Eric from MO (9:05 pm): “I meant Wren was going to sign those guys regardless. If Smoltz wanted to play for us he could for a little money but he was in no way in Wren’s plan.”
I don’t know — I don’t think so. (I mean, I think Wren was definitely counting on the Braves having Smoltz in 2009.)
Remember, Wren’s stated plan for the offseason was to acquire two ML-ready quality starting pitchers (and a slugging LF).
He’d already traded for Vazquez — why sign both Kawakami and Lowe, if he only needed one more SP to fulfill his plan?
‘Cause in the meantime he lost Smoltz. That’s my take on it, at least.
the part I’m still trying to figure out is how she gets the top off the bottle…no actually she seems to have developed some arthritis in her back ankle so I am taking sympathy on her and letting her be comfortable
Thanks spotts. I was listening to it on a very static filled broadcast on terestial radio. I have since gone to the ESPN Radio broadcast on XM satellite. That is coming in crystal clear. Unfortunately, I can hear that we’re getting our butts kicked!
Adam Dunn hahahahaha…….. That’s what Davey Johnson just keeps making the wrong choices. Have Adam Dunn be a DH, either Jeter or Rollins the SS, and Victorino, Granderson, and Braun as the 3 outfielders.
But Random he stated over and over that he would love to have Smoltz and Glavine back but he was going to wait to see how they were rehabing. That doesnt sound like he was counting on them. That sounds more like a last resort.
Tomas-
the only problem with your senario (aside from the fact that it is totally logical) is that Jimmy Rollins is clearly better then Jeter so you can’t keep him out of the lineup (he has 4 of the teams 9 hits tonight) but if you keep Captain Derek Jeter out you have to deal with his pouting and general sense of entitlement, which no manager should have to put up with…
Frankie I do agree to make it every 4 years. I dont really get the three years thing. However, I dont know when would be the right time. If you do it in November or December I believe it is too soon after the season. If you wait til Jan. then the players have to start training in Jan. Believe it or not I think March is the best month to have this but I def. agree move it to every 4 years.
Eric – USA arguably has some of the best and most abundant baseball talent in the world. Except in the US (among fans and players alike) the whole event is being treated with apathy. Seems like every other team is treating the WBC like it’s the World Series.
Is Davey Johnson retarded (pretty sure Joe Morgan is)? Seriously, why is Rollins not playing short and Dunn DHing with anybody else playing right field?
No shame in losing to a very good Japanese team, but geez, you got to give it your best shot, don’t you?
Thanks for the updates people I just want to send out a little shout to the ball state womens basketball team beating TENNESSEE. Went to Ball State for a couple years this is definitely the biggest in victory in a long time for a great university.
cabravesfan agree’d. If it was up to me I would start Rollins in SS just because he is clearly better(after all he was the 2007 nl mvp award winner and steals a lot of bases).
I agree, nolie. It is not that Ohman would be bad, but that he was/is not a priority. The Braves did the same thing this year that they did last year. They did not make keeping the LRP a priority so they traded for someone that they thought they saw something in (Ohman last year, Logan this year). There were questions last year, there are questions this year. Ohman came through, but there were no guarantees then and there are no guarantees now.
But it should be noted that it is the people being second guessed are the same people who brought Ohman here last year. If you think Ohman turned out good, then there is reason to at least give the Braves’ FO some credit in seemingly being able to see someone who fits what they want to do. If they can get Ohman back for a song and a dance and if they have second thoughts about Logan, I would not be surprised if they are keeping the door open to talks with Ohman, But because they have made some pretty good choices on past trades like this one, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, as you pointed out, nolie, it is the card we are being delt as of right now, no need in getting too excited about it especially since there is no guarantee either way. Let the games begin! lol
spotts___ I don’t know man, the Asians know how to play pesky ball! We just don’t know them as well. I think WBC was accurate! USA and the Asians rule the baseball world…that makes you 2-4(not a bad day after all)
Eric from MO, I don’t think there is a perfect time, but the best, in my opinion, would be the ‘last’ 10 days of ST. It gives “our players”, especially the pitchers, more time to get in shape. What do you guys think?
Eric – your probably right about playing now – WBC players would have to prepare earlier. Problem is, the MLB/owners/fans view this tournament as a liability, and it will always be overshadowed by the NCAA tourney. It would be nice to show up one year and take names though.
Eric from MO (11:18 pm): “But Random he stated over and over that he would love to have Smoltz and Glavine back but he was going to wait to see how they were rehabing. That doesnt sound like he was counting on them. That sounds more like a last resort.”
What can I say? Actions speak louder than words.
And 3 SPs is not the 2 SPs targeted at the beginning of the offseason.
Why do you think Wren got 3 SPs when he suppoosedly intended to get only 2 this offseason?
Great night for the “MVP-gold glover” David Wright……. 1 for 5 with 3 straight Ks and a throwing error. You just have to be a heck of a player to perform that way in the semifinals.
Bad thing chipper was not there to see that baseball clinic show.
BB5795 – problem is we’ve already been in this thing over 2 weeks – so they would have to restructure it for the last 10 days idea. Also, i don’t think you could get owners to turn the corner one their studs showing up to the regular season fresh off the WBC. You want those key pieces playing for at least a week ( preferably more ) with their respective club before opening
Doc, makes you wonder how many runs he’d cost a team over the course of a season, doesn’t it? Granted, he’s not a RF, but that was one awful defensive display tonight.
Eric, I don’t know what you mean by “last resort”. But it seems to me that you and Random are pretty much both correct. It seems that Wren was not “counting on” either Smoltz or Glavine to be top of the rotation pitchers this year, but he was looking for (as opposed to counting on) them to both be available for the Braves this season at some point. However, his priority was to get 2 top of the rotation pitchers first (before dealing with either of them). That was my understanding long before the Smoltz issue came up. Thus, it appears that Smoltz pushed Wren before Wren was really wanting to get into it with Smoltz. Because Wren had stated his priorities from the start, I was very surprised when Smoltz started pushing for a contract.
Therefore, when the Sox put Smoltz in a position of guaranteed money at such an early time and he bolted to the Sox, then Wren took the opportunity to get KK. Was Wren just blowing out hot air, all the time, intending to get KK and NOT Smoltz or Glavin (one of them)? Or would Wren have given both Smoltz and Glavin preference once the two top of the rotation guys had been gotten? Who knows? It seems obvious, though, that he would not have gotten all three (Smoltz, Glavin, and KK).
HI DOB…just thought I’d drop by and let you and my former teams fans how I’m progressing. Well, things couldn’t be going any smoother for me and all of my interviews with the Boston media. WOW, they have me working overtime, which I love! Anyways, you should write a story in the AJC about my progress. See, what people fail to understand…..
stupup74, no worries, some have just forgotten how bad things were for lefty relievers before Ron Mahay and Will Ohman.
There are some very knowledgeable Braves fans who believe Boone Logan, who has pitched 110.1 innings in the majors over 3 seasons…and given up 16 HR’s, is the equivalent of Ohman.
Effective lefty relievers don’t grow on trees.The Braves picked correctly with Mahay and Ohman, but they had better track records.
I got no problem with trading away O’Flaherty and Boone and using that $805,000 to go get Ohman.But that’s not likely to happen. We’ll just have added excitement in the pen this year!
PWHjort, you shutup too, you pencil neck geek! Yeah, I know you and I’d love to meet you in the boxing ring. Oh yeah, I box, give great interviews, play golf with Tiger, and I’m a HOF pitcher. What do you do besides run your fingers across a keyboard….WOW, what a womaniser.
You know whats cool – people pretending to be other people on the blog. Smoltz is gone. Quite honestly my eyes watered up when I heard the news. Things and people change folks.
N Nine (eta14) and Eric from MO: I posted a response earlier, but for some reason, I don’t think it ever appeared.
Yes, what I’ve seen from Francoeur thus far HAS made me a believer.
First of all, I find it humorous that some people act like it’s preposterous to suggest that he’ll hit .295… when he hit .293 just the season before last.
I seriously doubt he’ll hit .260 or 270 with 16-17 homers or whatever as some have suggested. I’ve said all along that I thought Francoeur would wither bounce back all the way or not at all. And given what we’ve seen so far, I’ll wager on the former.
He’s never seen the ball as well as he’s seeing it now after these winter adjustments. 43 at-bats – ONE strikeout and SIX walks. And if you include the WBC exhibition games, I’m nearly positive it’s 7 or 8 walks.
He’s not hitting for power yet, but that will come. There are a lot of opposing pitchers trying to win a big league job, and they’re aware of Francoeur’s rep as a wild hacker… so they’re not giving him much to drive right now.
The beautiful thing is that’s he’s not taking the bait. He’s not swinging at anything he shouldn’t. And when he gets a pitch he can work with, he just drives it where it’s pitched. Doesn’t try to do too much. Doesn’t get himself out as he did last year. Pitchers are going to have to work a hell of a lot harder to get him out than they did last year… and I think they’ll have to work harder than they did in 2007 when he hit .293.
And eventually, opposing pitchers will get the point that he’s not going to do them any favors and get himself out. When that happens, he’ll get more to hit, and we’ll see the power. Especially if he hits in the middle of the order (and I think he will)… he’s going to get challenged by other teams pitching around Chipper. So he’ll get pitches to drive. Besides, he’s got enough natural ability that if he can just continue to put the fat part of the bat on the ball consistently, he’ll hit 15 out by accident.
I’m not predicting 30 homers. I won’t even wager on 25. But I’ll bet on 20 homers.
Anyway, I’m not a high stakes guy, but I enjoy a friendly bet, and I’m more than happy to wager with you gentlemen.
KC, I almost wanna take you up on your Jeff F. “bet”, but I just can’t bring myself to root against the guy. Make no mistake, criticism toward him will not be spared, but I DO NOT root against the man as long as he’s wearing the ATL Braves colors.
If here were to hit anything close to those “numbers”, I’d be very happy with that.
I haven’t watched much from this SHAM that is the WBC, but I did watch tonight (mainly b/c nothing else worth watching was on, and I wanted to see B-Mac hit). Well, B-Mac DID NOT disappoint. What a terrific hitting catcher he’s become, and I’m amazed at his plate selection and discipline (at any point in the count).
My other observation is…Jimmy Rollings can FLAT out STILL RAKE IT. Last year, he was injuried a bit, and his numbers dipped, and I thought he lost a “step” or was a bit slower at the plate and hitting with less power. Well, throw that out in 2009. The way the guy hit in the WBC, he could very well win another NL MVP.
I dislike the Phillies, but man do I wish Jimmy Rollings was on the Braves.
Oh, and the WBC USA roster is a joke, as half of our best players weren’t even featured, plus our best pitchers weren’t there as well.
USA will never win this tournament the way it’s currently structured.
If Bud Seiling was REALLY serious about this, he should take a 3 week “break” (instead of having an all star game that season), when the all-star game is, around JULY, suspend the MLB season for 3 weeks, and host the “event then”.
I guarantee USA (if they send their best players at that time), will win it.
One last thing, congrats to DOB on his Kansas Jayhawks winning tonight over Dayton.
KC___The best news this spring has to be Frenchy! If he does adjust to the pitchers, he could easily become an All-star. Not a stretch at all. His youth got to him, not stubborn like Andruw. He wants to better himself. That Santana walk speaks volume…gotta love it I’ll bet you two tootsie rolls. Deal?
I’m so blurry-eyed after reading that long blog of KC’s. I think I read “War and Peace” in less time. Anyway, I’m just kidding KC and I agree with you. Don’t forget, this guy is arguably one of the best defensive right fielders in the game. He doesn’t need real big stats to stay there. Good night, everybody.
QUESTION… could the plan really still be to sent Heyward and Freeman to Myrtle Beach in a week or two???
I mean, I know they’re not going to be in the big leagues yet, but as well as they’ve hit off a mixture of AA, AAA, and big league pitching… does it really make any sense to send them all the way down to Myrtle Beach???
I would think Mississippi is the most sensible destination for them.
Yeah, an 0-2 with a walk doesn’t look impressive in the box score, but that was a damned fine at-bat against Santana.
That’s another think Francoeur is doing now that I’ve NEVER seen him come close to doing… he’s working counts and fouling pitches off with 2 strikes to stay alive. I think he made Santana throw him -I think it was 8 or 9 pitches. I wonder if Francoeur has ever had an 8 or 9 pitch at-bat prior to this spring! LOL
I though Francoeur would probably look much better this spring… but I didn’t expect him to look entirely different. I mean, so far, he’s transformed himself from hacker to HITTER. Hopefully, he’ll carry that into the season. Can’t see why he wouldn’t.
PWHjort, yeah could be. It’s just hard for me to picture them going all the way down to A ball in a week or two after hitting so well off ML and near-ML quality pitching. What’s the point?
Is it just me or are the Asian teams actually playing a superior brand of baseball?
I really believe they are. Our World Series is looking like something other than what we think it is. The USA was just simply out manned against a fundamentally sound Japanese team that doesn’t make mistakes.
Seeing the Japanese team makes me feel that much better about Kawakami. Some people look at the Japaneses league as though it’s the equivalent of minor league baseball. Clearly that’s not the case. I still believe the level of competition in MLB is certainly better… but I don’t think it’s easy to be a superstar in Japan. I suspect the level of play over there is somewhere in between AAA and MLB here in the US.
Steve, I agree. The team USA roster was a mess. Our big league owners and players haven’t as of yet shown the commitment to the WBC that other countries and their players have.
KC, I’m not sure as to the overall level of play but I do know the Elite Japanese players are playing.
You see, Japan only has twelve teams. Of which, four foreign born players are allowed on each roster which if you really think about it, makes the competition among native Japanese athletes even tougher.
… does it really make any sense to send them all the way down to Myrtle Beach??? KC
makes a lot of sense to me. MB is a pitcher’s paradise and a great place to get a read on just how good a hitter can be . Let’s see what they can do there.In 22 ABs Heyward hit .182 there. Doesn’t indicate to me that he conquered that level or anything and Freeman never even got there at all. I think it would be very premature to skip over it altogether. If they shine they can always be advanced.
The point is they want to keep minor leaguers on track. If you skip a level entirely you may not learn something that you need to learn. Development happens at every stage. At some levels pitchers start throwing breaking balls. If you skipped that level all together you may not ever learn to hit breaking balls. This is a huge oversimplification and in reality that level is about 8th grade, but you get the idea.
Francoeur does look great doesn’t he? But only time and competition will tell as to whether or not Frenchy hits for much power.
I do have my doubts about Kenshin Kawakami. I can name on one hand the number of Japanese pitchers who have had a reasonable amount of success in ML baseball.
Hideo Nomo, Mac Suzuki, Diasuke Matsuzaka and that’s it. The Yankees Chien-Ming Wang was born in Taiwan. We will have to wait and see if Kawakami can make the adjustment.
I understand what you are saying but these guys have proven they can hit breaking balls, they could really excel by being at AA. I would love to be at AA but I see and think that they will be at Myrtle Beach as well.
KC and Coach, it’s not only about level of play. It’s team execution, which the Japanese and Korean team have plenty of. I think the WBC just means so much more to them than to the American team.
nolie, you could be right. Just seems like Miss. is the most sensible place right now. Guess it doesn’t really matter though. They’ll make their way through the ranks soon enough. Damn good looking pair of kids though, aren’t they?
1,211 comments Add your comment
Jake W.
March 22nd, 2009
11:12 pm
The offense that Dunn provides doesn’t outweigh his defensive ineptness. Thank you Frank Wren for not overpaying for this DH.
N Nine (eta14)
March 22nd, 2009
11:12 pm
Cabravesfan
… the dog drank the budwiesers again! How does she open the refrigerator without your permission?
Random
March 22nd, 2009
11:12 pm
Eric from MO (9:05 pm): “I meant Wren was going to sign those guys regardless. If Smoltz wanted to play for us he could for a little money but he was in no way in Wren’s plan.”
I don’t know — I don’t think so. (I mean, I think Wren was definitely counting on the Braves having Smoltz in 2009.)
Remember, Wren’s stated plan for the offseason was to acquire two ML-ready quality starting pitchers (and a slugging LF).
He’d already traded for Vazquez — why sign both Kawakami and Lowe, if he only needed one more SP to fulfill his plan?
‘Cause in the meantime he lost Smoltz. That’s my take on it, at least.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:12 pm
sorry- that’s the top of the 9th…my bad
vabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:13 pm
Wow I am sooo glad that Dunn’s lost and slow self won’t be roaming the outfield for the braves.
Chop Chop
March 22nd, 2009
11:14 pm
Great defense tonight, baby.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:15 pm
N Nine
the part I’m still trying to figure out is how she gets the top off the bottle…no actually she seems to have developed some arthritis in her back ankle so I am taking sympathy on her and letting her be comfortable
BB5795
March 22nd, 2009
11:15 pm
Thanks spotts. I was listening to it on a very static filled broadcast on terestial radio. I have since gone to the ESPN Radio broadcast on XM satellite. That is coming in crystal clear. Unfortunately, I can hear that we’re getting our butts kicked!
Tomas
March 22nd, 2009
11:15 pm
Adam Dunn hahahahaha…….. That’s what Davey Johnson just keeps making the wrong choices. Have Adam Dunn be a DH, either Jeter or Rollins the SS, and Victorino, Granderson, and Braun as the 3 outfielders.
Chop Chop
March 22nd, 2009
11:15 pm
Adam Dunn will NEVER play right field in the big leagues. NEVER.
This is why the U.S. team is a disgrace. Do you think Japan or Korea would have a guy so obviously out of position in the field?
No. They’re not stupid.
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:15 pm
I wasn’t playing about East Bound. You just have to be in the mood for “silly” comedy or whatever.
Interested Observer
March 22nd, 2009
11:16 pm
Have a safe flight tomorrow, BMac!
Should have played RF, couldn’t have done any worse than Dunn.
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:16 pm
Make the classic an every 4 year event and restructure it so the USA can actually show up – and then see what happens
Eric from MO
March 22nd, 2009
11:18 pm
But Random he stated over and over that he would love to have Smoltz and Glavine back but he was going to wait to see how they were rehabing. That doesnt sound like he was counting on them. That sounds more like a last resort.
Eric from MO
March 22nd, 2009
11:21 pm
How is the U.S. team a disgrace? They made it to the semifinals. They outlasted the Dominican and Venezuela. You cant win everything.
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:22 pm
You have to admire the Japanese’s commitment to baseball. Solid culture.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:22 pm
Tomas-
the only problem with your senario (aside from the fact that it is totally logical) is that Jimmy Rollins is clearly better then Jeter so you can’t keep him out of the lineup (he has 4 of the teams 9 hits tonight) but if you keep Captain Derek Jeter out you have to deal with his pouting and general sense of entitlement, which no manager should have to put up with…
Random
March 22nd, 2009
11:23 pm
cabravesfan (10:55 pm): “is there anything wrong with the fact that my dog is currently sprawled on my sofa snoring and I am sitting on the floor?”
Depends on who’s got the pillow.
(And who makes the frig runs.)
Jake W.
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Well, at least they improved on their 2006 result. Dunn in to close it out. Korea v. Japan round 500
Eric from MO
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Frankie I do agree to make it every 4 years. I dont really get the three years thing. However, I dont know when would be the right time. If you do it in November or December I believe it is too soon after the season. If you wait til Jan. then the players have to start training in Jan. Believe it or not I think March is the best month to have this but I def. agree move it to every 4 years.
Aaron
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Rather fittingly, Dunn makes the last out. Game over, Japan wins 9 – 4.
Goodnight everyone.
spotts
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Adam Dunn strikes out to end the game. How appropriate.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Mac’s coming home
Japan beats USA 9-4
winterville
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
That’s appropriate.
Eric from MO
March 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
Meant to say players have to train in Dec.
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:25 pm
Later – back to the bread and butter boys
PWHjort
March 22nd, 2009
11:25 pm
And McCann comes home, where he shouldn’t have left in the first place.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:25 pm
Random-
She’s got the pillow and I make the fridge runs…
Austin
March 22nd, 2009
11:26 pm
Eric in MO
The team and players are not a disgrace, the manager is a disgrace, and whoever put the team together.
spotts
March 22nd, 2009
11:27 pm
Eric – USA arguably has some of the best and most abundant baseball talent in the world. Except in the US (among fans and players alike) the whole event is being treated with apathy. Seems like every other team is treating the WBC like it’s the World Series.
f.n.hale
March 22nd, 2009
11:27 pm
Is Davey Johnson retarded (pretty sure Joe Morgan is)? Seriously, why is Rollins not playing short and Dunn DHing with anybody else playing right field?
No shame in losing to a very good Japanese team, but geez, you got to give it your best shot, don’t you?
Chop Chop
March 22nd, 2009
11:29 pm
Eric in MO,
The team is a disgrace because it failed. Most of these guys will go back to their big league clubs and not give a damn about failing their country.
(I’m just BSing, man. It’s hard for me to believe that many in this country really take the WBC all that seriously. I know I don’t.)
Schafer's Wafers
March 22nd, 2009
11:30 pm
Thanks for the updates people I just want to send out a little shout to the ball state womens basketball team beating TENNESSEE. Went to Ball State for a couple years this is definitely the biggest in victory in a long time for a great university.
Davey Johnson is retarded
March 22nd, 2009
11:30 pm
Yes I am
Chop Chop
March 22nd, 2009
11:30 pm
In my book, the U.S. won because McCann didn’t get hurt.
Tomas
March 22nd, 2009
11:31 pm
cabravesfan agree’d. If it was up to me I would start Rollins in SS just because he is clearly better(after all he was the 2007 nl mvp award winner and steals a lot of bases).
Davey Johnson is retarded
March 22nd, 2009
11:31 pm
Watching this is like watching the Special Olympics ……….
PTBNL
March 22nd, 2009
11:32 pm
I agree, nolie. It is not that Ohman would be bad, but that he was/is not a priority. The Braves did the same thing this year that they did last year. They did not make keeping the LRP a priority so they traded for someone that they thought they saw something in (Ohman last year, Logan this year). There were questions last year, there are questions this year. Ohman came through, but there were no guarantees then and there are no guarantees now.
But it should be noted that it is the people being second guessed are the same people who brought Ohman here last year. If you think Ohman turned out good, then there is reason to at least give the Braves’ FO some credit in seemingly being able to see someone who fits what they want to do. If they can get Ohman back for a song and a dance and if they have second thoughts about Logan, I would not be surprised if they are keeping the door open to talks with Ohman, But because they have made some pretty good choices on past trades like this one, I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Besides, as you pointed out, nolie, it is the card we are being delt as of right now, no need in getting too excited about it especially since there is no guarantee either way. Let the games begin! lol
N Nine (eta14)
March 22nd, 2009
11:33 pm
spotts___ I don’t know man, the Asians know how to play pesky ball! We just don’t know them as well. I think WBC was accurate! USA and the Asians rule the baseball world…that makes you 2-4(not a bad day after all)
BB5795
March 22nd, 2009
11:34 pm
Eric from MO, I don’t think there is a perfect time, but the best, in my opinion, would be the ‘last’ 10 days of ST. It gives “our players”, especially the pitchers, more time to get in shape. What do you guys think?
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:37 pm
Eric – your probably right about playing now – WBC players would have to prepare earlier. Problem is, the MLB/owners/fans view this tournament as a liability, and it will always be overshadowed by the NCAA tourney. It would be nice to show up one year and take names though.
Random
March 22nd, 2009
11:38 pm
Eric from MO (11:18 pm): “But Random he stated over and over that he would love to have Smoltz and Glavine back but he was going to wait to see how they were rehabing. That doesnt sound like he was counting on them. That sounds more like a last resort.”
What can I say? Actions speak louder than words.
And 3 SPs is not the 2 SPs targeted at the beginning of the offseason.
Why do you think Wren got 3 SPs when he suppoosedly intended to get only 2 this offseason?
Doc Holiday
March 22nd, 2009
11:39 pm
Great night for the “MVP-gold glover” David Wright……. 1 for 5 with 3 straight Ks and a throwing error. You just have to be a heck of a player to perform that way in the semifinals.
Bad thing chipper was not there to see that baseball clinic show.
Doc Holiday
March 22nd, 2009
11:40 pm
And after watching Dunn play tonight, I just thank god Wren didnt get him.
Random
March 22nd, 2009
11:40 pm
cabravesfan (11:25 pm): “She’s got the pillow and I make the fridge runs…”
All’s right with the world, then.
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2009
11:41 pm
Wow, how good is that kid Yu Darvish? He’s 21 or 22, dad is Iranian, mother Japanese. And his stuff is freakin’ nasty.
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:42 pm
Schafer’s Wafers
Definately big props to Ball State for beating Tennessee, one of the premier women’s team in the nation…impressive
cabravesfan
March 22nd, 2009
11:43 pm
Random-
well the good news is I got my couch back…the bad news is she has moved to the bed (and does not like to be moved…)
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:43 pm
BB5795 – problem is we’ve already been in this thing over 2 weeks – so they would have to restructure it for the last 10 days idea. Also, i don’t think you could get owners to turn the corner one their studs showing up to the regular season fresh off the WBC. You want those key pieces playing for at least a week ( preferably more ) with their respective club before opening
David O'Brien
March 22nd, 2009
11:44 pm
Doc, makes you wonder how many runs he’d cost a team over the course of a season, doesn’t it? Granted, he’s not a RF, but that was one awful defensive display tonight.
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:45 pm
DOC – I agree. Adams one of those guys who puts up a few outstanding numbers on a line. But man, dudes a liability.
N Nine (eta14)
March 22nd, 2009
11:48 pm
Looks like Dunn and Nats will be a happy marriage. Dunn wouldn’t last a month with the New York media.
TnBrian
March 22nd, 2009
11:51 pm
Doc Holliday, he’s David Freakin Wright! He can’t do any wrong…at least in the eyes of the media and his adoring fans.
PTBNL
March 22nd, 2009
11:54 pm
Eric, I don’t know what you mean by “last resort”. But it seems to me that you and Random are pretty much both correct. It seems that Wren was not “counting on” either Smoltz or Glavine to be top of the rotation pitchers this year, but he was looking for (as opposed to counting on) them to both be available for the Braves this season at some point. However, his priority was to get 2 top of the rotation pitchers first (before dealing with either of them). That was my understanding long before the Smoltz issue came up. Thus, it appears that Smoltz pushed Wren before Wren was really wanting to get into it with Smoltz. Because Wren had stated his priorities from the start, I was very surprised when Smoltz started pushing for a contract.
Therefore, when the Sox put Smoltz in a position of guaranteed money at such an early time and he bolted to the Sox, then Wren took the opportunity to get KK. Was Wren just blowing out hot air, all the time, intending to get KK and NOT Smoltz or Glavin (one of them)? Or would Wren have given both Smoltz and Glavin preference once the two top of the rotation guys had been gotten? Who knows? It seems obvious, though, that he would not have gotten all three (Smoltz, Glavin, and KK).
Frankie Knuckles
March 22nd, 2009
11:56 pm
Tn – Its cause chicks dig the long ball – loved that advert in my youth
John Smoltz
March 22nd, 2009
11:58 pm
HI DOB…just thought I’d drop by and let you and my former teams fans how I’m progressing. Well, things couldn’t be going any smoother for me and all of my interviews with the Boston media. WOW, they have me working overtime, which I love! Anyways, you should write a story in the AJC about my progress. See, what people fail to understand…..
nolie
March 23rd, 2009
12:00 am
She’s got the pillow and I make the fridge runs CABF
The priorities are still in the right order. She seems to have trained you well.
kirkinga
March 23rd, 2009
12:02 am
stupup74, no worries, some have just forgotten how bad things were for lefty relievers before Ron Mahay and Will Ohman.
There are some very knowledgeable Braves fans who believe Boone Logan, who has pitched 110.1 innings in the majors over 3 seasons…and given up 16 HR’s, is the equivalent of Ohman.
Effective lefty relievers don’t grow on trees.The Braves picked correctly with Mahay and Ohman, but they had better track records.
I got no problem with trading away O’Flaherty and Boone and using that $805,000 to go get Ohman.But that’s not likely to happen. We’ll just have added excitement in the pen this year!
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
12:02 am
There was no reason for Smoltz to sign a contract that early in the off-season in my opinion.
cabravesfan
March 23rd, 2009
12:04 am
nolie-
if nothing else I am a well trained dog owner
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2009
12:04 am
Smoltzy, just give it a rest! We miss you, but we have bigger fish to fry, pal! Good luck and GOOD RIDDANCE
John Smoltz
March 23rd, 2009
12:06 am
TnBrian, shutup you TN. redneck! I’m from Michigan BI-!
John Smoltz
March 23rd, 2009
12:10 am
PWHjort, you shutup too, you pencil neck geek! Yeah, I know you and I’d love to meet you in the boxing ring. Oh yeah, I box, give great interviews, play golf with Tiger, and I’m a HOF pitcher. What do you do besides run your fingers across a keyboard….WOW, what a womaniser.
Frankie Knuckles
March 23rd, 2009
12:15 am
You know whats cool – people pretending to be other people on the blog. Smoltz is gone. Quite honestly my eyes watered up when I heard the news. Things and people change folks.
BB5795
March 23rd, 2009
12:16 am
The real Smoltz is educated and intelligent. He wouldn’t have mispelled womanizer.
Frankie Knuckles
March 23rd, 2009
12:18 am
True, Smoltz is intelligent. Hes one of those ballplayers you know would have gotten wealthy without baseball. But, my previous post still stands
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:21 am
N Nine (eta14) and Eric from MO: I posted a response earlier, but for some reason, I don’t think it ever appeared.
Yes, what I’ve seen from Francoeur thus far HAS made me a believer.
First of all, I find it humorous that some people act like it’s preposterous to suggest that he’ll hit .295… when he hit .293 just the season before last.
I seriously doubt he’ll hit .260 or 270 with 16-17 homers or whatever as some have suggested. I’ve said all along that I thought Francoeur would wither bounce back all the way or not at all. And given what we’ve seen so far, I’ll wager on the former.
He’s never seen the ball as well as he’s seeing it now after these winter adjustments. 43 at-bats – ONE strikeout and SIX walks. And if you include the WBC exhibition games, I’m nearly positive it’s 7 or 8 walks.
He’s not hitting for power yet, but that will come. There are a lot of opposing pitchers trying to win a big league job, and they’re aware of Francoeur’s rep as a wild hacker… so they’re not giving him much to drive right now.
The beautiful thing is that’s he’s not taking the bait. He’s not swinging at anything he shouldn’t. And when he gets a pitch he can work with, he just drives it where it’s pitched. Doesn’t try to do too much. Doesn’t get himself out as he did last year. Pitchers are going to have to work a hell of a lot harder to get him out than they did last year… and I think they’ll have to work harder than they did in 2007 when he hit .293.
And eventually, opposing pitchers will get the point that he’s not going to do them any favors and get himself out. When that happens, he’ll get more to hit, and we’ll see the power. Especially if he hits in the middle of the order (and I think he will)… he’s going to get challenged by other teams pitching around Chipper. So he’ll get pitches to drive. Besides, he’s got enough natural ability that if he can just continue to put the fat part of the bat on the ball consistently, he’ll hit 15 out by accident.
I’m not predicting 30 homers. I won’t even wager on 25. But I’ll bet on 20 homers.
Anyway, I’m not a high stakes guy, but I enjoy a friendly bet, and I’m more than happy to wager with you gentlemen.
cabravesfan
March 23rd, 2009
12:21 am
well I am off to try to remove the dog from my bed…goodnight all!
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:22 am
N Nine & ERIC, email me at kccjr1@gmail.com, and we’ll work out the terms. I’m good for it if you are.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:23 am
OOPS… meant to say: “I’ve said all along that I think Francoeur will EITHER bounce back all the way or not at all”
Supes
March 23rd, 2009
12:26 am
KC, I almost wanna take you up on your Jeff F. “bet”, but I just can’t bring myself to root against the guy. Make no mistake, criticism toward him will not be spared, but I DO NOT root against the man as long as he’s wearing the ATL Braves colors.
If here were to hit anything close to those “numbers”, I’d be very happy with that.
I haven’t watched much from this SHAM that is the WBC, but I did watch tonight (mainly b/c nothing else worth watching was on, and I wanted to see B-Mac hit). Well, B-Mac DID NOT disappoint. What a terrific hitting catcher he’s become, and I’m amazed at his plate selection and discipline (at any point in the count).
My other observation is…Jimmy Rollings can FLAT out STILL RAKE IT. Last year, he was injuried a bit, and his numbers dipped, and I thought he lost a “step” or was a bit slower at the plate and hitting with less power. Well, throw that out in 2009. The way the guy hit in the WBC, he could very well win another NL MVP.
I dislike the Phillies, but man do I wish Jimmy Rollings was on the Braves.
Oh, and the WBC USA roster is a joke, as half of our best players weren’t even featured, plus our best pitchers weren’t there as well.
USA will never win this tournament the way it’s currently structured.
If Bud Seiling was REALLY serious about this, he should take a 3 week “break” (instead of having an all star game that season), when the all-star game is, around JULY, suspend the MLB season for 3 weeks, and host the “event then”.
I guarantee USA (if they send their best players at that time), will win it.
One last thing, congrats to DOB on his Kansas Jayhawks winning tonight over Dayton.
PTBNL
March 23rd, 2009
12:29 am
either…. wither….. what’s the difference? lol
Whether the weather be cold
Whether the weather be hot
Whether the weather be good
Whether the weather be not
Whatever the weather
He weathered the weather
Weather he liked it or not.
PTBNL
March 23rd, 2009
12:29 am
oops
Whether he liked it or not.
lol
N Nine (eta13)
March 23rd, 2009
12:30 am
KC___The best news this spring has to be Frenchy! If he does adjust to the pitchers, he could easily become an All-star. Not a stretch at all. His youth got to him, not stubborn like Andruw. He wants to better himself. That Santana walk speaks volume…gotta love it I’ll bet you two tootsie rolls. Deal?
BB5795
March 23rd, 2009
12:30 am
I’m so blurry-eyed after reading that long blog of KC’s. I think I read “War and Peace” in less time. Anyway, I’m just kidding KC and I agree with you. Don’t forget, this guy is arguably one of the best defensive right fielders in the game. He doesn’t need real big stats to stay there. Good night, everybody.
Frankie Knuckles
March 23rd, 2009
12:31 am
Good night folks, bout to fire up the DVR and catch the season finale of East Bound.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:31 am
QUESTION… could the plan really still be to sent Heyward and Freeman to Myrtle Beach in a week or two???
I mean, I know they’re not going to be in the big leagues yet, but as well as they’ve hit off a mixture of AA, AAA, and big league pitching… does it really make any sense to send them all the way down to Myrtle Beach???
I would think Mississippi is the most sensible destination for them.
Shamus Thacker
March 23rd, 2009
12:33 am
If that’s the REAL John Smoltz, grandmaw is Heidi Fleiss…
TexasBrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:36 am
KC I have asked the same question and agree. Especially with Heyward. Freeman may need a half a season at MB.
Bubdylan
March 23rd, 2009
12:37 am
“…dad is Iranian, mother Japanese. And his stuff is freakin’ nasty.” -DOB
You can see his stuff? Hi Def is out of control.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:37 am
N Nine (eta13), LOL… deal.
Yeah, an 0-2 with a walk doesn’t look impressive in the box score, but that was a damned fine at-bat against Santana.
That’s another think Francoeur is doing now that I’ve NEVER seen him come close to doing… he’s working counts and fouling pitches off with 2 strikes to stay alive. I think he made Santana throw him -I think it was 8 or 9 pitches. I wonder if Francoeur has ever had an 8 or 9 pitch at-bat prior to this spring! LOL
I though Francoeur would probably look much better this spring… but I didn’t expect him to look entirely different. I mean, so far, he’s transformed himself from hacker to HITTER. Hopefully, he’ll carry that into the season. Can’t see why he wouldn’t.
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
12:37 am
KC, they’ll be in Mississippi after 2 months.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:41 am
SUPES, well it’s an open invitation. The bet will remain on the table. =)
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:43 am
PWHjort, yeah could be. It’s just hard for me to picture them going all the way down to A ball in a week or two after hitting so well off ML and near-ML quality pitching. What’s the point?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 23rd, 2009
12:54 am
Is it just me or are the Asian teams actually playing a superior brand of baseball?
I really believe they are. Our World Series is looking like something other than what we think it is. The USA was just simply out manned against a fundamentally sound Japanese team that doesn’t make mistakes.
Saltywoody
March 23rd, 2009
12:56 am
Bub=good for a belly laugh usually once every three pages. It’s like clockwork.
Steve McP
March 23rd, 2009
12:57 am
Coach, actually the USA team was simply outmanned against a fundamentally sound Japanese team that did not include Adam Dunn’s mistakes
KC
March 23rd, 2009
1:03 am
Seeing the Japanese team makes me feel that much better about Kawakami. Some people look at the Japaneses league as though it’s the equivalent of minor league baseball. Clearly that’s not the case. I still believe the level of competition in MLB is certainly better… but I don’t think it’s easy to be a superstar in Japan. I suspect the level of play over there is somewhere in between AAA and MLB here in the US.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 23rd, 2009
1:04 am
Steve, I agree. The team USA roster was a mess. Our big league owners and players haven’t as of yet shown the commitment to the WBC that other countries and their players have.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
1:06 am
On the calendar schedule at Braves.com, when a game is televised, it lists the name of the network covering the game that day using abbreviations.
SPSO = SportsSouth
But what in the world is CSS??
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 23rd, 2009
1:11 am
KC, I’m not sure as to the overall level of play but I do know the Elite Japanese players are playing.
You see, Japan only has twelve teams. Of which, four foreign born players are allowed on each roster which if you really think about it, makes the competition among native Japanese athletes even tougher.
nolie
March 23rd, 2009
1:19 am
… does it really make any sense to send them all the way down to Myrtle Beach??? KC
makes a lot of sense to me. MB is a pitcher’s paradise and a great place to get a read on just how good a hitter can be . Let’s see what they can do there.In 22 ABs Heyward hit .182 there. Doesn’t indicate to me that he conquered that level or anything and Freeman never even got there at all. I think it would be very premature to skip over it altogether. If they shine they can always be advanced.
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
1:25 am
The point is they want to keep minor leaguers on track. If you skip a level entirely you may not learn something that you need to learn. Development happens at every stage. At some levels pitchers start throwing breaking balls. If you skipped that level all together you may not ever learn to hit breaking balls. This is a huge oversimplification and in reality that level is about 8th grade, but you get the idea.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 23rd, 2009
1:32 am
Francoeur does look great doesn’t he? But only time and competition will tell as to whether or not Frenchy hits for much power.
I do have my doubts about Kenshin Kawakami. I can name on one hand the number of Japanese pitchers who have had a reasonable amount of success in ML baseball.
Hideo Nomo, Mac Suzuki, Diasuke Matsuzaka and that’s it. The Yankees Chien-Ming Wang was born in Taiwan. We will have to wait and see if Kawakami can make the adjustment.
Schafer's Wafers
March 23rd, 2009
1:32 am
PWHjort and nolie,
I understand what you are saying but these guys have proven they can hit breaking balls, they could really excel by being at AA. I would love to be at AA but I see and think that they will be at Myrtle Beach as well.
Runnin
March 23rd, 2009
1:33 am
KC and Coach, it’s not only about level of play. It’s team execution, which the Japanese and Korean team have plenty of. I think the WBC just means so much more to them than to the American team.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
1:38 am
nolie, you could be right. Just seems like Miss. is the most sensible place right now. Guess it doesn’t really matter though. They’ll make their way through the ranks soon enough. Damn good looking pair of kids though, aren’t they?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 23rd, 2009
1:42 am
KC, google “CSS Braves” and a bunch of links will pop up.
N Nine (eta13)
March 23rd, 2009
1:49 am
Welcome back Brian McCann!! (doing homer spin dance on the ground) Yep I’m a happy camper this spring!
Getting close to season and next week we should have Chipper and Garret.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
1:49 am
Coach, got it…. I think. Comcast Sports Southeast… does that mean only those with Comcast cable will be able to watch?