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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,500 comments Add your comment
Original Jon
June 4th, 2009
11:27 am
You all need to realize that Frank has said this was the Big Move they were wanting to do, there will be no more moves unless they are small moves, like shoring up the bench with DeRo or something like that. There will be no more major moves, I will bet on it.
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
June 4th, 2009
11:27 am
I think this a no-win situation for all involved. Glavine and Smoltz are not going “to ride off into the sunset” until they are good and ready. I guess they have earned that right, but it also puts the Braves in a tough situation.—TVols
Well, then they have to be prepared for ugly endings. Seems to me that Wren was fair all along with TG.
Richie
June 4th, 2009
11:27 am
RC – KJ had the season he had offensively when the Braves were out of contention and the lineup was in shambles. When the Braves were in contention, Kelly was pretty bad at the plate, and only ok on field. They dont give errors for botched DP’s but Kelly’s glove kept a lot of innings going last year. I believe Phillips would’ve turned a lot of DP’s that Kelly didn’t. And his bat is more potent, especially in the power dept. It also makes more sense to go after Phillips rather than assume the cost of Lee’s NTC& contract, as well as Ordonez’s contract.
BamaBrave
June 4th, 2009
11:28 am
I’d love to see about 50 fans show up tonight dressed up as Gatorade coolers, with protest signs for Zambrano. “Coolers have feelings, too!” “Hurt a cooler…go to jail” etc. Anything to tweak that hothead. It shouldn’t take much…
wheelz007
June 4th, 2009
11:28 am
I think what happened to Glavine was unfortunate, but under the circumstances it had to happen. The Braves front office must believe that Tommy Hanson gives us a much better chance to win right now. I don’t believe they would have released TG unless everyone involved felt that way.
Keep in mind that Tim Hudson is on his way back from injury which gives us serious depth at starting pitching. I believe Glavine was signed as an insurance policy to begin with.
I think the trade was a great move. We will be better as soon as he’s in the lineup.
We have a shot at the post-season THIS YEAR.
Great job Frank Wren!
Go Braves!
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
11:28 am
Macon Braves McLouth isn’t a cleanup hitter.
Ah, darn.
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
11:29 am
‘Cause we could use a cleanup hitter.
keylargo
June 4th, 2009
11:30 am
In 1957, the Rawlings Corporation, a large sporting goods manufacturer who supplied Major League Baseball, established the Gold Glove Award, which was to be awarded annually to the defensive player at each position who had a “superior individual fielding performance” for that season. Gold Gloves are awarded to one player per position in the infield, and to the three best outfielders (the outfielder Gold Gloves may not correspond to each outfield position.)
Read more: “Baseball’s Best Gold Glove Winners: The MLB’s Greatest Defensive Players of All Time | Suite101.com” – http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/baseballs_best_gold_glove_winners#ixzz0HTSPJ1Q6&A
That’s the award Nate McLouth won last year as one of the three best outfielders in the National League. Yes, I believe he is a better center fielder than Jordan Schafer.
Schafer has few natural instincts in the outfield. He takes too shallow of an angle on balls hit into the gap and the result is seeing him chasing the ball to the wall. He often turns the wrong way to go back on a ball hit over his head resulting in him not being able to make the catch. He chases long fly balls he has no chance of catching too close to the wall and has them bounce past him back towards the infield.
He is back in the minors where he can correct these things. I just don’t think he will ever become a better CFer than McLouth, whose defense last year won the Gold Glove. If Schafer was playing Gold Glove defense maybe the Braves could live with his lack of offense. The article about this in ESPN did not even say Schafer was a sure thing to be back in MLB next year, saying it might be 2011.
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
June 4th, 2009
11:30 am
K.C., being completely objective about the competition, as always..
Jonathon
June 4th, 2009
11:30 am
Buster Olney not pleased with how Atlanta handled Glavine situation.
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4229742&name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d4229742%26name%3dolney_buster
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
11:31 am
OldBravesBag he’s only hit 7 doubles in the last 6 games
7 what, now?
Richie
June 4th, 2009
11:31 am
Cameron, we just got Mcclouth. How can you not think Phillips is out of the question or within reach? Mcclouth was told to us we had no shot at getting and now he is here. I mean come on think about it. It can be done.
rhynster
June 4th, 2009
11:31 am
One of these days, I’ll actually learn how to spell Francoeur correctly.
Also wanted to note that it seems the Braves are stacking a pretty quick lineup for later this season or 2010…McLouth, Escobar, Johnson, Francoeur, Schafer.
The question is, if Cox is managing next year, will he use the speed?
Robert(Chipper Is The Best)
June 4th, 2009
11:33 am
I am wonderng why B. Jones isn’t being given a shot. At this point could he be any worse than Francoeur? I don’t think so. Send Frenchy down if you can’t trade him and bring up B. Jones.
monty
June 4th, 2009
11:33 am
It’s not too late, but!! The Phils show no signs of backing up. It appears their hitting is good enough to cover their pitching no matter how bad it is. 30 more days of win one,lose one, and it will be over. Maybe not mathmatically but realisticly. We need a good run and quick. Hopefully McLouth and Hanson can create a spark!
Frank Wren go home.
June 4th, 2009
11:34 am
http://www.11alive.com/video?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer3&maven_referralPlaylistId=ddcf53a4d4ff0503868184650139ed07710044fa&maven_referralObject=1141399269
Bobby Cox’s post game interview. You can tell he was not pleased either. Quite sad
Jeff321
June 4th, 2009
11:35 am
McFann, just out of curiosity.. Why don’t you like McCann in the cleanup spot?
Jonathon
June 4th, 2009
11:35 am
It’s easy to spend someone else’s money, Buster. Is it worth 2.25 million to watch Glavine get hammered or booed for 3 or 4 starts and then get released? The Braves didn’t think so.
JJ
June 4th, 2009
11:35 am
getmattholliday –
I have to disagree with you on Jo Jo. The Braves went 6-16 in games he started last year and he finished the year with something like 8 or 9 straight losses. There was PLENTY of reasons to not believe in him. He had a decent spring, but the undlying feeling was he was just biding time until Glavine was healthy or June rolled around and Hanson could be available.
The fact that Hanson came up 3 days after he was eligible (considering the super 2 thing) tells me he was the plan all along. I just happen to think it’s stupid to start an inferior Jo Jo Reyes for five games knowing you have a better option sitting in Gwinnett. And especially when you know you’re going to bring him up after two months.
GLB
June 4th, 2009
11:36 am
keylargo, winning the Gold Glove award these days no longer means you’re the best fielder at that position. Check out McLouth’s UZR ratings and you will see why he belongs as a coner outfielder. And he will be a great corner outfielder, sort of like how Carl Crawford is a great corner outfielder. Schafer has very good CF instincts and will be back there next year.
Tomas
June 4th, 2009
11:37 am
Wilson Beitemet has been DFA’d.
Efrim
June 4th, 2009
11:37 am
keylargo, didn’t Palmeiro win a gold glove after playing something like 30 games at the position a while back?
Lew
June 4th, 2009
11:40 am
RCIB-Where you been, Dude? Got to agree with you on that-NO way exists to correctly resolve the Glavine situation. Best thing would have been for him to just hang it up after the first setback.
I’m sorry, but pitching at 77-79 and reaching back for a little more at 82 just isn’t going to get out much more than A ballers. It certainly wouldn’t work on our ML competition. Can you imagine him blowing away David Wright with that 80 MPH heater? Good luck with that.
Time to face facts-Smoltz Maddux and Glavine are gone. They were an awesome group, but ain’t anymore. It’s no longer 1991, but we do have another good group of young pitchers in Hanson, Medlen and Jurrjens (with a couple more left down on the Farm and more to come next week). Their time has come.
Justafan
June 4th, 2009
11:40 am
Maybe Frank Wren was sending a message that the past IS THE PAST and from now on this is a new era and its his watch. He’ll get his players and Mgr. and Coaches. If it don’t work…then he (FW) is the blame, but don’t blame me (FW) for someone else’s problems. Look out Bobby you maybe next. (I hope) add JF to the list.
keylargo
June 4th, 2009
11:40 am
GLB
I’ll take the Gold Glove anytime. I don’t agree with you on Schafer’s instincts and listed 3 glaring problems he has. I would like for you to list his good outfield insticts.
JJ
June 4th, 2009
11:41 am
Braves20 –
Let me clarify. I don’t think there are “hundreds or thousands” of pissed off people (or there shouldn’t be anyway) that Smoltz and Glavine are not on the team. There may be that many pissed off about HOW IT HAPPENED, but there shouldn’t be that many pissed off THAT it happened.
The Braves are clearly a better team without either of those two pitchers. Now, if you want to say people are mad with the way it all went down, fine. I can see that. But if there’s really that many people upset about those two not pitching for the Braves then I’ve totally overestimated the collective baseball IQ of the Braves fans.
TnBrian(as DOB for a second...)
June 4th, 2009
11:42 am
I’m writing up a new blog, so shutup.
Lew
June 4th, 2009
11:42 am
I think the real test comes after Glavine and Smoltz retire from the game and the Braves offer to retire their numbers. Do they accept or not? Will Smoltz shut up before then? Will Tommy start running his mouth? Now there’s some questions. Will the Braves like the answers? Stay tuned.
MFin04
June 4th, 2009
11:43 am
All of McLouth’s at bats have been 3rd in the lineup this year. Which creates an interesting problem. I think Nate fits into the leadoff role for this team. We have no one that can hit leadoff, he has speed, and KJ is much better down in the order around 6/7th.
Anyone know what is going to happen with Barton, Blanco, and the bullpen?
BT
June 4th, 2009
11:43 am
Tough decisions made yesterday but the right ones in my opinion. No rental player this time and a potential All Star.
I am happy that Glavine is waiting 24 hours before saying anything publicly. Very intelligent move from a class player but even more importantly a class person.
Renegator
June 4th, 2009
11:44 am
Realistically, the Braves probably aren’t going to make the playoffs this year. Philly is already 5.5 games ahead and not slowing down at all. Could it happen – sure, but I don’t think it is likely.
However, this trade sets them up for 2010, 2011 and beyond. I think the Braves will be a force next year and for years to come.
They really need to get Francoeur off this roster if they really want to have a shot at anothe WS in future years.
Cameron
June 4th, 2009
11:44 am
Macon Braves:
Just because McLouth hasn’t hit cleanup doesn’t mean he isn’t a cleanup hitter. Ken Griffey hit 3rd FOREVER, what is he hitting now. Ryan Ludwick is hitting cleanup for the Cardinals, he is more like a 4 or 5 hitter. McCann is more like a 4 or 5 hitter, he has been doing well in the cleanup spot. Escobar isn’t a leadoff hitter, but has excelled in that spot as well. Just because the guy isn’t a prototypical cleanup hitter, doesn’t mean he can’t have success there.
Not to mention, I will let the guy who makes the lineup decide that (Bobby).
Jersey Gil
June 4th, 2009
11:45 am
I don’t blame the Braves Organization for yesterday decision of the release of Tommy Glavine…This organization has been burn the last few year with injuries and player underperformance( Hampton,Smotlz,Glavine), this is money throwing away to the window. The new management decision that this not happen again in the future…this the think that MR. Smoltz forgot in his comment yestarday.
Rob (from SC)
June 4th, 2009
11:45 am
Just shows Bobby cares more about loyality instead of winning.
Steve from OH
June 4th, 2009
11:45 am
Keylargo, objective analysis says McLouth isn’t that good, and Schafer gets as much praise in the scouting reports as he does. Schafer has a dynamite throwing arm, too. I’d say when Schafer is ready to return, he’ll be the better CFer.
masivatack
June 4th, 2009
11:47 am
“Makes a decent trade but acquires yet another left handed bat – again in a division where the two dominant pitchers are left handed.”
- Braves20
Dood, you don’t win the division against the top 2 pitchers in the league, you win it against the rest of them.
Renegator
June 4th, 2009
11:47 am
keylargo:
Good points about Schafer’s defense. I haven’t been very impressed with it so far this year.
The kid has one great thing going for him though – he has a cannon arm.
Original Jon
June 4th, 2009
11:48 am
Lew, I was about to say the same thing about them retiring. Will Tommy be so mad at the Braves still that when he gets into the HOF he wear a Mets cap?
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
June 4th, 2009
11:49 am
Even though i like Diory as a player, I’d like to see the Braves get Betemit back, he’s is a swiss army knife of a player that can switch hit. He nevers should have been traded. IMO!
Bayou Brave
June 4th, 2009
11:49 am
RC, I’m starting to see what you’re talking about (McLouth’s dubious Gold Glove)
Novice Ned
June 4th, 2009
11:50 am
Glavine was Plan B (at best, more likely, Plan C). But to Wren’s credit, Plan A has been working so well that he didn’t need the contingency anymore. Ultimately, there was no room for Glavine (or Smoltz for that matter). You almost have to let Kawakami pitch this season… to do otherwise potentially eliminates the Braves from future deals with Japanese players. Sure, you may have to cut bait at some point but it’s much too early to kick KK to the curb now. Wren is doing what is needed to get this team back into relevancy for the next few years. Instead of those short-term deals to maintain “the streak”, Wren is getting the Braves ready to begin a new streak of success. We’re one more bat (and maybe another dominant reliever) away from being a scary-good team for the next few years (especially if Huddy returns to form).
keylargo
June 4th, 2009
11:50 am
I posted this stat yesterday but I think it got lost in the confusion.
Nate McLouth stole 180 of 181 attempts in 4 years of High School.
High School is High School but that is fantastic in Pee Wee League.
GLB
June 4th, 2009
11:51 am
the 3 things you listed (if true, which i don’t think they are) are easily correctible. He gets great jumps and runs with a balanced head. I really doubt he turns the wrong way to go back on balls. I didn’t notice him giving up triples with the routes he took, and he probably saved some doubles.
Pete
June 4th, 2009
11:51 am
David O’Brien: “Braves are probably better with Hanson right away, but doesn’t change fact that this could have been handled in a much better way with a veteran of Glavine’s stature.”
Can you share with us the “much better way” it could have been handled in your opinion? Thanks.
Lew
June 4th, 2009
11:52 am
Original Jon-Doesn’t matter. Unless I remember incorrectly, it’s MLB who decides which team’s hat you’re inducted to the Hall. Tommy, Smoltz and Maddux will all go in as Braves. It’s not even an issue.
Justafan
June 4th, 2009
11:52 am
What did Smoltz say, I missed it.
oldschool
June 4th, 2009
11:53 am
While many may not be happy with the way Glavine was handled I think it would’ve been much worse had Glavine made the team out of spring training and then struggled with Hanson blowing away AAA.I really wished I hadn’t watched Bobby Cox’s after the game interview because you could tell that it was a tough spot for him.
Il Cattivo
June 4th, 2009
11:54 am
Boy, that interview with Bobby Cox was so difficult to watch.Bobby’s demeanour almost as though he had just had a family tragedy. He couldnt wait for the interview to end. Gut wrenching.
MFin04
June 4th, 2009
11:55 am
We still are down 1 pitcher in the pen…so maybe Medlen is now in the relief role, and the Braves are keeping both Blanco and Barton on the team until Saturday when they call up Hanson? But they are also getting McLouth today, so Blanco and Barton (or Norton) get sent away correct?
Renegator
June 4th, 2009
11:55 am
TnBrian:
I know you shot down my idea that releasing Glavine was finanically motivated. Maybe you should read Buster Olney’s opinions on the matter. He too thinks it could have been financially motivated.
Isn’t it possible that Wren is not being 100% honest about their reasoning for releasing Glavine. Sure, some of it could be that he doesn’t have the velocity anymore but if it wasn’t financially motivateed – why not give him one start in the majors to see how he does?
MFin04
June 4th, 2009
11:57 am
There isn’t really a great way to cut a Braves legend. He had to go and they let him go. Sucks for him, but it’s a business. Maybe could have done it a day sooner, and talked to Tom about it before hand.
oldschool
June 4th, 2009
11:57 am
yes it was cattivo and I always hate to see someone that old so stressed.I think your exactly right about it being like a family tradgedy.
keylargo
June 4th, 2009
11:57 am
StevefromOH
I respect your statistical analysis but I just feel that way about McLouth. I’ve been a fan of his from last year and had hoped to get him in a trade last year. This year, to be honest, I had no hope of him being the outfielder we would get in a trade.
I will just leave it like this. We will find out some time next year who the CF will be. This year it’s McLouth and I have the hope that Schafer can learn a lot from the instructors down on the farm.
Afterall, it’s a great problem to have.
PS McLouth stole 180 bases in 181 attempts in High School.
Poorjeff
June 4th, 2009
11:59 am
Poor old Bobby, Bull sh@#! Bobby can probably read the clock on the wall…Time stands still for no one…his is about out.
Lew
June 4th, 2009
11:59 am
Rene-You’d pay a guy a Million bucks to come up for a game to throw 77-80 MPH fastballs? Why?
masivatack
June 4th, 2009
11:59 am
Jersey Gil, read your post again. I am not trying to be one of those d***heads that busts on people for their grammar/spelling/etc…, I know it usually comes from fast typing and such. All I want for you to do is read your post one more time, except this time with a thick Russian accent. It makes it much more fun “for to read”.
“I don’t blame the Braves Organization for yesterday decision of the release of Tommy Glavine…This organization has been burn the last few year with injuries and player underperformance( Hampton,Smotlz,Glavine), this is money throwing away to the window. The new management decision that this not happen again in the future…this the think that MR. Smoltz forgot in his comment yestarday.”
-JerseyGil
Are you some kinda commie spy??? Or are republicans are right? Obama is turning us all into Black Islamic Communist Terrorists!!!!
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
12:00 pm
Jeff321–
Why don’t I like him in the cleanup spot? I’ll tell you why:
Well, as far as this year is concerned, there is a 200-point difference between his AVG in the cleanup spot (.258) and his AVG in the #5 spot (.458). Now, yes, he’s got more homers and um…uh…doubles in the cleanup spot, but his OBP and SLG are still better in the fifth spot–4th, .368 OBP, .438 SLG; 5th, .536 OBP, .625 SLG. (Just for the record, he’s had way fewer PA batting fifth this year–28, as opposed to 106 in the CUS.)
Now let’s look at the career numbers, shall we?
In 337 career PA in the cleanup spot, McCann has hit .292 with a .365 OBP and a .477 SLG. He has 11 homers, 56 RBI, 22 um…doubles, 34 walks, 34 SO, 10 GDP, 5 SB, and 3 SF.
In 917 career PA in the number 5 spot, he has hit .300 with a .365 OBP and a .523 SLG. He has 41 homers, 166 RBI, 58 um…doubles, 84 walks, 112 SO, 28 GDP, 1 SB, 1 CS, 2 SH, and 8 SF.
Oddly enough, the OBP are the same. But me, yeah, I like him as a number 5.
MFin04
June 4th, 2009
12:01 pm
One start for Glavine equals half of McLouth’s salary for the year I believe. And if Tom makes it 30 days, its equal to Nate’s contract for the year I believe.
Efrim
June 4th, 2009
12:01 pm
Well, Schafer’s bat doesn’t project in a corner, while McLouth’s probably does. So my guess is Schafer is in CF starting in 2010. Just a guess though. Schafer could get traded this offseason for all I know.
Will
June 4th, 2009
12:01 pm
Braves followed up their “thrilling win” just like a .500 baseball team would do and by the way Maclouth is an all-star cause he plays for the Pirates and every team needs an all star. what a horrible trade. This team is lucky to be .500 with him!!
Daniel
June 4th, 2009
12:01 pm
DOB- How about the way Glavine handled the situation? If the writing was on the wall, I am sure they gave him the opportunity to retire as a Brave. Would have saved the orginization the embarrassment of having to release him. I haven’t heard one complaint about the move from a baseball perspective, just from the “image” perspective. Glavine said at the begining of the year that he only wanted to come back and pitch for the Braves or retire. Should the Braves just pay him an extra million on the way out for being a legend? Would that mean the move was “handled better?”
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
June 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
glavine was great and a braves ICON but, the past is the past. The Braves hung their hat on division titiles and a WS championship in 95 but, complacency kills you and we haven’t gotten our act together. Unfortunately Braves baseball is a 80% buisness and 20% family and sometimes the best buisness decision is to let family go their seperate way.
MFin04
June 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
Schafer at this point is not a better CF than Nate. Not even close.
Coldwork
June 4th, 2009
12:03 pm
Rob, I think it shows Bobby is human and had a 20+ year relationship with Glavine that was hard to push aside. The baseball decision part of equation Bobby probably agreed with.
TnBrian
June 4th, 2009
12:04 pm
Renegator, I agree it was more finacially motivated than anything. I was just being DOB in a bad mood. Even though he probably thinks like we do on this…don’t know. Don’t want to put words in the man’s mouth.
Renegator
June 4th, 2009
12:04 pm
Lew,
No, that’s not what I’m saying. I don’t see how this decision is not financially motivated. Most people are buying Wren’s comments saying that he couldn’t hack it in the majors anymore. My theory is that they didn’t want to burn the 1 million dollars because they knew they would need it for McClouth.
getmattholliday
June 4th, 2009
12:05 pm
Buster Olney is a Braves hater. He never has anything good to say about them. What’s his beef?
Poorjeff
June 4th, 2009
12:07 pm
Glavine got 8 million last year for nothing. Would have got up to 4.5 million this year for 60 days , how many of you Glavine lovers would help pay him.
TVolsBrave
June 4th, 2009
12:07 pm
Well, then they have to be prepared for ugly endings. Seems to me that Wren was fair all along with TG. – Rock ON
I agree…..Both situations are tough, but I think the Braves were fair to both Smoltz & Glavine. They both have been paid well over the years for their service to the Braves. They no doubt have accomplished great things for the Braves, but all great things come to an end. We may not want to admit it but the Braves are in no shape to give away money or wins. If the talent evaluators are convinced Glavine could not get major league hitters out, then the right decision was made. I just wish they would convince Cox to make those same decisions with a few other players.
N8
June 4th, 2009
12:09 pm
I’m not going to dispute who is the better CF between Schafer and McClouth. Haven’t seen enough games this year (but have heard the announcers rave about Jordan’s defense – despite a few blunders – along with reading DOB say he makes some nice plays), and have only seen the few games that McLouth has played against the Braves in the past few years.
However, I take the GG winners about as seriously as they should be taken. Which is, not very much. Though most guys don’t win them without being “pretty darn good” out ther.
But the second that Rafael Palmeiro won a GG when playing 3/4 of the season at DH, the GG’s lost credibility in the same manner that the Grammy’s did when Milli Vanilli won.
The GG’s are a popularity contest. My guess, and it’s just a guess, is that if the world would know how far Francoeur was going to fall from grace, they would have given that award to somebody else. Not that Jeff didn’t deserve it. That year, he did. But I truly belief that for the old timers (guys like Maddux, Ozzie Smith, etc…) it’s a “respect” thing, and with young players, it’s the league trying to give their young guns more “ammo” to promote them with.
flange1
June 4th, 2009
12:10 pm
I think Nate is going to be a great player for the Braves.
But I don’t think he is a long term solution in CF. We will see soon enough that the kid is the better CF.
Think Nate in left, JS in center and Heyward in RF.
All lefties…….
Daniel
June 4th, 2009
12:11 pm
Gee Frank Wren brought Glavine into his office to tell him that they would not bring him up to the majors. He gave him the opportunity to retire or be released. How is this not him being honest with Glavine? Should he have told him to hang in the minors in case another starter got injured? Strung him along a little more? Give him a million dollars for “trying hard”? Buster Onley is full of sh*t.
BT
June 4th, 2009
12:13 pm
If giving up 3 hits in 6 innnings equated to a pitcher being major league ready we would have a roster full of pitchers. Tom Glavine was not overwhelming in his minor league starts.
We lost Smoltz over “a few million bucks.” We had to make a hard decision with Glavine over “a few million bucks.” This is a business, I would rather see us use these millions to become better not for nostalgia.
Bill in VA
June 4th, 2009
12:14 pm
I’ve been watching MLB a long time and all those years I’ve heard players talk about how “unhappy” they were with the way they were traded-released-waived-sent down—you name it. I was fired from a gas stationd I didn’t like the way they handled that!! After a couple more firings I started my own business. Now I handle all the firings the “right way!” Tom Glavine can start his own team and then decide for himself how he wants to handle firings!
Cameron
June 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
Will
You my friend are an…idiot.
Jeff321
June 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
Thanks, McFann!
Lew
June 4th, 2009
12:15 pm
Rene-And why should we give a damn if it IS financially motivated? Have you seen the attendance to this point?
Reality check time people- How many of you would like to be making a $100 grand a year? Pretty much a financial upgrade for most of us, right? They just paid Glavine ten times that amount to rehab, getting nothing whatsoever in return. THAT was loyalty and damn little else. Where do you draw the line?
Now how about that twenty year Dude who just lost his job with Acme Road Runner Death Dealer Do It Yourself Kits For Coyotes and got a two month severance package because of the economy? How dissed was HE?
Look at it like that and then look at Glavine’s situation. Tom’s had his reward -almost $130 million in salary, National recognition and a lock for induction to the MLB HOF- I’m supposed to feel bad because the Braves told him his services were not needed any longer? Sorry, just don’t think I have it in me. Was he the only one who couldn’t see it coming?
Pete
June 4th, 2009
12:16 pm
Poorjeff: “Glavine got 8 million last year for nothing. Would have got up to 4.5 million this year for 60 days , how many of you Glavine lovers would help pay him”
RIGHT ON!
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 4th, 2009
12:16 pm
Daniel, that’s a great point. Glavine has the right to change his mind, of course, but in February, anyway, his plan was to come back as a Brave or retire. The Braves decided he can’t help the club.
The real story may be that they didn’t feel it was worth $1 million to find out whether he could get out ML hitters, and besides, if that million bucks goes to Glavine then there may not be enough money in the payroll to complete the McLouth trade.
It’s hardly kicking him to the curb. And as Lew said, it’s not sure how this could have been handled differently if Glav was determined to pitch even if he didn’t fit in the Braves’ plans.
monty
June 4th, 2009
12:18 pm
BC is old school he played in that era where loyalty was supreme, your word was your bond sort of thing. No use crying today for our heroes that get canned. Today it’s a business, it’s all about the money. MAybe a few exceptions like a Chipper who I’m sure could have played elsewhere for more. Back in BC’s day you didn’t necessarily get rich playing ball.(most probably didn’t) Today even at the major league minimum you can build a nice life for your family. Smoltz and Glavine are going to retire soon and spend their lives doing exactly what they want to do, when they want to do it, and as often as they want to do it. I’m not jealous, I wish them well but I’m not losing any sleep or spending any part of may day worried that they somehow got a raw deal. If playing a kids game till your 40 and getting rich to do something you would have paid to do anyway and getting dumped when your skills diminish is terrible the I’m all for it.
stynes
June 4th, 2009
12:18 pm
Lew – good point and I agree. The difference is that we as fans expect (or at least hope) that baseball will exhibit all of the things that “the real world” doesn’t. Even though my employeer may not be more loyal, we hope baseball will be. It’s part of the appeal of the game.
TVolsBrave
June 4th, 2009
12:19 pm
Does anyone think we shold go with Anderson in LF, McClouth in CF and Diaz in RF for the majority of the season? I know Anderson has some issues but I still believe over the long haul he is one of our top 3 options in the outfield this year. I believe (maybe just hope) his bat will come on as the year goes on. His glove is another story. I just think the lack of defense in LF is just something we are going to have to deal with again this year. The only thing that worries me about Diaz is his lack of an arm in right.
flange1
June 4th, 2009
12:19 pm
On the Glavine front, if Smoltz had not moved away to Boston, I don’t think the Braves would have signed Glavine.
So let’s blame all of this on Smoltz!
KC are you happy now?
Jeff321
June 4th, 2009
12:20 pm
Thanks for the link to Cox’s video! There is nothing I love more than seeing Cox looking completely demoralized. Maybe now he’ll pack all his gear and LEAVE!
And just for fun, I pass along this post from MLBTR.
* According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, a source close to Tom Glavine says the Red Sox are “close to the top, if not at the top” of the list of teams the lefty would pitch for. The Red Sox seem well-stocked with arms for now and Glavine’s friend John Smoltz is nearing his Boston debut, so the team appears to have no room for Glavine now.
* Kevin Baxter of the LA Times reports that the Dodgers are “not likely to pursue” Glavine.
* David Lennon of Newsday has a source who says the Mets aren’t interested in reacquiring him.
* MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals aren’t interested in bringing Glavine aboard as a player, but they would have interest in him as a mentor or coach.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 4th, 2009
12:20 pm
And BTW, folks, had the Braves really been the disloyal, cold-hearted club that’s being portrayed on this blog, explain Chipper’s extension. Talk about a guy who’s not going to play 150 games a year for the duration of his contract. Still, they ponied up the dough. Says a lot about who Wren and Co. believe can help the team win over the next few years (even if he may not be in the lineup every day).
McFann :Ô:
June 4th, 2009
12:21 pm
Jeff321–
You’re welcome. Yeah, his numbers are much better from the fifth spot…
smitty
June 4th, 2009
12:21 pm
1 bum down, 1 more to go…just waiting on the headline that Failcouer is sent to the minors, released, or traded
toga party
June 4th, 2009
12:22 pm
It’s probably been said at some point, but Bobby’s sentiments last night just confirm the fear that he would have given Glavine way too much opportunity to struggle if he was back with the big club. There would have been a lot of “Just one bad pitch”, “Tommy looked good tonight except for…” comments from now until he either completely flopped, got re-injured, or September call-ups.
I like the Glavine / Hanson move, and I love the McLouth trade. It’s going to be an interesting summer.
Lew
June 4th, 2009
12:23 pm
stynes-I won’t disagree with you Dude-you may well be right. However, what does that say about us? Baseball (and their fans) in the past thirty years have dealt with steroids, drugs, gambling, player’s strikes, Owner Lock outs and we expect that baseball will be run according to our hopes, wishes and dreams? Yeah, that’s realistic. As if that pie in the sky view of the world will EVER translate to Pro sports. Can we say naive and gullible?
BamaBrave
June 4th, 2009
12:23 pm
“They knew then that they were not going to get an electric fastball, and that there might be days of ugly line scores from a 43-year-old pitcher.” – Buster Olney
Right! So if you’re Frank Wren, do you just accept this out of loyalty and let Glavine start 3 – 5 games? No. We don’t have the luxury of wasting one game on a Glavine experiment. Glavine didn’t show enough progress. He couldn’t be fully evaluated until last week. So, really, how could this have been handled differently? or better? At least, this way, Glavine still might be an option for other teams. He’s done the prep work to make the jump to a major league roster. If they’d released him when he tweaked his shoulder swinging the bat, would he have had the opportunity to pitch in minor league games? Probably not…he’d be like Pedro, on the outside, looking in, waiting for a phone call. This was a smart move.
TcD
June 4th, 2009
12:24 pm
And, Pete VanWieren is always a voice of reason – listen to his take on it here…. http://www.680thefan.com/audio/Pete%20VanWieren%20TRA%20060409.mp3
Lew
June 4th, 2009
12:24 pm
stynes-Don’t take that last post wrong-it was NOT an indictment of you, personally, but of all of us as baseball fans-myself included.
semiballcoach
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
blanco could be dfa’d….not needed here and shafer/bjones in gwinnett…..i’d like to see mclouth leadoff, but it doesn’t matter because won’t let him steal…..jo-jo has got to go, got to have someone mre reliable than him in the pen
abwright
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
I would also love to hear people express how they would have preferred the Braves to handle Tom Glavine. This was a no win situation for the Braves, unless TG accepted that it was time to retire and went out gracefully.
This situation reminds me uncomfortably of the end of Steve Carlton’s career. He was a great pitcher, who didn’t realize that it was time to go.
He hooked up with team after team, and got shellacked in start after start. It was uncomfortable watching such a proud, talented pitcher end his career this way.
I also got to watch Jim Rice’s last season in Boston. Same story, except he finally accepted the situation and retired.
TG probably has a few sparkling games left in his arm. But, what do you do? Put the aging icon out for his last hurrah and block the development of your future players? Or, make a tough decision, live with the consequences, and make your team a better team?
Tom Glavine has already made his fortune and established his legacy. Tommy Hanson is ready to start that process. He’s probably already missed the opportunity for a couple of starts that he was ready to take. Let the young’un have his shot.
N8
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
Jim Rome is RIPPING the Braves for their handling of Glavine.
I like Jim Rome (think he is the ONLY guy in sports that asks tough questions and gets to the point), if you can get past his obnoxiousness, he is usually pretty pin-point with his “feel” of things.
But I wonder if Rome ripped on JS or on Glavine when he bolted for the Mets?
David O'Brien
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
Thanks for the link to Cox’s video! There is nothing I love more than seeing Cox looking completely demoralized. — Jeff321
Classy.
Refresh my memory — you consider yourself a Braves fan, correct? Just checking.
rjbman in atlanta
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
The sad part is that from the Bobby Cox interview, it leaves you with the impression that he was willing to set aside the opinions of the ‘minor league’ staff to give TG that 1 or 4 more chances. It is easy to see why BC has the loyalty of his players.
And there is no good way to give up on a player of TG’s caliber. I remember the last days of Dan Marino. After a playoff performance that made it clear almost every fan that his vaunted passing arm was finished, there was still no easy way to move him aside.
But the truth is that it is early June and we are 5 1/2 back. Philly and the Mets are both hurting. And playing .500 ball is not getting us closer to the top of the NL East. Adding some power to the outfield should…and having Hanson pitching on the big team should as well. Hope to see him in the # 4 slot by August.
Lew
June 4th, 2009
12:25 pm
TvolsBrave-I don’t know that that is how it will work out, but ain”t it nice to have that option in the outfield?
RHR
June 4th, 2009
12:26 pm
Lew @ 12:15 – Preach it!
Steve from OH
June 4th, 2009
12:28 pm
Thanks for the link to Cox’s video! There is nothing I love more than seeing Cox looking completely demoralized.
That’s the kind of thing that makes one look like a complete d-bag…