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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,669 comments Add your comment
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:05 pm
Thanks for the lineup, Chief!
Martin
June 24th, 2009
4:05 pm
HEY DOB!
Can you please ask Mr. Wren about Mark DeRosa….We all want him back!! Ask him if there is any shot it acquiring him..Everyday that passes by I get more convinced that Kelly Johnson is not our best option at 2nd base..ASk him please! even give him a trade idea…Johnson, Jo-Jo and Medlen or Bennett for DeRo!!!!
McPoyle
June 24th, 2009
4:05 pm
thanks for the update bravos. it’ll be nice to have him back come mid-July, although I can’t imagine a hang or wrist injury being a real easy one to come back from real quick.
2-0 USA? that is shocking! i’m not really one for soccer, but usa is playing out of their minds the past couple matches
keylargor
June 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
keylargo, Can we get an AMEN? And we could throw Francouer in for the heck of it Jason
Amen, Jason. Thanks for the backup. Sorry, I was away from the computer for a few.
And yes, I think any multi player deal will have JF and his salary dumped into it.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
So, if Johnson goes 0-fer tonight, will we finally see Prado?
Epinephrine
June 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
Eric, great summary:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/trade-review-andy-marte-and-edgar-renteria/
One quote from Sabernomics:
I don’t even want to talk about it. I cannot believe the Braves just traded Andy Marte. Unbelievable. There’s nothing left to say other than this is a very bad deal for Atlanta.
getsomewins
June 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
David O’Brien
June 24th, 2009
4:05 pm
Same lineup:
1. McLouth
2. Escobar
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Anderson
6. Kotchman
7. Francoeur
8. Johnson
9. Kawakami
Bobby Cox is LOYAL. The same two deadbeats are hitting 7th and 8th against Joba Chamberlain.
PWHjort
June 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
Epinephrine,
The problem with the Tex trade is it didn’t address a need. We weren’t deficient in offensive production. We didn’t NEED another 1B, Salty was doing just fine. Tex didn’t represent THAT much of an upgrade. What we needed was a starting pitcher. That 2007 rotation was awful. There weren’t many available at the deadline. But it was still stupid to trade for Tex.
jason
June 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
Javy is out pitching our Ace (Lowe). ATL will not be trading any pitching this year. ATL will have to do this thing with the team they have now. Unless there are some prospects that can be moved that I am not aware of. The ones I know are untouchable.
coach joe
June 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
chop- chop.. funny about minesota media market vs. atlanta..
CB
June 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
Eric, aren’t you a blogger? lol
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
Ephinephrine,
Thanks for the update on Feliz.
I think what the Rangers are going to do is see how Feliz manages major league hitters in a long relief role. If he has any success they will move him into the rotation. That’s what they did with Derek Holland, who is showing MLB growing pains. Their rotation hasn’t been as good as it was earlier in the year, so I think they want to test Feliz in hopes that he’ll do well enough where he can be moved to, and bolster, the rotation.
rob from sc
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
I feel like Johnson could go 0 for the rest of the season and still Prado will be on the bench.
Jonathon
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
Make that 2-0 USA!
Eric from MO
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
Wow, I didnt know people were really that upset about the Marte trade.
jason
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
getsomewins, At least they are batting 7th and 8th….
Kentavo
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hey, when did we pick up Chris Burke?
He’s the dude that knocked us out of the postseason and we haven’t been back.
Also, is about time to bring up Brooks Conrad and give him a shot at 2 B?
He’s got 9 dingers for the G-Braves.
AndyC
June 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
McFann
What’s this business about Elton John and Mauer? Am I missing out on a joke?
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:13 pm
They are in the 87th minute now… now way USA loses this. Even though there was a stupid red card assessed against us.
rob from sc
June 24th, 2009
4:13 pm
In all fairness, Marte is doing well at Triple A
RHR
June 24th, 2009
4:14 pm
“Why does everyone get their panties in a wad when the Yankees are in town?” asked Braves pitcher Derek Lowe.
I was wondering the same thing.
Ha! I agree. It’s like…the Atlanta media is acting like a star struck teenager who just found out they have a date with a Jonas Brother. It’s embarrassing how wide eyed everyone gets when they roll into town.
njbraves
June 24th, 2009
4:14 pm
Another day, another blog, more comments about how bad jeff and KJ are. We get it. The same people don’t need to post the same exact thing every damn day.
rob from sc
June 24th, 2009
4:14 pm
If we make a trade for DeRosa, we should ask for Marte as well. We need Chipper Jones injury insurance.
ncscoots
June 24th, 2009
4:15 pm
Once again, you cannot trade Vazquez or Medlen this year; there simply isn’t any depth behind them. Trade one of those guys, and Plan A becomes “nobody better get hurt, not even a tweak”. That sound good to you? Or does the spectre of James Parr throwing three starts during a DL stint excite?
Next winter, Hudson will be nearly 18 months into his rehab, and should be close to normal in arm strength, range of motion, and endurance (assuming a normal recovery, the Braves pick up the option, etc., etc.). Trading a pitcher, at that point, might be doable. To do it now, to add a bat, would be like standing on a ledge and hoping the rocks don’t crumble.
Boonie
June 24th, 2009
4:15 pm
Why isn’t Prado in there? Is he still not healthy enough to play? KJ and Frenchy are killing us.
jason
June 24th, 2009
4:15 pm
rob from sc, Unfortunately, DeRosa is that insurance, and KJ will be back at 2B, Frenchy back in RF.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
njbraves
You’re surprised?
GT
June 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
bravos2249:
IDK, but they need to move it out of that economic debacle that is the Southside. People who would normally go to Braves games, don’t live down there. Every day that we have ‘thought’ about going to the Braves game we haven’t because of the crime and traffic in that area. The game would have been sold out yeaterday if Turner Field was located somewhere north of downtown, I guarantee it. No way has building the Ted at its current location helped that area down there. A northside stadium would help the bottom line tremendously…..
Eric from MO
June 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
CB yes, but when do you see me overreact and start cussing everyone. Look at the Vazquez trade, people were complaining because Vazquez is horrible. How many times a day does someone post FRANCOUER SUCKS! We know, get over it. How many times do I post during the games? Look at in-game posts and tell me bloggers are not dumb. People say Wren is the worst GM ever, even though he has not even been the GM in 2 years and inherited an atrocious team. By the way, the way he has built this team looks like we are going to contend for awhile.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:17 pm
In stoppage time…USA going to the finals. Amazing considering they needed a miracle just to get to the semi-finals.
ncscoots
June 24th, 2009
4:18 pm
We didn’t NEED another 1B, Salty was doing just fine. Tex didn’t represent THAT much of an upgrade.
On that, my friend, I will have to disagree. A lot.
Crazy Trades McGee
June 24th, 2009
4:18 pm
Holy Santa Clause Sh#t, the USA squad is going to upend the Spaniards…
Eric from MO
June 24th, 2009
4:19 pm
Meant “for 2 years.”
Renegator
June 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
4:20!
Shane (The original)
June 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
Jarrod Saltalamacchia cant hit at all. His numbers this year are pretty bad. I never liked his swing anyway. But of course he is a former Braves prospect that we “gave away” so he must be a superstar by now.
Shane (The original)
June 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
its going to be 4:20 at about 5:30
CLE
June 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
Wouldn’t the Gwinnett Braves stadium be considered a “northside stadium”? How far north could they build the next Turner Field?
rob from sc
June 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
I know there are a lot of Kelly Johnson supporters on this blog, but he has been horrible this season. To me even worse than Francoeur because I expected him to have a solid season. Someone made a great point on yesterday’s blog that when there was an open competition in ST a few years ago, Martin Prado outplayed him. Prado has become stronger and can hit the ball out of the ballpark. I just don’t understand why Prado does not get the same opportunity as Johnson keeps getting.
Greg in TN
June 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
Afternoon denizens…
Excellent food for thought DOB. To me, the argument for best all around backstop of all time begins and ends with Johnny Bench, one of the cornerstones of the Big Red Machine that usually slaughtered us in the mid to late 70s. Campanella and Berra would have to be part of the discussion as well, however Bench had a great bat, a solid glove and great baseball savvy.
The BMac/Mauer debate is just getting started, and barring injury to either, it should be an argument that fans will have for many years to come. I think Mauer gets the slight edge now because his defensive numbers are a bit better than what Everybody’s Favorite Catcher has posted, however I see BMac making strides in that part of his game and he’ll bridge that gap in the not to distant future. Mauer has better CS numbers to be sure, but some of that advantage is likely due to Twins pitchers making more of an emphasis of holding runners closer to the bag than what ours do sometimes.
Nice to see the phenom introducing himself to Fort Knox The Bronx last night. It’s been pointed out that the Braves are playing much better in all aspects of the game, especially on defense, which has helped translate into some low scoring victories. Have to have more of that to say the least, and the Braves can certainly gain ground when the phillies hit town next week as long as the solid play continues.
jukeandjive
June 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
USA! USA! USA! Holla at your boyz!!!
fleming
June 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
It’s five o’clock somewhere
CB
June 24th, 2009
4:22 pm
I agree Eric,we do have some honeys on here, but I refuse to let them keep me away,lol. We may be outnumbered but we are fighters.
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
4:23 pm
Holy Cow, USA won!
cabravesfan
June 24th, 2009
4:24 pm
VaBravesfan-
just caught your comment about me & McFann- Thanks! I used to watch Dodger games with my dad as a kid…turned me into a HUGE baseball fan and I’m glad for it
Did D Lowe really say that about the Yanks? Awesome!
DAP
June 24th, 2009
4:25 pm
if the Braves got a new stadium….where the hell would they put it?
im not sure the the land layout would support it, but they need to put it where the olympic centennial park thingy is now, near the aquarium, cnn center, phillis arena and georgia dome…those thing could be bunched together to create a better atmosphere OUTSIDE the ball park. restaurants and street performers could be out there before games, and make it a better atmosphere. the way it is now, you get the feeling youd better hurry up and get inside turner field, because theres no telling what could happen to you out there.
so thats where id put it. not that traffic and parking arent bad enough already, but as long as stuff isnt going on at the same time (it usually isnt) then turner field could share the phillips arena/georgia dome parking, ect.
McLouth of the South
June 24th, 2009
4:25 pm
PWHjort
June 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
Epinephrine,
The problem with the Tex trade is it didn’t address a need. We weren’t deficient in offensive production. We didn’t NEED another 1B, Salty was doing just fine. Tex didn’t represent THAT much of an upgrade.
…Dude, are you mental? Did you see what Tex did after coming over?
bravos2249
June 24th, 2009
4:26 pm
GT
The only thing is…it used to be Olympic Stadium….so basically Ted got a stadium he didn’t have to pay for all of it. If they do build a new stadium…it needs to be around 40,000-45,000 seats…but hey I like the cheap seats now…lol
I think in cities like Boston and NY..with both parks….they are around bad parts of the city too. It’s just people still go to the games.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:27 pm
AndyC–
Elton John said that Mauer was the best catcher in baseball and he wishes he played for the Braves.
Greg in TN–
Hey! Long time no see!
I see BMac making strides in that part of his game and he’ll bridge that gap in the not to distant future.
Me, too! He’s made some strides already!
bravos2249
June 24th, 2009
4:27 pm
GT
Forgot to add….the inner city of Atlanta is no better than where the stadium is.
DAP
June 24th, 2009
4:28 pm
same lineup hunh? i dont like that at all.
beekay
June 24th, 2009
4:28 pm
If I had to choose one reliever to keep, I think I would take Gozo over Sori. I think Gonzo will be cheaper my guess is Sori gets 3 years 25 mill (if he stays healthy) and Gonzo gets 2 years 10 mill. Both have been awesome this year. Sori has been a bit more dominant. I love Gonzo’s attitude though and his teammates seem to really like him a ton
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
Someone made a great point on yesterday’s blog that when there was an open competition in ST a few years ago, Martin Prado outplayed him.
rob in sc,
that was me…but what i didn’t mention (my post was long enough), was that the Braves preferred Kelly that year because they needed a leadoff hitter. KJ, if you look at his walk rate early in his career, drew a ton of walks. Unfortunately, his walk rate is almost a third of what it used to be (8% this year, 8.5% last year, compared to 22% in his 1st 2 years). Kelly did have a good spring that year, but I still believe he was outplayed. He was definitely outplayed the next spring (2008) at the plate as well, though he started the season off on fire in Philly (both these last 2 seasons).
GT
June 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
CLE:
Yes, and even though it is the first year of the facility attendance is high. Im not saying move the Braves out of Fulton County, but if they did move them to a safer neighborhood closer to their paying fan base I think the attendance would be higher. I know land is cheaper on the Southside but there are increasingly more vacant industrial parks north of downtown, inside the perimeter.
PWHjort
June 24th, 2009
4:31 pm
What was the net gain of using Tex over Salty/Thorman? The answer: not nearly enough to justify parting with Andrus, Salty, Feliz, Jones, and Harrison.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
If and when they ever build a new stadium in Atlanta, they need to leave that ugly bovine far far behind.
I can’t wait to see the stadium implosion and that thing going down in the rubble…. what an eye sore.
Vinings Jim
June 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
DOB – thanks for the reminder about Cousin Declan’s album – I’ve seen him play “Sulphur to Sugarcane” a couple of times on TV, and absolutely love it.
Eric
June 24th, 2009
4:34 pm
I don’t know if you guys care about hawks but they are about to pull off a trade with Golden State to bring Jamal Crawford and send Acie and Speedy to Them
1957 Braves Fan
June 24th, 2009
4:37 pm
Enjoy watching Soriano this year because the Braves will not be able to afford him next year.
GT
June 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
bravos2249:
BOS and NY are in bad parts of their respective cities, however their franchises can thrive in those situations because of historic stadiums, huge fan bases, and greater marketability. The braves are big in the south but its just not the same. You can’t tell me that less people would come to the games if the stadium was located somewhere right outside buckhead or at the perimeter/400 interchange. Those locations would be far better and safer than near the capital…Once you get within 2 miles of the capital the crime rate skyrockets 150%…..
rammerjammer
June 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
The Tex trade talk is the thing that won’t die.
Wilson Betemit, anyone???
JDH GT
June 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
GT, I agree. I think the strength of the Braves’ radio and tv markets shows just how big the fanbase is. I used to go to over 20 games per year when I was at GT because it was such easy access downtown (and cheap college tickets!). People outside of the city have such a negative conception of intown Atlanta. I also agree that there really isn’t any other reason to go to the southside (in fact, more reasons not to go there), so there are few walk-up tickets sold. Ideally, that part of town would see new developments and easier access from the suburbs.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:39 pm
The worse part about Soriano and Gonzalez dominating the Yanks…they’ll remember that and throw some major amounts of money at them as FAs.
keylargor
June 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
We didn’t NEED another 1B, Salty was doing just fine. Tex didn’t represent THAT much of an upgrade. PWHj
Greg in TN
June 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
It’s been too long, McFann! I’d hoped that I’d be back to a more regular blog experience by now, but things are just now starting to settle down enough on the home and work front to allow me to do so.
bravos2249
June 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
GT
I know I said INNER CITY
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 24th, 2009
4:42 pm
Heath (Cleveland),
Maybe willymo will be around and tell us all if Soriano plans to stay in the ATL next season.
keylargo
June 24th, 2009
4:42 pm
We didn’t NEED another 1B, Salty was doing just fine. Tex didn’t represent THAT much of an upgrade. PWHjort
Anybody who saw the debacle that Salty was at first knew he was NOT ever going to be a first baseman.
He played the position fourteen times for the Braves in 2007 and 24 after he was traded to the Rangers. He has not played there since.
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
4:44 pm
I agree with scoots. It would a shame if we traded Vasquez or Medlen. I’d be pretty upset. I still believe if we solve our offensive problems internally, it will be good enough because our pitching is good enough…
VaBravesfan
June 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
Cabravesfan, June 24 4:24 p.m.: I am glad for you. ( I don’t know how to make those little smiley faces.)
Greg Olson Homers
June 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
If/When Gonzo and Soriano go, will they be Type A free agents if they stay on their current track? I mean, yeah we will lose them but at least we will get some sick picks back.
GT
June 24th, 2009
4:47 pm
sorry bravos2249 for the miscommunication but i have never heard of the downtown area referred to as the inner city….most people use inner city to refer to inside the perimeter as opposed to outside….and then use the neighborhoods to identify within ITP, i.e. morningside, downtown, midtown, buckhead, virginia highlands…..
N8
June 24th, 2009
4:48 pm
Shane (The original), I can tell you this. Salty will help us no less or no more than Tex will this year.
We basically traded Salty, Feliz, Harrison and Andrus for Kotchman, and a year of Tex and a half year of whoever the left reliever was in that deal (already forgot – that’s how significant he was).
I like Kotchman. Actually like him a lot. But no way in hell anybody makes that trade.
Those prospects “got away” from us because if ANY of them go on to have a productive career, even as backups, they will have provided somebody else more than Tex provided us.
Doyle Alexander went 9-0 for the Tigers with a 1.53 ERA, leading them to the AL East title in 87. But I’m guessing that in the end, John Smoltz is still the one that “got away” from them. Dont’ you think.
Salty may or may not amount to an All-Star player in his career. But in the end, it would have been nice to trade him while his stock was “high” for a guy that was going to be here for a while.
I’m not so sure that JS would have traded Salty even up for Kotchman, much less “throw in” Feliz, Harrison and Andrus.
Did Salty “get away”? Who knows. But Tex sure as hell “got away” as fast as he could. Dude had ZERO interest in staying in Atlanta, and JS should have known as much.
JS gave up a tone of prospects at the hope of getting to the playoffs for two seasons.
So, basically Wren and JS have given up Flowers, Salty, Andrus, Harrison, Feliz, Jones, Gorkys, Morton, Locke, Lillibridge, Gilmore and Rodriguez for Kotchman, McLouth, Vazquez and Boone Logan.
I sure as hell hope those three guys help us win a title. Because that is a LOT of talent to give up, when you’re not a player or two “away” from making a run. 6 or 7 of those guys have been ranked in our Top 10 prospects in the past few years at one time or another.
I just can’t help but think how different the roster would be right now if JS hadn’t traded for Tex and we used Salty and Andrus (or Escobar) to solidify the roster “long term” with a young ML ready player under our control. Like McLouth.
Which is EXACTLY why if there is a chance we are out of it, Vazquez needs to be moved. If we could even remotley “steal” somebody off of a contenders roster for Javier, Wren needs to replenish that farm system.
Say, like he did to the Tigers for JJJ. If Wren could get us a young up and coming starting pitcher that would be inexpensive and under our control for 4-5 more years, that a contending team doesn’t want to throw into the fire, I’d even be willing to sacrifice this season no matter how close we were to get said pitcher.
Can NEVER have enough good young pitchers under your control, IMO.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:49 pm
Greg–
Well, hope you cann be a regular again, soon! Glad to have you aboard!
N8
June 24th, 2009
4:49 pm
Sorry. Didn’t mean to “yell” that post. Damn format.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:50 pm
Oh no…Neight’s all bold…here comes another blast of the new format!
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:50 pm
Hey hey! I was right, anyway!
TBrown
June 24th, 2009
4:53 pm
N8 – Love the post and agree with most. But Ron Mahay wasn’t THAT bad..
Capt Caveman
June 24th, 2009
4:54 pm
YO Keylargo — At this point I would have to agree that to make the playoffs we have to win the division. The East champ will probably have the fewest wins of any div winner. ( or close to it )
That being said it also means that at this point everyone except the Nats have a chance and are still in contention. I am very curious to see what move if any the Braves can pull off.
Personally, I would be ok with no trade at all if the bats started to wake up. There is something about a team that guts out wins on a weekly basis with good pitching and just enough hitting that is electrifying to the momentum of the season. Besides we have options coming off the DL soon too.
oklahomabrave
June 24th, 2009
4:54 pm
someone tell me what Martin Prado has done to not even get a look at second for at least a series.
AndyC
June 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
McFann
Thanks for the info. Clearly Elton doesn’t know what he is talking about!
O'Brien
June 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
So Frenchy and Johnson are back in the lineup again?
No wonder players love playing for Bobby Cox. He sticks with you, no matter what.
N8
June 24th, 2009
4:57 pm
T-Brown, you’re right. Mayhay (thanks for reminding me), wasn’t bad at all. Just didn’t impact anything enough for me to remember him.
I believe we also got a reliever (Marek?) in the Kotchman deal too. We’ll see if that amounts to anything.
McFann, you typed too fast didn’t you?
JEFF
June 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
MCCann is a beast and all you Garrett Anderson haters need to hush for awhile. Hes the hottest brave with runners on base… I will admit he doesnt help much on defense but his bat is on fire right now.. and again bobby cox sends those 2 hosers out there again.. Francouer and Johnson gotta gooo….Wren do ur stinkin job and get rid of these dead beats.. and hec yea Get Mark Derosa. He definitely hates it in cleveland.. Send Francouer, Bennett Johnson, JoJo to get him.. Guaranteed he will boost this team.. Sit stinkin Johnson and play prado or Hernandez. Those 2 will do so much better than loser johnson. I used to be a fan of his but the last 2 yrs have been atroshish. needs a change of scenary.. and To Trade any of our starters would be a HUGE AND dumb mistake.. and love mark Teixeria Lie through his teeth. I loved in here in atlanta and still call it home.. righttt. after slamming this team and then signing with the overrated and overpaid steriod induced yankees. Arod’s cousin is spreading juice lol.. and see what they do when there out of the retarded bandbox of a stadium. they stink haha… no cheap fly balls that go 310 feet for a home run in atlanta haha.. but not Least Gonzo and Soriano are on fire right now.. and if I see someone else say trade vasquez . you should be taken out back and stripped naked …
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
AndyC–
You’re welcome. Yeah, he sure doesn’t. I guess that’s why they call it the blues…
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
Summer is the Best part of the year… You got Braves baseball, nice weather, and cookin’ out on the grill. Last night I cooked barbeque grilled chicken, grilled yellow squash and grilled zucchini. For night, I’ve got the grill fired up for some Bratwurst…mmm mmm.
mattdrum
June 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
Enough with the Tex trade talk already! It’s done, get over it.
TBrown
June 24th, 2009
4:58 pm
N8 – No problem..I was just kiddin around. I’m not too high on Marek. I agree with you though, over the long haul, we should have gotten alot more for the talent we gave up. Did Mahay net us any picks when he left?
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
Neight–
Yeah, spoke too soon again…
CLE
June 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
GT — Okay, I see what you’re saying. Wonder if that would make traffic better or worse for those trying to get to the game if the stadium were a bit farther north. Hard to imagine that it could be much worse than it is now!
TBrown
June 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
Heath – Grilled some steak and shrimp last night. Send the zucchini this way bro!
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
5:00 pm
I’m not sure why development around the TED hasn’t transpired. Since they put the Staples Center in downtown LA, you have seen a gradual improvement in an area that was vastly run down. LA is becoming a cool place to go to again, but when I was a kid the thought of going to downtown was scary.
Petco Park has made an even bigger difference in San Diego. The area where the old warehouses are was a dangerous, dark, poor, run down slum. But Petco has turned that community, well, into a community. Everywhere you look there’s a new modern high rise condominium project going on. Plenty of bars, great night life, plus they implemented a trolly system you can use to access the park from anywhere. My favorite is driving down to old town, having dinner at one of the Mexican restaurants (Casa Guadalajara, Casa de Reyes, Cafe Coyote, etc..), then taking a nice relaxing, 7 minute trolly ride to Petco. Beats the 2 hour traffic after the game as well.
Anyway, building a stadium in a bad part of town is a good thing. I’m not sure why it hasn’t been a good thing in Atlanta, maybe because it was right next door to FulCo Stadium?
ncscoots
June 24th, 2009
5:02 pm
No wonder players love playing for Bobby Cox. He sticks with you, no matter what.
Do folks really think that Cox would continue running these guys out there if there were players available who were obviously head-and-shoulders above the guys in question? That the man would just disregard the fortunes of his team because he “likes” a player? I mean, do folks really think that?
Willy Wally
June 24th, 2009
5:03 pm
What was the net gain of using Tex over Salty/Thorman? The answer: not nearly enough to justify parting with Andrus, Salty, Feliz, Jones, and Harrison. (PWHJORT)
PWH, as a very superficial lover of sabermetrics, you might want to check out some deeper sabermetric analysis, and realize that, as of today, Tex/Kotchman/Mahay have created about a 70 to 80 run differential above average for the time they played as Braves versus whatever Andrus, Salty, Harrison, Feliz, Jones have given the Rangers thus far relative to average.
Seriously, PWH, please cease making a mockery of yourself with superficial sabermetric analysis. It makes you more of a boob than the yokels who know nothing more than AVG/HR/RBI.
The Braves have kicked the ever living hell out of the Rangers in terms of on-field value for what they got back in that trade versus what they gave …. and remember the value of what they got in Tex grows in value by 10% with each passing year.
The Rangers have a ton of catching up to do if they ever hope to break even on that trade ….. the Rangers certainly got themselves value over replacement back in that trade, but very little back in terms of value over average thus far, and, when it’s all said and done, that’s really all that matters when you assess how the teams fared in the trade.
The only regret of that trade is the opportunity cost because those farmhans could’ve been used to possibly purchase Haren or Harden or Peavy. But value on the field? Not even friggin’ close. The Braves have kicked the hell out of the Rangers in that trade in terms of value over average. The Rangers can have all the value over replacement they want when it doesn’t amount to much value over average.
DAP
June 24th, 2009
5:04 pm
ncscoots
so you think playing jeff and kelly just about every day is a better idea than at least splitting time with diaz and prado? please explain that.
wjones
June 24th, 2009
5:04 pm
N8, would you say that it is good timing, then, that we play the Phillies when we do? Let’s say, for instance, that we are 4 games out when we play them, basically the same as now. A sweep puts us only one back, and certainly in contention. Two of three puts us 3 out, and that is still ok, with our pitching staff, Phils injuries, Mets disasters, etc. Lose two, and we are 5 back, and of course get swept and we are 7 back. The calendar is also a factor here as this puts us into July. So do you think Wren and the boys are also thinking this way? But I tell you, if we put Vazquez on the market, whether we are giving up the season or not, with the way he is pitching we better hold somebody hostage! None of this PTBNL crap! We better be at least thinking of raping someone’s farm system the same way the Rangers raped ours! Because I really, really like our rotation now. I’m afraid our pen’s arms are going to fall off, but I really like the rotation, and with just decent offense we could make a run for it. There have been champions with weaker hitters than Kelly or Frenchy in it before, but you have to have truly great pitching to pull it off, and I think we do. Taking Vazquez out of the mix, however, and that does it for us, because then the remaining four, particularly Kamakaze and Tommy, will be asked to do more and that will expose us, not to mention more pen stress. But even in a “write-off the season” scenario, we better get loaded if we trade Vazquez.
keylargo
June 24th, 2009
5:05 pm
N8
Ron Mahay was the best relief pitcher the Braves have had in years that was not a closer. I wanted the Braves to resign him, but they don’t pay middle relief or set up men. I think he signed with the Royals for $4mm a year, three years. Something like that, but something the Braves would never do.
keylargo
June 24th, 2009
5:07 pm
Ron Mahay lhp
2 years/$8M (2008-09)
* 2 years/$8M (2008-09)
o signed by Kansas City as a free agent 12/20/07
o 08:$4M, 09:$4M
o award bonuses: $50,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove, LCS MVP; $0.1M each for WS MVP, MVP ($50,000 for 2nd-5th), Rolaids ($50,000 for 2nd-5th)
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
5:07 pm
Heath–
“Nice weather”? Where do you live?
Self - Ish
June 24th, 2009
5:08 pm
On good catchers, Tony Pena “invented” the snap throw to first, sometimes from his butt. Benito Santiago was a phenom, was he in a car wreck or something? Has any catcher other than Jason Kendall hit lead-off and led his team in SB’s? Johnny Estrada was on the way to being very good, till the Erstad-inflicted concussion.
DOB: are the heels returning Hansbrough & Lawson?
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
5:08 pm
McFann…
Since there are a lot “Cleveland’s” in the US…
I live in Cleveland, Ohio right now.