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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,098 comments Add your comment
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
The way Bobby taxes our bullen a 38 year-old Wagner and 40 year-old Saito. I’m worried…AGAIN
Easy way to fix that: don’t be in a save situation in the 8th and 9th, LOL. Score till it hurts, boys!
Long time Braves fan
December 3rd, 2009
3:14 pm
Moylan, O’Flaherty and Medlen can and will all be use in the late innings as well.
I believe one reason Wren and company are signing Wager/Saito for one or two year contracts is that Braves have many good young relievers in the high minors who may be ready to contribute in 2011 or so –
Kimbrel, Gearrin, Valdez, Hyde, Ortegano and others.
Random
December 3rd, 2009
3:16 pm
Expert (2:32 pm) is hilarious. Has he been around long?
Quote: Billy Wagner is a Braves Fan… Shocker! — NYFSBlogs
December 3rd, 2009
3:16 pm
[...] a conference call with reporters yesterday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wagner, who was born in Tannersville, VA, said: “I’m happy to be here. I’ve always been a [...]
RC
December 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
Ok, assuming that NEITHER Heyward nor Schafer start the season on the 25-man roster, here’s my take on where we likely are right now (assuming Saito is actually going to sign):
1. C – McCann
2. 1b – ?????
3. 2b – Prado
4. 3b – Jones
5. SS – Escobar
6. LF – ??????
7. CF – McLouth
8. RF – Diaz
9. SP – Vazquez/Lowe (one likely to be traded)
10. SP – Jurrjens
11. SP – Hanson
12. SP – Hudson
13. SP – Kawakami
14. LR – Medlen
15. MR – ????????
16. MR – Logan
17. SU – Moylan
18. SU – Saito
19. CL – Wagner
20. BUC – Ross
21. Util – Infante
22. Util – Blanco
23. Util – ???????
24. Util – ???????
25. Util/RP – ???????
Church could be the answer for the other OF spot, but I doubt it. I added Blanco because I feel like he’s can cover all 3 OF spots defensively, making him an ideal 4th OF. I’d guess at least one of the ‘Util’ spots gets used on a pinch hitter type, like Norton was supposed to be last year. I’d love to see Sheffield fill this role, but that’s probably unlikely. As for the 25th spot, I’m not sure if Wren will go with 12 or 13 pitchers this year….considering the age at the back of the pen 13 might make more sense, although the strength of your rotation lessens the need for many bullpen innings. No matter what happens, it should be fun to speculate next week (or possibly see what happens).
Breaking News.....
December 3rd, 2009
3:18 pm
Braves sign Dave Dravecky to one year $2M deal. Details to follow…..
Gone Viral
December 3rd, 2009
3:18 pm
“The way Bobby taxes our bullen a 38 year-old Wagner and 40 year-old Saito. I’m worried…AGAIN”
Assuming Proctor is able to come back effectively from his surgery and maintain his sobriety, we already have one more reliable arm in the bullpen than we did last season. If anyone else steps up like Medlen or Kimbrel, we could wind up being five deep out there. It could wind up being 2002 all over again in terms of bullpen performance. Yes, there is a scary aspect to the half-empty portion of the glass considering the ages and surgeries performed on these arms, but I like the three guys we’ve added (assuming Proctor isn’t all talk about having finally grown up).
dogsbrekky
December 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
RC – you forgot O’Flaherty
Tomas
December 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Next up, Derek Lowe and some cash considerations for Mat Gamel, and a prospect. Then sign Mike Cameron to a one year deal worth 9.5 million with an option worth 9 million. There you have it, that’s you’re offseason.
CF Nate Mclouth
2B Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
RF Mike Cameron
C Brian McCann
SS Yunel Escobar
LF Matt Diaz/Jason Heyward
1B Mat Gamel
Pitcher
Bench
C David Ross
UTIL Omar Infante
OF Gregor Blanco
OF Matt Diaz/Jason Heyward
2B Brooks Conrad
Pitchers
SP Javier Vazquez
SP Jair Jurrjens
SP Tommy Hanson
SP Tim Hudson
SP Kenshin Kawakami
RHP Manny Acosta
RHP Luis Valdez
RHP Kris Medlen
LHP Eric O’flaherty
RHP Peter Moylan
RHP Takashi Saito
LHP(closer) Billy Wagner
That’s you’re 25 man roster and WS team.
toga party
December 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Seriously, is Frank Wren even planning on going to the Winter Meetings?
Buzz Meat
December 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Bowmans Titter page:
Braves have signed Takashi Saito. Announcement will come during 4:30 p.m. ET press conference at Turner Field.
DAP
December 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
p-town Saito + Wagner > Gonzalez + Soriano
yeah? i dont think so, if we are only talking about what they will do in 2010, and not what they have done in the past.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
Saito’s a done deal. Braves not messing around.
Press conference 4:30 p.m.
Michael B
December 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
Say what you want about Frank Wren, but the man can get pitchers.
Tomas
December 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
OH forgot about Proctor, plug him in, and send Manny back to AAA
sidslidkid
December 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
“Saito’s a done deal. Braves not messing around.” – DOB
SWEEEEEEEEET
Raider Fan
December 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm
RC- Random, I just heard a report that Theo Epstein was impressed with your blogging range, and will be making you an offer to join the Sons of Sam Horn site.
That made me laugh out loud, seriously. Well done.
HomeofdaBrave
December 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm
shmoe
December 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
I like how FW doesn’t f*** around!
When it comes to the offense, he does.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Toga Party… great comment lol… wren is trying to drain the FA pool b4 next week. why wait?
Flatbill Kid
December 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Bowman just announced we signed Saito. I like it.
Hillbilly
December 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Bowman said it’s done per Twitter.
O.J.
December 3rd, 2009
3:27 pm
When it comes to the offense, he does.
He is trying to narrow his focus down to just one or two things before the meetings. That way he can just focus on trading for a hitter, because we cannot afford to sign a hitter unless Mike Cameron signs for cheap.
N8
December 3rd, 2009
3:27 pm
“It has been suggested here on the blog that the Braves should trade two pitchers,Lowe and Vazquez, in order to strengthen the everyday lineup and free salary to go out and get the hitters that we need.” CB
I’m not sure if Random or I suggested this first. Actually don’t really care who takes credit for it. But I have brought it up several times since the Hudson thing was finalized, only to have the majority of bloggers call me crazy.
My argument has (and still is) that with a rotation of Hudson, Hanson, JJJ and KK (and then insert literally anybody…. Medlen, Wolf – hell? How about Smoltz?), we STILL would have the best 1-4 rotation in the NL East, probably in the NL, and possibly in the majors. If not the best, among the best.
By trading Vazquez, we might be able to acquire a power bat on a similar contract (Derek Lee type of guy?), and by dumping Lowe, we might be able to sign a mid to upper range free agent with the money saved. Add to that, probably sign a veteran to man the 5th spot of the rotation if needed.
Hell, if the Braves are confident that Freeman is the “the man” in a year or two, they could simply trade Vazquez and Lowe for prospects, and with the freed up 26.5 million dollars, sign short-term solutions in LF and 1B, and STILL have money left over.
Of course, ultimately, I think they can do this by dumping Lowe, and keeping Vazquez. But if Wren wanted to jump into the Holiday and/or Jason Bay fray, he certainly could trade both of them to free up cash.
With Hudson, Saito and Wagner all coming off of injuries and their durability in question, keeping one of Vazquez and Lowe isn’t the worst idea Wren could use.
Gone Viral
December 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
“i dont think so, if we are only talking about what they will do in 2010, and not what they have done in the past”
Out of the four pitchers you mention, I actually worry about Soriano’s health the most. He goes through those weird dead arm stretches each season.
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 3rd, 2009
3:29 pm
I disagree with those saying that Gonzo/Soriano is better than Wagner/Saito.
Wagner is better than Gonzo or Soriano. You can say “if healthy” if you want about Wagner, but you would have to say the same thing about Soriano or Gonzo.
Saito has struck out 297 batters in 245 IP in his career and his career ERA is 2.05. Mighty solid there.
Not saying that Wagner/Saito is much better than Soriano/Gonzo, but I think they are at least as good as them.
sidslidkid
December 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
77 days until pitchers and catchers report! I’m really liking our team. I can’t wait until spring training! I feel sorry for fans of the Reds, Royals, Nats…. nothing to look forward to for them.
Justin
December 3rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Wren will do his due dilligence with the offense its the more pressing issue right now let the market play out with relievers its a different story if you can get them get them there’s not too many out there. He can always go get a guy hitting .250 with 20 homers ala Laroache.
N8
December 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
To an extent the combination of Wagner/Saito might bring a bit more concern over health than Gonzo/Soriano.
But value for the buck, the Wagner/Saito combo is a steal. Soriano might get upwards of 8-9 million and Gonzo is going to command around 6-8, I’m guessing. Not to mention the years teams will have to committ to Gonzo and Soriano.
Doesn’t meant that Wagner or Saito (or both) aren’t going to miss some time with injury or arm issues next year. But can you really, realy say the same thing can’t be said about Gonzao and Soriano? I can’t.
All health considered equal, Wren signed the two better guys. Of course if they miss half the year and the Gonzo/Soriano combo lights it up, the blog will light up.
Random
December 3rd, 2009
3:35 pm
Desibrave (December 3rd, 2009 2:56 pm): “We had 2 pretty good half seasons from Teix in return for what we gave to Texas..”
Maybe yes, maybe no.
It is a fact though, that the Braves’ combined record in those other two half seasons without Tex (1st part of 07 & 2nd part of 08) was several games better than their record for the two half seasons with Tex (2nd part of 07 & 1st part of 08).
Make of it what you will, but it is true — the 07-08 Braves were better without Tex.
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Also in Saito’s career, he’s only given up a .196 BAA and has a 1.02 WHIP. He has only pitched four seasons in MLB, but he has been very impressive when healthy(we use that phrase a lolt with pitchers don’t we, LOL). I don’t know how much wear was put on his arm prior to coming over, but I think he should be good for the short contract the Braves are giving him.
Fischerking04
December 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
It will be interesting to see if Wren gives the rest of the league time to catch their breath or just goes right into another move.
Is FW on speed?!?!?!?
erik
December 3rd, 2009
3:37 pm
while I would still love a “homer run” hitter to add to our line-up, a proven one. How many of you would call me an idiot, in the event we don’t bring Laroche back at first, to move Prado to 1st and put Infante as our starting 2nd basemen? And let’s assume, we can’t find another bat for the OF, should we not give K Johnson another shot. You have to think he would be good for a .270-.280 BA, .360 OBP or so, .400 SLG., 25-35 doubles, and 10-20 homers. Sure we would not have a proven home run hitter, but I seem to remember an Angels team a few years back that had no real home run hitter just a bunch of .280 hitters or better that one the world series. I have not posted here since last hot stove season since everyone bashed me for saying Prado was the 2nd best hitter on the team. Not one person voiced support when I made that statement, yet look how well he did as an everyday player.
David O'Brien
December 3rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Here’s short I just filed, headed to press conference now:
By David O’Brien
One day after signing closer Billy Wagner, the Braves signed free-agent reliever Takashi Saito to further fortify their bullpen.
The Braves signed the 39-year-old former Los Angeles Dodgers closer to a one-year deal worth about $3 million, and plan to use him as a setup man and backup closer.
He pitched last season for Boston, which declined a 2010 option on the right-hander.
Saiti, who’ll be 40 in February, posted a 2.43 ERA in 56 games for the Red Sox, with a career-low 52 strikeouts and career-high 25 walks in 55-2/3 innings.
Before last season, he had a 1.95 ERA and 81 saves in three seasons with the Dodgers, piling up 245 strikeouts with 52 walks in 189.2 innings.
“Adding Takashi to our staff gives us even more depth in the bullpen as we head into the 2010 season,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a news release. “While we primarily expect him to pitch in the eighth inning, this allows us to have another pitcher with closer ability who can complement Billy Wagner, similar to the depth we had in 2009.”
Manager Bobby Cox called it a “Great acquisition. From what we experienced when we faced him with the Dodgers, Takashi really shortens the game. We knew we had to score runs early because he was lights out when he came in late in the game.”
The Red Sox declined a 2010 option on Saito, who earned $1.5 million last season. At least eight teams expressed interest in Saito, who’ll turn 40 in February.
He had his personal-best 39 saves with a 1.40 ERA in 2007, then missed time with an elbow-ligament sprain in 2008 and posted a 2.49 ERA and 18 saves in 45 appearances.
In two days, the Braves have essentially replaced 2009 co-closers Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, both free agents the Braves feel certain will decline the arbitration offers the team made this week and sign lucrative offers elsewhere.
Soriano and Gonzalez are considered the best two relievers available on the free-agent market and are likely to receive multi-year offers from other teams.
The Saito signing comes 11 months after the signing of Kenshin Kawakami and gives the Braves two Japanese pitchers on their 25-man major league roster for 2010, barring injury or unexpected trade.
Kawakami, 34, signed a three-year, $23 million contract in January and finished with a 7-12 record in 32 games (25 starts) in his first season in the majors. He had a respectable 3.86 ERA but received scant run support.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
3:39 pm
Is FW on speed?!?!?!?
Nah, but, he’s sneaky, LOL. What does one do after offering arbitration to two relievers who would command large arb increases? Why, reduce the supply of like relievers, LOL. How better to kick up the demand side?
VaBraveFan
December 3rd, 2009
3:40 pm
I like the way Wren is taking care of business and not messing around. Wagner and Saito at the back end looks very good. Just need to figure out 1B and LF. And we all know thats gonna involve Lowe or Vasquez.
Braves 4 Life
December 3rd, 2009
3:40 pm
N8- Your idea about trading two of the starters is sound; however, both Lowe and Vazquez are our workhorse 200+ innings guys who both won 15 games. JJ and Hanson are the real deal but they are still young I think you need to keep either Lowe and Vazquez around to take some pressure off of them. Hudson and KK are solid but each still have some question marks surrounding them. In any case we have the makings of a solid rotation both starting and in relief.
Tomas
December 3rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Really Hudson and Wagner proved their surgeries were a success. There’s as much risk with those two as there is with anybody else. Saito finished healthy, and pitched in 56 games, that’s pretty good. Why is it so risky.
I mean Mike Gonzalez, and Rafael Sorian aren’t exactly durable guys. Remember Soriano pitched in about 10 games in 2008, then had ulner nerve surgery and pitched in 72 games. Pitchers have surgery’s to solve their health issues, not to make them worse, and they proved their surgeries were a success. And Mike well he had TJ surgery in 2006, and has had 20 different injuries something like that.
ryan c
December 3rd, 2009
3:49 pm
current payroll: 19 players at 86.5 million (excluding kj and church). depending on who your talking to, the braves payroll last year was 96-99 million. getting thin… jason heyward, troy glaus, xavier nady, matt young, luis valdez, and barbaro canizares would cost about 12 million and would be a hell of a way to fill out a roster and would put the payroll at 98.5 mil. wow…just wow! the braves are going to be good.
FEAR
December 3rd, 2009
3:51 pm
well with saito here. Does that mean KK is staying too?
TennesseePaul
December 3rd, 2009
3:51 pm
Interesting. Dropped a 30 and 31 year old, replaced them with a 38 and 40 year old.
But I like it. Just makes me nervous about potential injuries in the pen… Hoping for the best though.
JBoog1285
December 3rd, 2009
3:52 pm
Ryan C,
I think the Braves are gonna have even more room to play than that bc one of our $10MM pitchers is going to be dealt.
Couch Tater
December 3rd, 2009
3:54 pm
Though right-handed, Saito became one of the team’s most overpowering options against left-handed hitters, who he held to a .195 average, .273 OBP and .570 OPS.
Good article.
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2009/10/07/a-long-one-year-journey-for-saito/
dpelfrey
December 3rd, 2009
3:54 pm
Hey, for $3 mil and only one year commitment, I think this is a very good low risk, high reward move. Also, this should keep any bloggers from making anymore “Lowe to closer” comments.
Does anyone know how long they have to make room for him on the 40, now that it’s official. I’m curious who would get bumped…maybe Logan or Acosta?
VP
December 3rd, 2009
3:55 pm
The Atlanta Braves have made another move to strengthen their pitching staff, agreeing to a one-year contract with right-handed reliever Takashi Saito.
Saito, who turns 40 in February, has 83 saves in four major league seasons after a long career in Japan. He made the NL All-Star team in 2007, when he had 39 saves for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season, the right-hander went 3-3 with two saves and a 2.43 ERA in a setup role for the Boston Red Sox.
Saito is expected to remain in that spot with the Braves, who signed closer Billy Wagner to a $7 million, one-year deal on Wednesday.
Marc in FL
December 3rd, 2009
3:57 pm
Whoa, Saito already huh? I think it’s pretty clear that he’s gone the “veteran” route with the pen for 2010. I think having the experienced guys in the pen has it’s advantages, and they’ve both proven to be lights out, but I can’t help but be nervous about their durability.
I guess you can have those concerns with any pitcher right? And it’s normally the younger guys blowing out their arm anyway cause they’re still learning to pitch. Oh well, glad to see Wren is serious about a strong 2010 performance. Let’s get a bat or two and call it a year!
MamaDawg
December 3rd, 2009
3:58 pm
Way to go, Frank Wren!!!
The best part is that we all have NO idea what else he might have up his sleeve that no one knows about! In the past 2 seasons, he has pulled signings/trades out of the air and NONE of us saw them coming. So who knows?…..Maybe our dreams really will come true and Jason Bay/Matt Holliday really will end up under our Christmas tree!
eyeball kid
December 3rd, 2009
3:59 pm
erik,
I agree, there are many ways to score runs.
Bay Area Steve
December 3rd, 2009
3:59 pm
Random,
You’ve any thoughts as to whether the Braves signing another Japanese player affects, in any way, the chance that KK’ll be traded?
Marc in FL
December 3rd, 2009
3:59 pm
“Also, this should keep any bloggers from making anymore “Lowe to closer” comments.” -dpelfrey
I dunno, I think Lowe should close, Moylan should start, and Wagner should be long relief. You know, if I was GM of a major league baseball team.
Gone Viral
December 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
“well with saito here. Does that mean KK is staying too?”
I think that the Braves have made the determination that he offers a lot of bang for the buck, which is a good call based on how he pitched after he learned the strike zone.
civilized white trash
December 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
good pitching beats good hitting anyday of the week
good work wren
Daslied
December 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
Really, if they all pitch to their full capability, Moylan/Saito/Wagner should absolutely shut down 1/3 of the game. Couple that with the rotation, with or without Vazquez, and Atlanta should do very well next year. I’m predicting 138-24.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
I’m curious who would get bumped…maybe Logan or Acosta?
Why do that, with such stalwarts as Brooks Conrad, Canizares, et al, available to go under the ax, LOL? Logan and Acosta might require magic to be effective big leaguers, but, some of these other guys would need Merlin at the height of his powers.
jebstuart
December 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
Anyone got the other move? Saito makes 41 on roster I believe?
Pickens
December 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
It’s official KK is staying after the Saito signing. Probably was never in consideration for trade talk but no mostly becomes obsolete. Can’t wait till Lackey signs somewhere then Wren can do what he does best.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
I’m predicting 138-24.
Well, I hope they’ll cut those bums who cost them the 24.
Andy K.
December 3rd, 2009
4:03 pm
I think Conrad is a legit candidate to fill Kelly Johnson’s bench role on the roster, I mean we have him under team control for what? Four more years?
Marc in FL
December 3rd, 2009
4:04 pm
Lol, Ichiro next?
Daslied
December 3rd, 2009
4:04 pm
Scoots, those 24 will obviously be all on Bobby.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
4:05 pm
It’s official KK is staying after the Saito signing.
Where Random? Huh? Where Random?
TennesseePaul
December 3rd, 2009
4:05 pm
Got this theme of former BoSox players, is Bay next? Is that where this is leading?
civilized white trash
December 3rd, 2009
4:06 pm
why not non-tender church right now that would make room for him
Space Monkey
December 3rd, 2009
4:06 pm
I hope we still have the money to pay a hitter. Great bullpen moves, though.
Nelson S.
December 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
So Lowe gets traded tomorrow right?
P-Town Brave
December 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
So with everything happening right now, why not strike while the oil is hot and get a bat tomorrow…
Then again, 3 deals in 3 days may make my head explode
JBoog1285
December 3rd, 2009
4:09 pm
Alright folks, try this on for size … Vasquez and Schafer to Tampa for Carl Crawford saves the Braves another million or so putting the payroll at around 85 million with a hole at first base (not to mention getting an ALL STAR LF and leadoff man, allowing you to drop Nate into more of an RBI slot). You then have a few options with about $12MM left to spend. LaRoche? Jermaine Dye? Or what about Vasquez to CHI for Derek Lee (similar salaries) and then making a run at a LF bat?
P-Town Brave
December 3rd, 2009
4:09 pm
scoots-
Very VERY funny!
TP-
We could only hope and dream for that!
Oh, and I also forgot to mention…thank you Frank! I am certainly very proud to be a Brave fan today
(not that I wouldn’t normally be)
flange 1
December 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
I hope Conrad is NOT on the bench for 2010. We don’t need another no defense playing sometimes hitting player.
Much rather have Nick Green who can play 3B, SS and 2B (maybe OF). Maybe does not have Conrad’s power but can hit and should not cost much more (less than $1 million).
AustinBrave
December 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
erik – I agreeded with you last year on Prado. I have already said that Prado will find his power this year and hit over 20 home runs. I get laughed at but we will see. He is at the right age to have a break out season. He could become our most valuable asset.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
Scoots, those 24 will obviously be all on Bobby
What the bleep was I thinking, of COURSE they will be.
I think Conrad is a legit candidate to fill Kelly Johnson’s bench role on the roster, I mean we have him under team control for what? Four more years?
Oh, man, LOL. Four years of control of Brooks Conrad. See John Nance Garner on the vice-presidency for a relative ranking, LOL.
RHR
December 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
Magazine deal I found –
Go to this link – http://www.tanga.com/products/sporting-news-magazine-subscription
click buy now – then put 37df in the coupon code and wallah! a year of sporting news for $3.99
I have purchased several subs from that site, haven’t been ripped off yet..and SN is the best of the sports mags IMO .
Pickens
December 3rd, 2009
4:11 pm
Just saying KK definently had some pull for Saito coming to Atlanta. Saito could of commanded a bigger contract this offseason. Just common sense really.
RHR
December 3rd, 2009
4:12 pm
Thats today only, btw. And limited quantities.
stynes
December 3rd, 2009
4:12 pm
Kudos to FW. I like the 2 signings. All 4 signings thus far, actually. And I love that FW is being aggressive. I think he’s showing the team and even the league that he and the Braves mean business. He’s serious about being aggressive, setting the market, and making tough decisions (see Glavine and Smoltz) necessary for the Braves to be winners again. I like it, man. I like it. How long until opening day!?!?
Andy K.
December 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm
flange-I would love to have Nick back too…he was an awesome dude, talked to him a few times when he played for the Bravos before…he’s scrappy too
ugaaccountant
December 3rd, 2009
4:14 pm
I want to say “what the ****” is Wren thinking signing another upper tier reliever. But it’s only $3M and 1 year which is a massive discount for a player of Saito’s ability. Same as Wagner, we got a massive deal. I understand the reason they were signed, but seriously hate the moves in relation to what I understand our payroll to be.
There are problems with this though, regardless of the health/ability of Saito:
1. We are definitely under utilizing the talents of Moylan and Medlen. Both are setup man quality, but they will be relegated to 3rd and 4th options out of the pen. As a limited payroll team, shouldn’t we be maximizing our available cheap talent?
2. If he is healthy, where does Scott Proctor fit in? I’ll go ahead and assume he or someone else will be injured most of the year, but Proctor’s a setup man quality RP as well.
3. Another season of Eric O’flaherety as “LOOGY”. I felt he had earned a promotion as well. Plus Boone Logan or JoJo Reyes could have filled our LOOGY role, are either of them out of minor league options?
4. Most importantly, that’s another 3M that can’t go to a quality cleanup hitter. Matt Holliday/Jason Bay/Miguel Cabrera no longer easily fixes our entire club as they wouldn’t easily fit under payroll even after trading Lowe. We’d have to fill every other slot left with mimimal salary players. Now the only cleanup hitters known to be available that would work is Adrian Gonzalez.
We’ve painted ourselves into a corner, unless the payroll cap is higher than I think. Another season without an impact bat in our lineup = another season we have no shot at a World Series title. Mike Cameron + Adam Laroche would get us to the playoffs, but I would not like our offenses chances at all going against other teams top starting pitchers every night. Yes, our 3 top SP’s would be quite good, but other playoff teams have both offense and SP. When measured against the elite, we’d be lacking in offense. We’d lose a lot of 3 to 2 type games. Regular season that lineup is a 4 to 4.5 run offense, but not against the steady stream of aces in the playoffs.
RC
December 3rd, 2009
4:15 pm
4 most similar pitchers to Saito according to baseballreference.com:
1. Joakim Soria (967)
2. Jonathan Papelbon (957)
3. Akinori Otsuka (955)
4. Peter Moylan (931)
That’ll do.
Bat Masterson
December 3rd, 2009
4:16 pm
Daslied
December 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
138 – 24
I actually laughed out loud at that one, thanks.
ncscoots
December 3rd, 2009
4:16 pm
[Nick Green is] scrappy too
ah, but what’s his Eckstein Index, LOL?
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:16 pm
Totally called the Takashi Saito signing!
I’m happy
RHR
December 3rd, 2009
4:18 pm
Is this Saito BFF’s with KK or something?
Andy K.
December 3rd, 2009
4:18 pm
FYI MLB.com is going to cover the press conference, link on mlb main page.
MamaDawg
December 3rd, 2009
4:20 pm
TnPaul My thoughts exactly. We keep on signing former BoSox players at the speed we’re going, we may just reach Jason Bay!
Wouldn’t that just be the icing on the cake?!? 
hmmmmmmmmmmm
December 3rd, 2009
4:20 pm
I think Bobby wants to go out on top … pushing for NOW!
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:21 pm
If he is healthy, where does Scott Proctor fit in? I’ll go ahead and assume he or someone else will be injured most of the year, but Proctor’s a setup man quality RP as well.
I’m assuming Boone Logan will be the 12th pitcher until Procter is ready in May-June ish, then Procter will be the 12th pitcher.
And if Scott Procter is your 12th pitcher, That’s a damn talented bullpen!
Brad in MT
December 3rd, 2009
4:22 pm
Wow…2 deals in one day, it sure beats the agony of last off season. I think that the age is a little bit of an issue, but lets face it, neither Gonzo or Soriano inspired a lot of confidence in that department. Hopefully this might help us in other FA pursuits, stepping up this early showing that FW has every intention of improving the team…
Justdoit
December 3rd, 2009
4:22 pm
now that the pitching is set i wouldnt mind seeing the yankees not sign Lackey or pull off a trade for Halladay and maybe the braves could get swisher from them for lowe. that should leave them with enough money to sign cameron also.
McClouth
Prado
Chipper
Swisher
mac
Cameron
esco
heyward
pretty potent lineup with an awesome pitching staff
TnBrian
December 3rd, 2009
4:25 pm
Pickens, I think you’re right because even though he’ll be 40 come opening day, Saito has been very consistant for years & everybody knows most every team is looking to sure up their pen. So for $3m I’d say it’s a bargain.
Lowe is a goner next week after Lackey signs with the Stanks or Boston. GM’s will probably be sweating by then & Lowe all the sudden looks a lot better compared to Wolf, Marquis etc.
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:25 pm
he has pulled signings/trades out of the air and NONE of us saw them coming
People here thought Wren should sign Saito, just not this early…
Random
December 3rd, 2009
4:26 pm
RC (December 3rd, 2009 2:44 pm) –
Good one — pretty funny.
. . . . .
abwright (December 3rd, 2009 2:54 pm) –
Perfect rejoinder to Braves Math (December 3rd, 2009 2:47 pm) — a true classic.
. . . . .
ease19 (December 3rd, 2009 3:06 pm) –
Sir, yes, sir — bucking up, sir!
. . . . .
CB (December 3rd, 2009 3:05 pm): “I know Mitchie-san and I believe my friend Random made this suggestion . . . that the Braves should trade two pitchers, Lowe and Vazquez, in order to strengthen the everyday lineup and free salary to go out and get the hitters that we need.”
N8 (December 3rd, 2009 3:27 pm): “I’m not sure if Random or I suggested this first. Actually don’t really care who takes credit for it.”
Nope, not me — I franticly distance myself from that heresy. N8 may have any and all credit which might otherwise accrue to me (but even then, he’d still be behind Mitchie-san, who one night was really all IN-YOUR-FACE about it).
If anything, I’ve been leaning more to trading zero SPs than to trading two, kinda like Jonas (December 3rd, 2009 2:46 pm).
But my main position all along has been to trade Lowe unless they cannot extend Vazquez, in which case trade Vazquez and keep Lowe.
Cherokee
December 3rd, 2009
4:28 pm
No, 95% isn’t stretching it in my book at all. Anders
Mr Hyperbole, you are so full of it
MamaDawg
December 3rd, 2009
4:32 pm
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:25 pm
he has pulled signings/trades out of the air and NONE of us saw them coming
People here thought Wren should sign Saito, just not this early…
I meant all of last year and this year combined. Anyone may have thought Wren should sign someone, but did you really believe it would happen?
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:34 pm
LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE!!!
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=6261176
flange 1
December 3rd, 2009
4:34 pm
’scoots, do we need to worry about Nick Green’s park adjusted Eckstein Index?
Bobby's Cox
December 3rd, 2009
4:35 pm
And now Saito? Wow.
Christmas coming early for this Braves fan. Kawakami has a new best friend.
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:36 pm
MamaDawg,
Your right, I understand where you are coming from. Wren has done a terrific job, no better than that. PERFECT. Not a singled bad decsion
JayDubu
December 3rd, 2009
4:36 pm
Points to consider: You have two pitchers (Wagner & Saito) closing out games that will be 38 & 40 when the season starts in 2010.
Wagner pitched a grand total of 17.2 innings in 2009 after coming off of major arm surgery.
We’ve all seen how Cox uses the bullpen, aka Medlen, Pete, Sori, & Gonzo in 2009.
It could be a testy last hoorah for Cox.
RC
December 3rd, 2009
4:37 pm
When does press conference start? I’m staring at a blank screen….
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 3rd, 2009
4:39 pm
RC,
It’s running late…
As all Braves press conferences do, maybe they had to get a translator, can he speak English?
Random
December 3rd, 2009
4:42 pm
Bay Area Steve (December 3rd, 2009 3:59 pm): “You’ve any thoughts as to whether the Braves signing another Japanese player affects, in any way, the chance that KK’ll be traded?”
Dare? 誰? (Who?)
Why ask me? Everybody knows that my analysis is kung fu movie silly, being basically an unadulterated exploitation of superficial, antiquated stereotypes of Orientals.
Right Braveheart?