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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,393 comments Add your comment
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
6:39 pm
Without even having read it yet, thanks for the new blog, DOB!
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
6:47 pm
I then asked if sending him to a J*panese was an option.
A J*panese team? Investor? Restaurant?
Seriously though…thanks DOB. Great blog
Rob from SC
October 17th, 2010
6:47 pm
Bring back Fulton County Stadium
Mark
October 17th, 2010
6:49 pm
Nice work, DOB…I know FW probably hasn’t given any specific names, but do you have any ideas of potential trade targets for the Braves?
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
6:49 pm
But what could we get from a J*panese team? I’m not sure if I’ve heard of trading between countries very much.
Mark
October 17th, 2010
6:50 pm
They wouldn’t trade, they would just sell his contract to them…
LTBF
October 17th, 2010
6:52 pm
Thanks for new blog DOB,very infomitive.
GovClintonTyree
October 17th, 2010
6:53 pm
Wow, that’s a long blog. Thanks DOB.
Rob from SC
October 17th, 2010
6:53 pm
We can also improve our offense if certain players start working pitchers. Heyward and Jones should be good for close to 200 walks. However Gonzalez and McLouth are free swingers. McCann can improve by chasing less often. I am not talking about close pitches. I am talking about balls that are 6 inches to a foot off the plate.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
6:54 pm
Oh, I guess I was confused because DOB said that the Braves would have to eat money if they sent him to a J*panese team. But I guess that means that they’d sell his $6 million contract for $4 million. Or something like that
China Grove
October 17th, 2010
6:55 pm
Great blog.
Maybe we’ll finally trade for Swisher? haha…
Also, did anyone see how well Cody Ross is doing? Where are the doubters on him now?
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
6:57 pm
China Grove – he still wasn’t worth Kris Medlin.
MattyRoss
October 17th, 2010
6:58 pm
Thanks for the fix, DOB. Another day of Braves withdrawal endured.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:00 pm
If they want to raise the odds of staying in the playoffs they need to consider raising the payroll. I don’t think you can assume that a higher payroll will necessarily make a difference to every team, but as well as the Braves do with the funds they have, I think having another 10mil would be a real differeence maker to the Braves. So many years it seems like they are just one decent/good player from being a powerhouse but are satisfied with just being in the hunt. . I don’t usually criticize their approach, I just think it’s a shame that we no longer feel comfortable at all with having the ability to sign a difference maker. Obviously ain’t gonna happen, but I wish it would
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:01 pm
A J*panese team? Investor? Restaurant? jeffrey
sushi bar
Rob from SC
October 17th, 2010
7:02 pm
nolie
I wish MLB would reqire individual ownership. For the most part corporate ownership is not good for baseball.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:02 pm
Over the offseason, I think we should make some flashcards to get us ready for blogging in 2011. On one side it’d have a picture of the player/coach smiling and on the other side it’d have the correct spelling of his name.
Medlen, Jurrjens, Fredi, Schuerholz, McLouth, Schafer. And maybe even vintage Braves. Maddux, Andruw, Francoeur, Saltalamacchia
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:03 pm
Where are the doubters on him now?
right here. he is erratic as hell and what he is doing now in no way means he will have a good season this coming year.If he turns out to be “the big bat” it likely ain’t gonna be enough
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:05 pm
KK: I used to be Major League pitcher
Customer: Well right now you’re choppin my sushi!
McFann O O – 6
October 17th, 2010
7:06 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief!
(it didn’t look like we’d get to 10,000 anytime soon, so I wrote a new one)
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:06 pm
individual owners can be cheap too Rob. think Miami and Minnesota when Pohlad had them
Bama Brave
October 17th, 2010
7:08 pm
CARL CARL CARL. the one that makes the most sence is Carl Crawford.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
I knew it was going to be a very good blog! You pretty well covered everything there is to cover at this point! Thanks again!
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
What about Carl Sagan?
CB
October 17th, 2010
7:10 pm
I guess we need to post more to get this blog up to 10,000.
CB
October 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
1
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
“jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:09 pm
What about Carl Sagan?”
What about him?!
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
It’s already up to 27. only 9,973 more to go.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
Bama Brave said that Carl Crawford is the Carl that made the most sence, but I think that Sagan can make a lot of sence too
Gary O
October 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
…”I think that’s something we’re going to try to continue, to at least out-pitch people.”…Frank Wren
In theory, outpitching people (and playing good defense) is the correct recipe. But sometimes, we must be able to outhit people. So I hope we get at least one lefit OF (since we will probably be stuck with Nate and his contract).
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
jeffrey d – interesting way to prove a point.
LAG
October 17th, 2010
7:17 pm
What, can we not say “the demonym pertaining to the country of Kenshin Kawakami’s birth” anymore?
Keith
October 17th, 2010
7:18 pm
Can you imagine Crawford at the sparkplug in this lineup? I might rather have Dunn even though I know they’re hanging their hopes on Freeman @ 1st.
Keith
October 17th, 2010
7:18 pm
*as the sparkplug*
Yes, they need to raise payroll.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:19 pm
jeffrey d – I don’t really think KK is going to be reduced to chopping sushi anytime soon, btw.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:20 pm
no LAG we caint. no J@P the right way cince all those racial posts awhile back
McFann O O – 6
October 17th, 2010
7:20 pm
Rob from SC McCann can improve by chasing less often. I am not talking about close pitches. I am talking about balls that are 6 inches to a foot off the plate.
This is true…I think getting a “big bat” to really help him carry the offensive load will help. I think he felt more pressured this year to be “the guy”, and while some of that was due to guys going down with injuries, I think a lot of it was Frank Wren’s fault, although he didn’t have a lot of choice for a big bat last year apparently. But he counted to heavily on Chipper and even BMac—who is a very very good hitter, of course, but he’s also a catcher…not that that’s a bad thing, but they do tend to wear down a bit—and got Troy Glaus, who had a good month and a half, but is on the downside of his career.
Then there’s also another angle—well, sort of a co-angle, I think…because I don’t think you cann hang all 98 K’s on one of these two cases alone. I know BMac wouldn’t be too thrilled with me bringing this one up (though I doubt he’d like that first excuse a whole lot, either, as he’s a guy that doesn’t like any kind of excuse), but uh…you kind of have to point a little bit at his vision problem as a reason for a lot of those K’s, don’t you? I know cutting out caffeine was supposed to lick that for the most part, but one still has to wonder…
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:21 pm
Keith – when KK would pitch a couple racist doofs (I don’t think they were really racist though….just immature) would come on and say stuff like “Of course we’re going to lose with a J*p pitching”
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:21 pm
Sorry that was LAG, not Keith
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:23 pm
not all that interested in Crawford for this team, they already get guys on base. he ain’t a run producer like they need most and he will be incredibly overpaid by one of the big market teams.
jeffrey d
October 17th, 2010
7:24 pm
not all that interested in Crawford for this team, they already get guys on base
Melky, Ankiel, McLouth, and Diaz don’t. People long for Crawford so much because we desperately need an OF that can hit his weight (I know….that’s not fair to Melky), and CC won’t cost any prospects
Chop Chop
October 17th, 2010
7:25 pm
I’d take Crawford, but not at the price he’s going to command.
Sure would be nice if we were spending $150 million-plus and didn’t give a damn about some overpaying, but that ain’t the case.
old brave, retired
October 17th, 2010
7:26 pm
I really like the idea of creatively trading Nate McOut. I just can’t sit through seeing him with constant
0-2 counts for another year. It is difficult to envision him getting better. I think we need to re-sign Gonzo at short and of course Omar. Omar can play anywhere and hit. I think Prado is for real and will continue to hit. The outfield is a problem other than Jason. But outfield is the easiest position to fill. Pitching is the hardest, catcher is next hardest, shortstop is third hardest to fill and you get the picture. We have pitching and young ones coming up. I don’t want to trade any of them. I think Venters, Kimbrel and Moylan are the basis of a great, young bullpen. So our only real problem is the contracts of Kawakimi and McClouth and finding an outfielder or two. Better than a poke in the eye with a stick.
Chop Chop
October 17th, 2010
7:28 pm
I’m sorry that I missed the wackiness of the NLDS, but I went on a weeklong trip to the Boston area. I’m just glad that the end was painless. I’m still shocked we didn’t get past the Division Series, but alas, Brooks was here
Anyway, the offseason is always fun and interesting. Better to lose early than late, I say.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:29 pm
“nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:23 pm
not all that interested in Crawford for this team, they already get guys on base. he ain’t a run producer like they need most and he will be incredibly overpaid by one of the big market teams.”
Hope you’re doing well, Nolie. Agree about Crawford. There is no point in people wanting players out of the team’s price range, and he’s probably going to be overpaid by the team that signs him. Anyone remember Beltran? How has that turned out for NYM?
Gulfwaves Gary
October 17th, 2010
7:31 pm
I would like to know where Frank Wren was when Cody Ross was available on waiver. He killed the Braves and doing the same to the Phillies. If I hear the announcers say again how S.F. stole him from the Padres and the Braves were not even interested. I guess the dead outfielders we have had Frank Wren sitting pat.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
7:33 pm
Gulfwaves Gary – do you actually read this blog and have any idea what went on with the Cody Ross thing, at all?!
Bravefaninok
October 17th, 2010
7:35 pm
I would like to know where Frank Wren was when Cody Ross was available on waiver. He killed the Braves and doing the same to the Phillies. If I hear the announcers say again how S.F. stole him from the Padres and the Braves were not even interested. I guess the dead outfielders we have had Frank Wren sitting pat.
The Giants had the worse record at the time Frank Wren never got to put in a waiver claim& if he did the Giants still had first dibs.
CB
October 17th, 2010
7:35 pm
I still believe it will come down to trading some of our pitching or top pitching prospects. We have very little else to offer and very little money for free agents. Lowe will have more appeal with only 2yrs left,but it may take losing several of our best prospects to get the young OF we need. Wren is going to need some guts to do what has to be done.
American Legion
October 17th, 2010
7:36 pm
I’m surprised there has been less chatter about Medlen’s return to the health. He looked great for a young pitcher both in the pen and in his starts this year until his injury.
Is the severity of his injury such that the Braves are looking to him in 2012 more so than next year?
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:36 pm
I would like to know where Frank Wren was when Cody Ross was available on waiver
what?? he was never available to the Braves on waivers
tmoneylove
October 17th, 2010
7:37 pm
no more former roiders, please!!!
adam
October 17th, 2010
7:38 pm
we need zack greinke
CB
October 17th, 2010
7:40 pm
nolie,get a couple homers in the playoffs and you look like Babe Ruth.
Feeanch
October 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
That might have been the best blog of the year, DOB. We appreciate all that you and Carroll do. I’m still in mourning from this season.
Bama Brave
October 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
some people on here dont get it. WE need out fielders right? we need smart and fast ones to. look at what we had last year. I agree that he will cost. If we was to sign him and trade for matt kemp. then our outfield would look pretty nice. we have the cash!
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:52 pm
you are right some don’t.anybody who thinks they are gonna spend what it takes on two guys like that do not get it at all. just cause a guy is better than what we had does not mean he is the right choice all things considered. That is what having a clue is all about.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:53 pm
I mean who in the hell wasn’t better than what we had?
Jeff R
October 17th, 2010
7:53 pm
Well, add up what the team owes Chipper, Kawakami, and McLouth – that’s – what? – $26 million down the drain.
I think there’s a better chance Chipper retires than Wren moving Kawakami or unloading McLouth.
Though Wren is intent on building for the 2011 run, I think he’d be better off pursuing a power-hitting OF prospect on the verge.
stuart
October 17th, 2010
7:53 pm
Well Dave on the premise that the Braves dont want to have organizational meetings while others are still playing; they are the only ones who can fix it.
Greene Hornet
October 17th, 2010
7:53 pm
I know I’ve said it before, but to close this season out I’m sure we all here thank you, Carrol, and others for their work here. Thanks for keeping us up to date and all of your writing and interactions with us fans. I know this age of technology gives fans a voice (some of which should chose to excercise their right to remain silent) and some fans say things they shouldn’t, but I hope we all can continue to support the Braves and you guys that bring us close to our favorite team. Thansk again for the work you guys do.
CB
October 17th, 2010
7:54 pm
You?
Couch Tater
October 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
Thanks again, DOB.
“During those long summer tours, there’s nothing on television that doesn’t rot your brain except for baseball. And I love the game. I love the history of the game. I love the fact that anything can happen but probably won’t. But sometimes does. I love that you don’t have to be a perfect human specimen to be a good player; you can be overweight, you can be too short, too skinny.
Let’s just say I’m a National League girl, because I don’t believe in the designated hitter. And you can quote me on that.”
Read more: http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/ESQ0604-JUN_WIL#ixzz12f38P1yk
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:57 pm
I guess I would have to take exception to her lambasting of summer tv. I think there are some pretty darn good shows on in summer nowdays
nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:58 pm
Sorry Bama, that post sounded rougher than I meant it to
Gary O
October 17th, 2010
7:58 pm
The Braves have to get a legit OF in here, because this offense has too many question marks. In my opinion, AGon and Brian are the only guys we dont have any questions about, because we have a pretty good idea what to expect out of them.
Heyward – Sophomore slump?
Chipper – Will he stay healthy and play well?
Prado – Will he stay healthy?
Freeman – What kind of year will he have?
Nate – Will we get any production out of him?
I understand we dont have the money to sign a premier FA. But we have enough talent in the minors to make a move for a legit OF.
And Rasmus would not be my first choice, because he is left handed.
Mikeyc588
October 17th, 2010
7:58 pm
DOB – Thanks for the heads up about the show at The Earl. I hadn’t heard The Soft Pack, but I live near EAV so I’ll probably have to go. I like that track. Sounds a lot like The Strokes to me…
Branch Rickey
October 17th, 2010
7:59 pm
It’ll take more than Carl Crawford to inject life into this lifeless, lethargic lineup.
If the 2011 team includes McLouth, Melky, Ankiel, etc., there is no way we compete with the Phillies. Too much payroll is locked up in Lowe, Chipper and Kawakami for Wren to make any meaningful acquisitions.
LTBF
October 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
Still would like to see a poll on this blog where we can pick all-time Atlanta Braves team position by position. It would be interresting and give us something to do.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
8:02 pm
“nolie
October 17th, 2010
7:57 pm
I guess I would have to take exception to her lambasting of summer tv. I think there are some pretty darn good shows on in summer nowdays”
“The Closer” and “Leverage” and “Royal Pains” are my personal favorites.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2010
8:02 pm
American Legion: It’s no slight on Medlen at all, but rather just the reality that his Tommy John surgery is almost always an 11-13 month recovery period. So the earliest the Braves expect him back would be August, and more likely it’ll be September, if he returns at all in 2011.
GarynpOH
October 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
wow still would want to PAY for Dunn when we have the top prospect for 1st base in Freeman, i don’t understand that one.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2010
8:07 pm
What, can we not say “the demonym pertaining to the country of Kenshin Kawakami’s birth” anymore? LAG
No, because we don’t have time to play grade-school teacher and delete every post from the bitter bigots who couldn’t resist ruining it for everyone by spewing ignorant bile every time one of the Japanese pitchers took the mound this season.
JasonInFL
October 17th, 2010
8:07 pm
DOB, your work is stellar, as always. Seriously, we have had a couple of back and forths, but your blog is the best. Period. And with the work you do in the offseason, well, it helps get people like me through until next April.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2010
8:08 pm
Jason, thanks.
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2010
8:09 pm
Thanks for the new blog David, you covered a lot of ground, good stuff. Thanks for the Elizabeth Cook clogging link too, man who knew, I could get behind some more of that.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:10 pm
I really like all those and several more like Burn Notice, plus several of the new ones this summer were pretty decent I thought
JasonInFL
October 17th, 2010
8:11 pm
I really wish the Braves could have gotten Nelson Cruz before this season began. He won’t be available now. He was put on waivers a couple of times in the past as well. Could have been our Ortiz (in terms of productive player picked up off of the waiver wire…)
I really do, for some reason, think there is a chance the Braves get Kemp. Don’t know why, but I think he may be one of their targets. Guy still has potential to be a .300 30 100 with 25+ SBs. But, he reminds me a little bit of ‘Druw in his attitude towards working out, staying in shape, and overall approach to baseball.
Rob from SC
October 17th, 2010
8:12 pm
McFann O O – 6
I agree to the wearing down issue. We need to do a better job next year of resting players.
Couch Tater
October 17th, 2010
8:12 pm
nolie –
I meant to write that was from a 2004 interview with Emmylou. I can’t remember what was on TV then, except a PBS special on memory exercises.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:13 pm
I could live with Kemp if they don’t hafta give up too much. He’s a risk to some extent. but getting away from the glamour life might settle him some. and he should bounce back at least some
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
8:15 pm
nolie – cable has really added a lot to the quality of tv, hasn’t it? Is tonight the season finale of “Mad Men”? I think it is. I’m not missing that! I hope the Giants win tonight, but I’m not missing “Mad Men”!
nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:15 pm
yeah I kinda agree if it was 6 years ago, most of the good summer stuff has come out since then. Emmylou is a sweetie no doubt. Saw her in some coffee shops in NYC back in the days when she was a folkie. sweet voice then too.
Piedmont Blues
October 17th, 2010
8:16 pm
Branch,
Of the three you listed, only McLouth has a prayer to be on the 2011 team. Ankiel and Melky are gone. Ankiel’s buyout is much cheaper than his (overpriced) option. And Melky will be nontendered. I’m willing to bet on that.
And if there was a way to justify eating McLouth’s contract and releasing him, the Braves would do that. Just don’t think they have the stones (or the bank account) to justify that.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:17 pm
ok now Mad Men is not one I care much for. but you enjoy anyway
Piedmont Blues
October 17th, 2010
8:18 pm
McFann,
I think you’re onto something when you say McCann pressed when he was expected to carry the offense. If he goes back to being the second or third most important run producer on the team, he’ll probably rake once again.
nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
yeah Pied, 7.75 mil I think it is would be a big chunk to swallow for them if they cut McNate. Hey maybe be will bounce back some. he doesn’t really need to get back to that career year numbers, 255/355/425 would be an improvement and those numbers used to be doable for him
dobearsbare
October 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
Wren has recovered from the PR gaffes with Smoltz and Glavine and now says the right things, and I think an argument can be made that he’s made the best moves he could given the team’s payroll constraints. if he’s tired of other teams in the LCS and WS, he’s not alone. I’m sure the players are tired of it and the fans certainly are. Someone needs to ask these questions to Liberty Media, though. Because they don’t seem the least bit interested in winning anything with the Braves.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
“nolie
October 17th, 2010
8:17 pm
ok now Mad Men is not one I care much for. but you enjoy anyway”
Thanks Nolie
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
Another year of creative financing, well I guess we should be used to it by now.
I have been thinking about that Liberty Media, Sirius XM deal less than two years ago. Liberty got their loan back plus interest in less than six months, plus their stake in siri. What’s that worth today, off the top of my head, based on Fridays close, about 3.75 billion. Would not surprise me to see it go to 5 billion by the first quarter of next year. Man would 1/4 or 1/2 of 1 % of that look good on top of the Braves budget. Ah what the hell, means nothing.
VaBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
8:23 pm
We need a Everyday Outfielder that can hit around 25 homers and drive in 100 runs.
LT A Blogger
October 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
DOB, CR- I’ll second the love for all the great work this season- makes the season that much more fun.
MIBravesFan
October 17th, 2010
8:25 pm
Bat – you know their financing doesn’t equate to the team’s financing, right?! Corporate ownership! Numbers do very strange and interesting things!
Kyle
October 17th, 2010
8:26 pm
DOB- Any idea on who the Braves are after for hitting coach?
Mr. Obvious
October 17th, 2010
8:26 pm
2nd Chance:
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
MIBravesFan _
Yeah, I know and it’s not like that siri deal had anything to do with the Braves, but man they got fat on that deal. Of course I’m glad they made it, because I played along.
Heck, I don’t think they would miss 18 million or so.
JD
October 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
Hey DOB – sometimes it takes balls to be a woman brother!! wonder if she can cook too?
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Couch Tater
October 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
Thanks for the link, good read.
JD
October 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Not that it matters of course…
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2010
8:35 pm
9900