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
Rock On......
October 27th, 2009
9:18 pm
Just wondering…anyway we can reduce the entire NBA season to 30 minutes? Would suit me fine.
Wouldn’t read too much into the Heyward AFL thing. He was more than ready for the AFL and will be more than ready for ST. It will be how he performs in ST as to whether he will make the roster. The Braves need a LF power bat regardless of Heyward as it is assumed Diaz will man RF until Heyward is up. Still the key is signing LaRoche IMO. Without him or a trade of Lowe for say a Gonzales type then we need two more bats. Doubt that will happen. I still say Heyward is on the opening day roster, LaRoche is signed, and we procure another bat for LF with Diaz as the 4th outfielder. I doubt the setback in AFL scares Wren too much.
Dies Irae
October 27th, 2009
9:20 pm
Sciatica for Heyward perhaps ?
Dies Irae
October 27th, 2009
9:22 pm
The Braves need a LF power bat regardless of Heyward as it is assumed Diaz will man RF until Heyward is up. Rock On…
I’ll be surprised if Diaz starts regularly in right, he’s not ideal out there at all
Goldenglove002
October 27th, 2009
9:34 pm
Dies Irae-
If it was Sciatica for Heyward then he needs to lay his azz down and rest. I had a little bit of that last year and it doesn’t go away easy. Not to mention you put alot of extra strain on your legs trying to keep in a comftorable position (future problems). Sure hope it isn’t that
Rock On......
October 27th, 2009
9:34 pm
As for LeBron, it was reported by Sports Illustrated when he was 14 years old that he was destined to be the best player of all time. That included Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Thompson, et al. To date he has not disappointed or shown he couldn’t be the best. When you are written up at 14 that you will be the best that is indeed incredible pressure.
The one thing I like is that LeBron never went to college and drug some poor program along then bolted after one year. Went straight from high school to the pros…..gotta love that. If Jordan is regarded as the best to ever play I can assure you that Jordan could not come close to comparing to LeBron out of high school. How it will all end is pure speculation and what kind of teams LeBron plays on after Cleveland. He has to win numerous championships to get up on Jordan’s NBA level.
Dies Irae
October 27th, 2009
9:38 pm
Sure hope it isn’t that GoldenGlove
I hope so too, cause I had it also and it’s no fun. I guess if they thought it was that serious they would have indicated as much. nolie asked if it was spine related but I didn’t see an answer. Didn’t we have a tall pitcher who had lower back/leg issues for several years before they found a spinal problem?
Rock On......
October 27th, 2009
9:38 pm
Dies Irae….maybe, but one thing for sure teh Braves are not paying anyone or acquiring anyone that will block Heyward’s path. Diaz was pretty good for quite awhile this year. Again I feel confident that Heyward will man RF on opening day for Atlanta as are many many in the Atlanta organization.
Dies Irae
October 27th, 2009
9:43 pm
Again I feel confident that Heyward will man RF on opening day for Atlanta as are many many in the Atlanta organization. Rock On…
yeah but you were so sure they were going to bring him up this year too.
I hoped they would, but I didn’t think they would
I will be surprised if he starts the season in Atlanta, well downtown Atlanta anyway
We can hope he’s ready though
Brandon from Warner Robins
October 27th, 2009
9:44 pm
Its been a tough day…. and to make things worse Braves top prospect is hurt.
Rock On......
October 27th, 2009
9:49 pm
yep, I thought they would bring him up in fact I still think they should have. Truth be told I feel Wren simply didn’t think they had the team to get to the playoffs anyway and Heyward was not worth the risk. Would the Braves have been stronger with Heyward? No doubt. Would it have mattered? Doubt it.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:03 pm
Maybe we could trade Lowe for Shaq
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:04 pm
Dies Irae
I know that Frank has mentioned getting better. I don’t know if he has specifically mentioned getting a better hitting outfielder or not. I too am not 100% confident that Diaz is a 150 game regular, but not sure he isn’t either.
Then we have the enigma which is Schafer. I think with him, we act as if he is never going to make it to the bigs, and it he does, then you have a nice problem to deal with.
If I am Frank Wren, and I am real confident in Heyward being a fixture sometime during this season, then my only question would be whether Diaz would be the other piece or not. If I thought he would be a good enough outfielder for the next few years in left, I wouldn’t try for a big outfield bat, but make sure I have 1 or 2 good backups (Church, KJ?, somebody new). If that were my approach, then a guy like Willingham or Fox or Cruz might be good enough.
With the realization that the Braves do not view LaRoche as a cleanup type hitter, I would think they may be leaning toward letting him go elsewhere, and trading for a 1-2 year solution.
Konerko has dropped off somewhat in the last 3 years, and will be 34 next spring. He also has some experience hitting in the middle of the order, so I think BC might have enough confidence in a player of his maturity to hit cleanup.
Derrek Lee also has experience in the cleanup slot. He had a big comeback in the second half of this year.
If we could get either of these players without hurting our core, then it would give us a year or two to decide if Freeman or Cody Johnson are going to be good enough to play in the bigs.
I also like the idea of NOT dealing Lowe/Kawakami/Vazquez until the spring, so as to have additional leverage for getting a prospect or two for replacing Chipper down the road.
Just some musings on a Tuesday evening.
What say ye, my fellow Braves fans?
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:05 pm
I also don’t like that LeBron has a tattoo that says “Chosen One” across his back. Yeah, he’s one of the greatest, but come on…the arrogance to get something like that?
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:07 pm
I know Shaq’s a real big guy, but is he fatter than usual or it just me?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:08 pm
jeffrey
Hey, when I was 14, folks were saying that I was going to be the next Jerry West! But, alas, it was not to be. I was thinking about the tattoo that said “Wayne’s World” on my back, but thought better of it.
Talk about a pre-madonna!
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
I’d get a Wayne’s World tattoo and my name’s not even Wayne. Love that move
Too bad Sports Illustrated was right about LeBron and not Francoeur.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
movie*
Soph
October 27th, 2009
10:13 pm
Wasn’t Francoeur deemed the chosen one too on SI? Or, was it something else?
Random
October 27th, 2009
10:13 pm
TnBrian (October 27th, 2009 7:19 pm): “this ‘hillbilly’ showers every day & sometimes twice a day. You need to get creative with your comments instead of nit picking everybody else’s trying to pump your ego for whatever reason. It’s ok man, we’ll never see you, so no need to try & impress faceless bloggers.”
You humorless d!psh!t.
Have you no clue as to what “JK, TB” might mean?
Can’t you take a good-natured riposte to your own initial unprovoked thrust?
You accused me of OCD. Rather than fly off the handle as some (:roll:) here might do, and in the absence of any explanation from you (which I did request), I decided to roll with it and turn the “joke” back on you. Like so:
Q: What is the most common stereotypical indication of OCD?
A: Repeated hand washing.
Q: What is one of the most common stereotypes of someone from TN?
A: Hillbilly.
Q: What would a hillbilly consider to be OCD in someone else? That is, what would be the clay-eating hillbilly’s analogue to repeated O-C hand washing?
A: Bathing more than once a week.
Walaa, looser!
Is that creative enough for you? And please recall that all I had to start with was some rather scant and sketchy material from you: “do you have OCD or something? You might not, but you don’t seem stable in the head to me.”).
Or in five words or fewer — Shaddup, punk, you started it.
(And even if you didn’t see the humor in it, you surely should have known that my comment was not meant to be taken literally. Have you no clue as to what “JK, TB” might mean? OK, this is where I came in.)
PPS: I just reread your comment — “nit picking everybody else’s [comments] trying to pump your ego”?!?!? First you accuse me of OCD, and then you accuse me of nitpicking and ego-pumping when I respond? You really are a loser. (And I wouldn’t consider you “faceless” so much as “d!ckless”.)
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:14 pm
I don’t know if Francoeur was called the “Chosen One” (he might have…I’m not sure) but he was called the “Natural”
Soph
October 27th, 2009
10:16 pm
That’s it! The Natural. I have the SI issue somewhere but I’m too lazy to look for it.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:17 pm
You probably threw it out. I think that’s what I did with my SI from last year with Stafford and Knowshon on the cover. You know, when we were still #1. It’s really the same situation.
Random (as jeffrey d)
October 27th, 2009
10:17 pm
Word*
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:18 pm
People complain about the last few minutes of sports taking forever, but basketball’s gotta be the worst. Basketball can make 30 seconds last an hour.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:19 pm
Why am I saying word?
Soph
October 27th, 2009
10:21 pm
You threw away Knowshon and Stafford? You didn’t even keep it to reminisce about the good ol’ days?
Random
October 27th, 2009
10:21 pm
Lew (October 27th, 2009 5:53 pm): “Hey Dude, I admitted I was wrong. I also admitted I thought Prado was a utilty player and not worthy of every day status. I was wrong about that too. “
But don’t you see?
It ruins everybody’s fun when you come right out and pre-emptively admit it.
Spoilsport.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:23 pm
Yeah, I think it got tossed when I moved. It was just a reminder of sky high expectations that turned into whompings from Bama, Florida, and Tech.
There was another player on the cover. I think it was either Asher Allen or Rennie Curran.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:24 pm
I only love the last 2 minutes of a pro basketball game if my team is winning!
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:26 pm
Random
I never have to worry about admitting I am wrong, as I think it is such a rarity, that I can’t remember when it last happened.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
10:28 pm
NBA fans couldn’t have asked for a better match-up to start the season and couldn’t have really asked for a better game.
Both teams showed plenty of rust, but I think they’ve both got enough to win a championship. I think ‘Sheed is going to end up being a big pick-up for the C’s. The Cavs showed some versatility tonight. Last year it seemed like they didin’t do anything other than high screens to LeBron on offense. They showed theycan score other ways tonight.
Anyway, I’m glad the NBA is back. Gives me something other than Baseball to pay attention to.
Random
October 27th, 2009
10:29 pm
Anders (October 27th, 2009 6:12 pm): ” ‘Hicks has drawn 3 walks today.’ (P.W. Hjort)
“Chipper’s playing in the AFL? Oh, I didn’t see the S on the end there. Sorry.”
Weak.
(I would have remarked that it was beneath you, but too many here would disagree.)
Dies Irae
October 27th, 2009
10:29 pm
I also like the idea of NOT dealing Lowe/Kawakami/Vazquez until the spring, so as to have additional leverage for getting a prospect or two for replacing Chipper down the road. Wayne
I would think that if they intend one of those three to be in a trade to bring us the bat that Frank talked about that they would not want to wait until spring training but get it done earlier so they have an idea what else they will need to round it off ie 5th outfielder or extra infielder etc. Wren strikes me as the kind of guy who will start right off trying to get done what he wants done and continue straight thru till it is finished rather than wait till the last minute.
keylargo
October 27th, 2009
10:32 pm
jeffrey
Hey, when I was 14, folks were saying that I was going to be the next Jerry West! WaynefromUtah
Wayne, Jeffrey probably thinks you mean Joe West – the Umpire.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:33 pm
Dies Irae
Agreed on FW’s propensity to git r done. I was just saying that it would be a decent plan to wait. Kind of a Scott Boras type plan. But then again, I totally dislike Boras. So on second thought, trade em quick!
Cabravesfan
October 27th, 2009
10:34 pm
Damn- lost my power right before Sons of Anarchy! Blogging on my iPhone by candlelight…would be kinda romantic if I wasn’t alone
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
10:35 pm
key
If that’s what I would have meant, then the tattoo would have said “Cowboy Wayne”!
Crime shame though…..
Random
October 27th, 2009
10:36 pm
MetsWSCahmps2010 (October 27th, 2009 6:32 pm): “There are a couple of people on this ole blog that didn’t believe the Madoff-Wilpon 50 million deal. THey still think the Mets lost millions. I told them the Mets would be big players in the FA pool…and they didn’t believe they would. They will.”
“MetsWSCahmps2010″
‘Nuff said.
Steve from OH
October 27th, 2009
10:38 pm
Sciatica for Heyward perhaps?
Unless I’m mistaken (and I often am), it’s not. That is, as long as DOB’s “radiating to the glute” thing is correct. At least I think so.
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:42 pm
Wayne, Jeffrey probably thinks you mean Joe West – the Umpire.
Funnnnny
Random
October 27th, 2009
10:42 pm
DOB (October 27th, 2009 8:04 pm): “I’ve gotta ask anyone: Why would the Braves (or any team without money to burn) really want Manny anymore? If he — and I don’t think he will — declines his $20 mill option for 2010, it’d only be to go somewhere for more years and more guaranteed money. Period.”
You’re probably right that he won’t decline the option.
But I do feel compelled to point out to you that two years is “more years” than one year, and that $35M in guaranteed money is “more guaranteed money” than $20M in guaranteed money.
cabravesfan
October 27th, 2009
10:45 pm
and power’s back on…yay!
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
10:51 pm
Pepperidge Blogs Remembers?
That’s gotta be the same person, right?
jeffrey d
October 27th, 2009
10:55 pm
PWH with a grand slam!
Schnider/Mcccan – tie
This one’s my favorite for a couple reasons.
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:00 pm
Wayne in Utah (October 27th, 2009 10:26 pm): “I never have to worry about admitting I am wrong, as I think it is such a rarity, that I can’t remember when it last happened.”
Iknow ‘at’s right, Gus.
Wayne in Utah (October 27th, 2009 10:04 pm): I also like the idea of NOT dealing Lowe/Kawakami/Vazquez until the spring, so as to have additional leverage for getting a prospect or two for replacing Chipper down the road.
The reasoning there, I presume, is that teams are more likely to be “desperate” for pitching later, in part due to spring injuries to their own starters.
The risk is that any one of those guys might get injured on our watch prior to a trade.
(Plus, Kawakami will not be traded.)
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:08 pm
Oh, I forgot how classic this material is.
Starts off:
Mets World Series 2009 –
The Mets are still better at most positions than the Braves:
Schnider/Mcccan – tie (schnider has better defense)
Kotchman / Delgado – 38 hrs from Carlos
Castillo/Johnson – Castillo can return to a .300 hitter but Johnson barely wins
Wright/C. Jones – no contest, Wright
Reyes/Escobar(who???) – Reyes wins, best SS in the majors
Tatis/Diaz – Tatis raked last year
Beltran/Anderson – Beltran is an all-star
Francouer/Church – Church raked before his concusion he will rebond and Francoeur is the worst in the majors
Santana/Lowe – Santana is the best sp in the majors
Perez/Kawakami – Perez has better potential plus hudson was hurt last yr
Pelfrey/Jurrjens – Jurrjens gives up too many hits
Maine/Vazquez – Vazquez wins barely cause he had a good 07 but maine has more potential
Redding/Glavine – Redding through more innings, Glavine is done
Closer: K-rod had the most svs, he is the best lcoser in baseball, no contest
After a few beratings over the stupidity of the content of the post from the usual denziens, 22oz chimes in:
The “Mets Win World Series” is a repeat of a post from MLBTR a few weeks ago,which sadly, was real. Spelling aside, it is one of the dumber team breakdowns i’ve ever read.
I had previously seen the comment on MLB Trade Rumors, so I knew 22oz was right. But, sadly, Mets World Series 2009 won’t admit it:
Post a link and prove it or shut up. I never posted my analysis there.
Thrillhouse44 beats 22oz to the punch:
Here Mets 2009:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/what-will-the-b.html
scroll down – posted by “metsin08″ at 2/18/2009 9:51 PM
And just for good form, let’s post the original comment on MLB Trade Rumors (linked above):
no the mets are still better at most positions:
Schnider/Mcccan – tie (schnider has better d)
Kotch / Delgao – 38 hrs from carlos
Castillo/Johnson – castillo can return to a .300 hitter but jonson barely wins
wright/jones – no contest, wright
reyes/who??? – reyes wins, best ss in the majors
tatis/diaz – tatis raked last year
beltran/anderson – beltran is an all-star
francouer/church – church raked before his concusion he will rebond
santana/lowe – santana is the best sp in the majors
perez/hudson – perez has better potential plus hudson was hurt last yr
pelfrey/jurgens – jurgens gives up 2 many hits
maine/vazquez – vazquez wins barely cuz he had a good 07 but maine has more potential
redding/campillo – redding through more innings, campillo would have a 500 era if he starts again ppl will figur ehim out
k-rod had the most svs, he is the best lcoser in baseball, no contest
Nearly identical. What’s worse than an obnoxious liar? An obnoxious liar who also happens to be an idiot.
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:09 pm
P. W. Hjort (October 27th, 2009 10:51 pm): “Pepperidge Blogs Remembers?
“That’s gotta be the same person, right?”
HUH???
Oh, causa the sp?
Could be.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:10 pm
Mislink. Should read:
After a few beratings over the stupidity of the content of the post from the usual denziens, 22oz chimes in:
Anders
October 27th, 2009
11:15 pm
Weak.
(I would have remarked that it was beneath you, but too many here would disagree.)
(Random)
Yeah, not my best stuff. Actually erased it once before posting it but then gave in. oh well, it happens.
Anders
October 27th, 2009
11:19 pm
BTW- Do I have the record for being at the bottom of the first page of the blog? Five days and counting.
Perhaps DOB just can’t let go?
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:21 pm
Anders (October 27th, 2009 11:15 pm): “Yeah, not my best stuff. Actually erased it once before posting it but then gave in. oh well, it happens.”
See, Lew? Much more fun when you can beat ‘em to it.
JK (= Just Kidding), A (= Anders)
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:25 pm
Anders –
Do you think you’ll be around for the start of the 2010 season?
I may ask you to step in to arbitrate a disputed bet.
nick
October 27th, 2009
11:26 pm
Nady- 1yr/$5mil for 1B
DeRosa- 1yr/$6mil 2nd year option for LF/3B when Chipper does his thing
Wagner- 1yr/$6mil co-closer
Saito- 1yr/$4mil co-closer
Smoltz- 1yr/$3mil co-closer
Mientkiewicz- 1yr/500k minor league deal Defense replacement.
Carrol- 1yr/$1mil utl. Good little player
Trade Kawakami and non-tender Church & Johnson.
Collect draft picks for Soriano and Gonzo.
Bring up Heyward like they did Hanson.
Blanco 4th OF until Heyward is up.
With O’flaherty,Medlen and Boone to round out the BP.
$95mil. payroll.
Not fancy but realistic.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:28 pm
nick -
That team is probably worse than the current group the Braves have.
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:29 pm
P. W. Hjort (October 27th, 2009 11:08 pm) –
I’m curious — how were you able to put 4 hyperlinks into 1 comment?
Whenever I’ve tried more than 2, the comment just slips into the aether, never to be seen again.
Did it take longer than usual to post after you submitted it?
Just wondering.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:32 pm
Random
As I was typing that (wait until the spring to deal a hurler), I was thinking exactly what you stated. What if one of them gets hurt in the spring?
Some might say that would be a reason to keep all 6 of them. We do have a bit of insurance in Medlen and Reyes (yeah, I know, he sucks). We could realistically get by with 4 good starters and an unknown, I think. Also, will Minor be ready by mid season? Lyman?
Heck, we could bring in Paul Byrd in an emergency. Jorge Campillo? Buddy Carlyle?
I guess what I am saying is that I will be surprised if we don’t deal one of our top 5 guys. Maybe even Medlen if it brings us a big bat.
As some of us have stated a few times, so many ways FW can go. It will be hard to guess before the action starts.
Random
October 27th, 2009
11:32 pm
Seizure l8er.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:35 pm
Random -
I’m curious — how were you able to put 4 hyperlinks into 1 comment?
Whenever I’ve tried more than 2, the comment just slips into the aether, never to be seen again.
Did it take longer than usual to post after you submitted it?
Just wondering.
I sold my soul to the blog devil for infinite hyperlink privileges. Or maybe they’re links to this site. I don’t know why it accepted the comment, honestly, I’ve had problems with the spam filter catching me for multiple links in the past.
Andrew
October 27th, 2009
11:35 pm
nick why not keep laroche and just get derosa?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:36 pm
I really do hope that we end up keeping Medlen. I love the kids up side.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:38 pm
I like the idea of a Mark DeRosa type player, who can play a lot of positions (kinda like Prado), but with a little more power.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:39 pm
I will be really surprised if we do not keep Ryan Church.
nick
October 27th, 2009
11:39 pm
Andrew– Because LaRoche will want a multiyear deal.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:39 pm
Must be time to leave…..3 post in a row (4 with this one!)
Later folks.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:41 pm
nick
You saved my bacon. Why not offer LaRoche a 3-4 year deal, and it Freeman comes on like we hope he will, then we either deal LaRoche, or we deal Freeman.
Otherwise, let’s go for somebody like Konerko or D Lee, both of whom can hit cleanup.
Andrew
October 27th, 2009
11:42 pm
yeah give him 3 years you dont even know what freddie freeman will do hes young yet…keeping Adam and signing Derosa is possible..could be a decent lineup
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:43 pm
Like many have stated, just SOOO many ways the Braves can go this off season.
I am still undecided who I will pull for in the series. I like Jeter and Mo, so I might be leaning toward the Yankees.
Nite folks…..
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:45 pm
Andrew
EXACTLY! Freeman is not a sure thing. Heck, Heyward is not a sure thing either, but he is closer to being a sure thing than Freeman is…..
nolie
October 27th, 2009
11:45 pm
I love the kids up side. (Wayne)
I’m not sure I see as much upside as you -and some others-seem to, but I admit I haven’t seen him in person so I can’t be adamant about it.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:46 pm
I really do hope that we end up keeping Medlen. I love the kids up side.
I think you’re over-estimating his upside. Kevin Goldstein – Winter 2008:
Perfect World Projection: He becomes a decent back-end starter or a valuable swingman.
Glass Half Empty: If he can’t hack starting, he doesn’t have the stuff for late-inning relief work, so he’s no more than a middle reliever.
Plus, his size and frame present durability concerns.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:46 pm
Andrew
Problem with resigning LaRoche and going for DeRosa is this: Who bats cleanup? We are still with Mac with those two in the lineup. That is why I like the idea of going for Konerko or D Lee. Both have experience and will not be intimidated by hitting 4th.
P. W. Hjort
October 27th, 2009
11:47 pm
Damn, nolie, beat me to the punch!
Andrew
October 27th, 2009
11:51 pm
Wayne i would love to have D Lee but theres no way that going to happen no way…who knows McCann could mature into that 4 hole but yeah we could use an upgrade but McCann is also still young too…i just dont see us being able to get that “IT” guy
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:51 pm
PW Hjort
No more so than the freak. Medlen is really not that much smaller than Maddux, and has a similar build. Not saying he has the stuff of Maddux, but at the same age, did Maddux have Maddux stuff?
There have been lots of very effective starters of smaller stature.
I have never thought of him as being a top of the rotation starter, but a 3-4 is not out of the realm of possibility.
I would love to see him get some starts next year, but he will probably be needed in the pen.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 27th, 2009
11:54 pm
Andrew
Lee might be available, if the Cubbies thought they could get good value for him. I think he only has one year left on his contract (not sure though). Maybe they give Fox a shot at first base? I wouldn’t say it’s an impossibility though.
Andrew
October 27th, 2009
11:57 pm
Derrick Lee just hit .306 35 111 no way….in a perfect would the cubs really want derek lowe ..braves would have to give up freeman too
Andrew
October 28th, 2009
12:00 am
i meant perfect world sorry
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:01 am
Andrew
I know a lot of folks on here think that Mac should hit 5th or 6th. Personally, I think he is very capable of being a very good cleanup hitter.
The only problem with that scenario, is that your catcher needs regular rest to keep him fresh later in the season. Roughly once a week, you will have to put someone else in there for him. It’s easier to put him in the 5/6 slot and leave him there. Easier to replace him there.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:04 am
Derek Lowe for Derrek Lee would be a good trade. You wouldn’t have to include Freeman for a 1 year rental. You might have to throw in a lower minors player, but I don’t think you would have to give up Freeman if you are dealing Lowe.
In the end, I expect LaRoche to return, and Freeman to be dealt elsewhere. Just my guess.
Andrew
October 28th, 2009
12:05 am
Wayne
Oh, no question i’d rather have McCann hitting 5th. Just gotta get the right guy to fit between Chip and Mac…(TEX was the best)
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:05 am
It’s ok to misspell, so long as you don’t become a pre-madonna.
nolie
October 28th, 2009
12:07 am
beat me to the punch (PW)
well I’m glad to know that I’m not the only single person in the whole wide world with a few questions about his future. I think a bit more of him than the guy you quoted, I think he might make a decent setup guy.
RHR
October 28th, 2009
12:07 am
Greetings and salutations…same fecal matter, different hour, I see.
Oh wait. I didn’t read Kelly’s name in my scroll by. Have we moved on? Or is scoots just busy tonight.
RHR
October 28th, 2009
12:09 am
Hows my favorite cute little old man tonight?
nolie
October 28th, 2009
12:14 am
Have we moved on? Or is scoots just busy tonight.
(RHR)
he and Ohio Steve are busy trying to offer a sacrifice to the baseball gods, just having some trouble finding a vestal virgin right away
a643dp
October 28th, 2009
12:17 am
FYI- MLB network is replaying game 1 of the 95 WS at 3pm WED. (Maddux masterpiece)
P. W. Hjort
October 28th, 2009
12:20 am
well I’m glad to know that I’m not the only single person in the whole wide world with a few questions about his future
Seriously. Fans often see what they want to see in prospects and young players. Everything positive is good and there’s an excuse for everything negative.
I ultimately think he’ll be used primarily as a starter, I think he’s most valuable that way. I look at him and see a generally hittable control pitcher who will rack up K’s by mixing speeds and fooling hitters, but probably won’t have the stuff to make it as a front-line starter. And you’re probably right, I think his stuff/approach will work at the back end of the bullpen. Not every reliever has to throw 99 MPH. But it probably makes more sense to use him as a starter if he can hack it.
RHR
October 28th, 2009
12:22 am
It probably is hard for those weejun types to find virgins..
ccrider
October 28th, 2009
12:25 am
Wayne in Utah: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves could trade Lowe’s salary, they might go for Jason Bay and another name that might surprise Troy Glaus for 1st base( A 1 year deal, plays a good 1B and can move to 3rd when Chipper gets hurt(and we know he will. Glaus, Prado, Escobar, Bay, Chipper from the right side, Chipper, McCann, McLouth, Heyward from the left side. Bay and Glaus are both potential 30 homer guys and with Cliff Lee, J A Happ, Cole Hamels, J. Santana, J. Niese, J. Lannan, and other lefties in the division we would be very competitive.
jeffrey d
October 28th, 2009
12:26 am
Who’s the cute little old man?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:34 am
ccrider
I think I had read you once before talk about Glaus. Is he a FA next year?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:38 am
jeffrey
Can’t be me. I am not little.
P. W. Hjort
October 28th, 2009
12:42 am
I’m about halfway through this article and my head is hurting.
nolie
October 28th, 2009
12:43 am
Can’t be me. I am not little. (Wayne)
nor I. i’m cute as the dickens, but ain’t little either.
nolie
October 28th, 2009
12:44 am
I’m about halfway through this article and my head is hurting. (PW)
like Bill james said in that interview I posted, only an amateur would even attempt it
P. W. Hjort
October 28th, 2009
12:51 am
Bill James Quote:
Q: Shouldn’t in-game strategic decisions be made by a computer? Or, more to the point, isn’t there always a correct choice?
A: It is totally impossible to isolate the correct strategic choice in almost all real-life situations, for the simple reason that all real-life strategic situations involve dozens of variables, many of which have not been thoroughly tested by trial. People who think that they know when a manager should bunt and when a manager should pitch out and when a manager should make a pitching change are amateurs. People who have actually studied these issues know that the answer disappears in a cloud of untested variables.
ccrider
October 28th, 2009
12:54 am
Wayne in Utah: Glaus is a free agent that was out for most of the season, but came back shortly before the playoffs. If you look at the numbers for the previous 3 healthy seasons, he is exactly what we’re looking for: a potential 30 HR , 90-100 RBI guy, who can play 1st or 3rd and won’t require a long contract and can probably be signed for around 6 Mill. It is a slight risk health wise, but in 2006 hit 38 HR, 104 RBI, in 2008 hit 27 HR, 99 RBI. His Batting Average is around Laroche’s range .260.
nolie
October 28th, 2009
12:54 am
It is totally impossible to isolate the correct strategic choice in almost all real-life situations, for the simple reason that all real-life strategic situations involve dozens of variables (PW)
lotsa “analysts” need to take that to heart
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:54 am
nor I. i’m cute as the dickens (nolie)
As for me, I am not cute at all. More like ruggedly handsome! (the internet can hide a lot of sins, huh!)
Crime shame that God (can I say that) broke the mold after he created me!
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:57 am
Glaus might be worth the risk. Personally, I love LaRoche, but if he can’t handle cleanup, then it might be time to move on.