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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,528 comments Add your comment
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
Yeah, for some reason I was thinking Stras would be back next year. OK, so as I said, while the Braves have had trouble with the Nats, I don’t see any reason to believe their win total will be significantly higher than last year.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
MFin04 Anybody but McFann and I pick up the new Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift album
Hey-ey, hold on there, Babaloo! My Sister’s the one who listens to Taylor Swift. As for the that other guy? WOW-WEE!! Were you ever joking! YELGTH!!
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
I think the Phillies got better with the addition of Lee and the subtraction of Werth. However, it remains to be seen whether they trade other pieces, such as Blanton or Ibanez to make room for Lee’s salary.
Uggla, if he does what he normally does, makes the Braves much better than they were in 2010 or 2009. The Braves “basic” line up is an on-base machine. Whenever they have had a slugger in the line up (Laroche,end of 2009, Glaus, May/June of 2010) they have scored a ton of runs. Losing Wagner may be significant and force the Braves to make a move at the trade deadline.
While Lee and Oswalt potentially make the Phillies better at preventing runs 2 out of 5 days for an offense that may be significantly weakened with the loss of Werth and Ibanez, Uggla makes the Braves much better for 162 games.
Marlins lost Uggla and Ross. I don’t think the Mets got any more pitching going into 2011. Nats gained Werth and lost Dunn. Did they get any pitching?
In short, Phillies might be a little better when all the moves have been made. Braves are a lot better. Mets and Nats look about the same. Marlins look a bit worse.
Soph
December 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
As for the that other guy? WOW-WEE!! Were you ever joking! YELGTH!!
Good girl.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
Why so much hate for Taylor Swift, she is an articulate, attractive and talented young lady, she will never have the street cred of Bon Scott but hey, he is dead
Then again, I cannot name one Taylor Swift song, but don’t quote me
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
DS1-
Never said I wasn’t happy w/ the approach FW has taken…I have been very pleasantly surprised at times in how he has maintained, and even added to the team since he took over the GM position.
All I am saying (and I think AT is the same) is that it would be nice to at least hear the Braves name here and there in discussions for players…as I feel the more you put yourself out there, when the Braves are better, more FA will want to come here. I mean just look at Lowe…he was the biggest FA the Braves have landed in a very long time.
bschro3000
December 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
DOB – you gotta check out the Futurebirds – Hampton’s Lullaby.
My top 10 (no order . . . but the Kanye, Arcade Fire, Beach House and DBT are near the top:
Arcade Fire
Belle & Sebastian
Beach House
Drive By Truckers
Futurebirds
Kanye West
Big Boi
Girl Talk
Janelle Monae
The Roots
Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
No Bieber?!?!? WTF kind of list is this?
P-Town Brave ©
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
McFann-
Hasn’t that clown’s 15 minutes of fame ran out yet?
Boy is he riding that til the wheels fall off!
Joe
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
Dave,
During your interview with Wren, were you able to ask him about the Braves small draft budget? The Braves during the 90’s were aggressive spenders in the draft and it payed large dividends for them. The Braves over the last few years I believe have spent less in the draft then any other team in baseball. Wren mentioned teams competing with lessor payrolls like Texas and Tampa Bay, but those teams spend big in the draft. They go after athletic, high reward, high school players. The Braves cutting back in the draft has limited their ability to take similar players beyond the first few rounds. Texas also spends heavily in the international market as well.
I know currently the Braves have an above average farm system, but can they keep the level spending near the bottom? The Braves have done well internationally, but they are rarely big spenders there either. Salcedo being the exception. My concern is why spend so little on an area you are counting so heavily on for the success of your team?
Teams that spend in the low end in player development for an extended period of time always suffer eventually and have to spend heavily to restock there systems. The Blue Jays are a good recent example. Kansas City and Pittsburgh are teams still trying to build successful major league teams after over a decade of skimping on player development. The Dodgers are are a franchise who has taken a hit after cutting back on player development spending in recent years.
I know the counter argument is that the Braves have very good talent despite spending in the low end for a few years. My point is why spend so little in the area that you get the most bang for your buck.
MFin04
December 21st, 2010
5:25 pm
Phillies had the best record in all of baseball last year with 97 wins despite having an injury plagued year from the majority of their 1-5 hitters.
And some on here say they are only slightly better than last year or about the same. So basically they are going to be a 95-100 win team next year and win the division again?
Its tough to be significantly better than 97 wins, but the Phillies didn’t need to improve as much as the Braves did. I mean we couldn’t even score during the last month or two of last season.
So even if the Braves improved more than the Phillies did, (which I completely disagree with), the Phillies are still the better team and will win the division correct?
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
During your interview with Wren, were you able to ask him about the Braves small draft budget? — Joe
No, I didn’t.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
The Braves need to go all in and sign Beltre. 5 years, $72M.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
no on beltre
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
P-town
I think “hearing your teams name” out there when there is no prayer of us actually being interested in a specific player is a total waste, and gets us absolutely nowhere.
Why would we care to hear that “the Braves are one of the players for (insert name of over priced free agent here) as reported by Jon Heyman or Buster Olney or whomever??? When we know we are not in the game???
That makes absolutely no sense to me, to be perfectly honest.
I’d rather hear “Braves GM Frank Wren has stated time and again that the Braves are NOT in the market to overpay for players who are marginally better than what they have on the field today.”
And then for him to keep his prospects, and build his team from within.
Now that’s what I love to hear.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
Beltre and a big contract usually lead to frustration and poor performance, indded most Bosox cast offs fall in a hole at FA
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:31 pm
Dave – No “Kings of Leon”? C’mon… their new album is phenomenal! — Alex in DC
Sorry, but I just think it pales compared to their earlier stuff. It’s just OK, nothing special. They’ve gone too far in the arena-rock direction, for me.
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:31 pm
DS1, December 21st, 2010, 2:02 pm … from the previous blog … “The Pirates are definitely a puzzle. They have some decent players, but you would think their system would be loaded. Maybe they have some scouting issues?”
I don’t know enough details, but I don’t think you can underestimate how a bad organization can get its in own way.
It makes me appreciate the Braves scouting, recruiting, and development that much more.
Murph
December 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
The Braves need to go all in and sign Beltre. 5 years, $72M.
Whoever signs him will get 1 good year and 3 or 4 mediocre ones… I wouldn’t pursue him.
Aramis Ramirez might become a FA in 2012. I’d rather have him personally than Beltre.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:33 pm
Murph – good call on Aramis.
Ease® in Woodstock
December 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
Muffin got called out in the blog…Gotta love it!
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
I read Phillistein’s comment about the Phillies on the previous blog and he had the nerve to compare them to the Yankees.
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
As for Justin Bieber.
“Who the f*** is Justin Bieber” in the words of Ozzy Osbourne.
McFann O O
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
Soph—
P-Town Hasn’t that clown’s 15 minutes of fame ran out yet?
Ick, who knows, who cares?
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:35 pm
Man nothing on that list is even remotely good in my opinion. Guess my friends are right when they say I’m a music Nazi. Oh well…..I can live with that. FEAR
Cool. So can I.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
Also, it’s not like Uggla is the only improvement we should have this year. Actually, C and 3B are the only places where I’m not reasonably sure we’ll show an improvement this year.
1B was hardly a position of strength last year. Lee was good while he was here, and Glaus had a few good weeks, but Freeman should be able to have approximately the same production they did.
You can either look at the Uggla acquisition as a slight upgrade of 2B over Prado and Prado a big upgrade over LF last year, or as Prado = Prado and Uggla is a huge upgrade over what we got from our LFs last year.
Remember, Chipper had just gotten hot when he got injured. Unless, he misses most of the year, 3B will likely not be much of a problem. If he has a major injury that will keep him out an extended period, the Braves will probably address that issue then.
SS should be improved next year just because of how badly Yunel was hitting before he was traded. Even if AGon only hits like he did after the Braves acquired him, that’s still a significant upgrade over what Yunel gave us last year.
Heyward’s production should tick up a bit, just based on additional experience, and could be significantly better if he doesn’t have anything that drags down his production like the injuries he had last year did.
And it’d be hard for McLouth to be any worse than he was last year, so the Braves should be at least marginally better even in CF.
The rotation is a bit harder to figure. JJ will hopefully be better (and healthier). Lowe will hopefully pitch at least as well as he did last year, and hopefully better – his September and October may have been stellar, but the rest of the year he was okay. I’m hoping he can be pretty consistently in between those 2 levels, which would be a good to very good year for a SP. Hudson figures to be a little down from last year – he had a great year, one of the best of his career. I’m not saying he’s going to fall significantly, but you can’t expect a player to have a year where he’s significantly above his usual production every year. Hanson figures to be as good or better. Minor should be about as good as KK + Medlen, maybe a bit better.
I won’t go through the ‘pen player by player, but I think it may be a little less talented, but deeper, especially if it’s used properly.
The bench isn’t solidified yet, but it figures to be a little weaker since we don’t have Infante. However, considering how much starting duty Infante had to pull, I think that’s less of a hit than some people seem to think.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:37 pm
DOB needs a job on the Travel Channel where he travels the country, trying BBQ and finding good music.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:40 pm
Medlen was effing brilliant last year
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:41 pm
Lew, I really like that Grace Potter CD; bought it new as a Christmas present for someone, and kept the burned copy you gave me. It was borderline top-50, just fell outside it for me, along with some other good stuff like Tom Petty, Graham Parker, Wolf Parade, New Pornographers, Midlake, The Constellations, Maximum Balloon, Mynabirds, Sharon Van Etten, Wavves, Dangerous & Sparklehorse, Elvis Costello, Future Islands, Eels, Everest, The Tallest Man on Earth, Futurebirds, and Austin Collins.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:42 pm
“Diners, Drive-ins, Honky-Tonks and Dives”, starring David O’Brien! I can see it now. I’d watch it, so long as he didn’t overdo the White Snake!
Bobby Hill
December 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
I think the comment about the other teams in the division improving is a very relevant to the discussion of next year. Did the Marlins, Mets, or Nationals improve enough to overtake the Braves? No, probably not. But the Braves just barely squeaked into the wild card. Philly will obviously go into the season as the favorite. I think that was the case even before they landed Cliff Lee. So if, incremental improvements by division rivals, and the Braves’ own additions cancel each other out, then the Braves are right where they were at the end of the 2010 season. What happens if San Diego doesn’t swoon like they did in 2010, of if Colorado stays hot down the stretch, or if the Cards don’t fall apart again.
When you go into the season with the wild card as your most reasonable route to the post season, it doesn’t matter if the division bottom feeder have improved enough to catch you. What matters is if they have improved enough to cost you a few wins.
David O'Brien
December 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
Jerry Blooger: I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:44 pm
Yeah, that’s true. With how you were raving about the Eels album, I am a little surprised it wasn’t up there.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
yeah but the braves barely squeeked in due to injury. imagine if troy’s kness had held up? chipper was coming around right about when he blew out his knee and then prado with the finger and the pointer and oblique.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
You know your getting old when you only recognize 3 names on that list of almost top 50’s!
50 CD’s in a year. Heck, I bet I haven’t bought 50 CD’s in the last 10 years. Probably 20.
Cheap sumbeach!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:46 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs -
Yeah, but KK’s starts weren’t very productive. If you average KK and Medlen, I don’t think that’s too much pressure to put on Minor/Beachy.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
Think Blyleven gets in the Hall? 10p
yes I do, and maybe Alomar the Spitter too this year
Trey
December 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
“Jerry Blooger: I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.”
His music isn’t my taste but I do admit that he is pretty talented as an artist.
Nick
December 21st, 2010
5:48 pm
I wonder if the Bravos are gonna sign a 4th OF or are they content with Logan Schafer and Matt Young?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
Filthies have some major problems coming up
1. Jimmy Rollins in the post steroid era has slipped steadily and now is but an offensive shell of his former self
2. Werth was the most consistent Phillie (AB) all year and is gone
3. The stud 1B is now entering his big contract years at a time when his OPS dipped significantly in 2010 (usuallu a bad sign)
4. Ibanez kind of collapsed for 1/2 a season and is 39 a slowing badly
5. The superstar 2B has been injured and carries the risk of that bad hip laying him low for games yet again
6. Their catcher was gr8 in 2010 but that amounted to a career year offensively
7. Victorino lost the plot for 3/4 ofthe season and assumed his name was Ryan Howard and as a consequence kept swinging for the fences
Now on the +ve side for them, their godawful SP at the start of 2010 looks oh so studly in 2011.. but we will be better across the board except maybe at closer and CF
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
as we transition to a more athletic team,” he said. “Where speed and defense and those areas are so valuable in the overall scheme of things the way the game’s played today, transitioning more to that type of team as we go forward, while also maintaining our strong pitching base. Not to say you can’t have a very successful team without that, but if there’s one attribute that plays so well in our game it’s speed. In the last five or six years, there’s been a re-emphasis on speed.
“But speed without the presence of other skills really doesn’t do you a lot of good, either. That’s why those players are so rare. They’re hard to come by. That’s been a focus of Tony [DeMacio, Braves scouting director] last year in the draft, as well as for Johnny [Almaraz, Braves international scouting director]. That’s hopefully the direction we’re headed more and more as we go forward. But it’s five or six years to turn that around, from the time you sign a player to when they become an impact player in the big leagues
what I been saying all along. It needs to be corrected in the draft and Wren is working on doing just that. give it a bit.
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
Lorenzo Cain can be had now that he’s in KC.
Wren, give Dayton Moore a call & make it happen !
Another season of dopers like McLouth & Schaefer will put me in rehab !
abwright
December 21st, 2010
5:52 pm
I haven’t heard everything on the Black Keys album, but what I’ve heard from this group has been very distinct and original. It’s got a little 70s throw-back feel. (I think they use the term “out-a-sight” once or twice.) This band is the real deal.
I doubt that I’ve listened to 50 albums released this year (I just got Piper at the Gates of Dawn on itunes to give a hint at how far behind I am on music). I applaud you, DOB, for compiling such a comprehensive list. It’s hard to imagine how much time that took.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:53 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs – made the same points to a friend of mine who is a red sox fan by the way. He disagreed with me. I think the Phils are not unstoppable as everyone is putting out there. Couple of those mentioned guys get hurt. They are in trouble.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
5:55 pm
Bobby Hill -
SD traded their main offensive cog in Gonzalez, and is really overhauling their club. It’s hard to compare them to last year’s team, but, unless they make a significant acquisition, I don’t see them as contenders next year. Also, Atlanta was 38-34 in the division last year. Unfortunately, the Braves didn’t feast on the rest of the division other than Philly like they should have. We had the same record vs the Nats that we did vs the Phillies. I think we’re in pretty good position to meet or beat that record vs the division next year.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
5:56 pm
Red Sox on the otherhand look just putrid, awful filthy lineup and SP, plus now a real BP, going to bet on AGONZ for MVP, think he crushes souls at Fenway with that rinky dink field
nolie
December 21st, 2010
5:57 pm
Braves 104-58 DS1
maybe that stands for De Senile 1 ?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
5:58 pm
yeah Agon is gonna have a hell of a year knocking balls all over that tiny field. Should be fun to watch especially against the yankees. hahaha!
Supes
December 21st, 2010
5:59 pm
Looking forward to the Wren piece DOB,
I know what Wren said to you, but I just refuse to believe that a faceless corporation with no vested interest in seeing the team win a WS is a better ownership situation than lets say an individual owner (Like an Arthur Blank is to the Falcons).
From the previous blog, I can’t believe so many fans here are “mentally defeated” due to the move Philly made to acquire Cliff Lee and have given up on the NL East for the Braves. Oh well, I guess I’ll believe it when we are mathematically eliminated in 2011! I refuse to give in and surrender my expectations as a fan…and I believe the Braves can still win the NL East and go from there.
Moe Berg
December 21st, 2010
6:01 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs–I have to agree with you on the Red Sox, They seem to be doing a great job of restructuring after this injury-riddled year. Think they will be a contender in the AL East next year.
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
The bullpen is one of my concerns. Billy Wagner was incredible this year for the Braves and depending on Kimbrel and Venters, while I love them both, they are still both very young and inexperienced. The new additions may or may not pan out, that remains to be seen MF04
one of mine too. they have great potential but not really proven yet long term. not saying they will implode, just that I am a bit concerned
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
Supes, I think it is less than being mentally defeated, but arguing with a child who has no valid points. I know the Braves have a great shot of winning the DT until mathematically eliminated, as well. Phillies were expected to win last year, but look what happened.
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:03 pm
“Lew, I really like that Grace Potter CD; bought it new as a Christmas present for someone, and kept the burned copy you gave me.” DOB
Is that the newest one? I bought it on iTunes about two months ago, and liked it so much I bought a live album of there’s as well. I remember asking you DOB if you liked her or had that disc, because based on what you normally list as your favorites, she(they) remind me of some of that stuff. They are very vintage in a non-forced way, which is cool, imo. Her voice holds up very well live (though I realize that most live albums these days are far from “live”). But she can sing no doubt.
” I can’t stand Kanye West as a person, or at least all I’ve read and heard from him. But as an artist? The man is really good.” DOB
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Not my cup of tea music-wise. But the guy’s got talent. Unfortunately, like many “quirky” artists with creativity, he’s pompous enough to buy into his own hype and acts like it.
Poorbrave
December 21st, 2010
6:06 pm
DOB thanks for the blog. Hope you and your lady have a great time ROCKING around the Christmas tree. Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year. I’m looking forward to Spring Training and the pitchers reporting Feb 12th.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
Is Kanye West related to Dwyane Wade? Did their mothers flunck spelling in the 8th grade?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
flunck xmas
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
I’ll say this about the Braves bullpen, because the concerns about how Kimbrel and Venters will handle the pressure that comes with closing games is the great unknown. Clearly they both have what it takes to get 3 outs. The only question is if they are both capable (or even just one of them) of getting the LAST three outs. Always easier said than done on a nightly basis.
But here’s the ironic twist to it all. Last winter two of the biggest questions (before it was made known that Heyward was going to be given the RF job and other than what Glaus would provide), were how Wagner and Saito would hold up.
I think the bullpen has the chance and the arms to be every bit as good as last year’s pen, and possibly better. Will either of Venters or Kimbrel be better than Wagner? Unlikely. But either could come close to his production and the other will likely be better (or could be) than Saito was. Add in O’Flaherty returning healthy, Moylan being Moylan and then a guy like Marek getting added to the mix. Along with the other veteran additions?
I’m not sure if this bullpen will dominate the way it did last year. But it’s set up to be a very good, deep bullpen. Can’t really ask for much more. I’m sure a couple of guys will disappoint, and another 2 or 3 will really surprise.
The bullpen isn’t my concern.
Mikeyc588
December 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
DOB –
Great list (I might put High Violet at #1 and Gorilla Manor a little higher) and there are a ton of albums on your top 50 I haven’t heard yet and will be picking up based on your recommendations. Thanks for list and the new blog, as always.
HeyTLien
December 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
The new Kanye is like Hip-hop’s Exile on Main street – in form, function and substance
Jbailz
December 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
I keep seeing people that are talking about how Glaus had a good couple weeks. While I agree the sad part is even with just a “good couple weeks” he was 8th on the team in 2B, 4th in HR and RBI, 6th in TB, 4th in BB and this in 128 games played. My point with this is that he only had a good run and was near the top in a lot of offensive categories.
If Uggla was on our 2010 lineup he would have ranked 1st in Runs, 3rd in 2B, 1st in HR (by 12!), 1st in RBI (by 25!), 1st in TB (by 24), 2nd in BB (only Heyward had more) and played in 159 games.
Infante stats vs Uggla – AB (471 I to 589 U) Runs (65 I to 100 U), Hits (151 I to 169 U) 2B (15 I to 31 U) 3B (3 I to 0 U) HR (8 I to 33 U) RBI (47 I to 105 U) SB (7 I to 4 U) CS (6 I to 1 U) BB (29 I to 78 U) SO (62 I to 149 U) BA (321 I to 287 U) OBP (359 I to 369 U) SLG (416 I to 508 U) OPS (775 I to 887 U) Uggla also only ground into 9 DP’s all year, I don’t know about the rest of you but it seemed like that’s all we did, Infante ground into 14. And when it comes to defense Infante is a career .981 Fld% and Uggla is a career .980 Fld%
I’m not sure how anyone can think we didn’t come out on top of the Uggla trade and with those numbers, I mean he’s a career 30+ HR 90+ RBI guy. The last time we had one of those was A Jones for I think just one year.
Anyways, I’m done throwing around stats, just want to say FW is doing a great job and if we can get Uggs for $12 mill per I think it’s a STEAL!!!!!!
richbrave
December 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
OMG, the FEAR is here.
MIBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:12 pm
“Braveheart
December 21st, 2010
5:16 pm
No Bieber?!?!? WTF kind of list is this?”
One with good taste.
keylargo
December 21st, 2010
6:13 pm
MLB Channel has a debate on the best pitching staffs on now. Former Brave Ron Gant is part of the panel.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
alive and well
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
best staffs currently or all time?
shinburger
December 21st, 2010
6:17 pm
wow i must really be out of the music loop, i havnt even heard of most of the names on that list
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:18 pm
shinburger, neither has The Prince of Darkness!
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:19 pm
The biggest concern in my opinion is Chipper. Chipper in the lineup is a huge factor, even when Chipper is struggling he impacts the game.
I’m not concerned about CF, basically it cant be any worse than last season.
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
well like i said earlier. What if chipper can’t continue? then what?
Mutts
December 21st, 2010
6:21 pm
The Braves were a playoff team in 2010, so expecting them to reach the playoffs in 2011 is very realistic. Phils were picked to win it all in 2010, so expecting them to fold in 2011, is very realistic as well.
Supes
December 21st, 2010
6:22 pm
My biggest concern for 2011 as far as the Braves go is the health of our key guys…especially Chipper Jones.
Do I worry about the pen…and Kimbral or Venters inexperience in the role? Not as much…I’ve seen enough where in key situations they got the job done in 2010. I do think that losing Wagner (from a teaching perspective, and a mentor perspective is a bigger loss in the pen to those guys)
Health of Prado…is he back or can he play a full 2011 season and produce for us in LF…and the health of Chipper…can he give us 125 games at 3B (I know, I was gonna say 140 but I’ve gotta be tempered down with my expectations given how frequently he’s been injuring himself lately)
I mean are the Braves bult in such a way (minus OMAR INFANTE now) to sustain a season where Chipper plays lets say…half the games and then gets injured?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:22 pm
then Prado goes to third and LF is a Hinske/somebody platoon perhaps
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
I think the loss of Wags is a huge loss all around. He had arguably the best year of an allstar career, expecting a couple of rooks to make up for that is a stretch IMO
Stan Darsh
December 21st, 2010
6:25 pm
Anyone else think LORENZO CAIN for BRANDON BEACHY is a greater possibility now that he belongs to the Braves friendly GM, Dayton Moore?
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
FEAR
Prado moves to 3rd base and we then Platoon in LF with Mather/Hinske or McLouth if Schafer is making strides. Its my biggest concern.
No matter how much Chipper has declined he’s still taken seriously every AB. He’s one of the smartest hitters in the game and will get respected. Chipper will be a High OBP guy still, and if he strays away from the long ball I think he can still hit in the 300s. Which is what he should be doing at this time in his career.
Be nice to see Chipper hit over 300. with a obp close to 400. 10-15 homers the Rbi’s will come with him hitting tons of singles and doubles.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
Stan Darsh
Might be a greater possibility, but probably still won’t happen. If McLouth, Young and Schafer can’t win the job in the spring, look for a deal then, but not before.
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Is any team taking a pot shot with Mannywood, havent heard his name mentioned at all in rumors
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Might be a greater possibility, but probably still won’t happen. If McLouth, Young and Schafer can’t win the job in the spring, look for a deal then, but not before.
agreed on that
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
i think manny is done
VaBravesFan
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
NoBreggie4Dogs
BlueJays have been the most connected to Manny so far. Talk of him playing DH while moving Adam Lind to 1B.
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:30 pm
FEAR -
If the Braves know Chipper can’t continue, that’s a known need I have confidence they’ll address, either by acquiring an OF or a 3B. It probably won’t be someone who replaces what a healthy Chipper gives us, but I don’t think we’d acquire anyone now who fits that bill either. The Braves have obviously decided that they can’t let McLouth’s salary rot on the bench (which is what would happen if they acquired a starting-caliber OF and Chipper is relatively healthy this year) without at least seeing if he can provide some value, especially since acquiring another starting-caliber OF would entail trading talent that the Braves could have a use for.
Also, if Chipper has another major injury or can’t come back from this one, the Braves will likely have a clearer understanding of his contract situation and how much of his salary they’ll have to pay, which could allow them more financial flexibility in finding a replacement.
Branch Rickey
December 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
When did Chipper last hit .300, three years ago ?
NoBreggie4Dogs
December 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Dave O’Brien and y’all, I wanted to seriously and sincerely thank you all for the comraderie you have shown me this year in what was a hell of a time for me, if it werent for this blog and some online radio shows I am not sure I could have survived my 5 months in Africa… Have a great Christmas and Holidays and god bless
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:33 pm
how many 38-39 year olds hit 300?
FEAR
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
africa? yeeesh!
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
you too Breggi, and stay free
Murph
December 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
Anyone want to partake in a pool on how many games Chipper will play this year? Pick your number…
92 games
civilized white trash
December 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
dob–
good list but you missed some that you need to put on there like: taylor swift, darius rucker, lady a, kieth urban and rascal flats… come on they were good WTF?
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:35 pm
how many 30 year olds hit 300? not all that many
civilized white trash
December 21st, 2010
6:36 pm
i probably should mention that my last post had a ton of sarcasim i do believe that country music is starting to get ruined
JOHNNY B
December 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
Greetings Man in Black and all Bravo Fans!
The Black Keys album was definitely my #1 pick. As I was reading down the column and seen you were going to announce your top fifty, “Brothers” jumped immediately into my thoughts. Dan Auerbach with his soulful blues renditions and Pat Carney with his rhythmic licks…man just plug in the headphones and get swept away! Good to see great minds think a like DOB!
Springsteen’s “The Promise” is my #2. An album nearly 30 years in the making (the best description I’ve heard for it), with songs reminiscent of younger days for me and the Boss.
Great stuff Chief and greatly appreciated by the true fans of the Bravos and the Man in Black!
GT Alum
December 21st, 2010
6:41 pm
Branch Rickey -
He hit 364 in 2008, so it’s been 2 seasons since then. However, he has such a good knowledge of the strike zone and commands so much respect from pitchers that he’s put up an OBP in the 380s both of those years. That would put him in the top 20 in the majors at getting on base.
Mike S
December 21st, 2010
6:42 pm
Thanks for the bloggage, DOB. Always love the top 50 CD recap this time of year from you. Glad to see Big Boi so far up the list. That album is so perfectly Big Boi (that should make sense to Outkast fans at least), and makes you really appreciate the uniqueness and creativity that he and Andre have brought over the years together as Outkast and now continue to bring solo, while most of the rest of the rap genre continues to be toilet worthy. (I definitely need to check out Kanye’s new album though, especially after your strong rating).
One CD you should check out is Girl Talk’s “All Day”. I know you had “Feed the Animals” on your 2008 top-50 list, and if you liked that one, than you’re sure to love this one. It’s excellent. So many great mixes in there; Big Boi/Portishead, White Zombie/YingYang Twins/Ludacris, Notorious BIG/Cream, just to name a few incredible sequences off the top of my head. The album is available for free download at his website, but I think you can also purchase a CD there, since I know that’s your preferred method of tunage. Definitely check it out, I’m confident you will enjoy it.
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
civilized white trash
Actually, you are not correct on country music. It started to get ruined when the Garth Brooks and other pop country wanna bees hit the sceen around 20 years ago.
God Bless George Jones!
DS1
December 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
that’d be correctly spelled scene……..
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:45 pm
118 games Murph
Trey
December 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
Nolie, aiming high!
robb
December 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
great list DOB, excellent range across genres. I would have Vampire Weekend higher and included Ra-Ra Riot, Broken Social Scene, Toro Y Moi, Tame Impala, and Diamond Rings. Also would Pavement Greatest Hits and Cold War Kids EP be eligible?
Go Bravos!
N8
December 21st, 2010
6:50 pm
“expecting a couple of rooks to make up for that is a stretch IMO.” nolie
Duplicating or “making up for that”, in comparison to Wagner? Yeah. Probably unlikely.
The two of them converting saves at a rate of 8 or 9 out of 10 opportunities? Why not? Wagner had 37 saves and blew 7 of them (about 85%).
Matching the 1.43 ERA might be tough. But who cares about relievers ERA anyhow?
nolie
December 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
hi Trey howya doin’ tonight?
almost guessed 128. I gots faith, well some anyway