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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,500 comments Add your comment
Tomahawkin
June 4th, 2009
1:57 am
Send Blasco Down NOW! Nuff said!
nolie
June 4th, 2009
2:02 am
not again maybe we can tie a cord around his neck till he sees what he looks like that way.
J/K Tomahawkin. I didn’t know you were a mixed dude, so maybe it wouldn’t work that way for you? hmmm, I assume you mean racial and not gender??? That’s sposed to be funny not bigoted in any way.
Some 2002 News to Warm Your Hearts
June 4th, 2009
2:03 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ The Phillies almost ended Atlanta’s string of consecutive division titles in 2001. Adding Tom Glavine might get them past the Braves next season.
Glavine, the most coveted free-agent pitcher on the market, met with the Phillies on Friday, a day after he visited the New York Mets. Both teams are trying to persuade the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner to leave Atlanta, his team for 16 years.
After 11 straight trips to the playoffs with the Braves, Glavine wants to stay with a winning team. He was impressed by the Phillies’ run two years ago, when they chased the Braves until the final week and finished two games behind in the NL …
Braveheart
June 4th, 2009
2:05 am
I was reading the Pittsburgh blog…Fans seem VERY unhappy they traded McLouth. He seemed like a fan favorite amongst them. (SCHAFER’S WAFERS)
So what the Pirates fans are basically singing is hey, hey, you, you, get off of my McClouth
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqu69_rolling-stones-get-off-of-my-cloud_music
While Wren, Smoltz and Glavine are having a p!ssing match, acting like Diana Ross & The Supremes to each other, seeing who can sing “You Keep Me Hanging On” the best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqlzgItsVSQ
FaninFaytown
June 4th, 2009
2:06 am
Hawkin – Arkansas man we met b4 a while back… u were a little more intoxicated than me though
Braveheart
June 4th, 2009
2:09 am
“He’s definitely an upgrade,” said Braves closer Mike Gonzalez, who played with McLouth in Pittsburgh in 2005 and ‘06. “He’s a great clubhouse guy. He’s fluent in Spanish, too. He’s just a top-notch guy.”
Looks like Escobar got a New BFF. (BRAVOS2249)
Escobar and McClouth meet for the first time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHcS3A0vwbk
scottbravesfan
June 4th, 2009
2:11 am
Pat,
You talk about how great the Phillies offense is, and it is great, but their rotation is not very good after Hamels. I’m not the biggest fan of their bullpen either. I think the Mets and Braves are better overall teams that the Phillies. The Phils are playing well now but it’s still only June I don’t see them holding onto the top of the division the rest of the way. Now if they make a trade for some pitching i will change my mind.
As for the Cubs no way they are going to the playoffs this year. The Brewers and Cardinals are much better than they are.
Cyndi Lauper's Aura
June 4th, 2009
2:13 am
Ya know what? I’m just not believing that “Beatles Rock Band” is one of the top ten Yahoo searches. They list those in the corner. All lies.
Cyndi Lauper's Aura
June 4th, 2009
2:15 am
Braveheart, that sh*t was off the charts funny.
Great scene, too. “It wasn’t even turn on, man… it was su’thing else… I was gon’ give you a seegnal.”
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
2:16 am
PAT — we ain’t talking about last year, you really think the Phils will win MORE games this year with the worst rotation in the NL according to ERA??
What he hell are you putting in your cheesesteaks dude?? You are dreaming — which is ok — but it is still just a wishful fantasy.
Cyndi Lauper's Aura
June 4th, 2009
2:17 am
I’ll bet anybody 5 days off the blog that Hanson gets more wins in his first five starts than Glavine and Smoltz get combined in 2009.
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 4th, 2009
2:22 am
Thats bold cyndi…I would almost do it but wont go against my team
N8
June 4th, 2009
2:26 am
Everytime Smoltz opens his mouth, I lose a little more respect for him. If he has something to say….say it already. But to say “I know too much…”
What a chicken sh!t way of pussy-footing around it. Man up. Say what’s on your mind and move on. We all have already. Go Tommy…… Hanson, that is.
As far as Glavine’s velocity? Why wouldn’t it be an issue. They (the scouts Wren talked about), mentioned velocity AND command. I don’t know a lot about getting big league hitters out from my own experience. But from watching thousands of games, I know that if your fast ball maxes out in the mid-80’s AND you don’t have command of it… you’re gonna get hammered.
I guess, if Glavine catches on elsewhere, we’ll find out who was wrong. But with what I (and apparently, Wren and the scouts), expect from Tommy Hanson, Glavine is about 10 years removed from being able to offer what Hanson might be able to offer.
This isn’t about Glavine. It’s about Hanson. He’s ready to contribute in the eyes of the people, who’s opinion matters. Not much Glavine could have done about that.
I wonder if Glavine and Smoltz fest as “bad” for Leibrandt, when he was “dumped” in favor of signing Maddux? When you have an opportunity to improve your team, you do it.
It’s a shame to watch a hero fall from grace. Maddux got the hell out of dodge before he embarrassed himself. If Glavine and Smoltz don’t dominate (especially Smoltz), they will be the ones with egg on their face for pouting and whining so much.
The ONLY way that Wren looks bad in all of this is if BOTH Glavine and Smoltz dominate and Hanson (don’t forget that Medlen is backup #1 if Hanson fails), falls flat on his face.
Who out there thinks that Smoltz and Glavine don’t miss anymore significant time, once they return, while dominating and Hanson is a total bust?
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 4th, 2009
2:27 am
thats bold cyndi I would almost do it but wont go against my team….wrote this already…what is up with the blog eating post
FaninFaytown
June 4th, 2009
2:30 am
Regardless of the decision made… after reading all these quotes from Wren about Glavine I have a really bad taste in my mouth. I really don’t think this was handled right.
N8
June 4th, 2009
2:31 am
Billy, I’ve had 3 posts in the past 10 minutes “eaten” as well. I’m sure this one will show, though.
Chop Chop
June 4th, 2009
2:32 am
Here’s an good column from Jeff Passan about the Braves’ busy day.
Chop Chop
June 4th, 2009
2:33 am
Uh…
Let’s try that again…
Jeff Passan’s column about the Braves’ busy day
Chop Chop
June 4th, 2009
2:33 am
There.
Goodnight.
JD
June 4th, 2009
2:33 am
Passan wrote a column called “Brave New World.” Kudos to him for finding an original title.
nolie
June 4th, 2009
2:33 am
Billy, I’ve had 3 posts in the past 10 minutes “eaten” as well. I’m sure this one will show, though (N8)
you were right. perversity rules the universe.
ccrider
June 4th, 2009
2:40 am
I hope the McLouth trade will get us in contention, but I’m not sure it’s enough. The good thing is next year could be something special. A few moves that would balance the pitching and the offense: Trade Vazquez acquire potential closer(frees $11.5 Million). Trade Jeff Franceour for more Bullpen help(frees $3.5 Million). Don’t resign Garrett Anderson(frees $2.5 MIllion) Resign Soriano $6 and Gonzalez $6(Cost beyond this season’s salary $2.5 Million) Net $ gain $15 Million. Sign Chone Figgins 3 years 21 million, Sign Xavier Nady 3 Years $21 Million). Rotation: Lowe, Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson, Kawakami (Medlen in reserve). Lineup; Figgins-2B, McLouth CF, Chipper 3B, McCann C, Nady RF, K. Johnson LF, Escobar SS, Kotchman 1B. Bench: Infante, Prado, Ross, Diaz, Lefty Bat. Bullpen: Gonzalez, Soriano, Pitcher From Vazquez trade, Moylan, Pitcher from Francoeur Trade, O’Flaherty, Medlen, Reyes(situational Lefty) . Just Might get us to the promised land.
BA
June 4th, 2009
2:40 am
I’m with Braveheart on Schafer. Nobody wants to talk about the big purple steroid in the room, but that cat just looked overwhelmed and it’s a possibility he was on ‘em and it’s also a possibility that the Braves brass knows he used to be on them.
And yes,it’s a good trade. It’s a GREAT trade. Charlie Morton isn’t going to win any Cy Young awards, and Locke was struggling to get outs at advanced A- for the better part of two years Locke has been extremely inconsistent at the A-ball level.
Anyone who proclaimed that Gorkys Hernandez would eventually blossom and have 30-homer power would sound like they’ve been smoking rocks. He might become a good lead-off hitter, but he still doesn’t draw a lot of walks and he hasn’t developed into much of a basestealer- all of this after 3 years.
Ya’ll wade through all of the one-liner dookie posts and check out Mitchell’s post about 3 hours ago. THAT guy is a REAL baseball fan.
McMac
June 4th, 2009
2:41 am
Oh, this is so my new blog name and forever.
McMac
June 4th, 2009
2:43 am
Actually, now that I see it in print…
Buckhead Bama
June 4th, 2009
2:47 am
For those bashing the Braves FO, Frank Wren in particular, for not showing any “class” by releasing Glavine before he even made a start after rehabbing for 2 months from his injury, I have a question for you. Does the Patriots FO not have any “class” because they are constantly ridding themselves of their overpaid “icons” for cheaper, younger, and more talented (now, not 10 years ago) players?
I guess I just don’t see what the fuss is over the Glavine situation, or our handling of the Glavine situation. The situation has CHANGED since prior to the season, when he signed a contract with us. Our ML pitching has not only surpassed expectations, but we also had 3 guys blowing hitters away in Gwinnett (Hanson, Medlen, and Morton), while Glavine has not only failed to make ONE ML start, but he’s only made THIRTEEN in the last year and a half (all while still being paid by the Braves).
We gave the guy a contract, which allowed for something exactly like this, if injury/ineffectiveness were to occur, and he signed the contract. What would have been the point in giving him an incentive laden contract if we were really just planning on giving him the cash, whether he hit the incentives or not?!?! Plus, another thing that has changed since ST (when Glav re-signed with us) is that our offense has very much underachieved (understatement of the year!). We don’t exactly just have $5M-$10M a year to spend on a power hitting OF (which ALL of US were SCREAMING for, by the way), or we probably would have just signed Adam Dunn in the offseason. So, in essence, we took the money we would have owed Tommy G had he been with Atlanta 90 days (along with the rest he would have gotten for hitting the other benchmarks) and used it towards a position of weakness (OF bat). A guy who will probably play even more stellar than JS has played so far defensively (experience, Gold Glove winner just last season), but we add a guy on pace to mash over 30 bombs this year, drive in nearly 130 runs, and steal more than 30 bags!
L-TownScrub21
June 4th, 2009
2:48 am
Sounds like Wren is setting up a trade involving Vazquez..what do ya’ll think?
TBF(n)K as Billy
June 4th, 2009
2:58 am
Javy aint getting traded….
Bravo Nam
June 4th, 2009
3:03 am
What a day of highs and lows…the low of Glavine being released, the highs of Hanson and McLouth, the lows of losing three minor leaguers…the high of tying the Cubbies in the 7th, and the low of losing in 11.
What some people are forgetting about the decision re Glavine:
1). This was a decision made by Schuerholz, Cox and Wren. If you want to bag anyone, bag all three. Those who go on about the class of Schuerholz have totally overlooked the fact that he was involved in making this one!
2). Give Wren kudos for courage. This was an extremely difficult, but courageous decision. He made the call despite the fallout he knew would happen.
3). Glavine made the decision to go to the Mets for HIMSELF. Glavine made the decision to return to the Braves for HIMSELF. Wren, Cox and Schuerholz made the decision to offer Glavine the opp to retire as a Brave, which he refused. The Braves released Glavine for the good of the TEAM, FANS and CITY. Wren and the Braves were good enough to give Glavine an opportunity to play for the Braves one more time (even though they would’ve preferred not to take on his contract), and gave him every opportunity to prove himself. He didn’t, so they offered him a chance to retire as a Brave. Glavine turned them down…what were they to do…allow him to take up the fifth spot in the rotation for Glavine’s sake only…Wren and Co. took the path of most resistance and courageous, and made the right decision.
4. Bloggers here constantly berate Wren and the Braves for not making moves, for showing no b*lls, blah, blah, blah…well, they do these things and then they’re castigated for them! Yes, I was disappointed that things ended this way with Glavine…but this situation is completely different than the Smoltz situation…the Braves gave Glavine a good shot at being on the team and he wasn’t good enough.
The Phillies
June 4th, 2009
3:06 am
Defending World Champions.
Won fifteen of their last twenty games.
Leading the NL East at 31-20
Scoring 5.62 runs per game.
Second in the NL with 282 runs scored
Second in RBI with 270
First in Home Runs with 74.
First in Slugging at .472.
First in fielding percentage at .991.
Ryan Howard. MVP, All-Star, Silver Slugger.
Jimmy Rollins. MVP, All-Star, Gold Glove.
Chase Utley. All-Star, Silver Slugger.
Shane Victorino, Gold Glove.
Cole Hamels, All-Star, NLCS and WS MVP in 2008.
Brad Lidge, All-Star Closer, 2008 Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the year.
Raul Ibanez leading all NL outfielders in Home runs 19, RBI 52, Batting Average .337
Any questions?
.
nolie
June 4th, 2009
3:06 am
Sounds like Wren is setting up a trade involving Vazquez..what do ya’ll think? (LTOWN)
I think it’s pretty unlikely at this point in the season. He might get traded this coming winter for the right deal.
Schafer's Wafers
June 4th, 2009
3:07 am
Lineup
Escobar SS
Kotchman 1B
McLouth CF
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Johnson 2B
Frenchy RF
Pitcher
BravesfaninNC
June 4th, 2009
3:08 am
Bravo Nam I could not agree with you more on the Glavine part.Also it safe to say that in the short trun as well as long trun the Braves are a better team today without Glavine
nolie
June 4th, 2009
3:09 am
Any questions?
who’s pitchin’ ?
BravesfaninNC
June 4th, 2009
3:09 am
The braves should not trade Vazquez has pitch really well this season.
nolie
June 4th, 2009
3:11 am
Escobar SS
Kotchman 1B
McLouth CF
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Johnson 2B
Frenchy RF
Pitcher
(Schafers)
ain’t happening. Chipper isn’t moving to cleanup on a regular basis.
BravesfaninNC
June 4th, 2009
3:15 am
Nate CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Kotchman 1B
Kelly 2B
Frenchy RF
Anderson LF
Frank from KS
June 4th, 2009
3:21 am
Enter Your Comments Here is ALL I’m saying about the release of Tom Glavine.
On another note…good move to get McLouth.
Schafer's Wafers
June 4th, 2009
3:22 am
Nolie,
Agreed I think thats our best lineup though.
BravesfaninNC
June 4th, 2009
3:23 am
the release of Tom Glavine was a great move by the Braves
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
3:24 am
Bravo Nam — Good posts. I made some of the same points earlier but this blog is filling up so fast people don’t have time to read half of what gets posted. That’s why we are not seeing as much response to posts tonight.
People just don’t want to understand this move. This is why a lot of teams don’t keep players around their whole career, it gets to the point where it is a lose/lose deal for the team no matter what they do.
Fans forget that as much as the team is there to provide them with entertainment and city pride, it is operated for the express purpose of every other business, PROFITS !! And winning is the ultimate way to make money. Sentimental journeys are nice in the short term but if they short change the team in the long run, then the team is under no obligation to embark on one.
I for one think the Braves did the best they could for the Team, for Glavine, and for the fans. It is tough for the emotional ones to see but those of us who know the game best see it for what it is, and that is that it was inevitable.
Thanks for everything Tommy, hope you get the chance to pitch again.
Go BRAVES !!!
BravesfaninNC
June 4th, 2009
3:29 am
I really don’t get why some fans are mad don’t understand the move to release Tommy.I am not saying that was the reason that Braves release Tommy but did braves fan forgot that Tommy 4years ago decied to take 1Mill more and Sign with the Mets and not stay a braves .Did fans forgot that?
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
3:31 am
YO PHILLIES
Your TEAM ERA = 4.98 27th out of 30 teams
Take out your relievers era and your starting rotation has the WORST ERA IN THE LEAGUE.
PITCHING wins championships. You might want to go back and look at how many times the Braves shut down a team that was all about OFFENSE . Here’s a hint — 1995 and the Cleveland Indians.
Any Questions NOW ??
N8
June 4th, 2009
3:37 am
Glavine made 9 million dollars last year and with his guarantee this year. For that 9 million dollars, he gave us 13 starts, 2 wins and a 5.56 ERA. The Braves went 3-10 in those 13 starts.
THEN, if you add in the 14 million that Smoltz got last year for his 5 starts & one relief appearance (Braves went 4-2 in those 6 games), you’ve got 23 million dollars that went towards 19 appearances, which resulted in the Braves going 7-12 when they pitched.
I’d say the Braves treated him just fine.
Sure. They both at some point or another, took less money to stay in Atlanta. But it’s not like they took THAT MUCH less. Besides, Ted would have just went out and bought somebody else. They act as though JS had to pull their teeth to get them to stay.
He put offers out on the table, and after they (and their agents) went through the decision making process, they decided that Atlanta was the best “value” with all things considered (teammates, family, money, kids, winning, Bobby, etc…)
The Braves paid Glavine over 95 million dollars in his career, and Smoltz 128 million dollars. Keep in mind, this was WAY before there were Arod, Jeter and Tex like contracts (man do the Yankees have some high priced guys!).
Did Ted and the Braves make money on these guys? Sure. Are they victims that were “used” and abused? If that’s being a victim, like I said earlier today…. sign me up. I’m “in”.
A FAN
June 4th, 2009
3:45 am
Nate CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Frenchy RF
Kotchman 1B
KJ 2B
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
3:50 am
YO N8
I think it is the southern way of life that breeds this “Loyalty” and “Respect” uprising.
People forget that just b/c we say the Braves are “family” doesn’t meant they really are.
BTW — I would love to have a job that paid me big bucks while I tried to regain the ability to actually DO my job.
BA
June 4th, 2009
4:09 am
That’s my lineup, A-Fan, but I’d flip-flop McClouth and Esobar. I want a man on when McClouth comes up. And I could live with him at clean-up, though I’m strongly affiliated with the minority that would prefer Mac in the #4 hole.
Love to hear Nolie’s take on the lineup. And/or n8.
Strong post, Bravo Nam.
Schafer's Wafers
June 4th, 2009
4:13 am
Our best lineup would be to have McLouth hit 3 Chipper 4 McCann 5 But ole Chipper likes that 3 hole.
The ugly Truth
June 4th, 2009
4:22 am
Any questions?
Yeah: how the hell is Rollins playing worse than Francoeur? That is some pretty big fail.
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
4:52 am
“Sentimentally, it stinks,” said Chipper Jones, a teammate of Glavine’s from 1995-2002 and last season. “But optimistically, looking into the future, it’s a step in the right direction.”
Nice way to put it in a nutshell.
woogidy
June 4th, 2009
5:12 am
woogidy
May 23rd, 2009
12:08 pm
Maybe Nate Mcclouth could become available. Andrew McClutchen is the future there in center. The Pirates would probably want a Major league ready arm and two very good prospects, or 2 Major league arms. Maybe they’d take Frenchy too. Hey, they’re the Pirates.
David O’Brien
May 23rd, 2009
12:10 pm
Woogidy, Pirates aren’t trading McLouth, from what I was told this winter. He’s one you build around, not trade.
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Steve from OH
May 23rd, 2009
12:13 pm
woogidy, the Pirates actually seem to have a competent GM this time around, so I don’t see them trading McLouth for spare parts anytime soon…
PWHjort
May 23rd, 2009
12:23 pm
McLouth just signed an extension. He ain’t going nowhere.
To all of you. FACED.
The Phillies
June 4th, 2009
5:27 am
Yo Fool, my team ’s 15-5 with an ERA of 4.05 over their last twenty.
Them third place Braves of yours are 10-10 with an ERA of 4.22.
Another idiot bites the dust, LOL.
At the game
June 4th, 2009
5:50 am
Last night they announced on the Jumbotron that we had signed a Pirate dude. They didn’t put up on the board that they sent Glav packin. I think the game was started or just starting.
Why not put “Glavs too old and we give up on him ” up on the old scoreboard.
The handling,PR situation with Frank Wren is just pathetic.
Thanks to Tom Glavine & pals for putting this franchise on the map. At least now,we expect/know how to win.
You pitched us into relevency and our only world series victory. For that I salute you sir.
Bill M.
June 4th, 2009
6:43 am
Who cares what John Smoltz knows. After this many years in baseball, he should know baseball is a cruel business. They had their day in the sun. The Braves could not wait half of the season for Glavine and Smoltz. Then who knows how long they would last. More moves coming!!!!!!!
Couch Tater
June 4th, 2009
7:17 am
I think it’s the southern way of life that breeds this “Loyalty” and “Respect” uprising.
I think most fans like happy endings. The same uproar was in Green Bay with Brett Favre in 2007. But, come to think of it, Green Bay is in southern Wisconsin.
The Love Child of Dale Murphy and Johnny Cash
June 4th, 2009
7:21 am
After yesterday, DOB may need a week off.
theriddler
June 4th, 2009
7:24 am
You want someone to write off? Try this guy.
We’ve all heard the glowing reports on Francoeur for years now — none more Pollyannaish than this spring, when he adjusted his stance and talked hitting with Chipper Jones and Terry Pendleton. He probably could have a clairvoyant put him in touch with Babe Ruth, and it wouldn’t have made a difference. He is what he is: a likable, personable guy who can’t hit at the major-league level.
For all his supposed adjustments, for all the time and effort he put into making himself better, he’s only gotten worse, posting a lower OPS (.615) through Monday than he did in his disastrous 2008 campaign (.630).
Yeah, it gets worse. As a slugger — someone expected to hit home runs instead of playing station-to-station — Francoeur has a .344 slugging percentage. Last year, he had a .359 slugging percentage. And if the raw numbers don’t drive home the point for you, keep in mind David Eckstein has a career slugging percentage of .361.
Look, no one doubts Francoeur’s ability. He went in the first round of the 2002 draft for a reason and has already hit several towering home runs in his major-league career.
But at some point, that ability has to equal results, and now in the fifth year of his career, Francoeur has done nothing but move backward.
Time to cut him loose.
richbrave
June 4th, 2009
7:34 am
THE PHILLIES:
The BRAVES fans are feeling their oats because we realize our team just got better and yours hasn’t. Where you were clearly better, the water is a bit muddier now. See you on the field. Bring a cheese-steak and a beer. Don’t plan on eating it. We want lunch.
Skeeterleg
June 4th, 2009
7:34 am
Phillies – That 15-5 and 4.05 ERA you spoke of over the last 20 games included San Diego three times and Washington seven times. Not the best hitting teams in baseball. I compliment your positivity though if you really think those pitchers are going to hold up all year.
Way to celebrate winning the division at the beginning of June.
"Chef" Tim Dix
June 4th, 2009
7:38 am
I have to agree with Bravo Nam to some extent about the possibility of a Vaquez trade. The way the cards fell yesterday it would seem the Braves have positioned themselves well to entertain it. Hanson has to produce and Hudson will have to check out at 100% early.
Hudson’s return can be tempered somewhat in the short run by others, but a healthy return by Tim would be better than any trade thus freeing up Vasquez for a trade deadline deal if there, or off season move.
Hard to believe they got Nate for Morton + 2. Outstanding move.
Capt Caveman
June 4th, 2009
7:53 am
You Fooly — I was about to make the point of who you have played recently but I see it was already done. It is the modus operandi of the truly stupid to cherry pick stats and recent records against the bottom tier of the league and trumpet it as proof positive that your point of view is correct.
What, you think we don’t have google over here?? At least when I argue I’m using the full season stats, if your going to try to talk about your team, deal in the full reality.
This is one reason I don’t get into “stat fights”, it is an exercise in futility.
Let’s just wait and see who wins in the end. See in Atlanta we know what winning over time entails. You got your WS title, good for you. That don’t mean jack this year BUDDY !!!
Watch your Phillies sink like the Titanic when they hit that ICEBERG called ERA over the long haul, and no team stays hot at the plate all year. We will see, Fooly !!!
Go Braves !!!
Chuck
June 4th, 2009
8:19 am
Frank Wren still has some work to do in order to fix the Kawakami signing before I begin annointing him GM of the year…
With Huddy coming back there is no room in the rotation if Vazquez option is picked up for 2010 (99% certainty)…so why did we sign this guy to $7MM for 3 years? Because we were unsure if Lowe was coming? Because we didn’t know about Glavine’s arm? Couldn’t be waiting for Smoltz, he had already jumped to the Sawx…
Inexplicable that move…especially considering the Braves org has no track record scouting Japan, or signing their players…horrible, horrible sign that made it tough for me to envision us signing the OF help we would need this off-season…
That has been helped by this extreme bargain we received today in McLouth…however, just think of what we could do with $7MM extra…
Frank Wren also received the benefit of looking like he added pitching just by virtue of calling up the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball…drafted before he took over as GM…
He was smart to bundle all the moves in a 3 day period…i just wish there’d been an announcement for a trade of Frenchy…that poor kid needs to get out of town I think…a lot of hometown pressure…
If Frank can wiggle out of this KK deal (even agreeing to pay half the salary to get rid of him)…I am good with that…better to have the extra $$ to spend on a useful piece, than a $7MM long reliever…because Lowe, JJ, Hanson, Huddy, and Vazquez will not be coming out of that rotation in 2010…
Another saving grace I suppose would be to deal Vazquez and his expiring deal for another talented bat (maybe Holiday at the deadline?)…
Then the bodies = the spots and the salary is mitigated, and we add another middle of the order bat (even if just a rental, which is what we need because I believe Heyward takes over a corner OF spot next Spring)
I’ve seen Heyward in person 3x this year, and the kid is Clydesdale…
Chuck
June 4th, 2009
8:27 am
Now on to Tommy…the old one that is…
How is it bad for the Braves to offer a team icon a mercy deal that he wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else? Let’s examine…
1) He made it known he didn’t want to uproot his family and that he was going to give it “one last shot”…thus putting the Braves in a poor PR spot to start from. If you don’t give him a shot that is…
2) He got paid to work his way back into shape in a comfortable, familiar surrounding.
3) We gave him the opportunity to earn that $1MM everyone is bitching about…but he hurt himself before he was able to make any one of the 10 starts we really needed from him this year…because let’s face it, when Hanson was ready, he was coming, and that probably meant the end of Glav anyway…
4) Why should the Braves be the bad guy for paying a guy to be an insurance policy when in all probability the guy wasn’t going to be able to perform at a very high level? Sounds to me like they were generous…
5) Again everyone acts like Tommy could have been commanding a $10MM salary with the Yankees if he hadn’t come home humbly to pitch for the Braves…I consider him lucky to even have gotten to come home after the charade Clifton (his agent) put on, which Tommy allowed…what a circus…
Tommy, I hope you do sign with the Phillies and show us how washed up you really are…
I am glad Wren had the stones to relegate both him and Smoltz…for both being career Braves they sure are chirpy and making it easier to be done with them.
TommyP
June 4th, 2009
8:36 am
So much to comment on….
Woogidy: You’re certainly entitled to your early morning post, buddy.
I go back even further with the “trade for McLouth” requests. The October BEFORE last year’s breakout season was when I was pleading that the Braves would deal for McLouth for, say, Joey Devine? McLouth, no matter what a few on here claimed AFTER he broke out with his 2008 campaign, was NOT a building block for Pittsburgh. He was fighting for a starting job in January of last year so he could’ve been had for a song.
That said, we gave up a guy that would probably never start for us in Gorkys (McLouth and Schafer blocking him), another that was nothing more than bait (Morton, though I would’ve LOVED to see get another chance to start in Atlanta or in the pen) and Locke. All for an All Star CF that’s young and cheap for several years. I’ll take it, even if he’s a year and a half late.
As far as Wren and PR, he has no clue. Glavine was a PANIC SIGNING back in February. He had already blown it with Smoltz and felt the Glavine signing would ease the pain of the fans at relatively low cost. Glav then goes out and pitches 11 scoreless innings at about the SAME VELOCITY he’s been pitching for about 3 years and we release him.
We STILL need another bat but I’ll bet the wait is ’til July 31st now.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
8:51 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that our GM is aggressive in trying to put the Braves in a position to compete for the division. We are way ahead of where we were yesterday at this time.
Unfortunately, Tom Glavine had to be released. FW has made the hard decisions, but I firmly believe in the end, Braves will be a competitive ball club. Hanson’s addition to the rotation, and Medlen to the pen (Which I, getnathan, have been proposing for weeks now) only improves the Braves. I look forward to the rest of the season.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
8:55 am
I wonder where McLouth is going to hit. he can lead off, he can hit 3rd, he can hit 5th.
Thrillhouse44
June 4th, 2009
8:56 am
You know, i was kind of shocked to see Glavine released, but it hasn’t bothered me nearly as much as I would have thought. I think I don’t feel bad, because he bolted for greener pastures a few years back. What goes around, comes around.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 4th, 2009
8:56 am
Notes from last night:
I was at the Rochester vs. Gwinnett game last night, saw Schafer play live. He went 0-5 with 2 K’s and a meaningless sac fly late in the game (Braves were already up 8-1). The sac fly came with no outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 9th. Schafer can definately play in the OF, he was playing CF last night for the whole game, ran down some balls headed for the gaps and made it look easy.
I also saw Charlie Morton for a bit during the game. He was sitting out near the visitor bullpen saying his goodbyes to Boone Logan. They both seemed a bit upset about the news. I got a chance to talk to Charlie for a few, he seemed shocked on the trade, and pretty confused about what was happening next. If anyone wants to watch him pitch, he’s getting a couple of starts for Indianapolis before he may get a call up.
Hanson is still with the team in AAA for a couple more days, got him to sign a baseball for me last night, he’s a big dude, but he’s also one of those polite country boys. He took the time out to sign and take pictures with anyone that asked. He’s pumped about starting on Saturday, and happy that he gets to meet up with Medlen again.
Glavine news is sad, however at this point it had to be done. Getting McLouth is huge, and a big upgrade in our OF.
I will be at the rest of the games in the Rochester series, so if anyone is interested in updates, I’ll be happy to give them. I’ll also let you all know if Schafer is playing anywhere other than CF in the next couple of days.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
9:01 am
(Starting Pitching) – Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson, Kawakami…
(Relief) – Gonzo, Soriano, Moylan, O’Flaherty, Medlen, Bennett
vs. Right handed pitching – McLouth (CF), Escobar (SS), C.Jones (3B), McCann (C), Anderson (LF), Kotchman (1B), KJ (2b), Francoeur (RF)
vs. Lefties – McLouth, Escobar, C.Jones, Anderson, Diaz, Kotchman, Prado, Francoeur
TommyP
June 4th, 2009
9:02 am
BUFFALO: Please update the rest of that series. Those updates from folks literally at the games and know some baseball are priceless.
Thanks for your input.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
9:03 am
I messed up, there’s no fourth outfield spot for Diaz lol
Stick David Ross in Diaz’s spot in the order.
TommyP
June 4th, 2009
9:05 am
getnatemclouth: vs Lefties you have McLouth, Anderson, Diaz and Frenchy playing. Take out Anderson and insert McCann.
TommyP
June 4th, 2009
9:06 am
That makes McCann a platoon catcher.
Anderson out, Diaz in.
BamaBrave
June 4th, 2009
9:08 am
Good moves… Tough to be dispassionate about a Glavine exit, but it’s not a huge shock. The Phils need pitching, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him suit up for them. In a Brett Favre sort of way, I’m sure he’d like to play for a team who can help him exact revenge on Frank Wren. I doubt his batting-practice fastball scares anyone, though.
What I like most about all this is that Wren struck now… No waiting for the trade deadline. No experiments with Glavine. No floundering through June, waiting to see what happens elsewhere.
And I doubt he’s done.
Vinings Jim
June 4th, 2009
9:11 am
If you haven’t had enough Frank Wren, he will be on 680 (the Fan) in a couple of minutes.
Luke L1
June 4th, 2009
9:17 am
How many starts did we give JO Jo this year. I haven’t seen any significant improvement there either. Then, we put Glavine through all the rehab, the dog and pony shows in the minors to draw a crowd and then cut him. It is pretty clear to me that Frank wants to put his own stamp on this team and that does not involve the past. I have a feeling that Glavine would have not turned out to be near the mistake that K.K. might end up being. I do like the Mclouth move however
JJ
June 4th, 2009
9:18 am
I would love to see Esco and Kelly moved down in the lineup. Something like this:
McLouth (L)
Prado (R)
Chipper (S)
McCann (L)
Esco (R)
Johnson (L)
Anderson (L) / Diaz (R)
Frenchy (R)
AndyC
June 4th, 2009
9:21 am
One more thing about the Glavine release. It almost seemed like the Braves wanted him to fail in his comeback. I think they have know since ST that they wanted Hanson in the 5th spot in the rotation after he got past his “Super 2″ status. Wren was probably upset that Glavine pitched so well day before yesterday because he knew it would make the announcement that much more difficult. It is also interesting that they make the Glavine announcement and then one hour later announce the trade. You think that wasn’t planned? Anyway, I’m not really that mad about it, I think the Braves never should have resigned Glavine in the first place, but he put a lot of work into his rehab and it would have been nice to give him at least one start. If he got torched then you knew it was over and everyone would have been satisfied. That’s all in the past now. Looking forward to see Hanson pitch on Saturday.
Johnny Quest
June 4th, 2009
9:23 am
Well, well, well. I said it during Spring Training and everyone gave me crap for saying it. I thought the Glavine reclamation project was a waste of time considering the young talent waiting in the wings. I’ll be there Saturday night to help the Hanson era begin.
jay blaisdell
June 4th, 2009
9:26 am
Am assuming that Jordan Schafer, despite his demotion and the acquisition of McLouth, still figures mightily in the Braves plans — if not later this summer then certainly in 2010. Am i correct on this line of thought ?
Braves20
June 4th, 2009
9:28 am
Having all of 12 hours to assimilate Wren’s moves…
Dumps two icons within six months. Rebuilds pitching staff but with all right handers in a division that is very dominant left handed (Howard, Utley, Dunn, Ibanez – not to mention a ton of switch hitters).
Makes a decent trade but acquires yet another left handed bat – again in a division where the two dominant pitchers are left handed.
In short the guy has built us a .500 ball club while pissing off hundreds, probably thousands of Braves fans.
DAP
June 4th, 2009
9:29 am
the mclouth trade is great, and the best think about it is that its not just about winning this year. the braves have him through 2012 if they want him, for a very affordable price. sweet.
the glavine thing is hard, and it really sucks because, like smoltz said, he spent all that time coming back. but, if were honest, we all know glavine probably should never have been signed in the first place, and his arrival has been delayed already for almost two months.
i dont even think the decision was salary driven as much as it was the braves looked and saw they had several better options than tom glavine (they did before they signed him, too)
Steve from OH
June 4th, 2009
9:31 am
Passan wrote a column called “Brave New World.” Kudos to him for finding an original title.
Tell me about it, some of these headline writers need to come up with new puns…
Original Jon
June 4th, 2009
9:31 am
Hey DOB, will McLouth be here tonight and do you think he will be in the lineup? Also, who do you think goes when Hanson gets here? Hopefully its Bennett.
J-X
June 4th, 2009
9:32 am
I totally agree with Schafer’s at 3:07. Mclouth should hit #3. Even though I do not consider him a “power Hitter”, the fact of the matter is he hits more homeruns than anybody on this team. He has proven he can be a run producer as well. Moving chipper to the cleanup spot does a few things. It will get him more pitches to hit because people will be in scoring position more often. And on the occasion that we do go 1-2-3 in the first then chipper will be leading off the next inning, and his OBP will serve us very well as a “secondary leadoff guy”. What do you guys think?
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
9:32 am
Yeah Bama, I agree…I get the feeling that Frank Wren isn’t done dealing yet…and Frenchy might be the next to go.
DWW
June 4th, 2009
9:32 am
IMO they signed Glavine to pitch until June when they would call up Hanson. At that time they expected Glave to be ready in April. They knew they would bring Hanson up in June and would have glavine in case one of the other starters got injured, but Tommy’s injury set back combined with no other starting pitchers getting hurt made him useless for us this year.
Bob Dole
June 4th, 2009
9:32 am
You know one thing about this Glavine release, everyone says the braves didn’t respect him, blah blah. I love Smoltz and Glavine, but why do the Braves always have to respect them? why can’t they respect the Braves? Glavine is 43, has not been good in a few years, the Braves throw free money at him, why can’t he just retire and respect the organization, he’s not stupid, he sees we have Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen, why does he have to push the envelope and make it look like we are making the worst decision ever. Everyone talks about the respect factor from the clubs, but no one mentions how the players should respect the organization and what the organization has done for them. Glavine should have retired yesterday, and retired as a Brave, and then offer him a job in the organization.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 4th, 2009
9:33 am
TommyP,
I’ll see what I can do. I love going to ball games out here, kind of sad I don’t get to see Hanson pitch on Friday night out here in person, but I’ll get over it when I watch him on TV Saturday.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
9:35 am
getnathan was a Bennett supporter in the beginning of the season, but getnatemclouth doesn’t support Bennett anymore and is tired of him blowing games in the extra innings. He must go.
tvsportscaster
June 4th, 2009
9:35 am
Original Jon, I’m not DOB but I’ll try to answer your question. They said on the telecast last night, that McLouth was taking a flight to Atlanta today and they anticipated it would be there for tonight’s game.
As for who goes when Hanson is called up, either Blanco or Barton, whoever remains after the other goes to Gwinnett for McLouth. Barton was just brought up to have an extra bench player, while Kotchman and Norton were unavailable, so there is your move
Turk 182
June 4th, 2009
9:38 am
It’s comical Smoltz wants to throw stones from Boston, where might I add he is not even ready to pitch. And he wanted how much money from us? Puhleeze. Funny how these icons glaze over the money/performance/durability risk stuff when wanting to compete up until the end. I applaud them for their competitive spirit, but it is this competitiveness that keep sthem from seeing what is best for the Braves.
getnatemclouth
June 4th, 2009
9:38 am
Wait a second, if I getNAThan and we got NATe McLouth, maybe I should put getMATTHOLLIDAY, and who knows??? lol
Dr Hoo
June 4th, 2009
9:40 am
Great moves yesterday. Fantastic job by Wren. Now go get Matt Holliday for right field and we are set!
JJ
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
Braves20 –
“…pissing off hundreds, maybe thousands of fans.” Really? I haven’t heard or read too many that are pissed off about it. Maybe you are, and that’s fine, but the bottom line is that this is/was a baseball decision. The hand full of folks getting upset are simply emotional about losing a legend of the Braves. But successful teams can’t and don’t use emotion to make decisions. It has to be all about what guy gives you the best chance to win. And I think we all knew it was and is Tommy Hanson.
If anything, I’m pissed off that we wasted 5 starts with JoJo Reyes. No reason he should have ever been here.
dgd
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
Doc, Wren probably wouldn’t want to be married to me either, but I AM at least the right gender for the job
Was just thinking that if he treats franchise icons with such cold, emotional detachment — after stringing them along for months — that he’s probably not so great in the relationship department either…
timthebrave
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
They needed the glavine money to pay for nate mclouth. It was an upgrade and the braves are a better team today
getmattholliday
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
here it goes, getmattholliday
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
9:45 am
Ah, hope they beat the tar outta Zambrano tonight…or should I say: Hope they beat him like a Gatorade dispenser.
Can’t believe the dude’s not even missing a start for that crud. I’m with Joe Simpson on this one. (Yes! No PTV tonight…)
TRAVIS
June 4th, 2009
9:48 am
The class of the trio was Maddox…Never gets quoted because he took his money and hung it up when the time was right…take a page from his book Tommy&John…Oh my gosh…the surgery twins…get it?