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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,690 comments Add your comment
Ben
November 20th, 2009
11:08 am
The Braves Web site has Hyde,Lyman,Venters and Ortegano added with 3 spots open.
Braveheart
November 20th, 2009
11:10 am
Here’s the scary thing about anyone that signs Soriano and Gonzalez long term. The Braves just had them for six seasons combined, and only got three fully healthy seasons combined out of them. Maybe the Yankees or Red Sox can deal with that, but the Braves couldn’t really deal with it when Soriano and Gonzalez weren’t really making all that much, so there’s no way they could deal with losing them like that when they’re making two or three times that much.
Jeff
November 20th, 2009
11:11 am
DOB: Might that 6th player being considered be Matt Young?
NY Frenchy
November 20th, 2009
11:11 am
DOB, 680 The Fan reported this morning Braves were looking at trading Lowe for Hart if they could work out the money part of Lowes contract, straight from Leo Mazzone!
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
11:13 am
NY Frenchy – I’m interested in Hart, as a 4th OF if he’s non-tendered by the Brewers. He’d be a replacement for Ryan Church. I am not implying he’d be an answer to our cleanup spot. Some people on here like to discuss options for the whole roster, not just our “big RH bat”.
N8
November 20th, 2009
11:14 am
…. Hyde is the one who has the real shot at making the team this spring.” DOB
Oh my, I can’t wait until he has his first stretch of ball where he’s really dominant and then not so much…. Let the “Jeckyl and Hyde” references run wild!
DAP
November 20th, 2009
11:16 am
thanks for the input wilymo. dont misunderstand, that aint a wish list, just a list. one thing it does show is that there are more closers available than there are teams that need closers.
wilymo
November 20th, 2009
11:20 am
Braveheart,
Basically every reliever on the market has missed a good chunk of time due to injury in the past three years. (Maybe with the exception of Valverde who’s missed time was a leg injury and Gregg). So really any team signing a reliever this winter should be scared. Which is one reason not to spend big $$$ on bullpens, but it sure bites when a makeshift bullpen doesn’t work out as planned. And frankly, with bullpen arms, I’d be more leary of the guy that’s been healthy for a long stretch because that more than likely means he’s due for an injury to come up.
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
11:20 am
Thanks NY Frenchy, I missed that segment. I’d be in agreement with Lowe for Hart too, if that means we’re dumping his whole salary on them. That’s about the least productive trade of Lowe i’m envisioning, but it would still clear what, 10-12M in salary, and make it obvious to non-tender Ryan Church. Hart at least has the potential to be a slugger, something Church doesn’t provide. I guess i’m saying I’ll “Never surrender” on my desire to add Corey Hart to our roster cheaply.
RC
November 20th, 2009
11:21 am
DOB, if the Braves end up only adding 5 to their 40-man roster, that would leave 2 open spots (i think). What would happen if they then traded Lowe for 4 prospects that are all on the other teams 40-man roster, giving them 41 players to fit into 40 slots? *I know they won’t get 4 high level prospects for Lowe, I’m just using that as an example for my question.
NY Frenchy
November 20th, 2009
11:22 am
uga accountant, Hart instead of Church??? what difference will that make in the overall end results for 2010? NONE Church is a decent player if he can stay healthy, we dont need any more average bit players, we need a difference maker, we cant go to the next level unless we get a stud in here, & Corey Hart??? Not so much
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
11:38 am
Hart is a right handed bat, which we need
His career ba = .273, obp = .326 ops = .796
Hart has hit 20+ hr’s 2 of the last 3 years
Hart has stolen 20+ bases 2 of the last 3 years
Church is a lefty
Church’s career ba = .272, obp .345, ops .786
Church has never hit more than 15 hr’s
Church has never stolen more than 6 bases
To me the better player for Atlanta’s situation is obvious. To me those extra Hr’s or SB’s with similar batting avg, obp, and OPS means we get at least 1 more victory with Hart than we would with Church. Nobody is implying this is our big acquisition for the year but it could certainly help.
Wayne in Utah
November 20th, 2009
11:42 am
wilymo (and others)
The Braves, through their moves over the years, do not seem to value a high dollar closer/setup man. There is probably some good reasoning behind this, as an excellent reliever is really not quite as valuable as an excellent starter, so why would you want to sink a large chunk of your payroll into one or two guys.
My basic premise is this: a reliever, for the most part, is a reliever because he is not good enough to start. Granted, some of the elite closers, setup men and LOOGY’s are an exception to this rule, though it still can be said they don’t have the arm to start.
So, do you want to sink up to 20% of your yearly payroll on 2 relief pitchers?
Many teams have been successful developing their own late inning guys….Moylan would be one example.
Somebody mentioned Joe Nathan. Did you guys see him on the mound against the Yankees during the playoffs. He was whupped before he threw a single pitch. He looked defeated and shaken from the git go.
That surprised me…
Ronald Millsaps
November 20th, 2009
11:46 am
Re-sign Andruw Jones.
He’s available.
He’s as familiar with the Braves and Turner Field as perennial success is.
He got his swing back last year.
He’s still pretty young.
He’s right-handed.
Even with his struggles average-wise in recent memory, he still has a propensity to put up homers and RBIs, which we desperately need.
He can play the outfield.
Like Adam LaRoche, his return would enhance team chemistry greatly, not affect it.
We could get him for a reasonable amount of money.
He’d probably like to return to Atlanta and probably would do so IF WE SHOW INTEREST and likely would not go solely to the highest bidder.
He and Bobby have a father-son-like relationship. If Bobby really does retire after this season, it’d be nice to have Andruw here.
Ronald Millsaps
November 20th, 2009
11:47 am
not affect it badly*
DAP
November 20th, 2009
11:50 am
ugaaccountant Hart is a right handed bat, which we need
why do we need a righthanded bat?
Flat Bill Kid
November 20th, 2009
11:50 am
Mike Cameron just said on MLB on xm that he has been trying to go to Atlanta for a while and that it would be real cool to be there.
Sign that guy FW.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
11:52 am
wayne The Braves, through their moves over the years, do not seem to value a high dollar closer/setup man.
im wondering if that has changed. wren signed soriano to that two year deal, something JS probably never would have done. maybe wren values bullpen arms a little more than JS did?
Ronald Millsaps
November 20th, 2009
11:54 am
I wouldn’t trade Derek Lowe, necessarily, either. I think some of his starts were aberrations/influenced heavily by his blisters. If you were to go with an ERM (median), he’d be in much-better shape statistically. I also like his veteran, savvy influence on the rotation. I’d keep him.
Let’s try to keep Mike Gonzalez, too. I’m wary about the Billy Wagner pursuit.
Daslied
November 20th, 2009
11:57 am
Ronald, you mean Andrux got his 2008 swing back…
Did anyone read the Yahoo (Jeff Passan) bit on free agents? Pretty funny stuff: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-freeagenttracker111909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Here are my favorites:
29. Miguel Tejada(notes), SS/3B: Steroid user? Check. Perjurer? Check. Lied about his age? Check. That’s some kind of a triple crown. But he can still put up a sparkly average and is willing to move to third base, so someone will employ him.
95. Andruw Jones(notes), DH/OF: No longer a steaming tub of goo. Just another right-handed hitter who ate himself out of a potential Hall of Fame career and into a marginal, year-to-year role.
100. Mike Hampton(notes), SP: He got hurt reading this sentence.
109. Austin Kearns(notes), OF: Sign that things are bad: when the Nationals buy you out of your contract.
114. Ron Mahay(notes), RP: Lefty. Pulse. You know the rest.
115. Will Ohman(notes), RP: Read above.
126. Ramon Castro(notes), C: Career backup followed a few decent seasons with reams of fail.
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
11:58 am
We don’t need a RH bat – but everyone on here yells at you if you suggest a LH.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
11:59 am
ronald millsaps, i think the main reason to try to trade lowe first is that he costs the most for the most amount of years. his performance last season is secondary….for me at least.
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
12:00 pm
Ronald Millsaps – I think you’ve made up a really good stat. The earned run median. That’s kind of like quality starts. If a guy has a low ERM you expect the team to win most of his starts. Good idea.
Wayne in Utah
November 20th, 2009
12:03 pm
Ronald Milsaps
After that Andruw post, you are going to have a long, hard road ahead to gain any possible thought of ever being taken serious again.
Did you go back and look at Andruw’s season last year? Did you notice that they used him primarily as a DH? Do some research, then come back with your hat in your hands, and beg for blog forgiveness for your lack of any research.
Or, you can change your screen name, and start over again.
Lew
November 20th, 2009
12:05 pm
Ronald-In 09, Andruw batted .214 in 331 PA with 17 HR and 43 RBI. He had an OBP of .323 and an OPS of only .782. In addition, he only played 15 games in the outfield. The rest he played at first (4 games) and the balance he DH’ed. What, exactly makes you think he’s regained his stroke? I’m more inclined to believe he suffered one.
Efrim
November 20th, 2009
12:06 pm
Anyone notice that Will Carroll and Keith Law are getting destroyed today for keeping Carpenter off of their NL Cy Young ballots?
bravofan
November 20th, 2009
12:07 pm
Interesting article her by Rosentheal. Lowe for Corey hart thats not a fair trade in my opinion but I guess there gonna take what they can get
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10399504/Sources:-Braves-finding-it-tough-to-shop-Lowe
Capt Morgan
November 20th, 2009
12:07 pm
Ronald Millsaps:
You’re kidding about Andruw Jones, right?
Salamander
November 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
Re-sign Andruw Jones.
He’s available.
Again with hitters that mash at Arlington:
While his HR home/away splits are balanced (9 HR at home, 8 HR away), his SLG is nearly 100 points lower on the road (.507 vs. .411) and combined with his OBP, his OPS is .858 at Arlington vs. .705 on the road.
Keep in mind that he only had 281 ABs last year, so the sample size is not ideal.
Also, Andruw had a .229 BA at Arlington and only a putrid .199 BA on the road. On the brightside, it seems that Andruw has finally learned to walk more (45BB vs. 72 SO), but if he was a starter, if would have almost definitely struck out well over 100 times.
Wren will probably pass on this retread – to the team’s benefit.
Wayne in Utah
November 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
I might be one of the minority, but I really believe that there is an even chance that Vazquez and Lowe have similar years this year.
Lowe actually did very well in a large majority of his starts, and stunk it up enough to drag down his ERA. But, overall he put us in a position to win quite often.
Vazquez was incredible for the majority of the year, though he did have a few starts where he just dissappeared for an inning or so. Did he pitch above his head a bit? Probably.
So, if both move back sligthly towards center, then I don’t expect one to be head and shoulders better than the other.
What I am saying is this: Deal whichever one more easily makes the team better next year.
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
12:11 pm
Hard to imagine: In last year of their contracts, Jeff Suppan is owed $12.5 mill in 2010 and Javier Vazquez is owed $11.5 mill.
O.J.
November 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
bravofan, always coming on here and posting old news.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
I see St.Louis in D.Lowe’s future
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
12:13 pm
Wayne, I don’t think that’s such a radical notion at all, about Vazquez and Lowe having similar seasons. In terms of records and ERA, it could happen. Vazquez will get a ton more strikeouts, Lowe more GIDPs, etc., but end results could be similar. Look at the track records, year after year, rather than just last season.
Salamander
November 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
Let’s try to keep Mike Gonzalez, too. I’m wary about the Billy Wagner pursuit.
Gonzalez had arm (elbow?) soreness last season – its not like he isn’t an injury risk to some extent as well. Plus, it seems that other teams are warming up to both Gonzo and Soriano. I think both of them are going to get multi-year offers from large market teams.
You like players who have played in Atlanta too much (referencing your Andruw Jones comments here as well as Gonzo). Loyalty is good, but not when it overrides the logic of building the best team possible given budget constraints, etc.
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
12:30 pm
ESPN.com’s Keith Law has Mike Gonzalez as his top-rated reliever and No. 16 overall pick in his annual top 50 free agents list. Here’s what he said about Gonzo:
Gonzalez is the best left-handed reliever on the market, a strikeout machine with average to above-average control and no trouble retiring right-handed hitters. He’s mostly fastball/slider, 90-96 on the fastball with the occasional cutter at the low end of that range, with a slider that’s a little sweepy but remains effective against left- and right-handed hitters. He’ll flash a changeup, but goes to the slider even in typical changeup counts. He gets very good deception in his delivery, and since coming back from 2007 Tommy John surgery, his control has improved significantly (just 25 unintentional walks in over 300 batters faced in 2009). He and former Atlanta teammate Rafael Soriano are the two best relievers on the market this winter, and I’d lean toward Gonzalez over Soriano because he’s left-handed and has a better medical history.
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
12:32 pm
Law has Soriano at No. 19, even though he calls him the “best reliever on the market.”
Here’s his full summary on Soriano:
Soriano is the best reliever on the market, and better than any of the closers available on last winter’s market, including the vaunted K-Rod, whose first season in New York was disappointing enough to make him fit in perfectly with his new club. Soriano works primarily with two pitches, a 90-96 mph fastball and a tight slider with late snap; he mostly gets ahead with the fastball, after which he’ll throw either pitch, and hitters don’t see the ball well out of his hand. Earlier questions about Soriano’s toughness on the mound are more than resolved, and he’s shown he can handle late-game and highly leveraged situations. He’s been healthy now for three of the last four years, missing much of 2008 after non-Tommy John elbow surgery, so he’s only marginally more of an injury risk than your typical power reliever. He’s a premium arm and should be looking for K-Rod money, given his skill set and track record.
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
12:35 pm
Law has Billy Wagner at No. 23 on his list:
Wagner’s comeback from Tommy John surgery was unusually quick, as guys just back from rehab typically have command issues, while Wagner was as good as new just a year out from the zipper. He was throwing 94-96 mph the last time I saw him but was sometimes more 92-94, with a good but not plus slider in the low 80s. His slider still has some tilt, but the break is more lateral than a slider with plus tilt would have. Wagner’s approach is a little unusual for a lefty — he uses his slider much more often to right-handers, throwing fastballs more than three-quarters of the time to left-handed hitters. Whether Wagner can close, or even handle a typical closer’s workload, in 2010 is an open question. A deal with a healthy games-finished incentive would make the most sense for the signing team.
O.J.
November 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
So DOB, with all these reports coming out about Soriano and Gonzalez being the best relievers on the market, do you see the Braves offering arb to both of them? Surely they can sign multiple year contracts elsewhere.
P. W. Hjort
November 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
The more things change…
RC
November 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
Royals Sign Jorge Campillo via MLBTradeRumors
Man, all of our AAAA mop-up men are getting scooped up. Not that it’s a bad thing.
Macdaddy
November 20th, 2009
12:51 pm
Did anyone see the Royals picked up Campillo?
Also DO’B, do you get the sense that more teams will be looking to make Rule 5 pickups because of payrolls and the economy?
P. W. Hjort
November 20th, 2009
12:53 pm
Man, all of our AAAA mop-up men are getting scooped up. Not that it’s a bad thing.
I’m telling you, James Parr was born to be a Royal.
Brian
November 20th, 2009
12:55 pm
Offer Arbitration to Mike Gonzalez now! We can’t let our best reliever get away! After arbitration, get him signed long-term soon after if possible…
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
The Braves needs.
Relievers.
how bout take a shot at Brandon Lyon for closer, and Darren Oliver for lefty set-up?
needs 1B. sign Hank Blalock over LaRoche, imo Blalock will be a bit cheaper.
Somehow i get a gut feeling that Lowe will be dealt to St.L most likely for Ryan Yuckwick, however there could be worse deals i guess.
All things considered maybe we will finally start getting some action!
abwright
November 20th, 2009
1:06 pm
Some thoughts on both Gonzo and Soriano …
I love both these guys, but, …
They did log a lot of innings last year.
Offer arb, but let them sign elsewhere. They may not be as good next year as they were this year. And, injuries may be in their futures.
I’m also a little worried about Moylan. Just off of surgery, coming back earlier than scheduled, setting a Braves record for appearances.
I wouldn’t be surprised if all three of those guys have a rough 2010.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:08 pm
And now Dierkes over at MLB Trade rumors.com has lost his mind, Milton Bradley? i am still laughing my rear off at that one
Wide Right
November 20th, 2009
1:09 pm
I had trouble finding the ole DOB blog today. Its usually on the Atlanta Braves page of AJC…maybe I just missed it.
abwright
November 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
And another thing …
It’s been talked around a little, but 35 used to be old in baseball years. In the era of PEDs, 40 had become the new 35.
I would be leery of giving a big free agent contract to anyone past 35. I suspect that GMs are going to start regressing to the pre-PED era in how they view age in Free Agents.
P. W. Hjort
November 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Joebrave,
You’d give up a 1st round draft pick for Darren Oliver?
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
All things considered I wonder if the Reds would deal Brandon Phillips for Prado, and Schafer?
dpelfrey
November 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
Watching Soriano throughout the year, you could tell something was wrong with the way his velocity was up and down between appearances. If I was a GM, I would seriously hesitate before signing him to a long term deal. I have a gut feeling that he’s got some major injury problems heading his way. You always hear about pitchers having arm fatigue, and I would guess that most of the time it’s due to some underlying issue. Where there’s smoke…
Gonzo, I’m less worried about. He actually got better as the season progressed. I think he gets too jacked up to be a consistent closer (how many 0-2 counts did he overthrow and sail one to the backstop). I would not be opposed to locking him up for the next 3 years. But like I said before, he’s getting mucho hype. Some team out there will overpay for him, effectively pricing him out the Braves plans.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
joebraveThe Braves, through their moves over the years, do not seem to value a high dollar closer/setup man.
not trying to be rude, but thats one of the worst trade proposals ive ever seen.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
P.W. umm NOOOOOO i didn’t realize Oliver was type A.replace him with J.Beimel
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
joebrave
sorry, that last post should have looked like this:
I wonder if the Reds would deal Brandon Phillips for Prado, and Schafer?
not trying to be rude, but thats one of the worst trade proposals ive ever seen.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:21 pm
DAP, what trade Phillips? Cincy wants to move salary, and STL will need starting pitching which figures to be at a premium, after Lackey! It is amazing how some think that Eric Bedard, etal are better than Lowe, and when you look at the 18 mil per that Lackey will get, and he will get it, Lowe starts looking more and more like a bargain, teams are not going to line up for 5 and 6 year commitments this go round unless your name is Halladay, Holliday, or Bay.
Rob (from SC)
November 20th, 2009
1:21 pm
DOB
Any news on whether the Braves will indeed protect a 6 prospect?
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
I agree that Cincy may want a helluva lot more, just a thought for fodder, something to look into.
b/c if you add a Blalock, Ludwick, and Phillips suddenly the O looks a tad more daunting, even to the Philthies!
sidslidkid
November 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
As long as we’re daydreaming about trades…
Anybody heard what the A’s plans this offseason are? I like Brett Wallace, their stud third base prospect. Wonder if they’d be willing to part with him. Although they may not pick up the option on Chavez next year.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:25 pm
But alas even if Phillips is added B.Cox will do something stupid like try him in the leadoff spot!
ugaaccountant
November 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
Joebrave November 20th, 2009 1:13 pm
All things considered I wonder if the Reds would deal Brandon Phillips for Prado, and Schafer?
Yes they probably would. As you said, it’s a team looking to dump salary and that would give them a cheap replacement at 2b.
I would not make that offer as the Braves. Phillips is nice, but I’d rather keep the cheap .300 hitter we have. I don’t feel Phillips is a better cleanup hitter than McCann or Laroche so I don’t want to take on his salary. Now if I expected Prado to be a .250 hitter then I’d feel differently, but Prado is definitely good enough to man 2b for us.
dpelfrey
November 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
Joebrave, 1:04 pm
The only way I’d see them trading Ludwick is if they resign Holliday, which isn’t a given by any means.
abwright, 1:06 pm
Pitching sidearm puts more pressure on the elbow, but is actually much easier on the shoulder. The most damaging motion for the shoulder is straight over the top, that’s why softball pitchers can go every day of the week. Pete has a brand new elbow, so I wouldn’t expect he should stay healthy for a while. He’s past that scary period after TJ surgery where something bad can happen.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
joebrave DAP, what trade Phillips?
not not cincy trading phillips. that makes sense. im talking about trading prado and shafer for him. youre talking about trading a 25 year old 2nd baseman, who one could argue is better than phillips, and is under team control for 4 more years, AND one of our top prospects for a guy who is over paid and only under contract for two more years, three if you count the ridiculous option there is no way gets picked up.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
Here is my reasoning on StL. Wellmeyer gone
Piniero Gone
Smoltz Gone.
I believe they will go all in on Holliday.
leaving only Carpenter, Lohse, and Wainwright in the rotation.
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
Offer Arbitration to Mike Gonzalez now! We can’t let our best reliever get away! After arbitration, get him signed long-term soon after if possible… — Brian
What’s the rush, when the deadline is Dec. 1? Doesn’t matter if they offered it last week or one minute before the deadline. And if another team signs him before they offer arb or before Dec. 1, they get the two draft picks as compensation anyway.
So again, what’s the difference in whether the Braves offer Gonzalez arbitration today or Nov. 30?
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
joebrave I agree that Cincy may want a helluva lot more,
what?!? i cant believe you.
dpelfrey
November 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
correction, I would expect he will stay healthy
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
Rob, if there was I’d tell you. No reason to keep it to myself.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
After that Andruw post, you are going to have a long, hard road ahead to gain any possible thought of ever being taken serious again.
Did you go back and look at Andruw’s season last year? Did you notice that they used him primarily as a DH? Do some research, then come back with your hat in your hands, and beg for blog forgiveness for your lack of any research.
Fabulous response Wayne.
I’m so sick of reading Andruw’s name on this blog like he is a viable option for an outfield spot on the Braves next year that I’ve begun skipping any post that has his name in it. I think from now on any time someone brings Andruw up for a spot on the Braves roster, Wayne’s response should just be copied and pasted as THE response for that idiocy.
sidslidkid
November 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
But alas even if Phillips is added B.Cox will do something stupid like try him in the leadoff spot! – Joebrave
How would that be stupid? We don’t have a leadoff hitter. Philips had 25 SB’s last year. Bobby isn’t picking the team Wren is. If Bobby had his way we’d have a Rickey Henderson and seven A-rods. He just does the best he can with what Wren gives him.
AustinBrave
November 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
I would never trade Prado, maybe move him to left. I think Prado could have a major break out year 20-25 homeruns. You could trade Kelly and Schafer and maybe Medlen for Phillips.
monty
November 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
I think Josh Willingham has a higher upside than Mike Cameron,everywhere except defense and payroll? Not sure what either would command, but I believe Cameron comes cheaper. However, Willingham doesn’t have the drop off that Cameron has agaisnt facing RH pitching. Most RH batter’s numbers drop off significantly against same sided throwers but not Willingham. He has a career OPS of over .800 facing either RH or LH pitching, his OBP is over .350 against righties and his slugg. is over .470 aginst righties. He is a guy who will hit 25 HR for you given he is healthy. I’ve seen him play many times against us and believe he will do better at getting to balls that Anderson did. Of course I’d rather have Bay or Holliday but….
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:33 pm
DAP in their eyes Phillips is a superstar, so it may be likely that they would want more, not saying they will get it though.
However, it may help the attendance in Atlanta to have Phillips, and Heyward in the Line-up.
and I am caucasion, so no it’s not a race play. just saying.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:35 pm
sidslidkidHow would that be stupid? We don’t have a leadoff hitter.Philips had 25 SB’s last year.
guys? whats going on here? phillips barely gets on base enough to be a major league baseball player. .312 lifetime OBP .329 last year. thats like jeff francouer. and you think he is a good leadoff hitter? who cares about 25 SB? mclouth can do that and not get caught 9 times like phillips did. mclouth is a better leadoff hitter than phillips would be.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
Sid, Phillips is a true 2 hole hitter,much like McLouth. even with Phillips there is still no pure L.O. hitter, I would rather see him in the rbi situation than lead off which only occurs once a game.
DAP
November 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
joebrave well, he isnt. and we dont need him anyways. our 2nd baseman is better. i like jonny gomes from the reds, though.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
Please Monty spare us the Willinghampton stuff, His numbers at the Ted are TERRIBLE!
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:39 pm
DAP I love Prado, and yes I would take Gomes in a heartbeat.I most definitely would do Gomes over Willingcrap.
sidslidkid
November 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
DAP, I’m not saying Philips is our answer…. or that he’s good. I’m just defending Bobby Cox. We don’t have a classic leadoff hitter, and Bobby can’t be blamed for that. I was simply saying it wouldn’t be dumb to move Nate to number 2 “if” we got Philips (again I’m not lobbying for him).
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
I am intrigued however by the thought of Brandon Lyon, and Beimel in the pen.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
If Bobby had a young Brett Butler he would hit him clean-up, don’t say he wouldn’t because we are talking Bobby Cox here!
beekay
November 20th, 2009
1:43 pm
I’d rather bring back Frenchy than bring on Corey Hart…..say no to Cameron unless he is willing to play for Loaf money(3 mill)his #’s have deteriorated every year. I
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
If Phillips is a superstar in Cincy’s eyes (which he isn’t, and that’s why, as DAP said, he’s overpaid) and they would want more than Prado and Schafer, why would the Braves even bother going after him after knowing Cincy wants too much for him? You don’t make moves for the sake of making moves. Second base isn’t the problem on this team. They believe Prado is going to be a very good second baseman for them next year, so why would they even bother trying to trade for one? Makes no sense. They need a first baseman and an outfielder (as far as starting position players go), so why are we talking about Brandon Phillips? He doesn’t play either of those positions.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
(GAGGING) Frenchy? umm Hell No!
sidslidkid
November 20th, 2009
1:45 pm
If Bobby had a young Brett Butler he would hit him clean-up, don’t say he wouldn’t because we are talking Bobby Cox here! – JoeBrave
Thats a little extreme. Bobby is/was a great manager and handles his lineups well…. how he handles a pitching staff is a different story.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:45 pm
Macon, read prior posts, I stated that if the other moves were done first, Phillips would make sense, BTW Phillips makes a lot more sense that Dan Uggly!
bigboi
November 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
I agreee I think Heyward and Brandon Phillips in the lineup immediately increases attendance, being that they are both from the metro Atlanta area. I say make the deal
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
If Bobby had a young Brett Butler he would hit him clean-up, don’t say he wouldn’t because we are talking Bobby Cox here!
Actually, I will say it… he wouldn’t! We are talking Bobby Cox here, a Hall of Fame manager whether YOU like him or not.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
Sid , I don’t put nuttin past Bobby!LOL
David O'Brien
November 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
O.J.:They’ll offer arb to Gonzo for sure. Still not certain about Soriano, only because of the potential $8 mill or so arb salary if he accepted. You’re right — with him rated as one of the top three free-agent relievers by everyone I’ve see rating free agents, you’d think he’d get at least one or two multi-year offers. But how ’bout if, because of his injuries, the best offer he got was, say, $12 mill over two years? Would that be better in his view than taking arb and a possible $8 mill-or-more salary from Braves for one year, then hitting market again?
Guess that depends on how confident he and his agent are that he’ll stay healthy and have a bunch of saves if he took arb in that scenario.
But I do think he’s likely to get bigger offers than that and be inclined to take one of them over arb. Just can’t tell you right now, at this early stage, whether Braves believe strongly enough in that scenario to offer arb. I’d guess it would be clearer in another week.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Handles line-ups well? 2009 stayed with Francouer, Kelly Johnson, and Radar Schafer wayyyyy to long.
2008, Kept Francouer in the line-up when clearly over his head.
Donn’t get me wrong Bobby was a great Manager, WAS, not anymore, he is way to loyal to the Plebes on this team!
Efrim
November 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
DOB, do you think the Braves are leaning towards offering Soriano arbitration? Kind of like Bowman said in an earlier article.
Efrim
November 20th, 2009
1:53 pm
Okay, answered my question in full at 1:49. Thanks!
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:54 pm
I doubt tho that it will play out that way, with the exception of D.Lowe to St,Louis. That one makes entirely too much sense.
beekay
November 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
If Sori says yes to a one year 8 mill deal I’m happy with that. He would be cheaper than Wagner and probably better. If he signs elsewhere we get the pick . We need to offer all three arbitration and I would be mor than happy with either the pick or the player.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
All things considered I wonder if the Reds would deal Brandon Phillips for Prado, and Schafer?
This is where you brought up the Phillips for Prado/Schafer deal. What am I misunderstanding? You make the case for dealing a young, cheap second baseman and a top prospect for Phillips (who I’ve already said is overpriced and isn’t much better than Prado, if at all).
Macon, read prior posts, I stated that if the other moves were done first, Phillips would make sense, BTW Phillips makes a lot more sense that Dan Uggly!
Uhh, find the post where you mention other moves being made first. And other moves being made wouldn’t include Prado (since you would trade him for Phillips) so there still wouldn’t be a whole at second base. And not sure where Uggla’s name came from in this conversation, since I certainly haven’t mentioned his name.
Botom line…It was a HORRIBLE trade idea.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
All of the sudden I have become a Ryan Ludwick fan, go get him Frank.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 20th, 2009
2:01 pm
I think Heyward and Brandon Phillips in the lineup immediately increases attendance
Huh? Heyward might sell some tickets, but how does Phillips sell tickets? He’s NOT a superstar or anything. Maybe his family and friends would come watch him, but wouldn’t he be giving those tickets away to them usually? Not seeing the logic here that Brandon Phillips is going to increase attendance. Makes no sense.
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
2:01 pm
Macon, I was referring to Adding Hank Blaclock to 1B, trading Lowe for Ludwick, and signing Brandon Lyon, and Joe Beimel for the pen!
Then I brought up the Phillips idea. what’s not to Understand, and what hole at 2B?
S
Joebrave
November 20th, 2009
2:03 pm
Schafer a top prospect? where? Only in the Braves F.O. did you watch him play any last year?
Once a top prospect, no longer! and Prospects are exactly that prospects. used for trade fodder.