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3,193 comments Add your comment
CB
November 12th, 2009
10:17 am
Depending on what tha Marlins are seeking,I like the idea of Uggla. I used to hate to see him coming up to the plate. Hopefully they can find a position he does not kill you defensively.
O.J.
November 12th, 2009
10:18 am
I say give them Johnson, Deunte Heath, and Scott Diamond. Maybe they would bite on that for Uggla
N8
November 12th, 2009
10:18 am
Random, it was purely sarcastic. As I stated last night, I just found it to be ironic/funny/silly that he would choose to protest (whatever it was he was protesting) DURING “God Bless America”, while playing America’s past-time. You don’t find that to be amusing, even a little?
If you really thought I would expect him to give the money back, than you don’t grasp my humor after all this time. Sorry about that.
“That’s the straw man you’re knocking down — condemning someone for not taking some ridiculous action that only in your head he should. (And that you yourself never would, so add hypocrisy.)”
Well, to be honest with you, I would NEVER protest during God Bless America, so you’re right…. I find it a tad ridiculous.
Lew, thanks.
DOB, as Uggla as Uggla’s defense is at 2B, he couldn’t possibly be any worse in LF than Loaf was last year. Is he ideal out there? Not defensively. But that bat sure would be nice in the lineup. Barring a Chipper revival, he’d instantly be our biggest power threat.
Assuming that he gets a raise from his 5.35 million that he WON in arbitration last year, trading for him and re-signing LaRoche might be feasible just with dumping Lowe’s salary, then factor in the Hudson savings, there could be enough for Gonzo. Add to that, KJ made 2.85 last year, so it’s not like we’d be adding the full amount of Uggla’s contract. If it’s true the Marlins would want KJ.
Then Vazquez could be kept, and possibly extended, and maybe with an extension, his 2010 salary could be reduced by back loading the deal. Allowing for some bench help to be brought in an another veteran reliever.
Uggla is not Derek Lee, but he won’t cost as much, and allows us to probably keep Vazquez and keep that rotation 5-deep. Which is ideal. And he certainly upgrades the lineup without depleting the system and Wren’s money supply.
I like it. But I have to ask. What are his park adjusted stats?
I see that in 36 games at the Ted, he’s hit .356/.404/.659/1.061 with 9 HR and 30 RBI. He K’s a fair amount thought too. 37 K’s in those 36 games. And his season totals have rivaled the league leaders each year.
Those are by far his best “road” stats in any stadium. At first I thought it might have been our crappy pitching other than last year since he’s been up. But against last year’s staff he went .353/.405/.559/.964 with 1 HR and 9 RBI in 9 games. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll take a 900+ OPS and an RBI every game or so in the middle of our order.
Make the move Wren. Add to that, if Schafer and or Heyward are anywhere near ready as the season rolls along, McLouth could be moved to acquire some other help at the deadline.
beekay
November 12th, 2009
10:18 am
Free agents are going to be in for a rude awakening because of the economy….Do you realize that 40% of the entire free agent spending last year was from one team the Yankees? The Yanks have said that they will not spend near as much this year. I think someone like Roachie could get hurt bad and might have to settle for a Bobby Abreu type of contract. If we can get him for 1-2 years for 7 mill per I would lock him up.
dmack2027
November 12th, 2009
10:20 am
DOB regarding SOA,
My favorite episode was the season finale last year. Very poweful scene when Jax placed the rose on Donna’s coffin while staring at Clay and Tig. However, one of the best things about the show is the way they incorporate music into the end of most episodes. Me thinks Henry Rollins days are numbered.
DiamondbackMac
November 12th, 2009
10:20 am
Scott
Support runs can come at any time, he could be pitching behind for most of the game which changes his style of pitching.
Lead runs usually come early and give the pitcher more of a psychological edge.
Lew
November 12th, 2009
10:20 am
Anders-We’ll see if Lowe is tradeable or not-maybe. Even if they DO trade Vazquez, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t trade Lowe, just that they thought they got a better deal.
As for any disagreement between DOB and Yours Truly-I point you to the Jake Peavey situation last off season. Seems I caught a ton of grief for claiming he wasn’t worth the package they wanted and that he was injury prone. Hmmmmm. Wonder who nailed THAT one?
Neither one of us is infallible. We’re both just more informed than most-some of the time.
Anders
November 12th, 2009
10:21 am
beekay- I’m with you. I don’t think it will be a nuclear winter for these FA’s but I do think there’s further belt tightening that will occur. Just has to.
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
10:21 am
The Uggla thing makes a ton of sense… the Braves wouldn’t have to give Vazquez in that deal, surely, with his contract. Like you say, they’d want prospects & I’d guess the Braves have some they’d give in return for a 30 plus HR hitter. I’m still not sure about them wanting KJ because of he’s not all that cheap, but maybe.
Lew
November 12th, 2009
10:22 am
Nathan-No problem. Got to give you this, though. You sure have a pitbull’s grip opinion-wise. Remind me never to reach for something near you at feeding time.
Anders
November 12th, 2009
10:23 am
As for any disagreement between DOB and Yours Truly-I point you to the Jake Peavey situation last off season. Seems I caught a ton of grief for claiming he wasn’t worth the package they wanted and that he was injury prone. Hmmmmm. Wonder who nailed THAT one? (LEW)
DOB- care to defend yourself?
Lew
November 12th, 2009
10:24 am
beekay-The Yankees not spending as much is similar to the U.S. Govt. claiming they will only have a $1 Trillion deficit instead of $1.5 trillion.
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
10:25 am
Key, as PW has stated, he has played the outfield (20 games).
(sigh)
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
10:25 am
I don’t think the Braves would move a 5′11″ player to 1B if they didn’t have to.
Lew
November 12th, 2009
10:25 am
Anders-Remember that comment of yours about belt tightening when you talk about all of the improvements you think that the Mets will make this offseason.
DAP
November 12th, 2009
10:28 am
Don’t dismiss that Uggla-to-left-field rumor. It’s a legit possibility (DOB)
left field in atlanta? or just left field somewhere?
if it happens, i hope uggla performs better offensively than he did last year. as bad as he will probbaly be in left, id like to see him slug over .500.
If Minaya made this move you guys would be all over him. Just sayin. – Anders
duh. braves blog, remember?
Frank Robinson (Rockmart)
November 12th, 2009
10:28 am
18 wheels, I’m with you. Uggla may not have the best hands in the world but his range is better at second base, and I’d rather him start there than try to learn a new position in a new town. Prado has played some outfield in the past and is ahtletic enough to make the transition.
O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
10:29 am
keylargo,
his defense (or possible lack thereof) should be a red flag too.
Uggla does have 30 HR power, and another benefit is if the Braves do trade for Uggla, maybe they could trade Lowe, and not be as concerned about getting a power hitter from whoever takes him. Our main goal would be to trade Lowe for salary relief, which would possibly allow us to resign LaRoche and shore up our bullpen.
Anders
November 12th, 2009
10:30 am
Lew – I think the Mets ONLY option is to spend. I view them as a bit of an exception. They got by on their new park last year. Won’t happen this year. Most fans have seen it now. This year they need to bring in players. A #2 starter and a LF bat to be specific. There are other areas (Catcher). But they have money to spend coming off the books. Their under a lot of pressure here in NY to make some moves. With the Yanks winning the WS, they have to do something.
N8
November 12th, 2009
10:30 am
Lew, Lew it was late, and I’ve been fighting a cough for almost two weeks (and had to attempt to sing with it the past two weekends – not fun), been on a ton of over the counter meds and sleeping like crap. Just got prescribed some prednisone on Monday to help kick it out, and that crap always makes me irritable. LOL
So be aware bloggers, I’m on the juice (prednisone is a steroid). My hat size is about to grow and the back-acne is on it’s way.
In reality Lew, I just wanted somebody to answer a simple question and it only took about two hours for that to happen. I’m sure you could notice that once P. W. Hjort answered the question, the back and forth got a little less snippy.
The nice thing about not sleeping lately is that I’ve pretty much fired through most of season one of Prison Break which I just picked up used. Seems pretty cool so far, though a little far-fetched. But it’s not like 24 is realistic either, and I enjoy that.
Anders
November 12th, 2009
10:31 am
Well, gotta head over to the NY Hilton for a meeting. Catch up to you good folks tonight or tomorrow.
Congrats on Hudson – I sure would have liked to have picked him up.
Mark in Madison
November 12th, 2009
10:32 am
I’m not saying he’s the best option or anything, but one huge advantage of acquring Uggla would be that the Braves would no longer have to pitch to him. That guy just owns us.
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
10:32 am
Enter your comments here
rammerjammer
November 12th, 2009
10:32 am
I think this is a good time to revisit the Uggla-Ramirez locker room episode from September. Tell me what it says about Uggla:
“You’re playing today?” Uggla told Ramirez.
To which Ramirez responded: “After you showed me up I have to play today.”
Uggla: “Really?”
Ramirez: “Yeah, I have too. I told Fredi exactly the same.”
Uggla: “You should have never came out.”
Ramirez: “Why not?”
Uggla: “If you play today, you should have played the rest of the game [Tuesday]. It wasn’t a big game? You don’t want to win?”
Ramirez: “Every day is a big game.”
Uggla: “You don’t want to win?”
Ramirez went on to tell Uggla he felt hurt over teammates showing him up and added, “I don’t show nobody up on the field. I never did.”
“You have before,” said Uggla, not pointing to a specific example in spite of Ramirez’s request to do so. “I’ve seen you.”
Asked if he’s had a chance to speak privately with any teammates about the matter, Ramirez responded no. Uggla then reignited the exchange, suggesting Ramirez, who is hitless in his last 14 at-bats and 1 for his last 16 with runners in scoring position, was sitting on his National League leading .355 average.
Ramirez countered by saying he’s already got a long-term deal, so he doesn’t need to maintain his stats for arbitration purposes.
“If you really wanted to win you would have never come out of the game,” Uggla said. “Stand pat.”
Ramirez: “Yeah, I’m 0 for 14. They think that’s why. I’m still hitting .355. It’s unbelievable. And arbitration, I’ve got arbitration next year so I have to sit on my numbers.”
Uggla: “Yeah, you got your $70 million, so f—— win. What the f— you have to come out of the game for?”
“I don’t show nobody up on the field. You showed me up on the field! I never do that to nobody,” Ramirez said, shouting now.
That’s when Gonzalez intervened and asked the media to leave.
beekay
November 12th, 2009
10:33 am
The amazing thing about the Yanks is that they have so many 10 mill and more guys on their roster that every year a couple leave and it frees up 20-30 more mill for the next free agency…question I have is how can you keep signing type A’s if they don’t have any picks left to give up?
Gibby
November 12th, 2009
10:36 am
Personally I don’t care what name is on the back of the Left fielder next year as long as he can hit more than 25 HR drive and drive in @ 90 rbi and hit clean up. I also would prefer it not come with a long term money gaurantee. Uggla might not be my first choice but he could do what we need and not block our prospects.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
10:36 am
Thanks for the update on Timmy, Chief! That’s great!
I personally never cared much for Uggla…
beekay
November 12th, 2009
10:36 am
Mets want Figgins but need to move Castillo to open up 2nd base…they would have three switch hitters with speed at the top with Reyes, Figs, and Beltran. I think they should spend their cash on pitching myself
N8
November 12th, 2009
10:37 am
I kind of like that fire that Uggla showed in that exchange. Reminds me of comments Chipper would have made in his younger years. This team could use a vocal piss and vinegar leader. Just has to back up those words with his play on the field.
Uggla’s never played in less than 146 games in his 4 years since being called up. Seems pretty durable/willing to play through pain.
O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
10:37 am
Mark in Madison,
Another benefit is if the Braves do trade for Uggla, maybe they could trade Lowe, and not be as concerned about getting a power hitter from whoever takes him. Our main goal would be to trade Lowe for salary relief, which would possibly allow us to resign LaRoche and shore up our bullpen.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
10:40 am
Neight Uggla’s never played in less than 146 games in his 4 years since being called up. Seems pretty durable/willing to play through pain.
This is true. I really don’t know why I don’t like him…but I just…don’t.
Would be a nice bat to have, though…provided he starts hitting lefties a little better.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
10:42 am
Personally I don’t care what name is on the back of the Left fielder next year as long as he can hit more than 25 HR drive and drive in @ 90 rbi and hit clean up
Oh, that’s it?
DAP
November 12th, 2009
10:43 am
scott Hudson has a 121-5 record in games in which he received four or more support runs, and 106-2 when he’s been provided with a lead of three runs or more.”
I’ve read it about 10 times now. Does this make sense?
yeah, support runs arent the same thing as getting a lead. you can get 4 support runs and only be leading by 1 run, or you could be trailing by 1 run, you know? but a 3 run lead is a three run lead. know what i mean?
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
10:44 am
Personally, I don’t care what job I have as long as I get 6 figures, can work from home, and have people feeding me grapes hourly.
Lew
November 12th, 2009
10:45 am
Anders-Of course you didn’t include the entire quote, but that’s pretty typical of the way you do things here.
No reason for DOB to defend himself as I was speaking actualities and not opinions and it wasn’t an attack, anyway. That’s the way the discussion re: Peavey last year went. I was concerned about his injury issues and many others (DOB included) didn’t feel it was as big a deal as I did. Dude ended up missing most of the season. Draw your own conclusions. I also claimed the Braves needed to sign Vazquez and Lowe, but again, what do I know?
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
10:46 am
I really don’t know why I don’t like him…but I just…don’t
Probably his name. If he got traded to the Phils and played with Utley, you know what they’d call that combination.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
10:48 am
Hudson has a 121-5 record in games in which he received four or more support runs, and 106-2 when he’s been provided with a lead of three runs or more
Was it Shaun who thought that was meaningless, without some relative data on every pitcher in creation in the same scenarios? It was some poster, I know, just can’t remember who exactly.
David O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
10:48 am
Something wrong at the conference-call center, we’re still waiting to start this thing….
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
10:52 am
I was concerned about his injury issues and many others (DOB included) didn’t feel it was as big a deal as I did. Dude ended up missing most of the season. Draw your own conclusions.
My conclusion was pretty much that, even if you lost a year of his contract to injury, the remainder of his contract made him valuable enough to sustain that loss. Guess Kenny Williams agreed. Draw your own conclusions, LOL.
rammerjammer
November 12th, 2009
10:54 am
N8,
Me, too. Now is he a scrappy leader or an immature brat? One could say his confrontation with Ramirez would’ve been better served in a closed clubhouse, unless he had an ulterior motive.
Maybe he wanted to make sure everyone knew he was calling Ramirez out? Maybe he was jealous Ramirez had become the face of the franchise? Maybe he’s a dirty uniform guy fed up with a problem child?
As you said N8, he’s durable and clearly plays through pain. Personally, I think that kind of player is good for a team, as long as he chooses his battles wisely.
For instance, would Uggla have called out Yunel if they were teammates? Would that have been right, or is that the manager’s place?
Something to think about.
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
10:54 am
Was it Shaun who thought that was meaningless, without some relative data on every pitcher in creation in the same scenarios? It was some poster, I know, just can’t remember who exactly.
I don’t know the answer to the question you’re asking (if it’s Shaun or who it is if it isn’t), but I agree with their argument, whoever it may be. I bet if we had some sort of context this could actually be meaningful. We have none and I treat it as such–meaningless.
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
10:57 am
Lets all chill a miniute on the Uggla thing. There has to be plenty of teams wanting him, SF being one of them. They could easily offer more than the Braves are willing to give & have him by tomorrow.
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Back in the day of my 80mph heater, with a 15 run lead, I woulda been about a .600 pitcher.
See what good hitting can do for a staff!
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Hudson was 106-2 when he’s been provided with a lead of three runs or more.
Yes, Scoots it was Shaun. I was watching the Mets broadcast when Keith Hernandez came up with that stat and I posted it. Shaun demanded all these supporting documents and basically said it was meaningless. I just thought it meant he was like a Bulldog with the lead, once he got one.
Daybed Wagmoe
November 12th, 2009
11:00 am
Something wrong at the conference-call center, we’re still waiting to start this thing….
Oh, geez…it’s like last offseason all over again. Now Hudson’s gonna get upset that DOB is reporting the technical difficulties to the blog, and he’s gonna throw a fit and renege on his contract.
Gibby
November 12th, 2009
11:02 am
Yep that’s it. I just want a left fielder to produce. If he gets us 25 HR and 90 Rbi the braves will be a better team. All the other fancy stats are great to figure out how good a guy is and in comparing one player to another but fact is Hr and RBi Help the braves win. That is what I want. Which is the same as everyone hear.
except a few guys like Anders
Lew
November 12th, 2009
11:03 am
scoots-But would he have been as worthwhile to the Braves if we had to have given up Yunel and the rest of the package they were asking for? Seems to me that Frank Wren went out and got an extremely strong rotation, signed for as long as Peavey was and not only had their benefit for the 09 season (that they wouldn’t have had with Jake) AND for several years going forward. Yes they paid a bit more with Lowe, but then again, they got 15 wins from him that they wouldn’t have gotten from Peavey.I’m still waiting to see that “ACE” stuff from Peavey. Saw plenty of it from Vazquez, though. Got a damn good season from Escobar, too. Draw YOUR own conclusions.
klaus
November 12th, 2009
11:03 am
Unless you package a guy like Freeman with Vaz you are not going to a get a WS difference maker. Vaz is good but he is not Roy Halliday and he is a one year rental.
I think its a little presumptuous to think you are going to land a 4 hole hitter in his prime for Vaz straight up or with no name prospects tossed in.
It will cost you more so does it make sense to trade Vaz (your Ace) and FF (your #2 prospect)?
If the guy was Fielder yes. For many names being tossed around – not so much IMHO.
In this economy and knowing he doesn’t want to leave the Braves I wonder if any GM (where Vaz’s no trade does not apply) is going to give you very much (young, cheap and ML ready talent) for Vaz straight up.
Wren is going to earn his paycheck over the next two months for the season.
RE: Uggla. He is not an OF and has a low BA – not crazy about the idea. I don’t see him being more than an offensive upgrade at 2B (& a defensive downgrade) not the Braves next LF.
Learning a new position can sometimes mess with a guy’s head at the plate. I don’t think you want that possibility if you have a choice.
Like his power/HRs but the rest of his game has question marks especially at a new position.
I would rather move McClouth to LF, sign Cameron for CF and trade for Adrian Gonzales but who wouldn’t.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
11:04 am
I….nevermind
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
11:04 am
Scoots
I also remember that Shaun said it was my responsibility to supply all the documentation to satisfy HIS standards, not his to look it up if he disagreed.
Funny how those things are burnt into your memory.
Gibby
November 12th, 2009
11:04 am
Personally grapes are not my thing. Can I get M & M’s instead
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
11:05 am
You’re a hard man, PW, LOL. Not everything is a binary solution, you know. I don’t need a lot of context to understand that those particular numbers say that the guy seldom gets blown out and bears down with a lead, if he gets one. Does he do it better or worse than anybody else? Though I can’t say definitively, my intuition says a conversion rate in those scenarios of 99%+ is not the mean. Therefore, I intuit that Hudson is better than average in those situations. All with no supporting data, LOL. See? It can be done.
Daniel
November 12th, 2009
11:10 am
Glad to have Hudson resigned. I am not a fan of trading Javy. You really can’t have TOO much pitching. Plus, given KK’s ability to pitch out of the pen, and we still have to deal with Soriano and Gonzalez seems to me we should keep all of them. Now, if you were to get a Ryan Braun/ Adrian Gonzalez/ Fielder level player then go for it. Otherwise, let’s keep our pitching staff as is and resign LaRoche. You know he is always tradable.
Mid Town Joe
November 12th, 2009
11:14 am
Enjoy Ida in NY and Boston! (what’s left of her)
Daybed Wagmoe
November 12th, 2009
11:15 am
Back in the day of my 80mph heater, with a 15 run lead, I woulda been about a .600 pitcher. See what good hitting can do for a staff!
Funny you should mention that: Derek Lowe’s winning percentage this year? .600. That’s despite having an ERA of 4.67, a WHIP of 1.515, and allowing more hits than any other NL pitcher. Ha!
By contrast, Javier Vazquez also had a winning percentage of .600 this year — despite an ERA of 2.87, a WHIP of 1.026.
By this logic, a pitcher with an ERA around 3.75 and a WHIP of 1.25 would have 15 wins. Enter Bronson Arroyo: in 2009, he had a 15-13 record, 3.84 ERA, and a 1.27 WHIP (.536 winning percentage). So, one could say that in Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez, the Braves had 2 Bronson Arroyos in their rotation last year.
RC
November 12th, 2009
11:15 am
Well, Wilson Betemit is no longer an option. Agreed to a minor league deal with the Royals.
monty
November 12th, 2009
11:16 am
I like me some Javy Vazquez. Dude is a pitcher. He has an arsenal at his disposal and really is fun to watch, much like a Greg Maddux. Lowe is a good pitcher he just makes me nervous watching him pitch, he’s always fidgeting, sweating profusely, looking at his blister, gets noticeably preturbed when umps don’t call a pitch he believes is a strike, or a fielder doesn’t make a play he thinks should get made.He is a bundle of raw nerves. To me Lowe is more dependent on his main pitch(sinker) than Javy. Lowe nibbles more than I thought he did having watched him for a full season. He really doesn’t want to challenge a hitter with his stuff. He gets into trouble when hitters won’t swing at pitches just off the plate or just below the knees. I do not believe JAvy’s 2009 season was an anomally. I see him as a pitcher who is now relaxed, realizes his talent,likes where he is playing and coming into his prime at maybe a later age than most. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him win 20 games next season and have an era under 3.00. With Javy and Huddy they take alot of pressure off the young guys to not be thrust into the limelight and can develop and gain confidence over the next couple of years.
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
11:16 am
I hate to say it PWH, but if you can not see how a pitcher who converts 3 run leads to wins at a 98+% rate, is far above average, then your statistical expertise in completely negated by your lack of common sense.
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
11:18 am
The thing is, scoots, first of all my intuition tells me that’s got to be above-average, though I don’t think it’s significantly above-average. Plus I feel like it’s more important to look at the team’s W-L record than his pitcher record (especially on the one not concerning the lead). I also think the selection bias drastically skews our perception of the situation. It’s like someone saying Nolan Ryan was 183-2 (I made those numbers up) when he was leading going into the 9th inning. This, of course, is a silly thing to cite, because if you’re going to lose a game in the 9th inning you let your bullpen lose it, not your starter.
I’m pretty sure most times good pitchers are given a 3-run lead or 4 runs of support they get a W or a ND.
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
11:19 am
I don’t think Vazquez is an enigma anymore. Now I think it’s pretty clear when he’s where he’s comfortable he lives up to his ability.
beekay
November 12th, 2009
11:19 am
Another minor league stud
Drafted: HS—Marietta, Ga., 2008 (3rd round). Signed by: Brian Bridges.
Background: Spruill had to wonder what was so tough about pro ball after he went 7-0 in his pro debut and won his first six decisions in 2009. But he earned just three more wins the rest of the season, thanks mostly to poor run support. He also spent time on the disabled list and in Rookie ball with a non-physical issue the Braves have remained tight-lipped about.
Strengths: Spruill has an excellent feel for pitching and even at age 20, he’s one of the more polished prospects in the system. He pounds the lower half of the strike zone with an 89-91 mph sinker that arrives on a steep downhill plane. He also does a good job of mixing his breaking ball and changeup. He’s all business and tenacious on the mound.
Weaknesses: Spruill can’t overpower opponents, so he’ll have to mix and locate his pitches well to succeed. He has a mid-70s curveball with decent break and an upper-70s slider, and he probably needs to settle on one to have a reliable breaking ball. His changeup can be inconsistent.
The Future: Spruill has the potential to move quickly and become a mid-rotation starter once he gains feel for all of his pitches. He’ll spend 2010 in high Class A.
2008 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Rome (Lo A) 6 3 3.03 20 19 0 1 116 120 9 24 95 .261
GCL Braves (R) 1 0 4.58 4 4 0 0 20 24 2 5 23 .289
Gibby
November 12th, 2009
11:23 am
Jeff I am a fantasy geek and love the other stats. I want the Braves to pay attention to them in evaluating players and how good they are. Don’t get me wrong but if the braves are to win. they need more production from left field. production is runs, rbi, hr, and hits. The braves have guys to get hits. They have guys to score. They need guys to drive those players in. Hr and rbi that is what they need. If we want to use all the other stats to figure out who that player is great I am all for it. but bottom line is I don’t care who that guys name is just that he produces substantially more than Anderson did last year.
David O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
11:24 am
Wren said Hudson was their first priority entering offseason. And now that he’s signed, Wren said, “This does give us the depth and strength in one area of our club that allows us to do some other things now. We’re gonna be looking at that over the next 3-4 weeks as we lead into the winter meetings. I think we’re a work in progress in that regard, still in feeling-out process with other clubs. This is the first step to it, and now we have some additional direction.”
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
11:26 am
I hate to say it PWH, but if you can not see how a pitcher who converts 3 run leads to wins at a 98+% rate, is far above average, then your statistical expertise in completely negated by your lack of common sense.
I don’t have any expertise, I’m just a guy. And I do think it’s above average and it does tell us something. I don’t know what, though, and don’t think it tells us what we think it does.
DAP
November 12th, 2009
11:26 am
If he gets us 25 HR and 90 Rbi the braves will be a better team.
well dang, mike cameron or nate mclouth could do that if they batted cleanup. plus they would play excellent defense. and, if you sign cameron…you give up no prospects. (by the way, uggla only out- OPSed cameron by 19 points last season.)
I don’t see him being more than an offensive upgrade at 2B (& a defensive downgrade) not the Braves next LF.
actually, its debatable weather he would even be an offensive upgrade at 2nd. prado had a good year there in 2009.
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
11:28 am
Well, I myself have never really been a fan of Uggla, but maybe that also has to do with the fact that he absolutely KILLS us!
IMO, I think he could be used at either 1b or LF, and thats simply because he wouldn’t be great at either, but it leaves more flexibility to which other player we get, whether that be Bay, Holliday, Dye, Atkins, LaRoche, Guererro, Cameron, or what other name you can think of.
I like the fact that we’d only have to give up little to get him, BUT if thats the case, then who is the suitor for Lowe, Kawakami, or Vazquez?
I guess since Frank is in no hurry, maybe that really means something will be done by next week, as we all know how sly Frank is.
My last point…doesn’t anyone EVER go to bed on here?!
Soph
November 12th, 2009
11:34 am
Personally, I don’t care what job I have as long as I get 6 figures, can work from home, and have people feeding me grapes hourly.
Throw in a company car and you’ve got yourself a deal!
Uggla to Utley. Yeah, try to say that three straight times without stuttering.
CB
November 12th, 2009
11:36 am
P-Town Brave,coming from a guy who blogs on company time,aren’t you being hypocritical?
Smitty
November 12th, 2009
11:44 am
What do you guys think of a Lowe for Melky or Gardner?
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
11:44 am
PWH – I meant what I said in that I hated to say anything negative because you do, despite your modesty, have some statistical expertise compared to many of us on the blog.
And I don’t know exactly what 106 – 2 when given a 3 run lead means either. But it does mean you aren’t getting blown out. It does mean you aren’t giving up many HR’s with men on base. It means your team knows that if they just play defense the rest of the way, they have a win.
I know the hardest loss to take is one you were sure was going to be a win and I would bet that Tim Hudson lets that happen fewer times that almost anyone.
Mitchie-san
November 12th, 2009
11:45 am
On ESPN.com’s MLB page, there is an unfortunate picture of Mark McGwire. It looks like he is in the Third Reich.
AdirondackDave
November 12th, 2009
11:46 am
Frank Wren seems to be right on the button with his approach this year. Let the market for pitching develop rather than commit early. Not moving quickly on LaRoche says to me that he’s keeping all options open, including first, for that power bat. Still, short of an Adrian Gonzalez, LaRoche with his excellent glove seems like the best option to me for first base. I don’t really expect Wren to have the level of success building the offense this year that he had last winter in building the pitching… but if he does, we in for quite a year in ‘10 and beyond.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
11:47 am
though I don’t think it’s significantly above-average.
Ah, the proverbial Clintonism, LOL. Define “significantly”: 75th percentile, 90th percentile? How much better-than-average qualifies as significant?
To me, that quibbles, no offense. Those numbers provide some qualitative information that probably would be neither enhanced nor denigrated by a further quantification. In other words, I’m not going to know much more (at least, more that’s relevant to the premise) by tracking some league-norm for the scenarios.
Which brings me to this: sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. Context or no, comparative values or no, a page at fangraphs or no, sometimes it’s OK to just smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
11:52 am
On ESPN.com’s MLB page, there is an unfortunate picture of Mark McGwire. It looks like he is in the Third Reich.
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/1111/mlb_g_mcgwire_576.jpg
Mitchie-san
November 12th, 2009
11:56 am
jeffrey d, lol…thanks for the assist.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
11:57 am
Gibby – The point I was trying to make was that you made a 25 HR and 90 RBI guy seem like it’s no big deal. Last year we didn’t have one player hit 25 homeruns (and only 2 hit more than 14) and McCann was the only to get 90+ RBIs (next closest was 74)
Nova Scotia Steve
November 12th, 2009
11:57 am
So the Hudson deal is done…Now what???
PS
Tim Hudsonw was Wren’s top priority…I mean…I love Timmy…but I don’t know if it was the teams top priority…unless Wren is hinting that this signing means they can move some pitching to help fill other needs…
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
12:02 pm
Thanks for pointing that out Mitchie. It’s a pretty funny picture…like McGwire just promised that St. Louis’ days of despair and hardship are over…the National League will tremble as the Cardinals claim their rightful place as rulers of the world.
Kentavo
November 12th, 2009
12:02 pm
How ’bout a bad contract swap: Lowe for Magglio?
KC
November 12th, 2009
12:03 pm
Nova Scotia Steve: “unless Wren is hinting that this signing means they can move some pitching to help fill other needs”
I don’t think he HINTED. I think he outright said as much…
“This does give us the depth and strength in one area of our club that allows us to do some other things now.”
KC
November 12th, 2009
12:06 pm
“allows us to do some other things now…”
I think that means either trading Vazquez, or to a lesser extent, Kawakami… to get something of value in return. OR trading Lowe to free up the salary to make moves on the FA market.
N8
November 12th, 2009
12:06 pm
Now if ESPN could only put a photo of McGwire on their site that made it look like he was in Queensryche, that would be impressive.
That photo is funny. Couldn’t have happened to a classier guy. Welcome back Mark.
Dayvo Bryan
November 12th, 2009
12:06 pm
Dave,
Do you think we will have to see a resolution to the 6-starter/trade situation before we see anything regarding LaRoche and the Braves’ interest in retaining him? It seems to me the two are directly related, especially if a swap for a power bat results in a first baseman. In that case, we obviously look for an OF. If a trade brings an OF, it seems we would be more inclined to resign Adam. Do you agree?
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
12:07 pm
CB-
Funny, but its only “their” time when I allow it to be “their” time if you know what I mean
Mikeyc588
November 12th, 2009
12:09 pm
DOB –
Totally agree on Jim James. Here’s a video of him playing one of my favorite songs of his, along with a little interview interlude that I thought was interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZWCoqA2PoU&feature=related
CVan
November 12th, 2009
12:10 pm
DOB-
What are the terms of the Timmie contract?
Mitchie-san
November 12th, 2009
12:11 pm
“That photo is funny. Couldn’t have happened to a classier guy. Welcome back Mark.”
It does make me wonder if there is an underlying meaning behind it. Like someone at ESPN knew what they were doing.
HE’S EVIL!
ManOfTeal
November 12th, 2009
12:11 pm
We’ll take Javier V. for Uggla. Otherwise I think the chances of the Marlins trading to a team within their own division are VERY slim.
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
12:11 pm
sometimes it’s OK to just smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
Fair enough.
Braves_Fan_RSD
November 12th, 2009
12:11 pm
DOB would a Derek Lowe for Nick Swisher swap make any sense at all to you? We all know that money is not an issue with the Yankees and they need an innings eater in their rotation. The Braves need a corner OFer and a 1b and Swisher can do both giving us greater options. I really like his splits he had an identical OPS from both sides of the plate (.868) and 21 of his 29 HRs were on the road not in HR friendly Yankee stadium. I know this is all depending on the return of Damon and Matsui but just wondering if the Yankees would even entertain that thought?
P. W. Hjort
November 12th, 2009
12:12 pm
“A surplus in the rotation is great, but only if you’re not facing major deficiencies elsewhere, and Atlanta needs help in the lineup and the bullpen. Trading Lowe, who showed major warning signs of a decline in 2009, before he implodes is sound strategy, and enough teams are desperate for durable starters that they should still find multiple takers.” Keith Law
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
12:14 pm
It was the 5 best pitcher’s park in baseball last year
Hah! That’s because the Braves pitchers were pitching there and the Braves hitters were hitting there.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 12th, 2009
12:16 pm
Can anyone really see a Marlins/Braves swap??? Two teams that finished a game behind each other in the Division and battled it out all year long???
I dunno about that.
I think a third team would have to be involved to get this done…(any deal involving Uggla that us)
CB
November 12th, 2009
12:18 pm
My biggest fear with trading for Uggla is he may not be here after a year or two. The prospect or prospects we give up may be beating our brains in for the next 5-6 years.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 12th, 2009
12:19 pm
I believe Vazquez will be the one leaving…unfortunately…
But I like Lowe and think he’ll be alright again next year…That is if you consider a 15 wins season a poor performance.
Lew
November 12th, 2009
12:20 pm
Teal Dude-They’re going to trade Uggla’s $5.5 mil contract (before arb) to save salary and take on a salary of $11.5 mil? Yeah, that really makes sense.
Mitchie-san
November 12th, 2009
12:20 pm
“We’ll take Javier V. for Uggla. Otherwise I think the chances of the Marlins trading to a team within their own division are VERY slim.” – ManOfTeal
Um no. Not straight up anyway. Javy for Uggla and a few other prospects, maybe. Miami is as close as you can get to Puerto Rico….
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
12:21 pm
Ok, so the Braves have accomplished one splendid thing already this offseason. Let’s don’t spoil it by acquiring squinty-faced Uggla. There isn’t a Marlin I despise more than Dan Uggla.
His name is DAN UGGGGLLLAAAA!
Lew
November 12th, 2009
12:21 pm
I got em. See y’all later.
David O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
12:24 pm
Hudson on being part of such a promising young staff and coming back for Cox’s final season as manage:
“J.J. and Tommy are two of the best young pitchers I’ve seen in a long time. I had a chance to pitch on a really good staff in Oakland, and I’m willing to say this is the best staff I’ve pitched on in the big leagues…
“It’ll be the last year for Bobby. He’s a Hall of Fame manager, and he deserves a great season if not a championship season from us this year. I hope we do it — for the city of Atlanta and the Atlanta Braves, but also for Bobby Cox, he’s been so great for the city of Atlanta all these years, so great to play for, we’re going to go out there and give it all we’ve got.”