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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,373 comments Add your comment
DAP
November 29th, 2010
9:57 am
stachemoney22 Nobody on here points out that Alex Gonzalez is a .300 obp player so we have a huge hole at ss
its funny that you think youre the only genius that has noticed gonzalez’s low OBP. its has actually been talked about alot here.
i think when wren made the trade, he was trading a problem player having a bad year for a guy who he hoped was going to hit for power, which the braves desperately needed. the trade worked out fine for last year, but now, youre right. weve got a SS who is only worth something offensively if he hits at least 15 homers at opportune times. he is a bad OBP guy and needs to be batting 7th or 8th.
and there is no problem with the dan uggla trade. thats just you seeing the dark ominous lining of a nice bright cloud.
stachemoney22
November 29th, 2010
10:14 am
A large majority of folks on this blog and other fans were very high on Alex Gonzalez last season because of his power. You and I are the minority when speaking of gonzo. Trading escobar for gonzo is proof that power is overrated unless you are trading for a power guy that actually has a good obp. Gonzo did a lot more damage than Escobar would have. Just look at obp.
Gonzo hit what 7 homers in the second half? So many looked at his power numbers in the first half in toronto and felt that he would replicate those numbers with us. HA! What a joke. Big difference playing at the rogers centre and in the American league.
I loved the uggla deal, don’t get me wrong, but we certainly added significant salary and he will cost us big if we sign him long term. You can certainly get more value at a lesser cost, but for this season I love the uggla deal.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
10:27 am
Gonzo did a lot more damage than Escobar would have. Just look at obp.
Gonzo hit what 7 homers in the second half? So many looked at his power numbers in the first half in toronto and felt that he would replicate those numbers with us. HA! What a joke. Big difference playing at the rogers centre and in the American league. — stachemoney22
Then apparently Escobar was even more powerless than we thought in 2010. After the trade to Toronto, playing for an AL team with home games at Rogers Centre, he had 11 extra-base hits (four homers), 16 RBI and a .696 OPS in 60 games for the Blue Jays, including a .356 slugging percentage.
Escobar, as modest as his production was for the Braves compared to his huge first half with Toronto, still had 25 extra-base hits (four homers) and 38 RBI for the Braves. And despite his rash of errors in a a one-week span, Gonzalez still made fewer errors (eight) in 72 games for the Braves than Escobar (nine) made in 60 games for the Blue Jays.
But beyond all that, beyond the run production and errors, to your point that Gonzalez did more “damage” than Escobar would have: Why don’t you ask any member of the Braves team or coaching staff who did more “damage” during their time with the Braves this season? That is, if you don’t trust the quotes you’ve heard from players after the deal, or from those of us who cover the team and can tell you that every Brave was thrilled when they made the trade and for the entire second half of the season when they had Gonzalez instead of Escobar.
So you’ve got OBP to rest your case about who did more damage. Then there’s everything else, from driving in runs to being a good teammate and not being a disruptive force in the clubhouse and dugout. I think I’ll have to side with the players and coaching staff on this one.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
10:27 am
?
Where did all these new guys come from?!
Guys mentioning Ellsbury and Rasmus trades still…guys talking about AGon’s OBP…
Wow…a bit late there aren’t they?
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2010
10:33 am
Major issue: Nobody on here points out that Alex Gonzalez is a .300 obp player so we have a huge hole at ss
Gonzalez has a career OBP below .300, damn who knew. This is shocking news, just shocking. Oh woe is us………………..
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
10:33 am
Bat-
I just found out…
Boy do I feel dumb
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
10:34 am
FALL BALL
AUSTRALIA
21 year-old LH/RP STEVEN KENT is being used as a starter and results have not gone swimmingly to date. Yesterday, he got his fourth start of the season, and only recorded one out before being lifted while being tagged with his second loss against zero wins. His line: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO, 8.59 ERA, .323 AvAg. This after carrying an 0.69 ERA, and a .180 AvAg in the SALLY LEAGUE during the 2010 season. I guess this is a process…………hopefully.
DOMINICAN
1B MAURO ‘45′ GOMEZ
MEXICO
DH ‘THE FLAILING CUBAN’ has gone cold at the plate while seeing his BA plummett from lofty levels (.370) to a still robust .321 after yesterday’s game. He goes 0-2 with 2 BB. However, it seems he’s exhibiting a bit more patience at the plate in MEXICO as his walk to strike-out ratio has improved this off-season over his historical figure.
Last season in GWINNETT, he had 425 AB – 145 H, 28 2B, 1 3B, 13 HR with 40 BB and 54 SO giving him a .403 OBP, .504 SLG, .341 BA, .907 OPS. In 106 AB for OBREGON, he’s had 34 H, 3 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 17 BB, 12 SO, .421 OBP, .491 SLG, .321 BA, .911 OPS.
The caliber of pitching may account for some of the improved BB-SO and HR ratios because CANIZARES obviously knows the strike-zone very well. Still, I get the sense he’s trying to lift his all-round hitting game before his age catches up with him. I think he’s pretty resigned to the “what you see is what you get” philosophy with the leather.
CF MATT YOUNG continues “tearing the cover off the ball” in a singles sense, 2-4, 1 R, 1 SO, .382 BA. Obviously, MATT went south with a mission and results have certainly not “gone south” with him. Based on his line in MEXICO: 142 AB, 55 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 27 BB, 17 SO, 7 SB, 5 CS, .480 OBP, .528 SLG, 1.008 OPS.
2B JOE THURSTON continues to struggle at the plate going o’fer yesterday (0-3) with a BB, .224 BA. Not looking very strong at this point.
PUERTO RICO
C ORLANDO MERCADO has a moribund game at the plate going 0-3, 1 BB, .278 BA. The 5′9 220 catcher needs to pick it back up.
VENEZUELA
LH/RP LUIS AVILAN secures his fourth hold with two-thirds of an inning (2 SO) of one hit, one walk ball yesterday. 6.23 ERA.
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2010
10:36 am
Me too P-Town, first Moe’s revelation, now this. Is it to early to start drinking?
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2010
10:38 am
I’m happy Gonzalez will be back for a full season in Atlanta. I think if he hits in the area of 15 HR’s and plays some solid defense – he’ll be doing just fine.
Remember the guys is only making $2.5 M per season. To put things in perspective that’s the same as Matt Diaz in 2010.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
10:39 am
Bat-
Its never too early to start drinking…
Unless you’re like me and it may adversely affect your work…
Granted it would make me much more pleasant to be around at 9:38 AM on this Monday workday after the holiday, but probably wouldn’t help me get anything done…
Although I say this while I’m blogging
Murph
November 29th, 2010
10:41 am
Mornin’ everyone. Hope y’all had a good Thanksgiving.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
10:43 am
Murph-
Hey buddy…
Got any good deer stories
Moe Berg
November 29th, 2010
10:46 am
Bat–Not much of a revelation. Just trying to keep nolie happy. He was not pleased when I said that I had never engaged in espionage. I had to give him something.
dosbgrekky
November 29th, 2010
10:50 am
Moe – found an interesting revelation you will be happy with, Moe Berg (the dead real one) is a relation of my missus’ family, or so her mum was happy to tell me the other day at Thanksgiving dinner and was the reason they had the book about his life story…. don’t know why she didnt tell me that when I borrowed the book but anyway, FWIW… he was a spy
Moe Berg
November 29th, 2010
10:52 am
dosbgrekky–Very interesting about your relative. I know the original is a spy; I, however, am not. Although I guess it is probably the rare spy who openly acknowledges to being so.
How are you? Where on the globe are you these days?
stachemoney22
November 29th, 2010
10:52 am
Chipper on esco: “He can play, but sometimes the antics that come along with that rub people the wrong way. But that’s the way Cuban players are. They play with a flair.”
It’s believed Escobar and his manager don’t get along. Not true, Bobby Cox said. “He’s a real good kid. I want him to be the best shortstop in the National League. I try to make players better.”
Mark Bradley: “this correspondent quoted Chipper Jones as saying: “It’s great that he’s having a great offensive year, but what I want out of a shortstop is defense — to know that 99 percent of the time he gets his mitt on something he’s going to make the play.”
Gonzalez batted mostly 6th and 7th. Aren’t you going to get more rbi chances batting down in the order as opposed to first or second? Where did Escobar bat mostly with Toronto? Your point about rbi is a fallacy.
You saw what happens to a team when you add low obp garbage to the team. Ankiel, Gonzo, and playing nate mclouth almost kept us from making the playoffs.
Not to mention that Alex Gonzalez is a lot more expensive than Escobar. Escobar had one bad first half in his career. He is a career .370 obp second half player. He was hit on the hand with a pitch in Toronto and played hurt for a few weeks.
Fielding: I watch most every game and there were quite a few instances that Gonzo should have been charged with an error was not. Escobar’s career fielding percentage is better than Gonzo’s if I am not mistaken.
Do you think that we should play nate mclouth because he is buddies with Brian McCann and plays more jokes in the clubhouse? I hope that the guys would rather have a serious player with a good obp helping the team win than killing them with an obp of close to .300. If you had to deal escobar dealing him for Alex Gonzalez was a horrid mistake.
DAP
November 29th, 2010
10:52 am
DOB, thanks for reiterating the value of gonazlez, especially compared to escobar. you shouldnt have to do it, but sometimes, the “grass is always greener” syndrome takes effect on folks, and all they can think about is gonzalez’s low OBP.
granted, it is low…really really low. which means that if he doesnt pop his share of homers and play good defense, he could be considered a black hole on the team. lets just hope he hits his share of timely homeruns from the 7th or 8th spot and plays good d for us. we will be happy then.
RemoW
November 29th, 2010
10:53 am
Just a bit of music to start Monday. I went and saw Roger Waters (for the uninformed: member of and main writer for Pink Floyd.) preform “The Wall” Saturday night in Phoenix. Best show I have ever attended.
It is as much a performance as a rock concert and the building of the wall and timing in the show is incredible.
This is most likely Water’s last tour. If the opportunity presents it self buy the tickets and go. We will not see the like again.
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2010
10:57 am
Moe _ Sure I get it. Just letting my cynical, idealist persona show for a moment.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
10:59 am
Bat-
Did I miss something, or did we step into the Delorean?
Ya know, with all this AGon OBP and Escobar trade talk and all…
Next thing they’ll tell me is that Oddibe McDowell is my CF and Andres Thomas is my SS.
stachemoney22
November 29th, 2010
11:01 am
alex gonzalez has a worst obp this season than the following ss in mlb: ciriaco, nelson, tulowitzki, h. ramirez, jamey carroll, infante, furcal, keppinger, andrus, vizquel, janish, lowrie, zobrist, s. drew, s. castro, escobar, bonifacio, renteria, aviles fontenot, aviles, scutaro, santiago, nunez, t. greene, nunez, jeter, blanco, punto, casilla, rollins, frandsen, reyes, rosales, valaika, hardy, theriot, miles, pennington, barlett, desmond, counsell, peralta, blum, uribe, alberto gonzalez, m tejada, izturis, donald, sanchez, guzman, f lopez, tolleson, alexi ramirez, brignac, aybar, o. cabrera, barmes then ALEZ GONZALEZ.
shortstop mlb error leaders: 1. desmond 2. castro 3. aybar, 4 alcides escobar 5. alex gonzalez
What happened to this team? Answer: Trade Escobar for and play everyday Gonzalez (worst move due to low price for Escobar and high OBP production throughout career), trade Gregor Blanco for and play everday Ankiel (high OBP for low OBP, regularly play McClouth low OBP, regularly play Cabrera low OBP. That is 4 guys without counting the pitcher w/ low OBP.
This was a team that was WS bound before these terrible moves that some people on here were dumb enough to applaud. I hope you learn that OBP is one of the two fundamentals upon which everything else is built.
Escobar for Gonzalez? Foolish. And the “importance of team chemistry” really did prove to be important. The downfall based on these premises was painful to watch, let alone applaud as wise.
ncscoots
November 29th, 2010
11:07 am
lets just hope he hits his share of timely homeruns from the 7th or 8th spot and plays good d for us
Best to be satisfied with some just decent defense. If he hits more than ten dingers, I’d be shocked. As long as he’s hitting 8, then no big deal; plenty of teams have a no-lumber middle IF batting at the bottom of the order. The team’s offense isn’t going to live and die by Gonzalez’s bat.
Unless Fredo starts some of that Heyward-6-Gonzalez-7 bleep, and we have to charter a fishing boat.
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2010
11:07 am
P-Town _
I don’t know, it’s Nov the 29th and not much to talk about, so maybe some are bored, just stirring the pot for a little drama. Perhaps stach has been stewing about the Escobar deal since last summer and has found a forum to express his frustration. Cheers
Murph
November 29th, 2010
11:07 am
Hey PTown… no, I stayed in my house all weekend, doors locked, shades drawn, hoping to avoid the attention of the rumored elk migration that was headed towards my area. All is well.
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:08 am
FALL BALL
I inadvertantly sent the column by mistake while incomplete and without editing errors Sorry. “Here’s the REST of the story.” RIP PAUL HARVEY.
DOMINICAN
C WELINGTON CASTILLO continues to flat-line at the plate. O’fer again (0-2) with a SO, .175 BA. Nasty……and not in a good way. Maybe he sees McCANN ahaead of him and has lost hope of a ML career having recently been acquired by the BRAVES. Who knows.
CF JOSE CONSTANZA 0-4, .413 BA.
1B MAURO ‘45′ GOMEZ 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR (4), 1 SO, 3 RBI (21), .296 BA.
RH/RP JAIRO closes out the game with an inning of perfection and a K. 12.1 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 HB, 0 HR, 6 BB, 12 SO, 3.18 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, .250 AvAg.
VENEZUELA
LH/SP JOSE ORTEGANO gets a win as a middle reliefer in his second fall ball stint. He goes 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA; .176 AvAg in 5.1 innings pitched.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:09 am
Murph-
Brings me back to the time I was listening to Jim Rome tell a story about how he went on vaca to I believe it was a cabin in Utah or Colorado(can’t remember which) and had an incident where an elk actually ran into and through the cabin.
Funny story
P'cola Brave
November 29th, 2010
11:13 am
Since when is there so much love for Gregor Blanco. All year he had been criticized about not being good enough and then has a few good weeks and is a big mistake to trade? Yunel has been a constant problem for the last few years. The problem for this team wasn’t that A-Gon and Ankiel were in the lineup. It was that Chipper and Prado were not. Infante finally came back to earth. The teams struggles were not soley based on A-Gon and Ankiel/Mclouth playing. Ankiel and A-Gon actually saved our butt a couple times this year. This team suffered from a slow offense that we had since mid to late June and injuries to premium players.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:14 am
P’-
Thank you for saving me from putting my head through a monitor…
And yeah, in case anyone doesn’t recall…Ankiel WON the Braves their only playoff victory…
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:14 am
#
Bat Masterson
November 29th, 2010
11:15 am
and had an incident where an elk actually ran into and through the cabin.
Could have been worse……………
Bear Claw Chris Lapp: Can you skin Griz?
Jeremiah Johnson: I can skin’ em as fast as you can catch’ em.
[Bear Claw runs through the cabin with a huge grizzly bear close behind and jumps out the back window]
Bear Claw Chris Lapp: Skin that one, pilgrim, and I’ll get you another!
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:19 am
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:14 am
P’-
Thank you for saving me from putting my head through a monitor…
And yeah, in case anyone doesn’t recall…Ankiel WON the Braves their only playoff victory…
And to honor that feat plus KYLE’s inspired play-off performance, I swore off referring to the two as “ANKLES” and “FAILSWORTH.” Nope, haven’t forgotten at all. That said I still don’t think that either had long-term answers for the BRAVES.
Not saying that you thought so either.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:29 am
RichBrave-
Yup…agreed!
dosbgrekky
November 29th, 2010
11:32 am
Moe – I am back in the states, thank the LORD (for now)
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:34 am
Back to deer stories. I was in DANVILLE, VIRGINIA in September, 1988 where I had just delivered my eldest to her dorm.I went to the shopping center close by to get some needed supplies when I heard a tremendous crash of shattering glass on the other side of the outdoor mall. A deer had charged a storefront window in a frenzied attempt to escape the suburban vehicular traffic of a sunny Saturday afternoon. The employees of the shop fled out the back for their lives. The injured deer attempted to struggle to it’s feet as a gathering crowd (myself included) gawked in amazement at the plight of the animal. The police quickly arrived and dispatched the poor creature after two of them lassoed the intruder, and wrestled it to the floor of the shop. A knife was introduced after dragging the bound-up beast into the parking lot.
Nobreggie4Dogs
November 29th, 2010
11:35 am
oops realized I used the real moniker there
Movies – a few good ones on the old pay per view,
1. Watched “Inspector Bellamy” and rewatched yesterday, kind of confused, anyone else seen it, liked it or hated it ?
2. The Hitman Diaries – excellent gritty flick
3. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” trilogy, 1st was good, 2nd was excellent, 3rd movie “The Girl in the Hornets Nest” sucked so much I walked out of it
DAP
November 29th, 2010
11:36 am
scoots If he hits more than ten dingers, I’d be shocked.
hadnt been keeping up with gonzalez lately? “shocked” at more than 10 seems a bit strong seeing as how hes done is 5 times in 12 seasons, and hit 9 homers twice in shortened seasons. dude can hit 10 homers, no problem.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:37 am
RichBrave-
You’re welcome…
And yes, we can resume the deer talk…I’ll be here all week
Oh, and I guess its a good thing that happened in Virginia…just the thought of my local police officers trying to lasso a deer is hilarious…my local officers are the same guys who drove off an unfinished bridge in town onto oncoming traffic in the highway below.
Nobreggie4Dogs
November 29th, 2010
11:38 am
Derek Jeter – all I hear up here is on the Jeter subject, question is what is he really worth to the Yankees, must be about $5-7M per season more then he is worth to any other team ???
ncscoots
November 29th, 2010
11:42 am
dude can hit 10 homers, no problem.
Call me when it happens.
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:44 am
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:37 am
RichBrave-
You’re welcome…
And yes, we can resume the deer talk…I’ll be here all week
Oh, and I guess its a good thing that happened in Virginia…just the thought of my local police officers trying to lasso a deer is hilarious…my local officers are the same guys who drove off an unfinished bridge in town onto oncoming traffic in the highway below.
LOL. SOUNDS like a deer story. Sure these police were human?
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
11:45 am
Doubtful, and I seriously doubt Jeter would be worth even 15M to others if he WERE worth 20M to the Yanks…
I actually agree w/ the Yankees on this one…
Look at the guys numbers…
If I were them, I would tell him either take a 3 yr 27 M contract or stick it!
Maybe someone can tell me who is making that much that is doing less than Jeter at SS…?
The guy has lost 2 1/2 steps at SS (should NEVER have won a GG), his bat has quieted considerably, and he is really starting to show his age…
Would be funny to see the Red Sox throw in an offer…
Personally, I’d rather see the guy go back to Michigan though…
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:54 am
P-TOWN BRAVE:
The STANKIES couldn’t offer. They had to let JETER hit the FA market for educational purposes. They know the same things you’re pointing out, P-town Brave. I say he goes nowhere, and for a much shorter term contract than he wants. With the “bloom off the rose” in regard to elder-statesmen baseball players (you know what I reference), it’s just folly to throw money at these guys wanting one last retirement-age contract. The guy is a pin-stripe icon. He’ll be a YANKEE until he retires.
richbrave
November 29th, 2010
11:57 am
Enjoyed the interchange P-TOWN. Gotta’ hit the malls to see if an loose deer are going to spread consternation and mayhem there.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
11:59 am
Just talked to Diaz a bit, going to write something on him. Waiting for word from Hinske or agent. This winter, you’ve probably noticed rumor mills for all teams isn’t nearly as active. That’s because teams and especially agents are paying heed to the directive to not negotiate through media as they have in the past. It’s really put a damper on Hot Stove rumors. But at next week’s Winter Meetings, it’ll be interesting to see if things get back to normal, or at least closer to it….
Nobreggie4Dogs: Agreed on first two in the trilogy, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire. Both excellent. Haven’t seen the recently released third movie, because reviews were mostly mediocre (yours was harshest I’ve seen, but other reviews weren’t great, either).
CraZyTRaDeMaN
November 29th, 2010
12:04 pm
What happened to this team? Answer: Trade Escobar for and play everyday Gonzalez (worst move due to low price for Escobar and high OBP production throughout career)
Did you even watch Yunel play in the 1st half?? Didn’t we beat this dead horse already?
What you should be focusing on is the horrible move made by Bobby back in 1990. Dale Murphy was worth more than Jeff Parrett, Victor Rosario and Tommy Greene what and Idiot
Snotboogie
November 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
DAP
I myself have him pegged at 12 or so HRs next year, but if he hits 8th for any length of time, he isnt going to get any through the fat part of the zone. And the free swinger that he is, walks are going to hard to come by either. So 10 HRs or less is very possible. I hope Freeman shows enough to hit 7th or higher.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2010
12:11 pm
DOB: Are you just waiting to touch base with Hinske or his agent on the offers from Braves and Brewers or are you anticipating a decision???
I really hope Hinske comes back to Atlanta…
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
12:18 pm
Nova Scotia: Anything. Just trying to gauge what’s going on there.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2010
12:21 pm
Right on. Thanks. Think many of us are quite interested.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
12:31 pm
Talk about a mere formality: Heyward named to 2010 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team.
Hillbilly
November 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
Mister State Trooper, please don’t stop me. Please don’t stop me. Please don’t stop me.
Nova Scotia Steve
November 29th, 2010
12:34 pm
Marlins are going to have a hell of a rotation in 2011…
Johnson, Nolasco, Sanchez, Vasquez, Volstad -
Lew
November 29th, 2010
12:34 pm
stachemoney – Damn , first time I’ve ever seen you post and you nailed two perfect posts – I didn’t agree with anything you said in either.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
By the way, I just did search and noticed a few Heyward Topps Rookie cards available on Amazon starting at $2.49. http://amzn.to/gy7XwY
Lew
November 29th, 2010
12:38 pm
P’Cola – Probably the same contingent that felt we should play Brooks Conrad every day because he was hitting. That tune sure changed in the playoffs.
Had Blanco made an error or dropped a pop up like Kelly did a few years back, or made errors in an All Star game like Uggla, we’d never hear the end of how bad he was.
Lew
November 29th, 2010
12:39 pm
NSS-Maybe we could get Joe Girardi back with the Marlins to ruin another rotation?
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
12:40 pm
Lew-
Forget Girardi…
Want to ruin young arms…
Send out Dusty
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
Lew-
No, but I do recall in the same game Kelly missed that popup, it took forever for Blanco to go 2nd to home only to get gunned by Victorino…
Can we even say Blanco was overrated? At least by blog standards he was…
Lew
November 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
PTown – Either way, glad they’re not with the Braves with all our young guns (current and future). Joe and Dusty would have a field day of destruction.
P'cola Brave
November 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
Dodgers Closing In On Deal With Juan Uribe (MLBTR)
I would imagine this would mean that Theriot would be non-tendered. He would be a great MIF back up plan.
DAP
November 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
marlins have a pretty good team, but they didnt improve their defense much, their offense took a little hit by trading uggla, and they still dont have a bullpen.
they have some really good young players though. i really like both sanchez and stanton.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
12:44 pm
Saw the movie 127 Hours over the long weekend. Let’s just say, our weekend wasn’t nearly as long as the poor dude in the movie had back in 2003 (the beginning of his agonizing 127 hours depicted in the movie). It’s a true story, and made for a great movie. James Franco will surely be nominated for Best Actor Oscar. But be warned, the film isn’t for the squeamish. The scene where he does the only thing he can do to free himself, after his arm was wedged between a fallen boulder and the side of a cave….
Lew
November 29th, 2010
12:45 pm
PTown – I call it “The Grass is Greener Syndrome”. The guy who’s not playing or just got a hit is always better than the one playing who went 0-4.
Fantasy Baseball scores yet another hit on the Baseball Psyche.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
12:45 pm
P’-
I like Theriot…good scrappy young guy…can play multiple positions and can run…
Would be a good solid pickup for our utility IF slot if the money is right…
Certainly better than Brooks, Diory, etc…
He would be worth a 2 yr deal to be a utility guy IMO.
RC
November 29th, 2010
12:50 pm
That’s because teams and especially agents are paying heed to the directive to not negotiate through media as they have in the past. – DOB
That is of course unless you happen to be one of the parties involved in the Derek Jeter saga.
P'cola Brave
November 29th, 2010
12:51 pm
P-town
Theriot to me is a guy that could step in and man an everyday role if needed at any of the IF spots except 1B. It would be a steal to get him. Unfortunately with a weak SS market he might find a starting job somewhere.
RC
November 29th, 2010
12:52 pm
P-Town Brave ©,
I agree with you on Theriot, but why wouldn’t the Dodgers retain him for that role, especially with Furcal’s injury history?
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
12:56 pm
RC-
“IF” he were non-tendered is what we’re discussing…although I myself am thinking that Uribe will be the 3b in LA and they’ll keep Theriot at 2b…
Just a thought though if he were non-tendered…he would be a nice pickup.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
12:56 pm
Hillbilly: Got another young hard-country (real country) artist in the vein of Jamey Johnson. Guy named Whitey Morgan, and his album Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, is outstanding. Lot of Waylon and Coe in him.
This is him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MynlVDSv5ng&feature=related
And check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ek6QLhz7Ao
P'cola Brave
November 29th, 2010
12:57 pm
P-town
LA has Casey Blake. Right now they are saying he’ll man 2B.
ncscoots
November 29th, 2010
12:58 pm
Saw the movie 127 Hours over the long weekend.
I only saw the HBO Making Of… feature on it, and it certainly looks intense (even if you were unfamiliar with the real-life story). I remember thinking that the Christmas season seemed an odd time for release of such a movie. As you said, not for the squeamish, or for those not inclined to introspection, either, I’m thinking.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
12:59 pm
P’-
Casey is back for next season?
Wasn’t sure, and knew he didn’t have a great 2010
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
1:00 pm
I’m confused…
There’s “fake” country?
Isn’t that just all opinionated?!
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
1:21 pm
P-Town Brave: Yes, there is definitely faux country. Just look at the current so-called country charts and about fourth-fifths of the folks on it, the “hat” boys and pop princesses, are not doing real country. They’re playing pure pop music with a twang.
And of course it’s all opinion. Music criticism is pretty much wholly subjective and opinionated, by nature. And if you don’t understand the difference between Waylon Jennings and Kenny Chesney, well, then that’s fine, too.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
1:25 pm
Yeah, I guess I’m not “aged” enough to understand the appeal of Waylon or Willie or Hank…
I’m a Rascal Flatts fan myself…but all of these “faux” country stars, are really bigger stars than their predecessors EVER were because they reach a wider audience…
Also, most were endorsed by their predecessors as true Country stars…in fact, I can not accurately recall the last original Country act that spurned issue (unlike that w/ the East Coast/ West Coast rappers and Metal v Alternative Rock)
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
1:28 pm
DOB-
That being said, I do like some stuff by Jamey Johnson…
I guess I would consider Josh Turner true Country too…
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
1:34 pm
I’m a Rascal Flatts fan myself…but all of these “faux” country stars, are really bigger stars than their predecessors EVER were because they reach a wider audience… — P-Town Brave
You and I are talking about two entirely diifferent things. Wider audience and record sales mean absolutely nothing to me, in the conversation about what’s real country.
Or are you implying that, say, Shania Twain is a bigger country star than, say, the immortal Patsy Cline, or Lorretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette, because Twain’s pop music reached an audience many times bigger than that of any of those three country giants?
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
1:43 pm
RC: If you notice, about half of the limited number of juicy rumors this winter have the Yankees at the center, including Cliff Lee (Cashman’s trip to Arkansas to see him) and the Jeter saga.
Not a coincidence at all. As we’ve said here many times, a few times — particularly the New York ones, who always seek the back page headlines — leak everything they’re doing. And a the recent edict not to talk about all this stuff in the media, which other teams and agents are for the most part following, isn’t going to affect how the Yankees do business. They do what they want, talk about what they want, leak what they want, etc.
And in the end, if something backfires or a trade falls through or free agent signs elsewhere, they’ll just write another check to fill a need with the next option on their list.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
1:47 pm
Most artists reach a wider audience than those of the past for two reasons: the internet, and the fact that there are more people in the world.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
1:49 pm
Alex Gonzalez’s OBP is a problem. Also, I don’t think Brad Clontz is the answer at closer.
P-Town Brave ©
November 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
^^
Well, neither is Greg McMichael…
But they’ll both be at the Fantasy Camp in late January
stachemoney22
November 29th, 2010
1:55 pm
Ill get off gonzalez and just shake my head when he.produes his annual three hundred obp again. I didn’t even mention how gonzo slammed his helmet after so many at bats and he didn’t hustle out a grounder that was botched in the playoff series. It sounds like escobar was manny in our clubhouse from what dob has described and I find that hard to believe. I hope that gonzo bats eighth every game.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
2:03 pm
Let me guess, you disagree with the way Bobby handled the bullpen, too.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
2:05 pm
Here’s the Nov. 24 story from Hinske’s hometown paper that story today on Braves website references: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20101124/APC0101/101124078/Story-photos-Hinske-looking-at-Brewers-offer
DAP
November 29th, 2010
2:07 pm
isnt “reaches a wide audience” the definition of pop music?
one good thing about some country pop is that it brings elements of country music…the stories, the characters, the colloquialisms…but they have even turned some of that into cookie-cutter stuff. while “your’re still the one” is a great pop song, it certainly isnt country music.
Breezy
November 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
The only difference between Pop and Modern Country is a steel guitar.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
2:09 pm
DOB
I like the comment on that article where the guy suggests trading Fielder and putting Hinske at first. “Nothing lost” he says. And I thought I read crazy stuff on this blog. Sheesh.
BravePack
November 29th, 2010
2:12 pm
I heard Hinske is a huge Packers(like me) fan so if he picks the Brewers I think it may be because he’s pissed the Pack lost to the Falcons.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
It sounds like escobar was manny in our clubhouse from what dob has described and I find that hard to believe. — stachemoney22
I didn’t say he was Manny. No one except Milton Bradley has been as disruptive as Manny in recent years. But if you don’t think Escobar was a disruptive force in the clubhouse, and you don’t think almost every player seemed entirely relieved and pleased to swap him for Gonzalez, well, then I don’t know what to tell you. That means you just don’t believe what players said, both on and off record (if you go back, several of them said in stories immediately after the trade and throughout the second half how pleased they were to trade for Gonzalez, and many more said far stronger things off the record. None, and I mean zero, ever uttered a word about wishing Escobar were still there or expressing an opinion that the Braves were better off with him. On or off the record.)
Travis
November 29th, 2010
2:17 pm
To be honest, how this team will perform next season is a little up in the air with a new hitting coach and manager. The addition of Uggla should really help this offense. Mac should be a lot more comfortable in his new #5 spot and if Chipper hits second, his obp should really set up Prado to score more. The Braves could play long ball with some of these hitters knowing that who is behind them can advance the runner if the fail. Should be interesting to see what the new hitting coach can bring to this team.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
2:18 pm
Some players are good enough that the team can put up with personality/maturity issues. Esco hasn’t proved to be one of those players.
CB
November 29th, 2010
2:18 pm
Sorry I missed the conversation about real country – you don’t get anymore real country than the great Patsy Cline.
MFin04
November 29th, 2010
2:20 pm
Oh the endless debate over A-Gon “the clubhouse wonderboy” who can’t get on base, or Escobar the 2009 team MVP who only 2 or 3 people on the team disliked which translates to “everyone” not liking him.
I’d take a Hispanic manager and Escobar this year over A-Gon this year.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
It really doesn’t matter. Esco is gone. This whole topic is irrelevant.
Owl Hunter
November 29th, 2010
2:24 pm
Also, Prado was the real team MVP in ‘09.
RC
November 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
It really doesn’t matter. Esco is gone. This whole topic is irrelevant. - Owl Hunter
Amen.
Hillbilly
November 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
Thanks DOB,
I like what I hear from Whitey Morgan so far.
One more time, I going to try and steer you toward DAC’s Longhaired Redneck/Rides Again and his Tatoo/Family album combos. Just so happen to be listening to “Canteen of Water” right now and it’s outstanding. Vintage Coe from his prime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z65iZRIwDJs
And “Spotlight” is one of my favorite songs ever…any genre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qI2gyFKtGQ
“A Sense of Humor” …..EPIC!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmP09uc-Nv0&feature=related
Man, DOB, you’ve GOT to get these two (actually four) albums. Unbelievable this man.
Murph
November 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
Anyone on here seen the movie “Restrepo”? I really want to see it after reading the book over the holiday weekend.
David O'Brien
November 29th, 2010
2:30 pm
MFin04: If you think it was “only 2 or 3 people” who disliked Escobar, it says plenty about how much you’re able to (or not) read between the lines or, in this case, even grasp the more overt statements from a variety of players regarding Escobar.
I’ll just say you could reverse that statement and POSSIBLY find 2 or 3 people on the team who didn’t think the trade was a big positive. (They might say it was only a slight upgrade, not a big one). I would be willing to bet that in an anonymous poll of 25 players, plus coaches and the manager, not one would say the Braves would’ve been better off with Escobar in the second half. Not one.
And it wasn’t that they all disliked him. Plenty of Braves liked him as a person, to the end. Chipper was one of those who defended Escobar more than just about anyone else in the past few years; it was Chipper who was outspoken a couple of years ago when he said it’d be a shame if they traded Escobar just because of a few incidents, when he was so talented and could be a cornerstone. Ironically, it’s now Chipper that some fans mistakenly believe helped get Escobar traded.
You see, even those Braves who still liked Escobar, despite all the incidents on the field, despite the many times where he did things that they hated seeing him do — because those were things the Braves have always been critical of other teams’ players for doing, and having a guy on their own team do them made it tougher to criticize opponents, not to mention react when a Braves got thrown at for something Escobar did — even those Braves didn’t like him as a teammate by the end.
He’d truly worn out his welcome as a teammate. Too many incidents where he just didn’t do things as they’re expected to be done, and Braves management finally said, shortly after the lazy Escobar throw that nearly got Glaus’ arm taken off, that enough was enough.
MFin04
November 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
Topics now have to be relevant for us to talk about them? Never stopped us before. I mean the Teixeira trade grumblins should be starting up within the hour.
Well I guess if we are only talking about relevant topics now, we won’t ever have to hear about Bobby Cox again.