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4,098 comments Add your comment
BravesFanForever
December 2nd, 2009
4:28 am
It is also very possible that Braves Management, i.e.Wren, Bobby, and Frank and Co., is so confident that Freeman is going to work out for the Braves that they don’t want any current major league 1B option and will just fill the position with an available player like Diaz or Infante (oops forgot about him earlier) who can both play multiple positions. This gives Freeman the option to come up to the big leagues at any time next year. If we sign LaRoche then what? He can only play that one position and he is not likely to hit the bench for a rookie no matter how good he is.
Obviously an unlikely scenario but it is still possible. I mean, who knows, Wren ain’t talkin’…
If the Braves get a hard hitting left fielder who may hit a few homers and they bring up Heyward early (a very cheap option), what do they need a big first baseman for?
1. Diaz, 1B
2. Prado, 2B
3. Chipper, 3B
4, Homerun hitter, LF (Nick Swisher for example)
5. McCann, C
6. McLouth, CF
7. Heyward, RF
8. Escobar, SS
Clearly, this is a good line up. Not spectacular but we all know what a consistent, non-spectacular pitching staff can do. Besides, the Braves line up did pretty well last year in the second half with scoring runs despite what everyone thinks about the offense. Since Heyward + New leftfielder > 2009 Second Half LaRoche, we should do better than last year offensively–especially if Chipper rebounds (who didn’t contribute much at all after the All-Star break).
Also remember that that the team likely would have made the playoffs if we didn’t have THREE .220 or worse hitters in the line up all at the same time in the first half last year, and we weren’t depending on NO HIT NORTON in key situations the ENTIRE SEASON. I mean, how many games did this guy cost us last year? The team got to within two games of the Rockies at one point! (you know the team simply gave up at some point at the end of the season).
If we had the team we had in the second half last year for the entire season, there is no doubt the Braves would have beaten out the Rockies. Maybe they would have lost in the first round but whatever… It’s all a crap shoot anyway…
BravesFanForever
December 2nd, 2009
4:36 am
Dan… Not necessarily… Wagner basically takes the place of Soriano and if we lose Gonzales too (very very likely), his $7 million isn’t a big deal. Wagner + Cheap Medlen (or cheap whoever) is way better than Arb Soriano + Arb Gonzo and gives us more flexibility with the total dollars we have available to spend.
I think it has more to do with flexibility, what may be up Wren’s sleeve right now, and the fact that LaRoche is only a second half phenomenon. LaRoche only had 83 RBIs last year and that’s not a lot from a first baseman considering that our SS had 76. You could tell that he didn’t get a lot of respect considering he was in the 7th and 8th holes in the line up.
BravesFanForever
December 2nd, 2009
4:38 am
Well… And LaRoche is lefthanded. We NEED a righthanded power bat!!
nolie
December 2nd, 2009
5:02 am
WE don’t know that they won’t re-sign Adam. we just know that they didn’t want to pay him arbitration scale.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
December 2nd, 2009
6:00 am
I have no qualms with Billy Wagner but the Braves still have much work to accomplish, and he is a start in the right direction.
Here’s a link to a story out of the L.A. Times that doesn’t seem to be getting much attention but it has ramifications for many teams including our Braves and their efforts to trade Derek Lowe.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-dodgers29-2009nov29,0,6353644.story
bruce
December 2nd, 2009
6:53 am
fabulous!!!!
JOE
December 2nd, 2009
7:14 am
DOB, do you see this as an opportunity for Kimbrel to come up and be the 8th inning guy? He can learn a lot from Billy Wagner, not have to deal with so much pressure, and work on his command at the big league level. I don’t know about you guys but Moylan, Kimbrel, Wagner sounds really good to me!
TnBrian
December 2nd, 2009
7:30 am
I think most of us got what we wanted in the Braves signing Wagner. Really, what better closer was on the market? Valverde is maybe equal to him, but not better, imo. I can see Cameron as their next target, maybe Byrd as Bowman mentioned. Hopefully Cameron can patrol CF though & move McLouth over to LF or RF. I’m not at all surprised Wren was the first of the offseason to make a big signing… good work.
You kidding me?
December 2nd, 2009
7:30 am
Wagner?????
He’s done!
TnBrian
December 2nd, 2009
7:33 am
JOE, no, I would hope that they let that Kimbrel kid work on his control issues more before bringing him up. I wouldn’t take a risk of such a young pitcher losing confidence in himself in the bigs. Give it time, Moylan & Medlen are plenty capable of setting up Wagner. My opinion of course.
10
December 2nd, 2009
7:53 am
Billy Wagner? Geez. Anyone else get the feeling that the Braves FO watched VH1’s “I Luv The 90s” one time too many.
10
December 2nd, 2009
7:57 am
One less overrated closer for us to beat up on now in the late innings, but at least we still have Lidge and Krod around to serve that purpose.
Marc in FL
December 2nd, 2009
7:58 am
I like Wagner’s work ethic a lot. He may be more of a gamble than Gonzo or MFIKY, but if he’s healthy he’ll surely be as good, and I understand the strategy aspect too with the draft picks.
Let’s just hope he’s healthy, and if he is he’s as good as any closer today.
CB
December 2nd, 2009
7:59 am
I guess we should be excited about the signing of Wagner,but it is a scary signing. A man coming off surgery with a fairly small sample size of showing he is recovered is very scary to me. We still have some issues on this team to settle before we can get excited, who is going to be the lineup changer for the Braves,how soon to bring up Heyward, and will Wren have the courage to make that big signing or trade that will shake our world. The heck with the future,I want it now, I’m old.
37YrBravesFan
December 2nd, 2009
7:59 am
I like the beginning of the Silly Season…Landing Wagner is a good move, I think.
GO BRAVES!!!
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
8:02 am
Wow, I like the Wagner signing ALOT!!!! But one thing bothers me, why did he sign so quickly after being offered arbitration? Just curious
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
8:05 am
well CB, think of it this way, we signed Soriano 2 years ago for 2 years at 9 million, or something like that, and he was injured almost a whole year out of that whole contract. So why not give Wagner, and elite professional closer the chance to be the closer for Bobby’s last year. You know what I bet now, I bet alot of players that wanted to play for Bobby will want to play for him during his last year. Everyone is going to want to be a part of his last year, so I think. LOL.
So we could see a Mike Cameron signing very soon because he has always wanted to play for the Braves as well.
TnBrian
December 2nd, 2009
8:06 am
O.J., he wants to be a Brave, I guess. And it a lot, not alot…lol.
njbraves
December 2nd, 2009
8:19 am
Billy Wagner scares me already.
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
8:30 am
TnBrian, thanks for correcting me for forgetting to put a space in between A and LOT, I know that, I just forget to hit space bar sometimes cause I am typing too fast, oh, and it’s IT’S, not it. lol.
Bruce's Pearl
December 2nd, 2009
8:44 am
with the way Cox uses his bullpen that 6.5M option may vest by the all star break.
MitchC
December 2nd, 2009
8:46 am
Dave, I’m not thrilled with the idea of letting Laroche go. He was extremely valuable to us last season, as his bat basically propelled us to the wild card contention late in the season.
I also don’t quite understand the relief moves the Braves are making. While Wagner is old, I can see signing him, but why offer arbitration to both Gonzalez and Soriano if we’ve just signed Wagner? I can see offering it to one of them, in case the Wagner deal fell through, but why both?
In the last five months FW signs Laroche to have a power first baseman until Freddie Freeman is ready, then declines to offer arbitration to keep that first baseman, signs a closer, and offers arbitration to our two other closers. I dont quite get these moves.
Maybe Frank knows what he’s doing, because I sure don’t.
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
Well, Mitch C, its a good thing Frank does know what he is doing, because both Soriano and Gonzo are Type A free agents, and they are both surely to sign somewhere else, so the chances of us getting 4 picks for them are great. My only concern is now what Bruce’s Pearl touched on, and that is using Wagner so much in the season. Lets hope his arm doesnt fall off from overuse. But with Wagner being a professional, he will surely let Cox know when he needs a day off, and not try to hide it like Gonzo or Soriano.
rharling
December 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
I think not waiting to sign Wagner is a smart move by Wren. Gonzo is gone either way. Soriano may have decided to take the one big year pay day, and hope to improve on last year’s stats, but he won’t come back to set up Wagner.
Versiroth
December 2nd, 2009
8:54 am
MitchC ..
Wren offered Arb to both Sori and Gonzo because both have a 99.9% chance of signing multi year deals else where. Which means we gain two first round draft picks when they leave. Also, you sign Wagner quickly so both Sori and Gonzo know that they will not be closing if they except arb. Both have stated that they want to close, so, again, now they are less likely to except arb which nets the braves two first round picks.
Now, the LaRoche thing does baffle me unless they are planning to offer him an actual contract. He’s easily the best free agent first baseman. Or, Maybe Wren is already working on a trade for a first baseman and was afraid LaRoche would except and ruin the big trade in progress?
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
8:57 am
rharling, like DOB said before, the chances of Soriano accepting are very slim if he receives multi-year offers, like he surely will. And how much more could he improve on his stats from last year, the guy was absolutely filthy for the most part. Now way he risks a possible multi-year contract to show he can put up better stats, what if he got injured, then no one would sign him.
Draggin' Fly
December 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Ahh …no one sees Frank Wren’s cunning plan? Let LaRoche have his usual first half swoon with another team then bring him back for his strong second half.
NewInTown
December 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Mr. Baseball: extremely stubborn and had too large an ego to admit he made a mistake and correct it.
this is a self description
David O'Brien
December 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
Just got the story confirmed. Wagner is on the way to Atlanta for physical (hopefully flight not delayed by this weather)
Soph
December 2nd, 2009
9:07 am
Wagner? Wow. I’m definitely gonna have to go back and read the comments from last night now. This is going to be fun.
Daybed Wagmoe
December 2nd, 2009
9:09 am
I like the Wagner signing, especially this early, because it fills a significant need immediately with a quality reliever. Looking at the list of potential closers on the market, they Braves had to choose from Octavio Dotel, Kevin Gregg, LaTroy Hawkins, Trevor Hoffman, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney, Jose Valverde and Billy Wagner. Out of that group, I would’ve been happy with about 3 of those – Hoffman, Valverde, and Wagmoe. Nicely done, Frank.
Now, I wonder if we’ll see Mike Cameron joining the fold later this week.
bravofan
December 2nd, 2009
9:09 am
look at wagners stats not bad http://search.espn.go.com/billy-wagner/
Chris Brug
December 2nd, 2009
9:09 am
^ Glad to see this is confirmed and not another Rafael Furcal debacle like early last December.
Mixxo
December 2nd, 2009
9:11 am
Soph -
You’re not kidding!
Atlanta sports teams……more mediocrity.
Soph
December 2nd, 2009
9:18 am
Mixxo! I thought you deserted me. Each time the Falcons lost in the past month, I thought of you.
bravofan
December 2nd, 2009
9:18 am
http://search.espn.go.com/billy-wagner/ look at his stats
Voice from the past...
December 2nd, 2009
9:19 am
At this pace, Dave, you might not get much sleep until you return from Indy…
HokieBravefan
December 2nd, 2009
9:22 am
I have met Billy Wagner, only I didn’t know who he was at the time.
The company I work for installed a privacy fence at his home.
Couch Tater
December 2nd, 2009
9:24 am
…while the rest of us are schnorring.
18 Wheels of Love
December 2nd, 2009
9:24 am
Love the Wagner signing. How can you be against it if you are OK with the Huddy extension or wanted to keep Gonzo – both recovering TJ patients. Soriano and Gonzo are going to leave so it makes complete sense. Sure his sample size last year after his return is small but so was Huddy’s.
What I like about this is the pattern that Wren has displayed continuing from last year – that he has a plan and he is going to execute it rather than be reactive to the market. Of course last year he had to be reactive but in the beginning he was going after guys they targeted. I think going into the meetings he has a clear plan of attack and is going to run with it and see what happens. I like that mentality – it may not work in the end but I like that they have put in their work and are confident in their plan.
BraveMan
December 2nd, 2009
9:25 am
The fact is, wren is working with a limited payroll and has to compete against teams in his own division that have larger payrolls (NY and philly). you may not agree with every move the guy makes, i dont, but you HAVE to love this guy’s aggressiveness. He doesnt sit around in hopes that a player falls out of the sky… and that player just happens to fill his needs and cheaply, might i add. this guy is out there working… he is making moves, right or wrong. i am really beginning to grow quite fond of our new gm.
Kevin in Chatty
December 2nd, 2009
9:26 am
Wagner signing early helps encourage Gonzalez and Soriano not to accept arbitration, especially if they are hoping to land a closer’s job.
McFann O
December 2nd, 2009
9:26 am
Sweet! Now the Braes won’t have to face Wagner anymore! Hot dog!
JJ4NLCY Thanks for pointing that out McFann
You’re welcome!
…Pointing what out?
Bobby's Belly
December 2nd, 2009
9:26 am
great sign
Tommy T
December 2nd, 2009
9:27 am
Another plus to the early signing of Wagner is that it only increases the value of both Soriano and Gonzalez. If there were any worries of either of them accepting arbitration, those worries are decreased now because the Braves have removed their major competition from the free agent market.
Soph
December 2nd, 2009
9:28 am
Sweet! Now the Braes won’t have to face Wagner anymore! Hot dog!
McFann – do I detect a bit of sarcasm?
BTW, did you get your December ChopTalk yet? McCann has a little blurb in there about his Lasik re-do.
DAP
December 2nd, 2009
9:31 am
i dont like the decision not to offer laroche arbitration. i dont really get that. while i wasnt rooting for wagner, im pleased that wren isnt going closer by committee.
McFann O
December 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
Soph do I detect a bit of sarcasm?
Mmm…just a bit. I did so hate it when they had to face Billy…
And yes, I did get my December CT!
Good stuff.
CB
December 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
18 Wheels, I didn’t say I was against the signing,but I do have some concern with his age and injury. Overall I agree with the signing, besides he went to one of my alma maters,Ferrum College.
Bravoman
December 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
Nice sign Wren!
18 Wheels of Love
December 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
CB I don’t think I posted that in direct response to your post, but I agree….there is some concern but he quelled some of that concern last year IMO.
boonie27
December 2nd, 2009
9:40 am
Very slick moves by Wren. He knew that neither Soriano or Gonzo would come back on a one year deal to set up for Wagner.
flange 1
December 2nd, 2009
9:41 am
While Wagner was not my first choice for closer, I am not upset with this aggressive signing. Let Wags take the inning that MFIKY ate last year.
We still need a BP arm to replace the innings that Gonzo ate last year.
I am very impressed that FW struck quickly at what he thought was the best closer option out there.
Can’t wait to see what else he has up his sleeve!
Geo408
December 2nd, 2009
9:46 am
Wagner is a great pickup for the Braves. 1 year commitment, good job identifying your first target then going out to get him…
Joebrave
December 2nd, 2009
9:47 am
Why do some here continually HARP,about therte Braves having payroll limitations?In fact Liberty,McJerk,andwren HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY that they have the wherewithal,and blessing of Liberty to adjust accordingly,being Frugal,and making wise choices does not constitute limitations
NC Braves Fan
December 2nd, 2009
9:48 am
I wonder if the LaRoche non-arb might also mean they are at least open to the idea of swinging a trade involving Freddie Freeman — if they could get a young, established OF in return? (They would then sign LaRoche or another 1B to a multi-year deal.)
Seems to me it would accomplish the same thing as signing a FA OF and signing a 1B as a one-year “placeholder” for Freeman. Thoughts?
Pickens
December 2nd, 2009
9:52 am
DOB,
Do the Braves go after a setup man as well after the Wagner signing? Possibly a Rodney or Dotel signing?
Joebrave
December 2nd, 2009
9:54 am
point in case, if Wren thought Holliday would put them over the top then Holliday would be a Brave
18 Wheels of Love
December 2nd, 2009
9:57 am
Yeah, any team with a 90m payroll cannot claim payroll limitations, and Wren has yet to ever claim that….closest thing was Shuerholz’s ‘economics of baseball’ comment when he had to dump Millwood.
Mixxo
December 2nd, 2009
9:57 am
Soph –
Desert you? Nevah!
I’ve thought of you before, during and after every Falcs game. Too disappointed with the results so far to come here and post though. Been a rough year.
RHR
December 2nd, 2009
9:57 am
A rival executive said this morning that he likes the deal for the Braves, because Wagner comes to them at a discounted rate. “He’s probably an $11 million-a-year closer if he’s not a Type A free agent,” said the executive. “So they get a potentially high-impact pitcher on a short-term obligation.” Said another executive: “It’s a value signing. You wouldn’t want to give up the draft pick, but because he came to them for less than what he’d normally cost, it’s probably worth it. … He was throwing the ball great in September.”
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
10:06 am
Why not sign Saito on a similar deal, say 5 million with incentives. That would be an awesome 1,2 punch at the end of the Bullpen.
brent a.
December 2nd, 2009
10:07 am
Now Brian McCann doesn’t have to worry about having Todd Pratt pinch-hit for him when Billy Wagner is on the mound.
im4ball
December 2nd, 2009
10:07 am
I am not opposed to the signing of Billy Wagner but given that he is a little more than a year out of Tommy John surgery he in effect, a risk. No one knows how many innings he can really give the Braves and what he may have lost.
Good news is that, assuming the Braves resign and then keep Soriano, Wagner would not have to close every game, keeping his arm from being overused.
John
December 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
BIIIILLLLLLLLLLYYYYY! WOOOHOOOO! My Old Virginia boy comes on down to us! Go Bravos! Frank Wren has DONE IT AGAIN! Wagner is a REAL closer and is gonna be a great addition to our bullpen. Now we just need to find a first baseman to finish up our needs.
Efrim
December 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
I hate giving up the pick(because you don’t really know if you’re getting a first rounder for Soriano and Gonzo), but Wagner makes a lot of sense for the Braves. I still think they need to add another reliever, but it’s good to get one as dominant as Wagner can be, right out of the gate.
DAP
December 2nd, 2009
10:12 am
yeah, id say one more reliever is needed, since we are losing two guys who made over 75 appearances for us. wagner might be as good as new, but coming off tommy john, you cant guarantee that. id love to see one of the setup guys that didnt get offered arbitration get inked, like dotel or lyon, but also dont frget, that braves just signed proctor and abreu who may be helpful in the bullpen this season.
David O'Brien
December 2nd, 2009
10:12 am
Here’s link to my updated Wagner story: http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-and-billy-wagner-221814.html
Jerry
December 2nd, 2009
10:12 am
wooo hoooooo now Cameron this afternoon
Lew
December 2nd, 2009
10:15 am
We could always use Moylan in tandem with Wagner just like we used our LH/RH combo last year. Moylan is killer against RH hitters, Wagner can pitch to Howard and Utley (among others). Saves on wear and tear of Wagner (all we need is for him to make it through one season). With Medlen and O’Flaherty (jury still out on Logan IMO), we’ve got the makings of a good pen. We will already have a gret rotation (no matter who is traded).
And Wren just dumped $10 mil on Gonzo and Sori’s salaries and signed Wags for $7 mil. He’s already saved $3 mil towards that bat. Why are y’all bitching?
beekay
December 2nd, 2009
10:16 am
So we save 2 mill so far by signing Wagner and losing Sori 6mill and Gonzo 2 mill…KJ and Church combine for another 5 mill …Loaf is out at 3 mill…Roachie is out at 3mill(Kotch’s salary) Huddy is signed for 3 mill less. In all we have saved 16 million. If we trade DLOwe we will have 31 mill to spend on a first baseman, corner outfielder and another 7th-8th inning lefty set up guy. that’s alot of cash without increasing payroll
beekay
December 2nd, 2009
10:16 am
correcton Gonzo 3 mill
Wayne in Utah
December 2nd, 2009
10:16 am
Signing ANY major league pitcher is a risk, with the percentage of pitchers that have arm problems.
Sorry to tell some of you folks, but signing Jair Jurrjens would also be a risk. I suspect the Braves took a risk/reward approach and I will trust their judgement on Wagner.
We just picked up a top 10 closer in baseball for just a tad over what we paid for Soriano BEFORE he was FA eligible. And in my opinion, Soriano was a greater risk due to his prior arm injuries and history of disappearing for a month or so during the season.
Just sayin’
Dan
December 2nd, 2009
10:17 am
Just curious, but since the Braves just dropped $7 million on a free agent closer, are they now trying to buy a world series title? Or does that only apply when other teams spend more than the Braves?
P-Town Brave
December 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
Nolie-
I agree w/ your comment late last night…
“The Cobra” Frank Wren
That certainly trumps Scott “the Snake” Boras
Oh, and have I said lately how much I enjoy a guy with the name Bean Stringfellow? LoL…oh, and love love LOVE the hot stove season…
Go Billy the Kid and GO BRAVES!
im4ball
December 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
DOB
Going to be a void in the week not being able to see SOA. Great ending to the season last night.
DAP
December 2nd, 2009
10:21 am
beekay, all your numbers are off, which makes your final number way off.
Rock On......
December 2nd, 2009
10:22 am
Very glad to have Wagner and happy to see Soriano and Gonzo hit the road(I am assuming Gonzo is history and Soriano won’t set up Wagner). Never saw the Braves as a serious World Series contender with either of them finishing off games. Simply could not depend on them especially Soriano. Now we have a solid closer with a history of getting people out. I worry a little on Wagner’s stamina but his latest sampling of work bodes well for us. Hopefully Hudson will have similar good fortune off his surgery.
Wren has picked up where he left off last season. Good stuff. Now let’s hope he leaves us with a starting pitching group of Vazquez, JJ, Hanson, Hudson, and KK after it is all said and done. Sweet.
Lew
December 2nd, 2009
10:24 am
Wurlitzer Time Denizens!!!! Special Wurlitzer offering in honor of the Wagner signing to help kick off one of our least favorite times of the season.
For all y’all newbies, the Wurlitzer (blog Pulitzer) is a long standing blog award (created by Denizens four or five years ago) that usually consists of a Lew Hartman drawing (exmples can be seen at LewHartman.com). There have been numerous winners, including DOB (His Johnny Cash was the first), Tennessee Paul, Wayne in Utah, A couple of Gils (Jersey and Mechanicsville), Savannah Guy and many others too numerous to mention (or for me to remember in my dotage without a scorecard-though I haven’t forgotten I still owe Buffalo Braves Fan his.
Little different way of doing it today- I’m planning on spending a week in Orlando when pitchers and catchers report. Starting at 11:00 this morning, you can email me at LewHartman@comcast.net
The first two who email me, tell me which Braves’ player you’d like a drawing of and I’ll even try to get it signed at ST. Can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get it signed, but I am pretty damned good at getting autographs. AT the very least, you’ll win some good art.
Sart emailing at 11:00. First wo win-and tell me who you’d like a drawing of.
P-Town Brave
December 2nd, 2009
10:25 am
Can’t wait to hear some Metallica cranked up on Opening Night when Wags comes in to shut the door
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
10:26 am
Heres the only thing I dont like about signing Wagner, and its really the only thing, he is going to be 39 years old next year. Now, he just had TJ surgery, so its like getting a new arm basically, but how well will the rest of his body hold up through the year. All in all, still very excited Frank got something done this early. I was afraid we were going to have to wait till the winter meetings to even hear a rumor about a player and Frank goes out and signs Wags first day after arbitration, AWESOME!!!!
ToastyFire
December 2nd, 2009
10:27 am
beekay, I currently have the Braves payroll at a little over 83 million. That is with Kelly and Church being non-tendered and arbitration estimates of 3.2 million total for Diaz and Moylan. That seems fair to me. Their payroll was around 95 million last year so that’s 12 million with money from Lowe, Vaz, or KK likely being saved when one of them is traded.
NCmike
December 2nd, 2009
10:27 am
Nice signing… Now offer Delgado a similar contract, sign Cameron and maybe someone like Chad Cordero or Dotel. How about a lineup of:
McLouth
Prado
Chipper
Delgado
Cameron
McCann
Escobar
Diaz/Schaffer (until Heyward is called up)
Pitcher
Or maybe instead of Cameron you go with Nady because he provides insurance at 1B if Delgado can’t stay healthy. If Wren can find a way to trade Lowe without eating too much salary, this is all very possible. Exec of the year if he pulls this (or something similar) off.
O.J.
December 2nd, 2009
10:28 am
I also have this strange feeling that Lowe wont be in a Braves uni much longer after Lackey has signed with someone, and by that I mean that Frank probably already has a trade partner ready, just needs to pull the trigger.
Lew
December 2nd, 2009
10:29 am
No DelGado. Are you insane?
David O'Brien
December 2nd, 2009
10:33 am
A few reasons the Braves will be very glad to have Wagner. His stats against some top NL East hitters:
vs. Ryan Howard: 3-for-11 with no homers, two walks, six strikeouts
vs. Jimmy Rollins: 0-for-9 with no homers, one walk, three strikeouts
vs. Chase Utley: 4-for-10 with no homers, one walk, two strikeouts
vs. Hanley Ramirez: 2-for-10 with no homers, no walks, six strikeouts
vs. Chipper Jones: 3-for-21 with no homers, no walks, 12 strikeouts
Oh, and just for the curious:
vs. Jeff Francoeur:
0-for-101-for-10 with no walks, two strikeouts.David O'Brien
December 2nd, 2009
10:35 am
Wagner has allowed nine homers and a .545 OPS in 608 at-bats by lefty hitters in his career.
P-Town Brave
December 2nd, 2009
10:36 am
Lew-
I wouldn’t have a problem w/ Carlos if it was short term and low dollar…
I mean he has the same issues that Nady does health wise and has had more productive seasons so what really makes Nady any better?
Two TJ surgeries really worry me there…
Cameron I’m starting to become less concerned about as long as we get a solid addition at 1b as Cameron is not a middle of the order hitter…he’s more suited for a 6-7 slot.
So who can we add that can fit in between Chipper and BMac?
Go on the offensive
December 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
Mike Cameron is 36 & has never hit higher than .273. He might get you 20 HRs but he is a 70 RBI man. The Braves need a guy who can go .300, 25, 100 RBI.
NCmike
December 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
Insane? No. I just don’t see LaRoche signing anything less than a 3 year contract and that’s too long for the Braves. Delgado is a high impact guy (look at his stats) that SHOULD be able to be had for a reasonable price and for a 1 year deal. I just don’t see any better options out there. Why so adamantly against Delgado?
Rock On......
December 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
O.J….agree on Lowe being moved and I feel several trade partners are out there. Regardless, the Braves will probably lose more than just Lowe as it will most likely take a prospect paired with him if we are getting anything like a bat and/or 1st baseman in return. Not to mention how much salary the braves are willing to eat. Anyway I hope it is done soon so I can quit worrying about Vazquez being traded. Wren listens to me. He wouldn’t trade Vazquez, right?
CB
December 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
Enter your comments here
DAP
December 2nd, 2009
10:39 am
beekaylosing Sori 6mill and Gonzo 2 mill…KJ and Church combine for another 5 mill …Loaf is out at 3 mill…Roachie is out at 3mill(Kotch’s salary) Huddy is signed for 3 mill less. In all we have saved 16 million.
here are the 2009 salaries of the players you mentioned: soriano: $6.35mil, gonzalez $3.45mil, anderson $2.5mil, johnson $2.825mil, church $2.8mil, kotchman $2.885mil, hudson $15mil (making the difference between this year and last year $6mil, not $3mil), not to mention greg norton at $.8mil.
add up the free agent leaving plus hudson’s cut, you get almost $22mil. count kawakamis pay cut, and thats almost $23mil. and, if the braves do decide to non-tender KJ and church, their savings from last years payroll, before raises and signing any free agents, is $28.61mil.
David O'Brien
December 2nd, 2009
10:40 am
im4ball: No doubt about Sons of Anarchy. That was the best finale to one of the best seasons of scripted-drama TV I’ve seen. Just a terrific season, and in my opinion right up there with the best of The Shield, Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and yes, even the mighty The Wire. Maybe not as artistically brilliant or whatever as a couple of those shows, but for drama, tension and pure entertainment value? Every bit as good as any of them.
ToastyFire
December 2nd, 2009
10:40 am
Why not get 2 guys that could roughly go 270, 20, and 70. Of course Cameron’s main value is his excellent defense. Which is always undervalued in free agency. We may not get that big bopper we need but if we have a good lineup with no auto outs (like when we had half the lineup at times for most of last season) we will be fine offensively.
Voice from the past...
December 2nd, 2009
10:41 am
Just my opinion…
Offering arb to Rochey would have been a relatively minimal risk move. Had he been offered and accepted (unlikely), at worst we would have a decent fielding, better than average bat at 1B as a 1 year bridge to FreFre. If not, at worst he signs elsewhere and we have an additional draft pick.
My gut says that Frank has a rabbit waiting up his sleeve…
Lew
December 2nd, 2009
10:41 am
PTown_use assume I want Nady-I don’t-mainly because of the injury thing, same as DelGado. Dude just missed an entire season with a chronic hip problem-he’s missed time with it before. Add to this that he’s struck out AT LEAST 114 times his last 8 full seasons (actually, two of those seasons were 114 and 118-the rest were in excess of 124) and I wonder why you think he’s worth the gamble.
Daslied
December 2nd, 2009
10:41 am
DOB, thanks for the stats – Wagner’s numbers against lefties are pretty insane.
I only wish Frenchy was 0-10 with 10 K.
Lew
December 2nd, 2009
10:42 am
Damn I can’t type-You assume is what I meant. Maybe I need to proofread better. That’s what you get trying to exercise, research and blog at the same time.
CB
December 2nd, 2009
10:43 am
I also agree with what Lew said about using a combination of Wagner and Moylan as closers,don’t spend a lot more for the bullpen and use rest of budget for other needs.