Remember Jordan Schafer? CF is prepping for big return
ORLANDO — While Braves officials sip coffee at opening sessions of the Winter Meetings Monday morning at Disneyworld, a few miles away a Braves center fielder will already be well into a rigorous 6-hour-a-day, six-day-a-week workout regimen that he’s confident will help restart his stalled career.
Schafer hit a home run in his major league debut against the Phillies on Opening Day 2009.
If you don’t think 24-year-old Jordan Schafer can do it, if you’re among those who’ve written off the kid who pretty much owned 2009 Braves spring training and homered that opening day at Philadelphia in his big-league debut, he understands.
Really, he does.
At some frustrating points in the past year, Schafer himself wondered whether he’d regain the strength in his left wrist and hand, after bone-fusion surgery in September 2009 and dispiriting setbacks in the recovery.
“I had doubt in my mind going through the injury and everything that followed,” said Schafer, who has struggled mightily during most of two lost seasons since he broke a bone swinging a bat during the Braves’ 2009 home opener.
“But now that I’ve been able to swing for a month and half with no problems, and my weight and speed and all that are back and better, I’ve never felt this good going into spring training. I feel 100 percent confident going into spring training, that I can open a lot of people’s eyes and show what I can do.”
OK, he realizes that some of you are rolling your eyes right about now. The ones already tired of waiting for Schafer to rebound. Many doubt he can or will.
“If you’re a fan and you see a kid come up and do well and then struggle,” Schafer said, “then he gets sent down [demoted in the minors] and keeps struggling – well, I understand fans getting pissed and wanting to give up on [him].
“But at the same time, you have to understand I went through a lot with the injury and struggling to get back. Hopefully when I come back to spring training and show what I can do, people will be able to see I’m ready to go now.”
Promising start
Schafer won the opening-day center field job in 2009 after going to spring training as a non-roster invitee and putting on a show in workouts and especially in Grapefruit League games. He demonstrated a package of speed, power, aggressiveness and pure baseball instincts.
It really was something to behold. We all thought so – players, coaches, media members, Bobby Cox, all of us. At least one high-ranking Braves official said that on a lot of days that spring, he looked like the best player on the field.
He won the job over Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson, the latter traded away late in spring when the Braves decided Schafer was their guy.
The 22-year-old opening-day starter homered against the Phillies in his first and third major league games. He drove in three runs in that opening series, and Schafer was 8-for-19 with four extra-base hits, three walks and six runs after his first five major league games.
But he also had a sore left hand, from a painful swing he took in his home debut, the fourth game of his career. Schafer would later say he heard a pop in his wrist that day, but he kept playing, told team officials he was good to go.
After working most of his life with a single-minded goal of reaching the majors, he wasn’t about to say that his hand hurt and he needed to rest. But he knows now that he should have.
After those first five games, Schafer hit .176 (26-for-148) with six doubles, no homers, five RBIs and 59 strikeouts in 148 at-bats over his next 45 games, through May 31, 2009.
He has not played in the major leagues since.
Shipped to Triple-A Gwinnett to heal and get his confidence back, Schafer rested briefly, but didn’t regain anything. Because the hand and wrist kept hurting during a few more aborted comeback attempts that season in Triple-A.
He played in nine games for Gwinnett in 2009, a few games here and there between DL stints and X-rays and MRIs, the last of which finally revealed the severity of his injury, a fracture that explained why Schafer had never felt right again after that “pop” or got past the pain with periods of rest.
It hadn’t been a ligament tear or other soft-tissue damage, as originally suspected. It was bone. In a difficult place to heal, especially for a baseball player whose approach to struggles had always been to work more intensely.
Schafe had surgery on Sept. 9, 2009, a procedure in which a patch of bone was used to fuse the fracture above his left wrist.
Braves head trainer Jeff Porter told him after the surgery that it would probably take a full year before he felt right and regained his strength in that hand and wrist.
After being cleared to hit again the following spring, he went into 2010 spring training hoping to regain his spot, but knowing that he might not be ready right away when the season began.
It's been three years of big ups and mighty big downs for Schafer, who said he now feels better -- physically and mentally -- than he has in a long time.
Schafer had been told there would be lingering discomfort as he increased his workload and began hitting each day, but he figured he could deal with that pain, as long as he wasn’t in danger of reinjuring the wrist.
The bone was healed. No problem there. But he’d underestimated the discomfort that he’d feel early in spring training when he started hitting again in consecutive days, even when just hitting off a tee or soft-tossed pitches.
Although Schafer had been told it’d take a year to get it back, that didn’t make the frustration and disappointment any easier to take when he realized during spring training that he still had a long way to go before he’d compete again for a major league job.
It was the beginning of another lost season, which started late and ended early because of lingering problems in the wrist. He played 76 games at three minor league levels and hit .201 with a .268 OBP and .255 slugging percentage.
That was a .524 OPS (and one homer) in 307 plate appearances in the minors, for the kid who’d homered on 2009 opening day to quiet a sellout crowd in Philly.
The low point last season? Being demoted from Triple-A to Double-A after the All-Star break, when the Braves hoped he could finish the season on a good note to help restore confidence going into the offseason.
Instead, he was shut down altogether in September and sent home to rest, after hitting .175 with no homers in 18 games at Double-A Mississippi.
Understanding what happened
“As far as the surgery, the injury itself was healed,” Schafer said. “But since I had been in a cast so long [before and after the September 2009 surgery], I had scar tissue around the nerve, and I couldn’t get strength in there.
“It was a mess for a year. If I’d do strengthening stuff, it’d be sore the next day. And if didn’t do strengthening exercises, I’d be too weak to swing. So basically it was a no-win situation.
Schafer did lower-body work in the weight room during last season, but couldn’t do much of anything to strengthen the hand while also trying to continue playing.
He said that changed soon after he reported to the Braves’ spring-training headquarters in Lake Buena Vista this past September, only about a half-hour from his dad’s house in Haines City.
Schafer left his Midtown Atlanta condo, packed a few bags and came to live with his dad for the offseason, so he could work out daily at the Braves’ Wide World of Sports facility. He’s spent the past three months working closely with Troy Jones, the Braves’ minor league physical therapist.
“I can’t describe to you how good he is,” Schafer said. “He’s unbelievably good. I rehabbed with him for about a month or more, and started getting healthy quick. Ever since then, I’ve been swinging now for two months, and been 100 percent fine….
“I remember when I had surgery, Porter told me it was going to be a year until I felt fine. I always told him I’d be OK in four or five months, I’d be fine. Sure enough, it took a whole year until I was able to swing every day and felt good. They were right the whole time.
“But I couldn’t just sit there and not do anything [last season]. I should have probably waited longer, but I felt like I had a shot, so OK, give it a shot.”
Eight months after feeling pain when he began hitting at spring training, Schafer said he felt entirely different this time when he re-started his hitting program in the same batting cage at the spring-training complex.
He’s been hitting twice a day in recent weeks and says it’s been without any pain in his hand and wrist. He hasn’t faced “live” pitching – full-on pitches from actual pitchers — but has taken thousands of swings in the cage, mostly off the tee or soft-tossed, and some batting practice at the University of Florida in Gainesville, off a neighbor friend who’s a Gators assistant coach.
Braves GM Frank Wren says the team "absolutely" still believes in Schafer.
Schafer also has been hitting plenty against the high-tech pitching machine that he bought five years ago with his signing-bonus money. He spends hours in the dusty warehouse in Haines City where the machine is set up, and Schafer confided that he has turned the thing up to its maximum 100-mph speed a few times to test his wrist. No problems, he said.
Between hitting sessions, Schafer has been lifting weights with more intensity than he’s had in the weight room for quite a while, and doing drills to sharpen his quickness and speed with Tom Shaw, a sprint coach who works with college football players as they prepare for the NFL scouting combines.
Schafer said he’s got his weight back up to 202 pounds, and has never been stronger in his life.
“I think he’s going to open some eyes back up,” Troy Jones said. “We tried to get him back [last year]. He knew he was going to probably have a little pain here and there throughout the year, and I think it just really affected his swing so much. He was afraid to uncork it and really groove his swing, because he was really apprehensive about his wrist. When he felt [pain in the wrist], it could be really intense.
“He’s swinging without any apprehensions now. I have no doubt he’s going to be 110 percent for spring training this year. I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’m excited because last year his state of mind, he was extremely frustrated with the whole process and how he felt. He just didn’t feel good
“You can tell, he’s got a completely different outlook as well as physical.”
Braves general manager Frank Wren gets regular updates from Jones, and is encouraged to hear the progress the center fielder has made.
“I know Schafer’s excited from a standpoint of being healthy and ready to compete,” Wren said. “We just have to continue to be patient. We’re all looking forward to seeing him back in uniform in the spring, and see if he can play like he did two years ago, when in spring training he was one of the most impressive players in Florida. Nothing’s changed, other than the calendar’s moved forward.”
McLouth has been mostly disappointing since coming to the Braves to replace Schafer after the latter's early season injury in 2009. If McLouth struggles this year, might Schafer be in line to replace him?
In other words, the Braves still believe there’s a bright future ahead for Schafer, who was rated their No. 3 prospect at this time two years ago, behind Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward.
“Absolutely,” Wren said.
Schafer soared up the prospect charts after batting .312 with an .887 OPS in Class A in 2007, when he had a whopping 74 extra-base hits (10 triples, 15 homers) and 23 stolen bases in 136 games
Then came his 50-game suspension for alleged use of human growth hormone in 2008, when he played in only 86 games, tried to do too much to make up for lost time, and ended up hitting .269 with a still-solid .850 OPS and 10 homers.
There were plenty of skeptics when Schafer came to spring training as a non-roster invitee the following year, but in a matter of weeks he showed he was the real thing. Offensively, defensively, he did it all that spring to win the starting job.
Then came the injury, undisclosed at first, and the slump and demotion.
What’s ahead for Schafer?
For now, Nate McLouth is penciled in as the Braves’ starting center fielder; the veteran is owed $7.75 million and is all but untradeable after his 2010 performance. McLouth has been a disappointment since coming to the Braves during the 2009 season, when they traded for him as a direct result of Schafer’s initial struggles.
If McLouth sputters again, the Braves need a Plan B. Right now, Schafer is beginning to seem like he could possibly be that guy again.
Minor leaguer Matt Young, a little speedster who can play center field and several other positions, was added to the roster and will compete for a job this spring. But Young is 28 and has never played in the majors.
The Braves don’t know what Young can do against big-league pitching, but they’ve seen what Schafer can do, when healthy.
“He’s a talented guy that we’re going to watch in the spring and be open minded about,” Wren said. “We’ll see what the spring holds for him.”
Training alongside Prado
It’s been a solitary existence for Schafer for much of the fall in the weight room and batting cage, but he got a welcome training partner last week when Braves All-Star Martin Prado was cleared to begin working out and hitting.
Prado had been ordered to rest for two months after suffering a torn oblique muscle and hip pointer in late September. He’s been in Orlando working with Troy Jones for much of the offseason, but until last week Prado wasn’t permitted to do much of anything in terms of running, lifting and hitting.
Now, he’s working alongside Schafer. Prado is expected to be fully recovered for spring training, and Braves fans have him penciled in as their starting left fielder now that recently acquired slugger Dan Uggla is at second base.
“He’s doing really well,” Jones said of Prado. “He’s starting to take some nice easy swings off the tee, not feeling any discomfort, and starting to feel back to normal. We’re taking it nice and easy with him, making sure when he comes back in spring training he’s 100 percent.
Loading ...“We’re going to work on getting him real strong this year. He’s going to be working some with Tom Shaw [this winter] as well, on mechanics, explosiveness.”
No team official doubts that Prado will be at 100 percent when the season begins. And while they can’t feel the same way yet about Schafer, he intends to show them – and everyone else – this spring.
Already, he looks the part.
“Yeah, he’ll be coming in the shredded Jordan again,” Jones said, referring to Schafer’s physique. “He’s looking great. I’m pretty impressed with how he’s worked. I tell you what, whatever happens, there will be no lack of effort on his part.
“He’s getting real strong, doing some really good stuff, good sprint work, lifting. He’s going to look a little bit different this year. He’s getting a little muscle back, but not too much where it’s going to slow him down. I can see him having a really good shot of making the opening day roster — and maybe stealing some bags.”
Schafer plans to come to Atlanta next week to begin working with new Braves hitting coach Larry Parrish, whom he’s spoken with on the phone recently. He’ll stay in Atlanta a while, then head back to Lake Buena Vista well before spring training begins. When position players arrive, needless to say he plans to be ready.
“As far as my body, this is the strongest I’ve been my entire life,” Schafer said. “I couldn’t be happier right now the way everything’s going, as far as my hand, my body, my strength. I’ve got all my strength and weight back. I couldn’t hope for anything more right now.”
♣ OK, time to go mill around with a hundred or more other reporters in the hotel lobby, acting like we know we’re doing important work. Let’s close with a tune by the band that did plenty of really important work, the mighty, mighty Clash. You can listen to Joe Strummer and the lads do the tune here.
“COMPLETE CONTROL” by The Clash
They said release ‘Remote Control’
But we didn’t want it on the label
They said, “Fly to Amsterdam”
The people laughed but the press went mad
Ooh ooh ooh someone’s really smart
Ooh ooh ooh complete control, yeah that’s a laugh
On the last tour my mates couldn’t get in
I’d open up the back door but they’d get run out again
At every hotel we was met by the Law
Come for the party – come to make sure!
Ooh ooh ooh have we done something wrong?
Ooh ooh ooh complete control, even over this song
You’re my guitar hero
They said we’d be artistically free
When we signed that bit of paper
They meant we’ll make a lotsa mon-ee
An’ worry about it later
Ooh ooh ooh I’ll never understand
Ooh ooh ooh complete control – lemme see your other hand!
I don’t judge you.
So, why do you judge me?
Huh?
All over the news spread fast
They’re dirty, they’re filthy
They ain’t gonna last!
This is Joe public speakin’
I’m controlled in the body, controlled in the mind
This is punk rockers,
we’re controlled by the price of the hard drugs we must find
Freedom is control
Total
C-o-n control – that means you!
– by David O’Brien, Braves blog
4,489 comments Add your comment
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
10:08 am
He better bring it this ST because MATT YOUNG is going to be some serious competition for the fourth OF slot.
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
December 6th, 2010
10:10 am
If Jordan Schafer is one hundred percent during all of spring training, he’s gonna beat out McLouth for the CF job, and that’s a good thing
Kelly
December 6th, 2010
10:14 am
I hope he’s ready and all fired up. Seriously. We need a 4th outfielder for heaven’s sake.
braveslifer
December 6th, 2010
10:17 am
I’m hoping that KK is traded by the conclusion of the Winter Meetings.
JMar
December 6th, 2010
10:17 am
I feel like I’ve heard this before. No way does Schafer win the starting spot in spring training.
Braves Fan in Illinois
December 6th, 2010
10:17 am
It’s gonna be another good year in Atlanta. I can feel it.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
10:18 am
Not much left to say about Schafer except, “Show me.”
Thanks for the writeup, DOB.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
10:18 am
From other blog
Gonna give you some stats for 2 players over the past 7 to 8 years, you tell me who they belong to.
Player 1’s career averages.
.272 batting average with 25 homers and 85 RBI’s, .848 OPS
Player 2’s career averages.
.265 Batting average with 25 homers and 82 RBI’s, .841 OPS
Can you tell me who those stats belong to and which one of those players just got a huge contract and which one is a guy they are about to trade to make room for him?
Rodney Derrick
December 6th, 2010
10:19 am
Great article DOB. Amazing how vulnerable the wrist can be, especially to younger players. During the most recent season and even in the Arizona Fall League, it was clear the big impact on Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman of supposedly minor wrist injuries. Few may remember that Omar Infante had major hand/wrist fractures from errant pitches in 2008 and 2009; last year he played without getting such an injury and voila, an average over .320. Then, of course, there is the example of Jayson Werth, who sustained a broken wrist about seven years ago while with the Dodgers. This after he had already broken out with a good season and a big playoff performance. After the Dodgers non-tendered him, the Phillies got him and we know how good he became, but it took three years for him to recover fully from the wrist.
phoenix falcon
December 6th, 2010
10:20 am
I hope he’s as healthy as they seem to think, adding more power and speed to the line up is ALWAYS a good thing.
Oh and 3rd.
mclOUTh
December 6th, 2010
10:21 am
FOURTH outfielder? Sheesh..we need a THIRD outfielder. I cringe at the thought of Nate in the lineup.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 6th, 2010
10:21 am
Fawesome SONG, love, love “The Clash”
also listened to this Aussie classic this morning = http://youtu.be/2cRODgXnIlU
rammerjammer
December 6th, 2010
10:21 am
DOB, thanks for the excellent work.
I’m guessing the intensity meter is clicking in the red zone when Prado and Schafer work out together. Good for them both…they might be outfield mates pretty soon.
LongtimeBravesfan
December 6th, 2010
10:22 am
As always, thanks for the news DOB.
Someone posted that Jayson Werth broke his wrist some years ago and didn’t become a good hitter until THREE years later. I don’t know if Schafer will ever be as good as Werth, but it’s a good reminder that we have to be very patient after certain injuries.
Given the Braves needs in the OF, it really will be great if Schafer can contribute in 2011 and keep improving in the years ahead.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:23 am
R.I.P. Dandy Don Meredith – I always admired how the strongest word he used in the interview moments after the Ice Bowl was “dadgum”…
Andy
December 6th, 2010
10:25 am
DOB
I remember you writing a similar piece about Schafer last year at this time. I won’t believe it until I see it.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
10:25 am
just dont see how he’ll win the job. He’ll go to ST and compete, but there is no chance he wins the 4th OF job. He hasnt played regularly since 2007. If Nate struggles and gets released somehow then he may get the opening day CF job. If not, they’ll want him playing everyday instead of sitting on the bench
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:28 am
Maybe now TommyP and Ward will realize that Lastings Milledge is not an option.
A healthy Schafer would mitigate a world of problems for the Braves. At the very least, he’s the best defensive CF we’ve had in the organization since Andruw beached himself.
@fauxfrankwren
December 6th, 2010
10:28 am
Funny thing…medically, an HGH injection would probably have been a good option to help regain strength in Schafer’s wrist. Sad that is not an option if performed under Dr.’s care.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:29 am
unbel;ievable – Even if he doesn’t start the season in Atlanta and does, indeed, need some time at Gwinnett, we’ll only need someone who can come in for a sorter time period and considering Nate will have some time to prove himself, it could work out just right.
Eric in Tampa
December 6th, 2010
10:30 am
So, Peter Gammons just made a brief statement on Dan Patrick show that, among teams who might have interest in Greinke, the Rangers make the most sense, but the Braves could be too. I imagine the Dayton Moore tie to the Braves is about as far as that reality goes…
Chopshop
December 6th, 2010
10:30 am
Anyone know how many options Schafer has left at this point ? If he is as healthy as it seems he will need to be getting AB’s every day. Other than an injury to an outfielder I can’t see a way he goes north with the team out of spring training. Let’s hope he has one option left so he can start the season in the minors and either force his hand to the major (ideal situation) or take the place of injured/underperforming CF’s.
Fish Bisch
December 6th, 2010
10:30 am
Schefter will be the boost the braves need to get them back into the playoffs since we won’t be counting on mclowth. I still think we need to re-sign Melky!
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
December 6th, 2010
10:30 am
O.J. You would be referring to Jayson Werth and Josh Willingham.
But yes, Werth’s contract with the Nationals is simply insane. Just you wait… when he’s 37/38 and struggling to put up 15-20 HR’s and 75-80 RBI while pulling down 18 million per season.
rrosson3
December 6th, 2010
10:31 am
if schafer is on the big league team it wont be for fourth outfielder. that does not make sense to bring a guy up who hasnt had a lot of time the last couple years to be a fourth outfielder. if hes up, he will be the starter. otherwise he will be in gwinnett getting daily at bats for if mclouth struggles.
The A Bomb
December 6th, 2010
10:33 am
Come on DOB…. the media finds all sorts of “controversial” stuff on Tiger Woods, Roger Clemens, Cam Newton etc…..
Can’t anyone find one FREAKING morsel on Kawakami???
Von Osnabruck
December 6th, 2010
10:33 am
If Schafer is finally healthy then I have no doubt he will take over CF sometime in 2011. He is a .260/.340/.450 type bat with elite level range and arm in center with 20+ SB ablity.
Wrist injuries are so tough on hitters it still makes me nervous for Schafer in 2011, but if he is 100% we could just he gifted the biggest addition of the offseason – even more dare I say than one year of Uggla.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:33 am
chopshop – Options should NOT be a problem for Schafer. He’s only been to the bigs once, so he should have two years worth of options left.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
10:34 am
OJ – Werth and Willingham
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:34 am
Certainly, confidence has never been an issue for Schafer, and he’s reputed to be the baseball equivalent of a gym rat, so no question about his work ethic (in fact, I’d probably be a little concerned he’ll overwork, but surely someone is monitoring that).
Still, he hasn’t faced good pitching on a daily basis for a long time, or dealt with the fatigue that comes from playing every day. I think you have to see him against AAA for a couple-three hundred ABs to get a read on that, regardless of his ST performance.
DawgDad
December 6th, 2010
10:34 am
Good article, minus all the build-up. Sure, let’s see what he can do. A healthy YOUNG outfielder with some talent is certainly needed, but this kid needs to earn his stripes. Alas, he’s also a left-handed center fielder.
If McLouth can play he needs to start in center and let Schafer log some time in Gwinnett. Pretty easy to call him up if Nate gets off to a slow start. If Nate can play and Schafer proves to be ready it would be a lot easier to trade Schafer. McLouth doesn’t strike me as a guy who would help much coming off the bench, except to pinch run.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
10:35 am
Good to hear on Schafer. If he is truly healthy then he could compete for a job. But theres something to be said about all his off time. His timing could be way off and it may be June or so before he has his timing back.
LongtimeBravesfan
December 6th, 2010
10:35 am
Schafer has only been in the Majors in 2009, so he should have two options left. Plenty of time for him to develop and for the Braves to be patient with him.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 6th, 2010
10:35 am
Are they trading Willingham, why?
He played a good LF last year and Werth is at right?
LongtimeBravesfan
December 6th, 2010
10:36 am
Also, if Chipper is injured and Prado has to play 3rd, Schafer and McLouth can play LF/CF.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:37 am
Anyone know how many options Schafer has left at this point ?
Non-roster invitee in 2009, so he was added to the 40-man then. Optioned in 2009, and optioned in 2010, so one option left, I guess.
Moe Berg
December 6th, 2010
10:37 am
Pat Gillick elected to the Hall of Fame.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/12/06/sports/baseball/AP-BBO-Hall-of-Fame.html?_r=1&hp
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
10:39 am
Also, if Chipper is injured and Prado has to play 3rd, Schafer and McLouth can play LF/CF. – Longtime
and the Braves are praying right now that they get 130 games from Chipper
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 6th, 2010
10:39 am
Put Jordan in CF in AAA and leave him there until say end August regardless of his performace and if gr8 then call him up.. if he hits leadoff he would get 400 AB or more
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:40 am
I agree that Schafer needs to and will, in all likelihood, spend some time at Gwinnett, but just knowing he’s close to being ready and only a half hour away will make the beginning of the season much more comfortable, even if Nate remains Nately.
At the very least, I think that everyone can put away the “Let’s go get thisguy cause he’s cheap and MIGHT come back to be the player he once was” rumors.
Nah, there will still be someone who insists Lastings Milledge will be a Brave and believe he’ll not only be here, but for the MLB minimum. Right.
Andrew
December 6th, 2010
10:41 am
Great article DOB Thanks! I’d love to see Nate and Jordan battle out for a starting job. Maybe that will spark them both! I have a feeling Schafer is gonna have a good year. It’d be a perfect transition to go from Nate to Schafer since Nate will be a free agent next year. That would free up some money as well.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:42 am
Thought options only referred to up or down from the majors and he wasn’t in the majors last year. Does anyone really know how these damned things really work?
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:42 am
Schafer has only been in the Majors in 2009, so he should have two options left. Plenty of time for him to develop and for the Braves to be patient with him.
Any time a player is on the 40-man roster and NOT on the 25-man roster (or major league DL), he uses an option for that year.
Schafer has used options in 2009 and 2010. He has one remaining option.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:43 am
I’ve never felt this good going into spring training.
Doesn’t EVERYBODY come into ST in “the best shape of my life”, LOL?
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
10:43 am
Absolute gold from Peter Moylan’s latest blog entry. Sorry ladies, I know it’s a bit crude, but I couldn’t help but share this one:
Another great week, spent the morning assisting my best mate coach some under 16 state team kids at aI training session, it was nice to get back to grass roots and give a little something back, it was also fun seeing the boys faces light up when I arrived, i’m happy to report that the future of Australian baseball looks very good. Funny Story: The manager was talking about taking infield and explained to the boys that ” its all about ball management “. Of course my sick sense of humour just assumed that he was teaching these 14 and 15 year old kids how to use clippers on their nether regions!!!!!!! NO PETER what he meant was basically hit the cut off man, how wrong I was.
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:43 am
Sorry, ncscoots, didn’t see that you had already addressed the options issue.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
10:45 am
I love the smell of a new blog in the morning.
Great article DOB. Gives me some hope for the kid.
DawgDad
December 6th, 2010
10:45 am
Look, if McLouth can rebound to 2009 productivity levels the Braves will be just fine. There is cause for concern due to his lack of making contact, yes, but I suspect last year was more attributable to the slow start and the injury than not.
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:45 am
Lew,
Options refer to any time a player spends in the minor leagues while on the 40-man roster, EXCEPT for rehab assignments. So even though Schafer saw no time in the majors in 2010, the fact that he was on the 40-man roster meant he used an option for that year.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:45 am
Hey, RC, don’t mind me.
Get that info out there, brother. Some people scroll right past me, you know.
Big B CH 99
December 6th, 2010
10:46 am
Unless he beats Nate out for the Starting CF job, they’ll send Schafer to Gwinnett so he can play everyday and get some AB’s. He’s a young kid that needs as many AB’s as he can get, they’re not gonna keep him on the big league roster to ride the bench as a 4th OF.
Moe Berg
December 6th, 2010
10:48 am
MLBTR–speculates of a possible match between Braves and Brewers for CF prospect Lorenzo Cain. They admit speculation and not rumor.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/brewers-willing-to-trade-lorenzo-cain.html
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
10:49 am
I know a lot of fans given up on Schafer because of the whole ‘top prospect’, then HGH, then demotion to minors, but come on give him a chance! HE’S STILL 24 YEARS OLD. heck he can be our own ‘colby rasmus’ without giving the cardinals anymore ‘wainwrights’
Big B CH 99
December 6th, 2010
10:49 am
I think Nate may have something wrong w/ his right wrist, elbow, or shoulder. We all noted how many times he ate the ball and didn’t try to throw someone out. And the one time I saw him throw he threw a lollipop. The ball didn’t have anything on it, so I wonder if he’s been hurt, because he’s supposed to have a better arm than that.
Tomas
December 6th, 2010
10:49 am
DOB good read you managed to get me optimistic about Schafer.
However I need to see it to believe it. Matt Young should get a spot in the MLB roster as a bench player, Schafer should play in Gwinett if he kills AAA pitching and Mclouth struggles then they should call him up, but whatever the case is, Schafer needs to play everyday, in the minors or majors.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:49 am
RC-Well, apparently some people DO know how the damned things work. Now I’m one of them – I think. Til next time anyway.
LWells2000
December 6th, 2010
10:50 am
Spring Training should be an elimination round for Schafer and McLouth both. Neither has impressed me as being a needed outfield big bat thus far. Cut ‘em after this trial run.
Yippee Ti-Yi-Yo
December 6th, 2010
10:50 am
I agree with richbrave..Young is ready, Schafer better bring it.
Alleged use…didn’t he fail test…then whats alleged..sounds like proof to me.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
10:51 am
I don’t really see us trading for an outfielder unless we’re planning on trading Prado which I seriously doubt we’re planning on doing. As far as a CF goes, I do believe we’re probably stuck with (unfortuately) Mclouth. Although, if Schafer shows he’s ready and plays this ST as he did in 09 I think we could see Schafer in CF on opening day with Mclouth on the bench.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:51 am
Big B- Not so sure it’s one of those injuries affecting Nate. I think it’s more a connection to his brain malfunctioning.
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Lew,
No problem. It seems like everytime I figure out how waivers/options/arbitration works, they sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and chance the whole system.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Matt Young should get a spot in the MLB roster as a bench player,
Wouldn’t you like to see him take at least a couple of pitches in ST before signing off on that, LOL?
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
LWells2000
December 6th, 2010
10:50 am
You do realize Schafer is just 24 and well ahead of Werth at this point in his career. I’m pretty sure the Phillies are glad they didn’t give up on him at 24.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Unless Schafer tears up ST and I mean have another ‘09 ST, then he should start in AAA. If Mclouth struggles and Schafer is playing well then we may have an internal option to fill w/ out making a crazy trade. With that being said I’m hoping that Schafer has a great spring and shows everyone hes back. If he could reach his potential then our OF will look bright moving forward.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
He didn’t fail a test – he was accused of consorting with others who used it. There is no test for HGH as it is a naturally occuring substance in the body.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
isn’t the pirates looking for starting pitching? why can’t we ship him kawakami. he’d probably be the ace on that team!
Tomas
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
What I don’t understand about Nate is why he stopped stealing bases effectively. Isn’t speed not supposed to slump? He was a 20 steal threat, and he didn’t even stole 10 this year.
monty
December 6th, 2010
10:54 am
Count me in as a believer that JS can make it back and be a factor. I don’t think what we saw early in 2009 was fluke. Just a tough injury to deal with. Kid has pop, speed, and a gun for an arm. What’s not to like?
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:55 am
Alleged use…didn’t he fail test…then whats alleged..sounds like proof to me.
No, he didn’t fail a test. Baseball has no test for HGH. He was alledgedly tied to people who were being investigated for selling HGH. The details were never really made clear, and it was pretty obvious from his public comments that MLB had ordered him not to talk about it under threat of addtional punishment.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:55 am
Tomas – You have to actually be on base to steal second – something Nate hasn’t done much of since becoming a Brave.
faux positive
December 6th, 2010
10:57 am
Thanks for the update on Schafer. I’ve been thinkjing about what he’s been up to recently. Can he keep his ego in check? I don’t know who will be worse in CF him or mclout, is there a plan c? If we can get rid of KK the braves lookj to be a major contender this season.
RC
December 6th, 2010
10:57 am
Btw, comments like that are why I for one appreciate that DOB makes it a point to use the word “allegedly” when refering to the situation. Anything less than that would be bad journalism.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:59 am
Faux- LIke I said before, Schafer can play some D if nothing else. No one better for the Braves in CF since Andruw left. Even if he doesn’t hit, he’d be a substantial improvement in the field.
big o
December 6th, 2010
10:59 am
I’m pulling and praying for you kid. We could use your energy and passion…. Good Luck !!! Anybody but Mcout…
Lew
December 6th, 2010
10:59 am
And he’ll actually throw the ball.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:01 am
Good to see “6″ in the hotel lobby. Sans the 6 uni, of course. (Now that would be really interesting, if Bobby Cox was sitting in the hotel lobby in his uniform. Only Tommy Lasorda would every consider doing something like that.)
JoeBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
How can someone be a journalist and so many typos in their article?!
Great story, though. I really hope Jordan can come back and be the player he was in 2009 ST.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
To all Atlanta fans. don’t give up on shafer, i have a feeling he will be a big part of our future dynasty world series team. he’ll be the oldest of heyward, freeman, teheran, delgado, vizcaino, kimbrel. all are under 24.
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
Lew,
I agree with you that Schafer would be a huge improvement in the field, but do you think there could be any negative long-term effects on his bat if he isn’t given more time in the minors?
I certainly don’t know the answer, but if it means that we can have a better Schafer starting in 2012 then I’m ok with giving him one more year to develop.
meh
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
good to here that Schafer is getting back on track. Looking forward to seeing him in spring training. Hopefully if Schafer comes on strong it’ll inspire McLouth to get his crap together.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
You guys are right, it is Willingham and Werth. Isnt that crazy how much Werth got when Josh puts up the same numbers? Granted Josh is a little more injury prone, but when the guy plays, he puts up the same numbers.
JoeBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:02 am
DOB, tell Bobby hello from Braves Nation!!
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
11:03 am
Don’t we all expect Chipper to be out beginning of season? Puts Prado at third, correct? That’s how Schafer makes the team.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:04 am
Maybe because it’s a blog and not an article? NO proofreaders and he has better things to do right now caue he’s waiting for news in Orlando? Becaue he wrote the blog on the fly because so many impatient idiots here can’t handle it if they respond on page 40?
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:05 am
off topic, my birthday is this wednesday. i hope frank wren will make my birthday wishes come true by trading kk away, and possibly mclouth.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:05 am
Some rumors floating that the Braves may be interested in an upcoming CF w/ the Brewers named Lorenzo Cain. Don’t know much about him. If anyone knows about this guy feel free to share.
Link to stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cainlo01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker
JoeBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:05 am
Got a lot of pent up anger there, Lew? I didn’t know DOB had a blog body guard!
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
One thing is for sure: it only takes a blog entry from O’Brien to turn the Schafer blog mojo around, LOL. I’ve seen more positive comments on the kid today than I have in the previous 18 months.
MaconBraves (RIP)
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Braves go after Greinke if it involves Jair and a couple of mid level prospects (not an elite prospect). I like Jair, but he would be the younger pitcher I would part with first from those that have contributed so far (i.e. Hanson, Minor, Venters, etc.)
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:07 am
RC – LIke I said, I fully expect him to get time t Gwinnett and not start in CF tilater. They’ve got to give Nate his chance for all the reasons we’ve gone over and over, so likely time in the minors shouldn’t be an issue.
However, knowing he’s there and ready if and when Nate tanks is comforting and even if he is required to move to Atlanta during the season, he will be a big improvement defensively even discounting any offensive help he might bring.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:08 am
hawaii – Would you maybe settle for a cake and some Ben and Jerry’s? Much more realistic expectation.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:09 am
what do you guys think of trading mclouth &venters or oflaherty for ellsbury? red sox needs lhp relivers
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:10 am
MaconBraves – With the rotation we now have and the young pitchers they project into the rotation within the next year or two and all that $$$$ coming off the books in two years, I seriously doubt they will trade for Grienke or tender Jurrjens a long term contract.
JoeBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:11 am
If we trade for Ellsbury, I wouldn’t want to see Venters go.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:11 am
hawaii – I don’t think much of anything worthwhile about it. Ellsbury’s injured and Venters will compete fo closer in ATlanta. No one wants McLouth.
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:12 am
what do you guys think of trading mclouth &venters or oflaherty for ellsbury? red sox needs lhp relivers
If the Braves trade Venters or O’Flaherty, they will need LHP relievers too.
Metro Coach
December 6th, 2010
11:13 am
At this point I’ll take JS sight unseen over McLouth. At least JS will attempt to throw a runner out. I’d take Ankiel back over McLouth.
Reid in EAV
December 6th, 2010
11:13 am
My brother and I were amongst the few saying that as soon as Schafer was truly over that wrist injury, he’d be the Heyward-esque phenom we’d always expected. (We were, and are, voices in the wilderness, but I still believe it.) And Schafe had shown no signs of being truly over it, so his struggles were to be expected. I’m no Dr. James Andrews, but I do know that wrist injuries are amongst the hardest to recover from for ballplayers, particularly when they go undiagnosed and misdiagnosed for as long as his was.
That said, this is the first time he’s actually saying and acting that he’s truly over it. I hope, for our sake, that he’s right.
Yippee Ti-Yi-Yo
December 6th, 2010
11:14 am
Thanks Lew & RC for the info. Maybe the kid can come back. At least he don’t quit trying. Anything to make Braves better is great with me.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:14 am
RC: thats where frank wren comes in and resigns ankiel as our left handed reliever! just kidding. don’t we have decent lh reliever prospects in the minors?
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:16 am
talkingchop suggested a kk for mike gonzalez trade. one bad contract for another.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
I’ve never truly said anything negative about the kid. Besides pulling him when he was struggling mightly.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
Good piece on Schafer DOB.
Pretty eye-opening on the fact that Porter estimated the one year rest required and it has taken him exactly that much time to recover. Yet he tried something before that and it cost him in terms on rep. Lets hope that’s all it cost him and he has a good ST.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Matt Young should get a spot in the MLB roster as a bench player,
Wouldn’t you like to see him take at least a couple of pitches in ST before signing off on that, LOL?
Of course, but he deserves a legitimate shot in ST at the fourth OF’ers job. At 24, JORDAN has time on his side. At 28, YOUNG doesn’t, and that’s why I say it’s now or never for MATT with the BRAVES. He has the goods, but needs to prove it against ML pitching, not just in ST.
And don’t forget 26 year-old JOSE CONSTANZA, and 27 year-old ANTOAN RICHARDSON for that matter, although I don’t think CONSTANZA or RICHARDSON have the goods for ML ball at this point.
Nope, SCHAFER’s got plenty of competition within the organization.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:18 am
disregard that last comment, that trade would be straight up stupid.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
There’s talks of a Colby Rasmus for Grienke trade, that would definitely give the Cards the best rotation in the majors, Wainwright, Carpenter and Grienke as their top 3.
hawaiibravefan
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
DOB, any idea on who the bench players frank wren may spot?
Lew
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
Hawaii – It doesn’t matter if wr have LH prospects in the minors or not. The bullpen is a major strength for the Braves. You don’t trade your strength (especially after already trading our available LHRP, MIke Dunn) for a “Hope he’s all right” player like Ellsbury, who you might not even need because of players already in your organization.
The Kid just missed an entire season with broken ribs -0 twice – with underlying, undiagnosed and ignored soft tissue damage. You would have to hope he could come back and do what he did for one whole season (no track record).
I live in the middle of the Red Sox Natiopn and they’re concerned about his health in Boston. Why would someone trade for what could end up a serious problem and trade their strengths to do it?
They wouldn’t.
And besides, a healthy Schafer would totally negate needing another CF like Ellsbury (injuries aside).
Supes
December 6th, 2010
11:20 am
Great read on Schafer…I really think if given a chance he can show he’s not “finished”…but we’ve gotta see him tear up spring training again like he did 2 years ago.
I do think the Braves should have interest in Greinke…or at least be in the “hunt” b/c you never know when a “match” with trade pieces fits…if the leading team (whoever that is) and the Royals can’t agree maybe the Braves can come in and make a deal…Wren is an aggressive GM who won’t miss a chance to pick up a guy like that (guy is a proven ace)…and the Royals / Braves are familiar with each other due to Dayton Moore’s past.
I’m still shocked that the Nats way overpaid for Werth…
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:22 am
Astros have put Jeff Keppinger on the market. Atlanta area native, can play 2b/SS/3b, good batting average guy, set to make about $2 million in arbitration. Seems like a nice fit if the Braves have room in the payroll for him (which could depend on moving KK).
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:23 am
Just added a Schafer poll to the blog
Tomas
December 6th, 2010
11:24 am
I saw Lorenzo Cain play, good player was the impression I got. Right handed, has pop, good defensive CF, and great speed.
Now what I saw was a limited sample I don’t know how pitchers are going to adjust. And I don’t the Brewers trading him, because Chris Dickerson and Carlos Gomez both suck big time, but if they do it needs to be a valuable pitching prospect.
Bawlmer Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:24 am
Hmmm . . . Mike Gonzalez for KK, straight up?? Has potential. I’d have to think about it more, but first glance makes me want to ponder instead of laughing Andy MacPhail out of the building. (I’m not suggesting that Andy brought it up).
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:06 am
One thing is for sure: it only takes a blog entry from O’Brien to turn the Schafer blog mojo around, LOL. I’ve seen more positive comments on the kid today than I have in the previous 18 months.
Right as rain. I’m with MikeFl: Seein’ is belivin’.
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB do you see any circumstance(besides injury or trade) in which Schafer is the starting CF and not McLouth? Let’s say Schafer wows everyone again in ST and McLouth is so so. Does McLouth’s millions guarantee him the starting spot no matter how he performs?
Bawlmer Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB, how about another option for the poll, “When Chipper goes down and Prado is needed FT at 3B”?
Cosmos
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
Good story on Schafer, I was wondering what happend to him. He is working hard and seems to have a more humble attitude now. I’m pulling hard for him to come through in a big way. Braves could certainly use a center fielder.
RC
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Wow, just did a comparison on Keppinger and Infante…they are REALLY similar. If the asking price isn’t too high and we can afford the salary he’s definitely worth looking into.
http://www.fangraphs.com/comparison.aspx?playerid=3856&playerid2=1609&playerid3=&position=2B/SS&page=8&type=full
LoveBraves-n-Clash
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
Played the Clash song and got confused about the lyrics. That song is actually titled “Complete Control” and comes right after “Remote Control” on the album. Apparently they referred to putting Remote Control on the record, don’t know the whole story, but Complete Control is great!
Biff Pocaroba
December 6th, 2010
11:28 am
I would take Blanco over all three of them!
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:29 am
if the leading team (whoever that is) and the Royals can’t agree maybe the Braves can come in and make a deal
The reason some unspecified leading team wouldn’t be able to consummate a deal is the huge ask that the Royals are bound to make. Greinke is under club control for two years at a more-than-reasonable price for performance. Word is that the Royals want two pitchers back, and they surely would ask for Hanson and Teheran from the Braves. Taking less than that wouldn’t make sense for the Royals, regardless of what Braves’ fans would think of it.:-)
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:30 am
Pretty easy to call him up if Nate gets off to a slow start. If Nate can play and Schafer proves to be ready it would be a lot easier to trade Schafer. _ DawgDad
If Schafer is healthy and proves he can play I’m sure he would be easy to trade. A young guy with speed, power and a good arm, making the major league minimum v a leprechaun with no arm making several million. See what Schafer can do, if he proves himself play out the string with Nate one way or the other,playing or sitting. If Nate plays okay you can trade him later in the season or keep him, buy out his option and say, hasta la vista baby.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
11:30 am
I agree having Schafer in center would be an improvement. He covers a lot more ground than McLouth and being a lefty should be able to cover the left-center gap better than Nate also, which could be very important as Prado gets used to playing left. And for those that don’t remember spring training games in 2009, Schafer has an absolute cannon attached to his left side.
My ideal situation would be for him to win the starting job and hit leadoff, putting Prado back in his more natural 2-spot and Heyward in the 3 hole before Uggla, McCann and Chipper.
We’ll see, but I think centerfield will turn out better than most think.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:31 am
Thanx for the ‘no idea’ option in the poll, DOB. That’s where I stand.
jmart
December 6th, 2010
11:33 am
DOB:
You are the best. Thanks for giving us regular updates through the off season. I doubt any other mid market team has a reporter feeding fans information like you do.
Blogs like this give us more insight into what is really going on behind the scenes. CF options of McClouth, Young and now Schafer help me understand that CF may not be the problem I had thought.
In reality McCloth could come back to his 2008 form, Matt Young could prove to be a good major leaguer or Schafer could be the comeback player of the year. Between the three of them I’ll take the odds that one of them performs well in CF this year.
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:36 am
“I agree having Schafer in center would be an improvement. He covers a lot more ground than McLouth” dpelfrey
Not to mention that Schafer will at least attempt a throw home where McLouth just eats the ball every time.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:36 am
TexasBrave
December 6th, 2010
11:27 am
DOB do you see any circumstance(besides injury or trade) in which Schafer is the starting CF and not McLouth? Let’s say Schafer wows everyone again in ST and McLouth is so so. Does McLouth’s millions guarantee him the starting spot no matter how he performs?
For what it’s worth TEX (and that’s a lot- 7 millions) I think so. How long a rope McLOUTH gets is the question unless he has a career year of course. In which case, we have a stay of execution.
beachcomber
December 6th, 2010
11:37 am
Lew – Good to see your posts and, as usual right on. AJC can hire typists for 8-10 bucks an hour,
justin1
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
Yep, Ill believe it when I see it. At this point in time id rather see the Braves trade for Lorenzo Cain now that hes been made available. Talk about a player with a HUGE upside!
Jordan Schafer is undoubtably a very good baseball player, but at some point, we just have to move forward. Keep him in AA until he proves he can handle the next level. Just like any other minor leaguer.
If it works out, great. If not, we’ll have Cain as our potential leadoff man CF’er.
I do believe, however, that Frank is just about done this offseason.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
How about that Berkman signing, guess I can’t talk about the Braves signing this offseason. You think we could work out a trade with St. Louis for him?
LongtimeBravesfan
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
So far this offseason Wren has made 3 deals for players that other teams were willing to unload for nothing (Mather) or cheap (Uggla and Linebrink). Perhaps Keppinger will be the 4th. He has played 2nd, 3rd, SS and even a little OF in the majors, but I wonder how good a fielder he is. He has a good bat for a untility guy.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:41 am
LoveBraves-n-Clash: Thanks, I didn’t even realize I’d typed “Remote Control.”
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:42 am
Lorenzo Cain isn’t any huge upgrade, basically just a filler for our minors.
McFann O O
December 6th, 2010
11:43 am
Bobby!
That’s fun, DOB!
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:43 am
braveslifer
December 6th, 2010
10:17 am
I’m hoping that KK is traded by the conclusion of the Winter Meetings.
I’m sure EVERYBODY within the BRAVES org hopes so as well. And I do mean everybody. BTW, has KK bothered to work on his delivery problems this fall, or is he stuck in that hot car with a heavy date? America……..gotta’ love it.
some sense
December 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Someone please show this guy how to weart a ball cap.
Hal J
December 6th, 2010
11:44 am
Trading for Zack Grienke could be compared to trading for a young Greg Maddux. The guy can pitch, and he thinks… maybe a little too much, but he’s learning and he’s young. He improves any pitching staff he’s on, a lot, for a lot of years to come.
Talk of Heyward, Prado, McLouth and Schafer as fourth outfielder — where’s Joe Mather? Fifth outfielder? And Eric Hinske is an infielder? Matt Young has to work hard to beat out somebody. And does the kid from NC who did well in Arizona get a taste this spring?
Outfield depth may be coming along, but who backs up Alex Gonzalez, Dan Uggla, and Chipper Jones?
Boonie
December 6th, 2010
11:46 am
RC I also think Keppinger would be the perfect choice to step in and fill the void left by the departure of Infante. He’s from the Atlanta area so I’m sure he would welcome the idea as well. DOB have you heard anything about Wren being interested in him?
Tyler
December 6th, 2010
11:46 am
DOB,
After speaking with Shafer and writing this great blog…where would YOU vote Shafer at on your poll?
I saw him last year (live close to Gwinnett Stadium) at Moe’s and didn’t think he was too big. Was really suprised on how small he was. Good to hear he’s added some weight and sounds focused.
I hope he live up to the 09 hype that surrounded him. We would certainly have a home grown dynamic OF if he surpasses Nate on the depth chart in CF.
Things are looking good.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:47 am
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
11:40 am
How about that Berkman signing, guess I can’t talk about the Braves signing this offseason. You think we could work out a trade with St. Louis for him?
NO!
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:48 am
Ark. Trans.
Cain seems to be an up and coming player with good upside. Everyone keeps raving to get a good, young, controllable OF. This guy fits the bill. Listed to have a career OBP in the minors over .400. In 30+ games in the MLB last year he posted a batting avg. over .300 and an OBP near .350. Plus an OPS of .750+ which is good for a young speedster. Wouldn’t be a bad pickup depending on the asking price. Plus hes RH and only 24. We don’t have a lot of guys like that in farm system.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:51 am
Someone please show this guy how to weart a ball cap. — some sense
OK. If you’ll first show us how to weart one.
(smile)
Poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:52 am
Agree with richbraves on giving Young a chance. “No idea” in poll also got my vote.
Thanks P”Cola for link on Lorenze Cain. The kids from Valdosta, Ga and a very good player. Yes, I would like to see him in Atlanta like Justin 1 said @ 11:40.
Still would love to have Bill Hall.
TommyP
December 6th, 2010
11:54 am
I would imagine Milwaukee would want Minor for Cain. They are desperate for pitching and need pitching that is ML ready.
I read a lot of favorable stuff about Cain last year.
wide right
December 6th, 2010
11:55 am
DOB. I really appreciate anfd enjoyed the update on Schafer. I am pulling for this kid. “Remote Control” is also my favorite Clash song, despite the fact that i had only understood about half the lyrics until now. Its the opening track on an underrated live Clash album – From Here to Eternity – great version of the song.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
And does the kid from NC who did well in Arizona get a taste this spring?
CORY HARRILCHAK? He’s a comin’.
NATE McLOUTH
BILL MATHER
JORDAN SCHAFER
MATT YOUNG
JOSE CONSTANZA
Gott’a believe one of those four gets the job after NATE-dog, rather than a trade for a OF if nothing shows at the meetings going on right now. Of course, ‘THE BEAV’ is the vet probably with the best chance of filling in due to his versatility and ML experience.
And we probably can’t go with five OF’ers due to the SS back-up situation. But there might be a trade of CANIZARES, and YOUNG to a AL team for another IF rather than relying on HERNANDEZ or TIMMONS.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
30+ games in the MLB last year he posted a batting avg. over .300 and an OBP near .350. Plus an OPS of .750+ which is good for a young speedster.
Wait. Are you saying he slugged .300 in those 30+?
DAP
December 6th, 2010
11:56 am
tomas I saw Lorenzo Cain play, good player was the impression I got. Right handed, has pop, good defensive CF, and great speed.
maybe you saw him hit a homer or a double, he doesnt really have pop. hes hit 31 homers in 6 minor league seasons. looks like a high average, high OBP, nominal power guy with good speed to me.
collegeballfan
December 6th, 2010
11:57 am
The Schafer report was a damn fine piece of reporting Dave.
If, if, if, he could get back to his former ability it would add so much to the Braves.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
11:57 am
I have seen a couple of comments about Keppinger being from the Atl area and wonder what that has to do with acquiring him. Its really not up to him where he gets traded. He is in his arb years and so Houston has to decided where they get the best return and Keppinger will have to pack his bags and go there. No choice.
steve
December 6th, 2010
11:58 am
I hope Jordan and Nate both have good come-backs as it would be a big boost to the team, Jordan is young enough and with the hard work he is putting in I would not bet against him .
Poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:59 am
Dodger interested in Diaz..good luck matt.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:00 pm
Scoots
Slugged .415. Your math is a little off. I didn’t post the exact numbers but his slug was what I listed above and OBP of .348. Hes a speed guy. 7/8 in SB. Hear is his career minor league numbers.
.291/ .366/ .416/ .781
DAP
December 6th, 2010
12:01 pm
scoots, cain minor league slg% is .416. good enough if you are a high OBP good defensive CF.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:01 pm
Keppinger is a U of Georgia boy, isn’t he? He’d be great as the back-up infielder and can play about every position on IF. Don’t know his salary, but he could be a bit expensive for Braves as b-u???
J-Man
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
Hope he hits the juice…….. But seriously, He made McOut look like jackie Robinson. He ain’t got what it takes for the big leagues , hell he didn’t have what it takes for Double A. Have you see his minor league stats. Explain to me how you can ignore that?
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
lollygagger
Hes a arb guy in his 2nd year. His salary expected to be just over 2 mil
Murph
December 6th, 2010
12:06 pm
McLouth starting should be a last resort type thing. The kind of last resort where half the team dies in a tragic blimp accident and you have to choose between fielding a team and just forfeiting the game… and even then you pause and wonder if it’s better to just forfeit than to run McLouth out there knowing full well he will do something retarded and embarrass the entire city. In the end you give him a start because forfeiting means you have to go home and watch Friends reruns on TBS all night and, we all know, a bad night at the ballpark beats a good night watching TBS 100% of the time.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
12:12 pm
J-Man, who are you referring to?
MWK
December 6th, 2010
12:13 pm
Dave, I’m taking my family to disney this thursday thru sunday and are staying at the dolphin. Will everyone be gone thursday, or will ya’ll still be around?
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:17 pm
$2 million for Keppinger… Braves could do that couldn’t they? He’d be even more insurance for Chipper at 3B, and in fact could probably fill that spot if needed and let Prado stay in LF when Chips needs rest/gets hurt. If they trade KK and save $1 or $2 million, there’s the money for Keps right there. Sounds like Schafer could be option for CF b-u, so all Braves have left to do is find b-u IF. I’m really coming around on Keppinger (well, assuming the trade chips required wouldn’t be more than middle-tier prospects.)
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
12:19 pm
Keppinger would be nice option for BU INF. All depends on asking price
wow
December 6th, 2010
12:20 pm
I’ve a chance to see schafer the last few years in ST and has surprised me with his skills. In 09 i believe he was the best player the grapefruit league granted it was just 25 games but this kid had game breaking abilities and showed them everyday during camp. Last year i had a chance to watch him and something was just not there—not sure what it was but i always root for the guy that shows up early to work-works and then locks the doors when he leaves.
The Grinch
December 6th, 2010
12:25 pm
Murph, your 12:06 is spot on. I’m as big a Frank Wren supporter as anyone on this blog but I think Nate McLouth may well be the worst CF I’ve ever seen in my life. He is just spectacularly awful. For those of you saying it’s the blog that rekindled interest in Schafer, think again. It was barely missing the playoffs last year and having to watch that poor, miserable man (Nate) be the Braves equivalent of Charlie Brown at the plate and in the field. We’re all desperate for ANY sign that there might be an alternative of ANY kind.
Someone knew something that Lew didn’t? I hope that moment was recorded for posterity, as was David’s using a smile at the bottom of an insult (something he used to chastise me for).
59bulldawg
December 6th, 2010
12:25 pm
Great news regarding Jordan. I’m pulling for the young man and bet he makes it back to the bigs! Good luck son!
Piedmont Blues
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
I see an open audition for CF next year. McLouth may have the inside track, but with a new manager in the dugout, Fredi has the luxury of giving everyone in the organization a fresh look. The best case might be if Nate plays decently while some combination of Schaefer/Young/Constanza is lights out. Under those circumstances, the Braves might be able to move Nate to another club during the season (even if they have to eat some of the money owed him).
As for the speculation on Lorenzo Cain, he sounds to me like a RH version of Gregor Blanco. Serviceable 4th OF, maybe an OK starter. And the pitcher the Braves could dangle is Beachy.
Still, I’d prefer to see a deal like that happen in the spring, after the Braves have taken a good look at the CF prospects inside the organization.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
Can’t picture Matt Diaz in Dodger blue… just doesn’t seem fitting. However, better to get him out of division rather than go to Phillies or Nats. Speaking of Nats- with signing of Werth- would that make Mike Morse available? He could be a decent project- seems to have good power potential. 15 homers in about 250 at-bats.
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
12:28 pm
Great piece, DOB. Schafer just might be that player that put the Braves in the world series. The kid can be so good, it’s just amazing. I remember seeing him 2 years ago at a couple spring training games in Jupiter against the Cards and Marlins. Crushed the ball, ran like a deer, and was the best defensive player on the field. He made a catch right in front of me, came out of nowhere, that is still burned in my brain. What an asset he may become.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
12:29 pm
Keppinger seems like a good option. Don’t know if Wren has $2 mil in the budget, of course.
His defensive stats aren’t great. I took the time to the read the “UZR Primer” at fangraphs (there’s 15 minutes of life I’ll never see again), and even the authors conclude that UZR is practically meaningless. Here’s an excerpt:
. . . a player’s UZR, be it one year, one month or 5 years, is not necessarily what happened on the field and is not necessarily that player’s true talent level over that period of time either.
So, I figure Keppinger’s been good enough in the field that he’s been trusted to play there for 3700 major league innings, including 1400 at shortstop; and while his bat is acceptable, it’s not so good that he’d get P.T. if he was kicking the ball all over the field.
Go get him, Frank.
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
12:29 pm
I remember the day late in spring training 2009 when the news that Schafer had been named the starting centerfielder buzzed through the crowd. In the late innings, he was standing up on the fence during the game, so I started saying “Hey, starting outfield.” It took me about 3 times before he turned around with a big smile and waved.
Poor guy, that’s about as good as it got for him that season. Gotta hand it to him (yuk, yuk), he’s persevered through some awfully disappointing setbacks. Good luck to him at ST this year. It would be great for us and for him to fulfill his potential, and to have a productive 2011 season out on the field with Heyward and Hanson.
It’s a hard tightrope to walk – keep your injury hidden ’cause you want to play, or report the injury and take yourself out of play. Too bad it cost him 2 years, but sounds like he’s healthy and raring to go now. Thanks for the in-depth report, DOB.
SF Braves Fan
December 6th, 2010
12:30 pm
I wish Schafer the best, not least because I have 0 confidence in Nate McLouth, and I think the more options we have in center field the better. That said, I have NEVER understood why players try and hide their injuries when they are hurting, and it seems to be the hight of stupidity to me. No matter how macho you are, common sense should tell you that when you keep playing while injured, you are probably going to aggravate your injury and/or play very badly, putting up poor numbers and lowering your own value as a player in the eyes of your coaches and fans (and Rookie of the Year voters– I’m looking at you, Heyward). The fact that Heyward and Schafer both did it in the space of 2 years might be a coincidence, but the Braves organization should really try and drum this idea into the heads of their prospects.
MObravesfan
December 6th, 2010
12:32 pm
Good article DOB. I think Schafer is the real deal. He has made some mistakes, but I think we all will be happy with the Braves organizations patience with him. Hamilton made mistakes too, but given second chances is now the MVP of the American League. I am not saying that Schafer can match that, but it is obvious he has a lot of talent.
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
12:37 pm
Schafer and Prado rehabbing together should get them comfortable with each other, kinda into mental sync, a good thing to have when roaming the outfield together.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
12:38 pm
Co-sign on with all the Schafer love in posts above. I really like the kid- seems to WANT to play all the time, even when hurt. And he wouldn’t rat out his friends in the HGH probe… shows me he’s loyal and is not just looking out for himself- cares about friends (and teammates). Best case scenario for me would be McLouth rebounds as everyday starter, and Schafer earns 4th OF spot in spring and has good enough year where he’ll be penciled into CF spot for 2012 season and many more beyond. Yeah, he’s a crap shoot right now… but I like the kid and think he’ll regain his form.
jimmymack
December 6th, 2010
12:39 pm
good luck we need all your tool’s
Melky
December 6th, 2010
12:41 pm
Honestly, Schafer hadn’t crossed my mind as competing for the 4th OF spot, or potentially the CF spot. That is crazy how he has slipped out of my mind. Hopefully he can regain some form and be what he was projected to be, we could certainly use it.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
12:42 pm
A Grinch sighting. Damn.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
12:48 pm
Your math is a little off.
Yeah, I can drop a hundred points off a slash stat in a heartbeat, LOL. Too much complex math killed the synapses that handle simple addition.
BravePack
December 6th, 2010
12:50 pm
DOB
I read on your buddy Bowman’s last 2 blogs that Wren’s two issues going to the winter meetings were obviously trying to trade Kawakami and he says extending Uggla. Haven’t really read anything about the Uggla extension from you as far as on the Winter meetings agenda. Any insight?
MattyRoss
December 6th, 2010
12:51 pm
DOB, what’s Bobby’s reception like in the lobby? Lot of reporters coming up with well wishes and backslaps or is it more hushed reverence? Just curious.
Bartman n Orl
December 6th, 2010
12:51 pm
I don’t think Chipper needs to keep his 3rd spot in the order anymore. This is how I’d like to see the order pan out. I do like McClouth still but he will one of those guys who will need a change of scenery to get better. The thing is, the only way somebody trades for him is if he starts playing like did before ATL. Then you’d like to keep him to play left while Chipper is DLed…wow Vicious cycle.
Schafer
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
McCann
Jones
Freeman
Gonzalez
DAP
December 6th, 2010
12:52 pm
MikeFL Don’t know if Wren has $2 mil in the budget, of course.
he probably does, since he got $3.5mil back with linebrink. still dont know for sure, though. might could aim for going with what theyve got now with a chance to improve at the all-star break if its needed. never a bad idea to keep a few mil on hand for that.
John OTC
December 6th, 2010
12:52 pm
Nice article.
I’m still very worried about our lack of viable CF options. We have too many “if’s” for my taste. IF Chipper is healthy then MP can play LF. IF JS can play CF we have a little depth (with one game ML time while healthy).
IF John OTC can learn to throw a ball at 100 MPH with movement I wouldn’t be typing this from my desk at work…
N8
December 6th, 2010
12:53 pm
As a Braves fan, how can you NOT root for Schafer to return to form and eventually take CF over?
I understand if you don’t have confidence that he can. It’s a mystery. But no harm whatsoever can come out of letting him fight for that job in ST, regardless of Nate’s contract.
Combined (Nate and Schafer) they will barely clear 7 million dollars. So does it really matter who is the starter or the 4th outfielder? I hope that if Schafer is the best man for the job with a good spring showing, Fredi will start the guy that gives the team the best chance to win, not the guy with the biggest contract.
On a side note… could the Braves have hand-picked a better workout partner to be around Schafer for the next few weeks until ST starts? Having Prado around the kid on a daily basis is huge.
Who knows? When all is said and done, maybe Schafer being around Prado with some one on one time will be the best thing for his career. Meaning that Prado’s injury while devistating to the playoffs last year, might reep years of benefit for the team moving forward.
Only other guy that I could think of that I’d rather have hanging with him is Chipper. And I think if given the choice I might still choose Prado, because Prado had to fight and claw to earn a starting job in the big leagues. With what Schafer has gone through, I think Prado is the perfect mentor for him until full squad workouts begin. Not to mention, Schafer can probably return the favor and help Prado on his outfield work.
Like I said. Match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned if Schafer is still a part of the future for the Braves.
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
I like Schafer and I’m glad the Braves didn’t give up on him. I think we’ll start out pretty slow though. It will be 2 years since he hit live pitching while 100% healthly. It will take some time getting back (most of the bloggers here will right him off). Hopefully all we’ll need is 5 or 6 weeks at Gwinnett then he replace McLouth after he flunks out.
N8
December 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
I forgot to add that a healthy Schafer is also really good for Nate to have around as well. I’m a firm believer in competition when a guy isn’t the “given” choice at a position (like Heyward in RF for example).
Even if Schafer doesn’t win the job, if he’s playing well, it should push Nate a bit. Which is nothing but good.
If they both suck….. well. We’ve got a problem then.
stachemoney22
December 6th, 2010
12:57 pm
At least schafer will throw the ball in CF (mcOUT) . In fact, schafer has a cannon arm. Hopefully, fredi has a shorter leash with mcOUT than bobby would have.
bring back blauser
December 6th, 2010
12:58 pm
remember when everyone was saying get rasmus get ellsbury they all said i was crazy when i said the answer was here all along
jordan schafer
Murph
December 6th, 2010
1:01 pm
If they both suck we’ve got Young who is showing he wants to a part of any OF position battle… I’m honestly not all that worried about CF for some reason. I guess it’s because after McLouth/Ankiel/Melky I view pretty much anything as an upgrade.
With so many candidates I have to believe that someone will earn the position rather than getting it by default. We’ll see come March.
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:02 pm
N8-
I don’t want Chipper hanging w/ anyone that needs to stay focused during the offseason…
If Jordan were hanging w/ Chipper, all he’d be doing is eating a whole lot of deer and shooting a whole lot of deer…
He’d learn more about climbing into deer stands than a batters box…
And more about timing bow shots than timing pitchers deliveries to home plate…
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:02 pm
If Schafer is not the starting CF on opening day he needs to be at Gwinnett not sitting on the bench.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
1:04 pm
I need your address bring back blauser, so I can send you this gold star. I mean, you went way out on a limb with that one. Nobody had ever heard of Schafer before a few days ago. LOL. Mostly just kidding with ya man… but for the record, I have been a Schafer supporter/promoter for 3 years- and there have been at least a handful of bloggers still on the Schafer love train. They just get drowned out by all the haters- the same haters who are now probably primed to hop aboard any minute now and act like they’ve always been there.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
1:06 pm
He’d learn more about climbing into deer stands than a batters box…
Hey, if getting involved with Buck Commander can get Schafer to hit .330, I’d buy his rifle my own self, LOL.
BravoMan
December 6th, 2010
1:10 pm
Lorenzo Cain. Brewers CF being looked into by Wren. Could provide much needed insurance for McLouth in CF
Bobby Hill
December 6th, 2010
1:10 pm
The Braves have so much money invested in McLouth that they almost have to give him every opportunity to produced, hoping they can get some kind of return on their investment. It would really help the Braves out if Schafer was ready to produce at teh big league level, but Schafer has played so little baseball over the past three years that there is simply no way to predict what this kid could do over the course of a full season. Has Schafer ever had more than 300 AB’s in any year? Has he ever hit well for more than a few weeks at a time? We saw six solid weeks from Troy Glaus last year, and we saw KJ hit well for a few weeks at a time.
Still, its hard to picture a player contributing less than McLouth did for most of last year. If Schafer is healthy and playing solid defense in CF that could be an improvement.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:11 pm
It will just be a matter of time before Prado will be the full-time third baseman if that’s the way the Braves want to go. Might be smarter to bring in a younger guy that will eventually be your left fielder. Is Prado good enough defensively to handle the job at third or should someone like Kepplinger be brought in to take over for Chipper for the future? No chance that McLouth is with the Braves beyond 2011. Braves will have two outfield spots to fill if Chipper goes down and Prado takes his place.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
1:12 pm
The thing I look at in this situation is upside. If Nate comes back and plays well, he can be a decent player. If Jordan taps into that potential he flashed at the beginning of 2009, he could be a dynamic player…and handle the leadoff spot.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
1:15 pm
Instead of hanging with Schafer I’d rather see Chipper hanging with McLouth. Take him out deer hunting… cover him in some deer scent… put some antlers on top of his head and tell him it’s camouflage… then leave him in a field and let the deer take care of the rest.
No more McLouth problems, and the team can focus on moving forward with Schafer or Young.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
1:15 pm
Travis, I’m all for bringing in Ludwig Kepplinger, but it might be a bad PR move.
chris
December 6th, 2010
1:18 pm
brewers want a starting pitcher for lorenzo cain…thats crazy
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
1:20 pm
MattE in LA? I suppose I could live with that
Nova Scotia Steve
December 6th, 2010
1:21 pm
I’m going to guess Beachy or Minor for Cain…Just a thought….I’d do it…Could be CF of the future for Los Bravos.
Plus we have a surplus of prospect pitching – and I’d be very surprised if they all pan out the way some Braves fans think they are about to…
yogi2
December 6th, 2010
1:25 pm
Jordan Schafer has had one good year in A-ball, Rome Ga. and he was Juiced then. He is not a major league player. He was a joke at Gwinnett. He was a joke at Misssissippi and he has never been woth a dime . He is built up by media idiots. The Braves have several outfielders in the minors that are a lot better. Check it out!
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
1:26 pm
we need a CF that can play at MLB level in 2011… not a few years in the future. Cain doesn’t solve anything for Braves. No way I’d trade good pitching prospects for that Cain kid when we still haven’t seen what Schafer can/will do.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:28 pm
The Braves potentially already have a Cain type player in Schaefer. The key word for both these guys “potentially”. Might be too early to pull the trigger on a deal like that without giving Jordan a chance. Rather have Chippers replacemnt in camp. Don’t know if this Kepplinger guy is him.
Josh Smith For 3
December 6th, 2010
1:29 pm
I don’t think any of us expect Schafer to return and just fit right into the lineup. He’ll need time to adjust to the game at full speed again, but once he does I don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to tear it up like he did before his injury. The dude is a physical specimen and showed all the tools to be a solid player, so he’s got my second-chance vote.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
yogi2…Thats why the Braves said he was the best player in ST in 2009 before he got hurt. The media guys ran out there and helped him be good. Gimme a break.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
yogi2…that was a thoughtful post. Show me two outfielders in our system with more talent than Schafer.
And DOB wasn’t joking, for that spring training and first week of the 2009 season, he was one of if not the best player on the team.
reagan
December 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
Lollygagger…………….Know that Morse played right field AND some first base for the Nats last year. Guy looks like a ballplayer to me. Wouldn’t mind having him with the Braves.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
Still, its hard to picture a player contributing less than McLouth did for most of last year.
Good thing it isn’t last year, anymore.
Seriously, lots of folks ignore the fact that players change…during the year, during the offseason, shoot, almost all the time. They get stronger or weaker, they build good or lose bad muscle memory, they mature physically or mentally, all sorts of things. I mean, if you think McLouth has lost every ounce of ML skill at age 28, then you’re right to worry, LOL. Otherwise, you have to believe that the probability that he will return to his norms is higher than that of a crash-and-burn.
Me, personally, I have no idea. I don’t know if he’ll have an epiphany working in the cage this offseason, or if he’ll wander in the wilderness pursuing his swing. And even if he’s better, will he be good enough? Don’t know.
I do know that almost no player has the same type of year back-to-back, because performance is more of a sine wave than a moving average. Thus, I continue to think Nate will rebound, until he shows he can’t. Just have to get the mote of last year out of your eye to see the possibility.
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:33 pm
Why not get Cain if for nothing else than to put alongside Schafer and Heyward?
We have NOTHING in the system in the OF of worth in the lower levels that I know of, and what was supposed to be one of our bright future guys, well, he just got shipped to the Yankees for some Sbarro pizza.
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:36 pm
^^ and by that, I mean at a future date (obviously)
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
1:37 pm
Jordan Schafer has had one good year in A-ball, Rome Ga. and he was Juiced then
Have you seen Schafer?
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:39 pm
ncscoots…Well said. It looks like Nate has lost his confidence. How bad do you think this guy felt when he had to tuck his tail between his legs and ride a bus to minor league games with guys that may never make it? When Nate hit that game winning home run and the team left the dugout, you could tell he was ecstatic. His performance was embarassing last year. Who do you think it bothered more?
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:39 pm
BTW great blog BOB…perhaps you can do one on Heyward’s off season workout routine?
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
1:39 pm
The Pirates and the A’s are possible destinations for Kawakami. Pirates have money to spend (for once), and need a starter.
He might be a good one-year fit for Oakland, too.
Whichever team trades for him, one of those or another, I’m guessing Braves eat at least $4 mill of deal.
BravoMan
December 6th, 2010
1:39 pm
Cain is obviously much closer than that of Schafer to the big leagues. We could lose half the line-up next year if Chipper retires, Uggla, Gonzalez, and McLouth hit FA so it would be nice to fill some holes now. Prado’s versatility is always value, but if we have a speedy capable OF in Cain it would add some much needed depth to the OF.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
1:42 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending Nate at all for his performance. Don’t think he is doing it on purpose…If he has a bad year this year, he is done in MLB.
DAP
December 6th, 2010
1:44 pm
heres a sad story…a high school catcher playing for the Braves dies after getting hit in the chest with a pitch.
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/new_jersey/teen-dies-after-getting-hit-by-baseball-20101206-lgf
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
1:44 pm
What’s tragic to me is that McLouth will only get chance after chance after chance to have that CF job because of his salary. Bucha BS because at least Schafer can run em down and has a cannon for an arm.
Nats are stupid. $18 M a year for the next seven for that fugly fool? OMG are they dumb!
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:44 pm
Bravo-
How do you figure?
Schafer has actually playd significant time IN the big leagues…
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
1:44 pm
A few teams have both Diaz and Francoeur on their list of possibilities, including Yankees and Phillies. It sounds as if Diaz is getting interest from at least three or four teams.
rrosson3
December 6th, 2010
1:45 pm
I really want Schafer to be back. I cant remember how many times I yell at McLouth for not throwing the ball. Just would hate to see the Braves pay 7+ mill for a back up outfielder. Course we did pay KK 6 mill last year to sit on the bench.
The A Bomb
December 6th, 2010
1:45 pm
Well… if Kawakami goes to Oakland it’s on the Pacific Rim (sort of)….. and if he does well Beane can swing him around in a deal in July.
If Kawakami goes to Pittsburgh I guess they can begin counting Splashdown hits into the Monongahela River. Or the Ohio. Or the Allegheny.
Just pull the trigger Frank.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
1:45 pm
We could lose half the line-up next year if Chipper retires, Uggla, Gonzalez, and McLouth hit FA so it would be nice to fill some holes now.
In that scenario, I doubt a light-hitting OF would be of much use filling the holes. The team would be back to trying to find corner offense from an OF, and certainly a guy such as Cain wouldn’t fill that bill.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
1:47 pm
I won’t give up more than Hoover for Cain. Cain has absolutely no power and very limit ML experience. I’d just assume to stay away from giving up too much there.
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
1:47 pm
Werth would have to put up his ‘09 season numbers for the next seven years straight for that contract to be worth it in my eyes. That’s not including his defense needs to continue to be top notch for the seven years. Do those GM’s just not think about this stuff in the long run?
Russell Bell
December 6th, 2010
1:48 pm
If that’s what it takes to move KK, then done and done.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
1:48 pm
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=4016583
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=4044797
He could play before the injury, I don’t think anyone can really question that.
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
1:48 pm
Pirates just signed Scott Olsen. They might not need that starter anymore.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
1:49 pm
Good news, DOB. Sounding like Braves might actually be able to save more money on KK than some thought originally. If we can “save” $2 million on him, there’s the money for b-u IF right there. Good news indeed.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
1:49 pm
Pirates just signed Scott Olsen. Do they need two starters? Yep, I think they need about 5
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
1:51 pm
KK had to have ticked off some people. I say that because everybody knows Bobby will give a guy chance after chance and if that doesn’t work then he’ll give him a couple more tries. In KK’s case it seemed like even Cox pulled the trigger and his his carcus in that pen for half the year. I think it’s possible they didn’t care for his work ethic. Maybe even disgusted by it.
Sell him like he’s a workaholic Wren.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
1:51 pm
I want to know: Is CAIN, ABLE?
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:53 pm
Gosh Richbrave….thats a good one…
Do you think if we traded for him it would be, A Brave New World?
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
1:53 pm
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
1:49 pm
Pirates just signed Scott Olsen. Do they need two starters? Yep, I think they need about 5
Aw-w-w unbelievable, you’re forgetting my main man CHARLIE MORTON.
BravoMan
December 6th, 2010
1:54 pm
“Schafer has actually playd significant time IN the big leagues…”
And a low of AA since then. Hard to come back after that long and be successful. If he’s healthy he’s got a chance, but I’m making a case for Cain in order to add depth to the OF.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
1:54 pm
P-Town Brave ©
December 6th, 2010
1:53 pm
Gosh Richbrave….thats a good one…
Do you think if we traded for him it would be, A Brave New World?
I’m just hoping somebody doesn’t die.
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:55 pm
Hey… the Pirate’s still have Charlie Morton. LOL
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
1:56 pm
Do those GM’s just not think about this stuff in the long run?
I’m pretty sure that “the long run” is exactly why they were willing to overpay. Even the Nats guys will say publicly that they gave more years and dollars than they would have liked. But setting a head-held-high atmosphere and developing a culture of winning takes more than lip-service.
The Tigers made much the same deal when they corraled Magglio Ordonez a few years ago. Seemed a foolish contract. But it gained cred for the organization when they spoke to other FAs later, and almost certainly helped them sign some guys they might otherwise have lost.
FA is an inefficient way to build an organization, but time has value, too. If signing Werth to this contract allows the org to accelerate their plan by a year or two, then the back end of contract becomes less of an albatross and more of a R-and-D cost.
Besies, who knows what guys will be making in seven years, LOL? $18MM might be a bargain.
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:56 pm
richbrave you beat me to it.
Justafan
December 6th, 2010
1:57 pm
Schafer has yet to prove he’s fit and ready. One report from DOB and “the sky opens and the Lord bless the Braves with Schafer again”. He should earn a spot on the team, fans, not give it to him. I do hope he is ready but its takes more that a sports report. A little time in AAA will not hurt him.
Don’t forget he’s played like 2-3 months in 3 years…gee he really deserves it.
This is not a knock on DOB. I know he is doing his job but he’s not your Pal.
Efrim
December 6th, 2010
1:58 pm
Not a chance I would trade Beachy or Minor for L. Cain. That’s insanity to the highest degree. Kudos to the Brewers if they get either….
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
1:58 pm
The Nats had to over pay because FA’s don’t want to go there, yet.
Brave Hokie
December 6th, 2010
1:59 pm
Jordan Schafer is a farm hand….
Until he performs at the ML level over a series of months, he is a wanta-be to a never was.
I get tired of hearing about dudes like him…
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
2:00 pm
BravoMan,
And what exactly are you proposing we give up in return? I have nothing against acquiring the guy but to give up anything more than some like JJ Hoover would be ridiculous.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
MattyRoss: Cox is very approachable, writers and just about anyone else in the lobby stops to say hello.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
2:02 pm
He should earn a spot on the team, fans, not give it to him. I do hope he is ready but its takes more that a sports report.
At what point during the actual blog or subsequent comments did you conclude that Schafer is going to be given a ML spot simply becasue he deserves it. Everybody keeps saying that he will need to perform in ST and more for him to get a shot again. If you have a problem with Schafer that’s fine, but stop putting words in other people’s mouth.
Matt
December 6th, 2010
2:03 pm
Lollygager,
Cain was alreayd playing at the MLB level last year for the Brewers and was pretty productive. What are you talking about a few years down the road? Are you sending him down? Watch a game before you comment.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
2:03 pm
So what exactly is Cox’s role in these meetings? Does he give input on team building or is it more of a greet and meet role for him now.
loafer
December 6th, 2010
2:05 pm
Does anyone know what the Braves are doing with (gulp)…..Conrad??
Murph
December 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
Jordan Schafer is a farm hand….
I understand where you’re coming from… he hasn’t done anything other than that first week.
I do think you have to take into account his ST performance and how he played that first week before he got hurt. He was more than anybody could have hoped for.
McLouth, on the other hand, has been the exact opposite of what the Braves hoped for. About as horrible as a guy could be without being named Melky.
If I were the one making the decisions I’d give McLouth the opportunity to prove himself during ST and that’s it. If he can’t hit guys throwing at 75% then he shouldn’t be in the lineup. Let hungry guys like Young and Schafer battle it out.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
loafer: as we’ve written a bunch of times, the Braves are bringing Conrad back with a chance to compete for a job in spring training, same as last year.
bostonbravo
December 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
hope Schaefer rallies. wouldn’t take a helluva lot to supplant McLouth in my mind.
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
Efrim, the way you broke all that down sounds smart and might very well be correct. Just looking at the surface though and 7 years at $18 M per for a guy in his early 30’s is plain silly any way you want to slice and dice it. Just my opinion.
BravoMan
December 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Arkansas Transplant
Anything more than Hoover would be a shock. This guy is a speed OF, nothing more. I’m not at the Winter Meetings idk what the Brewers want or what the Braves are willing to give up, but as we all know by now Teharen, Delgado, and Minor aren’t going anywhere. That’s what I do know
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Sorry Efrim, I meant that for ncscoots.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
Ozzie is doing his 30-minute session with media. Asked about Werth’s contract, he said, “I wish I was his agent. Or his wife.”
loafer
December 6th, 2010
2:09 pm
thanks DOB. Just been too Falcons focused and must have missed it. I expect that’s code for he doesn’t make it out of spring training. Just guessing.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
Sounds like Matty D wont have a hard time at all finding a job, teams are just lining up for him. Good for him, hope he gets at least 3 million out of it.
Robert
December 6th, 2010
2:10 pm
Conrad gave up his number 26 to Uggla, so what does that say?
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Just looking at the surface though and 7 years at $18 M per for a guy in his early 30’s is plain silly any way you want to slice and dice it. Just my opinion.
You bet; it’s mine, too, LOL. Just pointing out what may have been the thought process behind it does not mean I agree with the execution thereof.
Time
December 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
I’m just thankful that I’ll never, ever have to sit through another game of watching Melky Cabrera attempt to play the game of baseball.
Be great if Schafer can get all the way back to the highly though of CF prospect he was a couple years ago. Be even better if he goes out in spring training and takes the job away from McLouth. Braves got took on that one, McLouth is just awful. But with Schafer in center, surrounded by Prado and Heyward, it might actually be a OF that isn’t flat embarassing like last years was.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
Conrad gave up his number 26 to Uggla, so what does that say?
That Uggla will wear 26 next season. Amirite?
Jim
December 6th, 2010
2:12 pm
i would hate for him to have to keep working 6 hour days.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
Conrad gave up his number 26 to Uggla, so what does that say?
The equipment manager came out of the locker room and said “I’ve got a few numbers up for grabs… let’s see here… starting with 26″ and Conrad raised his hand. The guy threw the jersey at him and it went right through Conrad’s legs and landed at Uggla’s feet, so he picked it up and put it on.
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
Asked about Werth’s contract, he said, “I wish I was his agent. Or his wife.”
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
Robert, that means that Conrad will have to find a new number.
loafer
December 6th, 2010
2:14 pm
My Conrad wounds haven’t healed. Despite dousing them with sever amounts of alcohol.
TennBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
2:18 pm
Hey I saw where somebody asked DOB if he thought the Nats were a playoff contender with Werth…..and correctly he responded no. I agree because to me Werth just replaces Dunn. But I see where LaRoche has interest in going to Washington. If you add LaRoche with his good defense and 25hrs, plus Werth, plus a solid pitcher or 2 (which the Nats are looking for), then all of a sudden the Nats look like a very respectable baseball team. Think about this 3 through 6: Zimmerman, Werth, LaRoche, Willingham (if they keep him), that is very solid. Better than Mets and Fish in my opinion. It will be interesting to see if Wahington actually trys to build a “baseball team” or if they just wanted Werth to pretend to be relavent.
Monkey Nuggets
December 6th, 2010
2:19 pm
“It sounds as if Diaz is getting interest from at least three or four teams.”
And Matty should generate interest. I hope he excells anywhere he lands. If I were Atlanta, I would be interested. Oh yeah, thats right! Atlanta actually had him! lol
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
2:20 pm
All you have to do is think of all the clutch pinch hits Conrad had.
Conrad makes the team next yr and come through in the clutch again.
Mutts
December 6th, 2010
2:21 pm
Now it’s official: The Phillies are truly “Werthless.”
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
2:21 pm
Scott Boras wants 70+ million for Beltre when one of the few teams that can give that kind of money is effectively out of the running. He has already rejected a $64 M deal from the As. Is he that crazy?
Ted M
December 6th, 2010
2:22 pm
Does the eye black kid have a chance to make the Nats next spring?
Braves Fan Since "80
December 6th, 2010
2:25 pm
I hope Matt, Schafer, MCon all have super spring training…… like to see Jordan mature enough to go to AAA everyday player status and come to the majors in 6 weeks if he stays hot or sooner if McOut returns
I have my doubts about jordan but I remember his first week in the bigs…… I say i would rather he not rush back but come back prepared to stay…. he is still young but younger in playing years…..great years ahead if he is ready……. I recall Josh Hamilton with some struggles along the way…. not tryin to suggest any similarity but the time away from the game
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:25 pm
I agree with someone who posted above that the Braves should take Schafer aside and show him how to wear a baseball cap.
That flat bill stuff looks like crap! Chad Cordero was the first flat biller I saw in the bigs. Started great, then fizzled out. Then there was George Sherrill. Had an all-star year for the Orioles and now is looking for a job. Of course no one here needs to be told about what has happened to Jordan Schafer.
The flat bill cap thing is a curse! Someone share that with the kid!
Seriously, I hate looking at the idiots who wear ‘em that way. They deserve to fall on their face.
Milos
December 6th, 2010
2:26 pm
We really need this kid to step up. I can’t go another season watching McLousy out there.
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 6th, 2010
2:29 pm
I think KK is going to surprise some Braves fans when he pitches somewhere else.
Has Milky signed with anyone?
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
2:29 pm
Think about this 3 through 6: Zimmerman, Werth, LaRoche, Willingham (if they keep him), that is very solid. Better than Mets and Fish in my opinion.
Marlins can run Ramirez, Stanton, Sanchez, and Morrison out there in the middle, if they desire. Now, that’s awfully young, granted, but that could look pretty nasty from the mound, along about the All-Star break.
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:29 pm
Forgot…. Cameron Maybin is another flat bill unit. Seems he’s working out great to, huh?
MiamiBrave
December 6th, 2010
2:30 pm
We’ve still got several potential holes in our lineup. Freeman, Chipper, and Mclouth are all unknowns at this point. Everybody is assuming that Freeman will be able to hit major league pitching because of what Heyward did last year, but the truth is that we don’t know yet if he can or is ready to. We’re also assuming that Mclouth is past his struggles from last year and that Chipper won’t get hurt again even if he makes it back from his current problems. We still need some insurance at 1st and 3rd and another major league outfielder.
Someone like Jorge Cantu would fit the bill to back up first and third and we definitely need another outfielder who can play some CF and LF. Cantu has some power and had 100 RBIs as recently as 2009, can play 1st or 3rd base, and Gonzalez is already familiar with him. Posednick probably makes the most sense as a fourth or fifth outfielder given our payroll constraints. I wonder if Wren and Gonzalez are thinking about moving Heyward to CF in case McLouth doesn’t work out and putting Hinske in RF, because right now we don’t have anybody else on our roster capable of playing CF.
Kyle
December 6th, 2010
2:32 pm
DOB – just how much money do the braves have left to spend on whatever needed?
Justafan
December 6th, 2010
2:32 pm
Snotboogie ..that was my opinion and its good as yours.
I’m not putting anything in your mouth but I know what you wish………
Jack
December 6th, 2010
2:34 pm
Great stuff, O’Brien. I’m pulling for the kid. Hopefully by the trading deadline he will be doing great at Gwinett, making it impossible to not bring him up and McOut will be showing just enough to have trade value and JS takes over in center with Matt Young serving the 4th OF spot. Speed in the lineup and speed off the bench. That’s my new years wish for 2011…
We have nothing to lose at this point.
Hoping someone is foolish enough to take on KK and a big chunk of his salary and get him the hell out of Atlanta.
T for Texas
December 6th, 2010
2:35 pm
Hey ever’body, long time no see. Been checking up on the ol’ blog almost daily but haven’t chimed in for a bit–taking a little off season break just waiting til I can jump in and say something really dumb. So here it goes…
I like the Nats gumption in overpaying Werth. Their payroll was non-existent up til now, they just lost their fan favorite in Adam Dunn, and they have to be able to attract a FA starting pitcher or two to that club (rumour has it they are going after Pavano, and making a token attempt at Cliff Lee.) They have a new ballpark in a large market, and it’s time they started acting like a team serious about contending. What better way to do that in professional sports than to start throwing cash around?
Is it, in a vacuum, a good contract–no. But the dude has OPS’d between .861-.921 the last 4 years, after missing 1.5 years due to injury. He is only 31 years old, has athletic lineage, and took the aformentioned year and half break from baseball saving that wear and tear on his body. Also if Nats manage to sign Adam Laroche to play 1B, pull in Pavano, another passable starter, and a closer they become a team that could compete in the AL west or the NL central–too bad for them they are in the NL east. But they become much less of a lauging stock in this division. They had to do this for their fan base that they were on the verge of alienating.
I am surprised by the amount of vitriol the Nats are recieving from the national press on this deal, the same press that lauds the Yankees for making Derek Jeter the highest paid middle infielder in all of baseball. Seems to me that baseball would be excited to see a top FA go to lower echelon team, as opposed to padding the offense of one of the elite over-spenders.
The only thing that bums me out about this deal is that it may cause Dan Uggla and his agent to argue that hi value is higher than it actually is when it comes time to sign him to an extension.
Sorry to offend. Glad to be back on the blog.
yogi2
December 6th, 2010
2:36 pm
Everyone in baseball knows that Schafer was on drugs. That is why he was suspended
Murph
December 6th, 2010
2:36 pm
Heyward’s last year in the minors: .323, 17 HR, 63 RBI
Freeman’s last year in the minors: .319, 18 HR, 87 RBI
No, there’s no guarantee that those numbers will translate to a solid year in the show, but I think Freddie has shown he’s as ready as he’s going to be to find out.
Mozelle's
December 6th, 2010
2:37 pm
Miami
I don’t think anyone assumes Freeman will hit major league pitching only “because of what Heyward did last year.” Most people seem to project him as having a respectable rookie campaign. And that’s bc of his excellent performance in AAA at a young age. I’m not saying he’ll do anything amazing, just that he earned the spot as an everyday player based on his own performance and not because people think he’s Heyward. I don’t think the braves need any “insurance” at first base other that if he goes on the DL. And that’s what a BU-INF is for. If he struggles/fails etc. then they address that need at that time.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
2:38 pm
Well said, T for Texas.
SoWeGa – I think KK is going to surprise some Braves fans when he pitches somewhere else. – I don’t disagree. I don’t think we’ll be lamenting letting him go or anything, but I bet he rebounds to pitch okay.
DAP
December 6th, 2010
2:38 pm
10bravesfan Hey I saw where somebody asked DOB if he thought the Nats were a playoff contender with Werth…..and correctly he responded no.
maybe not in 2011, but they may be in 2012. the nats already had a good enough offense. thier defense and pitching lacked. it looks like they will be improved defensively, so all they need is a few good pitchers. they have some decent arms, plus some top draft choices and strasberg coming back from injury in 2012.
nats are probably still at least a year away, but they could be really good in 2012.
T for Texas
December 6th, 2010
2:43 pm
Thanks, Mike.
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:44 pm
Werth was a good fit in Philly. He was in the middle of a lineup that didn’t depend on him to be the sole big bopper. If he failed, he could be picked up by Howard, Utley, Ibanez, and of course Rollins, Victorino and Ruiz aren’t chopped liver in that lineup either.
In DC, it will be Zimmerman and Werth. In DC, Werth will shoulder a much larger load. All eyes will be on him to produce. In Philly, he was just one of a half dozen who were expected to produce.
Some people just don’t carry the load that well when they know they are the ONE who has to step up and carry the load. It will be interesting to see how Werth responds.
DAP
December 6th, 2010
2:44 pm
t for texas I am surprised by the amount of vitriol the Nats are recieving from the national press on this deal, the same press that lauds the Yankees for making Derek Jeter the highest paid middle infielder in all of baseball.
that is a good point.
Steve McP
December 6th, 2010
2:44 pm
Good to hear that it seems to be working out for Matty D, one of the true gentlemen in the game and it is sad that he could not fit into the Braves plans, but with Prado in LF there was no room to be spending $2.5 million on somebody that could only back up that one position.
No Way
December 6th, 2010
2:44 pm
Flat bill… Jo Jo
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:46 pm
Yeah!!! Flat bill JO JO! Forgot about that failure!
So who should tell the kid he is riding a losing hand with that Hat?
It’s a curse I tell ya!
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:47 pm
Freeman will be fine. He’s not going to be Pujols in his first year, but he’s not going to be Scott Thorman either.
Have the Braves released any info on the top prospects that are invited to spring training?
DAP
December 6th, 2010
2:47 pm
flat bill cap In DC, it will be Zimmerman and Werth.
i disagree with this. the nationals offense isnt bad, and hasnt been for a couple of years now. they do ok. they will add a 1st baseman who will hit in the middle of the lineup (like laroche or pena) and they have mike morse, josh willingham, ivan rodreguez, ect. they have a capable team offensively.
RC
December 6th, 2010
2:48 pm
Rumor now is that there is heavy trade talk around Carlos Beltran.
Man, this offseason went from slow to busy in a hurry didn’t it? Comforting to know that the Braves have already taken care of most of their shopping and won’t get caught up in crazy bidding wars.
RC
December 6th, 2010
2:51 pm
DAP,
The Nationals have had a good offense in past years, but I don’t know for sure how this year’s team will look. Rumor is that they are shopping Willingham fairly agressively, which is odd considering how good his numbers have been over the past few years (basically Jayson Werth in a different ballpark). If that’s the case, I guess it would give Morse an everyday job in LF, and if they get a good hitting 1b they could be a formidable lineup again. But I am not sure they will be quite as good as they were last year (offensively anyway).
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m surprised there’s not more interest in Kawakami if the Braves are willing to pay 80% of his salary. You’d think a few teams would be okay spending a few million to have a back end rotation guy to eat some innings or provide some insurance.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
2:53 pm
Matt-
okay, you’re right- I didn’t realize Cain had played in MLB last year. But I offer this: 17R 1HR 13 RBI in 147 games… if that’s what you call “pretty productive,” then damn, you’re impressed pretty easily. Even McLouth “produced” better than that.
.
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
flat bill cap curse..= Kris Medlen
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
Correction on my stats: Cain was in 147 at-bats… not games.
Mozelle's
December 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
The National’s might think that they can afford to overpay for Werth because they really project Harper to turn into a super-mega-star in a few years while making 500k. Plus they might as well not make a deal if it won’t help them in 3 or 4+ years when Harper is ready. Not that I think its a smart move to count on Werth for that long, but maybe they want to/need to take a gamble at some point and saw a good chance with Werth and jumped on it.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
Nationals are shooting themselves in the foot. With the talent they have in their system, there’s no reason to give a player like Werth that much money over 7 years. They might get a few good years out of him, but at some point during those 7 years, Werth’s contract will handcuff some other aspect of the team. This has been a pitching starved franchise anyway, so if they’re going to hand out that kind of moeny, it should be to Cliff Lee and not Jayson Werth.
ward
December 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
Mclouth chokes, and Schafer wins center field, and Mclouth ends up the 4th out fielder….I’d rather have Schafer. Piss on Mclouth…..How is every one?
ward
December 6th, 2010
2:57 pm
Schafer is going to have a big year……….
DAP
December 6th, 2010
2:59 pm
RC, yeah, obviously its too soon to tell, but even if they trade willingham…if they decide to play morse full time in left and get a player like carlos pena or adam laroche to play 1st, they have taken a huge leap forward defensively, and id argue the offense is just as strong if not better. and in that scenario, they have probably traded willingham for pitching. just saying, you cant over look them. by 2012, i think they are going to be a pretty good team.
Flat Bill Cap Curse
December 6th, 2010
2:59 pm
Medlin!!! Yes…. the curse continues!
Yeah I heard Willingham is on the block to help pay for Werth. Even if they keep Willingham… he ,Zimmerman, Morse and company ain’t Utley, Howard, Rollins and crew. Not even close! Werth may perform brilliantly with the Nats, but no one can say he won’t have far more pressure on him to carry the load than he had in Philly.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:00 pm
Anyway, the Nats won’t get anymore production out of Werth than they got out of Dunn this past year. And they still don’t have any starting pitching, especially with Strasburg on the shelf for most of the year. They’ll still win 10 games against the Braves, but will lose 90 games yet again.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:00 pm
ward’s in the house.
ward, what do you make of the Beltran rumors? Where’s he going?
poorbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:01 pm
I like Lorenzo Cain for the long run and cheap.
DAP
December 6th, 2010
3:01 pm
dpelfry the Nats won’t get anymore production out of Werth than they got out of Dunn this past year.
could be pretty even, considering werth’s speed and defense.
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:02 pm
well, a fluff piece from DOB and all of a sudden schafer’s going to be Pujols…
jordan hasnt been good in 2 years and he wasnt even “great” then. come on guys, dont drink the koolaid that quickly. there wont be any leftover when the Beachy fluff piece comes out.
Nick
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
Braves are gonna suck next season.
Mutts
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
$18 million per season for Werth reminds me of the Red Sox overpaying JD Drew. Ask any Red Sox fan how that has worked out for them.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:05 pm
ryan c. has spoken. Shame on all of you for having hope. Hope is for the weak. A man confronts you he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy!
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:05 pm
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m surprised there’s not more interest in Kawakami if the Braves are willing to pay 80% of his salary. You’d think a few teams would be okay spending a few million to have a back end rotation guy to eat some innings or provide some insurance.
I’m afraid the entire ML universe saw just what KK can do for a rotation. They spoke loud and clear….. he cleared waivers …..which to my mind might have happened if he had a $440,000 contract rather than a 6.67 million one. And with his ‘tude about a return to NIPPON, I don’t see many, if any takers at any price. I think the probability of him toiling away his contract in the Southern League in 2011 to be about equal to a ML club taking him off our hands. Good luck FRANK…….sell,sell,sell.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:07 pm
Nick
December 6th, 2010
3:03 pm
Braves are gonna suck next season.
Hey, welcome back NICKSTER, the BRAVES love you too.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:08 pm
OMG, if the PHILLIES took KK, they would be truly WERTH-less.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:09 pm
Murph: Haven’t heard any thing on Beltran! Wouldn’t mind seeing him in center. Any thing,but Mclouth?
stone
December 6th, 2010
3:09 pm
Lets hope this kid really becomes what he has potential to become. When he does he can play center, move mcclouth to left, Prado will play third when chipper goes down for the season. That makes for a pretty solid outfield and some good hitting if mcclouth comes around. I hope the sophomore slump doesn’t bite heyward and we should be fine.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I would have to believe that Braves would give Schafer another crack at CF before they acquire Cain and put him out there instead. Schafer could give us speed AND power with good defense from CF. Cain hits for good average, but doesn’t appear to have any power to speak of.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I seriously hope Dan Uggla doesnt look at the contract Werth just signed and says to himself “Hmmmm, if a player like Werth, one who hits an average of 25 homers a year can get 18 million, surely I can get more than that.”
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
richbrave…
He cleared waivers because no one in their right mind would assume the 6.7 million he’s owed. You put him through waivers at $1-2 million, and I bet there would be a few bites. That’s effectively what Wren is doing now.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
murph, this blog is for opinions. ryan c has his. it don’t need smart a@@ to correct others with their on.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:10 pm
I realized hope is for the weak, in thinking Mclouth will come back……
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:11 pm
ward, do you work tonight or did you take this week off knowing that the Winter Meetings are going on?
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:11 pm
Murph,
I’m just saying that you should be a little realistic when thinking about Schafer. His .742 career minor league OPS is just not good. You think it’s only coincidence that DOB writes up Schafer right when the biggest MLB trading frenzy of the offseason is about to begin? I don’t.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
O.J.: I don’t think Uggla is greedy like Werth…….
JS Superstar!
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
“well, a fluff piece from DOB and all of a sudden schafer’s going to be Pujols…”
I wouldn’t call it a fluff piece. DOB did a story about someone people have been clamoring to hear about. I have absolutely ZERO problems with the article and reporting. I read nothing there that made me think anyone was taking it easy on anyone.
That being said, you were right about one thing. All it takes is an article that says JS is feeling healthy and suddenly its, “I always liked that kid… he’s gonna have a big year!”
Where the hell does that come from? Because Schafer said so? Because he feels good? He said he felt good when he was striking out at a record pace then we found out he was lying and hurt.
I suppose I’m one of the “non-believers” that Schafer has to deal with. Show me you’re big league material for more than a month and I’ll give you some credit. Until then, you’re just another propect with potential. Don’t understand anyone getting excited about this kid until he produces.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:12 pm
ryanc-
But I really, really like kool-aid. Schafer is the best flavor, my friend.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:13 pm
McLOUTH’s entering the last year of his contract. Expect serious improvement because all he got after 2011 is that 1.25 mill option out. If he doesn’t come through, he’ll never sniff a million dollar deal again. I mean, “you hit the ball, you catch the ball, you throw the ball.” (BULL DURHAM). How’s that going NATE?
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:13 pm
Shcafer is 23 years of age! ryan c: did you for get that!
Puma
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Good read DOB, thanks for the offseason articles.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
His .742 career minor league OPS is just not good.
Nor is the concept of using career minor league numbers as a measuring stick.
Necromancer
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Well, I believe in the saying, “Good attitude yields good results.” Schafer seems to have his mind made up to redeem himself.
I admire that. I just hope and pray that he does indeed come through on what he’s said!
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
ward, I seriously hope you are right. I think he may take a discount to stay in Atlanta, say 5 years at 14 million a year, maybe 14.5? make it backloaded so it doesnt cost more than 10 million the first 2 years until Chippers and Lowes contract comes off.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
I realized hope is for the weak, in thinking Mclouth will come back…… — Ward
Ward’s having an identity crisis. Should make for an interesting evening!
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:14 pm
Piss on Mclouth….. Mclouth Who???? Oh never mind……
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
drink up Lolly !!!!
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
I love the piece and I love the insight, and I’m rooting for Schafer to be an impact ballplayer. I’m just saying it is what it is…
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:15 pm
ryan c, you are and idiot
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:16 pm
Whats up Lollygagger?
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
LOL. Just ask the Marlins if they think Uggla is greedy… It’s all a matter of perspective.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
I have to go to wrk in 15 minutes…..
rick p
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
10:53 am
LWells2000
December 6th, 2010
10:50 am
You do realize Schafer is just 24 and well ahead of Werth at this point in his career. I’m pretty sure the Phillies are glad they didn’t give up on him at 24.
——-
That would have been tough since he was with the Jays then and the injury didnt happen till two years later (with the Dodgers).
IT helps to know what you are talking about when acting all condescending towrd another poster
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:17 pm
Lollygagger, Uggla did that because he knew it would be out of their price range and that they would trade him.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:18 pm
I believe Uggla will stay!
BravePack
December 6th, 2010
3:18 pm
Great sign fellow bloggers it appears the Braves and Uggla have talked a bit about an extension per Heyman. I hope this gets done quickly and soon and the way Wren is handling things this offseason it should.
J-Man
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
D.O.B. we need a blog about the Winter Meetings, maybe an interview with some Braves brass. I want to know if we are gonna make anymore moves………like a new CF or Zach Grienke I hope.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
In Wren we Trust!
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
Lolly the Marlins are not the Braves and Uggla wanted out. he has said he would like to finish his carer in Atlanta….LOL get real.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
Whats up Lollygagger?
Not much, Ward. My blood pressure shot up a bit when we were talking about trading for a Cain and I realized it wasn’t the one that plays for San Francisco. But I’m good now.
abwright
December 6th, 2010
3:19 pm
After Schafer’s meteoric rise through the minors, followed by his equally meteoric plummet, I would say that anything is possible.
If he’s healthy, though, he should be able to hit better than .200 in the majors. Isn’t that what it took to play CF in 2010?
Best case scenario for the Braves is that both McLouth and Schafer have very good Springs. In that case, Braves would probably go with McLouth for CF and Schafer to AAA. Braves could (potentially) trade McLouth at mid-season and bring up Schafer if both continue to perform.
The only way I see Schafer starting in ATL at the beginning of 2011 is if Schafer is lights out and McLouth can’t hit, throw, run, or anything else throughout ST.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:20 pm
Let Wren work his magic!
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:21 pm
buddy-
I was only kidding on Uggla. That’s why I added it was matter of perspective… I know he strongarmed them b/c he wanted out. But really… who’s to say he won’t do the same to ATL if they don’t compete for a few years?
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
3:21 pm
J-Man, are you new or something? Braves are not making anymore significant moves, we already made our big moves, and the very Blog you are on now is a new blog.
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
Lollygagger: I’m buying into Wrens’ plan. Be patient my friend….
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
Wren has worked his magic already this season. He left his wand at home for these meetings, I’m thinking. A KK trade could dispell that thought, however.
Necromancer
December 6th, 2010
3:22 pm
I have a good feeling that Uggla will stick around Atlanta for a few years. His family’s close by and he’ll be managed by Gonzalez again.
Lots of positives here…
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
ricky p. Schafer is not Werth and you can’t judge that he will be. we can only hope.
GPB
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
Dave, typo regarding McLouth being untradeable due to his 2011 performance.
I don’t particularly care for Schafer. I tried to defend Frenchy but he killed himself through stubbornness. Jordan’s going to have to do it without my support. I won’t boo him away though. McLouth’s performance was abysmal last year so anything is like to be better.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:23 pm
It’s obvious SCHAFER is a driven man. Associated with but not necessarily guilty of involvement with banned substances. Yet, banned for 50 games. Hurt, and not disclosing the fact.
Is SCHAFER going to continue to do whatever it takes to get to the majors? ‘Cause if so I don’t want him on the team. For his sake and ours, I hope not.
I wish him the best, and pray his thinking has become better balanced. It appears JORDAN’s impediments to a great career are somewhat self-inflicted.
JS Superstar!
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
“Great sign fellow bloggers it appears the Braves and Uggla have talked a bit about an extension per Heyman. I hope this gets done quickly and soon and the way Wren is handling things this offseason it should.”
Maybe Wren saw the Werth contract and RAN to get Uggla on the phone! He probably thought he should do something before Uggla saw what Carl Crawford is gonna get! lmao
ward
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
Talk to you guy’s later. Off to work I go……
Mozelle's
December 6th, 2010
3:24 pm
Ryan C.
Since the Braves haven’t made any transactions today all you get is either a “fluff piece,” or nothing. Plus if you actually read the article you criticized you’d see that everyone is hoping he can get healthy and that’s what his “career minor league OPS” was not that great. Also what are you implying? DOB is pimping him to drum up trade interest in other teams? Really? That’s your first guess? Gimme a break
PureEvil
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
Where do you work ward???
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
“ryan c, you are and idiot”
classic…yes, i am AND idiot.
bvillebaron
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
Good luck, Jordan. I for one will be rooting for you. For all you critics out there, I didn’t see anywhere in the article that Jordan doesn’t fully understand (1) how many doubters are out there; and (2) why they feel that way. Certainly, that is understandable and a justified position to take. My only criticism is that far too many people have already written off a still only 24 year old kid who had to deal with a major and long lasting injury to a key component to his swing–his wrist. As far as I am concerned I am rooting hard for a kid who took some of his bonus money and bought a batting cage and works as hard as Schafer does. I hope he proves all of you critics wrong and preferably while he is still wearing a Braves’ uniform.
P.S. Schafer didn’t fail a drug test because there were no drug tests for HGH. Consequently, his suspension could have only been based on circumstantial evidence.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:25 pm
The decision in 2009 between Josh Anderson and Jordan Schaefer was by my memory a close one. The Braves let Anderson go because he wasn’t quite good enough but he had the tools. Where is he now? Some guys just don’t make the adjustment from the minors shorter season and the fact that the best pitching you will see in the minors is usually the worst you see in the bigs. Mlb is one of the few sports that has minor leagues. Basketball and football have colleges that will pay the bill for 4 years to see just how good these guys will be in game day situations. If you look at the success rate for college to pros basketball/football players the success rate is much much higher. Not easy to judge talent in baseball either when kids use aluminum bats that make their stats much harder to judge.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:27 pm
Lolly I respect your perspective.
on another note I too like L Cain.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:28 pm
I wish him the best, and pray his thinking has become better balanced. It appears JORDAN’s impediments to a great career are somewhat self-inflicted.
Admittedly, he isn’t as smart as we are, rich, LOL, because he doesn’t have the benefit of our years.
“Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.”
Just have to hope that any young man can get through the pitfalls that make that saying true.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
3:28 pm
Hearing from a Brewers source that earlier Braves-Cain rumor was just speculation more than anything else, that the teams haven’t been discussing it.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:30 pm
Travis .where has schafer been? Josh played with Tigers and got traded I believe and now back in aaa. But you right. can’t judge that early.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:30 pm
Never understood the aluminum bats in college. Why?
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:31 pm
thanks DOB for that info on Cain.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
3:33 pm
GPB: Thanks for the heads-up on 2011 typo.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:33 pm
buddy…I guess my point was that Anderson has been healthy and if the Braves had kept him, we still wouldn’t have a lock down/ I’m gonna be here in center forever type player. Gregor Blanco was better than all these guys and he is gone.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
Don’t care if Schafer hits much. His D in CF is legit. Don’t forget how awful McLouth was in CF. On top of that, w/ Prado in LF need to be as strong as we can be in CF.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
The decision in 2009 between Josh Anderson and Jordan Schaefer was by my memory a close one.
…whereas I remember it not being close at all. Anderson was out of options and Schafer wasn’t even on the 40-man, so a “close” decision likely would have gone to Anderson.
I do, however, remember the incessant whining from some here about the trading of the guy, LOL. You’d have thought the Braves had traded away the pennant.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
Never understood the aluminum bats in college. Why?
I dunno…cheaper than constantly replacing a bunch of wooden ones. Plus they’re less dangerous because they won’t shatter
I still believe
December 6th, 2010
3:35 pm
I hope Schafer comes back and kicks Nate’s butt in Spring Training. I still think this kid has what it takes to be a very good Center Fielder and MLB player. I think him working with Prado is awesome and I hope they feed off of each other and come out next year swining (pun intended).
SHA
December 6th, 2010
3:35 pm
I for one look forward to seeing Jordan back in spring training. I think the Braves did him a dis-service when they ignored his pain and simply sent him down. A player who is not hurt does not need surgery to fix whats not broken. Now that hes healthy and has worked himself back to his strength, I cant wait to see him take off. Jordan might be the key player that puts the Braves back into the series. He is a 5 tool player just like Heyward and with both them and Prado in the outfield, we might have one of the best young outfields in the Majors. (I did say best young)
This team is going to be hot if Wren does not get trade happy. We need no pitching. We need to ditch KK.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:36 pm
agree TRAVIS 7 ncsoots. You both right.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
Blanco still w/ our KC affiliate?
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
This is the offseason people. What do you expect to read about?
A blog about Chipper and his offseason – people complain about him hunting and notb eing in shape.
A piece about the recovery of Schafer – people complain about it and say its a fluff piece.
You want an offseason blog talking about what Heyward is doing? Sitting on a recliner watching college football and munching on Cheetos. And I am sure people will complain that Cheetos arent the best choice and he should eat pretzels instead.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:38 pm
sorry about the caps and 7. should be “&” …time for me to quit.
NC State Nate
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
Call me Kawa-crazy but I think KK could be productive in the MLB. But I know why the Braves have decided to move on, they really didn’t have a choice.
DOB, the way Bobby reacted to KK towards the second half of the season, do you think it had something to do with his attitude?
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
And I am sure people will complain that Cheetos arent the best choice and he should eat pretzels instead.
…and those people would be the anti-Cheetos wing of the Communist Party, I’m guessing. Only logical explanation.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
whereas I remember it not being close at all. Anderson was out of options and Schafer wasn’t even on the 40-man, so a “close” decision likely would have gone to Anderson.
ncscoots…I forgot about him being out of options but I do remember all the complaining about the trade. When you can’t watch all the ST games, I guess you only only look at stats and don’t appreciate the fact that some of these ST invitees get most of their playing time against second tier pitching.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:39 pm
TRAVIS:
I’m rooting for SCHAFER IF he has a proper perspective on life, and the reality of himself within baseball. Otherwise, not so much. His talent is equal to the task, I do believe. It’s his approach to life that concerns me a bit. Of course, if he hitting .325 with an 1.000 OPS, I really won’t care. I just don’t think that will happen until he changes the way he perceives things that happen to him in life. I really hope he has, or that he will if he hasn’t.
As to aluminum bats, “…….Not easy to judge talent in baseball either when kids use aluminum bats that make their stats much harder to judge……..”.
And that’s why my grandson plays all summer and fall with wooden rather than aluminum bats. Most serious young baseball players do.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
Nate has done something in the majors. Schafer has not. Having Schafer start the season in CF everyday for the Braves would be insane. Dude has done NOTHING at the major league level, and sucked in the minors last year. Wrist injuries are no joke. He needs another full year in the minors. McClouth was really bad last year, but he has had major league success in the recent past. He’s also making $7,5M, so he’s going to get every chance to win the starting job. Schafer needs to play as much as possible, and he won’t get that time in the majors. Some of you really need to understand how baseball works.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
I just hope McCann’s not eating Cheeto’s and pretzels
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:41 pm
nscoots…amen to the 3:28.
Everyone fails. Learning to deal with failure is the important part.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
(sorry McFann…I’ll stop)
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
Hearing from a Brewers source that earlier Braves-Cain rumor was just speculation more than anything else, that the teams haven’t been discussing it.
Man that’s good to hear. Everybody knows you can’t raise a Cain back up when he’s in defeat.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
And that’s why my grandson plays all summer and fall with wooden rather than aluminum bats. Most serious young baseball players do.
Is that at the college level or equal?
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
3:43 pm
For right now, I would take Matt Young over Schafer to start the season with the big club.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:43 pm
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:34 pm
Never understood the aluminum bats in college. Why?
I dunno…cheaper than constantly replacing a bunch of wooden ones. Plus they’re less dangerous because they won’t shatter
Less dangerous for whom? Ever been on the receiving end of a line-drive off an aluminum bat?
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:44 pm
Travis…”When you can’t watch all the ST games, I guess you only only look at stats and don’t appreciate the fact that some of these ST invitees get most of their playing time against second tier pitching.”
That’s why I get so upset when people say Freeman won’t be any good. Anyone that’s been to spring training the past few years can look at that kid and see he’s a ballplayer. It was the same with Schafer in 2009.
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:45 pm
agree 100% richbrave. I like the way you keep up with minor leagues and report everything. I even heard your reports on grandson before. Thanks for your input. Hope you grandson makes it.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
Some of those better aluminum bats go for over 150 bucks too. The better last.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
Less dangerous for whom?
People in the way of a shard of wood
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
•The Pirates have shown some interest in Kenshin Kawakami? who would the braves ask for in return? from what i heard is that the braves would pay for all but 2-3 mill of the contract and ask for a few players in return… but who would they be?
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
They.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
I play in a wood bat league, and over a few years, you spend a lot more money on wood bats than alumimum.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
3:47 pm
Eric
Nobody special, I’m sure.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
3:49 pm
murph, this blog is for opinions. ryan c has his. it don’t need smart a@@ to correct others with their on.
What? You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole… wheel of cheese? How’d you do that? Heck, I’m not even mad; that’s amazing.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:49 pm
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:42 pm
And that’s why my grandson plays all summer and fall with wooden rather than aluminum bats. Most serious young baseball players do.
Is that at the college level or equal?
Probably equal to college as he’s on a top travel team this year. Run by a CARDINALS scout here. They will be touring the east coast and mid-west if I got my facts straight, playing in much the same fashion HEYWARD did as a 16 year old. If I remember correctly, he played extensively all over the country for several years.
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
3:49 pm
Anyone that’s been to spring training the past few years can look at that kid and see he’s a ballplayer
When I look at Freeman you know who I see?
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac53/gracefullybroken/zach.jpg
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:51 pm
I remember my old days in baseball when a bat broke they glued it back together and put fiberglass on the handle and covered it with electrical tape. Course we also went to night games and when the foul balls went outside the lights we grabbed em and ran llike heck. They were a buck apiece for the good ones back then. The cheap balls were rolled up felt strips with a cover. Dating myself much?
T for Texas
December 6th, 2010
3:51 pm
Hey richbrave,
Are you rooting for Schafer, or for Matt Young like you have been saying most of the offseason? Just like when I watch college bowl games with my nephews over the holidays, I’ve gotta say “Pick one team and root for them. When SMU starts beating up on Army I don’t want to hear how you ‘knew the Mustangs would win’ when you were rooting for the Cadets in the first half!”
Of course, I’m just kidding rich.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
3:51 pm
Thanks jeffrey, that made me laugh out loud.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
3:51 pm
buddy:
Thanks for your input. Hope you grandson makes it.
Me too, job prospects are gonna’ be pretty lousy for quite a while.
abwright
December 6th, 2010
3:51 pm
I’m sure my memory of Schafer’s ST in 2009 are flawed. Josh Anderson seemed to get most of the early playing time. Gregor Blanco was in the WBC, so he didn’t show up til the end of ST.
I do remember BC playing each of the three in back-to-back-to-back in late ST games before making the decision. I seem to remember in their last turn through, JA played some poor defense and made some Nate-McLouth-esque throws from deep in CF. Schafer had himself a game. Decision made.
Anderson hasn’t amounted to much, despite getting some opportunities. Blanco seemed like he could play at the MLB level. We’ll see how he does in his next port-of-call.
Schafer was very good in his first week, then he plummeted.
I’m hoping Schafer lives up to his promise. With Schafer, Freeman, Heyward, and Hanson around for their arb years, could be an exciting Braves team to watch.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:52 pm
richbrave…Is he big enough to compete when size will matter?
buddy
December 6th, 2010
3:53 pm
I believe we all are just rooting for the Braves….ever who can get the job done.
Ernest
December 6th, 2010
3:54 pm
This love affair for Schafer continues. He had one good season in the minors and was ‘lighting in a bottle’ during spring training in 2009. Wren got caught up in the press making him to be a savior. IMO, he is the second coming of Brad Komminsk.
Ian
December 6th, 2010
3:56 pm
Remember at the Trade Deadline this past season, when the Braves were in some major rumors with Corey Hart and the Brewers. It would be interesting to see if there is still and interest there, and how much it would “cost” us in minor leauge players. I also recall when the Braves and Jays got together to swap SS, that they “discussed” Jose Bautista. I know Bautista would cost much more than Hart, but with those kind of power numbers, the good might outweigh the bad.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
3:57 pm
Ernest
Close. Francouer was the second coming of Komminsk.
.
December 6th, 2010
3:57 pm
Could be Ernest
ryan c
December 6th, 2010
3:59 pm
Mozelle, I read the article and I do understand that averaging his career minor league OPS is not the best way to gauge a player like Jordan who has had injury issues. However, even in Jordan’s best 2 years, he was severely overhyped by a Braves organization who was desperate for an outfielder to pan out. He had an .887 OPS and an .850 OPS in 2 years at A-AA ball. That’s good, but not worthy of the stamp that the organization put on him. He played defense above average, but didnt provide much threat on the basepaths (31sb to 16cs). He was good, but the holes in his game were being looked over, and they were BIG!(see next paragraph)
For the record, I’m not a Jordan doubter. I was at Spring Training for 4 games the year he won his job and he did look like a great ballplayer, but Spring, much like a rookies first 30-40 games in the Majors (see Jeff Francoeur) can be deceiving. I know that Jordan hurt his wrist very early in the ‘09 season, but Jordan has never shown the ability to hit left-handed pitching and he has struck out 22% of the time in the minors.
I’m just saying be real…
Zing
December 6th, 2010
4:00 pm
Great article, DOB. I sure hope Schafer shapes up. While McLouth showed some life there at the end of the season, I am not extremely hopeful that he’ll be able to get it turned around.
Also, too bad the Braves jettisoned Diaz… but maybe he can get on a team where he’s able to get a little more playing time.
Ernest
December 6th, 2010
4:00 pm
Owl Hunter, at least Francouer had a few good seasons in the majors. For that reason, I gave him a pass.
For the Schafer fan club, his stats appear below. Stiking out 1 every 4 ABs in not appealing to me.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=schafe001jor
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
4:00 pm
If the Braves get one inning of future major-league service time in return for Kawakami, I will shocked.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
4:02 pm
T for Texas
My only dog in the OF fight this spring is the BRAVES club. So I’ve ‘picked’ my side.
I was in the ‘who know’s’ catagory of DAVE’s poll. I mean anybody who beats out MCLOUTH and plays better – including NATE – is fine by me.
I want to see YOUNG given a fair shot in ST though. He’s earned the org’s respect in that regard at least.
I have one major reservation about SCHAFER, and it’s not his play, as I have stated. But if he’s the better player so be it. Or MATHER, or CONSTANZA, or RICHARDSON, or HARRILCHAK, whomever, just make the center-field position better in 2011..
nolie
December 6th, 2010
4:04 pm
Wouldn’t you like to see him take at least a couple of pitches in ST before signing off on that, LOL? Scoots
totally unnecessary. grit and hustle will make him a star
Wow..
December 6th, 2010
4:07 pm
Hahaha! It’s funny, after one little article, everyone’s ready to deem Schafer our savior.
Please, Schafer’s going to fall flat on his face again and be right back sucking it up in AAA.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
4:07 pm
Travis
December 6th, 2010
3:52 pm
richbrave…Is he big enough to compete when size will matter?
As a 16-year-old at 6′ 2″ 185 yeah, I think so. And his girl-friend smiles a lot.
Sweet Old Buck
December 6th, 2010
4:07 pm
Thanks, DOB. I’ve been surfing trying to get a read on Jordan. Now, I know. I agree with many of the others – he starts at AAA and comes up when his numbers justify it. Nate is not the answer. Like KK, he will be gone as quickly as his contract expires. Jordan is the future in CF.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:09 pm
Man that’s good to hear. Everybody knows you can’t raise a Cain back up when he’s in defeat.
And I don’t care what night it was.
totally unnecessary. grit and hustle will make him a star
Geez, nolie, I was really hoping the CBI meter could gather a little dust this year, while actual, real baseball players get the innings, LOL.
banjobrave
December 6th, 2010
4:10 pm
FWIW If you are wondering what kind a guy Uggla is, on Friday night, his hometown high school, Columbia Central High Lions, won the State of Tennessee 5A Championship. Within minutes of the win, Uggla called the quarterback in the locker room to congratulate the team. The team had a player die of cancer the morning of the game and he was on board the whole day helping morale and emotions stay high. He was at a few of the games but before the trade and still was signing any and everyone’s hats and programs and anything else. No one took advantage of him but he took the time to make sure he got all the small kids taken care of if they wanted a handshake or autograph. He has helped with a lighting of the baseball field project and remains a town favorite. So many people in Columbia are talking about getting season tickets for the Braves now to come watch Dan play. Just though I’d let you guys know we got a cracker jack!
NORRIS
December 6th, 2010
4:10 pm
they write one article about schafer and all of a sudden he is ready to play??? The guy has a long way to go. He isnt even good trade bait.
NC State Nate
December 6th, 2010
4:12 pm
On the Dan Patrick Show this morning Peter Gammons said Atlanta could be a possible landing spot for Zack Greinke… any thoughts?
John
December 6th, 2010
4:12 pm
If Jordan is healthy he will CRUSH Nate and help the Bravos to the playoffs! Ill never forget watching Jordan those first couple of games in Philly. His composure and confidence really showed and he matched it with his performance
MFin04
December 6th, 2010
4:12 pm
Schafer was a strikeout machine. I mean on pace to strikeout over 200 times. Not sure how much his injury could cause him to strikeout that much. At some point you stop swinging at all the bad pitches if you are injured. Instead he had very poor plate discipline and kept swinging for the fences.
It would be great if he came back and excelled but I’m not convinced all of his struggles were injury related.
T for Texas
December 6th, 2010
4:13 pm
rich–
I’m with ya on a better CF in 2011. Just joking about the “pick a side” thing, really.
I hope someone steps up sooner than later. My fear is that McLouth struggles in the spring, and Wren gets forced to overpay in a trade for a CF at that point when it is obvious the Braves are strapped. That scenario is a little too likely to me, given that McNate’s swing is so mechanically unsound. During his struggles last season, Kieth Hernandez, during a Mets game, spent five minutes talking about all the flaws in McNate’s approach at the plate just shredding him and concluding that with that type of swing a player is just “biding time in between slumps.”
Hopefully Schafer can find his groove after all the down time. Constanza has intriguing AAA numbers, as does Young, but it’s hard to project them to MLB.
Luckily Wren hasn’t had to spend any major prospects so far in shoring up the roster so far.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
4:13 pm
richbrave …any teams looking at him that you know of?
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
4:15 pm
Hahaha! It’s funny, after one little article, everyone’s ready to deem Schafer our savior.
I see something even better than that. One little trade-speculation blurb from a Rumor site, and now folks are ready to annoint Lorenzo Cain as the savior after 2011’s free agent losses. Lorenzo Cain. Lorenzo Cain?
Lew
December 6th, 2010
4:17 pm
ABWright – Your memories are somewhat different than mine and I was at Spring Training. Schafer was – at least at one point faily deep into ST – hitting around .385 and he plays excellent defense – he can get to almost any ball.
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
4:19 pm
MFin04, I’ve drank alot since then, but I want to say Schafer struck out on a lot of fastballs down the middle. Couldn’t catch up to them. I don’t remember him chasing many bad pitches.
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
4:19 pm
Richbrave — Big gaps in my blog memory… Is your grandson in the minors now? If he is, I’d like to know his name and follow him.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:20 pm
Lew
Schafer struck out 63 times in 167 at bats in 2009. That was during the real season. Hurt or not, that’s pretty bad.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:23 pm
Looks like Diaz isn’t going to be jobless long.
dmack2027
December 6th, 2010
4:24 pm
Does anyone know what all of this time being injured and in the minors has done to Jordan’s service time? When does he become arbitration eligible?
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:25 pm
Lew
Schafer struck out 63 times in 167 at bats in 2009. That was during the real season. Hurt or not, that’s pretty bad.
How can you say that’s bad “hurt or not”? The guy had a broken wrist! That’s like ripping on a guy with a torn hamstring for not having a good 40 time.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
4:27 pm
Grienke isnt coming to ATL
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:27 pm
Does anyone know what all of this time being injured and in the minors has done to Jordan’s service time?
You can usually find all that kind of stuff at baseball-reference.com, along with other great stuff.
But he only has the service time he accumulated in that 2009 year, so arbitration is not in his immediate future.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
4:28 pm
First, I don’t see anyone called Schafer the team savior. People are hopeful he can come back and play and liked what they read in DOB’s article, but the exaggerations of the Schafer detractors saying the entire blog is anointing Schafer as the next Pujols are ridiculous. So there’s that.
Second, if you read the article, then you know Schafer had to have a bone fused in order to heal his break. He didn’t have to just put a cast on and take it easy, he had an operation. He was told it would take a year to get back to where he’d feel comfortable swinging the bat. Of course it affects his numbers when he feels intense pain when he swings a bat. How could it not?
The kid has skills. When he was 100% he showed them in ST and then at the start of the regular season. He may be short on brains, but he can play.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 6th, 2010
4:28 pm
Owl what do u know about matt?
old timer
December 6th, 2010
4:29 pm
Schafer is the man I want to see in center on opening day. He is the only centerfielder we have that I have seen play who excels on defense. I have been as bothered by McLouth’s glove as his bat. You have got to have a centerfielder who can make plays going back and cut balls off in the gaps, catching the liners and fielding the hoppers. Add Shafer to the lineup, if he hits to his potential, and his defense to the pitching staff, and the Braves win the East.
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:30 pm
Does anyone know what all of this time being injured and in the minors has done to Jordan’s service time? When does he become arbitration eligible?
Jordan’s ML service time is 0.121 seasons. That means that he likely would not be Super 2 eligible if he played the entire year over the next two seasons (if he played half of next year, he probably would eventually be a Super 2, but not until the year that would have been his 3rd year anyway).
Basically, the Braves should have a full 6 seasons of Schafer’s services going forward, likely with only 3 years of arbitration.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:30 pm
RC
You’re right, but I still disagree with the asessment that he can “get to almost any ball.” I can’t understand all this Schafer love from out of nowhere. The guy has done absolutley NOTHING, and people want him to get the job over McClouth. That is asinine. He still has a lot to prove.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
4:31 pm
Owl Hunter…63 strikeouts in 167 at bats with a fractured bone in his wrist is at least understandable.
Ralph
December 6th, 2010
4:32 pm
Exactly what we need is twins in the outfield, McOut and McStrike Out, both have great speed buit can’t use it because they never get on base. But look at it this way, we could do it in reverse from 2009, Play the first half of the season with McLouse waiting for him to turn things around then replace him with Shafer, the other twin and let him finish the season waiting for him to turn things around. I would prefer that they turn things around some place other than Atlanta.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:32 pm
Eric
I’ve heard that there is interest from the Yankees, Pirates, and Mariners. I hope he gets a good gig.
Wow..
December 6th, 2010
4:32 pm
Oh yeah, Schafer had a good spring training and one good week in the majors.
That obviously means he’s going to become a superstar.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
4:32 pm
Owl Hunter, people just want Schafer to compete for a job. Calm down, I don’t see where hoping a player does well can possibly be a bad thing.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
4:33 pm
Wow…
No, but the 5 tools he carries around with him don’t hurt his chances.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:34 pm
dpelfrey
I admit that I was overzealous with that comment, but there is no way that Schafer is ready to contribute right now. He needs to spend this entire season in the minors. That’s the only way he’s going to get significant at bats. He cannot start for us this year. Hopefully he can pull it together in the future.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 6th, 2010
4:34 pm
Owl! i would love to see him land on a winning team!
i wouldnt be shocked if the marlins nats or the phills end up with him but where ever he goes he will be loved in the clubhouse!
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:34 pm
Owl Hunter,
I’m with you on the “get to any ball” rhetoric. He IS a very good defensive CF for his age, but there were clearly a few times during that first season where his inexperience showed. He’ll likely get better at route running and picking up the ball off the bat in major league stadiums, but he’s not there yet.
It’s also kind of hard to view any CF as “great” after all the years we go to watch Andruw Jones patrol the Turner Field outfield.
Wow..
December 6th, 2010
4:35 pm
I have more faith in Mc-out than I do in Schafer.
Schafer has done absolutely nothing to justify all of this love he’s getting. He never has.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:35 pm
Eric
I want him to get onto any non NL East team. I’d hate to see him burn us as a Phillie. Let the Yanks have him. I’d hate to see him end up in the baseball purgatory that is Pittsburgh.
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
4:36 pm
I saw Schafer when he was just coming back from the suspension playing for Mississippi. He was not that impressive. He seemed to be trying too hard, swinging hard on every pitch, always thinking he had to be the hero/star. I wondered then about his makeup.
I must confess that the next Spring Training got my hopes up, only to be dashed quickly. Since then, it’s been one disappointment after another from JS. So, do I risk being crushed again by believing in him? Or should I play it safe and write him off? Brain hurts…
Okay, rambling aside, hearing that he’s finally healthy is good news. Can he get back to where he was? We will see. But having him, a hopefully rejuvenated Nate, and a hungry Young in the outfield mix seems to be a good start. They can’t all fail, can they? Surely one of them will step forward and claim the job.
The dawn is coming, the sun rising, brightness beginning to shine down on the country…dang, there goes my optimism again.
coach
December 6th, 2010
4:36 pm
Braves will trade some top minor league pitchers for Grienke
Brvaes will trade Gonzalos SS, McClouth CF and Lowe P to Dodgers for Furcal SS and Kemp CF
nolie
December 6th, 2010
4:37 pm
Somebody wants to trade Minor for Lorenzo Cain??
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:37 pm
RC
Absolutely. He’s got a great deal of potential, but one blog gets written, and some folks on here go nuts. He is not ready.
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
4:38 pm
The guy has done absolutley NOTHING, and people want him to get the job over McClouth. That is asinine. He still has a lot to prove.
To be fair, I just drove past a crack-head who was limping down the street picking up cigarette butts to smoke, wearing a Lady-Razorbacks practice jersey, and carrying a pint of Wild Irish Rose, and I want HIM to get the job over McLouth.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:38 pm
I would offer Pitt either Minor or Delgado and mid level pros. for Andrew Mc.
coach
December 6th, 2010
4:38 pm
1. Furcal SS
2. Prado LF
3. Jones 3B
4. Uggla 2B
5. McCann C
6. Kemp CF
7. Heyward RF
8. Freeman 1B
DaveFromDallas(NC)
December 6th, 2010
4:38 pm
Coach, I hope you’re a better coach than you are a GM.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:39 pm
coach
If that happenss, I will build several churches in your honor.
nolie
I know, right?
DaveFromDallas(NC)
December 6th, 2010
4:40 pm
Nolie, I am with you. You trade one of your best pitching prospects for a six year minor leaguer? Is Jack McKeon the GM of the Braves now?
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:40 pm
He’ll likely get better at route running and picking up the ball off the bat in major league stadiums, but he’s not there yet.
I think you’ll find that problem go away, if he gets a second go-round. Acclimation to the spaces and adjustments in depth perception come pretty quickly, and he has displayed some excellent instincts in his minor league career.
Even Heyward, a baseball-god-in-waiting, had a little trouble early last year getting up to speed in the OF.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:40 pm
Hillbilly
Don’t worry. That guy will catch on with the Pirates this year. McClouth has prior success, at least.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
coach is just continuing the tradition of his namesake
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
Owl Hunter,
I honestly don’t know if he’s ready yet or not. I tend to doubt that he is, but until the players report and start playing actual games it’s hard for any of us to know. I’m kind of on board with Lew’s thought that if he rebounds this season it’ll be nice to know that he’s nearby at Gwinnett in case he is needed, but Plan A is for McLouth to rebound, Chipper to prove healthy, and someone else to be the 4th OF.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
4:19 pm
Richbrave — Big gaps in my blog memory… Is your grandson in the minors now? If he is, I’d like to know his name and follow him.
Soph in high school at the moment. Perfect Game rated him an 8.5 out of 10.0 this past summer. Needs to improve with the speed and glove some, his bat seems to be coming around. Hit a line-drive 360′ HR with a wooden bat three weekends ago, and his average has shown some improvement. He’s been playing against local competition up to the beginning of this summer. Had a .739 OBP his freshman year in H.S. He’s beginning to adjust at the plate to the better pitching. TYLER ALLEN, POWHATAN H.S.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
I wouldnt offer Minor for Cain. I dont know much about Cain to be honest. But I think Minor is be a very good pitcher,and he’s lefty. I think we should atleast carry a lefty starter. But i think the Brewers want Minor. Arody’s V would be the first top pitching pros. i would trade. Dont want to deal top 2 at all.
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 6th, 2010
4:42 pm
coach … something tells me furcal will never be a brave as long as wren is still around due to the 2 times he burned our GM’s while attempting to come up with a contract
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:42 pm
ncscoots,
Totally agree about the outfield routes developing over time. Just saying that there is still a bit of development to occur.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
4:43 pm
Travis
December 6th, 2010
4:13 pm
richbrave …any teams looking at him that you know of?
ANGELS, CARDS (of course), and ROYALS that we know of.
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
4:43 pm
Owl Hunter — I’ve seen Schafer play and those strikeouts with a broken wrist don’t mean a thing, not a thing.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
4:43 pm
Even Heyward, a baseball-god-in-waiting, had a little trouble early last year getting up to speed in the OF scoots
true and he ended the season highly regarded in RF. I’ve seen Schafer play CF in the minors, he will do a good job after acclimation
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:44 pm
I wouldnt offer Minor for Cain. I dont know much about Cain to be honest. But I think Minor is be a very good pitcher,and he’s lefty. I think we should atleast carry a lefty starter. But i think the Brewers want Minor. Arody’s V would be the first top pitching pros. i would trade. Dont want to deal top 2 at all.
Whoa. Those are WAY too high of a price to pay for Cain. If the Braves go after him, it’s as a 4th OF/backup CF type. You don’t trade away premium pitching prospects with 6 years of team control for guys like that.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:44 pm
I wouldn’t offer Scott Proctor for Cain.
RC
I agree. I just don’t want him starting out of ST
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:46 pm
AdirondackDave
I’ve seen him play, too, and there’s no way he’s ready to be a major league starter right now. Maybe in a year or so.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
4:46 pm
Looks like just about everyone on the Mets are available, including Wright.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:47 pm
Let’s get Gordon Beckham.
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:48 pm
Owl Hunter,
I’m betting the only way Schafer starts the 2011 season in Atlanta is if Chipper Jones or another of the projected starters begins the season on the DL. Again, not plan A, but nice to know he’s there for a plan B if needed.
Chop33
December 6th, 2010
4:48 pm
“If you’re a fan and you see a kid come up and do well and then struggle,” Schafer said, “then he gets sent down [demoted in the minors] and keeps struggling – well, I understand fans getting pissed and wanting to give up on [him].
Or when someone gets caught using PEDs.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
4:49 pm
The Mets will listen on David Wright, Jose Reyes and Beltran, an official of a rival team tells ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark (on Twitter).
I want David Wright NOW
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:49 pm
RC
That would be nice. I’m hoping that Matt Young is capable of filling that role, too.
Threadkiller
December 6th, 2010
4:49 pm
McClouth will bounce back nicely this year. Schafer will be in Gwinnett. Also don’t be surprised if Wren makes another big move! He is sitting in a great position and I’m sure he is being approched!
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:50 pm
I want David Wright too,but Chipper is coming back,and that’s his spot.
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:50 pm
DOB just tweeted that Braves still looking for bullpen help, possibly a third lefty. Gotta say I’m a fan of this idea, especially given the volatility of relief pitching. Wouldn’t kill us to have some good guys in AAA like Marek and Martinez ready to fill in if injuries occur (one of the reasons the pen was so strong last year).
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
4:51 pm
Wren reiterated that Braves still looking to improve bench and bullpen, but wouldn’t say if there are any specific areas for bench or just generally looking to improve it. He’d like to add a third lefty if it works out that one’s available for reasonable cost, but said it’s not an urgent matter.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:51 pm
I want David Wright NOW
OK, now you’re just being greedy.
N Nine
December 6th, 2010
4:51 pm
Went from being set for winter with Uggla to lets get EVERYONE!!! I love baseball blogs. You can never stop improving especially the Mclouth/Schafer & company. I dislike our CF situation.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
4:51 pm
We need David Wright
Move Chipper to first to platoon with Freeman
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:52 pm
Owl Hunter,
My guess is that Matt Young has a better chance of the 4th OF role, since his projected ceiling isn’t as high as Schafer’s is. He’s also much more of a finished product than Schafer. Braves probably wouldn’t keep Young of the major league team in order to get him every-day at-bats.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
ncscoots
Wright is a franchise player, i respect him soo much. He would fit perfectly in the lineup
rrosson3
December 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
Wren will not make another big move before the season if he is smart. Keep the prospects for a trade later in the season if its needed.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
When Beltran is healthy he is really good. He just cant stay healthy. Nate and kk for Carlos,haha
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
Xmas list,
Grienke for Randall Delgado and some chumps. Minor leaguers for Cy winner. Enough Said.
Trade JJ is needed to get Center fielder. JJ velosity, and durability is a question mark. Dump Him, but only if Grienke can take his place.
Send KK anywhere. If Braves can get a mil or 2 for him. TAKE IT!
One more experienced power arm in the pen.
Any one But Mccloth in center. I HOPE Jacoby E. A man can wish.
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
4:54 pm
“murph, this blog is for opinions. ryan c has his. it don’t need smart a@@ to correct others with their on”
“ricky p. Schafer is not Werth and you can’t judge that he will be. we can only hope”
Could not help but laugh out loud at those while thinking to myself – Pot, meet Kettle, you both just missed meeting Irony.
“To be fair, I just drove past a crack-head who was limping down the street picking up cigarette butts to smoke, wearing a Lady-Razorbacks practice jersey, and carrying a pint of Wild Irish Rose, and I want HIM to get the job over McLouth”
Ouch. Don’t hold back, Hillbilly, tell us how you really feel.
Coach – mmmm….nope, just can’t see it.
“Owl Hunter — I’ve seen Schafer play and those strikeouts with a broken wrist don’t mean a thing, not a thing.”
Dave, I saw him strike out a lot in AA in 2008 a year before the injury. Not completely writing him off, just saying…
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:54 pm
Brave4life
No way it’s happening. No way.
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:54 pm
Wren reiterated that Braves still looking to improve bench and bullpen, but wouldn’t say if there are any specific areas for bench or just generally looking to improve it.
Geez, he’s got to want somebody to back up SS, no? Or am I missing something?
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:55 pm
Come on DOB i know you have an idea of who is available
Lew
December 6th, 2010
4:55 pm
Owl – Couple of things here. First, I agree he needs to start the year at Gwinnett, Matt Young needs a chance and Nater has to get his chance to turn it around.
Secomd – I’ve actually watched him from behind the 1B dugout for two solid weeks, shagging flies (and I use that term loosely), watching running drills with him, Anderson and Blanco and on numerous occasions, The Grinch (who went with me) and I looked at each other in amzement at some of the balls he got to – even having to make 100 foot running catches at shoe level, or goig back as far as anyone could. Yeah, he can get to almost anything out there and has a great arm – I’;ve seen it way more than once.
As for the K’s – yeah he was bad while up a couple years ago, but I’ve never heard of a wrist injury that didn’t mess a player’s swing up. It’s hardly surprising that the results were what they were. I’d be shocked otherwise.
I don’t know if he’ll be ready this year – much less any year in the future – but what I do know firsthand is that the kid can hit, can field, can run, is still only 24 and he’s cheap for a long ime to come. What’s to hurt having him in the wings and what could he potentially bring to the party if healthy?
I fail to see any problem with this at all.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
4:55 pm
Owl Hunter
I know, I know
but we are going to need a 3rd basemen after next year
Eric In Albany N.Y.
December 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
If i were the mets i would do what ever it took to get value out of what ever players they have who would have other teams eyes… reyes and carlose have FA years coming up and make a lot of sence to trade. but if i were the mets i would consider trading K-rod and Wright and use who ever you trade to build a pitching staff and lower payroll in order to sign free agents in 2012 and beyond.
us braves fans know the best way to Re-build a team is lower payroll and build a pitching staff first
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
Chipper Jones had latest exam on surgically repaired knee last week, and Wren said strength-test results were very encouraging.He’s begun swinging a bat, in addition to lifting weights, hunting, climbing into deer stands, playing golf, etc.
Realist
December 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
Trade Beachy, McClouth, Viscaino, Delgado and Young to Colorado for CarGo. Imagine that outfield.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
Lew
I misunderstood you. When you said “get to almost any ball,” I thought you meant with the bat. My bad.
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
How is it that I feel like I’m agreeing with Owl Hunter and Lew, yet they seem to be in disagreement.
I think you guys are much closer to the same train of thought than you realize.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
4:57 pm
scoots – NO, you aren’t. But I bet that neither is Frank Wren.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
4:57 pm
David Wright would most likely cost Teheran
ncscoots
December 6th, 2010
4:57 pm
Wright is a franchise player, i respect him soo much. He would fit perfectly in the lineup
Hey, no argument from me. You might to talk Chipper into retiring first, though, so you could afford to pay the guy.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
4:57 pm
Realist
Really? I hope you’re kidding.
AdirondackDave
December 6th, 2010
4:58 pm
Owl Hunter — I’m not saying Schafer will be ready for opening day. However, if he’s past the wrist issue, he’s likely to be with the Braves at some point in ‘11 and he’ll be with them to stay. Just took issue with that high strikeout when he was hurt comment. The strikeouts, BA, lack of power meant nothing under those circumstances.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
4:58 pm
DOB, thats great to hear about Chip,thank you.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
4:58 pm
Owl – No problem. I get confused all the time. Must be my age – or something.
RC
December 6th, 2010
4:59 pm
He’s begun swinging a bat, in addition to lifting weights, hunting, climbing into deer stands, playing golf, etc. - DOB
DOB, couldn’t you have just ended that sentence with “in addition to lifting weights”? I can already hear them coming out of the blog woodwork to complain about how Chipper needs to be focusing on baseball, not risking further injury, etc, etc.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
4:59 pm
Oh dear god, who brought up David Wright?? He’s not going anywhere…
nolie
December 6th, 2010
5:01 pm
Geez, he’s got to want somebody to back up SS, no? Or am I missing something? scoots
I imagine that would be the bench part that he referred to
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:01 pm
Lew
I don’t have age as an excuse. I jumped the gun on that one. I just can’t believe how easily you can convince some people that a guy is ready to start every day right now.
AdirondackDave
The injury, plus the HGH thing tell me that he has alot to prove. I hope he does well, but this season will be much more successful if we don’t need him until September. I’d like to see him get a full season of every day work in the minors.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
Hypothetical..
Greinke for Jurrjens, Delgado, Lipka and Bethancourt
Would you do that? For a guy seemingly with a jekyl-hyde pitching complex.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
Dodgers listening on Broxton. Man it seems like alot more people are available this year.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
RC
You said it! You risk injury by waking up in the morning. Players aren’t preserved in a chamber all offseason.
Steve from OH
December 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
Schafer has done absolutely nothing to justify all of this love he’s getting. He never has.
I disagree. And besides, pointing to the statistics Schafer has accrued in the past two seasons would be akin to pointing to a player’s low stolen base totals while he was playing with a broken leg.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
dpelfrey, no thats nuts.
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
“Trade Beachy, McClouth, Viscaino, Delgado and Young to Colorado for CarGo. Imagine that outfield.”
Someone needs to work on a new name for their postings
Realist
December 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
Owl,
Sarcasm, but I’d do it if I were in Wren’s shoes. No?
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
dpelfrey
With Greinke’s mental history, that is waaayyy too much to give up,
Steve from OH
December 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
And great blog, DOB. Good read.
I think that should go to show how Schafer is looked upon in the Braves’ organization.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
After someone mentioned that Peter Gammons suggested Atlanta as a possible trade destination for Greinke, I went back and listened to the show to hear exactly what was said. Peter was basically asked to speculate on where Grienke might end up and said what made the most sense to him was Texas, but Atlanta could also be a possibility. He then elaborated that NY or Boston wouldn’t be a fit because he doesn’t think Grienke would waive his NTC to go there.
I guess when you think of which teams have the prospects to get a guy like that, are competitive enough to want him, and aren’t in a big enough market to cause problems with his anxiety issues, Texas and Atlanta are among the few locations that fit.
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
Am I the only one who is not opposed to trading Teheran. If there is a cahnce to get a stud outfielder for years or a player like David Wright, or a Top 10 player in baseball why not.
THE KID IS A MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER. Who the hell knows how good he may be.
STRASBURG EVEN BLEW OUT HIS ELBOW. REMEMBER MARK PRIOR.
Wake up people if there is a chance to win now then do it. Trade TEHERAN for Kemp, Fielder, Wright, or who ever. A minor league pitcher is all the kid is right now. Sorry but MAJOR LEAGUE WINS MATTER. Not minors, the kid can blow out his arm or be the greatest pitcher ever. I will bet maybe in between.
WIN NOW.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
Owl – The real fun is to take opposing opinions and argue them both.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:04 pm
Realsit
I wouldn’t give up that much young starting pitching.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:05 pm
Realist…
You do know Vizcaino went under the knife, right?
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
5:05 pm
dpelfrey – that’s a bit high on the cost to me.
Realist
December 6th, 2010
5:05 pm
I heard something about Grienke to Milwaukee and Braun to KC. Why wouldn’t they just take Beachy and Jurrgens? Must be the Ned Yost connection.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:05 pm
Owl Hunter,
I think JD Drew sleeps in once of those chambers…
Erik
December 6th, 2010
5:05 pm
I really liked Nate before the trade and while he has been terrible since the trade I have to believe that he still has the talent to put up 2008 type numbers.
As far as Schaffer I am an optimist and hope he comes in and destroys it this spring.
But with both of these guys their track records show skepticism might be the safer course.
With that in mind I really like the thought of signing Tony Gywnn Jr.
He had the highest UZR of any OF last year and he stole 17 bases. Gywnn would be an excellent late inning pitch runner and defensive replacement.
Assuming their isnt much competition for his services a 750K 1 yr deal might get it done.
DOB, Here much of Gywnn’s name mentioned around Braves brass?
Realist
December 6th, 2010
5:06 pm
Dpel,
High ceiling. He’s the last piece in the Vasquez deal. We need to trade the luggage before the we see the Marlins. Bad voodoo. I bet Braves try to move him.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:06 pm
Do we really want Grienke or is all this BS. I dont want to trade JJ or him. What are we going to give them Derek Lowe? We cant afford that fool.
McFann O O
December 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
jeffrey d (sorry McFann…I’ll stop)
Oh, that’s OK I s’pose…I’m just wondering what your 3:41 had to do with anything…
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
ChrisfromSac
And that is why you are not a GM. Teheran for Kemp? If that happens, I’ll drink bleach. Major leagur players get hurt too.
I know it’s fun to come up with trade scenarios, but can we try to be somewhat realistic?
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
“the kid can blow out his arm or be the greatest pitcher ever. I will bet maybe in between”
way to go out on that limb
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
dpelfrey,
I’d think about the trade you suggested.
Realist,
That CarGo trade would be a ridiculous overpay by Atlanta. We gave up less than that for Teixeria, and he was much more of a sure thing than CarGo. And didn’t put up his numbers in Coors Field.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
I hearing Frenchy talk to the Phillies. Charlie said he thinks he cant fix Jeff’s swing. He said they fixed Werth.
Steve from OH
December 6th, 2010
5:08 pm
And that is why you are not a GM. Teheran for Kemp? If that happens, I’ll drink bleach. Major leagur players get hurt too.
Yeesh, I hope neither of those things happens. Not sure which would be worse, though…
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:08 pm
I’d like to see us sign Gwynn Jr.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:08 pm
What Delgado for Kemp.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:08 pm
I posted the 5:02 because it would probably take a package like that since the Rangers and their #1 rated minor league system would be in on Greinke. Just want people to think realistically about things before they cry for Wren to go get Greinke.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:09 pm
Tony Gwynn Jr. is not a good baseball player.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
5:10 pm
dplefrey: Vizcaino didn’t have surgery for last year’s elbow injury.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:10 pm
Andrew
But can they fix his brain?
Steve from OH
December 6th, 2010
5:10 pm
dplefrey: Vizcaino didn’t have surgery for last year’s elbow injury.
Really? Surprising.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:10 pm
Andrew in PA,
I don’t think the Braves are really interested in Greinke. Just brought up that if they were interested, Atlanta is one of the few teams with the right mix of talent, payroll, competitiveness, and “mentality” to make a deal work.
However, unless he price falls through the floor I don’t see how the upgrade he would make to the 2011 team would outweigh the future gains you’d be giving up in elite prospects.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:11 pm
And here comes the Matt Kemp talk again… *sigh*
Murph
December 6th, 2010
5:11 pm
Schafer for Pujols… for the Cardinals it would be like trading in an older Corvette on a brand new one. It’s a win-win for everyone and practically a wash as far as player worth is concerned.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
Y’all do realize that there will be no more buig trades, they won’t trade Lowe, they won’t get Grienke and they won’t sing another outfielder cause they already have all the options they need?
Wren said he would tweak the bench. He does exactly what he says he will. You do not need a big trade to tweak your bench. There are numerous non tenders, waiver clearers and the like that they wil get who they need form that list – IF they don’t already have the players who will compete signed.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
I hearing Frenchy talk to the Phillies. Charlie said he thinks he cant fix Jeff’s swing. He said they fixed Werth.
Werth wasn’t broken. Putting the fences at little league depth and letting a guy hit behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard can “fix” a lot of swings.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
DOB was that Lefty a free agent or trade.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
Grienke would be a great addition to the Atlanta rotation. Put him and Hanson at the top, they would benefit each other. They are both very much the same type of pitcher. I’d be willing to trade JJ in that type of trade.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:13 pm
You guys know how the Braves feel about players with no trade clauses. If Greinke has one in place and two years left on his contract, Wren might say “not happening” anyway.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:13 pm
Matt Kemp will not be a Brave any time soon.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:14 pm
dpelfrey,
I realized that about the Greinke trade. I actually think that acquiring him would take a much stronger package than the one you suggested. If that’s all it would take, I would strongly consider it if I were Frank Wren, especially after the injury shortened season Jurrjens just had.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:14 pm
Nobody’s going to take JJ coming off an injury plagued year…certainly not for a guy as talented as Greinke
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:15 pm
I thought Vizcaino had a partial tear in his elbow. He really didn’t have any procedures done?
I wonder how many pitchers have recovered from partial tear and been successful without having to eventually do the TJ.
braves4ever
December 6th, 2010
5:15 pm
LOL, Murph , after I got up from the floor from laughing,whew Schafer for Pujols, O too funny.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
5:15 pm
Latest confirmed interest in Diaz is from Seattle Mariners.
That’s at least three I know have interest: Yankees, Phillies, Mariners.
By the way, Diaz’s wife Leslee delivered baby No. 3 on Dec. 2, two weeks before due date. It’s a boy, Matthew Jacob “Jake” Diaz, weighed 7 pounds and is doing just fine.
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:15 pm
Braves has the worst CF situation in baseball. Arron Rowand would be a damm upgrade. That is how much McCloth sucks
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:16 pm
You guys know how the Braves feel about players with no trade clauses. If Greinke has one in place and two years left on his contract, Wren might say “not happening” anyway.
The Braves refuse to include NTCs in contracts that THEY negotiate, but have shown in the past that they have no problem acquiring a player who signed a contract with a NCT in it from another team. Scheurholtz even mentioned that specifically in his book (and I would assume Wren has a similar philosphy).
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:18 pm
Braves has the worst CF situation in baseball. Arron Rowand would be a damm upgrade. That is how much McCloth sucks
Even if that were true, I’d say having one of the best catching, RF, 2b, starting pitching, bullpen, and bench situations in baseball slightly make up for it, no?
Ed Glennon
December 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
I watched Schafer play in AAA on the MLB network late in the season and he dogged it in the outfield. Brian Jordan to his credit pointed it out. At least McOut will hustle. Send Schafer off with Cody Johnson.
MFin04
December 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
The Schafer article really is a great read, that being said the kid is a long ways away from being a legit option in CF next year.
Arkansas Transplant
December 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
I’d package JJ with Beachy or Minor with another prospect or two to acquire Greinke. You’d be crazy not too… power arms win playoff and WS games.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:20 pm
RC…Bring me up to speed…who did the Braves trade for with a no trade clause? Huddy?
McFann O O
December 6th, 2010
5:20 pm
Matthew Jacob “Jake” Diaz, weighed 7 pounds and is doing just fine.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
5:21 pm
I really don’t get the Greinke speculation. The guy does make $13.5 mil for each of the next 2 years, right? Last I heard, Wren didn’t have $27 mil laying around for this season and next.
UNCBrave
December 6th, 2010
5:21 pm
Royals Get:
RHP Beachy
LHP Minor
CF Young/ Schafer
Braves Get:
RHP Zack Greinke
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:22 pm
For those who bashed me for trading Teheran, why are you guys opposed to it.
If a minor league pitcher can get in return someone that makes the braves better than the Phillies or Giants then why not do it.
Last time I checked the Braves are not better than those teams.
He is a minor league pitcher. I dont care how good he may be. No one knows. Pitchers are one pitch away from the end. Most never live up the the hype.
If a trade that Teheran is a piece of and the Braves get a superstar that makes them have the best possible team, then there should be no hisitation.
Is there a problem with winning now. Teheran was not drafted. The Braves can go find more guys down there and sign 16 year olds as free agents. There are more down there.
WIN NOW!
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:22 pm
Arkansas Transplant -
Why would the Royals trade their best pitcher for a guy that may not be healthy?
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:22 pm
I think we need a CF before we need to be trading away guys like JJ.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:23 pm
Now that’s a mans’ name. Jake Diaz! Baseball name “Jake the Rake”
nolie
December 6th, 2010
5:23 pm
nobody is gonna take JJ this winter on a major trade sigh
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:23 pm
UNCBrave
December 6th, 2010
5:21 pm
Royals Get:
RHP Beachy
LHP Minor
CF Young/ Schafer
Braves Get:
RHP Zack Greinke
That’s not going to get it down. Dude won a CY 2 years ago.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:24 pm
MikeInFl…the Braves were included in a rumor on MLBTR…that’s all it takes.
chris
December 6th, 2010
5:24 pm
mikeInFl- if the braves traded lowe, they would have room for grinke…..
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:24 pm
nolie-
no matter how many times it’s said by how many different people, some people refuse to believe that…kinda like Matt Kemp being available in spite of the Dodgers saying at least a dozen times they are not going to trade him…
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:25 pm
ChrisfromSac
So you’re basically saying that all minor leaguers are the same. Should we have traded Heyward or Hanson two years ago?
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
Andrew-
But a trade for a pitcher that only pitched 20 games last year due to injury will??
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
4:17pm: The Blue Jays also have some interest in Diaz, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter).
Geez we could have kept him and traded him.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
Sorry guys for starting the Greinke trade scenarios. I was just trying to get people to stop talking about it by showing them how much the Braves would have to give up for an unpredictable pitcher, but I guess I overestimated the audience.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
Travis,
I don’t think Huddy had one. I thought either Sheffield or JD Drew did, but I can’t remember or find any information about either online. Sorry I can’t provide more information…it’s hard to track down NTCs from 4-5 years ago.
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
RC, you have to score runs to win. The braves showed they cant score enough. Uggla will help. But CF is a issue. Defense sucks out there with Nate. He has no arm and is a mess at the plate. Braves jsut stuck a 2B out in left field. There is an issue.
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
Grienke trade to Atlanta would be hard to get done. Grienke makes 13.5 million this year and next. There’s just no possible way to add that type of salary. Yes we have the youngins to get the deal done just the money doesnt work. Lowe is staying put unless a team is willing to pay most of his remaining 30 mil. Our team is basically set, I’d consider anything more Iceing on the Cake. If we can add 2 million to spend by dealing KK, i’m sure we’ll see another bench player or reliever added. The Braves should concentrate on getting to know Uggla and trying to work a 4 year deal out.
Nick
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
The Braves need a 1B, SS, CF, one RP, and a utility player before they can compete with the big boys.
DS1
December 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
If Matt Kemp is not available, let’s make a play for Shawn Kemp!
C’mon cabravesfan, don’t go bursting people’s bubbles!
Frankie Wren
December 6th, 2010
5:27 pm
Depth chart in CF
McLouth
M Young
Schafer
Lets just see how this plays out. Jordan needs some time in Gwinnett even if he goes gangbusters in March.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
5:27 pm
Regarding Zack Greinke, I’m surprised how the rumors and rampant speculation of Braves’ interest in the pitcher have spread the past couple of days.
There’s nothing there. The Braves aren’t pursuing Greinke.
ijudgenot
December 6th, 2010
5:27 pm
Wren made 3 over reaches his first year as general manager trying to insure his initial success, Lowe($15mil a yr/3yrs),KK($7mil a yr/3yrs) and McClouth($7mil a yr/3yrs). Only Lowe has been worth half the amount paid out. KK and McClouth have and will continue to be busts. Its apparent that the Braves are willing to eat KK’s contract if no takers are found and either banish him to AAA or let him walk. They should do the same with McClouth. I hope Gonzalez whispers in Wren’s ear that despite the public statements of support by the players, keeping a non-producing player on the team making twice, if not more, than your best producers(Prado, Heyward,Freeman, Hinski and Ross) is not good for your overall team morale. He will be an albatross around the neck of the team for as long as he does not produce, which he won’t. He is a nice guy who got a good contract after an asterisk stamped AllStar selection season. The word out is he is untradable so the Braves have to keep him, no they don’t. Why not let him go to the Pirates where his success was and the Braves agree to pay half his contract or 2/3 of it. Schafer can not be any worse than McClouth starting in center and batting eigth in the lineup. Plus he would be making around $500k. You could use the $3mil savings to get a trade for young 3rd baseman to replace Chipper.
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:28 pm
Nick..
1B – Freeman
SS – Gonzalez
CF – McLouth/Schafer
RP – Venters, Kimbrel, Proctor, Linebrink, Moylan
Util – Conrad, Diory, PTBNL
DONE…anything else?
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:28 pm
DS1-
I’ve been trying to burst that bubble from the day it first appeared on the blog! Nobody listened to me!
Javy Vazquez had a partial no-trade clause when the Braves got him…he’s the only one that comes to my mind…
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:28 pm
Speculation gets shot down here a lot. Only one guy on here thought Uggla was coming to the Braves becasue it was too good to be true. Some of the trade speculation is plain stupid but Frankie jukes em right out of their shorts sometimes. Just having a little fun. Lighten up.
DS1
December 6th, 2010
5:29 pm
Nick
There names are Freddie Freeman, Alex Gonzalez, Nate McLouth, Jordan Schafer and Matt Young. And yes, the Braves need a utility player and relief pitcher.
And if you didn’t notice, last year we competed with the big boys.
I’m sure that just slipped your mind, huh?
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:29 pm
Owl Hunter, Would you rather have Tommy Hanson or Carl Crawford, or Adrian Gonzalez. Hanson is good, but not that good.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:29 pm
I’m going to make a fake trade rumor that we are going to trade Freeman, Minor, Lowe and McClouth for Prince Fielder. I bet there are at least two people on this blog who would run with this.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:29 pm
DOB, yeah and Ken Griffey Jr once played to the Braves.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
5:29 pm
The Braves need a 1B, SS, CF, one RP, and a utility player before they can compete with the big boys. – Nick
Yep, all those big boy teams made it to the playoffs last year. Wait, so did the braves.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:30 pm
Say it with me now: It’s McLouth! Only one “C” people! (I know, I know…don’t know why I waste the energy, but it’s a personal quest of mine to get people to spell the players’ names right)
Nick
December 6th, 2010
5:30 pm
dpelfrey – are you seriously gonna put Proctor in as part of the bullpen? The guy couldn’t get A ball hitters out much less major leaguers.
Nick
December 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
Freeman – sucks, Gonzalez – sucks, McLouth – sucks.
Obee
December 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
McLouth will be comeback player of the year and make a lot of people on this blog eat crow.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
Is Teheran going to come into this season as the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball? I’ve heard something along those lines.
You don’t trade the #1 prospect in baseball, especially if he’s a pitcher, because those type of guys don’t come along all that often. Sure, there will be other prospects, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll live up to the hype, but to trade him before finding out would be crazy.
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
Chris,Ca
Prado has played plenty of LF in winter ball. He’s a good hitter. If Chipper goes down for long period of time Prado would move to 3rd. Hinske and possibly Mather playing time would increase in LF. The Braves seem to be very confident in Schafer. and we still have to see if Nate can bounce back we have to give the guy a chance with the money were paying him. Our team is much improved and every braves fan should be satisfied. In my opinion the Braves had made the best deal of the offseason so far. When u add a true 30+ homer slugger for a Utility player and reliever you have to be stocked. Unless your a marlins fan that is.
Lew
December 6th, 2010
5:32 pm
Owl – There were plenty then who claimed that since Heyward and Hanson were still unknown quantities we should trade them for an immediate return. Good thing they’re not GM’s.
Y’all – Teheran is projected to be a Number One starter. Not many are projected that high. You keep him and take the chance you have the kid cheap for six years and not use him for two years at $27 million of someone who has been super good and then not so much in one of the weaker divisions in MLB and who we’d have to turn around and re-sign for an inordinate amount of $$$$$.
None of these deals are happening. We got Uggla (hich most of you claimed we couldn’t) and we got Linebrink – filling the two major needs Wren claimed he was looking to fill.
I swear y’all remind me of a Bert and Ernie story I used to read my kid – One more thing and one moe thing – way past the bounds of sanity. How does it feel to Baseball Muppets?
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:32 pm
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca …
Yes, I would rather have a potential 15-game winner broken out of the John Smoltz mold that makes under $500,000 instead of Carl Crawford ($20 million) or Adrian Gonzalez ($20 million soon enough). It’s about value, my friend.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:33 pm
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca,
The Braves scored 740 runs last year, good for 13th in MLB. The 14th place team was the defending WS champion Giants. In addition to that, the Braves added a guy who had 33 HR, 100 runs scored, and 105 RBI last year to a lineup that’s essentially the same as the one that scored 740 runs last year. Combine all that with the fact that it’s almost impossible for McLouth to be less productive than he was last year (and if he is they’ll replace him), and it seems very obvious that this offense will score runs, while continuing to prevent them at a very good rate (they were 4th in runs allowed last year).
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:33 pm
Chris
For money, and years of usefulness standpoint, I’d take Hanson. He’s 23 years old. He hasn’t peaked yet. The other guys have or are about to. Good pitching beats good hitting. We can win today without completely sacrificing the future. That’s how good organizations work. If you were a GM trading top young pitching like it’s nothing, hacks like Ed Wade would be punking you left and right.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
5:33 pm
McLouth will be comeback player of the year and make a lot of people on this blog eat crow.
Comeback Player of the Year should be limited to players who got hurt or were out of the game for some reason other than a total loss of skill. The thought of McLouth being rewarded for playing decent after playing like he did last year makes me sick.
ajj
December 6th, 2010
5:34 pm
Would a package around JJ an heyward be enough to land Oil Can Boyd?
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:34 pm
Carlos Gonzalez would be the ONLY player i would be willing to give up the farm for
but no Freeman
still leaves alot of top specs
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:35 pm
Murph, I bet Nate sucked it last year so he would have a shot at the comeback player award. That makes sense.
Hey ajj, I heard Oil Can is still pitching.
DS1
December 6th, 2010
5:35 pm
WOW! We are making a play for Prince Fielder!!!
DS1
December 6th, 2010
5:37 pm
I’ll keep Hanson over Crawford or AG.
Now, I might deal him for Ryan Braun? Maybe…..
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:37 pm
It’s about value, my friend.
Now there is a topic for the stat gurus. Value per dollar. How would ya do it. Based on just plain ole hits per dollar, innings per dollar? Wins per dollar, post season appearances per dollar? Interesting.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
5:38 pm
Tommy Hanson or Carl Crawford, or Adrian Gonzalez
Not a fair question, chirs. Let’s put it this way. You’ve got $100 mil to play with over the next 5 years. You can have Tommy Hanson for, maybe $15 mil over that period , and an extra $85 mil to spend on other pieces.
Or you can have Carl Crawford, and nothing else. Or Adrian Gonzalez, and nothing else.
I guess there’s still a couple of ways to answer, but let’s at least ask the question so that it makes sense.
We get it chris. You don’t think prospects turn into good players; you don’t think pitching matters; and you don’t recognize financial constraints.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:38 pm
Carlos Gonzalez would be the ONLY player i would be willing to give up the farm for
Carlos Gonzalez is at the top of my list of players I would NOT be willing to give up the farm for. Not unless he gets to take all of his at-bats in Coors Field.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:38 pm
Braves4life
I’m not sure I’d give up the farm for CarGo just yet. Let’s see if he can keep this up first.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:39 pm
DS1
a play for Prince Fielder????
source would be nice
Murph
December 6th, 2010
5:39 pm
dpelfrey, I bet Nate sucked last year because he sucks. That makes more sense to me.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
Chris
Remember when we recieved one whole season of JD Drew, and all it cost us was ADAM F’N WAINRIGHT?!?
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
Chris is from California. In his mind, it’s okay to overspend on players and run a huge deficit. That’s the norm out there.
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
DS1
a play for Prince Fielder????
source would be nice
DS1 got his windows mixed up. Must have thought he was on the Dodgers blog.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
RC
Ouch, just looked at his home/away splits and he was just decent on the road.
You are right
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:41 pm
OK. We got one sucker for my fake Prince Fielder rumor (with an assist from DS1). Who’s next?
Supes
December 6th, 2010
5:41 pm
Looks like the Orioles got Mark Reynolds from the D’Backs for 2 relievers….wow…I’m amazed at that deal and how little the D’Backs got back….I guess I was over estimating his value?
Question…why didn’t the Braves give them a call if all it took to get him was 2 relievers? How would have Mark Reynolds fit here with the Braves (considering Chipper’s future at 3B is questionable and short term at best).
Also…what is Teheran’s ceiling projected as? Is he thought of as highly as we did of Tommy Hanson? I know he is rated our number 1 prospect but as far as stuff (I’ve never seen him pitch) so anyone here with more knowledge please feel free to post some comments on it.
BTW…if the Brewers were offering Ryan Braun to KC (or anyone else)…Braves would be crazy to NOT make a call and see what they can do. His best years are ahead of him and he’d solidify LF for years.
On a side note…I hope the Phillies end up with FRANCINE….it’ll be a place to go get an easy out in their lineup.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:42 pm
Owl Hunter
It was just one of those trades that worked out for the Cardinals. J.D drew had some monster seasons for the Braves. He pretty much gave us what we wanted/needed.
Not all specs turn out to be stars
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:42 pm
The Orioles can have Reynolds and his 8 billion strikeouts.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:42 pm
Chris is from California. In his mind, it’s okay to overspend on players and run a huge deficit. That’s the norm out there.
dpelfrey -
Ummm, I beg to differ. I don’t feel that way at all!
RC
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
Supes,
Teheran’s ceiling is higher than Hanson’s, but he’s also much younger, and much less certain than Hanson was. But his ceiling is multiple Cy Young winner.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
Supes
When you have 211 K’s and a .198 avg. you will not be a great trade bate
Jeff R
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
Schafer wants back in a bad way – good for him. Hopefully, his bat will live up to its potential and the Braves gain a long term solution in CF.
Obee
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
That concussion didn’t help McLouth much, either.
Supes
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
Owl Hunter,
Come on now…he is a legit RH power hitter…isn’t that our biggest need (yes I know we got UGGLA) but I can be greedy
nolie
December 6th, 2010
5:44 pm
Chipperr hit 246 one year, thats about the same as Nate hitting 190. wonder what happened to ol’ Chippy?
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
5:45 pm
I just got an idea.
Not sure if this would work. What if Wren can unload Kawakami (well, at least a few million out of it) and then sign Ty Wigginton as the utility guy and can’t he play SS too?
Lew
December 6th, 2010
5:45 pm
Supes – He’s thought of higher than Hanson. He is projected as a true number one starter. He isn’t even 20 yet and has three to four pitches that he can control.
Supes
December 6th, 2010
5:45 pm
RC thanks for that reply…I can’t wait to see him pitch for AAA Braves so I can actually go down to the stadium and see him pitch live to get a real idea of his control/velocity/stuff in person.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
5:45 pm
I’d offer Prado JJ for Bruan and Cain
Rob from SC
December 6th, 2010
5:46 pm
BRewers fleeced the Blue Jays. Marcum is a really good pitcher
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:47 pm
Supes
I guess, but Uggla fills this need, and bullpen depth will be important this season.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
5:47 pm
“Braves have made progress in uggla extension talks. He loves fredi and is said to be thrilled to be traded there.”
This is per Jon Heyman. Perhaps an extension can happen at the meetings
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:47 pm
I dont really see the need for a Grineke or a Cain
We need a bat and thats it
Supes
December 6th, 2010
5:47 pm
Brave4life- We almost had it
Yes I’m aware of the K’s and the low batting average…I do wonder how much of that was the fact that he didn’t have much protection in that lineup, and maybe lacked discipline as a relatively young player…I’m just saying he’s gotta be intriguing if his only flaw is striking out. Is that something that can be “fixed” or if not fixed cut down to a respectable number for a power hitter. I mean guys like Ryan Howard strike out a lot and Adam Dunn….surely someone can work with Reynold on that.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
5:48 pm
Wigginton cant play SS
Supes
December 6th, 2010
5:49 pm
Rob from SC,
agreed on that deal with the Jays/Brewers. He is a very solid pitcher.
Jeff R
December 6th, 2010
5:49 pm
Mark Reynolds… Hadn’t tracked him at all during the season, When I saw that Reynolds had .198 batting average, I thought it was a typo. He’s got pop, but, man, he’s dead wood, otherwise.
Bal’imore fans most be sick and tired of Angelos running a once great franchise into the ground season after season.
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
December 6th, 2010
5:49 pm
Owl Hunter, RC , keep the being optimust. The Braves will be playing for a wild card at best.
Hanson is not Smoltz first off. I understand Value. If im not mistaking Adrian Gonzalez made 5 mill last year. Hmm would have been nice to have him last year and not Derrek Lee. Prospects could have made that happen. And then maybe the braves score 3 runs and not 2 or none off Matt Cain.
Prospects are a source to make the BIG LEAGUE TEAM BETTER.
Braves have a rookie playing first. Heyward is well overrated. Chipper comming back, we hope. and Left Field, and center are a question mark at best.
You guys want to win in 2017. You two guys dont seem to think winning now is important.
Ha Prado plays LF in winter ball. That is a long way from Playing the Phillies when it matters.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:50 pm
Supes
I do wonder how much of that was the fact that he didn’t have much protection in that lineup,
Kelly Johnson
Justin Upton
Stephen Drew
Adam Laroche
Chris Young
He had MORE than enough protection.
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
December 6th, 2010
5:51 pm
Here are a couple of links to Lorenzo Cain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcuE9uoCbmk
And an article written by a Brewers fan which is somewhat optimistic:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/432432-lorenzo-cain-is-willing-and-abel
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
5:51 pm
Andrew in PA
Yeah and the Brewers would just hang up very quickly.
Rob from SC
December 6th, 2010
5:52 pm
Supes
David Hernandez is talented
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
5:52 pm
Chris-
First, the Padres were not overly interested in trading Gonzalez last year. Second, calling Heyward “well overrated” is boardline laughable. Last, Prado has played against the Phillies quite a few times. Just because he’s playing a different position doesn’t mean he’ll forget how to hit or catch…
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:52 pm
Supes
think of it this way
Reynolds had 99 hits and 32 were HR
one of his every 3 hits were HR
I would love that type of HR/HIT ratio anytime. ONLY if he had 200 hits
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
5:53 pm
Dayton Moore is on MLBN right now. First time I have gotten to see what he looks like.
Travis
December 6th, 2010
5:53 pm
ChrisfromSacramento,Ca ….What franchise do you support? If you can spell the name…sound it out with Phonics
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:53 pm
Chris
You are absolutley hopeless. If it were up to you, we’d have nobody under the age of 34 on the club. We are much closer to the Phils than we would be if you called the shots. Put away the Xbox, and study the money, contract length, and scouting aspects of the game.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:55 pm
Regarding Reynolds, keep in mind that AZ is a launch pad. he won’t hit quite as many HRs in a pitcher’s park. Without HRs, he’s useless.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
5:56 pm
If im not mistaking Adrian Gonzalez made 5 mill last year. Hmm would have been nice to have him last year and not Derrek Lee. – ChrisfromSaca
post all star numbers
Adrian – .294/.388/.485
Derrek – .298/.373/.516
Dont see how Adrian wouldve solved anything for us. Dont think we were looking for another LH bat either
Murph
December 6th, 2010
5:57 pm
Chris from CA, you do realize that MLB players come from somewhere, don’t you? They aren’t left under GM’s pillows or hatched out of some magical golden egg and just appear on MLB rosters. They start off as prospects in somebody’s organization.
Prospects aren’t just for trading. If Teheran does live up to his potential then the Braves would be trading a future #1 starter. What are they going to do 3 years from now when they don’t have a #1 starter? Pay $20mil a year out of desperation? No thanks.
Owl Hunter
December 6th, 2010
5:58 pm
I think Chris is Brian Cashman in disguise.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
5:58 pm
unbelievable
No one in the Braves organizations REALLY wanted Gonzalez. Yes, he woulda been nice but I am ready for a long term 1b Freddie “free me” freemen
Patrick
December 6th, 2010
6:00 pm
Per rotoworld.com
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Braves and Dan Uggla are making progress toward an extension.
Heyman says Uggla was “thrilled” to be traded to Atlanta and “loves” manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was his skipper for a time with the Marlins. Uggla rejected a four-year, $48 million offer from the Marlins, which led to him being traded. It remains to be seen if he’s willing to take a similar deal from the Braves or if he wants more money no matter which team is offering it.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:00 pm
JETS PATRIOTS
gametime baby
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
6:00 pm
Heyward is well overrated. – ChrisfromSaCa
21yr old, .393OBP, .849OPS, 6th best defensive RF’r…yep, overrated
jason
December 6th, 2010
6:00 pm
This offf season isnt done yet. I want to see the braves go after a shortstop justin upton.
unbelievable
December 6th, 2010
6:02 pm
Brave4life – I know that, that was my point. Lee put up very similar numbers to Adrian after the allstar break. He was injured also.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:02 pm
So I guess I was right earlier. There is actually some interest in Lorenzo Cain. Any word on what the asking price is?
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:06 pm
MLBTR is making Matt Lindstrom and Jeff Keppinger available. I heard some say something about The Kepster.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:07 pm
jason, first of all, Upton is an Outfielder, and secondly, NO!
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:07 pm
P’cola Brave
Pitching
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:08 pm
Heyward is well overrated Chris
what a load. he had a great rookie year
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:08 pm
B4L
What kind? Prospects or Minor/Beachy?
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:09 pm
P’cola Brave
major league ready pitchers
They want someone like Marcum, who they got from toronto
Bama Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:10 pm
O.j. why no on upton?
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
6:10 pm
“BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
5:47 pm
“Braves have made progress in uggla extension talks. He loves fredi and is said to be thrilled to be traded there.”
This is per Jon Heyman. Perhaps an extension can happen at the meetings.”
That’s good to hear. Thanks for passing it along, Chris.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:10 pm
P’cola Brave
It would be nice if Beachy + mid level spec could get it done
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:11 pm
That’d be a tough decision. I really don’t know much about the Cain kid but looks like he could be a solid player. Plus controlable for awhile.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:12 pm
The Mariners signed a top Dominican prospect to a deal that includes the highest international amatuer signing bonus of the year, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Esteilon Peguero, a 17-year-old shortstop who is one of the most advanced hitting prospects in Latin America, signed for $2.9MM. The right-handed hitter has good bat speed, but may eventually move to second or third base.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:12 pm
th best defensive RF’r…unbelievable
Yup! he was even voted 4th best by Fielding Bible panel, which is prolly more reliable than most pure stats.
guy is a bit of all right, no doubt.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:14 pm
Beachy + someone else for Cain? Did I read that right?
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:14 pm
MIBravesFan
It’s no problem. I’m glued to the computer/TV during the Winter Meetings and around the July 31st Trade Deadline. I’ll update whatever I see/hear.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:14 pm
Just looking this kid up again. Came across this video from this year. Amazing play.
lorenzo cain catch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbnwJ9YHfyE
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:15 pm
#braves have made progress in uggla extension talks. He loves fredi and is said to be thrilled to be traded there.
31 minutes ago via web .#braves have the pieces for greinke but prefer to hold onto their young pitching studs.
Jon Heyman twitter
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:15 pm
JJ Putz is now a D-Back.
Probably their new closer. Per Ken R.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:16 pm
Lorenzo Cain firs hit was off of Venters
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:16 pm
Terms aren’t known yet, but JJ Putz and D-Back’s have agreed to a contract.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:17 pm
Lorenzo Cain first hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcuE9uoCbmk&NR=1
I only post it cause I thought it was funny it came against Braves.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:17 pm
Putz contract is a 2 Year Deal with a club option, pending physical.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:18 pm
D-Backs are without a doubt fixing their pitiful excuse of a bullpen from previous years.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:18 pm
would have liked to have Putz. He might regret that move to /zona B4 the season is over
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:19 pm
B4L
It was actually off Dunn
Couch Tater
December 6th, 2010
6:22 pm
I hope both Schafer and McLouth do well, so we can pop-up another Prado vs Kelly type debate. heh
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:23 pm
Bama Brave, I meant no as in, No more dumb not ever gonna happen trade ideas.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:24 pm
hey Tater, ain’t seen you around in a while. hows trix?
Bama Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:25 pm
ohhh okay lol
NC State Nate
December 6th, 2010
6:26 pm
Why would we not be in on Greinke, other than money?
Braveheart
December 6th, 2010
6:27 pm
Lorenzo Cain sounds like the name of a cop on some cheesy network drama that lasts 6 weeks
Joe
December 6th, 2010
6:27 pm
Sorry his first hit was off of Dunn.. the one he hit off Venters.. Diaz make a diving catch. go back and watch it again and see if I’m not right.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:28 pm
NC State Nate, hmmm, can give you 5 good reasons for that, the Answers are Lowe, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens and Minor/Beachy
shmoe
December 6th, 2010
6:30 pm
the matt diaz catch of lorenzo cain was off a righty.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:30 pm
Joe thats right. The diving catch was off Venters and first hit off Dunn.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:31 pm
you don’t think Grienke is better than any of those guys, OJ?
NC State Nate
December 6th, 2010
6:31 pm
So Minor and or Beachy is going to keep you from a CY Young in his prime?
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:32 pm
Correction: Shmoe is right. Diving catch was off Kawakami or Saito. Can’t really tell.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:32 pm
Venters is a rightie now?
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:33 pm
NC State Nate
I’m sure the money is main thing pushing Braves away from Grienke. He makes 13.5 next year. Plus hes coming off a year w/ an ERA over 4.
Tommy T
December 6th, 2010
6:34 pm
O.J.
Those five players have absolutely nothing to do with the Braves lack of interest in Greinke. The Braves would have to give up Teheran or Delgado plus at least two other prospects.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:34 pm
Wren coming up on MLB Network
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:34 pm
Frankie Wren on Hot Stove coming up next.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:34 pm
Frank Wren is gonna be on MLBN next. Get your DVR’s ready.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
6:35 pm
Frank Wren is supposed to be coming up on MLB Network.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:35 pm
The Roylas should have sold high on Grinke last year
they would have hauled in ton of talent
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
6:35 pm
I’d trade Minor and Beachy for Grienke, but the money wont work and I think the Royals would want more.
Juan
December 6th, 2010
6:36 pm
Wren coming to MLB Net to announce the Sign of CLIFF LEE….WOW another surprise….
Joe
December 6th, 2010
6:36 pm
Hope not nolie..I was trying to read the name on his back not looking at r or l
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:37 pm
B4L
They still have time to sell on Grienke. Hes signed for 13.5 this year and next. If he returns to form this year then they could pull in a large return at the deadline.
DaveFromDallas(NC)
December 6th, 2010
6:37 pm
Did anyone hear anything about Frank Wren being on mlbnetwork?
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:38 pm
Frank Wren is on now
ChopChamps95
December 6th, 2010
6:41 pm
Schafer wants back in a bad way – good for him. Hopefully, his bat will live up to its potential and the Braves gain a long term solution in CF.
——————————————————–
If Cain comes to the Braves, Schafer is of no further value unless he moves to LF or is trade bait for someone else. This was Lorenzo Cain’s stat line combined between AA and AAA last year:
.317 avg / .402 OBP / .432 slugging / .834 OPS / 3HR and 26 SBs in just 331 ABs
The guy also posted 9 triples last year in those 331 ABs. He’s no super phenom but those stats are pretty good to me. His defense is outstanding as well. Personally, I’d take his speed and defense over Schafer’s every single day of the week.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:42 pm
I’d trade Minor and Beachy for Grienke Va
yeah but KC would just laugh atcha
Pete4
December 6th, 2010
6:44 pm
I pretty much agree CHOP…I like Cain and he’s had no problems are broken bones.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:44 pm
Frank Wren , BP Lefty, Right Stick for OF, Utly INF
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
6:45 pm
Wren basically said the focus is on fine tuning and mentioned….
* RH Outfielder
* Lefty In Bullpen
* Utility Player
Remember Jordan Schafer? CF is prepping for big return
December 6th, 2010
6:45 pm
[...] Schafer? CF is prepping for big return On December 6, 2010, in MLB, by cpollack09 Link ——————– Big read but the title is what the article is [...]
DaveFromDallas(NC)
December 6th, 2010
6:46 pm
Frank Wren is lazy. What? No more deals?!!
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
6:46 pm
nolie
yeah i’m sure they would. Someone said they wouldnt trade those 2 for Grienke is why I responded.
VaBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
6:47 pm
I think Wren will aquire 1 of those postions he named. The others will be filled in house.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:47 pm
Harold Reynolds sounded like he was thinking we were about to get Crawford.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
6:47 pm
Oh no, the Phillies are talking about bringing back Cliff Lee. Well, so the MLB trade rumor site says.
Joe
December 6th, 2010
6:48 pm
That looked like DOB walking behind Pete G and Acta. Damn I believe it was.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:48 pm
Right stick will be Cain.
Couch Tater
December 6th, 2010
6:48 pm
nolie – I’ve been reading, just haven’t had anything worthy to post. But, i’ma lookin’. : )
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:49 pm
even Harold ain’t THAT delusional Andrew
Juan
December 6th, 2010
6:49 pm
Trey ….Phillis not have the Money…Payroll it to High now….
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:50 pm
yeah Va, I know. was just razzin’ ya
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:50 pm
just haven’t had anything worthy to post Tater
ain’t never stopped me
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:50 pm
This tweet from Jerry Crasnick
‘A little tension between the Brewers and Braves, who thought center fielder Lorenzo Cain was available, and are now hearing he wasn’t’
Cain is not coming here guys, so stop worrying.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:51 pm
@jcrasnick A little tension between the Brewers and Braves, who thought center fielder Lorenzo Cain was available, and are now hearing he wasn’t
Juan
December 6th, 2010
6:51 pm
The chance of Phillis acquire Lee is the Same of the Braves sign him….Cero…Zip…Nada
Joe
December 6th, 2010
6:51 pm
alot of Clubs still looking for pitching will be call Wren. Deals and thrills at any time.
Bama Brave
December 6th, 2010
6:51 pm
I agree Andrew.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:51 pm
More from Crasnick
‘Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said Cain called a team scout and was “all worried” after hearing his name in trade rumors.’
and
‘”We have to be open to any players.,” Melvin said. “But we feel very good about Lorenzo Cain being our center fielder.”’
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:52 pm
@jcrasnick “We have to be open to any players.,” Melvin said. “But we feel very good about Lorenzo Cain being our center fielder.” less than a minute ago
@jcrasnick Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said Cain called a team scout and was “all worried” after hearing his name in trade rumors. about a minute ago
There trying to get Minor.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
6:52 pm
N Nine
December 6th, 2010
4:51 pm
Went from being set for winter with Uggla to lets get EVERYONE!!! I love baseball blogs. You can never stop improving especially the Mclouth/Schafer & company. I dislike our CF situation
Somebody does? The only defense we had out there last year left on the cut-train going out of town.
Mike McDonald
December 6th, 2010
6:52 pm
Schafer could be the feel good story of 2011. If he is simply good as one of four Braves’ outfielders, he solves a lot of problems and gives Freddi lots of options. As DOB is wont to break out in song, I am wont to break out in jingle (to the tune of a golden oldie NYC commercial for Schaefer beer:
“Scha-fer is the one peer to have
When you’re having more than one
Scha-fer pleasure never ends
Even when the game is done.
The most rewarding treasure in this man’s world
Is for people having fun
Scha-fer is the one peer to have
When you’re having more than one”.
One of Schaefer beer’s earlier themes will hopefully come true for Jordan Schafer: “Our hand (and wrist) has never (permanently) lost its skill”.
Lift one for Jordan (and DOB): “Cheers and the best of luck”
Mike McDonald.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:53 pm
Cain shouldn’t be worried, he’s coming home.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:53 pm
From Crasnick
‘Not sure how much there is to this, but one scout said the Brewers might be holding back Cain as possible chip in a Zack Greinke trade.’
So if the Brewers could possibly want Greinke for Cain, what would they want from us?
nolie
December 6th, 2010
6:53 pm
its cool that the Braves were investigating that kind of possibility though
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:54 pm
jcrasnick: Not sure how much there is to this, but one scout said the Brewers might be holding back Cain as possible chip in a Zack Greinke trade.
John
December 6th, 2010
6:54 pm
Justin Upton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Atlanta Braves 2011 World Series Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:55 pm
haha Andrew, one after the other, and John, STHU!
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:56 pm
HaHa sorry im always late
DaveFromDallas(NC)
December 6th, 2010
6:57 pm
Oh boy. Let the annual Ron Mahay love fest begin. Mark Bowman says on mlb.com that he’s one player that Atlanta may target for the “one more lefthander” in the bullpen spot.
O.J.
December 6th, 2010
6:57 pm
Andrew, what do you use for Twitter? I use this program called Tweet Deck, it lets me surf and do other things on the computer and when there is a tweet, it pops up over whatever else i am doing up in the right hand corner
Willy
December 6th, 2010
6:58 pm
Nice Post DOB!, Any chance Schafer takes over before the Allstar Break? And if not any chance we make a run at Carlos Beltran?
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
6:59 pm
O.J. i just use my Ipod Touch for Twitter.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:59 pm
Lorenzo cain rumors heating up
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
7:02 pm
Brewers just trying to sweetin’ the pot.
Murph
December 6th, 2010
7:04 pm
Ron Mahay for Cy Young in 2011 (if they Braves do indeed pick him up… otherwise he’ll suck)
njbraves
December 6th, 2010
7:05 pm
Of course the Braves aren’t pursuing Greinke….it would make too much sense.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
7:07 pm
I wouldn’t mind a Cain trade at all. We have a lot of young pitching but lack in the prospect department. Theres only so many guys who can go into a starting rotation.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
7:08 pm
I figured the lefty relievers they’d look into would be Mahay or Ohman.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
7:08 pm
not sure what sense that would be njb
Justafan
December 6th, 2010
7:10 pm
Cain lives 8 miles from J D Drew family in Valdosta. He was worried about going to Royals. He has told friend in Valdosta he would love to play with Braves. He works out with the Drew boys in the winter. per a friend in Valdosta. I’m repeating what I was told.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
7:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcuE9uoCbmk
Lorenzo Cain first Hit
Rob from SC
December 6th, 2010
7:14 pm
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
6:59 pm
Lorenzo cain rumors heating up
Where did you read this
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
7:14 pm
From Bowman, quoting Wren:
“”I don’t think anything came out this morning that was earth-shattering,” Wren said. “But there were a couple of things we want to pursue and see if there are any legs to them when we get to the other club.”
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
7:15 pm
I said yesterday and still think FW will make a bigger than expected trade. Greinke? No. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls something off.
Juan
December 6th, 2010
7:16 pm
Who’s Lorenzo Cain?….Is this Horacio Brother?…..
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
7:19 pm
jorgearangure: Agent Scott Shapiro says OF Leonis Martin,22,considered best position prospect out of Cuba in years,in Mexico and should be declared FA soon
Norman Cochran
December 6th, 2010
7:30 pm
What is the chance the Atlanta could make a trade with Arizona for SS Stephen Drew? It would help defensively and offensively. There are plenty of prospects along with Gonzalez that could be traded to get him.
Francis
December 6th, 2010
7:30 pm
I’m not sure why everyone is thinking a blockbuster deal is coming our way. I thought we were set.
Roman Gal
December 6th, 2010
7:30 pm
DOB, your timing is perfect for this blog. This is a perfect pick-me-up. But…
I have no doubt he’s going to be 110 percent for spring training this year. –Troy Jones
That’s a horrible thing to say! Don’t imply that he’s doing better than he can. Poor kid is already living under a hormonal cloud…
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
7:32 pm
Juan-
Lorenzo is Matt Cain’s brother.
Jeff R
December 6th, 2010
7:34 pm
“Cain lives 8 miles from J D Drew family in Valdosta.”
Unfortunate for Cain. He’s probably been corrupted by Just the Dollars Drew. Keep Schafer if that’s the case.
Roman Gal
December 6th, 2010
7:34 pm
I’ve seen more positive comments on the kid today than I have in the previous 18 months ncscoots
Nice change of pace, if you ask me…
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
7:34 pm
Lorenzo must be Matt’s brother from another mother >_>
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
7:35 pm
Ken R tweeted saying Cardinals are looking to trade Brendan Ryan. Could he be a target?
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
7:37 pm
69 days before pitchers and catchers report!
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
7:38 pm
Brendan Ryan for INF Utly. good defensive pickup
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
7:38 pm
Brewers were looking for pitching- and they already got it today with trade with Toronto for Shaun Marcum. Trading Cain to Braves not very likely now considering that, I would think. Other than pitching, I can’t think of anything Braves would offer for Cain…
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
7:42 pm
Lolllygagger the Brewers want more starting pitching not just Marcum. I’d imagine they talked Beachy now just recently they decided they want Minor,which Wren would back off .
Jbailz23
December 6th, 2010
7:45 pm
Why is everyone so quick to throw McLouth out and bring in Ellsbury? Nate had better numbers than Ellsbury last year and has almost the same numbers in 6 seasons as Ellsbury has in 4. McLouth is an all-star that had a bad year and everyone …wants to throw him out. Give the guy a shot this year and lets see if we get the McLouth of 08, if we do then we get a 20+ HR, 90+ RBI, 20+ SB CF and we have one of the best OF’s in the league. What other outfield compares to J-Hey, Prado and McLouth if he gets back to form. That’s 3 all-star OF starters. I think everyone’s biggest concern is if Prado’s going to be playing 3B more than LF when Chip is hurt, clearly by this blog and the rumors around the Braves universe it would look like Schafer and Young are going to duke it out for the fourth spot/Prado’s platoon when he’s at 3B. The talk about Cain coming over is intriguing though.
shmoe
December 6th, 2010
7:48 pm
crawford looking for 180mill over 8 years. crazy! this guy is good but not that good. stupid nationals.
Roman Gal
December 6th, 2010
7:50 pm
We’re all desperate for ANY sign that there might be an alternative of ANY kind. The Grinch
You bet your bum. Nothing bothered me more about McLouth last year was his inability to play aggressive defense.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
7:52 pm
Putz gets guaranteed 10 Million in a two year deal with D-Backs. Per Jon Heyman’s Twitter.
Diaz could sign by Thursday and possibly an East Coast Team. Per Bowman’s Twitter.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
7:53 pm
Braves have a rookie playing first. Heyward is well overrated. Chipper comming back, we hope. and Left Field, and center are a question mark at best. _ ChrisfromSacramento,Ca
Is this nick all coked up?
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
7:54 pm
Yankees interested in keeping Kerry Wood. Also Andy Pettitte is leaning towards retirement.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
7:55 pm
Pending physical Putz is a D-Back at a 2 Year 10 Mill deal with an option for 2013.
Lollygagger
December 6th, 2010
7:57 pm
Bat-
No, that’s just Nick doing what he does best. He’ll never be confused for the guy shoveling coal into the engine that drives the positive train. Negativity and cynicism abound.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
8:01 pm
Just checking numbers, do you all realize Chipper has played as many as 135 games once in six seasons, and 110 or fewer games three times in that period?
ramblingman
December 6th, 2010
8:01 pm
“The Braves need a 1B, SS, CF, one RP, and a utility player before they can compete with the big boys”
That is just so wrong on so many levels.
“are you seriously gonna put Proctor in as part of the bullpen? The guy couldn’t get A ball hitters out much less major leaguers”
Say it with me now…injury. See? You can do it.
“Freeman – sucks, Gonzalez – sucks, McLouth – sucks”
Nick – trolls
Chris from Sac – umm, well…err…oh heck, never mind. It’s not worth it.
Rob from SC
December 6th, 2010
8:03 pm
Can we trade Nick?
Hoss10
December 6th, 2010
8:03 pm
I have a little prediction for this season regarding Schafer and McLouth and our CF situation. I believe McLouth will start as our CF and do relatively decent/well and Schafer will start a little slow at AAA and then take off. We will make a somewhat surprising trade around the All-Star break (like Escobar-Gonzalez this past break) and ship McLouth somewhere and eat a couple million of his contract and get a decent minor league piece or two in return. That will open the door for Schafer, who will take the job and won’t let it go! Braves in ‘11!!!!!
John in NC
December 6th, 2010
8:04 pm
How do we get Albie Lopez back?
Snotboogie
December 6th, 2010
8:04 pm
Today has to be a high-water mark for offseason stupidity/negativity/delusion in terms of comments. And Mitchell and .Don havent even shown up!
GTSteve
December 6th, 2010
8:05 pm
Good Luck Jordan, I am pulling for you
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
8:05 pm
Rob-
We tried, but nobody wanted him, not even the yankees…can’t imagine why
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
8:05 pm
DOB, unfortunately, yes
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
8:06 pm
But, only 69 days until pitchers and catchers report. Man, I can’t wait for ST this year!
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 6th, 2010
8:09 pm
“Freeman – sucks, Gonzalez – sucks, McLouth – sucks”
***************
Nick – sucks
GTSteve
December 6th, 2010
8:10 pm
I have it closer to 79 days J…but either way, I am also pumped…and also hope your math is better than mine
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
8:10 pm
Ken R breaks down Putz’s deal….
Putz breakdown with Diamondbacks: 2 yrs, 10M. 4M in 11, 4.5M in 12, 6.5M club option or 1.5M buyout. Max 15M over 3 yrs.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:11 pm
No, that’s just Nick doing what he does best. He’ll never be confused for the guy shoveling coal into the engine that drives the positive train. _
Lollygagger_
Seems a little wordy for nick, hence the ” coked up.” I like you play on “coke” too.
coke:
n.
The solid residue of impure carbon obtained from bituminous coal and other carbonaceous materials after removal of volatile material by destructive distillation. It is used as a fuel and in making steel.
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
8:11 pm
2/13 right? I think that’s 69 days…
In Fredi I Trust
December 6th, 2010
8:12 pm
How can one not root for Schafer to be completely healthy and try to win his starting job back? Now if Schafer plays lights out and our performs McLouth, does Nate still get the gig because of his price tag, or do the Braves swallow their pride and make Schafer the starter? I say do whatever helps the team more, and if that means sitting McLouth on the bench and watching Schafer start then so be it.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
8:13 pm
“David O’Brien
December 6th, 2010
8:01 pm
Just checking numbers, do you all realize Chipper has played as many as 135 games just once in six seasons, and played 110 or fewer games three times in that period?”
In other words, some insurance for LF in case Martin has to play significant time at 3rd or a utility IF who could do that and allow Martin to stay in LF would be nice.
GTSteve
December 6th, 2010
8:13 pm
I didn’t know the exact date…I thought it was early 20’s of Feb…..i wish it was tomorrow…can’t wait
JasonInFL
December 6th, 2010
8:14 pm
GT, you may be correct…I got the date from Fox I believe…looking at their offseason calendar.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:14 pm
Can we trade Nick?
I would trade nick for one 12 oz Fresca. Do they even still make that swill.
sidslidkid
December 6th, 2010
8:15 pm
DOB, I think most people on here are surprised to hear he has played that much. The dude is simply an amazing ball player when he’s healthy. Just think of how good his career would have been if could have spent just half as much time on the on the DL. And to make it worse it hasn’t been just one nagging injury. Very frustrating for the fans, the Braves and Chipper. But we still love Hoss and hopefully he can finish his career healthy and swinging the bat like we all know Larry Wayne can.
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
8:15 pm
Welcome to the world little Jake Diaz. Now, you and your family get ready to house hunt on the opposite coast in Seattle, and kiss the sunny south goodbye.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
8:16 pm
I wouldnt trade NIck
He is the is a very deceiving fan
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:16 pm
MIBravesFan _
Hey, how are you? Are you snowed in for the winter yet?
GTSteve
December 6th, 2010
8:17 pm
I was going off memory J, so that would make you correct…either way..point being..I think we all have something to look forward to next summer…GO BRAVES
NORRIS
December 6th, 2010
8:18 pm
Chipper even if healthy is not going to play much. Prado will play a lot of time at 3rd. Therefore, leaving us with a very much needed outfield. Mclouth doesnt have it unless our new hitting coach changes his approach. The guy swings up on everything.
we will need a left fielder and center fielder. Hinske is not a daily player. He is a utility player.
The braves will need at least one more daily outfielder to compete.
Mather makes me think of the beaver not a starter. He isnt even good enough to make the team.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:19 pm
David O’Brien
December 6th, 2010
8:01 pm
Troublemaker
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
8:19 pm
Hi, Bat! No, not yet. We had some slippery roads last week but happily, the grass is still visible! How are you?
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
8:19 pm
DAP – sad situation about that catcher – and with his equipment on. There’s such an infinitesimally small window of time that the ball has to hit the heart between heartbeats to stop it like that. Just such a tragedy.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
8:21 pm
DOB – WE do realize Chipper is soft, doesn’t work hard and is grossly overpaid. But he can track a deer as well as any 3B in MLB.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
8:22 pm
Phillies interested in Juan Rivera.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:23 pm
MIBF_
I’m well, enjoying this blog and some of the nut-ball comments. I’ve been reading some good books, you’ll laugh at this but I’m freezing.
rrosson3
December 6th, 2010
8:23 pm
DOB
Are you not a fan of Hoss? Why would u fuel the fire around here. Too many people are already calling for Hoss to retire! He will have great year! Mark my words!
Choppinmama
December 6th, 2010
8:24 pm
Hey all, ’tis the season. Everyone join in………….
On the first day of Christmas, my Braves team gave to me,
One Fredi coach guy,
And a partridge in a pecan tree.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
8:25 pm
So Francouer once our future “franchise player” goes to rival Mets and possibly the Phillies.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
8:26 pm
Bat – you’re just one of those people spoiled by living in a warm weather climate!
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 6th, 2010
8:27 pm
“The Phillies are also pursuing Jeff Francoeur and may have interest in Matt Diaz.” I would expect Frenchy to jump on the first offer at this point.
Efrim
December 6th, 2010
8:31 pm
Still not really ecstatic with Cain for any of our pitching. Just my two cents…
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
8:32 pm
Ozzie Guillen tweeted thanks/good luck to both JJ Puts on D-Backs and Linebrink on Braves
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
8:32 pm
And Ozzie’s nickname for Linebrink is Liner >_>
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:36 pm
MIBF_
Thats true …….. Tonight: Mainly clear skies. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. ……
This is, ‘I’ll go out but it better be important’ weather. Much colder and the only way to get me out of the house is to set it on fire.
Do you like to read crime mysteries?
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
8:36 pm
Sounds like Ozzie picked up Bobby’s gift for nicknames
dpelfrey
December 6th, 2010
8:38 pm
If McLouth ends up being the 4th outfielder, that shouldn’t be a big deal. It doesn’t matter that he’s making $7 million coming off the bench. What matters is that the Braves have the best 25 players out there for $90 million. Just average it out and pretend like they all make $3.5 million each and all that stuff goes away.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
8:41 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:36 pm
MIBF_
Thats true …….. Tonight: Mainly clear skies. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. ……
This is, ‘I’ll go out but it better be important’ weather. Much colder and the only way to get me out of the house is to set it on fire.”
lol
I read a lot of Agatha Christie back in the day, and some P.D. James. I’m a fan of the Inspector Morse/Lewis mysteries on television but I don’t read as much as I should anymore. Are there some good mysteries around I should make an effort to read?
Couch Tater
December 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
nolie – Panel discussion with Bob Costas, Poz, Bill James & Gerald Early on the future of sports. I told you I was lookin’…
Added Posnanski: “If anything happens anywhere in sports (now) you are hammered with that very thing, 25 times, 50 times, before the next day. Everything that used to be extraordinary you could see it once and imagine it….Now, there is so much less room for imagination.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/when-bill-james-comes-to-town/
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
Are there some good mysteries around I should make an effort to read?
MIBF _
I love to read but had not been reading that much this year, till lately. I had picked up and put back ” The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” a few times in the past couple of years. I was interested but did not get it for whatever reason. Lately there has been some chatter on the blog about how good the movie is so I picked up the trilogy the weekend before last and read them. Thoroughly enjoyed them and was sorry for the story to end.
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 6th, 2010
8:56 pm
Any of you readers have a Kindle? I’m thinking of getting me one for Christmas.
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
9:00 pm
rrosson3: that’s a silly question. I was merely pointing out a stat, since discussion turned today to Braves pursuing an outfielder in case they have to move Prado to 3B. Relax.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:03 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic _
I know some people that have them and like it. The books are cheaper and easy to read from what I understand. I don’t know for me though, I like the feel of a book. Where is the technology headed regarding the Ipad and such?
NORRIS
December 6th, 2010
9:05 pm
DOB that is a very important stat. Chipper, even if healthy will not play everyday. Prado will spend a lot of time at 3rd. therefore the need for a good outfielder who could play every day if necessary.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
9:07 pm
Bat – a reader (or a movie goer, for that matter) being sorry for the story to end is always a good sign. I’ll have to look into that.
DK
December 6th, 2010
9:09 pm
Bat,
I have just read the Stieg Larrson books which I enjoyed. I believe you have just read those and I know you were a fan of Lisbeth Salander. For a recommendation to you, I suggest you read some of Stuart Woods books if you have not read them.
Jesse
December 6th, 2010
9:10 pm
im excited about him !!!
SoWeGa Fanatic
December 6th, 2010
9:10 pm
I dunno, Bat. I can’t keep up. Readability of the Kindle is supposed to be far superior to anything out there…no glare, read in full sunshine, etc. 3G downloads now, too.
Hillbilly
December 6th, 2010
9:16 pm
Lorenzo Cain is Virgil’s Brother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMHyovwX7JM
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:17 pm
DK_
Yes I enjoyed them very much and Lisbeth Salander is quite the character. Thanks for the recommendation, I’m writing him down.
Have you read ” The Redbreast” by Jo Nesbo, European crime mystery, pretty good. There is a sequel but I can’t think of the name of it off the top of my head.
Rob from SC
December 6th, 2010
9:20 pm
DOB
We didn’t have to give up Mike Minor for Dan Uggla, please tell me that we won’t give up Minor for an unproven CF in Lorenzo Cain
Efrim
December 6th, 2010
9:24 pm
We didn’t have to give up Mike Minor for Dan Uggla, please tell me that we won’t give up Minor for an unproven CF in Lorenzo Cain
Braves should not have to give up Mike Minor for Lorenzo Cain, imo. Wren should pass if the bounty is Minor.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:24 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic_
Yeah I know what you mean. the e readers are supposed to be very good, free downloads, hard to beat that. I just read something about their future, regarding Ipad like products but can’t recall what the consensus was.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
9:28 pm
At some point were going to have to move some of our young pitching. I don’t know enough about Cain to know if its worth Minor or not but we do have several pitchers up and coming (Minor, Beachy, Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino) and one coming back from TJ next season (Medlen). We can only have 5 in a rotation. We lack depth in position players. Just something to think about.
Innocent Bystander
December 6th, 2010
9:28 pm
I’d say if Milwaukee wants Beachy/Schafer for Cain, FW should pull the trigger. I could maybe see Jurrjens for Cain +, but any more than Beachy/Schafer should be a no go.
DK
December 6th, 2010
9:30 pm
Thanks Bat,
I will check out…
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
9:30 pm
I think there is ZERO chance that we trade a first-round draft pick, left-handed starting pitcher who K’d 9.5 batters per nine innings in his first major league stint even though he had pitched more innings than in any year in his life for a slap-hitting CF who would be our 4th OF.
Now, while you’re diagramming that sentence, let me say that I think Cain would be a nice pickup at the right price.
But his ..763 OPS was propped up by a .370 BABIP, which is not likely sustainable. If that drops to a more likely .300 – .310, he’s probably OPS’ing around .700, with no power, and he doesn’t take a lot of walks, and he does strike out a lot. (so far… of course he’s still young).
I’m really not down on him, but he’s not worth Mike Minor.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
9:31 pm
“Efrim
December 6th, 2010
9:24 pm
‘We didn’t have to give up Mike Minor for Dan Uggla, please tell me that we won’t give up Minor for an unproven CF in Lorenzo Cain’
Braves should not have to give up Mike Minor for Lorenzo Cain, imo. Wren should pass if the bounty is Minor.”
I agree, Efrim. That’s too high a price for the return. Cain might be good insurance for the OF situation, but that isn’t worth the Braves’ only left-handed starter.
Goldenglove002
December 6th, 2010
9:31 pm
Brendan Ryan!
sidslidkid
December 6th, 2010
9:32 pm
Well said MikeInFl.
Soph
December 6th, 2010
9:32 pm
Way to go Hawks.
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:32 pm
We didn’t have to give up Mike Minor for Dan Uggla, please tell me that we won’t give up Minor for an unproven CF in Lorenzo Cain
I think wren would give up beachy long before minor cause he is the only left handed starter we have.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
9:33 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic-
I’ve got the Barnes and Noble eReader, the Nook, which I love
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:33 pm
Beachy/shafer is too much for cain imo
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:34 pm
We didn’t have to give up Mike Minor for Dan Uggla, please tell me that we won’t give up Minor for an unproven CF in Lorenzo Cain
Braves should not have to give up Mike Minor for Lorenzo Cain, imo. Wren should pass if the bounty is Minor.
First this : http://www.boomspeed.com/talaia/1pigflygif.gif
Then that
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:35 pm
Hillbilly _
Always appreciate a link to The Band.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
9:36 pm
Kawakami, $4.5 mil cash, and, oh, I dunno… Brett Oberholtzer for Lorenzo Cain.
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:40 pm
Kawakami, $4.5 mil cash, and, oh, I dunno… Brett Oberholtzer for Lorenzo Cain.
Only in wrens wildest dreams!
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
9:41 pm
Only in wrens wildest dreams!
Well, maybe, shinburger. But I’ll bet you that if Cain is traded, it’ll be for a LOT less than folks on here are tossing around.
westside shawty
December 6th, 2010
9:44 pm
Now i bet soon as Mclouth gets back to form, everyone will praise him. if he comes anywhere near his all-star ‘08 orm, hen this lineup will be pretty fun to watch, not to mention the all-star starter in right field(Heyward) and he was a rookie, imagine wats to come. and remember prado an all str starter along with chippe, uggla, mccann
nolie
December 6th, 2010
9:48 pm
I’d say if Milwaukee wants Beachy/Schafer for Cain, FW should pull the trigger. I could maybe see Jurrjens for Cain +, but any more than Beachy/Schafer should be a no go. IB
I gotta pass on this one
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:48 pm
One thing about mclouth is he can only get better cause he cant get any worse than he was last year.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
9:49 pm
Hell I’ll take Nate just getting back to his career norms. The hell with him getting to ‘08 form. If he hits .255 I’ll be ecstatic.
MikeInFl
December 6th, 2010
9:49 pm
At the higher levels (AA and AAA), Matt Young is every bit the hitter that Cain is. Cain’s relative success in 158 major league at bats is no more indicative of stardom than was Josh Anderson’s .764 OPS for us in 2008 (and Anderson went on to never OPS .600 again).
I really don’t mean to trash the guy, but folks talking about giving up Minor, Jurrjens, Schafer, etc for him is just misguided, IMO.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
9:51 pm
One thing about mclouth is he can only get better cause he cant get any worse than he was last year.
Don’t tempt the baseball gods like that.
Couch Tater
December 6th, 2010
9:52 pm
Bat Masterson, SoWeGa – FYI.
Amazon’s handling of e-book pricing—and publishers’ response—will have perhaps the most far-reaching effects on the industry. The situation thus far is not encouraging. To create a new market and generate demand for the Kindle, Amazon set the e-book’s price at $9.99. Publishers were not consulted
http://www.bostonreview.net/BR35.6/roychoudhuri.php
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:52 pm
Its fun to sit here and speculate, but i highly doubt we will trade for cain. Between shafer, young, and mclouth im sure one of them can step up and play good ball.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
9:53 pm
The Pirates are showing some interest in Kawakami.
Innocent Bystander
December 6th, 2010
9:55 pm
I guess I’m not as high on Beachy or Schafer as everyone else.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
9:56 pm
Innocent Bystander, I wasn’t too fond of Schafer, nor was I too fond of what I saw from Beachy so far.
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
9:56 pm
Your right Bat, but odds are he will improve. Sad to say Frenchy numbers would be a huge improvement.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
9:59 pm
MLBTR is now reiterating that Braves are making progress on an Uggla extension
nolie
December 6th, 2010
9:59 pm
I’m not sold on Beachy by any means, but if you didn’t like what he did in Atlanta this season you’re a mighty tough audience.
Tampa Brave
December 6th, 2010
9:59 pm
I think McClouth has a solid year now that the offensive disease who is Terry Pendleton isn’t infecting the clubhouse any longer
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
10:00 pm
Mikeinfl, love that trade you put together there.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
10:02 pm
Nolie, I don’t feel I am that tough of an audience.
I didn’t like what I saw from Lowe, but he turned it around and had me change my mind quick, fast, and in a hurry.
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
10:02 pm
Im glad were not all obsessed with trying to dump D. Lowe this offseason. I got sick of all that talk last year.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go)
December 6th, 2010
10:03 pm
The Brewers are rumored to want young starting pitching in return for Lorenzo Cain, while Frank Wren has shown zero inclination to trade the same in recent history. So this rumor will be going nowhere fast and is already dead on arrival.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
10:03 pm
Personally I think Beachy threw better out of him and Minor.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:04 pm
Nolie, I don’t feel I am that tough of an audience Trey
if you ain’t satisfied with a 3.00 ERA and 15Ks and 3 walks in 15IP from a rook just up to the bigs, then you are indeed a tough audience.
menlobrave
December 6th, 2010
10:05 pm
MlBraves fans: Three good mystery writers: Ian Rankin-writes about a scottish detective named Rebus; Henning Mankell who writes about a Swedish detective Kurt Wallender; and my favorite James Lee Burke who writes about a New Iberia, La. dtective named Dave Robicheaux. There’s also Lee Child whose character is Jack Reacher, but he’s less a detective than an action hero. Happy reading!
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
10:05 pm
I th ink a mid-market team needs to be high on a player like Schafer – and I argue this team should not worry about Schafer at the plate (shouldn’t have to w/ there lineup). His D deserves more talk. McLouth drove me nuts at the plate, but defensively was worse. No idea what UZR says @ McLouth, just know what my eyes saw – ugly. At best were going to have a weak arm / avg speed in left (Prado).
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:05 pm
Cain must not have enough steals for coach
Trey
December 6th, 2010
10:06 pm
Okay, okay, okay, you got me Nolie! Those are some impressive numbers and I do gotta give him props!
Innocent Bystander
December 6th, 2010
10:08 pm
Beachy showed promise, but you can’t tell a whole lot in 15 innings of work.
I still think Minor will be more of a 2-3 starter, and Beachy will be a 4-5 guy. However, with the current rotation and the talent we have in the minors, a typical 4-5 guy won’t have a spot in the 2012-2013 rotation.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
10:08 pm
Sanchez’ ball floats.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
10:09 pm
Innocent, true, but those were a heck of a 15 innings. However, no telling what would have happened if he threw 50 or 100.
Trey
December 6th, 2010
10:10 pm
I just have to watch him next season to decide how I feel.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:10 pm
good suggestions menlo, especially Burke and Child.
I’d add Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch books, John Sandford’s Prey novels, and Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole books
Plus of course Lawrence Block and Elmore Leonard
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
10:11 pm
Beachy stepped up when we needed him to. Beachy threw in some big games.
menlobrave
December 6th, 2010
10:11 pm
MlBraves fan, BTW, some of the Mankell and Rankin books are on DVD. They’re on the PBS website if you want to order them. I love the inspector Morse/Lewis series. There’s also Midsomer Murders series on TV-they’re good as well. And Michael Connelly writes some good LA detective stuff.
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
10:11 pm
So if wren does extend uggla whats everybodies prediction on numbers? Hes thought to make over 10 million in arb this year and has already turned down 4/48 from marlins.I wonder if he would accept same offer from braves?
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:12 pm
that’s true IB, just saying that the 15 IP were well done. Not a big enough sample size to mean anything I agree. Like I said I ain’t sold on him just giving props where they were due
Trey
December 6th, 2010
10:12 pm
P’Cola, I am just going to decide next season. 15 innings is really not a lot of work, but he did do well in the 15 innings.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 6th, 2010
10:12 pm
Can’t protect a 3 man rush, geez.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:13 pm
I love Insp Morse too. Have evey one of the episodes. good stuff.
Innocent Bystander
December 6th, 2010
10:14 pm
I’d offer 4/50, and wouldn’t go any further than 5/60.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:15 pm
I hope he does not go for more than 4 guaranteed years Shin. a 5th year option would be ok. 4/52?
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:15 pm
Amazon’s ascendance no doubt is a function of its nontraditional ways. Though neither a publisher nor strictly-speaking a bookseller, it has become the world’s largest retailer of books in any form. And it has done so as a software company that offers great deals on Vienna sausages as well as hardbacks. Bezos’s customers come for the low prices, not to fondle, sniff, or otherwise interact with the product. The most one can do is “browse” some pages electronically. Bezos thinks pleasing the customer is all that matters, and his strategy—nearly endless inventory at rock-bottom prices—is working.
Couch Tater_
Thanks for the link. I worry, probably more than a sane person should, about the demise of the brick and mortar bookstore. What can I say, they are like a church to me and one of the first things I do when going to Barnes and Nobles is check out the new writers section. I’ve found some great books there. There is always a certain serendipitous experience to be had at a bookstore, at least for me.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:15 pm
“menlobrave
December 6th, 2010
10:05 pm
MlBraves fans: Three good mystery writers: Ian Rankin-writes about a scottish detective named Rebus; Henning Mankell who writes about a Swedish detective Kurt Wallender; and my favorite James Lee Burke who writes about a New Iberia, La. dtective named Dave Robicheaux. There’s also Lee Child whose character is Jack Reacher, but he’s less a detective than an action hero. Happy reading!”
Thanks for the suggestions! I’m familiar with the Wallender character due to the Kenneth Branagh “Masterpiece” series, which I thought was good. These all sound like some good reading.
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
10:15 pm
Would a Victor Martinez contract be fair enough.
menlobrave
December 6th, 2010
10:16 pm
Nolie, Agree with all, especially Crais.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:21 pm
I recommend a site to purchase books fron especially if you buy hard backs, but it’s great for paperbacks too.
http://www.abebooks.com/
I have bought hundreds of books from all over the world from there and never once been unhappy
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:23 pm
I guess Burke and Connelly are my faves, but all those we mentioned are great
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:24 pm
Bat – there may not be much any of us can do about the brick and mortar bookstores, but we can support our libraries.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:27 pm
MIBF_
True, I’m not sure what I would have done without the library when I was young.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:29 pm
Has anyone read ” The Life Of Pi” by Yann Martel?
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:32 pm
is it a cookbook Bat?
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:35 pm
Close nolie
I loved it
Yann Martel’s imaginative and unforgettable Life of Pi is a magical reading experience, an endless blue expanse of storytelling about adventure, survival, and ultimately, faith. The precocious son of a zookeeper, 16-year-old Pi Patel is raised in Pondicherry, India, where he tries on various faiths for size, attracting “religions the way a dog attracts fleas.” Planning a move to Canada, his father packs up the family and their menagerie and they hitch a ride on an enormous freighter. After a harrowing shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean, trapped on a 26-foot lifeboat with a wounded zebra, a spotted hyena, a seasick orangutan, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker (”His head was the size and color of the lifebuoy, with teeth”)
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:36 pm
menlobrave – I also liked Midsomer Murders. Inspector Morse/Lewis were/are my favorites.
nolie – John Thaw was great as Morse.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:37 pm
Bat – have not read it, but just read that Ang Lee is doing a movie version…
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:39 pm
VJ_
That’s a movie I will have to see.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:40 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:35 pm
Close nolie I loved it
Yann Martel’s imaginative and unforgettable Life of Pi is a magical reading experience, an endless blue expanse of storytelling about adventure, survival, and ultimately, faith. The precocious son of a zookeeper, 16-year-old Pi Patel is raised in Pondicherry, India, where he tries on various faiths for size, attracting “religions the way a dog attracts fleas.” Planning a move to Canada, his father packs up the family and their menagerie and they hitch a ride on an enormous freighter. After a harrowing shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean, trapped on a 26-foot lifeboat with a wounded zebra, a spotted hyena, a seasick orangutan, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker (”His head was the size and color of the lifebuoy, with teeth”)”
That’s some preview!
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:40 pm
It starts slow but worth the wait.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:42 pm
Bat – the only reason I noticed the story is that the Indian actor who is in “In Treatment” on HBO this season will be starring in it…he is excellent…
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:43 pm
MIBF_
I copied about half of the preview. Pi and Richard Parker spend 227 days adrift in the Pacific.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:44 pm
In Treatment is a great show. Byrne is always awesome anyway
nolie
December 6th, 2010
10:45 pm
eating zebras and drunken orangs ?
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:45 pm
nolie – totally agree – he can do so much with facial expressions, he is amazing…
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
10:47 pm
nolie, yeah $13 M a year sounds about right for Uggla. Even if it had to go 14-15 M I’d think he’d be worth it. He’s always healthy and consistant with the bat on top of apparantly being a very good teammate/guy.
I see the Braves locking him up soon. Wren seems persistant when he wants something done.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:48 pm
VJ_
I’ll look into it. I have Showtime but not HBO. I’m interested in the True Blood series because I read the Sookie Sackhouse series but have not seen it.
Everyone I recommended Pi to loved it.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
10:53 pm
An award winner in Canada, Life of Pi, Yann Martel’s second novel, should prove to be a breakout book in the U.S. At one point in his journey, Pi recounts, “My greatest wish–other than salvation–was to have a book. A long book with a never-ending story. One that I could read again and again, with new eyes and fresh understanding each time.” It’s safe to say that the fabulous, fablelike Life of Pi is such a book. –Brad Thomas Parsons
I’m working on commission here, okay.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:53 pm
Bat – no, this will be a real life motion pitcher (sic) …
shinburger
December 6th, 2010
10:55 pm
I like the sound of 4/50 with a 5th year option
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
10:56 pm
And, Bat, not ever seeing my girl Anna as Sookie – shame on you…
I got cab into it, so she rented the first two seasons, and we were able to watch this one, until we somehow missed the final episode since it was on Labor Day weekend, which I did not expect – but a replay is 12 days away…
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:56 pm
VJ is at it again!
jeffrey d
December 6th, 2010
10:58 pm
This is from one of the mini blogs…I don’t know why, but it struck me as pretty funny
DOB, how much trade value do you think Arody’s Vizciano has? Andrew in PA
This would probably be be a real bad time to trade Arodys (there’s no apostrophe) Vizcaino DOB
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
10:58 pm
“a real life motion pitcher (sic)”
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:00 pm
Life of Pi
In Movie Theaters: December 14, 2012
Got it VJ, thanks. 2012, hope we’re still here.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:02 pm
And, Bat, not ever seeing my girl Anna as Sookie – shame on you… VJ
Yeah, I’m much chagrined. I guess I’ll have to buy the DVDs or watch online somewhere.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:07 pm
Bat – I think it’s December 21, 2012 that is supposed to be the Mayan doomsday, so the movie should actually make it to the theaters
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:09 pm
Would you frickin’ “readers” kindly shut your pie-holes? I is tryin’ to watch the TV.
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
11:11 pm
Cain, Ryan, JC Romero. Boom offseason over.
Spider29
December 6th, 2010
11:11 pm
SoWeGa, before you decide on Kindle, check out Nook at Barnes and Noble. Also, you guys mentioned some of my favorite current authors. Love the Reacher series and the books by Michael Connelly. Have you read Harlan Coban?
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:12 pm
MIBF_
Whoa, seven days to spare, nothing to worry about, thanks.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:13 pm
nolie:
Are you familiar with my fellow central VIRGINIAN JIM ADKINS? Some smooth guitar. Rivals CHARLIE BYRD in a rhythm-style way. Young fingers, very distinct strong chords. Great pace.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:14 pm
Whatcha watching there BAS?
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:17 pm
Sorry Bat. I lied. Just wanted to reiterate my envy of those who can read.
And, to represent for the unwashed, huddled masses.
cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
11:17 pm
BAS-
Can’t we be both? I often (well, not so much anymore, but I used to) read and watch TV at the same time
Andrew in PA
December 6th, 2010
11:18 pm
Red sox interested in mags. If they sign another starter they will trade someone.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:18 pm
FALL BALL
Light schedules all ’round. No BRAVES in action today.
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:19 pm
Have you read Harlan Coben?
Nope, sounds interesting though.
BravesFanChris26
December 6th, 2010
11:21 pm
Interesting that Red Sox interested in Maggs.
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:21 pm
“cabravesfan
December 6th, 2010
11:17 pm
BAS-
Can’t we be both? I often (well, not so much anymore, but I used to) read and watch TV at the same time”
Heck, I for one still do, although it’s usually the newspaper I’m reading now.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:24 pm
I’m usually reading the blog and watching TV…
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:24 pm
BAS _
Did you finish “A Confederacy of Dunces”? Did you like it?
Moe Berg
December 6th, 2010
11:26 pm
“I’m usually reading the blog and watching TV…”
How much concentration does it take to process a rant by Nick or Robert?
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:29 pm
My Mom once said she used to think I was smart because I would read, watch TV and talk on the phone at the same time. One of these days I’m going to ask, what do you mean used to.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:29 pm
Moe – watching the “Boardwalk Empire” finale – have no idea what you just said…
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:30 pm
Bat – I assume you mean a real phone…
Moe Berg
December 6th, 2010
11:30 pm
Very nice, VJ. I am off to grab some dinner. Enjoy the show.
detroitchris
December 6th, 2010
11:31 pm
DOB, could you see a situation where the yanks call the braves about pitching if they miss out on Lee followed by a Pettitte retirement? Do you think they would have interest in Lowe and the 30M hes owed the next 2 seasons? Do you think Wren in that spot would pull the trigger and give himself money to work with?
MIBravesFan
December 6th, 2010
11:31 pm
“Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:29 pm
My Mom once said she used to think I was smart because I would read, watch TV and talk on the phone at the same time. One of these days I’m going to ask, what do you mean used to.”
Couch Tater
December 6th, 2010
11:31 pm
I think this is appropriate for Peter Moylan’s blog…
How to brew beer in a coffee maker, using only materials commonly found on a modestly sized oceanographic research vessel.
It is possible to create an all grain beer, but with the inferior products you’re brewing with, you want to give the yeast more to eat. In my experience, the best you can hope for is Vegemite, marmite, or some other yeast extract.
http://www.southernfriedscience.com/?p=1419
I need to read more literature.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:32 pm
I read several of Coben’s Myron Bolitar books. I see he is writing a lot more stand alone novels the last few years. I tend to like series: once I get hooked on the main character I usually buy the complete series
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:34 pm
Bat – I assume you mean a real phone…
Landline, with a cord, dinosaur days.
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
11:35 pm
Nationals WILL sign Cliff LEE
Bank On it
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:36 pm
My reading has slowed frighteningly over the years – almost done with John Irving’s most recent – he has been my favorite for a long time, and I once saw him do a reading from “The Cider House Rules” at Duke – need to get cab to read him…
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:37 pm
I did, Bat, but I struggled. Felt like a chore.
I used to go through books like nuttin’. (Clancy, Grisham, and the like; not exactly the toughest reads) Anymore, I prefer this fine glass of Canadian Mist, the paper, the blog and Joe Pos…
Got a stack of from the library just staring at me: Sick Puppy, Hiaasen; Motherless Brooklyn, Lethem; The Mind of Bill James, Gray; The Rise and Fall of Great Powers, Kennedy. All highly rec’d, and ain’t one been cracked.
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:37 pm
Bat – that’s what I figured…
Brave4life- We almost had it
December 6th, 2010
11:39 pm
Jets are literally getting raped right now
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:40 pm
2
David O'Brien
December 6th, 2010
11:46 pm
Brave4life: Literally, huh?
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
and “literally” means??? And, really, does that word really have an appropriate context in terms of normal sports, at least to a blog which includes normal human beings?
Venice Jim
December 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
Thanks, DOB…
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
BAS_
Some of the biggest waste of time books I have read have been Pulitzer Prize winners. When I was younger I was more patient with the Thomas Wolfes of the world, today I don’t know. Maybe not so much.
I like Carl Hiaasen
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
3
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
yeah my reading has tapered off alarmingly over the years . Even with magazines. Used to be I always had something in my hands to read. Gettin’ old is dah pits
P'cola Brave
December 6th, 2010
11:50 pm
If in the longshot the Yanks miss out on Lee and Pettite retires I would expect the Yanks to call Wren to check in. Doubt they’d be looking for Lowe. May want someone younger like JJ. You can bank on them checking w/ KC first though on Greinke.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:51 pm
I’ll second the nomination of Hiaasen. Good ol’ Florida boy. Think he won a Pulitzer didn’t he?
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:51 pm
nolie,
ya got any Mac knowledge to go with all that PC stuff rattlin’ ’round upstairs?
Braveheart
December 6th, 2010
11:51 pm
Yeah, BAS, I used to read alot as well. 3 or 4 newspapers a day. Books, countless magazines. Now? Whatever I come across on the internet, and maybe some sports biographies and trivia books that I can skip around on while I’m taking a dump. Pretty sad actually. My attention span was a 1000 times better when I was a kid than it is now.
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:52 pm
Note to self: read the Hiaasen first.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:52 pm
wait’ll you really get old BH
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:53 pm
nope BAS, sorry. I be a dummy about Macs
TnBrian
December 6th, 2010
11:53 pm
Uggla’s name here can be the Hobbit. Kinda looks like a Hobbit.
richbrave
December 6th, 2010
11:55 pm
5
Bat Masterson
December 6th, 2010
11:55 pm
BAS _
If you want to read something that is just plain fun, a southern story, try ” Run With The Horsemen” Ferrol Sams. If you have not read it, man laugh out loud funny.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:55 pm
Enter your comments hereguy has a strange sense of humor BAS. One novel hid bad guy got his forearm bitten off by a barracuda so he strapped a weed eater to it. I especially love his earlier books.
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:56 pm
That’s exactly what I’m talkin’ about, Braveheart.
How is my attention-span going backwards? People talk about kids today, and instant gratification and all that. Meanwhile, if a frickin’ TV show doesn’t have me on the floor in seven minutes, I’m posting ‘ish about it on a baseball blog.
It’s becoming clear to me: I am the problem.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:56 pm
damn I hate it when the Enter your comments here thingy don’t go away
Bay Area Steve
December 6th, 2010
11:58 pm
Noted, Bat. It’s on the list.
nolie
December 6th, 2010
11:59 pm
hell yeah, I’m finding that if I wanna watch a movie it takes me three or four half hour sittings
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
12:00 am
DOB
You haven’t reported anything on the possible Uggla extension talks. Have you heard anything about all the potential rumors going around that the Braves are making progress?
nolie
December 7th, 2010
12:02 am
used to have a guy here who posted under a Hiaasen character’s name. Gov. Tyree
Bat Masterson
December 7th, 2010
12:06 am
Yep nolie, Gov Clinton Tyree, right.
I saw someone posting as ” Doc Ford” somewhere, I thought it was here.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
December 7th, 2010
12:07 am
Good to see the Jets handed their ass even if it was the Pats
nolie
December 7th, 2010
12:07 am
Don’t remember seeing that one here Bat. Good books though
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2010
12:10 am
We may be scratching the Pirates off the list of teams interested in KK soon. Just agreed to sign Correia and have a tentative agreement w/ Scott Olson.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
12:11 am
You haven’t reported anything on the possible Uggla extension talks. Have you heard anything about all the potential rumors going around that the Braves are making progress? — BravePack
Where are “‘all the potential rumors going around”? I saw one — Jon Heyman’s two-sentence Twitter post, which MLBTR simply repeated on its site without further elaboration.
Who else reported there’s been progress? Have you seen anything more than that two-sentence Twitter post? I’m honestly just asking to find out if you saw it somewhere else.
BravoMan
December 7th, 2010
12:14 am
So there is no Uggla extension progress?
I figured it wouldn’t get done til Spring Training anyway.
Bat Masterson
December 7th, 2010
12:22 am
Yeah good books, nolie and your neighbor I believe.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2010
12:30 am
DOB
As far as the LH reliever goes, would Ohman be someone they target? I know Bowman threw Mahay out earlier but seemed to be pure speculation.
nolie
December 7th, 2010
12:34 am
yeah White used to be a fishing guide at Sanibel Island in the 80s when I first got to that area. had a pretty good rep and was a nice guy.haven’t lived in that area in 22 years or so.
NO MORE BOBBY
December 7th, 2010
12:35 am
Big return for Schafer? To where…. Pink Pony?
shmoe
December 7th, 2010
12:37 am
haha i like pink pony
westgadave
December 7th, 2010
12:38 am
DOB……..Greetings and salutations Dave hope the weather you are having there is at least a comfort. Just curious if you get any sense now or even during the season that Bobby has any regrets about maybe leaving earlier than he wanted….and I know in his heart I suppose he never wanted to go—just mean ever any sense that maybe he would like to have stayed another year or two but for reasons personal or professional he felt compelled to go out this year as opposed to next or any other time frame than 2010
Just heard so many comments from people/players who knew him so well about him being a lifer–and not thinking he would be ready to retire from the game yet…..sorry for the long convoluted question–just didnt want it to come out wrong way
shmoe
December 7th, 2010
12:42 am
Keith Law: The Braves are exploring an extension for Dan Uggla. This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette. [via Twitter]
shmoe
December 7th, 2010
12:43 am
what the heck is “aceto balsamico”?
nolie
December 7th, 2010
12:53 am
fancy vinegar
Kat
December 7th, 2010
1:06 am
Just got home after a trip to New Haven, CT to see a basketball game..driving through a whiteout is never fun especially after a loss. Eleven pages of comments to skim through too… here’s hoping I’ll somehow have some down time tomorrow at work to read them or it’ll wait for tomorrow night after another eleven pages up haha.
David, great piece on Schafer, was nice read tonight.
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
1:45 am
Bowman said that was on Wren’s agenda, Heyman reported it, and Law. Don’t mean to bother you but was just wondering as most of us Braves fans come to you for info around this time and haven’t seen you write anything about it.
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
1:49 am
I like how BravePack called them “potential rumors” about Uggla extension talks. What exactly are potential rumors? Would that be kinda like a thought you haven’t had yet?
ward
December 7th, 2010
1:50 am
Wren says there is plenty of time to talk about an extension or contract for Uggla. I believe what he says. Why or we worrying about it now? How is every one doing?
ward
December 7th, 2010
1:54 am
What boggle me is the way some people like Nate over Schafer! Schafer is 24 years old, and Nate is 29, and can’t hit…..At least schafer has potential. I would take 24 years of age over 29.
ward
December 7th, 2010
1:56 am
Tell me what has done? Not a whole lot. Nate is done, and washed up!!!!
ward
December 7th, 2010
1:57 am
Nate has done nothing , and you wan’t to give him another chance! Hmmmmmm……
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
1:57 am
I can see it’s getting to the point of the night where bloggers take every word literally. A potential rumor is a rumor someone writes that has the potential to become true. Any other english lessons you need Lollygagger?
ward
December 7th, 2010
1:58 am
Feel free to rip me…..
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:01 am
No, BravePack. That about clears it up for me. Thanks.
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:02 am
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
2:04 am
I’m with ya ward. As long as Schafer is healthy I say give hima shot. He’s better defensively and he can’t do any worse than Nate did last year offensively. I personally think the real Schafer is the one we saw in Philadelphia the first couple games 2 years ago.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:05 am
I don’t care what kind of money Nate makes! He shouldn’t be rewarded Center field for playing bad…..
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
2:05 am
I’m a big fan of the ole wide eyes smiley face post. Thanks for posting that buddy.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:07 am
Glad to have some one on board…..
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:09 am
We should try, and get Bill Hall, and then give Matt Young a chance too. Play the youngsters…………
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:10 am
If we don’t have to trade much or sign much. We should be fine….
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:11 am
BravePack sounds like he needs a six pack. Relax, I’m just messin’ with ya man. I know exactly what you meant by potential rumors- just poking a little fun. I can be a smarta** sometimes. No harm. Soooo- serious question: you think Schafer has potential to overtake McLouth in spring? I personally am pulling for Schafer, but I think McLouth’s salary is gonna be Schafer’s biggest challenge.
Runnin
December 7th, 2010
2:13 am
If you say someone is figuratively being raped, it sort of takes away the impact.
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
2:17 am
Yeah it’s late so a drink could help…I just want the best option out there in CF and from what I saw out of Nate last year I was dissappointed. I thought he would have a good year offensively and then I was even more disappointed in his defense and him refusing to at least try and throw runners out. I hate to base it on spring results but if Nate has another bad spring and Schafer shows he’s healthy and hits well I say give him a shot. The guy obviously works hard and wants to prove he belongs in the Show which could be a blessing for the Braves this season if no moves are made for CF.
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:22 am
I personally never wanna think about Rex Ryan and rape at the same time. Yikes.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:23 am
I just wish Wren would let Nate go… I’m tired of hearing about him.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
2:23 am
Bowman said that was on Wren’s agenda, Heyman reported it, and Law. — BravePack
Heyman had a two-sentence Twitter comment this afternoon, and the entirety of Law’s comment on Uggla was also two sentences on Twitter: “The Braves are exploring an extension for Dan Uggla. This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.”
Law was only using the subject to set up a one-liner.
BravePack, it’s been on Wren’s agenda since the day they traded for Uggla. An extension could come this week, next week, spring training, or midseason. I don’t know how much progress has been made, but Uggla and Wren have both made it clear that they want to get something worked out.
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:28 am
BravePack-
I know it won’t make me very popular- but I actually became a bigger fan of Schafer’s when he did get suspeded 50 games for not ratting out his friends/teammates in that HGH situation. I’ve said it earlier, and I’ll repeat: It showed me that he’s loyal, and he’s got his teammates backs. I want people like that in my clubhouse. Plus, from DOB’s article, it sounds like he’s hungry to get back and prove people wrong. Playing with a chip on his shoulder, if you will- I like guys like that because you know they’re gonna put it all out there on the field. Yes, he hid an injury and hurt himself and the team… but it was because he wanted to play and carry his team badly. Count me in.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:31 am
Braves are interested in Ron Mahay left hander.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
2:32 am
We should try, and get Bill Hall, and then give Matt Young a chance too. Play the youngsters… — Ward
Play what youngsters, and why?
Young, by the way, isn’t very young. He’s 27, only 12 months younger than McLouth. Schafer is, in fact, young — four years younger than Young (Matt).
nolie
December 7th, 2010
2:34 am
Oh man May hay?
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:34 am
ward-
seriously? Nate’s getting paid over $7 million dollars, man. And Wren should just eat that money and kick him out the door because you don’t want to talk about him anymore? I’m not trying to be rude to ya… but Nate’s gonna not only get another chance at CF, he’s gonna get a 2nd chance and 3rd chance again after that because of that price tag. Unless he’s injured- McLouth is your everyday CF all next season.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:36 am
O.k. I over expressed it! Anybody is better than Mclouth! It makes me wan’t to puke to even see Mclouth bat…
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:38 am
I know what your saying. Its just painful to see Mclouth come up to bat or in the out field….
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:39 am
DOB-
since I see you’re on now… you care to put a percentage on the odds of Diory Hernandez being the b-u IF? If you don’t think Diory is the answer- You think the Braves would have any interest in guys like Jeff Keppinger or Brendan Ryan, or are they looking for slightly cheaper options?
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:41 am
wait a minute ward… McLouth takes his at bats from the OF? Dang, no wonder he misses so many pitches! (Sorry, I’m gonna call smarta** on myself there. I just couldn’t help it.) You know I’m kidding you, bro. You’re a fun dude- I’ll give you that all day.
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:42 am
I’ll pass on Mahay, by the way. Not that anyone asked…
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:44 am
Any body see Monday Night Football.Wow….. Rex got a good old fashion but whipping…….Very …very funny….
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:45 am
It’s cool … It’s all cool….
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:46 am
At last some one shut Rex up! I’m enjoying this one……..
Lollygagger
December 7th, 2010
2:53 am
I actually enjoy Rex Ryan- I just don’t care for the Jets. Rex is a funny guy- a lot like his father and in same mold as the Jim Mora and Dennis Greens… very entertaining at press conferences. But Ryan is more in a joking way- Mora and Green would just have complete mental meltdowns. The best of all-time has got to be that dude from Oklahoma State a few seasons ago. “I’m a man. I’m 40. Come after me!” Protecting his QB and immortalizing himself in coach meltdowns history. Good stuff.
ward
December 7th, 2010
2:59 am
I guess you could say so! Wren is waiting on kk,before he does any thing else.Pirates were interested in kk, but I don’t know right now.Other teams are interersted too.Wren won’t mention who….
ward
December 7th, 2010
3:35 am
Anybody read the nice article on Dale Murphy? DOB: Can you write an artilce for Dale Murphy? He needs all the support to get into the hall Of Fame……..
ward
December 7th, 2010
3:40 am
Guy’s: Have a good nite! Talk tomorrow, and peace………
haggard
December 7th, 2010
4:13 am
Pearl Harbor-69 years ago Today
ward
December 7th, 2010
4:23 am
Every one lets all remember Pearl Harbor.Take the time to thank the service men, and women.They fought for us,and we should not forget them! God….. Bless…. you…..and many, many thanks….I’m speaking from my heart! Thank you all…… and God..Speed……Nite …Every one…….
haggard
December 7th, 2010
4:27 am
DOB– If you’re up, it’s twenty-five degrees in Atlanta; makes one want to look up a bowl of shrimp-corn chowder, some collard greens, and a couple of fish tacos at T de Sol.
Also, I’m going to follow your lead and get the Loretta Lynn tribute CD today and I appreciate the heads up. Remember, Jack White produced her last CD and even sang on a cut or two.
Speaking of White, what did you think of “Cold Mountain”; the book and movie?
And reading the Washington Post articles concerning the Kennedy Center honors made me a Merle fan all over again.
haggard
December 7th, 2010
4:28 am
‘Nite ward…er…mornin’ ward
haggard
December 7th, 2010
4:44 am
David O’Brien is a “dangerous” man with a good story and a laptop. Than you, DOB.
haggard
December 7th, 2010
5:08 am
The Jason Werth dollars remind me of a flip side of free agent negotiations back in 1992, when Greg Maddux left 26 million dollars on the table and signed with the Braves instead of the Yankees.
Of course, Hall Of Fame ballots are out and I believe the voters have until December 31st to mail ‘em in. Dale Murphy’s time for eligibility is running out until he’s left to be considered by the Veteran’s Committee, Bert Byleven and Roberto Alomar have been inching closer and closer and I believe both will be enshrined in 2011. Palmeiro won’t make it this year; and isn’t that something with his 3,000 hits an 500 homeruns. If this were 1985, folks would be casting his bronze plaque to hang in Cooperstown and the steroids make his 3000 and 500 appear “soft”; plus the fact he never led the league in batting average, HR’s, or RBI. Tim Raines is on te ballot and the knock against him seems to be that he simply hung around long enough to build some stats. However, he certainly was a force in his early Expo years and was probably the top leadoff hitter in the early 80’s.
“When it’s sleepytime down south”
‘Nite/ mornin’ folks.
JasonInFL
December 7th, 2010
5:21 am
Does the Correia signing take the Pirates out of the running for KK?
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
6:12 am
I can’t imagine that even the Pirates would bite on Kawa-crummy. And the Braves would have to eat $5 million to “sweeten” the deal. Oh, well, saving $1.5 million is a savings, after all.
Playoffs!!!!
December 7th, 2010
6:52 am
Are you doing p.r. for Jordan Schafer, DOB? Let’s see him actually do something before we get overly optimistic about him helping the Braves.
Best-case scenerio, he could help out post-All Star break after geting some ABs at Double A or Triple A.
Couch Tater
December 7th, 2010
7:35 am
I’ve noted this before, but I still enjoy it…
Beginning on July 1, 2011, the Mets will pay former player Bobby Bonilla $1.19 million a year for 25 years as part of a buyout of the $5.9 million the team owed him in 2000. – Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2010
He last played for the Mets in 1996. He will be on the Mets payroll until 2035. Bobby Bo will be 72
Maybe he can develop a knuckler: The Mets will be paying Brett Saberhagen $250,000/Yr. until 2029. 65
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
8:13 am
Playoffs!!!!… What did you read that suggests DOB was “overly optimistic” about Schafer? DOB was reporting on what the Wren and others had to say about Schafer. If that comes across as “overly optimistic,” those are the quotes from the sources.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
8:17 am
Couch Tater… Pretty amazin’ that the Mets are paying Bonilla and Saberhagen until they’re old men. You think with all the dough the mets have to burn, they’d find the best baseball minds to run the operation. Instead, they’re run by second-raters. That’s why the Mets are amazin’.
Braveheart
December 7th, 2010
8:29 am
Are the Braves still paying Bruce Sutter a million or something a year for that contract from 25 years ago?
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
8:34 am
Keith Law: The Braves are exploring an extension for Dan Uggla. This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette. [via Twitter]
I can’t disagree with Law here. I just think giving 30 year olds who are already below average defensively 4-5 year deals is a bad contract waiting to happen. And Uggla plays second base, where of course, defense is pretty damn important. Wren did his job by getting Uggla for next to nothing, I’m not sure it’d be wise to offer him an extension with so many big contracts being handed out this offseason. Oh well, it could be A LOT worse. Uggla can still rake, and will probably continue to rake for the majority of whatever extension is worked out. I just hope a position switch is in his future.
I also think there is something to the fact that Wren has a lot potential holes to fill next offseason. Uggla, McLouth, Gonzalez, Linebrink and perhaps even Jones if he opts for retirement, could of been guys that he had to replace. So my guess is that could be apart of his thinking as well.
When it comes down to it, extensions like the one they are working on for Uggla don’t get me as mad as trading large prospect packages for players with little contractual control. That grinds my gears…..
semiballcoach
December 7th, 2010
8:34 am
braveheart—i think it was 100,000 a year for 20 years…..i think hrabosky got a similar deal
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
8:35 am
Now that Iwamura’s deal with the A’s fell through, maybe Oakland will have more interest in getting Kenshin. To me, Kawakami for 1-2 million is a pretty solid trade for a lot of teams with very little pitching. Gotta imagine something can get done.
dpelfrey
December 7th, 2010
8:40 am
Actually Efrim, 4-5 years isn’t that bad in my mind, particularly when there are 7-10 year deals being handed out to players in their 30’s. Werth’s 7 years will keep him under contract through 38 years old. Cliff Lee looking for the same which will keep him through 38. Now Pujols is looking for a 10 year extension at the end of which he’ll be 41. The ARod extension last year put him under contract through age 42.
There’s going to be a harsh reality setting in on these owners. The contracts being negotiated right now are based on the fact that guys were excelling well into their late 30’s and early 40’s up until a few years ago. Now that the new drug policies are in place, we’ve already seen power numbers go down, and my hunch is the number of guys producing big numbers at 38 will go down as well. The market needs a correction.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2010
8:41 am
I think a 4 year deal would be good for Uggla w/ maybe a 5th year as a vesting option if he can remain on the field.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2010
8:43 am
I’d almost be willing to bet that the team willing to give Lee 7 years is the Nats.
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
8:45 am
Actually Efrim, 4-5 years isn’t that bad in my mind, particularly when there are 7-10 year deals being handed out to players in their 30’s
Exactly why Uggla’s price tag probably went up…..
And just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t mean the Braves have to follow suit.
fred
December 7th, 2010
8:46 am
sounds like we might have anothe good outfielder!!! give him a chance ….. what is wrong with lf?? fred in sc. l go braves!!!
Braveheart
December 7th, 2010
8:46 am
semiballcoach, yeah, i never knew the particulars. just know it’s been brought up on here before
dpelfrey
December 7th, 2010
8:46 am
The Yankees are just waiting for a team to go that 7th year with Lee, then they’ll do the same with more money. That’s how the machine works.
P'cola Brave
December 7th, 2010
8:50 am
I’m not going to get overly excited on Schafer yet. But it would be nice for him to show up in ST and have an ‘09 type spring. I still believe he will be our CF in 2012 if not by sometime this year.
dpelfrey
December 7th, 2010
8:51 am
Efrim, I don’t see how a 4-5 year deal for a 30 year old isn’t drastically different than a 7 year deal to a 31 year old. Not sure I understand your comment about the Braves following suit. If they followed suit, they’d go 6-7 years with Uggla. I think 4-5 is completely reasonable and covers what should be mostly prime years for a ML hitter.
fred
December 7th, 2010
8:51 am
to all vets onlilne tks for your service!!!!! and to all now serving too……
dpelfrey
December 7th, 2010
8:53 am
And Uggla’s price tag is up because he’s averaged 30 homers and 90 RBI for 5 seasons. If his price tag was down, that would be because he was coming off a down and we’d all be complaining about something different, like trading for a guy coming off a down year.
dpelfrey
December 7th, 2010
9:06 am
Not sure I understand all the Lorenzo Cain stuff. I try to follow prospects pretty closely, and I never heard of the guy before yesterday. And looking at his stats, he made it to AAA at the end of 2008, then struggled through A-AA in 2009 before doing well again in 2010. Don’t know what the deal was, maybe he was hurt in 2009. But I wouldn’t give up a single valuable piece for him.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
9:07 am
Bobby Cox had to leave late last night for an illness in the family, so he won’t be at today’s press conference for the retired managers. Piniella, Torre, Gaston are going to be there.
keylargo
December 7th, 2010
9:09 am
You want to see the worst baseball contract I know of? How’d you like to be tethered to this contract owed to a 255 pound, 31 year old guy who isn’t getting better any more?
Ryan Howard 1b
3 years/$54M (2009-11)
5 years/$125M (2012-16), plus 2017 option
* 5 years/$125M (2012-16), plus 2017 option
o signed extension with Philadelphia 4/26/10
o 12:$20M, 13:$20M, 14:$25M, 15:$25M, 16:$25M, 17:$23M club option ($10M buyout)
o limited no-trade clause
Steve from OH
December 7th, 2010
9:26 am
Keith Law: The Braves are exploring an extension for Dan Uggla. This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.
You know, I generally like Keith Law, but talk like that has no place on a baseball blog. Or anywhere, really.
Steve from OH
December 7th, 2010
9:27 am
And yeah, 4 years for Uggla. I’d have a tough time going 5.
coach joe
December 7th, 2010
9:29 am
would love to see what players the Braves have to pay money to in the future that are no longer with the team..DOB ????
DAP
December 7th, 2010
9:31 am
DOB, we have heard two other tweets from heyman about uggla. one said “looks like uggla did the right thing to turn down $48mil for 4 years” which insinuates the braves may be paying him more for longer, and then we got another one that said progress was being made, and that uggla loves freddi.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
9:31 am
You know, I generally like Keith Law, but talk like that has no place on a baseball blog. Or anywhere, really.
Law simply believes he’s the smartest guy in the room until proven otherwise, and he sometimes can’t resist trying to prove it.
Some posters here (and by “some posters”, of course, I mean, well, me) have the same problem.
DAP
December 7th, 2010
9:39 am
This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.
honestly, i have no idea what that even means. is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Voice of Reason
December 7th, 2010
9:39 am
The Braves are remarkably famous for good years. It’s those years judged as GREAT by the winning of a World Series that we only pull off once every 53 years or so. And I understand how we should be so blessed happy with our wonderful divisional pennants strewn along the facade in left field, however, we seem to forget that most fans with an iota of common sense ended up being disappointed at the tail end of all those years, except for one. It’s in the off season that we relish those “Great memories” and we are able to repress the failure to only hold the “REAL” trophy once since 1958.
AND I understand all those teams have not even won division titles, but are those the teams that the Braves of Bobby Cox were compared with OR were they compared with ELITE and Great and DYNASTIC teams?? A Dynasty does not usually get defined as winning a 5 team division every year and then impotently bowing out in the Post Season. IF they were not “YOUR” Atlanta Braves is that the way you would have defined a GREAT team. If the Dodgers had made the playoffs 14 times with great talent and 3 Hall of Fame pitchers and had won ONE World Series,would we have been calling them great OR rather what people around the nation callus??
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 7th, 2010
9:40 am
DOB a little testy re: Keith Law …………. gotta love it. Hey Bristol, my writer can beat up your writer any time he wants!
Mikeyc588
December 7th, 2010
9:43 am
DAP –
I’m with you, buddy. I know that he’s referencing aged, traditional balsamic vinegar, but the simile makes no sense to me whatsoever. Is Atlanta’s payroll supposed to be the vinaigrette?
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
9:44 am
Efrim… Your 8:34 am post makes a lot of sense. I would say, though, that signing Uggla to a longer term contract at thirty-one makes better sense than signing Chipper to a long deal when he had entered his late thirties (with a significant injury history).
But I’m not sure Uggla and his agent will reach a longer term deal with the Braves. Not saying that Uggla and Wren aren’t sincere in trying to reach an agreement, but there’s some distance between good intentions and inking a contract.
Maybe Uggla’s demand for a 5/71 (as I recall) deal was a way of pushing off the Marlins. I don’t know. But I’ve got to believe that Uggla really does want to make something on the order of $71 million – maybe over a longer period as an accommodation to the Braves’ budget.
But like you, I’d tend to be leery of locking up Uggla for a long time.
DAP
December 7th, 2010
9:44 am
voice of reason A Dynasty does not usually get defined as winning a 5 team division every year and then impotently bowing out in the Post Season.
thats not what the braves did. they won 5 NL pennants as well.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
9:47 am
DAP… “This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.”
“honestly, i have no idea what that even means. is it a good thing or a bad thing?
It means the writer has a secret desire to on the Food Network. It’s a goofy metaphor.
Braveheart
December 7th, 2010
9:48 am
This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.
honestly, i have no idea what that even means. is it a good thing or a bad thing?
me either. don’t know if that makes me retarded, or just a man. maybe I’ll ask my mother or grandmother or one of my sisters. don’t think any man i would want to know would get that reference
Moe Berg
December 7th, 2010
9:51 am
Doesn’t Keith Law actually have a food blog? I think so.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
9:53 am
Doesn’t Keith Law actually have a food blog? I think so.
Oh, goody. Because, let’s face it, when it comes to baseball, Keith Law knows a lot about vinegar.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
9:53 am
Since my wife likes to cook, I know the writer is referring to balsamic vinegar, which is aged and can be pricey. I guess he’s saying that to put a pricey balsamic into an everyday vinaigrette is kind of a waste.
I guess that what Mr. Top Chef is saying. It’s a dumb metaphor, as I said.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
9:53 am
Left-handed reliever, right-handed outfielder…
Hmmmmm… right-handed outfielder… Matt Diaz would seem to fit that description perfectly. Plus, he’s club-house friendly and familiar to the team.
The JWad
December 7th, 2010
9:54 am
McLouth will start and will play well. Schafer in CF is the future, but not 2011. Worry more about who replaces Prado in LF as soon as he is forced to 3B when #10 goes DL.
Moe Berg
December 7th, 2010
10:04 am
Very nice scoots. I just looked it up–food and books on Law’s blog called ‘The Dish’:
http://meadowparty.com/blog/
Lew
December 7th, 2010
10:07 am
I’d imagiine he’d get pissed if you used that Balsamic in some Carolina Vinegar based BBQ sauce, too.
Lew
December 7th, 2010
10:08 am
TenPaul- And Matt can’t play CF. If he could, he’d still be a Brave.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
10:09 am
This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.
honestly, i have no idea what that even means. is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Just researched all these terms to figure them out. aceto balsamico is simply balsamic vinegar, commonly used as a salad dressing. And vinaigrette, also used as a salad dressing… So knowing that I still have no clue what this one-liner meant.
There is a strong case to be made for why the vast majority of cultural baseball references are not applied to food and vice versa.
Braveheart
December 7th, 2010
10:10 am
Well, damn, never mind, apparently some men I respect do get that reference. So I guess I am retarded
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
10:10 am
Thanks, Moe. One more Keith Law blog I can skip, LOL.
Ahh, Law’s OK, I guess (I know several of my favorite posters here like him). I’ve just always thought he was riddled with misplaced arrogance and a steadfast irresistable-force unwillingness to admit he was wrong on anything. At all.
Hey, I might believe I’m the smartest guy in the room, too, but I can accept at least the possibility that I’m wrong about it.
Moe Berg
December 7th, 2010
10:14 am
scoots, I think that is pretty much my assessment of him, as well. Not just stubborn but a very narrow and set way of looking at things. Not my favorite baseball writer.
MikeInFl
December 7th, 2010
10:15 am
I think (at least what I got from it) that what Law is saying is that, trading for one year of Uggla was a great move, but that the Braves shouldn’t mess it up by committing four years to him.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
10:16 am
And Matt can’t play CF. If he could, he’d still be a Brave.
Hmmmmm…. description was right-handed outfielder. Alas, he fit that description. And he especially fit the following need: seeking outfield insurance in case … left fielder Martin Prado has to move to third base to fill in for injury-prone Chipper Jones.
There’s also a history of Diaz playing either corner outfield spot, freeing up other corner outfielders to move to more centralized positions. And then there is at least one minor leaguer with plenty of options already on the 40 man roster capable of playing any outfield position should he be needed in a pinch… Perhaps it is true, Matt Diaz could not possibly fit anywhere on this team what-so-ever happens. I tend to disagree. I think there is room for the guy, the price is the issue.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
10:17 am
Keith Law should use the cooking metaphors when – or if – he writes for Gourmet Magazine.
Me – I’ll take my Carolina BBQ sauce without balsamic. (hat tip to Lew.)
fleming
December 7th, 2010
10:18 am
Scoots
Some of the posters on the blog can make you feel at least like one of the smartest around here
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
10:21 am
I think (at least what I got from it) that what Law is saying is that, trading for one year of Uggla was a great move, but that the Braves shouldn’t mess it up by committing four years to him.
Then, perhaps Keith should have remembered that he was writing for baseball fans, and not Gourmet.
I’d have gone with “dressing up a pig”, or some such, LOL. THAT, I would have understood.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
10:23 am
Jeff beats me with the Gourmet reference. But his wife probably gave him the idea, so it doesn’t count.
Jeff R
December 7th, 2010
10:24 am
ncscoots… You are probably right.
Braveheart
December 7th, 2010
10:25 am
I’ve warmed up to Law over the years. When you hear him in interviews, his personality doesn’t come off as badly as it sometimes does in writing. And I like his insight, but …… One problem I have with him as that he acts like he’s some expert on every major leaguer, every minor leaguer, and every amateur player. And it can seem deeper than it is until he talks about players you know and see alot. Then you realize that what you’re getting are superficial snapshots. Some of that is that the biased fanboy in ya gets ticked when he says something bad about your guy, but alot of it too is that you realize you’ve seen that player more than he has. Granted, he’s got more of a trained eye, but how can one man read all those books, do all that cooking, do all that writing, tv, and radio work, tend to his family, and know everything about every professional and amateur player?
Bigwheel
December 7th, 2010
10:35 am
It should be interesting to see who else the nats pick up. I by no means am a fan of them. Read a report boras didnt even ask other teams to see of they would match werths contract. Even though weve had our fair share of struggles againts them, theyve been overall horrible since the 2nd half of their first season in DC. When frank robinson had his staring contest with that ump, they should make that a coors commercial, i think.
Tommy T
December 7th, 2010
10:35 am
“This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.”
This sentence just reinforces my opinion that Keith Law is a d-bag.
MikeInFl
December 7th, 2010
10:36 am
All of these national guys are now so trigger-happy, trying to get the scoop in the internet age, that they’ll say (and tweet) anything that might remotely resemble fact.
As to Law, I remember a stretch a couple of years ago (probably during hot stove season) where, on about 4 consecutive occasions, he managed to work into an interview that he graduated from Harvard.
Interviewer: Keith, what do you think about the Yankees obtaining Sabathia?
Law: Well, you know, it’s a lot like when I graduated from Harvard. I knew great things were on the horizon. I think that’s where the Yankees stand right now.
Interviewer: Is Evan Longoria ready to step in and lead the Rays?
Law: He’s certainly laid the groundwork in the minors. When I came out of Harvard, I knew I was ready to accomplish my goals. You really see the same kind of confidence in Evan.”
DC Brave
December 7th, 2010
10:37 am
Schafer played with attitude…he had that “right stuff” that said, Hi, I’m here to beat you today. If he can come back strong that is pretty much the last puzzle piece. Good luck Jordan!
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
10:38 am
how can one man read all those books, do all that cooking, do all that writing, tv, and radio work, tend to his family, and know everything about every professional and amateur player?
I think Keith decided his family loaded too deep and were pull-happy, were never going to make his Top 50 Prospect list, and thus he could spare a little extra time away from that arena.
Bigwheel
December 7th, 2010
10:38 am
Lol braveheart. Agreed man. Its like he doesnt sleep. I like him, but i get the feeling he wouldnt take a debate very well because he is too opinionated.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
10:40 am
Just back from trying to help to solve the world’s problems at the BBWAA meeting. (Just kidding, but the tone of those writers meetings does get quite serious, at times.)
Now open for business.
Tommy T
December 7th, 2010
10:42 am
BBWAA sounds like a support group for overweight female alcoholics.
Murph
December 7th, 2010
10:42 am
What sort of things do you cover in the writer’s meeting?
They’re, there, their… ok, I feel good about this meeting, let’s go get a donut.
Mikeyc588
December 7th, 2010
10:44 am
nsscoots –
Haha. Well done at 10:38am.
Personally, I don’t begrudge Law his interests. Plenty of people complain about DOB interjecting with stuff about music, BBQ etc. I happen to share a lot of DOBs interests, so to me they enhance the blog experience rather than detract from it. Same thing with Law, I think. Maybe his loyal readers are more into esoteric board games and haute cuisine and they can find all that at meadowparty.com. Nothing wrong with that, per se. But as for me, I’ll stick with DOB.
Bat Masterson
December 7th, 2010
10:45 am
This is like acquiring some 30-year-old aceto balsamico and using it in a vinaigrette.
honestly, i have no idea what that even means. is it a good thing or a bad thing?
I take it to mean ” the Braves want to extend Uggla, well duh”.
njbraves
December 7th, 2010
10:46 am
Law can be a bit much sometimes, but he’s usually spot on in his evaluations. The guy is a Harvard graduate and worked in the Blue Jays front office for a while.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
10:49 am
TennesseePaul, Braveheart: I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who had no clue what Law’s aceto balsamico reference meant. Even after looking up the term online, I still didn’t get it. Was it a shot at Uggla? The Braves?
Moving on….
BravePack
December 7th, 2010
10:56 am
Who cares what that tool Law says. It’s funny to me to hear a 30 year old is an aged veteran and shouldn’t be given a 4-5 year contract. This isn’t a RB in the NFL who gets hit all the time, this is baseball with no real contact. All I know is Uggla is exactly what the Braves have been looking for and stole him from the Marlins and it would be in their best interst to keep him here as the Braves need him and he obviously wants to be here. You know exactly what you’re going to get every year from him offensively and they guy is a great clubhouse guy and as we’ve heard does a lot for the community, plus leaves it out on the field every game. Braves need to finaly give up some money for someone who will actually be worth it. We gave a lot of money to older players past their prime in Lowe and Chipper so giving Uggla an extension would be the best move they make in years.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
10:56 am
Moving on….
Exactamundo.
For example, is Schafer an oil-and-vinegar guy or is he more of a Kraft’s Blue Cheese dude?
natsmakingnoise
December 7th, 2010
10:59 am
Wow…Nats on the verge on signing Cliff Lee to a 7 year deal. Imagine that rotation next year with Lee and Stasburg. That trumps the Braves and Phillies rotations! And we are also in on Adam LaRoche or Carlos Pena. With the addition of Lee, Werth and possibly LaRoche, and Harper on the way…it’s clear which team will start a new dynasty. Boy is it nice to have money to spend!!
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 7th, 2010
11:01 am
Good for you nats, seriously.
Fredi's Fu Manchu
December 7th, 2010
11:02 am
Murph – gasoline, not diesel – never diesel.
O.J.
December 7th, 2010
11:03 am
natsmakingnoise, seeing as how Strasburg will miss all of next year, I dont see it.
David O'Brien
December 7th, 2010
11:04 am
They’re starting this press conference with/for the retired managers, Bug Selig also taking part. Schuerholz is going to sit in for Cox.
Murph
December 7th, 2010
11:06 am
The Nats could sign every all star free agent for the next 3 years and would still end each season with a losing record. It’s just who they are. They are like the Cubs, but minus the lovable part of the lovable losers moniker.
O.J.
December 7th, 2010
11:09 am
From Jayson Stark tweet:
‘Things moving fast on FA outfielder Matt Diaz, with as many as 10 teams involved. Diaz was nontendered by #Braves last week.’
Good for Matty D, hope he gets a good contract from it.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
11:10 am
Isn’t Smoltz still a free agent.
Did he formally retire yet? If so, I totally missed the announcement.
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
11:11 am
Folks, it means that trading for one year of Dan Uggla was an excellent move, but signing him to an extension would kinda ruin it. I can’t believe we got a full page off that one Keith Law comment. Although I’m not the least bit surprised. Any semi-negative comment about a team’s recent transaction is going to get buried on the team’s blog….
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
11:14 am
Things moving fast on FA outfielder Matt Diaz, with as many as 10 teams involved. Diaz was nontendered by #Braves last week.
That’s largely because Diaz is a good player. He’d be a spectacular addition to any team’s bench or as a platoon option… If he has a healthy season ahead of him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him produce well in an every day roll.
Frankie Wren
December 7th, 2010
11:16 am
Braves in playoffs, Falcons with best record in NFC, Hawks winning 6 of 7 games and the Thrashers winners of 8 of last 9. What’s going on with this city? 4 teams making the playoffs in the same start of calender year…..
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
11:17 am
Efrim, maybe an extension for Uggla isn’t the complete no-brainer that some here think, but, still, Wren has been looking for RH middle-of-the-order power for what, three years? Can he really face going into another offseason next year with that same need, knowing how difficult it was to fill it previously?
Extending Uggla may be overpaying, but, mercy, I’d probably be drooling and dribbling to get him to sign, just from the fear of having to look for his replacement.
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
11:19 am
But I’ve got to believe that Uggla really does want to make something on the order of $71 million
With the money being thrown around this winter, I would be asking for a 5 year 75 million dollar extension if I was Uggla’s agent.
Snotboogie
December 7th, 2010
11:19 am
I like Diaz a lot and what he did for us in his limited role. But after seeing so many react to him so aggressively, I was wondering if my fandom was misplaced. Looking at his high demand so far, my view seems a little more justified. Lets hope he gets a good shot somewhere.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
11:21 am
it means that trading for one year of Dan Uggla was an excellent move, but signing him to an extension would kinda ruin it
Acquiring him was a great move… extending him would “kinda ruin it”…. What is “it”? The move or the team?
If “it” refers to the move, then a good mental exercise would be to think of the two events as separate.
The trade was good.
The extension was….bad?
Shouldn’t we withhold judgment until we actually know the parameters of the extension??
Or is Law really saying that one year of Uggla is great, but multiple years of him is not good for any team under any parameters?
I’m not up on my balsamic vinaigrette recipes so help me out here. If it’s the latter, then Law is speaking with his mouth full.
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
11:21 am
Extending Uggla may be overpaying, but, mercy, I’d probably be drooling and dribbling to get him to sign, just from the fear of having to look for his replacement
Which is why I can understand it if Wren goes that direction. CF, SS, LF/2B and potentially 3B could be areas of need next offseason. That’s a ton on top of the ever evolving bullpen… I’d just try to make it a three year extension. That’s not going to happen, but it’d be the most preferable route.
TennesseePaul
December 7th, 2010
11:25 am
With the money being thrown around this winter…
Inflation. It is very doubtful that a player of Uggla’s power potential will get any cheaper next year… via trade or free agency. Context must be applied when evaluating the price.
However, Crawford’s eventual signing could change things. The Nats stated that they had to over pay to get any legit talent to give them the time of day…. that had any other team signed Werth, it would have been for less. We shall see how much impact such statements actually have on the market.
Efrim
December 7th, 2010
11:28 am
Or is Law really saying that one year of Uggla is great, but multiple years of him is not good for any team under any parameters?
Multiple years of Uggla, given his below average defense that probably isn’t going to get better because of his age, makes him a risky player to extend, I guess. Which I tend to agree with. But given the Braves current structure, it really isn’t the worst thing that could happen….at all, really.
ncscoots
December 7th, 2010
11:29 am
I’d just try to make it a three year extension. That’s not going to happen, but it’d be the most preferable route.
Have the extension cover this last arb year and overpay for it. Go four and an option. You could live with that, no? Kind of a compromise between a too-long extension and Uggla’s money targets?
Couch Tater
December 7th, 2010
11:32 am
You are correct, Braveheart.
I guess, I am an aceto balsimico douche, as opposed to being a Met douche. : )
There Are More Questions Than Answers in Bruce Sutter’s New Agreement With the Braves. Is It Better to Have Most of the Money Deferred for Tax Reasons or to Get the Money Up Front?
Anatomy of a Baseball Contract January 07, 1985|KENNETH REICH
http://articles.latimes.com/1985-01-07/sports/sp-11899_1
I was skeered to ask my mama.