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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,530 comments Add your comment
CB
October 19th, 2009
10:42 am
Lew, about ready to move South in your retirement? I need a good neighbor- next door house is empty and I wouldn’t be too bad a neighbor.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
10:43 am
My parents always talk about a blizzard that hit south Georgia in the early 90’s (92 maybe?). The entire area of the state pretty much freaked out.
keylargo
October 19th, 2009
10:44 am
For those of you who keep demanding that the Braves start the year with Heyward in RF, here is the reason he won’t.
More on the D-Backs as Mark Reynolds fell three days shy of being classified as a Super Two. Reynolds will earn $425,000 in 2010 instead of something in the neighborhood of $5MM. MLB Trade Rumors
As you see, not only do the D Backs have Reynolds for another year before arbitration, they have about $4.575 million to spend on another player(s).
Mid Town Joe
October 19th, 2009
10:44 am
Maybe a RH bat?
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/123793-does-pujols-want-out-of-st-louis?cnn=yes
Daybed Wagmoe
October 19th, 2009
10:44 am
P.W.Hjort — I remember that blizzard. March 13, 1993. That was a monster of a storm.
Lew
October 19th, 2009
10:46 am
CB-Actually, we moved up here to retire (and because they pay outrageously good money to attract professionals here). We live on 35 acres in a state that has less than a million people living there and mountains in the backyard with flocks of turkey and herds of deer. Too may damned people down there anymore and I never saw a summer there with temps never hitting over 80. I hibernate, draw, watch movies and blog during the winter. Works for me as long as I can watch all the Braves’ games. Do miss my Buccaneers, though (at least until this year).
Lew
October 19th, 2009
10:49 am
KeyLargo-that’s a good point there. Think the same in relation to Hanson and Heyward. Could save the Braves over $10 million (maybe more). Nothing to sneeze at for a mid market team. Yet people think it isn’t a good move.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
10:50 am
Keith Law just published his latest AFL report. It’s mostly insider only. Here’s the stuff relevant to the Braves:
(http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4576383&name=law_keith)
Atlanta Braves reliever Lee Hyde was the team’s fourth-round pick in 2006 out of Georgia Tech, but he’s logged just 97 innings since then due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder injury. The good news: The stuff and approach he showed on Friday night would work in any major-league pen right now. Hyde was 92-94 with a sharp 84-87 mph slider that he needs to show he can bury below the zone. He also flashed a changeup with good tumble. He’s not a big guy and his delivery is compact with good leverage and a lot of deception. Hyde finished strongly at AA this year, and if he’s healthy in March and pitches like this, he should have a legitimate chance to make that club.
That’s very good to hear.
flange 1
October 19th, 2009
10:50 am
Morning All,
Thought this was interesting from KLAW about a relief pitcher of the BRaves in the AFL:
Atlanta Braves reliever Lee Hyde was the team’s fourth-round pick in 2006 out of Georgia Tech, but he’s logged just 97 innings since then due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder injury. The good news: The stuff and approach he showed on Friday night would work in any major-league pen right now. Hyde was 92-94 with a sharp 84-87 mph slider that he needs to show he can bury below the zone. He also flashed a changeup with good tumble. He’s not a big guy and his delivery is compact with good leverage and a lot of deception. Hyde finished strongly at AA this year, and if he’s healthy in March and pitches like this, he should have a legitimate chance to make that club.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
10:51 am
LOL, flange 1. Beat you by 1 post!
flange 1
October 19th, 2009
10:54 am
PWH,
You are just quicker with the cut and paste than I am!
Still, I am happy to see we might have a new pitcher for our pen in 2010!
CB
October 19th, 2009
10:56 am
Sounds like a good life,Lew. We are retired also and are beginning to travel, hoping to go to to Savannah and Orlando in March in RV. We would love to spend a week in Orlando during spring training,would be our heaven. Ok to say heaven on this blog?
Lew
October 19th, 2009
11:05 am
CB-As long as you don’t advocate bodily assumption.
keylargo
October 19th, 2009
11:06 am
Lew – And even if you only save the $4.5 million on Heyward this year, that is the difference between Reid Gorecki and Bobby Abreu. How many games better would the Braves been in 09 with Bobby Abreu playing in the outfield instead of Reid Gorecki and Jordon Schafer?
o-me
October 19th, 2009
11:12 am
Been doing alot of riding Mark, so I been checking out some Bar BQ places in Ga. Here is three that were very very good…The Flying Pig in Warner Robins , Ricks Bar BQ in Dublin, The Flying Cowboy in Douglas,Ga. If you ever in these towns check it out.
CB
October 19th, 2009
11:27 am
Lew, no to that. Rock On, thanks for advice on Pierce’s BBQ in Williamsburg-absolutely the best Q we ever ate. My wife and I went back twice and couldn’t believe how good.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
11:34 am
flange 1 -
Me too. I suspect that’s probably also why the Braves sent Jeff Lyman to the AFL. I want to hear more about him.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
11:53 am
What’s up Braves fans? I’ve been out on the left coast for business and jumping on the old blog just didn’t fit into the equation. Weather was too nice to be hammering away on the keyboard during my down time. Anyway, it’s starting to look like the Yanks spent enough this year to deliver the prize. While they’re not really a well oiled machine imo they just overwhelm teams. They have so many weapons that they win the war of attrition.
Plus Vlad Guerrero looks like you’re supposed to look when you swing the bat like him. Age seems to have caught up with his abnormal batting style.
Perhaps the warm southern Californian sun will help? I hope so because I came back to a town that seems to feel the dress is in the bag already.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
12:09 pm
What up Anders. Looks like Ike Davis is getting a lot of attention in the AFL.
Danga
October 19th, 2009
12:18 pm
Can you imagine what the scores are gong to be if it ends up Phils vs Yanks? Just think of those 2 lineups playing in those 2 ballparks…Good grief.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
12:22 pm
P.W. Hjort – What’s happening with Ike? I haven’t been following any of this stuff for a couple of weeks.
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
12:25 pm
Anders, the Yankees have always spent enough to “deliver the prize.” They just spent enough and spent wisely enough to win it this year.
Vlad seems to have really hit the steep decline phase of his career in 2009. His OPS+ was at 104 after 11 consecutive seasons of 130 or better.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
12:31 pm
Anders,
He had like 2,824,786 RBI in the first game. Hit a Grand Slam I think. Mejia is tearing it up, too. Those 2 Mets prospects have probably gotten more attention than anyone whose last name doesn’t rhyme with “trasburg” in the AFL this year.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
12:31 pm
Shaun – You said it better. I agree. You know what’s weird up this way? You can tell a lot of the old die hard Yankee fans don’t really feel like this is their team. With the big three they added last off season and now A-Rod carrying the load, add in the new stadium and it’s all somewhat foreign to them. Just a vibe a get from guys who used to bask in all things Yankee. They don’t seem to have that same sense of ownership in the glory anymore. It’s almost awkward. Very subjective analysis by me.
Rob from SC
October 19th, 2009
12:35 pm
DOB
have you heard if Blanco or B. Jones fit into the Braves plans in 2010
DAP
October 19th, 2009
12:36 pm
anders, many yankee fans might end up feeling hollow from a championship that was obviously purchased….they certainly are a good team.
Rob from SC
October 19th, 2009
12:39 pm
I know the Yankees are a good team, but the Angels gave away game 1 and 2 with their lack of fielding
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
12:42 pm
Anders, if that’s true, those old Yankees fans should remember the late 1970s when they acquired guys like Reggie, Nettles, Mickey Rivers, Chris Chambliss, Catfish Hunter, Don Gullet, Mike Torrez, etc. In other words, a huge portion of their core talent came via trades and free agency…plus there was the Yankee Stadium renovation.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
12:44 pm
Rob from SC – The Yanks played as bad if not worse in game 2. The Angels left it on the table. Personally I didn’t think that much of the Angels line up. Solid but not real scary. Especially if Vlad’s done. Again, maybe the weather change will help, but they will have to come back east at some point.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
12:47 pm
Shaun- Sorry for the confusion – By old die hard Yankee fans I mean the ones who go talk about the 90’s. Very few even talk about the Yanks before then anymore.
BTW- The 90’s teams were bought and paid for too. They just never viewed it that way. They talk about the “core” and Paulie and Tino. OK, enough already, I’m making myself sick.
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
12:47 pm
Rob, well, the Angels only scored 1 run in Game 1 and it’s not as if the Yankees put on a defensive clinic in Game 2, as they made 3 errors to the Angels’ 2.
The Yankees are out-OPSing the Angels .775 to .464. So even though Game 1 was fairly close and Game 2 was a one-run game, the team that should be leading is in fact leading.
N8
October 19th, 2009
12:48 pm
Keylargo, your 10:44 pretty much pinpoints it. Same thing happened with Hanson.
But here’s the thing. This business type decision, is what’s wrong with the game today, and why this team misses Ted Turner.
Clearly Hanson would have helped this club before June last year. Clearly (unless somebody else is signed or traded for), it is likely that Heyward will be one of the best options for LF or RF going into next season.
As a fan, I appreciate Wren and management trying to give us one more year of these young guys. I also appreciate them trying to pinch pennies, so down the road, we can afford more troops.
But don’t stand at the podium and tell us how much you are trying to win right now, if you’re not going to call up guys that could clearly help RIGHT NOW, so you can save 5 million dollars in 2013.
It’s hypocracy at it’s finest. Are they trying to win, or trying to save money 5 years from now?
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
12:57 pm
Anders, well, the 1990s Yankees also had key homegrown players, as all dynasties do. It’s rare to see a team become a dynasty without at least a few homegrown stars, even the Yankees.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
1:03 pm
N8 -
Clearly Hanson would have helped this club before June last year. Clearly (unless somebody else is signed or traded for), it is likely that Heyward will be one of the best options for LF or RF going into next season.
I think it makes a lot more sense to delay a starting pitcher’s arbitration than a position player’s. You know the mantra, an every-day player always has more impact than a starting pitcher. Look at the way they handled Schafer vs. Hanson. If Hanson were called up in April rather than June, he would’ve made 8 additional starts. Starts that went to Jo Jo Reyes and Kris Medlen. Sure, he might have helped. But the Braves went 3-5 in those 8 games started by Reyes and Medlen. He’s not going to have that much impact over 2 months.
A position player, on the other hand, plays every day. For instance, Jordan Schafer’s demotion almost exactly coincides with Hanson’s promotion. Schafer played 50 games for the Braves in 2009. He was obviously capable of having more impact than Tommy Hanson could have had, just from a standpoint of playing time.
I don’t know what’s going to happen with Heyward. Every scouting report I read says he’s ready but his minor league track record doesn’t scream “call me up” like the scouts do. Of course, we’re talking about calling up a player that could potentially plug a huge hole for the team. But I think that if he’s the best available player for one of the corner OF spots come April, the club probably elects to start him in MLB.
If Heyward is a SP, it’s different. The club probably says something like, “we can get by for 2 months using a swingman and it’ll save us millions down the road”. But missing 8 starts isn’t nearly as consequential as missing 50 games.
ncscoots
October 19th, 2009
1:07 pm
Clearly Hanson would have helped this club before June last year.
Not so clearly, if you happen to look at what he was doing in the minors those months. He clearly had problems managing games, clearly walked too many, and clearly didn’t have command of all his pitches. Now, you may have been happy watching him struggle for two months against heavier competition in the bigs, but, I doubt it would have been as much fun for Hanson and Atlanta.
Hanson was exactly where he needed to be in April and May, in terms of both his development and his value to the parent club. Whether the same will apply to Heyward is another question altogether. I suppose it depends on whether or not his Superman cape is back from the cleaners, LOL.
Rock On......
October 19th, 2009
1:08 pm
CB….many years ago I tried Pierce’s BBQ on a recommendation from a friend and the fact that I saw where it had garnered high praise for best Q in the South or one of them anyway. Not sure where it “ranks” or if even there is such a standard but trust me it has not changed in over 20 years since I have been going there. You can do a lot worse than Pierces’s jumbo chopped sandwich, onion rings, and sweet tea. The Q there is on a par with Gates/Smokestack from the KC area or Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, those kind of joints. Just FYI….you can order it on line.
Steve from OH
October 19th, 2009
1:08 pm
Yikes. I guess I can’t really complain to anyone from Vermont about the temperatures in Atlanta.
Yeah, hearing you all complain about “cold” weather cracks me up. It’s 40 and you think the world’s gonna end. That’s t-shirt weather, guys.
In regards to Lyman, all I know about him is that he was a 2nd-round pick and his draft report says that he had a “nasty” split-finger pitch. Probably low 90’s with the FB.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
1:10 pm
Yeah, hearing you all complain about “cold” weather cracks me up. It’s 40 and you think the world’s gonna end. That’s t-shirt weather, guys.
I’m from South Georgia. 100 is t-shirt weather.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
1:11 pm
ncscoots -
Very good one at 1:07. I think it’s exactly right.
Steve from OH
October 19th, 2009
1:12 pm
I’m from South Georgia. 100 is t-shirt weather
Wimp.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
1:13 pm
yeah, in the 90s, the yankees had jeter, petit, rivera, posada, williams, ect. of course, they still have most of those guys…plus guys like cano, so…i dont know. i guess since its not those guys who drive the team as much as it is arod, tex, and cc, its just not the same.
Steve from OH
October 19th, 2009
1:14 pm
Did anyone see this? Medlen’s response is classic…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HHnM5rLoSE&feature=player_embedded
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
1:20 pm
Wimp.
We all have our strengths. Surviving in the cold is not one of mine, alas. I’m most comfortable when it’s 100+ degrees and the humidity makes it feel like 120.
abwright
October 19th, 2009
1:22 pm
Hanson was deemed “ready” (according to news reports of the time) about three starts before he was called up. I think the Braves went 1-2 in those starts. Braves might have gone 2-1 had Hanson started. Even at 3-0, +2 wins was not enough to get the Braves over the top this year.
So, the Braves lost three starts from Hanson at the beginning of his career and get 30 more before free agency. Good decision.
Daslied
October 19th, 2009
1:23 pm
Steve, bless you. You’ve unwittingly answered one of my biggest questions – the guy at 3:08 is apparently the strength/conditioning coach? Every game I meant to ask, but kept forgetting.
P. W. Hjort
October 19th, 2009
1:26 pm
Steve from OH,
I can’t stop laughing. That’s too funny.
Rock On......
October 19th, 2009
1:28 pm
As for Scoots at 1:07 and PWH at 1:03 and N8…..Heyward and Hanson are all pieces to the puzzle so to speak. It is very doubtful that the addition of Hanson alone in April would have changed the Braves’ finish in 2009. Ditto Prado earlier after injury or an earlier acquisition of McClouth and LaRoche. Wren has done a fine job with piecing things together now and I am sure will continue to do so in the next few weeks/months.
Heyward as an everyday player is different from Hanson and filling a need for us in 2010 will probably outweigh the arb issue IMO. Assuming everything we know to date and his continued progress this ST there is every reason to project Heyward as the starting RF. Heyward will have a good supporting cast around him where he won’t be expected to carry the team or feel extra pressure to do so.
Frank Robinson (Rockmart)
October 19th, 2009
1:29 pm
PWH,
I’m with you on the weather. You might be the first person I’ve met who likes heat and humidity as much as I do.
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Yeah, hearing you all complain about “cold” weather cracks me up. It’s 40 and you think the world’s gonna end. That’s t-shirt weather, guys.
I’m thinking I should stay out of this one…it was 68 this morning and I had my car seat warmer on because I was cold
Roman Gal
October 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Yeah, hearing you all complain about “cold” weather cracks me up. It’s 40 and you think the world’s gonna end. That’s t-shirt weather, guys. Steve
Pish posh! I need my ski jacket and gloves in this weather. Man, it’s cold!
David O'Brien
October 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
N8, that new quarterback the Vikings got ain’t half-bad….
David O'Brien
October 19th, 2009
1:36 pm
N8: After I sent you that comment to razz you, I saw this one from you just a while ago:
…But don’t stand at the podium and tell us how much you are trying to win right now, if you’re not going to call up guys that could clearly help RIGHT NOW, so you can save 5 million dollars in 2013.
It’s hypocracy at it’s finest. Are they trying to win, or trying to save money 5 years from now? — N8
You call it hypocrisy. I’d call it the real world, where things aren’t always black and white like they are for some on the blog. For good or bad, the reality is that, for all but a few franchises, it’s not an either/or proposition, either making every decision in the world based on trying to win now without any regard for budget in the future. Most franchises have to make decisions with one eye on the present and one on the future. Just the economic reality.
And sometimes, they might not think it’s good business to stand up at the podium (or in front of our recorders and notepads) and say exactly, entirely truthfully, why this decision or that is being made. Again, just economic reality.
Steve from OH
October 19th, 2009
1:38 pm
cbf–you’re kidding me, right? I’d kill for it to be 68 right now…
DAP
October 19th, 2009
1:40 pm
It’s 40 and you think the world’s gonna end. That’s t-shirt weather, guys.
only for crazies.
Roman Gal
October 19th, 2009
1:41 pm
I hate games like this. Mixxo
You mean close, exciting games or game where the Falcons play like crap? Because even though last night’s game was a lovely combination of both of those, I really enjoyed it. Sometimes its fun watching other teams shoot themselves in the foot.
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
1:47 pm
Steve from OH-
I’m not
Typical fall weather out here- fogging and “cold” in the mornings (it even gets into the 50’s every now and then!) and 75 as the day goes on…it is somewhat muggy if that makes you feel any better
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
1:58 pm
Anything colder than 68 or hotter than 72 is extreme weather. I don’t need to hear different just ’cause you people live in the Arctic, or on the surface of Mars. You can take that to the bank!
BOOM!!!!!
(I miss Coach, though not enough to start reading Bradley’s blog.)
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
1:59 pm
Oh, and purty sure that makes me a wimp.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
2:00 pm
it even gets into the 50’s every now and then!
Time to break out the scarves, coats, and uggs!
DAP
October 19th, 2009
2:01 pm
seriously, anyone who wears a tshirt outside when its 40 is stupid.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
2:05 pm
I bet BAS wears uggs. Probably not scarves though.
Vinings Jim
October 19th, 2009
2:06 pm
I shouldn’t mention this, but cabravesfan has been known to drive with the seat warmer on with the a/c going…
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
2:09 pm
I like the air blowing on me! I agree with Bay Area Steve- 68 to 72 is perfect (and pretty much the average temp on any given day where I live)
RHR-
You missed one thing- it’s scarves, coats and flip flops- we never wear real shoes if we don’t have to
Canadian Braves Fan
October 19th, 2009
2:13 pm
any way we could trade Nate McClouth for Carl Crawford and sign a RH bit bat? I know there is a big difference in money but Crawford and his speed would be a great addition
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
2:20 pm
Couldn’t tell ya what uggs are, don’t own a scarf, and men don’t wear flip-flops.
Life-philosophy by anonymous blogger.
David O'Brien
October 19th, 2009
2:25 pm
Bay Area Steve, if you think below 68 is extreme, then you must not mind dealing with a lot of extreme days/nights. That, or you live in a different S.F. Bay area than I’ve visited on many occasions when the daytime temp doesn’t get past 60 and it’s in the upper 40s and low 50s at night, with fog. And that’s in summer. I mean, I love that weather out there, but don’t act like it’s Southern California. Entirely different climates, and you and cabravesfan know it.
You get raw weather in S.F., at least by the bay. They don’t get that in SoCal, ever.
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
2:26 pm
BAS-
men in Southern California wear flip flops
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:29 pm
N8, that new quarterback the Vikings got ain’t half-bad…. (DOB)
You know what they say, one man’s Favre is another mans Soriano. How’s your rotator cuff? {:
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
2:30 pm
San Francisco is the Arctic, man.
35 miles south is 72 degree heaven.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
2:31 pm
I saw plenty of ugg wearers out in socal once it dipped below 60 degrees.
My daughter must be a reincarnated californian…kid wears flip flops when there is snow on the ground, that big 1/4″ dusting of snow we had last winter? She was jetting around campus in jeans, flip flops, and … a north face.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:33 pm
Hey,
I boarded a plane in Scottsdale Saturday where it was 94 degrees. Deplaned in NY where it was 45 and raw.
Felt like the last day of the season in 2008 and 2008 to me!
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:34 pm
Of course that should be 2007 and 2008.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
2:37 pm
Flip-flops, or those emoticon/smile things.
Anybody got an opinion on which is more emasculating?
And, if was trying to call flip-flops effeminate, while using an emoticon, would this be irony? I’m still trying to understand the definition.
And, why did I post anything against flip-flops when I’m clearly in the minority? Seems every guy under 40 out here is in flip-flops or sandals, or some other ridiculous non-shoe.
David O'Brien
October 19th, 2009
2:40 pm
San Francisco is the Arctic, man.
35 miles south is 72 degree heaven. — Bay Area Steve
More importantly, 35 miles south is where the rent/mortgage becomes at least doable, if still not at all reasonable?
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
2:42 pm
I’m not sure if that interviewer is more confusing than my algebra teacher from Africa. I guess I got an excuse to be failing his class. If he can’t pronounce radicals properly than I have a right to fail the same test 3 times, right?
CB
October 19th, 2009
2:42 pm
Rock On,when we got back to NC we had to go to Monk’s BBQ in Lexington to compare to Pierce’s and we both agreed Pierce’s is better. Hey, we live to eat.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:43 pm
Bay Area Steve – As long as we’re discussing footwear I saw something out in Arizona I never saw before. Golf shoes that were sandals on top . Is this a West coast thing? It was a woman wearing them. She wasn’t playing with us. I saw her wearing them on the practice putting green and then later at the turn. I was playing with some folks from Montreal and they had never seen them before either but sandals aren’t to popular up that way for their one day of summer anyway.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
2:43 pm
Flip-flops, or those emoticon/smile things.
Anybody got an opinion on which is more emasculating?
I vote the smile things.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
2:43 pm
Let me straighten this out… the test had different problems on them. It wasn’t the exact same test.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
2:47 pm
There was a test?
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
2:49 pm
…But don’t stand at the podium and tell us how much you are trying to win right now, if you’re not going to call up guys that could clearly help RIGHT NOW, so you can save 5 million dollars in 2013.
It’s hypocracy at it’s finest. Are they trying to win, or trying to save money 5 years from now?
Well, I’m assuming Wren is trying to win now in addition to trying to win in the future. If he wasn’t trying to win “now,” he wouldn’t have traded for Javier Vazquez or signed Derek Lowe or Kawakami.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:51 pm
TnBrian- Don’t sweat it. Bernie Madoff sucked at Algebra too. Didn’t hold him back.
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
2:54 pm
RHR-
I once saw a girl wearing a long heavy coat, scarf, wool hat, gloves…and flip flops
(Oh, and it was like 65 degrees outside- BURRR!)
Anders
October 19th, 2009
2:55 pm
If he wasn’t trying to win “now,” he wouldn’t have traded for Javier Vazquez or signed Derek Lowe or Kawakami (Shaun)
Yet, had he not over indulged on the last two he might be in a better position to “win now”. Quite the conundrum.
Discuss.
Vinings Jim
October 19th, 2009
2:59 pm
CB – you are really making me miss Pierce’s – just checking the website – might have to order some sauce after the upcoming relocation…
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
2:59 pm
Never seen ‘em, Anders, though I don’t play much, anymore. Kinda makes sense, especially for the dry desert. Sound purty odd-lookin’ …I’m picturing those home-gardener aeration things: the velcro straps with the spiked sole-plate.
How’d ya shoot? And, perhaps more importantly, how well did you service those important clients? (I’m assuming ’twas a business trip.)
Soph
October 19th, 2009
3:00 pm
Steve – that YouTube link was hilarious. Medlen cracks me up.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
3:09 pm
BAS- It was indeed. Shot ok.
Stayed at the new W in Scottsdale. Quite a joint. Everyone had a good time for sure. There ain’t no ugly in Scottsdale. Great food abounds. Greatest collection of cars on the planet. The general wealth and climate allow are conducive to it. High end cars at every turn.
StingerSplash
October 19th, 2009
3:16 pm
DOB,
Forgot you were that (trying to find a delicate way of saying it) … seasoned? Experienced? Veteran?
Methinks seeing Kansas’ success now is like gravy compared to their days gone by when they were … not so good. (The post-Sayers era Jayhawks).
Saw the post game video of Nesbitt meeting the presser. Dude looks like a linebacker with the Under Armour on.
And Bay Bay’s a bad dude, though he seems like a nice kid in the interviews.
I guess one of the big differences about doing post game with college kids and the pros is the college kids don’t have a cold one (or two) already open as the press walks in and nobody smoking.
StingerSplash
October 19th, 2009
3:18 pm
I know TV is ruining the playoffs … but does it make any sense to anybody to have the games in Southern California played in the afternoon and the games in the Northeast played at night? Shouldn’t that be reversed? Who wants to see Robbie Cano wrapped up like a Halloween exhibit?
Mid Town Joe
October 19th, 2009
3:20 pm
PWH
I’m from Central GA, and you do have a different kind of heat your way.
BTW – at least WE don’t have to add 3-4 packs of sugar to our iced-tea like they do everywhere else on the planet.
Bobby
October 19th, 2009
3:21 pm
Billy Walsh-If Cameron were signed then McLouth would be moved to a corner outfield spot. So, Cameron would be the RH OF addition often discussed on the blog as a need. Also, Cameron does not have Braun and Fielder as protection (they bat in front of him in the lineup). In fact, he has been Fielder’s primary protection. Finally, you did not even mention Cameron’s defense which is superior to any Braves OF.
N8
October 19th, 2009
3:32 pm
DOB, yeah, yeah, yeah. Favre does it again. Have to admit, that throw to Rice that set up the game winning FG was pretty damn impressive. But needless to say, the Vikings were lucky to escape that one with a win. Sadly enough, that Vikings win was more dissapointing to me than my Chiefs win was satisfying. THAT’S how much Vikings propaganda I’ve gotta listen to around here.
What would be really funny, is if the Vikings would go 15-1 and get to the NFC title game, only to lose because their kicker who hadn’t missed all year…..missed. Oh wait. That already happened.
As for the Heyward/money/winning comment. I get that it’s the reality. I also realize that it’s highly unlikely to expect a GM or owner to come out and tell the fans that they might be sacrificing a run at the playoffs so they can save some money and give the fans one more year of a future superstar down the road.
Nobody is ever going to say that publicly. But IF Heyward out of spring training is the bets option for RF and they leave him down, only to see the offense struggle again, they don’t have the right to state that they did all they could to put the best team on the field.
That’s really all I’m saying. I can totally appreciate the job and planning ahead the Wren and other GM’s have to do. And as a guy that states that I don’t want to sacrifice future for the “now”, I agree with the decision to leave Heyward down for that reason. Just don’t lie. Be upfront about it. The educated Braves fans will get it. Appreciate it. And be thankful for it down the road.
But then again, most of the major sports aren’t geared to the educated, die hard fans anymore. It’s how they can be marketed to “accountant johnny” and his family of 5, even if they don’t even like baseball.
This game doesn’t need marketing. It’s that good. Bad movies need to worry about marketing and promotion. The game of baseball just needs to be played for me to be “sold”. On a smaller scale a team only needs to win to be sold to their fan base of local people who buy tickets.
My question is this. If winning fuels sales of tickets, and Heyward would speed up the winning process, won’t they make that 5 million up with the momentum of winning?
If they want to use terms like marketing, business and promotion in MLB, then the owners need to be willing to play the game. If I’m coming up with a new soft drink and plan on competing with Pepsi and Coke, I best be prepared to make a committment to excellence and be willing to spend some money to make some money.
The only thing worse than losing, is being just cheap enough to not win, while still having expensive costs for tickets, concessions and what not.
I’m really not that upset by it. I just hate that it has come to not calling up a kid that could help (and spark fan interest – especially for the local kids – think Gant, Justice, Chipper, Furcal, Francoeur, McCann, and Hanson), because of possibly saving 5 million dollars down the road.
ESPECIALLY after handing out 60 million dollars to Derek Lowe, when in 2012 there isn’t a chance in hell that he’ll be worth 15 million per year. How is that not a worse decison than maybe having to pay Heyward 5 million dollars down the road?
Just asking.
Anyhow. Congrats on Favre. So far, I’m wrong. You’re right. No two ways about it.
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
3:42 pm
Mike Cameron’s 22 hr’s and 70 rbi’s are not what we should be hoping for. Heck, Kelly could just about give us that and I don’t want him either.
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
N8, something else Wren has to weigh: How much will a 20-year-old help for a couple of months?
It’s estimated that the best position players in 2009 were worth about 7-9 wins more than a fringe player over the course of the season. That’s not even 2 wins a month more than a fringe player, on average.
It’s a cost-benefit analysis. If Heyward will only had a relative handful of runs more than a fringe player over the course of a couple of months or so, is it worth starting his arbitration clock and costing the Braves possibly millions of dollars or a year’s worth of service time down the road? Say it will cost the Braves $5 million down the road. Is it worth $5 million down the road for maybe an extra win over the course of a couple of months or so?
Also, that’s based on the assumption that Heyward will contribute the equivalent of a win or two. I’m on record as saying I think Heyward is the left-handed Justin Upton and that he is about as destined to become a superstar as anyone I can remember based on all the evidence we have. I believe he’ll be above league-average as soon as next season. But we have know clue how much he’ll contribute in the first couple of months or so of his major league career. So unless he completely knocks the socks off of the Braves’ brass, it probably would be a good thing to leave him down for a few months and let him force the Braves hand by destroying Triple-A pitching for a little while.
nolie
October 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
So we need to root for nasty ol’ Mr Hyde to show up this spring and not that nice Dr. Jekyll? OK
Anders
October 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
ESPECIALLY after handing out 60 million dollars to Derek Lowe, when in 2012 there isn’t a chance in hell that he’ll be worth 15 million per year. How is that not a worse decison than maybe having to pay Heyward 5 million dollars down the road? (N8)
This is a layup, so I’ll just whistle on by.
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
3:51 pm
Bobby’s Belly, FanGraphs estimates Cameron was the 4th best centerfielder in baseball overall. Now, admittedly he’s not a young man so he could hit a wall at any moment. But he would be a nice calculated risk.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
If Atlanta got Cameron with a full year of McLouth(is he even really THAT good?) & they resign LaRoche then you just hope CJ puts it together & we should have a real good 2010 with all that good pitching.
Speaking of Chipper, anybody notice the massive bags under his eyes? Seems like they were very bad this year, so I was just wondering if he’s a drinker. I know what an alcholic’s face looks like & he sort of resembles that. Way off the topic, but thought I’d put my thought out there.
N8
October 19th, 2009
3:54 pm
Totally agree Shaun. But here’s the thing. If a guy like Heyward would have been worth only 2 wins a month in April and May, that’s the difference in us not only closing the gap in late September, but actually taking over the wild card (which we eventualy fell further than 4 games behind).
But I’m a firm believer in momentum. If we catch and pass the Rockies with a week to go, I honestly don’t believe we lose it. We win the wild card.
You speak of good players vs. fringe players. The Braves were a fringe team that could have used EVERY win they could have gotten.
Also, you speak of fringe players vs. better players. What about better players vs. guys that are arguably one of the worst hitters in all of baseball? LOL
Because not only was Francoeur not a fringe player, he was down right horrible. My god, we replaced him with Matt Diaz and Ryan Church and production went up.
Of course all of this is a worthless argument if Heyward isn’t ready. LOL