AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 05
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Bravos, The Hammer, and The Train
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s quite a Thursday night in Atlanta, with a former President and $17.5 million commissioner Bud Selig among the many celebrating Hank Aaron’s 75th birthday at the downtown Marriot Marquis, and Wayne Hancock playing only a few miles away at The Earl.
OK, so Wayne “The Train” ain’t exactly Henry “The Hammer” on the fame meter. Nonetheless, the master of hillbilly swing will put on a show that any of the formally attired folks at the Aaron birthday bash would surely appreciate. Maybe they should have asked Hancock to do a set over at the Marquis?
Anyway, we’re headed out to The Earl, while Carroll Rogers is reporting on goings-on from the Aaron soiree.
Meanwhile, the text messages I got from Will Ohman today were kind of cryptic, and I really don’t know what to make of it. He said he’s not at liberty to discuss the state of negotiations, as much as he’d like to update us. Part of me says that means he’s getting close to a deal with the Braves, who always like for the other parties they negotiate with to keep matters close to vest.
So if Ohman ain’t talking at all (only texting, and not giving any hints in those words), then I’m guessing he might be close to a deal to return to Atlanta, especially since Ken Rosenthal reported earlier this week that the Phillies were no longer going after Ohman.
But we’ll see. At least we know it’s likely to be resolved very soon, because I’m fairly sure Ohman (and many, many other unsigned free agents) would like to know where they will be reporting for spring training in just over a week.
Speaking of lefty relievers, in all our discussions here in recent weeks and months about the Braves bullpen, we’ve many times mentioned the lefty newcomers, Eric O’Flaherty from the Mariners and Boone Logan from the White Sox. But the guy we keep forgetting to mention is Jeff Ridgway, who had a 3.72 ERA in 10 appearances for the Braves last season, with eight strikeouts and one walk in 9-2/3 innings.
OK, you’re right — it’s not as if it’s a grievous oversight. He’s far less proven than even O’Flaherty and Logan, Ridgway having entered last season with only three career major league appearances (and an, ahem, 189.00 ERA).
But he does have good stuff. And between the three of them, the Braves might believe or hope they have enough to replace Ohman without significant dropoff.
Yeah, I agree with most (probably?) of you that that’s probably not sound thinking. But I’m just pointing out what they might be considering.
Like I said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they sign Ohman soon.
[BLOGMEISTER UPDATED: I was informed Saturday night at the Braves are no longer pursuing Ohman. Don’t know when decision was made or why, but they are no longer pursuing the lefty. So disregard the previous line. It would, indeed, now surprise me if they sign him, soon or otherwise, since they’re no longer pursuing him. Carry on….]
As for left field…. I’m just not hearing anything in the past few days to lead me to believe the Braves are ready to make a move before they get to Dark Star for spring training. That doesn’t mean they aren’t talking to teams, and doing a good job of keeping things hush-hush, as they had hoped to do.
But usually, I’ll at least hear something from the other end, a call from this reporter or that scout who’s heard about a trade brewing, and is calling to ask if I’ve heard anything from the Braves’ end.
As I’ve said, that can change quickly. The Braves might have been told weeks ago what it would take to get, say, a Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher, and might suddenly call the Yankees back and see if the price is still the same. The Yankees could say yes it is, the Braves could say, then we’ll do it. Ba-da-bing, trade done.
But so far, I’m not hearing anything that makes it seem such a deal is in the works. And what GM Frank Wren said after the Derek Lowe signing — that the Braves don’t feel like they have to make an outfield move right now, that they can afford to be patient — was apparently exactly what he meant.
It wouldn’t surprise me as much as it would surprise (or apparently at least disappoint) many of you if the Braves go to camp with Matt Diaz in left field and let guys like Brandon Jones, Josh Anderson and even Gregor Blanco compete for playing time in a possible platoon, depending what happens in CF, where Anderson and Blanco are expected to be candidates along with Jordan Schafer.
But it also isn’t going to surprise me if, between now and mid-March, the Braves decide they really need to go get a proven run-producer, like they said was a priority entering the offseason, before they substantially improved the starting rotation.
Between the three additions to the rotation and the positive reviews that Jeff Francoeur is getting from no less than candid critic Chipper Jones, plus the performance by Schafer in the Mexican winter league, perhaps the Braves believe they can get by with the combination of pitching and offense they have now.
Or maybe they just want to take a little time in Florida to at least look at what they have in front of them before committing significant dollars to another outfielder, particularly if it’s a defensively limited OF like a few of the free agents that have been and still are available.
I don’t know, for sure. They’re not saying much. So we’ll just have to see what transpires between now and next week, or next month.
Rock Chalk, Crime Dog: In case you missed it (and I’m reasonably sure that 99.9 percent of you did), the Kansas Jayhawks - my Jayhawks — signed the offspring of a popular former Brave on signing day this week.
Wide receiver Erick McGriff is from Jesuit High in Tampa, and he’s also from Fred McGriff. That is, he’s the son of the former Braves 1B.
Glavine update: Tom Glavine threw 75 pitches on Tuesday and said everything went well, again. He sounds more and more certain that he’s going to be ready to pitch in 2009, perhaps even breaking camp with the team.
That is, if the Braves offer him a contract. To me, it doesn’t sound like Glavine has any serious interest in pitching elsewhere, but probably because he doesn’t want to unless it absolutely comes to that.
By that I mean, if he goes through all this rehab and the arm feels sound, it also sounds like he has no interest in calling it a career after the disappointment of last season. Not if he can still pitch and pitch well, or at least believes he can.
When you’ve never previously been on the DL in your entire career, it’s got to be difficult to accept an injury-plagued season as the finale. So if he’s ready to pitch and the Braves don’t offer him a major league contract, then yes, I think he’d consider an offer from another team, and I’m pretty certain he’d get one.
But I also don’t think it’ll come to that. I do believe the Braves will make him an offer soon, a major league offer, with a small salary and plenty of incentives.
That, too, will probably happen soon, if it’s going to happen at all. Remember, Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 14, just one week from Saturday.
“GOING BACK TO TEXAS” by Wayne Hancock
I’ve gone through Arizona, right through New Mexico
I’m gonna keep on driving just as hard as I can go
I’m an Interstate daddy
Taking my lonely heart back home
I’m going back to Texas
Back to the only gal I’ve ever known
That Lone Star spirit is right here by my side
When I cross through old El Paso my heart will fill with pride
Ain’t gonna stop for nothing
Till I see the lights of San Antone
I’m going back to Texas
Back to the only love I’ve ever known
I’m going back to Texas, that’s how it’s gonna stay
Back to my old stomping grounds and the joints I used to play
And when I get back home, Lord, I know I’ll never be alone
I’m going back to Texas
Back to the only gal I’ve ever known
