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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7,407 comments Add your comment
Tom O'Hawke
January 3rd, 2010
2:26 am
nice spin, buddy. Have you thought about running for governor of Florida?
TnBrian
January 3rd, 2010
2:29 am
sidslidkid, I don’t know who else Wren could’ve gotten for 1st base that would be more of sure thing, but it still doesn’t change the fact that Glaus isn’t and a Matt Diaz or Melky don’t have that consistant power I think we need more of to make up for it.
Like I said before, it’s 50/50 with a player coming off surgery that’s had good numbers in the past like Glaus and he came at a very good price.
Mike in la
January 3rd, 2010
2:45 am
DOB, outstanding interview. I haven’t been on here for a while and apologize if it’s been asked already but have you spoken to Chipper since the Vasquez trade or heard his opinion on the deal?
Tom O'Hawke
January 3rd, 2010
2:46 am
TnBrian, ya know, the more I think about it, the more I think Wren is counting on Heyward to start the season. Maybe, he’ll spend some money on Nady. He shouldn’t cost too much and he can cover 1st and the OF.
nolie
January 3rd, 2010
2:47 am
Like I said before, it’s 50/50 with a player coming off surgery that’s had good numbers in the past like Glaus and he came at a very good price TnB
I think it is usually better odds than 50/50, but we’ll just have to see. I might be more worried about what I’ve heard about possible back problems that I am about the surgery. Here’s hopin’ he comes back strong.
Redstick19
January 3rd, 2010
3:05 am
DOB indicated earlier that Nady is likley to sign with a team that has a permanent OF spot open, not a play here a few games and play there a few games type situation. Probably rules out the Braves, who are looking more and more like they are destined to dance with Captain Caveman, err, Johnny Damon.
nolie
January 3rd, 2010
3:20 am
I’m still gonna be surprised if they sign Damon, cause I’m thinking he will have had to come off his original demands a whole lot. Still looking for 2 years last I read and I don’t think Atl will do that. If so Cameron would have been a way better sign IMO. I also don’t think he adds what the Braves need most, which is versatility and some pop.
Tom O'Hawke
January 3rd, 2010
3:55 am
Redstick19 , Nady may want one thing, but he may have to settle for less. Time well tell.
nolie, I hope they don’t sign Damon. I just think at his age he’s too one-dimensional. As time goes by, I’m really thinking that Wren would rather see if the young guys are ready. Especially if there’s nobody else that’s worth spending the money for.
TommyP
January 3rd, 2010
8:45 am
I think Wren is done with any signings or trades until February or March. There are going to be a lot of talented players with no team that will sign on the cheap at that point. It’s almost looking like the offseason years ago that three 1B signed for $1 million. (Robert Fick, Brad Fullmer or David Ortiz…great selection, Braves…I guess DEFENSE trumped out on THAT decision)
Despite not getting another big bat for the lineup, this will afford Wren the chance to build a bench that is very strong. Still need that PH specialist, could use another OF with some sock, and a corner guy with some power.
Steve From Dalton
January 3rd, 2010
8:45 am
DOB- Have you heard anything from Tom Glavine? Is he officially retired or has he been working out and hoping to catch on with somebody?
Art
January 3rd, 2010
8:52 am
Why not make the trade for Dan Uggla and get Brett Carroll also for Prado, Reyes, Schaeffer and a minor leaguer. The Braves the would have the offense and take a defensive outfield with Cabrera, McLouth and Diaz.
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
9:09 am
Why trade Prado, he is coming into his prime and is uber cheap ….. I will take his nos at 2nd base anyday… rather have a power bat where it belongs in LF and RF
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
nolie – I love the Damon numbers and how Boras does his job
It is kind of like walking into a house someone wants $3M for when you know it is only worth $1.3M but because people are embarassed to bid near real value it ends up selling for $1.7M..
The longer we go without certain names signing (Damon, Holliday, Sheets etc) the more power to the teams in negotiations… but if it is true the Cards offered $110M and 6 years to Holliday … well wtf has he not signed… if we look at recent contracts (in the economic bull market) for players like Chipper, Vlad etc, there is NO WAY in hell Holliday and that terrible D is worth anywhere near $18M pa
P. W. Hjort
January 3rd, 2010
9:19 am
Enjoyed the Chipper Q&A. Both parts were excellent.
Thanks for that info on Luke Scott, Jamie. I’m with you, I don’t know why he isn’t talked about as a viable option more. Though perhaps the O’s are asking for too much.
Bravesguy101
January 3rd, 2010
9:21 am
Brian McCann hits homeruns.
P. W. Hjort
January 3rd, 2010
9:22 am
DB,
For one, I don’t think there’s any truth to the $110 million Holliday offer. Two, Holliday is a plus defender in LF.
Neon Deion
January 3rd, 2010
9:24 am
Where McCarver at?
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
9:39 am
PWH – there was a long story last week in the NY Post quoting 3 unnamed mlb scouts saying Holliday and Bay were crazy over-valued and that both were now considered below avg LF.. but the numbers on Holliday for LF have been good I always thought… maybe the scouts are factoring in the last few years of his contract and downgrading D with age
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
9:40 am
What’s Wren going to do with the extra payroll money? Too bad he unceremoniously dumped Smoltz. They could spend it partying with Tiger.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
9:44 am
What’s Wren going to do with the extra payroll money? Too bad he unceremoniously dumped Smoltz or they could have spent it partying with Tiger.
Efrim
January 3rd, 2010
9:47 am
If so Cameron would have been a way better sign IMO. I also don’t think he adds what the Braves need most, which is versatility and some pop.
It would surprise me too.
tbhawksfan
January 3rd, 2010
9:57 am
Glaus is a good signing for the price if he’s healthy and near his past efficiency. IF? If, not we don’t have anyone at 1B. Signing a risk at a “good” deal and not having a quality back up plan is a reciepe for desaster.
Saito and Wagner…same deal.
If Wren is looking for Heyward to man the OF and help a team contend with so many question marks, I think we could be heading for another disappointment.
Starting rotation, mid relief, McC, Esco, Prado and one OF spot I’m good with, the rest is very iffy.
If we want to contend next year, trade for a real upgrade and reduce the high risk players to lesser roles. Glaus as our #4 hitter is a big reach.
jcfromut
January 3rd, 2010
10:12 am
If you are going to trade prospects to FL for Uggla, why not sweeten the pot a little and make a trade for Jose Lopez in Seattle?
flange1
January 3rd, 2010
10:12 am
DOB,
Enjoyed both parts of the Chipper article, thanks for info!
Steve from OH,
I was not happy with my answer on guitar bodies, so here is a better explanation!
FIrst, I am a traditionalist when it comes to guitars. When you look at my 60+ electrics, all of them are Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Rickenbacker and all are made in the USA. My knowledge is not as great when we are talking about MIJ guitars.
If you are looking for a tele, you want ash, preferably swamp ash and 1 piece if possible. Will give you a bright, clear sound, us tele players call that spank!
If you are looking for a traditional strat (with single coil PU) you want alder. Although ash or basswood work, alder is the body material associated with the golden age of strats.
Les Paul Customs, Specials and Juniors are traditionally made of solid mahogany. These bodies sound better with humbuckers or P-90’s. Known for a darker sound, they tend to make the guitar sustain better.
Les Paul Standards (classics + some studios) are traditionally made with a mahogany body and a maple cap. The maple is harder and brighter than the mahogany and give the LP standard the “stinging” sound it is known for in the bridge position.
I get the impression from your posts and the musicians that you like, that you are looking for a “super start” type of guitar, (double cutaway with locking trem + humbuckers). Mahogany is a great body for these guitars, it is OK if the guitar has a maple cap top (like a LP). The guitar will be a bit brighter with maple.
I am not a huge fan of solid maple guitars (the old Gibson L-6s from the 70’s and 80’s come to mind).
To me, the pickups and weight of the guitar is as important or more than the wood the guitar body is made of. Some of the newer MIJ or MIC guitars are beautiful but weigh a ton. I much prefer lighter guitars especially in a gigging situation.
IF you would like a more specific recommendation, email me at flangebox@yahoo.com and I will be glad to help any way I can!
Efrim
January 3rd, 2010
10:15 am
If you are going to trade prospects to FL for Uggla, why not sweeten the pot a little and make a trade for Jose Lopez in Seattle?
I’m pretty sure you could get Jose Lopez for a lot less than it would take to get Uggla.
Steve from OH
January 3rd, 2010
10:18 am
flange–you have mail!
Steve from OH
January 3rd, 2010
10:22 am
(I sent it last night, and it was a bit rambling, so I hope you can get the main points from it!)
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
10:27 am
flange – I have an old Fender Strat, shame I am the worst guitarist in history !
P. W. Hjort
January 3rd, 2010
10:43 am
DB,
Good point about Holliday’s defense regressing. I suppose we can expect 2 runs a year regression from him on D.
I think the general opinion on Holliday’s D right now is that he’s anywhere from average to plus ten. Some scouts like him, some don’t, advanced metrics think he’s at least plus five or so.
bravo1966
January 3rd, 2010
10:48 am
Jim Bowden has the Atlanta Braves as having the worst offseason this year. He states that losing Vaz, Soriano and Gonzo and replacing them with players that were significantly injured last season, PLUS signing Hudson based on pitching 40 innings last year is a HUGE mistake and that he didn’t like the moves at all. He went on to talk about how Glaus only played 14 games and that Saito will probably need Tommy John surgery. Think we would have been a better team if we had kept LaRoche and Vaz. Can’t say I necessarily disagree with some of his assesments, but didn’t this guy get FIRED from The Nats?????
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
10:52 am
dogs-Maybe second worst. All I’m capable of is causing myself embarrassment.
unbelievable
January 3rd, 2010
11:00 am
I think there is just as much risk with Wagner as there would be with Gonzo or Soriano. I also think Huddy is a more consistent pitcher than Vasquez and should be even better now. As for the Glaus and Saito moves, they dont block prospects, but they do have their risks.
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
11:09 am
Pwh – compared to bay, Holliday is a star in LF and versus $16M per for Bay, god knows what Matt would be worth.. trouble is Bay should be closer to a $10M for 4 years player
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
11:10 am
Jim Bowden is a piiant who if we recall correctly got caught with his grubbies in the cookie jar, yes ??
Harrison Dangler
January 3rd, 2010
11:17 am
bravo1966, the question is do you want to pay for past performance or future? Bowden was a notoriously incompetent GM in Cincinnati and Washington. He is the fool that developed Austin Kearns in Cin. and then overpaid to bring him to Wash. He did this with a number of players.
Although players injured the year before have some risks, not sure it makes them morely likely to be injured the next year. I would bet on the come like Wren has done with Glaus and Wagner.
Also, does it not seem premature to rank off season deals until the start of either Spring Training (47 days ’til pitchers and catchers report) or the regular season (90 days)? There are a lot of unsigned players out there and deals to be done.
Not sure I would place too much credence in a douchebag like Jim Bowden.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:22 am
dogs-Yeah, that was Jim Bowden. Least informed analyst on XM Home Plate-even worse than Dibble, who is somewhat more intelligent than root vegetables.
AdirondackDave
January 3rd, 2010
11:22 am
Bowden has been fired at least twice, Cincinnati and then the Nationals. Baseball investigators are are apparently looking into the actions of officials from several clubs for kickbacks on latin American player contracts. I haven’t heard much lately but some months ago it was reported the as many as 7-8 MLB clubs could be involved, ouch… Selig is good at keeping the lid on. Time will tell, I guess.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
dogs-It’s a dead heat on XM to see who has the IQ closest to root vegetables-Bowden or Dibble.
Burdell
January 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
Yes, because Gonzalez and Soriano are the least injury prone relievers in MLB. The Braves’ bullpen got older, but considering everyone is on a short-term deal, it’s not really that big of a risk.
I also don’t get the love of Vazquez over Hudson. Hudson has better numbers over his career, has been with Atlanta longer, and took a discount to pitch for the team. It’s a better bet to lock up Hudson than Vazquez.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
This blog hasn’t accepted a post of mine all day. Maybe I’m less substantial than I thought.
JasonInFL
January 3rd, 2010
11:28 am
dogsbrekky, hear any other rumors regarding the ‘Stros?
bravesfanforever
January 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
Isn’t it sort of silly to say that the Braves had the worst off season when there were plenty of teams who finished WAAAAY behind the Braves and haven’t significantly improved? Time will tell if the Braves improved themselves over last year (hopefully we still have one more significant trade coming up), but I hardly think they will find themselves in the cellar in 2010.
Guess there are two ways of looking at this: either a team didn’t improve at all and they were one of the worst teams, or a team made a bunch of trades which will make them lost more games than last year. The Braves have done neither.
If you want to talk about risk, which I think Bowden was getting at, there’s some risk in the moves the Braves made. But given the history of many of these types of surgeries, especially the ones that Huddy and Wagner went through and have already partially come back from and have had a good off season to rest, I expect them to come back strong. The only real question marks are Glaus, whose body may be breaking down, and Saito, who may have a sore elbow. However, the team appears to have enough depth to make up for any serious injury to 1-2 players. They may be in an even better spot if the Braves pick up a guy who is relatively young and is not known for missing many games like Uggla, and if Heyward can make a significant contribution.
The teams who can make it through their injuries are the better teams. What team doesn’t have a few significant injuries every season??
bravesfanforever
January 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
Those comments by Bowden are really just for shock value. Guess he is guaranteed a job if he keeps coming up with winners like that.
TennesseePaul
January 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
Not long ago I watched this mazing “Modern Marvels” on travel. It spent a good portion of time on airline travel and how airports work. It highlighted Hong Kong’s new airport with its state of the art luggage sorter. That thing was amazing. It would sort so much luggage all with machines and dump it off at the given gate for loading. Airport people were only touching the lugage to put it in the system and then to take it off the system and place it on a plane. They went through all the typical systems in major airports world wide. Very view airports have manual systems all the way through, where a person hand sorts and delievers the lugage from the check in desk all the way to the plane. Those are typically the supper small airports, like Long Beach airport in CA. The larger the airport the more mechanized the process is. Toronto has a new system as well. Typically the airport manages all the bagage sorting whre th airline employee loads and unloads th bagage. Qualifications for that job are: 18 and older, must be able to lift heavy objects, must be able to drive a vehicle, not on any terrorist or criminal watch list. I haven’t found any qualifications requiring the ability to read and write. I woud think it was there. But with the airport sortn the lugage the kid probably just works hard enough to earn the name “thrower” for his position… not “reader”
flange1
January 3rd, 2010
11:44 am
Steve from OH,
Mail back to you!
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:49 am
Since Bowden joined XM Home Plate, it’s been a neck to neck race between Bowden and Dibble to see which Cincinnati alum can equal the IQ of root vegetables.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:49 am
This blog is not accepting posts.
joerochester
January 3rd, 2010
11:52 am
Seems like the NL East and AL East are making all the big moves so far this season.
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
11:56 am
Jason – no more on Fat Elvis as my cousin is away and the mate in the FO is back this week sometime…. then again their last insider info was that Junior had signed.. so if we don’t get Berkman I will keep my big trap shut in future on their stories, I would be hitting only 1 for 3, lolz
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
11:58 am
Testing
Steve from OH
January 3rd, 2010
12:00 pm
flange–thanks! Backatcha!
richbrave
January 3rd, 2010
12:07 pm
All my betting pools have penciled in the BRAVES for third despite the weakened pitching prospects. That’s Mr. PHILLIES to the rest of the division, METS or MARLINS depending on who’s talking. BRAVES, METS or MARLINS, NATS. What’s a fella’ to do? Take the money or run?
JoeC10
January 3rd, 2010
12:08 pm
1. Why are people making such a huge deal about “Can Glaus even play 1st?”….1st base is not that hard of a position to learn, seriously.
2. Tim Hudson >Javier Vasquez…..I hated to see them trade Vasquez just as much as the next guy, but you can’t judge a guys ability on one year. Huddy has proved over the course of his entire career that he is a better pitcher than Vasquez. If you wanna go of one year, statistics we should just trade McLouth for Andruw Jones since he hit 51 homeruns one season and Nates career high is about half that….stupid right?
3. With our line up we have potential to have 3 or 4 guys with 20 hrs, 6 or so with around 15….granted we don’t have a 40 or even 35 guaranteed hr guy like Howard, Dunn, or Beltran, but our rotation makes up for that and as long as we pitch Howard inside more he won’t kill us like he did in the second half. Once we started to let him extend his hands, he was killing the ball.
4. Shut up with the Jason Bay talk, he is an OK player. He stood out in Pittsburg because the team was terrible. He thrived in Boston because…….frankly who the hell wouldn’t in that lineup? Lets see how he does with Francouer as his protection in Citi Field….
5. All of the talk about injuries is getting annoying too, i know some of the guys on our roster are risks, but hell look at Beltran…20 mil and missed most of the season…..Howard is likely to take a ground ball of his nose with his atrocious defense and be out for a while, anything can happen and if each player on our team can stay healthy and have a good year, we will be in the mix.
6. I like Damon as an option, he is a damn fine ball player and will allow us to move McClouth down in the lineup.
Steve from OH
January 3rd, 2010
12:08 pm
dogsb–hey, don’t feel too bad dude, you can’t be too much worse than me.
Lew
January 3rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Doc Holiday
January 3rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Adding Damon?
This team is full of guys capable of getting on base.
What we really need is someone to drive them in.
If not, we will end up with a team with a 0.450 OBP and 450 runs scored. Forget about Damon and get us a cleanup hitter.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Burdell
January 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
Yes, because Gonzalez and Soriano are the least injury prone relievers in MLB. The Braves’ bullpen got older, but considering everyone is on a short-term deal, it’s not really that big of a risk.
———
Have you checked the injury records of both Gonzalez and Soriano? I’ll take Wagner any day over either of them when it comes to being on the D/L.
Saito I know nothing about.
JoeC10
January 3rd, 2010
12:16 pm
BEAR: do you remember Soriano’s phantom elbow injury? the one that kept him out all of 2008 practically? the one that no doctors could ever explain?
JasonInFL
January 3rd, 2010
12:17 pm
dogsbrekky, cool. I just like to think the Braves are still aiming for a big bat until we start the season without one…I am going to keep wishing!
unbelievable
January 3rd, 2010
12:22 pm
“Burdell
January 3rd, 2010
11:23 am
Yes, because Gonzalez and Soriano are the least injury prone relievers in MLB. The Braves’ bullpen got older, but considering everyone is on a short-term deal, it’s not really that big of a risk.”
must have overlooked this comment. Please go check out all the time gonzo has spent on the dl in his career. He pretty much hangs out on the DL quite often
joerochester
January 3rd, 2010
12:22 pm
Wagner is a gamer. Put him in the 9th with the pressure on and I feel better about him keeping a 1-run lead than Gonzo or Soriano.
unbelievable
January 3rd, 2010
12:24 pm
JoeC10, I think that has more to do with the team doctors than it does Soriano. Apparently our doctors are awful. From Schafer’s wrist to Soriano’s elbow, we are having issues. I dont understand why they let our guys continue to go out there with major problems
JoeC10
January 3rd, 2010
12:30 pm
unbelievable: You may be right, but I thought Schafer kept his injury to himself and tried to play through it. Either way I couldn’t stand Soriano on the mound with a 1,2 and sometimes even a 3 run lead. He never showed any emotion at all. I would have loved to keep Gonzo, but I was glad to see Soriano go.
Couch Tater
January 3rd, 2010
12:38 pm
Off topic. (if there is one)
Joe Morgan, Stuart Scott, “Back back back” ,lame halftime coaches interviews, “Whoop”, Yankees/Red Sox, Dr.Lou, radio guy with the initials C.C.
The place to vent about the four-letter network…
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=ohlmeyer_don&id=4381738
Editoriol note: Big props to Bob Valvano (The V-Show) who is on the radio during the weekend late-night 1am-5am graveyard. Why they don’t utilize Bob more instead of those other goobers is beyond me.
Couch Tater
January 3rd, 2010
12:44 pm
My “editorial” got confused with my vitriol.
David O'Brien
January 3rd, 2010
12:46 pm
We’ll try to put together a new blog later today. Not much new info, honestly, until this week gets underway. But we’ll try to come up with something.
Of course, that’s while we continue to try to get our luggage released from the Delta baggage jail and delivered to us in a
timelymanner. (After two days, “timely” is a faded memory. Seriously, Delta: two freakin’ days?)Wide Right
January 3rd, 2010
12:55 pm
a new blog is always a welcome site…but the Chipper Jones QandA was truly great stuff and should satisfy us Braves nuts for a few more days at least.
McFann O
January 3rd, 2010
1:00 pm
DOB–
Hope they didn’t send your bags to Honolulu…
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
1:09 pm
Steve – No seriously I suck major time at guitar, think Johhny Damons arm, Norton’s bat in the 1st half of 2009, Glavines busted arm 78mph fastball and Vlad Guerrero’s dead running legs and that combo is how bad I am at guitar
but I can sing
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 3rd, 2010
1:11 pm
We dont need another blog till other news comes out!
i Vote a new blog when you get your luggage back! that would be big news!
PS how could you put a team like the mets with as many holes as the mets have as projected to be the 2nd place team in the NL east? they have pitching/bullpen/and infield holes. and as of right now they still have not got the catcher they need. they sign bay big deal but he is basically the only player on the team who isnt a “question mark”. with that many holes and “?’s” how could you even put them higher than the marlins as it stands today?
sure the braves have a few ?’s but up and down the line up they are solid. (granted solid isnt “strong”, but it is solid! and something to build on). the braves have a pitching staff that i would put up against any one in the majors… including the Yanks And Sox… along with the very strong pen (i consider stronger than last yrs) with out gonzo and soriano this yr i dont have to hold my breath and hope this week isnt the week soriano or gonzo are going to go on a streak of giving up homers every time out!
Sure the braves need a bat but look who started last year and look who joined the club after opening day “Nate and Adam”…
From where im sitting i see the phills losing a little ground in terms of the lead in the east. i think the marlins remain a good ball club in the quiet little way they play baseball… and i think the mets fire their manager by june/ july… wait till september and omar will be canned with 2 yrs left on his contract. they will be rebuilding in notime!
this is why i think the braves will no doubt finish in 2nd place as they stand right now! who knows how injuries could effect the phillies this year… no one considers that aspect.
DMBJAMS
January 3rd, 2010
1:17 pm
DOB,
you should write a song to compete with the “United Breaks Guitars” guy. If you don’t know what I’m talking about youtube it. It’s worth the time.
David O'Brien
January 3rd, 2010
1:21 pm
Laughing to keep from screaming: Another of the interesting phone-answerers in the Augusta, Ga., Delta baggage control office just told me — 24-1/2 hours after a guy in that same office told me he was requesting that the bags be put on the 1 p.m. delivery — that our bags haven’t been delivered because they were marked for pickup by us.
No, I’m being serious.
I had this conversation 6 or 7 times yesterday with people in that office, each time asking them why the bags hadn’t been delivered and how soon they could get them on a delivery vehicle. Each time, given the runaround. Now, told they’re marked for pickup. By me. As in, I’m expected to drive to the airport to pick them up.
Wide Right
January 3rd, 2010
1:25 pm
Gaylord Focker had an easier time getting his lost luggage than you have, DOB. I hope you arent going to have to drive from ATL to AUG to get them bags.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 3rd, 2010
1:26 pm
Good News DOB! Your bags were just delivered to my house!!! You can sleep well tonight!
Jay212033
January 3rd, 2010
1:34 pm
DOB
Why not just wait until we get some kind of news before starting new blog? The Glaus signing may happen in next couple of days why not wait until then? The bloggers will be A OK until then.
David O'Brien
January 3rd, 2010
1:36 pm
1. Why are people making such a huge deal about “Can Glaus even play 1st?”….1st base is not that hard of a position to learn, seriously. — JoeC
Agreed, in this case. Glaus is known for having unusual athleticism for such a big guy, quick feet and agility despite being nearly 6-6 and 250. Played shortstop at UCLA and even played there a little in the majors in a pinch. He’s got no qualms about playing 1B because he’s played it a little in the majors and was comfortable enough there, and he’s working on it this winter.
I’d say playing 1B defense is a very minor issue with Glaus. Only question with him is staying healthy and whether the shoulder is close enough to 100 percent to permit him to produce his former bat speed and power.
Couch Tater
January 3rd, 2010
1:47 pm
I’ll call my ex and tell her rush on over; she has lots of baggage. That why she calls me Samsonite.
TexasBrave
January 3rd, 2010
1:58 pm
DOB – Just finished both parts of your Q & A with Chipper. What are some examples of the political side of baseball that Chipper dislikes? Doesn’t need to be specific.
As for your Delta troubles, as many bloggers that there are on here you would think one might be tied to Delta in some way or fashion that could expedite your bags to you. My wife and I will be taking a trip to South Carolina in March and I already don’t want to fly with Delta after hearing about not only your troubles this time around but you usually mention one or two other instances throughout the year.
DMBJAMS
January 3rd, 2010
2:04 pm
As for your Delta troubles, as many bloggers that there are on here you would think one might be tied to Delta in some way or fashion…. TexasBrave
I’m sure DOB is being black listed as we speak.
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
Glaus is an effing excellent fielder, or was at 3B, 1B should be no problem even with Esky throwing 95mph gas at him
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 3rd, 2010
2:15 pm
DOB, let me add my voice to those who enjoyed your interview session with Chipper. Well Done.
I agree with you 100% in your evaluation of Glaus. If his shoulder is OK we could possibly see a comeback of the year performance from him. And if they can pick up another decent bat then we should be in pretty good shape for the year. As a matter of fact if Jason Heyward is good enough to start we may not need that extra bat. I still have this hunch Mitch Jones may surprise a lot of folks in ST. For sure he is going to be giving it an all out effort as this is likely his last roundup if he fails to make the big team this time.
joerochester
January 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
I believe in Glaus until he makes us believe otherwise.
Bravoman
January 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
“Samsonite! I was way off, I knew it started with an S though”…-Dumb and Dumber
TnBrian
January 3rd, 2010
2:33 pm
Ok, I now change my position on Damon. I don’t think he’s necessarily what we need as Doc Holliday pointed out earlier… we have plenty of guys that can get on base, we need someone to drive them in. Damon would probably bat leadoff or hit second with Atlanta and that $6-8m or whatever he’ll end up getting could be put to better use getting a player with more power and while Nady isn’t Mr.Power he has more than Damon.
I cant take it anymore
January 3rd, 2010
2:36 pm
DOB,
I think your baggage problem is due to the fact that Augusta is involved. I live here and can assure you that everything that deals with this town greatly increases the probability of a major eff-show.
We have a count-down on our refrigerator showing the number of days left in this dump (84 days as of now). Sorry, man, It ain’t delta… its just August’s finest hard at work. HATE this place
BT
January 3rd, 2010
2:38 pm
DOB, Delta has been using that old “marked for pick-up” deal for a few years. Tried it on me twice. What I think it means is “come on and get the bags and it will save us money.”
Wide Right
January 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
I think Nady is the perfect fit, as I said previously. But I also think, after a conversation with his agent, that he is looking for a guaranteed OF job over a hybrid position, if he can get an OF job (which it sure sounds like he can, and will). – DOB
I dont understand why the Braves cant provide the perfect opportunity for Nady. He wants to have a guaranteed OF job? We have one available. We also have a guy in Glaus who we expect to be our regular 1b. We may need someone (Nady, Prado or Diaz) to help out here and there at 1B if Glaus were to need a rest but the plan is for TG to be our regular 1B. Yes…a long term injury would require players to leave their usual positions for a longer period of time…but I didnt realize the Braves were anticipating a need for a guy who can fill in at 1B more than, say, 5-15 times a season…and again Diaz or Martin can handle that.
richbrave
January 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
“Ok, I now change my position on Damon. I don’t think he’s necessarily what we need as Doc Holliday pointed out earlier…”
To me the doc for this line-up “IS” HOLLIDAY.
I cant take it anymore
January 3rd, 2010
2:43 pm
since we have been here, we have had a raccoon have two babies IN MY closet. Yes, a raccoon got into my closet, had two babies, and proceeded to crap all over my clothes. A snake in the living room. I killed that with my sandal. uhh, our mailbox run over 3 times, one person ran into the tree in our front yard, uhhhh, atlanta gas light running a gas line through our sewer line resulting in shhht in the shower and not being able to shower/crap/pee for three days. Dude, this was just at my house. I will spare the finer things about the rest of the city
unbelievable
January 3rd, 2010
2:44 pm
richbrave, how about a realistic DOC for the lineup?
I cant take it anymore
January 3rd, 2010
2:45 pm
i need a drink
BravesAC
January 3rd, 2010
2:45 pm
Couch Tater 1:47PM -
Hilarious…simply hilarious.
abwright
January 3rd, 2010
2:48 pm
unbelievable, January 3rd, 2010, 12:24 pm … “I think that has more to do with the team doctors than it does Soriano. Apparently our doctors are awful. From Schafer’s wrist to Soriano’s elbow,”
Soriano’s mystery illness proved to be a nerve issue, that could only be diagnosed through surgery. Schafer’s injury proved to be a deep bone bruise and torn ligament, which could only be diagnosed with surgery.
Making the decision to go with the surgery meant that the player was done for the season, guaranteed. Hoping that the injury could be mediated with rest gave that player a chance of returning during the season. As long as the recovery from surgery didn’t jeopardize Spring Training the following year, it made sense to try rest and hope.
Bravoman
January 3rd, 2010
2:49 pm
I’m not a big fan of having Diaz patrol at 1B. That’s why I think someone like Nady, who can play both 1B and the OF, is a perfect fit. He goes into ST as the every day RF. Diaz and Melky share time in LF while Melky gives McLouth a breather when he needs it. Heyward impresses at ST then start him in RF while giving Nady LF. Diaz and Melky become two valuable bench players. Diaz can be our primary PH. A couple years ago he thrived in that role. Nady is a health risk and the Braves will be criticized if they make that move, but I think it’s worth it. Glaus needs a day off at 1B then there’s Nady and Diaz/Melky can play LF. Versatility is a powerful tool that we have in Prado and could have in Nady.
I don’t wanna give up someone like Medlen for Uggla, I also don’t wanna commit two years to Damon, and I don’t really feel like signing a RH Anderson in Dye.
DMBJAMS
January 3rd, 2010
3:02 pm
abwright,
The Braves hand surgeon, Dr. Gary Lourie is a great doctor. He repaired my left wrist/hand after three other doctors said I was poop out of luck. Thought that pertained to your comment a bit.
Andy
January 3rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Since Rafael Furcal left we have not really had a prototypical leadoff guy. By coincidence or not we have not made the playoffs since he left. Cox, to my dismay, used KJ there quite a few times last year and then when McLouth was traded for he occupied that spot. McLouth has a career .354 opb batting leadoff, which is probably average. I am too lazy to find out what the average obp for leadoff guys in the major is, but I think Matt Diaz, not a protypical leadoff guy either, needs to be given the starting left field job and should leadoff. Although 41 at-bats is not a huge sample size, Diaz has managed a .531 obp leading off. Diaz is willing and able to work the count, obviously. That is a very important skill to have in the leadoff role.
Look up the wikipedia definition of a batting order tells it all. I wish Bobby Cox had read this definition last season.
#2 in the batting order is a contact hitter=Prado
#3 is the best hitter on the team=Chipper
#4 =most power. we’ll go with Glaus here
#5 and & 6 are rbi guys. McCann and Escobar. Escobar is a career .324 guy batting 6th with an obp of .413
7th should be McLouth
8th will be Cabrera.
I can’t wait until Heyward is ready. I am also a big Schafer fan and hope that he can somehow get PT.
Making the lineup should not be extremely hard but this is one of the areas that I will criticize Cox about. Batting KJ leadoff last year, sticking with Frenchy, Schafer way too long. I still wonder to this day why LaRoche batted so far down in the order in the second half last season.
cabravesfan
January 3rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Richbrave-
Random question for you- you ever eaten at The Village Cafe?
nolie
January 3rd, 2010
3:25 pm
Holliday is a plus defender in LF. PWH
well except for the one GM who called him a butcher, and the several other GMs who indicated that they and/or their scouting staff thought he was below average.
What you mean is that some defensive stats show him as plus, which can be and sometimes is a completely different thing.
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
3:26 pm
can’t take it anymore – Thank “Sweet baby Jesus” that you are NOT where I am from… cause the snake would be a King Brown or Fierce Snake, the raccoon may well be a baby crocodile and there would also be some red back spiders or white weeping wound spiders there
but I will hope that your house gets rid of it’s varmints really soon
dogsbrekky
January 3rd, 2010
3:29 pm
Bravoman – re 1st base – we also have that ignomatic (is that a word) playa known as OMAR INFANTE who can play everywhere… would Nady sign for say $3M or less and I agree but GLAUS has to have more upside at less loot than the Boras backed X man (as much as I like the guy)