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2,702 comments Add your comment
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
12:48 pm
Lew
November 6th, 2009
9:49 am
ugaaccountant-You actually think I’m unaware of or unable to reason the pros and cons of such a trade? WTF, Dude, I’m a UGA alum, too. Don’t treat me like I went to Tech.
I responded to the post you made where you ignored the key aspect of the Fielder scenario. I only respond to guys like you who are informed contributors to the board, as I do understand that you understand the game.
Fielder will receive somewhere in the vicinity of an $18-20 million contract when he renegotiates(or hits Free Agency-unless the Brewers extend him first)
I agred – I put 20M a season down for him.
and the Braves can’t afford that kind of money (see also Holliday and Bay)
lowe + Laroche or Fielder + Kimbrel. First group costs you 24 million a season. Second costs you 20 million a season plus what you trade – minus a minor prospect or two when we trade Lowe. We easily can afford him if we choose to.
and quite honestly, they don’t need Fielder like so many seem to believe. LaRoche is a much better defensive 1B than Fielder. There’s absolutely no comparison (not to mention Fielder ain’t exactly a flexible type and is not likely to get smaller and more athletic).
There are certainly merits to Laroche. I greatly prefer him to Konerko or Nick Johnson.
He also will only cost about $9-10 mil per year and give you just a few less HR.
Fielder is an MVP type. Don’t sully yourself by claiming Laroche is in his ballpark offensively.
He is a great fit in Atlanta, likes to play here and is an asset in the clubhouse.
Agreed – Laroche is perfectly fine, if we instead spend the money in the outfield.
And let us not mention that Freeman, the much ballyhooed 1B in waiting is (ok, I can’t resist) in waiting.
Freeman was used in the trade for Fielder.
Now for another practicality no one seems to take into account. Milwaukee ain’t trading Fielder or Braun. They have basically said as much in so many words. Yes, pitching is at a premium and yes, MIlwaukee needs pitching. However, their GM correctly stated that hitters like Fielder and Braun are a commodity in short supply as well (why do you think we want them?). They are exceptional hitters and worth every bit as much as a good pitcher is to a team. How would you think that the Brewers had improved themselves by adding someone like Lowe or Vazquez while deleting their best offense in a hitter’s park? Makes absolutely no sense at all.
Every deal thrown around on a message board is based on hypotheticals we don’t know. I acknowledged this is only going to happen if Fielder wants to be traded. He is in the last year of a contract so if he wants out, the Brewers would be crazy not to shop him.
Couple all of this with the fact that Lowe is coming off of what most Braves’ fans feel was a radically substandard season and that Vazquez, despite his pitching line as a Brave, is still an iffy proposition to most teams, especially those with hitter friendly stadiums like the Brewers. Javy has NEVER performed as well in such venues. I seriously believe that Javy’s 09 season was a direct result of WHERE he pitched and liking being there.
You are drastically short-selling our talent in this paragraph, and creating a strawman argument because nobody said they were getting Fielder 1 for 1 for them.
It absolutely amazes me that people can only see the good in any deal
I rant and rave about the downside of deals. I am a notorious prospect hugger.
and are totally unwilling to see the potential drawbacks or improbable aspects (like the other team not wanting to trade their best for pieces we don’t want) of a deal.
I want Vasquez. I want Freeman. I want Teheran. They aren’t just good, they are all great players or great prospects. You don’t think a team might want a pitcher coming off a sub 3 era and the #2 and #3 prospect in a good organization? This was very much a value for value post.
Hell, last year I was ridiculed and reviled by so many (including DOB) when I claimed Peavey was an injury waiting to happen and totally not worth the package we were asked for in return.
So did I.
Everyone claimed he was an ace and exactly what we needed.
Bull f’n crap. Almost 100% of the informed persons on this board totally balked at the Peavy deal once it was clear Hanson or Heyward would be required. Most balked when the centerpiece was Yunel. And some never liked it from the beginning.
Tomahawk Talk
November 6th, 2009
12:48 pm
with trading KJ and possibly kawakami you have money to spend towards LaRoche and Dye. Not to mention it also takes pressure off Heyward if they can get Dye/Cameron.
dmack2027
November 6th, 2009
12:56 pm
You do want to take the pressure off Heyward. However, barring something unforseen happeneing to him next spring training or at AAA, he will unquestionably be ready for the show at some point next year.
You do not want to sign two outfielders and block his path to the Braves.
dmack2027
November 6th, 2009
12:57 pm
By the way, by trading Carlos Gomez to the Brewers, the Twins lose the centerpiece of the Santana deal. What a bad trade.
O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
12:58 pm
Duke, I wonder if the ESPN rumor mill saw Mark Bradley’s blog and ran with it. I dont think Hanson becomes a closer. Not this season anyway. The Braves will trade one of their starting pitchers, which would leave them with 5, so Hanson will be needed in the rotation.
TnBrian, I agree that our current young Braves are more developed (or more highly thought of) than the Baby Braves back then. I wonder who will be our next manager to lead the next braves dynast? Freddie Gonzales?
I dont think the Braves will go after Dye. He hit .184 the second half of the season. And Chipper also struggled in the second half. I dont think Frank Wren wants to go into next season hoping that both Chipper and Dye (potential #3 and #4 hitters) will rebound from a weak second half.
Tomahawk Talk
November 6th, 2009
12:59 pm
dmack2027 i was saying either Dye or Cameron. Not both. that would be dumb agreed. Heyward will be ready but I (and i assume most others) would want the Braves to do what they did with Hanson and protect him for the super 2 rule or whatever it is called.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:01 pm
Tomahawk Talk-Doubtful a. That you could trade KJ when teams know he may well be non-tendered and b.that even with trading both players, you would not net enough of a salary savings (around $10 million) to sign LaRoche, much less Dye.
Tomahawk Talk
November 6th, 2009
1:02 pm
Cameron is a hometown boy as well. He’s from Lagrange, GA so he very well could be a good fit. Also, this may spark some conversation. What about Andruw Jones for a similar role he played last year for the Rangers. He could be the 4th outfielder and/or the strong presence off the bench.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:08 pm
ugaaccountant-Dude, I reiterate-You do not trade two pitchers like Vazquez and Teheran, much less your number two and three prospects (Freeman and Teheran) for a guy who will cost you $20 million, which is a salary level we can just not afford or maintain for the life of a several year contract.
Sorry, but it is just NOT the deal for the Braves. It just isn’t. They will profit much more with those two pitching for the Braves than they will with Fielder lumbering around 1B and hitting far fewer HR’s in a pitcher’s park. Period.
Besides, though Roach is not the in the same category with Fielder, his defense makes up for the couple less HR’s he’ll hit when compared to Prince. If we could afford Prince, we could have afforded Teixeira, who is a MUCH better all around player than Fielder.
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:09 pm
Lew
CB-Because Bay and Holliday are going to command around $16-18 million. $15 mil just doesn’t cover that and we have need of more than an outfield bat-we need a 1B and a closer, too, as well as a couple extra arms for the pen and a PH/Utility guy. Only so much you can get with that $15 mil plus whatever you might save on our two current closers.
Again – not to fight with you as you know your baseball, but your math is way off.
If we trade Lowe, we can afford nearly a 20 million a year guy. If he’s an OF, the additional money is what we paid for Francouer/Church last year. If he’s 1b it’s what we paid Kotchman/Laroche.
And a closer – We paid about 10 million last year between Gonzalez/Soriano. We’ll probably sign one of them and could actually have a better bullpen cheaper with Proctor, Medlen and Kimbrel contributing.
PH & Utility – We had expensive guys there last year in Johnson and Norton and one of Anderson/Diaz/Church. We come out cheaper here as well in nearly every prediction i’ve seen on this board.
Again, the math for a premium big bat is from trading Lowe. If we trade Vasquez or Kawakami instead, we have to get a cheaper big bat.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:10 pm
Don’t believe that Billy Wagner, at his age, is worth the payout he’d command or the draft choice the Bravos would have to surrender. I’d rather see Wren try to cut a deal with Gonzo. He’s not a great set up man or closer but he’s generally solid.
Tomahawk Talk… I’d love for Wren to move Johnson and Kawakami to make room for LaRoche and Dye. Only problem is that LaRoche is going to seek a multiyear deal; Wren’s not inclined to offer him that. According to reports (speculation), Wren may be inclined to offer LaRoche arbitration in attempt to make a one-year fix at 1B. But I doubt LaRoche will accept. He’s indicated that he wants a multiyear deal to give him stability, and he can probably get it. Can’t say I blame him.
Dye’s not a big cash outlay but has, I believe, two years remaining on his contract. Heyward is probably up at some point this coming season, and Schafer, if he rebounds, isn’t far behind. Don’t think Wren would want an extended commitment to Dye.
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
1:10 pm
You gotta love Christopher Walken:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGH5ygIKyT0&feature=related
Steve from OH
November 6th, 2009
1:11 pm
Efrim–I agree that Konerko would be a good fit, in terms of position, handedness and length of contract. I don’t know how the money would work out, though, unless Wren knows he can deal Lowe away. I don’t know if he’s our cleanup hitter, but he’ll help out lineup for sure. I still really want Holliday though, even though it’s a pipe-dream…
P-Town Brave
November 6th, 2009
1:11 pm
Scoots-
Hilarious! I also agree.
TT-
Andruw has not nor ever probably will be a strong presence or leader in his life and he barely played any OF in Texas. I do believe his career is shot.
I actually appreciated the lineup w/ Diaz hitting leadoff and Dye and LaRoche in it, but what happens when Heyward comes up? You then lose your leadoff hitter to the bench…so in reality that doesn’t make much semse to do that for 2 months and then scrap it because Heyward will be up barring injury.
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:13 pm
Ok, i’ll take your assessment on Fielder. I rate him extremely highly, like MVP high which explains why i’d deal for him even at a long term high dollar contract.
I happen to think Teheran is a bust waiting to happen and would love to trade him if we get good value. His production hasn’t been that great, even though his stuff is legendary around here.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:14 pm
ugaaccountant… Kimbrel is probably (and smartly) a late season call up. Proctor’s arm and effectiveness are in question. Two surgeries make it so.
I think resigning Gonzo, if possible, is the best route. Medlen, I think, has the stuff to be tough set up guy or a closer. A Gonzo/Medlen/Moylan trio might be quite effective.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:16 pm
DOB,
Christopher Walken is just hilarious standing there. Hard to believe he started his career as a serious actor. Did you ever see Deer Hunter? Pretty intense acting by Walken.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:18 pm
ugaaccountant-If we trade a $15 million a year salary, we can afford a $20 million player? Dude, and you’re an accountant? Do your books even add up? Come on.
If we get rid of Lowe, that’s $15 mil. We saved a couple mil with Hudson’s new contract ((17 total). You non tender KJ and Church, another $7 mil (24 total). You let Gonzo and Soriano walk, another $10 million (34 total).
You sign LaRoche for three years, at $9 mil per (total now 25 mil). You re-sign Gonzo at $7 mil per (now total of $18 mil).
At this point, you would still need a left fielder. You would still need at least two relievers. You would still need to pay arbitration and other contractual raises. You would still need to replace your pinch hitter and you would still need another good utility player and all of this must come out of approximately $18 million. How does this equal us affording a $20 mil salary? Sorry, but the numbers just don’t add up to what you claim they do.
Steve from OH
November 6th, 2009
1:20 pm
DOB–too funny. Walken is one of my faves…
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:20 pm
Not to mention that flat out, the Braves will never pay more than 25% of their salary to one player.
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:20 pm
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:14 pm
ugaaccountant… Kimbrel is probably (and smartly) a late season call up. Proctor’s arm and effectiveness are in question. Two surgeries make it so.
I think resigning Gonzo, if possible, is the best route. Medlen, I think, has the stuff to be tough set up guy or a closer. A Gonzo/Medlen/Moylan trio might be quite effective.
I’m with you – Gonzalez + Moylan + Medlen + O’Flaharety + Logan + Kimbrel & Proctor. That bullpen is cheaper than last year’s, and could well be better.
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:21 pm
Lew 25% of our 100 million cap is 25 million. 18-20 million is doable.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:21 pm
Lew, I’d give LaRoche a three-year deal in a heartbeat, but I don’t think Wren will bite. I’ve even sugested offering LaRoche a beefed up two-year deal with a nice buyout on a third year option. I think letting LaRoche walk hurts the team more than fans think in 2010.
Efrim
November 6th, 2009
1:22 pm
Steve from OH, I too want Holliday. As much as it pains me, my early prediction is that Holliday signs with the Mets. I think that fan base will bring pitchforks and torches to Citi Field if Minaya/Wilpon don’t make a big splash.
And I was hoping Kelly could potentially be used in a trade for Konerko, but it seems that their plan is to play Teahen at 3rd, and shift Beckham to 2nd base. A smart move by KW/Ozzie. Beckham has more value at 2nd base.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:22 pm
ugaaccountant-You do realize that Teheran is all of 18 years old and has four effective pitches, with his fastball close to 100MPH? This kid has more natural pitching ability than any other pitcher the Braves have had in their minors in the past 15 years. You do NOT let him go because he had issues in his late teens and those basically because of injury.
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:23 pm
Lew you suck at math. You and I both know in my example we’re acquiring a 20 million 1st baseman. We are releasing a 15 million pitcher and a 1b we paid at least 5 million to last year. 15 + 5 = 20.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:25 pm
We had a salary of around $93 million last year. They will not pay more than 20% (that better?) of their salary to a single player. Come on-this one is just not happening.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
1:25 pm
Dude-I’m a freaking artist. It still isn’t happening.
BravesfaninWis
November 6th, 2009
1:25 pm
David O’Brien
November 5th, 2009
3:52 pm
By the way, Huddy did an interview today on 680 The Fan, the new AM flagship station of the Braves’ ratio network. He was talking about taking less to stay here and how his agent kept asking the Braves for this or that in the new deal.
“Sometimes you have to tell your agent that I’m happy here, and you work for me,” Hudson said.
Gotta love that.
Gotta love that indeed. Not to often you hear a player say that about his agent. Now if only some Scott Boras clients would say that publicly about him, now that would be great.
I like the idea of going after Billy Wagner for the simple fact that we have several big time left handed hitters in our division, and with Wagner’s mechanics, his speed, he can be a huge threat to the Utley’s, Howard’s, Ibanez’s, Ross’s, and Dunn’s of our division when the game is on the line.
I also hope that the Braves are able to resign LaRoche. If he deems to expensive, then a Vazquez for Lee deal doesn’t sound to bad either, if it could happen.
Even the thought of Hanson being our closer pisses me off. You don’t stick a guy like Hanson as your closer when he is such a lights out starting pitcher who is very young. How Bradley even got that idea running through his head is mind blowing.
Tomahawk Talk
November 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
P-Town Brave
When Heyward comes up, you simply move McClouth back up to the leadoff spot.
1. Nate McClouth
2. Martin Prado
3. Chipper Jones
4. Jermaine Dye
5. Brian McCann
6. Yunel Escobar
7. Jason Heyward
8. Adam Laroche
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
My opinion on Teheran is colored by seeing his box scores and the lack of innings pitched. I therefore would be happy to trade him if we got the typical value a #3 prospect brings.
I wouldn’t just throw him in a rental trade like we did Neftali Feliz, but if Teheran brought us a 1b MVP candidate under a long term contract I’d do it. I would trade him in the Fielder scenario or for Tex or Howard. That’s probably the full list, maybe Morneau or Miguel Cabrera.
I like the kids chances, but he’s extremely unproven relative to his #3 prospect ranking.
Zookey
November 6th, 2009
1:30 pm
ugaaccountant I only respond to guys like you who are informed contributiors to the board.
What a crock with all that bs you copy and paste from other sites.
You should get tired of patting yourself on the back.
Tomahawk Talk
November 6th, 2009
1:31 pm
I hadn’t thought about it but I agree Medlen could very well be a legit closer.
P-Town Brave
November 6th, 2009
1:34 pm
Here’s what I would do:
Trade Kelly, JoJo, and Randall Delgado to the Sox for Konerko (~7.5 M added)
Sign Dye to a 1-yr 5 Mil deal w/ a 2nd year team option of 7M (just in case)
Trade Kawakami for a 3b prospect and a middle reliever (save ~4.5M w/ 2M reliever coming back)
Sign Billy Wagner 3Y/27M w/ 3rd year vesting option based on games finished (6M,9M,12M)
This adds 14M to the payroll for next season but you also have to remember that you’re subtracting Hudson’s 3M and you take Soriano and Gonzo off the books, as well as non tendering Church which saves probably 3.5M.
Yes, I understand current players will be receiving raises, but I think 14M is very feasible and very fair to Dye and Wagner given their current status.
McLouth L
Prado R
Jones S
Dye R
Konerko R
McCann L
Escobar R
Diaz R
Ross
Infante
OF Bench (til Heyward)
Conrad
1b Bench (possibly Canizares?)
Hudson
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Hanson
Lowe
Wagner
Moylan
Medlen
(X)
O’Flaherty
Kimbrell
Logan
Thoughts?
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:34 pm
And yes I agree that it’s unlikely the Braves would tie themselves up in a 20M a year contract. It’s just as an accountant I look at the numbers and see they could in fact work. There is certainly risk there, and I wouldn’t do it for Bay or Holliday.
But for a true MVP candidate under 30 playing 1b, a position where injuries and age are a bit kinder than other positions, I’d take a risk. I’d spend 20M a year and I was ticked off the Braves didn’t do that when we had our chance with Tex. Tex was the perfect storm of where we should have oppened our wallet.
GTechAchilles
November 6th, 2009
1:35 pm
ugaaccountant
HE’S 18! hes 2-3 years out of being even ready for the Bigs. There is a lot of growing and seasoning to go.
N8
November 6th, 2009
1:36 pm
Lew, I agree on Freeman. I was thinking more along the lines of Heyward.
GTechAchilles
November 6th, 2009
1:38 pm
not bad P-town
Brandon Jones -OF Bench?
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
1:39 pm
Trade Teheran – nyet!
ugaaccountant… are the Bravos in the business of beefing other teams’ starting rotations? Schmidt, Wainwright and Feliz (he’s a-coming) have all done, or will do, quite well elsewhere.
Jurrjens, Hanson, Minor and, eventually, Teheran potentially could make a more formidable rotation than Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz.
P-Town Brave
November 6th, 2009
1:41 pm
GTech-
That would be a possibility as it looks lefty light on the bench, and Diaz would head there when Heyward gets the call.
Maybe a left handed 1b bench bat? Not sure who that would be, but that could be worth a look as well.
Not certain about the rotation as well because you can plug each guy anywhere between 1-5. I would however say I like breaking up Vazquez and Hanson (power) as well as Hudson, JJ, and Lowe (finesse) as they pitch similiar so you can mix power and finesse and give a different look each game.
dmack2027
November 6th, 2009
1:44 pm
What about the Braves exchanging nontender candidates with the Twins. Kelly Johnson for Delmon Young.
monty
November 6th, 2009
1:45 pm
N8
In response to comment about my saying Dye was not the answer for our corner OF needs.
If you think Dye is a solution for a corner OF position, You are incredibly ignorant! And show a complete lack of knowledge of the game, He’s worse than Anderson, or Franceour.( At least Jeff could field, hit for a higher avg,throw and steal a base ever now and then,) LOL!! All for the sake of what? Hitting maybe , just maybe, 20 HR’s in a new league with new ptchers ,all the while hitting .250 or less and striking out 100+ times! For crying out loud I’ve always read your post and while not liking your nasty disposition I thoght you new a little about the game. Now I realize you don’t know jack.
GTechEngineer
November 6th, 2009
1:49 pm
ugaccountant has lost all credibility. mainly because of the name. but trading a stud in teheran is just dumb.
p.s. i didn’t know they taught math at uga. that degree must get you far in life…haha
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:52 pm
I love it. I’m an admitted prospect hugger. I hated trading Wainright for a rental, Feliz for a rental and even Flowers just because I didn’t want to let him go even for a great value like Vasquez. I was dead set against trading Hanson for anybody, cy young winner Peavy wasn’t even close to reasonable return in my judgment.
But I mention that it might be a good idea to trade an 18 year old who’s value is through the roof and who’s production does not back it up and who has had injury problems and everybody hates it. Even though the player I’m envisioning getting is an MVP candidate coming with a long term contract extension.
I like prospects as much as anyone but an MVP in hand is worth a Cy Young in the bush.
GTechEngineer
November 6th, 2009
1:53 pm
Dye is a .274 career average hitter. 99 rbi average with a 30 hr average. How is he any way comparable to Francoeur
ugaaccountant
November 6th, 2009
1:55 pm
G Tech Engineer
Please explain how Teheran is a can’t miss stud? So far, he’s missed for 2 seasons. Despite this we’d be getting great value for him as baseball america ranked him our 3rd best prospect.
As to your sleight of my degree, look it up. Our accounting program is highly respected.
O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
1:59 pm
ugaaccountant, Fielder would be great at 1B, but if he makes $20 mil, and Chipper makes $14 mil, thats ~36% ($34 mil out of $95 mil) of your limited payroll in 2 guys. And as somebody else mentioned, after this season, some players will be up for arbitration/raises etc. And I dont think anyone significant will be coming off the books.
1B has been a revolving door for the Braves, so I hope Freeman will be that long term solution, with LaRoche short term.
P-Town Brave
November 6th, 2009
2:00 pm
Monty-
Funny you mention that.
Since 2006:
Dye SB – 12 Francoeur – 12
Dye HR – 133 Francoeur – 74
Dye RBI – 375 Francoeur – 355
Dye AVG – .279 Francoeur – .268
Dye OBP – .347 Francoeur – .309
Dye SLG – .528 Francoeur – .420
Dye K – 437 Francoeur – 464
Dye BB – 212 Francoeur – 127
Dye OPS+ – 122 Francoeur – 89
Dye Errors – 15 Francoeur – 19
So yeah, he may get to some more balls, but still made more errors…
But yeah, your post was clearly logical.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
2:18 pm
ugaaccountant… Pitching talent is a very valuable commodity in the big leagues. Teams that can develop and hold their pitching talent have a leg up on their competitors. There’s nothing to suggest that Teheran won’t realize his potential. On the other hand, I’ll grant that its possible that he won’t pan out.
But at this point in his career, who can say with certainty? I will add that Hanson was highly regarded from his days in the low minors. So far, he’s panning out.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
2:19 pm
O’Brien… “1B has been a revolving door for the Braves, so I hope Freeman will be that long term solution, with LaRoche short term.”
I hope so too.
ncscoots
November 6th, 2009
2:27 pm
Mi>My opinion on Teheran is colored by seeing his box scores and the lack of innings pitched. I therefore would be happy to trade him
Yet, you’re all woe-is-me over the trade of Feliz, who had about 50 professional innings total when he was traded, and had shown little more than an ability to throw hard and look up the definition of “secondary pitches”. How do you reconcile that? I’m asking seriously.
darren
November 6th, 2009
2:31 pm
without a doubt the dumbest thing thing bradley or any writer has ever said ” hanson the closer?” hands down the stupidest thing ever said on here…please fire this guy…hanson is a talent that the braves or any teams dream of…he is no joba…kid is a ace for years to come…lets turn carpenter, hooliday, sabathia into closers too!!!!!! dumbass
JJJ
November 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
Ok, I agree that we need to keep LaRoche until minor leaguer, Freeman i think, is ready. I also believe we gotta keep Lowe this year and then trade, he’s got a good shot at making up for 2009. Trade KK and Kelly Johnson and get a bat, forget about trading Vazquez (he wants to play in Atlanta). You also gotta look for a 3B. Chipper’s got 1 maybe 2 more years so find a young 3B with some power potential. Heyward’s gonna get a spot in the outfield and Diaz deserves a spot. McLouth, Heyward, Diaz is a pretty nice outfield. Resign LaRoche and look for a power bat to put on an infield corner.
Wayne in Utah
November 6th, 2009
2:38 pm
How has Hicks & Freeman been doing this week? When does Minor pitch again?
ncscoots
November 6th, 2009
2:50 pm
Hicks wen 3-for-5 yesterday, Freeman 0-for-3 Tuesday. Hitting .315 and .286, respectively
O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
2:57 pm
If Cuddyer’s $10.5 mil option for 2011 is not picked up by the Twins, would the Braves be a suitable trade partner? W
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
3:02 pm
It’s probably been noted here, but W. Sox bought out final year of Dye’s contract. Dude’s surely headed to an AL team as a free agent, since he’s barely serviceable in OF these days and needs to DH at least part of the time.
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
3:05 pm
Wayne, pay attention: Minor’s pitching in the Rising Stars all-star game in the Fall League on Saturday,
facing Strasburg. Game’s on MLB network at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time.(This just in: Strasburg scratched from start because of strained neck muscle)
Minor’s looked very good out there. Freeman started slow, then was hitting real well for couple weeks, but did nothing in the three games I saw (only started one of them). Hicks is playing well, lot of singles, playing SS and 3B (but no, Braves aren’t going to move him to 3B).
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
3:08 pm
DeRosa makes some sense as a free-agent pursuit for Braves. Can play the OF and 2B and can spell Chipper at 3B.
Wayne in Utah
November 6th, 2009
3:14 pm
Well, excuse me if I haven’t paid close enough attention. I guess maybe I should quit one of my jobs, so I can stay more on top of everything that’s written on the old blog?
Don’t put yourself out next time.
beekay
November 6th, 2009
3:14 pm
DOB
My 3 favorite Walken films are King of NY Suicide Kings and Things to do in Denver when dead…..Three awesome movies!!
beekay
November 6th, 2009
3:16 pm
Why do people want to dunp KK…..7 mill for a darn good pitcher that can move to the pen if needed as well
I’d love to sign Dero ….How much could he command?
Andy K.
November 6th, 2009
3:17 pm
DOB, I’d love to see D-Ro back with the Braves. He’s buddies with a lot of the guys on the team, and is a Cox favorite. He could play the corners in the OF, and 2B/3B, if not a little first too. Got some pop too. Could you see him as a everyday player in Right until Heyward? Only problem is what we do with him after that.
P. W. Hjort
November 6th, 2009
3:22 pm
Strasburg got scratched from the Rising Stars game with a strained neck.
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
3:22 pm
The Proctor signing is official, a minor-league contract with invite to spring training.
(It’s a split contract, with higher salary for any portion of season he’s in majors).
Braves hope he’ll return to form and serve as a setup guy at some point this season, and they think he’ll be able to pitch most of the season since he had his TJ surgery in May 2009.
Harry
November 6th, 2009
3:30 pm
Fire DOB!
P-Town Brave
November 6th, 2009
3:35 pm
What do you do with DeRosa is the question though?
He can play LF, but he’s probably not as good as other options albeit cheaper and he could play 1b, but he’s probably not as good as those other options albeit cheaper there as well.
I guess if I had to choose, I would take him at 1b, save money there, then go after Bay for LF, and Wagner to close. This along w/ my previous idea of shopping Kawakami for a mid level 3b prospect and a middle reliever.
Would cost quite a bit more money than my previous idea though adding Bay into the mix. Might almost have to do a Lowe for middle reliever and 3b prospect to make the money work…but really, who would do that?!
That being said here’s what that would probably look like:
McLouth
Prado
Jones
Bay
Escobar
McCann
DeRosa
Diaz
CB
November 6th, 2009
3:39 pm
Homer must have a friend named Harry.
MZ
November 6th, 2009
3:40 pm
DOB ——
Good to hear, glad you like what you’ve heard so far … you know, it’s interesting what happens when you plan to see a band in concert and you wind up digging their opening act just as much or more so than the main act … that’s what happened with VietNam and American Aquarium:
went to see the Lemonheads in New Orleans a few years back, and had never even heard of VietNam, but from the minute they went on, I was hooked … felt like I was in a bit of a time warp; very retro sound, very retro look …
as far AA, again in New Orleans, went to see Corey Smith, and was blown away by AA … so, so pleasantly surprised to say the least …
other bands with similar circumstances: Silvertide and Drug Money … if you wanna hear the stories behind them, let me know …
about Freedy … can I just say he’s one of the best American songwriters of the past 20 years? is that fair? accurate? the day I heard “Bad Reputation” on the radio, I went right out and bought the album … been a huge fan ever since … great, great talent; I hope I get to see him live someday, but I’m not sure that’ll happen since I don’t think he tours that often anymore …
I put WPA and Flow Tribe on there, didn’t I? I wanted to squeeze some Marc Broussard on there, but didn’t have room …
beekay
November 6th, 2009
3:40 pm
Braves ranked 8th for next year in Sporting News power poll
http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20091106?sub_id=uqzWFcn1Z9Ez&folio=1#pg1
beekay
November 6th, 2009
3:42 pm
Cameron will ask for way too much money. He strikes out 150 times a year and has lost speed (7sb’s last year). Unless we got him for Loaf money, I don’t want him. I would rather overpay for De-Ro
Daslied
November 6th, 2009
3:42 pm
I’m not so high on DeRosa, personally. If bigger plans fail, maybe. He’s had one really good year and a few decent seasons. He’ll be 35 in February. He struck out 121 times last year in 139 games.
I don’t know. Just not very excited about him.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
3:58 pm
Proctor really is a no lose type of signing. If he’s able to come back vaguely like before the arm issues, it’s a great deal. If not, who will even remember the Braves signed him at all?
I didn’t like the idea of trading for DeRosa at the trading deadline, but signing him as a Free Agent without having to give up any prospects is a much better deal. I say go for it. A super Utility player would be a great benefit.
TnBrian
November 6th, 2009
4:01 pm
I look at DeRosa as a slightly better version of Infante. Infante is a little better defensively too. But, if the penny pinchers go that route, then who am I to complain. Just enjoy another 2nd/3rd place finish again. Can’t rely on spare parts to compete with the lethal Phills. Mets just have to be improved some & the Fish are always pest.
N8
November 6th, 2009
4:03 pm
Jermaine Dye started 140 games for the White Sox last year. 133 of them were in the OF and 7 of them were at DH.
Seems to me if he was that bad defensively, Guillen (a guy known for his defense), would have put the better option out there, and played Dye at DH more than 7 frickin games. Only 6 more games than McCann played DH. Only 4 more games than Chipper played DH.
Why is that?
Oh, btw Monty, if you for a second think that Loaf is better than Dye defensively, your and morot (that’s moron and idiot combined).
Honestly answer the question. If Jermaine Dye was swapped with Loaf last year, are the Braves a better team. Take the money out of the question. Just answer the question. With a RH guy (that played 133 games in RF – not LF where guys with no range and Sally arms go – RF!), in LF with power potential that balanced the lineup, would the Braves offense been more consistent.
If you can honestly look yourself in the mirror and say the Braves were better off with Loaf. Go away, because your stupidity will drag the blog down.
I actually feel dumber having read your post. Thanks.
TnBrian
November 6th, 2009
4:04 pm
Lew, DeRosa would be a very good addition only if he’s used like he’s supposed to be… as a platoon, Infante type player. Now if they were to go after him as a bridge for Heyward, then I’d be disappointed.
Lew
November 6th, 2009
4:04 pm
Daslied-I’d say it depends on what he would cost and what the plans were for his use. We could sign La Roche, let DeRosa start the year in left and Diaz in right. Then when they bring up Heyward in June, you move Diaz to left and let DeRosa be a super sub. A combo of Infante and DeRosa interchanging positions, could spell everyone that needed spelling to keep them fresh or to set up LH/RH matchups for any particular game. It could work pretty well, even if not the optimum way to go.
McFann Ô
November 6th, 2009
4:05 pm
Hey, anybody heard the new Five for Fighting CD, Slice? Really good stuff. The song that the album gets its name from is really good:
http://s607.photobucket.com/albums/tt158/McFann_O/Slide%20Shows/?action=view¤t=Slice.flv
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:08 pm
Players that definitely will never wear a Braves uni.
1.Adam Dunn
2.Mike Cameron
3MILTON BRADLEY(Shut Up about this one)
4.Matt Joyce
5.Jake Fox
6.Jermaine Dye(again)
7.Mags Ordonez
8.Billy Wagner
9.Hank Blalock
10.Greg Norton(AGAIN)
Damn some of you people are relentless
N8
November 6th, 2009
4:09 pm
P-town, nice response to the full monty at 2:00.
He CLEARLY is full of baseball knowledge. What a baffoon.
Besides, Monty. I stated yesterday that Cameron is probably the better choice because he’s BEEN IN THE NL, and plays CF, so he could spell McLouth if he needs a break, or if he goes down for any time.
But you wouldn’t want to respond to that, would you? Is English your first language? Because your comprehension of it seems a bit failed.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:10 pm
St.Louis is more likely to Trade Ryan Ludwick, or should I say Yuckwick to Atl for Lowe, if they swing and miss on Lackey.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:11 pm
More than likely he will be dealt back to the Rangers tho, for Millwood
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hopefully hendry with the Cubs will lose his ever-lovin mind and send Lee to the Braves, for Lowe.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hicks seems to be doing well out west. Is it far-fetched to project him as the Braves’ shortstop in 2011 or ‘12, and Escobar moving to third (this assumes that Chipper hangs ‘em in ‘11 or ‘12)? Rodriguez moved from short to the corner.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:13 pm
Jeff, Yunel ain’t Rodriguez
David O'Brien
November 6th, 2009
4:14 pm
Proctor gets $750,000 prorated for any time spent in majors, $12,000 per month in minors.
He needs almost full season for free agency, so that’s almost certainly not going to happen. So unless he spends fewer than three weeks in minors, unless he spends all but three weeks or less in majors, he’ll be arb-eligible and under contractual control for 2011.
Deal has incentives worth up to another $250,000 for appearances, increasing amounts from 10 to 50 appearances.
P. W. Hjort
November 6th, 2009
4:15 pm
If you can honestly look yourself in the mirror and say the Braves were better off with Loaf. Go away, because your stupidity will drag the blog down.
A little harsh/dry, but pretty much right.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:19 pm
SEASON 139g 486ab 63r 129h 217tb 20d 1t 22hr 97rbi 41w 3iw 106so 4sb 2cs .265ba .329obp .447slg .775ops
all this for 4 mil? with none of those Hr coming against Atl, or Fla.
Might be your leftfielder, maybe not!
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:20 pm
Hit 37 Hr last season, who is this mystery man, and would this be sufficient for LF?
BravoMan
November 6th, 2009
4:21 pm
The DeRosa deal actually makes since for a lot of reasons. He’s a right handed bat for which we are seeking. His versatility on the field on in the lineup is a rare characteristic. DeRosa is a starter he’s not gonna be a bench utilty guy for us. Start him in left with Diaz in right. When Heyward comes up just bench Diaz and he’ll have plenty of pinch hit appearances sub in etc. Diaz to me is a perfect 4th OF. Now back to DeRosa, Chipper is not gettin any younger. He’ll play 140 games at the most I expect next season. DeRosa as we all know plays a good 3rd. And if Chip does decide hang it up with Bobby next season then Chipper has a replacement for the time being, and with no glaring 3rd base prospect waiting in the wings, DeRosa can play that position for a few more years. Then in 2011 you can move Schafer to center McLouth to LF and Derosa to 3rd. It makes all the since in the world to me. We may have to overpay a bit though but I see DeRosa as a catalyst and a valuable player.
DOB, what do you think?
Redstick19
November 6th, 2009
4:21 pm
N8- you should apply for a job in public relations, my friend. Classy. This is a forum where we should be encouraged to share our different ideas and opinions, not get attacked for our differences. Most people here are friendly and reasonable, but people like you are the reason I could never visit this blog every day. Do you ever think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth an onto the keyboard? nah, nevermind. Stupid question.
ncscoots
November 6th, 2009
4:23 pm
Rodriguez moved from short to the corner.
Rodriguez is a 40-homer, .900 OPS guy. Escobar simply doesn’t suit at 3B offensively, unless the team has bangers at all three of the other corners, in addition to plus offense from C. The kid is above-average for a SS with the bat, not so much at 3B.
And, I keep wondering who was in Hicks’ uniform for the games I’ve seen him play, LOL. The organization seems to rave about his defense, and, honestly, I’ve never seen it. Just goes to show that a handful of games just isn’t enough to form a solid opinion, most of the time.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:23 pm
37 hr in 2008 22 this past season’
N8
November 6th, 2009
4:24 pm
P.W. Hjort, it wasn’t too harsh. Monty is a douche and I will let him know every chance I get. P-Town showed him his ass in the Dye/Francoeur comparison since Jeff’s first full season.
It’s not close in most categories. And that MF wants to call out other people’s baseball knowledge? baseball-reference has a great site. All you have to do is look the numbers up before you type and you can’t go wrong.
I don’t have a problem having my opinion or knowledge called into question. There is always somebody out there who knows more and has a more reasoned opinion than that of your own on certains subjects.
Monty thinks he’s that guys. She’s not. I’ve been ripped on with people whom I believe have much more knowledge than Monty does. So I find it funny.
Next thing you know he’s going to say that Kotchman helped the offense more than LaRoche did?
So if that (and this post) was too harsh, he opened the can of woopass on himself.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:25 pm
Anyone?Anyone?
TnBrian
November 6th, 2009
4:26 pm
I’ll go back on my word a little & say that I’d be cool with DeRosa in the OF if the Braves either resign Roche or go after a power 1st baseman, like Carlos Pena. Lefty or not, he’d give you a serious HR hitter.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:27 pm
Albeit this guy is Not a Clean-up hitter.
But would you accept .265 22 97 and a 775 ops for the Braves?
N8
November 6th, 2009
4:28 pm
Redstick19, Really? Did you read Monty’s post to me (out of nowhere – and day late to the dance – since I’ve moved on past going after Dye).
You’re right this is a place to argue, discuss, give each other crap and basically talk all things Braves.
So, just as Monty has the right to mock me, I have the right to do it right back. Right? Or am I supposed to let the attack go? Sorry dude, I don’t turn the other cheek. He wants to question baseball knowledge and be an ass, he can expect to have pretty much every post he plops up here in the next few days get nitpicked to the bone.
I’ve got nothin but time….. like a snake sunnin’ itself on the road.
Jeff R
November 6th, 2009
4:30 pm
ncscoots… Good point about Hicks’ D. Haven’t seen it myself. Might be hype, but why would management have him in the Fall League if they didn’t think he had some strong potential? Don’t have an answer; just asking.
I agree that Escobar isn’t ever going to generate Alex R’s power. But I think as he matures, he’ll produce in the mid twenties in dingers. Think he could be a fairly reliable 90 RBI guy, too. Not bad numbers for a third sacker.
Hmm
November 6th, 2009
4:32 pm
Ryan Ludwick, is the mystery playa……..