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DEL.ICIO.USBraves have money to spend, rebuild
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given that the line between sports and accounting blurred years ago, the Braves could be excused if they viewed this off-season much like Ms. Peebles in bookkeeping. Never mind the names, the Q-scores or the legacies of exiting players. How fat are the paychecks?
The $14 million pitcher has probably run out of medical miracles.
The $15.975 million pitcher is back from the dead, but too late to resuscitate the banking industry.
The $12.5 million first baseman was dumped for somebody younger, cheaper and not represented by Scott Boras.
The $8 million pitcher has an elbow screaming for retirement.
The $7 million outfielder: an expiring stopgap.
Make way. The Braves are about to head somewhere they haven’t really been in years. The mall.
“It’s a situation we relish, and we’re looking at this off season with great enthusiasm,” said Braves chairman Terry McGuirk.
Let me translate: Nordstrom!
“We know with the kind of money we have coming off the books, we can talk to anybody we want in the marketplace,” McGuirk continued. “There’s certainly a healthy bit of skepticism about the efficiency and the effectiveness of the free-agent marketplace. But we have the ability to go out and get a real horse who can help take us to the top.”
No more plugging holes with slight irregulars or Corky Millers.
Hello, C.C. Sabathia or Ben Sheets?
The Braves might lose five of the top seven salaries from this year’s payroll: Mike Hampton, John Smoltz, Mark Teixeira (already traded), Tom Glavine and Mark Kotsay.
There are different ways to interpret the numbers. In terms of straight salary and bonuses, those five players earn a combined $57,475,184. The Braves have it as something closer to $47 million (and the total payroll as $90-92 million, not $102,365,683). They count only $8 million of Hampton’s $15,975 million salary because that’s their prorated share of his contract, which also has been paid by Colorado and New York. They’re paying only $2 million of Kotsay’s $7 million (Oakland picks up the rest).
No matter. Either way, it’s corporate-weasel nirvana.
Which brings us to Liberty Media. The Braves’ owners really haven’t been tested yet. Their brief tenure hasn’t been the they’re-only-here-for-the-tax-write-off disaster many had forecasted. But neither has the team broke the bank on spending. The Braves’ payroll is up $10 to $12 million over the past two years after holding at about $80 million (Braves’ computations) for three seasons.
What’s to stop a Colorado-based media company from looking at next season with a sense of doom and thinking, “What a fine time to shift some of those millions to marketing porcelain dolls (or pitchers) on QVC?”
McGuirk: “They don’t get involved.”
An owner not involved?
“Liberty Media owns the team. But they’ve allowed the management of the Braves to determine those answers. It’s totally left up to us — 100 percent. They’ve chosen to not have any operating activity. There’s no second-guessing whatsoever. I’ve said that before but people don’t believe me.”
When asked if that meant the Braves were free to balloon the payroll to $200 million, McGuirk said: “I have some sense of what would be the right thing to do. I’m not going to do something stupid.”
McGuirk speculated the team’s payroll would rise slightly next season. But even at status quo, the Braves suddenly have flexibility. That hasn’t been the case since it more than doubled from $50 million in 1997 to $106 million in 2003. That was the year the franchise lost $35 million.
“We had about five years of dwindling attendance and rising payroll,” McGuirk said. “It didn’t take an economic genius to know something had to change.”
So began the slashing. A perfect storm of broken down bodies and expiring contracts has killed the season but plowed the field.
McGuirk calls it “the first time we’ve really had the chance to have a rebuilding effort.” And $47 million will buy a lot of parts.
Permalink | Comments (158) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Lyonsjimmy
July 30, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
And then?
By Lyonsjimmy
July 30, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Get Sheets and Sabathia. Spend on great pitching like the good old days when we threw and ace out there everyday. Sign somebody in the outfield who can hit or either play phenomenal defense. Really is it that hard???
By P-Man
July 30, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Lets’ hope they spend any money they have wisely. Surely they can field a team that won’t feature an “injury of the week” every few days.
By CanEmAll
July 30, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
And if you don’t get some players in those Atlanta uniforms that translate into wins, you get less and less people in the seats. I like Kotchman at first. I think he will do well for the future. I’m not sold on KJ at second or Yunel Escobar at SS. Chipper is getting no younger as his injuries this season suggest. Left field has been a cluster mess as has center field. Jeff Franceour has faded fast in right. Brian McCann is a building piece for the future. I hope the Braves will build toward the future with more speed, defense and pitching. It is excruciating watching this team wait on a five run homer to win a game. Their defense has been so frustrating. They have had two starting pitchers to count on this season. Oddly enough it hasn’t been anyone they thought they could count on. Jair Jurggens and Jorge Campillo has been solid. the rest of the staff has been inconsistent or injured. I know injuries have had a huge impact on this year’s team, but it’s an opportunity to build for the future. With the dollars they could have available, I hope it goes to pitching, speed and defense.
By Dan_in_NC
July 30, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
I know its easy for you Metro Atlanta to be critical since you guys hear more detail about the team. But for us fans in the rest of the Southeast region of the US, this off-season is really gonna to test our confidence in the management. I think by reading this, Liberty Media has pretty much told us all that they are going to be aggressive this off-season. With that said now comes high expectations.
First off with the bad news of us now knowing that Hudson won’t be much of a factor for the rest of this year and all of next year it is pretty obvious that we must acquire a #1 starter for next year. Sabathia, Sheets, Ervin Santana…those are some pretty good names out there. One of those three better be wearing a tomahawk next spring across their chest.
The next obvious need is a power bat in left field. In order to keep a balanced lineup I would prefer a right handed bat but if we have no real choice in the matter, we may have to go lefty.
I think any chance of getting Jason Bay has pretty much fallen away now that the trade dealine is less than 18 hours away. I would love to see us go after Matt Holliday but of course all you need to know about that is two words…Scott Boras.
So who does that leave left on the block? A name that has been very quiet as of recent but a name that we might be hearing a lot more of may very well be Adam Dunn. Now, I know…you folks cringe when you think of his play defensively. But I’ll be honest, I think Dunn gets a bad rep for that very reason. Yes he makes errors, but I think for our team, we could live with the errors because of the offense he provides. He is a home run hitter plus he goes walk quite a bit.
I’ll even throw out one more crazy scenario but its a scenario that may have had come closer to happening before the Tex trade than a lot of people may know..and that is Manny, Manny, Manny…
Folks, I know what we read on the internet and what we hear on ESPN but I really see Manny Ramirez no differently than I saw Gary Sheffield when he came to Atlanta. Everybody said, Sheff would cause a problem in the locker room when in fact he knew his role and as a result he fitted in just fine for two years.
If I was Liberty Media and wanted to make a bold move, I would consider the idea of Manny Ramirez in a similar way that we handled Sheff’s contract (i.e. 2 year deal).
Given the fact we have so many young guys that we don’t have to tie down right now (Escoboar, Blanco, KJ, Frenchie, Kotchman, Jurrjens) and then what few we are paying are already secured (Chipper and Mac) we should have no reason why we can’t add 2 pitchers (#1 starter and mid-line starter)and a big bat in left.
By Scott S.
July 30, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Sabathia and Lackey make more sense. Too many injury issues with Sheets. Need some pop in the outfield so who do we go after??? Easier maybe to switch KJ back to LF and move Prado to 2nd unless there is someone better avail for LF! Eric Campbell could be switched to second at MB and he has some pop!
By mahjk17
July 30, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
whatever frank wren wants to do i will trust him. at the beginning of the year we had a very good team (and the people who said we didnt have no clue what they are talking about ) we just go into alot of bad luck with injures. but look at it this way we have a pitcher who came out of nowhere jorge campiilo lets sign him first and tim hudson even though he is going to miss half of next season. First we need to resign the good players we have now even francouer he should bounce back next year every great player has a bad year even chipper jones just a few years ago where he hit .259. GO BRAVES
By Herschel Talker
July 30, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Jeff - Shalom. Solid points, but there ain’t much out there this year to buy. Weak free agent class. Save up the dough, rebuild the farm system, and spend in the offseason for 2010.
By gordon
July 30, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
For the love of GOD, lets get some quality arms! Pitching,Pitching, and some more Pitching! C.C. and Sheets would be fantastic (at least one of them). 2 arms and 1 outfielder with power and they will be set. I love Glavine and Smoltz, but the Bravos need young arms.
By JP Swain
July 30, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
1st. How could the Braves have ever lost 35 million? That’s incredible, especially when everyone else was making money.
2nd. No wonder the Braves haven’t been winning when they’ve set out their draft stall as: Anything Georgia & S.E.= good, anything else= no thanks. They LOVE prep arms- most go no where, and they other than all the decent players they sent away for Tex, they’ve got nearly zero down on the farm.
Take the 2006 draft- Braves 1st pick- Cory Rasmus, pitcher taken two spots later- Joba Chamberlain
Fair enough you say, they missed on that one, that can happen once, but how about round two- we take Jeff Locke and Dustin Evans before Boston gets Justin Masteron- either of our two names sound familiar? Yea, I thought not.
How about 1 year previous- 41st pick- sup A, we take Beau Jones, pick 42- Clay Bucholz- that’s right, the guy who threw a no hitter in the MAJORS last year.
Fine, I’m finding a few, shall we say easy examples, but before we can rebuild, we have to draft better- go try and find our 2004 draft- we have 2 draft picks in the first 101.
Before going to the grocery store or Nordstrom, we need to go to the vine and start picking some decent peaches. We need to really find a long term 3b, a quality 2nd baseman and some outfielders that will produce, and how about some of the arms we drafted actually pitching well.
Let’s take a 2-3 year approach- draft some more seasoned players- what’s the matter with a college player?
Look at what the Angels do every year- play great ball- similar to our style and promote great talent from within.
By gayle
July 30, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Mr. McGuirk said: “But we have the ability to go out and get a real horse who can help take us to the top.”
Note to Terry - it’s not to the top, it’s over the top.
Some here may consider this a trival observation, but I think it expresses the exisiting team philosophy in a nutshell - that’s why the Braves have all those division flags and only one championship.
This team is not one player - or two - or three - from contending. Now that Hudson is out of the mix for most of next year, it is even bleaker.
Kotchman is a perfect example of the kind of young, talented and aggressive players that can be the core of the new team. And hopefully to be guided by a manager with similar skills.
Note to Terry - 67 years old ain’t young.
Breaking the bank on some high priced free-agents and keeping this coaching staff intact will show that management here has learned nothing from this failed band-aid experience.
Oh, and Jeff forgot to mention the desperately neeeded salary dump in the dugout. Nothing will change as long as Captain Cox is left at the helm.
By HoustonBrave
July 31, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
It does not matter how much we spend or who we get if the manager keeps trotting out Boyer, Ring and Miller. He is either on the take or he could care less about the organization. It is sad that BC gets a pass when his field management has been ridiculous.
By Robert S
July 31, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Gayle, you are the voice of reason!
You say what all of us have been thinking for years about Bobby Cox. My fear is that by next year, Kotchman’s gonna be hacking at everything he sees, too, because of Cox’s approach.
And yes, it seems there’s a real reluctance for any of the Braves’ brass to say they’re after a World Championship. I’m not sure if they have the gonads to ever make such a claim, while other teams continue to pass the Braves right on by….
By melissa
July 31, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
The braves have quit on bobby cox !! Why does he still take up for them !!!!!
By proeye
July 31, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
You know, I think we simply need to trade or sign some ROCK SOLID players. NO, we don’t need Ben Sheets. He hasn’t pitched a in a full season in 5 years. Do we need anyone who has even a remote chance of breaking down?
Uh…. no.
By randyh
July 31, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
i really believe roger mcdowell is doing the best he can. but why are we having so many major arm injuries ? smoltz (shoulder), hudson (ligament), moylan (ligament) soriano( elbow), glavin(elbow tendon). maybe he’s not to blame, but could he have done things to prevent those injuries. maybe watching to make sure they are fundamentally sound in all areas. even veteran pitchers get all out of whack with their delivery sometimes …. the braves in general just dont seem to be ready to play physically or fundamentally when they come out of spring…. just a thought.
By proeye
July 31, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
You know, I think we simply need to trade or sign some ROCK SOLID players. NO, we don’t need Ben Sheets. He hasn’t pitched a in a full season in 5 years. Do we need anyone who has even a remote chance of breaking down?
Uh…. no.
By Mike
July 31, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Roy Oswalt
By ChrisfromSacramento
July 31, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Well with all the MILLONS comming off the books we better get a big bat and a number one starter. AT LEAST. With this year in the tank already. I hope we lose enough to get in the top ten in the draft. Get young arms. And for god sakes draft some power hitters.
Wren dont blow it this off season!
By ChrisfromSacramento
July 31, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Well with all the MILLONS comming off the books we better get a big bat and a number one starter. AT LEAST. With this year in the tank already. I hope we lose enough to get in the top ten in the draft. Get young arms. And for god sakes draft some power hitters.
Wren dont blow it this off season!
By Check this out
July 31, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Minor league stuff
By BravesFan79
July 31, 2008 2:07 AM | Link to this
Hershel Talker……there you go again showing your lack of baseball knowledge.
If the Braves get a TRUE ACE….add another outfielder….KEEP Ohman, Moylan, and Gongalez, have Husdon and Smoltz come back at the All star break next year…..and get a quality backup for Chipper and rest him more often so hes strong in the 2nd half of next year.
With this $$ we should also build a stronger bench……i believe us having the Woodcraps and Corkys over the past 2 years on the bench and having to make crucial starts has KILLED this team!!
I think we could make the WS next year if we do things right………will i feel this way after Chipper and Smoltz are gone? probably not. So lets GO FOR IT NOW!!
Oyea whys everyone hating on escobar lately….the guys one of the best SS in all of baseball when hes got his head on straight. The Pena release thing really messed him up this year for a month or so…and then he got injured….. so no doubt we havent seen the best out of him lately!
By Peter
July 31, 2008 2:13 AM | Link to this
Jeff: Where does a $105M payroll rank the Braves? Sabathia and Sheets? Those guys aren’t going for the rebuilding team that except for McCann is not only weak up the middle but not good anywhere defensively.
Where’d you and the wife go this summer?
By JD
July 31, 2008 2:28 AM | Link to this
First of all, Atlanta is in need of a major overhaul of it’s entire sports programs, period. This city is a powerhouse of dedicated fans, who deserve better sports entertainment. The Braves should begin at the top, find a coach who cares about winning, Bobby Cox days should be over. It is time for a fresh, more diverse field of professionals to bring championships to this great city. In addition, along the way have Bobby to pick up Keith Brookins, Arthur Blank, Mike Woodson, John Smoltz, Tommy Glavine, and Mike Hampton, and the entire dance team for the Falcons and the Hawks. they all should ride the next bus out of Atlanta.
By Braint
July 31, 2008 2:51 AM | Link to this
The Royals and Pirates have a better winning % than the Braves.
Corky Miller, .093 AVG., had another PB (4)this evening. He’s our defensive specialist. Why don’t we just call Biff Pocaroba?
Wilie Harris hit his 8th HR tonight for the Nationals — more than Diaz, Blanco, Kotsay, and 1 less than JF.
Julian Tavarez is on our pitching staff and getting innings….He is really bad.
Gotay is hitting .220 and he’s 2 for his last 2. He’s one of our top bench guys.
Boyer is exhausted becuase he’s been used 58 times this year. Why would you use a reliever 58 times who is not very good — at all?
Next year our opening day line up should be: Escobar (SS), Prado (2B), Chipper (3B), MCCann (C), Bay (LF), Kotchman (1B) JF (RF), KJ (CF), CC Sabathia (P).
By Larry
July 31, 2008 3:53 AM | Link to this
You can have Oprah’s money times ten and resurrect Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio and time-machine Aaron, Gibson and Willie Mays from their primes….along as Brain-Dead Bobby at the helm, all this is moot.
I mean, has there ever been a BIGGER ELEPHANT in the room than Brain-Dead Bobby? Is senile now the rage? All for respecting experience and wisdom, but this is fetid negligence….
Same damn moron moves…bunt after lead-off walk in first inning…How many times we seen this repeat offense? Three dozen, over.under 40 times, my guess…. Oh good, new rule from Bud Lite the Commish, the game now is over if you score first.
Corky Miller may be great guy to share a cocktail with, but he is hitting Brain-Dead’s IQ. This is disgraceful. Who makes these personnel moves?
Wasted $8 million on broke-down Tommy, oh yeah, that time machine bringing back Aaron and Mays didn’t work on worn-out past classer. That was horrid signing going into season as so many (me too) posted before spring training,,,,
As depressing as getting hamburger Casey Kotch for prime mignon Tex, and the dreadful news on Hudson’s splitter blowing up his right wing along with embarrassing less-than-major-league professional play (i.e. Bad News Bears wild throws all over the field Tuesday night). all this is moot and worthless if Brain-Dead Bobby stays.
In mean seriously, does he have photos of someone signing the paychecks?
#By George N "Boston Brave" Spitz
July 31, 2008 3:59 AM | Link to this
The Atlanta Braves remind me of my old Boston Braves. No Afro-American players. I had hoped that they would get James Loney for Mark Teixeira but it didn’t happen. I think it was a mistake to let Willie Harris go. With his and Gregor Blanco’s speed at the top of the lineup, the third and fourth and fifth hitters would see only fastballs. Very few balls would drop in the outfield. If Jeff Franceuer would continue to slump, they could bring up Josh Anderson who is hitting over 290 at Richmond. That would be the fastest outfield in history.
By ronp
July 31, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this
So now we’re looking for a big bat? We had a big bat in Tex..who else is out there that can produce 37 homers and 134 RBI’s? Nobody.
Just because we don’t like Boras, it’s not good business to shoot ourselves in the foot. It’s not his fault there’s an existing market for talent with teams bidding up prices every day. Replacement cost won’t change no matter who’s the agent.
Starting pitching ain’t that bad if we can sign Jurgens and Campillo. Of course, Hudson needs to recover. Morton and JoJo are good young talents…need to buy the services of another first rate starter… prices start at $15 million and up…step up to the plate.
Bullpen is decent with Gonzolez and Soriano back in uniform..hope Moylan can also come back. Blaine Boyer hasn’t gotten anyone out in three weeks.
Bottom line is $40 million won’t go that far especially if we want to acquire the best players “money can buy.”
Therefore, it’s a long term situation and perhaps we should hang onto the funds and build with youth over the next three years…this will be tough on the fans in the short run but should pay big divdennds later.
By Michael
July 31, 2008 4:25 AM | Link to this
I knew Hampton was making a ton of money, which is why I’m pretty sure the Braves would’ve been able to afford him if they really wanted to. Knowing the Scott Boras Tax is probably about 20% more than a player’s real market value, they probably figured they could spend better elsewhere.
I’m really not sold on Kelly Johnson at second base. That dropped final out in a game against Philly still burns my eyeballs. He’s a defensive liability at second.
As for everything else, who knows. McCann will obviously be here for a long time unless something crazy happens. Jeff Francoeur still has a few years to prove he can get better (don’t forget he’s pretty good defensively and was pretty darn good last year). Chipper Jones will play as long as he literally can, but everybody else is up in the air.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2009)
July 31, 2008 4:27 AM | Link to this
I agree, Cox is an absolute joke. But, it really doesn’t matter. The Braves will lose their a*******es with or without Bobby at the helm in 2008 and 2009.
Rebuild? um, thats an understatement. The entire outfield is up for grabs.
The offense is in the tank (ie. see the 20 HR total from those guys).
The bullpen is shot to hell, mainly from Bobby trying to set a new modern record for innings pitched by his bullpen. (this will be the third year in a row the bullpen has topped 500 innings pitched.)
Atlanta has a big problem at 3B. Chipper is hall of fame caliber when he is in the lineup and an absolute black hole in the offense when he ain’t. Hoss isn’t capable of playing more than 125-130 games AT THE MOST. The Braves need to start thinking about a full time replacement in the near future.
McCann doesn’t have a suitable back up. The good news is, the Braves have plenty of money to spend and the free agent market is full of catchers.
Jeff Francoeur is the mystery boy. Is 2008 a blip on the radar or is his eyesight really getting progressively worse? Remember the beaning he took in 2004, it caused significant damage to his eye socket.
With the loss of Hudson for most if not all of 2009, the Braves starting pitching is in shambles. Smoltz is an unknown, Ditto for Glavine. Mike Hampton is back, but how will he perform for the rest of this year and will the Braves attempt to resign him after his current contract is up?
Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton will have to grow up fast, Jurrjens and Campillo can’t carry the load by themselves.
Casey Kotchman isn’t really happy to be in a Braves uniform no matter what the spin machine (Atlanta Braves/ Atlanta Journal Constitution) says. However, the guy is a professional, he will adjust. But, he isn’t even close to being the player that Tex is.
Sure, the Braves will have close to 50 million to splurge. But, can they find the right players for all the holes this team has?
Probably not. The free agent market has never been the best place to build from. The draft and minor league system should be the Braves main focus because as we have seen, the Marlins, Rays, Diamondbacks and Rockies have built from within. It’s a lesson that Atlanta would do well to take to heart.
By will
July 31, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this
keep it up braves,this team,makes me money all the time,itell all you baseball fans whats gonna happen,sorry chipper,and glavine will come off the dl after atlanta is 20 games out,then they will win like 8in a row at end of year and wind up 12 out then everyone will say oh,wait for next year,you all neeed to become a gambler like me,so, when the braves lose, and i win my bet,i dont get angry anymore,what this team needs is young pitchers,the reason all you morons,the pitchers are all injured is look at the situation,smoltz,glavine,hampton,have pitched,200 innings a year for 18 year gee thats 3,600 innings your arm will screw up,thy it morons, its not mcdowell the braves need to get lackey,in the offseason,maybe cc if he loses weight,and a good left fielder,and the one guy is right, DRAFT BETTER, MY GOD,ITHINK THE FALCONS BRASS HAVE BEEN DRAFTING FOR THE BRAVES THE PAST 10 YEARS,this whole team needs to be overhauled starting with the top,you young people iremember the 60,s, and 70,s it will be that way again,cox didnt win all those games in the 90,s, the BRAVES HAD TRUE YOUNG TALENT.
By will
July 31, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this
THE BRAVES WILL HAVE THE MONEY TO RESIGN TEX, DO IT.
By will
July 31, 2008 6:08 AM | Link to this
PUT BOBBY COX, IN THE FRONT OFFICE WHERE HE BELONGS, finding talent,AND GET RID OF ALL THE DEAD WEIGHT ON THIS TEAM EXCEPT JOHN SMOLTZ
By Charlie
July 31, 2008 6:58 AM | Link to this
Just finished watching game 3, with St. Louis. This Braves team is as poor as any they’ve ever (in their history) put on the field. What IDIOT decided to make Corky Miller a backup catcher? A “catch and throw” guy, they said. He can’t catch, throw, hit, or any of the 5 tools. How does this guy get a major league uniform? He gets it the same way the other LOSERS in Atlanta did…from the decisions made by baseball IDIOTS, that reside in management in Atlanta. Atlanta now has 1 starting pitcher, and he’s a rookie. With Chipper and McCann on the bench, we have ZERO hitters. Joe and Josh appauld Frenchy RBI single, but ignore his bases loaded wild swing that amounted to an infield ground out. Charlie (“The Tuna”) Morton, Jo Jo Reyes, Blaine Boyer, Royce Ring, along with a few other clowns that have tried to pass themselves off as major league pitchers HAVE proven their consistency…that they are consistently BAD, and are minor league calber ball players. I know that injuries have played A BIG PART in the debacle of 2008, but “building” a team on old, broken down pitching, a lousy outfield, with much of the minor league prospects given away the past few years…well, what do you expect?
Now you have to totally rebuild for 2009. 2009 won’t produce much more than 2008 has. Braves fans can only look forward to another .500 (or less season).
Former GM John S. knew what he was doing by handing things over to Frank Wren, but the bad decisions of the past few years have now come home to roost, and there is nothing now to rebuild with.
Maybe by 2012 the Braves will be able to compete again. Maybe.
By Greg
July 31, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
We need three Major League starters and a right-handed RBI machine just to compete next year. Status quo will not buy that. And that’s just to compete. We also need two proven left-handed relief pitchers and that adds another $6 million. No way this team will spend what it takes to compete against the Mets next year. Since they are moving into their new stadium, they will back up a truck for Sabathia. That gives them Santana, Sabathia, Maine, Pelfrey. That’s as good as Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz in their prime. Second place is about the best we can hope for.
By Dog The Man
July 31, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
THEY WILL NOT SPEND A DIME. THE FRONT OFFICE WILL STAND PAY AND LIBERTY MEDIA WILL BE RICH. THEY DO NOT CARE AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THEIR TAX WRITE OFF. I REFUSE TO GET EXCITED ABOUT FREE AGENCY.. Every year we here the same thing. We have no constraints. we will be players in the market. But nothing ever happens. AND IT WON’T HAPPEN THIS YEAR..
By Arkie Fan
July 31, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Our Team Management has some tough decisions coming forth. Spend $$ Millions on band-aid fixes that have not been successful in the past or buy the best young players available. When we are playing a .093 hitting catcher, it is evident our minor-league system is dead. Build from the ground up. We have maybe 12 major league players. The rest either cannot hit or pitch in AA ball. I am an old Dallas Cowboy’s fan. Age and high salaries along with coaching loyalties killed the team. They kept the old stars, and watched their youth leave until they hit rock botttom. Now they are back.(almost) If any fan has been watching games lately, most will agree we are not a good AA Team. REBUILD, with speed, pitching, power and YOUTH. Guts - JS
By Elmer
July 31, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
The Pirates were a playoff team in 1991 & ‘92, but have been doormats since. Do the current Braves follow the Pirates? Pray not!
By Phil
July 31, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
McGuirk said what I have been tyring to tell people, Liberty Media is not the problem. His hands are not totally tied and we have a respectable payroll. Check the Florida Marlins payroll and see where they rank. Yet there they are right in the division title race with many unknown players.
And of course it helps that they have an up and coming bright manager(only 44 years old) they we let slip away in Fredi Gonzalez.
Listen folks, Bobby Cox has run his course here. He has turned into Bobby Bowden. You can’t get rid of the guy and just because he’s been there forever management thinks they owe it to him to keep him around.
It’s time to move forward, we can’t go back to the mid 90’s anymore. Those teams are gone. Cox’s ability is also gone.
He’s Bobby Bowden in a baseball uniform. Can’t anybody see that??
By Phil
July 31, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Just went to ESPN.com and verified the payrolls. Atlanta ranks 10th in baseball (102 mil) while the Marlins rank dead last(30th) with 22 mil.
Liberty Media is not the problem folks.
By Phil
July 31, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Posted by Charlie:
What IDIOT decided to make Corky Miller a backup catcher
Here’s your answer: Bobby Cox
By Kevin
July 31, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Oh yes they can start the Rebuildin process by Firein Bobby Cox n TP…and send franky back to double AA ball.Get some young arms Not old dead arms as in hudson n Tom(ow)Glavine and dave hampton!
By gayle
July 31, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Way to go Larry - the groundswell to add life to the dugout grows. I’ve never seen a team with less life and energy. How many come from behind wins does this team have?
And it has been written here often and elsewhere - DOB included - as good a player that Tex is, he simply had NO impact on this team in terms of wins.
Call Tex for what he really is - a hired gun who put himself first and always had his big free agency payday in mind. He turned down 7/$140 from Texas and I’m guessing that Wren’s offer in spring was similar.
Trust me Braves fans, Tex may be among the best players statistically, but he really did not help this team - certainly not enough to justify getting 20% or more of the payroll.
By kevin
July 31, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Well are new 1st baseman was not happy comin here he said from angels team..sorry AJC u just love to lie for bobby cox n TP. We need change n Fire Bobby cox is should be done n TP needs to go also…There no husstle here no tean captain to spur on these people…where the leader oh wait bobby cox would frown on it…That why all the players are gone to other teams to be better..Goodbye Bobby cox b Tp oh gee i bet cox poor wife be want to move out if that happens…
By geekboy
July 31, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
The Braves would win the NL East with only 3 free agent hires — Matt Holiday, Carl Crawford and C.C. Sabathia.
Crawford or Francouer would have to play CF.
By JR
July 31, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Go after both Sheets and Sabathis, but rebuilding could start right now. Jason Bay is available, go get him. He is on the cheap right now. If we can not get him get the two pitchers in the off-season and trade for Matt Holliday. The Rockies will dump him at the end of the year for prospects. BTW it’s gonna take some money to resign Mike Gonzalez. I suggest we do that, plus have you guys witnessed our bullpen lately. Wow it’s bad and I mean horrible. So we are in need of some bullpen help as well. This team could look very different next year and that’s not a bad thing. New life in Atlanta.
By D.Ellis
July 31, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
First things first. You go after the follwoing 4 pitchers hoping to land 2
A.J.Burnett CC.Sabathia Ben Sheets Brad Penny
Then go after Bay or Holiday to shore up one corner of the outfield. Carl Crawford will also be available who could add good deense, speed to the lineup.
It starts with the pitching though. go after those 4 and get 2. Out 2 of those guys with JJ/Campillio/ that gives you a solid roatation for 2009.
By Ronald Millsaps
July 31, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
I have my qualms with some of Bobby’s decisions this season and lack of adjustments, but the folks who sit here and attack the man by and large do nothing but show their ignorance.
First of all, no manager has lost his understanding of the game due to age. That theory is ridiculous. In fact, over time, you learn more.
In reference to the mid-nineties, to those who think Bobby’s managing techniques have changed, you aren’t very perceptive. His strategy basically has been for the offense to score “x” amount of runs and for the pitching and defense to decide the game. When you have names like Justice, McGriff, Klesko, Lopez, etc., waiting for the three-run homer is not such a bad thing, but now, I’ve never seen a Braves team before that was this scarce in terms of hitting home runs.
Again, this rhetoric about the game passing one by is just that: rhetoric. The game doesn’t evolve over time (just like we don’t); the same fundamentals 100 years ago work equally-well today and will do the same throughout the future.
Bobby could do a better job reminding this team of the need for execution, perhaps. We have seen more errors than usual, fewer bunts, fewer runners moved over, fewer stolen bases attempted (which is a lethal problem anytime—especially given the aforementioned lack of home runs), etc.. We need a return to basics. (Like Bill Belichick or not, I’ve heard that every day he has Tom Brady practice the simple act of throwing a football.)
Honestly, this team has all kinds of talent, in spite of the horrible rash of injuries. Gregor Blanco, Omar Infante, Yunel Escobar, Brandon Jones, etc. give this team a real lineup of guys who can play “small” ball. Jorge Campillo has been a find, and Jair, while not as good as Smoltz or Hudson, is good enough to be called an “ace.”
By the way, Brian McCann’s hopefully not far from returning; Mike Hampton is back; Tom Glavine could return soon, and Chipper should be back August 8. We also have loads of prospects in the minors, including the guy we got in the Tyler Yates trade, the guy who had the perfect seven innings the other day and 16 strikeouts, as well as the latest top draft choice, who I’ve heard could be the next Cole Hamels. To say that this team lacks infrastructure is completely wrong.
By the way, “robert”, in response to your anti-Bobby tirade in the previous blog, which I just scanned over a moment ago, I know your type pretty well. You hurl insults left and right with all the velocity of a Mark Wohlers fastball in an attempt to disguise your ignorance, but if someone hits a line drive back at you, you have no idea what to do. You just stand there while the ball hits you in the face and don’t have enough sense to get an ice bag.
By Elmer
July 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Let’s start over with Jerriens, McCann, Escobar,Prado and the 2 Jones (B&C).
By Judas Priest
July 31, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
It’s easy to see that the baseball gods are more than a little ticked off at the Braves this year. We must appease the gods by the virgin sacrifice of 9 virgins (1 for each position). I volunteer my priestly services to audition these fine virgins.
It’s not what you think, ladies, I just need you to help me show the current surviving Braves who aren’t on the DL how to bunt a runner to 2nd or maybe even 3rd base if they can possibly make it that far.
If we make the baseball gods happy then they will stop the carnage as well as send us the free agents we need to win the division next year.
By ScottW
July 31, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
It’s like we are time transported back to 1988.They can’t hit and we have worn down the pitching staff. I believe Bobby Cox has earned the right to finish out here though.We need to regroup and spend wisely.Time to say goodbye to Glavine and (gulp) Smoltz and Hampton who earned 63 million between starts in 2005 and 2008.Cut the cord with the past and regroup or you loose what true fans the Braves still have. You cannot live on the glory of the past of 14 winning seasons and watch this without realizing this was destined to happen.This team is snakebit with injuries to the nth degree and although some of these cannot be avoided, we had no such problems with a pitching coach named Rockin Leo.He is just sitting around doing sports talk radio waiting for a job.Any takers??
By Obama Man
July 31, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Get some African American players with speed like Tampa Bay is doing. It will not put people in the stands but it will reduce the boredom.
By R1U
July 31, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
if you don’t have people who can hit—-who cares how good the pitching is—-look at how many runners we have LOB this year.
We need bats. Other than the Phillies debacle - we did pretty well when we had a lead. Squiggly #s on the scoreboard usually mean Ws. SCORE some runs and catch the ball —-things will turn around!
By GaCracker
July 31, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
What good does it do to rebuild with Bobby calling the shots. He has a genius for losing close games and leaving men on base. He has got to manufacture some runs. Forget starting pitching. They need speed, on base %, and power in the outfield. The infield is strong with Chipper’s return even without Tex.
By richbrave
July 31, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Well, LIBERTY is faced with the prospect of opening the ‘09 season with JAIR JURJENS as the team’s #1 starting pitcher. Does the MEDIA management HAVE to bust a move for high priced pitching? No, but they should. They should have done so at last winter’s meetings. And a center-fielder while they were at it. He who hesitates is lost.
Does JASON BAY’s style of hitting jibe with THE TED and Braves management? I don’t know, but if it does put him on the roster for money not prospects. Lock up GONZALEZ. Keep OHLMAN. $$$$, that’s the name of the game now unless ATLANTA’s organization has decided to revert to the KC-PITTSBURGH small-market style of operations. We’ll see now for the fat is in the fire.
By aaron
July 31, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
this is easy. focus on signing cc sabathia (with sheets and lackey as fall backs) and adam dunn.
use whatever extra cash on a mid level vet starter, like derek lowe or whoever.
By timmy
July 31, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I think we should go after Brad Penny, DeJesus(if there are no internal CF options) and then try for Bay or Willingham(he is arb eligible and the Marlins have put it out there they may try to move some of there arb-eligible players)
By Curse Buster
July 31, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
You’re CURSED!!!
and even worse, you’re stuck with horrible sports columnists too!!!
HA HA HA HA!!!
By BL
July 31, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
CHARLIE You jab Francoeur for his bases loaded groundout but YOU forget his bases loaded game saving catch against the iron. We would have already been down by 4-6 by his next at bat without that. NO other Braves outfielder makes that catch.
By Colin
July 31, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
My Ideal Starting Rotation 1. C.C. 2. Lackey 3.Hudson 4. Jair 5. Campillio
7th Inning- Moylan(when he comes back). till the by committee 8th- Soriano 9th- Gonzo
Lineup 1.Gregor CF 2.Yunel SS 3.Chipper 3B 4.Bay LF 5.McCann C 6.Kotchman 1st 7.Kelly 2nd 8.Rocco Baldelli RF 9.Pitcher
Yes as you saw i had plugged Bay in LF, hopefully he would be a great acquisition
And Rocco is a free agent who could really help our team. Speed and power out of the 8 whole. I would really like that.
As for Pitching we went out and got 2 big names C.C. and Lackey that would really bolster our rotation in case Hudson goes down for TJ
French should be traded to the Royals for some good prospects and start rebuilding our minor league system
By Gary
July 31, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Funny how people put players who are not even FAs on this board (Carl Crawford is one) and expect the Braves to pick them up. It is also funny how so many of you can be so pessimistic. The Braves are tearing down and completely rebuilding. They already have a good foundation in place. Jurrjens, McCann, Escobar, Kochman, and Francouer are the foundation to the future. The Braves management will now need to go out and bring back FA talent and trade talent. 2-3 positions can be filled in house and we do not need to go out and spend money on a FA in these positions: LF, CF, and 2B. You can go out and get 1-2 year rental stop gaps until you are sure the guys are bound to take over are ready. Spend your FA money on pitching. First off, CC Sabathia needs to be front and center. He’s a lefty who is entering the prime of his career (only 28) and you are in a perfect position to get him. He doesn’t want to play in NY and the Mets nor Yankees want him. Boston doesn’t need him because their rotation is young and one of the best. The two Chicago teams are set as far as the rotation goes so that gives the Braves an excellent shot to get him if they show him the money. The team they will have to compete with are the Dodgers and so far they are in a tailspin because of all the money they have locked up in Brad Penny and Jason Schmidt. They will play for CC, but the Braves have a legit shot to get him. Once you take care of that, then go after a guy you can pencil in at either #2 or #3. The Angels might not pick up the option on Lackey if they make a play for Tex and try to keep K-Rod. If he is available, go after him. If not, then go after another Angel pitcher who is young and is solid at times John Garland. If you do not want to shell out the cash for them, then go the trade route and pick up either Erik Bedard or Justin Duchsherer. The 5th spot should be held for either Campilio (if he is not traded) or Travis Hanson. Reyes, James, nor Morton have the pitches or the mental capability to be big league pitchers. Its time for the Braves to rebuild the rotation and give the farm some time to develop the future aces.
As far as the other spots in the lineup are concerned, LF will be taken up by Jason Heyward sometime around late 09 or 2010. He is that good and I would not be surprised if he went the Furcal route and made the team next year. Brent Lilibridge showed some promise his last time up and I believe could be ready to take over 2B next year and be the leadoff hitter the Braves need. KJ is not all that great defensively at second, but his bat is good at times. I say move him to LF if Heyward is not ready. As for CF (sorry the dude who said move KJ to center, thats not happening) Gorkys Hernandez has been lights out in the minors and will give speed and great defense to the future in CF. He might be ready in 2009, but its more likely he comes up in 2010. I say keep Blanco in this role as a stopgap if he is not ready. The bench needs help and the Braves should spend some money to bring in gritty vets who get the job done. There are plenty of them out there, especially at catcher and first base. Prado and Infante should be kept no matter the cost. The guys are versitile and good pinch hitters if need be. The Braves need to get back to the way things were in the early 90’s. Great pitching, timely hitting, and spectacular defense. Around 1996 the Braves went for the great pitching and the 3-Run HR and its no coincidence that they have only been back to the World Series once since then.
The Braves will compete next year because the Mets will lose 3 starters and 2 hitters from their everyday lineup. The Phillies are more than likely going to lose Pat Burrell and I doubt Geoff Jenkins continues to play like he did this year. The Phillies will be the better team and we will have to build overselves to beat them. CC will go along way in doing that.
By Brian
July 31, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget the money we saved on Kotsay vs. Andruw that went unspent this year and the money we saved on Escobar vs. Renterria that went unspent this year.
That should add about $10-15 mil to the payroll with the only addition last year being Glavine and he’s gone.
We SHOULD have a lot more to spend then what the front office would have us believe.
By justafan
July 31, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
* Nothing will ever change as long as Bobby Cox stays.* He has had his Glory Days and its time for new young blood. Please Bobby go spend some time with the family before its to late.
By War Eagle 02
July 31, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Kevin,
Your a moron, Hudson is not a dead arm, he’s in his prime. I’m not sure who “Dave Hampton” is but Mike Hampton’s contract is up so he’s gone anyway. You don’t even know the players names and you can’t spell. Go get your GED before you write any more posts!
By CJ
July 31, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I can see the starting five now…. Jurrjens, Campillo, Sheets, Sabathia, Reyes. That would be nice.
By 95Braves
July 31, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
It can get worse, folks. Long-time Braves fans will remember the mid 70’s, when we were so weak the big deal was to get Barry Bonnell to 3rd base to keep Rowland Office’s bat in the lineup. And I still say the alltime bonehead trades were 1) Ralph Garr for Ken Henderson 2) Dusty Baker for Jim Wynn. Pre 1991 fans were happy to sniff .500
By 95Braves
July 31, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
It can get worse, folks. Long-time Braves fans will remember the mid 70’s, when we were so weak the big deal was to get Barry Bonnell to 3rd base to keep Rowland Office’s bat in the lineup. And I still say the alltime bonehead trades were 1) Ralph Garr for Ken Henderson 2) Dusty Baker for Jim Wynn. Pre 1991 fans were happy to sniff .500
By 95Braves
July 31, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
It can get worse, folks. Long-time Braves fans will remember the mid 70’s, when we were so weak the big deal was to get Barry Bonnell to 3rd base to keep Rowland Office’s bat in the lineup. And I still say the alltime bonehead trades were 1) Ralph Garr for Ken Henderson 2) Dusty Baker for Jim Wynn. Pre 1991 fans were happy to sniff .500
By TheAntiMe
July 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry, but at the risk of getting labeled a heretic and becoming the target of an angry mob - I don’t really see how the fact that the bullpen has totally collapsed in every game is all Bobby Cox’ fault. Most of the guys in the pen just don’t have what it takes to get major league hitters out. If he uses only the pitchers that are having some success in every situation then they will be on the DL before long with arm problems from going so many innings.
I don’t think managers are allowed to go into the paying customers to try to find someone who can get hitters out.
I am frustrated very much by the bullpen but bringing in Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa, or anyone else to manage the same bullpen personnel IMHO is not going to have any noticably better results.
I could be wrong but that is what I think.
By Bama
July 31, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Colin; ROCCO Baldelli Has not played 30 games in two years and said last week he may not play again. Where the he11 you been?
By Phil
July 31, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
TheAnitMe,
We let 2 good managers get away in Fredi Gonzalez and Ned Yost. I think these guys could have worked well with Frenchy and his problems. Pendleton has been a complete failure, Frenchy has absoluetly no idea where the strike zone is. Cox is so senile he doesn’t even know Frenchy has a problem.
As far as the bullpen goes, same thing there. Yost or Gonzalez could have worked with those young guys as well. We need to thank Cox for his service to the organization but he simply can’t do the job anymore. If we’re tearing down and starting over, let’s go all the way.
By dwbower
July 31, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Great!
But money doesn’t buy a winning attitude. That chemistry eludes some of the best baseball minds in the business. Only a handful of people get it. The Yankees sort of pulled it off. The Red Sox trumped them recently, and the lowly Marlins have even gotten a handle on it.
The Braves did for years, but have just found it cannot be bottled up and transported because of past success. It always has to happen now. Hoping to pull of a 9 game comeback because a former Braves team did won’t overcome a 9 game mountain.
In theory there is no reason, even with these awful injuries for the team not to be playing better. They just haven’t mastered the attitudes necessary to win on a regular basis. The winning attitude has been replaced with frustration, cluelessness, bafflement, and distraction over the distractions.
Hopefully, as they rebuild, they can find people who can make the chemistry work with a new team. A new team does not necessarily have all new players. It just recognizes this bunch needs to find ways to win with the new combinations. So every year the team is new.
I find myself hoping for more than talent. I find myself hoping the talent that does come can claim a good winning attitude.
Doug B.
By justafan
July 31, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Gary if Francouer is the FOUNDATION of this team we’re in deep SH@#!!!!!!!!
Willie Harris has better Stats!!!!
By TIMEFORCHANGE
July 31, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Unless they fix the pen and get some players who can drive the ball, there will still be no signing of grand pitchers to lead our club. They dont want any part of walking out of October or having their 7 innings of great pitching blow up by the pen. Lets face it, theres a lot to fix on this club. Better get started fast and please say goodby to Miller. OMG
By Gary
July 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
You guys do know that if the Brewers don’t make the playoffs then Yost will get ax. I think they will make it, but that is one thing to keep in mind. Also Freddie would have been a better manager in my mind. Look at what he has done with a bunch of youngsters in FLA. I hope they win the East.
By justafan
July 31, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Thanks- Phil- good blog 11:24. Agree!
By Phil
July 31, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Javy Lopez would have been a better choice than Corky Miller to keep around as a backup catcher. Wille Harris should have been kept as our leadoff hitter. More signs that Cox has lost it.
By Tomas
July 31, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
I was thinking exactly in that manner, but David O Brien wrote that you have to consider the raises to Hudson, Mccan, and other arbitration eligible players. If Hudson ends up having TJ which i think is unevitable, they need to aces. And rememver they let Texeira go because they couldn’t afford him, so that payroll can’t be that low. Besides want’s more money than Tex, so I would think he is outta of the question. Ben Sheets will recieve less than CC because of his history with injuries, but it will still be a huge contract.
The Braves need to consider other options than those two, because the Hudson blow took out the hopes of getting an ace of that caliber.
-hopefully Wren can sign 3 from that list.
By Tomas
July 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
I was thinking exactly in that manner, but David O Brien wrote that you have to consider the raises to Hudson, Mccan, and other arbitration eligible players. If Hudson ends up having TJ which i think is unevitable, they need to aces. And rememver they let Texeira go because they couldn’t afford him, so that payroll can’t be that low. Besides want’s more money than Tex, so I would think he is outta of the question. Ben Sheets will recieve less than CC because of his history with injuries, but it will still be a huge contract.
The Braves need to consider other options than those two, because the Hudson blow took out the hopes of getting an ace of that caliber.
-hopefully Wren can sign 3 from that list.
By Tomy Fournier
July 31, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Some are talking the true…other..just dreaming…but the reality is…”WE NEED TO REBUILD THE COACH STAFF AND THE MANAGER” and with the new one…make a better team than this one…beginning to put out the agers and bring in new blood.We need pitchers.second base,center field and a left field (mean power hitters),,,go and get it>>>>YEAAAAAHHH!!!!
By mike
July 31, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Get them both imagine that rotation of sheets, sabathia, and juirjens. We have to get back to braves baseball. Fanastic pitching, great defense, and smart hitters who can move runners and drive them in not nessasarly home run hitters but hust guys that can get on and drive people in and there are plenty of players out there like that dont cost that much. Let the spending begin
By Gary
July 31, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Justafan and Phil…&