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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,530 comments Add your comment
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:20 am
uga-brave -
Gotta agree with you on Freeman. The way this team is built, if you can get a key piece in return for him, you probably do it. Although I wouldn’t rule out including Freeman in a trade for a 1B and letting LaRoche walk.
Braveheart
October 16th, 2009
2:23 am
I think the game being played that day ended up causing a lot of folks to change their normal routes. I did. Probably ended up saving a lot of lives.
I wonder the same thing about September 11th sometimes. The Giants played their season opener the night before on Monday Night Football against the Broncos (the game where Ed McCaffrey suffered that wicked compound fracture). I’ve often wondered if some people were late for work the next day because they stayed up watching that game, and had their lives saved by it.
jed
October 16th, 2009
2:33 am
my wife was supposed to be on the 7:30 flight from dulles that ended up crashing into the pentagon. the evening before, she switched it from the 7:30 to the 9:30 flight because she decided she didnt want to get up that early. an odd day that was.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:34 am
Chad
What was the context in which Limbaugh made that statement about the “bloods and crips”? I have often wondered the same thing, when I see some of the off the field antics of some athletes. So, does that make me a racist?
Yes, I dare say he is a great NFL fan. Are you drinking the kool-aid?
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:35 am
jed
For your and her sake, I am happy she made that change…..
jed
October 16th, 2009
2:41 am
thank you, wayne. i appreciate that. hope you and yours are well too.
uga-brave
October 16th, 2009
2:45 am
jed, seriously. wow. that, i dont what to say. you win. no matter what ever the idiots say here you win.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:45 am
we are doing well…..much better than some. Things could always be better, but…
If I don’t cough up a frickin lung tonight, I might live until daylight! Sitting here watching that evil Fox News!
jed
October 16th, 2009
2:50 am
uga– we dodged quite the bullet. it was a humbling experience. i’d do well to remind myself of what happened more often. keeps things in perspective.
jed
October 16th, 2009
2:54 am
oh i’ve got a cold that’s still hanging on, so i’m coughing up and hacking away myself. glad to see you’ve kicked that olbermann addiction though! (yes, i’m joking)
Braveheart
October 16th, 2009
2:56 am
Wayne, careful watching that Sly Fox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yydpWtjqa8&feature=related
uga-brave
October 16th, 2009
2:57 am
wayne,
gotta alta trip already planned. best powder in the world.
started with 11 guys in 94, down to 6. we love that ski mountain.
done t’ride. done beaver creek. done aspen.
something about alta. snow is different. final destination for our crew.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:59 am
jed
I have a sister in SC who has the H1N1 virus, actually just getting over it. I have been sick for about 10 days now. I have the exact symptoms she has…..neither of us have had anything beyond a low grade fever though. (I haven’t been in contact with her, but I have a lot of personal contact with a lot of folks)
Just wondering if I should get an appointment to see my doc when I get back into town tomorrow afternoon??? I am not usually and alarmist, but in these days, I guess you can never be too cautious?
Tim Hudson’s plans for 2010 and beyond « Sportonomics
October 16th, 2009
2:59 am
[...] 15, 2009 in UncategorizedTags: Atlanta Braves, Tim Hudson According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tim Hudson could fetch more than $27-30 million 3 year [...]
jed
October 16th, 2009
3:03 am
actually, wayne, if your coughing continues, you probably should see a doctor. a friend here had h1n1 and it turned into pneumonia. awful stuff, so, since your cough has continued, probably wise to be careful with it.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:04 am
Bravey
Gotta try to keep it fair and balanced here on the old blog….
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:05 am
jed
Probably just a sinus infection draining, but probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to get checked out…
Nite folks….
uga-brave
October 16th, 2009
3:05 am
cmon wayne,
everbody dies, not everyone lives.
jed
October 16th, 2009
3:09 am
well if it’s a sinus infection, you need antibiotics so i’d definitely see a doctor.
jed
October 16th, 2009
3:11 am
that nas video was something. reminded me of public enemy or something. BH–you are indeed an innarestin’ feller. night, all
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:12 am
uga
Hey, every day that I don’t wake up dead is a good day! But there ain’t nothing wrong with dying, if your ready….
uga-brave
October 16th, 2009
3:13 am
propaganda right? lucky i dont have a cough from a cold. right forrest.
so now everyone in the country has the swine flew. so now you wonder why the country has a health care problem.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:14 am
On that video, I guess I am just a backwards country boy, but if I called that dude the names he called himself, he would be ticked, and I would be a racist…..
Sometimes I am just a bit confused….
Chad
October 16th, 2009
3:16 am
Actually, I wasn’t thinking in a racial context when I mentioned that quote, although, now that you bring it up, I wonder if he would’ve made the same kind of remark about a bunch of white guys behaving the same way. I was just thinking that’s not a very positive comment about the league and the people who would basically be his employees if he did own a team. Would you want to work for someone who had publicly made that kind of comment about you and your peers?
I honestly haven’t listened to Limbaugh enough to make strong judgments about him as a person. The only time I’ve really listened to him was on 9/11, because I didn’t feel like listening to music that day and his was the first talk show I came to.
That said, I don’t really care for any of the rhetoric-spouting talking heads, regardless of which set of political beliefs they’re supporting. It all seems so polarized and vitriolic that it eliminates any possibility of intelligent debate and compromise.
Also, the point that I was trying to make was not about Limbaugh’s politics, but the fact that I personally watch sports because the people playing have abilities that most of us do not, and I want to see those abilities on display. If I want melodrama and controversy, I’ll watch “reality TV” or professional wrestling or soap operas or listen to talk radio (none of which I enjoy). I’m really not a big fan of TO either and was appalled by the Vick dogfighting scandal. I realize athletes, coaches, owners and all the other people in sports are people and have personalities, and I enjoy seeing that personality and enthusiasm. I just don’t like when that overshadows what happens on the field.
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
3:18 am
If the Braves could only deal Lowe without having to add cash to any deal that would be the ideal situation.
The only deal that really makes sense to me is Lowe to the Tigers for Ordonez, the Braves would be adding 3 mil for the upcoming season but that would solve 2 problems otherwise a big bat, and I know many of you are going 2 say Ordonez isn’t a big bat but his presence in our lineup would make a difference and I bet he has a break out season next year as well. Ordonez still had an .800+ OPS in a down season. Plus that gets rid of Lowe’s contract.
uga-brave
October 16th, 2009
3:24 am
wayne,
not directed at you, but i am somewhat in charge of a healthcare progaram. we bidded out to united healtcare and blue cross blue shield.
group program, some people always go, certain people never go. i am in the latter.
either way we are all about to pay. you dont like medicare coming out of your check. just wait about a year.
you are about to have no choice. universal healtcare is coming.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:33 am
uga
It’s scary as hell. And exactly what in the constitution gives them the right????? (interstate commerce has been stretched beyond the bounds of anything it was intended to cover)
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
3:35 am
What most of you are failing to realize about healthcare is that people with jobs or any taxable imcome are already paying for people who don’t have medical insurance and can’t pay for it. Half of the taxes coming out of your check the average person doesn’t even know what it’s for anyway. So why not something to help our own people for a change?!?!
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:37 am
uga
It’s scary as heck for me, my friend. I worry about your and my children…..
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
3:43 am
Jay
I have always said, if we were required to pay our taxes out of our own pocket on a weekly or monthly basis (no payroll deductions), there would be a revolution in this country that would be unmatched in the history of the world!
I understand the need to pay for certain services that don’t directly affect me, but I donate quite a bit to charities and to my church, so I feel like I have empathy towards others, but when I hear about the wastes in our society, it makes me sick to think about it.
(if you guys hear about some middle aged guy from Utah who goes nuts and guns down the greeter at Wal-Mart, that might be me someday……)
just kidding, but you get my frustration.
Chad
October 16th, 2009
3:45 am
Well, Wayne, I would argue that your views (and mine, and pretty much everyone else’s) color your perceptions. To me, all of the cable news channels, Fox included, should be labeled “news entertainment” (inspired by the way professional wrestling has labeled itself sports entertainment). As far as I’m concerned, all of them give far more in the way of opinion than just presenting the facts that viewers need to make informed decisions on their own. I would also point out that other people in other places might have a pretty different perception of who “regular folks” are than you do.
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
4:10 am
Wayne
Your right we do waste tons of money in this country and the biggest waste of taxpayer is this so-called war. 700+ billion dollars for what? What have we solved? Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Where’s Osama Bin Laden?
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:21 am
Jay
As strange as it sounds, I tend to agree with you. We have wasted a lot of $ and lives. Not that I am opposed to fighting for freedom, but I think our general plan was not well thought out. Not that I have the answers. After 9/11, a lot of folks just wanted to go over there and kick some ass and take names. We needed to do something, what I am not sure.
We are naive to think that we can go in a acquire freedom for another people, without requiring them to pay a price for their freedom. Freedom is not free, and is gained by the loss of the blood of many willing to die for that freedom. I am not sure the folks we are fighting for, truly understand that point.
BTW, the weapons were probably shipped out to Syria, and Osama is in the mountains of Pakistan. Where exactly, I don’t know.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:27 am
Jay
Problem is, when you commit to a campaign, it is hard to back out of your commitment.
700 billion dollars. Is that the tally so far?? I will take your word on it. And to think that we supposedly have spent that much to try to stimulate our economy.
Maybe we should have just given that money back (through tax decreases) to the folks who actually can stimulate the economy….create new jobs….the small business owners of this country. We haven’t done sheeyt for those folks, as far as I can see. Instead we have bailed out a lot of large company’s who maybe should have been allowed to fail.
Again, it ain’t one party that screwed this thing up. They are all guilty.
Term limits are the answer my friend. We need statesmen, not politicians. The inmates are in charge of the asylum my friend.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:28 am
Jay
I have some cousins in SC, who for an airline ticket, $500 bucks each, and a case of beer, would go over and get Osama for us.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:29 am
Xavier Nady anybody???
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:30 am
I am talking to myself again…..it’s hell getting old……
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
4:32 am
Wayne
My father was in the Marines for 26 yrs and my brother has been in the Army for 14 so I’m definitely very thankful for our soliders and them defending our freedom but still 700+ billion is 700+ billion especially when you haven’t accomplished to much of nothing. My brother has been to the middle east so many times I can’t even remember and for what?
Bravo Nam
October 16th, 2009
4:34 am
DOB
Great song choice, man. Still think the Cat’s version is better!
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:37 am
Jay
Next time you speak to your brother, tell him you have friends who are Braves fans, who appreciate his service to this great country. I mean that sincerely.
I am so proud of all these young men and women who are willing to serve in our armed services. I never want my son to be put in a situation where he could die for this country, but if it ever did happen, I would be so proud of him…… Damn I miss him! He comes home for a visit over the Christmas holidays!!!
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
4:38 am
I’m here Wayne I just type slow on my phone. I would love to have Nady but here’s what i’d want to do.
Lowe for Ordonez
KJ and Acosta for Conner Jackson
Sign Nady
Re-sign Gonzalez
Extend Hudson and Vazquez
Offer Soriano arbitration
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:38 am
I am about to fall asleep at the keyboard…..later folks.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
4:41 am
I don’t know if KJ and Acosta are enough to get a guy like CJ. Though I wouldn’t mind having him on the team. I don’t know about Ordonez….I am torn on him.
I wouldn’t offer Soriano arbitration, I don’t think. He scares me too much for about 1 month each year.
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
4:43 am
As a matter of fact, he just left for Iraq on Oct. 10th my bday of all days to ship out but I will definitely tell him what you said. He loves dem Dawgs but we but head in baseball he’s a damn Yankee lol! And to think he was born and raised in GA!
Jay212033
October 16th, 2009
4:55 am
Conner Jackson is a potential non-tender candidate and so is Kelly so it might be a good swap.
Also i’d only offer Soriano in hopes that he turns it down so we could get a potential 1st rd pk(type A FA).
And on Ordonez both he and Lowe had disappointing seasons but we need a bat more than we need Lowe and his bad contract even if he bounces back. Now let’s say Ordonez bounces back from his down power season and hits .300/.400/.500 with 40+ doubles and 20+ homers he’d make our lineup so much better.
MitchC
October 16th, 2009
6:06 am
Dave, I hope the Braves can get Hudson signed, and keep Javy Vazquez. My bet is that three years, 10 mil a year will be enough to sign Hudson.
If the Braves were to bave to trade Vazquez in order to have the money to keep Hudson, we would then end up with a rather “old” rotation of three pitchers who are 34 or older, in Hudson, KK, and Lowe. While this might be okay for two or three years, you are then left with a situation where Hanson and Jair are our only two “young” starters.
A couple of weeks ago, Mark Bradley stated that he woukdnt re-sign Hudson if it meant having to trade Javy Vazquez to do so. Vazquez is younger, and had a great season in 2009, but he’s a 500 pitcher for his career, while Huddy has an amazing career record.
Say, for example, that Lowe and KK are unmovable due to their contracts. This leaves us with the impression that the Braves can likely afford to keep only one of the Hudson/Vazquez duo. If you were Frank Wren, what would you do, Dave? My bet would be that they would likely sign Hudson and trade Vazquez, because Vazquez could bring us the power hitter that this team needs.
Your thoughts, Dave?
Opa
October 16th, 2009
6:08 am
So many words, so little content.
Couch Tater
October 16th, 2009
8:13 am
…and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Thanks for the blog(s) DOB.
Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, a protégé of Bobby Cox, highlighted his experience Thursday when he became the third person interviewed by the Astros for their managerial position.
Randy Ready later focused on the fact Cox, the longtime Atlanta Braves manager, had to get his start somewhere. – The Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6669386.html
Don
October 16th, 2009
8:45 am
The nice thing for Braves fans is that we do not have to worry about any of this – the entire off season – acquisitions – trades – signings – who we keep – who we let go —– BECAUSE Bobby Cox is back and therefore, none of this will make any difference — his management procedures and lack thereof will make any possile actions meaningless/irrevelent. (The only possible chance we would have is (like always) if our Pitching should be so far, far, far superior to the other teams that it would overcome his incompetence and enable us to win in spite of him – over the long 162 game regular season schedule, that is. As far as post season is concerned, forget it – One WS in 14 opportunities – and that required a shutout by Glavine.
CallUpHeyward
October 16th, 2009
8:47 am
Reading the comment about Mike Minor being as close to being major league ready as any pitcher begs a question. Is he close enough to being ready that one of the current pitchers could be used as trade bait in a deal for a big hitter. I have read all of the talk about Jason Bay, but he will come with a high price tag and I don’t see Atlanta getting into that bidding war. Give us corner outfielders- one with speed, one with power- and a first baseman with power and we will be fine.
Danga
October 16th, 2009
9:00 am
Don…Have you ever watched a Phillies game? Somehow the Phillies find ways to win in spite of Charlie Manuel.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
9:20 am
True. It’s a little sad that Hicks is actually considered one of our top bats. I have a hard time coming up with 5 good hitting prospects at or above single-A. Heyward, Freeman, Milligan, Johnson…
I’m not even sure we can consider Johnson and Milligan. Hopefully we’ll be able to add some bats within the next few drafts. Our position players aside from Chipper are relatively young, but we don’t have many positional prospect trade chips.
And I agree with a few others that have said that they would give up Freeman in the right deal for an impact bat. Heck, I’d give up most anything in our system other than Heyward.
o-me
October 16th, 2009
9:23 am
Wayne in Utah, just read your blogs and agree 100%.
Jay praying for your brother.
kdbanks
October 16th, 2009
9:24 am
Thanks for keeping the blog going semi-regularly DOB.
I know it’s not typical MIB music, but for any Mazzy Star fans out there (I am, for sure), Hope Sandoval is playing tonight at The Loft in Atlanta with her latest band. Probably won’t be as good without the tremendous guitar that Mazzy Star was kind of known for, but should be pretty good anyway.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2009
9:26 am
Oh heck, there isn’t that much to talk about here, so I’ll just fire off some peeves of mine. After all, I’m here for my own personal entertainment, and anything that detracts from that can’t be good, can it, LOL? The peeves:
1 Any post that includes a lineup
2 Any post that ends with any variation of the phrase “Thoughts?”
3 Any post that includes some trite signature phrase
4 Any post that includes about a thousand ellipses between words
5 Any post with some of that all-caps action
6 Any post with references to Ryan Freel, Chone Figgins, Carl Crawford, or Rocco Baldelli (Mike Cameron honorable mention)
7 Any post that speaks to Vazquez’s career record as park-adjusted, league-adjusted, manager-adjusted, and every-other-darn-thing-adjusted, except for Vazquez-adjusted
8 Any post that highlights the Braves’ biggest need as “speedy base-stealing leadoff guy”
9 Any post that is as overbearingly pretentious as this one
So, please, do not trifle with my blog enjoyment, since I am, after all, the only one whose enjoyment counts, LOL. Thank you all for your kind attention.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
9:32 am
Here’s my proposed lineup for 2011
1. Carl Crawford
2. Martin Prado
3. Jason Heyward
4. Freddy Freeman
5. CODY JOHNSON
6. Yunel Escobar
7. Brian McCann
8. Matt Gamels
Thoughts?
“The nice thing for Braves fans is that we do not have to worry about any of this – the entire off season – acquisitions – trades – signings – who we keep – who we let go —– BECAUSE Bobby Cox is back and therefore, none of this will make any difference”
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
9:34 am
Mike Minor – I would guess he goes to AA next spring. That’s way more advanced than most pitchers selected in 2009’s draft, but he shouldn’t see any MLB time in 2010.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
9:39 am
I would have to say that Cody Johnson and Adam Milligan are legit prospects. They are more likely to make an impact someday than Brett Lillibridge, Brandon Hicks, Jon Gilmore etc. circa 1 year ago. Those guys seemed to make the top 10 list solely because of the position they played, but none of them have ever hit all that well. One thing you can say for Cody is he seems like a minor league Adam Dunn, which I for one would be happy to take. I don’t mind strikeouts as long as they come with HR’s and especially RBI’s. Until the Braves F’D with Cody’s head by promoting Freeman and Heyward and leaving him behind in MB, I was looking at Cody’s overall stats and felt he was the one who earned a promotion. Obvioulsy the call was right for Heyward, but I feel it adversely affected Freeman’s and Johnson’s seasons.
And Milligan seems like a guy who’s working out extremely well despite missing 2008.
marko
October 16th, 2009
9:43 am
Wren will get stuff done that is not on the radar.
Who saw the McLouth deal coming? Who saw LaRoach coming back?
Hudson probably will be back.
Soriano, Gonzo, and LaRoach will not be back. Wren will come back with an elite closer that puts Soriano and Gonzo to shame. Since having LaRoach back wouldn’t necessarily improve the team, they’ll go to a better option. No they won’t sign the over-the-hill 1B Lee from the cubs.
marko
October 16th, 2009
9:47 am
I wouldn’t be suprised if Braves make a multi player trade with Houston.
Lance Berkman will be in the last year of his contract. They have some decent outfielders that would help the Braves.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
9:57 am
kdbanks, Hope Sandoval’s recently released solo album is very good. Not as good as Mazzy Star, and even more mellow, but still very good.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
10:00 am
wayne, yes on xavier nady. and if the dodgers would trade us kemp for escobar, it would have to be considered….though i think id prefer to hang onto escobar. there are some good no-hit slick fielding SS available, like vizquel, everett, and wilson.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
10:04 am
MitchC: I have no doubt that three years, $30 mill would get Hudson signed. But I don’t think Braves want to go that high. Oh, and Kawakami’s contract is not unmovable, if Braves want to move it. He’s getting about $7 mill a year for next two seasons, reasonable for a veteran pitcher who put up those numbers (forget the won-lost record and just look at the rest of his stats) in his first season in the U.S. If it was three or four more years at that rate, then maybe his age would make most teams wary, but two years? I think they’d find takers. But I just don’t know if they’ll be willing to do it, for reasons other than strictly baseball.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
10:04 am
ugaaccountant…that 9:32 was funny, coming up right after scoots’ 9:26.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
10:05 am
So many words, so little content. — Opa
Unlike your comment, which had so few words and no content.
AndyC
October 16th, 2009
10:07 am
I saw Drag Me to Hell last night on DVD. Good scary movie. It’s directed by Sam Raimi who is a very good horror director. He’s mostly known for directing the Spider-Man movies but he started out in horror. The original Evil Dead is scary as hell. The remake, which is called Evil Dead 2 is good but it’s a little more on the scary funny side. Army of Darkness is just straight up funny. Drag Me to Hell is a good mix of both. Raimi is one of the few director that can do horror well but still do it with a sense of humor. I hear that he is remaking Evil Dead again. I can’t wait.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
10:08 am
Thanks for the in-depth update, DOB.
If it came to extending Hudson or plowing the dollars into Vazquez, I’d go with Vazquez, though I’m sure he’d command more than Hudson, provided his 2010 is close to his ‘09 performance.
When it comes to Lowe, it’s hard to tell right now if the Braves could move his contract in total. One of the perennial contenders could afford him, but whether or not they need him is another story. A near-contender may see him as a critical piece to put them over the top.
Kawakami… This “Let’s not offend the Japanese” by trading Kawakami makes no sense. That happens in major league baseball, and it’s a little insulting to the Japanese to suggest that they don’t understand how the American game operates.
Furthermore, let’s say the Braves could move Kawakami to one of the west coast teams – the Dodgers, for example, or the Giants. Think the Japanese would consider that a step down for Kawakami? Or what if Boston or the Yankees wanted him? The Japanese would balk? Don’t believe so. Now, if the Braves shipped him off to a backwater, like Pittsburgh or KC, then that might raise some eyebrows. But those teams can’t afford him or need him, anyway.
Don
October 16th, 2009
10:12 am
Tell your kids that they can grow up to be anything they want.
After all, Bobby Cox is being allowed to manage the Braves.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:13 am
kdbanks Is that traded on the NASDAQ?
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
10:14 am
uga-brave: if you haven’t been to Whistler/Blackcomb, you ought to go. It’s the best I’ve been to, better than Steamboat, Aspen, Breck, A-Basin and the rest of the top Colorado places.
We’re going to Whistler at Christmas, which will be the first time I’ve been since me and the ex went on our honeymoon in 1999. Everything should be ready for Olymics that start there in February (the Vancouver Winter Games skiing will be at Whistler, less than two hours north and the prettiest drive in North American on the Sea-to-Sky highway — even better drive than Monterrey-Big Sur-Carmel area).
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:15 am
Don
Maybe you should come back next year after the Braves win the World Series?
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
10:20 am
Wayne in Utah… some of these guys will be cheap-shoting Cox all the way to his last game. Of course, if the Braves contend next year, their gripes will amount to zilch.
braveshoo
October 16th, 2009
10:22 am
Dave- give me your thoghts on this one. I know you like Cruz from Texas,and I agree. My only concern are the additional prospects we may have to give up along with a frontline starter. For example, I really like Medlin. He reminds me of a young Greg Maddox(I know-still a long way to go),but I dont want to lose him. At the same time, we need a big bat,and need to free some payroll. The Diamondbacks need to reconstruct their pitching staff. Suppose we traded them Lowe and KK for Mark Renolds, areliever and a prospect. Renolds is our power RH bat. He can play LF next year, and be ready to take over at 3rd when Chipper retires(we have no one else in the system that could do it). We free up 23 million in salary due LOwe and KK. Renolds is young and cheap. We use this money to sign Laroche(7 mil/yr for 3 yrs)+Hudson(9 mil/yr for 3 yrs) + a closer+ a contract extension for Vasques. Starting pitching is then Vasques,JJ,Hanson,Hudson, and Medlin( as good as any in the league).Line-up is McClouth,prado,chipper,Renolds,Mac,our SS,LaRoach, and Diaz/Heyward. This line-up has 5 Rh bats counting chipper, and 5 LH bats counting chipper and heyward. Good power, good defense (renolds has got to be in lf tha anderson) and enough payroll to get everything done we need. Your thoughts?
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:23 am
Jeff
Unfortunately, they will gripe regardless of whether we contend or not. I am a bit apprehensive about who will manage after Bobby? Be careful what you ask for…….
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:28 am
Lowe and Kawakami for Reynolds AND other players. We ask them to take a contract that some would consider a bad contract, and a 3/4th starter, then give us their best, affordable power hitter PLUS a reliever AND a prospect???
Somehow, I don’t think Arizona does that deal…..
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
10:30 am
Wayne in Utah…
That’s true, but the griping will become silly if the Braves are winning.
After Cox? He’s still very much going to be a part of the Braves, Cox, that is. I imagine he’ll have a good deal of say in who management considers as candidates to succeed him and who it chooses to replace him.
I think management will settle on someone it believes will bring the same sort of player-handling skills as Cox’s has, though, admittedly, some of that isn’t skill, it’s a talent for dealing with human beings.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:30 am
I suspect Arizona would want a minimum of Freeman and Medlen and then maybe KK for Reynolds. I could be wrong. Would you do that deal?
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
10:31 am
Don’t think Arizona would bite.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:33 am
Jeff
I am hoping the yahoo down in Florida will keep thinking that Fredi Gonzalez is not the right answer, and let him go between now and then. TP is such a quiet guy, it is hard to know what kind of manager he might be?? I know a lot of folks are not high on him as a hitting coach.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
10:35 am
I am guessing that there will be no real news out of Florida this week, especially after FW was so open last year, and it came back to bite him in the butt!
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
10:38 am
Braveshoo, dumbest trade idea i think i have ever heard, honestly
NC Braves Fan
October 16th, 2009
10:40 am
What will be interesting in the discussion about the pitching staff is what to do with Kris Medlen. Do you give him the chance to become a starter in 2010, keep him in the bullpen or trade him to get offensive help?
To me, he’s a nice luxury the Braves have as they figure out who to sign, who to trade and who to keep.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
10:41 am
Wayne in Utah…
I think it depends on how ‘10 turns out for the Fish. If they make the post season, it may be harder to pry Fredi Gonzalez loose. But he’d be my choice. As you know, the Braves have a large and growing Hispanic contingent throughout the system. I think Gonzalez would be especially suited to mange his Latin American compadres.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
DOB The Hawks should have a good season, but I have my concerns when Josh Smith is launching bombs from 3-point land. He needs to stay near the paint. Al Horford and Joe Johnson should be solid this year. Should be fun.
McFann Ô
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
jeffrey d And McFann ends the evening with a big error
Just wanted to be sure y’all were paying attention, that’s all.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
wayneI suspect Arizona would want a minimum of Freeman and Medlen and then maybe KK for Reynolds.
dang…thats a tuffy. i think maybe i do it, but i would try to get one more piece, maybe a bullpen arm. also, does reynolds play LF? i know we could put him at 1st…but i think i would still like to have laroche.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
10:51 am
For the record, I think Kawakami is actually owed less than $14 mill on his contract, because of a signing bonus he got as part of the three-year, $23 mill deal. For MLB payroll purpose, you divide the entire contract value by three for per-year salary. But if Braves wanted to trade him — and again, I haven’t heard they’re trying to or will try to, but you never know — the team getting him wouldn’t have to pay the signing bonus, since that’s already been paid.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
10:51 am
Staying on the hoops theme: You folks in the Atlanta area need to see a game or two of Georgia Tech this season. Their super Freshman, Derrck Favors, will be a “one and done” guy.
http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/favors_derrick00.html
McFann Ô
October 16th, 2009
10:56 am
Yikes, Wayne!
Hope you’re gonna be alright!
Gred Mendel
October 16th, 2009
10:57 am
Breaking News….
Frank Wren accidentally trades Tim Hudson to Atlanta for Kawakami.
“We don’t know how it happened,” says Braves spokesman, “but we think it will turn out to be a good move. Probably. We’re still looking at the figures.”
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
10:58 am
Snowing in New York this morning. It ought to be fun watching the freezing players and fans at Yankee Stadium. Tori Hunter has some great comments on the New Yankee Stadium yesterday. He says many players would be intimidated at the Old Yankee Stadium because of it’s history from Ruth-DiMaggio-Mantle, etc., but he doesn’t get that vibe in the new place.
Greg Mendel
October 16th, 2009
11:00 am
(Why does this thing keep changing my assumed name from Greg to the not-assumed Gred when I submit a post — not that it matters?)
JJ
October 16th, 2009
11:00 am
I personally don’t think that there is a chance in hell we are able to find a team that would trade for Lowe or KK. Not unless they perform better and are further along in their contracts.
Of course, if they perform better, then most of the bloggers will then claim that they are good and why would you want to trade them.
If Wren can find a sucker that will trade for them this offseason (and not in return give us an underachiever with a huge salary in return), he would be the best GM in the history of amateur and professional sports.
Joe
October 16th, 2009
11:02 am
Greg Mendel.. LOL on the Hudson for Kawakami trade.
Joe Fan
October 16th, 2009
11:03 am
The Braves are going to have to find a place for Mike Minor. Sounds like he is close to being major league ready and they didn’t draft him in the 1st round to let him sit in the minors. They might very well hang onto Vasquez and Lowe this year but in 2011 a very inexpensive starting rotation of Hanson, JJ, Minor and Medlin is not that far fetched.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
11:04 am
JJ it wont take a sucker to trade kawakami. he actually pitched better than lowe, costs about half as much per year and for only two more years, so…he is definitely a guy some teams would want. as for lowe, he is really expensive for three more years, and is coming off a pretty bad year for him. trading him will probably mean either eating salary, or trading for another bad contract.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
11:04 am
I’m having a hard time seeing how Manuel decides that Pedro Martinez was a better choice to start Game 2 than Happ or Blanton. If it works, he’ll look like a genius. But if it doesn’t…. Oh, well, the ramifications wouldn’t be nearly as bad as if they’d lost Game 1, then he threw Pedro in Game 2 and they lost that, too.
But still….
Those who believe Cox left pitchers in too long this year (and he did in at least two or three games, I agree), what did you think of Torre leaving 21-year-old Kershaw in as long as he did last night? That one was a head-scratcher, especially considering the good, rested bullpen.
Random
October 16th, 2009
11:08 am
Jeff R (October 16th, 2009 10:08 am): “Kawakami… This “Let’s not offend the Japanese” by trading Kawakami makes no sense.”
To you, perhaps.
Daybed Wagmoe
October 16th, 2009
11:08 am
DOB – You mentioned REM last night…On my iTunes, Pavement’s “Unseen Power of the Picket Fence,” Malkmus’ tribute to REM, just came on. Have you ever noticed how the opening seconds of this song and REM’s own “Ebow the Letter” are nearly identical?
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
11:10 am
Sure, the Yankees and Angels play tonight. But my attention will be diverted by ESPN’s coverage of Midnight Madness basketball practices, including live stuff from Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. Oh, yeah. Gotta love it. There’s a chill in the air here today in Atlanta, and we’ve got postseason baseball and college hoops on TV tonight (or at least hoops practice).