Chipper on knee rehab, Uggla, his new manager and…CMT?

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3,373 comments Add your comment

uga-brave

November 24th, 2010
2:59 am

he needs a strikeout pitch early in the count. he gets ahead.

how many compete games did he throw? well other then the rain shortened game against the mets, zero.

how many did halladay, lincecum, santanna, and hammels throw?

15 more.

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:00 am

What pitches does Hanson have besides fast ball and change up?Maybe develope cutting fastball, or slider.

uga-brave

November 24th, 2010
3:02 am

we need a horse that can throw nine. hudson cant do it. we need that guy in the middle that can go nine. that guy is hanson. please develop a change.

uga-brave

November 24th, 2010
3:04 am

ward, all he throws is a fastball and a slider. sometimes a off speed curveball. he has to develop that off speed thing.

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:11 am

uga-brave, If Hanson could develope a change up. That would throw off hitters,because he would have a curveball.He would have Maddox type stuff.

uga-brave

November 24th, 2010
3:21 am

ward, that would put him in high cotton. dont think maddux ever threw as hard as hanson.

maddux however could throw a baseball through a tea cup.

spotting your pitches sometimes make all the difference.

uga-brave

November 24th, 2010
3:21 am

nolie

November 24th, 2010
3:22 am

What do you guy’s think about Cory Patterson? He might be high priced, but a good bench player with speed. ward

I try to think of him as little as possible. He is one of the worst hitting outfielders in baseball. Shoot him in the head and put him out of his misery.

nolie

November 24th, 2010
3:23 am

throwing nine is a thing of the past Uga. actually messes up mosy managr’s game plans anymore.

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:25 am

Nolie, i’ll put him far away now. No more on mentioning him.Cory patterson gone……..

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:27 am

Hanson with a Breaking ball would be a nice pitch selection?

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:35 am

Nolie, I agree with you on the pitchers throwing nine. It sure would be nice to see that happen again. Baseball has changed.

ward

November 24th, 2010
3:43 am

Nolie, be cool, and nite to you! Have a great one….Talk tomorrow…..Go!!! Braves!!!.”

D.J.

November 24th, 2010
4:45 am

No more ward and uga-brave conversations please… I couldn’t read through the awkward punctuation and stream-of-consciousness.

That said, Corey Patterson is perpetually blacklisted due to him being awful the one season I legitimately played fantasy baseball and ruining my team. I think it was his rookie/second season so it probably wasn’t a good chance of succeeding, but he woefully underperformed.

While I’ve had my doubts about Tommy Hanson as well, it’s really necessary to look at his splits from last year before you start writing him off. He had 3 months with a sub-3.00 ERA, and another one with a 3.05. The other 2 months he had ERAs of 5.09 and 6.31, but those were skewed due to single awful outings where he gave up 8 and 9 ERs, respectively. For the season he only had 5 starts with 5+ ERs, and only 3 with 6+. He was dominant for the last month or so of the season, and something about the way he acted during that stretch makes me think that will carry over to next season. He seemed to develop more confidence in what he was throwing and not worry about it as much.

And any comparisons of Hanson to Maddux are verging on insanity… they’re not at all similar other than the fact that they both were/are right-handers pitching for the Braves. Hanson-Smoltz I could see, but absolutely not Maddux.

If anyone needs more mid-night novels, I’d be happy to oblige.

JasonInFL

November 24th, 2010
6:54 am

Lance Berkman

DaveFromDallas(NC)

November 24th, 2010
7:03 am

I don’t know how Lance Berkman will fit. His best position is first base. He’s subpar defensively in the outfield and his batting average and production doesn’t warrant playing every day on a playoff team at this point. He looks like a bench player but I would be wiling to be Lance Berkman wouldn’t accept that at this point.

Horner's Corner

November 24th, 2010
7:32 am

A re-post from the weaker blog…

Xavier Nady should be the next off-season acquisition. He’s a right handed bat with power that can play both corner outfield positions and 1B. Not great at first, but good enough to start 25-30 games a year which will allow the Braves to rest Freeman versus some left-handers.

Braveheart

November 24th, 2010
7:43 am

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/24/why-are-we-suddenly-hearing-about-the-boras-salcedo-loan-story/

while such loans have the potential to be abused, and while union rules certainly should be followed in these matters — and if Boras didn’t follow them he should be punished — I’m struggling to see the problem in this instance.

I suspect that it’s no accident that we’re seeing a series in the Times about potential exploitation of Dominican players right now. Indeed, I think we’ll see more of them between now and the end of the 2011 season.

Why? Because there is an interest on the part of Major League Baseball and perhaps some others to present the Dominican Republic as a wild west in need of taming. Because if things can be portrayed as sufficiently chaotic and dangerous down there — drugs, loans, buscones, etc. — it will be much easier to sell people on the notion that more regulation is needed. Regulation that will, inevitably, lead to things that will put a lid on signing bonuses and possibly lay the groundwork for that international draft that Selig and the owners desperately want. The time to lay that groundwork is now, in the run-up to the new collective bargaining agreement being negotiated next year.

To be clear: I’m not saying that there aren’t some ugly aspects in talent development in the Dominican. There are.* But the examples we’re hearing about aren’t exactly new and aren’t exactly egregious. I likewise believe that it’s important to ask why we’re seeing these stories now and to think about whose interest they benefit. Scott Boras has long been a useful villain for those who oppose free agency and I would not be at all shocked if he is again being used in that role with a greater agenda in mind.

richbrave

November 24th, 2010
7:50 am

FALL BALL

‘ZONA

No games

AUSSIE_LAND

No games

DOMINICAN

3B DIORY HERNANDEZ continues to fatten his average. Last night, he went 1-2, .337 BA.

1B MAURO GOMEZ shoots blanks yesterday as he goes 0-2 with a walk and a whiff, .312 BA.

RH/RP JAIRO ASENCIO picks up his fifth save, and closes out the game with an inning of perfection, 2 SO, 3.38 ERA.

RH/RP JUAN ABREU gets a second hold in his fourth outing of the fall ball session lowering his………oh wait, how low can you go? It’s still a perfect 0.00 ERA for the young prospect.

MEXICO

PH BARBARO CANIZARES gets in as a pinch-hitterr and draws a walk retaining his .360 BA.

2B JOE THURSTON has an 0-4 night with a whiff, lowering his BA to .257.

PUERTO RICO

C ORLANDO MERCADO is 1-3 at the plate yesterday evening with a walk, .326 BA.

VENEZUELA

The ‘LIBERATOR’ (BOLIVAR) plays third last night and goes 0-3, .250 BA.

Braveheart

November 24th, 2010
7:53 am

Boras responds to the Salcedo situation:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-borascolumn112310

“This,” he said, “is a goodwill story.” “We did something we’re proud of. We have a young man who’s playing baseball who otherwise wouldn’t be.”

Signed as a Boras client in 2006, Salcedo agreed in 2008 to sign with the Cleveland Indians for $2.9 million, but had that contract voided due to visa issues brought about by suspicions he was older than his claimed 16. Two years later, following various identity checks and bureaucratic entanglements, Salcedo signed with the Atlanta Braves for $1.6 million. In between, Boras said, his agency loaned Salcedo and his family $70,000, which he said was administered for living and legal expenses and within union regulations, and would be repaid by Salcedo with “nominal” interest. “This poor kid,” Boras said, “his career was on the line.”

Major League Baseball and the union fear such loans could be manipulated to retain clients against their will. Salcedo told the Associated Press on Tuesday that his situation was different. “We asked as a favor, my mother and I, if they could help us,” he said. “They never offered me and money. Never. We asked for it because I was going to sign in about four months. We thought, ‘If they give us that money, we can pay it [back] in four months.”

Boras argued Salcedo was already his client at the time of the loans, which initially he believed the loans would be repaid from the Cleveland bonus, and when that fell through he felt obliged to help the family pay the fees of attorneys sorting through Salcedo’s identity issues. In that manner, he said, he saved Salcedo from the usual Dominican “corruption issues” of Buscones, loan sharks and bonus skimmers. “I believed him,” Boras said. “I believed in the kid. And we were right.”

To date, Boras said, he has not been repaid the loan – which he said the family requested a year after it hired Boras – and has not collected his usual percentage of the signing bonus. “We’re here helping somebody revive his career,” Boras said, “and doing so legally and appropriately pursuant to the MLB rules.”

McFann O O

November 24th, 2010
8:48 am

nolie but who would EVER say anything bad about McCann?

Would you like me to make a list?

Efrim

November 24th, 2010
8:57 am

Regulation that will, inevitably, lead to things that will put a lid on signing bonuses and possibly lay the groundwork for that international draft that Selig and the owners desperately want. The time to lay that groundwork is now, in the run-up to the new collective bargaining agreement being negotiated next year.

Certainly going to be different if there is a international draft with hard slotting bonuses. I’m probably for the international draft, but I’m still undecided on hard slots.

CraZyTRaDeMaN

November 24th, 2010
9:07 am

Would an international draft be a separate event or be part of the Rule 4 draft?

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
9:13 am

I’m probably for the international draft, but I’m still undecided on hard slots.

But wouldn’t hard slots for the amateur drafts at least knock out the “signability” issues? Seems to me that sort of thing clarifies the draft for both the teams and the kid. The kid can decide if the money is appropriate or attend college or wait a year or whatever. Teams can draft a kid with some reasonable expectation of budgets and can draft the kid based on ability alone.

I’m normally not a fan of anything that impinges on free enterprise and market forces, but I lean toward hard slots nevertheless. Go figure, LOL.

Lew

November 24th, 2010
9:13 am

What are any consequences undr International Law? Seems to me that some country could decide that their citizens were being unfairly treated (not making as much money) and refuse to go along with what MLB comes up with.

Not so sure that MLB has the juice to just institute what they decide is the way it will be.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
9:14 am

Nolie-

To answer back to what you said end of afternoon yesterday…

I would be a Braves fan if they won 50 last year…my point was that Murph only had 1 winning season with the Braves and many blowout losses because of poor pitching, therefore, he wouldn’t have as many chances in pressure situations…and yeah, I do recall even then he did fairly well…

Murph was always one of my favs because compared to the guys today, he may not have looked like he had all the talent in the world, but when he connected with a baseball, something special happened…great guy too!

If the guys today gave it what he did day in and day out, we’d never have a complaint, whether they win or lose…thats why so many love Matt Diaz and Martin Prado…they play the same way, and thats why I think many will love Dan Uggla.

Lew

November 24th, 2010
9:15 am

I’m lso not sure that a hard slotting system is enforcebale. Teams don’t pay much attention to it right now if they really want the player badly enough.

Couch Tater

November 24th, 2010
9:28 am

Here’s another article for you, Braveheart.

This is not a simple issue, as it involves international law, a multi-national corporation, an impoverished nation and a sport that elicits a great deal of passion by both players and critics.

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/journals/jihr/v4/n2/6/

Lew

November 24th, 2010
9:39 am

In the end, money talks and a. The Players won’t like it so it won’t be part of the CBA and b. The Richer Owners will do what they want anyway and Bud won’t try to buck them.

I’m betting that with those points and international issues, along with wanting to get a new CBA signed with as little BS as possible, the status quo will remain when the CBA is signed.

Efrim

November 24th, 2010
9:50 am

I’m normally not a fan of anything that impinges on free enterprise and market forces, but I lean toward hard slots nevertheless. Go figure, LOL.

Yeah, that’s why I’m leaning “nay” on a hard slotting system. But, a little part of me wants the Red Sox to pay for their incredible intelligence and domination of the thing.

Would an international draft be a separate event or be part of the Rule 4 draft?

It would all be the same…..and make for an interesting event.

CraZyTRaDeMaN

November 24th, 2010
9:54 am

NBA drafts players from all over and uses a slot type signing system. I don’t think other countries will have a problem with MLB doing the same.

Braveheart

November 24th, 2010
10:01 am

Maybe I’m getting this entirely wrong, but the players might like a hard slot because that would mean more money for the players who are part of the union. As we saw with Schafer’s HGH thing, the minor leaguers aren’t afforded the protection of the union. Less money being spent on kids and minor leaguers who aren’t a part of the union will presumably mean major league teams would have more money available to spend on the majors leaguers who are a part of the union, and who also happen to have already enjoyed their draft and signing bonuses.

Lew

November 24th, 2010
10:05 am

I’m doubting that the Players go along with any policy that restricts whatever their higher paid options might be. And those minor league draftees signing for the major bucks are going to be Union Memebers eventually, anyway.

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
10:10 am

Maybe MLBPA actually is in favor of hard slotting, but asks for a giveback to agree with the owners on it. Maybe a higher percentage of Super Two to allow more players with less service time a quicker route to bigger paydays. Something like that would at least give a hard-slotted draftee some earlier recompense for fewer signing dollars.

Labor negotiations. Sheesh and yikes.

Carroll Rogers

November 24th, 2010
10:18 am

Bout to hit the road for Charlotte to visit the fam for Thanksgiving. I’ll check in if news comes up, but otherwise hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving!

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
10:21 am

You too Carroll…

Thank you for getting such a great blog together for the week…

And that goes for all my blog friends out there…you and your families have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Lou Vales

November 24th, 2010
10:33 am

Efrim ,You probably realize enough is enough and after a certain amount of time it’s just about ego even more than greed.When you have accumulated enough money that next 10 generations of relatives can sit on their collecive butts–Well, that should be enough. Funny how the really rich guys who appear to be approachable–Buffet, Gates–they end up really passing it out.

I have found the professionals–surgeons, lawyers, CPA’s, economists–who have really made it don’t agonize over whether their “favorite”team is going to offer a guy, who would otherwise be working at a bait shop in Houma, Louisiana, 35 million for 3 years.It tends to be the dudes(and dudettes) with the underwater mortgage and the 16,000 in assets who live vicariously through the accumulated wealth of people who may or may not call 911 if they spotted them unconscious on a street corner.

unbelievable

November 24th, 2010
10:41 am

Corey Patterson is a terrible baseball player. Even as a bench player, he would make this team worse

LTBF

November 24th, 2010
10:41 am

Happy Thanksgiving Carroll

raleighbravefan

November 24th, 2010
10:42 am

In NBA, the veterans liked the idea of limiting the up-front and early mon ey paid to draftees. Problem with union would be anything that restricts earnings of veterans.

Have a great Thanksgiveing and a good vacation, Carroll. (You too, DAB) This blog is great. We appreciate all you do.

I’ll also take this chance to wish everyone a good holiday. I love the discussion, even with those with whom I regularly disagree. (notice: no dangling participle). I have always felt that you cannot learn anything new from only those who always agree with you.

McFann O O

November 24th, 2010
10:49 am

Happy Thanksgiving, Ms. Rogers!!

DAP

November 24th, 2010
10:52 am

raleighbravesfan I have always felt that you cannot learn anything new from only those who always agree with you.

you can only try to educate the rest. :- ) happy thanksgiving guys.

dont worry, corey patterson isnt coming here. the floor for a bench outfielder is matt young the guy wren brings in has to be better than matt young. i really think this team is pretty good as is, to be honest with you. what we get from here is just icing.

Gary O

November 24th, 2010
10:55 am

Just to weigh on the Jeter situation, the guy is 36 years old, and coming off one of the worst offensive seasons of his career.

And he has lost a step defensively (dont be fooled by a gold glove).

Why would anyone offer him a 4 year deal (unless it’s a bad team trying to increase attendance)? And why would anyone (except the Yankees) offer $15 mil per?

At least when we gave Chipper 3 years $42 mil, he was on his way to a batting title.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
10:55 am

DAP-

Your thoughts on Jon Rauch for the ‘pen…

He was just declined arbitration by the Twins so we wouldn’t have to forfeit any draft choices.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
11:02 am

ptown, i really think rauch is the guy…though i dont know anything about what he is like with teammates, which will be big with the role he will have.

but i think many of the guys available might not jump at the role we have for them, which is bullpen mentor, middle relief, backup 8th inning guy and backup closer. bullpen arms that have done it all at age 32 arent that plentiful.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:07 am

DAP

I think Rauch fits our position fine. He really never closed until Nathan went down. I think a set up gig with a chance to close occasionally could be perfect for him.

Efrim

November 24th, 2010
11:11 am

He was just declined arbitration by the Twins so we wouldn’t have to forfeit any draft choices.

We wouldn’t of had to anyway because he was Type B :)

But anyway, I like Rauch. I definitely think Wren needs to get another arm in here. Balfour, Francisco, Frasor and Downs should be off limits now that they were offered arb. and are Type A free agents. Braves first rounder is #28 and their next pick may not be until the 80’s given the length of the supplemental round in 2011. End this ridiculous system, please……

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:13 am

So Rosenthal reports Hinske is getting close to deciding. Wonder if Wren upped the ante any to land him. We shall see in the coming days hopefully. Hopefully by the end of the weekend.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
11:29 am

p’cola I think Rauch fits our position fine. He really never closed until Nathan went down.

he was mostly a 8th inning guy, but he had 18 saves in 2008, when he played for two horrible teams, so did a little 9th inning work.

he isnt a huge strikeout guy, either. he has a pretty unique resume, so it will be interesting to see what he gets.

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
11:36 am

[Rauch] isnt a huge strikeout guy, either.

I’m not in favor of him, then. :-) I want nothing but gas out of there. Batters flailing and too pitiful to carry the bat back to the dugout, LOL.

CB

November 24th, 2010
11:40 am

With only about $5mil left according to Bowman,we are not going to get much guys. I would rather spend the money on 4th OF.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
11:45 am

I think Hinske is headed to Milwaukee…

Just a gut feeling

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
11:45 am

With only about $5mil left according to Bowman,we are not going to get much guys. I would rather spend the money on 4th OF.

I dunno. That bullpen is going to be awfully young in high-leverage spots, and it might be more beneficial to spend the money on someone who can help them stay settled. Not an easy call, either way, if cash is the determining factor.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:46 am

I don’t see the point in adding a 4th OF. Your not going to get any better than what we have in house. Save the money for other needs and let Mather or Young be the 4th OF. We have more pressing needs on the bench and bullpen then a 4th OF.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:48 am

So we will spend all of that 5 mil and then HOPEFULLY move KK for extra cash. I saw somewhere this offseason that our payroll will be higher this year. Not significantly or anything but a couple mil.

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
11:49 am

Save the money for other needs and let Mather or Young be the 4th OF

Making a somewhat reckless assumption on Mather and Young there, in my opinion. Not that they don’t have a chance, but penciling one in today? Don’t know that I’m ready to look over that ledge yet.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:52 am

Well based off what everyone wants from a 4th OF. I keep reading about getting a guy with speed that plays good defense. Young fits that bill and will cost the league minimum. If its an impact 4th OF like Ludwick for instance than I’m for it. But I don’t see the point in spending 1+ mil on someone when we have in house options that are probably just as good.

CB

November 24th, 2010
11:52 am

I see a Xavier Nady,Ty Wiggington type who could also play 1B or 3B being a good addition. I know Nady could not play 3B.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:53 am

CB

If Hinske signs with Milwaukee I really hope the Braves pursue Nady.

raleighbravefan

November 24th, 2010
11:54 am

We won’t really know what we have until at least the end of ST. I say wait and see where we most need to spend, and have the $$ available, even up to trade deadline. Of course, if Wren gets a deal that he “can’t refuse”, then you pull the trigger.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
11:58 am

I don’t think you can wait till ST. By then your just dumpster diving.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
11:59 am

CB With only about $5mil left according to Bowman,we are not going to get much guys. I would rather spend the money on 4th OF.

not me. id rather just use matt young and invest that money in the ‘pen. i think that loss of wagner and saito needs to be addressed and is a much bigger deal than a 4th OF.

raleighbravefan

November 24th, 2010
12:05 pm

P’cola – Sometimes you can pick up someone that another team decided not to keep. My point is that if you don’t know what you need, how do you know what to buy? For example, Nate (or even Shaeffer) may make a big comeback move, or may be a bust. Young or Mather (or both) may prove they can do the job, or not. If you have spent your $$$ on an outfielder, and it turns out you are okay there, but really needed to spend that $$$ on the bullpen, or IF backup, the $$$ is gone. With 5 or so Mil, you are bargain hunting anyway. Why not at least know where to shop?

DAP

November 24th, 2010
12:07 pm

p’cola I don’t think you can wait till ST. By then your just dumpster diving.

ill add to that, id rather dumpster dive for a 4th outfielder than an important bullpen piece. as far as getting help from the outside, i think the priority has got to be 1. bullpen guy 2. backup 1st baseman 3. 4th OF. the last two may over lap some, but that bullpen piece is going to be an important one, i think.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
12:07 pm

I agree w/ DAP…Use the money for Rauch and go w/ Mather, Young, and someone who can backup SS 1st, and also play 2b and 3b if necessary…

Question, who is available as a 25th man type that is a primary SS and can play 2b and 3b…?

A Cesar Izturis type comes to mind…

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:09 pm

I agree with you as far as the OF goes. Right now I’m all for using Mather and Young as options. Right now the most pressing needs are a back up 1B that can play some OF. Plus a veteran bullpen arm to anchor the back part of the bullpen. Saito and Wagner leaving have left us very young. Adding a veteran to that back part is a necessity. I think you got to fill those spots first. Look for MIF help later if you need to. The SS from the Royals we just acquired may be able to do that for league minimum. If you leave ST with a glaring hole we can always trade. Remember we really haven’t given anything up this offseason.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
12:10 pm

DAP-

I say #1 Rauch, #2 Mather, #3 Young, #4 – I think more important is who the utility IF will be…We could go with Diory, but I’d prefer someone who is a veteran, a bit better with the glove and SS is his primary position.

Jim R

November 24th, 2010
12:11 pm

If Hinske signs with Milwaukee I really hope the Braves pursue Nady.

Nady would be nice. I’m still a little worried about the backup ss situation. Guess the Braves are counting on someone in their system to fill in as backup. .

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:12 pm

P-town Brave

If you haven’t already look this guy up. Ed Lucas SS. We just signed him from the Royals farm team. He may be someone who can compete with Diory as a BU MIF. I don’t know which I rate higher out of finding a BP arm or a backup 1B who can play some OF. They are both extremely important to me.

blake p

November 24th, 2010
12:28 pm

hey carroll, do you think frank wren is looking to make another big move to find a young outfielder with a solid bat or live with the 800 pound turd in nate mclouth.

O.J.

November 24th, 2010
12:32 pm

blake p, that has been talked about at length here, Braves are not making another big move, he is done with the big stuff.

blake p

November 24th, 2010
12:32 pm

Read the blog man. Big moves are done. Its just tweeking from here on out. We made our big move and his name is Dan Uggla.

CraZyTRaDeMaN

November 24th, 2010
12:33 pm

I can’t see them spending on a backup SS when they have Diory. I think the Pen a 4th OF and back up 1st baseman are more pressing needs. Hopefully the 4th OF and backup 1B can be filled by 1 person.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:37 pm

Crazy

If its not Hinske hopefully its Nady. I’d be comfortable going into ST with this team if they add a proven/veteran arm in the pen and a 1B/OF/PH type player. I’d let Diory battle it out with Hicks and the new guy.

Chipperchop

November 24th, 2010
12:37 pm

Why does everyone seem to want Rauch? The guy isn’t very good.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
12:38 pm

blake p just got busted talking to himself.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
12:42 pm

chipperchop, rauch actually is pretty good. he had a really good year and has alot of experience in the late innings of ball games. for a team that need a veteran presence that will not always close or set up, but sometimes will do both, he is a really good option.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:44 pm

Chipperchop

Are we talking about the same Rauch? Because the guy I’m looking at is solid.

CraZyTRaDeMaN

November 24th, 2010
12:46 pm

I’d let Diory battle it out with Hicks and the new guy.
1. Ross
2. ??Hinske??
3. Mather
4. Diory / Hicks
5. Conrad / Young

I know this keeps getting said but If Diory or Hicks is going to make the team I would really like for Matt Young to make it over Conrad simply because of his versatility (2B and OF).

CraZyTRaDeMaN

November 24th, 2010
12:48 pm

blake p
Hint: Always check your moniker after refreshing if you’re trying to have a conversation between your multiple monikers.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:51 pm

The main thing I like about Conrad is he hits switch. I think its probably what won him the job last year. I think hes back. It probably comes down to Matt Young or Mather for that last spot.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
12:53 pm

Rauch is REALLY good given what we would want him to do…

Ed Lucas? Where did he play last year P’Cola…any stats off hand?

And no, sorry to say this, but i really dont wanna see Brooks anymore…he’s our Buckner, only much less talented. I’ll take Mather and then Matt Young because of his speed and ability to get on base.

CB

November 24th, 2010
12:54 pm

Crazy,sounds like the voice of experience. lol

ncscoots

November 24th, 2010
12:55 pm

I’d let Diory battle it out with Hicks and the new guy.

Man, I think if Hicks and Hernandez are the battle, then the war might already be lost, LOL. There is little about either one that inspires much confidence for even an end-of-the-bencher.

But I realize we’re talking about the last couple of guys on the roster, so it’s not as if I’m going to get heartburn about any of the names that actually show up in March.

Still, I think this talk of Young/Mather/Hernandez/Hicks, etc., misses the thought that using all these “in-house options” might leave the bench just the tiniest bit inexperienced.

DAP

November 24th, 2010
12:57 pm

crazytrademan I know this keeps getting said but If Diory or Hicks is going to make the team I would really like for Matt Young to make it over Conrad simply because of his versatility (2B and OF).

in my mind,if hinske gets signed, he takes conrad’s spot. that spot is left handed pop off the bench. that may not be how wren is looking at it, but to me, thats the main spot those guys are filling if they are on the team(in other words, any position they may play is secondary). no need for both of them.

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
12:59 pm

P-Town

This is his last years line. .307/ .398/ .480/ .878. Fields well at SS/2B/3B. Former 8th round pick. Been in the Royals organization. He would seem to be a good option as a back up or to at least fight for the job.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lucas-001edw

DAP

November 24th, 2010
1:01 pm

p’cola The main thing I like about Conrad is he hits switch. I think its probably what won him the job last year. I think hes back.

from wjat i read, showing up on time helped him to. i think DOB wrote that thurston would have gotten the job, had he been a little more punctual.

p town Ed Lucas? Where did he play last year P’Cola…any stats off hand?

i already had this pulled up.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/Ed-Lucas.shtml

youve got to wonder about a 28 years old who cant crack the royals 25-man.

Efrim

November 24th, 2010
1:02 pm

With only about $5mil left according to Bowman,we are not going to get much guys. I would rather spend the money on 4th OF.

A fair point. It seems to me that there are a few glaring needs on the bench and in the pen. Hopefully Wren can get that all done under 5 mill…

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm

DAP

Thats my only question on him (Lucas). His stats are fine and look nice but theres got to be a reason they departed with him besides age.

brian

November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm

it has been far too long since I have played fantasy GM, but if the Braves really wanted to go for it, see if Jeter would play a 1 year contract in Atlanta (same salary as Chipper will make this year) if the Yankees piddle around too much. They could deal Gonzalez pretty easily especially with a thin SS market. The Braves would add salary, but can you really put a payroll limitation if the prospect of signing Jeter came up? I would love to see Jeter hitting second behind Prado and in front of Jones.

Jeter should like the opportunity to hit more fastballs, expand his media coverage to the South, and play on a team favored to make it to the playoffs. A 1 year deal would give him the chance to show last year was not a trend giving him more leverage for 1 more multiyear deal

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
1:05 pm

P’-

Those are some pretty solid numbers…

How didn’t he get a shot in KC?

P'cola Brave

November 24th, 2010
1:09 pm

P-Town

Not sure. Reading over some royal fan message boards and there were a few upset he was let go. Some never understood how he was overlooked. They did the same with Diaz and that worked out well for us. Maybe this guy will to.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
1:10 pm

P’-

True…maybe we can take their players and make them good and then send them out discards.

jeffrey d

November 24th, 2010
1:15 pm

True…maybe we can take their players and make them good and then send them out discards.

Davies, Pena, Chavez, Betemit…I’m sure there’s a few more I’m forgetting.

On a similar note, David Lough sure has accumulated a lot of experience in the Majors, according to Yahoo! Sports. 18446744073709551615 years is a long time….gotta be just a year or two short of Moyer

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/kan/roster

CB

November 24th, 2010
1:25 pm

You guys are building one ugly bench that might kill us more than the bullpen,sign the best right handed 4th OF who can also play 1B and give the young guys a chance in the bullpen. We can always get another reliever at trade deadline if they fail.

P-Town Brave ©

November 24th, 2010
1:30 pm

^^ At this point, I’d rather take my chances with Mather than sign a guy for twice to three times as much that hit .250 w/ 6 HR in 2010.

Yeah, no thanks!

DAP

November 24th, 2010
1:32 pm

CB You guys are building one ugly bench that might kill us more than the bullpen,

i dont think its that bad, but if i had a choice bettween a weakness on the bench, and a weakness in the bullpen, id pick the bench. we need to keep that pitching staff real strong.

jeffrey d

November 24th, 2010
1:32 pm

Diaz hit 7 HR and slugged over .500 against lefties. If the league was only lefties, Diaz would be an All Star

Tom O'Hawke

November 24th, 2010
1:33 pm

If you haven’t already look this guy up. Ed Lucas SS. We just signed him from the Royals farm team. He may be someone who can compete with Diory as a BU MIF (P-Town Brave)

How ya doin’, buddy. Long time. Hey, you should check out the minor league defensive stats of Diory Hernandez. If that doesn’t make you sad enough, then look up the same thing for Ed Lucas.

O.J.

November 24th, 2010
1:35 pm

hahahahaha, blake p, what a maroon.

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