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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,586 comments Add your comment
KC
October 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
Bat, I think you’re right. Now if the Braves traded HUDSON one year into an extension, that might be a different story because you’d be talking about a guy who made a sacrifice to be a Brave. But Lowe got 60 million bucks to come here.
No one could have predicted that he wouldn’t even be needed one year into his contract. If Wren had a crystal ball, he never would have signed the deal. But the situation is what it is, and it’s not like Lowe is going to find himself in a Royals uniform next year. If he’s going anywhere, it’s going to be a large marketing, for a winning team.
And I agree that Boras isn’t going to take exception to a trade here. Doesn’t effect his wallet or that of his client in any way.
KC
October 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Efrim, we went after AJ instead of Lowe too. But we still signed the Lowe deal when the Burnett pursuit feel through. I think there’s an excellent chance the Yankees would have done the same had AJ opted for Atlanta. AJ was believed to be the best FA remaining on the marketing at the time, and Lowe the second best.
Plan “A” didn’t work out for Atlanta, so they went with plan “B”. The Yankees would have done the same.
If the Yankees aren’t interested in Lowe, I think that would only be due to concern over the sub par year he just had. But I do think the Braves are sincere when they say they’re not concerned about Lowe for next season; and that he’ll bounce back… and I think there are other teams that feel the same way. Maybe the Yankees are among them. We’ll see.
But the bottom line is that the Yankees need another starter for next season, and there isn’t a pitcher better than Lowe on the free agent market (assuming ‘09 was nothing more than an off year for him). And the Yankees can afford him.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
3:24 pm
Congrats on the Tech win, McFann.
I really wanted UConn to win.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
Soph–
Thanks!
Why UConn?
nolie
October 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
1-5 don’t matter so much as 1-3 or (if worse come to worst) 1-4.. (Random)
au contraire mon ami if you are talking regular season. The better the bottom end the better the rotation can pitch against anybody else’s . After a few weeks number one ain’t necessarily pitching against number one, and it’s a huge advantage for your #4 or #5 to be able to keep you in a game against the front of another team’s rotation. Lot’s of folks forget that even ith the big three the Braves usually had a very good #4 and a good #5 often too.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
3:45 pm
I don’t know who the GT game telecast was affiliated with, but whoa, it was one of the worst I have seen. That a shopping show came on after says something, I suppose, not sure what though.
Random
October 24th, 2009
3:46 pm
I think that the easiest way for the Braves to trade Lowe would be for the Yankees to lose tonight and tomorrow night.
Go Halos!!!
Random
October 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
nolie (October 24th, 2009 3:43 pm): “au contraire mon ami if you are talking regular season.”
Yeah, well we were talking LCS and beyond.
Efrim
October 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
But the bottom line is that the Yankees need another starter for next season, and there isn’t a pitcher better than Lowe on the free agent market (assuming ‘09 was nothing more than an off year for him). And the Yankees can afford him.
I’d much rather have John Lackey going forward than Derek Lowe. And unfortunately, you can’t just discount this past season.
nolie
October 24th, 2009
3:54 pm
Yeah, well we were talking LCS and beyond. (Random)
I didn’t see the beginning of the comments.sorry
nolie
October 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
d much rather have John Lackey going forward than Derek Lowe. (Efrim)
me too, but no other FA pitcher matches up with Lowe IMO. You can’t ignore 09 but he has bounced back B4 so some desperate team might be willing to take a chance. I would think that the Yanks would make a big push for Lackey though.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
anyone know if hank blalock is going to be a free agent
Efrim
October 24th, 2009
4:00 pm
me too, but no other FA pitcher matches up with Lowe IMO. You can’t ignore 09 but he has bounced back B4 so some desperate team might be willing to take a chance. I would think that the Yanks would make a big push for Lackey though.
nolie, I think the Braves can find a taker for Lowe. However, I do not think that team will be the Yankees or Red Sox.
nolie
October 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
I do not think that team will be the Yankees or Red Sox.
I think you’re likely right there, and I’m not completely sure that they will find a taker but I think there’s a decent chance that they will.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
nevermind i found out he is..i was going to say derek lowe and prospect for nelson cruz and blalock
Soph
October 24th, 2009
4:13 pm
McFann – there was a UConn football player stabbed to death on campus earlier this week. The players were pretty distraught but they played well today. Almost won.
P. W. Hjort
October 24th, 2009
4:24 pm
Studying Derek Lowe’s hit-luck influenced stats versus his defense independent stats leads you to the conclusion that he’s very likely to rebound in 2010.
McFann Ô
October 24th, 2009
4:27 pm
Soph–
I see…yikes! That’s really sad. Yeah, wish they coulda won.
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:22 pm
If Chipper plans to retire a Brave, why not restructure his contract again and defer his salary over 10 years. What’s the difference, he still gets the money and the Braves have the moola to sign a big bat.
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:23 pm
He has done it before.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:25 pm
travis that would be a good idea..chipper wants to win and win now so i dont see him having a problem with that..does frank wren have the balls to ask chipper to do that we’ll see.
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:26 pm
Does Chipper have the nuts to offer?
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:31 pm
maybe but only if we are considering a holliday/bay or maybe in jermaine dye ..i dont know
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:31 pm
I think Chipper will be with this club even after he retires and the better they play the more money for everyone. If Liberty can unload this franchise and get a good offer because they are playing well and putting butts in the seats, everyone wins.
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:33 pm
Chipper needs Bay/Holliday type protection in the lineup.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:33 pm
i wish ted turner would buy us back!
Travis
October 24th, 2009
5:38 pm
Maybe Rush Limbaugh!
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:42 pm
lol yeah im a philly eagles fan F Limbaugh.
MitchC
October 24th, 2009
5:45 pm
Has anyone been to the Braves website? It looks like Hudson and the Braves are in serious negotiations about a contract that would pay him no more than 29 mil over 3 years. Consdering that he averaged 11 mil a year during his last five year contract, that would be a bargain.
At that price, I hope we re sign Huddy. The options if we do that would be to trade Javy Vazquez, who would bring us the biggest return for a bat in the trade market, or to try and trade Lowe or KK. If we trade Lowe, we would likely have to pay a portion of his contract to whatever team takes him.
I hope we dont have to trade Vazquez. I think that would be a mistake. He’s much younger than Lowe, and has more of an upside. If we end up keeping Lowe, and re signing Hudson, we then have two very young pitchers in our rotation in JJ and Hanson, and two old guys in Lowe and Hudson.
My bet is: We will probably end up re signing Hudson, trading Vazquez, and keeping Lowe. It wouldnt be what I would do, but with our options, it would seem this is the most realistic scenario.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
who could we get for vazquez?
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
5:48 pm
What’s the difference, he still gets the money and the Braves have the moola to sign a big bat .
# 1 investments
# 2 inflation
# 3 retirement
# 4 sanity
P. W. Hjort
October 24th, 2009
5:51 pm
Mike Minor tossed 3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while recording a strikeout in today’s game.
Hicks is 1-3 with a walk so far. Freeman is 1-3.
I’m very pleased with the progress Hicks has made.
Acorn
October 24th, 2009
5:52 pm
If the Angels don’t resign Lackey, maybe we can trade Lowe to them for Juan Rivera?
nolie
October 24th, 2009
5:53 pm
I’m very pleased with the progress Hicks has made. (PW)
meaningless small sample size.
keylargo
October 24th, 2009
5:56 pm
I see the drinking started early today.
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
5:58 pm
if they angels are going to spend 15 mill a year for a pitcher i think they’d much rather give lackey a deal
Andrew
October 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
maybe we’ll bring back john smoltz to close or setup if we keep gonzo..
Vinings Jim
October 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
Thrillhouse44 – if you’re out there -your boys hung in there for 12 minutes – nice to have a Homecoming win
richbrave – your guys looking good again this week
P. W. Hjort
October 24th, 2009
6:11 pm
nolie
meaningless small sample size.
The results are, yes. How he came by them, not so much.
P. W. Hjort
October 24th, 2009
6:12 pm
Lyman pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and hit a batter.
P. W. Hjort
October 24th, 2009
6:16 pm
Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect 9th.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
6:32 pm
I see the drinking started early today
What makes you think drinking is involved?
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
6:50 pm
Tennessee is still alive. They just recovered the onside kick with 1:16 left. 12-10 Alabama.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
6:54 pm
UT don’t blow this!! Great comeback so far…
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
6:54 pm
Tennessee is in field goal range, inside Bama’s 30.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
6:55 pm
Biggest kick of this guy’s life. 44 yarder to beat the AP #1 team in the nation, at their yard.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
6:56 pm
I wonder what Greg Norton would do in this situation?
nolie
October 24th, 2009
6:56 pm
How he came by them, not so much. (PW)
sorry I ain’t buying any of it. He has been old for every level and still hits 230. I’ll believe in him after I see him succeed in the bigs for a year or so. I have very little faith in him ever becoming more than a MLB sub at best
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
6:56 pm
I knew something like that would happen. Dang…
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
6:57 pm
Unbelievable. Cant these guys block? What a joke.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
6:57 pm
I wonder what Greg Norton would do in this situation?
Slip on the way to kick the ball.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
6:58 pm
Bama Fans: We just beat the hellouta you!
Uh, I don’t think you did.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
7:01 pm
I havent heard much talk about who the Braves number #1 pinch hitter will possibly be next year. Or is that job going to Kelly Johnson (after all, many of you who have a “man crush” on Kelly want the Braves to so desperately sign him).
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
7:07 pm
Also, I’m still waiting for someone to take me up on my bet: The other day, I offered to bet anyone on here $100 that IF Kelly Johnson were to re-sign with the Braves…..it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.
Now, dont get me wrong. I dont want the Braves to sign him at all. I would LOVE to see Frank Wren non-tender him.
However, a number of you on here keep “pushing” that Kelly Johnson will agree to a 2010 contract with the Braves at around 80% of his 2009 salary.
And I keep saying “that aint going to happen”. As David O’Brien said the other day……..it is VERY RARE where a player in years 3-6 will accept less than his previous year’s salary.
Again, I know that the Braves can sign Kelly without offering him arbitration. However, I’m saying that Kelly Johnson WILL NOT accept a 2010 contract with the Braves that calls for him to make less than he made in 2009.
Simply put, it aint happening.
So, any takers on my bet?
MattyRoss
October 24th, 2009
7:10 pm
Tempting, Letz, but your logic is pretty sound in this case. Gotta pass.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
7:11 pm
Someone took that bet sometime yesterday…I don’t remember who though.
jeffrey d
October 24th, 2009
7:12 pm
Saturday night and I’m talking with Lentz…time to head out
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
7:25 pm
While I appreciate the production that Adam LaRoche gave the Braves after the trade deadline………I feel it would be a BAD move economically for the Braves to re-sign him to anything other than a 1 year contract.
If LaRoche wouldnt accept a 1 year contract from the Braves (chances are he wont), then I feel that the Braves should either…..1.find a 1 year stop gap until Freddie Freeman is ready in 2011…….2. Package Freddie Freeman in a trade for another team’s established first baseman who is looking to cut payroll………or 3. Give Freddie Freeman a chance to win the Opening Day job in Spring Training.
Option 3 would seem to be the least favorite. However, not out of the rhelm of possibility.
Signing LaRoche to a 3 or 4 year deal isnt very smart, given the cheap option that Freddie Freeman will provide. Sure, the Braves could sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal and then “trade him” after the 2010 season to open a spot for Freeman.
However, do you guys really think that Adam LaRoche is going to be inclined to take the old “hometown discount” that many of you are clamoring that he ask for…….if he feels that the Braves are going to dump him after only 1 season? He’d be better off just getting as much money as he can on the free agent market from a team that actually wants to keep him for the duration of his contract.
It seems that some of you on here just sprout off with your “wishful thinking” scenarios without actually thinking about the realities of these decisions.
In other words, if the Braves sign LaRoche to a 3 or 4 year contract, it will be with the understanding that the Braves are going to keep LaRoche for the duration of his contract.
If the Braves were to sign LaRoche to a 3 or 4 year deal and then trade him after 1 year (just like many of you on here want to see the Braves do with Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami)……..how easy do you think it would be for the Braves to attract quality free agents in the future? Do you really think that a Matt Holliday or a Jason Bay would even “consider” signing with the Braves if the Braves were to do that?
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
7:26 pm
jeffrey d…….who took that bet? I checked and saw no takers.
Jurrjens4NLCY
October 24th, 2009
7:28 pm
I’ll take that bet…
Random
October 24th, 2009
7:29 pm
Travis (October 24th, 2009 5:22 pm): “If Chipper plans to retire a Brave, why not restructure his contract again and defer his salary over 10 years. What’s the difference”
I expect you’ll hear a howl out of half the blog here when they realize you’re proposing that Jones take up a spot on the ML roster for the next ten years.
That’s the difference.
“Does Chipper have the nuts to offer?”
He wouldn’t need to have nuts — he’d need to BE nuts to agree to that deal. Nuttier than you, even.
Soph
October 24th, 2009
7:31 pm
Dammit, I missed the ending of that game.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
7:36 pm
Random………I somehow missed your 12:20am posting.
I’m still game for the bet. However, instead of April 15th, I want the cut off date to be when the last of the salary arbitration cases are heard………OR…………when Kelly Johnson signs his contract………whichever happens first.
If the Braves non-tender Kelly (which I think will end up happening), then no one wins the bet.
That way, you wont be able to weasel your way out of paying by hoping the Braves will trade Kelly before Opening Day. My contention all along has been that if Kelly signs a 2010 contract with the Braves (whether it is before they offer him salary arbitration……or through an arbitrator)…….it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.
Now are you game?
Random
October 24th, 2009
7:40 pm
Paul Lentz (October 24th, 2009 7:07 pm): “Also, I’m still waiting for someone to take me up on my bet: The other day, I offered to bet anyone on here $100 that IF Kelly Johnson were to re-sign with the Braves…..it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.
“So, any takers on my bet?”
(October 24th, 2009 7:26 pm): “jeffrey d…….who took that bet? I checked and saw no takers.”
Give me an effin break, you hopeless moron.
Lemme know if you don’t know how to follow that link, and I’ll copy and paste my comment on the current page.
Freak.
Random
October 24th, 2009
7:42 pm
Oops.
I take it back.
Yer not a freak.
Random
October 24th, 2009
8:03 pm
Paul Lentz (October 24th, 2009 7:36 pm): “I somehow missed your 12:20am posting.”
Ahem . . . no big deal. Could happen to anyone.
“I’m still game for the bet. However, instead of April 15th, I want the cut off date to be when the last of the salary arbitration cases are heard………OR…………when Kelly Johnson signs his contract………whichever happens first.”
“Now are you game?”
Nope.
I’ve all along said that the Braves would not offer Johnson arbitration (which imo is the only way he would get a $3.0M contract) UNLESS THEY HAD ALREADY WORKED OUT A TRADE OF HIM. That ain’t weaseling.
I’m not gonna set myself up to lose on a technicality because of the timing of the execution of that trade.
YOU’VE been saying that IF Johnson plays for the Braves next year, it would be at $3.0M or more. That’s what I’m betting against.
“My contention all along has been that if Kelly signs a 2010 contract with the Braves (whether it is before they offer him salary arbitration……or through an arbitrator)…….it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.”
I don’t want you squelching on the bet if Johnson is signed by the Braves at that amount only with the intent to trade him.
I’m willing to compromise — if Johnson begins the season on the Braves ML roster with a contract of $3.0M or more (not counting incentives), I lose.
If Johnson begins the season on the Braves ML roster with a contract of less than $3.0M (not counting incentives), you lose.
If Johnson does not begin the season on the Braves ML roster, the bet’s off.
Deal or No Deal?
braveshoo
October 24th, 2009
8:11 pm
Sign Hudson for 9 million per yr.Trade Lowe to the Dodgers or Arizona for prospects.Saves us 6 million per yr. Do not resign Soriano, Kelly Johnson, Church, and Norton. Saves us 13 million. We now have 19 million for a big bat at 1B and LF. We can trade the extra prospects we got for Lowe to SD for Gonzales at 1B and still have 14 million for Bay or some other big bat for LF. The alternative is to trade lowe or prospects for Derrick Lee, or resign LaRoche. WE must fill 1B 1st, and then use the rest of our extra money for LF. I think this is the gameplan, and I think we can get it done.
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
8:50 pm
Paul Lentz: Sure, the Braves could sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal and then “trade him” after the 2010 season to open a spot for Freeman
Are you saying trade him is some kind of euphemism. For what, banishing him to the fourth dimension, turning him into a GD goat. What in the hell is wrong with you.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
9:00 pm
Random………no bet. I prefer to keep it simple. I’ll stick to what I ORIGINALLY said: If Kelly Johnson signs a contract with the Braves…it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.
What got me started on this was reading what some of these guys were saying about “Kelly accepting a 2010 contract at 80% of his 2009 salary”. My response was that “it will NEVER HAPPEN”.
That is when I decided to back my point by making the proposed bet.
You want to “expand” the bet and cover yourself with the “trade” angle.
The Braves could very well sign Kelly with the intention of trading him to another team who is stupid enough to want him.
Regardless of their “plans”…….the bottom line is that the Braves will either non-tender Kelly…….or sign him to a 2010 contract worth at least $3 mil.
Again, are there any takers?
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
9:10 pm
Bat Masterson………..here is a news flash for you: If you arent the Yankees, you cant sign high priced All-Stars at every position.
If the Braves were to sign LaRoche to a 3 or 4 year deal (and assuming that the Braves plan on keeping him for the duration of the contract)……what happens to Freddie Freeman?
Part of the appeal of Freddie Freeman being the opening day 1st baseman in 2011 is that he’ll be a minimum salary player. That is important, given the fact that Jair Jurrjens, Yunel Escobar, and Martin Prado will be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2010 season.
Jurrjens and Escobar will be in line for SIGNIFICANT raises after 2010. If Escobar, Jurrjens, Prado and Tommy Hanson were all eligible for arbitration this winter……the Braves would either have a payroll approaching $120 mil…..or they would have to dump some salary or forgo signing any free agents to improve the team. A competitive team needs a mix of high priced and low priced productive players.
That is why Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward being ready by 2011 will be VERY IMPORTANT for the Braves from a financial standpoint. Freeman and Heyward will help soften the blow of the rising salaries of Jurrjens, Escobar and Prado in 2011.
So knowing that, I dont see how signing LaRoche to a 3 or 4 year contract makes economic sense to the Braves.
Jurrjens4NLCY
October 24th, 2009
9:24 pm
Paul’s right. But it is important that we get LaRoche for 2 – 3 years. Freeman won’t be ready by 2011, thats plain to see…
Bat Masterson
October 24th, 2009
9:32 pm
Bat Masterson………..here is a news flash for you: If you arent the Yankees, you cant sign high priced All-Stars at every position
I don’t need a lecture from you on the economics of Major League Baseball. You, on the other hand, are welcome for the lesson on euphemisms and the use of quotation marks. Six paragraphs from Paul Lentz without even one improper or incoherent use of quotation marks.
Check- freaking- mate, Bat Masterson
Southern by the grace of God.
Jim
October 24th, 2009
9:46 pm
Freeman still has to make the team in 2011 – and that’s not guaranteed. So, if Laroche signs for four year at market (not a discount) because it is Atlanta, he might just last at least three and maybe four year in Atlanta. We know what Laroche can do, and maybe he can be better with improvement in first half of season. Betting on Freeman on an otherwise contending team is a bit too much of a gamble. If Lowe can be traded, do it, and use $$$ and more for Bay – long term.
Random
October 24th, 2009
10:01 pm
Paul Lentz (October 24th, 2009 9:00 pm): “no bet. I prefer to keep it simple. I’ll stick to what I ORIGINALLY said: If Kelly Johnson signs a contract with the Braves…it wont be for a penny less than $3 mil.”
You pusillanimous pissant.
You’re already backtracking.
You WERE saying that if Johnson PLAYS for the Braves next year, it would be for at least $3M.
I’m saying if Johnson plays for the Braves next year, it would be for less than $3M.
YOU’RE the niggler trying to complicate the bet with cavilling caveats and petty quibbling.
Your exact words were “I’d be willing to bet anyone on here $100 that if Kelly re-signs with the Braves” and “if Kelly Johnson is wearing a Braves uniform come Spring Training” — the clear and simple implication was “if Johnson plays for the Braves next year”.
But now you’re backtracking and saying you meant all along “if Johnson signs a contract with the Braves, regardless of whether he plays for them next year”.
Not the same thing, dude. YOU’RE the one trying now to NARROW the bet, and back off your original wager.
Yer a welcher.
David O'Brien
October 24th, 2009
10:12 pm
My boys (Jayhawks) were outmanned and dominated by the Sooners today, and OU did it, of course, without its Heisman Trophy QB and outstanding tight end. Oy. A humbling afternoon for the KU squad.
Thankfully, KU’s priority sport will soon begin. Because this football season has deteriorated rapidly the past two Saturdays.
On a brighter note, I found a great pair of used boots that I bought from a guy at a Lawrence thrift shop for $20 (talked him down). And a cool hooded sweatshirt from the Love Garden record store in downtown Lawrence.
Then we headed to the game and watched Todd Reesing have perhaps his worst game as KU quarterback. He was really not good today. Surprisingly, alarmingly bad.
David O'Brien
October 24th, 2009
10:21 pm
Ozzie, if anyone knows that business is business, it’s Boras.
His guy (Lowe) is getting his $45 mill over the next three seasons, whether it’s from the Braves or another team. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that’s what matters most to the agent.
Fred
October 24th, 2009
10:22 pm
I honestly can’t believe this huge debate about KJ. It’s not worth the energy because there is no way the Braves are bringing him back next year. His high salary just doesn’t work with the Braves payroll restrictions and roster needs. Why don’t we just move on to something else, like who will play 1B, LF, or RF for the Braves next year?
Joebrave
October 24th, 2009
10:47 pm
Kelly Johnson? Jordan Schafer?Greg Norton?…..Wish I had some of that dope!!!
First of all Kelly Johnson is Bobby’s Beatch, so more than likely Bobby will have to man crush on some other non performing turd next season, I can’t see Wren re-upping this clown!!
Jordan Schafer, did anyone here watch this porr little turds first 2 months in the show?? Good grief, that kid is another Jo Jo Reyes…send him packin, with Norton, Soriano,Gonzo (and that stupid Rockin),Think Think Think!!! do you really want to put these hapless bums back on the field next year???
I am open for trades of any ilk, and Yes including Escobar.
AdirondackDave
October 24th, 2009
10:47 pm
With the Braves likely to sign Hudson and Lowe perhaps being picked up by someone else, KK looks like the the best No. 5 starter in baseball to me. Even more than this year, the starters are going to keep the team competitive game after game.
If Wren is anywhere near as successful this winter building the offense and bullpen as he was last winter with the rotation, the club could easily improve a dozen games. Remember, we will have Hanson for 6 months, not less than 4 that he was up this year. And that doesn’t include Chipper finding his stroke. The next couple of months should tell the tale. Could be a helluva year coming up.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
10:49 pm
Random…………My point all along is that Kelly Johnson wont sign a contract (under any circumstances) with the Braves for less than $3 mil.
Look, just to prove to you how confident I am (it isnt like I can lose this bet, the worst I can do is “push”, meaning that either you luck out by the Braves non-tendering him…..or by the Braves trading him before Opening Day)……I’ll go ahead and accept the bet under your terms.
Again, I cant lose. Worst I can do is push on this bet.
richbrave
October 24th, 2009
10:50 pm
DAVE:
Have they cleared away all the bodies from the smoking ruins of LAWRENCE. Couple of eight year olds, we kinda’ feel bad about killing.
Signed,
Confederate raiders, WILLIAM C.QUANTRILL and “BLODDY” BILL ANDERSON
richbrave
October 24th, 2009
10:57 pm
Well, if KELLY wants 3 million with the year he had, then he definitely wants to leave BRAVO-TOWN.
Joebrave
October 24th, 2009
10:59 pm
Let’s get hypothetical, to trade from strengths seems to be more commensurate for all parties involved, however no one wants to raid the farm!!! and folks ya can’t sell chicken squat and make people think it’s Chicken soup.
Why not start with a trade that will make perfect sense for depth.
say///
TO BOSTON:
Yunel Escobar
Kenshin Kawakami
TO ATL:
M Delcarmen
C Bucholz
D.Bard
J.Lowrie
now how many bargaining chips do you have if you’re Frank Wren?
Don’t like Bard, okay
To K.C.
Schafer
Bard
To Atl
Soria( closer problem solved)
Re-sign Huddy
Re-sign Laroche2yrs + option
Now You’ve got
LAA
MIL
Tampa
Stl
and yes even the Mutts that desperately need pitching.
and now with some extra dough and arms, Wren can open his own Vaseline!!!
maybe deal Javy to Mil, along with Cody Johnson, and Jo Jo
for Alicedes Escobar, and Matt Gamel.
and PAY Holliday, or Bay what they want.
I’ll take an outfield of Holliday, McLouth, and Heyward/Diaz.
and infield of Laroche, Prado, A.Escobar, and Chippy
B.Mac behind the dish, and a starting Rotation of
J.Jurrjens
Bucholz
Hudson
Hanson
and unfortunately b/c of the albatross contract Lowe.
pair that with a pen of
Moylan
Delcarmen
Medlen
Logan
Olaherty
Soria..
all I would say is Bring it Philly.
But that’s just me.
Buzz
October 24th, 2009
11:01 pm
Go Ramblin’ Wreck! The kids are on a roll.
Joebrave
October 24th, 2009
11:05 pm
I wonder what the benefit would be from having an oft injured Nick Johnson at first, versus LaRoche.
Or maybe pick up a Garrett Atkins for a change of scenery.
Random
October 24th, 2009
11:19 pm
Paul Lentz (October 24th, 2009 10:49 pm): “I’ll go ahead and accept the bet under your terms.”
Okay — it’s on!
ozzie
October 24th, 2009
11:26 pm
I can’t see the Braves doing anything other than trading KJ. There is no way they go to arby with him.
So its a trade (very soon) or DFA.
Mitchie-san
October 24th, 2009
11:33 pm
My prediction is that Kelly Johnson will not be a Brave next year. He has no place on the team. Omar Infante is the back-up infielder. The only value Kelly has is in Bobby’s heart, not Frank Wren’s. And while I am a fan of what Wren has done, he doesnt have much heart for players.
Francoeur was also young with alot of potential and the team moved on. Plus, with all the money issues going on, I cant see Wren paying 3mil for an inconsistant, pinch hitting, third string second baseman who is a defensive liability. It would be foolish.
The experiment didnt work.
Kelly’s gone.
The only way I can see him signing with the Braves is if he gets released and signs back with them for less money. (but why would he?)
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
11:36 pm
richbrave……….It’s just the way the arbitration process works. During years 1-3, the team can pay you whatever they want….even if you win the MVP or CY Young Award.
However, during years 4-6 is where the advantage tilts toward the player. Even players that have SUCK A$$ years like Kelly Johnson had in 2009 get raises during their arbitration years.
Again, I understand that Kelly Johnson can agree to a 2010 salary of 80% of his 2009 salary with the Braves. However, RARELY does a MLB player every agree to a pay cut during his arbitration years. What ends up happening is that either the team tries to limit the amount of the raise…….or they non-tender him.
I mean, look at Ryan Church for example. In 2008, Ryan Church was paid $2,000,000. He struggled in 2008 (partly due to the concussion he suffered against the Braves). He had a pretty disappointing year. Yet he got a bump to $2.8 mil for the 2009 season.
Or look at Willy Taveras. After his 2007 season with Colorado, he signed for $1.975 mil. His batting average dropped 70 points (and only hit 2 homers with 26 RBIs in 133 games) and still got a raise to $2.250 mil for the 2009 season.
What will be interesting to see is what happens to J.J. Hardy of the Milwaukee Brewers. He was paid $4.650 mil for the 2009 season. He basically had a similar season to Kelly Johnson. His numbers SUCKED A$$ as well.
Yet if the Brewers tender him, he will surely get a bump to over $5 mil, whether by arbitrator of by coming to an agreement with the Brewers. You can bank on it.
Paul Lentz
October 24th, 2009
11:41 pm
Random……..by the way, if the Braves non-tender Kelly and then re-sign him to a low base contract……..then the bet is still a push.
Just to make it clear, any contract Kelly signs with the Braves while he is eligible for arbitration as a member of the Braves his off season (meaning he has to sign before the Braves non-tender him) has to be for at least $3 mil…….or you win the bet.
RHR
October 24th, 2009
11:46 pm
jeffrey how could you root for UT? Ugh.
And how bout Krazy Ass Kiffin bringing his A game against #1 and #2 in the nation? I knew that would be a close game. I don’t like it. UT was doing perfectly fine with Phil Fulmer at the helm. Kiffin is his first season losing to 1 and 2 by a combined 12 pts on their home fields is going to look mighty good to recruits. Saban, Meyer, and now this guy? Help, Damon, help.
RHR
October 24th, 2009
11:47 pm
BAS – I’ll give you $1000 if you’ll go smash that dude’s computer right now.
TnBrian
October 24th, 2009
11:51 pm
Fred, I’ve been asking that question for a while now. Kelly is an expensive emergency player for this team.
I was listening to a local sports radio channel here in Chattanooga this morning & they mentioned the Braves offseason situation. They agreed with many of us that moving Lowe & his big salary with all the good pitching we already have would be the way to go. They seemed certain that a team will take Lowe in a heartbeat. I could name 3 teams off the top of my head that might be in that boat… Yanks/Boston/Tigers
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 24th, 2009
11:53 pm
Pauline Dense is such a pussy. He throws out a bet, then Random takes him up on the bet, then he starts to hem and haw like the chicken sheyt azz hole that he truly is….
Typical.
Steve from OH
October 24th, 2009
11:57 pm
RHR–I’ll pitch in and make it two…
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 25th, 2009
12:01 am
Pauline Dense comes on here and makes a bet. Random takes him up on it. Then he hems and haws like the chicken sheeyt azz he truly is…..
Typical.
jeffrey d
October 25th, 2009
12:03 am
jeffrey how could you root for UT? Ugh.
Because UT spanked us and if they beat #2/#1 Alabama makes us look better. A little.
Plus my mom and a couple of my cousins went to UT
Vinings Jim
October 25th, 2009
12:05 am
Damn USC, playing so late – not that it matters after tonight…
RHR
October 25th, 2009
12:06 am
Ew. Did you run away from home as a child? I would have.
Auburn made us look pretty good tonight, and look at Arky and the gators last week. Arky really won that game in my book. Stinkin’ refs.
RHR
October 25th, 2009
12:08 am
The USC game has been over for a while, Jim. She must be stuck in traffic.
Are you getting anxious? I bet your daughter will be glad to have you over there. Would you like me to shut up on here?