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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,474 comments Add your comment
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:37 pm
Heyman hears that the Braves might have $6MM to spend…according to mlbtraderumors
CB
February 12th, 2010
12:39 pm
Why did Linecum sign a 2yr -23mil contract? I thought he would have won the 13mil in arb. against the 8mil offer,plus next year would have been even better. The only reason could be security or not wanting the hassle.
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:41 pm
CB,
The Arbitration process can be an unpleasant process, and security is always a good thing for a player.
N8
February 12th, 2010
12:43 pm
CB, when the arbitration process comes to their table to decide, they have to choose one figure or the other. Lincecum wanted 13 million. Giants were offering 8 million.
So there was a very real chance that he might have only got 8 million. 2 years 23 million is pretty good if you ask me. And it doesn’t tie him up for too long. If he stays healthy and pitches like he has been these last couple of years, you can guarantee that he’ll be making just slightly more than 11.5 million per year, after 2011.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
12:43 pm
Heyman says we may have $6 million to spend…that’s the second or third time i’ve read the $6 million figure
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:43 pm
Ofcourse I must admit there’s no way a reigning back to back Cy Young award winner would have lost in that case…
Couch Tater
February 12th, 2010
12:43 pm
Mike Ilitch sent one of his pizza delivery guys to deliver the term sheet to Boras, last night. It will only take 30 minutes…
CB
February 12th, 2010
12:45 pm
Also for those thinking Brooks Conrad is our middle infield option,minor league SS fielding avg. 937.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
12:47 pm
I think Damon HAS to be giving the Braves offer some serious consideration. He has to be. Otherwise don’t you think he would have taken the Tigers offer already???
Something is going on here…I think we still very much in the running to land this guy…
Lew
February 12th, 2010
12:48 pm
Nathan-Whatever Dude. I reiterate. If Wren wanted Gomes, he would be here already and Hinske would not have been signed, since they both (reportedly) would make the same amount. He won’t be coming to Atlanta. Period. Not as if he just came on the market and Wren’s surprised at the opportunity to acquire him.
Besides-he hit all his HR’s at Tampa Bay and in Cincinnati-two of the biggest hitter’s bandboxes in existence. You seriously think he’d hit that many in ATlanta? Not to mention, Hinske has playoff experience (WS exp. three straight years). GOmes played for the Rays and Reds. Nuff said. He ain’t coming to Atlanta.
CB
February 12th, 2010
12:49 pm
N8,no way he would have lost in arb.imo,but I understand your point about not being tied up for long. Still believe he would have gotten more thru arb. for next two years.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
12:49 pm
Wayne Gretzky’s father Walter (who’s an Olympic torch bearer) is saying his son is not the final Torch bearer.
If anyone is interested.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
12:50 pm
CB-It really doesn’t matter if Conrad is the middle infield guy they keep or not. It won’t be another corner infielder/outfielder.
N8
February 12th, 2010
12:50 pm
BravoMan, sure there is. You don’t think the gloves wouldn’t have come off from the Giants and they wouldn’t have brought up the off the field, pot issue?
I’d say it was 50/50. With a little bitt of leaning towards Lincecum winning the case. But to say there was “no way” he wasn’t going to win that case? I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
The Cy Young award is subjective and out of the Giants and Lincecum’s hands. There is no precedent for a player his age to be making 13 million dollars off of arbitration. I’m not so sure the panel was going to open that can of worms by giving it to him.
Obviously, if Lincecum’s agent thought that it was a slam dunk victory, I think he takes the case to the end.
And obviously, in my last post, I said it “frees him up” sooner. While he won’t be a free agent after the 2 year deal lapses. It does free him up for one more arbitration process after two more seasons.
Now if he wins the Cy Young this year and next? Yeah. He’ll do OK in the bank account.
Radio Cure
February 12th, 2010
12:52 pm
$23 million? That’ll buy a lot of ganja!
DAP
February 12th, 2010
12:53 pm
N8, Just not seeing the need to “upgrade” to Gomes over Diaz.
i consider diaz the better player of the two.
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:53 pm
“I think Damon HAS to be giving the Braves offer some serious consideration. He has to be. Otherwise don’t you think he would have taken the Tigers offer already??”
This is a good point and I’m pretty sure it’s not the White Sox holding him back. Their first offer wasn’t far from ours. I bet Damon wants to come to the Braves and will do it for less than what Detriot will offer, but will he do it for one less year??? I bet Wren and Boras are having that conversation right now…
Oh and I like Gomes as plan B, just in case Heyward goes to Richmond.
The Grinch
February 12th, 2010
12:54 pm
“Six Pack” by Black Flag? Man, I haven’t heard that song in 20 years. Now I’ve got “Rise Above” in my head.
N8
February 12th, 2010
12:54 pm
Lew, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Have you not been reading my posts for two days on this Damon crap?
I’m a Matt diaz guy. I’ve been advocating for Wren to save that money for a later date, and go with Diaz/Melky in LF and Heyward in RF. Might even be willing to go with Matt and Melky at the corners until Heyward comes up, if they want to hold him back until June.
You made a comment about them not trading Melky or Diaz if they signed Gomes. My point was that IF they were to sign Gomes, that means they don’t trust Melky or Diaz to play everyday (in the event that Heyward isn’t ready), which would hypothetically make them expendable.
Unless Wren is tring to save another 1.2 million (Diaz making 2.2 – Gomes likely around 1 million), there is ZERO, NONE, ZILCH, NADA reason to sign Gomes with Diaz already on the roster.
I was NOT advocating for Gomes to become a Brave. I was mocking it.
Tomas
February 12th, 2010
12:54 pm
Three hall of fame players have officially retired this offseason. Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas. To me all three of them are first ballot.
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:55 pm
“BravoMan, sure there is. You don’t think the gloves wouldn’t have come off from the Giants and they wouldn’t have brought up the off the field, pot issue?”
Well N8 maybe Tim was thinking that too and that’s why he settled for this 2 year pact.
LudaChris
February 12th, 2010
12:55 pm
For all those wondering why he hasn’t accepted the 2 yr, 14MM deal from Detroit yet (if it has been made already)… agent tactics. You don’t immediately accept; several teams have reported interest and you now Boras go back to Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa Bay and hang the offer in front of them. Maybe one of those teams is willing to increase their 1 year offer to a higher salary… although I really think it’s the 2nd year that gets this deal done. Even if Damon were to put up great numbers this season in a year deal and head to free agency, he can’t be confident he’ll get a great offer since he had good numbers last year and ran himself into this spot.
N8
February 12th, 2010
12:57 pm
“i consider diaz the better player of the two.” DAP
As do I. That’s why “upgrade” was in parenthasis. I don’t think it would be an upgrade. In fact, like you apparently, I think at best it’s a lateral move, and likely a down grade. Unless you’re somebody who likes a career .241 hitter with some pop in his bat. I think you know, I’d rather have the higher average “gap” hitter.
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
12:57 pm
Speaking of Lincecum’s $23 mill deal, just saw this AP story:
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Dre sued the new iteration of Death Row Records on Thursday claiming the label failed to pay royalties and released a new version of his iconic album “The Chronic” without his permission….
Radio Cure
February 12th, 2010
12:57 pm
LudaChris,
Good point. And next year’s free agent class is bigger.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
12:59 pm
Nathan-Whatever. MY point is that Gomes isn’t coming to Atlanta. That’s it. I wouldn’t trade any of the previously for him anyway and that is what the question to AT was all about -who would HE trade, cause I wouldn’t want ANY of them traded for Gomes. he doesn’t play enough games (at least the past two seasons) and I don’t think his power would be that great at The Ted.
Use whatever rationale or logic you want. Unless Damon comes to us, the roster (except for minor tweaks or Heyward blowing them away in Orlando) the roster’s set.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
12:59 pm
lew he hit all his HR’s at Tampa Bay and in Cincinnati-two of the biggest hitter’s bandboxes in existence.
nah, he only hit 11 of his homers at GABP last year.
in his career, he has hit about half of his homers at his home park, and half at away parks. (41 at home, 45 away)
gomes’ power has very little to do with the park he is playing in. he has power, period.
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
12:59 pm
I think Gomes would just be a signing of depth he wouldn’t be taken any time away from Diaz, but let’s say they dont sign Heyward I’d rather you start Melky and Diaz and have Gomes on the bench over someone like Gregor Blanco.
N8
February 12th, 2010
1:00 pm
The bottom line on Lincecum is that he likely got what he wanted. Giants shot low (8 million – if that’s considered low), and his agent asked for the moon (13 million). More than likely with the though that if they get 10-11 million they’d be happy.
In the end, they got two seasons at 11.5 million. I’m going to guess that Lincecum won’t be firing his agent over that deal, and likely the Giants are very please to have him at that rate through 2011.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
1:00 pm
Here’s how I see it:
Maybe Frank Wren purposely offered Damon and weak to medium offer on purpose; knowing the Tigers and other teams were going to get involved and probably out bid the Braves offer.
But by starting out with a semi-low offer; then a counter offer from another team; the monetary terms still aren’t outrageous and maybe still within the Braves price range.
If we offered $3 million and have $6 to spend…then up you’re offer during the next round of bargaining.
I think this is Frank Wren at it’s best…and a poker game at its best as well.
BravoMan
February 12th, 2010
1:00 pm
I ment start heyward not sign lol big mistake!
Lew
February 12th, 2010
1:01 pm
Tomas-I always liked the Big Hurt (he owns a painting of mine) but I would imagine he may not make the Hall-certainly NOT on first ballot. The other two? Absolutely.
Lew
February 12th, 2010
1:03 pm
Lincecum just guaranteed he’d make $23 million even if he blows his arm out. Not a bad days’ work, IMO. Lots of smoke bucks and security. The weed shouldn’t enduce paranoia over the future anymore.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
1:03 pm
N8, yeah, and its not like diaz has no power. he hits his share of homers and doubles, too. plus he plays better defense. overall, i would say he is definitely a better baseball player than gomes.
The Grinch
February 12th, 2010
1:08 pm
Got some flurries here about 15 miles SW of Atlanta. Just started about 20 min ago.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
1:09 pm
The Detroit News reports the Tigers appear to be “on the brink” of adding Damon and speculates he would hit second behind center field Austin Jackson.
sidslidkid
February 12th, 2010
1:12 pm
I don’t know Lew, Frank Thomas was a career .301 hitter with 521 HR’s over 1,700 RBI’s a career ops of .974, a 5 time all star and a 2 time MVP. He’s a shoe in for the Hall. It might not be first ballot, but he’s going. His numbers are much better than Dawson’s.
The Grinch
February 12th, 2010
1:14 pm
They don’t even want him to lead off? They must just be trying to sell jerseys.
Tomas
February 12th, 2010
1:16 pm
The Big Hurt is tricky pick. The guy was one of the most feared hitters in the 90’s, but most of his career was spent as a DH. He has 500 home runs, a couple of MVP’s and was never accused or proven of taken steroids. I guess it depends on who else is in the ballot.
Tomas
February 12th, 2010
1:18 pm
For first ballot I mean.
dpelfrey
February 12th, 2010
1:19 pm
Lew…”Tomas-I always liked the Big Hurt (he owns a painting of mine) but I would imagine he may not make the Hall-certainly NOT on first ballot. The other two? Absolutely.”
The only reason Frank Thomas doesn’t make the Hall is if the writers downgrade his career performance based on being a DH. He’s got the stats for it…1494 runs, 2468 hits, 521 HR, 1704 RBI, .301 AVG, .419 OBP…2 MVP awards. He was one of, if not the, best hitter of the 90’s. Imagine what his career numbers would have been had he not missed most of the seasons in 2001, 2004 and 2005. It would be a shame if he didn’t make it.
DiamondbackMac
February 12th, 2010
1:20 pm
Snowing hard in NW Florida.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
1:26 pm
Ok, Chuck and Chernoff were talking about Top 5 albums if you were stranded on a desert island. Anyone else want to play? No compliations – only original LP’s
And be realistic instead of trying to sound artsy. I could list Funeral by the Arcade Fire or Illinois by Sufjan Stevens, but I don’t care what you think of my list so I’m sticking to safe favorites I know I wouldn’t get tired of.
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
Dave Matthews – Under the Table and Dreaming
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
Outkast – either ATLiens of Aquemini
Bob Marley – Babylon By Bus
Honorable Mention: The Smiths – Meat Is Murder, Allman Brothers – Eat a Peach, The Clash – London Calling
TommyP
February 12th, 2010
1:32 pm
Gomes has serious power….but that’s about all he offers a team.
Pretty sure he’s a guy without a position, basically a DH waiting to happen. But I also remember some off the field issues with him.
I know last year he seemed to always homer on the weekend. MLB network would just laugh each Friday or Saturday night he was mashing.
Fish Bisch
February 12th, 2010
1:33 pm
It’s snowing here in Fort Lauderdale.
P-Town Brave
February 12th, 2010
1:34 pm
I don’t know about everyone else, but Damon needs to sign somewhere so I can get back to work
MZ
February 12th, 2010
1:35 pm
first off, let me say that this is an EXTREMELY difficult list to try to put together, BUT, if I’m stranded on an island and I can only bring five albums with me, here’s a few that would be on my short list:
– “Southern Rock Opera” Drive-By Truckers
– “Wildflowers” Tom Petty
– “White Album” The Beatles
– “Era Vulgaris” Queens of the Stone Age
– “Let It Bleed” Rolling Stones
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
1:39 pm
MZ – Awesome list-all greats. I considered the White Album myself. We’re going to see Truckers on March 13th at Variety Playhouse.
tampabrave
February 12th, 2010
1:40 pm
MZ,
Of all of the QOTSA albums you pick Era? Gotta go with Lullabies to Paralyze is your gonna pick a Queens album.
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
If I’m taking an Outkast album onto a desert island, it would be Southernplayalistic without a doubt. Aquemini was great, ATLiens was really, really good, but Southernplayalistic is one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums of all time in my opinion. However, if I had to pick just one Hip-Hop album to take out of the five albums, it would be Tupac’s All Eyez On Me.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
Is Era Vulgaris the one with 3’s and 7’s and Sick, Sick, Sick?
Jim
February 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
One thing to remeber about Damon is that he has 2425 hits in his ML career. He “knows” that if he gets to 3,000, he’ll likely be elected to the HoF. So, for a guy who has a few WS Rings, playing on a winning team (Braves) may not be enough motivation for him versus playing on Tigers where Illich, Leyland, etc. can promise him 150 games as a starter, either in OF or as DL. Damon has average almost 170 hits a year in his 13 full seasons. He’s had 599, 619 and 621 ABs (including BB) in his last three years and averaged 155.67 hits. Clearly, 150 hits a year for next 4 years gets him past 3,000 – and gets the team he plays for a little more revenue as he gets close.
So, if you are Johnny D, don’t you want an AL team that promises you a lot of starts. If he signs with the Braves, it is probably only a one-year deal because he can only play LF (and may need a defensive replacement at end of a game), and he is not likely to maximize his ABs. In 2011, Heyward will be in RF and McLouth and Diaz will still be affordable (cheap), so there will be no place for Damon.
All this is by way of saying that he might sign with the Braves because players do less than intelligent things. Look at Lincecom. He was a slam dunk for getting $13MM for this year in Arb. In the best case, he bought himself some expensive insurance – or his arm hurts a little bit.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
1:45 pm
Macon – Can’t argue with that.
Radio Cure
February 12th, 2010
1:47 pm
Top 5 albums if I was stranded on a desert island (this is near imnpossible)
The Beatles – Revolver
Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St
Wilco – Summerteeth
Pavement – Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew
Radio Cure
February 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
MZ,
Wildflowers is a solid pick. Not a bad song on that thing.
MZ
February 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
McCann Fan —-
here are a few that just missed my top 5, but would definitely be in my top 10-20 …
– “August and Everything After” Counting Crows
– “Baja Sessions” Chris Isaak
– “Collective Soul” Collective Soul
– “Disraeli Gears” Cream
– “The Meanest of Times” Dropkick Murphys
– “Souljacker” Eels
– “Blue Days Black Nights” Freedy Johnston
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 12th, 2010
1:49 pm
And for the record, I think Tupac;’s Me Against The World is as good, if not better, than All Eyez On Me, but the latter is a double CD so it would get the pick for the desert island. Of course Tupac didn’t make an album that wasn’t at least really good, while he was alive anyway. Not a huge fan of some of the albums that were released after his death, but every album released while he was living was great in my opinion.
Macon Braves (RIP)
February 12th, 2010
1:51 pm
Gosh, I’m sitting here trying to think of just five albums I would take….and I can’t do it! When I start going through all the groups and albums I really love, it’s impossible to narrow it down to just five.
I'm Stoked!
February 12th, 2010
1:52 pm
I suppose I’m paraphrasing but it was stated here that the Braves don’t want to go to Spring Training with their fingers crossed that Heyward would work out.
I disagree….. there has been NO TEAM (other than the regular bottom dwellers) in recent years that has gone to spring training with fingers crossed that some Mondesi or Shafer or Francouer would work out MORE than the Braves. One year its a thin starting staff. Another year, its the pen. (Reitsma or Kolb anyone?)
In recent years, a wing and a prayer has been the Braves way of doing business.
MZ
February 12th, 2010
1:53 pm
yeah, “Era Vulgaris” is the one with Turnin On a Screw, Sick, Sick, Sick, and 3s and 7s … tampabrave: it really was an extremely close race between “Vulgaris” and “Paralyze”; EXTREMELY close race … in the end, had to stick with 3s and 7s … that song never gets old, and “Make It Wit Chu”, i mean, come on! “Make It Wit Chu” is pretty much what put it over the top for me …
Radio Cure: good call on “Wildflowers” … there was a year stretch where I started my day (and I’m talkin bout every day, with the exception of maybe 5 or 10) by listening to the entire album, front to back … i’m starting to get into this, let’s keep it going … DOB, you gotta chime in here
18 Wheels of Love
February 12th, 2010
1:58 pm
Wife went to grocery store, I went to Total Wine and got Guiness. I’m all set…bring on the snow.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:00 pm
Folks I work in media: BREAKING NEWS
Georgian luge athlete injured in Olympic training run crash, medics administering CPR.
bravesgrl4life
February 12th, 2010
2:02 pm
If I can’t make it to the chiropractor to get my “animal fats” laser treatment, I can go home and have hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps! Come on, doc, call me and tell me to postpone
DAP
February 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
Im Stocked! In recent years, a wing and a prayer has been the Braves way of doing business.
i agree totally with your post. i think what we have seen in the past several years is fallout from the braves budget being cut so much. the braves needed time to get out from under some contracts that became cumbersome because of the payroll cuts. i think that we are seeing improvement, as the teams situation stabilizes.
i think overall the braves’ team is very solid at this point, with most of the emphasis right where it should be: starting pitching.
if the braves develop a closer (could happen this year) i think they could greatly improve them team. put that money towards a hitter, and we could be a power house.
DAP
February 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
haha, sorry stoked, i got your name wrong.
I'm Confused
February 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
So why does Detroit trade Granderson and then try to sign Damon? If they pay Damon 7 mil, that’s 2 more than what Granderson was going to make and Damon is older!
So either Boros is blowing smoke about the 2 year 14 mil or the Tigers just went into bipolar mode after dumping Granderson for……. Damon???
Redirect
February 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
“…I went to Total Wine and got Guiness.” – 18 Wheels
Brilliant! The only thing that can get me through the winter.
Nova Scotia Steve
February 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
WHISTLER, B.C. – Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has been injured in an Olympic training run.
He was coming around the final 270-degree turn, where speeds approach 140 km/h, when he flipped off his sled and was hurled into a metal pole.
Medics administered CPR to the 21-year-old from Borjomi, Georgia.
The $105-million sliding centre, on the southeast face of Blackcomb Mountain, has been billed as a wild ride and the accident happened at its fastest point.
The 1,450-metre course has 16 turns and drops steeply for 152 metres, the longest drop of any track in the world.
The average grade is about 11 per cent, including two stomach-inverting drops of 20 per cent.
David O'Brien
February 12th, 2010
2:08 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
Daybed Wagmoe
February 12th, 2010
2:14 pm
McCann Fan — LOVE “Era Vulgaris,” every song on there. Tremendous album, and it was my #1 album for 2007, just ahead of “Neon Bible.” There are several of their songs, including some from that album, that I’ve got on my iPod shuffle, which I also take with me to the gym. “Turnin’ On the Screw” and “Feel Good Hit of the Summer” are GREAT for such occasions.
bravesgrl4life
February 12th, 2010
2:14 pm
Nova Scotia Steve – I think that would be the country of Georgia, not the state. Based on the name of the luger and the city in Georgia.
McCann Fan - Top 5 Desert Island Albums
February 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
Yeah, DOB definitely needs to chime in. The only thing is that we will all feel like we know nothing about music once he does. This is always a good discussion. I’m going to add a few.
Some more on top of first 5 plus honorable mention:
Beastie Boys – Check Your Head
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Beatles – White Album
Black Crowes – Amorica
Jane’s Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual
Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak (2005)
R.E.M. – Reckoning
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:04 am
Borass was fired by Felipe Lopez. Hahaha.
Playefawl
February 27th, 2010
6:32 pm
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