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812 comments Add your comment
Frank from KS
February 23rd, 2009
12:24 pm
Let me rephrase my last comment @ 12:02 p.m….
Anderson’s HR production HAS declined in the last few years.
braves4ever
February 23rd, 2009
12:25 pm
If you look at this years team as we know now it then you have to say at BEST we win 20-25 more games than last year,at WORST we win 10-15. One puts us in the NL east lead one puts us in wild card .
Back up and see the big picture as in next year , we have 3-4 major league ready Gwinnett pitchers and 3-4 relievers who could make the club next year. Now best I can count thats 6-8 trading pieces that we have from our current overstocked rotation or from the farm. What could we do in the trade market this winter with 2-3 quality starters or 2-3 quality relievers. we can pick up 2-3 major hitters and still have 5 top pitchers next year. this team it too stocked to not get better in the next 2-3-4 years.
ABravesFan
February 23rd, 2009
12:26 pm
I think it comes down to this would you rather have Smoltz or Garrett and Glavine. Really a tough call but personally I like the flexibility Garrett provides by not having to rely on two young guys to play CF and LF.
chuckw/deadjournalist
February 23rd, 2009
12:26 pm
I agree about there being plenty of at-bats for Diaz. Even if Francouer bounces back, I’d hope he’d only start about 150 games to keep him fresh. Adding GA allows that to happen.
Ideally, Diaz starts about 60 games this season. That put him (with pitch-hit appearances) at about 300 at-bats, which seems to be a sweet spot for him.
Having Diaz and Norton off the bench this year for a full season will really help the team.
Kentavo
February 23rd, 2009
12:27 pm
While I’m not saying the Braves are world-beaters, I think you can argue that this team is an improvement over last year (at least the post-July version).
There’s nobody with as much pop as Tex, but if we get anything, I mean anything, from Kotchman, Frenchy and G. Anderson, the offense will be interesting.
Sigh…
If only Booby would play a little station-to-station ball, we’d be just fine…
AZ Braves Fan
February 23rd, 2009
12:27 pm
I just read this MLB.com link on Odalis Perez not showing up for ST and being released. (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090223&content_id=3869496&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb)
Does this happen regularly? I mean, how many people try to negotiate for a better job by not showing up to the one they already committed to?
WestPalmDawg
February 23rd, 2009
12:27 pm
I officially have a man-crush on Jason Heyward
Kentavo
February 23rd, 2009
12:28 pm
Can Kawakami get over his stage fright?
LARRY THE CABLE GUY
February 23rd, 2009
12:28 pm
Anders February 23rd, 2009 12:09 pm
In an off season that just won’t end for Frank Wren, apparently he inadvertently signed Garrett Morris rather than Garrett Anderson. When reached for comment Morris said ” Base-aa-ball has beeen berry berry gooood …..to me.”
THAT’S FUNNY RIGHT THERE…….I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE…..THAT’S FUNNY
Josh
February 23rd, 2009
12:28 pm
Frank from KS, we got your point!!! who do you think would be a better fit at this point than Garret Anderson?
Josh
February 23rd, 2009
12:29 pm
Frank from KS…maybe the Braves should just make you the GM since you are smarter than everyone else in the organization!
Wayne in Utah
February 23rd, 2009
12:30 pm
Random
While I agree that a lot has NOT changed, to say that NOTHING has changed is not correct either. (I am not even counting Ross in the equation).
I don’t think Diaz will be minimized over what we were able to get from him in 2006 and 2007. I expect him to get similar AB’s to those years. I guess if a fan expects us to be just as bad in 2009 as we were in 2008, then that fan would never expect players to improve (Francoeur, Escobar, Kotchman, etc.)
Last year, offense wouldn’t have been the issue if our pitching were not so decimated. Yes, we lacked clutch hitting, but after dispatching Tex, I think we scored between 4.5 and 5 runs per game average. Not too shabby, if our pitching had held up. Heck, even Campillo and Jurrjens faded down the stretch last year.
So, I will choose to believe we have made some changes to the positive on facing lefties.
Gotta run, will check in later….
Random
February 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
getnathan: “If Garret Anderson puts up the stats he did last season, Braves will be in great shape, stay in contention, and have another clutch hitter on their team (besides Greg Norton).”
Ironically, it may be GAnderson’s acquisition that causes and/or allows the Braves to trade Norton.
PTBNL: “both KJ and Bmac hit lefthanders well. You are correct about power, however. But if they get the hits, could they not just play a different kind of game?
“you have not answered my question. Is Slugging the end all, be all? Could the Braves not play a different game when facing lefties?”
Sorry, I thought it was a rhetorical question.
History is the answer — the Braves were unable to overcome their weak OPS against LHPs last year (.715 v .771 against RHPs) or, I think, the previous two seasons — why would you think they could in 2009?
King521
February 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
I am so tired about hearing Kawakami and his first time throwing BATTING PRACTICE…even if this guy has a tragically bad Spring Training, he is going to have a shot to make an impression in April….
SAVE YOUR JUDGMENTS!
PTBNL
February 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
getnathan, yes, I would. First, the odds of everyone else staying healthy the whole season is not very likely. The odds of them all staying healthy and also being effective is even less likely. We do have some unknowns in our starting rotation.
Also, I would not trade for someone that might help us to win a couple more games this year at the expense of someone who could help us win quite a few games in the next several years. We don’t HAVE to keep the pitchers that make up our starting rotation right now. If these young guys are great, trade the money pitchers and keep the cheap ones! There are just many options that could be before us.
Yes, ease, that is part of what I am saying; a part that I did not express. Sure, if we have a glaring need that would help us to win quite a few more games if we filled it, we could look at trading for them. But again, I would be very careful in doing so. Consider that if we had not done the Tex trade there is a not too small possibility that in a couple of years (maybe 3) we could have had a starting rotation that rivals some of the 90’s rotations.
ease19
February 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
WestPalmDawg – I think DOB does as well…
WhiteMike
February 23rd, 2009
12:36 pm
DOB, How is Soriano doing?
Is he throwing like we all know he can, or being meek about it?
For the most part, I’ve liked his results in games, but I’ve been turned off by his amost lazy attitude. IMO, he could still raise his game.
ease19
February 23rd, 2009
12:39 pm
He’s in terrific shape, not bulky but lean, narrow waist, wide back, big forearms.)….
getnathan
February 23rd, 2009
12:41 pm
I will go out on a limb and say Braves will contend for NL east/wildcard this season, and have the experience in the rotation and lineup to probably outlast the other contenders.
JasonInFL (Formerly ME)
February 23rd, 2009
12:42 pm
I am of the opinion that Chip should hit 4th. I know he doesn’t particularly like it, but it is what’s best for the team.
J.Anderson
Yunel Escobar
G. Anderson
Chipper
McCann
KJ
Kotchman
Francoeur
Of course, I know this isn’t likely for several reasons, but I would put speed at the top and the switch hitter in the cleanup spot. Until Frenchy proves he can hit, stick him in the 8 hole. Allow KJ to use his aggressiveness that he showed during the final couple of months last year and put him in a slot to drive in runs.
chuckw/deadjournalist
February 23rd, 2009
12:44 pm
Random – I can’t see them trading Norton because for one, they really wouldn’t get much value for him and secondly, the roster position GA would be taking would have been B. Jones or Blanco. I don’t see Schaffer up until after the point there he wouldn’t be a super 2 for arbitration (May 15/20?). Think what Tampa Bay did with Longoria.
All these moves have, at the least, created organizational depth. With injuries, slumps, etc. the team needs 30 to 35 players capable of performing at a major league level for the season.
From a rotation standpoint having Reyes and Morton at AAA will help their development. Not to mention Bennett and/or Carlyle will probably will begin the season there as well. Throw in Nunez and a couple other non-roster/prospects that could come out of the pen, the depth there is much better than last year.
With Schaffer and Blanco at AAA, there is some depth in the outfield. But catcher and infield depth is lacking …
JasonInFL (Formerly ME)
February 23rd, 2009
12:45 pm
Of course, that’s a lot of lefties in a row towards the end of the lineup as well…
Random
February 23rd, 2009
12:45 pm
Wayne in Utah (12:30 pm): “While I agree that a lot has NOT changed, to say that NOTHING has changed is not correct either. (I am not even counting Ross in the equation).
“So, I will choose to believe we have made some changes to the positive on facing lefties.”
Sorry, bud — you admit that the personnel has not significantly changed. You’re just hoping that the same RH guys the Braves had last year do better this year.
And you cannot even say that your expectations of individual players have changed — they were high last year also.
Nothing has changed to make the Braves hit better against LHPs.
McPoyle
February 23rd, 2009
12:48 pm
i’m seeing people post their proposed lineups on here… i think you gotta put Frenchy up behind McCann… just to split up the lefties a little bit.
mbatl
February 23rd, 2009
12:48 pm
A big part of our problem against LHP pitching was that our everyday right-handed hitters – Escobar and Francouer – were awful against lefties in 2008. Those two need to pick it up against LHP, given that we’ve got so many lefties in our lineup.
Both of them hit LHP very well in 2007, so there’s hope.
Jeff321
February 23rd, 2009
12:49 pm
DOB – In regards to your comment, “While that might have worked out, there’s a reasonable chance it would not have, too.”
Agreed. However, this team has finished 4th, 3rd, and 3rd the last three years. So, if you can’t even make the playoffs.. What’s the point in playing and signing older guys? At some point you need to acknowledge a rebuild is in order.
With that said, I’m excited about GA and think the Braves have some good young players.. But, if you keep bringing in veterans and continue to finish low in the standings….At what point do you say enough is enough? After a 3rd, 4th, or 5th place finish THIS year?
timthebrave
February 23rd, 2009
12:51 pm
DOB, If you are the reason we didn’t get Griffey Jr, I guess that you are the reason we got Anderson….Just kidding. It has been a crazy off season. I’m not counting on Anderson until he actually signs but I think Anderson is a better choice than Jr even though Jr has more power potential. I would still like to see Diaz get some at bats versus left handers. He hits too good against lefties not to get that chance. It seems like the Braves are set. I agreed with all the decisions Wren made except Smoltz. I think Smoltz will do better than Glavine. Can’t wait until opening day. Go Braves!
lexbrave
February 23rd, 2009
12:53 pm
i know there is a lot of talk of hanson coming up and who he might replace in the rotation, but i just don’t see him replacing anyone unless there is an injury. you know it won’t be lowe or vasquez or kawakami because they are paying them too much to not have them in the rotation. i suppose if they are just flat out awful beyond repair then they might bump vasquez or kawakami. So the only guy that I could see being bumped for poor performance would be jurrjens. And what are the chances of that happening? I just don’t see bobby replacing tom under any circumstances. What are they goin to do cut him? They won’t send him to the minors or put him in the pen.
So like I said, there seems to be no reason to speculate who might be the first on the hook to get replaced because unless there is an injury or they decide to go with a 6 many rotation I just cant see Hanson being called up this year, unless they want to put him in the pen and use him as a spot starter. But why would they not want him pitching on a regular rotation.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
12:53 pm
i think if Soriano show good signs in spring we should try and deal him and his 6.1 million contract then go and sign Ohman for 2 yr 5 mil , Soriano is a beast when healthy but he makes more than most of our bullpen combined and i’d rather ohman over Soriano, Ohman shut down the LH’s and has setup and closer stuff to fill in. what do yall think??? we could get a few prospects for Soriano, bank around 5 mil after the trade and go sign ohman??
DAP
February 23rd, 2009
12:54 pm
random
not saying i disagree with you, because i wish a hitter that mashes lefties had been added too, but do you relaize garrett anderson is replacing gregor blanco? thats an improvement, man.
heres hoping that another for average hitter helps us string enough hits together to score against lefties, and that diaz (who was out for most of last year) and frenchy improve enough to make a big difference there.
Lew
February 23rd, 2009
1:01 pm
Frank from KS-Actually Anderson’s HR totals have NOT declined the past several years. They declined from 03 to 04 and have remained quite steady since then.
Jim
February 23rd, 2009
1:02 pm
Depending upon where the Braves stand by the all-star game, If Hanson and/or Morton are ready to pitch at the ML level and Shaefer is ready to play, I could see the Braves trading someone like Vasquez, Diaz, or Anderson (either one) for prospects. I am not as optimistic about our chances this year as many others on the blog, but should we fall out of contention, I hope that plan B is to trade some of the vets for prospects and bring up the players who will make or break the 2010/2011 Braves team to get some much needed ML experience.
Marv Kleeman
February 23rd, 2009
1:04 pm
Hey jmart 1951:
An absolutely brilliant post at 11:59 am; especially the first paragraph. Everybody should re read it.
My only area of disagreement is you don’t go far enough. I would have left two spots open in the starting rotation for internal options; (Tommy Hanson, Charlie Morton, JoJo Reyes, Jorge Campillo, James Parr).
If your read between the lines I think Chipper Jones agrees with us. When Chipper talks about going to a six man rotation to accomodate Tommy Hanson; what he really is saying is we “overhired”.
A personal observation is in order:
I did a Wikipedia search on Frank Wren. The Atlanta Braves are now the fourth organization that has employed his services.
Montreal Expos (1987), Florida Marlins (1993), Baltimore Orioles (1999) Atlanta Braves (2000).
Ol’ Frank may be worried about job security which is certainly understandable. He may feel the need to have a “sure thing” at every position and leave nothing to chance.
He probably considers the likes of Charlie Morton and JoJo Reyes to be “high risk, high yield options.” So he plays it safe whenever possible and goes with the established veteran.
I’m trying to
Salt
February 23rd, 2009
1:05 pm
I dunno. I thought we’ve all learned that good pitching from 11 spots and excellent defense to back up that pitching wins titles. Who’s going to play center and left that can run down balls and keep runners from taking the extra base?
Also, “Return of Mobile Slim” is an excellent original Southern Rock indie cd.
Slim
PIZZARO
February 23rd, 2009
1:07 pm
So is Anderson the missing piece that’ll put the Braves into the playoffs?
StingerSplash
February 23rd, 2009
1:10 pm
Just read Bark Madly’s blog and followed his link to Doyel’s rip of Griffey. Another classic Doyel rip job. Will say this in Doyel’s defense, though — I remember when he wrote for the Charlotte paper and that dude could crank out some copy.
On another matter, why hasn’t more been said about the grave injustice that is ESPN without Stacey Dales? Where is the Congressional investigation on that? We need answers. We need Stacey Dales on TV. We want Stacey Dales on TV.
ncscoots
February 23rd, 2009
1:10 pm
I dunno. I thought we’ve all learned that good pitching from 11 spots and excellent defense to back up that pitching wins titles.
What I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t assume that any opinion of mine is held by “all”.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
1:12 pm
yeah i agree Jim if this roster cant get it done, trade away expensive players get our system stocked even deeper, and we’ll have alot of money free’d up for the following offseason. but hopefully that doesnt happen…..
what do yall think of my trade Soriano for prospects used the free’d up money for Ohman idea???
hey DOB and news on Chipper’s extension?
a 4yr deal would be perfect around 10 mil a year and 1.5 mil bonus for playing over 140 games or somthing like that.
Jim
February 23rd, 2009
1:12 pm
Marv Kleeman
I think you are right about Wren and the fact that he over hired with 4 veterans. (What if Hampton and Smoltz had re-upped?) We will be better in the long run with Hanson and Morton in the rotation (and maybe in the short run as well).
sri
February 23rd, 2009
1:13 pm
Ryan, regarding Soriano and Ohman, why would’nt the team trading for Soriano do exactly the same you are suggesting, sign Ohman, keep prospects, save money etc.,
Robert(Chipper Is The Best)
February 23rd, 2009
1:13 pm
I feel a little better about the upcoming season. I do like the pitching staff and I think the Braves finally have some depth in case of injuries or ineffectiveness.
As for the lineup, I think it will be okay. I like Garrett Anderson although I must admit I wanted Griffey more. But, the more I think about it I think Anderson is the better choice. He’s a way better hitter and is less injury prone.
The question is how will the lineup look. First of all I have a feeling Schafer makes the team as the everyday centerfielder with Josh Anderson filling in the second bench outfielder. I think the lineup could look something like this: 1. Schafer 2. Escobar 3. Johnson 4. Chipper 5. McCann 6. Anderson 7. Kotchman 8. Francouer
I know Frenchy won’t like hitting in the 8 hole but until he proves he can hit consistently he should be there and he will have plenty of RBI opportunities with Anderson and Kotchman hitting in front of them. I think Kelly Johnson would be a great #3 hitter and while Chipper doesn’t like hitting cleanup he is the best option there right now.
bigchiefrg
February 23rd, 2009
1:14 pm
here’s to counting the hours until thurs at 1…braves baseball and tiger playing golf again.
i think everyone needs to prepare themselves for the possibility that francine will have to be replaced at some point this year. Now I hope that he finds his ways from the 06 season but that is not likely. If his adjustments are large as everyone says they are, he is gonna struggle early then go back to what he was comfortable with originally. His problems are mental.
Also, be prepared for garret anderson to trot out everyday whether he plays well or poorly. Cox will stick with him because of his veteran status.
Would it be possible that we would see Garrett (CF) and diaz (LF) against LHer’s and Josh (CF) and Garrett (LF) against RHer’s?
Also we need a Soriano update soon
DAP
February 23rd, 2009
1:18 pm
i wouldnt worry about defense. id venture to say that the braves have excellent defense at 3 positions, above average defense at two and at least average defense at the other three. and that is being conservative. defense is not really a problem with the braves.
Train Wreck Bystander
February 23rd, 2009
1:20 pm
All that’s left now is for the television schedule to be set. I’m eager to see which 45 games I’ll miss because of PTV / dish Network.
On the music side, King of America is one awesome album.
Prime Time
February 23rd, 2009
1:20 pm
Always good to have depth, injuries do happen. Braves do seem to have a number of back of the rotation guys, Campillo, Reyes, Parr, Morton. Do you see any of these guys being dealt maybe with B.Jones or Blanco? What do you think the Braves biggest weakness is? I would like to see them sign Ohman unless the current lefties show us something.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
1:20 pm
sri, cause certain teams like different pitchers and what they can provide, its just a idea. i think more than half the bloggers rather have Ohman over Soriano, reason —> we dont have a proven lefty outy of the bullpen and Soriano higher salary and mystery injuries. besides we have Moylan and Gonzalaz for the back end. i bet if they offered Ohman a contract for 2-3 yrs at 2-2.5 mil a year he would take it.
Danga
February 23rd, 2009
1:20 pm
After last season you can’t blame wren for hiring too many SP. This will allow them some flexibility during the season if someone goes down to injury or is just ineffective. The hiring of GA doesn’t say no the kids, it says not now. The baseball season is a long season and unforeseen things will happen. As soon as someone goes down to injury, those kids will have a shot to come up and see what they can do.
Scott
February 23rd, 2009
1:23 pm
I think this should be the lineup for the most part. I have heard people saying move Chipper to clean-up, that it will be better for the team, that is just not the case imo. His numbers are superior in the 3 hole. I am sure he would do it, but doesn’t prefer it and it is crazy to move a guy that is comfortable and effective in the 3 hole to the clean-up spot, when he is your biggest offensive weapon.
LH Anderson
RH Yunel
S Chipper
LH Anderson
LH McCann
RH Francouer
LH Kotchman
LH Johnson
Also, I think KJ is most valuable in the 7th or 8th spot. He hits LHs well and he flat out rakes lower in the order.
How about the bench we should have in…
Norton, Diaz, Ross, Prado and Blanco. To me that gives you some pop, speed, situational hitting all off the bench depending on the need. Notice there is no Orr, Woodward or Miller there, thank GOD!
getnathan
February 23rd, 2009
1:25 pm
I can’t wait till the season starts!! Can’t wait to see Howard, Beltran, and Delgado pound Lowe’s sinkers to a ground ball outs. Or Gonzalez catching Reyes looking on a nasty slider in the 9th inning of a one run Braves lead. Or one of Kawakami’s nasty off speed pitches fooling Hanley Ramirez.
spotts
February 23rd, 2009
1:26 pm
I’m sure someone can answer this for me…it said in the paper that GA has slipped a little defensively, but his stats said that he’s had 2 errors in the past 3 years. Has he just played a lot of DH and not been in the field a lot?
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
1:27 pm
I agree Danga he rebuilt the rotation and we have plenty of depth. who knows Hanson will tear the minors up for a half of year and we decide to put him the the major’s rotation and trading a vetern away for prospects and freeing up money at the same time. the 2010 offseason will be interesting we have so many pitchers, Hudson, Kawakami, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens, Vasquez, Morton, Reyes, and whoever else emerges as a quality starter.
BA
February 23rd, 2009
1:28 pm
Anybody who thinks we have too much pitching wasn’t watching last year’s nightmare of a season.
Prime Time
February 23rd, 2009
1:29 pm
Infante will also be on the bench
TennesseePaul
February 23rd, 2009
1:31 pm
Scoots: I thought we’ve all learned that good pitching from 11 spots and excellent defense to back up that pitching wins titles
What I’ve learned is that I shouldn’t assume that any opinion of mine is held by “all”.
The way you word this response could be easily taken to imply that your opinion is bad defense and poor pitching win titles….
getnathan
February 23rd, 2009
1:31 pm
…Or Garret Anderson getting a 2 run single in the 8th inning to put the Braves ahead…or Chipper Jones smacking a 3 run HR against JJ Putz and the METS to give the Braves a 7-5 lead.
TennesseePaul
February 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
we have so many pitchers, Hudson, Kawakami, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens, Vasquez, Morton, Reyes, and whoever else emerges as a quality starter … will replace Reyes on this list and improve the depth so much more.
DAP
February 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
ryan for 2010, one of two thing will happen. either hudson’s option will not be picked up, or vazquez will be traded. (id bet on the latter)
this will mean two freed up spots in the rotation (since glavine will be gone) im betting that hanson is in the rotation for good at that point, and that either morton or jojo win or share a spot. if kawakami works out, the braves wont have to sign another starting pitcher for several years.
ease19
February 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
spotts – I stated earlier that he pretty much splits time between playing the field and DH…at least he did last year: 80 or so games in LF and 60 games as DH.
mbatl
February 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
spotts, I would guess the “declining defense” for GA has to do with diminished range in LF, which is pretty natural as a player gets into his late 30’s. And actually, according to fangraphs, he was excellent in LF in 82 games played there in 2008 – much better than he had been the previous few years.
(and, 9 assists in 82 games last year is very impressive; only 4 LF had more, and they all played a lot more innings in the OF).
I think it’s safe to say that he’s a very competent defender, just not a star.
spotts
February 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
Also, why is Matt Diaz being used as a platoon player? I just looked up his splits…he hit .318 and .358 against righties the past two years
Epinephrine
February 23rd, 2009
1:34 pm
Why limit it to last year? Have we already forgotten Redman, Cormier and the others?
njbraves
February 23rd, 2009
1:35 pm
If they’re going to bat Chipper fourth, why not hit Mac third?
D Letterman
February 23rd, 2009
1:37 pm
I guess we got all that Oscar crap behind us.
Danga
February 23rd, 2009
1:37 pm
Epi…Who?
Random
February 23rd, 2009
1:37 pm
chuckw/deadjournalist (12:44 pm): “I can’t see them trading Norton because for one, they really wouldn’t get much value for him and secondly, the roster position GA would be taking would have been B. Jones or Blanco.”
Well, I don’t know who would argue that based on last year Norton wouldn’t have more trade value now than Diaz. The waters may muddy when you bring in career performance and age, but based on last year, Diaz is worth nothing in a trade. Norton would be.
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s a tad early to fill in Braves bench spots — but figuring there’ll be only 5 spots (12 man pitching staff), and that Prado, Infante and Ross (or other IF/C equivalents) are a given, who among the following will fill the final two slots: Norton, Diaz, Jones, Blanco, ???
Norton and Diaz represent pretty much the same talent. Now it may be, with the Braves mere 25% RH starters (Esco/Franc) that they’ll go with two RH PHs on the bench, but you could as easily argue for greater bench diversity which imo renders one of the two (Norton/Diaz) surplus.
And like I said, imo Norton currently has greater trade value.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
1:37 pm
Yep so all the signing’s will pay off, and i hope we choose to trade Javier , i do like him he’ll pithc 200 innings and be in top 10 in K’s but its his last year and we can get some good prospects for him in return and Hudson has a 12 mil option or a 1 mil buyout. hopefully Huddy will pitch late this year and pitch very well and instead of just the option sign him to a 3-4 yr deal hehe
Danga
February 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
I hope to never, ever remember Redman’s time as a Brave as long as I shall live. Same goes for Raul Mondesi, Reggie Sanders, and Dan Kolb.
David O'Brien
February 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
The first injury of spring: Charlie Morton strained a side muscle throwing batting practice. Day-to-day. Bobby Cox said he couldn’t have thrown any better in his bullpen session. Then he went on the field and almost immediately strained his side making a pitch.
DWW
February 23rd, 2009
1:39 pm
If frenchy doesnt suck this year he can bat 5th with mac behind him. This would keep the left right left going all the way to the 6th spot.
TnBrian
February 23rd, 2009
1:40 pm
Looking a little deeper, G.A. will do this team better than Jr. would have. First of all, Jr. is a distraction. Not that he’s a bad teammate, but the extra media and the name he brings could easily distract the younger guys. And second, G.A. will hit for a higher avg. and he’s more durable. I mean, he’s not the power bat you thought would be in between Chipper and McCann a couple of months ago, but he’s going to see a few pitches to smack over the wall hitting between those two. Especially if Jeff can just hit his 25-30 hr’s, we’ll be alright.
Can’t say enough about the pitching and the potential it has this year and for years to come. It really is exciting if you look at who’s here and who’s on their way. Hanson/Rourbough/Medlin/Marek/Redmond/Locke should have a big impact in a year or two. And to think Wren didn’t trade even one of those guys this offseason is good to see.
DWW
February 23rd, 2009
1:41 pm
DOB
How does soriano look?
Big Daddy
February 23rd, 2009
1:41 pm
LH J. Anderson
RH Escobar
LH Johnson
SW Chipper
LH McCann
RH Francoeur
LH Anderson
LH Kotchman
RH Pitcher
Jim
February 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
KJ should be good for at least 60 extra base hits. He is a good base runner and will get his share of triples. If he hits a consistent 290 or better, you would not want to waste him in the 8 hole. The Francouer of 2008 will hit 8th, if he returns to the Francouer of 2007, he will hit 5th or 6th depending upon whether a right or left hander is pitching. I expect KJ to hit 2nd, Yunel to hit 6th or 7th, and Kotchman to hit 8th. (Ross will hit 8th when he catches.) No matter how the lineup shakes out, the bottom of the order looks strong (if JF returns to ‘07 form). The actual lineup may take a few months to evolve until we learn about how productive KJ, Yunel, and JF will really be and how much GA has left. Also Infante should get about 25-35 starts for Chipper during the year and Diaz will spell GA at least as much.
Epinephrine
February 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm
How was Soriano? Doesn’t sound like a big deal about Morton…
TDub
February 23rd, 2009
1:43 pm
Gag – I just saw the name “Dan Kolb” and hissed like a vampire in pain…
TnBrian
February 23rd, 2009
1:43 pm
DOB, UNBELIEVABLE! You know what’s coming, right? The hate on McDowell posts. There is nothing more frustrating than already hearing about a fu– injury after ‘08.
DWW
February 23rd, 2009
1:44 pm
Big daddy
I like that line up
David O'Brien
February 23rd, 2009
1:45 pm
Kawakami looked good today in his second session against hitters. This time he mixed in a lot of cutters and curveballs, after throwing almost exclusively fastballs in his first session Saturday.
That curveball’s impressive, a big ol’ hook.
Cox also praised Jurrjens, Reyes and Soriano today among guys he watched throw in the ‘pen. Soriano no problems at all with the elbow so far. Still getting over that chest condition, got a bunch of phlegm in there and is on antibiotics.
John
February 23rd, 2009
1:45 pm
Enter your comments here
GSU-Lee
February 23rd, 2009
1:45 pm
Hope Mort isn’t a sign of things to come…unless it means Hanson gets to pitch
GSU-Lee
February 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
Dan Kolb…what a head case that guy was
John Quest
February 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
Definition of Job Security – The Trainer for the Atlanta Braves
TheAntiMe
February 23rd, 2009
1:46 pm
Anderson and Anderson, huh, DOB? That sounds like a good name for a law firm. Possibly for those of us (myself included) who fail to take advantage of their anger management assistance.
Ryan
February 23rd, 2009
1:47 pm
well there signing all the starters is paying off , small injurys can get worse, but no panic he is gonna start the season in AAA anyway.
TennesseePaul
February 23rd, 2009
1:48 pm
And like I said, imo Norton currently has greater trade value
I could be off on this but, don’t BJones and Blanco have options left?
David O'Brien
February 23rd, 2009
1:49 pm
I asked Diaz, B. Jones and J. Anderson about signing of Garrett Anderson. B. Jones said he can’t think about that, just has to go out and do his thing and compete. Diaz said he doesn’t know whether it’ll affect his own role on the field, but that he does know the Braves are a better, deeper team now that they’ve added Garret Anderson, who he described as a professional hitter and a good guy he’s met during an offseason Christian outreach seminar thing.
J. Anderson said (and I agree) that it probably doesn’t affect him, in that J. Anderson’s competing for the CF job and his game is speed, etc. He hopes that the things he brings to the table, including the best speed on the team, will be enough to win him a spot.
David O'Brien
February 23rd, 2009
1:51 pm
StingerSplash: Agree completely about the crime that is Stacey Dales’ absence from ESPN hoops coverage this year. Miss that in a big way.
Chop Chop
February 23rd, 2009
1:51 pm
Norton has very little trade value. He’s entirely dependent on his ability to pinch hit. As great as he was last year as a PH (and he was great: .316/.473 /.526 999 OPS), his luck was even better (a .366 average on balls in play: the infamous BABIP).
.246/.345/.426 771 OPS (.313 BABIP) is Norton’s career line as a pinch hitter. After looking at those stats, it’s pretty obvious that the man was extremely fortunate and lucky last year. It worked well for us, but the odds of Norton pulling his 2008 numbers off again are basically nil.
sri
February 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
A few days someone asked, who is the resident prankster in the clubhouse.. looks like it is still Maddux
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3927550&name=stark_jayson
matt6buckeye
February 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
What will the 25-man roster be on opening day?
Outfield:
Anderson, Anderson, Diaz, Frenchy
Infield:
Chipper, Yunel, Kelly, Kotchman, Infante, Prado, Norton
Catchers:
McCann, Ross
Starters:
Lowe, Jurjens, Vasquez, Kawakami, Glavine
Bullpen:
Campillo (long relief), Boyer, Acosta, Logan/Flaherty, Soriano, Moylan, Gonzalez
Tomahawk210
February 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
DOB-How’s Schafer been looking at the dish? What do you see happening in CF? I think Schafer adds more pop and he also has speed plus is better defensively in CF-a very important position.
Chop Chop
February 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm
That was almost a Shaun-like post by me. (shudders)
Dadgum
February 23rd, 2009
1:54 pm
JMart, your 11:59 couldn’t be more perfect. I have been saying the same thing over way too many months/blogs. But just to reiterate, signing Tom Glavine was a mistake by Frank Wren and we basically didn’t improve the ballclub by adding Anderson. Big Frank I think is trying to validate his existence and save some face of late.
We have way too much starting pitching talent to add Tom Glavine as a “maybe” for the #5 slot. Pure and simple. Glavine has been inept and hurt pretty much before his last game with the Mets. We are now to assume that he will make opening day ahead of Hanson or Morton or Reyes and some how substantiate his 2 mil or more at age 43? I don’t see it. Call it what you want but Glavine until I am proven wrong is a mistake by Wren.
To be clear, Glavine has indicated from teh get go that he is only interested in a starting pitching role. Nothing else. If he couldn’t win that or play elsewhere he would retire. Nowhere has he indicated that he would take a roster spot as an insurance policy that the Braves would need him if someone got hurt. That being said, sure you never have enough pitching but if Glavine isn’t one of the starting 5 then he should retire.
Rock on…..
Nick from PA
February 23rd, 2009
1:54 pm
DOB,
Any chance the Braves would leave say a Martin Prado off the roster and keep 5 outfielders?
DAP
February 23rd, 2009
1:55 pm
big daddy
one of the better lineup proposals ive seen, provided frenchy’s spring merits him batting that high in the order.
its really a tuff lineup to fill out, because unless frenchy is like he was in ‘08, there no one bad enough to dump them in the #8 slot, no classic #4 hitter, and several players are interchangeable (i.e. escobar could easily bat third, kotchman could bat second, both escobar and kelly would be great lower in the order, ect….)
Wayne in Utah
February 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
Random and chuck w/ dead….
Earlier in the fall, before we signed Norton, I was thinking the same point about Diaz and Norton. Similar players; below average defenders (this might be an understatement), and good pinch hitters. Hard to carry two of those type of guys.
Schafer making the team would certainly clarify things a bit on the roster. Then you could send JAnderson and Blanco back to Gwinnett, and keep both Diaz and Norton.
John Quest
February 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
I heard Stacey Dales was a 1st class kind of a girl.
mbatl
February 23rd, 2009
1:57 pm
Random, to me, the bench seems pretty clear-cut:
Prado (2B, 3B); Infante (SS, CF, 2B, 3B); Norton (1B, PH, OF/3B if things get really desperate), Ross (C), and Diaz(LF, RF maybe some 1B).
That’s a good-hitting bench. Only problem is that there’s nobody you can bring in to possibly steal a base, in those rare situations that you really may need it (or at least the threat of it). But that’s a minor concern.
Blanco is not a good CF and just looks more and more like the odd man out. I think the Braves should be trying to package him with a RH relief pitcher to shore up some weak spot in the minors.
getnathan
February 23rd, 2009
1:57 pm
matt6buckeye
Carlyle and Campillo might even be in a battle for that long relief spot.
Logan and O’Flaherty will battle for LH setup role.
And, of course, the battle in CF. Diaz better step it up and maybe he platoons THERE w/Josh Anderson
MFin04
February 23rd, 2009
1:59 pm
Talk about over-reporting “got a bunch of phlegm in there and is on antibiotics.” Lol, glad we can get informed detail about our pitchers
Can’t find that anywhere else! Thanks, for all that you do, we all appreciate it.