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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,133 comments Add your comment
glord1
February 13th, 2010
1:14 am
Allen I just noticed that the Braves play the Jays on Sat March 20th in Dunedin. If you can make that game you will get almost all the Braves that travel to sign and get close to them. Its maybe the best spot for autographs in FL.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
1:16 am
Numbletards?
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
1:18 am
They havent even shown the opening cermonies here yet. 15 minutes…. — Mitchie-san
My Cali. friends, talk about time zones ….
Good night dear, … and also you, too, cabravesfan
Tom O'Hawke
February 13th, 2010
1:21 am
(especially to you Tom CBF)
dang, now I’m jealous. wheres that no name dude so I can put out a contract ?
Apparently, nolie, there are those that still don’t need the “O”.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
1:44 am
Andrew In PA,
I don’t doubt his ability to hit 20 HRs. What I’m worried about is how much his defense will cost the team, which in the scheme of things might negate 20 HRs. Not to mention taking away playing time away from Heyward and Diaz, who needs to get some serious respect from us. Although Dye seems like a perfect mentor for Heyward. I mean perfect.
I would add a bench piece or eat the money until mid season.
alphadawg
February 13th, 2010
1:44 am
DOB –
You and I were on the same track but I think I one-upped you. I left a meeting at 2:30 on Bolton Rd this afternoon headed to Alpharetta. Even without the snow that’s a long trip but of course, it took an hour and a half for me to get back north from downtown. I too had to go to the bank and like you, I was praying it was open when I got there. it was and I was successful – lets hear it for weekend money!
Here’s the kicker: I left the bank to go to GA Power to pay my electric bill and there’s a sign on the door saying “due to inclement weather predicted we have closed this office at 2:30 today”. The POWER CO. closing early??? what is that about?? – the same people that get out there to get the power on BECAUSE the snow came in can’t stay open til 5 so that the little people can pay their bill??
Gimme a break – that’s ludicrous….I can almost see a bunch of candy-*sses at a credit union leaving early but the Georgia Power Co.??
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
1:47 am
David, whats the lastest???? — Poondaddy
Well, Poondaddy, the lastest I gots is tonight’s best selection of consecutive songs that played on the Ipod shuffle while I was doing 3.1 miles on the treadmill (ran out of time, couldn’t do more). I only share it because for the second straight night, it struck me as particularly invigorating and spectacularly random set of songs in succession:
“No Excuses” (Alice in Chains), “When Your Mind’s Made Up” (Glen Hansard & Mareta Inglova, aka the Swell Season), “Blistered” (Johnny Cash), “Cowboys to Girls” (The Intruders), “Folsom Prison Blues” (Johnny Cash), “All I Have To Offer You” (Charley Pride), “Jackson Cage” (Bruce Springsteen), “Dig, Lazarus, Dig” (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), “Detroit Rock City” (Kiss), “Theme From Shaft” (Isaac Hayes).
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
1:50 am
alphadawg: I think BossLady is office manager of that power-company location.
NO MORE BOBBY
February 13th, 2010
1:58 am
THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS BLOG…….
1. Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through.
2. The Braves organization just can not let the 90s go.
3. DOB really likes Tom Waits.
N8
February 13th, 2010
2:02 am
RHR, the two boys in the Yankees & Reds uniforms are my boys. That’s from two summers ago. Needless to say, they get their good looks from their mother (but I’ll take credit for whatever talent they may perfect!)
Andrew in PA
February 13th, 2010
2:06 am
Jurrjens, we can just get dye to be that bench piece. Trust me the braves will need all the hitting help then can get. Dye could also be a nice piece when it comes to playing american league teams and using dye to dh for us in those games. Having power threats like jones,mccann,glaus,heyward and then if you added dye we could win alot more interleague games this year. Hey and if the braves do have a decent amount of money to spend, say 4 or 5 million, then do what you gotta do and try to get uggla from the fish. Trade melky and mike dunn and maybe another smaller piece. It could happen.
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:09 am
Dear Jesus!
I’m listening to dance hits from the 90’s. Oh boy. Marky Mark, House of Pain, Fatboy Slim, Haddaway, MC Hammer, B52’s, and so on.
SO MANY MEMORIES!
Jurrjens4NLCY
February 13th, 2010
2:10 am
Andrew In PA,
Has Dye said he would join sit on the bench?
Seems like the right thing to say, just don’t remember.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
2:13 am
One thing Canada could have done that would’ve overshadowed the mechanical flaw and unfortunate Bryan Adams/Nelly Furtado duet at tonight’s ceremony: Could’ve had Canada native Neil Young rock a Hendrixian, full-bore electric-guitar version of Canadian national anthem, w/ Leonard Cohen singing. That, or had Arcade Fire do it.
haggard
February 13th, 2010
2:58 am
“Mrs.Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?”
Mitchie-san
February 13th, 2010
3:08 am
That would have been so much better, DOB. This is kinda dumb.
johnbama
February 13th, 2010
3:26 am
while i want to talk about now…chip…heyward….this seasons move….i think more than anything glavine, well, i just want to give props there. while he will be the second best lefty and the second best arm on his team we had the chance to witness a hall of famer….a should be fist ballot guy if not for the retarded baseball writers voting….see robbie alomar. but while he may never get the props he deserves he was a special special player. a union leader (yep we all hate but man if that union represented us) a world series mvp (always missed by the justice homerun) a face of one of the most significant franschise runs in pro sports history (overlooked by chipper maddux crime dog cox etc). this was a special person….a special talent we and the baseball world i feel toof for granted. i am glad he is back as a brave. i hope that he will forever be seen as A face of thise franchise…what a gift…what treat it was to watch
johnbama
February 13th, 2010
3:30 am
thanks tommy for the one…ONE series win we had. thanks for joining in with maddux and smoltz and dominating for so long. thanks for making braves fans realize at some point money talk but thanks that when all is said and done you can come home…its good to be a brave
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
February 13th, 2010
4:11 am
N8
I know I’m a bit nicer to resturant staff, etc….than say a regular person might be, because my first job was working at a motel resturant as a dishwasher (altho I did more than just wash dishes..LOL)…..because I know what goes on BEHIND the scenes in a resturant with waitresses trying to get their tables served and get the food out, etc among other things. From that job, I have a lot more respect for waitresses, etc…than like I said…a normal person does or would..because I know what goes on BEHIND the scenes.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2010
7:43 am
Braves looking at Dye as an alternative, inside sources say. Hard not to spend the money left over now that things have been made so “public.”
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:11 am
It’s an injustice that Canada didn’t ask Scott Thorman to light the torch. He probably would’ve missed though
TnBrian
February 13th, 2010
8:12 am
Not that I seriously believe the Braves are thinking about Dye, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they try and get somebody now that it appears Damon is off the shelf. I just think they’d go for a leadoff type hitter.
rpmrob
February 13th, 2010
8:14 am
Dave,
A credit union is not a bank. My bank was opened until 5:00, perhaps you should Live Solid.
CB
February 13th, 2010
8:30 am
It seems not everybody is thrilled with the great Scott Boras- Felipe Lopez has fired him.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:35 am
THREE THINGS ABOUT THIS BLOG…….
1. Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through.
2. The Braves organization just can not let the 90s go.
3. DOB really likes Tom Waits. NO MORE BOBBY
That’s only one thing about this blog, man.
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:39 am
Is Shaq really crying about the Superman thing? Geez, with the passage of time, you realize that Shaq was just as much or more of an ahole than Kobe was. I really don’t remember anyone ever calling Shaq Superman anyway other than himself. Always seemed at the time to be one of those childish, contrived things he tried to force on everyone., but that nobody really bought into
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
Braveheart – I don’t remember anybody calling him Superman either. I used to really like Shaq. Not only was a dominant player but he was very marketable, very funny (not including Kazaam), and a likeable guy. I really hated hearing him whine about Dwight Howard… “I never double team nobody. Don’t be callin him Superman!”
I used to really like LeBron too until last postseason when I saw how arrogant he was – remember him organizing a victory party in downtown ATL before the game? Or how him and his teammates were dancing around when they were up big (I know it’s okay to be excited, but he was going way over the top), but when they lost to the Magic he moped off the court and refused to talk to anybody. Dwayne Wade didn’t do that when his team lost. Neither did Joe Johnson. Neither did Dwight Howard.
I just hope my other favorite non local athlete stays like he is. But knowing my luck, Peyton will probably hijack a bus full of color blind orphans later today.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
Oh and Braveheart – kudos on your 8:11
Baseball Fan
February 13th, 2010
8:50 am
The Olympics have started? So what?
Braveheart
February 13th, 2010
8:52 am
May have already been posted, but Sickels wrote a rather lengthy article on the A ball arms of the Braves:
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/2/12/1308000/atlanta-braves-a-ball-pitching
The Braves are well-known for their concentration on pitching development. They’ve collected another intriguing group of arms at the lower levels of their system. Overall, the A-ball level looks very impressive in terms of pitching depth for the Braves. And these are just the obvious names that show up on prospect lists; there are other organization arms that could slot in, too. The bottom line is that both Myrtle Beach and Rome should have pitching staffs composed entirely of pitchers with major league potential, without much filler fodder.
northbeach Scott
February 13th, 2010
9:13 am
Nice link, Braveheart. The Braves are likely to have one or more solid ML-ready starters in 2-3 years to go with Hanson and Jurrjens, giving the Braves some options in the last years of Lowe, Hudson, & Kawakami. It will be interesting to see how Minor and Medlen will fit into the rotation or be trade bait.
CB
February 13th, 2010
9:31 am
Lew, I have been reading about your great weight loss and real happy for you. I also have been losing weight, started at 240 and am down to 204. I am doing the 10000 step program,which means I am doing a lot of walking. It is the equivalent of 5 miles a day. I never do less than that amount,sometimes more. I have noticed a great improvement in heart rate since on this program,never gets over 90 now,even at top speed. My diet is oatmeal and banana for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch,and a good dinner,usually chicken with veggies. I would like to get down to 170 which is my recommended goal. I would recommend this plan for anybody who is trying to lose.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:36 am
Old Timers game in the outfield if Heyward isn’t up? Do you even bother to do research? Without Heyward (or Damn-and we’re not getting Dye) our outfield is Melky (25), McLouth (28) and Diaz (32) or an average age of 28.
Yes, we must go order a shipment of walkers and oxygen masks for our geriatric outfield. Quickly. Before they die in their tracks.
Bill
February 13th, 2010
9:37 am
Hadn’t had time to read all the blogs but ESPN reported last night that Damon is still not signed and Tigers have not offered 2 year deal. Said he could sign with Tigers, Braves are Rays.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:41 am
CB-Sounds good. I just limit myself to 1500 calories and make sure much of it is protein and fiber. I just lost another three pounds for a total of 63 so far – under 270 finally and down from 330. I’m walking about 3 miles daily now-occasionally more than that.
Most impressive aspect of all of this for me was a blood pressure reading of 112/56 with a pulse rate of 70. Not bad for someone still needing to lose a bit more than 75 pounds. Knocking my insulin intake from (originally) 60 units to 20 or less is pretty good, too.
No doubt you’ll make your goal. Just have to convince yourself that you can do it and not listen to anyone who tells you what you can’t do.
CB
February 13th, 2010
9:45 am
Lew,are you on blood pressure medicine? I am, and hoping to be able to get off medicine at my lowest weight.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
9:57 am
CB-The lowest dose there is of Lisinopril. They keep me on it to improve kidney function (diabetics tend to store creatine in their kidneys, leading to failure), though I don’t need it for BP. I do, however, hit the higher end of safety in kidney function, though it has gotten somewhat better. I drink a lot of water and wear out the rug on the way to the restroom.
Like Dennis Miller has said “If you’re in a hurry, never get behind an old man at a public restroom”.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:14 am
So, luge is scheduled to go on as scheduled today…anybody gonna watch?
McFann
February 13th, 2010
10:15 am
Soph McDad would be fine with it, right McFann?
Hmm…I dunno. Who you plannin’ on hanging?
Maybe McDad’s a big Tina Fey fan too, huh?
Haha! Not that I’m aware of…
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:18 am
Just saw on Twitter that Braves cancelled the “Play Day” at Gwinnett Stadium today because of the conditions.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
10:23 am
Gwinnett Braves sent this e-mail:
Unfortunately, due to weather concerns, the Gwinnett Braves have canceled today’s Caravan events. Our impending announcement, which was set to happen at 12 p.m., is also canceled. We will keep you updated on the announcement situation but, for now, it is rescheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 17th. Please contact myself for more information, any media requests regarding the G-Braves announcement which is now on Wed., Feb. 17, and with any other questions you may have. Thank you and have a nice, snowy weekend!
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:26 am
Impending announcement? I thought announcements were pending and doom impending.
What announcement might that be? They moving the AAA team back to Richmond? Maybe further south might be good considering the weather.
jztwothree
February 13th, 2010
10:28 am
Good for Felipe Lopez firing Boras. Dude’s had better seasons than some of the other guys who’ve signed already. From the outside, seems like Boras spends a ton of time getting huge contracts for his biggest names, and not so much on the guys lower down the totem pole.
Felipe Lopez: middle infield option?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:32 am
jz-I don’t see the Braves adding another infielder unless as a utilility option. I’m thinking Lopez would have to be a starter with his numbers. Prado is much cheaper – even without Boras in the equation.
CB
February 13th, 2010
10:39 am
Buster Olney seems to believe there is no two year offer and Damon will accept a 1yr deal. Anybody who has ESPN insider please post.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:42 am
CB-I don’t think any of the pundits have a clue what’s going on. Had Damon received tis mythical two year deal – especially for the amounts speculated upon – his name would already have been on the dotted line two days ago.
CB
February 13th, 2010
10:46 am
Lew,I think of all the experts I would think Olney is most reliable. I don’t think he makes up stories,like a few do,ie Heyman.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
10:46 am
Wall, Cousins, Patterson, Bledsoe, all…Please get up early and dominate the UT game tonight so that I can swith over and watch the Olympics…
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
10:49 am
Lew-
It seems dubious. Didn’t the Yanks offer similar deal (2 @ 14 mil). If it was there, wouldn’t there be Union pressure to sign?
jztwothree
February 13th, 2010
10:50 am
Lew-
I agree with you, but Lopez has played all over the field (though mostly at 2b and 3b) and could be a super-utility type player. If the Braves want to add another versatile player, Lopez seems like a possibility. Just putting it out there, considering the guy hasn’t been linked to, well, anybody.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:50 am
CB-Met Olney at ST a couple years ago and I like the Dude. I am certain his sources are as bona fide as anyone’s. However, these Dudes, Buster included, seem to be wrong muh more than they are right. It’s their job to stir things up and to speculate. Buster’s may be less speculative than some, but it’s still a good bit of guesswork involved – especially when things are filtered through Boras, who I would believe about as far as I could pick him up and toss him down the third base line – about six inches.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
10:58 am
jz-Maybe so. I just re-checked his line and saw that he hasn’t played but 50 something and 68 games the past two years, so maybe a utility player is what he is at this point of his career.
Dude batted .320 last year and over .300 in 08 with pretty good OBP’s, but made $3.5 mil last year. If they could get him for $1 mil or thereabouts, I agree, might just be a really good pick up.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:00 am
jz-
Lopez had an OBP of .383 in 151 games last year, plays solid 2nd base. As much as I like it, what of Prado? Does he crowd an already crowded OF?
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:02 am
Lew-
Lopez had over 600 plate appearances in 2009 between Arizona and Milwaukee.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:05 am
Filled up Rupp Arena for GameDay. Pretty cool.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:12 am
Actually Lopez had 680 plate appearances in 2009 batted .310, 9HR, 57RBI, .810OPS, 187 hits, 6 for 6 in stolen bases. He also played 9 games in the OF in 2008. I agree with jtz, why has Boras been unable to find this guy a job? Is he trouble in the clubhouse?
Lew
February 13th, 2010
11:15 am
tf-I think I misread it as two seasons. Not feeling great this morning – all the congestion is breaking up and I’ve walked two miles while blogging. Not so sure I’m even in the right dimension.
That brings back my original contention that we don’t need a full time middle infielder. He’ll make some team happy though, IMO -especially with Boras out of the picture.
Heath
February 13th, 2010
11:21 am
DOB -
When I see NCAA tournament games with half-empty stadiums it kinda pi$$e$ me off. They should use, Rupp Arena, Freedom Hall, Allen Field House, the Carrier Dome, etc every year that and all those tourney games will be filled up.
Ozzie
February 13th, 2010
11:23 am
If Wren signs Dye I will be very disappointed. That will look like and will be an act of desperation & a waste of money.
Dye moves like a guy in two leg casts in the OF. He is a DH from top to bottom.
GA looks like a gazelle compared to Dye in the OF. We’re talking slow.
Even for 1mm I would say pass.
Hopefully Damon will come to his senses and take the ATL offer. DET is going to get b-slapped by the Yankees and Red Sox at a min. The Twins could also give them a good spanking.
For a million or two more than the Braves offer is it really worth it, especially on a 1yr deal.
I think Wren can and will go to 6mm. The Tigers are not going past 7mm and we don’t know if they even offered that.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
11:23 am
CB — Here’s what Buster writes in his blog:
Heard this: While a two-year offer might be on the table to Johnny Damon, at least one team that might have extended an offer has no expectation that he would actually take a two-year offer; rather, part of the negotiation with that team is that he would take only that one year. Seriously, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen machinations at this height.
The current expectation among some executives involved in the negotiation is that Damon will eventually accept a one-year deal with the Tigers for something around $7 million, with some deferred money, and his camp will indicate he turned down a two-year deal.
The early talk of a three- or four-year deal for Damon raised expectations unrealistically, Jon Heyman wrote. Well, those expectations came from his agent, Scott Boras; what he indicated in this piece is what he told the Yankees, too.
Drew Sharp wonders if the Tigers are being played by Johnny Damon. Landing Damon would fill two needs for the Tigers, writes John Lowe. The Tigers are better with Damon, says Bob Wojnowski.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
11:24 am
Ozzie — I think you can stop worrying about Dye now. DOB has stated several times that the Braves have flat-out said that they’re not interested in him.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:34 am
Daybed-
Maybe Damon wants a 1 year deal with a team that has a very good chance at the World Series. Too many impediments in the AL (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels), but only 1 in the NL (Phillies). Speculation – He signs with the Braves and leads them to the WS, showing the Yankees that they missed the boat in 2010. Then, under public pressure, Hank brings him back to NY for 2 seasons at 20 million.
Jay212033
February 13th, 2010
11:38 am
That’s a great summation of our A Ball pitcher by Mr. Sickels.
dwaynerice
February 13th, 2010
11:42 am
David O’Brien
By the way, you a Miami Heat fan? Though maybe that screen name was a combo of Glen Rice and Dwayne Wade.
Not really, just a combination of my first,middle, and last names…thanks for the info Dave on when Liberty can sell the Braves…I was just hopin’…it’d be sooner rather than later!! Always enjoy your blog and your insight, experience, sense of humor, and taste in film, BBQ, music, and women (not necessarily in that order). Finally saw “Crazy Heart” yesterday..loved it.
keylargo
February 13th, 2010
11:46 am
Here is a video of the Olympic Luger’s fatal crash. You can distinctly hear his helmet crashing into an I – Beam as he flew off the course.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/nodar-kumaritashvili-video-fatal-luge-crash-9823485
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:48 am
It seems dubious. Didn’t the Yanks offer similar deal (2 @ 14 mil). If it was there, wouldn’t there be Union pressure to sign? — thickfreakness
No, union would never get involved in that situation. Simply because at the time, whether NY made the offer or not, Boras and Damon thought they’d get a lot more. Why would the union have pressured him to sign a two-year, $14 mill deal a month or two ago when he made $13 mill last season and hoped to make same this year? Union wouldn’t do that.
When union (allegedly) applies pressure is in situations where player has two or more offers on table, one much larger than others, that kind of situation. They’d (allegedly) pressure player to take the larger one.
That Yankee offer hasn’t been on the table in quite some time.
And no, I’m not suggesting that Tigers two-year offer is legit. I don’t know if it is or not. Just saying that the union would not have applied pressure for Damon to take nearly a 50-percent paycut by accepting that Yankee offer some time ago.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
11:53 am
DOB-
Yeah – speaking out of my arse – your response makes perfect sense. Any thoughts on my speculative conjecture @ 11:34.
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:54 am
Our outfield is going to look like an old timers game if Heyward doesnt come through. — No More Bobby
Huh?
David O'Brien
February 13th, 2010
11:55 am
Dave,
A credit union is not a bank. My bank was opened until 5:00, perhaps you should Live Solid. — rpmrob
Good for you, rpm. Glad your bank was opened.
csg
February 13th, 2010
11:59 am
there is no way that the Tigers have offered a $7mil deal for 1yr or two. Damon’s only offer is from the Braves for $4mil and Boras is just using the Tigers in order to try and drive up the price. If Damon had a realistic $7mil offer he wouldve taken it by now. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if the Braves had the only real offer to Damon. He hasnt signed last I checked and there still may be a 50/50 shot that he comes to ATL
CB
February 13th, 2010
12:01 pm
Daybed,appreciate it.
Couch Tater
February 13th, 2010
12:09 pm
“I love you Felipe, I want to be your Valentine”.♥
So, Felipe Lopez fires Boras and goes with Barry Bond’s agent.
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:10 pm
I think the offer from the Tigers is legit. I wonder if Damon is waiting for Wren to shed a couple mil in payroll (trade Cabrera) so he can match Tigers offer. I think it’s clear that all things being equal, Damon would rather be in Atlanta than Detroit.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:15 pm
Chris-
I tend to agree, but I think the Braves like Cabrera.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:17 pm
I would be so pumped if Wren traded Cabrera to get Damon on a one-year deal.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:21 pm
Steve-
Could happen, someone here said a source figured either Cabrera or Diaz would be impacted most by Damon signing.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:24 pm
thickfreakness–I really don’t think it would happen at all, and I think that Damon is most likely a Tiger in 2010, but if it did, I don’t see any way they trade Diaz in lieu of Cabrera.
Chris from the Rock
February 13th, 2010
12:27 pm
I’d to see Diaz go. The dude rakes lefties.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:28 pm
Steve-
Diaz – Righty that hits the crap out of lefties probably better than anyone in the NL and has done it for 2-3 years.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:30 pm
Yeah, that’s why I don’t see them trading Diaz instead of Melky. Even though, I get the feeling that (for whatever reason) the Braves do like Cabrera. I’m still trying to figure out why exactly that is, though, LOL!
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:37 pm
Steve-
He’s 25, switch hits, very solid defensively and at 3.1 mil is a very reasonable 4th on a contender. He did start 151 games in the OF for the World Champion.
jeffrey d
February 13th, 2010
12:38 pm
The Braves are probably going to trade the player with the most value. It’s not like the Braves can go “well we like this guy better, so you can have the crappier one.” That’s like trading baseball cards with your naive little brother.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:39 pm
Steve-
Check that, he started 130 games but played in 151. Still, he started 130 times.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:41 pm
jeffrey d-
You’re right, maybe trade the player with the highest value but least impact to your overall team structure.
ChipperFan
February 13th, 2010
12:44 pm
Steve and Thick,
That’s my main reason for wanting Damon: that it probably means Melky is gone. I’d still give it a 50/50 chance at this point.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
His highest OPS in his career is .751, his career OPS against LHP is .680, his defense is above average but not stellar (at least according to the info I have at hand), at least not good enough (IMO) to justify that bat playing 100+ games (like the Braves have in mind) from a corner. In addition, he is almost certainly a non-tender candidate next offseason due to his salary. Teams like Atlanta, in my opinion, cannot afford to pay very mediocre players 3MM to be a 4th OF unless, like Matt Diaz, they offer tangible benefits like abillity to hit baseballs, and, at least statistically, moderately above-average defense in left field.
I can see how Melky maybe fits out needs this year, being a decent defensive OF, but I certainly don’t see how he fits beyond 2010 at all.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
redundent I know, but getting Damon helps them fill the one need (leadoff) while determining which OF pieces will work in 2011.
kenhotlanta
February 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
IMHO, the following groups and artists should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; some are way overdue:
Chicago
Heart
Moody Blues
Doobie Brothers
Journey
The Carpenters
John Denver
Emmylou Harris
John Prine
Connie Francis
I couldn’t listen to John Denver, The Carpenters, and most of Journey back in the day, but, either due to my advancing age or the state of music from the last 10-20 years, they sound pretty darn good today.
thickfreakness
February 13th, 2010
12:48 pm
Chipper-
I could see it that way, same with your assessment Steve.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:48 pm
Best report I heard so far was just on XM Home Plate- “Another of Boras’ clients who hasn’t signed yet is Johnny Damon. The Tigers reportedly are interested.”
Tomas
February 13th, 2010
12:49 pm
Tom Glavine 1st ballot, Greg Maddux 1st Ballot, Jeff Kent 2nd ballot, Frank Thomas 3rd ballot. Randy Johnson 1st Ballot
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:51 pm
Ken-Kiss hasn’t been elected yet either, have thy?
I’m not much of a Kiss fan, but they should damned well be in the Rock and Roll HOF. John Denver or the Carpenters? Not so much.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:53 pm
Tomas-I would imagine that Thomas gets in before Kent – especially with FT now claiming he did it all without roids – though neither will be inducted quickly, IMO. I’m betting more than three years for both. The rest are first ballot players.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
12:53 pm
I think the Braves should stay firm with the offer. If they do up the money it should be no more than 1 million and it should be deffered over the next couple seasons.
Felipe Lopez who has put up some good numbers alot of teams still dont see him as a everyday player. I much rather have him over Joe Thurtson lol. But we already have Infante on the bench and Prado deserves to be the starter at 2nd. But if Lopez could be had for 1-2 mil go for it. We’ll have more depth if Prado’s performance drops off we plug Lopez in. But with so many quality players AB’s will be hard to come by. And with youngsters Heyward and Schafer being in the mix sometime this season we look stocked on decent to good players.
Steve from OH
February 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
As I see it now, I think we’re looking at McLouth-Heyward, and a Diaz/Melky platoon in left, which isn’t as bad as Melky starting every day, but still, he’ll be playing most days as more pitchers are RH than LH, and his career OPS against RHP is still just .730, which is simply not acceptable for a corner OF. Add in the fact that Heyward, the next Dave Winfield or not, would be a 20-year old rookie, I think there is really no question that Damon on a one-year deal improves this club and certainly takes some pressure off of Heyward to perform. Add in the fact that Melky has played most of his career in hitter-friendly Yankee stadium, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think he could be worse in Atlanta.
That said, absolutely no chance I’d do two years for Johnny.
Lew
February 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
VaBravesFan-I’m betting Lopez wouldn’t accept a platoon offer anyway – specially at that small an amount.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
12:59 pm
I see Melky as a good defender with a plus arm. plays all OF spots well. Athletic with good speed (tho not a base stealer) 25 years old plenty of time for improvement with the Bat. But yes 3+ million is a bit much. I think the Braves should give Melky some AB’s batting 1st or 2nd. Over his career his sample size numbers at the top of the order look pretty good to give him some AB’s.
Daybed Wagmoe
February 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Tomas — I may be overshooting, but I say Frank Thomas is a first-ballot HOFer. 500+ HR, an ridiculous OBP of .419, batting average of .301, 2-time MVP, played most of his career in a big-market city — I say he’s a shoe-in in 5 years.
VaBraveFan
February 13th, 2010
1:02 pm
Lew
I was responding to someones comment about Lopez. Not to many 2B jobs left, and I was surprised the Nats went with Adam Kennedy over Lopez. He got paid 3.5 mil last year and put good numbers up yet he has no job, And there isnt too many teams interested in him. He’ll prolly settle for a platoon/utility role.
ken
February 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
1. cf nate
2. 2b. prado
3. 3b. chipper
4. c macann
5. 1b. glaus
6. rf. heyward
7. ss. escabar
8. lf schafer
bench:
diaz
cabrera
hinske
infante
ross
thurston
starters
1. lowe
2. hudson
3. j.j.
4. hanson
5. kk
bullpen
1 wagner
2 saito
3medlin
4moylan
5 chavez / dunn/ kimbrew
6 oflanterry
pretty good alot better than last year