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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
978 comments Add your comment
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
2:08 am
or do I?
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
2:10 am
Oops. Oh well, I guess just search for it.
Runnin
March 2nd, 2009
2:52 am
OK, thanks Mitchie-san. Got it! I’m in Hiroshima-ken, btw.
Also, the first radio broadcast with home announcers looks like March 6 against the Astros. No radio at all until then though. Ugh!
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
3:24 am
You are welcome…
I personally cant wait until our broadcasters are on the air. Listening to some of the other teams’ has been brutal…
Are you a Carp fan?
winterville
March 2nd, 2009
4:36 am
Just got done with an 8+ hour game of Risk by candlelight since our power was out from the snow. Wow.
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2009
4:48 am
Carroll will be at the controls this week, so please be cool and provide her tons of posts, as you folks have been doing all spring. I’m headed home to Atlanta for the week (higher-ups wisely decided this extended 50-day spring training was a bit much to cover without a handoff or two in the middle).
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
4:52 am
Have fun, DOB!
Runnin
March 2nd, 2009
6:06 am
Mitchie-san, yes, though not like I am a Braves fan.
braves4ever
March 2nd, 2009
6:39 am
David , have a good time this week ,I too will out on the road working,see you next week.
18 Wheels of Love
March 2nd, 2009
7:25 am
DOB, instead of going home just cruise over to the Magic Kingdom and get a park pass for a week.! That’s a vacation right there!
Gibby
March 2nd, 2009
7:41 am
How much snow did you guys get in Atlanta? I am in southern Pa. we are getting nailed with the storm right now. the weather here is saying anywhere from an inch to 6 inches.
D.O.B. is just going home to see the white stuff
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2009
7:48 am
18 Wheels: Your 7:25 comment made me laugh so hard I spewed a couple of shredded-wheat pieces onto the laptop. Fortunately, there was barely any milk on those two pieces.
18 Wheels of Love
March 2nd, 2009
8:33 am
He he.
toga party
March 2nd, 2009
8:42 am
Sure is hard as hell to catch up on a poorly paginated blog.
BravesFanChris24
March 2nd, 2009
8:52 am
Tonight is Braves 30 Clubs In 30 Days comes on. I can’t wait to see it tonight.
toga party
March 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
Re: 30 Clubs in 30 Days
First showing is at 8:00 PM right? I know it will be on all night, and again tomorrow. I’m just wondering when the original airing is for each new team. But yeah, should be interesting. They’ve been pretty good so far
BravesFanChris24
March 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
Yep. 8pm (7 central, which I’m central).
DAP
March 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
how can i find run heap run’s facebook group?
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
9:09 am
DAP
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53472692450&ref=mf
Eeyore Cox
March 2nd, 2009
9:18 am
Hee, Haw. Hee, Haw. Where’s that sugar cube, Robert? I’m starting think about all those times when I left starters in for an inning or batter too long, cause I did not want to hurt any of the fella’s feelings. Wish Andy was here to solve our cleanup problems. Man I’d take Lockhart and Woodcrap in a heartbeat over Infante & Prado. Those boys were lights out.
Speaking of which, I get the feelin’ that I am lights on, nobody home. Anybody got a sugar cube so I can get a glucose rush? Maybe the Rangers would take Hanson and Heyward off our hands for Andy. I really need my diaper changed.
Dadgum
March 2nd, 2009
9:22 am
Like how the blog reads but the pagination thing is a little unwielding. Hard to remember which page certain posts etc. were on. Of course as requested they are working to hopefully add more posts per page. Sooner the better.
Braves playing pretty decent. Francouer’s situation is going to get interesting if he continues hitting below the Andruw Line. With all the talent we have in the outfield I can’t see the Braves standing pat if Francouer continues to struggle. Hope he doesn’t but just saying.
Rock on….It’s A Small World After All
Original Jon
March 2nd, 2009
9:32 am
So, what is this Facebook group called again? Only one I can find is “Fans of Braves beat writer David O’ Brien”
Is that it?
Original Jon
March 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
Haha, I joined the facebook group that ease-19 posted the link to. Pretty cool that we can all see each other now. We should all post a comment with our Blog name so we can put the faces to the name. The only one I can guess is Mitchie-san. lol.
Magnus Pym
March 2nd, 2009
9:56 am
Epinephrine – SPRING numbers in the case of the worst RF from 2008 do count because it may show if said RF has improved on what was a truly hoorid year… if this was Gregor Blanco we were talking about (assume he started RF last year with such horrid nos) we would already assume HE WOULD NOT start the year and did not deserve to…. Frenchy has to show some pop to right-center and some pummeled singles/doubles to the opposite field off say a breaking pitch or 2 to assume he is a major league player…
Players that fall off the mountain performance wise rarely recover (I think Dye is one who did that comes to mind) but but but…
Too many buts for us to assume anything but Frenchy must start to show some improvement for his own confidence, which in HIS GAME is everything..
I just hope we go all out to win win win … if we need to cut losses then before the season starts is the best time possible…
We will pray for him though !
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
10:02 am
Woo hoo – up to a foot of powder in Central Park and the dog loved it, but this Aussie wussy wuss froze his butt off
Baseball and mlb.tv – I paid for the premium package and then note that they are showing eff all BRAVES ST games and even missing a lot of radio games… wtf ??
Mitchie-san – I am a Yomiuri Giants fan, nothing like being in that DOME with 40k Japanese banging those thundersticks…
Keep safe today folks, a lot of winter……
northbeach Scott
March 2nd, 2009
10:04 am
DOB, enjoy your downtime. We do appreciate your dedication and perspective and all of the updates. I am headed to Dark Star for Friday night’s game vs the Astros and then all of the games through Thursday. I will provide some in game updates.
The situation with Bowden & Rijo with the Nationals (and Reds, previously) is just disgusting. I am sure Kasten is anxious to put this one behind the organization and move forward. Curious about possible GM candidates, is there anyone from the current Braves organization? Also, it will be interesting to see what happens with all of the old Bowden-Red’s players on the Nats, especially mediocre Kearns & Wily Mo. Got to believe there will be further shake ups in Nats-land.
macdwolfpack
March 2nd, 2009
10:15 am
The AJC staff read O’Briens comments about the Hooters Girls and wisely have called him back knowing his reality couldn’t handle his imagination.
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
10:23 am
Refresh is really buggy this morning…
Jackie Treehorn
March 2nd, 2009
10:33 am
So with Carroll at the helm of this blog, will DOB’s mug still pop up at the top?
David O'Brien
March 2nd, 2009
10:42 am
Interesting Sunday story in the Seattle Times about Harold Reynolds’ involvement in the Griffey decision: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2008797983_stone01.html?syndication=rss
Frank from KS
March 2nd, 2009
10:44 am
bravo 9:36 pm “Is it just me or is it still very strange to see Johnathan
“Coach” Coachman on ESPN News? I keep waiting for Vince McMahon to interrupt him, or maybe Stone Cold’s music to start playing…”
Hey bravo….Coachman is from Kansas too and went to HS about 45-50 minutes or so from my hometown and our HS’s were (and still are) in the same league. He was a senior when I was a freshman.
A interesting tidbit I thought I might throw out there.
BlawgDawg
March 2nd, 2009
10:47 am
Original Jon In the posts section of the facebook group page a lot of people have listed their “blog names”. Love that RunHeapRun started it. So far for me, almost noone looks like I was imagining them to look.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
10:47 am
Yes, Harold should stick to being a reporter, or is he even considered a journalist (maybe a cheerleader ??)
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
10:51 am
It’s harder to call people And Idiots when you know what they look like.
DAP
March 2nd, 2009
10:54 am
lew looks pretty much exactly like i thought he would.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
I watched my first full NBA game last night, is it always rigged bollocks…. HAWKS got gouged by the umpires…. joke that last call, no dude touched the ESPN man
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
10:56 am
DAP-Considering that I’ve repeatedly said I was a 57 year old 300 lb. Dude, I doubt it was much stretch of your imagination.
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
10:57 am
AND my picture was in Chop Talk.
Original Jon
March 2nd, 2009
10:58 am
This part of the article is what really pissed me off, and I quote Said Reynolds: “My point to Ken was this: Atlanta is in a division — and I honestly believe this — where they’re not going to win for a few years. You’ll be long gone when the Braves get over the Mets and Phillies. They’re going to spend money to make sure they stay on top.
“Seattle is in a division where it can get fun real quick. They have some pitching with [Erik] Bedard coming back, King Felix [Hernandez] and [Brandon] Morrow. You have three guys that can turn it around real quick, in a division with really one team on top, the Angels.
“I said, this isn’t a 100-loss season you’re looking at this year. They can turn this around real quick.”
Does Harold Reynolds know anything about baseball? At all?
He is honestly saying the Mariners have a better chance of winning with Bedard, Hernandez, and Morrow in their rotation than Lowe, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Kawakami and Glavine.
What an imbecile!!
KC
March 2nd, 2009
10:59 am
DOB, strop trying to shift blame and avoid responsibility for driving Griffey away!!!
Just kidding.
DAP
March 2nd, 2009
11:01 am
the seattle times article is interesting. its funny how from our perspective, the braves are the team with the better chance to win, but reynolds sees it differently, and thinks the mariners are in a better position to win. i dont see how, but whatever.
DAP
March 2nd, 2009
11:03 am
lew, haha, good point!
yeah, the thing that gets me, is reynolds says the mets and the phillies will spend money to stay on top, when the braves actually have more money than the phils, and the mets arent tops in the division….
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
11:04 am
DAP Phillies payroll is a whopping $130+ this year, and may go up more next year….. plus they sell out their park ALL YEAR, they are strong fiscally
JKM
March 2nd, 2009
11:06 am
Just posted on AJC.com: The Atlanta Braves and Clear Channel have announced that 2009 Braves games will be aired on 96.1 FM while continuing on 640 WGST.
The previous two seasons, games were on sister station 94.9 The Bull.
Clear Channel also will air 52 Braves games on VIVA 105.7, broadcasting every Sunday and Tuesday game in Spanish.
DAP
March 2nd, 2009
11:07 am
dogsbrekky didnt know that…obviously. i stand corrected.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
11:09 am
DAP – yes, sad for us, no Uncle Ted anymore but we do have a tax dodging oufit from the west owning our asses…..
Anders
March 2nd, 2009
11:09 am
DOB- OK, Ok you’re off the hook for the Griffey affair. It was Reynolds who changed his mind. That along with Reynolds thoughts about the Braves chances as stated in Original Jons post above ceratinly gives Braves fans yet another mainstream media guy to hate. Me- I think the guy is great. He did a great job on FSNY last year when he was trying to get back in the game. He called many of the Mets players out on a regular basis when they deserved it – real refreshing as a opposed to a plastic and generic Al Leiter type who always sounds like he’s running for office.
Anyway- DOB – I haven’t seen anything from you regarding the MLB Network. What do you think of it? Have you heard anything from the players, coaches. mgt etc? I happen to love it. I’ve had a chance to get to know more MLB players, coaches and mgt. in decent length in studio segments since January than I’ve seen anywhere else before. The studio 42 field tips are great for young guys learning to play and coaches who want to see what drills MLB players use etc.
I’m really looking forward to what they’ll offer on a nightly once the season is in full swing. If you’re a baseball junkie this has to be your dealer of choice imo. Bye, bye Bristol.
KC
March 2nd, 2009
11:09 am
He honestly believes that, huh?
In his completely objective, unbiased opinion, the Mariners were the better choice?
My God, I would LOVE to take Heyrold Reynolds’ money!
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2009
11:10 am
Does Harold Reynolds know anything about baseball? At all?
He knows enough to say that solid pitching in a weak division could be an easier win than solid pitching in a strong division. Not exactly rocket science.
As to whether the Braves are years away from winning, I’d agree that he’s probably wrong on that score.
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
11:16 am
dogsbrekky, I have seen the Giants play the BayStars a few times. They have a fanbase in Japan like no other. We certainly never got 40k in Yokohama! (dont think the stadium could fit that many anyway)
Japanese baseball games are so much fun over there. With the bands, everyone singing, the big flags waving, the thundersticks….its definatly and experience I am sure all of the Denziens would enjoy.
I personally loved how each player has their own chant/song/cheer that everyone knows and says/sings each time they come to bat. It would be great if MLB picked up on some of their traditions, it really makes the game more fun.
I have some short videos that I can post on YouTube. When I do, I’ll post the link so others can see what I am talking about.
Couch Tater
March 2nd, 2009
11:17 am
I started to post this before. You may have read it a couple of weeks ago. (about Griffey Jr.)
content alert
http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/02/19/settle-down-seattle-hes-not-the-griffey-you-remember/
Kentavo
March 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
Yeah, Harold, how are The Mets on top?
They one the division once, so they’re on top?
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
Yeah-The Phillies and Mets are willing to spend money to stay on top (as if the Mets had even BEEN on top), yet they haven’t spent the extra bucks to make their ascendency a sure thing for this year, much less into the future (and let us not mention the Braves’ minor league system-much better than either the Phil’ or Mets’). I still don’t think that either team really has as much money as some seem to think. The Braves outspent both teams this season and had what I feel to be the most improvement over any team in the division. Yes, we may have had a greater distance to travel than either of our Divisional compatriots, but like I said IF they had all that money, they would have spent it so there was no doubt whatsoever of their dominance.
If I had been the GM of either team with all this money everyone attributes to them, I sure would have improved my pitching staff much more than re-signing Jamie Moyer or Oliver Perez and Tim Redding, had I wanted there to be no doubt whatsoever.
AS for the Phillies selling everything out-Let’s see how that shakes out both in Philly and New York when all of there blue collar fans can’t afford to attend in 09.
KC
March 2nd, 2009
11:23 am
dogsbrekky, the Phillies may be spending 130 this year, but they have almost exactly the same team they had with a 98 million dollar payroll last year. Swapping Burrell for Ibanez was a defensive upgrade, but that’s about it.
REYNOLDS IS AN IDIOT. Or maybe he’s just not paying attention, as is very often the case with national commentators. This team is going to compete this year, and I they’re just going to get better each season for the next several years.
My God, I still can’t believe the idiocy of that statement… “not going to win for a few years”.
Even if you’re bullish on this years team, next year, the Braves aren’t going to be back on top with a rotation of Hudson, Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez/Kawakami, Hanson??
Wow. The ignorance there is mind boggling.
cphizzle
March 2nd, 2009
11:28 am
well i for one am gettin a little aggravated that there have been a handfull of games i still have no tv coverage! i need boog, joe, and dreading turning on my radio and finding that both pete and skip are gone. little sad aint it boys?
Wayne in Utah
March 2nd, 2009
11:30 am
Maybe I have missed the boat due to this new format or my lack of consistent login’s in the past few days. Has there been any report or word on Brandon Hicks?
From the past, he is supposedly a good glove man, with a penchant for the K’s. Some power maybe.
Is he a true SS prospect (remember KJ about 5 years ago) or is he a possibility for another position down the road?
Curiosity is killing the blogger.
Thrillhouse44
March 2nd, 2009
11:32 am
I’m not surprised that the Braves aren’t getting much love this year from Harold Reynolds and the rest of the media. They haven’t won in a couple years, and it’s a tough division. Even during the streak, many people picked against them. Coming under the radar should make this season even more exciting.
As far as ESPN.com is concerned, the Braves are on top:
2009 National League – Standings
EAST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA DIFF STRK L10
Atlanta 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0-0
Washington 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0-0
NY Mets 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0-0
Philadelphia 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0-0
Florida 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0-0
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
11:35 am
Who is this Anders fella, and why is he spouting all that nonsense? I guess that we here in Atlanta have been spoiled for the last 30 years having the great ones (Skip, Pete and Ernie) but to say that Harold Reynolds calls a good game, well, I guess that’s settling for mediocrity.
JTM
March 2nd, 2009
11:36 am
Heading down to see the Bravo’s this week, right now sitting in my office in Portland Maine, watching the third 12′ inch snow-event of the last 10 days…can’t wait.
Original Jon
March 2nd, 2009
11:39 am
ncscoots, yes, Solid pitching in a not so solid division is better than solid pitching in a strong division. But, I dont believe that the Mariners pitching is that strong at all. Certainly not stronger than the Angels IMHO
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
11:39 am
KC and Lew yes and no , the Phils tickets are much more affordable than the Mets… plus I always wondered why college games are sold out and the prices some people pay to go to them…
I think/know the Mets are in some bother (quite a lot) and their ticket prices are crazy this year..
also the Yanks have effed over ALL THEIR long time fans… a guy we know who had $14 tickets 5 years ago was paying $27 a game last year (these were package tickets for I think Fri night in BAD SEATS)… anyway this year they want $45 per game plus he has to buy 4 extra games in times he just cannot go… told them to go heave…
plus Yankees last week were taking out full page ads in the papers trying to sell premium seats…
I am guessing come 2010 Mets will shed payroll and Omar will be bye byes
Anders
March 2nd, 2009
11:41 am
Ease 19 – Reynolds didn’t call Mets games. He worked as an analyst in studio. You see the teams that want to generate maximum revenue have their own networks with in house studio’s that have pre and post game info for their fans as well as studio shows. They actually travel down to spring training with the team. broadcast the games interview the players, produce st segments etc.. You know, national network type stuff.
The game analysts are Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling. You might have heard of them?
I believe crossing your fingers that you can even find the game on TV each night is settling for mediocrity – although this not being a problem for me,I wouldn’t know.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
11:43 am
Actually, Keith Hernandez and Ronny Darling are very very good commentators
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
11:44 am
Does anyone know if Carroll will give us new daily bloggage and play by play from the games?…DOB has really spoiled us so far this spring.
Wayne in Utah
March 2nd, 2009
11:47 am
Anders
You think that maybe being in the largest baseball market in the country might have something to do with the Mets being able to have their own network?? Just maybe.
And IMO, Harold Reynolds definitely does suck.
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
11:48 am
Ok Anders…got me, just a spoiled Braves fan here missing Skip and Pete…
I believe crossing your fingers that you can even find the game on TV each night is settling for mediocrity
Yes
too true, we were spoiled in that regard as well…
ncscoots
March 2nd, 2009
11:51 am
Certainly not stronger than the Angels IMHO
Doesn’t have to be. If Bedard and Hernandez are healthy, that’s as good a 1-2 as anybody, and Morrow is no slouch. That gets them in the conversation for the AL West, which is all Reynolds was implying: a potentially easier road to the playoffs than the Braves must travel.
Why some bloggers can’t understand different perspectives other than “Braves will field an entire All-Star team, capture every vote for the Cy Young, and win the division going away” is beyond me. Sometimes, it’s as if the demon-spirit of Bill Shanks is on a roll of blogger-possession.
KC
March 2nd, 2009
11:52 am
Ok, here is my first OFFICIAL PREDICTION for the 2009 season. “Official” meaning that you can hold me to it, and bust on me later if I’m wrong.
I don’t know how bold a prediction this year (probably not very), but…
Tommy Hanson will be in the Braves rotation no later than July
If Glavine (or any other starter) is out for any prolonged period of time, it could come before July. But if Glavine is healthy and effective, I believe Javier Vazquez will be traded at the deadline.
Trading Vazquez would give the Braves a major piece to package in a deal for a bat, and unloading Vazquez’s salary would give the Braves a great deal of flexibility to accommodate a bat.
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
11:57 am
KC-Sorry Dude, if the Braves are still in it at the trade deadline, it will likely be because of Vasquez’s contribution. The Braves will not trade him if such is the case. If they are out of it or he sucks, I doubt anyone would want to trade for him.
Mitchie-san
March 2nd, 2009
11:57 am
There are actually a bunch of videos about the BayStars, but here is mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dp_lrIvPeI Sorry about the quality…
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
11:58 am
And if the Braves ARE in it at the trade deadline, it will likely make another batter a moot point as we will likely have had the needed offense already.
Anders
March 2nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Wayne – I think it has everything to do with it. I was just answering a shot over the bow by Ease 19 about Reynolds and the mediocrity of the Mets broadcasts.
Personally I think the Braves fans could use some more contrarying voices, like a Hal Reynolds, around town to shake things up a bit with Braves mgt. But hey, it’s not my nickel.
KC
March 2nd, 2009
12:05 pm
I think the Braves are going to be far more likely to deal Vazquez than Kawakami. I don’t think they’d really want to deal Kawakami in the middle of his first season with Atlanta. As long as he’s performing well, it would probably considered bad form to deal him in the middle of his first year here.
But even if the Braves don’t deal away a starter before next winter, I still don’t think Kawakami will be the guy to go. Folks, I have a feeling this guy’s going to be better than a lot of people think.
I know that most successful Japanese pitchers don’t have an equal measure of success in MLB. Which is to say that the ERA usual won’t be quite as low as it was in Japan. But even if we assume that his ERA goes up a half-run, or even a full run from what it was in Japan… there’s plenty of headroom in his numbers.
I just noticed something…
Over Kawakami’s last 500 innings of work in Japan, he’s posted a 2.83 ERA. And he’s 38-20 over that stretch
No, the competition isn’t as good in Japan as it is in MLB. But it’s significantly better than AAA baseball here. And if you can go 38-20 with a 2.83 ERA over 500 innings in Japan… it seems to me that you can succeed in MLB.
Apparently, Leo Mazzone is a Kawakami, believer. I’ve heard that he very recently said (on 680am) that he thinks KK will win at least 12-14 games for Atlanta.
Oh, and his 7-8 million per year is a bargain for a high quality starter (assuming that’s what he turns out to be)… which is another reason he figures to be a Braves for the next couple seasons.
dogsbrekky
March 2nd, 2009
12:09 pm
KC – Kawakami is a gun, I laugh at all the nay sayers who know squat about Japanese baseball..
KC
March 2nd, 2009
12:15 pm
LEW, let’s say we’re looking at the following come July… (THESE ARE NOT PREDICTIONS!!!!!!!! Just a hypothetical scenario):
Let’s say that come July, our starters are well on their way to the following season totals:
Lowe: 16-8, 3.30 ERA
Jurrjens: 15-9, 3.54
Vazquez: 14-10, 3.80
Kawakami: 13-9, 3.85
Glavine: 10-8, 4.15
AND you’ve got (again, hypothetically) Tommy Hanson embarrassing AAA hitters, AND Tim Hudson’s rehab is on or ahead of schedule, and he appears primed for a late August return. AND you’ve got other viable temporary 5th starter option (Campillo, Bennett, Carlyle, Reyes, Morton)…
Under those circumstances, with Glavine healthy, and everyone in the rotation reasonable effective… you can’t picture the Braves being willing to deal one of their starters, opening up a spot for Hanson, or soon thereafter, Hudson?
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
12:17 pm
KC-Unlike many of the Denizens, I actually appreciate your optimism-however…….
If the Braves are in the pennant race at the trade deadline, they will not trade successful pitching-be it Vasquez, Kawakami or whomever-especially after watchig their rotation be decimated for the past couple years. They can’t have enough pitching. If they are out of it by then, I would imagine a large reason would be because the pitching didn’t hold up and their trade value severely diminished..
Vasquez is making $11.5 million this year (and next). If he is successful, it is doubtful BC would let him go (until offseason anyway, after Hudson’s option was picked up). If his performance is NOT good, no one will want him.
Now look at the potential suitors for him (in your scenario) who will likely be in the race. The Red Sox have more than enough pitching, even with injuries. They will not be interested.
The Yankees have all the pitching they need (or they’ll get more well before the deadline if they need it). They already had Vasquez and weren’t impressed.
The Rays won’t have the extra money (not to mention they’re stocked in the Farm System) to spend on the remaining $4-5 mil of Vasquez’s contract for 09.
The White Sox already dumped him and wanted to run his butt out of Shy Town on a rail, covered with tar and feathers.
The Tigers won’t spend that much money.
The Angels would find someone with a better A.L. track record for their $5 mil.
The Cubs won’t take Vasquez into a hitter’s paradise.
Not too sure who that leaves besides the Angels-another A.L. team.
Who you going to trade him to?
gotigers72
March 2nd, 2009
12:18 pm
DOB- Don’t know if you go this deep in the blog, but I have a question for you. Have you heard the Van Morrison “Astral Weeks-Live” CD yet? He was chosen to answer the 10 questions in this week’s edition of Time magazine. It seemed as if he was pleased with the results from that recording. If you don’t get Time, do what I do, go to the bookstore and stand there and read the 10 questions part.
Glad to see Marcus back in the game. It seemed to me that he played as hard as anybody I’ve seen. I still have a picture in my mind of him sprawling on the outfield grass, then getting up and throwing out the runner. He did that a lot, and until his last couple of years as a Brave he was a doubles machine. It was sad when he made the All Star team but was unable to play after being injured in that collision with Mark Prior
Not good to see Frenchy’s new stance and hands further back approach is not working. He’s not striking out as much, so maybe it’s a matter of time before he starts hitting gappers. If not …..
I hope the Braves’ bullpen is good enough that Bennett and Ridgway aren’t in it. Maybe Bennett for long relief. I know Bobby likes him and that’s always a good thing for a player. Good to see Carlyle did good in his first appearance. 3 Ks in 2 innings. I find myself pulling for guys like him. Unassuming, humble, just happy to be in the show after years of drifting around. Has done well for the most part since coming to the Braves.
Run Heap Run
March 2nd, 2009
12:19 pm
Oh Anders is back! Please join our facebook group – I even gave you a shoutout in the description.
Oh but call your mom down so you can get a photo of the two of you together first.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 2nd, 2009
12:20 pm
I’m wondering if signing Dunn to a $20 mil two year contract had anything to do with Jim Bowden’s demise. After all other corner outfielders (of equal? value) were going for much less.
Wayne in Utah
March 2nd, 2009
12:20 pm
I will be surprised if the Braves trade any starter that isn’t named Morton or Reyes. I really don’t want those guys traded, but if we are in the hunt, I suspect it will be due in large part to what Vazquez brings to the table.
I know I am an unabashed homer (did I spell that right?), but I really expect a strong season from Lowe and Vazquez. I am hopeful for Kawakami and Glavine. Jurrjens is the wild card. While we all love what he did for us last year, there is always that twinge of doubt. Can he sustain it? Was it a fluke? Let’s hope he too is the real deal.
Reyes and Morton, if successful this spring, will make for a nice solid rotation for years to come.
Anders
I am all for shaking things up, but Reynolds seems to say some pretty stupid things sometimes. (I didn’t hear whatever it was that got folks off on him on the ole blog)
I think we can say he is a “looser” (thank you Bobby for the new catch phrase)
Anders
March 2nd, 2009
12:21 pm
KC- You forgot to add that the DOW is at 12,000 in July as well.
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
12:21 pm
KC-One more thing. Trying to predict pitchers W-L records and ERA before the season starts has got to be (IMO) one of the most absurd and fruitless past times anyone could undertake. There are so many variables as to make it little more than Fortune Telling or Tarot Card reading. Why do you bother?
KC
March 2nd, 2009
12:24 pm
Lew, don’t get me wrong… I see the logic in what you’re saying. And honestly, I’m partially split between what I’m saying, and your point of view. I can easily see the Braves hanging onto Vazquez for the remainder of the season. But again…
- If everyone in the rotation is healthy and productive
- If Hanson is outclassing AAA opponents
- If Hudson’s on or ahead of schedule
- If the Braves decide the need more offense
If those 4 things are a reality come July, I can easily see the Braves trading Vazquez. I can just as easily see them NOT trading him… but I can easily see them dealing him. It would make sense on a number of different levels, both for improving THIS year’s team… and his trade value will be higher in July than it would be next winter.
KC
March 2nd, 2009
12:27 pm
Lew and Anders… LEARN TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I mean, you guys are kidding, right? Please tell me you’re kidding.
What part of these are NOT PREDICTIONS!!!!!!!!! did you two not understand???
I’ll say it again, THEY WERE NOT PREDICTIONS!!!!!!!!!!! It was intended to lay out a hypothetical scenario in which the Braves might consider trading Vazquez at the deadline.
Geeze y’all… really, pay attention, will ya?! LOL
Wayne in Utah
March 2nd, 2009
12:32 pm
Will Eric Campbell gets some time at the big league camp with Chipper off playing with the WBC??
Daniel
March 2nd, 2009
12:32 pm
Any word on Will Ohman? if he is still available, how much could he still be asking for?
what is up with this facebook page?
Daniel
March 2nd, 2009
12:35 pm
Don’t fret KC, it can be fun to think about the depth of our starting pitching and how that can be used at the trade deadline. Lew and Anders are just grumpy. Everything we talk about in spring training is hypothetical…
I would say that if we are needing to trade for more offensive production that late in the season, we probably are out of contention
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
12:36 pm
KC-It won’t happen. Period. If any pitching is traded, it will be during Spring Training and will likely include Reyes, Morton, Lerew or any number of out of options relievers.
If the staff is effective until the break, Hanson will remain in Gwinnett if he has not been called up beforehand due to an injury..
Hudson, though perhaps ahead of schedule in his rehab, is still far from a lock to return (remember YOUR continuous rant two years ago about recovery time for T. Johnson surgery being 1 1/2 years?)-he may still experience broken scar tissue and plenty of other problems.
Yes, we have an abundance of pitching. However, most of the surplus is either out of options, on the DL, returning from injury and/or running on contract incentives (Glavine might go well before anyone else if he doesn’t step up fast), are relievers, is inconsistent (Morton, Reyes) or has not pitched above AA (Hanson).
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
12:37 pm
KC-Even if they were not predictions they are still an affectation that tells you absolutely nothing but how optimistic you are.
Anders
March 2nd, 2009
12:39 pm
KC- My statement was hypothetical too. And just as likely. Get the point?
Lew
March 2nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Daniel-Grumpy? Dude, I’m one of the most optimistic fans on this blog and KC and I are friends. I just prefer to remain somewhat more realistic in what’s going on this season.
Besides, nothing I’ve said has anything to do with what has happened in Spring Training-which I routinely pay no attention to..
Josh B
March 2nd, 2009
12:40 pm
What was that pitchers name that broke his arm while he was pitching for the Braves. Was it John Foster?
Bravesforever
March 2nd, 2009
12:44 pm
Now that the taxpayers “own” 40+% of Citicorp – I’ll bet this deal with the Mets stadium does not last very long and then add on top of that Wilpon’s astounding losses in the Madoff scandal. We’ll see how long and how much the Mets spend from no on.
TBraveFan
March 2nd, 2009
12:44 pm
Carroll (or O’Brien) — how about the AJC does what the Rays’ local paper does, have a link for fans to downlaod their photos of ST? Sounds like there are plenty enough of us down there to add a few each day…and didn’t you have that option as part of the regular season last year?
Daniel
March 2nd, 2009
12:45 pm
Dude- my comment was in response to the way that you reacted to KC’s hypothetical. You seemed to suggest that the idea of hypothetical discussions in and of themselves were “not realistic”. I said that the only things fans can opine about during ST are hypothetical, because no games have been played. I am not questioning your friendships. But, dude you seemed to question the value of KC’s comment as inherent as opposed to your opinion, which either makes you grumpy or just down right disrespectful. I was being kind and choose grumpy
ease19
March 2nd, 2009
12:46 pm
Josh B – Jay Powell
Josh B
March 2nd, 2009
12:48 pm
Thanks! That has really bothered me since it happened because I couldnt think of his name.. Now I have closure
KC
March 2nd, 2009
12:48 pm
LEW, you may very well be right. Again, I’m not convinced that Vazquez will be traded. I can very easily see the Braves refusing to trade any pitching mid-season, no matter how deep they are. BUT… that’s nowhere near as much of a certainty as you think it is.
“or has not pitched above AA (Hanson).”
That’s irrelevant to this discussion, because that won’t be the case come July. By then, Hanson will have had a half-season at AAA, and may have already made a couple of big league starts filling in for one of the Braves starters.
And if he looks just as dominant against AAA hitters, and gets a couple big league starts in – looking like he belongs…
And I’m well aware of Hudson’s situation. Not a lock by any means. Just saying that it’s one more possibility, should Hanson join the rotation and not fair as well as they expect right at first.
But my main point here is that if everyone is healthy and effective – and more to the point, if Glavine is healthy and effective (and you’re not afraid to call him your 4th starter), then whoever joins the rotation from there, is your 5th starter.
Between Hanson, Hudson, Campillo, Reyes, Morton, Bennett, Carlyle, etc… I think they can find a very effective 5th starter.
But I don’t think they’d do it unless they are pretty well CERTAIN that Hanson is 100% ready to step in.
AND, they wouldn’t do it just to do it, or just to clear a spot for Hanson. IF they were to do it, it would be for the purpose of bringing in a big middle-of-order bat.
Jim
March 2nd, 2009
12:50 pm
If the Braves have to make room for Hanson in mid-season (because he is dominating in AAA and there is no reason to keep him in the minors any longer no matter how well Vasquez or Glavine might be doing), I think KC is correct that a spot will be opened for him and that Vasquez is the most likely candidate to be traded. The likelihood of such a trade might depend upon whether JF continues to slump and the Braves need another outfielder. If the Braves make such a trade, they would assume that Hanson could put up numbers that are as good or better than Vasquez, even if Vasquez’s numbers are OK. I agree, that Kawakami would have to suck big-time before the Braves would consider trading him and losing a revenue stream from Japan. I wouldn’t expect Hudson back before September, and back to full-strength before next year. If they add him to the roster in September, they don’t have to make a roster move (except on the 40-man) and can use him as the situation might dictate come Sept.
Daniel
March 2nd, 2009
12:51 pm
still wondering if anyone has any Ohman news?