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2,408 comments Add your comment
CB
October 1st, 2010
1:56 pm
T,beautiful song for contemplation.
Braint
October 1st, 2010
1:58 pm
I think Conrad could be our playoff Lemke…
Shaun
October 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
DAP, what’s the first thing we should all want to know about a hitter? How often he makes outs and how often he doesn’t. After that we probably want to know on average how many based he gains. Pretty simple, really.
Anders
October 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
Careful on slamming all the Bobby haters guys. Bad karma – you know?
I mean if somehow the Braves don’t make it through this weekend what better fodder could the Bobby haters ask for? You guys are tempting fate by dancing on the Bobby haters grave just a tad prematurely. Let it happen – then slam ‘em.
Otherwise Instant Karma’s could get you.{:
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
Again get [Vazquez] cheaper than we are paying Huddy and I can see that.
Except that nobody will get him that cheap, since neither his agent nor the union is going to let him take that big a pay cut. He’d have to be sitting at home in June, to take that much less money. And any amount you pay the guy over and above what Jurrjens will make in arb, is money that could be spent more effectively elsewhere.
AZBravoFan
October 1st, 2010
2:01 pm
Even better, Conrad could be our playoff Leyritz
DAP
October 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
shaun sometimes people want to complicate the game more than it needs to be
tell me about it. its VORPin’ annoying.
i think depending on what else you have on your team, you can afford to care more about what a guy does when he DOES contribute. like, say, does he get lots of extra base hits, ect.
and i know you said “hitter” but real baseball players (aka, not DH’s or AL pitchers) have things to do on both sides of the ball, and those things do matter.
Anders
October 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
I think Conrad could be our playoff Lemke…- (Braint)
That just sounded funny to me. “Put the Lemke in, we need to stir things up!”
Snotboogie
October 1st, 2010
2:03 pm
Anders
We dont have to make the playoffs for us to say he has done a good job- getting us this far is an achievement in itself.
We dont have to miss the playoffs for them to disagree – they believe we should have 100+ wins.
Shaun
October 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
Wayne in Utah, I think the reasons the Astros wouldn’t trade Pence for Diaz has more to do with the ages of the two players, the fact that Pence is fairly decent against righties and lefties and Diaz is a platoon player and defense rather than each player’s overall offense.
But, yeah, you are right. The bottom line is that Pence wouldn’t be given up for Diaz because of other things besides OBP. Pence and Diaz aren’t a perfect comparison. But my point was that Pence is merely an okay player much like Diaz is merely and okay player.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
Otherwise Instant Karma’s could get you
Then, you can add karma to my “scroom” list.
Scott
October 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
My Tribute to Bobby…
Good God Old Man, move Heyward to 3rd… NOW!
Murph
October 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
“neither his agent nor the union is going to let him take that big a pay cut”
I’m pretty sure the union doesn’t have any say in FA contracts as far as what people take. If someone wants to take a paycut, that’s their business. Not union business. As far as I know, at least.
Anders
October 1st, 2010
2:05 pm
Snotboogie – believe me I get that. I was just messing around.
P-Town Brave ©
October 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
OBP is only as efficient as the guys behind those players that drive in runs…
Without the run producers, table settlers don’t mean anything…
Anders
October 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
The union had no problem letting Hudson take a severely under valued contract last off season. Now they’ll care about Vasquez? Have they watched Vasquez this year? Horrible. Deer in the head lights look all year.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
Murph, you are correct on the letter of the law, re the union, LOL. Let’s say that the union would “strongly urge” Mr. Vazquez to not set such a precedent for his colleagues.
Snotboogie
October 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
Anders,
Ok.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:12 pm
The union had no problem letting Hudson take a severely under valued contract last off season.
Slightly undervalued, at about 80% of market, coming off a season of half-a-dozen starts after surgery. Not nearly the same thing as Vazquez, and the numbers some here were throwing around. One guy quoted $4MM (!) as a reasonable price, fercrissake. “Less than Huddy” is at least a conscionable number, but that would still throw Vazquez a pay cut of better than 33%. Not hardly.
N8
October 1st, 2010
2:12 pm
“If Braves don’t make playoffs, are you all (or more of you) going to be part of the jinx that brought them down? I think we need clarification from the authorities on the subject, RHR and TnBrian. (smile)” DOB
I’m not sure about being involved in any jinx conspiracy theories. But if the Braves don’t make the playoffs, I wouldn’t reccomend anybody going to the local post-office on Monday morning.
timthebrave
October 1st, 2010
2:14 pm
Anders, aren’t you a mets fan? are you rooting for braves/other team or don’t care when your team gets knocked out
N8
October 1st, 2010
2:14 pm
“Even better, Conrad could be our playoff Leyritz.”
Hopefully somebody will hang a slider after he’s been late on 3 or 4 fastballs. And by all means, if Conrad is our Leyritz, I hope nobody rides home from the ballpark with him. That could be dangerous.
RemoW
October 1st, 2010
2:14 pm
T for Texas: I was not implying a pass. I am just saying that their A team won’t be out there for the whole. As evidenced by the there big 3 not pitching. My guess is you will see very little of Rollins because of his leg problems.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:15 pm
Shaun
Not sure I completely agree. Pence is a much better OK player than Diaz. Now, if I had a left handed Matt Diaz to complement Pence, I might prefer the platoon.
But there is a lot of value in having a guy who is more consistent and can play on both sides of the game.
This stuff is so subjective. If we were tied in the bottom of the 9th inning with a runner on 1st, with two outs, who would you rather have up to bat? Alex Gonzalaz type hitter or a high OBP singles hitter?
A team need many varied parts to be successful. Putting too much emphasis on 1 stat can be dangerous.
jay dubu
October 1st, 2010
2:15 pm
I read some of the tributes to 6, and they’re great! Just what I expected to hear.
6 has done a great job with, and for the Braves, no matter how you slice it. I will miss 6 next season, and hope he takes an active role in the Braves’ front office.
Go get’em 6!! You are the Braves!!
MiaBeachyBravesFan
October 1st, 2010
2:16 pm
Conrad eighth??? McCann third??? Melky fifth???
The Old Man must’ve pitched darts to pull this lineup from behind his cup.
Bobby's chaffeur
October 1st, 2010
2:17 pm
Hey guys. I know that “it matters” if we win. but what other team has given their fans this much entertainment. It has been a fun year. We got more than our money’s worth. remember it’s a game , a product to sell tickets, it’s entertainment. I just say thanks for a fun year. win or lose it’s been fun
Gary O
October 1st, 2010
2:19 pm
Based on history, I would not want to see the Braves overpay too much for an outfielder. When was the last time a deal like that worked out (except maybe Holliday for the Cardinals)?
Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano are 3 examples. And I think Crawford and Werth will be added to the list of guys who a team regrets giving them the money they did after a couple years…
Shaun
October 1st, 2010
2:19 pm
P-Town Brave, here’s the problem out matter for every hitter, therefore OBP matter for every hitter, whether a hitter is a “table setter” or a “run producer.” Another problem is that a guy can only control what he does and can’t control what the table setters or the run producers do ahead of him or behind him. This it’s why it’s dumb to judge a hitter by runs or runs batted in. If you do, you are essentially rewarding or punishing a hitter because of what players in front of him or behind him in the batting order.
The equivalent of this on the pitching side of the ball is judging a pitcher on wins and losses. If you judge a pitcher on wins and losses, you are rewarding or punishing him because of offensive support and defensive support. This is why any voter who refused to vote for Felix Hernandez for the AL Cy Young is simply clueless about pitching and baseball in general.
T for Texas
October 1st, 2010
2:21 pm
Scoots:
How much can Javy be worth coming off a 10-10 season throwing only 157 innings with a 5.32 ERA? Not that I think he should be signed, just wondering what you think his worth is in this era of cheap 1 year contracts for older guys with questionable futures. Should I not get a reply, I will assume that by referencing the counting of unhatched chickens I made your “scroom” list. LOL.
Snotboogie
October 1st, 2010
2:21 pm
When was the last time a deal like that worked out (except maybe Holliday for the Cardinals)?
Holliday for the Cards is barely in its infancy. In a couple of years, that will be a painful contract too.
Murph
October 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
Anyone know if any of the 3 games this weekend are being broadcast outside the state of GA?
KC
October 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
Melky Cabrera is batting 5th again today! Melky!!!!!
Among 56 MLB outfielders with at least 500 plate appearances, Melky Cabrera ranks:
• 42nd in avg
• 49th in OBP
• 51st in HR
• 52nd in SLG
• 53rd in OPS
Only 3 regular outfielders have a lower OPS than Melky, and all 3 of them have at least 25 stolen bases, and are in the lineup because of blazing speed and outfield coverage. By the numbers, w/ 500 PA’s as a baseline… Melky is LITERALLY the worst outfielder in Major League Baseball.
Yet not only does he start nearly every day, he now bats 5th, apparently, much of the time… providing ZERO protection for D.Lee. It is beyond dumb. It’s irresponsible.
T for Texas
October 1st, 2010
2:26 pm
Holliday for the Cards is barely in its infancy
Yep, in a few years Holliday, Bay, and Werth could all wind up on the same non-flattering list of over-compensated OFers.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:30 pm
T, how much could he have gotten off his year last year? I can almost guarantee that there will be NL teams who will eye that prize (much as some bloggers here) and believe it to be within their grasp, if only they can woo Javier back from The Dark Side. His agent will point to all the other good parts of the the guy’s career (the Ks, innings, non-NY success, etc.) and sell that as the “real” Javy. This past season might mitigate the happy feet of a GM somewhat, but not enough to offer Vazquez some middle reliever’s contract.
You guys see what kind of money was being thrown at full-blown scrub-in-full starters last year, LOL? Why would Javy think he can’t fall into the same kind of thing, since he’s actually a whole bunch better than some of those guys?
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
T for Texas
I saw the 4 million dollar estimates yesterday for JV. I personally think that he will command about 7-9 million on the market. A lot of folks know of his history, and how he seems to do better outside of NYC and away from Ozzie. Just my opinion though.
SB
Agreed on long term contracts for hitters. I wonder if anybody has ever done a study on lt contracts and how they panned out.
In our case, we almost had to offer Chipper a good contract due to his track record and his loyalty; but even that hasn’t panned out.
We’ll see how the Cardinals like the Holliday contract in 5 years.
Let’s see some examples of large free agent contracts for over 3 years that have worked out well. Anybody got any that come to mind? I am sure there are some good ones out there.
Shaun
October 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
Wayne in Utah, you make valid points but for the most parts you can’t build a team around situational hitting because you can’t control when Alex Gonzalez or when a singles hitter with a high on-base percentage may come up to the plate. Tie game, 2 outs, bottom of the 9th, I have little control over whether Alex Gonzalez comes up unless I want to bench my good players so that I can use them in certain situations. Obviously that would be counterproductive.
Also I’m saying put emphasis on one stat because it’s the most important, but don’t only look at that one stat and don’t think that it’s the only important stat. Most important is not the same thing as only.
To answer your question about Gonzalez or the high on-base, singles hitter; it would depend on how much higher his on-base is to Gonzalez and how much worse his slugging is. Basically it does no good if Gonzalez is much more likely to make an out and also if you’re not losing that much in the way of slugging by using the other guy. Which kind of goes back to your point that the game is much more complex than one stat or one skill. However one skill could be more important than others, it’s just that one skill isn’t the only important skill.
Bobby's chaffeur
October 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
KC…so you like Melky in the fifth slot…Genius doesn’t always go by the book. I wouldn’t have looked at the stats. Just let the guy play .He WAS a Yankee wasn’t he? I’m seventy I USED to do a lot of things better….
TennesseePaul
October 1st, 2010
2:32 pm
MiaBeachyBravesFan: I do not see the glaring hole in CF as a “peripheral issue”…Yeah, I’d say a NEW CF solution is pretty damn important next year.
That’s great MiaBeachyBravesFan. I didn’t disagree. Nor did I say CF was a peripheral issue. Not sure if you were saying I did or not.
Payne: Just because the Braves need an outfielder doesn’t mean they should go out and overpay to extreme proportions.
Great straw man there. Did you give him a name before you slit his throat? Who said anything about “overpay to extreme proportions”?
the problem I have with signing Crawford: He will likely command…
Getting hay fever from all these straw men. The bidding on Crawford could very well exceed the Braves limits, that doesn’t mean the Braves should turn their back on him before the bidding starts. Do due diligence. If he goes some place else, go after the next guy. But don’t shun the Free Agent Market, or a player in it, before it even opens.
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
2:32 pm
So what is the solution to this lineup and LF if you don’t go out and get a guy like Holliday, Bay, and Werth?
You can’t stick with guys like McLouth, Melky and Diaz out there. I wouldn’t mind Ankiel in CF and having him bat 8th for the whole year.
But it seems like you either overpay for a LF who can hit for power or you get stuck with Melky/Diaz in LF. I don’t mind Diaz out there, but Melky? That’s absurd. Maybe you could get someone similar to Diaz who can hit Righties?
Those are your only two options really right?
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:33 pm
If we dealt JJ for a good hitting outfielder, I wouldn’t be opposed to entertaining offering JV a decent contract.
Beachy
October 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
Melky 5th and Conrad 8th? FML.
KC
October 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
Bobby’s chaffeur, yeah… who cares about the numbers! lol
LTBF
October 1st, 2010
2:35 pm
Bobby has Brian the snail hitting 3rd again.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:35 pm
…and, by the way, T, you didn’t make the “scroom” list, LOL, not even close.
CB
October 1st, 2010
2:38 pm
It does not have to be Hunter Pence,but our best hopes for next year probably rest in a player of similar ilk.We will need a lot of good things to happen next year,a Nate resurgence,FF to produce,Heyward to improve,Chipper to have a decent season and get lucky with health.
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
2:40 pm
I don’t really understand how contracts work in baseball…
But is there anyway that Chipper’s contract for next year could be cut in half? Or could he agree to another deal that would be less money? Because overpaying for a guy that is 50/50 to come back and play at 70% of his career numbers is a complete was of money.
I wouldn’t mind him batting 6th in the lineup and making half what he is making, but hitting 3rd and making what he is would kill the Braves.
T for Texas
October 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
Scoots, it’ll be interesting to see what Javy gets next year. If he can trade off of the ‘09 season, which to your point of last year’s contracts I could see, it could be lucrative. I suppose that, even though cautionary tales like Ben Sheets linger out there for all to see, a couple of NL GMs will be more scared of not signing him than they are of letting him go to a division rival. That and the fact that there are several MLB teams that have less than 3 quality pitchers in their 5 man rotation. Supply and demand strike again.
RemoW
October 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
I like JV and think he has come back in him. But he seems very dependent on the manager he pitches for. Cox is the perfect man for JV. We don’t KNOW who the new manager (Freddi) is going to be. So JV is an unknown commodity.
T for Texas
October 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
…and thanks for the non-scrooming!
DAP
October 1st, 2010
2:42 pm
buster onley says thats greinke may be dangled this winter. anyone think we should further strengthen the rotation?
Murph
October 1st, 2010
2:44 pm
MFin04, contract restructuring is an area that the union does get involved with. I’m not 100% sure, but I doubt they’d look very favorably on Chipper moving money around to allow the Braves some wiggle room to go out and buy the bat they need.
bravofan
October 1st, 2010
2:48 pm
DOB if the Braves don’t make the playoffs I hold you fully responsible!!!!!!
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:52 pm
MFin04
When the Braves and Chipper signed the contract, both parties like the contract (otherwise, they wouldn’t have signed). It was good then. It is good now. The Braves understood the risks. Chipper understood that if he had a Triple Crown year his contract was still valid.
He was being paid for his loyalty and to keep him here until he retires. If your boss said, MFin04, I want to sign you to a 20 year work contract. This is what you get, regardless of what happens. If you become unable to work, they still pay you. If everybody else’s pay goes up 200%, you are still stuck with the contract.
What is so hard to understand?
Shaun
To be honest, I think we are in agreement. If we have differences on the OBP subject, they are minimal.
DAP
I’d say stay away from a big pitcher getting closer to free agency. We have our own horses coming up or already here. Let’s pry away Gordon from KC and see if he pans out……… He could play LF and be Chipper’s eventual replacement.
PLATOON Subject
I would be perfectly OK with the Braves getting a good 1B/3B strong back up (right handed) and getting a top notch lefty to compliment Diaz in LF.
I really think McLouth is going to come back to career norms next year.
GTI in Chicago
October 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
DAP,
Seems like the Royals would only be offering up Greinke to try to get a huge haul in return for him, surely they’d want one or several of our young, up and coming pitching studs. Maybe that’s a good deal, maybe not, yes?
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
Steve From OH
Bobby gets a B for the fact that he didn’t change the lineup (especially 1-4) during the second half, he was a Wayy different manager in Aug/Sept Than he was in May/June… _ Tomahawkin
106 different line ups so far.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:54 pm
What is Wes Helms contract situation in Florida?
Gotta run. Will check in a bit later……..
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:55 pm
Murph, you know what would be sneaky? The union would abide Chipper extending his contract for less annual money and more years, that happens all the time. Then Chipper could retire way short of expiration and stick it to everybody, LOL.
Efrim
October 1st, 2010
2:57 pm
What a heck of a Game 1 NLDS lineup that is…Melky Cabrera batting 5th….
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
2:57 pm
If you can’t play, the Braves shouldn’t have to pay Chipper. That’s my problem. That is why I’d rather him retire than play at 70% the rest of his contract. The Braves need to get younger and faster. Not older, slower, and add more ACL injuries to the team.
I understand that Chipper got his raise based on past performance, and I’m fine with that, but I’m not ok with him getting to play like he did this year and get all the money.
It’d be nice to see him get bought out or something to not play next year. Because no way he comes back as anything other than a weak 3rd baseman who should hit 6th in the lineup.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Scoots
Your funny! Don’t quit your day job, my friend!
LTBF
October 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Someone wrote yesterday Braves have not made plaoffs since this blog started. I think we should close the blog for weekend or till we clinch.
DO IT FOR BOBBY
October 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Go out and kick some Philly a55 this weekend Bobby. Make it happen Braves!!!
Wow..
October 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
Melky Cabrera batting fifth…….
That’s the type of crap that makes people happy that Cox is leaving
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
If you can’t play, the Braves shouldn’t have to pay Chipper. That’s my problem.
Let me put you in touch with Albert Belle and you guys can talk it over, LOL.
CraZyTraDeMaN
October 1st, 2010
2:59 pm
So the Mets GM and Manager will not return to thier current roles. Why would they be allowed to return in any role. What a poorly ran organization.
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
3:00 pm
ncscoots – I did get to see Mike Hampton pitch the other night for AZ. That was a sight to see.
DAP
October 1st, 2010
3:01 pm
GTI in chicago Maybe that’s a good deal, maybe not, yes?
yeah…just thinking…it might be easier to further upgrade the pitching than to upgrade hitting that much. i dont know…is it a lateral move to trade jurrjens, beachy, marek and, say…parr, for greinke? maybe its not even worth it. i dont know.
wren has designed this team so that he doesnt have to worry about SP for awhile, so i dont think he will. but, if i were him, i wouldnt rule it out. jus a thought.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
I understand his agent, but how does the union prevent Vazquez from getting a low-dollar contract?
Did they also protect LaRoche (from himself)?
What about Barry Bonds?
Murph
October 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
I was just thinking the same thing, scoots. Sign Chipper to a 14 year contract at $2mil a year. When he retires, it just becomes a coaching contract or advisor contract or whatever. Would sure be nice to have that $11mil to spend on someone else, Chipper doesn’t have to worry about his income (not that he would, but whatever) into his 50’s, and everyone is happy.
The union would laugh that deal right out of the building, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
Murph
October 1st, 2010
3:03 pm
Hampton is still alive? Had no idea, I thought he died in a tragic unicycle accident 2 years ago. Maybe that was just wishful thinking, I dunno.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:04 pm
MFin04
You contradicted yourself in that middle paragraph. You said you were fine with him getting paid for his past performance, then you state that your not OK with him gettting all this money to play like he did.
Are you so stubborned as to not understand a contract. They signed it, it’s good until HE decides to retire, not some decision made by 5-6 of us bloggers.
If you were underpaid for years, then got your just rewards later on, would you just give it all back to your company????? Even if your skills had diminished? I don’t think so.
Here boss, I can’t take this salary any more, considering that my sales of widgets have fallen off from a couple of years ago!
If Chipper can’t come back, he will negotiate a settlement with the Braves, or sign a personal services contract with them. If he can play, I don’t begrudge him his money.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2010
3:05 pm
abwright,
Minor has expressed that he is fatigued.
Beachy had some time off and has not gone deep in either start (despite pitching well).
Add to that, that many would disagree with you that his performance has not dictated that he should get the nod over Minor .. . .
braveslifer
October 1st, 2010
3:05 pm
Something that appears to be missing from the JV offseason talk is that fact that he does not want to play for a West Coast team. Remember is no trade clause from last year to certain teams and since he is a FA this year I am assuming that this would still be his preference. If I was JV and his agent I would be drooling to come back to Atl on a year deal. He played his best baseball in an ATL uniform and a good season next year would set him up for one last big pay day. I think that it would work out for the Braves if we gave him the right type on contract. By this I mean something to the tune of a $4-5M base salary with another $5M in incentives based on IP.
Efrim
October 1st, 2010
3:06 pm
Let me put you in touch with Albert Belle and you guys can talk it over, LOL.
Hah! Seriously..
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:08 pm
For those crying about Melky hitting 5th, as I recall, he did so two games ago, and it worked out ok.
How many more games does Bobby have to manage to get your approval? If he thinks Melky should hit 5th, sing the national anthem, and then sweep up the bleachers after the game, I am OK with all of it.
LTBF
October 1st, 2010
3:08 pm
Who is covering game tonight? DOB IS 61-46.570 cARROLL IS 29-23.557.
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
3:09 pm
There wasn’t any contradiction. You should read the whole paragraph. The contract was fine…until he got hurt and would not be able to perform anymore. Rather than take the money next year he should settle for less and retire. If he cared about the team he would do something like that. If the guy was willing to retire in the middle of this year like he said, what’s the difference between that and not coming back next year AFTER he tore his ACL.
I’d also be fine with paying Chipper that money if the Braves would be willing to spend $14 million more next year to compensate for him getting paid and not playing. The problem is that they Braves always have a tight budget and won’t spend an extra $14 million to go out and get the bat we need.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:09 pm
I wonder is Albert and his posse are still spending his dough?
Ben
October 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
I have a feeling that Chipper will come back as a player-coach. It’s a gut feeling especially if Freddy is the manager. I think Uggla would be the perfect bat that the Braves need. I would move Infante to left field. and keep Prado at third. Chipper could hand pick is playing time with the Braves rotating Infante and Prado accordingly. I believe Chipper would also take a pay cut.
Efrim
October 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
For those crying about Melky hitting 5th, as I recall, he did so two games ago, and it worked out ok.
It’s moreso that Melky is on our team, Wayne. And that because of the injuries, he is one of the options for batting 5th in our lineup for a 90 win baseball team. Let’s hope a real thumper is in LF and batting4th/5th next year….
Big Head Eric and the Mini Monster
October 1st, 2010
3:12 pm
“Also, what’s up with Beachy over Minor tonight? Beachy didn’t pitch so well and Minor didn’t pitch so poorly that Beachy should have moved up in the pecking order over Minor.”
I get it…. you don’t actually watch the games or listen to them? You’re forced to follow on Gameday or play by play boxscores?
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:13 pm
MFin04
Are you frickin serious? This ain’t the NFL. I really don’t know why I bother. You don’t seem to be bright enough to understand the basics of contracts. You sign it. You do it. It’s good until it’s over! If BOTH parties want to renegotiate it fairly, they will.
And after 18 years, why not give Chipper a chance to come back? After talking about retirement last summer, he numbers suddenly jumped back to decent numbers for a 38 year old. We are much better off with him than without him (see our record since he went down, versus our record from May through July).
If you can’t understand this, I am done. Sorry.
LTBF
October 1st, 2010
3:14 pm
MF in 04
I think Chipper will be honest in ST, if he cannot play well he wll say so and retire. I would hope team would keep him as hitting coach. Fire TP
ncscoots
October 1st, 2010
3:14 pm
understand his agent, but how does the union prevent Vazquez from getting a low-dollar contract?
I should have been more explicit, for sure. The union would strongly advise a player against taking a contract that would set a precedent for taking large salary reductions because of a single bad year of performance, where that single year’s performance is the only criterion for the reduction.
LaRoche is a different situation. He was offered contracts that were more in line with the market for his skills (if slightly undervalued) and chose to wait for an offer of higher compensation which never came. Thus, he signed a low-ball contract more through ineptitude than choice.
The union can’t “force” a player to do anything, that’s true. But MLBPA didn’t become the most powerful union in America by sitting idly by.
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:14 pm
Efrim
Amen!
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
3:15 pm
The Braves are easily a 100 win team if they get another bat or two into this lineup and their pitching stays healthy next year.
Braves have to get another major power bat into this lineup. I don’t care what position he plays, Braves can adjust to that with Infante, Prado playing multiple positions, but a 25-30 HR guy who has some speed and a decent average is a must.
Fleming
October 1st, 2010
3:15 pm
MFin04
If Chipper doesn’t play next year his contract will be covered by insurance so what’s the gripe
Wayne in Utah
October 1st, 2010
3:18 pm
I hope the entire arbitration process is reconsidered during the next collective bargaining agreement.
Problem is this: the current contract helps the veterans much more than it does the guys in the first few years of their careers. They will be reluctant to give up some of their juice.
It’s a shame we had to let a guy like KJ (or Diaz this year) go because we are tied to a process that will automatically overpay him.
MFin04
October 1st, 2010
3:18 pm
Fleming – But if he tries to play and fails he takes up the $14 million the Braves need before Spring Training to go out and get a bat. That’s why the wait and see approach for Spring Training bothers me. By then all the major free agents have signed and the Braves would miss out because they didn’t have the $14 million to offer.
T for Texas
October 1st, 2010
3:18 pm
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100930&content_id=15256168&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
For anyone that takes pleasure in the suffering of the Mets. Also for Anders.
Anders
October 1st, 2010
3:19 pm
Efrim- Congrats on the wild card! I seem to remember saying I wouldn’t be around if the Braves won – only of they lost. So here I am my friend.
BTW- Do you ever get into NYC? I saw a bar right across the street from the Empire State Building with a huge Penguins flag hanging outside of it. My friend said he heard the owner is a Penguins fan and many of their NY fans hang there. Just sharing with my hockey brethren.
Travis
October 1st, 2010
3:20 pm
The DH in the American League is gonna give an even greater advantage to plyaers that the NL has no use for. Just look at the numbers for guys like Abreau, Ortiz and Guerrero and tell me that the advantage to having bombers that only have to run the bases and hit isn’t lopsided. Most of the talented outfielders with any time in the bigs also have enough years to demand big salaries and have spent some time injured because they played on both sides of the ball. As players age and are unable to get chemical assistance they will be less desirable in the NL. Why? Because they can’t play the field anymore without injury. Abreu might be the exception but for how long. Advantage American League. That doesn’t even account for the fact that pitchers never run the bases or put down sacrifice bunts. Advantage American League. It’s tough to pry loose young talent anymore. You better do a good job on talent evaluation in your own farm system these days.
Brian from SC
October 1st, 2010
3:20 pm
The Braves are easily a 100 win team if they get another bat or two into this lineup and their pitching stays healthy next year.
Wow…lol…here we go already. Easily a 100 win team? No team in baseball is easily a 100 win team. Over the last 5 years, only the 2008 Angels and 2009 Yankees won 100 games. Geez…where do people get these expectations?
Fleming
October 1st, 2010
3:20 pm
And if he tries and makes it back to 08 numbers would you say he shouldn’t have tried.
Obee
October 1st, 2010
3:21 pm
Isn’t it fun to allocate other people’s money, especially when you can only guess how much they have?
LTBF
October 1st, 2010
3:21 pm
Big crowds at the Ted this weekend hope they are LOUD like Philly fans were last weekend
P-Town Brave ©
October 1st, 2010
3:21 pm
Shaun-
Not disagreeing with you there…
I played a doubleheader Thu. and went 7 for 8 on a team I was subbing for…my 7 for 8 leading off still didn’t help the team win…
Basically you need to have a mix of both types…the table setters and the mashers who drive them in…and if you can have both in one player, thats just a big bonus….
My question is, who would you yourself go after to strengthen the squad?
Anders
October 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
The Braves are easily a 100 win team if they get another bat or two into this lineup and their pitching stays healthy next year.
(MFin04)
Easily? Really? Winning 100 games is never, ever easy. Even for the most formidable teams.
Big Head Eric and the Mini Monster
October 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
Conrad hitting 8th. Can’t say I’m a fan of that lineup. I don’t consider the pitcher much protection for perhaps the most significant run producing threat in your lineup. I don’t want that guy getting walked or nothing to hit because the opposing pitcher knows he has the your pitcher on deck.