Lowe to start both openers
Lakeland, Fla. – Good morning from not-so-sunny Tiger Town and Joker Marchant Stadium, where the rain is supposed to stop in time to have the field ready for the 1:05 p.m. scheduled first pitch.
We need to get this started on time and play it relatively quickly, so I can get outta here and go watch the OU-UNC/Blake-Tyler matchup.
Garret Anderson is in the lineup at DH, batting third (Chipper has the day off), and Casey Kotchman is in the lineup at first base, batting sixth.
Garret Anderson
Easy drive over here this morning, with Otis cranked on a Sunday morning. The remastered “Otis Redding Sings Soul” is just about a perfect album, the second disc a beautiful stereo version (original disc was mono, and it’s disc 1 in this package; both discs have some great additional live stuff and other tunes).
Anyway, we already had news this morning with the expected, official announcement of Derek Lowe as the starter for both opening day April 5 at Philly, and April 10 home opener vs. Washington.
No surprise there, since the two off days in the first week allow the Braves to start Lowe on regular rest in both openers. Said last week, I figured that might be the case when I saw a Braves print ad in the AJC promoting the home opener, with only one player pictured — Lowe.
Lowe in '03 postseason
As expected, Kenshin Kawakami is the starter pushed back a couple of days by the move. He’s scheduled to make his Braves debut with an April 11 start in the second home game against the Nationals.
Perhaps the only minor surprise when Bobby Cox announced the first-week rotation plans this morning was that Jair Jurrjens, not Javier Vazquez, would start the second game on April 7 at Philly (there are off days April 6 & 9).
“Doesn’t matter, both are terrific,” Cox said of the Jurrjens/Vazquez order. “It’s a real good rotation.”
Lowe’s eager to get another shot at opening day after going 0-3 with an 8.44 ERA in three consecutive season-opening starts for the Dodgers during 2005-2007, including a loss against the Braves and Tim Hudson in ‘06, when Lowe gave up nine hits and seven earned in five innings for Los Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.
“It really is a great honor to be able to pitch that [opening day] game,” Lowe said this morning. “There’s so much excitement, so much anticipation, especially the way we’ve [played this spring] and especially with it being in Philly, a rival game, and they’ll be putting up the [World Series] flag….”
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Schafer and The Decision pending: Plenty of you have asked, and now I’m finally ready to say, I think Jordan Schafer is going to get the center-field job over Josh Anderson and Gregor Blanco.
Schafer has hit .396 with a .429 OBP and .585 slugging percentage in 53 at-bats, with 14 strikeouts, three walks and a team-high five stolen bases (nearly half the team’s total of 11 steals). He has a homer among seven extra-base hits.
Anderson has hit .286 with a .298 OBP and .482 slugging percentage in 56 at-bats, with six strikeouts, one walk and two stolen bases. He has homers among his six extra-base hits.
Blanco has options, so he could be sent down. Anderson doesn’t have options, but all indications from Braves people is that that isn’t going to be a determining factor in this decision – if Schafer makes them a better team, he’s going to be the guy.
And I think most who have a say in this, or an opinion, agree that they look like a better team with Schafer on it.
If that’s the way it goes, if Schafer gets through this week unscathed, and if Braves can’t get anything of value for Anderson in a trade, I’d guess – just a guess — they’d outright him to the minors if he cleared waivers.
At this late date in spring, there might be a decent chance he could clear waivers, since a claiming team would have to keep him on its roster.
Then again, perhaps the White Sox or another team that might not want to give up even low-level prospect value for him now, might be interested if all they have to do is claim him off waivers.
I talked to Josh a little while yesterday, and wasn’t able to fit the quotes in the paper. So I’ll give some of it to you here now.
Asked him if he’s felt a little better the past week or so, since he has six hits in his past 16 at-bats.
”I went through a stretch in the middle [of spring] where I was just trying to get comfortable, just trying to find that place where you’re hitting pitches you should be hitting,” he said. “The last couple of weeks I felt way more relaxed. It took a while for that comfort to get there. I’m getting there now.”
Some of you might be thinking, he’s getting there, but it might be a bit late, given Schafer’s performance all spring. I asked Anderson if he’s pleased with his own spring perforamance:
”I’m satisfied,” he said. “This spring’s gone good. My bunting’s come a long ways; I’ve worked every day on it. I feel good on defense. My legs feel fresh. I’m pleased with the way things have gone, really.
”Would I like to be hitting .500? Absolutely. Everybody would like to be on fire. It takes me a couple of games, sometimes a couple of weeks, to get that feeling back. I’m indoors all winter. Once you get back in the game, it’s about getting that comfort, as well as trying to work on stuff, too.”
Is there an uneasiness entering this last week of camp?
”It’s always been a competition the whole time,” he said, “so I view this week no different than what it’s been the last several weeks. I, by no means, am letting up. In my mind, I believe I can do it, and I’m just going to try to keep that mindset, think positive and try to think about the best outcome happening.”
Today’s lineups
BRAVOS
1. Johnson, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. G. Anderson, DH
4. Francoeur, RF
5. Kotchman, 1B
6. Infante, 3B
7. Schafer, LF
8. Ross, C
9. J. Anderson, CF
TIGRES
1. Granderson, CF
2. P. Polanco, 2B
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Guillen, LF
6. Thames, DH
7. Inge, 3B
8. Treanor, C
9. Ramon Santiago, RH
♣ Hey, you folks want to hear a terrific country song you’ll probably never hear on a country station anymore? The great, underappreciated Tom Russell singing “Blue Wing” years ago. Click this link and see the lyrics and the video of him singing it. (I actually prefer his edgier alt-country stuff from the past decade, but this is one of his older, pure-country tunes.)
♣ Feel like more music during a Sunday rain delay, so here’s the mighty Clash doing “Straight To Hell.”
“CORTEZ THE KILLER” by Neil Young
He came dancing across the water,
With his galleons and guns,
Looking for the new world,
And the palace in the sun.
On the shore lay Montezuma,
With his coca leaves and pearls,
In his halls he often wandered,
With the secrets of the worlds.
And his subjects gathered ’round him,
Like the leaves around a tree,
In their clothes of many colours,
For the angry gods to see.
And the women all were beautiful,
And the men stood straight and strong,
They offered life in sacrifice,
So that others could go on.
Hate was just a legend,
And war was never known,
The people worked together,
And they lifted many stones.
They carried them to the flatlands,
But they died along the way,
And they built up with their bare hands,
What we still can’t do today.
And I know she’s living there,
And she loves me to this day,
I still can’t remember when,
Or how I lost my way.
He came dancing across the water,
Cortez, Cortez,
What a killer.
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818 comments Add your comment
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
1:42 pm
First???
KC
March 29th, 2009
1:42 pm
—— BRAVES OPENING DAY VIEWING PARTY – Next Sunday ——-
Open invitation: Opening day viewing party in ATL…
Sunday, April 5th – 7:45pm
Jocks and Jills @ Galleria Mall (near junction of N.285 & I-75)
We had about a dozen folks – and a helluva lot of fun (except for the outcome of the game) – last year. Don’t really know exactly how many we’ll have this year, but probably not much more than that… so there should be plenty of room. If you would like to invite others, please feel free. You’re welcome to simply show up (you don’t have to touch base beforehand), but if you let me know how many you have coming, we’ll make sure there’s seating for you. Go Braves!
Email: kccjr1@gmail.com
c jonze
March 29th, 2009
1:44 pm
Sure, I like Matt Diaz, everyone does. What’s not to like? He’s a nice guy. But the only thing he has proven is that he is not capable of playing every day, as Bobby gave him the chance last year. Just a platoon guy, no real speed, not a defensive gem… but a nice guy, yes. Just hate to see the team TRY to get Anderson through waivers when he could upgrade the defense and speed. Who on this roster would you bring in late to pinch run to manufacture a run? We don’t have that guy, IMHO.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
1:44 pm
Nice, a new Sunday blog. That answers that!
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
1:45 pm
I commented at the end of the last blog, but I’ll respond again to Ben’s post. Ben says the AJC poll is 85% for Shafer and wants to know if Frank Wren is listening? My opinion is, that if Wren is listening and making decisions based on an AJC poll, he should be fired. No GM should be making roster decisions based on what fans want, that is silly.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
1:46 pm
I see that San Diego State wunderkind Steve Strasberg struck out 14 in eight innings on a cold windy day against Texas Christian the other day. Gave him 88 strikeouts and eight walks in 42-1/3 innings this season. Ridiculous.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
1:46 pm
Excellent, BlawgDawg. We get your point!
18 Wheels of Love
March 29th, 2009
1:48 pm
First time I saw Dontrelle this year, the first thing that came to my mind was substance issues. I am not saying that is the problem, but he looked troubled when I saw him pitch against us.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
1:49 pm
My last post being said, just for the record, I want to see Shafer in CF opening day. However, if he isn’t, I’ll get over it. Just like I’ll get over Hanson not being on the opening day roster. I’m a huge fan of the Braves for 30 years now, but I realize that I’m just that, a fan, and don’t have access to the day to day happenings around the club, so I just have to trust that the people getting paid to do the jobs of the club are making the best decisions for the team.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
1:50 pm
DOB, is that the 19 yr. old kid that’s throwing in triple digits? Look, it’s great that he can do that, but is that safe to constantly air it out at such a young age?
KW
March 29th, 2009
1:51 pm
DOB: Why can’t the Braves start Schafer and keep Anderson as the fifth outfielder (along with JF, GA, MD)? Then option Blanco to minors. Pardon my ignorance if this has been answered before. And as always, thanks for the “job well done” all spring by you and Carroll. Now, let’s start the season.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
1:52 pm
c jonze,
Good point…..maybe the way to go could be trading norton…….and let anderson stay. We stal have Prado and Infante to play IF positions.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
1:52 pm
Ummm, thanks Giggidy, I think? So your new here huh? Just wondering since you were asking about when new blog and all would come out. So you can rest easy in the future, DOB does a pretty good job about keeping a fresh blog canvas up.
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
1:52 pm
BlawgDawg , hasn’t Wren pretty much gone on record as saying he doesn’t even read blogs? I really doubt our discussions or AJC polls here have a whole lot of impact on his decision-making.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
BlawgDawg,
I’m not sure I understand yet. Can you post it one more time? Thanks!
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
1:54 pm
Besides…….Anderson might have more trade value in the near future than norton.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
Anderson has nobody to blmae but himself. The Braves asked Schafer and Anderson to go and play winter ball. Jordan went an played in Mexico, while Anderson refused. Buying a batting machine, paying for a speed coach or going to Winter Ball, Jordan Schafer is willing to go the extram mile to make sure he succeeds
RIPSkip
March 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
If Kasten can find the $$$, I sure can see alot of Hanson v. Strasberg the next few years. That would be some fun.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
1:57 pm
I agree mbatl, I was just responding to Ben’s silly post. Wasn’t trying to say Wren might be reading anything any of us write.
Giggidy, starting to see which group on the blog your going to be fitting into. Introduce yourself to MetsfaninAtlanta and PhantasticPhilliePhan when they show up.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
1:57 pm
We’re underway, KJ pops out to start things
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
1:58 pm
The point is…….what do we need norton for? Infante can play 1st……if kotchman goes down with injury………we can call up freeman or use Infante for some time if needed
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
1:58 pm
I just thought it would be good to keep Josh Anderson for when Garret Anderson gets hurt, but I would rather have Brandon Jones out there anyway
Dogbyte
March 29th, 2009
1:58 pm
Tom Russell’s voice has a JC/MIB quality to it. He can’t hit the bass notes that Johnny could, but he’s good. Thanks for the link.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
1:58 pm
I know the Braves love Yunel, but what was with the trade talks though the winter? Did Frank refuse to trade him or was he on the table?? Does anyone know?
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
1:59 pm
Just added a poll to the original blog, a Glavine/Hanson question
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:00 pm
Thanks Dawg. It’s so hard to meet people that have the same interests as I.
Good lookin’ out!!
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
2:01 pm
So, both Schafer and Josh Anderson are starting, but KJ is leading off? Sign of things to come?
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:01 pm
G. Anderson works full count in his first at-bat … and walks.
Professional at-bat, as they say, in his first plate appearance (not technically an “at-bat,” but you get the point…)
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
2:01 pm
Dave, Keith Law has a video of Strasburg here. He’s also got video of Tyler Matzek and Matt Purke, two possible first round picks for the Braves this summer. It’s ESPN insider, so you’ll need an account to see it.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:01 pm
Thats a veteran walk by GA right there………great eye and discipline.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:02 pm
Anderson drew a walk. Great sign.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:02 pm
Horrible swing from Frenchy! Pulled way off!
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:02 pm
Doc What do we need Norton for? How bout because every team needs a guy that can come off the bench late in the game to pinch hit. Norton has proved himself to be a guy that thrives in that roll. He is a huge piece to the bench, much more valuable than a guy like Anderson as a pinch hitter.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
That’s alot better!!
18 Wheels of Love
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
Wow. Has that landed yet????
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
HOMER for FRENCHY……..
abwright
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
2R HR for Frenchy.
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
Wow, what a bomb by Frenchy there. Good signs abound today…
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
FRANCOEUR CRUSHED a 2-2 pitch to the top of the left-field grass berm. Wow. That was a SHOT, and not with the wind, either.
Trent from CA
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
Doc, I agree with you on Norton. Diaz and Prado can also back up first base. Keep Josh and release Norton.
Francour HOMERS!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
stroked
Ritchie from Scotland
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Frenchy!!!! 2 run shot
TexasBrave
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Jeff with the Two run Jack. Long HR.
18 Wheels of Love
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Detroit announcer just said that is longest HR they have seen hit there…up there with some Sheffield bombs.
radoncbravesfan
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
frenchys back, denizens
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Here’s to hoping Kotchy is ok…
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Suddenly im starting to love our OF. JF is another player……….its like if we made a trade……….JF for all new JF
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
Another great AB from Frenchy. That should silence some people.
KC
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
YEAH BABY!!!! We’re gonna see 20 or more of those this year from Francoeur this year. I’m telling ya, as long as he keeps hitting the way he has been, the power will come. Certainly saw it there. Nice!
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
mbatl I sure hope KJ batting leadoff today isn’t a sign of things to come. I think that KJ is much better farther down the order as a run producer.
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
Looks like he is!
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
Way to go Frenchy…….An absolute BOMB to the picnic tables.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
And Kotch follows with another HOMER on a 2-2 pitch, this one a blast to R-C
Kotchman doesn’t look weakened
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
BOOM!! Nice job Casey!!
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
HOMER for KOTCHMAN, flu? what flu?
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
Francoeur looked good
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
richbrave (5:26 pm): “Anyway an ANDERSON/SCHAFER platoon of sorts might work? Situational stuff depending on the opposition or the batter. Is one better than the other at certain facets of the game other than pure speed? 14 position players allows for only 11 pitchers, and with the situations there I got to believe the club intends to carry 12.
“Oops, one too many players on the 25 man. FRANCOUER still has options and time doesn’t he? Maybe a few weeks or a month in the minors to work on that stroke leaving MATT to cover right in the meantime keeps JOSH on the 25 man until something can be worked out after the start of the season. I do think if even one club is needing a CF after ML start up, they’ll grab him off waivers. Just can’t see him clearing under any circumstance. But maybe FW has a lucky face and wins when he’s in VEGAS.”
The only sane response to this post is “WHY?” (Or maybe “What the heck?”)
Occam’s razor cuts you off at the knees.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
Kenny Powers has upgraded Francouer from a hold to a buy
Ritchie from Scotland
March 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
mlb coverage decided to go black on that Kotchman shot…….walloping them off Bonderman at the moment
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
Diaz, huh?
MattyO
March 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
Back to Back. Francoeur then Kotchman.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
Diaz?
Jay212033
March 29th, 2009
2:07 pm
Trent from CA
I hope your kidding about Norton?!?!
stupup74
March 29th, 2009
2:07 pm
Frenchy still has some big time pop. That thing he hit was a BOMB, and it was off a legitimate, albeit rehabiing ML pitcher. When he gets his hips through, he can hit it as far as anyone. Good sign for the bravos. Even better sign………Kotchman goes big fly to the deep part of the park.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:07 pm
That was Kotchman’s first at-bat since March 18. And not a wind-blown fence-scraper, at all. So much for rust or weakness.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:08 pm
This is a team with maybe average power and below average speed……….so this team needs more speed than it needs power (as JF and CK just showed)…….. Josh brings more speed than Norton does power………… ID KEEP JOSH.
KC
March 29th, 2009
2:09 pm
Watching the game on MLBTV, but want to hear Braves announcers. Unfortunately, the radio play by play is way ahead of the delayed visual on MLBTB. So I figured a way to be able to listen to WGST on Gameday Audio, while watching MLBTV. Problem is… Gameday Audio is way BEHIND the video feed on MLBTV. Just gonna have to live with it, I guess.
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
2:09 pm
Cox must be p**ssed. He keeps waiting for the 3-run homer, and the guys just won’t cooperate.
Blawgdawg, as far as KJ goes, I suspect that if Schafer wins the CF job, the Braves will start him down in the lineup for a couple of weeks at least. I think he’ll eventually be the leadoff, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a while before he gets there.
And I really can’t understand why KJ would be in the 1-hole today, with both of the CF in the lineup, if it wasn’t a serious consideration.
AdirondackDave
March 29th, 2009
2:09 pm
Doc — Well put. Hope he keeps his new game going. Adjustments, to state the obvious, are a big part of staying in the majors.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:09 pm
The Francoeur and Kotchman homers gave the Braves 24 homers this spring, while their opponents have hit 10
Jay212033
March 29th, 2009
2:10 pm
YOU CAN’T USE YOUR SPEED IF YOU DON’T GET ON BASE!!!
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:11 pm
Braves also have 56 doubles to opponents’ 32, and 146 runs to opponents’ 105, for those keeping score at home.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:11 pm
Enter your comments here
BravesFanChris24
March 29th, 2009
2:11 pm
Francoeur & Kotchman back to back home runs
Fleming
March 29th, 2009
2:11 pm
Looks like I was right earlier in the week when I said we were losing games because Chipper and McCann were back playing. Neither playing today and already 3 runs in the first. (Just Kidding McFann)
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:11 pm
Doc Your missing the boat on Norton/Anderson for the bench. Do you think Anderson would be succesful getting one at bat a game in crunch situations? I doubt it, but Norton has proved to be very effective in those situations. Anderson can’t steal first, as his .290 OBP has proved this spring.
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
2:12 pm
KC, I got a kick out of your multi-media dilemma. Life sure has gotten complicated, hasn’t it? I’m at a client’s office today so just listening.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:12 pm
If you told me at the end of last season that Francoeur and Kotchman would hit back-to-back homers against Bonderman in ST I’d have told you you’re insane.
bravefaninok
March 29th, 2009
2:12 pm
big bombs for casey and frenchy!!!!!!!!!!
c jonze
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
Doc, I think you are right. Braves baseball has become waiting around for someone to get the big hit… But when that hit does not come, the team loses by ONE. While Norton did get some hits off the bench, when put in the lineup everyday, he was pretty weak. This team needs to look to manufacture runs, and I truly believe Anderson gives them much more flexibility and versatility.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
Make that 11 homers for opponents — Polanco just cranked a 2-0 pitch to the left-field berm.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
He left that pitch up!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
Power is a much more significant attribute than speed. Much more. It’s not even close to close.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
ughh, Vasquez gives up a long ball to Polanco
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
Wow…I didn’t know they had Home Run Derbies in March…
Roman Gal You have a strange memory.
Thank you! Actually, I have that movie on my iPod.
I only meant he “looked” like one of them because they both have buzz-cuts (’cause they got lice from their cat Sadie).
F.N. Hale Sorry, trying to be funny using what I thought was a not so obscure movie reference. In Big Fat Greek Wedding, the father thought putting windex on anything would heal it (re: Mac’s finger).
Ah! Haha…OK, I gotcha. Sorry I didn’t get it…never seen that movie.
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
2:14 pm
That’s the danger with Vasquez. Great stuff, but every now and then he leaves things up. Then again, 2-0, that’s what happens
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
2:14 pm
Joe Simpson would be saying…. ” a lot of nitrogen in the air after the rain” the ball is flying out today.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
2:15 pm
Fleming–
Yeah yeah…
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:15 pm
If our mound guys can keep it in the park, our defense will win games this year. Very good in all 8 positions!!
stupup74
March 29th, 2009
2:15 pm
This is just my gut talking, but I have a feeling Kotchman is going to have a good year for the braves.
He makes contact, he has some gap power and he hits for average. He fits in the lineup really well because he puts it in play.
Again, this is just me talking, but why doesn’t frenchy get him one of those big ol’ bonds arm things and just sit on top of the plate as close as he can. Frenchy is at his best when he can open up those hips and yank the ball. He has HUGE power when he can unload.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:16 pm
I am really not understanding why anyone would want J Anderson on the bench over Norton. Norton is a valuable pinch hitter where Anderson would be nothing but a pinch runner and fifth outfielder. Just doesn’t make good sense.
Zachary
March 29th, 2009
2:16 pm
The announcers are talking like Vasquez’s career losing record is a mystery. He has played most of his career for the Expo’s in a rough division. Mystery Solved.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:16 pm
Ooh, seven layer dip sounds good!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:17 pm
I know this will get some “who cares” responses, but news out of Mariners’ camp: Brandon Morrow isn’t starting this year, he’s attempting to be the full-time closer.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:18 pm
Expos??? I thought he was a White Sock?
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:19 pm
PWHjort,
Who cares!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:20 pm
That strikeout was 2008 Francoeur-like
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
2:20 pm
Jordan looks like he is trying to pull everything. He strikes out a lot.
winterville
March 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
Are you sure about that PWHjort. I drafted him with my last pick yesterday in a draft. I am curious as to what his role will be.
THWG
March 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
Only people like Ken Griffey Jr care about what the blogs say. And that’s why I’m glad we have GA instead.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
KC, try going to gameday audio after eventful plays. It would be like an instant audio replay. You’ll hear how our announcers liked it, or not.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:23 pm
Jay212033
Yes you can………you can pinch run……….you can put pressure late in the game with a bunt from a speedy hitter that comes in to pinch hit for the pitcher or what ever………..speed never slumps………and we lack a lot of it………….we dont have a IF capable of stealing 30 bases……..only Schafer might be able to do that……..This team is slower as a yawn. And Norton is not exactly like an getting on base machine……..nobody is saying he is bad……….I just think Anderson fits better our needs. We needs speed……….Anderson gives us that……….we need power………Norton is not a power hitter, he has some pop but thats my opinion.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:23 pm
Winterville: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2009/03/29/morrows_starting_days_done_–.html and http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2009/03/29/morrow_wants_to_close_and_he_almost_cert
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:24 pm
Nice! David Ross looks better than what we’ve had in recent years as a backup.
Dawg19
March 29th, 2009
2:26 pm
Giggidy, you must be a new baseball fan and woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Since you don’t seem to know, Vazquez started his career with the Expos, went to the New York Yankees then spent a couple of years in the young league with the White Sox, whom we aquired him from.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:26 pm
BTW, I like what I have seen from Ross this spring……much better chance to get on base than the backup catchers we have had last few years…….. or at least is a guy that is makes pitchers work……..in a few words…….not an easy out.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:27 pm
Doc Holliday, speed is very, very overrated. The Boston Red Sox hardly ever steal bases and they always win a ton of games. Our biggest need is not speed. It is power. Period. Exclamation point.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
2:27 pm
OH NO…SCHAFER LOOKS LIKE ‘08 FRENCHY!!! Told ya
Zachary
March 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
He only spent three years with the White Sox. You get more wins and losses when you average around seven innings a start.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
Kelly Johnson is such a pimp with the high socks. I love it.
FJR
March 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
so doc holliday,
your proposal is to use up a bench slot just for pinch running? Do you realize how few times pinch running is even that valuable. It has to be a very specific situation. A slower runner has to be on base, that you would be okay substituting for, in s situation where the base in front is clear, in a close game, in the last few innings for pinch running to really be valuable. In most situations we’d be much better off having norton and letting prado or infante pinch run. Norton will provide a valuable pinch hit in almost every game. Josh might provide a valuable pinch run in one out of every 8 games.
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
“speed never slumps”
Doc, then what was that when Josh batted .215/.239/.246 (yes, a .246 SLG% !) with 21 K’s and 1 BB in 65 ab’s from Sept. 3 thru 22 last year?
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
Wow, that’s eerie Dawg19. That’s exactly what happened this morning. I knew something was different, but I just chalked it up to be sleepy!
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
Will the Braves finally put the full lineup tomorrow against dice-k?
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
Thomas, my last post wasn’t directed at you.
winterville
March 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
Thanks for those links PWHjort. There was some uncertainty in the news that I had read so I appreciate those links. He was Mr. Irrelevant in our draft. Last pick number 250 overall.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
Doc, Norton is one of the BEST pinch hitters in all of baseball, and you want to waive him to keep a guy that barely gets on base 30% of the time. A guy that has NEVER been a pinch hitter, much less excelled at it. Again, your making NO sense my friend, none.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
PWHjort speed is very, very overrated.
Oh yeah.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:32 pm
Marcus Thames just DRILLED that RBI double to left-center gap
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
Dawg19, Giggidy is new here and trying to make a name for himself. Guess he wants to win the Jerk of the Day award his first day. So far he’s WAY out in front.
Dawg19
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
PWHjort, The Sox do steal bases. JD Drew ran a lot last year, Pedroia swiped a few. Ellsbury stole 50! Speed puts pressure on teams, period. Ask how comfortable a pitcher is when folks like Jose Reyes, Shane Victorino and Ichiro are on base. I promise you pitchers can NOT fully concentrate on the hitter and adequately hold good base runners with speed, thus hitters behind these type players tend to get a few more mistakes to hit.
G.A. Sighting « Three Days of Cryin’
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
[...] Jump to Comments Garret Anderson is back in the Braves’ spring lineup, today, as a [...]
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
I think the Mariners are being stupid. Marrow should be a starting pitcher. And for the record, I think Marrow belongs in a 10-team standard 5X5 league, whether he starts or relieves. Though he’s much more valuable as a starter.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
McFann, I was just thinking that if your were around, that comment was gonna bring you out
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
2:34 pm
Doc H. we dont have a IF capable of stealing 30 bases
OK. So the infielders steal 25 and we’ll let McCann take care of the other 5.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:34 pm
PWHjort,
REdsox hardly ever steal a base? Is that so? I can recall that great comeback in the playoff against the yanks………..it was orchestrated by a little guy named dave roberts……..and he didnt hit any HR nor got on base by himself………he was a pinch runner and he ate up mariano rivera that night………alone.
Runnin
March 29th, 2009
2:34 pm
That was not a bad pitch at all that Thames hit.
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
Tough inning for JS, strikeout then misplaying the ball. Did you guys see the divot that kicked up when he tried to play the ball off the fence? It was the size of a basketball, tough luck.
But anyway, Jordan strikes out too much, no question. He needs to work on that. But given his success after he turned his attention to hitting left handers, I feel confident he will be able to make the adjustment.
I also think we are seeing our starters right now go through the inevitable decline the week before the season, where there are no stakes for the games and their arms get worn down.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
Brandon Inge hit a two-run rocket onto the left-field berm, giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
Oh brother, Vasquez is getting pounded here.
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
Man Vazquez is leaving his fastball right down the middle.
Runnin
March 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
That one was.
stupup74
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
I hope the Tigers just know Vasquez really good, or that he has the dead arm, because he doesn’t look real good today.
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
Not to mention Norton’s OBP has been far better than Andersons over the last four years.
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
Vasquez location way off today…..
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
That’s good, Vazquez. Get the long balls out of your system before we go to Citizens Bank Park.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
BlawgDawg–
Yep, that’s me–ever alert, always watching out for those kinds of posts…
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
FJR,
So you are saying that Norton will hit .280 and Anderson will hit what? 150? come on……..Anderson is no pete rose, but he will get on base………..if he is that bad, how come braves want to keep him¿¿¿
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
(If anyone else posted something about this, I don’t apologize.)
I got a copy of ESPN the Magazine in the mail yesterday. It’s their baseball preview issue. They’re focusing on the next “flavor of the month” in MLB: defense. Baseball Prospectus put together a defense rating for each team. In the NL East, the Braves’ defense is projected to save 4 runs (+4) more than the ML average. The Mets are a +1. The defending champion Phillies are a -5. The Nats are a -9.
The Marlins have the best number: +6.
As points of reference, the Tigers’ D tops the majors with a +17. The Rangers are projected to post a putrid -20.
As far as predictions go, it’s the Dodgers, Cubs, and Phillies winning the divisions in the NL. The Mets get the wild card. (I’m sure this is some sort of a conspiracy.) In the AL, it’s the Angels, Twins, and Rays taking division crowns. The Red Sox get the wild card.
World Series prediction? Rays over Cubs.
winterville
March 29th, 2009
2:39 pm
PWHjort
Yea I drafted him hoping he would start. Ideally, I wanted him to start the year on the DL to open up another spot for me and see how he did before I put him on my team for real. Oh well. Hopefully he stays healthy.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:40 pm
Besides……….when Schafer needs a day off or if he gets hurt for 5 days……….what will you do? put Diaz there? You will have to put infante. there is no other option……….
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
2:41 pm
I’m switching between the Tigerman, golfing, and the NASCAR race, on tv. I’m reading the posts and watching the Braves, on a split-screen of my computer. My stamina is depleting. Man, that ban on amphetamines sucks!
Frankie Knuckles
March 29th, 2009
2:41 pm
Schafer looking bad? Or looking like a young kid trying to followup the bombs he saw earlier? Serious question? I have dish network, who apparently, was never able to work a deal with MLB Network. Garbage!
Dale Murphy's Mole
March 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
I completely agree with the notion of trading Norton instead of J. Anderson.
Diaz and Norton are basically the same player, which is why we traded for Norton last year after Diaz went down. Either of the two backup infielder could back up Kotchman, along with Diaz, and Anderson gives us speed off the bench if we need someone to pinch hit late TO LEAD OFF AN INNING. I agree that Anderson isn’t an imposing presence when we need an RBI late, but as a leadoff pinch-hitter or as a pinch-runner, he brings a lot to the table.
On a more important note, who is our back up center fielder if Anderson doesn’t make the club. I love Schaefer and think he’ll make a great CF, but if he’s not ready or goes in a funk or just needs a day off, who do we stick out there? Infante? I have to think Anderson is a better option.
And do we have to keep bringing Blanco up? He should already be on the train to AAA. Maybe we could package him with Norton to get some mid-level bullpen prospect who could help us out in case of injury.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
Just saw a stat — Lowe is one of only three pitchers to win at least 11 games each of the past seven seasons. The other two? C.C. and Tim Hudson.
Huddy has a 10-season streak with at least 11 wins, and Sabathia has an eight-season streak. Lowe is at seven seasons.
Zachary
March 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
Anderson is important to the Braves. In a one-run game, McCann or Norton could get on base in the eighth or ninth. Pinch-Run with Anderson, he can steal second and get bunted to third. Am I the only one who thinks this could happen more than once this year?
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
G. Anderson struck out looking in his second time up
dap01
March 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
Schafer is the CF of the future, but remember he did well last year in spring training and had an average year at AA.
The Braves would be foolish to trade Anderson for a average middle reliever (we have a bullpen of those already) and they would be really foolish to release him.
N8
March 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
If you people think that Vazquez will do anything other than compile 200 innings, with around 200 K’s, and ERA around 4.00 to 4.75, and compile more than 15 wins, you’re crazy.
He will provide some sort of stability, and a healthy arm to go to the bump on a consistent basis, giving us a 50/50 shot at winning each game he pitches.
Nothing more.
Those who expect some sort of NL-resurection to Cy Young form, are dreaming. If the White Sox knew he had that in him, they would have kept him (or asked for more). Period.
It IS a mystery as to how a guy that has good enough stuff to average almost a K/IP, can have a mediocre record, and NOT be more dominating. Until you realize that he ALSO has averaged EXACTLY a hit per IP, for his career (2070.2 IP & 2070 hits allowed).
THEN, when you factor in that he allows a HR every 7 or so innings, that pretty much sums it up. Glavine, for instance, has also averaged almost a hit per inning over 4000+ innings in his career. However, he has allowed a HR every 12 or so innings, and is also capable of inducing DP’s on a regular basis (or at least, he was).
Mental lapses on Javier’s part? I don’t know. Ozzie Guillen didn’t think he was mentally tough enough to pitch in a big game.
So by that token, you’d think that Vazquez if he was as good as some think, would have been the lone shining star for those mediocre expos teams. He’s prone to the big inning allowed, which is easily just as much to blame as being on a mediocre team.
That all being said, he’s STILL a nice addition to a staff that had 4 of the 5 starters in 2008 miss most of the season. LOL! I just don’t expect him to get Cy Young votes like some others on the old blog do.
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:45 pm
TnBrian (1:56 pm): “…Selig has to be held responsible for letting the Yanks have such an advantage with that payroll which is a serious problem. MAN, Tomko is pitchin, A-Rod is out and they still have a huge advantage over 95% of teams in MLB.”
95%?
That’d be all but one.
Which one team do you think the Yankees do not have “a huge advantage over”? (I guess they have only a moderate advantage over those guys, huh?)
(And if you include the Yankees themselves in the pool of “teams in MLB”, you’re saying they have “a huge advantage over” every team but their own. Damm Selig — he oughta make the Yankees play themselves 16 times a year! It’s only fair, right? Yeah, right.)
Shane
March 29th, 2009
2:45 pm
Defense ratings arent the next flavor of the month. They have always been there. Just like OPS or OBP. They have always existed. Average fans are finally becoming educated as to what stats are important and which ones arent.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
2:45 pm
still a good swing from Franacoeur
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:45 pm
Anderson career OBP .364
Norton .339
Slugging:
Anderson………..419
Norton……………..427
OPS
Norton 94
Anderson…….105
So……….taking in account that Anderson is in his 1st few majors AB……….he might even get better…………while nortons prime is already gone………
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
2:46 pm
LOL……make a name for myself? On a silly blog? I’m new here because I work 6-7 days a week. I don’t have the time to be a regular here. Trust me I’m not here to make any of you know my name. I have a Sunday afternoon to relax and watch some baseball. This blog thing intrigues me somewhat and it’s kinda silly and fun all rolled into one.
BlawgDawg, it sounds like you are a seasoned vet at this format of screwing off. In no way does it concern me whether or not anyone here remembers me. Because tomorrow morning I’ll be back to the grind and you’ll be giving the next newbie hell.
Different Stroke for Different Folks!
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:46 pm
For the record……….I do like Norton………..just think Anderson is our better option.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
BTW………..Anderson brings better defense than norton if needed in the OF. And Infante brings better D at 1b over norton if needed. OR at least as good……..but I would say that he is better.
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
THB (5:36 pm): ” Jo-Jo had a string of really good outings last year too in which he had an outing that he went 8 innings and struck out close to 10 against the Brewers.”
Oh, yeah?
So how many’s that – 7? 8?? 9???
N8
March 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
“Schafer is the CF of the future, but remember he did well last year in spring training and had an average year at AA. dap01
Yeah, the mental strain of an impending 50 game suspension for HGH, wouldn’t have had that much to do with that, huh? Just giving you crap man. I agree, he needs some AB’s against AAA pitching. That being said, Anderson hasn’t torn the cover off the ball this spring either, so what’s that say about him, and the competition for CF?
Add to the fact that Anderson is supposed to be the “speed” guy in the equation, and yet Schafer has out-numbered him in that category too. Granted Schafer has more hits and thus has been on base more, but how’s the old saying go? “You can’t steal 1B”?
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
Sample size, Doc. Anderson has all of 200 ML AB. His OBP in almost 3,000 minor league AB? .340. Tell me which one you think he’s more likely to end up close to.
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:50 pm
Thank you, Chop Chop (& 5:59 pm). Schafer = Cobb?!?!? It is to laugh.
stupup74
March 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
Well said Giggidy.
BTW ont he debate Anderson v. Norton. They are two totally different players. If the season plays out the way the braves plan it, Norton will be the main PH and not have to play any in OF. He may get a spot start at 1B. Hopefully it won’t be like last year with all the injuries and such in the OF. The braves want Norton to hit for some pop off the pine.
If the braves could get away with carrying only 11 in the bullpen, Anderson would be worth keeping for late inning defense in LF and pinch running. However, for what the braves are asking of the lead PH, Norton is the best option.
Couch Tater
March 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
Tom O’Hawke- you forgot Louisville 18 Mich St 15 7:19 1st half
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
Shane,
Thanks for taking the bait. Of course, defense has always been important. It’s not even difficult to understand the differences between players on defense. Smart baseball people have always understood this. Smart fans have always understood this.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
you don’t run on Schafer
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
2:52 pm
Schafer another OF assist throwing out Ordonez from LF trying to stretch a double (and running like a catcher, i might add — man, did he look slow there)
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:52 pm
Steve from OH (March 28th, 2009 8:10 pm): ” Good strategy or underhanded play?”
It’s what GMing is all about these days. Seems nobody here appreciates it.
Good strategy, imo; at least under the current CBA.
Sorry, Schafer’s Wafers.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:53 pm
If you think Anderson is a better player than Norton or that he’s more valuable to the team, you’re wrong. I don’t know who posted that, but Norton was acquired about a month before Diaz went down to be a pinch-hitter. Norton is one of the most valuable bench players in the NL. Anderson sucks. I’m not going to write a 400 word post on why, but just trust me, Anderson sucks.
Shane
March 29th, 2009
2:53 pm
Your welcome
Random
March 29th, 2009
2:55 pm
ease19 (8:22 pm): ” Regarding Schafer, are we REALLY concerned with 2014-2015? Isn’t the goal to win now?”
Yes, it is. But will the Braves not having Schafer the first 2, 3, 4 weeks of the season REALLY put the Braves out of contention?
THAT is the question for Frank Wren.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:58 pm
Random, there’s 3 possibilities for Schafer. Call him up immediately get 6.0 years of service and 3 arbitration years out of him. Call him up after 12 days and get 6.9 years of service and 4 arbitration years. Or call him up after 6-8 weeks and get 6.66 years of service and 3 arbitration years. I’m for option 2.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
2:59 pm
Hey, Guillen. NICE ROUTE, MAGELLAN!
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
3:00 pm
“Baseball Prospectus put together a defense rating for each team. In the NL East, the Braves’ defense is projected to save 4 runs (+4) more than the ML average. The Mets are a +1. The defending champion Phillies are a -5. The Nats are a -9.
The Marlins have the best number: +6.” (Chop Chop 2:38)
I find their +6 with the Marlins, somewhat mystifying. Last year, the only team in baseball that the Marlins had a better fielding percentage, was the Texas Rangers. How did they improve, that much, over the off season?
Dale Murphy's Mole
March 29th, 2009
3:01 pm
Why would I “just trust you” that Anderson sucks? Norton is a pinch-hitter with doubles power and limited defensive ability. Dime a dozen obviously, since we already have that guy in Diaz. Anderson has been a defensive standout with great base-running ability in the minors and brings the Braves an element they don’t already have. And as the wonderful posters with stats have shown, he can get on base at roughly the same clip as Norton and do something once he does.
Good pinch-hitters are valuable, but we should have Diaz or Garrett available off the bench in any given game and I would rather see them walking to the plate than Norton any day.
nolie
March 29th, 2009
3:03 pm
Ozzie Guillen didn’t think he was mentally tough enough to pitch in a big game N8
then why did he keep throwing him out there with little rest the last month of last season? Ozzie is kind of a nut case. Sure wouldn’t want him as my manager, from either above or below
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
He can’t get on base = he’s a terrible offensive player.
BlawgDawg
March 29th, 2009
3:04 pm
Giggidy You win man, you win. Guess your smartazz remarks to me to start the day were just your way of trying to be friendly, my bad for misunderstanding.
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Vazquez settling in.
nolie
March 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Defense ratings arent the next flavor of the month. They have always been there. Just like OPS or OBP. They have always existed. Average fans are finally becoming educated as to what stats are important and which ones arent. SHANE
yeah they’ve been around but pretty suspect. The latest Bill James interview he stated that they are finally coming of age in the last year or two, B4 that they were way outclassed by hitting & pitching stats. He says they are still behind but have closed the gap.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Ozzie Guillen went with a 4 man rotation at the end of the season because there were literally only 4 pitchers he could trust. Danks, Vazquez, Buherle, and Floyd.
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
3:06 pm
Look that Vazquez adjusting the Second time around
Frankie Knuckles
March 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
Any game updates would be much appreciated
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
3:07 pm
FRANCOUER sure looks like a man who wants to stay in ATLANTA. What a blast. And good lead-off AB for KELLY in the 1st. How many pitches was that – 9? Maybe he’s getting back to the young KELLY I saw several seasons back. VASQUEZ is throwing a lot of balls the TIGERS are golfing. Seems to be a lot of carry today. I suppose he’ll be alright once we’re into the season a bit. Has to round into shape.
18 Wheels of Love
March 29th, 2009
3:08 pm
That’s the thing with Vaz, he might give up some runs but he always seems to adjust and can still eat up innings. Even when he is ‘off’, he keeps you in games.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
PWHjort,
Then Braves wont have a problem………why bother…….great to know how much JA sox, braves official will now be able to sleep……..finally
abwright
March 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
Vasquez finished the bot 4 with a strike out on Inge on several very nice breaking balls.
Ross starts the 5th with a fly out to Granderson.
J. Anderson at the plate. Strikes out.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:09 pm
Anderson sucks
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
3:10 pm
Giggidy, when DOB finds out you called his blog “silly”(2:46), your name will be “mud” (that would be easier to spell, however).
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
3:10 pm
PWH, Ryan Braun only posted a .335 OBP last year, and he certainly wasn’t a terrible offensive player. I agree that Anderson’s OBP certainly precludes him because of his lack of power, but saying “can’t get on base=terrible offensive player” is a bit too general, I think.
Elaborate on that point specifically for Anderson and I don’t think there can be any argument!
zephyr 8
March 29th, 2009
3:11 pm
Like what I’m seeing from Vazquez. Not sure what the pitch count is, but if this were regular season, I would take 6 IP 4 ER as a “bad” start. It’s only ST, but I love how hes adjusted so far. And its just my opinion, but what bobby said to him after that bad inning and what ozzie would have said after that inning might make the difference.
abwright
March 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
KJ got a pitch to hit but swings through it. 2-2. Pops out to third to end the inning.
Superman wears Tim Tebow pajamas
March 29th, 2009
3:12 pm
After the last round of cuts, how many players are currently left in camp?
Tomas
March 29th, 2009
3:13 pm
Kelly was late on those fastballs from Minor.
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
3:14 pm
Got a Freddie Freeman sighting at 1B, btw.
Dale Murphy's Mole
March 29th, 2009
3:14 pm
Once again: Anderson’s career OBP in minors is .340. In majors, despite small sample size, it is .368. Norton’s career OBP in majore is .339, meaning they can be expected to get on base at roughly the same clip.
Now, for what they do once they get on base: Anderson has stolen 292 bases in 362 attempts and scored 480 runs combined in minors and majors in 6 seasons. Norton has stolen 15 bases in 33 attempts and scored 312 runs in 12 major-league seasons.
So, if they get on base roughly the same amount of times, why wouldn’t you want the guy who scores more runs once he does?
Frank from KS
March 29th, 2009
3:14 pm
ChopChop
In replying to your 2:38 pm post of the division winners….
I think my home-state Royals will have something to say about either the AL Central or the American League Wild Card.
I think they may be this year’s Rays. With the addition of Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs….I think they will be in contention for one or the other.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
3:15 pm
Tom,
According to the Marlins’ preview, it looks like BP is expecting Cameron Maybin and Jeremy Hermida to be plus defenders in center and left. Also, Mike Jacobs was an absolutely terrible first baseman. They’re projecting Gaby Sanchez at first. He’s a plus defender. Hanley, Cody Ross, Jorge Cantu, and catcher John Baker are projected as average defenders. Uggla is the only bad one.
As far as the Braves’ preview goes, Kotchman is one plus defender; Kelly Johnson is the other. Kelly’s probably not good enough with the glove to be considered a plus. Escobar certainly is. Also, Josh Anderson is the projected centerfielder. If Schafer is starting in center, the defense there goes from below-average to a plus. Such a switch would likely give the Braves the best defense in the division.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:16 pm
Dale Murphy’s Mole ,
And if a 2nd pinch hitter is needed I would rather see infante come up to the plate
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:16 pm
I’m not spending time and thought to explain why Josh Anderson sucks. I’m too hung over and all the smart people on the blog know that Anderson sucks for all the reasons that I would point out, so it’s just not worth it. You know what I meant. And you’re right, can’t get on base = terrible offensive player is too general. But most people know he lacks any kind of secondary offensive skills (except speed and you can’t steal 1st base).
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
3:16 pm
No offense meant, DOB. I read you everyday, I just don’t participate.
In fact, if I may make a request? I would prefer the post sometime around 5:00 or 5:30am, if at all possible. Thanks
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
3:18 pm
Good enough for me, PWH. I’m a sucker for the hungover excuse!
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
3:18 pm
Rob from SC:
Haven’t studied baseball history for fifty years, but I knew a little once. Did you catch the MLBt.v. top ten hitting seasons which preceded the beginning of today’s game? If so, what was your take?
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:18 pm
good relay
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:19 pm
You can’t extrapolate a .340 minor league OBP to a .340 major league OBP. No way. We can only expect that to go down. So Norton wins the OBP battle. Plus Norton has improved over the years and he’s more of a .350 OBP guy. Considering Norton has POWER, the important offensive category in which we’re most deficient, he’s more valuable to the team.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:19 pm
Two assists for Schafer in this game, nearly a third on that play at first base this inning.
Schafer to Escobar to home on that last play, two strong arms, one a cannon (Escobar).
Erin
March 29th, 2009
3:19 pm
That was Shafer again, wasn’t it, throwing Treaner out at home? Man he’s looking valuable out there.
Random
March 29th, 2009
3:20 pm
mbatl (March 28th, 2009 8:48 pm): ” But, my understanding of the rule is that Schafer would probably have to be in the minors for 45-50 games to avoid Super 2.”
Two different questions – two different timetables.
The Braves would have to keep him down on the farm much longer (assuming he performs at ML level as all here expect) to avoid him acquiring Super 2 status for arbitration purposes. And the intent here would be to save money.
As Steve from OH has testified, Schafer would not have to stay down nearly as long to ensure that his 6 years ML service time for the Braves does not end after 2014 (instead of thru 2015). And the intent here would be to retain the added year of ML service.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:20 pm
Tim Tebow wears Kenny Powers pajamas
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:21 pm
Funny………Tigers booth guys are saying Leyland told them he hoped tigers had a little bit more team speed and as they dont, they will have to run bases more aggressively.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:21 pm
richbrave
I am 28 and have been obsessed with baseball my whole life. I have a great and understanding wife who allows me to buy any baseball book I want. Great wife.
In my opinion Cobb, Wagner, and Gehrig are the greatest palyers of all time. Rogers Hornsby is still the greatest RH slugger of all time until Pujols passes him.
It is so hard to pick a Greater season for Cobb. And imagine the year that Gehrig drove in 184 runs is not considered his best season. Those old timers were great players who don’t get enough credit
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:23 pm
Richbrave
can you imagine the stat Gehrig would have if he batted 3rd instead of behind Ruth. He might have driven in 200 runs
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
DOB
Escobar looks strong, is he built that big
SubmarineAussie
March 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
IP H R ER BB SO HR
Burnett 4.1 10 7 6 3 1 3
not a good day against the pirates
THB
March 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
Random-The game I was referring to was against the Brewers on May 28. He went 7 innings (My bad, thought it was
where he gave up 2 hits, 1 walk, striking out 9. In the next four games he pitched a 6 inning 3 run 4 K game, a 7.1 inning, 4 run 8 K game, an 8 inning 2 run 5 K game, and a 7 inning 2 hit 3 K game. Don’t know about anyone else but I though he was looking pretty promising at that time.
FJR
March 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
lol, doc,
You’re seriously comparing runs for a guy who has batted leadoff in the minors to runs for a guy who is a pinch hitter/lower half hitter in the majors? You’re really stretching this now. Why don’t you compare RBIs then? Why don’t you compare slugging pct? Why don’t you compare anything other than Stolen bases and runs? You act like its some big revelation that a guy who bats leadoff in the minors has more stolen bases and runs than a major league pinch hitter.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:25 pm
Why is Kotchman out? is it because he is not 100% yet?
SubmarineAussie
March 29th, 2009
3:25 pm
A.J Burnett 4.1-IP 10-H 7-R 6-ER 3-BB 1-K 3-HR
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:27 pm
ATTAWAY FRENCHY.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:27 pm
Last trip to Lakeland this year, had to get one more tasty sausage with peppers and onions… ummm
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:27 pm
Francouer walked?
SubmarineAussie
March 29th, 2009
3:28 pm
JORDAN with two outfield assists in one game?
….if the amount of “trying” was a stat he would be leading all of spring training hopefuls i would think
William
March 29th, 2009
3:30 pm
Francoeur has never looked better. 2 Run bomb, hit the ball hard to right field and a walk. Also, getting himself in hitters counts. Doubters are going to be eating their words this year. He looks like a totally different hitter.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:30 pm
Blanco, Josh Anderson and Schafer are all in the outfield now, from left to right in that order
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:32 pm
Doc H, Kotchman hasn’t played in 11 days. It’s the Cox way to ease him back in, especially in a spring training situation.
KC
March 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
Even with his great looking Spring, I know I’m going to catch crap for this, but… it’s what I believe…
I think this is going to be Francoeur’s first .300, 20 HR, 100 RBI season. I really do.
He hit .293 in 2007, and I think he looks like a better contact hitter this year than he was in ‘07. And as I’ve said multiple times, I’m convinced that if Jeff remains patient, continues to lay off bad pitches, and keeps putting the fat part of the bat on the ball with regularity… the power will come.
I extended an open wager invitation the other day. I said if anyone was willing to bet that Francoeur wouldn’t hit at least.295 with 20 homers… I’d be happy to wager. So far, no takers.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
McFANN:
“MY GREAT BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING.” Check it out. It’s pretty cute. I think you’d like it. And Mr. HALE using that line there was pretty funny.
RANDOM:
Just being random. Glad you took the time to read my thoughts. Do you every postulate on possibilities instead of facts alone? Oh well. At least I’m not on MR. HALE’s unread list. I’m somebody now. I’m somebody now. Have the new phone-books come in?
AND have empathy for DONTRELLE WILLIS. Anxiety disorder is NO JOKE!!!! It’s a varient of OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER. Drugs help, but the old one’s leave you slightly spaced out. Not good at all for a ML ball-player where you must stay sharp. That’s a serious problem for him in his avocation.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
Kenny Powers: You been watching the Braves much this spring? Because Francoeur’s been walking a lot more than striking out. In fact, he’s tied for the team lead with seven walks (only two strikeouts).
Dale Murphy's Mole
March 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
You’re right JR, it is an unfair comparison, but that’s the point. We need a guy who can steal bases, score runs and lead off, because we already have Diaz and G. Anderson, but we have nobody like J. Anderson on the club if he doesn’t make it.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:34 pm
Rob from SC: Escobar might be the strongest guy on the team. Seriously. Dude is ripped. Looks a lot like an NFL defensive back, or at least a college DB.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:35 pm
I lived with your mama for E-leven years, through good times and bad times, fist fights and tears, but something comes over me when you come near, so won’t you come over and sip on this beer.
KC
March 29th, 2009
3:35 pm
Kenny Powers, have you been keeping up with the Braves this Spring???
Francoeur’s been walking with regularity. Tied for team lead with 7 walks (tied with Norton, who has 7 K’s to Frenchy’s 2).
Ok it's time!
March 29th, 2009
3:36 pm
“Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams . If I didn’t drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, ‘It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver’.”
- Jack Handy
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:36 pm
So much for the HR story………….braves…………..2 hits (2 HR) and thats all………outcome of the game so far……….losing.
Wow, back to back HR early on the game…….nothing to show for…….Bottom line………..hitting HR is not the same s winning.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:38 pm
Kenny Powers has been watching. This spring is a small sample size and Francoeur isnt known for walking (115 BB in 2308 PA ). Here is hoping he keeps it up and his captain caveman days are over.
Matt
March 29th, 2009
3:39 pm
is Buddy Carlye starting the season in the Pen or at AAA?
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:40 pm
Pen.
Random
March 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
mbatl (1:09 pm): ” For those interested: on Braves radio (at least on 96.1 fm), they’re filling the rain delay time by playing the “Remembering Skip” tribute… if you’re just waiting on the game on tv, might want to tune in to the radio (if you have access)….”
That was a GREAT tribute, wasn’t it? Especially with all the clips from his broadcasts.
I actually look forward to future rain delays, to hear it again, plus whatever they had to cut off when the game started today
vabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
nothing but hrs today. ross goes deep
Wil
March 29th, 2009
3:42 pm
Nice another Ross spring training jack.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
ROB in SC:
I’ll think on that and get back to you. Who was the manager for the YANKS then? And what other ammo was in the line-up? That was the original “MURDERER’S ROW” wasn’t it? Also. I’ve been trying for over a year now to get FURMAN BISHER comment’s in an article comparing EDDIE MATHEWS and CHIP JONES. He’s seen them both and that’s history in my book. Either he’s forgotten or is saving his water for his own book. Maybe he’ll have it published on his 100th birthday.
TommyP
March 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Buddy was awesome last year.
So will the Braves keep 5 OFs? I’ve asked that a few times but haven’t seen an answer to this point.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Ross homer to straightaway center field. That guy’s got some serious pop. Got seven hits this spring, three of them homers. He leads the freakin’ team in homers!
zephyr 8
March 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
And Vasquez is through 6. Not bad at all… If Jair can pitch like last year and Lowe can get anywhere close to what he did last year, The top 3 are gonna be fine. Jairs line from last year is decieving. I think he finished at about a 3.68 ERA, but he had an ERA around 3 for most of the year until he fatigued towards the end of the season.
Erin
March 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
Ross! Showing up Corky Miller once again.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Richbrave–
Yeah, that was pretty funny…now that I know what he meant.
bbxxj
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Ross CRUSHED one 420ft. Man that sounded good coming off the bat.
4-4
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Another K from Schafer, hopefully TP and him start ironing that out ASAP. My one concern is that if he has a legit whole in his swing on inside fastballs, MLB pitchers are going to eat him up until he makes an adjustment.
cityofdecatur
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
ross just tied it ! kinda wierd don sutton’s voice is almost comforting, like a family member at a holiday dinner. weird
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
TommyP, no chance the Braves carry 5 OF. Frank Wren has said on record that Omar Infante is our back-up CF. That means Francoeur, Garret Anderson, Diaz, and our primary CF (who FW hasn’t gone on record saying it is anyone, lol), will be the 4 OF and we won’t carry 5.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Buddy Carlyle has to begin the year in the pen. He and Boyer have yet to give up a run this spring
Matt
March 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
its been forever since the Braves had a good backup catcher.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
Thanks DOB, thats what I thought. Besides………he looks fine at the plate, same as GA. Not that lost. A week will be enough to catch others, maybe not to be red hot but to get ready
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Ross should make a huge difference. Bobby can actually run someone out there who can play and has some pop in his bat. Should keep McCann fresh. That plus his new physique could have McCann in store for a HUGE year.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Doc H.
bbxxj Ross CRUSHED one 420ft. Man that sounded good coming off the bat. 4-4
Huh…
Whoo-hoo, Ross!! You’re gonna be a very good backup for my mann! Gotta say, I was happy when they signed ya.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Does anyone knows why Pelfrey only lasted 0.1 IP? Is he injured or something?
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
DocHOLIDAY:
Wha…..! I haven’t seen much get ‘um on, get ‘um over, get ‘um in on the part of the TIGERS either. HR’s all over the place on both sides.
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
MLB network reporting the Dodgers worked out Ohlman. Nice jack by Ross.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
I just made 10$ from my roommate on that Anderson strikeout.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
Come on MATT………..we hd corky last year…….what are you talking about? LOL
BravesFanChris24
March 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
David Ross
Jake
March 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOC,
Rain Delay,
FlaBravo
March 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB,
I understand the options with Anderson, but what happens if he clears waivers and goes to Gwinett? Does he get more options or if he gets called up will he have to clear waivers if he’s sent back down? How many options does a player have, and does he use one every time he’s sent down? It’s a bit confusing sometimes. Thanks
William
March 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
KC::: I think your numbers prediction on Francoeur this year is right on. Would not surprise me at all. He has obviously worked hard to change his approach and it seems to have made a huge difference.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
What do I have to do with it McFann?
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Apparently rain delay was behind Pelfrey’s exit.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
I love Blaine Boyer. He is our future closer
Matt
March 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Wonder if the Tigers are going to keep D-Train or give him the pink slip…. The put him on the 15day DL today because of head problems…..
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
FlaBravo, if he clears waivers and goes to AAA, then once he gets called up again (if ever) and the team wants to send him down he’d have to clear waivers again. He’ll never have another option.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
Corky Miller had an .152 OBP and 1 HR. I think its safe to say Ross will better those numbers
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
Seems to me that Ross hits bombs all the time. Time to bench McCann.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
that was a strike
Salamander
March 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
Dale Murphy’s Mole
I just don’t see how a mediocre hitter with speed/solid defense is better than a professional pinch hitter with power coming off the bench. I mean, did you watch any of the games last year when Norton came in to pinch hit? Dude can mash and he can work/earn a walk as well. He can pinch hit with the best of them, which isn’t an easy skill to acquire for most players.
If Wren cut Norton in order to retain J. Anderson, I would wonder what the hell he had been smoking.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
this ump hates the low strike
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
richbrave,
Should I care about what the tigers style of play?
Folks, this season is gonna be a fun one……..if that guy ross and JF keep it up. Man, I just cant find the weakness on this team. It would be like a dream come true if Soriano turns all this stuff around ……….hope he doesnt goes D trains way out.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
Boyer’s throwing his slider.
Matt
March 29th, 2009
3:52 pm
Norton is an all around better player than Josh Anderson
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
3:52 pm
Doc H.–
Whoa, weird! Sorry about that. I was s’posed to paste “hitting HR is not the same s winning.” after your name, but I guess I forgot. LOL…
Kenny P. That plus his new physique could have McCann in store for a HUGE year.
Yeah! As long as that finger doesn’t cause problems…
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:52 pm
Haha Inge looks like a hobbit.
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
That Thames Guys was strikes out twice
spotts
March 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
I’m loving the club bullets at the end, DOB. Very artistic.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
Chop Chop–
“Ah-ha…hahahaha.” That’s funny. BMac is benched.
Jeff321
March 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
I don’t know if this has been posted yet or not. However, I saw on the MLB ticker that Ohman threw in a simulated game for the Dodgers.
William
March 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
I think the teams looks great. My biggest fear is Chipper’s ability to stay healthy. The cannot have him miss 2 and 3 weeks stretches.
Kenny Powers
March 29th, 2009
3:54 pm
Norton will be on this team. Kenny Powers will put up his house on it.
Matt
March 29th, 2009
3:54 pm
Wonder if Ohman’ss Wife is the one keeping him from signing with a team still.
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
‘course, Corky is hitting .385 with a .692 SLG % this spring, with a couple of homers. Either means back up catchers are a wild card (offensively), or that spring training numbers don’t mean a whole lot.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
3:56 pm
Bench McCann forever.
I want to see a McRoss posting here. Instead of birds, she can talk about possums or something.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
3:56 pm
What a play by Infante………..didnt get the runner but he looked ready for action…….crisp
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
It seems somewhat obvious who we’re going to battle with come April 5th. The question is whether or not we can get something for JA before sending him on a trip over the waiver rainbow.
Daybed Wagmoe
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Way to go Ross! Hey, who needs McCann??
Just kidding, McFann…
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
mbatl,
Don’t kill the dream.
BravesFanChris24
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Ugh those high hoppers.
Epinephrine
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Blaine might give up a run here but he has looked really good.
Jeff321
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Give it up boy extraordinaire Boyer strikes again!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
2 baltimore chops? Are you kidding me? I’d be so livid if that happened in a game.
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
Give that run to the Ump
Random
March 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
f.n.hale —
Hahaha – pretty funny!!!
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
46-37, Michigan State.
10:47 to play.
vabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
Thats tough luck for boyer with 2 high hopper infield singles which scores a run
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:59 pm
Boyer had some tough luck there. he really looked sharp. He will have a great year
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
3:59 pm
and boyer had the leadoff guy struk out
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
Completely agree, Rob from SC.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
Louisville is in trouble
BravesFanChris24
March 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Van Pope hitting now.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Chop Chop Bench McCann forever. I want to see a McRoss posting here.
That’s very amusing…”Hahahaha!”
But that’s also creepy, ’cause we were talking about opossums today. Seriously, though, that was a funny post, uh…as long as you’re kidding…
Daybed W Way to go Ross! Hey, who needs McCann??
……We do!
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
I don’t know why people are so rough on Boyer. First off last year was his first full year pitching in relief. He had a great first half. Then in the offseason he worked out with Smoltz and learned a cutter and slider. He is going to be our future closer. Mayber even later this year
TommyP
March 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
PWHjort: Thanks, buddy. Hadn’t read about that but knew Infante played a little out there.
So am I right in thinking with 4 OFs, 7 IFs and 2 catchers that we’ll carry 4 starters initially and 8 relievers????
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
Rapada looks tough, we should trade for him
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
William,
As I stated days ago……. I think braves can do that by benching him once a week, regardless if there is a day off on that given week……… Benching him once a week means 24 games and you have chipper playing some 138 games. So you reduce the chance of cramps and muscle injuries not to 0 but he will be banged up………thats what i think.
Random
March 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
KC (2:09 pm): “Watching the game on MLBTV, but want to hear Braves announcers. Unfortunately, the radio play by play is way ahead of the delayed visual on MLBTB. So I figured a way to be able to listen to WGST on Gameday Audio, while watching MLBTV. Problem is… Gameday Audio is way BEHIND the video feed on MLBTV. Just gonna have to live with it, I guess.”
I had the same problem here.
I set up a series of mirrors to slow the MLBTB visual down.
You should try that.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
I think that’s right TommyP. I think the 8th reliever will be another LOOGY (we’ll carry Mike Gonzalez and 2 LOOGYs to start the season) at least for the series in Philly because they have so many left-handed hitters.
TommyP
March 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
Rob from SC: I agree 100% about Boyer. He was overworked but what an arm.
I also love Acosta. Throws easy heat.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
Rapada’s mechanics are hilarious. I love it. He hides the ball with his leg-kick.
Dontrell Willis
March 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
Stop talking about me!!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
Haha. Dontrelle Willis. Anytime I need a good laugh I look at his statistics page on baseball-reference.
William
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
Doc: We actually agree on something. It must be Sunday! Yes, I think a day of every 7-10 days would be wise. The thing that makes it hard though, if he is in a typical Chipper grove, it’s hard to rest him. You want to ride the horse when he’s hot. We need him for the long haul though.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
zephyr 8, “recieving”?? Remember, “i” before “e” except AFTER “c”.
Oh my God, this blog is wearing off on me! Man, you can bash me any time you want from now on.
get2dchopper
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
Jeez Dontrelle, you’re so screwed up you can’t even spell your name right?
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
This is my concern of this team..a lot of lefty hitter in line up…Kelly,Mac,2 Anderson,Kotch,..Any good lefty pitcher (Hamel,Santana) can keep this team under.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:09 pm
I can’t see THAT well because of the crappy 400k feed, but it looks like Jeff Bennett is getting some good sink on his fastball. That’s new this spring.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
Kelly, Mac, and Kotchman all hit lefties pretty well.
Random
March 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
ease19 (March 28th, 2009 8:38 pm): ”I mean how many guys have made the AA jump straight into the opening day lineup? (Although I am sure that Random knows).”
Nah, I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ no babies.
larry r
March 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
DOB Given the # of off days in the first two weeks could we not keep both Anderson and Schafer and go with 11 pitchers? We could then try and get Anderson thru waivers when all the clubs have sert roster.
Dontrelle Willis
March 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
Shut up, I’m jonesin’!
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:11 pm
JerseyGil,
You can also consider Chipper a lefty for practical purposes.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:11 pm
The Tigers are supposedly looking for a reliever. You think Bennett just auditioned for his future team?
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:11 pm
Great outing by Bennett. 2 ground balls and ended the inning with a strike out on a fast ball that drew back over the plate.
zephyr 8
March 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
TN Brian,
Thanks for the correction. I did spell the word deceiving wrong. OK i think thats right.
nolie
March 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
can you imagine the stat Gehrig would have if he batted 3rd instead of behind Ruth. He might have driven in 200 runs ROB
not necessarily. Ruth had a very good OBP (.495-one of the best in history) and they weren’t mostly homers, so he was on base ahead of Lou a LOT. I’d guess that a whole buncha Lou’s RBI were the Babe. and he would have had less opportunities the other way around.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
JerseyGil,
Schafer
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
Top 9…weak grounder by Blanco to 2b. 1 out.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
JerseyGil, I’m with you 100%, but get ready for the, “KJ, Kotchman, Mac all hit lefties very well!”, lecture. You’re right, any good lefty can and will keep those guys in check for the most part.
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
Freeman lines out to 3b. 2 out.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
We certainly could use a Manny Ramirez.
zephyr 8
March 29th, 2009
4:15 pm
tnbrian, continued.
and im not gonna bash you. i usually dont post that much.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
zephyr 8, you know I was messin with ya, right?
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
Maybe we could put Norton in to hit a PH HR…….that would be easy, wouldnt it?
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Base hit for Infante to LF. 1 on 2 out.
vabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Up to Jordan to keep it going with Infante on first
zephyr 8
March 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
tn brian,
yeh its cool, it been a long day.
vabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
and he comes through with basehit. runners 1st and 2nd
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Schafer base hit to left. 2 on 2 out. Tying run in scoring position.
David
March 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
Come on Ross
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
We should be playing in Philly tonight! The WBC pushed us back a week which means Game 7 of the 2009 World Series will be played on Jan. 1, 2010 (if nec.)
mbatl
March 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
Doc, “You can also consider Chipper a lefty for practical purposes.”
In ‘08 Chipper hit .394/.478/.561 (wow!) as a RH hitter. A little more HR power as a lefty, but if you’re detailing who in our lineup can hit LHP, I’d include Chipper. (and KJ and McCann, for that matter)
I think we’re a little challenged offensively, in general, but don’t see a big problem with L/R splits.
abwright
March 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
Ross grounds out to end the game. Tigers 5, Braves 4
vabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
hard smash at inge but he gets it over to 2nd to end the game
JerseyGil
March 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
Good game…a lot of fundamental baseball show today
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:21 pm
You mean November 1, 2009. Right? We don’t play major league baseball in December or January.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
4:21 pm
Ross sucks. Start McCann.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
4:24 pm
Whatever, anything past October is way too late!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:24 pm
I think that’s the idea, Chop Chop. And my Michigan State in the National championship pick is looking pretty good right about now.
macon county line
March 29th, 2009
4:28 pm
Louisville down and out. God’s favorite team up next (that is why the sky is Carolina Blue).
Starting with Anderson in CF and JS at AAA makes sense long and short term.
Nice Neil Young song DOB.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:30 pm
Gonna go for a while guys………hope you can do without me in the mean time.
L-TownScrub
March 29th, 2009
4:32 pm
I need some help, I live on the west coast and my cable provider dosent carry MLB xtra innings,is there a web site I can watch the game when I get home from work? Like at 10 pm eastern, so I guess no live… Maybe down load the game?
Matt
March 29th, 2009
4:33 pm
J Anderson isn’t worth all the fuss. It will suck to lose him but we have better options.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
4:33 pm
It’s hard to shoot 34% from the field and 55.6% from the line and expect to win a basketball game. Michigan State was just much more physical than Louisville today. I guess Rick Pitino might wanna give Kentucky a call.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
4:33 pm
Famous “power” RH hitters for the Braves the last 18-19 years:
Gant- Lopez- A.Jones- Chipper- Gallaraga- Shefield- Francoeur- Tex with around the same number of those power lefties in the lineup through these years. The weight has definitely leaned more LH for whatever reason. Schafer/Heyward/Freeman in a year or two makes a lineup of :
Schafer/ KJ/ Jones/ Mac/ Franc./ Heyward/ Freeman/ Escobar… I think with Heyward and Schafer in the mix, Freeman gets packaged in a trade for a power hitting RH 1B.
Random
March 29th, 2009
4:34 pm
PWHjort (2:58 pm): “there’s 3 possibilities for Schafer. Call him up immediately get 6.0 years of service and 3 arbitration years out of him. Call him up after 12 days and get 6.9 years of service and 4 arbitration years. Or call him up after 6-8 weeks and get 6.66 years of service and 3 arbitration years. I’m for option 2.”
Same here — I’m with you. It’s the service time that’s critical, not the arbitration money. (He may not even qualify for Super 2 status, though we all do hope he performs well enough to.)
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
4:37 pm
To all you blog people:
Thanks for letting me hang out today. I’m not sure I understand exactly what the hell this is all about. I’ve made some mad. Others seemed confused with some of my posts.
Some of you are very sensitive. Some of you have no sense of humor. I think you all know which category you fall into.
I didn’t intend to be disruptive or rude by any means, and if I came across as so then I apologize (even though it makes me feel like a liberal.)
Thank you for the tour of a bloggers world!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
4:39 pm
I agree. The notion of November baseball is silly.
Jeff R
March 29th, 2009
4:39 pm
Hate to see the Braves lose Anderson on wavers. Rather see them send Blanco down. No doubt Schafer had the better spring and deserves the startig job, but Anderson is a good CF; keep him on the roster to 1) see how Schafer performs; 2) see if Wren can swing a deal that snags some good talent in return.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
4:40 pm
HEY HOLIDAY:
Meet me down at the O.K. CORRAL. Bring the EARP’s with you.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
4:42 pm
Just got back from clubhouse, decided to stay since we didn’t get Vazquez until bottom of 7th inning. Watched some of the hoops game in the clubhouse. Michigan State handled them pretty thoroughly. Well, if your team’s got to lose, at least it’s good to lose to a team that goes on to the Final Four.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
4:44 pm
G. Anderson no problems with calf. DH’d so he can get more at-bat than if he played the field, since they didn’t want him playing field whole game in first couple days back. He’ll DH again tomorrow, then see about playing in the field soon. He and Bobby both expect him to be in opening day lineup.
Kotchman left after his at-bats, so didn’t get to talk to him. Bobby said Kotchman is still weak, they’re gonna ease him in.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 29th, 2009
4:44 pm
Responding to BlawgDawgs comment’s at 1:45 concerning Frank Wren not making decisions based on the want’s of the fans or the blog.
99 percent of the time this would be accurate. However, Jordan Schafer sells tickets and if 85 percent of the blog want’s Schafer then we have to assume that some of the same people will go to the Braves games to see Jordan Schafer play.
As far as the blog having any impact on the decision making process of the front office. Greg Norton is on the team because Frank Wren saw the wisdom in having such an effective pinch hitter coming off the bench.
KC
March 29th, 2009
4:45 pm
Random, “I set up a series of mirrors to slow the MLBTB visual down.You should try that.”
Yeah, I might try that… but the speed of light might in the way of this otherwise theoretically sound idea. =)
There actually is a device that will delay a radio signal specifically for this purpose. It’s made for sports fans who want to listen to a local radio feed while watching a game, but have trouble with TV satellite delays. However… the last time I checked, the device was about $200. If it were $40, I’d already own it, but $200 is a little more than I am willing to spend to solve this problem.
Random
March 29th, 2009
4:45 pm
THB (3:24 pm): “The game I was referring to was against the Brewers on May 28. He went 7 innings (My bad, thought it was where he gave up 2 hits, 1 walk, striking out 9. In the next four games he pitched a 6 inning 3 run 4 K game, a 7.1 inning, 4 run 8 K game, an 8 inning 2 run 5 K game, and a 7 inning 2 hit 3 K game. Don’t know about anyone else but I though he was looking pretty promising at that time.”
Oh, okay.
Thanks.
KC
March 29th, 2009
4:47 pm
Here is that radio delay device I was talking about… http://www.scannermaster.com/DelayPlay_p/01-561344.htm
jimmy
March 29th, 2009
4:48 pm
DOB why would they not just go with J.Anderson, Frenchy and Jordan in the outfield. GA is a one year deal, been hurt, and no lock to have a solid season anyway. There is room for those four to get a lot of at bats ….
Random
March 29th, 2009
4:50 pm
richbrave (3:33 pm): “Just being random. Glad you took the time to read my thoughts.”
De nada, mi amigo. I’ll miss your AAA updates.
KC
March 29th, 2009
4:50 pm
Coach, in regard to Schafer and ticket sales, I’ll throw something else out there…
Some people were concerned when the Braves moved the AAA club to Gwinnett that it would compete with attendance at The Ted. I haven’t felt it would be too much of an issue there, BUT… if you go loading Gwinnett with Hanson, Schafer, and others who fans will go out of their way to see… The G-Braves just might dent ATL’s attendance just a bit.
Not that this should be a deciding factor in anything… just an observation.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
4:50 pm
richbrave,
OK CORRAL?, that sounds familiar….whatever do you mean….could you give some directions? Sorry but I have been drinking a little bit. hehe
A-Rod
March 29th, 2009
4:52 pm
33/m/NY here…..any females wanna chat?
Steve from OH
March 29th, 2009
4:52 pm
Oh, and welcome back Efrim (from the last blog). Where ya been, man?
Bravetiger
March 29th, 2009
4:53 pm
DOB – Braves play at Lakeland again Wednesday. Is Carroll coming in so you can go home and rest and be ready for opening day?
Schafer's Wafers
March 29th, 2009
4:55 pm
Schafer shows today it is not just all about the bat. Lookin more clear each every day who the CF should and will be.
Cabravesfan
March 29th, 2009
4:56 pm
Love that i am able to blog from my phone while living out DOB’s fantasy (Disneyland with a 19 month old…). Isn’t technology a wonderful thing? Sounds like Francoeur’s power is starting to come around just in time for the season to start…I am feeling cautiously optimistic about this season…things seem to be settling into place nicely…let’s get this thing started!
f.n.hale
March 29th, 2009
5:04 pm
“He can’t hit the bass notes that Johnny could, but he’s good.” – ?
Sorry but I forgot who said this, but it reminded me of something my dearly departed dad used to say about Johnny… “His bass notes were so low you could smell the *stuff that Bobby Cox said yesterday* on his breath”
your name
March 29th, 2009
5:07 pm
your comments
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
5:09 pm
It was nice to go all day without hearing some ignorant bufoon say something like “Fire Bobby!”
brian
March 29th, 2009
5:09 pm
the only solace I have for wake forest is the Kansas example. Didn’t they lose in the first round to Bucknell or somebody before they won the title a few years later.
losin to cleveland state is embarrasing. Not showing up for the game and losing is even worse.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
5:14 pm
Chop Chop–
Aw, well you didn’t have to go that far…
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
5:18 pm
Could anybody please fire Bobby to make some people happy?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 29th, 2009
5:18 pm
KC, The new Gwinnett Braves stadium has a seating capacity of ten thousand with additional room for fans to sit on the berm behind center field. Whether or not the AAA team impacts the Braves Turner field attendance remains to be seen?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 29th, 2009
5:29 pm
Doc, My belief is that nobody in the Braves front office want’s to fire Bobby Cox nor would they if given the choice. The man is an institution.
Personally, I believe that Cox has cost this team and organization more than they will ever know. He is the fourth winningest manager all time (2,327 wins). Cox has also lost more post season games than any other manager in ML history. He is one for five in the WS and 5-6 in LCS series. Cox is also the dean of all big league managers and is universally respected. He is a first ballot slam dunk HOF inductee. The players and fans simply love the man and I do too.
It is what it is. Got to take the good with the bad and vise versa.
Random
March 29th, 2009
5:30 pm
BravesFanChris24: ”Ugh those high hoppers.”
Epinephrine: ”Blaine might give up a run here but he has looked really good.”
Jeff321: “Give it up boy extraordinaire Boyer strikes again!”
PWHjort: ”2 baltimore chops? Are you kidding me? I’d be so livid if that happened in a game.”
JerseyGil: ”Give that run to the Ump”
vabravesfan: ”Thats tough luck for boyer with 2 high hopper infield singles which scores a run”
Jeff321: “Give it up boy extraordinaire Boyer strikes again!”
Rob from SC: ”Boyer had some tough luck there. he really looked sharp. He will have a great year”
Rob from SC: ”and boyer had the leadoff guy struk out”
PWHjort: ”Completely agree, Rob from SC.”
Jeff321: “Give it up boy extraordinaire Boyer strikes again!”
Rob from SC: ”I don’t know why people are so rough on Boyer. First off last year was his first full year pitching in relief. He had a great first half. Then in the offseason he worked out with Smoltz and learned a cutter and slider. He is going to be our future closer. Mayber even later this year”
Jeff321: “Am I suppose to forget all the terrible pitching he did last year? Who cares if he was good until fatigue set in? Its all about my last memories.”
TommyP: ”Rob from SC: I agree 100% about Boyer. He was overworked but what an arm.
“I also love Acosta. Throws easy heat.”
Jeff321: “I love the Braves, dude. Actually I like everyone except Cox, Frenchy, Boyer, Acosta, Bennett, and Soriano.”
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
5:35 pm
It’s nice to see that Ohman’s huge ego has been noticed by a HOF manager in Torre. Torre bascally said, in his own words, Ohman looks rusty against minor leaguers. While Ohman’s ego thinks he’ll be ready for opening day. I don’t have much regard for him and his attitude of hm thinking he’s better than what he really is. Dude shoulda taken Atl. offer months ago!
Buzz Meat
March 29th, 2009
5:39 pm
“I think with Heyward and Schafer in the mix, Freeman gets packaged in a trade for a power hitting RH 1B.”
Freeman IS a 1st Baseman….
Random
March 29th, 2009
5:41 pm
PWHjort (4:04 pm): “I think that’s right TommyP. I think the 8th reliever will be another LOOGY (we’ll carry Mike Gonzalez and 2 LOOGYs to start the season) at least for the series in Philly because they have so many left-handed hitters.”
With you again — my thoughts exactly.
Random
March 29th, 2009
5:43 pm
PWHjort (4:14 pm): “We certainly could use a Manny Ramirez.”
Okay, now you’re just tryin’ to start sumpin’.
(Agreed, btw.)
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
5:44 pm
Coach……..there was some sarcasm on my comment about cox
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
5:45 pm
Buzz, I know that Freeman IS a 1st baseman!
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
5:50 pm
Every team could use a Manny! But there are only 4 teams that can afford him, duh!
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 29th, 2009
5:50 pm
Speaking of the bullpen. The Braves non-starters have run up the three highest inning totals in Atlanta Braves history during the previous three seasons.
2006: 512.1 innings
2007: 539.1 innings
2008:554.1 innings
Leo Mazzone left after the 2005 season. 2009 will be telling, especially when considering all the starting pitching that has been acquired.
Giggidy!
March 29th, 2009
5:56 pm
4:37 post:
Some of you have no sense of humor.
Sean O'Hair
March 29th, 2009
6:02 pm
I can’t believe I’m standing next to Tiger woods. It’s Tiger Freakin’ Woods!
Sean O'Hair
March 29th, 2009
6:03 pm
He’s really not that good. Been playin from the cabbage all day.
Ed
March 29th, 2009
6:05 pm
Haven’t read through the posts yet, but couldn’t wait to express my opinion on Bobby hitting KJ in the leadoff position. He’s definitely not a leadoff hitter but Bobby seems to have this love affair with Kelly. Pesonally I think Prado would prove to be a better hitter and he’s absolutely a better fielder. Regardless, KJ’s not a leadoff type…how many bases has he stolen? He’s not even fast…so what gives?
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
6:07 pm
Giggidy, you’re obviously that chicken s- blogger that hides behind a computer to get out your anger on people. It’s the only way you can do it, huh puss?!
Fleming
March 29th, 2009
6:08 pm
ed – wrong Prado is not a better hitter nor fielder.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
6:10 pm
Ed, you’re right…it just doesn’t work. Bobby is stubborn and really believes his patience will pay off 99% of the time. Maybe, or hope is more like it, Cox will realize this soon and put Schafer there come opening day on.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:11 pm
Ed, everything you said in that post is pretty much 100% wrong.
Frank from KS
March 29th, 2009
6:17 pm
Ya know, Earl Weaver only won 1 World Series and never has gotten as much crap as Bobby has. There’s a lot of similarites(sp) between Bobby and Earl Weaver.
On another note….Weaver also had 3 damn good starters to go to the hill for the O’s as Bobby has had for the Braves…..Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, and Mike Cuellar. They were the Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux of that time as far as the job they did on the mound.
spotts
March 29th, 2009
6:18 pm
the last 2 posts:
TnBrian“Ed, you’re right”
PWHjort“Ed, everything you said in that post is pretty much 100% wrong”
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
6:19 pm
A hit. The MAKERS MARK afternoon. Roll on DOC.
And RANDOM. Me too good buddy. McFANN was promising at the end of last season to provide the great unwashed here some of that kind o’ thing from GWINNETT. How about that young lady. Gonna’ get us up to speed on the AAA happenings?
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
6:25 pm
spotts,
Flip a coin. That’s what I do.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:25 pm
I almost peed my pants when I saw this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itgcNy3L_Xc
spotts
March 29th, 2009
6:29 pm
haha, Latarian….check YouTube. I’m pretty sure there’s another news video of him getting into trouble again.
keylargo
March 29th, 2009
6:29 pm
I think it is wrong that some posters were “laughing” at Dontrelle Willis and his problems. He was one of the most promising pitchers to come throught the Marlins system until Jack McKeon and Joe Giradi completely ran the man into the ground in 2003 through 2006. He was and still is a good teammate and person.
You people out there demanding that the Braves rush Hanson through the minors and into the rotation should take a look at what 1000 innings in your first five years can to you both physically and mentally.
Boring Sunday
March 29th, 2009
6:31 pm
Golf quotes that sound dirty but aren’t:
“He’s buried under the lip”
“He’s got a look at it from below the hole.”
“There’s nothing like being in position and performing. You can’t be at your best unless you’ve been there before.”
“He went back to the basics that his dad taught him.”
“Some guys finish more naturally than others, ya know. You just have to get good at it.”
As heard on NBC’s coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. (Okay, so there was some subtle paraphrasing)
Boring Sunday
March 29th, 2009
6:34 pm
4:37 post: “Some of you are very sensitive.”
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
6:40 pm
PWHjort, how is Kelly a good leadoff hitter. Besides the fact that when he changes his approach from being too aggressive, to not aggressive enough, to really screwing up his game at the plate and defensively, he’s just not a speedy “leadoff type” hitter. He runs the bases very well, and we haven’t seen nearly enough of Schafer to know much, but Schafer is faster, doesn’t hit for much power, but seems to k too much. KJ needs to be in the 7-8 spot so he can be more aggressive which should raise his power #’s.
The Most Interesting Man in the World
March 29th, 2009
6:40 pm
keylargo,
You intrigue me.
Dale Murphy's Mole
March 29th, 2009
6:41 pm
OK, PWH, we may disagree on Norton vs. J. Anderson, but we can agree that Latarian Milton rocks. Now I’m of to do some hoodrat stuff.
Boring Sunday
March 29th, 2009
6:44 pm
Damn, that mole talks alot. I’d have had it removed by now!
f.n.hale
March 29th, 2009
6:44 pm
Anyone here have a subscription to Bill James website? I don’t mind paying $3 a month for quality and Bill James is one of the smartest guys around, but does that translate to value on his site?
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:44 pm
Anyone that gets on base a lot is a good leadoff hitter. I don’t think Kelly’s our best leadoff hitter, I think Escobar or Blanco is, but KJ is certainly a better hitter than Martin Prado, no matter where you bat him. Batting order doesn’t really matter all that much.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
6:45 pm
Oklahoma is 0-for-14 behind the arc today. They are shooting 57% from the line and 38% from the field. Yikes.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:47 pm
I subscribe to Bill’s site. You get a very extensive statistics section, some of which can’t be found anywhere else, you can ask Bill questions that he’ll respond to about 20% of the time. You get to see his articles and columns first. There’s a few other writers that do great work that publish their stuff there. There’s also a really good community there. Overall, I say it’s well worth the 36$/year.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:48 pm
Bill James isn’t nearly as smart as a ton of people in the sabermetric community. But, he started it all and he’s the most creative, innovative, and level-headed writer I’ve ever read. Talk about a guy who sifts through the bullsh*t and tells it like it is.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
6:49 pm
When will cox understand that KJs place is 6th or 7th? I wonder …………If Anderson and Schafer are both in the lineup……..where will KJ hit? 8th is my guess but Im not cox (thank god)
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
6:50 pm
I’ve never seen it before, but I’ll predict that Bill James has a 0.78 ROR for his website.
(ROR = Rip-Off Rate)
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
6:52 pm
The game itself isn’t quite as one-sided as the Griffin-Hansbrough matchup.
But seriously, the “dunk” attempt while ago by Hansbrough … what WAS that?
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
6:54 pm
I like Kelly Johnson hitting 5th.
spotts
March 29th, 2009
6:56 pm
at least I’ll have ONE team in the Final Four (UNC)
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
6:58 pm
Just saw the Guitar Hero Metallica commercial with the pants-less coaches. Very funny.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:04 pm
Another thing that’s come from my BJOL (Bill James Online) subscription: I’m in a very unique fantasy baseball league with 9 other BJOL readers. We made up a far out set of rules and it should be very interesting. Although I drank too much last night and overslept for about 2/3 of the draft. I still don’t hate my team, but that was disappointing.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
7:06 pm
That’s the first time I’ve seen that commercial, DOB. The sad thing is that the guys in Metallica are all in their mid-forties. When “Guitar Hero: Jonas Brothers” comes out, I’ll just check myself into rehab.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
7:07 pm
On second thought, why should I check myself into rehab when my reaction would be perfectly normal?
Boring Sunday
March 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
More golf quotes:
“He’ll be surprised to find out where his ball is.”
Sean O’Hair: “Do I have to do anything with it?”
His caddie: “Yeah, you have to hit it!”
And then he chokes.
f.n.hale
March 29th, 2009
7:09 pm
PWHjort, thanks for the info. I might question whether a lot of those guys are smarter than Bill though. There may be guys more advanced in sabermetrics, and I think there are, but I’ve read thing he’s written about other stuff and he seems like a pretty well rounded intelligent guy. $3 a month isn’t a lot of money to spend but more and more we’re seeing people charging for a service which may or may not have value and often you can’t know until you’ve spent the money. Can I assume it’s ad free since I’m paying for the service?
Boring Sunday
March 29th, 2009
7:11 pm
LOL! “ad free”, good one!
KC
March 29th, 2009
7:11 pm
I don’t know who the hell Gennaro Filice is. I only know 2 things about him. 1) He decided the Power Rankings for SI.com, and 2) He’s an idiot.
He ranks the Braves 24th out of 30 teams. That’s probably the most F**king idiotic thing an a national sports media person will say all year.
I think the Braves are now, on paper, on the level with Phili and NY… I really do. But I don’t have a problem with those who don’t feel the same way. That’s fine. And while I may disagree, I understand where people are coming from in the way they view the Braves.
But 24th out of 30??? This guy is either not paying attention (even though that’s what he gets paid to to)… OR he’s an imbecile.
Rachel Ray
March 29th, 2009
7:14 pm
What do you mean I can’t eat it?
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:14 pm
yes, it is an ad-free site. Bill is street-smart. He’s not trained in advanced mathematics or economics, though, like a lot of the super-smart ivory tower genius sabermetricians.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
7:19 pm
Chop Chop: What is Jonas Brothers, a clothing company?
Dontrelle Willis
March 29th, 2009
7:19 pm
I dont need nobody to feel sorry for me. you try smokin weed for 6 months and then stoppin cold turkey. it anziety stuff
f.n.hale
March 29th, 2009
7:19 pm
“I drank too much last night and overslept for about 2/3 of the draft.” – PWHjort
Hope that teetotaler guy that got on me this morning didn’t read that post. Could get ugly.
I sooo don’t have time for fantasy baseball but find the concept fascinating. Just interested in intelligent opinions.
Chop Chop
March 29th, 2009
7:22 pm
I believe that Jonas Brothers is a manure wholesaler.
Tiger Woods
March 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
I’m so stupid! Geez, anywhere but the bunker!
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
Richbrave–
Gonna try my best! And we should be at Opening Night on April 17!
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:26 pm
Here’s my admittedly amateur rankings:
1) Red Sox
Angels
2) Yankees
3) Rays
4) Cubs
5) Diamondbacks
6) Mets
7) Phillies
9) Braves
10) Dodgers
11) Twins
12) A’s
13) Indians
14) Reds
15) Giants
16) Tigers
17) Rangers
18) Cardinals
19) Brewers
20) Marlins
21) Royals
22) Nationals
23) Rockies
24) White Sox
25) Astros
26) Mariners
27) Orioles
28) Blue Jays
29) Pirates
30) Padres
f.n.hale
March 29th, 2009
7:28 pm
“I think it is wrong that some posters were “laughing” at Dontrelle Willis and his problems” – keylargo
I’ve always liked Dontrelle and feel for him and truly hope he can overcome his problems whether that translates to continuing success in baseball or not. I’ve known people with anxiety issues and have some minor ones myself, and I agree he was way overused by the so-called braintrust in Florida when he came up which damaged him physically. Having said all that, I feel guilty sometimes but I get a lot of laughs from sick humor. Not proud of it but I do. Remember a few years back one of the Phillies had some kind of emotional problems and his teammates called him Dahmer?
KC
March 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
PWHjort, those rankings look reasonable to me. I haven’t paid close attention to many teams outside of the NL East. The only thing I feel supremely confident in saying is that the Braves are now at least in the same neighborhood as the Phils and Mets, and that the Braves certainly belong in the top 8-10 in any power ranking. I think your rankings make a hell of a lot more sense than the one put together by that douche at SI.com.
Salamander
March 29th, 2009
7:38 pm
Music:
The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album “It’s Blitz!” is pretty good… they have transitioned well into making pop records apparently.
On a more interesting note, the new Tombs album “Winter Hours” is awesome… if you’re into metal of course.
I kinda like the new Zu album – “Carboniferous.” Its a decent blend of noise rock with metal elements. Not brilliant (wtb more vocals), but it has its moments.
And for the third time on this blog – I’m plugging the Black Lip’s latest, “200 Million Thousand.” It took me a while to get in to, but now its stuck on my playlist permanently.
The latest Mastodon album is good and will almost certainly propel them to rock-god status (if they didn’t have that already). However, I prefer their sound from about 5 year ago when they released “Leviathan” (seriously, maybe my favorite metal record of all time), but the new album “Crack the Skye” is still great – if a bit too clean for me with nice vocals and lots of actual singing, etc.
You can really hear Mastodon’s southern-rock roots on “Crack the Skye,” which is not a bad thing. Also, they released a special edition of the album with an all instrumental version of every song – very cool.
spotts
March 29th, 2009
7:39 pm
Chop Chop – kudos on your 7:22. Very funny
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:44 pm
The CHONE power rankings/standings: http://www.baseballprojection.com/2009standings.htm
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
7:47 pm
PWHjort (7:26), I thought your rankings were pretty good. Personally, I would have the Diamondbacks lower, and both the Marlins and Cardinals higher. But that’s just my opinion. I also thought Ethiopia was a lock to win the gold in the men’s hockey, during the last winter olympics.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:49 pm
There’s probably a lot of problems with my rankings. Don’t use them for anything you put money on or quote me on them, lol.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
7:54 pm
Tiger Woods is unbelievable!!!
jonatuga
March 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
TIGER wow
Norm MacDonald as Sean O'Hair
March 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
Note to self:
Shoot par on Sunday.
Metropolitan Man1
March 29th, 2009
7:56 pm
As a braves blog reader and partime poster but lifetime Mets fan, I think its fitting for the philthies to raise the W.S. banner in the braves precense. Will the philthies give honorable mention to the braves for laying down for them in 08′? One has to wonder. When Boston finalyl won it all, they recieved their WS rings before a game against the stankees and it was priceless. Lets see how much the philthies rub it in as reigning champs.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
7:56 pm
Thanks for the warning, PWHjort. I’m still in hock from that hockey bet.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
7:58 pm
Metropolitan Man1, you haven’t heard about the conspiracy the Braves were in on in order to make sure the Mets didn’t make the playoffs last year? Lay down for the Phillies but put our best effort forward against the Mets. That’s been our MO for the last 2 years.
KC
March 29th, 2009
8:02 pm
There seems to be something of a consensus in the national media that the Braves now have a very good, and very deep. rotation.
Some don’t think much of the bullpen. Some think a lot of the bull IF HEALTHY, but aren’t certainly whether it can remain healthy.
And most in the national media think the Braves are offensive lightweights.
In my opinion, they are correct that the Brave have a very good rotation. And the people who say “very good bullpen IF HEALTHY” are right on target. However, I think they are wrong about this offense.
This Atlanta offense is going to be better than many think.
No, there’s no 35 HR guy here. BUT… If Schafer wins the CF job, the Braves might not have a single slot in the lineup from which they don’t get at least .280, and 15 or so homeruns.
Assuming Schafer holds his own, the Braves have quality, professional hitters with pop all the way up in down the order. This is a lineup that very well could get .280 35 homers, 160 RBI, 75 doubles from the bottom to slots in the order (combined, of course). You’ve got a pretty damned deep lineup when you have choose your 7th and 8th hitters from Schafer, KJ, Escobar, and Kotchman.
Truthfully, this is same type of lineup the ‘98 Yankees featured. No 30 HR hitters anywhere on the team, but professional hitters all the way up and down the order. Guys who could hit for average, and could take you deep if you weren’t careful. That’s exactly what ATL has. Now… the Yankees ‘98 team was better offensively than this team, primarily because they also had a good bit of speed… but I their offense was particularly highly thought of heading into the ‘98 season, because they didn’t have that 30-40 HR guy in the lineup. Sound familiar?
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
8:02 pm
PWHjort, you mean it’s OK to tell them about that now?
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
8:04 pm
Agreed, KC. We also have the best bench in the NL. Which the media completely ignores because it’s a bench. However, the bench is sometimes the difference between playing golf or baseball in October.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
8:05 pm
Well said, KC.
pryguy
March 29th, 2009
8:13 pm
Hansborough’s dunk attempt is the new form of dunking as seen in the dunk contest by Dwight Howard in 2008. A new aged way to score a flashy, risky, stupid bucket. I was entertained by his efforts nonetheless.
BravesFan InRockies (IbleedCarolinablue)
March 29th, 2009
8:18 pm
This Tar Heel team looks awfully good heading to Ford Field. Roy’s Boys played some pretty good D. Made Griffin work hard and for the most part shut down everyone else. Nova could smoke ‘em — those guys really can defend — but the Heels look strong.
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
8:18 pm
PWjort – Angels just know how to win, I rate them near the top
Bosox
Angels
I think are top 2 with that exciting Tampa team 3rd
Yanks are the big ??
Nl East – I seriously have no idea
fn hale – going to test drive the Taurus and Edge tomorrow, the missus hates Jeeps so that narrows the range somewhat
BravesFan InRockies (IbleedCarolinablue)
March 29th, 2009
8:19 pm
The good news about that stupid dunk attempt by Hansbrough … no one will remember the dunk that Danny Green muffed.
TexasBrave
March 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Well I just found out that you can’t win with one good player, it takes a team. Have to give props to the UNC boys for their defense, but my Sooners just couldn’t hit the jump shots tonight.
I know it’s a pipe dream, but I hope Blaine Griffin comes back for another year. Perhaps we could give him some support to make a run at a final 4.
Metropolitan Man1
March 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
PWHjort: Mets fans had that figured out. We just want to make sure that the secret alliance/conspiracy isn’t in effect for 09′. What do those initials stand for?
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
KC – I would love to agree yet I continue to see us failing (and flailing) against higbh quality nos 1-2 type pitchers and in the NL EAST we have the 2 beasts in Hamels and Santana to beat plus a good Fish rotation etc etc
I really like the new rotation, am terrified by our closer and some of the bullpen are very shaky (MOYLAN should close, and no I am not saying that because we are from the same town) ….. plus KJ worries me defensively……..
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
8:26 pm
Eh, the Angels seem like they’re going to have injury troubles this year. And I don’t trust their on-field strategies will work this year.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
8:30 pm
McFANN:
Tip of my cap and many thanx to you in advance. Looking forward to it. Maybe you can build this into a tradition throughout the BRAVES farm system. I’ll do what I can from NORFOLK and DANVILLE. GIL in MECHANICSVILLE and I are gonna’ be in D.C. for the APRIL 21 game. DADGUM is here in town also. Maybe between us a few games here and there. I’ll see if there’s any radio reception here in RICHMOND from either city too. How about MISSISSIPPI, MYRTLE, ROME and GULF COAST? Anybody wanna’ do stats and updates on the farm system’s games and personnel for the regulars here?
winterville
March 29th, 2009
8:34 pm
PWHjort
Who all did you end up with in your fantasy league? I just made a trade in mine. I traded Joel Hanrahan for Pablo Sandoval. Do you know anything about Sandoval. I had plenty of closers.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
8:36 pm
TexasBRAVE:
Gonna’ be a lot of disappointed NBA fans and bloggers if he doesn’t.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
DOGS:
Did you see my recommendations on the previous DOB blog re: AMERICAN autos.
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
PWHjort,
If Mc is hitting 4th I think KJ cant hit 5th……JF is the righty that should go there. I never thought I would say this………but by the way JF is hitting…….we might get to see him hitting 4th behind chipper. That would be the perfect scenario and Mc 5th
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
8:39 pm
richbrave – no, I will go back and check, I had to go to a 50th birthday party for the g/f’s best g/f
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
8:40 pm
PWHjort,
I like your rankings……..but I think braves have a good chance to be ranked at least 5th by the end of may
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
8:40 pm
Cool. Made three seperate posts as I remember.
Gibby
March 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
Winterville, I am a long time fantasy geek having played fantasy games long before the internet and you needed baseball weekly to track your stats.
You made a good deal getting Sandoval, and a very good deal if he is eligible as a catcher in your league, He will help you in Average, hits and RBI. Possibly in HR’s. The kid rakes
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
Trading pitching for hitting in general is a good fantasy strategy since pitching is a lot more volatile and really easy to find on the waiver wires. I think that was a good trade for you. Sandoval is a legit and he’s eligible for 1B, 3B, and C, I believe.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
8:41 pm
Richbrave–
You’re welcome. I’m excited! Hope we luck out and Hanson pitches–that would be sweet!
We drove by the stadium a couple weeks ago after we made our monthly trip to the bird food store. It looks really cool1 Couldn’t see the field from the street, though.
Salamander
March 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
KC
You make some good points, and it does seem like the media looks at the Braves and blows off their offensive potential… that said, I’m not nearly as optimistic as many on this blog. The NL East is a tough division, and the Braves absolutely have a legitimate shot at winning the division/wild card, but I could write that same sentence for at least two other teams in the division, and it would be foolish to ignore the Marlins as well (the Nationals can go ahead and start digging their graves because they will be DOA).
Washington aside, the rest of the division will be locked into a tooth and nail fight to the finish, and ultimately, pitching depth may very well win this division.
For me the biggest questions for the Braves are:
(1) The bullpen – I’m wary of the Braves RP unit. It looks injury-prone and reliant on guys coming back from surgery. No, signing Ohman doesn’t fix the problem. I see issues up and down the bullpen roster – mostly because of injury potential.
(2) Can Chipper play more than 120 games? This is a no-brainer question. He makes everyone better and his mere presence assures that other guys in the lineup will see better pitches to hit.
(3) A combination of players “taking the next step” (KJ, Kotchman, and Esco in particular) or bouncing back (in Francoeur’s case).
(4) Perhaps the most important – how well will the Braves play within their own division. They have to beat the Phillies and Nationals more than they did last year… It was just ugly to watch some of those games against “the players in red jerseys.”
The braves were the Phillies prison bit–es last year. That has to change.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
If Frenchy really has improved his game and will draw walks and hit for power, I don’t have a problem with him hitting 5th. I personally like the following line-ups:
Casey Kotchman
VS LHP:
1) Yunel Escobar
2) Jordan Schafer
3) Chipper Jones
4) Brian McCann
5) Jeff Francoeur
6) Kelly Johnson
7) Matt Diaz
and against RHP:
1) Jordan Schafer
Casey Kotchman
2) Yunel Escobar
3) Chipper Jones
4) Brian McCann
5) Kelly Johnson
6) Jeff Francoeur
7) Garret Anderson
Random
March 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
PWHjort (4:39 pm): “The notion of November baseball is silly.”
That’s rather borealocentic, don’t you think?
In fact, the next WBC oughta be during Jan/Feb, in Sydney, Capetown, Rio and Honolulu.
Smyrna Jim
March 29th, 2009
8:49 pm
Richbrave,
You asked last week (very late one night) about my Old Dominion connections, and I don’t know if you saw my answer. I graduated from W&M in ‘76 (MEd from VCU), lived in Richmond and/or Mechanicsville (taught at L-D for nine years) until I moved here six years ago (it was a trip here to see Maddux pitch that inspired my new (at the time) wife and me to relocate here). I caught Smoltz’s first game at Shea 20 years ago as a fortuitous conjunction of following him with the R-Braves and being in NY at the right time.
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
8:53 pm
richbrave – who owns BUICK ?
just found your old posts…… I will check it out tomorrow
thanks
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
8:55 pm
Drunken poster. I will apologize now for being offensive. Hard to type drunk on an iphone. DOB…….musicwise Whiskeytown and Allison Krause are perfect. Mason Jennings ain’t bad either. I’ll be at the Ted on the 11th and 12th in the Chophouse. With my new wife who just happens to be the greatest person to ever occupy space on this earth. No offense meant to anyone. I have finally started to post. Coach, Lew, Ns, Random. Mcfann…….I enjoy your perspectives. You too 18. Anders….. I hate Laguardia but I love Manhattan. I have to finish cooking dinner. Hope I don’t boil myself. The absolute best words I have ever read on this blog…….your and idiot. Classic
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
8:56 pm
PW – Garret hits 2,4 or 5 me thinks
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
8:57 pm
Random, that’s rather what???
bravesfan54
March 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Be mindful, bloggers, that there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
(Just one example: The 1959 Chisox went to the World Series with a team BA of around .221 – of course, they didn’ win, and, I know that the the LA Dodgers had great pitching, the mound was higher, blah, blah, blah…).
Doc Holiday
March 29th, 2009
9:04 pm
PWHjort,
I have to agree on lineups except………I wouldnt switch Jordan ever with Yunel……..you leave your speedy guy hitting 1st always.
On second thought……..yunel is such an aggressive runner, that it might not be a problem doing that switch……maybe its a very good call.
Random
March 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
Boring Sunday (6:44 pm): “Damn, that [Dale Murphy's] mole talks alot. I’d have had it removed by now!”
Yeah.
Plus, we’d prob’ly get a more balanced perspective from David Justice’s Mole.
TooBusy?
March 29th, 2009
9:12 pm
TIN BRAIN
Is that you baby cursing on the blog again? You sure are a crude rude punk, but that’s how I love ‘em. I wonder if anybody else on the board loves to get talked dirty to all the time like I do. What do you think sweetie. You must think they all like it since you do it so often to others and have just ignored me, your greatest fan, after teasing me with nasty talk and getting me all hot and bothered. It seems like you not only have a nasty temper, but you’re fickle too. But such is my curse I have always had such rotten taste in men. Sigh. C’mon darling, you know I’m never too busy for you.
Random
March 29th, 2009
9:13 pm
Tom O’Hawke –
Sorry — I was showin’ off.
I meant something like “Northern Hemisphere-ocentric” (’cause the seasons are reversed south of the equator), and snagged “borealo-” from the Northern Lights’ Aurora Borealis (vice Aurora Australis — Southern Lights).
Mea culpa — I won’t do it (much) again.
anyonerememberlimelight
March 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
DOB,
Thought you might like to know that Breaking Bad, has a very similar plot to a real life scene in Atlanta from 1987 to 1990. Seems that a certain Chem Professor from UNC was manufacturing the most potent pure Meth that anyone had seen. Pure white and no burn. It was flown in from Charlotte and made its way to the public via Dudleys off Old National Hwy and a few select trucking firms located in the outskirts of Hartsfield. The brewer never got caught, but the trucker did when he had an accident in PA and the FEDS discovered his product in the Diesel tank. It was quite a day when the old professer was coming to town..
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
9:22 pm
Um…Thanks, Salt Life.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Random, I thought it was a term for people that had a major fixation with pig’s feet.
Only kidding. That was a hell of a word. It comes from Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind. Myself, I would have used, anti-australocentric. See, I can show off, too. By the way, you had a typo. You left out the ‘r’.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
TOO BUSY?
Avast there TOO BUSY? Well blow me down mate-ie.
Random
March 29th, 2009
9:29 pm
KC (7:11 pm): “I don’t know who the hell Gennaro Filice is. I only know 2 things about him. 1) He decided the Power Rankings for SI.com, and 2) He’s an idiot.
“He ranks the Braves 24th out of 30 teams. That’s probably the most F**king idiotic thing an a national sports media person will say all year.”
Well, at least it’s not as bad as BP’s Davenport predicting that Kawakami would be “an above average NL pitcher” when we all know he’s gonna be “WELL above average”.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
SMYRNA JIM:
I did JIM, but life called, and I got sidetracked after and it slipped my mind. Thanx. Sorry for the no response. Always wanted to go to WILLIAM and MARY. Never had top drawer grades and in the end I didn’t even try. No money anyway. Ended up working two jobs forty-five hours a week and going to FREDERICK COLLEGE in PORTSMOUTH, Va. full-time. Finished in four years though. Wanted to take a COLONIAL HISTORY major at W&M. Did you know VCU just broke 40,000 enrollment this academic year? Biggest school in the state.
Random
March 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
PWHjort (7:49 pm): “There’s probably a lot of problems with my rankings.”
You mean like your sickly manlove for the
Angels?
(You and dogsbrekky.)
(JK)
PS: And what’s with you and
Kotchman???
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
9:39 pm
Mcfann. Sorry. Didn’t mean to be creepy. That’s what I got from the um. I love Baves basball and all who share the Sam passion.
KC
March 29th, 2009
9:42 pm
Salamander, yes… bullpen health is an issue. However, the Braves are sound at the closer position, both in terms of health and performance. And that’s obviously huge. As for the setup position, it appears that Moylan is just fine, and the Braves say they expect Soriano to be ready (though, I agree with most of you that he’s the shakiest element health-wise).
Personally, I think that if the Braves have just one of those two healthy at all times, the bullpen will be very good. IF the Braves are fortunate enough to have BOTH healthy most of the year, this could be the best ‘pens in baseball. IF…
Anyway, in short, I think they’re strong and sound at Closer, and have solid pieces for the lesser bullpen roles. If they can’t bank on Moylan OR Soriano, they might have to deal for a quality 8th inning guy later in the season. I think they’ll be ok, but they might have to do that, and if they do, they’ve got plenty of trading chips.
So I’m not really worries about it the ‘pen. The health of Soriano and Moylan will determine whether this is a good enough bullpen… or a great one. But either way, I think will be adequate at the least.
As for the offense… is there really any doubt left about Francoeur? And I don’t think they necessarily need anyone to “take the next step” (though that would obviously be a huge plus)… They just need to do what we know they’re capable of.
If KJ and Kotchman each give us .280+, 15-20 RBI, and 75+ RBI… and .280+ and 13 HR or better from Escobar… that’ll be just fine. And we know for a fact that they’re capable of at least those numbers.
If everyone in this lineup does what we know they’re capable of doing, this is going to be a very solid offense. Certainly adequate if the pitching performs up to exceptions.
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
9:42 pm
Sam. same. Sorry. Drunk.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
9:42 pm
DOGS:
Sorry, went to see the WIZARDS finish against INDIANA. No ARENAS. No defense, and not enough offense. They lose 124-113. BUICK is manufactured by GENERAL MOTORS. “MAD DOG” is inspirational I’ll admit. Best of the lot in my book although JOHN is a close, close second.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
9:43 pm
hadn’t watched Family Guy in a while. Watched it tonight. Hilarious….
Salamander, Black Lips playing here tomorrow night in Orlando. if I’m awake, I might go. But it’s a haul downtown this late in spring. These early morning wakeups and not getting to bed early enough are wearing the old man down…
Hey, how’s the new Mastodon compared to Blood Mountain? I was about to buy the new one last week, but instead, because I hadn’t seen anything yet about the new Mastodon yet, I got the remastered 20th anniversary Beasties’ Paul’s Boutique and the expanded version of Pearl Jam’s Ten that just came out.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
9:44 pm
SALTLIFE:
Not “SON OF SAM?” Now that IS CREEPY.
spotts
March 29th, 2009
9:48 pm
I didn’t see tonight’s Family Guy, but I’ve found the show’s really gone downhill the past couple years.
Smyrna Jim
March 29th, 2009
9:53 pm
Richbrave – thanks for the update. I have no clue what VCU’s enrollment was when I wandered through 25 years ago, but it was certainly a lot less. What’s the status of building a new stadium downtown? I periodically check the T-D online, and I can’t keep track of the ups and downs of what’s going on with that.
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
Richbrave. Can’t believe they never convicted that guy
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
9:58 pm
SALTLIFE:
Dude be happy, you’re free. Ha! Jus’ kiddin’.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Last weeks was the funniest one since the Surfin’ Bird one.
Rob from SC
March 29th, 2009
10:01 pm
Lost in today’s game was how great boyer looked. He walked a guy that he had struck out. the two cheap infield hits. He looked very good.
We should trade for Clay Rapada. He looked tough on LH batters
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
I don’t think Clay Rapada is a dispensable piece of the Tigers’ club.
McFann :Ô:
March 29th, 2009
10:04 pm
Salt Life Sorry. Didn’t mean to be creepy.
LOL…that’s OK.
Night, all! Let’s let BMac sit one more day!
Bubdylan
March 29th, 2009
10:06 pm
“I love Baves basball and all who share the Sam passion.” -Salt Life
Dude, how many fingers am I holding up? (holds up twhree fingers…)
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
Ire Ire. Rich. My red beans and rice probably do not comare to Emrils but they ain’t bad Good for me if you guys are ever down by the river, drop in. Christians don’t miss church on Easter and baseball fans don’t miss opening day. Drunk. Good night now
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
10:18 pm
Bub. I’m so glad you chimed in. I corrected my drunk spelling, but you, my friend, can correct me anytime. If it sounds like I am trying to be a smartass, I am not. I have had much respect for your knowledge and wit for many months. You may go in peace.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
10:21 pm
SMYRNAJOE:
The new mayor has decided to burn another $100,000 and re-do the old study using the same team of analysts. Does that sound like progress to you – aside from the double payday for the frigging statistical and engineering group? Nothings been decided, and the general malaise here regarding baseball has not changed one iota. Early summer is now the call for some hard decisions. Good thing the BRAVES didn’t keep waiting.
Our major league is NASCAR. The economic impact assessed today in the paper at 480 million to the local economy. There just aren’t enough people here who give a hoot about ML baseball. TIDEWATER now has almost 3.5 million. If they built in WILLIAMSBURG or maybe in upper NEWPORT NEWS, they’d draw enough for a ML team I believe although the 800,000+ inhabitants of this area wouldn’t contribute 25,000 paid admissions in a season.
It’s obviously a sore point with me because I have supported AAA baseball since the late 50’s when the YANKEES had the VIRGINIANS club on site and MEL STOTTLEMYRE, BOBBY COX, TONY KUBECK, TOM TRESH, the famous AL DOWNING(HANK AARON’s record breaking HR), “CRAZY” JOE PEPITONE, all from the early 60’s. et. al. All gone aglimmering.
diamondlady01
March 29th, 2009
10:23 pm
richbrave-I’ll be glad to give you updates when I go to the Pelicans games in Myrtle. Won’t be there as much as last year because we bought season tickets to Atlanta this year.
The General
March 29th, 2009
10:24 pm
Has anyone heard if OHman is still being talked about to some extent to maybe reapraoch him and sign him back onto the team for us.??? We migth can affors him by unloading some salaries form the uselessness out of the bullpen. We just need Ohman back withus to bring back some stability in our bullpen now so we can make a real run this year at the NL East Title…. Maybe with little harder work in the post season maybe a WS title. We just need to get our shaky bullpen, better now!! Go Braves!!
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
10:27 pm
ROB in SC:
You are right regarding BOYER. And I would add that one inning from JEFF BENNETT. Maybe he’s finally coming around also.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Salt life: Agreed on Whiskeytown. Close to perfect recordings they put out. Wish they’d have stayed together, though Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary have certainly put out plenty of solid solo albums, too.
Oh, and how can anyone not like Alison Krauss is hard NOT to like, though I’m an even bigger fan of Lucinda Williams and Neko Case (not same type of music, obviously, but all of it has country roots, with Lucinda drawing as much on blues as country, and Krauss the bluegrass background).
I was just thinking how there are so many female artists making terrific roots music these days, women like Jenny Lewis, Gillian Welch, Allison Moorer, Kathleen Edwards, Carrie Rodriguez, Sheryl Crow, Martha Wainwright, Michelle Shocked, Lee Ann Womack (her last two are great)….
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
10:32 pm
Will Ohman threw at Dodger camp today. He didn’t look sharp according to Joe Torre.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
The General: Not to be a smarta**, but seriously, we’ve addressed Ohman at least every day for the past two weeks, and I’ve explained as clearly as I possibly can that the Braves say they have no interest at all in re-signing him now, not since they filled their lefty vacancy after Ohman rejected their offer back in November. As recently as two days ago, Frank Wren reiterated that lefty reliever is not viewed as a need by the team, not something they’re looking to strengthen now.
They think O’Flaherty has better stuff, and Logan also has a real good arm. I think O’Flaherty will definitely be on the team, but not sure about Logan. He has at least one option left, so I’d guess he’ll probably start out at Triple-A.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
10:35 pm
Salt life: The Sam Passion sounds like a solid opening act for My Mole In Japan.
dogsbrekky
March 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
Bubdylan = A+
spotts
March 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Yea, we understand that the Ohman topic has been beaten to death. But we’re also seeing two lefty relievers who are posting some ugly numbers in spring training and who both have career ERAs over 5. So we’re obviously very concerned.
The General
March 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
David O’Brien this was my first time to blog the question on AJC site. And I will not mention Ohman again. But agree O’Flaherty has good potenetial. I am like you I am not that sure about Logan myself. He’s too iffy. His goood stuff only shows up every other day at best for now. He needs some seasonignat AAA Agwinnett to make sure that his good stuff shows up most everyday. But David thanks for geting back to me…
Dadgum
March 29th, 2009
10:42 pm
DOB….true about Allison Krauss, agreed for sure. Any conversation on great female artists right now has to start with Carrie Underwood for me. The girl is simply flat out off the charts with that voice. Jennifer Nettles with Sugarland flies under the radar but very powerful artist. NOt so sure about Sheryl Crow though. Very good artist but she is kinda been there done that. Like her but she is no Carrie Underwood voice-wise or Krauss for that matter.
Rock on…hey I still like Natalie Maines’ voice with the Dixie Chicks so what do I know.
PWHjort
March 29th, 2009
10:44 pm
Logan has put together pretty extended stretches (~ 3-4 months) of sub 4 ERA.
spotts
March 29th, 2009
10:45 pm
k, then maybe it’s just me that’s concerned.
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
General: No problem. Wouldn’t have jumped on your question like that if I’d know you were knew here. Seriously, it’s come up day after day, almost hour after hour, for weeks on end. And as much as I liked Will and hoped he’d be back, it just doesn’t seem like it’s even a possibility now.
The General
March 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
David how is the real situation with our bullpen. Can we still have enough talent to win big this year?? I hope so. Its time for the braves to come back and win our selves back to the post season at least as NL East WInners. Rigth now it seems our bullpen is weak, bt hopefully they are due to turn it around quickly. Go Braves!! Our starting rotation is certainly ready now to do some winnign for us.//
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
I don’t know what Ohman said or did to Wren, but he must have really pissed him off!
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
DOB. You, sir, are living the dream. So am I, actually. I talked to John Mayer many times at Smiths Old Bar
many times before he ever won a grammy. Not that you have any interest, but my faves have always been Drivin and Cryin, Widespread Panic, and the B-52s. Oh. a d of course Frank, Dean, and Elvis. Have any of you guys ever been to Graceland? You owe it to yourself. Vulcan 1500 Kawasaki. Everywhere but New England. Just happened to stop and rest at the place James Deen died. Yellowsto e is magical
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2009
10:51 pm
Watching Tiger Wood highlights from today. He’s really good at golf….
Dadgum, how ’bout Miranda Lambert? Gotta like her.
Dadgum
March 29th, 2009
10:52 pm
Tom O’….when you kick the Braves to teh curb by saying that the overpriced offer wasn’t good enough – well yeah that might have pissed the Braves off. Just a wild hunch…kinda.
Rock on…..
Dadgum
March 29th, 2009
11:02 pm
Yes on Miranda Lambert definitely. Neko Case is coming to Richmond in a few weeks. Changing venues to The National which will actually be a better venue with the acoustics. The DBT’s raved about the place.
Tiger has a focus and determination that is beyond compare. Incredible. His performance today overshadowed basketball for me.
Rock on….we could be looking at an all-Big East final.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
11:05 pm
True, Dadgum (10:52) But that was back in the fall, when the market was thought to be higher. He refused every other offer (from other clubs), also. Now that the price has dropped, because of the economy, I haven’t heard Wren pursuing him. I agree with spotts, and other Braves’ fans. This is a cause for concern (left handed relief). I just find it mystifying that Wren isn’t looking his way. Then again, maybe he is and we don’t know about it. But DOB says no. Is Wren lying to him, too? I think not.
Salamander
March 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
DOB
The new Mastodon album is definitely going to be a fan favorite. Its more accessible than anything they have put out so far, but definitely still rockin – the biggest difference is the vocals. Much more singing on Crack the Skye than their earlier output.
I’ve listened to the album quite a bit, so I switched to the all instrumental version of the album (that comes with the special edition version), and I have to say that even without vocals the album stands up very well. Nice addition on their part – it reminds me of Metallica’s early albums when they included instrumental tracks. Coincidentally, Mastodon covered Master of Puppet’s Orion for the Metallica tribute album that came out a few years ago.
Those hints at mainstream appeal that were displayed on Blood Mountain are up front and center on Crack the Skye, which is not a bad thing. its not what I wanted the next Mastodon album to sound like, but hey – you can’t fault a band for progressing. I love the hard southern rock vibe they have always had, and it is apparent more than ever (to me at least) on Crack the Skye.
Also, the drumming is amazing as usual.
TexasBrave
March 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
DOB I know you are tired of Ohman questions but I am going to pose one anyway in the hope that you would grant me an audience.
I realize that Will has been throwing on the side, but wouldn’t it be pretty hard form him to get a job now that spring training is almost over? I mean he can throw simulated games but it will not prepare him to face live batters soon after he signs. Do you think that it might be more likely that he will have to sign a minor league contract with a team to get some innings in before he is brought up?
Thanks from a loyal but humble blogger.
Shamus Thacker
March 29th, 2009
11:18 pm
Grandpaw would never drink on Sundays. Hope he ain’t only in heaven on Sundays… He was pretty wild, but rather saintly on the sabbath.
TnBrian
March 29th, 2009
11:20 pm
DOB might like Ohman a lot and he seems like a funny dude, but like I said, I just don’t have much regard for someone who tried to play my team for more money… whether that’s just business or not. Either him or his agent, or both, are just very greedy or just dumb to not pay attention to how the economy would affect MLB in a short time.
Ross
March 29th, 2009
11:21 pm
ARGH! That song is for fanboys! “Trans Am” or “Safeway Cart” or “Change your Mind” – sheesh, rookies.
-drl
Salt life
March 29th, 2009
11:22 pm
Does anyone remember the last home opener? It freakin snowed on us!!!! Goodnight all. Remember…..the chophouse Saturday and Sunday. I’ll be the guy with the Chipper jersey on.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
TnBrian, (11:20), that is business. If every club got bent out of shape because of salary dispute, nobody would get signed. Look at Manny and the Dodgers. I think there’s a lot more to this (Ohman) then we’ll ever find out.
Shamus Thacker
March 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
He also wouldn’t shoot guns or fish on Sunday. He’d get liquored-up and shoot fish with a gun (while adorning each utterance with generous riffs of profanity) on any other day, but bless Gawd, not on Sunday.
Bubdylan
March 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
Salt life, tanks for the kind words. You, too, brekky.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
11:28 pm
Goodnight, Salt life. We’ll find you with no problem, now.
Random
March 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Salt life (8:55 pm): “…….I enjoy your perspectives.”
Thanks — if you want, you can call me “Sam”.
Tom O’Hawke (9:27 pm): <i”By the way, you had a typo. You left out the ‘r’.”
Yeah — bad eyes. Not a good way to show off yer verbal erudition, is it?
Sory.
Randy
March 29th, 2009
11:32 pm
HEY DOB ARE THE BREAVES INTERESTED IN OHMAN LOL
Random
March 29th, 2009
11:36 pm
Rob from SC: “Lost in today’s game was how great boyer looked. He walked a guy that he had struck out. the two cheap infield hits. He looked very good.”
Jeff321: “Give it up boy extraordinaire Boyer strikes again!”
richbrave: “ROB in SC:
“You are right regarding BOYER. And I would add that one inning from JEFF BENNETT. Maybe he’s finally coming around also.”
Jeff321: “I love the Braves, dude. Actually I like everyone except Cox, Frenchy, Boyer, Acosta, Bennett, and Soriano.”
Frankie Knuckles
March 29th, 2009
11:39 pm
Just caught my first episode of Breaking Bad. Good show! Hey, if it doesn’t work out for Logan he can always go back to being the lookout at the old lab. No seriously, but that photo on espn.com. Wow. He looks like the kind of guy that would sell you a bag and kick your arse all in the same night.
richbrave
March 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
diamondlady01:
Thank you my dear. You’re a “gem.” Check out GUY HANSON. He’ll be the pitching coach in MYRTLE this season. A RICHMOND area resident. Excellent teacher. Fond memories of the BEACH. My oldest grandson had a week-long tournament there at the CAL RYPKIN facility with the RICHMOND RBI NATIONALS team two summers ago. Lost in the finals in extra innings. Fun time was had by all.
Tom O'Hawke
March 29th, 2009
11:41 pm
Random, you notice I knew it was a typo, not a misspelling. Anyone that can, properly, use a word like, “borealocentric”, can spell, but not always type correctly. Speaking of typos, did you ever notice when it gets this late on the weekend, there seems to be a lot more typos? I wonder why that is?
BTW, do you have an opinion on this, Ohman, thing? There seems to be more than anyone is telling us.
Bubdylan
March 29th, 2009
11:42 pm
Random, you ever see Waking Life? Where the guy learns to figure out if he’s dreaming or awake when things seem out of whack, by checking to see if digital clocks are acting screwy? I swear sometimes your posts make me peek at my alarm clock.
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:00 am
Tom O’Hawke (11:41 pm): “Speaking of typos, did you ever notice when it gets this late on the weekend, there seems to be a lot more typos? I wonder why that is?
“BTW, do you have an opinion on this, Ohman, thing? There seems to be more than anyone is telling us.”
Yeah — typos AND formatting errors. Weird, huh?
On Ohman, a few days ago I had thought about replying to
TnWVBrian’s awfully off-target opinion that Wren was, at that very moment, attempting a trade for another LH RP by noting that IF the Braves thought they need someone in addition to or other than Logan and O’Flaherty, they would simply sign Ohman. (I eventually decided against posting it – didn’t want him to think I was pickin’ on him for no reason.)So, no, I don’t think there’s anything unsaid or untoward going on (for the Braves, at least) other than that they really are satisfied with Logan/O’Flaherty.
I believe both those gents are minimum wage guys — $400k-$500k — whereas back when they were considering him at all, Ohman’s market value would have been maybe 4-5 times that. (We still don’t know the value of the Braves’ autumn Ohman offer, do we?)
As to why another team has not snapped him up already– I’m clueless. Must be the shoes.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:06 am
I’ve been unfortunately out of the loop a lot lately. Sounds like Vazquez had a bad inning. Good to see some power from Francoeur and Kotchman. Also, am hopeful that Bennett will come along. Does he have any options left?
Is there a list of players currently vying for the 25 man roster?
Can’t wait for the season to start.
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:09 am
Bubdylan –
Thanks.
GTI in Chicago
March 30th, 2009
12:10 am
Random:
It’s been hours ago now, I know, but just read your 4:03 post.
GENIUS!
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
12:12 am
Bubdylan (11:42), that’s a funny post. However, if you delve deeper into Random’s 11:36 post, you will see a pattern (I think). When I first saw it, and others, previously, I was looking for his comments. I thought, what’s the point? Then I read them again. He has a theme. He likes screwing with you a little, but if you read them (his posted quotes) carefully, you’ll see where he’s coming from. Those board games you played, when you were a kid and sometimes still do, were made up by someone with a mind like Random’s.
Frank from KS
March 30th, 2009
12:17 am
Hey DOB
Hey, is there any chance the Braves resign Ohman? (Lol) ;>)
Just kidding. (Lol) :>)
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:24 am
GTI in Chicago (12:10 am)–
Thanks.
KC kindly posted this link to a device that can delay sound waves — http://www.scannermaster.com/DelayPlay_p/01-561344.htm.
I’m thinking of adapting it to light waves – I’m something of an inventor myself. (I should say, I dabble.)
My best conceptions to date are The Edible Diaper and The Adjustable Allen Wrench – they’ve yet to hit the market.
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
12:29 am
Reason spring numbers are meaningless for LOOGYs: They have them working complete innings in spring training in which they’re facing both right-handed batters (which they’re very bad at getting out in general) and left-handed batters (which they’re expected to get out almost on command). When the season rolls around and they’re only facing LHB, their numbers will be indicative of the fact that they’re always in match-up-favorable situations. In spring training, that isn’t the case. So, don’t read too much into their numbers.
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
12:32 am
Random, why would someone be way off in thinking Wren might be looking for a lefty BP arm? These two guys are just not that good, at least they haven’t been pretty much all spring. Don’t even think for a minute that they’d just sign Ohman instead of trading for a guy. You have read where Wren was shot down more than once by Ohman this offseason…probably won’t deal with him anymore, regardless.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:32 am
Random
I think our man Ohman just ends up being one of those guys who gets burned trying to time the market. Just some bad luck.
I really don’t think that O’Flaherty or Logan are any less of a prospect to do well this year than Ohman was last year. He had some positives, and some negatives.
Sometimes you just gotta play the odds on relievers. I think you have just as much of a chance of doing poorly with Ohman as you do with a guy like O’Flaherty. So, you add in a guy like Logan to increase your odds that one of them will be OK.
Besides, as I have stated many times on the ole blog, a relief pitcher (except for elite closers and set up men who have proven themselves over time) is NOT a starter for a reason. That reason is often times that he is NOT good enough, or doesn’t have enough pitches.
I believe the clubs who have spent a decent amount on middle relievers in the past have done no better than clubs that pass on the larger salaries, and stay with the cheaper options.
Just my humble opinion.
I will check in tomorrow for any remarks or rebuttals. (heaven knows I have been wrong enough for all of us combined on here…)
KCB
March 30th, 2009
12:33 am
Why all the talk about waiving Josh Anderson? Isn’t there some way to keep five outfielders on the roster: Garrett, Diaz, Josh, Schafer, and Francoeur? Who does that leave out on the bench? And if Josh A. leaves, who backs up Schafer in CF, Infante? And finally, what if we need Infante for period at 3B? Keep JA for a while as insurance, I say.
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:33 am
Doesn’t look like tomorrow’s game is on MLBTV. That sucks.
I’m really happy to hear about Hanson pitching on Saturday though. That’ll give us one more chance to watch him on TV. No telling when our next chance to see him (other than at the G-Braves stadium) will be. Even if someone gets hurt this year, if JoJo Reyes keeps cooking at AAA, he might be the first one to get the call… especially if it’s a short-term fill-in assignment.
Anyway, looking forward to Saturday. Damn the future looks bright for the Braves!
We’ll see how he does on the farm this year, but base on what we saw this spring, I think Heyward will be ready at the start of next season. Freeman might be a year or two behind, but he didn’t look lost this spring either.
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
12:37 am
Braves are really satisfied with Logan/O’Flaherty…
Geez, Random…where did you get that idea? DOB perhaps? You gotta be a fortune teller, right?
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:39 am
TnBrian
PWJhort (did I spell that right, and what the heck does that mean anyway) had some good points on the LOOGY’s in the spring. Also, O’Flaherty and Logan both have good, live arms.
I remember years back when we caught lightning in a bottle a couple of times on Mike Remlinger. Then he just sort of got old…
I think we will be OK with Logan and O’Flaherty. If both of them fail, heck we could just use our righties. I don’t think the difference in the splits are that significant anyway (somebody will provide stats that prove I am wrong, I am certain)
nolie
March 30th, 2009
12:42 am
And if Josh A. leaves, who backs up Schafer in CF, Infante? And finally, what if we need Infante for period at 3B? Keep JA for a while as insurance, I say. KCB
Infante backs up CF, Wren just said so. Prado likely backs up 3rd especially if Infante is busy elsewhere. There is a small(likely very small) chance that they could start the season with 5 OFers, but as soon as the 5th starter was needed they would jettison one of the OFers.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:43 am
KCB
Here’s your roster, unless something drastic happens, or a trade:
Your 8 starters (assuming GAndersonn is well enough). If you go with 12 pitchers, then that leaves you with 5 other slots.
Ross, Diaz, Infante, Prado and Norton.
Which one of those guys are we going to delete to add a 5th OF’er? This is why I think Schafer makes the team, and at the last minute, the Braves try to slip JAnderson through waivers.
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:44 am
Tom O’Hawke (12:12 am) –
You give me too much credit.
That guy just rubs me the wrong way, so I occasionally take time to bust on him a little.
That’s all.
Thanks, though.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:45 am
Nolie could be right on the 5th starter, but instead I think you see one more reliever to start the first 10 days until Glavine is needed.
The General
March 30th, 2009
12:50 am
TnBrian how is the overall health with our bullpen The pen of late has blown a lot of leads. Too much for just being in St still. Can our current group get it together enough so we can win a lot games for our starters. Our starters cannot go all 9 innings everytime because of our nelgected pen problems again this year. What is really can be done quickly to correct the problem???
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
12:52 am
Wayne, I agree with your past 4 posts. I think we’ll go with an 8 man bullpen to start the year and carry both Logan and O’Flaherty at least for the first series in Philadelphia because a) we’ll probably need them at multiple times in the games and b) we’ll probably need them on consecutive days. You can’t make one of them go pitch the 7th against Howard, Utley, and Ibanez 3 days in a row.
The General
March 30th, 2009
12:53 am
Let’s get nolie as our left specialist for our pen?? HA!! Btu can soemone step up for us??
The General
March 30th, 2009
12:55 am
My guess O’Flaherty migth be our surpirse this year as a good pen reliever..
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:56 am
“if you delve deeper into Random’s 11:36 post, you will see a pattern (I think).” o’Hawke
Oh, I’m a fan of Random. I think he knows that. I’ll even take a stab and say he’s got an artist’s eye for composition/arrangement. That, or he’s a serial killer.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
12:57 am
Random, I saw ‘discrepancy’ all over that 11:36 post. I was thinking, “man, he got his point across without saying anything”. Is it possible that I was wrong? If so, break the news to me, gently. It’s been awhile.
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:57 am
TnWVBrian (12:32 am): ”why would someone be way off in thinking Wren might be looking for a lefty BP arm? These two guys are just not that good, at least they haven’t been pretty much all spring. Don’t even think for a minute that they’d just sign Ohman instead of trading for a guy.”I think I already said why – “IF the Braves thought they need someone in addition to or other than Logan and O’Flaherty, they would simply sign Ohman.”
TnWVBrian (12:37 am): ”’Braves are really satisfied with Logan/O’Flaherty…’“Geez, …where did you get that idea? DOB perhaps? You gotta be a fortune teller, right?”
Well, mainly because the Braves HAVEN’T already signed Ohman – he’d be way better than any LH RP they could trade for at this point (at least any they could afford, prospects and money-wise – anyone better than Ohman is probably not reasonably available).
And yes, I do believe that DOB has better info and keener insight than either you or I.
(And my full comment was “I don’t think there’s anything unsaid or untoward going on (for the Braves, at least) other than that they really are satisfied with Logan/O’Flaherty” – yes, I’m willing to take Wren at his word.)
BA
March 30th, 2009
12:59 am
If Bryan Pena couldn’t even clear waivers, there’s no way that Josh Anderson will. I think they’ll send Schafer down. Schafer just isn’t a lead-off hitter- too many k’s. Plus it would be wasting his power.
If they do go with Schafer, no way Cox leads him off. Maybe #2, behind Escobar (who would be the closest thing we’d have to a leadoff type hitter) or down #6-#8. I think Fookie was the only rookie I’ve ever seen Cox bat leadoff.
Late Night with Random would be better than Jimmy Fallon.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
12:59 am
Blaine Boyer caused Global Warming!
Just wanna see if I can make it into Random’s next post….
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
1:00 am
Bubdylan , I’m still fairly new to Dave’s blog. I don’t know all of the attributes, of the stars, yet.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
1:09 am
Tom, no worries. I’m not fairly new and I have no idea what’s going on.
BA
March 30th, 2009
1:12 am
Either Coach really thinks Wren picked up The Ugly Stick because of him, or Coach has a better sense of humor than we give him credit for.
Bubdylan, if Random is a serial killer, he just crossed your name off his list and calmly applied some lipstick.
General, I would have bet money a month ago that Logan had the inside track, but I hope you’re right about O’Flaherty.
Random
March 30th, 2009
1:13 am
PWHjort (12:29 am): ” Reason spring numbers are meaningless for LOOGYs: They have them working complete innings in spring training in which they’re facing both right-handed batters (which they’re very bad at getting out in general) and left-handed batters (which they’re expected to get out almost on command). When the season rolls around and they’re only facing LHB, their numbers will be indicative of the fact that they’re always in match-up-favorable situations. In spring training, that isn’t the case. So, don’t read too much into their numbers.”
I was going to make the same point about a week ago (22 Mar) – right before O’Flaherty got chased from the Mets game by LH batter Daniel Murphy, after having earlier given up consecutive singles to LH batters Murphy and Jeremy Reed
So I gave up before I even started, figuring that to be an insurmountable and irrefutable counterexample. (If not counterargument.)
BA
March 30th, 2009
1:14 am
Anybody heard if Medlen is going to Gwinnett? If he is, is he going to start or be in the ‘pen?
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
1:14 am
You know, even though this has nothing to do with the Braves, I wish Random would tell me how he crosses out letters. For me to do that, would require all sorts of time.
BA
March 30th, 2009
1:16 am
I wish Random would explain the joke- what does the “WV” stand for?
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
1:17 am
“Bubdylan, if Random is a serial killer, he just crossed your name off his list and calmly applied some lipstick.” -BA
Random wouldn’t cross me off before the deed was done. He’s way too detail orien…AAAAACK…..
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:22 am
Let’s see here…
JayhawksChop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:24 am
All ya gots to do is type “strike” (no quotes) between the greater than and less than symbols before the word you want to strike through. Then, immediately after the word, you type “/strike” (no quotes) between the greater than and less than symbols.
pryguy
March 30th, 2009
1:24 am
Instead of fully preparing for a psychology exam, I’m reading O’Brien irrately inform a new poster on Ohman’s lack of a future with the Bravos. DOB, I need more blogging to get me through the rest of my last semester of my undergrad.
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:28 am
I show up at 1:24 a.m. to post something like that. Talk about ****ed up.
Might as well just go to sleep if I’m gonna do that, man.
pryguy
March 30th, 2009
1:30 am
seriously?
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
1:30 am
” was going to make the same point about a week ago (22 Mar) – right before O’Flaherty got chased from the Mets game by LH batter Daniel Murphy, after having earlier given up consecutive singles to LH batters Murphy and Jeremy Reed
So I gave up before I even started, figuring that to be an insurmountable and irrefutable counterexample. (If not counterargument.)” (Random 1:13)
Again, I agree with you (again, I think). I know it has been said before, but I think it’s worth repeating. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when have our “lefty specialists”, ever performed well in their career? From what I see from the stats, I can find, these guys suck!
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
1:31 am
I’d call it more of a counterexample than a counterargument. That’s true, but a few AB’s isn’t an adequate sample size. I wish they’d post splits for spring training. I’ll keep them next year. Or I may just figure them out tomorrow if I’m bored enough.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
1:32 am
Chop Chop, sleep is for squares.
Random
March 30th, 2009
1:34 am
Wayne in Utah (12:32 am) –
I think you’re pretty much right on the mark.
My humble opinion.
(Also agree with you on the (temporary) eighth reliever to open.)
Bubdylan (12:56 am) –
Thanks again.
(Oh, I know. It’s mutual. You can call me “Sam”, too.)
Tom O’Hawke (12:57 am) –
Yeah, I think you got my point. (To round it off bluntly, the guy’s a d!psh!t, imo.)
But I wasn’t sure if it wasn’t a cheap trick — using another commenter’s words against him. Some here find that extremely difficult to countenance.
(I do like my earlier venture in the same mode at 5:30 pm a bit better.)
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
1:34 am
They’re usually terrible. Royce Ring was ours for some of last year and Jeff Ridgeway has previously occupied a roster spot as one of them. They’re not good pitchers. Just barely good enough to get out 1 batter at a time with a favorable match-up without screwing up too bad most of the time.
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:36 am
I’m watching Breaking Bad right now. This is the first episode I’ve watched. Poor Jesse. It doesn’t get much worse than having your bike stolen, jumping a fence topped with barbed wire in order to attempt to steal a car from a body shop, standing on top of the Port-O-Potty you thought was going to make the landing on the other side of the fence more reasonable, and then having the roof of that Port-O-Potty collapse under your weight. That stuff happens everyday, man. Every damn day.Oh, I hope I didn’t ruin that for anyone. Check your DVRs. It’ll make you laugh.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
1:40 am
Good stuff, Chop Chop! And thanks!
The General
March 30th, 2009
1:41 am
Can we train Jo Jo to be a decent pen pitcher for us this year?? In place of a left specialist not being around!!!!!
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:41 am
Maybe he wasn’t stealing a car. Again, first episode I’ve watched. Still funny as hell.
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
1:42 am
I really thought EOF was done after Bobby left him in to give up 9 hits in 2/3 of an inning last week, but guess not. I don’t think it’s that big a deal.
Anyway, I hate loogies. You never know whether to swallow them or look for a place to spit them out, if you’re in polite company.
(I really don’t like LOOGY’s, or “closers” for that matter. Someday this obsession with specialization will be exposed as counter-productive. I have no evidence of that, but believe it to be true).
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:42 am
Okay, maybe he was.
Shows how much I know.
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:43 am
I should do play-by-play on TV shows.
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:45 am
Play-by-play on TV shows during their PST showing. I’ve got that down.
Random
March 30th, 2009
1:46 am
Mitchie-san (12:59 am) –
Aloha nui loa! Still in HI?
My niece and her (Marine Corps Officer) husband and infant are right now flying to Okinawa for a 2-year (or so?) tour. Were you stationed down south there? (I was on the Kanto Plain.)
Tom O’Hawke (1:14 am): “I wish [someone] would tell me how he crosses out letters. For me to do that, would require all sorts of time.”
It’s easier than emboldening, though not as easy as italicizing. (In the following para, please construe all parens as pointy brackets — shift-, & shift-.)
You prob’ly already know about (strong)bold(/strong) and (i)italics(/i) — crossing out’s simply (del)
delete(/del).(Hope I got all that formatting straight.)
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
1:46 am
mbatl, I agree. After all, most closers are either failed starters because they couldn’t stay healthy or handle starting or pitchers that never would’ve worked out as starters. I mean, a scout wouldn’t look at Francisco Rodriguez’s or Mike Gonzalez’s mechanics and say, “wow, we need to get these guys into a starting role”.
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:51 am
I like the “strike” one better than the “del” one, Random.
It’s more baseball-y.
Well, unless you think of former Milwaukee Brave All-Star Del Crandall.
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
1:52 am
PW, or they’re very good relievers who should be used when needed, not just with a lead in the 9th inning. The 9th is not always the most important inning.
I’d much rather see the Braves use Gonzo in the 8th if (for instance) Utley and Howard are due, and then let Soriano or Moylan close the game. But we’ve got to “designate” some guy to pitch only in the 9th with a lead. Makes no sense at all. (and I’m not jumping the Braves about it… it’s almost all teams).
mbatl
March 30th, 2009
1:55 am
Buddy Carlyle was one of our most valuable relievers last year, and has pitched 9 scoreless this spring, yet half the blog wants to dump him.
I think it’s his name. No one takes anyone named Buddy seriously. I mean, you had Buddy Holly, and then who? Buddy Bolden, who’s classic song “Funky Butt” was great, but what’s he done since then? (well, actually he went on to die in 1931 after a lifetime of alcohol-induced dimentia).
Buddy C. could go by his real name, Earl L. Carlyle, but I’m not sure that’s any more intimidating. So he needs a nickname, kinda like BMF for Soriano.
I’ll start the bidding with Buddy “hey wash my” Carlyle. That would get the hitters’ attention, I think, as most have never washed their own cars. (my second choice is, Buddy “Don’t call me Buddy” Carlyle, but then people would ask, “okay, so what do we call you?” and we’d be right back where we started)
Seriously, I think he’s an overlooked and valuable guy out of our pen.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:00 am
Thank you, Random. I copied & saved both, Chop Chop and your instructions, to a notepad and then filed them. I will try to make sense of them tomorrow, when, hopefully, I’ll be more lucid.
Random
March 30th, 2009
2:00 am
BA (1:16 am): ” I wish [someone] would explain the joke- what does the “WV” stand for?”
It’s pretty dumb, actually (as if you hadn’t already figured that).
I am sufficiently embarrassed by some of the comments of my fellow East Tennessean/Hamiltonian/Chattanoogan that I am trying to convince him to change his blog handle to reference an even more typically inbred and backward state. Which would fit much of what he comes up (and out) with.
Random
March 30th, 2009
2:06 am
Chop Chop (1:24 am) –
You beat me to it, as usual. Well explained.
All I can add is that “del” works as well as “strike”, and is half as long.
(I wish we could use “b” instead of “strong” for emboldening.)
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
2:08 am
Random, Yep still out here in Hawaii. I’m am learning to love it more everyday. I was never stationed in Okinawa, but it was a regular pit stop to pick up Marines if we needed to. Nice beaches there…
My homeport was in Yokosuka, near Tokyo. One of these days I swear I wont live on an island in the Pacific….
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
2:14 am
I agree with that too, mbatl. Closers should be used in high-leverage situations, not necessarily the 9th inning. Like you said, the 9th isn’t always the most important inning. Much research has been done and they usually conclude that teams lose 1-2 wins every year due to closer misuse.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:17 am
Mitchie-san, anytime you feel as though you have to get away, but can’t because there’s nobody to cover for you, let me know. Even if they have you shoveling manure, I’m your man.
Random
March 30th, 2009
2:18 am
PWHjort (1:31 am): ” I’d call it more of a counterexample than a counterargument. [I did, didn’t I?] That’s true, but a few AB’s isn’t an adequate sample size. [Yer right – can’t argue there.] I wish they’d post splits for spring training. I’ll keep them next year. Or I may just figure them out tomorrow if I’m bored enough.” [Only 6.1 IP, 14 H, 0 BB, 19 outs – I think you can do it.]
PS: If you’re at all interested in opening a dialog with someone when you comment on their post, recommend you include their handle so they can easily find your reply.
Chop Chop (1:24 am) –
You beat me to it, as usual. Well explained.
All I can add is that “del” works as well as “strike”, and is half as long.
(I wish we could use “b” instead of “strong” for emboldening.)
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:21 am
PWHjort, don’t pay too much attention to all that research. I do most of it, and I’m drunk half the time. Hey, it’s a paycheck. By the time they figure out I was making up those numbers, I’ll be 6 ft. under.
Random
March 30th, 2009
2:24 am
Sorry about the dupe post to Chop Chop — it took its own sweet time showing up (I first submitted it around 1:50 — took 15 mins to appear.)
Also, earlier “typically” was meant to be “stereotypically” in re WV.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
2:24 am
You got it, Tom!
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:27 am
To whomever is still left out there. As I’m still relatively new to this blog, I have questions. Is it normal, at the wee-small hours of the morning, for Random to use more and more symbols, as time goes by? Just wondering.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 30th, 2009
2:51 am
I was reading KC’s post concerning the 98 Yankee’s.
Look, that team was choke full of great hitters, veteran’s in their prime and guys that could run. They hit 207 HR’s, drove in 758 RBI and stole 153 bases while batting .288 as a team.
This 2009 Braves team is coming off one of their worst offensive showings in the last twenty seasons when it comes to HR’s (130) , RBI (721) and SB’s (58). Comparing them to the 98 Yankee’s is a bit much.
I realize that this 2009 Braves unit has great potential in their rotation and yes, they can play some solid defense. But the health of the bullpen is very much in question and the offensive is considered to be questionable by almost every professional baseball pundit in America.
Both Chipper Jones and Garret Anderson have been among the most often injured everyday players in the major leagues during the last five years. The two of them have already been sidelined by injury and we haven’t even made it out of spring training.
The Jordan Schafer hype has reached an apex. The kid can play. But he’s a rookie and has what amounts to just three seasons of professional baseball under his belt.
To say that the Braves line up is top heavy with left handed hitters is obvious to everyone. The Braves desperately wanted a big right handed bat in the middle of the order and they didn’t find it Garret Anderson, although he is as solid a bat as you can get when he is healthy.
Josh Anderson represents the only experienced big league lead off hitter that the Braves have with most of the necessary tools to be successful as a top of the order hitter. He plays solid defense, runs the bases and is an accomplished stolen base threat. But, Anderson doesn’t draw enough walks, strikes out a bit too much and hasn’t shown the strike zone discipline needed for the job as of yet.
Gregor Blanco is a great fourth outfielder who does everything well. Hopefully, the Braves can find a way to keep both Josh Anderson and Jordan Schafer on the team when the regular season starts because I think the Braves are going to need both of them in the long run.
Salamander
March 30th, 2009
2:51 am
Still out there.
No clue – RE: Random + symbols.
Trying to stay awake… (work for Monday). I love fantasizing about pillows.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:51 am
I’ve always wanted to ask this philosophical question. If a person tries to post a blog, but there’s no one there, is the typing heard?
N Nine (eta6)
March 30th, 2009
2:52 am
Tom O’Hawke Hey. You’re talking about Random The ultimate blog researcher!
“I love the Braves, dude. Actually I like everyone except Cox, Frenchy, Boyer, Acosta, Bennett, and Soriano.” Ha, that was a while back. Nice play by play Random. Something about Jeff321?
KC Maybe that 20HR plateau is possible after all. Feeling that good season from Frenchy also. I’m all pumped
Salamander
March 30th, 2009
2:54 am
Nod to much of what you posted Coach.
Too tired to put effort into it, but I also thought KC’s comparison between one of the greatest teams of all time and the potential for the 2009 Braves was kinda over the top.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
2:55 am
Just when I thought I was by myself, other idiots appear. Hi guys!
jj
March 30th, 2009
2:57 am
I have asked this question many times and never gets an answer.so I’m asking again.”why hasn’t Escobar been offered a long term deal like Frenchie and Mac were offerd after they first came up”?To me he has as much potential and has been a stater since day one.I just wonder why the Braves thought it was important to offer them at a time when they could have been playing on the cheap like Escobar is playing at.Thanks in advance and keep Norton and Brandon as the extra OF.
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
3:01 am
Coach, very good points in your post! Agree all the way, except I think you might be underrating this offense a little, but you’re right on with everything else.
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
3:03 am
jj, (2:57), that’s a GREAT question! I never even thought about it. What makes it more intriguing, is that there isn’t anyone even close to filling his shoes. That’s one hell of a question. Anybody???
nolie
March 30th, 2009
3:10 am
Nolie could be right on the 5th starter, but instead I think you see one more reliever to start the first 10 days until Glavine is needed. WAYNE
I think it will be a reliever too, I said a small chance.
N Nine (eta6)
March 30th, 2009
3:10 am
“He plays solid defense”COACH _ From what I remembered Josh Anderson has a below average arm. Schafer clearly plays better defense and has a better arm.
Diaz doesn’t scare anyone with his arm so we need schafer’s defense
KC
March 30th, 2009
3:15 am
Coach and Salamander, I have made that comparison before, and each and every time, I have made clear that I think that offense was better than this Braves offense. And I said so again in my post earlier today.
I’m just pointing out that there are similarities. Both lineups were/are stocked with quality hitters from top to bottom, though no 30 HR guys anywhere in the lineup. Same type of offense. Please note that I said same TYPE of offense… not same level of offense.
I’ll point out more about the similarities later, and it might make more sense.
nolie
March 30th, 2009
3:21 am
Is it normal, at the wee-small hours of the morning, for Random to use more and more symbols, as time goes by? Just wondering. TOM
fortunately there is nothing “normal” about Random
KC
March 30th, 2009
3:24 am
If everyone in the Braves lineup simply hits the way they’re capable (assuming some time missed by Chipper), here’s roughly what I think we could look for… again, assuming relatively good health, and each player member of the lineup having a decent (not GREAT, but decent) season:
——Attainable Numbers for ’09 Braves——-
AVG HR RBI 2B OBP SB
1 – Schafer .280 12 55 33 .355 37
2 – Escobar .290 13 65 32 .369 5
3 – Jones .332 23 87 26 .461 4
4 – Francoeur .295 21 106 39 .343 3
5 – McCann .301 24 88 40 .372 2
6 – Andrson/Diaz .303 17 88 30 .337 8
7 – Johnson .286 18 82 40 .353 7
8 – Kotchman .290 17 77 31 .355 2
TOTALS .297 145 648 271 .368 72
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
3:29 am
nolie (3:21), I have so much to learn.
KC
March 30th, 2009
3:32 am
Trying out a Wordpress table here…
1-Shafer2-Escobar3-Jones4-McCann5-Francoeur6-Anderson/Diaz7-Johnson8-Kotchman HR1213232124171817
KC
March 30th, 2009
3:33 am
Well… that was a miserable failure. I give up. I don’t understand most of this damned Wordpress html formatting. Tables are apparently out of my league.
KC
March 30th, 2009
3:36 am
Compare above Braves numbers to ‘98 Yanks. Again… the Yank’s offense was better, but there are encouraging similarities between what they did and what this team is capable of. I see this Braves lineup as on the could POTENTIALLY be a “poor man’s version” of that ‘98 Yanks lineup.
——-1998 Yankees——-
AVG HR RBI 2B OBP SB
1 - Knoblauch .265 17 64 25 .361 31
2 - Jeter .324 19 84 30 .384 30
3 - O’Neill .317 24 116 40 372 15
4 - Martinez .281 28 123 33 .355 2
5 - Williams .339 26 97 15 .422 15
6 - Strawberry .247 24 57 11 .354 8
7 - Brosius .300 19 98 34 .371 11
8 - Girardi .276 3 31 11 .317 2
STARTER TOTALS .294 160 670 199 .367 114
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
4:01 am
KC, (3:24), I’ll tell you what. I hope you save those stats. I think you are going to be real close with almost all of them. The only one I disagree with, is Frenchy. I think he’s going to average over .300. I am predicting at least, .315. I also think he will surpass the 30hr mark. I have seen one hell of a change in him. I can’t believe how fast he has become acclamated to his new stance. His constant contact is what is making me think that he will have one hell of a year. Come on, 2 k’s so far?, the man changes his whole approach to hitting, and he only strikes out twice? As time goes by, I see Jeff hitting the ball, more and more, on the ’sweet spot’. I think he will develop into that ’superstar’, we thought he may be when he first came up. I’m looking at one helluvayear, out of Frenchy. If the Braves were smart, (oxymoron alert), they’d sign Jeff up now, to a long-term contract.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
4:14 am
PWHjort, regarding your 1:31 a.m. post: if you have the time to figure out, on your own, the lefty-righty splits for spring training, i either envy you or I’m concerned. Or both.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
4:18 am
Just as you might be concerned over my posting at 4:14 a.m.
Can’t sleep, thinking about Dice-K vs. Kawakami. No, actually, I got up to go stake out my spot in the pressbox.
(actually, neither of those are true. as I discussed a couple weeks ago, my sleep patterns in spring training are just awful, stupid, random, illogical.)
good night. see ya in a couple hours.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
4:18 am
Chris Berman is kind of a tool, but some of his nicknames were actually funny. That ‘98 Yankees line-up reminded me of one I always liked…
Scott “supercalafradulisticexpiala” Brosius
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
4:19 am
DOB, I’m a little concerned with you, still posting at 4:14?
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
4:21 am
Wow, DOB answers my question before it’s posted!
Tom O'Hawke
March 30th, 2009
4:24 am
Mitchie-san, I was always a big fan of Berman’s nicknames. I even made one up for him. Chris “keep the home fires” Berman. What time is it where you are?
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 30th, 2009
4:44 am
KC, I see much closer comparison’s between the 1998 Yankee’s and the 2000 Braves. That was the last season that our Braves had a team capable of running the bases.
This 2009 team won’t crack 75 stolen bases and I’ll guarantee this prediction.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
5:34 am
Tom, its 11:30pm here.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
5:38 am
Normally at this hour I am about the only one on the blog. I just hit refresh every now and then to see if anyone is awake yet. Not too many others on my schedule. I work the overnight shift most of the time.
Random
March 30th, 2009
5:59 am
PWHjort (1:31 am): ” I’d call it more of a counterexample than a counterargument. [I did call it that, didn’t I?] That’s true, but a few AB’s isn’t an adequate sample size. [Yer right – can’t argue there.] I wish they’d post splits for spring training. I’ll keep them next year. Or I may just figure them out tomorrow if I’m bored enough.” [Only 6.1 IP, 14 H, 0 BB, 19 outs – I think you can do it.]
PS: If you’re at all interested in opening a dialog with someone when you comment on their post, recommend you include their handle so they can easily find your reply.
PPS: I shoulda mentioned, here is a “template” URL for “archived” MLB ST Gamedays — it should really aid you in your splits compilations. (You may have known this already — just tailor it for the appropriate date and teams, away team first):
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_22_atlmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=gameday
N Nine (2:52 am) –
Thanks. Yeah — “something”.
OB (4:18 am): “(actually, neither of those are true. as I discussed a couple weeks ago, my sleep patterns in spring training are just awful, stupid, random, illogical.)”
Surely you’re not suggesting that those four terms are synonymous, or in any way related, are you?
Random
March 30th, 2009
6:02 am
“DOB” at 5:59 am.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
6:25 am
PWH, man, don’t do the splits, LOL. If ST stats are irrelevant as a whole, the only thing more irrelevant would subsets of that data; not to mention sample sizes. Yowsah. Save some for the season, my man. HA!
I tend to agree with PWH and mbatl re their discussion of bullpen over-specialization. I can understand the strategic philosophy behind it, however. Managers would have to be somewhat prescient to determine the “more important inning” other than the 9th to use a closer. And the 9th does have one high-leverage factor unpossessed by other innings: game over.
Teams no longer have four guys capable of throwing 300 innings, and probably wouldn’t do it even if they did, because of the dollar investment. That means late-inning relief nearly every game, and specialization is just about the only way to maximize the performance of those by-definition lesser pitchers. The Braves can at least put closer-quality arms in those high-leverage 7th and 8th situations, given health.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
6:44 am
Random: No, wasn’t suggesting that they were synonymous. Are they? Well, that’s random. Or awful.
LOL, History Repears Itself
March 30th, 2009
6:55 am
“Feeling that good season from Frenchy also.”
How many people said that here last year? A ton. Why has Francoeur gotten so many more chances than anyone else ever? Why do people continue to insist his 2006 was good? Why is it if any other non-established played did what he did last year they’d be out but not him? Why do people continue to insist he’s something special? When will the hype die already? The fascination end?
My hypothesis is it because the AJC is basically now Francoeur’s PR agent’s first outlet for pro-Francoeur propaganda. How many fluff pieces must one paper put out every time Francoeur is slumping? Even today with the “Francoeur smashs homerun” thing. The Francoeur headlines here read like some bad spam e-mail subject lines.
Change the name from Atlanta Journal-Constitution to Francoeur Pravda
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
7:05 am
Their love for Francoeur is equivalent to your distaste for him, isnt it?
There have been many articles on all the Braves. Your hatred for him makes you single out his stories in your mind. I believe they are pretty fair to all the players.
JasonInFL (Formerly ME)
March 30th, 2009
7:20 am
I am heading over to catch the game today as well…should be fun!
Couch Tater
March 30th, 2009
7:35 am
TnRandom,Everyone has at least one cousin that they are embarrassed by.
Hee,hee…
LOL, History Repears Itself
March 30th, 2009
7:42 am
Their love for Francoeur is equivalent to your distaste for him, isnt it?
No, not in the least. I wish Francoeur was good and will be good. I don’t dislike him at all.
My “distaste” is for all the people with their heads in the sand. The people who continue to say “get Francoeur back to pre-2008 form”; which implies that he was good in 2006. There can be no denying in my opinion of all the chances he’s gotten.
Mitchie-san
March 30th, 2009
8:05 am
I think that everyone “with their head in the sand” just wants him to be bettter than 2008…any amount better. He WAS better in 2006. He WAS better in 2007. I think thats the whole point.
By the way, hittting .260 with 29 bombs and 103 rbi while slugging .449 in all 162 games in his first FULL year is NOT a horrible, horrible season, like you say. Its not the best ever, but its solid.
RIPSkip
March 30th, 2009
8:18 am
Wouldn’t this be sweet…
July 27…The Red Sox have fallen too far behind the Rays and Yankees and realize they won’t be able to catch up. The Braves are in a nip/tuck race with the Phils and Mets that is destined to go down to the wire.
John Smoltz asks to be traded back to Atlanta so he can be part of one final playoff push. The Red Sox are willing, but the Braves only have the $ for a power bat and maybe bullpen depth.
Smoltz left the Braves to contend and now he’ll have to watch them contend.
(Love Smoltzie but it would be poetic justice)
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
8:20 am
DOB: No TV. no radio, no MLB.TV for the Braves game today. Hope you won’t mind keeping us updated yet again today as best you can. Thanks (and you really need to get more rest).
Steve from OH
March 30th, 2009
8:27 am
mbatl, totally agree with you on the use of Gonzo. If there is a high-leverage situation in the eight (or even the seventh, depending on the situation), use Gonzo. We’ve got two other quality arms in Soriano and Moylan that I’m more than comfortable with pitching the ninth.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
8:28 am
LOL at a screen name that begins with LOL. (And a sentence that starts and ends with LOL.)…
cvbraves, we’ll do what we can. But if Smoltz shows up, as is rumored he will, might be doing some writing in early innings….
Beautiful morning for a ride in on the bike. A little chilly with fog shrouding much of 192, but sun burning through it. Pretty cool stuff … except for the cop in a rather covert position behind a sign, which, fortunately, the guy in the SUV in front of me spotted before I did, slamming on his brakes and bringing me to attention. Crisis averted.
richbrave
March 30th, 2009
8:32 am
Wonder if CARROLL ROGERS is going to the BRAVES-NATS game April 21. Swing by section 206 and say hi.
Ray
March 30th, 2009
8:34 am
DOB, I apologize if this was covered earlier. With the Schafer/Anderson deal. What is the possibility and if it makes sense of both making the team and Blanco getting sent. Have Anderson coming off the bench. I also know that depends on how many pitchers BC plans on carrying.
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
8:39 am
How many people said that here last year? A ton. Why has Francoeur gotten so many more chances than anyone else ever? Why do people continue to insist his 2006 was good? (LOL, History Repears Itself)
We’ll ignore the 29 homers and 100 ribbies and just stick to sabermetric value analysis. Francoeur had a Win Probability Added in 2006 of .15, a UZR of 6.7, an arm of 4.5 and just average baserunning. Sorry to break your heart there sweetie but that made him worth about 28 runs above replacement or 6 runs above average. Now when you’re done reading Moneyball, you might want to read all of the other material out there that says OBP, while critical to success, is not the end all, be all of player valuation.
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
8:43 am
You know what’s annoying? Watching a Tony LaRussa 7-pitcher marathon game.
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
8:47 am
And I’m not figuring the splits for those LOOGYs because the first play-by-play I looked at involved a pick-off. I just wouldn’t know where to begin.
PWHjort
March 30th, 2009
8:48 am
Ray and others, there’s absolutely no chance the Braves carry both Schafer and Anderson at virtually any point in the season (except maybe September after the rosters expand).
WILLSTER
March 30th, 2009
8:53 am
THEY LOST TODAY AS USUAL, AND ALL YOU BRAVE LOVERS, THIS TEAM WILL FINISH AGAIN IN 4TH PLACE, JUST LIKE LAST YEAR,THIS TEAM NEEDS TO GET YOUNG AGAIN, AND GET A YOUNG MANAGER,LIKE NED YOST TO LEAD THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
10-80
March 30th, 2009
8:55 am
DOB, im sure you could out run any old PO-lice occifer on your Crusading Everyman-cicle
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
8:56 am
THIS TEAM NEEDS TO GET YOUNG AGAIN (WILLSTER)
Get young again? Have you checked the roster over the last few seasons? They’ve been about as young as the Harlem Boys Choir.
Thrillhouse44
March 30th, 2009
8:59 am
THEY LOST TODAY AS USUAL – WILLSTER
Already? Dang! What time did the game start? 4:00 a.m.? No wonder DOB was awake and posting then.
Salamander
March 30th, 2009
9:09 am
WILLSTER
The Caps lock key is not cruise control for cool. Quit it. Also, you sound like your head is firmly planted up your a-s with a megaphone attached to your mouth, blaring into your lower intestine.
Mets fanboy I presume?
Random
March 30th, 2009
9:27 am
Welcome, Willy Wally!
Couch Tater (7:35 am): “Everyone has at least one cousin that they are embarrassed by.”
Yeah, and at least half a dozen nephews, it seems sometimes. (Funny del, btw!)
Har de har, DOB.
Couch Tater
March 30th, 2009
9:28 am
Buddy Carlyle was one of our most valuable relievers, last year..
I agree, mbatl, so maybe Earl “The Cat” Carlyle would reflect his nine lives.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
9:30 am
Giles got released by the Phillies this morning. He had six hits this spring, four of them against the Braves.
Random
March 30th, 2009
9:31 am
cvbraves (8:20 am): “No TV. no radio, no MLB.TV for the Braves game today.”
Well, the Gameday link for today is http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_30_bosmlb_atlmlb_1
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
9:32 am
There are going to be about 75 media members here today, including about 50 Japanese.
blausy
March 30th, 2009
9:33 am
I rarely post, though I follow the blog fairly often, and I have never figured out why Mets fans bother to post on a Braves blog. Anyone have a theory?
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
9:34 am
Smoltz arrived, wearing Michigan State shirt.
TruthDawg
March 30th, 2009
9:38 am
is this true or is it another rumor that D.O.B. has came up with to make a story??? LOL
Ritchie from Scotland
March 30th, 2009
9:40 am
pity today’s game isn’t on MLB.TV, Kawakami v Matsuzaka surely would have got a few people watching.
Runnin
March 30th, 2009
9:43 am
blausy, I think they just love to attention.
Runnin
March 30th, 2009
9:44 am
I wonder if the game will be broadcast in Japan.
Runnin
March 30th, 2009
9:52 am
I guess not, unless the Japanese reporters brought their own cameras, crews and satellite dishes. duh
LOL, History Repears Itself
March 30th, 2009
9:52 am
Sorry to break your heart Wally boy, but I couldn’t really give a damn about corner outfield defense. It’s just not that important.
Francoeur had a .293 OBP, was third in the NL in outs-made and had an 87 OPS+ (a 100 OPS+ is exactly league average.) His 2006 was not good, period, end of story.
You apologists can do the “Baghdad Bob” act all day long, but the reality is an out-making machine like Francoeur in 2006 and 2008 is not a valuable part to a winning team.
Thrillhouse44
March 30th, 2009
9:56 am
blausy it’s called pennant envy.
Daybed Wagmoe
March 30th, 2009
10:00 am
I heard that Smoltzie’s engaged again
raindawg722
March 30th, 2009
10:00 am
DOB, I apologize if someone has already asked about this, but how did Francoeur get to work with Jaramillo? I think it’s odd that a hitting coach would work with a player that is not on his team. Is this kind of thing common? If so, does it extend to coaches helping players on other teams in their own division? Thanks.
SoWeGa Fanatic
March 30th, 2009
10:00 am
blausy, they’re jealous. Plus, Mets are boring.
Jeff321
March 30th, 2009
10:00 am
Looks like the Dodgers offered Will Ohman a contract. (MLBTR)
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
10:03 am
DOB–
Any idea who’s catching for us today? Thanks!
Chop Chop, Random–
THanksThanks for the info on striking through words!Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
10:09 am
Sorry to break your heart Wally boy, but I couldn’t really give a damn about corner outfield defense. It’s just not that important. Francoeur had a .293 OBP, was third in the NL in outs-made and had an 87 OPS+ (a 100 OPS+ is exactly league average.) His 2006 was not good, period, end of story. (LOL, History Repears Itself)
A run saved is a run saved, no matter where it is saved, and a run saved is better than a run created, although the effect is so minimal that it’s hardly worth mentioning. You really should’ve just stuck to using AVG/HR/RBI because your over use of emotion, lack of sabermetric knowledge, and inability to logically process diverse sources of information, leave you looking like a dolt, the kind of dolt that would use the childish moniker you’ve been using, the kind of dolt that says things like period, end of story, the kind of dolt that doesn’t understand how simplistic he sounds when he merely quotes OBP and OPS+ as the end all, be all as if baserunning, fielding and throwing don’t matter. Just go back to drooling over AVG/HR/RBI. Sabermetrics just ain’t for you sweetie. Your mind is too simple.
Couch Tater
March 30th, 2009
10:10 am
blausy,
They blog because they can’t find their dang cellphone.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/10/31/offbeat.mobile.toilet.reut/
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
10:11 am
Anyone else hear the first song off of Dylan’s new “Together Through Life” album? It’s called “Beyond Here Lies Nothin.’” Anyway, you can download it free from bobdylan.com until midnight.
Interesting sound for Dylan, I think. It’s got a really cool Santana groove to it (”Black Magic Woman” immediately comes to my mind when I hear the song)…with a little accordion mixed in.
Random
March 30th, 2009
10:16 am
Bubdylan (11:42 pm): “you ever see Waking Life? Where the guy learns to figure out if he’s dreaming or awake when things seem out of whack, by checking to see if digital clocks are acting screwy?”
Sounds good — sounds Philip K Dick-ian. Is it, do you know?
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
10:17 am
Zydeco and Santana, maybe.
DAP
March 30th, 2009
10:23 am
just reading over what was blogged during the game yesterday…its nice to go back and see what happend. i find the anderson/norton debate pretty funny. one funny thing is doc holliday insisting that infante could cover 1B better than norton in case of injury…infante has never ever played first base in a MLB game. not one inning, not one play. so how would he be better at 1B than norton?
there is no reason to keep anderson over norton. that would be dumb, and would weaken this team. what the braves should do is carry 5 outfielders into the season (keep anderson on the roster) until glavine is ready to join the team around the 19th. putting anderson on waivers 2 weeks into the season might give him a better chance of clearing.
p.s. the +6 rating for the marlins defense has got to be a typo. they dont even have one player thats as good as escobar defensively. their infield is full of butchers. (cantu is not average, he is bad)
Daniel
March 30th, 2009
10:32 am
thanks for the heads up chop chop
Random
March 30th, 2009
10:34 am
blausy –
Simple (and a couple of ‘em have actually admitted it) — it is simply THE best beat blog in the NL East.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
10:36 am
DAP-Apparently Doc didn’t see any of those plays that Norton made at first the other day, either. Dude can pick it at first from what I saw.
CB
March 30th, 2009
10:44 am
I know everybody is excited about Schafer as they should be.I still have a lot of concern about whether he is truely ready.A lot of times spring stats do not carry a lot of weight.My preference would still be to keep Josh and Jordan on the opening day roster.Surely we can figure a way to do this until we can get a little more experience for Schafer.
HokieBravefan
March 30th, 2009
10:44 am
The game might be on NESN. It says Red Sox vs. Phillies?? I think it is channel
626 Direct TV???
DAP
March 30th, 2009
10:50 am
mbatl
i agree with you on the over-specialization. i think it started pretty innocently. managers graded thier relivers and gave their best guy the job of finishing the game for them. when it gets out of hand is when a “closer” wont be used in another situation because it isnt the 9th inning, or isnt a save situation, ect. to me, you should know who your best relievers is, and use them when you need them. if that in the 9th, fine. if it in the 7th with a bases loaded situation, then use them! i often see situations where i think…its time to use our BEST guy. i dont care what his title is. the 9th inning might be the bottom of the order with the bases clear…weve got to get out of this first to have a chance to win this game.
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
10:51 am
p.s. the +6 rating for the marlins defense has got to be a typo. they dont even have one player thats as good as escobar defensively. their infield is full of butchers. (cantu is not average, he is bad) (DAP)
I love most of their work, but their defensive FRAR analyis ain’t very good. Baseball prospectus’s defensive metrics ain’t one of the five most worth looking at.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
10:52 am
We’ve got two other quality arms in Soriano and Moylan that I’m more than comfortable with pitching the ninth.
But…if you’re comfortable with those two in the 9th (and I would be, also), aren’t you just as comfortable with them in high-leverage 7th and 8th situations? If so, wouldn’t consistency of roles be an added value, as opposed to having all three pitch anywhere from 7th to 9th?
It’s an interesting question, for sure. As I said, I’m no huge fan of the over-specialization, either.
One thing: probably aren’t that many squads that could throw out three arms like healthy Gonzalez, Soriano, and Moylan, disregarding role altogether.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
10:58 am
Today’s lineup
1. KJ, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. G. Anderson, DH
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Kotchman, 1B
8. Diaz, LF
9. Schafer, CF
SAWX
1. Baldelli, DH
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Bay, LF
4. Youk, 1B
5. Lowell, 3B
6. Nick Green, SS (yes, that Nick Green)
7. Chip Ambres, CF
8. Dusty Brown, C
9. Che-Hsuan Lin, RF
MFin04
March 30th, 2009
11:00 am
So what does the opening day line up look like compared to the one above?
Woogidy
March 30th, 2009
11:01 am
Well, I get to follow the game today. I’m off for 9 weeks. They closed our plant on a rotation system. We’ll be closed until June 1st, then they close another one. I’m glad I’ll have a job to come back to, and glad for the time off. This is my favorite time of the year. That Tiger Woods comeback yesterday got me ready for the Masters in 2 weeks, and I’ve been ready for the Braves to start playing games that matter. Plus, Who wouldn’t want Spring time in Georgia off? I’m definitely in for the viewing party at Jock’s and Jill’s next Sunday KC. See some of you there. I’m excited for the new HD programming that FSN, and Sportssouth are doing this year. If you haven’t heard, 99 of their 104 scheduled broadcasts are going to be in HD. Plus, all of the P-Tree(45), ESPN(2), and FOX(9) broadcasts are in HD as well. There’s 2 games currently not scheduled to air. One of them is most certainly going to be picked up by ESPN’s Monday night baseball (vs. Cubs on July 6th), and the other one may be an ESPN Wednesday night game.
McFann =Ô=
March 30th, 2009
11:02 am
Uh-oh…he’s playing, eh? OK…BMac, just remember: You cann beat ‘em with one hand behind your back!
18 Wheels of Love
March 30th, 2009
11:03 am
I think we might be seeing that lineup on opening day! Looks good.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
11:03 am
Smoltz is playing golf again with Tiger later today.
By the way, Smoltz looks more fit, bigger in the upper body, than I’ve seen him in a long time. Said he’s been lifting weights, when Bobby asked about it. Diet and fitness regimen upgraded, and it’s obviously working. Seriously, he looks younger.
Was wearing a Georgia basketball shirt, by the way, when he came over to Braves dugout. I think because he needed something with red on it to wear with his Sox shorts for his workout, if he was going to be seen outside the clubhouse, etc.
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
11:03 am
Oh…and thanks for the lineup, Chief!
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
11:05 am
Today’s lineup
1. KJ, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. G. Anderson, DH
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Kotchman, 1B
8. Diaz, LF
9. Schafer, CF
Uh, that looks like Opening Day lineup to me except with Schafer 8th and Diaz on the pine. Looks damn solid up and down.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
11:06 am
Yes, McCann back in lineup. No problem.
vabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
11:07 am
going to be pretty tough to see that lineup on opening day when there is no DH. I bet Schafer will be leading off on opening day
HokieBravefan
March 30th, 2009
11:07 am
Sorry game is not on NESN. Forget last comment!!!
dogsbrekky
March 30th, 2009
11:09 am
Just went to buy an American CAR
What a nightmare………… will not bore you with the details and sales tactics, cause I am sure you have seen them all..
what a shame
So baseball, who is playing 2day
GSU-Lee
March 30th, 2009
11:12 am
DOB
Anything to the fact that Kelly has hit leadoff a few times this spring? I personally would rather have whichever horse wins the CF race batting leadoff, no matter who it is.
vabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
11:12 am
The next game on TV is Saturday I believe
Il Cattivo
March 30th, 2009
11:14 am
Dang.. that there is one sweet lineup. I could get used to that (minus the DH). Looks solid 1–9. The Sox look good 1-5 but sort of taper off after that.
Woogidy
March 30th, 2009
11:16 am
Braves on CSS tomorrow. 7:05
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
11:17 am
Uh, that looks like Opening Day lineup to me except with Schafer 8th and Diaz on the pine. Looks damn solid up and down.
Doesn’t appear to be any other way to go, based on the currently available info. I’d certainly be shocked to see Schafer hitting 1 on Opening Day. Maybe at the All-Star break.
I’d really prefer to see Johnson hitting at 3 and Chipper at 4, but I assume that’s an extremely unlikely scenario, even if Schafer were to hit leadoff at some point.
woogidy
March 30th, 2009
11:17 am
Braves on TV tomorrow at 7:05 on CSS
Epinephrine
March 30th, 2009
11:18 am
This is the first time we’ve fielded our real lineup isn’t it? I’m excited…let’s see what our lineup of professional hitters can do against a quality pitcher.
Josh from Columbus
March 30th, 2009
11:19 am
Just curious… is today’s game on television? My lunch plans are pending this answer, lol.
vabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
11:19 am
oh well I don’t get that css channel
Random
March 30th, 2009
11:19 am
vabravesfan (11:12 am): “The next game on TV is Saturday I believe”
No — at least not for those who get Comcast Sports South (CSS):
Tuesday, March 31 @ Astros 7:05 PM CSS
Thursday, April 2 @ Astros 1:05 PM CSS
Friday, April 3 vs Tigers 7:10 PM CSS WGST 640, Project 96.1
Saturday, April 4 vs Tigers 1:10 PM SPSO, MLB.TV WGST 640, Project 96.1
and of course, opening day —
Sunday, April 5 @ Phillies 8:00 PM ESPN2 WGST
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
11:34 am
I’d really prefer to see Johnson hitting at 3 and Chipper at 4, but I assume that’s an extremely unlikely scenario, even if Schafer were to hit leadoff at some point. (scoots)
Yeah, I’d like KJ hitting third myself. He’s ready for it, and he’d be no worse than a league average 3 hitter. There are just too many lefties in this lineup and no one ready to assume the leadoff role besides KJ. The lineup would work better if they had Escobar second, Chipper fourth, Frenchy 6th so that it would be left, right, left, switch, left, right, left, left. Just don’t think Schafer is ready for leadoff yet. Josh Anderson ain’t really a leadoff hitter either but he’s just a pawn you let get chewed up and spit out at leadoff while Schafer is more of a rook or bishop and maybe later a king or queen that you try to protect down in the order when he’s first called up.
vabravesfan
March 30th, 2009
11:35 am
forgot about the css channel games because I don’t get it but thanks for correcting me. If you don’t get css you will be waiting til saturday with me.
Josh B
March 30th, 2009
11:40 am
What in the world Willy Wally? That completely lost me with the chess references.
Jeff321
March 30th, 2009
11:42 am
>If you don’t get css you will be waiting til saturday with me.
Quite a few of the games are available on MLB tv’s lame 400K feed.
For instance:
Tue 7:05 PM Atlanta Braves @ Houston Astros
Thu 1:05 PM Atlanta Braves @ Houston Astros
Fri 7:10 PM Detroit Tigers @ Atlanta Braves
DAP
March 30th, 2009
11:42 am
i wouldnt want someone to call me the “queen” in anything.
DAP
March 30th, 2009
11:44 am
What in the world Willy Wally? i love alliteration.
ncscoots
March 30th, 2009
11:46 am
Just don’t think Schafer is ready for leadoff yet.
Agreed. The question is, which better makes him ready: 200 appearances batting 8 in the bigs, or 200 hitting leadoff at AAA? Don’t know, plus there are other variables involved that may or may not be more important.
hotmom
March 30th, 2009
11:47 am
Belly – where are you? I need my Schafer update.
Lunatic Fringe
March 30th, 2009
11:49 am
I think JS hits 8th till Bobby thinks he is comfortable in the bigs, then moves him to leadoff.
Steve McP
March 30th, 2009
11:49 am
Anyone know which TV providers have the CSS channel?
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
11:51 am
DOB is preparing his Kawakami vs. Dice-K blog right now, and I have to admit that I’m surprised S.T. is getting this many people to blog.
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
11:52 am
Woogity Braves on TV tomorrow at 7:05 on CSS
Hmf…that doesn’t help those of us with AT&T!
TnBrian
March 30th, 2009
11:55 am
McCann dodged a bullet with just a bruise…saw the hit and really thought he broke something. We can breath now
Willy Wally
March 30th, 2009
11:56 am
Forigve the poor writing on the chess reference. What I’m kinda trying to say is that Jordan is back row royalty on the chess set that you protect and deliberate like crazy about before you move and expose. Josh and Gregor are front row pawns you throw out there for the slaughter in order to protect the back row royalty. Still poor writing on my part but, oh well.
cphizzle
March 30th, 2009
11:58 am
i for one am jealous of everyone out there who has access to css…one of the downers to livin in the sticks i guess
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
Random, Richard Linklater wrote the sprawling script to Waking Life, but he is definitely Philip K Dick influenced. In fact, the climax (if a trippy cartoon dream-movie can be said to have a climax) involves a conversation about a story by PKD. And, if I’m not mistaken, the next movie Linklater directed in that same animation style (A Skanner Darkly? Something. Too lazy to google; that’s bad…) was based on another story by PKD. So, even though I don’t remember the digital clock business being credited to PKD (I like to type PKD… PKD… PKD…), it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s where he got it.
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
Steve McP (11:49 am): “Anyone know which TV providers have the CSS channel?”
You could check here: http://www.csssports.com/pages/main
Lunatic Fringe
March 30th, 2009
12:07 pm
Willy Wally—-
“Pawn – To the ill informed, the pawn, or foot infantry, was the most expendable of all chess pieces. As Paul Keres, Estonia’s chess grandmaster, once said, “The older I grow, the more I appreciate my Pawns”.
That was a quote from a chess book. Don’t be so quick to “ruin” Josh or Brandon–they could be saving us down the road.
Marty Malloy
March 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
DOB,
Are the Braves interested in bringing back Will Ohman on a $1.5MM deal?!
Josh B
March 30th, 2009
12:14 pm
Do you guys think the Braves could trade Boston Josh Anderson for John Smoltz?
Random
March 30th, 2009
12:19 pm
You can enter your zip code on this Comcast Sports site, and it will tell you what provider(s) are available and what channel(s):
http://www.csssports.com/pages/main
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:22 pm
“and I have to admit that I’m surprised S.T. is getting this many people to blog.” -TnBrian
We blog when there’s no baseball at all, homes (or is it holmes? White people shouldn’t even try…). Even when there’s no hot stove. Rain, sleet, drunk at night. The blog abides.
Josh B
March 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
I dont know if you guys read the mlbtraderumors.com live chats, but there are alot more questions regarding the Braves that I have ever seen. It gets me pretty excited.
JPHunt
March 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
Marty Malloy, you are thin ice with the Will Ohman stuff, DOB will probably rip you a new one.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:24 pm
Marty-If the Braves were really interested in bringing back Will Ohman, he would be in Braves’ camp already. All indications are that the Braves are not interested in Ohman and are happy with the potential that Boone Logan and Eric O’Flaherty exhibit (or not as some probably think).
There DOB-saved you the trouble.
GTI in Chicago
March 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Raindawg722:
I posed a related question about Francoeur going to another team’s hitting coach a couple of weeks ago. One of the other bloggers here (whose handle I now forget) kindly answered.
Basically, Frenchy PAID for that session with Jaramillo; paid him directly, with a check or cash or whatever. The ballpark figure was, like, $2000 a hour. Neither the Rangers nor the Braves organizations were involved. It’s like a little freelance side gig for the coach, and I know it’s not terribly uncommon. Now, if Frenchy had just been doing off-season work with TP, or another Braves coach, well, that’s all just part of the job description for the team and no money need change hands between the player and the coach.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
12:28 pm
Charlie Morton is on the DL (oblique strain), not a surprise. He hasn’t pitched enough here to begin the season on Gwinnett’s active roster
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:29 pm
Lew, not nearly biting enough. Try:
Marty, as covered earlier ad nauseum in our blog and many others all week – for several weeks, Will Ohman is not going to be a Brave. Is. Not. Going. To. Be. A. Brave.
(oh, man, if I hit submit, I’m a dead man, ain’t I? I’ll just let my finger gently brush the left click and let fate decide….
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:29 pm
Marty
Dave will probably send Guido over to break some of your fingers if you type any Ohman stuff again!
Overspecialization of the bullpen:
I have stated in the past, and definitely agree that you use your BEST guys sometimes first. It is hard as heck to get to the 9th, if you blow the lead in the 7th or 8th.
I really like the idea of a “stopper” for the bullpen, similar to what Moylan did in 2007. I say use the best guy for the situation, and don’t worry about who got some meaningless stat called a “hold” or a “save”.
Whaddya think?
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:30 pm
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..
cvbraves
March 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
Thanks, DOB, I know you’re busy…and the lineup today looks pretty close to what I’d anticipate in the opener.
Random: Thanks for the link to gameday.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
Sure would be nice if some of these games were on MLB Audio!
stynes
March 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
Is the game today not televised at all? Even CSS here in Atlanta? Thanks!
JPHunt
March 30th, 2009
12:36 pm
What do you think of the blog there Marty, kinda like swimming with piranha eh?
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
12:37 pm
TnBrian–
Yep…
…
……don’t know how to type a “breathing sound”, so let’s just say: [deep breath]
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:38 pm
bubdylan-Just trying to be a kinder and gentler me, cause I seem to get lots of grief for my supposed insensitivity. I’m also working hard to improve the stick figures that I’m accused of drawing poorly. We all strive for personal improvement. Right?
RHR
March 30th, 2009
12:38 pm
Thanks in advance for the game updates for us cubicle rats. This blog is way better than gameday. Faster too.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
McFann, you breathing heavy on the blog again?
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:40 pm
Marty
All in good fun, man!
Actually, I think the AJC is in secret negotiations with Ohman to bring him in to be Dave’s side kick. Man’s got a gift.
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:41 pm
Posted these last night, but I’ll try to make the numbers a little easier to read here…
——Attainable Numbers for ’09 Braves——-
…………………..AVG…HR…RBI….2B….OBP….SB
1 – Schafer………280….12…..55…..33…..355……37
2 – Escobar……..290….13…..65…..32…..369…….5
3 – Jones…………332….23…..87…..26…..461……4
4 – Francoeur……300….21….106….39…..343…….3
5 – McCann………301…24……88….40…..372…….2
6 – Andrson/Diaz.303….17…..88…..30…..337…….8
7 – Johnson……..286….18……82…..40….353…….7
8 – Kotchman…..290…..17…..77…..31…..355……2
Starter TOTALS..297…145….648…271….368……72
Nick
March 30th, 2009
12:41 pm
Ditto RHR, thanks to everyone taking time to give updates for the rest of us
ease19
March 30th, 2009
12:41 pm
Lew – What about all the complainin’ and whinin’ you do? Working on that? ‘-)
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:43 pm
Lew, that was actually a jab at (looks over both shoulders) DOB. If you were more sensitive, you’d have picked that up.
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:44 pm
This team isn’t going to hit anywhere near 200 HR’s, obviously, but they’ve got a good chance to top 160 as a team, and have a good chance to lead the league in team avg. and/or doubles. So this offense, I am convinced, (barring anything completely unforeseen) could very well wind up being one of the best 4 or 5 offenses in the league.
ease19
March 30th, 2009
12:45 pm
KC
That is just ludicrous…McCann with only two SB…TWO? Come on man, we looking for at least five here. What happened to your sense of optimism?
Marty Malloy
March 30th, 2009
12:45 pm
lol… I was trying to yank DOB’s chain.
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:46 pm
Wayne in Utah, isn’t today’s game on Gameday Audio? Pretty sure it is.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
ease19
If you really want to hear some whinin’ and complainin’, just wait until the season starts and for the Braves to lose 2 in a row, or for somebody in the pen to blow a lead, or for Frenchy to ground into a DP. Then anything Lew might do will be child’s play in comparison.
They even complain sometimes during an at bat……
(Kelly watches ball one go by in the dirt (WHAT AN EYE!), and on the second pitch, he swings and misses..(WHAT A FREAKIN BUM!)….
i cant take it anymore
March 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
KC,
did those numbers come to you in a dream?
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
ease19, you could be right man… but I just can’t bring myself to go to 5 SB for McCann. 4 maybe… but 5? Hmmm… if he can get to 5, they might want to consider him for the leadoff spot!
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
N8
March 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
Alex Trabek: “This, is exactly what the City of Fargo, DOES NOT need, at the present time.”
Contestant #1: “What is 14.5 inches of snow (and still going) reported at the Bismarck Airport in the past 15 hours, and headed DIRECTLY towards Fargo.”
Yup. Just when Fargo thought they were in better shape than first reported. Mother Nature decides to let everybody know, that in the end, the human race has ZERO control over this stuff.
Here in Bismarck, we’re at 97+ inches of snow for the “season”, 4 inches away from the alltime record, and the pundits expect us to break that record (easily) by mid afternoon.
Florida sounds pretty damn good to me, right about now.
McPoyle
March 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
KC, those numbers look sexy. but i’m not ready just yet to put that much stock in Frenchy… i’d be happy if his numbers were closer to those you projected for Kelly… either way it’s an improvement. i just hope he’s not stricked with andruw jones syndrome
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
Marty, the “I was only funnin’ ” blog recant is so offseason. In the spring, we blame alcohol. Try and *hiccup* keep up…
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
KC
I checked earlier, but I will recheck. Maybe they don’t show a link until it is imminent.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:50 pm
With all this talk about absolutely needing Ohman (or another of his ilk) because we face so many good LH hitters, I figured I’d check something out. I don’t have the time or inclination to check everyone we face, but since Utley is prominently mentioned in such conversations, I thought I’d look up his Braves’ RH/LH splits. Many might find it enlightening.
Against RH pitching, he hit the hell out of Morton, Campillo, Acosta, Stockman and Parr. However, he only hit .200 against Jurrjens, and .000 against Bennett, Boyer and Vlad Nunez.
Against Braves’ LH pitching , he creamed Hampton, Reyes and Chuck James, but only hit .222 against Ohman.
Make of it what y’all will, but it looks like good RH pitching can get at least Utley out.
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
12:51 pm
Hang in there N8!
RC
March 30th, 2009
12:51 pm
Anyone know when channel 651 (BRVS) on DirecTV will switch over to start actually carrying Braves games that normally show on CSS? It’s in the menu, but the guide simply says, “To Be Announced”.
KC
March 30th, 2009
12:51 pm
i cant take it anymore, no… I try to dream about more interesting things than baseball stats. =)
Of course… you can’t always control your dreams. One minute you’re in a pool with a young Christy Brinkley… the next moment you’re shooting pool with David Brinkley.
For realseys though, if you tell me which hitter’s “attainable stats” you find to be unrealistic, I’ll be happy to tell you exactly how I came to those numbers.
Smyrna Jim
March 30th, 2009
12:52 pm
Wayne – I agree with you on your bullpen post. If the number 3 batter is leading off the 8th inning, that is more likely to be the inning of decision than the 9th.
ease19
March 30th, 2009
12:52 pm
Wayne…
I am ready for that! I was just giving Lew grief because he gets a lot of grief about all his bellyaching! (said good naturedly)
McFann :Ô:
March 30th, 2009
12:52 pm
Bubdylan–
Yeah…my computer screen is all fogged up now…
KC–
Ease is right. Ya know, McCann did have five SB in five tries last year.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:53 pm
Ease19-I only whine and complain about those who deserve it. Actually, come to think of it, I complain and whine much less than many like Jeff321 does. For example, I’ve never laid a pitcher low for giving up two choppers off of home plate like Jeff 321 did yesterday.
N8
March 30th, 2009
12:53 pm
Wayne, I’m fine. We’re in no real danger. Unless you count back pain, from snow-blowin’ all this heavy, wet snow.
Fargo, on the other hand….. Yikes.
But thanks.
ease19
March 30th, 2009
12:55 pm
i cant take it anymore, no… I try to dream about more interesting things than baseball stats. =)
Whatever!
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
12:55 pm
i-can’t-take-it-anymore, KC’s predictions are never predictions. He’s the baseball Nostradamus version of the kid that puts his finger an inch from your face, saying “I’m not touching you… I’m not touching you…”
(smiling at KC, who is still out-homered by me any day of the week…)
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:57 pm
Wayne-At least there has been no surge towards providing gallows or chopping blocks in the on deck circles so bloggers could have players summarily executed during an at bat.
Somewhat ironic that what those who claim that I whine and complain are whining and complaining about my supposed whining and complaining.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
Nathan-Hell, at this point in time, Vermont should look good to you. We’ve been above 40 for three weeks now and the glacier has receded. Hardly any snow (comparatively) this year.
ease19
March 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
Lew – Honestly, I can only recall you whinin’ and complainin’ about others whinin’ and complainin’…which is totally understandable…MnFn04 (or something is the same way..as Jeff321)
KC
March 30th, 2009
1:00 pm
McPoyle, what I’ve seen from Francoeur this spring has made me a believer. 110%. I expected him to bounce back. I expect him to be better… but I didn’t expect him to be an entirely different hitter.
He’s looked more like Chipper this spring than the Frenchy of old. He’s shown off a GREAT eye, swinging at NOTHING out of the strikezone… driving pitches where they’re thrown, rather than trying to pull everything. 7 walks, 2 strikeouts… dude has not only turned it around, but has really matured as a hitter. Because what happened last year forced him to change, his ‘08 season might wind up being the best thing that ever happened to his career.
That said, I understand if you more guarded where Francoeur is concerned. I would point out, however, that the above numbers are pretty close to his ‘07 stats (.293, 19 HR, 105 RBI, 40 doubles). So we know he’s capable of something at least very close to the “attainable numbers” I listed.
Actually, I would be surprised if he hits well over .300, and well over 20 HR. But for now… I’ll go with .300, 21 HR.
i cant take it anymore
March 30th, 2009
1:00 pm
KC,
you really think jones is capable of hitting .330?
Chop Chop
March 30th, 2009
1:03 pm
I thank
doGGod every day that the season is about to start. Why? It has nothing to do with my love of baseball. (I’d rather football start this weekend.) I just want the predictions to stop. I want the hand-wringing over who the fifth outfielder will be to stop. I want it all to stop. Please stop.Let’s play ball. You know, the kind of ball that will make all of this stop.
Bubdylan
March 30th, 2009
1:03 pm
“Yeah…my computer screen is all fogged up now…” McFann
Too… many… comment….options….
Brain… freezing… up…
DAP
March 30th, 2009
1:04 pm
KC what i found most interesting about your guesses is the SB category. the totals you put seem very attainable, and i actaully think the braves could get a few more out of a couple of guys.
the reason this is interesting is because in coach’s recent out-of-his-butt comment, he has guaranteed that the braves would not steal 75 bases this year. you estimates put the braves at 72! and if maccann matches his 5 SB from last year instead of the 2 that you estimated…were there! thats not even including steals from prado, infante, or whatever other bench guy is out there.
i just wonder what coach will do if his guarantee doesnt happen, and he is proven to be full of hot air once again. my guess is he will act like it never happened and continue to be as pompous as ever.
ease19
March 30th, 2009
1:04 pm
Somewhat ironic that what those who claim that I whine and complain are whining and complaining about my supposed whining and complaining.
If you are implying me, I thought is was apparent that I was making a joke…hence the ‘-)
JOE
March 30th, 2009
1:04 pm
KC… obviously i’d love to see those kinda stats out of Shafer. That would make him the immediate NL player of the year. IMO, i don’t see Shafer getting 30+ SB’s or 55 rbi’s. I think he’s capable of the .280 average, but i see him more in the 40-45 rbi range with 20-25 steals.
David O'Brien
March 30th, 2009
1:04 pm
NEW BLOG IS UP
Wayne in Utah
March 30th, 2009
1:05 pm
Lew
Amen!
Bubdylan
You can take 5% off KC’s predictions, and that is where I am (except I would NEVER short McCann on his SB’s!)
In all seriousness, if we get the kind of years that are expected from our players, it could be an exciting year. Injuries are the biggest wild card.
Frenchy’s season will also be pivotal. 5 runs a game with this staff will keep us in the hunt, I believe.
McPoyle
March 30th, 2009
1:05 pm
yes, he’s very much capable of those numbers and exceeding those numbers… that’s what was so scary about the last year’s numbers, not even remotely close to what he’s capable of. i just hope he has figured it all out and meets that potential that we’ve seen because he’ll be the key ingredient to the middle-of-the-linup production this season. he can’t crap the bed every time the bases are loaded this season.
so where i agree those numbers are attainable and quite reasonable… i just hope he produces like we all know he can, because last year he did no such thing. i hope we see the bounce back
Epinephrine
March 30th, 2009
1:06 pm
KC, I have to take issue with some of your projections. I don’t know how Francoeur’s attainable numbers, despite how happy we all are with his performance this spring, are basically equal to McCann’s attainable numbers.
I think if those are BMac’s numbers, you need to be far more pessimistic with Frenchy. Frankly, I think McCann is capable of putting up far better numbers than you just listed. That would essentially be no real improvement over previous healthy years.
For Jeff, though, I’d say those numbers are in the upper 75% of what we can hope for.
I think the rest of your numbers are reasonable, perhaps trending on optimistic, as to what is attainable.
Jealous Johsnon
March 30th, 2009
1:09 pm
Word has it, Lew’s working on a new masterpiece. Apparently its going to feature Bobby Cox wearing nothing but a jock strap while sportin’ the teeth from that donkey on Hee Haw.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
1:09 pm
ease19-It’s all no big deal. You blog here long enough and someone is bound to give you grief-there’s always some mental midget who has to let people know how stupid they are. It comes with the territory. However, for every moron who thinks they have fabulous insight, but really can’t tell their butt hole from a golf course, there are actually ten or fifteen that really do know what they’re talking about.
For every Stinky there are always enough BubDylan’s, Waynes, KC’s, Jersey Gill’s (and even Chop Chop’s, heh heh) and others to make up for the And Idiots.
Lew
March 30th, 2009
1:10 pm
Jealous Johnson-Waiting on tenter hooks for more masturabatory material, are you?
Will Torrid Spring Stats Translate To Fantasy Baseball Success?
March 30th, 2009
2:06 pm
[...] Lowe has been given the honor of starting in the season opener for the Braves. In fact, he’ll start both that game and the home opener. A lot of that has to do with his seniority, but his 2-0 spring with a 3.27 ERA didn’t hurt [...]
Woogidy
March 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
We’ll be Schafers Chaffers. I won’t explain. Use your imagination.
cityofdecatur
March 31st, 2009
11:24 am
2nd test
If you set the target attribute of a link to “_blank”,
the link will open in a new window.
cityofdecatur
March 31st, 2009
11:26 am
2nd test
If you set the target attribute of a link to “_blank”,
the link will open in a new window.