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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,843 comments Add your comment
brent a.
November 29th, 2009
2:22 pm
I can give you 45 million reasons why I don’t feel bad for Derek Lowe.
Not to mention those other 15 million reasons.
N8
November 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
“the kimbrel story ran in the paper on thanksgiving. good stuff.”
That makes it even more pathetic that the people in charge of headlines and where articles appear, choose to keep the Andruw signing as the “main” headline over a guy that might actualy help THE BRAVES in 2010.
Way to promote the good, young, up and coming Braves players AJC. What’s next? An article on what Jerry Willard feeds his dogs?
Braves Lifer
November 29th, 2009
2:40 pm
N8- I understand your frustration regarding the lack of news but it should be better come Tuesday. I was reading Ken Davidoff’s “jem” about rumors for the mets and it just reinforced how lucky us Brave’s fans are to have someone the caliber as DOB writing for the AJC. In his article one of his bullets literally said and I quote “Nick Johnson is searching for a two-year deal.” He did not support the statement with any back-up or expand on the idea and the rest of the article was meaningless dribble.
On another note; if you are in to news about our farm system you should check out http://www.talkingchop.com/ they just did a complete workup of our farm system position by position.
10
November 29th, 2009
2:45 pm
That makes it even more pathetic that the people in charge of headlines and where articles appear, choose to keep the Andruw signing as the “main” headline over a guy that might actualy help THE BRAVES in 2010.
heaven forbid they not instantaneously update the website as quickly as usual during the effin’ Thanksgiving holiday. no vacation, no holiday for the newspaper employees. bah effin’ humbug to you sir!
why would they put the story quickly on the website anyway? it’s not breaking news. should be the kind of stuff they put in the newspaper today, and put on the website a week later anyway. need to at least try to force people to have a reason to buy the actual darn paper every once in a while.
but, in your arse backwards world, newspapers should never give their employees holidays or vacations, and should immediately give away all of their stories for free.
you may be of a sound body, but definitely not a sound mind. probably an overdrawn bank account as well
Simple Question
November 29th, 2009
2:52 pm
Are the Braves offering arbitration to Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano and Adam LaRoche?
N8
November 29th, 2009
3:22 pm
Braves Lifer, my frustration is that when our “guy” goes out of his way to write an article that is of interest to actual Braves fans, if the people who have botched the polls and headlines on a regular basis, actually followed the Braves (or baseball for that matter), they would realize that most of their decisions are lazy and idiotic at best.
There is ZERO reason for an article about Andruw signing with the White Sox to be the main headline for 3-4 days, when DOB is working his ass off to bring new, prudent info to actual Braves fans.
I’m not angry about it. My blood pressure isn’t rising. Just annoyned by it.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
Are the Braves offering arbitration to Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano and Adam LaRoche?
They should offer the lowest possible (Expect to Roachy), which is 20% less than their 2009 salaries:
Mike Gonzalez will immediately reject it, Boras will want to shop him around seeing how half of MLB is interested in him.
Rafael Soriano will look for a multi-year deal seeing as how he can’t stay healthy, and I’m sure someone will give it to him.
If Adam LaRoche accepted it, it wouldn’t be that bad. However , he is looking for a mutli-year deal as well. I, personally, do not want Freeman up here until mid 2012. So I would offer a 3 yr. deal.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
I can give you 45 million reasons why I don’t feel bad for Derek Lowe.
Please list all 45 million reasons why you don’t feel bad for Lowe…
Rob (from SC)
November 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
Can somebody explain how Tiger Woods can keep avoiding the police. If it was any of us the police would haul our butts to the station
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
3:59 pm
if we kidnap the owners wife and family and make that trade proposal our ransom demand. Come on Wren you can do it…
If we kidnapped the owners wife and family shouldn’t we just ask for a 200 million dollar payroll?
nolie
November 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
On another note; if you are in to news about our farm system you should check out http://www.talkingchop.com/ they just did a complete workup of our farm system position by position. Lifer
thanks for the link. Of course he has just about every one of them making the big club over the next three years when we will really be lucky to see ¼ to ⅓ of them at most. Still I enjoyed reading it and the links it provided.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
4:09 pm
shouldn’t we just ask for a 200 million dollar payroll? JJ
how ’bout both? plus 50 free seats behind home plate in perpetuity, and cards for free food and drinks
nolie
November 29th, 2009
4:14 pm
Brandon Hicks, SS :: B/T: R/R Born: 9/14/1985 Ht: 6′2″ Wt: 200
Last Year’s Talking Chop Rank: 12
The Skinny: Defensive stalwart has shown the ability to slug and strikeout.
The Good: Excellent defensive shortstop with a strong, accurate arm who rarely makes mistakes. Is a fine all around player with a ton of pop in his bat. One of the hardest workers in the system.
The Bad: His power seemed to vanish when he couldn’t adapt to Mississippi’s home park. He cut down his strikeout rate in 2009 but the Ks are still a major concern. His lack of range and his thick body will like necessitate a move off of shortstop to third base
…In a perfect world…he becomes a more polished hitter, getting his strikeouts in check, and becomes Atlanta’s long term solution at third base after Chipper Jones’ retirement.
ETA: He’ll likely return to Mississippi to start 2010 but with a strong season he could see time with Atlanta late in the season. Should be poised to grab a full time spot by mid 2011.
..
we talked earlier about him moving off SS to third.
keylargo
November 29th, 2009
4:22 pm
They should offer the lowest possible (Expect to Roachy), which is 20% less than their 2009 salaries:Jurrjens
You do realize their agents also present a proposed salary figure and the arbitrator sides with the one closest to the one he feels is closest to his worth? There is no compromise once it goes to arbitration.
You could wind up with a pair of $10 and $12 million dollar relievers.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
4:27 pm
and the arbitrator sides with the one closest to the one he feels is closest to his worth? There is no compromise once it goes to arbitration. KL
yup, offering either one 20% off after they agreed to arb would basically be giving them carte blanche if their number was at all realistic.
darrell starks
November 29th, 2009
4:44 pm
BRING IN RYAUN BRAUM IS IT POSSIBLE WHAT PIC DO WE HAVE 2 GIVE UP?
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
November 29th, 2009
4:49 pm
DEREK LOWE, KAWAKAMI, SHAFEER,FREDDIE FREEMAN FOR BRAUM IS THAT 2 MUCH?
GO FALCONS!!!!!
Redirect
November 29th, 2009
4:58 pm
Just who is RYAUN BRAUM? I have never heard of him before. Must be a new prospect.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
5:10 pm
There was an interim dog yesterday?! Obviously, I wasn’t paying much attention to the game last night. Soph
You didn’t notice the big brown spots on him? Or the fact that he was alive?
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
5:11 pm
I don’t know who Braum is, but I’m more concerned about having to give up Shafeer for him.
brewersfan
November 29th, 2009
5:32 pm
If you mean Braun no that’s not enough. How about Heyward + Hanson
Rob (from SC)
November 29th, 2009
5:43 pm
The Vikings are a dangerous football team
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
5:52 pm
how ’bout both? plus 50 free seats behind home plate in perpetuity, and cards for free food and drinks
He’s is what I got, his name is Mark Attanasio. He has a wife, and some kids. Also, his brother is an executive producer for “House.”
This is the Target: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc75/dx4life69/800px-Mark_Attanasio0001.jpg
KNOW THY ENEMY!
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
5:55 pm
You could wind up with a pair of $10 and $12 million dollar relievers.
Or, 2 pairs of quality prospects. Neither will accept, both we’ll look for multiyear deals…
Soph
November 29th, 2009
5:55 pm
You didn’t notice the big brown spots on him? Or the fact that he was alive?
I didn’t see a dog on the sidelines at all. I wasn’t watching the game very closely – just checking in once in a while. What was he like?
Rob (from SC)
November 29th, 2009
5:57 pm
I really want the Braves to sign Nick Johnson. I am hopeful that his addition would do for us what the Bobby Abreu signing did for the Angels. He taught that free swinging lineup how to wait for their pitch. Johnson always has a high OBP and could only help our free swingers
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
6:02 pm
Well, the White Sox could probably use a 2nd baseman since they traded away Getz. How bout Kelly Johnson and a minor league arm for Jenks?
Beckham is switching over to 2B and Teahen is playing 3rd.
Rob (from SC)
November 29th, 2009
6:05 pm
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can’t We Keep ‘Em Both?}
Switching Beckham to second appears to be the plan. However if they can’t find a useful center fielder who can bat leadoff, they will use Alex Rios in CF and Mark Teahen in RF. Beckham would stay at third base in that scenerio.
That being said, it would take a lot more than Kelly Johnson to acquire Bobby Jenks
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
6:10 pm
What was he like? He looked just like the other Ugas (the fat ones, not the early skinny ones) except with some brown on his back. He’s undefeated too.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
6:11 pm
That being said, it would take a lot more than Kelly Johnson to acquire Bobby Jenks
Kelly Johnson isn’t the Sox’s answer at 2nd…
Unrelated:
In 2009 we got Derek Lowe’s worst year, and Javier’s best year…
nolie
November 29th, 2009
6:13 pm
Johnson always has a high OBP and could only help our free swingers Rob
if a great hitter like Chipper can’t what makes you think they’d listen to Johnson?
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
6:17 pm
In 2009 we got Derek Lowe’s worst year, and Javier’s best year…
Which is why I wouldn’t mind trading Vazquez. People talk like he’s the greatest pitcher ever when he’s really only had one great season, is on the tail end of his prime years, and is only under contract one more year. Get rid of him while his value is high.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
6:19 pm
In 2009 we got Derek Lowe’s worst year, and Javier’s best year JJ
nah, 2004 was probably Derek’s worst year.
TnBrian
November 29th, 2009
6:20 pm
Rob, didn’t we just read where Nick Johnson wants a multi-year deal? Braves probably aren’t signing LaRoche for this reason, so why would they downgrade their position on this for Johnson? So many things will probably be happening or we’ll be hearing about them next week that we haven’t even thought of.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
6:32 pm
People talk like he’s the greatest pitcher ever when he’s really only had one great season, Jeffrey D
what a bunch of bologna. He has had 3 seasons of ERA+ over 130 and 5 over 119. This is not the only great season he has had though it is the best one. A few of us keep showing his successes but nobody learns.
matt
November 29th, 2009
6:39 pm
am i the only one wanting sheffield to take over norton’s job off the bench?? think it would be a great idea to have him come up against the tough lefties and maybe play the outfield on occasion.he could even play first against lefties rather than having to move prado off 2nd to do it.
N8
November 29th, 2009
6:49 pm
10, overdrawn bank account? Not quite son. LOL. Too funny.
My gripe isn’t about them not putting up DOB’s story (which btw allegedly was posted on Thanksgiving – so your Thanksgiving BS rant is a moot point), it’s the fact that Andruw Jones signing with the White Sox is a big and bold headline. WHO EFFING CARES ABOUT ANDRUW JONES!?!?!
Do you? If you do, you’re a bigger idiot than you appear to be. Go Eff yourself. Merry New Year to you douchebag.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
6:51 pm
what a bunch of bologna. He has had 3 seasons of ERA+ over 130 and 5 over 119 nolie
And 6 seasons at or under 100. My point is that there’s no guarantee he’ll be great again in 2010. We’ve got 6 pitchers, so get rid of Vazquez while his value his high.
N8
November 29th, 2009
6:53 pm
BTW, without the link posted earlier, I still can’t actually find where DOB’s story is actually at anywhere on the site, by trolling the headlines.
But, I can tell you without fail, that Andruw Jones has still agreed to the contract with the White Sox.
N8
November 29th, 2009
6:55 pm
I don’t know about you guys, but having any seasons with an ERA in the neigborhood of “100″, isn’t really that impressive. Seems kind of high.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
6:59 pm
I hate it when I check my fantasy stats in the morning, and you have a reliever give up 6 or 7 runs in .1 innings and they have an ERA of 162. Kind of makes you do one of those cartoon “AOOOOOGA!”s with your eyes.
Mike Cameron
November 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
Sign me! Guarantee I’ll hit you between 20-25 home runs, play very good defense and give you my usual .250/.260 average….. at least I’m honest. Where else can you find a better bargain?
VaBraveFan
November 29th, 2009
7:15 pm
Nick Johnson would be a ok addition to the ballclub. He will come cheaper than LaRoche. I read Nick Johnson wants a two year deal. OBP machine, works counts, tons of walks, and tough to strikeout as well. More power than kotchman. lol
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
7:29 pm
Nick Johnson will not put this team over the top. He’s the rich man’s Casey Kotchman.
Slowest offseason EVER!!!
November 29th, 2009
7:31 pm
This is awful. When are we going to hear some news, about ANYTHING?
Paul Lentz
November 29th, 2009
7:33 pm
John Schambi is doing the play by play on ESPN2 of the Marquette-Florida St. college basketball game.
TnBrian
November 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
To the complainer whining about the slow offseason… we just got some quotes on Lowe today. What more do you want?
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
7:38 pm
Look at Paul Lentz sneakin in the back door there
Man I’m gonna miss Boog. FoxSS had to know how revered he was. Why go with someone like Rathbun? He’ll get the job done, but in annoying and nasally fashion. Find someone with basebal smarts and personality.
VaBraveFan
November 29th, 2009
7:38 pm
Jeffrey d
Well, if LaRoche isnt retained he would prolly be the best option. Unless we make a trade for someone. If we add a OF power bat and Johnson at 1st thats enough.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
7:49 pm
And 6 seasons at or under 100 Jeff
excuse but your original statement was that it was his only great season, which was what I responded to, because it wasn’t his only great season. . And once you get past his first two seasons which many pitchers including some of our big 3 do poorly in, he has had 2 seasons @ 98 which is average and only one poor season a 90 at NY in his first year away from the small town flavor of Montreal.
This malarky about not knowing what you will get is just that . he is one of only a few in history to have 10 straight years of 10+ wins and 150+ Ks, so in fact you do know what you will get:200IP, circa 200Ks, 10+ wins. His Era has been influenced by bad defensive teams and hitters parks., but every pitcher’s ERA fluctuates;Lowe has had a higher ERA and a lower one so his fluctuated too.
Personally I don’t care if the trade him if he brings back a useful return, but don’t make a blanket statement that is false and expect not to get a response,,
nolie
November 29th, 2009
7:52 pm
I think you might be stretching a bit on that BA, Mike, but we could do worse. Don’t tell DAP that I said so though buddy.
balla1881
November 29th, 2009
7:52 pm
I’d like to take this opportunity to point out how awesome the Titans are playing. Vince Young included
nolie
November 29th, 2009
7:56 pm
Nick Johnson will not put this team over the top. He’s the rich man’s Casey Kotchman.
when he can even stay on the field regularly, which is dang seldom. he has played in as many as 129 games only 4 times in his entire career with only once in the 140s. Pretty risky.
Paul Lentz
November 29th, 2009
7:57 pm
jeffrey d……….I havent went anywhere, lol. Just no sense in posting a whole lot when nothing is going on of note in the baseball world. With the NFL, college football, the NBA and college basketball getting started……….my focus is on those sports.
When the Winter Meetings start, I’ll post more often. I just wanted to pop in with seeing Boog doing play by play in the Marquette-Florida St. game. He actually sounds pretty good doing college basketball so far.
Paul Lentz
November 29th, 2009
7:58 pm
It looks like Tiger Woods inherited his driving ability from his Mom’s side of the family.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
7:58 pm
When are we going to hear some news, about ANYTHING slowest
hey did you hear that Andruw signed with the White Sox?
Wayne in Utah
November 29th, 2009
8:22 pm
If any of you folks are looking for a good movie to see (though it is definitely not an edgy movie), The Blind Side is worth a watch.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Dave, glad to see you were able to get your “share” of Q this weekend! Hope the traffic was kind to ya.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
nolie – The point I was trying to make was that Javy had his best season last year. I see he had some real good seasons in Montreal (wasn’t aware of that). But for the most part, he’s been average to slightly above average.
Didn’t mean to make a big deal out of nothing.
bravefaninok
November 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
I think Mike Cameron would be a Great Addition to the Braves ….but you gonna be happy as a platoon player after Heyward takes over in RF….
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
8:25 pm
Paul – lol, I know. We just hadn’t heard from you in awhile and all of a sudden you sneak in with a very simple and safe comment.
no sense in posting a whole lot when nothing is going on of note in the baseball world
We never got that memo.
nolie
November 29th, 2009
8:30 pm
Didn’t mean to make a big deal out of nothing. Jeff
me neither, looking back I see my post sounded gruffer than I meant it to.
Mike Cameron
November 29th, 2009
8:33 pm
bravefaninok, mmm, no. Diaz will take a seat, McLouth will shift to LF and I take full time CF duties. Good try though.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
BTW, without the link posted earlier, I still can’t actually find where DOB’s story is actually at anywhere on the site, by trolling the headlines. — N8
It didn’t get posted on the website, far as anyone knows. I can’t tell you why. But it did run in the paper. I’ll post it for you myself here on the blog.
Just got home from N.C. while ago. We were making good time, would’ve made it in 6-1/2 hours (not bad for Thanksgiving traffic), but then 40 miles from home traffic came to a literal standstill on I-85 in Gwinnett County. Horrible. After about 5-6 miles of stop-and-go traffic, we got off and went down a bunch of backroads till we came out at the Gwinnett Braves stadium, then got on 85 again there and cruised the rest of the way home.
Wayne in Utah
November 29th, 2009
8:38 pm
Mike Cameron
Then, when Logan Schafer takes over, your back on the bench.
(sorry, couldn’t resist)
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
Here was that story on Kimbrel that ran in paper on Thanksgiving. Nothing earth-shattering, just a feature about a kid we haven’t written much about, a guy who could end up playing a big role for the Braves before too much longer:
By David O’Brien
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 walks 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 November 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 [miles per hour] 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. He had four walks and six strikeouts in two innings during his last two appearances last week.
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 change-up 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, even after giving up a three-run homer like he did this week.
“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, 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.”
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 29th, 2009
8:49 pm
Do you guys realize Lowe had a HR/9 rate of .7? That’s impressive.
N8
November 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Thanks DOB. Good read.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2009
9:01 pm
No problem, N8.
Oh, and, uh, Brett Favre.
Steve from OH
November 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
Good read, DOB.
jeffrey d
November 29th, 2009
9:14 pm
That Brett Favre had a day, didn’t he
DiamondbackMac
November 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Prediction
Saints roll over Patriots tomorrow night.
Feeanch
November 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
DOB, Wondering if you knew my grandfather, Dr. Robert Pope. He was a pediatrician in Wilson from about 1950 to 1997. They lived on Brentwood Drive around the corner from Dick’s Hot Dogs. I’ve posted several times on your blog, usually in response to or giving you some unsolicited reco’s on new tunes. Anyway, if you did know them, it would be cool if you emailed me. todd.finch@medtronic.com.
Funny aside, I bet the President of my Diabetes division @ Medtronic on the Northwestern/Wisconsin game last week (my wife went to UW, he’s a Huskie; I’ve become a defacto Badger fan during football season as long as my Heels aren’t playing, and don’t go off on Roy here…). Obviously, I lost the bet…but our wager was a mayoral-like hometown food wager…so I will be Fedexing him 5 pounds of Parker’s original BBQ along with some vinegar sauce…shipping is 3x as much as the BBQ…
Seriously, let me know if you knew my grandad. Most folks who grew up in Wilt-son did. My grandmother is still there. Mom and all her siblings went to Fike around the corner. You may be about my uncle’s age, may have known him. Damon Pope. Anywhoo….enjoyed this week’s column as always. I just downloaded some new stuff you may like: Brandi Carlile’s new one, Gregory Alan Isakov (Carlile lends her pipes to 5 songs as duets…pretty sweet), Harper Simon’s debut (may have heard of his old man, Paul), David Rawlings Machine (whoa nellie…good stuff, Gillian chimes in on most but if you want a real rise, go see them at Largo at the Coronet Theater on a Friday night in LA), David Mead’s new one, Mason Jennings, new Wolfmother, Blind Pilot, and Mike Doughty. Just saw Mute Math a few weeks ago at the Tnacle…Got Band of Horses coming up Dec. 30th…Still listening to Pearl Jam’s new one at least a few times a week…I’m out…
Brandon from Warner Robins
November 29th, 2009
9:40 pm
Go Duke! (in basketball, of course)
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 29th, 2009
9:49 pm
Braves are lucky, all their needs have a plethora of free agents
Couch Tater
November 29th, 2009
9:59 pm
Minor-league stint with Braves helps Dixon become better football player – ESPN, September 28, 2007
Dennis Dixon starting tonight for the Steelers.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3040537
nolie
November 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
Braves are lucky, all their needs have a plethora of free agents JJ
yeah there are a lot, but in many cases they are mediocre, not quality. not all that happy with any of the first basemen or the outfielders either except the two that they aren’t gonna pay enough to get.
Even in the pen 2 of the best are ones we are losing.
TnBrian
November 29th, 2009
10:34 pm
Maybe Wren & the Braves are waiting for 2011 when they should have all of Heyward, Schafer, Freeman, Kimbrel up & 2010 will just be fill in pieces until they arrive. That would make sense but it being Bobby’s last year maybe they want him to go out with a ring. Who knows, but I’m betting it’ll be some fill in pieces like a Wagner, Cameron & maybe a Blalock or Delgado to hold the fort for a year.
N8
November 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
All summer long, nobody believed me when I said we would lose both Gonzalez and Soriano. I guess there is still a chance one stays, either via signing a new deal, or accepting arbitration.
But even before Gonzo switched to Boras, it was obvious that they were both going to be in the top 3 or 4 of available relievers on the market and the Braves have NEVER spent top dollars on relievers. NEVER. The closest they’ve come to it, was paying Smoltz his salary to close and he was different due to his “area icon” status (and the fact that he was really frickin good at closing), and with Soriano on the latest 2 year deal that has expired.
Not a chance in hell they give Soriano the big raise he’ll ask for, and mark it down… Gonzalez is going to get more money and a longer contract than Soriano will.
They are both gone. Doesn’t spell doom from my angle, provided Wren can find some veteran arms out there to help shoulder the load, and hopefully one of them, or one of the younger guys steps up and takes hold of the closer’s role by years end.
The irony is that everybody expects Wren to go get a big bat with Vazquez if Lowe can’t be dealt. To me it is a very real possibility that our future closer may be the main piece coming back to us in a trade for Vazquez (or Lowe).
This is never going to happen, but a deal similar to it could happen with another team. But what if Texas were to take Lowe off of our hands to anchor their staff and use his sinker in their hitter’s haven in exchange for Feliz? Like I said. Not going to happen. But it wouldn’t shock me if Wren were to be on the lookout for live young arms that could be groomed to close, and groomed quickly in exchange for one of those two pitchers.
Perhaps with a reasonable RH OF bat thrown into the mix. Nothing major, but a cheap semi-productive bridge to Heyward.
I just have this partial sense that this will be the winter that Wren fixes the lineup (via trades, free agency and calling up Heyward and/or Schafer), and the bullpen is what fails us.
Which is why to me, it is essential that he leave himself some wiggle room for the possibility of adding “help” mid-season, salary wise.
Unless he is positive that who replaces Gonzo and Soriano in the pen, and who man’s LF, RF and 1B are going to make our offense stronger and more consistent, if it were me, I wouldn’t max out the monetary resources just yet.
Which again, as strange as it may seem, with Hudson back and Hanson on board for a full year, JJJ being JJJ and KK being fine, I’d still think about moving BOTH Lowe and Vazquez to fix the other 5 issues this team will have (LRP, RLP, LF, RF, 1B).
A rotation of Hudson, Hanson, JJJ, KK and literally anybody is still the best 1-4 rotation in the division imo, provided they all stay healthy. Which isn’t a given.
DAP
November 29th, 2009
11:21 pm
rob from SCI really want the Braves to sign Nick Johnson. I am hopeful that his addition would do for us what the Bobby Abreu signing did for the Angels. He taught that free swinging lineup how to wait for their pitch. Johnson always has a high OBP and could only help our free swingers
The braves lineup actually doesn’t have a lot of free swingers. This is not really an issue for the braves. For the 2009 team, their OBP numbers were actually very solid. Where the braves lack is slugging, and nick Johnson isn’t the guy to help with that.
nolieI think you might be stretching a bit on that BA, Mike, but we could do worse. Don’t tell DAP that I said so though buddy.
Red handed, punk.
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 29th, 2009
11:23 pm
yeah there are a lot, but in many cases they are mediocre, not quality. not all that happy with any of the first basemen or the outfielders either except the two that they aren’t gonna pay enough to get.
Even in the pen 2 of the best are ones we are losing.
Eh. I’d be happy if Wren dealt Lowe to the Diamondbacks for Connor Jackson. Kills two bird with one stone. That’ll leave 26 million (or 21 million if Braves eat 5) for “B” relievers. My suggestion? Saito (2yrs./9M) and Putz (1yr/2M base, up to 5M in incentives, with a 7M mutual option for 2011). Now there’s 19.5 to 16.5M to spend on a LF, 4th OF, and a go to pinch hitter. Dear god Bobby, please be Infante. Thats assuming Braves don’t eat 5M…
MZ
November 30th, 2009
12:16 am
DOB ——–
you hearing anything on Matt Ryan’s prognosis? I’ve got him and Eli on my fantasy squad, and things aren’t looking good at this point … weren’t really before both of ‘em got hurt, but oh well …
oh, and Favre … while I can’t agree with those who are touting him as the league’s MVP at this stage, he’s simply other-worldly, stupid good right now … I tried to tell people that when I covered his “throwing sessions” at Oak Grove High during the summer … I said, when (not if) he comes back to the Vikes, he’ll have a strong, strong defense, a pair of above-average receivers, not to mention one of (if not the) best RBs in the league …
with each week that passes, if the Saints and Vikings wind up meeting in the playoffs, that has the potential to be the best game in the league this season (counting the Super Bowl)
Jarryd
November 30th, 2009
12:22 am
The triple option has returned, once again there is hope in Statesboro.
Jarryd
November 30th, 2009
12:23 am
I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and I think it was Peter King who was on, said he took the average of Favre’s 3 MVP seasons and compared it to this season, and this season just blows the average of those three away.
nolie
November 30th, 2009
12:51 am
Eh. I’d be happy if Wren dealt Lowe to the Diamondbacks for Connor Jackson. Kills two bird with one stone
Conor might be ok if he is healthy. I agree that a trade or even two almost has to be part of the process this winter
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 30th, 2009
1:18 am
nolie,
I’m doing a right up on the Braves offseason re-preview, If they kept the the same payroll ($96,726,166) they’d have $18,875,832 to spend on their needs. A trade may not be needed, but it couldn’t hurt. If Connor can return to his form, which has been doing this offseason, he’d be a good pickup.
Lexington, NC Bravo Nut
November 30th, 2009
1:23 am
DOB, I was catching up with posts from a few days ago and saw you gave my home town a visit and went to Smiley’s BBQ. While I’m thrilled you came to our little town, I feel compelled to let you know that you missed the best BBQ spot! Smiley’s BBQ hasn’t been around more than five or six years, and from what I’ve heard from locals, it’s “ok…”.
Lexington BBQ # 1 is where it’s at. We locals call it the “Honey Monk”. Ask anyone in town where it is and they’ll point you in the right direction (or just find it right off of business 85). They serve up the good stuff there, enough so that Jimmy Carter made a stop there during his administration!
nolie
November 30th, 2009
1:28 am
Thing about Conor is that he has been a much better hitter there in that hitters park than he has been away.
DiamondbackMac
November 30th, 2009
1:51 am
SAINTS RULE
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can't We Keep 'Em Both?}
November 30th, 2009
2:02 am
Nolie,
Thats true, but Chase field is pretty neutral, from what I remember.
Here’s the link, if your interested: http://knoble.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/if_im_frank_wren_braves_offsea.html
DiamondbackMac
November 30th, 2009
2:06 am
MZ
A Saints vs Vikings game would be a memory of a lifetime. It would be sublime to be able to say, “I saw it happen.”
N8
November 30th, 2009
3:03 am
Hey DOB, any word on where Andruw might land, and do the Braves have any interest?
On a side note about our “back and forth” about Favre…
Tomorrow’s game between the Saints and the Patriots, will go a long way in determining who goes to the SB from the NFC, imo.
In the Vikings final 5 games, they have the Bengals and Giants at home and play @ Arizona, Carolina and Chicago. ALL winnable games in my eyes (Chicago in late December could be tough for a dome team… but it’s Jay Cutler and the Bears!).
The Saints have NE (tomorrow night), Dallas and Tampa at home, and road games @ Washington, Atlanta and Carolina. Also all games I see them winning.
But, if NE goes into N.O. and beats the saints, it’s on full scale, imo. A) it would show the Saints can be beat at home, and obviously would put the Saints and Vikings in a virtual tie for home field throughout (haven’t looked at tie-breaker scenarios just yet).
I really think that the Saints and Vikings will meet in the NFC championship game (not really groundbreaking in my prediction there), but they are both teams that are so dominant at home, that I have to believe whoever has the game at home wins that game. Going to be really tough for any road team’s O-Line to function in a close game in the other team’s dome.
But I have to admit, Favre has lasted longer than I thought he would, and the dynamic of his passing has allowed the Vikings running game to be put on hold (saving Peterson and Taylor for the pounding on the ground they might need to do to neutralize a loud crowd in a road game. Also, the Vikings quick score capability has allowed their defense to pretty much T-off of opposing offenses.
Damn, I’d give about anything to have Jared Allen back in a KC uniform. Though Jamal Charles looks like a rising star and either Dorsey (who’s played pretty darn good for being thrust into a DE spot in a 3-4 for the first time in his life), will be retained or traded this coming off-season. Add to that Brandon Albert is pretty solid, so the Chiefs got some good picks by trading Allen. But he still has more sacks than the entire Chiefs team does, and he’s such a leader on defense, it bums me out. But that’s what happens when you have a GM who would rather “prove his point” by dissing the guy with one set of off-field problems (Allen) and re-sign his “guy” (Larry Johnson) to an extension. One had to go, one had to stay, and like Peterson did so many times in the last decade, he chose the wrong one.
I suspect for the next decade, the Chiefs will be looking for a guy that can give them half the production at RE as Allen would have happily done in KC with an extension. Keep in mind Carl Peterson is also the guy that gave up on Donnie Edwards and Joe Horn and then spent the next 5-6 years trying to find a LB and a play making WR for his team while those two went on to have some great years elsewhere.
Anyhow, as I have every week for a few weeks now, I won’t back down on my promise, and continue to admit I was wrong about Favre. No matter how much it hurts me to type it. LOL
nolie
November 30th, 2009
3:49 am
Thats true, but Chase field is pretty neutral, from what I remember. JJ
you must be misremembering JJ, Chase is an extreme hitters park.
2009 2nd
2008 2nd
2007 5th
2006 4th
that’s of all major league parks not just NL, per ESPN Park Factors
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor/_/year/2006
big difference between it and Turner
ncgary
November 30th, 2009
4:34 am
n8 andruw probably lands most nights on rush street
lol
Bay Area Steve
November 30th, 2009
5:59 am
Couch Tater,
I don’t know if I can forgive you using the “Where’s whiskey?” line. I like it ’cause it was midday, but…
uga,
What the heck is up with you posting everything four times now? I mean, I know you drink, but twice is enough.
‘OB,
Loved the stealing bbq from your Dad thing. Good stuff.
Continuing (scribe-like transition; miss ya, brother), Andruw doesn’t deserve what he gets here. Best CF anybody my age’ll ever see. Ever. That’s right; I can see 60 years into the future (though I can’t believe me and my liver”ll make another 30).
Finally, can someone do a little detective work, and confirm that RHR started the tuckfebow site? I’m tryin’ to win a bet.
Couch Tater
November 30th, 2009
8:10 am
You’re correct BAS, it was lame. I ripped it off in a stressful situation. But, If I had said “Where’s the bong?”, you can understand that: A.) I haven’t received my card yet to use at one of your local dispensaries. B.) MLB Trade Rumors may have picked it up as interest from the Braves in Jung Bong, opening up all kinds of lame pythagorean debate on his merits. C.) I knew I had left it in the parking lot of the OMNI, June 2, 1973.
O.J.
November 30th, 2009
8:15 am
Jurrjens4NLCY {Can’t We Keep ‘Em Both?}, did you write that blog on MLBlogs?
LT200
November 30th, 2009
9:31 am
Rob (SC) – I do not know if anyone answered this but in Florida a traffic crash is a non-criminal act (unless it involves DUI) and by law all crash participants are only required to provide license, registration and insurance which Tiger has through his attorney. He does not have to answer questions.
Lew
November 30th, 2009
9:40 am
I’m just going to hang up and listen to Nolie for a while. He’s nailed it all just about right all night-Nick Johnson, Javy Vazquez and mostly anything else he’s talked about. Carry on Dude.
RHR
November 30th, 2009
9:57 am
Finally, can someone do a little detective work, and confirm that RHR started the tuckfebow site? I’m tryin’ to win a bet.
Hope your bet was that I didn’t, but it goes without saying that I agree with the sentiment…
If it was any of us the police would haul our butts to the station
If it was any of us, nobody would care. He had a wreck, he didn’t break any laws, and if his wife broke any he’s smartly not going to press domestic violence charges against her. People need to leave them alone about all of this.
RHR
November 30th, 2009
10:07 am
And I agree with you about Andruw, most people here are either young children or have very short memories. I’ve decided.