Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,193 comments Add your comment
RHR
November 16th, 2009
9:26 am
I will be physically ill if Adrian Gonzalez goes to Boston. ESPN needs to get off that.
DAP
November 16th, 2009
9:31 am
infante is signed and diaz, church and johnson are all under team control. but they will have to be dealt with. ive got to think that one of johnson or church is gone. if they are released, i guess they could end up back here, but one or both of them are going to have to get a lower salary.
Rock On......
November 16th, 2009
10:00 am
RHR….not sure Gonzalez is going to Boston but it does have teeth I guess. MLB network Hot Stove opined as much too. He comes damn cheap (5-6 mil per) for two years if traded then would command a big contract. The thinking is the Braves and some other mid-market teams would not pay that money. He could go to Boston and hit 40 homers in that old relic for many many years. He would be Boston’s answer to Texiera.
Don’t get me wrong he would be very good for Atlanta. Atlanta IMO would have to give up Freeman, Medlen or KK, and Shaefer minimum. The Braves most likely would not give up that many prospects if they didn’t think they had a legit shot at extending Gonzalez. But again, who knows, if he makes the Braves the front runners for the World Series next year maybe they trade for him and take their chances.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:05 am
Rock On
If I am the Padres, after last years talks w/ Atlanta, the talking starts with Escobar. They have a first baseman in the wings, so Freeman would not be the starting point. I suspect it would be Escobar, Medlen and Schafer. They do NOT want to add salary, so KK would not be a need for them.
For what you would have to give up for two years of AG with a chance to ink him for a longer deal, LaRoche is a much better bargain.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:07 am
When you are a mid pack team (salary wise), your deals need to make some financial sense. Of course, some will point to last year and Lowe’s conract offer, but that was totally different. We were over a barrel with money to spend last off season.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
10:10 am
Wayne-Ordinarily I’d agree with you, but I’m afraid that your idea of making financial sense is to trade half the team for Ryan Freel.
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:11 am
DAP/LEW:
Yeah, he’s in the fold. I relied on bad info from two on-line-sites.
DAP
November 16th, 2009
10:12 am
wayne, but do the padres need escobar? by the time they contend, escobar will cost some money. boston, on the other hand, would love to have a player like escobar. three way?
anyways, theres no way i trade escobar if i am wren. i believe he is important the the success of the team.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:12 am
Lew
But that’d be the half he would replace anyway!
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:12 am
DAP:
And thank you for reiterating what I just posted.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:16 am
DAP
Yeah, last summer, I was all for dealing him away due to his “pre-madonna” issues. I think at this point, he is a staple.
Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t deal him in the right deal…..but it would have to be for an incredible prospect or two, or a big, big bat that was affordable for a while.
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:16 am
BENCH MATERIAL:
CANIZARES is off the 40 man unless NORTON gets offered on the open market.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:16 am
3 way deals are almost unheard of. If the Red Sox wanted him, it would take 2-3 of their big prospects.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
10:18 am
Dogs-Really! And maybe we can get Furcal back, too.
Have the Cards re-signed LaRussa yet? Maybe he could be a third base coach
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:19 am
richbrave
I don’t know why folks even think about guys like Canizares and Blanco. Career AAAA players. IF they were all that, they would be here already and playing somewhat regularly. I think Brandon Jones is also in that category. Conrad too, if not for our questions around our existing infielders. Brooks had his moment in the sun last summer. That will be what he ends up telling his grandkids about, years from now.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
10:24 am
Wayne-At least up until the time he ran through the JumboTron or something.
DAP
November 16th, 2009
10:25 am
wayne, ok…not that i am for this trade, but escobar for lowry and lowell? could that possibly be beneficial?
Lew
November 16th, 2009
10:26 am
richbrave-Dude, Norton is already a Free Agent, He was only under contract for 09. The Braves no longer hold any contractual rights to him. They can’t trade him as he is not a Brave. Do you seriously think they’re going to re-sign him? Why would they remove anyone from the 40 man roster for Norton when he isn’t even ON the 40 man anymore?
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:27 am
Wayne in Utah:
Oh no, CONRAD will be on the team in 2010, and JONES too. BLANCO will be starting in CF.
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:29 am
Lew:
I think he and BC have a genuine love affair. WREN has written him off, but COX will persist and have him put on a minor-league contract if at all possible.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
10:29 am
There is damned little way that Mike Lowll helps the Braves alll that much. He has played about 115 games for each of the past two seasons. His inability to remain in the everyday lineup is why they signed Martinez at the deadline, so they could move Youk to third.
Were we to sign Lowell to play first (not even his position), we would STILL need another player to play the 50 games he will miss. Quit judging players on numbers from several years ago. Mike is just not the same player he was five years ago-or even three years ago.
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
10:30 am
Canizares will be removed from the 40 man when that happens. Just watch.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:32 am
DAP
No way. Lowry and Lowell is not even close to being enough. Lowry might be the 3rd guy in a deal good enough to get an Escobar type of talent, but it would take a couple of their prospect pitchers or future third baseman.
Don’t see the Braves biting for that bait at all.
richbrave
What a lineup for next year! Prado at first, Conrad at second, BJones in left and Blanco in center.
That Heyward kid is way overrated, and Diaz is not a regular anyway.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
10:32 am
richbrave-I wouldn’t count on it after the season he just had. He won’t be back and certainly will block no one on the 40 man roster. Even signing him to a minor league deal will not result in a loss from the 40 man unless he actually makes the team out of ST. We’ve got other more important things going on and Norton isn’t even a blip on the radar.
Besides, you’re worried about losing Canizares? Why? He’s an over 30 never was that never will be.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
10:34 am
I would love to have a Mike Lowell type on my team, but I wouldn’t want to count on him for being a 150 gamer for sure. Also, not at his current salary.
Maybe Lowe for Bard or Masterson AND Lowell?? That is the only way I see that kind of a deal working.
Bobby's Belly
November 16th, 2009
11:06 am
Lew – Not saying I want Braves to go after Cabrera. Just think they would be interested in top prospects in return considering their reported money issues (although, I think 50-60 clears next year) and Cabrera’s off field issues – as you stated.
Ramblin Wrecker
November 16th, 2009
11:07 am
DOB,
Isn’t it a lock that the Braves will offer arbitration to Adam LaRoche? Think about it. They need LaRoche at 1B next year, so you talk to him about a two year deal to bridge the gap to Freddie Freeman. If he’s not interested in just two years, you offer arbitration and he either declines it (and the Braves get a sandwich draft pick) or he accepts and the Braves get him for one more season and hope Freeman is ready by 2011. Even an arbitration set salary at $9-10 million is better than 3 years at $8 million per, if you want Freeman starting by 2011.
As for signing Billy Wagner, I think if you offer arbitration to Soriano and Gonzalez (both with injury histories) they will either want to sign long term deals here or somewhere else. Neither one is looking for a one year deal, because they both know that another injury could be one pitch away. So I think it might be worth it to sign Wagner, even though you’ll surrender a draft pick to Boston, because you can get two draft picks back for Soriano and Gonzalez. Lose one, get two back and you gain a more clutch closer in Wagner.
Jeff R
November 16th, 2009
11:10 am
As DOB wrote, it’s very likely going to be slow until December 1. Lots of speculation, not a lot of substance.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
11:10 am
Bobby’s Belly-Maybe the Yankees or Red Sox if they don’t sign Bay? Honestly, with his issues, I’m not seeing anyone taking on $126 million (I originally thought it was only $26 mil when I mentioned relatively cheap). Bad enough getting a DUI and then getting into it with your wife to the point where the cops are called. Doing it the night before a one game playoff to make the Post Season? Forget the Dude. Detroit’s used to suffering. They’re welcome to him.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
11:16 am
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? — TommyP
They’re done by Elias Sports Bureau, and I agree that quite a few of the classified players raise eyebrows. Guys can miss almost an entire season in the two-year stretch and still end up being Class A guys, regardless of age and the injury they had (as you pointed out, Wagner. Also, Soriano, who was often great when healthy the past two years, but was also often not healthy … if that makes sense?)
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
11:20 am
Ramblin Wrecker: It might not be a lock, but I think it’s very likely the Braves offer arb to LaRoche. Because I think he’ll get at least a couple of two-year offers elsewhere, so he’d be turning down a chance at a multi-year deal for the first time in his career if he chose arb over a multi-year deal. And worst-case scenario, Braves would be paying him $9 mill or so on a one-year deal. Not a bad scenario.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
11:23 am
Lots of speculation, not a lot of substance.
I think we’ve got that covered
Mid Town Joe
November 16th, 2009
11:30 am
Slow Monday. Any new hillbilly jokes out there? Gottta get ready for Kentucky.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
11:31 am
richbrave: I think some of your comments this morning just traveled through a time warp.
Jeff R
November 16th, 2009
11:37 am
DOB, what’s LaRoche looking for in terms of a contract. The best he can get, I’m sure. But, ideally, a three-year deal worth $X? Any insights?
Master of Karate and Friendship
November 16th, 2009
11:39 am
DOB… what do you think about the Braves potentially going after Curtis Granderson and offering a package to Detroit built around, say, Shafer and maybe Jo-Jo/Medlen and another decent prospect but nothing like Freeman or anything. I think Granderson gets lost in the power hitter discussion but he hit did hit 30 homers last year, would give us a true leadoff hitter and some stellar defense. Plus, I didn’t do any research but I gotta think Granderson is under control for a couple more years. Could be wrong. Thoughts?
Ben
November 16th, 2009
11:48 am
Granderson can’t hit lefties.
P. W. Hjort
November 16th, 2009
11:58 am
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.
That’s one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is the next 6 years (age 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32) will presumably be the most productive of his career and he’s already been worth more than $21 million/year for the past 4 years.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
DOB-Who do you think would offer a two year, $18 mil or more contract to Roach? I’m not doubting there would be someone, but seems to me that the big $$$ clubs pretty much don’t need him-Boston may be going for Gonzalez and already have Youk and Martinez that can play first (plus they traded Roach to begin with). The Yankees signed Tex. Cubs can deal with Derek Lee. Maybe the Mets, but I read (could be another unsubstantiated rumor) that they were trying to work a reduced $$$ deal with DelGado. The Angels have Kendry Morales, the Phillies have Ryan Howard and the Dodgers have Loney.
Who else would pay those $$$$?
DAP
November 16th, 2009
12:04 pm
PWH he’s already been worth more than $21 million/year for the past 4 years.
according to some. if i understand it right, that is based on what the market is paying, which i believe is inflated. he isnt worth that, and no player is, in my opinion.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
PWH-Dude, with a payroll floating around $95-100 million, the Braves will never take on a salary that would amount to 20% of their total payroll-no matter how good the player is-even if he didn’t have other issues.
Coopdog
November 16th, 2009
12:11 pm
Hey Dave! Newcomer here….
Why doesn’t Canizares get a stronger look as a 1b option?? His bat seems to be pretty robust. I’m assuming its defense??
RHR
November 16th, 2009
12:16 pm
richbrave? Serious? I can’t tell. Ditto with Coopdog.
Jeff R
November 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
Lew… I think you’re right: LaRoche’s options may be limited, both in terms of other club’s needs and budget restrictions.
That’s why I’ve written that arbitration may look pretty good to LaRoche and his agent. Accepting an arbitrated deal – say, for $9 million – gives LaRoche 2010 to post solid numbers and up his value for 2011. The economic landscape may be better then, and more teams may want a first baseman in his prime.
P'Cola Brave
November 16th, 2009
12:24 pm
DOB do you think the Braves will get serious for Bay or Nady? It seemed like for the last couple years we were always trying to acquire one of the two around the deadline. Either would be a good fit in my opinion.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
12:28 pm
Coopdog
I think I have read that Canizares has very limited range at first. His AAA numbers have looked good, but I suspect there is something there we have not seen, as we had him up briefly last year, and you’d think if the Braves thought he were capable, he would have gotten a better shot at the position.
He is 30ish too, maybe older?
Mixxo
November 16th, 2009
12:30 pm
Just checking in to see if you guys have picked our brand-new team yet.
Go Hawks!
DAP
November 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
hey coopdog, welcome to the blog. canizares is probably viewed as an emergency backup 1st baseman. he isnt really to young, which works against guys in the minors even if they could potentially contribute. folks are quick to assume there must be something wrong with them since they arent already in the majors, and most of the time, they are probably right. if you are a team that wants to contend, you dont get a 30 year old rookie to start at 1st base for you, usually. canizares might get a spot on the 2010 team, but it wont be starting.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Pepsi Cola Brave
Nady and Bay are world’s apart right now. A bit closer before Nady’s second elbow surgery last spring. I would think that Bay would be a good fit, but I doubt seriously that we will make more than a cursory offer for him.
As for Nady, he might be a possible fall back option for LF/1B, but his health is still a question mark. He sure was a Braves killer in the past though. If we pick up him and Uggla, it would be addition by subtraction from the other team.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
12:35 pm
DAP
If I were a bookie in Vegas, I would give Canizares 10-1 odds to make the team. I just don’t see us adding somebody who is that inflexible. At least Norton could play first and the outfield corners.
It is really going to be interesting, these next 3-4 weeks!
DAP
November 16th, 2009
12:37 pm
wayne, yeah, thats why i said might. i do think he could contribute to a major league team as a bench player though.
Rock On......
November 16th, 2009
12:37 pm
Wayne In Utah…earlier post concerning Gonzalez, yep, I stated many blogs ago I would sign LaRoche to a multi-year deal even at 3 years because you never know if Freeman will pan out. Should, but you don’t know, and even if he did him helping the team in 2011 would be a best case scenario at that.
My take on Gonzalez was mainly if LaRoche moved on. They certainly would look at Medlen and any combination of top prospects that would keep salary low but offer future talent.
Tomas
November 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
Relievers should’t ever be Type A FA’s, unless they’re premier closers like Mariano Rivera.
Lew
November 16th, 2009
12:41 pm
Wayne-I would give him different odds of making the team-zero to none. He’ll be lucky if he even remains on the 40 Man roster come the end of ST.
DAP
November 16th, 2009
12:42 pm
sign laroche to 3 years and front load it, making the cost decrease each year. i dont think it will be hard to trade laroche, despite his slow 1st halves, if he is an inexpensive player.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
Tomas
Excellent point. Lots of decent relievers have been screwed over due to being labeled Type A or Type B free agents. Like you state, unless he is an elite closer type, he is basically not good enough to start.
What would it be like to be a “not quite good enough to start, mid 4’s ERA major league 6th/7th inning man???? 30+ years ago, that was my pipe dream!
CB
November 16th, 2009
12:52 pm
What the Braves really need is for Liberty Media to get off some of that record money and add to the payroll. Think what they could do with a 10-15mil increase?
Random
November 16th, 2009
12:55 pm
Rock On (November 16th, 2009 10:00 am): “RHR….not sure Gonzalez is going to Boston but it does have teeth I guess. MLB network Hot Stove opined as much too.”
“it does have teeth”?!?!?
I think you mean “legs”.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
1:11 pm
CB
There is something to be said for a mid market team to hold it’s payroll to a reasonable amount. At a certain point, you end up becoming a team with a lot of overvalued contracts, and little flexibility.
I have no complaints with the money that is being spent on the Braves at this point. I guess if we want more $$ spent on payroll, maybe we should put more buttz in the seats at Turner Field.
(your not going to get Cabrera…….no matter how you spin it)
Lew made an excellent point earlier. Do you really want one guy to dominate your payroll? What happens then when Hanson, Jurrjens, Heyward, Escobar, etc get to FA years? You will not have enough to keep your strong nucleus.
(now watch, WW will say I always take the team’s side!)
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
1:16 pm
LEW/WAYNE:
Looking ar 1B options including NORTON, CANIZARES, FREEMAN and details AFTER the big bat deal goes down. Don’t care one way or another. Just sayin’……
richbrave
November 16th, 2009
1:23 pm
CB:
Now you’re talkin’. I roll with that. Been sayin’ that for three off-season’s now. 115-125 payroll, two more top-notch guys (LF and 1B) in the everyday and we make like gang-busters. I’ll take PRINCE FIELDER and MATT HOLLIDAY, or a cheaper move, LEW’s NICK SWISHER deal. But DAVID “No way they increase payroll by THAT much” O’BRIEN would not concur, although I’m sure he would like it as much as we would.
N8
November 16th, 2009
1:27 pm
The number is 16 percent. Other than the Angels (Vlad), no team in the past 20+ years has won the WS with one guy taking up 16% (or more) of their payroll. Whatever that payroll may be.
Unless you are a team that has so many young, cheap players on the rise at the same time, adding one big free agent, just doesn’t make any sense at all.
Scarily, if the Braves payroll is at 95 million, Lowe’s 15 million is 15.7% of the payroll.
It may be coincidence, it may not be. To me it’s just common sense. One guy can’t make that much difference. The wealth has to be spread out to give your team….. (everybody now – all together)….. BALANCE.
In order to avoid this “formula” for failure, if the Braves were to take on a salary of 20 million dollars, the overall payroll would have to rise to 125 million to avoid that contract being 16% of the payroll.
Who out there thinks that is going to happen? Not this guy.
N8
November 16th, 2009
1:32 pm
Even Arod’s 32 million dollar salary in 2009 was only 15.9 percent of the Yankees 201 payroll. Good thing they had that payroll at 201 million, huh? LOL
Adam LaRoche
November 16th, 2009
1:33 pm
sign laroche to 3 years and front load it, making the cost decrease each year
Duhhhh, okay.
Adam LaRoche
November 16th, 2009
1:34 pm
Can we make a clause where I have to take the bus when going to other cities for road games?
DAP
November 16th, 2009
1:37 pm
adam laroche at 1:33, having your salary decrease each year isnt a big deal. the total of the contract is what matters to the players. they dont care how its given out unless its extreme differences. having salaries of $9mil, $8mil, $7mil, year to year on a $24mil contract is not a stupid contract for the player.
P. W. Hjort
November 16th, 2009
1:37 pm
The number is 16 percent. Other than the Angels (Vlad), no team in the past 20+ years has won the WS with one guy taking up 16% (or more) of their payroll. Whatever that payroll may be.
Unless you are a team that has so many young, cheap players on the rise at the same time, adding one big free agent, just doesn’t make any sense at all.
That theory is nothing short of BS.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
N8 Concur.
IMHO, only Albert Pujuls might be worth that high of a percentage of your team payroll.
Guys as much as I would love to have a Holliday or Cabrera on my team, I am a long term Braves fan. Not just a fan for 2010 (unless, of course a piano falls on my head after next season, then I guess I would be a 2010 guy only!).
I want the Braves management team to be working toward making this team competitive for the forseeable future, not just for a year or two.
CB
November 16th, 2009
1:39 pm
You guys out west are so negative- is there something wrong with the air out there?
I understand it is highly unlikely the Braves take on Cabrera’s contract,can’t a fellow dream? Geez you realists kill me.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
1:40 pm
Holy cow, I forgot that A-Rod made $32 million. Is $32 million really necessary? Was there another team that could’ve had him for $29 million, so the Yanks had to up their offer?
$32 million is ridiculous. That’s the GDP of a small nation. I couldn’t even try to spend $32 million. What’s he buying? Gold toilet paper? A diamond lawn? Enough Ramen Noodles to feed Guetemala for a month?
CB
November 16th, 2009
1:43 pm
jeffrey d,you are either a college student or have been one to know Ramen Noodles.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
1:44 pm
Besides, the Yankees were actually MORE successful when they didn’t have a locker room full of pre-madonna’s making 20 gazillion dollars per year.
Ya need more Paul O’Neil types. Or dare I say it, more Jeter types.
N8
November 16th, 2009
1:47 pm
“That theory is nothing short of BS.” P. W. Hjort
Don’t shoot the messenger dude. There’s been about 5 or so articles written by different people documenting it. BS or not. Coincidence or not.
The facts are facts. Since 1985 (I think that was the year I first read), ONE TEAM has won the world series with a guy making more than 16% of their team’s payroll. The Angels with Vladimir. Period. End of discussion. Undisputed evidence.
Like it or not. The numbers don’t lie.
Doesn’t mean it CAN’T happen. Just pointing out that it has only happened one time in 24 years.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
1:50 pm
jeffrey
Hey, I don’t begrudge a player his fair salary. I agree that when a team is bidding against itself, they deserve what they get.
CB
We are realists out this way. Just tying to keep it real. Besides, I think a guy like Cabrera would end up just ticking you off with his off field antics eventually……some potential Manny-sized headaches.
Do you want to take those chances with your team, and potentially hamstring them for years to come? Heck, folks are fussing about Lowe’s contract this year, but last year I didn’t hear anybody saying anything too negative about getting him.
We had a top 5 team for the second half last year, with Chipper and Mac playing at less than their average. Let’s just tweek it without giving up our young nucleus or paying some exorbinant salary, and see where it gets us.
That sound OK to yous guys?
CB
November 16th, 2009
1:59 pm
Wayne,if Lowe had won 20 games with an 2.50era,would anybody have been complaining? It is not a player’s salary that is a problem as much as productivity compared to that salary. If Cabrera came here,had a great season and was a model citizen how many complaints would you hear? Again,I understand it is not the Braves “way”.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
1:59 pm
Hey, I don’t begrudge a player his fair salary
I’m not begrudging A-Rod too much. But $32 million…I don’t even know what I’d do with $1 million. And he’s making 32x that a YEAR. Good gravy
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
2:03 pm
And yes, CB, I used to dine on Ramen frequently
P. W. Hjort
November 16th, 2009
2:06 pm
Like it or not. The numbers don’t lie.
No, the numbers don’t lie, but people’s bias interpretations of them certainly do.
Correlation doesn’t imply causation.
It’s like saying: “I have the answer to poverty. A lot of people under 18 are in poverty and the poverty rate for married people is very low. How to get all those people under 18 out of poverty? Have them get married.”
McFann Ô
November 16th, 2009
2:08 pm
Well, at least it wasn’t Happ who beat out Hanson…
Chris Coghlan was a wise choice, though, I s’pose. Congrats to him.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:09 pm
P’Cola Brave: No, I don’t think Braves will be in bidding for Bay and especially not on Holliday. But who knows, if market fails to go as high as speculated on Bay, and Braves get desperate … but I don’t think so. And by the way, he (Bay) is the one they nearly acquired at the ‘08 trade deadline. He’s taken his status (and projected salary) to a whole new level since then….
Lew: I don’t know who will pay LaRoche that money. Again, it’s too early to know. It’s still the exclusive negotiating period between free agents and their current teams, and as of last week Braves hadn’t made him an offer (nor did I expect them to before they/he sees where the market goes with him.)
Those asking me what he’s looking for — he says he doesn’t know, that they’ll see what’s out there, etc. Really hard to find a similar player, plus the market is so fluid year-to-year recently that it doesn’t really matter what a guy with similar stats might have gotten a year or two ago.
Wayne in Utah
November 16th, 2009
2:10 pm
CB Agreed. Nobody would complain if he hit 35 dingers and we won the series. If that ends up being the way the Braves go, then I will be behind it 1000%. I just don’t see it happening. But, you never know though.
jeffrey d
Wouldn’t it be fun to TRY to spend that much. If I had a million bucks, I quit my two jobs RIGHT now, and become my own personal investment counselor. I pay off everything (unfortunately, that would take a large bite out of the million) I owe, then I put aside 500K into safe investments (does that really exist in today’s world?), and play with the rest.
McFann Ô
November 16th, 2009
2:12 pm
Oh, and I understand–a pitcher cann win ROY in the AL this year, but not the NL…
N8
November 16th, 2009
2:12 pm
“Wayne,if Lowe had won 20 games with an 2.50era,would anybody have been complaining?” CB
The problem isn’t with the player making the money. It’s with the mimimal amount of funds available to fill out the rest of the roster.
Even though Lowe had a down year, he essentially did what Wren wanted him to do. He won some games, kept us in most, and despite his rough stretch, led the staff earlier in the year taking the “ace” role and relieving the other starters (including Vazquez) of pressure.
In the end, Lowe got his wins. He had multiple quality starts (I think he was close to the league lead in that category). So HE wasn’t the problem.
But by spending that much money on him, Wren couldn’t afford more than the 2 million paid to Loaf. Norton was the “best” option available off the bench, etc…
All of those factored into KK, JJJ and Vazquez not piling up more wins (for themselves and the team), due to poor run support, poor defense, poor baserunning and earlier in the year, poor middle relief.
You put Arod on this team with his 32 million dollar payroll, and certainly he hits 40+ HR and knocks in 120+ RBI and does what he does.
Only problem is, he’d be doing it for a team tha wins about 65 games (at most), because the rest of the roster would suck so bad, he’d have zero help.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:12 pm
Well, at least it wasn’t Happ who beat out Hanson…
Chris Coghlan was a wise choice, though, I s’pose. Congrats to him. — McFann
Congrats for what, winning the poll among ESPN’s voters? The NL ROY award announcement is at 3:30 p.m. (I think Coghlan will win, but not ready to say congrats yet. or do you have inside information?)
McFann Ô
November 16th, 2009
2:14 pm
Here ya go, Chief.
I just saw it on MLB Network, too…
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:17 pm
But DAVID “No way they increase payroll by THAT much” O’BRIEN would not concur — richbrave
If it’d make you feel better, I’ll concur with any payroll figure you suggest. It’s not our money, right?
All I can give you is what the Braves say payroll will be, and they say it’ll be right around last year’s total or slightly above….
But I’ll concur with your $20 million increase.
There. Now what? Can that fictional money we created also be spent, or how does this work? Sort of like naked short-selling on the stock market?
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
2:17 pm
McFann with the one-up!
N8
November 16th, 2009
2:17 pm
P. W. Hjort, I see your point & agree with you actually. Though your example really has nothing to do with the other. Where a basebal players salary compared to a team’s salary DIRECTLY affects the way and amount that a GM can fill out his roster. Thus it directy affects how successful and complete a 25 man roster can be.
But see my 2:12 for a better explanation of my angle. A good scouting department, and some good young talent could counter that problem.
But when you are a team with holes to fill, and only so much money to do it, it would be in your best interesest to NOT spend all your money in one place.
P'cola Brave
November 16th, 2009
2:18 pm
Would the Mariners be interested in Lowe. I saw where they are interested in Lackey but are probably a long shot at getting him. Lowe would be cheaper then what Lackey is expected to get. Just a thought.
McFann Ô
November 16th, 2009
2:18 pm
jeffrey d–
Kinda feels good gettin’ it in first for a change.
P'cola Brave
November 16th, 2009
2:21 pm
Looks like Coghlan for the NL and Bailey for the AL
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:21 pm
McFann: Right you are. I was reading the release wrong. The CONFERENCE CALL with NL ROY is at 3:30. The announcement came on our BBWAA website at 2 p.m.
My bad. Good catch, young lady.
N8
November 16th, 2009
2:22 pm
P. W. Hjort,
Lets take this off-season for an example. The Braves need a LF, a closer, a 1B and perhaps even a RF.
If Lowe is traded, Soriano, Gonzalez, Church, Loaf and LaRoche not re-signed we will have “X” amount of dollars to spend. Lets say about 30 million dollars. Now, with that 30 million dollars we need to fill those 5 spots (LF, RF, CL, set-up guy, 1B – Lowe will NOT need to be replaced).
In your opinion, is the team better off signing Jason Bay for 20 million per year, and LaRoche for 9 million and then filling the closer, setup guy and RF with the remaining 1 million dollars?
Or would Wren be better off going after 5 mid-range guys capable of helping this team on a nightly basis, yet probably not going to any All-Star games anytime soon?
If the payroll was 150 million dollars, you do both. You go hard after Bay and LaRoche. And THEN fill in the roster with mid-range guys.
You just don’t put all your eggs in one basket, and expect to sustain success, imo.
DAP
November 16th, 2009
2:24 pm
jeffery d Enough Ramen Noodles to feed Guetemala for a month?
$32mil of ramen could not only feed those folks for a month, but there would be enough left to build them a place to live, ramen brick by ramen brick.
seriously though, i hope he is giving some of his money to people like that. they got kids living in landfills down there.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:24 pm
By the way, McFann: Shouldn’t you be in school or something? Honestly, I thought you were of school age. No? (Believe me, we fully appreciate your regular contributions and are glad to have you here. I was just curious.)
sal governale
November 16th, 2009
2:24 pm
DOB,
When Wagner was traded to the Red Sox, I seem to remember it being discussed that the trade was conditional on him NOT being offered arbitration. He told them he wanted to finish his career as a closer, meaning that he’d be leaving as a free agent, and didn’t want to be penalized by Type A designation, and possibly scare off potential suitors.
Anyone else remember this? Sorry if discussed already.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
2:26 pm
ramen brick by ramen brick.
Like that thing would ever make it through a storm. But it’d be delicious afterwards, though.
jeffrey d
November 16th, 2009
2:27 pm
I think she’s playing hookie, DOB.
P'cola Brave
November 16th, 2009
2:27 pm
Sal Governale,
Wagner ended up allowing them to offer arbitration if they would like. I actually saw something the other day that his agent reported Wagner was considering accepting if hes offered because he enjoyed Boston so much.
David O'Brien
November 16th, 2009
2:28 pm
Sal, the Red Sox agreed not to pick up his $8 mill option for 2010, but wouldn’t agree to not offering arbitration.