Where did Jeff go?
He’s moved to a new location. Check him out on the new blogging platform and let him know what you think.
Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2009 > January > 13
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday Countdown: Derek Lowe’s big, fat $60M contract
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
10: I understand the desperate need for a starter and Derek Lowe’s leverage played huge roles in the decision. But don’t you find it interesting that Braves general manager Frank Wren, who didn’t want to take any “risks” with the pitching staff next season, just gave a four-year, $60 million contract to a 35-year-old?
9: Lowe is solid but not what you’d call spectacular: 68-60 with a 3.91 ERA over the last five years. He has averaged 206 innings in that span. A $15 million a year pitcher? No. But he’ll help. Given the collapse of Pompeii, Wren didn’t have much of a choice. But if Lowe starts to look his age in two years, this contract has the potential of being a Hamptonian albatross.
8: Tim Tebow had surgery Monday to remove a bone spur from his shoulder. Georgia had surgery to remove Tebow’s foot from … whoa, look at the time!
7: I was going to do a column on this last week. Unfortunately I was interrupted by the Braves’ ejection of John Smoltz. So now I’ll now just throw it out into the blogosphere. Who would you rather be: Tim Tebow or Matthew Stafford? Because I’ve polled about 10 people and the results might surprise you.
6: Here are your two choices: Tebow: College football legend with possibly no NFL future. Stafford: College football star (but well short of legend) with a certain NFL future and a $70 million contract. Stumped? Here’s a little more to make you think. Tebow: Heisman Trophy winner (with possibly another to come), two national championships (with possibly another to come), two SEC titles (with possibly another to come) and universal admiration. Also, an endless supply of hot-and-cold running blondes. Stafford: No trophies and no titles but a bunch of wins and a nice bag of stats and significant but not universal adoration. Also, an endless supply of hot-and-cold running blondes (that seems to be their common trait). This really is not meant to be a knock on Stafford. I’m just asking: Would a $70 million contract (at least $35 million guaranteed) be enough to make you forget about all of that other stuff? Because for me it would. But …
5: Asked my wife. Asked several friends. Asked Mike Bobo, the Georgia quarterbacks coach. “I’d rather be Tebow,” he said. “But that’s probably because I knew I didn’t have the talent to play in the NFL. I think it depends where you grow up. I grew up in Georgia and playing college football was my dream. Matthew grew up in Texas, and his dream has always been the NFL.” All but two people said they would rather be Tebow. I asked my wife about the money. Her response, alluding to Tebow: “He’ll find a job.” Your thoughts?
4: Speaking of legends: Buck Belue is a one. He’s also one of the nicest guys you’re ever going to meet. For those who haven’t heard, Belue is suffering from Bells Palsy — facial paralysis. That’s why Belue has been absent from his afternoon sports talk show with John Kincade on 680-The Fan. For those who want to know more, here are links to a Peach Buzz item on Belue and Buck’s blog on BuckBelue.com.
3: Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice certainly are worthy of Hall of Fame induction. But so are these guys, who were checked on my ballot: Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven.
2: Mark McGwire? No. I don’t have a no-Hall policy for steroid users. It comes down to this for me: If I believe a player would’ve been a Hall of Fame performer without steroids, I’m voting him in. I don’t believe McGwire would have had HOF numbers. Conversely, Barry Bonds had Hall credentials before he (allegedly) started juicing. So yes, I’m voting him in when he’s eligible.
1: For what it’s worth, I’d settle for being Joe Cox.
