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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,843 comments Add your comment
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:28 am
Brewers are close to signing Wolf. Don’t see them being interested in dealing one of their good young bats.
DOB should be down with about 14 gazillion reaction posts between now and 2am EST.
Goldenglove002
December 8th, 2009
12:28 am
he had a second TJ in mid July of this year, and there is really no evidence of what he will be able to do coming off of the surgery. Either way, he waited so long to have the surgery (almost 2 months after the actual injury) that he will likely miss time this year
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:29 am
kirkinga,
If Soriano were gonna be the setup man, then people wouldnt be so upset. Unfortunately he wont even be that. He’ll be MIDDLE RELIEF.
FOR $7M+!!!!!
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:29 am
Thanks Reeves
Didn’t know he had it twice. Well that might really hurt his market. I really like the guy but not having him until almost June isn’t worth it for us.
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:29 am
Goldenglove002
December 8th, 2009
12:26 am
Justin, if the Braves evened out the salary and ate 4 million, I could definitely see a deal like that be plausible. Don’t think it would happen though.
I also just realized Valverde turned down arb so the Astros need a closer it may not be that bad a deal after all but as you said unlikely to happen.
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:30 am
Brewers trading Braun would be like Braves trading Chipper.
I’d say it’s more like the Braves trading McCann.
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:30 am
Well TJ surgery for position players has a faster recovery then pitchers correct? They can usually come back after 8-10 months
Lew
December 8th, 2009
12:30 am
Y’all need to look at the silver lining. At least it means Acosta won’t be in the pen.
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
12:30 am
Wayne in Utah–
Yeah, but does Randy Wolf alone really put them over the top in pitching? They lost CC and Sheets.
Bad Scooter
December 8th, 2009
12:31 am
now only if we got a hitter to go with our halfway decent bullpen
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
12:32 am
Carlos Lee, a Venezuelan, would be a good fit among our Latin players.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:32 am
Superhoo
If Soriano is here on August 1st, he will be the co-closer. No doubt in my mind.
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:33 am
They loat CC and Sheets last year if they havnt gotten over that then they are a little bit behind.
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:33 am
Soriano, Lowe, KJ, Cash for Wood, Rivera and mid level prospect.
Lowe is cheaper than Lackey and for less years
Soriano one hell of a set up and back up plan if Fuentes struggles
KJ would be a good backup
Wood- Future player for us.
Rivera-Impact Bat
Frankie Knuckles
December 8th, 2009
12:33 am
Yea, this could be problematic. Hey we’ve got the best pen we’ve had in a while.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:33 am
shmoe
I just don’t see the Brewers going after Lowe. Vazquez, maybe, but not Lowe if they sign Wolf. To be honest, I would be shocked if they were still interested in either of our starters if they sign Wolf.
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:34 am
Wayne in Utah,
so we’ll be paying what? like $16M for combined closers?
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
12:35 am
Is anyone’s confidence in Wren shot?
Just curious, because I still trust him
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:35 am
If the Brewers sign Wolf then they will prob take a chance on one of them injury risk starters. If they sign Wolf it will prob take them out of the running for Vaz or Lowe
TnBrian
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
On if Soriano accepts arbitration offer, Wren said…”We’re going to go ahead and put our club together. The one thing about good players is that when you have good players, you can trade them.”
I think we’ll be ok, lets not give ourselves a heart attack here.
Goldenglove002
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
By the way make sure to keep your guard up DOB. Don’t want a repeat of the last time your were wrong with a signing situation (Ken Griffey)
Hehe
StingerSplash
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
DOB,
I figure that the live music scene on a Monday night in Indy ain’t much.
Nutt would be a good get for KU, but … that would be his third job in three years. That’s a red flag. He is a good coach, though.
some non-baseball related stuff … had the pulled pork at LeeRoy Selmon’s on Saturday before the ACC Championship Game. Good. They had a honey-based sauce that was OK. Skipped the apple cole slaw (hate it. hate cole slaw. and tequila. both created by Beezlebub). Waiting to go back in spring for Tampa-area spring training, Yankees not included. Maybe Phillies, Jays and Cards and whoever else is still around.
But if I may impose upon your local knowledge, DOB, I would love some recommendations for the LandShark Stadium area hotels or restaurants for the Orange Bowl. Planning to fly into Fort Lauderdale, with my buddy and his family (who will go to Disney World first and then to Miami) picking me up before we go to Tech-Iowa game.
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
lost*
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
Soriano accepting may benefit Wren in his pursuit for a bat
WOW
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
Gonzo declined arb it is official
Mike Gonzalez Turns Down Arbitration
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 7 at 11:09pm CST]
Mike Gonzalez has turned down arbitration to explore the market, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown. Rafael Soriano accepted the Braves’ offer earlier tonight, so the Braves have a deep bullpen even without Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is a Type A free agent, so they stand to gain a pair of top picks if he signs elsewhere.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
P’cola
I wouldn’t be surprised if we worked out a trade with the Halos, but I really don’t see them taking on 3 guys with high relative salaries. And so far, the Braves have been unwilling to send $$ along in any prior deals.
I would mind picking up Rivera and Wood though. I think it might be more likely to be Lowe and Milligan for those two.
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
Jurjjens…no way. I like FW. He’s certainly motivated to make sure everyone knows who the Braves are, and still make shrewd decisions.
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:36 am
Jurrjens4NLCY,
Wren did what i’d do in offering arb to both pitchers. That doesnt mean that I didn’t hope that for once, just ONCE, things would work out as planned. It’s so frustrating to have this pitcher singlehandedly throw a wrench in our plans. Now we have to work to get rid of him AND get a bat rather than just focus on the bat without Soriano in the equation.
BravesFanChris25
December 8th, 2009
12:37 am
I still trust Wren, but this could potentially put a damper on his plans in hindsight.
If offense can be gotten without further hurting the team via payroll issues, then I’ll be fine with Soriano accepting it.
NS
December 8th, 2009
12:37 am
How good of a player could we get in return for Sori?
jeffrey d
December 8th, 2009
12:37 am
Is anyone’s confidence in Wren shot?
Only the loonies. They’re finding every possible angle to complain about Wren and all the idiotic moves he’s made over the past two seasons. And hindsight is a nice ally.
WOW
December 8th, 2009
12:37 am
thats from mlbtraderumors.com
JReeves
December 8th, 2009
12:37 am
GoldenGlove/P’Cola, it may hurt his value, no question….but he is on schedule to be ready for sprint training. It has been well documented that he plans on being ready to go.
ryan c
December 8th, 2009
12:38 am
my thoughts would be to keep him.
with that being said, this team is a lowe trade away from being really good. as of right now, the braves have approximately 94 million committed to 20 players. if they can find a suitor for lowe (even if they have to eat 10 million of his total contract), that would give them 13-14 million dollars(15-16 if we can unload him straight up) to use on those big bats we’ve been hearing about.
bold predictions:
1. braves trade lowe and eat 10 mil in salary.
2. braves sign xavier nady- 2/9
3. braves sign troy glaus- 1/7
4. braves sign gary sheffield 1/2.5
5. braves fill out the roster with jason heyward and luis valdez
your starting lineups for your 2010 atlanta braves:
1. mclouth
2. prado
3. chipper
4. glaus
5. mccann
6. nady/heyward
7. escobar
8. diaz
starters:
vazquez
hudson
jurrjens
hanson
kawakami
pen:
wagner
saito
soriano
medlen
moylan
o’flaherty
luis valdez
bench:
sheffield
nady/heyward
ross
infante
b. conrad
total payroll: 96-97 million dollars
signing troy glaus, gary sheffield, and xavier nady gives the braves the offensive flexibility and provides power in any lineup scenario. heyward will probably benefit from a year in the majors where he only plays 120-130 games in favaorable matchups. we already know that chipper functions better when he gets rest. troy glaus and xavier nady are both coming off injuries and will probably benefit from a 450-500 at-bat season instead of 600. in this dream of a roster, chipper, diaz, heyward, nady, and glaus all get plenty of playing time and plenty of rest.
chipper needs a rest? glaus to 3rd, nady to 1st, heyward in right.
glaus needs a rest? nady to first, heyward in right
diaz needs a rest? nady to left heyward to right
one of glaus, nady, or chipper get hurt? insert sheffield in the rotation
i hope frank wren is an ajc reader.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:38 am
Still have 100% confidenc in FW here!
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:38 am
P’cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:33 am
Soriano, Lowe, KJ, Cash for Wood, Rivera and mid level prospect.
Lowe is cheaper than Lackey and for less years
Soriano one hell of a set up and back up plan if Fuentes struggles
KJ would be a good backup
Wood- Future player for us.
Rivera-Impact Bat
Wood is their starting 3rd baseman now that Figgins is with Seattle doubt theyd take a chance on dealing him and his 30 hrs in AAA
Jake W.
December 8th, 2009
12:38 am
Well, Braves are definately rich in pitching, starting and relief now. At least this means that Cox can also use Soriano as a setup man and not overuse Saito.
Jeff
December 8th, 2009
12:38 am
Yes MamaDawg, Gonzo declined.
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:39 am
If Nady is on schedule then I hope we offer him a contract. I think the guy is clutch and a gamer. Have always had a ton of respect for the guy and would love to see him in an atlanta jersey.
johnbama
December 8th, 2009
12:40 am
while this is not ideal truth is IF nothing happens we have a very dominant bullpen. i still think this was a calculated gamble and works two ways. you deal him….or you deal lowe….which now looks like it would be high priority. freeing lowe and getting a prospect maybe forces you to do something a little different offensively than you would like but i never got the vibe a carlos lee, bay or holliday were really on the to get list.
or you keep what you have. work a six man rotation to some semblence or move kawa to pen as long man with medlen. all of a sudden you are consistently running hanson jjj hudson lowe medlen soriano wags etc at oponents. not a bad problem to have….especially if nothing else….as the trade deadline approaches in july. heyward in right mcclouth and maybe still sign a cameron. yunel continues to grow, full year from prado and chipper bounces back to a .280 20 guy and mac can see. not a bad offense. 1b still an issue yes but man wags and soriano fishing games? satio maybe we should have waited a bit but you cant argue with the stockpile of talen on the staff.
i still think though this is a calculated move and honestly for the ups and downs wren has had i have no doubt that we will have a better team on the field in the upcoming year that we did last year. it now comes down to ownership and gm/coaches to put this all together.
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
12:40 am
Ryan C…that’s not half bad
Eric from MO
December 8th, 2009
12:40 am
I still see Soriano as a good thing. As soon as we move Lowe or Vazquez we will still have enough money for our hitter.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:41 am
Superhoo
To be honest, I don’t think Soriano will be here in August. But if he is, then the money has already been allocated. You don’t worry about a payroll at that point. You go with your best options in the pen. And who on here in there right mind would put Saito or Moylan ahead of MFIKY?
P. W. Hjort
December 8th, 2009
12:41 am
Dealing with the surplus?
It’s really simple.
Either the Braves trade Soriano with his consent (if they have to have it, still not clear to me), or, they trade one of Moylan and Medlen (for something cheap and useful presumably on offense) (O’Flaherty fetches next to nothing in a trade, Saito and Wagner can’t be traded until June 16), or, the they trade 2 starters and let Medlen pitch out of the rotation. They either trade Soriano and maintain the payroll structure, keep Soriano, trade a cheap reliever -> get a cheap bat in return -> bullpen gets more expensive -> offense gets cheaper -> payroll stays the same, or keep Soriano, trade an expensive starter -> move Medlen to the rotation -> bullpen gets more expensive -> rotation gets cheaper -> payroll stays the same.
Plenty of ways to accomplish what Wren needs to accomplish with or with out keeping Soriano.
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:42 am
If Soriano were realeased wouldnt the braves still have to pay his salary?
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:43 am
It’s kinda like Tom Petty said in his song: “The way-yea-ting is the hardest part!”
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:43 am
Moylan was money almost every time he came in to do his job: generate a DP ball.
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
12:43 am
It’s good to see we still got Wren’s back!
KIM: Braves scored the 2nd most runs in the NL (behind MIL) during the 2nd half
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:43 am
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:42 am
If Soriano were realeased wouldnt the braves still have to pay his salary?
If they release him in Spring training it will be a lot cheaper
johnbama
December 8th, 2009
12:43 am
Eric…I agree. You now have tons of trade bait….if not now when trade deadline is here and before that if you can field a average offensive team you are in the vast majority of your games. I think you just run with saito, medlen, moylan, wags and soriano and your starting staff dominate games that way. not sexy i know but still a winning formula
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:44 am
Ryan C, i dont hate your idea..but a trade of nelson cruz instead of sheff would be better
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:44 am
Andrew in PA,
they’d only have to pay like $1 or 2M i believe.
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:44 am
I know Wood is an option at third but if they miss on Bay they may be inclined to consider Beltre. Heard him linked to them a couple times this offseason.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:45 am
PWH
So many options, so many blogging opportunities!
Damn! Now, we are going to have every possible gyration discussed to the nth degree now!!!!!
johnbama
December 8th, 2009
12:45 am
he wont be released btw. that really, for those saying that, is not an option, unless we are in dire financial issues.
KC
December 8th, 2009
12:45 am
Factoring all payroll going up and down (assuming Church, KJ, and Lowe are gone), by my calculations, the Braves will have about 16 mill left to spend if they do NOT trade Soriano. If they can trade him, that figure will likely go up to about 23 mill to spend.
If the Braves have to eat any of Lowe’s salary to trade him, that will obviously cut into what they have left to spend.
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:46 am
Ryan C, also glaus is not getting 7 million
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:46 am
Wren’s done a good job. Still plenty of confidence in him here. I just don’t see this as such a horrible occurence. If Lowe’s contract can be moved there should still be room financially to go after most of the same guys that have been discussed as being realistic options. Cameron and Laroche would be the two I would love to see brought in/back.
N8
December 8th, 2009
12:46 am
What about dumping Lowe for whatever we can get for him. Signing a guy like LaRoche, letting Heyward start the year with the big club, (perhaps with Schafer and Diaz platooning in LF?), and just keep Soriano.
Then come June 15th if our offense is still struggling and it’s causing us to lose games, trade him to wherever the hell Wren wants to trade him for whatever it is we need.
While at the same time keeping him as an insurance policy in case Saito or Wagner’s arms fall off before June 15th.
I know it would be adding the big thumper to the middle of the order like people want, but damn that would be a bullpen, huh?
Or perhaps, keeping KJ at 2B and batting him 8th, and move Prado to 1B temporarily (oy, the defense with those two moves!), and sign a guy like Cameron?
There is still a lot of ways that Wren could go, and one of those options, depending on who is signed/traded for, includes keeping Soriano.
Still too early to panic. As of right now 1-11 or 1-12 (depending on how many pitchers we keep on the roster, there is ZERO doubt that we have the best, deepest overall pitching staff in baseball. Period. End of discussion.
So, which way does Wren go? Does he keep it that way (and I still think it would be the best if one of Lowe/Vazquez is traded), and fore-go getting a bat? Or does he use that pitching depth to our advantage and go get a bat (or two)?
NOW the fun begins…. for real.
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:47 am
Soriano for Ludwick?
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:47 am
Ryan C
Like your idea. Have had thoughts very similar to yours. My only change would be that Diaz would prob platoon with Heyward more so than Nady.
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:47 am
Jurrjens
Realize though, that we had a .800 OPS guy hitting his heart out during that same timeframe (second half, with LaRoche showing out).
rupert
December 8th, 2009
12:48 am
Gotta get a bat, can’t wait until June and hope. Did that last year and dug to big a hole.
Stuart
December 8th, 2009
12:48 am
He may not be cheap, but can’t the Braves just keep Soriano? We’d finally have a SOLID 7,8,9 trio, to complement an excellent starting rotation… It would be a good way to go into Bobby’s last season. Plus, if Wagner was to get hurt and have to miss some time, then Soriano could just step right up and we’d still have a solid 8th inning guy in Saito. Sounds good to me…
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
12:49 am
Soriano for Ludwick?
I’d take it in a heartbeat.
Wayne,
Thats true.
The_Superhoo
December 8th, 2009
12:49 am
alot of people here assuming Lowe’s contract can be moved. I HOPE it can be, but I definately don’t ASSUME it can. Hefty paycheck for a guy I think is past his prime.
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:49 am
johnbama
December 8th, 2009
12:45 am
he wont be released btw. that really, for those saying that, is not an option, unless we are in dire financial issues.
I dont think he’ll be released Im just saying if it comes to Soriano or a bat releasing him would be an option, so people saying this affects FW’s search of a bat need not worry.
KC
December 8th, 2009
12:49 am
Even if the Braves kept Soriano all year, by my calculations… IF they could unload Lowe’s entire salary, they could probably re-sign LaRoche, and still fit in a guy like Willingham via trade who doesn’t have an inflated salary.
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:50 am
If the Braves tried to release Soriano in Spring Training they would have the Player’s Union all over them. No way could they justify releasing him. How could you argue he isn’t one of your 6 or 7 best relievers?
rupert
December 8th, 2009
12:50 am
But they seem to have more $ than people give them credit for, especially if Lowe was to be moved with only a few million a year being paid by Braves. It won’t take 20 million to find a first baseman and/or an outfielder, especially not the names that have been rumored. So maybe they don’t trade Soriano, I don’t know, I am confused now.
Paul Lentz
December 8th, 2009
12:50 am
Even though Soriano accepted salary arbitration and could get awarded $7-8 mil……I see the possibility of Frank Wren working out a deal with Soriano where he signs a 3 year contract for $17-18 mil.
Sure, Soriano would be an expensive 8th inning guy. However, given that Wagner and Saito are up there in age……and coming off recent arm injuries……..Soriano would be a good option to have should Wagner either get hurt or need a say off because of having to close on back to back nights.
Also, by signing Soriano to a 3 year deal, the Braves would have someone to fall back on for 2011 and beyond.
Sure, the bullpen would be pricey should the Braves decide to keep Soriano and not trade him. However, with our pitching, having a 4some of Wagner, Soriano, Saito and Moylan (I know, I ripped the guy last year, however it looks like I was wrong about him being able to rebound) available to pitch the last 3 innings of games would make the Braves staff hard to score on.
Also, whatever “flexibility” that some of you thought that the Braves had on possibly tendering Kelly Johnson a contract for 2010……..pretty much went out the window with Soriano accepting salary arbitration. Frank Wren is going to have to be pretty creative adding a power right handed hitter.
Here is a possible trade scenario: Derek Lowe to the Cubs for Milton Bradley. The Cubs need a starting pitcher….the Braves needed an outfielder with some pop in his bat. As much as I got on Bobby Cox last year, I do feel that Cox is the type of manager who could possibly get the most out of Bradley.
Couch Tater
December 8th, 2009
12:50 am
The Braves are in a lot better position than most teams having so much pitching. Raphael did the correct thing by accepting arbitration, if he thought that would be his best option. It shifts the control to him.
I would too.
P'cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
I doubt the Cards will move Ludwick with Holliday and Ankiel both more than likely leaving.
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
We’d finally have a SOLID 7,8,9 trio, to complement an excellent starting rotation…
Solid?
The adjective your using is solid?
Thats the best damn 7,8,9 trio is MLB history!
And I’d rather have Moylan for 2M than Soriano for 7M
TBrown
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
HEEEEEE’SSS BAAAAAAACCCCKK. No one is more excited than I am.
RHR
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
Y’all are hilarious.
Team MFIKY!
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
DOB
I have stolen some emails, and they say that global warming is still going strong everywhere BUT Indianapolis and Utah!
It be cold as a sumbeach out here right now. Wind blowing at temps around 10. (as Lew secretly says: That Wayne is a wuss!)
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:52 am
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:50 am
If the Braves tried to release Soriano in Spring Training they would have the Player’s Union all over them. No way could they justify releasing him. How could you argue he isn’t one of your 6 or 7 best relievers?
B/c the arb contract is not a garunteed contract like every other one in MLB.
KC
December 8th, 2009
12:53 am
Personally, heading into the season, my perfect world scenario was… Sign Wagner, re-sign Soriano, and get another solid late-inning reliever to go with them.
I’ll be damned… that’s exactly where we find the Braves today. Now, I know they’ll try to trade Soriano, if he’ll accept, but I think it could be good news if he stayed.
Again, IF they can move Lowe’s contract in its entirety – or very close to it – they should still have enough flexibility to get the bat or two they need.
bravito199
December 8th, 2009
12:53 am
I think we can get Swisher for Soriano from the Yanks
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:53 am
Guess there won’t be anymore complaining about the Braves always going cheap in the bullpen will there?
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
12:54 am
P’cola Brave
December 8th, 2009
12:51 am
I doubt the Cards will move Ludwick with Holliday and Ankiel both more than likely leaving
True.
N8
December 8th, 2009
12:55 am
“Gotta get a bat, can’t wait until June and hope. Did that last year and dug to big a hole.” rupert
To an extent I hear you, and agree with you. But on the other hand, Moylan, Soriano and Gonzazlez all had their struggles early (not to mention Bennett and Boyer had big parts in our pen early). The offense actually wasn’t too bad in April. It was the bullpen that sucked.
Not to mention until June 7th when Hanson made his debut, we had no 5th starter.
Like I said. I’d rather have a bat too. But the funny thing is, is that all along I’ve thought our rotation could survive without Vazquez and Lowe, now that Hanson is on board for the whole year, Hudson is back and Medlen and Minor are waiting in the wings.
That’s even MORE SO now that Soriano is under our control as well. 4 guys deep, (maybe 5 with O’Flare), in that bullpen? Are you frickin’ kidding me?
Don’t get me wrong. We still have to score runs to win. I get it. But if we kept Vazquez and Soriano, to go along with the rest of the pitching staff, we literally could keep teams to below 3 runs on most nights.
It’s too bad Chipper isn’t a lock anymore to be the Chipper of old. Had he had the same type of year last year as in 2008, nobody would be worried about the lineup.
Like I said before. Going to get real interesting now.
Justin
December 8th, 2009
12:55 am
Yeah Macon now we’ll have to hear for the first time in MLB history about a team emphasizing too much on pitching. haha
KC
December 8th, 2009
12:56 am
Paul Lentz, I see very little chance of the Braves offering Soriano 3 years. No way. They might offer him another 2-year deal, similar to the one he just completed… 2 years, 13 mill, slightly back-loaded so he would only make 5 mill or so this year.
15 mill for your top 3 guys in the ‘pen is not egregious. I’m pretty sure the Braves have spent close to that in the past on their top-3 relievers (thinking back to the Smoltz days, with other guys like Remlinger… probably spent at least 13 mill on top 2 or 3 relievers combined).
Wayne in Utah
December 8th, 2009
12:56 am
I do feel that Cox is the type of manager who could possibly get the most out of Bradley PL
As much as this is true, I just have a hard time seeing them bring on that sort of headache. The only way that might happen, is if Lowe or Vazquez cannot be moved.
Interesting thought about signing MFIKY to a longer contract, but he has been injury prone though.
Macon Braves (RIP)
December 8th, 2009
12:56 am
Justin–That wouldn’t matter to the Union. The Braves offered arb to him, he accepted, and the Players Union would still be all over them if they just released him.
But that really is moot anyway. The Braves aren’t gonna just release the guy. Not gonna happen.
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
12:56 am
Swoosher for MFIKY? HAHAHA
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
12:57 am
I think we can get Swisher for Soriano from the Yanks
Wren should do it, but not look desperate
wilymo
December 8th, 2009
12:57 am
Another thing that was a strong factor is that Soriano basically has a no-trade clause until June 15th. If the Braves work out a deal to move him to a team that may use him as a setup guy as well (ie Boston or NY) he may have some leverage in the form of asking the team to guarantee his deal or even work out a two year deal now that the team acquiring him won’t have to part with the draft pick.
N8
December 8th, 2009
12:59 am
KC, your 12:49 is dead on. Wren could go with subtle improvements (or at least lateral moves compared to what we had at the end of the year – We could do a lot worse than bringing LaRoche back, imo), to the lineup like you suggest, and pray that Chipper comes back to Chipperville, and roll with this pitching staff, there isn’t too many lineups that would want to face this team, at all.
We might not have 3 future HOF pitchers in this current rotation. But as I stated before 1-12, this pitching staff would rival any of the Braves 90’s pitching staffs in terms of top to bottom production and domination on any given night.
Just got to find a way to keep this staff in tact and score 4.5 to 5 runs per game consistently against lesser pitching, and the wins will just pour in like they used to.
ncgary
December 8th, 2009
1:00 am
as ron simmons would say
damn
shmoe
December 8th, 2009
1:00 am
What about Nick Swisher seems like a good idea?
Jurrjens4NLCY {In Wren We Trust!}
December 8th, 2009
1:00 am
Braves can use Billy Wagner in arbitration to slightly lower the cost of MFIKY.
Wagner had a better year than Soriano and only got paid 6.75M in the market…
Braves’ll you that to their advantage
rupert
December 8th, 2009
1:00 am
N8, That’s a great point about Chipper. It is sad that if he was the lock he used to be, I think I would be much more comortable with the offense. I think he definitely could rebound this year, but at his age you never know. It would be great for them to aquire another slugger like he used to be to compliment Mac, but that was not really in consideration before this happened anyway (They weren’t going after Holliday or Bay etc.)
Justin
December 8th, 2009
1:00 am
Macon I dont think theyll release him either though I dont beleive the players union would have much of a leg to stand on besides the “the braves offered arb stance” theyd probably do what any business would do in that situaion and portray him as a cancer in the clubhouse and dasatisfied by his new role.
TheAntiMe
December 8th, 2009
1:02 am
Soriano accepting arbitration will probably be a good thing. Everyone needs pitching and the Braves now have a quality starter, as well as a proven closer to offer for a right-handed slugger.
This only gives Frank Wren a better chance to snag the Bravos some much needed offense.
N Nine
December 8th, 2009
1:02 am
As it turns out, we’re open to trading a starter and a reliever! If you need pitching, just give Wren a call.
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
1:03 am
no to swisher,good ballplayer,just dont like him for our lineup
Andrew in PA
December 8th, 2009
1:04 am
N Nine , hell yeah, they dont even have to call just go up to his room.