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3,193 comments Add your comment
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
RHR-
Your 2:22 is the front runner for best post of the day.:)
Ace of Braves -
Is that like the cousin of Ace of Cakes?
Loogy –
I’m certain that yes, once upon a time Fat Roll Jones could hit 30, but that was before he realized the art of the all you can eat buffet while at 2 am at the strip club.
His knees have been worked more than Joan Rivers’ face…
Like Steve McNair, they’re just shot…
Too much? Yeah, I guess it might be.
This would be my dream off season
November 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Trade Derek Lowe, Nate McLouth and Schafer(if it takes him also) for Matt Kemp
Sign Matt Holliday
Sign Adam LaRoche
Sign Mark DeRosa
Sign Mike Gonzalez
Lineup
SS Yunel Escobar
2B Mark DeRosa
3B Chipper Jones
LF Matt Holliday
C Brian McCann
CF Matt Kemp
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jason Heyward
P Pitcher
Rotation
Javier Vazquez
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Tim Hudson
Kenshin Kawakami/Kris Medlen
Helllooooo World Champions
18 Wheels of Love
November 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Hillbilly,
You cant and wont get me to say a single bad thing about anythng the DBT’s do…I just like them and like pretty much everything they do.
Live album: Definite buy and I wouldn’t wait until Christmas. It’s top shelf stuff.
The Fine Print: Like I said I like all of their stuff and it’s hard for me to rate each one against each other – BUT having said that, there is a reason why this the songs werent on an album release. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still great stuff, but for whatever reason didn’t fit into the confines of whatever album was about to be released.
Murdering Oscar: I like it a lot and while it is Patterson it isn’t eh DBT’s. There are a few throw away songs but Heaving and Hanging and I Understand Now are worth the price of the album. It’s a little more up and down tempo wise but still worth getting.
reagan
November 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
18 wheels (11:28)….just like Acosta was doing……fly open towards first!
LOOGY
November 10th, 2009
3:24 pm
K guys. Piss on my Andruw scenario which is realistic and come up with your dream “Lowe and Kelly for cleanup hitter” that aren’t gonna happen. Or trading the ace pitcher for some aging slugger. Fact is we need someone who can hit 30 bombs and I don’t care if he hits .114. If the Braves don’t hit for power this year we’re gonna be in the exact same place we’ve been since 2006.
And don’t think I’m forgetting about the bullpen either. We’re gonna need people there as well. But with our great pitching, if we don’t depleat it by trading for offense and rather signing someone for cheap who could surprise some, seems logical to me. And he’s a right handed power hitting outfielder. Exactly what we need for cheap, and they aren’t exactly growing on trees these days.
Andyman
November 10th, 2009
3:25 pm
18 Wheels – I’m with you on the new Alice in Chains. I think it’s a damn good album, and it’s really grown on me. I dig the older AIC a lot, but have nothing but praise for the new album.
Bobby's Cox
November 10th, 2009
3:25 pm
Anyway, they reduced the meetings from four days to barely two this year and held them at a modest business hotel connected to airport terminals by tunnels
Yahoo had an article on this yesterday. What’s surprising is that the rooms at the St. Regis costs $295 a night, and rooms at the O’Hare Hilton are $245 a night. I think the city of Chicago is more expensive than Dana Point as well, from a cost of goods point of view. I lived there a couple of years ago, and never remember it being that expensive as a San Francisco, Chicago, or New York.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Baseball-GMs-not-meeting-in-the-lap-of-luxury-th;_ylt=AgQ35XSIEmp1j.6Cpq3_digRvLYF?urn=mlb,201137
Mitchell
November 10th, 2009
3:26 pm
So, fellow Braves bloggers, would now be the time to make my special stupendous, fantastic announcement… my super secret revelation that I promised to uh, reveal just one week prior to this date?
Who’s excited? Yeah, you are.
I have cancer.
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
3:26 pm
I should make it clear, any possible extension for Vazquez hasn’t gotten past the casual discussion phase with Braves, so don’t get too excited about possibility yet. They haven’t even approached him or his agent. Only time will tell if they do.
Mitchell
November 10th, 2009
3:27 pm
Just kidding!
Isn’t that hilarious?
I moved to Dallas. Cool, huh?
Bobby's Cox
November 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
LOOGY,
If Andruw wants a minor league contract, then I wouldn’t mind having him as our main pinch hitting option, filling Greg Norton’s shoes. There’s no way he plays everyday in the outfield though, or is our main everyday RH (sorry RHR) outfield power bat.
lavell12
November 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
DOB
Any word yet on when Hudson will sign and make it official?
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Yeah great,Mitchell. Thanks. That’s some sense of humor you have.
Anyway … getting back to these meetings. Anyone hoping for expanded use of replay in the immediate future, you can probably forget about that. GMs barely even discussed it at their meeting today. And if they’re that lukewarm to it, well, then I’d suggest that Bud Selig (who’s clearly not big on the idea) isn’t about to feel compelled to strongly consider it.
And ultimately, it’s his call.
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
3:32 pm
Iavell12: After the results of his MRI are examined by whoever insurance company has looking at them, I’d imagine. Maybe today or tomorrow, but I don’t know for sure.
Chris
November 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
yea, i’m sure the braves would like to offer vazquez an extension. but realistically, the only way we can the braves can acquire a big bat that they want is to trade vazquez. if they trade lowe, they will almost certainly have to pay a portion of hi contract, and kawakamia isnt likely to be traded, so of course vazuez will be the one to have to be traded
Josiah
November 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
Adrian Gonzalez. Now. Gonzalez is under contract for $10.25 million total through 2011. And hit more than 40 homers last year. Trade for him. Now.
lavell12
November 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
DOB
Have any teams expressed in interest in Lowe? Did you talk to Kenny Williams about Jermaine Dye at all? If so what does he think about him and what he may have left?
reagan
November 10th, 2009
3:40 pm
mitchell…..you need help or you’re just one incredibly stupid sob. ..Dave……why not toss this guy?
Hillbilly
November 10th, 2009
3:40 pm
Thanks 18 WOL,
I’ve heard a few of the Fine Print and Hood’s solo songs . I’ve got a bootleg 2 cd album “Live at Cooley’s House” that had an all accoustic session from the Dirty South era. It has Murdering Oscar, George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues, and Little Pony/Great Big Horse on it. Plus I heard them play Rebel, The Great Car Dealer War and George Jones live in Jackson, MS so I’ve heard quite a few of those songs before.
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
3:41 pm
Braves made the Dave Wallace hiring official today. Here’s the release. As I said a while back, I think this is a strong hire for Braves, who probably are trying to assure they maximize the potential of some strong young pitching talent in the organization. There have been a couple of setbacks with young pitchers in the past couple of years (though Braves probably wouldn’t say that’s reason for this change).
Anyway, here’s the release the Braves sent out:
Atlanta Braves Name Dave Wallace Minor League Pitching Coordinator; Garey Ingram named hitting coach at Class-AA Mississippi
ATLANTA – Atlanta Braves Director of Player Development Kurt Kemp announced today that the Braves have hired two new staff members, as Dave Wallace has agreed to terms to become the Club’s Minor League Pitching Coordinator and Garey Ingram has been named the hitting coach at Mississippi (AA). Wallace, who was given a two-year contract through the 2011 season, replaces Kent Willis. Wallace’s primary responsibility will be to oversee the progress and development of the Braves’ minor league pitchers at all levels.
“With the hiring of Dave Wallace as our Pitching Coordinator, we feel that our minor league pitching program couldn’t be in better hands,” said Kemp. “Dave’s depth of experience, his knowledge, and his leadership give us great confidence that the pitchers in our system will have the greatest opportunity to grow, learn, and develop into the best pitcher’s they can be.”
Wallace began his professional career as a pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1970 and has worked as a major league and minor league coach and/or front office executive since 1981.
Wallace worked in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization from
1981-97 and again from 2001-03, when he served as the Dodgers’ Sr. Vice President/Baseball Operations, overseeing LA’s minor league operations and consulting with the General Manager on baseball operations. Wallace also served the Dodgers as a Special Assistant to the GM (Dec., 2000-April, 2001) and interim GM (April-Oct., 2001).
He has served as a major league pitching coach with the Dodgers (1995-97), New York Mets (1999-2000), Boston Red Sox (2003-06) and Houston Astros (2007). He joined the Seattle Mariners in October 2007 and spent two seasons (2008-09) as Special Assistant to the General Manager/Minor League Pitching Coordinator.
Ingram spent the 2009 season as the hitting coach for San Francisco’s Double-A Connecticut affiliate after spending the previous seven seasons (2002-08) as a minor league hitting coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. He was the hitting coach for two years at Class-A Great Lakes and also coached the Columbus/South Georgia Waves from 2003-06.
“We are very pleased to have Garey join our staff,” said Kemp.
“Hitting Coordinator Leon Roberts and I have been impressed with Garey and we feel he will do a great job teaching and coaching our Double-A hitters at Mississippi.”
Ingram retired from his 14-year professional playing career in 2002 and began his coaching career that same season with the Gulf Coast League Dodgers.
His playing career included parts of three major league seasons (1994-95, ‘97) with the Dodgers. He made history on May 19, 1994, when, as pinch-hitter, he became the 67th major league player to homer in his first plate appearance, doing so at Denver’s Mile High Stadium.
The former infielder/outfielder was drafted by the Dodgers out of Middle Georgia Junior College in 1989. He currently resides in Columbus, Ga.
Il Cattivo
November 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
Yes Sir President Bartlett. We’ll get right on it.
TnBrian
November 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
Of course, Chris. Stupid us to think there’s any other way to get a hitter. You’re right, Vazquez is the only pitcher with any value. Nevermind they could throw in a decent prospect or two with Lowe for the other team to take on to his full contract. “kawakamia” isn’t likely to be traded because Atlanta held that press conference saying “The Japanese will shoot bombs at us if we trade their prized Japanese born “kawakamia”.
Bobby's Cox
November 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
I’m not sure if this was posted on the last blog, but Ken Rosenthal had a good article about trades this offseason occurring before FA signings begin.
He has a good reason as to why Kelly Johnson might actually be sought after by some teams.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10336880/GMs-look-to-economical-trades-before-free-agents
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
3:45 pm
Loogy-
Well why didn’t you say so!?
If you want someone that can hit like that but still hit HR, heck, we’ll just try and get ol’ Dave Kingman on the phone.
And if he’s not up for the challenge, I’m sure Rob Deer would be more than willing to lace em’ back up!
I will agree w/ you on one thing though. If we wanted anything significant for Kelly, we should’ve traded him a long time ago.
Lowe, we may still be able to get something for as the starters market is weak. We’ll just have to wait out Lackey’s signing(or so it seems).
Chris
November 10th, 2009
3:59 pm
tnbrain- go ahead and think that lowe, schafer, and another prospect is going to give you a big cleanup hitter while erasing lowe’s contract because it isnt.
Steve from OH
November 10th, 2009
4:00 pm
I like the Delgado idea for 1B. He should be ready to go for ST, no?
TnBrian
November 10th, 2009
4:04 pm
Chris, I meant just ridding the team of Lowe’s entire contract, period. Not saying they’ll get a cleanup hitter for Lowe. If they can do that then they ought to have enough to sign LaRoche & a cheaper bat like Willingham. To me, that plenty enough offense to support the pitching.
Daslied
November 10th, 2009
4:05 pm
So, here’s my projected line for Andruw, based on LOOGY’s desire:
625 PA
.114 Average
69 hits – 30 HR, 28 1B, 9 2B, 2 3B (both aided by Frenchy taking a dive)
43 RBI
25 BB
6 HBP (gut region)
372 K
153 popups to the catcher
.158 OBP + .287 SLG = .445 OPS
So, for a .445 OPS and UZR of -98.5, does 3yrs/$66MM sound right?
LOOGY
November 10th, 2009
4:09 pm
wow sarcasm doesn’t go over well on the old blog. I think .250 25 doubles and 30 homers and 85 rbi are a realisitic projection for andruw. Highly doubt he’ll hit .114 folks. Hyperbole anyone?
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
4:11 pm
Also, after reading that Rosenthal thing and doing some research, I guess I dont understand the negative mentality of buying low on Garrett Atkins?
If you take his 2009 as it was and thats simply an abberation, the guy mashed, and simply destroyed LHP.
If you take his 4 full years from 05-08, he hit .301 w/ a .364 OBP, and .482 SLG (.846 OPS).
Take into account that he’d be playing in hitter friendly Citizens Bank, Landshark (if thats what theyre callin it now), and Nationals Park 9 times each and not in Dodger Stadium or PETCO or AT&T Park all year.
He averaged 22 HR and 105 RBI a year and played above average defense while walking fairly closely (avg 25 more K than walks) to the amount he struck out. He is also another doubles machine to add to the lineup hitting 146 in those 4 seasons.
I don’t think he’s done by any means, and he was even projected by some to be as good as his UCLA teammate Chase Utley.
He also hit .309 w/ 9 XBH(of 17H) in 55 AB at Turner in his career.
I still think he’d be a great investment at 1b and then we could spend high on Bay.
I think this would be a really REALLY good lineup!
McLouth
Prado
Jones
Bay
McCann
Escobar
Atkins
Diaz
Daslied
November 10th, 2009
4:12 pm
No, LOOGY – hyperbole is implicitly banned here.
P. W. Hjort
November 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
DOB -
If the owners don’t want it, it ain’t happening. And they don’t want it, or not enough do. It’s not even something that’s a hot topic of discussion these days.
Right. But I believe their position will change for reasons previously mentioned. It’s not important what their position is right now (unless we’re talking about changing it tomorrow. Which I’m not. By the way, the 5-year thing was probably an overstatement, but I realistically think the NL will use the DH rule within 15-20 years.), only where it’s going and what it will be.
Dude, that’s actually a reason why it wouldn’t fly in today’s climate. Owners want to cut expenses, not pay one-dimensional players oveinflated salaries to do nothing but hit.
They don’t have to pay anyone anything. Teams frequently go to the freely available talent scrap heap to fill positions or develop their own hitters. But the opportunity is there for teams to add an aging slugger, one that would increase ticket sales, merchandise sales, TV ratings, etc.. if the NL has the DH. Seeing the opportunity to profit, I think the position of the ownership group will eventually gravitate towards favoring it. Their position will be (under my theory): “Well, I don’t have to participate in this, I could just sign someone for league minimum, but the opportunity to profit off of having a DH is there for me if I want it”.
One final point. Baseball is becoming more and more protective of pitchers. It all started with pitch counts. Like I previously said, once a firm position is breached, the prevailing opinion nearly always gravitates away from it. Rarely today do you see a rookie throwing more than 110 pitches–something that previously happened as a matter of routine. The protection of a valuable commodity (pitchers, starting pitchers specifically) has grown a lot in the last 40 years.
This isn’t going to go away, it’s going to grow bigger. Teams are doing things like requesting their players don’t play in the WBC, being extremely cautious with injuries, etc.. Eventually, the owners aren’t going to want their Johan Santanas and Tim Lincecums and Tommy Hansons to hit or run the bases. When that happens, the NL will implement the DH rule.
I’m not necessarily advocating it, I just think that’s the way it is.
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
4:15 pm
Daslied-
I thought it was just ok til I got to the 2 triples aided by Frenchy dives and I laughed a little…
Then, I got to the UZR of -98.5….now that was AWESOME!
Not quite as funny as RHR’s 2:22, but great nonetheless.
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
4:16 pm
Daslied-
BTW, you forgot the franchise record breaking 78 DP’s he’d hit into.
McFann Ô
November 10th, 2009
4:17 pm
Anyway, happy day–Up came out on DVD today! Boo-yah…gettin’ it on the ‘Pod as we <del?speak type.
monty
November 10th, 2009
4:18 pm
Moving Lowe’s contract for a couple of avg. prospects is like getting 2 for 1. (15 mil.) = a 9-10 mil.(at or just below allstar level) LF and a 5-6 mil. closer or set up guy. Or 1 great LF for the 15 mil. Trading Vazquez is a 1 for 1. A really good pitcher for a really good 1b or LF. I like moving Lowe’s contract more than trading Javy. Come on Wren find a creative way to get it done!
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
4:19 pm
LOOGY
What in the past two years (3, actually) of Andruw’s play makes you think he is capable of the numbers you are projecting.
He started off hot with the Rangers (if you can call it hot), then cooled off considerably.
If he couldn’t start in their outfield, what makes you think he is a suitable player for us. Heck, they are not offering him and invite back. And in that hitters park!
Gotta be a reason there LOOGY, and I think it is because he is an OLD 32 years old. Got too fat, and lost it.
Now, if you continue with your insistance he is an option, your credibility will be in the toilet, fore shure!
Chris
November 10th, 2009
4:21 pm
braves will go after a right handed bat that will most likely hit cleanup. having mccann hit cleanup hasnt worked very well, and laroche might not be back with the braves. i see laroche getting a 3 year deal, and the braves will obviously not attepmt to give him that kind of contract. trading for cuddyer, derek lee, or kornerko, might be what the braves want to do.
DAP
November 10th, 2009
4:22 pm
loogy.250 25 doubles and 30 homers and 85 rbi are a realisitic projection for andruw.
he hasnt had a season like that since 2006. why do you think thats realistic?
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
P-town
I would be OK with buying low on Atkins, but it could backfire, if last year was not an aberration. And as I recall, he really hasn’t been well known for his D.
Don’t know anything about his work at first base though.
Who earlier mentioned making a play for Nomar as a bench player? I like that idea.
Bobby's Cox
November 10th, 2009
4:24 pm
I also wouldn’t mind Delgado or Atkins at 1B.
Atkins only has 105 career games at 1B, but with all the lefties in the lineup, I like the idea of the Braves filling both 1B and LF with righties. His lack of experience at 1B, coupled with his poor hitting last year, isn’t a good match, but I don’t think Garrett is as bad a hitter as he was last season either.
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
4:25 pm
Chris
My guess would be that Cuddyer would be off limits in Twinkie Town, but the other two might be attainable. Personally, I like Cuddyer a lot, but either of the other two would work for a year or so until Freeman is ready (or not ready?).
Efrim
November 10th, 2009
4:26 pm
I wonder what the Jays want for Halladay. Not that the Braves should be interested, but Doc and Vazquez have similar situations in that they are both free agents after next season. Halladay has a no trade clause, Vazquez has one to all West teams. Halladay is making 15.75 million next year. Vazquez is making 11.5 million. Halladay is clearly the better pitcher, by a healthy margin in my opinion. So I wonder what will happen if Halladay is traded for less than what you’d think. What will that do to the market for Javy, if they plan on dealing him. All that said, I’d expect the Braves to make a decision on whether or not they will deal Javy before the Jays trade Halladay, so it may all be moot.
ncscoots
November 10th, 2009
4:27 pm
I guess scoots, Wayne, and the Steves have already deleted their fans of dob facebook group membership
Let’s not be catty, LOL. Just because I think Johnson can still be a pretty fair major league player does not mean I think he’s a Gold Glover, too.
The Notorious One didn’t say anything about Johnson’s defense with which even the kid’s fans would disagree.
David O'Brien
November 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
A typo on the “Big O” — that’s from writing too many blogs, twitter comments, etc.
Oscar Robertson, of course.
Tomas
November 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
I think the disparity between al teams and nl teams is a good topic for discussion. Why is the difference so great if it’s only one extra hitter. I think the difference is so high not because of the DH, but the fact that AL teams have much more money than NL teams(Tampa and Oakland being the exception).
The allstar game is a horrible indicator just because players last 3-5 innings tops. Inter league is a better indicator, and the AL has been predominately dominant the last few years. I understand Kenny’s argument, I just don’t understand why it is so great in starting pitchers(late inning relievers normally don’t face the pitcher). It is only one hitter, why does a pitcher go from having a 4.67ERA to having a 2.85ERA just by changing league’s. If Derek Lowe had pitched in the AL he’d had a 6.00ERA.
Who wins the world series it’s also meaningless, because 1 series doesn’t necesarrily tell you what team is better. The Phillies won the season series against the Yankees in New York, but lost the WS. And last year the Phillies won the WS. Winning the WS the last few years has been evenly distributed over the last decade.
Not every AL team is great. The Athletics, Royals, Indians, Blue Jays and Orioles are awful. That’s 5 teams that would be breaks out of 14. In the NL its, San Diego, Pirates, Nationals, Reds, Diamondbacks, Mets and Houston. That’s 7 teams that would be breaks out of 16.
The Giants can’t be considered a break because of there tremendous pitching, but they’re offensively challenge. And the Mets, because they suffered through hell with injuries.
keylargo
November 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
Adrian Gonzalez. Now. Gonzalez is under contract for $10.25 million total through 2011. And hit more than 40 homers last year. Trade for him. Now. Josiah
Josiah
Do you think there might be someone on a Padre’s blog that would say something like – We need a cheap, All Star pitcher, who is under control for 6 years and can win 15 or more games a year for the 10 years. Well, Tommy Hanson can. Trade for him. NOW.
What advice would you give to that Padre fan on how to go about getting Hanson?
Mitchell
November 10th, 2009
4:31 pm
I was hoping when I got here that somebody might try to come up with a special geographically themed nickname for me but something tells me that’s not very likely to happen.
I’m still sticking to my boycott of the 2010 season. I lapsed a few times to express my unbridled rage at Mark Teixeira for totally screwing us over in one of the worst trades in the recent history of the Braves and then winning a World Series with New York.
Isn’t it great how guys like him and Sabathia and Burnett never do damn thing with their previous teams and then finally show up in the world series for the Yankees.
Does anybody even remember that CC Sabathia had a chance to pitch the Indians into the World Series just two years ago in a Game 5 against Josh Beckett and totally choked?
I mean, what the F?
F the Yankees.
Anyway, I think the future is promising in some respects for the Braves but I think with the top notch starting pitching we’re going to be pretty vulnerable in the late innings. I for one certainly don’t expect Bobby Cox to cut his nightly addiction to the bullpen anytime soon. Without Gonzo or Soriano, we’re screwed. Not that they were perfect every time but when they were on their game it was game over.
You know the bullpen is going to be pitching at least 140 games next year. Nothing changes with that man. And look at all the young talent we’ve had over the past four years who have crapped out on us. This team has horrible coaching. I definitely think TP needs to be gone if we see any more of the type of stuff that was pretty much commonplace for the first half last year, but as we all know, that won’t happen.
But if anybody needs to be under the microscope I feel it has to be Glenn Hubbard. That is a job in my opinion that is not being performed well. I don’t care about speed, we have to steal more. You don’t have to be the fastest guy on the planet to steal a base. It’s not on him if they don’t get there in the first place but the bases stealing and base running ability on the Braves is abysmal. It seems to me Davy Lopes knows how it’s done.
There just isn’t enough accountability on this team. The Braves do not show me that they have a commitment to win. They can say it but when I look at how they perform, they are a team that is satisfied with mediocrity. You can’t tell me we wouldn’t have made it to the playoffs in ‘09 with a different manager. Maybe not any manager but a lot of managers.
That was it for me. I have completely lost faith in Bobby Cox as the Braves manager. It has nothing to do with the five would series appearances or the six first place finishes we had in the 2000s, or the fact that we lost the last game every single one of those years but one. It was the 2009 season. It was taking Tommy Hanson out in Houston. It was treating our best player like some insubordinant teenager. It was continuing to bat Chipper Jones third even when he was our least productive players. Benching Matt Diaz (my boy) and Martin Prado in favor of Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson. Keeping Jordan Schafer in center for two and a half months… or how about, making him an everday starter when he clearly wasn’t ready.
He’s a horrible judge of talent. He’s loyal to players who should be replaced in the line-up. He bats our homerun hitter 8th. He takes out his starters after six innings in blow-out games instead of allowing his bullpen to rest. He had one of the best if not the best pitching staffs in all of baseball and finished third.
I just can’t take it anymore. I wanted for so long for him to win another World Series but it took me ten years practically to realize that he is incapable of doing so.
We had a winow. You only get so many. We had 14 years, it was pretty good while it lasted but sometimes one good year can have as much of a lasting impact. You can’t tell me the Phillies getting a taste of the playoffs in ‘07 didn’t have a lot to do with them winning the whole thing the next year. For all we know that window may have just shut but they more or less made the most of it.
I even heard Jim Powell on 680 before I left saying how he felt we could still have been playing, that we were good enough to win the World Series if we had just made the playoffs. If not for Bobby Cox I think we could too but… all we’re ever going to be with him is underachievers and I just can’t spend my time, energy and emotion only to be disappointed again.
I originally predicted we’d finish 4th next year and win 84 games. I think now if we end up 4th we’d probably only win about 77 or 78. That’s still a hell of a lot more likely than finishing first and winning a World Series. Do you all really think if we win 97 games next year and have home field advantage we won’t just lose again in the first round the same way we did from ‘02 to ‘05.
Every team in the East is going to be better next year. We still didn’t exactly excorcise the Nats curse and we seem to enjoy laying down like dogs against the Marlins. The Mets can’t possibly get any worse. We can still beat them but they’re going to win a lot more games this time around.
We had a window and I for a while there I was tricked into believing we were serious contenders. I can’t do it anymore. All I can expect is for Bobby Cox to squander and abuse young talent and see them wash up prematurely.
It’s just more of the same.
Anyway, maybe I’ll come back in 2011 unless any member of the current coaching staff is chosen to replace BC.
I bet you all can’t wait. And hey, if they do end up win the World Series next year, I will be more than happy to be proven wrong. But it’s not going to happen anyway so who cares.
I’m going to get cancer now aren’t I? Great joke though, right? Not really but as Larry David would say, I took a risk.
Okay bye.
Daslied
November 10th, 2009
4:33 pm
P-Town – I forgot to mention the other parts of my retooling plan. Yuniesky Betancourt will replace Escobar (traded for Vernon Wells), and he’ll bat leadoff in front of Andruw. No way there’s a DP record broken there, unless our #8 hitter (Braun) starts getting wise ideas. The contingency plan is to have hitters try for a double on every hit. (They must heed the Ted’s newly installed viper pit on the right side of the infield, though.)
DAP
November 10th, 2009
4:35 pm
bobby’s coxwith all the lefties in the lineup, I like the idea of the Braves filling both 1B and LF with righties.
you know if you do that, you only have 2 lefthanded hitters, or three when were facing a righty. i think that over correcting something that isnt really a problem to begin with.
Efrim
November 10th, 2009
4:36 pm
Not every AL team is great. The Athletics, Royals, Indians, Blue Jays and Orioles are awful.
The Blue Jays would of faired much better in the NL Central than in the AL East. How much fun do you think it is for them to play a third of their schedule against the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees?
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
4:39 pm
Bobby’s Cox & Wayne -
I see it as an abberation because he’s still young, has no health problems to cause such a dropoff, and was a .300 hitter w/ 20+ HR pop, 35+ double gap power, and if you look at his stats, he has been a very clutch player and an RBI machine with runners in scoring position. (Think Chase Utley)
Oh, and he has made 8 errors in 773 TC at 1b. He is marked as a -1.7 in Rtot (like a fielding bible category) BUT he was listed at a +7.9 at 3b so I think if he played 1b all year, he’d make that up.
Like I said, well worth a chance if it can save money to get a Jason Bay. Also, the guy could take over for Chipper after 2010.
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
4:40 pm
Daslied-
That must be Lloyd Braun hitting 8th, because otherwise, why don’t you just have Gregor Blanco in there?
rtrafford
November 10th, 2009
4:43 pm
DOB-
I’d like to challenge your comment that KJ doesn’t have the makeup to be a quality bench player. First, his defense in my opinion is better than Infante, as is his base running. In the second half of 2009 he was essentially a bench-player, and in filling that role he posted some rather solid offensive numbers.
As long as he is “cheap” I see KJ as a solid piece of the puzzle. Try comparing his splits with Omar’s…
Josiah
November 10th, 2009
4:44 pm
keylargo
the difference is that adrian gonzalez is on the trading block. not hanson. so adrian is at least somewhat available.
P. W. Hjort
November 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
Tomas -
I just don’t understand why it is so great in starting pitchers(late inning relievers normally don’t face the pitcher).
For a number of reasons. One, having one weak hitter weakens the hitters around him as well. Two, NL managers frequently give away outs with their pitcher whereas AL line-ups with a DH do so much less frequently (which benefits the pitchers in the long run).
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
scoots
Poetic justice: To get the big righthanded bat, the Braves include Prado on the deal, and KJ becomes the second baseman for 2010. Then he hits 270/360/500.
Chris
November 10th, 2009
4:51 pm
man, talk about drawing out this hudson announcement. feels like they want to delay the announcment for something. i know it doesnt matter because hudson will get the OK from the MRI, but geez…
Chris
November 10th, 2009
4:51 pm
i think i’m anxious to hear the contract numbers of hudson is all though…
Capt Morgan
November 10th, 2009
4:52 pm
and KJ becomes the second baseman for 2010. Then he hits 270/360/500.
That’s a good one…
Daslied
November 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
P-Town – Blanco is my new hitting coach.
njbraves
November 10th, 2009
4:56 pm
I really don’t understand the LaRoche obsession. Come on guys, he’s not that good. Is he a nice player, sure, but do they really need to commit big dollars to this guy?? Why not sign N.Johnson to an incentive laden deal and let him hold the fort down until Freeman is ready. I know he has injury risks, but if they could get him on the cheap, he’d be worth a shot. And please stop bringing up Billy Wagner. He’s a blown save waiting to happen, and will not come as cheaply as many of you think. If the Braves aren’t going to commit big dollars to Holliday or bay, then trading Javy is the route to take. Otherwise we will all be complaining about the lack of offense again next year.
rtrafford
November 10th, 2009
4:56 pm
and KJ becomes the second baseman for 2010. Then he hits 270/360/500.
That’s a good one…
yet in the second half of 2009 he went .261 .358 .493, albeit less than 100 PA.
Greg Olson Homers
November 10th, 2009
4:57 pm
Over on MLBTraderumors they posted a story where, in a blurb, “John Smoltz is open to starting or relieving next year. He figures to end up in the NL after his failed stint with the Red Sox.”
I’ll go there. Smotlz would be a great 8th inning guy. I think his numbers were spectacular in the first few innings of his starts….
rtrafford
November 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
i’d love to see smoltz in the braves pen for 2010, allowing him to retire with bobby cox…
Capt Morgan
November 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
rtafford:
What about his first half of 2009? How do those stats look?
Sorry bro, Kelly is done.
Efrim
November 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
yet in the second half of 2009 he went .261 .358 .493, albeit less than 100 PA.
Yeah, that sample size thing…..
But seriously, if the Braves end up trading Johnson or non tendering him, the team that gets him is getting an underrated player, imo.
[ducks for cover]
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 10th, 2009
5:00 pm
D Lowe, for the newly Gold Gloved Adam “dont call me pac-man” Jones… (the O’s love to over pay guys like derek and think they are getting better)
Move Nate to right, and use the extra money to add another bat and re signing gonzo and trade for some pen help.
Oh and by the way im totally kidding about this.. love adam but not in this case
ncscoots
November 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Wayne, re your 4:48…and blog heads explode, posters search for books on proper form for hara-kiri, Bobby’s Cox goes after Wren after a chance restaurant meeting, plus various and sundry other even-less-attractive events, LOL. Yes, that could make for an interesting offseason.
Random
November 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Mitchell (November 10th, 2009 4:31 pm): “I for one certainly don’t expect Bobby Cox to cut his nightly addiction to the bullpen anytime soon. . . . You know the bullpen is going to be pitching at least 140 games next year. Nothing changes with that man.”
Well, seein’ as how Braves’ starters pitched only 3 complete games this season, that’s a prtetty safe bet.
And seein’ as how the Giants led the NL with 11 complete games this season, you could probably up the ante to “You know the bullpen is going to be pitching at least 150 games next year”, and apply it to the whole dam league.
Friggin genius, you are.
“I was hoping when I got here that somebody might try to come up with a special geographically themed nickname for me but something tells me that’s not very likely to happen.”
How ’bout Go Home, Mitchell — that’s close to geographic.
Capt Morgan
November 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Meant to say Kelly is done… with the Braves. Wouldn’t surprise me if he resurrected his career once he got away from the Braves. Sort of like Francoeur did last year.
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:04 pm
I have thought very hard about how, the Braves can dump Lowe’s albatross salary, and here is what I think will make the most sense and fill both teams needs, well three,
how bout
Texas Rangers get
Milton Bradley
Brandon hicks
3 mil cash
Cubs get;
D.Lowe
Braves get
N.Cruz
C.Davis
How does that work?
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
5:04 pm
Wayne-
Please don’t make me cry.
A) I am hoping to be done with Kelly
B) Prado is one of my favs
C) The combination of your theory would lead me to want to pack my bags and come down to Atlanta, ring Frank Wren’s doorbell, and proceed to junk punch him in his man business…WHY…Yeah Frank, YOU KNOW WHY!
rtrafford
November 10th, 2009
5:04 pm
how can “Kelly be done” and post the second half numbers he did in 2009? he’s not “done”, simply inconsistent.
Why? I have no idea, other than perhaps he’s guilty of pressing too hard, trying to do too much. In the first half he spent a great deal of time in the lead-off for a struggling offense. in the second half he was able to relax and just play as nothing much was expected of him. Perhaps his career will be well suited by batting 7th for the Royals for a season.
He’s always had a great eye, a quick swing, and been very good on the base paths. He still has the makeup to be a plus offensive player at 2B. Bobby should have simply put him in the bottom third of the order and left him alone a long time ago.
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:06 pm
that fills your Lf, and !b needs and supplies power!!!!
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 10th, 2009
5:06 pm
I DONT want Smotlz back even in the pen. He didnt pitch well this year but only because its hard to pitch with tears in your eyes! sick of the guy going out of his way knocking the Braves because he thought he deserved more money in his career.
If he thought he was really being ripped off in his career, why did he sign contract after contract? we dont need that kind of guy on our team anymore.
Lets all be real here. the only reason he wanted 5 mill last yr and still wants to try to get back out there in 2010 is cus his wife took him to the cleaners in the divorce!
MOVE ON JOHN! HOPE YOU GET THE MONEY YOURE LOOKING FOR!
rtrafford
November 10th, 2009
5:07 pm
by knocking smoltz for knocking the braves, aren’t you guilty of doing exactly what you’re complaining that smoltz did?
RC
November 10th, 2009
5:09 pm
Eavesdropper, I think Texas would want more than that. Also, who pays the $3 million? I like the idea of somehow tying ourselves into the Bradley trade though, since the Cubs are so desperate to pull it off at this point they’ll probably make concessions to both teams involved.
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:11 pm
Eavesdropper
I really don’t see the Rangers trading Chris Davis. I think they are going to keep Him and Justin Smoak, using one at first base and the the other at Designated hitter.
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:12 pm
For some unknown reason Texas salivates over Bradley, gives them the dh,to replace Cruz, and moves davis to clear a path for Smoak, the cubs, need a starter, see record without Burnett,I see Atla paying the three mill to get it done
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
5:13 pm
Eric in Albany -
Thank you! You simply stated just about everything that should be!
Like Glavine, Andruw, Furcal, and so on, I feel as though he badmouthed the club just like they did and it was all about the money.
I understand what you may “think” you are worth, but Boston proved without a doubt that you weren’t worth even remotely close to that kind of money.
Hope you all enjoyed messing up a good thing because your reputations as people are a bit tarnished in the eyes of long time Braves fans.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 10th, 2009
5:15 pm
all he did for about 6 months was tell people how crappy he was treated. WaHHHHHHaaa!
the guy started new with a new club the team went a different way and it turned out they made the right move. it took him playing poorly for him to shut his mouth and stop blaming the team for not paying a guy 5 mill for a guy who made a few starts and didnt get on the hill till most of the year was over.
the anger john had tword the braves was truly just anger he had for his ex wife.
Move on John maybe ESPN will pay you more money for child suport
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:15 pm
read somewhere the Rangers wanted Bradley,and wanted him really badly.. Davis had a sub-par year and they are not enamored with him. just a thought. fills a lot of needs..On all three clubs
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:16 pm
Eric In Albany, dude just SHUT UP!!!!
Wayne in Utah
November 10th, 2009
5:18 pm
Eavesdropper
Who is sending the 3 million to the Rangers?? President Obama?
P-town
You know I like you my friend, but I still believe that in the end, Kelly Johnson will have a better major league career than Martin Prado, when all is said and done. I could be wrong, heck I have already been wrong 2-3 times this year already!
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:19 pm
I was reading on mlbtraderumors.com,and came across the Texas/Cubs rumor and thought,hey why not Lowe is clearly better than McCarthy,hence what I came up with. aside from with,Lowe just looks like a Cubbie
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:20 pm
Eavesdropper
I like the way you thought outside the box. However Texas is still very high on Davis. They would be more than willing to trade Nelson Cruz, because they want Josh Hamilton to play right field to protect their body. The organization is split on who plays better defense at first: Davis or Smoak, but they want both in their lineup for a long time.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 10th, 2009
5:20 pm
Eavesdropper you really think john would be looking to pitch again if he didnt get divorced?
i mean come on. that and the guy has been nothing but disrespectful and ungreatful since he left.
im over the whole john smoltz thing till he comes back to coach or get his # retired, im just sick of the guy
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:22 pm
How did Jeter win a GG
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:23 pm
not a lot of glamorous options out there, My hope is Wren doesn’t get antsy and do a Lowe type deal again,patience is a hard thing to practice, alas but we shall see
Eric In Albany N.Y.
November 10th, 2009
5:23 pm
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace The same way davis wright got one over chipper a couple years ago. the guy plays in NY
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:24 pm
Wonder if the Angels woukd take Lowe, for K.Morales?
Tomas
November 10th, 2009
5:26 pm
I think that what most affects pitchers is the ballparks they pitched in. Cellular field isn’t exactly a pitchers dream, nor is Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Oriole park, Comerica park, Tropicana field, rogers center, Metrodome, Progressive field or Arlington park. That’s 9 of 14 parks.
In the NL the hitters ball parks are Citizens bank park, Miller park, Nationals park, Chase field, Great American ball park, Minute Maid, Coors field, PNC park, Wrigley and Busch Stadium. That’s 10 of 16 parks.
In the AL the pitchers ball park Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. That’s it. 1out of 14
In the NL pitcher ball parks, Dodger Stadium, Citi field, Turner field, Pecto park, AT&T park, and Landshark stadium. That’s 6 out of 16
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:27 pm
Rangers GM Jon Daniels tells Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News that he will look to improve his team by remaining active in trade talks. The Rangers are looking for relievers and a right-handed bat, but don’t expect them to go after top-tier free agents.
Instead, they expect to be involved in trade talks, though Daniels is in “no hurry” to trade away the pitching depth that kept his club in the pennant race late into this past season.
On another note, the Rangers, who will likely open next season with a payroll under $70MM, do have interest in bringing Milton Bradley back, but only if the Cubs take on a considerable portion of the $21MM remaining on the outfielder’s contract.
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:27 pm
As much as I want the Braves to spend the big bucks this winter, I understand that Liberty Media sucks and have no interest in wining a World Series.
The offense is already improved by replacing Francoeur and Johnson. I believe in Schafer and feel that his wrist caused almost all of his troubles, he was an automatic out last year
I know people keep saying he is only a rookie, but Heyward needs to produce for us to make the playoffs. Diaz also needs to improve against RH hitters.
P-Town Brave
November 10th, 2009
5:27 pm
Ok, so how about this one Eaves:
Cubs get:
Lowe
Schafer
Rangers get:
Bradley
Miles
Delgado
Samardzjia
Braves get:
Cruz
Wilson
Only problem with this one is how the Rangers take on that money unless the Cubs pay a portion of Bradley’s salary, so thus the inclusion of Delgado from Atlanta AND Samardzjia from Chicago so the money would be well worth it for them to get those two pitchers.
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:28 pm
Eavesdropper
The Rangers have a surplus of starting pitching
Millwood
Holland
Feldman
have spots secured
Nippert, McCarthy, Harrison could generate interest.
They are not trading Chris Davis
Eavesdropper
November 10th, 2009
5:29 pm
Hence my suggestion that Atlanta include some cash..
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:29 pm
How about Nick Johnson
Rob (from SC) no more arm brace
November 10th, 2009
5:30 pm
Matt Young is having a really good winter league season. I would love to see him given a chance to win a bench job in ST. He can play of and 2B and can run really well.