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2,530 comments Add your comment
nolie
October 19th, 2009
3:57 pm
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. (DOB)
right on. Mark Twain quipped that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in SF.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
3:57 pm
TnBrian – Did it ever occur to you that Chipper got those bags under his eyes staying up late studying his Algebra? You could learn something from him.
nolie
October 19th, 2009
3:59 pm
I vote the smile things. (RHR)
Anders
October 19th, 2009
4:02 pm
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 (N8)
I’m with ya. My Mets were starting to make up ground in September. Just ran out of time.
Mid Town Joe
October 19th, 2009
4:03 pm
Chipper tudors advanced calculus during the off-season.
ugaaccountant
October 19th, 2009
4:04 pm
Had we planned on Hanson from April 1st we would not have needed Kawakami – 5 million spent on super 2 instead of 3 years at 7 million each saved. Our 5th pitcher for April would have been penciled in as Campillo, JoJo or Morton. I thought we signed 1 too many good SP’s last year, and still think that.
Now this years decision seems even more clear cut. If you plan to have Heyward up from day 1, you non-tender Ryan Church. So you either spend 3 million or so now for a solid 4th OF all year and call up Heyward in June, or you call up Heyward today and pay him higher salaries starting in 2012. I could see going either way depending on what is worked out in LF and 1b, as well as just how well Heyward does this fall.
And I don’t buy that Schaefer projects as a better offensive player than McLouth. I think he projects to be a similar offensive player with a bit less power, but everyone knows projections are worth less than proven MLB production.
nolie
October 19th, 2009
4:06 pm
I think he projects to be a similar offensive player (Uga Acc)
I agree pretty much with that. probably a better defender though especially in CF
ugaaccountant
October 19th, 2009
4:09 pm
The more I read about our RP’s in the minors, the less interest I have in adding any middle relief. Gonzalez for closer, Moylan and O’flaherety and Medlen for setup guys, Logan for lefties, and then you’ve got a nice blend of vetran AAA guys including Acosta and Kimbrel/Hyde types from our AFL team. I say save that million or two and plow it into our big bat acquisition.
RBraves Fan
October 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
“…Is it worth $5 million down the road for maybe an extra win over the course of a couple of months or so? …”
Without a doubt – YES! You see, it’s not my money. I want the Braves to put the best team possible on the field on opening day. What might happen several years down the road is pure speculation. Do we want to make the playoffs in 2010 or not? Are we so dominant that we can afford to give away a few games at the beginning of the season? It sure would have been nice to have those few extra games during the final weeks of the 2009 season. Maybe the Rocks would have been chasing us rather than the other way around.
Dang, all the talk of Pierce’s Bar-B-Que has my mouth watering. They opened a restaurant a few blocks from where I work in downtown Richmond some years ago. I’m not sure which was sadder – when the Richmond Pierce’s closed after a couple of years or when the R-Braves left town.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
lol lord have mercy….what difference does it make if chipper is “a drinker”? Are you 12? Did the team move to Salt Lake City while I was napping?
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
I’ll be very disappointed if Chipper is “a drinker.”
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:15 pm
Crack is whack. You booze, you lose.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
Man, the offseason kinda blows.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
At least my Sharks’ll finish sweeping Anders’ NY teams tonight.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:17 pm
I need a drink.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:18 pm
I need someone else to post so I can ridicule them.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:18 pm
I need to google uggs.
flange 1
October 19th, 2009
4:19 pm
5 in a row BAS, you are on a roll!
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:19 pm
I’m certain I need to stop posting these inanities.
CB
October 19th, 2009
4:19 pm
BAS,keep posting-as long as you don’t use a smiley face.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:20 pm
Darn, if my ol’ friend Flange had used “role,” I coulda been somebody.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
4:21 pm
I’ll be very disappointed if Chipper is “a drinker.”
A rich, drunk, redneck? Check please.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:21 pm
I may not be the hardest-working employee.
RHR
October 19th, 2009
4:22 pm
I need to google uggs.
They won’t be found on the same site as weejuns.
CB
October 19th, 2009
4:23 pm
RBraves Fan, you are not that far from Williamsburg-take a ride.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
bobby’s bellyMike 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.
really? i dont know why you would say that, seeing how mike cameron has a 14 years career of hitting 20-25 homers and driving in 70-80 runs, and kelly johnson has never done either of those things. and hasnt even come close to doing it.
ill keep saying it, because no one can prove me wrong, that mike cameron is the best combo of power, speed and defense available in the FA market.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:25 pm
Sorry CB, shouldn’t have let my hate for all things smiley lead me to pass judgement on other’s affection for same. I like your stuff here too much to think less of you ’cause you use those girlish faces. (See, there I go again.)
Shaun
October 19th, 2009
4:27 pm
N8, Diaz was 2.4 wins better than a fringe player. Church was 0.9 wins better. Francoeur was a fringe player in 2009 and was 1.3 wins worse than a fringe player in 2008.
The Braves were not a fringe team. A fringe team is a bad team, well over 100 losses. Think about it, it’s a team full of 2009 Francoeur type players at every position.
I agree that every win is important. But is two wins in two months is worth say $5 million and/or an extra year of a superstar? And is it a sure thing that Heyward is worth two wins in two months? And is it a sure thing the Braves are in a tight race where two wins makes a difference? I think there are too many things that have to lineup for Heyward to be worth an early call-up, unless the Braves don’t have any other decent options.
As far as momentum, I’m not sure how much a difference it makes. Not saying it doesn’t matter. But for every example of momentum counting for something, I’m sure I can think of one where it doesn’t.
On another site I had a debate about whether wins “down the stretch” mean more than wins early in the season. My position is a win counts the same. If a win seems more important down the stretch it’s because of what teams did and did not do early in the season.
But I brought up the 1984 Tigers. They started 35-5 through May 24. After May 24 they were 69-53 and were a half game worse than the Yankees. They obviously won the division easily in large part because they played outstanding ball early on. Now the fact that they lost momentum didn’t hurt them in the playoffs as they won the World Series.
I also brought up the 1993 Braves who finished their season with a 39-11 run after August 7. They had all the momentum in the world going into the playoffs but lost in the first round.
I’m sure there are a ton of examples of teams who finished great and lousy but still won the Series and teams who finished great and lousy but lost early in the playoffs. Or teams that had a losing streak of several games before long winning streaks and vice versa. I think saying with any certainty that momentum matters a great deal is a big assumption.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:28 pm
It is very posssible that I dislike emoticons simply because I’m too lazy to learn how to use them.
MZ
October 19th, 2009
4:30 pm
DOB —-
How ’bout Mayer Hawthorne? Had a chance to hear any of that yet? I just picked up his debut LP, and although it’s a tad short at under 40 minutes, it’s well worth a purchase … really good retro-soul (the good kind, not the Robin Thicke kind)
you get that replacement CD yet?
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:30 pm
I wish these idiots would stop interrupting my intelligent, witty, well-thought-out “postings” (I hate you Lentz), with actual, informed, baseball thoughts.
ugaaccountant
October 19th, 2009
4:31 pm
DAP – I’ll play
Speed – 7 SB’s for Milwaukee translates to a red light 0 sb’s under Bobby Cox so his speed is irrelevant.
Defense – seems Cameron is best available here, although anybody is an improvement over Loaf. Ryan Klesko in LF was better than Loaf b/c at least he tried.
Power – Cameron’s not the #4 we’re looking for, but might be the best we can do. However is he actually more powerful than Laroche? He has been in the past but one is in his prime and one is entering his old age.
Average – Cameron isn’t even better than Ryan Church here.
So in our pursuit of a big RH #4 hitter we get someone who’s good at defense but would still look pretty dang weak in the #4 lineup spot.
flange 1
October 19th, 2009
4:32 pm
BAS,
Here is one to ridicule!
I have been thinking about re-signing Hudson to a 3 year deal with a “hometown discount”. I think the Braves are considering it even though they have enough starting pitching because they will get some value.
To me if you sign Hudson, you have to trade a starter. Let’s say that Hanson, JJJ and Javy will not be traded, that leaves DLowe or KK.
First and most importantly, Random says KK will not be traded, so let’s focus on DLowe.
In my mind, there are 2 scenario’s where Lowe is traded:
First, Lowe is traded to a team that wants him and will trade players + prospects + money for him. BEcause of the year that he had and the contract that he has, I don’t see a line of teams queuing up to talk this kind of trade, so that leaves:
Second, trade a “bad salary” for a bad salary. We can look around at teams that have players making 12+ million, some of those teams have players that are not producing and the teams might be interested in making a trade. Here are a few names and teams:
A. Soriano – Cubs, M Lowell – RSox, V Wells – Toronto, T Hafner – Indians, Konerko? – WSox,
P Burrell – Tampa, C Lee – Houston, J Pierre – Dodgers, A Rowand – Giants, E Byrnes D’Backs
Are we interested any of those guys? Maybe Kornerko on a 1 year deal….
But if that is all we can get and I think it is close to all, are we better off keeping Lowe?
While it is great to get a bargain in Hudson, will it be worth it in the long haul if we have to take on a bad contract for Lowe who had an off year, but not a terrible year?
Thoughts? (for you ’scoots)
McPoyle
October 19th, 2009
4:33 pm
salt the snail
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
4:34 pm
RHR
If they move to SLC, will we still call them the Braves, or can we change it to the “Saints” or the “Seagulls” or “Coyotes”?
Anders
October 19th, 2009
4:34 pm
At least my Sharks’ll finish sweeping Anders’ NY teams tonight. (BAS)
Whoah there big fella. You talking about my 7-1 Rangers? My 7 wins in a row Rangers? My King Henrik led Rangers?
Your boys have been cooling their heels in Manhattan for a couple of nights. Hopefully they won’t have their game legs – if you know what I mean? {:
CB
October 19th, 2009
4:35 pm
I keep reading all these Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford posts and think I would rather have Diaz and Heyward. If we are not going to go for the gusto and sign a Bay,Holliday type or trade for a Miguel Cabrera type then go with what you have. We are not that far from a championship team and we can win filling in that 4hitter spot and keep as much of the pitching as you can.
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
4:36 pm
DAP – Fortunately the FA market is not our sole resource to acquire a bat. I don’t mean to degrade MC, but his speed does us no use, we do not need a CF w/ one of McLouth or Schafer or a RF w/ one of Heyward or Schafer. We need a left fielder that can hit the ball out of the ballpark 30-35 times a year and drive in 110-120 rbi’s. Anyone can be serviceable in LF defensively. Heck, as much as I hate to admit it – GA was. Get me a bopper – preferably 26-30 yrs old.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
ugaaccountant7 SB’s for Milwaukee translates to a red light 0 sb’s under Bobby Cox so his speed is irrelevant
i dont think so. the brewers manager hates to run, and hardly ever sent guys, even though he has players with good SB ability (cameron is decent) bobby doesnt run much because he has nobody to send.
you said it as far as defense goes
However is he actually more powerful than Laroche?
does laroche play the outfield? we can have both players…and if your suggesting that laroche is a better overall mix of speed, power and defense…i think you forgot how slow he is.
getting a player that hits for average should not be a high priority. we should be more concerned with OPS(granted, camerons isnt great but its not too bad)
Anders
October 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
Derek Jeter led off with a homer. When these games hit the Yankee classics set that’ll be the turning point in the series. A-Rods work in the first two games will be an after thought.
Ah yes, they love to celebrate “The Captain”.
Did that come across as bitter as I meant it?
ncscoots
October 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
ill keep saying it, because no one can prove me wrong, that mike cameron is the best combo of power, speed and defense available in the FA market
DAP, thanks, that’s good to know. I was afraid a day might actually pass without a Mike Cameron tout, LOL. I also see Shaun has chimed with “a nice calculated risk”, so I assume we can get some serious park-adjustment on old Mikey any time we need it. So, we (and Cameron) got that going for us.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
4:44 pm
bobbys bellyWe need a left fielder that can hit the ball out of the ballpark 30-35 times a year and drive in 110-120 rbi’s….preferably 26-30 yrs old.
cant just have one because thats what we need. just trying to be realistic. weve got to get the best player we can get, and all im saying is that that might end up being mike cameron, who definitely isnt a bad option. im not sure why you wouldnt like having the best defensive outfield in the league.
ncscoots
October 19th, 2009
4:45 pm
Thoughts? (for you ’scoots),
flange, you’re dead to me now, LOL.
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
4:46 pm
flange1
The only guys on that “bad contract” list I would have any interest in would be Byrnes of Arizona. He is owed only 11.7 million for next year. If he is injured again, then we unloaded salary. If he can return to his former self, he would be an improvement over Loaf in left.
18 Wheels of Love
October 19th, 2009
4:47 pm
So when do the plans from the organizational meetings start to leak out?
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
4:48 pm
DAP – If OF defense was the issue I would say improve it. It wasn’t. The need is a big bat. Mike Cameron does not qualify – to me. I think we agree FW will get a OF bat, right? I just can’t believe you would accept Mike Cameron as that guy. I respect you – but just think your bar is way to low.
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
4:49 pm
Personally, I would rather stay with what we have than go with Cameron in left. I think a combo of McLouth and 2-3 of the following: Heyward, Diaz, Church and Schafer would be preferrable to dropping one of those guys and going with Cameron, even though he is a good defensive OF’er. He K’s a lot, and has a fairly low average.
Bay Area Steve
October 19th, 2009
4:49 pm
Aww crap, I certainly have to change my opinion on emoticons now; I’d no idea scoots used ‘em. I thought all he had was LOL. A lot.
And flange, makes sense. I don’t pay much attention to who’s available; Braves’ trades have long seemed to come from nowhere. But, I think Hudson has to be signed, if his comments are genuine, and the market is what we think it is. That means a starter will go. I prolly hope for Lowe. Although, I’m not a big KK fan. Perhaps I just want to see him traded so I can finally catch a Random mistake.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
4:51 pm
flange1 id say yes to lee, rowand or pierre, no to the others. konerko is no better than laroche.
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
4:52 pm
Maybe we should just sign Hudson, and keep all 6 starters and take them all to ST with us. There is always somebody needing starting pitching in the spring, and who knows that our guys will all remain healthy.
Wait until the spring, and see where the market is at that time.
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
4:53 pm
DAP – I think Earl Weaver might explain my point of view better:
http://www.fugly.com/audio/610/Earl_Weaver_Tirade.html
ncscoots
October 19th, 2009
4:53 pm
I thought all he had was LOL. A lot.
Yes, BAS, I’m a giggling son-of-a-gun, and I have to try to get it across somehow (I just refrained from the three letters right there, so you can see I’m working on some restraint).
Oh, what the heck…:-)
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
4:54 pm
DAP
Konerko makes sense if we can’t ink LaRoche for the appropriate number of years. To be honest, if we could pry him away from the Pale Hose without decimating our farm system, then that might be the smartest move. It adds a right handed bopper, and then we can stick with our outfield of McLouth, Heyward, Diaz, Church and Schafer. If you can pick up an upgrade for a song, then go for it.
ugaaccountant
October 19th, 2009
4:56 pm
Dap – Recently I found Bobby to be ultra conservative on the basepaths. Schaefer had speed and we didn’t use it at all. McLouth rarely ran even before his injury. I’ve got a strong feeling Escobar and Prado could be at least servicable on the basepaths, but it’s just not the direction Bobby chooses to go.Pencil in Cameron for 7 sb’s if you want, doesn’t change my opinion at all.
I mentioned Laroche b/c only 1 guy is going to bat 4th. You’re right it’s kind of irrelevant if we sign both, but I don’t want 3 guys (including McCann) who would all be ok cleanup guys if there is any possibility of getting a really good cleanup guy with lesser defense.
Batting average is only a low priority if you’re Ryan Howard/Mark Reynolds/Prince Fielder type power. I don’t know Camerons on-base percentage but I’ve never heard that he’s all that great there either. Plus the role of the cleanup hitter is to clean-up, not to draw a walk, meaning a better batting average indicates more hits that could be doubles or hr’s, but I was too lazy to look all that up.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
4:57 pm
bobbys belly
well thanks. but isnt cameron an upgrade over anderson, both defensively and offensively? listen, i know that id rather have a matt holliday type…but i also know that probably aint happening, and mike cameron aint chopped liver. excluding anyone we might be able to get through trade…because i know that is an option as well….i think that mike cameron is a great choice when reconciling the real and ideal world.
maybe you guys are right though. might as well just play diaz and church until heyward gets called up. i just think we might as well add a weapon, even if it isnt the nuke.
N8
October 19th, 2009
4:57 pm
Shaun, those are fine examples of momentum. But you’re talking about playoff series starting at 0-0.
I’m talking about hunting a team down, and having the momentum going, and the “hunted” team feeling the pressure and caving.
If the Braves were still in striking distance, I don’t think they lose 6 in a row to end the season. They simply gave up because there was nothing to play for.
I guess my definition of “fringe” was different. I was thinking in terms of a league average type of player. Which Jeff, KJ and Garrett were NOT for a the first 1/3 of the season. Simply adding ONE really good player to replace either of them during April and May, makes a difference in the win total. As evidenced by replacing Jeff with Church. KJ with Prado, and Anderson being much more productive than he was early on.
As for the 4 more wins not being worth the 5 million dollars? Ask a team that finished 3 back of making the playoff. It’s all relative to each team’s situation in the standings, and how bored the fan base is with their act.
The Braves barely missed the playoffs (if you count being a couple of games out with a week to go, and their attendance along with the enthusiasm of those who did attend, seemed down.
So, if I’m running the team, and winning sparks interest and ultimately sells tickets….yeah. The difference in the standings in August had the Braves won 4 or 5 more games in April and May, probably is worth the 5 million dollars, in terms of selling tickets down the stretch, playoff money for the city and season ticket sales going into 2010.
Gotta spend it to make it. But I’m aware of the risk, had it NOT made a difference. Kind of like Trading for Tex for the chance at making the playoffs. Only two years later, you’re out 5 prospects and still are without a recent playoff appearance.
Once in a while, you have to gamble. But I guess after gambling 60 million dollars on Derek Lowe and another huge chunck on Chipper, you’re right. That extra 5 million dollars for Heyward in 2013 is going to kill us. Better play it safe.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
4:58 pm
Hey,
Johjima of the Mariners opted out of the last two years of his contract to go back home to Japan to play. Hmmm… maybe there’s an extra seat on that plane for a certain pitcher?
I meant Oliver Perez – who were you guys thinkng about?
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:00 pm
I’m talking about hunting a team down, and having the momentum going, and the “hunted” team feeling the pressure and caving. (N8)
Nope, can’t say I’ve ever seen this happen.
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
5:03 pm
Nuke Logan? Already have a Logan.
DAP
October 19th, 2009
5:04 pm
wayneIf you can pick up an upgrade for a song, then go for it.
but konerko isnt an upgrade. being righthanded doesnt make him better. laroche is a better player than konerko.
ugaaccountant
speed is not only utilized by stealing bases, but i think cameron could steal about as much as mclouth. your shafer argument doesnt fly. dude hit 8th and barely got on base. ol’ matty d had 12 steals this year i think. how could he do that when bobby wont steal bases? its all about opportunity and the skill of the players with bobby, in my opinion.
I mentioned Laroche b/c only 1 guy is going to bat 4th.
did you forget about brian mccann?
ugaaccountant
October 19th, 2009
5:07 pm
Looking in the rearview mirror, a few extra wins early in the season would have sold alot more tickets. The talk around town all year was that we were simply not a playoff contender, so people that cared about winning weren’t as eager to go to the park. Especially once football season hit and we were so far back in the pack, the city had just tuned out and missed the start of our rally.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
Anders, hopefully Chipper isn’t learning from a guy… oh, nevermind. That was a good line by the way.
RHR, I’m 27. I’m not taking back what I wrote on the guy’s eyes because you apparantly think my comment was silly & childish. Damnit, I think ole Chipper is a late night drinker. So what if he is, but, you know, it could affect his play on the field is all I’m saying. Hey, I could be dead wrong, but whatever.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
Anders I meant Oliver Perez – who were you guys thinkng about?
Fine with me. And hey, maybe the Mariners could, ya know, give the Mets a pitcher in return. Somebody like–oh, I don’t know–Ian Snell? The guy is an NL pitcher. He needs to come home…
David O'Brien
October 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
MZ: never heard of that dude, and haven’t gotten replacement CD because I haven’t been in office in past several days. Not sure when I’m going back up there.
… ok, Just checked out a video by that guy, Mayer Hawthorne. Pretty good stuff. Not usually a fan of young white guys trying to sound like soul singers, but there are a few who pull it off. That’s pretty good, that one song I checked out.
You want real soul from a relatively young guy? Try Raphael Saddiq. That’s the stuff.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:12 pm
Hiya, Wayne! How’s things?
Bobby's Belly
October 19th, 2009
5:14 pm
DAP – wish we could drink together. I’d argue Konerko is better than Laroche and it does matter he’s right handed.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
5:15 pm
Anders, I’m betting your Mets end up with Holliday. He’s already said the two NY teams is where he wants to play. Of course, you know he & Boras know damn well that those two NY teams have a ton of cash & are already enticing both before the playoffs are even over. But, an OF of Holliday/Beltran/Francoeur isn’t bad at all.
Ike
October 19th, 2009
5:15 pm
Anyone notice that Swisher, Cano, Teixiera, and Damon are batting under .200 int he playoffs?
Phillies winning it all this year. Yankees have been bailed out by ARod. Philly over the Bronx in six games.
Wayne in Utah
October 19th, 2009
5:17 pm
McFann
Doing well. Trying to get some bills paid and caught up on some work…..office day today.
Sorry to keep bringing up Byrnes, I know you have some sort of a grudge against him (don’t remember what it was for, to be honest).
Was just saying that if the D’backs wanted a solid starting pitcher, that we might be able to take Byrnes off their hands for Lowe. Probably wouldn’t work though.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:17 pm
TnBrian – I’d rather have Holiday than Holliday personally.
Mets 4 Life
October 19th, 2009
5:17 pm
Reyes, Castillo, Holliday, Beltran, Wright, Delgado, Francoeur, Thole. Santana, Halladay, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine. K Rod, Soriano, Feliciano, Parnell = 2010 NL EAST CHAMPS
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:18 pm
Not sure how I got Holiday from Halladay, but that’s what I meant.
Ronan
October 19th, 2009
5:21 pm
OK Anders – Thought I had a cheap Jewish calendar for a second there.
Vinings Jim
October 19th, 2009
5:21 pm
A-Rod absolutely crushed that ball – 431 feet
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:23 pm
Ronan – Good stuff!!! Very timely.
Why were you singing the God Bless America for America’s team in America’s shrine anyway? I never quite got that?
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:24 pm
Vinings Jim – Yeah, A-Rod hit it after “The Captain” took all the pressure off in the top of the 1st. At least that’s how Yankee fans will remember it.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:25 pm
Wayne–
Glad to hear (read) that you’re doing well…uh, all except for the bills, right? Been thinkin’ about you with that nasty cough.
I know you have some sort of a grudge against him (don’t remember what it was for, to be honest).
May 20th, 2006…well, that plus the fact that he just kinda irritates me. He’s really dramatic with his arms whenever he makes contact with a pitch…IDK, he’s kinda like the Reaper only less annoying…
If the D-Backs would take Lowe for him…eh, dunno…that’s a toughy. Byrnes has had some injury issues lately. Besides, it’s harder to “hate” somebody when they’re on your team…
abwright
October 19th, 2009
5:26 pm
McFann,
Could you remind me of Bmac’s line against Ian Snell? You know, off the top of your head. I seem to have mislaid those stats. I can’t remember if Bmac ever got a hit off the guy.
Anders
October 19th, 2009
5:27 pm
Anyone else picturing Bud Selig throwing his Dr. Pepper can at his TV screaming ” This is why we need the Yankees against the Red Sox EVERY YEAR!”
Vinings Jim
October 19th, 2009
5:27 pm
Anders – don’t get my girl started on “the Captain”
Ronald Millsaps
October 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
If I missed any comments/shots, don’t think my silence equates the conceding of a point.
“romangal”– Good observations about Schafer. I’m not saying the guy doesn’t have real potential, just that we have some holes (or at least will if Soriano/Gonzalez leave) and that you generally have to give up something to get something. As for McLouth’s defense, I don’t recall seeing anything blatantly bad about it.
I’d move Matt Diaz back to leadoff and either would keep Martin Prado at “two” or would put Nate McLouth there. I’d strongly consider McLouth at “three” and moving Chipper to “five” and locking Brian McCann at cleanup, to no surprise. I’d put Adam LaRoche at “six”, Yunel Escobar at “seven”, and Kelly Johnson at “eight.” Kelly I like not just for his hitting the top half of the baseball but also for his strike-zone discernment and for his astute baserunning.
The Braves have to learn/remember that there are certain things you can do to give yourself more chances to win, such as attempting a stolen base, which could lead to a bad throw. Overall, the talent is strong, but the approach to winning is stoic and passive.
Key losses: the first loss of the year (blowing a big lead at Philadelphia), one loss against the Giants (don’t recall the details offhand, but it was a win in the bag), the game at Denver right before the All-Star Break, the two losses at home against Pittsburgh after the two wins, the Tommy Hanson game in Houston, the game in Florida where the Marlins scored all their runs in the ninth after a strong Derek Lowe start, the game in Washington where the Braves had runners in scoring position and I’m pretty certain the bases loaded and had the Nationals on the ropes and did not find a way to tie the game.
If the Braves win all of the above games, they also have that number in fewer losses, a remarkable difference.
It’s nice to consider the free-agent market, generally speaking, but you have to learn from your losses, and from your successes, for that matter.
Nice win for the Falcons. I think they’ll go 13-3. Very nice to see them winning and even nicer to see an upstanding organization again. No more cheap blocking schemes plotted by Alex Gibbs and no more of a cheap approach from a Jim Mora, Jr.. (I like Dan Reeves, but I don’t miss the way he bitterly treated Jamal Anderson and Chris Chandler.) As for Bobby Petrino, I was against his hire from the moment it happened and never waivered. Again, good to see an upstanding approach. In 2006, aside from Keith Brooking, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, and a scattered-few others, character was basically nowhere, and my interest in the team was at an all-time low. I got it back, though, when Crumpler and others rallied against Petrino’s horrible coaching and later his through-his-teeth lies and cowardice.
Ronan
October 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
Ever hear me sing “Money, Money, Money!” – that’s why. Seriously, I miss the guy already. Don’t know him / his views, but have made stupid jokes before and am not anti-anyone. Gotta be mindful of the times I guess.
CB
October 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
McFann,you have such a long memory, kind of like what VT will have when they face GT next year.
abwright
October 19th, 2009
5:30 pm
Last year, the DBacks seemed to be strapped for cash (remember they could not sign Randy Johnson). I doubt that that situation has changed for the better over the last year. I doubt that they could afford Lowe’s salary.
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
5:32 pm
I wonder if the networks are contractually obligated to refer to him as CAPTAIN DEREK JETER at all times? We get it! He’s the greatest of all time! Harps play when he enters a room! (By the way, is there anymore useless title then “captain” of a baseball team? What, exactly, does the “captain” of a baseball team do?)
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:33 pm
abwright I can’t remember if Bmac ever got a hit off the guy.
Whoa-ho-ho! abwright…If he ever got a hit off the guy? Tsk tsk tsk…I will be more than happy to refresh your memory…
BMac’s career AVG against Ian is .563 (9-16) with 3 homers, 7 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 walks, and 1 K. He hit 2 homers and a double off him in the first game after the 2007 ASB.
But it was so sad…the only time the Braves got face Snell this season was when BMac was still trying to figure out what was up with his eyes…went like, 0-2 with a walk against him. In June the Braves played a 4 game series against the Pirates and faced everyone but Ian…then…[sniff] the Pirates…[sniff sniff]…traded him to the AL.
Of all the sneaky, no good, low down… 
Vinings Jim
October 19th, 2009
5:35 pm
sorry I woke her up…
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:35 pm
CB you have such a long memory
Eh, only when it comes to BMac and the Braves.
kind of like what VT will have when they face GT next year.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
5:36 pm
It’s not what “he” does as the captain, cabravesfan, it’s what others do to him. Foot & back rubs, take his sweaty socks off his feet after a rough game, scrub his jock strap with tooth brushes, etc.
abwright
October 19th, 2009
5:39 pm
McFann,
Well, the Mets need pitching, so, a trade for Ian Snell isn’t completely out of the question. I bet that would be one of the happiest baseball days of your life.
BTW, any lasik updates?
cabravesfan
October 19th, 2009
5:39 pm
TnBrian-
That’s just…so wrong on so many different levels!
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:39 pm
Ronald M. and locking Brian McCann at cleanup
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!
jim
October 19th, 2009
5:40 pm
Couple of reactions to previous posts:
Bobby doesn’t run… citing Schafer as an example.
Schafer didn’t run much because 1) he was not on base a lot and 2) he was batting 8th in front of the pitcher and Cox did not want to have the pitcher leading off the next inning if the runner is thrown out. (However, when Schafer was on with less than 2 outs, Cox preferred the sacrifice to the SB).
The Braves just missed the playoffs by a few games this year, therefore with one big bat …
This assumes that none of the other teams get any better and the Braves would win 4+ more games with (say) LaRoche and a big RH bat. The Mets will be much better next year when healthy, the Marlins finished 3rd and have a lot of talent still in their system, the Nats will be better with Morgan and J. Zimmerman healthy and Strasburg in the wings, and the Phillies will have Lee (and a rejuvenated Pedro?) for the full year and will be better in the pen. Even with improvement in the batting order, it will be a struggle just to finish 2nd in the division. The bullpen becomes a question mark this winter, and the top three starters will be hard presses to repeat last year’s performance. I’m not saying that the team with Heyward arriving and a bit more offense will not be better than last year’s team, but given our salary cap versus that of the Mets and Phillies, that might still not mean we will do as well as we did this year.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:44 pm
abwright–
If the Mets traded for Ian Snell…ahh…that would be almost as happy a baseball day as March 22nd, 2007…
But I’d have to hide my excitement if my karma is anything like it was this past (passed?) season…every time I got excited about a pitcher, it backfired.
BTW, any lasik updates?
Ye-ah. Here’s one…and two. He had the redo on Friday…hopefully there are no complications this time.
I wish him ALL the best!
Lew
October 19th, 2009
5:47 pm
Mets4Life-What’s that? You’re projections for the 2010 Mets’ disabled list-again?
CB-Dude, it’s not about going for the gusto and acquiring either Holliday or Bay-it’s simply economics and reality. Both, IMO, are going to sign long term for around $18 million a year. Even if we were to dump Lowe’s salary, I’m still not seeing how we fit them into our budget, pay raises, sign the pen pieces we need and Roachy (or a decent 1B option), too. It’s wishful thinking and that’s about all.
abwright
October 19th, 2009
5:47 pm
Just looking at Cameron’s and Laroche’s career and 2009 stats, they’re not much different offensively. If the Braves didn’t put Laroche into the clean up spot, they probably wouldn’t use Cameron there.
If the Braves are going to improve the consistency of their offense, as a minimum, they need a more traditional clean up hitter.
Not to take anything away from anyone on the current Braves’ roster or farm system, but they do not have anyone like that either under club control or in the pipeline.
Laroche plus Cameron in the line up is not greater than or equal to a Ryan Howard or Prince Fielder at clean-up. Even though their combined stats would be better than the big bopper’s individual stats, a bopper at #4 will improve the consistency of the upper portion of the line-up at scoring runs.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 19th, 2009
5:49 pm
abwright If the Braves are going to improve the consistency of their offense, as a minimum, they need a more traditional clean up hitter.
Novel idea…could NOT agree more…
CB
October 19th, 2009
5:49 pm
cab,was Joe Montana a captain? Only other person I could think of as great as Derek Jeter.
abwright
October 19th, 2009
5:54 pm
McFann,
Every four out of five days, it would be great to see a rejuvenated Chipper, Da Big Bopper, and “no specs” McCann at 3-4-5.
Actually, I need to correct my 5:47, before it gets corrected for me, I forgot that the Braves have Ryan “Spangles” von Furstenburg in the pipeline. Dere’s your Big Bopper.
TnBrian
October 19th, 2009
5:54 pm
Kate Hudson is like, “HEY, is the camera on me..I could really use some publicity for my upcoming movie”