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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,192 comments Add your comment
J-MAN
November 15th, 2009
7:25 pm
I read this earlier.
“•NPB Tracker’s Patrick Newman passes along a report indicating the Braves are interested in 36 year-old Japanese righty Hidetaka Kawagoe.”
J-MAN
November 15th, 2009
7:26 pm
D.O.B. do you know anything about this Japanese pitcher?
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
7:41 pm
ESPN people made their Rookie of the Year picks. Boog’s choice? Coghlan. Ouch. Hanson’s got a couple votes from ESPN Deportes and Jon Miller but that’s it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4654706
Marko
November 15th, 2009
7:45 pm
Spend wisely.
Wren learned his lesson. A little desperate for pitching last season got us stuck with Lowe and Kawakami.
LaRoach, Gonzo, and Soriano are not worth the money. They will not win you a championship. Neither will 99% of the free agents out there if they are needed to be a starter. Stand pat. 2011 should be the target for a championship run anyway.
nolie
November 15th, 2009
7:54 pm
With such ringing endorsements
hey I’m not a hyperbole kinda guy. They are both good, but not GREAT ok? I wouldn’t have posted them if I didn’t think they were well worth watching.
McFann Ô
November 15th, 2009
7:55 pm
jeffrey d–
Ouch…that does hurt. But I cann kinda understand voting for a position player over a pitcher…
Oh, and I understand–the ROY is gonna be announced after 2 PM…but those dang Silver Sluggers couldn’t be revealed until after 6.
Joebrave
November 15th, 2009
7:59 pm
Since 2007, no fielder has cost his team more runs than Adam Dunn, according to Matthew Carruth of FanGraphs. Dunn will make $12MM in 2010 before becoming a free agent. It’s hard to imagine him signing with an NL club again after next season
I hope this will end all the man crushing on Dunn!
N8
November 15th, 2009
8:00 pm
TnBrian, I was there with you in thinking DOB mentioned Camereon the other day. But alas, it was the blogger knows as “O’Brien” who posted it. Thus the confusion.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/11/10/braves-explore-options-during-gm-meetings/comment-page-13/#comment-346764
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
8:05 pm
Oh, and I understand–the ROY is gonna be announced after 2 PM…but those dang Silver Sluggers couldn’t be revealed until after 6
Going to the Aquarium again tomorrow eh?
MIBravesFan
November 15th, 2009
8:06 pm
DOB: “OK, it’s still Sunday morning in a lot of the country, so this and a pot of coffee should help you get through the morning. Love this woman’s voice, reminds me of the gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjtBCHi8hO0&feature=related”
That’s two videos of artists I’ve never heard before I’ve downloaded after listening to videos you’ve posted. The first one was for the song (Steve Earle – The Rain Came Down) and this one was for the voice (although the song wasn’t bad either). Thanks again.
TnBrian
November 15th, 2009
8:06 pm
N8, didn’t think I was going loony. Knew I read something on Cameron to Atlanta, just wasn’t sure who wrote it. Rosenthal isn’t one who I’d put high on my list of experts to take full confidence in, so I’ll ignore his analysis for now.
McFann Ô
November 15th, 2009
8:20 pm
jeffrey d–
Haha! No…but still!
McFann Ô
November 15th, 2009
8:21 pm
Actually, that’s precisely the point: Now that I’m gonna be here, they do it early anyway.
P. W. Hjort
November 15th, 2009
8:30 pm
I see Ken Rosenthal thinks Miguel Cabrera will be put on the market. Gee,I wonder who would like to have him?
There are probably 29 other teams interested in Cabrera’s services. His contract probably takes him out of the running for about 10-15 teams.
I know two people here who would like him to come to Atlanta
.
I read the K-Ros report. It sounded more like that was just him talking than an actual rumor.
Doc Holiday
November 15th, 2009
8:31 pm
Someone mentioned moving prado to 1b and signing Uggla…………..that most be a joke……….thank god you are not our GM. Do you want to triple our errors from the right side of the IF?
Jake W.
November 15th, 2009
8:31 pm
LaRoach, Gonzo, and Soriano are not worth the money. They will not win you a championship. Neither will 99% of the free agents out there if they are needed to be a starter. Stand pat. 2011 should be the target for a championship run anyway. – Marko
So who do we get to play 1st base this season or the one after that or to whenever Freeman is ready? And Soriano and Gonzo were two big parts of your bullpen. You may not keep them but you have to bring in someone to replace them. Not to mention every year we keep waiting is another year older for Chipper, Hudson, Lowe, Vazquez, KK and all these players like Esco, Hanson, JJ, and Moylan who we are getting for a steal. They get more expensive each year. You want to win for a window of time and not just one year. What if things go wrong that year and someone gets injured.
I hope Wren doesn’t over spend for someone but at the same time I hope he doesn’t just stand pat. We will likely trade one of the pitchers not named Hanson or JJ. Don’t know how active we will be on the free agent market but additions need to be made because we can compete next year as we showed in the second half.
Random
November 15th, 2009
8:43 pm
jeffrey d (November 15th, 2009 7:10 pm): “Someone here can help me on this
“Somebody do the Random call.”
I’m on it.
P. W. Hjort
November 15th, 2009
8:56 pm
Someone mentioned moving prado to 1b and signing Uggla…………..that most be a joke……….thank god you are not our GM. Do you want to triple our errors from the right side of the IF?
Yes that’s rather silly. Especially so since Dan Uggla is under team control as an arbitration-eligible player, not a FA. Even if he was a FA, though, it’d still probably be silly. Prado is a better defender at 2B. It would make more sense to move Uggla to 1B or LF than to move Prado. Then again his agent says “he ain’t changing positions”, and if that’s the case trading for Uggla is probably out of the question. Unless you move Prado to LF or 1B, pretty much wrecking your defense in the process (which would be a bad idea), so Uggla probably doesn’t make much sense.
Doc Holiday
November 15th, 2009
9:31 pm
P. W. Hjort,
You are right on all your points, but you missed the most important one………..having Laroche at 1B is priceless, cant compare Martins defense to his at 1B.
McFanny
November 15th, 2009
9:42 pm
:bananas
McFanny
November 15th, 2009
9:44 pm
:bananas:
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
10:06 pm
Bananas?
dmack2027
November 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
Wren’s comments sound like he is really considering offering one of the relievers (probably Gonzo) and LaRoche arbitration. He could offer all three arb, only intending to sign Gonzo and LaRoche. Think about it, Raffy had a great year as a closer. He is going to garner a multiyear contract from someone. May not be much risk in offering arb to all three. That way, if you sign a type A free agent, you still have a bunch of picks in the front of the draft.
By the way, how is Wagner a type A free agent? He has been hurt for most of the past two seasons.
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
What happens if we offer Soriano arbitration, he declines, and a team like the Royals sign him? Their 1st round pick is protected, so does that mean we only get a compensatory pick for him? How does that work?
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
TnBrian, I was there with you in thinking DOB mentioned Camereon the other day. But alas, it was the blogger knows as “O’Brien” who posted it. Thus the confusion. N8
As I said the other day, only a matter of time before someone attributes some rumor or comment to me that was actually writen by guy who must use his real last name as a screen name (as if people here would know the difference between that and, say, his middle name as a screen name?). Just wait, it’s going to happen on one of the national trade-rumor websites, too. No doubt.
ugaaccountant
November 15th, 2009
10:41 pm
Royals aren’t signing a 8+ million a year closer, probably none of the 15 worst teams would, unless it’s the mets. I don’t know what happens though.
We definitely have to offer gonzo and laroche. It would be in the clubs best interest if they accepted. We’d prefer to have both for 1 year only while we develop Medlen/Moylan/Kimbrel and Freeman as replacements.
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
10:41 pm
Just wait, it’s going to happen on one of the national trade-rumor websites, too. No doubt.
In a recent blog, Atlanta Braves beat writer David O’Brien noted that the Braves have interest in signing John Smoltz to be closer and trading Jordan Schaefur for Ryan Bruan. Here’s his proposed 2010 lineup…
-ESPN
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
10:42 pm
I’m well aware that the Royals won’t be signing Soriano (although they did dish out a lot of money for Meche). It was a hypothetical “what happens if?” scenario.
Doc Holiday
November 15th, 2009
10:43 pm
I dont like Gonzalez,,,,,,,,,,he is not lights out……..not in my perspective……….he is too wild and does not have that killer instinct.
I like soriano better, but he WILL be hurt again, at least I wouldnt be surprised……..I think Gonzo will be healthier
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
10:45 pm
Interest in Willingham makes sense. I seem to recall that Cox has complimented his play a few times. He’s a real solid right-handed hitter who can hit lefties and righties (he’s not much defensively, however). And he’s a relative bargain, arb eligible after making just under $3 mill last season.
One problem might be, I think Nationals are still asking a lot for him, which was why he wasn’t traded at the deadline this year. Don’t know how much Braves are willing to part with in a trade for a guy they might only need for a year. Then again, an OF of Willingham/McLouth/Heyward in 2011 could be pretty formidable.
I’ll try to find out tomorrow if there’s strong interest. I honestly don’t know, but I think the Braves would definitely have some level of interest because they’re looking at any and all OFs who could help them and fit in the payroll in 2010. Again, he does seem like a much more legitimate target than some of the OF names that have been bandied about.
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
10:47 pm
AL Rookie of the Year is to be named at 3 p.m. tomorrow, NL ROY at 3:30 p.m.
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
10:51 pm
As Wren said last week, just seems like not much is going to happen this year until after the Dec. 1 tender date. Teams want to see who’s available, who gets non-tendered. I think there might be a few trades and/or signings before then, but not a lot.
P. W. Hjort
November 15th, 2009
11:06 pm
What happens if we offer Soriano arbitration, he declines, and a team like the Royals sign him? Their 1st round pick is protected, so does that mean we only get a compensatory pick for him? How does that work?
We get their 2nd round pick. Same as if a team in the bottom-15 of the first round signs a higher-rated FA. The Blue Jays got a 3rd round pick for Burnett in 2009 because Teixeira and Sabathia were rated higher.
Tennbravefan
November 15th, 2009
11:11 pm
What about a trade of Lowe to the Brewers for Casey McGehee? He can play first, outfield, but his main position is 3B. He hit 301 with 16 hrs and 60 rbis in roughly 350 at bats last year. He is a good player I would like to see in Atl.
ColoradoBravesFan
November 15th, 2009
11:14 pm
If Braves only need an OFer for one year, I believe Wren should try to get X. Nady. Braves could have Nady in Left, McLouth in CF and a Platoon of Diaz/Schafer in RF. If, and big If, Wren could resign LaRoache, would that be enough offense to compete with the phillies? We would still need a couple of more bullpen arms, but this would be a good defensive and a solid line up to support the starters of Hudson, JJJ, Hanson, Kenshin and either Lowe or Vazquez.
Hopefully we would trade Lowe or Vazquez for some good minor league prospects. The problem would still be a closer and what to do if Freman is ready in 2011. I hope having to trade LaRoche after a good year is our only problem.
P'cola Brave
November 15th, 2009
11:15 pm
Prado and Uggla aren’t the best defenders I understand that but I’d much rather have the offense. Uggla is a huge homerun threat and our problems last year didnt come from defense. We struggled because its hard to win when you only score 2 runs.
TnBrian
November 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
DOB, I wouldn’t be surprised if I did mix up you with O’Brien, but maybe I did just get Rosenthal article on the Braves/Cameron thing confused with reading it here. Damn, now I’m confused.
Difference in Willingham & Cameron I can’t figure from a Braves point of view except one you trade a player or players for & the other you sign. Oh, & seems like Willingham is hurt all the time with something, but if they feel with his pretty cheap price tag & potential for the power they need, then do it. Like me & some of you have been saying for awhile around here, you sign LaRoche & add a 20-25 HR guy than our team oughta be good to go.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Hey, DOB… as per your 10:36, any chance that Hudson was mad at THAT O’Brien, rather than you. (smile – as you would say).
Gotta keep giving Favre props. They showed his red-zone numbers (TD to INT ratio and the ever so “easy” to calculate QB rating), and it’s frickin’ silly good.
Doesn’t mean he might not gun-sling his way out of a victory in the playoffs, or his shoulder still might not give out in the next 7 games. But it appears as though the old fart can still play this game just fine.
P'cola Brave
November 15th, 2009
11:22 pm
If we resign Laroche then once again we will be heavily left handed. I dont think that that is such a good idea. Especially when Heyward comes up. I wouldn’t mind having X. Nady for a year or two. He has the capability to play both corner outfield spots plus first.
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
11:22 pm
Oddly enough, Willingham has been pretty terrible against the Braves, with a .213 average, just three homers and .637 OPS in 197 at-bats, his second-worst OPS against any NL team. (So maybe I’m just losing my memory and am mistaken thinking Cox has complimented him…)
Willingham has a .134 average with one homer and a .419 OPS in 30 games (97 at-bats) at Turner Field, his worst OPS at any of the 24 ballparks in which he’s played. This from a guy with a strong .840 career OPS.
Salamander
November 15th, 2009
11:26 pm
Yeah, the poster who insists on using “O’Brien” as his handle seems stubborn for no good reason. At first I thought he was trying to start some nonsense with DOB by using his last name, but apparently he simply lacks the imagination to come up with something else. He’s been on my ignore-and-scroll-past-list since it became apparent that he has no interest in changing handles.
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
11:27 pm
TnBrian: Don’t be surprised if you see the Braves connected with a dozen hitters between now and when they actually add a bat. Because everyone in baseball pretty much knows they’re going to move one of their high-profile pitchers, and that they’re pursuing a bat. So they’re an obvious target for rumors and speculation. Sometimes it’s just people guessing, sometimes it’s people connecting dots more than anything else, and other times it’s legit rumors/leaks that have substance.
ColoradoBravesFan
November 15th, 2009
11:28 pm
TnBrian, same thoughts here, resign LaRoache and add a solid consistent OFer to lengthen and add depth to the line up and then see where you are after the first 40 games. Might need to make a trade to fill a hole or cover for injuries. But trade Lowe or Vazquez to get payroll flexibility.
Still would fill better if there was a lock down closer added. Also, the more thinking I do, the Braves need a 4 hole hitter either this year or next, doesn’t matter RH or LH just someone that’s the consistent .300/400/525 guy to stabilize the entire line-up. we don’t have that and not sure many teams can afford that type of guy.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:29 pm
Hey don’t look now Falcons fans. But my Chiefs have a better record in the last 4 games (2-2) than Tony Gonzalez and the Falcons do in their last 4 (1-3).
OK. The two wins are against the Redskins and the Raiders (damn has that franchise perfected the “will to lose” mentality). But then again, the only W the Falcons have in that time are against the Redskins. Sorry Falcons fans. I’m hoping you guys “lose out”, so that 2nd round pick for Gonzalez gets into the upper half of the round.
Nothing personal.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:32 pm
Anybody watching this Patriots/Colts game?
Does it not seem like these two play each other every year? And that it might as well be the SuperBowl?
And now Manning has a shot to march his team to victory. Unreal.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:33 pm
OK. Pats going for it on their own 30?
David O'Brien
November 15th, 2009
11:34 pm
I can’t BELIEVE New England actually went for it on fourth down in that situation. Astounding.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:35 pm
Gotta love Belichick’s “guts” there. But damn. If that is ANY other head coach making that decision, he’s getting lit up by his local press all frickin’ week.
Steve from OH
November 15th, 2009
11:35 pm
Salamander–yeah, I saw that girl’s pic and was like, “really, Steve?” What was he thinking?
You know, upon further review, I wouldn’t mind an Uggla acquisition at reasonable cost. The dude walked 14% of the time this year, and really it was a drop in BABIP that did him in. His BB% has increased every season he’s played, his ISO is consistently above .220…if he rebounds with a nice BABIP season he could prove very valuable.
That is, of course, he can find a defensive spot. I don’t know how bullish I am on throwing him into LF or 1B.
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
11:36 pm
WOW to that going for it on 4th down.
I love Colts/Patriots. You’ve got two great and classy QBs, but I always root for Peyton and the Colts.
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:36 pm
DOB, I wouldn’t be suprised to see Larry Johnson in a Pats uniform withing the next week or two, for nothing else but short yardage situations for the league minimum. Kind “Jerome Bettis” like of production.
Venice Jim
November 15th, 2009
11:37 pm
We can’t believe it either…
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Patriots almost should have let him score there.
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Gotta love Belichick’s “guts” there
I don’t follow the Patriots too much, but I know Belichick makes gutsy plays like that all the time. Don’t know how many of them backfire, but this one sure did. Indy’s about to score and take the lead.
Venice Jim
November 15th, 2009
11:39 pm
Wow…
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
11:40 pm
NICE
N8
November 15th, 2009
11:40 pm
jeffrey d, it’s easier to appreciate the “guts” from afar, when it’s not your team’s coach making that call. LOL
Salamander
November 15th, 2009
11:40 pm
And let the media circus over belichick’s baffling decision commence.
P'cola Brave
November 15th, 2009
11:41 pm
Go Colts! I can’t believe that happened!
Venice Jim
November 15th, 2009
11:41 pm
I never would have been awake for that if I was still in Vinings…
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
BELLGMAE!!
VERY nice, Peyton/Colts
P. W. Hjort
November 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
New CHONE projections for Braves hitters are out:
http://baseballprojection.com/2010/ATL2010.htm
Brian McCann – .293/.360/.506 22 HR
Chipper Jones – .280/.377/.472 20 HR
Nate McLouth – .266/.357/.456 17 HR
Yunel Escobar – .293/.368/.428 11 HR
Martin Prado – .300/.358/.442 8 HR
Kelly Johnson – .269/.347/.438 12 HR
Jason Heyward – .274/.340/.448 9 HR
Matt Diaz – .280/.340/.436 10 HR
Brandon Jones – .268/.344/.428 10 HR
Omar Infante – .284/.344/.400 4 HR
David Ross – .231/.327/.412 11 HR
Salamander
November 15th, 2009
11:45 pm
How big was that near-score-turned-fumble in the 3rd quarter now? I kinda wondered if the Pats would miss those points.
jeffrey d
November 15th, 2009
11:46 pm
How big was that near-score-turned-fumble in the 3rd quarter now? I kinda wondered if the Pats would miss those points.
And the INT in the endzone
MIBravesFan
November 15th, 2009
11:47 pm
Indy beats the arrogant asses NE version
I like it! 
Salamander
November 15th, 2009
11:58 pm
And the INT in the endzone
No kidding? I missed that play somehow (tv was on mute while I pretended to do work). Well, NE had their opportunities to put it away for sure.
MIBravesFan
November 15th, 2009
11:58 pm
Meanwhile, of course, nothing much is going to happen in baseball until after Dec. 1 as DOB said . . . .
Except college basketball
Jake W.
November 15th, 2009
11:58 pm
Wow, going for it against that offense. Not a smart call. Peyton Manning on a short field. I can understand Mike Smith going for it today against the panthers. First of all our defense sucks and apparently so does our kicker. The Patriots going for it there made no sense though.
Oh and N8 doubt we lose out, still got two games against the lowly bucs and maybe Matt Ryan will remember that interceptions are detrimental to your teams success. Whatever it is he has got to make better decisions as this teams quartback.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
12:06 am
No kidding?
Yeah…Brady threw an interception in the endzone
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
12:09 am
Wow, going for it against that offense. Not a smart call
Well, I can understand why he did it. If you get the first down, the game is probably over. If you punt it, you run the risk of Manning mounting a huge comeback drive.
Of course, if you go for it and don’t make it well…that happens. Not saying it was a smart move, just saying I can understand why Belichick did it (with positives in mind). I would’ve done the same thing if I was playing on Madden.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
12:11 am
Then again, when I play Madden I always go for 2 and regularly run the fake punt/kick like it’s a HB Draw.
nolie
November 16th, 2009
12:13 am
New CHONE projections for Braves hitters are out: (PW)
Figgins has his own stats website? Wow, I didn’t know that.
nolie
November 16th, 2009
12:15 am
Figgins’ predictions are kinda pessy in some cases. guess he don’t wanna come play for the Bravos
N8
November 16th, 2009
12:20 am
Jake W., I know you guys won’t lose out. I was just hoping for you guys to not have a 14-2 type of year before the season started.
I’d be really happy with a mid-2nd round pick for Gonzalez. If it’s around #45 overall, I’d be cool with that. But #60 or so? Not so much.
Not that there is that much difference in those 15 picks. But just the principle of it. If you guys had been SB bound and the pick would have been #62 or something like that, it might as well have been called a 3rd round pick.
I really don’t wish ill-will on the Falcons, their fans and Tony Gonzalez. Just looking out for my team.
RHR
November 16th, 2009
12:27 am
Wait…why you mad at Boog for not voting for Hanson? DOB said he wasn’t voting for him either. I hope they get in a clubhouse fight. Like a big one. So big that Tim Hudson will say ‘damn…take it easy on the reporter dude, Red…’
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
12:37 am
Oh, it’s just me being a homer. Your player’s always the best and it would be ridiculous to vote for anyone else.
Chipper for MVP!
Jake W.
November 16th, 2009
12:43 am
I know what you meant N8, just kind of joking because right now with our injuries and the way we keep killing ourselves those two are starting to look like the only winnable games. I like Gonzalez and what he brings to this offense. Thought the offense would get better as the season went along and the more they played together. Get a kind of rhythm but we seem to be getting worse. Ryan has to get his confidence back and play better.
N8
November 16th, 2009
12:44 am
Jeffrey d, my 11 year old hates playing Madden with me, because I make him turn on the “fair play” which basically allows the computer to decide when you can and can’t go for it on 4th downs, and do fake punts and FG’s.
Perhaps the Patriots would have been better served, had somebody turned on the “fair play”, to save Bill from himself? LOL
N8
November 16th, 2009
12:54 am
I tell you what Jake, and this may sound harsh or strange, but to some extent, I think having Gonzalez made the Chiefs a worse team at times.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a pleasure watching him and he is the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history as far as I’m concerned. But he was a crutch.
He was THE go to guys when things went bad, or the team needed a big play. Often, he would come through. How could he not with how great he was? But the announcers knew it. The fans knew it. And certainly the opposing coaches and players knew it. The ball was going to him in crunch time.
He never really was that clutch. Lot of garbage time “catch up” stats and a lot of whining about defensive holding and pass interference, which always got the attention of the refs, pissed them off and about the time they would eagle eye him and his defender, is about the time they’d call OFFENSIVE pass interference.
He always worked hard. He always stayed late after practice catching balls (whether for his own good or his QB’s – according to reports), and was pretty good with the young guys.
It’s not his fault the Chiefs had no other receiving weapons when he was around. But when Mihael Irvin was covered, Aikman through to Alvin Harper. When Randy Moss is double teamed, Brady looks for Welker. When Marvin Harrison was geting all the attention, Reggie Wayne took the game over.
So, I’m not blaming Tony for not being a winner. That would be silly. But as a Chiefs fan, for years I’ve been saying they should have gotten him more help, and or traded him. Because having ONLY him wasn’t helping. Especially when you bring in a HC/OC that rarely used the TE with the Cardinals last year.
It’s too bad that he didn’t stick out a few more years with Dwayne Bowe, to see what kind of tandem they could have become. But…..
Similar to my cries for the Braves to have balance, an NFL offense has to have balance or they are in trouble. Other than Dante Culpepper to Randy Moss in his rookie year, I can’t think of any QB/WR tandem that was flat out unstoppable when they decided to throw the ball that way.
Maybe Montana and Rice? But that was more West Coast Offense, and certainly the 49r’s were about as balanced as any team could get.
Good luck. I hope Tony gets a ring…. NEXT YEAR, so we can get that higher draft pick. LOL
N8
November 16th, 2009
12:57 am
Jake, I should have stated having ONLY Tony Gonzalez. Stating it the other way, makes it sound like I’m blaming him. That’s not the case. Blaming them for counting too much on him to carry the load.
So in the end, they might be better off having many decent parts, rather than one great one.
Kind of like having 8 guys in your lineup that can hit 15-25 HR, rather than 1 guy that can hit 60 and 7 other guys that can hit 5.
Spread the wealth, as they say.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
1:00 am
In college we’d sometimes play NCAA Football. My friend always hated it because I’d go for a fake field goal on first down, but it always left somebody open.
It evened out, though, because I couldn’t ever defend the option. I was never really good.
Sgt. Pepper
November 16th, 2009
1:18 am
Willingham played baseball for and graduated from my college and grew up in my hometown. He has always been an important part of any team I’ve known him to be on.
As for his history of struggling against the Braves: we live in the heart of Braves country. I’ve heard of Josh saying before that the minute he hits Atlanta, his phone starts going off and doesn’t stop. Constant texts and calls from people back home telling him they are headed to Atlanta or at least looking forward to getting to watch him play on TV since we fall into the Braves’ regional coverage. Sometimes, I’ve known people to sit in the left field seats and yell “encouragement” at him throughout the game.
I tell you guys that to say that part of his problem when playing in Atlanta has been that he puts too much pressure on himself. He wants to be the hero when he knows everyone back home is watching him.
I believe that if he played in Atlanta full time, the novelty of him being viewable to his hometown crowd would wear off and the pressure would not be as great. Being from Josh’s hometown, we have been advocating the Braves picking him up from day 1. I say bring him in and he will hit. He always has.
Bay Area Steve
November 16th, 2009
2:29 am
Ok, so I know criticizing spelling is a dick-move, especially when my own spelling is not good. I think I went two years calling the best player in baseball Pujolz.
But, how am I supposed to take you seriously if you can’t spell LaRoche? You want to re-sign the guy, but don’t know his name? Do you watch a game, ever? I’m fairly certain they put names right there on the screen. They’ve even invented something called “batting average,” and even it, on occasion, is right there in the tv.
I don’t know. I’m just sayin’, I want to believe in the folks here. I want to trust ‘em. I want to see their ideas and go “damn, good idea.” But, you can’t spell our everyday 1B’s (for what, four years?) name? How can I find credible a dude who doesn’t know it’s Andruw. How can I believe a woman talking about our farm system that can’t spell Schafer?
Please.
Disclaimer: this is from a guy who confused Miggy with Mags (hypocrite, anyone?).
Bay Area Steve
November 16th, 2009
2:32 am
Oh, also from a dude who had Stanford losing by 12.
To be fair, they only won by 30 or so. I mean, I was wrong by less than four dozen; it’s not an exact science.
Ryan C. - JJ should be traded.
November 16th, 2009
5:22 am
Jair Jurrjens – This one’s as much of a sure thing as there is. Jurrjens posted a 4.44 xFIP and a 2.60 ERA. Jurrjens benefited from an unsustainable 79.4% LOB% and a most likely unsustainable .274 BABIP. Expect regression from Jurrjens in 2010 to the tune of a full run. And that might not be enough. It’s absurd how lucky Jurrjens was in 2009 and in all likelihood, that ain’t going to continue. When you hear people suggesting the Braves trade Jurrjens, this is what they’re talking about.
TommyP
November 16th, 2009
6:33 am
I sense new bloggage today.
DOB: With the recent emphasis on retaining your draft picks at all costs, do you feel MLB will re-evaluate their system on grading Type A and Type B free agents???? It has NEVER made sense to me to begin with but if teams just freeze out those Type A’s, would MLB tweak it? And who is responsible for setting those lists? Arbitrators?
Billy Wagner as a Type A is just silly to me. At his age, his injury background….no way you sign him at the cost of a 1st round pick.
Shawn G
November 16th, 2009
6:48 am
In regards to Cabrera. IF (giant if) he is on the table, we could probably give them the best package. We could offer Schafer and Freeman. Schafer allows them to move Granderson and Freeman is possibly the best 1B spec in baseball. We dump Lowe’s salary and have a hitting core of Chip-Cabrera-BMac-Heyward this year and have a shot at the WS. It would all depend on how much the dying city is really hurting the Tigers.
Cabrera is signed for 21 mil the next 6 yrs. His D is improving every year. He is 26 (aka just entering his prime). He is RH. He will hit .315 and 35 hrs. I think he’s worth it.
Couch Tater
November 16th, 2009
7:12 am
Ryan, read away.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/10/28/would-you-really-trade-jurrjens/?cxntlid=sldr
CB
November 16th, 2009
7:40 am
Gee,another person on the Miguel Cabrera bandwagon. Could I start my own blog? Nah,I don’t look good enough in a leather jacket and don’t have great musical tastes-but I do drink a lot of coffee.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
8:31 am
We have pitching in excess to use for trade, so we’re going to trade Schfer and Freeman to Detroit for Cabrera? Why would they even take this package for a great hitter under reasonably cheap contract for that length of time? Let us also not get into the fact that the Dude got a DUI with a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit-THE NIGHT BEFORE A ONE GAME PLAYOFF.
THis is the player you actually expect the Braves to target with a pitifully small package of unproven players?
Bobby's Belly
November 16th, 2009
8:40 am
Lew – I think Detroit jumps at that trade. Crazy payroll up there. “reasonably cheap” is not how I would characterize his contract, though.
dogsbrekky
November 16th, 2009
8:47 am
Lew I think trading for Miguel Cabrera strengthens are drinking depth.. add his ability to that of Chipper, Bobby and Moylan and I see a World Series at Johnny Walker come Nov ‘10
dogsbrekky
November 16th, 2009
8:48 am
god I cannot type
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
8:49 am
BENCH MATERIAL:
IMO;
GREG NORTON is not offered arbitration. If he’s offered, he’s gone. If he gets no market offers, BRAVES try to park him in GWINNETT with a one-year minor league contract at the league minimum as insurance and release CANIZARES from their 40 man. If he doesn’t agree, they release him.
BRAVES don’t offer arb to KELLY JOHNSON hoping that any market offers are lower than his current salary. But they match any offers up to and slightly above his salary if necessary. Ridiculous offer, he’s gone. RYAN CHURCH’s one-year he signed with the METS is up Jan. 20, but with his injury history, I think he’s the odd-man out of these two unless KJ’s already gone. Then maybe they offer a new contract.
MATTY D. stays with a new multi-year contract. DAVID ROSS, our best and first pick-up last off-season under contract for 2010. OMAR INFANTE, should be no question, but need to lock-up with a new contract.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
8:52 am
Bobby’s Belly-I thought his contract was a bit less than that. However, given the size of his contract, what actually makes you tink the Brvaves could even fit it into their salary structure-AND do it for two players they’re high on that won’t make a vague portion of the Dude’s salary over the next decade-combined.
That being said, what makes you think the Braves want to take on a D!ck like him that would even think of getting hammered the night before a playoff game AND then going home and coming damned close to a domestic violence charge? This Dude is not the type of player the Braves would even target.
And Detroit jumps at a trade like this? Seriously? All rumors I heard involved players like Paplebon and Lowell, PLUS a prospect. They’ll take an unproven 20 year old and a CF who bombed miserably in half a season in the bigs? Dude, I have swamp land I’d like to sell you.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
8:54 am
Dogs-Really! And maybe we can get Furcal back, too.
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
8:56 am
Just realized that four of our five bench players will need new contracts to stay on the club in 2010. DAVID ROSS is the exception. He has a 1.6 million deal in effect.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
9:15 am
richbrave-Wasn’t Infante signed to a two year deal last winter?
Let move back up to #1
November 16th, 2009
9:18 am
Why do I see Andruw Jones running the centerfield again this year. UGGGGGGGGGG
DAP
November 16th, 2009
9:24 am
PWH There are probably 29 other teams interested in Cabrera’s services. His contract probably takes him out of the running for about 10-15 teams.
id include atlanta in that 10-15 teams. i dont think any player is worth what cabraera is owed, and i think it would be a mistake to take on a guy like that, especially how long the contract obligation is. i know he is only 26 but, but 6 years at an average of over $20mil per is steep.