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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,530 comments Add your comment
Quisp
October 17th, 2009
1:24 am
After 1995 Braves went from dynasty to disappointment. These are the exact words out of the mouth from a lady friend (grrrrrrrr baby) of mine at dinner. I brought up the Braves because she brought up sports. When I started to talk about this season she cut me off and said nobody cares about them anymore. Its gotten very old. Wow! Its funny how people on here want to act like the ones wanting change with the Braves are a minority. Which might be true on this blog but out in the real world there seems to be a lot of lost fans who could care less about Braves baseball anymore.
I would suggest the front office do some research before they just turn the managers job over to TP because he is part of the played out act this town is bored with. Whats my point to all this? I hope 2011 really brings change to the Braves and not more of the same.
Quisp – eat me!
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
1:31 am
flange, what is up?
just saw lane kiffin is flying around atlanta trying to recruit.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
1:33 am
kifffin in a helicopter with orgereon, are trying to say hey come to tenneessee.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
1:44 am
braveheart,
you got the guy. but we will come hard in the offer for kirby smart.
he is a GEORGIA guy.
will muschamp is a coach in waiting at texas. but kirby might come home.
saban is the defensive guy. kirby has followed saban forever.
got a a hunch that we will offer him the bank.
well richt still has to fire his best friend. dont know that will happen.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
1:52 am
who would of thought that the second game of the nlcs would of had padilla vs. pedro.
pedro had a changeup like buggs bunny. that sucker continued to go down in a hole.
padilla the rangers gave up on him.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
1:55 am
so now we are saddled with derek lowe. three more years of a whip of 1.70.
thanks frank.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:00 am
bay area steve, gotta makers mark for you.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
2:05 am
uga-brave,
First of all, what’s your opinion on Richt? My dad (UGA grad) and his UGA fan friends aren’t fans of him. Naturally as a GT student, I’m not a fan of him either. Though it mostly has nothing to do with his ability and everything to do with his school affiliation.
Though I must admit. After the beat-down the Jackets received at the hands of the LSU Tigers last December, I was cheering for UGA for the first time in my college career 2 weeks ago when the Dawgs took on the Tigers. (Don’t tell anyone!)
On to baseball. I think Derek Lowe is a great bet to rebound in 2010 and post an ERA around 3.75, a WHIP around 1.40, and a healthy GB/FB ratio. He was largely subject to some awful luck in 2009.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
2:12 am
Heh. Listening to the first Drunk Jays Fans podcast after they fired J. P. Ricciardi. One of their song selections is “I Just Want To Celebrate”
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:13 am
pwh,
very rare a coach comes out of this.
look around the sec, he has the most tenure.
his friendship with wilmart will cost him his job.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:21 am
food wise, got several crab clusters at the fresh market. steamed those suckers. roasted some corn on the grill. great feast.
watched the yanks and cc shut down the angels.
so now watching chris matthews, alec baldwin, and bill maher.
love the entertainment factor.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:24 am
scoots,
we are a doomed country. the idiots have hijacked us.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:30 am
so now alec baldwin is a super genius.
well, gotta celebrate nancy is gonna take of us.
anybody know nancy pellosi’s background?
she was a fund raiser. we are doomed.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:32 am
does gary shandling look bad or what?
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
2:33 am
uga-brave,
If you want some less intellectually stimulating–yet perhaps more entertaining–material, Team America is on Comedy Central.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:36 am
DOB,
i used to love the gary shandling show. loved HANK.
gary shandling now looks REALLY BAD.
dude looks otis nixon bad.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:39 am
pwh, how old are you? dont need to answerer.
just curious.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:40 am
bay area i past go a long time ago.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
2:50 am
uga-brave,
21. 4th year at GT.
Carney Johnson
October 17th, 2009
2:51 am
Check out this video of Joe Buck and tell me your first impressions:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LF5wNeasqyU
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
2:54 am
pwh, go get va tech tmmw.
are you I.E or M.E.?
i love paul johnson.
uga-brave
October 17th, 2009
3:00 am
pw, you are one of the good guys. i always read your posts.
good luck tommorow. i am pulling for you.
most georgia guys are not threatened by georgia tech. would love to play you with one defeat.
love paul johnson, you are lucky to have him.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
3:01 am
Nah, uga-brave, I’m Chem-E. I wish I were I. E.
I got admitted as Chem-E, changed to M.E. before I came, took 1 M.E. class and switched back to Chem-E.
I’m big into statistics and whatnot, though, so I.E. is probably the best major at Tech for me. But I’m a 4th year and I like Chemistry enough.
I love Paul Johnson, too. He isn’t afraid to speak his mind. And he doesn’t BS anyone. That’s mainly what I love.
There’s something to be said for that, I think. In this day and age with coaches constantly making excuses for their teams, PJ ain’t afraid to lay it on the line.
Not that he names names. Because that isn’t appropriate–especially with student athletes. But he isn’t going to stand there and tell you the unit has it all together when they don’t. And I think that’s admirable.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
3:13 am
Carney Johnson,
I can’t really have an opinion on that video. It’s too weird.
Bay Area Steve
October 17th, 2009
4:01 am
uga, when are you gonna learn? Makers Mark is top shelf. I’m not a top shelf guy. Drinkin’ C’ Mist right now, ’cause C’ Club was $2 more.
And, why are you talkin’ Gary Shandling? Link, please.
regarding crab: anybody ever had Mushgatta (I’ll lay 15-1 that spelling is wrong), some kinda Portuguese thing? Good stuff, but I’ve got leftover crab out the whazoo, what do I do?
Oh, and PWH, ‘preciate you bein’ cordial ’bout my nonsense the other night.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
4:17 am
BAS,
No worries.
If you’re all about the cheap whisky, my friends prefer Kentucky Tavern for their
“dirt-cheap-can’t-afford-anything-else” whisky.
And as far as the extra crab goes… Pack it on some dry ice and send it to Georgia!
bravesfan1984
October 17th, 2009
7:29 am
i see on talkingchop.com that the braves granted free agency to buddy carlyle, jorge campillo, and vladimir nunez
Salty
October 17th, 2009
7:45 am
…but I’ve got leftover crab out the whazoo, what do I do?
BAS … guess it’s just me, but somehow that sounds disturbing…an outcome of too much drinking revelry!
Switch to drugs…or at least see a doctor? 
Mid Town Joe
October 17th, 2009
8:30 am
Is this guy a disgruntled Braves fan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNL610tYqdk
Mid Town Joe
October 17th, 2009
8:39 am
uga-brave
My son was married this past June. One of our guests came in from Louisville, Kentucky. His wedding gift was a personalized Makers Mark bottle, from the distillery, with their wedding info embossed on the bottle.
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:08 am
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy (October 16th, 2009 6:35 pm) —
Good comments — well done.
“First, I’d like to say this blog is so much better when the Braves are not actually playing. All the fair weather fans fly away and reasonable discussion takes place. You don’t have every good post followed by ten that bleed negativity. Especially the names people give to the players and coaches that I’m sure annoy more readers than just me.”
Yeah, I don’t like those demeaning nicknames, either. Even for our guys who they profess to like, it smacks of simple-minded passive aggression. I myself see two epicenters — a mouthy nurse with a mean streak (”Ratched”) and a Jimmie Walker/BoomBoom Washington wannabe.
“I hope Heyward lives up to the Hype. I can imagine the disappointment we will all feel if he washes out. God forbid.”
Yeah.
“You cant count on Chipper anymore. Not because he no longer has ability its because his age will continue to make him an injury liability. Nothing new there.”
You might be right — I think you’re wrong. We’ll see.
“Here is what I think is going to happen. Not much of anything. We have a good team. The front office know this. Further, I think the type of player we need wont be available at the price we want. . . . There will be some mid level signings but nothing big.”
I dunno. I was colorizing my sock drawer the other day, and all the little fellers were trembling. Turns out they’re terrified, completely convinced that at least one of them will get knocked off by a Wren trade sometime this offseason.
“I don’t see us trading KK as he is an affordable mid to late rotation guy who eats innings and can come up big in big games. Not to mention the PR hit it would be. Besides, If we were to trade him, what could we possibly get in return that helps us? No team is going to trade a RH power bat for him. So why trade him? Only reason you trade him is to make room for Hudson. However, I don’t see the Braves moving KK to accommodate a guy coming of TJ, as much as I would like them too.”
Good points.
“If we were to trade D. Lowe, which I’m not sure any team would take on that contract but what does it say to potential free agents? If they don’t have a good 1st year after signing a 5 year deal they will be traded? Not sure someone would want to put their family through that. Braves know this. So D. Lowe is staying.”
Same logic applies a million-fold to Kawakami. Difference is Lowe took the highest bid — Kawakami didn’t. He took the Braves’ word of their commitment to him. His trade would have significantly more drastic repercussions. (IMO.)
“Vazquez, again can we get the guy we want not need. In other words can we get the guy who will produce .285/35hr/.900 obs? That is the only way you trade Vazquez. I don’t think that is happening.”
Only way Braves trade Vazquez is if they cannot negotiate an extension. And maybe not even then, depending on how things go with Hudson.
“Hudson’s gone. I just dont see it any other way. Unfortuante I like the guy alot.”
We’ll see.
“Braves prob try an sign Laroche to a two year deal but he will walk and sign a four year deal somewhere else.”
Sounds likely, especially if he can’t get a no-trade clause here.
“If Heyward is a superstar and can be one from the start…we dont need anything.”
Except a starting 1B, middle relief and a closer.
Again, well done, sir.
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:12 am
Jeff R (October 16th, 2009 1:10 pm): “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. . . . [blah blah blah.]’
“Context matters.”
It ain’t a matter of context.
The sentence I quoted — your initial sentence — was the summary of your argument. The 9 or 10 lines that followed were your overwhelmingly convincing demonstration of how it didn’t make sense to you.
You completely ignore the context of the Braves’ pursuit, courtship and cost of their success in wooing him from rival teams like (specifically) the Red Sox (to whom the Braves had just lost — I think — Junichi Tazawa). Wren busted his a$$ to convince not only Kawakami, but also all his advisors, his family, the Japanese consulate in Atlanta, etc, that the Braves really, really valued Kawakami and wanted him in Atlanta and would take care of him while he was here. The Braves got Kawakami to commit to them in return for their commitment to him. In Kawakami, the Braves signed a FA, not a draft selection with few other options. How many MLB players are traded just one year after they have been signed as FAs?
Your off-target analogies and irrelevant f’rinstances only demonstrate how thoroughly you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Why in the world would I want to repeat that?
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:18 am
jeffrey d (October 16th, 2009 5:53 pm): “I don’t think McCann’s defensive shortcomings have anything to do with his sight.”
Oh, really?
And I suppose you can catch and throw the ball with both eyes closed? (Or even just one?)
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:25 am
choptalk (October 16th, 2009 5:47 pm): “hey wondering if you guys would do something like this if we decided to trade Vazquez
1. A big time power hitter with great average and maybe average prospect for Vazquez, Kj, Medlen.
2. Big time outfielder prsopect, 2nd or 3rd base prospect above average, hard throwing releif prsopect and maybe 1 or two other average prospects for Vazquez and KJ.
3. vazquez and Freeman for big time power hitting outfielder and 1-3 prsopects, 1 being releif pitcher, one being speedy leadoff hitter and the other being a average 2nd or 3rd base prospect.”
In each of your three scenarios, I think your proposed acquisitions could probably be gotten for Vazquez alone (except maybe not as many throw-in prospects in the second and third).
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:40 am
Salty (October 17th, 2009 7:45 am)” ” ‘…but I’ve got leftover crab out the whazoo, what do I do?’
“BAS … guess it’s just me, but somehow that sounds disturbing…an outcome of too much drinking revelry! Switch to drugs…or at least see a doctor?”
Yes, Bay Area Steve — there’s a big difference between left-over crab and second-hand crab.
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
9:50 am
Offseason financial blueprint:
1. C McCann $5.5m signed 4 more yrs
2. C Ross $1.6m signed 1 more yr
3. 1B LaRoche $8.0m re-sign to 3yr $24m deal
4. 2B Prado $0.5m controlled 4 more yrs
5. UT Infante $2.2m signed 2 more yrs
6. SS Escobar $0.5m controlled 4 more yrs
7. 3B Jones $13.0m signed 4 more yrs
8. OF Diaz $3.0m offer arbitration
9. OF McLouth $4.5m signed 3 more yrs
10.OF Bay/Holliday/Lee $18.5m sign to 4yr deal; Lee is same money, 3 yrs (Lee for Lowe?)
11.OF Schafer $0.5m controlled 5 more yrs
12. UT Conrad $0.4m controlled 5 more yrs
13. OF Heyward $0.4m controlled 6 more yrs
TOTAL PAYROLL, HITTING $58.6m
1. SP Vazquez $11.5m signed 1 yr; offer extension, 3 more yr, $36m
2. SP Jurrjens $0.5m controlled 4 more yrs
3. SP Hanson $0.5m controlled 6 more yrs
4. SP Hudson $12.0m signed (mutual option)1 yr; offer 3yr, $30m w/vesting 4th
5. SP Kawakami $6.66m signed 2 more yrs
6. RP Parr $0.4m controlled 5 more yrs
7. RP Acosta $0.5m controlled 5 more yrs
8. RP Medlen $0.4m controlled 5 more yrs
9. RP O’Flaherty $0.5m controlled 4 more yrs
10.RP Moylan $0.5m controlled 3 more yrs
11.RP TBD $1.5m sign a veteran setup man
12.RP Gonzalez $6.0m offer arbitration or sign 3yr deal
TOTAL PAYROLL, PITCHING: $41m
TOTAL PAYROLL: 99.6m
Dead money: DLowe, $3m (deal for prospect(s), absorb $3m/salary each of next 3 yrs)
Goodbye and godspeed: KJohnson ($2.82m in ‘09), Church ($2.8m), DLowe ($15m), Soriano ($6.1m), GAnderson ($2.5m), Norton ($0.8m). TOTAL: $30m
Potential breakthroughs, useful farmhands: Canizares, VNunez, Logan, Campillo, Blanco, Gorecki, Marek, Parr, Redmond, Kimbrel, Minor, Sammons
We can quibble one way or another about which seventh reliever you prefer, or whether it should be Bay or Holliday or Lee, which closer to keep, or whether you like Brooks Conrad and whether Schafer and Heyward are ready. Point is, we can bring it in under $100m, resign LaRoche, sign the bopper we needed last off season…key is stripping out a closer, KJ, Church and Lowe cleans out $27m that we can use for Bay/Holliday/Lee and LaRoche.
I think it may also make sense to consider the young-guy arbitration buyouts on Hanson, Jurrjens, Moylan, Prado and Escobar.
I believe this is a World Series contending team, without question. We really haven’t been a World Series contending team since the beginning of this decade. They held it together for a few years with bailing wire and duct tape. Hoping Liberty gives Wren just a little flexibility on payroll so he can get an honest-to-goodness bopper in here.
If they do, they can fit LaRoche, Huddy, and one of Bay/Holliday/Lee…and contend for the next half decade. I’m very bullish on the Braves in ‘10 and beyond.
Random (as Spike Lee)
October 17th, 2009
9:51 am
WAKE UP!!!”
Random
October 17th, 2009
9:53 am
Oops — sorry, Gov Clinton Tyree.
Jeff R
October 17th, 2009
9:56 am
Random… Sorry Random, I stand by what I wrote. I think you overstate the relationship and underrate the Japanese grasp of the American professional game. You make Kawakami and the Japanese out to have just fallen off the proverbial watermelon truck.
Might be news to you, but the Japanese are a sophisticated people with a good grasp of how the world works, especially how the United States functions, in business, culturally and politically.
American professional baseball is not novel to the Japanese. During the U.S. occupation, GIs popularized the game. The Japanese were, and many still are, fans and followers of the Yankees, Giants and Dodgers, which were all New York teams in the immediate post-war world and the most succesful franchises in the game. They get it on all levels.
Did Wren promise not to trade Kawakami? If so, he violated his own team’s policy against such promises, verbally or in writing. Might just tick off – or turn off – future free agents who might want that “promise” as well.
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
9:59 am
Two more comments on my little blueprint. One, I’m for giving LaRoche three years if that gets it done. Freeman’s not a sure thing; if he hits .340 with power in Gwinnett, you can move LaRoche.
Secondly, I am aware it might be tough to move Lowe. I am hopeful that Lowe at $12m is enticing to somebody (Houston? NYM?). I don’t think we need ANYTHING back, just need to be free of the contract (though taking back somebody else’s problem, say Carlos Lee or Ordonez, might be something to consider). If, however, there’s no market for Lowe, I’ve got to take a long, deep cleansing breath and trade Vazquez. Dealing a big pitcher contract is the only way to get our starting eight in order.
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
10:00 am
NP, Random.
Lew
October 17th, 2009
10:02 am
Just saw someone on another AJC blog actually say we needed to sign Smoltz as our closer for 2010. At what point do we decide that former Braves’ players are not what they once were?
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
10:05 am
I don’t care about “ticking off the Japanese”. I keep Kawakami because relative to his price, he pitched his a$$ off and he’s clutch. We shouldn’t even be talking about dealing Kawakami – getting his contract off the books doesn’t free up enough room to do what we need to do anyway.
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
10:08 am
While I agree with you, Lew, when I saw Smoltz with the Cards his breaking stuff was explosive. Pure and simple, Chris Carpenter nailed it – he was tipping his pitches. He’s lost a tic or two off the fastball, but I think he’s got another year or two left in the tank. I’d want him as a starter, not a reliever, but we don’t have a job and we don’t need to reopen that wound now.
Random
October 17th, 2009
10:09 am
Mid Town Joe (October 17th, 2009 8:30 am): “Is this guy a disgruntled Braves fan?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNL610tYqdk“
Hahahahaha!!!
Thanks — I laughed and/or empathized so much, I cried.
Robert
October 17th, 2009
10:24 am
How many days until pitchers and catchers report in 2011?
Lew
October 17th, 2009
10:27 am
Gov.-Did you maybe only watch him pitch against RH hitters? Against LH hitters, the line against Smoltz this year was .444, .490, .767. Maybe you think this an acceptable line for your closer, I hope you aren’t the GM of a team I like.
Lew
October 17th, 2009
10:27 am
Robert-I believe they report on February 14.
Lew
October 17th, 2009
10:28 am
That was Feb. of 2010. I don’t think they even have it figured out for when Cox retires. Not everyone is holding their breath until then like you are. But, then again, you probably look good in blue.
Random
October 17th, 2009
10:33 am
Jeff R (October 17th, 2009 9:56 am): “Sorry, I stand by what I wrote.”
Well, of course you do — or you wouldn’t've written in the first place. Yer just wrong — I would hardly expect you to admit it.
“I think you overstate the relationship and underrate the Japanese grasp of the American professional game. You make Kawakami and the Japanese out to have just fallen off the proverbial watermelon truck.”
As I said, that is what YOU think — and yer still wrong.
“Might be news to you, but the Japanese are a sophisticated people with a good grasp of how the world works, especially how the United States functions, in business, culturally and politically.”
Yes they are and do, and they absolutely reject that philosophy and will not willingly subject themselves to it unless they have to.
And since all future Japanese players will be coming over here as Free Agents, they will have the option NOT not to subject themselves to that philosophy, and to sign with a team that seems more sympatico to their own cultural/business values.
Please, give us some more of your insights into the Japanese people after you’ve lived and worked there for five years, negotiating contracts and interacting with them on a daily basis, professionally, socially and personally. We’d appreciate that.
Gov Clinton Tyree
October 17th, 2009
10:51 am
Lew: Yes, for the season Smoltz was brutal against LH hitting. However –
His WHIP in STL was 1.18. He wasn’t getting lit up by lefties then.
The splitter, which I’m not sure he was throwing, is what he uses as a putaway pitch against LHers. That may account for some of his early issues, along with tipping pitches.
I didn’t advocate him relieving. I said starting. And not for us. I think he’ll be a nice 4th starter, probably in STL, next year.
Can I still be your team’s GM?
McFann Ô
October 17th, 2009
10:53 am
Random And I suppose you can catch and throw the ball with both eyes closed? (Or even just one?)
I mean, obviously BMac had defensive shortcomings even when he could see well, but he seemed to have made significant improvements this year before he went half-blind. And right after he got his specs, he did a very good job of nailing base runners–caught 6 of 14 in May. Was actually 7 of 14, but Gibson got the call wrong on Beltran. (Unfortunately for me, May’s the only month I have that stat for…and I only have it ’cause Joe Simpson mentioned it when BMac caught this guy in June.)
McFann Ô
October 17th, 2009
10:55 am
Robert How many days until pitchers and catchers report in 2011?
Figure it out for yourself…nobody else cares right now.
Mid Town Joe
October 17th, 2009
11:01 am
Random
Did you notice how strong the light ray field affected that guy as he was leaving the store?
Jeff R
October 17th, 2009
11:05 am
Random, now is your “five years” comment your coy way of saying you’ve done so? That’s grand, and I’m mighty impressed, but, perhaps, you didn’t plum Japanese culture as deeply as you’d like us to believe.
Let’s examine here:
“Might be news to you, but the Japanese are a sophisticated people with a good grasp of how the world works, especially how the United States functions, in business, culturally and politically.”
You wrote:
“Yes they are and do, and they absolutely reject that philosophy and will not willingly subject themselves to it unless they have to.”
They must “have to” because they operate more than a few highly successful enterprises in the United States. They’re up against American competitors and have adapted to American marketplaces. Their formula for success isn’t purely within the context of the Japanese experience. Can’t be, any more than U.S. companies can operate as purely American concerns overseas.
As you would know, having lived their for five years, the Japanese have a strong sense of honor. Lying to them is a show of great disrespect, eh? Making promises that aren’t kept is also a big disrespect.
So, since you know all things about the Kawakami deal, did Wren promise Kawakami and his agents that he wouldn’t trade him? Did he tell them: “Well, we have one set of rules for all these other players, but we’ll make an exception for KK?”
And, yes, of course, the Japanese haven’t the slightest insight into how Americans conduct the busniess of baseball. Or, I should say, they do, but want to be treated differently. They want their own set of rules.
The Japanese are treated honorably when they’re treated honestly. I would believe that Frank Wren did so. So, were you privy to Wren’s discussions with KK and his agent?
If not, then we’re just getting YOUR two-cents as well.
Random
October 17th, 2009
11:11 am
Not “. . . NOT not . . .” — just “. . . NOT . . .”.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2009
11:16 am
Robert-I believe they report on February 14.
I think it’s a safe bet to say that Robert will be free that evening.
Duke
October 17th, 2009
11:24 am
Pretty odd scene at the Jayhawk midnight madness last night. What was up with those kids dressed as Michael Jackson DOB? They were dancing on the court. Weird scene
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
11:56 am
Figure it out for yourself…nobody else cares right now
Bravo!
McFann Ô
October 17th, 2009
12:07 pm
Steve from OH Bravo!
Thank you!
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2009
12:43 pm
Even as a Kansas grad whose team has to face OU next weekend, I feel bad for Sooners QB Sam Bradford. If you missed it, he just went down with a throwing-shoulder injury that looked almost identical to his previous one.
It seems like the dude has a problematic tendency to take all the weight directly on his shoulder when he’s falling, because in an effort to protect the ball he tucks it under and turns his shoulder just so. Don’t know if they need to stress to him the importance of just trying to get rid of it sometimes without waiting until he’s being tackled, or to somehow fall just a little differently … but that’s a problem for him, the way he does it now. I mean, an NFL team is going to gamble a lot that it won’t happen again with bigger, faster athletes hammering on him on Sunday.
Soph
October 17th, 2009
12:45 pm
Rally’s legs are gone again.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2009
12:45 pm
McFANN: Brilliant retort to the OCD robot. Perfect.
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
1:05 pm
Some video of Zeke Spruill and Adam Milligan for y’all:
http://www.baseball-intellect.com/jordan-lyles-ezekiel-spruill/
braveshoo
October 17th, 2009
1:21 pm
Come on guys-help me out. I’ve read all the suggestions to fill our needs for next year and beyond.Some of them are good,but none are as bold as we need to be.We need a big bopper for the middle of our lineup. If we get it, we immediately become world series material.Cecil Fielder does it, but only for 2 years tops, and I dont know if we can afford him. Cruz and others suggested dont get us there. We need Renolds, and he is not untouchable. He’s young, a good athlete(played ss in college) and only costs us the league minimum. He can play LF of 1st, and we have Chippers replacement in 2 yrs. He will hit 40+ HRS,and make all our hitters better. So how do we get him. The Diamondbacks need pitching and have alreaady contacted us. We have excess piching-natural trade partners. I have suggested Lowe and KK,but mostt think thats not enough, and you are probably right. So how about Vasquez,KK or Medlin,Freeman, KJ and the LH pitcher we just signed in the draft from Vandy. Thats a lot,but we can afford it. Arizona gets 2 SP that they desperately need+KJ to play 3rd or 2B, and 2 great prospects for the future. I dont like giving up Vasquez, but I think our 2 best pitchers next year and beyond are JJ and Hanson. I think Lowe will be better in his 2nd year after free agency,which often happens. KK or medlin will be fine as the 5th starter. We use Vasquez money to sign Hudson, and we use Soriano and KJ and Church money to sign Jingle Joints(sorry-my nickname for Laroche). We dont need Freeman if we sign LaRoche for 3 years which I think we can do for 7 million per year. He likes Atlanta, knows what its like on the other side of the fence(pittsburg),and he plays hi best ball in Atlanta. I think you can count on him for 30 HRs per year and great defense,but he not a clean-up hitter.We need Renolds. Pitching staff is still great: JJ,Hanson,Hudson,Lowe, and KK or Medlin. “Wild thing” and Moylan can handle the closing job. Bench is Diaz in the OF and Infane in the IF. We fill our bench with low cost guys we have in the minors. And we have a nucleus of JJ,Hanson,Renolds,Mac and Heyward for years to come. Great young players to build our team around. Come on Frank Wrenn-be bold and get our guy. Come on UGA-Brave and others. I dont post often but I read your posts every day and I love the Braves. Been rooting for them since the Dale Murphy days, and watch about 140 games a year. Help me out here guys. Give me your thoughts!
monty
October 17th, 2009
1:24 pm
If Hudson is retained and Vazquez or Lowe are not dealt, then you would have to think KK would be on the trade block. At 7 mil/per he’s too expensive for the pen, unless he was a very good closer, which he isn’t. I can’t picture FW promising a player “we won’t trade you,” regardless of what country he comes from.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
1:33 pm
Soph–
Yeah. He’s COLD!!
Wow, thanks, Chief!
VaBraveFan
October 17th, 2009
1:35 pm
We could always use Freeman as a trade piece to go along with one of our starters to net us a real deal cleanup hitter, and then it would allow us to offer Rochy a 4-5 year deal to be the long term 1st baseman and i’m sure he would accept because of the commitment we show with the security of a long term deal.
cabravesfan
October 17th, 2009
1:36 pm
Yeah. He’s COLD!!
McFann-
Send Rally out here- it’s beautiful today!
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
According to BA, the Braves granted Campillo, Carlyle and Vlad Nunez free agency.
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
Soph–
Isn’t it, though? I do like the cold…especially when I wake up in the morning…I even still use my fann a lot in the winter because I love to wake up chilly. Course, then it’s always harder to get up, ’cause my blanket is so nice and soft…
But it’s definitely not Rally Turtle weather…unless he wants to build some character…
braveshoo
October 17th, 2009
1:45 pm
Good anaysis Gov-I just prefer Renolds,but I think we agree on most of it. Want to apply for the asst. GM job?
VaBraveFan
October 17th, 2009
1:51 pm
We wouldnt be having this conversation if they would have traded Tex for Moralas, or hell, if the braves would open up the there wallets and sign Tex a Mvp caliber player to the deal he wanted , that the only problem i have with the braves they expect everyone to accept hometown discounts but then they’ll go out and OVERpay for a 36 yr old pitcher, why not go and pay someone that will produce for sure like a Tex? Yeah were a mid market team, but all the money we spent on pitching, its seems like the braves can never afford to spend on bats. This team has no speed and no power below average defense which equals middle of the pack even if we have the best pitching. They need impact speed or power for this team to have enough to contend. our 2 highest piad bats are Chipper at 13 mil and McCann making 5mil that are on the books right now, just think how bad this team would have been if Prado didnt step up and be a spark which was a huge surprise, who expected him to turn into a everyday player, and woa what if we never trade Frenchy would have been alot more k’s with runners on and double plays for the rest of year if he was here. The team needs to balance it self out.
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
1:52 pm
braveshoo–I don’t think AZ has the payroll flexibility to add Lowe, Vazquez or KK…
In addition, I think you’re offering way too much for Reynolds. He’s young, yes, but he plays in a small ballpark and I worry about his ability to make contact. Now, I’m not usually one to whine about strikeouts, but 225 K in one season is worrisome. He has a good BB%, but not a great one, and that won’t make up for a lack of contact ability enough to give him a solidly above-average OBP, especially if he runs into some bad luck BABIP-wise.
That said, he did OPS almost .900 last year and hit 45 bombs, which is excellent. I’m all for trying to acquire him, but we need to be careful about what we give up for him IMO. Vazquez/Medlen/Freeman/KJ is way too much, IMO.
VaBraveFan
October 17th, 2009
1:55 pm
Vasquez has a clause in his contract that he cant be traded to west coast teams so arizona wouldnt be his spot to land the bat.
225k’s geez what does he close his eyes and swing hard as he can?
brent a.
October 17th, 2009
2:01 pm
This OU-Texas game is one of the wildest, low-scoring games I’ve ever seen.
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
2:12 pm
On the other hand, Reynolds’ predicted OPS was pretty much right at his real OPS this year.
prOPS for Braves hitters:
Chipper: .891
B-Mac: .850
Yunel: .818
Prado: .764
Diaz: .843
Nate-Dawg: .795
Kelly: .754
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
2:23 pm
Wish there was some sun today, though…kinda sick of the wet stuff.
Soph
October 17th, 2009
2:55 pm
McFann -
I love this weather! I could sit outside all day in it.
Now, when it’s 30 somethin degrees in the morning – that I won’t like.
Vinings Jim
October 17th, 2009
2:56 pm
cabravesfan – good luck in your big game, before you head off – very sad that a good Irish Catholic girl like you is so anti-Notre Dame…
Vinings Jim
October 17th, 2009
2:56 pm
Soph – too damn windy!
cabravesfan
October 17th, 2009
2:57 pm
VJ-
4th generation Trojan
It comes with the Cardinal and Gold
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2009
2:59 pm
Steve from OH: Not surprising. They’re not going to use 40-man roster spots for any of those guys during the winter. Can re-sign them later to minor league contracts with invites to spring training, which I think they’ll do with Campillo, for sure, and probably one or both of the others.
Soph
October 17th, 2009
3:01 pm
VJ -
The wind is the best part! Besides, you’ll only have to tolerate it for a few more weeks.
cab –
Ok, it pains me deeply to say this but go Trojans today.
Eek. This is the only time of the year you will hear me say that.
Steve from OH
October 17th, 2009
3:09 pm
DOB–makes sense, considering that they’ll need some space to protect a few guys from Rule V…
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
3:22 pm
Soph–
Eh, 30’s not so bad…but I’m “hot-natured”, so I welcome it with open arms.
My FAVORITE temp’s are 40’s-low 70’s. 50’s-60’s is PERFECT!
Still no signs of my little Beggar Ben, though…hope he comes back. We’re gonna miss him terribly if he doesn’t show up.
Vinings Jim
October 17th, 2009
3:26 pm
Soph – she said thanks – she is at her brother’s to watch the game – that will be my intro to them two weeks from today, watching the Oregon game on Halloween…
BosnianBaller
October 17th, 2009
3:43 pm
I just read strasburg pitched in the arizona fall league yesterday.When do the braves players play?
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
3:55 pm
The Hardest Logic Puzzle Ever.
Acorn
October 17th, 2009
3:59 pm
Is Escobar going to bat higher in the lineup in 2010? Prado has more power than he does. Escobar has more on base ability. Escobar should bat 2nd and Prado should bat lower in the order.
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
4:00 pm
BosnianBaller –
When do the braves players play?
Pretty much every day. Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Brandon Hicks, Mike Minor, Craig Kimbrel, Jeff Lyman, and Lee Hyde are the Braves’ representatives. They play on the Peoria Saguros team. Here’s their roster and here’s the AFL schedule.
Mid Town Joe
October 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
P.W.
I plead the 5th.
Roman Gal
October 17th, 2009
4:16 pm
Figure it out for yourself…nobody else cares right now. McFann
Wow, McFann is feisty today. That has to be one of the best responses I’ve seen on here in a while. Nice!
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
4:23 pm
Roman Gal–
Thanks!
P. W. Hjort
October 17th, 2009
4:26 pm
Mid Town Joe –
My head hurts.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2009
4:33 pm
Hey, what about my Robert being free on Valentine’s Day? Anyone?
McFann Ô –[brr!]
October 17th, 2009
4:35 pm
jeffrey d I think it’s a safe bet to say that Robert will be free that evening.
Carney Johnson
October 17th, 2009
4:36 pm
is that lust in joe buck’s eyes?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LF5wNeasqyU
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
October 17th, 2009
4:39 pm
monty,
You don’t think the players who are participating in free agency take into consideration the possibility they may be traded with a potential club? If I were a free agent this year or next or when ever and saw that D. Lowe signed a long term deal and the following year he was traded, I would factor that in my decision to sign a contract that not only has implications for me but also my family. Who want to be traded to Washington or some other weakling?
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2009
4:42 pm
Kidding, btw.
McFann managed to be insulting, polite, feisty, civil, and humorous. At the same time. That deserves whatever the opposite of a wallopin is.