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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,211 comments Add your comment
18 Wheels of Love
March 23rd, 2009
12:19 pm
We can can get into woulda and coulda scenarios but the ultimate one that I would have liked to have seen would have been us taking Josh Hamilton in the rule 5 a few years ago. Would have been nice in LF the last 2 years…for next to nothing too.
Daniel
March 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
I had Florida State, Marguette and WVU to make the sweet sixteen. Other than that I am in good shape
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
Did anyone see McCann’s at bats at the WBC? He looked real sharp. He also looks like he is in pretty good shape. Dropped a few pounds and it shows. I really think he is going to be top 5 in NL MVP voting this year.
Daniel
March 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
Good grief yes, 18 wheels the Braves and every other major league team wishes they had that chance again.
Cyrus
March 23rd, 2009
12:24 pm
Where is this Dave O’Brien character ? I think he is out celebrating his Jayhawk victory yesterday or out sitting in the sun with Bradley in Florida. Just some random and disturbing thoughts.
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 23rd, 2009
12:30 pm
if it is anderson in center, then the question becomes, to me brandon jones or gregor blanco as the fifth outfielder. b. jones is a bit redundant of a player (ie not a CF) and would best be suit for the g-braves. he’s had a good spring, and of anyone not named josh anderson, to me, he’s the most likely position player to be moved via a trade.
i know prado’s value may be high, but to he, he’s nearly untouchable in a trade. since he can play 2nd, 3rd and 1st he makes up for the slots infante can’t (SS and OF). but that bat – that bat is what keeps him around. the more versatility, the better because i think prado starts at least twice a week – once a week for c. jones and once a week for k. johnson. assuming that c. jones will miss at least 20 games of which prado could start, and you’re talking about a guy who might get 70 starts this season. that’s 300+ plate appearances (including when he pitch-hits).
looking at the bench (and position their primary/secondary back-up positions) if j. anderson and g. anderson start:
diaz: 2nd LF, 3rd C (remember, he started out as a catcher in the minors)
norton: 3rd LF, 2nd 1b
prado: 2nd 2nd, 2nd 3rd, 3rd 1B
infante: 2nd SS, 2nd/3rd CF
ross: 2nd C
if they go with 12 pitchers, there’s your bench (obviously, any of the OF could play RF in a pitch). if they go with 11 pitchers out of the gate my guess is they would go with another outfielder which would be … blanco.
blanco had a good OBP and can come off the bench as a pitch-runner/defensive replacement. making b. jones sit on the bench in atlanta makes no sense when we can be playing every day at aaa hopefully building trade value. the flip side is if g. anderson isn’t able to go or if he were to get hurt, then b. jones does become that guy because he could platoon with diaz while providing more power than blanco.
ah, the joys of spring ….
BA
March 23rd, 2009
12:32 pm
Daniel- I like what I’ve seen from Logan, which is admittedly only a couple of innings. He throws a lot harder than Ohman, for what it’s worth. Do you know something I don’t?
I certainly hope he doesn’t end up with the kind of worload that Ohman had last season- His Dudeness was basically covering for Moylan AND Soriano.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:34 pm
chuckw/deadjournalist, there won’t be a fifth outfielder. No room. The Braves will almost certainly carry 12 pitchers. So after your 9 position starters (in this case – with the G.Anderson/Diaz platoon), you only have 4 roster spots remaining.
Ross, Prado, Infante, and Norton. That’s it. No room for 5th OF’er.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
BA:
My man. How you doin’? I was really beating the tom-tom to re-up OHMAN. But ERIC O’FLAHERTY looked pretty good late in the first game against the MUTTS. Not so hot this last time though. Think he’s done before he even makes the pitching circuit once? As in not even twice. The book’s out on CAMPILLO, but O’FLAHERTY? DAMM, he hasn’t even started yet. Getting him off the wire makes me nervous however. But then JEFF TREADWAY was a great $50,000 pick-up from the unloved and unwanted section of baseball. Don’t know if he was ever BC’s fav though. ‘Course it was CINCY. I wonder if management entertains any thoughts of resurrecting WIL back from that part of MLB. They may know something about his arm we don’t of course. And just because he acts the clown in the clubhouse doesn’t mean he’s not a serious guy. “MAD-DOG” comes to mind. No real comparison of course, but its what’s done between the lines that counts, and OHMAN’s done pretty well for us up to now. See you over on the HAWKS blog later.
KC
March 23rd, 2009
12:35 pm
I should add that Norton can play corner OF, if needed, and Infante can play any OF position. They are the OF backups.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:38 pm
KC:
Dead on. 12 pitchers. Bench is set unless they get someone juicy for PRADO and considerations. I don’t see it myself.
Wascally Wabbit
March 23rd, 2009
12:39 pm
Kelly Johnson will always deserve to start over Martin Prado. Trading Prado however will be a mistake. You need a jack of all trades, master of none like Derosa or like Wilson Betemit was while here. Martin and Infante both filled the void created for the next season and a half by the Betemit trade (Yunel also did extremely well but he was more of a quasi-starter from day one than a utility man). Championship teams need a Martin Prado and an Omar Infante on the bench, especially teams like the Braves who don’t have the strongest offense and thus can not afford to hemorage as much when reserves are filling in. Prado may however be useful in a trade, which I would absolutely hate to see happen. Don’t see us getting back for Martin what we have in Martin. The question may be whether or not Diory can give comparable value, which I don’t believe he can. Diory can man shortstop, however, which Martin can not do. Infante will not be here next season. Diory should fill the void when Infante leaves. I’d rather see Martin and Infante this season and Diory and Martin next season. But if Martin or Infante can get back value this season, I’d rather see Omar traded, with Diory filling the need for a backup SS this season.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:42 pm
Chuck/w/d/j:
B. JONES – oh yeah, forgot about him because of his fielding.
Epinephrine
March 23rd, 2009
12:43 pm
Ugh I can’t believe the Prado talk has started again. Thankfully the Braves brass have made it abundantly clear that they think KJ is the man for the job. Again, I think he is going to have a really good year this year, so we’ll see. I felt the same way last year, but if KJ can finally put it all together he will be an invaluable asset.
Chop Chop
March 23rd, 2009
12:45 pm
Wren should trade Blanco for a lock of David Wright’s hair.
winterville
March 23rd, 2009
12:46 pm
Hey DOB
I know today’s an off day and you just got back but have you heard anything else about Kawakami and his shoulder? Is he still on target to pitch Wednesday? I think that games on MLB network and I’d really like to see him. Thanks.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:47 pm
I think adding ROSS set the BRAVES this year bench-wise. INFANTE, PRADO, NORTON, ROSS, BLANCO or JONES rocks. Come on APRIL lets see what up out of the chute.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
12:49 pm
U-h-h-h, did anyone say anything about PRADO starting over JOHNSON? I missed it. When was that?
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
12:52 pm
Starting 8
Casey Kotchman
Kelly Johnson
Yunel Escobar
Chipper Jones
Brian McCann
Garret Anderson
Josh Anderson
Jeff Francouer
Starting Pitching 5
Lowe
Jurrjens
Vazquez
Kawakami
Glavine
Relief Pitching 7
Mike Gonzalez
Rafael Soriano
Peter Moylan
Blaine Boyer
Manny Acosta
Long Relief
A Lefty
Bench 5
Martin Prado
Greg Norton
Omar Infante
Matt Diaz
David Ross
Lew
March 23rd, 2009
12:52 pm
KJ will be the starting 2B. Prado will not be traded. He’s too valuable as a back up to Chipper. If he were to be traded, can you say Pete Orr?
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
12:52 pm
chuck dead guy…
i think one of the best things that could happen to this braves team is for g. anderson to miss the first week or so on the DL. it would suck to see our new player not be on the team right way, but it would let us keep shafer and j. anderson. we would get to start shafer in CF, and not have to put j. anderson through waivers before the season starts. when g. andersoncomes off the DL, it might be more likely j. anderson will clear waivers.
Lew
March 23rd, 2009
12:52 pm
Orr someone like him.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
12:56 pm
Is it not possible to go with 6 in the bullpen…and have our 5th starter be a long reliever…glavine…jojo…campillo? That would open a spot up for a young outfielder….
Nitram Odarp
March 23rd, 2009
12:57 pm
Yeah, Epinephrine is right- who needs a 2b that can hit .300 and not drop pop-ups in Philadelphia? Plus Johnson is so dreamy…
Epinephrine
March 23rd, 2009
12:57 pm
Just crunching KJs numbers…there is good reason for optimism. I like that his average has progressed from .249 to .276 to .287. Now, his HR numbers and his OBP both fell from 07 to 08, but not by much. His doubles went up. His SLG was about the same (11 point decline). My guess is that his OBP went down in part due to his moving out of the lead off role (and thus being more of a free swinger).
Anyway, that means his 07 and 08 numbers were essentially the same, give or take a few increases and decreases. After two successful years at second, you have to figure Kelly is starting to get in a comfort zone. In the minors, after putting up two very comparable years in AA, he made a nice leap in 05 before getting called up (.310, .438 OBP).
Kelly has always been a guy with a good back but with minor confidence/streak issues. My guess is that this year, firmly in a comfort zone after proving he can hack in the bigs, we will see a leap in performance. Time will tell.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
12:58 pm
i just realized that my above scenario doesnt have to happen for the braves to take both j. anderson and shafer to opening day. if the braves dont need glavine until, a week or so into the season, the braves could carry 11 pitchers….7 relievers and 4 starters, and 5 outfielders, until glavine comes back and they can try to get anderson through waivers.
Ben
March 23rd, 2009
12:58 pm
I hope Bobby does not platoon Johnson and Prado.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
1:02 pm
Josh Anderson is never going to make it through waivers. Why couldnt we just send Schafer back down to the minors does that not work?
Epinephrine
March 23rd, 2009
1:03 pm
Haha good bat, not back. Wasn’t making a Kotsay comparison.
MFin04, my guess is the Braves will take 12 pitchers, especially if Moylan breaks camp with the big league team. We don’t know if either he or Soriano are truly ready for several back to back appearances, so we need all the bodies we can get out there for the time being. Plus, we simply have too many solid bullpen arms. Think about the numbers:
Gonzo
Soriano
Moylan
Boyer
Campillo
Logan
That is 6 right there. That still leaves guys like Carlyle, Acosta, and Bennett hanging in the wind. Plus, I am starting to really believe we are going to see Medlen make this squad (Cox loves him, he is getting 1 inning roles, and he has really nice stuff). So say we deal Bennett…can you really see us sending Buddy, Manny, and Kris all back down to Gwinett, especially when we don’t know what we are going to get out of Moylan and Soriano? I can’t.
ncscoots
March 23rd, 2009
1:06 pm
if the braves dont need glavine until, a week or so into the season, the braves could carry 11 pitchers
Not with two primary relievers coming off surgery, and the closer a year removed from TJ. The bullpen is the last place Cox would short players this April.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
1:07 pm
MFin04Josh Anderson is never going to make it through waivers. Why couldnt we just send Schafer back down to the minors does that not work?
thats an option, but then we wouldnt get to have shafer on the team!!! im almost beginning to feel like we should risk losing anderson if we have to, because shafer seems ready, and like hes a better player.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
1:10 pm
Well I’m not convinced we need a lefty…they both sucked yesterday versus the Mets. It always drives me crazy when we bring in a lefty to face a big bat and he goes yard off of him.
RLPmetro
March 23rd, 2009
1:11 pm
I was at a sports bar in SWFL on Friday night, and I had the pleasure of meeting John Smoltz. The Michigan State game wasn’t televised locally, so he was at the restaurant to watch the game. I got a chance to shake his hand and ask him how his shoulder was holding up. He said, “Great. Shoulder’s great.” I wished him luck this season, and that was it. What a nice guy. We can only wish that all of our favorite players were so nice. Hopefully the guy has great success this year, and loses Game 7 of the World Series to the Bravos!
Epinephrine
March 23rd, 2009
1:11 pm
Also…I can’t believe I am actually going to say this, but I am starting to come around on Josh Anderson. His OBP numbers have actually gotten better over time, and looking at his numbers from Richmond…he may actually be able to consistently put up .340+ OBP and hit for average. He still needs some work, but I think he’s earned the chance to win the job.
I think Schafer will be our CF of the future-maybe even by around June. But he has a strike out problem. His ideal role would be in the leadoff position, and the Ks really hamper that. He has made a huge statement this spring-especially after using the winter to work on hitting lefties. The results are great. But if he could do the same thing with his strikeouts, he could be a star. Anderson has earned the chance to show he can hit for AVG and maintain and OBP in the meantime.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
1:12 pm
scoots i said: if the braves dont need glavine until, a week or so into the season, the braves could carry 11 pitchers
then you said Not with two primary relievers coming off surgery, and the closer a year removed from TJ. The bullpen is the last place Cox would short players this April.
i think you misunderstood. im not advocating shorting the bullpen, because of the very reason you mentioned. but, if we dont need a 5th starter until the 20th of april…two weeks into the season by my count, you can carry 4 starter, and still keep the standard 7 relievers. in other words, dont short the bullpen, short the rotation.
Cyrus
March 23rd, 2009
1:12 pm
You guys have talked about trading Prado and replacing him with Pete Orr — Prado looks like a major league baseball player Orr looked like a guy down the street playing for the local bars softball team.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
1:15 pm
You guys have talked about trading Prado and replacing him with Pete Orr
no one said that.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
1:17 pm
Ok since this is going to turn into an Anderson Schafer debate. What does everyone make of the SB totals between the two this Spring? It seems that Schafer has the ability to steal bases just as well as Anderson does. I believe it is 5 to 1 in the SB category in favor of Schafer
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
1:19 pm
The fact that we have infante makes prado expendable. I mean, they’re pretty much the exact same player, except Prado may be a little bit better with the bat. And given he’s at peak value, it makes sense to EXPLORE trades for him. However, if one doesn’t come around that benefits the organization, no way.
TnBrian
March 23rd, 2009
1:23 pm
Why not see what it would take to get Grabow from Pit. I mean, I’ve heard a million times how Pit. is hard to trade with(wanting too damn much), but I’d think Reyes and this maybe Conrad kid would be enough for him. They get a lefty in the rotation and a guy who hits well and plays decent D, a platoon type.
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 23rd, 2009
1:23 pm
i agree – i think they carry 12 pitchers as well; especially given the fact that they have a surplus of arms and two weeks before needing a 5th starter.
either JS makes the team as the starting CF or he’s at aaa. remember folks, he isn’t on the 40-man roster and there no reason to start is arbitration time ticking any sooner than it has to. with that being said, if he’s the best option, then he’s the guy.
the braves aren’t the o’s – they can win now, so being judicious with JS is a good thing, but if he gives them the best chance to win come opening day, he’ll be on the team. as tight as the east could be this year, the braves can’t afford a slow start. and we all know how prone they are to slow starts …
LT200
March 23rd, 2009
1:24 pm
In reference to all the starting questions, I believe that Schafer should be and will be the starting CF this year. I think he brings more to the table than Anderson. I also think that if the deal for Garret hadn’t happened, Josh would start in Center and Schafer in left.
Epinephrine
March 23rd, 2009
1:24 pm
We shouldn’t trade Prado. We can count on Chipper being out at least 20-30 games. If another injury to the middle infield or outfield occurs during that time, the team would be in serious trouble without him.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
1:27 pm
Arent the Braves prone to fast starts? I thought they have started off well in recent years? I dont think Schafer…is or can be enough of a difference maker over Anderson to warrant getting rid of Anderson. You have to be a special talent to kick someone completely off the team…and Schafer isn’t that good…yet.
Shamus Thacker
March 23rd, 2009
1:27 pm
You can tell the opener ain’t far away. Barbecue, music, and perdy girl talk is in sharp decline. Not much joking. All business. Muts fans gone into hiding. Been cleaning out my basement beer fridge today; yep, getting close…
Jim
March 23rd, 2009
1:30 pm
If the Braves are facing a tough on lefties lefty like Oliver Perez and Chipper is out with a hamstring, quad, or oblique, who starts for Braves? Makes sense for Prado AND Infante to start at 3B and 2B or CF respectively, or if Infante is playing CF for Anderson/Schaefer and we need a runner for Chipper because he is favoring a minor leg injury, who plays 3B. I’m not ready to promote D. Hernandez into the Prado role on this team yet, and I don’t think a Prado trade is going to net us a better player than Prado in return (even if we add a Bennett/Campillo in the mix), not if equal salary is considered. The only obvious need at the ML level right now is lefty relief, and an Ohman or better option will cost more than Prado + Bennett + JoJo combined.
18 Wheels of Love
March 23rd, 2009
1:30 pm
What is the over/under on how many doubles we hit as a team this year? I’ll take the over, whatever it is.
David-ATL14
March 23rd, 2009
1:31 pm
A sterling job by Miss Rogers while the crusading Everyman takes his rightful part in leading the chorus of Rock Chalk Jayhawk.
Nice to see the Braves rouning into a nice form as the regualr season draws near. Still a couple of decisions to be made and some players to be moved.
Also very nice to see Adam Dunn expose himself for the whole world to see as the single most overrated player in MLB.
Kudos to Wren for avoiding Dunn like the bubonic plague.
A damn shame that Jim Bowden held on as a GM long enough to give Dunn a two year deal at a very inflated price. No other GM in the game would have offered Dunn more than a 3M/1 year deal. Just lesson #723 in why the Washington Nationals are perenial cellar dwellers.
Shamus Thacker
March 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
BTW, anybody know what kinda food grows gray hair over several months? Whatever it is, I got some, and plenty of it…
Jim
March 23rd, 2009
1:33 pm
Conrad is a 29 year old career minor leaguer. He’s no kid, and most of his ABs this spring have come in the late innings when minor leaguers are doing most of the pitching.
mbatl
March 23rd, 2009
1:38 pm
Regarding middle infield: last year, Ruben Gotay and Brent Lillibridge provided some support at 2B, SS and 3B. Both are gone. Trade Prado, and you’re asking Infante to cover backup for CF, 3B, SS and 2B (aided by a guy like D. Hernandez, who clearly has NOT shown to be ready). That’s awfully thin. You just can’t trade Prado, IMO.
Also, keep in mind that Medlen is not on the 40 man roster. If Bobby likes him and wants to keep him, we’ll have to trade or waive someone (which seems likely at this point anyway).
Actually, neither Medlen nor Schafer is on the 40-man… just something to keep in mind as we wheel and deal. If either of them makes the team, someone HAS to go to make room for them.
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
1:43 pm
You don’t have to put Medlen on the 40 man roster to send him to AAA, where he’ll go.
mbatl
March 23rd, 2009
1:44 pm
uh, thanks.
Jay212033
March 23rd, 2009
1:50 pm
Isn’t there an intersquad game today?
reagan
March 23rd, 2009
1:54 pm
Daniel (and all)….I do not see any fascination with Logan either ….or OFlaherty ….or Ridgeway. There just has to be something more to Olhmans story than we know here. Seemed liked the mets had an interest, then the Phillies and then the Nats (among others). There is something we just dont know here.
JPHunt
March 23rd, 2009
1:55 pm
JP’s TOP 10 from Spring Training
Back at work after spending 4 days in sunny Orlando watching the Braves play a few at Dark Star. There was much to see and we had an amazing time but here are my top ten observations/experiences in no particular order.
1. Without a Braves program you cannot tell the difference between Brian McCann and Peter Pan (as told to me by the man selling the aforementioned programs).
2. Mets fans in Orlando suck as much as the ones that show up to Shea (Anders excluded).
3. If you are sitting in the grassy berm don’t mess with security, they don’t take crap from anybody (including 4 year olds).
4. Mike Gonzales is a certified pimp, he has a watch that has enough diamonds to turn night to day.
5. Jim Leyland (Tigers GM) has a good sense of humor, a Tigers fan asked him to steal a baseball from an on field security guard and give it to him and Jim obliged the request.
6. Hanson, Freeman, Heyward and Medlen are as advertised…they are bona fide talent.
7. Matt Diaz is the nicest Brave of them all, if you want to get an autograph or pic taken with him he will do it, not matter if its just you or 100 people. And if you ask him to make a mean face for the pics then he will do that to.
8. Speaking of autographs the toughest one to get (of the folks that actually will sign) was none other than Dale Murphy. When he would approach the stands the crowds would swarm and people would get down right mean. (and if you are curious I did get him to sign a bat)
9. Speaking of bats don’t buy them before you go, Orlando has a Rawlings outlet store off 535 where you can get them as cheap as $17.
10. And finally I would say that unless you want seats behind the dish I would just as well take seats in the grass. If you come early you will sit even with 3rd base and can stretch out as much as your blanket will allow. Sat one day in the bleachers and needless to say it was tight.
Well that’s all the musings that I have, cant say enough about how worthy of a trip that was.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
1:56 pm
Isn’t there an intersquad game today?
theres nothing today. no running, no hitting, no game of any kind…i doubt anybody even came to the field today. its a total day off. carroll mentioned yesterday there would be absolutely nothing going on.
McFann :Ô:
March 23rd, 2009
1:59 pm
MFin04–
I saw three of his ABs last night–that’s all. But yeah, he looks sharp…and thinner. He looks good and ready…cann you believe it: Two weeks from today, we’ll be one game into the season? Seems like it will take forever, but it’s not that long of a wait…
Top 5 in the MVP voting–that’d be something else, and I’m gonna hold you to that! But to be honest, I’d even settle for Top 6.
Andrew
March 23rd, 2009
2:02 pm
What do you guys think of trying to add a power bat off the bench? A serious long ball threat everytime.
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
I really think he is going to be that good. He should get a lot of RBI chances in the 4 or 5 hole…and he should play in a lot more games this year…because of being in great shape. Watching him and chipper hit, its just wonderful. I think they could do instructional videos.
BUZZMEAT
March 23rd, 2009
2:03 pm
Anyone know who will start thursday? the game is on CSS
MFin04
March 23rd, 2009
2:13 pm
Greg Norton is supposed to be that “power bat” off the bench. He’s pretty darn good at it too.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:14 pm
CYRUS:
Funny. Apropos also.
mbatl
March 23rd, 2009
2:16 pm
JPHunt, great observations. Thanks!
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:17 pm
reagan:
Agreed.
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:18 pm
JIM:
Audition for GWINETT?
MLH
March 23rd, 2009
2:20 pm
I think it would be great to add a power bat, but it actually happening is a totally different story.
northbeach Scott
March 23rd, 2009
2:21 pm
Interesting Wall Street Journal article on the Cricket potential of MLB players in light of the photos of Manny that came out over the weekend. Note that our own Chipper Jones may be the best bet for a a cricket batsman. Thoughts from our friends who know cricket?
WSJ:The Count: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776913924009843.html
But the best bet for a successful cricket batsman might be Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves. Last season, the National League batting champion hit .422 against the low heater. Get that man a willow bat and some shin guards.
DAP
March 23rd, 2009
2:22 pm
maybe we will add a power bat next year (heyward).
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:25 pm
ODARP NITRAM:
I’ll never put MP ahead of KJ. If he’s that good he should play every day somewhere else and we should have a replacement back-up infielder plus a lower minors young arm or two. Can’t ever have enough pitching. If MARTIN isn’t worth that much to any club than keep him. He’s a great fill in. HE11, he’ll play 50 games anyway assuming the BRAVES luck holds this season. Somebody’s always getting hurt.
Andrew
March 23rd, 2009
2:28 pm
Does anyone think Chipper will get his extention soon?
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:30 pm
LEWIE:
PETE when he first came up. Guy was dyn-0-0-0-myte that first part of a season.
Jim
March 23rd, 2009
2:31 pm
Of the prominent rookies (adding B. Jones to that category) the most likely to start with the Braves in April might be Medlen. With 12 pitchers the bullpen should consist of Gonzo, Soriano, Moylan (April 5?), Boyer, lefty?, long relief (1 or 2 of Bennett, Campillo, Carlyle), Acosta or Medlen (both?)
richbrave
March 23rd, 2009
2:32 pm
ANDRUW:
No, and you won’t either. Gu’ss kiddin’ dude. BUT on JONES, not just yet. I think it’ll happen though.
mbatl
March 23rd, 2009
2:33 pm
Pretty good quote from Tommy G about salary for guys like him (apparently in response to Pedro saying he wouldn’t take a “Glavine-type” contract. Full article HERE.
But at the same time, you have to be mindful what the market is, what you can realistically get, and in my case, I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t like being a guy that was hurt last year and was just collecting a paycheck. I didn’t want to do that. To me, I want to go out there, and if I’m healthy and I’m pitching, then I’m going to get paid. If I’m not, then I’m not a burden to this club.
ncscoots
March 23rd, 2009
2:37 pm
he should play in a lot more games this year…because of being in great shape.
Have mercy, I hope not. The kid started 132 last year, and came on as a sub in several others (I think). His tongue will be hanging out in September if you pile more on top of that.
Daniel
March 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm
Hey what about JoJo in long relief too? I am not a fan of Acosta, and I think Boone Logan overthrows and gets blown up too much.
Bubdylan
March 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
JPHunt, I enjoyed your list.
Daniel
March 23rd, 2009
2:43 pm
Andrew
He eithe gets in the next two weeks or wait until next year according to Chipper
Daniel
March 23rd, 2009
2:45 pm
JPHunt- I am so jealous
Jim
March 23rd, 2009
2:46 pm
Brandon Jones seems to be putting it all together this year. His ABs against lefthanders seem to be comfortable and he’s shown a very quick bat. A few months in Richmond might indicate just how good a ballplayer he is/will become. He might be a valuable piece in the puzzle this year if G. Anderson is to miss significant time with nagging injuries or does not produce the kind of offense we anticipate. In the longer term, Jones seems to rank behind both Schaefer and Heyward in the plans of the Braves (he can’t play CF and he ain’t likely to be as good as Heyward) and even if Francouer were to walk after he becomes a FA, it is unlikely the Braves would want to go with an all LH hitting OF. By the end of the year the Braves should know 3 things: (1) how good Jones may be, (2) whether there is an interest by either party in a long term contract between JF and the Braves, (3) What their biggest organizational needs will be — RH hitting OF, 3B, immediate help at ML level. He will probably be traded over the winter, but I don’t see the urgency for trading him now, especially since he could be of significant value during this season.
PWHjort
March 23rd, 2009
2:47 pm
The only power bench bat left on the free agent market is Jim Edmonds. With Greg Norton being a good power bat from the left side, there’s no reason to sign him. If Jim Edmonds batter RH, it’d make more sense. (Yes, I know Greg Norton is a switch hitter. However, he’s not very good from the right side).
jbutler
March 23rd, 2009
2:51 pm
With Schilling retiring he/Maddux could go in the same year…too bad for Maddux.
McFann…great song choice!!
roman88
March 23rd, 2009
2:53 pm
future replacement for chipper, pittsburgh is seeking pitching, they’ve been dealing with the braves in the past, are showing interest, check this out for a possible idea, their double A guy jim negrych 3rd base .300 hitter for for one of the braves extra arms, or some sort of combination. eric campbell will not be the answer,
McFann :Ô:
March 23rd, 2009
2:54 pm
jbutler–
Thanks!
Schafer Obliterator
March 23rd, 2009
2:55 pm
I am already the best OF at the Braves and I get no love
I eat Frenchy, Garret and JA for breakfast……… easily !
May god bless you all
Schafer Obliterator
March 23rd, 2009
2:56 pm
Schilling will in NO WAY be 1st ballot HOF… he may not even get in, his numbers are much weaker than many not in currently
Tomas
March 23rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Here are some possible replacements for Chipper Jones in the future:
Neil Walker(power hitting switch hitter, 24 yrs old, pirates organization) , Pedro Alvarez(power hitting left handed hitter, 22 years old, pirates organization), Chris Johnson(power hitting right handed hitter, 25 years old, Astros organization), Mat Gamel(power hitting left handed hitter, 24 years old, Brewers organization), Angel Villalona(30-30 potential right handed hitter, 18 yrs old, Giants organization), and Josh Vitters(power hitting right handed hitter, 19 yrs old, Cubs organization).
winterville
March 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Don’t know if this has already been posted but I just read that Kyle Kendrick got demoted to the minors in Phillies camp. That sucks for us because he sucks for them.
MinnesotaJacket
March 23rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Have any of you read the article about the old mascot….How cool would that be to bring back that tradition of old Fulton county stadium in a year in whihc so many players have mixed up?
dogsbrekky
March 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
CRICKET and baseball players – Chipper is probably too injury prone as to leg injuries and cricket is a leg intensive sport…
I think the best prospects would be guys like Jimmy Rollins, Yunel Escobar, catchers and great speedy OFs
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2009
3:00 pm
Schilling a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Please, even if everybody LIKED him, he wouldn’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Unless you think 216 wins and a few Cy Young runner-up finishes, plus 10 postseason wins, equals first-ballot Hall of Famer….
kirkinga
March 23rd, 2009
3:01 pm
I think Ohman ticked off people by with his contract demands this offseason. Couple that with the trouble he reportedly had getting along with Sweet Lew, and a buyers market and you get a guy out of a job.
I doubt if anything is wrong with his arm, we would heard something over the Winter about “concerns about the number of innings he pitched”, or “concerns of how he faded the last months”. But there was none of that kind of talk.
The fascination with the new guys is…they’re new! And throw hard.And apparently 6+innings of ST ball is enough to convince some people that the new guys are just as effective as Ohman.
When Ohman came in last season he shut the door. Whether it was one batter or one inning. When we saw him on the mound we had a certain degree of comfort that he would get out of the mess.
Unless he’s resigned, we’re not going to have that this season and it will be back to burning a righthander to get out lefties. I predict that if the new guys don’t get it done, we’ll have to use a prospect/young player to acquire a reliable leftie. Resigning Ohman now would be much cheaper.
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2009
3:02 pm
Winterville, I just got in last night, and Braves actually took the day off today, so no, I’ve got no new news for you on Kawakami. But he’s on the sheet as scheduled to pitch Wednesday, and the Braves have not reported any setbacks. They said he’d have pitched if his last start had been a regular-season game anyway, so don’t know why he’d miss another start or be pushed back any further.
Bubdylan
March 23rd, 2009
3:03 pm
Schilling’s mouth is first ballot, for sure. Course, that retirement is a long, long ways off.
Tomas
March 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
Schilling is hall of famer, but not a 1st ballot HOF.
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2009
3:04 pm
Buzz: Derek Lowe starts Thursday against the Jays.
David O'Brien
March 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Cyrus: No sun to enjoy in OrlanDisneyOpolis. It’s cloudy and drizzled all morning.
dogsbrekky
March 23rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Instead of the proposed loogys why can’t we just use JoJo Reyes, his stuff by all accounts is much stronger this year and he has developed a good change up, he is better than all of the proposed LH relievers
Andrew
March 23rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Why dont we sign Frank Thomas to come off the bench(that if we trade someone)?