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2,530 comments Add your comment
JJ
October 16th, 2009
11:15 am
The best strategy for the Braves on the starting pitching is as follows:
*Re-sign Hudson.
*Figure that we won’t be able to trade KK or Lowe this offseason.
*Use a 6 man rotation or stick one in the bullpen/start one after a long rain delay where the initial starter wouldn’t be able to return.
*Target midseason/trade deadline to trade one or the other or both to a team in need of pitching. This would be providing one is having a decent year.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
11:20 am
DOB Got to meet and hear Dick Vitale speaking to Mercer Basketball program this past Monday. He spoke to a dinner crowd of over 600 for over an hour, and he was fascinating. Nothing like college hoops!
njbraves
October 16th, 2009
11:23 am
I really want Huddy resigned, but not at the expense of adding a power hitter. The Braves have to find a way to move KK or Lowe. I figure Lowe will be nearly impossible to trade because of his contract, so that means KK has to go. The idea of a six man rotation is dumb and unrealistic. Best case scenarion is they trade Lowe and add either Bay or Holliday. Just not sure it’s feasible.
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
11:38 am
njbraves, why must KK go? honestly? he had better all around stats than Lowe did, and as DOB has said, the free agent market for starters is really thin this year and Lowe and his contract wont look so bad to a contending team in need of starting pitching, especially if the price tag in prospects is too high for someone like Halladay. Lowe could be had for salary relief and a few middle prospects, I’d say.
Jim
October 16th, 2009
11:49 am
Who cares about the LCS or WS? I am ready for some news from the AFL.
DAM
October 16th, 2009
11:54 am
This pretty much sums up why the NBA sucks. Let’s hope this doesn’t filter down and pollute the college game, too.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4563546
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
11:55 am
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?
I’d make that trade everyday and twice on Sunday. Reynolds is an absolute steal for a projected mid-pack 1b, #4 sp or top middle reliever, and a #4 starter. Given that we’d even be clearing some salary cap and getting one of the top 20 “keepers” in all of baseball, that would be a fantastic trade.
When I say keeper, yes I’m referring to fantasy baseball, but in this case he’s even more valuable to us than in fantasy baseball. We have a ??? mark at his #4 spot in the lineup, he’s still in his team controlled years (what maybe 3 left, and he has the ability to at least pay a passable 1b or 3b, both of which we could use. Basically I spent all of last season trying to acquire this guy in FBB trades and would love to see Wren do the same, at the price you have listed.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
11:55 am
I know there are some here who don’t have a lot of love for Eric Byrnes of the D’backs. Would he be an improvement over McLouth in the leadoff slot. Dude stole 50 bases in 2007, but has been hurt for much of the past 2 years. Would Lowe for Byrnes be a fair deal?
I know Byrnes bats right, and his OBP during his good seasons was around .350, not bad but not great either. If he is healthy, he might be an improvement in left field.
Then we could go for LaRoche, and fall back to Xavier Nady at first if LaRoche can’t be signed. Move McLouth down in the lineup. Platoon Diaz and Heyward in right, until Jason nudges Matty out of the lineup.
I also mentioned to another blogger last night that I think Diaz is the best leadoff candidate on our current roster. I dare anyone to find another player on our current roster with better leadoff numbers. And Matty stole 12 bases in 2009. That extra weight loss must have helped him to feel faster….
What say ye denizens?
O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
11:56 am
DOB,
I think Joe Torre left his pitcher in too long. It looked to me like the pitcher was struggling in the 5th, especially after falling behind 3-1, with 2 men on base, and Ryan Howard up.
The Dodgers bullpen is rested, and they’re one of the best in baseball. The last thing a team should want is to lose game 1 at home. Joe Torre should have brought in a reliever in the 5th to face Howard. If they get Howard out, its only a 3-1 game going to the bottom of the 5th.
RemoW
October 16th, 2009
11:57 am
Prince Fielder has 2 years 18 mill per left on his contract (I think). Brewers need pitching. Lowe and Medlen ( I would actually hate to see us trade Medlen. I think the kid has a future.) for Fiedler. The problem is that he is left handed. No way they will part with Braun. That guy is starting out like a potential HOF.
Fielder would address the 1st base issue and no one can argue his offense. I also think that Schafer will get another look the spring training. If his hitting returns, McLouth in left, Schafer in center, and a Diaz platoon is right would be pretty solid.
I would actually like to see Cox give Diaz the starting job in right but not tell him. Let him think it is a platoon for awhile. Diaz has got skills.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
12:00 pm
ugaaccountant
Let’s look at this one from the D’backs side. Would you go this deal? It would probably take one more fairly high level prospect. Guys with that kind of power are rare.
My impression is that Reynolds is not a top notch third baseman, but 40+ dingers makes up for a few sins, I think.
Somebody earlier was submitting a trade proposal that was a bit ridiculous, and my Freeman/Medlen/KK suggestion was a quick come back, but the more I think about it, the more I don’t think Arizona does that deal. But hey, I have been wrong once already today…..chose those frozen breakfast burrito’s instead or ordering room service…….ugh!
RemoW
October 16th, 2009
12:01 pm
Regarding leaving pitchers in to die. Jim Leland (who I think may be one of the best managers out there.) Left Rodeny in to die. That loss was all on him.
If you want any chance to see the Yankees beaten. Root for the Phillies. What they lack they make up in heart. They just don’t quit.
As for Manny. I hate that guy, but man, can he pick a spot to do the dramatic. It’s not just a hit, he mashes a home run. No one will remember his weak ground out in his last at bat. It will be all about that bomb.
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
RemoW, actually, Prince is owed 10.5 million for next year, the last year of his contract. And I also think that Boras is his agent, which means we would only have Prince for 2010 and nothing more, sounds like another Teixeira deal to me.
DAM
October 16th, 2009
12:03 pm
Wayne–
With regards to Byrnes..no, just no. =)
CVan
October 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
DOB-
Is Josh Selby going to be at your MM tonight in Kansas? I am an IU basketball fan being from Indiana and Selby trimmed his list down to 6 recently. Last I heard that he was going to Lawrence but i have not confirmed that yet. Hopefully he isn’t too impressed and maybe IU will get a shot since he is not suppose to sign until the spring. IU just started recruited him so we might be a little behind, but I think we got time to make that up if he does not sign til the spring.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
12:06 pm
OJ
Somebody the other day says Fielder has one year beyond 2010 before free agency.
I would think the Braves are at least looking at what it would take to get that deal done. I don’t think we just throw Lowe’s name out and get it done. I suspect it would be similar to the Tex deal to get Fielder, if not more??? Would it be worth it for a couple of years of the Prince?
I can see it now, in 3 years, all the wailing about giving up the farm for a Boras client, just for Bobby’s last run at a WS.
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
12:11 pm
Ok, it appears that in 2011 he will be arbitration eligible, but again, Boras is his client and he would surely get more than 13 million in arbitration, which means the Braves wouldnt even offer him arbitration.
jcd
October 16th, 2009
12:13 pm
COMMUNITY is not even close to being the best comedy this year (let alone “since”). That goes to MODERN FAMILY.
Thrillhouse44
October 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
I like Fielder on the field, but I am leery of him in the dugout. I mean, he tried to deck his own pitcher during a game and tried to enter the other team’s clubhouse for a fight. That’s just what we know about. Dude is about as stable as Britney Spears on a binge.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
DAM
That article just proves that dribbling is optional in the NBA.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
12:16 pm
This pretty much sums up why the NBA sucks. Let’s hope this doesn’t filter down and pollute the college game, too.
That rule, as it’s written, is what referees enforce in college ball.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
My biggest problem at most levels of basketball is the lifting of the pivot foot (almost an extra step). The refs refuse to call this violation.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
12:24 pm
OJ it appears that in 2011 he will be arbitration eligible, but again, Boras is his client and he would surely get more than 13 million in arbitration, which means the Braves wouldnt even offer him arbitration.
huh? why not? im sure that they would.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
12:25 pm
DOB, I think he liked the lefty on lefty matchup of Kershaw on Utley/Howard. But honestly, he had Elbert warming in the pen way too late. Not to mention, where is Kuo in a situation like that? Perhaps he wanted to save Sherrill for later in the game(which he did, and it turned out great……).
Isn’t it crazy to see what happened last night? George Sherrill held LHB to a .163/.226/.261 line in his career and hadn’t given up a homer to one all year. Ibanez in his career against LHP: .269 /.326/.434. Not terrible, but still not good for a corner outfielder. Yet he homered off Sherrill last night.
A lot of things, statistically, point to the Dodgers winning this series. But like last year, I just have a feeling the Phils will win this thing in 5, maybe 6 games.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
And Ibanez, to his credit, has hit lefties far better th last two seasons than he has previously in his career:
Ibanez vs. LHP in 2008 – .305/.368/.497 in 197 plate appearances
Ibanez vs. LHP in 2009 – .285/.359/.639 in 167 plate appearances
He was downright awful against lefties 2002 – 2007, with 02,03,06 and 07 being incredibly bad years.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Should of said “But Ibanez”….
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
12:35 pm
Because DAP, maybe you dont get it or something, but if the Braves offered him arbitration and he accepted it, we would lose that hearing and be stuck with paying probably over 15 million for 1 year of Fielder. When that money could be saved for a closer or something else, not to say that it would also block Freeman in 2011.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
Prince Fielder has 2 years 18 mill per left on his contract (I think). Brewers need pitching. Lowe and Medlen ( I would actually hate to see us trade Medlen. I think the kid has a future.) for Fiedler. — RemoW
Come on, man. You seriously believe Milwaukee would consider that deal? Dump one of the best young power hitters in the game, with a year left on his contract, in order to taken on Lowe’s contract and get Kris Medlen?
By the way, Fielder signed the two-year, $18 mill deal before last season. One year left on the contract, getting $10.5 mill in 2010.
To give you some idea of how the Brewers view him, here’s what owner Mark Attanasio had to say about it in an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before the last week of the season:
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
Thrillhouse
Maybe we could use a guy like that (he says, only half kidding).
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
OJ
No way do you NOT offer arbitration to a guy like Fielder. You don’t think he would be worth 15 million per???
DAP
October 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
OJBecause DAP, maybe you dont get it or something,
uh…no i guess i dont get why it would be a bad idea to have prince fielder at a $15mil contract. the guy who hit 46 homers with a 1.014 OPS this past year. dont see why thats a problem…and that is even considering freeman, because who cares if a 21 year old (that how old he would be in 2011) is blocked if it by a guy like fielder? it wouldnt hurt freeman, even if he is ready then (which there is no guarantee of) to spend a year at AAA while weve got a guy who is one of the best run producers in baseball.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
12:50 pm
When that money could be saved for a closer or something else, not to say that it would also block Freeman in 2011.
Prince Fielder blocking Freddie Freeman? Hmmmm. I sure hope Freeman is three quarters what Fielder is. I’d be ecstatic if that was the case.
ncscoots
October 16th, 2009
12:56 pm
I sure hope Freeman is three quarters what Fielder is. I’d be ecstatic if that was the case.
No bleep, LOL. A player such as Fielder doesn’t block prospects; he gets them traded.
But, since there is almost no chance that a Fielder trade for pitching would return enough run-prevention to minimize his run-creation loss, he doesn’t get traded. Unless it’s for Roy Halladay, maybe, LOL.
McFann Ô
October 16th, 2009
12:58 pm
Eric B-B-B…Byrnes?
Please…no…Sorry, Wayne…
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
1:03 pm
You are living in a pipe dream if you think the Braves would want to give Fielder 15 million a year, theres no way they do that.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
OJ You are living in a pipe dream if you think the Braves would want to give Fielder 15 million a year, theres no way they do that.
why not other than needing money for a closer and blocking freeman…which are the two reasons you gave, neither of which make much sense, why wouldnt the braves give fielder $15mil for a year?
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
Random… Your 11:08 am post didn’t address my full comment. I wrote:
“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.”
Context matters.
sportsmandh
October 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
marko was right earlier, Derek Lee really looked over the hill this year
McFann Ô
October 16th, 2009
1:18 pm
Efrim I sure hope Freeman is three quarters what Fielder is.
…
Nah, it’s too easy…
ncscoots
October 16th, 2009
1:18 pm
What the heck is wrong with Heyward, LOL? A lousy 1-for-4 last night drops him to only hitting .300 or so. Plus, the kid has been in all three games and doesn’t have a single HR yet. Unfathomable.
David O'Brien
October 16th, 2009
1:18 pm
Just had it confirmed by someoe who knows — it’s $13.33 mill owed to Kawakami over the next two years. He got a $2 mill signing bonus and a $7.67 mill salary in 2009.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
1:21 pm
sportsmandhDerek Lee really looked over the hill this year
oh yeah? he finished pretty well, .306/.393/.579, 35 homers and 111 RBI. it was his best season in years. he would be a huge addition to the braves if he came close to that.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
1:27 pm
One year left on the [Prince Fielder] contract, getting $10.5 mill in 2010.
True, but he’s also under team control in 2011 as an arbitration eligible player.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
1:28 pm
The Braves were willing to pay Derek Lowe 15 Million a year for 4 years on the back end of his career, ages 36-40. Lowe at best was seen as a weak #1 starter.
Fielder is one of the top hitters in the game and is entering the prime of his career. He is an MVP type player. His peer group is Ryan Howard and Mark Texiera. That my friend, is the type of player who is actually “worth” 15M a season, especially when that contract is only for 1 year (in this hypothetical discussion you’ve created).
And no club would be all that worried about blocking Freeman if they had a player like Fielder. But for us to get Fielder, one of the pieces we traded would have to be Freeman, plus alot more.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
1:29 pm
Derek Lee was really weak early in the season though. Those final numbers surpised me as well.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
1:36 pm
Fielder is a fence-buster, but I wouldn’t give up the store for him, especially with no guarentee that he’d hang around once he reached free agency.
Fielder will end up with mega-offers from the big market teams – the Mets, BoSox, Dodgers, maybe the Cubs.
Remeber, some fans thought that Super Texie would seriously consider staying in Atlanta for a hometown discount.
We all saw how that worked out.
Mid Town Joe
October 16th, 2009
1:36 pm
Do you ever wonder if Jason Heyward will be used in a player deal to garner the RH power bat?
AdirondackDave
October 16th, 2009
1:38 pm
DOB — If I understand your last Kawakami numbers, that means the “savings” to the Braves budget in 2010 and 2011 is actually about $3M per year. Is that right? If so, I’d think that means Lowe or Javy, not KK, will go and I’d think it would be Lowe even if the return is a prospect rather that offensive help now. I’d like to see the Braves extend Javy, he and Hudson would seem to be perfect vet fits with Hanson and JJ.
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
1:38 pm
Ok, I see where you all make very valid points, but my point is, where do the Braves get this so called 15 million it will take to keep Prince in 2011? Cause you cant honestly believe the Brewers would take Lowes ginormous contract off our hands not without getting at least 4 or 5 more prospects thrown in as well, and not low level prospects either, cause you have to remember that this is for at least 2 years of Fielder. Then we are right back in another Tex situation, which I cannot see the Braves doing again.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
Mid Town Joe… Wren would be smoking whacky weed if he did so. The kid’s tops everyone’s list of MLB prospects.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
Jeff R – If Wren ever makes another big trade without a contract worked out first, he should be fired.
O.J.
October 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
Mid Town Joe, in a word, NO!
Mailman
October 16th, 2009
1:41 pm
DOB do you know if Brian McCann is going yo have the lasik eye surgery again now that the season is over? Thanks.
Bobby
October 16th, 2009
1:41 pm
In reviewing the payroll, looks like the Braves could keep LaRoche and all six starters from last year – assuming LaRoche signs for around same $7M as this season and Hudson signs for $9M ($6M less than this season). Let’s say this $6M is used for raises thru contract increases or arbitration cases. With Soriano, Gonzalez, Anderson, and Norton coming off the books then that is $13M to spend. I would think they could sign Cameron (for CF), Myers (to close with Moylan), and Betemit (to back-up 1B and 3B).
You then have the following lineup…
1. McLouth-LF
2. Prado-2B
3. Jones-3B
4. LaRoche-1B
5. Cameron-CF
6. McCann-C
7. Escobar-SS
8. Diaz/Church-RF
and a bench of…
Betemit
Diaz/Church
Infante
Johnson
Ross
and a rotation of…
Hanson
Hudson
Jurrjens
Lowe
Vazquez
and a bullpen of…
Acosta
Kawakami
Logan
Medlen
Moylan
Myers
O’Flaherty
Thoughts?
Steve from OH
October 16th, 2009
1:41 pm
Wren already said he’s not going to trade Heyward, Mid Town Joe.
Mailman
October 16th, 2009
1:42 pm
I meant to put to and not yo.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
1:42 pm
Mid Town Joe – I’d quit supporting the team forever if they traded Heyward this offseason. I think all of the informed fans would as well. A high character, high intelligence, local kid who looks exciting enough to put butts in seats, with his full MLB career ahead of him, just ranked the #1 prospect in all of MILB. Wren would be insane to trade him.
WOW
October 16th, 2009
1:43 pm
Mid Town Joe
How mnay times must it be said? Heyward is untouchable. Why in the hell would you trade the #1 prospect in baseball, for a guy he probally will be better than in three years. Come on man use your noodles.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
1:45 pm
I’m pretty sure if the Rays offered Evan Longoria for Jason Heyward, Wren would have to make that deal. But realistically, Heyward won’t be traded.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
1:46 pm
AdirondackDave… I think Wren is more likely to dangle Lowe than Kawakami. I disagree with some posters about Lowe’s value. Yes, his ERA was up this year, but he won 15 games and came close to 200 innings. He may have won a game or two more with better run support.
I think his contract is an obstacle; think his age is a secondary concern. But I think we’ll hear his name a lot in the early going of the trade season.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
1:47 pm
OJ where do the Braves get this so called 15 million it will take to keep Prince in 2011?
just looking at it hypothetically…say they trade vazquez for him. thats $11.5 mil in savings, and they dont have to sign a 1st baseman, which the braves paid $2.8mil this season. thats $14.3mil… $28.6mil over the next two seasons, and if prince gets the hypothetical $15mil in 2011, he will get paid $25.5mil over the next two years. salary isnt really an issue.
WOW
October 16th, 2009
1:47 pm
Bobby that team is weak. Myers really have you watched the guy pitch? And we need a right handed power hitter not a right hand hitter with some power.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
1:48 pm
P. W. Hjort – Nope, no deal. Evan’s contract is nowhere near as affordable as Jason. Plus Jason projects more power. Plus all of the intangibles with Jason.
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
1:49 pm
ugaaccountant… Agree with you competely. I think Wren well apreciates how burned the Bravos were in the Super Tex fiasco. He went to great pains to emphasize that McLouth was under contract when he sent prospects to Pittsburgh. Don’t think he intends to repeat JS’s mistakes.
MFin04
October 16th, 2009
1:50 pm
You don’t trade Heyward simply because he is going to be a stud for one, and he is going to cost the Braves an average of 500,000 to 1,000,000 a year for how many years?
BravesfaninWis
October 16th, 2009
1:51 pm
Bobby
I believe the Braves are ready to rid themselves of Manny Acosta. If Boone Logan would have been more solid this year, then the Braves most likely would have rid themselves of O’Flaherty as well.
Who has the stronger arm between McLouth and Cameron? That is who I would have in RF. Move the combo of Church/Diaz to LF where they are less of a liability defense wise. Infante can play 3B, SS, 2B, and pretty much every OF position, so no need to bring Betemit back unless its to be that bench bat to take over for Norton. JMO.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
1:52 pm
jeff r He [lowe] may have won a game or two more with better run support.
lowe had the best run support on the team….i think it was over 5 runs per start, which is why he had the most wins on the team despite having one of his worst seasons. asking for more run support for a guy with and ERA in the high 4s? i think there is a bigger problem to solve than his run support.
abwright
October 16th, 2009
1:53 pm
N8, 12:32 am … “Maybe missing the playoffs was a blessing in disquise? Save JJJ’s and Hanson’s arms for the future instead of burning them out in their early 20’s.”
I actually posted on this a couple of times in the stretch run. The Braves are definitely built for 2010. It would have been great to see the Bravos in post-season action in 2009. But, not at the expense of 2010 and beyond.
And, with the 2009 Braves’ offense being so inconsistent, it would be a shame to squander JJ and Hanson in consecutive 1-0 losses.
cricket
October 16th, 2009
1:56 pm
Eric Byrnes over McLouth?? That fills up my cup of unbelievably crazy trade ideas for today. Have a good weekend folks.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
1:57 pm
I would trade Heyward for Eva Longoria, but not Evan. I would also go for Sandra Bullock too!
Mikeyc588
October 16th, 2009
1:58 pm
What about Carlos Beltran? Anybody know his contract status? He’s a superstar when healthy and could be cheaper now than ever given injury concerns. I’d take a flier on him if we could somehow move Lowe. I can’t imagine the Mets (or most clubs) wanting to take Lowe, but they ARE desperate for pitching.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
1:59 pm
cricket
I never said word one about trading McLouth for Byrnes. Learn how to read, my cricket.
Bobby
October 16th, 2009
1:59 pm
WOW-I guess we just disagree. I think this team makes the playoffs. Cameron has been valuable offensively and defensively. Myers is a risk especially asking him to move back to the pen, but his WHIP was the same as Moylan this year. Plus his road splits are much better than in Philly’s hitters park. Finally, he did save 21 of 24 in 2007.
BravesfaninWis-I thought O’Flaherty was effective this year, especially against lefties. I realize Acosta and Logan could be replaced by other prospects or journeymen. Betemit provides more power than Infante. You could be right regarding the LF or RF, but Cameron should man CF in my opinion.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:01 pm
Nope, no deal. Evan’s contract is nowhere near as affordable as Jason. Plus Jason projects more power. Plus all of the intangibles with Jason.
That’s incorrect. Well, the contract part at least. Evan Longoria’s contract:
08:$0.5M, 09:$0.55M, 10:$0.95M, 11:$2M, 12:$4.5M, 13:$6M, 14:$7.5M club option ($3M buyout), 15:$11M club option, 16:$11.5M club option
He’s owed $43.45 million over the next 7 years assuming all of the no-brainer options are exercised. Basically, if you traded Longoria for Heyward, you’d be paying Longoria $32 million over the comparable time you’d have Heyward under team control (assuming he Braves call him up to start 2010), plus you’ve got him under team control for an additional year at a dirt-cheap $11.5 million price tag.
You better believe that’s the best contract in baseball. And it’s not even close.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:01 pm
We are talking about Wilson Betemit? How about Andy Marte too?
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:01 pm
Didn’t mean to italicize anything after the first paragraph. Sorry.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
2:02 pm
Mikeyc588 – I kind of like that Beltran deal, in theory. But think about it being the Mets. They aren’t going to trade us Beltran if they think he’s healthy because they don’t want to strengthen our team. We are certainly a formidable opponent for them to overcome, so they can’t solve our biggest need and take away our payroll problem, no matter how much it helps them.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:03 pm
Additionally, I don’t think Jason Heyward projects to hit for more power than Evan Longoria. Probably about the same. Evan Longoria has hit 60 home runs in his first two seasons. Plus he plays a premium position (and plays it very well). Yeah, Wren would have to do Heyward for Longoria.
18 Wheels of Love
October 16th, 2009
2:05 pm
Any thoughts on Xavier Nady for LF? Maybe his price tag would allow us to keep the starting staff intact and resign LaRoche. Heyward in LF is a plus. Full years of Prado, McLouth, and LaRoche would be a considerable bump to the offense. Just wonder if locking down the rotation would allow for a bit of a leap in the OF? Maybe only if they miss on Bay or someone of that caliber…
Jeff R
October 16th, 2009
2:06 pm
DAP… I see your point, but Lowe’s performances were inconsistent. He have games where he dominated batters and games where he was blown out of the water. I guess I’m referring to those starts where he pitched well but didn’t get the hitting behind him. As I recall, there were a few.
Efrim
October 16th, 2009
2:06 pm
No bleep, LOL. A player such as Fielder doesn’t block prospects; he gets them traded.
Stating the obvious, scoots, I know. How about half of Fielder?!?!?!
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:07 pm
Folks, I may be dead wrong, but my guess is that Mike Cameron is not even on the Braves radar. We have a suitable CF’er in McLouth to man the spot until Schafer is either ready, or deemed to never be ready. If he is not going to make it, THEN would be the time that the Braves might start looking for more CF options. Just my guess….
That is unless the Braves get a line on an available young CF’er who has power, and who is available in trade. Then you might see someone other than McLouth or Schafer in the CF depth charts.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
2:07 pm
Wait – why did Longoria sign that? Was there a big signing bonus or something? I simply assumed he was making more than an average 3rd year guy, since he signed a contract extension.
I just don’t get that. He settled for Kelly Johnson type salaries when his arbitration numbers would likely have been twice that high? And he gave the club extra years of control for the priveledge?
I retract my earlier statement, Longoria is one of the most club friendly contracts i’ve ever seen.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:07 pm
18 Wheels –
Any thoughts on Xavier Nady for LF
Don’t hate the idea, but he had Tommy John in July.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:09 pm
18 Wheels
If he is healed, I like the Nady option for left (or for first base, if it is deemed we can’t afford LaRoche).
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
October 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
Dave O, the Braves are going to miss Clark more than any free agent player, coach, or admin. person. He is one of the all time greats. And as far as A-Rod is concerned, his humbers compare favorably with Mr. October.
ugaaccountant
October 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
I’ve read that Heyward’s power projection is off the charts. I’ve seen his stats stacked up next to Pujols. Longoria seems about right at 30 homers and high batting average and premium position, he’s top 10 in the whole game pretty soon. Heyward should have more power though.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
ugaaccountant
It’s crazy how cheap he is. If I were him, I’d have fired my agent. He left close to $50 million on the table when he signed that deal. There was no signing bonus for the deal and his draft (2006) signing bonus was only $3 million.
abwright
October 16th, 2009
2:11 pm
uga-brave, 3:13 am … “so now everyone in the country has the swine flew.
And that’s a crime shame. We should all go outside and see the pigs on the wing.
Jake W.
October 16th, 2009
2:14 pm
P. W. Hjort
I think Heyward projects to be a better all around hitter than Longoria, not just power but average to. Not to mention he plays a position that we need. Haven’t had a productive outfielder since Andruw. You don’t trade him for anything right now. Similar to the way Hanson was off limits last offseason.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
abwright
Don’t pay any attention to ugabrave, he is a “pre-madonna” anyway!
DAP
October 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
jeff r, he also had starts where he gave up 5 or 6 runs and got a win. things like that even out. run support was certainly not derek lowe’s problem.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:15 pm
Longoria seems about right at 30 homers
I don’t know. He hit 27 in 4 months his first season and 33 in 6 months his second season. He’s only 23 years old. I really don’t know what kind of power he projects to have, though. According to many, Heyward will hit 35+ annually.
Mikeyc588
October 16th, 2009
2:16 pm
ugaaccountant – I totally agree that trades inside the division are tough and there’s a reason big names typically don’t change sides. But I think it kind of depends on which direction the Mets decide to go in this offseason. I think it will be fascinating. A lot of writers (sorry, I can’t supply any links offhand) and baseball folks think that the Mets, as constructed, are basically screwed for the short term and forseeable future. They have NO pitching after Santana (and just made an awful contract decision with Perez) and no depth in their farm system. They have a decent core of position players when healthy, but who knows if Jose Reyes will ever take “the next step” and what can you expect from Delgado (and for how long?). I just don’t know. But if they do decide to “blow up” the team, I certainly wouldn’t mind having Beltran for a couple of years.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:16 pm
The Heyward for Longoria discussion is all academic anyway, as teams just don’t trade those guys, unless they are the Florida Marlins or the Pittsburgh Pirates.
DAP
October 16th, 2009
2:16 pm
wayne you could be right about cameron, you probably are, but he is the best combo of power, speed, defense on the free agent market. he pretty much matches what the braves are looking for. right handed, has some power, plus he plays very good defense and will steal you some bases.
P. W. Hjort
October 16th, 2009
2:20 pm
The Heyward for Longoria discussion is all academic anyway, as teams just don’t trade those guys, unless they are the Florida Marlins or the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Exactly. And it was a pretty silly discussion to begin with. I’ll end it.
N8
October 16th, 2009
2:22 pm
“No bleep, LOL. A player such as Fielder doesn’t block prospects; he gets them traded.”
Or gets them moved to another position. McGriff was blocking Ryan Klesko, who likely would have been traded had Chipper not gotten hurt (since he was pencilled in to play LF in 94). Thus Klesko moved to LF.
Not an ideal situation. But sometimes a guys bat is too good to just trade away.
VaBraveFan
October 16th, 2009
2:23 pm
Heyward is the next Chipper for this organization. Heyward will be a 295-310. hitter with 25-35 hr’s 100+rbi 15-20 sb with great D once he gets settled in majors.
Wayne in Utah
October 16th, 2009
2:23 pm
PW
Don’t be such a pre-madonna!
DAP
Hey, if they were thinking of Cameron for their power bat, maybe so. Not totally out of the realm of possibility, as McLouth could play any of the 3 outfield positions. I just don’t know if you plug Mike Cameron into your 4 hole?? Has he ever really batted there before for anybody? Might be asking a bit too much of him?