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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,207 comments Add your comment
P-Town Brave
December 15th, 2009
1:55 pm
Imagine that, more “hey, guess what I just read on Fangraphs” crap..
ugh!
FEAR
December 15th, 2009
1:56 pm
the braves want these guys. Cuz the Braves are short on cash
GermanBravesFan
December 15th, 2009
1:56 pm
njbraves: Juan Pierre just got traded to the White Sox and the Dodgers will pay $10 million of his salary over the next two years. The White Sox will pay Juan Pierre $ 3 million next year and $ 5 million the year after… Just an FYI…
KC
December 15th, 2009
1:59 pm
Efrim & TennPaul… right you are. I forgot about the Cameron signing.
Nevertheless, I think that “utility” designation is only representative of Buster Olney’s point of view.
Fischerking04
December 15th, 2009
2:00 pm
Vlad’s knees are shot. He will play in the AL next year.
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
njbrave here is your chance who should the braves get
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
I know Pierre got traded this morning, I’m just saying that most of these trade/signing ideas are ridiculous.
KC
December 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
Bobby Hill, Vlad simply can’t play the field everyday at this point in his career, so I agree… that would be a terrible idea, and I’m 100% certain the Braves aren’t looking at Vlad.
However, how low do my expectations have to be to get excited about possibly adding Nady?
I guess it’s however low they need to be to get excited about possibly adding .305, 25 HR’s, 97 RBI, and 37 doubles to the lineup.
LudaChris
December 15th, 2009
2:02 pm
I understand players like Vlad are not going to play great defense. But do you really think Xavier Nady is going to be our difference maker?
I think we have a deeper rotation 1-5 (6 as it stands currently) than the Phillies, but their rotation is very strong and just got better. Our offense can’t hold a candle to their’s as it stands right now. If we want to dethrone them, we need some strong bats.
I know Vlad is not going to happen. I doubt he would even want to play in Atlanta. But given we’re going to have some payroll to work with, I think we need to take a risk or two. If it’s not gonna come through a trade, I think some of these big-risk, big payoff guys like Vlad, Delgado are worth at least a look as the market for them declines.
Joebrave
December 15th, 2009
2:03 pm
Lemme see! so the Braves should get Gomes,Cust,gardner for Lf,Mclouth for CF,Diaz,Heyward for RF
Nady and Delgado at !B, and just keep Lowe!
DAMN I thought Wren had budget restraints!
18 Wheels of Love
December 15th, 2009
2:05 pm
LudaChris, not disagreeing, but what was our record vs. the Phils last year? And I sort of remember kicking Halladay’s arse too last year.
dmack2027
December 15th, 2009
2:07 pm
So the Braves cannot afford to pursue an offensive improvement until they deal Lowe. When they deal Lowe, they are going to resign Vazquez, so they still wont have much money. Either way you slice it, the Braves need to address their offensive problems.
FEAR
December 15th, 2009
2:13 pm
Cubs Step Up Pursuit Of Marlon Byrd MLBTR
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:14 pm
Trade Lowe…..sign Nick Johnson on the cheap, with incentives for games played……Make the absolute best offer you can to Jason Bay. Beside the Mets, who has shown much interest in Bay?? It’s the perfect opportunity for the Braves. Only take minor leaguers in return for Lowe, whatever you can get another team to give. All they need is a little salary relief. I’m telling you, Bay and Nick Johnson will get this team to the playoffs.
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
2:14 pm
y’all understand that a year ago vlad hit 303 with 31 doubles, 27 bombs, and 91rbi’s in which the second half of the season he had a 330 avg. do you really think vlad’s stats wont rebound to something close to that. sum bitch can hit!
imagine the bounce back chipper would have with vlad battig behind him… braves are legit again
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:19 pm
Will everyone come off the idea that the Braves are going to pursue Holliday OR Bay? The problem isn’t that each player would want around $16 million per year….that actually would work for the Braves. The problem is that each player is going to want that amount on a deal of 5 years or more (Bay looking for 5, Holliday reported has offers of 8). To invest that much money over 5 years for Jason Bay is insane….to invest it over 8 years for Holliday is certifiable.
LudaChris
December 15th, 2009
2:19 pm
18 Wheels, off the top of my head I know we were one game over .500 against the Phillies last year. But do you remember the breakdown? We had won like 7 of our first 9, all early in the year when the Phillies were not playing well and we were inconsistent. For every game down the rest of the year, even when 1st place was within our sights and both teams were playing their best baseball, the Phillies won nearly every game. Granted, we weren’t getting blown out of the water, but I really cannot be confident with our current offense even with the additions of some of the guys we’ve been linked to (Nady, Byrd, etc.)
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
2:20 pm
i like the bay idea and if possible i am all for it but he turned down some good offers from the sox. 4 years for 65 million didnt get him and you think the braves can pony up that kinda cash. i have never been a fan of johnson i think there are better options then him.
chris
December 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
i would suspect that the braves will try to get some kind of major league outfielder for derek lowe. and try to sign a guy like nady to play 1st base and at times play in the corner outfield
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
y’all understand that a year ago vlad hit 303 with 31 doubles, 27 bombs, and 91rbi’s in which the second half of the season he had a 330 avg. do you really think vlad’s stats wont rebound to something close to that. sum bitch can hit!
imagine the bounce back chipper would have with vlad battig behind him… braves are legit again
Those are really good points. I think the concern is that a) Vlad defense in left would make Loaf look like Willie Mays and b) if he’s forced to play the field, the wear and tear on his knees will carry over to affect his stats over the course of the year. The stats he put up last year were mostly as a DH, without the added burden of playing the field.
Ron H
December 15th, 2009
2:22 pm
The way things are going, LaRoche is starting to look pretty darn good…I think 2 year contract will suffice (say, a discount at $16M ). This will allow Freeman to develop some more and get some playing (platoon) time in 2011.
Nady plays the OF and does the same with Heyward…
I really don’t want to rely exclusively on Heyward yet. sure, he’s hitting the crap out of the ball in the minors, but so were the other prospects…
not a great lineup, but it will suffice…
If we can win maybe 5-7 more games with that lineup, we’re in the playoffs.
LudaChris
December 15th, 2009
2:23 pm
And I know Vlad has “dropped off,” but dude still hit .295 last year. His health is obviously the biggest concern and I am not denying it. Im just saying – let’s pay attention to what the market becomes for him. I’d be willing to take a risk on a 1 year deal (although I know he wants 2) in Bobby’s last year.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
2:23 pm
If our bullpen doesn’t blow a bazillion games in 2010 (they won’t with Saito and Wagner) we will be the WC favorites…
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:24 pm
The way things are going, LaRoche is starting to look pretty darn good…I think 2 year contract will suffice (say, a discount at $16M ).
LaRoche is reportedly looking for a 3 year/$31 million deal. So unless that changes dramatically, I think 2 years/$16 million is not going to cut it.
Thundersticks
December 15th, 2009
2:25 pm
I don’t understand the man-crush some have for Nick Johnson. I see comments about his great OPS. His OPS doesn’t help us if he’s hurt all the time. We need to fill the hole at 1B, not the DL.
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:26 pm
Nick Johnson, when healthy, is an on base machine. He is exactly the type of guy the Braves need. They have a lineup of guys who swing at way too many pitches. Why is giving Bay a 5 year deal crazy?? I’d like it to be a 4 year deal, but if an extra year is what it takes then you have to do it. Bay, McClouth, Heyward/Diaz. That’s a pretty solid OF for years to come.
Mikeyc588
December 15th, 2009
2:27 pm
Vlad Gurrero UZR the last 4 seasons along with games played in RF:
YEAR GP UZR
2006 126 -13.7
2007 109 -17.5
2008 99 -15.1
2009 2 -11.4
You think this can can do anything other than DH at this point in his career? I shudder to think what the Loaf Haters would have to say about Vlad patrolling one of our outfield spots…
FEAR
December 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
may be real dumb. but Vlad at first? haha
LudaChris
December 15th, 2009
2:35 pm
I think if Vlad can stand in one place in the outfield, walk over to the ball, pick it up and throw it back in… then what we’re getting is Garrett Anderson but with a MUCH better bat.
Eric from MO
December 15th, 2009
2:35 pm
RC he may be looking for it, but I dont think he is gonna find it. The only other team really looking for a FA 1B is the Giants and they are looking more at Nick Johnson or Russell Branyan. So LaRoche may not find that 3 year 31 mil contract. 2 year 16 may be the best he gets.
brian
December 15th, 2009
2:36 pm
I would of course love to get Rivera for LF. Lowe by himself will not cut it and I doubt that adding Brandon Jones and a A pitcher will get it done. Would Lowe and Schafer make the deal happen?
If we got Rivera, then only 1B is left to fill. Nick Johnson is a huge injury risk. I would rather take the risk of Garrett Atkins former Rocky, rebounding. He may sign a 1 year deal just so he can prove last year is an aberration then hit the free agent market.
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:37 pm
How about we play Schafer in right, McLouth in left, and use Vlad as a “short-fielder”, with Schafer and McLouth responsible for covering any ground that is more than 10 feet behind him. That’d work, right?
Billy Walsh
December 15th, 2009
2:41 pm
Whats with the Nady bashing? Granted he is coming off major surgery for the second time. The last two full seasons he hit 25 homers,drove in over 90 runs and batted around 300? That is a huge upgrade from last year from what the braves had in the outfield. If they put him at first, it still would allow them to look at other options in the outfield as well (If Lowe is moved).
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
2:41 pm
being a fan of buck commander i hope like hell roachey will take a discount to come back to the bravos, but would you wana come back to a team that plans on moving on from you once again…
Eric from MO
December 15th, 2009
2:41 pm
Brian I could live with trading Lowe and Schafer, I think Schafer will be good but once Heyward is there Schafer isnt going to have much a place in OF anyways. I wouldnt give up anymore than that though.
DAP
December 15th, 2009
2:42 pm
njbraves Nick Johnson, when healthy, is an on base machine. He is exactly the type of guy the Braves need. They have a lineup of guys who swing at way too many pitches.
actually the braves are already a good on base team. they dont have any big strikeout guys, and are basically all contact hitters.
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
2:42 pm
Gardner is more than just speed. He’s got speed to go with on base ability, speed with the ability to steal, and speed with range at the third most important defensive position. Gardner had only a 93 OPS+ last season, but had a wRC+ of 107 last season. wRC+ is much more telling of his ability and performance. By comparison, Nady has a 112 wRC+ for his career. Laroche has a 116 wRC+ for his career. Nady hits for more power from the right side which is something this team needs, but Nady doesn’t run like Gardner, doesn’t play center like Gardner, and doesn’t play defense like Gardner. Gardner also had a wRC+ above 110 in AA and AAA. Will likely get better outside of the AL East and as he gets more experience. As is, Bill James has Gardner projected at a 112 wRC+ with a .368 OBP and a 112 wRC+ with 36 steals in 370 plate appearances this upcoming season. .368 OBP with that many stolen bases has the run equivalency of a .400 OBP. Not a difference maker, but that would look awfully good from our leadoff hitter.
Justin
December 15th, 2009
2:42 pm
DOB I just saw that the Jays may be trying to move Overbay any interest from the braves?
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
2:42 pm
RC i think thats doable
Eric from MO
December 15th, 2009
2:43 pm
Civilized good point. I dont know if I would want to come to a team that has already traded me, and plans to trade me again in a year.
DAP
December 15th, 2009
2:44 pm
i wouldnt hate to have nick johnson, i like him pretty good, but the braves need a slugging machine more than they need an on base machine.
Erik
December 15th, 2009
2:45 pm
THE ONLY WAY VLAD IS ON THE BRAVES IS AT 1B. That is the only way he plays for any NL team. I really dont see it happening. Not only would a club have to be crazy enough to try it but they would have to convince Vlad to try it as well. If I were him I would move onto a team where I can settle in at DH on a team where I am not “the guy” so there is less pressure on me as I get older.
He is a feared hitter for sure and I would love to see him behind Chipper in the lineup
Thundersticks
December 15th, 2009
2:46 pm
Nick Johnson’s career numbers:
Year, Games, ABs
2001, 23, 67
2002, 129, 378
2003, 96, 324
2004, 73, 251
2005, 131, 453
2006, 147, 500
2007, 0, 0
2008, 38, 109
2009, 133, 457
I’m not saying Nick can’t hit, I’m saying he can’t hit if he’s not in the lineup. If you can get him as a pinch hitter, then I’d be fine with that. But I wouldn’t hang my postseason hopes on him as my starting 1B.
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:47 pm
DAP….Yeah the Braves don’t strike out a lot, you’re right, but they do have pretty bad plate discipline. Nick Johnson doesn’t swing at bad pitches, he just doesn’t. he’d be the perfect #2 hitter in this line up.
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
December 15th, 2009
2:48 pm
I just wish some credible source would tell us that Atlanta is at least “spinning their tires” on offer Jason Bay a contract.
Just lookin for a chicken-bone…
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:49 pm
Gardners garden……I don’t care what all those stats say, I’ve watched Gardner play a million times, and he is not a good hitter. Very good OF’er, with tremendous speed, but you can’t steal first base.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
2:50 pm
All the Schafer bashing, why
The kid played great until he was injured very early in the season…
the allegations of HGH etc would have destroyed a lesser kid
The kid spent 1/4 of his signing bonus on a fancy schmancy hitting machine
when healthy he is great in CF (better than a quite good Nate Mc) and he can hit, let’s not sell him on the low due to playing 2009 with an injury
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:51 pm
On Nick Johnson:
Let’s say the Braves do view Nick Johnson as a viable option (I pray they don’t) and sign him to a 1-year deal. Who plays 1b when Johnson gets injured in May? Because in case nobody has noticed, he’s more fragile than Chipper, who at least can usually be counted on for about 120 game a year. I vote that we spend our time trying to guys who WOULD be described as “the Mike Hampton of 1st basemen” (I’m quoting myself there).
Fischerking04
December 15th, 2009
2:51 pm
I noticed in an interview Bobby said something about how it’s not very realistic but Freeman “could” be the at first if they don’t get anybody else. I KNOW that he doesn’t really look at that as an option. But I do wonder if that makes it more probable that they sign an injury plagued/high upside 1B with Freeman being a fall back.
Guys like Nick Johnson and X. Nady are great when healthy but have long lists of injuries. Would the FO look at the possiblity that they could sign one of those guys fairly cheap and if it doesn’t work out you go to Freeman sometime midseason?
RC
December 15th, 2009
2:51 pm
Sorry, who WOULDN’T be described that way.
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
2:51 pm
Brett Gardner, dammit!
Gary
December 15th, 2009
2:52 pm
No on Nick Johnson. He is the Chipper Jones of first base (in injury terms that is).
OptimisticInTexas
December 15th, 2009
2:52 pm
Come on!!! I’m still waiting for at least one blockbuster move from the Braves! Trade, sign, whatever to get that bat… Hell get Yunel to call a big bopper in Cuba or something!!!! But I know, patience is a virtue.
DAP
December 15th, 2009
2:53 pm
njbraves, the braves have bad plate discipline? compared to who? the braves were 5th in the NL in OBP, and another .005 points and they would be 2nd.
i agree johnson would be a good number 2 hitter, and i wouldnt hate to have him, but you have to acknowledge that it doesnt help our bigger need much, which is slugging. so, while johnson may help, he isnt the cure to this offense like you say, or as you put it “exactly what the braves need”. if they get johnson they need some outfielders with good slugging numbers. (i still like a gomes/cust platoon)
NC Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
2:53 pm
“All is well, and all will be well in the garden.” — Chauncey Gardner
Ron H
December 15th, 2009
2:54 pm
So the cards are offering 5 years to Holliday…and are going to limit the time that offer is on the table.
I would love to see them withdraw that offer, then come back lower with another time table…
tick tock…
TBrown
December 15th, 2009
2:55 pm
I don’t know if this has been posted here but I saw Olney/Stark one say the Red Sox are looking for a RH OF that can play the corner outfield slots and specifically mentioned Nady. That probably wouldn’t be great for us.
Also, if we were willing to go 5/80 for AJ Burnett (injury history, headcase, etc), why can’t we go 5/80 or so for Jason Bay? Get Lowe’s contract outta here and make a run at Bay.
TBrown
December 15th, 2009
2:56 pm
And the obligatory Nick Johnson vote- No.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
2:57 pm
njbraves – I agree on Gardner, he has tools kind of like a better version of Josh ANDERSON and a light version of Schafer, but he has zero pop and does not get on enough for me to make him worthwhile
I would prefer Melky
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
2:57 pm
DAP…..I agree that Johnson isn’t the only move to make. I keep saying they should trade Lowe and sign Bay. Johnson and Bay are exactly what they need, not just JOhnson. If not Johnson, then who? I’m against putting someone who doesn’t naturally play 1st base at the position.
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
2:59 pm
Very good OF’er, with tremendous speed, but you can’t steal first base.
Yet, Gardner somehow managed to get on base 34.5% of the time last season, and 39% of the time in AAA, and 37% of the time in AA, and is projected by Bill James to get on base 37% of the time next season. Gardner is Otis Nixon and Brett Butler. Brett Gardner, dammit! You better recognize.
njbravesfan, unfortunately, you’re looking at Gardner through the eyes of a New Yorker, and not through that of a National League fan. In New York, if you don’t hit like Bernie, Beltran, Mickey, Murcer and Dimaggio did in center, you’re a bum. Even those guys were often booed and called bums by New Yorkers. Hard to imagine, but it’s true.
monty
December 15th, 2009
2:59 pm
Enough of the old guys who used to be great to play the OF. (Dye,Loaf,Vlad,etc…) Find some young guys ready to make their mark. If Heyward makes it out of spring training then all we need is a LH bat to platoon with Diaz in LF. All he has to hit is RH’s very well and play good D. Then focus on 1B.
Fischerking04
December 15th, 2009
3:00 pm
T-Brown – “And the obligatory Nick Johnson vote- No.”
Well since you put it that way…….
monty
December 15th, 2009
3:01 pm
Nick Johnson may be an on base whiz, but at the cleanup spot we need an RBI whiz.
Fischerking04
December 15th, 2009
3:02 pm
Bobby Cox has said they have no interest in getting into the Bay or Holliday bidding wars. It’s not gonna happen.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:03 pm
I wonder what happens if the Braves can’t trade Lowe. Would they look to deal KK or would they simply try to squeeze a Dye and Nady or Ankiel signings out of the cash remaining?
TBrown
December 15th, 2009
3:04 pm
Just sayin’ every one seems to be voting on the topic so I thought I’d throw in my vote as well. Too much potential injury time out of the corner infield of Chipper and Nick Johnson.
If we sign Bay, can we get one of those throw-back backstop type things kids always use to have in their backyards to play 1st until Freeman is ready? Or would Yunel break it?
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
3:05 pm
bollocks.. doing the math on Halladay.. didnt the fillies really give UP 7 prospects/players… between the Cliff Lee deal and the Doc deal
Random
December 15th, 2009
3:05 pm
CB (December 15th, 2009 1:31 pm): “in regard to your 11:00am, it only takes one of us to be a taker and I tried to be the sacrificial lamb but was chosen to be not critical enough of his views to be worthy. Don’t worry about who is the taker, whoever it was going to be was going to win this bet, imo. The bet has been made, wish it had been me.”
Imo, everybody who wants him off this blog should take him up on his bet. Perhaps a show of solidarity like that will at least get him to curb his excesses.
As I said before, I’m with Bay Area Steve (and you) on this one.
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
3:05 pm
I would prefer Melky
Gardner hit .270/.345/.379 last season. Melky is .269/.331/.385 for his career, doesn’t steal bases like Gardner, doesn’t run the bases like Gardner, and is far worse defensively than Gardner. But you want Melky? I reckon you’ve got yourself a thang for subpar defensive centerfielders who don’t do much with the bat.
Justin
December 15th, 2009
3:05 pm
IMO Gardners ok but not the answer gotta have an rbi guy. Gardner could be an option if the braves get a big/huge bat for 1st base then go get Gardner to set the table. As everyone says you cant steal first, well I say you cant steal home he has got to have someone to drive him in.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:06 pm
Or if Lowe can’t be moved would the Braves consider making a run at Nady for the OF and putting Freeman at 1B despite wanting to wait until later in 2010 or 2011?
Jim
December 15th, 2009
3:07 pm
Dave:
Any good rumors out there re Lowe, Nady, etc.
joerochester
December 15th, 2009
3:07 pm
Call me back when Gardner hits 25 HRs.
AdirondackDave
December 15th, 2009
3:07 pm
On Vlad the Former Impaler… I’m not so sure. Those pins seem more ready for a wheelchair than an outfield spot.
joerochester
December 15th, 2009
3:11 pm
Why did the Yanks play Melky over Gardner for the second half of the season? Because he is better than Gardner. I know Gardner got injured, but Melky is a more all around player.
TennesseePaul
December 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
if Lowe can’t be moved would the Braves consider making a run at Nady for the OF and putting Freeman at 1B despite wanting to wait until later in 2010 or 2011?
No. The team is in win-now-mode. That requires dumping salary to make room for mediocre players.
joerochester
December 15th, 2009
3:13 pm
How are the Red Sox going to use Jeremy Hermida? Is he going to platoon in RF and LF?
Steve McP
December 15th, 2009
3:14 pm
Don’t forget in all this speculation that Ryan Freel is available!
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
3:15 pm
gardner is an idiot and i would rather not add him when we already got him in the minors but a better version of him
but you know who we dont have in the minors? yup thats right VLAD
i would take two bum knees and one set of hellava defense instincts over a completely healthy in his prime defensive GA.
Sign Vlad dont guarentee the second year make it insentive based like he play 130 games in the outfield the option kicks in
David O'Brien
December 15th, 2009
3:16 pm
sidslidkid: I’m going to try not to think about that place until at least February 1
ease19
December 15th, 2009
3:17 pm
Oh Steve, you didn’t just say…..THAT!
sidslidkid
December 15th, 2009
3:19 pm
joerochester,
I’m betting the Sox are going to trade him, Buchholz and their AA team to San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez.
Voice from the past...
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
The Mets are close to signing Japanese pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a two-year deal, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times.
To counter, the Braves are set to sign Hydro Cortisono…
joerochester
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
I like Hermida; he just never lived up to the potential/expectations.
Rob
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
No, No, NO on Jason Bay. Please avoid him and the long-term contract that it will take to sign him at all costs.
Bay will command 15+ per year for (likely) 5 or more years. Holliday will command something in the neighborhood of 17-18m for 5-6 years. Given the cost, I would choose Holliday 7 days of the week and twice on Sunday.
Bay’s glovework is a HUGE NEGATIVE. He is not very good in a corner OF spot anymore, despite what Joe Urbon thinks or believes. Bay’s bat remains a .850-900 OPS bat and that is very, very good, but combined with his glovework, he’s worth approximately 3 wins in 2010 and will likely regress in the years immediately following 2010.
Holliday is a POSITIVE asset in the field. In fact, he’s one of the best fielding corner OFs in the game. Holliday also boasts a more potent bat, and is less likely to regress in years 2-5. According to Fangraphs, Holliday is worth approximately 6 wins by himself – meaning, of course, he’s roughly worth 2x Jason Bay (but won’t be receiving 2x the money that Bay does).
Given the fact that Mike Cameron is now off the board, here’s what I would do if I were Wren:
1) Sign Nick Johnson. RC- Johnson is an OBP machine and if you structure the contract to give him an incentive play, he will play. His injuries have often been of the freak variety. He’d also fit in nicely with the Southern boys on the team. As I’ve mentioned before, he’ll likely be out 20-30 games, but SIGN 1B-OF Shelley Duncan on the bench and as 1B fill-in and you’ve got a power hitting backup for minimum MLB salary.
2) Sign 1B-OF Duncan as mentioned above. Likely a 500-750k MLB contract is all that would be required (if that- may be available on a minor league deal).
3) Sign OF Matt Holliday for 6/107. I’d try 5/90, but I’d be willing to go 6 years if necessary for Holliday. He’s the best player available via FA this winter and will likely hold his value the entire length of the contract. Improves offense and defense in one move.
4) Trade Lowe to LAA for Brandon Wood or Juan Rivera. If Rivera is acquired, Heyward plays in the ML for the time being. I’d rather have Wood as backup insurance to both Nick Johnson and Chipper Jones. Holliday’s salary will only be 2-3m per more per year than what Lowe was budgeted for. If we have to eat salary on Lowe, consider it a sunk cost to Liberty Mutual.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
Gardners – Melky would play RF or LF for us and he has a larger body of work than Brett G
but I hear you on the stats
moving a switch hitter to the NL Beast from the AL Beast may see a jump in his nos… plus Melky is more of a line drive hitter (good for the Ted) than a fly bopper (Yankee II stadium)… plus I like his grit
sidslidkid
December 15th, 2009
3:20 pm
DOB, Funny. I guess it’s not as much of a vacation for you as it is me. I won’t bring it up again until February… and then I want an answer
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:21 pm
I would love to have Vlad but the guy can’t play the field. He has never played 1B and can’t play the OF. My bet is that Vlad signs with the Rangers or Yanks. Yes, the Yanks. They can sign him for less than what Damon is asking for. With Damon demanding he won’t take a pay cut I have to wonder if he really wants to return to New York. Didn’t he do this with Red Sox and then turn around and sign with the Yanks for essentially less.
DAP
December 15th, 2009
3:22 pm
voice from the past, awesome at 3:20pm.
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
3:22 pm
Call me back when Gardner hits 25 HRs.
Call me back when you find someone who bangs 40. I ain’t feeling a mediocre 25 much. But who said Gardner instead of the 25 homers anyway? The argument is trade Lowe for Rivera, sign Nady, and trade some blah prospect for Gardner.
That way you have Diaz/Nady to play first, Rivera/Diaz/Nady/Mclouth to play the corners, McLouth/Gardner in center, and Diaz to pinch hit and to play a corner against lefties with Gardner hitting the pine against lefties with McLouth in center.
That holds off the need to call up Heyward until June for all those Super 2 and service time concerns, which might hurt short term, but will really help long term if he becomes every bit as good as we all think he’ll be
RC
December 15th, 2009
3:22 pm
3) Sign OF Matt Holliday for 6/107. I’d try 5/90, but I’d be willing to go 6 years if necessary for Holliday. He’s the best player available via FA this winter and will likely hold his value the entire length of the contract. Improves offense and defense in one move.
If you can negotiate a contract that small for Matt Holliday, the Cardinals would like to hire you.
David O'Brien
December 15th, 2009
3:25 pm
Not saying Angels won’t consider trading Rivera is some deal, but I don’t see the reasoning some here and elsewhere employed yesterday by connecting Rivera to Matsui signing. They signed Matsui to replace free agent Vlad, not Rivera….
jed
December 15th, 2009
3:26 pm
“gardner is an idiot”. civilized wt
he sure is! an absolute mouth-breathing, bullet-headed idiot. i smell a full-blown man crush from ‘gardner’s garden’.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:28 pm
I agree with DOB. If anything the Angels will be trying to unload Gary Matthews Jr. I think Wren would take prospects in any deal but if he could snag Rivera it would be nice.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:30 pm
It is being rumored the Jays are looking to unload Overbay. Would the Braves be willing to bite?
CB
December 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
Buster Olney is now reporting Lackey signing was 5yrs-87.5mil. With similar type career stats,sure makes Lowe’s 3yr,45mil look better and better to teams who were left out of moves.
Tomas
December 15th, 2009
3:31 pm
Vlad can still hit no doubt. But he can’t stay healthy, nor play anything other than the DH. I wouldnt even suggest him playing 1B given his unusual way of moving.
Rob
December 15th, 2009
3:32 pm
RC-
Considering the Cardinals are currently sitting at 5/80, I think 6/107 is a bit of a material increase, don’t you?
The reports of the “8 year” contract are unfounded- its a 5 year deal with 2-3 options (1-2 vesting options based on PAs and then either a mutual option or a team option with a buyout in either case).
Next time you decide to be a prick, at least have your facts straight.
dmack2027
December 15th, 2009
3:33 pm
As it stands now, the Angels are losing to Seattle in the West. Texas will also be improved. Beyond that, if they do make it to the playoffs, they are without a legit experienced starting pitcher to rely on.
They need Derek Lowe. I bet they panic a little and offer Rivera.