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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,563 comments Add your comment
TnBrian
January 5th, 2010
12:01 am
A triple wammy for Lentz at 11:53,11:55,11:56 and if N8 and Robert hadn’t gotten in the way it’d have been a quadruple wammy.
CB969
January 5th, 2010
12:01 am
DOB,
I am certainly not suggesting this, but is there any possibility that Wren does something crazy like resign Garret Anderson?
BravesFanChris25
January 5th, 2010
12:03 am
TnBrian
I know wrestling is entertainment television ~_~
It’s going to be fun heading into WrestleMania.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:03 am
I would like to see the Braves move on someone like Dye, Nady or trade for someone cheap like Luke Scott. Hold Heyward and them down for one more year of seasoning. Bring the youngins next year and go sign Werth.
Robert
January 5th, 2010
12:04 am
Dye career adjusted ops 111 for $1-2 mil
or Damon’s 105 for $6-7 mil plus
lemme see here
even Cox could get this one right
Salty Dawg
January 5th, 2010
12:04 am
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z-”…He’s made 3 Pro Bowls…Peyton Manning was called a choker until he took the Colts to the Super Bowl. Manning has been a starter in the NFL since 1998. He didnt win his first Super Bowl until 2006. That’s 9 years as a starting QB. The previous 8 years, the Manning was punished by the Patriots in the play-offs.”
Wow, 3 whole pro bowls huh. Look, Peyton Manning is a legitimate Hall of Fame qb. As you said, he has been in the league since 1998 and has put up amazing numbers in that time. The Super Bowl does not define a quarterback (see Dan Marino). When Peyton hangs it up his name will be in the record books. Not even in the same league brother.
“This is Romo’s 4th year as a starter. You might want to remember that. Romo still has plenty of career left to accomplish what lies ahead of him.”
In case it was unclear, this was my entire point. His 4th year as a starter and you are comparing him to Favre and Manning. As I said, he may end up being a great quarterback, but you seem to want to give him the key to the kingdom in his 4th year when his greatest achievement to date is 3 pro bowl appearances. Well color me impressed. Check back in 6 or 7 years when it would be reasonable to be having this conversation.
Heath
January 5th, 2010
12:04 am
More impressive win tonight?
C of C over UNC (my personal favorite as a UK fan) or BSU over TCU?
VOR
January 5th, 2010
12:06 am
“BSU”… Why does that make me chuckle?
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:07 am
I agree Minnesota will be tough to beat in their dome. They match up very well against the Cowboys. They are both big, very physical teams. It should be a very interesting game if the Cowboys get past the Eagles.
BravesFanChris25
January 5th, 2010
12:07 am
I gotta go to bed, work tomorrow is picking up.
Redstick19
January 5th, 2010
12:12 am
sign Damon, then trade him to Fla. for Uggla. Call it an offseason…
Gumbylovespokey
January 5th, 2010
12:13 am
CB969,
Only if he can get a Medicare supplier to throw in a free Hover-Round!
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
12:17 am
N8………didnt the Falcons back in 1998 go into Minnesota and beat a 15-1 Vikings team in the NFC Championship game?
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
12:19 am
Jaglawyer………when I talk about the Braves, I commonly say “we”. I’m well aware of the fact that I dont play for the Braves, lol. However, as a long time fan (since 1982), I’ve put my time in from the good (our run of 14 division titles) to the bad (the mid to late 80’s) to confidently say “we” when talking about the Braves.
Commenting on my “we” comment is trivial and childish on your part.
richbrave
January 5th, 2010
12:20 am
Please no more old guys. We’re stocked up in that department. WAGNER, LOWE, SAITO, KAWAKAMI, JONES, GLAUS, ROSS are enough.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:20 am
Paul
Bret Farve handing the torch to Roma? HA!
Give me a frecking break…but thanks Paul, I needed a laugh…(LOL).
TnBrian – With Bret Hart returning to the old stomping grounds tonight (sorta-speak) too bad f*king Luger had to (not literally kill Miss Elizabeth..but got her into the drugs, etc that did eventally kill her) in 2003. I still can not believe she’s gone. She’s one who I feel deserves to be in the WWF/WWE HOF.
One word that would describe her…and that’s classy.
drummerdad
January 5th, 2010
12:21 am
I’d go for Damon. I would not go for Uggla. I would go for Damon before I would go for another round with DeRo because Damon has achieved levels those guys have not and he was a major part of why Boston and New York won.
P-Town Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:21 am
Remember Nolie posting one b4, but does anyone have a good site for watching tv shows?
Robert
January 5th, 2010
12:21 am
Trivia question
what non-pitcher holds the record for games played (68) without scoring a run?
richbrave
January 5th, 2010
12:23 am
The Grinch
January 4th, 2010
10:53 pm
I’m rather fond of rutting, myself.
Yee-haw. F******A !!!!
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
12:23 am
Patton Oswalt on Conan. He’s hilarious even when he can’t use the off-color language he uses so much in his nightclub act….
Got a CD after Christmas — Scott Biram’s Something’s Wrong/Lost Forever and just listened to it for first time tonight (no CD player in our hotel room in Canada). Holy … it’s terrific. Would definitely have been in my top 25 or so for the year, and that’s just after first listen.
Don’t even know how to describe him, other than to say he’s a Texan steeped in blues, but also combines classic rock and some country, and it’s mostly dark stuff. Like some sort of soundrack to a disturbing Southern Goth movie never made. And what a songwriter. Man, this dude’s the real deal. Gonna have to find some of his earlier stuff. He’s on the Bloodshot Records label.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
12:23 am
Salty Dawg………Romo has matured in the past 4 years. If you cant see that, there is no reasoning with you. He’s still young and plays on a real good football team that is poised to compete for the next several years.
I’m confident that Romo will continue to show that he is an elite QB that isnt going anywhere. He’ll be the Cowboys’ QB for the next 10 years and will make his mark in the NFL.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
12:24 am
richbrave
Hey, what’s wrong with old guys??? I resemble that remark. Though I defer to all of my “elders” on the blog!
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
12:26 am
Romo, shmomo. If he plays on a Jerry Jones team, I would hope that he would lose a majority of the games he plays for the rest of his time on that team.
My favorite 3 teams, 49′ers, Colts and whoever is playing the Cowgirls!
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:27 am
Paul
Hell, even ole Brady has better taste in women than ole Romo. I mean, come on.
Let’s see here….Gisele Bundchen vs Jessica *blonde bimbo* Simpson.
Yeah, pretty easy choice…(LOL).
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:27 am
Lentz
How do you like the move for Roy Williams? Don’t know if you’re aware but what they gave up for Williams is what Arizona was looking for for Boldin.
unbelievable
January 5th, 2010
12:28 am
Most Consecutive Games Without a Run Scored, 1956-2008
(minimum 1 PA in each game)
Smoky Burgess, 148 games, 6/30/1965 to 6/23/1967
.283/.373/.346 in 127 AB
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:28 am
Wayne
I never have liked Jerry Jones either, and while I have never been a Cowgirls fan, it was a pretty crappy deal with that he did with Landry.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
12:29 am
Tonight on this blog has got to be the first time I’ve heard anyone point to durability as a concern with Johnny Damon. The man has over 600 plate appearances for 12 consecutive seasons, and has played more than 140 games in each of his 14 full seasons in the majors. What on earth would lead someone to cite durability as an issue with this guy? Of all things.
His durability and “motor” — his energy — are regarded as strengths, just so you know.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:31 am
Hey DOB
Got a question…..does the AJC have a facebook page and do you have a facebook page?
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:31 am
opps….okay, that’s two questions…(Lol).
Flatbill Kid
January 5th, 2010
12:32 am
Great bloggage DOB.
Trade Melky and a prospect to FLA for Uggla, and sign Damon. Is that possible moneywise? who cares… then this is the lineup.
1. Damon
2. McLouth
3. Chipper
4. Glaus
5. McCann
6. Uggla
8. Diaz/Prado/Heyward
9. JJJ
Not much of a place for Prado and I love what he did for us last year but it is a small sample size.
Whaddya think denizens?
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
12:32 am
Frank from KS: Yes, the facebook page is AJC Braves.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:33 am
DOB
Do you think the Braves would have any interest in Luke Scott? Still young and affordable, can play OF and 1B, and has power.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
12:33 am
Remember Nolie posting one b4, but does anyone have a good site for watching tv shows? P’Town
I use the one that nolie posted to download tv shows.
http://thepiratebay.org/
if you just want to watch hulu has a lot of tv
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:34 am
DOB – thanks
unbelievable
January 5th, 2010
12:34 am
just dont see how Damon’s value could fall far enough to entice the Braves and at the same time the Yanks passing on him.
Wayne in Utah
January 5th, 2010
12:35 am
Frank
Bingo on the Landry treatment. Never was a Cowgirls fan, but Landry was a class act.
c jonze
January 5th, 2010
12:36 am
Not sure why everyone is talking about Damon. Now that DOB has featured him in an off-season blog, it is certain that he will sign elsewhere, and might even deny that he likes Bobby Cox at all.
Mountain Braves Fan
January 5th, 2010
12:37 am
Dye would not be horrible. He hits left handed pitching well, hits for power, and has said he wants to play in the field rather than DH. I think the problem last year with the White Sox is he was overused the first half of the season, and then he wore down the second half (some think he played through a back injury the second half when his numbers were so bad). If the Braves do get Dye, they should rest him one game a week against right handed starters.
My preference would be for the Braves to trade for Michael Cuddyer, who ticks off all my requirements for what the Braves need: he hits for power, he is a legitimate cleanup hitter from the right side, he is an above average corner outfielder, he hits left handed pitching well, and he can fill in at first base if (when) needed. I know, I know, he’s not available, the Twins are moving into a new stadium, they are trying to sign Mauer long term, and trading Cuddyer could botch the deal. But trading Cuddyer could, ultimately, be the only way the Twins can afford to keep Mauer, their franchise player who will be a free agent after the 2010 season if the Twins don’t lock him up.
Damon is a quality hitter, but I don’t think his particular skill set is what the Braves need. If Glaus or Chipper go down, he can’t provide the power that the lineup needs. Dye or Cuddyer could.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:40 am
I think the Twins have already said that Cuddyer is unavailable.
N8
January 5th, 2010
12:42 am
“didnt the Falcons back in 1998 go into Minnesota and beat a 15-1 Vikings team in the NFC Championship game?” Lentz
Yeah. Because Gary Anderson (who didn’t miss a FG the entire season), missed a frickin FG at the end of the game. And because Dennis Green might be 2rd in line behind Marty Shottenheimer for being one of the greatest regular season coaches in the NFL, and also one of the biggest choke artists come post-season time. If you recall, Green sat on the ball at the end of the first half, with timeouts remaining and one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Think that a possible FG might have been helpful come the end of regulation?
NOT because the Dallas Cowboys came in and rattled Brett Favre.
Sorry. Two different scenarios. Two different teams. If the Cowboys get as far as playing in the Metrodome….. they won’t win.
If the game were in Dallas? Different story. Cowboys are certainly good enough to beat that Vikings team in Dallas.
Think about it man. You (the Cowboys) went 5-3 on the road. Two of those wins were against Washington and my Chiefs (and you needed overtime to beat KC). Wow. Impressive.
The Vikings? They went 8-0 at home, outscoring opponents 262 (32.5 average – and the LEAST amount of points they scored at home were 27 in week 3), to 124 (15.5 average). They gave up more than 27 points at home ONCE (31 to Baltimore in week 6 – they still won 33-31).
If you’re interested, the Cowboys scored 177 points on the road (22.18 points per game), and scored more than 33 points on the road ONCE. A week 1 win against Tampa.
Yeah. That matchup would have all the makings of a Cowboys win, huh?
Please don’t ever “make” me have to look up Vikings and Cowboys stats again. Though it was fun letting you know how much of a Cowboys homer you are being…..ON THE BRAVES BLOG!
At least when I talk about the Chiefs, I talk about how crappy they are.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:42 am
MBF
I’m one here that is so hoping FW is smart and goes and gets Dye. The Braves need ONE more major bat in the lineup.
If Dye is obtained, I think he will provide the additional major bat in the lineup the Braves need that they sure as heck didn’t have last year…and that will (I think) get them over the hump and get Bobby and the Braves into the playoffs and hopefully WS to send Bobby out a winner.
Wayne – yes, Landry was very much so a class-act.
Mike S
January 5th, 2010
12:44 am
Lovin having the Grinch back in the saddle… Welcome back!
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:45 am
N8
I’m also a Chumps…..errrr, Chiefs fan (LOL)…and where in the world did that win come from yesterday? :O
They literally whipped a Denver Bronco’s team to death.
Where was that the whole season? (LOL)
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
12:46 am
I just love all these options:
Johnny Damon, 36 or Jermaine Dye, 36-to be
I hear Minnie Minoso is looking into a comeback. — gcs
If gcs were GM of the Yankees, I guess the Phillies today would be two-time reigning World Series champions.
Some YANKEES and their AGES during 2009 season
Jorge Posada 37
Derek Jeter 35
Johnny Damon 35
Hideki Matsui 35
Andy Pettitte 37
Mariano Rivera 39
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
12:46 am
Here’s the most meaningful difference between the WWE and TNA: Tonight, WWE filled up an arena. TNA filled up a studio. A difference of probably 15-20K fans in attendance.
Kind of like the difference between seeing a Phillies game in Philly as opposed to seeing a Braves game in Atlanta.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:47 am
The thing I really like about Dye is, heaven forbid, if Glaus gets hurt we still will have a RH hitter capable of hitting 4th.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
12:49 am
P’cola Brave…….I agree that Roy Williams hasnt played up to expectations. However he has shown flashes of being able to contribute. Maybe he use the play-offs as an opportunity to step up.
Regardless, the Cowboys have other weapons in Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Felix Barber and an assortment of supporting cast to help Tony Romo.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:52 am
N8
I’m also in agreement with you in that I definately can foresee Lowe having a MUCH better season this coming season than he did last year…and even 15 wins isn’t bad, but I think he’ll have a much stronger season as far as wins are concerned. I’m thinking maybe, 18, 19, 20 wins out of Lowe.
I also think with one year of experience in the majors and in America…I think KK will have a much stronger season this coming season as well. With the one year in the majors under his belt can only help his progress…..definately not hinder it..(LOL).
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:52 am
Personally I think Roy Williams is just a waste. He hasn’t stepped up his whole career. To me he just seems lazy. No wonder Romo likes Austin and Crayton more than Williams.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
12:53 am
if Glaus gets hurt we still will have a RH hitter capable of hitting 4th. P’Cola
not if he hits anything like he did the last 4 months of last season we wouldn’t. On the very bottom of my list. He looked utterly lost last summer.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
12:53 am
Meanwhile, the Braves’ most-used eight starting position players in 2009 were C Brian McCann (25), 1B Casey Kotchman (26), 2B Martin Prado (25), shortstop Yunel Escobar (26), CF Nate McLouth (27), RF Jeff Francoeur (25) and a pair of 37-year-olds, 3B Chipper Jones and LF Garret Anderson, the latter now gone.
DOB Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
January 5th, 2010
12:54 am
Braves answer to outfield questions: Raul Mondesi. Done.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:55 am
I truely believe the Braves rotation will be better than it was in ‘09. Hudson, Lowe, an Jurrgens should win 15+ with ERA below 4. KK should have a good year, most Japanese pitchers have big years in year two of the MLB. As for Hanson the sky is the limit as long as he avoids the sophomore slump.
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
12:56 am
Frank: If you want another DH in the outfield, then Dye should be considered. But I’d hardly call Wren “smart” if he goes that route–again!
Coach (2011 or Bust)
January 5th, 2010
12:57 am
Sure, Johnny Damon could be a productive player in LF for our Braves in 2010, and David O’Brien did a more than excellent job of describing why.
However, some things were left to naught.
Damon has never played in the National League. He’s 36 and a mere mortal compared to the young superstar he was. Also, making the jump from one league to another has at times proven difficult for more than a few players (although I personally think Damon would make the switch with no problem). But still, new league, different ball parks, facing unfamiliar pitchers….it’s a tough adjustment for anybody.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
12:57 am
For the money Dye may be the best offensive option. Just because he had a bad half of a year doesnt necessarily signify that he’ll repeat those bad stats. If he hits between .265-.280 with 25HR’s he will be a still.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
12:59 am
P’cola Brave
And I think if Wagner stays healthy, with him and Tatashi(sp) Saito(sp) at the end of games with a lead….I think the Braves are in better shape than they were last year with Gonzo and Soriano.
I always used to fear Wagner coming in to close out games against the Braves cause I knew he was going to be tough to score against…so if he stays healthy, I’m glad he’s on our (meaning the Braves) side this year.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:00 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)…….What Jerry Jones did to Tom Landry? The game had passed Tom Landry by. Sure, those 2 Super Bowls in the 70’s we won were nice, however I wasnt old enough to enjoy it. We went 3-13 in 1988, Landry’s last season. We were an old, slow, out coached team in 1988.
I followed the Cowboys religiously. Jerry Jones told the previous owner that he was going to replace Landry before he bought the Cowboys. The agreement was that Tex Schramm (the GM of the Cowboys at the time) would inform Landry. However he basically chickened out.
When Jerry officially bought the Cowboys, he gave Landry a chance to retire. Landry refused. So Jerry had no choice but to fire Landry. Jimmy Johnson was needed to bring new life into the Cowboys. Can you really argue with the results? Do you really think that Landry had it in him at that point in his life to rebuild the Cowboys as fast and Jerry and Jimmy did?
What is the right way to let a legend go who doesnt want to go? The Cowboys were hemorrhaging tens of millions of dollars a year when Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys. We were coming off a 3-13 season and playing in front of a half filled Texas Stadium. The time had passed for a change to be made.
I am proud to have Jerry Jones as an owner of my football team. He cares deeply about winning and is willing to spend what it takes to win. He also is willing to admit his mistakes and change course when needed. Now we have a beautiful stadium that will ensure the financial security of the Cowboys and give Jerry Jones the resources needed to keep the Cowboys competitive on the field.
Jerry had absolutely no reason to be loyal to Landry, given Landry’s coaching performance his last several years with the Cowboys. Screw continuing losing so welfare jobs can be given to those living off the past.
Roman Gal
January 5th, 2010
1:01 am
You young folks have a mind of your own…… Wayne
That’s true. I can’t blame him for not wanting to go to college, it’s not for everyone. Even if he does decide to go back later, he’ll have more of an idea what he wants to do with his life. And certainly there are worse things than following in one’s father’s footsteps.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:03 am
Jeff
My god man, Dye still ended up hitting 27 HR’s and had 80-some RBI’s at the end of the season.
While yeah, his defense may have decreased, he can still hit the damn ball out of the ballpark, which is what the Braves desparately need. Another experienced major bat in the lineup.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:05 am
Frank
With Gonzo and Soriano I always knew we were one pitch from giving up the lead. They both had a knack for screwing things up, though Soriano finally had a good year.
With EOF, Saito, Moylan and Wag, we have a late inning relief to be proud of. We finally have a shut down closer who makes me very comfortable.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:05 am
N8…..the stats that matter most is recent stats. The Cowboys, in the past 3 weeks, have held 2 of the most potent offenses in the NFL in check (the Saints and Eagles). If what happened in the regular season was the “sole” factor in play-offs, then why hold the play-offs?
Who would have thought that a #5 and #6 seed would meet in the NFC Championship game last year? Or that Pittsburgh several years ago would win a Super Bowl despite having to play 3 straight games on the road as a Wild Card team?
In 2007, the Cowboys had the best record in the NFC. We were 13-3. Yet we lost 2 of our last 3 and got knocked out by the Giants in the Divisional round.
Late season momentum is very important in the play-offs. Stats dont tell the whole story when it comes to the NFL play-offs.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:06 am
Tanner Brock tonight for Boise State. Didn’t Tanner Brock play for the Bad News Bears? Tough little scrapper that cussed all the time?
No, wait, that was Tanner BOYLE.
But you tell me, who had the better line:
TCU’s Tanner Brock, on fake punt: “Its gutsy. That’s what Boise State is. They’re going to pull out the trick plays here, there and everywhere.”
Bears’ Tanner Boyle: “Hey Yankees. You can take your apology and your trophy and shove ‘em straight up your a$$!”
Bears’ Tanner Boyle: “We lost eighteen to nothin’, Buttercrud, and the Athletics are the worst team in the league!”
That’s right. No contest.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:06 am
Chipper, McCann, Glaus and Dye in the middle of the order would give the Braves serious power threat.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:06 am
. And certainly there are worse things than following in one’s father’s footsteps. RomanGal
Poppa Was A Rolling Stone
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:06 am
Paul
Yeah, well…as with what could’ve happened with Bobby and Frank last year….Landry still deserved the respect to go out the right way. Not the way Jones did it.
And now Bobby has the chance to go out on his terms. NOT someone elses terms.
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:07 am
P’cola Brave: If Dye bounces back offensively, which isn’t a given. He’s still really declined in his ability to play the outfield. He really should be a DH at this stage of his career, IMHO.
Roman Gal
January 5th, 2010
1:08 am
This is Romo’s 4th year as a starter.
Really? Wow, I figured it was much longer than that. The Romo-hype machine has just been working in overdrive the past 4 years…
Let’s hope Matt Ryan can live up to his ROY hype.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:09 am
P’cola Brave
I agree with the last part of your post…..that is IF Wagner can stay healthy.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:09 am
I would agree with the fact that he is nearing his DH days if hes not there but I’m sure he is much better defensively than Anderson. I could tolerate a little lack of defense for his power numbers.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:10 am
If wagner doesn’t stay healthy I guess we’ll get to see what the Kimbrel kid can do.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:11 am
P’cola Brave
Agreed @ 1:09!!
mr baseball
January 5th, 2010
1:12 am
Something I’m still not getting. Why would Wren acquire Cabrera and still be looking for a free agent (Damon/Dye/Nady) for a starting spot in the OF?
I can understand trading for Cabrera if he was going to be a piece of a deal which upgraded the OF offensively. Or if he was going to be a regular in the OF.
But the idea of signing somone like Damon, leaving Cabrera to platoon with Diaz or simply serve as insurance if Heyward is ready to start at the beginning of April, doesn’t make much sense, especially when you consider who the Braves traded to get him.
Unless the Vizcaino kid is the second coming of John Smoltz, the Vazquez deal has the makings of another Grissom/Justice trade. The Braves supposedly had to trade Grissom & Justice to clear money to re-sign Maddux & Glavine (didn’t buy it at the time & still don’t, but it’s an arguable point) and all they wound up with was 1 year of a disgruntled Kenny Lofton and a vastly over-valued Alan Embree.
If you have to trade talent for financial reasons, you better get something in return. Unless Cabrera makes a significant contribution in some manner, there is a distinct possibility that the Braves will get very little in return for the talent they gave up.
Maybe in 4 or 5 years, the trade will look like an astute one, but it’s a trade teams like the Royals, Indians, Padres & Pirates make. Not a presumed contender.
And it makes less sense if the Braves turn around and shell out money for a player to essentially take the spot of one they just traded for.
If the Braves sign Damon, they won’t have 2 cents left to do something that needs to be done before the start of the season: acquiring someone who can fill in when/if Glaus and Chipper get hurt, preferably someone with more power than Infante.
Maybe the Braves will then be able to package Cabrera and prospects for, say, Adrian Gonzalez. Yeah. That’s the ticket.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:12 am
With all this ballyhooing over Damon (which I agree mostly about), what if we took a look at Damon the Lesser Known… also known as Randy Winn.
He too is an older LFer without elite power but good speed. Before you go all “He hit .262/.318/.353/.671 with only 2 HR !!!!!” on me, let me explain.
Randy Winn is a switch hitter but recently so in name only. Last year he hit .292/.354/.397/.751 (Damonesque?) against RHP as a LHB and only .158/.184/.200/.384 against LHP as a RHB (yeah, eww). So if you used him in a LF platoon (enter Diaz) you could get Damon – the extra 13 or so HR + the other stuff I’m going to go into.
In the previous two years he had season lines of .300/.353/.445/.798 and .306/.363/.426/.790. Maybe this year’s drop in production is because he has gotten older, but I don’t think so his prior two year’s BABIPs have been .332 and .346 but this year it fell to .314. However his LD% (which usually leads to better BA and BABIP) rose to 22.3% from 18.7% and 19.1% from the two years prior. I’m seeing some bad luck coming into play here. If you make some modest adjustments for that luck his numbers start looking like his 2007/2008 which are pretty good for a leadoff man, even if you were using him full time.
So he has no HR power. Now thats out of the way… he does hit a nice amount of doubles over a full season (only 5-8 less than Damon) so he isn’t exactly ONLY a singles hitter. He also should (with average luck) be a nice OBP threat as he has posted his best walk rates the last two years of 9% and 8% since his 2000-2003 seasons. That combined with his contact ability he should be back (again with average BABIP luck) in the .350-.360 OBP (again Damonesque). A .350-.360 OBP is a solid if unspectacular leadoff clip. Again in Damon form he hasn’t struck out in the triple digits since 2003 and steals about 15-20 bases. All that isn’t as good as Damon obviously, but its pretty dang close.
Where he does crush Damon is in two things: defense and cost. Winn is an excelent LFer defensively. For the Giants last year he had a 40.6 UZR/150 in LF and a 17.4 UZR in RF and his arm and range are both solid to stellar as a corner OFer. Simply said he would be a sizeable upgrade defensively over Damon in LF with the added ability to play RF and some light work in CF. He also should come at a much less cost in years, salary, and playing time demands. I’d be willing to bet he could be had on a one year deal for less than half of what Damon will ask for and be fine with a 70% timeshare in LF with Diaz.
When I add up all the pluses and minuses when comparing Damon and Winn, I have to say Winn could be the smart choice when considering the Braves situation.
1. Winn v RH(.292/.354/.397/.751) / Diaz v LH(.412/.464/.640/1.103) LF
2. Prado 2B
3. Chipper 3B
4. Glaus 1B
5. McCann C
6. McLouth CF
7. Escobar SS
8. Heyward (Melky) RF
That lineup is nearly on par on offense with the one with Damon on top but comes with much superior defense and at a cheaper cost.
Just an idea.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:12 am
P’cola Brave
I think if Wagner CAN’T stay healthy…I think the Braves are up $#@! creek without a paddle..(LOL).
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:14 am
Frank: He wouldn’t have had 27 HR’s playing in Atlanta. Turner Field isn’t so HR friendly as the ballparks Dye and Damon are use to.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:17 am
Personally if Wags gets hurt I would like to see Moylan close. Just to see if he could handle the pressure because personally I think this might be Wags only year in Atlanta and I would love to see them spend some money on Jason Werth next year.
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:18 am
Highs and Lows of UZR 2007-9: Dye
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/highs-and-lows-of-uzr-2007-9-dye
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:19 am
He wouldn’t have had 27 HR’s playing in Atlanta. Turner Field isn’t so HR friendly as the ballparks Dye and Damon are use to Jeff
amen to that. Chicago isa great hitters park, and the previously posted overlay shows that Damon would lose a lot of homers too, but I’d take Damon over Dye without question. I think Dye is about done.
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:20 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)………Landry going out the right way? How? By having another 3-13 season with an aging roster of has beens? By having Jerry Jones lose $20 mil in his first year with the Cowboys?
At least by going 1-15 in Jimmy Johnson’s first year, the Cowboys cleaned house, cut old A$$ veterans like Randy White and Ed Too Tall Jones, and played virtually nothing but youngsters (who got valuable experience and allowed Jimmy Johnson to evaluate who was going to be a keeper, and who had to go).
And of course, Jerry Jones fleecing the Vikings mid-way through the 1989 season in the Hershel Walker trade accelerated the Cowboys rebuilding project. I remember how the media ripped Jerry Jones for trading the Cowboys’ best player and basically giving the Vikings the last piece to winning their first Super Bowl (how did that work out by the way?).
With the first of the 3 first round picks that Dallas got from Minnesota, the Cowboys drafted a running back by the name of Emmitt Smith. Dallas then went 7-9 in Jimmy’s second season. We were 7-7 when Troy Aikman got hurt on a late hit against the Eagles. With Babe Laufenberg starting against the Falcons on the last game of the season, the sorry A$$ Falcons blew us out. If we win one of those 2 games with a healthy Troy Aikman, we make the play-offs.
The next year we went 11-5 and lost to Detroit in the divisional round. The next year, we win the first of 3 Super Bowls in 4 years.
Yet, according to you, we should have allowed Landry to go out on his own terms? Please……..there is no way that Landry could have rebuilt the Cowboys. I would have hated to have seen him continue to coach the Cowboys into the ground. What he did in the past was irrelevant. The Cowboys SUCKED A$$ in his last couple of years coaching the Cowboys. It was time for a change.
Screw sentiment and loyalty……especially when winning is sacrificed as a result of it. I wouldnt trade those 3 Super Bowls for anything……..especially for some BS loyalty to Landry.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:20 am
Personally if Wags gets hurt I would like to see Moylan close
no so sure he could close, he really stinks against lefties.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:22 am
Dye had 15 HR at home and 12 Away. Not that much a difference. I think hes good for at least 20+ regardless of where he plays. Except for maybe Citi.
Elon Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:22 am
I am nearly afraid to say anything… but it looks to me like Damon would come over and put up pretty similar numbers to Matt Diaz. I know that Damon is a ballplayer, but Diaz is too. Without a crystal and seeing how Vizcaino develops, I can’t see the Vasquez trade as anything more than getting rid of our top starter for a slightly above average outfielder (as opposed to an average one in Diaz) because Lowe was impossible to move.
Damon doesn’t solve our power outtage. What’s the point in signing him? We have several leadoff hitters.
CCBIGS
January 5th, 2010
1:24 am
Damon “never reached double figures in whiffs”?? Really? He’s never struck out more than 9 tiimes in a season?
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:24 am
Frank from KS (now living in CO)……..Bobby going out on his own terms? What are you first: A Braves fan Or a Bobby fan?
Which is more important to you: Seeing Bobby go out on his own terms at the expense of the Braves winning……or…….seeing Bobby let go and bringing in a manager who will put the Braves in position to win games instead of giving welfare playing time to BUMS like Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, Greg Norton, Jeff Bennett, etc?
Jeff
January 5th, 2010
1:24 am
NotAgain: I would take Damon over Dye too, no question about that. But I’d prefer Nady or a trade for someone like Luke Scott. I’d really like getting Scott, depending on the cost in a trade.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:24 am
Paul
And I think Wayne will agree with me on this one….but ya know what..that’s why your an azz.
oh btw Paul, have a nice day..(LOL).
.P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
January 5th, 2010
1:25 am
mr baseball……..great 1:12am post. Insight like that is not common on here.
Myers
January 5th, 2010
1:26 am
At this point it seems Dye would be the best fit for the Braves. He does hit for power the Braves are in desperate need of and would still be better defensively than Anderson IMO. But if they dont act quick, looks like he may head to Texas. Then what? We have to settle for less power. Its time for the Braves higher ups to make a “bold” move that wont make us look so damn bad.
NotAgain
January 5th, 2010
1:27 am
179 .293 .297 .590 7 homers.
Dye the second half of 09. He stunk and he looked totally lost. He made Chipper look like an allstar.
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:28 am
Dye, Nady or Luke Scott would be my choices.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:29 am
“Its time for the Braves higher ups to make a “bold” move that wont make us look so damn bad.”
Because looking good in the offseason is how you win a WS.
Elon Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:29 am
Is Luke Scott really in the discussion?
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
January 5th, 2010
1:29 am
Paul
I’m both. I’m both a Bobby Cox fan and a Braves fan.
I have a lot of respect for what he’s done for the organization and for the Braves as a team. Okay, so some of his moves are very questionable….BUT winning 14 straight division titles is quite remarkable….and let me ask you Paul, who was the manager for those 14 straight division titles….eh? c’mon ^%$#, tell me, oh yeah…the aforementioned BOBBY COX.
No other team will do that….EVER. Not even the powerful Yankee teams of Maris, Mantle and some of the Yankee teams of that era can say that.
Purdue Thomas
January 5th, 2010
1:30 am
Nobody likes my little Randy Winn idea huh?
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:30 am
Dye’s second half is what makes him cheap. Just because he has half a bad year doesn’t mean a player is washed up.
David O'Brien
January 5th, 2010
1:32 am
Japandroids rocking right now on Jimmy Fallon
P'cola Brave
January 5th, 2010
1:33 am
Carlos Pena only hit .225 in the second half and I’m sure half the blog would jump for him.