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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,441 comments Add your comment
Nick
January 9th, 2010
12:21 pm
Meant to say Diaz < Ibanez
Lew
January 9th, 2010
12:21 pm
DAP-Maybe I misread your 11:15 post where you said “You’d give him Rollins”. Maybe I missed something? Always a possibility. Thought it was a good analysis, though, for all those who feel the Braves should go run and hide from the Mighty Phillies. Funny how we beat them in the season series last year with all that power and out lack, thereof.
I’m not worried about the Phillies-it’s the Nats and Pirates who take us to the cleaner.
CB
January 9th, 2010
12:25 pm
I have to agree with Mr J,I think the signing of Hudson was a no-brainer. The contract signed by Hudson was way below market average,the right thing to do was done. We all wish they were able to trade Lowe and keep Vazquez,but there is no guarantee they could have extended Javy. We did receive a decent return in the trade foe one year of Vazquez.
BravesAC
January 9th, 2010
12:25 pm
Lew,
And Rollins plays in a ultra hitter’s park vs Escobar’s Turner Field.
Good arguement…I didn’t realize there was such a disparity between the two.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 9th, 2010
12:28 pm
Mr J, your post at 12:15 was well thought out and expressed. Congrats.
David O'Brien
January 9th, 2010
12:32 pm
BEAR, thanks for the warning. Was a bit concerned about roads around Knoxville, considering what it’s been like down here.
By the way, watch how a few of our denizens from this blog who go over and participate or read yours, watch how they won’t be able to resist coming back here and dropping some political comment here under the guise of a compliment or whatever to you. Instead of just saying, “thanks for the link, Bear,” the comment will come with a distinct political slant. It’s a given. Just can’t stop themselves.
Oh, well. I’m glad, at least, that you’ve provided the outlet for some to click over and vent or discuss at length. That’s the beauty of the Internet — there are countless places that anyone can go to discuss any particular subject with like-minded individuals — or to argue with those of opposite views.
DAP
January 9th, 2010
12:32 pm
lewMaybe I misread your 11:15 post where you said “You’d give him Rollins”.
oh…that was in response to uga-brave saying rollins would probably have a better year in 2010. i dont think he will repeat his horrible 2009 numbers.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 9th, 2010
12:34 pm
Klaus,
How did you get your hands on the Braves’ books? No way can you have all that info without digging through the books.
BTW, you are aware that other teams also collect insurance aren’t you?
I respond to you only because I posted those team numbers along with the link to their origin. It was done for comparison purposes and if you want to attack the Braves numbers then it is only fair you do a similar analysis on the other team salaries, isn’t it?
The Grinch
January 9th, 2010
12:35 pm
Awww, shucks, DAP.
Mr. J, maybe it makes Javy a bit high maintenance to only do well where he’s comfortable, but if that’s here, I’ll take it. And it doesn’t really matter what either of us think; the deal’s been done. I just still can’t help but think he was more valuable a player than Texiera, and we sure as hell gave up a lot more for one than we got for the other.
Klaus, a Cuban ownership group? Everyone in Cuba could pile their money together and not be able to pay Chipper’s salary for a season. Or did you mean an ownership group with ham, swiss, mustard and pickle? Either way it sounds like a DEFECT-ive idea. Bwah-ha-ha!
Sorry. Off to the gym.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 9th, 2010
12:37 pm
David, I am sure we will see that and I will handle it appropriately.
BTW I am going to post a link to your blog on my board. There are never too many bloogers, well almost never.
David O'Brien
January 9th, 2010
12:40 pm
Mr. J: Yes, good points at 12:15. And don’t forget the non-Melky part of the return — a lefty (Dunn) who should be better than Logan, but most importantly, an elite young pitching prospect in Vizcaino. Five years from now, no scout who’s seen him pitch would be surprised if Vizcaino is a top-half-of-the-rotation starter in the majors.
I know a lot of fans might not care too much about five years from now, but for long-term franchise success in an organization that doesn’t have the bottomless funding to plug holes with free agents (in other words, all but two or three franchises), you’ve gotta think about those things to a degree when making some trades like this.
What if Vizcaino and Teheran both turn out to be in the mold of Jurrjens and Hanson? I know, I know: “ifs” are dreaded by a few folks here. Reality is, there are going to always be some “ifs.” But Teheran and Vizacaino at 18-19 years old both are either similarly regarded, or even more highly regarded, than either of those two were.
ugaaccountant
January 9th, 2010
12:42 pm
Klaus – I think you are correct. I think your figures look right. So I bet all the payroll above aproximately 90M since Liberty’s owned us has been offset by Hampton or Hudson insurance reimbursement. Their idea of flexibility is 87M to 90M, just enough wiggle room to move players around while ultimately hoping to payout no more than 87M.
This year for instance, liberty’s probably hoping Saito hits $0 incentives and wouldn’t especially mind if Bobby platooned Glaus some to keep him from hitting his.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
12:44 pm
Wow!
The Grinch is Back…!
Whats happening Chief…?
McFann
January 9th, 2010
12:47 pm
Hey, Tomahawkin! You were talking about somebody named R. Kelly last night, no?
Well, dunno if you like remakes, but if you do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGVYki-oyQ
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
12:48 pm
Lew
We May’ve won the season series against Philly last year, but when it mattered the most in the second half the Phillies owned us…
Just like last year the road to October goes through Philly, and agreed its imperative that we beat up on the AAA teams of the NL…
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
12:49 pm
McFann
Yes, I was bumping some old R. Kelly last night, that “Ignition Renix” still goes Hard!
ugaaccountant
January 9th, 2010
12:50 pm
Sorry everyone thinks I’m a **** because I look at the Phillies and see improvements on a two time defending NL champ.
I like our team a good bit as well, in fact I like every single player we have. I don’t have a single player I’d like to cut. I just find that every way I look at the numbers and they add up to a wildcard contender to me. That’s not bad considering last year we weren’t truly a contender. Our city tuned out on the Braves completely before they clawed their way back into the race. Hardly what I call contending.
Soph
January 9th, 2010
12:50 pm
OK, uh…who’s Petrino?
Oh, McFann don’t worry about that. Just say you’re in.
Nah, he’s just an old Atlanta Falcons coach that ditched the team in the middle of the season so he could take a college coaching job. He didn’t tell the team in person or anything – just left them all a small paragraph of a letter. So, he’s on my list.
DAP
January 9th, 2010
12:50 pm
DOB, as a fan, its also nice having a great farm system with highly regarded young players, because you know the braves can go out and trade for pretty much anyone if they want to, you know? not that its going to happen, but whenever a big name gets put on the market, there are always teams that you know right away cant get them, because they dont have the pieces to trade. that wont happen with the braves far awhile.
McFann
January 9th, 2010
12:51 pm
Tomahawkin–
OK, thought so…
The Grinch
January 9th, 2010
12:51 pm
One mo’ before I go…
What’s up, T? How you been, baby? Save me any sorrostitutes?
Don’t tell me you’re gettin’ into the R. Kelly type freak…should we start callin’ you I. P. Freely?
BBL.
McFann
January 9th, 2010
12:53 pm
Soph don’t worry about that. Just say you’re in.
Haha, OK! I’m in!
That is pretty lame, weak, whatever…to just leave ‘em a note? That’s like a little kid who’s running away from home!
CB
January 9th, 2010
12:59 pm
All the fans who are complaining about being a Braves fan should live in the shoes of a Royals or Padres fan. You know before the season starts you are playing to stay out of last place, a lot of our younger fans who did not live as a Braves fan in the 80’s do not begin to know tough times. I appreciate that I root for a team who gives me at least hope.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
1:04 pm
McFann
Just got done watching it…Wierd Al’s Parody of R. Kelly’s ‘Trapped in the closet” series
Funny
J-MAN
January 9th, 2010
1:05 pm
I said it yesterday but I’ll say it again I just don’t like the idea of lets put a team together and and if it doesnt work we can make some trades and hopefully can make it up later on. Because games in April and May and June count the same as September and October and if we would try to focus on the WHOLE year instead of July through October because we didn’t catch the Rockies last year and the Brewers in 08 and the Rockies in 07 basically because we believe if we just keep afloat until the trade deadline and hopefully we can squeeze into the playoffs but if you don’t try to win every game April until October you can be expected not to make the playoffs.
McFann
January 9th, 2010
1:06 pm
Tomahawkin–
Yeah…it’s long, but funny with the video.
Though they never gave him his root beer, either…
DAP
January 9th, 2010
1:07 pm
CB, padres? you must have meant pirates, who have basically sucked since 1992…royals have been bad since the 80’s. padres went to the WS in 98, and had back to back playoff appearances 05 and 06…and then won 89 games in 07. they have only been bad for 2 years, hardly toiling in obscurity.
glove51
January 9th, 2010
1:08 pm
Gandolfini was pitch perfect as the general. Iit was like he stepped out of Dr. Strangelove and got colorized & updated for the 21st century or something.
I especially like the scene where Malcolm referred to the woman as “woman from Crying Game”. I also liked the scene where the other angry English fellow beat the hell out of the fax machine.
I saw it at a samll artsy theater (yes we hve one in tulsa!); I need to rent it or catch it on IFC or Sundance and watch it again.
wall is definitely soemthgn else. I think Xavier Hnery has a chance to tbe in that high elite category too even int he NBA. Self will be lucky to keep him for next year. I’d be shocked if he stays past two seasons. I’m sure you know his daddy played at KU.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
1:09 pm
Watching UF-Vandy….
CAN NOT WAIT for UK to play these guys. I would say that the defense from both teams is porous, but that would be complimenting them. Wall/Patterson/Cousins will tear these guys up.
klaus
January 9th, 2010
1:10 pm
I am not attacking but lamenting corporate ownership in general. What other teams do is to a degree less relevant to what your favorite team is doing.
It provides context to be sure but it doesn’t change the reality for this club.
The numbers I posted are based on a review of multiple sources both public and private. Wren has even said in this past week they are at their 90mm payroll limit. JS has also stated in the last few days how they account for incentives and 40man roster potential payouts (see MLB/Bowman).
Again the lack of winning, the pulling up short on building a more balanced team etc are all symptoms of a broader challenge for this club. They lack the financial flexibility to build a WS caliber club.
That is no crime but clearly a disappointment for fan base that had grown accustom to that style of mgt and play.
Teams that have been perennially broke and or in last place must be tough to root for but that does not change the situation with the Braves.
They were a winning club, a dynasty of sorts, and they have lost their way under corporate ownership.
Macon Braves (RIP)
January 9th, 2010
1:10 pm
BEAR— Thanks for the link and I just can’t resist………….DOB, thanks for letting him put the link up for those of us interested in it.
CB
January 9th, 2010
1:13 pm
DAP,you are correct-Pirates. Senior moment.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:14 pm
Escobar > Rollins
Say what? Escobar’s good, but I wouldn’t say he’s greater than former MVP Rollins just yet…even if Rollins did have an off year last year
Redstick19
January 9th, 2010
1:14 pm
I understand why fans would want to continously compare the Braves roster to the Phillies roster and say we can’t compete with them. I get that… and when you look at the teams on paper- I agree the Phillies are clearly a better offensive team. However, comparing the teams on January 9 does nothing. The Mets looked to have a world-beaters team on paper last January… and then injury after injury and then bad luck and down years from top players happened. See my point? The Phillies are just an injury or two from being a very average team IMO, because their pitching (while top-heavy, yes) is nowhere near as deep as the Braves. Let’s see how this thing plays out. Anyway, I still see the Braves making a trade or a late free agent pickup in klate spring training.
DAP
January 9th, 2010
1:15 pm
tomahawkin Just got done watching it…Wierd Al’s Parody of R. Kelly’s ‘Trapped in the closet” series
Funny
i love that. and i love weird al…fits my humor perfectly.
glove51
January 9th, 2010
1:16 pm
I’d say that Escobar from 2010 forward (or even 2009) is likely better than Rollins.
Eric from MO
January 9th, 2010
1:19 pm
UGA we find you annoying because you and many others give the Braves no chance. Even though we have the best rotation in baseball, best pen, best farm system, and had the highest scoring offense in the 2nd half in the NL last year. You think the Phillies are better. Fine, but saying it is over is ignorant at best.
McFann
January 9th, 2010
1:21 pm
DAP–
Yeah, it’s some funny stuff!
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:31 pm
I’d say that Escobar from 2010 forward (or even 2009) is likely better than Rollins.
I see Escobar as a real good young player who hasn’t broken out as a superstar yet. I see Rollins as a player who’s broken out but is likely on the downside of his career. So Escobar is on his way up the peak, Rollins is on his way down. Who’s higher?
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:34 pm
I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t played the Phillies in 4 months, or if it’s because I’ve since started watching The Office via syndication on TBS, but whenever I see “Ryan Howard” now I first think of the fire-starting temp instead of the slugging first baseman.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
1:36 pm
Jeffrey D
Lets Just hope that Esco stays out of Bobby’s Doghouse, What a soap opera that was last year…
Does anyone know If Escobar stays out here or did he go play winterball down in the Carribbean…
Personally with this weather I’d love to be down there right now
David O'Brien
January 9th, 2010
1:37 pm
glove51: Xavier’s dad (and his mom) played at KU when I was there; we had a year or two overlap. His aunt was a star at KU, too. Dad Carl Henry was the best player at the end of the Ted Owens era, before Larry Brown took over.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
1:40 pm
Eric From Mo
Pardon me, My Man, But we scored a lot of runs during the last month of the season because 1) we were playing teams like the Melts, 2) when the pressure was off on the braves the final 2 weeks the team played under no pressure, but when the pressure was on in the second half against Philly and other contending teams the braves laid and egg…
I’m not bashing them, but the team played to the level of its competition all year, Brian Jordan and the FSN-South crew said that all season…
I give them a chance to compete for the WC and that’s it as it stands right now…
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 9th, 2010
1:42 pm
Macon Braves (RIP)
You are very welcome.
Jim
January 9th, 2010
1:43 pm
Dave:
Regarding your 12:40 and Teheran and Vizacaino, there’s more. Wren clearly is of a mind to guarantee that Braves will have plenty of inexpensive young pitchers through 2018, or so. Maybe the long-term Braves model is to grow the minor league pitching prospects so that there’s a surplus. Braves will control these guys for six years once they hit the majors. Not a bad strategy, if starting rotation in 2012-13 might include Hanson, Teheran, Vizacaino, Mino and Delgado, or Ortegano or Spruill, or something like that.
How close is Kimbrell to making team in ST? No one seemed to be able to hit him in Minors.
Look at following, especiallk IP/K and WHIP:
2009 DSL (lowest Braves Minor Leage team):
DeLuna 9-2 2.08ERA 73IP/66K 0.81WHIP
Otero 6-1 2.35 64 /93 1.00
Pinto 5-1 1.47 43 /50 0.93
2009 GCL
Spruill 1-0 4.58 19IP/23K 1.47WHIP
2009 Danville
Masters 8-4 1.42 69IP/85K 0.89WHIP
Crim 10-2 3.18 66 /48 1.18
Oberholzer 6-2 2.01 67/56 0.78
Teheran 2-1 2.68 43/39 0.98
Rasmus 4-2 3.48 51/57 1.16
2009 Rome:
R. Delgado 5-10 4.35 124IP/141K 1.39WHIP
JJ Hoover 7-6 3.35 134/148 1.19
D. Delgado 5-7 3.61 99/104 1.15
Spruill 8-6 3.03 116/95 1.24
Kimbrell 0-0 0.90 20/38 0.75
Chapman 1-0 0.40 23/29 0.57 13 Saves
2009 Myrtle Beach
Ortegano 4-5 3.49 69/59 1.08
Rohrbaugh 6-8 5.77 117/100 1.51
2009 Mississippi
Ortegano 5-2 2.83 47IP/42K 1.28WHIP
Kimbrell 2-1 0.77 11 /17 0.86
2009 Richmond
Kimbrell 0-0 0.00 2 /3 2.00 (4 BBs. no hits)
Combined:
Spruill 9-6 135IP/118K
Ortegano 9-7 116/111
Kimbrell 2-1 33/58
Soph
January 9th, 2010
1:43 pm
Great UConn/Georgetown game on right now. Georgetown came back from a 16 pt defecit to take the lead. Tied now.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:47 pm
Meanwhile, UGA plays at Kentucky. That oughta be lovely.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
1:48 pm
Soph
You must watch all Sports?
\
I don’t care for Basketball unless its the Final 4 and the NBA is such a farce, I just like to see LaBoring James lose and whine then I can sound off like Skip Bayless
I’m ready for tonights a…s whoopin in Dallas
Go IGGLES!!!
Soph
January 9th, 2010
1:49 pm
Kentucky’s scary good right now. Good luck to UGA getting out of there alive.
BA
January 9th, 2010
1:52 pm
You could literally stop reading or watching anything else about the Braves if you read this blog, and you wouldn’t miss a single detail. Just pull this sucker up every week or so and you’ll know everything that’s happened.
Keep up the superlative work DOB.
(This post was genuine, not sarcastic- in case anything gets lost in the translation)
DAP
January 9th, 2010
1:52 pm
tomahawkin I’m not bashing them, but the team played to the level of its competition all year, Brian Jordan and the FSN-South crew said that all season…
yeah…brian jordan is an excellent analyst…
Soph
January 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
Yup, T’Hawkin – I pretty much watch everything. Baseball is my fav though.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
1:53 pm
As a UK fan, I am atleast a little concerned about the Dawgs…had a good game against Tech.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:54 pm
Well I think we’re finally in capable hands with Coach Fox. We’ll see how we do in a couple years.
My freshman year at UGA (2002) we had a good team. We beat topped ranked Florida and stormed the court (I was there!). Then the Harricks came and did their thing.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
1:56 pm
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/quiz/_/id/600
Soph
January 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
Then the Harricks came and did their thing.
That was horrible. The Harricks screwed them over big time.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
DAP
you can’t Bash Brian Jordan, he Tells it blike it is, I want to see him as our 3rd-Base coach someday
And I wish They get David Justice away from New York and have him in the booth, That would Rule!
And I don’t understand why people hate on Ron Gant when he’s in the booth (once in a blue moon). I like hearing his old stories of those 90’s braves teams
Soph
January 9th, 2010
1:59 pm
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
2:00 pm
Jeffrey D
You went to UGA?
How is it out there, I heard that is a crazy Party School? I need to make it out there for dead day and the weekend before the fall semester starts…
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:01 pm
you can’t Bash Brian Jordan, he Tells it blike it is
It just takes him a week to awkwardly say it.
TnBrian
January 9th, 2010
2:02 pm
Jim, about Kimbrel, those numbers you posted are impressive and I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see him up some time this season especially if one of (God Forbid) Saito or Wagner go down. I just hope he isn’t another Joey Devine where it takes him so long to finally get it together once he hits the bigs.
flange, you want substance? Well, look no further, bi***! Come at me for no reason for calling out uga-brave makes you a coward in my book. uga-brave is cool, he just gets under my skin sometimes. Anyways, have a god day, mange.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
Wonder what a Carroll-less USC program will be like in the coming years?
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
VJ – your “other” team is playing GA Tech!
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:04 pm
Yeah I went to UGA. There’s a lot of partying at the bars downtown and the frat houses on Milledge. We went DT sometimes, but not a lot because it gets a little too drunk and ugly.
But it’s a great college and town. I wouldn’t trade my 4 years there for anything.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:05 pm
Is Carroll going to Seattle for sure? I know I wouldn’t trade USC for the Seahawks, but whatever.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
2:06 pm
Speaking of Carroll leaving USC…why leave USC for….Seattle? As a coach, and a very successful one at USC, his popularity/celebrity status declines significantly going to Seattle. Not sure of that move.
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:07 pm
Apparently, Carroll has agreed in principle. I’m kinda lost as to why Seattle as well.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:09 pm
From Yahoo:
The bait: A reported $7 million annual salary over five years [for Carroll]
Yeesh…says they’re making him GM too.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t he do poorly in the NFL before? And can anybody give an example of a coach who’s had at least moderate success when switching from the NCAA to the NFL? I’m not too familiar with that situation outside of Spurrior and Petrino (both of those worked out splendidly)
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:11 pm
For those asking “Why Seattle?” (I know I was) here’s a good article explaining it. Basically says Carroll has nothing left to prove at USC and he’s leaving to have the “ultimate freedom” to conquer a new challenge in the NFL
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Carroll-USC-s-conquering-hero-off-to-prove-him;_ylt=ArOmf7n.bZvMe8ZUP6McVvU5nYcB?urn=ncaaf,212613
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:12 pm
Ooh and don’t forget Saban and the Dolphins a few years ago. Then he bolted to Bama.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:12 pm
Sorry cabravesfan. I hear Mora is available
SeaAtl
January 9th, 2010
2:14 pm
I have looked around the www but can’t find anyone / anywhere that discusses my question about Hinske – he is a former ROY, and now he is a utility player only a few years later. I am just curious why – I realize that is probably not unheard of, but still it’s interesting to me that he dropped off that much. Do many experts / pundits / fans think he’s still got unrealized potential? Or did he peak immediately and now he “is what he is”? I’m not picking, criticizing, or being negative – simply curious.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
2:18 pm
Watching K-State and Missouri. I have always been a big fan of Coach Mike Anderson. He reminds me of Nolan Richardson (in terms of style of play). (Obviously, since he was a Nolan assistant for about 20 years.) When Nolan was at Arkansas, the best game of the year in the SEC was UK vs Arkansas…both teams full-court pressin’, runnin’ and gunnin’, and lightin’ up the nets from 3-pt range. Guess that’s why I like watchin’ Missouri now. Should be a tough, tough match-up for KU.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2010
2:18 pm
he is a former ROY, and now he is a utility player only a few years later. I am just curious why
I actually had no idea he was ROtY until you just said that. That’s a good question too. He was good enough to be the best rookie in 2002, and now he’s basically a utility player. My only guess would be that he had initial success but wasn’t able to make the necessary adjustments to stay on top. Once pitchers and teams get to know a batter better, they know where to pitch him, what to pitch him, etc. And I guess the pitchers adjusted but he didn’t.
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:19 pm
cab will be okay. There’s always USC hoops…uh nevermind.
Flatbill Kid
January 9th, 2010
2:19 pm
It is just so obvious to me that when Frenchy’s outs were off the team, we really started to take off. Yeah we added some guys around that time but getting rid of Frenchy was huge for us. I love the guy as a person (met him and he was nothing but nice), but his total lack of discipline at the plate killed our team. It will be exciting to see what we can do this season without him and with the addition of others. Def excited about Wagner as our closer.
I also have a friend that is a huge cardinal fan. He was telling me that he is so glad we signed Glaus because he is sick of his injuries and lack of being on the field. I sure hope we get a glaus that is able to stay on the field and be productive. That is asking a lot coming off his shoulder trouble.
So I guess we are done spending this offseason so our lineup looks like…
1. McLouth
2. Prado
3. Larry
4. Santa Glaus
5. McFann’s man
6. Escobar
7. Melkman
8. Diaz
9. JJJ
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
2:24 pm
Carroll would take the Seattle job for 2 reasons- he would have complete (or near complete depending on the source) control over football decisions (which was a deal breaker for him) and it is on the West Coast, which he has no interest in leaving (the reported $7 million a year isn’t too bad either…)
USC will be fine, especially if they can get Riley or one of the ex-NFL guy that played at USC (Fisher or Del Rio…) I am not worried about USC
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
2:26 pm
Soph-
USC’s basketball team is actually playing very well right now- they just had their 8 game winning streak snapped the other night…and with the Pac-10 having a very down year, they have a realistic shot at winning the conference…of course, that means absolutely nothing since they can’t play in the post season, but it would be their first conference title so it’s still something to play for
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:27 pm
cab – I heard Herm Edwards is highly interested in the USC job as well.
Butch from The Cape
January 9th, 2010
2:28 pm
A line-up full of Chief Can’t_knock_a_homers will not be able to compete with a team whose line-up is full of home run hitters.
Frankie Wren signed Troy Broken Glass to be the 2010 version of Miss Garrett Anderson. Chipper Can’t Keep up with the Jones’ anymore contract along with Derek Lowe’s won’t make the remainder of Frankie When I’m Fired tenure pleasant.
When all is said and done, The Liberty Bell ownership will show where it’s crack came from. Loyal Braves fans are too blind to see it.
Soph
January 9th, 2010
2:29 pm
cab – yup, I saw that they were playing pretty well lately. Sucks they can’t play in March though. I hate how the current team gets punished for something that happened two years ago.
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
2:32 pm
Soph-
Yeah, Herm may be interested, but is USC interested in him? God I hope not!
(And I totally agree about how unfair it is that the current team gets punished for something that has nothing to do with them…)
DAP
January 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
tomahawkin, justice is good, gant is good, brian is not. he cannot speak. i like him, and he knows alot about baseball and would probably make a good coach, but that doesnt make him someone who can articulate in a live broadcast situation. he hardly ever actually says anything.
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
Butch From the Cape
That last post was harsh! I thought I was bad at dissing our cheap owners but that last post you made takes the cake, keep it coming!
Heath
January 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
cabravesfan -
So, you don’t want a coach who has his kids to “plat to win the game” at USC?
Butch from The Cape
January 9th, 2010
2:54 pm
Looks like Paul Allen hasn’t lost enough money in failed ventures. He’s throwing more of Bill Gates’ money away at Pete The Poodle. A 5 year contract for $35 mil is a nice golden parachute to fall on given the fact that O.J’s Alma Mater won’t sniff the post season until after The Poodle is fired from the Seahawks.
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
2:56 pm
Heath-
Plat? I’m not sure what that is but I don’t know if I want my coach telling me to do it…
Kieran(Long Island Braves fan)
January 9th, 2010
2:59 pm
DOB-
Ouch, a shameless shot at NY Waters at 12:17.
Tried out Mastadon as per your recommendation. Pretty good stuff, I went with their older, most critically acclaimed album “Leviathan”, first (Nothing like a heavy metal concept album themed around Moby Dick). I’m going to move on to Crack the Skye next.
Also recently got Pearl Jam, “BackSpacer”. Why so low on the 2009 list? It sounds to me like the best thing they’ve put out since Binaural.
ryan c
January 9th, 2010
3:05 pm
after francoeur was extracted from the braves lineup in july of 2009, the offense was instantly much better. up to that point, we were 11th in the NL in runs scored, after that point, we were tied for 2nd (actually ahead of philly by 2 runs). Here’s the top 4:
Milwaukee- 374 runs
Atlanta- 362 runs
Colorado- 362 runs
Philadelphia- 362 runs
so, keeping those statistics into account, let’s look at lineup/bench comparisons:
Post Francoeur 2010
1. Mclouth 1. Mclouth
2. Prado 2. Prado
3. Chipper 3. Chipper
4. McCann 4. Glaus
5. Anderson 5. McCann
6. Escobar 6. Escobar
7. Laroche 7. Diaz/Melky
8. Diaz 8. Heyward
it looks like an obvious improvement, right? most would say yes, but matt diaz and adam laroche both played “out of their minds” good in the 2nd half (both ops’d over 900), which offset garret’s 700 ops (comes out to an 833 ops average for the 3). we will be very fortunate if we can get an .833 average ops out of left field, right field, and first base. i still think that this offense’s make or break point comes down to a health and hitting chipper. if he can get back to that 950-1000 ops that he has basically had his full career, the offense could be a scoring machine!
bench comparison:
post francoeur 2010
henske norton
conrad mitch jones?
ross ross
infante/kj/diory infante
blanco/kj melky/diaz
the braves had 202 atbats as ph last year and 68 of them came from the power outage that called himself greg norton. with the options that are there for 2010, one would bet that our pinch hitting will improve from its 732 ops and 3 measly homeruns. in comparison, the phillies had 9, the mets had 5, and the marlins had 8. adding 4-5 homeruns out of a bench could mean 2-3 more close wins.
last year, after the francoeur trade, the braves had a .584 winning percentage. even if the braves stand pat on that mark, they would be a 95 win team which would have been good enough last year to win the division or the wild card. without major injury, i think we can be a 95-98 win team.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
3:06 pm
cabravesfan -
ha ha…typo. Why Herm, you never know what he’d say anyway.
Heath
January 9th, 2010
3:07 pm
One of the four unbeatens looks to be in real big trouble… Wisconsin up 11 over Purdue with about 11 to go.
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
3:09 pm
Heath-
That is so true
I’m not really sure Herm has what it takes to relate to college kids…he seems a bit…
GarynpOH
January 9th, 2010
3:12 pm
Hi All,
been reading the blog for over a year, first time jumping in. Heading to DW in Feb. anyone know if i would be able to watch pitchers/catchers practice? Lot of entertaining comments some i wish would get job, hobby or woman maybe not in that order (See P.L.)
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
January 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
2:42 pm
Butch From the Cape
That last post was harsh! I thought I was bad at dissing our cheap owners but that last post you made takes the cake, keep it coming!
—————–
WHY????
TnBrian
January 9th, 2010
3:13 pm
This is pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5z4Vs26-TI
Heath
January 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
…much?
Steve McP
January 9th, 2010
3:14 pm
In Glaus’s first season with the cardinals he played 152 games, he was injured last year and had season ending surgery. Prior to that with Toronto he played 266 games in two seasons. Does not sound like the sort of player who will miss a lot of games if he is fully recovered from the surgery.
cabravesfan
January 9th, 2010
3:15 pm
Heath-
A much kinder word then I was thinking but it will work
Tomahawkin
January 9th, 2010
3:17 pm
The Bear
Maybe one of those Corporate Clowns at Liberty Media will see our rants and do something to address the offense…
“like that will happen (joking)”
Heath
January 9th, 2010
3:18 pm
Purdue is struggling from the field in this game against Wisconsin. They look good when the shots are fallin’, but games like this show the seperation between them and teams like UK, UT, and KU….they don’t a big guy that will just get the ball down low and score or a guard who will just take the ball to the rim and score at will. I have seen a lot of UK and a little of KU and UT…thpse three teams have those players that help them overcome poor shooting.