Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,179 comments Add your comment
DAP
March 31st, 2009
12:03 pm
eric from MO
let me tell you how i guessed about $23mil would be gone. i assume either vazquez OR(not both) hudson will be gone. thats at least $11.5 mil. Mike gonzalez will be a free agent ($3.5mil). rafael soriano will be a free agent ($6.1mil). glavine’s $1mil will be available, norton’s $.8mil will be available, and anderson’s $2.5mil will be available.
add it up, and i get $25.4 mil. so, thats where i got that. youre right about the budget possibly going down, but still, thats what we have coming off of the books.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:04 pm
Am I the only one who is concerned about all this movement and motion in Gonzo’s delivery? I can see that hurting him in the long run.
I have always heard that the most simple of motions is most easily repeated. I think this has been ONE of Dontrelle Willis’ issues over the years.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:05 pm
18 Wheels-But you keep talking about Smoltz’s performance LAST year and he was NOT coming off of surgery at that point in time. They are two entirely different pitchers at two entirely different stages of their careers. One is in his forites-one in his mid thirties. One has a history of injury-one doesn’t. One is a power pitcher-one is a finesse pitcher. Their styles of pitching are different. Their mechancis are differnet. Their pitch repertoires are different. No analogy at all. The only thing in common is that both have had an injury -and not even the same one in the time frame you discuss- and they both recently pitched for Atlanta.
As for there being time for Hudson to prove his potential-why isn’t there enough time? We don’t need to rush his rehab as we have plenty of pitching without him. He isn’t due back until August at the earliest. They’ve monitored his rehab closely and think he’ll be ready early. If he is, then he pitches a few games down the stretch. If not, he’s evaluated during the winter and through the rest of his recovery. They are under zero obligation to make their decision on him as soon as the Series ends in November (Lord Help us-it gets later every year). They can wait and evaluate him after October if they desire-there is no time limit that I’m aware of. It’s doubtful that if they do offer to pick up the option, that they will do so with no idea of what they may get in return.
GTI in Chicago
March 31st, 2009
12:06 pm
How the wheel does turn…
Josh Anderson couldn’t beat out Schafer or Blanco for a job in Atlanta, but his acquisition by Detroit got Gary Sheffield fired. The Tigers released him today. They already had too many outfielders in camp. After the trade, Josh was set to be the 4th outfielder. The rest of their surplus can just be sent down, but Gary got fired.
OH, the irony…
Original Jon
March 31st, 2009
12:06 pm
Could anyone explain why Ohman’s contract is a Minor League contract? The money involved is Major League, so what is the benefit to the Tigers in making this a Minor contract? Steve McP
Dont know if anyone answered you on this, but, the reason it is a minor league contract is because he is not ready to face live hitters yet. In case you havent noticed, he was just signed and spring training is about 3 or 4 days from being over. So he needs time to get ready and no team is going to wait for him to get ready on the major league team, so its a minor league contract. Oh, and BTW, its the Dodgers, not the Tigers.
Kenny Powers
March 31st, 2009
12:07 pm
Kenny Powers thinks Tim Hudson will be back as strong as ever
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
12:08 pm
Eric, this is what I am talking about…
10:48 They come back to form and often pick up a MPH or 2 but it takes time….time that we don’t have with Huddy.
I know they come back to form, but not everyone is Carpenter…btw where has he been the last 2 years? Injured?
All I am saying is that Huddy would have to prove himself quickly for us to pick up that option and/or re-sign him. Again, just my thoughts on this.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:08 pm
No love lost here for Gary Sheffield after how he layed down on the Milwaukee Brewers in the early stages of his career.
I try to forget that the Braves actually had him on our roster for a while.
(and no Random, I don’t hate Sheff)
garlick
March 31st, 2009
12:09 pm
18 Wheels, we don’t have Andruw’s production, but Schafer should put up about 20 HR’s per year, especially when he puts on a little more weight. He’s only 22, so he’s still filling out.
I actually agree with you on the assessment that Hudson will be allowed to leave after this year, even though the option is tempting. We have so many young arms, and Hudson’s a great pitcher, but you don’t sign 2 pitchers to 3-4 year deals & bring in another by trade if you have the feeling you’re going to exercise that option.
I know that’s not a popular view, but it is what it is.
FYI to everyone talking bad about KJ’s fielding, according the baseball fielding bible, he was a 0 in fielding last year. He won’t be a -5 to -10 as someone predicted.
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
12:12 pm
Jebus man, all I’m saying is that it is a risk to pick up his option with him coming off TJ and that Smoltz making 14m for 28 innings is a red flag that it could happen again. Sure both are different cases but you can make the case that you should put 12m+ into someone who doesn’t have a track record of injury(s). I see your point, you aren’t willing to connect the 2 players but as a GM, I would certainly be concerned about getting burned by putting money into a pitcher coming off TJ surgery. Need I bring up Hampton? All 3 players, different examples..apples, oranges, and bananas, but all fruit!
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:13 pm
18 Wheels
Your doing a lot of speculating what will happen at the end of this season, when we haven’t played a single game that counts.
So much can happen. Guys can go north or south on you. Young guys can excel or fail. A guy like Jurrjens can go either way. (we all seem to assume he is going to get better, often times they don’t)
We don’t know what will happen with Hanson, Morton and Reyes this year.
It could be that we don’t need Huddy after 2009, or it could be that we pray that he will return to his old form, cause we need him.
So, I think a lot of typing is being wasted at this point in the season. But then again, what do I know??
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
12:15 pm
garlick, I agree on Schafer but I don’t see 20 HR’s this year…maybe next. Maybe.
I know DOB was adamant about the Braves picking up Hudson’s option, but he mentioned that well before the Kawakami signing, which was 1 player more than Wren publicly committed to getting. I take that as a sign too, and I don’t think KK will be a 7m long relief guy.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:17 pm
The market is up on the news that the Atlanta Braves and Chipper Jones have agreed on a contract extension. (or could it be that our prez didn’t go on national tv to scare wall street again?) Either way, it’s good.
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
12:18 pm
Wayne, you are 100% right. It is all speculation. But what fun is talking about last year? Without speculation, we’d be forced to talk about Travis Smith and Raul Mondesi and how we only hit 27 HR’s in the OF last year. The facts of the past are not nearly as fun as the allure of talking up Hanson for Cy Young!
DAP
March 31st, 2009
12:18 pm
bloviatorWhile KJ may rate as a -5 to -10 defender,
im pretty sure that yesterday someone posted defensive rankings from ESPN, maybe…? that said kelly was a plus defender. it was the same thing that said the marlins overall were a +6 so i dont know if that helps or hurts my argument, but im just saying…what does he really rate at? where can we see those stats?
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:20 pm
Wayne-But it’s fun having a good back and forth on these topics with no one getting their a$$e$ bent out of shape.
18 Wheels-Yes, he may be a risk, but I think they’ll know which way to go is the best way. If they think he can come back and be effective then they dump Vazquez and keep Huddy. If they arew wary of what he can provide, they decline the option and part ways. I’m certain that one way or another they will make a good, informed decision.
The bottom line is that in 2010 we will have a lot more options available than we did this winter-and that’s a GOOD thing.
GermanBravesFan
March 31st, 2009
12:21 pm
Ghost of Will Ohman: I am from near Schweinfurt in Germany which also has a huge U.S. military base. They used to have two of them, but closed one and the other will be closed soon, too. After living in the U.S. for twenty years, I recently moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where I now work in the communications department of the biggest Swiss Tour operator. I just got out of a meeting where new articles for the employee magazine were assigned and I got the one that will be about our involvement with the MLB All-Star Game in July. Our company will arrange the hospitality events. I sure hope I will get a ticket out of this!!! If I go, I sure will try got get DOB’s autograph…
ease19
March 31st, 2009
12:22 pm
This is like watching an episode of “Crossfire” with Chris Matthews!
18 Wheels of Love
March 31st, 2009
12:23 pm
I’m going to Chic Fil A….I deserve a chocolate shake after all that speculating! Right or wrong!
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
12:27 pm
Lew: I agree with you on B.Jones but everything I’ve read about him has suggested that the Braves no longer think of him like they did a year ago at this time.
So have the Braves announced where Heyward will open the season in the minors? I’m thinking he’s on the fast track to the majors. (2010)
Andruw has very quietly put together a solid spring for Texas.
Bill M.
March 31st, 2009
12:27 pm
DAP— Soriano’s salary is 3mil. not 6.1mil. That was his total for 2yrs.
The Bloviator Downstairs
March 31st, 2009
12:28 pm
One is a power pitcher-one is a finesse pitcher. Their styles of pitching are different. Their mechancis are differnet. Their pitch repertoires are different. No analogy at all. (LEW)
You couldn’t be more wrong Lew. Hudson and Smoltz are both fastball, slider pitchers. Hudson is NOT AT ALL a finesse pitcher. He doesn’t rely on offspeed stuff like a changeup or a curveball or on hitting spots like a finesse guy. Ever see a picture of Hudson pitching? He’s max effort all the way, with every vein, ligament and tendon in his body being strained for all to see. If anything, Smoltz has easier, cleaner mechanics when you watch them pitch. Smoltz and Hudson throw fastballs or sliders almost 80% of the time. Since Smoltz throws a few ticks faster, he’s not as reliant on getting movement and sink with his fastball. The question with Hudson will be if he can get back to around 90 mph with movement and sink. If he can’t, he’s in trouble because he doesn’t have the gas of a flamethrower or the offspeed, hitting spots skills of a crafty finesse pitcher. But stop calling him a finesse pitcher because that he most certainly is not.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:29 pm
18 Wheels -eat a Chik Fil A for me-they don’t have them up here in Vermont and I truly miss them-and Dairy Queen.
Wayne-It’s funny you mention the stock market. I’ve got CNN on in the background and Tony Harris just said “the market is Chipper today despite bad January housing figures.” He wasn’t talking about CJ, but funny nonetheless. Did you call the Dude and feed him the line?
winterville
March 31st, 2009
12:30 pm
Anders
Where you at buddy? I’m sure you heard about Chipper’s extension. I seem to remember you predicting that Chipper may sign elsewhere because of the Smoltz thing and how the luster is off the Braves. Something about he was tired of losing and might follow Smoltz to Boston. I guess you can’t win em all. Nice try though.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:31 pm
TommyP-Yeah, it’s entirely possible they package Brandon with some excess pitching and make a deal for a piece or two (or Blanoc, for that matter) especially if they deem Heyward as being ready. Like I said earlier though-ain’t it great to have options and lots of good young players in the pipeline? Beats hell out of the alternatives we’ve dealt with in recent years.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
March 31st, 2009
12:32 pm
Kentavo,
Why would anyone move Frenchy to CF and put Schafer in RF? He is already a great defender in CF, there is no point in moving him.
And I am going to say that I think the Braves have zero interest in Sheffield at this point. They signed Garrett Anderson to be the solution. If they had interest in Sheffield, maybe it would have been discussed yesterday when they were in trade talks about Josh Anderson.
Knowitall
March 31st, 2009
12:32 pm
Wayne,
The other day you said that you only get involved in political discussions when provoked. Yet, here you are today repeatedly taking pop shots at a President who did not cause your 401k to start it’s decline. The previous administration can take full credit for that. We get that you don’t agree with the President’s strategy for getting us out of this mess but you Sir were not provoked.
MinnesotaJacket
March 31st, 2009
12:33 pm
Lew iu agree with you on missing chic fil a…being in Minnesota blows with no chic fil a or zaxbys
22oz
March 31st, 2009
12:33 pm
DOB, yesterday Bill Shanks said the Kawakami and Hanson were set to pitch on Saturday at Turner Field. Is this accurate, or is Bill wrong on this one? I know it makes sense for Kawakami pitching on normal rest, but how would he know about Hanson, unless it had been announced?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:36 pm
Lew
I can’t claim that one, besides the only time CNN shows on my TV here is when I am channel surfing and there are no good “Law and Order” reruns on!
We got both Dairy Queen and Chick-fil-A (one in the mall) here in Utah. But, in 1 hour, I will be devouring a grilled chicken salad from Cafe Rio instead, washing it down with a Diet Dr. Pepper.
Wishin’ I were having a cheeseburger from Dave’s Giant Heimburger in Fairfield, CA.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
12:36 pm
Chipper got a three-year, $42 mill contract, including a $3 mill signing bonus, $13 mill salaries over each of 2010-2012 seasons, and $9 mill option that vests with 123 gms played in 2012 or 127 games averaged in 2011-2012
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
12:37 pm
Also has incentives and escalator clauses that could push total value as high as $61 mill over four years
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:37 pm
MinnesotaJacket-There’s a ChikFilA about three blocks from our place in Orlando (which I didn’t get to this spring) and I eat there at least once a day during Spring Training either for breakfast or later in the day. All we’ve got here in our little Vermont Village (not even a town) is one McDonald’s and a local pizza place-though they do have a little restaurant with great breakfasts. Ever had an apple cranberry pancake with Vermont Maple syrup a week out of the maple tree? That’s almost worth not having grits here.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:39 pm
Wayne-Must be because you’re in Utah., There’s ALWAYS a Law and Order rerun somewherre 24 hours a day.
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:39 pm
Or Cold Case or CSI MIami.
Fred
March 31st, 2009
12:40 pm
22 oz, DOB said earlier that Kawakami will pitch 4 innings on Saturday and Hanson will follow with 5 innings. They are doing this because they can’t use the bullpen Saturday with the regular season opener Sunday night in Philly.
Eware
March 31st, 2009
12:43 pm
Good for Chipper! I think he could have gotten more on the open market, which again shows his commitment to the Braves and our city.
Thanks Chipper. Thanks Frank!
Lew
March 31st, 2009
12:46 pm
They’re interviewing a woman from ND right now on CNN who sound just like Frances MacDormand in the movie Fargo. Last night on The Daily Show, they were saying that they had run out of sand to fill the bags to make barriers and were forced to look for other options-they then showed the wood chipper scene from Fargo.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
12:49 pm
Here’s some details on the deal:
The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and salaries of $13 million each season during 2010-2012, with a $9 million option for 2013 that vests if he plays 123 games in 2012 or averages 127 games played in 2011-2012.
Jones could also earn up to $1.5 million each season in games-played bonuses — $750,000 for 135 games, and $750,000 for 140 games, and up to $4 million in escalators in the 2013 option year. If his option doesn’t vest, the team has a $7 million option.
Last year was the fifth consecutive season that Jones been limited to fewer than 140 games.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:49 pm
Knowitall
Actually, I don’t blame either president for the downfall in our economy. I know that if a nation suffers during an administratiion, that administration will take the brunt of it. Bush gets his share for sure. To be honest, I blame our Congress for most of the issues we are suffering through. I think they deserve and should take the fair share of the blame. And I am not pointing fingers at either side, but at both sides. I think they are all crooks, for the most part.
But my “pop” shot actually has some truth to it. (humor often has it’s roots in truth) Most of the times when our POTUS makes a visit to prime time (other than the yearly address to the nation), they are normally doing so to address a major concern, which normally would be news that would cause Wall Street to shudder. So, I was not really taking a shot at our prez, merely stating a truth.
I will be one conservative person that will tell you that our system is broken. I don’t believe for a second that any stimulus is really a help. I just can’t see where spending a bazillion dollars will make anything better in the long run. AND, it is BOTH parties that are to blame. Bush started it, and Obama continues it.
I just happen to believe in an agenda that is not currently being adhered to by either party. So I am ticked off at ALL of the lot of them.
So, really, I don’t think I was instigating anything, or it was certainly not my intention, merely just my normal conversation.
And, hey, some of my best friends think I am a kook!
(this message was not intented to slam a political party or view, but to esssentially slam all political parties as presently constituted.)
spotts
March 31st, 2009
12:49 pm
Eware – Have you seen the open market?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:51 pm
I REALLY miss Zaxby’s!
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
12:54 pm
Thank God Chipper doesn’t have a Smoltz mind set when it comes to “gauranteed money”. This thing woulda drug out until next Feb.
Matt-In-SC
March 31st, 2009
12:54 pm
DOB, Could sheffield be the right handed power bat to hit between chipper and mccann?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:56 pm
Did anyone see where some French workers at a Catepillar plant who were being laid off, held some of their bosses hostage briefly?
And we thought they were all cheese eaters!
Jim
March 31st, 2009
12:56 pm
Wayne,
In the words of your hero, “there you go again.”
Can we please refrain from the politics. Your opinions wqould cause somebody to feel compelled to react just as you say you are compelled to react from time to time. PLEASE — JUST SAY NO!!!
TnBrian
March 31st, 2009
12:57 pm
Wayne, I’m glad to finally here someone with enough sense to know that congress is as much, if not more to blame as the president. Remember, congress has to pass something for it to happen. Sorry DOB…I couldn’t help it this time. He had a good point.
Eware
March 31st, 2009
12:58 pm
Point taken, spotts. But, I’m assuming its going to bounce back a little. I’m thinking that Chipper could get D. Lowe type money – $15 mill per.
He’s in a higher category than Abreau, Anderson, and Dunn. And you know that the BoSox, Yankees, and Dodgers would be all over him. They haven’t realized that the economy is bad yet.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
12:58 pm
Matt in SC
First, where in SC? Second, where would we play him? Left field?
It’s certainly something to ponder, but I don’t see the Braves going that direction. Besides, Sheff has been on a downhill slide for sometime now.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
12:59 pm
Oh, ok DAP. I see now.
Eric from MO
March 31st, 2009
1:01 pm
Garlick I said we were going into a depression. I did not say we were in one. Read what I wrote.
Schafer's Wafers
March 31st, 2009
1:02 pm
People people people who are infatuated with Sheffield….ARE YOU KIDDING me that would be the worst pick up of the last decade. He was good for us once before but not now he is old he cant take steroids anymore and we have a much much much better hitter now in Garrett Anderson. Put Sheffield to rest please. He is old news.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
1:03 pm
Bobby’s TV Slipup on Youtbue. Quality’s not great… comment comes around the 20-second mark. (and if previously posted, sorry).
Knowitall
March 31st, 2009
1:03 pm
Wayne fair enough.
Catepillar is a competitor of ours so maybe we can use the “see they have crazy workers” angle to stir some business our way. We need any help we can get at this point.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:04 pm
Jim
Another blogger thought I was taking a pot shot at our prez. I wasn’t. I was trying to explain to him why I wasn’t. I was trying to do so in a manner that he would understand the basis of my earlier statement.
Jim, if DOB wants to kick me off the blog, so be it. If you don’t like something I am saying to someone else, well, I am sorry about that. BUT, (refraining from using all caps), you don’t have to frickin’ read it, OK!
So, either register a complaint and get me kicked off, or butt out.
I have lived too many years to worry about what someone else thinks.
Jared S.
March 31st, 2009
1:04 pm
Don’t know if anyone caught this over at Baseball America but it seems Teheran and Rohrbough are still suffering from their injuries last year. Or, they could just be taking it easy during spring training.
KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Reports on a pair of low minors games between the Braves and Tigers, in consultation with talent evaluators:
Cause for concern, or just a case of pitchers getting back into the groove?
Righthander Tommy Hanson’s stuff has impressed scouts this spring, but two of the Braves’ other top pitching prospects showed significantly decreased velocity on Thursday.
Lefthander Cole Rohrbough has thrown his fastball between 92-94 mph, but he also battled an ankle injury and rotator cuff tendinitis last season. On Thursday his fastball sat at just 86-90 mph. Rohrbough’s 77-79 mph curveball is still a plus pitch, but it was his only above-average offering on Thursday. Rohrbough threw an occasional 73-75 mph changeup, though they weren’t very good and he couldn’t throw the pitch for a strike. Rohrbough doesn’t make full use of his lower half in his delivery, which might be related to last season’s ankle injury, or it could just be his mechanics.
Righthander Julio Teheran’s velocity was down as well. Teheran, one of the top international signings in 2007 when he signed out of Colombia for $850,000, has thrown 90-93 mph in the past and been up to the mid-90s. On Thursday, the 18-year-old pitched with his fastball at 87-91 mph. Like Rohrbough, Teheran has also had some troubling issues with his shoulder, which limited him to just 15 innings last year in the Rookie-level Appalachian League.
Teheran’s arm action is problematic and seems to have changed from what it was before. In the past, scouts have said his arm action was relatively free and easy; now his arm action lacks fluidity and he doesn’t stay behind the ball, which makes it difficult for a pitcher to throw as hard as Teheran used to throw. Teheran might have changed to compensate for his shoulder problems, but right now his arm action doesn’t appear to bode well for his durability.
While Teheran’s control also still has a ways to go, the good news is that his changeup remains an excellent pitch and his curveball showed promising signs as well. Teheran’s 80-81 mph change was a swing-and-miss pitch against both righties and lefties, and he used the pitch liberally. His 71-73 mph curveball wasn’t a power pitch, but it showed promising flashes, albeit not on a consistent basis. It reminded me a little bit of James McDonald’s curveball; it’s not a power breaker, but when it was on it had good depth, tight break and caught several hitters out front.
Perhaps the most impressive player at the Braves’ minor league complex on Thursday was 17-year-old Christian Bethancourt, the Panamanian catcher Atlanta gave $600,000 to last year. Bethancourt didn’t play in a game, but he showed a good swing and power to all fields in batting practice. Baseball America subscribers will have access to more scouting information on Bethancourt next week.
Kentavo
March 31st, 2009
1:05 pm
So Chipper is guaranteed to get hurt now that he’s inked that deal.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:06 pm
Knowitall
My company probably sells to your company! (we sell to Cat and all the other “big iron” company’s)
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:07 pm
Kentavo
No negative waves, man!
garlick
March 31st, 2009
1:08 pm
And Eric, as I said, we’re looking at growth in the 4th quarter this year, meaning we wouldn’t “technically” qualify for a depression.
I did read what you wrote and I responded specifically to that.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:09 pm
Jim, how would you know who my hero’s are? Actually, my wife and my dad are my heros.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
1:10 pm
bill m.Soriano’s salary is 3mil. not 6.1mil. That was his total for 2yrs.
hmmm…. nope, his total for two years was around $9mil. $3mil last year, $6mil this year.
Jim
March 31st, 2009
1:10 pm
I am not trying to kick anybody off the blog, I’m just trying to keep the focus on baseball.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
1:10 pm
Reasons why moving Chipper Jones to 1st base is a bad idea: 1) we don’t have an acceptable replacement for Chipper at 3rd but Freddie Freeman is coming up and we currently have Casey Kotchman there. 2) He’s an above-average defender at 3rd base so putting him at 1st would only decrease his value. Most importantly: 3) a move to 1st base would not keep him in the line-up for any more games than he’s in right now. He hardly ever gets hurt in the field, almost always during batting practice or swinging and missing at pitches in games. What is the benefit of moving Chipper to 1B?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:10 pm
garlick
I hope your are right about the 4th quarter growth…..
cphizzle
March 31st, 2009
1:12 pm
ok wayne and jim lets put our big boy drawers on now and quit suckin our thumbs this is baseball we are all here for not daycare
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:13 pm
PWHjort
Agreed. I don’t think at this point in Chippers career, a move to first base would solve any problems. As you state, it would creat more problems than it would solve.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
1:14 pm
wayneAND, it is BOTH parties that are to blame. Bush started it, and Obama continues it.
we arent supposed to talk politics, but bush and obama are not parties. they are persons. people sometimes forget the way our system works. congress is the big culprit in all of this, and yeah, its actaully mostly democrats, weather they were under bush, or now under obama.
garlick
March 31st, 2009
1:15 pm
Wayne, understand I’m not talking about a large jump, but even a GDP with .01% growth rather than our trending -5 to -6% that we’ve had the last two quarters.
Right now, the estimates for industrial utilization rates is actually up for Q2 ‘09, which means factories are starting to see more activity, which generally means we see GDP affected 2 quarters later.
Those are all good indicators of growth in GDP which should push us out of the “recession.” As you can’t have a recession with GDP growth.
cphizzle
March 31st, 2009
1:16 pm
i say we leave him at 3rd and cross our fingers. remember what happend when we moved him to lf, it wasnt pretty.
BoiseBravefan
March 31st, 2009
1:16 pm
Damn. You think it is bad in Vermont and Minnesota; no chick fil a, dairy queen or waffle house.
Knowitall
March 31st, 2009
1:17 pm
Wayne,
Probably does. I work for a dealer(I originally had the name of the company here but my paranoia go the best of me) though. Although, sometimes I wonder who’s really calling the shots. In a way, I can understand what the banks are going through because it seems the worse the economy gets, the more big brother tells us what we have to do. Most of it seems to benefit them more than us though. I don’t understand the rational of driving your business partner out of business.
KC
March 31st, 2009
1:17 pm
18 Wheels: “it all boils down to 12m for a guy coming off TJ. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a risk. A big risk.”
Respectfully, that is completely inaccurate. It is not a big risk at all. It’s a small one. The success rate of “Tommy John” surgery is now close to 90% (”success” defined as a full comeback with return of all velocity and no long-term complications of impairments)
Also, while most pitchers are able to return after 12 months, it takes a 18 months (sometimes as long as 24 months) to FULLY and completely recover from “Tommy John” surgery. On opening day of next season, it will have been 20 months since Hudson’s surgery. So he should be 100% recovered (or damned close to it) by the start of next season.
Also, you talk like we’ll be getting Hudson back in 2010 fresh off his rehab, without knowing what we’ll get. It’s highly unlikely that will be the case. Hudson will most likely return in late August or early September. So the Braves figure to get a look at him in action before the off-season.
Anyway, bottom line is… if you keep Hudson, you have a 90% chance of adding another ace to the staff next year. Actually, if the Braves get a look at him late this year and he looks good, the odds are probably better than 90%.
So there’s a 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 chance that he won’t fully recover next year… big deal. These days, it seems you have a 1 in 10 or 1in 20 chance of a pitcher needing TJ surgery for the first time at any give point.
We’ve got a chance to add an ace to the staff for 12 million dollars, and you want to let him walk????
22oz
March 31st, 2009
1:25 pm
Preciate it Fred, i missed it.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
1:31 pm
NEW BLOG
ease19
March 31st, 2009
1:31 pm
“Whoo!! Go Braves!”
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:35 pm
garlick
At this point in time, anything positive is good.
knowitall
Scares the crap out of me that our government wants to run our businesses. That haven’t ran anything well yet. Some would argue the military is well run, well, I was in for 4, and that ain’t the truth either. Scary is what it is!
cphizzle (what is that anyway, a new fangled drink)
I don’t think you need to worry about Jim or my pants today.
Jim
Sorry if I came off harsh earlier. Nobody was on here slamming any particular position, just making an explanation. I also wasn’t suggesting that you wanted anybody kicked off. My point was that if enough people didn’t want me posting, it would be taken care of. And hey, if that is ever the consensus, then I will graciously leave. But I won’t hold my tongue if an explanation is in order.
Random
You are being mysteriously quiet today! I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall (and no, I am not talking about the Iraqi shoe aimed at our former POTUS!)
nolie
March 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
trade Vazquez to Col. for Street, TnBrian
why in the world would Colo want a fly ball pitcher with a history of giving up homers?
nolie
March 31st, 2009
2:06 pm
I actually agree with you on the assessment that Hudson will be allowed to leave after this year, Garlick
If Huddy’s rehab is on schedule and everything is Ok they will pick up his option in a heartbeat.