Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,207 comments Add your comment
P-Town Brave
December 14th, 2009
4:22 pm
DING DING DING!
Yes, you heard it…its the opening bell of the Derek Lowe sweepstakes…
FW: Gentlemen, start the bidding!
BTW, anyone who is listening to the FW interview w/ Shanks on 1680, can you give me a synopsis of what is said…I am at work in another state and don’t have access. Thanks!
Andy K.
December 14th, 2009
4:23 pm
Redstick19-Of course it is a salary dump, but i’m pretty sure Swisher isn’t raking in 15 million a year for the next three years.
dmack2027
December 14th, 2009
4:23 pm
The real question is what prospects, if any, do the phillies have to give up.
I really hope they had to part with Drabek, Domonic Brown, or Michael Taylor. Otherwise, they essentially traded a bunch of ‘chops for Roy Halladay.
Random
December 14th, 2009
4:24 pm
Bay Area Steve (December 14th, 2009 3:08 pm) –
You’re coming in kind of late on this one.
Again, it’s not a matter of terminology or language (if it were, don’t you think I’d be jumping on him/her about “Vasquaez”?).
No, it was his drastic ignorance of platoon splits while at the same time blowing hard that Mike Cameron was too old, Chipper was too slow, Wren kept the wrong closer in a “bad baseball decision”, ad nauseam.
How can you even pretend to know anything about baseball when you’re totally ignorant of even the concept of platoon advantages (not the terminology)?
It ain’t the infield fly rule, you know.
P-Town Brave
December 14th, 2009
4:24 pm
Oops…I meant 1670…
Oh yeah, and for anyone who doesn’t know…the interview is here at 5ET:
http://www.foxsports1670.com
I can’t listen to it because work blocks WMP access.
Burdell
December 14th, 2009
4:26 pm
DOB – from your dealings with Wren, do you think a Halladay to Philly deal will put some pressure on him to make a higher visibility signing? Or do you think he’s the kinda guy that has a plan and sticks to it?
At first blush, he seems like the sort of guy that wouldn’t let other team’s move affect his decision making, but based on his last off-season (offering Lowe a high priced deal with a condition that he signs quickly, immediately signing Loaf after the Griffey deal, the whole Furcal situation), he it seems like he can be a little quick on the trigger to react sometimes.
TnBrian
December 14th, 2009
4:27 pm
Ok, now that we all know for sure that Lee is part of that trade it doesn’t make the Phills THAT much better. Yes, Halladay is the best in the game, but Lee was lights out & a Lee/Halladay combo would be overwhelming. Hamels looked awful last year, so we can hope that trend continues.
Nova Scotia Steve - #40
December 14th, 2009
4:27 pm
Wow…if you haven’t already…take a look at Halladay’s W/L record…on a team that hasn’t made the play-off since 1993.
Lee is certainly no Halladay…
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
4:29 pm
Philadelphi beat writer (Todd Zolecki) says that Philadelphia is primarily doing this deal because long-term, Halladay will cost less. Lee wants CC Sabathia money and Philadelphia needs long-term flexibility with their upc-oming free agents in coming years.
smitty
December 14th, 2009
4:29 pm
Lackey just signed for 17 mil/year, he had a better ERA last year than Lowe but less wins. Lackey had 11 wins, 8 losses in 27 appearances with an ERA of 3.83. Lowe had 15 wins, 10 losses in 34 appearances with an ERA of 4.67. Lowe also had more innings pitched the last year than Lackey.
I don’t think we’re going to have to eat too much of Lowe’s contract.
jeffrey d
December 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
I drove by the Gwinnett Braves’ stadium today and noticed that they had UGA and GT flags raised. I found that a little odd.
ncscoots
December 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
How likely would the Braves consider extending Vazquez’s contract if they do indeed trade Lowe?
On the face of it, that would seem to make sense, wouldn’t it? But I’m not so sure. With Hudson, Jurrjens, and Hanson fronting the rotation in 2011 (assuming all the usual up-to-potential-continue-to-progress bushwah), and one very serviceable back-end guy in Kawakami, maybe they use that money elsewhere and look for a Minor or Medlen to fill the back.
I’m not saying that’s what they will do or should do, only could do.
CB
December 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
If the Phillies can sign Halladay at a reasonable extension,I see it as being a reasonable trade. Maybe a 4yr-64mil contract, if higher or longer than that I don’t see it being a great trade.
Nova Scotia Steve - #40
December 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
Can anyone explain to me the benfits of trading Lowe…if we DON”T extend Vazquez???
N8
December 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
This Halladay trade for the Phillies reminds me of a free agent signing back in the early 90’s. The Braves signing Greg Maddux.
After back to back seasons in the WS, rather than gambling that they’d be back, the Braves simply went out and got the best pitcher in the game.
Like I said. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
P-Town Brave
December 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
NS Steve-
Its much easier pitching in that spacious park in non pressure situations…
Just ask Dan Kolb, Chris Reitsma, and Kyle Farnsworth how different it is pitching with pressure…
We’ll have to wait and see, but I’ll stick by my thinking that this isn’t a win for the Phillies.
Efrim
December 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
I love how Buster Olney entitled his blog Sunday morning “Slew of signings lie ahead”.
I’m interested to see this Halladay to Philly deal. Because while I do think Halladay is the better pitcher, giving up prospects for the difference of Halladay to Lee is strange to me. Maybe Lee wouldn’t sign an extension and Halladay would. I’m hoping the Phils at least give up a lot.
ncgary
December 14th, 2009
4:32 pm
those mohuls there are like 12 feet high, you can almost skim the tops of them when out of control. they used to call me whoosh, now its more like wish i was there
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
4:33 pm
Even though the Lackey money should make Lowe’s contract look more appealing…I would still kick in a little money to get Rivera from teh Angels just so we get a good offensive player.
ncgary
December 14th, 2009
4:33 pm
moguls ooops surgery and morphine are excuses for typos i hope grammar police
Nova Scotia Steve - #40
December 14th, 2009
4:33 pm
P-Towbn
You cannot compare Roy Halladay to Dan Kolb, Chris Reitsma or Kyle Farnsworth????
Who are all relievers as i know you are aware…I’ll stick by it…Roy Halladay is NL Cy Young in 2010…
Erik
December 14th, 2009
4:34 pm
I am nervous seeing as Heyman and other Beat writers have not been able to confirm Lee’s involvement in the trade. A Halladay, Lee 1,2 would be nasty. If Lee was traded then I am ok with the deal.
Look at the NL East pitching though. Santana, Halladay, Hudson, Hamels, Happ, Hanson, JJ, Vazquez, Josh Johnson, Nolasco, Sanchez, Starburg, Lannan
Thats pretty impressive 6 guys that would anchor a staff on most teams (Santana, Halladay, Hamels, Hudson, Javy, Johnson) 4 guys that have BIG star potential (JJ, Happ, Hanson, Strasburg).
Lets see if the mets add another frontline starter.
Steve from OH
December 14th, 2009
4:34 pm
Efrim–plus, I’m betting the Phils had to give up Michael Taylor to the Jays in addition to Lee. I wonder who the M’s sent over?
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
4:34 pm
Just imagine being 3 minutes away from $1 mil dollars…….and having to sweat it over a Euro soccer match.
BravesfaninWis
December 14th, 2009
4:34 pm
I have a bad feeling that the Braves are going to end up like last year, a lot of hope, and not enough production from the guys they sign/trade for to play 1st base and OF. That is the bad part of having a cheap ownership group.
You can’t get yolk from a scrambled egg, so how are you supposed to get the production you need to contend from guys like Garret Anderson? Hopefully that deal has made the Braves realize that you can’t compete against the Phillies, Cardinals, and those kinds of teams when you have second rate players all the time. Oh how I yearn for the days of Ted Turner again.
ugaaccountant
December 14th, 2009
4:35 pm
Random:
1. Check my work on platoon splits. Someone suggested we could get a .300, .400., .900 production out of Jack Cust and Ryan Garko. I looked it up based on their 2009 production and it doesn’t work. I am right on that one as I looked at the actual numbers they produced.
2. Mike Cameron is old. Too old? Well that’s the risk we take if we sign him. I stated my opinion and actually put reasons with it. Who the **** are you to judge my opinion? The “fangraphs” article that states Cameron is “better” than Bay is full of discussion of whether Cameron’s age is about to cause a major drop in value.
3. Chipper is slow. I know this isn’t a concrete measure, but in the absence of commonly accepted “speed” stats, he grades out at 47 speed in “MLB 09 the Show”. He’s below 50, thus he’s slow. In the context I presented it, Cameron’s ability to take extra bases running behind him, Chippers speed is an issue. We’re not a team built to take extra bases on any kind of routine basis.
4. All kind of people think Soriano is a better pitcher than Wagner. I clearly labeled it as my opinion. We’re allowed to have those.
njbraves
December 14th, 2009
4:35 pm
Lew…glad to see you were there to defend your boyfriend TennPaul. Does it really matter who has been an avid blog contributor longer?? He, along with so many others, makes ridiculous suggestions. When are you fools going to realize that trading Lowe is about moving money, not about getting a great return.
Random
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
ugaaccountant (December 14th, 2009 3:20 pm): “There are advantages to a platoon. But when your club is looking for a cleanup hitter’s production (.300, .400, .500, .900 happy?), it’s not exactly easy to find that in a platoon.”
Kid, you oughta just stop talking for five minutes and actually look up “platoon advantage”, ’cause you still don’t get it.
We weren’t talking about platooning a specific position (though of course, the platoon advantage is the basis for doing that) — we’re talking about the advantage a RH batter has facing a LH pitcher, the advantage a LH batter has facing a RH pitcher, the advantage a LH pitcher has facing a LH batter and the advantage a RH pitcher has facing a RH batter.
That’s the platoon advantage.
And please don’t try to explain baseball to me, newbie. In fact, don’t try to explain baseball to anyone here except maybe Paul Lentz and Tomahawkin.
dmack2027
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
The asking price for Halladay was more than Cleveland wanted for Lee. That is why the Phillies did not get Roy last summer.
Hopefully, Philly had to throw in one or two of their top prospects to get this deal done. Halladay is better than Lee. However, he is older, and has a tendency to be injured. It will also be interesting to see how he likes Philly’s ballpark.
All in all, the Braves would rather have right handed starting pitchers.
P-Town Brave
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
NS Steve-
I am not comparing based on reliever/starter but the fact that they were considered successful until they went to contenders.
And CY Young 2010, nah…that would be too easy…
Besides, most of you didn’t predict like I did that Cole Hamels would fall on his face like he did in 09.
Hillbilly
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
Hamels looked awful last year, so we can hope that trend continues.
TnBrian, I’m with you on that one, but I think he might bounce back in 2010. Remember, dude pitched over 260 innings in the regular season and playoffs combined in 2008. He had never even made 200 innings before then, so I wonder if that could have affected him for the 2009 season.
Random
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
And RHR.
ncscoots
December 14th, 2009
4:36 pm
But, nathan, the Braves didn’t turn around and trade Tom Glavine after signing Maddux, LOL. That makes it a little different, no?
Still, those boys down the turnpike ain’t messin’ around. Guess drawing three-and-a-half million will do that for you.
Random
December 14th, 2009
4:37 pm
Just kid-din, gRHRl.
njbraves
December 14th, 2009
4:37 pm
Phillies getting Halladay isn’t that big of a deal, as long as they had to trade Lee. The Braves can outpitch the Phils all day, it’s the offensive end where they don’t match up. Trade Lowe and sign Bay.
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
4:37 pm
Interestingly…the 3-team trade sending Lee to Seattle may help an Angels-Braves trade for the Braves. Seattle already had a good pitching staff….and now has a really, really good staff. If they get any offense, they could be a tough team for the Angels to beat. So, Seattle getting Lee and the Angels losing Seattle could make it tough to the Angels to sit still. Also…can’t forget that the rangers are improving.
Nova Scotia Steve - #40
December 14th, 2009
4:38 pm
I don’t believe any of those reliever you named has had the extended success Halladay has had in one of the toughest divisions in baseball
Bravo fan from Chitown
December 14th, 2009
4:39 pm
I’d really like to see the Yankee’s and Angels (maybe Cubs?) get into a bidding war for Lowe’s services. Who knows we may get more than we bargained for.
TDub
December 14th, 2009
4:39 pm
The Phils will be replacing a great pitcher with a greater pitcher, but they’ve still got a lot of question marks on their pitching staff, from Hamels down to Lidge. Let’s not give them the WS trophy yet.
Burdell
December 14th, 2009
4:40 pm
On MLBTR, the M’s fans are throwing out who’s reportedly going in the deal. Everyone is throwing out different names. lol.
Bawlmer Brave
December 14th, 2009
4:41 pm
So with the Angels missing out on Lackey and Halladay, looks like we might have a taker for Lowe after all. I am hoping that the Angels will be calling shortly.
UNCBrave
December 14th, 2009
4:42 pm
Lackey’s deal was for $17 million a year 5 years/$85 million
That sets up well for the Braves and Lowe’s $15 million a year
GET A BIG BAT FRANK WREN!!!
Bay Area Steve
December 14th, 2009
4:42 pm
Man, that Euro soccer “posting” is great stuff. I’m especially glad I saw the “posting” twice because I ignored the first “posting.” It’s a crime shame that the “posting’s” author would call me Stephanie, because I’d really like to make numerous “postings” about Euro soccer gambling.
Any and all replies must use the word “posting.” Thank you for reading this “posting.” That is all.
ncscoots
December 14th, 2009
4:42 pm
Besides, most of you didn’t predict like I did that Cole Hamels would fall on his face like he did in 09.
Well, other than the gazillion people who have heard of the Verducci Effect, yes, you are correct, LOL.
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
4:43 pm
In the 90th minute, West Bromwich just scored a goal to tie it up. Now the match goes into the “extra minutes” overtime. If no one scores, then Blake from San Francisco wins the $1 mil prize. However if West Bromwich scores, then 3 players will have to battle it out to win the $1 later tonight.
Rob in pain from (SC)
December 14th, 2009
4:44 pm
Cliff Lee’s agent, Darek Braunecker, told the New York Times’ Tyler Kepner that he has not heard from the Phillies about a trade.
A handful of reliable news sources are reporting that a three-team deal has been agreed upon that would send Cliff Lee to Seattle and Roy Halladay to Philadelphia. It’s odd that an agent whose client is involved in the trade would have no knowledge of the negotiations. Stay tuned.
This concerns me
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
4:45 pm
Sure, the Yankees might have some money….but is there someone on their roster that the Braves want? Swisher? Hope not. Cabrera? Eh. I would much rather Rivera from the Angels…and I would guess the Braves would too.
McFann O
December 14th, 2009
4:45 pm
NNS Lee is certainly no Halladay…
Yeah, but at least Halladay isn’t a lefty…
Steve from OH
December 14th, 2009
4:45 pm
It’s a crime shame that the “posting’s” author would call me Stephanie,
Wait, I thought I was Stephanie? You best not be tryin’ to steal my thunder, BAS…
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
4:46 pm
Well, that was quick. The soccer match ends in a tie. Blake wins a cool mil in the ESPN ‘Steak for the Cash’ contest.
I had like 4 different streaks of 10 games. And every time I got to 10, I’d pick some contest where 99% of the people picked the favorite, and end up losing, lol. Anyway, in the next contest (hopefully it will start tomorrow), I have a different strategy.
Bay Area Steve
December 14th, 2009
4:46 pm
Aah, yes!
A Euro soccer “posting,” updating the previous “postings,” while explaining, again, the rules of the gamble. What a “posting!” Life is good. This concludes this “posting.”
RC
December 14th, 2009
4:48 pm
So I come out of a meeting and it’s being reported that Roy Halladay AND Cliff Lee have been traded in a 3-team deal??? Maybe I’m missing something here, but what is the reasoning behind the Phillies decision here? I mean, Halladay is great, but if you are losing Lee, how much do you really gain?
ncscoots
December 14th, 2009
4:48 pm
Wait, I thought I was Stephanie? You best not be tryin’ to steal my thunder, BAS…
Dentz called him “Bay Area Stephanie”, Steve-OH. Falling back on the tried-and-true, I imagine…too much brain-power needed to concoct a new diss, LOL.
Bay Area Steve
December 14th, 2009
4:49 pm
Oh, and there it is…
Who woulda thunk, in that “posting,” that he’d bring it around to himself. Nobody could have seen that “posting” coming. Unpredictable, that “posting.”
Mike Mike Bo
December 14th, 2009
4:50 pm
DOB — I’ll be there again 24th thru the 26th. I’ll be the guy that’s face down in the know. As much as I snowboard, you’d think that’d I be better than I actually am… probably has a little to do with the beverages that are partaken prior, and in between, getting on the lifts. =)
Mike Mike Bo
December 14th, 2009
4:50 pm
*snow
CB
December 14th, 2009
4:50 pm
Gee,Lew has a boyfriend and a wife,what does that make him? Random, I appreciate you not putting me in that Hall of Infamy, especially RHR.
CB
December 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
RHR,J/K.
VaBraveFan
December 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
RC I agree, Cliff Lee is younger and can supply the Phillies with a Ace for longer, also Lee should be someone cheaper to retain on a extension.
ncscoots
December 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
Who woulda thunk, in that “posting,” that he’d bring it around to himself. Nobody could have seen that “posting” coming. Unpredictable, that “posting.”
Shocked. Utterly. To the point of coma, even.
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:52 pm
RC
Cliff lee apparently was not on the same page as the phils at the financial stand point as a long term deal. The Phils have traded Lee for Halladay for 5 years. the deal will go through only if Halladay signs a extension. which is definite since he already checked into a hotel room in Philly.
KC
December 14th, 2009
4:53 pm
Same reports that say the Phillies got Halladay, say they’lll be trading Cliff Lee away. Huh?
I sure as hell hope so. Simply – in effect – exchanging Cliff Lee for Roy Halladay doesn’t concern me much. Halladay can’t do much better than Cliff Lee did last season for them after the trade. Halladay may be a little better, but Cliff Lee is already so good… I don’t see that as a substantial upgrade to the Phillies roster.
But if the Phillies have BOTH Lee AND Halladay in their rotation (along with Happ, Hamels, and Blanton)… THEN I’ll be worried.
Bravo fan from Chitown
December 14th, 2009
4:53 pm
If the Phils do get Halladay, and we end up trading Lowe… based on depth chart our head-to-head matchup could look like this..
Hudson vs. Hallady
JJ vs. Hamels
Vasquez vs. Blanton
Hanson vs. Happ
KK vs. Moyer
The pitching seems to favor us in my opinion, but for now the offense is no contest. Sure hope we can pick up a solid bat or two. Go get em Frank!
David O'Brien
December 14th, 2009
4:54 pm
Braves released spring training sked, opens March 2 against Mets in Port St. Lousy, with home opener next day at Dark Star (Disney) against those same Mets. Yankees visit Dark Star March 30.
P&C’s report Feb. 19, other position players Feb. 22, first full-squad workout is Feb. 23.
Braves finish with two exhibition games vs. White Sox at Turner Field April 2-3
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:54 pm
KC
I hear a deal that surrounds Victorino/Blanton, so it might be that case. Think about it Lee agent hasnt heard anything
ncgary
December 14th, 2009
4:55 pm
gardner ffrom stankees to the braves for lowe , id go for that, and hopefully a top 10 prospect as well
RHR
December 14th, 2009
4:55 pm
I wonder if Lowe sweats in the winter. He lives in Michigan. I’m guessing……he probably does.
Heath
December 14th, 2009
4:55 pm
BLTs and Waffle fries tonight
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:56 pm
DOB
i heard the braves signed Matt Holiiday can you confirm that……..JKJK
RHR
December 14th, 2009
4:56 pm
Remember when Anders thought the Mets would land Halladay?
Well, at least there’s that.
KC
December 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
The good news is… it looks like both Halladay AND Lackey could be off the market today. That will clear the way for the Braves to get down to business on the Lowe talks.
17 mill per for Lackey is a positive for the Braves. They very well might get someone to take on ALL of Lowe’s contract. If not, I bet real money they won’t have to eat more than 2-3 million per season of Lowe’s salary.
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
RHR
pretty random, but a very good question
RC
December 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
Cliff lee apparently was not on the same page as the phils at the financial stand point as a long term deal. The Phils have traded Lee for Halladay for 5 years. the deal will go through only if Halladay signs a extension. which is definite since he already checked into a hotel room in Philly.
Roy Halladay is going to live in a hotel room in Philly for 5 years???
Just kidding, and thanks for the update Brave4life. It still seems odd to me that Halladay’s financial demands would be more reasonable than Lee’s, but I’m sure if that once the specifics are announced we’ll find out a little more of each side’s reasoning.
ugaaccountant
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
Random – You love talking about definitions that have no real meaning in the discussion at hand. I was responding to an interesting and specific post:
“RC
December 14th, 2009
1:02 pm
I just saw the people were discussing Jack Cust as a platoon 1b. If a platoon is an option, what about Ryan Garko? San Francisco just non-tendered him, and the guy KILLS left handed pitching. Just another possibility to add to our speculation list (and one that I’m SURE is on Wren and Co’s actual list).”
I stired the pot a bit at 1:32 to get some discussion going about platoons.
The direct response I got:
RC
December 14th, 2009
1:35 pm
Why is (platooning) a bad plan? Let’s say you have a guy who has a slash of .300/.400/.900 vs. righties, and a guy with the same vs. lefties. Are you telling me that you wouldn’t want those combined numbers at 1b over the course of a season?”
I then looked up the specific people he’d mentioned and Atkins and saw that typical guys that are available for platoons aren’t going to hit .300 avg, .400 obp, .500 slg, and .900 ops.
I even quantified why they need to hit that well, it’s because Adam Laroche hit even better than that in 2009. We were only playoff contenders while Laroche was with us. So if we downgrade at 1b, we have to improve somewhere else.
You seem interested only in semantics and trying to pick a fight with me. I’m actually interested in the numbers and am trying to figure out if there’s any players out there that would make us equal to the 2nd half of 2009. I want to see the Braves consistently win, I don’t care about winning fights with you.
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
Sounds good Heath!
Efrim
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
Efrim–plus, I’m betting the Phils had to give up Michael Taylor to the Jays in addition to Lee. I wonder who the M’s sent over?
I still like Carlos Triunfel. Who knows though. It’s a bizarre trade, if indeed it goes down. I don’t think they’ll end up giving up Domonic Brown or Kyle Drabek in the deal though, and ultimately, I think that’s what they were trying to do. So they just substituted Lee for Halladay. Halladay is better. I also had doubts of Lee signing long term with them, so the fact that the Braves will now have to worry about Doc year in and year out is a concern.
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
Morosi tweets that pitcher Phillippe Aumont of the Mariners and outfielder Michael Taylor of the Phillies are among the players heading to Toronto in the trade.
Jurrjens4NLCY
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
This is a great trade for the Pihllies, and Im going to go out on a limb and say that Halladay shutsdown the Braves next year
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
Regardless of Lackey signing with Boston, and Halladay being traded to the Phillies and Lee to the Mariners…..I still dont see the Angels trading for Derek Lowe UNLESS the Braves are willing to eat AT LEAST $5 mil per season of Lowe’s contract.
You guys forget that the American League has a DH (meaning that Lowe cant count on the pitcher to help get him out of innings). With Lowe being 37 years old, coming off an off year……..I just dont see a market of teams out there willing to take a complete flyer on Lowe.
Besides, there are a number of cheaper options out there that the Angels could probably sign to a 1 year contract, that wont expose them to the huge financial risk that would come if they assumed Lowe’s whole contract…….like many of you for some reason “expect” a team to do.
Also, I dont see the Yankees trading for Lowe either.
I’ll stick with my original prediction of either the Braves trading Lowe, and eating at least $5 mil per year of his contract………OR………they trade Javier Vazquez.
Any hope of the Braves getting any legit prospects for Lowe…..OR….Frank Wren finding a SUCKER out there willing to either assume Lowe’s whole contract or willing to accept the Braves eating only $3 mil or less per year of the contract…………is nothing more than a PIPE DREAM.
Marc in FL
December 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
“Can anyone explain to me the benfits of trading Lowe…if we DON”T extend Vazquez???”
- Nove Scotia Steve
Takes the two off the books so we can lock up our young talent like JJJ, Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, etc.
Pretty simple really, lol, Between Medlen and Minor the Braves probably feel they have a decent #5 should Lowe be traded and JV depart after the 2010 season. Considering they need offense really bad to have any chance of a serious run against the Mets, Phillies, or Marlins over the next few years.
GoBraves123
December 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
Hey, I’m from Port St. Lucie and we don’t take too kindly to your types around here.
Brave4life
December 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
KC
I think it might be A 3 year deal, not sure
VaBraveFan
December 14th, 2009
5:00 pm
Lowe talks should heat up now that Lackey is a Red Sox. Looks like the main team will be the Angels.
Nick
December 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
Well the Phillies got Halladay and the Sox got Lackey. Meanwhile the Braves do nothing. Can we just skip to the Yankess/Phillies World Series rematch?
Efrim
December 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
According to FOXSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, the Mariners’ Phillippe Aumont and the Phillies’ Michael Taylor are among the players headed to Toronto.
Not bad. At least the Phils gave up one of their own prospects.
Random
December 14th, 2009
5:01 pm
ugaaccountant (December 14th, 2009 4:35 pm): “Who the **** are you to judge my opinion?”
I’m the guy who found out the hard way that you don’t know ****all about baseball, that’s who I am.
“In the context I presented it, Cameron’s ability to take extra bases running behind him, Chippers speed is an issue. We’re not a team built to take extra bases on any kind of routine basis.”
So it doesn’t matter if Jones had a dozen infield hits last season and will likely half a third as many doubles next year as singles if YOU decide he’s too slow to bat in front of Cameron?
And it doesn’t matter that half the time Jones advances two bases on a single if YOU decide that “We’re not a team built to take extra bases”?
“All kind of people think Soriano is a better pitcher than Wagner.”
As I stated before, you’re assuming that you and your “experts” have knowledge of Soriano superior to that of Wren and the Braves, which is a dubious and ludicrous proposition. And wrong.
And now that you have learned what a platoon advantage is, ask yourself who are the most dangerous hitters in our division, and from which sides of the plate do they bat?
“I clearly labeled it as my opinion. We’re allowed to have those.”
Yes, and we’re also allowed to clearly label such opinions as worthless if not backed up by facts and/or reason.
(It used to go without saying that opinions should also be backed up by a basic knowledge of the game of baseball — perhaps that should be made more explicit.)
Marc in FL
December 14th, 2009
5:02 pm
Paul Lentz, Lowe has pitched in the AL before, so if anything he’s more appealing to an AL team than many of the other options available right now. And I don’t think a team will be a sucker for taking all of his contract, quite frankly our pathetic defense raised his ERA by .50 alone. He did have a down year aside from that, but track records mean more than one year samplings, and his track record suggests he’ll be better next year where ever he is.
Will the Braves eat some of his contract? Probably, but more like 2mil a year, there are very few trade scenarios that would justify the Braves having to eat 5 mil a year on a pitcher that goes 200 innings and most likely will have an ERA at 4 or less, that alone makes him worth 12-13mil in today’s market.
VaBraveFan
December 14th, 2009
5:02 pm
Nick
Patience man, things will start to get interesting the next few ays involving Lowe.
BraveGuy
December 14th, 2009
5:03 pm
DOB
If the Angels don’t want Lowe or get someone else, does that mean we have to trade Vazquez instead?
Nick in PA
December 14th, 2009
5:05 pm
DOB,
So there’s no chance of landing Bay or Holliday even if they can dump all of Lowe’s salary?
Could the Phillies landing Halladay and the Muts going after Bay pressure Wren into doing something big?
African Safari
December 14th, 2009
5:05 pm
Braves/Angels trades will have to wait to see exactly what the 3-team trade for Halladay really turns out to be….should be interesting.
Daslied
December 14th, 2009
5:06 pm
Nick, we got Hudson back, fortified the back of the bullpen and cleared payroll. We haven’t addressed our biggest weakness yet (the offense), but neither has Philly (the bullpen). Keep your pants on, man.
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
5:07 pm
I have a “proposed bet” that I want to put out there:
If the Braves end up trading Derek Lowe and come out only having to eat $3 mil or less per year of his contract….then I’ll refrain from posting on here until the All-Star Break. The only exception to this would be if the Braves traded Lowe to Chicago for Milton Bradley. If that happened, the bet would be a push.
If the Braves end up having to eat at least $5 mil per season of Lowe’s contract, then whoever accepts the bet will have to refrain from posting on here until the All-Star Break.
However, if the Braves end up eating between $3 and $5 mil of Lowe’s contract…..then the bet is a push.
Any takers?
Robert (Chipper Is The Best0
December 14th, 2009
5:07 pm
Paul, are you serious? Who are the Angels going to go get? Joel Pinero. Right now they only have the third best rotation in their own division. If they were going to get “cheaper” options why even go after Lackey. Yes, Lowe is 37 but he is also a pitcher with a pristine record of health which is something Lackey doesn’t have.
nolie
December 14th, 2009
5:08 pm
I think perhaps Mark Bradley doesn’t fully embrace the Frank Wren’s greatness
Burdell
December 14th, 2009
5:08 pm
uh oh… ESPN is saying it’s Happ and not Lee in the deal. Is it too early to panick?
Daslied
December 14th, 2009
5:08 pm
Paul, the All-Star Break of which season? Make it 2018, and I’m in – I’ll take one for the team, as it were.
BraveMan
December 14th, 2009
5:09 pm
this has probably been mentioned, but the only downside to this philly trade, is that now. the Ms are completely out of the discussion for lowe. this means that only the angels remain as suitors for lowe (that we know of). it would be great, but unlikely, that another team emerges for lowe. ideally, you would want two teams outbidding each other for lowe… which in this case we be how much they are willing to pay of lowe’s contract. i think in the end the bravos will be paying 3 or 4 million on lowe’s deal and getting basically nothing in return.
if we can get that done, then i think we need to make a run at bay or holliday… or both in hopes that we can get one. because the fact is, xavier nady/cameron and troy glaus/delgado/laroche is not going to put us over the top… to win this division we are going to have to spend a lot of money on a bat.
McFann O
December 14th, 2009
5:09 pm
Hey, did any of you guys get the “Happy Holidays” e-card from the Braves?
Funny stuff.
If you didn’t get it, here’s the link (this may or may not work…):
http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/greeting_card.jsp?c_id=atl&partnerId=ed-3077307-113151316&source=ed-3077307-113151316
Paul Lentz
December 14th, 2009
5:10 pm
Marc in FL……….Lowe was 31 years old the last time he pitched in the American League. He is now 37 years old. Plus he is coming off a very off year. At 3 years and $45 mil…….his contract is a HUGE risk, unless the Braves are willing to eat a significant part of his contract.