it IS a possibility-whether or not a realistic one remains to be seen. As for 85 wins? Count on it. Our pitching is improved at least that much. We have the best overall pitching staff in the division-if not the NL. Lord help the Mets if the Braves improve on their records against the Phillies and Nats. If that happens, you’re done, because we can ALWAYS take out the Mets. Always have and always will. What did we do against y’all last year? 9-9? And this with a team 20 games under .500. Y’all should be ashamed.
However, like DAP suggested above-the Mets should have gone out with the intention of improving their rotation if they wanted there to be no question who the stronger team is. They should have improved at second. They should have shored up the outfield. THEY DID NOT DO THIS. It’s perplexing why they didn’t (unless I’m right about there not being enough $$$$).
The Mets may indeed, have come in second by a single game the past two seasons, but I don’t see that they have really addressed their needs adequately. Like I said-no improvement to the aforementioned areas-None, zero, zip, nada. They improved their August and September end game and added a DECENT set up guy. However, they still don’t have the pen to get them to those guys. Besides, losing out by one game, like 14 straight division titles is in the past and that doesn’t count going in to 09.
Even you claimed they were essentially the same team. How far did that get you the past two years? Still not seeing that exclamation point to their moves this winter. Saw it from the Yankees. Saw it from the Braves. Even saw it from the Giants. Certainly have NOT seen it from the Mets.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky
Looking up mensa - aren’t you?
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
BTW, folks, Buster has this gem in a post about the Dodgers and Manny:
“As part of the Dodgers’ discussions about Ramirez, there has been an internal debate about what might be an acceptable offer to the slugger, and what might anger him to the point that he might stop playing as hard as he did for L.A. in the final two months of last season.”
‘Nuff said.
By Random
February 3, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this
#1 Smoltz Fan: “I am really watching the Andruw Jones front and hoping somehow we manage to lure him back home”
“LURE”?!?!?
Kreist, he’s been scratching at the door to be let back in for weels now.
“Lure” — sheesh!
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 12:50 PM | Link to this
Anders - “Shake and Bake”
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
God talking of “Mensa” mate, I just swicthed on the internet radio to listen to Sports Radio 790, and they have the STEWS on, no genius there !
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
Beldar
If the Braves decide to bottom-feed, it should be for hitters not pitchers.
By cabravesfan
February 3, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this
Bravesfaninrockies
I caught that line about Manny also and could not agree more…the last thing you want is to pay someone $25 million a year and have to worry if they will quit on you when they get their feelings hurt
By Anders
February 3, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this
LEW
Ok, so we’re talking about the Braves again. Well how exactly did they get better? They replaced Hudson with Lowe - OK. maybe 4 more wins. They added Vasquez, I won’t argue that’s an improvement over oh I don’t know let’s say - Glavine. What else in this off season of rejuvenation? The fact that Frenchy is slimming down or that Boyer is beefing up? You realize that other MLB players are working out too?
Perhaps it a psychological adjustment. You know, the confidence your 2nd baseman must feel as the Braves have spent most of the off season trying to get him into LF, or perhaps it’s the LF’er who they’ve been trying to replace with the 2nd baseman or better yet maybe it’s the SS who was all but gone until the Braves found out the guy from Alabama really wasn’t interested in hunting with Chipper on off days. Or how about the lift the guys got watching Smoltz walk out the door like John Wayne? You’ve spent two years telling me about the Mets clubhouse issues and I’m not much on that, but if you think all these guys are gonna show up and not think about these things you’re crazy.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
“Anders - “Shake and Bake””
??? Must be a NY saying. Oh wait.
By DAP
February 3, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
“Being “clutch” implies that a player performs better in those key situations.” bravesfaninrockies
i view it differently. i think being “clutch” means their performance doesnt take a hit in key situations. the pressure doesnt get to them and course them to underperform, in other words.
but, i dont really put alot of stock in the “clutch” thing, either.
“what are you smoking? 30 HRs from Kelly next year?” regenorator
ha. no, i said 30 homers from kelly and a resonably rebounded frenchy. in other words, two of them together.
also, the 45 between diaz escobar and kotchman might be high, but i was being purposely optimistic. im assuming diaz will play everyday (and i know he could hit 15) and that escobar and kotchman’s power numbers will increase.
i think 15 homers from norton, infante, prado and a 4th outfielder (as the team is currently constructed) is actually kind of low.
either way, i agree with you that we need a guy who will hit at least 20-25 homers to put the braves in the middle of the pack for homers in the majors. thats where id like us to be, at least.
By Steve McP
February 3, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
While it is important that we sign Ohman and a bat, we also should be lobbying for two more things to change this season.
No Blue Road Shirts.
Get the chopping cow down.
Nothing but bad luck since those two were introduced.
By Lew
February 3, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
Anders-Anything to avoid the fact the Mets are broke and didn’t make the moves to assure themselves of a Championship.You’re the Master of Obfuscation. Too bad there’s no Wurlitzer category for being disingenuous. You’d win hands down. What? No comment about a 9-9 record against a team twenty game under last year? It will only get worse for the Mets.
Surprised you think it’s all about the Braves. Isn’t that supposed to be OUR line?
By ghbrave
February 3, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
DOB, Have you seen the performers at this year’s Bonnaroo Festival? A few surprises that you might not expect to see at this ever growing musicfest, huh? I guess you’ll be in the heat of baseball season during this years event (June 11-14).Have you ever had the opportunity to attend? Check it out:
2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Confirmed Artists:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,
Elvis Costello Solo,
Phish (2 Shows),
Beastie Boys,
Nine Inch Nails,
David Byrne,
Wilco,
Al Green,
Snoop Dogg,
Erykah Badu,
Paul Oakenfold,
Ben Harper and Relentless7,
The Mars Volta,
TV on the Radio,
Yeah Yeah Yeahs,
Gov’t Mule,
Andrew Bird,
Merle Haggard,
MGMT,
moe.,
The Decemberists,
Girl Talk,
Bon Iver,
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate,
Rodrigo y Gabriela,
Galactic,
The Del McCoury Band,
of Montreal
Allen Toussaint,
Coheed and Cambria,
Booker T & the DBTs,
David Grisman Quintet,
Lucinda Williams,
Animal Collective,
Gomez,
Neko Case,
Down,
Jenny Lewis,
Santogold,
Robert Earl Keen,
Citizen Cope,
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force,
The Ting Tings,
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3,
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,
Kaki King,
Grizzly Bear,
King Sunny Adé,
Okkervil River,
St. Vincent,
Zac Brown Band,
Raphael Saadiq,
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists,
Crystal Castles,
Tift Merritt,
Brett Dennen,
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue,
Toubab Krewe,
People Under the Stairs,
Alejandro Escovedo,
Vieux Farka Touré,
Elvis Perkins In Dearland,
Cherryholmes,
Yeasayer,
Todd Snider,
Chairlift,
Portugal. The Man.,
The SteelDrivers,
Midnite,
The Knux,
The Low Anthem,
Delta Spirit,
A.A. Bondy,
The Lovell Sisters,
Alberta Cross,
By KC
February 3, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
I saw a humorous blog entry from a Mets fan right after Lowe signed with ATL. He pointed out Lowe’s merits, and then added… “But since we didn’t get him, here’s why we never really wanted him…”
Funny stuff. And true. Many fans have a tendency of doing that sort of thing. In many cases, very few people have anything bad to say about a player their team is pursuing… UNTIL that pursuit falls short. Then there are a 100 reasons why he’s a bum.
So I just chuckle when I hear Mets fans say things about Lowe like “He’s old”.
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
BFIR, just as an admission, I didn’t think all that highly of Purnell at the hire. Frankly, after meeting and talking to him, I didn’t revise that opinion upward a whole lot, either. I was dead wrong on that one. He’s been great for the program.
That last win without Oglesby a factor drew some admiration from me, so we’ll see about Duke. Tigers can muscle ‘em, but defending the perimeter against those guys is a nightmare. Clemson needs to start getting some wins against the conference’s rep teams to get some love as an NCAA seed, and Wednesday is a good place to start.
By KC
February 3, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
I would like to nominate Lew for a gold star for using the word “obfuscation” in a sentence. Hooray Lew!!!! =)
By bailey
February 3, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this
Lews da man!!!!
By winterville
February 3, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
Lew
Not to pick nits but by my count we went 11-7 against the Mets last year. Don’t sell us short on that one. :)
By DAP
February 3, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
“Burnett (injury prone) and Lowe (Old) were overpriced imo.” anders
yeah, we all know how the mets feel about old, injury prone players.
the only thing that makes sense to me, is that the mets are trying notto spend a whole bunch of money, (which you pretty much admitted with the sabathia comment) so i dont see manny being an option for them.
your argument also fails since there are at least a dozen starters available better than redding.
By theclipper
February 3, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
Mark, DOB, Lew, Thanks for the info on spring training workouts. Think we’ll try to catch the whole scene Feb. 23-25th. Anybody else from the blog goes, let us know. FWIW, Anderson’s numbers scream he’s got to lead off in games against RHP. Gotta have Diaz’s bat in lineup vs LHP. Maybe Infante in CF against LHP? Lots of possibilities from within. If Frenchy picks it back up, plenty of punch to go W/ Chipper and Mac
By mbatl
February 3, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, noticed that Prado played a lot of corner outfield in the winter leagues this year (and he did start 3 games in LF last year). Any chance that he’s in the mix to share some time in Left if the Braves don’t sign a full-timer? Or do you think he was in the outfield just because the Tigres de Aragua might have had a crowded roster?
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
ghbrave: that’s just an unbelievable array of talent. incredible, and can they possibly get more eclectic?
that said, at this juncture of my life, i don’t know if i’d fight the traffic and lines of that event to see anything short of Elvis reincarnated and original-lineup reunions of Led Zep and the Beatles (which obviously would both also involve some serious returning from the dead).
Just don’t have the patience, not to mention the time, to deal with that scene anymore, bro. Much as I love the vast majority of acts on that list.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this
50 years ago today, the music died.
By SeaAtl
February 3, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
matt - VERY cool to learn that you did the drums on that CD. After finding it I loaded it onto my iPod and started listening to it again - really like it. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I’m going to find an old directory from that project and see if it has the names you mention. Either way, they were a very cool bunch of guys.
By Logician
February 3, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
Here she comes walkin’ Lookin’ like uh zoo Hello Moon Hello Moon Hi Ella high Ella Guru She knows all the colors that nature do High Ella high Ella Guru High yella high red high blue she blew High Ella high Ella Guru She do what she mean She do what she do Got sumptin’ fo’ me sumptin’ fo’ you She sho’ sumptin’ She’s young too Ella Guru Ella Guru Ella Guru Ella Guru Ha ha right right Just dig it That’s right “The Mascara Snake” Fast ‘n bulbous Tight also Ella Guru Ella Guru Ella Guru Ella Guru High Ella high Ella Guru Ella Guru
By Beldar
February 3, 2009 1:56 PM | Link to this
A look at what we have:
Starting Rotation Per Braves Depth Chart Page
J.Vazquez Career 127-129 4.32 ERA Age 32 D.Lowe Career 126-107 3.75 ERA Age 35 J.Jurrjens Career 16-11 3.82 ERA Age 23 K.Kawakami No Major League Experience Age 32 J.Campillo Career 8-7 4.24 ERA Age 30 J.Reyes Career 5-13 5.94 ERA Age 24 C.Morton Career 4-8 6.15 ERA Age 25 J.Parr Career 1-0 4.84 ERA Age 23
After 1-2, it starts to get shaky. We may have 3 good starters.
Morton/Parr are still projects. Campillo could be good. Reyes is a homerun derby waiting to happen. Jurrjens appears to be good. Kawakami was good is Japan.
Affordable Free Agents T.Glavine Career 305-203 3.54 ERA Age 42 K.Benson Career 68-73 4.34 ERA Age 34 M.Mulder Career 103-60 4.19 ERA Age 31 R.Wolf Career 90-78 4.26 ERA Age 32 C.James Career 24-19 4.48 ERA Age 27 B.Looper Career 58-58 3.93 ERA Age 34 B.Sheets Career 86-83 3.73 ERA Age 30
Glavine-old subject to breakdown Benson-young but injury prone Mulder-young but injury prone Wolf-decent but expensive James-yet to prove reliable Looper-decent Sheets-decent but expensive
The rotation we have is “adequate” if we have our hearts set on third place. I’m not optimistic, kind of fretful if anything. Other teams are solid on their staff but hopeful on one or two people to be able to bounce back or step up and contribute. We’re hopeful on 75% of the pitching staff to do that.
By TLJ
February 3, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
Anders,
normally I don’t get into the discussion about what team is better but you mentioned possible issues with the Braves and ignored possible issues with the Mets.
There has been news reports that the Mets are unhappy with about the defense at the catching position and looked to replace him. Castillo can’t be very happy about hearing the Mets wished they never signed him and would like to sign Hudson. I’m sure Church isn’t exicted hearing about posibly being replaced by Abreu. Everyone hopes Delgado hits like he did the second half and not the first hal, after all he is a year older, Perez is not consistent, they considered signing several other pitchers and came back to him as a last resort. Etc., etc.,
If you don’t think the Braves pitching staff isn’t better than last year ( 2008 - JJ, Morton, JoJo, Parr & Hampton —- 2009 - Lowe, JJ, Vasquez, KK & Glavine/Morton/Hanson) there is something seriously wrong with you. Remember Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine all were on the disabled list last year.
I don’t know where the Braves will finish this year but making statements like that is, well, stupid.
By John Adcox
February 3, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this
I just heard the tail end of a report on XM, so I’m not sure I heard correctly. Did Abreu just ACCEPT the White Sox offer of 1/$8m?
If so, ouch. One less option available.
By TennesseePaul
February 3, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
Verducci has an interesting article on the upcoming season… He picked the Braves to be second in the potential come-back team slot. (aka 1991 Braves, 2008 Rays, etc).
He also had this little tid bit:
Run prevention is more important than run production. The Rays actually scored slightly fewer runs in 2008 than they did in ‘07. Their improvement in runs allowed, however, was staggering (-273). While four of the 16 turnaround teams this decade made the turnaround while scoring fewer runs, none of them did so without improving their run prevention. And 10 of the 16 teams showed a greater improvement in run prevention than run production. What does that mean? Maybe Derek Lowe makes for a more impactful signing than Adam Dunn.
—Tom Verducci
Run prevention is more important than run production… Sounds like the old pitching over hitting slang.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
Any chance the O’s start the young stud Wieters right away this year in the show ?
By proeye
February 3, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
OFFER from White Sox for Abreu for $8 million
May mean that Dye may be available via trade. How about Francoeur and his ridiculous salary and a bunch of low grade minor league pitchers. God knows we have enough to trade and not lose any of our depth—especially if the Braves wise up and sign Ohman. Come on: They are not all great prospects. Remember Bruce Chen? Please.
The White Sox could put Frenchy in RF and Abreu in LF or DH (esp if they trade Thome).
By matt
February 3, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
SeaATL: I would be interested to learn if that’s right too. Let me know. They were/are very cool dudes indeed. As far as I can remember, it was just me, Patterson, Cooley, Rob and Earl that worked on that record. It was the last thing I did with DBT, right before they went on to fame and fortune.
By Vinnie Vegas
February 3, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
Bet on it:
2009 N.L. East predictions
1- Phillies - defending W.S. champs - 2 years straight winning the division - no doubt the team in the N.L. East to beat
2 - Braves / Marlins - unlike many I feel this will be a toss up - I really like the young pitching staff of the Marlins and being superstitious this Marlins team will surprise occasionally, especially every 7 years - showed improvement last season. The Braves are improved and hopefully winning some 1 run games should almost pole-vault them into a 10 to 12 game improvement besides the improvement of their overall team (I would not be surprise to see either team in the Wild Card Race)
3 - loser of the Marlins or Braves battle
4 - Mets - overall underachievers the past 2 seasons who may start seeing the door closing on them sooner than many think. Sorry Mr Anders, I’m not buying into this team, although I’m sure you could care less about my opinion.
5 - Nationals - the best last place team in any division still several years away from even approaching the 500 mark
By Anders
February 3, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
KC
I haven’t said anything about Lowe that I didn’t say before he signed and when the Mets were pursuing him.
LEW Sorry, wasn’t ignoring your 9-9 comment. Uhmm, I don’t know. I’m guessing if we went back and looked at the Braves 14 glorious years there was a time or two when a team well below them went .500 againt them during a season. Is this that hard to fathom?
You know what’s obfuscating to me? Your insistence that the Mets are broke. But here I’ll have to defer to you as you have much more experience with revenue challenged sports franchises.
TLJ The Castillo situation is well documented and he’s a veteran. The talk won’t affect him like it would a young player. The Mets have never said anything about replacing Church with Abreu. You’re absolutely wrong there. Church is their rightfielder - period. Wrong on Perez. Just read what DOB posted by Buster Onley. The Mets wanted Perez all along (certainly Minaya did).The Mets were in the Lowe deal to make sure he stayed away from the Phils. They didn’t care that he went to the Braves at 4 years and $60 mil.
I haven’t said the Braves pitching isn’t better. What I’ve been saying is all of their moves combined are not nearly enough to close the gap between them and the Mets. That’s all.
I do feel the Mets have made enough moves to possibly overtake the Phils - possibly. They were only seperated by 1 game.
By FaninFaytown
February 3, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
WE…CANT…AFFORD…DYE
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
McFann: Right you are, young’un. It was 50 years ago today that Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper went down in a plane crash on a snowy night after leaving a gig at Clear Lake, Iowa.
Really good story on that crash and the lasting impact of Holly and Valens in the current issue of Rolling Stone (with Springsteen on the cover).
For those who might not know, Waylon Jennings was one of the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band) and gave up his seat to the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) on that little plane. Otherwise, Waymore would’ve died long before he ever became an outlaw country icon.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
Vinnie Vegas
You do realize your dad Las Vegas has the Mets and the Cubs as the favorites in the NL to go to the WS at 7 - 1? Just saying, you might want to listen closer at the dinner table.
BTW- Pet peeve thing - it’s “Couldn’t” care less, not “Could” care less. You’ve implied I do care.
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, Verducci seems to just be taking one side of the more important issue: run differential. I don’t see that prevention or production is one or the other “better”, as long as the bottom line is black: score more than you give up. Improvement in those two components seems somewhat dependent on what talent is available to the team.
Would the Rays have been as successful if they scored, oh, 150 fewer runs (instead of a mere handful fewer) to go with their increased run prevention? Unlikely.
But you know me, I like the guys who hang and bang. Pitching and defense prevent losing; only scoring offense generates winning. Big innings, deep starts, and a fearless closer make me a happy guy.
By Steve McP
February 3, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
Ty Wiggington has signed with the Orioles, that might make Ryan Freel available.
Freel is cheap ($3 Mill) would probably not cost much in trade pieces and can play several positions notably in the OF. If fit he would add speed to the team, but obviously he does not have great power, but has a reasonable BA .272 and OBP .357.
By KC
February 3, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
GRADING THE NL EAST ROTATIONS
NOTE: I’m not entirely basing these grades on just last season’s stats. Looking more at last couple of years and overall ability. Obviously, where the Braves 4 and 5 slots are concerned, it’s an educated guess.
METS
OVERALL GRADE: B
PHILLIES:
OVERALL GRADE: C+
BRAVES
OVERALL GRADE: B+
I think the Braves and Mets rotations are fairly commensurate. I give the Braves a slight edge because I like they’ll be significantly better in the 5-slot (whoever it is), and the Braves have more depth than the Mets to handle injuries or any need for a fill-in starter.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky, Wieters is going to get a chance to be their regular catcher.
By cricket
February 3, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Citi is trying to back out of mets naming deal. Also, Fred Wilpon and Mets ownership may be forced to sell a minority interest in the team due to their exposure to the Madoff fraud. - According to CBNC and WSJ.
By flange1
February 3, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
Steve McP,
Now you have really done it, Wayne is going to start his Ryan Freel rantings!
Scoots will just love this one.
Everyone sing with me now, Freel, Carl Crawford, Chone Figgins! Freel, Carl Crawford Chone Figgins! Freel, Carl Crawford, Chone Figgins!
Sorry for that one Scoots…
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
Matt: very cool to have you here.
By northbeach Scott
February 3, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Steve McP Hope you are being sarcastic as you may know Freel’s name has been banned from the blog, by bloggers of good taste, along with Chone Figgins, Carl Crawford, and Rocco Baldelli.
Freel, while having a lot of heart, is perhaps one of the dumbest players I have ever seen in MLB, injuring himself on low percentage, unimportant fielding plays.
By KC
February 3, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Vinnie Vegas: The Marlins are a talented young team. But I said yesterday that there’s NO way they finish ahead of Atlanta this year… and I have to say the same for NY. NO way to the fish beat out the Mets this year.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
DOB—
Yup. We just read about that in school today—“The American Patriot’s Almanac” is the name of the book. It’s what you’d call an “on this day in history…” book.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Freel outright sucks IMO
By Bailey
February 3, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
KC….how would you grade the braves it Hudson makes it back by August?
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
not a problem, flange. Pardon me while my head explodes.
By TennesseePaul
February 3, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
scoots: It could just as easily be said that [Insert Offense Lover Name Here] seems to just be taking one side of the more important issue: run differential…
Many like to approach the game saying: “We have to score more than the other guys.”
Others like to look at it from the other side: “We have to prevent the other guys from scoring more than us.”
I find the second mindset, applied on the field, to be more enjoyable to watch.
Any who, that article went through comeback teams… it was interesting to read what he noticed in his cursory review of teams going from losing to winning.
By KC
February 3, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
I’ve saying for a couple of weeks that I think the Braves have the best overall pitching in the East. However, after taking a closer look at the Mets… I was giving their rotation a little less credit than it deserves, and their bullpen is going to be better than I realized.
As it stands, IF the Braves pen is healthy… which is to say that Moylan is ready on opening day or sometime in April, and Soriano’s problems are behind him… I think the Braves pen is every bit as good as the Mets’ (but probably no better).
If the Braves retain Ohman and everyone’s healthy, I might give the Braves a very slight edge because of more depth in the pen.
Assuming health, both ATL’s and NY’s bullpens should be absolute beasts!
By getnathan
February 3, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
STEVE Isn’t Carl Crawford a free agent after the season?
KC
I think Braves back end of the rotation could be the top two (Marlins have a sneaky good all around starting rotation).
By Bailey
February 3, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Im pumped up guys….I cant help but get excited when I think about the Braves for the future. I going to venture and say that within 3 years were back to the world series!
By Anders
February 3, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
KC
How can you grade Kawakami and Hanson? Neither one has ever thrown a pitch in MLB? That’s ludicrous. (The word, not the performer - don’t want to confuse those who apparently only come here for music chat).
By N8
February 3, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Ah, yes DOB, Buddy Holly’s plane took off from Iowa, but what was the destination of said flight?
By Kentavo
February 3, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this
If we signed Abreu what would Bobby call him? He couldn’t call him Bobby.
By getnathan
February 3, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this
KC
Mets 8th and 9th inning will be good assuming Putz can stay healthy and KRod does not break down. Remember what happened to Bobby Thigpen after he set the saves record. But nobody to bridge the starters to the 8th. Mets are vulnerable in the 7th inning.
Braves pen, assuming good health from MOylan and Soriano and Gonzalez, is better because Bennett proved that HE can set up Gonzalez. Bennett was very effective in the 8th inning.
By The Love Child of Dale Murphy and Johnny Cash
February 3, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB:
I live about a mile as the crow flies from the Bonnaroo grounds. You can come listen on my back porch (but only if you promise to drink my beer)!!
By Bailey
February 3, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
Booby….like the french dude off Talladega nights
By BillsNV
February 3, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
N8 Fargo ND?
By Thrillhouse44
February 3, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
If we signed Abreu what would Bobby call him? He couldn’t call him Bobby. Kentavo
A-Bre-Bre with an accent like Hurricane Chris in A Bay Bay
By Steve McP
February 3, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
I did think about going back to a few old blogs and really laying on the Freel deal bit that was too much like hard work - but it is fun to rattle the cages now and then.
By Josh H
February 3, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this
getnathan:
When you brought up Jeff Bennett having a decent season, I couldn’t believe it. I must be selective memory because I only remember the times he got whacked around a good bit. He was hurt around that time, so that explains it.
I had no idea that he pitched very nicely at the end of the year. I just assumed he was a guy who wouldn’t be in the mix this year.
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, you’ll notice that I said I didn’t think one to be more important than the other, as long as the deed gets done.
As to my own personal preference, guilty as charged, LOL. Big fly and a slow trot, all day long…
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
I like Putz a lot…. they (Mets fans) will be relieved they have no “home-run Heilman” to sweat on in 2009.. whereas I will be relieved I do not have to put up with JoJo and someone else as our 3-4-5 starters in 2009
BTW DOB - Andruw and Boras said 10 days ago they would decide on one of the EIGHT (8) teams interested in him by the end of LAST WEEK….. did they count 1 team 8 times ???
By Bailey
February 3, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
Bonnaroo aint all that. I went 2 years ago and yiu cant really enjoy the experience cause theres no way in hell you can catch all the good shows. Your running around the whole time trying to get to a show just to get there late and have to settle being 200 yards from the stage. I wont go back.
By getnathan
February 3, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
JOSH
I didn’t specify, but for the last two months, Bennett pitched in the 8th inning and was very effective. My hunches are telling me that Soriano may be the 7TH inning guy. Soriano is going to have to earn the 8th inning spot. When Moylan returns, he’s also going to have to earn it, but if Bennett can remain effective, then that gives the Braves much more depth than the Mets and Marlins (and Nats) in the bullpen.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 3, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
KC: Interesting grading breakdown of the NL east rotations. I’d probably disagree with you a bit — you certainly favor the Braves a bit too much. If I’m looking at it objectively, here’s how I’d probably do it:
For the Mets, I’d agree with you on Santana, Maine and Pelfrey (though the latter two are borderline B/B- for me), though I’d probably switch Perez to a B-, and possibly Redding to a C (though C- isn’t a bad rating).
For the Phillies, I’d probably agree with you.
Obviously since I follow the Braves, I’d have more to say on them. I’d put Lowe at a B+/A-. I don’t think he’s a typical ace due to his lack of overpowering stuff, although I think his sinkerball will help make up for that and he’ll work well as an ace in this rotation. That, and he’s still a good pitcher.
As for Vazquez, C+ at best, maybe a C. His K and IP totals are good, but he’s too inconsistent. Above, Buster Olney pointed out that Oliver Perez had 14 starts with a “Game Score” rating below 50 (50+ means a good start); Vazquez had 17 sub-50 starts last year.
Jurrjens, for me, is a B- at this point, especially after fading down the stretch like he did. He and Pelfrey had very similar numbers last year, and if Pelfrey is a B-, then I’d put Jurrjens there too. But that’s not just why I’d put Jurrjens at a B-. I think he was overexposed last year, a bit inconsistent, and just worn out by the end of the season. I also think that he’ll improve, as will Pelfrey, but it’ll depend on how well he can adjust in his second year.
Kawakami’s a mystery, but I’d agree with a B-. Maybe even a B if you consider that a pitcher nobody’s ever seen before will have an advantage over opposing hitters.
While I agree that our 5th spot will be better than that of the Mets and/or Phils, I’m not sure that it’ll be a whole letter grade higher. Kendrick stunk last year, so C- is accurate; Redding didn’t post great numbers, but he’s a workhorse and veteran, so I might grade him a C+ or C instead of C-.
As for our #5, I wouldn’t count on a healthy Glavine to be that effective. First of all, I don’t think he’ll be healthy enough to produce on a consistent basis this year. The guy can’t go deep into games anymore. He posted a 5+ ERA last year, and whether that was a result of being hurt or not, he’s turning 43 this year; I’m rooting for him, but I don’t think he’s got anything left.
As for the other contenders, it’s a crapshoot between Campillo, Morton, Reyes, Parr, and Hanson. While I can’t wait for Hanson to come up, I don’t think that the Braves are going to bring him up until he’s spent some time in AAA and they know for sure that he’s ready — it seems like they don’t want to rush him, and that seems like the smart play. That would leave the other 4, and I don’t think that’s a group that’s going to produce a pitcher strong enough to merit a B- rating after their 2008 performances, though I still agree that our 5th spot is going to be at least as good, if not better than, that of the Mets/Phils. Our 5th spot? C.
I’m not sure what grade that would give each team overall, though I do agree that as for as a complete rotation, ours will be significantly better than the Phillies’, and slightly better than the Mets’.
By KC
February 3, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Anders: Didn’t I qualify that by saying “educated guess”? Did you read that part?
I have heard Kawakami frequently compared to LA’s Kuroda. And after hearing what scouts have said about Kawakami, and comparing Kawakami’s Japan stats to Kuroda… that sounds like a very good comparison. Kuroda posted a 3.78 ERA last year in 31 starts.
I’m making an EDUCATED GUESS that Kawakami will post an ERA around or under 4.00. Could he turn out to be less effective? Sure. But it’s just as likely that he could turn out to be MORE effective than I (and the Braves organization) are expecting him to be. So, based on those reasonable expectations, that’s the grade I would give him, on paper, right now.
I also said that those grades were partially based on ability. Which brings us to Hanson…
I think of Tommy Hanson in the very same way I would think about Hamels or Lincecum when they came up. The Braves haven’t had a pitcher with this much ability come through since Smoltz. Remember, this is a guy who the Braves wouldn’t trade straight-up for Jake Peavy. If he comes up this year, I’m willing to wager that he’ll post an ERA around or under 4.00… just as young starters like Jurrjens, Hamels, and Lincecum have in their rookie years.
Again… maybe he doesn’t give you an ERA around or a little under 4.00. But it’s just as likely that he gives you MORE. So I think that’s a pretty good educated guess where he’s concerned. But a GUESS is all ever claimed it to be.
By KC
February 3, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
ALERT: If you want to see video of Tommy Hanson pitching… do NOT simply go to YouTube and search “Tommy Hanson”. Just trust me.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky “they (Mets fans) will be relieved they have no “home-run Heilman” to sweat on in 2009”
Yeah, but I wish they still did. He was such a good pitcher…
……
…I mean, I liked him, anyway…don’t think I’d like him so much if the Braves had him, though.
By Tony C.
February 3, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
DOB -Any word as to whether Wren will make an offer to Abreu?
I would think he’s the ideal corner-outfield guy they keep saying they need.
By f.n. hale
February 3, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
DOB
Thanks for the updated bloggage. I really can’t keep up with all the new stuff but had a question regarding Boyer’s comments. He said we should have 3 guys that could go 200 innings. Obviously Lowe and Vasquez are two but do we expect Kawakami to be able to reach that? Surely we wouldn’t expect JJJ to reach 200 yet, or am I wrong?
By matt
February 3, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
DOB, thanks. I read the blog every day, but don’t comment much. I guess I don’t feel I have much to add to all the Braves talk, although I love reading what everyone else has to say. Besides, it takes long enough just to read through everything. But I depend on your updates daily. Thanks for the great job you do keeping us up to date.
I enjoy getting in on the DBT conversations. I’m very proud to have been a part of that band and am very happy for those dudes and what they have accomplished.
For what it’s worth, I would like to see the Braves sign Dunn (for just a year or two), Glavine and Ohman (although it sounds like his price is gonna be a bit high for a middle reliever), if for nothing else than the fact that he is a Big Lebowski fan. I’m a huge Coen Bros. fan, I love every movie they’ve made, some more than others (Intolerable Cruelty, Ladykillers are below par for them, but really good movies by any other directors standards.)
Ok, there’s my long post for now. Keep up the good work, DOB, and bring on spring training!
By getnathan
February 3, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
Braves can win division if:
Braves go 26-12 vs a combination of two teams in the division (Nats and Marlins, Marlins and Mets, Mets and Nats. it has a better chance vs Nats and Marlins). And .500 vs the other two teams.
By KC
February 3, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe: In regard to Vazquez… I heard a national baseball writer (can’t remember who) a couple weeks ago talking about Vazquez, and he brought up some very good points.
Vazquez is not only coming out of the AL, away from the DH. He’s also getting out of a hitter’s paradise in favor of a relative pitcher’s park. Additionally, he felt that Vazquez is likely to find a far greater comfort zone in ATL with Bobby cox than what he had in CHI under Ozzie Guillen (whose management style doesn’t work for everybody). He said something to the effect of “Don’t be surprised to see Vazquez post an ERA well under 4.00 this year in ATL”.
I think his assessment was a pretty good one. Especially when you consider what Vazquez did the year before (in 07)… 15 wins and a 3.74 ERA, even in a pitcher’s park in the AL.
Another thing to consider is the fact that he posted 17 quality starts last year. For perspective: Sheets had 18, Burnett had 19, and Lowe had 20.
I think it’s very reasonable to expect Vazquez to post an ERA around or under 4.00, while providing 200 innings and a good number of quality starts.
By joe
February 3, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
HEY! why not give Griffey, Jr. a try for one or two incentive-laden years. Just read the article on ESPN BLOG (Olney) that he’s in the best shape of his life so to speak. If healthy…he’s a better option than Dunn, Abreu, or Dye. IMHO.
By KC
February 3, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe: As for Glavine… you say he has nothing left. If he is fully healthy… IF his arm is well with no ill effects from last year’s injuries… I don’t see what you’re basing that on.
Glavine looked very good in April, before his arm really started giving him trouble. And the year before, in 2007, he posted 23 quality starts, which is territory usually reserved for aces in that category.
You’ve got Jamie Moyer (several years older) still out there pitching effectively. And Moyer and Glavine are cut from the same mold, wouldn’t you say? So IF Glavine is fully healthy, I don’t think anyone can offer a credible reason to write off his ability to be effective.
I’m not saying that he IS or will be healthy. Just that IF he is, I don’t see any reason to discount his ability to contribute in a significant way, as Moyer is doing for his team.
And I’ve already covered my reasoning for my “B-” guess for T. Hanson, if he makes the cut this year.
By John Adcox
February 3, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
My bad. Turns out the XM report I caught the end of was saying exactly the opposite… the White Sox/Abreu deal is apparently dead.
By KC
February 3, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Here’s one more T.Hanson video
By Andy K.
February 3, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
I dunno who first suggested it, but I’m definitely behind the idea for Peter Moylan to come to the mound to Springsteen’s “Outlaw Pete”. Hopefully everyone’s favorite Aussie is a fan of The Boss.
By getnathan
February 3, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
Do you all think the Braves will be able to score runs with the current lineup? Matt Diaz is back. Francoeur vows to be resurgent. CHipper, McCann, KJ, et al. I’m thinking they will definitely be able to pitch.
Do you think Braves should get a bat now, or wait until the trade deadline? Will Braves be in it at the trade deadline?
By KC
February 3, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
getnathan: I’m not sure that’s true. I think the Mets have more depth in their pen than you’re giving them credit for.
I didn’t realize until today that Wagner is still with the team. He may have had some struggles last year as closer… but you’re still talking about a guy with closer stuff, that posted a 2.30 ERA last year.
Wagner, Putz, and Rodriguez give the Mets something of a “Nasty Boys” trio at the end of the pen. Good news is, the Braves have a similar trio, if healthy.
The Mets have a couple of other good arms as well with D.Sanchez and P.Feliciano.
The Mets pen is going to be sick. Filthy.
The good news, again, is that the Braves’ pen should be just as nasty if everyone is healthy.
By raymond
February 3, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
All the new pitching will not make a difference if they don’t get another hitter. McCann is the only one you can depend on. Chipper is a hangnail from the DL and Francouer is a mystery. Go get Abreu before the White Sox sign him.
By DAP
February 3, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
getnathan yes they can score runs, because there will be alot of guys on base but i think they might also leave alot of guys on. we need a bat now. no reason to wait.
with hinske off the market, the best idea for a diaz platoon seems to be jim edmunds. he killed RHP last year, and still plays decent defense. also, in this market…cheap cheap cheap.
By DAP
February 3, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
KC wagner will not pitch this year. the mets still have a pretty good pen though.
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky Hey, did I catch you dissin’ my main man Ryan Freel????
Dude….
By Bill M.
February 3, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Why don’t the Braves go ahead and sign Griffey and platoon him with Diaz. From all reports Griffey is in the best shape he’s been in years. I had rather have Griffey than A. Jones. Sign Ohman & Glavine(If healthy) and let’s play ball.
By mbatl
February 3, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
KC, Wagner is out for the year. And I think the Mets actually went ahead and declined his 2010 option. But regardless, except for the $10 mil in payroll, he’s not a factor this year.
By ncscoots
February 3, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
DAP, are we now doomed to receive an Eric Hinske reference in every single post from you? Now and forever?
By flange1
February 3, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
KC,
Remember Billy Wagner had Tommy Johnson surgery and will probably be out all year.
Discussions at the end of last year were he had pitched his last game as a Met……
By dkmo10
February 3, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
I would feel comfortable with Griffey, agreed Bill M, I really dont wanna see Andrew at all he is too hard headed. IMP. take a gamble on Griffey he wont cost much i dont believe.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
Utah Wayne - Freel There was too much love on the blog today
plus an outfield of no name LF, no name CF, Francouer RF would not scare the worst team in baseball….
By flange1
February 3, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Wayne,
I told everyone not to play with Ryan Freel or you would get upset! But no one listens to me!!!
By nolie
February 3, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Who will be the next Rays?-Verducci, SI.Com
Can it be The Braves?
Pitchers and catchers.
There, how does that sound as some of you scrape your windshield this morning in a football-less world? Warmth, at least a vicarious kind, is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers (the words alone can soothe nearly as much as the distinctive popping sound of their collaborative work) start rolling into big league camps next week. Our body clocks reset, and so do the hopes of 30 teams.
The fonts of optimism overflow, especially this particular spring, for one reason: the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays, one of the greatest turnaround stories in baseball history. The Rays morphed not only from 96 losses to the World Series, but also from a franchise history without so much as one winning season. The optimism is grounded in truth: Almost every team has a shot at the playoffs this year.
While the Rays’ story may be an extreme one, they share a plot line with the 2007 Rockies, the 2006 Tigers and the many other teams in the wild-card, revenue-sharing era that made the playoffs the year after posting a losing record. Since 1995, when the expanded playoff format began, 29 of the 112 playoff teams reached the postseason in the year immediately after a losing season. That’s 26 percent of the postseason teams, an average of two turnaround teams every year. Only once in those 14 years, in 2005, has a team failed to make the postseason the year after it had a losing record.
So the question this spring is not so much, Is there a 2009 version of the 2008 Rays out there? It is this: Who will be the next Rays? Thirteen teams suffered through losing seasons last year. There is a good chance that one or two of those 13 teams will make the playoffs this year. Who will it be?
First we have to search for clues in the traits of turnaround teams. Some generalities emerge about teams that jump from losing records to the playoffs:
Run prevention is more important than run production. The Rays actually scored slightly fewer runs in 2008 than they did in ‘07. Their improvement in runs allowed, however, was staggering (-273). While four of the 16 turnaround teams this decade made the turnaround while scoring fewer runs, none of them did so without improving their run prevention. And 10 of the 16 teams showed a greater improvement in run prevention than run production. What does that mean? Maybe Derek Lowe makes for a more impactful signing than Adam Dunn.
Turnaround teams were not as bad off as they appeared. Eleven of the past 13 turnaround teams underperformed in their losing season, as measured by the Bill James Pythagorean formula. Those 11 teams won, on average, five fewer games than they could have been expected to win.
Hope only goes so far. No team made the playoffs the year after losing more than 97 games, which is how far Arizona traveled from 1998 to ‘99.
So what happens when we apply these loose rules of thumb to this year’s 13 hopeful Cinderellas? Forget about Seattle, Washington and San Diego, all of whom lost at least 99 games. Set aside (but don’t completely rule out) Kansas City, Texas, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Colorado and San Francisco, all of which met or exceeded Pythagorean expectations last year. Now you’re down to four teams who fit the loose profile of the next Rays. I’ll rank them from most likely to least.
Detroit Tigers. The most expensive last-place team in history ($137 million) is bound to be better. The Tigers ranked 12th in the AL in runs allowed last season. Starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman gave them 21 wins, 441 innings and a 5.33 ERA, vastly worse than the 38 wins, 553 2/3 innings and 4.44 they provided the previous season. Detroit’s defense didn’t help, either. Only the Rangers, Mariners and Yankees were worse among AL teams at turning batted balls into outs as manager Jim Leyland desperately sought the right combination of players in the right spots. Stellar defensive shortstop Adam Everett, the Tigers’ version of Jason Bartlett, will help, as should the return of Brandon Inge to third base and Gerald Laird taking over the catching spot. Still, the season will turn on the rotation, and whether Verlander and Bonderman can return to form and whether Armando Galarraga and former Ray Edwin Jackson can build on their 2008 breakouts. With an improved defense and healthier starters, the Tigers will make a huge jump in run prevention.
Atlanta Braves. It’s hard to believe that the Braves sunk to 12th in runs allowed, their worst showing in 18 seasons. But they’ve done something about it. They added three starting pitchers: Lowe, the enigmatic Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami. Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo are fine at the back end of the rotation. Are the Braves short on offense? Perhaps, but they did rank sixth in the league in runs last year, so if the run prevention improves as expected, they still should have enough offense to at least be a contender again.
Oakland Athletics. Oakland may be only slightly better at run prevention, if only because they ranked a solid fifth last year and they enter this season without a starting pitcher who has logged 180 innings in a season. Healthy versions of Mark Ellis and Eric Chavez would help the defense. But Oakland may be the turnaround team that defies the conventional profile. The A’s figure to make a gigantic leap on the offensive side while needing only a marginal improvement in run prevention. They could very well resemble the 2004 Angels, a turnaround team that improved its run production by 100 with the addition of Vladimir Guerrero, while its run prevention improved by only nine. Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi are the keys to providing a Vlad-like effect for Oakland.
Baltimore Orioles. Realistically, they have no shot at the playoffs, not in the AL East. But Baltimore actually has an honest-to-goodness shortstop now, Cesar Izturis, and under Andy MacPhail has a deep collection of young arms that will audition throughout the season. Only the Rangers allowed more runs than the 869 yielded by Baltimore pitchers last season, so improved run prevention should not be too difficult. With an exciting young outfield (Felix Pie, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis) and the next great catching prospect (Matt Wieters), the Orioles at last are on the right track.
By Lew
February 3, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Anders-OK yopu must be right. The Mets are now and always have been flush with cash and I’m totally wrong and have nothing whatsoever to base my conclusions on. Fine. You’re entitled to whatever naive opinion you choose to espouse.
I’ve been hearing this same line from a succession of Mets’ fans on our blog now for three years. Over and over, ad nauseum. “We can buy whoever we want.” So if this is the case, then why two years of Moises Alou? Why sign Castillo for the contract they did? Why didn’t they just eat his salary this year and get Hudson? Why wait until the third season of dashed dreams to finally shore up your pen? Why is it that despite a team that should have won it all in 06 and probably should, at the very least, won the division the past two years do nothing of any significance whatsoever to improve their team other than trading for Santana?
The only answer to this when all is said and done, is that they don’t have all that money. QED, Dude. If they really had it, then why don’t they spend it to make them a truly invincible team that couldn’t be challenged? After all, they only came in second by one game-twice, right? Doing business on the cheap like they have is not indicative of deep pockets, but you’re welcome to your dream..
By KC
February 3, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this
Oh, didn’t realize that about Wagner. GLAD TO HEAR IT!!!!!
OK, well in that case, if the Braves pen is healthy, I do think it will be the best in the division.
By DAP
February 3, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
scoots
dont be stupid.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
Why don’t the Braves go ahead and sign Griffey and platoon him with Diaz. From all reports Griffey is in the best shape he’s been in years.Bill M.
From “all reports?” Far as I can tell, that’s one report — from the Reds team physician. And he concluded with this: “How long he can last, I don’t know the answer to that.”
That’s not exactly a resounding recommendation from a panel of experts predicting he can have a productive, healthy season.
By KC
February 3, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this
Verducci: “Jurrjens and Campillo are fine at the back end”
Huh???
First of all, Campillo isn’t likely to have a job in this rotation, as the 5th slot will likely be snagged by Glavine, Hanson, or possibly Morton, Reyes, or Parr.
But far more surprising than his failure to realize that is his apparent characterization of Jair Jurrjens as a back end pitcher.
Jair Jurrjens had a better rookie season than young aces like Hamels and Lincecum did, with 13 wins and a 3.68 ERA. And I can’t think of ANY reason why that should be considered fool’s gold.
Jurrjens is a guy with a fastball he can run up in the mid-90’s, a great changeup, and a couple other quality pitches. He was named as the best control pitcher in the Tigers organization a couple years ago, and everyone raves about his maturity and approach to pitching.
The lack of recognition Jurrjens has received as an up-and-coming pitching truly amazes me.
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this
Yeah, but Freel runs through walls!
By mbatl
February 3, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
Hey, if we’re gonna go the grizzled veteran route, would Griffey be better than Edmonds? They had very similar numbers in 2008. Griffey a little better OBP, Edmonds a little more SLG. And of course, neither can really hit LHP any more.
Edmonds was actually huge for the Cubbies: a 136 OPS+ in 250 ab’s, half a season. (another piece in the cubbies’ dismantling their very good 2008 team)
Amazing… for about $5 mil, you could probably have an outfield of Griffey, Edmonds and Andruw Jones… 3 of the greatest CF of all time. Then just push the 10-year button on the way-back machine, and you’ve got the greatest OF of all time.
By elliwg6
February 3, 2009 5:16 PM | Link to this
Still….with regards to Griffey. Doesn’t he seem like basically the only option at this point if the braves plan to bring back Ohman and Glav? Doesn’t a Griffey platoon plus Glav and Ohman sound better than say… just Abreu?
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
Just read the article on ESPN BLOG (Olney) that he’s in the best shape of his life so to speak.Joe
Wow. Now Griffey’s in “the best shape of his life so to speak.”
Well, yes, perhaps — if by “so to speak” you mean the best shape of (the past year or so of) his life. Maybe. If one doctor is right. Though that doctor has no idea how long he might last.
By Kentavo
February 3, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this
By Thrillhouse44 February 3, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this If we signed Abreu what would Bobby call him? He couldn’t call him Bobby. Kentavo
A-Bre-Bre with an accent like Hurricane Chris in A Bay Bay
NOW THAT MADE ME CHUCKLE
By N Nine (eta61)
February 3, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
2009 could be a rough one for Barry Bonds
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
Talk about bad timing (again) with the Braves and this WBC thing: Last time, you had Francoeur missing much of his first big-league spring training while he was a reserve on the U.S. team. This time, you could have McCann missing three weeks of the Grapefruit League schedule in a spring when the Braves would sure like to have him working with all their new starting pitchers.
Hey, can’t blame the guy for wanting to play for his country and all, and the Braves certainly aren’t going to urge him not to. But you gotta think that if they had their druthers, he’d be in Braves camp the whole time, working with Lowe, Kawakami, Vazquez, etc. Particularly Kawakami. I mean, unless the new guy David Ross speaks Japanese….
By N Nine (eta61)
February 3, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this
“The lack of recognition Jurrjens has received as an up-and-coming pitching truly amazes me”
so many doubters who believe in Sophomore slumps more than just looking at the stuff he brings.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
Anybody catch Christian Bale’s f-bomb filled tirade at the director of photography on the set of the new Terminator movie? Holy…. it’s pretty incredible. Just google it and you’ll find it unedited.
By TommyP
February 3, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
KC: Not sure which scouts compared Kawakami to Kuroda but from what I’ve read, the only comparison is that they’re Japanese.
Kawakami throws high 80s while Kuroda hits 96 or so.
Sounds like two different types of pitchers to me.
By mbatl
February 3, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this
I read Olney’s article on Griffey. Nowhere does it say “best shape of his life.”
The exact quote is, “And when Kremchek [red’s physician] saw Griffey recently, he thought it was the best the outfielder has looked since the first years of this decade.” Of course, in the “early years” of this decade, Griffey played in 145, 111, 70, 53 and 83 games. So take it for what it’s worth.
Sounds like the big issue was his ability to push off his bad knee at the plate, and that problem has probably been resolved through surgery.
KC, I agree with you on Jurrjens. Nothing’s guaranteed, of course, but I think he’ll be just fine in ‘09.
JJ’s success in ‘08 wasn’t luck. His slider and changeup both have tremendous speed difference from his fastball (which is very good, right at 92 mph). His slider is actually slower than his change, both in the low 80’s. And he pitches to contact, doesn’t get carried away with striking people out, which allows him to be very efficient.
He got rattled a couple of times in ‘08 (one time he walked like 5 straight batters) when he thought calls went against him. So he needs to get over that. But otherwise, he’s got the stuff and the makeup to be successful.
By Tomas
February 3, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this
DOB,
At first when I thought of the possibility of the Braves signing Griffey awhile back, I was skeptical. But I just didn’t know he had a knee problem last year. I mean when I saw him play last year he wasn’t nearly half of the bat he was before, I figured father time had gotten to him(he is 40 years old), but with all that he still had more homeruns than all 3 brave outfielders.
His defense is ok, I mean he can’t play gold glove center field, but is ok in left field.
The plan would be to have Griffey as a platoon player, which would allow him to rest his 40 year old body and mantain fresh. And this comment from the Reds doctor Tim Kremcheck, who said Griffey’s in the best shape he’s been in in years, has to be encouraging. I know this may very well be propaganda to find Junior a team, but he did have knee surery, and who knows maybe he can hit 20HR’s next season. Griffey still has a presence in that batter’s box, at least he would offer some protection to Chipper.
He also says he doesn’t care about money, he is a better fit than Garret Anderson because of his ability to play defense, and he could be a cleanup hitter because of the presence he has in the batter’s box(after all he is a hall of fame player).
1 year 2 million for a hall of fame player like Griffey.
Against righties:
Against lefties:
Well not exactly a devastating lineup, but an improved one from the end of last year. A bit left handed, but these lefties hit left handers well so it doesn’t matter.
By Catfish
February 3, 2009 5:48 PM | Link to this
Why aren’t the Braves making a more aggresive play to acquire Abreu? He’s one of the most consistent RBI guys in all of baseball and it looks like we could get him on the cheap for under $10 mil for a one yr contract. With him in the OF, the Braves could really contend. Without another bat, I’m afraid I’ll be watching too many Braves’ games this year frustrated that Derek Lowe just lost a 2-1 game b/c we couldn’t score runs off Joe Blanton. A bat like Abreu would really open up the lineup and take pressure off a Schaffer or Heyward if they’re ready to play everyday. Look at our potential lineup if Chipper Jones gets hurt. Johnson-Escobar-Francouer-McCann-Infante-Kotchman-Diaz/Jones-someone in CF-pitcher. That lineup will not frighten anyone. Just a point. I like the starting pitching staff and the bullpen has the potential to be great. Without another bat in the lineup, we’re a .500 team even if Francouer gets back to form.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this
DOB—
Yup…very bad timing. I’ve been thinking about that, too, and boy does it…uh…stink!
Dagnabit, anyway! I mean, you’re right, you can’t blame the guy for wanting to play for his country, but…eeerrrrggg…Why. Did. They. Put. The. Ding. Dang. Thing. In. MARCH???
“…and the Braves certainly aren’t going to urge him not to [play].”
Think there’s a chance they could?? Um…But I guess he’s already been put on U.S.A.’s roster, huh?
Gotta run…I do await any response, though.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
“Response” to what? Boy, that was kind of an incoherent post. Sorry.
By ray k.
February 3, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
I just can’t understand how anyone either involved with or rooting for the 2009 Atlanta Braves could feel optimistic about their chances of going to the post season. We who have followed this team year after year don’t need an oracle to predict what will happen. Again. Our pitching staff is average. What was Hudson, now is Lowe. We replaced a good sinker baller with a good sinker baller. Our middle of the order guys are all question marks. Sound familiar? Will Jair mature into a force? Will our Japanese import be able to endure a MLB season and pitch past the 5th inning? Wil Javier be dependable, or will he the guy who, according to his last skipper, “Can’t win the big game” And who is our fifth starter? If our pitching staff gives us the jitters, our outfield ought to outright terrify us. We have two glaring question marks in left and center, and a right fielder who was demoted to the minors last year for a galling lack of production. Sound optimistic? Occasionally a team will come along, a special collection of unsung heroes who somehow create an unlikely permutation for success, and pull off a David and Goliath type season. ie Tigers, Devil Rays, Those teams were led by a veteran or two who serve as a ligthhouse during the numerous storms of a 162 game season, Our greatest, most distinguished veteran—for all intents and purposes, the face of the Atlanta Braves—has been traded to Boston, leaving the flame burning duties to our other distinguished veteran, who has been spending enough time navigating the seas of press questions about Smoltz’s exodus to cause us concern about his constitution in navigating his team through 2009 and into the post season. He seemed befuddled by the decisions of Frank Wren, and genuinely concerned about the future of his team and his career. I am too.
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 3, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this
What team has the best young pitching staff in the Entire National League?
That would be the Florida Marlins.
Rickey Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Andrew Miller, Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson, Burke Bandenhop, Rick Vandenhurk, Dan Meyer and Ryan Tucker. All nine are in their mid to late twenties.
By Tomas
February 3, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this
At least Kawakami can speak a little english. I have a question DOB, when a player doesn’t know english, is he obligated to take lessons?
Does Yunel Escobar speak english?
By mbatl
February 3, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
Let me fill that glass for ya’, ray k. Seems that it’s half-empty.
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this
ray-k
2 bottles of the best red wine you can buy like a nice 1996 Grange or Opus 1, Local anaesthethic, ice, razor blade…………
“Oh the depression”
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
The more screwed up the Manny negotiations gets, the larger the smile on my face grows! My only fear is that someone will come along and mess it up for me, and offer Manny 3 years for 75 million.
Scott, I hope you got an extra suite at your complex for Manny, as he might have a hard time “feeding his kids” now that you’ve screwed him out of 40 million!
:-)
Dave Is FW staying quite because of how he was treated earlier this off season? Do you really think he has something up his sleeve, or do you think he is truly waiting for all the pieces to fall, to see what is left laying around to pick up in the end.
I am so torn as to what I would like to see the Braves do. How many players in the past 10 years have made it to their parent team at the age of 19 or 20? Could Heyward be the next one to do so? If he comes into MB and kills it, gets sent to Miss and continues to kill it, could he be in ATL by late August? Yeah, I know that is a lot of IF’s, but from everything I hear, this kid is a true man-child!
As I stated earlier, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Braves make an offer of 10 million for Abreu, if Chipper would move to cleanup for the season.
Maybe it is just wishful thinking (I am probably the second biggest homer on her, short of KC), but I really think Francoeur is going to turn it around this year.
By beekay
February 3, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this
Linkd to DOB’s Bale explosion….guy needs to go to the Milton Bradley anger management class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLXVuy0h29c
By joe
February 3, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this
first, if you all want to pick apart what i wrote, fine…be that way. maybe he didnt say ‘best shape of his life’, and maybe it is one doctor. so what? one cannot argue convincingly that abreu would be definitely better over a healthy griffey (not to mention abreu shys away from going full bore in the outfield, nor is he a clutch hitter…he is someone who would rather take a walk than have to swing the bat with the game on the line), nor can one say that andruw would be a better bargain/risk offensively given his recent track record, nor can you justify trading any more prospects for nady/swisher. the only comparable cleanup hitter presence is adam dunn, who is a defensive liability but can hit for more homeruns and slightly less batting average. and if ‘best shape of his life’ “of the past year or so” is the timetable, tell me the griffey of 2007 is NOT good enough for you (for one year).
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 6:27 PM | Link to this
Coach I agree that the list of arms in Florida are impressive, but do you really think they will translate to wins better than Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Kawakami, Hanson, Glavine, Campillo, Morton, Reyes, and Hudson (obviously at the tail end of the season)? Could be…
I like Nolasco and Volstad. Johnson and Sanchez will probably be back this year, but there are a lot of question marks there too.
All you old farts know that each season, a lot of little things have to come together for a team to win it all. Once in a while, a juggernaut comes along and wins it all (Red Sox, earlier Yankees), but more often than not, it is a team that has certain players that really come together, and often times it is timing (White Sox, Marlins, Cards, Phillies, etc).
While I would not wager the house payment on the Braves for a WS championship, if they have a bit of luck and peak at the right time, they could be players. It’d be worth wagering a “C” note at Vegas. What would the odds be?
ray k Gotta add a little Freel to your glass! (Ryan hits lefties well!!)
:-)
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
Too bad we didn’t have what it took to get Alexi Ramirez last year!
joe I would be OK with Junior, but I really don’t think he is going to sign for a million or two. Just a gut feel.
Poll Question Would the Dodgers be better off with Manny, or with Dunn, Wolf and O-Dog?
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
(sorry about the quantity of posts in short period of time).
With the decline in value of OF’ers, would the White Sox deal Dye for a lower level prospect, if the dealing team paid all his salary?
By KC
February 3, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
TommyP: If you look up their results throughout their Japanese careers, you’ll find the similarities.
By KC
February 3, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this
Tommy P: Also, I don’t remember Kuroda hitting 96 on the radar gun when we saw him. Here’s how one scout describes Kuroda:
“[Kuroda’s] fastball is “average to slightly above average” and that he has a “good forkball.” The official also said Kuroda “throws strikes and is a tough competitor.”
And velocity is not the measure of a pitcher, or else Jose Capellan would be an ace, and Maddux wouldn’t be on his way to a first-ballot HOF induction.
By Chuck James' mother
February 3, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this
Mr Wren, can you please give my son a minor league contract? I am worried about him. With this recession, and with Home Depot dropping their contractor work, what is he going to do this spring?
By BravesFanInRockies
February 3, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
Wayne
Just don’t think the money’s there for Dye. Not even sure it’s there for Abreu if he’s asking more than $8 million.
I read where Griffey is getting something like $5 million a year in deferred compensation from an earlier contract, so if he remains unsigned when camps opened, he might be willing to join some club for a relative pittance (think $1 million or $2 million) just to show he can still play. (If he can, of course. That remains to be seen.) His dad had a couple of decent seasons for Atlanta. Might Junior go to Atlanta as well?
For that money, as a LF platoon partner for Diaz or another bat off the bench, why not?
By cabravesfan
February 3, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this
Chuck James’ Mother
Maybe he could work on rehabing that surgically repaird shoulder- you know, the one that is going to keep him from pitching the majority of the season?
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Wayne Poll answer MANNNNNNYYYYYY
By KC
February 3, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
Catfish: I wholeheartedly agree with you that, unless the Braves have a trade cooking, they need to be all over Abreu!! If the 8 million one-year offer connected in rumors to the White Sox would get it done… it seems the Braves would be well served to find some way to squeeze that into the payroll.
One year deal would be perfect for the Braves. Heyward may or may not be ready in 2010, but if he’s not, we could worry about that next winter. For now, we need another run producer, and Abreu would be a great fit!
However, I disagree that, unless they get another bat, they’re a .500 team EVEN WITH a fully restored Francoeur.
If Francoeur gets back to his 100 RBI ways, the Braves have 3 big bats for the middle of the order, along with a few very solid hitter (Escobar, KJ, Kotchman). That’s not a bad lineup. Certainly not GREAT. But not bad. The Padres went to the post-season a few years ago with an offense that nowhere near as good.
If the bullpen is healthy, the Braves will likely have the best overall pitching in the East. When your pitching is consistently limiting the competition, a lineup that features Jones, McCann, Frenchy (if he rebounds), Escobar, KJ, and Kotchman… is enough to win a lot of ball games.
If the Braves get a Francoeur rebound, but don’t add another bat… I think they’ll win at least 85 games. If they can add an Abreu or a Nady… I think (barring anything unforeseen), they’ll win 90+.
By N8
February 3, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
DOB
From the sound of that clip, I’d have to say that I think I’m easier to get along with than Gale is.
35+ F-Bombs. Rumor has it that Lewis Black and Andrew Dice Clay could only make it through half of the clip, due to it being too offensive.
I LOVE IT! That guy is my new hero. OK, maybe not. But that was F*** funny. Ooops. Sorry.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this
Joe, I didn’t mean to “pick apart” what you wrote. But you exaggerated what Olney had written, and I was just pointing it out.
At the risk of more picking apart, you wrote in the latest comment:
“You said: one cannot argue convincingly that abreu would be definitely better over a healthy griffey”
True, but I can argue that Abreu, given his performance in recent seasons, is very likely better than Griffey at this stage of Griffey’s career.
And you wrote:
“Nor can one say that andruw would be a better bargain/risk offensively given his recent track record, nor can you justify trading any more prospects for nady/swisher.”
No one mentioned Andruw. And I’ve never said or even hinted that Andruw is the answer. Far from it. I’ve said if anything, Braves should give Andruw a minimum salary, preferably a minor league deal, and make him earn a roster spot this spring.
As for Nady or Swisher, it depends on what you’re talking about trading. The Braves have depth at a couple of positions, including some pitchers who aren’t likely to see time with the major league club unless there are numerous injuries.
If they could get Nady without dealing any of their elite prospects, I think they should consider it. He’s a very good player.
All that said, i don’t think Griffey would be a terrible alternative, if you could get him real cheap.
By Nolie
February 3, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this
In 91 we hit 141 HR (total), and in 2008 the total was 130.
Who out there thinks that the 10 HR’s made the difference, as opposed to the SB? Clearly without a ton of power on the team, Cox used the speed. N8
total coach crap. In 2007 the Mets stole 200 bases and the Braves stole 65 or so and outscored the Mets. So much for stolen bases, which BTW do not have a very high correlation with games won. Speed is great if other talents are also there, but stolen base totals are not that big a thing
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this
BFIR From all indications, you could be right on the Dye/Abreu salary thing.
By KC
February 3, 2009 7:13 PM | Link to this
Tommy Hanson Video: 411 Discussion about Tommy Hanson
By Steve from OH
February 3, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
nolie, spot on. The funny thing is, is that when I graduated high school, I was totally on Coach’s side…we had about six or seven guys that could’ve beat any of the track teams in our county. Which is great for high school, little league, etc. where the kids are prone to errors and misplays, mental breakdowns, whatever. Not so much in the bigs, where the players are, umm, professionals, and able to do certain things like “field ground balls” and “throw runners out.”
Like you said, speed as an accessory skill is WONDERFUL. That’s why players like Carlos Beltran are so dangerous, and so dang annoying. Speed alone…is like a gun without bullets. Which is why players like Willy Taveras suck.
By h_charles
February 3, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
DOB;
Looks like the Dodgers will make a run at Dunn, and Seattle still after Abreu. As I see it we need 2 OFs, but HAVE to get one.
What I also see is that troubling trend rearing its head again, where the Braves play the waiting game in hopes of getting a deal on their terms while essential addtions go elsewhere.
What do you think the odds are that the Braves actually address LF with a legit player, meaning Dunn, Abreu, Nady, or even Griffey?
By KC
February 3, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this
I tried to put 4 video links in one post, but it never appeared. Tried twice. Apparently this blog shoots down posts with several links. Anyway…
Here’s another Hanson video:
AFL Rising Stars Showcase
By Anders
February 3, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
“Oh, didn’t realize that about Wagner. GLAD TO HEAR IT!!!!!
OK, well in that case, if the Braves pen is healthy, I do think it will be the best in the division.” - KC
What? You spend the afternoon touting “educated guesses” about the NL pitching staffs and you had no idea what Wagner’s status was?
Seriously? That’s tough to come back from.
By Dadgum
February 3, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
As if we needed another reason to believe that Manny Ramirez is pretty much an idiot. Just turned down 25 mil from the Dodgers. What a damn fool. In this economy no less. He is going to get booed every time he steps to the plate. Including home games wherever he ends up playing. The Dodgers should have given him a take it or leave it ultimatum in my opinion especially after being burned by Andruw.
And to think that the poor unemployed player is so upset that nobody wants to sign him. Actually came out and said that. Then turns down 25 mil. Incredible. You can’t defend that. What an idiot!
Rock on……..give me a good high school game over a MLB game every time. Ah, the good old days for the love of the game.
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this
OK Batman, riddle me this. Manny made what, 20 million last year. Burrell, Abreu, Dunn made in the mid teens last year.
This year, Burrell signs for 8 million, Abreu is offered 8 million, and Dunn is still waiting. Does this sound like a market correction?
Where in heck did 25 million come from? Scott Boras. In today’s market, what is Manny worth (great hitter, who might get ticked off and tank for you)? Maybe twice what Burrell is worth. Twice what Abreu is worth? Maybe.
So, is it just me, or does 25 million sound a tad steep for this malcontent?
The smile is increasing….
By Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
February 3, 2009 7:37 PM | Link to this
Please don’t get me confused with Chuck’s mom! I have been reading daily but have had nothing semi-relevant to post…
This is irrelevant too, but, whatever….It’s my 2-Cents…
I think at this point with the market shaping up for Abreu/Dunn/Griffey at 1Yr/?? that it would be best for Atlanta to make that Nady trade and let him walk at the end of the year and do what you have to when the time comes. Getting Nady will inevitably cost Martin Prado and a prospect. However am I one of the only ones who thinks it’s imperative to get Ohman back?? Prado is dynamtie but Atlanta has a Prado named Infante. What use is Prado if he doesn’t get in games?? Infante can spell Chipper 20-30 games or so and be serviceable at SS/2B in an emergency or one or two game fill-in. I believe Nady makes $5.5 million next year. Sign Ohman and trade for Nady.
You don’t realize how crucial it is to have Ohman until he is not there. However, if it comes down to having Ohman or a healthy Glavine, you must go with Glavine. My reasoning is you can never have enough SP as 2008 screamed at the Braves and all of us fans. What if Kawakami pulls a Kei Igawa?? Or if one of the horses God forbid go down?? Glavine solidifying the #5 spot is huge. Both for stability and veteran leadership. If Glavine can give the team 25-30 starts he will be more effective then Jamie Moyer, bet on it. It still baffles me how Hamels/Myers/Moyer/Blanton/Kendrick won the WS. Amazing… That makes Lowe/Vazquez/Jurjjens/Kawakami/Glavine/Campillo/Hanson/Morton/Reyes/Hudson last month+ look phenomenal.
DOB When do you think the Glavine situation will develop into a signing or final evaluation? I believe he threw today, correct? How did that go?? Also, is it at all possible for the Braves to be able to afford Ohman, Glavine, Nady on the payroll for this year?? Thanks man….
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this
Wayne Poll answer MANNNNNNYYYYYY
By N8
February 3, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this
“total coach crap. In 2007 the Mets stole 200 bases and the Braves stole 65 or so and outscored the Mets.” nolie
First of all, I have NEVER been as die hard as Coach, when it comes to the speed. My comment about 91, was that due to the lack of over-all power (other than Gant and Justice), and the abundance of guys that could steal bases… Cox chose to go down that path.
Did you, or did you not read, how last year we had about 100 less HR than a couple of teams (along with putrid SB numbers), yet were only outscored by a 50 or so runs by those teams.
Teams can score runs with big HR hitters. Teams can “manufacture” runs with guys that get on base, steal bases, take extra bases and make contact.
But the best way to consistently score runs IMO, is to just have good hitters. Coach may be a bit speed obsessed at times (I prefer the speed game because I find it more exciting than HR - but it’s not the ONLY way to score runs), but there are far more people on this blog that are obsessed with HR totals (which is just as ridiculous as being obsessed with speed - if not more).
Dunn is NOT the answer. Unless the question is “who is the LH version of Dave Kingman”?
Nolie, if you’re gonna single out a single comment, at least acknowledge that you read the rest of the post and grasped the concept, then chose disagree with a line. But I thoroughly (like I always do), over-stated MANY instances in which HR totals do and don’t lead to more runs. That same concept can be used when dissecting SB.
Or do you disagree that in 1991, Cox chose to run more than normal, A) because the power wasn’t there (We had 3 guys on the starting IF with 6 or less HR - Olson, Belliard and Treadway), and B) Because with a guys like Otis Nixon [72 SB] and Gant [34] and Prime Time were on the roster, he “allowed” them to run and use their talents? If you do, please explain further. I can’t wait to hear your reasoning.
Keep in mind that Nixon’s SB total was in 124 games.
But just so you’re grasping this correctly. Otis stole 14 more bases in 124 games, than the ENTIRE Braves team did in 2008.
But you’re right. Bobby would never CHOOSE to use the running game, if he had the horses to do it, or was forced into doing so.
Besides. I clearly stated that the main reason the 1991 team was so damn good, had way more to do with the pitching.
By TommyP
February 3, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
KC: Never did I say that “velocity is the measure of a pitcher.” Where in the world did you read me say that?????
You said that you had heard “Kawakami frequently compared to Kuroda.”
They’re two different types of pitchers. Kuroka throws much harder than Kawakami (who appears to change speeds to make a living).
Since you don’t remember Kuroda hitting 96…this excerpt is after Kuroda dominated the Braves this past summer.
“We don’t want to have a perfect game thrown against us, but Kuroda was great tonight — probably the best pitching performance we’ve seen all year,” Teixeira said. “His stuff was great — a mid-90s fastball, putting it exactly where he wanted it, sinking his fastball at 90 to get you to ground out or miss. He probably made one mistake all night, and I just got lucky enough to put a good swing on it. It definitely was the most hittable pitch I saw all night.”
Kuroda (5-6) was attempting to become the first Dodger to throw a no-hitter since Sept. 17, 1996, when countryman Hideo Nomo beat Colorado 9-0 at Coors Field.
“He was throwing 95 mph sinkers that were dropping off the table,” Atlanta catcher Brian McCann said. “There was nothing we could have done. He had awesome stuff. He was phenomenal.”
By Canadianbrave
February 3, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this
I’m just wondering if the braves are really searching that hard for a power bat in their lineup.I think they are confident that what they have now can generate enough offence to win games. I’m not saying I agree, but the Braves philosophy has always been pitching and defence and playing national league ball. I can’t remember the last Braves lineup that put fear in the opposition, except maybe Aaron, Earl Williams and Davey Johnson way back when. I think management might feel that with more pitching depth, a stronger bullpen and small increases in power output and clutch hitting, along with a little more speed, this team might be competitive. It feels to me like a wait and see approach, where we will bring someone in later if needed. The attitude might be that these young guys with a little more seasoning, and a little more maturity, might just increase their power numbers slightly, hit more balls in the gaps, and play better defensively. They just might be right if we don’t have to come from behind from a 3-0 deficit after the 3rd inning in so many games. Confidence can make such a difference in a young player, and 20 extra home runs over the year from 4 or 5 different guys can win alot of games. It seems to me that when the Braves were winning they always took it one game at a time. They focused on their own play and didn’t worry about how much power the other team had or how much the other team loaded up on free agents. If the Braves can compete this year with what they have, you know that next year’s team will definitely be a marketable commodity.
By TommyP
February 3, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this
Bob Costas leaving HBO for the MLB Network.
AWESOME. Costas is an all-time favorite of mine and this channel is beginning to assemble some serious talent in the studio.
If ANYONE ever deserved to work for the MLB Network, it’s Costas. He’s a great ambassador for the sport.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
TommyP “Kuroda (5-6) was attempting to become the first Dodger to throw a no-hitter since Sept. 17, 1996”
Oh, please no…
By KC
February 3, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Anders: I don’t spend all my time in a Mets blog. I made educated guesses about players on a team that I DO follow. I’ve spent time (usually time when I should have been doing something work related. lol) looking into Kawakami and Hanson.
I knew a good deal about the Mets rotation, but hadn’t paid close attention to their bullpen until today when I analyzed their roster.
By BravoMan
February 3, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
So I’m thinking that our LF problem will be solved fairly soon. I’m guessing before pitchers and catchers report. We’ve heard close to nothing since the Lowe signing and when the Braves signed Lowe and Kawakami it was done quickly and seemingly outta the blue.
I’m guessing it’s down to Abreu and then a trade for Swisher or Nady. Abreu was supposedly giving an offer by the White Sox today for about 8 mil. I don’t see the Braves paying that much so Im thinking Swisher or Nady will be a Brave. If one of those two is delt here then it may prove easier to land Ohman and/or Glavine. Like I said I’m thinking this will all be done before the 14th so that way Bobby will know what he has to work with this season.
By nolie
February 3, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this
When you brought up Jeff Bennett having a decent season, I couldn’t believe it. I must be selective memory because I only remember the times he got whacked around a good bit. He was hurt around that time, so that explains it.
I had no idea that he pitched very nicely at the end of the year. I just assumed he was a guy who wouldn’t be in the mix this year Josh
Bennett isn’t flashy but he had one of the highest rates of ground balls in MLB last season and his ERA+ the last two years have been 123 and 115. I think he fits perfectly in the ground-ball-out part of the pen. The only problem I have with him is I wish he walked a few less hitters.
By Canadianbrave
February 3, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this
Sorry Johnson, Aaron, Evans!
By 18 Wheel s of Love
February 3, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
My first choice if we dont give up a top prospect is Nady. However, the cheaper Griffey gets, the more I like that option in LF.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
KC
Wagner’s injury is not exactly a state secret. Not sure you really had to visit a Met’s blog to be aware of it.
With all the K-Rod and Putz talk etc I’m stunned you didn’t know this.
I give you a C-.
By 'toga party
February 3, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
I know I’m a bit late chiming in to the blog, but DAMN if Kristofferson isn’t one hell of a song writer. Can’t sing worth a lick, but he sure can write a song.
He’s got a show in Albany, NY this month, and I think I may check it out just for shiggles.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this
Sorry, folks, but don’t have an answer for you on the OF situation. Wren made it clear they didn’t view it as an urgent matter and that they might not do anything until spring training or during the season, perhaps not until after seeing how the young guys do first.
That plan presumably hasn’t changed in two weeks’ time. While it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if they actually make a move before camp, I’ve not heard anything at all to indicate that anything is imminent That could change quickly, but right now, just not hearing anything.
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 3, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
Nolie, when the other team is hitting HR’s and stealing bases. While the home team is solely reliant on the long ball, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure who is going to come out ahead
By Michael Phelps
February 3, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this
Baseball season needs to hurry up. Turner Field will make a great hiding place from the sheriff.
By Anders
February 3, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB. I think it’s just you, me and Belushi up at 9:13.
That should make your night.
By a pressing need
February 3, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
Outfield bats.
By TommyP
February 3, 2009 9:33 PM | Link to this
DOB: Several hypotheticals so stick with me here…
Let’s suppose the ChiSox sign Abreu and deem Dye expendable.
Then let’s suppose the Braves put together a trade package that would appease Chicago.
In your opinion, how much salary would the Sox have to eat in order for the Braves to follow through with a deal for Dye?
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!! (Formerly Steve-O)
February 3, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this
That is dissapointing to hear DOB. Obviously Wren knows there is a glaring/gaping gap in LF. You can’t go into the year with Diaz/Blanco in LF, you just can’t. Not with the instability in CF and RF. I am biased but I think Jeff will win the Gold Glove and bounce back somewhere atleast around .280 20 85+. But it’s debilitating to a Braves fan strictly because Wren seemingly promised us an OF’er through trade/free agency. A Power bat nonetheless….Now it’s “We’re going to ST and see what Matty and the young guys can do…” ?????
That is dissapointing…Especially with all of these massive bargains coming to surface….Wren needs to get Dunn, Abreu or Nady to make this team a serious competitor. They are a 2nd/3rd place team right now…That bat makes them contenders…
By nolie
February 3, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is a guy with a fastball he can run up in the mid-90’s,
Linkd to DOB’s Bale explosion….guy needs to go to the Milton Bradley anger management class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLXVuy0h29c Beekay
I think he was accussed of hitting his mother * sister a year or so ago wasn’t he? I’m sure that he at least verbally abused them.
By Canadianbrave
February 3, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry guys but I just don’t see the Braves taking on any more salary. With the economic times the way they are, I’m almost certain that the Braves will stick with what they have. If they need something that will pay for itself near the deadline, then they will get it. My bet is that what you see is what you get and lets hope that someone steps up! Go Braves!
By nolie
February 3, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
If you look up their results throughout their Japanese careers, you’ll find the similarities. KC
as scoots would say-are they park-adjusted? Seriously it is my understanding from a friend over there that our guy was pitching in a more pitcher-friendly park. I have no idea how well he will do over here, just sayin’
By brent a.
February 3, 2009 9:54 PM | Link to this
Yet another Hanson video - probably the first
By A reasonable question
February 3, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this
Wren made it clear they didn’t view it as an urgent matter and that they might not do anything until spring training or during the season, perhaps not until after seeing how the young guys do first.DOB
How can anyone take this team seriously with Matt Diaz, Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Josh Anderson and Jeff Francoeur as the outfield unit?
By Saltywoody
February 3, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this
If you guys like the Christian Bale rant, you gotta check out a dance music remix some guy did. I found it on What Would Tyler Durden Do, which I might add is a pretty amazing site in its own right.
I hate dance music, generally, but this thing is frickin hilarious and pretty catchy to boot.
http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=18511
I would seriously probably pay money on itunes for this.
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!! (Formerly Steve-O)
February 3, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
However, you can look at DOB’s statement and then remember what Wren said about playing his cards close to the vest….. Maybe Wren is being tight-lipped (wisely-so) and is on the verge of doing something for LF. The market is at such a ridiculous bargain right now that is almost stupid not to. I mean to land Dunn or Abreu at 1YR/6 million?? Geeeezzzzzz…….. That’s a steal!!
I mean it was news today that Abreu got a 1YR/8 Mill offer from Chicago. Then hours later it was shut down by White Sox GM Williams as basically nonsense. That explains it all. I guess Wren is waiting it out which is smart. What’s not to say that the market doesn’t go down to 1YR/5 million for Abreu and Dunn?? If all the GM’s don’t go above that it’s take it or sit out the season for those guys….There are some massive bargains to be had and I think Manny turning down these deals will only lead to worse case scenarios for him and Boras.
By David O'Brien
February 3, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
Just got a text from Glavine about how today’s throwing session went: “Real well, 75 pitches, all is good.”
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
A reasonable question
I suspect the Wren statements are posturing to some degree. I also think that the Braves might be thinking along these lines; let’s see how Schafer looks in the early spring, and if Diaz returns to his old self (2006 and 2007), and if Brandon Jones recaptures some of his power stroke, we might not need to deal for an outfielder.
I think there will still be good outfielders available in another month to a month and a half. Now, that I have said that, FW will probably deal Prado and Reyes tomorrow for the X man.
I think Anderson and Blanco only have a shot if Schafer doesn’t win a job in the spring. Schafer is the key. If he comes along, and if the Braves deal for a LF’er, then Diaz might be expendable.
Unless he wins a starting or platoon job, Diaz and Norton are somewhat similar in their talents as pinch hitters. I can’t see keeping them both if Diaz doesn’t start half the games.
By JimD
February 3, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
TommyP, I am not DOB but let me take a stab, and others can chime in and agree/disagree.
Understanding we are dealing with the hypothetical, I think that how much salary the Braves would require the Sox to eat would depend on how much and which talent they have to give up to get Dye.
While surely possible I just don’t see the deal as probable. As I recall, I believe Dye’s defense has slipped quite a bit and that he really isn’t that good in the field anymore.
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
The face of stupidity: Michael Phelps and Plexico Burris.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 3, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
Get a load of this excerpt from Mark Bowmen’s article about Huddy:
“During the early days of Spring Training, Hudson, Chipper Jones, who now stands as the club’s longest-tenured player, and Brian McCann plan to let some of the younger players know that some of the lackadaisical attitudes that have been displayed over the past few years won’t be tolerated.”
Um…no, Chipper and BMac will not be there…not “during the early days of Spring Training.”
}: ( “Good nighs, and good newt.”
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!! (Formerly Steve-O)
February 3, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this
SaltyWoody
I have no idea who Christian Bale is but that stuffs funny man. The best part in the remix is when he goes “You ARE crashing my scene” I don’t know what Christian Bale’s scene is but that’s funny stuff. I’m too lazy to see what this guys deal is but whatever it is something got him mad.
Hey, if people were crashing my scene I would rant off about it too….
By dogsbrekky
February 3, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
DOB Good on Glavine
I have been thinking that MANY pitchers come back with BETTER arms after surgery, if Tommy is at 2007 strenght or better he will make a huge 4 or 5 starter by May… he can also “teach” the other guys a thing or 2….
I love how the media just seem to make up stories (re Abreu to Chicago)… Rosenthal and Heyman are particularly adept at this bs technique
By brian
February 3, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
DOB- do you think the Braves could be a match for the Twins if they are really looking to move Delmon Young for bullpen help?
Would there be any way of doing this trade without including Gonzo?
By Wayne in Utah
February 3, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
If Glavine comes back, and the other starters do nothing to take them out of the rotation (Lowe, JJ, KK, JV), AND if Hanson and/or Morton and/or Reyes pitch well in the spring, we could have ourselves a serious logjam.
What a nice problem to have. (then we have Campillo and Bennett as potential long or middle relievers)
We deserve to have some GOOD luck this year!
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!! (Formerly Steve-O)
February 3, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the update DOB. I think Glavine giving ATL 25-30 starts this year will be the deciding factor in if they make the postseason…If Glavine can put in that amount of healthy starts at the #5, this team has a strong and durable 1-5 with options.
DOB Any indication of what Glavine would take for a contract or when he is expecting one? If “all is good” for his next 1 or 2 thowing sessions, when will he be expecting an offer from ATL?? Any idea? Thanks man.
By Bubdylan
February 3, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this
Christian Bale isn’t the actor the Terminator Franchise deserves, but he’s the actor they need … errr… reverse that.
By Jim
February 3, 2009 10:28 PM | Link to this
Nady is better for B’s than Abreu because Nady bats RH - and we are only talking about one-year player rental for each. Nady, being younger, might be more incented to strive for a great year, although Abreu is a class act, too. Either player would be great. Probably have to give Prado to get Nady. So choice might be Abreu and Prado versus Nady and no Prado (but Infante and D. Hernandez).
Doesn’t bother me too much when a player who might help B’s goes to AL. If we don’t see him until WS, it really doesn’t matter. Abreu or Dunn signing with Wash. or another NL East team would be a much bigger issue. If Abreu goes to WSox, maybe that frees up Dye - with some imagingation on how to afford his $11.5 one-year rental #, and $1MM buyout for ‘10, B’s should talk hard to WSox. Maybe there’s a way to get them to cover some salary or offer a few prospects.
If Manny (cancer in remission) succeeds in getting Dodgers to point where they have to go to Plan B, Dodgers can probably sign 3 or 4 players for what they might pay Manny - Dunn, Abreu, and a pitcher, for example. Or, Dunn, O.Hudson and Abreu and/or a pitcher.
And then where will Manny go? Maybe Giants, or maybe Mets will get interested. Mets LF situation is no better than B’s right now.
Doubt seriously is Heyward will be ready for the Show in ‘10, so B’s will be looking for a LF again next year, unless Schafer and one of the other OFs (Blanco, Anderson, B. Jones) have a breakthrough year in ‘09. And, Francoeur wins “Comeback Player of Year” and Diaz gets back to ‘07 form.
Is it worth giving up Prado for one-year of Nady? How many games will Prado play for B’s if B’s also have Infante and D. Hernandez (who, unlike Prado, can play SS)? I can imagine why FW is sitting on this deal, but, at the end of day, I’d do it. Nady and Ohman for about $10MM is cheaper than Dye - and Prado will probably make at least $1/2MM this year.
So, Nady less Prado; Ohman; and Glavine might be all signed for net (less Prado) of $12 MM, plus incentives for Glavine. Hope the B’s have that much left.
Your thoughts, Guys.
By FactsSchmacts
February 3, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this
What? You spend the afternoon touting “educated guesses” about the NL pitching staffs and you had no idea what Wagner’s status was?
Seriously? That’s tough to come back from. Anders
KC’s educated guess glass is always over half full. Facts matter little.
By nolie
February 3, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this
Nolie, when the other team is hitting HR’s and stealing bases. While the home team is solely reliant on the long ball, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure who is going to come out ahead Coach
basically what I said.Speed (not necessarily just in stolen bases)is a wonderful thing if other skills are there. That’s why 5 tool guys are so lusted after. What it does not do is make up for the lack of skills in guys like Taveras (sp). Sure give me a young Murph or a young Chipper. Speed was a very nice addition to their game.And if a guys lacks power but has good on-base skills speed can make him valuable too. But it is not a panacea for individuals or teams lacking in other ones. I know- I know… but team OBP and team OPS have a much higher correlation with wins than steals…or home runs either for that matter. Just give me a buncha good high OPS hitters all up and down the order with maybe a high OBP high speed guy leading off and I’ll be pretty happy. ;-)
By waterstim
February 3, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
I believe the Braves might consider Griffey for the ticket sales. He wouldn’t hurt, especially if he has done something drastic, like losing 30 pounds. It’s all about risk/reward. It appears he his healthy, and it would make a great story.
By Canadianbrave
February 3, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this
I think Schafer will be fine! I think this is just the kind of team that can grind other teams down over a 162 game schedule and these young OF’s will get better as the year goes on. I don’t think their starters will get blown out often and there’s enough grit in the lineup to overcome reasonable deficits during the game. More importantly, health permitting there bullpen has got to be psychologically intimidating to other teams. This is not a flashy team, but its a braves team. they’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, but I think they will win more often than not.
By Rayaustin
February 3, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
FactsSchmacts: You’re an idiot. And so is Anders. I think KC’s posts are usually well thought out, and he makes his case well. You may disagree, but cutting down the source, rather than debating a point intelligently, just makes you look stupid. If you dismiss a person as a homer or an optimist, you don’t have to take the time to thoughtful debate their assertions.
On another note, I feel pretty good about the Braves this year, but I’m concerned about left field. If they could sign somebody like Abreu, I think they’ll be in good shape this year. Looking forward to opening day.
By Steve McP
February 3, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this
Some thoughts:
Glavine as a 5th man in the rotation - who’d a thunk it?
No more blue Jersey’s (dream)
Destroy the choppin’ cow (fun but bad luck)
Freel the love
By mb
February 3, 2009 11:47 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I read today where the Baltimore Orioles signed Ty Wigginton. So, now they have 3 players who can play second base and the Orioles are having difficultly signing Brian Roberts, he wants 4 years and they are offering 3 years. Any recent news of the Braves working a deal to get Roberts? Not sure who they would have to give up to get him? Probably young pitching.
Knowing that Campillo out pitched Glavine last year. I think it’s wrong for the Braves to string Glaving along like this; with this possibility that they are going to sign him. We already have 5 guys on the roster who can fill the 5th spot, without spending another dime, Campillo, Reyes, Morton, Hanson and Parr.
Wren should be honest with Glavine and just say we’re not going to offer you a contract. What’s going to happen is all the fans will be upset, you didn’t sign Glavine after having meetings with him. Braves fans shouldn’t worry about signing Ghost from the past and worry about finding a way to compete in the N.L. East.
(Tom Glavine, I don’t blame you for wanting to pitch another season, if I could I would too. Where else do you get to have fun playing a great game and paid very well for the effort.)
Spend the money on Ohman. Use the rest of the money to trade or sign a free agent, who is a quality everyday player.
thanks
MB
By MARK
February 4, 2009 12:04 AM | Link to this
There s really no need for Ohman..Braves need to sign Abreau before Sox do and get him at a decent 2 year contract because if Francour doesnt pan again we are in trouble we need the RBIs and I think we need a Lefty starter so we need Tom Glavine who should be cheap…
By cmac1919
February 4, 2009 12:09 AM | Link to this
“Sorry, folks, but don’t have an answer for you on the OF situation. Wren made it clear they didn’t view it as an urgent matter and that they might not do anything until spring training or during the season, perhaps not until after seeing how the young guys do first.” DOB
That’s…really depressing. Doesn’t view it as an urgent matter?!? Wren needs his eyes checked then. The “young guys” are the reason why our outfield is so damn pathetic. And this rotation isn’t so godly that it erases that fact.
4th place, here we come yet again.
By cla
February 4, 2009 12:11 AM | Link to this
No reason to trade for Dye when Bobby my main man Abreau is cheaper and costs 0 prospects and could net us a type a or b free agent next year if he signs a one year deal. Plus I would rather have Abreau over Dye. I am sure will say no cause Dye is right handed but Abreau hits both well lefties and righties well and will be solid for avg, hr and rbi’s. I really think we have to get Abreau and we got a shot for the East and of course Will the thrill Ohman.
By AR Brave
February 4, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this
DOB, just some free thinking on my part and I’m sure anyone will a keyboard will tell me how stupid these names are and why, but what about a trade for one of the following: Chone Figgins (for 2B + Leadoff and move Kelly to LF), Alex Rios, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Jermaine Dye, Eric Byrnes, Brian Roberts or maybe an Aaron Rowand.
Granted some have high salaries that may knock them off the potential trade list such as Rowand, Dye, and Roberts.
It would be awesome to have a great leadoff hitter like a Roberts or a Figgins. Wishful thinking, because some, if not all, of these lower salary players are staying put.
Anyone else worried a little about all the lefties and switch hitters in the Phils and Mets lineups and we have a ton of RHPs? And we don’t have Ohman, a reliable Lebowski and LHP to lean on for relief.
The Mets only had two LHPs last year and went something like 11-7 or so against the Phils. That’s two more than we have at the moment and one in Santana that is legit.
I feel good playing the Mets for the time being based on last year alone. Keep Reyes off base and we can hold our own.
We need a strong bat and Chipper needs that protection about as bad as he needs that extension. A trade seems likely so let’s hope we can get someone that fans want to see and that can produce some offense while playing a little D.
If I see any more of Blanco or hear or read the word platoon I will be sad. Blanco has come a long way but no one is afraid to pitch to him nor will he give us much offense at all.
DOB thanks for the blog and keep up the good work. Crank that RL Burnside- “The Criminal Inside Me” and enjoy knowing that a bag of potato chips is only 40 nickels.
By N8
February 4, 2009 12:31 AM | Link to this
The least thing you guys pining for a “power bat” for LF could do, is give your reasons, and the statistics to back it up.
I’ve stated that a 4th place finish might be possible (I think there’s just as good a chance of us finishing 4th as 1st - sorry KC). But my reasons for that possibility have little to nothing to do with the LF “issue”.
If we finish 4th, it’s because Wren severly over-estimated Lowe’s value and ability to lead a young staff. Or perhaps JJJ has a “sophomore slump”. Or Soriano is out for a significant amount of time again. Maybe Vazquez is EXACTLY what Ozzie Guillen said he was, NOT what Wren thinks he might become (again) in the NL. Or if say, Tommy Hanson is in over his head.
Left field will take care of itself. Diaz might rebound. Brandon Jones might finally get some respect and playing time. I’m WAAAAY more concerned about what Francoeur will do, and how long Bobby will let him kill rallies, than what a proposed platoon of Diaz/B. Jones might do in LF.
But all those people stating “If Wren doesn’t get a bat for LF, 4th place here we come…”, are fooling themselves if they think LF (and the dismal power display our OF had last year), is why we finished 4th last year.
Why we finished in 4th was the number 78. As in 78 “potential” starts MISSED by Glavine, Hudson, Smoltz and Hampton. That foursome combined to make 53 starts, add that to the 31 starts that JJJ made and you have 84 games that our “projected” 5-man rotation actually started.
Leaving 78 games for OTHER GUYS to start.
LF was, (and will be in 2009), the LEAST of our worries.
Just my opinion. But at least I explain it and try and back it up with reason.
By ChipperFan
February 4, 2009 12:33 AM | Link to this
ncscoots, TennPaul and KC
Re: your earlier discussion on run prevention vs. run production. I just read George Will’s best seller from 1990, Men at Work. GREAT baseball book if you haven’t read it. One of the points he makes in the chapter on defense is relevant here: You can win a baseball game scoring only one run. You can win with just a few, or even zero, hits (teams have done it: pitchers have had no-hitters in which they took the loss). All of this failure to create runs will not prevent you from winning the game. Or, on the flip side, you can score 23 runs, as the Cubs did on August 25, 1922, and lose, 26-23 to the Phillies…
But to win a game , you MUST get 27 outs. You can score all you want, or score very little. But you gotta get guys out 27 times to win a game. What gets guys out? The combination of pitching and defense working well together.
To quote Tony La Russa: “The stuff we do offensively….all that is well and good. The premium is on getting guys out.”
By detroitchris
February 4, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB im going to check out a Kathleen Edward show tomorrow just outside of detroit and plan to let you know after the concert if i still hold a grudge for you not including her album in your top 50… especially after carrie rodriguez’s “She ain’t me” was a late add
By nolie
February 4, 2009 1:00 AM | Link to this
To quote Tony La Russa: “The stuff we do offensively….all that is well and good. The premium is on getting guys out.” ChipperFan
always has been, always will be. some fans might find offense more exciting (actually myself included) , but few teams that depended mostly on their offense have won the WS while many who depended more on pitching(including Atlanta in ‘95) have been successful. Of course there are no guarantees either way, as we certainly should have learned from the Yanks who have spent so much money over this decade only to fall short year after year.
By winterville
February 4, 2009 1:21 AM | Link to this
Anders and anyone else who is interested:
I posed a question the other day because I was curious about the Mets blown saves total. I wanted to know how many times the Mets went on to lose a game in which they blew a save. I decided to look it up myself and after going through all the Mets box scores from last year, by my calculations, the Mets went on to lose 19 of the 29 games in which they had a blown save. There were 3 games where the Mets had 2 blown saves in the same game and they won the other 7 games. 11 of the blown saves came in the 6th and 7th innings. The National league average for blown saves was 23.
I was hoping for different results when I did this research but it wasn’t quite as riveting as I had wanted. I still think it is relevant though because with the league average numbers, the Mets weren’t that much higher. My whole point was that the blown save numbers aren’t that telling. From alot of the analytical articles I have read, people regard blown saves the same way they are beginning to regard saves, RBI’s, W-L records and other stats that can be misleading. The blown save record the Mets obtained was arguably more a product of them having a lot of leads rather than just blowing saves every chance they got. For comparison, the Giants had only like 17-19 BS’s. That is because they had less leads therefore less opportunities to blow a lead.
Basically, the Mets had a slightly higher than normal BS total but the didn’t lose all those games. That makes it inaccurate in my opinion to use BS as a marker for how much better the Mets will be this year with some new bullpen members. A lot of the BS’s came from people like Vargas, Knight, Stokes, Heilman and so forth. Every team has those types of guys and they help you get through 162 games when injuries happen. Putz and K-Rod were upgrades but they can’t pitch the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th innings every night. When starters inevitably have short outings, other guys have to bridge the gap. This year, they will have a similar number of blown saves just like last year and every year prior. It is part of Baseball. You guys finished 1 game off of your expected W-L record so that further emphasizes that it doesn’t matter how you lose a game as long as you lose it. You pretty much lost the amount of games you were supposed to and haven’t done enough in my opinion to establish yourselves as the team to beat. And you’re still a bunch of chokers. :)
Also, Anders you keep saying you lost the division by 1 game and that is not true. You lost it by 3 games. The Phillies finished 92-70 and the Mets finished 89-73. Not that big of a deal but for the sake of accuracy, there it is.
By Tim
February 4, 2009 2:28 AM | Link to this
Tomas
Why would you move Escobar out of the #2 spot in the lineup? The only way you move Escobar out of the #2 spot is to put him in the #3 spot. Also Griffey hitting cleanup is a joke.
I know Chipper has said in the past he doesn’t like to hit cleanup but we may not have much of a choice this year unless Francoeur steps it up. I like McCann in that #5 spot in the lineup.
Here is my potential lineup with Chipper in the cleanup spot.
You could flip Kotchman and Johnson if you wanted too but Johnson has more pop in his bat so I like him further down the lineup and Kotchman doesn’t strikeout much so he’s solid at the top of the lineup.
Yes we may lead the world in strikeouts from our bottom 4 spots including pitchers but 1 - 6 could be very solid.
By NickB
February 4, 2009 2:57 AM | Link to this
The thing is though, you want your best hitter in the #3 spot and that is undoubtably Chipper. We need to maximize his AB’s as much as possible.
Now , people tend to think of the #4 spot as being all about dingers. But IMO , the most important thing there is a guy who doesn’t hit into double plays, and has a high OPS. I don’t care if the power comes from HR’s or doubles or what. But a guy who doesn;t make too many outs and hits for power is going to do a good job creating runs. ( I basically see the # 4 and #5 spots as the same thing just as different handed so as to force the other team to burn relievers late in games and to stop from being dominated by starters).
In other words, I just want to see a ton of extra base hits and not too many double plays ,rather than a ton of HR’s ( though that would be great too!!!) I think Abreu would be good, Griffey and Edmonds would be great platoon options as well. I also love the idea of Dunn as he doesn’t make too many double play outs, and gets on base a ton and is good for around 60 extra base hits a year. On a one or 2 year deal , you can’t really do too horribly with any of these .
Now Swisher and Nady are different as they cost more than just $$$.
Nady is the better power man and is a RH bat which we need. But I hate one year rentals ( but not one year contracts)… I think he should be our last choice ( cause I think that Dye isn’t leaving). Though Nady will prolly have a great year , why give up Prado and Reyes..etc for one year of a guy who may only put up 10% better numbers than Griffey alone ( and prolly the same as a Griffey Diaz platoon) . Swisher is under control for a few years and is a switch hitter who is coming off his worst season. I think he’s bound to do better and is good at getting on base and hitting extra base hits. He may cost more, but getting him for several years may make it worth it. ( This makes him my #3 pick behind Abreu and Dunn on 1or 2 year deals).
As far as Andruw goes, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that the Braves are going to wait on him and see if they decide to do a trade with the Yanks for Nady or Swisher. This would open up a 40 man roster spot so as to entice him with a minor league deal and use the open spot as incentive or something. ” Look Andruw we opened up a spot for you if you just show some production it belongs to you” type of thing…. This makes me a little nervous, but am hoping Bobby wouldn’t keep using him if he stinks again.
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 4, 2009 3:29 AM | Link to this
Tim, Chipper Jones won’t be hitting clean up anytime soon and I can tell you why.
Bobby Cox.
After Teixeira was traded, Brian McCann hit in the four hole during 40 of the remaining 57 games left on the 2008 season schedule. In fact, Chipper batted exclusively in the three hole all season. 2004 was the last season that Chipper was used as the Braves clean up hitter.
Unless Frank Wren adds another big bat, the three/four holes in the 2009 line up will likely be Chipper/McCann most of the time.
And just in case Chipper is reading this stuff, dear Hoss, you’re not thinking clearly. Jeff Francoeur has N-E-V-E-R hit clean up for Bobby Cox in the four seasons he has been a Brave. Unless you can twist Bobby’s arm, it ain’t likely to happen this year either.
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 4, 2009 3:56 AM | Link to this
I should have said almost never. Francoeur has played 549 games in Atlanta during parts of the previous four years. He has been utilized in the four hole in all of seven games. He isn’t likely to see any action as the Braves clean up hitter in 2009.
By N Nine (eta61)
February 4, 2009 4:16 AM | Link to this
“The face of stupidity: Michael Phelps and Plexico Burris” Wayne in Utah
You should replace Phelps with Pacman Jones. Now that dude has major problems. While its a disappointment for Phelps, realize dude is 23 at a college party. Comparing grown pro adults to Phelps is not right. Phelps brought pride and joy for our country and I WILL continue to support him…
By N Nine (eta60)
February 4, 2009 4:20 AM | Link to this
“Jeff Francoeur has N-E-V-E-R hit clean up for Bobby Cox” Coach
With that many RBI opportunities, he practically was our cleanup hitter! :P
By MattyRoss
February 4, 2009 5:04 AM | Link to this
DOB I’d strongly recommend the Ben Kweller album that came out today. His best effort thusfar, in my opinion. More country twang than we’ve heard from him. Damn catchy stuff.
By Chpr10j
February 4, 2009 6:16 AM | Link to this
DOB….will the Braves players that are playing in the WBC be reporting to spring training normal time??? And if so, when will they be leaving to join their WBC teammates??? Looking forward to arriving at spring training on Feb 15th!!
By Canadianbrave
February 4, 2009 7:02 AM | Link to this
I can’t see why so many of you have Josh Anderson penciled in in the leadoff spot. I would definitely say the job belongs to Schafer unless he loses it.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 4, 2009 8:19 AM | Link to this
Ooooooooppssss…I think when Bowmen said “the early part of Spring Training”, he meant the early part of Spring Training…Like, February?
Heh heh…Sorry, Mark. Im and idiot.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 4, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
Coach — actually, Francouer has hit clean-up in 9 games, according to baseball-reference.com. But who’s counting, right?
DOB, you a Badly Drawn Boy fan? I’ve been listening to the Bon Iver cd lately and it reminds me of BDB’s first album, “The Hour of Bewilderbeast.” In some ways it’s very different, but i think that stylistically and the feel of the album are very similar.