By GermanBravesFan

January 29, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this

Third?

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this

I have to admit I am starting to get on the Hinkse bagwagon. He doesnt hit as many homers as Dunn but he does great in a platoon which is what we are looking for. I havent watched him much so I dont know how he defensively but he cant be worse than Dunn. Now I will admit I dont want Dunn. I think he is overated and I believe every supporter will be cursing him when he strikesout with runners on. Dont worry I have been writing down every Dunn supporter and I will be here to tell you to shut up.

By BigHittas

January 29, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

Abreu? Ohman? Glav?

All three sounds good to me. Abreu if they can’t get Roberts. I don’t see why they sohould try to get the others mentioned or give up talent just to sign Nady.

By Jeff R

January 29, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, thanks for the updates and the spec…

Ohman - sign. The guy’ll come pretty cheap comparatively and is a proven producer.

Abreu - Isn’t one year enough? The farm system has talent in the pipeline. Why trade solid farm talent for either Nady or Swisher? Abreu is a very acceptable place-holder.

Glavine - Why? He’s 43 coming off surgeries. He appeared to be fading at the end of the ‘06 season. The team has plenty of candidates for the 5th spot in the rotation. Morton and, possibly, Hanson lead the list. It’s time for Tommy to hang ‘em up.

By tr

January 29, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I was under the impression that any funds to sign Smoltz (moot point) and Glavine were NOT included in the supposed payroll budget (whatever that is), and, instead, were to be considered separately!?!?! Thanks!

By Chris

January 29, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

looks like jason stark from espn has stated that the yankees are now opening the idea of trading swisher and that the braves are the frontrunners. in the same article he states that the braves are out of the running for dunn

By popeye

January 29, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

Swisher is ok. Not hot on Nady. Just tired of one year rentals. Abreu is a one or two year fix, but maybe that’s all the Braves need. His plus is not having to give up prospects. I’m in a mood to let the young guns come on, even this year. Not for the futre but for now. With the pitching that has been assembled I belive this can be an unexpectedly good year.

By pfunkatl2

January 29, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

Gettin AMPED about the Bravos again, tho I think they are an outfielder(or TWO) away from contention. Pitching looks pretty solid, tho I would LOVE to see Ohman and maybe Glavine thrown into the mix as well. Not sure how Andru could or would fit into the mix, but on the CHEAP I guess it couldn’t hurt….WE’LL SEE!

By Jayson Stark

January 29, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

“After trying to push Xavier Nady as the outfielder they’d most prefer to trade, the Yankees are telling teams they’re softening to the idea of dealing Nick Swisher. The Braves head the list of clubs who prefer Swisher because of his versatility and because he’s three years from free agency, not one.

The Braves may bring Andruw Jones to camp as a favor. But every indication is that most of their baseball operation is as wary of Jones as the rest of the sport. “What does he do for that team?” one scout asked. “He can’t come off the bench. He’s regressed defensively. And he’s a horrible hitter. Over the last 1½ seasons, he might have been the easiest out in the major leagues.”“

Also, the Braves have “backed off” of Adam Dunn.

By popeye

January 29, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, how did you like the ‘Visitor’? I saw it and took up playing African drums!

By help me out here--

January 29, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

DAP

• if you do the math that is a little over 21M over 3 years like i said.

By AdirondackDave

January 29, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog, DOB. I’m a big Glavine fan but not so keen on spending money on him at this point in his career. As I recall, he stunk up Shea during the last 4-6 weeks of ‘07 and than ‘08 was, well, not what he or the Braves were hoping for. Rather spend the cash on Ohman and/or outfield improvement. Abreu can still hit and run and his defense isn’t so bad to rule him out. I did see a few games his games (on tv) at Yankee stadium in that last couple years that were pretty embarrassing. Still had the arm though and he seems like a good team guy.

By Eric B

January 29, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the updates DOB…

Out of the remaining moves that were alluded to I’d have to say I’d go all out to re-sign Ohman, I’d let Glavine walk and trade someone like Reyes/Parr and a pospect if that will net us Swisher.

By Jim

January 29, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this

I like Abreu, too, and Nady, but if we are down to last $7MM, B’s can sign Glavine, Ohman and Hinske for

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this

tr: as I explained in the comments section of the last blog, that assumption was incorrect. Don’t know where it came from, unless it was from the recommendation I made in a blog at the end of last season regarding Smoltz/Glavine. But Wren never said that….

Popeye: Loved “The Visitor.” Very good movie.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

OMG how many times is the same Jayson Stark going to be posted. It was posted 4 times last blog and again on this one.

By Random

January 29, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this

cabravesfan: “it’s NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.”

W3LL, H3LL — 90% of the stuff said here NEVER HAPPENS.

Since when was that a prerequisite?

cabravesfan, DOB, No More Morans—

BP’s Joe (he’s way smarter than me!) Sheehan:

“Manny Ramirez has been inscrutable for the better part of two decades; why are we now supposed to think that he’s predictable? He’ll sign somewhere for less than anyone thought he’d get and hit a bunch, play poor defense, and be lampooned by the local media. There’s some Andre Dawson potential here, where Ramirez just signs for a pittance on a one-year deal wherever he wants to play the most, and goes nuts for the six months.”

(Et tu, Bubdylan???)

PS: Maing, wouldn’t it be GREAT if the Braves signed Manny for one year at $15M with an option?

By rammerjammer

January 29, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this

David, thanks for the LF breakdown. Swisher and Abreu are the only sensible options.

Two very successful teams have let Abreu go of late, so there may be something missing that the stats don’t show. And Swisher may provide more value than his 2008 batting average would indicate (versatile, less expensive).

Abreu has hit his ceiling while Swisher hasn’t. Swisher costs a couple of players but, in the long run, he may make one of your outfield problems go away for several years.

Abreu may sign one year, have a monster season, and then he’s gone and we’re right back where we started. Or he has a bad season and we’re STILL right back where we started.

I think Swisher is the better option, especially when considering the next several years, though I won’t carp if Frank signs Abreu instead.

Nady, no. Dunn, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this

When I first got on this one it was fine. Now everything is Bold. Oh well, at least it aint italics.

By Dadgum

January 29, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

Sign Ohman. Like 10 minutes ago would be fine. Don’t worry about Glavine just yet. If he doesn’t want just a spot start and pen work then he just doesn’t fit the Braves’ needs.

Sign Andruw and if he kills it in Dark Star then there is your outfield answer. If not you have Anderson or Blanco with Diaz option. Hey, who is to say Diaz won’t get off the snide. Remember you have the option of KJ in LF and Prado at 2nd.

Of course you can sign a big bat but money can be better spent. Again, youth must be served and we have enough talent to play LF without adding an Abreu or Swisher or Nady.

Rock on………Free Bird!

By David-ATL14

January 29, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

Nice options and the usual stellar explanation from the noted blogmaster.

Any of the options there would be a plus with the exception of Dunn.

I just can’t see Wren having more than minimal interest in the Big Donkey whom has left a littered trail of strikeouts and uninspired play everywhere he goes.

By pfunkatl2

January 29, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

DOB… SINCE you gave me the heads-up about the Havana Sandwich Shop(which has since burned down)thought I would mention a GREAT lil cuban place in midtown. Las Palmeras, 368 5th street NE Atl. WONDERFUL Masitas de Puerco and maduros, tho the black beans could be better. Inexpensive, convienient to downtown/midtown and a comfortable down-home atmosphere. It IS a bit hard to find though. I wonder if you have heard about any possible re-building of Havana SS tho, miss their black beans.

By superadam

January 29, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog I cant believe pitching camp is tomorrow, hurray for baseball, spend on ohman and not abreau, let a youngster platoon with matty d

By ppaddy123

January 29, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this

As much as the idea of “upgrading our outfield” has been discussed, I wonder if it might be a good idea to stand pat. Bear with me; we have a lot of good young outfielders (Francoeur, Anderson, Schafer, Brandon Jones, Blanco, & Diaz..did I leave anyone out?) I don’t think we have seen the “best” of Brandon Jones (Ithink he had a wrist injury last year)

Anyway, my point is we have some good young talent. Rather than signing a guy for “X” amount right now, maybe the Braves should wait and see how these young guys perform this spring. Hopefully a solid spring will raise their value as “trade bait”.

The same approach could probably be used with our now “full” pitching staff. I think the Braves will re-sign Glavine. The Braves were embarrassed by the whole Smoltz debacle and don’t want to revisit that scene. Just looking at the guys that are on the 40 man roster, the Braves have a ton of pitching (Lowe, Vasquez, Kawakami, Jurrjens, Tim Hudson- DL, Jeff Bennett, Campillo, Buddy Carlyle, Anthony Lerew, & Charlie Morton,) Throw Glavine into that mix and the Braves could afford to move a pitcher.

As I sit here, this is the first time in a while the Braves are going to Spring Training with a very solid team. Sure there are question marks at center and left field but we have enough options “if” Frank Wren decides to make a trade.

By BamaBrave

January 29, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this

I’m sure Bobby Cox would lean towards the most versatile player…so in that respect I’d say Swisher seems the most Brave-like.

But is there no noise about the Roberts deal? I sure do like the chess move where Kelly Johnson shifts to left, and a full-blooded infielder/leadoff guy takes over at second. Great solution. Maybe I missed some rumors about that…?

By GB

January 29, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this

What about Jim Edmonds; is he available?

By cabravesfan

January 29, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this

Random

Since when was that a prerequisite?

A prerequisite for what? posting on the blog? Never said (or even implied) it was- I was just responding to your post…I am sure there are plenty of people that agree that it would be great to sign Manny for $15 million (as I said before, I am not one of them) but even if he would accept it, the braves just don’t have the money.

By nitram odarp

January 29, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this

i like ppaddy’s idea. most of us last year were hoping that diaz would get a chance to prove he could play everyday. i still have hope for him even with a new knee. sign ohman and glavine, then go see how the youngsters play. the only down side to this is there maybe a chance for a bargan with one of the free agents.

By Herbert

January 29, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

and bring hi to camp - DOB

“Call me Hi…”

By Random

January 29, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this

Xavier Nady — Pros: Strong defensive outfielder who’s coming off a career-best offensive season, including a .305 average with 25 homers, 37 doubles, 97 RBI, .357 OBP and whopping .510 slugging percentage in 555 at-bats for the Pirates and Yankees.

Cons:

Nady with the Pirates:

360 PAs/327 ABs — .330/.383/.535, 13 HRs, 26 2Bs, 57 RBIs, 40 XBHs

Nady with the Yankees:

247 PAs/228 ABs — .268/.320/.474, 12 HRs, 11 2Bs, 40 RBIs, 23 XBHs

By GermanBravesFan

January 29, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this

Eric from MO: I read somewhere that Hinske signed with the Pirates…

By rammerjammer

January 29, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this

BamaBrave,

I’m with you on Brian Roberts, but he’s entering the last year of his contract, so he could walk after 2009 and we’d be out a second baseman and the players it took to get him. And those players would likely be better than those it would take to get Swisher.

By Reality

January 29, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

Trade Martin Prado and whatever for Swisher. The Yankees reportedly want a cheap utility guy and the New York Post specifically mentioned the Yankees’ interest in getting Prado in a possible Swisher-to-the-Braves trade.

It would end the painfully unfunny “Nitram Odarp” jokes!

By Kudzu

January 29, 2009 5:47 PM | Link to this

Got to Control Spending!

There should be an (age limit rule)in baseball: any player over (whatever age, maybe 35) cannot get guarranteed money. Pay them 1,000,000 if they show up every day, less if they go on the DL, then stack the rack with incentives…Damn, they should be happy to be aloud out on the field…forget all this hero worship, etc.,- like a team or town owes a player anything… my musings.

By The Riddler

January 29, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this

What’s the point of spending all your money on pitching if you’ve got no hitting?

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this

BamaBrave,

Admitted, I’m not behind the idea of trading for Roberts. But hear me out. Roberts would be a rental, just like Nady, only costing more this year. ($8 MM vs. $6.55 MM. And BTW he’s seeking an extension from the O’s for 4 years/$40 MM minimum).

He’d probably also cost more in prospects than Nady or Swisher.

Even if the salaries/prospects involved in deals would be the same, in my view:

KJ + Swisher/Nady > KJ + Roberts

But they’re not. Swisher or Nady could almost certainly be had for less, and they’re natural OF, unlike Kelly.

By Bubdylan

January 29, 2009 5:56 PM | Link to this

(Et tu, Bubdylan???) Random

Yeah, but only with a plastic knife. :)

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this

Kudzu,

Take it up with the players association.

By Rekoj

January 29, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this

hey guys, did y’all see what Jayson Stark had to say today? the braves are the frontrunners for Swisher and out on Dunn.

By DHD

January 29, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this

I’ve been yelling…ABREU!!!!! Don’t trade any more young players for somebody like Nady when you can probably get Abreu for a 1 or 2 year deal. Then, the young studs show up.

Sign Abreu, Glavine and Andruw to a minor league contract. For not much risk, you could have an outfield of Francoeur, Andruw and Abreu. IF…IF…they play to their potential, we’d have something good for the money.

By JimK

January 29, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this

It’s crazy to spend a penny for Glavine. We’re fine with Campillo, Morton, Reyes or Hanson for the #5 slot. If we weren’t sentimental about Smoltz, we certainly shouldn’t be about the former union leader.

As for the OF, Andruw is more or less free, so take him on a minor league deal. Let him work out his batting and weight issues in Gwinnett, where there’s lots less pressue. By midseason we’ll probably have a starting OF of Andruw in left, and Schafer in center, and Jeff F in right. If Terry Pendleton can straighten out the two corner outfielders, he’ll be a big hero.

The extra money? Throw it into Chipper’s long term deal, which is the first thing we need to do.

By The Difference Between Roberts and someone like Nady

January 29, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

The Braves need a left fielder. They don’t need a second baseman.

By Random

January 29, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123: “As much as the idea of “upgrading our outfield” has been discussed, I wonder if it might be a good idea to stand pat. Bear with me; we have a lot of good young outfielders (Francoeur, Anderson, Schafer, Brandon Jones, Blanco, & Diaz..did I leave anyone out?)”

Dude — we had all them guys last year.

Sure, Schafer may reasonably be expected to have progressed, but he alone would not be enough to rescue the OF from remaining offensively “putrid”.

“Or has anyone forgot that Braves outfielders hit a putrid 27 homers last season and didn’t do anything else well offensively as a group, either?”

cabravesfan: “A prerequisite for what?”

A prerequisite for escaping your snide and snotty dismissive derision.

By richbrave

January 29, 2009 6:17 PM | Link to this

DAVID O’BRIEN:

Before we get any deeper into this upcoming season, did our suggestions about the configuration of the field at GWINNETT bear any fruit, or was everything etched in stone before it was brought up? You may have mentioned this last year, but if so, I missed the response.

By Random

January 29, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

Reality: “It would end the painfully unfunny “Nitram Odarp” jokes!”

It’s apparent you haven’t thought this through. I mean, imagine — Kcin Rehsiws?!?

By ROME-BRAVE

January 29, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this

just to be honest i’m more excited about the braves chances right now than i ever was last year.i just think they just might have enough healthy arm’s, to start the year than they have had in several years. and even if they do not get a power hitting out filder, maybe jeff will have a good year? go braves.

By Ed

January 29, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this

Look up my nose and you will see your future.

By cabravesfan

January 29, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this

Random

I was not being snide or snotty (at least not intending to be), nor was I being dismissive. I was simply responding to your comment. The caps were merely for emphasis, since the italics don’t seem to be working.

By ô¿ô

January 29, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this

really hoping they get one of Abreu, Nady, or Dunn - Please pass on Swisher. i would also like a trade for Ankiel or Ludwick.

By Tomas

January 29, 2009 6:40 PM | Link to this

DOB, a few thoughts, Nady isn’t a good defender, he is an average defender who can only play LF, RF, and 1B. And those 5-9 million you think the Braves have available, are you counting Tim Hudson’s insurance money? If not they could have somewhere around the neighberhood of 12-13 million.

By curtis

January 29, 2009 6:43 PM | Link to this

There’s no way a guy with Abreu’s stats should still be wandering around baseball’s alleyways. There’s got to be more than meets the eye here.

By go braves

January 29, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this

i dont understand why griffey is not mentioned. he will be ultra cheap and prodective. he can stay for one or two years or until heyward is ready. griffey had an of year last year but i beleive he can be a 270 25 90 guy and for the cheap!

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

pfunkATL, where is that Cuban restaurant in midtown, generally speaking? I can mapquest it, but just wondering what it’s near.

By Tomahawk Dawg

January 29, 2009 6:49 PM | Link to this

So you through Dye’s name in there at the end just for fun. Is there any possibility of getting him? Cuz that just seems to make too much sense! Otherwise I’m down with Abreu. The Braves need hitters with plate discipline.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

Tomahawk, Dye’s making $11 mill this season and would cost young talent in a trade. ‘Nuff said.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this

Ok German, I knew he was on the verge signing. Didnt know anything was official yet.

By OKGA

January 29, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

I would definitely the Braves get Abreu over Dunn or Glavine. Or even Glavine + Ohman. If $6 mil can get Abreu for a year, then hell yeah.

By Woo-Hoo!

January 29, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

Mark Bowman says Andruw’s return to Braves unlikely; Andruw Jones wants a major league deal and the Braves won’t hand it over.

That bullet may yet be dodged.

By dogsbrekky

January 29, 2009 7:05 PM | Link to this

PLEASE

1. No to Swisher - he sucks … really

2. Not to short term rental for prospects

3. Give Josh Anderson a go, his MLB numbers when Bobby gave him a well deserved chance were good and he can steal a base or 50+

4. Abreu in LF is the best of the available FA out there and if Frenchy fades (alas 2008) move him to RF and platoon the kids….

5. DUNN - oh god imagine the television joy we would all get when he strikes out looking on a hittable pitch (AGAIN) with Chipper on 2nd and KJ on 3rd when we are down 3-2 in the 9th… (Bobby removes hat, scratches head and has a heart attack)….

or what about Jimmy Edmonds and Diaz platoon… Edmonds is a gamer…. and cheap

PLEASE SIGN OHHHHHH “The Dude” Man now

By Richie

January 29, 2009 7:11 PM | Link to this

I am trying to understand why people have said Andruw is or has been regressing defensively? Can someone please explain that to me. I know he always had a lot of ground to cover in the outfield. Is considered to be regressing because he has always had outfielders not as rangy(not sure if that is the right word)as he was. It looked at times as if they just stuck any two OFs at the corners because he covered so much ground.

By Jacob

January 29, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this

DOB, You talking about La Fonda?

There’s one on Ponce, headed east, just past the Krispy Kreme (on the right).

There’s also one on Peachtree headed north, before you hit Buckhead (also on the right).

Try the Salmon Burrito!

By Canadianbrave

January 29, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this

I only have two words! Delmon Young. He is probably available and would look good between Chipper and Brian

By nolie

January 29, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this

Otherwise I’m down with Abreu. The Braves need hitters with plate discipline. TomDog

yeah, I’m down with Bobby too. two years if possible, but if he signs cheap he will likely only wanta do it for one year.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 7:17 PM | Link to this

Random,”Dude — we had all them guys last year.”

Yeah, but Diez was hurt. You give other guys on playing hurt why not Diez. Blanco had a wrist injury too. Francouer had a bad year. No way around that. However, he has witnessed Andruw and I think he will make sure he turns it around. If nothing else he hasnt even made his money yet. All the other guys were in the minors. We dont know what the rest can do. Anderson has been up some and has done good when up. He has a BA over .300, OBP over .360 which is decent, and is a threat on the bases. May not be a long term fix but will do fine when given the chance.

Besides PPaddy didnt say do nothing. He just said wait til ST. Swisher will still be with the Yankees and their demand would probably go down.

By hop

January 29, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this

abreu would be a great addition since he is a proven player.

the braves need some insurance that if jeff f does not comeback with a good season; they have someone who can provide the needed punch in the outfield and play good defense.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this

Richie if you watched any Dodger game last year you would know why. Its hard to explain other than the fact he just was god awful at defense. He had been regressing his last year or two with the Braves. He was still decent but he know longer covors the same amount of ground. He dives at balls he has no chance of getting and now he cant even covor a normal amount of ground CF should be able to covor. He has gotten slow.

By cdog

January 29, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this

IT A SAD SITUATION WITH THE BRAVES. IT USED TO BE ABOUT WINNING, WHAT EVER IT TOOK. NOW IT ABOUT SIGNING MEDIOCRE PLAYERS AND SAVING MONEY. THEY WOULD RATHER PLAY SOMEONE LIKE JOSH ANDERSON AND LOSE INSTEAD OF GETTING PLAYERS THAT GOING TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES.ALSO, IT MORE IMPORTANT TO THE BRAVES TO SAVE MONEY THAN TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. ONE WHO WOULD HELP WOULD BE XAVIER NADY. THEN TRADE FOR PLAYERS WITH WINNIG ATTITUDES AND TRADITIONS.

By True Bravaes Fan

January 29, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this

Sign Glavine and Ohman. Sign Chipper to a contract extension. If Andrum wil accept a ML Minimum contract contingent on him making the club out of spring training, sign him. Then let’s go to spring training with the outfielders we have, and see how they do. Don’t sign Dunn. Don’t sign another Boras client. Don’t trade any young talent. Possibly consider Abreau if he would take 4-6 mil for one year.

By NJBraves

January 29, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

Dunn strikes out too much and swisher is not that good. I don’t understand why people value swisher so highly. Look at his career numbers, thay are average at best. Nady would be nice, but only if the asking price is reasonable. to me, it doesn’t matter if he walks next year, they can just move on. I like Abreu the most. He is a patient and consistent hitter, who would provide nice production and protection in the middle of the order. Only problem I see with the lineup is the lack of a legit cleanup hitter.

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this

2B Kelly Johnson SS Yunel Escobar 3B Chipper Jones C Brian McCann 1B Casey Kotchmann RF Jeff Francouer LF Matt Diaz CF Gregor Blanco

Derek Lowe Jair Jurggens Javier Vasquez Kenshin Kawakami Jo Jo Reyes

This does not inspire confidence. This line up may not even be the 3rd best in the NL East, certainly not close to the Phillies or Mets. And we are to believe that this is the best we can get?

There are some “nice” pieces there, but look at it from the other teams point of view. Does anyone named above bring fear? Does any of them scare you when the game is on the line? Can any of them really be considered clutch?

I’m a Braves fan through and through, will be for the rest of my life, win or lose. As a fan, though, I want to see my team win and when I have to try and talk myself into believing there is a chance that the team above has a shot at winning the WS it makes me want to shake my head in disgust.

I’ve seen enough baseball in my life to know that the team up there is not a winning team. I can have faith, which I will, but deep down I, and so do all of you, know that come October we will not see our team dog-piled on the pitching mound celebrating, and that makes me sad.

So I say sign Manny Ramirez. Why the hell not! If the Braves expect me to live in a fantasy world where I am to believe the team they assembled has a shot at winning the WS then I am going to shout at the top of my lungs, possible or not, that the Braves should sign Manny Ramirez.

I mean could the Braves do anything, other than that, to make winning the WS seem possible?

By FaninFaytown

January 29, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this

andruw has regressed defensively strictly because of the fact that he was rediculously overweight. if he gets back in shape i have complete confidence he will still be one of the top fielders in the game. Maybe he has lost a step or 2 but he still reads the ball as well as anyone.

By keylargo

January 29, 2009 7:29 PM | Link to this

From MLBTV/John Heyman

Boras is saying he has a three year offer for Manny Ramirez and demanding the Dodgers come up with one too. The Dodgers are saying fine, show us the proof you have an offer. Does this sound like what the Dodgers did with Furcal to anyone else? For months the Dodgers didn’t come up with a legit offer for Furcal until the Braves offered him a contract. However unethical, his agent proved to the Dodgers what the Braves offer was by showing them the Braves’ signed term sheet.

It really sounds like the Dodgers are not playing by the same rules as the rest of the league.

By Steve from OH

January 29, 2009 7:30 PM | Link to this

cdog seems like the clubhouse leader for dumbest post on this particular edition of the MIB blog. Who’s gonna top it?

By proeye

January 29, 2009 7:38 PM | Link to this

It’s funny that John Smoltz gets all the respect in the world and yet he’s had something like 5 surgeries, he is a hard thrower, and he is coming off surgery this past off season. He is over 40 just like Tom Glavine.

On the other hand, it seems that a much higher percentage of people think Tommy is through. He has never spent any time on the disabled list until 2008, he’s only had this ONE surgery, and he is not a hard thrower. Seems to me that the one who is more likely to continue his career is GLAVINE!

I really think that Tom’s problems the past few seasons were due to him having the same problem that just caught up to him last year. He’s already said that he feels better now that he has in a very long time. Of course some of the magnitude of those statements may be inflated somewhat given the situation he is in, but none the less, I think we can assume he does feel good or he would be an outright liar.

Given that he is repaired and would likely fix his problems (don’t be thinking like an old goat from 1970 when surgery meant the end of a career—come on, get with the new century people), I can see Tom Glavine pitching until he is 46. He has that easy motion and his best pitch is a slow ball. so what makes anyone think he can’t pitch this coming season??? I think it’s pretty much a given that he can still do it. Think about the Phillie’s #2 “ace” and how much they differ. Not much huh?

Okay, he may not be able to do it but I think chances are that he may pitch for a lot longer than John Smoltz even though he is older.

He may be worth signing as insurance. Most teams really need to carry 6 pitchers nowadays because at least one of them is not going to work out, have a really bad year, or get injured. Who predicted Tim Hudson would go down? Case closed.

By dogsbrekky

January 29, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this

keylargo

The McCourts and their entourage are cheap, slimy, bottom of the drawer scuzz…

“I apologize to my late Nanna for saying something bad about someone”

By Random

January 29, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this

curtis: “There’s no way a guy with Abreu’s stats should still be wandering around baseball’s alleyways. There’s got to be more than meets the eye here.”

rammerjammer: “Two very successful teams have let Abreu go of late, so there may be something missing that the stats don’t show.”

curtis, rammerjammer —

Perhaps it’s this:

Abreu peaked around 2004-2006, and has been slipping slightly ever since. I figure his slide will recommence in 2009.

From 98-06, Abreu’s OBP was in the low .400s (except .393 in 01, and .446 in 99).

2007: OBP = .369; 2008: OBP = .371. Not a real improvement, comparatively.

From 98-02, his SLG was at or well above .500; 03-05, SLG fluxed under, over and under .500.

2008 was his fourth consecutive season with SLG substantially below .500 (~.463 cum SLG for 05-08).

From 99-05, he drew 100+ BBs a year; 2007 = 84 BBs; 2008 = 73 BBs.

From 00 to 08, he’s had right around 700 PAs a season. From 00-06, his groundouts hovered in the mid 100s (high - 160; low – 129; avg - ~145).

In 2007 & 2008, his groundouts skyrocketed to 172 & 192, resp.

All in all, I think Steve from OH is pretty much right, and may have understated it a bit.

Or this:

Steve from OH:

That’s my main concern about Abreu, is his age. He seems to have been declining these last two seasons, and he doesn’t hit for as much power as Dunn. OBP, ISO, BB%, BB/K and SLG all trending slightly to moderately downward. He’ll probably be fine for one or two more seasons, but going three would be a horrible idea, and I’d have reservations about guaranteeing two years to him, myself. But I do like the higher average, and I think he will be an effective player next season for sure (but I do think his .400 OBP days are behind him, as are his .500 SLG days).

By Interested Observer

January 29, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this

keylargo:

I saw that on MLBTV and thought the same thing you did. Definately the same thing they did with Furcal.

By RC

January 29, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this

DOB,

The Cuban resturant that pfunkatl2 was talking about is on 5th street between Argonne Ave. and Charles Allen Dr. (about half a mile northeast Krispy Kreme, back in the neighborhood). I can second his review, outstanding Cuban food, and the owner is one of the sweetest ladies you’ll ever meet.

By CF is KEY

January 29, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this

DOB - I figure (hope) LF figures itself out. I figure (hope) RF figures himself out. CF is the key isn’t it? Who do you like? Who do you expect to start opening day? Hear any scouts thoughts on our CF candidates?

By cheld

January 29, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this

“So I say sign Manny Ramirez. Why the hell not! ” - Ryan W.

Because his price tag is about $20 million per year more than the Braves have to spend.

But, you know, you make a good point. While we’re at it, we need to trade Campillo and Reyes for Pujols and see if we can get Santana for Morton straight-up.

By N8

January 29, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

“Popeye: Loved it. Very good movie.” DOB

I’m not a huge fan of Robin Williams. But to each, his own, I guess. If you liked Popeye, I’m cool with that.

By keylargo

January 29, 2009 7:57 PM | Link to this

On MLB TV at 8 pm, the 2005 Home Run Derby is on. Those who doubt that Bobby Abreu has or had some legit power can see him hit 24 dingers in the first round and win it with 41.

Those 8 or 10 Andruw Jones lovers can see him hit 5 and Tex hit 2. Those thinking those numbers for AJ are inflated remember it was 4 years ago.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

CF is KEY

And it’s a great unknown. Anderson is fast; Blanco can get on base. Both defend well and neither has any power.

Schafer has all the potential in the world and according to some of our denizens who saw him play is just a couple notches below Andruw in his prime defensively. If Schafer is not totally overwhelmed by major league pitching in the way Lillibridge was last season, the job may be his to lose.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 8:10 PM | Link to this

Abreu peaked around 2004-2006, and has been slipping slightly ever since. I figure his slide will recommence in 2009.Random

Oh, really?

In 2006, he hit .297 with 41 doubles, 15 homers, 107 RBI, a .424 OBP and a .462 slugging percentage, while playing nearly two-thirds of the season for the Phillies with their bandbox home park.

In 2008, he hit .296 with 39 doubles, 20 homers, 100 RBI, a .371 OBP and a .471 slugging percentage in 156 games for the Yankees.

Random, do you judge a player on anything other than OBP? I mean, anything whatsoever other than that single stat? Because I have a hard time seeing how he’s been “slipping slightly” since what you call his “peak” years in 2004-06.

By the way, those weren’t his peak years.

In 1999, he hit .335 with 35 doubles, 11 triples, 20 homers, 27 stolen bases, a .446 OBP and .549 slugging percentage.

In 2000, he hit .316 with 42 doubles, 10 triples, 25 homers, 28 stolen bases, a .416 OBP and a .554 slugging percentage.

In 2001, he hit .289 with 48 doubles, a career-high 31 homers, a career-high 110 RBI and a .543 slugging percentage (Oh, wait, his OBP was “only” .393 that season, so that probably overrides all the extra-base hits in your book, where OBP is the end-all stat.)

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 8:10 PM | Link to this

Its a sad state when Braves fans can’t believe their team has a right to be winners….

You say 20 million dollars per year for 3 years is too much? There is not one player, or multiple players for that matter, that the Braves could get in the next 3 years at 20 million per year, realistically speaking, that could equal what Man Ram would bring to the table.

So make your jokes all you want and go on and on about how the Braves should sign Adam Dunn or trade for Nick Swisher…..all you are doing is accepting mediocrity because neither of them will make the Braves better.

I’m not wrong in believing the Braves should take a BIG chance on Ramirez and go against their normal FA philosophy….I mean what exactly has the “Braves FA philosophy” given us anyways? A bunch of little Indians and no Cheifs.

By Ole Donk

January 29, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this

If we sign Andruw, could he change my diapers? It is really getting full and foul. I think the fat f*ck still has the sugar cube stash that caused me to keep him in the four hole until after the all-star break even though it was obvious, even to me, that he’s done.

Wonder if we can get Lockhart or Woodward back? They can hit over .215 and scratch betwen my ears.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this

Random, by the way, the other big reason Abreu is so attractive is that he might be had for just a one-year deal, as we said above.

By mb

January 29, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this

There are a couple of scenarios I like in what the Braves are considering.

The first move is to sign Ohman, regardless of the rest. We need a quality left hand pitcher in the bullpen. Pay the man the money!!

Out of the other moves?

The move I like most is, to trade for Brain Roberts, move KJ to left to platoon with Diaz. Roberts is a All Star second baseman, great on base percentage, steals 30-40 bases, switch hitter, a lot to like about adding him to the team.

If we can’t trade for Roberts, I like trading for Swisher better than the rest of the outfield deals. More upside, 28 years old, plays multiple positions and has a contract in place for several years. Another switch hitter with power. ( He does play first base, if Kochman can’t get his bat going this year, we have Swisher. )

Pass on Nady. Scott Boras and 1 year left on contract, why bother.

Abreu would be okay to add to the team on a short contract. He will be a solid hitter, has power and does steal a few bases. However, he is another left hand batter, hasn’t played left field in 10 years? He would be a plus player.

I would pass on signing Glavine, as long as the Braves play their cards better, in the public’s eye, than the Smoltz mess. I know a lot of fans would say, he’s been with the team all those years, just sign him. I wouldn’t, we don’t need him. Jorge Campillo put up much better numbers than Glavine last year. Glavine is just coming off his first shoulder surgery at age 42, this just sounds bad. We have several other pitchers already on the payroll that can pitch better than Glavine. Why take the chance and waste the money, no offense Tom, your a great guy and had a great career. But, It’s time to give some other pitchers the chance.
Wren use the money you are thinking about spending on Glavine and sign Ohman. The bullpen will be much stronger if you do.

thanks

mark.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this

Jacob, we’re not talking about the La Fonda chain. we’re talking about dive Cuban joint in Midtown, and about the sadly closed (after a fire) Havana Sandwich shop on Buford Highway just off N. Druid Hills….

cdog: THANKS for the ALL CAPS. Would’ve hated to miss that comment of yours.

By Mike

January 29, 2009 8:18 PM | Link to this

ANYONE

Can anyone tell me what channel MLBTV is on? I have Att U-Verse and I have the 2nd best package. I do get NFL Network. Do you have to pay extra for MLBTV or what? Anyone who knows, please respond.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 8:21 PM | Link to this

Ryan,”So I say sign Manny Ramirez. Why the hell not!”

WE HAVE THE FKING MONEY! WOULD YOU SHUT THE FK UP WITH YOUR NON-SENSE! I would like a Ferrari and I could scrape up a few hundred thousand and put down a down payment, but then I would be broke for the next ten years. We are in a depression, it isnt going to happen. When you come up with an idea that could actually happen then state it. Until then shut the f**k up!

By Steve from OH

January 29, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this

DOB, take a gander at this. There’s a slight (emphasis on slight) downward trend on most of the stats after 2004 except AVG. Some it’s not noticeable, others it’s a bit more pronounced. It’s nothing to worry about in the near term IMO, but something I’d worry about 2 or 3 years from now. But like you said, he’s likely to come with a 1-year deal, so that makes him look a lot more attractive, and makes those trends much less of an issue. I’ve never been opposed to the idea of getting him anyway, as I think he’ll definitely be an effective player for anyone in 09 and he’ll represent a huge upgrade for us. I just personally prefer Dunn because I really think we could use his huge power. Just my humble opinion though.

By 18 Wheel s of Love

January 29, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this

LaFawnda?!?! We talking Napoleon Dynamite now?

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this

DOB loved your 8:10 post. Seems like some believe the only stat that means anything is OBP. Nothing else matters.

By keylargo

January 29, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

Mike

Bad news for ATT subscribers as far as MLB network goes. I have it on Directv (channel 213) but ATT does not carry it. Found this online.

Fast-forward to January 1 when the MLB Channel launched with Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC), Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR), Comcast, Cox Communications Inc., DIRECTV (DTV), Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ). The only notable absences were AT&T Inc. (T) and DISH Network Corp. (DISH).

By MiamiBrave

January 29, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this

so it looks like Bonds might not be a viable option to platoon with Diaz anymore…

but seriously…

DOB

read the story on Druw by Bowman, I would have to believe Chipper might have been the one to tell him bout takin a minor league deal and pi$$in him off…don’t think anyone else would tell him that but Hoss

Also, you lived down here coverin’ the Marlins…any favorite Latin/Cuban place down here?

By MiamiBrave

January 29, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this

so it looks like Bonds might not be a viable option to platoon with Diaz anymore…

but seriously…

DOB

read the story on Druw by Bowman, I would have to believe Chipper might have been the one to tell him bout takin a minor league deal and pi$$in him off…don’t think anyone else would tell him that but Hoss

Also, you lived down here coverin’ the Marlins…any favorite Latin/Cuban place down here?

By rotty

January 29, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this

Abreu is on the downhill slide and at 35 is not what the Braves need.

Swisher flat out sucks from head to toe. He is not a 4hole hitter, not a 35+HR OF (which the Braves desperately need) and has a lead anchor around the throat three year deal that will cost valuable prospects.

If Swisher were a FA today he would get a 1yr 3mm deal folks. You are lying to yourself if you think otherwise so why pay him 22mm over the next three years. That is just completely asinine.

Dunn is rough but 40hr/100 rbis is worth it. Wait him out don’t p** money or prospect away on Abreu or Swisher.

Swisher will be a depressing signing and one Wren will regret. Market it down Frank - you will rue the day you signed him.

By brAves Sucios

January 29, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

Glavine is definitely either at or near the end of his career, but judging his entire 2007 season based on basically his only bad streak of the year, which took place as the entire Mets organization was re-defining the late season collapse doesn’t take into account the fact that he:

• pitched over 200 innings
• was fifth in the league in quality starts, and
• had 17 starts in which he allowed two runs or less.

And last year the complete lack of run support again pushed several potential W’s into the No Decision or L column. Even if he had 75-80% of that gas left in the tank he would be a worthwhile option as a solid number 5, and with a little offensive support could very well get 10-15 wins.

Again, I know at his age and coming off of a surgery like he is all that is a gamble, but if there’s a way to come up with a few million with some incentives built in I can’t see not taking the chance.

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this

When did MLB introduce a salary cap?

For the record….Do I think the Braves have the balls to sign Man Ram? No. But should they? Yes.

Maybe YOU don’t have the money, but Liberty Media does. Yeah maybe Liberty Media has decided that 100 million is the budget, but that only means THEY decided that was THEIR budget.

Things change…..and if you have an opportunity to do something bigger and better to make MORE money, you do it right? Right?

Signing Man Ram brings more fans to the stadium, making you money, making the playoffs makes you more money, winning the WS makes you even more money. We are talking about profits. The only reason they won’t sign him is because there “may” be a chance that they make less money with him than without him. Don’t be foolish to believe that spending an extra 20 million per year more for Man Ram puts the Braves in the red.

Maybe I’m crazy to think the Braves should expand their budget to sign Man Ram. Doesn’t make me wrong and it doesn’t make me an idiot either.

It makes me, apparently, one of only a few Braves fans who thinks the Braves organization should forget about signing one year rent a players and take a chance on a player that can make the Braves a WS contender rather than an NL East cellar dweller.

Its disturbing to see supposed “fans” of the Braves trash on other Braves fans for having hope that THEIR team could step up and do something that IS POSSIBLE. Its one thing to be the KC Royals, who play in no market and make very little money. Its another to be in one of the biggest markets in the US and be owned by a billion dollar company.

You say they don’t have the “F@#$ING MONEY?” I say you don’t know what you are talking about. Of course they have the money….they just don’t want to spend it…….and that should make us angry, not accepting.

By Bartman

January 29, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this

I still like Jermaine Dye. I wouldn’t cry over Abreu for sure if he was signed. Nady is a great fit but I don’t like trading away another prospect or two for a short term fix. Although, if the season isn’t panning out in July…he could be good trade bait to replace what was lost. I am a big Chipper fan! He grew up not too far from me. However, Can you imagine the prospects that could be obtained for him? Maybe Tampa or Texas? Two places where he wouldn’t mind playing. Maybe even in Boston with Smoltz. He would at least get to go out on a winning team like John wanted to do. Can’t blame them really. Like it or not, it’s rebuilding time…time to transition.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this

Ryan W. we are in a depression. Go look at some of Liberty’s businesses. We are lucky their budget is 100 million.

By keylargo

January 29, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this

Don’t ever say watching The O’Reilly Report isn’t rewarding. I just heard a really good joke told by the conservative Republican Bill Clinton.

Two dogs were watching a pair of Break Dancers. One replied to the other: “If we did that we’d get wormed”.

By Steve

January 29, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this

DOB - Have you been to Papi’s on Ponce (a Cuban place right next to Mary Mac’s)? I’ve only had the Thursday lunch special, which is garlic pork and the BEST garbanzo beans I’ve ever tasted. It is amazing.

By f.n. hale

January 29, 2009 9:23 PM | Link to this

Has Nick Swisher had a great off season or what? I mean, the dude could have been had for a bag of balls after last year and now some seem to think he’s our answer in LF. Matt Carruth of FanGraphs says he was basically unlucky last year and should have no trouble returning to his norm, but I’m not sure he’s been around long enough to know what he’ll be, plus his norm wasn’t great. I’ve liked the guy since reading an SI article about him a couple years ago. He seems like a cool guy like his dad (had a beer or three with his dad back in the day). Folks seem to think he could be had cheaply (in prospects) but has anyone that knows said how cheaply? Might be worth a flyer if we didn’t give up much but that’s a pretty sizeable contract to gamble on in these days and times.

By Salty Dawg

January 29, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this

Ryan W.

“Its disturbing to see supposed “fans” of the Braves trash on other Braves fans for having hope that THEIR team could step up and do something that IS POSSIBLE. Its one thing to be the KC Royals, who play in no market and make very little money. Its another to be in one of the biggest markets in the US and be owned by a billion dollar company.”

Believe me when I say that I feel your pain on this one. In a perfect world I would love to see the Braves sign Manny and have him lose the attitude and help win the division, or more. What you have to realize is that the billion dollar company you are referring to is a publicly owned corporation. It isn’t like the CEO of Liberty Media can just say, “you know what, I want the Braves to sign Manny and I’m going to give them the resources to do it.” There is (or should be, but who knows anymore) a chain of financial responsibility. The CFO answers to the CEO, the CEO answers to the board and the board answers to the shareholders. I don’t know if you are aware, but Liberty’s stocks have taken a huge hit over the last several months. I just don’t think they would be willing to risk the backlash of throwing a lot more money into the Braves right now. And there aren’t too many teams increasing payroll right now, so I guess we are lucky we got the bump that we did.

By Salty Dawg

January 29, 2009 9:35 PM | Link to this

keylargo

“Bad news for ATT subscribers as far as MLB network goes. I have it on Directv (channel 213) but ATT does not carry it. Found this online.”

Gotta love DirectTV. MLB Network? Check. NFL Network? Check. NFL Sunday Ticket? Check. ESPN Gameplan? Check.

I keep hearing people complain about their cable providers and all I can say is I’ve had DirectTV for 3 years now and I have never been dissatisfied.

By Mike

January 29, 2009 9:35 PM | Link to this

Ryan W.

I agree that Manny would be a HUGE player to have, especially if Bobby can tame the whole “Manny being Manny” stuff and keep him from causing any issues.

However, if Liberty Media, who no doubt has plenty of money, doesn’t want to spend the money, then there is nothing anyone can do about. Do you really think they care THAT much? I don’t. They took the Braves off Time Warner’s hands to off load some bad stock, and reaped the benefits of a tax break. I have every belief that they will sell the team when their 3 year waiting period is up. Until then they are going to stick by their statements that convinced the league to not drop payroll and leave current management in place. As well as stay out of the way. All they do is pay the bills. And if they don’t want to shell out extra money, then they don’t have to. I guess we should be lucky that they even raised payroll.

And by the way, Atlanta is not “on of the biggest markets”. If I am not mistaken, we are considered a mid market team.

By Mike

January 29, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

Thanks Keylargo!

Hopefully they pick it up soon.

By FadeAway

January 29, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this

Maybe I’m crazy to think the Braves should expand their budget to sign Man Ram. Doesn’t make me wrong and it doesn’t make me an idiot either. Ryan

it makes you a wrong, crazy idiot dude.Rant and rave all you want, they wouldn’t sign him if they had enough in the budget and they don’t. You one of them guys maxes out your credit card every time you want something? Or are you even old enough to have a credit card in your own name? Doesn’t sound like it.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

January 29, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this

If I had my rathers I would rather see Abreu in LF but if he gets signed then Glavine won’t and I think Glavine is important. I think the best option the Braves have at this point is to sign Glavine and then let Blanco, Anderson, and Schafer fight it out for CF and the LF platoon with Diaz.

By Salty Dawg

January 29, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

FaninFaytown

“andruw has regressed defensively strictly because of the fact that he was rediculously overweight. if he gets back in shape i have complete confidence he will still be one of the top fielders in the game. Maybe he has lost a step or 2 but he still reads the ball as well as anyone.”

Yes, if only Andruw would lose the extra weight he would be great defensively. And if only he wasn’t dead set on pulling every single pitch he would be great offensively. And if only he cared enough to do either of these things he would be worth signing.

By hop

January 29, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this

i like tom glavin,but i don’t know if he has any gas in the tank!

dave you are right on target with the stats you presentd on bobby abreu.

he would provide a legit hitter in an outfield that lacks power and average.

this is a no brainer and the braves need abreu’s bat to be able to compete with the mets and phillies.

By dogsbrekky

January 29, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this

Liberty Media has approx $7.28 Billion in net assets but is forecast to lose in the Dec 09’ year approximately $2.40 a share after losing $2.87 to Dec 08 (per share)..

The company has a very complex web of ownership/businesses but comparing it to other media providers, online advertising, cable tv operators etc, IT IS NOT in a particularly safe industry in this economic tsunami..

I think they have been profitable so far on their Braves ownership (seem to recall making $20+ in 2007) after acquiring the team for $450M equivalent.

I cannot see them upping the ante at this time UNLESS the spondoolies forked out would give a return on capital of near 15% or so….

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this

Steve, I’ve driven by that place a thousand times, wondered if it was any good. Never heard anyone say anything about it. Now that you have, it’s on the list. Nothing quite like good Cuban food.

By Salty Dawg

January 29, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this

Ryan W.

“2B Kelly Johnson SS Yunel Escobar 3B Chipper Jones C Brian McCann 1B Casey Kotchmann RF Jeff Francouer LF Matt Diaz CF Gregor Blanco

Derek Lowe Jair Jurggens Javier Vasquez Kenshin Kawakami Jo Jo Reyes

This does not inspire confidence. This line up may not even be the 3rd best in the NL East, certainly not close to the Phillies or Mets. And we are to believe that this is the best we can get?”

You are right. But flash back to April 1, 2008. How does this roster sound? A. Iwamura 2b
C. Crawford lf C. Pena 1b B.J. Upton cf C. Floyd dh W. Aybar 3b E. Hinske rf D. Navarro c J. Bartlett ss J. Shields sp A. Sonnanstine sp M. Garza sp E. Jackson sp J. Hammel sp

How would you have rated that lineup in the AL East? Point being, anything can happen. All the Wren can do is build the best team possible within the constraints he has and hope for the best. You seem to think he should throw caution to the wind and sign Manny even though they don’t have the payroll to do it. Well, if not having the money doesn’t matter, then why don’t you do us all a favor and just buy the Braves. Then you can sign Manny and whoever else is available. Not having the money doesn’t matter, right?

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this

Yeah maybe Liberty Media has decided that 100 million is the budget, but that only means THEY decided that was THEIR budget.Ryan W.

Uh, yes. That’s generally how it works, particularly in a sport with no salary cap. The owner of the team would be the one to decide how much money he or she or it will spend.

Who should decide how much Liberty spends on payroll if not Liberty and/or Braves management? You?

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 10:01 PM | Link to this

I always wondered why come playoff time Braves home games didn’t sell out…..now I know.

Maybe Mike is right in what Liberty Media is doing and if that is really the case then that blows, but I will always talk about what I think the Braves should do in order to WIN the WS. Going into this off season the Braves needed two pieces to make them signifcantly better, an ace and a clean up hitter who can play LF. They didn’t solve either problem.

How about I just be like most of you?

Should we sign Abreu or Dunn? Who gives a crap, neither will help the Braves win the WS…I mean that is what we are all hoping for right, the Braves winning the WS?

You can all have discussions about which non helpful rent a player the Braves should sign in order to survive another mediocre year, I don’t care.

You all talk as if getting Man Ram is IMPOSSIBLE. It isn’t. Probable? No it isn’t either.

I would rather hope and rant on how the Braves should get Man Ram over living in your cynical world where I have to come to grips on who would be better Dunn or Abreu, when in reality neither would.

It would be better to save the money Dunn or Abreu wants, trade newly aquired Lowe, and blow up the freakin team.

The whole point is winning the WS and the pieces they have put together don’t do that, SO BLOW IT UP, and keep trying until you do.

Blow the team up and start fresh or sign Man Ram. At least one of those two options gets us a hell of a lot closer to winning a WS then the team we have now does.

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 29, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

Whoops…posted this on the wrong Blog! Here we go:

Everybody on this Blog who subscribes to ChopTalk—

When you get your February issue, CHECK OUT PAGE 62!!! Great stuff!! All about someone we all know and love.

Hey, I may be too young to have seen Hank Aaron play, but I do have one “connection”, if you will, to the Hammer—I was born on the anniversary of his record-breaking homer!!

Night, all!

By keylargo

January 29, 2009 10:04 PM | Link to this

SaltyDawgI keep hearing people complain about their cable providers and all I can say is I’ve had DirectTV for 3 years now and I have never been dissatisfied.

Plus, they have a great MLB baseball HD package. You get every game, every day except when Fox does their Saturday afternoon game. And then if your team plays at night, you will get it.

They also have a screen with up to eight games going at once and if you want to watch the opponents announcers for a different view, just watch their feed instead of the Braves.

I forgot exactly what it cost for the package but it is about $200.

By GSU-Lee

January 29, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

DOB, you talk a lot of food…what about drinks? What are your drinks of choice?

By goldenglove002

January 29, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

If the braves do run into a situation where they are running low on money for this year and still have needs to fill, might it be a good idea to talk with Chipper Jones about a new contract? If I’m correct, he is set to make 10 million this year. Why not re-sign him on a 3 year deal where he doesn’t make as much this year (like what he did in 2006). Throw in some incentives based on playing time and I’m sure he’d be fine with it. He’s done it before, and I think he is dedicated enough to helping the Braves win to do it again. Either way, I hope Mr. Wren gives him a new deal.

Also what are some of the other OF options look like to the Braves. Maybe guys like Griffey or Edmonds would be decent fits as a stopgap for the prospects who are on their way and come as cheeper options than the 4 you list?

By indybrave

January 29, 2009 10:07 PM | Link to this

Would I be safe in assuming that the Braves will see how the youngsters will play in Spring Training and then decide on what to do with the outfield. I would sign Ohman and let Andruw and Glavine do whatever they want. The closer spring training gets, the less the Braves will have to give up (either dollars for FA or prospects for trade). I’m just a joker that watches a lot of baseball and not a GM by any stretch of the imagination. Just wondering how far off base I am.

By Random

January 29, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this

FaninFaytown: “andruw has regressed defensively strictly because of the fact that he was rediculously overweight.”

That and the torn cartilage in his knee, I’d venture.

“if he gets back in shape i have complete confidence he will still be one of the top fielders in the game.”

That and if his knee successfully recovers from last May’s surgery.

Ryan W.: “So I say sign Manny Ramirez. Why the hell not! If the Braves expect me to live in a fantasy world where I am to believe the team they assembled has a shot at winning the WS then I am going to shout at the top of my lungs, possible or not, that the Braves should sign Manny Ramirez.”

Yes, my brother — say it loud and say it proud.

NJBraves: “Dunn strikes out too much”

You got that right, bud!!!

And on top of that, to make matters even worse, he doesn’t ground out near enough — no way!!!

We wanna see ‘im run ‘em out — that’s how we’ll know he loves the game!!!

(sarcasm)

Eric from MO: “Yeah, but Diez was hurt.”

Nah — he was in free fall well before his injury.

He had a good Apr (23 games, 80 ABs) — .313/.329/.413, 11 RBIs, 25 Hs, 33 TBs.

He had a horrible May (17 games, 43 ABs) — .163/.196/.163, 2 RBIs, 7 Hs, 7 TBs.

He tackled the wall on 27 May and left the game after the 7th.

Now you might want to blame Cox’s handling of him, and I wouldn’t disagree. I would point out, however, that it will be Cox handling him again in 2009, and he’ll likely handle him the same way as last May, the way it seems most denizens would like to see — in a lefty-righty LF platoon.

You should share the rest of your comment with DOB.

“Or has anyone forgot that Braves outfielders hit a putrid 27 homers last season and didn’t do anything else well offensively as a group, either?”

dogsbrekky: “DUNN - oh god imagine the television joy we would all get when he strikes out looking on a hittable pitch (AGAIN) with Chipper on 2nd and KJ on 3rd when we are down 3-2 in the 9th…”

Better than striking out on an unhittable pitch, a la Frenchy/Jones. At least we’ll know he’s trying, especially if Bobby can convince him to run back to the dugout.

cabravesfan — Okay — sorry. My bad.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this

GSU-Lee: Black coffee.

By brent a.

January 29, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this

*I keep hearing people complain about their cable providers and all I can say is I’ve had DirectTV for 3 years now and I have never been dissatisfied. *

Amen to that!

I have had Directv most of the time since 1995. Everything at your fingertips, for a price.

So many people in this day and age want to complain about paying for stuff they don’t want; but, with Directv, I’ve always been happy that I have had the ability to purchase whatever I wanted, as opposed to griping about something not being available.

With Directv, if you want it, you can have it.

By Salty Dawg

January 29, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this

keylargo

“Plus, they have a great MLB baseball HD package. You get every game, every day except when Fox does their Saturday afternoon game. And then if your team plays at night, you will get it.

They also have a screen with up to eight games going at once and if you want to watch the opponents announcers for a different view, just watch their feed instead of the Braves.

I forgot exactly what it cost for the package but it is about $200.”

Haven’t tried the mlb package since I usually only watch the Braves. But it sounds just like the NFL package, which is awesome. They have the same mix channel where you can watch 8 games and toggle the sound to whichever you want to listen to. Then they have the “red zone” channel that automatically changes to whatever game has a team in the red zone at the time. Probably sounds like I work at DirectTV, but I really am just an extremely satisfied customer. I’ll never switch back to cable.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 10:13 PM | Link to this

Ryan W. when did Atlanta become a big market team. Right now there are 18 teams who have a bigger city in terms of population and the people there are no richer than any other city. They no longer have TBS whch gave them money and also let the whole country watch them almost every night.

By indybrave

January 29, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this

I guess short and sweet. They don’t seem too high on any FA and don’t want to give up younglings for a one year rental.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this

I would rather hope and rant on how the Braves should get Man Ram over living in your cynical world where I have to come to grips on who would be better Dunn or Abreu, when in reality neither would.Ryan W

OK, great. I can just scroll past any post I see with your name on it and save a few seconds I’ll never get back.

Thanks!

By brent a.

January 29, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this

Hey, I may be too young to have seen Hank Aaron play, but I do have one “connection”, if you will, to the Hammer—I was born on the anniversary of his record-breaking homer!!

Interesting,

last year, I saw him in my neighborhood the day before the anniversary of his record-breaking homer. Which also, sadly, was the day his mother died.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this

keylargo

Fully agree about DirecTV. I bought the MLB Extra Innings package last year and the College FB package this year. Both were well worth it. Saved a bunch of money I would have otherwise spent at sports bars.

By athensmatt

January 29, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

DOB,

recently you’ve talked about movies and i was wondering, are you a fan of zombie films? just curious what your interest on those are. i’ve gotten into zombie movies a lot over the past couple weeks. if you haven’t seen any of these, i recommend you watch cemetery man (or dellamorte dellamore), evil dead and evil dead 2, and 28 days later.

can’t wait to hear about hanson at the voluntary pitching camp.

By goldenglove002

January 29, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

well just because the Braves no longer have TBS doesn’t mean that they aren’t still something of a large market team. By no means are they like Los Angeles or New York in terms of the amount of potential fans concentrated into one area, but Braves fans exist all over the country still from the times of TBS.

By GSU-Lee

January 29, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

DOB, ok, me too. I am not big on starbucks though, it is a little bitter sometimes. BY the way, you wanna talk food? Go to acworth and eat at Henry’s Louisiana Grill. Some of the best cajun food you will ever have in your life. It is phenomenal..the AJC even wrote about the place a year or two ago

By Steve McP

January 29, 2009 10:25 PM | Link to this

Ryan, love your passion, but Manny? A clubhouse cancer, if he decides he will play then all well and good, but mortgaging the franchise for the next 2 or 3 years? If we had wanted to spend 25% of the budget on one outfield player Tex would have been a better call, but the big bucks need to be spent on the Pitching not the hitting, pitching will win the pennant and pitching will win the WS - do I think the Braves will win the WS? Not particularly but I think we have more chance with the pitching moves that Wren has made, we will see if Lowe really is an ace, but also if he is not and Hudson comes back strong we will have a real shot in 2010. I don’t think Manny would make a WS contender of the Braves, even if they wanted to mortgage the franchise for the chance.

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this

You know what you all win

Signing Man Ram is impossible…..

The Braves are a mid market team that can’t spend like the Mets and Yankees…….

Doesn’t change the fact that they just spent 60 million over the next 4 years on a 35 year old, career .500 winning, pitcher…..

Doesn’t change the fact that our lead off hitter this coming year is most likely going to be a guy with a career .350 obp and Ks twice as much as he does walk…..

Doesn’t change the fact that we don’t have a clean up hitter…..

I would rather believe the Braves should sign Man Ram over accepting that crap mentioned above….but hell what do I know.

The fact is it doesn’t matter if the Braves sign Dunn or Abreu because neither will get the job done.

They were better off rebuilding than doing what they did this off season, but since they decided to waste 40 million on nothing then I would like them to spend another 20 to 25 on a guy that AT LEAST gives us a realistic hope that the Braves have a shot at winning the WS.

Or to put it in another way….I would rather you call me an idiot over being like you….accepting of a mediocre team.

By dan

January 29, 2009 10:28 PM | Link to this

I really hope that this is not true about Andruw. I really want him to get his career on track. It is unfathomable to me that a person is so stubborn that he cannot realize that he needs to make an adjustment.

Dave, are you hearing the same things about Andruw?

Do you really think that his defense has regressed so much? If healthy, I have to believe that he can still play a good CF, especially seeing that he is in such good shape.

By Steve McP

January 29, 2009 10:31 PM | Link to this

Be careful with the MLB channels, I live nearly 3 hours from Atlanta and still have a blackout on Braves games, would love to watch them on MLB TV, but will have to use a relatives address in MA to make it happen!

By UNCBrave

January 29, 2009 10:32 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Is that order of OF, yours or the Braves or both??

Also, I think Swisher would be horrific. Swisher would give you what a combined platoon of Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz would..

By UNCBrave

January 29, 2009 10:32 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Is that order of OF, yours or the Braves or both??

Also, I think Swisher would be horrific. Swisher would give you what a combined platoon of Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz would..

By Wide Right

January 29, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see if we could trade for Jeremy Hermida…otherwise pay $5MM for Abreu, a few more for Ohman and tell Glavine “thanks for the memories.”

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this

goldenglove2002

You’re right. There are a lot of Braves fans who don’t live in the southeast and picked up the habit when so many games were on TBS.

I think that affinity will fade, perhaps quickly. Just about every team’s games in the regional market are on basic cable/satellite, mostly on local Fox nets. And if the Braves aren’t available on basic cable, baseball fans will tend to follow the local club. And since ESPN is such a homer (Yanks, Sox, Mets), it’ll be really hard to closely follow the Braves unless you buy a premium sports package or subscribe to XM. You have to be really committed to do that.

By dogsbrekky

January 29, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this

Random you totally crack me up mate…

On a personal note, I was planning my comeback as a pitcher at 43 years of age but slipped on some bloody black ice in Central Park this am and have ripped my right medial ligament/s rather badly

sorry I will not be able to front up to Camp Roger tomorrow

I trust the Braves will do okay without me yet again

By JC from UT

January 29, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this

DOB: Would FW/BC have any interest in aquiring Marcus Thames from Detroit? Granted he is not a proven homerun hitter but could be a guy to take a chance on. He has the potetial to hit 25-30 HRS. Yes he would cost prospects in return but probably not anyting more than what Swisher would cost. Also Detroit has no room for him. Another team with a glut of outfielders is Washington. How about Austin Kearns or Josh Willingham. Again not prototypical power hitters but could supply enough power and and hit for enough average to kep a ralley going. The new LF does not neccesarily have to be a 30 hr guy just someone who can hit 20-25 hr and does not hit into numerous inninig ending double plays. Any thoughts?

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this

If we had wanted to spend 25% of the budget on one outfield player Tex would have been a better call, but the big bucks need to be spent on the Pitching not the hitting, pitching will win the pennant and pitching will win the WS - do I think the Braves will win the WS? Not particularly but I think we have more chance with the pitching moves that Wren has made, we will see if Lowe really is an ace, but also if he is not and Hudson comes back strong we will have a real shot in 2010. SteveMcP

You are right pitching does do all of that, but didn’t the Braves have that for 15 years? What killed us all of those years? We didn’t have a clutch bat in the line up. You know the one that can tear up great pitching?

One WS in 18 years with great pitching and no hitting.

Braves philosophy is built on a strong pitching staff. Thats great, but if you can’t score runs when it counts then you aren’t going to win and that has ALWAYS been the Braves problem.

I will say it again….Do I think the Braves will sign Man Ram? There is a better chance of the Earth colliding with the Moon, but at least I am TRYING to talk about what has really been holding the Braves back all of these years.

The lack of a truely great hitter.

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this

If we had wanted to spend 25% of the budget on one outfield player Tex would have been a better call, but the big bucks need to be spent on the Pitching not the hitting, pitching will win the pennant and pitching will win the WS - do I think the Braves will win the WS? Not particularly but I think we have more chance with the pitching moves that Wren has made, we will see if Lowe really is an ace, but also if he is not and Hudson comes back strong we will have a real shot in 2010. SteveMcP

You are right pitching does do all of that, but didn’t the Braves have that for 15 years? What killed us all of those years? We didn’t have a clutch bat in the line up. You know the one that can tear up great pitching?

One WS in 18 years with great pitching and no hitting.

Braves philosophy is built on a strong pitching staff. Thats great, but if you can’t score runs when it counts then you aren’t going to win and that has ALWAYS been the Braves problem.

I will say it again….Do I think the Braves will sign Man Ram? There is a better chance of the Earth colliding with the Moon, but at least I am TRYING to talk about what has really been holding the Braves back all of these years.

The lack of a truely great hitter.

By Random

January 29, 2009 10:40 PM | Link to this

DOB: “Oh, really?”

Yeah — really.

“Random, do you judge a player on anything other than OBP? I mean, anything whatsoever other than that single stat? Because I have a hard time seeing seeing how he’s been “slipping slightly” since what you call his “peak” years in 2004-06.

DOB, do you reflexively stop reading when you see the term “OBP”? I mean, really, do you? Because I have a hard time seeing seeing how you have addressed the points about his declining SLG, decreasing BBs and increasing groundouts.

“By the way, those weren’t his peak years.”

Never said they were. I said he “peaked” in 2004-2006, meaning only that his subsequent performance was going (slightly) downhill. Sorry for the confusion — I did not mean “peak years” as employed by some BBWAA voters (or sabermetricians) in making HOF evaluations.

“(Oh, wait, his OBP was “only” .393 that season, so that probably overrides all the extra-base hits in your book, where OBP is the end-all stat.)”

Hey, dude — I ain’t Shaun. Me and him have had our own disagreements about OBP. Save your scorn for him, buddy.

“by the way, the other big reason Abreu is so attractive is that he might be had for just a one-year deal, as we said above.”

Was not even addressing that — was only addressing why he wasn’t signed yet. Different issue.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 29, 2009 10:48 PM | Link to this

The lack of a truely great hitter.Ryan W

I’ve always believed when you’re in a hole, stop digging. And I suppoe all those years Braves fans watched Chipper, Tex, McCann, Galarraga and McGriff rake we were just waiting for a “truely” (sic) great hitter.

Sheesh.

By Random

January 29, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this

Eric from MO: “DOB loved your 8:10 post. Seems like some believe the only stat that means anything is OBP. Nothing else matters.”

So you didn’t read my whole comment either, did you?

How’d you like my response circa 10:35? Did you read it? Did you lo-ove it? Or did you lu-u-uv it?

Suck-up.

*“Random can you read? Did I say 2008? NO!NO!NO!”

By ncgary

January 29, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this

in a garden of eden it would be that way

Who should decide how much Liberty spends on payroll if not Liberty and/or Braves management? You?

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this

GoldenGlove002well just because the Braves no longer have TBS doesn’t mean that they aren’t still something of a large market team. By no means are they like Los Angeles or New York in terms of the amount of potential fans concentrated into one area, but Braves fans exist all over the country still from the times of TBS.

The Braves are not in the top ten in merchandise sales either. They are 19th in population. I dont know how else you can try to claim they are a major market team.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this

Random again can you read? Did I comment on you? Did I single your name out? Did I say anything about you that would make you feel you need to comment on me? That was a comment to DOB, not you. Learn to shut the F*CK UP!

By NY Braves Fan

January 29, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

if Abreu is more attractive because you can get him on a one year contract - why is Nady less attractive because he would be a free agent at the end of the year?

By f.n. hale

January 29, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

“Do I think the Braves will sign Man Ram? There is a better chance of the Earth colliding with the Moon” Ryan

or maybe this

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

By the way you didnt have a comment at 10:35. At least not this post. I dont give shiit about past posts.

By dobearsbare

January 29, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this

OK, I didn’t read every word of every post to this point, so it’s quite possible I missed it … still I’m surprised there’s been no discussion of Garret Anderson as a possible addition. I’d say Abreu is the better overall player, but Anderson might be a better fit. Not quite the run producer Abreu is, little lower obp, but still a very serviceable player.

By efuzz

January 29, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this

DOB - the Cuban place in Midtown, Las Palmeras is the real deal. It is near the park on 5th. If you are on Pachtree you have to take 5th and then kind of zig zag a little. It’s in an old gas station. Also, I was down in Broward over Christmas. Didn’t make Le Tub, but I got to Flickerlight for some pizza. Man, Hollywood has changed a lot in the past few years.

MiamiBrave - I always had good luck at the Las Vegas restaurant in Hollywood. It’s on 441 just north of Hollywood Blvd.

By shawn

January 29, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this

Interesting Braves story…

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ys-klimapolamalu012909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

By Bravestillidie

January 29, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this

DOB

To answer your question and/or the denizens’ questions about the Havana sandwich shop, they have relocated to what was formerly a long john silver’s restaurant in Canton. Right down the road from my girlfriend’s house. I would imagine most people who ate their in Atl might not make it out there now, but that’s where they are. There was a piece about it on 11 alive news. THey moved due to the fire, but also due to repeated robbery. Apparently the people who ran it lived in canton, and their message on the news was something to the effect of “If we drove to Atl for so long to feed the people there, perhaps now they will repay us by driving out here sometimes to eat it.” Although I don’t think they are going to miss the business though, because after about two weeks of being open they have been getting some serious business. I would guess mostly through word of mouth.

It is on Marietta Hwy next to a brand new Racetrac, not too far from Cherokee High School. If anyone here reads this and knows the area, go eat there. It’s pretty dern good.

BTID

By JimD

January 29, 2009 11:17 PM | Link to this

dobearsbare

[Garrett Anderson]still a very serviceable player.

I think that is precisely why he hasn’t been mentioned. They already have serviceable in B Jones, J Anderson, G Blanco, M Diaz. If they go get a bat, it will be one that can add significant power to the lineup - a cleanup hitter type.

By ronniev

January 29, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this

Re: Market size; Atlanta is the no. 8 television market in the U.S., virtually tied with Boston and ahead of Washington, D.C.

By Eric from MO

January 29, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this

N.Y. Braves Fan-the reason is because Nady will costs prospects. For Abreu we would not be commited long term to him and we would not have to give up prospects.

By proeye

January 29, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this

Let’s see… It’s okay to sign Abreu for one year but not Nady? Can anyone explain this to me?

By AdirondackDave

January 29, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this

NY Braves Fan — Abreu is more attractive than Nady because Abreu is a free agent and will not cost the Braves or any other team several players or prospects.

By JimD

January 29, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this

NY Braves Fan

if Abreu is more attractive because you can get him on a one year contract - why is Nady less attractive because he would be a free agent at the end of the year?

It’s a matter of cost. Nady would cost prospects, Abreu would cost cash. The Braves have to determine which is more valuable to them, and it seems that the prospect cost for Nady is more expensive than the financial cost for Abreu.

By Johnny B

January 29, 2009 11:29 PM | Link to this

DOB - What are you’re thoughts on Garrett Anderson?

I realize he’s not a huge power guy but his numbers across the board are very consistant. I did see where he was ranked as the 5th best defensive LF overall.

IMO, If the price is right, on a one or two year deal, he would be a nice fit. He is a lefty and his splits show he hits both left and right handed pitching equally well.

By NY Braves Fan

January 29, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this

Eric from MO

i understand that he would cost prospects but he also plays much better defense than Abreu - i also understand that they would not want to get stuck with multiple years with Abeu and that is what makes it Plus but if you think about it why not just give up a couple of Prospects that are going to be blocked anyway for the far better defensive outfielder for the year.

By Rico Bologna

January 29, 2009 11:34 PM | Link to this

DOB

~ Little Havana was the BEST cuban in town- no doubt. Saw Andruw in there twice…

~ Fuzzy’s was the jam, too. They re-opened down the street as Zuffy’s.

~ Rusty Nail is great as well

~ Just started Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid

~ Really thinks our starting rotation is going to be pretty f’n solid. We should have one of the best bullpen’s in the major’s- barring injuries.

~ Can’t figure out why Josh Anderson is not our lead off hitter and starting CF

~ Think the Bravos should bring back Ned Yost

~ Am secretly wondering why the Braves spring training facility is referred to as Dark Star?

By DHD

January 29, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this

You don’t mind paying for a one year rental for Abreu. You DO NOT want to give up a couple of minor leaguers for a Nady one year rental. Understand??

By the real OLD GOLD

January 29, 2009 11:41 PM | Link to this

They had one, and his name was Willie Harris. Homegrown, fast, and a clutch hitter. Frank Wren is an idiot.

By ncgary

January 29, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

the thing about manny is if hes happy and producing, attendence is going from 2.5 to record levels of around 4 million, he will sell millions in jerseys, and think of the hotdog promotions you could run around him

manny doesnt guarantee a world series championship , but he gives fans a legitimate chance at one

By FadeAway

January 29, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s see… It’s okay to sign Abreu for one year but not Nady? Can anyone explain this to me? proeye

whats so hard to figure out eye? You give up prospects for just one year of Nady and you don’t give up prospects for Abreu. Come on dude, how hard was that to figure out?

By gvblack

January 29, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

DOB

What about Rick Ankeil?

By N Nine (eta66)

January 29, 2009 11:46 PM | Link to this

Can we please use some of the insurance portion of Hudson’s 2009 contract? We need just a bit more to sign all 3!(Glavine,Ohman, OF)

Right now its Glavine and Ohman.. and thats all the cash!!! Can we call Hank S. and borrow some cash?

By Ryan W.

January 29, 2009 11:46 PM | Link to this

I’m so tired of trying to defend my opinion….

I think signing Man Ram, while improbable, would give the Braves a chance to win the WS.

Dunn, Abreu, Swisher, or Nady WILL NOT do anything, but K a lot and help the Braves finish 3rd in the NL East, again.

I’m about the Braves winning the WS and what would be the best option to make that possible. The way I look at it there is only one player left available that can do that.

If you can’t build a team that can win the WS then blow that team up and build one that can.

If you don’t like my suggestion that the Braves should sign Man Ram, thats fine, I’ll stop talking about it.

Instead I’ll just talk about the need to rebuild. That is the 2nd best option for the Braves to win a WS.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this

After the latest Barry Bonds developments today, I got to thinking how remarkable it is that baseball’s all-time hits leader (Pete Rose), its all-time home run leader (Barry Bonds) and the player (Mark McGwire) who broke what was the most-famous single-season record in sports, all are probably never going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Not to mention Roger Clemens, who was regarded by many as the greatest pitcher in several decades.

Wow. Just think about that.

By David O'Brien

January 29, 2009 11:52 PM | Link to this

FadeAway: It’s real simple. Abreu is a free agent. Nady is not. You have to trade young talent to get Nady for one year, then he’s gone.

By Johnny B

January 29, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this

Garret Anderson

In 14 major league seasons has a .296 AVE., 19 HR, 35 doubles, 92 RBI, .327 OBP + .469 Slugging = .796 OBPS, and still rated the #5 defensive LF in the game…

Thats slightly better than servicable IMO!

And a heck of alot better than anyone we had in the ENTIRE outfield last year!

By chrisklob

January 29, 2009 11:55 PM | Link to this

Oh no! Not a Willie Harris fan! Dude, he had about eight good weeks for ATL in 07, the rest of the time he’s been below average.

By BA

January 29, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this

Rico, about Anderson- he just strikes out too much, and he has yet to establish that he could hit left-handed pitching. But I like the Diaz/Anderson platoon idea, but who leads off the rest of the time?

This Ryan W.- insufferable. The Braves ARE a mid market team. We HAD great hitters during almost every season of your 18 years- pitching prevails in the playoffs. You could make a more convincing case that some of those thin bullpens are more to blame than a lack of a “truly great hitter”.

And as far as “wasting” $40 million dollars, that’s a bit dramatic. Lowe is a .500 pitcher? He’s twenty games OVER .500. Does he have 107 career losses? Sure- and the Big Three have a collective 577 career losses.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:00 AM | Link to this

They had one, and his name was Willie Harris. Homegrown, fast, and a clutch hitter.The real OLD GOLD

Willie Harris hit .251 with a .417 slugging percentage and 43 RBI last season in 367 at-bats. That included .213 (16-for-75) with runners in scoring position and .195 (15-for-77) in the late innings of close games.

In 2007 with the Braves, Harris hit .270 with two homers, 32 RBI and a .392 slugging percentage in 344 at-bats, including .220 (11-for-50) in the late innings of close games.

For his entire career, Harris has a .248 batting average, .324 OBP and .343 slugging percentage with 20 homers in 1,610 at-bats.

He has a .251 career average with runners in scoring position, and a .187 average (47-for-251) with 70 strikeouts and 12 RBI in the late innings of close games.

Clutch hitter?

By Random

January 30, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this

Eric from MO: “again can you read? Did I comment on you? Did I single your name out? Did I say anything about you that would make you feel you need to comment on me? That was a comment to DOB, not you. Learn to shut the FCK UP!”*

Dude, don’t you go all self-righteous and disingenuous on me.

You praised DOB for trashing a comment of mine — so yeah, you commented on me.

And you perpetuated DOB’s bull-headed critique of his myopic misreading of what I actually said — so yeah, you said something about me that made me feel that I needed to comment on you. Stupid question, don’t you think?

EfM: “That was a comment to DOB, not you.”

Yeah, but it was a comment about me and (DOB’s misinterpretation of) my comments on Abreu.

Like I said, don’t be disingenuous.

And chill.

EfM: “By the way you didnt have a comment at 10:35. At least not this post. I dont give shiit about past posts.”

I said circa (“around”) 10:35. It was actually posted at 10:40 tonight. Check it out, why don’t you.

Btw, how’re MO & BO?

;->

By UF Brave

January 30, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this

DOB,

I don’t understand how we have so little left in the budget.

We Lost: Mike Hampton - 15.98M John Smoltz - 14M Mark Teixeira - 12.5M Tim Hudson - 14.5M (won’t we collect some insurance money?) 2008 Team Payroll - 102.42M

Did Lowe/Vasquez/Kawakami really cost that much?

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:03 AM | Link to this

Bravestillidie: That’s pretty wild, that Havana Sandwich has moved to Canton. Enjoy, man. You got a great, cheap restaurant. Love that place.

By Ryan W.

January 30, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this

Man Ram is a fantasy, I know that.

Reality for me is this…..REBUILD NOW!!!

Not later, SOONER.

Make everyone based on the 2008 roster tradeable except Jurrgens, McCann, Escobar, and Chipper.

Obviously we gotta keep Lowe and Kawakami, makes the rebuilding process harder, but who is gonna take them?

Hopefully the line up for 2010 will look something like this…..

Hitting

C McCann 1B Kotchmann, hopefully Freeman 2B unknown, maybe Travis Jones, who knows SS Escobar 3B Chipper RF Heyward CF Shafer LF Hernandez, Diaz if he has improved

Pitching

Lowe Vasquez Jurrgens Hanson Kawakami maybe Rohrbough

I don’t know about all of you, but that inspires hope. The current lineup inspires my dinner all over the floor

Maybe Wren can trade well and improve that lineup, but I would rather see the Braves focus on building a contender from their farm over Wren’s trading ability.

For the love of God lets hope the Braves DON’T sign Dunn or Abreu. Lets hope they don’t trade for Nady or Swisher. Lets hope Heyward or Shafer have a killer Spring Training, so Cox can give them ML experience this year, so 2010 can be the year that we can truely believe.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this

efuzz, Hollywood has changed quite a bit, especially on the boardwalk north of Hollwyood Blvd. and all around Young Circle. But not quite as radical as the changes on the strip in Fort Lauderdale, which is now high-end, million-dollar condos in high-rises where there used to be low-slung, $39-a-night dive motels that were seedy but charming. Can’t believe I used to rent an apartment for $600 only a half-block from the beach in Fort Lauderdale in the early/mid-’90s.

By Robards

January 30, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this

Abreu has been very good in recent years, but I wonder how much that had to do with the Yankees batting order. If I recall, Abreu often hit in front of A-Rod. Would he perform nearly as well in a Braves batting order that, based on recent history, could be without Chipper for a quarter of the season? Perhaps, but I’m not sure. That said, he might be worth it since the price has fallen.

By uga-brave

January 30, 2009 12:09 AM | Link to this

DOB,

trivia question, you said you loved the plimsouls live during valley girl.

we both know they sang, million miles away, but what was the other song they sang?

great song by the way.

By shawn

January 30, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this

Not remarkable DOB- just sad. I grew up loving Pete Rose. He and Larry Bird always showed how hard work could make up for what really was average skills. They gave us ordinary guys hope that if we played hard we could play too. Just sad …

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:13 AM | Link to this

uga-brave, that’s easy, man: “Everywhere at Once.”

By Random

January 30, 2009 12:14 AM | Link to this

NY Braves Fan: “if Abreu is more attractive because you can get him on a one year contract - why is Nady less attractive because he would be a free agent at the end of the year?”

Things that make you go “Hmmmmmmm?” Good point.

Now that I think about it, it may have been DOB’s backhanded way of admitting that I was right about the ongoing deterioration in Abreu’s performance, and agreeing with Steve from OH that Abreu may have just one more adequately decent year remaining in his career.

Hmmmmmmm.

(It’s much more likely, though, that JimD (et al) is right, not me.)

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:15 AM | Link to this

here ya go, uga-brave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCMJ_VFbhM

By Rico Bologna

January 30, 2009 12:17 AM | Link to this

dang, did not know Havana opened in Canton… That is great news. I’ll eat there this weekend..

By Ryan W.

January 30, 2009 12:19 AM | Link to this

This Ryan W.- insufferable. The Braves ARE a mid market team. We HAD great hitters during almost every season of your 18 years- pitching prevails in the playoffs BA

Thanks for the compliment, I guess.

You say we had “great” hitters. Other than Chipper how many award winning, potential HOF hitters have the Braves had come playoff time? McGriff? The Big Cat? Sheffield? Thats a joke!

We invested 60 million for 4 years on a pitcher who has been 15-10 on avg. for the last 7 years. Now that is insufferable.

Fact is Wren should have saved the 15 per and rebuilt instead because the team surrounding Lowe is worse than the Dodger team Lowe played for last year, minus Man Ram.

By uga-brave

January 30, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this

loved havana, plus there was a honey baked ham store on the flank.

love honey baked ham sandwhiches.

SCOOTS, great game tonight for your tigers.

i always wondered if felton or purnell would be the better coach, they were both hired in the same year from mid majors. the answer is obvious now.

no reason why georgia cant compete in b’ball.

gotta find the right guy. too much talent in the state to have both the flagship sachools with ZERO wins in the conference.

hewitt should also be ashamed.

do you realize during felton’s tenure there were almost zero player’s drafted.

called it last night after the florida game, even posted it.

felton had lost whatever team he had.

damon had to do it.

By chris r.

January 30, 2009 12:21 AM | Link to this

Ryan W.

I totally understand your passion for Man Ram. The numbers Chipper and Mac would have would be ridiculous. This the best clutch RH’d hitter in baseball after Pujols. Put him and Chipper back to back and we’d the most clutch 3 & 4 hitters in baseball. Ask the Cubs about him. He made David Ortiz a superstar, Big Papi. Remember, Ortiz was released by the Twins. BoSox pick him up, put him in front of Manny and POW…2 WS in 4 years since he has been there . You couldnt get Ortiz out and you didnt want to face Manny. And that means Manny has 1 more WS than our beloved Braves during their run at the top. Clubhouse Cancer? I didn’t hear about Manny being a cancer in LA or Cle. He was in Boston for 7 years, gave them 2 WS titles. And if I am not mistaken, they put him on waivers one season. Maybe two but definitely one season. “Boston management was equally to blame for the Manny situation. They jerked him around last year in his contract year. And all of this he quit on the team stuff seems hollow. The dude hit in 22 of the 24 games he played in before his trade. He was the hottest hitter on the squad. Doesn’t sound like he quit on the team. And in LA, he hit near .400 and hit in 24 of his 36 ABs in the playoffs.”That was an excerpt from the article I read.

I would totally agree he makes ok teams good and good teams great. He was waaaaay more clutch than Tex, plain and simple. I think people here liked Tex because he was a SH corner infielder with power, who played college there, and would’ve been seen as a face of the franchise replacement for Chipper when he is done. He was good but his tenure didn’ t help the Braves get any further than they were without him. People here are in love with Nady. He was a former Met who just hit well against the Braves. I have watched him enough up here in NYC, to tell you guys…STAY AWAY FROM NADY. He is not the hitter he appears to be. I kid you not.

By Mitchie-san

January 30, 2009 12:24 AM | Link to this

DOB What type of salary is Wiggington looking for? I have always liked him and he’s solid. No, I am not suggesting he is the OFer we are looking for, I just think a guy who can play alomost anywhere with a career .285 average isnt a bad guy to look at. I know he doesnt fit into our exact needs, but he can play 2nd or LF.

If they were thinking of moving KJ to left to sign Hudson or Furcal, why arent they looking in to this?

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 12:29 AM | Link to this

Anybody else wondering why ESPN is censoring the “bag” part of the word “scumbag” every time they play the Simeon Rice quote about Jon Gruden?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word scumbag censored on TV, and certainly not in a direct quote on a news story. President Clinton called a reporter a “scumbag” once.

Actually, it seems more like a word they throw into a movie dialogue in place of a more offensive, actual cuss word when they’re sanitizing an R-rated movie for TV.

By uga-brave

January 30, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this

DOB,

geat sountrack that was, modern english is probably still getting royalties.

litlle known fact that nick cage was a relative of francis ford coppola.

loved that movie.

speaking of movies, i think we got a read on a lot of our fellow posters.

movies are subjective, but there is a lot to be said when one of our fellow denizens lists distubia, or armagedeon, or bagger vance in their top ten.

as far as sports movies, no love for the original bad new bears.

when i was a kid i always thought kelly leak was the coolest kid ever.

too bad jackie earl haley never grew a inch after that movie.

though his role in breaking away was pretty darn good.

evertime i hear indiana, indiana i always think about that movie.

By N Nine (eta65)

January 30, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this

Even Ajc blog doesn’t xxxout the word scumbag.

“Oh, and just FYI, Abreu is old but has 47 steals in the past two seasons”

Had no clue, I’m sold on Abreu

Yes willie harris had 6 or 8 great weeks in ATL. Sounds like this year with NATS, just look at his overall #’s. Moving on…..

By uga-brave

January 30, 2009 12:55 AM | Link to this

time to somewhat applaud liberty media for spending the money.

i have always been critical, but the at least they did not use the economy as a excuse.

our payroll will be in the upper third, that is all i guess you can ask for.

like the lowe signing, think vasquez will be more then servicable.

the kawakami thing will not be known until at least may.

still think there will be that moment when cox walks out to the mound, when all the infield is gathered around, and cox asks heap what do you think?

heap will say, “skip i cant understand a word he says, but hoss heard him say the donger need food.”

cox walks back to the dugout, puts in a huge chaw of copenhagen, and mumbles to roger who in the heck is the donger?

By BigPapaT18

January 30, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this

Ryan W

You and “Man Ram” should get a room. Sheesh!!!

By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)

January 30, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this

Ryan W., just stop.

The blog herd won’t listen to common sense. In actuality, Derek Lowe has averaged 13.6 wins and 12 losses over the last five years. Don’t try to tell the blog that Lowe is anything other than A-C-E.

The real reason that Derek Lowe signed with us is because Frank Wren was the only GM who offered him four years guaranteed. Not to mention the OVER PAID part of the equation.

I will say it again. Compared to the other 29 MLB teams our offense was 15th in RBI, 23rd in HR’s and 27th in stolen bases.

That is P-U-T-R-I-D and David O’Brien has said so himself. NOTHING, not one GOD DAMNED thing has been done to improve this problem as of yet. I’m sorry for being so blunt. But it is what it is.

By Rico Bologna

January 30, 2009 1:04 AM | Link to this

Downwind @ PDK airport = good burgers and eye candy on a nice spring/ fall day

By Rico Bologna

January 30, 2009 1:07 AM | Link to this

dude this is driving me crazy, what gives w/ Dark Star & spring training? sorry to be a pest…

By LoyalBraves20

January 30, 2009 1:18 AM | Link to this

We can all hope the Braves are respectable this year, but if all prospecting hold true I am more excited for 2010. Try this on for size people…..

2010 Opening Day

1. 2B - Kelly Johnson
2. SS - Yunel Escobar
3. 3B - Chipper Jones
4. C - Brian McCann
5. RF - Jason Heyward
6. 1B - Casey Kotchman/Freddie Freeman
7. LF - Jeff Francouer
8. CF - Jordan Shaefer

C. David Ross UT. Martin Prado UT. Omar Infante 1B. Casey Kotchman/Freddie Freeman OF. Brandon Jones/Gregor Blanco/Gorkys Hernandez

Ace - Derek Lowe 2nd - Tim Hudson 3rd - Jair Jurrgens 4th - Kenshin Kawakami 5th - Tommy Hanson

RP - Pete Moylan RP - James Paar RP - Jorge Campillo RP - Jo Jo Reyes RP - Cole Rohrbough/Jeff Locke CP - Mike Gonzalez

Man, that looks VERY promising! 2008 TB Rays incarnent one can only hope.

Opinions?

By N8

January 30, 2009 1:28 AM | Link to this

DOB

As per your 11:50 about the guys not getting into the HOF…

Kinda makes you appreciate past heros a bit more, eh?

On a side note… COME ON! You’re not even gonna acknowledge smiling over my “Popeye” remark earlier. I realize it’s not worth it if you have to beg for it, but that was funny.

In reality, I didn’t see the colon initially after Popeye’s name, so I actually thought you WERE raving about a dreadful movie.

Either way, I enjoyed it.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 1:33 AM | Link to this

I cannot believe that anyone who watched last season thinks it’s a really great idea to have Blanco AND Anderson starting in the outfield until Schafer is ready.

THEY HAD 27 HR TOTAL in the outfield last year. Our team leader in HR had what like 23?

We need power and the only place we have a chance to add it is in the outfield (which is generally a place you should be getting power anyway).

And it’s not like Blanco and Anderson are All-Stars who just don’t happen to have power. They are 4th outfielders, role players on any team with a good outfield. Between the two of them could they fill a single slot for a season on a team for that has an otherwise strong offense? Yes. Especially if they are playing CF.

I think they could both be strong contributing role players on an outstanding team (though not at the same time because they fill the same role).

But can they fill two positions, including a corner outfield spot, on a team that already lacks power and really expect that team to compete strongly? No.

Look, I think our pitching will be good this year top to bottom. But I also don’t think it’s going to be lights out which means, we are going to have to score runs.

You who advocate using Blanco and Anderson are assuming that both of these guys can match and even exceed the numbers they have put up in relatively small sample sizes so far. I.e. no sophomore slump, no difficulty stretching 300 AB into 500 AB, no new scouting reports making life at the plate miserable. And this is all assuming that they were anything special at the plate anyway, which they were not. Neither one of them put up numbers last year that you want out of a starting corner outfielder.

Or you are assuming that at least one of them will do that and that Schafer will come up to the majors and immediately be a solid offensive contributor. Look, I love the kid, I think he’ll be great but: 1. Dude got killed by lefties last year and 2. You cannot make plans for your team that include assuming a guy who has never played about AA ball will contribute ANYTHING offensively.

If Schafer comes up, the most you can plan on (not hope for but plan on) is a strong defensive outfielder who may progress offensively into an acceptable offensive contributor (possibly on a part-time matchup type basis).

So even if Frenchy tunes it up a bit and Diaz stays healthy and puts up 2007 numbers platooning, our outfield at the very best could put us in a position to maybe hang in til the end and sneak into the playoffs.

But to actually be a strong contender who can beat other strong teams and make our own way into the playoffs, we would need ALL of the young IF to show surprising progress. Chipper would need to play like 140 or more games and the pitching staff would have to be a top 5 in baseball.

If the past few seasons have taught us anything, it’s that you plan for everything going wrong and that you don’t even let yourself believe everything will go right.

If you think you are going to compete, then you have to build a team that can compete even when a couple relatively important things go wrong. As it is, our outfield is barely even passable if everything goes right.

Can we compete without adding an outfielder? Yes. But unless we are playing for a 90 win NL East title and a first round playoff exit, then this team really isn’t built to compete for anything that matters.

If we have spent all we have so far on this team, it is stupid not to add whatever we can in the outfield and give ourselves a chance to really compete. Otherwise we may as well trade away all of our new guys and put 50 mill in the bank for later, because with the team as it is, only in your wildest dreams can you hope that we will be among even the top 5 teams in baseball.

By ObiWanKobe

January 30, 2009 1:38 AM | Link to this

DOB & Other Audiophiles, A recommendation by me. Pulp and Circumstance (A blog where I found the best description) is currently addicted to the beauty of Juliette Commagere, who manages to create these amazing looped tracks with delicious synth that sort of creep into your brain and make it melt.Commagere, who you may know for her work with the band Hello Stranger, worked on her forthcoming release with help from famed musician Ry Cooder and his son Joachim; if you know nothing of the Cooders, for shame—he is one of America’s greatest guitarists, plays a knock-out slide guitar, has worked with Captain Beefheart, The Rolling Stones (as a sessions player on slide and mandolin for Sticky Fingers and Let it Bleed), Van Morrison, oh, and his little bit as a member of The Rising Sons, with P&C favorite Taj Mahal.But enough of Mr. Ry Cooder, genius that he is. Commagere is slated to release her debut full-length record this month, called Queens Die Proudly—October 28, to be exact. And its filled with brilliant guitars (duh) and this intriguing blend of disco and new wave, and the stringed instrumentation is absolutely epic feeling at moments. Her vocals are absolutely addicting, filled with simple melody with that backdrop of high synth. Golf claps.Juliette is currently on tour to support the new record, and she too is coming our way. She will hit T.T. The Bears Place in Cambridge on November 12, and of course, her lives gigs will be helped by Ry Cooder’s son, Joachim.

By ô¿ô

January 30, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this

LoyalBraves20

and who did the braves trade Vazquez for? - i do not see any new names anywhere except the prospects = and dont expect Heyward or Freeman to be ready for the start of 2010 - maybe Heyward will be Called up sometime in 2010 but i doubt it for Freeman.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 1:52 AM | Link to this

The Goche, I agree completely. This team, at this point, is not good enough to even win the NL East let alone a WS.

If Schaefer is supposed to be our BIG future star, behind Heyman, put him out there and see what he is made of.

At this point if he is good enough to be in Spring Training he is good enough to “at the very least” platoon with Diaz. It isn’t as if the Braves are really playing for much this year.

I say sign nobody to play LF and lets see what the young guys can do. Better than having to guess for 2010.

By No Return

January 30, 2009 1:58 AM | Link to this

The Braves can sign everybody. It’s only money. More importantly, it’s not our money. I have in-laws who are constantly making surmises about what I can spend. They usually believe I can spend more than I can(or wish to) but like I said, it’s not their money. I’ve found that I usually enjoy spending money when I make decisions based upon my immediate family’s vested interest. I’ve spent quite a bit of money on relatives(loan to be an EMT, loan to repair a car, loan for a little niece’s pre-paid tuition). I’ve NEVER even had any of the principal repaid, let alone a return on investment. I’m kind of like the Yankees the last 8 years and basically the Braves the last 12 years. Although I have FINALLY learned. Maybe my spending is a metaphor for that of about 20 teams.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 2:00 AM | Link to this

Oh man, bonus…I forgot about Vasquez

Lowe, Hudson, Jurrgens, Vasquez, Kawakami/Hanson in 2010 is even better.

Tyler Flowers was the big guy traded for Vasquez. Nobody on my prospective team was traded for him.

Also from all that I have read there is a real possibility that Freddie Freeman will be ready for the bigs by 2010. At what capacity, I’m not sure and that is why I have him platooning with Kotchman.

But if you were to take out Paar, Rohrbough, or Locke and replace any of them with Hanson and have Kawakami as the 5th starter you would have a REALLY good staff, top to bottom.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 2:09 AM | Link to this

Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Jordan Shaefer will all be non-roster invitees this Spring, if they impress it is very possible we could see all three of them in a Braves uniform by 2010.

As a matter of fact most sites including the Braves home site project all three of them starting or at the least playing in some capacity for the Braves in the year 2010.

I say go all out and this spring play them as much as possible to give them as much experience as they can get. That way by 2010 we could have a really exciting team. At least I’m excited

By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)

January 30, 2009 2:52 AM | Link to this

Good post Goche. I’m guilty of giving Frank Wren hell but in reality I knew he had an impossible job to do.

The Braves do have a few million left to spend but let’s not forget about the Braves 2009 1st round pick (7th this year). This will be the highest selection the Braves have had in eighteen years. It is gonna be expensive and Atlanta will be stashing a few bucks away for whomever is drafted.

Among the non-roster invitees, Jordan Schafer is the only one with any realistic chance of making the team. Tommy Hanson is gonna get stiffed and it’s just not right. I have seen him pitch and he’s everything the hype has promised.

I’m curious about Anthony Lerew and not sure that Josh Anderson has the right mentality to be an everyday lead off hitter. And the 800 pound gorilla nobody want’s to acknowledge? The brewing soap opera surrounding Yunel Escobar and Bobby Cox.

I keep dreaming of Ryan Ludwick in LF but I know that there are way too many roadblocks between the Cardinals and Braves.

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 2:54 AM | Link to this

FadeAway: It’s real simple. Abreu is a free agent. Nady is not. You have to trade young talent to get Nady for one year, then he’s gone DOB

I think you misread that. I was the one saying that they did not want to give up prospects for a one year rental . In response to proeye I believe it was.

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 3:07 AM | Link to this

Willie Harris hit .251 with a .417 slugging percentage and 43 RBI last season in 367 at-bats. That included .213 (16-for-75) with runners in scoring position and .195 (15-for-77) in the late innings of close games DOB

You’re right and just think how bad that would have been if not for being able to hit against the Braves. He was .327/.462/.577 with 14 rs and 12 rbi . If he had played for the Braves he would have hit about .230 for the year.

By Cameron in NC

January 30, 2009 3:37 AM | Link to this

For the record. I know th Braves wont sign Manny. And im ok with Abreu, Dunn, or Nady. But I think that Manny is the player that would put the Braves over the top. And for the people on this blog posting tha they want the Braves to sign Manny. It wont happen because as far as we know, the Braves do not have the money. But I see where you all are coming from because he is probably the best pure hitter in baseball today, and he could deff. put the Braves over the top. Im with the percent that WISHES the Braves could sign him, and I know that 98% ofthe people here would he happy as hell if the raves did sign him. But it wont happen.

Also, I do not think Swisher is the key to the Braves LF spot. I think Abreu or Dunn is the 2 better options because they are free agents and do not cost prospects.

By jason

January 30, 2009 3:39 AM | Link to this

a good article titled “the braves will compete in 2009” at:

nofiltersports.com

By kirkinga

January 30, 2009 4:40 AM | Link to this

And the 800 pound gorilla nobody want’s to acknowledge? The brewing soap opera surrounding Yunel Escobar and Bobby Cox.

Coach, I think you’re great, but this is just pure fiction. There is no looming soap opera. Yunel is going to be the starting SS, he’ll get paid accordingly for his short tenure as he would if he wasn’t included in a potential trade. In short, nothing happened, there’s no reason for Yunel to be angry at anything.

Of course if he reads this blog as saw how many fans were willing to trade him away for alot less than Jake Peavy, then he might be wondering about what kind of fans the Braves have.

Yunel is going to have a very good, if not dynamite year. If anything he’ll be smarter about his emotions this season. I think too many see that fire and just think he’s a thug.That passion means he’s competitive and that means he wants to win.

I’m very excited about Escobar, he’s a reason to buy a ticket. He’ll be fine despite what people on this blog say about him.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

January 30, 2009 4:43 AM | Link to this

The Braves have the money to do what they choose to do, they just poor mouth all the time to suppress what they have to pay. They have become so good at it that most of the blog denizens have even adopted the mantra of “well, we can’t afford him”…

Wake up folks, there is a reason no one is ever able to pin down the exact figure of the Braves payroll, they don’t want anyone to really know what they spend. They are not a publicly traded company and they are not bound to tell anyone.

Doesn’t anyone remember when Chipper volunteered to restructure his salary so the Braves could sign Hudson? The Braves front office went spastic because they were trying to keep Hudson’s agent from jacking up the asking price and felt Chipper publicly stating he would give up some cash hurt the Braves position.

If the Braves want to sign Glavine and Ohman and still pay $10 million for an outfielder they will. If they don’t want to sign them, they will use payroll as an excuse….

By kirkinga

January 30, 2009 5:01 AM | Link to this

Great point Gil, many here have bought into the “we can’t afford…” company line. That is why we’re always looking for some player on the cheap and then get mad when players don’t feel the same way.

I’m glad Liberty has been tighter with the payroll, I think they know that even after signing Lowe, the payroll is going to drop drastically after next season. With all the young talent coming up and with the young vets maturing, The Braves payroll is going to fall unless they sign more free agents.

Liberty is smart to put the money in now because it knows it’s about to have a young and cheap team in the next couple of years and they’ll make alot of money.

By Jeff

January 30, 2009 6:12 AM | Link to this

how about diaz and anderson in left and schafer in center. homeruns are one thing, but how about guys that can hit when we’re down one run on the road this year.

By ppaddy123

January 30, 2009 6:36 AM | Link to this

Random

I don’t know why you have such a bug up your a$$, and I really don’t care. I just wonder what makes you an “authority” on “all things baseball”??? Just about everyone that posts here, or just reads to check up on the latest “hot stove” rumors, is entitled to their opinions. You seem to have appointed yourself as a quasi judge to support or shoot down our opinions.

Even DOB called you on it yesterday. You have your opinions and that’s fine. I read most of what you post and sometimes I agree, sometimes I disagree. That’s what makes the world go round. It might even be that you don’t mean to sound as sarcastic as you seem. I feel sorry for you if that’s how you like to be perceived.

By Richie

January 30, 2009 6:47 AM | Link to this

Why are bloggers on here saying the Braves are a mid market team? The Braves have had payrolls over and/or near the $100 million dollar plateau the last few seasons by seasons end. They are in the top 10 payrolls almost every year. I don’t think that makes them mid market. The Braves brass just don’t like to have a large portion of their payroll tied into one players salary.

Would signing Manny make sense, purely in terms of baseball? In short, yes. He is the most attractive remaining free agent available, for what he provides and for what the Braves are looking for in terms of a middle of the lineup, power hitting OF, who preferably plays LF.

But that will not happen because Boras won’t come down off that asking price for him> He’d be signed already if he weren’t asking for a 4yr deal, at 20 - 25 million per. But I know the remaining options aren’t going to help the Braves compete either. So what do you do?

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 6:57 AM | Link to this

ABREAU on a one year deal. Keep waitin’ FRANK. The price keeps coming down.

By MARK

January 30, 2009 6:58 AM | Link to this

Sign Ohman , Glavine because you can never have enough quality pitching….remember last year…none of those guys morton reyes etc show ed they are ready for anything except take a pounding…..we can wait on a outfielder….its about pitching

By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)

January 30, 2009 7:02 AM | Link to this

Kirkinga, Um, yea right.

I watched last season. I saw Yunel getting beaned repeatedly. I watched as Bobby Cox did nothing to protect his player. I watched as Yunel show boated and Cox fumed. And then we read for six weeks here in the blogs as Yunel was all but gone to San Diego for Jake Peavy.

I have nothing against Yunel Escobar, but I can tell you for DAMN sure that Bobby Cox wanted him gone already. Not only that, but many people in the baseball world were publicly questioning why the Braves would attempt to trade such a dynamic player, not to mention the fact that he’s the best athlete on the team.

Bobby Cox runs a tight ship and he doesn’t cotton to players who rock the boat. No one player is bigger than the team and I can tell you just from observation that Escobar has alienated many of his teammates.

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 7:04 AM | Link to this

Richie:

Sit on it and spin, I guess. The BRAVES have been in that position for awhile.

GIL:

You still out there. Want to go see the GWINNETT BRAVES when they come to NORFOLK to play the TIDES? I might be willing to make that jaunt one or twice this season, or DANVILLE possibly. Hit me back if you get this.

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this

RICO BOLOGNA:

From yours of 11:34 p.m. last night. Regarding ANDRUW. Dude, that was the same meal. He never left.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 7:51 AM | Link to this

chrisr and RyanW-Y’all are clueless when it comes to Manny. I live in New England and hear everything that happens with the Red Sox in infinite detail (unless you’ve lived here you’ll never have a clue about coverage of a sports team can really be like-it’s a level of insanity you’ll never see in Atlanta-maybe only in NY and that’s limited to NY, NOT a six state area).

Yes, Manny can hit. If he couldn’t, no one could stand having him around. Last season the Dude absolutely refused to play on several occasions. REFUSED TO PLAY. All this because he wasn’t happy making his $25 million salary-he wanted more, even though his future would have been assured in Free Agency.

He p!$$ed off everyone so badly that they literally ran him out of town. He was about to be suspended for refusal to play when they just GAVE him to the Dodgers- Paid the rest of his salary and dumped him in the middle of a pennant drive (he likely would have given the Sox the muscle to make the Series had they kept him.). Do you understand the concept of giving away millions of dollars and forsaking a potential series appearance just to be rid of the guy? That’s exactly what Boston did.

With Manny Ramirez you have a player who takes the point of view that there’s him and there’s everyone else. He can hit, but he decides if he wants to play, whether or not he feels like playing and when it might be that he plays, shows up for practice, takes part in practice or if something else happens to be on his mind at any given time-usually something that has no bearing or relevance on or to anyone but Manny. Do you seriously think that the Braves (or most other teams) would actually put up with this? Would your boss? Even if you could hit?

If you seriously think he would help us that much, then you also have to wonder why he has no suitors this post season. Yes, I’ve heard the line that Boras clients ALWAYS wait until the last moment to sign, but what about Tex? What about all Boras’ other clients? How come most of them have signed and Manny is still in limbo? Part of it may be the exhorbitant price tag he’s attached to himself, but I’d say that most of the reason he’s still hanging is that no one wants that cancer associated with their club-other than lots of really clueless fans who positively delight in spending someone else’s money..

Besides-Tex (who may be every bit as good a hitter) didn’t take us to the promised land while making about half of what Manny asks. Why, all of a sudden do you think this guy will be the missing piece and the difference maker?

By joe fan

January 30, 2009 7:55 AM | Link to this

Speaking of censoring….I saw a story on msnbc.com the other day that censored the word “moron”. What is that all about?

By 35YrBravesFan

January 30, 2009 7:55 AM | Link to this

Pitchin camp starts today and spring is HERE!!!! Give us a good one on camp DOB.

Sign Ohman, give Glav a chance and sign Abreu for one year til the youngster can come up.

GO BRAVES!!! (But we’ll miss you, Pete and Skip…)

By albert

January 30, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this

Sentimentality has no place in a general manager’s decision making process. Thats why we will not see Smoltz, Andruw or Glavine in a Braves uniform this year. Cold but thats the way it is.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

January 30, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this

Hey Richbrave, I’m game. I have thought about maybe catching a Potomac game or two also. Actually closer than Danville.

By 22oz

January 30, 2009 8:35 AM | Link to this

Two movies that are unwatchable on regular tv: 1. Grumpier Old Men-they actually substitute “yutz” for “putz”.

1. Smokey and the Bandit. I don’t need to comment on this one for anyone who’s tried to watch it on regular tv. Horrible.

By Chris R.

January 30, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

Lew

I live in NYC, so we here all the same Manny stuff as you do down here. I am not clueless at all when it comes to Manny. I’ve heard about him since he signed with Boston back before the 2001 season. I also know that he was put on waivers and when it was leaked the Yankees were going to pick him up, they backed off.

A majority of the reason he isn’t signed is because of his exhuberant price tag. Nobody is going to pay that kind of asking price for a hitter. There are still quite a few Boras clients out there because it is price tag vs economy(Varitek & O.Perez still out there).

By Rich

January 30, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this

How can you say Dunn has good plate discipline when he has struck out one third of his at bats. The Braves have enough un-disciplined hitters (Franceour) and a poor hitting coach (Pendleton). Why make the problem worse? Dunn would be a huge mistake

By 67cards

January 30, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

The answer to the Braves outfield punch problem currently resides in St. Louis. His name is Rick Ankiel. The Cardinals have a glut of outfielders and would trade Ankiel in the right package. Adam Kennedy would have to be included with Kelly Johnson moving to the Cards along with a young starting pitching prospect. Tommy Hanson looks pretty good. So how about it Braves fans, would you trade Johnson and Hanson to have Ankiel in your outfield and use Kennedy at 2B for one yr.?

By Efrim

January 30, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this

It’s going to be quite difficult for the Braves to contend with the Mets, Phillies and Marlins with the current group of hitters that they have. Infield is great, but there are just too many questions in the outfield. If they can’t land one of Nady, Swisher, Dunn or Abreu, than I think it would be nice for them to go out and get a platoon mate for Matt Diaz. In fact, it might actually make some sense for them to go get TWO outfielders. Maybe Griffey Jr. or Garrett Anderson for LF, AND Jim Edmonds for CF. Not going to scare anyone, Griffey Jr. and Edmonds have had trouble staying healthy, but they would help. Certainly upgrades over Brandon Jones and Blanco/Anderson. In this outfield market they couldn’t ask for too much money, right? Then maybe the Braves can sign Ohman and Glavine along with the two outfielders. Just trying to think how the Braves can contend without acquiring a big bat like the four guys mentioned. Long shot, indeed.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

chrisr-You may THINK you hear it all in NY, but unless you have all three of our network stations and NESN and the Boston newspapers you have no clue. It’s literally 24 hours 7 days a week up here. Pardon me if I doubt you get all the Red Sox coverage in NY.

Yes, his salary demands are absurd and have something to do with why he’s not signed, but that certainly is NOT all the reason. Face it-he isn’t coming to Atlanta. That attitude and that price tag just aren’t worthwhile.

As for waivers-Dude, EVERY team puts damn near EVERY player on waivers and pulls them back if they don’t like who claims them. If you seriously think that tells you anything about the Manny Ramirez situation, then you’re basically clueless about how waivers work, as well as what kind of guy Manny is.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

FadeAway, sorry about that. Gets confusing sometimes, all the references to other comments. So that was for you proeye. Pretty obvious why one-year stint is different circumstances for the two players.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 8:59 AM | Link to this

chrisr-BTW Dude, I think you meant exorbitant, NOT exuberant.

By Efrim

January 30, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this

67cards

“The answer to the Braves outfield punch problem currently resides in St. Louis. His name is Rick Ankiel. The Cardinals have a glut of outfielders and would trade Ankiel in the right package. Adam Kennedy would have to be included with Kelly Johnson moving to the Cards along with a young starting pitching prospect. Tommy Hanson looks pretty good. So how about it Braves fans, would you trade Johnson and Hanson to have Ankiel in your outfield and use Kennedy at 2B for one yr.?”

Way too early in the morning to be getting wrecked.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this

uga-brave: Nicolas Cage is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola, and his actual name was Nicolas Coppola before he changed it to Cage to avoid appearance of nepotism. Seriously.

OK, headed to pitching camp. Let you know if anything interesting happens.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

67 Cards-I seriously hope that post was a joke or a put on. If you were serious, you are seriously warped if you think that deal is vaguely equitable. Sounds like one of the suggestions we see here all the time asking for us to trade Blaine Boyer and JoJo Reyes for Jake Peavy. Mindless.

By dawgfan1911

January 30, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this

Kill The Glavine Talk!!!!!!! I dont ever want to see this guy in a braves uniform again!!!!! He is DONE!

By Thrillhouse44

January 30, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

67Cards, Johnson and Hanson for one year of Ankiel and Kennedy? Really? No way. Wren wouldn’t even throw Hanson in for Peavy - definitely not going to do it for an outfielder.

By Novice Ned

January 30, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this

Is Andruw’s defense below average relative to other outfielders or is it not up to the standards of Andruw Jones? My guess is that if he were wearing those goofy glasses with the big nose and mustache and went out and fielded balls, that he would appear to be a slightly above average defensive outfielder. That’s far below his personal standard but still respectable relative to his peers. Of course, a slightly above average defensive outfielder who can’t hit sounds very much like Ryan Langerhans. And no one is asking to bring him back.

By jaglawyer

January 30, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

I just spewed coffee all over my laptop reading 67cards’ post about Ankiel.

By Savannah Guy

January 30, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

Steve C: from 1/29-3:37 PM – “I am following you on what the Braves have spent in new additions for this year. What I wonder is this, what was last year’s opening day payroll? Now I know that then you have folks who have raises in their contracts, along with raises for the arb eligible guys, but does that really only leave 7 mil left? And that is only to keep the payroll the same, when they said it would go up.” –

I’ve had the same questions. We’ve heard Wren quoted about how we’ve saved big dollars due to departing players and we’ve heard that the Braves would spend more this year but now we are about where our budget needs to be. Perhaps I’ve missed a report or Wren statement about that and have finally heard it so much I’ve fallen for blog misinformation…

Far be it from me to be able to crunch all the numbers even if they were available, and they’re not. I’m not inclined to want to play accountant, but the numbers thrown around here and the comments from Wren just don’t seem to add up. Anyway, I’m curious to know how we dumped so much in salary from 08 and now we’ve supposedly almost reached the salary limit for 09.

Further, if the kind of small salary and incentives that Glavine would need to stay with the team tips the budget scales and eliminates our chances for signing a big bat in left, then it’s going to be a long summer of rebuilding and small ball anyway… not one on par with at least two teams in our division.

Has anyone here done the math from 08 to 09?Inquiring minds wanna know.

By Dadgum

January 30, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

Right now Tom Glavine is not on the Braves radar. He may be invited to spring training as a courtesy to give the Braves an extended look at him. Most likely that is what Wren was talking to Glavine about at breakfast the other day.

Currently the Braves have Morton, Campillo, and Hanson gunning for that #5 starter slot. Maybe more. Glavine would fall way behind that group currently. Nevertheless he is probably worth a shot as a fallback if injuries to others happen during ST. That is assuming Glavine gives the Braves some comfort level that he can still pitch effectively.

If everything goes smoothly for the Braves at Dark Star I just can’t see Wren extending 1-2 mil for Glavine to sit the bench and even more so I can’t see Glavine willing to sit the bench for a spot start. Betting odds are he will retire during the Dark Star stint.

As for Andruw, just how big an ego do you have to have to not want to accept a minor league contract to prove to a team you want to play for that you still “got it”? Oh yeah, and when you already have 21 mil of another team’s money in your back pocket (albeit over a few years payout). Ooops, forgot Boras was his agent. Hey wait didn’t Andruw negotiate his prior deal with Atlanta? Thought so. Isn’t it also his ultimate decision anyway? I would say that Andruw’s bargaining chips are pretty miniscule, not exactly strong leverage material.

Rock on….often wrong, never in doubt.

By TheManMike

January 30, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

Lew and Chrisr - No one cares about your cities or their media coverage on these blogs. If you have forgotten, this is the AJC blog, for Atlanta Journal Constitution….Go blather about NY and Boston on another blog.

Kirkinga - I agree 100%. I dont think the Braves fans yet realize the true potential of a young plyer like Yunel. He is really something special….I think Thomas Dimitroff would consider him a “diamond in the ruff…” I love his tenacity, he showed more heart at times than the entire team combined. Since when are players not allowed to show some spirit or become enthusiastic about the game? I cant wait for Yunel to prove all the Neysayers wrong….

GO YUNNY!

GO BRAVOS!

BOO BOSTON AND NY SPORTS MEDIA COVERAGE!!

By Brad

January 30, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

Why would they want Glavine? He has no particular loyalty to the Braves as he has shown. He was a big part of the players strike several years ago. Besides, he is washed up as a pitcher!

By TheDunderChief

January 30, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

DOB-

Scumbag refers to a used condom, which would be a pretty disgusting and graphic reference to use on television. But the word has become so integrated into our daily language, nobody pictures a slimy latex balloon full of semen when they hear the word. ESPN or FCC is getting way too picky on this one.

Now that I think about it, scumbags could also refer to one’s testicles. Although, I don’t think that was the original intention.

By Steve

January 30, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

DOB, Very nice post…I’m warming up to trying to land Abreu…maybe its my impatience as well…I would like to see our team locked in before Spring Training…I don’t like this waiting game that’s going on…but in the end it could bear fruit for the Braves…but also many other teams as well…There are still 90 free agents left looking for work…it’s truly unbelievable…And the quality of some players, if signed, could change the whole dynamic of some teams…Abreu, Sheets, Manny, O-Dog, Dunn…wow…Has anyone ever heard of these types of players STILL available this late in the offseason???

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this

Brent A. “last year, I saw him in my neighborhood the day before the anniversary of his record-breaking homer.”

That’s cool! But how sad that his mother died on the anniversary of #715! Kinda takes away the sweetness of the day.

The Goche “Our team leader in HR had what like 23?”

Yup. 23 homers…he also led the team in RBI (87) and doubles (42)…oh, and game-winning RBI (10).

By 67cards

January 30, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this

Everyone loves their own players beyond reason. Johnson is not Ryne Sandberg or Joe Morgan.

Hanson has great MINOR LEAGUE numbers. So did Anthony Reyes and hundreds of others. He is not even on the Braves depth charts for this year. If he is the answer, why did the Braves spend all their $$ on starting pitching free agents? Who is he going to bump in your rotation.

If you can’t use an asset, move it for something you can.

You have to give something to get something.

Ankeil hit 25 HRs with 413 RBIs in only 413 ABs. Which of the Braves outfielders put up those numbers last year? In addition, he is and electric player on the upside of his career and affordable.

Kennedy would platoon well with Prado at 2nd. He hit .283 vs. RH last year and had the 4th best defensive ratings in MLB at 2nd base. He only has a year left on his contract.

By Knuckle Sandwich

January 30, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB, Thanks for the blog. I was reading an article about Abreu on ESPN.com. The article was focusing on a metric called “Ultimate Zone Rating” which measures how many runs you save / cost your team with your defense. Abreu’s UZR was -25 last year, the worst in the American League. The only major league right fielder that was worse than him last year was Brad Hawpe, who came in at -37.2. Anyway, just thought this was relevant now that Abreu seems to be a candidate for left field. Do you put much stock into any of these newer statistics, or are they just for fantasy nerds, like me?

By rubbertoe

January 30, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this

67 cards, Hope that was a joke about ankiel for real. THere is nooo way in the hell that I would even trade hanson for ankiel strait up, much less with kelly johnson to boot. I dont necessarily think ankiel is totally proven yet. Pretty good stats but no way hanson goes for him in any way shape or form. Kelly Johnson and some single a prospects maybe but no way hanson is involved, he’ll be the ace of this staff for years to come. If Wren wouldnt let him go for jake peavy theres no way he’s gonna let him go for ankiel.

By mbatl

January 30, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

SG, two sources (COT’s, and USAToday) report the ‘08 opening day payroll at $102,365,683. Of course, that doesn’t account for the Braves internal accounting methods, like listing Hampton at only around $8 mil… and probably other variables. So the Braves would say that the number was lower than that. (and I don’t know how it accounts for money received from other teams, such as $5 mil for Kotsay’s salary; or sent to other teams, such as $X we paid on Renteria).

In other words, it’s hard to know.

As for where we stand now, seems to me that THIS is a pretty good summary. Not vouching for its accuracy, but seems pretty reasonable to me. Puts us at $92.4 mil without any insurance money on Hudson.

By Jeff R

January 30, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this

I think it’s nutty to trade for Nady or Swisher - unless you can get either for a song. Heyward, Schafer and Hernandez are in the pipeline (one or two years away, at the most). And there’s Cody Johnson; if he can cut down on his strikeouts, he’s a possibility too.

What’s the point in surrendering solid prospects for either Yankee outfielder? I vote to sign Abreu to a one year deal, if Wren can’t live with the current options. I’d bet two of the four aforementioned OF prospects are ready by 2010.

Acquiring Brian Roberts would be the smarter play. He gives the Braves a lead off hitter and a better defensive 2nd baseman than Johnson, who could swing to the outfield and/or be trade bait down the line.

Problem is, Roberts is a big fan favorite in Baltimore. The ownership is pretty clueless, but they might have enough sense to want to retain the team’s most popular player. But if they’re willing to give him up, it may come at a steep price.

By Hardball19

January 30, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

67cards has a great point. Who would not want to trade for someone who drove in 413 runs last year year!?

By allan

January 30, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

Abreu is NOT an option. If you check the stats, of when he played here before, you should find that he wasted our money, then ran home to the Phillies, (I think before the season ended?), and told them everything he could about the Braves internal workings.
Not that it’s made much difference, but why should we pay this prick to come here, after rating us out?

Also let me bring up for discussion, Bobby Cox.
Why do I continue to hear how great a manager b cox is, yet I don’t see it on the field. I sure didn’t see it in their first WS, with his player selection and juggling.
And I haven’t seen it since. The only reason he’s done anything is because of the three HOF pitchers, that won, despite him. The first thing the braves should do, before next season, is to find a new manager, instead of; pitchers and outfielders.

Long time fan, who would like to see a better effort to play & win

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

67Cards Way too early in the morning to be on the sauce my man. You may want to seek help with that problem of yours.

Tommy Hanson is a Top 10 rated prospect in ALL of baseball, and you think that he would be included in a deal for a one-year rental Rick Ankiel? Absolutely ridiculous. Maybe you haven’t been around the ol’ Blog or know enough about the Braves to know that everyone expects that Hanson will be in the Braves starting rotation at some point this year, possibly even on opening day.

The Braves spent all that money on starting pitching because the rotation was a shambles, and needed more than one rookie plugged into it to make it respectable. You don’t count on rookies to build a starting rotation if you expect to win anytime soon, you bring them along surrounded by veterans like the Braves plan on doing with Hanson.

By Steve McP

January 30, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

Just took a few minutes on Cot’s contracts site and came up with these figures for the Braves thus far, no Ohman, no Glavine, if a budget of $7 million remains as has been bandied about, then it looks like we are sitting at a $100 Million budget for 09, without taking Hudson’s insurance into account.

Lowe $15 Million Hudson $13 M Vasquez $11.5 M Chipper $11 M Kawakami $7 M Soriano $6.1 M Gonzo $3.45 M Infante $1.85 M Kotchman $2.5 M (wants $3.25M) Johnson $2.35M (wants $3.3M) Frenchy $2.8M (wants $3.95M) Ross $1.4M Diaz $1.23M McCann $3.5M Norton $1.1M

25 players on MLB minimum $400K = $10 M

Total $93.78 ($96.63 if taking player requests on arbitration)

By pfunkatl2

January 30, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

DOB

Had some business to attend to last nite and missed your question. Las Palmeras is on 5th street between Argonne and Charles Allen off Ponce. MUCH better than Papis, tho Papi’s has some decent fast-food-type cuban dishes. Actually it is not far from Papi’s, but being in a residential neighborhood it is hard to find. Give it a try.

ALSO thrilled to hear about Havana re-opening. Never even BEEN to Canton, but I will be soon!Just so you KNOW, DOB I am originally from KC, went to KU as well(tho I graduated from UMKC) and lived in Miami for many years before moving to ATL. Small world!

By Random

January 30, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

ppaddy123: “I just wonder what makes you an “authority” on “all things baseball”???”

Nothing — I don’t consider myself an “authority” on “anything baseball”. I do know how to read and look up some stats on the internet. Other than that, I’m just another guy with an opinion, who’ll back it up when questioned, and back down and admit it when wrong.

pp3: ” … everyone that posts here … is entitled to their opinions.”

Well, sure — of course we are. We’re also entitled to back up our opinions when challenged. Or not. Or not.

pp3: “You seem to have appointed yourself as a quasi judge to support or shoot down our opinions.”

We all are judges here — this is a public forum of baseball opinions and information. We each can agree with whom we choose and disagree with whom we choose. The better of us actually explain why, supporting their opinions with whatever facts are available and applicable, documenting what they represent to be fact, and arguing its applicability.

Tough siht for you if you cannot back up your own opinions, or cannot handle perceived criticism.

pp3: “Even DOB called you on it yesterday.”

Yeah, well — DOB was wrong. (He’s been wrong before, you know.)

He apparently did not read my entire comment, and apparently misunderstood what he did read. See my reply to him at 10:45 PM.

(Also, you should check out the comment of mine that *DOB was responding to* to get the whole picture.)

pp3: “It might even be that you don’t mean to sound as sarcastic as you seem.”

Let me get this straight — you read DOB’s 8:10 PM comment, and then you call me “sarcastic”.

Dude, that’s twisted.

8->

pp3: “I don’t know why … , and I really don’t care.”

*Whew! Thank goodness — I thought for a minute there that I was in real trouble.

*(sarcasm)

PS: you’re not gonna call my mom, are you?

By Graham

January 30, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

“If you check the stats, of when he played here before, you should find that he wasted our money, then ran home to the Phillies, (I think before the season ended?), and told them everything he could about the Braves internal workings.” Allan

Bobby Abreu has NEVER played for the Braves. He came up with the Astros, spent 9 years with the Phillies, and then 2 years with the Yankees, before becoming a free agent.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

The ManMIke-Are you feeling better now? Sure hope so. First off, I don’t live in Boston, I live in Vermont. Second of all, as mostly anyone here can tell you, I’m a Braves fan-NOT a Red Sox fan-moved here from the South because of a well paying job. I still pay for Extra Innings so I don’t miss any Braves’ games on an annual basis and even flew to Toronto to see them play the Jays last year-the entire series.

However, that doesn’t mean that I’m deaf and blind-I hear what’s on the TV and I read what’s in the paper. I mentioned what I had heard and read simply in response to the multitude who think they know Manny, yet may not know the whole story.

Frankly Dude, If that bothers you, it’s your problem, Not Mine. If you don’t like it, scroll on past or go do something else. I’m certain we can do without your meager insight, anyway.

By Moondog

January 30, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this

I like the idea of getting Roberts or Swisher (in a fair trade), but first the Braves should try to sign a useful free agent at a bargain price (i.e., Abreu). That way, they don’t have to give up prospects. They have plenty of young outfielders with upside, so a veteran like Abreu would be a good fit for 2009.

By Wilson

January 30, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this

From reading this blog, it seems like we only have the money to sign two out of the group of Ohman, Glavine, and an OF bat. Am I reading that right, DOB? If that’s the case, who gets left out?

By mike

January 30, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this

The Braves need to sign Abreu!! Everyone wants Glavine back, but if it comes down between Glavine or Abreu, the choice is simple… Atlanta’s Outfield combined for 27 Homeruns in 08, and Glavine’s ability to maintain health throughout the seaon is too big of a question mark… The idea that Atlanta can get him at 6 million a year is crazy!!

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

Allan I’m confused, when Abreu played here before? He’s never played for the Braves. Think maybe you should check YOUR stats.

By 67cards

January 30, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

I take offense at all of the “it’s too early to be hitting the sauce comments”. Its already 9:30 here in snowy StL and time for another ice cold frosty Bud.

I was reading another Braves blog and there was a lot of talk about a trade with St. Louis for an outfielder. It appears as if the preferred choice would be to obtain Ryan Ludwick.

That does not work well for StL. Ludwick is a RH hitter. Our best prospect Colby Rasmus is a LH as is Ankiel and Schumacher. If we trade Ludwick we have an all LH hitting OF.

I hate would hate to see Rick Ankiel go, but if Rasmus is the real deal, 5 tool, top 10 prospect centerfielder he is built up to be, you have to figure he is the CF of our future. That and free agency looming for Ankiel after this year makes him expendable. If he breaks out huge, you would have the upper hand at signing him long term.

I would not trade Ankiel to the Braves unless we get Kelly Johnson and pitching in return. Adam Kennedy would have to also be included in the deal. If we cannot get rotation ready pitching of a #3-#4 guy, then we would have to get a closer candidate with experience at the major league level. If this pitching is not available, then we would have to get a top grade starting pitching prospect.

So you make the deal Braves fans.

Mindless and drunk in StL.

Ps: Excuse my earlier error. Ankiels numbers where 25HR and 71 RBI’s in 413 ABs.

By Savannah Guy

January 30, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this

Mbatl- thanks for the link. That was helpful and you’re right, the Braves, like all team roster salaries are impossible to know. Management knows the balance of overhead and salaries vs. revenue and tax strategies and we’re obviously in the dark. Add to that, not knowing the franchise owner’s overall strategy and tolerance for investment risk and it’s more than anyone can venture to guess with any accuracy. Which is why I wouldn’t try. And like Paramount or other Hollywood studio films, there is much creativity in sports franchise accounting and reporting.

But for now I’ll go with McCarroll’s $92.4 mil on the books for 09 with $8 mil left. Seems well founded and reasonable.

By Chris R.

January 30, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this

Lew

I have Sirus Radio. So yes, I do get to hear them. Boras messed up Manny’s negotiations to this point. If he said Manny was looking for at 4/60 mil, he’d have a bunch more suitors than the ones he has. His contract offers could have risen from that point. The reason Tex was signed earlier is because he is 8 years younger than Manny. A team is way more inclined to make a longer term commitment to a player under 30 than someone closer to 40. Manny make not make sense financially for the Braves but in terms of lineup presence and the ripple effect he causes in a lineup, he does. The only other big bat the Braves could get that would be comparable in terms of production and/or Braves description would be Carlos Lee. And I dont see Houston moving him and/or Berkman at all

By Chris R.

January 30, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this

Lew

I have Sirus Radio. So yes, I do get to hear them. Boras messed up Manny’s negotiations to this point. If he said Manny was looking for at 4/60 mil, he’d have a bunch more suitors than the ones he has. His contract offers could have risen from that point. The reason Tex was signed earlier is because he is 8 years younger than Manny. A team is way more inclined to make a longer term commitment to a player under 30 than someone closer to 40. Manny make not make sense financially for the Braves but in terms of lineup presence and the ripple effect he causes in a lineup, he does. The only other big bat the Braves could get that would be comparable in terms of production and/or Braves description would be Carlos Lee. And I dont see Houston moving him and/or Berkman at all

By PiersonBrave

January 30, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this

DOB In response to your observation about Bonds, Rose and McGwire. I hope that these guys will serve as a warning to the youth of today that if you cheat the game you will become an example of the badness (thank you Judge Smells SP.) in baseball. To play the game correctly and honorably like my man Chipper will lead you down the trail to respect and if lucky enough the HOF.

By Jared S.

January 30, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this

Anyone, see this article? Wow! Troy Polamalu. That would’ve been interesting to say the least.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

SG-These figures come from Sports City News Service-first site that popped up when I googled the salaries.

Last season, the Braves were listed at a payroll of $102,365,683. They listed Hampton at a bit over $15 mil and the Braves have said they budgeted him throughout his tenure-whatever.

They lost Smoltz’s salary at $14 mil, Hampton’s at $15, Tex at $12.5 and Glavine at $8mil. This comes to 39.5 mil, or about the $40 mil figure we’ve gone with most of the off season.

We signed Lowe at $15 mil, Vasquez at $11.5 and Kawakami at $8 mil, or $34.5 million. McCann receives an increase of $2.5 mil, Soriano an increase of $4mil-now at a total of $40.5 mil spent so far. This doesn’t count the new catcheror the fact they gave Infante a raise, they’ll give raises for Arbitration-several like Francoeur could be substantial.

I realize their are nuances and any info may not be 100% accurate, but as DOB tells us, no one really knows for sure-too many accounting variables like signing bonuses and whatnot, but seems to me the Braves have spent what they said they would and are still around $100 mil or somewhat more. Not too sure what the complaints are from so many Denizens-they did what they said they would and are still in the upper 1/3 of team salaries. In addition, Wren has said the money is available for an outfielder. Not Manny, but likely someone worthwhile-or not.

By TommyP

January 30, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

67Cards: The reason Ludwick is preferred is the same reason you don’t want to get rid of him…he’s righthanded.

Another lefty would give us McCann, Ankiel, Kotchman all in order. If we keep Kelly, he’s another lefty. We need the righty like you claim the Cards do.

However, I’m with DOB in wanting Abreu from the list of potential LF out there. High production, hits lefties well, and shouldn’t cost as much in terms of years or $. (his power, however, does suffer big time vs. lefties, I believe)

Ludwick, Ankiel, Nady, Swisher, Dunn, Abreu? Abreu is an easy choice just ‘cause of that production and small cost.

At any rate 67Cards, I love the discourse from a fan of another team. I hope you continue to post on here as I do the dreaded Mets fan(s) on here.

By Graham

January 30, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

67cards

Hanson would not be included in any deal. The Braves are not willing to deal him to anyone.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

January 30, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

Face facts, Braves will try to get a guy to sign for as little as possible, the players will try to sign for a much as possible. They will meet somewhere in the middle.

Why do you folks think you can get a really good and productive player for chump change? I have always heard it’s not how much money you make, it’s what direction your salary is headed. Five million a year is a lot of money to me, it’s not a lot of money to somebody who was making 10 million. Put in amounts most of you can understand. If you were making $100,000 last year and your boss comes to you and says, We are going to offer you $50,000 this year and by the way, we expect you to be THE GUY… How would you feel? Would you not start looking around for another job that pays you what you think you are worth.

Baseball players are no different, only they have agents and lawyers just like the owners do now. They have a very good sense of what the market pays and what their value is. They know MLB is charging $120 for jersey with their name on it and they see know how many are sold.

While I would like to see a more level playing field, I don’t think owners should rip off the fans anymore than they rip off the players. The Yankees and the RedSox pay big money because they can afford it. Lord knows, the only reason I would live there is because they do pay big money.

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

67cards well since you would have to get a ready #3 or #4 pitcher or a closer with MLB experience, think the Braves will pass on Ankiel and let you search for someone else to be your sucker.

Unless that closer is Soriano, who is coming off surgery and isn’t guarenteed to be ready opening day. If you want Soriano (and his $6.1 million salary) and Johnson, then maybe that would be doable

By Lew

January 30, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

67Cards-And we’re not going to trade KJ for a year’s rental of Ankiel who has no real track record anyway when KJ is under contract for another three years before HE hits Free Agency.

As for Hanson. Dude, you are indeed drunk or delusional if you think we passed on Jake Peavy because we wouldn’t trade Hanson or you don’t realize Hanson is listed as the number four prospect in MLB right now, yet we would trade him for an ex pitcher with a bit of power. He is the first pitcher ever to win MVP for the AFL and is projected to be an Ace-maybe starting later this year-next year for certain.

Dream on in your drunken stupor. That deal won’t happen anymore than we would have gotten Peavy for Reyes and Boyer.

By N8

January 30, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

67cards

I wouldn’t trade Kelly Johnson STRAIGHT UP for one year of Rick Ankiel.

Considering, that defense aside, KJ could just be moved to LF and probably put up the same numbers.

So to expect pitching in return as well? Forget it. Which is exactly what Wren has said as well, other wise a deal would probably already be done.

Now, if Ankiel/Boras and the Cardinals are willing to sign an extension with Ankiel at about the same dollar amount that KJ will make in arbitration in the upcoming years, and THEN do the trade… count me in.

What’s that? That ain’t gonna happen? Yup. Like I said. Forget it.

Have you looked at our lineup? The reason Ludwick was talked about so much, is because we too are LH heavy in the lineup.

One year of Rick Ankiel is not worth giving up ANY of our reguar starters. If the Cards are willing to take Jo Jo Reyes and a minor league prospect, THAT would be a good deal for one year of Rick Ankiel.

After all, it IS one year of Rick Ankiel, NOT one year of Albert Pujols, right? We are talkin about Rick Ankiel, right?

Kelly Johnson and Tommy Hanson for Rick Ankiel? Dude, if Hanson is as good as the scouts say he is, I wouldn’t do Kelly Johnson (or insert any other prospect), and Tommy Hanson for PUJOLS.

Here’s an “offer” as ridiculous as yours. How about Kelly Johnson and Jo Jo Reyes for Ankiel and Wainwright?

Didn’t think so. Have another Bud.

By Tron5000

January 30, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

This dude has an interesting opinion on the Braves’ chances this season.

The Braves will compete in 2009

By N8

January 30, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this

Jared S.

That article is very interesting. That being said, nobody really knows how well his baseball career would have turned out. We do know (in hindsight) how well his football career has gone, so as a KC Chiefs fan, the following article bothers me a bit more.

Sigh…..

By Lew

January 30, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

chrisr-Dude, I have XM-Wow, are we special or something? You seriously think I’m not aware of what Manny’s situation is or how teams work with Free Agency? What I’m saying is that many more teams are balking at Manny’s behavior than you think. Yes, he’s expensive and getting old-anyone with a clue about how baseball works knows that. But his attitude is also a major factor-whether or not you believe it to be. Because of this (and the price) he would NOT be a good fit for the Braves. That is the bottom line. I was merely explaining why the Sox let him go and ate his salary to see him gone. If you think thaty is not so, then you really are clueless.

By bravo1966

January 30, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

67Cards,

The Braves wouldn’t give up Hanson for Jake freaking Peavy, and your suggestion is to give him AND Kelly Johnson up for Ankiel (one year left and a Boras client) and Adam Kennedy (can’t hit a lick)?That is Never going to happen. That would be a lopsided deal WAY in the Cardinals favor. To answer your question, HELL NO!!! I’m fine with signing a FA or going into camp with what we currently have before making an absolutely assine trade like that.

By John Thain

January 30, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

That LYING Boston Globe has a story today about how EVEN Red Sox season ticket sales are down—“Slowest in years”—I don’t believe any of it. Baseball will not be affected by potential 15% unemployment rate, Reduction in adversising revenues, significant scaleback of season ticket purchases and dimunition in purchase of corporate suites. These reports are all bogus. Those 100’s of thousands of lost jobs in NYC will have NO impact. It’s business as usual. These free agents are lying about what clubs are offering. It’s still Spend Spend Spend.

By Boiler

January 30, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this

Get Abreu, put him on FIRST!!!! Platoon Diaz and Anderson in LEFT 2B - Yunel Escabar 2B - Kelly Johnson 3B - Chipper Jones C - Brian McCann LF- Matt Dias(Anderson vs righties) 1B - Bobby Abreu RF - Jeff Francouer CF - Jordan Shaefer

By Random

January 30, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this

Lew: “Yes, Manny can hit. If he couldn’t, no one could stand having him around. Last season the Dude absolutely refused to play on several occasions. REFUSED TO PLAY. All this because he wasn’t happy making his $25 million salary-he wanted more, even though his future would have been assured in Free Agency… . He p!$$ed off everyone so badly that they literally ran him out of town. He was about to be suspended for refusal to play when they just GAVE him to the Dodgers- Paid the rest of his salary and dumped him in the middle of a pennant drive (he likely would have given the Sox the muscle to make the Series had they kept him.). Do you understand the concept of giving away millions of dollars and forsaking a potential series appearance just to be rid of the guy? That’s exactly what Boston did.”

So, would I be correct to assume that you would have been as strongly against acquiring Babe Ruth in 1920?

By chris

January 30, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this

Lineup- Schaffer, Escobar, Johnson, Jones, McCann, Swisher, Kotchman, Francour, Pitcher.
Rotation- Lowe, Jurjens, Vazquez, Kawakami, Glavine Bullpen- Gonzalez, Soriono, Moylan, Morton, Carlyle, Ohman

I see a very good team, if it comes together right!!! (Trade for Swisher, Sign Glavine and Ohman, start Schaffer)

By Andy K.

January 30, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

DOB: Does the AJC have a photographer there today like last year?

By 912BravesFan

January 30, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Bring Griffey to Atlanta

By 912BravesFan

January 30, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

Bring Griffey to Atlanta

By Billy Pilgrim

January 30, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

Tron5000 No offense to you, but that was the most worthless piece of dribble I’ve seen in a while.

By Thrillhouse44

January 30, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

Man, I like Cardinals’ fans a lot more than the Muts and Philthies fans that come on here. Anyone downing a Bud Heavy moments after sunrise while admitting his mistakes is okay with me.

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

Boiler You would rather have Abreu at 1B than Kotchman? No way would I bench Kotchman (GREAT defensive 1B, potential 20 HR, 30-40 doubles, 80 or so RBI’s) for Abreu (same offensive potential but huge drop-off defensively).

By Savannah Guy

January 30, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

Lew, thanks. You have a $10 mil difference from what I saw earlier from a source of mbatl’s, but both seem to be within a reasonable 10% range. That is close enough for me, although If the roster is $92 or $100, it’s that $10 mil difference that’ll be the difference between a big bat in LF or platoon. I’m good either way.

Hey, like you and others have said, we’re in the top third of salaries, so we have no reason to go negative about our season due to budget. If the players perform their best, the manager makes the right moves in games and manages well, Wren makes sensible deals and that Lady Luck who deserted us a few years ago comes back and helps out here and there, we’ll be fine.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

Just to clarify, I did not at all mean to say in my post that we cannot compete as we are. I think there is no doubt we should be in the mix.

I also did not mean to say we cannot win the NL East. In fact, I said that we can. And obviously once that happens anything can happen.

But I also said that the team as it is really only in the best realistic scenario could win the NL East if the Mets and Phillies have problems and will lose in the first round (as in not believing that Diaz will hit 20-25 HR AND Francoeur will hit 275/340/500 with 30 HR AND Anderson and Blanco will hit over 300 with even a little power and steal like 30 bases AND the pitching will be lights out AND Chipper will play 140-150 AND all of the infield will hit even better this year than last year AND Hanson and Schafer finish as the top 2 in ROY voting. So being realistic as in if most things go well, but we still have some disappointments).

But I, unlike Coach and his comrades, fully believe that this team has a chance to push 90 wins especially if we can find a power hitting outfielder who gets on base even a solid amount (.350 or so) and hits at least 20 HR, in which case we could even see 95 if things go well (which is all anyone can ask).

I think Lowe is a good signing and a bit of a bargain.

Also, important point: Vazquez is more than “serviceable” or whatever people call him. Jason Marquis is serviceable. Vazquez is a good solid pitcher. The difference? ERAs are similar, W-L record (because that is such a great stat, not) are similar. The difference, Vazquez averages over 200 innings per season including 200 in the last 3 seasons and 7 of the last 8. His career LOW was 154 his rookie year. The other major difference, Vazquez averages around 200 Ks per season and a roughly 3.5:1 K:BB ratio compared to Marquis not even 2:1. No person who has an ERA anywhere near 4.50 or lower and goes 200 innings for 200 K can be called “serviceable.”

This is a good solid team that can win a division, but not a team that can go against a really legit good team (whether in the division or the playoffs) and come out ahead without some help.

But I will say that as it is this is probably an 80-85 win team right now with no changes during the season.

By Mike

January 30, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

Tron 5000…

Sounds like some people from this blog wrote that.

Negativity much? I agree that Liberty Media owning us sucks, but we still have a payroll at, near, or slightly over $100 mill. Which is more than the Marlins that he props up. And he was also off on some of his statements. We did offer Tex a contract between the 07 and 08 season, and he wanted to go to free agency, or it wasn’t enough. He wanted his big payday. Also, we didn’t lose AJ because he didn’t want to play here, it was the travel distance for his “no-flying” wife. And I think most people wouldnt call Kawakami “washed-up”. That guy that wrote that is a tool, and extremely negative.

By don

January 30, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

It is quite possible that the members of the organization who want to pass on Andruw are the same morons who “engineered” the Drew and Teixeira trades. No valedictorians in that group.

All will be a roll of the dice. However, Andy is still a better bet, all factors considered, than Dunn, Abreu,Swisher, or Nady. Shoot, Brad Konmminsk and Harry Hannebrink never reached their potential. Can we bring them back?

By Lew

January 30, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

Random-I have no idea. I was not around in 1920 (at least not in this incarnation) and don’t know what the feelings toward Babe Ruth were at the time. One thing is certain-he sure as hell didn’t make a $25 mil per year salary and The Babe was 25 years old at the time-NOT 36. New York is certainly NOT Atlanta, either-then or now. Apples and Kumquats, Dude-or a horse of a different color. Choose your own metaphor, simile, or whatever. Lousy comparison.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

67 Cards, I don’t know if someone else has shared this with you, but for Ankiel NO ONE would give you a Kelly Johnson AND a ML ready 3-4 starter.

In reality, an ML ready 3-4 starter is probably worth more than Ankiel anyway, at least in this market (esp with said pitcher being under team control for 6 years or so and Ankiel’s approaching free agenthood).

Ludwick, as good as he is, probably wouldn’t even bring an ML ready mid-rotation guy, just because of the injury history.

Ludwick would bring Kelly and a pretty solid prospect or an ML ready fringe #5 type with midrotation potential like Jo-Jo Reyes (i.e. no ML ready guy you are particularly excited about).

Still, Ludwick would bring a pretty solid package. But I think the Cards would want to get more than he will bring because other teams fear the Cards are selling high on a 29 year old injury risk, while the Cards would likely want to get the kind of package you’d get for any player who hit 37 HR in his second full year.

In short, there is too much difference between his peak potential and his value when hedging based on his history. The Cards want a return based on value near his peak potential while other teams are going to be too careful.

Also, I am pretty sure there has been roughly 0 conversation between the teams about such a trade since like December and then it lasted like 1 day.

By 6-4-3

January 30, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

If we were to sign Abreu, or Dunn for that matter, to let’s say a one year deal, I know we wouldn’t lose a draft pick. But do we gain compensation a year from now if we lose him to free agency?

By N8

January 30, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this

Billy Pilgrim

As worthless as it seems on the surface, there’s a harsh does of reality in there. This team could just as easily lose 90+ games, as it could win that many.

I think when all is said and done, this team finishes about 3-4 games over .500 and is “in it” for the duration, but will fall just short.

Division is just too damn deep.

The problem is that Wren (two years in a row), has built a team to compete with the NL East the PREVIOUS year. Fixing holes that WOULD HAVE helped last year.

It’s not to say that he hasn’t done a nice job patching up those holes. He has. It’s just not enough IMO.

Now, in the past few weeks, I’ve stated that IMO, if all the things that went wrong last year (injuries, 1-run losses, etc…), go RIGHT this year, it might be our year.

That being said, that is a LOT of “what if’s”, and both the Phillies and Mets have some interesting “what if’s” as well.

Phillies: What if Bret Myers puts a full year together, to go along with Cole Hamels? What if Ryan Howard puts a full year together? What if Ibanez IS that much more consistent than Pat “the bat” Burrell, and makes their lineup even BETTER?

Mets: What if Johan has a Maddux like year and dominates from start to finish, now that he’s comfortable in NY? What if the combination of Putz and K-Rod gives the Mets 10 more wins than their putrid bullpen blew for them last year?

Granted, those are nothing more than “what if’s” and certainly the Mets and Phillies have plenty of “what if’s” that could go the other way (Jamie Moyer could wake up and realize he’s 83 years old - Carlos Delgado is bound to start tailing off, right?.

But those what if’s are probably more likely to happen (K-Rod, Putz, Myers, Johan being successful), than Francoeur “turning it around”, than Vazquez being ANYTHING but an innings eater, Chipper staying healthy, etc…

As of right now, the way all rosters are today, I’m gonna say the Braves go 84-78 and finish 3rd in the NL East and finish about 3 games back of the wild card.

NL East Winner: NY Mets (that bullpen is SILLY good now, and was their only weakness last year).

Wild Car Winner: Phillies

Go Braves in 2010.

By ncscoots

January 30, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

Tron5000, the outlook delivered in that link is no different from that of several bloggers here, just less well-expressed.

The author thinks that the pitching pickups this offseason are crap, that the young players on the squad are crap, that Wren and Cox are crap, etc., etc., etc. Fine. So be it, and he’s welcome to an opinion, regardless of the bodily orifice from which it originates.

I do always wonder, though, if such folks ever actually enjoy the game itself, or are only mollified by winning and winning alone. You get the feeling sometimes that it would be impossible for this type of guy to just enjoy a day in the bleachers.

If that ever happened to me (it won’t), I think I’d be ready to move on to curling or Australian Rules football or something. That kind of fan attitude is a soulless way to think of the best game a kid could ever play.

By Tron5000

January 30, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

Pilgrim, I’m not at all offended. I just thought it was an interesting view. Why don’t you comment on the site and let the author know how you feel? I actually thought it was kinda funny.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

SG-The difference could possibly be in how Mike Hampton’s salary is figured. The particular site I used said his salary was almost $16 mil and the difference could be between that and the $8 mil at which the Braves said the budgeted his salary.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

Boiler

You really believe it will make our team better to take Casey Kotchman out of the lineup .272 with 14 HR in 140 games last year, plus great defense and replace him with Derek Anderson and Matt Diaz, plus put Abreu at first who has I believe NEVER played there.

Any more remarks like that will put you on my do not read list, because that is NUTS.

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

Go read CARROLL ROGER’s article on the return of “DANDY DON” SUTTON. Reporters and Sports Blogmeisters will love this guy. He’s the equivilant of a literary day off. No need for copy. Just string the quotes together.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this

Of course by Derek Anderson, I mean Josh Anderson, neither of whom should be starting at a corner OF spot on an major league team.

By The Goche

January 30, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this

However, Andy is still a better bet, all factors considered, than Dunn, Abreu,Swisher, or Nady.

Wow…there are some ridiculous statements on the blog today…

It really makes more sense to give even 400K and a roster spot to a guy who hit 3 HR last year than 6 mill to a guy who hit 20 (Abreu).

RIDICULOUS.

Goche out.

By N8

January 30, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this

Just want to clarify, that in my last post, I wasn’t being negative. Just trying to keep it real.

I would be VERY OK with winning 85 (or so) games, and being “in it” into September. After the past 3 season, who wouldn’t be?

All along, I’ve stated that 2010 is when we’re gonna make a serious run. Maybe not until 2011, when the likes of Heyward, Shafer, Hanson, Medlen, Gorkys, likely have a little bit of mileage on their legs.

All I want is competitive baseball, where it’s not a foregone conclusion that when the score is 2-1, we’re gonna lose, because we’ve lost 234 1-run games in a row.

Vazquez is a fine pick up to eat innings. Not to compete in 2009 (though it may work out that way). But to allow the kids to NOT have to eat up all those innings, and to save the bullpen for the stretch run, if we’re still in it by then.

Contrary to many beliefs, I don’t think that Wren over-paid that much for Lowe. With the way salaries are going, 15 million is fair.

In 2009, he’ll “serve” as the Ace, due to the lack of one on the roster. Call it “guilty by association”. Besides, I like his attitude in embracing such role. He wants the ball. I like that. He wants to be blamed if he fails. I like that.

But every team that gets to the playoffs (think 2010 and 2011), needs more than one good starter. I think Hudson’s option will be exercised next year, JJJ will be in his 3rd year and blossoming, and Hanson should be here to stay.

Meaning that going into 2010, there is a chance that Lowe might be the 3rd (or even 4th) best pitcher in the rotation. Who cares about the money. Hanson, JJJ and Kawakami, will combine for about 35 million dollars (give or take), averaging out to about 7 million each. Not too shabby, IMO.

By 2012 (maybe even 2011), Lowe might be a Mike Hampton type of deal for us. But the dude has ZERO history of injury. By 2012, Hudson more than likely will be gone and if the youngsters step up and take spots in the rotation, that leaves Lowe’s 15 million as the ONLY contract officially on the books (other than JJJ’s arbitration eligible salary) for 2012.

I’m quite certain the rotation’s cost will solve itself by then. Besides, if Lowe is still healthy, 15 million just might be a steal for a 40 year old 5th starter.

Anyhow…

By Dan

January 30, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this

New ownership is what the Braves need most.

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

GIL:

POTOMAC it is then. Where are they in relation to us, MANASSAS.? I know that’s where the old CANNONS used to be. I have a friend down southside way and we’re cooking up a couple trips to DANVILLE. I’ll be interested to see the #7 pick IF he doesn’t go to GULF COAST straight out.

By Jim

January 30, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

Reports on MLB.com have Hinske headed to Pirates. Too bad, the B’s could have afforded him, Glavine and Ohman for

Regarding Abreu, CBS Sports On-Line has the following: “Yesterday Ken Rosenthal wrote that “the Mariners view Bobby Abreu as an ideal fit, major-league sources say, but it is unclear whether they can afford him. Today, Larry Stone elaborates on Seattle’s interest in Abreu.

“Stone says Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg confirmed ongoing contact with the Mariners regarding Abreu. Abreu is open to playing in Seattle or anywhere else. However, they cannot afford him unless they make room in the payroll by moving salary. Greenberg confirmed that Abreu is now open to a one-year deal. Abreu told Greenberg he’d win the MVP and then go out on the market again.”

Hope FW can head Hinske off at pass and also get Abreu.

By Tron5000

January 30, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

To be fair, Mike, the author didn’t say that the Braves lost “AJ because he didn’t want to play here.” He stated that there was nothing that sold him on playing for the Braves. There was a time when your wife’s travel concerns be damned; you wanted to play (and especially pitch) for the Braves. The were the class act in baseball, the winningest organization, and players would bend over backward to join the Braves. That is certainly no longer the case.

By bravesfan

January 30, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

Sign ohman back and we will have a great pen. Let’s try to sign Andruw to a minor leauge contract and have blanco and anderson as backups. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By abreufan

January 30, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this

sign ohman and get abreu for a good price. andruw is past his prime and would only be a good option if we cant get abreu. abreu has the numbers to help our outfield improve with blancos speed and francoeurs arm the braves outfield would b one to recon with. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!

By abreufan

January 30, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this

sign ohman and get abreu for a good price. andruw is past his prime and would only be a good option if we cant get abreu. abreu has the numbers to help our outfield improve with blancos speed and francoeurs arm the braves outfield would b one to recon with. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Springsteen

On a controversial note, Skip Bayless, who lives near me in NYC just called “the Boss” the most overrated performer ever on this morning’s ESPN 1st Take….

oops..

By disappointedfan

January 30, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

I’am dissapointed that the Braves did not re-sign eight time all star john smoltz. I would have given him all the $$$$$$$$$$$ he wanted to keep him in a Braves uni. I hope the Braves make a deal for Abreu but i think $$$$$ will be an obstacle.

By Andy K.

January 30, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this

I hope Ted Turner buys the Braves back. Yes, he can be crazy, but it’s a good kinda crazy because he’s sooo enthusiastic. Plus, he has the cash, then, he can just give it to the Front Office, and say Go Get ‘Em!

By GT

January 30, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this

If the Braves really are $$ constrained at this point, and not able to sign everyone they’d want to, its a sign of how much they overpaid for Lowe and what a waste of resources the Vasquez trade was.

Ohman should be the priority here.

Of all the outfielders speculated about here, a 1yr deal for Abreu would be the best option for the Braves. Surely they don’t have a lot of competition for him from other clubs at the moment, or he wouldn’t still be on the market. Even Burrell has signed for crying out loud.

Glavine - forget him. Why waste any money on adding a body to the roster? We’ll get just as much production from Reyes as you will from Glavine. Dare I say, we’ll get more from Campillo or Morton. The saying may be “you can never have too much pitching”, but you certainly can have too much mediocre pitching, and the Braves are “stacked”.

Andruw - its not worth wasting the extra keystrokes to talk about this washed up loser anymore. Let alone wasting resources to sign the guy. I don’t want him anywhere near the Braves organization.

By rammerjammer

January 30, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this

Everyone wanting the remaining money spent on pitching? OK, here’s your 2009 outfield.

VS. Lefties - Diaz, LF; Frenchy, CF; B.Jones, RF

VS. Righties - Norton, LF; Anderson, CF; Frenchy, RF.

Everyone ok with that? Just checking.

By SLC

January 30, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

Some of you have mentioned Jorge Campillo in the five slot in the rotation. My fear with him is that he could be the second coming of Jorge Sosa. Sosa did great in Atl. in 2005 but laid a hughe one in 2006.

I wouldn’t object to Abreu being in left field and I think you could bat him third with Chipper batting fourth and either Mac or Frenchy trading five and six.

If we make any deals please throw “No-No’ Reyes in the trade.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

January 30, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

Richbrave, yes, a pretty easy ride up 95. I am open to Danville too. You get your e-mail fixed yet?

By MGL

January 30, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

ChopShop - Not funny, minors frequent these pages.

By Scott Hornibrook

January 30, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this

What about Garret Anderson instead of Abreu. Anderson still a free agent and very productive !

By Billy Pilgrim

January 30, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

Tron5000 - I did. It was funny, but I’ve read enough posts to know that the author likely feels that way. Maybe I’m wrong, but I didn’t think it wasn’t as blatantly satirical as it should have been if it wasn’t meant to be taken somewhat seriously. Maybe I’m wrong and the guy was either baiting folks like me or making fun of the “fire frank wren/the sky is falling” crowd. Thanks for the link though!

By bob

January 30, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

No More Trades Please!

We have lost enough prospects the last couple of years.

By mbatl

January 30, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

GT, I don’t agree that we overpaid for Lowe… not by much anyway. Indications are the Mets would’ve gone $14 mil for 3 years. So, we might have gone one more year than necessary, but that’s not an issue for this year.

And Vazquez is a great addition, IMO. I think he’ll post good numbers in the NL (he has great stuff), and it’s only a 2-year deal… good move.

To me, the “excess” if you want to call it that, was Kawakami. That’s $7.67 mil for a third new starter, when I understood the goal to be 2 starters. That extra money would make our other objectives - LF, Ohman, Glavine - easily obtainable. A rotation of Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, and then 2 of Campillo, Morton, Reyes, Glavine, Bennett, etc. with Hanson and Hudson hopefully coming along. I’d have been okay with that.

But, I’m NOT complaining about Kawakami. Pitching is crucial, and his addition will help us avoid putting too much stress on the young guys. And I’m confident we’ll fill LF adequately.

For all the talk about our terrible offense (and the power outage was severe, admittedly), we DID finish 6th in the NL in runs scored last year, not 16th. And actually scored at a better rate after Tex was traded.

I think it’s reasonable to expect better offensive performances from all of KJ, Escobar, Kotchman, Diaz and Francouer as they enter their “primes”. Not saying any or all will be huge, but as a group they’re likely to outperform last year.

By ppaddy123

January 30, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

Random

Your name wouldn’t be “DICK”, would it?

By Random

January 30, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Clown Car Winner: N8

Go Braves in 2010.

8-)

.

Lew: “I have no idea. I was not around in 1920 (at least not in this incarnation) and don’t know what the feelings toward Babe Ruth were at the time. One thing is certain-he sure as hell didn’t make a $25 mil per year salary and The Babe was 25 years old at the time-NOT 36. New York is certainly NOT Atlanta, either-then or now. Apples and Kumquats, Dude-or a horse of a different color. Choose your own metaphor, simile, or whatever. Lousy comparison.”

Pretty cheeky for you to allege “Lousy comparison” after admitting that you “have no idea [and] don’t know what the feelings toward Babe Ruth were at the time”, don’t you think? (It’s actually a good comparison, except for the age factor you mentioned.)

And I know your ignorance is feigned when you blithely compare 1920 dollars to 2009 dollars without reckoning for inflation.

And the NY v Atlanta contrast is simply a red herring thrown out to avoid the question — please recall that the Red Sox and the Braves shared a hometown at the time.

By Chris R.

January 30, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

Lew Manny wanted his option years picked up. His contract was 8 yr/ 160 mil, plus 2 option yrs for 40 million. He wanted the Sox to pick those up but they jerked him around. You would think picking up those options after 2 WS titles in 4 yrs would be a no-brainer. He was very responsible for “Breaking the Curse”. That alone has opened a whole new wave of Red Sox fans, that he is very responsible for. They didn’t so he changed agents to get a big contract since the Sox didnt do that.

In baseball, as long as you are prodcutive you will have a job. Bonds, Belle, Lofton, Sheffield, Manny, Kent- all were cancerous members of their respective clubhouses for all the teams they played for. And they all were in the Majors for over 10+ years. These guys were all produced. Shea Hillenbrand & Chad Curtis were disruptive as well, they don’t have jobs. I am not saying Curtis & Hillenbrand are on the same performance level as those guys I previously named, because I am not. However, if those 2 guys were as highly productive players as those players I named, they’d still be playing.

Back to my Manny point. The reason he is unsigned is not behavior. Not at all. Because if Manny was the same age as A-Rod, he would’ve gotten a bigger deal than A-Rod has now. And that is the truth, you can ask anyone. Way more clutch than A-Rod or Tex, for that matter. Boras messed up his negotiations. He shouldve had Manny at 4/68 mil to start the bidding for his services, and let it escalate to the figure he knew he wanted. You have scared too many teams at that salary.

By CanadianBrave

January 30, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

What’s with all this crap about somebody wo is going to be a rental for a year or a couple of months or whatever. Waht do you guys think that some of these prospects are going to eat some majic wheaties or something that will make them hit 30 homeruns after July!!! if these prospects are good, let them play, if not go and get someone who can supply power know. I for one am tired of hearing about all this outfield potential year after year. If the guy is 21 or 22 and can’t hit the ball out of the park in April, its unlikely he’ll be able to in July. Let’s ** or get off the pot. Let the youngsters play if they can and if they can’t get someone who can!!

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Kamikaze is a gamer, he is going to be MUCH MUCH better than any of the supposed experts predict.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Garret Anderson —

Maybe, but only if he’s really cheap (as in, less than Abreu or even Edmonds).

He’d be an OK LF in a platoon with Diaz (OPS vs. RH last three years .774, .834, .796 — nothing special, but probably better than Brandon Jones).

If you could get him for $2 mm or $3 mm. then OK.

I’d rather try to sign Edmonds or Abreu for twice that. You’d get more offense from both, and Edmonds can play all three OF positions if needed.

By john

January 30, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this

One would think that the Braves are yet another casulity of coporate greed. Suck all the good out of the team and put nothing back. Does Time Warner really care if the Braves have a winning season or not????? Me thinks not!!!!

By ô¿ô

January 30, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

just watched the 2005 Home-Run Derby on MLBN and seeing Abreu win makes me want him more. just trying to block out his horrible defense.

By CanadianBrave

January 30, 2009 1:00 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the errors. I forgot to edit!

By Original Jon

January 30, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

*dogsbrekky Maybe you might want to get his name right.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

CanadianBrave,

That’s one of the most uninformed posts I’ve seen here in a long time.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

john

TimeWarner probably doesn’t care if the Braves win because the company sold the team a few years ago.

By mbatl

January 30, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

“Does Time Warner really care if the Braves have a winning season or not????? Me thinks not!!!!”

I’m sure you’re right, since they are no longer involved with the team.

I guess you mean Liberty … and frankly, I could care less if they care. Just give the baseball people a check for $100+ mil in payroll, allow funding of a good scouting system (which we have) and money to sign the best draft picks available (which I think we have) and get out of the way. It’s fine with me.

By Southpaw

January 30, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

I like Nady but your argument for Abreu is a good one. Keep the young talent, especially pitching. If Glavine will discount, then okay, but otherwise get the hitters and sign Olman. Looking forward to the new Braves in the next few years. Build it and they will come.

By MGL

January 30, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

Keith Herbert at Newsday reports that two members of the House of Representatives are demanding the Mets abandon the $400-million naming-rights deal they have with Citigroup because of the bank’s receipt of federal bailout money. The agreement calls for Citigroup to pay $400 million over 20 years for the naming rights.

Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ted Poe (R-Texas) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asking him to “dissolve” the contract with the Mets to name their stadium Citi Field. Kucinich said

“It’s just totally unacceptable that Citigroup should be able to spend $400 million in naming rights when they’re the recipients of a massive federal bailout.”

Mets PR director Jay Horowitz said the Mets “are fully committed to our contract with Citigroup,” and Steve Silverman, a spokesman for Citigroup in Manhattan, called the contract with the Mets a “legally binding agreement” signed two years ago.

Taxpayers have given the embattled bank $350 billion as part of a federal bailout. Two Staten Island councilmen suggested changing the name to Taxpayer Field and also called for the dissolution of the naming deal.

By D. Withers

January 30, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

The Braves need a new coach!

By CanadianBrave

January 30, 2009 1:12 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies:

You are entitled to your opinion, but remeber its only an opinion as is mine.

By nolie

January 30, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

Damn Lou, you just absolutely do no have a life at all do you? Talk about your O/C kinda guys.

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this

rammerjammerwhy would you list Frenchy in CF against lefties? Frenchy will not be placed in CF, he doesn’t have the range to play that position. And I don’t see Norton being part of any platoon in LF. Barring injuries forcing a different circumstance, Norton is going to be the #1 PH every game.

john why would Time Warner care what the Braves do. They don’t own the team, they sold it to Liberty Media Corp. a few years back.

And we all want to see the corporation ownership of the Braves end, but we’re going to have to wait at least a few more years for that. Since the main focus of Liberty buying the Braves was for tax writeoffs or something like that, there is some law or agreement that prevents them from selling the team for a certain number of years. Don’t remember exactly what the length of that sell ban is, maybe someone else remembers the terms.

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

MGL - it is okay mate, us NYC based taxpayers are also funding Yankee and SheetyField stadiums via tax free muni-type bond funding… all so the little mayor can get his people free corporate boxes at both parks….

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this

Back from pitching camp. Only six guys there on first day, but some significant ones. Namely Hanson, Gonzalez, and Hudson, who has been throwing for few weeks now and could throw off mound this week for first time since TJ surgery. Before anyone gets too excited, no, he’s not ahead of schedule. Everything’s going well, though, and he hopes to be back by late August or September (earlier if possible, but he’s not gonna push it and expects it to take 12 months from surgery before he’s pitching in a game, in a rehab start)….

Gonzo said it feels like he has a new arm after having his first normal offseason in a couple of years. Said he’s not been completely healthy since late in the 2006 season with Pittsburgh, but now his arm feels terrific, like he’s a youngster again. He lost 15 pounds this offseason, appears to be in great all-around shape. Also said he will probably continue the rocking/swaying motion he begun doing last year….

Hanson said he feels no pressure going to camp, that he’d love to make the team, but if he’s at Triple-A that’s fine. Said he’s approaching it the same as ever, just go out and pitch and try to continue the progress he’s made the past couple of years. Cox saw him pitch for first time today, albeit in a indoor-mound session at less than full velocity. He liked what he saw, though, from Hanson as well as Gonzalez, Boyer and O’Flaherty, the other guy he mentioned.

O’Flaherty seems like a nice lad. I told him if he’s not on the team we’ll raise hell, that we need a good Irishman on the squad.

Lerew was also there today. Threw this winter some in Puerto Rico. “We’ll look at him in the spring, like everybody else,” Cox said, when I asked about Lerew.

(For those wondering, I don’t get a sense that Lerew is prominent in the plans. At all.)

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this

The Braves need a new coach!D. Withers

In what position? Hitting coach? Pitching coach? Bench coach? Be more specific, please.

By nique

January 30, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this

Signing Abreu might actually allow us to compete without hurting our future. I love the idea.

Only one problem: it makes too much sense to happen for us this offseason.

By BlawgDawg

January 30, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to see the Braves move good prospects for Nady (one year rental) or Swisher (Yanks would want a pretty good return for him). Dunn is horrible in the field and strikes out too much. Abreu isn’t good defensively and isn’t exactly the “big bat” the Braves stated they are seeking.

I guess my if the Braves insist on bringing one of these in I would prefer Dunn first. He is terrible in the field and strikes out a lot, but he is the most dangerous long ball threat of the group. Abreu would be my second choice, just because I don’t want to see the Braves trading any more prospects away right now.

I would be ok with going into the season with what we have, and see who comes available over the season if the Braves are in contention after the first couple of months of the season.

LF- Diaz/B. Jones platoon could be productive CF- Shaefer/Anderson/Blanco (whoever can win the job in Spring Training) RF- Franceour (we just have to hope that he can bounce back)

Can’t wait to see Shaefer and Heyward this spring, along with Freeman. I know Heyward and Freeman are most likely a couple years away or more, but I’m still excited to see the guys in the lineup even if it is just ST.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

On a controversial note, Skip Bayless, who lives near me in NYC just called “the Boss” the most overrated performer ever on this morning’s ESPN 1st Take….dogsbrekk

That’s important, what Skip Bayless thinks of Bruce. Very important.

By Hytest

January 30, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Let’s assume what we have for the next couple of years Lowe 4 years Kwazimoto 3 years Hudson next year Vazquez 2 years JJ at least 5 years

Lets assume Hanson is as good as advertised

Next what if all of these pitch well and really don’t need to go on the Dl next year

What are we suppose to do with all of our starting pitchers that we have in line

Jo Jo, Bennett, Parr , Campillo, Morton , Carlye, I know some of these can be a long starter in the bullpen but , the rest have nothing to prove in Richmond. With Locke and the others coming up through the ranks. I think we have a pitcher jam. Iknow I know you can never have enough Pitching but come on

I say package a couple of these for a quality outfielder (Short term) and maybe a lower level catcher. We are real short in the minors at catcher.

What ya think

By rammerjammer

January 30, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this

BlawgDawg,

Exactly. I don’t want Frenchy in CF or Norton in LF. My point was to illustrate the need for OF improvement - especially against lefties - is far greater than the need for one more bullpen lefty or yet another guy battling for the #5 rotation slot (even if that guy is HOF-bound).

The outfield is a mess. An absolute mess.

Personally, I think Frank got three new starters - not two, as originally planned - because he is going to deal Morton or Reyes in a package to get an outfielder.

By rotty

January 30, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

Swisher is not the answer and would be a mistake on Wren’s part should he make this trade.

He is not the lights out power guy we need. He is not a clean up hitter.

He is only a slightly better defensively than Abreu though a fair bit better than Dunn. He has been traded to three different teams in less than three years. That tells you something.

The problem is the Braves need a 40hr/100+ RBI guy in LF and that is not Swisher. Not even Nady.

He will be the goat trade of the off season given his contract (~22mm owed over the next three years assuming you buy out year 4).

Put it this way. If Swisher was a FA today he would still be unsigned and shopping for a 1yr 3mm contract.

How then is he worth 5+mm, 6+mm, 9+mm (plus prospects) over the next three years?

Sign Abreu or Dunn to a 1-2yr deal & they will have a shot at the post season. Trade for Swisher and you will have someone who will come up short more often than not.

He is overrated and very much over paid.

By Original Jon

January 30, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

Hytest Seriously?? Kwazimoto??? Are you that much of a arse that you cant even spell another human beings name right? Dude, how old are you? Seriously?

By Canadianbrave

January 30, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

I’ve asked this a couple of times. Does any one have an opinion on the Braves acquiring Delmon Young? I heard that the Twins have too many outfielders and he may be available. Looks like he has power potential, .290 10 homers 70 RBIs 26 doubles. I understand he is projected to hit more homers and he’s right handed. He would look okay between Chipper and Brian, he’s a left fielder and he stole 14 bases with the potential to steal more. Just a thought!

By Tron5000

January 30, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, thanks for the update from pitching camp. After all the hoopla surrounding Hanson in the fall league, I’m excited to see what he can do against major leaguers. Hopefully the Braves’ hurlers can stay healthy and Hanson won’t be rushed up to the show. Should be a lot of fun to go see him pitch in Gwinnett.

By Neon Deion

January 30, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this

Wher McCarver at?

By haley

January 30, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this

What about KEN GRIFFEY IF THE MONEY IS THAT TIGHT? HE’S GOTTA BE A BETTER OPTION THAN ANDRUW. WISH WE COULD GET A 100 RBI MAN-AND YOUR CHOICE OF ABREAU MAY BE BEST OPTION.

By Hytest

January 30, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

Original Jam

Kwazimoto is a joke do you watch an TV.

By TNBravesfan

January 30, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

I often read here, but rarely post. However, when I hear that Skip whatever his name is, says Springsteen is overrated, I most publically disagree. I Hate Springsteens politics, but as a singer/songwriter he is brillant. And to see the man live is quite an event to say the least.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this

CanadianBrave,

I think Young could be a really nice fit, too. The Twins are really looking for a 3B, and I don’t know how the Braves make that work.

By Andy K.

January 30, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

DOB, who was there in terms of catchers, or was it just guys like Alan Butts, etc. If McCann was there, how did he look in terms of slimming down, etc.

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

DOB - re Skip - he never surprises me as I rarely agree with him….. and the a* perves at my g/f every time we are near the turd !

By Hytest

January 30, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

Ya Know I read this post almost every day, late at night when I’m bored. It’s amazing to me how some of the people are so rude to each other, 99% of us Love the Braves, we all want the best for the Braves. I can’t for the life of my figure out what is wrong with expressing what you feel would help the braves. we all have Our different ideas about what they need. Truth is we don’t know, not really. We all got mad when the falcons drafted ryan and no Glen Dorsey, how did that turn out……….

By Original Jon

January 30, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this

Dude, forget it, you aren’t even worth wasting my time.

By Harry

January 30, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

The Boss is a fraud. Mr. Blue Collar, modern day Woodie Guthrie perforning at the Super Bowl? Give me a break!

By Tim McCaver

January 30, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this

Your a real man Deion!

By ChipperFan

January 30, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this

DOB

Great blog, sir. You make the most compelling case I’ve heard yet for Abreu. I can’t help but think that Wren will realize what a bargain he is, and convince McGuirk and Liberty Media that we need to pull the trigger. I’d also hope that if they do offer Abreu a contract, that it would be a 1-year deal + a club option for a second year, or just a straight-up one year deal. If Abreu is smart (and I’m sure he and his agent are), he’ll prefer a 1-year anyway, knowing that next winter the economy will almost certainly be better, and there’ll almost certainly be fewer corner OFs on the market.

By richbrave

January 30, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this

GIL:

Got a new one. glawrence007@yahoo.net. Can’t ever remember which, com or net. Send me mail. Grandson’s finally starting to recover from that broken kneecap football injury. Tell you all about it over there. Later.

By Reality

January 30, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson and Tommy Hanson for Rick Ankiel (one year from free agency; Boras client) and Adam Kennedy (can’t hit) is the worst for-the-Braves trade I’ve ever seen suggested here.

Usually the dumb, never-happening trades suggested here are bad for the other team. Fantasy trades like Prado for Ludwick or Kelly Johnson for Tim Lincecum are dumb sure, but they at least favor the home-town team. Johnson and Hanson for Ankiel and Kennedy? Seriously?!

By ryan c

January 30, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

i too am under the impression that we have to trade some of our logjam of talent at starting pitching. i say, trade campillo. he was good last year, but i can’t see him duplicating his numbers. he is about the only tradable player we have that is overvalued. prado (who doesnt really have a place on the team), campillo, and one of morton/reyes shoud make a run at swisher. Here’s the way I see it. We have between 31-33 players that are competing for a major league job. some are serviceable backups but have no spot on the team. Obviously only one of o’flaherty or logan will make the squad (assuming we dont sign ohman). we really are in great position to trade any of the following: soriano, campillo, jo-jo, morton, parr, prado, carlyle, bennett, ridgway, anderson, or blanco. Here is the list I gathered.
1. J. Vazquez 2. D. Lowe 3. J. Jurrjens 4. K. Kawakami 5. J. Campillo 6. J. Reyes 7. C. Morton 8. J. Parr 9.C. Kotchman 10.M. Prado 11.B. McCann 12.M. Gonzalez (CL) 13.R. Soriano 14.M. Acosta 15.B. Boyer 16.B. Logan 17.B. Carlyle 18.J. Bennett 19.J. Ridgway 20.M. Diaz 21.B. Jones 22.J. Anderson 23.J. Francoeur 24.G. Blanco 25.T. Hanson 26.Y. Escobar 27.K. Johnson 28.C. Jones 29.O. Infante 30.J. Schafer 31.O’Flaherty 32.Glavine? 33.A. Jones?

By PStone

January 30, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this

DOB?

Two questions and a statement.

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but how is Moylan doing? Secondly, did you say you live in NYC?

Lastly, I enjoy Papi’s on Ponce quite a bit. If you have not been there, the regular Cuban sandwich is pretty good (also cheap).

By The Great Hyphenated Compound Modifier Vs. Unhyphenated Compound Noun Debate of 2009

January 30, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this

DOB, love the blog. Are you coming out to Austin in March for South by Southwest?

By Canadianbrave

January 30, 2009 2:35 PM | Link to this

BravesfanInRockies:

Prado has the glove for third base! It certainly doesn’t seem like anyone on the Braves with the exception of Terry Pendleton has any confidence in him. Even the fan base seems to have written him off. Perhaps we could find a way to package him up and send him to the Twins. I think he’s a bonafide major league player!

By getnathan

January 30, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

Hinske is close to a deal with the Pirates. Braves may have enough depth to trade for Swisher. Hey my fellow Braves fans, how does the non-trade for Peavy look now? Given the way our pitching staff has been assembled. I think if we get Peavy, we don’t sign Lowe (who I think is a better option than Peavy) we don’t get Vazquez, and we lose some good young players. Sometimes the best trade is the one that’s not made. What do you think?

By wayne

January 30, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

Great article on Manny R. on espn’s website today. It’s on Bill Simmons blog. He’s a Boston guy and he know’s they messed up with Manny. If the Braves are really serious about winning, they will sign this guy. Read the comments Bill S. has to say and see for yourself.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or does AJC need to completely restructure the way they have all of this set up.

Seems to me a message board format would be a WWWWAAAAYYYY better way to go.

Scrolling down to read with words laid out in an open space makes it very difficult to focus.

Opinions?

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson and Tommy Hanson for Rick Ankiel (one year from free agency; Boras client) and Adam Kennedy (can’t hit) is the worst for-the-Braves trade I’ve ever seen suggested here.Reality

I’d tend to agree. Definitely one of the two or three worst, if not the absolute worst.

By Canadianbrave

January 30, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know anything about Diory Hernandez? He seems to have had some good stats in winter ball and now he appears on the 40 man roster. Has anyone seen him play or have an opinion?

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

AndyK: McCann wasn’t there. Only Sammons and Butts.

Pstone: Moylan’s said to be doing great in his recovery, presumably will be ready to break camp with the team, or shortly thereafter. He’s getting his visa right now, had to go to the Bahamas again to get it (complicated process we can’t get into right now, since I’ve gotta write story for the paper/online).

And no, I do not and have never lived in NYC. How would I live in NYC and cover the Braves?

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Here is hoping I can make the most appealing case…

DON’T SIGN ANYONE TO PLAY LEFT FIELD!!!!

I say go into spring training with the idea that it will be a platoon of Diaz and Shaefer. Why? To give Shaefer as much PT as possible.

I fully believe Diaz will be a servicable LF next year and giving Shaefer the 4th OF spot on the team will give him much needed experience and also let the Braves coaching staff, and upper management, know if Shaefer is all they make him out to be.

Even if the Braves were to sign Dunn or Abreu there is no guarantee that they would be able to make the Braves any better than they are being slated to be, so why waste the money?

By Billy Walsh

January 30, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

Looking at Swisher’s numbers..I’m sure it wouldnt take that much to get him. Problem is…I have this feeling that he is going to turn out like Reggie Sanders did or even Craig Wilson did for the braves. Brian Roberts…thats not happening either is Orlando Hudson. So that leaves either Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu. The outfield needs to be addressed. With all the one run games the braves lost last year. We need a power surge this year. I would be fine with either Dunn or Abreu. If you had to guess DOB, who is playing in LF this year for the braves and who is playing in CF?

By getnathan

January 30, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

I wish Braves would sign manny Ramirez. That would put us as the favorites to win the division. Stick him right at #4. And Chipper would have an equally great season.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Hudson had a funny answer when I asked him about the 2010 option on his contract (club option at $12 mill, which he can veto if he wants, foregoing a $1 mill buyout):

“I might be the long man in the ‘pen,” he said, referring to the depth the Braves could have in their 2010 rotation. “But that’s a good problem to have. You can never have too much pitching. last year was a prime example.”

On whether he’s thought about the option: “If I’m healthy, I’m hoping they like what they see enough to pick it up. I’m still young. I see myself pitching for another seven or eight years, now that I’ve got a new elbow. I feel good about it.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be. But then, it is a business. We’ve got some good arms around here.”

By the way, he’s finally finishing his family’s new house that’s been under construction nearly three years in Auburn, Ala. They had some problems with an electric wiring system after a company went out of business, etc. House should be done this summer.

By Canadianbrave

January 30, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this

Lets give it a whirl! Top ten albums of all time! Sorry but Bruce is not on my list! 1. Dark Side of The Moon 2. Pearl Jam 10 3. Quadrophenia 4. Crime of the Century 5. Downtown Train 6. As Falls Wichita so Falls Wichita Falls 7. Road Apples 8. Nirvana Unplugged in New York 9. Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus 10. Close to the edge

By Salamander

January 30, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

*Canadianbrave *

Young has a career .739 OPS (3 seasons) and has hit a paltry 26HR in 1346 ABs over those 3 seasons (with 75 doubles and 5 triples)… His OPS+ has ranged from 91-108, so to this point in his career, he has been a fairly average hitter at best (with over 100 SO in each of the past 2 seasons).

I suspect that those numbers are not what the Braves’ front office have in mind for the cleanup hitter. Maybe this guy blossoms in 2009 and becomes a solid hitter, but the problem is that his ascension to the “next level” of hitting is not a given, and as such, the braves would be gambling that he would improve as a hitter, which i don’t think is really a decent bet.

IMO he wouldn’t be worth the risk given that the Braves need a legit (i.e. proven) hitter with power to pencil into the 4th slot of the order.

26HR in 1346 career ABs? no thanks.

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

Kamikaze is a gamer, he is going to be MUCH MUCH better than any of the supposed experts predict. Dogs

and you know that how? You spend years in Japan watching him pitch? Or are you just running your mouth about something you read somewhere? 7 some million is not cheap for a pitcher who most project as a number 3 or 4.

By Jersey Gil

January 30, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

On a controversial note, Skip Bayless, who lives near me in NYC just called “the Boss” the most overrated performer ever on this morning’s ESPN 1st Take….dogsbrekk

That’s important, what Skip Bayless thinks of Bruce. Very important.

DOB The Boss is in Good Company, Skip Bayless also has this Comment in the Past…”Payton Manning is not a great QB Because he never win Big Games” “On Tiger Wood: He is not the Greatest Golfer of all time”

By Ed Glennon

January 30, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this

Andruw hit as many home runs as Jones and Anderson. Any new outfielder would be an improvement over the collection we have now. As I said before if you could get $7 a pound for Andruw I would sign him. $400,000 for him is a joke. By the way I know that Andruw hit one home run in Atlanta. How many home runs did Kotchman hit in Atlanta? - if anyone knows let me know.

By N Nine (eta65)

January 30, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

Hudson is the mann!

I really hope we keep him and his new elbow!!!;)

By Joe

January 30, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to sign these people.

1. Nick Swisher (He will fit good in the braves lineup)
2. Chad Cordero (He can help Mike Gonzales save games)
3. Trade Kelly Johnson to the Orioles for Brian Roberts.

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

One would think that the Braves are yet another casulity of coporate greed. Suck all the good out of the team and put nothing back. Does Time Warner really care if the Braves have a winning season or not????? Me thinks not!! John

why would Time-Warner care one way or another what the Braves do? they have no relationship for years. What log have you been hiding under?

By PStone

January 30, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

My bad I misread the Skip Bayless bit as you saying he lives down the street from you. I guess by your response that we both agree that it would have been a strange situation if you did live in NYC.

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

DOB “AndyK: McCann wasn’t there. Only Sammons and Butts.”

Where Brian McCann at?

By N Nine (eta65)

January 30, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

trade kelly Johnson— who has a good future with us for a one year rental of Brian Roberts? No thanks Joe!

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 3:15 PM | Link to this

Forgot to mention: Chipper moved into Smoltz’s old locker, the first one by the hallway to the off-limits (to reporters) training room and showers area. The player with the most tenure on the team gets to choose where he wants his locker.

By matt

January 30, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this

Seems to me, economically it makes the most sense to sign Swisher. He’s a switch hitter, puts up serviceable numbers, plays the best D of all the other options and has the most years left on his contract. Should be a no brainer; depending on what the Braves would have to give up to get him.

More concerns: Jo Jo has yet to prove he’s major league worthy. He’s outstanding in AAA but gets shelled or can’t find the plate in the bigs. Morton has been equally unimpressive, imo.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

Great Hyphenated: What are dates for South by Southwest?

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

Fadeaway - I lived in Japan and have done business there for 18 years. I have seen the best Japanese players over a long time including Godzilla, Dice K, Kkawakami etc etc, even saw old Dan Gladden play for the Yomiuri Giants a long time back…. I used to go to the Giants games regularly and also watch games on tv (only thing I could stand wathcing over there with CNN)…. my best friend from h/s is in the professional league in Japan as a coach ad infinitum… so no I am just running my mouth off… ok hero !

The major risk to Kenshin is if he cannot adjust to the different ball…

By Salamander

January 30, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to sign these people.

1. Nick Swisher (He will fit good in the braves lineup)
2. Chad Cordero (He can help Mike Gonzales save games)
3. Trade Kelly Johnson to the Orioles for Brian Robert Joe

(1) Swisher - maybe (depends on the quality/number of prospects required to obtain)

(2) meh

(3) Quit trying to trade KJ people!

1-year of Roberts for KJ straight up (which the Orioles would never do I imagine) is tempting. Adding more young players to the deal with KJ in return for 1-year of Roberts (at $8 million) sounds less than appealing.

Keep the cheap YOUNG players. Roberts is 31 already, so if you sign him to a hypothetical extension (say 4 years, $10 mill per) - you have an expensive 2B through his 32-35 birthdays.

Hey - maybe he doesn’t lose any of his speed, (but most players do in their 30s), and remains a SB threat through a potential extension. Its possible i guess, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 3:23 PM | Link to this

And yes I recall Skip Bayless on several occassions referring to Peyton as a choker…. KG as Kevin GARNOT etc etc lol lol lol..

I do not know much about American Footy and the NBA, but I know a star when I see one….

By StingerSplash

January 30, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

Bruce Springsteen has more talent in one sweat-soaked wrist band than Skip Bayless does in his whole bony carbon-based life form. Bayless is a tool.

By Steve

January 30, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this

StingerSplash - you’re dead on. There is the undeniable, “Bayless is a tool,” thing.

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

N Nine—

I hope so, too.

By TennesseePaul

January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this

asked him about the 2010 option on his contract (club option at $12 mill, which he can veto if he wants

The information on this Hudson option is as dynamic as it can be. Initially described as a mutual option at the time of signing, then as a club option earlier this off-season, then as a mutual option by his agent and now as a club option which he can veto. The last description seems to imply that Hudson himself couldn’t initiate the option, but he could stop it if it were initiated. Sort of a one-sided mutual option deal. Are these common? I usually hear about the typical mutual option, of which a player or team can pick it up and then the other party can subsequently decline. This one now sounds as if only the team can pick it up, but Hudson has the right to decline.

By dogsbrekky

January 30, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

re top albums, I have the Nirvana live and their version of “Man who Rules the World” is brilliant..

My top 10 (sorry there are a few aussie albums here)

1. Cold Chisel “Circus Animals”
2. Ian Moss “Matchbook”
3. The Beatles “White”
4. Cold Chisel “East”
5. The Who “Quadrophenia”
6. Rolling Stones “black and Blue”
7. Midnight Oil “10,9,8…….1”
8. Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon”
9. The Beatles “Abbey Road”
10. Billy Joel “The Nylon Curtain” or “52nd Street”

By TennesseePaul

January 30, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this

Forgot to mention: Chipper moved into Smoltz’s old locker

Voltures. Every last one of them.

By sri

January 30, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this

Hi DOB,

Thanks for the quotes.. dobsbrekky’s post got me thinking… When major league scouts go over to Japan to look at players, do they ask the Japanese pitchers to pitch with MLB baseballs? I guess that is possible only if they private workouts? Do you know if Kawakami gave any private workouts of MLB scouts? Are private workouts allowed? Almost all scouting reports on Japanese pitchers seem to mention the difference in the size of baseballs?

By The Canuck

January 30, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this

Bruce Springsteen… oh ya, he’s the American version of Bryan Adams.

By Eric B

January 30, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this

By David O’Brien

January 30, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Hudson had a funny answer when I asked him about the 2010 option on his contract (club option at $12 mill, which he can veto if he wants, foregoing a $1 mill buyout):

“There’s no other place I’d rather be. But then, it is a business. We’ve got some good arms around here.”

Thats Really good to hear, I really like our roatation for 2010 alot but I think a healthy Hudson makes it top notch in the NL.

By beekay

January 30, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this

Gil,Rich Brave: Took my Son to the Potomac Nat-Myrtle Beach playoff game and had a blast. They had an all you can eat night of burgers and dogs included with the ticket. I bought a box seat for $12 two rows from the third baseman and ate till my stomach hurt. My son was given a ball by one of the Pelican pitchers named Diamond and he also was given a Canon t-shirt by the mascot. Got to see Gorkys hit, Cole pitch, Flowers catch. The biggest impression was made by their first baseman Mejia. He hit two towering home runs. He was built like Galarraga….not sure where he ranks prospect wise but he had 21 dingers last year for the Pelicans

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this

Great blog, sir. You make the most compelling case I’ve heard yet for Abreu ChipperFan

No offense to O’Brien,he’s right, but it’s the same damn thing half a dozen on here have been saying all along.Random, hit this guy with one of your kiss-azz posts

By Lew

January 30, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this

Random-Whatever. You’re certainly free to compare whomever you desire, whether or not there are large age differences or 90 years separating their careers with nothing else in common other than that they are both good hitters and are both considered attitudinal. Again. Whatever. Why do you even care what my opinion is? You think that I and mostly everyone else here on the blog are idiots anyway.

Chrisr-I really don’t care what Manny’s rationale (or his desires re:the option year/s) was. You don’t refuse to play a game or make your teammates/management miserable because of it. Lots of teams wait until the season’s over to pick up or decline options. It is hardly unknown or underhanded behavior. The Dude has made around a quarter billion dollars in his career with more to come. I think he’ll be all right.

It doesn’t make a bit of difference what his future was anyway. He was paid quite well to perform for the year he was already playing and it was his duty to play and not to throw a tantrum about something his agent should have been dealing with to begin with.

And all of this is nothing more than a meaningless argument anyway, because all I was saying was that the type of behavior Manny exhibits when Manny is Being Manny is totally unacceptable to Bobby Cox or the Braves’ organization so wishing he were here in Atlanta like so many seem to be is a moot point. It will not happen.

By jz

January 30, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this

DOB-

What are the chances of Peter Moylan storming out of the pen this year to “Outlaw Pete”?

By Gil In Mechanicsville

January 30, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this

No, Manny will not be coming to Atlanta unless he is wearing a Dodgers uniform, still the most likely scenario. Just hot stove conjecture.

Still, the Bravos will sign a couple of more players before they break camp. With it being so close to camp, I would not be surprised to see them give Schafer a hard look.

By MiamiBeachBravesFan

January 30, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

Memo to Frank Wren:

Allow Brandon Jones and Josh Anderson to duke it out over the right to platton with Matt Diaz. Sign Ohman AND Glavine. Here’s why.

We talked about the need to improve our starting pitching, but we have a slew of relievers that are coming back from injuries. The starters need to prove they can all pitch between 190-200 innings this season - that includes Kawakami (if Glavine can hold the fort at six-per until Tim Hudson’s arrival in August, he will be worth every penny spent).

The bigger wild card in all of this was a lineup that was truly inconsistent last season. In many cases, they underperformed. Before we decide to spend money on Abreu (the only logical choice), can this lineup hit? Can it be consistent?

I’d rather sign Andruw Jones for a nominal amount, just to cover the RF corner (and to compete against B. Jones and Anderson), and use the first couple of months to see if the 2009 lineup can hit, and if the pitching can hold its own - especially the relief if the starters can pitch seven every night.

Maybe then, will we see if signing one of the unemployed corner outfielders is worth our time this season. Or, we may not have to, if the troika of Jones/Jones/Anderson produces one partner for Diaz.

PS - Kelly Johnson HAS to stay and do the job at second base because Jason Heyward will be in LF sooner than later. Freddy Freeman can take Casey Kotchman’s job in 2012, so he has time.

By Thrillhouse44

January 30, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

No offense to O’Brien,he’s right, but it’s the same damn thing half a dozen on here have been saying all along.Random, hit this guy with one of your kiss-azz posts FadeAway

Man, the only thing you’ve done this blog is call others out. If there are half a dozen similar posts to ChipperFan’s, why do you have to single himher out? You tried to hang dogsbrekky out to dry, but he backed his statement up big time and you had no response. How about you contribute something in addition to knocking down others? ChipperFan was just saying what he felt and I’m sure DOB enjoys the occasional compliment; he works harder on this blog than he has to and a little appreciation isn’t an awful thing.

By BamaBrave

January 30, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this

Man, just once I’d like to see a hemmoroid like Manny get left out in the cold. Just once I’d like to see one of these arrogant, over-valued dimwits roll the dice, assume somebody will cough up their asking price, and miss the boat completely. Sorry Manny, nobody called. See you in 2010. Manny may have the perfect combination of detrimental qualities to allow this… He’s spoiled, immature, coddled, short-sighted, disrespectful of the game - and perhaps most importantly - he has a vainglorious agent who’s the personification of greed. Maybe this is my year.

I know, I know…it won’t happen. But I can dream, can’t I?

By TennesseePaul

January 30, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this

Sheets, Hudson and Cabrera all are Type A free agents; as it stands, any team that signs them would forfeit a high draft pick. But, as first reported by ESPN’s Buster Olney, draft-pick compensation vanishes after the June draft — all the more reason for certain Type As to hold firm
—Ken Rosenthal

I don’t mean to bring this up again, but I got put through the grinder by at least on guy here…(you know who you are)… My question was answered by Olney and reaffirmed by Rosenthal. There IS a limit as to the compensation time of a Type A free agent. I knew it couldn’t be eternal. I knew there was a caveat to the system… however improbable it is to occur.

By FadeAway

January 30, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

If there are half a dozen similar posts to ChipperFan’s, why do you have to single himher out? Thrill

you might try sharpening your reading comprehension skill for a thrill, Thrill. I didn’t say there were a half dozen posts similar to ChipperFan’s, I said that half a dozen or more posters have said the same thing that DOB just said, but it didn’t much seem to matter to old CF until DOB said it. It’s ok if he wants to put more emphasis on DOB’s comments obviously, but it was no more cogent an argument than others have presented.As I said I meant no disrespect to DOB. AS for Dogswhatever. What kind of name is that to inspire trust? Sounds like something a pet owner would clean up off the sidewalk. I wonder if Kawakami perved his girlfriend too just like Bayless?

By Thrillhouse44

January 30, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this

Apologies, FadeAway. Long day at the office and a long couple weeks. Have a good weekend.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

JC: I like it. A lot. Moylan to Outlaw Pete. Let’s hope the Aussie likes The Boss, or at least likes that song.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this

sri: No, scouts from major league teams go over and watch Japanese pitchers in games. They’re in middle of their season and aren’t permitted (maybe there’s an exception, but I haven’t heard) to throw private workouts on the side for scouts from MLB teams. No way.

Hey, when Wren and his scouts went to see Kawakami pitch, they didn’t even know for sure he’d be pitching. Japanese teams usually don’t announce their rotation plans in advance like they do here, and Wren said he went three different time to see the Chunichi Dragons play, hoping to see Kawakami, and didn’t get to see him once.

Braves scouts saw him pitch a bunch, though. But Wren went all the way over there and didn’t even get to see him pitch.

By Patrick

January 30, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this

DOB

Since Moylan’s agent is the infamous Arn Tellem Agency, does that mean that he definitely won’t be back with the Braves once he hits the FA market, assuming he keeps the same agent?

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this

TennPaul: Precisely right, only Braves can pick up the Hudson option, but he can veto it (but that’s not gonna happen. If they pick it up, he’s not gonna veto a $12 mill option, unless there’s a sea change in baseball economy before next winter and some team is willing to give a contract with a salary above $12 mill in 2010 to a pitcher who’ll probably make no more than 3-5 starts in 2009.)

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this

Bruce Springsteen� oh ya, he�s the American version of Bryan Adams.The Canuck

Oh, yeah.

Bryan Adams has plenty of masterpiece albums as good as “Born To Run,” “The River,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “Nebraska” and “The Wild, The Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle.”

I just can’t think of them off the top of my head. But he does. I’m sure of it.

Canuck, if you’re going to compare him to a Canadian, let’s go with a great artist like Leonard Cohen, Neil Young or Bruce Cockburn. Please.

There’s also Joni Mitchell or The Band (four of the five were from Canada). Plenty of great artists from Canada might be mentioned in the same sentence, or at least the same paragraph, as the Boss from New Jersey.

But I dare say, Bryan Adams ain’t one of them.

By Bubdylan

January 30, 2009 5:54 PM | Link to this

DOB, how did you get into the music that you like? Did you have a father/uncle/brother type figure turn you on to the good stuff (no offense to mothers/aunts/sisters, it’s just not the way it usually happens from what I’ve seen.)

Did you discover your tastes gradually? Grow up listening to the good stuff, or graduate to it from more standard pop music? Just curious. (Or anyone else who’d like to answer that question.)

I was basically berated into good taste by a college roomie who hammered me mercilessly for the tastes I left highschool with… I guess I owe him?

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 30, 2009 5:58 PM | Link to this

http://www.baseballhandyman.com/2009/01/throwing-good-money-at-bad-bench.html

By Bubdylan

January 30, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

if you’re going to compare him to a Canadian, let’s go with someone like Neil Young. Please. -DOB

Or Leonard Cohen, maybe?

Hey don’t underestimate Bryan Adams. Have you heard the soundtrack to “Spirit?!”

By Bill in ATL

January 30, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this

I think Bryan Adams is better than Springstein now that you mention it. Seriously. I can’t stand his music and I’m pretty open to almost every genre. Don’t want to argue about it, just saying what I feel.

By Marc

January 30, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this

Abreu is still on the market cause his career is going downhill. He might be slightly better than letting one of our prospects give it a go, but not by much.

By brent a.

January 30, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this

Braves scouts saw him pitch a bunch, though. But Wren went all the way over there and didn’t even get to see him pitch. DOB

The “anti-Wren” crowd could do a lot with that.

By stamper

January 30, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I’m not much for the Boss, either. I’m not saying he isn’t talented.. cuz he is… but his music never did much for me. And his new album? … no comment.

Having said that, Bryan Adams isn’t remotely comparable to Bruce.

By Canadianbrave

January 30, 2009 6:35 PM | Link to this

How about Gord Downie…Tragically Hip

By Hardball19

January 30, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, since you are such a fan of the Boss, you might find this interesting. My father and uncle grew up in Asbury Park at the same time as Springsteen and even went to the same high school. My father was four years ahead of him but he and my uncle were in school at the same time. Pretty cool to to your uncle in the same yearbook as Bruce Springsteen.

By nolie

January 30, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this

in 1974, 25-year-old Bruce Springsteen played at the Harvard Square Theater in Cambridge. Although popular with the college crowd in the Northeast, Springsteen was not yet a star. That night, he and the E Street Band opened for Bonnie Raitt. The influential music critic Jon Landau was in the audience. Overwhelmed by what he heard, Landau wrote, “I saw my rock and roll past flash before my eyes. I saw something else: I saw rock and roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen. In the years since that momentous spring night in Cambridge, the Boss has had 14 albums go platinum, has won 11 Grammies and an Oscar, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this

Hardball, that’s cool. A dude who works in PR for the Braves, his mom went to high school in Akron with Chrissie Hynde. Same class, in fact.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this

Marc, how can you possibly look at Abreu’s performance last season and come to the conclusion that he might be “slightly better” than letting “one of our prospects” play LF instead? Seriously, do you follow baseball?

By brent a.

January 30, 2009 7:12 PM | Link to this

Personally, I have never formed a real opinion on the Manny-Red Sox saga. I hear some of what people say, but I haven’t read enough about it to form an opinion.

But, I thought I’d share these comments Bill Simmons made today during a chat. (I hope these look right when I post - TN Paul, I’m looking your way …). I know, Simmons is not an expert; but, he is a fan who follows his teams the way I follow the Braves and Lakers; however, he also has the benefit of media contacts, etc.

Paul (SF): Should the Red Sox put a clause in Varitek’s contract that says he doesn’t get paid if he hit less that .150?

Bill Simmons: From what I understand, you’re not allowed to put stat clauses in people’s contracts for baseball - I investigated this because the natural Manny contract would obviously be $10 million a year with $25 million of stat incentives, all of which he’d reach. So I don’t think you can do that.

Bill Simmons: So I think they appeal to his pride as a man and say, “We’ll give you 10 million.” But if you aren’t hitting .220 at the All Star Break, you HAVE TO RETIRE. Conrad (Phila.): Sorry about the Dooze. As someone who watched his dog get run over by a car, losing a dog before they’re supposed to is tough. Now that that’s out of the way, you’re an idiot — Manny Ramirez is perfectly rated. He’s just a nut case. That’s why nobody wants him; nobody doesn’t say he isn’t like one of the top 10 hitters in baseball EVER …

Bill Simmons: But he’s not! He is NOT properly rated! Here is a guy who got on base 24 of 36 times in the 2008 postseason and the fans of teams like Anaheim and Texas and San Fran aren’t clamoring for their GM’s to sign him. It’s crazy to me. Everyone seems to think he is a cancer of the highest order… why? Because that’s what the Red Sox front office told their media minions. We have NEVER HEARD MANNY’S SIDE EVER. We are hearing one side of the story. It’s a smear campaign. How could anyone NOT think this guy would produce for 3 years if you gave him $75 million… in a league that’s given AJ Burnett and Barry Zito huge money? I am just flabbergasted by this whole thing. His teams have won everywhere he’s gone. Without fail.

RC (District of Columbia): Manny averages an OPS+ of 155 and a lifetime EqA of .327….with those numbers he can play LF in a diaper for all I care

Bill Simmons: See, another team that should sign him - the Nats. People in DC do not care about that team. At all. Manny doesn’t make them more interesting? They’re willing to give Tex 170 million - a guy who has played on bad teams for nearly his entire career - but Manny isn’t worth $75m for three? He wouldn’t sell tickets? He wouldn’t hit?

Jeff (SF): What’s Manny’s side of the story? The clubhouse attendant had it coming?

Bill Simmons: Manny got manipulated by his agent. We know that much. But at the heart of it is this: The Sox won the 2007 WS, and heading into 2008, Manny made it clear he wanted to stay and he wanted some resolution to his contract one way or the other - either waive the 09 10 options or pick them up. The Sox did neither. They let him twist in the wind. Did he deserve that after giving them 7 HUGE years and helping them win two titles? I say no. I think they were jerks about it. But that’s what nobody seems to take into account … the Sox could have avoided a potential mess with Boras simply by waiving those last 2 option years. Why didn’t they do it? Because they wanted to control the process.

Bill Simmons: I just thought they handled it arrogantly. “You know what Manny? Go out and hit some baseballs and we’ll let you know what we decide in a few months.” And he handled it poorly. But when you have someone that YOU KNOW will handle something like that poorly, and you proceed in that direction anyway, aren’t you at least partly to blame?

Pflug (Queens, NY): I am totally with you on Manny, I think he’s going to absolutely rake wherever he winds up next year (crossing my fingers for the Mets to pony up the cash). If he stays in the NL for a full season, is there a chance of him hitting .400?

Bill Simmons: Thats the other thing: if I’m an NL team with inferior pitching in my league, I want Manny on my team… also he’s getting close to being in the top-5 of some pretty cool records/stats and I do think he cares about that stuff.

Brock (Idaho Falls, Id): So Pujols is lobbying to have the Cardinals offer Manny a contract. Now this is a long shot, no scratch that, a looooooooooong shot, but would that be the greatest 3-4 hitter combo in history?

Bill Simmons: If that is true, God help the National League. I do wonder though how these mid-market teams (like STL or Det) aren’t going to get just murdered by the recession with their ticket sales this season. I am convinced that Boston’s long range plan is to go after Miggy Cabrera this summer as soon as it’s mid May and Detroit realizes, “Goodness, we are going to lose 40 million this year, who wants Miggy????? Anyone?”

here is the link in case I completely butchered the post

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this

Bubdylan, you must’ve wrote Cohen before seeing that I changed my comment to include him and a few others immediately after I first posted it.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this

Najeh Davenpoop

That’s a great link. And pretty much my feelings about the Mutts’ recent pickups.

Unless/until they sign Ollie, the Mets enter the season with a rotation of Santana, Maine, Pelphrey and Redding. Niese might be the #5 guy. After that … who? Garcia, Fossum, Snyder. Bleh.

The Braves — Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Kawakami — are looking pretty sweet by comparison. If one of Campillo, Morton, Reyes or Hanson pans out, that’s a deep if not eye-popping rotation.

I’d say the same about us vs. Philly. Hamels is great. Myers is sometimes brilliant, sometimes awful. Moyer is who he is. And then there’s …

By Bubdylan

January 30, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this

DOB, ah.. I didn’t catch the edit in time. Of course now my comment’s stuck out there in gooberville where I can’t change it. There outta be a law…

Good call on Cockburn, too.

By Run Heap Run

January 30, 2009 7:46 PM | Link to this

Hey everyone, I don’t have time right now to thoroughly read thru the comments from the last several days to see if this has been posted but I got the Feb issue of Chop Talk in the mail today and was pleasantly surprised to see a page on our own Lew’s art. The blog and DOB got a nice shoutout as well.

Here’s a scan of the page

Click pic to see full size.

And of course if this is not kosher with DOB or Lew, or if it has already been posted a million times then by all means, remove it.

Have a good weekend everyone!

By larrryjeans

January 30, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this

What about Garrett Anderson for one year, free agent, no prospects lost?

By nolie

January 30, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this

He throws a strike at Angels MORNING READ: A farmhand writes about his year in A-ball. By SAM MILLER The Orange County Register

On the greatest day of his life, Matt McCarthy took a call from a Major League baseball scout named Byron, who told him he had been drafted to play baseball for the Angels.

“Now, you went to Yale,” Byron told him, “so I’m sure you’re a smart kid. But please don’t do anything stupid once you get out there. Don’t make me look bad.”

“Of course,” McCarthy told him.

At least, that’s the account in McCarthy’s book, “Odd Man Out.” It’s a tell-all of his year in the Angels’ farm system, from the racial divide in the clubhouse to the oversized sex toy players touched for good luck; from players making fun of handicapped kids to guys using steroids.

It comes out next month and it’s a book that, if we’re honest about it, makes Byron and the Angels look bad. “I’m sure there will be a defamation of character lawsuit filed by someone, as well there should be,” a former teammate, Heath Luther says.

But, McCarthy swears, that was never his intention. He says he roots for the Angels. He calls them the best organization in sports. The question, then, is how he could write such a brutally revealing book.

•••

Matt McCarthy could throw 90 mph left-handed – a scarce commodity – so the Angels drafted him out of Yale. They paid him $1,000 to sign and sent him to rookie ball in Provo, Utah.

Provo is four promotions away from the major leagues, but many of the game’s top players start in rookie ball. Joe Saunders, the Angels’ 17-game winner of a year ago, was a teammate; so was Angels’ shortstop Erick Aybar. He faced Prince Fielder, now one of the best home-run hitters in the sport. His best friend from Yale, Craig Breslow, was in rookie ball at the same time and now pitches for the Minnesota Twins.

Most of the players in Provo, though, will never make the major leagues. Matt pitched 15 games over three months, struggled, lost his 90 mph fastball and was cut the following spring.

After he was cut, he enrolled in Harvard Medical School. The Provo Angels moved to the nearby town of Orem. Saunders and Aybar got promoted to the majors, while Luther and most of the rest went back home to Indiana or West Virginia or Beverly Hills to get real jobs. Eventually, as that year in Provo came into perspective, McCarthy turned his journal into a book.

The result is a story that will make readers jealous of the experience, while wondering whether McCarthy enjoyed it at all. His nervous insecurity caused his bowels to revolt, and he spent much of his time in Provo on the toilet

•••

Fans tend to think of a baseball team as 25 men who share a special relationship, like a military unit. They endure extreme physical situations, they live far from home and go to battle together daily, they shower as a group. When two baseball players fight, sportswriters and fans treat it as a minor scandal. If the team concept is real, it’s unfathomable that a man would leave the unit and write a tell-all.

But, as McCarthy found, in A-ball the notion of the team barely exists.

“These friendships are very transient,” he says. “You’re sitting next to your chief competitors.”

It’s no coincidence that much of the book focuses on the other left-handed pitchers on the team — from top draft pick Joe Saunders to long-shot Heath Luther. They were McCarthy’s competition.

He was jealous of Saunders, who had abilities he would never have. Luther, though, was like him — average stuff, mediocre stats.

In “Odd Man Out,” McCarthy paints Luther as a villain. He recounts a conversation in which he says Luther admits to using performance enhancing drugs, and encourages another player to. He says Luther punched and berated him over a bottle of tobacco spit.

“I don’t think I portrayed anybody any better or worse than they really are,” McCarthy says. “It’s a tricky thing to talk about the guys you played with.”

•••

If there is a clubhouse code of silence, McCarthy isn’t the first player to break it. Jim Bouton pioneered the genre in 1970 with “Ball Four,” which had many of the same themes as “Odd Man Out.”: a perceived sense of anti-intellectualism, and intra-team rivalries overwhelming team unity. Jose Canseco named names from baseball’s steroid years in a book. Next week, Dodgers manager Joe Torre publishes a revealing book about his Yankees years – with reports suggesting future Yankees might have to sign non-disclosure agreements because of it.

“There are still people who perpetuate that code of silence,” says Aaron Wells, general manager of the Orem (formerly Provo) Angels affiliate. “But I never bought into that. It’s that philosophy of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but that’s not true for venereal diseases. You should always be accountable for your actions.”

But while those books are about famous players who lived in the public, McCarthy’s teammates were mostly unknowns. (No current major leaguers are accused of taking steroids.)

Luther had signed with the Angels after not being drafted at all. He and McCarthy were essentially competing for the same roster spot, if one existed at all. After Luther was cut, he worked for a beer distributor.

Luther, informed this month that a former teammate had written a book, responded by email: “Who’s the teammate?” Moments later, another email: “Nevermind, it’s McCarthy…. He was the only one smart enough to write it.”

He disputes much of what McCarthy wrote.

“Steroids? None of that crap is true. If it were, I would tell you. I don’t think I have to worry about my reputation for my chances of getting into the baseball Hall of Fame.”

“I don’t know if he is having fun telling fictional stories, or trying to make money. I really don’t care. … I’m 30, I have two children and a wife. I don’t have time for drama…. But it could tarnish (other guys), do damage to careers.”

•••

A week ago, McCarthy had just finished a 27-hour shift in a New York intensive care unit where he’s an intern. He spoke highly of the Angels organization. He explained that much of the negativism in the book reflects how he felt at that time, when he was new to the team and insecure. He praised Angels GM Tony Reagins and Provo manager Tom Kotchman for treating him like a man, not just a promising left arm to use or discard.

He won’t speculate on how the Angels will react, or whether Luther or Saunders or his friend Craig Breslow, will approve.

“I spend 99 percent of my time thinking about hospital-related stuff now,” he says. “I don’t spend much time thinking about what’s going to happen with this.”

He brushed off questions about whether it was a hard decision to write about that year. He didn’t feel torn about publishing private conversations, even dialogue between him and a roommate that concluded with “I don’t have to tell you this stays between you and me.”

“I wanted to write an unvarnished book of what it’s like to go through this really intense experience,” he says. “There are some people who just don’t like being written about, no matter what the subject…. I just tried to write a book for people who wonder.”

The book is dedicated to his teammates.

By AdirondackDave

January 30, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this

Good to see Hudson is progressing on schedule. Jeez, imagine the rotation if/when he returns and pitches well. I’m getting stoked… Come on, Frank, reel in Ohman. Then, Abreu and we have a solid shot at the division title.

By BravesFanInRockies

January 30, 2009 7:53 PM | Link to this

Run Heap Run

Thanks for posting that. And congrats, Lew!

By Bubdylan

January 30, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

Nice work, Lew! Love the one of Bobby, especially.

By Run Heap Run

January 30, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

Someone make sure Lew sees it, lol I figure it will be several more days before his issue of chop talk makes it all the way to Vermont.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 7:59 PM | Link to this

It is beyond annoying to continually see people say we need to SIGN SWISHER.

First off Nick Swisher IS NOT a Free Agent. He plays for the Yankess and the Braves would have to TRADE for him

With that being said WHY would the Braves want to trade prospects for a player who hit .219 with 135ks in 153 games? Who also hit .205 and whiffed 1/3 of the time with runners in scoring position.

Oh and did I mention he is owed 21 million over the next 3 years!!!!!

But most importantly we have Jordan Schaefer and the THIRD BEST PROSPECT in the Minors, Jason Heyward! Both will be ready to play by 2010.

SO LETS ALL GET OFF THAT “TRADE FOR NICK SWISHER” BANDWAGON. Okay?

By wgcallahan

January 30, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this

re sign andrew jones and tom glavin we need glavin leadership, After all the Braves were the reason for jones down fall, as good as jones was in 2005 the braves management refused to discuss any extention and Jones’s play in 2006 show just what the braves had done to his confidence. The Braves have shown over the past 10 years that they are not willing to retain any one that can be called a superstar that why we had such trouble signing players this year. I hope they can managed to stay out of last place but this team with out leadership can’t play 500 ball

By wgcallahan

January 30, 2009 8:08 PM | Link to this

re sign andrew jones and tom glavin we need glavin leadership, After all the Braves were the reason for jones down fall, as good as jones was in 2005 the braves management refused to discuss any extention and Jones’s play in 2006 show just what the braves had done to his confidence. The Braves have shown over the past 10 years that they are not willing to retain any one that can be called a superstar that why we had such trouble signing players this year. I hope they can managed to stay out of last place but this team with out leadership can’t play 500 ball

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 8:29 PM | Link to this

^ | | | | |

Idiot.

By Random

January 30, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this

Lew: “Whatever.”

Okay. Whatever.

Lew: “Again. Whatever.”

Yeah, dude — whatever. (???)

Lew: “You think that I and mostly everyone else here on the blog are idiots anyway.”

No — that simply is not true. It is indeed false.

And I’ll thank you, sir, not to put your words into my mouth.

Speak them yourself, and stop projecting them onto me.

By LoyalBraves20+

January 30, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this

No, but seriously why do the Braves need Glavine for leadership?

Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones, Derek Lowe, and Brian McCann have plenty of that.

If A. Jones got his fragile little feelings hurt because the Braves didn’t want to discuss an extension with him then that is all the more reason to NOT sign him.

By GTguy84

January 30, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this

DOB - We are always talking about the Atl Braves starting rotation for 2009 on here. What about the possible starting rotation for the Gwinnett Braves if the ATL signs Glavine? Hanson, Morton, Reyes, Parr, and Redmond/Medlen/Campillo(ATL bullpen?)/Lerew. I would say that’s a pretty dang good rotation for a AAA teams.

By 74Dawg

January 30, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

DOB,re:your 12:29. ESPN has a well developed god complex. They need a laxative real bad. I seldom watch anymore except the actual sports programing. As far as their ‘commontaters’,I get more accurate stuff right here,plus more laughs. Cuban restaurants,it’s no dive,but the real Paella is pretty good. The one at Sydney Marcus and Piedmont Rd.

By BravesFan79

January 30, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

If the Braves dont start Hanson in the rotation from the beginning, instead of the end of summer, it will of been as big a mistake as when we choose Chris Woodcrap over Escobar at the start of 2007.
And could potentially cost us the playoffs….just like that terrible decision coming out of spring training in 2007 did.

The only way possible it would be a good thing is if in the long term….. it gave us more years before hes eligible for free agency.

By Random

January 30, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this

Thanks, nolie — that book looks to be more interesting than Torre’s “tell-all”.

And also thanks to you brent a. — it’s seemed for a long time that most of the Boston sports media was in the pocket of the Sox FO. “”Access”” — *sigh.

By Cheyenne

January 30, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this

NOLIE-I remember reading that quote from Landau in Arkansas and my buddies and I were asking each other who the heck is Bruce Springsteen. I eventually found out even in them thar sticks. Certainly in the top ten all time.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this

Random-Yeah, you’ve NEVER called anyone an Idiot-at least not today. Don’t have to put words in your mouth-they spew forth continuously all on their own.

By LTBravesFan

January 30, 2009 9:44 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79 What are you going by on that prediction of Hanson and the Braves for this year? Yes, I think he is going to ve a great pitcher but he has yet to throw a pitch in the majors and you are saying that they won’t make the playoffs without Hanson? Lets not forget he wasnt on everyones radar until this past year and has never even pitched in AAA and he had control issues in the past (seem to get it put together last year); I’m not saying that Reyes is on the same level as Hanson but just think about this Reyes had a sub 2 ERA at AAA during his last signifcant tenure there (he was just tearing it up all together) and look what happen to him when he came up to the big (kinda like Hanson dominating minors but yet to prove himself in the Bigs) or look at Joey Devine just flew the the minors tearing it up and got to the big club and didnt do as hot (took a couple of years of experience. You just can’t hang playoff hopes on potential of a 22 year old.

I’m not saying he couldnt help them to the playoffs, I’m just saying it is a crazy accessment to make when you say they won’t make the playoffs unless they have Hanson in the rotation. I hiope he is in the Braves rotation at some point and we get to see him in the playoffs.

By Cameron in NC

January 30, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

Anyone, What is the best website to play basebal fantasy where you pay money to gt players and where you can win prizes and money and such?

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this

Run, Heap, Run!—

I got my ChopTalk yesterday! I did post a thing about it last night, but thanks for the repost. Mine was posted at that time that doesn’t get much attention. (And it was worded weird. Sorry about that.)

Congrats, Lew! Ya did us proud! ; )

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this

Bubdylan—

Yeah, that drawing of Bobby is amazing.

By Random

January 30, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

Ed Glennon: “By the way I know that Andruw hit one home run in Atlanta. How many home runs did Kotchman hit in Atlanta? - if anyone knows let me know.”

Looks to me like he hit 1 HR in Atlanta (against Philadelphia), 2 HRs in Philadelphia (1 for Atlanta and 1 for Anaheim) and 1 HR against Atlanta (in Anaheim).

That is to say, “one”. Out of fourteen total in 2008. Out of two for Atlanta.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this

Run Heap Run-Indeed, thanks. I haven’t even received my copy of Chop Talk yet, so that link is the first I’ve seen it. I appreciate it.

By Poorbrave

January 30, 2009 9:54 PM | Link to this

Joe Torre is on Larry King . He just said he kept playing A. Jones till he realized he (AJ) had lost it. He also said he wanted Manny back. All baseball fans would find it very interesting. Got to get the book.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 9:54 PM | Link to this

McFann-We talked about you during the interview. Too bad she didn’t use it in the article.

By bravesfan54

January 30, 2009 9:58 PM | Link to this

To Lew: at 7:51, and for the blog forever! (I WANT A WURLITZER, I ADMIT!)

Consider this my ‘95 Theses’, and forgive the mixed metaphors and historical contexts,(and…ok.. put the kids and blog idiots to bed, if you must).

Free at last! Free at last! My God, I am free at last…I waited 668 posts (MOL) to hear the voice of reason, and I much appreciate it, Lew. As my moniker implies, I have a few seasons under my belt, and regret that I can’t call myself Bravesfan53, the year the Braves moved to the city of my birth (as in Milwaukee,Braves), but I wasn’t a fan until I moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1954,

For context, I am a Southern boy (by heritage, and really and truly proud of it), who was emotionally and socially blown away by ‘Jim Crow’, which I hated, having seen and attended ‘colored nights’ at Columbus’ “Golden Stadium” on Victory Drive (see Fort Benning), but the baseball tradition I enjoyed spawned the hundreds of future major leaguers (whose careers I followed in the the lower ranges of the sport- the South Atlantic League moved between being a minor league “D” league to an “A” league. (I saw Henry Aaron play as a member of the 1953 Jacksonville Tars in 1953.)

…but to fast-forward through Lew Burdette, Red Shoendienst, Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews (I had his Boston Braves’ baseballcard, along with those of Ebba St Clair and Ernie Johnston and a catching prospect, bonus baby, who never panned out named Jack Parks), Warren Spahn, Billy Bruton, Felix Millan, Rico Carty and a thousand others, I can’t abide a Manny…just can’t do it!

Did I say, I can’t handle a Manny Ramirez as a member into my hallowed 54 year love affair with the Braves? Anybody want me to apologize for this? L(Me, who saw the St. Louis Browns play when I lived in St. Louis and took the Grand Avenue trolly out to the old Sportsman’s Park and who can still find the plaque just three blocks off of Broad St, in Philly where old Connie Mack stood (hey, look it up, I challenge you, there used to be a hump in the outfield where the train tracks ran - to this day - you can follow those tracks through the vacant lot…look it up, Google it! Do it!

Lew, you called it right, brother!…and I endorse your views. From this old guy, I offer my “props”.

I do follow the stats and appreciate most of the opinions on the relative merits of Nady, Abreu, Swisher, etc., and admit that I don’t contribute stats (real or imagined), but when I erupt against bloggers who advocate signing Barry Bonds (ok, last year), or Manny Ramirize, I am at a unable to restrain myself.

Did I say, “unable to restrain myself”? Am I arrorant in saying that this is a franchise with an UNBROKEN history going back to 1876. (Don’t miss it, folks, that the first year of operation is EIGHTEEN SEVENTY-SIX!) They have earned the right to reject a Barry Bonds, a Manny Ramirez as unworthy. Do the ignorant feel a right to dictate the spending of those owners who purchased and owned 133 years of history. How dare you demand that a man who refused to suit up for his employers be paid an obscene salary to play for a team I have respected for going on 55 years!

These are are my 95 Theses, this is the Wuterburg Cathedral of blogs, and I am a Catholic!

Famously, when King Henry was opposed by his Catholic Archbishop, Thomas a’ Becket, an authentic history supports his reported rage: “…is there no man in my kingdom to rid me of this meddlesome priest?”. The stone where the knights who took up his challenege is revered to this day by Anglicans and Catholic Christians of England.

On a very much reduced historical scale, where souls and seasons are not measured by martyrs, even Johnny Cash (a Protestant whom this Catholic would easily find worthy of Sainthood!)- test me, on his miracles!), I will argue, not for sainthood, not for protestanism, nor in favor of catholic, orthodox, Christianity, but I will celebrate - on a baseball blog no less, “Losing My Religion”, and I affirm my belief that in the nature of blogs, Lucinda Willims, REM, the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Jenny Lewis, Pink Floyd, Johnny Horton, and Marty Robbins, are far and away better absorbed than the “sound and the fury” of those bloggers who are “signifying nothing”.

That’s my story and I am sticking to it!

Hail and Amen!

By Bubdylan

January 30, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this

McFann, yeah, lots of Bobby’s personality in it. I envy visual artists. I can’t draw at ALL. In my Biology class right now, we’re having to draw what we see under the microscope. All mine look like the same plate of spaghetti.

By f.n. hale

January 30, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this

“Brock (Idaho Falls, Id): So Pujols is lobbying to have the Cardinals offer Manny a contract. Now this is a long shot, no scratch that, a looooooooooong shot, but would that be the greatest 3-4 hitter combo in history?”

I realize this wasn’t a quote from someone here, but I had to mention there were a couple of guys played a few years back named Ruth and Gehrig that were reportedly pretty good.

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this

Lew—

Wow! Thanks for the mention! Dang, Patty snubbed me! ; ) Oh well, I still can’t wait to show this article off to everybody.

Just finished a colored-pencil drawing of a Blue and Gold Macaw. I dare-say it’s the best work I’ve ever done. But I can’t take full credit—it was a step-by-step thing in the book I got for Christmas, and I traced the outline. But obviously I colored it myself, following the instructions.

Night, all!

By Random

January 30, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this

Realit: “Kelly Johnson and Tommy Hanson for Rick Ankiel (one year from free agency; Boras client) and Adam Kennedy (can’t hit) is the worst for-the-Braves trade I’ve ever seen suggested here… . Usually the dumb, never-happening trades suggested here are bad for the other team. Fantasy trades like Prado for Ludwick or Kelly Johnson for Tim Lincecum are dumb sure, but they at least favor the home-town team. Johnson and Hanson for Ankiel and Kennedy? Seriously?!”

That trade was proposed by 67cards, whose home-town is St Louis. (And who was good-naturedly ripped at 7:51 AM CST this morning.)

So your working hypothesis about dumb, never-happening trades is still valid.

8-)

By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)

January 30, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this

Bubdylan—

Oh yeah, a lot of personality.

I envy people who cann draw people. Mine look hideous.

“All mine look like the same plate of spaghetti.”

Aw…Don’t know that I could draw those, either.

Night, all! (again)

By Run Heap Run

January 30, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Lew…glad you got to see it early.! You are very talented btw…I’ve always wished I could draw or paint.

My son can draw amazingly well but he’s not really interested in it. I had all the things he drew in art class framed and hanging around my house..hopefully when he’s older he’ll get into it more. He also plays guitar and writes. I have no idea where he got his artistic streak from but boy does he have one.

By cabravesfan

January 30, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this

*Lew

Meant to comment on the article in ChopTalk earlier…Your work is beautiful! I, too, am envious of anyone that can create like you can…I have a hard time drawing a straight line with a ruler:) I was very impressed with the artwork in the pictures- I know you have a website but I do not have it written down anywhere - any chance I can get that from you?

By f.n. hale

January 30, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this

bravesfan54

Holy Moley, dude! You must have been holding all that in for a long time. Feel better? Good post, but it really isn’t healthy for a guy your (our) age to hold all that in.

Lew

Great job, congrats.

By Random

January 30, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this

Lew: “Yeah, you’ve NEVER called anyone an Idiot-at least not today.”

No more often than I’ve applied the same term to myself.

Lew: “Don’t have to put words in your mouth-they spew forth continuously all on their own.”

There you go — that’s all I’m saying.

So let me re-emphasize — I‘ll tell you what I think; don’t need you to tell me what I think.

Got it?

By jbutler

January 30, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this

DOB I think you’re being a little harsh on our Canuck friend comparing the Boss to little ‘ol Bryan Adams. I mean- isn’t there an American artist who so admired him he goes by “Ryan Adams”? Plus - can’t you see him jamming out “Heaven”, “Everything I do for You” and Summer of 69 at the R&R Hall of Fame in a few years? I’m not sure if that idea is more frightening than me knowing all those songs. Yikes.

By Dadgum

January 30, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this

When Led Zeppelin 1 is not on somebody’s top 10 albums of all time I have to seriously stop and wonder about humanity. Seriously, of all things holy.

Whoever posted that 52nd Street by Joel was in their top 10. Phenomenal album. Cool and very underrated. Love Midnight Oil 10-9-8. Not in my top 10 but very good. Don’t have time to put it together right now but yeah, Zep 1 is #1 for me. Always and forever.

RichBrave and Gil…we have to do a beer in Richmond and talk Braves, Music, whatever. I’ll buy the first round.

Rock on….Good Times Bad Times

By chrisklob

January 30, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

Lew, congratulations on the feature in Chop Talk! That is outstanding. I still enjoy the drawing that you sent me of Seth. It hangs in his room and eventually I plan on asking him to sign it.

cabravesfan Lew’s website is www.lewhartman.com

By NCBravesFan

January 30, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

brent a re: Bill Simmons commenting on Manny. I like his writing style overall, but this is the same guy who picked the Hawks to be one of the worst teams in the NBA East this year, and picked Josh Smith to be the “Biggest Cancer” on any team in the League in 2008-2009.

For what it’s worth.

By Lew

January 30, 2009 11:24 PM | Link to this

Everyone-I appreciate the kind words. Hope my copy is at the Post Office in the morning. Hope i can talk them into giving me a few extra copies-can’t get Chop Talk on the news stands up here.

Cabravesfan-It’s LewHartman.Com

McFann-No tracing until you can do it freehand!!! Tracing is a time saving device if you already know what you’re doing. If you could draw Orca, a Macaw is no big deal. Feathers are easier to draw than fur is.

BravesFan54-email me- lewhartman@comcast.net and include your real name and address. Maybe I can find you a sketch or something-might have a rough sketch I did practicing drawing Hank Aaron. Anyone who remembers that Old Stadium at 21st and Lehigh in Philly can’t be all that bad. Saw my first ML games there in the early 60’s. Saw Hank knock the Phillies around on a regular basis-Ernie Banks and Willie Mays, too. I saw Johnny Callison hit three in a row out and the Phillies still lost the 7th of those famous 10 losses in 64-Hank and Torre homered for the Braves and beat them.

By Where Is The Viagra

January 30, 2009 11:26 PM | Link to this

I’m 65 and have never posted before. Some very well thought out analysis. Very thought provoking. My ony question would be, it’s 11:30 on a Friday night, are we still doing the girl friend thing?? I got married at 30. Even if there had been an internet 35 years ago, I doubt I would have been this worried about Rico Carty, Ralph Garr and Earl Williams. Boys, Go out!!

I come by once a night to check things out. Just realized that many here appear to NEVER check out anything else. I would have loved to have my daughter date some of you when she was in college. My wife and I would have rested easier.

By N Nine (eta65)

January 30, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this

Lew,Lew,LEW

By Virginia Brave

January 30, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

DOB Thanks for all of your work—love the blogs. One consideration for the stats you are quoting on OFs: sample size. We shouldn’t make decisions on Nady based on one year’s numbers. Braves should take advantage of the market and sign a FA for one year rather than give up a prospect, esp. for Nady who will walk after one year.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan54: Great post….

74Dawg, another one added to my list. And that’s not far from my house, either. Thanks, bro….

Run Heap Run: thanks for posting that. Lew, fine job….

Just back from seeing a very good band tonight, Jackson County Line, at Eddie’s Attic. Its a seven-piece that sounds a little Cowboy Junkies, little Blue Rodeo, etc. At various times a cello, mandolin and trumpet accompanied the two guitars, bass and drums, and the dude lead singer is outstanding (so is the woman backup singer). They’re from down here, have one album out….

Home in time to see a special showing on Letterman of Bill Hicks’ fabled monologue that got cut from the show more than 15 years ago. Hicks’ mom is going to be on the show tonight when Letterman shows it. Should be interesting.

By David O'Brien

January 30, 2009 11:51 PM | Link to this

Oh, and the Gaslight Anthem is also gonna rock this show. Good young band with lot of early-Springsteen influence.

By Robards

January 31, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this

Regarding the Nick Cage post last night: I suspect he needed to be Nicholas Coppola to break into the business. See, for example, the credits to Fast Times at Ridgemont Cage. Once he had a few roles under his belt, it was okay to be Nick Cage. No nepotism or anything.

By Robards

January 31, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this

Obviously, I meant “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” not “Fast Times at Ridgemont Cage.”

By Lew

January 31, 2009 12:26 AM | Link to this

DOB-Thanks, but it wouldn’t have been possible without some extra effort on yours and Carroll’s parts. It’s appreciated.

By uga-brave

January 31, 2009 12:51 AM | Link to this

lew,

if you get a chance please post a link to the chop talk thing.

everyone seems to like it, i am sure all the other denizens would also enjoy it.

congrats my man.

By uga-brave

January 31, 2009 1:04 AM | Link to this

DOB,

am i the only one that misses rick reily’s last page on S.I.

no matter what, that was the first thing i read every week.

they have replaced him with a collection of wanna be’s.

always thought he had a unique talent.

DOB, speaking of the plimsouls i was always a fan of the oldest story.

i would of thought you would of been a fan of ALMOST FAMOUS.

somehow i think you and cameron crowe would have a lot to talk about.

By Wayne in Utah

January 31, 2009 2:01 AM | Link to this

Been gone for a week with very little to check in on the blog. I see next to nothing has changed with the Braves.

Random In case you checke t