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2,363 comments Add your comment
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
wjones, the question is whether it was the best possible deal for the Indians.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
3:43 pm
UNCBrave Wren has already made trades. Just because he didnt procrastinate doesnt mean he didnt do anything.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Lets trade for Victor Martinez, Victor Zambrano, Roy Halladay, Roy Hobbs, Paul Konerko, Paul McCartney, John Smoltz and Johnny B. Good!
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
3:44 pm
Eric from MO, yeah i forgot we kill the fish and nats everytime we play them
Hillbilly
July 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
You folks that think the Phillies got Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for nothing: Are you serious? They just traded away their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th rated prospects for them (accoring to Baseball America.) That’s a pretty decent haul for a guy who’s 7-9 with a 3.14 ERA this season and a 4th outfielder batting .250 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs.
Rob from SC
July 29th, 2009
3:45 pm
The big bat everyone wants is tearing up Double A. I called it two months ago and I believe it even more now. Heyward will be call up to play right field in late August or early September.
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Wayne
How much of the 5 million is still left, 2- 2.5 million. I don’t fault Smoltz for leaving anymore, Looking at our staff we clearly did not need him and also clearly made the right decision since he has not been that good this year. If the Red Sox were willing to part with him I think he would be lights out in the bullpen and rather then going after some other random middle reliever this would be a great fit.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
3:46 pm
Let’s bring up RSF to platoon w/ Kotchman!
MiamiBrave
July 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
Boy so easy for Phillie fans to forget those 15 years of living underneath the Braves
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
crimedog,i wasnt agreeing with his package..frank gets paid to figure it out..i know from what the indians got from the phills that we wouldnt have to give up our top top prospects..fran wren can put a package together..money shouldnt be a problem considering vmart only make 4.5 this year
TBrown
July 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
Eric from MO – You mean you would take the Yanks, Red Sox, and Rays in a series over Halladay, Hamels, and Lee backed by the Phillies lineup? Pass whatever you’re smoking.
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
3:48 pm
The Braves will never trade Kawakami. Even though they do not give no trade clauses. I am sure they promsied him they would not ship him off anywhere. Since he is one of the first japanese guys to come to Atlanta, they would not just ship him off like that. It would hurt them from doing business in Japan for the future.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
Smoltzy
OK, let’s get him then. Does that make you feel better? (he says as he is texting the message “get smoltzy” to Frank Wren)
wjones
July 29th, 2009
3:49 pm
I’m not sure how I feel about the Braves supposedly “standing pat”. For one thing, it only seems that way because we beat everyone else to the store. We traded for McClouth (if we do that this week everyone is happy that Wren is “working”, but aren’t we glad he pulled that trigger early?). He dealt Frenchy early, not only getting rid of him but actually getting a decent player in return. We have our own personal “waiver-wire deals” built in with Hudson, Infante, and Carlisle. They of course are question marks, as are a lot of these kinds of deals. So while it looks like he is standing pat, he really has done a lot, just a lot earlier than everyone (and probably landed a bargain or two). I certainly don’t want to see a “panic move”, as I still remember the ill-fated Len Barker deal in 1983, which helped set up back a good 8 years. Heyward is a sexy possibility, and as someone mentioned maybe it didn’t do Andruw a lot of good long-term, either from a developmental point or from the fact that, like Frenchy (another of those moves), he might have suffered from too much ego stroking too fast. On the other hand, McCann seems no worse for wear from the same thing. So who knows? That’s what makes this game so maddening and so much fun.
The Phillies sure are left-handed in the staff, especially with the Lee acquisition. If they get as far as the WS, it will help them if facing the Yanks, but not so much the Sox. And don’t the Dodgers have a lot of righty power? It does strengthen them against us, though, with all of our lefty bats. I’d love to see us continue to play well and keep it interesting, because you never know what might happen.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
wjones, I think the Indians realize Lee’s value was never higher than now, when they could get four good-to-decent prospects for him. I think most teams realize that Lee is good but not great, he’s 30 and he’s under contract for just one more year and two more months; so no team was going to give up what the Phillies gave up.
The Indians didn’t have to make this move obviously but they get more value out of Lee this way than they would from trading him later or letting him walk after next season (and getting draft picks).
PWHjort
July 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
Here’s what Goldstein says about Santana’s defense:
He certainly has the tools to stick there, but he needs to work on his footwork and blocking skills. He also needs to become more comfortable with the field generalship aspect of the job, a skill that Cleveland may lean on more than most other organizations, as they prefer that their pitchers focus solely on delivering the pitches as called, leaving all game-management to the catcher.
He has good athleticism and a 60 arm (on the 20-80 scouting scale).
Perfect World Projection: He’ll be an offense-oriented catcher in the mold of Victor Martinez.
Glass Half Empty: Few have any qualms about Santana offensively, and if the catching doesn’t work out, he still has the skills to move to third base a la Todd Zeile.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
Andrew we are .500 against them and all but last night was before we were playing good. Still got to like our chances.
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
Eric from MO
just because Andruw already thought he was great doesnt mean Heyward will do the same…everyone is different man
Russell
July 29th, 2009
3:52 pm
I would like to know what Wren was thinking when he signed Kawakami to a 3 YEAR $8MILLION/year contract!! He could have a proven, solid, major league pitcher like Randy Wolf for much less! Kawakami is a 34 year old rookie, with no experiance in MLB. If you are going to sign a guy like that, sign him to less dollars or shorter term. That money could have been used much better on a bat.
Mr. Optomistic
July 29th, 2009
3:52 pm
Ballgame !!
…just gettin’ that outta the way.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
3:54 pm
Nova why do you hate him so bad? He has an ERA of 3.2 since April and keeps us in everygame he pitches. He isnt an ace but he isnt suppose to be. He is our number 5 pitcher. Sure he only goes 5 or 6 innings but find me a #5 pitcher who does more than that.
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
3:54 pm
This is what BA has to say on Santana:
” Most of Santana’s improvement must come behind the plate, and he’s still learning the nuances of catching. He sometimes lacks accuracy with his throws and erased just 23 percent of basestealers in the Cal League, though his success rate improved to 40 percent after the trade. After committing 20 passed balls in 67 games in 2007, he cut that number to 14 in 106 contests last season, but he still needs to get better. Balls down and in to his glove side can give him trouble and he must get smoother receiving balls on the outer half, as he has a tendency to get stiff-wristed at times. He’s making progress blocking balls but that’s another skill he’s still working on.”
So I overstated a bit, but it’s still not league-average from what I gather…
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
Russell
I couldn’t agree with you more!
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
Hudson is interesting
He has that 12 million option for next year. The Braves are paying Lowe 16 mill and Vazquez about 12. The only way I see Hudson pitching for the Braves next year is if he shows good stuff and we can trade Vazquez. The Braves wont be able to or need to pay for both. If the Braves like what they see from Huddy during re-hab I think he will start ( if they are still in contention) if they don;t and they have no plans on re-signing him, I think he will ride in the pen . So they don;t let him tryout for other teams like Hampton did last year.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
The Phillies sure are left-handed in the staff, especially with the Lee acquisition. If they get as far as the WS, it will help them if facing the Yanks, but not so much the Sox. And don’t the Dodgers have a lot of righty power? It does strengthen them against us, though, with all of our lefty bats.
Have you checked? The Braves have hit lefties better so far this season…as have the Yankees..as have the Red Sox…as have the Dodgers.
Again, darn facts getting in the way!
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
Wayne,
I didnt text Wren yet. I am waiting to see if anyone else agrees with me. With your support we can make it happen !!!
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
3:56 pm
Smoltzy, this year for javy is better than any year huddy every had with atlanta..i think they may be leaning towards keeping javy
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
3:56 pm
Eric From MO
I just find the anytime the pitches a marathon affair…
He bores the hell out of me…and like i said RARELY gets past the 5th inning…I think it was Wren’s worst sign of the offseason…RE: See Russell’s post 3:52
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
Andrew
I hear ya however, who would you rather pitch a big game for you? Javy or Huddy?
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
I would like to know what Wren was thinking when he signed Kawakami to a 3 YEAR $8MILLION/year contract!! Russell
Some of you longtimers will remember when we were talking about a blog FAQ? Perhaps we should revive that project, with a section on why Frank Wren paid a lot to sign Lowe and Kawakami and a detailed recounting of the agonies of the 2008 rotation.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
Russell
He was thinking, I have Lowe, Vazquez, an unproven second year guy in Jurrjens, and then a bunch of unproven rookies as starters. Then in his next thought, he thought in 2008, I lost John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton for large amounts of the year from my staff.
Maybe I need some quality, experienced insurance. Then he thought, wow the American free agents are going for TOP dollar. Maybe I should give this Kawakami a try. Only three years. If he does OK, then I did well.
I think those are some of the things he was thinking.
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
3:59 pm
Piedmont–a blog FAQ is a great idea. Something like “does Scott Thorman still have options? No” and on and on…
But I’m sure nobody would read it…
wjones
July 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
“wjones, the question is whether it was the best possible deal for the Indians.”
When is it anyone’s responsibility to save the Indians from themselves? If that were the case, the Pirates should have been saved several years ago, when they started their massive fire sale that apparently will never end. I don’t blame the Phillies for taking advantage of another GM’s stupidity; JS has done that on many occasions for us. I just think that the Indians should give us a deal like that to be fair. Victor to us; Norton to them. What do you think?
Roja
July 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
According to Bobby, the Braves have the players to compete. Of course he didn’t specify at what level or in what league, or even in what sport.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
wjones, the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers rank 1-2-3 in OPS vs LHP in baseball. The Braves are toward the middle of the pack but have a higher OPS vs. LHP than vs. RHP.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
4:01 pm
Plus we could have had the “Wolf Pac” in the outfield bleachers and who did like the “Wolf Pac”
TnBrian
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Those already calling tonight a loss for the Bravos are forgetting that the Marlins are a fastball hitting team and if KK is throwing his curve and changeups for K’s and if we can muster a few runs off Johnson, we have a good chance. Asians are smart people so I’m sure KK knows this is a huge game for us. As long as we keep MFIKY off the mound tonight…hehe.
Anders
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Steve – You certainly could add “Anders, why are you even here?” to the FAQ should it materialize. You’ll save me hours a day!
Ron Roberts
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Stop focusing on the Phillies; not saying we CAN’T catch them, but we don’t NEED to. Focus on the Rox, Giants, Marlins and the NL Central also-rans. They’re our primary competition, and we’re three games or less behind ‘em all. Very attainable. Colorado and San Fran will beat each other up as will the NL Central squads; we need to take care of business vs. the Marlins and continue to do well against the Phils and Mets and we’re IN!
Oh, and DOB, I THINK “Landshark Stadium” moniker only sticks to the stadium through the baseball season, if memory serves. I remember reading on ballparkdigest.com when they made that arrangement that it’s a short-lived naming rights deal. It MIGHT be through the football season, too, but I recall there being some issue w/the Dolphins / Landsharks confusion making that a bit cloudy.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
wjones, what do you mean “When is it anyone’s responsibility to save the Indians from themselves?”
No one should save the Indians from themselves and no one did. The point is did the Indians get the best possible deal for themselves for Lee? And I think they did. What does that have to do with someone saving the Indians from themselves? I don’t understand your point.
Anders
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Roja – Got a good laugh from your 4:00.
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
More and more teams are dipping into the Asian markets. You don’t need a PhD to figure out that Wren was just getting the Braves feet wet with the Japanese leagues (and in a big way, this is the 5th or so biggest Japanese player to be signed by an American team). Wren’s job isn’t to just put together a baseball team, he’s trying to do a lot of other things as well. In the process he got us a pitcher, that aside from one bad month, has been as good as most team’s #3 guys, and he’s a #5 guy on our staff. People should be happy about this, lol, not mad about it.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:02 pm
Russell really Wolf??? I know he is haveing a great year but there is no way any GM could of known that. In the 6 prior seasons he has had a higher ERA than what Kawakami has. In the 5 prior seasons he has pitched over 150 innings ONCE. Two of those years he didnt even reach 100 innings. One of those years he did reach it was 102 innings. He has been doing good but cut Wren a break, no GM could expect this from Wolf. When your number 5 pitcher has a 4.04 ERA that is pretty good.
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
smoltzy, right now javy..huddy’s era was never this low for us..k’s are great,pitches alot on innings..good good pitcher..doing better then i expected
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
And I forgot to add tot he above comment, he’s less than half the price of Sabathia or Burnett, either one of those guys would have a .500 record if not losing record if they would have signed with the Braves.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
4:03 pm
Randy Wolfe? He’s doing OK this year, but has a bit of a history with injuries, doesn’t he?
AndyC
July 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
Optimism – catch it
A giant meteor could crash into the Phils clubhouse killing the whole team, or maybe alien invaders will wipe the whole city of Philly from the map because everyone there is an a$$hole. Yeah, a lot of things could happen, but will they? Probably not. I’m not catching what you are throwing.
Smoltzy
July 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
Andrew,
I hear you if you are going by this years stats. However, Javy is a post season disaster.
Roja
July 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
I find it amusing that Jeff Francoeur is batting .327 with 3 HRs and 16 rbi’s in 14 games since the trade. Maybe he’s just a NY kind of guy?
kelevra
July 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
indians get:
mclouth
tearhen
medlen
schaefer
b. jones
braves get
sizemore
shin soo-choo
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
4:05 pm
Roja…I really enjoyed that 4:00 post as well….funny stuff
Russell
July 29th, 2009
4:06 pm
Wayne In Utah, Thank you for a detail of Frank Wren’s thought process. The point I am trying to make is that you don’t spend $24 million on someone who is unproven in the Major Leagues (unless you are the Yankees or Red Sox). The Braves have a limited budget, and spending that much seemed excessive. They could have had any number of good; not great, but good proven MLB players for that type of money.
UNCBrave
July 29th, 2009
4:06 pm
Smoltzie,
I don’t care about “upsetting” Japanese players and them not coming here. Ichiro is the ONLY Japanese player to be consistently good…
Trade Kawakrappy NOW….Hudson, Vasquez, Lowe, JJ, Hanson is your rotation
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
4:06 pm
smoltzy yeah your right but i think javy really likes pitching for bobby cox and i think its showing
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
Nova he has only failed to make through 5 innings 3 times, once being nailed by a linedrive. Surely you dont blame him for that. Seriously this is better than anyone else’s #5 pitcher. Just because he bores you doesnt mean he is bad. Remember the past 2 years when we had 3 pitchers in the rotation who couldnt make it to the 5th. He is very good, even if he BORES you.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
I know its stubborn…but you’ll never get me to justify this KK sign.
The guy never pitched in North America…let alone a 5 man rotation before this year in his career.
He’s already has some shoulder ‘tightness/fatigue”
He’s a 34 year-old rookie and we got him for another two years…let’s see how things he looks in 2011!!!
FaninFaytown
July 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
kelevra,
Go away
UNCBrave
July 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
McLouth was a necessary trade b/c of Schafer’s ineptness and a bargain…
However, this team STILL needs a BIG BAT….
GIANTS GET-Sanchez, Garko
ROCKIES GET-Betancourt
PHILLIES GET-Lee
Where are the BRAVES??? Get to work Frank Wren!!
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
Nova Scotia Steve and Russell
I am kinda glad we passed on Wolf. If FW had known what a catch JV would be, and how JJ would have avoided the Sophomore Slump and that Hanson would have pitched this well, he might have used that money for a bat. BUT, I think he was remembering the pain of 2008 when he went after Kawakami.
Since April, Kawakami has been better than Randy Wolf. AND, this is not bad for a 5th starter.
Russell
July 29th, 2009
4:09 pm
Eric From MO, I was just using Wolf as an example. I would have rather seen them sign another bat this offseason. Plus Kawakami was not supposed to have been a number 5 guy. He was supposed to be the #3 starter.
THWG
July 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
UNCBrave- The Braves are in the 2011 NL East race. That’s where they are.
Crazy Trades McGee
July 29th, 2009
4:10 pm
You’re No Slevin Kelevra.
brian
July 29th, 2009
4:11 pm
Braves do not need a big trade people. They cannot make a big trade for a bat unless they trade Vazquez for a bat and that ain’t happening now.
The Braves are in a catch 22 though. They need another bat to make the post-season but they would likely have to give up Vazquez to get it. Once they make the post-season they need Vazquez to form a 4 some rotation with Lowe, JJ, and Hanson which would be lights out
Anders
July 29th, 2009
4:11 pm
UNCBrave – In your 4:08 you forgot:
METS GET – Francoeur.
kelevra
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
or
indians get
mclouth
tearhen
medlen
nationals get
schafer
braves get
sizemore
willingham
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
Exactly Wayne, why would Wren want Wolf after 08. How easily other bloggers forget last year. Wolf could just as easily been a poor man’s Hampton.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
In KK’s last 10 starts he pitched past the SIXTH INNING ONCE…..ONCE…
Walking 24 batters in the process…
Russell
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
Wayne In Utah, thats what Frank Wren gets paid to do is project how the roster he assembles will perform. No one knows for sure how any player will perform. I am just saying that the contract he signed Kawakami to is excessive for a player that is 34 years old with zero MLB experience. The Braves don’t have the extra money to throw around to foreign players like the Yankees and Red Sox.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
I find it amusing that Jeff Francoeur is batting .327 with 3 HRs and 16 rbi’s in 14 games since the trade. Maybe he’s just a NY kind of guy?
And 1 walk in 60 PA. And a .313 batting average on balls in the field of play. We’ll see how long this keeps up. My guess is he’ll be the Francoeur he’s been throughout pro ball in a few weeks, mark my words.
BravoMan
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
UNCBrave,
Where are the Braves????????????? They’ve made their moves. Lowe, Vazquez, Kawakami, Anderson, McLouth, and Church…were’ve you been???
No major deal is coming…get over it.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
So Russell, are you saying that Kawakami hasn’t been worth it so far?? I think he has been a good investment so far. Maybe his arm will fall off, and I will think differently in a year or two, but today, he was a good deal.
Kinda like Lowe. Great deal? No. Good deal? You bet!
Just remember back when we brought Elmer Dessens up as a long man, and Campillo was out #2 starter for a while! Yes, I like our 2009 rotation very much, thank you!
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
Nova,
I thought the Braves would at least kick the tires on Wolf, but from what I recall, he was asking for more than Kawakami received about the time the Braves signed KK — 3 years, $30 million. Sure, the Dodgers got him for less, but that was a month after the Kawakami signing.
Rob from SC
July 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
UNCBrave
What do you want Frank Wren to do. Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward are untouchable. Schafer and Freeman are close to untouchabke, and Schafer is injured.
Assuming Vazquez won’t be traded, what do we have that other teams want.
Marc from FL
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
Russell, I think the point here is he’s pitching like most #3 starters, but he’s our #5, which is a good thing, not a bad thing. Hudson walks this year and Javy the year after that, and then Kawakami the year after that, and THEN Lowe the year after that. This is perfect guys, everyone year we lose a pitcher contract and it opens up room to lock up one of our young guys, while allowing some time to develop new arms. Frank Wren is brilliant!
UNCBrave
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
In regards to the Hudson vs. Vasquez. Those saying Vasquez is better is just pure crazy. Here are their CAREER numbers:
Tim Hudson- Age 34 146-77 (W-L) Career 3.48 ERA 1.25 WHIP
Javier Vazquez-Age 33 135-136 (W-L) Career 4.24 ERA 1.25 WHIP
However, I’m all for keeping BOTH of them and shopping Kawakami but I have to choose, we keep Hudson and shop Vasquez
PWHjort
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
and a detailed recounting of the agonies of the 2008 rotation.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
Actually Russell he was suppose to be the #4. He was never suppose to be the #3. Lowe suppose to be #1, then Vazquez and last years’s ace Jair. Kawakami was never suppose to be a number 3, stop lying. By the way pretty sure it was 7 mil/year.
N8
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
“smoltzy, right now javy..huddy’s era was never this low for us..k’s are great,pitches alot on innings..good good pitcher..doing better then i expected” Andrew in P-tang
Actually, on August 4th 2007, (aproximately where we are in the season right now), Hudson had a 12-5 record and 2.95 ERA.
As of June 22nd LAST YEAR, Hudson had a 2.96 ERA to go with his 8-3 record, then pitched through pain for a month, raising his ERA to 3.17 before having TJ surgery.
Now, I’m not going to argue with you that right now, THIS MOMENT, Vazquez might be the safer options.
But what’s with all the people dissin’ Hudson? Hudson had one bad year in a Braves uniform to go with a stellar career in Oakland. Vazquez has had 1 or 2 good years TOTAL in his entire career. I understand playing the hot hand.
I mean, seriously, it’s not like he yelled at DOB or anything this past off-season? Sheesh!
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
Braves get: Tim Hudson from Gwinnett
Marvin
July 29th, 2009
4:15 pm
Is this Phillies trade like the Braves getting Lee without having to give up Heyward, Freeman or Schafer?
wjones
July 29th, 2009
4:15 pm
“Have you checked? The Braves have hit lefties better so far this season…as have the Yankees..as have the Red Sox…as have the Dodgers.
Again, darn facts getting in the way!”
Well, that’s what I figured about the Sox and Dodgers, and I think that’s what I said. For the Sox, I was thinking more of the park, as lefties traditionally have a tougher time than righties (there are exceptions, I will grant you). To be honest, I was thinking about the previous Yankee stadium, with the accomodating RF porch, but the daunting LF alley and the spacious CF. But that has no bearing on the new stadium. I wasn’t thinking lineup construction for them, but they do have several RH boppers, plus the switch-hitting Tex and Posada.
So the Braves are doing better against lefties, huh? I would not have figured. I knew McCann was having troubles against them, but seems like Chipper is doing better on the right side. Wasn’t at all sure about McClouth. Frenchy does better against them, but was replaced by Church, who although doesn’t do as well but will normally be replaced by Diaz, who kills them, and Anderson, who doesn’t seem to mind lefties either. Not sure about Kotch’s splits, though I know that Kelly does better against lefties. Just looking at our roster/lineup construction, you know as well as I that teams will match up lefties against us as much as possible, so if we are doing better against lefties that would be a super trend to have continue.
PWHjort
July 29th, 2009
4:16 pm
Tim Hudson’s career year (2003) and Vazquez’s 2009 are very similar.
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
4:16 pm
Rob–exactly. You can’t expect other clubs to take out our trash and give us something valuable in return.
V-Mart will end up in Boston in all likelihood. They can offer them more than we can afford to. Frank Wren is standing pat and he should.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
And don’t get me wrong folks…I think this is great discussion on KK…I hope he rocks the hell outta Florida tonight.
But my confidence in the guy is kind of at a Dan Kolb level…it has been all year…I almost had a stroke that game he pitched at the Blue Jays and Roy Halladay in June.
AZBravoFan
July 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
UNC Brave
Which bat of those realistically available (we’re not going to get Adrian Gonzalez) do you think Wren should get?
PWHjort
July 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Shaun,
Funny. And rational. Those two things happened in this space? I think you just opened up a portal to an alternate universe. Goodbye Earth.
ZZZZZZZZZZSHHHHHHHHHHH. ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRKKKK. (I’m not good at making sound effects with my keyboard).
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Russell, UNCBrave, Nova don’t like Kawakami. Want him traded.
Fine. Carry on.
Russell
July 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Everyone is missing the point that the $8million spent on Kawakami could have been better spent elsewhere. He is already having shoulder fatigue, he’s 34 years old, we’ve got him for 2 more years, he can’t make it past the 6th inning. Sure he’s good for a #5 starter, but there were better pieces Wren could have aquired for the $24 million he has committed to KK for 3 years.
RHR
July 29th, 2009
4:18 pm
Not done reading the blog yet but before I forget –
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/24/cars-sports-stars-lifestyle-vehicles-pro-athletes-cars.html
KK’s cars (he also has a Lamborghini according to that) are mentioned in the above article … be sure and click on the slideshow. Those aren’t actual photos of their cars (I don’t think? I know that’s not Chipper’s truck anyway) but still. Damn it feels good to be a gangster. I guess.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
Nova I just dont know what you are complaining about. After tonight there is a good chance his ERA is going to be under 4. Sure the money could of been spent on a bat but no one knew how good Vazquez would of been and if JJ would have a sophmore slump and if Hanson would struggle. He built a GREAT rotation, be happy with it.
Efrim
July 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
Marvin, kind of. But the Phillies(unfortunately) have/had a deeper system than the Braves. Braves traded prospects for Vazquez and McLouth, so that weakened it. Necessary trades, though.
richard stevens
July 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
ADAM DUNN SUCKS IN THE FIELD DO WE FORGET THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC PISS POOR EFFORT ON DUNNS PART
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
Is this Phillies trade like the Braves getting Lee without having to give up Heyward, Freeman or Schafer?
Kinda. But they did give up a group of good quality prospects that we couldn’t match in our system. I don’t think that Brown or Taylor can match Heyward, but they’re both a bit better than Schafer, and a little worse than Freeman. Drabek is not equal to Hanson though. So in a way, yes, but the prospects don’t match equally.
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
4:21 pm
your right hudson is a great pitcher..but do to braves gamble on him coming back..or stick with javy whose healthy…i wish we could just trade KK and keep both
MiamiBrave
July 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
Guys I would want FW to make a move to, out of selfishness for wanting to win this year (playoff berth at least), but we really do need to stand pat. This team has shown it can compete lately, and we address the Hudson/Vazquez saga in the offseason and hopefully pick up that “Bat” we’ve been looking for.
As for trades, Really? We’re bare right now, we have nothing of value at AAA, nothing great above AA where Freeman and Heyward are at. You guys act like Medlen/Schafer/JOJO will get a premium guy, come on already
Vinings Jim
July 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
Pouring right now in Miami – Boog Sciambi just said he’s 300 feet from the stadium and can’t see it through the rain (he’s on the radio – I’m not checking his Facebook).
Hillbilly
July 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
Those already calling tonight a loss for the Bravos are forgetting that the Marlins are a fastball hitting team and if KK is throwing his curve and changeups for K’s and if we can muster a few runs off Johnson, we have a good chance.
TnBrian, They are also forgetting May 22nd, when Kawakami matched Roy Halladay pit-for-pitch and the Braves won 1-0.
Eric from MO
July 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
N8 I say we keep Hudson and trade Vazquez in the offseason. Not because I think Hudson will be better, I think they will be about the same, but because if we let Hudson go we get nothing. However, if we trade Vazquez we can get at least one really good prospect, maybe more.
RHR
July 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
Oh wait I guess that is KK’s actual car since it says “courtsey of KK” and on second look, that looks like the players lot.
Andrew in P-tang
July 29th, 2009
4:23 pm
we want VMART