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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
407 comments Add your comment
Bluestreak
December 15th, 2010
12:38 am
Not saying anything would or should happen, but taking advantage of the Yankees need and sudden lack of ability to sign someone, how about this (and yes, this is very ‘Fantasy Baseball’):
Braves send Lowe and middling prospects to the Yankees and a lower level to the Rays
Yankees send Brett Gardner to the Braves and a mid-level and low-level prospect to the Rays
Rays send Matt Garza to the Braves
Gardner would start in center for the Braves, Garza would be our fourth starter. The Yankees get a starter that consistently wins 12-15 wins and whose sinker would work great in the New Yankee Stadium. The Rays get prospects to start reloading, since losing all they have this year and Boston adding what they have has the Rays looking at the Wild Card at best.
I know, will never happen, but seems like it would work well in getting the Yanks a proven starter and the Braves a speedster up top and in the field and a cheaper, younger starter. The Rays get hosed short term, but they already have been.
cARnACK The Magnificent
December 15th, 2010
1:04 am
I f Wren thinks sitting on his ass, and thinking a washed up Chipper Jones, and a no account Nate McLouth/ Jordan Schafer is going to match the Phillies he is as looney as a loon, Wren better quit kissin his own hind end and start looking at reality!
klaus
December 15th, 2010
1:07 am
Yankees don’t Lowe they would want JJ, Hanson or Minor.
The Marlins made a bad trade with Uggla but the Yanks are not the Marlins.
They will fleece ATL not the other way around.
is30303
December 15th, 2010
1:12 am
the sky is falling . . . the sky is falling . . .
screw the philies. they need to reload to get ready for us.
Ed
December 15th, 2010
1:34 am
I have to laugh when I read we are looking for a backup CF. That means we are looking for someone not as good as Nate McClouth…now that’s a scary thought.
Martin
December 15th, 2010
4:24 am
oh there is without question the braves need to make a move now, but we all know it wont be a big move, if it would be a minor one it should be Andruw Jones! why not? we can have guys like glaus, cabrera, garret anderson? but not Andruw??
Conyers Braves Fan
December 15th, 2010
4:37 am
Unfortunately, as Wren said, the Braves roster is essentially set. That is too bad. They never addressed a
need that is obvious which is getting a quality centerfielder. They hope for McLouth to return to form. Division titles/wild cards are not won on hope.
Frank Wren's A Moron
December 15th, 2010
7:14 am
Philles keep on loading up their pitching. Braves sign washed up has been pitcher’s.Braves should be very afraid,of Phillies pitching.
Mike
December 15th, 2010
7:43 am
Our pitchung is fine. We need another good hitting outfielder to increase our run scoring.
yogi2
December 15th, 2010
7:48 am
Jordan Schafer hit .201 at Gwinnett last year, then was demoted to Mississippi and hit.175. I think he only hit one home run. Schafer has never hit since he left the Rome Braves. Spring training is training not
real bsaeball. Jordan has been built up by the media and some dreamers
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
7:56 am
Conyers – sorry, but titles are most definitely sometimes built on hope. That’s the joy of sports. And it’s not a bad thing to have a set roster. It’s better than the alternative.
yogi – you simply cannot ignore the fact that Schafer was injured. You can bring up stats from his recovery period after surgery, but it has to be acknowledged that he was not fully recovered from surgery. You say he has been built up by dreamers. I say he has been torn down by doubters. Why don’t we actually wait to see how he performs after a full recovery before we make the final decision (which is all I have been saying all along).
Ghostrider
December 15th, 2010
8:14 am
I’ll keep it simple….I hate the Phillies, always have and always will, oh yeah and their idiot fans to.
Not Blue
December 15th, 2010
8:15 am
Don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby. You keep talking about Shafer’s labor pains, we just want to see results (not aided by PEDs)
bob
December 15th, 2010
8:28 am
I like the notion of a three team trade with braves, royals and yankees.
Lowe and Mclouth to yankees.
Greinke and gardner to braves
prospects to royals.
braves have enough power…gardner adds speed.
jhughes
December 15th, 2010
8:36 am
klaus it will be like last offseason when the yankees fleeced us for Vasquez that worked out so well for them
Dromio94
December 15th, 2010
8:43 am
richbrave,
Please don’t try too hard in vein to find those stats. You will just end up breaking a blood vessel.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
8:44 am
If people will quit trying to bury Schafer, we will see the results during ST and the first weeks of the season. Kind of wierd to demand results when you are not willing to give time for the results to be displayed.
The truth hurts
December 15th, 2010
8:58 am
damn Ramblin giving advice again @ 7;56 & 8:44…Most be Schafer’s dad.
yogi2
December 15th, 2010
9:03 am
Two years is more than enough time to recover from a wrist injury. I’m
not so sure about Schafer’s drug problem.
Scott
December 15th, 2010
9:06 am
I think the Braves will fare well against the Philies , there is no reason to panic .
dawgbrave
December 15th, 2010
9:07 am
Package Schafer in deal for Cain are J Upton. Maybe ramblingman will go with him.
Pop
December 15th, 2010
9:12 am
Bowman on MLB said the Braves only have 1 million left to spent. What can you get for 1 mill? Where did the money go?
reckingball
December 15th, 2010
9:16 am
A lot of belly-achers, coming out of the woodwork. Must getting closer to baseball season.
A lot of them sound like pedigree idiots.
Dnice
December 15th, 2010
9:16 am
Again lets get andruw back if we cant get Upton because Iat least we know Andruw can play CF and has power as evident by his stats in Chicago in part time duty. In part time duty he still led the Braves in homers last year.
yogi2
December 15th, 2010
9:17 am
Schafer can’t be packaged with anyone. Nobody wants a .175 hitter and druggy
GaryinBham
December 15th, 2010
9:29 am
I got curious while watching all the uproar over the Lee signing. So I went back and looked up who the eight highest spenders were for the past five seasons, how many made the playoffs and how many went to the World Series and won (to test the notion, “If you don’t spend you can’t win”)
Here’s what I found:
2006–3 out of 8 top spenders made the playoffs, none in World Series (Cards over Tigers)
2007—4 out of 8 top spenders made the playoffs, one in World Series (Red Sox, winners)
2008—5 out of 8 top spenders made the playoffs, one in the WS (Phillies, winners)
2009—4 out of 8 top spenders made playoffs, both WS teams were top spenders (Yanks over Phils)
2010—only two of the top 8 spenders made the playoffs (Phils and Yanks). Neither advanced. Neither WS contender was a top spender
In five years, 18 of the top 40 spenders made the playoffs. Only 4 of these made it to the World Series. In three years, one (and in one case two) of the top eight made the series, Only once were both WS contenders top eight spenders. 3 of the 5 champions were top eight spenders.
It appears that knee-jerk spending doesn’t replace baseball savvy, injuries, the unpredictability of people from year to year, and a little plain luck here and there. It seems that team chemistry, leadership, and other intangibles might actually make a difference.
Bottom line: don’t cede the title to the Phillies just yet. They won their title in a year when they were not yet a top eight spender.
K.C. Frenchy
December 15th, 2010
9:52 am
Stop with the Andruw Jones bs, were done with his lazy attitude. Trade JJ & McOut to Yanks for Gardner, that frees up salary & gives us a leadoff hitter with speed & is cheap, sure JJ might come back strong but Gardner is coming into his prime & you cant get something for nothing, when Medlen comes back we ll be fine, no one wants Lowe at his salary & age even though he was our best starter in September, he was lights out! Go Bravos
chief pitchanono
December 15th, 2010
10:10 am
Its official the phills have turned into the yanks. Wow how the NL east has changed. I love the statement from Wren though. This should have no effect on the Braves offseason moves what so ever. Wren has done an excellent job with the budget he has, and there is no reason to keep crying about it, theres nothing anyone can do about it other than the owners and we know by now where they stand. Were not going to be the Phills, yanks or Boston, but at least were not Florida or the Pirates. Were in the middle and will probably stay their untill were sold. The important thing is we have vastly improved an already good team who is building off a 90 something win season and a wildcard banner to show for it. If we stay healthy we will have a very good season, our team is very well balanced and has depth. Philly is counting on (healthy) starting pitching and hoping an inconsistent offense can improve while absorbing the loss of Werth. They remind me allot of the Braves in the 90’s and we all know what happens when you overload one area of your team and have to hope for the best with the rest of the roster. Sure if their starters stay healthy and productive and if the offense is cosistent they will be World Series favorites, but if they miss a step the Braves will be there to take back the NL east. I really believe that if both teams stay healthy, it will be a great race, people forget we have some really good starting pitching too, that is younger and just about ready to begin their prime years, and if D.Lowe can coninue to pitch like he did at the end of last year we can match up with them as good as anyone in baseball. If you put our starters out their with what should be a much improved offense, we are gonna have a real tuff, and (underated of course) team.
Mutts
December 15th, 2010
10:19 am
Cliff Lee is a very good pitcher, but he is not worth $24 million per year. He has had only 2 seasons with more than 15 wins and his lifetime ERA is almost 4 (3.85). He has great control, and doesn’t walk many, but he also gives up a lot of hits (witness the shellacking he got by the light-hitting Giants in the World Series). Cliff Lee is no doubt a very good pitcher, but he’s not a great pitcher that should command $24 million a year. Long term contracts to pitchers don’t always work out -ask the Mets about Johan or the Braves about Hampton. Let’s hope the Phils tie up more money on overpriced pitchers and aging stars so they can’t make future moves that significantly help their cause.
Braverman
December 15th, 2010
10:21 am
Forget just simply reacting to Philly, even before that move it was evident we needed to seriously upgrade our outfield, which was little league except for JHey. Sure having Prado in left will help and Uggla to the lineup is solid move, but we all know with close to 100% certainty that Chipper is not going to be an everyday carry the lineup player this year. So Prado will be shifted around all the time, hopefully not affecting his own plate performance but definitely again putting us at a disadvantage in the outfield again. I believe McClouth will be better than last year, but I still project that Prado will play more infield than outfield, and our outfield will again be one of the lowest producing groups in the league. And other than Schafer we dont really have a young guy left in the minors that is on the verge. So we need to go out and secure a youngish solid outfielder along the lines of Rasmus or Upton. And if it means we trade off a little pitching talent to get it done, its in our interest to secure that area so that we dont have to roll the dice every year and hope someone plays above their head. I love Hinske, but he’s not an everyday outfielder, should probably play more first than OF when the kid gets in a slump.
Hot Stove
December 15th, 2010
10:36 am
Freeman, Prado, Delgado, and Beachy to the Rays for Longoria. Rays get a solid young guy to play 3B, Freeman replaces Pena, and they get two solid pitching prospects. Chipper
plays first and Hinske LF.
McLouth
Chipper
Longoria
Uggla
McCann
Heyward
Hinske
Gonzo
K.C. Frenchy
December 15th, 2010
10:48 am
Hot Stove, what are you cooking??? I can promise you my only child that Freeman & Prado are untouchable at this time, unless Cards want to swap Pujols straight up!!! Lets keep it real, Prado was team MVP last year, hes not going anywhere!!!
Ralph
December 15th, 2010
11:25 am
Your talking about they might get a back up center fielder, that would mean finding someone who is not as good as McWorthless, well all I can say is good luck cause their ain’t nobody like out there.
joe kill
December 15th, 2010
11:30 am
The braves shouldnt fear the phills thhe philly offense is not as mighty becuse one jason wreth is gone 2 raul imbanez is on his way out think about that and if mclouth and or schafer hits the braves will be fine either if chipper or prado play 3rd im fine with that and dan uglla will shut down hamels and lee just wait till the spring when we can settle this on the field Go Bravos!
Tyler
December 15th, 2010
11:33 am
Still like the Braves chances in 2011.
Phils will have a great rotation, but baseball is a game of parity and you have to play the schedule out. That’s why they play 162.
2011 Braves pitching rotation and staff is loaded. Not Philles loaded, but we’ve got a very good staff. I think with the addition of Uggla, an everyday leftfielder, and Chipper Jones our offense will be much improved over last year.
When does spring training start!
Tyler
December 15th, 2010
11:38 am
Still think we need to ship Kawakami out of Mississippi and try to scrounge up enough money to sign Bill Hall or bring back Renteria. Need a proven back up to play 2b/ss.
Navigator
December 15th, 2010
11:44 am
I can’t tell which I like less, supporters of Frank Wren/ownership or the “sun will come out tomorrow group”. Unless everyone forgets, Philly didn’t win the National League Pennant, San Francisco did. Who gave San Francisco the best series?, the Braves did, so let’s have both faith and realism in our opinions maybe that’s where the Braves sit.
AGTFan53
December 15th, 2010
11:46 am
How about we trade KK for an unlimited payroll? If any of you guys have the money to pay for these fantasy trades, please go buy the Braves. If not, continue with your fantasy. We’ve got what we can pay for.
Maddux_Glavine_Smoltz
December 15th, 2010
11:46 am
Do the Braves play the Phillies 162 time this upcoming year??
I didn’t think so. Stop whining about “Oh Wren and the Braves never do this or that blah blah blah.. they need to trade all these guys for this guy blah blah blah.” We’re a SOLID team. We got out RH bat in Uggla, & the Phils LOST theirs (i.e. Werth)… Heyward, Hanson, and JJ all have another year under their belts and should play increasingly better this season. Not to mention the Phillies are all a year OLDER and hopefully trending downward. Yes, their rotation is phenominal on paper and probably on the mound as well, but so was ours during our run from ‘91-’05 and we still only managed to win 1 WS.
Have some faith Braves Nation.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
11:47 am
Yogi, you obviously do not keep up with things so please allow me to help you. Schafer was not recovering for “two years” as you claim. He was injured for most of 2009, had surgery in Sep 2009, was told that it would take one full year to recover, tried to come back too soon in 2010, performed poorly and was eventually shut down because he was not fully recovered (as he was told he would not be), and began to feel better at the one year mark. As to the alleged drug problem, he has never had one. No proof has ever been offered that he used, and no allegations have ever been made against him either before or after the one time he was accused of associating with people using HGH. As HGH is used for recovering from injuries, and he was not injured until well after he served his suspension, most are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Well, I tried, people. I tried to be nice to the troll and respond to a post of his. The kid was just lying in wait to get personal again. Evidently, he thinks I am the only poster not allowed to have any opinion. LOL @ that. He still does not get the meanings of irony and hypocrisy. Oh well…
Pman
December 15th, 2010
12:17 pm
The perfect leadoff hitter/outfield solution for the Braves could be had easily right now. Brett Gardner. The Yankees are in panic mode right now. After letting Crawford and Werth sign while waiting on Lee, and watching all of Boston’s moves, Cashman is going to make an under the radar deal for a pitcher. Trade Jurrjens for Brett Gardner and Joba Chamberlain. Although both are great players, the Yankees have never properly valued them. Strike while Cashman is still sweating. Gardner would be perfect for Atlanta and Chamberlain would flourish as a starter if given the chance.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
12:36 pm
Pman, interesting points. It could make sense for both teams but I think NY even in their panic would hold out for a prospect as well.
I would still rather go for Garza and Bartlett from Tampa. True it would cost more in terms of prospsects, but we could then turn around and trade JJ and Gonzo to replenish the farm. I still think it’s a good chance someone in house will step forward in CF and this strengthens SS and gives us a bulldog in Garza.
Jordan Schafer's "doctor"
December 15th, 2010
12:44 pm
Human growth hormone use produces the holy grail of all anabolic benefits, hyperplasia. Hyperplasia is the permanent increase in the amount of muscle cells. Over the years there have been many steroids that were alleged to result in creating new muscle cells, but HGH is the substance that actually delivers this incredible benefit. HGH also increases the size of existing muscle cells.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jordan Schafer's agent
December 15th, 2010
12:46 pm
Heck no, my client never used HGH or any other kind of PED’s. He was suspended 50 games for spitting seeds on the dugout floor.
Mutts
December 15th, 2010
12:46 pm
The “mighty” Phils had a lot in common with The Braves in 2010 – both made the playoffs and both lost to The Giants. The Braves have gotten better with Ugla and the Phils have lost an offensive and defensive catalyst in Werth but gained a very good (but not great) starting pitcher in Lee. The Braves have a very good starting rotation, a great bull pen, and lots of pitching prospects. No doubt The Braves and Phils are front runners for the NL East in 2011, but Philly is by no means a lock on the division. GO BRAVES!
Marc in FL
December 15th, 2010
12:48 pm
We’re doing well as is. You know how lucky we are to have a team in rebuilding mode and still be competitive at the same time? Normally when a team rebuilds they are last place for years. We have way more young talent than the Phils do and a better farm system than they do. We won’t be a push over this year with a comparable rotation, better bullpen, and upgraded line-up.
Are they the favorites to win it? Sure, but it’s not set in stone and let’s not forget we were 7 games ahead of them at one point last year without JJ and with a horribly under-performing line-up.
We also have a bright future being built with some tremendous young talent; the Phils are going to be so handicapped with all these old expensive guys they will not be able to improve much more over the next several years.
Lastly, consider why the Phils made this deal. They needed more pitching, they know their bullpen is suspect, Hamels is still inconsistent at time, and one injury to their rotation would have destroyed their season. They still don’t have the depth we do; if both teams take injuries to the rotation, we’ll be in better shape than they will.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
1:31 pm
(chuckles). Keep making up names and throwing out wild distortions, but you will never alter the facts. No hints or accusations before or after the one about associating with players using. No positive tests. No proof of use. We all acknowledge that he was suspended so beating that horse accomplishes nothing. He played well after the suspension so it is a moot point. In fact, he played well up until the injury.
Once again, this is a case of “he sucks” versus “give him a chance” with the former group attacking the latter group as being too extreme.
Captain Obvious
December 15th, 2010
1:51 pm
Asked how Major League Baseball determined that Schafer used HGH, Mike Teevan, MLB’s manager of media relations, said, “We have non-analytic means of identifying players. He falls under that category
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3336898
Jeremy
December 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
WTF does “non-analytic means of identifying players” mean? Some dude saw him hanging out with a dude that might have a friend that gets HGH from some dude?
Captain Obvious
December 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
1:31 pm
He played well after the suspension
For what, 2 weeks? Spring Training? Even Melky looked decent in Spring Training
Captain Obvious
December 15th, 2010
1:58 pm
If it was guilt only by association, and I thought I was innocent, I would AT LEAST appeal.
Ralph
December 15th, 2010
2:17 pm
How long does it take after you stop taking HGH before your body returns to normal, many players never recover or have great careers after they were forced to stop.
yogi2
December 15th, 2010
2:23 pm
Captain Obvious reads the same reports that I do. Thanks for your response. The Rambling wreck has a lot to learn
Pop
December 15th, 2010
2:23 pm
The link @1;51 said he used it…the words used two are more times. Just saying?
Blue boy
December 15th, 2010
2:25 pm
No! the ramlingman is not from GT we don’t claim him
Blue boy
December 15th, 2010
2:28 pm
Ramblin means he was born in the back seat of a bus going down hiway 41…rolling stones
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
2:34 pm
You are right, Jeremy. It means hearsay basically.
Oh, and the quote about HGH? That came from a blog by a personal trainer with no supporting links. It’s opinion in a blog. Take it for what it’s worth.
How long? Until the injury.
I can’t address the appeal comment. Not sure what, if any, process there is under the agreement for appealing.
Of course, all of this is just scattering stuff to diffuse and obstruct the truth which is there was never a failed test, never any proof that he purchased any HGH, and that he has not been given the opportunity yet to prove that he is finally healthy from surgery. I will continue to return to the main point despite attempts to send the discussion down rabbit holes.
Ralph, you are thinking of anabolic steroids. HGH is used primarily for quicker recovery from injuries. When Bonds took it, he was trying to overcome age catching up with him. When Paul Byrd was accused of taking HGH, he said he was taking it under a doctor’s care for a pituitary gland tumor.
yogi2
December 15th, 2010
2:36 pm
Please accept my apology,Tech fans. Im sure he is not a Tech fan
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
2:39 pm
Pop, the story also says that he denies using, never purchased any, and never failed a test. Just saying.
Besides, this is a story from 2008 that is being used by one person to try and continually pound a dead horse in order to prop up his contention that Schafer does not deserve a chance to show that he is recovered.
Give him a chance.
Ken
December 15th, 2010
2:42 pm
Does anyone remember that D. Lowe found a nasty slider the last 6 weeks of the season and almost pitched a couple of no-no’s. If he pitches like he did down the stretch and everyone else stays healthy our pitching will stack up just fine with the Philly’s!!
Captain Obvious
December 15th, 2010
2:56 pm
ramblingman thinks O.J is still trying to find “the real killer”.
hAL
December 15th, 2010
3:06 pm
they should call this blog black on black lol no one knows a baseball player from an armchair but they sure are racist
Mutts
December 15th, 2010
3:15 pm
Ken (2:42 pm): Finally someone calls attention to Derek Lowe in a positive light! Although he’s had some bumps in the road as a Brave he has 15 & 16 wins in the last 2 seasons and he was lights out the final month (when he was healthy again) and in the playoffs. Having Hudson, Lowe, and Hanson at the top of the rotation is not too shabby. With a healthy JJ, we stack up just fine with the Phillies, and our bull pen is significantly better than theirs.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
3:16 pm
Watch out guys, begin to show too much optimism and the trolls come out with fangs bared. LOL.
reckingball
December 15th, 2010
3:37 pm
Don’t worry yourselves sick belly-achers, the Braves will take the NL East in 2011.
The key move by F. Wren, was getting B. Cox to retire.
Kal
December 15th, 2010
3:54 pm
Liberty Media couldn’t sell the eam until AFTER the 2011 season due to the tax situation if the club was sold sooner. They could sell but NOT to Arthur Blank because he can’t own both the Falcons and the Braves under NFL rules. Also Ted is not interested in the club either.
The Braves failed to win the East because some people did NOT hit and some others got hurt.
Phillies had several injuries during the summer but they were helathy in late August and they won the division.
bravos10
December 15th, 2010
5:53 pm
we definitely should not trade JJ! NL cy young will be JJ next year, just wait. we need to trade beachy/reliever for another good pitcher, and then trade minor, nate, and whoever else for matt kemp!
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:17 pm
I equate JJ with John Smoltz (probably because they both came from Detroit) and I remember Smoltz’ injuries and look where HE ended up. (He won the Cy Young, too, afterwards.)
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:21 pm
I also agree that JS needs to be given the chance to show what he can do after trying to play with a broken wrist (his fault? trainer’s fault? management’s fault?)….doesn’t matter. And put the stupid HGH argument to rest…..it was never proven, so what happened to the innocent until proven guilty doctrine?
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:25 pm
Also agree with Kal……Braves’ injuries were late in the season. Phillies were early and they were healthy at the end and therefore won the division. It’s a LONG season…..anything can (and often DOES) happen.
ramblingman
December 15th, 2010
6:28 pm
JJ definitely has a rosy future The only reason a lot of people are thinking he’ll be the one to go is his agent.
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:35 pm
ramblingman
AND….I agree that JJ’s biggest drawback IS his agent!
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:39 pm
We just have so many positives going for us tht I can’t stand the “fans” on this blog writing us off before ST even STARTS!
Just Pat
December 15th, 2010
6:41 pm
I’ve neglected to say THANKS to Carroll Rogers for the wonderful updates……VERY prolific and I appreciate each and every one.
Kimbrough Jennings
December 15th, 2010
8:37 pm
Has everyone forgotten, that the Phillies did not beat the Giants and that Lee got pounded by the Giants. The Braves came closer to beating the Giants than either the Phillies or the Rangers. Let’s just put the players on the field and see what results. Go Braves!
BBUA
December 15th, 2010
9:35 pm
It appears baseball must really be making tons of money otherwise how could the owners continue giving out these huge salaries. When the contract between the owners and player union come up, the owners should not talk about the financial side as being in the red. If it should be it is their own fault and I doubt many fans will take their side this time around. No one held a gun to the Nat’s head and made them sign Werth, same for Boston and Philadelphia. I know you will pass the cost to the consumer but keep in mind the fans only have so much money and will look elsewhere for their sport fix. Scott Boras is now my new hero, I wonder if he can help me with my employer.
space monkey
December 15th, 2010
9:51 pm
Whistling past the graveyard. If Chipper doesn’t return then we didn’t get better.
bravos10
December 15th, 2010
10:33 pm
he’ll return, he’s our best offensive threat when he’s healthy
Johns Hopkins
December 16th, 2010
12:15 am
What did Laura say that was not true?
Dr House
December 16th, 2010
12:17 am
You censored and deleted a cardiac nurse’s advise to McCann to shed some weight. What is the matter with you people.
Go Phillies
December 16th, 2010
12:23 am
There are a lot of delusional “Coward’s” fans on these boards. Bottom line? Accept your destiny for now, Brave’s fans. You are indeed second rate to the Phillies, both offensively, defensively, and in starting pitching. Also, you neglect the fact that Contreras, Madson, and Lidge all were used EFFECTIVELY as closers last year. The fact that we have four aces that pitch into the later innings every single start takes pressure OFF of the bull pen. Additionally, if we have HALF the injuries we had last year, our offense (even without Werth, who was HORRIBLE with RISP) will take your offense to the cleaners. Now, repeat after me–the Cowards are doomed to a wild card berth at best……the Cowards are doomed to a wild card berth at best……the Cowards are doomed to a wild card berth, at best. There, there now. It helps when you finally accept reality. This juggernaut 4 ace pitching staff has been touted by the experts as being the best since the ‘54 Cleveland Indians–check the numbers. It’s no illusion. Accept your destiny and stop whining. If you want to compete with the big boys, try selling out a few games for a change. Otherwise STFU.
pcb mike
December 16th, 2010
2:12 am
Is everybody familiar with the fact that our Braves on a limited budget, has the second richest owner in baseball and twice the money (individual wealth) of George Steinbrenner. Seattle’s owner, (Nintendo) is the richest. Why do you own a team that can compete for a world championship and not add another $10-20 million in payroll when you can afford it?
keef
December 16th, 2010
7:01 am
Can someone PLEASE get Ted Turner and Arthur Blank in a room to coordinate efforts to rescue the team AND MOSTLY the fans from LIBERTY MEDIA???? $84 mill is ONLY about 100 million less than the Phils, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox….PLEASE…attendance will go UP with a good product on the field. If you BUILD it…they will come…
GaryinBham
December 16th, 2010
7:17 am
For GoPhillies for Xmas, a wish that your Phillistines perform as admirably next year as they did in as overwhelming favorites last year in the playoffs as chokers of the year.
dcb
December 16th, 2010
9:14 am
A day late and dollar short reading this one. But there’s a reason – I was really ticked off at the AJC’s lead-in to the announcement of Lee’s signing with the Phillies. It all but conceded the division to them and said outright, there’s always the wild card spot we can still get. No byline – so I don’t know who wrote it. But the tone was enough to turn me off reading the AJC for a couple of days. Settle for the wild card? Come on AJC. Someone or someones should be shot for both writing and then allowing such drivel.
Sarah Palin
December 16th, 2010
9:43 am
AJC: Here again you are running a blog that isn’t about me. Tsk Tsk. and to all ATL sports fans I say–Just because I walked out on the people of Alaska doesn’t mean u shouldn’t vote for me for whatever I’m suppose to be running for.
Clarence
December 16th, 2010
9:45 am
So the Phillies signed Lee? Well we can match that with KK.
Mutts
December 16th, 2010
3:59 pm
Cliff Lee is a good pitcher but with only (2) 15+ win seasons he is without a doubt the most expensive number 3 starter in MLB history. The 2011 Braves’s pitching staff is also quite good as the overhyped Phillies will soon find out. BTW, how did 2010 work out for the assumed World Champion Phillies?
James
December 16th, 2010
4:43 pm
Braves should sign Johnny Damon, Andruw Jones and trade for White Sox pitcher Edwin Jackson.
bball fan
December 16th, 2010
5:48 pm
Seems like people are forgetting one thing. You still have to play the games. Don’t give the Phillies the WS crown just yet.
Steve
December 16th, 2010
6:24 pm
Richbrave – here you go, courtesy of Sportsline Fantasy League mmbers only situational stats. I am just including the key stats, as a there are too many others.
Halladay
– was 3-0, 1.44 ERA, three starts, 2 complete games, 1 shutout
– 25 innings, 17 hits, 4 walks, and 17 strikeouts.
Oswalt
– was 0-0, 1.13 ERA, 2 games but only 1 start,
– 8 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, and 9 strikeouts.
– he was flat out dominant against us
Hamels
– was 2-1, 3.97 ERA, 5 starts,
– 22 and 2/3 innings, 24 hits, 1 HBP, 10 walks, and 22 strikeouts.
Blanton
– was 0-2, 6.23 ERA, 3 games but only 2 starts,
– 13 innings, 17 hits, 1 HBP, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts.
– Phillies will likely move him before the season starts according to many sources
Lee didn’t play in a single game against the Braves in 2010, but we did smack him around in 2009
– was 0-1, 7.00 ERA, 2 starts
– 9 innings, 15 hits, no walks, and 7 strikeouts
– even if we continue to hit him this year he will still be a stud against other teams most likely
So there ya go. Despite the Delorian comments by a poster who clearly doesn’t focus on reading comprehension, I pulled these for ya. I am not going to take the time to add them up for one stat line as a unit, but it should be easy enough if you know stats.
Steve
December 16th, 2010
6:34 pm
klaus -”They will fleece ATL not the other way around.”
How did that Vazquez deal work out for them? Braves offloaded a ton of salary by trading a guy that had a career 4.87 ERA for a very talented and cheap prospect and a 4th OF. I am cancelling out the lefty specialists, though we moved Dunn as part of the Uggla deal which gives us the edge.
If you don’t think the Braves made out, just think about how hard they are trying to move KK’s salary. He has a better career ERA and actually pitches GOOD in big games unlike Vazquez.
Put more simply, in the only recent trade between the two clubs, the Braves made the Yankees look like idiots.
BravoHeart
December 17th, 2010
11:53 am
The Braves need a speedster who can lead off and get on base and once on base, make some positive moves to get into scoring position for Prado and Heyward to knock in early and the cheapest/youngest guy who is being shopped happens to be Brewers CF Lorenzo Cain…To acquire him, it could possibly only take Beachy and a low-mid level prospect at best maybe even KK included in that deal..Teheran,Delgado, Minor, and Vizcaino shows how loaded the farm system is in pitching and how available Beachy can be so why not do that..Two things can be accomplished by getting the lead off and moving KK..We no have a very effetive 1-5 with potential production from Chipper,Freeman, and Gonzo
I honestly would think the Braves could take the East then and still be within the budget..Grienke wouldnt be bad either I mean the Atlanta media isnt KC but neither is it New york style, but I know it won’t happen..
sheeesh
December 17th, 2010
3:22 pm
The Braves bullpen and bench are going to be their weak links in 2011. Linebrink and Sherrill showed a tendency to get hammered with regularity last year. I foresee a lot of blown leads by those two. Uggla should help compensate for some of that by providing more offense, but losing both the experience and talents of Wagner and Saito (along with Infante) is going to be a bigger issue than most people think.
The strength of the bullpen and bench carried the Braves to the playoffs last season. But with the strict budget with which the Braves operate, the Braves are going to be more exposed in both areas in 2011. Start praying now for a healthy starting 8 and starting pitchers with stamina who pitch with great efficiency.
O'flarity's water bottle
December 17th, 2010
4:59 pm
Is there any reason why people here think we need a person that steals bases? We never were a base steeling team. So who cares.
Phillies resign Cliff Lee - Baseball - Page 8 - City-Data Forum
December 17th, 2010
5:09 pm
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Billy
December 17th, 2010
5:29 pm
The ignorance surrounding the Jordan Schafer story is astounding. I applaud those who understand how difficult it is to get dressed with a broken wrist let alone try to hit a baseball that requires heavy wrist strength and torque.
Art
December 17th, 2010
6:24 pm
Does anyone know if Doumit from the Pirates can play CF? Pirates have shown interest in Kawakami and the salaries are close and Doumit can hit. Any thoughts.
Ron Hyatt
December 18th, 2010
3:56 am
As Skip woulda said, “That’s why they play the games, sir”. It’s not a given that Lee will make it out of ST. He could blow up. Or the other 3 could plotz. Or they could give up 2 runs a game and only score 1.
MJ
December 18th, 2010
9:41 am
Geez, this new Phillies rotation feels alot like Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, & Avery. Every team in our division knew they were playing for second place/a wild card with those guys starting. Not sure I think a power hitting 2nd baseman can continue the pace he’s been on for 5 more years, but I like the fact that the Braves are trying to get better. No team in baseball is set up like the Philies right now, which is a fact. Give their mgt kudos for having the marbles to go out and put this staff together. But like B Mac has said, lets go play the games and see what happens. If the Braves can lock down a power hitting 1st baseman, and address CF with a player that has base stealing speed, I think we are going to be just fine. I’m the biggest Chipper Jones fan out there, and I hope he can come back and give the team 1 – 2 years. He’s a great competitor, and I think wants to go out on his own terms, not on an injury. If he can play 130 games, and the Braves put together a line-up that is hitting for average in front and behind him, he’ll see some decent pitches and will have a great season. I know there are many fans who criticize the guy, but I know he has been a loyal Brave, and like Smoltz, could have left several times if he wanted to test free agency. I have respected that loyalty. I feel the people who criticize him never take into consideration that he is a tough competitior, and has been the cornerstone for this franchise the last five years. I know my opinions wil be heavily criticized, and that’s fine. We all have opinons. I’d just like to see all the critical fans lay off him for thefirst three months of the season, and let the guy finish a Hall of Fame career with dignity and respect. He deserves that opportunity.