Hanson, Heyward sent to minors
Orlandisnopolis, Fla. – For those who still hadn’t seen the figurative writing on the wall regarding the Braves’ rotation plans, things should be clearer after Tommy Hanson and Jo-Jo Reyes were included in today’s roster cuts.
Ascendant 19-year-old hitting prospects Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman will also be included in the round of eight cuts, to be announced after today’s game against the Blue Jays.
Heyward
But we all (surely?) knew Heyward and Freeman were going to be sent down, since they’re not on the roster and both played at low-A Rome last season. They’ll begin this season at high-A Myrtle Beach.
Anyway, regarding Hanson: Most figured there was no way the Braves’ uber-prospect was going to be in the major league rotation to begin the season, not after Tom Glavine re-signed with the Braves last month.
The Braves didn’t add Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami this winter — that trio will make about $33 million this season — or re-sign Glavine with the intentions of releasing one before opening day. Certainly they weren’t going to send one of those veterans to the minors unless it was to rehab.
There’s still at least a slim chance Glavine won’t be ready to make his first scheduled start April 18, but only if his recent progress is interrupted, if he has a setback in his recovery from shoulder and elbow surgeries.
In that event, or if one of the others has any health issue, then, as manager Bobby Cox told me an hour ago, the Braves could recall either Hanson or Reyes from Triple-A Gwinnett and plug one of them into the rotation, if necessary.
”Both Jo-Jo and Tommy Hanson have had tremendous springs,” said Cox, who explained that the moves were made because the Braves are “running out of innings” in big-league camp — they got Vazquez andJorge Campillo back from the WBC recently — and Reyes and Hanson need regular work in minor league spring games to prepare for the season.
”If somebody goes down, we’ve got two guys ready to go,” Cox said.
Hanson was 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four Grapefruit League games, allowing 14 hits and six walks with 14 strikeouts in 14-2/3 innings.
“He can pitch here right now,” Cox said.
Hanson, who threw a 14-strikeout no-hitter in Double-A last season and utterly dominated the Arizona Fall League (first pitcher to be MVP of that prospect-laden league), said he fully expected to be sent down at some point during spring training. So he wasn’t disappointed or upset.
“I kind of figured it was coming,” he said. “Right now I’m just focused on getting ready for the season, wherever that is. When they say, ‘Go out and pitch,’ I’ll just go out and pitch.’”
Reyes was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four games, with nine hits and three walks allowed in 13 innings. He appears to have made significant strides since his woeful 2008 season, when he was 3-11 with a 5.81 ERA.
“Jo-Jo’s a pitcher now,” Cox said. “He’s learned how to pitch, and his composure on the mound is so much better.”
Reyes said he knows he just needs to be consistent, to avoid the big slumps that sunk his statistics during his 1-1/2 seasons in the majors.
“I did all I could do [this spring],” Reyes said. “Just got to keep working at it, and everything will fall into place.”
◊Heyward, a strapping outfielder from Henry County High outside Atlanta, and Freeman, a first baseman from California, are both expected to start the season at high-Class A Myrtle Beach after starring (and rooming together) at Class A Rome in 2008.
To say these guys are exceptional, both on and off the field, is an understatement. You can’t find anyone who’s been around them all spring, or in the minors, who doesn’t rave about their abilities and about their attitudes and intelligence.
Despite being younger than almost anyone getting regular playing time in major league spring games, they ranked among the Braves’ most productive hitters in several categories during the early weeks of Grapefruit League games (Heyward still does, in fact).
Both said they enjoyed every minute of their time in camp — and learned plenty from the coaches and players they talked to and observed every day.
Heyward hit .308 (12-for-39) with two home runs, three RBIs and 10 strikeouts in a team-high 23 games before today. (both players were kept in camp to play in Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays).Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
“Baseball at its best,” Heyward said of the big-league experience. “To come here and do what I did, it definitely builds confidence. To come in and get a taste of it, it’s a privilege and an honor. We have to go to the minors now, but we’ll just keep doing the thigns we’ve done to get here. Just keep going.”
Freeman hit .237 (9-for-38) with a homer and eight RBIs in 19 games before today.
“It’s been a blast,” Freeman said. “So much fun. You learn a lot from just talking to the players here and watching how they carry themselves, seeing the things they do to be successful here.
“I’m a confident person anyway, but this definitely helps my confidence a little, knowing that I can hit these guys, that I can already hang with them – or almost hang with them.”
Then Freeman said something that made me feel old but also made me feel good. And you just gotta picture this baby-faced, 6-foot-5 kid saying this with a big smile on his face in the major league clubhouse this morning:
”It’s been so much fun,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this at 19.”
◊ Soriano update: We’re still waiting for a more definitive update on Rafael Soriano, who was in the training room during most of our clubhouse time and wasn’t available to talk about his strained side before today’s game. Bobby Cox should have a better update for us from the training staff after the game, or I’ll check with Frank Wren during the game to see if the GM has heard whether the strain is considered mild or something that might sidline Soriano a while.
Soriano
Talking to a scout from an American League team this morning, he wasn’t surprised to hear Soriano’s had more health issues this spring (upper respiratory problem, Tuesday’s side strain, after coming back from season-ending surgery to transpose a nerve in his pitching elbow and remove a bone spur from the elbow). It’s always something with him, said the scout, who watched Soriano throw late in the 2006 season with Seattle. This scout said he saw Soriano absolutely dominant for stretches with the Mariners, then very hittable for other stretches, when his velocity would dip. Hmmm … why does that sound familiar?
◊ Couple other things: Peter Moylan, who had another strong inning last night against the Nationals, said he no longer has any doubts that he’ll be ready to begin the season with the Braves. That would put the Aussie sidearmer back in regular-season games a few days shy of the 11-month mark since his May 8 Tommy John elbow surgery. It’s usually a 12-month recovery, sometimes a month or two longer but rarely a full month shorter (a notable exception was Florida’s Jason Johnson, who’s a lot younger than Moylan, returned in just over 10 months form TJ surgery)…. Charlie Morton said his side and arm felt fine during last night’s inning vs. the Nationals, but that he just didn’t know where the ball was going. That’s from rust, after missing most of spring training (and all Grapefruit League games before Wednesday) recovering from a strained side. If the Braves don’t trade him, he’ll be part of a formidable rotation at Gwinner, along with Hanson and Reyes, among others….. 1B Casey Kotchman was just scratched again from today’s lineup. He’s still recovering from a bout with a nasty virus or flu bug or whatever. Been out about a week, said he lost five pounds and wants to get his legs back under him completely before he returns to the lineup.
A few links:
• The Braves aren’t the only team sending a premier pitching prospect to the minors for more seasoning. Read this story about the Tampa Bay Rays optioning 2008 postseason star David Price to the minors. Baseball America rated Price as the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball, with Hanson at No. 2….
• Have you heard about the “A-Roid” cocktail they’re serving at Bonfire in Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel? I’m serious. It begins with a shot of El Mejor Tequila, straight up. And on the side is a “performance-enhancing boost” of spiked tomato juice served in a syringe. Read this for more details. Fitting that the drinks is overpriced ($11).
• And at the risk of being Sawx-centric, for those who can’t get enough on John Smoltz’s comeback attempt with the Red Sox, here’s an AP report on the ex-Brave Bearded Icon’s first session on the mound since shoulder surgery.
James McMurtry, songwriter extraordinaire
“TOO LONG IN THE WASTELAND” by James McMurtry
hear the trucks on the highway
and the ticking of the clock
there’s a ghost of a moon in the afternoon
bullet holes in the mailbox
bullet holes in the mailbox
key holes in my mind
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
I’ve fallen behind
she said why don’t you come see me
when the sun goes down
it’ll be just like the old days
when I used to let you hang around
well I don’t know
I might not speak the language anymore
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
will close some doors
the people in the village
watch their children play
at the sight of a stranger
they call the kids away
just leave that man alone
I hear the mother say
he’s been
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
‘s what made him that way
well, I hadn’t intended
to bend the rules
but whiskey don’t make liars
it just makes fools
so I didn’t mean to say it
but I meant what I said
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
must’ve gone to my head
jet trail in the sunset
a long way away
cutting ‘cross the horizon
at the edge of the day
and it calls Jimmy
come fly away
but I’ve been
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
I believe I’ll have to stay
yeah, I’ve been
too long in the wasteland
too long in the wasteland
I believe I’ll have to stay
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,006 comments Add your comment
Zeus12888
March 26th, 2009
1:02 pm
Glad to see Bobby made the right call here. Last thing we want to do is rush our prized prospects.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
1:06 pm
I agree Zeus, the Braves future looks mighty bright, no need to rush em up to the Bigs just yet.
McFann :Ô:
March 26th, 2009
1:07 pm
To: cabravesfan
Posted that at the end of the last Blog, but then I saw that a new one was up.
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! I was voter #3 in the poll…couple weeks ago, I was #200.
Zeus12888
March 26th, 2009
1:09 pm
DOB, who do you see as in line for the first call up if (when) one of our starting 5 gets hurt?
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
Sorry, DOB Im taking the Spartans in the Sweet 16 and Duke as well.
Quick Quesition..when is Tommy G scheduled to pitch again?
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
1:10 pm
This Brad Mills guy is the Blue Jays’ #7 prospect, btw.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
Zeus, I’m pretty sure Bobby didn’t make that call. That was the FO’s call.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:12 pm
ATTAWAY, KELLY!
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:13 pm
Great AB there by KJ. Really good stuff.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:13 pm
Hard-hit double by KJ to the left-center gap, then moves to third on sac by Escobar. Chipper up
kdbanks
March 26th, 2009
1:14 pm
Love seeing KJ work the count full to leadoff.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:14 pm
Chipper drives in him with a sac fly to CF
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
Kelly has crazy good bat speed.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
ATTAWAY, FRENCHY!
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
1:16 pm
nice to see chipper get back into the swing of things..
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Nice swing Frenchie!!
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Nice hit by Frenchy to right field for a single.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
McCann bloop hit to left, then Francoeur hits an opp-field single to right, puts runners on corners for Norton with two outs
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Man Frenchy is just a completely different player. I didn’t see a swing like that all last year.
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
1:17 pm
Just noticed hitters 2-8 in today’s lineup are all hitting over .300 this spring for the braves
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
McCann went 1st to 3rd on the hit to right? Wow.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
Frenchy looks good.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
1:19 pm
McFann-
Thanks! I kinda suck at the whole fantasy thing so I need all the help I can get:)
McFann :Ô:
March 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
McCann went 1st to 3rd on the hit to right? Wow.
Haha! Yeah, told y’all it was possible!
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
I noticed McCann running awfully fast last night. (Compared to last year for instance.)
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
Is there any believers on the blog question?
Glad we have Kelly, not dudwick
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
Bobby’s Cox-
Not to take anything away from my guy’s blazing speed but there were 2 outs- I’m sure he was running on contact
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:20 pm
Forgot the lineup:
1. KJ leading off day, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. Francoeur, RF
6. Norton, 1B (Kotchman scratched, still recovering from flu)
7. B. Jones, LF
8. Schafer, CF
9. Lowe, RH
Read into it what you will, but Kelly hitting leadoff, Schafer in center again, J. Anderson not in lineup … I think it at least underscores that the Braves haven’t made up their minds about CF.
McFann :Ô:
March 26th, 2009
1:21 pm
cabravesfan–
Aw…well, I’m sure Rally will be happy to help! Right, Rally? Right!
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
cabraves…very good point haha
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
I think a lot of the reason the Braves were ready to sent Hanson to AAA this season was to monitor his innings…he only threw 138 in A+/AA last season.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
DOB, the fact that Hanson got sent down and Schafer didn’t is also very telling of the fact that the Braves are yet to make up their mind about the CF situation, I believe.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:22 pm
Steve, add all-star games and the AFL and he’s closer to 175.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:23 pm
Kevin Millar long fly to L-C gap, B. Jones gets under it nicely at warning track
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:23 pm
I think the Braves are being smart…why rush a guy along when our staff is pretty awesome as it right now…really Hanson becomes insurance to if anyone starts to suffer we have a dominant guy we can rely on! Has anyone thought about what we do next year when Hudson comes back?
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
1:24 pm
Anderson was 0-4 last night with a bad throw from C too.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:24 pm
MinnesotaJacket, those things usually work themselves out. I.E. injuries or someone becomes ineffective. If not, you just take the worst starter and put them in AAA or the bullpen.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:24 pm
PWHjort, no one really expected Schafer to get sent down, probably not until last cut if at all. Hanson had to go down to get innings, to make regular starts now that all the pitchers are in camp and going deeper in games, etc. Schafer is competing for a job and playing on a regular basis.
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
1:25 pm
true cabravesfan, but, you never want to make the 1st or 3rd out at 3rd….so McCann must have been flying. He surprised us on the base paths last year. With the weight loss….look out!
Jim
March 26th, 2009
1:26 pm
Does anyone else find the in-game interview as annoying as I do? The game last night was almost painful to watch even before the Nats took the lead. I know its spring training, but don’t these networks realize the only people that watch a ST ghame are those with more than a casual interest in the sport? A full 1/2 inning of ABs can go by without even a mention of wh is hitting. I hate the ESPN interview with the manager during the regular season as well.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:26 pm
If he wasn’t competing for a job you’d send him down at this point, right?
ATL
March 26th, 2009
1:26 pm
hopefully chipper can dodge Bautista at third
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
1:27 pm
Derek Lowe looks really good. CSS, new tv channel for the Braves? So it’s CSS, FSN south, Sport South, and Peachtree TV?
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:27 pm
That K was Maddux-like.
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:27 pm
PWH I know what ya mean but how do you drop Vas, Kenshin, or Hanson into triple A again…barring injury we have 3 great quality starters who all will “probably” deserve to play on a regular basis next year.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
If Jeff has a good year, as crazy as it sounds, maybe some credit needs to be given to Wren for getting contract issues over quickly with Franc. It’s one less thing on his mind so he can just focus on hitting. A mental thing, i guess.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
I like the in-game interview, especially with opposing clubs’ GM’s
OKGA
March 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
That’s cool. I’m really hoping to see a Hanson vs. Price duel at some point during the AAA season. Anyone know if Hanson is the starting pitcher for the Gwinnett Braves’ opening day vs. the Tides?
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
At this point I’m not even sure it’s a “competition”. It’s not who is better. It is turning into a question of whether the Braves can even afford to have Josh Anderson playing on an every day basis.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
The difference between Schafer and Hanson also showed in their play i felt. Hanson knew that he might not be on the 25 man and hence didnt overdo anything. Schafer on the other hand clearly recognizes his opportunity and is pushing hard. Nice to see his energy, just hope he retains the spark when he makes it up. The lineup is very interesting, though I thought Bobby would lead-of with Esco because they were facing a leftie.
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
Hanson threw 29 innings in the AFL…so that’s 167 total for the year. Putting him in the ATL rotation from day one may give him an opportunity to eclipse 200 innings, which is too much based on what he pitched last season. Keeping him down in AAA for a month or so will (in all likelihood) allow the Braves to keep him around 180 or so innings for the season, which is just about a perfect range at this stage in his career.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
MinnesotaJacket, our 2010 rotation options include, Hudson, Kawakami, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson, and Jurrjens. The odds of one of them not being hurt is very small. If they are all healthy one goes to the bullpen or to AAA.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
1:30 pm
Is this on Direct TV? Gracias.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
tnbrian
How did he resolve contract issues early? They almost went to arb. and settled near the midpoint about a day before the scheduled arb. Are you suggesting that if they had gone to arb Frenchie would’ve had a bad spring? I dont think so.
cphizzle
March 26th, 2009
1:32 pm
css and peachtree will be televising the same games i think
DAP
March 26th, 2009
1:33 pm
MFin04He blew 5 games. Or caused 5 losses….stop playing technical terms of baseball.
what if we are just accurate instead? in one of his blown saves, he also got the loss, so that not two seperate games, thats one. in his other blown save, the braves actually won the game, so he didnt cause a loss that time. the other two losses were when he came into the game with it tied… and the team lost.
so really, he “caused” 3 losses in 36 appearances. he really pitched pretty well despite coming off of surgery.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
1:33 pm
18Wheels__ Just got the dish today and was thinking the same thing while flipping through channels. Do we get peachtreeTV?
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:33 pm
Don’t forget to throw Joe Joe in there…yes I know he has had a rough career so far but if he keeps up the stuff he has shown in spring then I like him as a future #3-4 starter for the Braves. Then you throw in Morten if he keeps up a good work then he could be a starter as well in our future. So IF everyone stays healthy wwould the Braves trade one or keep tehm in the system and try to wait till contracts expire…
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
1:33 pm
Thomas, that many channels? I hope I get all of ‘em. I’m not sure why, but Turner South doesn’t come in right now. It did that last year and then just like majic, appeared when the season started. TBS was so much simpler and had better announcers. Skip was halarious, while Pete was more of the geek. It worked perfectly..
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
1:34 pm
PWHjort,
Regarding your 1:30, I’d like to see Medlen in the rotation, or at least compete for it next year too. Don’t forget he’s almost ready as well. That would be 7 guys, and wouldn’t even include Morton or Reyes, or Parr. All 3 likely won’t get traded.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
March 26th, 2009
1:34 pm
PWHjort,
Or you could just take one of the Jurrjens out of the equation….. That would give us a solid 5, and no one to get rid of…..
Seriously though, that 2010 rotation looks GREAT
Jersey Gil
March 26th, 2009
1:35 pm
Okga….The G braves open the season away with 4 games again the Knights, then 4 again the Bulls, If Hanson open the Season again the Knights the his Schedule should be on April 19 sun day agains the Tides.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
Boy, I sure didn’t like having Esco bunt with KJ at 2b and 0 out! I’m gonna assume Bobby wanted to take the opportunity to let Yunel practice the skill, which is a good spring training thing to do …. but I hope we’re not gonna play for 1 run in the 1st during the regular season!
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
This is my point…why not if your the Braves trade Vas or Kenshin next year (if another young gun steps up this year and we fill he could work the needs) and thus be able to get some great compensation for teams that NEED pitching..
jared
March 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
Why would BC cut Reyes given the uncertainty surrounding Glavine? Wouldn’t it have been a good idea to keep Reyes as insurance and in doing so save one of his options?
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
so…i hear there’s a game being played today?
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
Cativo, yeah but that’s probably better for his mind than if it weren’t resolved by now, don’t you think? I mean if you don’t know that Franc. is a guy that needs his mind cleared to perform at his highest, than you and I have been watching different Braves games over the years.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
Nice catch for Francouer, held on after running into wall in foul territory
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
1:37 pm
we are only keeping 4 starters
Jersey Gil
March 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
I’m hope he open the Season in Charlotte that give me the oppottunity to see him here in Lehigh again the Iron pigs in May.
kenhotlanta
March 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
Knuckle Sandwich regarding last night’s telecast (from the last blog)…Dibble praised Francour at length about his new approach this spring and how he expects Frenchy to have a much better season than last year, plus he made several other comments complimentary to the Braves. I have always liked Dibble on XM and found him to be funny and insightful. I did not care for Carpenter at all and, yes, they are homers in building up their team for the new year, but I imagine that is the case with most teams’ broadcasters.
The only complaint I have about last night was how much they talked about the Nat’s depth at every position and how talented they are; it seems to me they are loaded with has-beens, rejects, and suspects and I don’t expect them to be very good this year, but, then again, they did kick our butts last year!
mike28212
March 26th, 2009
1:38 pm
A bonus for me having Hanson sent down is that I’ll be able to see him pitch when Gwinnett opens up here against the Charlotte Knights.
bf braves fan
March 26th, 2009
1:39 pm
game reports would be appreciated thanks
arobs3
March 26th, 2009
1:39 pm
Don’t forget about Lowe in 2010 rotation….
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
1:40 pm
DOB,
So how can I get in touch with you to validate my credibility with the bloggers? I don’t wanna stalk you or anything and usually when I see you, you’re in the press box and there’s a fairly tall wall that prevents me from just coming right up to you. Not only that but you’re usually busy typing away and I don’t wanna interrupt your mojo.
i cant take it anymore
March 26th, 2009
1:41 pm
man…I have been fighting it all spring. I’ve been trying to keep the “business of baseball” perspective this spring, but I’m just about ready to throw my hat into the schafer corner. It just seems that his maturity from the “first person” days, the new speed, hitting and nice defense has the kid screaming “I’m ready”. it would suck to lose j anderson if put on waivers, but one slow month from our CF has the potential to hurt us if he is placed at the top of the lineup.
I’m getting really close to voting for jordan. lets see what happens today.
oh yeah, Atlanta gas light ran their gas line right through MY sewer line. sewage came up in both my showers, so I have been huffing some serious bleach. maybe its just the clorox talking…
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
1:42 pm
Rafael Soriano, does get injured an awful lot, and he is totally dominant at times, and struggles when his velocity dips. Could it be steroids? He is from the Dominican Republic, the steroid capital of the world.
A Dizzy Nick Esasky
March 26th, 2009
1:43 pm
DOB do you think we will see a six-man pitching rotation in MLB? Would the Braves benefit from one this year?
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
1:43 pm
For next year (Im going to assume Glavine goes out on a high note and retires a Brave) that Lowe stays at one with Hudson and Hanson 2-3 Jurj as number 4 guy (we trade Vaz or kenshin whoever had the worse season for great prospects) and then dependin on how the young guys give them one more year in the minors with our 2011 team looking like Hanson-Jurj-Lowe-JoJo-and either Morten,Parr, or the other new guy (can’t remember his name)
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:43 pm
Kelly seems to be heating up at the right time.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
1:44 pm
game updates anyone?
Braveone
March 26th, 2009
1:45 pm
mike28212 – A bonus for me having Hanson sent down is that I’ll be able to see him pitch when Gwinnett opens up here against the Charlotte Knights.
I also live in Charlotte & hope to go see the opener to see Hanson pitch. But the game starts at 11:15AM on a Thursday. What team opens their season on a morning weekday?
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
Got a KJ single and Escobar double, now Chipper up with two in scoring position and none out
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
This team might struggle against Aces due to the lack of the long ball, but they are going to absolutely eat up middle of the road to mediocre pitching.
KennyP
March 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
What is the latest LF talk? We have Jones in today, Diaz playing great, GAnderson is coming back? Seems more of a question lately than CF.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
tnbrian
I get what you ae saying about Frenchie. All I am saying is – if the contract hadnt been resolved on the day it was, it would’ve been resolved the next day (the scheduled arb date). It wasnt due to Wren that anything happened. It just would never drag on far into spring for the arb cases, which is why it is scheduled for feb.
stupup74
March 26th, 2009
1:47 pm
I wanted to add a point about Hanson and Reyes.
I think Reyes’s development has been an overlooked story of spring. Hanson has kind of overshadowed him. I still think Reyes is going to have a chance to be a very good pitcher. Vasquez’s contract is only for two years so the braves will have flexiblity with the staff for the next two years. I could definately see Reyes join Jurrgens and Hanson in the Rotation with Kawakami and Lowe in 2011. That is 3 pretty decent pitchers at pretty decent cost. That ought to help payroll and free up money for a bat or 2 to go along with Heyward and/or Freeman when they get here.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:48 pm
Chipper single off the pitcher’s glove, drives in a run, Mac up with runners on corners
Tomahawk210
March 26th, 2009
1:49 pm
Does anyone have a play-by-play? What did Schafer do his first at bat?
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
1:49 pm
Escobar is a stud.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:49 pm
McCann GIDP, fails to bring in run. Two outs, Francoeur up, runner at third
Random
March 26th, 2009
1:50 pm
Wayne in Utah (10:09 am):
“spotts
“I have always thought you were both funny and insightful…”
Him and who else? Me?
“Good to see Random is going back and checking all my posts…I wouldn’t want him to miss anything.”
Thanks.
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
1:50 pm
Here’s a link to the Gameday. It’s being pretty slow, though…
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_26_tormlb_atlmlb_1
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
1:50 pm
DOB,
Can you highlight your responses in grey like you normally do?
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
1:51 pm
Remember the old 2 out runners on Frenchy?
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
1:51 pm
Francoeur struck out looking, second K of the spring
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:52 pm
Haha wow, tough pitch. Good to see Jeff lay off the other two. That is a nice curve though.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:52 pm
Haha, I left Derek Lowe out of the 2010 rotation. I knew I was missing something major.
Jim
March 26th, 2009
1:53 pm
Why is Heyward still here for today’s game. It’s interesting for the fans to see the top prospect, but there are still 6 outfielder’s + GA who are competing for roster spots or playing time to tune up for the season. Thgey need to get all the ABs possible. It seems like Blanco has already been demoted/traded in the minds of the brass.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
1:53 pm
Kelly seems to hit lefties better than righties.
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
1:53 pm
I told anyone who would listen that Hanson was going to AAA. Not that he can’t pitch now, just doesn’t have a place in the rotation right now. How about that Gwinnett Braves rotation:
1-Hanson
2-Reyes
3-Morton
4-Parr
5-Medlen
5 spot is up in the air, but the other four are all but locked down. Pretty formidable. I can’t believe Freeman and Heyward aren’t at least in AA.
sri
March 26th, 2009
1:53 pm
Is Gameday correct, that Lowe has thrown 18 pitches through 3 innings and all 18 were strikes!!. Do the Toronto players swing at everything?
George N. Spitz
March 26th, 2009
1:54 pm
I think they should try Freeman at third base; he throws right-handed and could be a good replacement for Chipper into or three years. Heyward who throws left handed like being eventual first baseman. Brandon Jones and Francour might be too good as corner outfielders to let one of them go.
Boston Brave
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:54 pm
Gameday’s incorrect.
Jim
March 26th, 2009
1:55 pm
How does McCann’s GIDP with runners on the corners not bring in a run?
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
1:55 pm
Lowe is just filthy right now.
sri
March 26th, 2009
1:55 pm
it showed the same for Mills too.. gameday must be broken..
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
1:56 pm
They looked Escobar back to 3rd.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
1:56 pm
Jim, it was a come-backer to the pitcher, who had time to check the runner at 3rd and still turn it.
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
Winners tonight?
I say UConn, Pitt, Nova, and Memphis.
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
>How does McCann’s GIDP with runners on the corners not bring in a run?
Because it was a ground ball to the pitcher and they looked Escobar back to third.
Jim
March 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
Who pitches after Lowe today? I would like to see Medlen in the bullpen this year (April)
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
1:57 pm
Jim
The pitcher looked Esco back to 3rd base and still threw to 2nd base in time to start a DP.
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
1:59 pm
Cameron, looking at your Gwinett rotation has got me to thinking that either Medlen makes the bullpen out of ST or there will be a trade of one of Morton/Reyes because with that rotation we still don’t have a spot for Todd Redmond, who had a very nice season at AA last year.
cvbraves
March 26th, 2009
1:59 pm
Gotta admit that BMac losing weight has sure increased his speed, but twice as fast is still not but so fast.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
1:59 pm
Cameron, I like your picks minus Nova. I think Duke comes away with a hard fought win.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:00 pm
George, we discussed this yesterday. Freeman has pathetic defensive range, even at 1B. There’s no chance he could play 3B, he’d be too much of a defensive liability.
mike28212
March 26th, 2009
2:00 pm
Braveone I know what you mean. I had some extra vacation time I have to use before the end of May so I went ahed and took that Thursday and Friday off. I have no idea why they are starting that game before noon.
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
2:01 pm
Nova should beat Duke. They look like a more solid team.
Jim
March 26th, 2009
2:02 pm
Medlen will be in A bullpen this year. He has not been stretched out to start. I don’t think Redmond is as much of a prospect as Morton or Reyes, so I hope we don’t get rid of one of those 2 or parr to open a spot for him.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
For the love of all that is good can someone tell me if this is on DirecTV, and if so what channel?????????????
StingerSplash
March 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
So this new A-Roid shot … is this the Bonfire of the Vanities or just the Bonfire of the Vain? (And if you’re staying at that hotel and drinking in that bar, yes.)
Tom
March 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
Most scouts say that Freeman has a great glove at 1B because he used to be a 3B. He’s outgrown the 3B position now but he’s very good at 1B.
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
PWH, Freeman was drafted out of HS, where he was a 3B/P. The Braves moved him to first after the draft. I agree that he’s probably not a viable option at 3B, but I disagree about you assessment of Freeman’s 1B defense, and so does Baseball America:
“His [Freeman's] defense is well above average at first base, with some scouts comparing Freeman to Mark Grace but with more power.”
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:04 pm
Schafer another single, goes to second on throw to third, where Brandon Jones slid in safely.
Lowe up with two RISP and one out
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:05 pm
I love my retro refresh button. I think every time I push it, Sawyer on Lost ends up in a different time zone.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:05 pm
Nice work Jordan. Terrible base running, but heads up there from Schafer to take second.
Erin
March 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
Not on my DirecTV–lot of other games coming up this weekend on MLBN though.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
Lowe chops a single through left side of infield, drives in two runs, Braves up 4-0
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
Boy Schafer looks good around the bases, quick and smart.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:06 pm
Schafer is the guy. No 3 ways around it.
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:07 pm
Wow Schafer flying around third. Boy’s got a second gear it looks like.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
2:07 pm
Lowe can hit too?
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
2:08 pm
Erin—THANK YOU. I can stop pulling my hair out now and let some of the blood flow back out of my face.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
2:08 pm
Chip Caray just said that Boone Logan and O’Flaherty might pitch today. Lookout!!
Bobby's Belly
March 26th, 2009
2:08 pm
2 good ab’s for Schafer against a lefty throwing lots of breaking balls.
pryguy
March 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
I saw it mentioned before on this recent blog entry, but I agree with some readers that JO JO should not be overlooked for Hanson immediately. As excited as everyone is about Hanson and his future in Atlanta, I think JO JO is next in line to get a fair shake if one of our top 5 goes down. He has shown so much inconsistency, but has rebounded and shown his potential this spring quite well. DOB, who is it to get called up first in the event of an injury….JOJO or Hanson? What is your opinion?
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
2:09 pm
DOB–Any contact with Ohman recently? Just wonder why/how he is still out there.
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
Schafer is just a little gun, kid can run like the wind…….
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
18, my refresh button sometimes takes me further away. I’m thinking that if I hit it often enough, I may be able to read the posts after the 95 World Series.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
Steve from OH: Freeman is oustanding defensively, as I’ve remarked several times. One play he made, I instinctively wrote Kotchman makes great play … because it looked just like Kotchman going to his right and stabbling a hot grounder, then tossing to the pitcher covering.
Very strong defensive 1B, on top of being a premier hitting prospect.
But 3B? No, not now. He’s 6-5 and a bit … well, I’d say gangly, but some people would say that implies that he’s skinny. He’s not skinny, but he’s sort of long-limbed and, well, gangly. Not a 3B option. But a helluva hitter and defensive 1B.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:10 pm
Steve, everyone who actually watches him play sees he has terrible range. His glove is good, though.
KC
March 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
Francoeur struck out today… second of spring. That’s it… he’s finished. The naysayers were right. Francoeur sucks. He’s go nothing left!!
KC
March 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
We’ve got some pitchers who can handle the bat here, don’t we? Lowe looked good with that hit, and Kawakami looked damn good, for a pitcher, at the plate last night.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
Cattivo, I didn’t know that. You gotta point
That Soriano steroid thing is crap. Some guys are just injury prone and doesn’t all have to be steroid related. Lets face it, he keeps coming up with injuries/excuses, he won’t be a Brave for long. Whether or not it’s his fault, that’s just the business of MLB and we all know that.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:11 pm
Brandon Jones seemed to slip or have doubts about going to third and he was dead to rights at third but Bautista dropped it. Maybe Kelly leading off against lefties is a good idea.
Dan
March 26th, 2009
2:12 pm
hahaha
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
Do you actually watch him play? Like a lot, or just once or twice?
I’ll take the scouts’ opinion, thanks.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:13 pm
DOB, Whats the lastest for Garret Anderson? When is he going to play?
RLPmetro
March 26th, 2009
2:14 pm
Fischerking…go back and look through DOB’s multiple postings in multiple previous blogs in which he has addressed the Ohman issue. Ohman will not be back! PERIOD!
DOB…this is the problem with you endearing a player to us here on the blog! When we buy in and start to love hearing about a guy, people never forget about him!
Zeus12888
March 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Strong agree pryguy,
give JoJo another shot, let Hanson get more seasoning. Thats best for the braves in the end
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
Boy am I so good.
There is no competition for CF only others eating my dust !
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
If Anderson isn’t in the plans for the CF spot, they oughta trade him and whoever else they might be trading for something of value. Why take a chance on him being claimed by another team when they could get something for him in a trade?
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
“Francoeur struck out today… second of spring. That’s it… he’s finished. The naysayers were right. Francoeur sucks. He’s go nothing left!!” – KC
Got to say, I’m as impressed as I could possibly be with what Jeff has done this spring. Not ready to declare it a completed project yet, but he really is a completely different hitter.
That big looping curve he K’d on was almost an ephus pitch. KJ waited on the same one and bounced it for a single – looked like a beer league softball at bat.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
That was a weird balk! What happened there?
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
Some throw bye Schafer huh. Great tag by Mac too.
cmac1919
March 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
This is why Schafer needs to be our centerfielder!
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
2:16 pm
Jordan S. is a stud.
stynes
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
What a freaking throw!
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Wow, INCREDIBLE throw by Schafer. Frozen rope.
Bobby's Belly
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
competition over – done
Jeff Blauser
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
What a throw!
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Alright, I’m sold. Schafer in center!
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Fischerking:
The game is on CSS, which stand for Comcast Sports Southeast. So no, it is not on DirecTV. Sorry, brother. Try 640 AM radio.
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
2:17 pm
Oh I just crushed one at the plate
F.I.G.J.A.M.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Geez, what a rifle shot through from your new center fielder. A little credit to the Toronto runner for not pulling a Pete Rose and crashing the catcher. If it was September, that might’ve been ugly.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Wow what a play by Jordan. He needs to make this team, release Josh Anderson he has no future on this team anyway.
Tyler
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
You gotta go with the best option, and the best option is Schafer!!!!!!
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
Terrific throw by Schafer and equally stellar tag by McCann on that play at the plate. Schafer’s arm reminds me of Kotsay when Kotsay first started his big-league career with Marlins and led NL in assists a couple of years. They’re about same size at that stage of careers, too….
Fischerking: I texted back and forth with him a couple days ago. Said he was still throwing at a workout/rehab center in Phoenix area, that he could pitch in a game tomorrow (hey, it’s what he said)
Cameron
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
DOB
Can you highlight your posts in grey like you usually do?
Thanks!
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:18 pm
I’m from Rome, GA. I’ve seen him play a time or 2.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:19 pm
I wonder how that throw looked from where Bobby is sitting? Seriously, the kid is ready and has dominated this CF ‘competition’.
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
Fair enough. Like I said, I’ll take DOB’s word and the word of real scouts and say that he’s a fine defender.
Il Cattivo
March 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Cameron
His posts are highlighted in grey like usual. There must be some issue with the browser setting or monitor you are using.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Tomas, G. Anderson is aiming for Saturday return. Cox said that Tuesday, and it hasn’t changed.
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
la dee da dee da
I am it………… just it
woo hoooooooo
Wait til I start crushing HR
Dan
March 26th, 2009
2:21 pm
Man!! If jordan wins the CF competition my ball signed by Josh will be worth nothing.
Jeff Blauser
March 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Josh Anderson for a dozen bats and 10 dozen balls anyone?
Runnin
March 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
What’s Ohman doing in rehab??? No wait, don’t tell me. lol
pryguy
March 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
Isn’t it obvious if we’re shopping Anderson around that a team can just wait and see if the Braves put him on waivers? He holds little to no value to other teams, especially with the recent reaction to Scafer. I don’t see Anderson warranting any decent return, unless coupled with one of our “excess” arms. I think the surplus of arms needs to remain as such. We’ve seen all too often how that surplus diminshes by the days of summer. Don’t make a move just to do it because of an abundance, after all isn’t this what we wanted? An abundance of quality pitchers to turn to? Just my two cents, for what it’s worth
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
Runnin, it’s just a workout facility, like the ones a bunch of Braves use in suburbs, where some go to do their rehab after surgeries, but others just go to do their workouts, since they have mounds and all there.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
He’s got a good glove, arm, and fields softly, but he has significantly below-average range. He’s 6′5″ 220, you don’t expect him to have good range. There isn’t a single scouting report you’ll read that says he has above-average range.
hotmom
March 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
Belly – you have been right all along. How could we have doubted you. Schafer is our hero.
Tyler
March 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
DOB what is Josh Anderson’s OBP this spring?
G thebrave3
March 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
murphy was 6′4′ 220 and he did alright in center (5 gold gloves) he’ll be alright
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
2:25 pm
People will trade for Josh if they think someone ahead of them in the waiver process will take him first. We probably wouldn’t get a lot, but something.
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
Ah, just saw the Frenchy catch on a replay. And it looked good to me. Btw, CSS is interviewing him from the dugout now.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
Yea the steroid thing is just dumb. You can’t start assuming every injury prone pitcher must be on roids. And of course a guy is going to probably have worse results when their velocity dips. I’m just not sure where that applies with Soriano in regards to the velocity dips. If you go through Soriano’s career splits (month by month) he really hasn’t had too many bad stretches (not sure what defines a dominant stretch and a hittable stretch) . . but in terms of era and baa, his worst months were those couple stretches he had in his first year with Atlanta, where it was his location, not his velocity that was the issue. If you go through the splits, trying to find where his velocity was down, it’s not such an easy task.
In 2006, the year that the scout apparently saw him, he definitely had some control issues in July/August (He missed September after getting tagged in the noggin by the Vladimir Guerrero line drive), but he still ended up with 18k’s, .200 baa, 2 hr, and 13 hits in 17.1 ip in that time.
Look the guy isn’t a picture of perfect health. We get that. He’s basically the relief version of Rich Harden. When he’s healthy he’s going to put up good numbers, but you’re going to have to plan on a few DL stints here and there.
I’m not counting 2004, because he threw 3 innings and that was the year he underwent Tommy John.
pryguy
March 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
dob,
you missed out on your last chance to see ryan adams live. I gave you fair warning a few times. One of the greatest singer songwriters in the past few years.
Saltywoody
March 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/03/25/ajc_job_cuts.html
I don’t know if this was discussed in last day or so. If it was, I missed it.
But wondering if this has any ramifications for Braves’ coverage or the like?
Sad to see all these great papers declining/disappearing.
Newspapers are one of those things we’re not going to wholly realize the value of until they’re gone and we’re left with no one keeping tabs on the injustices in our communities. Can’t help but feel like our nation and society get a little bit worse with every piece of news like this.
Runnin
March 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
DOB, just funnin ya. I sure would love to see Ohman back this year but I guess it’s not meant to be.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
Count the Rockies and Dodgers among teams looking for back-end-of-rotation starters. And count the Braves as one of the few teams with perhaps an extra such starter or two….
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
The Pirates and Padres are also looking for pitching. Of any sort.
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Moylan is the best reliever, even I can’t hit him
blogging from the dugout
The Love Child of Dale Murphy and Johnny Cash
March 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
DOB
Any chance the Braves get fed up and send Soriano to AAA despite his salary?
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
Hey, the Yankees have announced (again) that Melky Cabrerra is on the block. I guess that’s a big deal because he’s a Yankee. But Josh has better numbers and is a much better base-stealer – granted, a much smaller sample size – than Cabrerra. Will be interesting to see who gets what for whom (try diagramming that sentence) – if it comes to that.
brian
March 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
for a team looking for speed, possible leadoff hitter, and a defensive CF Anderson would hold some value – we would not get anything more than a single A level prospect for him but we should be able to get a prospect. Blanco can be sent to the minors one more time as insurance for Schafer.
I would also look for the Braves to clear out one or two relievers and possibly one of the near major league ready starters for prospects as well – again single A type prospect.
DOB – do you ever go down on the field pregame during the season? I may say hi if I see you when I get to come down to Atlanta and see a few of the Marlin games in mid April
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
How about RIOS and Halladay for
JoJo
Morton
Josh A
Parr
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
DOB,
Do you think the Braves would view Melky Cabrera as an upgrade over Josh Anderson or Blanco (if we assume they’d prefer to start Schafer in the minors)? Looks like the Yankees are shopping him and the Braves might have a few bullpen arms and/or utility guys that might interest them.
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
I have watched melky a lot, he cannot hit for sheet
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Morton for Jeff Baker.
Dadgum
March 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
So PWH….do you seriously think that the Braves will grab the Hudson 12 mil option for 2010? I don’t see that one at all. Assuming we get good results from Vazquez and Kawakami then I think the Braves pass on that price tag especially after they threw 16 mil at Lowe. Way way too early to make those projections but on principle with all else being known to date, nah I don’t see Hudson with the Braves unless a deal is structured or restructured.
Rock on…..TnBrian / Lew, is New Cars a redneck? Just wondering…..
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Melky Cabrera……. lmao
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
doggsbrekky,
You’re kidding right?
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
scratch that, forget he went to Clemtech.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
Oh my, THIS JUST IN: Get ready for the Asian Invasion on Monday, when Boston comes to Dark Star to face the Bravos, and Dice-K makes his spring debut for the Sawx against Kenshin Kawakami. Kid you not.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
Schafer crushed damn wind pulled it back.
arobs3
March 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Asian invasion…ahahahaha!!
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Lowe: 6 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, no walks, 7 K’s. Threw 62 strikes in 91 pitches
brian
March 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
As money strapped as the Braves have been in recent years (I wish I was money strapped with only an $80-$90 million budget) I do not see the Braves sending Jordan Schafer down to the minor leagues only to prolong his free agency. If Josh Anderson or Blanco convince the Braves they deserve a chance to be the starting CF this year then yes, Schafer will go down for more seasoning. If Anderson continues to have a rough spring and Schafer continues to hit well against expected major league starters (not minor leaguers) then the Braves will start Schafer. He was had a strong spring and one thing I have been most impressed with is the improvement and work ethic. Schafer worked hard in the off season and it shows. I wonder if Anderson is second guessing his decision to skip winter league baseball
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Dadgum, I think DOB has previously reported that the Braves intend to exercise Huddy’s option as long as he proves he’s healthy…
winthrop09
March 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
ill be at the charlotte opening day, hopefully hanson pitches. I actually like the 11 start time. also, gotta love the IL schedule makers. charlottes first 3 series are home against gwinett, norfolk, and durham. ill be able to see hanson, weiters, and price.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
just for the record, I NEVER suggested the Braves should pursue Melky Cabrera. That’s the last thing we need. Just noting that he’s on the market, and teams MAY have the option of trading for him or Josh Anderson – that it’s an interesting choice, IMO.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Great outing from D. Lowe
Jeff Blauser
March 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
dogsbrekky, I think you’re giving up too much there for two guys who have never proven they can succeed for a team south of the Canadian border.
KC
March 26th, 2009
2:40 pm
Schafer just crushed a ball to deep left-center off a lefty. Would’ve been out of the part if not for wind. And of course, he had a single earlier and gunned down a runner at the plate.
Heading into this spring, it just made so much sense for Schafer to start at AAA and have Anderson in CF on opening day. But now????
Gosh, if you had to make the call today, wouldn’t you have to go with Schafer?
Bear
March 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
I was catching up on the posts.
18 Wheels, your 2:o5 post was hilarious.
BB5795, your 2:10 reply to 18 Wheels was equally as funny. I couldn’t stop laughing because that “backwards refresh” happens to me a lot, too.
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
The starting pitchers and most of the position players seem ready for the season. Looks like the bullpen still needs time to get ready, though.
Thrillhouse44
March 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
Schafer and The Fran Man – 2 great arms. That could be a lot of fun to watch.
Schafer Obliterator. Not that we need another person pulling a Kenny Powers, but everyone knows Schafer talks in third person…at least Thrillhouse knows it.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
It’s only 15 for Lowe, and Hudson at 12 million is one HELL of a bargain.
Woogidy
March 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
How come nobody has mentioned Campillo? I think he’s the #6, if you will. I mean if Glavine can’t go on April 18th, I think Campillo is the guy. I do, however, think he’ll be the one traded if there is a trade.
Dan
March 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
First game of the season is on ESPN. Derek Lowe vs Cole Hamels(probably) Good game.
JEZ
March 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
Hudson is still in his prime and can be a solid ace. We have to exercise his option!
vabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
wow DOB I thought it was bad when I went down there recently and saw the Japanese reporters that were following Kensin, can’t even imagine how many will be there now. Better claim your spot in press box early that day.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Said it before and I’ll say it again. Brave should sign Ohman for 1 mil or so and if Braves are in it at the Allstar break great. That is what it is all about! But even if they are not, trade Ohman to a contender and get something they need for next year. That would cost the braves 1/2 mil for a position player that could help in years to come.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
So Hamels will be ready for opening day?
cvbraves
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Dan: Don’t believe Hamels will be ready opening day…I’d guess Brett Myers for the Phils.
The Real Don Steele
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Phillies have already announced that Hamels first start has been pushed back to April 10. He won’t be their opening day pitcher against the Bravos. Won’t appear in the series.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
I really don’t know how the Braves can afford to go with Anderson at this point.
1) This team lacks relative pop, and will rely on playing the odds of having a lot of guys getting on base, hitting for average, and moving runners over. Anderson doesn’t get on base. Schafer will get on base, will steal bags, and has decent pop. Clear upgrade in all categories.
2) Schafer’s defense is clearly superior. Between him and Francoeur, we are going to be holding people on base. That is an asset.
Anyway, it’s been discussed to death. But the contrast between today and yesterday should make this a no brainer for the Braves.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Can someone please inform me why we should pick Josh over Jordan?(other than losing Josh)
Dan
March 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Thats right!! Where’s Hudson goin to be in the rotation once he gets healthy??
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
Put Morton or Jo Jo in a deal with the Dodgers for Blake DeWitt. Then you’ve got a young 3B “just in case.”
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
We are going to match up real well against the Phils. Vazquez will face Blanton, JJ with Moyer? Yes, please.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
IMO, the only way we bring Huddy back is if we some major injury to a starter or if we trade Jurrjens.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Jonathon- That is a great idea. But, I do not think LA would let him go. They do need pitching!
Jim
March 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Moylan and Boyer have been the 2 best pitchers out of the bull pen this spring.
Dan
March 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Score update??
Woogidy
March 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Asian Invasion, I can only IMAGINE the flashbulbs
Runnin
March 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
BC better hurry up and send Schafer to the minors while he still can.
HokieBravefan
March 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Update anyone??? Who’s pitching now???
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
Next year’s rotation, in terms of “stuff”
1) Hanson
2) Lowe
3) Hudson
4) Vazquez
5) Jurrjens
That is a beautiful rotation. Ground out galores with Huddy and Lowe. 800 innings, you’d hope, from 2-5 in our rotation. Strikeouts galore from Hanson and Vazquez. It would be a pure powerhorse.
You could also sub Reyes for Vazquez if we decide to deal, and Reyes is lights out in AAA. Same with Morton. Exciting stuff. No wonder the Braves are thinking of Medlen in the pen. Where else could he fit? And as Lowe and Hudson age, you see Reyes, Morton, Rohrbough and Locke on the horizon. Not to mention Schafer, Heyward, Freeman, Hernandez, and whoever the Braves take 7th in this round. Looking good indeed.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
We are definitly not trading young Jurrjens. Young, good pitching is hard to find.
McFann :Ô:
March 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
mbatl A little credit to the Toronto runner for not pulling a Pete Rose and crashing the catcher.
Yeah! What a terrific guy!
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Why wouldn’t we pick up Hudson? He’s been great the last few years. And he puts up innings. I think the Braves definitely exercise that option.
braint
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Picking up Hudson’s option is a no-brainer. An ace for $12 million is a bargain.
josh
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
dave,
any additional info on kotchman? how’s he looked when he wasn’t sick?
chris from md
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Dadgum,
I used to think it was a slam dunk that we’d pick up Hudson’s option but not anymore. Though $12 million may be a bargain, the Braves have a lot of guys due for significant arbitration raises. They’ll likely have Soriano and Glavine off the books but that only saves us about $8 million. I’m thinking Chipper’s new contract will be similar to what we were paying him before. So, regretably, I don’t see how we could afford Hudson, especially in light of the economy and the plethora of young pitchers waiting in the wings.
Chris from MD
Steve from OH
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Freeman knocks in Escobar, 5-1 Braves.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Epinephrine
If the rotation follows the current pattern Vazquez will actually pitch the 3rd game- on the 8th (he is scheduled to pitch the April 3rd game in ATL against the Tigers)- JJ is in line to pitch the 2nd game on the 7th.
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
DeWitt might be too valuable for the Dodgers to part with, but they also have 3B prospects Joshua Bell and Pedro Baez.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
18 wheels i highly doubt the braves will trade JJ. KK would probably be the odd man out, with Hanson taking over for Glavine. Rotation could possibly be.. Lowe, Vazquez, JJ, Hudson, Hanson. I dont know tho, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Epinephrine—Or I guess to anybody—How has Blanton looked for the Phils so far this spring? On paper our 2-5 pitchers should be much more successful this season than any other NL East team. Meyers would be lucky to fill the 4 spot for us IMO and he is slated to be their #2…well 1 if you count Hamels out of the first start.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
WOW. Heyward just absolutely CRUSHED a ball. The wind pulled it back, but that was just absurd.
JEZ
March 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Are you kidding me? Hudson is like what 32? He’s a veteran and fierce competitor. He had this injury which you know killed him to miss the season. He is like a Smoltz in that he will not let this keep him down. He has to be in a braves uniform next year. Even with our prospects almost ready, we need another proven starter, need I remind you of the 3 dominant starters we had that carried us through the 90’s..We would have Huddy, Lowe, and a wealth of talent behind them.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Oh man…Damn wind.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
Lowe is great AGIAN! What else is new? He was the guy that I was yapping about last summer to “BravesFanInRockies” when he started listing pitchers we should go after in the winter. He left out Lowe and then agreed with me that he’d be one of the better options. He just doesn’t get the “highlights” on ESPN but gets the job done most of the time. I love him and think he’s the perfect fit as our go to guy.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
So KK is a 7m long relief guy?
BostonBravesGirl
March 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
MLB.com Gameday is just pathetic.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Blanton has looked fine this spring, but the numbers don’t matter. Prospectus has him at 4.43/Whip of 1.36, which I think is about right. He fluctuates between quality starts and getting absolutely lit up early. But he’ll never absolutely dominate a quality lineup. I feel very comfortable with JJ matching up against him any day of the week.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
I think KK is most likely to get dealt. I could be wrong-a lot of guys have Vazquez pegged. But I think Javy is going to really enjoy A) Being under Cox rather than Ozzie, and B) more importantly, being back in the NL. He has dynamite stuff, he’s just never really put it together in a way you’d expect from the pitches he has. If he has a very nice season, I think the Braves are going to be hard pressed to send him packing.
Brandon
March 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
If KK proves to be productive he might be used in a trade..But it all depends on how productive Hudson can be coming off major surgery.
Jersey Gil
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Don’t make any plan for opening day here in Phillis, Forescast not look to good. Cold Rain, low 31 Sunday, and Monday Posible Snow…this accord Accuweather. Crost Finger…I think is Myer vs Lowe.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
I agree about taking a JJ .vs. Blanton matchup any time. My only concern with JJ is that he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself to outperform last years stats. I think the added veterans in the rotation should help to relieve some of that. I just hope that he is able to relax and play to his game. If so he should have an outstanding year.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
Logan looks terrible again. This could turn in to an issue.
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:05 pm
That has been my point…what do the Braves do about pitching in the end?? I definately say we pick up Hudson’s contract because we will most likely be trading Kenshin or Vaz if we do pick it up.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:05 pm
Logan can’t get righties out. Thats why Will Ohman is so valuable.
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
3:06 pm
The Dodgers might be desperate enough to part with Josh Bell: they’re in a winnable division, and just paid big money for Manny, Casey Blake and Furcal. Right now they have Eric Milton as their #5. Yikes.
The Rockies don’t have any major 3B prospects right now. I think any trade from our pitching depth should net a solid 3B prospect, b/c we don’t have an obvious front-runner to take over for Chipper when the time comes.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
3:06 pm
Sign and trade Huddy for a power bat?
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:07 pm
Jon totally agree with you on the 3B prospect, but also just throwing it out there that we really don’t have a great catcher coming up either (yes I know we have Bmac forever now) but saying it would be good to get a young catcher in my opinion in the wings just in case BMac goes down with injury plus catchers knees can only hold up so long IMO
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
DOB I had someone mention this to me and I have no idea if it is true at all…but can you trade someone just for cash room (so pretty much we give you this player to clear up cap room with no player in return)? Sorry if this is a stupid question haha
KC
March 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Will Ohman!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Sorry, but JoJo is better than Logan. So, what’s the point in letting Logan stink it up this year?
Oh right. Because Bobby Cox said JoJo wasn’t going to the pen, eh? Well, I’ll be sure to let y’all know how that works out. Because I have my eye on this wannabe member of the GIVE IT UP BOYS!
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Brandon Hicks is probably the top 3B prospect in the Braves org.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
18 Wheels
What exactly do you think we could get for a guy coming off major elbow surgery?
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Anyone care to share what is going on in the game?
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Boone Logan is not getting it done, and O’Flaherty is even worse. WILL OHMAN might still be back in a Braves uniform.
MS
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Hey DOB…it’s Josh Johnson, not Jason Johnson who recovered from TJ surgery on the Marlins….close.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
With every at bat Boone Logan must be seeing his chances at making the big club get dimmer and dimmer. All the while Ohman is saying there may be hope for a phone call from Frank Wren yet…
KC
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
I think the Brave MUST sign Will Ohman, not only to have a reliable lefty in middle relief… but also because of Soriano’s health questions. If Soriano isn’t ready to go, or doesn’t look in any way reliable, the Braves could really use another proven reliever they can use in the 7th or 8th inning. Ohman can do more than just serve as a situational lefty.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
You look around our league…
Utley, Howard, Victorino, Ibanez
Reyes, Delgado, Church
Adam Dunn
Hermida
You gotta have a guy that can come on in relief in get lefties. Whether that is Ohman, Royce Ring, or someone in a trade…it’s just too big of a liability.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
3:12 pm
EOF and Logan will be fine filling the lefty role.
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
3:12 pm
You don’t think Clint Sammons is going to be ready to step up in a year or two should something happen to McCann?
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
I like this kid Brooks Conrad too…
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
Thank you Conrad.
chris from md
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
I gotta tell ya… it is completely bafling why Ohman has not been contacted. I mean 1.75 million isn’t going to break the bank. Was he a bad influence or something?
Chris from MD
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
OK. I’m taking up a collection to help the Braves purchase Ohman. I’ll throw in the first $5. I may have a few empties around here, too. If we can get DOB to cut back on those expensive, illegal cigars, I’m sure he can contribute a nice chunk.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
DOB please give Ohman a call…
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
cabravesfan….I don’t know, but I would think twice about giving anyone coming off major elbow surgery 12m.
Jonathon
March 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
If it’s a catcher propsect you’re looking for, then a trade with Colorado for Wilin Rosario is possible. He’s their #3 overall prospect, and blocked by Chris Ianetta.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
It’s amazing what throwing strikes will do. Hopefully Medlen is back out next inning. I want to see more.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
We could give Ohman my retro refresh button and he could go back in time and accept that deal we offered him last Nov and Jan.
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
I think we must have lost Ohman’s phone number, DOBI please be giving it to FW……….. like yesterday
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
the bullpen is looking very suspect right now…i think they really need to add a proven guy..through trade or what..i would like to see them call ohman.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
how did medlen look
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
The Braves actually have some good-looking catching prospects, but they’re all in rookie ball (one hasn’t even played in North America yet, I think he was in the Venezuela league over the winter.)
3B and SS are our only real long-term needs. Escobar is fine, but if he goes down, we really don’t have a good replacement.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
So Boone Logan got beat up again while we were downstairs talking to Lowe.
Four hits, a walk and two strikeouts for Logan, before Medlen came in to induce inning-ending groundout with diving stop by Brooks Conrad. At least that’s what I’m told happened.
Jim
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
Worst trades in Braves History (chronologically)
1954 — Johnny Antonelli to Giants for Bobby Thomson.
Thomson breaks his leg in ST opening a roster spot for young Hank Aaron.
Antonelli wins 20+ games for the Giants and helps them to 4-game sweep of Cleveland. (He would have won the Cy Young in 1954 if there were one for each (or either) league. Thomson is never more than a 4th outfielder for the Braves.
1960 In separate trades Braves trade Joey Jay to Reds and Juan Pizzaro to the White Sox for no real help in return.
Braves decide to keep together the aging rotation of Spahn, Burdett, Buhl and give up on their potential replacements Jay, Pizzaro, and Carlton Wiley. Buhl and Burdett are no longer Braves in three years time. Jay has 20-win season in 1961 leading Reds to Pennant (and would contend with Spahn for Cy Young if there were one for each league), Pizzaro becomes a mainstay of the WhiteSox staff for the next few years.
1982 — The Barker trade!! (no explanation needed)
Behenna was part of that deal along with Butler and Jacoby, and had a promising future derailed by arm problems.
Moral of the story. Be careful in giving up young pitching too soon, or blocking their ascent with aging veterans.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
Two-out triple for Schafer
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
I think Sammons is an ok defensive player with ok offensive skills…Id rather have a better option than that (pretty much Flowers who we trades) but the Braves have liked the idea of paying a few mill for backup veteran catchers who are good defensive but have been lacking in offense for years haha
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
triple schafer ..screw anderson
Woogidy
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
We have a winner. He’s at third, not even breathing heavy.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
If we aren’t going to get Ohman and our current LOOGY options are stinking up the joint why don’t we pick up the waivered Ringerooney???
I haven’t been able to watch much this spring but from what I’ve heard we would be better off leting a 4th grader throw behind their back than use what we’ve got now. If the Braves want to give money to someone to pitch poorly I would be happy to throw my 60mph meatballs up their for the league min.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
Nice. Triple for Jordan. Hung tough 0-2, worked his way back, shows the speed. How is this even a question.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
18 Wheels
So wouldn’t it make more sense to buy Huddy out (think it is $1m) and sign a power bat with the extra money? (I actually think they should keep Huddy- he will be able to throw in games, wither in ATL or perhaps AAA, at some point this season so the Braves will at least get a sample of what he will be able to do)
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
easy decision for CF, the kid is so much OUR best prospect…
Jim
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
Gil,
Conrad is no kid. He’s a 29 year old career minor leaguer.
Smyrna Jim
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
I’ve been waiting on casting my weight behind a centerfield candidate, but I must get off the fence and jump on the Schafer bandwagon.
DAP
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
dogsbrekkyHow about RIOS and Halladay for JoJo Morton Josh A Parr
thats actually not all that far fetched, unlike some recent fantasy proposals. the braves would have to give up more, though, and they couldnt afford rios and halliday. rios contract, by the way, is outrageous. hes not tradeable.
p.s. if the braves trade with the yanks, they should still try to get nady or swisher. the roster would be interesting, but they could make it work.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Good idea, 18 WoL (3:15). I wish I had thought of that.
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
I liked that Toronto pitcher, he had some good stuff
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Heres the deal Bobby Cox………..we will let you send hanson down (you already have)…….but we wont let you send Jordan……….that would be double the stu–d–y
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
I have yet to actually get to see Jordan Schafer play but it’s sure sounding like it will be real hard to justify keeping him off this team come April 5th
King521
March 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
Josh Anderson will be a valuable PINCH RUNNER!!!
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
Anderson had a nice 0-4 last night also
The GM
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
Very disappointed that the Braves decided to go with Glavine over Hanson. The two are light years apart in talent at this stage of their careers plus there is no fun to watch a pitcher get sent out every 5th day who doesn’t have a realistic chance of winning. Certainly it is not worth the price of a ticket. Hopefully the Braves brass will learn that theirs is an entertainment product and fans had much rather watch players on their way up than those that have stayed in the game way past their prime.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
It’s funny how one good spring can get everyone spelling Shaeffer’s name right.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
geez matt diaz looks so skinny
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
I don’t know why we would try to trade for a left fielder…I think Diaz will continue to get better defensively and has proven he can hit, I really believe he should be given another chance to prove he can be an everyday player. Out of curiosity who is wilson Betemit playing for now a days? I remember he was a pretty good fillin for Chipper back in the day, with a pretty good bat and good defense.
Jeff
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
DOB, I know you’ve said many times we should forget about Ohman cause it isn’t going to happen….but how much longer can Frank Wren honestly watch Logan explode before he does anything about it?
DAP
March 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
cabravesfanSo wouldn’t it make more sense to buy Huddy out (think it is $1m) and sign a power bat with the extra money?
or, they could trade vazquez (which is what i think will happen) keep huddy (the better pitcher) and still have the money to sign a power bat. or heck, they might get one in the trade.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
That’s actually two good springs for Mr Sheyfor for those keeping count.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
cab, your smarter than me. Yes, that would be easier.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
The GM, what’d you think they were going to cut glavine or something? seriously?
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
Pretty sure (not positive tho) that you can’t trade a player on the 60 man DL – maybe you can but must have the approval of the MLB commissioner. That rings a bell, but not sure.
Anyway, nothing is likely to happen with Hudson until next off-season. Even then, while I enjoy the discussion, it’s really premature to get too worked up over the 2010 rotation.
Let’s see if KK is a legit ML starter; if Lowe avoids decline with age; if Vazquez can pitch to his “peripheral” talents rather than his historical ERA; if JJ continues to grow; if Hudson comes back healthy and strong; if Reyes, Morton and especially Hanson grow into quality starters; if someone like Rorhbough or Locke makes even more guys expendable.
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
It’s hard to argue against what Schafer is doing…maybe he is the first guy up? Maybe we go with one less guy in the bullpen? I dunno what they are going to do.
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
If the Braves send Schafer down and keep Anderson.. It really says they don’t care about winning this year.
Who cares if Anderson is claimed off waivers? Put the best players available on the field and let them play.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
MinnesotaJacket– I believe the White Sox
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
PMPN8EZ
Schafers new license plate.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
Who, on this list, do you propose we sign? I don’t really see any fits. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/2010-mlb-free-a.html
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
Time to see what Medlen can do. 3-0.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
Jeff321, couldnt agree more.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
Well I guess we’re done with all the Logan=Ohman comments.
If he’s not hurt, or otherwise impaired, it’s time to call Ohman and resign him.
Gil In Mechanicsville
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
$&*%$%^##$&… Throw strikes!!!!
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
DAP I agree with ya…Huddy will be the pitcher we pay for and trading Vaz or Kenshin ( as an early guess I would say Kenshin because Vaz has been looking dominant so far ) Huddy has battled for the Braves and I would like to see him back in the Braves uniform. Forever who has talked about Glavine…I will pay for a ticket to watch him pitch for the Braves because IF he doesn’t feel like he is being his best he will retire a Brave and give Hanson his shot. I will give Glavine the choice when to hang up the cleats and praise him for his service
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
Is Logan really making this team?
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
great, lowe nice outting..pen cant shut the door..cool
garlick
March 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
kirkinga, it’s re-sign, to resign somebody means to remove them from the position.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
medlen is gettin rocked
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
More problems from the Braves bullpen! Imagine my shock.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
Logan does not have a chance of making on the club! no way no how.
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
Man Medlen should thank the wind.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
Yikes. This is not what you want to see out of your bullpen coming into the season. Maybe Kris isn’t ready yet. If not, I really don’t know what we do.
Guys I feel good about:
Boyer
Gonzo
Moylan
Campillo
Guys I feel OK about:
Acosta
Carlyle
Guys I Feel Bad about:
Everyone else.
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
I think the thing with Ohman is that the Braves felt like he was stringing them along while he looked for a better offer. After the Furcal situation, I think the Braves might be making a point.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
What is going on in the game? Score, outs, baserunners?
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:29 pm
The GM – I will back GLAVINE until he actually starts losing consistently or his arm drops off…. guy is a huge winner…. we need that on the mound…… we want that on the mound……..
Oops on my post regarding Medlen…….. oops oops……..
I like JoJo in the pen longgggggggg relief
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:29 pm
medlen’s goin to the minors after this game
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
Guys I Feel Bad about: Gonzo
MGL
March 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
7 5 Toronto
Tennbravefan
March 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
MinnesotaJacket….I believe Betimet is with the White sox and I think I saw he has hit 6 homeruns this spring. I may have dreamed that though.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
anyone know any relievers out there that teams may move for some of our depth at starting pitching…maybe theres a deal out there for someone better then ohman
UF Brave
March 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
Every one except you Fischerking04! It’s Schafer. I should know…it’s my last name too! Can’t wait to buy his jersey tee!
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
Jeff321–I agree. I was saying a while back that teams get in trouble when they start playing the roster/money/arbitration game instead of just putting the best product on the field.
I can think of 2, maybe even 3 people that should be in front of Glavine in the 5th spot. So I’m fully against the nostalgia before winning game too.
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
Ya know, if Cox/Wren decide to go with these lamers its really going to be disappointing. Because I have high expectations for this team. And with the exception of Gonzalez, Moylan, Carlyle, Campillo — This bullpen is ludicrous!
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
I’d prefer the Braves chose to kept Jeff Bennet, Manny Acosta, Blaine Boyer, Peter Moylan, Mike Gonzales, Rafael Soriano(depends on his health obviously), and signed Will Ohman. Medlen is a good pitcher, but he should start in AAA.
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
Give Ohman 7-10 million…cut Gonzo, Boyer, Soriano…and find some new relievers
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:33 pm
I don’t think our bullpen is that screwed guys…Campillo can go for one or 2 innings and can be successful doing that. I do agree that we need to get a lefthander…hhaa
Jim
March 26th, 2009
3:33 pm
Boyer has looked impressive this spring, but by the looks of things otherwise, he will be burnt out by Memorial Day.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
I can already read what Cox is going to answer once they ask him about logan……..
“They guy had really good stuff today, he was just great, I have not seen him throw like that ever. He had just a couple of pitches missing and Blue Jays just capitalized on him, but he is gonna be OK……great kid to have on the roster, that I can tell you.”
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
On that FA list (2010) I like Adrian Beltre and CHONE
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
A week ago, reports were Wren looking at offers due to the surplus of quality bullpen arms….what happened? Ohman?
Royce Ring just got waived maybe he’d be better than Boone..JK
garlick
March 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
MFin04, that’s brilliant, lets give a lefty who’s asking for $1.75MM per season, 4 times what he wants, then cut all our other half way decent guys at this point in ST, when no one good is available, and try to piece meal a bullpen together with the 0 remaining we have on budget for players.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
MFin04
Aside from the wacked out suggestion to cut our closer, why on earth would we give Ohman that much money when we could have him for less then $2m? In case you missed it, teams aren’t exactly breaking down his door…
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
UF Brave, I know. I did that on purpose. Get it?
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
Hicks power…….
Jim
March 26th, 2009
3:36 pm
If Glavine is healthy, he will win 10+ games this year (assuming we can find some relief), if not, he will retire.
ease19
March 26th, 2009
3:36 pm
Maybe Schafer could pitch?
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:36 pm
we need to lock chipper up before the red sox blow him away with a 2 or 3 year deal.
bry22
March 26th, 2009
3:37 pm
Any news on the game. This is BS losing every game latley in the 8th and 9th. What a crock!!
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
3:37 pm
and also Jorge Campillo
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
If Morton is healthy(stays healthy) I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the pen come opening day. He has two above average pitches-FB/Ch, and the rest are below average. He’d only need those two pitches coming out of the pen. The lefty situation… who knows
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
I feel like in 2008 all of a sudden……3 in the 8th, 3 in the 9th………game. LOL……What a week has this been.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
3 in the 8th and 3 in the 9th …terrible..i can live with some things but that just isnt one of them..
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Epinephrine so you feel good about 4 relievers and ok about two. Thats 6 out of 7. That sounds pretty good for a bullpin.
KC
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
MFin04, dude, with all due respect… get a grip.
Gonzo had a 39 consecutive save streak broken last year, in the process of saving 14 of 16 for Atlanta. He’s finally 100% after the TJ surgery in ‘07. And maybe you’ve heard that spring numbers don’t always correlate to regular season production? ESPECIALLY when it comes to closers, who often don’t pitch will outside of game-on-the-line (non-exhibition) situations.
As for Soriano… we’re stuck paying him whether he’s playing or not. Yes, he’s a big question mark right now. But it was just he season before last that he pitch a great full season for us. What good does it do to release him??
And cut Blaine Boyer? He was one of our best relievers last year through 50 appearances last year, before hitting the wall. He’s young, has closer’s stuff, and has looked great this spring. He was one of the guys SD asked for in a possible Peavy trade for a reason. And you want to just cut him?
You’re not serious, right?
Jeff321
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Fischerking04, I agree completely!
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
That’s my idea. Maybe just have 1 or 2 guys in the pen…and let out starters go 7-8 innings each night. Have extra bats on the bench.
6-4-3
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
I’ve come around late on this one but Schafer should start the year in the majors. I like Anderson but he’s a spare part at this time. Schafer adds a lot to this team now.
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Time for a few beers and a steak………. 6 runs in 2 innings sucks..
I am down 25 lbs now in 2 months…….. no bread,sugar, pasta, rice, milk……. easy
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
TnBrian,
I wouldnt mind watching JoJo or morton come in from the pen at least to start the season……….That would be a good way out until Soriano is ready to pitch in 2011.
Tomahawk210
March 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
Is the game over?
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Glavine ins’t getting his due on this blog. In his last full year, again, 5th in the NL with quality starts at 23. He was worse for us in 08, giving us 5 through May. But we also know he was struggling with the hamstring and the shoulder, which explains the decline.
He hasn’t lost anything since 07. There is no reason he shouldn’t be able to replicate that performance, assuming his velocity climbs back up to 83-86. From the 5 spot, that is without doubt an advantage. Moreover, as nasty as Hanson is, there is no doubt he could use some work on his control. Because he is a fly ball guy, walks could absolutely kill him in the bigs. If he gets his command only a little bit better, he could be a flat out Ace. It’s not a hard decision where I am coming from.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Andrew its spring training…take a deep breath.
KC
March 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
At this point, I don’t care if Logan and O’Flaherty come back and pitch lights out over the next week. They’re already done enough to show that we can’t count on them. I mean, it’s not like a Gonzo or some of these other guys for whom spring is just a time to get warmed up, work on stuff, and get ready for the season. No, every time these guys go out, it’s a clutch situation, because they’re fighting for a job. So the fact that they’re F’ing that chance up might show you how they respond to pitching under pressure.
Gotta release these guys or assign them to Gwinnett asap. Time to deal for a proven lefty or better yet, get Ohman on the phone.
cvbraves
March 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
With the “trickle” onto the blog, Mutts must have lost today.
garlick
March 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
dogsbrekky, YEAH, that’s sure easy…..I have a couple friends that do that diet, and there’s no way I could do that.
I’m up 10 pounds in 2 months, but I’m also down 6% body fat, so I’ll stick with my building diet, it’s much easier. 3500 calories a day, and a good mix of everything.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
Eric From Mo, you’ll notice I don’t feel “great” about any of them. If Gonzo gives us just one lights out performance this spring, I’ll change on him. Otherwise…our pen isn’t going to help anyone’s blood pressure.
monty
March 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
Disappointing seeing Logan not being able to get out minor leaguers, left handed hitters at that.THey were very comfortable against him. Where is Ohman? Hello! Medlen is a little guy who looked to me to be over-throwing, left shoulder flying open, most pitches were high,fell behind on hitters, really didn’t show me much to be honest. Jordan S. looked like the best overall player on the Braves today to me.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
MFin04,
Starters going 7-8 innings each night? Man that a new one. You sure know how to dream pal.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
I wouldn’t be too hard on Medlen. Bad, bad day today, no doubt (and he’s NOT a closer). But that raised his ERA to 3.68, which is about what you’d expect from a RH middle reliever. The lefties… well, that’s another story.
Fischerking04
March 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Even if you count out Hanson I still would place JoJo and Campillo in front of Glav. I love the guy but at this point I think they have the potential to be better. Campy moreso that JoJo.
Pat
March 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Glavine Hasnt thrown 84-86 in years we will be lucky to see him hit 83 this season
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
[Morton] has two above average pitches-FB/Ch, and the rest are below average. He’d only need those two pitches coming out of the pen.
I think you might want to re-check your scouting reports on the kid’s “below average” pitches.
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:46 pm
How about we pitch 2 starters….4.5 innings a game. That might work…and have a 6-7 man rotation.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Eric from MO, how bout nooooo…dude givin up six runs in the last two innings is ass cheeks…spring training or not
HomeBoy Upstairs
March 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB, love your column….read it daily. That’s my Heyward Pic you used on this post; it’s off of my Braves/Sports blog: graphlife.com. Anyway, just thought it was cool that you used my pic. Keep up the good work!
spotts
March 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
My goodness. I think I’d feel safer with Matt Ryan in the bullpen than these guys
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
3:49 pm
Fischerking04 how about you let Glavine to actually fail before you bash him. He was hurt last year, the first year ever on the DL. Lets see if he can rebound. If he cant then call up the young guys but Im guessing he will do pretty good for a #5 pitcher.
Epinephrine
March 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
I’d agree on Campillo if I trusted anyone else to do long relief. But I do not. As for Reyes, one more bad stint in the majors could be game over for his confidence. I don’t mind letting him go to AAA and go lights out for a bit.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
According to my schedule, the next 3 Braves games are on MLB.com. Detroit, Yankees and Detroit.
garlick
March 26th, 2009
3:50 pm
MFin04, you might be on to something. Just keep 10 pitchers that pitch 4.5 innings each, and they pitch on a regular rotation. Each starter has their own personal reliever who just pitches like a starter but comes in half way. Then you carry 2 pitchers that are “specialists” or closers who come in when need be.
Could be an interesting way to do things.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
garlick, please don’t encourage him:)
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
Bad LOOGYs! No contract!!!!
Renegator
March 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
This looks exactly like last year’s team. Bullpen can’t hold a lead. And this is against minor leaguers. YIKES!!!
Gonna be a long year. What’s that now? Braves have dropped 5 out of last 6 games? Looking like 2008 all over again…
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:53 pm
I mean I think we have 3 solid guys with Campillo Boyer and Moylan right now….Gonzo (Im going by what he sais) will be solid as well…the lefty situation we all agree with is FUBAR…and that leaves what 3 slots left…and I would say Soriano will grow some balls and be fine so thats one and leaves 1-2 open…and with those…I have no earthly idea..I would say Carlyle and Acosta but Im not sold on Acosta right now.
DAP
March 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
minnesotajacket i just dont see wren wanted to trade kenshin unless he pitches so bad that he is untradable anyways. kenshin is an investment beyond his performance for the braves, with the japanese fan base he hopefully will bring.
im betting vazquez has a good year and can net us a decent player or two in a package deal. he makes more money than kawakami, he has more of a track record…i just think he is much more tradable to the braves.
i agree with some other about putting the best players out there. if it was close between anderson and schafer, id still say anderson, but we have t put the best team out there, and we should be that worried about losing anderson on waivers if weve got blanco, schafer and gorkys in the system, right?
i still think the strategy should be to break camp with schafer AND anderson (with glavine not on the 25 man) and then try to slip anderson through waivers when glavine comes up to make his first start around the 20th.
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
LOL, at least someone has an open mind. Have to when your relievers consistently suck. Here is our bullpen so far…
Closer:
Moylan
RH Relievers:
Empty
Empty
Empty
Empty
LH Reliever:
Empty
Long Reliever:
Campillo
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
I agree DAP…i think we should go with Anderson and Schafer too…until it is safer to put him thru waivers.
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
How is Boyer not on there?? the rest I will agree is optimism but Boyer is solid
Andy K.
March 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
It looks like Schafer-mania is finally coming to Turner Field!
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
Boyer really sucked last year…yeh yeh overuse…but i think he’ll suck again this year. Im not buying Boyer yet…gives up too many HRs
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
This is BAD! That bp is a wreck except for a maybe a few. Logan sucks goat balls. We need to trade for one lefty and just put Morton in Soriano’s place…you’d be smokin some good sh- to think he’ll be ready and healthy come April 5. We in a bit a trouble!
BA
March 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
TnBrian, it’s all in good fun. And I’m in no position to defend the overall intelligence level in MY state- I know better. I’ve lived here my whole life.
Seems a little early to write off the bullpen, kids.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
5 out of last 9 games are against the tigers……..what the he……
MinnesotaJacket
March 26th, 2009
4:01 pm
Thank you BA for at least semi agreeing with me haha
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
MinnesotaJacket, how is it optimism to have confidence in Mike Gonzalez?????
Because his spring training numbers aren’t good? Really man… you can’t measure a closer by spring training. It’s irrelevant. The only thing that matters right now is his velocity and how his arm feels.
This is a guy who came back mid-season from TJ surgery, and converted 14 of 16 save opps, with significantly fewer hits than innings pitched, and 44 strikeouts in 33 innings. And he wasn’t even 100% last year, which he is now.
I’m amazed by how much stock people are putting in Gonzo’s spring.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
TORONTO- BALTIMORE-YANKEES-BOSTON
Thats our IL play this seasonl
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
The other two cuts were Diory Hernandez and catcher Alvin Colina
BrandonC
March 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
DOB,
Since you have seen more spring games than most of us, if you had to choose between Schafer, Anderson or Blanco today, right now, who would it be? Based solely on talent and work ethic, not on minor league options. Just curious of what your personal opinion is because I don’t think I’v ever heard you mention it.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Make that
TOR-BAL-BOS-NYY-BOS
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Baseball tonight just did top “young arm of future picks”
Gammons went 1st picked David Price
Tim Kurkjian picked 2nd and went with Tommy Hanson.
Buster Onley had the rd pick and went with Sandiego st Steven Strasburg.
Strasburg is rated the best future arm and its not close according to Buster’s sources.
The 1st pick is the Nats and I hope Boras stops that from happening! Buster compared Strasburg with Lebron James, as the best upcoming future player. Strasburg is expected to go 1st overall pick unless Scottie pulls another J.D. Drew…..
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
Seems a little early to write off the bullpen, kids.
Never too early for a knee to jerk, LOL. Ten more days of curb-kicking and bus-throwing to go…line ‘em up!
monty
March 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
I said all last summer that Boyer needs a slider to get batters off his fastball, which is quite good, but if a good major leaguer knows its coming he can time it. Brian Jordan reiterated that point for me today. If he could learn the slider ala Smoltz he could be devestating.
Andrew
March 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
Mfin04,3:54 post lol
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
This blog is awfully addicting. Did someone lace it with cocaine or something? I can’t seem to get away from it.
MFin04
March 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
DOB We Are Having A MELTDOWN Here!
CB
March 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
WOW!Cannot believe the insanity!Did somebody drop me off at a AIG board meeting!Calm down people.
bigcooterb
March 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
Braves back to playing like the Braves of the last 2-3 years.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
4:09 pm
BB5795, it’s only that way when the Braves are doing bad…people need somewhere to vent their frustration. Any other time it’s just bloggers praising the pplayers which gets old fast.
garlick
March 26th, 2009
4:10 pm
Don’t know if it was stated, but the official cuts were Diory, Hanson, Heyward, Colina, Freeman, Hicks & Sammons.
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:11 pm
And what is it that people have against Manny Acosta here?
He’s posted a 3.17 ERA in 76 big league innings over the past 2 years. Other than when they tried to make him the fill-in closer early last year, he’s been pretty effective for the Braves.
and hasn’t certainly hasn’t pitched poorly overall this spring. He’s allowed 2 earned over 6.2 innings, for a 2.70 spring ERA.
These are the guys I think you can reasonably count on:
Gonzalez
Moylan
Boyer
Acosta
Carlyle
Camplillo
Soriano’s the X-factor. No one’s holding their breath, but again, it was just the season before last that he pitched 71 (excellent) innings for us, and his arm apparently feels fine… so there’s at least a chance that he’ll contribute this year.
At this point though, with Soriano’s questionable health and no reliable lefties beyond Gonzo (who doesn’t really count because he’s the closer)… you’ve GOT to get Ohman, or someone comparable via trade. MUST do it soon!
Chop Chop
March 26th, 2009
4:13 pm
It’s more fun to post in the middle of games that actually count. In fact, I’d say it’s actually more fun to post in games that the Braves are losing. Things get a lot crazy around here when the long knives are out.
Jackie Treehorn
March 26th, 2009
4:14 pm
I would have to get a prospect I really, really wanted for the likes of Campillo, Carlyle, or even Jeff Bennett before I pulled the trigger on a trade. Last year we were in a similar position with Tyler Yates, and we traded him for Todd Redmond. It could work out to being a good deal, but with all the injuries we had last year I KNOW we could have used Yates’ innings out of the pen last year.
ease19
March 26th, 2009
4:15 pm
Jo-Jo was cut too…
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:15 pm
TnBrian, I think you’ve nailed it! Thank you, I feel better now. I was getting worried that I would never be able to leave the house again.
DAP
March 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
KC i dont trust acosta. he kinda seems to freak out when the ball gets hit to him, and he throws it away. i think hes got work to do between the ears. or maybe he already has, and hes good to go. but, if i were making the bullpen, id leave him out.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
4:17 pm
Things get a lot crazy around here when the long knives are out
Too late! Apparently MFin04 just had a meltdown. Why not look at positives? Lowe was great again! How about KJ or Schafer?
We need a lefty for the pen thats all, no reason to lose hair over Boone Logan..
Andy K.
March 26th, 2009
4:18 pm
Bowman says Bobby will announce Lowe as Opening Night Starter tomorrow.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
4:19 pm
DOB
Why not use Jo Jo out of the pen
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:20 pm
KC (4:11), Acosta had a bad 9th inning last week. He’s all done! (This is fun!)
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
4:21 pm
MFin04-”Boyer really sucked last year…yeh yeh overuse…but i think he’ll suck again this year. Im not buying Boyer yet”
How do you figure it wasnt that he was overused. His first 50 apperances he was really good after that he sucked. Looks to me he pitched more than he was used to.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
4:21 pm
Dave, What positive spin that bobby cox put on this don’t make any damn sense lost ! He always freaking do !!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
4:21 pm
That’s actually two good springs for Mr Sheyfor for those keeping count.
We’ll see if it matters. Prado’s had 3 great springs and he’s still a backup. Salty had a good spring and wasn’t brought north. The “competition” isn’t much a competition when you figure in arb clocks, waivers, seasoning, etc…I don’t know what Bobby & Wren are thinking.
DAP, nice post. We really don’t need Anderson. This team has more to gain with Schafer’s energy alone than what Anderson could provide, because as far as I’m concerned, the regulars (KJ, Frenchy, Chipper, Kotchman, Garret) all seem to lack enthusiasm. Anderson’s chance was last season, when he should’ve been brought north as the 4th outfielder for late game pinch hitting duty, but they went with Blanco. Coulda, shoulda, woulda….it’s Schafer’s time. Hopefully management makes the right choice.
Bobby's Belly
March 26th, 2009
4:22 pm
Should announce Schafer as CF while they’re at it – I’m sure one press conference is cheaper than two.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:22 pm
BB5795,
You just have to get a girl, that would work for you.
KC,
I agree on your bullpen selection and coments……..I think that Braves dont need Ohman to pitch as many innings as he did last year, that might be a good thing to his arm.
What you mention about Soriano is almost right on target, but remember last season, Hamptons arm was ready by april and he kept himself on the shelf because many other reasons but his arm.
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
We’ll see if it matters. Prado’s had 3 great springs and he’s still a backup.
C’mon, Bobby’s, don’t be like that, now, LOL.
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:25 pm
DAP, nevertheless… his production so far over 70+ big league innings has been pretty damned good. I don’t think the Braves can or will simply dismiss that. I mean, you’re not going to pencil him in as you’re setup man or anything, but as the last guy out of your pen (other than the long-reliever)… a live arm like that with an early career ERA of 3.17… seems like we could do worse.
JEZ
March 26th, 2009
4:26 pm
So are we losing? or did we lose? I’m confused!
Seymour1948
March 26th, 2009
4:28 pm
KC, I’m with you on Acosta. I think he’s got stuff, and he is certainly a capable enough talent to have out of the pen.
DAP
March 26th, 2009
4:28 pm
KC, ok. id agree with that. he is just behind several other guys if i was making the bullpen.
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Scoots,
Lol…i didn’t want to go there, but i needed an example to show that it’s not necessarily how good a spring that matters in deciding who comes north when a “competition” is declared. I think you got my drift though…
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Doc Holiday, yeah, I realize that ailments not related to the arm can keep a guy on the shelf. BUT… Hampton was able to come back and give the Braves nearly 3 months of (overall fairly solid) starts. Had Hampton had another arm problem last year, he probably wouldn’t have contributed at all.
Let’s say the EXACT same scenario played out with Soriano as what we had with Hampton, and Soriano misses the first half of the season, but comes back solid in the second half. That would still help this team a great deal in a pennant race.
I’m just saying that if Soriano is having arm problems, you probably have to write him off at this point. But if it’s not arm related, there’s a better chance we’ll get something useful out of him, even if we can’t bank on him as our setup guy all year long.
Anyway, here’s hoping.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Doc (4:22), I’m working on that “Roman Gal”, but she’s playing hard to get. I haven’t given up yet. It’s a long season.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
JEZ___Na we won in extra innings, glad to help
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:30 pm
Yeah, Acosta is good, he is just a kid learning……..you will learn to appreciate his good work and his good stuff.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
4:30 pm
“And what is it that people have against Manny Acosta here? ”
KC, only thing I have against Acosta is that he walks about 1 batter every 2 innings, which is a tough way to make a living in MLB. In ‘07, 14 BB in 23.2 innings; in ‘08, 26 walks in 53 innings.
He’s got a huge fastball – but can’t really seem to throw it for strikes. He’s kinda’ skated by on it so far, so maybe it’ll never be a big problem. His K rate dropped dramatically last year, and so did his ERA, but he was still pretty decent. I’m not “against” him, but it’s a little scary to put your faith in a guy who walks over 4.5 per 9.
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
DAP, are they really 7-10 guys you’d choose over Acosta for this ‘pen? I’m sure I would agree with you on at least a few, but who are back-end relievers that you’d choose over Acosta?
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
mbatl, I agree that Acosta walks too many batters. No question. He’s not a perfect product by any means. Just saying… a live arm and a 3.17 over 70+ big league innings…
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
JEZ, I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that you’re not a detective, right?
Bobby's Cox
March 26th, 2009
4:35 pm
The Yankees have a reliever named Coke. That should help with their gazillion dollars of endorsement revenue that they already get.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
4:35 pm
KC, yep. Can’t argue with that (though of course I’d like too!)
Daybed Wagmoe
March 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
Rob from SC — Bobby Cox said, a few weeks ago, that they like Jo-Jo’s value as a starter instead of out of the bullpen. I don’t have the link in front of me right now, but I believe I saw it in one of Bowman’s article on atlantabraves.com.
Bobby's Belly
March 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
Just traded Josh to Jimmy Johns. In return all Braves fans get 5% off their next order.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
4:36 pm
Boy, my spelling is awful today… but it’s only Spring Training.
HCS
March 26th, 2009
4:39 pm
We apparently still don’t have a closer. Time to make cuts and get serious. The games that count are fast approaching. We need results instead of experiments at this point.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
4:41 pm
There’s not a thing wrong with Acosta except he needs to be used properly. Same thing with Boyer.
Acosta was once beloved on the blog, but when he got thrown under the bus some time last July.
Once a player has a bad streak, it’s pretty hard for them to get back into the blog’s good graces. Fans of Francouer, Boyer, and Acosta can attest to that.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
4:42 pm
BB5795………you just ask for help if needed.
KC,
I dont think we have the luxury of waiting to see what happens with soriano for 3 months………I know the season is long, but we play in a tough division know. I think its the toughest in the NL. I mean Defendind Champions, good hitting muts, Marlins are no easy cookie and the nats know our number and now their middle of the lineup is Zman, Dunn, Johnson, that not close to a walk in the park. I think the team that is going to win this is the one that goes fast out of the gate, and the team that can put 5 game winning streaks here and there………braves muts and phillies will do so or at least 2 of those teams will. We need soriano to be ready NOW, cause we cant put the charge on moylan and gonzo right from the beginning. I mean, we have great SP but we know that they dont go more than 6 or 7 in early april.
Jersey Gil
March 26th, 2009
4:43 pm
For those they think that ST is important look this ERA Stat:
Zito 5.49
Haren 5.79
Webb 8.18
Hamel 6.75
Guys Is ST…relax…Bobby is evaluate what his got in the Pen.
Look At this ERA of the Braves:
F Bueno 0.00
Carlyle 0.00
Boyer 0.00
RC
March 26th, 2009
4:44 pm
Are people really this freaked out because the Gwinnett Braves’ 5th starter blew a save? How does that warrant saying we “still don’t have a closer”? Neither Gonzalez nor Moylan pitched in this game, and Boyer did great. Everyone chillax a little bit.
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
4:44 pm
Boy, my spelling is awful today… but it’s only Spring Training.
Doesn’t matter!!! To the minors or waivers immediately! You should come to ST throwing easy (Webster) gas, in mid-season shape, and ready to play! What’s wrong with this guy?!?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:46 pm
Thanks, Doc. If you ever saw me, you’d know I need it.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
4:47 pm
’scoots, I only spell well in high-leverage situations. Just can’t get motivated to spell wright when it doesn’t really matter (to me).
BravesFan InRockies
March 26th, 2009
4:48 pm
kirkinga,
Agreed about Acosta. He was forced into closing, which he wasn’t prepared to do, hit a bad stretch, and then got hurt. He never really recovered.
Hope it didn’t mess with his head (like it seemed to do with Joey Devine). Not that I think Acosta has Devine’s potential, but Acosta does have a good arm and it would be a shame if he got rattled simply because he had to accept an uncomfortable role.
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
4:49 pm
’scoots, I only spell well in high-leverage situations. Just can’t get motivated to spell wright when it doesn’t really matter (to me).
Obviously, just one more reason the Braves should sign Ohman, LOL. Everything else is. HA!
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:50 pm
I agree scoots. If he keeps spelling like this, he’ll be typing posts for the Miss. Braves so fast it’ll make his head spin.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
my eight in the pen (assuming Soriano is on the DL)
Gonzalez-Moylan-Boyer-Carlyle-Campillo-Logan-Acosta-Medlen
raindawg722
March 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
mbatl, how is your choice of words in high-leverage situations?
Yojii
March 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
Is translating for Kenshin Kawakami for many interested fan-Braves. Is repeating:
“Many aspects evident in outing yesterday. Honorable and not quite. Arm awakens like cave bear. Soul and abdomen seeking more manifestation. Mind following all. Season portends fortuitous.”
Is direct quoting always.
KC
March 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
Doc Holiday, I agree. I didn’t say we don’t need Soriano. We do! But… there’s nothing the Braves can do about it. He’ll either be ready, or he won’t. As the season progresses, they’re still unable to count on him, then they can look to swing a deal, but all we can do now is hope.
My only point was that even if he misses time early with a non-arm-related ailment, but comes back strong mid-way through the season… he could still contribute in a significant way to this team. I was saying that in response to those who are calling for his release for no apparent reason, despite the fact that we’ll have to pay him regardless of whether or not we keep him. I’m simply saying “why in the world would you release him??”
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
4:54 pm
I’m working on that “Roman Gal”, but she’s playing hard to get. I haven’t given up yet. It’s a long season. BB5795
You’re too good for me.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
4:59 pm
Uh-Oh. I didn’t know she was listening. I think my chances have further regressed. She just gave me the “it’s not you, it’s me routine”. Doc, don’t go to far, I may need that help.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
5:00 pm
Can’t release Soriano; can’t trade him. Just gotta hope he gets healthy (mentally or physically, whatever is needed) and gives us some good innings. He can be very good when he’s on. If he’s hurt, DL him and call up some of that depth we’re so blessed to have.
He’s really an odd case; that BMF attitude (which is so cool, kinda’ like the old Al Hrabosky act) doesn’t really match with his inability to stay on the field.
garlick
March 26th, 2009
5:00 pm
If Soriano is not ready to go on opening day, it only exacerbates the need to sign Ohman, who was very good as a set up guy, not just a lefty specialist.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:01 pm
Yojii (4:51) DOB said exactly the same thing, last night.
Andy Mac
March 26th, 2009
5:02 pm
Dave, your blog here implies that Campillo has no role in the rotation except maybe in case of an apocalyptic emergency (like 3 starters get hurt). Am I reading this right? Any chance he gets traded?
Jersey Gil
March 26th, 2009
5:03 pm
Rob from SC …So you think the Braves will Carryer 13 pitcher?
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
5:03 pm
mbatl, as I know from long association in this forum, is a highly-touted prospect wordsmith. Plus-plus grammar, plus syntax, both above 70 on the scouting scale. Must concentrate on his arm-slot when spelling, but also 70+ there when his mechanics are repeatable. Hides the ball well, and sneaky-fast with his punditry when he chooses to break it out. All in all, an excellent candidate to break with the big club after ST.
Billy
March 26th, 2009
5:04 pm
http://www.foxsports1670.com/main.html
Frank Wren is on in 1 min on the Bill Shanks radio show
Braves Paisan
March 26th, 2009
5:04 pm
The lack of a lefty situational guy in the pen is glaring. So what is the problem with Will Olhman? Is is “personality” or something? Financial? (he isn’t THAT expensive?) Help me out here, folks!
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:07 pm
Jersey Girl
we will only have 4 starters and 8 relievers to start the year
Coc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
5:09 pm
KC,
No need to release him. You can always DL him and find a solution to the problem in the mean time. JoJo, Morton, whatever.
Kurt
March 26th, 2009
5:11 pm
The sky is falling!
Cru Jones
March 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
For those of you who get caught up in spelling correctly, I thought you might like this paragraph.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey
lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:14 pm
Braves Paisan (5:04), I started a collection, a few hours ago, to help purchase Ohman. I kicked it off with $5 and a few returnable empties. As of right now, we’re up to $5.35. Once DOB contributes, we’ll be a lot closer. Give what you can afford.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
5:15 pm
BFIR, you’re correct. I think we have to look at Acosta’s and Boyer’s performances last season in proper context. Too many innings(Boyer) and incorrect role(Boyer and Acosta).
I think they’ll be ok this season, but if we don’t have a suitable replacement for Ohman, that means more work for them because Bobby is going to have to use a righthander where he does feel confident in Logan or whoever sticks.
Ed Glennon
March 26th, 2009
5:15 pm
Is there any way we could trade Soriano for Carl Pavano? Maybe throw in a MRI machine.
DAP
March 26th, 2009
5:17 pm
KCDAP, are they really 7-10 guys you’d choose over Acosta for this ‘pen?
i figured youd ask. my bully would be, depending on health, gonzalez, soriano, moylan, boyer, logan, carlye, bennett.
to me, you can swap out bennett or carlyle with campillo if you want, and id probably put that medlin kid in before acosta. unless he has solved the fact that he seems like a head case, id value him about the same as vlad nunez, valdez or other decnt looking AAA relievers weve got.
kirkinga There’s not a thing wrong with Acosta except he needs to be used properly.
i disagree. he cant handle getting in a jam very well, in my opinion. maybe he has solved that, i dont know.
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
5:17 pm
Frank Wren just said Ohman has been rejecting the Braves all winter long…ouch!
MattyRoss
March 26th, 2009
5:18 pm
DOB, thoughts on the Decemberists’ latest effort? I’m liking it. Very concept, very prog-rocky. Good to see Shara Worden prominently featured. She’s got some pipes.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:19 pm
Based on Wren’s comments Schafer is going to AAA
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
5:20 pm
Will Ohman wants 2miillion per year. I think the Braves could offer him a one year deal worth 2 million, considering Garret Anderson was only signed for 2.5 million and Tom Glavine for 1 million(plus incentive that will be differed). I know they had 5-6 million before those two, and now Ohman is necesarry.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
5:21 pm
BradonC: If it was my decision? Schafer
Frankie Knucles
March 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
Where did Frank Wren divulge this info?
AZ Braves Fan
March 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
Hey, did you guys look at that picture of Smoltz in DOB’s link at the top? It looks like he’s doing his best impression of Fernando Valenzuela, or maybe it’s Nuke LaLoosh?
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
shanks radio show
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
Roman Gal (5:17), what have the Braves been offering, an 82 chevy and all the fries you can eat at McDonald’s?
Billy
March 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
http://www.foxsports1670.com/main.html
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
bill shanks radio show
Brave the Storm
March 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
I wonder if all these losses in a row are getting to the boys?
Cru Jones
March 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
Do you think maybe Ohman doesnt want to pitch in Atl because they overuse the bullpen?
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
i am going to ask bill a question
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
The losses are getting to me
PhantasticPhilliesPhan
March 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
What is that guys, lost 5 out of the last six since the real teams started playing? Too bad so many of you actually believed the Braves were gonna be good just cause they came back and won some games late against AA pitchers. Watch out for those Nats, they are gonna blow right past you since your board-vaunted bullpen is really showing it’s collective butt. My how the mighty have fallen.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
Rob (5:19), I can’t get the show. I’m too far off (mentally & physically). What did Wren say that makes you think he’s sending Schafer down?
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
By the way, Cox said he’ll probably announce the opening day starter tomorrow. Not that there’s any drama there (if it’s not Lowe, well, then we have a story. otherwise … it’s what we’ve figured all along, since the day they gave him a four-year, $60 mill contract)
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
How much did Wren offer? If it was bellow his 2 million asking price, then I can understand why Ohman had rejected them.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
Ah man!!! This blog just got a virus.
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
BB5795, who in the world could turn down an 82 Chevy? I think the Braves were offering him some Circuit City stock.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
By the way, I saw the Braves print ads in the AJC last week when I was home. It’s an ad for the home opener, and coincidentally or not, it’s just one guy on the ad, Lowe looking over his shoulder starting his delivery, his name prominent across his back.
He could pitch the season opener April 5 at Philly, then be on regular rest for the home opener April 10, too. Not often you get to pitch both an opener on the road AND the home opener. They could just move Kawakami back a day to pitch the second game in Atlanta. (there’s an off day in Philly)
But I don’t know how they’re going to do it.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
5:35 pm
Lowe has 24 strikeouts and two walks in 22 innings in Grapefruit League games.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
he was talking up Anderson too much
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
Good point, Roman Gal. I knew there was a lot to you.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
That is what they said the yankees are going to do with CC…. season opener (away) and home opener. Of course, it has some added significance since it will be the first game in the new stadium.
StingerSplash
March 26th, 2009
5:37 pm
Were Mike Hampton and Rafael Soriano separated at birth? There’s some sort of shared genetic code that causes neither one of them to be 100 percent healthy at any given time, isn’t there?
In reference to holding your breath and Soriano, if he tried to do that, he’d pull a rib cage muscle.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:37 pm
Bill said there is a chance Heyward might be ready for opening day 2010
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
Bill also said many of the players prefer Schafer to make the team
Billy
March 26th, 2009
5:39 pm
After watching Heyward in person this spring it would not surprise me if he makes the team in 2010
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
5:40 pm
DAP, Acosta’s Game Log from last year doesn’t give me the impression he can’t handle pressure. I see one month, June, when he had 3 really bad outings. Then there was his first game of the season when he bombed, but other than those 4 appearances, he did well.
I think we sometimes define players only by their failures and then it’s as if they never had any success at all. It happens here with Andruw, same for Francouer, now Acosta.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
5:40 pm
a caller suggested Juan Pierre
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
I’ll bet you guys One Million – no wait, make that One Billion Dollars – that Heyward will not be on the roster opening day 2010. Shanks is good, but he does loves him some prospects. Heyward will likely spend 3 months at high-A, a couple at AA, and start 2010 in AA or AAA, with a callup in late 2010.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
Rob from SC-
Suggested Juan Pierre for what exactly???
garlick
March 26th, 2009
5:45 pm
June Pierre?? For what?? Road trip bag boy??
garlick
March 26th, 2009
5:46 pm
I’m struck with the ST spelling bug to, I meant Juan.
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
5:46 pm
I’ve never listened to this show before…
But, I can’t believe people are so surprised by the amount of talent that’s gonna be in Gwinnett this year. Mississippi won the AA Championship last year. They’re promoting the best players from that team to join some good players that were in Richmond last year. Gwinnett will be good this year, but I don’t think that’s much of a surprise.
Billy
March 26th, 2009
5:47 pm
bold prediction mbatl
Roman Gal
March 26th, 2009
5:48 pm
The guy who suggested Juan Pierre was pretty much clueless. I’m pretty sure they hung up on him.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
5:49 pm
(just a guess, Billy)
Billy
March 26th, 2009
5:49 pm
I think those people are mostly surprised because they named 10 or so major league caliber players that have to play in Gwinnett because there is no room for them in ATL
Blair
March 26th, 2009
5:52 pm
New blog rule: Do not take gambling advice from mbat.
Steve McP
March 26th, 2009
5:57 pm
Hey DOB, if they do change Lowe up to start at the Ted, they could delay Glavine until as late as the 20th, because of the off-days
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
5:57 pm
DOB
While we have a slow moment, I’ll try this again. Does this sound familiar?
“Maybe DOB can verify my identity if I tell you guys the story of when I started checking out the blog. On Soriano’s first day in camp as a Brave in 07 when he was a few days late with Visa issues, I was with him when DOB and I think Bowman first interviewed him. I think DOB was genuinely scared of Raffy because he was answering his questions in his monotone ‘I have a lot better things to be doing” voice. Afterwards, DOB wrote a blog talking about how intimidating he was, etc. etc. It was entertaining.” – wilymo
wilymo, if you’re out there, I hope you don’t mind. I noticed DOB didn’t see your earlier request either. I believe you. I want to prove it to the skeptics.
mbatl
March 26th, 2009
5:58 pm
“Do not take gambling advice from mbat”
Agree with that one, Blair! Night all… off to eat some Chinese (and if they resist, well, we’ll eat’em anyway).
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 26th, 2009
5:59 pm
When the Braves traded for Soriano I was involved in an exchange with some Seattle fans on their local blog about the trade. They said, “you will regret getting this rag. He cannot stay healthy more than about 3 days at a time. He gets either hurt or sick at the drop of a hat.” Looks like they knew what they were talking about.
————–
As for Wren talking up Josh Anderson just maybe he is trying to hype him a bit in keeping with a proposed trade. I would not be surprised to see them keep him on the 25 roster for at least the first two weeks if they have not traded him in the next ten days or so. That is their best chance to get something for him.
I firmly believe Shaefer (sp?) will be roaming CF within a few days after opening day. I can see no reason this is not the best decision.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
6:07 pm
Frank Wren said Schafer was ready physically, but then needed to make sure he is emotionally ready
wide right
March 26th, 2009
6:07 pm
what are we going to do about the fact that Logan and O’Flaherty seem to be utterly crappy?
Horner's Corner
March 26th, 2009
6:08 pm
This blog, along with Schafer’s Spring performance, may finally have me believing that JS should make the club. It is too bad we signed G. Anderson, as a Schafer/Diaz platoon in LF may have been perfect. Schafer could have gotten 450 AB’s, with Diaz giving him the occasional day off against tough lefties. This would have eased JS into the majors and given him a good opportunity to have early success.
I have not written off J Anderson and I think the Braves should still choose him for CF if they think they are in need of a leadoff hitter. Schafer is too young and whiffs too often to leadoff and that is why today’s line-up has we wondering if JS might actually make the club. The 7th or 8th hole may be perfect for him.
There seems to be a lot of J Anderson bashing and I am not quite sure why. He has done everything possible to be given a shot and I would love to see what he could do over the course of a season. Some real speed at the top of line-up is something the Braves have not had since Furcal. I guess what I am trying to say is the Braves are in a great position having to choose between the two.
majors and given him a good opportunity to have early success.
I have not written off J Anderson and I think the Braves should still choose him for CF if they think they are need of a leadoff hitter. Schafer is too young and whiffs too
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
6:12 pm
Emotionally ready? Is there some kind of AAA psychological exam to pass before they deem you fit to play at the bigs level? Does Jennifer Melfy administer this exam? Did Marcus Giles pass this test too?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:13 pm
Rob (6:07), did Wren say how he planned to do this? Is he going to date Schafer for a while, and then break up with him to see how he takes it?
Austin
March 26th, 2009
6:14 pm
DOB
do you have any idea when the final roster will be set?
Billy
March 26th, 2009
6:14 pm
Anderson is a much netter LF than CF. Anderson has made 3 errors in 45 major league starts in CF which is far too many.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:17 pm
wide right (6:07), out with them, I say!
Horner’s Corner (6:08), I agree with you about the GA signing. As of right now, it almost seems to complicate things.
Chuck James is Solid!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2009
6:20 pm
It really is a shame that the Braves constructed this solid team and they are going to go into the year without a solid and reliable left handed reliever. This hole will be exposed massively in the first month and cost a few wins early, so I don’t see why they can’t backload a contract for Ohman.
Cherokee
March 26th, 2009
6:22 pm
Redneck is a guy/woman who goes out and looks for fights and is a rude piece of crap that is a racist low life
TN BRIAN aka TIN BRAIN
sounds just like you on this board with your short temper and nasty mouth. I guess we all figure you are a typical Tennesseean. You certainly aren’t helping to change the stereotype. If you aren’t a redneck I don’t know who is.
Billy
March 26th, 2009
6:23 pm
Wren said today that Ohman has turned down every offer made to him by the Braves
Cru Jones
March 26th, 2009
6:25 pm
BB5759
Do you know who this poster is? Is it willy moe pena? Or did I miss something from earlier when it was first posted?
muffin
March 26th, 2009
6:27 pm
guys just for a minute lets think like wren on the schafer soga. The number one prospect in david price just got sent down so that T.B. didn’t start his clock. I’m am as big of fan of schafer’s as you all are, but its basic business he must go down. It’s down right disspectful to schafer to compare any of anderson’s skills to that of schafer’s acrooss the board. I’d love to see the excitement he bring day in and day out in the bigs. I’m trying to figure out how he is going to tell jordan that he has not won this job come april 1st. Along with you and I.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:29 pm
Tomas it was well above the two million but that was before the economy hit baseball. People who signed early made money. People who waited lost money. Ohman is one who waited.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:32 pm
Yeah, Cru. I thought I left his name with it. Sorry if I omitted it. He was making several posts, well after the game (last night), in defense of Soriano. There were a lot of frustrated fans, given his latest injury, that were thinking that he may be a wuss. Wilymo came on as a friend of his and was sticking up for him. This wilymo, is well-educated and had some very insightful posts. If he didn’t know Soriano, he fooled the hell out of me.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:34 pm
MBATL I would guess the same thing. Hell Heyward is only 19 which means he will only be 20 next ST. I highly doubt they will start a 20 year old right out of ST. For one thing they would at least think about his arbitration clock like they are now doing with Schafer.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:34 pm
Oh yeah, Cru, that was his handle. He’s not the real W.M.P. Maybe he’s the real Soriano?
Coc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
6:37 pm
Rob,
What comments?
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:37 pm
The BEAR- “When the Braves traded for Soriano I was involved in an exchange with some Seattle fans on their local blog about the trade. They said, “you will regret getting this rag.”
How do you regret giving up Horacio?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:39 pm
Oh yeah, Cru (#2), a lot of the skeptics wanted proof of this wilymo’s friendship with Soriano. That post that you read was one of his attempts of proving that. I believe him. Maybe I’m naive.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 26th, 2009
6:41 pm
Eric, concerning Horacio I consider that trade one where both teams came out with about the same results, NOTHING.
cheld
March 26th, 2009
6:41 pm
“Do you think maybe Ohman doesnt want to pitch in Atl because they overuse the bullpen?”
I’m not the Ohman expert (maybe DOB can call him up for us), but according to MLBTR (which cites Bowman), in November, Ohman wanted a $4 million per deal for 2 – 3 years with a playoff contender.
The Braves obviously didn’t match on any part of that (rumor was that they were trying to get him for $1.5 mil on a 1 year deal on a team that had Vasquez as the #1 starter). Then in Feb, DOB reported that the Braves dropped out of the negotiations.
I like the guy as well, but Market Efficiency Theory says that if he was going for a price commensurate with his expected performance, he would be signed right now.
TooBusy?
March 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
TIN BRAIN
is that you sweetie tellin’ fibs? Now you know that I ain’t never seen you shower, in fact you don’t even swish out you mouth after…well you know. I figured that’s where all that potty talk comes from. you know i just love your punky ol’ attitude but honey I gotta break it to ya, you are a redneck..and I just love all that dirty language and the flying spittle and all that. Don’t you ever chance baby no matter what all those mean old board members say. You know your cousin and I both crave you.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
Wily Mo Pena posts on here….whatever. Dude would pull an oblique just finding the blog.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:44 pm
Horner’s Corner you do realize that Josh Anderson strikes out even more? You also realize that Schafer is just as fast as Anderson? You also realize that Schafer is 22 so he is not that young? You ask why bash Andeson because he is another Francouer. He is batting .290 with ONE WAlK! He has always had a horrible OBP. As a leadoff hitter you want somebody to get on base so you can drive them in. If he dont get on then you cant drive him in, no matter how quick he is.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:45 pm
For the record I wanted Anderson to get the job at the beggining of ST.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:48 pm
I pulled my oblique trying to stretch my paycheck.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:49 pm
The Bear, I disagree. At least when Soriano pitches he is successful.
Billy
March 26th, 2009
6:49 pm
Jordan Schafer leads the team in:
hits
stolen bases
runs scored
.383 batting average
.420 OBP
and may not make the team.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:52 pm
Why would Willy Mo Pena go to a team’s blog that he has absolutely no connection with and blog. Either someone fooled you, or Willy Mo Pena needs to get a life because I doubt that even Soriano reads this blog.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
6:52 pm
BB(numbers): Soriano did have a small entourage with him that day, three guys if I remember correctly. And one of them has been around frequently since then, which could well be the person whose screen name is WilyMo. Sounds like he knows too much not to be who he says he is, because that is how the first interview with Soriano went down (except the part about “being scared” or whatever WilyMo wrote. Gimme a break, WilyMo, dude. We simply described his intimidating presence to try to give people a better feel for what he was like, people here who had no idea who Soriano was or what his demeanor was like before he came to the Braves.)
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
Eric, it’s someone using WilyMo as a screen name. He doesn’t claim to be Wily Mo Pena. Read the comments.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
Here is the definition for Redneck from Urban Dictionary:
Mildly offensive term for a lower class white person from the southeastern states of the USA. Derives from someone who spent a lot of time on manual labour outside and so received a “red neck” from the sun.
Has nothing to do with being racist or looking for fights. I think it was Lew, but may be wrong, who first used the term redneck on here and people jumped his a$$ because they said they were “country”. Their reasoning was because they were not racist or mean and looking for a fight. Well I think you all owe Lew an apology because yall apparently didn’t know the definition of redneck.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
6:58 pm
Geez, Louise. The guy’s handle is wilymo. Would you please stop thinking he’s Willy Moe Pena? He said he’s a friend of Soriano’s. When “Jeff Blauser” enters a post, do you think he’s THE Jeff Blauser?
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
DOB thats what I figured. I was responding to BB5795 6:39 post.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
DOB… Thanks, both times. If I waited another minute, I wouldn’t have needed my 6:58 post. This guy wants to meet you, but doesn’t want to bother you while you’re busy. He looked for you today, on the blog, while he was at the park. You were busy and didn’t see his post.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:05 pm
DOB,
Sorry man, I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were scared. It’s just that Sori answers questions in a manner that makes it a little intimidating to keep asking more questions for the fear you’re wasting his time heh.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
7:05 pm
To all who think I’m a REDNECK..I’m not a redneck man, I’m a high class dude…I’m just a product from the south and I say hey ya’ll and hee haw..I keep my Christmas lights out on the front porch all year long, and I know all the words to every Garth Brooks song!
Soriano is getting a lot of attention..the bad kind.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:07 pm
In other words, it’s hard to have a free flowing conversation/interview with him because he gives a lot of one word answers without much expression. It starts feeling like an interrogation hehe
BrandonC
March 26th, 2009
7:09 pm
Preach it Billy.
As for Wren talking up Anderson, I think he could be doing that for sake of getting a bite on the trade market. There is no way Wren is going to sit there and watch Schafer CLEARLY outplay Anderson and say that Anderson should get the job.
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
7:09 pm
The Huskies are about to romp and stomp.
I’m convinced by the bloggers here. The Braves are doomed, so I plan to not watch this year. Thank you for saving me the time.
To misquote Tom Hanks, there’s no whining in baseball.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:10 pm
Hey, wilymo!!! Glad you’re here. Did I represent you alright?
Moby Grape
March 26th, 2009
7:11 pm
Logan can’t get righties out. Thats why Will Ohman is so valuable.
TOMAS
oh yeah, that .756 OPS+ against righties is just so impressive. Not!
Cru Jones
March 26th, 2009
7:11 pm
BB5795
I’m sorry. I think I started that idea with my question. I did not read the previous comments other than the one you posted so I asked because I thought I might have missed that from earlier; didnt read about the friend thing.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
7:11 pm
I still find it funny that some of the bloggers/fans of the Braves just throw the word redneck around like they’re disgusted with it. Meanwhile Chipper, Mac, Franc., Hudson are country boys who some might even call REDNECKS. Maybe it’s just me and my “ignorant Tennessean” mind working again.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
7:14 pm
Let Ohman rot with the Giants or wherever he ends up. He apparantly tried to play the Braves and Wren and rob them of millions as a RELIEF PITCHER! I say they call up Pit. and see what it’ll take to get Grabow.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
Eric, it is true that the origin of the term redneck had such a beginning. And as such, to me it is not even a bad name. Farmers who use to work out in the fields were rednecks according to the original use of the word. I don’t know about others, but I kind of like having something to eat a few times a day. I take that back, I have heard enough bloggers on here to know that quite a few have a taste for food.
Thus, the original use of the term was more of a problem for the person using the word rather than the one is was used to describe. It would be a snob trying to put down someone who works in the sun.
However, terms do change in meaning. Jeff Foxworthy probably has been more instrumental than anyone in defining the term more recently. And that definition would not fit your definition of the word. Ultimately, it is like any term that is used in a derogatory manner. To some degree it really does not matter what the precise meaning is; you can tell what the person is trying to say by the way he/she says it.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
Cole Hamels (elbow) threw a 48-pitch bullpen session Thursday and reported no problems.
Hamels is scheduled to start Sunday against the Red Sox. He will throw about 70 pitches. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said he remains a “long shot” to start the opener, but there’s nothing yet official on that front.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
Cru, it’s OK. You did miss it from earlier. This started late last night. Some of us might want to read the more current posts, a little more clearly (not you), but it’s no biggy. I’m just glad wilymo is here. I can shut up now (well, at least about that).
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:18 pm
BB5795,
Yea you can be my spokesman. Honestly I didn’t mean to ruffle any feathers or start a big debate over my credibility and what not. I basically just wanted to share a different viewpoint. The main thing I wanted to clear up is this notion that he’s somehow faking injuries, kicking back collecting paychecks and giving a big middle finger to everyone. The guy’s as frustrated as you all as well and the team. He has no reason to fake anything because he knows every DL stint is costing him perhaps millions of dollars in future contracts. Had he been healthy all of 2008, he’s most likely going into this upcoming offseason with two years of closing under his belt and a big payday. Now he might have to settle for a one year or incentive laden deal. Do you really think he’d choose to wimp out if there wasn’t really something wrong with him. If you want to say he’s injury prone, that’s perfectly fine because history has shown that he is. I just think it’s a little unfair to imply that he has no heart or has no desire to actually pitch.
PhantasticPhilliesPhan
March 26th, 2009
7:19 pm
I hope they send Schafer down. It will be so much fun to read this board for the next few days if that happens.Over/under on number of suicides? Luv it.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:20 pm
And yea I think I’m the person DOB is thinking of. Maybe I’ll run into him at the ballpark and introduce myself.
nolie
March 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
Well I guess we’re done with all the Logan=Ohman comments Kirk
there were no Logan=Ohman comments and to continue to insist there there were raises questions about your reading comprehension ability, but whatever turns you on dude
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 26th, 2009
7:26 pm
Eric, I agree Soriano pitches well when he pitches. He did well in 07 and when he got that big contract he went into his big withdrawal. Looking at all the money the Braves are paying him not to pitch I say that overall the Braves got the short end of the stick. He is worthless sitting on the bench and whining about something up his nose or a twinge in his shoulder and drawing millions while doing it.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
wilymo (7:18), I can really relate to having one thing happen after the other. Unfortunately, some of us are more injury proned than others. I always worked out, watched what I ate and still had a myriad of nagging injuries. I also made a good chunk of money from a sport, so the injuries always cost me money. When I hear someone else going through this, I have to always give them the benefit of the doubt. I was almost going to bring this up, when everybody was bashing Soriano last night, at the risk of being blog-ridiculed, but then you showed up.
Ritchie from Scotland
March 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
PhantasticPhilliesPhan – should we read that as you hope we send Schafer down because you would like to win the opening day game and with him in the lineup we are a bigger threat?
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
7:28 pm
wilymo, it really doesn’t matter what the fans think, as long as a guy is being led by Cox, he’s always in good hands. You need to be sure to remind Rafy of that even though he should already know it.
mets fan in atlanta
March 26th, 2009
7:29 pm
Muffin,
I knew as soon as soon as soon as O’Brien mentioned on his blog about David Price, that someone would say exactly what you did, “oh look the Rays are worried about clock garbage too.” Take a look at this from the Rays blog–and i also saw an article earlier (can’t find it at the moment) that said Price has already been signed to a McCann-like extension, so his arbitration years are moot.
“Price is still being paid his signing bonus ($5.6M) on August 31st. This is the third of six increments, and assuming it’s a clean six-way split — aren’t all six-way splits clean? – that’s about 933K.
Price’s salary in the minors this season is $0.15M, in the majors that number raises to $0.75M. If the salary is paid on a monthly allocation – A.K.A he’s paid that month based on the percentage of time spent in the minors and majors – then we’re not exactly talking about a large sum saved there.
Regarding arbitration and free agency. Pitchers do not age on a curve like hitters. This means that having Price at ages 28-31 is less important than having Longoria at those ages. Ideal world: both are Rays until they’re no longer useful. Real world: that might not be plausible. As it is, the Rays will have Price through the end of the 2014 season, maybe there’s a chance they can push that to the end of the 2015 season. Price is 23-years-old right now, in 2016 he’ll be 29. C.C. Sabathia is 28, for comparison’s sake.
There’s simply no reason to believe this was 100% or even 60% money driven instead of purely performance and developmentally driven. Anyone who looked up the pitch data knows Price failed to use his change in his cameo last season. Even in his lone start, Price failed to use his change-up, relying primarily on his fastball and slider.
The biggest issue here is trying to estimate how “ready” a pitcher is and comparing this situation to Longoria. There was little for Longoria to work on when he was sent down. Strikeouts and a lack of ‘failure’ were the two biggest concerns. With Price, it’s less obvious to see these worries, or perhaps to place relevance upon them.
I hate to be the “pro-establishment” guy, but if a staff that includes Andrew Friedman, Gerry Hunsicker, James Click, Joe Maddon, Jim Hickey, and a handful of other really, really qualified coaches and execs say that Price’s change needs work along with his fastball command and efficiency, well I’m prone to believe it. At least if there’s no suitable evidence conflicting the opinion. Unless there’s a Pitchfx rock left unturned, that doesn’t seem to exist here.”
Frankie Knucles
March 26th, 2009
7:32 pm
Phili Phan – hows your farm system?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:35 pm
TnBrian (7:28), great point!
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:36 pm
TnBrian,
Na he’s not the one that’s trying to change anyone’s perceptions. Like most players he knows he can’t worry about what people think about him. If he did, I’m sure he’d do a lot more to try and change his image. I think most guys understand that when you’re playing well, the fans will be behind you, when you’re not, they won’t be. Just look at the 180 on Francouer with his struggles. I saw it happen to Freddy Garcia in Seattle. It’s sports.
Wayne in Utah
March 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
Did the Braves announce their other cuts today (somebody please save me the trouble of going back through all the posts this afternoon)?
I know about Hanson, Freeman, Heyward, and Sammons. Was there more?
thanks in advance.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:41 pm
I do wonder if the Aybar and Soriano fiascos will make the Braves wary of signing Dominican players in the future…
braves fan 16
March 26th, 2009
7:41 pm
Hey DOB anything new on the Chipper contract talks , and do you believe they will agree to it before or during the season
BlawgDawg
March 26th, 2009
7:41 pm
Over/under on suicides? And you luv it? What a classy guy you are. Or should I say classy Troll.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
7:42 pm
Nolie, you are correct about the whole Logan and Ohman thing. I appreciate you trying to clarify that earlier. As far as I am concerned they both are unknows in terms of what kind of year they will have. In fact, all players are… but most especially RP. Basically, it comes down to the fact that none of us knows…. and that the Braves’ staff is much more likely to judge the probabilities than I would. So… I choose to trust their judgment. It sure does relieve me of the stress!
Anyway, again, thanks for trying to clarify to others what I was saying since I was not here to do it myself.
Chop Chop
March 26th, 2009
7:42 pm
It would have been funny if Wren had screwed up and cut Hanson, Freeman and Heyward outright.
Interested Observer
March 26th, 2009
7:43 pm
D. Hernandez and Colina were the other cuts.
mets fan in atlanta
March 26th, 2009
7:46 pm
Here’s the link to the article by Jayson Stark:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=4011780
Here’s an excerpt:
“These guys are extremely smart in our front office,” first baseman Carlos Pena said. “So I respect that decision. I know there’s some very good reason behind it that will serve this team and, more importantly, serve David Price’s future.”
Oh, the Rays have their reasons, all right. Very, very intelligently thought-out reasons. And we should point out, at the top, that they have no reason — at least in the short term — to avoid starting Price’s arbitration clock. He’s already signed through 2012.
So if this is about baseball, it’s tough to argue with the concept of conserving Price’s innings load until they really need him. And when they say they want him to finish off his development into the top-of-the-rotation behemoth everyone expects him to be, well, how can you blame them?
But let’s just say that if David Price doesn’t make this club out of spring training, the rest of the AL East sure won’t be sending him any wish-you-were-here cards.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:47 pm
wilymo (7:41), you’re kidding, right?
Moby Grape
March 26th, 2009
7:49 pm
think you might want to re-check your scouting reports on the kid’s “below average” pitches —SCOOTS
IMO the kid is a head case. It’s going to take more that good secondary pitches to have him become successful.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
BB5795,
Not really, the Braves front office I doubt has been thrilled with either, obviously for much different reasons. I don’t they’d actually not sign a guy because he was Dominican, but you have to wonder if its in the back of their minds. I mean if two Swedish girls broke your heart in a difficult way, wouldn’t you be a little more wary when you met another Swedish girl? Doesn’t mean you won’t date her, but you might proceed with caution.
The thought just crossed my mind when DOB mentioned that some in the organization have grown tired of Sori’s act. Then I thought back to the Aybar situation, and thought oy.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
The bottom line:
We need a healthy and productive Soriano,Moylan,Gonzo to be serious threats in this division. Take today as a perfect example of how the B.P. can ruin a very good offensive show Atl. put on today. Also another great outing from Lowe was ruined. It’s S.T., but it’s also a tail of what might be to come…unfortunately.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
wilymo, who told you about Heidi and Inga?
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:02 pm
Yea I was gonna use Dominican girls or Brazilian girls, but whenever y’all talk women I figured Swedish girls would probably be more applicable
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:03 pm
wilymo, on a more serious note, if you consider all the screw-ups, over the last several years, with steroids and whatever, the Braves wouldn’t sign anyone but Asians. Then again, considering how they’ve done in the WBC, maybe that’s a good thing. Sushi isn’t all that bad.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
wilymo, not to beat this thing to death, but IF Rafy has a problem with Cox or the org., I think I’d be reminding him on how if a guy can’t work with Bobby, than who in the world can you work with. I know, Rafy’s problem isn’t with anyone in the org., but if it is…
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:07 pm
wilymo, I hate to open up my personal tastes, too much, but I’m an a$$ man. Next time, please use Brazilian women.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
8:08 pm
tale, not “tail” of things to come. mmmm, maybe I need hooked on phonics. Sorry, I’m from Tn.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:09 pm
TnBrian,
Not sure where I ever said he had a problem with Cox or the org. As a matter of fact he loves Bobby. Best manager he’s ever played for and he’ll tell you that. Doesnt’ have a problem with the organization. He loves Atlanta, bought a house there. Not sure where you interpreted it otherwise. I’ve just said that a lot of the problems comes from his lack of communication. Which is just a reflection of his low key demeanor. And the most recent comments were in response to DOB saying that many in the org were growing tired of his act.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:11 pm
BB5795,
You might wanna take a vacation to the Dominican then. If you’re into nice weather, beautiful beaches, rum, cigars and big a$$e$ then you might enjoy yourself.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
8:13 pm
wilymo, never said you even came close to saying that at all. I’m just kinda echoing what some here and even myself have thought might be the problem with him for the last year or so. Not saying it’s true, and I’ll take your word that he loves Bobby.
Ritchie from Scotland
March 26th, 2009
8:14 pm
DOB I know how much you like your films so i’m wondering if Bronson has been released or is going to be released over there? Saw it last night and it’s extremely strange, uncomfortable and brilliant. If nobody knows what it’s about it’s about Charles Bronson (real name Michael Peterson) Britain’s most infamous and violent but victimised prisoner.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
wilymo, it sounds like paradise. Where the hell is O’Brien? All this talk about nice a$$e$, should bring that hound out.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
The Bear his current contract has nothing to do with the trade. That contract was not signed when he was acquired.
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
I thought that was Ronnie Biggs????
Rally Time
March 26th, 2009
8:19 pm
Schafer will be sent to AAA to start the season.
Placing Jordan on the major league team sends him the message that: “We think you’re a wonderful player and can’t wait to see you play for the Braves.” By sending Schafer to AAA, Wren (or more likely Bobby) can sit him down and say “Jordan, you’ve got some unbelievable talent. I think one of the main reasons you’re being sent down is your tendency to over-swing with two strikes and risk the strikeout. While you’re in Gwinnett, I want you to work on your plate coverage. Work on defending the plate with two strikes. Don’t lose your aggressiveness as a hitter, just focus a bit more on cutting back the strikeouts and defending the plate. If you can work on this for us, there may be a spot for you out in centerfield in a month or two in Atlanta.”
Not only does this move promote Jordan working on his main hitting flaw, but it also saves the Braves $ in the long run. Wren and Bobby know that Josh can be a fine leadoff man and decent CF, so it makes too much baseball sense (both from a $ standpoint and a developing JS’s skill set standpoint) to not start the season with Anderson in center.
Mekons
March 26th, 2009
8:19 pm
or the Kray twins
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
TnBrian,
Oh ok. Yea I can see how someone could come to that conclusion, but it really just comes down to his communication skills and how he goes about dealing with things at times. He doesn’t have a problem with anyone that I know of. He’s a hard guy to get a read on at times, and that leads to people getting frustrated.
BravoMan
March 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
I was at the game today and I have to say my thoughts
What I saw and liked about our 09 club:
-Lowe’s impressive outing- Lowe may not be a Santana or Hamels but with the spring he’s having and his track record of consistency and durablity, he’s going to be a very promising Ace for Atlanta
-Offence by the starters-in the 1st a run was scored by a double to left by kelly, a bunt to the right side by escobar, and a fly ball by chipper. This is classic national league execution and well be a great way to score runs with our lack of power. Francouer had a shot to right today for a hit as well which also impressed me.
-Schafer’s a stud and should be the starting CF
What I saw I didn’t like:
-Bullpen- I say bullpen but I’m excluding Boyer cuz he had a scoreless inning and Melden’s still young. But Logan is supposed to be the guy that gets out guys like Howard, Delgado,etc and he hasn’t pitched up to par as of late. I’m not worried about Gonzo, Moylan, or even Soriano, heck we didnt have any of those guys at the beginning of last year and made due with Acosta, Boyer, and Bennet and did okay, but you gotta have a good lefty in the bullpen. I wonder if there’s gonna be a deal by opening day???
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
BB 5795-I also made a good chunk of money from a sport
Gambling doesnt count.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:21 pm
wilymo, do you talk to Raffy, other than at the ballpark?
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:23 pm
BB5795,
Yea I’m around him quite a bit
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
Eric, I was the tiddlywink champion, for many years, of Tuscalooso, AL. (my apologies if I spelled that name wrong. It was always my favorite sounding city. Especially when Jim McKay would say it.)
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
DOB along with most everyone else are probably watching the tournament games.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
wilymo, how aout some inside info on his strain. I still haven’t heard, officially, how bad it is. Do you know?
BB/wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:27 pm
I love you, you love me, we both love us some Sori…etc.
PhantasticPhilliesPhan
March 26th, 2009
8:27 pm
should we read that as you hope we send Schafer down because you would like to win the opening day game and with him in the lineup we are a bigger threat? RITCHIE
no read it like I said it . Don’t they use English over there in Scotch land? The board will be hilarious for days if he gets sent down. Maybe you won’t enjoy it as much as I would.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:30 pm
I know a little bit, but honestly I’d rather wait until the team or DOB says something because I don’t want to step on any toes or pass along misinformation. I don’t know how writers or front office people like it when friends of people start giving out info like that. I will say that I don’t think it’s that serious. Neither him or the team will really know though until he tries throwing.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
8:34 pm
PhilyPhan, a serious question… what makes you and your team so damn special? ONE WS title in 27 years and you get to brag and diss us? Go screw yourself. You hobo your way down here to Chattanooga,TN and I’ll slap that ugly phily smirk off your face son!
Just havin some fun with ya… sorta.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:36 pm
Heh, looks like we better change the subject. Enough of the Sori talk for awhile.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
8:41 pm
TnBrian,
Dont lose your temper over a bunch of monkeys and old pitchers………we will do the talking on the field, Im sure yo are confident of that.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
8:42 pm
Does anyone else believe that BB and willymo are the same person?
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
Doc, sure I am. Good line about monkeys and old pitchers.
Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
8:44 pm
TnBrian,”PhilyPhan, a serious question… what makes you and your team so damn special?”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Dude they are the defending champions. If anyone gets to brag it is them. Hell, we have one championship over the last 40 years.
wilymo
March 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
Eric from MO,
Really? Man you guys are a tough crowd.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
8:47 pm
Medlen has had an impressive spring. I hope one poor inning doesn’t erase his chances of breaking north with the club
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
8:49 pm
TnBrian,
You know they dont have any class….. their second baseman showed the world the kind of people they are. No class. He knew he was in a zoo and that he had to say bad words for his words to have any impact. Do you think Chipper or Smoltz would have said “fuxxing world champions”??? I mean….. there are fans that are not 10 years old…….girls………boys……… That says a lot about the franchise and the city.
You have to lose with class and to win with class.
jmc
March 26th, 2009
8:51 pm
Hey wily blow, just got off the phone with my good buddy Chipper. He wonders if you’re the guy in the knee pads and Soriano T-shirt…
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
8:55 pm
wilymo, I apologize for abandoning you while we both were getting ridiculed. I had a phonecall from a sexy blond, yes, part Swedish, (don’t tell Roman Gal), that took priority. As I went back in time, to see what I missed, I’m seeing some of the boys are developing a man-crush on us. That’s understandable. Take it as a compliment. As Seinfeld would say, “there’s nothing wrong with that”.
FaninFaytown
March 26th, 2009
8:59 pm
Has anyone else seen on Keith Law’s top 100 prospects that tommy is listed as having below average command and control? That is not how it has seemed so far to me.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
nolie, I disagree with you.People, maybe not you, but there were some who said that the Braves were in the same situation as last year with Ohman as they are this year with Logan. People also said that since Mahay and Ohman worked out, so would Logan and/or O’Flaherty.
Then you had others, maybe it was you, who felt that resigning Ohman was never ever a priority for the Braves this season.
There were also some who some combination of these opinions.
Perhaps you better address your own comprehension skills because I said nothing to you specifically, but you got all huffy just the same.
I also read fine too, in fact, what I’m not reading is the full out assurances that the situational lefty spot will be a-ok…and that’s all I said.
If that upsets you too darn bad, I’m talking about what’s best for the team, not you.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
Sometimes, I’m really ashamed of being a Braves fan!
PhantasticPhilliesPhan
March 26th, 2009
9:01 pm
said “fuxxing world champions”???
TB
You’re a funny guy for that to be coming from. From what I have read he talks just like you do on this board.
Jeff Blauser
March 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
Frank Wren mentioned that he is concerned that if Schafer starts in center alongside Francoeur in right, there will only be one outfield starter whose name regular Braves Bloggers will be able to spell. He feels that throwing two Andersons out there is the way to go.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
Do you realize that last year Smoltz, Hampton, Glavine and Hudson had a combined 56 games started. Thats just 34%, they should have started 80% of the games. A 46% deficit. Thats why they lost 90 games. only 54% of the games we started by a starting pitcher that was meant to be in the rotation. So half the games of last season were started by improvised or not ready for the majors pitchers……..Carlyle, Campillo, Morton, JoJo, James
mudcat
March 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
Wren better give Ohman a call pretty quick. Our lefties in the pen really suck.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
Thanks Jeff. I knew there was more to it than just stats.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
9:08 pm
DOB, did you see the DBT show at the Tabernacle in November? I’ve seen 25+ Truckers shows and I’ve gotta say that one was the best since they parted ways with Isbell and it rivals their best shows that I saw at the 40 Watt 3-5 years ago. An encore of World of Hurt, Mary Me, Let There Be Rock, Rockin’ in the Free World, and People Who Died is just hard to beat.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
9:10 pm
PhantasticPhilliesPhan
I have a question that perhaps you can answer for me- why is it that fans of the Phillies and Mets insist on coming on this blog and ranting about how bad the Braves are going to be and how great their team is? Do you have such little confidence in your team that it is the only way to make yourself feel better? Are you that concerned that the Braves are actually better then you had hoped and can give you some competition? Or does living in the Northeast really suck all the happiness and joy out of your lives so that you have to try to make everyone else as miserable as you? At least Anders lends some intelligence to the conversations…
KC
March 26th, 2009
9:12 pm
In regard to the supposed greatness of the Phillies…
The Braves, as we all know were absolutely devastated by injuries. Instead of being legit competitors in the East, they wound up losing 90 games.
The Phillies (to their credit) took advantage and pounded the Braves last year going – I think it was – 16-3 vs. the Braves, and went on to win 92 games.
Now… if the Braves had hadn’t been completely destroyed by injuries; if the they had been legit competitors last year… there’s obviously no way the Phillies rack up anything close to 16 wins at the expense of ATL. If the Braves were healthy, even if the Phillies had won the season series, say… 10-9 or 11-8, they would have finished the season with 86 or 87 wins.
My point is that if not for the incredibly lopsided record vs. Atlanta, the Phillies wouldn’t have come close to 90 wins, and would not have even made the post-season last year.
This ‘09 Phillies team is pretty much the same squad they had last year. They slightly upgraded Left Field, but that’s pretty much it. With a Braves team that’s not going to be their punching bag again this year, they’ll have to raise their game to hit 90 wins. Hey… maybe they will. Maybe they’ll win well over 90 even in a tough division. I’m just saying that, while they were a fine team last year and will be so again this season… I think some are thinking a little TOO highly of last year’s Phillies team, and this year’s version as well.
They’re a good team. No doubt. But unless they raise their level of play from last year, they’re certainly no juggernaut.
On paper, right now, I like both the Braves and Mets slightly more than the Phillies.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:13 pm
Today I heard Chip carey say he believes the braves are going to make a trade for a big bat for the line up ! But, who ?! Maybe someone from Texas Rangers.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:15 pm
cabravesfan (9:10), I know, I know, I know the answer to this one! Please call on me teach! (thank you) It’s because when they go on their own sites, there are so many fans already ragging on their own teams, that they can’t get a word in edgewise. Here, they think they can be heard.
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
9:18 pm
Moby, I wouldn’t completely disagree with your assessment of Morton, unfortunately. I thought he had turned the corner last year on makeup, but it’s hard to tell based on his health-marred late season performance.
Still, he rates 70 or above on three pitches and his changeup is improving; hate to kick that kind of stuff to the curb without giving it every chance and maybe one more. I would sure would like him to start making my touts OF HIM look a little better, though. HA!
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:20 pm
Hi melissa. (I like to stay friendly with the female hotties of the site) (wilymo knows, he’s not saying anything, but he …. he knows)
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
BB5795
Thanks! I have been kept awake at night wondering why Phillies and Mets fans think we give a flying f*ck what they think of our team (except Anders who is actually starting to grow on me- bring this up again and I will deny ever having said that)
(by the way I’m part Swedish…)
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
9:22 pm
KC, very good post.. seemed thought out.
KC
March 26th, 2009
9:24 pm
melissa, respectfully, I don’t think Chip Caray really knows very much about such things. I think he, like many of the Braves players, get their info from reading DOB’s and Mark Bowman’s stuff. While he works for the Braves, he doesn’t have any sort of inside track on such info.
I kind of doubt we’ll see anything like that now. If, at the trade deadline, the Braves feel they really need a big bat, then I’m sure they’ll pursue one. But right now, while there’s no 30-40 HR guy here… there are quality hitters with pop all the way up and down the order, and I think the Braves are happy with what they have at every position.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:27 pm
Hi sweetheart !! That’s nice for you to say !! Tell that Philly fan they should be thanking the braves for last year world series ! The braves let Philly just destroy them ! So, they need to thank them !Do you know what I would be happy about this year ?! I hope the braves and they will, knot the Phillies out of the playoffs ! That will be my world series victory !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:27 pm
cabravesfan, I’ve made quite a study of this. It’s rock-solid. BTW, Anders has grown on me too, but that’s just between you and I. Uh, the part-Swedish part only works if you’re a female, not that there’s anything wrong with that, with some, if you’re not (Seinfeld, again).
Salamander
March 26th, 2009
9:28 pm
Melissa
Where would that “big bat” go? Braves already have all the options I think they will consider for each position. There is a logjam of players in the outfield, and the infield is set. Where do you slide a “big bat” in?
Personally I think Chip has no clue what he’s talking about.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:29 pm
Would be nice KC !! I already knew it just was a pipe dream !!!
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:30 pm
melissa, were you talking to me or KC?
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
9:30 pm
BB5795
No worries then- I am female:)
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
Dude, just FYI, but treating distaff bloggers as if you’re in some dating chat room has long been considered tasteless in this forum. Just sayin’…
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
Knock the Phillies out ! I can spell !! lol
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
As much as I think we still need a big bat, where would it go? Would we trade Kotchman for another 1B? Adrian Gonzales? New LF’er?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
I hear you scoots. cabravesfan, in the words of Marv Albert, YESSSSSSSS!
nolie
March 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
also read fine too, in fact, what I’m not reading is the full out assurances that the situational lefty spot will be a-ok…and that’s all I said. KIRK
so you’re looking for a prognosticator with 20-20 fore-sight? Good luck dude, even if we had Ohman there would be no guarantee since he has had some mediocre seasons too. And since your main argument was with PTBNL and me, your passive-aggressive little comments are pretty likely to be aimed at us regardless of what you say. I can’t think of anyone who said that they would prefer not to have Ohman which is what your silly little asides make it sound like. You’re playing word games, because not considering him a priority is not the same as not wanting him on the team. Read the exact wording of your original post if you can’t remember back that far dude. The question was “Is there anybody who did not consider signing Ohman as a priority? I replied that I did not nor did some others. Your immediate challenge was who else besides myself. Others chipped in and said the same thing like PT and Scoots. Since that time you have been trying to make it sound like we were totally anti-Ohman or that we said that Logan=Ohman. There is a difference and if you can’t distinguish it then your comprehension is not as precise as you seem to think it is.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
Salamander, I think if they do, the big bat will be a infield position !
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:35 pm
I said hi to you BB !! Join in !!
Tomas
March 26th, 2009
9:40 pm
Although the Braves have the potential to have one of the best bulpens, things aren’t looking to good right now. Jeff Bennet struggling, Mike Gonzales has some serious control issues(but great stuff), Rafael Soriano always has health issues, and neither Boone Logan or Eric O’Flaherty seem to be effective. I know it’s spring training but normally on the last week it’s when players start to get serious.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
nolie, what the heck is wrong with you? I’m not allowed to say the same thing I said last week, and during the entire offseason…resign Ohman? I can’t say that I’m worried about the situational leftie spot? What kind of crap is that?
You are taking something as a slight that was in no way meant to be one.I had no one in mind when I typed my comment.
Bottom line, I don’t see as many people expressing their confidence in Logan as I did last week.
Lew
March 26th, 2009
9:45 pm
Damn-Anders is growing on you? I’d see a Dermatologist at the very least. Very soon.
PWHjort
March 26th, 2009
9:46 pm
Umm, how is Raul Ibanez over Pat Burrell an upgrade? I see it as a downgrade given the Phillies’ lack of right-handed power.
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:47 pm
Bobby Cox already making excuses for the bull pen !! When will this man get it !! I wished he would get cut !! Fustrating ! Just fustrating !!
ncscoots
March 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
And what is the obsession with Schafer’s Ks by some here? I’m not one of the “an out is an out” dogmatics, but, jeez, Grady Sizemore struck out 130 times last year. So blinking what? You can’t tell a kid at Schafer’s stage of development to be defensive with two strikes, you’ll cripple his swing. He’ll learn how to adjust with two strikes, or he won’t; only time and experience can help him with the former. Let the big dog eat, worry about the Ks later.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
9:50 pm
Lew-
I tried but I was told it was inoperable
melissa
March 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
You are right ! That’s a down grade ! The phillies are going to lose without Burrell !!
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
9:52 pm
nolie, what the heck is wrong with you? I’m not allowed to say the same thing I said last week, and during the entire offseason…resign Ohman? I can’t say that I’m worried about the situational leftie spot? What kind of crap is that?
You are taking something as a slight that was in no way meant to be one.I had no one in mind when I typed my comment.I didn’t know you owned this issue and anything said about it is automatically something said to and against you.
Bottom line, I don’t see as many people expressing their confidence in Logan as I did last week. If I put it that way does that make you feel better?
I think I’ve been around long enough that people know if I have something to say to someone that I have zero problem doing so. No passive-aggressiveness from me and you know that…snarky, yes, rude, sometimes, but never passive-aggressive.
Please stop trying to turn this into something personal. I am sorry if I hurt your feeling last week, can we move on now and be nice?
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
sorry for the double posts.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
Lew, I’m not sure it you’re talking to me or cabravesfan, or both, but don’t worry. Before I retire, I put “Child In Time” on by our boys, at high volume. Anything that wants to attach itself to you runs and hides. It’s better than bathing in bleach.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
9:56 pm
18 Wheels of Love,
I dont think we need a big bat. Just look around. How many guys do we have capable of hitting .300???
Schafer—-Yunel——-Chipper—-Brian——Kotchman——-JF(suddenly)—–Diaz/Anderson
Only KJ among regular has not hit .300 or been close to. And he is a pretty good hitter……..he wouldnt surprise anyone if he hist .295
Of course……….if Schafer is sent down……..things will change
Thats called being loaded my friend……….lots of base runners.
Horner's Corner
March 26th, 2009
9:56 pm
Eric from MO- Your post about Anderson striking out more than Schafer was a complete fabrication and, in fact, it was rather juvenile. Anderson has always been a good contact hitter and as a professional player he has only struck out 14% of his plate appearances. This ratio is far superior to Schafer’s track record. In addition, he has been successful stealing more than 80% of the time as a pro player and this ratio is also far superior to Schafer. I am not saying he is better than JS, I am just stating facts. I admit that he does not walk enough for my taste, but his lifetime OBP is .345 which is above the ML average. So Eric, please do not make crap up to support your argument and do not put too much stock into Spring training stats.
Robert(Chipper Is The Best)
March 26th, 2009
9:57 pm
The Braves definitely have a very interesting decision in centerfield. By all rights Jordan Schafer has not only won the job he has overwhelmingly won it. However, “baseball” decisions may get in the way of doing what is best for the team. I totally understand the Braves wanting to hold Schafer off from being in the Majors until late May or early June to delay his arbitration clock. By bringing him up then the Braves would basically “steal” a year of free agency. But, I am not convinced Josh Anderson should be the starting centerfielder. He can hit well but his OBP is not very good. And since the starting centerfielder will be the leadoff hitter that doesn’t exactly bode very well for the lineup.
Also, I wonder if there is a part of Frank Wren that wishes that he didn’t resign Glavine now that we’ve all seen that Tommy Hanson is ready for the Majors?
Salamander
March 26th, 2009
9:58 pm
The recent bullpen issues are tricky. If the Braves over-react now, and overpay Ohman or someone else, and it doesn’t work out, then it was a total waste of resources way too early in the season and Wren gets coated with tar and feathers as a reward (not to mention the move would reduce his trade-deadline flexibility even if its a successful move to sign an RP now).
If a great trade essentially falls in Wren’s lap due to another team wanting to make a move, then OK – I could see Wren pulling the trigger early. Otherwise, stand pat and see how the team shakes out over the first couple weeks or so.
I know some people on this blog want him to make a move to shore up the pen now, but I think it would be premature to tinker just yet. Its still ST, relax people.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
9:58 pm
Moby, what are you basing your assessment of Morton on (being a head case)? I don’t ask the question because I doubt what you are saying (since you normally have good reason for what you say). I guess part of my question has to with not being able to remember who on the blog actually has seen much of the minor league games and who does not. You may know Morton very well (as a fan can know a ballplayer) and have seen him being a head case. You may have said more about this earlier but I have to confess that I don’t retain everything I read on the blog.
I know that it has been mentioned that Morton has confidence issues. But like “redneck” some times “head case” and “confidence” can have different meanings depending on whose using them and the context in which they use them. So I guess part of my question has to do with what you actually mean by a head case. Also, whatever it may mean, do you sense that he is a “hopeless case”?
I admit that I don’t know much about Morton. I think I have only seen him pitch one time. He looked good in that game, but I know I may not get a true reading on a guy from one outing. I tend to think of Morton as Scoots seems to…. having very good potential that has not “used up” his chances. But I readily admit, again, that I do not have a lot to go on.
Ultimately, I guess I am asking if you would elaborate more on your thoughts about Morton.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
9:59 pm
BB5795-
“Child in Time”?? Dear God man, I think I’d rather have Anders growing on me (or bathe in bleach)
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:00 pm
Is it just me or what? About 2 of every 3 of my posts are out there in cyber-space. I had some very creative stuff on those. Oh well, someday the inhabitants from the planet, QZXaaB, will appreciate it.
18 Wheels of Love
March 26th, 2009
10:01 pm
I just lizzed myself.
Snuffy
March 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
“Schafer will be sent to AAA to start the season.
Placing Jordan on the major league team sends him the message that: “We think you’re a wonderful player and can’t wait to see you play for the Braves.” By sending Schafer to AAA, Wren (or more likely Bobby) can sit him down and say “Jordan, you’ve got some unbelievable talent. I think one of the main reasons you’re being sent down is your tendency to over-swing with two strikes and risk the strikeout. While you’re in Gwinnett, I want you to work on your plate coverage. Work on defending the plate with two strikes. Don’t lose your aggressiveness as a hitter, just focus a bit more on cutting back the strikeouts and defending the plate. If you can work on this for us, there may be a spot for you out in centerfield in a month or two in Atlanta.”
Yeah, when the Braves did the same thing to Frenchy last year, he was gone for what?……five days? LOL Yeah, that’s the kind of thing the Braves do. The Braves have never given a rat’s azz about strikeouts. Frenchy and Andruw and any number of recent Braves have proven that.
KC
March 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
PWHjort, well I consider Ibanez a slight upgrade in Left because, while he doesn’t hit for as much power as Burrell, he is more consistent, and is a better fielder. Not a big difference though, overall.
Pretty much the same team as last year. And again, without the punching bag in ATL they had last year, they’ll have to raise their level of play if they’re going to win 90 this year.
Salamander
March 26th, 2009
10:07 pm
Also, I wonder if there is a part of Frank Wren that wishes that he didn’t resign Glavine now that we’ve all seen that Tommy Hanson is ready for the Majors? – Robert(Chipper Is The Best)
No. He knew Hanson was ready (or extremely close) months ago, hence why he wouldn’t trade Hanson to San Diego in the Peavy deal. According to a DOB story a few months back, Wren went up to Hanson in person to tell him he wouldn’t be traded while he was in Arizona. That should tell you precisely how much stock Wren put in Hanson way before ST. Keeping Hanson on a regular pitching schedule (and hungry for the majors) in Gwinnett was the right move. Not to mention the obvious part of delaying his arb-eligible clock.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:07 pm
I’m sorry cabravesfan (9:59), I forgot you were still there, and you’re part Swedish. Well, the truth is, I use the heavy stuff when I need the heavy stuff. The rest of the time, all I listen to is ABBA.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
KC, just because the Braves have solidified the team this year and it is much less likely that the whole pitching staff (it seemed) will totally crumble because of injuries, it does not guarantee that the Braves will fare any better against the Phillies. Even when the Braves were winning the division there have been teams that have had their number — teams that were not any better than (usually not as good as) the Braves. I certainly hope we are not their doormat this year, but I want to see it before I breathe easy about it. (I don’t really get up tight about it, but I sure do wish we would do better against them.)
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
DOB
Tell Will Ohman to get off his high horse, swallow his pride and call the Braves with a reasonable offer. He needs us as much as we need him or he can go suffer with the Padres.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
cabravesfan, now that I got all apologiletic (is that a word?), what the heck do you know about “Child In Time”, anyway? Lew, feel free to chip in anytime you’d like.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
I think Ohman is worth $1.5 million/year+incentives. That is reportedly what he’s down to asking.
I think his performance last season is enough for Wren to justify his resigning.It may well turn out that what we have is enough. Ohman has handled the situational role effectively. We do not know if anyone currently on the roster can do so.
I’m afraid without the situational guy, Boyer and Acosta are going to have to pitch more because Bobby will have to use a righthander where he could’ve used a leftie if he had one that could get outs like Ohman did last season.
There really is something weird about Ohman remaining unsigned at this point.Perhaps he’s betting he can get more if he waits until the end of ST?
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
BB5795-
Gotta admit- I just youtubed it…barely made it through the intro…nearly died of pain and suffering
and yes, apologetic is a word, you just spelled it wrong:)
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
10:33 pm
Kirkinga____
to be exact on Ohman: Will Ohman seeks a one-year, $1.75MM deal with easily-reachable incentives for another million. He also prefers the West Coast
BTW_ I believe a team will sign him up beofre the season starts
Also MLBTR says Ohman to Pirates is possible:the Pirates have ramped up their interest in free agent lefty Will Ohman. The Bucs made an offer Saturday for one year plus an option, and Ohman’s agent countered yesterday. Ohman’s still looking for a $2MM salary. Dialogue is ongoing with the Pirates
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
He also prefers the West Coast
Wow- did the Pirates move to out west and not tell anyone?
Yojii
March 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
Now translating remark of Kenshin Kawakami concerning Bobby Cox. As always being verbatim:
“Cox-san is superior maestro. Immobile like mountain but more like sea. Is swearing many oaths such as words not being printed in newspaper. Always seeking players who die their spirit for teams. If managing American Motor Car companies then Honda have no lunch!”
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
You just youtubed it? So you were knocking it without ever seeing it? It’s like Anders, it’ll grow on you. Some time, when you feel a little more open-minded, try a few more bars.
I spelled it wrong??!! I wasn’t even close.
How about that group, ABBA?!!!
Schafer Obliterator
March 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
I hit, I steal, I power ‘em out at home plate, I crush balls to the opposite field
I am better than Diaz, Frenchy, Josh, Blanco, Prado and Infante and
I am expected to go to AAA…….. DREAM ON
I am the greatest !
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
10:41 pm
Just reading some previous posts – Melissa gets on the blog and you guys are like drunk frat boys at a keg party at 4 am when there’s only one girl left.
Rob from SC
March 26th, 2009
10:41 pm
maybe we can get John Grabow then
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:41 pm
Yojii, again you’re too late. DOB just told us that about 15 minutes ago. (only the Asians understood)
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
I don’t think Schafer can be denied at this point. Question is, how do we get anything in return for the track star?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
It sounds to me like Frankie Knuckles is upset that he didn’t join in sooner. He figures he’s way back in line.
Madonna's Chin Hair
March 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
BB5795, you are starting to sound like a creepy uncle who want to play horsey with the little girls. Please stop before I toss my macro-biotic dinner.
N Nine (eta10)
March 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
Frankie Knuckles__ I think our part Swedish Love was here also!
BB5795__ What about Roman Gal ?
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
Time for us Bravos to get tough. If Schafer is clearly the best CF then send Blanco to AAA and waiver Josh A at the last minute.
If JA is not the best player for CF then why care about a meaningless loss of personnel……… the extra excitement and $$ Schafer will bring right away will pay big dividends for the psyche of us fans who MAY buy tickets and shirts (etc) this year.
Ride your profits and cut your losses quickly… FWIW Schafer is uber quick around the bases and probably faster than JA
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Im gonna make a prediction……….
Braves will end up the season 1st in pitching and 1st in hitting……among top 3 in runs scored and will make the playoff……..not sure if they can go from 4th to 1st in 1 year, but they will make the playoffs.
spotts
March 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
Maybe if I changed my display name to a girl’s name I’d get more attention
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
BB5795 – I aint above seconds my man
spotts
March 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Holy crap, Doc….anything else? How bout 9 Gold Gloves and an MVP and RoTY too?
KC
March 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
PTBNL, NOTHING is guaranteed. We can’t predict the future. We can only talk about likelihoods right now. With that in mind, I have to say that it is EXTRAORDINARILY unlikely that the Braves/Phillies will be anywhere near that lopsided (16-3) again. Even if the Braves had NOT improved their team significantly, another season series that lopsided would be unlikely. But with a vastly improved Braves team… I’d bet my Warren Spahn rookie card (if I had one) against it.
Again, nothing is impossible, but as I see it, the season series could go either way this year. And it is highly unlikely that either team (the Braves or Phillies) will absolutely own the other, as the Phillies owned the Braves last year.
cabravesfan
March 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
ABBA, not so much…I am nore of a Metallica girl (agree with DOB re: Ride the Lightening…great album)
I heard enough of “Child in Time” to know if it ever grew on me I’d be concerned
gotta run for a little while…be back later:)
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Starters will lead the league in IP. Staff will lead the NL in ERA.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
I’m thinking, is it possible, scoots just showed up as Madonna’s Chin Hair (10:50)? What the hell are you talking about? Is there any other of you guys that have a clue?
dogsbrekky
March 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
Agnetha Falkstog – speaking of ABBA, that lady could sing !
Mark
March 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
They will lock up Hanson for another year down the line as a result of this too right?
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
spotts,
No, no gold gloves nor MVP nor cy youngs. Pure team work.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
N Nine (10:50), I can take a hint.
Big Boobs Salamander
March 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Spotts: (10:54 and 10:55) – made me laugh twice!
Maybe I’ll get some hot cyber action with these hanging out of my digital shirt.
kirkinga
March 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Thanks N Nine, that’s still reasonable I think given his effectiveness.
I’ve stopped placing a lot of weight on where players reportedly prefer to play. We were told the Braves were a preference of Peavy’s and we all know how that turned out.
Then there was all this talk about how Sabathia wanted to play on West Coast, and well, he’s a Yankee now. So, I wouldn’t be scared off by that West Coast thing.
I suggested trading away Logan and O’Flaherty and that $805k right there!
I bet if the Braves offered @million he’d take it.I’d at least like to see them make an attempt though I’m not holding my breath.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
“Eric from MO
March 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
The Bear his current contract has nothing to do with the trade. That contract was not signed when he was acquired.”
———
I am fully aware of his contract and when he got it. Only after turning in a good performance in 07 did the Braves sign him to the two year monstrosity he is under now (its second year). That was a mistake in my opinion and I am sure I am not alone.
Soriano worked a good deal (or his agent did) when he signed that two year contract.
What I reported was that the people in Seattle said he was either perpetually sick or injured and many of them were mysteries. I think we are now seeing what they were talking about. I don’t know why the man doesn’t seem to want to work hard and participate but if he wants a career after 2009 he sure as he11 better get to cracking. Who is going to want to sign him for anything if he turns in another year like 2008?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
Frankie Knuckles (10:54), I apologize, I stand corrected!
jane spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
Can some young man explain the infield fly rule to me?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
spotts (10:55), you never know until you try. But, how will you feel in the morning?
KC
March 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Doc Holiday, buckle in… I’m sure you’re about to be lambasted for that prediction. But I think you could be right.
I think the Braves will, in all likelihood, finish near the top (of not AT the top) of the league in ERA and hitting, and at least top 5 or 6 in the league in runs scored.
This Braves team is likely to hit for a fairly high team average. Not a lot of homers… but more than many people expect, and they’ll have a chance to lead the league in doubles this year. If Francoeur bounces back as it appears he will, the Braves have a number of BIG doubles hitters in this lineup. And that is especially significant when you consider how well these Braves hitters hit with RISP.
Escobar, McCann, Chipper, Kotchman, KJ, and G.Anderson… all hit very well with RISP last year. And if Francoeur and Diaz get back to pre-2008 form – or better (as it appears they will)… you can add two more players to the list of good clutch hitters.
Frank (the nutty professor) Wren
March 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
Well, the season is almost ready to begin. I am most proud of the fact that my Nortron 5000 cyber-hitting unit is new and improved this year. It is not only more life-like (it spits! simulated saliva, of course) it has more useful auxiliary functions. It has a new chip that will allow it to prepare the tax returns of the other players while it waits to pinch hit. Chipper loves that!
Shamus Thacker
March 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
When Kurt Cobain and mates were touring, ABBA was their collective listening choice most of the time.
Fillies Feeling Frightfully Philharmonic
March 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
Your 2 loogy options are poor and will get lit up by even the lefties in the NL.
It might be a mistake not to at least try young Jo Reyes in your ‘pen.
The Schafer boy is easily your best CF option and very exciting to watch
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
jane spotts (11:02), I don’t know about anybody else, but that’s my FAVORITE entry of the day! Great wit!!!
KC
March 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
Doc Holiday, they might not win any (seems to be fairly political), but the Braves will have a few Gold Glove candidates. Francoeur won one in ‘07, and Escobar and Kotchman are both GG caliber.
PTBNL
March 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
KC, I wasn’t busting on you. More than anything expressing my disappointment about how terribly we played against them last year. It was like the Braves turned into a Little League team every time we faced them…. even before the decimation of our pitching staff.
Sure, the odds were against it happening last year, much less this year. But like I said, I want to see it… not depend on the odds. lol
Razzle
March 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
overtures of loobjob@9:28
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
BB5795
I dunno…”Big Boobs” Salamander takes the cake for me
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Bear – Soriano’s agent accepting the second year at $6.1 mil was the tell in that poker hand. Why would he give away Soriano’s first year of FA for $6.1 mil when he was assumed to be the Braves closer? Closers were going for a minimum of $ 10 mil per at that point. He left a lot of money on the table in the second year to pick up maybe an extra $1 mil in the first year. Given Soriano’s elbow history there was absolutely no reason for Wren to give him that extension. The Braves thought they were getting a bargain and got burned. Even if he does pitch this year as a set up guy he’s terribly expensive.
I’m telling you, the guy knows he’s damaged goods and can’t string together two months of effective pitching. He took the money and ran. At least Hampton wanted to pitch.
Did DOB ever give the update on Soriano that he mentioned in the blog?
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
spotts (11:14), I’m sure you are just being modest. You may have sent me into a serious mode now, where I may have to talk some BB.
Nicholas Cage
March 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
I’ve discovered that the last NUMBER in the sequence is Jo Jo Reyes’s 2009 earned run average!
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
KC – Doesn’t the pen appear to be an impeding problem? I love the Braves as much as the next guy on this blog, but I’ve always thought of 09 as a phase of our rebuilding process. But we do have a lot of potential. Would our fans from other teams “sleep with the enemy” if they weren’t a little concerned.
Braves Fan 79 – you gotta leave that somewhere else.
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
Jane Spotts – Very,very funny!
Tim in NC
March 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
The Gwinnett Braves will be in Durham April 13th – 15th. There’s a chance Hanson may pitch against Price in that series. Possibly the second time through the rotation for the ace of each club.
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
I hope you mean basketball
I desparately need to go to bed. But this freaking Mizzou/Memphis game has me up. I have Memphis in the NC game…
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
And it looks like my Jane ploy didn’t work. I guess Melissa was just younger and sexier
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
11:33 pm
Look for a new Brave soon. Wren is probably hot on the trail for a lefty in the pen, I’ll betcha. Especially now with Soriano’s health ? and Logan and O’Flahtery apparantly looking lost out there, that pen is almost gauranteed to be on his mind. Someone mentioned earlier about Chip Carey thinking Atl. will trade for a bat. HUH? I don’t think that would even be on Wren’s mind until maybe the summer and that’s only if they’re in contention and they don’t have to trade a ton. Maybe he did mean later in the summer, but that’s still doubtful, I think.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Anders, it’s good to hear from you. I’m glad you’re keeping up(11:22). I’m glad I have a second opinion. Even if it’s from a Met fan. I told him it’s funny. My only objection to what you said to Bear (11:20), was how can you fault the Braves wasting money, when (do you really want to get me started?) Omaya has spent 50% more and has received 50% less, than the Braves have. I know I’m prejudiced, but I believe our 92 million $ payroll, will kick the hell out of your 142 million $ this year. As far as the future is concerned, hey you really don’t wnnt to hear that sad news, do you? (see guys, I told you I could get serious, too.)
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:36 pm
TnBrian – What about $’s for these now needed relievers? They barely had money to bring Glavine back.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
spotts, next time, lose the last name. We all know it.
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
That was Melissa who mentioned Chip Caray
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Wow- Villanova up by 13 over Coach K and the fellas. The suicide prevention hotline in NC must be burning up.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Anders, we know! Soriano has been pretty much a bust up to this point. No need to keep putting salt in that wound. I like Rafy and think he can easily be as good, if not better, than Putz. But, health is the problem. As far as bust, how about all the busts your Mets have piled up over the years? I bet it beats out ours by a long shot.
David O'Brien
March 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
TexasBrave, you watching Mizzou-Memphis?
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
spotts, tomorrows Friday – enjoy the tourney kid
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
BB5795 – Except when some young Braves fan named Jane actually posts on here, and you guys run her off with inappropriate slurs
spotts
March 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
I’ll start enjoying it when Duke and Memphis stop getting shellacked
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:41 pm
BB5795 (An old inmate number or something?) – I believe we were discussing the Soriano contract. Not sure how you morphed that into my GM spent better than your GM? That said, Minaya had a better year than AIG -you’re up.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Well, Anders.. the Braves have the talent that a team would want and could possibly trade a guy like Grabow(just throwin out a name) and pay some his contract. Depends on the talent, but nobody really even knows for sure how much they have to spend, not even you Anders.
BB5795
March 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
Yeah, you’re right, spotts. I don’t see any way around it. She seems doomed! However, I will work on it.
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
TnBrian -Speaking of busts – How’s DollyLand working out in the old volunteer state?
David O'Brie
March 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
Did DOB ever give the update on Soriano that he mentioned in the blog? — Anders
No, DOB did not get that update. DOB and Bowman asked Cox about the cuts and about Lowe and about the left-handers struggling and about center field after the game, and DOB realized when they went upstairs that everyone had forgotten to ask about Soriano.
But earlier in the day, when a reporter approached Soriano to ask a question, Soriano waved a finger, sort of like Dikembe Mutombo, as he headed to the trainer’s room, not to be seen again before the clubhouse closed.
Thanks for checking on DOB, Anders.
picked last in gym class
March 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
Just random comparisons…ab hits ave. tb sb/cs k’s bba-r
Justin Upton 42 8 .190 14 1/1 13 n/a
Jay Bruce 44 12 .273 20 0/1 13 n/a
Jacoby Ellsbury 43 10 .233 17 1/1 3 n/a
Jordan Schafer 47 18 .383 27 5/0 12 42
Colby Rasmus 63 17 .270 25 3/0 20 3
Camron Maybin 51 17 .333 24 2/1 12 8
Dexter Fowler 53 16 .302 22 5/2 14 15
Andrew McCutchen 60 15 .250 25 2/0 16 33
Austin Jackson 36 12 .333 24 2/0 12 36
These guys are all the outfield draft class of 2005.The top three guys are in the big leagues and the others are knocking on the door.The number to the far right is the prospect ranking by baseball america. Looks like Schafer compares favorably to all of these guys at this point in spring training. Comparing any of these guys to Josh Anderson is insulting.
Chop Chop
March 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
I don’t mind seeing Duke lose. My eyes get blinded when I see all those white guys out there at once. Scary.
Memphis is shattering what’s left of the broken glass on my bracket. My brother’s wife is a big Memphis fan. He’s sort of adopted the team, too. I’m sure they’re beating their heads against walls tonight. That “40 Minutes of Hell” stuff can do that to ya.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
11:49 pm
Anders, you mean DollyWood? My God, that place sucks! Me and my girlfriend like Gatlinburg but only stay way up in the cabins. What made you think of that? You know, Chattanooga is a beautiful place..you should visit some time.
Chop Chop
March 26th, 2009
11:50 pm
DOB,
Nice to see the conceded ***hole make an appearance. I think you owed Anders one. Dude’s been doing his Whack-A-Mole imitation for too long without getting hit with the Bop Gun.
Frankie Knuckles
March 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
Anders – answer – not well. Did you ever see the Carson show where he tells Dolly he would give a months pay to peek under her blouse. Classic.
muffin
March 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
nice comps. on schafer he is on his way to a stellar career. draft class of 05 may be a classic.
TnBrian
March 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
My dad finally broke his habit on gambling on those college BB games, or at least that’s what we’re told. Wondered why he would all the sudden be broke.
Rafael Soriano
March 26th, 2009
11:56 pm
I made me money-now I take meself bauk to Dominican to live de life of luxury!! hahaha
Anders
March 26th, 2009
11:58 pm
Wow DOB – You have a bet on Duke or something?
I asked Bear because believe it or not I haven’t been on the blog much at all today and didn’t take the time to read 700 posts before 11:00 tonight. Plus you weren’t on here when I asked – so I thought “hey, maybe someone on here can tell me if DOB updated the crew on Soriano like he said he might?” Now only after your drippingly sarcastic response do I realize just how offensive that must have been to you.
Next time I’ll address it to you, hope you read it while I’m still on here, and bless me with a response which I’m sure will read something like “Anders, I only posted what Wren said about Soriano three hours ago and we discussed it for the next two hours!”
I’m not sure who’s crankier ? Soriano when he’s injured or you when you sleep on that damn chair.
Doc Holiday
March 26th, 2009
11:58 pm
Hey KC,
You are right………I forgot about JF…….he might be a good candidate.
Maybe Chipper if he can stay healthy. Kotchman?
Im ready and still waiting for that cavalry to attack me……….send them in.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
12:00 am
aha….bravo, Anders. Very funny
Steve McP
March 27th, 2009
12:01 am
DOB – you sound like Kenny Powers in that last entry. The old talking about yourself in the 3rd person bit is really quite weird.
TnBrian
March 27th, 2009
12:02 am
If Pit. does sign Ohman it could mean Grabow might be traded for prospects or whatever they’d want. It’d make sense for them to that if they’re looking for youngsters. We got em..wonder how much Grabow is making?
BB5795
March 27th, 2009
12:02 am
Anders (11:41), you’re on to me. When I was imprisoned, for maiming Mets fans, it was a choice of 5795 or 6986. Not one to be a hyprocrite, I chose the former. Sorry about spelling your GM’s name wrong. Between the NCAA’s on TV, and trying to cook dinner, I’m losing some of my focus. Unfortunately, I don’t start off with a surplus. And, pretty soon, everybody will forget your GM’s name. Comparing your GM is to AIG, is a work of art. In that capacity, yeah, he’s the man!
spotts
March 27th, 2009
12:04 am
1:30 left in the Memphis game, and CBS still has it on Duke getting creamed?
Steve McP
March 27th, 2009
12:05 am
When I lived in the UK we used to play a cricket team called 5795, turns out they were formed by a group of guys from a Synagogue and that was the year that they were formed in the Jewish calendar.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
12:05 am
TnBrian – Grabow = $2.3 mil
Chop Chop
March 27th, 2009
12:08 am
Gotta shoot free throws better than Memphis did tonight. Ain’t that right, Rock Chalk DOB?
I think Calipari will go to Kentucky. Seems like a natural for him.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
12:09 am
Is the Memphis/Mizzou game on a different channel or something? Why has CBS kept it on Nova/Duke?
nolie
March 27th, 2009
12:13 am
olie, what the heck is wrong with you? I’m not allowed to say the same thing I said last week, and during the entire offseason…resign Ohman? I can’t say that I’m worried about the situational leftie spot? What kind of crap is that? KIRK
you are reading with your emotions. That again is not what I’m saying. Of course you can say whatever you think, but the short little one liners lately make it sound to me like you are putting down those who disagreed with you by referencing things that were never really said. You have indicated twice that we said that Logan=Ohman and that just is not what was said or meant. I believe that PT feels the same way at least to an extent.
I still do not believe that anybody is saying that they would not want Ohman if the Braves would get him. Even though Dave has assured us a number of times that they are not interested, I too would like them to reapproach him, but it isn’t gonna happen I guess.
Your statement that the Logan=Ohman guys were quiet I found irritating because there were no Logan=Ohman guys that I saw.
I’m not trying to censor your opinions or your right to express them, heaven knows that I express some unpopular one at times.
If there has been a mis-communication and you were truly not taking a shot at PT or myself, then I apologize.
BB5795
March 27th, 2009
12:13 am
Steve McP, (12:05) you’re not going to believe this, but when we were kids, in the good old USA, we used to play a game called, McP. Tell me how your 5795 game went, and then I’ll tell you about our McP game. I’m thinking that our McP game was nastier.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
12:20 am
awesome…glad I stayed up so I could watch my bracket collapse live instead of just reading about it in the morning.
vabravesfan
March 27th, 2009
12:27 am
spotts do you really not know why it was kept on the duke game?? Some kind of bias I would say. I am an ACC guy and just can’t stand the bias sometimes
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:30 am
The rest of the time, all I listen to is ABBA. BB5795
Isn’t that band like from the 70’s? And weren’t they really bad in the 70’s?
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:34 am
Bravesfan79, there’s no need to start the racial stuff up again.
spotts
March 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Memphis had pulled to within 6 or 7 in the final couple minutes, but they kept playing Duke (down by about 20). During the earlier rounds CBS was absolutely schizophrenic with their coverage, but they didn’t even play any of the final 5+ minutes of the other game. I find it hard to believe that there’s THAT much of a bias. Was there seriously no other channel covering that game??
Steve McP
March 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Cricket is often nasty, but always with a very polite overtone, unless Australians are involved in which case it is just nasty. (sorry dogsbrekky, but the Aussies do rather see cricket as war, rather than a nice way to spend the afternoon)
Big Boobs Salamander
March 27th, 2009
12:38 am
ABBA made their hits in the 70s. Maybe they had a career once the 80s started – I don’t really know that much about them. What is important is there role in planting the seeds of creativity that pushed the development of the Swedish music scene (or some BS along those lines), which is currently one of the best in Europe.
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:39 am
Chattanooga is a beautiful place..you should visit some time. TnBrian
I have to agree. I love Chatanooga. My friends and I go up there for weekend trips all the time. There’s a great little restaurant called “Thai Smile.” I absolutely love it! It’s a pretty big city with the perks of the countryside. So beautiful!
TexasBrave
March 27th, 2009
12:39 am
DOB Memphis was week!! My high school basketball team could have beaten them. They were lucky to make it to the second round. : )
Man as I was watching that game I just new you were going to razz me about it.
In all seriousnes though, I am happy that the Tiger’s are having their day. Now if they can get past UConn I will take all the razzing you can dish out. There is NO WAY they beat UConn.
Good luck to your Jayhawks and My Sooners tomorrow. I have both going to the Final 4 in my bracket. I take it you will be no where near Dark Star tomorrow!!
TnBrian
March 27th, 2009
12:40 am
Well if Grabow’s getting $2.5M(thanks Anders) than in order for them to even pay a mill of that, Wren would probably have to give up too much. Who knows, maybe Logan works out in the end. You guys did read what Bobby said earlier..”we had our pen do this a few springs ago and it turned out one of the better pens we had.” Awww..Bobby Cox = Mr. Optimistic ain’t he?
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:43 am
What is important is there role in planting the seeds of creativity that pushed the development of the Swedish music scene (or some BS along those lines), which is currently one of the best in Europe.
They were so bad they got booted to Sweden? Ouch!
Moby Grape
March 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Ultimately, I guess I am asking if you would elaborate more on your thoughts about Morton. —PTBNL
I have seen him pitch a few times but no crazy behavior or such. For the most part I was referring to his confidence issues. They can be very hard to overcome. I meant that they are probably a bigger part of the puzzle of possible success than his stuff which is pretty good as Scoots I think it was, indicated.
I did not mean it was hopeless, but I will be a bit surprised and happy of course if he ever lives up to his full potential. It’s too early to tell really.
flbravesgirl
March 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Take up baking, Spotts. That always seemed to get me a lot of attention on here back when ( could never figure out why; no one had eaten anything I’d made at that point).
Looks like I might get to take in a game at Gwinnett in April or May. Anybody gotten a good look at the ballpark yet?
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Anders, just having some fun with ya.
All’s well here — no, didn’t bet on Duke. Only when they play Carolina.
And a Big 12 team advanced (yes, I’ll pull for our rivals in the tourney, good for the conference to get a couple of teams in the Elite Eight. If my boys or OU get in, that’ll happen. Perhaps even three teams? No, that might be asking too much.
BB5795
March 27th, 2009
12:48 am
Roman Gal, you seem to pop up at the worst time. I felt I was losing you (and you are a paisan). I thought, what the hell, I’ll try to impress the Swedish lady. She didn’t like my favorite music, so I hit her with ABBA. I was clutching for straws. You wrote me off(I thought), and the Swedish lady was blasting my music. On top of all that, scoots was all over me for my flirting. I was desparate, I tell you, desparate. Actually, ABBA, I guess, wasn’t all that bad. But I honestly don’t know too much about their music. Do I still have an outside shot?
Salamander
March 27th, 2009
12:55 am
ABBA is from Sweden Roman Gal… or maybe you knew that and were being sarcastic… either way, they were influential in terms of inspiring modern Swedish artists to do their thing (well, at least some of them).
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
1:08 am
18 Wheels: How funny was that tonight? Great episode. And a great Office, too.
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
1:12 am
TexasBrave: No, I will write and get off the Disney property hours before the Jayhawks take the floor for the late game, thankfully. Gonna need all the help we can get against Michigan State. Gotta do my part and make sure I watch the game miles away from the Dark Star perimeter.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 27th, 2009
1:12 am
Morning Denizens.
For once, baseball is the last thing on my mind.
The mighty Red River has again jumped her banks and put the entire Red River Valley in jeopardy. We here in Grand Forks are high and dry thanks to our 400 million dollar dike system that has been put in place over the course of the last eleven years. The flood of 1997 brought about the current flood protection system and we should be OK (knock on wood).
I can’t say the same about our neighbors to the south 60 miles away. Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota are two twin cities straddling the Red River and they are as we speak, hanging by a thread. Evacuations of low lying areas are already underway and the latest river crest is disheartning to say the least. They are only protected to 42 feet in some areas and the Red is predicted to rise upwards of 42 to 43 feet this weekend.
There has already been sporadic flooding of small outlying communities and the Coast guard has been rescuing people by boat and helicopter.
Say a prayer for us. The water is getting deep and we are fighting it in the midst of another major snow storm that just blew through.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
1:17 am
man letterman is sure jaded.
the dude has hate. much like all the jaded commedians.
he is barely tolerable.
john stewart, bill maher,
i love maher. at least maher, does not think he is god.
kirkinga
March 27th, 2009
1:22 am
nolie, I told you that I wasn’t taking a shot at anyone.
“You have indicated twice that we said that Logan=Ohman and that just is not what was said or meant. ”
Uh, no that would be incorrect. Nowhere did I say your name or PL’s, or anyone else’s. If you didn’t say it, you shouldn’t be upset. I didn’t use a quote that could be attributed to either of you. Please stop saying that I was speaking to you when I’ve said..3 times now…that I wasn’t doing so.
We have a difference of perception over some comments that were made by many people on that particular thread. We had a little back and forth that day but I thought that was done. I see I was wrong. I hope that you, or PT, can deal with me making comments about something I see as a problem and not think I’m talking to you guys personally.
I sure hope you and PL aren’t ones to hold grudges forever if you have a big disagreement over something with someone. I hope we can move on now and disagree without it being personal.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 27th, 2009
1:22 am
Her is a link to to my 1:12 post.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090327/ap_on_re_us/midwest_flooding
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
1:27 am
Roman Gal@ BB5795:
Isn’t that band like from the 70’s? And weren’t they really bad in the 70’s?
They were always bad. I’d love to see their remainder open for Porcupine Tree @ The Tabernacle and see who the mirror ball lands on.
StingerSplash
March 27th, 2009
1:32 am
Chattavegas does rule. Some pretty good little places to eat, particularly on the North Shore.
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
1:33 am
and speaking of Tabernacle… June 3rd should be good
TnBrian
March 27th, 2009
1:34 am
Stinger Splash, Chattavegas?
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
1:36 am
hmm post didn’t fly? make a double? June 3 @ same Tabernacle = fun
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
1:38 am
TnBrian, am in Chattown often – nice place, likely move outside there when the @%$#! market comes back and I can sell – enjoy, enjoy
-+
March 27th, 2009
1:42 am
Coach, I would have responded to you sooner, but my main keyboard just went down. I’m really sorry for what you are going through. I can’t totally relate, but for years, I’ve owned land on a flood plain, of a river. I used to have a house there, only used as a camp for 6 months, until it got washed away. A lot of my neighbors had year round homes, that got flooded. I’m only telling you this because I do have some experience, albeit on a lesser scale, of what you are going through. The night time temperatures, seem to me, are of equal problems, as the water. Where is everybody going when everything is flooded, and it’s 15 degrees?
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
1:45 am
letterman is now a liberal hack.
well duh.
guess what all you super genius types, the economy is getting better.
unemployment is a lagging indicator.
it is getting better, you dont realize you are into a recession until you come out.
i sit on a a major trading desk, and our run rate doubled last month.
feb. was terrible.
we need tranactions. that is our live.
we are now seeing a run rate that is normal.
it does not hurt that the s&p hit 666.
triple 666’s to 825 is close to 25%.
well you could of bought GE sub 7, could of bought alcoa, and international paper, at huge discounts.
but then again you listenened to the media.
they are so sure we are going out of businesss.
DOW STOCKS, IP, GE, AND AA.
BB7795
March 27th, 2009
1:46 am
Coach, that 1:42 post, if you are still up, was from BB5795. I don’t know why it didn’t show, but first, I will figure out the meaning of life.
Mekons
March 27th, 2009
1:50 am
The Huskies did romp and they did stomp. Gotta hand it to that kid Robbie Hammel. He played, and well, with a bulging disc. Final Four, here we come.
Too bad about the Dookies, Carroll. Sob.
BA
March 27th, 2009
1:50 am
What a night on this board! I’ve counted 5 or 6 chicks on here- nothing wrong with that. Good to hear coach dodged the bullet for now.
I particularly dug the DOB third person routine- shades of Johnny Cochran.
The Anders conspiracy theory, of course, sounds just as dumb as when he started posting it hourly six months ago. If Soriano had been healthy last season, I doubt Gonzalez would be the closer now. When healthy, like he was two years ago, Soriano is not only the best reliever we have, but arguably one of the best relievers in the National League. $6.1 million is a bargain if he’s on, considerably less than the Mutts wasted on two relievers when they should have been signing starters.
Without knowing the guy, or really knowing anything other than what is read on the DOB/MIB/BBQ/Music/lots-of-girls-all-the-sudden blog, to suggest that Soriano is “faking” injury…well it’s just hot air.
But for the record, that Phillys guy earlier makes Anders look like a real charmer.
And as far as the stuff about Glavine, they signed him because they didn’t want to go with a 22 year-old starter, not after the bloodbath last year. And to say they “barely” had the money to sign Glavine isn’t accurate. He got a crummy deal because a. The slow ecanoma (as that boob Herman Caine says) and b. he had no other offers.
Just keep telling yourself Anders: “Oswalt-lite, Oswalt-lite…”
LOOGY
March 27th, 2009
1:51 am
I VOTE FOR WILL OHMAN!
Come on it’s 2 million at most, and it’s the one weak spot on our club right now. We don’t lose prospects or anything. Sign him up, for this cheap it’s worth it, a bargain, gives us some depth, experience and dependability.
DOB I know it’s probab;y unlikely, but do you think Frank Wren has Will Ohman on his radar?
shawn
March 27th, 2009
1:52 am
this is the reason the braves SUCK. AND WILL ALWAYS SUCK. LOL @ GLAVINE
THE OTHER PERSON THEY SHOULD CUT IS CRY BABY CHIPPER JONES..HE BROKE A NAIL. BRAVES ARE A JOKE.NO BETTER THAN 4TH PLACE.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
1:53 am
i hope some of you realize the the oppurtunity that is still out there?
lots of companies that are cash rich.
csco, msft, orcl, intc, dell, hpq,
none have any exposure to the current crud.
BB7795
March 27th, 2009
1:58 am
Razzle (1:27), I’m really losing my communication tools, however, “Porcupine Tree”, I’ve heard of, and like. I’m not familiar with “Tabernacle”. If I don’t keep in touch, too much, tonight, I’m losing my components. I can fix them, however, it’s easier when I have some sunlight.
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
2:02 am
BB7795: “I’m not familiar with “Tabernacle”.”
The Tabernacle is a venue down on Luckie St. where you can see some good bands… quite often… at reasonable rates
BB7795
March 27th, 2009
2:10 am
Razzle, you just made me go back to your 1:27 post. You said ” @ the Tabernacle”. I thought you said, and the Tabernacle. Now, you can understand why I have never heard of the “Tabernacle”. Don’t you think, however, that would be a great name for a group?
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:12 am
there was a time when we knew what our cf. would give us.
25 dingers were a given.
he did that pretty much every year.
so thrash him, andruw jones WAS A GREAT BRAVE.
respect him.
so many here want to disrepect him.
correct my memory, he hit 50 one year.
well i kinda remember him making great plays coming in or out.
now you want to make fun of him?
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
2:15 am
Hmmm, yeah, might already be one… (scratches head) Tabernacle (all the fanfare you get for Spinal Tap at least) yeah Tabernacle… ok I will play drums, who else?
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:21 am
certain banks are rushing to pay back TARP?
why?
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
2:23 am
Yes, Andruw was a great Brave. There will be a mystery as to how he lost the ability to swing (and make contact of note).
BB7795
March 27th, 2009
2:24 am
to all my beloved braves bretheren: i have to sleep, eat and then fix stuff. then i’ll be back sometime, hopefully, before tomorrow’s game. to all my fellow comedians, lovely ladies and braves fans, i can’t wait to communicate again later. to everyone else, may the bats, of a thousand caves, use your shower as their new place of propagation.
Razzle
March 27th, 2009
2:28 am
Those bats won’t split the same as maple…
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:29 am
bank of america owns merril lycnh, merril lynch is the biggest ass on the street.
gotta hunch that combination will work.
BA
March 27th, 2009
2:29 am
In regards to the bit from what might/might not be Soriano’s buddy- the Braves, or any Major League team, for that matter, would be morons not to sign Dominican players- some of the best players in history have been Dominicans.
I heard that ugabrave- Andruw was one of the all-time great Braves for a long time- and the year he hit 50, he had the team on his back.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:35 am
BA, HE DID.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:42 am
WELL i remember when # 25 was always was great in cf.
nothing better when he came in on a ball.
nothing better when he went into a gap.
he made it look so easy.
hate the people that dont appreciate him.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
2:54 am
no comment, BA if you dont remember how good #25 was good for the braves in 2005.
he basicaly carried us.
but then again he was not a gwinttet county all star.
uga-brave
March 27th, 2009
3:00 am
well let us hope our new right fielder will understand that he has to hit for power.
N8
March 27th, 2009
3:55 am
uga, you know me. Gotta chime in on somebody else’s conversation when I can.
The topic? “Making fun” of Andruw.
Fans are emotional. When a guy is on another team and he’s a jerk, we LOVE to rag on him. But when that “jerk” joins your team, the homer in all of us say, he’s just “misunderstood”, or “he may be a jerk, but he’s OUR jerk”.
As far as I’m concerned, the only real reason to mock Andruw, is because he (and his agent), took the money and ran. Then he wanted to cry about how much he missed Atlanta, yet was unwilling to accept a minor league contract to come “home”. That is assuming the Braves were ever really interested in doing so.
Boras (and Andruw) publicly stated how much money he would/could command on the open market and chose to do so. So since he’s not “our” guy any more, fans tend to dismiss all the good he did in a Braves uniform.
It’s a classic case of the “chicken and the egg”. I don’t question Andruw’s fist step, nor his ability to cover a LOT of ground in CF. But let’s not forget that for a LONG time, he had stellar pitchers that could hit their spots, and not cross up the defense, along with the great Pat Corrales aligning the defense.
While Andruw was great defensively, Grissom, Prime Time, Lofton, and Nixon all played pretty damn good defense behind that staff. But rather trying to decipher who made who better, I just choose to say AJ and those pitchers made EACH OTHER better, which made the Braves pretty good in the field.
Andruw was often as stubborn as Francoeur at the plate, though he did put up solid numbers, and did carry the Braves in his 50 HR season. But most other seasons, he was surrounded by GREAT bats in the lineup, along with those great pitchers, so he hardly carried the Braves for a decade. But make no mistake, he was VERY good. Key word is “was”.
WILLSTER
March 27th, 2009
4:39 am
is peachtreetv on dish network?
ATLBfan
March 27th, 2009
5:04 am
DOB, how big of a factor will the “arbitration clock” be in the decision to either make Jordan Schafer our starting CF or sending him back down to the Minors? And, who do you think will win the job?
KC
March 27th, 2009
5:06 am
Willstet, Peachtree TV is a local ATL broadcast station. If you live in the ATL area, then you can get it with local channels thru Dish. But if you’re out of the area, I’m not sure if you can get it.
N Nine (eta Nine)
March 27th, 2009
5:41 am
ATLBfan___The one and only reason Schafer doesn’t make the team would be the “arbitration clock” you brought up. Even that’s not good enough reason.
Schafer knows speed is what Braves need and has been giving max effort to show Anderson’s speed value should be moot point.
Schafer hit over .300 last spring and didn’t make the team. This season we need him. Frenchy,Schafer, and Diaz/Garret should get us to forget last season’s overall OF production, well I hope at least.
I’d use the arb. clock on Hanson. By then, he should have enough triple A experience and keep the stud for another year. The challenge would be if a starter gets hurt before that period reaches. Do we use JoJo first?
Lets see what Glavine’s got today on his second start………
ncscoots
March 27th, 2009
6:29 am
uga, not everybody listened to the media, my friend, LOL. Sometimes, I picture you as the cowboy trying to turn the head of the runaway herd; a noble undertaking, keep it up!
Schafer’s “clock”, of all the reasons he might start at AAA, is so far down the list that it’s microscopic. A team that doesn’t expect to contend for a length of time might consider that a good move, but, not a contender. Management also knows that players (and agents) have long memories.
I found it interesting to read the difference in comments from DAvid Price and Thomas Hanson upon their option down. Price publicly disagreed with the Rays that his changeup still needed work; Hanson pretty much said he’d pitch wherever they wanted him, and that he knows he still has some work to do. Just…interesting.
doug
March 27th, 2009
6:36 am
i hope the soriano thing is just a few days. i could see him and moylan closing some games and gonzo pitching the 8th sometimes. when playing the phils, mets or nats and those dangerous leftys come up in the 8th why not let gonzo mow them down, and give the 9th to someone else.
i know it’s just a fantasy, but a guy can dream can’t he.
whatever happened to Shaun? we need his analysis on this centerfield thing. i respect that dudes opinion, come back shaun, or let me know what your new moniker is.
Couch Tater
March 27th, 2009
7:12 am
Parson scoots,
Seems there was an uprising of the Blogodites, yesterday. Because of their belief in omens, many called for the excommunication of the erradical relievers. I fully expected to hear one of your fine sermons, but to your credit you held your tongue. Although, I could sense your digits twitching mightily.
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
7:13 am
ATLBFan: I think it’ll be a factor, but not the most important factor. If the Braves believe strongly that Schafer makes them a better team now, I think you’ll see him get the job. If they believe that. I think the chances of him winning the job have increased substantially during spring training.
But I still don’t know which way it’ll go. Not a cop-out, I just don’t have a strong feeling which way it’ll go. Ask me again in a day or two, maybe that’ll change if I hear something that seems telling.
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
7:23 am
man letterman is sure jaded.
the dude has hate. much like all the jaded commedians.
he is barely tolerable. — uga-brave a 1:17 a.m.
letterman is now a liberal hack. — uga-brave at 1:45
Join us later tonight, when Letterman will have evolved into the great satan himself!
… but seriously, uga-brave, that’s a lot of powerful dislike for David Letterman. I’d be surprised if many jumped on your bandwagon on that one, dude. I mean, it’s Letterman. Pretty harmless guy.
cheld
March 27th, 2009
7:28 am
So if Schafer is brought up at any point this year, his arbitration clock starts, right? So then you’re only pushing it back if you believe Anderson can play the entire year? Then the only reason to delay his call up early in the season (rather than later, when someone will probably need a replacement in the outfield) would then be to decrease his major league service time in the first year and prevent Super 2 status?
This whole thing confuses the heck out of me.
Dean
March 27th, 2009
7:30 am
it’s May and late
for lilacs to bloom.
the scent of sweet
longed for change
has soured. a dark star,
a Frenchman’s spring ruse -
the swing to only come undone.
and May, the messenger
of 85, tears and questions.
stances, hands
and evermore – Time
out of our mind.
18 Wheels of Love
March 27th, 2009
7:32 am
Yeah 30 Rock was great. More liberal hacks making great TV, just like Letterman. Tina Fey has written the last few episodes and they have been excellent. I read she got a 6m book deal from Little, Brown….for not even as much as turning in an outline.
Office was really funny too. Really funny.
Runnin
March 27th, 2009
7:34 am
I feel Schafer makes the team better. He’s such a sparkplug. But how much better is the question.
Letterman has no peers. No one can replace Johnny but Letterman comes closest for me. I like his cantankerousness, reminds me of me.
Billy Walsh
March 27th, 2009
7:45 am
Dukeboy and Carroll,
There is a silver lining… Duke does have two big men coming next year which should help, and if Henderson and Singler decide to stick around for another year and Elliot Williams continues to develop, Duke could be a very good team next year. If Villanova continues to play inspired defense..they could win the whole thing. Villanova has to be favored against Pitt. Is it me or does Pitt looked scared?
CB
March 27th, 2009
7:47 am
testingj-)
dap01
March 27th, 2009
8:07 am
Letterman does have an agenda. Kinda wish he was simply a host and a comedian. He is jaded.
ATLBfan
March 27th, 2009
8:07 am
Alright, thanks for you response DOB. I’m going to try and watch the three games that are on tv this weekend, hopefully Schafer will impress. From what I’ve seen, he could definitely help the club out. I agree with what you said yesterday that since Schafer is still playing regularly, it shows he still has a chance at winning the job and the Braves haven’t made a decision yet. I’ll ask you again in a few days.
roger dyals
March 27th, 2009
8:15 am
Same old story. If you are a rookie in the Braves organization and get invited to spring training know up front you can hit a thousand make no errors or if you’re a picture you can throw a no-hitter every outing but with Bobby Cox in charge you’re goint to the minors. Why, because there may be some 40-44 year o;d pro that wants to play some more. Another thing , if they went down there to reall train, we wouldn/t be seeing all these strains and minor injuries that keep them from playing till the season really begins. Being a Brave fan is hard to swallow sometimes.
vabravesfan
March 27th, 2009
8:32 am
Couple people were confused on what super 2 players here and this is what mlb says straight off their website.
Q: When does a player become eligible for salary arbitration?
A: A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a “Super Two” and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.
Cyrus
March 27th, 2009
8:37 am
DOB I was in New York the last couple of days on business and flew into Laguardia so I got the good fortune of driving past Citi Field. After I cleaned myself up from puking in the rental thinking of the Mets I said to myself that looks like a nice place and a great replacement for your craphole better known as Shea. Its actually got stuff to look at and this was from the Grand Central Parkway at 60 mph. Met fans if you bitch and moan about that place your morons then and I cant wait for Chipper to hit the first game winning home run in the place ! HAHAHAHAHA
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
8:39 am
Just wanted to chime in on Chattanooga, TN. Great little city, love to go up there for weekends whenever possible. Lots of great things to take the kids to (Aquarium, Discovery Kids, etc.) Also has a nice little bar/hangout area and the walk area along the river is a great place to score points with the wife/girlfriend.
We like to go to Chattanooga in the fall and spring, and go to Savannah other times (I’m kind of right in the middle of the two so the trip is about the same either way).
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
8:40 am
dap01: If you sat in that chair for the past three decades, doing what Letterman does in the rather unique periods of politics and pop culture in which he’s done it, might you be a bit jaded? I know I probably would.
He’s too smart and too opinionated to be some sort of dancing (or joke-telling) monkey for anyone, and he’s not going to grin into the camera for Tostito’s commercials and make a living with inoffensive (and usually boring) jokes and observations like Leno.
Whatever he is, whatever supposed agenda Letterman has, enough people are of a similar view, or find his view compelling enough, to tune in for his show to keep him on the air and keep CBS paying him ungodly amounts of money, year after year.
And besides, what really intelligent, respected comedian these days doesn’t have some kind of agenda or some political slant, anyway, be it left, right or whatever?
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
8:43 am
Letterman does have an agenda. Kinda wish he was simply a host and a comedian. He is jaded. (DAP01)
Letterman’s never pretended to be a sugarcoated showman like Leno. He pulls no punches and makes no apologies. It’s not always funny or entertaining but it is what it is and he is who he is and who he has been for almost 30 years now. Whatever mood he’s in is the mood you’re going to see on the tube. You at least have to appreciate him for being his own man and not being a sellout goober like Leno.
Personally, however, I watch Leno for the first fifteen minutes because his monologues are far superior and funnier. After the monologue though, I turn to Letterman for the next 45 minutes because his bits, personality and interviewing skills are far more interesting and thus more entertaining.
You have to always remember that his comedic commentary is a product of his times. Two wars that weren’t finished, a tanking economy, a stock market that has half the value it did a decade ago, and unemployment that has doubled in Georgia over the last two years tends to cause the party in charge to be killed by whomever is making commentary (whether that be serious news commentary or just mere comedic commentary). Letterman didn’t exactly pull punches on the Clintons when they were up to their shenanigans in the 90s or on Dukakis in 88 or on Gore in 2000 or on Kerry in 2004 and he won’t pull punches on Obama either.
Stop whining because your favorite team is the one who royally screwed up and is getting justifiably skewered for it at the present time. The other team will get slaughtered just the same eventually by the likes of Letterman when the inevitable screwups pile up. What goes around comes around. Letterman wouldn’t have lasted thirty years if his comedic commentary was limited to a fanatical loyalty to his favorite team.
Jeff R
March 27th, 2009
8:52 am
Let’s hope Cox is right: the bullpen will come around when the season commences. I really didn’t have any expectations for the Logan and O’Flaherty. I still think Wren should have resigned Ohman. But even with Ohman, there are, as usual, questions about Soriano’s health and a little concern about Gonzo’s effectiveness, despite him saying he “feels good.”
It would be ironic if the bullpen falls through (though too early to seriously judge). Wren spent the winter rebuilding the rotation thinking the bullpen would be solid. It’ll be interesting to watch.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
8:57 am
And besides, what really intelligent, respected comedian these days doesn’t have some kind of agenda or some political slant, anyway, be it left, right or whatever? (DOB)
You called?
Thrillhouse44
March 27th, 2009
9:04 am
You missed 2 key words, Anders: intelligent, respected
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
9:07 am
Dang Thrillhouse, that was harsh….but hey, it’s just a Mutt fan you were talking about so what the heck… J/K Anders, you’re the one Mutt fan that comes here that I actually have respect for.
Danny K
March 27th, 2009
9:10 am
I’m as conservative as they come, and I can ignore Letterman’s personal views and appreciate he’s been as funny lately as I’ve ever seen him in 20 years or so of watching.
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
9:10 am
Anders, you’re the one Mutt fan that comes here that I actually have respect for. (blawgdawg)
And in so saying, one Braves fan just lost my respect.
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
9:13 am
Come on Wascally, you don’t really put Anders in the same category of Met fan in Atl and the other Trolls do you? At least Anders shows us some respect when he comes here(as far as what I’ve read, maybe I’ve missed something though and could be mistaken). You can actually have a little back and forth with him without him going personal, unlike the Trolls that come here anyway.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
9:16 am
Dave’s brother Conan is better than both of them.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
9:17 am
uga-bravecorrect my memory, he hit 50 one year.
51.
it was 2005, the last year the braves won the division. chipper was down for alot of the year, and while alot of credit for winning the division goes to the “baby braves” and the job bobby did managing them, andruw did absolutely carry that team to the post season. im still on the fence about him not getting the MVP that year.
Thrillhouse44
March 27th, 2009
9:17 am
I just like to razz Anders, BlawgDawg. Just wait until the season when he starts to ruffle some feathers himself.
Braves Paisan
March 27th, 2009
9:18 am
Is Roman Gal really a paisana? Or a devotee of our Sally League franchise?
Or both?
Keeping It Real
March 27th, 2009
9:22 am
Why are the Braves wasting time with Glavine? He will not be a factor. Move on already and give someone else a shot. They got rid of Druw when he stopped producing so why keep baby sitting Glavine.I thought baseball was a business.
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
9:24 am
Yeah, Thrillhouse, I know he’s gonna give it to us when he can as the season gets going. But the great thing about dealing with Mutt fans, you know come October when that chicken bone gets stuck in their throat (CHOKE, COUGH COUGH) We get a little (i know, very little) bit of peace and quiet for a couple of days anyway. Those dang Phillie fans are almost unbearable right now though since they’re the ones on top right now.
And for damage control since I don’t want to get blacklisted by my own kind (Braves fans that is)…..Anders, you Troll…..
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
9:25 am
And these disappearing and reappearing comments are starting to become a nuisance. What’s the deal?
Flamenco the Foot
March 27th, 2009
9:26 am
Wascally Wabbit, You’re so punk rock…
Jackie Treehorn
March 27th, 2009
9:29 am
DOB I was under the impression we didn’t discuss politics.
I say we change the subject to The Big Lebowski. Did you know you never see The Dude bowl on screen?
UGA Fan
March 27th, 2009
9:29 am
Let’s face it. The Braves are going to finish at least 3rd and possibly 4th in the East this year. The pitching staff is better, but face it guys, we don’t have the offense to compete. Garrett Anderson was not the answer to our problem. Chipper can’t stay healthy. I think Brian McCann is one of the top three offensive catchers in the league but he doesn’t really scare a pitcher. We need a monster in the line up and until we get him, we will be a prentender, and not a contender.
Cameron
March 27th, 2009
9:30 am
DOB,
Any word on possible trades? I know people ask you all the time, but what is going on with Ohman (not just his status concerning the Braves)? From your observations, what is your honest opinion on what you expect from Franceour this year? Want to throw some numbers out? I say .275, 28 HRs, 103 RBIs, 40 BBs
Anders
March 27th, 2009
9:33 am
And in so saying, one Braves fan just lost my respect. (Wascally Wabbitt)
Sorry – I just can’t help but smile at the incongruence between what you’re trying to express and your moniker. It has a Micheal in the Office feel to it.
Cyrus
March 27th, 2009
9:34 am
I am not counting on Soriano to do anything. I have always believed the key guys are Mike Gonzalez, Blaine Boyer, Jeff Bennett and the Aussie Peter Moylan. If Cox doesnt burn out Boyer then he is our Soriano this year he has nasty nasty stuff. Gonzo will be fine and much stronger almost 2 years from Tommy John surgery and Moylan is super nasty with his sinker that gets chopped into the ground and Soriano always comes up with these mysterios ailments — a three week flu ? and now a muscle strain in his side. A lefty in the pen besides Mike Gonzalez is not that important because of Moylan and Bennets ground ball capabilities and Boyers ability to get a strike out. This team is better than people think and its a long season and we will see what happens in August and September. Mark my words here on March 27th — Franceour has a strong year and has learned how to listen about his batting.
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
9:34 am
Come on Wascally, you don’t really put Anders in the same category of Met fan in Atl and the other Trolls do you? At least Anders shows us some respect when he comes here(as far as what I’ve read, maybe I’ve missed something though and could be mistaken). You can actually have a little back and forth with him without him going personal, unlike the Trolls that come here anyway. (blawgdawg)
This is where you and I fundamentally differ. I don’t mind personal attacks or name calling. In fact, I prefer it. I like my fellow men to be direct and aggressive. Men should act like men, not like passive-aggressive women. Even the feeble minded can see the evil that lurks in the other Mets trolls from a mile away. Only the feeble minded, however, fail to see that Anders is even more of a troll than the other Mets trolls.
The other Mets trolls are abusive like Stanley Kowalksi. Anders is abusive like Julia Roberts’ creepy husband in Sleeping with the Enemy. You wouldn’t want either wifebeater marrying your daughter, but at least with the Kowalski types, you’d know who your daughter was marrying the first time you met him.
With the passive-aggressive, parasitic putzes like Anders or the creepy Sleeping With The Enemy husband, you wouldn’t see them coming and your daughter would have to endure the infliction of years of abuse before you wisened up and realized that your son-in-law is an abusive turd.
But I’m giving Anders too much credit. Anyone with half a brain can see from a mile away that he is a sad sack schmuck desperately seeking the attention his momma never gave him enough of
MinnesotaJacket
March 27th, 2009
9:36 am
UGA FAN…who needs a MONSTER in the lineup to win games? Yes the Braves might not hit an ungodley amount of homeruns this year but they are going to single, double, and triple their way around the bases. Instead of huge power hitters we have a lot of guys who can hit for .300 or so. I do agree that Garrett Anderson wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for but like I said he is another clutch hitter who hits for average on a daily basis. If starters can stay healthy pitch 6-8 innings consistently I feel we have a chance to be a very good team that can compete against the mets and phillies
Braves Paisan
March 27th, 2009
9:37 am
UGA Fan, I think we might be able to score enough. Last year our biggest problem was the AAA starting staff (not including Jurrjens) after the injuries, which has been thoroughly rectified (we might even have a GREAT starting staff this season). I think the Rays’ 2008 season proved that all things are possible in baseball — not that there has ever been much doubt of that.
– BP
MinnesotaJacket
March 27th, 2009
9:38 am
Cyrus have you seen Jeff Bennett this spring?
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
9:39 am
What do you folks think of the new AAA field? Looks a lot like Champioms Stadium at Disney? http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t431
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
9:44 am
Braves may have the bullpen to get the job done this year, might be too early to call. However, as much as the Braves have put into gathering a very good starting rotation, I feel sure that if the bullpen is a problem, FW will do his best to fix it.
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
9:45 am
Man, the image of that Wascally Wabbit I grew up watching just got rather dark. Those were some deep, dark thoughts there my man. I’m actually feeling a little creeped out now. In my mind, I’m now starting to picture Anders as Elmer Fudd during wabbit season.
Cru Jones
March 27th, 2009
9:46 am
Its hard to imagine driving from macon to Gwinnet to watch a triple A game, but I think I might do that a couple of times this year.
Cameron
March 27th, 2009
9:47 am
UGA Fan:
I think you are really wrong. Are we going to win the division, who knows? Wild card? That is a strong possibility. The fact of the matter is that we are very balanced, in both pitching and hitting.
We don’t have an elite arm that will scare anyone, except for maybe Gonzalez or Soriano when healthy. But, we don’t have a weakness either. One through five we have guys that will keep us in games. Watch out for J. Vazquez as well. He has always had the stuff to be an ace, but never the consistency. I think the inconsistency has always been a confidence issue. Bobby Cox may be the best in the business at instilling confidence in his players, which is why him and Leo have so much success with reclamation projects. What I am saying is that our pitching is good enough to keep us in games, and if our bullpen gets healthy it will be doen right nasty.
You are right that we don’t have a guy in our line up that puts absolute fear into someone. I will tell you that Chipper hit .364 last year and is capable of taking anyone out of the park at anytime. I guarantee you nobody is relishing facing him. Or, McCann for that matter. No we don’t have a Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, A-Fraud, or some other big bopper. What we do have is a lineup one through eight capable of power to the gaps (2Bs and 3Bs) and capable of clutch hits. It is convenient to sit around waiting for the three-run homer, but what wins games is pitching, defense and timely hitting. We should possess all three. Don’t forget that if we are still in it, we can always try to acquire a big bat at the trading deadline.
Don’t forget about our defense either. Our only weakness would be LF or 2B. But, Kelly is getting better and better. Remember, this is only his fourth year playing 2B EVER. Diaz is a pretty decent LF, but obviuosly Garret Anderson doesn’t have the greatest range. He defnitely knows how to play the position though.
Last year we were decimated by injuries to the pitching staff. We should be able to handle some of those this year, as long as it isn’t Soriano or Lowe for long periods of time. We have Hanson, Reyes, Morton, Parr, and Medlen waiting in the wings for SP. And, Campillo if needed. We also have a surplus of bullpen arms. They aren’t the greatest, but they were on the team last year (Bennett, Acosta, Carlyle).
I am as objective of a fan as they come and would be fairly discouraged if it was warranted. I am not delusional. However, I think we are going to be very formidable. We definitely have a shot at the playoffs. World Series, again I am not delusional. That would take a lot of lucky breaks.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
9:49 am
OK, Wascally Wabbitt just morphed from Micheal in the Office to Hannibal Lechter . He’s dissecting my whole existence over a blog much like Lechter did to Clarise just looking at her through the glass partition.
How long before he(I think Wascally is a male name?) goes all Tony Montana on me?
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
9:50 am
Now, if you’ll pardon me, my secretary has just informed me that I have two important clients waiting for me in the lobby: Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck.
Cameron
March 27th, 2009
9:50 am
cvbraves:
My grandpa’s company did all of the masonry work on the new stadium. I have drove by a couple of times and it looks really nice. I have not seen the final product yet, but my mom (who works there as well) says that it is top notch. I will tell you one thing, his company gets outbid a lot due to them being really expensive. But, as my mom says, “You get what you pay for!” Whoever put the project together, obviously wanted the best.
Cameron
March 27th, 2009
9:53 am
DOB,
Any word on possible trades? I know people ask you all the time, but what is going on with Ohman (not just his status concerning the Braves)? From your observations, what is your honest opinion on what you expect from Franceour this year? Want to throw some numbers out? I say .275, 28 HRs, 103 RBIs, 40 BBs
Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
9:56 am
Cameron…..You are a True Braves Fan…well done
Eware
March 27th, 2009
9:58 am
DOB, any word on Frank Wren petitioning the MLB for a 26-man roster?
ncscoots
March 27th, 2009
9:59 am
Couch, you know me too well, my man, LOL. Not enough rant bile built up yet. HA!
Anders
March 27th, 2009
10:00 am
DOB, any word on Frank Wren petitioning the MLB for a 26-man roster?(Eware)
What is this about?
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
10:03 am
Cru Jones You know if Macon wasn’t the WORST sports town in America, we’d still have a team here to watch. But those of us here in mid-GA know what a joke the local governing authority is, so it’s no surprise that every time we’ve gotten a minor league team, it doesn’t stay here long.
Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
10:07 am
This is Bowman Article on 11/17/08 about Ohman.
He was looking about 3-4 mill yr.
The Braves have said they are interested in re-signing Will Ohman and they further proved this on Monday, when they provided the left-handed reliever a contract offer. While terms of the offer weren’t revealed, Ohman viewed it as a sign that he’s wanted in Atlanta.
“It was a strong offer intended to show me that they’d like to have me back,” said Ohman, who made a career-high 83 appearances for the Braves this past season. “I’ve talked to my agent and we’ve agreed that once you file for free agency, you just have to let everything run its course. I think I’d be remiss not to listen to what else is out there.”
With at least 10 teams having already expressed interest, Ohman is hoping to receive a contract similar to the ones fellow left-handed relievers, Jeremy Affeldt and Damaso Marte, have signed over the past week. Marte gained a three-year, $12 million contract from the Yankees and Affeldt signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants.
Eware
March 27th, 2009
10:08 am
Come on, Anders…
Cru Jones
March 27th, 2009
10:09 am
BlawgDawg
Yeah, Its a shame to let luther williams go to waste like that. Its a good park with an ole time feel to it.
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
10:10 am
Come on, Anders… (eware)
You mean go away Anders, don’t you?
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
10:12 am
Cameron : Congratulate your grandpa for me…the Gwinnet Stadium looks beautiful! Hope to get up there in August or early September.
ncscoots
March 27th, 2009
10:12 am
A quick addendum to vabravesfan’s good work on Super 2: historically, “top 17 per cent” has worked out to around two years, 120-some days, but has been as high as 2 years, 140 days. So, there just isn’t any magic date from which you can bring up the kid from the minors in regards to manipulating his future possible Super 2 status. Major league service year is 172 days (as I remember), for those interested. Add in vabravesfan’s nugget of 86 days previous year’s service, and you should now have all the info you need to work yourself into a Super 2 fit, LOL.
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
10:17 am
Cru Jones,
Man don’t get me started there. Just think of all the HOF players that came through that little gem of a stadium. All the history and memories, but the City of Macon can’t find the time or money to do anything with it.
Oh well, I’ve been thinking too about making the trip up to see the Gwinnet team too now that some of the future stars are close enough to go see.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
10:20 am
wascallyI don’t mind personal attacks or name calling. In fact, I prefer it. I like my fellow men to be direct and aggressive. Men should act like men, not like passive-aggressive women.
its funny how different people’s views are about many things, including what it means to be a man. to me, it is self-control, wisdom, patience, perseverance, and assertiveness, but not aggressiveness. being aggressive is often the lack of self control, wisdom, and a patience.
by the way, with the wife beating examples…are you saying that the guy who is openly abusive to his wife is the real man? im really not following you there.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
10:22 am
Eware- I actually thought you were serious. Sorry.
Maybe I am as Cwazy as tha silwy Wabbitt say’s I am?
Eware
March 27th, 2009
10:23 am
Naw, I’m one of the few that actually likes Anders. I think he can be critical of his team when necessary, which many fans can’t do.
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
10:25 am
DAP Man your 10:20 comment was intelligent and sensible…. so be prepared for the onslaught of idiocy from certain corners.
ease19
March 27th, 2009
10:28 am
strong>TnBrian 12:40am
You guys did read what Bobby said earlier..”we had our pen do this a few springs ago and it turned out one of the better pens we had.” Awww..Bobby Cox = Mr. Optimistic ain’t he?
So I guess that Bobby Cox DOES read the blog…under the handle KC
Cyrus
March 27th, 2009
10:31 am
MinnesotaJacket
March 27th, 2009
9:38 am
Cyrus have you seen Jeff Bennett this spring?
Minnesota this is why they call it SPRING TRAINING and last time I looked it doesnt count and this blog was destroying absolutely destroying Mike Gonzalez about a week or so ago. Jeff Bennett is one of Bobby Cox’s favorite pitchers and he is coming north with the team. He will be fine
ease19
March 27th, 2009
10:37 am
Question should be asked first…Is Anders a man?
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
10:42 am
Bobby had no new update on Soriano, so I’m waiting to get one from Frank Wren….
Chipper’s on the field with Steelers’ Santonio Holmes, and the two exchanged jerseys and put them on for the cameras. Holmes is wearing a No. 10 Braves Holmes jersey, Chipper a No. 10 Steelers Jones jersey (Chipper’s a huge Steelers fan).
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
10:43 am
Jersey Gil: Looks like Will and his agent misjudged things just a wee bit.
TBraveFan
March 27th, 2009
10:43 am
Hey McFann!!!
Hopefully I did this right — here is the link to my ST photos I placed in a gallery under Image Shack!!
http://img365.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=picture027p.jpg
FW
March 27th, 2009
10:50 am
“Well, DOB, we don’t believe it is any thing serious (with Soriano), just day-to-day`”
FW
March 27th, 2009
10:51 am
…but I forget to add we haven’t talked to wilymo, yet.”
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
10:52 am
Kotchman’s going to the hospital to get checked out today, since he’s still sick.
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
10:53 am
Sorry to hear about Kotchman…wished they had checked him out earlier.
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
10:54 am
That jersey better have no pockets. And if it does, Chipper better check them. By his own admission, Santonio is the drug dealing, drug using sort. Wouldn’t want Chipper getting busted because Santonio left behind some of that real sticky icky in his swapped jersey. Will Chipper get an ohfer today because of the contact buzz he’s going to get donning a Santonio Holmes jersey?
Anders
March 27th, 2009
10:54 am
(Chipper’s a huge Steelers fan). (DOB)
Probably because of that Vegas vibe the steel city has!
chip off the ol block
March 27th, 2009
10:55 am
DOB,
do you know where we could find that picture?
Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
10:55 am
cvbraves…..That My Point…Today in MLBtrade rummor say that The Pirate is offer Ohman 2 mill + incentist for a yr.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
10:55 am
TBraveFan–
Thanks for the link! Those are some really good pictures! That gallery thing is cool–how’d you get that?
DOB–
Is McCann scheduled to play today? Thanks!
BlawgDawg
March 27th, 2009
10:56 am
I’m actually starting to root for Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
10:56 am
Yo…poor Kotchman! Hope he’s OK…Flu, right? Yikes…
N Nine (eta Nine)
March 27th, 2009
10:56 am
But I still don’t know which way it’ll go. Not a cop-out, I just don’t have a strong feeling which way it’ll go.DOB
WHAT? After a month,how would you NOT have a strong feeling about Schafer. Anderson’s killer performance couldn’t have made this decision THAT hard. Not buying it, AAAH never mind…..
Doc Holiday
March 27th, 2009
10:56 am
DAP,
Just cruel.
Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
10:57 am
DOB…. After my trip to Atlanta in Feb i was sick with a real bad cold, took me almost three week to be ok…almost land in Hosp.
Those cold/flu in ATL are real bad…..
Keeping It Real
March 27th, 2009
11:00 am
I saw a comment earlier that the Braves did not need a big bopper. They are going to single, double and triple their way around the bases. Are you kidding? There is no speed in the lineup. Also, have you noticed the final few games that they have lost? The real game is starting now. Spring training is not the big show. The only bopper they have now is Chipper. There are no boppers surrounding him so he will not get anything good to hit. I guess his blinding speed will get him home after opposing pitchers pitch around him with walks. Its going to be a long and boring summer.
TBraveFan
March 27th, 2009
11:01 am
McFann – one of the side links indicates ‘create a gallery’ so I figured SURE, why not? LOL otherwise there were 88 different links appearing! I will add more, but I had to eliminate some of the original 120+ since they were of just one specific person during bp – over and over again LOL
Thanks for the link to Image Shack!
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
11:01 am
Jersey Gil: You may have misread MLBtraderumors. Believe it said that the Pirates made an offer and Ohman’s agent has counteroffered. Ohman “wants” $2 million a year.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
11:06 am
TBraveFan–
Ah! Thanks! I’ll have to try that some time.
I will add more, but I had to eliminate some of the original 120+ since they were of just one specific person during bp – over and over again LOL
Haha! Yeah, I know how that goes.
Thanks for the link to Image Shack!
You’re welcome!
Lew
March 27th, 2009
11:09 am
Any of you who trylu believe that Anders is anything other than a Mets fan who comes to our Braves’ blog to do anything other than to stroke his massive Mets’ ego and to rub our noses in what he feels our imperfections are is And Idiot. He’s welcome to have his say, but let’s get real. He is what he is and trying to make him into something else is absurd.
Wascally Wabbit
March 27th, 2009
11:09 am
I’m actually starting to root for Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam. (blawgdawg)
Shocking! Someone who roots for Anders would root for Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam.
Homer Simpson
March 27th, 2009
11:11 am
Frenchy has had a nice BA spring, but no power spring, re: no HRs last I saw a couple of days ago. He is not being paid to hit .300, with 5 HRs and 65 RBIs. He is a power player and needs to increase his HR totals.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
11:12 am
Good morning to you too Lew. Sound like you slept in DOB’s rental house chair. Walk it off big guy.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
11:13 am
keeping it realAre you kidding? There is no speed in the lineup.
now YOURE kidding. there is speed in this lineup, and ALOT of double power. whoever get the CF job, anderson or schafer, there will be someone with blazing speed and good basestealing ability in the lineup. johnson and escobar both have good speed on the bases. not base stealers, but they can definitely go first to third on a single. chipper isnt the fastest guy, but is a very good baserunner, and frenchy, can run alright as well.
did you know brian mccann it 42 doubles last year? kotchman had 28, but has hit as many as 37 in a season. kelly hit 39 doubles with 6 triples. did you know jeff with his horrible year last year had 33 2 baggers? chipper and yunel were both in the 20s, and chipper could easily put up 40 doubles.
this team will have their share of extra base hits. there might not be as many homers as we would like, but there will be plenty of doubles to go around.
Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
11:16 am
cvbraves …sorry my bad..that what actually said.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
11:17 am
DAP did you know brian mccann it 42 doubles last year?
You forgot his triple and 5 stolen bases in five attempts.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
11:20 am
homer simpsonHe is not being paid to hit .300, with 5 HRs and 65 RBIs. He is a power player and needs to increase his HR totals.
honestly, i wont be picky. if jeff hits .300, i wont be mad, as long as his OPS is decent. also, keep in mind that if jeff hits .300 on this team, hitting middle to back of the order, he will have alot more than 65 RBIs.
TBraveFan
March 27th, 2009
11:21 am
McFann — here’s one of my Baby Bird – he was taking it easy during ST – he loves to hear “Baby wanna go Bye-Bye?” — he knows it’s time for FL again!! He really showed off for some of the guys this year – did his entire vocabulary without hesitation – something he usually doesn’t do!
http://img525.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=babyj.jpg
The GM
March 27th, 2009
11:21 am
The Braves bullpen this year is anything but solid. The lefty situation is bordering on a disaster plus Moylan’s not guaranteed to make a comeback from his surgery and Soriano’s health is already questionable and frankly, I do not trust Mike G. in the closer’s role by himself for a whole season. Obviously Ohman would be a solid addition but let’s just say the Braves don’t have a nickle left to spend, what other adequate lefty reliever might be available via trade?
Anders
March 27th, 2009
11:22 am
this team will have their share of extra base hits. there might not be as many homers as we would like, but there will be plenty of doubles to go around. (DAP)
To be fair, you only go 1/2 way around on a double.
You mean like that Lew?
cvbraves
March 27th, 2009
11:23 am
Jersey Gil: Pefectly okay. No apology needed. And I, for one, don’t blame Ohman for wanting $2 million a year…I do, too…but I believe he has as much chance of getting that as I do.
MinnesotaJacket
March 27th, 2009
11:26 am
nice cvbraves very nice haha…
Wilson
March 27th, 2009
11:30 am
Any chance Kotchman being sick will affect his status to start the season?
DAP
March 27th, 2009
11:32 am
that was weak, anders.
Eagle
March 27th, 2009
11:35 am
Hey, you think we could get someone to trade us Len Barker for Jordan Shaefer?
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 27th, 2009
11:36 am
“When healthy, like he was two years ago, Soriano is not only the best reliever we have, but arguably one of the best relievers in the National League. $6.1 million is a bargain if he’s on,”
—————–
“When healthy” & “if he’s on” are the workable phrases above.
Anders, you were on the money about Soriano. He did have a good year in 07 and the Braves rewarded him accordingly. Then he tanked and he is still tanked. Will he decide he is going to be well enough to earn his money this year? I have no idea. The man is an enigma and he has pulled one of the slickest scams I’ve seen put over on Frank Wren yet. His worth is well south of $6.1 mil this year. Of course if he GETS WELL and does come through this year I am sure he will be looking for another very large, long term contract.
Oh yeah and for the record I am on the side of those who consider you a pretty objective Met fan and those are pretty scarce. Welcome, from this vantage point anyway.
Anders
March 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Thank you Bear. Lew – your witness.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 27th, 2009
11:41 am
The GM,
You apparently missed the report that Wren made another offer to Ohman this week.
ncscoots
March 27th, 2009
11:44 am
Bear, no offense, but, I find a slight difference between “tanked” and “injured”. Is it your contention that Soriano is just a layabout who doesn’t want to pitch?
DAP
March 27th, 2009
11:59 am
the bearYou apparently missed the report that Wren made another offer to Ohman this week.
i missed that. can you link a source?
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
11:59 am
I didn’t see any report that Wren made an offer to Ohman. Do you have a link?
Lew
March 27th, 2009
12:02 pm
Jealousy rears it’s ugly head yet again. Always got to rip on the artwork. Don’t you wish you could draw something other than flies Wanda? How fitting your last name is Johnson. Guess you know all about pimping. Too bad you refuse to identify who you really are. Could it be because your a massive non entity?
DAP
March 27th, 2009
12:03 pm
im thinking the bear just pulled a coach and posted something completely erroneous.
McFann :Ô:
March 27th, 2009
12:06 pm
TBravesFan–
Aw! He’s so cute! Yeah, they cann be funny about talking in front of people. Petey usually just screams, but he’ll say, “Petey Bird!” for Grandpa–and he better, because Grandpa’s the one that taught him that! He likes to take rides in the car, too.
KC
March 27th, 2009
12:06 pm
Bowman is reporting that Soriano’s side-muscle strain is nothing serious, and that he’s day to day.
Seymour1948
March 27th, 2009
12:09 pm
Someone might have already posted this, but I just wanted to let everyone know that they will be televising some of the Gwinnett Braves games, fortunately. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3795572
Leah
March 27th, 2009
12:16 pm
TBraveFan –
Really nice pictures! There’s a few that didn’t show up for me in the gallery (I count only three), though, but it could just be me.
Otherwise, great pictures! I love the Kelly pictures.
Wow, I hope Kotchman is okay. You know it could be bad when you start talking about having to go to the hospital for an illness. Trust me, I know all about it from past experiences, and it’s not something that is high on my things-to-do list. Hospitals creep me out severely. But I digress.
Hopefully they can give Kotchman some antibiotics to get him back on his feet and well again.
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:17 pm
Is Roman Gal really a paisana? Or a devotee of our Sally League franchise?
If you’re asking if I’m from Italy, then the answer is no. And no, I’m not Swedish either.
ArtFan
March 27th, 2009
12:22 pm
Lew, is there a link where we can see some of your artwork?
Jealous Johnson
March 27th, 2009
12:22 pm
Lew, I thought we had an agreement? You come by and pick up my stash of soiled adult diapers for your sick fetish. Where have you been? I have loads of logs just marinating around here. Hurry up.
BlawgDawg's Wife
March 27th, 2009
12:24 pm
BlawgDawg, so tell me about this girlfriend you walked along the river with in Chattanooga. I have a piece of my mind I want to give you, buster. If you keep this up I am going to start flirting with that creepy Uncle BB5795.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 27th, 2009
12:30 pm
“Bear, no offense, but, I find a slight difference between “tanked” and “injured”. Is it your contention that Soriano is just a layabout who doesn’t want to pitch?”
No offense taken. I am curious about being quoted for using the word “tanked.” Please refer me to where I said that.
What I reported was what the Seattle fans said about him and the FACT that he had performed in Atlanta exactly the way they predicted he would perform. If you love Soriano then by all means don’t let me interrupt the lovefest. As for me I think he is way overpaid. I have yet to read a single report from anyone that was complimentary toward his determination toward pitching through any pain at all. I don’t believe DOB (or anyone else) has ever printed anything glowing about the man’s personality but then again I may have missed that one.
Lew
March 27th, 2009
12:32 pm
Artfan-LewHartman.com
KC
March 27th, 2009
12:32 pm
The GM, “The Braves bullpen this year is anything but solid.
I respectfully disagree.
Mike Gonazalez has never been anything other than an excellent closer since he took over that role back in Pittsburgh. His spring stats mean NOTHING. Less than nothing. I won’t rehash what’s been said many times here already, but it’s very common for closers to give up a lot of hits/runs in the spring, just as they often do when they’re brought into pitch in inconsequential reg. season games (just to get some work in). He will, in all likelihood, be outstanding again this year. We have no reason to expect anything different.
Peter Moylan looks fantastic, and his arm is not bothering him at all. They’ll have to be mindful of his workload, but don’t have to coddle him. He’ll give the Braves another great late-innings reliever.
Blaine Boyer was one of our best and most consistent relievers through 50 appearances last year, before an unfair work load took its toll in the second half. He looks great this spring, and will be a solid option this year.
Buddy Carlyle was terrific for the Braves in long relief last year, and figures to be back in the ATL pen in ‘09.
I think Manny Acosta will be back in this ‘pen, and while many have accurately pointed out that he has his flaws – most notably, walks – he does have an early career ERA of 3.17 in more than 70 big league innings. Aside from a failed experiment early last year to make him the team’s fill-in closer, he’s been very solid for the Braves. Walks aside, he does have closer’s stuff, and he DOES get outs.
Even if they can’t count on Soriano, the Braves still have 3 good late-inning relievers. And Carlyle and Acosta are likely to perform their (lesser) roles admirably.
I fully concede that Soriano is a question mark (in regard to his health). That said, his arm appears to be doing well, and the side-muscle strain doesn’t appear to be anything serious. And it was just the season before last that he pitched in more than 70 games for ATL. This is a walk year for him, which should provide all the more motivation to contribute in significant way in ‘09.
The left-handed middle-reliever situation is the only one that concerns me. I’m not sweating TOO much over it, because the Braves certainly have the bargaining chips to deal for a lefty reliever, if Will Ohman remains out of their price range. But they will need to do something soon. Doesn’t look like Logan or O’Flaherty are the answer.
Overall though, aside from the lefty middle-reliever hole, the Braves bullpen, IMO, IS solid and ready to go. Especially given that it won’t have to carry anywhere near the kind of workload it was forced to shoulder last year.
Runnin
March 27th, 2009
12:33 pm
I’m not worried about Jeff’s power. That’ll come as he gets more comfortable and confidence in his new swing and approach. He’s doing exactly what he needs to do. Preoccupation with HRs is one of the things that got him in trouble in the first place.
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
The Lyrics to Uncle Frank are so depressing. Here’s the last stanza
Uncle Frank couldn’t read or write
So there was no note or letter found when he died.
Just a rope around his neck and the kitchen table turned on it’s side
Lew
March 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
Oh my-I just pimped my artwork. I guess the anal retentive moron will soil yet another of his diapers. Don’t worry Little Boy. Mommy will be down to your cage-er, basement to change you soon. And quit playing with your diapers. Maybe Mammy will bring you a new toy.
Runnin
March 27th, 2009
12:35 pm
Besides, with the end of the steroid era, small ball is making a comeback. Japan and Korea just proved it.
Uncle BB5795
March 27th, 2009
12:37 pm
Jealous Johnson, with your fecal humor, you almost make me seem not creepy. Will you flirt with me and make all the boys jealous?
PWHjort
March 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
I agree runnin, and we have the makings of a good small-ball type team. We’ve got guys like Casey Kotchman and Kelly Johnson with great bat control and really short swings that can execute hit and runs beautifully. We don’t have the base stealing ability, but we’re surprisingly good at taking an extra base (i.e. scoring from 2nd on a single, going from 1st to 3rd on a single, or scoring from 1st on a double), which will prove valuable. We’re decent at laying a bunt down too. All of our guys are dangerous vs. left and right handed pitching too, which is good. It’s going to be a fun season of a lot of manufactured runs, I believe.
Uncle BB5795
March 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
Almost!
Lew
March 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
Jealous Johnson-It’s all right to be a copraphile. Really it is. Just ask your Psychiatrist.
DAP
March 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
KC
im with you on the bullpen. how many teams have even three dependable arms? i think we will be ok, if bobby uses them right, which is not a given. its one of my only problems with bobby, his bullpen handling.
wouldnt the bully look so much better with ohman in there? i really thing wren needs to go for it.
Jealous Johnson is 12 years old
March 27th, 2009
12:43 pm
Well, at least… I HOPE he’s 12! Otherwise, he is a pathetic F’ing loser who probably got fired from his job at Subway and is back living with his parents. I think it’s sad. I really do. Give some people a computer and an internet connection (both of which are almost certainly paid for by someone else), and they’ll show you the very definition of human trash.
KC
March 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
Damn… is it opening day yet?
Lew
March 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
BB5795-Maybe Jealous Johnson should listen to Child In Time, the lyrics would be appropriate. “Close your eyes and bow your head and Wait for the riccochet.”
Jeff321
March 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
FYI – The Braves are on MLB network and streaming on mlb.com today. No radio action.
Oh and Gregor Blanco is leading off.
Roman Gal
March 27th, 2009
12:47 pm
PWJHort, I agree with your 12:40.
It says a lot that Brian McCann is our slowest baserunner. He’s does extremely well with what he has to work with.
ease19
March 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
The blog has taken a disturbing turn…
Jarryd
March 27th, 2009
12:51 pm
DOB, I watched the game on TV yesterday and heard them say that Kotchman got over the flu but came down with food poisoning. You hear anything of the sort?
abwright
March 27th, 2009
12:54 pm
Question regarding mlb.tv…
I’m looking at getting the mlb.tv package. I know a bunch of folks on here have been using it this spring. How is the 400k feed?
Is it comparable to the standard definition tv picture quality? Or do you have to watch it in a little bitty window on your computer?
Is the motion smooth or jumpy?
Thanks in advance.
PS. Go Braves.
David O'Brien
March 27th, 2009
12:54 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
KC
March 27th, 2009
12:56 pm
Tejada gets probation for misleading Congress.
And is there any way to sentence members of Congress (members of BOTH parties) to probation for criminal mismanagement of the country? The Whitehouse as well. Bush and so far, Obama too. With a few exceptions, the whole lot of them are botch artists.
Is it safe to say they have better things to worry about right now? Forget about baseball and do job you were elected to do!
ncscoots
March 27th, 2009
12:57 pm
Anders, you were on the money about Soriano. He did have a good year in 07 and the Braves rewarded him accordingly. Then he tanked and he is still tanked. Will he decide he is going to be well enough to earn his money this year? I have no idea.
Bear, that was my reference. It’s not a matter of whether I “love Soriano” or not. Your point seemed to be that he is making, or has made, choices not to pitch when he could have or should have. I was only asking if that was your intent.
TBraveFan
March 27th, 2009
12:57 pm
Leah – thanks –
I tend to take pics of players who my friends really like and my best Braves buddy has/had a thing for Kelly. She was down in ST with me the first week but had to return to work – so I accommodated her request for tons of photos.
I do the same thru the season for friends – which I’ll be happy to do for McFann (btw McFann, I have a friend in PA who is looking for an awesome shot of Mac to use as an avatar, which I’ll be scouting come next Fri).
Runnin
March 27th, 2009
1:04 pm
Roman Gal, I’m afraid Brian would be the slowest baserunner on just about any team. LOL
But I applaud his off-season efforts to trim down. He needs to stick with it. I’m sure he’ll be able to feel the benefits of being lighter behind the plate and on the bases.
UGA Fan
March 27th, 2009
1:19 pm
Minnesota Jacket, Braves Paisan, and Cameron:
I do agree that the Braves have made improvements to the team this year and I hope that I am wrong, but I don’t see enough improvements to make up the 17-20 games that we need to from last year.
I think Lowe is going to be great,and Jurrjens good, but after that, I’m just not to sure. Vasquez has a career ERA of 4.32, Kawakami has never faced the talent that he is about to, and Glavine never should have been signed as there are many other better options for our number five starter.
We have a good line up against MLB hopefuls , but before I get to excited, I want to see what they do against MLB pitching. Time will only tell. Like I said, I hope that I am wrong and I will gladly eat all the crow that you can dish if I am but until then, I refuse to get my hopes up.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 27th, 2009
1:30 pm
DAP,
I didn’t pull anything dishonest. I went back and here is what I was referring to.
“Jersey Gil
March 27th, 2009
10:07 am
This is Bowman Article on 11/17/08 about Ohman.
He was looking about 3-4 mill yr.
The Braves have said they are interested in re-signing Will Ohman and they further proved this on Monday, when they provided the left-handed reliever a contract offer. While terms of the offer weren’t revealed, Ohman viewed it as a sign that he’s wanted in Atlanta.”
—————
Where I screwed up was in the date. It was made last fall and I missed the date when I read it.
For the record, don’t ever accuse me of lying again. I make mistakes just like everyone else but lying is not my bag.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
March 27th, 2009
1:34 pm
OK scoots, and he did tank last year. You can attach whatever definition to “tanking” you like. He blew out last year and they tried and tried to find a reason. Finally they decided to fix something in his elbow or shoulder or wherever it was and this year he has had a cold for God’s sake.
I am sick and tired of the guy.
tyyosh
March 27th, 2009
2:28 pm
We were thinking about driving down to see Braves vs. Yankees but it looks sold out based on Ticketmaster. Does anyone know if there are usually tickets floating around outside the stadium?
tyyosh
March 27th, 2009
2:29 pm
Sorry, to clarify I mean the Braves vs. Yankees game tomorrow in Orlando.