Chop Chick

By humbug

January 31, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

I thought these ajc bloggers had wasted a lot of ink but there is a new champion. Congratulations. Do you folks ever do your work while you’re sober or not high?

By True Blue

January 31, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

So the mets add a pitcher who makes their rotation match up very favorably with any team in baseball, still boast a better offense and defense than the braves, and have a VASTLY superior bullpen. The braves writers can’t find a way to cheer up braves fans who lost two of their best players and replaced them with nostalgia, so they crack abraxas jokes. I hope those jokes cheer you up in the ballpark in june…oh wait, die hard braves fans don’t actually buy tickets so that their team could afford to re-sign tex. Sorry, I keep forgetting the differences in our fan bases.

By Chop Chick

January 31, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

See, humbug and True Blue, cranking up the ole stereo and relaxing to the Latin-influenced strains of “Abraxas” would help you get over this fantasy you have that Braves fans actually CARE what Mets fans think about… well, about anything.

By True Blue

January 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

I guess braves fans don’t really care about baseball, as evidenced by the traffic here. Three posts by mets fans, 1 by the author, and none by the braves fans. I guess not caring about the braves would lead one to not caring what mets fans think.

By kluttz13

January 31, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Yes another attendance joke! They’re so much fun. How soon we forget, during the Braves ridiculous streak, how often Shea was a barren wasteland when it came to fans.

Don’t kid yourselves; management opened up the checkbook first to bring the fans, FINALLY putting a winner on the field, then the fans came.

By the way, how’s last September treating you?

By TBraveFan

January 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Right on CC!! I’m right there with you on every word (especially about the fantasy Mets fans have that we even care what they think)…. so what? So, they might win occasionally - we’ll win consistently because we have a solid team - not one star pitcher…. Bring it on!

By True Blue

January 31, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Wow…another september joke. But to answer, it’s treating me 4 games better than it is you guys.

By kluttz13

January 31, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Sure it is.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

CC:

May I take the “You’ve got to change…” part of that sentence and slip past the “…your evil ways” portion for the moment. The Braves have not addressed the glaring problems facing the not distant future of this club. Wren did a masterful job of patching here and putting band-aids there whilst preserving the farm for the future.

Gwinnett, Rome. To me this means home-grown is the wave of the Braves future. Saturation in a localized area. Dig deep into the grass-roots of organized ball in the area. Mine every nugget(especially young arms), inspect them thoroughly and keep the best for the future.

The farm it at the crest of that wave. Schafer, B. Jones, Heyward, Sammons, Morton, Rohrbaugh, are still in the fold and coming. The system has already delivered McCann, Francouer, Escobar, Lillibridge. What you see in that list is a distinct shortage of explosive arms. We’ve been up in the standings so long there is a dirth of great young arms. And we all know the vagaries of ML arms(Hampton et.al.).

This club will have to sign BOTH Francouer and Tex. I suspect the fixation is currently on those two goals as we debate here. Aside from that chore, the Bravos MUST secure a #1 SP. The farm is not going to deliver one in time to prevent the club from sinking still lower in the standings. Hand-wringing about the cost of such moves is a waste of time. Wren and his staff must get approval for a still larger payroll to accomplish those two goals. To think two ball-bashing hitters and a #1 SP can be done on the cheap begs the trend currently in place in the majors.

Aside from Santana’s Evil Ways, the deal pulled off by the Mets was on the cheap. I have to ask WHY? I have my reservations as to the man’s future abilities to hurl the ball. I think the Braves had a good look at him and came to the same conclusion as the Yankees - damaged goods. Of course, if he consistantly blows the Braves hitters drawers off over the next five years or so, you can say I’m wrong. I feel there are more average than stellar years left in his career.

The Braves must get a #1 hurler before ‘09 is over. Smoltz is 40. Glavine is 42. Hampton is a question-mark at 35. Will the young guys pan-out?? Well, we all know the varagies of arms. If we get a #3 hurler from James, Bennett, Boyer, Reyes, Jurjens, et.al. we’ll be lucky. Hudson can’t do it alone beyond ‘09.

And humbug. Glad you woke up long enough to post here. Got a real take on anything that pertains or are you just snoozin’ by?

By Bye Bye Tex

January 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Liberty media has been unwilling to give up the money necessary to sign the best free agents to long term deal to date, what makes you think this is going to change now. Tex already turned down an 8 year 140 million dollar contract before the trade, and he is getting closer to his payday every second.

Both NY teams will be without a starting first baseman this offseason, and both have over 40 million coming off the books. They are also both moving into new stadiums, so have plenty of money. If the braves struggle at the start of the season, what incentive is there for tex to re-sign with them? I think you’ll all be sadly disappointed when he’s in NY next season.

It’s a good thing the AAA team will be in the suburban atlanta area in 2009…at least the state will field one competitive team.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

MISS NOmer:

OR Whomever you are. I certainly don’t have any way of knowing if Liberty will boost payroll to 125+ to sign Tex, Francouer and a future #1 SP. What I’m saying is, it better be the objective of this organization to do so, or we’ll be scrambling with the Marlins and Nats for last place.

By T*MET

January 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This will improve the Mets. But remember, the Braves have Glavine. Santana is a replacement of Glavine, and then some. I think Glavine is finally starting to show his age. I think the mets should sign Livian, move Duque to the bullpen. Sign Shawn Green back, have him play platton OF and backup 1B.

By T*MET

January 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This will improve the Mets. But remember, the Braves have Glavine. Santana is a replacement of Glavine, and then some. I think Glavine is finally starting to show his age. I think the mets should sign Livian, move Duque to the bullpen. Sign Shawn Green back, have him play platton OF and backup 1B.

By T*MET

January 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This will improve the Mets. But remember, the Braves have Glavine. Santana is a replacement of Glavine, and then some. I think Glavine is finally starting to show his age. I think the mets should sign Livian, move Duque to the bullpen. Sign Shawn Green back, have him play platton OF and backup 1B.

By T*MET

January 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This will improve the Mets. But remember, the Braves have Glavine. Santana is a replacement of Glavine, and then some. I think Glavine is finally starting to show his age. I think the mets should sign Livian, move Duque to the bullpen. Sign Shawn Green back, have him play platton OF and backup 1B.

By T*MET

January 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

This will improve the Mets. But remember, the Braves have Glavine. Santana is a replacement of Glavine, and then some. I think Glavine is finally starting to show his age. I think the mets should sign Livian, move Duque to the bullpen. Sign Shawn Green back, have him play platton OF and backup 1B.

By Lee in S. GA

January 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

If Tex is not signed by the Braves he will be in N.Y. alright; however, it will not be with the Mets it will be that other team. No way the Yankees will let the lesser N.Y. team outbid them on him since the Mets were able to pull the Santana deal off. I have not given up completely that Tex may not sign with Atlanta. If the Braves offered him a similar deal like the Rangers I think he may be interested. Tex probably figured he was never going to see post-season play with the Rangers.

By Admin

January 31, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

My predictions NL EAST as of 8/1/08 NY METS WASHINGTON NATIONALS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ATLANTA BRAVES MIAMI MARLINS

NL EAST as of 9/1/08 NY METS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ATLANTA BRAVES WASHINGTON NATS MIAMI MARLINS

By Bye Bye Tex

January 31, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

I agree that he will be a yankee, I’d love to see him as a met, but I don’t think that will happen. I certainly think that the braves should make a run at sheets, burnett, or sabathia, but I don’t see it happening. If hughes and mussina struggle this year though, and pettite is on the fence about coming back, I could see the yanks going all in after pitching and staying away from tex. In that case I think tex may very well be playing in citifield.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

ADMIN:

And this is because you are a ???? fan.

LEE IN SOUTH GEORGIA:

Agree. If he’s not a Brave, he’s gonna’ be a Yankee.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

NOTE TO CC:

I think Atlanta area is a large enough market that if saturated by the Braves can: (1) Boost attendence and (2) secure excellent players for the farm. Both these aims will ease financial constraints on the club allowing the organization to more easily secure TOP players from other venues when it becomes necessary. I really believe these are management’s goals for the future of the Braves. Here’s hoping it works.

By john hoar

January 31, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

CC-I like your response. Go Braves!

By humbug

January 31, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

CHOP CHICK I ain’t a d—-Mets fan. I am an original Braves fan following their move to Atl.

By Jim H.

January 31, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

We need to get some Phillies fans involved in this to hurl some insults at us. Maybe they could do better. Mets fans are too moronic to even be interesting.

By Get angry

January 31, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Guys, if this is how you respond when your competition passes you buy the brave will never get better. Get angry, make your opinion heard. Make sure ownership know that you are unhappy with salary dumping renteria and letting the best cf in braves history walk for nothing. Stop relaxing and making jokes about your competition spending their revenue to improve while Liberty media sits on it’s cash cow. I can’t believe you guys let yourselves be calmed down by a nostalgia move like glavine. Do you really think he and kotsay make up for andruw, renteria, dotel, and mahay? Voice your opinion, don’t show ownership you don’t give a damn. This is why they’re going to feel free to let texiera walk next season, they’ll be able to tell you their trying to rebuild with homegrown talent who play their minor league ball here in georgia. And the media drinks it right up and makes jokes while the phils and mets make themselves better. Is it just me or is this whole cost cutting offseason a joke compared to what our competition did. Hell, even the nats look light years better than last year. Go to the games, support your team, but don’t be afraid to voice your honest opinion.

By humbug

January 31, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

The NL Braves don’t fill the seats in one stadium on a regular basis now so how can one expect us to fill two stadiums when the AAA Richmond Braves move to Atl next year? Do you suppose that the NL team will be going someplace else? We might be going back to the old Atlanta Crackers and Ponce deLeon Park days, which were great for Atlanta. That would solve the salary cap problems too.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

humbug:

You sound like a man not happy with the moves of the Braves in the recent past few months. I’m with you. I sceamed loud and long for the Braves to jump on Santana and Rowand. They did neither. I did succeed in raising O’Brian’s ire however. Oh well. Better p&ssed off than p&ssed on.

Once I got wind of Santana’s recent past injury and results upon returning to the Minnesota rotation, I backed off. But we must ultimately have someone to replace Smoltz. And it has to be soon.

Braves will absolutely sign Francouer. Whatever it takes. He’s the future face of the franchise. If the Braves let Tex go they must sign a comparable talent, and there aren’t that many out there as good. There are a couple in the farm however, who may pan out to be close-Schafer and Heyward.

And last place finishes do allow for high draft choices (ie: young explosive arms). So there is some positive to sinking lower in the standings for three or four years. I’m just spoiled, and don’t want to see it.

By Get angry

January 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Sinking lower in the draft for better arms? What are you thinking? You have to overpay the slot bonuses to add top flight arms in the draft. They are there for the taking for winning teams, just look at detroit, NY Yankees, and Boston. This is the typical “oh well” attitude that braves fans always show. A good portion of the fan base has already accepted that texiera is leaving and is just begging to keep francouer now. In 2 years it will be let francouer leave as long as we keep heyward. There is never a positive to sinking in the standings. 2.7 million million fans at an average of 25 bucks per fan per game is 67.5 million. Add in the 70 million in shared revenue from mlb, and you have almost 140 million. This doesn’t take concessions, parking, or merchandise and advertising revenue into effect. The braves must make in the neighborhood of 200 million annually. Are you really happy as fans giving them this money to see it not be spent. Complain…demand a better on field product. It’s your right. Why shouldn’t Andruw still be in center? Liberty makes enough money. Why are the braves lowballing for kotsay, giving up better prospects so the A’s will still pay him? Voice your opinion…you’re entitled to it. Don’t just say oh well, I guess I’m spoiled.

By Get angry

January 31, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Sinking lower in the draft for better arms? What are you thinking? You have to overpay the slot bonuses to add top flight arms in the draft. They are there for the taking for winning teams, just look at detroit, NY Yankees, and Boston. This is the typical “oh well” attitude that braves fans always show. A good portion of the fan base has already accepted that texiera is leaving and is just begging to keep francouer now. In 2 years it will be let francouer leave as long as we keep heyward. There is never a positive to sinking in the standings. 2.7 million million fans at an average of 25 bucks per fan per game is 67.5 million. Add in the 70 million in shared revenue from mlb, and you have almost 140 million. This doesn’t take concessions, parking, or merchandise and advertising revenue into effect. The braves must make in the neighborhood of 200 million annually. Are you really happy as fans giving them this money to see it not be spent. Complain…demand a better on field product. It’s your right. Why shouldn’t Andruw still be in center? Liberty makes enough money. Why are the braves lowballing for kotsay, giving up better prospects so the A’s will still pay him? Voice your opinion…you’re entitled to it. Don’t just say oh well, I guess I’m spoiled.

By Ramblin Wrecker

January 31, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

I’d be a little cautious if I were a Mets fan about declaring victory over the universe just yet. Santana had a decent season last year, but it was very different than any season he’d experienced before. He lost 13 games, 7 more games than he’d lost in any season since becoming a full time starter. His ERA was 3.33 (still very good), but about a half a run higher than most of his seasons and a lot of that came late in the season last year. His innings were down, but hits, runs and walks stayed on par with the seasons before when he pitched more innings. He still struck out a lot of batters, but he gave up way more flyballs than usual and more of those went out of the park (33 in 219 innings as opposed to 24 in 233 innings the year before). He has experienced bone chips in his elbow, which I’ve read is a kind of injury that often recurs. He’s 29, which should be the prime of a pitchers career, but making a $25 million per year commitment for 6-7 years is risky, regardless of how good Santana has been. Pedro Martinez was the top 1 or 2 pitchers in baseball when he was 29. Since that time, he’s still been good, but he definitely started to decline. He has only topped 200 innings twice (217 two years in a row) since age 29 and has had his two worst ERA’s of his career as a starter. His durability has been an issue. But even Pedro never posted double digit losses since leaving the basement of Montreal as a young starter. And you have to wonder why teams like Boston and the Yankees (who to be honest made pretty good offers for Santana) weren’t falling all over themselves to trade for him. I mean the Red Sox paid $50 million just to negotiate with a Japanese pitcher who had not proven anything about his ability to get ML players out on a regular basis (like Santana has). And it isn’t like the Yankees or Red Sox haven’t traded great prospects in return for proven all-star type players. The Beckett trade stands out. So have the big two changed their philosophies so much that they don’t WANT Johan Santana? Or do they see a risk that the Mets failed to? Or did the Twins fleece the Mets like they did the Giants (by getting Liriano and Nathan for AJ Bigmouthski) by having better scouting on these players than the Mets did? Plus the Twins sure were in a hurry to unload Santana before spring training, when one could argue that trading him in July when teams A, B and C KNOW they are within striking distance of the playoffs and Santana could guarantee a team the ticket to play deep into October at that time would gain them more in return than in February when 32 teams are optimistic about winning it all. I’d be excited if I were a Mets fan, but I wouldn’t anoint my team masters of the universe just yet.

By Lee in S. GA

January 31, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

I thought this blog was picking up more bloggers until I notice some moron posted the same post 5 times. A Mets fan no less.

By Louisville Slugger

January 31, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

If the gal running this block used her “Mr. Vibrator” toy more often, maybe she wouldn’t be so vicious and bitter.

By Educatin' Southerners

January 31, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

The Twinkies ‘were in a hurry to unload Santana before Spring Training” because he has a no trade clause and stated he would not accept a trade during the season. Nothing sinister. No missed evaluation by the Mets. The Sox just won the WS without Santana and were more interested in keeping him from the Yank**s, who have little interest in trading their only cost effective players to add $30+Mil including luxury tax to their $218 Mil payroll. You compared this trade to “BigMouthski”? Was he the best position player in the game when traded? The prospects would have to win multiple Cy Youngs to make this a bad trade for the Mets.

Sidenote. Pedro’s next FIVE years after turning 29.

7-3 163 K’s 84 Hits in 116 innings

20-4 239 K’s 144 Hits in 199 innings

14-4 206 K’s 147 Hits in 186 innings

16-9 227 K’s 193 Hits in 217 innings

15-8 208 K’s 159 Hits in 217 innings

If Santana “declines” like that in the NL in a pitcher’s park, ya think it was a bad deal for the Mets?

By Educatin' Southerners

January 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Also, if you look at a pitcher’s won-loss record as a pertinent stat, you may wish to look to more meaningful measures of a pitcher’s performance before trying to debate.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

January 31, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Interestingly enough , I crunched some numbers and came up with an obvious conclusion. Santana should have no problem winning twenty games for the Mets this season. Notice that I said >SHOULD HAVE<.

His run support in Minnesota was 4.44 per game last season. I broke Santana’s starts into three categories , Quality / Good and Bad. He had 21 quality starts , 9 to the good and 3 to the bad. Santana’s ERA was 3.33

The nearest comparison pitcher for the Mets last season was Oliver Perez with an ERA of 3.56 and the same number of wins at 15 for both pitchers.

But unlike Santana , the run support for Perez was 5.13 per game and he made four fewer starts than Santana. His starts break down like this: 16 quality , 8 good and 5 bad starts.

It doesn’t take a rocket Scientist to figure it out. If Santana gets five runs or more of support over the course of a full season , he will win twenty.

Besides , in 2004 Santana received run support per game of 5.20. The result , twenty wins and a Cy Young. Again in 2006 , he had run support of 5.23 per game , resulting in nineteen wins and another Cy Young.

Then there is of course the absolute freakish accomplishment of 2004. Santana reeled off 21 quality starts and it would have been 22 had his manager not pulled him after five innings in Santana’s last start of the season.

The last pitcher to do this , you ask ? Bob Gibson in 1968 with 22 consecutive quality starts. Nobody else has hit so much as twenty in a row during the last 40 years.

While Josh Beckett has been perfect in the postseason so far (6-0 with an ERA of 1.73) and Jake Peavy along with Brandon Webb are all three great young All-Star pitchers , they are all right handers.

If I had my druthers , I would go to War with the two time award winning Cy Young southpaw that Santana is. And another point , neither of the three aforementioned pitchers can hold a candle to Santana when it comes to his 58 walk/ 220 strikeout AVG. (4 to 1).

Santana has a career winning percentage of .679 , none of the other three have yet to crack .600

I have to rank Santana number one , Beckett number two , Peavy in third and last but not least Brandon Webb.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

LEE in S. Ga.:

Seems like “Get angry” just did. Is beyond angry suicide? Obviously sinking lower in the standings is an outcome which is not plausable in his fevered delirium. Sinking lower and liking it is for the birds, but it’s a sure bet if the Braves don’t get their act together by signing Frenchy,Tex and securing a #1 SP.

And thanks RAMBLIN’ WRECKER for sensing something wrong with the Santana deal. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I think I smell a rat.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

CC:

What say you to all this chatter?

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 31, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

New York Mets: 5-time defending paper champions.

By Educatin' Southerners

January 31, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Keep sniffiin’ for rats, you’ll get a good whiff from the cellar you’ll reside in. Too good of a deal for Brav*s fans to handle. Must be sumthin wrong. LMAO.

By richbrave

January 31, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

COACH:

Dude long time no read. How ya’ dooin’. That’s with a Brooklyn accent for you Mets trolls.

Tell “Get angry” how much influence I exerted when I was blasting the Braves for not moving on Santana and Rowand in October. Get angry is nice, but get even is better. Unfortunately, the Braves did neither.

Thanks for the thoughts on the JS trade. Can our rotation limit the Mets to three runs or less? What do his stats look like if they do. How many starts did he allow three or more runs? Do you know? I would venture to say most good pitchers who get five or more runs win. Am I right?

By Educatin' Southerners

January 31, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Paper champions? After finishing 22 games behind the Mets the last two seasons, that’s funny. Try this one, who won the NL East more recently Mets or Braves? Keep crying in your cellars.

By Educatin' Southerners

January 31, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

I’d love to continue to dazzle all of you with my superior intellect and uncanny insight but mommy just called me up from the basement to tell me my mini pizzas are getting cold.

By Bravefart

January 31, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Yea that’s real funny Chop Chick. But I didn’t realize the AJC janitorial department had an office, thought you gals worked out of the basement or whatever.

CHOP CHICK IS IRRELEVANT!

See you again in March CC.

—-31—-

By Educatin' Southerners (aka Bravefrt)

January 31, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Mommy, do I get an extra mini pizza for being so clever?

By stew

January 31, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that Twins on paper got fleeced. I just don’t see significant ML careers for any of the prospects the Mets gave up. That being said, if the Yankee and Sox offers were better than the Met offer why didn’t the Twins bite. Was it just to move him to the senior circuit so he couldn’t come back to haunt him. I’d rather have the better players. The problem for me is the bottomless pit. The Mets, Yanks, and Sox don’t care about throwing 15,20,25 million a year out on a player without any regard for whether he pans out. If he doesn’t pan out, they will just throw it at someone else. This means that marginal players get humongous salaries because these three teams
changed the market. What a w******* baseball has become! Ask any Yankee fan and they will tell you it’s within the rules. Actually, the rules say that there shouldn’t be any monopolies, which is exactly what these teams are.

By Stew Granite

February 1, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

Bottom of the 9th I feel a pull on my loins Chop chick on the prowl follow me she whispered her breath coated with brats and sourkraut I’ve got a glove for your baseballs she covers my belly with a old braves pennant suddenly alone she tickles my scorecard and screams give me the slider the fastball the spitter make me a better woman I am chopchick her me roar

By Metropolitan Man

February 1, 2008 3:53 AM | Link to this

Johan Santana negotiations already in progress:

Minaya: Ok, whats it going to take to make you a MET?

Peter Greenberg: 150 million for 6 years.

Minaya: Thats steep for 6 years. How about 130 million for 5 and and option for 6?

Peter Greenberg: No, 150 million for 6 years.

Minaya: Ok, thats not negotiating. You guys have the cards but you gotta work with me.

Peter Greenberg: We’ll accept 140 million for 5 years and an option for 6.

Minaya: Ok, now we are getting somehwere. I can do this without giving a no trade clause!!

(Camera pans to Santana who suddenlylooks up from his game-boy and says)

Santana: FOCK DAT. What do you mean no no trade clause??? Thats how I have you by the balls now. No no trade clause, no deal.

(Santana sits back down and continues playing his game-boy)

Minaya: Caml down, calm down. Let me consult the man with the money and should have a YES in a jiffy.

Peter Greenberg: Take your time, take your time. You have until 5pm.

(Minaya enters Fred Wilpons office)

Wilpon: You better have some good news because if that “THING” that happended in 07’ happens in 08’, you AND Willie are fired.

Minaya: Wait, wait, wait. I’ve got 2 words for you….Johan Santana. We can have him if you just sign the check.

Wilpon: How Much?

Minaya: Remember he is the best in the game right now.

Wilpon: How much?

Minaya: He led the league in strikeouts and he is only 28.

Wilpon: How Much?

Minaya: Think of this as a long term investment.

Wilpon: HOW MUCH??

Minaya: If we let this deal slip away, the only METS fans that will be left are Metropolitan Man, Anders, Mets P*** Cat, and Sniper 69. Do we really want this???

Wilpon: DAMIT HOW MUCH?

Minaya: 140 million, 5 years, an option for 6.

Wilpon: And what else???

Minaya: Again , think of this as an investment.

Wilpon: Ok, I’m sold, make it happen now and bring me a receipt.

(Back to the negotiating table)

Peter Greenberg: You took a long time with Wilpon and now we are hungry, what about lunch?

Minaya: I can order in some Authentic NY food if you like.

Santana: NO

Minaya: How about NYC steet hot dogs, shishkabobs, knishes, NY style pizza, beef patties, and gyros……

Santana: Nooooo, bring me a Happy Meal and a 9 piece nugget, and dont forget the bbq sauce.

(Lunch now over, back to the negotiating table)

Both parties agree on the 140 for 5 years,and an option for 6 and a no trade clause at 4:59 pm. Johan Santana signs the contract with BBQ sauce laden fingers.

The deal is now done and has caused a ripple effect in MLB. Chipper Jones now asks for an immediate release from the braves becasue of lack of passion. Johns Smoltz replies good riddance you panty waste!!!!

By Matt the Brave

February 1, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

Hey Mets fans, if you love the Mets so much, why don’t you head back to New York and stick your head into a snowbank. As Lewis Grizzard used to say, “Delta’s ready when you are.”

GO BRAVES!!

By richbrave

February 1, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

HHey MetroMAN:

You finally found this blog. Congrats. I didn’t think you hasd it in you. Let me welcome you home. Kiss my royal a$$.

By Lee in S. GA

February 1, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Don’t expect them to be contenders or anything but the Washington Nationals may very well determine who actually wins the N.L. East. This team is going to play spoiler to the Braves, Phillies and Mets. Agree with you richbrave about the Braves needing to sign Frenchy,Tex and securing a #1 SP by next the 2009 season. That will determine the future the Braves for seasons to come.

By AJ

February 1, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Read it and weep Braves fans: Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez & El Duque/Pelfrey. Santana is best pitcher in baseball and at 29 is in his prime according to all the experts; Pedro is healthy again; Maine and Perez made the Mets the only team in th NL with two 15 game winners last year and at 26 yrs old are entering their prime; and El Duque just keeps on rolling along. Braves? A 41 yr old #1 starter, a 42 yr old #2 starter, both with their best years behind them. Hudson, who in his prime had almost identical stats to Maine and Perez last year, James, your one pitcher who could actually be on the upswing, and Hampton, who IF he pitches has trouble throwing strikes. Sure, Braves fans, your rotation is as good as the Mets. Hehehehe.

By Random

February 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Bye Bye Tex: “Liberty media has been unwilling to give up the money necessary to sign the best free agents to long term deal to date, what makes you think this is going to change now.”

Liberty Media has owned the Braves for less than one full free agent off-season. I’d say that it’s way to soon to say they’re unwilling — only that they haven’t yet (not counting $9M-man Glavine).

Considering the slim pickings on the FA market this year, particularly among pitchers, there’s just not been that much reason for Liberty to loosen the purse-strings this year.

Plus, who do you know that Schuerholz or Wren wanted to sign, but Liberty told them ‘no’?

By Random

February 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

I don’t think it’s insignificant to Santana’s performance this coming year that he will haved moved from a fairly lousy offensive team to a fairly good offensive team, AND from a fairly good offensive league to a fairly lousy offensive league.

Santana is moving from a league where he faced six of the top ten run-producing ML teams (two from his division) and only two of the bottom ten run-producing ML teams to a league where he’ll be facing seven of the bottom ten run-producing ML teams and only three of the top ten run-producing ML teams (two from his division). (Mets are in top ten — he won’t have to face them; Twins were in bottom ten — he didn’t get to face them.)

He’s moving from a league where he faced five of the top ten hit-producing ML teams and only four of the bottom ten hit-producing ML teams to a league where he’ll be facing six of the bottom ten hit-producing ML teams and only four of the top ten hit-producing ML teams. (Mets are in top ten — he won’t have to face them.)

He’s moving from a league where he faced six of the top ten home run-producing ML teams (three from his division) and only three of the bottom ten home run-producing ML teams to a league where he’ll be facing six of the bottom ten home run-producing ML teams and only four of the top ten home run-producing ML teams (two from his division). (Twins were in bottom ten — he didn’t get to face them.)

Rather than facing six of the top ten OPS teams (and four of the worst) he’ll be facing six of the bottom ten OPS teams (and only three of the best). (Mets are in top ten — he won’t have to face them.)

By DUH, I'm AJ

February 1, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Read it and decide for yourselves Braves fans: Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez & El Duque/Pelfrey. Santana was 15-13 last year, and at 29 should be good for comparable numbers, oh, and he has amassed a grand total of 6 complete games and 4 shutouts in almost 10 seasons!; Pedro will be healthy for at least 3-5 games before he goes DL; Maine and Perez should win at least 5-7 games a piece, and at 26 yrs old are entering their erractic primes; and El Duque just keeps on drooling on himself. So it’s plain to see, Braves fans, the Mets rotation is really something to fear!

By AJ

February 1, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

The world is flat too, right “DUH”? Facts presented in my earlier blog are tough to swallow, right “DUH”?

By AJ

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

“DUH”..and the rest of you Santana doubters: Did I mention that Santana’s lifetime WHIP, 1.094 is the second best of all the starting pitchers in baseball right now…behind only, you guessed it, Pedro’s incredible 1.030!

By Najeh Davenpoop

February 1, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Hmm… I’m no expert, but I thought you win games by scoring more runs, not by drawing more walks and getting more hits per inning pitched?

How many World Series did Billy Beane win thanks to his stat geek formulas again?

If I was a Mets fan, I would be more concerned that Santana set a career high in home runs given up and posted his highest ERA since his 2nd year in the big leagues last year. Santana gave up 1 home run every game last year. If Santana pitches 4 perfect innings and gives up a grand slam in the 5th, his WHIP will still be under 1 but his team will probably be losing. Stats are pointless — you can twist them to mean whatever you want.

By richbrave

February 1, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

BLOGGERS WELCOME. CC is no doubt thrilled although we won’t hear from her for another two weeks. Or will we——-CC are you out there?

LEE in S. GA.:

Thanks. Good to know someone else feels like I do about unfilled needs on this team. Wren’s done all he can to this point. ‘08 has to be played out. If EVERY move goes well, the Braves will be putting up another division pennant. If not, we’ll see the weaknesses slowly appear. Rave on Mets fans. You’ve finally got something to cheer. Enjoy it while you can. The moves in the farm system and the changed emphasis on recruiting great ballplayers is going to start paying huge dividends for the Braves in the near future. And you better look out for the Phillies. I see they just upgraded third base. The Braves are not your only competition. Nationals better too. Good spoiler team this year. If the Mets want the NL East pennent they’re gonna’ have to take it from everyone else. So enough trash talk. It’s February and almost time to let the games begin. Braves will do their talkin’ on the field. Yeah.

By AJ

February 1, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Some more nightmares, Tomahawk Choppers. Like the Yankees, the Mets have their own TV network, and the money is just rolling in. By the gobs. Money will be no problem…they can afford whatever they need. Plus the brand new state of the art ballpark they will open in September 2009. The Mets will be very good for a very long time. And I you can bet they’ll win more than ONE World Series if they make the playoffs regularly. They won’t choke in the post season as the Braves did year after year. Let’s Go Metropolitans!!

By Playing Hooky

February 1, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Hi My name is AJ and I’m having so much fun today because I pretended to be sick and got to stay home from school. I was bored so I decided to write silly things on a Braves blog. This blog is usually used for serious baseball fans who know what they are talking about, but obviously I can also submit my nonsense as well. Even though I wasn’t really sick this morning, I am running a high fever now and my last few blogs prove that my fever is frying my already tiny brain and making me say even sillier things. Oh, gotta go. Jimmy Neutron is about to start!

By AJ

February 1, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Hooky…My, my envy makes you get very defensive, doesn’t it?

By BabyGoatEater

February 1, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Santana is a great pitcher. No argument. I just don’t see where you Mut fans think your team is that much better than the Braves. Lets look at the line-ups.

1B: Delgado vs Tex—I mean come on….I know the argument “Delgado had a bad year”. Tex is 27, the sky’s the limit. If last year was any indication of this year…man…maybe 45+ with .310 and 130. Thats not a stretch if he’s healthy and hitting in a good line-up.(+1)

2B: Castillo vs Kelly—-Kelly is flat out a better hitter. Defensively Castillo’s better. Castillo isn’t that much better a fielder. Kelly is a way better hitter.(+1)

SS: Reyes vs Yunel—- OK, got us. Yunel’s no slouch though. Good arm, good contact, better than average speed. No Reyes though.(-1.5)

3B: Wright vs Chipper—- Chipper will have monster numbers when in the line-up. Arguably better than Wrights. Either way you look at it they are both the best hitters on each team and two of the best in the league. Chippers old. He’s hurt a lot. So Wrights a little better right now. (-.5)

C: Mccann vs “Whatever we can find” or Sneider or Castro—-……..uh……McCann. No more needed to say. Compared to whatever the Mets can find lurking out there, McCann’s the exact opposite. Young, great hitter, can call a game. (+1)

LF: Alou vs Our platoon—-I’ll give you a push, being generous. Alou is old and is a great player but hurting and aging. He won’t hit better than last year and he wasn’t great then. Diaz hits .300, that what the man does. Jones is very promising. But for now, or next year anyways, a push.(Even)

CF: Beltran vs Kotsay—-Betran by a lot. Kotsays older now and it’s yet to be seen what he can hit like anymore after surgery. But…..if Schaffer comes up….despite what you guys in metsland think….this kids got skills. Maybe not Beltran just yet but…maybe. For now by a lot Beltran.(-1)

RF: Francoeur vs Church/Chavez—-A gold glover with tremendous hitting, and a rocket arm. Hmmm….who to chose…..Muts average platoonish players vs a young stud outfielder. (+1)

SP1: Santana vs Smoltz——Santana is good. He’s left-handed and he strikes out everyone. Smoltz is a legend, he has already struck everyone out. He’s still one of the best pitchers in the league but Santana is probably a hair better. It’s definitely Santana but not by as much as the Must fans want to think.(-.5)

SP2:Pedro vs Hudson——Hudson is a better pitcher right now. Pedro is a quasi-legend of his own right. But he’s old and is breaking down faster at his age because of his smaller frame. Hudson will probably also do so. Not now though. Braves by a head. (+.5)

SP3: Maine vs Glavine—-Here’s the stats for them (Glavine 13-88 4.45 200.1 innings 64K 89BB)(Maine 15-10 3.91 191 innings 75K 180BB). Neither pitcher blows you away. Push, maybe muts by a hair. We’ll see. This is the part of most rotations where you never know what order to put each pitcher in because, there will always be one pitcher who out-does himself and another who under-performs. anyway, push.(Even)

SP:4-6 Braves have better quality and younger. Muts have older but more experience and proven MLB pitchers. Gotta be a push. Braves have more up-side, and that skyrocket potential (Jurrjens) so probably slightly in our favor.(+.25)

Closer: Wagner vs Soriano——Soriano is no push over. Could be dominate. Could be. Wagner is. He has the edge. (-1)

R/SU: Hielman vs Moylen—-Moylen is better. He’s getting better too. Rookie years no fluke Muts.(+1)

L/SU: Feliciano vs Gonzalez/Ohman—-Half a year of Gonzalez afetr arm surgery is enough to give Braves the edge. Add in Ohmans non-Wrigley stats and …ding ding ding, you have your winner.(+.5)

Rest of Bullpen: Push….Maybe Mets a little deeper, but Braves have good depth and (of course) better prospects. (even)

Bench: Mets have a little deeper bench so ok, like we can even start to predict bench production, they get the nod.(-.25)

Ok, lets add em up……drum roll……… 6.25 to 4.5 Braves….

I bet I’m right.

By richbrave

February 2, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

BGE:

Like that comparison BGE. It’s fair and well thought out. No hoping in it. I’ll bet you’re right-Braves 6.25. Let the games begin and we’ll see.

By richbrave

February 3, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

All out of comments Mets Fans? Come on clowns, don’t give up already. The season hasn’t even begun yet.

By Hedge Head

February 5, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

BIGGEST SEPTEMBER COLAPSE IN BASEBALL HISTORY!!! That is all.

By richbrave

February 5, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Well said Wedge.

By richbrave

February 5, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

METS FANS:

Thank God you’ve got Santana’s contract and we don’t. Now you can see how it feels when millions of $$$$ are sitting on the bench recuperating from surgery. Just wait a couple of years.

By richbrave

February 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

METS TROLLS:

Better watch out or U KNO WHO will come calling to silence you all with his deadly bat. Santana killer. See you bums on March 31.

By J.D. Phillips

February 8, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Come on people..how bout a little input. Spring training is around the corner.

By richbrave

February 9, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

I’ve certainly put in my two cents worth. Time for others to post.

By I KNEW WHO

February 9, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Here’s some input—this blog is a waste!

By richbrave

February 11, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

I KNEW WHO:

Is that like toxic …???

By richbrave

February 11, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Hello CC:

Knock - knock. Anybody home?

By Lee in S. GA

February 13, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Maybe Roger Clemens will blog on here in the future as YOU KNO WHO did on DOB’S blog. He should have a lot of free time on his hands.

By I KNEW WHO

February 13, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

No, waste as in s.hit.

By richbrave

February 14, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

I KNEW WHO:

Got it man. No flies on that?