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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,690 comments Add your comment
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
The winner get 16 wins tied for the fewest ever in AL I believe.
It’s one thing to say that we’re making progress. It’s an entirely different thing to say they obviously didn’t look at [wins] in the AL. Just because someone who had three fewer wins than the league leader won the award doesn’t mean the W-L record wasn’t considered, it just means it wasn’t as important as the sum of the other things Greinke was much better at to the voters, collectively.
keylargo
November 19th, 2009
5:13 pm
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.
I wouldn’t want Fielder at any price and would only talk to the Brewers if Braun were in the conversation. Braun, by the way, is signed for SIX years, which added to his value, should make him untouchable.
But I’d ask.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
5:13 pm
CB you wouldn’t stalk the guy,would you?
Who me? Nooooo! Of…uh…course not…
Soph Good try, McFann!
Thanks…
Ha! But I could never go through with it… 
DAP
November 19th, 2009
5:14 pm
beekay we would have to for a guy who batted .250 and struck out 125 times
if thats as far as you look, you dont have enough information. trust me. there are plenty of guy that hit .250 and K 125 times that we would be lucky to have.
O.J. Braves are looking for a cleanup type hitter
i have yet to see anyone define what they men by this. every time i ask, folks disappear. can you define please a “cleanup type hitter” or a “true cleanup hitter”?
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
5:15 pm
Uga VII died…are you serious?
CB
November 19th, 2009
5:18 pm
I think wins for a starting pitcher are less important than 20yrs ago in this time of specialization, but there is a lot to be said for a pitcher like Halladay. You have to drag him out of the game,got to love his heart.
Soph
November 19th, 2009
5:21 pm
Uga VII died…are you serious?
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
5:22 pm
Those of you touting Konerko, you might be interested in this from Chicago baseball writer Phil Rogers on our notes network:
Konerko, 33, enters the final year of his contract with full no-trade rights. The only two teams he likely would waive those rights for are Arizona (where he resides in the offseason) and the Angels, with Anaheim being a one-hour flight from his North Scottsdale home. He also would be reunited with Angels manager Mike Scioscia, whom he has known since his days in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization.
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
5:23 pm
I wonder what they’re going to do at the game on Saturday. Go Uga-less (has that happened before? I mean, since the ’50s?) Hurry up and make a new Uga?
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
5:26 pm
Never ends with Kimbrel. Today: 5 batters faced, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts. I think he’s faced like 12 in a row without recording a BIP out.
KC
November 19th, 2009
5:26 pm
DOB, do you have any clue WHY they deemed Diaz likely to fall short of his ‘09 performance?? It puzzles me, given that his ‘09 numbers really don’t stray in any significant way from what he’s done – for the most part – since the day he arrived in ATL.
Soph
November 19th, 2009
5:27 pm
Don’t they have heirs that take over? I think they’ll go Uga-less this weekend though. And, maybe even the rest of the season.
DirtyYuni
November 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
DOB-
Meant to say thanks for the Auerbach links. And your earlier comment about the timelessness of his tunes is well-taken. His are some of the few records I can listen to at any time, in any mood, and many times over and not get sick of.
I attribute that both to his voice (he’s got some of the best pipes I’ve ever heard) and his guitar playing. His fretwork isn’t obviously outstanding, but there’s a subtlety to it that grows on you the more you listen. Plus he really knows how to harness that dirty sound, between the fuzz pedals, the guitars he chooses, and the way he plays slide.
Quick question for the blog: I’m not a big MMJ or Kings of Leon guy. And I’ve tried to listen to them many times to see if I can pick up on what everyone else appreciates so much about them.
The one thing I cannot figure out: why people like Jim James’ voice. I tend to usually be able to see past what I don’t technically like to what is unique and/or requires talent. But James sounds like a tone-deaf prepubescent.
Can anyone enlighten me?
Geo123
November 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
Whatever Keylargo,
I try and give you information from the mid west on players but hey, you guys know better…
beekay
November 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
DAP
Would you be willing to give up a package of say Medlen, Delgado and maybe E Oflar for him? I think they are going to want too much for him thats all. If we could get him for say BJones, JOJO and Delgado I would do it in a heartbeat
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
A true cleanup hitter is primarily a guy other managers fear pitching to. A good example is Ryan Howard who every other manager, correctly imo, seems to pitch away from. The Braves don’t and he destroys us nearly every game.
Stats have little bearing in what I define as a cleanup hitter. A guy can be scary based on homeruns (Mark Reynolds, Carlos Pena), RBI’s (Raul Ibanez with the Mariners), high OBP (Adam Dunn), batting avg (Beltran), and of course preferably all of the above.
Eric from MO
November 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
DAP,”one example is the above quote where you predicted 80-85 wins, and then said opening night, reportedly, 86 wins. those are contradictory predictions. how are we supposed to know which one counts?”
Um no, I specifically said the night of opening night that I predicted the Braves to win 87. I said that was my prediction. As I said today. The 80-85 was long before ST. Most people make prediction on opening day and I did the same. I announced it as my prediction, but if you want to take something else and say it was my prediction fine go ahead. I still have a great life and know I was right because the night the season began I said this is my prediction. But go ahead make yourself feel right that the 80-85 wins was my prediction even though 80-85 isnt much of a predicition. I picked the place we would finish and my record was a game off, but go ahead and take a non-prediction and make it my prediction. GO AHEAD!
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
Yeah there’s a whole farm of bulldogs all descendents of Uga I down in Savannah.
Maybe we’ll wear black! Seems like the whole world hates it when we do that, but I rather enjoy it.
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
5:34 pm
Kimbrel – Ok I give in, he’s probably not ready for this years bullpen. Let’s do the wise thing with him and start him in AA or AAA, depending on whether it’s still mental maturing to do or control/mechanics. Either one could be causing wildness. If it’s mental AA. If it’s control he could be in AAA ready for a callup when he gets on a hotsreak.
Hyde is probably ready for a back of the bullpen job. I’d rather save money in that spot and use it on resigning Soriano or Gonzalez instead of downgrading to Wagner or drastically downgrading to anyone else. Bobby only pitches his first 4 RP’s in close games anyway, so no need to invest heavily in spots 6 and 7.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
5:36 pm
Hicks went 3-for-5 with a double today, ends up with a .310 average and close to a .420 OBP out in the Fall League (regular schedule ended today)
abwright
November 19th, 2009
5:37 pm
Daslied, 4:20 pm, “…, but let’s be thankful we’re not Pittsburgh fans.”
I’m sure both of them are disappointed with their GM.
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
5:42 pm
I see Lincecum won the NL Cy Young. With him and Greinke winning, I’m glad to see that they’re not taking wins and losses into account as much. I think we can attest that W/L record isn’t always a good indication of how good a pitcher is (or else Lowe would be better than Jurrjens).
But it seemed like the voters were so hung up on those wins. Like a few years ago when Chris Carpenter won it even though Roger Clemens had a superior year.
Winterville
November 19th, 2009
5:44 pm
Beekay
Swisher’s numbers were not inflated by the new stadium at all. He hit 21 of his 29 homers on the road. Check out his home/road splits. He was a much better hitter away from there.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=5937
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
5:44 pm
Hey, that means that I drafted both Cy Young winners on my fantasy team this year (which came in first in the blog league, btw)
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
5:45 pm
DirtyYuni: You honestly have that evaluation of Jim James’ voice? I don’t know what to say, other than I guess it obviously strikes some quite differently than others. Personally, I think it’s one of the best voice in music today. Really do.
Check it out on the cover of Dylan’s Going to Acapulco. Even on a cheaply recorded bootleg, it transcends:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtbNuL-3aSU&feature=related
P'cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
6:21 pm
DOB,
Has M. Cameron been discussed at all by Braves exec’s. I know his average leaves much to be desired, but he’s pretty solid ball player.
Goldenglove002
November 19th, 2009
6:23 pm
DOB, from the perspective of a writer, what’s it been like trying to work with Frank Wren as GM of the Braves. Seems to me like he isn’t letting anything leak to the media after every single article saying the braves want to trade Lowe or Vazquez and get a RH bat. I’ve got no issue with it (let a GM do as they please), but it’s just something of interest.
Paul Lentz
November 19th, 2009
6:25 pm
Random……………….back at you, Schyster wanna-be.
Rob (from SC)
November 19th, 2009
6:28 pm
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Braves are having trouble shopping Derek Lowe to other clubs.
The Braves have some of the strongest pitching depth in the majors and are hoping to deal an arm for a hitter this winter. But, as Rosenthal points out, Lowe turns 37 early next season, is guaranteed $15 million in each of the next three seasons, and he had a 6.65 ERA in his final nine starts of ‘09. It’s going to be a hard sell despite his 15 wins. He allowed 232 hits this past season, the most of any NL pitcher.
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
6:28 pm
Since we’ve heard the term “cleanup hitter” so much here & Atlanta wants one, here are my true cleanup type hitters today:
NL
- Pujols, Howard, Dunn, Fielder, Braun, H.Ramirez, C.Lee, Beltran, Manny, Gonzalez, D.Lee, Holliday
AL
- Rodriguez, Tex, Bay, Cabrera, Sizemore, Longoria, Pena, Hamilton, Cruz, Mauer, Morneau
Think we’re getting any of them?
Rob (from SC)
November 19th, 2009
6:33 pm
I would remove Hamilton, Cruz, and Beltran
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
6:33 pm
You know what, I’m doing a disservice to McCann saying Mauer is a true cleanup hitter because they’re basically the same at the plate. Scratch him off.
reagan
November 19th, 2009
6:33 pm
DOB and dpelfrey……………I emember that Maddox….Hale Irwin and Tom Kite all had the lasik done by the same guy………..some guy in Colorado. Seemed to work for them.
Zookey
November 19th, 2009
6:42 pm
Wow $100.00 bet.(almost)
Random a bs artist and Lentz even worst.
Butch from the Cape
November 19th, 2009
6:43 pm
I think that the Braves will make a push for Jason Bay to play left field and bat clean-up. Jason Bay is a low key kind of guy who would fit right into the philosophy of the Braves. I can see Braves management possibly being able to sell him on flourishing in Atlanta. If Frank Wren can get him to sign for $20 mil a season, it would be a good signing.
P'cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
6:48 pm
Bay isn’t going to happen. Too pricey. May as well go ahead and stop dreaming about Bay and Holliday.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
6:51 pm
TnBrian You know what, I’m doing a disservice to McCann saying Mauer is a true cleanup hitter because they’re basically the same at the plate. Scratch him off.
Yeah, watch that, will ya? Mauer may have a higher BA and stuff, but BMac’s beat him in HR and RBI every year but one starting with ‘06…and he’s beat him in doubles every year since becoming a full-timer.
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
6:51 pm
Rosenthal’s article is interesting because I’m in the minority of those who like Hart. He’s still young with plenty of upside, plays good defense, has speed & he’s cheap. Plus, you get most of Lowe’s big bucks of your hands. Rivera would probably be a better choice though. Hopefully they can get someone like Hart or Rivera for Lowe, if they’re lucky.
P'cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
6:53 pm
TnBrian, your not alone on Hart. I always catch a lot of flack when I mention him to friends. I think he still can produce.
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
6:54 pm
Butch, where is Atlanta getting $20m a year for Bay? Sorry, wish it were to happen, but it seems like a longshot.
Soph
November 19th, 2009
7:08 pm
jeffrey -
http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/no-mascot-for-saturday-205730.html
MZ
November 19th, 2009
7:10 pm
DOB ——
So, yeah, I missed the Auerbach show last night in NOLA, BUT … did catch another show that I thought was absolutely fantastic … Rik Slave & The Phantoms … New Orleans band that just put out a new LP (self-titled) … great, great stuff … cross between Pete Droge and Kings of Leon … gotta check ‘em out
P'cola Brave
November 19th, 2009
7:11 pm
I’ve mentioned it once before but what about Lowe to the Mariners? They seem to be looking for a #2. Lowe is cheaper than Lackey, but we can always swallow a few mil if we need to. I don’t know what kind of return you can get from Seattle other than budget relief.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
7:17 pm
Heilman to Arizona…too bad he didn’t come to the NL East…I mean, to someone other than the Braves.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:17 pm
Check out mlbtraderumors for Rosenthal’s report on dealing Lowe.
tdmorgan
November 19th, 2009
7:18 pm
My list of clean up hitters would be:
NL- Reynolds (Ari), D. Lee (ChiC), Votto (Cin), Gonzalez (Col)-will be, Ramirez (FL), Berkman (Hou), C Lee (Hou), Ramirez (LAD), Ethier (LAD), Fielder (Mil), Braun (Mil), Beltran (NYM), Wright (NYM), Howard (Phi), Gonzalez (SD), Sandoval (SF), Pujols (STL), Holliday (STL), Dunn (Was)
AL- Youkilis (Bos), Bay (Bos), Cabrera (Det), Bulter (KC)-will be, Morales (LAA), Mourneau (Min), Tex (NYY), Rodriguez (NYY), Pena (TB), Longoria (TB), Cruz (TX), Hamilton (TX), Lind (Tor)
If you don’t believe some of them look at the stats, all of these players have Slugging Percentages close to or over 500 and slugging is based not only on HRs
Ronald Millsaps
November 19th, 2009
7:20 pm
In response to the apparent decision not to offer Adam LaRoche a long-term contract because of Freddie Freeman, I couldn’t disagree more. LaRoche is a known, proven commodity whose age is more than reasonable, and he not only is a great player intrinsically but also one who fits our chemistry perfectly. I hope Frank Wren doesn’t offer LaRoche a one-year contract only.
Why not trade Freeman? He at least could help us get a guy who could give us a strong inning of relief. I’d consider it.
If we lose LaRoche, maybe we should try Kelly Johnson at first— or let Matt Diaz try first and Diaz left.
If we trade Javier Vazquez, we need to pursue a serious bat in return… a serious bat, as in Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, or Adam Dunn. I recommend the first two.
The Falcons should’ve gotten Larry Johnson or at least pursued him. Notice how the liberal media finds LJ’s comments against his coach less of a deal than the fact that he was “insensitive” toward the gay community, which doesn’t mind spewing its prejudice toward those who don’t accept its perverse agenda. This 2009 Falcons season is turning into a wash, and I’m not seeing a lot of reason for optimism that things are going to improve. Yes, this team is mathematically in good shape for making the playoffs…. now. They face their pivotal game Sunday. My prediction: If they win, they’ll make the playoffs; if not, they won’t.
Jerious Norwood could make a HUGE difference if he returns soon and is back to form, but Mike Smith has GOT to use him more and in ways that best suit the team. (The formula isn’t very complex; Turner between the tackles and Norwood around them.)
When a game is still taking form, it makes all the sense in the world to go downfield and stretch a defense, but when your work is cut out for you and the option of playing conservatively is more than there, it makes sense to do so. I’ll see quarterbacks not even consider going downfield at any point in the game, but then when they have the ball in what probably is going to be their last possession and at a time when you don’t need to, they’ll do it! It’s unwise! Matt Ryan had 3:59 on the clock, a timeout, and the two-minute warning. If the Falcons don’t learn from these mistakes, there’s a problem!
If I’m Ryan, I’d practice the simple act of making accurate throws, which doesn’t suggest on my part that he doesn’t practice throwing, but I’d like to see him spend extra time in this regard, and I’d like to see him throw while stationary and while on the move, and I’d like to see him aim for stationary and moving targets.
Possible trade: Nate McLouth for Carlos Beltran. Beltran’s switch-hitting could help us against left-handed pitching.
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
7:20 pm
This year is a rare case where one vote — Keith Law’s — earned $70,000 for Vazquez, who got that bonus for his fourth-place Cy Young finish.
I was just thinking how that might have looked if, say, I had been the only one who voted for Vazquez….
(For those not aware, reporters at the AJC aren’t permitted to vote for such awards.)
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
7:21 pm
I think McFann just slammed Aaron Heilman
Ronald Millsaps
November 19th, 2009
7:23 pm
and Kelly* left
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
7:23 pm
A fill-in dog? Why not just pick Uga VIII? It’s not like selecting the Pope.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
7:24 pm
jeffrey d–
Me? Slam Aaron Heilman? I would never slam Aaron Heilman!
BMac on the other hand…
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
7:25 pm
Amazing… $70,000 extra bucks for a writer sneaking in a vote for you. Must be some kind of life & Law has to be thinking, “I’m in the wrong business, I’m making rich people richer”.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
7:25 pm
jeffery d A fill-in dog? Why not just pick Uga VIII? It’s not like selecting the Pope.
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
7:27 pm
The interim Uga…
CB
November 19th, 2009
7:29 pm
DOB,only if you are riding around in a new car.
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
7:29 pm
I mean, the future Uga VIII is alive right now. Why would you just go with a fill-in dog instead of naming the new Uga? It makes things a lot easier instead of saying
“There have only been 7 Ugas to walk the sidelines, except for those two games when a replacement dog, Pebbles, stood in.”
nolie
November 19th, 2009
7:31 pm
Who me? Nooooo! Of…uh…course not… McF
oh c;mon go for it
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:33 pm
Bowman jst debunked the Rosenthal rumor so nevermind lol
tdmorgan
November 19th, 2009
7:35 pm
Ronald, the reason you don’t trade Freeman, especially for a relief pitcher, is because he has the potential to be a slugging first baseman who plays for the minimum for 3 years and then arbitration 3 years. Laroche maybe be proven but he has proven that he struggles in the first half before having an awesome second half. Also KJ nor Diaz fit at first and there is no way to get Longoria for Vazquez unless you throw in a player like Heyward.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:36 pm
Bowman said that the Braves would like to see what the Angel’s farm system has to offer for Lowe. He names Brandon Wood as a potential fit, but he’s a 1B and we got Freeman soon.
DOB, what do you make of this my man?
Rob (from SC)
November 19th, 2009
7:39 pm
BravoMan
November 19th
Wood is a 3B
McFann O
November 19th, 2009
7:43 pm
nolie–
jeffrey d “There have only been 7 Ugas to walk the sidelines, except for those two games when a replacement dog, Pebbles, stood in.”
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:43 pm
Rob, ah yeah I jst looked and saw he could play 3rd, but Bowman said he’s a 1B in the article and i saw videos of him at 1B, so he can play both.
What if they deal for him, have him play 1st this season then when Chipper retires with Bobby you move him to 3rd and Freeman steps in…yea i know all speculation, but I’m thinking that’s what Wren’s thinking…
AZBravoFan
November 19th, 2009
7:44 pm
DAP
Yeah, I understand Swisher does some other things that can help score runs. But do we really have to go back to walks and OBP? Because really, what else does he bring to the table? Not speed. Not great bat control. Hell even Greg Norton had a decent OBP and a bunch of walks this year and I don’t think anyone on this blog would argue that he helped the Braves score runs. In the ninth inning or in the post season, when the pitching is ramped up, I want a guy who can put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense. A 10 pitch at-bat is certainly useful sometimes, but much more useful when it ends with a hit (Johnny Damon) than with a wild swing at a slider. With the bases loaded in a 0-0 game in game 7 of the World Series, is Nick Swisher the kind of guy you’re looking for to face Jack Morris? Or Livan Hernandez? Or David Cone? or Sterling Hitchcock? Curt Schilling? (I could go on….and on)
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:48 pm
Brandon Wood’s batting stats aren’t all that impressing for as much experience as he has had, but I hear he has potential. He’s righthanded and can also play SS with 1B and 3rd. That deal could be very benificial for us, but Lackey has to sign elsewhere before this is considered.
P. W. Hjort
November 19th, 2009
7:49 pm
DOB (For those not aware, reporters at the AJC aren’t permitted to vote for such awards.)
Is that company (AJC) policy or MLB policy or BBWAA policy or something else?
Soph
November 19th, 2009
7:50 pm
I wonder how they’ll pick the fill-in dog…
GboroBravo
November 19th, 2009
7:51 pm
DOB have you seen the trailer for Crazy Heart yet?
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
7:52 pm
For those wondering what that extra seven weeks or so in the minors can mean to a start player’s salary come “Super Two” time, look no further than two classic examples this year: Mark Reynolds and Tim Lincecum.
Reynolds hit 44 homers and missed the Super Two cutoff date by one day — ONE DAY! He’ll probably get about $600,000 next season from the D-backs, who could even go lower with him if they choose to do so. Maybe closer to $500,000 than $600,000.
Meanwhile, Lincecum made the cutoff date for Super Two by less than two weeks, and won his second consecutive Cy Young Award. The Giants fear that he could get something approaching the record $10 million that Ryan Howard won as a first-time eligible arbitration player in his Feb. 2008 arb hearing. (Howard made $355,000 in 2006 and won the MVP award, then made $900,000 in 2007. He asked for $10 mill in arb, Phillies offered $7 mill, and the arb panel sided with him.)
So, if the Giants had been frugal about it and kept Lincecum down on the farm until the fourth week of May 2007, instead of bringing him up the first week of May, they would be looking at paying him whatever modest raise they wanted to over the $650,000 salary he made this season.
Instead, they’re looking at paying at least 10-12 times that much if they go through arbitration (the other option is to sign him to a long-term deal, but you gotta figure that would be way above the four-year, $38 mill contract that Greinke got last January to buy out his last two arb years and first two free-agent years.
Anyway, admittedly those are two extreme examples (a 44-homer hitter and a two-time Cy Young winner), but the Braves also have what could prove to be a couple extreme examples in Tommy Hanson, who was called up in June 2009 and thus won’t be eligible for arbitration until after his third full season (2012), and Jason Heyward, who could start next season in the majors or be called up at some point soon after.
Of course, that would never be cited by a team as a reason for keeping a player down in the minors. I’m just saying, this is how it can work out when it does happen this way, when players are called up in early May or sooner, instead of the end of May or later.
tdmorgan
November 19th, 2009
7:53 pm
If Lackey is really going to receive close to 17 million +, I’m pretty sure the Angels will pass because of Lackey’s injury history. Hopefully as long as we are patient then we’ll get what we want.
nolie
November 19th, 2009
7:54 pm
Wood is intriguing, he has done pretty well in the minors but in 200 some MLB ABs he has not looked good. Too small a sample size to make any decisions on, but big enough to start you wondering just a bit. At one time he was very highly regarded but has hung around the minors for 7 years now. He is still pretty young but some of the bloom has rubbed off a bit.
Typical of Bowman, the guy was drafted as a 3B/SS and has played very little at first.started all of 4 games in the bigs and 6 in the minors. I guess he might could play both, but listing him as a FB is pretty silly as yet.
ugaaccountant
November 19th, 2009
7:55 pm
Wood could play anywhere in the field and could potentially solve the long term 3b replacement problem. He’d be an outstanding player to get in return for Lowe. Basically anybody at all with a league minimum contract is a great player in return as it clears 15 million a year from our payroll that would be going to our 5th starter.
nolie
November 19th, 2009
7:58 pm
Basically anybody at all with a league minimum contract is a great player in return as it clears 15 million a year from our payroll that would be going to our 5th starter.
be a lot nicer if the guy could actually play well in the show though, so far Wood has not
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
7:59 pm
PWH: It’s the AJC’s policy. Why in the world would/could it be a BBWAA policy? The BBWAA would have a policy where it’s own members can’t vote for its awards? PWH, that makes no sense. Think about it. Thirty-two writers, theoretically two from each NL city, vote for each award. How could the BBWAA have a policy where its writers don’t vote for its writer-voted awards?
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
7:59 pm
Overall I like the Wood idea and I hope Lackey signs quickly. Anywhere but with the Angels. Then if they feel they don’t wanna tear up their system for Halladay then Lowe’s the next call. We get Wood and he’ll solve the 1B issue. Angels aquire a durable starter that they lost when Lackey hit the market. Everybody’s happy.
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
8:01 pm
So the Angels go from Halladay to Derek Lowe?
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
8:04 pm
This Rosenthal seems like a little rattlesnake. If I’m Wren than I’d get a little ticked off at someone who doesn’t work within the organization spreading stuff that might hurt my chances at making a deal. Saying Atlanta is having trouble finding a taker for Lowe can’t do anything but hurt the team. I think Rosenthal loses credibility by the day though, so maybe it has no affect.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:06 pm
jeffrey d,
Well you know what I mean. I’m just discussing available pitchers via trade and Halladay and Lowe are both avaliable. Sure LA will check elsewhere for other options, but we all know that Lowe will not get hurt and provide 200 innings so let’s give him some slack here. LA will have interest in him I assure regardless of the ERA he posted he’ll have a bounce back year.
tdmorgan
November 19th, 2009
8:06 pm
BravoMan, more than likely Wood will not play 1B for us, from the sound of Bowman’s article they are willing to trade Lowe for low-minor league prospects that play in the field because of our pitching depth. I think Wren knows that he probably won’t get a very good Major League ready prospect or Major League player for Lowe. It’s pretty apparent that he just wants the payroll flexibility since he did mess up with Lowe last year.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:10 pm
tdmorgan,
Bowman suggests Wood in the article, but I see what you mean on aquiring major league ready prospects. I still see it as a doable deal even if we have to eat some of it which seems likely.
jeffrey d
November 19th, 2009
8:11 pm
Wow I didn’t know this
Otto (”The Substitute,” 1986) – When Uga IV injured his left hind knee jumping off a hotel bed before a contest against Vanderbilt in 1986 his older brother Otto replaced him for four games, going 3–1.
TnBrian
November 19th, 2009
8:13 pm
Just read Bowman’s blog & I’d bet some Braves people asked him to write off Rosenthal’s article. I’m probably wrong, but it makes a more intersting story, so here me out… Wren calls Bowman & says, “HEY TUBBY… write up a blog & rip that little creep a new one! We here with the Braves have class & for a 4 ft tall punk like Rosenthal to spread lies about the Braves is un-American. Well, get on it tubs, defend your team”
lavell12
November 19th, 2009
8:13 pm
Hey DOB,
Bowman has some rumors and so does Fox Sports, I consider you the most reliable sources on Braves rumors yet you seem to be just stating the obvious, what gives?
nolie
November 19th, 2009
8:14 pm
We get Wood and he’ll solve the 1B issue. Bravo
a .192/222 hitter so far with a total career 10 games at first is gonna solve our first base problem right off the bat? Hmmm, hope obviously springs eternal at your house
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
8:15 pm
I don’t think the Brewers would take Lowe without the Braves paying a big chunk of his contract, and I don’t think the Braves will do that.
But if the Braves fail to trade Lowe and end up taking offers for Vazquez, it’d be interesting to see if they’d get 3B prospect Mat Gamel from the Brewers. He’s a solid 24-year-old hitter who’s played almost exclusively third base in the minors, but does have a few games at 1B several years ago.
Think about it — Gamel primarily at 1B for a year or two, then eventually moves over to become Chipper’s successor as Freeman becomes entrenched at 1B….
Gamel’s a career .302/.374/.488 in five minor league seasons, and hit five homers in 128 at-bats (61 games) with Milwaukee last season.
Of course, all that’s moot if the Braves succeed in trading Lowe away. But I’d suggest they ain’t gonna get the likes of Gamel from a team that also takes on most of Lowe’s contract.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:18 pm
nolie,
I ment to put solve the 3rd base issue next. And that he has potential. Hey im jst writing what Bowman suggested. Or maybe you wanna go back to arguing about Adrian Gonzalez or Bay are other players that will never be Braves.
UNCBrave
November 19th, 2009
8:18 pm
DOB,
Gamel is not the power-hitter the Braves should get for Vasquez..
Trade Lowe for either Konerko, Lee, or Dye..
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
8:20 pm
Lavell: So you’d prefer rumors, any rumors, even if it’s a rumor immediately dismissed by a club source (as Bowman just did with that latest rumor, before I had even seen it?)
What I’m hearing from you is, you want rumors, and accuracy doesn’t matter whatsoever? Sorry, my man, but I’d prefer to offer ones that I believe have credibility, not just anything I hear that can’t be confirmed to have any validity.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:20 pm
DOB,
Wow you just said everything that I said for Wood, but obviously Gamel is the better player. That’d be great if they could pull off a Vazquez for Gamel trade and move him to 3rd when Chipper’s done. Good call indeed.
keylargo
November 19th, 2009
8:21 pm
DOB
The collective bargaining agreement lapses in Dec 2011.
I would think the loophole you described with Lincecum and Hanson would be on the Players list and the Owners probably would like the arbitration process modified to where they can keep players without expecting a huge raise for underperforming players.
That would be a good blog topic sometime before Spring Training.
richbrave
November 19th, 2009
8:24 pm
aaron
November 17th, 2009
9:53 am
d.lowe for n.swisher
HEY LEW. Wasn’t that essentially your suggestion?
richbrave
November 19th, 2009
8:26 pm
David O’Brien
November 19th, 2009
8:20 pm
Lavell: So you’d prefer rumors, any rumors, even if it’s a rumor immediately dismissed by a club source (as Bowman just did with that latest rumor, before I had even seen it?)
What I’m hearing from you is, you want rumors, and accuracy doesn’t matter whatsoever? Sorry, my man, but I’d prefer to offer ones that I believe have credibility, not just anything I hear that can’t be confirmed to have any validity.
Yeah, what you said.
DMBJAMS
November 19th, 2009
8:27 pm
DOB, we’ve talked about this once before, but will you please check out Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King? You’ve turned me on to some great music. Let me return the favor. That album is a beast!
nolie
November 19th, 2009
8:35 pm
ment to put solve the 3rd base issue next. Bravo
I was just kidding with you anyway. I meant to put a smiley at the end, but got distracted for a bit here and when I hit send I saw it wasn’t there.
18 Wheels of Love
November 19th, 2009
8:35 pm
I pee’d next to Dave Matthews in 1994 at Rockafella’s in Columbia, SC. Good times.
lavell12
November 19th, 2009
8:37 pm
Sorry DOB, I was trying to say I’d like to hear you talk about these rumors and I didn’t hear your opinion, I trust you more than Bowman so wanted to hear you shut that rumor and others down.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:39 pm
DOB
Do u think the Braves will shop KK along with Lowe and Vazquez? It sounds like they are doing everything to keep Javy but if Lowe can’t be traded how about trading KK?
David O'Brien
November 19th, 2009
8:42 pm
DOB, Gamel is not the power-hitter the Braves should get for Vasquez..
Trade Lowe for either Konerko, Lee, or Dye.. — UNCBrave
Gamel was rated the No. 34 prospect in baseball before last season, one spot behind Andrew McCutchen and three spots ahead of Elvis Andrus.
In his last full season in minors in 2008, most of it in Double-A, he hit .325 with 35 doubles, 7 triples, 20 homers, 99 RBI, a .392 OBP and a .531 slugging percentage.
I didn’t say it would have to be a straight-up deal. But he could be a big part of it, hypothetically. And if you’re the Brewers, you might look at that as a lot to give up for a 33-year-old pitcher who’s one year away from free agency.
BravoMan
November 19th, 2009
8:44 pm
DOB
Would the Braves trading Vazquez be b/c they want a proven hitter to help them win now? The Braves are in a win now mode, so I don’t see how trading Vazquez for a prospect helps that.