Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,586 comments Add your comment
Efrim
October 24th, 2009
9:58 am
Pretty unbelievable that the Phillies are the first team since the Braves to repeat as NL Champs. I underestimated the team prior to the season. I thought regression from Lidge, Utley’s offseason hip surgery, Ibanez to Burrell, and the lack of overall depth in the starting rotation would hurt the team. But the additions of Happ and Lee really extended the rotation and Ibanez outperformed most everyones expectations. Utley was also his normal self, one of the top five players in the sport. It’s interesting to look at their team the next couple of seasons, though. Here’s a list of their free agents after the 2010 and 2011 seasons(and their age the following season’s opening day):
2010: Moyer(48), Lee(32), Blanton(30), Feliz(35), Werth(31), Dobbs(32)
2011: Howard(32), Ibanez(39), Rollins(33), Hamels(28), Romero(34), Victorino(31), Madson(31), Durbin(34)
Now, they have quite a bot of money coming off of the books in those years, but it’s going to take some great work from Amaro and his staff to figure which players he wants to give a contract to. Given that most of them will be in their early thirties and past their baseball prime, that’s a lot of tough decisions. This is not to say that the Phillies can’t continue to be successful past 2011. With the right moves and minor league callups(Drabek, Taylor, Brown, D’ Arnaud), they may keep rolling. But it’s just something to think about moving forward.
David O'Brien
October 24th, 2009
9:59 am
The Braves didn’t have to do much, if any, calling around to realize they would be able to move either K.K. or Lowe this winter to open a spot for Hudson. There’s just going to be so few proven pitchers on the market, there’s no way Braves will be stuck with too many starters if they want to move one (which they will).
And obviously if it came right down to it, they could get plenty in a trade for Vazquez (but as we’ve said, they’d be very reluctant to trade Vazquez; that’s not what they’re looking to do).
Hudson’s willingness to take less than $10 mill per season made it an easy decision for Braves to go in that direction.
CB
October 24th, 2009
10:04 am
DOB,do you think it is possible the Braves are talking to Vazquez about an extension? Thanks,if you have time to answer.
MZ
October 24th, 2009
10:13 am
DOB ———
So essentially what you’re saying is the Braves will most likely trade either K.K. or D. Lowe … but what can they expect in return for either/or? Solid bench guy? a young pitching prospect or two?
Also: Do you think whatever deal is made for K.K. and/or D. Lowe would only involve said pitchers or would it turn into a package or possible multi-team deal that would see quite a few players move around? I guess what I’m asking is if the Braves find a taker for D. Lowe, do you think Wren is open to the idea of making it a package deal if he could get a bopper in return?
Braveheart
October 24th, 2009
10:19 am
How exactly is Kawakami a steal at $6.66 million? He was okay, but his work didn’t exactly inspire. His pitching as a starter was worth in free agency dollars about what he was paid this year, but value in free agency dollars is about double what your overall market worth is. If they sign Hudson, the Braves don’t need Kawakami. Sell high. Not a big fan of holding on to a 35 year old who didn’t average 6 IP per start, and who didn’t have a great K rate or a great GB/FB rate. The balls weren’t exactly flying out of the Ted for anyone this year. If they were, I think we’d be talking about KK a bit differently. 4 HRs in 79 innings at home. 11 homers in 77 innings on the road. Hopefully, some other team won’t notice that, and will trade for him. If he stays, I won’t complain, but if he goes, I won’t complain either.
McCann is not the ideal cleanup hitter, but if we had better hitters hitting fifth, sixth, and seventh for most of the year, we wouldn’t be talking about McCann as a bad cleanup hitter. It wasn’t really McCann that was failing to provide Chipper protection, it was crap like Garrett Anderson that was failing to provide protection to McCann and Chipper. Garrett Anderson was absolute garbage this season.
Why would Laroche get a no trade clause contract from anyone? He ain’t good enough to warrant a no trade from any team that has a clue about what it is doing. I understand it makes little sense for him to take a hometown discount in Atlanta if he doesn’t get a no trade clause (especially considering that they already traded him away right after he had a breakout season), but he ain’t getting a no trade clause from any team with a clue. Because he’s not good enough to secure himself no-trade security from anyone, he’d be wise to seek financial security from the highest bidder.
CB
October 24th, 2009
10:27 am
Braveheart,are you advocating trading KK instead of Lowe or do you want to trade both? Just wondering how you meant-understand you are not a fan of KK.
Efrim
October 24th, 2009
10:27 am
Garrett Anderson was absolute garbage this season.
I couldn’t agree more with that statement, and basically everything else you said.
Lew
October 24th, 2009
10:30 am
Damn-It’s days like this that make me thrilled I’m a UGA grad and not a Dartmouth alum. It is 42 degrees here this morning (I live 35 minutes from Hanover, NH), it’s not expected to get any warmer, it’s pouring-cold and raw. It’s also Dartmouth’s homecoming. Good thing I hadn’t planned on going today. It’s perfect weather to stay inside.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
10:34 am
But Wayne, if I am so smart, why am i still driving home at 2am?
More importantly, were you driving and typing??
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
10:35 am
That’s gotta be at least a hundred times more dangerous than texting and driving
Lew
October 24th, 2009
10:47 am
Braveheart-The only problem I see about trading Kawakami is that there wouldn’t be enough salary savings to get us the bat we need, whereas letting Hudson walk or (if even possible) trading Lowe would net us considerably more $$$$$$, getting the Braves much closer to where they need to be.
Whatever. My whole point all along has been that we need to keep and extend Vazquez. If the Braves can trade Lowe to retain Hudson, I’ll be happy. Otherwise, Free Hudson.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
10:50 am
Normally I don’t like these small schools playing nobodies and getting high rankings (see 2007 Hawaii). But for the sake of a terrible BCS games, I’m pulling for TCU and Boise State and Cincinnati.
Although I understand that a team like Florida or Texas would leap ahead of them even if they had one loss and the smaller schools were undefeated. But can you imagine a BCS Championship Game of like Boise State vs. Iowa? Take THAT BCS.
Lew
October 24th, 2009
10:56 am
Drivin and Typin-A new Southern Rock Band?
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
11:00 am
Soph that’s funny because Pebbles always annoyed me. Didn’t she always say da-da or something?
Oh yeah, she was annoying, too…the show wasn’t quite the same when they got the kids. There were still some funny episodes, but overall, not as good. Fred wasn’t as mean anymore–he laughed when Barney said something dumb! I mean, he’s s’posed to yell at him…
I always pronounced it Duh-Q-lah but I think someone tried to correct me one time saying it was the other one – Dacooola. Crazy Gwinnetians.
Hey, I’m a Gwinnetian and I can’t say that crazy word–Daculua is sorta how it came out last night…it’s like “ambulance”–cannot say that word unless I really try…
Uga-brave mcfann before you go crazy i am a heap fan.
They always hit me with the snow-job whenever they “knock” BMac for something…
No really, though, jeffrey’s right–I do NOT want BMac at cleanup again…like, ever. I do, ya know, totally agree with Braveheart on the matter…though I don’t know if I’d call GA garbage…
he cant protect chipper and since the scouts have put the shift on he has been somewhat average.
I wouldn’t say that he can’t protect Chipper…just that, ya know, they picked the wrong year to throw him into the four-spot–what with his eye issues and all, he couldn’t see pitches quite as well. And yeah, that shift caused some problems–he’s just gotta go back to using the whole field. I know he cann.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
11:06 am
Drivin and Typin-A new Southern Rock Band ?
Did anyone see Craig Ferguson, Thursday night, Lynyrd Skynyrd was on?
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
11:25 am
Lew
How can you keep saying to just let Tim Hudson walk? That would have to be the very last thing that I would do because he is worth signing even if it is just to control where he goes, i. e. not the Mets or Phillies. I will have to throw in here that I am not sure if Hudson will fall into the 10/5 category and thus not be able to be traded without his permission – which would cost somebody.
But if you are not going to trade him and he returns to form, he is at least as good as any pitcher we have. And very reasonably priced for a veteran pitcher. However, I do think it is going to cost the Braves at least $30 M for 3 years – maybe with salaries of $9, $10, $11 Mill. Regardless, cheaper than Vazquez.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
11:31 am
Bat
I did not see them on Ferguson’s show but did see them a few weeks ago on Mike Huckabees Fox News Show. They sounded fairly good and looked healthy.
EWare
October 24th, 2009
11:32 am
Lew, got the print in the mail today. Thanks a lot, man. It looks awesome. My wife was astounded that someone would do something like that for free. It’s good to know that there’s still some great people in this world. Thanks again.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
11:33 am
This makes some of the loonies on here look like they’re composing symphonies
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuJ4CCtGNf2BISR3ZxiP8Vqe5HNG;_ylv=3?qid=20091024083002AAHwdL1
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
11:49 am
Hey Keylargo, thanks. I have not paid any attention to those guys since the 70’s and honestly did not the other night. It was just afterwards, Ferugson was kicked back with his feet on his desk, saying something like, well I’m just rocked out and I’m going to have to go rest up and get my rock built back up… ect. And maybe it was just me, but I thought, wow that was cold .
abwright
October 24th, 2009
11:50 am
Lew, 10:56 am … “Drivin and Typin-A new Southern Rock Band?
I don’t know, Lew. I heard that Sutheners were all ADD. Drivin’ and Typin’ would probably lose focus after the first lyric.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
11:50 am
jeffery d, that was just probably someone’s idea of satire, don’t you think?
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
11:53 am
You’d certainly hope so
KC
October 24th, 2009
11:53 am
Braveheart: “How exactly is Kawakami a steal at $6.66 million? He was okay, but his work didn’t exactly inspire.
Braveheart, from May 1 on, his ERA was 3.34… and he allowed 3 ER or less in 19 of 21 starts. He also came through in the clutch and showed the ability to raise his game in big situations, against top tier pitchers.
I’m not suggesting that he’s a CY candidate here, but at 6 or 7 million… by today’s payroll standards, he WAS most definitely a steal.
abwright
October 24th, 2009
11:56 am
My 2 more cents on the great Hudson controversy …
If the Braves work out a contract with Huddy, especially if it has a home town discount, I doubt that they would consider trading him this year. That would be a poor faith negotiation.
Given how they recruited Lowe and Kawakami, it would be a little cold to trade them after one year.
Even though I’m not happy about this, it seems that Vazquez, with one year left on his contract at something like $12M is your odd man out.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
11:58 am
Bat
That was cold. Sort of the attitude that permeates through the blog at times.
Mike Huckabee (former Ark. Gov. who ran for Pres. in 08) plays the Bass and joined in with the group for a song and had a good couple of minutes of conversation after.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
12:02 pm
Lowe will be 38 next year, with 3 years left at 15 million per. If I could trade him, I would not care if he thought it was cold or not. He will have plenty of money to salve his feeling.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:04 pm
Yes, this is Major League Baseball, not Barney. It’s not always feel-good.
Joseph G
October 24th, 2009
12:05 pm
I don’t know if anyone has suggested this but since Detroit may let Palanco go would they trade Marcus Thames for Kelly Johnson? The Braves have nothing to lose really. Thames isn’t a huge thumper but gives us more power than last season. Plus Thames could play 1st if LaRoach goes else where.
N8
October 24th, 2009
12:07 pm
Braveheart, if you take KK’s numbers from May – August (after he had a month to adjust, and since he wasn’t in the rotation in September), he made 21 start, pitched 121 innings (almost 6 per start – 5.76), and had an ERA of 3.42 during that span.
The ONLY thing one could argue about is that it would have been nice for him to go another inning each game.
I think he’ll be better next year after adjusting to American baseball away from his home and family. I could be wrong.
But in the end, he was a better “bargain” than Lowe was, dont you think?
During that same stretch (May – August), Lowe made 23 starts, pitched 135.1 innings (5.88 per start), and had an ERA of 4.65.
Yeah. I’d say KK was a steal in relative terms to what Wren overpaid for Lowe. There is no doubt in my mind with the roll KK was on, that he would done in September what he basically did in August. So, save his poor April (when Lowe was at his best), KK out pitched him.
Lowe ended up with 194 IP, KK had 154. But give KK 5 starts in September and he’s around 175 (he did pitch 13 innings of relief in September).
It’s funny to me that 6 months later I’m singing the praises of what KK did for the year, and ripping on Lowe a little bit. I wanted Lowe badly last winter, and raved about his worth in April (while ragging on KK for the first month or two).
But, there is no denying that KK’s 8 or so million is a steal compared to Lowe’s 15 million.
Or do you disagree with that?
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:07 pm
Thames is a .240s hitter with 10-20 HR. That’s what Jeff Francoeur did and we ran him out of town.
RHR
October 24th, 2009
12:08 pm
there’s no way Braves will be stuck with too many starters if they want to move one (which they will).
But it won’t be KK, right Random?
Lew
October 24th, 2009
12:10 pm
KeyLargo-Whatever Dude. I just really don’t agree, but it won’t be the first time I was in the minority on what I thought should happen. Kind of like last year when I tried telling people that Jake Peavy would be the most absurd signing we could make. NO one believed me and even DOB came down on me for my supposed dementia. No one believed me when I said that Javy Vazquez would be an incredible signing. But, was I right?
Whatever. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. However, losing a pitcher coming back from serious elbow surgery just is NOT my idea of the best way to go-especially when guess what? We don’t need him. We do, however, need the money he would be paid.
Like I said-IF you can work a deal for Lowe, then you do it and sign Hudson. If not. Free Hudson. It isn’t like we don’t have the horses to pitch in his place already under contract or that we are certain he will pitch like he did for Oakland (he hasn’t so far) or even for us prior to his surgery. Lowe has never been DLed. Vazquez has never been DLed. Hudson? Not so much.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
12:11 pm
RHR
What happened with the Dan Brown book? Finish it or give up?
Random
October 24th, 2009
12:12 pm
Braveheart (October 24th, 2009 10:19 am): “How exactly is Kawakami a steal at $6.66 million? He was okay, but his work didn’t exactly inspire. His pitching as a starter was worth in free agency dollars about what he was paid this year, but value in free agency dollars is about double what your overall market worth is. If they sign Hudson, the Braves don’t need Kawakami. Sell high. Not a big fan of holding on to a 35 year old who didn’t average 6 IP per start, and who didn’t have a great K rate or a great GB/FB rate. The balls weren’t exactly flying out of the Ted for anyone this year. If they were, I think we’d be talking about KK a bit differently. 4 HRs in 79 innings at home. 11 homers in 77 innings on the road. Hopefully, some other team won’t notice that, and will trade for him. If he stays, I won’t complain, but if he goes, I won’t complain either.”
Geezum, Will. What was that whole preceding paragraph, if not “complaining”???
“Why would Laroche get a no trade clause contract from anyone? He ain’t good enough to warrant a no trade from any team that has a clue about what it is doing. I understand it makes little sense for him to take a hometown discount in Atlanta if he doesn’t get a no trade clause (especially considering that they already traded him away right after he had a breakout season), but he ain’t getting a no trade clause from any team with a clue. Because he’s not good enough to secure himself no-trade security from anyone, he’d be wise to seek financial security from the highest bidder.”
As far as I know, the only team that was ever mentioned as giving LaRoche a no-trade clause was Atlanta, and that only in the context of receiving a “hometown” discount. So you answered your own question.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
12:12 pm
I’m going to make McFann proud and watch the Tech game.
Lew
October 24th, 2009
12:14 pm
abwright-How can Southerners be considered to have ADD? Dude, Free Bird is at least 6 minutes long.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:14 pm
Oh I didn’t know it was on now. I always watch the GT game…but I always root against them.
Lew
October 24th, 2009
12:15 pm
eware-Glad you like the print. Great men? Maybe, but I doubt you’d find many to include me on that list.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:15 pm
6 minutes? The solo alone is like 10.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
12:18 pm
I can’t ever get into a GT game. Never captures my attention.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:21 pm
Really? That option, man…I’m not a big TV yeller, but seeing guys continually get beat on the GT option…I mean, you know it’s coming! Yet they rack up 400 rushing yards a game.
IF we end up beating Tech (big if) it’s best for us if they win out, so maybe I shouldn’t root against them.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
12:21 pm
Soph–
Good girl!
I can’t ever get into a GT game. Never captures my attention.
Oh…well never mind then…
RHR
October 24th, 2009
12:22 pm
Bat – its either terrible or it hasn’t gotten cold and boring enough to hold my attention. I’m gonna give it another try in the dead of winter. I’m like this with reading, I’ll read like 25 books in a row and can’t stand not to have something to read. Then I get out of it and can’t get into a book again for 6 months.
Random
October 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
keylargo (October 24th, 2009 11:25 am): “I will have to throw in here that I am not sure if Hudson will fall into the 10/5 category and thus not be able to be traded without his permission – which would cost somebody.”
Well, he’s got at least 10 ML years (11 if his 21 starts in ‘99 count), the last 5 of which have been with the Braves.
If the Braves do extend him, I think he’d definitely be a 10/5 veteran.
(Nota bene, abwright.)
Soph
October 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
McFann -
lol I’m still watching though. I’m sure that VA fumble made your dad happy.
jeffrey too, I’m sure.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
Great punt!
jake
October 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
Prado’s the LIKELY second baseman? How can there be any question? Aside from the fact that he’s a better hitter than Johnson, he’s a vastly superior fielder. Johnson has never looked anything more than mediocre at second; Prado’s a natural infielder. We’ve all seen Johnson blow way too many easy plays to be comfortable with him out there. If anyone moves to the outfield — if not AAA — it’s got to be Johnson.
Random
October 24th, 2009
12:25 pm
RHR (October 24th, 2009 12:08 pm): “But it won’t be KK, right?”
Kawakami will not be traded.
Random
October 24th, 2009
12:27 pm
Lew (October 24th, 2009 12:10 pm): “But, was I right?”
Yes, you were right.
RHR
October 24th, 2009
12:27 pm
You tell ‘em, Random.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:29 pm
jake – I love Prado, but you’re talking like he’s Ozzie Smith in the field. I’d say he’s only average with a not-so-great range.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
12:31 pm
Well, he’s got at least 10 ML years (11 if his 21 starts in ‘99 count), the last 5 of which have been with the Braves.Random
Random – I looked at exactly the same list, but was not sure if the Braves could us his DL time against him. If they were able to and did trade him before the start of the season, he would only have 4+.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
12:35 pm
Well, he’s got at least 10 ML years (11 if his 21 starts in ‘99 count), the last 5 of which have been with the Braves. Random
Random – I was not sure if the Braves could use the DL time against his time with the Braves, thus leaving him with 4+ but not 5 years.
Steve from OH
October 24th, 2009
12:39 pm
DOB–given your comment and the fliers that Random has been passing out to the neighborhood, I take it Lowe is on the block?
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
12:47 pm
RHR, thanks.
I read, and enjoyed” The DaVinci Code” and thought about picking up “The Lost Symbol” but I got Pat Conroy’s latest instead. It’s sitting on the bottom of a stack of six or so, and I have not been reading as much lately as my norm. Advocating for things I think are important, have taken up a lot of my time, and yet I have read some very good books. I just reread “We Need To Talk About Kevin”, by Lionel Shriver, last week, man that is a powerful book.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
12:50 pm
Soph–
And I still watch UGA games sometimes…the one against Ten. was pretty good.
I’m sure that VA fumble made your dad happy.
Yeah…but the 15 yard penalty and now this…
RHR
October 24th, 2009
12:50 pm
All the things I’ve read that didn’t have the name Random beside them would suggest that both Lowe and KK are on the block. What do Bowman and Olney know? I mean, this is Random we’re talking about here.
But you have to assume the return for KK wouldn’t be great then he is probably the least likely to be moved out of Lowe, Hudson, Javy and KK.
rico carty
October 24th, 2009
12:52 pm
Need to trade Lowe, pure and simple. Braves were really negotiating against themselves at the end, overpaid him probably $3M given the 4 years on the contract. I don’t even care if we get “value” for him if we can let $10M or so of that contract go, admit the mistake, and move on. We were desperate last year, and it is easily understood why Lowe got that contract, but with Hanson, Medlen, Minor, etc. don’t need 38 year old making $15M. Just dump the salary, mainly.
cabravesfan
October 24th, 2009
12:52 pm
ESPN News is the best to watch on Saturday mornings- nothing but live look ins at all the games and scoring chances
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
12:56 pm
I think Lowe is the person most of us would want to get rid of but because of his age and contract, he has the smallest value of our 6 starters. Funny how that works out.
…actually, it’s exactly what you’d expect. But that won’t stop people from thinking other GMs will blindly overvalue Lowe in their proposals.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
Does anyone remember seeing a guy post here under the nom de plume, Doc Ford?
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
Hey about about we try offering Lowe and Schafer for Pedroia and Tom Brady?
CB
October 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
McFann, GT is behind. :mr.green:
Chris
October 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
resgining hudson and trading lowe or kawakami looks like the way that the braves will go for this offseason. also, the braves will have to sign a closer for about $4 or 5 million, maybe adding a reliever and a 4th outfielder as well, all while trying to find a big bat in the middle of the batting order. unless the braves payroll goes up about $10 million next year, i possbily cannot see how they can fill this need of getting a big bat (unless they trade freeman which could essentially be quite possible)
Soph
October 24th, 2009
1:01 pm
Hey about about we try offering Lowe and Schafer for Pedroia and Tom Brady?
No. I like Matt Ryan.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
1:02 pm
Brady would be pitching.
N8
October 24th, 2009
1:03 pm
Of the “final four” teams that were in the LCS’s, I think it’s safe to assume that we had a better rotation 1-5 than all of them. With Moylan, Soriano, O’Flare and Gonzo at the backend of the bullpen (adding KK and Medlen down the stretch), our bullpen stacked up against anybody’s.
Did we have a starter that could have battled with Cliff Lee or Sabathia? I think we did. What was lacking on our team?
The offense. Period.
So once the “problem” is found, one must find a solution to fix it. If it is determined that Liberty Media isn’t going to allow Wren to retain all of the pitching AND go hard core after a couple of guys (because we need a couple of guys), like Holliday and/or Jason Bay, then a person with common sense must come to the conclusion that some pitching needs to go.
If it is brought to Wren’s attention that Lowe could be desired by many teams out there, and Hudson is willing to sign for around 6 million less than Lowe is making over the next three years, the only logical decision is to lock up Hudson and trade Lowe.
Even IF Hudson goes down again, it’s “only” 9 million on the DL. Not the 15 million Lowe is going to make, not the 15-16 million Hampton was making. Not the 12 million Smoltz was making.
To me, trading Lowe and signing Hudson on the cheap is the difference for all of you Vazquez lovers, in signing him long-term. Think about it. Vazquez is going to get a raise over his 11.5 million. If over the next 3 years, Wren pays Hudson 27 million instead of giving Lowe 45 million, that is 18 more million that Vazquez can be offered.
I think if the Braves offer Vazquez 3 years 45 million dollars, he signs longterm. No questions asked. Meaning, we’d have Hudson, Vazquez, KK, Hanson and JJJ signed over the next 2 years (3 for everybody but KK), for around 35 million dollars per year. Leaving 65 or so million to spend on the rest of the team.
To put it in perspective, we currently had around 47 million tied into our rotation for the 2009 season (with insurance helping pay Hudson, I’m sure).
Think Wren could have used 12 million of flexibility last winter when trying to find a bat or two?
Sorry Derek Lowe….. you gotta go.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
1:05 pm
I bet Ryan pitches better than Brady. Why not just borrow him?
N8
October 24th, 2009
1:05 pm
Rico Carty, your 12:52 pretty much nails it.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
1:06 pm
You’re not working with the crazy logic, Soph.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
1:11 pm
I threw in my own crazy logic. Ryan can pitch. Or, we borrow someone from the Hawks.
KC
October 24th, 2009
1:11 pm
Chris, I don’t think the Braves are going to be looking for a fourth outfielder at all. They’re going to be looking for a big right-handed power bat… and there’s a good chance that will come at one of the outfield corners. If they do that, we’re likely looking at Diaz and Heyward sharing one of the OF corners. If not on opening day, than most likely in June.
I still hope they’re able to re-sign LaRoche, in addition to adding a big righty bat.
CB
October 24th, 2009
1:12 pm
N8, I think you are overvaluing the contract that Vazquez would draw as a free agent. You have to remember he is coming off his best season,no guarantee there will not be some digression. I think the Braves can sign him to 3yrs at a 33-35mil contract. He is very happy as a Brave and I really think he wants to stay.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
1:14 pm
Well, he’s got at least 10 ML years (11 if his 21 starts in ‘99 count), the last 5 of which have been with the Braves. Random
The reason I was not sure is that TH was on the DL last year. If that time is not counted then he has 4+ years of service. I do not think this will be the case though.
And by the way, if the Braves sign Hudson, I do not want them to trade him. I only said that as a last resort instead of letting him walk.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
1:15 pm
I still hope they’re able to re-sign LaRoche, in addition to adding a big righty bat.
Especially after seeing some of the other options on the FA market. I’d almost rather have Freeman get a baptism by fire than have Mientkiewicz in there.
What others have been saying about gm 9-3 sport « suelexy
October 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/10/22/wrens-plan-for-braves-get-better/?cxntfid=blogs_…Jayson Werth just hit his second home run of this game as I started writing, and the Phillies were up 9-3. Thanks for showing up, Dodgers. Oh, and that two-year, $45 million contract the Dodgers gave Manny Ramirez less than eight months … [...]
Chris
October 24th, 2009
1:20 pm
KC- i dont think church will be with the braves next year, and i dont think the braves want blanco nor brandon jones to be the 4th outfielder on opening day. unless heyward completely tears it up before opening day, i believe they want diaz as a starting outfielder, he earned it after this year (unless they trade diaz) and i think LaRoche will be be back next year at around $8.5 million next year.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
1:26 pm
I see GT doesn’t like to throw on 3rd down.
KC
October 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
N8, It seems pretty likely that the Braves will re-sign Hudson at a bargain price. And it’s almost CERTAIN that if anyone wants to assume all of Lowe’s contract, he’s as good as gone. The question is… Is there anyone willing to take on all 3 years of an aging D.Lowe with a 45 million dollar price tag??
I think there are probably only 3 possibilities without eating a significant portion of the contract: NYY, BOS, LAA.
The Yankees actually seem like a pretty good possibility. They need another starter or two, and they have quite a bit of cash coming off the books with the expiring contracts of Damon and Matsui (not that it matters where the Yankees are concerned).
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
1:29 pm
CB
:mr.green: No period and you will have it.
Steve from OH
October 24th, 2009
1:31 pm
If they trade Lowe and extend Hudson, I look for the Braves to offer a similar extension to Javy as well…
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
The Braves didn’t have to do much, if any, calling around to realize they would be able to move either K.K. or Lowe this winter to open a spot for Hudson. There’s just going to be so few proven pitchers on the market, there’s no way Braves will be stuck with too many starters if they want to move one (which they will). DOB
This was only written this morning, so I am sure that there is more of a market than some of you are trying to establish.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
CB–
Not anymore!
CB
October 24th, 2009
1:39 pm
thanks,keylargo. McFann, shut up.
Steve from OH
October 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
It looks like John Sickels is going to be putting out his Braves top 20 list soon…anyone wanna rank their own top 10?
Efrim
October 24th, 2009
1:58 pm
The Yankees actually seem like a pretty good possibility. They need another starter or two, and they have quite a bit of cash coming off the books with the expiring contracts of Damon and Matsui (not that it matters where the Yankees are concerned).
There is a reason the Yankees went after Burnett instead of Lowe. Can you imagine Lowe in the American League East? Not pretty. He struck out 5 per 9 innings this year. I doubt that Cashman would be interested. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see them or the Red Sox having any interest at all unless the Braves were willing to eat a good bit of the contract and/or not asking for much in return.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
2:02 pm
CB–
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
2:03 pm
Touchdown!
Random
October 24th, 2009
2:23 pm
Sledge drives in 5 runs for Japan’s Fighters (AJC headline)
That’s the “HAM Fighters”, if you please — “Japan’s Ham Fighters”.
(”Nippon Ham Fighters”, actually.)
ozzie
October 24th, 2009
2:23 pm
DOB do you think giving up on Lowe after one season will create an issues with Boras (and his clients – e.g. asking the Braves for no trade clauses)?
Obviously if they threw a $18-20mm/yr deal at Holliday on the back side of dumping Lowe he would get over it.
Just wondering how this would sit with involved parties. My take is that its a biz and they all get it but I am curious on your take.
If the Braves were to get any kind of a payroll bump (in theory) to help with landing a bat would they still prefer trade Lowe over KK? Lowe makes more financial sense but he has been a big game/post season star whereas KK seems to be stuck between a long man and spot starter given his inability to pitch deep into games.
Travis
October 24th, 2009
2:27 pm
Free agency players might not want to come here with Bobby in his last year. Probably have to trade for a big bopper and maybe Dye is the answer just to dump Lowe’s salary for a one yr player. Or is Dye good for two?
Random
October 24th, 2009
2:33 pm
keylargo (October 24th, 2009 1:14 pm): “The reason I was not sure is that TH was on the DL last year. If that time is not counted then he has 4+ years of service. I do not think this will be the case though.”
From the MLB/MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement:
“ARTICLE XIX—Assignment of Player Contracts
A. Consent to Assignment
(1) The contract of a Player with ten or more years of Major
League service, the last five of which have been with one Club,
shall not be assignable to another Major League Club without the
Player’s written consent.”
Hudson’s “been with one Club” (the Braves) for the last five years — DL does not come into play.
Anthony
October 24th, 2009
2:39 pm
DOB,
Where does Medlen fit in with the team right now? He was having a better year than Hanson at AAA when he was brought up. Do they see him as the long arm in the bullpen once again next yr? The dude obviously has some good talent.
Random
October 24th, 2009
2:43 pm
RHR (October 24th, 2009 12:50 pm): “All the things I’ve read that didn’t have the name Random beside them would suggest that both Lowe and KK are on the block. What do Bowman and Olney know?”
It ain’t just me — what about Efrim, flange1, Lew & DOB hizzownself?
“I mean, this is Random we’re talking about here.”
And just what is that supposed to mean? When have I ever been wrong (here)? (And you’ll get no hints from me.)
(Well, just one hint — Abreu. Ask DOB.)
Random
October 24th, 2009
2:50 pm
Bat Masterson (October 24th, 2009 1:00 pm): “Does anyone remember seeing a guy post here under the nom de plume, Doc Ford?”
Not me, not this season. Was it earlier than that?
Random
October 24th, 2009
2:56 pm
N8 (October 24th, 2009 1:03 pm): “Of the “final four” teams that were in the LCS’s, I think it’s safe to assume that we had a better rotation 1-5 than all of them.”
1-5 don’t matter so much as 1-3 or (if worse come to worst) 1-4. But yer general point is taken — so stipulated.
“With Moylan, Soriano, O’Flare and Gonzo at the backend of the bullpen (adding KK and Medlen down the stretch), our bullpen stacked up against anybody’s.
“Did we have a starter that could have battled with Cliff Lee or Sabathia? I think we did. What was lacking on our team?
“The offense. Period.
“So once the “problem” is found, one must find a solution to fix it.”
Exactly.
And “the fix” is in.
Sign Manny for two years and $35M.
There — wasn’t that easy?
Next!
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
2:59 pm
I don’t get all the angst over whether Lowe might feel disparaged, in someway, if he is traded. It’s not like the guy had some burning desire to be a Brave after all. He wanted a four year deal for as many dollars per as he could get. He got what he wanted, and if he gets traded he still has what he wanted, the contract.
As far as Boras is concerned, my guess is you could slap him up side the head and call him an SOB, and as long as you came back with the offer he wanted, he would be fine with you.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
3:07 pm
Nice!
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
3:10 pm
Thanks Random, yeah it would have been this season. I suppose It could have been somewhere else. No big deal, just wanted to check if his name had to do with a writer named,Randy Wayne White.