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2,586 comments Add your comment
richbrave
October 28th, 2009
1:04 am
WAYNE:
Shout out. What do you think of NICK SWISHER per LEW’s analysis?
brent a.
October 28th, 2009
1:09 am
“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.”
I don’t really understand why that is such a loveable quality.
Does that make you love KG, Kobe, TMac, (Michael Scott), Jermaine O’Neal, Kwame Brown, etc.?
I don’t get it.
Lebron was simply a great high school player in an era where it had become chic to jump from high school to the pros. The NBA needed the talent, and was willing to drat players without college experience. That continued until the NBA placed a restriction on players that would not allow them to enter the NBA until one full year after they finished high school.
So, players like Greg Oden, Derrick Rose, Michael Conley, and others are now forced to “drag” some poor program along to a Final Four in their only year of college basketball before going pro.
I don’t think we should besmirch a player because he has to go to college, or even if he thought it was best for him to first go to college before entering the NBA.
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
1:10 am
Sons of Anarchy makes he happy….
Jeffrey D: Shaq’s actually in better shape this year than in the past several years. Just getting old, can’t run floor or move as quickly around the basket as he used to, regardless of conditioning.
Paul Pierce comes through in the clutch, as he so often does. Luv it.
ccrider
October 28th, 2009
1:23 am
Wayne in Utah: I like Laroche too, just think he is going to what too much money and too many years with the 1st base market so thin. 3-4 years $27-36 mill would be my guess. But, if the Braves are going to have the money in the next 3-5 years to resign Jurrjens, Escobar and McCann, then Heyward, Freeman, Schafer and another cheap young SP( Minor, Medlen, Teheran)are going to need to come through, and not be included in trades, so we can fill the holes around them.
P. W. Hjort
October 28th, 2009
1:37 am
I don’t really understand why that is such a loveable quality.
I agree, though I understand the counterpoint you’re arguing. It’s particularly frustrating as a Georgia Tech fan. None of the elite players stay. I would’ve loved to have seen what Crittenton and Young could’ve done as sophomores.
ccrider
October 28th, 2009
1:53 am
P. W Hjort: I’ve been a Ga. Tech fan for 45 years. The potential for the B-ball team this season is high if Coach Hewitt can get them on the same page quickly(Not his strong suit). The team that made the Championship game against U. Conn stayed together 3 full years and that doesn’t happen much anymore. Florida kept theirs together 2 years and North Carolina as well, but unless Favors doesn;’t perform as they predict, he will be 1 and done.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
2:05 am
richbrave
Hey, I am OK with Swisher. To be honest, he might be the most reasonable guy to go after. But will the Yankees really want to move him? Would they want Lowe or Kawakami (sorry Random)? I think he has the moxie to hit 4th in a lineup, although I would be tempted to hit Mac there against righties.
Last year, we were all curious about who we might end up with for starters. We got some surprises and some that we expected.
This winter might end up being a LOT of surprises, or none at all. I guess we will have to wait and see.
If the Yankees win the WS, then they might not feel the pressure to add a big $ starter this winter. That would be my guess.
Braveheart
October 28th, 2009
2:10 am
The Yankees should just sign Soriano and Gonzalez for that $16 mil or so Lowe will make, and move Joba and Hughes into the 4th and 5th starter slots. If Joba and/or Hughes don’t work out again as back of the rotation starters next year, then trade for a starter around the trade deadline
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
2:18 am
WW
that would be a more likely scenario for the Yankees. If they picked up Holliday or Bay, would Swisher be a candidate to be jettisoned? I think Damon or Godzilla stays as the DH. I don’t know if they would want to unload Swisher, to be honest.
Braveheart
October 28th, 2009
2:23 am
A player is dumb for not leaving early and getting that money. I’d jump for the money myself, and think most who don’t are insane for not doing so, but these players going straight to the pros or leaving early, with the rare exceptions of unbelievable players like KG, Kobe, Lebron, etc., hurts both the NBA and college basketball and the players themselves in terms of marketability. If they stick around for most of their college years, we get familiar with the players, and they are ready made stars when they enter the NBA even if they become little more than scrubs in the NBA. It helps the college game because we know year to year who’s going to be around. It helps build the story around these players and teams if they stick around. But the way it is these days, for a casual observer, the NBA is filled with guys you’ve never heard of and whose backstory you don’t really know because they are from some foreign country or because they spent little to no time in college and we couldn’t get familiar with them the way we used to. It seems like these days all of a sudden some guy will get real good, and you’re like WTF is he? Then you have to go look him up, and he was drafted out of high school 5 or 6 years ago, and has just been slowly coming along in anonymity since then, or he’s some friggin’ European guy. It just sucks. At least making sure they get one year of college builds up some of their brand name. The NBA Draft used to be great. Now, I can barely watch it because I don’t have a clue about who most of the guys they are discussing are.
Random
October 28th, 2009
6:05 am
Wayne in Utah (October 27th, 2009 11:36 pm): “I really do hope that we end up keeping Medlen. I love the kids up side.”
Why, GUS!!!
Ooohhhhh — “upside”.
Whew.
Anders
October 28th, 2009
8:07 am
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. (Random)
I certainly hope so. Good baseball action here. Plus for the first time since I’ve come here I get to play the under dog role to start the season. Should be fun. I’ll be glad to help if you need it.
MItchie-san
October 28th, 2009
8:12 am
Some Blogs Have Humor in Uniform, not sure who posted it, but it gave me a good laugh. Its funny cause its true! (page 21 @ 12:10pm)
Hillbilly
October 28th, 2009
8:44 am
Sons of Anarchy makes he happy…. DOB
No kidding. How intense can a family dinner scene possibly be? This s*** is getting wild from all directions, internally and externally. Counting down the days until next Tuesday.
Anders
October 28th, 2009
8:48 am
Thundersticks-No, a more realistic deal is Lowe for Nick Swisher. We get a net savings of several million $$$$, a switch hitting, power hitting outfielder who has hit over 20-30 HR every year for the past six or so. His BA sucks, but he has a .370 OBP and walked 97 times last year. It also allows the Yankees to improve their pitching (and they can afford it) and opens a spot for them to make a push for Holliday. (Lew)
Just perusing the old blog and came across this diddy. Had to read for another page or so just to make sure Lew was serious about this. I mean that, I thought this might have been a tongue in cheek posting. Do you really believe the Yanks would take that Lowe deal off the Braves hands? Even the Yanks know this guy isn’t worth $45 mil over the next 3 years – especially in the AL. Lowe couldn’t catch his breath against the bottom of the orders in the NL some nights. Pitching in the AL regularly he’d be a puddle by the bottom of the 4th.
Sorry guys, it’s time to pay for that snatch of Lowe from the Mets clutches last off season when the Braves added a 4th year. He’s yours for another 3 years unless Liberty ponies up some serious dough imo.
BTW- The Yanks will clear room for Holliday when Damon , Matsui and Nady leave after this year. Posada will share DH duites with others. Swisher is a useful fairly inexpensive piece for them in right. You have this backwards Lew – if you want him the Braves will have to overpay imo.
McFann Ô
October 28th, 2009
8:50 am
Anders Sorry guys, it’s time to pay for that snatch of Lowe from the Mets clutches last off season
Thought we paid for that when Lowe gave up eight runs to the Mets in one inning…
brent a.
October 28th, 2009
9:13 am
PWH . . . I have a hunch that Crittenton might have been wondering how things would have turned out had he stayed at Tech, right around the time he got traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
9:14 am
Anders-You’re wrong, but what’s new? There were several who didn’t think it was a worthwhile deal, but it seems you’re the only one who thought it wasn’t possible.
Random-Just remember-anything you contend can be justified by your point of view. Words to live by.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Anders-You think wemoverpaid for Lowe and are stuck with him? Dude, the Mets thought all he was worth was Oliver Perez money, which is why he signed with Atlanta.
Let’s see now-Lowe, 15 wins and close to 200 IP for $15 million or Oliver Perez-3 wins, almost 7 runs per game ERA and 66IP for $12 mil per. Hmmmmmmmmm. I wonder who got the raw deal there?
Daslied
October 28th, 2009
9:47 am
Anders, you should’ve gotten a little more info before agreeing to help with Random’s bet. Perhaps you should’ve found out the other party involved first.
RHR
October 28th, 2009
10:17 am
I just read that the rangers interviewed my friend and former classmate Rusty Greer for the hitting coach job, thats awesome, I hope he gets the job if he wants it.
DAP
October 28th, 2009
10:25 am
wayne, if youre still around. derek lee would be awesome to bat cleanup, but konerko? he isnt better than laroche. it doesnt matter where you bat him or that he has experience batting somewhere….he isnt an upgrade. no no no to konerko. (by the way, some may say God broke the mold before he made you, not after… :- )
to others: glaus is a good player, but i dont think you get him and use him how ya’ll are proposing. he has barely played 1st base in his career, and the braves have several players to back up 3rd. to me a better buy low option (maybe) is nady, because he can play the corner outfield, and 1st base. that way you can still resign laroche who is more of a sure thing than the other two coming off injury. glaus would be good, but playing 1st is not something he has done alot.
CB
October 28th, 2009
10:53 am
Random,tell me you are just kidding about Manny Ramirez
You are too smart to really want that cancer,right? You think he is a better answer than Miguel Cabrera? I would rather have Ryan Freel. 
KC
October 28th, 2009
10:54 am
NBA Predictions:
Celtics over Cavs in East.
Spurs over Lakers in West.
Spurs over Celtics in Finals.
KC
October 28th, 2009
11:01 am
Anders, I think Lew is correct that there will be more interest in Lowe than you think. And Lowe for Swisher might be possible… if for no other reason, because Swisher ain’t all that great. He’s a .245 career hitter. He hit 29 HR’s last year, but hell… I could hit 10 HR’s in that ballpark. 29 HR’s in New Yankee Stadium would translate to about 22 HR’s here.
.250 with 22 HR’s… not exactly MVP material.
Rock On......
October 28th, 2009
11:02 am
Braveheart….your 2:23 post couldn’t have been said better. Most people can’t even name 3 starters on any NBA team. That comes from no name recognition and it doesn’t help by letting 1 and done college guys in early.
I don’t know if it is the NBA or NCAA that is to blame for the one and done guys going to the NBA. If they go to college they should stay three years or don’t go to college.
Georgia Tech will lose Favors after this year just like they lost Bosh, Crittendon, Young, Anderson, Marbury, and others. It is the college landscape these days and until it changes the college game will never be as good as it can be or the NBA for that matter.
Rock On......
October 28th, 2009
11:08 am
Why are so many on here saying that LaRoche should be gone if he can’t bat cleanup? Isn’t plan #1 to find a RH bat for LF that can bat cleanup and keep LaRoche and his defense batting 6th until Freeman is ready. It seems to me to be a given that the Braves will sign LaRoche early to put that to bed so we can trade a Lowe/KK for said bat.
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
11:09 am
K.C.: I agree on your four NBA conference finalists, but I’ll take Lakers over Spurs, then Celtics over Lakers in Finals.
Rock On......
October 28th, 2009
11:16 am
KC….Guess I will take the Charlotte Bobcats to win the NBA. They are pretty good I think. Aren’t they? Yeah I will take them straight up. My second choice is Memphis because of the BBQ joints there. I guess a distant third would be Golden State because I like the name. Let’s compare picks at the end of the year. I am taking Charlotte over Memphis and then for the Bobcats to beat Golden State for the final in 7 games.
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
11:19 am
I have a hunch that Crittenton might have been wondering how things would have turned out had he stayed at Tech, right around the time he got traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. brent a.
Yeah, but if that’s the case, I’ve got a hunch that when he saw Sam Bradford return to OU this season (instead of going top five in the NFL draft) and then go down twice with shoulder injuries this season that will require surgery, Crittenton and a lot of other football and basketball players who left school early probably felt better about their decisions.
I’m with Rock On — I wish they’d have to stay in school at least three years. But it’s not happening. It wouldn’t stand up to legal challenges, to the unions, et al. And besides, more kids who want security (millions of bucks) and don’t want anything to do with school would just go play hoops in Europe where they can now make a ton of money now (not like years ago).
It stinks, but it’s reality. So you hope that your school can sign those rare guys who are both very good and, for one reason or another, might stay in school two or three years instead of one. There are such players — consider KU’s Cole Aldrich, back for his junior year, and Sherron Collins, back for his senior year. And look at the upper classmen that UNC and Michigan State (Suton and others) had had last year and Duke has this year.
College basketball remains a terrific sport, despite the early departures.
DAP
October 28th, 2009
11:20 am
KCSwisher ain’t all that great. He’s a .245 career hitter. He hit 29 HR’s last year, but hell… I could hit 10 HR’s in that ballpark.
which one? the new yankee stadium? geez, swisher couldnt even hit 10 there. he only hit 8. 21 road homers for him. what a bum.
compared to which current braves outfielder is swisher not all that great?
Doc Holiday
October 28th, 2009
11:25 am
Braves have created their own manager of the year award to make sure bobby gets an award at the en of 2010…….
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
11:25 am
Hillbilly: Exactly. Can’t wait until next week’s episode. Sons is so good, when I’m watching on DVR I hate seeing the 40-minute mark when I’m fast-forwarding through commercials. I want it to last longer, every episode.
Efrim
October 28th, 2009
11:27 am
Swisher ain’t all that great. He’s a .245 career hitter. He hit 29 HR’s last year, but hell… I could hit 10 HR’s in that ballpark.
Yeah, he does nothing but hit for power and get on base. Not to mention he’s been great in the Yankee clubhouse. I really don’t think the Yankees would do Swisher for Lowe. But hey, ya never know….
Doc Holiday
October 28th, 2009
11:30 am
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091027&content_id=7557960&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Some good stuff on WS predictions………..just fun.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
11:31 am
DAP
As to your point about LaRoche and Konerko. Their numbers for 2009 were similar, I agree. LaRoche put up his best numbers batting in the 6-8th positions of the lineup. Konerko put up his numbers in the 3-4-5 positions, I would assume (not a White Sox expert, but I do look at box scores).
My point is this; if you have a player who puts up 280/25/90 numbers, but can’t do it in the 4 hole, then he has an issue with pressure situations. I would say that Konerko might perform better in the 4 slot, IF we can’t get a true cleanup hitter otherwise.
You are making an assumption that we WILL get a right handed cleanup legitimate cleanup hitter. I know that is FW’s plan, but do you want to bet the farm on it??
Just sayin’. Not trying to push any particular player. Just looking for first base candidates who might be able to meet our cleanup needs. Obviously the Braves do not have confidence in Adam to hit well there.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:32 am
KC-You’re absolutely correct in that Swisher is NOT an MVP type player-but we can’t afford an MVP type player. And you’re correct again in that he probably won’t hit many more than 22-25 HR as a Brave (keep in mind, though, that he played in Oakland-not exactly hitter’s central-and hit as many as 35 there). Let us not also forget he gets on base and has walked an average of 90 something times a year. He is not an automatic out, though I would like to see a higher BA. Still and all, he would be a power upgrade..
However, what Swisher (along with re-signing LaRoche) does to the Braves is to give them a threat to hit 15 or more HR from EVERY member of the starting lineup-based on recent numbers and not on wishful thinking.
McLouth should hit 18-20 again (especially if he can actually learn to hit at the Ted). Prado was just shy of 15 in less than a full season. Chipper hit 18 in a terrible year. McCann hit over 20 and may well hit more after corrective eye surgery. Yunel was just shy of 15 and he was out a fair amount. Roach, of course is a 25-30 HR threat. Diaz hit 12 and missed considerable playing time-should translate to 15 or more playing regularly. They are all threats to hit many doubles. It gives us power potential throughout our lineup. That may well have made all the difference had we had those players full time this year-especially in the first half when catching the Phillies could realistically been accomplished.
Another thing that a trade of Lowe for Swisher brings the Braves is considerable flexibility with payroll so we can upgrade positions such as bullpen, pinch hitter and utility infielders, making us a much more well balanced team with fewer weaknesses top to bottom.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
11:34 am
If you had Sabathia, Burnett, Pettite, Hughes and Chamberlain; would you deal a 29 HR guy for Derek Lowe and his 3 year, 15 million per salary?
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:35 am
Efrim-I think that the Yankees’ pitching will let them down in the Series. If that happens, look fr the Yankees to gun for any decent pitching they can get their hands on and there really aren’t very many options for good pitching on the FA market.
However, the Yankees DO have outfielders and I would expect them to make a run at Holliday and Bay as well-especially if they don’t take the series, with the $$$$ they have coiming off of the books.
Hey, WTF-If it doesn’t happen, I have lots of faith in Frank Wren to come up with an equitable deal no one even sees on the horizon. Having too much pitching? Ahhhh. Too bad, right?.
I think it’s a doable deal.
McFann Ô
October 28th, 2009
11:36 am
Doc H. Some good stuff on WS predictions
World Series? Is there a World Series coming up?
Rock On......
October 28th, 2009
11:36 am
Hey wait a minute, got an idea. The NBA should try the regional approach similar to what the old World Football League did. Certain teams garner players from regional schools with a few wild card players for each team. That way I am sure the Bobcats would win the NBA title. I think UNC, GT, Duke, Wake could feed Charlotte. Georgetown, Virginia, VT, Maryland could feed the Wizards. Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, OSU could feed Denver. Say what?….the WFL folded due to lack of interest and money?….oh, nevermind. Just trying to line up Favors, Jack, Crittenton, Bosh, and Young for next year on the Bobcats.
Daslied
October 28th, 2009
11:36 am
Lew – that’s the same plan that failed last year. Johnson, Kotchman, Garrett, Francoeur and Yunel all should’ve hit 15 homers. On paper it sounds good, but I don’t know if that’s the thing to aim for after last year.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:37 am
Wayne-Petite is a year to year proposition at best right now. Hughes and Chamberlin have been around Girardi for too long already and have disappointed the Yankees from all I’ve heard. CC is CC and is the best. Burnett? Who knows at any given time? I don’t feel their staff is nearly as strong as you claim.
McFann Ô
October 28th, 2009
11:38 am
Lew McCann hit over 20 and may well hit more after corrective eye surgery.
We cann only hope…
And more doubles, too; cann always use more doubles!
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:38 am
And I don’t think the Yankees will stand pat rotation wise this winter.
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
11:42 am
If you had Sabathia, Burnett, Pettite, Hughes and Chamberlain; would you deal a 29 HR guy for Derek Lowe and his 3 year, 15 million per salary? — Wayne in Utah
If money’s no object (and with the Yanks, it’s usually not), then who do you want, Joba or Lowe? Compare their stats as starters.
I had a conversation with a former Yankee, who agreed with me that if Joba Chamberlain had the career he’s had so far with the Pirates instead of the Yankees, he would be viewed entirely differently — that people around baseball would’ve turned the page and stopped talking about him as if he’s a 20-game winner in waiting. But the NY hype machine is very effective at continuing to pump him up for what he did in limited innings as a 21-22 year-old reliever.
(By the way, Joba as a starter? It’s 12-7 with a 4.18 ERA in 43 starts, with 227 hits, 101 walks and 206 strikeouts in 221-2/3 innings.)
Jim
October 28th, 2009
11:42 am
Re Gov. Clinton Tyree’s comment regarding Laroche. Agree. Sign him to a fair, “market” 3 or 4 year contract. Just no “no trade” clause. If Freeman beats him out in ‘11 or ‘12, he’ll still have value in trade market. Freeman is not guaranteed, and in worst case, could play a bit of LF. (Adam Dunn and Manny have played out there, so don’t tell me his defense would not be good.) Laroche is important to Braves in ‘10; Freeman probably won’t be that important to them until ‘12. Heyward, with his injury, is probably delayed until June or July next year. Experience with Schafer this year makes me want to see Heyward play 50 games at Gwinnett, anyway, regardless of what he does in Spring. Braves need a rent-a-bat for ‘10; or, they need to use Lowe’s salary to secure a long term bat.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:44 am
Daslied-I hear you Dude, But the thing is, most of those players either hit 15 or more this past year, or were damned close in many fewer games-
McLouth hit 20. Prado hit 11, but in 128 games. Chipper hit 18 in a poor season. Mac hit 21 with eye problems. Swisher hit 29. Yunel hit 14 in 141 games. Roach hit 24 and Diaz hit 13 in 125 games.
I fail to see how this is wishful thinking to believe they will all hit at least 15when they all have already done it or came damned close to it in many fewer games just last season.
rammerjammer
October 28th, 2009
11:45 am
I can’t imagine anyone taking Lowe’s $45M and 4.67 ERA off our hands, especially an AL team. Kawakami and a prospect for Swisher is more realistic.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
11:45 am
Lew
I hope you are right, as I like Swisher. I wanted us to get him last winter.
But, facts are facts. The Yankees are in the Series. While their rotation isn’t the greatest in baseball, it can’t be all that bad either. Don’t get me wrong though, I like your proposed deal.
Do you think the Cubbies would do a Lowe for Derrek Lee trade? Might be a better choice than Swisher for the 4 slot.
unbelievable
October 28th, 2009
11:46 am
DOB, heard anything from Huddy or the Braves
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
11:49 am
Oh, and Phil Hughes is 8-9 with a 5.22 ERA in 28 starts. Not saying he won’t be really good, but to act like the Yankees can completely count on him and Joba being two-fifths of the strong rotation….
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:50 am
Daslied-IU think what it all breaks down to is this-Do you think that Yunel could hit one more HR if he played in most of thise 21 games he missed? Do you think Diaz could hit two more if he played in another 25 games? And the biggest stretch-do you think that Martin Prado could hit four more if he played in 30 more games?
Unrealistic? No way. And it’s nothing like claiming KJ would hit 20 when he never has, Francoeur would come back to numbers he put up in 06-07 or Kotchman would hit 20 when he never had, either? Dude, you must have been looking at a KC post or something. He ALWAYS overvalues everyone.
P-Town Brave
October 28th, 2009
11:50 am
Daslied-
No one in their right mind believed Krotchman would hit 15 HR
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
11:51 am
DOB
We can only hope that the Yankees starters struggle a bit against the Phillies in the Series. Then our guy looks a lot better for them for sure.
It would be a crime shame if the Yankees starters (except for CC, and he is a pitching GOD) struggle in the upcoming series. Then again, Pettite is a Smoltz type pitcher in the post season.
As bad as I hate to admit it, I think I am pulling for the Yankees over the Phils.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
11:53 am
rammer-Trading Kawakami for Swisher will NOT net us the requisite $$$ to sign LaRoche or fill out the team. It just won’t. Not to mention I don’t see the Yankees being all that interested in Kawakami, who has zero track record in the AL and when Lowe has an excellent track record in the Yankees own division.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
11:55 am
P-town
I believed Kotchman would hit 14.9 HR’s last year.
Did you see any of his dingers. He hit some mammoth bombs! I wish he could have done that on a more regular basis. Oh well.
rammerjammer
October 28th, 2009
12:02 pm
Lew, you’re saying we have to trade Kawakami (or his salary equivalent) to sign LaRoche? Swisher will only cost $1.25M per year more than KK thru 2011.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
12:10 pm
rammer-No, what I’m saying is that if we trade Kawakami, we save less than $7 mil a year over the next two and we take on almost as much with Swisher’s salary for the next several. However, if we trade Lowe instead, we knock out about $8 million a year. This, along with saying bye bye to Garrett and non tendering KJ and Church, re-signing Gonzo and letting Soriano walk, nets us enogh salary savings to pay Swisher, re-sing LaRoche and stock the pen and bench. Trading Kawakami nets us none of this.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
12:15 pm
rammer-If you trade KK for Swisher it costs the Braves +$1.25 million. If you trade Lowe it would be -$8 million a year, a difference of $9.25 million (a YEAR). You tell me-what could we get in return for $9.25 million a year? What holes could we fill with that kind of $$$$$?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:16 pm
DOB and Lew
I really hope you guys are right about the Yankees maybe having some interest in Lowe. I like Lowe, and think he is a good mid rotation starter, and innings eater. If we didn’t have such a strong staff and decent prospects in the pipeline, I would love to keep him.
But, if we can fix an issue and give ourselves some salary flexibility (Derrek Lee wouldn’t do that), then I am all for a Lowe for Swisher type deal.
I see Swisher as being a good 5/6 hitter, but he might be able to come through as a decent cleanup man. Though, to be honest, Mac should be our cleanup man when he is available. He has a much better chance to be the best cleanup hitter on our current roster.
DAP
October 28th, 2009
12:17 pm
wayneYou are making an assumption that we WILL get a right handed cleanup legitimate cleanup hitter.
no, im not. i havent really tried to address that, but my opinion is that we dont even really NEED a “righthanded cleanup hitter”. honestly, i think it would be great, but i reject the premise that that is what we MUST have.
konerko may be starting to digress offensively, and doesnt have the glove laroche has either. i dont think konerko is an upgrade over laroche, so im not going for it.
Jake W.
October 28th, 2009
12:18 pm
“Sorry guys, it’s time to pay for that snatch of Lowe from the Mets clutches last off season when the Braves added a 4th year. He’s yours for another 3 years unless Liberty ponies up some serious dough imo.”-Anders
If you mean having a guy that was part of one of the best starting rotations in baseball then yeah I think we are paying for it. Sure he didn’t have the year we thought he would but if I had to place a bet on who would have the best chance of bouncing back out of Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe, i’d take Lowe. The free agent market for pitching is weak and outside of this year Derek Lowe’s numbers have been good. I’m pretty sure someone will be willing to take a chance on him. Which team though, I have no idea and what we could get for him, who knows. Best thing on our side is this weak pitching market.
I for one am not all that shocked at his numbers. Tim Hudson (another sinkerballer) had similar struggles when he first came to Atlanta. Why, I have no idea, maybe the weather? This isn’t exactly California.
N8
October 28th, 2009
12:18 pm
lineups?
Lew
October 28th, 2009
12:19 pm
Wayne-Swisher is a switch hitter, Mac is not. Swisher at cleanup would give you a L,R,S,S,L (if Mac bats fifth, R if Yunel does), R,L,R lineup. Swisher at clean up breraks up the lineup better to my way of thinking.
N8
October 28th, 2009
12:20 pm
Every time somebody posts asking about “new news” in the Hudson negotiations, I will ask for lineups to be posted.
Do you guys really think that if there was anything new to report that DOB would be talking about NBA predictions?
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:24 pm
Any news on the Hudson negotiations? And how about a lineup for tonight?
KC
October 28th, 2009
12:27 pm
Lew, here I go and defend your logic in an earlier post, and you respond by taking a shot at me when I wasn’t even around. Nice.
rammerjammer
October 28th, 2009
12:30 pm
Lew,
I just can’t imagine anyone, especially in the AL, looking at Lowe’s season and contract, and saying “there’s our guy!”
I think we’re just going to have to hope his luck changes for the better. He’s a team player, a leader who gave us lots of quality starts, and he did bounce back once before (albeit, five years ago). Would I like to deal him for Swisher? Sure! Just don’t see the Yankees being enthusiastic. At all.
As for LaRoche, don’t you think someone will offer him three years? Do you think Frank will? I don’t, not with Freeman lurking. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Frank signed a free-agent 1B to a one-year deal in the hope Freddie will be ready in 2011.
My interest in Kawakami for Swisher is that it’s close to a net-net financially, we deal from a strength and we address a weakness. And if Freddie ISN’T ready, Swisher can play 1B.
KC
October 28th, 2009
12:34 pm
Lew, I’m not against a Lowe-for-Swisher trade. I’d be happy to add him to the team. I just don’t think he’s THE right-handed bat we need.
As for being able to afford an MVP caliber bat… depends on how we define “MVP”. I’m not sure Bay is going to compete for an MVP, but he’s one of the biggest guys out there this winter, so we’ll take him for example.
If the Braves can move D.Lowe, then they CAN afford a player like Bay. They just can’t afford Bay, LaRoche, AND a free agent closer.
They CAN make a serious bid for Bay. It’s just a matter of what the Braves are WILLING to offer. And if they were to sign Bay and LaRoche, they’d have to find a low cost closer via trade. Or if they signed Bay and a FA closer, they’d have to cut ties with LaRoche.
But they will have plenty of flexibility and options if they can move Lowe.
DAP
October 28th, 2009
12:35 pm
one good thing that can happen for the braves is that the yankees lose the world series. they will then go crazy ing the free agent market, and probably sign lackey and one of holliday and bay, making it less likely that the mets can get one of those guys. hey, maybe swisher (and pettit) has a bad series and the yanks want to dump him while upgrading their pitching with our surplus.
SSS
October 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
Oh, and Phil Hughes is 8-9 with a 5.22 ERA in 28 starts.
SSS
KC
October 28th, 2009
12:41 pm
rammerjammer, you’re right… no one is going to look at last year and decide Lowe is worth the money he is due over the next few years. However, no one is going to be looking ONLY at 2009. They’ll be looking at what he’s done over the course of his career, and in particular, what he did in his previous several seasons in LA.
And particularly where the Yankees are concerned, since when did the Yankees lose sleep about the possibility that they might be overpaying a player, if they think he can help them win?
The bottom line is… if the Yankees scouts feel Lowe is more likely to perform next year as he did in LA, he might be the best starter available this winter. The FA market’s going to be pretty thin in terms of starting pitching.
Wayne in Utah (WWRFD)
October 28th, 2009
12:41 pm
Last winter, the Braves went into the free agent market out of necessity. Their normal channel of improving the team is via the trade market. You almost always overpay when you bid on free agents. I can see us adding a big contract for a Bay or Holliday and then regretting it in 2-3 years. Maybe not, but it is a possibility.
I just think that we will not see a major play for one of those two guys. While we need a hitter, our need is not as dramatic as it was last year for starting pitching.
Travis
October 28th, 2009
12:46 pm
I floated a salary deferment on Chipper on the blog and got nailed for it. Is there something in the bargaining aggreement that prohibits deferring salaries beyond the players active career? I would think players would love to get a paycheck in the millions after they stopped playing. Am I wrong or just an idiot ranting?
Steve from OH
October 28th, 2009
1:07 pm
Travis–a lot of players get a pension as well, but I don’t know when it kicks in…
P-Town Brave
October 28th, 2009
1:09 pm
Wayne-
Could they possibly even be close to regretting it like the Chipper contract?
I know some don’t appreciate knocking the guy, but he’s far from being worth that kind of money nor has he been for quite awhile.
Last 4 years:
Bay:
.267 .384 .537 36 HR 119 RBI 13 SB (09)
.286 .373 .522 31 HR 101 RBI 10 SB (08)
.247 .327 .418 21 HR 84 RBI (07)
.286 .396 .532 35 HR 109 RBI (06)
Holliday:
.313 .394 .515 24 HR 109 RBI 14 SB (09)
.321 .409 .538 25 HR 88 RBI 28 SB (08)
.340 .405 .607 36 HR 137 RBI 11 SB (07) -also 50 2b
.326 .387 .586 34 HR 114 RBI 10 SB (06)
During this time, Chipper’s high in HR was 29 and RBI was 102 while he never stole over 6 bases. After his lowest SLG % ever and lowest OBP since 2004, isn’t it evident that money needs to be spent on the middle part of the order?
The question is, after looking at their numbers and knowing Bay will cost less, who would you rather have?
Random
October 28th, 2009
1:11 pm
CB (October 28th, 2009 10:53 am): “tell me you are just kidding about Manny Ramirez”
Nope — Ise sewious, suh.
“You are too smart to really want that cancer,right?”
Aaawwwww — he ain’t a cancer — he’s a kitten, misunderstood by many who eagerly believe the blatant lies of a bitter Boston (ex)beat writer. Don’t buy in to that stuff.
“You think he is a better answer than Miguel Cabrera?”
I don’t know too much about Cabrera right now. Younger, right?
I know (or at least have read first hand accounts) that (most of) Manny’s teammates and former teammates like him and respect his dedication to practice and hard work. (Offensively, at least.)
And I think the results at the plate speak for themselves.
BossLady
October 28th, 2009
1:14 pm
LEW, thank you so much for the Hank Aaron picture. I received it today on the opening of the World Series. It couldn’t have been timed better.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
1:14 pm
rammer-an even out salary deal really doesn’t help us in the least. We have more than that one need to fill and Kawakami will not free up enough to do the job. Don’t sell Lowe short, either. First, his season was not all that bad. He still got his innings in, had twenty something quality starts (more than half his starts-34 again) and won his customary 15 games, albeit with somewhat lesser peripherals than usual. The only reason to get rid of him is for salary relief, because we still have six other options (what a terrible problem to have). Otherwise, he would hardly be considered a detriment or liability to our rotation. The Yankees would look at him as an upgrade. It’s all relative.
rammerjammer
October 28th, 2009
1:15 pm
KC, I imagine the scouting reports from Lowe’s 2009 season carry a lot more weight than what he did in previous years. Andruw is a perfect example of why previous performance can be overvalued.
The optimist in me says Lowe had bad luck and will have a solid 2010. The pessimist says he’ll be 37 next season and his skills are eroding.
Lew
October 28th, 2009
1:16 pm
BossLady-You’re welcome.
toga party
October 28th, 2009
1:22 pm
Here’s a fun little article on the mud / spit they use on new baseballs. It has a pretty funny out of context quote from Huddy, and the Braves’ “baseball rubber”, Chris Van Zant.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/28/baseball.mud/index.html
RC
October 28th, 2009
1:22 pm
I know people have been disregarding certain LF options due to lack of defensive ability, but what about the possibility of a Lowe/Carlos Lee swap with Houston? They have the same number of years left on their contracts, although Lee is set to make $3.5 million a year more than Lowe. Houston’s rotation is VERY young and inexperienced, with only Wandy Rodriguez being what you’d call a “proven” commodity. And Lee would definitely fit the “right handed power bat” model.
Brad in MT
October 28th, 2009
1:25 pm
Lew…Thanks so much for the pictures, they are awesome! I can’t wait to get them up in my office.
Couch Tater
October 28th, 2009
1:40 pm
Random,
Jon Heyman of SI says the misunderstood kitten will exercise his option with LA. But, thanks for the picture of Manny.
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman
Daslied
October 28th, 2009
1:45 pm
P-Town Brave – Kotchman hit 11 in 2007 and 14 in 2008. 15 homers in 2009 looked like an easily attainable goal for a guy entering his prime.
Lew – I’m not arguing with your point. I’m just pointing out that it was reasonable to expect KJ, Frenchy, Garrett and Kotchman to hit 15-20 last year, as 3 of the 4 had done it previously. Didn’t happen, so maybe they dispose of that way of thinking.
KC
October 28th, 2009
1:46 pm
rammerjammer, I agree, the scouting reports will matter most. But the scouting reports aren’t simply a regurgitation of his season totals. Those reports are going to address his stuff, and his ability to get back to level of performance he displayed in LA. Lowe had a weird season…
On June 9, he was 7-3, with a 3.44 ERA. He looked great through the first 2 months+ of the season, including some dominated performances (like opening day).
Then he had a short, but particularly rough, stretch that saw his ERA jump more than a run over the course of only 5 poor starts.
Immediately after that rough stretch, he had a 7-start stretch in July/August in which he went 5-0, with a 2.90 ERA. Then… back in the crapper. His final 9 starts took his ERA from 4.08 to 4.67.
I watched guys like Maddux wind down their careers, and Lowe’s ‘09 season just doesn’t look like that to me. When non-power pitchers decline, you typically see a gradual loss of sharpness and movement on their pitches. There was nothing gradual at all here. It was a season of sharp contrasts (2 brilliant stretches, and 2 terrible stretches) that appears to me more a product of mechanical slips than a decline of skills.
But there is one important thing to note, despite the inconsistency and inflated (by his standards) ERA… he gave the Braves plenty of innings AND 21 QUALITY STARTS, which believe it or not, is one more quality start than gave LA in 2008!
His season wasn’t as bad as it appears at first glance. Part of that is because he finished on a low note, which is what sticks in our memories as fans. But I think the Yankees, in particular, could have interest.
ncscoots
October 28th, 2009
1:47 pm
K.C.: I agree on your four NBA conference finalists, but I’ll take Lakers over Spurs, then Celtics over Lakers in Finals.
Roger that. Lakers add Artest and the Celtics add ‘Sheed. I mean, mercy. That’s adding quality to a couple of already-studly teams.
bravesfanlm
October 28th, 2009
1:52 pm
I’ve been thinking about a few ways to improve the offense. Let me know what you think,
First- Trade Kelly Johnson to the cubs for Jake Fox.
Second- Trade Derek Lowe to the tigers for Magglio Ordonez.
Sign Billy Wagner to a one year $5 million deal.
Sign Brandon lyon to a 2 year $7 million deal to be the other set-up man, and insurance in case Wagner got hurt.
Sign Coco Crisp to a one year $4 million deal.
Offer arbitration to Soriano, Gonzalez, and collect the draft picks
Line up
1. Crisp-CF
2. Prado- 2B
3. Jones-3B
4. Ordonez-RF
5. McCann-C
6. Escobar-SS
7. Mclouth-LF
8. Fox-1B
9. Pitcher spot
Bench- Ross-C, Infante-IF/OF, Hernandez-SS, Diaz-4 OF, Canizares-1B
Rotation
1. Vazquez
2. Jurrjens
3. Hudson
4. Hanson
5. Kawakami
Bullpen
long relief-Reyes/Redmond
Middle Relief- Boone Logan
Middle Relief- Kris Medlin
Middle Relief Eric O’flaherty
Set-up- Brandon Lyon
Set-up – Peter Moylan
Closer – Billy Wagner
RC
October 28th, 2009
1:54 pm
KC,
I completely agree with you that Lowe didn’t have nearly as bad of a season as it might have seemed. At the same time, if Houston would entertain a swap of him and Carlos Lee, I think the Braves would be crazy not to try and make it work.
ncscoots
October 28th, 2009
1:55 pm
Let’s see…if lineup posts are one of my peeves, how do I feel about entire bleepin’ roster posts, LOL? I’m thinking, give me a minute.
Random
October 28th, 2009
1:57 pm
CB –
PS: And Manny was far less of a “cancer” on the Sox than Babe Ruth was, back in the day.
Ask Lew — I believe I brought him around to rightful thinking on the topic this past spring.
(JK, L.)
rammerjammer
October 28th, 2009
1:57 pm
KC, I think the Yankees are one of the few teams that can afford to be interested. Like our federal government, when the Yankees make a financial mistake, they just spend more money and keep going!
Random
October 28th, 2009
2:03 pm
Lew (October 28th, 2009 9:14 am): “Just remember-anything you contend can be justified by your point of view. Words to live by.”
For a solpsist perhaps.
O.J.
October 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
bravesfanlm, I like a lot of your ideas, like the Kelly Johnson for Jake Fox swap, and the Brandon Lyons signing, but I have to say no to trading for Maggs, no to Coco Crisp.
DAP
October 28th, 2009
2:09 pm
bravesfanIm
im sure if the kelly johnson trade is realistic. mags is not a good target, i dont like wagner, but i really like lyon, and if he can be had for two years $7mil i hope that gets done. im not a big crisp fan either. he isnt really a better leadoff hitter than mclouth.
rammerjammer Like our federal government, when the Yankees make a financial mistake, they just spend more money and keep going!
its the american way, right? yeesh….
KC
October 28th, 2009
2:13 pm
DOB, nscoots: I could easily see either conference final going either way… and the Finals could easily go to the East OR West.
I should mention one caveat… my Spurs over Lakers call is based on the assumption of health. That, of course, can’t be assumed at all with Ginobili, and to a far lesser extent, Duncan. But IF the Spurs are healthy, I like them to come out of the West… though, again, I could easily see it gong either way.
When they did the NBA survey of GM’s the conclusion on the Western Conference was that IF the Spurs were healthy, it was something of a toss up. But because Ginobili hasn’t been healthy for the last 2 playoffs (and Duncan wasn’t 100% in the playoffs last year either), many were understandably reluctant to pick the Spurs over the Lakers. Officially, 75% of GM’s predicted LA, 25% San Antonio to come out of the West.
KC
October 28th, 2009
2:14 pm
rammerjammer, (1:57) no truer words have ever been spoken.
David O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
2:18 pm
Wayne, I’m still hearing that Hudson could get done by next week if not sooner, even though his agent is out of the country on vacation through next week.
As for lineup tonight, I’m not at Series. So you have same access to lineup that I do. I’m going to Philly for Game 3, but real purpose of trip is to chair the BBWAA meeting that morning, my last meeting as president (it’s a one-year term).