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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7,407 comments Add your comment
nolie
January 4th, 2010
12:56 am
Still waiting for my first check Jeffrey
that’s about what I expected. sigh.
JHM
January 4th, 2010
1:10 am
Reportedly seen on Ebay–”Authentic DOB merchandise. BBQ-stained Braves media guide, autographed copy of ‘Snowboarding for Dummies,’ nearly-new boy-band CDs which make excellent coasters and a red cell phone embossed with phrase ‘FW-411.’ All items come with their very own, well-traveled carrying case.”
N8
January 4th, 2010
1:44 am
Thanks DOB. I have to agree with you. That being said, his voice is one of my favorites, so I wasn’t as turned off by his solo stuff, because listening to a bad Chris Cornell song, is better than other singers “best” efforts.
I guess I’ve always been able to seperate individual “performances” from the overall record or product. Which explains why I can tolerate some pretty boring 80’s hair metal music, simply for the guitar work.
Again, thanks for the response.
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2010
4:48 am
L.e.n.t.z. i.s. a.n. i.d.i.o.t.
F’n guy (and Robert, and…) puts Anders in the 85th percentile.
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2010
4:53 am
But, I don’t care.
Dude’s using “post.” Could we have realistically expected anything more?
I’ll read all the homophobic, sexist, racist, McNappy, humorless-Campbell-Soup-QB posts the guy can muster, if it means not reading “posting” several hundred times a day.
Bay Area Steve
January 4th, 2010
4:55 am
I miss the Grinch.
And not TnBrian’s Grinch; I miss the original. He made this blog better, without a doubt.
richbrave
January 4th, 2010
7:35 am
enter the dragon
richbrave
January 4th, 2010
7:41 am
David O’Brien
January 3rd, 2010
11:17 pm
Unbelievable finish in Florida-NC State game at Gainesville. Florida dude hit a 65-foot shot at the buzzer in OT for 1-pt win. Only shot he made in the game.
I’ll never forget the time LES HENSON of Va. Tech took the inbounds pass, heaved the ball as the horn sounded and swished the net……and won the game. Replays clearly showed one foot on the out of bounds line as well, but nobody was going to wave it off. Forgot who they were playing. I was having a steak at a bar in northside ROANOKE. Everybody fell out, I mean crazy. Liquor flowed freely that night I tell you.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
7:58 am
anders, from a couple of days ago…i agree scnider is also pretty bad with the bat, but he doesnt make outs as much as molina. i would just think that the money could be used elsewhere and the mets could use coste, santos, or that new kid…thole i think? you probably disagree but i think any of those guys would probably do almost as good as molina, and then the mets would have money for pitching. molina almost always makes contact, but he had a career year powerwise, and im predicting that if he plays in citifield, he is going to be a terible offensive player.
al
January 4th, 2010
8:13 am
DOB:
Enjoyed your interview with Chipper. Can you elaborate on his comment about the “politics” of the game? -”there’s certain politics that go with playing this game that I don’t want to have to deal with.”
Daybed Wagmoe
January 4th, 2010
8:24 am
I went and watched the highlights of that Florida-NC State on ESPN.com — damn, that’s awesome!
CB
January 4th, 2010
8:27 am
richbrave,if you can remember the Les Henson shot, you may be old but a great memory!
GatorBrave
January 4th, 2010
8:42 am
Where’s the news? Need some b-ball news damnit! Tired of the waiting game. COME ON…. CHOP CHOP DOB! Give me my Braves fix! As Bill Murray said in What About Bob…. “I WANT I WANT, I NEED I NEED”
Lew
January 4th, 2010
9:18 am
Anders is not Robert or Lentz. always knew there was something positive about Anders.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
9:20 am
BAS-Grinch (The Real One) posted here last week. He says he may spend some more time here this year-especially now that DOB has ceased fire against Metal..
Frank Robinson (Rockmart)
January 4th, 2010
9:23 am
DOB,
Haven’t heard Cornell’s most recent solo offering, but I didn’t care for his first album. Audioslave is my favorite Cornell, followed closely by Temple of the Dog. I am stoked about the upcoming Soundgarden reunion!
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
9:31 am
One other thing worth considering about Xavier Nady: Would the Braves be comfortable having two lineup regulars (Nady in LF, Glaus at 1B) who missed almost the entire 2009 season recovering from arm surgeries, both guys in their 30s? That, in addition to the injury history of their 3B?
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
9:34 am
We’ll get a new blog up today, for sure (well, I should never say “for sure,” but barring major news developments — beyond announcement of Glaus deal, which will probably come today or tomorrow).
NEW CARS
January 4th, 2010
9:37 am
Happy New Year to DOB and everyone else on the blog even “The one whose name must not be spoken”…I know it’s the 4th, but really the first work day is the beginning of 2010. Are we working on a record length blog to start the year. Go Braves
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
9:38 am
DOB – is the Glaus deal done? ESPN and Yahoo! both have him still listed as a Cardinal
wjones
January 4th, 2010
9:38 am
Does anybody think that the Braves help “set the bar”, so to speak, with the Glaus signing, for what Nady can expect? I mean, what has Nady done, considering his health concerns, to expect an appreciably better deal than Glaus? I don’t think the Braves can reasonably pay him substantially more than Glaus, right? It doesn’t of course keep another team from overspending, but it would help, I think, if they want to avoid it.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 4th, 2010
9:40 am
NotAgain
January 3rd, 2010
10:54 pm
Bear, are you the Bear that is Tom’s friend?
———–
It all depends on which Tom you are referring to.
ChopShop
January 4th, 2010
9:50 am
Oh, don’t look now but FoxSports’ Jim Bowden rates Atlanta as the biggest loser this offseason. I think Frank Wren has decided to take his bag of batting practice balls and go home. One could only hope.
Braveheart
January 4th, 2010
9:53 am
Nady and Glaus is less of a risk than Wagner and Saito. It sets up well to have Nady and Glaus. If Glaus gets hurt, then Nady slides over to first. When/if Chipper gets hurt or just misses a few games, Glaus can slide over to third, and Nady to first. We don’t have corner infield depth in the system. The minors are barren in such talent, and Prado is presumably a starter at second. I guess we could always slide Infante to second and Prado to first, or slide Prado to third and Infante to second if Chipper gets hurt. But Glaus, Nady and Chipper are more likely to provide corner position power than Infante and Prado. Also, we have outfield positional depth in the upper minors in Schafer and Heyward, and can always call them up for low pressure look sees if Glaus or Chipper get hurt, and Nady slides in, or even if Nady himself gets hurt. If Schafer and Heyward get hot like Frenchy in 2005, then you just ride them, and figure out then what to do when Chipper or Nady or Glaus come back off the DL. If Schafer and Heyward don’t do well, no big deal, you just send them back down when Chipper, Nady or Glaus come of the DL. Yeah, a big part of me feels that Wagner/Saito and Glaus/Nady reeks of Mondesi/Jordan, but I’m trying my hardest to ignore the stench.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
9:55 am
Bear, are you the Bear that is Tom’s friend?
———–
It all depends on which Tom you are referring to.
Brokaw.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
9:57 am
Brady?
Lew
January 4th, 2010
9:57 am
ChopShop-Ever since he joined XM Home Plate, Bowden has been in serious competition ith Rob Dibble over which one actually has an IQ somewhere to the north of root vegetables. Dude was fired by two sub par organizations. He didn’t know enough about is job to fix either the Reds or the Nats. What makes anyone think the guy has a clue?
I listen to the Home Plate all the time and he’s the only analyst there that has NOT said that the Braves were contenders with the moves they’ve made. No one claims they are as strong as the Phillies, but they definitely consider the Braves improved.
ncscoots
January 4th, 2010
10:02 am
Yeah, a big part of me feels that Wagner/Saito and Glaus/Nady reeks of Mondesi/Jordan
Well, I don’t know if it “reeks”, but, it certainly wafts, LOL.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:03 am
ooh! Cruise?!
Voice from the past... (VOR)
January 4th, 2010
10:07 am
… Jones. It’s not unusual…
Braveheart
January 4th, 2010
10:09 am
Man, they’ve been praying for over an hour now at what I thought was the inauguration. Is Kasim Reed being inaugurated as the mayor, or the Pope?
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 4th, 2010
10:11 am
Jeffrey, I never met Brokaw.
Braveheart
January 4th, 2010
10:13 am
Scoots, I stand corrected.
Bear, thanks for your reply the other day.
ksu7443
January 4th, 2010
10:14 am
any hints on who else the braves are going to sign or trade for can someone please let me know thnbak you
Lew
January 4th, 2010
10:14 am
scoots-I’m not really concerned about Saito holding up and he’s the backup plan for closer (and let’s not count out Moylan in a pinch, either). I keep hearing how everyone comes back from TJ surgery stronger (just ask KC if you haven’t read one of his diatribes on the subject), so I guess Wagner is fine, too (of course, there IS a history of players needing the procedure twice -EG Nady). Honestly, I’m no more concerned now than I was last year with Gonzo, Soriano and Moylan all back relatively soon after their respective surgical procedures. At least Wags has a good track record-none of the others had much of a track record at all.
As to Glaus-I’m getting the feeling that he and whomever they get for LF (unless they do get Uggla) are merely fill ins until they feel Heyward and Freeman are ready. I also get the feeling that either or both could well be in Hotlanta sometime (sooner rather than later) this season.
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
10:16 am
Has Glaus taken his physical yet?
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
10:17 am
I’d really like to see the Braves sign Dye. I think he could be very valuable.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
10:17 am
welp, the holidays are pretty much over and its time to get back to the offseason routines…im still hoping for a couple of pieces to really help makes the 2010 braves are strong team. based on the amount of money there is to spend and the guys that are available out there, i say depth is the way to go. there needs to be additions that not only have to potential to produce, but that can be seen as insurance for certain players NOT producing. we need outfield depth, and id like an outfielder who can also play 1st for glaus if needed.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
10:18 am
ksu7443-Actually Dude, we’ve all know who we’d get since last month when DOB filled us in and we were trying to hide the information. Do you seriously believe no one would have mentioned it if we really knew who we would pick up or that DOB would refuse to tell us?
ChopShop
January 4th, 2010
10:18 am
Lew, you’re right that Glaus and whoever are fill ins until the younguns arrive. The problem is that you can’t get stuck in neutral until prospects arrive because they may never “arrive”. Unfortunately, it looks like Frank Wren may be doing just that.
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
10:27 am
The worst part of any of these trades and signings the Braves have done up to this point, don’t appear to be ones that have strengthened the team without many if’s attached to each. I’d really like to see them not just doing patch work but adding a proven bat and leader. If that involves possibly trading the likes of Delgado or Cabrera to get it done, then so be it. We really need someone that’s reliable.
ncscoots
January 4th, 2010
10:28 am
Braveheart, Lew, the old guys may have plenty left in the tank, I guess. Certainly, the surgeries they have undergone are tried and true and the track record of surgical success breeds some confidence. It just seems that are there a lot of these players on the squad, LOL. My perception, anyway.
One guy returning to form? Oh, yes, I’d be confident in that; at least, not overly fearful. Start stacking up such players like cordwood, and I get a little antsy with the notion that they will ALL return to form. Just seems to be tempting the gods, a bit.
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:31 am
If that involves possibly trading the likes of Delgado or Cabrera to get it done, then so be it
Not Melky!!!
Bill
January 4th, 2010
10:32 am
7000!
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:34 am
Congras, Bill
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:34 am
Congrats too
Lew
January 4th, 2010
10:37 am
scoots- I have concerns, too, but I’m not all that certain that Wren had many other options available to him. Soriano and Gonzo were hardly all they could have been-sketchy at times and Gonzo had a proclivity for having to get himself out of self induced jams. There was a major degree of uncertainty with both of them. Saito doesn’t concern me in the least -anyone who can pitch like he did in Boston last year will be just fine in Atlanta-and Wags should be OK.
ChopShop-Ordinarily, I would agree totally with your assertion about prospects not always holding up when the chips are down. However, someone posted a list of recent number one prospects in all of baseball (like Heyward is) and their track records are excellent. I’m not in the least concerned with his prospects for living up to expectations. As to Freeman-not as great a prospect as his buddy, but he is a blue chip prospect nonetheless. The question you need to ask (and I’m pretty good with the apparent answer) is will he perform better than Glaus did if Glaus does not pan out? I’m thinking he will be -at the very least- much better than an injured power hitter and would almost have to hit for more power than Kotchman did. I guess we will see.
That being said-If Glaus IS healthy, then Wren pulled off a major coup-especially at the price we got him for..
Burdell
January 4th, 2010
10:38 am
….Testing….
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
10:38 am
I’d really like to keep Melky because of his versatility.. age, switch-hits and plays all outfield positions but I think he brings a lot of desirables to a low market team which in return brings us the most trade value but I think you would have to include another player in that type of trade. The other problem is.. what small market teams have an outfielder of the caliber we need to acquire?
Burdell
January 4th, 2010
10:38 am
The blog didn’t take my last, fairly long post
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:42 am
The blog didn’t take my last, fairly long post
The blog doesn’t like some words. Like “P.aul L.entz” or “r.idiculous”
.
January 4th, 2010
10:43 am
The Braves are the GraveYard where they raise the dead to return to the Field of Dreams. All you have to do is, Be over 35 , have had surgery in last year, missed half are more of the past season . Agree to cheap contract.
How long have we been waiting on the young guns? Same BS.
Braveheart
January 4th, 2010
10:45 am
First?!?!?!?
jeffrey d
January 4th, 2010
10:46 am
Funniest (and truest) vent in awhile:
KJ has signed with the Diamondbacks, but Bobby still plans to start him at 2nd on opening day 2010.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
10:54 am
Burdell-I couldn’t post all day yesterday. It happens sometimes.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
11:00 am
lewaito doesn’t concern me in the least -anyone who can pitch like he did in Boston last year will be just fine in Atlanta.
by “pitching the way he did in boston” do you mean “hardly pitching at all”? saito pitched 12 innings in his busiest month. i think saito will probably be just fine, but i dont like him as the only set up guy. i think that role should be delegated to a few guys. boston was extremely careful with the way they used saito, and it paid off. bobby isnt known for using guys in that way, especially when their role is to set up the closer everynight.
for the record, i think the bullpen will be just fine…but i also honestly think bobby cox is at his worst when handling a bullpen. he will need to be a little careful with the guys this year.
Random
January 4th, 2010
11:03 am
jeffrey d (January 3rd, 2010 10:04 pm): “You’re complaining about other bloggers’ “endless conversations”?? You and Random went back and forth for what seemed like a month over some simple bet.”
Hey, now!
Exaggeration is fine — in context
— but my end of the referenced conversation began October 24th, 2009 12:20 am and ended October 25th, 2009 11:22 pm.
Less than 36 hours — it only seemed like a month.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
January 4th, 2010
11:04 am
The questions remain, who is gonna replace the overall production and presence of Kotchman/Laroche at 1st base? Glaus can’t play everyday and who us gonna back him and Chipper up at both 1st and 3rd? KJ is gone and hasn’t been replaced on the bench. Infante can’t back the entire infield by himself. Norton won’t be missed but who is going to replace his spot on the bench. Are Joe Thurston, Brent Clevlen and Mitch Jones big league material?
And the outfield, I’m not even gonna speculate about it.
Too many questions and not enough answers. Unfortunately Our Braves don’t look any different than the third place team they finished as and in fact….might be a little worse.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
11:07 am
DAP-The only set up guy? You seemingly have forgotten Moylan, O’Flaherty, Medlen (could be used at set up), Chavez, Dunn, Acosta, Marek, Ortegano, JoJo Reyes (could be used for long relief instead of Medlen), Juan Abreu, or Valdez (check out our current active roster at the Braves’ webiste). Our pen is packed, even if there are a few pieces teraded in a deal for another bat like Uggla.
Comfy Zone
January 4th, 2010
11:08 am
I’m not pretending to be able to predict the exact outcome of all the Braves offseason moves so far, but I do lean toward what many baseball scribes outside the Atlanta universe have indicated as their take on the Braves offseason so far.
Bottom line? If they don’t add another outfield bat, then they are not better than they were last year and in fact may be weaker instead of stronger.
Most agree Melky is simply a piece, not a solution. Glaus isn’t an upgrade over Laroche at first unless he can return to form of a few years back. Wagner and Saito will be a wash for Soriano and Gonzo if we’re lucky.
So at this point, lets say we are at the same point as last year after the aforementioned moves.
The tiebreaker? We lost Vazquez, that takes us UNDER where we were last year. What can take us above last years baseline instead of below?
Adding the bat we still haven’t added yet.
If that bat turns out to be non-existent, or the old, “we’re saving that payroll to make a move at the deadline,” then Atlanta seems to be weaker in 2010 than in 2009.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
11:13 am
no, lew, i havent forgotten about any of those guys. you are absolutely right, the braves have a solid bullpen. but, we both know that bobby doesnt always work it the way he should. saito was signed to set up wagner, and im afraid bobby is going to run him out there every night until he loses the job.
if bobby would use everyone right, then i think we would have very little adventure in the ‘pen this year, but is that really going to happen?
Braveheart
January 4th, 2010
11:15 am
Hey, Kung Fu Silly, will Kawakami be traded?
Random
January 4th, 2010
11:23 am
abwright (January 3rd, 2010 8:31 pm): “If the Braves dropped turkeys out of a helicopter into the stadium before a game, I bet that’d pack ‘em in.”
“Give it to me straight, Doctor — I can take it!”
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:24 am
braveheart: agree with you — it’d work great to have Nady and “slide him” to first or third in event of injury to Glaus and/or Chipper. But as I’ve said, Boras told me Nady prefers an outfield-only job description if he can get one (and it sounds to me like he certainly can get one).
Random
January 4th, 2010
11:25 am
Braveheart (January 4th, 2010 11:15 am): “Hey, Kung Fu Silly, will Kawakami be traded?”
Sod off, jackass — what do you think?
(Or have you changed your mind yet again?)
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:26 am
jeffrey d: I’ve noticed you put a lot of stock in dated lists and rosters that websites don’t bother updating until free-agent moves are finalized, etc. Do yourself a favor and don’t worry about where a free agent like Glaus is listed at this time of year. He’s a free agent who has agreed to terms with Braves, but he can’t be listed as a Brave until he passes his physical, which will finalize the contract. Should be done soon, but probably not before tomorrow.
Macon Braves (RIP)
January 4th, 2010
11:27 am
Glaus can’t play everyday and who us gonna back him and Chipper up at both 1st and 3rd?
If Glaus is recovered from his surgery, why can’t he play every day? Four of the last six seasons the guy has played 150+ games per season. Sure, he’s not gonna play all 162, but if healthy, he is perfectly capable of playing 150. He’s 33 years old and playing a corner infield position, it’s not like he’s nearing 40 and being asked to run around the outfield every game.
Don
January 4th, 2010
11:29 am
First of all, for clarification, I just noticed that there is also another “Don” posting.
Question: What kind of year did Schafer have in the minors — Did he significantly improve his ability to make consistant solid contact – or was his strike out total still high? If so, then forget him for next season. I do not understand how the Braves think that hitters who are having trouble making consistant contact in the minors are going to be successful in the majors. The Braves seem to be emphasizing power hitting in the minors instead of teaching/emphasizing making consistant contact, high BA and high OBA – and then letting the power development come.
Hillbilly
January 4th, 2010
11:29 am
In a luggage room at a Delta Hub,
There at a table, with a ticket stub,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that stole my bags.
Well, I knew that snake had my laptop bag
And a worn-out suitcase that my woman’d had,
And I knew that scar on the pouch and its luggage tag.
It was scratched and dirty and the zipper was gold,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said: “My name is ‘SEW!’ How do you do!
Now you gonna die!!”
CB
January 4th, 2010
11:29 am
I think a lot of us drink the kool aid when it fits our argument,many on the blog were against the resigning of Hudson because of the after surgery risk. Yet we look at Wagner and not have major worries? On Jan. 4th, we are not as good as we was at the end of last season. That being said,we can be better with a couple of good trades. Nobody except Holliday on the free agent market will be a major improvement,we all know that will not happen.
Random
January 4th, 2010
11:29 am
Comfy Zone (January 4th, 2010 11:08 am): “So at this point, lets say we are at the same point as last year after the aforementioned moves.
“The tiebreaker? We lost Vazquez, that takes us UNDER where we were last year. What can take us above last years baseline instead of below? Adding the bat we still haven’t added yet.”
If that’s the “tiebreaker”, then it’s still knotted up.
Getting Hudson back makes losing Vazquez more or less a wash — maybe more, maybe less.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
11:33 am
MaconBraves-Yeah, it really makes me wonder why so many are conflicted about Glaus being able to come back from surgery and play like he always has, yet so many are willing (actually clamoring) to sign Nady, who has NEVER played more than 148 games-and that only once-and never played more than 125 games in any other of his ML seasons.
AdirondackDave
January 4th, 2010
11:35 am
I don’t understand the naysayers when it comes to the Braves outlook this coming year and beyond. The rotation and bullpen looks every bit as good to me as last year (if they don’t trade Medlin). Like everybody else, I would like to see another bat but Melky isn’t chopped liver and a healthy Glaus will be a middle of the order stick we didn’t have last year. And no way Chipper doesn’t improve on last years numbers.
As for beyond ‘10 there are some truly exciting arms in coming in a few years. Finally, if we didn’t have a franchise’s once-in-a-generation prospect in Heyward about to hit the big time, we would all be talking about Freddy Freeman’s potential.
Our biggest problem is an exceptionally strong Philadelphia club but a couple key injuries could easily bring them back down to earth. I’m not concerned about the Mets, Marlins, or Nats. Looks like a bright future to me.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
11:36 am
CB-My problem with signing Hudson, as opposed to inking Vazquez to a long term deal because of his post surgery issues had more to do with Vazquez NEVER having been on the DL his entire career and his having made at least 30 starts per season for over ten straight years than any expectation of Tim actually not coming back to form.
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:37 am
The tiebreaker? We lost Vazquez, that takes us UNDER where we were last year. What can take us above last years baseline instead of below? Adding the bat we still haven’t added yet. — Comfy Zone
Without further moves, Braves might be same, weaker, or slightly better than last year. I don’t know. Have to see how Wagner, Saito and Glaus hold up, and how Chipper rebounds, etc.
However, I do think the Braves will make another move to add more offense. Don’t know how big a move, but a move.
But let’s go back to what you said about Vazquez, calling him the tiebreaker. Does that mean you’re assuming Vazquez will either A. be as good as he was last year in his career-best season, or B. will be better in 2010 than Tim Hudson, who wasn’t on the team for most of last season?
Hanson wasn’t on the team for the first two months of the 2009 season, and Hudson wasn’t on the team for the first five months.
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
11:40 am
Got to remember.. during the long stretch of division championships the Braves were always seen as good and never great. Anyalst were always ready to say that this is the year they won’t repeat. So don’t put too much faith in these so called pro analyst. Games are played on the dirt, not on paper.
Daslied
January 4th, 2010
11:40 am
Lew, people here want what they don’t have until they have it…
Blogger A: “Sign Nady!”
Blogger A: “Rosenthal tweeted Atlanta’s close with Nady!”
Blogger A: “Nady’s flying to Atlanta!”
Blogger A: “Great, we signed a guy coming off a second TJ surgery. You suck, Wren.”
Lew
January 4th, 2010
11:42 am
Maybe Vazquez wouldn’t have equalled his career best season, or maybe, being comfortable playing in Atlanta, he would have. Point is that we will never know what he might have done, because not all is or will be equal playing in New York.He might possible equal or exceed his 09 win total, but there’s no way he will post the same peripherals in that band box. His 2010 performance will be compared to his 09 year, but truly, there will be no comparison possible. Definitely a comparison of apples to kumquats situation.
ncscoots
January 4th, 2010
11:42 am
Question: What kind of year did Schafer have in the minors — Did he significantly improve his ability to make consistant solid contact – or was his strike out total still high?
He had the kind of year you usually have when you have season-ending surgery. That is, not very many plate appearances, and certainly not enough to worry about his K rate.
Might be a good idea for you to define “consistent solid contact” for us heathens, so we can actually get a feel for the type of player who is good enough for you.
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:43 am
Hillbilly: That was good. Made me laugh.
Just a few minutes ago, Delta sent us $100 vouchers and — get this — told me the baggage department apparently never got the message that we wanted to have them delivered, but that they would let them know now and get the bags to us ASAP.
I drove to the airport and picked up the bags myself 20 hours ago.
Macon Braves (RIP)
January 4th, 2010
11:44 am
Lew–I agree on Nady. I like the guy’s production…when healthy (which seems to be a term that we have to use on at least half the players in MLB), problem is he’s never been healthy for a full season.
You look at Glaus though, the guy has played in 149 or more games in 7 of his 11 seasons in the majors (He’s actually had 12 years in majors, but I’m not counting his rookie season since more than injuries contribute to games missed). I understand the guy missed practically the entire season last year with the surgery and his shoulder is and should be a concern going into 2010, but some people on here have acted like the guy has been injury prone his entire career. That’s just not the case, he’s been on the DL in four seasons in his career. He’s not a young guy anymore, but 33 is hardly an age you start looking to put players out to pasture (at least if their name isn’t Andruw Jones anyway).
Yes, Glaus’ health is a concern going into the season, but there are plenty of players out there bing counted on to perform on every team that are concerns. If the guy is healthy, he will be a great signing, if the shoulder is a problem, he was worth the risk anyway.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
11:45 am
DOBit’d work great to have Nady and “slide him” to first or third in event of injury to Glaus and/or Chipper.
i looked this up and was surprised that nady actually has played 18 innings at 3B in his career. interesting. i wouldnt think though that he would actually be a candidate to play there, and i also dont really think nady is the way to go. id rather bring in dye, who at least stayed healthy all last season.
Lew
January 4th, 2010
11:47 am
Daslied- Dude, Don’t I know it after five seasons on this blog? Couple years back it was “We have to get Rocco Baldelii (actually, based solely on his club friendly contract and our payroll problems at the time, I too was swayed)- we saw how THAT would have turned out. Then it was a constant clamor to pick up Figgins and Kotchman from the Angels. We got Casey-look how THAT turned out. Now it’s Nady. Whatever. The more things change……..
SeaAtl
January 4th, 2010
11:47 am
I see that DOB is back – Happy New Year! Aside from the late baggage, etc. I imagine it was a great trip? Is Whistler-Blackombe hosting the ski events for the Olympics? If so, I bet the place is looking even better than usual.
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:50 am
DAP: I should point out, I was responding to Braveheart. In actuality, how Nady could work to help cover 1B/3B would be his ability to play 1B, which would then permit Glaus to slide over to 3B if needed to fill in for Chipper. That would make more sense than trying to play Nady at 3B, particularly since Infante can play 3B.
But again, the thing that’s pertinent is that Nady would prefer to play outfield only, rather than sign with expectation that he could move between OF and 1B. That’s my understanding, at least, from talking to agent.
moe.
January 4th, 2010
11:50 am
7,041?
moe.
January 4th, 2010
11:50 am
damn
CB
January 4th, 2010
11:51 am
Lew, I know how you felt about Vazquez. I also would have preferred keeping him over Lowe,but it really was a no brainer to sign Hudson to a team friendly contract.
Redstick19
January 4th, 2010
11:52 am
DAP
Yeah, but it’s all about versatility to some here… Dye can’t play 3rd. Even though we have Prado, Infante and D. Hernandez to fill in the IN positions when injuries occur- some bloggers would still prefer to sign another IF backup. Given Glaus and Chipper’s injury histories, I can understand that, but it still seems we go overboard a bit on the infielders. Get a damn OF for the love of all that’s sacred!
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
11:52 am
SeaAtl: Whistler was outstanding (actually, I spent as much or more time boarding on Blackcomb). Didn’t get much snow while we were there, until last day, but the base is so huge from the record snowfall in November and early December that conditions were still good, and they were making snow to eliminate some icy spots the last few days we were there. All in all, great conditions. And two days were sunny with temps in mid-30s on the mountain, with that inversion thing in effect that makes it quite a bit warmer up on the mountain some days at Whistler than in the village.
I hardly recognized the Sea-to-Sky Highway from when I last saw it 10 years ago, they’ve widened and straightened it so much ($700 mill renovation for Olympics to make it easier and safer to drive).
Oh, and yes they’re having most skiing (Alpine events, jumping, etc.) and sliding events (bobsled, luge) and some snowboarding at Whistler/Blackcomb, but also having freestyle skiing and snowboarding at Cypress Mountain, the new venue just outside Vancouver.
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
11:55 am
Macon Braves, I agree with you on Glaus. I don’t think we can just assume the guy is injury prone by looking at last year alone. He’s been a solid player for too many years to do that. My only concern is… is he a difference maker? To that question in my opinion is No. Only because I don’t think he’s much better than we had in Laroche last year. Although we only had him for the last quarter of the season. I do however believe he could play a vital role on the team. I still think we’re missing that one piece to push us over the top.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
11:56 am
lewMy problem with signing Hudson, as opposed to inking Vazquez to a long term deal because of his post surgery issues had more to do with Vazquez NEVER having been on the DL his entire career and his having made at least 30 starts per season for over ten straight years
i DID want to re-sign hudson, but you make such a good point here. when wren rebuilt the pitching staff after an injury decimated 2008, he went after not only good pitchers, but extremely durable ones. lowe and vazquez. two guys who had never been injured, really. i think that really paid off. there is value in actually haveing the guy on the field. so far this offseason, it has been a little different. wagner, saito, glaus, hudson, all guys who are not necessarily “injury prone”, but who have had major injuries. it seems like wren is taking a bit of chance. if health is there, these guys are going to be really good, but that is a risk.
TnBrian
January 4th, 2010
11:57 am
DOB at 9:31 am… THAT’S WHAT I SAID! See, great minds think a like.
KC
January 4th, 2010
11:59 am
DOB, I agree that there is a chance (if the roster were to remain as it is) that the Braves might not much – if at all – better… If Chipper doesn’t rebound and/or isn’t healthy… if Glaus doesn’t remain healthy, etc.
However, if things go the other way; if Chipper is reasonably healthy and sharp this year, and if Glaus remains healthy… there is also a chance that the roster, as currently configured, could be much more than “slightly” better.
Heyward could be another X factor. Nothing is assured. Things could go well, or things could go poorly. But I don’t think the ceiling is “slightly better”, even if the Braves don’t add anything more (though they most likely will).
TennesseePaul
January 4th, 2010
12:01 pm
Heyman again lists the Braves as a potential bidder on Holliday.
Maybe they believe if they keep printing it it will become true… or at the least, it will become fact that the Braves bid on him and came up short.
DAP
January 4th, 2010
12:03 pm
redstick Yeah, but it’s all about versatility to some here…
i suppose you could count me in as one who wants versatility…but what i think the team needs is a OF/1B guy…a lefty to help out with glaus, and another OF who can contribute. there is a pretty good lefty/righty combo out there that i really like for the job…i think depth will be important on this team, because there is a chance this guy or that guy wont work out…and we will need to have some guys who can come in and have a great month or two, you know what i mean?
David O'Brien
January 4th, 2010
12:03 pm
KC: agreed. They could be significantly better if Glaus is close to being the former Glaus and Chipper close to being the usual Chipper. And if McLouth is close to his 2008 form, too, well then you could see where they might be quite a bit better offensively. Lot of “ifs,” but all within reason.
Arkansas Transplant
January 4th, 2010
12:04 pm
one thing that I think should also be considered is the fact that our rotation consists of nothing but right handers. I’d like to see the Braves get into the bidding on Chapman. Consider him as a first round draft pick, so sign him as much. Sure he’s a work in progress but so is any rookie in the draft. He’d be a great addition in a young rotation around 2011 or 2012 that could have Hanson, JJ and Chapman.
CB
January 4th, 2010
12:08 pm
Bay passed physical per MLBTR
DAP
January 4th, 2010
12:09 pm
10paul, Maybe they believe if they keep printing it it will become true… or at the least, it will become fact that the Braves bid on him and came up short.
wren says: we offered him a year at $5mil but he just wouldnt bite…