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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,563 comments Add your comment
O.J.
January 5th, 2010
12:47 pm
Bobby, because the Braves were trying to unload a pitcher at the time to make room in the payroll. Without said room, they couldnt really offer Cameron a contract in HOPES that they could trade a pitcher. Payroll room was needed first and by the time that happened, Cameron had already signed, so now Damon seems like a better fit.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
DOB:
Damon has nothing on Cameron defensively. Not to be rude, but did’t you hear Chipper talk about in your interview with him about the team getting back to pitching and DEFENSE.
That is why we should be aiming for player like Winn and Cameron and not players like Damon or Dye.
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
Guys, there’s a reason DOB says in his about me section no politics talk, and it’s exactly for the reason that is playing out…too much shenanigans come from it and now people are getting up in arms…leave it alone….
A sound reason for being skeptical of a scientific theory… when it is discussed it is automatically assumed to be politics and not science.
Vol4ever
January 5th, 2010
12:49 pm
Braves are not gonna sign a bat or any player for that matter that has not had a major injury and they can get for yard sale prices. Braves have become a ultra cheap organization. They will not finish any higher thatn 3rd this year and most likely fourth in the division.
darren
January 5th, 2010
12:50 pm
there’s a manager in Florida that would look great in a braves uni (most underrated manager in baseball)
Heath
January 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
Did I ever mention on here that my neighbor is an ex-playboy bunny? Her and her husband (boooooooooo!) go out to L.A. and party like rock stars a couple times of year…they get into so craaaaaaaaaaaazy stuff.
Wait. Saying that is not too controversial is it? I don’t want to get banned.
(She is awfully nice look at, though.)
Boog Sciambi
January 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
Puhhhhhllllleaaaaaaase stop filling Braves fans with the hope that they will sign Johnny Damon. Just setting everybody up for disappointment when they most certainly don’t. If the price gets so low that the Braves WOULD be interested, so will the Yankees…and they will have the upper hand just like AJ Burnett
I saw the stands last year…I don’t think they are making any more significant signings because they don’t have the money
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
DOB: I checked those stats for the last three years and the totals favor Damon until you check the home/away splits. Once you look at the away splits, Cameron seems to have a slight offensive advantage. Plus Cameron is the superior defender.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
I’m just more confident in Melky than most on here. He plays good D, and has good speed (just not a base stealer) Bats Switch and is still only 25 year old. Getting out of NY will prolly help him as well.
Matt Diaz a career 310. hitter and 358. obp. and a 347. avg vs LHP Diaz gets hits and gets on base. He should start against every LHP. What else does the guy have to do. lol
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
12:54 pm
@VaBraveFan
I understand your concern about 1B depth.
However Winn isn’t just depth, he is flat out more valuable than Cabrera or Schafer (who I have a serious man crush on but he needs to get healthy in AAA) as a tablesetter and elite defender. If Winn was added out bench could still look like this:
Winn/Diaz (whoever isn’t starting)
Cabrera (4OF and LH pinch hitter)
Ross (backup catcher)
Infante (super utility)
M.Jones or similar (power PH who can play 1B/LF if needed)
Schafer getting his bearings and healing up in AAA until ‘11 or if he is needed later in ‘10.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
12:57 pm
Purdue Thomes
I’d be happy if they got Winn or anyone for that matter. I’m just upset that DeRo wasnt a main target….. Pay 8 mil for Damon… but wont top/match the Giants offer for DeRo…… makes no sense.
Tom
January 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
There’s a guy on here, I think he’s on here – at least he used to be on the old ESPN Braves site, who’s wife is a former bunny…actually a pretty famous one – Babs from Animal House. Big Braves fan.
Tom
January 5th, 2010
12:59 pm
He was also in the Allman Bros band back in the 70’s.
Heath
January 5th, 2010
1:00 pm
Tom -
I don’t think this woman was ever famous or anything…but she is still nice. They are in their mid to late 30’s now and she has a couple of kids…but I LOVE summer time when she’s walking around with those little bity shorts and…. well….uh…. be right back.
18 Wheels of Love
January 5th, 2010
1:01 pm
I wouldn’t mind Fredi but would love to get Cito. He’s an old Bobby guy and might want to get a little bit South.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:02 pm
@VaBraveFan
I’m with you somewhat here. DeRosa would have been a nice addition but with Prado, Infante, Glaus, and possibly M.Jones all having the abilty to play multiple positions (ie 1B,2B,3B,OF)we have a pretty nice bit of flexibility (and room to add a backu 1B and Winn) already without the need to match SF’s offer. What I am concerned about the most as far as depth goes is that Escobar’s only legit backups of any kind are Infante and Diory.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:03 pm
DOB: I checked those stats for the last three years and the totals favor Damon until you check the home/away splits. — Bobby
So you’re attributing not just home-run advantages to home field, but also OBP, average, stolen bases, walks/strikeouts? And they’ve only played in the new Yankee Stadium for one year, Bobby. The old stadium didn’t produce the kind of radical disparity in home-road splits that the new stadium has.
There’s also something to what O.J. said at 12:47 — the Braves hadn’t cleared up any payroll before Cameron signed with Boston. They still didn’t want to go two years with him, and I’m sure they would prefer not to go two with Damon. But if they feel like they have to and don’t want to settle for what’s available on one-year deals later in the winter or spring, they might end up doing it. If that’s what it takes to sign a player they believe could help them. We shall see.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:04 pm
@ DOB
Cameron is still Damon’s defensive superior by quite a bit no matter how different they are at the plate. I still hope/think that defense is a priority for the Braves.
Radio Cure
January 5th, 2010
1:05 pm
VaBraveFan,
Did Braves definitely not make an offer to DeRo? I don’t know either way but I thought that he received other offers but chose the Giants because they guaranteed him a starting job.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
1:05 pm
Do I have to put periods in my name now? .W.a.y.n.e .i.n .U.t.a.h?
But what I said was true dude. You should ask yourself a question: Do I tolerate stuff that I agree with? If you are honest with yourself, the answer will be yes.
Fischerking04
January 5th, 2010
1:07 pm
Once Bobby is gone I don’t think Brian Snitker should be seriously considered, but I do, however think his mustache should be right up there near the top of the lip…uh I mean list.
That baby commands respect. Not to mention it just screams camaraderie.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:08 pm
Purdue Thomas: I agree with you on Cameron’s defense. It’s superior to Damon’s overall, no doubt. And if Braves needed a center fielder and not a left fielder, I’m fairly certain they would’ve made a bigger push for Cameron or another CF.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:10 pm
Purdue Thomas
Thats True, But most of everyone thinks we need another outfielder, DeRo could have been the LFer. After we signed Glaus it makes even more sense. DeRo can be a everyday player just at different positions. DeRo cheaper than a Damon, also backing up Glaus and Chipper who are injury prone with production if’s. Mitch Jones career minor leaguer cant really count on him being backing up 1st and Infante who is awesome but is a utility guy and i dont see him cutting it being in the lineup alot. DeRo would have made the most sense. He would cover alot of our IF’s for sure. And be a productive player we could count on.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:11 pm
@ DOB
The Sox signed Cameron to play LF because they believed his excelent D in CF would also make him an exclent defender in LF.
I know it is harder to find a good defender in CF but defense in LF is just as important as defense in CF as balls get hit both places.
What do you think about my man-crush Winn by the way. I think he will be a real value pickup in ‘10.
brian
January 5th, 2010
1:11 pm
If Damon is signed it would not surprise me if McLouth is moved down in the order. Although #6 seems to like McLouth high in the order he also seems to get into the left-right-left thing. I also like Prado in the 2 hole
Damon
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
McLouth
Heyward/Diaz
P
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:11 pm
DOB: I realize the old stadium did not. That is even more reason why using Damon’s away stats seem fair. Damon’s away/home splits for ‘07 & ‘08 were basically a push, in fact more HRs away in those two years. But you have to admit (and even mentioned at first of blog) the large disparity last year. So when comparing Damon it is most far to look at his away splits.
And yes on the road in ‘09, Damon’s walks were down, strikeouts were up, in addition to his SLG% being down over 85%.
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
1:12 pm
The totals don’t really favor Cameron on Home/Road splits.
Cameron
Split AVG..OBP..SLG..OPS HR...R SB
Home .244 .328 .447 .775 49 173 38
Away .243 .330 .447 .777 42 146 30
Damon
Split AVG..OBP..SLG..OPS HR...R SB
Home .289 .374 .451 .825 45 268 53
Away .292 .372 .431 .803 28 212 47
It appears that Damon is simply the better offensive player between the two.
W
January 5th, 2010
1:14 pm
DOB, If you had to handicap it; as of right now, who does your gut tell you would be the manager next year?
GovClintonTyree
January 5th, 2010
1:15 pm
Johnny Damon has scored 1320 runs in the last twelve years. That’s 110 a year.
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:15 pm
I don’t buy the money not being avaiable at the time for Cameron. No where have I seen it reported that the Braves considered keeping all 6 starters, so surely the assumption was that payroll would be moved. After all, they extended Hudson before the funds were there to do so.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:16 pm
Radio Cure
Who knows man…. We might have made a offer might not. But i dont see DeRo rejecting a offer close or more than the Giants offered. He would get his playing time here for sure. Since were still looking at adding a Everyday LF in Damon….. so when Heyward comes up we have 2 very good 4th OF in Melky and Diaz. Leading to trading one i would think. Unless one of them just plain suck the first half of the season.
More on Damon and the Braves | The iYankees Blog - A New York Yankees Blog
January 5th, 2010
1:16 pm
[...] to Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves can “afford to sign” the 36-year old outfielder “if they could do a one- or two-year deal for well below $10 mill [...]
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
1:16 pm
That was over the five year period suggested by DOB.
But there is a real good reason, top-o-the-list actually, for why Damon will not be a Brave:
He has been discussed in this off-season as a viable candidate.
So far the blog is zero for 673 on potential off-season acquisitions and/or trades.
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:17 pm
TennesseePaul: What time frame are you looking at for those splits?
GovClintonTyree
January 5th, 2010
1:18 pm
Look at my caveman-ish baseball metric! Runs scored! I must be a member of the flat earth society. No VORP, no WAR, no PECOTA.
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
1:18 pm
Bobby, that was from 2005-2009.
Random
January 5th, 2010
1:20 pm
Wayne in Utah (January 5th, 2010 1:05 pm): “Do I tolerate stuff that I [don't?] agree with? If you are honest with yourself, the answer will be yes.”
Oh, h3ll yeah.
You tolerate me, dontcha?
Q.E.D.
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:20 pm
TennesseePaul: I think you 5-year splits for Cameron are wrong. In his 3-year away split, he has 39HR, 132R, 24SB.
O.J.
January 5th, 2010
1:20 pm
The Braves wanted to be sure on how much payroll room they were gonna have as to what type of batter they could get. If they could have moved Lowe and his 15 million for prospects, then they could have signed a bigger impact type player or traded for a bigger bat, but since they moved Vazquez’ 11.5 million and received Melky in return, thats less money for a bat.
Yes, they knew they were going to be one less pitcher, but depending on who that pitcher was that was moved decided how much payroll room we would actually have.
And I believe they signed Hudson with the Money the knew they would be saving by letting Soriano and Gonzalez go.
RC
January 5th, 2010
1:22 pm
A Melky/Diaz platoon in 2009 would have produced a triple slash of .317/.362/.481. I think we can live with that out of our #8 hitter (assuming another OF bat is acquired).
Alan
January 5th, 2010
1:22 pm
Talking Chop just gave me an idea that I think would be better than Damon… if Cleveland would go for it (and given their salary/budget bind, they just might). I propose trading Jordan Shaefer and a pitching prospect for Grady Sizemore. Play him in CF, moving McLouth to LF. Now you get an impact bat, a Gold Glove OF, and a speed guy to lead off… for less than Damon. Cleveland gets salary relief and an ML-ready CF guy who might otherwise be blocked in Atlanta.
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:24 pm
TennesseePaul: From 2005-2009, Cameron on the road hit 55HR, scored 197R, and had 42SB. Like I said your splits are wrong. Plus Cameron only played 76 games in 2005 due to freak collision in outfield with teammate.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:24 pm
Alan
That wouldnt be enough for Sizemore.
ncscoots
January 5th, 2010
1:24 pm
If Damon is signed it would not surprise me if McLouth is moved down in the order.
Seems to me that the surprise would be if he wasn’t. Damon certainly doesn’t fit the bill as a run-producing middle bat, and McLouth is the only other guy on the squad with any kind of sock, at all. Acquiring a leadoff guy makes sense only if the Braves determine that they cannot acquire a power bat better than McLouth, and THAT means that the notion of adding impact offense will have gone by the wayside.
Heck, maybe that’s the best they can do this year, who knows?
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:25 pm
RC
Thats what i’m talking about. Let them Platoon.
P-Town Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:26 pm
DOB-
While I appreciate your thoughts on a lineup w/ Damon in it (your welcome btw, as I believe myself and Wayne mentioned him and his stats about 2 weeks or so ago)…
Anyways, back on topic..while your lineup is decent, McLouth is no 2 hitter…thats why I believe this would be the proper way to go:
w/o Heyward:
Damon lf
Prado 2b
Jones 3b
Glaus 1b
McCann c
Escobar ss
McLouth cf
Diaz/Cabrera rf
w/ Heyward:
Damon lf
Prado 2b
Jones 3b
McCann c
Glaus 1b
Heyward rf
Escobar ss
McLouth cf
Purdue-
Hope thats your real name…hate to bash you because of my distaste for the Boilers and the Big Ten
So, you mention the comparisons of Winn and Damon…
You’re forgetting one big thing my friend…and thats winning! I don’t recall Randy Winn being on any playoff teams at all, let alone having the credentials Johnny Damon has…the guy just is a winner and a great clubhouse presence…keeps things loose, which has been needed for awhile now in Atlanta on all accounts.
I just don’t see any situation the Braves lose here if they can add a Johnny Damon to the top of the order and throw that lineup at opposing pitchers with an outstanding starting staff and what I feel is an all-around upgraded pen.
csg
January 5th, 2010
1:26 pm
DOB, why would the Braves consider giving Damon a two yr deal, when thats the only reason why they didnt pursue Cameron or Derosa? Seems like the RH who play good defense wouldve been better selections for this team
Braveheart
January 5th, 2010
1:27 pm
Plus, you can argue that Damon satisfies a particular goal of getting a top of the lineup hitter while Cameron just gives them yet another 6th/7th hitter on a team seemingly overloaded with 6th/7th hitters miscast sometimes at the top of the lineup or in the heart of the order. Plus, there were other 6th, 7th hitters available on the market at a likely cheaper cost than Cameron.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:27 pm
Just on a side note, All the times i mentioned the team needing a Real leadoff guy i got burned everytime. But everyone wants one….
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:28 pm
OJ: Then how do you explain the Wagner and Saito signings?
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
1:28 pm
Bobby: You are correct. The sum didn’t include the correct parameters for away. Here they are again:
Cameron
Split AVG..OBP..SLG..OPS HR...R SB
Home .244 .328 .447 .775 49 173 38
Away .263 .351 .476 .827 55 197 42
Damon
Split AVG..OBP..SLG..OPS HR...R SB
Home .289 .374 .451 .825 45 268 53
Away .294 .353 .457 .810 42 259 58
bravo1966
January 5th, 2010
1:28 pm
When is Glaus going to be official?
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:30 pm
Braveheart: Camerom has more ABs over the last 3-years at #2 than #7 in the lineup and basically the same at #3 and #4 as #7.
braves4ever
January 5th, 2010
1:31 pm
DOB , its been kinda fun on here today ,seeing why Global anything came up, man the problem is everyone’s stir crazy, Its cold ,did I say cold, only news in 10 days is your speculation of Damon . What do you expect from the denzys, they need some real meat , and we still have 2 months or so to even get going .
unbelievable
January 5th, 2010
1:31 pm
when you think of Sizemore start thinking thats he’s one of the elite CF’s in the game. He’s the main attraction in Cleveland (besides Lebron, wrong sport). His #’s were down in 2009, but his value to them hasnt declined too much.
Think of Schafer as not being the main piece that they’ll want in a trade for him. They’ll want 4-5 top prospects
beekay
January 5th, 2010
1:31 pm
Could we try small ball and go with an outfield of Schafer,Melky, and Mcclouth with Diaz platooning until Heyward comes up?….if Schafer has another big spring. Save the money and see if someone is available late spring for cheap(ala ODawg last year). If Damon is still unsigned in March, maybe he signs an incentive based deal
Bobby
January 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
TennesseePaul: Now that you have corrected the statistics are you also going to correct your mis-statement? “It appears that Damon is simply the better offensive player between the two.”
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
Random
Yes, but just barely!
(what I said was true……..)
RC
January 5th, 2010
1:33 pm
Sizemore’s $8.5 option for 2012 becomes a player option if he is traded, meaning the Braves would only have him under contract for 2 years if they acquired him. Combine that with the fact that you’d be trading away your OWN answer to CF for the next 6 years (Schafer), as well as Sizemore’s stature in Cleveland, and you have the problem that his worth more to them than he would be to us.
P. W. Hjort
January 5th, 2010
1:33 pm
How about this deal for Damon:
1-year deal, $3 million base salary, PA incentives–$1 million for every 300, 400, 500, and 600 PA’s.
2011 mutual option for whatever his 2010 salary was (depending on PA’s, of course). Becomes a player option if Damon spends less than 15 days on the disabled list.
O.J.
January 5th, 2010
1:35 pm
Simple, they knew they were going to trade a pitcher to clear payroll for a bat, but they didnt know who, but knew it could be done. So they signed Hudson to an extension ( I could be wrong on the part about the money being from Gonzo and Sori being gone). They signed Saito and Wagner with the money they saved from letting Gonzo and Sori go, but Sori accepted arbitration, putting them in a bind. So they had to focus on getting rid of him and a starter before moving on to a hitter, which by then, Cameron was off the market.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
1:36 pm
beekay
Hey, last time I responded to one of your posts, all hell broke lose!
I think the Braves need to exercise patience. I don’t think Damon puts us over the top. We need to wait it out a bit, and see what our kids do in the spring before spending that kind of money, imo. BUT, what do I know, I think the sky is falling, haven’t you heard!
Daslied
January 5th, 2010
1:37 pm
What is with the DeRosa infatuation around here?
Fischerking04
January 5th, 2010
1:37 pm
PW Hjowrt- Although your contract scenario for Damon makes sense I don’t think it would ever happen. Mostly because Damon’s demands started off so much higher than that so it would probably be seen as an insult.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:38 pm
Daslied
DeRosa in my thinking made the most sense for this team. definitly after signing Glaus.
RC
January 5th, 2010
1:39 pm
PW Hjowrt- Although your contract scenario for Damon makes sense I don’t think it would ever happen. Mostly because Damon’s demands started off so much higher than that so it would probably be seen as an insult.
Agreed. While that is a fair contract, he’ll be offered more I think.
unbelievable
January 5th, 2010
1:40 pm
“”"”"”Could we try small ball and go with an outfield of Schafer,Melky, and Mcclouth with Diaz platooning until Heyward comes up?….”"”"”"”"
why would we platoon our two best OF’rs, while starting Melky and Schafer every day?
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:41 pm
We should have Glaus signing confirmation at any time.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:42 pm
Fisherking04
I agree, He isnt a injury prone guy and if other teams knew that was our deal they’d just say hey how about a 1yr deal for 6 mil guareenteed. The Yanks are still interested and prolly wont let him slip away so cheaply. But the Yanks have kinda changed because they were interested in DeRo as well and didnt get aggressive. Damon will most likely get gaurenteed deal no incentives.
bry22
January 5th, 2010
1:42 pm
Okay, maybe just maybe if the stars line up and no injury and return to a young form of himself, Glaus would be of help offensively. I love the Braves! I hope they get enough hitting to go with a good starting rotation. Trade Mulkey to Nats for Dunn and we will be contenders.
Braveheart
January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
The Braves are short on cash, short on upper level prospects, and short on expendable proven talent on the major league roster. If they could do better, they likely would. RIght now, they’re kind of short on expendable and/or valuable resources with which to play with. All they’ve got are Heyward, Schafer, Freeman and seven million to play with. They’re not gonna trade Heyward. Schafer’s trade value has taken a major hit. Freeman could likely go in the right deal, but you’d need other valuable and expendable resources to package Freeman with to get the impact bat sought, especially since Freeman has some work to do after what he showed in AA. Maybe by July, some of those young arms have done something above a low A level to spike their trade value, Schafer has set the world on fire and made McLouth expendable, Medlen has shown he’s something special, and the fans are appearing at the Ted closer to 40,000 strong rather than 30,000 weak. Maybe then, you’d have the right mix of expendable major league ready talent, valuable upper level prospect, valuable up and coming pitching prospects, and expendable cash to get a big bopper that’ll be more than a rental. Right now, that just ain’t so. As a result, you unfortunately have to make do. It sucks, but it is what it is.
Alan
January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
We have more prospects to offer *if* Cleveland would bite on Sizemore (obviously a huge question)… the questions I would raise on Schaefer vs. Sizemore is whether (a) we believe that Jordan’s upside reaches that of a guy like Sizemore; and (b) whether the team is willing to wait. In other words, what’s the true price for an “impact bat” and is it worth that price? It’s becoming evident that they are few and far between.
18 Wheels of Love
January 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
Das, Mr or Mrs Derosa?
ncscoots
January 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
What is with the DeRosa infatuation around here?
Same as the Cameron infatuation, I imagine. Or the Nady infatuation. Or the Damon infatuation. Or…well, you get the idea. The names are easy to spell, and, on the surface, the players in question seem to offer…something, LOL.
Hot-stove slowdowns tend to turn bloggers into denizens on meth, and they’ll throw out any name for a fix.
Luckily, no one ever brings this stuff up later and forces an author to look at it; that would be like waking up and going coyote.
beekay
January 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
Wayne
Keep posting, I often agree with your posts…I think that if politics are banned which I agree with than Springsten should be banned as well. He is more of a political ffigure now than a musician. His last few albums are far worse than his previous and all he ever talks about is left wing politics. If we can’t discuss Gore,Obama,Bush etc…than Springsteen should be banned a swell.
bry22
January 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
DOB-
We have what, 7-9 mil left to spend? Is that about right?
beekay
January 5th, 2010
1:47 pm
unbelieveable
I meant platooning Diaz at all spots depending on righty/lefty matchups
Andrew in PA
January 5th, 2010
1:49 pm
I think Sizemore could be had if you make a nice package.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:49 pm
Beekay: Then I’d suggest you go to a blog where Springsteen is banned. Because I can assure you, it ain’t happening here. Neither will, say, Nugent be banned, and they couldn’t view a lot of things much differently than they do. That doesn’t mean we have to elaborate on said things in this space. We can do that with friends and like-minded folks, or go to other vitriol-filled chat rooms or websites and argue it out. But not here. Most of us know how to toe the line when it comes to this blog, without kicking and destroying it. Helps for enjoyment of all. Why that line is so hard for some to understand or respect, I’ll never know.
al
January 5th, 2010
1:50 pm
A few thoughts: Everyone seems to be discounting Matt Diaz as a “fourth outfielder” or “platoon player”. The man hit .313 with an OBP of .390. Those look like top of the order numbers to me- maybe the lead off hitter that we have been looking for everywhere else but on our own roster. To what extent do the performance bonuses of Saito, Glaus and Wagner factor into the total payroll? The outfield looks pretty full right now without adding Damon, Dye or Nady. I think that Wren will have to sign a quality Pinch hitter/bench player that can play 1B as insurance against the possibility that Glaus will miss significant time. You don’t want to have to play Prado there unless absolutely necessary. Starting rotation is complete barring injury and bullpen is well stocked.
Daslied
January 5th, 2010
1:53 pm
What if Atlanta signs Damon, and still explores a Melky-Uggla swap? Leave Uggla at 2b, rotate Prado between 2nd, 1st, 3rd, RF and LF to give guys days off. With Chipper, Glaus and Damon likely benefitting from a regular day off Prado would get plenty of ABs.
Until Heyward comes up, a Diaz/Prado platoon would be fine – Prado hits RHP much better than Diaz. Prado also has a .900 OPS in 52 pinch-hit PAs. He could pretty much be DeRosa, but younger, cheaper and, um, better.
Of course, this depends on signing Damon and for how much. The difference between Cabrera’s and Uggla’s salaries will be, what, $4MM? Do you give Damon a two-year deal, for $5MM in 2010 and $7-8MM in 2011? Do you buy out Uggla’s final arb year with something like a 2-year, $12MM contract?
Fischerking04
January 5th, 2010
1:53 pm
ncscoots- “The names are easy to spell, and, on the surface, the players in question seem to offer…something,”
Now I really don’t understand why a lot of people want to trade Schaefffer.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
1:53 pm
al
I agree about Diaz, but just against LHP. I posted earlier. He’s a career 347. hitter vs LHP.
Arkansas Transplant
January 5th, 2010
1:54 pm
All this talk about Sizemore, do you really think we’d be better off? Look at his stats, they have declined every year since ‘06. He’s an extreme free swinger, he does however walk quite a bit, has good power but not really sure he’s any better than Mclouth. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see Sizemore in Atl but not at the expense of lossing Schafer. Schafer could very well be as good or better, don’t forget he’s only 23, Sizemore is 27.
TennesseePaul
January 5th, 2010
1:54 pm
Bobby: No. I don’t think Cameron is the better of the two offensively. Even with the corrected stats. Cameron has a slight advantage in power but is less consistent and has 130 more K’s during that time period. K/BB ratio over that period: Cameron 2.2, Damon 1.5.
I’d still take Damon’s bat over Cameron. Defense is a different matter altogether. And it still doesn’t make much sense to sign Damon for two years and not Cameron. While I think Damon is the better of the two, I don’t think he is worth an extra year, even though he is 11 month younger.
Braveheart
January 5th, 2010
1:54 pm
Braveheart: Camerom has more ABs over the last 3-years at #2 than #7 in the lineup and basically the same at #3 and #4 as #7.
That’s pretty sad, and reflective of the teams he played for more than of Cameron’s talent. He’s got the hitting talent of a 6th/7th hitter. His talent, and his avg, obp, slg, ops, runs scored, rbis all reflect that.
Francouer hit cleanup alot for the Mets last year, is he a friggin’ cleanup hitter, or is he lucky to even be on anyone’s 40 man roster, nevermind anyone’s lineup?
Mark Biles
January 5th, 2010
1:56 pm
Personally, I think the Braves will go with Melky in CF flanked by Diaz in LF and McClouth in RF. I believe Heyward will also make the team right out of spring training.
I believe Wren will save the money to see how the OF is doing and pull the trigger on a trade by 7/31 if it’s not working, but who knows?
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:57 pm
A Winn/Diaz platoon would have produced this line last year:
.332/.390/.478/.868
2B: 45
HR: 12
SB: 16
UZR/150: 29.1
I don’t get why nobody is clamoring for that to be our leadoff and elite defensive combo?
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
January 5th, 2010
1:59 pm
The Saito signing is inexplicable! IMO
Fischerking04
January 5th, 2010
1:59 pm
Mark Biles: They would never bring Heyward up just to be a bench player.
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
January 5th, 2010
2:01 pm
I heard one guy from Foxsports on his offseason wrap-up…(he had the Braves as the biggest losers of the offseason to this point BTW)…that Saito may need Tommy John…
Is this true…is he having more elbow problems..or was this incorrect information.
tiger297
January 5th, 2010
2:01 pm
on DOB’s 1:49…whats the over/under % of blog denizens who don’t know the definition of vitriol
Arkansas Transplant
January 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
Personally, I’d much rather tempt Toronto into trading Lind for a package that would include Mclouth, Delgado, Valdez and JoJo/Marek. Then a package that could possibly bring Sizemore to Atl. Allowing us to continue to use Diaz as a 4th OFer and moving Cabrera to CF. Diaz spelling Heyward in tough matchups in RF. This would also allow the Braves luxury to let Schafer play at AAA until he’s ready to take over. An outfield of Lind, Schafer/Cabrera, Diaz/Heyward would be a stout proposition. Diaz being the older statesman.
BT
January 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
Had no idea Springsteen has been blogging with us. Is he a Mets or Phillies fan?
Braveheart you may be correct on your thoughts but if true they depressing.
Random
January 5th, 2010
2:04 pm
Bobby (January 5th, 2010 1:15 pm): “I don’t buy the money not being avaiable at the time for Cameron. No where have I seen it reported that the Braves considered keeping all 6 starters, so surely the assumption was that payroll would be moved. After all, they extended Hudson before the funds were there to do so.“
Immaterial. Irrelevant.
The Braves were forced by Hudson’s contract to either exercise his $12M 2010 option or release him ($1M buyout) within a few days following the World Series. The extension had to be negotiated within that timeframe, if the Braves were intent on keeping him.
Plus, the Braves did not have a surplus of starters until after they extended Hudson.
VaBraveFan
January 5th, 2010
2:05 pm
If Heyward Begins season in Atlanta, he’ll be starting in RF almost playing everyday with Diaz prolly starting vs tough lefties. He wont be in a platoon in the Bigs, it would be better for him to Gets everyday playing time and AB’s in AAA than be on Atlanta’s 25 man roster as a platoon guy.
beekay
January 5th, 2010
2:08 pm
The Tribe would never trade Grady Size for anyone but a top level cheap guy. They would want a Hanson or Heyward for him. He is the face of the franchise…..DOB no problem by me if you balance it with Nugent. I don’t care for his music but at least he would balance out Bruce….I used to like Bruce and Sean Penn but got tired of the same old political bs that they bring up at every possible event….wish they would stick to acting and singing.
Greg in TN
January 5th, 2010
2:08 pm
Afternoon folks…
I think Braveheart’s post at 1:27 captured my frame of mind in how the team appears to be approaching a Damon acquisition quite nicely. If the Braves are able to land Johnny D at a reasonable price to lead off, it allows McLouth to bat lower in the order and makes the lineup stronger than adding another moderate power bat and shoehorning him in. Just don’t see any realistic way to add a young bat with excellent power, a low K rate and under club control for enough years to make the price demands worth it for this organization.
At this point, I’m not so sure Schafer will be ready to try and win a roster spot this spring after missing a fairly sizable chunk of ‘09. I think having Heyward in Gwinnett to begin 2010 to see some more AAA pitching might work out best in the long run. Don’t get me wrong, it wouldn’t bother me to see him lighting up the Grapefruit League and breaking camp with the big club either.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
2:08 pm
DOB (in response to your post to beekay)
It’s because if you are on one side of the argument, you are wrong. If you are on the other side of the argument, you let sheeyt slide. Your colors show, my man. I know I can be an azz. I started this one with a comment to beekay, and then all hell broke loose. I made 2 original posts.
Then, in reprimanding me, you basically was supporting the other side of that argument, by telling me that I didn’t know what I was talking about.
This time I started it….I was wrong.
Other times little snippets are posted and so long as they are coming from the left persuasion, they are tolerated.
If you deny this, then you are not being honest with yourself.
So give me crap for being a jerk and starting stuff to be controversial, but I do it because you and others tolerate the other sheeyt that offends me.
raleighbravefan
January 5th, 2010
2:11 pm
Some of you guys need to get real. What are you smoking? The trades and FA signings you propose are unbelievable. The other teams have GMs that know something about baseball, the players, and the money. If Wren proposed some of these trades, no one would even take his calls. They all sound great to you because you want something, but won’t give up anything. Also, FAs must agree to the terms you propose in order to sign them. For example, did you ever consider that DeRo might have signed with Giants because he wanted to play 3rd full time, or maybe he loves San Francisco. You have no idea what was offered, and what were considerations beyond $$$.
Wren has a tough job, with the salary restraints he is REQUIRED to work with. I think he has put together a team with pretty good potential, and he probably isn’t done yet. He may not be done until Spring is over, or even up to trade deadline. Why don’t you give the man a chance, and see what develops. The long-term health of the team requires that you hang on to most of your top prospects. Some of you want to trade them all away, then b**** and moan when we make a Tex type deal that doesn’t work out.