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
2,690 comments Add your comment
RC
November 19th, 2009
2:38 pm
MLBTR has a link that Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that Yankees are planning to pursue Soriano and Gonzalez. However the source is attributed to a “rival executive”, so who knows how much interest they really have. But if the Yankees and Bo Sox get into a p***ing contest over those two, it might allow the Braves to feel comfortable offering them both arbitration (or it could mean that we get the Yanks 4th and 5th rounds picks, after the other Type-A FAs they sign).
DAP
November 19th, 2009
2:38 pm
DOB, ha, yeah i guess im the one that missed something.
N8
November 19th, 2009
2:39 pm
DOB (or anybody), what’s the rule on if you offer a player arbitration, he accepts and then trading that player? Is there a rule against that?
If not, I definitely would offer both Gonzo and Soriano arbitration. In the event that both accept, we could simply trade the one (or both) that we don’t want. But I think it’s a gamble worth going after in the event they both sign elsewhere.
Picking up 4 picks for those guys would go a long way toward re-stocking the farm system in next years draft. Barring Wren not signing a couple of guys that cost US draft picks.
But if you can’t trade those guys, then yeah. Not sure I offer it to both. Though, I could think of worse ways to spend 13-15 million dollars then on those two guys. Tough call.
AZBravoFan
November 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
For those who are pushing for the Braves to trade for Swisher….did you actually watch the playoffs?
N8
November 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
“(or it could mean that we get the Yanks 4th and 5th rounds picks, after the other Type-A FAs they sign).”
Exactly. That’s the part about this system that sucks. Though I think you get at least one “sandwich pick” in the first round for each of them. If the Yankees sign a bunch of Type-A free agents, then those picks “trickle” down to later rounds.
I think they should still have to surrender FUTURE 1st round picks, along with the former team getting a “sandwich” pick in the draft following the signing.
Again, another reason for draft picks to be trade options. Also, why not offer a team something similar to a “franchise” tag like the NFL has. With a multitude of picks coming their way if another team chooses to pursue them.
Though, I think franchise tags should only be reserved to players you drafted and developed. Then again, that’s kind of what the arbitration process is. But I just like to complain.
Efrim
November 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
If not, I definitely would offer both Gonzo and Soriano arbitration. In the event that both accept, we could simply trade the one (or both) that we don’t want. But I think it’s a gamble worth going after in the event they both sign elsewhere.
N8, I’m pretty sure we can trade them. And yes, I think it’s a gamble worth going for.
Efrim
November 19th, 2009
2:46 pm
For those who are pushing for the Braves to trade for Swisher….did you actually watch the playoffs?
Do you actually understand the meaning of sample size?
RC
November 19th, 2009
2:46 pm
I really don’t think the Braves have to worry much about BOTH Soriano and Gonzo accepting arbitration, simply because I’m betting Gonzo is planning to take a multi-year deal SOMEWHERE. That’s why he changed over to Boras as an agent, so help him get the best deal on the open market. The real concern the Braves should have is whether or not they think Soriano is worth (to them) what he’d likely get in arbitration. If he is, then go ahead and offer it knowing that the worst you’ll likely do is get picks for Gonzo, and have Soriano for one more year at a higher price. If he isn’t worth it though, that’s where the mind games come in and the “guessing” how much interest there really is in him, keeping in mind the interest in him with draft picks attached and without draft picks attached might be quite different.
DAP
November 19th, 2009
2:49 pm
AZBravoFanFor those who are pushing for the Braves to trade for Swisher….did you actually watch the playoffs?
yeah he played pretty bad for the the first 8 or so playoff games.
by the way, did you happen to catch any of the regular season this year?
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
2:50 pm
Too bad Vazquez (or Jurrjens) didn’t get good run support, or they could have won at least 18 games apiece and been a lot closer in the voting.
Yes. Or, too bad the voters still look at silly things like Wins when voting. The problem is the voters lagging behind the curve, not the fact that Vazquez got a little unlucky. The latter is going to continue to happen and until the former changes, a lot of people will be saying things like “it’s a shame a few things didn’t happen that the pitcher had nothing to do with”. In reality, that’s no shame, that’s life. The real shame is the fact that the voters can’t see it that way.
I’m glad Vazquez did get a vote. I thought he was the 2nd best pitcher in the league in 2009. I’m glad Lincecum won it. Glad Haren got a vote as well, he certainly deserved to be in the conversation.
Chris
November 19th, 2009
2:54 pm
man, imagine if gonzo, soriano, and laroche leaves, and say we sign wagner. braves would still have 3 draft picks before the second round and about 5 draft picks on the first 100 picks, not too shabby at all come june….
Efrim
November 19th, 2009
2:58 pm
man, imagine if gonzo, soriano, and laroche leaves, and say we sign wagner. braves would still have 3 draft picks before the second round and about 5 draft picks on the first 100 picks, not too shabby at all come june….
All depends on the other free agents that those teams sign. Poor Blue Jays got a third round pick for A.J. Burnett because the Yanks signed Sabathia and Teixiera. Still though, they all received sandwich round selections.
Couch Tater
November 19th, 2009
2:59 pm
Soriano allows an average of 8 HRs in 66 games. 2.92 era 1.037 whip. Billy Wagner allows an average of 7 HRs in 68 games. 2.39 era 1.009 whip. (career avg.)
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
3:00 pm
Keith Law was just on Sports Center. He’s the one who voted for Vazquez. Knew it.
10
November 19th, 2009
3:00 pm
It’s absurd that teams can’t trade draft picks. I don’t think poor teams would trade them away. if anything, rich teams would be trading the picks away to poor teams to get major league performers. If for no other reason, teams should be able to trade picks for marketing reasons. It would make the draft much more interesting, and something folks paid attention to.
I hate the draft
November 19th, 2009
3:01 pm
who cares about the draft? shouldn’t you be depressed if the braves have a worse bullpen?
Efrim
November 19th, 2009
3:02 pm
Keith Law was just on Sports Center. He’s the one who voted for Vazquez. Knew it.
Yup, I thought about that too. He had an NL Cy Young vote this year. Think that was his only one.
Efrim
November 19th, 2009
3:04 pm
who cares about the draft? shouldn’t you be depressed if the braves have a worse bullpen?
There are other relief pitchers out there, ya know. Don’t hate the draft. It gave you Jason Heyward.
AZBravoFan
November 19th, 2009
3:06 pm
DAP
Yeah, he had a nice regular season. The Braves also had 14 nice regular seasons and how many of those ended up in World Series titles? For a team that struggles to score runs, I’ll pass on a guy who hits .250-.260 and strikes out a lot. And that’s before even discussing defense. Have we not learned anything from the GA experiment?
Why
November 19th, 2009
3:09 pm
The braves need a true cleanup hitter no matter what position they play. Willingham in not a number 4 hitter.
DAP
November 19th, 2009
3:14 pm
AZBravoFanFor a team that struggles to score runs, I’ll pass on a guy who hits .250-.260 and strikes out a lot.
if thats as far as you look, ill venture to say you dont know much about what it takes to score runs.
Rob (from SC)
November 19th, 2009
3:16 pm
why have so many early draft choices when we don’t draft the best player available.
P'Cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
3:17 pm
Some of ya’ll have to face it. The Braves aren’t a huge money club. They have to fill the voids the best they can. Eventually its all going to catch up to the Phillies when they have to start paying everyone.
A “true” cleanup hitter would be nice but lets be honest there really isn’t that many available. The knock on Swisher is he is owed 10 mil in 2011. Willingham, Nady, Cameron or Swisher would be nice fits and a decent amount of power brought with them. Chances are we’re not gonna get the prototypical 30-40 hr guy we all want. Wren needs to build this team solidly. If we don’t get the division we can at least get the wild card.
P'Cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
3:20 pm
I forgot Derosa. Add him to the possible mix of candidates.
Pee in a cup
November 19th, 2009
3:21 pm
Not alot of 40 HR guys left. Testing took care of that…
Jessee James
November 19th, 2009
3:26 pm
First time poster, long time reader, but i couldn’t resist. I lived on the same street and played baseball and basketball with Bean Stringfellow growing up. He was an excellent pitcher, won the VA state in 1981, and made it to AAA with the Braves organization. Great guy and athlete, lives in Richmond now. His real name is Thornton so I think i would have gone with the nickname Bean too.
N8
November 19th, 2009
3:27 pm
“why have so many early draft choices when we don’t draft the best player available.” Rob
Good point. But yet another point towards being allowed to trade said picks. With the possiblity to “trade up” in the draft, the MLB draft would be slightly more interesting.
However, until college baseball is as mainstream as college football (NEVER going to happen), the MLB draft won’t be even close to as interesting as the NFL draft.
Most top 20 NFL draft guys are household names by the time the draft comes around.
Without looking it up, name me 5 of the top 20 picks in the MLB draft last year. I’m not as big of an NFL fan as I am of baseball, and I’ve maybe watched 10 college football games in my life (my work has always dictated that I work on Saturdays – so I never got into it).
But I could come pretty close to naming about 20-25 of each NFL team’s first round picks last year. That being said, with my Chiefs picking 3 last year, I paid more attention to all the pre-draft BS and got to know the guys a bit more.
But just because it isn’t as exciting and not as good for tv and 200 “mock drafts” along with all the pre-draft publications and what not, doesn’t mean it’s not important to an MLB team.
DAP
November 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
Chances are we’re not gonna get the prototypical 30-40 hr guy we all want.
chances arent that bad that NOBODY will hit 40 homers next season.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
Just talked to Boras, who said this when I asked him about how many teams have called with interest in Mike Gonzalez: “As many as 15. He’s got a big market.”
RC
November 19th, 2009
3:40 pm
As many as 15.
What kind of answer is that? Technically, anything under 16 is “As many as 15.” I guess it’s the type of answer an agent is supposed to give though :s
nolie
November 19th, 2009
3:40 pm
they do end up offering arb to both, you know that Wren has gotten enough of an indication from the industry that they are both going to get multi year contracts, (Efrim)
well it’s pretty obvious that Gonzo didn’t hire Boras just to represent him in arb, so that one has got to be safe anyway, and I wouldn’t mind getting Sori back.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
3:41 pm
Look at that — we mention Bean Stringfellow, and within an hour we have someone who lived on the same street as the guy when he was growing up. I love it.
Thanks for the input, Jessee James. And do come back more often.
Chris
November 19th, 2009
3:42 pm
i’m so sick of all these articles stating that the braves will either trade lowe or vazquez. we’ve heard this for two weeks now and rosenthal, olney, stark, heyman, keep on saying the same scenario…
Jessee James
November 19th, 2009
3:43 pm
Enter your comments here
DAP
November 19th, 2009
3:44 pm
“As many as 15.” means at least 15, i think.
CB
November 19th, 2009
3:44 pm
I lived on the same street as my cousin Leroy,he wasn’t famous but he sure could eat.
RC
November 19th, 2009
3:45 pm
For what it’s worth on the Cy Young voting, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus was the one voter who voted for Dan Haren. He explains his process here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9782.
One interesting quote I noticed reading through it, “I’ve second-guessed the Haren pick since turning it in, and maybe I didn’t give Jair Jurrjens enough consideration, but that’s a ballot I feel comfortable with.”
So the Braves were closer than any of us thought from having 2 pitchers finish in the top 5 of Cy Young voting after all.
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
3:46 pm
After the first 15 or so players though, teams do draft the best players available that they believe want to turn pro instead of going to college. Only the best 15 or so candidates have crazy money demands in most cases. The Braves generally can draft any kid in the first 5 rounds from the southeast and he will sign with them. It appears that Braves normally have a good idea on “signability” for these kids and have rarely been wrong. Plus, if you have extra picks and one chooses not to sign, so be it. Not as bad as having all your eggs in one basket.
So stockpiling picks between 15 and 200 for the Braves is an excellent opportunity. Those are the picks where you can get your stud prospects and the Braves scouts have been right on their picks far more than most teams.
Now one thing the Braves got horribly wrong was how much they chose to pay Minor. MLB expressed a desire for teams to pay less money to their draft picks in 09. Although the official announcement came after the Braves had made a promise to Minor, I highly doub they didn’t know that such a directive was coming from MLB. I cringe when I hear the Braves went cheap on their pick, because in fact, they did not go cheap they paid a record for that draft slot even after passing over 2-3 more highly regarded prospects. That said, I feel Minor was about the 8th-10th best pick so we didn’t reach too much. The Pirates drafted a catcher before the Braves pick that the TV guys didn’t appear prepared to talk about at all. That’s reaching.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
See, now aren’t you all glad Keith Law (and Rob Neyer) were voted into the BBWAA last winter? (Not that we were doing them any favors; they both clearly belonged in the organization in this changed landscape of baseball coverage).
Without Law’s vote, Vazquez wouldn’t have gotten a vote (unless the person who’d have voted instead would also have picked him, which the odds suggest wouldn’t have happened).
I thought all along that Vazquez would/should finish fourth, but I gotta admit I thought he’d get a few more votes. Then again, I didn’t realize that every voter but two would have the same trio on their ballots.
rammerjammer
November 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
If you read Bowman carefully, you’ll conclude that any outfielder Frank gets will be a one-year rental. The priorities are 1B and a closer. I haven’t thought twice about Wagner, but I am now. And I’m beginning to believe Frank wants Roachy to stay, but only through 2010.
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
Efrim, the draft gave us Heyward… how about we don’t hype a kid up who’s not seen the first pitch in the majors. Dear Lord, I hope the Braves don’t have that kind of mindset. I’m aware we aren’t one of the big market teams out there, but I’ll be disappointed if a DeRosa is the answer for that OF bat & a Blalock is their answer to that 1 year gap for Freeman. After watching this team this season fail to give ace type pitchers more than 14/15 wins, who wouldn’t be frustrated.
Jessee James
November 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
Thanks DOB, Really enjoy the blog. Regarding the Braves, i vote to keep all the starters and use one in the pen until we need them back in the rotation. Odds are at least one of the starters will miss some time, and I’m not sold on Medlen. I realize economics may preclude this strategy, but that’s my vote anyway. Sorry to click prematurely above.
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
3:49 pm
RC – I figured JV was 4th or so and that JJ was top 10 easily. Glad to see JV get that vote to officially be 4th! Can’t hurt if we do trade him to be trading a “cy young contender”. Nobody ever brought up the topic though since TL, CC, and AW were such locks for the top three.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
3:50 pm
Chris: So would you prefer that we not write that the Braves are going to trade Vazquez or Lowe, until it happens? That’d be kind of misleading or leaving a big hole in the ol’ Braves offseason-plans stories, wouldn’t it?
Chris
November 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
rammerjammer- i dont really sense that the braves will resign laroche. maybe if it’s a huge bargain. but the braves are really seeking a cleanup hitter. preferablly, at first base.
nolie
November 19th, 2009
3:53 pm
The Braves may also spend the next couple weeks and months searching for an outfielder. But because it seems likely they will be willing to give Jason Heyward a chance to begin the 2010 season in their outfield, this doesn’t seem to be as great of a concern”.
Is that Wren’s way of breaking it to us gently?
Geo123
November 19th, 2009
3:54 pm
TK
November 18th, 2009
10:51 pm
“What happened to the Cubs-Lee for Lowe rumor. And Cruz in Texas? Seems to me Lee would be a nice fit. Right handed…good D…about what Lowe makes in $$$.”
TK,
Lee has a complete no trade contract and will not agree to go anywhere according to the Cubs beat writer…
Chris
November 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
DOB- it’s all ready been stated that the braves will trade vazquez or lowe. but for jayson stark to write an article TODAY that the braves will trade lowe or vazquez, after most, if not all people who follow baseball rumors online already knows this.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
Stark’s saying the Braves want a true clean-up hitter for Lowe or Vazquez. That’s a bit different from earlier reports saying they just want a average righthanded bat. Problem is there probably isnt a bat like that available.
Lew
November 19th, 2009
3:58 pm
AzBravoFan-Yeah, I did and the Braves weren’t in the playoffs. Swisher’s team was- in part because of Swisher and his 29HR.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
4:00 pm
In the new Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2010, there’s some good news (about McLouth) and bad news (about Diaz) regarding the Braves in Bill James’ “strong seasons leading index” rankings. In short, the rankings take into account multiple factors to predict which players have the best chance of improving upon their 2009 seasons.
Nate McLouth was tied for the sixth-highest score among player most likely to improve, while Matt Diaz was tied for second-most-likely tnot to improve upon or sustain his 2009 performance.
From the book:
Here are the top 10 players most likely to sustain or improve in 2010, along with their Strong Seasons Leading Index score:
Player 2010 Team Score
Dioner Navarro Tampa Bay Rays 26
Chris B. Young Arizona Diamondbacks 25
J.J. Hardy Minnesota Twins 25
Russell Martin Los Angeles Dodgers 24
Grady Sizemore Cleveland Indians 24
Dustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox 23
James Loney Los Angeles Dodgers 23
Ian Kinsler Texas Rangers 23
B.J. Upton Tampa Bay Rays 23
Nate McLouth Atlanta Braves 23
Here are the 10 players least likely to sustain or improve in 2010, along with their Strong Seasons Leading Index score:
Player 2010 Team Score
Jorge Posada New York Yankees 8
Matt Diaz Atlanta Braves 9
Craig Counsell Free Agent 9
Russell Branyan Free Agent 11
Jason Bartlett Tampa Bay Rays 11
Scott Podsednik Free Agent 11
Derrek Lee Chicago Cubs 11
Kendry Morales LA Angels of Anaheim 11
Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners 11
Rajai Davis Oakland Athletics 12
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:01 pm
Possible true clean-up hitter the Braves could acquire via trade, ranked on likelyhood (although none are really high at all):
1. Carlos Lee for Derek Lowe: Been discussed, contracts are similar, Braves would be paying an extra $3.5 million a year for the same length of time.
2. Adam Dunn for Derek Lowe: National would be on the hook for an extra $3 million this year, and $30 million over the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Only reason they might be interested is because they have been quoted as “seeking a veteran ace to mentor young pitching prospects.” Not sure if they see Lowe as that, but he could help them crawl to respectability by 2012. Dunn is a free agent after this season.
3. Derrek Lee for Javier Vazquez: Cubs need pitching, Braves need a right-handed power hitter. Both are in the last year of their contracts, Braves would have to pay an extra $2 million for Lee. Cubs also have a budding hitting star in Jake Fox, but don’t have a position to play him at. Moving Lee could let him settle in at 1b.
4. Kevin Youkillis for Derek Lowe: Easily the least likely of these proposals. Based solely on a report that the Red Sox are “looking for pitchers”, and are said to be interested in trading for Adrian Gonzalez to play 1b (meaning Mike Lowell could play 3b).
I honestly think that none of these are at all likely to happen, but aside from these players, who else is really available that would be considered a true “clean-up hitter”?
nolie
November 19th, 2009
4:03 pm
Bobby typically has a guy or two that make us all scream when he calls on them too much. If you need to see the list, here goes…dpelfrey
almost every team has a few guys on it that are extremely marginal,nothing to do with Bobby
Chris
November 19th, 2009
4:03 pm
bravoman- braves have always wanted a big bat, prefer a right handed bat, but isn’t essential, long as it’s a bat to fit the middle of the order. that’s where bowman comes in, stating that the braves would like to give heyward a chance to srat in atlanta. so a cleanup hitter playing 1st base is what i think the braves are looking at
beekay
November 19th, 2009
4:06 pm
please say no the scrubinies named Corey Hart, Cameron, Dye, Swisher, Branyan, Delgado, Sexon, Beltre,…..I would rather overspend for a younger power hitter than throw 5-7 mill on any of these guys. Heck I would go with Schafer, Diaz, Mcclouth over a combination of any of those guys and use the 6-7 elsewhere
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
4:08 pm
AzBravoFan-Yeah, I did and the Braves weren’t in the playoffs. Swisher’s team was- in part because of Swisher and his 29HR. — Lew
Yeah, but I think it had as much or a lot more to do with Jeter, ARod, Teixeira, Posada, Sabathia, Rivera, and Johnny Damon.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
Chris, yea i would agree with your post. I was just saying I wasn’t for sure how big a bat they were willing to obtain with Heyward waiting in the wings. But they wanna win now since it’s Bobby’s last year and all of that. The one issue that upset me when watching ATL last year was the few games when there was 0 offense present. So in order to take the wild card nxt year when need a true clean-up hitter to help the inconsistent offsense that cost Jurrjens and Vazquez all those wins last year.
18 Wheels of Love
November 19th, 2009
4:12 pm
Did those 15 teams not watch Gonzales this year or were they hypnotized by his rocking motion? I like the guy but he scares me to death – and not in the same way MFIKY scares me.
beekay
November 19th, 2009
4:12 pm
McClouth would hit 29hrs with that short porch in NY and the lineup batting behind him. Swishers #’s are inflated like the old Rockie #’s used to be before the humidor
Geo123
November 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
RC,
Why are you mentioning Lee? He’s not available. If he’s your #1 likelihood then there’s no likelihood at all. In fact here’s what Bruce Levine said in a recent chat..
Bruce Levine
(1:12 PM)
Lee, who has a full no-trade clause, was approached last offseason by the Cubs to see if he would be interested in being dealt to a Calif. team (the reason the California team was mentoned is because he lives in the off season in California and he has a daughter who is ill that lives there). His answer was a firm ‘no.’ He’s in the last year of his contract and the likelihood of an extension is more a possibility than a trade.
Lew
November 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
DOB-True, but the point I was making to him was that Swisher also made a significant contribution and would be a worthwhile addition to the Braves regardless of how he did in the Post Season. Who was the MVP of the Yankees wasn’t a consideration in what I was saying. No one was arguing he was better than any other Yankee teammate.
Chris
November 19th, 2009
4:15 pm
i’ve stated previously that if the braves really wanted to, they could attempt to trade for adrian gonzalez. and i beleive they could afford jason bay if they traded away lowe or vazquez. doesnt seem like bay will get more than $15 million a year, but again, dont think the braves want to go that route. but i can see the braves acquiring a bat of derreck lee or paul konerko.
Lew
November 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
beekay-Swisher played one year at that place with the short porch. He has hit at least 34 HR in his last six seasons-five of which weren’t in NY.
Daslied
November 19th, 2009
4:17 pm
Jessee James – thanks for the info about Bean.
Lew
November 19th, 2009
4:18 pm
Excuse me-It would help if I could type. That was 24 or more HR each of the past six years. Not 34.
CB
November 19th, 2009
4:18 pm
Chris,it will take more than 15mil a year for Bay,already turned that down with Boston.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
4:20 pm
Lee isn’t going anywhere with his no trade clause
Freeman is the future 1B, not Adrian Gonzalez it’s not gonna happen that trade would drain the farm
Frank may look into Bay when Lowe or Vazquez’s contract is removed but it seems unlikely
The Carlos Lee idea isn’t a bad thought but id have to look up his contract details
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
4:20 pm
How does that pothead win the Cy Young Award with fewer first-place votes than Adam Wainwright?
Stink…
DOB But the vast majority of what is probably hundreds of players who’ve had it, have no problems or very insignificant problems.
I’ve always said BMac was one in a million…
I’ll try to call McCann soon to see if he’ll comment. But it sounds like he’s doing fine.
Sweet…Hey, what’s his phone number? (JK!! Like, major JK…Colonel JK…)
They didn’t do a press conference for the Silver Sluggers this year, did they? ‘Cause none of the articles had any quotes…
Anyway, thanks, Chief!
Daslied
November 19th, 2009
4:20 pm
We’re likely to be disappointed by whatever bat Wren picks up, but let’s be thankful we’re not Pittsburgh fans. A quote from the GM, Neal Huntington (via MLBTR):
“Our focus is going to be more on the borderline-type guys that may not get $3-4 million or may not even get a Major League contract,” Huntington said.
beekay
November 19th, 2009
4:21 pm
Lew
Please check your stats, Swisher only surpassed 29 hrs once in his career and that was in 2006
rammerjammer
November 19th, 2009
4:21 pm
Chris,
Roach will be a bargain over some of the other, possibly available first basemen whose contracts end next season…Lee and Pena for example. I just don’t think Frank is going to be committed beyond next season because Freeman is in the pipeline for 2011.
CB
November 19th, 2009
4:22 pm
If the Braves choose to go with a few of the names I have heard today,I would rather go with youth in outfield. You guys are making some mediocre players sound like superstars.
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:22 pm
Geo123,
I’m mentioning Lee because from his current team’s standpoint a trade MIGHT make sense. I prefaced the entire thing by saying that NONE of these were likely. The fact that he turned down a potential trade before might indicate that he would turn down one again, or it might mean nothing. Also, I had “Derrek” Lee as the #3 possibility…please read the actual post before trying to rip it.
beekay
November 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
Lew
21 in 05 and 22 in 07. I think Matty could hit 20 hrs if he played full time and cost a quaryer of wht Nick cost
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
doesnt seem like bay will get more than $15 million a year – Chris
What makes you say that? The only report I’ve read at all concerning Bay with a dollar amount tied to it was that he TURNED DOWN a 4-year, $15 million a year deal from the Red Sox. Based on that, it seems very likely that he’ll get more than $15 million a year.
nolie
November 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
Or, too bad the voters still look at silly things like Wins when voting PW
obviously didn’t look at them in the AL
Smack
November 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
DOB,Sorry for the delay…I just figured that if Javy garnered a vote that JJ would too. I guess wishful thinking.
CB
November 19th, 2009
4:24 pm
McFann,you wouldn’t stalk the guy,would you?
Chris
November 19th, 2009
4:25 pm
CB- Bay wants to see what is out there first. redsox offered him 4 years close to $60 million. most expect that bay will get less than $15 million, and i dont see any reason not to believe that.
CB
November 19th, 2009
4:27 pm
Chris-???
Geo123
November 19th, 2009
4:31 pm
Rc,
My fault on the #1 vs. #3 option however you need to read my earlier post where I already stated he isn’t available. If he’s not available then there is NO likelihood of the trade. When the beat writer tells you that Lee will not agree to a trade then that’s the answer. Derek Lee shouldn’t even be mentioned as a possiblitiy because he’s not…
splitfinger
November 19th, 2009
4:34 pm
Two good reasons to consider Nick Swisher:
1. Joanna
2. Garcia
Soph
November 19th, 2009
4:34 pm
Sweet…Hey, what’s his phone number?
Good try, McFann!
DAP
November 19th, 2009
4:35 pm
beekay ditto lew, not to mention the vast majority of swisher homeruns were on the road, not at yankee stadium.
nolie
November 19th, 2009
4:37 pm
Javy would have gotten MoRe voTEs Iffen hE hadn’T FAlleN aPaRt soo bAd in the cLutcH GAmes At Seasons ENd.LooSEr
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
4:38 pm
Geo123,
I concur and the Cubs need Lee. Gotta think about it from both sides.
ncscoots
November 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
Javy would have gotten MoRe voTEs Iffen hE hadn’T FAlleN aPaRt soo bAd in the cLutcH GAmes At Seasons ENd.LooSEr
Meds, nolie, meds!!!
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:42 pm
Geo123,
Until it comes out that “Derrek Lee turned down a trade to the Braves”, then you don’t KNOW that he would reject a trade. He was asked before if he would LIKE to be traded to a Cali team as a favor to him, to be close to his daughter. To that he responded no, likely because he wanted to hold up his deal with the Cubs, and sees himself as an important part of their club. However, if team management approached him and said, “We appreciate all the great things you’ve done, but it’s looking unlikely that we’ll be able to resign you next season at the contract you deserve. We also have a deal on the table that will help us this year, as well as send you to a situation where you’ll be able to play for a winner. Will you consider it?” then the answer might be different.
Again, this is all VERY, VERY UNLIKELY. But to say that it’s “impossible” is simply not the case, until Lee turns down that particular situation.
beekay
November 19th, 2009
4:44 pm
Dap/Lew
I wouldn’t mind swisher if we didn’t have to give up any good prospects…unfortunately we would have to for a guy who batted .250 and struck out 125 times
O.J.
November 19th, 2009
4:46 pm
Swisher is definitely not the answer, thats for sure, cause Braves are looking for a cleanup type hitter, and he definitely isnt that.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
4:46 pm
RC,
Cubs need Lee more than they do Lowe or Vazquez so moot argument
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:49 pm
BravoMan,
That may very well be the case. I just noted that they have a need for starting pitching, and have a hitter without a position to play (Jake Fox). Those facts, combined with the similar contracts of Vazquez and Lee, made me think the possibility, if not the probability, for a trade is there.
There is no way they’d trade for Lowe though (in my opinion).
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
4:51 pm
RC, Good points, but Jake Fox can go DH somewhere cuz he’s a horrible fielder I hear
RC
November 19th, 2009
4:52 pm
BravoMan,
Yeah, he is a terrible fielder. But even with an iron glove his bat is simply too good to keep out of the lineup (or so you would think).
keylargo
November 19th, 2009
4:53 pm
When the beat writer tells you that Lee will not agree to a trade then that’s the answer. Derek Lee shouldn’t even be mentioned as a possiblitiy because he’s not…
DOB can only aspire to be as competent.
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
4:55 pm
obviously didn’t look at [wins] in the AL (nolie)
Sure they did. Win total basically obscured Halladay from the voting and he was probably the 3rd best in the league. Losses put King Felix below Verlander when it should be the opposite. And CC’s 19 got him consideration when he didn’t do much else.
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
4:57 pm
RC – Other cleanup hitters that are available: you never stated they had to be “affordable”, but any 1 player is affordable if you trade Lowe for prospects. That’s been proven by several people in the past day:
Jason Bay or
Matt Holliday – Expensive but 100% available. Would have to salary dump Lowe before getting in this ballgame, but that’s more likely than say Derek Lee waiving a no-trade clause.
Adrian Gonzalez – Publicly being shopped so he’s pretty likely to move somewhere. We can compete with the Red Sox reported packages if we choose to.
Prince Fielder – I think he’s available for the right price. He wants big money as proven last year, so I think the Brewers would listen. They aren’t big market and they have a lot of holes to fill. Plus Braun is more of a star and would ease the blow of losing prince if you extend Braun.
Justin Morneau – Similar to Fielder but far less likely to move. But the whole thinking of superstud in Mauer needing extending means for the right price Morneau could move. With the Twins making the playoffs though, this is probably not happening.
Swisher – he’d hit cleanup for us, a tiny improvement over Laroche over the course of a year I believe.
Delgado – if healthy could be a cleanup guy
Matt Kemp – Drastically undervalued by the Dodgers – Could be bought at a steep price but seems not to be a favorite of their manager.
My overall point is these guys are out there and Wren is likely talking about a ton of potential guys at this point. You really can’t rule anyone out at this point of the offseason, short of roughly Pujols, Arod and Tex.
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
4:57 pm
The sentence: “Losses put King Felix below Verlander when it should be the opposite”
Should read: “Losses put King Felix above Verlander when it should be the opposite”
nolie
November 19th, 2009
5:03 pm
Sure they did. Win total basically obscured Halladay from the voting and he was probably the 3rd best in the league
I disagree entirely, I think you are obsessing. The winner get 16 wins tied for the fewest ever in AL I believe. you’re other ranking reasons are pure speculation
keylargo
November 19th, 2009
5:06 pm
When the beat writer tells you that Lee will not agree to a trade then that’s the answer. Derek Lee shouldn’t even be mentioned as a possiblitiy because he’s not…
Or maybe DOB could get a new job title:
DOB AJC Beatwriter/Braves Assistant GM