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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,113 comments Add your comment
Daslied
August 21st, 2009
1:56 pm
RHR, Sheffield is mad at that breath he took when he woke up today. Apparently it disrespected him.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
1:58 pm
Rob from SC
Its gunna get done this off season I bet.
TommyP
August 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
Despite the ERA’s listed in the blog, Nolasco’s is inflated by a horrible first half. He’s been dominant in 5 of his last 6 starts.
Anibal might be fresh off the DL but he’s nasty when healthy. I look for a very competitive series.
nemov
August 21st, 2009
2:00 pm
Is it really a possibility that Schafer could get a call up after missing so much time? It seems like the organization would like to see him play well at AAA and rebuild some confidence first. We should be grooming him for next season.
The Love Child of Dale Murphy and Johnny Cash
August 21st, 2009
2:01 pm
Has anyone thought about the fact that if Keith Law was really that insightful he’d be scouting for a Major League club instead of ESPN?
RHR
August 21st, 2009
2:02 pm
Oh ok…well, good to see some things never change. Bears still go in the woods, the Pope is still Catholic, and Sheff is still crazy.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:03 pm
nemov
We are going to need outfield depth at somepoint our guys keep getting banged up out there. The kids got the confidence, I mean he did hit a home run in his first at bat its like a sign from the baseball gods.
bigboi
August 21st, 2009
2:03 pm
you know it’s funny, but I haven’t heard one person mention anything about how well TP has done as a hitting coach lately….. hmmmmm
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:04 pm
JJ Hoover finally made Baseball America’s prospect hot sheet…however, notable Braves farmhands Heyward & Freeman made the “not-so-hot” sheet this week.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:05 pm
Has anyone thought about the fact that if Keith Law was really that insightful he’d be scouting for a Major League club instead of ESPN
He did work for the Blue Jays for a while…
Why all the hate for Keith Law, anyway? Just because he doesn’t agree with every move the Braves make? Gee, what and idiot, right?
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:06 pm
bigboi, don’t bring that up know. What are trying to do? Be a positive fan?
DAP
August 21st, 2009
2:07 pm
Have we started a “Let’s Sweep The Fish” Campaign yet?
lets start by winning game 1.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:07 pm
Steve from OH
Duhh braves are actually the worlds greatest organization lol
Shamus Thacker
August 21st, 2009
2:07 pm
Jeff R: Speed gets a pitcher only so far. Control is the name of the game. Greg Maddux never had much velocity, neither did Glavine. Both are going to Cooperstown. “”
Control AND movement are the names of the game actually…
nemov
August 21st, 2009
2:08 pm
Escobar for Supreme Court
We desperately need a leadoff hitter for the future. I’m not sure it’s worth risking Schafer’s confidence.
Supes
August 21st, 2009
2:08 pm
Steve from OH,
I’m with you on the Keith Law deal…I think he’s pretty darn good at his job and just b/c he may have a conflicting opinion with the majority of bloggers doesn’t discredit his work as a draft/minor league expert.
Eric
August 21st, 2009
2:09 pm
As we all know that this weekend series against Marlins will be very crucial. I just hope we don’t go out and blow this chance
rammerjammer
August 21st, 2009
2:10 pm
Rock On, I am with you on the Hudson thinking. Would just as soon Frank invest that $12 mil on the offense…like maybe locking in our first baseman for a few more years.
People seem to forget that Hudson has been good, but not great, with the Braves. I just don’t see any reason to slobber all over him when we have a 1B situation to square away for 2010 (please don’t tell me Freeman will be ready) and beyond and a pretty good leftfielder who’s cheap and probably won’t be back.
TnBrian
August 21st, 2009
2:11 pm
Chipper is right, you need a K pitcher in your rotation and Javy is really the only legit one in the rotation. Hudson and Lowe are too much alike. I know Hudson K’s more guys because he has other pitches to go to when the sinker isn’t working but I just like Javy better for us in the future. JV seems to love being a Brave and I don’t see any way he takes a step back from this year if he signs long term here. Javy over Hudson for me… if that’s what it comes down to.
DAP
August 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
i think there are still alot of people overestimating schafer. i know he was hurt, but he skipped AAA, played poorly in the majors, went back down and played 9 games…also poorly, and now that he just got his cast off, hes ready for a september callup? i dont think so. hopefully he gets to play in the AFL, but i dont even think he should be considered ready to start the 2010 season with the braves. there is no reason for him to start the season up here based on the personnel we have and his recent struggles. i say schafer gets plenty of time in AAA next season.
OptimisticInTexas
August 21st, 2009
2:15 pm
TnBrian, agreed. Javy could go for a cheaper contract. Huddy?
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:16 pm
Rammerjammer-
Hudson pitched as well as any pitcher could with the bad offences we put on the field to help him win games. It would be foolish to let him leave. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Rouchy took a price cut to stay in Atlanta he loves it here. Im not worried about him leaving at all.
DAP-
He was hurt he was in a cast for like two months, obv. he was 100% in his last couple weeks with the Braves. He was a solid part of the offence before the big slump. He was pretty much always on base and had some good gap power and incredible speed.
ncscoots
August 21st, 2009
2:16 pm
We know what Vazquez will give us in 2010
Do you, now? Are you saying that he will duplicate what has been a career year for him, or, that he’ll duplicate what he’s done in the other 10 or 11 years?
You and Lew must attend the same church; you sure sing from the same hymnal.
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:17 pm
Supes and Steve from OH,
My problem with Law is that it is just too much work and research for one guy to keep up. It’s nearly impossible to be an expert and keep up with one team, much less a 100 minor league teams and the thousands of amateur/college players out there. I just have my doubts about how much scouting/research he can possibly do and how accurate it can be.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:17 pm
sidslidkid–it’s not like he does it alone. Like BA and BP, he talks to other scouts on a regular basis.
Cheese
August 21st, 2009
2:19 pm
2010 Outfield Depth- Diaz, McClouth, Schafer, Heyward, Church
As for the Infield: Chipper (though we need to start grooming a replacement), Escobar, Prado, resign LaRoche to 2-3 year deal, Kelly Johnson (maybe look to trade), Infante (Utility/pinch hitter), Freeman (Maybe September call up)
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:24 pm
I know he went to see pretty much all of the first-rounders (including Minor) for his draft stuff too…
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:24 pm
Steve from OH, Understood and I don’t think he is doing it alone. I just don’t think scouts are going to be telling reporters a lot about some talented high school/college kid they want to keep out of the papers and away from other teams. The amount of information he gives us is clearly impressive, but my questions are about the quality of that info.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:25 pm
ncscoots, Vazquez has a 106 career ERA+ and averages 200-plus innings a year. You are right that he’s not likely to be this good again–his strikeout, walk and homer rates are the best of his career–but you pretty much know Vazquez is going to at least be better than league average and give his team at least 200 innings.
Vazquez hasn’t had a particularly bad year and hasn’t thrown under 198 innings since he was 22. It’s true he’s not likely to contend for a Cy Young but there something to be said for the certainty you get from Vazquez. Anyone who doesn’t understand that, doesn’t understand pitching beyond ERA, wins and losses.
Jim
August 21st, 2009
2:25 pm
The only way that any of these call ups will get any significant playing time this Sept is if there are multiple injuries or if the Braves fall out of the race. We will see little, if anything, of anyone we bring up. The only exception could be pitchers like Buddy or Jo Jo that would let Cox mix and match from he bullpen more frequently.
nemov
August 21st, 2009
2:26 pm
He was hurt he was in a cast for like two months, obv. he was 100% in his last couple weeks with the Braves. He was a solid part of the offence before the big slump.
Schafer’s slump started after the first series with the Phillies.
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:26 pm
teve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:24 pm
I know he went to see pretty much all of the first-rounders (including Minor) for his draft stuff too…
I’m sure he did go see him. How many times though? There are other scouts that have seen him pitch dozens and dozens of times. He reads the media guide on a someone and goes and watches him pitch once and is more of an expert?
Joe Fan
August 21st, 2009
2:27 pm
In the offseason, with their glut of starting pitchers and with Hudson coming back from surgery there is a slim to no chance the Braves will pick up his option, especially a $10 million one, and will most likely trade a starting pitcher to shore up the offense. They have also got to come to grips with who is going to close for them in 2010 and whether they can afford to sign LaRoache rather than waiting for Freeman another season. Lots of questions before next spring training including whether to return Cox as manager.
Fish Bisch
August 21st, 2009
2:27 pm
Gload loves him some Jaivier Vasquez. In 25 at bats he has 10 hits. The braves have 0 chance of winning tonight.
Supes
August 21st, 2009
2:27 pm
There are far too many here on this blog that quickly forget how dominant of a starter Tim Hudson can be when healthy and when he’s on.
You people have short term memory. The guy can shut down a lineup and give you 6-7 innings. He had the 1 “tough” year as a Brave, very similar to what Derek Lowe is doing this year, with a slightly above .500 record but a similar ERA. We are not overly critical of Lowe, but yet when Huddy had that tough “transition” year there were massive outcries here on the blog. Somehow, that season was never forgotten by some of you who wanna get rid of Huddy in the off-season.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:28 pm
Is it really a possibility that Schafer could get a call up after missing so much time? It seems like the organization would like to see him play well at AAA and rebuild some confidence first. We should be grooming him for next season.
I would guess they are considering it because they already used up an option year when he made the team out of spring training. Why not bring him up in September as an extra centerfielder off the bench?
Supes
August 21st, 2009
2:28 pm
Where is N8 when you need Hudson’s career stats posted here to give some perspective to the anti-Hudson crowd?
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:29 pm
I’m pretty sure he goes to see them multiple times. Keep in mind that he’s not the only one who thinks that, either. Baseball America in particular was not complimentary of the pick. And they talk to lots and lots of scouts who have seen the pitchers a lot.
Supes
August 21st, 2009
2:31 pm
sidslidkid,
What’s your point? You do agree that Keith Law KNOWS more than you and me, correct? It’s obvious that scouts for specific teams did see Minor throw far more than Keith Law did, and it’s obvious that the Braves scout(s) had a higher opinion on Mike Minor (hence why they drafted him when their number 1 guy they wanted Alex Wheeler went to the Giants in the slot before us).
The point is that Keith Law gets a lot of sh*t throw his way around on this blog, but he knows a lot more than you and me and everyone else here that isn’t a working major league scout team director.
Capt Caveman
August 21st, 2009
2:31 pm
YO Joe Fan — there is no “decision” to be made about Cox. He is the manager until he decides to retire. That’s just the fact.
Brian
August 21st, 2009
2:32 pm
Is it really a possibility that Schafer could get a call up after missing so much time? It seems like the organization would like to see him play well at AAA and rebuild some confidence first. We should be grooming him for next season.
Also, the AAA season ends on September 7th, so he’s not going to get much work in there.
Shamus Thacker
August 21st, 2009
2:33 pm
Vazquez KNOWS how to retire ML hitters now. He ain’t no sprang chicken, but I think he’s just learned how to pitch. I could see it early in the season, and said so.
Do y’all think his consistency in 2009 is a fluke? Fluke streaks usually contain instances of players reverting to past form from time-to-time. The guy has been too solid, too in command, too confident in his abilities, for that. He knows how to pitch now; you can see it in the way he carries himself.
Call me and idiot if you want! Compliments won’t get you anywhere!
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:33 pm
Maybe they’ll just leave Schafer in Gwinnett for the playoffs in order to get more PT. No sense in bringing him up to sit the bench when he’s already missed so much developmental time. Plus, no need to start that service time clock again.
nemov
August 21st, 2009
2:34 pm
Why not bring him up in September as an extra centerfielder off the bench?
Because he needs playing time. He strikes out too much to be a utility bat. He might be a good defense solution for late game situations.
Bob Dole
August 21st, 2009
2:34 pm
I never heard a concrete answer on why Zeke Spruill is in the GCL right now? is he working on something? Was there some type of injury?
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:34 pm
Supes,
My point is the Braves (and every other team) know more about the players than Keith Law.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:34 pm
Supes, I don’t think folks want Hudson’s option to be bought out because they forget what he’s done in the past or because they don’t like him or think he’s a bad pitcher. They just realize the Braves have five quality starters who have proven quite durable in their careers, and the team could use the savings to fill other needs. Hudson is coming off surgery and is 34.
It’s a mistake for a team to pay a player for what he did in the past.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:35 pm
My point is the Braves (and every other team) know more about the players than Keith Law.
The Royals and Omar Minaya know more than Keith Law? That’s questionable.
poo to u
August 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
I know I will get blasted for this but here goes.
Trade Lowe and KK we dont need them
2010 rotation is
Hudson, Jurrjens, Hanson, Vazquez and Medlen.
Hudson is cheap and experienced to lead the younger pitchers
Jurrjens, Hanson and Vazquez speak for themselves
Medlen has gotten rid of the jitters and is a true starter. Hes pitching great ball now and is ready to join the rotation.
Use the money you get on Lowe and KK and get a couple of outfielders and a new pen.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
August 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
Bob Dole,
Someone answered this a while ago about Spruill. He was sent down to work on some things.
Joe Fan
August 21st, 2009
2:37 pm
Caveman: Cox has not has his contract extended and no announcement from the Braves that they intend to do so. Remember he works for the Braves and they can decide to change managers at anytime especially if his body of work is not up to expectations.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:37 pm
Because he needs playing time. He strikes out too much to be a utility bat. He might be a good defense solution for late game situations.
Gwinnett’s regular season ends September 7. How is keeping him in the minors going to help get him playing time after the minor league season?
Shamus Thacker
August 21st, 2009
2:37 pm
Steve from OH: Baseball America in particular was not complimentary of the pick.”"
But, I was Steve. You failed to mention that….
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:37 pm
G GS W L SV BS HLD CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA
304 303 146 77 0 0 0 22 11 2017.1 1909 857 781 160 619 1372 3.48
WHIP BAA
1.25 .251
Hudson Career stats. They arent going to let a pitcher like him go, hes also home grown you know Georgia loves its own players.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:38 pm
My point is the Braves (and every other team) know more about the players than Keith Law.</em.
But Law gets a lot of his info from scouts that work for ML teams, dude. He’s using a lot of the same info they are.
Rock On......the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
August 21st, 2009
2:38 pm
We are talking post-op Hudson and frankly don’t care about past stats. What we do care about is pitchers not giving us solid innings throughout the year. Vazquez was signed to give us those innings and he has come through in spades. Likes playing here to boot. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Hudson but I am not mortgaging the farm and trading away Vazquez to be replaced by Tim Hudson.
NCSCOOTS….if you are talking stats (not the trivial W/L records) you will see that Vazquez for a 10 year period has eaten innings even when playing for crazy Guillen. Again I say find a way to keep Hudson (if he impresses off rehab otherwise let him go) and Vazquez. Sometimes it’s about finding a way to keep what you have as opposed to trading. We’ll see.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:38 pm
How could I forget, Shamus? My apologies.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:39 pm
Plus, no need to start that service time clock again.
I could be wrong but I think the service time clock started when he made the Opening Day roster. I know that takes away an option year.
timthebrave
August 21st, 2009
2:40 pm
If you don’t remember Hudson has one of the highest winning percentages ever. Except for 2006 when he had the off year he has been a 1b with smoltz being the 1a. It all depends on how he looks in the starts he gets later this month
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:40 pm
Hudson Career stats. They arent going to let a pitcher like him go, hes also home grown you know Georgia loves its own players.
What matters is what he’s likely to do in the next 3-5 years. Again, it’s a mistake to give players contracts based on the past. That’s a quick and easy way to lose.
Hey, look at Dale Murphy’s career stats. The Braves should sign him!
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:40 pm
Shaun–but Gwinnett is likely to make the IL playoffs, so their season would be extended.
And you don’t get ML service time if you’re not on the 25-man roster.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:42 pm
poo to u
I agree with you, from the moment they signed Lowe I was iffy. I never really liked him as a Dodger and he hasn to lived up to what we are paying him. Right now though I dont know if anyone would want to trade for him. Unless he comes back and has a decent two months then that just makes the decision even harder for Wren to do what he needs to do and thats find a 30 HR guy. I like roachy but Im still not sold on him being the guy at first his first halfs are to bad. I personally am sick of the Braves digging them self a whole and having to fight out of it.
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:42 pm
“But Law gets a lot of his info from scouts that work for ML teams, dude. He’s using a lot of the same info they are.”
I don’t want this to be about me bashing Law. He’s good… I have no problem with him. It’s just that the Braves know more about their picks than he does. Scouts don’t give every bit of info to the media like they do to the teams. If he and the Braves see different things in a pick, then I’m trusting the MLB team.
Shamus Thacker
August 21st, 2009
2:42 pm
Bob Dole: I never heard a concrete answer on why Zeke Spruill is in the GCL right now? is he working on something?
I’ve heard he’s working on concrete.
There ya go
timthebrave
August 21st, 2009
2:42 pm
I’m taking the wait and see on Hudson and thinking about how to make playoffs this year and worry about next year later. Important series this weekend. (All series are important with about 1/4 season to go)
Wayne in Utah
August 21st, 2009
2:43 pm
Let Schafer play out the Gwinnett season to get in some reps. If he is good to go with the wrist, then there really is NO down side to bringing him up after the G-Braves are through.
Time for a “Fish Fry”!!!
civilized white trash
August 21st, 2009
2:43 pm
I HATE BOISE STATE
Reid in EAV
August 21st, 2009
2:44 pm
Fish Bisch, thanks for joining us here on the Braves/MIB blog. Now that we have both you and “Man Of Teal” here, I do believe we’ve identified both Marlins fans. I hope you bring your friends to the games!
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:44 pm
Shaun-
Way to go dude bring someone whos retired and try to make a serious point? No logic at least come up with something that kinda of refutes what I’m trying to say. Past stats are not pointless either your not going to sign a guy with a 5.37 ERA and hope you can turn him around. If stats were pointless then no one would keep them.
Wayne in Utah
August 21st, 2009
2:44 pm
Shaun
We have the rights to a potential 15-20 game winner. Why would we give that up without any compensation? I think unless Hudson is a total bomb, he will be kept. We will let next year take care of itself.
ncscoots
August 21st, 2009
2:46 pm
Anyone who doesn’t understand that, doesn’t understand pitching beyond ERA, wins and losses.
Who said I didn’t understand it? Don’t start being a twit, just because you’ve been gone for a while. That smugness won’t fly with those who have watched you post for as long as some have here.
What appears to be not understood is that the possibility exists that Vazquez will not, year in and year out, be the stud that he has been this year. That’s the point I always make and that his career confirms. That possibility makes a choice between Hudson and Vazquez (if it even comes to that) murky, at best. Not the clear-cut and easy decision it’s made out to be by some here.
Shamus Thacker
August 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
“”I HATE BOISE STATE”"
So do attendees, alumni, and pretty much everybody else…
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
Steve from OH, my point was that I believe it makes no difference in terms of financial considerations whether he gets called up because he already was in the big league earlier in the season. Maybe keeping him down would prevent him from becoming a “super two” player or something like that. I’m not sure but I don’t think he would have enough service time to become a super two guy in a couple of years anyway. Also, he’s already used up an option year when he made the big club this spring. But the rules are very complex, so maybe there is incentive to not call him up and I’m missing it.
I do agree that they’ll keep him down until the playoffs are over but I suspect they’ll call him up as soon as that’s over, assuming he’s healthy.
Carroll Rogers
August 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
Thanks for your insight on Minor, Colin.
You know I’m going to have to get a feel for whether Schafer would make sense as a September call-up. When i first saw that suggested, I was a little surprised too, but I think it’s at least in Schafer’s mind as a possibility and something he’s shooting for.
sidslidkid
August 21st, 2009
2:48 pm
Reid in EAV, not true. They have 3 fans… Steve Bartman is out there somewhere.
BL
August 21st, 2009
2:48 pm
Hopefully we can call up Shafer in September to steal some bases as a pinch runner.
civilized white trash
August 21st, 2009
2:49 pm
poo to u makes sense?
i agree with you, but i do believe both of them contracts are going to be hard to unload right now i would say that huddy is the odd man out.
i am one that is all for keeping laroche next year. lets be honest when we traded him the first time we probably shouldn’t have. with a depleted farm system there still is a gapping hole at first base if he leaves. sign him to a one or two year deal if freeman is ready to come up before then, then we learned roachy is easy to trade
Bravo Scott
August 21st, 2009
2:50 pm
Did anyone happen to hear on XM radio last night Rob Dibble and Jodie Mac talking about Kawakami? They said that he was one of the worst #5 starters in the NL. I’d love to hear what they have to say after last night.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:50 pm
ncscoots-
Maybe Javy just likes Atlanta maybe he has found is niche and will produce here. Keep in mind he didnt pitch for many good teams besides the yankees and the parsk he pitched in were not exactly pitchers parks.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
2:50 pm
Shaun–it very well could be the difference between Super 2 and not, or delaying his free agency by a year, depending on how his career moves forward from here.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
2:54 pm
civilized white trash-
I dont see how you can say Huddy is the odd man out. I am a believer you should never lose your job due to injury unless when you come back you just cant produce. Huddy and JJ were the lone pitchers that got wins in the playoff slump. They are not going to forget this. We wanted pitching this offseason and now we have 1 to many. KK will go before Huddy. Maybe even Gonzo will go with O’Flarety pitching well and move KK to the pen to be a Medlin role.
timthebrave
August 21st, 2009
2:55 pm
With Laroche we should trade him away in the offseason and sign him at the all star break every year. It might be hard on him and his family but it would work for the Braves. I think they will make a modest 2 year offer to Laroche at the end of the year. He definitely has impressed me because I thought it was a bad deal at first but I always thought he had a nice swing. Go Braves
Efrim
August 21st, 2009
2:55 pm
Bravo Scott, don’t listen to Rob Dibble too much. It’ll make your head hurt. I’m not sure he even understands ERA.
BamaBrave
August 21st, 2009
2:56 pm
Let’s say we’ve won the wild card, and the playoffs begin next week…
Despite my deep respect for what Rob Dibble thinks (sarcasm intended), I’d be hard-pressed NOT to send Kawakami out there in Game 1, given his ability to beat the Halladays, Matzuzakas and Santanas of the world. That said, my divisional playoff rotation would be:
Game 1: Kawakami
Game 2: Hanson
Game 3: Vasquez
ncscoots
August 21st, 2009
2:56 pm
Escobar for SC, you get no argument from me on Vazquez’s lights-out year. I’m glad he’s here, brother, LOL. How that all works out with the starters, the need to fill offensive holes, and all that, is a far piece down the road.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
2:56 pm
Way to go dude bring someone whos retired and try to make a serious point? No logic at least come up with something that kinda of refutes what I’m trying to say. Past stats are not pointless either your not going to sign a guy with a 5.37 ERA and hope you can turn him around. If stats were pointless then no one would keep them.
I agree, past stats are not completely pointless. They can help a great deal in trying to give us insight into what a player will do in the future, which is how contracts work in baseball–they sign players through a future date. Something else that should be considered along with past stats are things like age, injury history and the contract a player will command both in terms of years and dollars. So given Hudson’s recent performance, his age, his injury history and the amount owed on his contract (if they pick up the option), it’s probably best that they buy out the option. Players age and players sometimes command more money than their actually worth to a team. Geez, and folks like me are the ones that get accused of only looking at stats!
We have the rights to a potential 15-20 game winner. Why would we give that up without any compensation? I think unless Hudson is a total bomb, he will be kept. We will let next year take care of itself.
The Braves would save money by buying out his option. Again, you can’t just say he’s a potential 15-20 game winner, based on some of his past seasons, and assume they should keep him. Again, you have to look at things like age, injury history, contract he would command in addition to his recent performance.
(And is he really a potential 15-20 game winner? I mean, how many guys are going to win 20 games this season? Maybe 15-plus if everything goes well for him and he’s on the right team.)
Chop Chop
August 21st, 2009
2:58 pm
scoots,
Javier Vazquez is going to fulfill all of our hopes and dreams. Stop trying to ruin all of our hopes and dreams. Thank you.
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
3:01 pm
What appears to be not understood is that the possibility exists that Vazquez will not, year in and year out, be the stud that he has been this year. That’s the point I always make and that his career confirms. That possibility makes a choice between Hudson and Vazquez (if it even comes to that) murky, at best. Not the clear-cut and easy decision it’s made out to be by some here.
Do the Braves need Vazquez to be a stud? I don’t really think they do. They need him to give them 200-plus overall decent innings. Also, we need to take into account contract, injury history, age, in addition to ability and recent performance.
The question is not necessarily who is the better or more talented pitcher. The question is which is the better contract and better value. Teams don’t acquire players, they acquire players and their contracts. That’s an important point that casual fans often miss. When evaluating things, you have to evaluate contracts in addition to ability.
Steve from OH
August 21st, 2009
3:01 pm
My hopes and dreams are crushed. Thanks, scoots. I’ll never be able to look at Vazquez the same again…
[sob]
Vinings Jim
August 21st, 2009
3:03 pm
Carroll – watching the Solheim? Your fellow Dookie B Lang had a big win (with the other Brittany L).
civilized white trash
August 21st, 2009
3:04 pm
escobar for SC
i too would like to see huddy pitching in a braves uni next year but i dont think it will happen because his contract is the easiest to get rid of. i think he probably is the best starter in our rotation when healthy. but his mutual option makes his contract/salary easiest to be rid of that is why i think he is the odd man out. not because of performance
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
3:05 pm
ncscoots-
I agree we have offensive wholes but I think every team in baseball has them. I would be willing to beat that 90% of MLB teams right now are trying to figure out how to get some of the Braves pitching. We have the deepest rotation in the bigs and have a damn good pen to back it up. I am a believer in pitching wins in October and the way we have been pitching I cant see any team taking us more then 4 games.
Shaun-
Hudson is not a power pitcher he pitches to contact and is a placement guy, he still needs the power but for what he needs its there. I believe his fastball was low 90’s in the rehab starts so it will continue to rise as he just gets back into it. I also believe the club house knows how close they are and might settle on $$ for the good of the team.
abwright
August 21st, 2009
3:06 pm
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR) 12:50 pm … “What about the 19-year-old kid. Right fielder, big guy, lots of potential. Why can’t I think of his name … ?”
Wasn’t there some kid … Hayman? Freeward? He can’t be very good if he’s so forgettable.
Fish Bisch
August 21st, 2009
3:06 pm
No fish fry tonight. Just an ole fashioned indian uprising.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
August 21st, 2009
3:06 pm
Folks,
Forgot about Sammons earlier. He would add a lot of flexibility to the roster. (It would be nice to have either Ross or Heap available as a PH, so that Norton isn’t the only “power” bat on the bench.) I suppose JoJo could be available as an emergency starter or long reliever. If he’s on the 40-man anyway, nothing lost. I’ve seen no reason, however, to believe he can pitch effectively out of the pen in a middle man or setup role.
I see no reason to not call up Schafer if he’s healthy when Gwinnett’s season is over. As was pointed out earlier, he can help as a pinch runner or for late-inning defense. At a minimum.
And at this point, after what amounts to nearly two lost seasons, are the Braves all that concerned about his service clock?
Shaun
August 21st, 2009
3:07 pm
Shaun–it very well could be the difference between Super 2 and not, or delaying his free agency by a year, depending on how his career moves forward from here.
From Wikipedia:
A player is eligible for salary arbitration if he:
1. is ineligible for free agency
2. is without a contract
3. cannot agree with his current team on a new contract
4. has been on a major league roster or disabled list for at least three years
“Super Two” exception[3] – A player with at least two years of experience may be eligible for salary arbitration if he:
1. Meets the first three requirements from above
2. Played in the majors for at least 86 days in the previous season
3. Is among the top 17 percent for cumulative playing time in the majors among others with at least 2 years, but less than 3 years experience
It’s all very complex. I doubt a week or two at the end of the season would affect things that much. But I may be wrong.
"You all are Cox apologists"
August 21st, 2009
3:08 pm
On paper, the Braves should sweep this series as we have the upper hand in each pitching matchup in terms of ERA. The Marlins are due to struggle and we lost the last series vs. them. The Braves need a sweep to make up for that debacle of a loss on Tuesday.
Memo to Cox: Please do not pitch Soriano, Gonzalez, and/or Moyland with a lead greater than 5 runs.
"You all are Cox apologists"
August 21st, 2009
3:09 pm
I meant MOYLAN, my bad.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 21st, 2009
3:09 pm
civilized white trash-
All that makes sense to me but Bobby loves sticking with people better or worse. I just dont see them saying bye to Hudson when they were willing to give Glavine a shot. Braves have never been shy of retaining people that have given the club their all. I mean its not like the guy is old imagine this in any perticular order because they could all Ace for another club
1)Javy
2)Hudson
3)Lowe
4)JJ
5)Hanson
We could easly win 100 games. Boast multiple 20 game winners. I think if KK continues to impress people will want him and his contract would then be the easiest to dump.
CLE
August 21st, 2009
3:10 pm
Looks like Tommy Glavine has something to keep him busy. I’m registered to a PR news release site for work, and just got this announcement in my inbox:
“AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., announced today the signing of baseball legend Tom Glavine. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will be featured in radio spots and high-impact billboards across the Atlanta area.”