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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,409 comments Add your comment
1eyedJack
January 30th, 2010
12:11 pm
There sure are a lot of insomniac Braves fans out there…including you Dave O’Brien.
Mitchie-san
January 30th, 2010
12:11 pm
Agreed DOB, I think if they could get him at that price, they would.
benchwarmer
January 30th, 2010
12:14 pm
Matty D will have another .300 year. Looks to me like the outfield is pretty full. Do we need Damon? His style is great but doesn’t Diaz play just as hard? I believe there are enough parts available now to make the playoffs. If not some of those parts may help procure what is missing. The big question marks to me are in the middle of the order, C. Jones and Glaus.
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
12:19 pm
It’s finally time to put all the Damon talk to rest, as he will probably end up a Jay. — N Nine
I’d guess it’ll be time to put the Damon talk to rest when either he signs with another team or the Braves say, we’re not interested in Damon. And no, I don’t mean saying a week ago in a radio interview that they weren’t talking to Damon. I mean saying, we’re not interested.
And I don’t mean that to put them in a corner or raise false expectations or anything like that. Honestly, that’s not it at all.
I’m simply saying, I still think they probably have interest and his price has fallen. So as long as he’s available and they haven’t ruled it out, then I think it’s a reasonable possibility.
Darrell in Jersey
January 30th, 2010
12:23 pm
DOB, We have got to sign Damon. No ifs, ands or buts about it. He definitely makes us a better hitting lineup and I’m willing to take the defensive limitations to have him in the leadoff spot. His defense didn’t hurt the Yankees or Red Sox. Can we really afford to be that picky?? Please go play nice nice with Wren and convince him to sign him.
O.J.
January 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
Hey DOB is that some guy posing as you or is that you and for some reason you dont have the Grey border around your post?
If its some poser, you need to stop, really
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
12:29 pm
Jesse Chavez came from Tampa Bay not Pittsburgh…Pittsburgh was his original team but then he was a Ray and was traded to Atlanta for Raffy — Smitty
Correct. Although he was traded to Tampa Bay in November and never suited up as a Ray before he was traded again. So while you’re correct, it’s also probably confusing to some who know that he’s only pitched for one major league team, the Pirates, and for two organizations — the Rangers and Pirates.
Nova Scotia Steve
January 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
Well happy Saturday everyone! It hockey day here up North! All six Canadian teams are playing in all Canadian matchups.
Games start in about 1/2 hour…its only 9:35 AM where i’m at…a lot of drinkin and eating going to happen today!
Only 19 Days until Pitchers and Catchers report!
I wonder does Roger still do the “Camp Leo” thing?
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
Tom O’Hawke: No, certainly wasn’t my idea to limit polling to one vote. I wish everyone could vote more, but they don’t give me option of setting up poll that way.
Darrell in Jersey
January 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
I keep reading on blogs and different threads about how “versatile” the current Braves outfield is. To me, that means we’ve got a bunch of guys who know alot about each of the positions but aren’t masters at any. That doesn’t change my opinion about signing Damon. This current group won’t save a run a game but Damon almost certainly adds a run a game to this lineup in one way or another.
Braveheart
January 30th, 2010
12:43 pm
That’s the problem with isolating defensive stats like arm strength alone. Because who cares if Garrett’s arm was better than Melky’s when Garrett didn’t lay out or even race to get to balls that Melky could have gotten to? Or that Diaz would have busted arse trying to get to? And while Damon’s arm is undeniably bad, I’d take his overall defense over GA’s at this stage of their careers, no doubt.
DOB, there really isn’t that much of a problem with a stat that isolates the performance of one’s arm in preventing runs. The problem really ain’t with the stat, it’s with the hysterical loons that act like a guy with a weak arm causes so many runs to be scored. The problem with isolating a defensive skill like arm strength without any reference to how many runs a good arm prevents and a bad arm allows is that, as we’ve seen this morning, too many based solely on observation or reputation are going bananas about how we can’t get Damon because his arm is so pathetic. They act is if Damon will cost them 20 runs or more just based upon the reputation and their observational perception of his arm.
So, the point of putting up that stat is to show that, no, despite the hysterical rants of so many on here, his arm actually doesn’t cost you that many runs compared to the average left field arm, or compared to other Braves outfielders. At most he would cost his team a run every 2 months or so relative to an average armed leftfielder. So, not that big of a deal.
And, as you were saying, the reason for that is likely because of his hustle and speed. He may have a noodle arm, but his hustle and speed allows him to cut balls off in the gaps and corners or while rushing in and to release balls back to the infield faster than others with much stronger arms, and so on and so on.
So the good thing about isolating defensive stats like how many runs an individual player prevents with his arm is that it allows you to put a reality check on the hysterical loons who want to believe that Damon’s weak arm will kill the Braves
Moe Berg
January 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
Darrell in Jersey–The question of generalists or specialists is quite old–at least as far back as the Archilocus’ fragment–”The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” I agree it is probably good to have some of both. I like having two superutility-type bench players (Hinske & Infante). While I agree with your argument that we want to combine them with some people who have mastered some positions, I am not sure that Damon fits the bill. The interest in him is primarily offensive, not because he has mastered left field. He goes to left field because his weak arm is the least liability there. He does hustle in the outfield (unlike our left fielder this past year), but one could hardly call him a master.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
12:51 pm
It’s not Loaf’s fault the ball girl wouldn’t cover gappers for him
shmoe
January 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
Damon is good for an extra run a game????????????? Equal to 162 runs over a season???? LOL. You are smoking some good sh#t.
And braves, please, let’s not ruin heyward against lefties by not playing him against them, a la ryan klesko. Let the guy hit and learn to rake them southpaws.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
12:55 pm
but one could hardly call him a master
I think that was Darrell’s point – this outfield, even an outfield with Damon, won’t save many runs. But Damon will still be able to add runs offensively.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
12:56 pm
Equal to 162 runs over a season???? LOL. You are smoking some good sh#t.
So you’re saying a season with 81 runs scored and 81 RBIs is unattainable? Damon did more than that just last year.
O.J.
January 30th, 2010
12:59 pm
jeffrey d, thats not what you said, you said 162 runs, which we all know means runs scored. If you meant a combo of both you said have said so.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
1:01 pm
I didn’t say it at all! That was Darrell
joe fan
January 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Is running in to Michael Stipe a the 40 Watt common? We ran in to him there a few years ago at a God Speed You Black Emperor! show.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
This is the last time I stand up for any of you
Redstick19
January 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Anyone else watch MLB Network’s “Hot Stove”? That Heyman dude is too funny- especially on Johnny Damon. Two weeks ago he was certain it was down to Braves and Yankees- and that it was a near-lock that Yanks would sign him. Then early this week, it was the As and the Reds that came into th epicture and Oakland would surely get it done… and now last nighht he pretty much admitted he has no idea where Damon will land. Man, he should have just said that three weeks ago and he woulda been done with it!
Having said that, DOB- you get the impression that Damon would wait and sign during spring training if he has to, or have you heard anything that would lead you to believe that he wants to sign before ST and would do whatever it takes to make that happen? In other words, could you see the Braves waiting and signing him in mid-March?
O.J.
January 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
My bad jeffrey d, i jumped the gun too soon, sorry about that.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
1:05 pm
Apology rejected
Lew
January 30th, 2010
1:08 pm
Pumping gas in two below temps with a 25 MPH wind blowing is not one of my favorite pasttimes.
All worth it though for a new Graham Parker offering. Just listened to Squeezing Out Sparks the other day-Classic tunes. Dude has always had a way with words “It ain’t the knife in the Heart that tears you apart-it’s just the thought of someone stickin it in.” Ain’t it the truth?
Chris from the Rock
January 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
We might as well concede the division to the Mets. They just signed Frank Catalanotto.
Jeff Blauser
January 30th, 2010
1:19 pm
The BP projections have the Phils and Braves Tied atop the East at 85-77. The Diamondbacks are second in the West with the same record. If the season were to end with this scenario, how would the playoff teams be determined? I am assuming the Braves and Phillies would have a one game playoff to determine the Division Champion. Would the loser of that game then finish a half game behind the Snakes in the Wild Card? Seems wrong.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
1:23 pm
Too bad they can’t have a biggest chin competition to determine it
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
At least we’ll get to see his John Madden 18 times a year.
Daybed Wagmoe
January 30th, 2010
1:25 pm
The Mets just signed that awful comedian who does unfunny impersonations of every celebrity.
Chris from the Rock
January 30th, 2010
1:28 pm
Anbody realize that out of all of the Braves everyday position players, McLouth is the only one w/o a career OPS above .800, and his is .796?
That’s pretty sharp. How many other teams can boast they have 6-7 guys in which that is the case? Yankees, Red Sox maybe?
Jay-Hey the Franchise
January 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
DOB…are they charging for autographs at the Caravan?
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
1:32 pm
Jay-Hey: No, autographs are free at Caravan stops, according to info team sent out.
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
1:35 pm
Is running in to Michael Stipe a the 40 Watt common? We ran in to him there a few years ago at a God Speed You Black Emperor! show. — joe fan
Not sure how common it is, but he lives nearby. Spends a lot of time at his Athens home, from what I hear.
SoWeGa Fanatic
January 30th, 2010
1:40 pm
Baseball, me want baseball.
TnBrian
January 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
It’s 210 to 59 in favor of signing Damon right now. Wren has no choice …
Curt
January 30th, 2010
1:53 pm
Ill be heading to the Auburn Caravan stop here in a little bit. Anyone else headed out?
Redstick19
January 30th, 2010
1:56 pm
DOB-
has there been a mandate and/or strong recommendation down from Braves’ front office for players not to “mingle” with us bloggers? I haven’t seen U Know Who on here in what seems like at least a year, maybe longer. Obviously, he might still read the blog- but I was just curious why no post/comment from a certain hairy-chinned one? Not that he owes us or anything like that- just seems odd that he posted for several days or weeks, and then just abruptly stopped and never commented again (at least under that name).
Chuck James can Potentially be Solid until the 6th again!!!
January 30th, 2010
1:59 pm
DOB
Random question. When Chipper hits a home run and after he crosses the plate, he seems to always be staring up at somebody in the luxury box behind the home dugout, giving the rock symbol (as seen here: http://blogs.chron.com/immigration/archives/chipper%20jones) Any idea who that is to and the significance, if any, behind it?
P. W. Hjort
January 30th, 2010
2:05 pm
Mark me down in the “for” column, TnBrian.
Salamander
January 30th, 2010
2:07 pm
Retribution Gospel Choir’s new record 2 is pretty solid.
They remind me of ‘Foreign Born’ and other, more well known bands that I can’t quite place. I want to say they sound a bit like U2, but that’s not really accurate (maybe Soundgarden meets Bad Company?).
Anyway, 2 is a good, straight-up rock ‘n roll album.
Ozzie
January 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
Any season projection that has the Phillies only winning 85 games is suspect. They have a better team than last year and the division didn’t get that much more competitive.
I can see the Phillies winning 95+ games without too much trouble barring injuries and Hamel bouncing back.
That worries me b/c the Phillies starting off slowly helped the Braves stay in it early in 09. When the Phillies go hot we struggled and then rallied, then struggled, then face planted the last week while they chugged along.
If the Phillies jump out of the gate hot I don’t see this Braves team catching them. Damon may help but it will be up to the 3-4-5 hitters to step up along with no injuries in the rotation.
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
2:27 pm
has there been a mandate and/or strong recommendation down from Braves’ front office for players not to “mingle” with us bloggers? — redstick
No. Certainly not that I’m aware of.
Chipper came on for two or three days in a row two years ago. That was it, at least under any screen name that we know of. He seemed open to coming back on and indicated he would try to a couple of times when I’ve asked since then, but never did as far as I know.
He’s probably reading the comments now and then during offseason, since I know he likes to keep up with moves the Braves and other teams make and the response from the public. Maybe he’ll come back on again before long. I’ll mention it again to him this spring.
CB
January 30th, 2010
2:32 pm
I think one of the things hurting the Braves is how good the NL East is going to be,every team in the division should be better. Philly is loaded,Mets will not have as many injuries,Nats will be vastly improved and Marlins should still be strong. The division will be much more competitive,making it harder to get wins. I know a lot of people think our best bet is a wildcard,but I disagree. 88 wins might win our division, probably our best bet for playoffs is to win the division. Teams in the weaker Central and West will probably give us the wildcard winner.
P. W. Hjort
January 30th, 2010
2:32 pm
Ozzie (January 30th, 2010 2:22 pm EST): Any season projection that has the Phillies only winning 85 games is suspect. They have a better team than last year and the division didn’t get that much more competitive.
I don’t think their team is better than last year. Last year Raul Ibanez got a visit from the career year wizard, that isn’t likely to happen again. All eight of their starting position players are past their theoretical baseball prime–you figure there’s some regression in order because of that.
Their biggest move of the off season was to replace a thirty one year old Cliff Lee with a thirty three year old Roy Halladay, which I think is a marginal upgrade at best. Their second biggest move was to replace Pedro Feliz with Placido Polanco–not an upgrade. Their bullpen didn’t get any better this off season. Overall, I’m not seeing where the improvement is coming from.
They were an exceptionally healthy team in 2009, most teams don’t repeat that, especially one as old as that of the Phillies.
Not to mention the kind of regression Happ is in store for.
TnBrian
January 30th, 2010
2:45 pm
If I were a player for the Braves this would be the first place I’d come to see what the fans are thinking. That’s just me and they might not give a flip, but most of them have to know O’Brien has a blog up and at least a few have to scoop in here.
TnBrian
January 30th, 2010
2:46 pm
If McCann got on here McFann would break her key tabs writing so fast. Computer would probably blow up.
Heath
January 30th, 2010
2:56 pm
DOB -
I remember when Hoss came on the blog…. very cool.
TnBrian
January 30th, 2010
3:00 pm
Old Hoss is bigger than I thought. We went to a Braves game a few years back and were at field level while he was standing at 3rd. I could still take him if I wanted to though.
Andy K.
January 30th, 2010
3:00 pm
Chipper came on in the old days of the blog…old format and commenting system…the good ol’ days, although things have vastly improved since then. In terms of tech and all, now we can have 50+ page blogs without a crash.
nolie
January 30th, 2010
3:06 pm
So you’re saying a season with 81 runs scored and 81 RBIs is unattainable? Damon did more than that just last year jeffrey
that’s only an extra 182 runs is you only play 8 guys if you don’t have Damon. Geeeze. Any other player could do the 81-81 thing too. I can’t believe you said that.
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
3:11 pm
C-sign on your 2:32, P.W. They spent 18 mil on Polanco and he’s not as good as Infante, IMO.
TnBrian, he’d tear his oblique in half throwing the first punch. Not fair to pick on the crippled.
TnBrian
January 30th, 2010
3:21 pm
The Grinch, that’s true. We need CJ on the field healthy as he can be.
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
3:27 pm
OK, after that shellacking at Georgetown, I might have to drop Duke from my list of “others” I thought had a good shot at the Final Four, until further notice. They looked great earlier in the season. But now …
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
Herschel Walker’s making his MMA debut tonight at 10 on Showtime; anyone else gonna watch?
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
The Grinch – I probably will. Herschel’s been taking this very seriously and looks like he’s in incredible shape, even in his late-40’s. I’ll be rooting for him.
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
No doubt. He said on the radio yesterday that he only eats one meal a day consisting of soup, salad and bread. I don’t know how he maintains his frame that way. He also said the reason he’s still able to perform at this age is because he never lifts weights. All his workouts are pushups, situps, dips, etc.
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
3:49 pm
One meal a day? Are you sure? I’m not sure that’s optimal…
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
3:53 pm
I mean, I eat all day and I still get hungry all the time. And I’m not training to become a MMA expert.
chipperchop
January 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
Wow…the Nats are saying that they will now raise the payroll comparable to the what both NY teams and LA Teams spend. That should be interesting considering what they are now doing with their club.
CB
January 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
You probably need a large vehicle to get around in,jeffrey?
Eric from MO
January 30th, 2010
4:07 pm
chipperchop where did you see that?
Moe Berg
January 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
Nats Payroll blurb from MLBTR:
Team president Stan Kasten received some questions regarding the club’s payroll. Kasten believes that the size of Washington’s market could allow them to have a payroll “right below the New Yorks or the LAs.” The Nationals spent a franchise record $60.328MM on their Opening Day roster in 2009.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/01/nationals-notes-dunn-hudson-payroll.html
ccrider
January 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
I am going to put on my hard hat after raising this idea, but bear with me to the end.
The Braves could use another big bat to make them contenders, but they don’t have the money. Would anyone think it would make sense to offer Lowe($15 mil for 3 yrs) and McLouth($4.5 this year and going up) to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez ($20 this year only)?
My rational is the Braves would receive a big bat(WRITERS NOTE; I don’t particularly care for Manny, but I am thinking about next year and beyond, as well as this years needs and the fact of Manny being in a contract year) they need, while the Dodgers need a good innings starting pitcher and a replacement for Manny.
I believe Medlen can better Lowe’s numbers from lst year, I would platoon Schafer and Melky in CF. A lineup of : Prado, Escobar, Chipper, Ramirez, McCann, Glaus, Heywood, Melky/Schafer would certainly have a better chance of consistently producing runs. I personally think this would give us a better chance of winning this year. But, What I really am looking forward to would be the freeing up of the $20 to 30 Million dollars next year to fill out the missing pieces to out team.
Would a lineup of LF Carl Crawford, 2b Prado, RF Heyward, 3B Chipper, CF Jason Werth, C McCann, SS Escobar, 1st Freeman in some form give us a real chance a World Series? If Schafer played to what most consider his ability, one of Werth or Crawford could be eliminated, to perhaps add bench and bullpen depth. A Glaus resigning or Jorge Cantu to platoon with Freeman and give Chipper lots of rest.
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
The Braves would have no interest of any kind in Manny IMO
Heath
January 30th, 2010
4:11 pm
DOB -
Got a thought on tonight’s KU/K-State match-up? Maybe even a prediction?
Moe Berg
January 30th, 2010
4:12 pm
ccrider–Since Lowe came to the Braves from the Dodgers, my guess is that they were not that interested in keeping him. I’m sure they could have negotiated to have him stay, if they wanted. Didn’t the owner get annoyed with Lowe for dating a sports reporter out there?
brian
January 30th, 2010
4:16 pm
I would love to see the Braves sign Damon to a 1 year $5 million contract. If Heyward is not lights out this spring he can start in AAA under less pressure with a May/June call up. Whenever Heyward is ready we could trade Diaz or Melky. I would deal Diaz for a prospect or two because of Melky’s versatility.
Damon
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
McLouth
Heyward/Melky/Diaz
P
THat is a strong lineup – not the most powerful lineup but no easy outs and a lot of good hitters.
You cannot put a price on clubhouse leadership either, if Damon will bring that as well. The Braves missed Glavine’s and Maddux’s club house leadership nearly as much as they missed their Hall of Fame performances. That is why I think getting Glavine back involved with the Braves in some roll is important for the team. I would love to see Glavine as a roaming pitching instructor during spring training – even if only for a week or so, then moving to some job in Atlanta keeping him near the team and near his family. I want Glavine to be around Hanson and Jurrjens as well as Minor, Delgado, Vizcaino, and Teheran
jeffrey d
January 30th, 2010
4:18 pm
You probably need a large vehicle to get around in,jeffrey?
Just a forklift for when I occasionally leave my bed. You know when Jerry Springer would occassionally do a show on that guy and go to his house and weigh him on the freight scale?
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:19 pm
Ithink someone with the Dodgers actually said they had noi interest in getting Lowe back when he was available this winter and they were looking at pitching. I’m guessing that one is doomed from both sides.
Eric from MO
January 30th, 2010
4:20 pm
Ccrider no that isnt a good idea. For starters Manny only has one year left. Second McLouth is a good cheap OF with multiple years still left. Third right now Lowe’s trade value is very low. He has 3 good months then he is tradable again. Lets not forget his first couple months was pretty darn good with the Braves. I believe the same as Lowe and other baseball people that Lowes struggles had more to do with mechanics and it is hard to suddenly change your mechanics mid-season. I believe he has worked on them and will be good again this season.Fourth I dont think the Dodgers really want Lowe.
brian
January 30th, 2010
4:21 pm
someone made a great point about Freeman and his age on the last blog. I agree with their point- SLOW DOWN. Freeman is so young. There should be no rush to get him to the majors. He is a great prospect but he is not the prospect of a generation like Heyward (when was the last time the Braves had a position prospect like Heyward – Chipper? or for that matter a pitching prospect like Hanson – SMoltz?)
Let Freeman take his time developing and learning. WHether he is up in 2011 or not until 2013 he needs to advance when he is ready
brian
January 30th, 2010
4:23 pm
ccrider – I disagree about Manny but I do agree with going after Werth as a future OF for the Braves.
I would take Damon at $5 million over Manny at $20 million any day of the week if I was running a team (of course I would be unlikely to take Manny at any price if I was running the team)
Heath
January 30th, 2010
4:27 pm
brian -
That is kinda why I am surprised the Braves couldn’t have figured out a deal for LaRoche. Maybe a 1-yr guarantee with 2 additional option years or something. It’s not like he ended up with a megadeal with a lot of years.
mav34
January 30th, 2010
4:30 pm
I took my daughter to the Braves caravan today in Montgomery and had a funny story to share. When we got to Kris Medlen she asked him to sign the cover of a Braves calender she had. When he gets done, he looks at her and asks if she wants him to sign Chipper’s name on there too. My daughter, who is eight, looks at him wide eyed and asks ” You can do that? what about McCann’s too? Just wanted to pass along my experiance. Kris is a super nice guy, very friendly and all. He was even telling us about how his parents named him Kris, after Kris Kristofferson and was joking about how much they had in common with the good looks and talent. Ever since she started watching Braves games a couple of years ago, Brian McCann has always been my daughters favorite. Looks like she might have a new one now.
ccrider
January 30th, 2010
4:33 pm
nolie: they might not, but if they would what do you think for the short and most of all long term results for the team in the next 2 years without Lowe’s contract keeping them from upgrading their offense? The lack of quality starters might have changed their minds.
moe: The Dodgers may have reversed their position with the lack of quality starting pitching beyond Billiingsly, Kershaw and Kuroda.
Eric from MO: The point was McLouth isn’t a true CF, Schafer is much better defensively and McLouth would be replaced with the money saved with Crawford or Werth and if Schafer failed then there would be money to sign both Werth and Crawford.
McFann
January 30th, 2010
4:34 pm
TnBrian If McCann got on here McFann would break her key tabs writing so fast. Computer would probably blow up.
Ha! Yeah…though I cann never come up with good things to say in those situations…I’d come of sounding corny, I’m sure…
mav34–
Too cute.
Perhaps she cann have so-favorites.
McFann
January 30th, 2010
4:36 pm
*co-favorites
Heath
January 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
Cousins is the best low-post player in college…been gettin’ better and better all year.
ace
January 30th, 2010
4:37 pm
Great Medlen story, Mav34. I say Kristofferson in Valdosta, Ga., in 1973, and enjoyed a chat with him before the show. Great talent, great show. Hit the Jack Daniels pretty hard during the show.
To me, he’s an ipod staple along with Cash, Dylan, the Boss, Stones, George Jones, Elvis, Cobain, Emmylou, Shawn Mullins, John Prine and Neil Young.
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
4:38 pm
Jeff, I thought that sounded like BS too (Herschel’s diet), ’till it occured to me that maybe that’s just the diet from ONE of his personalities and another one probably eats steak and pasta to even it out.
Good story, mav34. Medlen seems like a cool guy. Man, even 8 year old girls prefer McCann. I’m gonna have to work on making my arms smaller and butt bigger.
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:40 pm
Crawford is likely to be pretty darn expensive next season. I don’t know that I would want to tie up another big contract for some stolen bases, which do not have all that much impact on runs scored.
David O'Brien
January 30th, 2010
4:41 pm
Heath: It’ll be a very tough test for KU, and that’s about all I’ll predict for tonight’s game.
ace
January 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
…oops, saw, not say. Like Kris, too much Jack Daniels in the 70s.
JUST ASKIN'
January 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
Heath
January 30th, 2010
4:27 pm
brian -
That is kinda why I am surprised the Braves couldn’t have figured out a deal for LaRoche. Maybe a 1-yr guarantee with 2 additional option years or something. It’s not like he ended up with a megadeal with a lot of years.
——————
Heath, LaRoche was demanding a three year contract worth $31 million. The Braves were not interested in those figures or the length of the contract so they passed.
They then made the decision to sign Glaus since no one could foresee what the eventual outcome would be for LaRoche. As a matter of fact the Giants did offer him two years at $17 million and he refused. If he refused those numbers what makes you think he would accept something dramatically less from the Braves?
And by the time LaRoche got around to accepting less than he played for in 2009 the Braves’ barn door was closed.
Just what would you have done in order to get to a point where you could have signed him for “a 1-yr guarantee with 2 additional option years or something?”
It simply was not possible from where I sit. LaRoche messed up his own deal or he and his agent messed it up. Anyway the deal was messed up and it was not the Braves who messed it up.
ace
January 30th, 2010
4:43 pm
DOB, you can have only 5 artists on your ipod. They are…..?
Moe Berg
January 30th, 2010
4:44 pm
So has Medlen graduated from having to carry his My Little Pony backpack?
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
LaRoche messed up his own deal or he and his agent messed it up. Anyway the deal was messed up and it was not the Braves who messed it up. JA
I agree.
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
4:45 pm
Ace, for David it would be REM and a roadie.
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:46 pm
nah, REM & Penelope,surely she can sing a note or two
nolie
January 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
one note would probably be enough for Dave actually as long as there were lots of pictures
The Grinch
January 30th, 2010
4:49 pm
Two notes: “Oh!” and “Yes!”
Heath
January 30th, 2010
4:51 pm
DOB -
Not surprised that Baylor is up on Texas right now. I haven’t watched one second of that game, but I might predict that Baylor’s guards are seriously outplaying the guards from Texas… I have been consistent in saying that is my thoughts on their weakness. KU should have a big advantage there unless someone from Texas gets hot.
Couch Tater
January 30th, 2010
4:57 pm
I hope the Braves have a nice turnout in Auburn, but they scheduled the event at the same time as the Alabama/Auburn basketball game. The pasture may be empty.
Mitchie-san
January 30th, 2010
4:57 pm
I also agree about rushing Freeman, but things have changed a little after signing Glaus. He is just 33 years old and apparently wants to play here. He could always agree to a one year deal(most likely one with an option year) if he does well this season. If Freeman starts blowin up there is no long term agreement(like if we offered LaRoache three years).
The Braves can really do what ever they want with Freeman and be fine at firstbase. (as long as Glaus stays healthy, that is.)
ccrider
January 30th, 2010
4:58 pm
nolie; My preference would be Schafer and Jason Werth( we need another good RH bat, assuming he has another year comparable to the last two), plus it leaves unused money to be used on the bench and bullpen or long term contracts for Escobar and Jurrjens.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
January 30th, 2010
5:00 pm
braves win braves win braves win!
brian
January 30th, 2010
5:02 pm
well put Just Askin
In addition the Braves decided they needed a strong right handed bat to play 1st base. If the BRaves had known they could have signed LaRoche for so little, yes they may have signed him
Question for DOB and the denizens: Are Teheran, Delgado, and Vizcaino all slated to start at Rome to start the year? If so, wow, what a rotation.
Hopefully the Braves will again see the benefits of investing in the draft and Latin American players to develop with these 3 combined with Heyward and Hanson.
Looking at Keith Law’s top 100, Martin Perez and Christian Friedrich stand out to me – after watching a lot of SAL league games over the years, those two were by far the most dominant I have seen in years. Yes more dominant than Madison Bumgardner etc that I have seen. Perez is a phenom at 18 and Friedrich caused more knees to buckle with his curve than I can remember
nolie
January 30th, 2010
5:04 pm
If so, wow, what a rotation. brian
lotta upside but they all have things they need to work on. it will be interesting to see how they do
brian
January 30th, 2010
5:05 pm
I would love to see some Braves hop on here and announce their presence. The most dedicated and enthusiastic Braves fans reside at the MIB blog. I have not seen anything in any sport for the dedicated fans (thanks DOB). A rare stop by of 15-30 minutes by a player will do as much to endear a player to his fan base as big production on the field. I hope Chipper, McCann, etc. spend just a little time here. Look at the response from Chippper (we still talk about it) and the great guest appearances during spring training.
Speaking of which – Matt Diaz still owes my son an autograph! Answered my question on the blog then dissed us at the ballpark. Matty D???
brian
January 30th, 2010
5:10 pm
nolie – the great part about having the 3 of them (Teheran, Vizcaino, and Delgado) is it gives us depth in case if one or even two does not make it. Each can project to a top of rotation starter to go with Hanson and hopefully Jurrjens as well. If Minor can just develop enough to be a solid 4th starter which we all think he can do then the Braves will be set for years to come.
I cannot wait to see these guys pitch next year