12:36 am November 24, 2009, by David O'Brien
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Wide Right
November 24th, 2009
3:12 pm
if we are talking BBQ…I live in Manhattan, where ventilation restrictions prevent a Carolina boy like myself from getting BBQ cooked the right way. Therefore, the annual Big Apple BBQ Festival in Madison Square Park is my only chance to get a true Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich with slaw and a potato roll. Its actually a pretty big deal…the festival features one vendor for every “BBQ region” in the country. The longest lines are always for the Texas Salt Lick. I am thankful for that…as I spend most of my time with folks from “The Pit”…they are from Raleigh, NC and they do it right.
However, DOB, up until two years ago the Carolina BBQ was represented by a place in Wilson, NC and it was the best. I cant remember the name of it but I remember Miguel Nunez (an actor…I guess he is best known for playing Juwanna Mann in the movie Juwanna Mann) was serving the BBQ. We talked briefly and he mentioned that he was from Wilson and he was family or friends with the vendors and wanted to help out.
They always have the festival in June. If the Braves are playing the Mets at that time you should check it out: http://www.bigapplebbq.org
Moby Grape
November 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Konerko is not available and you’re left with the option of Dye, or Blalock, now who would you rather have? Dye at 1B, or Blalock? Joe
wow, bad choices I guess I’d take Hank but I wouldn’t be very happy.
Let’s not forget that the Braves usually trade instead of spending on free agents, I think there will be better options out there than either of those two.
I am of the firm opinion that the Braves will not sign either Bay or Holiday, too much money even if they can dump Lowe’s salary. I know they might be able to afford it if that happened, I just don’t believe they will do it. There are too many other problems that need addressing,
If they lose Adam like I think will probably happen, I think they will try to pick up a mid-level first baseman and a mid-level outfielder and probably a closer. I hope they do more, but that’s my thought at this moment.
Wren will likely surprise us as the winter progresses.
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
You know what I love to have with BBQ? A moon pie.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Gotta give a shoutout to some local BBQ in mid-GA since everyone else is name dropping…Fincher’s BBQ in Macon is GREAT. It’s even been into outer space when a local guy(Can’t remember the guy’s name at the moment) who became an astronaut(sp?) requested it as one of his things to take up in the shuttle with him .
And Hudson’s BBQ in my little hometown of Robera, GA is lip-smacking good as well!
Venice Jim
November 24th, 2009
3:14 pm
CB – Pierce’s does ship their BBQ – $36 for four pounds, plus unidentified charges for special handling and shipping – still probably cheaper than a round flight trip…
raleighbravefan
November 24th, 2009
3:15 pm
Wide Right – I feel for you man. The festival does sound pretty good, although unless you are having a sandwich, NCQ should come with hush puppies, not a roll.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
And Old Clinton BBQ between Macon and Gray (on Gray Highway) is fabulous as well. “Dirty Jobs” did a show there a few years ago where Mike Rowe helped clean the BBQ pit.
cabravesfan
November 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
VJ-
I’ve tried to post a response to you but so far everything I type seems to come out unintentionally unfit to print…
NCmike
November 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
MLBTR is reporting that the Braves got Bobby Abreu!!!! Is this true????
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
Not much great BBQ in Rome, GA, but Back Yard BBQ is probably the best. Loads of great BBQ places in Atlanta, but you know about them already.
18 Wheels of Love
November 24th, 2009
3:18 pm
Saffron Poached Sea Bass with pistachio foam? Seriously? You better put some Grey Poupon on that.
Daybed Wagmoe
November 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
DOB at 1:50pm — nah, it was funny. For a second I figured that some joker signed in, using your name to post something dumb, and that you’d come back on and say, “alright, whoever posted that Abreu thing – not cool. You’re BANNED.”
I know that it was a couple of weeks ago, but what’d you think of The Office’s “Murder” episode?? I thought it was the funniest episode of the season, maybe the last two seasons. It was priceless, especially Oscar’s attempts at a southern accent.
raleighbravefan
November 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Wide Right – the pit is great, although they have all kinds – pulled pork, ribs, brisket, etc. It is well known all over, and the chef beat Bobby Fley in a Food Network Throwdown.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
Moby, that’s all I was saying as well by endorsing Blalock, yes, Ideally laRoche would/should be back.
I think of all the big three he is the most likely to return, but if not, then who else is out there?
D.Lee=unavailable
C.Pena?
Other than that?????????
now it has been mentioned on ESPN trade rumors that the Halos,want Konerko.
Wonder if that happens if we could then do a deal with LAA, and send Lowe (if they miss on Halladay/Lackey),Schafer,andanother player to LAA for Kendry Morales, and say maybe Jose Arrendondo.
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
I’m a fan of Puerto Rican BBQ myself. Really any Latin American BBQ is phenomenal. Though the good ole vinegar-based NC BBQ is my favorite.
Brandon from Warner Robins
November 24th, 2009
3:20 pm
I agree with Macon Braves (RIP) Finchers BBQ is excellent.
NCmike
November 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
18 Wheels
Gotta admit, some of the food sounds “out there”. But the cigars are literally as good as they get.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
And in that case just move Freeman to LF
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
Moe Berg,
The Weber Grill in Schaumburg has terrific pulled pork…
CB
November 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
VJ,you would miss the chance to see W&M,the Colonial background and the cool weather.
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
PWHjort,
Do you live in Rome? I was looking at Shorter College for a while…
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Ritchie from Scotland
November 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
How’s the weather across the pond guys? It feels like it hasn’t stopped raining in Glasgow for about 2 weeks. Yip, this is how boring the off-season is so far, i’ve resorted to asking about the weather!
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:28 pm
not too far from me there PW Hjort
cabravesfan
November 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
CB-
It’s been getting clod here at night…supposed to be in the 40’s all week
cabravesfan
November 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
OK, in the interest of full disclosure, it is also supposed to be close to 80 during the days…
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
I want to take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving to all here, may your Holidays be Blessed, and may prosperity smile on each and every one of You!!!
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
Olney tweets that the Astros’ payroll will be cut from $107MM to the low $90MMs.
Wonder who is available in Houston?
Oswalt?
Lee?
N8
November 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
“By the way, Abreu was rated No. 25 prospect in Royals org by Baseball America entering last season” DOB
Wow. The 25th ranked prospect in one of the worst organizations. WOW!! LOL. Now my hotstove juice is flowing!
In all seriousness, adding good fairly young live arms, when we might be losing both Soriano and Gonzo is a good thing. Possibly one of those under the radar “doesn’t seem like much of a move at the time” signings that ends up being one of the first great moves in overhauling our bullpen. Perhaps not.
darren
November 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
keith law is reporting the braves are on the verge of getting Cabrera. shaffer, freeman, minor and delgado, and johnson
David O'Brien
November 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
Why a major league contract? Braves felt like Abreu would’ve been protected on their 40-man roster if he’d been in their organization this month, when they added minor leaguers to protect them from Rule 5 Draft.
Someone else would’ve plucked him in next month’s Rule 5 draft if he was not on a 40-man roster.
Royals didn’t protect him, despite high-90s fastball. Probably tired of command issues.
Obviously not a big risk for Braves, other than taking a roster spot. It’s a minimum salary.
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
I could deal with Carlos Lee’s defense with the bat he brings, but that’s 18mil a year and if the Astros are cutting payroll then they wouldn’t want Lowe.
N8
November 24th, 2009
3:36 pm
“Olney tweets that the Astros’ payroll will be cut from $107MM to the low $90MMs….”
How come when a sentence has the word “tweet” in it, it’s hard to take it seriously? Or is it just me?
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:37 pm
Nah N8, tweeting is pretty much the lamest invention since blogs
RC
November 24th, 2009
3:38 pm
keith law is reporting the braves are on the verge of getting Cabrera. shaffer, freeman, minor and delgado, and johnson
Seems like a lot for Melky Cabrera…..
DAP
November 24th, 2009
3:38 pm
Olney tweets that the Astros’ payroll will be cut from $107MM to the low $90MMs.
Wonder who is available in Houston?
Oswalt?
Lee?
berkman? please be berkman.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:39 pm
darren, I just checked Espn, I saw no such reference to that proposed deal, do you have a link to provide?
boonie27
November 24th, 2009
3:40 pm
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
You know what I love to have with BBQ? A moon pie.
Add an RC cola to that and you have a complete meal.
Martin Calloway
November 24th, 2009
3:40 pm
Slaid Cleaves will be at Eddie’s Attic on Dec 3.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
But if the cuts are going to continue, might GM Ed Wade look to deal first baseman Lance Berkman, who is due $14.5 million in 2010 with an option at $15 million for 2011 or a $2 million buyout.
DAP. looks like your wish may come true.
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
I eat a mini moon pie everyday with my lunch, BJ’s wholesale baby, box of 48 for 7 bucks, three flavors!
beekay
November 24th, 2009
3:42 pm
Schafer and Medlen for Melkey….Yanks want Gardner to start and looking to move Melkey
RC
November 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
I could deal with Carlos Lee’s defense with the bat he brings, but that’s 18mil a year and if the Astros are cutting payroll then they wouldn’t want Lowe.
I agree on putting up with the defense. Given that it’ll be hard for Houston to move Lee anyway, they might agree to a straight swap for Lowe since it’ll save them $3.5 million a year for the next 3 years (Lee is making $18.5 million a year). One potential roadblock is that Lee has a full no-trade clause, which as we’ve seen in the past can be a headache when getting deals together.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
Houston has holes up and down the roster, including up the middle on the infield and in the bullpen where the club is reportedly not interested in bringing back closer Jose Valverde.
UH-OH, looks like he is not for the Braves.Berkman that is
Dawg
November 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
Why are we so opposed to resigning LaRoche? After he came to the Braves, the Braves were a very good team. We seem to be more intereted in waiting for a AA hitter who has yet to excel at AA. I love prospects but it may be 3 or more years before Freeman can contribute at LaRoche’s level. If we add a RH hitter to the outfield, our team would will at a very high rate.
BBQ talk? Dang, things must be slow around here.
18 Wheels of Love
November 24th, 2009
3:44 pm
N8, couldn’t agree more about ‘tweets’. Those letters in that order are best left to be used only when talking about Tweetsie Railroad.
And when history looks back on the world of journalism, ‘tweeting’ will be the equivalent to boy bands in the music world. Tweet my words….
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:45 pm
After winning his third National League MVP this season, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman is poised to land one of the biggest contracts in team sports history, whether he becomes a free agent or gets that contract from his current employers.
Pujols, who turns 30 in January, has two years and $32 million dollars remaining on his current pact, and it may be time for the Cardinals, as an organization, to decide whether they can afford to pay him upwards of $20 million until he’s 37 or 38 years old. If the answer is no, or anything but a resounding yes, they may decide to explore trading Pujols as early as this winter.
The price to retain their star could cost the Cards more than $200 million, and while Scott Boras is not the agent for Pujols, it’s unlikely that their will be much of a discount
OH BOY! now I wonder what this would take in terms of Players?
DAP
November 24th, 2009
3:45 pm
its hard to think of a more ideal guy than lance berkman for the braves, considering everything, position, contract, ect.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 24th, 2009
3:47 pm
When I was a kid, my great grandmother always had Moon Pies and RC Cola for the grandkids to snack on. I also loved to have Yoo-Hoo with my Moon Pie!
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:47 pm
We’ve talked over the last few days how the financially-strapped Detroit Tigers were interested in dealing Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson. With those talks reportedly stalled, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News says Miguel Cabrera could now be on the block.
Despite enormous talent, “No longer is Cabera a sure thing to remain with the Tigers,” writes Henning, who adds that “the (Tigers) hemorrhaged money in 2009 and stands to bleed profusely in 2010, as well.
Now this one really has me scared just because of Wren’s affinity for Cabrera, and Bobby’s desire for the Three Run Homer!
DAP
November 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
Why are we so opposed to resigning LaRoche?
“we” arent. there are a few bloggers here who arent, and a couple of guys who cover the braves, bowman and o’brien both seem to think it probably wont happen. their hunches are usually pretty good indicators.
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 24th, 2009
3:48 pm
HA Boonie…great call bud!!
Efrim
November 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Olney tweets that the Astros’ payroll will be cut from $107MM to the low $90MMs.
Wonder who is available in Houston?
Oswalt?
Lee?
I think they would ask for the moon when fielding offers for Berkman and Oswalt.
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Dawg,
Laroche hit #7 when we came bac wek, and why? Cause he’s a #7 hitter, could probably pass as a #6 on our team. I’m not opposed to bringing back Adam Laroche, but only if get a real #4 hitter as well, McCann is great in the 5 hole, but he’s no clean-up man.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
How bout Jack Cust instead?
18 Wheels of Love
November 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
RC is a pretty common Southern drink, but did anyone ever drink the strawberry goodness of a Red Rock? And you know what i like with my Red Rock and Moon Pie? Another Moon Pie lighted warmed in the microwave.
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
Sometimes I butcher the English language for fun
njbraves
November 24th, 2009
3:51 pm
I know the Braves aren’t going to get Cabrera, but when I read comments like..”Cabrera would block Freeman”..I just have to laugh. If Freeman turns into half the hitter Miggy is, I’ll be thrilled. I know his salary is an issue, but if they could move Lowe, this is exactly the type of splash move that would show that the Braves are for real.
DAP
November 24th, 2009
3:52 pm
marc in FL McCann is great in the 5 hole, but he’s no clean-up man.
why isnt he? what exactly are you looking for?
Efrim
November 24th, 2009
3:53 pm
My post got cut off, but what I meant was that they probably value those two more than they should.
Oswalt: 10:$15M, 11:$16M, 12:$16M club option ($2M buyout)
Berkman: 10:$14.5M, 11:$15M club option ($2M buyout)
RC
November 24th, 2009
3:53 pm
RC is a pretty common Southern drink, but did anyone ever drink the strawberry goodness of a Red Rock? And you know what i like with my Red Rock and Moon Pie? Another Moon Pie lighted warmed in the microwave.
I actually tried Red Rock for the first time this past week (regular and ginger ale, not strawberry). The regular version is great, and the ginger ale is good while drinking, but leaves your throat burning for some reason. Both are made just outside of Atlanta with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup though, and are both really good.
Venice Jim
November 24th, 2009
3:55 pm
cabravesfan – “It’s been getting clod here at night…supposed to be in the 40’s all week”
were you referring to me as a clod, or are we back to proofreading issues?
David O'Brien
November 24th, 2009
3:55 pm
18 Wheels of Love: Tweetsie Railroad. You’ve got me thinking about summer as a little kid, when dad drove the family up to Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad.
Someone asked about Little Mint. It was another burger chain started by the Hardee’s founder, Wilber Hardee (the first Hardee’s was in Greenville, and it was still right across from ECU campus when I was a kid).
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:55 pm
I would imagine the call gets hung up when Wade says, I want Schafer,Jurrjens,and Escobar for Berkman!
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
3:56 pm
DAP –
Someone that can play everyday and hit 30+ homers while maintaining around a .300 average, simply put. It would also be nice to have a clean-up hitter that doesn’t go on 2-3 week pull-happy skids like McCann tends to do.
The fact that he’s a catcher hurts him the most. The fact that he doesn’t know how to situational hit hurts him for now, but is less of an issue every year. He may be the best raw hitter we have, but I’d like a more experienced guy hitting fourth with a little more pop and less streaks.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
If not Wren has suddenly developed dementia
cabravesfan
November 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
VJ-
What do you think?
18 Wheels of Love
November 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
DOB, I made that trip in the grandparents airstream a few times myself.
And yeah the regular Red Rock Cola leaves a little afterburn in the throat…I think from the ginger. I doubt they make the strawberry anymore but it was was the bees knees when I was 6.
P-Town Brave
November 24th, 2009
3:59 pm
njbraves-
Yeah, that would the “Braves got who…uh oh Philly fans just sh*t themselves trade”
Chief
November 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
JEFF FRANCOUER HAS JUST BEEN TRADED!
Geo123
November 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
JoeBrave,
The players you mention for Berkman may be what the Tigers ask for Cabrera from the Braves. Reading the whole article, the writer also makes sure to state that if Cabrera is traded that the Red Sox wold be first in line to get him and one of the components for the deal would be Bucholhz. So people can forget about Lowe and whatever for him because it won’t happen. Here’s a link to the article….
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091124/SPORTS0104/911240336/1265/SPORTS08/Miguel-Cabrera-joins-Tigers–trade-talks
DAP
November 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
Marc in FL Someone that can play everyday and hit 30+ homers while maintaining around a .300 average, simply put.
there are exactly 5 players in the majors that were able to do that last year. 5 guys out of 30 teams. you think maybe your standards are a bit unrealistic?
P-Town Brave
November 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
Ok, so what does everyone think it would take to get Cabrera and is the assumption that they’ll try to make up for the Jurrjens mistake?
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
Geo I agree wholeheartedly, no way Cabrera is a Brave
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
Chief, where do get that? Francouer has no trade value, If anything he will go to Arb with the Mutts, or be NON TENDERED!
Sinclair
November 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
As a long-time North Carolinian, no better barbecue in the state than Bee’s BBQ in Greeneville, NC, or Wilbur’s in Goldsboro…
O.J.
November 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
P-Town Braves, hmmm, I think it will take Ted Turner money to get Cabrera. But as of right now, no way he even fights in the payroll, just no single way.
O.J.
November 24th, 2009
4:07 pm
I mean fits in the payroll, not fights, lol
O.J.
November 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Joebrave, God dude!!! Dont you know a ruse when you see one?
Lew
November 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
MaconBraves is absolutely correct about Old Clinton’s.
My favorite right now is Fatty’s BBQ on the Vermont/NewHampshire state line (VT side) cause it’s the only damned place there is up here. But it’s good pulled pork with the western Carolina vinegar based sauce.
Every now and then a Dude comes through town with a mobile set up and he has pulled pork cooked over maple and oak instead of hickory or mesquite like down south. It’s good, too, with that Western Carolina sauce.
Joebrave
November 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Checkin out for awhile gotta pay the bills check back later for any more untrue developments
P-Town Brave
November 24th, 2009
4:09 pm
Ok so say the money can be worked, what do you all think it will take?
Marc in FL
November 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
DAP -
I think you’re missing the point, there are 50+ guys in the majors capable of those stats; last year was a down year as far as power numbers are concerned. The point is McCann is not on the list of guys capable of doing that because he is a catcher, and thus will never play everyday and never be able to produce those kinds of numbers unless he goes Mike Piazza on us or something.
You have to create a team based on potential, and McCann is turning out to be a pull happy low 20’s HR guy that might as well just sit back and watch against left-handers. He is a serviceable #4 guy, but more productive as protection in the 5th hole with an everyday player in the #4 hole.
This isn’t a McCann bashing, I love the guy, but he is not an ideal #4 hitter. If you really want I can start a list of guys that project to be better in that spot…
Macon Braves (RIP)
November 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
Joebrave–I think Chief was just trolling for a reaction from someone. Someone like him, who doesn’t add anything to the blog, should be ignored in my opinion.
BravoMan
November 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
1. McLouth-LF
2.Prado-2B
3.Jones-3B
4.McCann-C
5.Cameron-CF
6.Escobar-SS
7. Heyward/Diaz
8. Gamel-1B
1. Jurrjens
2.Hudson
3. Lowe
4.Hanson
5. Kawakami
CL-Wagner
SU-Moylan
SU-O’Flaherty
MR- Logan
MR- Acosta
MR- Abreu
LR- Medlen
I’m not saying I’m for all of this but I want a good return for one of our pitchers, so I predict that Vazquez will be delt to the Brewers for Gamel, because Gamel does not have a position there. He plays first til Chipper retires then Freeman comes in and Gamel moves to 3B. Wren will also sign Cameron who has wanted to play here and Bobby will kindly ask McLouth to move to LF. And yes I think that a Wagner signing is inevitable and I’d personally be ok with that. In order of these things being completed I expect it to go Wagner then Cameron deal, and then finally a trade of Vazquez to the Brewers. I do see fits for Lowe, but we should sell high with Javy. Just my opinion.
Brandon
November 24th, 2009
4:14 pm
DOB!!
Saw the opening to your blog…..just thought I would tell you that Penelope Cruz is going to be on the Ellen Degeneres show within the hour.
Later!
TnBrian
November 24th, 2009
4:15 pm
Wonder if the Braves are waiting around on a team to call them about trading for Lowe before going after an OF/1B. If so, that can’t be a good position to be in. Only teams I’ve read linked to Lowe are the Angels & Brewers. Angels might get Halladay & the Brewers don’t seem like a match unless they get desperate. I’m starting to believe this thing will drag on & on unless Wren can reel in a fool to take Lowe’s full contract in the next few weeks.
shockley
November 24th, 2009
4:16 pm
This just in — the Royals, apparently, have 25 prospects. Am I the only one to find this utterly surprising?
Also, DOB — the XX is a decent newish group. Listening to Crystalised as we speak on 103.1.
Lastly, and bbq is good bbq. Any pig is good pig. Fun fact, even baconnaise rocks…sorry, guilty pleasure.
ugaaccountant
November 24th, 2009
4:19 pm
Wren really does have a ton of options at 1b.
My current 1b pursuit list, guys who are free agents or would be reasonably easy to trade for. This is taking into account first and foremost talent but very much considering salary, length of contract, trade cost to obtain, drinking problems
, and age:
Nick Johnson (he should be our worst case scenario)
1) Adrian Gonzalez (lock him up long term or no thanks to the deal)
2) Miguel Cabrera (high risk, but MVP type reward potential)
3) longshots that would cost a ton: Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder or Justin Morneau (each has just a tiny chance of moving so I list them together)
4) Adam Laroche (he’s not bad at all)
5) Young ML ready prospects: Matt Laporta, Chris Davis, Mat Gamels (Each of these three could also play other spots and their clubs might be frustrated with their 09 production)
6) Jermaine Dye (salary might be low enough to be interesting)
7) Hank Blalock (at least has power)
9) Carlos Pena (expensive trade requirement)
10) Lance Berkman (too expensive salary/likely trade requirements)
11) Derek Lee (no trade clause so not sure I should even list him)
12) Dan Uggla (or any other prado to first talk)
13) Paul Konerko (he isn’t that good, is expensive, will require trading something of value, is old, etc.)
14) something really bad like Diaz to 1b and starting Church in RF (gross)
DAP
November 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
marc in FL, ok, but now get my point…there were 5 players that matched the numbers you cited, on 5 different teams. 2 of those 5 players i know for sure did not even bat 4th in their lineup. that means 27 out of 30 teams failed to get the production you stated was needed out of their cleanup hitter. out of the 3 players who did hit cleanup for their team, only one made the playoffs, which tells me, you dont need a guy with the stats you said were necessary for a cleanup hitter in order to win and make the playoffs.
so i think you need to re-evaluate what kind of production a team must have for a cleanup hitter. its clear that a guy who hits 30+ homers, plays basically everyday and bats around .300 is not critical for a cleanup hitter.
ncscoots
November 24th, 2009
4:20 pm
I’m starting to believe this thing will drag on & on unless Wren can reel in a fool to take Lowe’s full contract in the next few weeks.
I doubt it will “drag on and on”; if the Braves come to believe that Lowe can’t be moved in the right deal, then they will move Vazquez. I don’t have any idea what that drop-dead date might be, but, I can’t imagine Wren will leave himself twisting in the wind because he’s afraid to pull the trigger.
LOL, and I’ll try to include just a few more metaphors in my next post…
O.J.
November 24th, 2009
4:21 pm
P-Town Brave, if you are going to play that game, then why not see what it takes to get Albert Pujols??? Saying “Ok so say the money can be worked” is not realistic.
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
4:23 pm
JJ,
Yeah, I live in Rome. I can hit Shorter College’s Music Building with a BB gun from my back yard.
boonie27,
I’m glad someone got that.
P. W. Hjort
November 24th, 2009
4:31 pm
AFL Pitch F/X Fastball Velocity Analysis | Baseball America
Mike Minor AVG – 90.85 MAX – 93.8
Craig Kimbrel AVG – 94.4 MAX – 97.2
Lee Hyde AVG – 92.03 MAX – 94.2
Jeff Lyman AVG – 93.06 Max – 95.7
ugaaccountant
November 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
O.J. The money can be worked out. We have probably 7-9M budgeted for 1b, plus 15M in Lowe. If we trade Lowe we’d have 22-24M available for 1b if that’s where we found a special player like Pujols. Any team with 100M payroll could easily find room for a unanimous MVP.
Jurrjens4NLCY
November 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
HYPOTHETICAL:
MLB is added a team to baseball, thus an expansion draft is in order. Braves can pick 15 people to be saved from selection in their organization. If you are Braves FO, who do you pick? (and Chipper has to be picked)
Dawg
November 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
Mark in FLA: I agree that LaRoche would be great but we still need a cleanup hitter.
Brandon
November 24th, 2009
4:39 pm
Hanson, Hudson, Jurrjens, Vazquez, McCann, Yunel, Chipper, McClouth, Schafer, Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, Minor, Rohrbough and I suppose Lowe in no particular order.
Sgt. Pepper's
November 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
DOB -
That Bobby Abreu tweet earlier today was dirty. Speaking of Twitter, any Braves players on Twitter that you know of?
Do they do white sauce at all in NC with BBQ? A buddy of mine today was claiming white sauce was unique to Alabama, but I was under the impression it was more widespread.
chuckw/deadjournalist
November 24th, 2009
4:42 pm
I was reading an article on SI.com from a December 1985 issue of SI regarding, primarily, the free agency of Kirk Gibson. Interesting article, especially in regards to the Braves interest (or sudden lack on interest) in him
“The most shocking denial has come from Atlanta, where new general manager Bobby Cox said the Braves were more concerned about fiscal responsibility than about Gibson. There are probably a lot of Braves fans, however, who would be more excited by a batting order that had Gibson batting third, Dale Murphy fourth and Bob Horner fifth. It’s probably coincidence, but Cox lost interest in Gibson after Ted Turner had lunch with commissioner Peter Ueberroth.”
I’ve got to admit, I have no recall of Gibson being on the radar, but then again, it was a long time ago. Gibson resigned with the Tigers for two years and had three years (the last of the three with the Dodgers) of good productivity (.275BA/.365OB/.500SGL/.865OPS) before injuries go the best of him.
As it turned out, Murphy’s best days were behind him and Horner was in Japan for ‘87, but the threesome of Gibson/Murphy/Horner would have been pretty amazing.