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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,702 comments Add your comment
tr
November 8th, 2009
10:21 pm
choptalk (re 10:11)
Took a bit of getting used to, but I kinda like this blog format more than the old version. I read more than I have time to comment, and this makes it easier because it chops it into reader-friendly byte-sized meals!
Haven’t personally seen the young guys you mentioned, but if they’re deemed ready we’ll seem ‘em later in the season when the injury bug hits or they overwhelm on the farm. Doubt it’ll be at the start of the season. Hope your correct about their potential, though!
Andrew
November 8th, 2009
10:24 pm
lets just get carlos lee…how do we do that?
richbrave
November 8th, 2009
10:31 pm
VJ:
Yeah, NEW HAMPSHIRE is a tough out. We were lucky to get by them up there last year. Good luck to the TRIBE.
TnBrian
November 8th, 2009
10:35 pm
As competetive as Gonzo seems to be, I can’t see him signing with the Nats. That team’s awhile away from being serious threats, if at all.
AdirondackDave
November 8th, 2009
10:39 pm
Mad Men is closing the year with a GREAT final show. Watch it from the beginning.
Rock On........
November 8th, 2009
10:44 pm
Ronald…..be careful, I mentioned KJ in Lf with Prado at 2nd exactly a year ago and nobody was in my corner. Don’t think KJ is what the Braves have in mind now for LF power.
Andrew
November 8th, 2009
10:46 pm
Gonzo is going to philly,boston,or a new york team
Ronald Millsaps
November 8th, 2009
10:47 pm
“on…”– I mentioned the same thing a year ago.
Kelly would be a good fir in left field, and 20 HRs, which he very well could provide, would be a lot.
I still like my Heyward-Longoria idea.
Random
November 8th, 2009
10:57 pm
Rock On (November 8th, 2009 10:14 pm): “you are very wrong there sir IMO which is why you would also make a very lousy GM.”
No doubt I’d make a lousy GM, but that ain’t why, you Idiot. It’s ’cause I got lousy people skills.
(JK — “Idiot” is the set-up to the “people skills” joke.)
Steve McP
November 8th, 2009
10:59 pm
I do think that the pagination concept on this site is a pain, but because all comments are dispayed on one thread it is much easier to read than amny blog sites, but removing pagination would be a big imoprovement.
On another issue, I am new to windows (my Mac did not like Whiskey!) and would appreciate it if somebody could tell me how to use the “finder” in windows, if, for instance, I wanted to look for DOB’s comments how could I go about it?
Steve McP
November 8th, 2009
11:06 pm
On the Mitchie-san thread today, I like many of his ideas, but which team does he think will trade us a good starter for Lowe, without a huge salary dump by the Braves? I do not see any team trading for anyone other than Javy in our starting roatation (clearly any team would like Hanson or JJJ, but the Braves are not going to trade either of them).
I really liked Javy, but see him as the only piece that we have that would bring a return for good RH hitter, probably in the outfield.
Cannot understand the love for Hank Blalock, his stats in recent years have been quite poor and he played a lot of DH last season, if you are looking to replace La Roche, it is better to resign Adam if we can at a reasonable price.
RC
November 8th, 2009
11:08 pm
On another issue, I am new to windows (my Mac did not like Whiskey!) and would appreciate it if somebody could tell me how to use the “finder” in windows, if, for instance, I wanted to look for DOB’s comments how could I go about it?
Try hitting “Ctrl + F”.
RHR
November 8th, 2009
11:12 pm
Hey kids, sorry haven’t been keeping up with the convo…just gonna start fresh with the next blog and try to keep up ha.
anyway, i need help from you georgians. where is comer? my child has booked a hotel for the game this weekend in something called comer georgia which they told her was 20 miles from athens but i lived in athens 3 years and never in my life heard of this place. also if anyone going to athens for the auburn game has a room they want to cancel on let me know haha!
Steve McP
November 8th, 2009
11:14 pm
Thanks RC, this change from Mac to Windows takes a lot of re-learning of old knowledge!
Matt
November 8th, 2009
11:16 pm
Do you all realize that Liberty Medias Stock has went from $1.00 at the start of the year all the way to nealry $15.00 today? The Company also owns shares in Priceline.com … I wonder how Delta feels about that..
klaus
November 8th, 2009
11:18 pm
Vaz loves ATL and Bobby. I have a feeling he will veto any trade where he has the power. That leaves East/Central teams.
If there was a way Vaz ++ for Fielder would be worth it but the Brewers would likely want JJ ++ instead.
Moby Grape
November 8th, 2009
11:24 pm
(McP)
whichever browser you are using should have an EDIT at the top left. click on finf under it and type DOB.just keep hitting next the problem is the pagination of course,makes it a bit slower but after you get used to it I like it better than boards that are broken down into separate topics. I really hate that.
I can’y imagine why you would want to limit yourself to only DOB comments though.
nolie
November 8th, 2009
11:27 pm
where is comer? my child has booked a hotel for the game this weekend in something called comer georgia which they told her was 20 miles from athens but i lived in athens 3 years and never in my life heard of this place. (RHR)
I thought that is what Google maps was for?
RHR
November 8th, 2009
11:32 pm
hush nolie, google maps doesnt have the info i want..and its commerce anyway, my child might be a ra-tard.
Winterville
November 8th, 2009
11:41 pm
RHR
If it’s Commerce you want, she should take 441 to get to Athens. If it’s Comer, (I doubt it is, I don’t think there are any hotels there) she should take 72. Anybody in Commerce that she asks will be able to tell her how to get there. It’s about a half hour away. It is a straight shot from Commerce to Athens down 441. Once she gets to Athens she should get on the 10 loop and then pick which exit she wants off of. There are a few that you can tailgate from. (Milledge, College Station.) Hope this helps.
nolie
November 8th, 2009
11:45 pm
my child might be a ra-tard. (RHR)
I seriously doubt that with you as her mother
Moe Berg
November 8th, 2009
11:46 pm
“I read once that Jason Heyward’s favorite team growing up was the Yankees. Can we not deduce that he might head there if he becomes a free agent?”-Ronald Millsaps
Even if that is the case, the Braves have him under control into the middle part of the next decade. Why do you dump him, because he may leave years down the road?
NotAgain
November 8th, 2009
11:49 pm
Why do you dump him, because he may leave years down the road? Moe Berg
consider the source
Moe Berg
November 8th, 2009
11:52 pm
NotAgain–Fair enough….
RHR
November 8th, 2009
11:56 pm
Thanks winterville, they got a room in commerce…nothing left in athens in their college kid budgets lol. Plus, they want to go to the outlets. When she thought the room was in Comer she was talking about taking a cab to athens I was like ‘hon, if i have never heard of or seen this Comer place theres an excellent chance that they don’t have cab service’…lol.
shes not dumb by any means nolie, but she is a bit of an airhead. and she’s not even blonde.
Steve from OH
November 9th, 2009
12:11 am
Bottom line, his past career stats are too fishy to give this guy an extension based off one year with us that was a sub 3 ERA. That’s just my opinion
Opinion being the key word–because the facts say that you’re incorrect.
(Please don’t say “ERA.” Spare me)
David O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
12:30 am
A typically strong Mad Men season finale. Best of all, Joan is back for next season. Yesss….
MItchie-san
November 9th, 2009
12:31 am
Steve McP,
My thinking on trading Lowe for another pitcher wasnt really clear. I was speculating about trading him for a decent, young pitcher, preferably left handed. No one huge, just a guy with some upside so its more than just a salary dump. Doesnt even have to be a pitcher. I would trade Lowe for just about anything any team would offer. I like Lowe, but hate his contract. I realize that Wren had to do it at the time, but we dont need him or his huge salary now. That money absolutley needs to be for a hitter. I think most people will agree with me on that.
As for trading Vazquez too. Well, I think I am pretty much alone on that one.
TnBrian
November 9th, 2009
1:05 am
MLBTR has their little list of where they predict FA will sign & Mutts fans are saying “Get Holliday,get him & him & him”. Uhhh, these are the stinkin Mutts for God’s Sake! Doesn’t matter who they get, they’ll choke.
One thing that would be worrying to me is if the Phills were to sign a Valverde & another decent starter to go with that lineup. Mercy, I’m not sure Wren could do enough with his team to over take them. That’s if the “Lucky Phills” stay 95% healthy for a 3rd year in a row.
TnBrian
November 9th, 2009
1:07 am
DOB, my dad likes Mad Men. FX show, right? Weird because he usually hates TV shows, but he does like that one.
NotAgain
November 9th, 2009
1:48 am
One thing that would be worrying to me is if the Phills were to sign a Valverde & another decent starter to go with that lineup. (TnB)
I agree. We aren’t gonna be able to catch their offense IMO, if they can improve their pitching after already re-signing Lee, they are gonna be damn hard to beat.
Bay Area Steve
November 9th, 2009
2:12 am
Mitchie, agreed that “not liking pints is a crime-shame.” Not liking whiskey = worse, but disliking pints = almost as bad.
nolie, enough with the quien sabe. Callate! You’re better than that.
N8
November 9th, 2009
4:38 am
Mitchie-san, not that this will comfort you, but I’ve suggested 2 or 3 times in recent weeks that Wren should entertain the idea of possible moving both Lowe & Vazquez.
A rotation of Hudson, Hanson, JJJ, KK and whoever gets inserted into the 5th spot, along with the bats that could be afforded with the 26.9 million off the books by moving Lowe and Vazquez just might make the team more balanced than having a rotation that is 5 deep and having to go cheap on the everyday lineup.
My thoughts on this would change drastically if Chipper wouldn’t be coming off of his worst year ever and Schafer hadn’t been hurt, which slowed his development a tad.
It would certainly take some balls on Wren’s end to part with 2/3 of the guys in the rotation that he signed/traded for last off-season.
But we’ve obviously got Hudson back, and are going into 2010 with a full season of Hanson ahead of us. Not to mention that I think most Braves fans believe that A) KK will have a better sophomore season after adjusting to life in the U.S. and B) Medlen just might be good enough to fill the 5th starters spot.
Would it be a gamble? Sure it would. But it would also be a big gamble to only acquire one bat (depending on who that bat might be), and go into 2010 assuming that Chipper rebounds, Prado repeats, and Diaz is capable of being an everyday OF.
The only part of me that wants to keep the rotation 5 deep (and like I said, who says that Medlen can’t make it 5 deep?), is that we will likely lose one of (if not both), Gonzo and Soriano. So perhaps, the rotation depth is needed more than ever to save wear and tear on that bullpen.
I’ve said it many times recently. IMO, Wren has some work to do. But there is certainly more than one path to the playoffs. His options are literally endless, and a lot of his decisions will likely be based on who he could get for Lowe (or who he could sign upon dumping his salary), and or what kind of RH power hitter could be had for Vazquez.
All of this isn’t even taking into consideration where Vazquez will veto going if Wren works out a trade.
Of course, the same theory could be used by keeping Vazquez (signing him to a Hudson like extension in terms of the 3 years), and trading both Lowe and KK.
It wouldn’t save as much money. But certainly Vazquez is more valuble in our rotation than KK is, and by trading KK and Lowe, it would still save around 23 million. Certainly Wren could afford a couple of bats with 23 million that would be an upgrade over what we’ve got, in the event that a bat or two wouldn’t come our way in said trades.
But to make a short point long, I appreciate your “out of the box” thinking, as I’ve been thinking it too. Of course that doesn’t make you any less crazy for thinking it. It just means you have company. LOL
richbrave
November 9th, 2009
8:04 am
N8:
“I’ve said it many times recently. IMO, Wren has some work to do. But there is certainly more than one path to the playoffs. His options are literally endless, and a lot of his decisions will likely be based on who he could get for Lowe (or who he could sign upon dumping his salary), and or what kind of RH power hitter could be had for Vazquez.
All of this isn’t even taking into consideration where Vazquez will veto going if Wren works out a trade.
Of course, the same theory could be used by keeping Vazquez (signing him to a Hudson like extension in terms of the 3 years), and trading both Lowe and KK.
It wouldn’t save as much money. But certainly Vazquez is more valuble in our rotation than KK is, and by trading KK and Lowe, it would still save around 23 million. Certainly Wren could afford a couple of bats with 23 million that would be an upgrade over what we’ve got, in the event that a bat or two wouldn’t come our way in said trades.
But to make a short point long, I appreciate your “out of the box” thinking, as I’ve been thinking it too. Of course that doesn’t make you any less crazy for thinking it. It just means you have company. LOL”
Great thinking. I like it. Make that three of us. Now that’s company, or……….THREE’S COMPANY..
richbrave
November 9th, 2009
8:11 am
Trading LOWE and KK if it can be done is the way to go IMHO. These are the guys with multiple year contracts. Of course DEREK because much less of a commodity with his 2009 performance, but early on he was the LOWE of old. KK was uneven all year. Great in a couple of outings, terrible in a few, above average most of the time.
Seth
November 9th, 2009
8:45 am
DOB (Dobby? just a thought), having the day off, I read a few days back and saw you mention Kirk Gibson for the managerial opening and checked out the link. He really seems like one of those old-school baseball minds – one of those guys birthed by the universe solely to do baseball stuff. When he grows old he will probably opt for a fungo bat instead of a cane (I met an ooold former pitcher when I was about 11 who used the fungo, and it was awesome).
That said though, do you really think we would take him over more seasoned options? Given our assumed ability to compete over the next 5 years (5 is a good guess, right) is he not too much of an unproven commodity? Granted, I am really curious to see how he would do.
Sonny Clusters
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
Trade Lowe as they was at the low point of they career.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
8:54 am
Trade half our pitchers and sign Prince Fielder. Do y’all have an sense of reality whatsoever?
ghbrave
November 9th, 2009
8:55 am
DOB, I am waiting anxiously for the 90 minute season finale on Sons of Anarchy! Man, I am really gonna miss it when it’s over. What say you and some of the “bike guys” on the blog get together and form a gang and write about your escapades while we wait next seasons SOA? We could call the blog gang…..”Sons of Malarkey”.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
8:57 am
I’m sure I could design some awesome colors.
O.J.
November 9th, 2009
9:01 am
Lew, I think God already did that.
RHR
November 9th, 2009
9:02 am
For Adrian Gonzalez to be so untouchable there sure is a lot of trade rumor smoke around him.
stamper
November 9th, 2009
9:02 am
anyone have access to that Olney blog that’s on the front page of the ESPN baseball page? He mentioned teams that have ‘an ace up their sleeve’… he mentions Vazquez, apparently.
stamper
November 9th, 2009
9:08 am
nevermind… found it
Daybed Wagmoe
November 9th, 2009
9:09 am
Went and saw “Precious” last night. It’s as intense and gut-wrenchingly hard to watch as people say it is, but man is it worth it. Tremendous acting, especially from Monique, who plays the mother, and the girl who plays Precious.
The intensity isn’t as nonstop from start to end as it is in “The Hurt Locker,” but a great movie nevertheless.
Rock On......
November 9th, 2009
9:14 am
Just caught Sons of Anarchy for the first time a couple of weeks ago and now it is almost over? Figures. Anyway it is a pretty good show but that Jacks dude just doesn’t seem to fit in character-wise. Looks more like a surfer dude than biker compared to the other thugs. If the show was perfectly cast like a Friday Night Lights it would be better IMO. Also the chick from Married With Children just doesn’t fit. Again, it is entertaining which I guess is the whole point. The theme and action makes up for the casting.
Maclee31
November 9th, 2009
9:24 am
stamper,
The Onley story can be found here.
http://bit.ly/2Ib07G
Lew
November 9th, 2009
9:27 am
OJ-Maybe so, but I still use them quite well, myself.
Efrim
November 9th, 2009
9:37 am
That’s if the “Lucky Phills” stay 95% healthy for a 3rd year in a row.
Didn’t the Phils lose Chase Utley down the stretch last year, or maybe 07? He came back, but I remember him being out for a month or so. That was in the heat of a division race when they were trying to catch the Mets.
McFann Ô
November 9th, 2009
9:43 am
McFanny Havent heard from McFann all day so i guess its okay to say Mcann [stinks]!!!! right?????????????
It’s never OK to say that.
McFann Ô
November 9th, 2009
9:45 am
…because lying is a big-time no-no.
Hillbilly
November 9th, 2009
9:53 am
Rock On and ghbrave,
The Sons of Anarchy season finale isn’t until December 1st. This week’s episode is 90 minutes, but there are 3 more shows left in season 2 after that.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
9:55 am
Efrim-I think the Phillies have bigger problems than injury issues. What about Cole Hamels? What about improving their pitching when they’ve already got a $135 million payroll? What about the group that will becoming Free Agents in the next year or so and the salaries they will command?
Right now the Phils have a devastating offense-there’s no doubt about that. However, the Braves, even with Chipper and Lowe struggling, played the Phillies and all the rest of the NL dead even from June 28 through the end of the season. They did that because their pitching was incredibly good despite their offense being somewhat less potent than the Phillies.
And people seem to think that trading two pitchers for a bat is a good thing. When will they learn?
Lew
November 9th, 2009
9:57 am
Hillbilly-That young un’ ought to be about a year and a half now. Had him to the Deer stand yet? Does he have his own Pink Floyd collection?
Hillbilly
November 9th, 2009
9:58 am
And Kurt Sutter, (the guy who plays Otto) is also a writer and producer for the show, and he is married to Katy Sagal (the chick from Married With Children.) I think she does a fine job playing Gemma.
Random
November 9th, 2009
9:59 am
richbrave (November 9th, 2009 8:04 am): “N8: Great thinking. I like it. Make that three of us. Now that’s company, or……….THREE’S COMPANY.”
OR . . .
THREE’S Stooges?
Kawakami will not be traded.
Random
November 9th, 2009
10:07 am
BravoMan (November 8th, 2009 8:44 pm): “I agree with you that Kawakami will not be traded, but I was saying it’s just as unlikely that he’ll be put in the bullpen.”
Agreed, with one caveat.
It might be very possible for Kawakami to start the season in the bullpen in the event that Wren has not yet finalized a trade of Lowe (or Vazquez if not extended) by Opening Day.
Wren would not be under the gun to get it done before the season starts, and “dragging his feet” may serve to up the return in a trade.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
10:12 am
Random-Improving the offense (as well as getting the pen straightened out) are Wren’s major goals for the season. The decision won’t stretch out until the start of the season-bank on it. I bet he has it all (except for fine tuning the pen) by the time ST starts. Waiting that long to get a bat this year is pretty much not an option, IMO.
Crazy Trades McKnee
November 9th, 2009
10:12 am
Kawakami will not be traded.
I have it on good authority that Kawakami will be traded for Pujols. Not Albert Pujols, minor-league second baseman Eric Pujols. It would be a more reasonable trade proposal if Eric Pujols weren’t someone I just made up.
Hillbilly
November 9th, 2009
10:14 am
Lew,
Good call…he will be a year and a half, Sunday. He’s made plenty of scouting trips to the deer lease, but he’s not quite ready for the stand, at this point. He hasn’t learned the art of stealth and deception, quite yet, but he’s starting to aim at the TV when I’m watching the Outdoor Channel and unleash a few “pow, pow’s!”
Sometimes he gets stubborn and doesn’t want to lay down for a nap, so I put on David Gilmour, Live at Gdnask to get him settled. He can’t make it through Echoes without going lights out. Works like a charm. He’s digging him some Drive-By Truckers, too. Three Dimes Down gets his head bobbing every time.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
10:18 am
Hillbilly-I still owe the Boy some artwork. Now that the eye is actually functional again……
ghbrave
November 9th, 2009
10:19 am
Hillbilly, Thanks for the info! At least a few more weeks of new SOA episodes for season 2.
I can’t wait for season 1 of ”Sons of Malarkey” as a blog only exclusive.
DOB, which role will you be starring in?
Jeff R
November 9th, 2009
10:19 am
Lew…
“Right now the Phils have a devastating offense-there’s no doubt about that. However, the Braves, even with Chipper and Lowe struggling, played the Phillies and all the rest of the NL dead even from June 28 through the end of the season. They did that because their pitching was incredibly good despite their offense being somewhat less potent than the Phillies.
And people seem to think that trading two pitchers for a bat is a good thing. When will they learn?”
Exactly…
Jim
November 9th, 2009
10:30 am
Regarding the Phillies, and since Braves currently have no LH starters, has any team ever tried using a LH Relief pitcher to pitch the first inning, or at least through first four batters in Phillies’ lineup. If you can darken their first inning – first four bats – it might provide an interesting dynamic to game. Howard killed our RHP this year; he’s proven he has trouble with LHP.
Only in favor of trading one of our six starting pitchers. Would trade Lowe to free up his contract $$$. For Vazquez, would want power value in return. Same for KK; he proved to be a big game pitcher later in season and if Braves had gotten some runs for him, his year would have been very different. Regarding above comment, I’d trade Lowe or KK for a LH starting pitcher of equeal value.
P. W. Hjort
November 9th, 2009
10:43 am
has any team ever tried using a LH Relief pitcher to pitch the first inning, or at least through first four batters in Phillies’ lineup.
With a line-up like the Phillies’, it’s probably best to save your LH relievers and leverage them later in the game when the stakes are higher. Not a bad idea, though, I’ve certainly heard worse.
Random
November 9th, 2009
10:46 am
Lew (November 9th, 2009 10:12 am) –
Not saying that it WILL happen — only that it might could. Especially if Wren improves the offense/”gets a bat” via free agency rather than trade.
CB
November 9th, 2009
10:53 am
The Braves could sit back like a bear in the woods and wait for the perfect opportunity for a trade. Worst things could happen than still having 6 pitchers going into spring training. A lot of big market teams can start getting desperate when injuries occur.
DAP
November 9th, 2009
10:53 am
the braves have to win alot of game to compete with the phillies. the team is so stacked, that even a year when their closer was awful, and their star SS had one of the worst slumps ever in the first half, they found a way to win 93 games. now, they may look to improve offensively at 3B, and will look to improve the bullpen, while keeping all their stars.
we wont compete with them offensively. it just isnt going to happen. all we can do is try to build an offense that flows well. we already have one that gets on base well and hits for a pretty good average. we need more extra base power. other than that, the braves need to make sure they are good defensively, and keep that starting rotation strong, which is the major advantage the braves have over the phillies. this includes the bullpen. id be ok with just a slight offensive upgrade if wren can keep the pitching staff as solid as it is.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
10:59 am
Random and CB-I hear what y’all are saying, but the Braves and Wren don’t really have the luxury this year of waiting until the season starts. They need to come out of ST and start winning ballgames. They can’t wait until June 28th this year. They need the lineup fixed and ready to rock on day 1.
Can y’all actually imagine the hue and cry if they go into game 1 with an outfield of Church, Diaz and McLouth and some unknown at first?
They need to deal with an outfielder and first baseman before ST even starts, or very soon thereafter-and I bet they will.
O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
11:00 am
CB,
I dont think the Braves can afford to sit back and wait for a big market team to come calling after one of their starters go down with an injury. What if the big market team whose pitcher goes down, does not have any assets that interest the Braves?
More importantly though, I dont think the Braves can wait too long, because the Braves will have to trade one of their starting pitchers for an outfielder (or will have to trade one in order to free up some money to sign an outfielder).
CB
November 9th, 2009
11:16 am
Lew, I do not think the Braves would dare to go into spring training without at least one of the two positions filled,1b or lf,but they could gamble on the possibility of Heyward being ready. That being said,I agree they will most likely wait.If they make a trade I want it to be a good one or keep the pitching at the current level.
N8
November 9th, 2009
11:18 am
Does anybody see the irony in the fact that 3 winters ago, JS was trying to trade Tim Hudson to make room salary wise for Glavine? Now Hudson has been extended and because of that, another starter must traded to clear payroll.
Funny how things work out.
Somebody had mentioned that the Braves could just sit back and wait for the right trade. To an extent, I agree with that if Wren doesn’t plan on using free agency to fix the lineup. If he plans on trading for that bat, he can wait for the free agency dust to settle and stick it to a desperate team. Provided he doesn’t pull a Kevin Towers and ask for too much for a guy like Lowe. Vazquez? He should ask for a lot if he’s to be traded.
Also, as long as our bullpen issues (Gonzo and Soriano possibly leaving), are solved, and a replacement for Loaf is found. Are we really that desperate? I mean after June, the Braves went 50-36 (.581 winning percentage – which translates to 94 wins over 162 games).
Are the Braves really that broken? I just don’t think we’re as desperate as some here think we are. More desperate for salary relief, than anything, from my angle.
N8
November 9th, 2009
11:21 am
Forgot to mention LaRoche as well. Wren could simply re-sign LaRoche and Gonzo with the money cleared by “dumping” Lowe on somebody. Then wait for Heyward to arrive for that boost in June.
In the time being, hope like hell for a rebound season for Chipper and hope one of the young relievers takes over for Soriano.
However, if the Phillies are proactive and get more pitchingthey might turn into a 100+ win team, leaving us to battle for the WC.
Next couple weeks are going to be fun and interesting.
Tomahawk1310
November 9th, 2009
11:28 am
What are thoughts of a Josh Hamiton for Vasquez trade?
David O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
11:29 am
Here in Chicago at GM meetings. So far about five times as many writers on hand as GMs, and the only GMs and other team execs I’ve seen were working out in the fitness center as I walked past coming from airport (this hotel is connected to the airport via tunnel).
Anyway, we’re here. We’ll let you know when/if we hear anything.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
11:29 am
Tomahawk1310-After last year and all that happened to him, I think Josh Hamilton showed he still has issues that I doubt the Braves want to take on. Dude’s had one good year and lots of problems of a personal nature. That’s not typical Braves’ material, IMO.
The Texas Rangers
November 9th, 2009
11:30 am
What are thoughts of a Josh Hamiton for Vasquez trade?
That’s the most retarded trade proposal I’ve ever seen.
David O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
11:33 am
Bob Nightengale is seated in front of me, just told me he’s picking the Braves to win the World Series next year, regardless of who they add this winter. He’s picking them over Angels in Series, at least at this ridiculously early juncture.
“Win it for Coxie, that’s my motto,” he said. (He was smiling; Bob’s a funny guy. But he was serious about picking them.)
So far, three different people have asked me why in the world the Braves would trade Vazquez.
DAP
November 9th, 2009
11:36 am
N8, i think there are enough guys out there available to make the braves better, even if it doesnt make them world beaters. so, i definitely expect the team to be better. i think if wren wanted to, he could sign gonzalez, laroche and one of dye or cameron and improve the team, without even having trade a starter. he would have to dump johnson and church to make it work, but there you go.
Tomahawk1310
November 9th, 2009
11:37 am
Oh yeah that is one crazy trade proposal, man am I crazy.
sidslidkid
November 9th, 2009
11:37 am
Oh it’s never going to be Spring;(
David O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
11:40 am
We’ll get a new blog up later today or tonight.
Jeff R
November 9th, 2009
11:42 am
CB… I think you’re on to something in that with a surplus of starting pitchers Wren is in the driver’s seat when it comes to trades. He doesn’t need to jump on the first decent proposal made for either Lowe or Vazquez or, possibly, Kawakami.
Certainly, he may consider moving Lowe for a lesser return. Dumping Lowe’s salary, as we know, frees up money for him to pursue others, either on the free agent market or resignings (LaRoche, though I tend to doubt Wren wants him on an extended contract, and Gonzo, a more likely possibility).
Vazquez is another story. I think he’d expect excellent return for him, and he should. I think Vazquez is finally coming into his own, and should be a solid contributor for, at least, three of four more seasons.
Crazy Trades McKnee
November 9th, 2009
11:46 am
The Texas Rangers (November 9, 2009 11:30 AM) “What are thoughts of a Josh Hamiton for Vasquez trade?”
That’s the most retarded trade proposal I’ve ever seen.
I’ll see your Josh Hamilton for Javier Vazquez and raise you one Kenshin Kawakami for Eric Pujols.
ncscoots
November 9th, 2009
11:46 am
we wont compete with them offensively. it just isnt going to happen
Sure they can. The Phillies averaged 5 runs a game, on the nose, almost. I mean, we’re not talking some 900-run juggernaut here. The Braves just have to get some pieces in place to lengthen their lineup, bat run-producers in run-producing lineup slots, and get enough offensive depth that a day without Chipper or McCann won’t stifle the offense.
The team has gone just about as far as it can with run prevention (fewer than 650 runs given up last year). Gotta move the run creation up to 800-run level.
Are the Braves really that broken? I just don’t think we’re as desperate as some here think we are.
110 runs of differential for the Phillies last year; about 90 for the Braves. That’s fairly desperate for a team that has aspirations of contention, in my opinion.
Efrim
November 9th, 2009
11:47 am
So far, three different people have asked me why in the world the Braves would trade Vazquez.
They are going to get hammered if they don’t get a ton back. Absolutely hammered by national media, analysts, etc. Not that it should matter, since Wren has done a great job since he took over and we should trust his judgement(guy knows a lot more than us). But this is a tricky situation.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
11:48 am
We’ll just see if they DO trade Vazquez. I’m still betting it will be Lowe and they’ll trade his entire salary, too.
Efrim
November 9th, 2009
11:51 am
Right now the Phils have a devastating offense-there’s no doubt about that. However, the Braves, even with Chipper and Lowe struggling, played the Phillies and all the rest of the NL dead even from June 28 through the end of the season. They did that because their pitching was incredibly good despite their offense being somewhat less potent than the Phillies.
Lew, I agree with most of what you said and I do think the Braves will compete with the Phils next year. But they had a few things go wrong for them. Hamels down year, Rollins downright AWFUL year, Lidge’s struggles. I think they have a few things they can improve upon as well. All in all, I think they are the deepest team in the National League.
N8
November 9th, 2009
11:57 am
DAP, I agree. Like I said, I too think they’ll have a better year next year with guys like Hudson and Hanson around all year. But will it be enough?
One never can tell in November/December of the previous year. Anything could happen. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could both severly burn their hands pulling pizzas out of the oven at a Charity Chucky Cheese event and be out for an extended period of time. Steve Phillips could sleep with Cliff Lee’s wife, causing Brett Myers to beat her and Cole Hamels to beat Phillips, which would force Selig to suspend them both. LOL
Like I said anything can happen in between now and then. In the end, I think the Phillies improve their rotation, and we too improve our team enough to ensure that a dog-fight for the NL East will take place next year. Whoever Wren has to trade or re-sign to make that happen, I’m all for it.
ncscoots
November 9th, 2009
11:59 am
But they had a few things go wrong for them. Hamels down year, Rollins downright AWFUL year, Lidge’s struggles.
Ah, but they also had Ibanez’s year, and a career year from Jayson Werth. It balances out. Hamels, Rollins, and Lidge might all rebound, but can you pencil in 70 HR from Ibanez and Werth again in 2010? Probably not, in my opinion.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 9th, 2009
11:59 am
Hey everyone,
So i’ve been reading on other Braves blogs (talkingchop.com, mlbtraderumors.com) and it seems a lot of fans are “okay” with putting together a make-shift/band-aid bull-pen…well be careful what you wish for…I just have visions of our bull-pen becoming our biggest hole and many late game collaspes because we pinched pennies on it.
And I continue to see the push to keep Mike Gonzalez and make him our closer, because he’s “cheaper”…well does anyone remember the wild pitch/past ball per appearence he was pulling in the second half of the season…not to mention the walks…I just don’t think this is the guy we want as our closer.
Too many adventures…and I fear too many blown saves are on the way next year…
Our bull-pen could be a major problem for us next year…you can score as many runs as you want…but if you can’t hold the other teams down…what the point???
rammerjammer
November 9th, 2009
12:01 pm
How about a deal structured around Vazquez and Trevor Hoffman?
DAP
November 9th, 2009
12:02 pm
scoots, but scoring 800 runs isnt easy. ive always thought of 800 runs as being the bench mark for a very potent offense. a team that scores 820 like the phillies did in 2009 is really clicking. the braves would need some dramatic improvements to score 820 runs in 2010.
youre assertion that the braves can hang with the phillies offensively is wishful thinking. the braves can definitely improve their offense, though, in a couple of key spots. there are alot of things the braves do well offensively. they got on base more and hit for a higher average than the phillies in 2009, but got blown away in slg%. they could certainly use some help there.
Efrim
November 9th, 2009
12:03 pm
Ah, but they also had Ibanez’s year, and a career year from Jayson Werth. It balances out. Hamels, Rollins, and Lidge might all rebound, but can you pencil in 70 HR from Ibanez and Werth again in 2010? Probably not, in my opinion.
If it all balances out and the Phils win 93, I’d bet they’d sign for that. We’ll see.
O'Brien
November 9th, 2009
12:04 pm
Although the Braves needed more offense, they also needed more timely hitting (although they had a lot of RBI with 2 outs). How many men did we leave on base because we couldnt get the big hit when we needed it?
Not to mention because our guys were slow on the base path, it would take 2 hits sometimes to score from second. And how many times did we go 1st to 3rd on a base hit?
I agree we need more offensive firepower in the lineup, but we need more clutch hitting, more base stealing, and more aggressiveness on the bases as well. We cant keep waiting for the 3 run homer.
N8
November 9th, 2009
12:05 pm
scoots, the Braves run differential after July 1st was 114. The Phillies after that same date was 89.
Like I said, if LaRoche is re-signed (or another comparable 1B is acquired), Loaf is replaced with somebody as good or better than him, and the loss of Soriano isn’t too much to overcome, with Hanson around for 6 months, Hudson starting more than 6 games, Prado at 2B and Jeff NOT in RF, I don’t see any real reason that this team doesn’t win 90-95 games next year. Barring injury.
Will it be enough? I don’t know. One has to assume that 6 full months of Cliff Lee makes the Phillies that much better too.
But I’ll go off of the Braves record the last three months with the current core of players in place, than what the team did with Jo-Jo in the rotation, KJ at 2B, Jeff in RF, Loaf playing extended spring-training in April and May, KK adjusting to life in the US, Schafer being overmatched/injured in CF and Kotchmann at 1B.
Or do you think we should go by what went on in April and May before Wren fixed the issues?
Moe Berg
November 9th, 2009
12:07 pm
DOB–Welcome to Chicago. Not nearly as pretty as it was all weekend but has not gotten cold. Perhaps with it being overcast, it won’t seem so bad being squirreled away at O’Hare. Look forward to any news from the meeting.
Lew
November 9th, 2009
12:08 pm
Efrim-I think the problems with Hamels goes much deeper than having an off season and I always wondered why Ruben, Jr. even got Lidge (before he had the perfect season)-now I feel he’s reverting to his norm, which ain’t all that great to begin with.
That being said, I don’t see them adding appreciable salary-especially after 2010, when they will have to deal with the Free Agency of Victorino, Werth, etc. Also, if you look at Rollins, this is not the first year he’s been wildly erratic -Dude’s flat out inconsistent and not likely to improve on that. They don’t have the $$$$$ to get anyone better, either. I promise you they’re stretched to the max at $135 million. Philly ain’t New York or Los Angeles. Their population has dropped each of the past two censuses (and much of it lives outside of city limits-the stadium is closer to Deleware than NE Philly) and they can not sustain the deep pockets thing for too long.
Bottom line-they’ll be really good this year and the problems will then start when they have to re-sign all of their peripheral players, Cliff Lee must be re-signed or replaced (is that really possible). Hamels is not panning out and Blanton only has another year left.
Now I’m not claiming they’ll turn into the 09 Mets, or that the Braves will run away from them the next couple of years, but they have their issues and they will come home to roost sooner rather than later, IMO.
IPayForAOL
November 9th, 2009
12:09 pm
How about a deal structured around Vazquez and Trevor Hoffman?
How about noooooooooo, Scottie.
DAP
November 9th, 2009
12:10 pm
nova scotia steve, gonzalez had a really good year, actually. he gets wild at times, but usually finds way to settle down and get it done. check out his stats with runners on. they are really good. anyways, every pitcher has their issues, but with gonzo weve got a stikeout guy who is a leader, who loves to take the ball, and gets it done more often than not. the braves could do alot worse than resigning mike gonzalez.