Heyward’s growing as fast as expectations

“Why all this praise for Damons agent this offer is not better than the yanks offered and he has to play for the tigers…ouch”

Exactly. That’s like diving into the water when the life raft starts taking on water, then you get your arm bit off by a shark, and nothing happened to anybody in the raft. Then saying “well, this was the best option once I jumped into the water.

Bottom line is that Boras mis-read the market for him. Left a higer offer on the table from the team that just won the WS, and had played for for the past 4 seasons.

Boras’ greed and Damon’s pride (in not accepting the initial Yankees offer), cost them money. And as you said…..

Now he’s a Tiger. Ouch indeed. Who knows? Maybe it’ll all work out in the end with Kid Rock and Ted Nugent playing at his B-Day party. Eminem can be the MC.

Though, I have to admit, if he does get the 2 year deal at 14 million, it will be more than I thought he was going to get (in money and years) earlier in the week.

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Just Pat – I think America makes a great product in general in MOST industries…. I go out of my way to buy USA owned and made stuff… things like my furniture (North Carolina made), electronics (VIZIO tv etc), and I effing hate the Chinese/Indian/Japanese con job that has gone on for 10-20 years (although I am guilty of owning a few Subarus downunder)

re Ford – there is something special going on there with Mr Mullaly at FORD. I saw a new Fusion last week at the dealer down the road from my house…. it is a bewdiful little car with everything you need in it… the tech driven marketing will work and will drive that company into a new bull phase… I only hope GM stops their “gas driven” marketing crud and looks at the real game in town….. put a $300 IPOD in there and a fancy schmancy voice driven op system and you have a decent chance for a big profit margin

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dogs-Only ever had problems with one Chevy. One out of ten or so ain’t all that bad. Driven the large majority of them well over 100,000 miles. This Malibu Max I have has been an exceptional car. The only problems I’ve had have been as a direct result of the God ASwful roads up here. The massive temperature swings (95 to minus 38 at one time or another since I’ve been here) wreck havoc on asphalt. It’s impossible to fix all the potholes as soon as they occur.
‘ve been here)

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Lew – great, my roomie in Las Vegas had 2 Malibus but had big problems with the transmission and radiator etc… but I liked his cars, plenty of guts when you needed it and a nice mid size…

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Grinch-I keep hoping Chevy’ll break down and actually listen to their customers and build what we want. I’ll take a 4 wheel drive version of the Malibu Max I have now. They discontinued it- though it doesn’t have 4 wheel drive, which is sometimes a good thing with the snow we usually get up here (but haven’t this year).

I can drive through about 4inches of snow with nothing more than front wheel drive and my good snow tires, but 4 inches is a minor snow fall most of the time.

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Though there are only a few weeks remaining in baseball’s offseason, one curious storyline has emerged. Free agent Cuban defectors Leslie Anderson and Jose Julio Ruiz, both left-handed first baseman with outfield experience, were unblocked by the U.S. government (it’s now officially been determined they will not contribute to communist activities in Cuba) and are eligible to sign with an MLB team. Anderson is scheduled to have an open workout in Cancun, Mexico, on Friday.

With most teams having already set their major league rosters, both Ruiz and Anderson will likely be competing for the same money and opportunities. Since both are too old to be considered prospects (Ruiz’s handlers say he’s 24, while last year’s World Baseball Classic media guide lists Anderson as 27) they are considered major league ready and will likely be on the major league roster for whichever team each signs with.

“They are similar players,” one American League team executive said.

What separates them? La Esquina decided to do its own version of tale of the tape:

Body type

While playing in Cuba, most estimates had Ruiz at about 6-foot-2, and anywhere from 200-210 pounds. Now, after almost a year out of Cuba spent working and eating better, Ruiz is up to almost 230 pounds, according to agent Joel Bello.

“Ruiz is a David Ortiz- looking dude,” said one Latin American scouting director.

Added Bello: “Due to the work he has put into his body and his natural abilities, Ruiz has become a prototypical power hitter.”

Meanwhile, Anderson is considered more of a solidly-built athlete who was listed at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds at last year’s WBC.

“He’s built like a Greek god,” said the Latin American scouting director, “He’s got a great body, better than Ruiz has.”

Position

Though Ruiz has played in centerfield and in left field in the Cuban National Series, his bigger size now likely makes him a first baseman, who could possibly play a corner outfield spot.

Anderson is considered such a good athlete that he’s likely still able to play the outfield. Agent Jaime Torres is marketing Anderson as primarily an outfielder who has the ability to play first base. Anderson played first base in last year’s WBC, but was listed as an outfielder.

“Leslie can play all three outfield positions,” Torres said. “He’s a legit centerfielder with a right fielder’s arm.”

Hitting ability

Though Ruiz has always had a thick body type, he’s never been considered a true power hitter. During the 2007-08 season, Ruiz hit .341 with 11 home runs and 69 RBIs. He hit 21 doubles and walked 44 times while striking out about 49 times (you can read more about his career numbers here). Last year, prior to defecting, Ruiz hit .305/.408/.467 in 52 games.

His added weight could turn him into more of a power hitter, but it will certainly take away from his baserunning abilities. Ruiz led the National Series with 32 stolen bases in 07-08.

“Ruiz has explained to me that while in Cuba he did not focus much on hitting for power, he worked the counts and hit the other way very frequently,” Bello said. “Ruiz understands how much emphasis is placed on the long ball in the bigs and has adapted his mind set.”

Most consider Anderson more of a power hitter than Ruiz . In the 07-08 season, Anderson hit .336 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI and a .455 OBP in 330 at-bats. Last year, Anderson hit .381 with 13 home runs and 66 RBI and a .502 slugging percentage in just 299 at-bats (see his full stats here).

Yet despite, Anderson’s monster numbers, several scouts say they prefer Ruiz’s swing.

“[Ruiz's] got a much shorter stroke,” the international scouting director said. “I like his swing much better, but I’ve never seen him play in a game.”

Experience

Though Ruiz played several years in the National Series for Santiago de Cuba, his overall resume doesn’t quite stack up to that of Anderson’s, who debuted for Camaguey in 2000 and has represented Team Cuba at the 2002 World University Championship and the 2006 and 2009 WBCs. Ruiz has never been a member of Cuba’s “A” team.

“Leslie Anderson got to travel with the big club, but if he was so good, then he would played more,” said the international scouting director. “But then again Alexei Ramirez also traveled with the big club but didn’t play much and he’s turned out good so far. Ruiz is old enough where Cuba should have taken him but they chose not to. I’m not sure what that tells you.”

In the two WBCs, Anderson was just 3-for-15 with only one extra base hit. Torres said Anderson was never given a true opportunity to start for Cuba. During last year’s WBC, Torres claims Anderson was only allowed to play because other regulars had been slumping.

Ruiz’s lack of power may have kept him from the national team altogether.

“As in MLB, the Cuban national team has always expected power out of its first basemen,” said agent Joe Kehoskie, who has represented several Cuban players.

Timetable

Of the two, Ruiz appears closer to signing. The Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers appear most interested in him.

Friday’s workout may determine Anderson’s market. Torres said he expects 12-15 teams — among them will be the New York Yankees, one source confirms — to be at Estadio Andres Quintana Roo in Cancun to scout Anderson.

With less than two weeks remaining until spring training starts, it will be interesting to see whether either can acquire visas in time to report this month. Torres believes Anderson may have an advantage since he’s already received two travel visas to the United States to participate in the WBC.

“I not only expect Anderson to be in major league camp, but I think he’ll be available for the first exhibition games,” Torres said.

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dogs-I’ve never found a Chevy (except one new lemon) that had an engine or transmission you could kill. My 72 Malibu was up to 450,000 miles (with the Dude I sold it to) and still had the original transmission in it. The rebuilt 350 we put in it when the original 307 died at 150,000 went at least another 300,000 with occasional valve jobs – Chevy DOES have a history of clattering valves, but the cars keep right on runnin – at least in my experience.

Chevy never has had a good brake design, though.

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Eric- never said I blamed anybody for it (Damon situation). All I meant was that it reminded me of last year’s situation with Peavy. And please don’t try to take credit for thinking the Braves shouldn’t sign Damon. I think you’d be in a very long line on that.

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Doggy Vizio tvs are made in other countries too ..as is almost all affordable electronic a/v equipment

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nolie – dohhhhhhhhhhhh thought Vizio was U.S.A

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Redstick19 i agree with you compairing this to peavy! i was one of the guys ranting about how i didnt want him because of how he was treating the ballclub and how he was not man enough to step in as our ace… i feel the same way about damon not wanting to step in and lead our team in his own way… is it just me or has a call from chipper been the kiss of death in getting players to sigh? he called jr… he called damon… i think he may have called jake too!

no one will miss johnny just like no one misses or wishes jake was one of our 5 starters!

i am sticking with my thoughts that if a player doesnt want to come to play in atlanta i dont want them and i dont think they are man enough to make a difference on the team anyway… example AJ, Mr yankee… i dont think anyone misses these names going into 2010 and if you do i dont believe you!

lets stick with this squad and see what we are looking at when the season starts. DONT MAKE MOVES JUST TO MAKE MOVES!

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nolie-I’ve got a 32 inch Toshiba Regza LCD that has been exceptional.

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Redstick it is DOB’s job to write articles and do this blog. While I respect him, he throws out trade proposals just like fans to make his job more interesting. He based this whole non-sense on the fact that the Braves hadnt said “we have no interest in Damon.” You cant honestly think that they were going to make that signing just because they hadnt come out and publically said no we are not interested in it. DOB is a slightly higher fan, since he gets paid to follow the Braves. However, he has nothing to do with Braves movements. So I dont take much of what he says over guys who have been on here awhile such as N8, DAP, and nolie.

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Eric from MO

If I were a major league ballplayer, ANY agent, or NO agent would make me rich. And hell no, I would not tolerate an agent who uses the tactics of Scott Boras.

I am damned tired of hearing about how he is just doing his job and doing it well.

Ask Jarrod Washburn and Johnny Damon how that’s working out for them NOW.

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nolie – I have a few tvs here and there and the best by far is a Vizio 42″, 120hp thingy, awesome picture… better than my LG 46″

I love looking at all of the pretty sheilas on hdtv now, you can see all the lines and flaws……… woo hoo

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Wayne ol’ buddy, you ain’t helping yourself any…

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nolie-I love the thing. Only problem is I’ve had it two years. Got it a year before the prices tanked. By today’s standards, I probably paid too much.

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Redstick because I like discussing the Braves. It is also where I get my Braves information. Believe it or not, the ST. Louis Dispatch doesnt write much about the Braves. I also said I respect him, but I guess you didnt want to copy and paste that part.

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Eric in Albany- While I believe Wren learned some very valuable lessons from last winter’s public swing-and-misses, I don’t think it will make him any better or worse of a GM. It will, likely, make him a more tight-lipped PR man though.

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Didnt Damon just get finished with a really nice contract that Boras got him? I may be mistaken but I think he made 13 million last year. Im sure Damon is a pretty big fan of Boras.

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Lew, I absolutely love to food the drugs, but usually in reverse order. I mean food after drugs, not that I drug people’s food.

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Lew – part 2 – funny as someone with a somewhat, “right of Attila the Hun political outlook, I actually quite like Billy Clinton, an effing smart man……”

must be the sex addiction thingy

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Redstick19 doesnt that result in a more effective GM? just think he has a lot to learn from JS and that was lesson 1. i think just learning that you have to keep a tight lip makes you better. i think some of us fans get mad because we had one list and wren and Co. had another list and other options that they went with. i sat here and thought every time someone signed or was traded here and said “i didnt think of that move” also “i thought for sure he was going to go for that other guy to fill that spot”. i think a lot of the moves this year could have been a lot worse than they are. and critics of wren get mad because his moves are not the guys with the big names that everyone expected. i can think of 1 guy i figured the braves would sign and they did. and his name is billy wagner.

i think wren did a good job in the last 2 years and i think i have to see what roster plays the first month of the season b4 i can be more critical of the guy. the braves have come a long way from the 2008 season! i give wren a c+ to a B- on what he has done to the club. the guy is still missing 1 part but in 2008 he was missing about 7!

thank god wren is not omar!

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I believe as per an earlier DOB story, I think Bobby Cox has said he’s okay with Melky as an everyday guy until Heyward is ready. Not trying to put words in DOB’s mouth, but I seem to recall that being in a story last week.

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Count me as one who wanted the Braves in on Johnny Damon. Now count me in as one who thinks it’s nuts to pay Damon 14 mil for two years. Good luck to the Tigers on that deal. They are going to need it!

Ok…..enough of the distractions…..the team is what it is…..bring on spring training.

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Eric in Albany- yeah, as I said- it does help him (Wren)in addressing the media/public with moves and potential moves. But I want Wren to be Wren, not Schuerholtz Junior. I mean, if he’s just doing everything JS tells him to do, then why pay Wren when JS is clearly making the moves? I do understand what you’re saying though, Eric. I like Wren’s more agressive style compared to the lifeless JS, so I’m good with the way Wren is now.

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Nolie, I have a 50″ Samsung plasma. I know most people don’t like plasma’s because of reflection off the glass, GRINCH

I love plasma, but I watch in a room that can be made fairly dark. The blacks are deeper on plasma so most who are really really into movies and have a room that isn’t bright go for front projection or plasma. The Pioneer Kuro plasma which unfortunately was recently discontinues was almost unanimously regarded as the best flatscreen tv ever made by every magazine and website dedicated to dedicated flickoholics.
Most people don’t watch in those conditions so they are happy with LCDs. LCDs are brighter so look better in rooms with more lighting.
For what I watch in both rooms I have some reasons to prefer plasma.You just hafta be a little careful about burn-in on plasma which is not an LCD problem.

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Good deal Redstick19! think we are on the same page and somehow disagreeing about it lol. i dont think wren is trying to be controlled by John but if you have someone around who can help in business and you learn from them or take advice from them it makes you a better manager of your company.

nothing wrong with taking advantage of all your resources. i think john has an intrest in the team so he adds his input. i dont think its much different than asking what bobby thinks or asking chipper to make a call for the team. just think its a great thing to use all your resources is all.

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i have never seen dye and anderson in the same room? could they be one in the same?

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The Braves need Johnny Damon. If Heyward doesn’t get the RF job, we are stuck with an OF of Diaz, McLouth, and Cabrera. Thats a horrible OF. Probably the worst in baseball.

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Everyone seems to think the Damon to Detroit is set in stone. It’s not…even Schuerholz acknowledged the Braves are in negotiations for him…It’s not over…

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Branyan is a box of chocolates kinda guy. You never know what kinda year he is gonna have. and I’m old enough to have little liking for guys with 230ish career batting averages no matter their power. add the constant injury questions and I’d pass. Braves already gave him away once b4 ST even ended. besides as you say he doesn’t really fit all that well with his limited positions and abilities.

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Eric from Albany-

Roger that… on Wren learning fron JS. As long as it’s just “learning” and not controlling.

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Wayne

You are such a man of your word,what happened to I will be back at the start of spring training…….

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I looked up Curtis Granderson’s contract and I just dont see how the Tigers can justify trading him and then signing Damon. Granderson would have made $13.75 million combined for the next two years Curt

they were not happy about the way his numbers fell off last season, and have never liked his splits against lefties at all

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Redstick19… I agree with your baseball views! that doesnt happen much here

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until Damon puts his signature on contract with los Tigres, it ain’t over, folks. Let’s not get too cocky just yet.

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Branyan box top… i see 3 years where his stats get better followed by a year about the same as the first repeating.

mediocre is as mediocre does

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Damon to Tigers done deal.

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andy k – it’s probably on YouTube. Just search for RickRolled.

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When I saw that Heyward has already grown to 245lb it made my eyebrows arch.How many guys that big have EVER excelled defensively in the outfield ?

DOB’s comparison of his body to a full grown Derrick Lee is telling..Lee plays first base for a reason.

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I agree with your baseball views! that doesnt happen much here Eric

obviously cause you are so much smarter and more knowledgeable than the rest of us.
well except for your curious ignorance of the apostrophe

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A-ville, Derek Lee’s a pretty agile/fit guy. Yes there is a reason he plays first…he’s a first basemen…not an OF.

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say damons price tag is just about 7.5 by detroit…
and chitown isnt willing to go past like 6.5…
braves still have not said how much they are willing to go…

what team gives damon the best chance to see post season play?

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Are we actually comparing Branyan to a box of chocolates? That’s funny. With Glaus and Hinske in the fold, I’d pass up the chocolate for some cake

if you can’t tell the difference between year to year in Glaus’s career and Branyan’s, well gee what can I say that isn’t an insult?

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Buster Olney seeing how he’s never been wrong on predictions id say its a done deal too Reyes2010
…
http://www.rickrolled.com

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What exactly does Wren like about Cabrera? His $3MM is preventing him from being able to offer Damon more $$$. Is it his .269 BA? His lousy slugging percentage? His rediculous sounding first name?

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Chris, If Wren was trying to trade someone like Cabrera to clear up salary, that could be what’s holding back any kind of Damon decisions…

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Don’t anyone throw stones at this question, I just wondering outloud.
I get the feeling the offer to Damon was to acquire a leadoff hitter, whhich would allow Mclouth to move into a more comfortable spot in the lineup and cover their A**es if Heyward wasn’t ready.
If the main reason was getting a leadoff hitter with a good OBP, I wonder if they have considered Felipe Lopez(High OBP,not much power, better defender than Martin) to play 2nd, while moving Prado to LF. A lineup of: could be interesting from top to bottom

Lopez
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
Heyward
McLouth

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Reyes2010 Damn, I was hoping to see Reyes and Pagan and Wright and Beltran going 1st to 3rd on every ball hit into LF when they play the Braves. Reyes could probably score on a single to LF from first with Damon out there, but oh well.

#1 they would all have to be healthy at the same time
#2 it wouldnt matter if perez was on the mound cus the braves would score 6 runs each of his 2 innings he would pitch that day

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