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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,443 comments Add your comment
Tom Waits wears Redwing boots
January 8th, 2010
4:01 pm
Macon-
Do you remember when that record came out? “Creep” could be heard on the radio every 10 minutes and there are better songs on that CD.
Nova Scotia Steve -
January 8th, 2010
4:03 pm
DOB…thought we would have seen a Elvis song today!
Maybe “Suspicious Minds” would have been appropriate…after the Derek Lowe fiasco this offseason!
But great job on the Lowe interview and write-up….thought it was very interesting.
And folk say what you will about Vazquez…I like Lowe. And I’m glad he’s not going anywhere.
Great presence in the dugout and a solid-proven play-off performer!
MZ
January 8th, 2010
4:04 pm
I can appreciate Radiohead’s music …
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2010
4:06 pm
CB–I dunno. I really don’t. One thing I do know, though, and that is once those types of discussions start, they don’t stop. And I really like talking baseball on here–and it seems like these days, we’re not doing that anymore. Sadly.
Space Monkey
January 8th, 2010
4:07 pm
The thing that concerns me most is that Lowe doesn’t think he pitched poorly last year. Obviously, he didn’t watch the games. BTW, put Boras on the phone with me, and I’d tell him to cram his stats. At a time when we desperately needed wins last year, Lowe was throwing batting practice fastballs at the waist. He blew. We are really going to miss Javy.
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
4:08 pm
Since it’s been deleted twice on this blog, here’s the link to Paul’s idiocy on the last one:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/01/04/2357/comment-page-46/#comment-390994
Arkansas Transplant
January 8th, 2010
4:08 pm
Still in the process of making a Tahoe popsicle.
MZ
January 8th, 2010
4:09 pm
blog squabbles rule …
CB
January 8th, 2010
4:12 pm
Agreed, Steve. The man has some serious problems, I called him “The Narcissist” the other day and God knows this fits him to a T.
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
4:13 pm
Space Monkey, Lowe did lead the team in wins…He had 8 starts (of 34) in which he allowed 4 or more runs. Roughly 24%. Meaning he had 26 starts of 3 runs allowed or fewer. Granted, 2 of those he pitched less than 5 innings. Still a quality start, if you believe in those, 70% of the time.
MFin04
January 8th, 2010
4:13 pm
Yeh, nothing about that discussion on Black Athletes is racist. Actually it is well thought out and profound. Definitely not racist or should make anyone feel uncomfortable. Makes a lot of sense.
Perhaps there were other parts of the conversation that were out of line, that part however was not.
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2010
4:14 pm
That’s what I mean, CB. The dude posts 24/7 and he’s controlling the discussion, and it’s not all baseball/bbq/music. That kinda crap has got to go. Respect the rules, it’s not hard, and (contrary to a certain poster’s belief) it’s not open to debate.
rammerjammer
January 8th, 2010
4:14 pm
Every team enters a season with lots of ifs, but it’s reasonable to believe the iffy Braves will play in the vicinity of their historical norms. Not really worried about Chipper, Glaus, Hudson or Lowe.
To me, there’s no question the biggest “if” is Heyward. If Heyward is all that we hope, we are a very dangerous club. If he isn’t, we are good to very good, which might be good enough for October ball. Or not.
Heyward will be the deciding factor.
Macon Braves (RIP)
January 8th, 2010
4:16 pm
Tom Waits—Yes, I do remember. Fortunately that was like 6 years or so now and they don’t play it like that anymore. I like several other songs on that album as well, Creep is just one of my favorites from Radiohead.
You like other songs better and I like Creep. Music is all about personal opinion and taste. Street Spirit and Karma Police are my favorite Radiohead songs from any of their albums. You may not like either of those as well.
MZ
January 8th, 2010
4:16 pm
who among us doesn’t enjoy a Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy every now and again? …
Alaska Braves Fan
January 8th, 2010
4:17 pm
The more I mull it over, the better I like our look for ‘10. Starting pitching is our strength, and all five starters stack up very, very well in any objective comparison against any other team’s big five. The bullpen is a bit of an unknown for several reasons, but all in all I suspect most other teams won’t want to face the guys we now have there. Offense will have improved because of the moves Wren has made, and he really has strengthened the bench. I think Wren’s work during the off-season will appear to have been excellent once we see the results, and it seems quite possible that we’ll win 90+ games this year. I always have been an optimist, but I expect us to be back in the playoff picture for 2010. (If that happens, remember I said that!) During ‘09 I was able to catch three Braves games in San Francisco. This year I’m shooting for four in San Diego, but I’m not sure I’ll make it. I’m very glad I can catch all the games on the computer or my iPod. Go Braves!
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:17 pm
Welikebaseball2
B-Macc as much as I love him and he is the best Catcher in the NL…can’t be relied to carry the team, Nuff Said, He has to take a day off every week so that means he’s only going to play 130 games Max…
When B-Macc doesn’t play that leaves Chipper and Glass as our run producers and that scares No One!
ncscoots
January 8th, 2010
4:17 pm
And I really like talking baseball on here–and it seems like these days, we’re not doing that anymore.
Or banana pudding. Or other non-baseball subjects that have always made this forum more entertaining and informative than a mere baseball blog. I’m probably more interested in Brandy the dog than I am in January lineup posts, LOL.
TnBrian
January 8th, 2010
4:21 pm
Tomahawkin, I’m as dirty and raw as the blog will allow during the games when things aren’t going the Braves way. Unless DOB is in a bad mood, he usually lets it slide as long as you try and bleep out the cuse words yourself.
Ex: F***, a**, s****, what the f***, or everybody’s favorite, “Bobby, you old senile s***!” Stick with me, I’ll teach you the ropes.
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:21 pm
What Happens if Chipper or Troy Glass gets hurt and B-Macc has to take a day off on Sundays? Does that mean Hinke bats 4th and Esco 5th…?
Like I said there are too many If’s on this team for L Media to go Cheap on us!
glove51
January 8th, 2010
4:23 pm
Dave,
I have been wodnering: do you know Rob Neyer from ESPN? You and he were both in Lawrence at around the same time at KU, though I think he is a couple of years younger.
I enjoy both your writing and Rob’s writing on baseball and thought it was kind of a funny coincidence that both of you hail from KU and were there in the mid to late 1980’s.
MFin04
January 8th, 2010
4:23 pm
Braves were in the playoff picture last year as well. Ended up 86-76, and 6 games back of the Wild Card. But for 2010 to be successful, the Braves have to make the playoffs. A 90-win season and missing the playoffs shouldn’t be good enough. Especially with this pitching staff and so few holes to fill. Now did we fill those holes well? Time will tell. Maybe we did, or maybe we were just cheap. We shall see.
Hopefully Derek Lowe shows up like he did on opening night against the Phillies, more time than he doesn’t.
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:25 pm
TnBrian
I know…I had Many BF’s on here last season watching the games…D.O.B. is cool with it as long as I avoid politics and cuss out people on this blog which I think is a waste of time to do…Personal attacks are so stupid, so I don’t even waste my time, If someone gets under my skin 9which is hard to do) the I put them on ignore
ugaaccountant
January 8th, 2010
4:27 pm
If you had to pick the 3rd best rookie player in 2010, still eligible for Rookie of the year or a likely 2010 callup, who would it be.
The consensus around the baseball elite seems to be:
1. Strasburg
2. Heyward
So not those two, but of everyone else who do you guys like?
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
4:29 pm
Buster Posey.
Heath
January 8th, 2010
4:30 pm
Daslied @ 4:08pm
Wow. I missed a lot over the evening.
DAP
January 8th, 2010
4:30 pm
tomohawkin He has to take a day off every week so that means he’s only going to play 130 games Max…
ill bet he plays more than that. he has never played in fewer than 130 games, except for his rookie season, and has never been used to pinch hit only (in other words, doesnt get in the game to catch) more than 10 times.
RC
January 8th, 2010
4:31 pm
ugaaccountant,
Alcides Escobar or Kyle Blanks.
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:35 pm
The Main thing that happened to our offense last year was the Presence of a big-time cleanup bat
Chipper and B-Macc got pitched around so many times it was absurd!
That’s why I lusted for our owners to invest a lil money into this team and go after Bay…Now we have Troy Glass as our Cleanup hitter? yeah that has Philly fans scraed….
BravoMan
January 8th, 2010
4:37 pm
Great Blog DOB
ncscoots
January 8th, 2010
4:37 pm
Heyward will be the deciding factor.
How good do you think he’ll have to be? Rookie-Chipper-good, rookie-Pujols-good? Chipper had 1500 minor league ABs, was 23, and was about .270/.800 as a rook, I think. Pujols had a single minor league season of about 500 ABs and went scorched-earth as a 21-year-old.
So, what do you think? Is Heyward another Pujols, or is he more likely to be somewhere short of Chipper (who, incidentally, should have been ROY)?
P-Town Brave
January 8th, 2010
4:37 pm
UGA-
I’ll take Pedro Alvarez for $500
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:37 pm
DAP
I’m Banking on 130 games for B-Macc because you don’t want to waste David Ross
Plus Catcing is the most demanding position on the Field, Squatting in 90 degree weather with Humidity wears you out, “I have an eye for these things, Trust Me”…
Heath
January 8th, 2010
4:38 pm
So…my g/f and I like Chipotle (I think everyone does, right?). But they have this place called Qdoba (or however it is spelled) and she wants to go out and check it out tonight. Anyone here been there? Anyone have any comments on the place?
P-Town Brave
January 8th, 2010
4:40 pm
Heath-
Qdoba is BA…go there right meow!
MZ
January 8th, 2010
4:41 pm
I’ve been to Qdoba … it’s comparable to Chipotle … a bit pricier, but I thought the food was just as good if not better … my girlfriend disagreed, though … so take it for what it’s worth
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
4:42 pm
Thanks for the link, daslied; I would’ve missed that.
And thanks for the laughs, lately. I needed a bubdylan replacement.
P-Town Brave
January 8th, 2010
4:43 pm
I live up North so I have never even heard or Chipotle, so I have nothing to compare it to if thats what you’re lookin for, but Qdoba is great IMO.
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:44 pm
We Can Not Rely on Heyward! Nuff said!
Our Cheap owners are relying in him and he hasn’t played a major league game yet…
I love Heyward and his credentials but what happens if he is the Next George Lombard. It happens Remember Jose Capellan I though he would be the Next Bartolo Colon but he didn’r pan out with us? We have no plan B
Lew
January 8th, 2010
4:45 pm
Who cares if this lineup scares anyone? Just why does that even matter? Can this team win games? Absolutely. They have the best pitching in the league and though they’re not going to blast other teams out of ballgames, they should score plenty of runs-more than enough to win with their pitching. That’s what matters.
JasonInFL
January 8th, 2010
4:45 pm
DOB, why no song from The King on his b-day?
Heath
January 8th, 2010
4:46 pm
Thanks for the responses….sounds like I’ll give Qdoba change.
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
4:50 pm
BAS – no, thank you for all that you do.
MZ
January 8th, 2010
4:52 pm
the Burritos at Qdoba are as big as a freakin’ football!
ugaaccountant
January 8th, 2010
4:53 pm
We do have a plan B to Heyward. It’s starting Diaz and Melky everyday.
Plan C is probably Schaefer.
Plan D is probably Mitch Jones.
Etc.
I agree though, Heyward’s plan A!
thanks for the opinions on the rookies guys. I see the ideas did vary alot.
FEAR
January 8th, 2010
4:53 pm
elvis is dead by living colour would have been a good choice
Coach (2011 or Bust)
January 8th, 2010
4:54 pm
New blog, cool. But Sam Cook over Elvis on his 75th Birthday???? C’mon already…..
The King is dead, long live the king of Rock & Roll !!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6A3vLlVa3I
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
4:56 pm
I want a Diaz/Hinske platoon. Use Cabrera when Hinske replaces Glaus or Chipper.
JasonInFL
January 8th, 2010
4:56 pm
Thanks for the tip DOB…just downloaded the album…had lost it back in the day…appreciate the tip!
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
4:56 pm
Lew
We Had the Best Pitching in the league last year (In my opinion, especially our starters) and where did it get us when Our Cheap Owners relied on Francoeur, Chipper, and Loaf?
Not trying to get into a debate, but Chipper and B-Macc need aBat sandwiched between them, Our F.O. could have at least tried to get Adam Dunn Down here
siskel_god
January 8th, 2010
4:58 pm
I’ve had enough of the positive spon on the Vasquez trade. The bottom line is, the major league club is worse after losing Javy. We’re weaker at first base too, LaRoche has a higher career batting average, better defensively, has more homers over the last three years and more importantly, stays healthy. The Braves are obviously counting on Heyward starting and contributing out of spring training, I hope he does but he’ll have to have a Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Evan Longoria type of rookie year to get us into the playoffs because no way Glaus and Chipper play more than 140 games each. But at least we didn’t block Freeman, god forbid he have to be better than somebody and earn a job so let’s just hand it over to him next year when he’s a big boy.
FEAR
January 8th, 2010
4:58 pm
starters may have benn great. that bullpen not so much
JasonInFL
January 8th, 2010
4:59 pm
Well, I nominate myself for idiot of the day…
already had the damn album in mp3 format…that’s what happens when you don’t listen to music as much as you used to…and have 75 GBs of mp3s…glad it was only $1.99!
rms
January 8th, 2010
5:00 pm
Dang these Braves blogs get a lot of comments. Way more than the Hawks or Falcons or even Thrashers. Guess this town care more about the Braves than any other team!!
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
5:00 pm
scoots,
I’m with ya on that Brandy thing. Though I preferred the picture of Whiskey (thanks McFann). Did you see the engine puller and jack in that nice open shop? I could have some fun in there.
bravesgrl, tough way to lose a dog. My much-belated sympathies. And, more please on the thief. I think I like her already.
David O'Brien
January 8th, 2010
5:00 pm
Glove51: No, actually I don’t know Rob, despite the KU connection. I run into Jerry Crasnick, Kenny Rosenthal, Buster, Jayson Stark and Peter Gammons all the time in spring training and/or during the season in pressboxes, but Neyer has a different sort of gig and we don’t seem to cross paths.
who among us doesn’t enjoy a Matthew McConaughey romantic comedy every now and again? — MZ
I don’t, I don’t.
Steve from OH
January 8th, 2010
5:01 pm
Qdoba is pretty good. I thought it was pretty comparable to Chipotle, but they grill the burritos, if you’re into that kind of thing…
rms
January 8th, 2010
5:01 pm
any way the Braves appear to be another 3rd place average team buying up washed up mediocre players. I predict a solid 3rd place finish this season.
glove51
January 8th, 2010
5:02 pm
Makes sense. Yeah Rob isn’t a regular reporter for sure.
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
5:04 pm
I mean, the splits are insane. I know they’ve been mentioned a million times:
In 614 career AB, roughly a full season, vs. lefties Diaz has a .921 OPS with 24 HR, 35 2B and 5 3B.
If you split Hinske’s 2425 career AB vs. righties, and split that into 4 seasons, he’d average 39 2B, 24 (well, 23.5) HR, 4 3B and 76 BB. Okay, also 140 K.
But still…(Yes, I know you can’t just split his career into individual seasons, but how else would I make my point?)
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
5:05 pm
Why would one grill a burrito?
MZ
January 8th, 2010
5:06 pm
DOB —-
Was just trying to see if anyone was paying attention to anything other than squabbling …
Per AP: Plans for a Saban statue are “already underway,” athletic director Mal Moore said.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 8th, 2010
5:06 pm
The Braves ranked 11th in 2009 with salaries of $96.7 million. How can anyone keep calling them CHEAP? That is ridiculous.
Link to salaries.
http://baseball.about.com/od/newsrumors/a/09teamsalaries.htm
Team 2008 payroll 2009 payroll
Yankees $209,081,577 $201,449,189
Mets $137,793,376 $149,373,987
Cubs $118,345,833 $134,809,000
Red Sox $133,390,035 $121,745,999
Tigers $137,685,196 $115,085,145
Angels $119,216,333 $113,709,000
Phillies $98,269,880 $113,004,046
Astros $88,930,414 $102,996,414
Dodgers $118,588,536 $100,414,592
Mariners $117,666,482 $98,904,166
Braves $102,365,683 $96,726,166
Continuing to harp on them being cheap reflects downright ignorance. Of the first ten you find either teams with huge markets or owners with bottomless pockets who are in many cases in a financial mess with their teams being overpaid and not in a position to win anything. Just look at the following list and tell me which of them you project to be better teams than the Braves in 2010.
Team 2008 payroll 2009 payroll
Mets $137,793,376 $149,373,987
Cubs $118,345,833 $134,809,000
Tigers $137,685,196 $115,085,145
Angels $119,216,333 $113,709,000
Astros $88,930,414 $102,996,414
Dodgers $118,588,536 $100,414,592
Mariners $117,666,482 $98,904,166
Braves $102,365,683 $96,726,166
Which of the seven teams above do you think will field a better team this year than the Braves? The Angels, Dodgers or the Mariners, maybe? All rate a maybe but it is not for sure by a long margin.
You should look at facts before bellyaching about the Braves being CHEAP, CHEAP ETC.
I know David Glass pretty well and he is not going to spend any $100 million to field a team and I don’t blame him. His Royals teams have not done much winning and his GMs have a lot less to deal with. Do you want something like that?
If you want to talk Cheap you should look at the following.
TEAM 2009 ——–2100
Rays $43,820,597 $63,313,034
Athletics $47,967,126 $62,310,000
Nationals $54,961,000 $60,328,000
Pirates $48,689,783 $48,693,000
Padres $73,677,616 $43,734,200
Marlins $21,811,500 $36,834,000
How would you like to live in one of those cities when it comes to baseball?
BE thankful we have an owner who is willing for us to field a competitive team each year.
Daslied
January 8th, 2010
5:07 pm
siskel_god
We’re weaker at first base too, LaRoche has a higher career batting average, better defensively, has more homers over the last three years
Say, you know that Glaus missed all but 14 games last year, right? The career yearly HR average is abundantly in favor of Glaus. Glaus was also an excellent defender at 3rd base; I’m guessing he’ll be quite solid at 1st.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 8th, 2010
5:10 pm
DOB
I mentioned on the last blog that I have run a blog for ten years on politics and news of the US and around the world. Someone asked me to post a link to my blog.
I wouldn’t do that on other people’s blogs unless that blog owner gives me an OK. So I am now asking David (DOB) if it is OK to do so. If not no hard feelings.
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
5:12 pm
RMS
“Dang these Braves blogs get a lot of comments. Way more than the Hawks or Falcons or even Thrashers. Guess this town care more about the Braves than any other team!!”
I think that D.O.B’s invests more time on his blog than the other blogs on the ajc…He could be spending his time at a Prince or Mariah concert…
But I think D.O.B. does a great job on this blog talking about food, music and sports and that’s why his blog is Hot on the streets…! And International
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
BEAR,
finally found the effort to search for the meaning of “Illegitimi non carborundum.” Very nice, sir. Very nice. And, would you mind posting the address to your blog (or emailing, if you prefer)? Another dude requested it, and I’d also like to have a look.
AdirondackDave
January 8th, 2010
5:15 pm
I’m looking forward to a competitive year for the Braves. Excellent shot at the wild-card and, if all goes well health-wise, a possible division title.
I’m still disappointed over letting Flowers go. Felt the same way about Salty and I may have been wrong there. However, Flowers looks like the real deal and did before we let him go. I’ll bet within 2 years either McCann or Flowers will be playing at least part time at first. If that’s the case, FW should have retained Flowers.
Lew
January 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
Tomahawkin-Both Chipper and Glaus are highly motivated this year-Chipper to get back to what he’s always been and Glaus to prove he has another big contract in his future. Do not discount their degree of motivation or the team motivation to usher Bobby Cox out in style.
You know what Chipper is capable of and you also now damned well he didn’t just lose it and all of a sudden grow ancient halfway through last season. Glaus, if healthy (and by all medical accounts -and all other reports- he is) is more than capable of providing that big bat we needed last year.
In addition, McLouth almost HAS to be better. McCann has had his additional surgery and has seen fine (by his own account) for weeks now without his glasses. We have much positional diversity available in case subs are needed (and likely they will), with Melky’s ability to play all outfield positions and to switch hit, Hinske’s ability to play both infield and outfield corner positions and Infante’s and Prado’s well demonstrated ability to play all over the place.
All in all, I’m willing to at least see how it shakes out before I claim they will finish 4th or that Wren hasn’t lived up to our expectations. Everyone gripes about “ONLY” spending $90-95 million. Hasn’t anyone ever had to live within a budget whether or not they liked it? It is what it is and it IS a hell of a lot more than half the teams spend.
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
5:16 pm
Classy move, brother.
Daybed Wagmoe
January 8th, 2010
5:18 pm
DOB — how long have you been in journalism? I know that you’ve told us before, but I can’t remember. Seems like ESPN or one of the bigger sports bureaus would love to have someone with your tenure and experience in the business. For the sake of the Braves/BBQ/music/movies blog, I hope that don’t become the case anytime soon.
nolie
January 8th, 2010
5:18 pm
finally found the effort to search for the meaning of “Illegitimi non carborundum.” Very nice, sir. Very nice BAS
c’mon man, I have used that a number of times over the years. I thought everybody knew what it means.
TnBrian
January 8th, 2010
5:19 pm
DOB, thank for that Matthew McConaughey thing. If I have to watch another one of his damn movies with my girlfriend I’ll die of a stroke.
StingerSplash
January 8th, 2010
5:20 pm
Love Sam Cooke, and I guess you posted lyrics before electronic missive from Mr. Krasnick.
But perhaps “Karma Police” would work in that song of the blog spot one day….
StingerSplash
January 8th, 2010
5:21 pm
Dadgumit. Can’t go back and edit previous post. I know better than Krasnick. It’s Crasnick.
Just Pat
January 8th, 2010
5:21 pm
Lew….thank you! Extremely well said……better than I was getting ready to, at least.
Salamander
January 8th, 2010
5:21 pm
Brandon- get Ok Computer and Kid A. You will be all set there.
Amnesiac is my favorite. I might be alone on that one.
benchwarmer
January 8th, 2010
5:21 pm
Has the blog cancer been removed?
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
5:21 pm
The Bear…
My Man…
When 1/2 of your payroll is tied up on Chipper, Lowe, Hudson, and B-Macc you have little money to spend, So yeah I will still call them cheap when L. Media refused to address the offense 2 years in a row…
Fred
January 8th, 2010
5:22 pm
Lentz, Regarding your 2:56 comment on the previous blog: 1) this isn’t a US history or political blog, 2) it doesn’t matter who is “right” or “wrong” or even if something actually happened in the past. The bottom line is your comments offend other people. Most decent people, if they are mature adults who strive for positive relationships with others, make an effort to avoid offending or insulting people. It doesn’t matter if you do or don’t consider a comment offensive, it matters if others are offended by what you say. Please listen to what people on this blog are telling you – cut that crap out. Your Braves comments are usually pretty good, so why not stick to that (or football, bbq, pop culture, etc.) in your posts?
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 8th, 2010
5:24 pm
Many people are making predictions. Well, I have one of my own.
The 2010 Braves will have a very good year and give the Phillies a run for the top spot. And should they miss on that they will be in position to win the wild card.
I think Wren has put together a very strong team with consistent players, not with super stars but with solid performers. Every man in the lineup is capable of keeping a rally going and that is how games are won.
If anyone hits more than 25 homers I will be surprised but I fully expect every position to produce homers in the double digits and doubles in very large numbers. And that keeps rallies going and runs crossing the plate.
I also predict that every starter will win in double digits with two or three of them hitting 15. And if that happens the Philly fans will be sick to their stomachs as they watch the Braves push their team into second place. It is entirely possible. That big first baseman can only bat once every 9 times.
Of course injuries can change everything as it did last year for the Muts. If the Phils have two or three key players bite the dust this year they will be in a world of hurt as will any other team that experiences the same thing.
Just Pat
January 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Cute story concerning older daughter who joined us at Braves spring training last year. Got an excited email from her about maybe making her b’day weekend our visit this year since she was looking at the calendar and started thinking about it. I wrote back and told her she was looking at a MARCH calendar and I distinctly remembered that she was born on FEB. 11th!
She can’t help it…..just REALLY into baseball.
Bay Area Steve
January 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Sorry, noles. I’s ain’t got much edumucation. And none in Latin, or made-up Latin.
MitchC
January 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Dave, thanks for the insight. I’m one who was not happy when Javy Vazquez was dealt. That having been said, if Lowe can bounce back, and give us 15-7, 3.88 as his final numbers, along with others doing what they are supposed to, I think that Braves fans, Cox, etc, will all be very happy.
The problem is Derek’s age. He is at just the age now that Glavine was when he started his decline after he was traded to the Mets. We have Derek for three more years, whether he wins us 15 games with a 3.75 ERA, or 3 games, with a 6 ERA.
Based on the fact that Lowe has been a solid pitcher in the past, I think he can bounce back. I see no reason why he cant give the Braves at least 15 wins, and a sub 4 ERA.
benchwarmer
January 8th, 2010
5:26 pm
I remember Wren’s remark last year about having a team with a lot of potential 20 homer hitters. Think that is more likly to happen this year.
Ease in Woodstock
January 8th, 2010
5:30 pm
Lew – I am speechless (as usual
). That was VERY well said my man…well said indeed!
3131
January 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
if lowe can do better than last year, i think we still got wild card shot.
Just Pat
January 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
OK, guy-o-s……outta here. Y’all have a GREAT weekend.
JasonInFL
January 8th, 2010
5:34 pm
i don’t think lowe could be significantly worse than last year…only one way for him to go!
Jack
January 8th, 2010
5:35 pm
I really like the moves the Braves have made.
First and foremost we didn’t give up any of our top prospects. That’s very important for the future. I think Frank Wren saw the mistake the Tex trade was and is trying hard to not make that mistake again. I want a long-term contender and we’ve got some great prospects in our system.
Atlanta’s budget contraints are reality and all the bitching in the world is not going to change that…Deal with it… The only way we can be a contender year-in and year-out is to develop our own talent and make smart trades using our talent when necessary.
Wren is building the future of this team to have dominant pitching and above average defense. We are also going to have some power with Mac, Heywood, and Flowers. Escobar is just going to get better… Everyone is writing Schaffer off, but baseball is a game you can’t play if your wrist is hurt. This kid may make an impact yet.
Sure, Glaus is a little bit of gamble, but only a little bit. This kid is only 33 years old hovering around the prime of a player’s prime these days. This guy has been a very productive major league player. He has great hands and has good foot movement (college shortstop). He’ll play an above average 1st base. I predict the steal of the year, 25 to 30 HR’s; .265 BA; 85 to 95 RBI.
How can we sit here and not believe Tim Hudson will return to form and replace Vasquez’s numbers. If this happens, we’ve lost nothing trading Javy; but we’ve got 2 great pitching prospects. One is a flame-throwing lefty that may pay dividends some time this season in the bullpen.
Lowe is a true professional pitcher and will rebound. His problems were mechanics, not health. But… remember he’s really our #4…A lot of clubs would kill to have a #4 as good as Lowe.
We’ve improved our bench and pinch-hitting with Hinske who is more athletic than Norton.
There’s a bright future for the Atlanta Braves and if we stay healthy, we can win the wild-card and after that anything can happen in the playoffs.
CB
January 8th, 2010
5:36 pm
Lew says intelligent things occasionally,by accident,well almost never. We still love ya,Lew.
Redstick19
January 8th, 2010
5:38 pm
Well said, Lew. I’ve been banging that drum for a week about $90 million not really being all that low of a budget in MLB- maybe people will take you more seriously since you are a more frequent blogger than myself. Chipper and Glaus will have big years if they can stay healthy… but aren’t all MLB teams just one or two major injuries away from having a disappointing year? Give this team a chance, people.
True Braves Fans
January 8th, 2010
5:40 pm
Look I may have completely drunk the Kool-Aid but I really do think we have a credible chance at a World Series victory. Call me crazy if you like, but I think the boys will anything and everything for Bobby on the field this year. 2009 World Series Champions Atlanta Braves!
True Braves Fans
January 8th, 2010
5:40 pm
Oops maybe I have been drinking excuse me 2010 World Series Champions….
JasonInFL
January 8th, 2010
5:41 pm
Jack, who is Schaffer? Who is this Flowers that you speak of?
Redstick19
January 8th, 2010
5:41 pm
Jack-
Agree 100 percent with you… the thing I like the most about this offseason is we’ve not given away any of our good-to-great prospects. Just wait- if we keep that up for another season or two, man this team is gonna be looking at a dynasty like the Yankees or Red Sox built several years ago with their young, home-grown talent. I’m excited about the Braves’ future. This year will just be a tiny tease of things to come.
ugaaccountant
January 8th, 2010
5:42 pm
Jack – We don’t have Flowers anymore, traded him for Vasquez last year. Freeman is our future 1b, but he’s only projected to be a moderate power guy. Then again you say Mac has power and that’s the type projection Freeman might be.
jed
January 8th, 2010
5:43 pm
i’ve been away from the blog for a few days. i suppose there’s been little more to comment on, given that i’m seeing discussion of mathew mcconaughey movies. ouch. one sure way of knowing youre an idiot is if you actually like his movies. and if your girlfriend likes him, dear god, man– end the relationship!
Tomahawkin
January 8th, 2010
5:44 pm
Lew My Man, I hope you are right, but our Cheap owners weren’t willing to invest in the team and its fans by getting Bay, we will see how it plays out
But Im going to continue to bas L Media… even the guys on 680AM (except Mazzone) thinks our lineup is a joke!
Time to cook and bump some old Amy Grant
stew
January 8th, 2010
5:48 pm
Lowe’s problem is that his velocity is down 4-5 miles per hour. He gave up more hits than anyone in the NL last year. Anyone who thinks he’s all of a sudden gonna discover the fountain of youth is only kidding themselves. Potential is only potential, what have you done for me lately baby. Vasquez did more than Lowe last year. Based on that we traded the wrong starter and should have eaten more of his contract.