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5,207 comments Add your comment
Canadian Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
3:33 pm
Enter your comments here
African Safari
December 15th, 2009
3:38 pm
DOB -
Matsui is the replacement for Vlad. But aren’t the Angels interested in Bay? He would be a good replacement for Rivera, no?
Canadian Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
3:39 pm
no to Nick Johnson- he sucks, no power and that is what the Braves need
jed
December 15th, 2009
3:40 pm
dmack–that’s what it’s gonna come to. teams are going to NEED derek lowe. there’s too little pitching available. i think the angels would actually be smart to jump all over a lowe/rivera deal–while the braves are still in a position where they’d eat some salary. 3 weeks from now, wren may be fielding calls from brian cashman.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:40 pm
I say the Braves offer Lowe to the Angels for Reggie Wilits and a prospect. They agree to eat $10.5 mil of the remaining contract. They put Wilits in LF and have him leadoff. Diaz moves to RF. They use the money off Lowe’s contract plus what they already have and make a run at singing three out of Dye, Nick Johnson, Ryan Garko, DeRosa, Nady and Ankiel. I say they sign Ankiel to platoon with Diaz and then make a run at Nick Johnson and have him platon with one of Garko, DeRose or Nady. It sounds ambitious and may be too ambitious but DeRosa and Johnson who tend to price themselves a bit high may come down on that for the chance to play for Cox.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
3:41 pm
I think we really undervalue Lowe’s “value” to LAA of Anaheim California whatever
they have zero class pitching now
I think we ask for Rivera and Wood AT LEAST for Lowe and tell them they can eff off if they want us to pay any of Lowe’s loot…. I would love to see the look on their arrogant mugs when FW tells them that
or tell them they can have Medlen, Jo Jo and Boone for Morales… time to play tough against those west coast biatches
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
3:43 pm
ok just so everyone knows VLAD’s knees makes his defense a liability ok got it, but VLAD’s bat makes him and asset! as does his arm when he makes it to the ball as does his contract that he probably will get which will be a cheap one cause of his liabilty i am all for bay and holliday and rivera and cruz but i think compared to nady, dye, cameron and byrd give me VLAD
Canadian Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Ankiel is better than a platoon player come on
African Safari
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
What is the fascination for Willits? Dude is not exactly the “power” bat we are looking for.
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Anyone think the organization is putting too much pressure on players like Heyward/Hanson to provide that immediate (cost effective) impact the team so desperately seems to be craving.
Hanson certainly was an impact player this year…but is there more pressure on him now going into his sophmore season to live-up to last years performane???
And it seems the organization is hoping Heyward break the team out of Spring Training and praying to God he bangs out 20-25 hr…hits .280 and drives in 80???
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Gardner’s Garden……First of all, i am a NL fan, second, It doesn’t matter what league Gardner plays in, he isn’t very good. I get stuck watching a lot of yankee games and I’m telling you, Melky is much better than Gardner. Yanks seem to agree with me considering they gave Gardner his chance, and then decided to go with melky.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
im so ancy about the braves next move. i mlbtraderumors.com has no new news no the braves. its the longest the braves have not been rumored in a long time! i hope this means there is news down the line here! i want to hear rumblings!!! anything… anything @ all! Help me het my fix DoB!
nycbravesfan
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Nice blog! The Braves defined and extended my childhood with their run.. These Baby Braves had high expectations and it would be a fib to say they’ve succeeded… I believe however that the Atlanta braves have the right mentality that create life long fans. Meaning they don’t cherry pick other rosters for their very own fantasy team and they remain true to the history of the game….
ehhh heemm stanky’s….
Im just throwin this one out there…
Why Would Bobby leave when the young guns are just arriving on the scene?
Prior to Winter meetings it looked as though Frank Wren was determined to field a championship contender in 2010 and send Bobby Cox out a winner! With a strong young core, Atlanta’s only questions exist in the outfield, and they are big questions. Will Jason Heyward step into the right field starting roll, will Schafer return with vengeance? and despite Cowherd’s opinion I still think chemistry plays a huge roll on the diamond.
Right now our pitching staff has chemistry reminiscent of the Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery days. However Wren seems to think ones gotta go. so LOWE! (unfortunately i think so). If this is the case, whom does he bring in with the money? He’s already answered the bullpen questions, Braves picked up Wagner, Saito.. Dynamite Bullpen! and I don’t see anybody out there worth the investment in our outfield. Byrd, No! Holliday, No! Nady, no! Willingham, Hell No!, Dye, perhaps!… Id rather watch Heyward. Don’t forget about Matty Diaz!
Despite the talent arriving on the scene, after 2010 without Bobby Cox! I am a bit apprehensive..
1. Jordan Schafer CF ( arrives on the seen after a wake up call last year )
2. Chipper Jones 3B ( still the man! one of the top 5 3Basemen in history )
3. Yunel Escobar SS ( Dominate shortstop flourishes in #3 spot )
4. Brian McCann C (3 time allstar -Vote Atlanta!)
5. Adam LaRoche 1B ( .295 21 HR)
6. Jason Heyward RF (Rookie of the Year)
7. Martin Prado 2B (Settles down after a gargantuan 09 season, .280, 11 HR)
8. Nate Mclouth LF ( .280 14 HR )
9. Tommy Hanson P
Tommy Hanson (Cy Young Contender)
Jair Jurrjens (Cy Young Contender)
Javier Vazquez (Solid year again )
Derek Lowe ( 17-18 Wins with another team)
Tim Hudson ( Rough Year )
Kenshin Kawakami ( Solid year 18-20 game winner)
Kris Medlen (going to have a huge 2010 season)
Boone Logan
Peter Moylan
Takahashi Saito
Billy Wagner (one last Huraaah, plus another good one)
Duke
December 15th, 2009
3:45 pm
Robert (Chipper is the best)
That was ridiculous
Fischerking04
December 15th, 2009
3:46 pm
dogsbrekky- “I think we ask for Rivera and Wood AT LEAST for Lowe and tell them they can eff off if they want us to pay any of Lowe’s loot…. I would love to see the look on their arrogant mugs when FW tells them that”
I’d say you would see their “arrogant mugs” laughing directly at our mugs.
Efrim
December 15th, 2009
3:46 pm
Saw this from Keith Law’s analysis of the Halladay/Lee trade:
So, it’s a large price to pay for one year of Lee because they’re giving up so many years of control of three almost-certain big leaguers — but trading second-tier prospects for one impact big leaguer is nearly always a good value because of the benefit of having so much major-league value occupying just one roster spot.
That’s why I disagree with people who look immediately to service time when evaluating whether a deal works or not. For example, the Indians trade sending Lee to Philly this past summer. Sure, Cleveland received four prospects with 24 years of major league service ahead of them. But I’m not so sure it’s a certainty that those four prospects will provide enough value to warrant four roster spots. Just sayin….
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
3:46 pm
Why did the Yanks play Melky over Gardner for the second half of the season? Because he is better than Gardner.
Gardner broke his thumb. Hard to overcome.
I know Gardner got injured, but Melky is a more all around player.
Better all around? Melky has more power and a better arm, both will hit for about the same average, both get on base about the same but Gardner likely has more intrinsic on base ability. Gardner, however, plays much better defense, steals more bases, and runs the bases better. I guess Melky is more well rounded in that he doesn’t have the one major drawback Gardner has in his lack of power, but Gardner is likely average or better in on base ability, speed, stealing and range while Melky has average as his ceiling in almost every important baseball skill.
Baseball is a game best played at the extremes by circus freaks and carnival acts. Find me the freaks with the abilities at the extremes, and spare me the mediocrities. Mediocrities with some extreme abilities and one disability are preferable over the mediocrity who is mediocre at everything. Or something like that. Ha! Brett Gardner dammit!
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
Civilized White Trash, that is the problem “when he gets to the ball”. If you thought Anderson was tough to watch in LF get a load of Vlad.
nycbravesfan
December 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
to steal a quote from agassi’s book..
“how nice it is to dream while your awake…
njbraves
December 15th, 2009
3:48 pm
nycbravesfan…..Do you smoke crack??
Canadian Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
Why don’t the Braves just reduce the number of pitchers on their roster and have a platoon situation at all positions. The Braves need better players than part time onres for 1st and the outfield
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
“nycbravesfan…..Do you smoke crack??”
Betcha it’s Otis Nixon
Voice from the past...
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
im so ancy about the braves next move
nolie
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
But he was a SS coming up, so he had to have some value on defense. N8
I know I watched him play that position,he was not a good SS in the minors, he made between 30-some to 50-some errors three years in a row IIRC..that plus the fact that it was obvious he was gonna outgrow the position is why they moved him.
.
In the bigs, All stats show him as a negative value third baseman. Now I’m not a total believer in defensive metrics as I have said b4, but when they all show a guy to be negative they are reliable enough to accept that he isn’t a top 10 talent.
Still my favorite Brave of all time just ahead of the Murph.
.
hmmmmmm
December 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
Now Lowe for Gardner and Swisher (throw in money and prospects) would allow Braves to do Diaz/Schafer, Gardner, Heyward/Swisher and Greeman/Swisher to take pressure off the rookies and allow them to “prove” they are ready too….DOB what do ya think?
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
3:50 pm
Alright, that’s enough about Brett Gardner. Glorified Josh Anderson is about right.
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
3:50 pm
i dont think there is much pressuer on hansen the braves arent dependent on him. they have 4 other legit starters reguardless of who they are and if the braves sign vlad then heyward can take his time arriving to the majors
nycbravesfan
December 15th, 2009
3:51 pm
Otis lives in Alpharetta and has a electronics store at North Point Mall..
nolie
December 15th, 2009
3:52 pm
I know it’s been shot down by the front office, but is there any chance of keeping both Lowe and Vazquez?—6-4-3
is this a trick question? If it has been shot down by the front office and they are the ones who are doing the deals, don’t we already know the answer to that question?
sportsmandh
December 15th, 2009
3:52 pm
Someone mentioned Josh Anderson. He’s a free agent, what a coincident! Since right now we only have Diaz and McClouth, I heard Anderson might could be had if Chop Chop will pony up his $25 Chilis gift card.
Seriously, after what happened with Schaefer last year, I don’t see anyway management lets Heyward begin the year on the team. I don’t care if he tears it up all spring training, he will start in AAA and be called up in June like Hanson was last year. I also don’t think Schaefer will be given a real shot if he tears it up in the spring, I think they will want him to spend at least a month or two in AAA to strengthen the wrist, get his timing back, etc. So in my opinion, our 3rd and 4th outfielders are not currently on the roster. Who they will get I can’t predict, but the 25 man roster will not include Heyward or Schaeffer until mid-year. Mark it down.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
3:54 pm
know I watched him play that position,he was not a good SS in the minors, he made between 30-some to 50-some errors three years in a row IIRC
That was before I started making minor league road trips, though I wish I would have had the chance to sit next to nolie in a minor league stadium and compare notepads, LOL.
All I ever cared to know about Hoss’s defensive ability was the fact that he didn’t wear a glove in the box. Anything you got when he did go into the field was gravy.
Canadian Braves Fan
December 15th, 2009
3:55 pm
Robert- lets sign Vlad, Nady, Gomes, Dero,Johnson and whoever else is available let the platoon with each other, rotating in and out of the lineup every other day
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
3:56 pm
I think many on here are living in a fantasy world. The Braves NEED TO MOVE DEREK LOWE! I’m less concerned about who we get in return than how much they’re willing to pay. Moving him gives the Braves payroll flexibility. The Braves need to find a team to take all his salary. That looked unlikely before, but now looks like a possibility. “Derek Lowe to the Angels for a bucket of BP balls? Pay all his remaining salary and we’ve got a deal.” Obviously that is a joke about the balls, but my point is: if we find a team willing to do this trade and take all his salary……mission accomplished.
Vlad's Lad
December 15th, 2009
3:58 pm
I don’t think we should sign Vlad, but I dug the screen name.
nolie
December 15th, 2009
3:58 pm
re Chipper, his defense (range) was pretty good before he ripped his knee in that rookie year base running blow out BD
that didn’t help a bit, he definitely had more range in the minors.plus the fact that he gained 35 pounds from those days caused so of it too.
Vlad's Lad
December 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
If the year was 2002, I’d rock this handle till it fell off.
Maclee31
December 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
Anybody else see Foxsports homepage? Looks like somebody launched the new design a little early. Oops!
pryguy
December 15th, 2009
3:59 pm
I know this may seem a bit off but….
Braves trade: Lowe, Schafer
Angels trade: Torii Hunter
Hunter is 18 million, which Braves would essentially be taking on 3 mil plus more? Just throwing this random thought out there based on Hunter’s abilities to benefit a team on and off the field. Think he’d be an awesome addition, albeit unrealistic I suppose.
owl hunter
December 15th, 2009
4:01 pm
Wow. The fox sports page is unreadable.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:02 pm
The Braves need to find a team to take all his salary. That looked unlikely before, but now looks like a possibility.
Ah, but what to do with the money? If the Braves truly are not interested in Holliday, I don’t see that the freed-up cash means much. If it gets spread around to second- and third-tier players, all you’ve done is dilute the value of the expenditure.
It’s not an easy call for Wren, for sure. If he’s a few dollars short on a big FA signing, and he’s reluctant to move his top prospects, what good the Lowe cash, other than some flexibility at the trade deadline?
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
December 15th, 2009
4:03 pm
Yeah, some here are missing the point. The Braves want to trade Lowe to get his salary off the books so they can sign a couple of free agents at a short contract for a modest amount of money. Some of you act as though they should demand this huge return. Wren doesn’t want a huge return. He wants the money off the books.
Mike in VA
December 15th, 2009
4:03 pm
I agree that Matt Holliday is the best FA out there, but why hamstring the Braves with the kind of contract it would take to get Holliday. We’re trying to get out from under Lowe’s contract of 15 million for 3 years. Signing anyone to a 15-20 million dollar per year on a long term contract is just asking for a mega “Hampton” to happen. Holliday has been healthy so far, but you never know. Granted, we’re not in desperation mode like we were last year looking for pitching, so why not be prudent. We can get several solid players for what it would take to just get Holliday.
TennesseePaul
December 15th, 2009
4:04 pm
This is a rare off-season when the Braves have a surplus of starting pitching and everyone is just begging to give it away for nothing. Used to be, back in the old days, the envious position to be in was to have an extra top of the rotation pitcher available in a thin FA market. Back in those days, if you just handed such a pitcher away to anyone with their hand open it was considered a terrible move by a GM about to be fired.
…aaahhhh the old days…
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
December 15th, 2009
4:04 pm
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News hears that the Yankees have no interest in signing Bay long-term. They don’t have confidence in his ability to play the outfield in a few years.
This is hilarious considering JOHNNY DAMON was in their outfield for the last how many years…not to mention Matsui!
Thrillhouse44
December 15th, 2009
4:05 pm
All this speculation is making me Hollidazed and confused.
Mikeyc588
December 15th, 2009
4:05 pm
Owlhunter: Agreed. I absolutely hate it. I guess I’ll get used to it, but I’m really not liking the changes.
nolie
December 15th, 2009
4:07 pm
The Tigers trade was JS. I mean technically Wren had just taken over the GM roll but that was gift wrapped by JS. Erik
au contraire mon ami, Wren engineered that trade, he has known their GM forever.
Justafan
December 15th, 2009
4:07 pm
Vlad don’t every look like he did a year ago. Like somethings wrong with him, sick or something. We don’t need him.
Justafan
December 15th, 2009
4:08 pm
even not every
TennesseePaul
December 15th, 2009
4:09 pm
Ah, but what to do with the money? ….If it gets spread around to second- and third-tier players, all you’ve done is dilute the value of the expenditure…. what good [is] the Lowe cash, other than some flexibility at the trade deadline?
Well now scoots, if the team stays in the middle of the pack, just a handful of games out, always and forever just out of reach of the post-season, but just close enough to make you watch, then everyone can sit back and smile and say: “Look. The Braves just did that while saving money.”
To me, I agree. Dumping Lowe’s salary only to turn around and toss the “savings” at Byrd, Dye, DeRosa, or some mix of unfortunate souls, does little to help this team improve upon last year while simultaneously burning what should have been a good trading chip.
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
4:10 pm
What is Holiday’s price range? The Cards just offered $16mm for 5 years with options. Obviously, the Yankees could still make a run at him. Will he be worth the investment?
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:10 pm
We can get several solid players for what it would take to just get Holliday.
Unfortunately, that’s the bad news: that it would take multiple roster spots to create the same (or lesser) value than that from a single position manned by an elite player. An elite player + a league-average player is more value than two “solid”, just-above-league-average players. My view, anyway.
civilized white trash
December 15th, 2009
4:12 pm
my opening day outfield would be Mclouth VLAD diaz(it about time he gets the respect) & schafer
i know i am going to catch hell for schafer but i think he is legit and will be an asset one day the arguement that he needs more ab’s is probably true but his versatilty in the outfield is what is most attactive right now lets say in the late inning games put diaz in right mcclouth in left and schafer in center he gets a few ab and now there is good defense once they get the lead
ugaaccountant
December 15th, 2009
4:13 pm
In 2009, Vlad’s avg. was .295, but his OBP was only in the .334 with an OPS of .794. Vlad was 34 last year and missed some time to injury. This production is a big drop vs. his other recent seasons. He also sucks at defense.
I compared that with 2008 Garett Anderson (when he was with the angels and was 35/36). Garett hit .293, OBP .325 and OPS of .758 that year. He also sucks at defense.
My conclusion, if you sign Vlad today you are signing someone awfully similar to Garett Anderson last year. Granted a little better, but not by much.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:15 pm
TennPaul, I suppose those one-year deals for current blog favorites could always leave room to spend in the next offseason, LOL. Maybe Wren is scoping next year’s FA class already.
Thrillhouse44
December 15th, 2009
4:16 pm
my opening day outfield would be Mclouth VLAD diaz(it about time he gets the respect) & schafer
4 outfielders? Did the Braves get demoted to slow pitch softball tournaments?
glord1
December 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
Here is what most people that are disappointed in a Nady or Degado are forgetting. The Braves were never going to be in the Bay and Holliday sweepstakes. Those players will be overpaid by teams that have the ability to make mistakes and carry bad contracts. So if not Bay or Holliday who would make you excited?
Here is the good news. The Braves don’t need a masher. They need a couple more guys that will not be a hole in the line up in the manner that a KJ, Francouer or Schafer were last year. Nady, Laroche, Degado, Glaus and Swisher are all guys that would fit this mode. Even if one flames out Heyward gives you insurance.
More good news. The Braves get offense from places other teams do not. Last year there were two teams in baseball that had their SS,2B and C all average an OPS above .800. The Yankees and the Braves. Only a handful of teams had two of those positions reach a .800 OPS. Add in McLouth usually does that in center you have could have the Braves provide an .800 OPS all the way up the middle. Everyone forgets that.
Give me two guys that combine for 20 HR and 160 RBI and this offense will be fine. Combine it with the pitching and I believe you could have baseball deep into October.
TennesseePaul
December 15th, 2009
4:17 pm
Maybe Wren is scoping next year’s FA class already.
Has to be to justify keeping his job for another 13 months.
CB
December 15th, 2009
4:18 pm
It is ridiculous that it would appear that we have a good chance that we can trade Lowe and many on here are calling for us to get retreads,injury prone guys and dogs. When someone brings up a high salaried name they are immediately shot down as being and idiot and just putting the team in the hole with a high salary player. There are reasons these players are warranting high salaries- they usually have produced. If the Braves are able to clear Lowe’s salary and they do not get that big bopper, Wren will have failed,imo.
glord1
December 15th, 2009
4:18 pm
Opps make that 40 hr and 160 rbi
Fleming
December 15th, 2009
4:19 pm
I think we should trade Lowe for a bag of balls to anyone who will take him at less than 3mil a year from braves. Anything for a 7 month vacation from Lentz
.
December 15th, 2009
4:19 pm
pp123 MLB.com said Cards up the offer to 8 years .
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hell No to VALD.
.
December 15th, 2009
4:22 pm
Schafar is another Josh Anderson!!!!!! Bet on it.
glord1
December 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
CB – Even if Wren has money to spend what big bopper should he get? Bay at 5 years and 90 mil? Holliday at 8 years for 130 mil? In three years Wren will be trying to dump those guys just like the last guy we over paid for – Lowe.
Which team is going to trade us a big bopper? Which one and for who on the Braves? Which of McCann, Escobar, Hanson and Jurrjens would you trade? Thats who the other teams will want. Unless ofcoarse you throw in Heyward.
The Red Sox have a ton of money to spend and just signed Cameron. That should tell you whats out there available.
.
December 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
Enter your comments here
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
More good news. The Braves get offense from places other teams do not. Last year there were two teams in baseball that had their SS,2B and C all average an OPS above .800.
But, they didn’t get offense from places other teams did, and from places teams historically have gotten offense. Plus offense from lineup spots not known for offense can take a good offense to very good, but it seldom can take a lesser offense to a good one.
6-4-3
December 15th, 2009
4:25 pm
I know it’s been shot down by the front office, but is there any chance of keeping both Lowe and Vazquez?—6-4-3
Nolie – is this a trick question? If it has been shot down by the front office and they are the ones who are doing the deals, don’t we already know the answer to that question?
I just meant if they don’t get a good deal they want for either Lowe or Vazquez would they just be satisfied with keeping them.
ugaaccountant
December 15th, 2009
4:25 pm
NCSCOOTS – exactly regarding elite players and roster spots. We have to think about what players we already have on our payroll. We already have a very nice solid roster and an above average farm system with several players ready for at least platoon duty if not starting duty in 2009.
That’s why we should put most of our remaining money into 1 player rather than signing multiple average guys that so many on here seem to want. We’ve got 2 talented outfield prospects that are ready now, or in June solely to save money, but who will we have to cut to get them onto the roster?
Mike in VA
December 15th, 2009
4:25 pm
Good post glord1. My thinking exactly. No need to put all your “eggs” in one basket.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
Anything for a 7 month vacation from Lentz
Hope springs eternal, LOL, but who here really thinks The Dentz One would actually be a man of honor and fulfill his side of the bargain?
o-me
December 15th, 2009
4:28 pm
Agree with you glord1 .
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
4:31 pm
Speaking of teams to trade with……..the Angels have Kendry Morales, 1B, and he’s signed to a very friendly club deal. Perhaps a trade for some of our outfield depth would interest them?
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
4:34 pm
Outfield depth? We only have 1 outfielder at the present time
glord1
December 15th, 2009
4:34 pm
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:24 pm
More good news. The Braves get offense from places other teams do not. Last year there were two teams in baseball that had their SS,2B and C all average an OPS above .800.
But, they didn’t get offense from places other teams did, and from places teams historically have gotten offense. Plus offense from lineup spots not known for offense can take a good offense to very good, but it seldom can take a lesser offense to a good one.
ncscoots – you are right that the Braves did not get great production from 1B and the corner OF spots. But in the second half we outscored most of baseball with Diaz in RF, Loaf in LF and Laroche at 1B FOR 2 out of 3 months.
Here is my point. Replace LaRoche (or resign him if the price comes down) with a similair player. Get a solid player in LF to upgrade from Loaf and you have a better offense than the one that scored in bunches after the braek last year. If those holes are filled with solid productive players then our middle makes up for nor having a Howard or Fielder. I believe Heyward would out hit Loaf right now and I bet so do the Braves.
richbrave
December 15th, 2009
4:34 pm
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:27 pm
Anything for a 7 month vacation from Lentz
Hope springs eternal, LOL, but who here really thinks The Dentz One would actually be a man of honor and fulfill his side of the bargain?
SCOOTS:
Dide you have a bet with LENTZ? How’d that go if you did?
richbrave
December 15th, 2009
4:36 pm
glord:
“I believe Heyward would out hit Loaf right now and I bet so do the Braves.”
Well, he’s going to get the chance.
richbrave
December 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
That’s why we should put most of our remaining money into 1 player rather than signing multiple average guys
I roll with that.
CB
December 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
Let’s see, the names being brought up on the blog today- Vlad,Gardner,Tommy John Nady,Nick the tubby Johnson, and of course Nick -I’m going south Johnson.glord1, to answer your question- yes you pay the money it would take to get a Bay or Holliday or you trade for a Gonzalez and you pay the price with prospects.
UNCBrave
December 15th, 2009
4:39 pm
Frank Wren needs to get on the PHONE ASAP…
I “hope” the reason we haven’t heard the Braves linked to a POWER BAT yet is b/c he’s waiting to trade LOWE…
Well, NOW ALL THE POWER BATS are getting SIGNED..
Make the trade, SIGN A BAT…
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
4:39 pm
1 Gregor Blanco, 23 Matt Diaz, 28 Brandon Jones, 13 Nate McLouth, 24 Jordan Schafer
Gardner’s Garden
December 15th, 2009
4:34 pm
Outfield depth? We only have 1 outfielder at the present time
Funny, I count 3 CF’rs and 2 corner OF
CB
December 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
Imeant to say Garrett- I’m going south Atkins.
nolie
December 15th, 2009
4:41 pm
looks like crippled up ol’ Vlad might become the next board darlin’. numerous mentions today..sigh
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
4:42 pm
Plus, we also have a ton of pitching!
BraveMan
December 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
wow. a lot of sunshine pumpers in here…
so nady is going to put us over the top? if you like nady then you sure as hell better like matt diaz… because that who is going to be playing for him when nady misses 80 games due to injury… if we are lucky. so then get one more mediocre bat and call it an offseason? thats going to put us in the playoffs? im sorry, but thats not going to happen. if for some reason everything clicked and we were injury free, we MIGHT could get in as the wild card.
you what know what happens next dont you? we are easily bounced in the divisional round.
do you guys even care about winnning a title? or just making it to the playoffs?
ppaddy123
December 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
If Vlad’s the answer……..I don’t want to know the question
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
richbrave, re your 4:34, not bleepin’ hardly, LOL. I don’t make bets with the man, I’m just here to savage his dimwit rantings.
bravesgirlnc
December 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
No way the Angels are giving us Morales (when they would NOT give us Morales when we traded Tex) for Brandon Jones or Blanco or Schafer. Blanco is a bench player AAAA player at best. Jones as well. Schafer has little to no value right now.
Venice Jim
December 15th, 2009
4:43 pm
nolie – mostly by the same person, however…
ugaaccountant
December 15th, 2009
4:44 pm
glord1 – Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrerra have each been offered via trade. Both are unquestionably elite hitters and young. Obviously we strongly prefer A. Gonzalez if the contract extension could be reached. Also Miguel has the personal problems to consider, I’ll just say most everyone still wants to see Tiger play golf, I don’t see the difference seeing as how Miguel had a great game the day after his incident and we all know this wasn’t his first time getting trashed during the season. His numbers speak for themselves.
Each has been rumored to be available for a package centered on Clay Bucholz + 2 single A prospects. Bucholz is not really a sky high price anymore.
Hanson, Jurrjens, Heyward and Yunel are certainly > Bucholz and thus wouldn’t enter the discussion unless Frank is a sucker.
Medlen had nearly identical ERA and WHIP in 2009 vs. Bucholz, with more k’s per inning. He also is a year younger and was in his rookie year wheras Bucholz was in his 3rd partial season. I’m not even going to get greedy and say Medlen = Bucholz. But could we get one of them by centering a package on Freeman + Medlen + 1 single A prospect?
bravesgirlnc
December 15th, 2009
4:45 pm
ie, every team has a Jones and a Blanco in the minor leagues. They are not special or we would not be looking for a Major league ready corner outfielder.
dogsbrekky
December 15th, 2009
4:46 pm
nolie – re Chipper. god I remember watching from Perth when Hoss blew his knee “all those years ago” in what was it 1993…..
anyhow… we can compete if our BP does not eff up as many games as last year
Positives – Moylan is 100%, Wagner will be near 100%, Saito is filthy and near 100%… the little dog will be less “Roo in the headlights”….. OFlaherIrsihman will be better… Goon Logan will be okay yada yada yada
give us a full year of Capt Caveman and we sign 1 big bat behind Chipper and I say let’s play ball..
Party on Wayne
glord1
December 15th, 2009
4:46 pm
richbrave
December 15th, 2009
4:36 pm
glord:
“I believe Heyward would out hit Loaf right now and I bet so do the Braves.”
Well, he’s going to get the chance.
richbrave – I think your right but is that a bad thing. The Braves think Heyward is special and they are not alone. While alot of prospects do flame out no one in baseball expects that with Heyward. Rookies like Braun and Longoria do come along every now and then and he may be one just like them. I will find it a heck of a lot more exciting to watch him play instead of Garrett Anderson.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:47 pm
Replace LaRoche (or resign him if the price comes down) with a similair player.
That’s all I’ve been saying, LOL, but the only real .900+ OPS guys are deemed too expensive by the blog.
CB
December 15th, 2009
4:50 pm
scoots, no but we love some Melky “I’m the wrong Cabrera” Cabrera.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:52 pm
CB, make a list, my man, LOL. We should get all these names down in order to throw them back up in somebody’s face at the ASB, HA!
O.J.
December 15th, 2009
4:52 pm
looks as if the Braves will need to trade for a good hitter as all the hitters on the free agent market are starting to be gone. Cameron, soon Byrd. We might get Nady for first base, but what about the outfield, sure hope we can somehow get Rivera with a Lowe package.
Juicer
December 15th, 2009
4:53 pm
just Looking through the blog and if the braves could get Rivera for Lowe that would be Awesome – for me personly if the braves would be able to get Rivera And Wood for Vazquez i do not see how they could Possible turn that down – i am Very high on Brandon Wood .. i think he is going to be force in the mojors smashing 35hrs+ with a good avg.
the future lineup
McLouth
Prado
Heyward
Wood
Mccann
Esco
Freeman
Shaffer
….nasty potential for the future if they were to make these moves
would anyone be mad if the braves traded lowe for wood straight up? i know i wouldnt
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
4:53 pm
The Melkman Delivers! The Gardner Gardens! The XMan Cometh! Juan Gone! Third Place We Finish! Again! Hooray! Believe!
Gardner's Garden
December 15th, 2009
4:56 pm
The only thing worse than a nagging demand for today’s lineup is the posting of a projected lineup in 2012.
ncscoots
December 15th, 2009
4:56 pm
The Melkman Delivers! The Gardner Gardens! The XMan Cometh! Juan Gone! Third Place We Finish! Again! Hooray! Believe!
I think it’s a blog rule that blatant sarcasm of that level is not allowed until PCR, at least, LOL. Have to check with N8 for a definitive time line.