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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7,407 comments Add your comment
n. ga champs
December 25th, 2009
12:57 am
Good Insight, David. Look at the Hawks, and how they are in the top echelon in the league, after investing in solid young talent. 5 young guns starting for the braves in 2012??.where have we heard this before? Young talent that can log a lot of innings is the best investment there is. Just pick up a few key players after building a solid nucleus, (again, like the Hawks!) and your World Series odds look very nice indeed! Bobby Cox may even stick around for that!
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
1:02 am
TNBrian
Sounds like me dude… When I get older I can picture myself being in the zone and I’ll hear the word Braves and it’s go time… Good stuff..
In regards to DOB saying last major move, I think he meant it in the context of a solidified position player for the 4-Hole. Because, if healthy and anywhere comparable or as threatening to his ‘08 and previous self, he is a major player. So again I think he meant in terms of big move like Glaus is a first baseman they got for the 4-Hole to protect Chipper and hit in front of McCann. The other guys that are being mentioned to fill out the roster, DeRosa (My first choice), Nady (2nd), Uggla (3rd) are more guys that will be a big part of the club but will float around positions in the field and the order and although kind of unfair not as strictly relied on the way it looks they are relying on Glaus.
The way I see it, Wren sees ‘09 as a injured season and a blip in his career and is fully expecting 35/100 out of him. I’d say that can definitely happen..
In regards to Uggla, the only case I make for the guy is he is a team player that will mash 35 2B’s and 30-35 HR’s. What other Braves players are pretty much guaranteed to do that? People are saying Uggla has said, “I won’t move positions.” I think that’s inaccurate unless you have a direct quote. After the Hanley Ramirez episode late in the season Uggla showed he is a team leader and team oriented and willing to do whatever it took to win. I can see him GLADLY going to ATL and taking on the challenges of shifting between 2B, LF, 1B, whatever. Will he be great at it? Probably not so much, but hard work pays off and he has the work ethic and wants to win. Was Ryan Klesko a Gold Glover? Chipper wasn’t too pretty in LF and I’m sorry but there is no way Uggla could be any worse then Loaf. I’m sure there are more guys I can point to that were not good on D but the O needed to be in the lineup. You can’t deny Uggla’s consistency, but again I would take him 3rd, if DeRosa and Nady fell through for the reasons I have just mentioned. I don’t think I need to go any further than stating Klesko as a perfect example of just going with it for the O and don’t forget with Melky on the bench you can always have him come in with the lead for D and contact.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
1:08 am
n. ga champs………..Some young offensive players who can drive the ball would help as well. Also, offense puts fans in the seats. If the Braves want to be able to afford to pay the “5 young guns” that you spoke of……then increasing attendance is a must.
The Phillies on the World Series with one great starting pitcher (at least in 2008, Cole Hamels was great)……..and an offense that puts over 3 mil Philly fans in the seats. Why do you think the Phillies were able to go out and get a Roy Halladay? Because of these 3 mil Philly fans eating overpriced cheese steaks.
As much as I hate the Phillies, I’m very envious of their situation. They have a line-up that is a nightmare to face……good starting pitching…….and the money to fill a need should it arise.
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
1:08 am
Chuck James, Dave could’ve easily been speaking of a 4 hole hitter opposed to a Nady who’d be a 6-7 hole hitter, maybe hit 5th. Don’t know on that, but I do agree with you on Uggla. Sure, he wouldn’t be a GG out there in the OF and even Rosenthal thought if Atlanta were to acquire him he’d see how much better Prado is at 2nd & would be even more willing to head to the OF. I’d have no problem with him out there… his 30 HR’s would shut some people up in a hurry, I’d think.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
1:15 am
TnBrian
Yeah man that’s just the way I interpreted his statement to answer your earlier question…. It’ll be interesting to see what the last guy will be. Another thing in Uggla’s favor again is his consistent health. He is what he is, which isn’t too damn bad (.250ish 35 2B’s/30-35 HR’s/90+ RBI’s) Also, Uggla would only be in the $3 million range for next year if I’m not mistaking, which is half of what DeRosa has on the table from San Francisco as we type. So that’s another positive, the fact that they will have some payroll flexibility when and if they need to tweak the roster due to injuries, lack of production etc.
Merry Christmas and I hope your Grandpa can hang in there, definitely get him going with the Braves talk and everyone else Happy Holidays too!
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
1:17 am
Lentz, can you honestly say the Phillies have the most die-hard, Cubs type fans that’ll show up even when they’re losing? I say that because if you look up and down their everyday lineup you’ll see that Victorino is the youngest one at 29, the rest are in their 30’s, some mid to late 30’s. Majority of these guys have hit their primes at the same time and I’m not too familiar with that teams minor league’s, but I think I can say for sure it doesn’t rank near the Braves. Their time of glory will run out and probably a lot sooner than some might think.
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
1:19 am
Chuck James, you too, man.
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
1:24 am
Lentz, I do agree with you that putting together a good lineup helps the chances of attendance going up. Winning period puts butts in the seats. Need to find the happy medium in all of this. They don’t have the money to get the big names to put the fany’s in the seats, but can’t seem to afford the big stars because the att. stinks most nights.
Heyward
December 25th, 2009
1:29 am
god james you are a so wrong uggla will cost upwards of 7 million next year where do you get 3 million from???? go the idiots that post comments here is unreal
Andrew in PA
December 25th, 2009
1:34 am
•The Braves. Atlanta’s biggest offseason need was a right-handed power hitter. While they are close to a deal with Troy Glaus, Glaus made just 32 plate appearances in 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery last January. Burrell is perhaps a more reliable option, and may regain his batting stroke back in the NL East.
Thoughts on Burrell?
tampabrave
December 25th, 2009
1:36 am
Merry Christmas all. My top 10.
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix
2. Farm – Dinosaur Jr.
3. Daisy – Brand New
4. Mean Everything to Nothing – Manchester Orchestra
5. Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures
6. Baby, Darling, Dollface, Honey – Band of Skulls (unbelieveably havent seen them on any lists, great debut)
7. Post Nothing – Japandroids
8. Fluent In Stroll – Big D and the Kids Table (love me some ska)
9. Underneath the Owl – Riverboat Gamblers
10. The Resistance – Muse (just because they released an album this year)
Coming nowhere close
999999999999. Merriweather Post Pavallion – Animal Collective
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
1:37 am
Lentz
Just in recent memory, you are saying ATL hasn’t gone out and bought superstar attraction players on the open market to draw fans in. JS spoiled us with a consistent team and consistently retained our superstar players, rather then watching them leave and have to replace them (for the most part). Over the last 2 decades Atlanta Braves baseball was never built on superstar offense and mediocre pitching, it was more superstar pitching and solid offense, except ‘03 when it was superstar O & D. You mean to tell me, just in recent years that Javy Lopes hitting 43 HR’s, Sheffield hitting lazers everyday, Chipper being Chipper, Galaragga doing his thing, Andruw hitting 52 HR’s and being Super Man in Center Field (literally), Furcal was very exciting and if I’m not mistaking Teixeira was pretty decent and although not exciting, disgustingly robotic on O & D….
So I beg to differ the excitement players have not been in Braves uniforms in recent times. And the pitching? It’s always been there, atleast since I’ve been alive… And although not “EXCITING!!” to some, I found it to be pretty damn special taking trips from NJ to ATL to watch Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz do their thing. Smoltz was exciting because of the strikeouts, but what might be boring to some (%80 of Maddux and Glavine’s career starts in ATL) I find it pretty damn exciting to see a CG Shutout 2-0 victory in 1 hour 58 minutes like Maddux would do, or Glavine effortlessly going 7-8 innings of 5 scattered singles and 1 ER, or that would be a Maddux line on a semi-off night…. All exciting to me, I always attribute the poor attendance to the team was so consistentit got boring for some. So those some people waited until the playoffs to get interested enough to go to the park. The traffic and location don’t help either….
Mitchie-san
December 25th, 2009
1:43 am
Merry Christmas, Meke Kalikimaka, Happy Holidays to all on the blog.
And Paul, thanks for not being a jerk lately.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
1:55 am
TnBrian……….Chase Utley and Ryan Howard arent going anywhere. I imagine that each probably has at least 5 really good years left in them. I would take their next 5 years over ANY of our guys right now. Utley and Howard can carry a team.
Howard KILLS us. Him bashing us isnt going anywhere anytime soon.
Rob in pain from (SC)
December 25th, 2009
2:01 am
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
The talk over the last year is that Howard will price himself out of Philadelphia
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
2:02 am
TnBrian……..we need an offensive force that will give the fans a reason to come out and spend good money on parking and concessions.
Again, look at the Phillies. They have the offensive studs in their line-up who help put over 3 mil fans in the seats. The Phillies can afford to pay big money to acquire a Roy Halladay.
Sure, the Braves farm system may have more talent than the Phillies right now. However, the Phillies will have a chance to win more World Series in the next 5 years. If we go the prospect route, we can only hope that our talent will develop into the kind of stars that the Phillies have right now.
Jason Heyward may be the real deal. However, many a highly touted prospect has flamed out in the Majors. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are the real deal RIGHT NOW. They are for sure going to have MVP type seasons for the next 5 years. We can only hope that Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman will develop and have similar type careers. HOPE!
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:05 am
Lentz
Jurrjens, Hanson, Heyward and McCann aren’t going anywhere either all 25 and younger to much younger, that is an elite core. I hear Freeman is supposed to be good, same with Teheran and Vizacaino. The Phillies just traded their best pitching prospect (Drabek) and best offensive prospect (Taylor) (and their best pitcher) and although Happ looks pretty good I would not say his ceiling is anywhere as high as Hanson or Jurrjens. Hamels had a bad year, so let’s see if he is starting to fizzle or it was just that, a bad year. Otherwise, what do they have to brag about for their young core of prospects ML ready or 1-3 years off? Atlanta dominates that battle….
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:09 am
Although %90 of Howards HR’s are legit, that little league park attributes to the Phillies relentless “power” up and down the lineup. Chipper, Tex, McCann, LaRoche, McLouth all would be 30+ HR guys if they hit there too….
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
2:12 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!……….The Braves drafted Javy Lopez and Chipper Jones and developed Andruw Jones and Rafael Furcal. Neither Andres Galaragga, J.D. Drew nor Gary Sheffield was going to sign lucrative long term contract to stay in Atlanta long term.
You seen to forget the meaning of my question in the posting you are referring to: When was the last time the Braves signed an offensive free agent to a similar type contract that the Atlanta Hawks signed Joe Johnson to?
I am well aware that the Braves were built primarily on starting pitching and defense during our 15 year run. However, I’m saying that attendance (particularly in recent years) has been affected by not having an offensive force in our line-up to motivate the casual fan to come to the park in droves. Sure, Chipper has had some really good years. However, his business like approach to the game does not inspire the casual fan to come to the park in big numbers over a long period of time.
Again, we arent talking about die hard fans like us. We are going to follow the Braves no matter how much they suck. However, teams need the casual fan in order to make a comfortable profit and have payroll flexibility. You cant tell me that the Phillies drew 3.6 mil fans to their park due to all of them being diehard Phillies fans? How many of those 3.6 mil fans would have shown up if they were winning ballgames 3-1 in a business like fashion?
Moby Grape
December 25th, 2009
2:16 am
The players currently under contract and their salaries (or expected salaries following arbitration) are as follows: Chipper ($13 mil), McCann ($5.5 mil), McLouth ($4.5 mil), Diaz ($2.55 mil), Ross ($1.6 mil), Infante ($2.25 mil), Lowe ($15 mil), Hudson ($9 mil), Kawakami ($6.7 mil), Saito ($3.2 mil), Wagner ($6.75 mil), Glaus ($2 mil), GDG
for one thing you are budgeting Glaus for 2 mil, his incentives could be as high as 6 mil perhaps, they have to budget for that, they just don’t wait to see if they need to come up with some extra cash at the last minute.whatever we find out the contract will be they will provide for that to be covered.
Chipper is 13mil with a one mil signing bonus due each Jan 15. That is part of the salary budget too. there are perhaps others that you are missing. check out Cot’s website for more details that Bowman might have provided.
also it’s likely not that much but I would guess that Jj gets more than a $50,000 raise after last year.
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
2:16 am
Pat Burrell? I don’t know, maybe if TB ate a ton of his contract he might be worth the risk. That’s the only way that happens because, if I’m at least close to his contract next year, he’s making $8-10M. DOB pointed out earlier Atl. probably has around $7-10m left to spend. If Wren can grab him for like $2-3m and not have to give up too much talent it might just work. TB probably wants him out of town pretty bad to fill other needs, so they could take on that much of his dollars. He’s BAD on the D, so not sure on that one.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
2:16 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!…………Winning isnt enough to draw the casual fan. The casual fan wants to be entertained as well. Matt Ryan had a really good year last year in his rookie season. However, did it result in a wait list for season tickets like the Falcons experienced when Michael Vick was quarterbacking the Falcons? Of course not.
Matt Ryan will probably have a better quarterback career than Vick ends up having. However, will Ryan ever make Authur Blank the kind of money that Vick did?
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
2:17 am
Rob in pain from (SC)………The Phillies are not going to let Howard go anywhere. Bank on it. Philly fans and the media would CRUCIFY management and ownership if that were to happen.
Moby Grape
December 25th, 2009
2:19 am
I don’t think the Braves would have to trade nearly as much for Uggla as people think. Efrim
I don’t either. some of the proposals were outlandish
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
2:20 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!…………how short is your memory. In 2005, all the talk was of the “Baby Braves”. Of the 18 rookies who appeared to have bright futures with the Braves……..only Brian McCann remains.
I’m not saying that our current crop of prospects will fare that way. However, there is no guarantee with prospects. The Phillies already have STUD LEVEL talent producing big time in Utley and Howard.
Dont get me wrong, I love having Hanson, Jurrjens and McCann and the other guys behind them coming up. However, they are all a LONG WAYS and have a lot more to prove before they can even be spoken in the same breath as Utley and Howard.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:23 am
Lentz
I live in Trenton, NJ about 30 minutes from Citizens Bank Park. I go to about 15-20 games a year (9 ATL games). I go to about another 10 just because it’s THE things to do around here. Trust me dude, YES, they draw 3.6 million because that’s what’s going on around here. Everybody goes around beating their chests, chanting and riding the bandwagon of Phillies baseball. I’m 25 and can’t go out during the season without being bombarded by Phillies fans going wild. It’s just the way they are, same with the Eagles and Flyers here… Nobody cares about the 76ers since AI V 1.0 left….
I guess I see what you’re saying but Thome was putting up Howard numbers and they weren’t winning and the fans still flooded in. I attribute all the fan hoopla to the stadium being still pretty new and they keep it band box-esque and make it exciting at the park. When I go to Turner Field I know that there is a %95 chance of me being able to put my feet up on the seat in front of me, kick back and just take it in. At Philly games it’s unwritten law you get plastered for atleast 3 hours before the game, where no law enforcement do a THING about it. Then you go in the stadium and whether you’re in the upper deck or front row you feel like you’re in the pit of a Nine Inch Nails or Deftones concert. They have those relentlessly annoying rally towels and have alot of varities of delicious food and it’s just like one big out of control party. Like I said, I love the Braves, but I love baseball too, so I end up going another 10 times to hope they lose because it’s a fun place to be…
Moby Grape
December 25th, 2009
2:27 am
Thoughts on Burrell? Andrew in Pa
not if I can help it I don’t
Bravo Nam
December 25th, 2009
2:31 am
Tom O’Hawke
Thanks for your Christmas wishes. Impressive Vietnamese!
Javi
A class act and good guy. Nice text.
DOB
Do you think the Braves might try and resign Javi as a free agent next year?
Top Albums of 2009
Haven’t yet seen “Above the Bones” by Mishka. Outstanding. A real pearl.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:31 am
Lentz
You know what dude? I just hit the nail on the head. When I go to a game there I know if it’s 4-0 in the bottom of the 9th it’s like .5-0 in Atlanta (Half a run – Nothing)…. Things are just more exciting at that park because no lead is safe, see Game 3 of the regular season last year when our boy Blaine Boyer worked his groovy magic. PERFECT example. Atlanta Braves Turner Field baseball is fair, even matched baseball. Philadelphia Phillies Citizen Bank Park baseball is like NBA Jam or Arcade Baseball. I prefer NBA Live and MLB The Show video games if I play, realistic and fair.
Phillies baseball is like a real life arcade video game, which draws in the females and the non die-hard fan because of the literal constant action. You know at ANY second something fun will happen. If there is a routine pop fly everyone jumps up because they expect it to go. And it’s not just your uneducated fans it’s your Chip Caray’s too. It’s exciting baseball if you’re into that thing, the arcade style, but that’s not what this game has been about since the 1800’s. Big props to the people who built that and the new “accidental wind tunnell” Yankee Stadium, they knew damn well what they were doing.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:38 am
That is it, for sure, I’ve witnessed it first hand 70+ times. Females LOVVVVEEEEE to go! If you got Braves tickets down there are women dying to go? Are they offering themselves up sexually to go, like a girl in Philly did for World Series tickets and got arrested and charged for? It’s just insane here, if you live in it through a 162 game + playoffs which are insane x432789 you would understand.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
December 25th, 2009
2:42 am
I’m gonna get a few hours of sleep if my nocturnal mind will shut down, everybody have a great Holiday! Later Lentz, it’s been real, but I’m telling you that’s what’s popping off at Citizen Bank Park, it isn’t just Ryan Howard or Utley… It’s the whole combination that breeds excitement…
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
3:09 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!………I hear what you’re saying in your 2:23am posting. What I would like to ask is “do you think that PNC Park would be the place to be if the offense wasnt so potent”? Do you really think that those fans would consistently want to come and see the Phillies win a bunch of 3-1 games that lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes like the Braves regularly did when Maddux was pitching?
I’m not knocking our style of play when we was winning 15 straight division titles. What I’m saying is that in today’s game, you need the revenue generated from the casual fan in order to have a payroll that will help you compete consistently against the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Cubs (I know, they suck a lot, however they are the exception to the rule, not the rule when it comes to selling out games no matter how much you suck, lol). And in the Atlanta area, the casual fan has shown that they will not come out in droves to watch pitching and defense on a consistent basis.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
3:14 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!………while purits and die hard fans realize the importance of pitching and defense, the realities of the game dictate that in order to draw the casual fan that will help sell out stadiums…..teams need to be entertaining to watch.
I’m sorry, but playing the “Dukes of Hazzard” theme song and hearing “Centerfield” by John Fogerty played 50 times a game isnt going to cut it, lol.
The name of the game is to generate as much revenue as possible. A good GM can balance fielding a good team with an entertaining one. I think that it can be safe to say that for the past 15 years, our teams have not been that exciting to watch. Sure the 2005 team had the Baby Braves. However, when it became apparent that most of them were “flashes in the pan”, then the buzz quickly went away.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
December 25th, 2009
3:17 am
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!………I agree, the PNC Park experience has become more than just Howard and Utley. However, I still believe that their ability to pound the ball out of the park has immensely helped make going to see a game there a “happening experience”.
Happy Holidays to you as well. Great time chatting with you.
The_Superhoo
December 25th, 2009
3:40 am
Happy Holidays to all you Hoos in Hooville! (and you Jacket fans too, I guess
)
How come even though it feels like the season just ended, I’m already ready for yet another 162+ game season??
The_Superhoo
December 25th, 2009
3:46 am
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z @3:17 am,
PNC Park is Pittsburgh’s ball park….Phillies play in Citizens Bank Park
Ryno
December 25th, 2009
4:59 am
Anyone notice that everytime Frank Wren makes an unpopular move, he immediately tries to rectify it with a Free Agent signing? For example, last year it was losing Smoltz with the subsequent Lowe signing. This year it’s Vazquez trade gamble (that minor league phenom Vizcaino is nothing but hype until he delivers in the big leagues) and the Glaus signing.
If I had a nickel for every overhyped teenager in the minor leagues that ended up fizzling out, I’d be a billionaire. Hate to be pessimistic, but I’m getting tired of the strategy/attitude of building a World Series team “3 years from now”. I understand we don’t have the kind of money to spend like we did in the 90’s, but we had/have the prospects and trade bait to get all of the pieces of a team that could win this year.
I know that Frank Wren isn’t done yet this offseason (I hope), but right now, FW gets a B in my book overall and a D for this offseason. Signing old pitchers for the bullpen and signing a injury-prone power hitter for cleanup is not going to work. How many times in recent memory (with the exception of this past year) have the Braves died halfway through the season after all of the geezers in the rotation get hurt?
I’m sorry to agree with Mark Bradley for once, but Wren has really bombed this offseason. Unless FW can sign/trade for a proven, primetime, non-injury prone, non-old geezer, power hitter before the start of spring training, the Braves will be lucky to win 4th place in the division.
Ryno
December 25th, 2009
5:10 am
I forgot. “Bah Humbug!”
Why am I the only realist here? The Braves have not improved compared to the roster we ended with last season. We lose one of the best pitchers in the league to get a mediocre OF and sign a questionable power slugger who might never fully recover from that shoulder injury (it’s nagged him the latter part of his career). I also love the fact no one is concerned that we are going to stick him in a position he hasn’t played more than a week at in his career.
I want Wren and all of you Kool-aid drinkers to prove me wrong. I really do. Otherwise it will be another disappointing season with exciting youngsters coming up to play on a losing team.
The_Superhoo
December 25th, 2009
5:43 am
Ryno,
There are many with your attitude here. Couple things:
1) You assume that Wren follows up with FA signings in response to outcry. Could he not just be making moves as they occur? In any case, we didn’t “lose” Smoltz. He sucked last year. Good move done in less than appropriate manner. But the correct move nonetheless.
2) The old pitchers for the bullpen have less injury problems than what we had before, and are pitching for us WAYYYYY cheaper than the younger guys would have.
3) Glaus hit 47 HRs over the two seasons prior to 2009 – 20 in 2007 & 27 in 2008. Yeah he’s had some problems with that shoulder, but we signed him on the cheap. If he doesnt produce, we only owe him $2M – that’s $10.5M less than he earned last year. I expect to get no more production out of him than we did out of 1B last year, but it could be much more.
5) You must not read the blog very often if you think you’re the only “realist.” There are many realists, and many many more pessimists – of which it seems you are one. Let the offseason play out. If we don’t do anymore (including hopefully getting rid of Milky), I’d grade it a C. But it can get better. And by the All Star break my grade could go up.
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
7:18 am
Good morning. The ground’s white as snow – oh, it IS snow. Wow, My third true White Christmas in 66+ years here in Virginia.
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
7:21 am
SuperHoo:
Let the offseason play out. My sentiments exactly. BTW, nice snow in HooVille. Was up there Monday nosing around Mr. JEFFERSON’s U and the building he designed. Nice.
GovClintonTyree
December 25th, 2009
7:42 am
Ryno, Wren absolutely does that – when he makes a move he knows is unpopular, he tries to stem the PR backlash with another, more popular move. The most obvious was when he cut Glavine and Schafer last year, he immediately brought up Hanson and held a gun to idiot Huntington’s head for McLouth (I remember reading that he told Huntington we needed to consummate the deal by tomorrow, or something like that).
Smoltz – PR nightmare – then jumped on Kawakami and quickly followed that with Lowe.
So he’s at least TRYING to think about public perception, but he still strikes me as ham-fisted. Really my only complaint with him. I like most everything he’s done, except Kotsay for Devine and this recent Melky deal.
My thought was that for Lowe they’d have to dump salary for prospects, but that they could get a bonafide hitter for Vazquez – and they didn’t. Now, I certainly don’t know what other teams were offering for Vazquez, but I find it hard to believe that only two teams were willing to deal for Vazquez after the year he just had.
GovClintonTyree
December 25th, 2009
7:51 am
Glaus is a solid signing. Think Chipper will see a few more pitches with that Big Mutha standing in the on deck circle?
Glaus is going to ping a couple off the Coke bottle.
This lineup sets up so much better with McCann hitting fifth.
I think about how the lineup would have felt with Bay or Holliday hitting fourth, and I feel exactly the same way when I think about Glaus. Assuming shoulder healthy.
CB
December 25th, 2009
7:57 am
richbrave,good morning. I didn’t know you were so OLD. Merry Christmas,my brother.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
7:59 am
Hey guys,
Is it possible that Wren is getting an insurance policy for the possibility of Chipper retiring and replacing him with Claus? He would have Freemen available to move to first.
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:06 am
CB:
Good morning to you, and a Merry Christmas. I hope the blessings of living in the greatest country in the world bring you and your family many wonderful experiences in 2010.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:09 am
Good Morning CB. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:11 am
Sorry richbrave, Merry Christmas to you also!
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:11 am
CB:
I’m glad I don’t always give that appearance – that I’m old. But if you caught my list of music last night, you can see that I’m fast approaching geezer status.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:15 am
Hey, maybe I should change my name to “old brave but young at heart”.
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:15 am
Dr ANDY:
And to you as well, Dr. Andy. I was wondering if your handle has anything to do with Dr. ANDREWS in Alabama. A thought probably occasioned by TONY GLAUS’ shoulder surgery. Anyway, I thought if it did, it should be Dr. ANDYS instead.
CB
December 25th, 2009
8:21 am
Dr. Andy,thanks. Same to you and your family. richbrave,we are close enough in age I can kid.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:22 am
richbrave
Not connected with Dr. Andrews. I’m not a surgeon, but i am a chiropractor and that could help Glaus play younger.
ksu4189
December 25th, 2009
8:23 am
just wanted to say merry christmas to all mentioned last night about nady and uggla would love the lineup anyone else like it
cc mccann
1st glaus/nady
2nd prado/uggla
ss escobar
3rd jones/glaus
of mclouth/uggla/nady/heyward/diaz/melky
i hope people can understand this tried to put it the best way i could i think it would be a great lineup please let me know thank you
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:23 am
Well, I don’t know about GLAUS taking over at third. Maybe CHIP has said if things don’t go well in 2010 he’ll walk from the last two of his contract, and GLAUS is in fact insurance for that possibility.
I think FW just filled a glaring need in the offense with the least expensive option he had available to him. And IF he can upgrade later in the off-season, he will. I really do expect the BRAVES to make another move with the money they’ve saved this off-season. If WREN can’t pull anything off, then we roll with what we’ve got. At least this way no other GM can hold a gun to his head and say , ” Hey, you NEED our guy.”
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:30 am
ksu4189:
It might be a better line-up than what we currently have, but I don’t think the saved payroll is going to be spent on more surgical unknowns and former ‘roid users. If a legitimate young financially controlled hitter coming into his prime can’t be had within the payroll figure of last year, we just go with what’s on the books now, and we work at it again next year.
Braves Paisan
December 25th, 2009
8:32 am
Merry Christmas, Braves Beat Blog Denizens!
While the kids play with their new toys, MLB network is running Ken Burns’ Baseball series all day. They just started the one with Ty Cobb.
– B.P.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:33 am
I agree with you completely. As Mike Smith says, “this is a process”. However, it appears that in sports and especially the braves, the process never ends. By the time you get to where you think that you want to go something happens and you are still making moves to fix the problem.
richbrave
December 25th, 2009
8:37 am
Well, time for a quick desayuno, brothers. Later. Be back ‘atch for sure. Enjoyed the morning babble. And CB, I’m thankful to be where I am longevity-wise. I’ve matched the longest-lived male in my father’s family in three generations. And that goes back into the mid-1800’s.
Dr. Andy
December 25th, 2009
8:41 am
I’m out of here also. Time to help the wife prepare for the family and friends get together today.
Have a blessed day everyone!
Joseph G
December 25th, 2009
8:44 am
ksu4189: What are you giving up for Uggla?
Billy (TBFKB)
December 25th, 2009
9:20 am
Merry Christmas!
bravemandan
December 25th, 2009
9:34 am
Merry Christmas to all!!! We’re having a white Christmas this year in Oklahoma. That rarely occurs here.
James Taylor
December 25th, 2009
9:40 am
ROLL TIDE….GO ALABAMA THE CRIMSON TIDE. EVERY ‘BAMA FAN’S BEHIND YOU HIT YOUR STRIDE. GO TEACH THE BULLDOGS TO BEHAVE, SEND THE AUBURN TIGERS TO A WATERY GRAVE. AND IF A MAN STARTS TO WEAKEN, IT’S A SHAME. ‘BAMA’S FOOTBALL TEAM HAS HAD IT’S NAME IN CRIMSON FAME. FIGHT ON-FIGHT ON- FIGHT ON MEN, REMEMBER THE ROSE BOWL AND WIN THEN. SO GO ROLL TO VICT’RY HIT YOUR STRIDE, YOU’RE DIXIE’S FOOTBALL PRIDE!!!!CRIMSON TIDE!!(SORRY HUDDY)
Bravesguy101
December 25th, 2009
9:59 am
Troy Glaus signed with the Braves
Tommy Boggs
December 25th, 2009
10:00 am
We don’t need no fielding Uggla.
Snoop Dogs new album “Malice in Wonderland”, kind of sounds like a lot of the bloggers on this site.
Merry Christmas!
Q dog
December 25th, 2009
10:03 am
bottom line: the 4 players we lost – gonzo, soriano, laroche, and vasquez – are all better then the 4 ml ready players we received – soto, wagner, glaus, cabrera. Unless we are giving up on this year, these are unjustifiable moves. End of story.
AdirondackDave
December 25th, 2009
10:04 am
Can anybody remind me of what the specifics were of that episode apparently involving Hanley Ramirez and Uggla? I looked up Uggla’s fielding numbers and they weren’t gold glove but I’ve seen worse at second. Did those 2 errors in an all-star game forever damn him somewhat unfairly? I don’t know but I’d like to know what DOB and others think.
Braves_Fan_RSD
December 25th, 2009
10:25 am
Can anybody remind me of what the specifics were of that episode apparently involving Hanley Ramirez and Uggla? I looked up Uggla’s fielding numbers and they weren’t gold glove but I’ve seen worse at second. Did those 2 errors in an all-star game forever damn him somewhat unfairly? I don’t know but I’d like to know what DOB and others think.
The way I understood it it actually happened during a braves game where when the Marlins had tied it up against us or took a small lead Hanley said he was injured and came out of the game. Uggla made a comment about it then. Then the next day Hanley said he couldn’t play to the team and when the media quesioned him about it he said h could. Uggla then took offense to it saying that if he was too injured to finish the last game then he should be too injured to play this one (basically saying he wussed out) then made the comment “guess its nice that you have already made your millions” saying that Hanley has already gotten paid so he just doesnt care.
Actually it was 3 errors in the All-Star game and yes i think it has unjustifiably made him into being precieved as a bad fielder when in actuality he has an average per season UZR of -2.7 not great but not as bad as people make it. Just for comparision Prado (at 2nd base) is -2.675 and Kelly Johnson is -5.9!!!!!!
MitchC
December 25th, 2009
10:27 am
Dave, I already complained on Mark Bradley’s blog how I hate the Vazquez deal. FW had a good pitcher in Vazquez, and I think he pulled the trigger far too soon. We are still six weeks from spring training, and I think FW could have waited until into January, at least, to see if he could have found any takers for Lowe, and if not, if he could have gotten a better package in terms of major league talent for Vazquez.
Signing Uggla would be very nice, if it could happen. He has a lot of power, and would be just what the Braves need.
As you pointed out, we will hopefully have a great rotation in 2012 or 2013 with Hanson, Jair, and company, but, this team still has to get fans to the ballpark, in a still tough economy, in 2010, and also in 2011. Hopefully, the deals FW pulled off, combined with what we already have, will be enough to entice the fans to come out in droves now, while the “later” is being readied for the majors.
Merry Christmas, Mr O’Brien. I hope you have a good one, my friend.
StuckNNYBravesFan
December 25th, 2009
10:34 am
Q, Wagner is hands down a better closer than either Soriano or Gonzalez.
A healthy Glaus easily trumps Laroche, add that it’s one year vs. three, no brainer.
Do you want a 6th SP or a shot at legit power at 1B?
Agree with you on Cabrera.
Piedmont Blues
December 25th, 2009
10:40 am
DOB,
You may be in the air or on the slopes by now, so Merry Christmas!
Thanks for keeping us informed and entertained for another year.
I saw where Turner Gill hired Carl Torbush, Mack Brown’s unfortunate successor at Carolina, as KU’s defensive coordinator. Torbush was out of his depth as a head coach, but the guy knows how to put together a defensive scheme and from all I’ve seen, he was a solid teacher. Those mid-90s Tar Heel teams regularly finished in the top 10 nationally on defense.
Solid hire. The Jayhawks look like they’re in good hands.
The Grinch
December 25th, 2009
10:40 am
Merry Christmas. Your gifts have been returned. Well, most of them. I’m now off to smoke the last block of Who Hash.
Duke
December 25th, 2009
10:47 am
DOB, Merry Christmas to you and to all the bloggers.
All I want for Christmas is a Q&A with Chipper on how he feels about the moves.
AdirondackDave
December 25th, 2009
10:50 am
Braves_fan_RSD — Many thanks for that clarification on the Ramirez- Uggla thing last year. All considered, it sure sounds to me like Dan Uggla is a guy I’d like to see come up to the Braves. That’s a serious bat he’s got. Along with the addition of Glaus, the team would score plenty of runs for the superior rotation that is now in place. Bull-pen looks good too. Defense, well not the best but considering the teams other assets, you can’t have everything. When FW adds that “one more piece” this team will be very competitive and, the future with Heyward- Freeman-Teheren-Viscaino-Delgado and others, could be flat-out terrific.
Prez of Matt Diaz Fan Club
December 25th, 2009
10:50 am
Merry Christmas. I hope Wren kept the receipt on this trade, because I still want to return it.
StuckNNYBravesFan
December 25th, 2009
10:56 am
Frank Wren, Lemonade Master
Rafael from Puerto Rico
December 25th, 2009
10:59 am
I don’t want to talk about Frank Wren fo the rest of the Christmas. Am very disappointed right now with the Javy Trade. We should trade Lowe too and save 8-10 million a year because Kris Medlen or Jo-Jo can give us some starts. With the money save by this too the Braves can get something better out there.
VaBraveFan
December 25th, 2009
10:59 am
Merry Christmas to everyone!!! Have a good one and be safe!!
Bravesguy101
December 25th, 2009
11:38 am
The Braves have signed Billy Wagner and Troy Glaus. That means that they will play for the team next year.
Lew
December 25th, 2009
11:41 am
Holiday Greetings Denizens!!!!!!
My guess is that Uggla will soon be a Brave, giving us the additional power we need (albeit with less than stellar D). I’m also guessing that we will only have to trade players we just got in trade (except Vizcaino) for him. Wren will prove himself at the top of his game yet again.
The Glaus signing has nothing but upside. At $2 mil, I would be willing to bet he is -at the very least-as productive as Loaf was-at $6 mil, it means he’s exceeded all of our expectations and backs Chipper as well as anyone could. Couple that with the Scott Proctor signing and Wren has two extremely low risk, high upside deals in place. Wish we might have kept Javy and failing that got more for him, but I’m thinking we’re going to be just fine and not tied down to long term, terrible deals.
Rafael from PR-If you really think that JoJo (in particular) or he and Medlen can equal what Lowe is capable of-well, whatever. What, exactly leads you to this conclusion? Certainly not any performances you’ve seen from My Little Pony or JoJo (who may not even be here come April-I think he’s out of options). I think Medlen may be quite effective-eventually, but he certainly is NOT ready to become our #3 starter right now-and THAT is probably what Lowe is (if not pitched higher in the rotation).
jeffrey d
December 25th, 2009
11:50 am
The Braves have signed Billy Wagner and Troy Glaus. That means that they will play for the team next year.
It rained this morning. That means the ground is wet.
TnBrian
December 25th, 2009
11:58 am
Lew, I’m kind of going back and forth on Uggla and if Atlanta trades for him regardless of his below average defense. I’m siding with you on this, it just makes way too much sense to bring in Uggla. Atl. needs a guy who’s not coming off surgery and is durable since they just signed Glaus. Nady would be cool to have, but signing two guys coming off of major surgeries can’t be all that smart on their part. DeRosa is too darn expensive,imo, even at $6m per year. Have a hard time believing he’d take that much less than what he’s offered from SF to play in the ATL. Uggla obviously has much more power potential and would be a heck of a number 6 hitter behind Mac and in front of Yunel.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, fans!
Jonas Grumby
December 25th, 2009
11:59 am
DOB … You should consider switching to AT&T rolloever boilerplate phrases. Coverage sucks but at least they won’t expire.
TexasBrave
December 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
Lew if you envision Uggla joining the team where do you see him playing the majority of the time? Do you think Melky gets traded? If Uggla plays second where does Prado move? I still think it makes more sence for the Braves to sign DeRosa. He can play more positions and we can wait until ST is almost over to trade away any excess we don’t need.
phily fanatic
December 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
this should not be wren is making bold moves he is making old news.everyone he signed is old. but hey 50 is the new 30. maybe he is getting a kickback from aarp. keep dreaming braves fans you might be good again some time around 2020
Soph
December 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
It rained this morning. That means the ground is wet.
Nu uhhhhhhhhh. Get out. Merry Christmas!
TexasBrave
December 25th, 2009
12:07 pm
TnBrian same question I asked Lew, where do you play Uggla? At second then if Glaus is doing well do you put Prado on the Bench? No way should Prado be on the bench! I don’t even want to think about putting Uggla in the outfield, that would probably be worse than him playing second base.
NO MORE BOBBY
December 25th, 2009
12:08 pm
If the off season is this big of a joke, imagine what the real season will be like. Looks like we are sending Bobby out in style (but in 70s Cox managed Braves version).
Bravesguy101
December 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
Frank Wren is GM for the Braves. And Chipper Jones has touched a baseball before.
Piedmont Blues
December 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
TexasBrave,
DeRo is a much more versatile player than Uggla. (Although Uggla put in a few games at 1B, 3B, SS, and OF in the minors.) DeRo costs more, too. Uggla provides A LOT more power. I can’t see the Braves acquiring Uggla and penciling him in as the everyday LF. I’d say instead he starts the season at 2B and Prado plays LF. (I’m not sure who’s the bigger defensive liability.)
Of course, the Brave could include Prado in the deal … (Prado and Schafer … ? Too much?)
Unless Uggla shows
Piedmont Blues
December 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
Ignore the fragments. It’s Christmas, after all.
Tomahawkin
December 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
Hey Grinch
Wazzzuppp!!! Merry X-Mas Baby…!
What’s been going on with you, I missed ya last season Baby!
Tomahawkin
December 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
No More Bobby
Do You think the Braves have a shot at adding a big OF bat…?
My Hunch is that since Liberty Media is going Cheap again we are gonna end up with some Garbage like the Loaf signing was last year
And I do not want DeRosa or Nady…
Bravesguy101
December 25th, 2009
12:16 pm
The Braves won the World Series in 2006, and Frank Wren did brush his teeth today.
Salamander
December 25th, 2009
12:18 pm
Coming nowhere close
999999999999. Merriweather Post Pavallion – Animal Collective
You can live in denial all you want.
Merry Christmas
TexasBrave
December 25th, 2009
12:21 pm
Piedmont Blues its DeRo’s versitility that I would like to have. Will not Uggla cost more, how much is he making? I guess since we are trading a player(s) for him he would be affordable. I just don’t like the hit we would take on defense if he plays second or outfield. I would much rather spend the 6 mil to get DeRo. We have that to spend and it would still leave us with at least two mil to fill any other need.
Braves_Fan_RSD
December 25th, 2009
12:21 pm
TnBrian same question I asked Lew, where do you play Uggla? At second then if Glaus is doing well do you put Prado on the Bench? No way should Prado be on the bench! I don’t even want to think about putting Uggla in the outfield, that would probably be worse than him playing second base.
I honestly believe if we get Uggla Prado moves to LF where in (and I know its a small sample size) 23 innings he has a UZR of 1.2 and a UZR/150 of 91.5 but Wren and Bobby have both said that Prado “will play everyday in some position on the field this season” and Prado has been playing some OF in the Venezuelan league.
Piedmont Blues
December 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
Tomahawkin
Define “big outfield bat.” If you’re limited to Bay or Holliday, probably not happening.
And if Liberty really “went cheap,” the Braves would have a payroll of $50 million or $60 million, not $85-95 million.
Piedmont Blues
December 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
TexasBrave,
Just checked on Cots Contracts and Uggla made $5.35 million last year (and is arb-eligible in 2010). He may command more money than DeRo has been offered by the Giants. (Of course, the Braves would shed some payroll in a deal, if, say, Melky went to Florida.)
If the two are making the same, I’m with you. I’d rather have DeRo any day of the week.