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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,399 comments Add your comment
Startled
October 1st, 2009
11:16 am
The Braves probably should sell high on Vazquez now that his best season most likely is behind him. Another National League team might be willing to overcompensate Atlanta in order to get him. Unfortunately, American League GMs have already seen Vazquez can’t be dominant in their league.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:17 am
So, to get a power bat, the Bravos give up Vazquez. Given the equations, does that strengthen or weaken the rotation?
chipperchop
October 1st, 2009
11:17 am
Braves want a power bat, but don’t want to shell out the bucks it would require to get one? That means one of two things, we can either say goodbye to Vasquez (which I think is a big mistake), or trade out the farm. I hope it’s not for another aging stop gap for one year, or a Tex type that will never resign with the Braves.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:20 am
Vazquez is one of the elite starting pitchers this year. I’ve got to believe he could fetch a power bat IF it doesn’t really subtract substantially from the other team’s offense.
Though the Braves need power, if Vazquez is moved, what about two, maybe three, top prospects, including a power prospect?
37YrBravesFan
October 1st, 2009
11:23 am
Next year is The Year. But we have to let Huddy go. I love ‘em, but given everything else (unless we let De Lo go) I think Hudson should go, and Javy should stay.
GO BRAVES!!
Mitchie-san
October 1st, 2009
11:28 am
Rock on…
I see your point. Fielder was a bad example. I used him since there has been alot of scuttlebutt about him around here. I DO think they will resign LaRoche and get a big bat for the outfield for Vasquez.
Mitchie-san
October 1st, 2009
11:29 am
Hows this for speculation: Lowe for Maggs. Bad contract for bad contract….
Tom R
October 1st, 2009
11:29 am
I really thing the Braves should explore a trade with the Twins. I have always loved Michael Cuddyer and I think he is exactly what this team needs. Could a trade involving Kawakami + prospects snag Cuddyer? Their contracts nullify for next season, but it saves the twins a lot of money come 2011 (when they need to resign Mauer). Thoughts?
reagan
October 1st, 2009
11:30 am
Rockon……………..agree with every point you made. Another idea added on…….Trade Lowe. I would rather pay say 5 million of his salary as part ofd the deal rather than pay 15 million. Frees up some $ for the big bat…….OR could help to keep gonzo/soriano.. Feel we have not yet seen the best of Medlan or KK.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:31 am
What if… The Red Sox were willing to send Clay Buchholz, Josh Reddick (OF) and, say, a Casey Kelly (P/INF)?
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:33 am
… for Vazquez (slightly important detail).
Anders
October 1st, 2009
11:34 am
Maybe Anders can help me with this one but didn’t Carlos Delgado have a significant Chipper like slump and then just blow up? They thought he was done because his bat slowed tremendously. (beekay)
Yep, Delgado was basically roadkill and then it happened. He found his swing and power. Started with a 9 RBI game against the hated Yanks. Keep in mind he was coming off a bad wrist injury which I believe is what slowed his swing. It wasn’t just an age thing. The hip thing this year, well that’s age I’m afraid.
dogsbrekky
October 1st, 2009
11:35 am
God, anyone have the odds of the Bullwinkles losing all 4 remaining games with the “luck” they have shown this and last week ?
Good game Braves and 2010 looks good… let’s throw Heyward in the deep end of the billabong and see if the kid can swim with the crocs
Daslied
October 1st, 2009
11:35 am
Jeff R – for Javy? The wouldn’t trade Buchholz for him, much less with other players.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:37 am
Daslied… Yes, for Javy. Too much upside with Buchholz?
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
11:40 am
I know this move is not by the book but here goes. Bottom of the 6th with runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs, down 3 runs, pitching spot due: Why not let the League leader in sac bunts (Vazquez) sacrifice the runners to 2nd and 3rd, then take him out of the game?
Anders
October 1st, 2009
11:40 am
OK, now that you guys appear to be on the sidelines for the post season with my fellas we need to all pull for the Tigers to upset the Yanks. Many Yankee fans up here were hoping the Tigers and Tiwns would go all the way to a play in game and burn their top pitchers etc.. I mean, they spent freaking $400 mil this off season to add to their already HOF stocked roster and now they want to face the under belly of these weaker teams. They can’t lose in the post season enough for me.
I’m telling you it’s not a lock. They’re starters all have post season questions. OK, now you see why I come here. This is the worst time of year to be a Mets fan in NY. Even when the Mets don’t get eliminated in game 162.
Pendleton
October 1st, 2009
11:43 am
During my tenure as hitting coach, Ben Sheets struck out 18, Randy Johnson had a perfect game, the one last night, assorted slumps that never end, universal choking in big games….still think I’ll get a raise, though
sal governale
October 1st, 2009
11:44 am
Hate it for Diaz the game ended like that last night, but the Braves never would’ve been playing meaningful games this late without him. They weren’t going to the playoffs this year anyway. Too little, too late.
If one person deserves the blame for last night and a wasted season of great pitching, it’s the self-anointed leader who totally cashed it in this year, played the worst defensive 3B in the league, and was always a less productive hitter in the 3-hole than the opposition had. If Chipper is going to collect another paycheck from the Braves beyond this year, he owes them much better effort and off-season preparation than he gave this year. Chipper should be embarrassed, not Diaz.
RHR
October 1st, 2009
11:45 am
Guess I oughta get on there and pick a fight with him for jinxing BMac when he declared him the NL MVP before the season even started
You mean you haven’t already? Some McFann you are!
RHR
October 1st, 2009
11:47 am
OK, now you see why I come here
Not really.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:47 am
Let’s blame the manager and coches for the Bravos falling short. We know they’d be – what? – 100-62 otherwise?
With another manager and coches, the Bravos would be, oh, about what they’re going to be: a team that wins in the high 80s.
Managers, especially, are overrated.
dogsbrekky
October 1st, 2009
11:48 am
sal – yes Chipper had the distinction of MORE ERRORS than hr in 2009… those cold blooded souls amongst us would be tempted to trade him for some young IF talent
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
11:50 am
Any thoughts on my 11:40 post?
Thrillhouse44
October 1st, 2009
11:52 am
Anders, just curious, do you ever go on Yankees blogs?
Jeff R
October 1st, 2009
11:52 am
Chipper’s not going anywhere. as we all know. Unless he hangs ‘em up at the end of the ‘10 season.
Might not be a bad idea to see if they can acquire a solid 3B prospect. Neil Walker (Pirates) had a torrid close to his season at Indy. He may or may not be in the Pirates plans, depending on Pedro Alvarez’s development (or weight gain; if he keeps gaining, he’s moving to 1B).
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
11:53 am
It keeps you out of the double play and it seems Vazquez is more likely to succeed than Norton. Takes a little pressure of McClouth and Prado.
Thrillhouse44
October 1st, 2009
11:53 am
Icky Thump/WBC. I think hindsight is perfect.
DAP
October 1st, 2009
11:54 am
Pendleton: in 8 years, youve also had your offense finish in the top 5 in runs scored 4 times ( 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishes) and in the top 5 in batting average 5 times (1st, 2 2nd places, a 3rd and a 4th place) congratulations.
Daslied
October 1st, 2009
11:54 am
If I’m Wren, I’m looking at these guys. All are free agents after next year, like Javy. I don’t think we’ll get Holliday or Bay, but I think these are possibilities in a trade. They match up fairly closely with Javy’s salary.
- Carlos Pena – 1B (LH, $10.125 MM in 2010)
- Michael Cuddyer – RF/LF (RH, $8.5MM in 2010, 2011 club option)
The could also look at guys like Kubel and Konerko, but they don’t match up for a Javy trade – huge money difference and Ozzie Guillen, respectively.
I’d also maybe go a little wild and throw out Javy, Freeman ++ for Morneau, if the Twins don’t think they can sign Mauer. The Twins seem to be able to win without their big people, and that division is pretty much for the taking next year. They went 17-6 without Morneau this year, but a little more pitching would help. I don’t know, though…
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
11:56 am
Chipper should be embarrassed, not Diaz.
Do you think he is not? If so, that would demonstrate a woeful lack of understanding of an athlete’s competitive nature. Especially so in the case of one who has performed at HOF levels for over a decade.
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
11:57 am
Thrillhouse44,
Norton 6 for 61; Vazquez 19 for 19 in sac attempts, and this is not an example of hindsight?
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
11:58 am
I bet the blog was fun last night.
I value my sanity too much to go through and read it, though…
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
[The Yankees] can’t lose in the post season enough for me.
Me neither. I can’t wait to see ol’ George if the Yanks lose in the first round.
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
I still stand by the idea that a manager can’t win games, but he can lose them.
Doc Holiday
October 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
I dont think team in baseball will take Lowes salary if their scouts saw any of his last 15 starts……. Braves will have to suck up 25-30% of his salary if we want to talk trade.
Id trade KK or Lowe but not both cause Hudson is always a risk. I would also trade JoJo. Keep Medlen. Trading Lowe would be nicer IMO.
It is sad to have a team that you know night in and night out that they wont hit a HR, specially in a close game when few runs are needed. More than half of braves HR came when it didnt matter, meaning that our hitters are not good HR but just guys that hit it when other team pitchers relax or when they bring on their worst pitching because the game is out of reach.
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:08 pm
I mean, my god this website couldn’t handle the meltdown if that had been Yunel at 3rd….or Chipper.
What are you talking about, RHR? Are you trying to tell me that Yunel and Chipper aren’t universally beloved?
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
12:08 pm
It seems like you have to preface a criticism with the fact you are a Braves fan and always will be. I am a big-time Chipper fan, but I also think he needs to move to First Base.
Thrillhouse44
October 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
Icky, you’re right. Bobby has some kind of infatuation with Norton that no one will ever understand. Ever. But, had Greg come through and been 7/61, would you have brought it up?
Daybed Wagmoe
October 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
Tom R — I’ve also thought about Cuddyer as an option. 30 HR is good, and I think in a lineup like Atlanta’s, he can continue that kind of production and drive in 100. Could be an option, and since he’s not really a big name, I think he could possibly be had for something less than Vazquez.
I wonder if Carlos Lee might be an option? On the surface, he seems too expensive — $18.5 million/year through 2012, and he’d have to approve a trade to Atlanta and possibly relinquish his no-trade clause to come here. It might be too much to do, but if Atlanta could get Houston to pay some of his salary in those years, and also possibly send prospects to Houston instead of Vazquez…but then again, Houston may not have any inclination to trade Lee at all.
RHR
October 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
that would demonstrate a woeful lack of understanding
Hey scoots, uh..did you forget where you are?
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
Lovin me one more year of Bobby! Wayne
This line ofthinking is not allowed here. You need to leave.Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
Thrillhouse44,
Whenever Norton pinch hits, I pray for him to be successful if for no other reason than for his sake. But Baseball is a numbers game and his numbers don’t indicate that he will be successful.
Daybed Wagmoe
October 1st, 2009
12:15 pm
dogsbrekky — David Wright and Pedro Feliz also have more errors than HR this year. At least Chipper’s not alone in that category!
RHR
October 1st, 2009
12:15 pm
I bet the blog was fun last night.
It wasn’t any worse than usual really. Comical as always but not near the meltdown I would have expected. But then I remembered that only happens when chipper, mac, or yunel mess up. So in that regard, I’m glad it happened to Matty if it had to happen to anyone. Only mitchell got mad at him, the others blamed Prado and the 3B coach.
I’m just thankful I didn’t have to change my last name to Norton as I threatened to do in the heat of the moment if Nate Norton would have been the hero.
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
So chicken-empire people, please don’t e-mail me or my bosses. DOB
You’ve planted the seed and the plan is already in motion…
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
So in that regard, I’m glad it happened to Matty if it had to happen to anyone.
It might send the “Matty is an everyday player” people back into the closet.
Anders
October 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
Anders, just curious, do you ever go on Yankees blogs? (Thrillhouse44)
No, never. It’s hard enough moving among the “annointed ones”. You really have to live here to understand how their baseball arrogance just oozes from every pore.
Anders
October 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Me neither. I can’t wait to see ol’ George if the Yanks lose in the first round. (Roman Gal)
I’m afraid ol’ George will have no idea. I’m not sure he even knows they moved stadiums. Kind of sad.
Braveheart
October 1st, 2009
12:21 pm
Will never understand why the AJC took their most popular blog by far and made it so darn hard to find. It’s like if NBC took Cheers or Friends or Seinfeld in their heydays off Thursday nights, and put them on at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, and told their audience, yeah, we know you love those shows, and they are so popular with so many and bring lots of eyeballs to our channel, but, hey, screw that, we’re not about making money, drawing attention, or entertaining the masses, so good luck finding that show you love, but here check out of a few of these other shows on Thursday nights that you’ve been ignoring for so long. As the Seinfeld SNL skit went, “Who are the ad wizards that came up with that?”
Or maybe the AJC is the commie liberal rag they are often accused of being, and this is their way of redistributing the wealth. DOB got too wealthy in page views and comments, so they decided to tax the sh!t out of his arse and give away his wealth away as a charity handout to those who sat on their arses and didn’t bust their humps for the past five years accumulating that wealth
Marc in FL
October 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
The way you people just assume the unlikely as certainty is amazing to me. The easiest solution is the one Wren will go with. That means:
Hudson will probably just walk
Lowe, KK, and JV will stay with the team
Offers will be made to Soriano and Gonzo, after the first declines, the other will be approached more aggressively
The Braves will try to get Fielder, depending on whether or not that can will depend on what other teams offer
Anderson, Church, Johnson, Norton, and Laroche will walk
The only things I’m unsure about at this point are:
- If the Braves can’t get Fielder, who else will they go after? I’m thinking Pena probably, but possibly Lee or Berkman
- What OF bat will they go after? We have lots of potential in the OF in our system, but the Braves are going to chase a righty bat and I’m not sure who yet
Should be fun this off-season
Roman Gal
October 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
Kind of sad.
Only for those who care.. Sad, yeah.ozzie
October 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
It is too bad that Liberty won’t budge much on salary b/c the Braves with Holliday in LF combined with their pitching, resigning LaRoche and the arrival of Heyward would = WS appearance.
He is a perfect fit for a hole that has existed far too long in LF.
It really is frustrating to see what you need and just be a bit light on the $$$s to get it. I would prefer to clear payroll and go with a cheaper bench and even pen to land Holliday.
That means letting KJ, Norton, Church, Diaz, Soriano, Gonzo, Carlyle, Logan and maybe Omar go bye bye replacing them with more affordable pieces.
Sign Wagner to a 1 yr (+ option) deal to co-close with Moylan.
Promote a few top arms from the minors to the pen.
Sign a 5yr back loaded deal with Holliday.
They can make it work they will just need to be creative and resist the urge to rely too much on the bench.
If you have in-their-prime and top quality starters you don’t need an expensive bench. We have seen what having mediocre players who are easily displaced by bench players can do and that is not enough.
They will get you close and give you hope but they lack that extra gear to put you over the top hence their lifelong status as a bench guy. Almost good enough to start but exposed when they play too much.
JS started this trend (rely on the bench) when his payroll was cut. He had to pass (or was unable to retain) on star starters and go with a strong bench and ok starters.
If a starter stunk it up you wheeled out a bench guy.
Well I am all for dumping that idea. Quality guys on the field will reduce the reliance on an expensive bench.
Risky – oh yes. Worth the risk – after the past 5 yrs oh yes.
McFann O
October 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
RHR–
I said something to him a month or so back, but he never responded. But yes, I have seemingly failed in that department.
Perhaps after lunch…
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
Marc in FL,
There is a big upside to the Braves not making the playoffs. Wren can now dictate the 25 players on the 2010 roster.
jim
October 1st, 2009
12:26 pm
Let’s assume the Braves resign LaRoche so that we are just talking about modifications to the current team. Let’s assume that the “BIG RH BAT” is someone in the range from Holliday down to Nady. Does that lineup make us a lock for the playoffs next year? OF — McLouth, Heyward, Holliday/Ludwick/Uggla/Nady. IF — Chipper, Escobar, Prado, LaRoche. C — McCann. Bench — Infante, Ross, Diaz, Church/KJ/Conrad/other. SP — Vasquez, JJ, Hanson, Hudson, Lowe/KK. RP — Soriano, Gonzo, Moylan, EOF, Medlen, 2 from (Boone/Acosta/KK/others)
Finances dictate that subtractions have to be made from this group to fit within the budgetary constraints. Is it possible to retain LaRoche and add another big bat keeping all of (Javy, Hudson, Gonzo, Soriano)?
If we lose both Soriano and Gonzo without the money to add a closer, the bullpen becomes very suspect and shallow. If we lose Javy, the rotation loses its anchor and we put a lot of pressure on two young kids to not only to do as well as they did this year, but to become the staff leaders (Hudson’s best year in Atlanta was not as good as Javy’s this year, and he does not have the same ability to miss bats as Javy or either of the two younger starters. He pitches deeper into counts and allows more base runners.) We retain LaRoche and add a BIG BAT only by weakening the back of the pen and/or the rotation.
To save more money, we would have to get rid of bench players like KJ and/or Church and/or Diaz and replace them with cheaper players like Conrad (who after his initial success has gone 0 for 18 and is a 29-year old career minor leaguer). Weak benches and weak bullpens have conspired against the Braves in too many seasons past. Dumping Lowe and/or KK may be wishful thinking. Any taker for Lowe would require the Braves to pay a substantial portion of his future salary (like Mike Hampton with the Rockies) and limit the moves that they could make
Does the optimal team projected above have a lock on the playoffs? The Phillies will come back pretty much intact, the mets should be a lot better, the Dodgers have a very good young nucleus, the Giants have a terrific staff and will add Baumgardner, and Posey at C, the Rockies are legit (and with all the whining about what might have been if the Braves played better from the start, the Rockies got off to an even worse start), the Cards feature Pujols, Carpenter and Wainright, the Marlins are good and have a lot more talent waiting in the wings, and the Cubs should play a lot better than they showed this year. No team is a lock, but the lineup requires that the BIG BAT gives us 30+ HR and 100+ RBI, The second bat (LaRoche?) gives numbers comparable to the LaRoche of Aug/Sept., Heyward have a rookie season comparable to Chipper in ‘95, Chipper be something in between what we see this year and what he was in ‘08 (at bat and in the field), and the pitching to be somewhat comparable to what we have this year.
DAP
October 1st, 2009
12:26 pm
It seems like you have to preface a criticism with the fact you are a Braves fan and always will be.
that reminds me of a recent SNL skit that was on during the last election. it was joe biden in the VP debate saying
“i just want to say i LOVE john mcain. i LOVE him. I would take a bullet for that man…. but hes a raving lunatic.”
andersYou really have to live here to understand how their baseball arrogance just oozes from every pore.
we understand you better than you think.
Thrillhouse44
October 1st, 2009
12:26 pm
Braveheart, I’ve often wondered the same thing…just in a lot less of a comical context. My thoughts are generally “Where the heck is the BBQ page? Is there a link to it in this Smoltz story? No, oh well. I wonder if the Skins are beating the Lions…”
They do the same with the in-game scoreboard. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not.
Anders
October 1st, 2009
12:27 pm
Roman Gal – I was at the All Star game last year at Yankee Stadium when they drove George out onto the field. It was the strangest moment I ever had at a sporting event. We fully expected an absolute roar for him when he came through the CF gate but instead when people saw how fragile and quite honestly lost he looked there was kind of a quiet gasp. Then people didn’t know what to do and he just got awkward polite applause. He hasn’t been in public since.
Anders
October 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
we understand you better than you think. (DAP)
This was very, very funny. Very.
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
12:29 pm
To all Braves fans who think this team is a lock for the playoffs next year: 2010 will be a rebuilding year so that 2011 – 2015 will be the real Championship years.
RHR
October 1st, 2009
12:31 pm
David Wright has more errors than HR this year.
You better shut your lying mouth right now. That kind of talk is not allowed about the tim tebow of baseball. Even if its true.
Nova Scotia Steve - Fight Like A Brave
October 1st, 2009
12:37 pm
RE: Bobby Cox on Marlins 5-4 win, September 30th
“Errors are part of the game, and so is baserunning,” Cox said.
- Is this guy serious?????
jim
October 1st, 2009
12:39 pm
Chipper Jones came up in a big spot 2 nights ago with the season on the line and hit into a weak DP. Chipper made a key error in last night’s game that would have saved at least 2 runs (probably all 3 if the DP was turned). With all due respect for what he has meant to the team in the past, his contribution to this year’s team has been minimal and he has not stepped up when he was most needed. More bloggers will blame Bobby, Norton, KJ, even Schafer and JF for not making the playoffs this year, but the lack of offense and defense from Chipper was every bit as much a contributing factor.
Space Monkey
October 1st, 2009
12:39 pm
This was a really sad game. I feel bad for Diaz. But it wasn’t his fault. It was Bobby’s. He once again sent that idiot Greg Norton out in a crucial moment in a big game and he flailed and failed like he always does. My God, Bobby, the bat boy could have done better. And you, not Norton, are really to blame. The man has a .100 average from the left side. DON’T WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE ON THE TEAM WHO CAN BAT MORE THAN .100 FROM THE LEFT SIDE?!!!!!!!!!
On another note, I pray that we keep Vazquez and let Hudson go. Hudson was terrible in his last two games. We won one of them because we got lucky, but he can’t keep the ball down. Vazquez had a bad night last night. But he can really pitch. I hope if we do trade Vazquez we get back a third baseman and an outfielder with both pop and patience. Nolasco carved up this team last night because it has no patience and no brains. As for our need for a third baseman. Chipper is not capable of fielding the position anymore. He needs to realize the inevitable and move to first.
Soph
October 1st, 2009
12:43 pm
Perhaps after lunch…
Oh, we’re doing it, McFann. After lunch, we revolt! Down with Schultz.
Soph
October 1st, 2009
12:43 pm
Or, is it Bradley that we’re revolting against? I don’t care which one. We’re doing it.
jim
October 1st, 2009
12:49 pm
A first baseman has many more chances than the 3B. He may not get quite as many ground balls as at 3B and he makes fewer throws, but he has to field every throw on an IF grounder and must run from his position to cover 1B on every grounder (even those that get through the IF). He handles more chances, and has to move on more plays. The situation at 1B are different and would not be instinctual for someone learning the position at the ML level, especially a 38 year-old player who isn’t enthusiastic about the move in the first place.
Doc Holiday
October 1st, 2009
12:51 pm
Icky Thump/WBC,
One step at a time. If Cox is still around in 2015, I dont think we will get any banners.
jim
October 1st, 2009
12:52 pm
Vasquez did not pitch up to his recent standards last night, but he did not have a bad game. He gave up 3 ER in 6 IP (a quality start) and without the error he probably gives up just the 2 runs on the homer. He got into a better groove as the game went along after the 3-run inning.
VaBraveFan
October 1st, 2009
12:53 pm
jim
I totally agree , everyone thinks that 1b is so easy to play. if Chipper moves to 1b he will be terrible defensivly cause he has never played the position before, so much more footwork and covering the bag and holding runners. not so easy
Herschel Talker
October 1st, 2009
12:55 pm
SPACE MONKEY at 12:39 – ‘
Your first paragraph is dead on. That is all anyone has to know. Cox blew it again by sending up Norton. If Kelly Johnson is allowed to languish on the bench, why not Norton? What about Conrad?
BOOBY IS A MORON!!! YOU CAN FLUSH 2010 DOWN THE CRAPPER AS LONG AS THIS IMBECILE IS OUR MANAGER!
Efrim
October 1st, 2009
12:57 pm
I’ll make a suggestion. Carlos Quentin for Nate McLouth.
I like it, PWH. I just don’t know if you could rely on Schafer to start the year int he majors. He really needs more time in Triple-A for all of the lost development time. I am a big Carlos Quentin fan and I think he is the perfect fit for the lineup. That said, I am not sure the White Sox would consider trading him. They do need a left handed stick there, though.
McFann O
October 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
Soph–
And I just remembered that my sister and I have haircuts now (yuck…). But when we get home, it’s on like Donkey Kong!!
Mark Bradley beware!!
McFann O
October 1st, 2009
1:00 pm
We just have to make sure we both get on the same blog…
Piedmont Blues
October 1st, 2009
1:00 pm
Mitchie-san,
Lowe for Maggs. Intriguing. But no. I’d worry more about his declining performance each of the last wo years than Lowe’s dropoff this year. Right now, Matt Diaz is a better player.
The Tigers would also have to eat at least one extra year of Lowe’s salary if he doesn’t perform. Maggs has an $11.5 MM option for 2011 that kicks in automatically if he has 135 starts or 540 PAs in 2010.
Worst case, Lowe can give you a lot of innings at the back of the rotation. Maggs could wind up being a much more expensive (though better fielding) right-handed version of Loaf.
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:02 pm
Hey, we are still mathematically in this guys, we arent done until the Braves lose or the Rockies win. Now, its a super long shot, but the Brewers have been putting up good numbers against the Rocks, scored 5 runs first game and 6 the second. If they can get that offense again and shut down the Rocks lineup, they can win this game, while we have Hanson on the mound against a guy we beat last time out. Also, the Rocks could very easily get swept in L.A. and we could sweep Washington. I know I am going out on a limb here, but it is possible still. Just believe.
I guess we will find out in about an hour when the Brewers, Rocks game starts.
JeanE
October 1st, 2009
1:03 pm
I’m sure everyone is blaming Matty D for last night’s loss. Well, you can all just shut up. Yes, he made a bad decision & no one could feel worse about it that Matty. But there is PLENTY of blame to go around in that loss. Let’s start with Chipper’s error & move on to leaving runner’s stranded in scoring position, etc. Let’s face it, we aren’t as good as the Rockies and maybe not even as good as the Marlins who are a good team not even playing with all of their talent. But, I have hope for next year & I think Diaz still deserves a shot to compete for a starting outfield spot. I’m probably in the minority. I’m going to the game on Sunday to enjoy the last of these Braves….This team was fun to watch & I am sad to see it end. I am bummed that Roachy might be gone next year & maybe Gonzo or Raffy. Thanks for a great season….
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
1:04 pm
feel bad for Diaz. But it wasn’t his fault. It was Bobby’s.
Well, of course it was, LOL. Goes without saying (though half the bloggers here do).
Actually, I think Bobby probably had switched jersies with Diaz, put on one of those Mission: Impossible masks, made it to 3B, and immediately started thinking of a way to lose the game, series, and season in the most spectacular way possible.
That’s what I think, anyway. And I’ll have the name of the second shooter on The Grassy Knoll any moment now, too.
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
But as long as we are talking team. Who do you think is back next year? and who has starting jobs? I have got to believe that if Ryan Church gets over his injury he will be back, and Martin Prado should have the 2nd base job from the get go. Also think and pray that Norton will not be back. I think the Braves will trade for a stop gap left fielder until Heyward is up. Maybe trade for someone like Dye, who knows, someone of that caliber.
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:06 pm
JeanE, you sure everyone is blaming Matty D???? I thought they were blaming Kenshin still, lol.
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:08 pm
Oh, I also think they will re-sign LaRoche to a 2 year 24 million dollar deal, have Freddie learn some 3rd base, maybe, he can back up Chipper if need be, cause we are going to need a 3rd baseman when he retires after next year.
Braveheart
October 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
Chipper at first? How many games would that cause him to miss? Everytime Escobar throws a laser beam over there, Chipper would be out for a week with a bruised hand, thumb, or wrenched wrist. Everytime he had to lean over to scoop a ball or to tag someone on a pickoff throw, you’d hold your breath hoping he doesn’t pull something. He’d have more responsibility to run around on relay throws as a first baseman than a third baseman, which anytime he has to run you just know he’s gonna come up limping and shaking his feet trying to loosen something up. You can hide unathletic guys at first although first baseman have to do alot of athletic things over there that we don’t often think about, but I don’t think hiding an athletic but injury prone guy at first is the best idea, especially since the injuries tend to be more muscle pulls, strains, tears and so forth rather than broken bones, torn ligaments or tendons, and the position seems to demand alot of twisting and turning of the muscles
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:15 pm
And why does everyone keep talking about keeping Hudson and trading Vazquez?? Why cant be keep both? Give Huddy a 3 year contract worth about 8 million a year and stick him in the 5 slot, or make him your closer. We will need one of those next year. Then your rotation is either
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Hanson
Lowe
Huddy or Kenshin.
Still not bad.
Nova Scotia Steve - Fight Like A Brave
October 1st, 2009
1:18 pm
I’ll post again
“Errors are part of the game, and so is baserunning,” Cox said.
- Is this guy serious?????
pinkygonzales
October 1st, 2009
1:19 pm
Why did Matt Diaz stray so far off of third base in last night’s climactic 9th inning and get picked off to end the game with the bases loaded in 5-4 game? Why does Greg Norton ever get an at-bat, let alone with two-men on and nobody out? He’s hitting .133 for Christ’s sake (the lowest average of any non-pitcher on the Braves roster. Hell, Javier Vasquez has a better batting average than he does.) How in God’s name do you strike out 16 times against a pitcher that nobody has heard of (Ricky Nolasco)? We know that you all want to make a big play and want to get the offense jumpstarted with one swing of the bat. But swinging at pitches out of the strike zone will not your cause (we’re talking to you, Nate McClouth.)
read our take at:
http://acasualfan.com/
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
1:21 pm
Give Huddy a 3 year contract worth about 8 million a year and stick him in the 5 slot
So, let’s say you suffer an injury at work, rehabilitate, and will soon be back to 90-100% of your abilities prior to the injury. You ask your boss about returning to work, and he says, “Well, we love you, but you’ll have to take a pay cut of 30% to come back here, and then give us the same productivity you were giving us when we paid you more. Oh, we know that we’re paying more to people who can’t do the job as well as you, but there you go.”
That seem like a proposition you would jump at?
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:26 pm
Umm, if my job consisted of making 12 million a year and they wanted to bump me down to 8, I think I would be ok with that.
O.J.
October 1st, 2009
1:27 pm
Besides, Huddy has already said he would take a discount to stay here
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
1:31 pm
jim, VaBraveFan and Braveheart,
Thome: 6 seasons at 3rd and 9 at 1st
Zeile: 9 seasons at 3rd and 3 at 1st
Rose : ? seasons at 3rd, OF and 3 at 1st
I agree with the 3 of you. Chipper is not in the same league with these guys and a switch to First seems very unreasonable.
Braveheart
October 1st, 2009
1:32 pm
if my job consisted of making 12 million a year and they wanted to bump me down to 8, I think I would be ok with that. (O.J.)
What the hell ever. This is some absolute b.s.
Chop Chop
October 1st, 2009
1:33 pm
scoots,
I’ve played the blog game here for too long to fail to understand that each individual fan should have the final say in all matters regarding the Braves organization and its players. Therefore, Huddy should do whatever the hell any commenting fan jolly well wants him to do.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
1:33 pm
Umm, if my job consisted of making 12 million a year and they wanted to bump me down to 8, I think I would be ok with that.
How bout if you were making $100,000 and they wanted to bump you down to $65,000? Same thing. The zeroes at the end don’t change the principle.
Chop Chop
October 1st, 2009
1:34 pm
I think Huddy should work for the league minimum. After all, he went to Auburn.
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
1:35 pm
ncscoots,
Why not?
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
1:35 pm
Therefore, Huddy should do whatever the hell any commenting fan jolly well wants him to do.
Yes, LOL, I agree. Relinquish all free will and delegate all decisions to blogdom, LOL. This is the path to nirvana.
jc_dawgs
October 1st, 2009
1:37 pm
You got that right, O’Brien.
Just look at the improvements made through the course of this season and how the Braves as a team have responded favorably. Church…McClouth…LaRoche and the return of Hudson.
Keep this team together and we will be in great shape for a playoff run next year!
Icky Thump/WBC
October 1st, 2009
1:38 pm
ncscoots, Absolutely!
Braveheart
October 1st, 2009
1:38 pm
Icky, if it was just a matter of taking a guy with declining athleticism like the guys you mentioned and hiding him at first, I’d say put Chipper at first, but the man has injury after injury after injury every two darn weeks or so. It’s always muscle related. I fail to see how moving him to a position that demands more twisting, turning and torquing of the muscles makes any sense.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2009
1:39 pm
I think Huddy should work for the league minimum. After all, he went to Auburn.
Well, there’s that. But I don’t think the labor theory of value takes into account accidents of fate or land-grant-college educations, LOL. Knocks the **** out of the bell-curve.