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3,192 comments Add your comment
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
2:52 pm
I’ve never got the feeling that Freeman is as high on the list as a guy like Heyward.
No bleep, LOL. If anything, the constant side-by-side probably makes Freeman look worse than he is, not better. Hey, if Heyward weren’t in the Braves org, you’d probably have mucho bloggers here clamoring to start Freeman in ATL next year, because he’s definitely the next best prospect on the farm.
I think next year will be good for Freeman, in that I’d think he starts in AA and his bud starts in AAA. May give ‘em both separation anxiety, for all I know, but Freeman will at least have a chance to perform without daily Heyward comparisons. Could be just the thing.
abwright
November 12th, 2009
2:53 pm
Now that Hudson is signed, what’s the chance that the Braves go with a six man rotation in 2010?
Is it as likely as Lowe serving as the closer?
Is it as likely as KJ signing for 80% of his 2009 salary?
Is it as likely as KJ getting his unconditional release, signing with the Braves for less than 80% of his salary, and then, Paul Lentz paying off “the bet” to Random?
N8
November 12th, 2009
2:55 pm
“excuse me 1 came in Atl.” Eavesdropper
I’ll assume you’re talking about Uggla’s HR last year?
Really? You’re going to knock a guy that couldn’t hit more than 1 HR off of the pitching staff in baseball that allowed the LEAST HR in the NL?? Holy park adjustment Batman!
I pointed it out earlier today. For his career at Turner Field (the stadium where he’s played the 2nd most games – 36 – other than Joe Dolphin Roby Marino Shula Stadium at Crockett and Tubbs Point), he has done the following:
36 games, 162 PA, 32 runs, 52 hits, .356/.404/.658/1.061, with 9 HR and 30 RBI.
I’d say he’s comfortable hitting at the Ted, wouldn’t you?
Not saying he’s THE answer. But since Florida has played their hand a little bit and made it known that they need to dump his salary, he shouldn’t “cost” too many prospects.
He simply might be an answer to improving our lineup, made along side a couple other moves. But either way, he’d be an improvement in the power department and production of Loaf, and even without having any ML experience in LF, can’t possibly be any worse than Loaf out there.
But that being said, he should provide more porduction. If he gets a raise from his 5.35 million of last year’s arbitration hearing (which he won), he might end up costing close to 4 times as much as Loaf did.
abwright
November 12th, 2009
2:57 pm
ncscoots, 2:52 pm … “I think next year will be good for Freeman, in that I’d think he starts in AA and his bud starts in AAA. May give ‘em both separation anxiety, …
Oh, no! Is Freeman Heyward’s “Brayan Pena?”
Bubdylan
November 12th, 2009
2:57 pm
Ah. Guess I missed it. Well, somebody’s youtubed the whole album (I and Love and You). I guess that’s the new one. An exciting find. (Not that it’s rare, apparently, but I bump into so little new music. Lazy listening skills I think.)
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
2:57 pm
Is it as likely as…Paul Lentz paying off “the bet” to Random?
Vegas is giving better odds on Armageddon happening next Thursday.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
2:58 pm
abwright–
The ASG is in the Angels park next year.
I suppose Manuel could pinch hit for BMac (if he’s the starter and batting 4th [just to make you even more upset]) before BMac gets a defensive inning in.
Ha! That’s true. And yeah, he could bat him fourth just to annoy me, get me upset…either that or bat him eighth.
But if he REALLY wanted to T me off…he’d start someone else behind the plate and make BMac the DH.
…and bat him fourth.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
2:59 pm
abwright, “Pena Syndrome” for Heyward, LOL, might be the only thing that keeps him from becoming The Most Interesting Baseball Player In The World (according to blog sources).
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
3:00 pm
On the subject of losing Roy Clark: off the top of my head during Clark’s tenure -
Tommy Hanson
Brian McCann
Adam LaRoche
Kelly Johnson
Martin Prado
Yunnel Escobar
Chipper Jones
Jeff Francoeur/Jason Heyward
Jordon Schafer
Brandon Jones
Richie
November 12th, 2009
3:03 pm
N8, they do have a different GM than Towers. The stuff I have been reading about for Gonzalez(i.e. Boston’s prospects and the Mets as well), I have to believe we have better pieces to do a deal with the Padres. Towers was an idiot who overplayed his hand last year. I am not saying Wren would fleece them because I don’t believe SD is as unknowledgeable as them seemed under Towers, but I think a deal can actually be made with them for Gonzalez. You have to like the potential power upgrade at that position. The Braves lineup, lacks 2 hitters, who make them scary good. A lot of consistent hitters but no thumpers in this lineup and this lineup still relies heavily on Chipper and if the Braves are to be taken seriously, they need to attempt to make a deal for Gonzalez
DAP
November 12th, 2009
3:03 pm
keylargo, what are you trying to say in your 3pm post?
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
3:05 pm
Next blog dream please, new name! no Ugglas allowed
keylargo
November 12th, 2009
3:07 pm
That those players were drafted by Clark and played last year for the Braves. (except JH)
ccrider
November 12th, 2009
3:07 pm
Efrim: I agree he can have his opinions just like Gammons, Heyman, Verducci, Rosenthal Etc. I just don’t think he deserves the respect he gets on this blog for his Talent evaluations. If, he was a great Scout/Executive/GM candidate he would make a lot more money in the front office of a MLB team than writing articles for ESPN. I will go with the scouts that are constantly in the field comparing ballplayers and that has been doing it for decades.
dpelfrey
November 12th, 2009
3:09 pm
The thing I don’t like about Uggla is he’s not your typical cleanup hitter. Looking at his splits, he only slugged .369 last year with runners in scoring position and over his career he’s slugged .412 in that situation. To me, that’s not exactly what a team would look for in a cleanup hitter. For comparison, here’s how some other Braves slugged with runners in scoring position last year:
Escobar – .627
McCann – .612
CJones – .526
Diaz – .515
McLouth – .513
Diaz – .515
The only reason to add Uggla would be to have one guy on the roster with 30 homeruns. I don’t see the point in that if it doesn’t add wins. I say a big no to Uggla, the stats don’t lie, he’s not the big run-producer everyone seems to think he is. He just swings really hard.
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
3:09 pm
Richie, Braves were taken seriously the 2nd half this season without a Gonzalez in the lineup. They almost made the Rockies crap themsleves there at the end. They’ll be alright next year, I’m not worried at all.
DAP
November 12th, 2009
3:11 pm
eavesdropperNext blog dream please, new name! no Ugglas allowed
why dont you throw one out there, instead of just demanding we talk about something else?
Mikeyc588
November 12th, 2009
3:11 pm
Wow. Just wow. Thanks for the link. He makes soulful singing look so effortless. Really impressive. Speaking of M. Ward, what do you think of She & Him, his project with Zooey Deschanel?
I love that this blog can be about more than baseball while still focusing on the team we all seem to care so much about. Well done, sir. And if people don’t like it, then I say they can stick to mlbtraderumors.com for the rest of the offseason.
On a baseball related note, seems like a really team-friendly deal for Hudson. 3 years at a level salary? And a team option for $9mm as well? Well done, Frank Wren. The first piece of the puzzle is in place. Any word on possible performance-related escalators? Wouldn’t surprise me if there were some, given the fact that Huddy is 34 and coming off surgery.
N8
November 12th, 2009
3:12 pm
Richie, Towers or no towers, I think that deal centers around Escobar. They’d be stupid to NOT ask for a player like Escobar who’s major league ready and cheap.
So I posed the question last night. What would you rather have. Escobar at SS and a guy like LaRoche at 1B. Or Gonzalez at 1B and some 2nd rate SS playing the most important defensive position on the field, which Escobar does very well (as does LaRoche at 1B).
If Gonzalez could be had for a package of Freeman, Hicks and say Medlen and then agree to an extension (with Lowe’s salary being dumped somewhere), then yeah… by all means go for it.
But from my angle, Escobar, Heyward, JJJ and Hanson should be untouchable. I’m not willing to give up either one of those guys for Gonazalez alone. I’d be willing to give up Vazquez and prospects for him, because he’s going to cost money sooner than later.
But Vazquez has a no west coast trade clause. So in order to move Vazquez for Gonzalez, it would need to be a 3-way trade. Good luck with that.
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
3:13 pm
hmm okay Alexis Rios!
Double J
November 12th, 2009
3:17 pm
What’s with Shafer, I think he will finally break out this year, whether he comes up a little late or not…He can at least platoon with Diaz. And hopefully we don’t trade Javy, I just like the guy, he is a solid pitcher, and what he has done for Jair is great. But I like Mike Cameron, he is a hometown guy, and possibly give a hometown discount, and would be a great addition. That sets up for a nice outfiled. Now the first base or closer can be acquired with help from trading Kenshin or Lowe. Somebody will be takers…
blurba
November 12th, 2009
3:17 pm
really guys? uggla in left field is the best you want the braves to do? so you want to send prospects to a division rival so that you can have a crappy defender play a completely new position? i dont know what he’s going to make in arbitration but i read it could be around $7 mill. thats money that would be really useful in the bullpen/first base. after the all-star break, the braves ranked SECOND in the league in runs scored, so i dont want to hear that the team needs power so desperately that they have to resort to putting dan freaking uggla in left.
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
3:20 pm
Carlos Quentin,Matt Kemp
CB
November 12th, 2009
3:21 pm
Would you trade Lowe,KK and Freeman for Miguel Cabrera? It would solve a lot of lineup issues.
ccrider
November 12th, 2009
3:29 pm
N8: I made a comment yesterday, that after what Brandon Hicks has shown in the AFL, Wren might think he is a year away from being our SS. We also know Yunel has had his troubles with Bobby. Don’t get me wrong I love Escobar’s playing, but I wonder if the powers that be, don’t see him as a long term fit. If, Wren and Cox feel that way, I think Escobar, Schafer, Medlen, and a minor league pitcher might get it done.(They don’t need Freeman, they have Kyle Blanks ready to take over) But I agree even with we could sign Tejada for a 1 year fill in, it’s a risky proposition.
Robby D
November 12th, 2009
3:30 pm
From the Braves perspective Derek Lee makes perfect sense, that is if the Cubs went for that and Lee waives his no-trade clause. I believe he makes 13 million next year in the last year of his contract. It would take Vazquez plus some to entice the Cubs I’d imagine. However, I believe we’d find a hard time trying to pry him away from them after the monster year he had.
DAP
November 12th, 2009
3:33 pm
eavesdropperhmm okay Alexis Rios!
hmm ok, who is that?
matt kamp is a great player, but no way the dodgers will trade him for anything. i have not heard one rumor about quentin….i wonder if he is a guy who will end up being injured all the time? he is a good player. very good power guy.
Tomas
November 12th, 2009
3:34 pm
Why are people being so negative? Yes Dan Uggla sucked defensively at 2B, that’s why LF sounds to be a great option, because after having GA last year anything will be better even Dan Uggla. For god sake he hit 31 homers, more than any Braves players. Also had 27 doubles, 90 RBI’s……
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 12th, 2009
3:35 pm
CB
BEcause Detroit needs to lower costs not add to them
N8
November 12th, 2009
3:35 pm
ccrider, good point. I guess I didn’t realize that the Braves view Hicks as being that close. But you’re right. Tejada is out there as could a guy like Omar Vizquel be. I guess if they view Hicks as that close, they could go more defense than offense at SS and go for a guy like Gonzalez at 1B.
As has been stated for weeks. Wren has MANY options. Mark it down. Something big is coming.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
3:36 pm
after what Brandon Hicks has shown in the AFL, Wren might think he is a year away from being our SS.
I have my doubts of that little notion rolling around in Frank Wren’s head. Large, King-Kong-sized, doubts.
smitty
November 12th, 2009
3:41 pm
DOB,
What’s Mike Mogis’s involvement with MofF. I’m familiar with Mike Mogis with a lot of his Saddle Creek stuff, actually got a chance to talk to him after a Bright Eyes show in Providence years ago. I think his producing and recording skills are the secret to a lot of that label’s success. I thought the best band he was in was Lullaby for the Working Class.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
3:41 pm
They better hurry it up with these Silver Sluggers…I’m gonna be heading with my Dad in an hour+.
The clock is ticking…
Richie
November 12th, 2009
3:43 pm
TnBrian, we hope they’ll be alright! And that wasnt until they got LaRoche in July, who is a FA and not necessarily a lock to return. The Braves can’t expect that the Phillies and the Wild Card teams are going to waddle and play subpar baseball like they did this past season.
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
3:43 pm
Tomas , what you think Uggla will reach those
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
3:43 pm
Thomas, because some people think a Derek Lee or Ryan Braun is just waiting to be picked up by the Braves or Holliday/Bay are realistic options. I guess they don’t realize almost any one of those power hitters out there that might be on the trading block will cost the team their ace & more. For anyone to really think the Braves are going into a bidding war with the Mets/Yanks/Cards/Boston for Holliday/Bay are dreaming. Uggla might just be the most realistic option the team has if they’d like to keep their best pitcher. Maybe a Ludwick falls in that category, but I haven’t read or heard a peep that he’s on the block.
CB
November 12th, 2009
3:45 pm
Rob, I understand,maybe it will take KK and prospects with Lowe being traded elsewhere. I just think he is a perfect fit for what we need.
ccrider
November 12th, 2009
3:45 pm
ncscoots, I have my doubts as well, But Wren said Hicks was already a MLB SS defensively and with some adjustments in his swing he is making more contact and his strikeouts are down.
I would love having Gonzalez, but really good shortstops are hard to find. I think it would all come down to whether the Braves see Escobar as the long term answer here, or a source of constant irritation.
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
3:45 pm
remember Dolphin stadium, isn’t the Ted
Richie
November 12th, 2009
3:48 pm
N8, I am not in favor of trading Vasquez even though he is our most tradeable piece, without touching Escobar or McCann. I am stating it is not a sure thing that LaRoche returns and the Braves have to be content with the 1st half swoon that LaRoche is historically in. I am not sure this offense, currently constructed, is built for a slow start like that. I think Gonzalez provides a little more stability at the plate, and could keep the Braves going in the event Chipper and/or McCann is off or out.
Bobby's Cox
November 12th, 2009
3:51 pm
Here’s a few names I like:
Lowe for Derrek Lee: Chicago needs pitching. Lee has 1 year left on his contract. He also has a no trade clause which complicates things, but I like the 1 year deal ahead of Freeman.
Billy Butler: Young, good, right handed. Gets better every year. Hits good with RISP, runners on. Good power numbers and his for average as well. Under team control for another 3 years. I’d be willing to trade Freeman for him.
Ben Zobrist: Not sure who Tampa would want in return, but I like Zobrist, and they were hitting him cleanup last year.
Hunter Pence: Good OF’er, bats righty. Adequate power. Overall good hitter. Seems like we match up well with Houston in terms of them needing pitching & a replacement outfielder (McLouth, Schafer?)
Granderson. Love how this guy plays. Despite the low numbers against lefties, I’d take him over McLouth. Better base stealer, a wash defensively probably, but much better power numbers. I’d love to get someone who reaps havoc on the base paths again. I’m interested in seeing how McLouth does after realizing he needed contacts, but if he is no better than last year, I’d be willing to make a swap. Hindsight…..
Bay: I don’t think it’s out of the question that we can afford to sign this guy, especially if we can trade Lowe for some prospects and/or a reliever. It depends on the level of interest from Boston & the Angels, who will drive his price up if one of them don’t land Holliday. Then you have St. Louis who will probably be interested as well.
Cruz: Everyone here knows I like him. I find it insulting that we’d be after Byrd but not Nelson. Still adamant on his hitting ability after seeing him hit so much. He’s got such a sweet & short stroke & hits to all fields. I expect his overall numbers to increase (BA, RISP, RBI’s), especially in a move to the NL. He’s great defensively, good arm, speed, but again, I don’t think we match up well with Texas in a trade. Last year was probably our opportunity.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
3:53 pm
whether the Braves see Escobar as the long term answer here, or a source of constant irritation
I don’t know, man, .800-OPS-15-HR-cannon-arm probably salves a lot of irritation, LOL.
I don’t think a hundred winter-league ABs is enough to start thinking differently about Brandon Hicks, anyhoo. Carry that AFL action over to a good hitting season at AA, and maybe you can start thinking that the light’s gone on for him. Until then, not so much, LOL.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
3:56 pm
Tick-tock…tick-tock…
DAP
November 12th, 2009
3:56 pm
TnBriansome people think a Derek Lee or Ryan Braun is just waiting to be picked up by the Braves or Holliday/Bay are realistic options. I guess they don’t realize almost any one of those power hitters out there that might be on the trading block will cost the team their ace & more.
or, they realize that there is a free agent who performed nearly as good as uggla in the power department in 2009, plays excellent defense, and will cost maybe only slightly more than what uggla will make in arbitration, and no prospects. there are good options before having to turn to a 2nd baseman to play the outfield for us.
N8
November 12th, 2009
4:00 pm
“remember Dolphin stadium, isn’t the Ted” Eavesdropper
Oh. Well… that changes everything then. Never mind. Oh wait, his home/aways splits are damn near identical. Whew.
I thought we were dealing with one of those Coors Field power hitters, you know with all the talk of park adjustment.
While only a small sample size, I’ve twice posted his numbers in 36 games at the Ted, and the numbers are SILLY good. The only one you need to know is the 1.061 OPS.
But if you don’t believe me on the home/road splits, here they are for his career:
HOME: 314 games, 1344 PA, 60 doubles, 67 HR, 184 RBI, .261/.356/.490/.846
ROAD: 303 games, 1354 PA, 79 doubles, 57 HR, 176 RBI, .254/.332/.475/.807
Like I said. Pretty damn consistent if you ask me. Like I said before, he’s not the ideal cleanup hitter to go get. But to deny that he’s an upgrade over Loaf in LF is simply ignorant.
Loaf had 27 doubles and 13 HR last year, slugged .400 and had an OPS of barley over .700. Though, I will give you that LAST YEAR, Uggla’s home/road splits were a little further apart than normal for him.
But either way, better than Loaf, and it’s not that close.
Mid Town Joe
November 12th, 2009
4:02 pm
The Huddy signing is OK, I guess, but I think we will lose a better pitcher for it. Please avoid Scott Boras Free Agents, including Holliday, at all costs. Ask the Cardinals how he did in the post-season this year. (that’s offense and defense)
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
4:02 pm
or, they realize that there is a free agent who performed nearly as good as uggla in the power department in 2009, plays excellent defense, and will cost maybe only slightly more than what uggla will make in arbitration, and no prospects
Hey, DAP, who might that FA be, LOL?
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:03 pm
I’d rather be stuck with the human RADAR J. big ears Schafer, and the thought of that makes me gag!
…what an asinine statement. You’re going to gag because you’d be watching a Brave play for the Braves? Rightt…
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:05 pm
RG, do you need a lozenge?
Somebody is going to need one soon if they don’t stop with the irrational Schafer-hatred.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
4:05 pm
But either way, better than Loaf
That, people, is reasoning that we should put behind us. A criterion of “better than Loaf” does not forward the future chances of success, LOL.
David O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
4:10 pm
During the past four seasons, McCann leads all catchers in homers (86), RBI (366) and doubles (149). Minnesota’s Joe Mauer has 57 homers and 326 RBI in that period, though with a .337 average and .918 OPS to McCann’s .295/.863.
TnBrian
November 12th, 2009
4:11 pm
DAP, you go with Cameron then you go with a player that has no upside. You go with Uggla then you have a player who could clear 40 HR’s. You’re right though, Cameron isn’t a bad choice, but maybe their thinking is a guy like Uggla has the better chance at giving you more offense & they did put up with GA for a full year & he didn’t kill us out there.
andrew in pa
November 12th, 2009
4:12 pm
Did we get uggla yet?
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:16 pm
Beautiful stats, Chief! Thanks. You dropping a hint there??
though with a .337 average and .918 OPS to McCann’s .295/.863.
So what’s a .337 AVG when they’re all singles?
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:17 pm
First base option comparison:
LaRoche would cost us 7-9 million per year for 2-3 years. Nothing else.
Fairly productive, 5-8 hitter, streaky.
Gonzalez would cost us about 4 of our better prospects, probably to include Escobar, plus a salary of ?? I think it is 9-10 million?
No doubt Gonzalez would be an excellent cleanup hitter.
Is the payout worth the increase in production? In my book, I would think not.
I would prefer a year (or two) of Derrek Lee (acquired for Derek Lowe) over both the above options.
David O'Brien
November 12th, 2009
4:20 pm
Smitty, Mogis is the other one of the four official band members, along with James, Oberst and Ward. All four of them are on the cover of the album.
Mogis was great last night, too. The other three split songwriting and lead-vocal duties, and each has at least a couple of songs that rank as the best on the album. All of the band members wore suits, by the way. It was a good look, especially when they started rocking hard. Dapper rockers, they were. All but Oberst kept his suit on all night (he took off his jacket midway through).
beekay
November 12th, 2009
4:20 pm
I saw Cody hit a few bombs when Myrtle came up here to play Potomac…dude is huge, wish he didn’t strike out as much
Drafted: HS—Lynn Haven, Fla., 2006 (1st round). Signed by: Al Goetz.
Background: The 30th overall pick in 2006, Johnson signed for $1.375 million and then hit .184 with one homer in his pro debut. He since has led the Appalachian League with 17 homers in 2007, ranked second in the Sally League with 26 in 2008 and topped the Carolina League with 32 last season. No CL hitter had reached the 30-homer plateau since Danny Peoples in 1997.
Strengths: A pure power hitter, Johnson has as much raw strength as anyone in the minor leagues. Nearly half of his hits have gone for extra bases, and he’s developing more patience when pitchers refuse to challenge him. A better athlete than he gets credit for, he’s a slightly above-average baserunner.
Weaknesses: Johnson has ranked second in the minors in strikeouts in each of the past two seasons. When he struggles, he starts trying to pull everything, and more advanced pitchers could really exploit his all-or-nothing swing and approach. He’s just adequate in left field, where he needs to take better routes and has below-average arm strength and accuracy.
The Future: Johnson a minor league version of Adam Dunn, albeit with significantly fewer walks. His ability to hit for enough average while maintaining his power will determine his future. A full season in Double-A awaits in 2010.
2009 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Myrtle Beach (Hi A) .242 .345 .517 422 59 102 18 1 32 84 64 171 10
Mississippi (AA) .182 .280 .182 22 2 4 0 0 0 3 3 9 1
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
4:21 pm
N8, you’re on delusional person if you think Uggla hits 31 dingers as a full time Brave! dude i have also posted his stats .251 in dolphin,and .e235 away from it with only 10 dingers damn do some math!
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:22 pm
Funny thing about Mauer, too, is that he hit nearly half of those homers this year…
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:24 pm
Well Congrats to BMac!
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:25 pm
…if he gets it that is.
(rolls eyes)
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:25 pm
RG
Personally, I think Schafer is the outfield answer. Might be that I am just a big ole homer, but dude just looks like a ballplayer to me.
If this was my gig, I would try to unload Lowe for D Lee to cover first until Freeman is ready. I would keep my current outfield intact, with McLouth, Diaz, and Church being my definite 3. I would assume that either Heyward or Schafer will make it out of the spring, and hopefully, the other one would be not too far behind.
To hedge my bet, I would go for one more right handed bat, whether that be Uggla, Cameron, or ???. I wouldn’t pay too much for that player though, in terms of salary or players via trade.
I would sign one of our two closers, and go out and pick up one or two more arms for the pen.
I would also make an offer for Holliday, not expecting to get him, but just to see if he would be interested in playing with a team poised to be a contender for the next 5 years.
And Hicks, (love that name) will need to show a bit more before we annoint him the next infielder to replace Chipper eventually.
Brandon Hicks: now that’s a baseball players’ name!
Mixxo
November 12th, 2009
4:26 pm
Hudson signed?
Dammit all! Thanks Frank, now we’re stuck with this for three more years and 28 mil. we could have spent on some lumber.
Thanks a lot!
Random
November 12th, 2009
4:27 pm
Maybe the Braves can snatch Jonny Gomes from the Reds’ crowded left field?
Graham
November 12th, 2009
4:27 pm
Wayne in Utah
If I have read correctly, Gonzalez’s contract is for $4.5mil in 2010, and a club option of $5.5mil. It may change with a trade, but as it stands now, he would be relatively cheap as opposed to LaRoche.
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:29 pm
If this was my gig, I would try to unload Lowe for D Lee to cover first until Freeman is ready. Wayne
I’m just thinking off the top of my head here, but I’m pretty sure that offense was the Cubs’ problem, not pitching. I doubt they’d trade one of their best offensive players for an overpriced pitcher.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:32 pm
Roman Gal …if he gets it that is.
Yeah, really…
He’s gotta get it, though! How could they not give to him?
Wait!
Nobody answer that…
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:33 pm
Graham
Hey, I will take your word on AG’s salary, BUT the part that makes him much more expensive is what it would take to get him. Are you willing to give up Escobar and 2-3 of out other top prospects, probably to include Medlen?
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:34 pm
Oh swell…they unveil the winners at 6PM.
Thanks a lump, MLB.
How come the AL Gold Gloves could be announced so early? And the Silver Sluggers were done earlier last year…
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:35 pm
How could they not give to him?
Poor throwing arm, his locker’s a mess…
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:35 pm
Wait! Nobody answer that… McFann
I have it on good authority that David Wright and Tim Tebow are battling it out with BMac for it…
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:35 pm
lol, McFann it’s just 90 minutes
Eavesdropper
November 12th, 2009
4:36 pm
Dye hit 27 last so why not him, he played in a superior league according to some!
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:36 pm
RG
There was some rumor right at the end of the season that the Cubbies might want to get more left handed, and that Lee, with his one year remaining, possibly could be dealt. They need pitching. Lee is in the last year of his contract.
For similar reasons, but not as compelling, would be Konerko of the Pale Hose. Though they do NOT need a starting pitcher.
Just a pipe dream of mine to get D Lee…..
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:37 pm
Speaking of David Wright, I see he didn’t win the Gold Glove this year. I guess his parents are off the voting board.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:38 pm
There was some rumor right at the end of the season that the Cubbies might want to get more left handed
Well we certainly couldn’t help with that…
O.J.
November 12th, 2009
4:38 pm
Mixxo, whats your problem with signing Huddy?
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:39 pm
Eavesdropper
Dye’s D has dropped off quite a bit the past year or two. Also, his production last year was terrible after the break.
No thanks. Though I am not big on Uggla, I would prefer him over Dye.
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:39 pm
jeffrey d Poor throwing arm, his locker’s a mess…
Throwing arm should have no baring on the Silver Slugger. Besides, he cann really hum that ball to first base and the pitcher…
As for his locker, well…that’s another story. But he always kept his glasses squeaky clean!
it’s just 90 minutes
That’s not the point! I’m leaving the house with my Dad any minute!
Roman Gal I have it on good authority that David Wright and Tim Tebow are battling it out with BMac for it…
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:40 pm
Just a pipe dream of mine to get D Lee…..
I think we just need to get Ryan Freel. If we do that, we’re World Series bound!
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:42 pm
That’s not the point! I’m leaving the house with my Dad any minute!
It’s almost as if MLB didn’t take that into account
You can go ahead and go. McCann’s going to get the award. And if he doesn’t, I’ll go by “jeffrey doodoo head” for the rest of the month.
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
4:42 pm
Wow…another day…another bunch of ppl talking about trading Yunel…WOW, you guys just don’t get it!
And why is it that after hearing Frank’s comments I feel like we’re gonna go cheap and end up with something ridiculous like Aubrey Huff and Austin Kearns?!
Just makes you wonder when the guy says, hey, its ok to pay Tim Hudson 28 Mil and give Derek Lowe an astronomical contract AND give Kawakami 6.5 Mil a year when he’s never pitched here,
BUT
We’re more than likely not gonna make a serious run at ANY of the big bats this offseason when thats what has really been needed the last few years.
Makes you wonder….
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
That’s not what the D really stands for, in case you were wondering.
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
RG
A woman after my own heart!!!
Graham
November 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
Wayne
Your point is understood. I don’t know if the new San Diego GM is going to be anything like Towers. Towers wanted the whole farm, with Atlanta only getting one prized horse. Is the new GM going to be similar to that? It’s probably a wait-and-see approach. If the Padres are in “rebuild” mode (which they will not say out loud, but it looks like they are doing), they may take lesser prospects. Doubtful, but they may. Anyway, you make a good point.
DAP
November 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
TnBrianyou go with Cameron then you go with a player that has no upside. You go with Uggla then you have a player who could clear 40 HR’s.
that is a good point. uggla could have another season where he OPS’s .875 including a slg% over .550, but im just no confident he would do that. he has only dont that one time, his other seasons have been much more like the year was for him, so…i guess im just not ready to sacrifice defense that much for those offensive numbers.
cameron is just overall a much better player, and not really to far below uggla offensively.
hey evesdropper! stop talking about uggla!
random, jonny gomes could be a good pickup.
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:43 pm
And Clint Hurdle is the deciding vote.
And you know Russell Martin is going to get in there before BMac does and stay until there are only seconds left. He’s got his work cut out for him.
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
4:44 pm
I don’t know guys, but apparently I was told whether you spend 5 or 20 minutes with Tim Tebow, your life is better for it.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
4:48 pm
to see if he would be interested in playing with a team poised to be a contender for the next 5 years.
Well, maybe. Anytime I see that “next five years” thing, I always think back to the Indians, around 2005. Loaded with stud hitters coming into their primes, Lee and Sabathia and Westbrook for young pitchers…that team looked poised for some big-time stuff. And poof.
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:48 pm
P-town
How can you comlain about Lowe and Kawakami? Remember 2008? It was brutal.
Now, if you would prefer that we keep the 28 million and make it a down payment on the 80 million plus it would take to be in the ballpark with Holliday, I can understand that one.
But, I have no qualms about us taking the chance on Huddy. I suspect that Wren has a good feel for what he can get for Lowe or Vazquez.
Patience, my friend. I know, it’s hard as heck to be patient. Kinda like the buzzard who says, “Patience hell, I wanna kill something!”
McFann Ô
November 12th, 2009
4:48 pm
jeffrey d It’s almost as if MLB didn’t take that into account
Of course they didn’t. They never get my “OK” for anything.
And if he doesn’t, I’ll go by “jeffrey doodoo head” for the rest of the month.
Funny as that would be…
That’s not what the D really stands for, in case you were wondering.
Curses! I’m wrong again!
Roman Gal–
Haha! He sure does…
Roman Gal
November 12th, 2009
4:48 pm
Wayne-
Hah! Watch it or Random will pop out of nowhere and call you a ruttin’ fool!
N8
November 12th, 2009
4:51 pm
“N8, you’re on delusional person if you think Uggla hits 31 dingers as a full time Brave! dude i have also posted his stats .251 in dolphin,and .e235 away from it with only 10 dingers damn do some math!” Eavesdropper
If I need to do the math, then perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the English language. In my 4:00 post directed at you, I stated:
“Though, I will give you that LAST YEAR, Uggla’s home/road splits were a little further apart than normal for him.”
I did the math. But thanks for the suggestion. Besides, I never said once that he’d hit 31 HR in a Braves uniform. I stated that for his CAREER his home/road splits were damn near identical (after you made some comment about The Ted not being Dolphins Stadium). Hell, I even “did the math” for you and posted them.
I simply stated that he could not and would not be any worse than Loaf was last year. Do you agree or disagree with that?
No need to reply anything else but to answer the question. It’s a simple yes or no question. Man up and answer it.
dpelfrey
November 12th, 2009
4:51 pm
Tomas November 12th, 2009 3:34 pm Why are people being so negative? Yes Dan Uggla sucked defensively at 2B, that’s why LF sounds to be a great option, because after having GA last year anything will be better even Dan Uggla. For god sake he hit 31 homers, more than any Braves players. Also had 27 doubles, 90 RBI’s……
Go back and read my previous post, his situational stats show that he is not the run-producer many think he is. He does most of his damage with nobody on base and falls off significantly with runners on base. It’s a career-long trend too, which throws up a red flag that this guy is not the answer to the Braves scoring problems. He is Andruw Jones 2007, remember how that worked out for the Braves ? Stats can be misleading, but not in this situation. Forget about the defense, it’s secondary. This guy is vastly over-rated.
Bobby Hill
November 12th, 2009
4:52 pm
I’m generally pretty optimistic about the Brave’s chances over the next few years, but I can see where Kieth Law would say their future is mixed.
A non-Braves fan looking at the team might say:
The pitching staff looks pretty solid over the next three years or so. There’s not much to argue about there. The lineup is a different story. McCann looks solid for many years to come. Escobar looks good for the next several years at shortstop. Prado at 2nd is still a bit of an unknown, but anyone expecting him to be an all-star is probably going to be dissappointed. Anyway you slice it Chipper is in the twilight of his career and his numbers aren’t likely to get much better over the next three years, and the team doesn’t have any blue-chip 3B prospects. Right now the Braves don’t have a mlb capable 1B under contract. Freeman looks promising but he’s still at least a year away and pretty much an unknown quantity.
And then there’s the outfield. Matt Diaz is a solid platoon player, but not much more. Nate McLouth is pretty much league average. Ryan Church is below league average for a starting outfielder. Heyward looks like a can’t miss prospect at this point, but it takes most young players several years to establish themsleves in the league. It will be several years before he’s capable of carrying an offense. Its quite possible that by the time to offense reloads and matures enough to compete that the team won’t be able to afford all of their young pitching. The team doesn’t have an all star hitter to build its lineup around, and won’t over the next few seasons without an outside acquisition.
Plus, the team has large long term commitments to Chipper and Lowe which effectively limit their ability to sigh high end free agent talent. Meanwhile the Phillies are still stacked and likely to be even better next year, and the Mets will contunue to spend enough to keep themselves competitive. The Nats are improving, and even Florida with its tiny payroll finished ahead of Atlanta this year. Mets can blame injuries for finishing behind Florida. The Braves don’t have a good excuse.
I’m not saying that I really belive all this, but certainly elements of it are true.
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
4:53 pm
Wayne-
Its not that I disagree w/ giving Huddy the payday, I actually like the signing as its below market value.
My point is, you can’t throw money around like that and then say, guess what, even though we really need to address at least 2 positions with big bats, we’re not going to do so because now we don’t have the financial resources to do so…
That was my point and my problem.
Apparently once again we’ll have to be creative and buy low and hope for the best (ie GA)
Wayne in Utah
November 12th, 2009
4:54 pm
scoots
Great point. What happened to those guys anyway??? That was a huge surprise.
RG
Ya know, RF is a free agent! Could be had for a minor league contract w/ and invite to spring training! In all seriousness, he was the perfect bench guy about 3 years back. Don’t know if he has any left in the tank now though.
jeffrey d
November 12th, 2009
4:54 pm
McFann, I said you could go ahead and go do your McFamily stuff and not worry about the Silver Slugger. I promise you McCann will get it.
P-Town Brave
November 12th, 2009
4:54 pm
Question is:
IF we did get Uggla, where would you bat him in the lineup?
I certainly for one wouldn’t bat him 4th.
ncscoots
November 12th, 2009
4:57 pm
Ya know, RF is a free agent! Could be had for a minor league contract w/ and invite to spring training
Thanks, Wayne, LOL. I was blissfully unaware of that little factoid and probably would have been happy remaining so, but, thanks for pointing it out.