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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,843 comments Add your comment
10
November 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
Rathbun? Now I’m going to go kill myself
nolie
November 28th, 2009
7:35 pm
1. Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz (GOOD) J
sure with hindsight it was better than good, but at the time of the trade most people in baseball thought it favored the Tigers and especially after Doyle pitched well and got them to the post season.
John was regarded as a high upside pitcher, but a prospect who hadn’t done quite as well that year as expected and of course all the attendant possible problems that might keep him from ever developing;just as any other number of pitching prospects rated as highly had failed over the years. Great scouting by the Braves, but also they got lucky. No way at the time of the trade anyone could know how one-sided it eventually would turn out.
Much the same with the Drew trade. The Braves had traded any number of pitching prospects b4 that with generally very good results. Wainwright just came through and eventually lived up to his ceiling, which most don’t.
Any idiot can look back years later and say that such and such was a good or bad trade. Gee even Scoots & I can do that
hamish garnock
November 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
Hello, I just wanted to say I’m a big fan of your blog. I also wanted to let you guys know about Congressman Ron Paul who is running for President in 2012. If you give him a chance, you won’t regret it, thanks!
http://www.ronpaul.com/
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
Rathbun source: http://www.atlantabaseballtalk.com/?p=205
I highly doubt Ron Paul will be running again in 2012. He did a good job, but its time for him to pass the torch.
McFann O
November 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
McFann O
November 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
Wait…Rathbun? Bob Rathbun? Great jumpin’ gosh almighty…
CB
November 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
Jurrjens4NLCY,I assume they were speculating since I don’t have time to listen to the whole show.Was that pretty much it? Thanks for the link.
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
CB,
No he said there was an article, but I can’t find it…
CB
November 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Thanks for trying.
keylargo
November 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
I started watching a program on PBS named Ed Sullivan’s Rock and Roll Classics from the 60’s. It is two hours of video from Ed Sullivan’s shows which include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Beach Boys, Sly and the Family Stone, Dianna Ross and the Supremes.
I had to stop watching because of the football game but it reruns tomorrow at 10 am and 8 pm if you want to Tivo it.
keylargo
November 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Tell ‘em who Ed Sullivan is Nolie.
McFann O
November 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
Arg…
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Sloooooow blog
Steve from OH
November 28th, 2009
9:35 pm
According to Elias, the only players ranked higher on the FA compensation ladder than Gonzalez are Holliday, Valverde, Bay and Damon (John Lackey also being higher than Soriano), meaning that should a team sign Mike or Raffy (assuming we’ve offered arb and all that crap), we would get their top pick unless they also sign one of those players, in which case we’d get their second-rounder. Good news.
Steve from OH
November 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
Although Valverde ranking as the no. 2 overall free agent (ahead of Jason Bay and John Lackey!) is a complete farce.
nolie
November 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
Although Valverde ranking as the no. 2 overall free agent (ahead of Jason Bay and John Lackey!) is a complete farce.
kinda surprising, no doubt
Tomas
November 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
What if the Nationals sign Mike Gonzalez? We get the top pick in the draft or their top pick is protected and the Braves are rewarded a sandwich pick……The firs 15 pick in the draft are protected right?
Steve from OH
November 28th, 2009
10:27 pm
Tomas–we’d get the standard sandwich pick and their 2nd round pick, I think. Not 100% sure, but I think that’s how it goes…
McFann O
November 28th, 2009
10:29 pm
These officials are horrid. Or is it legal to tackle someone by the head?
Oh boy-yah…15-yard penalty!
richbrave
November 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
Venice Jim:
Football team had a nail-biter today. ELON was a tough out. Yours was a laugher I see. Enjoyed seeing U of R beat MISSISSIPPI STATE 63-62 and MISSOURI 59-52 back to back even if MIZZOU isn’t what it was last year. TONY SHAVER’s comment about beating an NCAA-caliber team holds some merit, at least at this point in the year. Be proud, W&M holds the only victory over the SPIDERS basket-ball team so far this season, 6-1.
TnBrian
November 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
Rathbun & why? Man screams louder & more often than Chip. I’m surprised but I guess he must be a good guy or something. He & Joe together make a pretty boring combo, I would think. Damn, I miss Skip. Skip would be calling Joe & Pete nerds & complaining about traffic. He knew how to keep the audience loose even in those bad games.
Hopefully some Braves rumors will be swirling around by next week.
ronniev
November 28th, 2009
11:07 pm
It can’t be Rathbun! Where did he read that?
Steve from OH
November 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
nolie, did you see the video of Teheran? What were your thoughts?
Steve from OH
November 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
Here it is, in case you missed it:
http://www.scoutingthesally.com/
McFann O
November 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
Hmm…that was a bad game.
Soph
November 28th, 2009
11:30 pm
Sorry, McFann. Good luck with the UGA’ers on here.
brian
November 28th, 2009
11:49 pm
J-Man – what about Len Barker for Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby (an All Star in his own right), and Rick Behenna
David O'Brien
November 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
Wayne, not to worry: The container of BBQ I got is probably about 3 lbs, not 1 lb. And that’s on top of the absurd amount of BBQ and side dishes I ate at Bill’s in Wilson tonight. We’re talking three trips to the buffet line for BBQ, including a plate of the stuff right off the whole hog they have on the pit. Cornsticks, hushpuppies, boiled potatoes, collards, biscuits, banana pudding and several glasses of sweet tea. Just stupid amounts of food consumed.
And then went over to his drive-thru line and got the $15 container of BBQ to go. Put in in mom’s freezer for the drive home tomorrow. And dad’s got 4 lbs of Parker’s BBQ in the freezer, and I’m gonna take it home tomorrow without his knowledge (he doesn’t read the blog, obviously).
Tennbravefan
November 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
I think the SEC proved it is much better than the ACC today. South Carolina and Georgia are average SEC teams at best, and they both beat the best the ACC has to offer. South Carolina one easily I might add. GO VOLS!!!!
Tennbravefan
November 28th, 2009
11:51 pm
sorry won*
Bob Rathbun
November 28th, 2009
11:53 pm
Hellooo Braves fans!
Ah huh huh! Glad to be back with all of you here in great AT LAN ta!! Here’s to another great year of Atlanta Braves baseball and the hopes of aaaaahhhnother division title to add to that grrrrrreat run of division titles through the ’90s and first half of this decade. Ah huh huh!!
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
12:00 am
Oh, and what an appropriate debacle of an ending to the football season today for my Jayhawks. Mercifully, they won’t be going to some lowest-tier bowl, and all KU folks can instead focus attention on the sport in which our student-athletes excel. The one played with the round ball.
David O'Brien's Dad
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
“And dad’s got 4 lbs in in the freezer from Parker’s that I’m gonna take without his knowledge (he doesn’t read the blog, obviously).”
Opps.
Steve
November 29th, 2009
12:10 am
Bob Rathbun, Chip Caray and Jeff Torborg: the baseball announcer axis of evil.
N8
November 29th, 2009
12:13 am
Good god, can something (anything for cryin’ out loud) happen in Braves land so the damn headline about Andruw signing with the White Sox isn’t considered “big news” on the AJC Braves page?
Chipper “getting rid of” his Thanksgiving dinner at his ranch would be more interesting and news worthy. Who gives a flying blank where Andruw signed? Just so long as it’s not in Atlanta.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
12:27 am
Gotta squeeze behind wheel tomorrow and slug down coffee to override any lingering trytophan or general fatigue from overeating before we point the vehicle toward Atlanta and fight holiday traffic to get home. Could be a pretty busy week ahead, with possible Braves rumors and such leading up to Winter Meetings that begin a week from Monday, plus sidebar duty at the SEC Championship Game, and perhaps a Billy Joe Shaver show on Wednesday at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Here it is, in case you missed it: Steve
Thanks Steve I had missed it. Looks pretty fluid, has some leg drive. does not seem to repeat his motions as well as he could, and it looks like you can tell when he is throwing an off speed or breaking pitch. Needs innings to refine and memorize his mechanics. You can see why they mention his loose arm. It’s hard to tell on a video that you can’t go frame by frame, but it doesn’t look like a flying W arm action.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
12:31 am
Was the 3:06 superfluous? Oh, absolutely. Should have remembered to feed it to jeffrey d in chicken nugget form instead of feeding him the whole chicken 10
Hey 10 ya might wanna stick to messin with Jeffery D when it comes to talkin smack J-MAN
What is it, act like a butthole day on the blog? I mean, 10 is acting like a cyber bully teasing everyone for their “stupid” comments and throwing his massive internet weight around. I say something to him and all of a sudden I’m stupid because I didn’t feel like reading a dissertation. Whatever…UGA beat Tech and for the first time ever that’s made me very happy (before it’s always just been assumed that we’d win)
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
12:32 am
DOB – They got you covering some of the SEC Championship game?
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
12:44 am
N8: I wrote a Craig Kimbrel story more than a week ago that will hopefully be posted on website in next day or two. It was scheduled to be posted the Uga died, but got pushed back because of that story taking up the space in next day’s paper. It hasn’t run since, and I’m not sure when it will, but hopefully in next day or two.
I was supposed to write a Freddie Freeman feature this week, but I’m guessing that’s on hold until Kimbrel story runs.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
12:44 am
You think you’re gonna have THAT much trouble squeezing in behind the wheel that you had to say it twice? Trying to get yourself ready in case you can’t drive at all? C’mon down and I’ll have the golf course gator I posted about earlier chase you around a bit, that’ll get you back in shape
nolie
November 29th, 2009
12:47 am
ok I swear that appeared twice on my puter and then disappeared. you’re squeezing comment I mean. and I ain’t even had a drink. really!!
nolie
November 29th, 2009
1:36 am
guess I scared everybody away. oh well
Moe Berg
November 29th, 2009
1:50 am
nolie, even if you had a drink, no one would hold it against you. i’ve had house guests for several days and have not been checking in. today, i went out and saw one of the worst hindi films ever. looking forward to the kimbrel story and the freeman follow-up. wish i had some of that BBQ. had some good kebabs yesterday. glad the break is winding up.
carney johnson
November 29th, 2009
1:55 am
anybody else sick of tim tebow? last time i saw an act like this was from eddie haskell. it’s like watching some craven deep-south politico running for office. another phony, self-glorifying douchebag using christianity to curry favor in the bible belt.
carney johnson
November 29th, 2009
1:59 am
Tim Tebow Says He’s Still a Virgin, Saving Himself for Marriage
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/23/tim-tebow-says-hes-still-a-virgin-saving-himself-for-marriage/
uga-brave
November 29th, 2009
2:56 am
nolie.
georgia, just droped gt tech.
uga-brave
November 29th, 2009
3:03 am
nolie,
guess what georgia just whhat beat tech.
uga-brave
November 29th, 2009
3:03 am
nolie,
guess what georgia just whhat beat tech.
RHR
November 29th, 2009
3:09 am
Tim Tebow Says He’s Still a Virgin, Saving Himself for Marriage
In other news….the Pope is Catholic, water is wet, the earth is round AND THE DAWGS TOOK A BITE OUT OF #7.
(Seriously? You needed Tim Tebow to tell you he was a virgin?)
RHR
November 29th, 2009
3:22 am
The FSU/FL game was just unbearable with all the Tebow crap. I mean, I only had it on the tv in the next room, I wasn’t even watching it for any amount of time except for the 2 seconds it took me to fall asleep when I went to the couch to take a nap and I know Verne and Gary said his name no less than 5 million times during that 3 hourish game. Plus, I know I heard Tebow’s Promise (FROM 2008!!) playing at least 3 times during that game. THREE TIMES! WHY?! But the icing had to be Verne reading Tim’s bible verse of the day. I have nothing against the bible verse, but why not ask some other guy what their bible verse of the day was? And there was not a second, not one that the camera wasn’t on Tebow. Right, I didn’t watch, but it couldn’t have been because the only other name I heard during the game was Bowden. I imagine that when the noles had the ball and Tebow was off the field the camera was just focused on Tim drinking his gatorade, chatting with Urb, etc.
3 hours commentary, 1% devoted to Bowden is old and needs to retire and 99% devoted to Our Father Tim’s last game – lets get misty. I look forward to a lot of things this time of year but listening to a 3 hour praise-a-thon devoted to Him for the last time next Saturday is in the top 5. If the Gators win next week I most definitely will not be watching the NC game because I simply cannot take it any more.
uga-brave
November 29th, 2009
3:23 am
dawgs just dropeed tech.
0
how bout them dawgs.
N8
November 29th, 2009
4:41 am
DOB, I wasn’t neccesarily bitching at you. Just more or so griping at the down time with nothing new to talk about.
While, I understand that many in the ATL and many Braves fans may care where Andruw signs, at this point in his career, I really couldn’t care less which team he signed on with to be a 4th OF/DH with.
Just waiting for the ball to get rolling on the moves after Tuesday.
But I appreciate you having some new “reads” for us.
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 29th, 2009
4:50 am
In other news….the Pope is Catholic, water is wet, the earth is round
MY GAWD!! Do the church elders know?!?!
CB
November 29th, 2009
6:47 am
RHR,are you going to miss Tebow? Sounds like you have a secret crush.
Florida Papparazzi (in a tree outside of Tiger's house)
November 29th, 2009
7:08 am
The FSU/FL game was just unbearable with all the Tebow crap.
At least, you got the opportunity to watch my QB. He is the greatest thing that’s shhheeett..gotta go! Damn rabid squirrel’s sent by Mark Steinberg!
10
November 29th, 2009
7:12 am
jeffreyd, that’s cool. you prefer to chat rather than talk. i’ve dated alot of girls like that. they’d say they wish i talked more, but what they really wanted was for me to chat more.
10
November 29th, 2009
7:14 am
the kimbrel story ran in the paper on thanksgiving. good stuff
10
November 29th, 2009
7:22 am
tebow will snap eventually. he’ll be a minister someday secretly banging half the women in his church. or more likely tapping his foot in a men’s room stall
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
8:14 am
10: Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea it had run, didn’t see it posted. Guess I’ll be doing Freeman story soon as I get home, then.
Well, gotta pack it up here in Wilson and head down 85 before the traffic gets too bad.
Marc in FL
November 29th, 2009
8:20 am
I’m gonna go out of a limb and say based on history Derek will probably have a better 2010 than Javy. Just saying.
CB
November 29th, 2009
8:29 am
I will be ready for some real rumors and discussion of future Braves players,hope the future is better than some of the mediocre names that keep coming up,Cameron,Willingham and Swisher. I don’t know what Wren has planned but I hope it is better than that. Go young if that is all you have in mind and strengthen the bullpen.
Jay212033
November 29th, 2009
9:03 am
A couple more days until it starts getting exciting around here.
Please Wren offer Soriano, Gonzalez and LaRoche all arbitration. I personally don’t think any will accept. What’s the worse that could happen all accept Soriano would get 7-9 mil, Gonzalez 4-7 mil and LaRoche 7-9 mil. Even if it’s the high end of each the Braves could still make trades and improve their team this season and having all three of those guys would make us better as well but again they all won’t accept.
Efrim
November 29th, 2009
9:19 am
Nick Cafardo wrote a column for the Boston Globe about Derek Lowe and his desire to stay in Atlanta:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/11/29/lowe_prefers_not_to_be_spun_out_of_braves_rotation/?page=1
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
9:38 am
I’d feel more sorry for Lowe if he wasn’t wiping his butt with $20’s. He’s talking like he thinks he’s on the market because of his poor season. We all know he’s better (well, most of us do) and the Braves’ FO knows he’s better. But that contract is huge for a pitcher of his caliber. Getting anyone to take him and his contract would be a plus even if we get a shoddy player in return (as long as Bobby doesn’t Norton him).
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
9:43 am
i’ve dated alot of girls like that 10
Look out everyone. Ladies man comin through!
Long time Braves fan
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Here is the Craig Kimbrel article:
Braves don’t mind his size, but the free passes are costly
by David O’Brien; Staff , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOENIX
For most of the 2009 season, Craig Kimbrel pitched as if it were no longer a question of if he would be the Braves’ eventual closer, but a matter of when.
He was that good, piling up 103 strikeouts with only 30 hits allowed in 60 innings for four Braves minor league teams.
There was only one problem: walks.
The Huntsville, Ala., native issued 45 during the season, including 18 in his first 11 innings. Kimbrel’s control issues resurfaced in the last two weeks of the just-completed Arizona Fall League.
“That’s the story on me,” he said on a recent morning in Arizona, as he and his Peoria Saguaros teammates prepared for an afternoon game. “If I can quit walking guys, I’ll be all right.”
When he quits walking so many, the Braves could finally have a homegrown closer they can count on for a while, instead of scrambling to sign or trade for one every couple of years.
“He’s getting to the point where he’s not too far away, and he has power stuff,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said of the Braves’ minor league pitcher of the year, who rebounded from an early May demotion to low-A Rome and made four jumps to finish the season at Class AAA.
It was Kimbrel’s second season since being selected in the third round of the 2008 draft out of Wallace State (Ala.) Community College.
“He’s made great progress,” Wren said. “He’s a back-end-of-the-bullpen type guy that gets it up to 98 [mph] and has an outstanding curveball. He makes it tough on hitters.”
At least when he doesn’t make it easy on them with walks. Kimbrel allowed 11 walks and 11 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings over his final five fall-league appearances. Before those five games, Kimbrel pitched in six games and allowed three hits, one run and five walks with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
He finished the AFL season with a stingy .189 opponents’ average, but had a bloated 10.45 ERA along with 16 walks and 18 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.
“When he’s on, he knows he’s untouchable,” said Saguaros pitching coach Jim Czajkowski, who’s also the Rome pitching coach who worked with Kimbrel after his May demotion from high-A Myrtle Beach.
“He has pretty dominating stuff, no doubt about it,” Czajkowski said of Kimbrel, who’s listed at 5 feet 11. “He’s at 95-97 [mph] and keeps the ball down. It’s very hard to see the ball come out of his hand — his ball always stays under the hitters’ eyes.
“I’m not saying short guys have an advantage, but when they throw that hard, it’s an advantage when you’re only seeing part of the ball coming through the zone.”
Kimbrel was told to work on his changeup in Arizona and also tried to get consistent with his “slurve,” a slider/curveball hybrid that can be devastating. Mostly, though, he just needs to keep working to throw more strikes and stay confident.
“One thing I’ve noticed, if you can be confident in yourself, you’ll be a lot more successful,” said Kimbrel, who has dealt with the stigma of being an undersized pitcher.
“It is hard being a smaller guy,” he said. “You catch a lot of stuff like, ‘Oh, he’s not big enough; he’s not going to be durable.’ That’s just something you can’t do anything about — people are going to say what they’re going to say.”
Closer Billy Wagner is under 6 feet and closing in on 400 saves. It’s worth noting that Wagner also piled up a ton of walks (91) and strikeouts (204) in his second minor league season (he was a starter back then).
After Kimbrel’s demotion to Rome a month into the season, he worked with Czajkowski on a flaw in his delivery and listened to the coach’s advice about believing in himself and trusting his stuff.
Kimbrel had a 0.90 ERA with 38 strikeouts and six walks in 20 innings at Rome. After a return to Myrtle Beach, he was promoted to Class AA Mississippi and posted a 0.77 ERA with an .083 opponents’ average in 12 appearances there.
Kimbrel pitched two hitless innings (with four walks) late at Class AAA Gwinnett, then took a brief break before cranking up again in Arizona. Despite his recent wild streak, he feels a lot closer now to realizing a dream.
“I had a good year this year, accomplished a lot,” he said. “But my work’s not done until I make it to the big leagues. And once I get there, keep on going.”
Copyright 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lew
November 29th, 2009
9:52 am
I’d rather that we could trade Lowe and re-sign Vazquez longer term, but I wouldn’t count Lowe out, either. One way or another, we will have a great rotation in 2010-no matter who is traded and who is retained. Wish I was as confident about the pen.
McFann O
November 29th, 2009
10:19 am
Thanks, Soph.
My main prob is gonna be with an aunt, uncle, and two cousins…one of the cousins plays in UGA’s band now.
Ah well…my teams never win when everyone thinks they’re going to, anyway.
That’s why, to me, it didn’t feel quite so good that GT was favored. EVERYBODY said they were gonna win…so I thought, “Dangit…”
Lew
November 29th, 2009
10:21 am
McFann-At least you can drown your sorrows in Maple Syrup. Russ The Interim Dawg may well retire undefeated.
VaBraveFan
November 29th, 2009
10:23 am
Trade Lowe for payroll relief
Add a Closer and another reliever.
Add First Baseman
Add Outfielder
Then Resign Javy. they need to take care of our needs first.
Joseph G
November 29th, 2009
10:25 am
Lew based on history wouldn’t you rather trade javy after a peak season knowing that in all likelyhood he will not continue to pitch as effective and keep lowe knowing that he more than likely will bounce back to being the pitcher he has been over tha course of his career? but with javy’s ntc i can’t figure out who would take him except minnesota, for cuddyer and possibly matt guirer (sp). maybe tampa but for who? we would definently have to sweeten the pot for crawford and is it worth it for possibly one year? as many have posted Texas woulkd be great for both sides
McFann O
November 29th, 2009
10:25 am
Lew–
True…we are having French Toast for breakfast. Still have some of your syrup left–my Brother actually hasn’t tried it yet! (Poor kid…)
Russ The Interim Dawg may well retire undefeated.
You mean they’re not gonna keep him…?
richbrave
November 29th, 2009
10:29 am
VJ:
Congrats on your INDIANS win over WAKE FOREST. Our women got bombed by UCONN. Guess they’ll not be ranked in the top 10 anytime soon.
Steve from OH
November 29th, 2009
10:32 am
and it looks like you can tell when he is throwing an off speed or breaking pitch.
I noticed that, too.
Soph
November 29th, 2009
10:33 am
There was an interim dog yesterday?! Obviously, I wasn’t paying much attention to the game last night.
People have been feisty on here since yesterday. What’s up with all the jabs at each other?
Efrim
November 29th, 2009
10:33 am
Some more on Lowe, from Ken Davidoff of Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ken-davidoff-s-baseball-insider-1.1278117/sunday-reading-mark-mcgwire-derek-lowe-john-lackey-and-nick-johnson-1.1627374
Once John Lackey chooses a team, the Braves will shop Derek Lowe more aggressively, hoping that, say, three years and $39 million for Lowe (with Atlanta picking up the remaining $6 million) will be more appealing than the risky commodities out there like Jason Marquis, Randy Wolf or Joel Pineiro.
Steve from OH
November 29th, 2009
10:36 am
Efrim, I was just going to post that. I feel bad for Lowe, because he seems like a great guy and a great clubhouse presence, but I’m glad the Braves are trying to go that route.
Efrim
November 29th, 2009
10:46 am
I was just going to post that. I feel bad for Lowe, because he seems like a great guy and a great clubhouse presence, but I’m glad the Braves are trying to go that route.
Steve from OH, I feel bad for him too. But it’s most likely the best case scenario for the Braves. I just can’t see a team offering enough for Javy and if we have a chance at gaining financial flexibility, then Wren has to go that route.
Steve from OH
November 29th, 2009
10:52 am
Efrim, I don’t think we’ll be able to get the bat we want for either JV or Lowe. Best case (IMO), we trade Lowe for prospects or bullpen help and use the freed-up cash to either sign someone or trade for someone with a bit bigger salary.
10
November 29th, 2009
11:00 am
Look out everyone. Ladies man comin through!
LOL.
People have been feisty on here since yesterday. What’s up with all the jabs at each other?
People haven’t been too fiesty. Just been one douche, namely me, snapping at dudes, and they’ve been barking back. Everyone gave as good as they got, or maybe better, and, thankfully, no one took it too seriously.
Lew
November 29th, 2009
11:13 am
McFann-I don’t believe Russ is a White Bulldog-I think he’s brindle-that should take him out of the mix. But Hey-Russ will always be a great Trivia Question-especially if we win the One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaner Bowl from Poughkeepsie and he retires undefeated..
Lew
November 29th, 2009
11:14 am
Joseph G-No.
Lew
November 29th, 2009
11:18 am
Minnesota isn’t going to trade Cuddyer. They are making a push to sign their good players more long term. The only way they will be able to do that is if they can convince them they are serious about winning going forward (they didn’t do such a good job with Johan) and trading Cuddyer would definitely send the wrong message.
Besides-If the Twins are strapped for cash, why would they trade for Lowe and his three years, $45 million? Makes no sense.
McFanny
November 29th, 2009
11:20 am
Nick Johnson is searching for a two-year deal. per Ken Davidoff
10
November 29th, 2009
11:34 am
Russ deserves better. UGA VII sucked, but at least had the decency to step away, unlike Willie Martinez.
Joseph G
November 29th, 2009
11:46 am
Lew i didn’t say trade lowe for cuddyer. I said trade javy for cuddyer.
Lew
November 29th, 2009
12:00 pm
Joseph G-Doesn’t matter Dude-Javy still costs $11.5 million this year. They won’t take on that kind of salary. Moot point anyway-like I said they aren’t trading Cuddyer for the reasons I mentioned. Deal just won’t happen.
As to selling high on Vazquez. Why do you think this will be the case? Because of a career year ten or so years into a career? Do you seriously think that the other GM’s will sit there and claim “Eureka! He finally became the pitcher we always knew he would be.” ? Or do you think it’s more likely they will look and say “Damn, Javy had a great year playing where he’s finally comfortable-playing for an organization that won’t sell him out publicly and where he’s finally pitching in a pitcher friendly ballpark.”? Rhetorical question. Reality, unfortunately for your point of view, intrudes.
TnBrian
November 29th, 2009
12:02 pm
They really do need to somehow unload Lowe’s contract on another team but the guy is a class act.At least he understands the business side of the game, not like he has much of a choice in the matter, but it’s still cool to see. Good luck to him wherever he pitches next year.
MamaDawg
November 29th, 2009
12:08 pm
http://www.tuckfebow.com
I can’t stand him, I’m tired of hearing about him, and am glad this was his last season.
On another note, way to go Dawgs! 30-24 against a highly overrated Tech team. How about them apples?!? 1 win out of 9 isn’t something to brag about. Hahaha!!
MamaDawg
November 29th, 2009
12:11 pm
I am beyond ready to hear of some moves the Braves are making. Thank God the Winter Meetings are just a week away! I just want something to happen so we’ll have more to talk about.
Lew
November 29th, 2009
12:30 pm
MamaDawg-We’ll find something out soon. Dec. 1 is Tuesday and that’s when they have to offer arbitration. The FA picture should become much clearer when that happens and deals will likely start soon after.
MamaDawg
November 29th, 2009
12:40 pm
Thanks Lew!! I can’t wait.
darrell starks
November 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
miwaukee need pic. bad how can we get ryaun braun, check this out derek low, kenshin kawakami, and freddie freeman for ryaun braun.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!
McFann O
November 29th, 2009
1:24 pm
Lew But Hey-Russ will always be a great Trivia Question-especially if we win the One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaner Bowl from Poughkeepsie and he retires undefeated..
Braves Lifer
November 29th, 2009
1:44 pm
“miwaukee need pic. bad how can we get ryaun braun, check this out derek low, kenshin kawakami, and freddie freeman for ryaun braun.”-darrell starks
Thats a great idea! It solves all of our problems. We can unload Lowes mega contract and KKs and get cheap controllable talent in return. I think the brewers would sign off on it too; that is, if we kidnap the owners wife and family and make that trade proposal our ransom demand. Come on Wren you can do it…
Lew
November 29th, 2009
1:45 pm
The Brewers already said they won’t trade Braun. They feel that exceptional hitters are like exceptional pitchers-they don’t come around often and their value is equal to good pitchers. Do they make themselves stronger by trading Braun as opposed to adding Vazquez or Lowe? Probably not. It would be a sideways move and not worth their time.
Lew
November 29th, 2009
1:47 pm
And Kawakami’s contract hardly needs “unloading”. Dude’s only making about $6.6 million this year. We’re hardly breaking under the burden of his deal.
Braves Lifer
November 29th, 2009
1:52 pm
Lew- I guess it’s a little to early in the day for you to recognize sarcasm. It’ll be ok just go push the button on the coffee pot and enjoy.
GoBraves123
November 29th, 2009
2:08 pm
Did anybody see the leaked Grady Sizemore pics that were supposed to be for his girlfriend. I wondered what he did to piss her off.