Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,545 comments Add your comment
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:17 am
We go up to high school, nolee. And the trades.
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:18 am
High school. We’ve had a couple of kids make it off the rock.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:18 am
nah me neither. makes little sense in a post season drive. if they dump him for salary relief they most likely have another deal in mind
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:19 am
I forget Woody are you on the Big Island or elsewhere?
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:21 am
Oahu, Nolee. Don’t think I’m ready for the Big Island right now. Mother in law lives there, though. Nice distance.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:23 am
yeah that works out pretty good huh Woody . she can hardly expect y’all to just stroll over of an evening
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:25 am
Yeah, that’s right. We’ve got her right now, though. Hip replacement two weeks ago. Had it done over here.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:27 am
sigh. even in paradise it ain’t all perfect….
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:30 am
Yeah, but where better to convalesce? She’s actually doing better than we thought she would. Lives alone in Laupahoehoe, just south of Hilo. Country. She’s gotta be able to fend or else.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:35 am
that’s near a big forest isn’t it?
DS1
July 18th, 2011
1:35 am
My Braves are in Colorado. A mere 500 miles east, and tomorrrow morning, I jet up to Spokane!
Something just aint right about that…….
Poor planning on my part, four shore.
And this talk about Lowe being dealt……… I hope it ain’t true. More arms is better down the stretch. Unless doing so means we get a strong CF bat.
nolie, keep things in check and I’ll get back at ya tomorrow night.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:37 am
night Wayne
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:38 am
Yeah, forest is upland, above Laupahoehoe, which is on the coast. Pretty. Like that side better than Kona, though the ranch areas above Kona are nice, too. You been?
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:40 am
Lots of folk after an OF bat. I would bet the price will be pretty dear even for a marginal player. I’d like to see Lowe stick around, too. Never can tell what’s going to happen to the arms.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:40 am
long ago. mid 70s for half a year or so. made all the main islands but not long enough to remember all that much. beautiful and great weather stick the most
how long you been there?
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:42 am
oh. and pricey! I remember that too
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:44 am
Since ‘77. Quarter beer night got me in Statesboro–ga southern college in those days. Paid my own way once I got here. Made things a bit more meaningful.
Tomas
July 18th, 2011
1:44 am
I’m starting to think there is a humidor inside Tropicana field
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:45 am
oh. and pricey! I remember that too
Some things don’t change, nolee!
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
1:48 am
wow 77 that a long time. I just missed you by about a year or so.
well. I’m off.TTFN y’all.
Woody Woodward
July 18th, 2011
1:50 am
ahui hou, noleee!
NO MORE PARRISH
July 18th, 2011
1:56 am
The wedding dress dude must be an Uggla fan (who pats a lot of booty for a straight guy).
Bravo_fan 52
July 18th, 2011
1:59 am
KNIGHTS OF GEORGIA 25 cent old mills ahh memories
Train Wreck Bystander
July 18th, 2011
2:39 am
I’m agreeing with the radio guys on Lowe.
(1) He has a year left and teams this year are looking for the end of this campaign only.
(2) Why would you trade a veteran arm when that is exactly the sort of experienced arm you want for your playoff drive? (loosely paraphrased)
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go)
July 18th, 2011
3:06 am
Well radio guys generally make more sense than blogs.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go)
July 18th, 2011
3:43 am
So it’s not my intention to blow the trade rumors surrounding Derek Lowe out of the water. I just want to shed some bright light on the subject with a quick history of how the Braves do business.
After reading all the information and doing about three hours of research, I then asked myself the pertinent question….when was the last time my Bravos traded a dependable, veteran starting pitcher right before the deadline.
And then it hit me, like a ton of bricks. The answer became crystal clear.
One simply has to understand how John Schuerholz, Frank Wren and company run this Braves franchise. They have as we all know build around starting pitching. However, what is lost to the masses is the reality of what our brain trust doesn’t do. They don’t trade starting pitching during the season…..ever.
But what clued me in was what the little voice in the back of my brain was telling me. Those Tigers are the answer to the riddle of why Derek Lowe is highly unlikely to be leaving Atlanta before November.
Which led me back to my original question. When was the last time my Braves traded a dependable, veteran starting pitcher right before the deadline? The year was 1987 and his name is Doyle Alexander. Yep, it’s been 24 years since such an improbable in season transaction took place. Of course we all know the end result….John Smoltz.
Some history is in order as pertains to the Alexander, Smoltz trade. Cox was the GM and Bobby was busy rebuilding the franchise from the ground up. Those Braves of the eighties stunk to high heaven and Cox had his hands full. Bobby rebuilt the minor leagues, drafted well and made some astute trades before heading back to the dugout.
So the circumstances surrounding 2011 are far different. Our franchise is in great shape. We don’t need pitching. But it is the last 24 years of history which lends itself in weighted fashion, tipping the scales in favor toward Derek Lowe going nowhere fast. As Frank Wren is not in the habit of trading dependable, veteran starting pitching during the season. So lets put this one to bed shall we, because it just isn’t happening. History tells as me as much.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
4:08 am
so I guess that you don’t think Lowe is going anywhere? How about JJ then?
N8
July 18th, 2011
4:20 am
“When was the last time my Braves traded a dependable, veteran starting pitcher right before the deadline?”
Are you really comparing Derek Lowe “circa 2011″ to the 1987 version of Doyle Alexander?
Come on Coach. Get serious. Now I’m not saying that Wren is going to give him away, simply to salary dump him like some have suggested. Of course, if he has a bigger trade say involving Delgado or Vizcaino which would require him to take on salary in the form of a bat? Then it’s possible.
But Derek Lowe is under .500, has an ERA of 4.30 and is scheduled to make about 22 more million dollars over the next season and a half.
You better believe that if Wren could insert Mike Minor or Teheran into the rotation for 1/33 of the cost…. he’s going to do it. Yup. That’s right. Both of those guys would likely net the same results for 1/33 of Lowe’s salary. Add to that, at this rate, even with a 4 man rotation in the post-season, Lowe is likely the odd man out. Certainly not in the roation if Fredi goes 3 man.
Minor’s ERA is 4.59 and he’s averaging 5.1 IP per start. Lowe is averaging 5.2 IP per start.
So the real question to counter your question, is when was the last time Wren or JS had 2 options in waiting in the wings that could like give the same result as an overpriced veteran that were both ready to step in?
But stop acting like the thought of trading Lowe mid-season is the same as trading Glavine, Smoltz or Maddux mid-season.
Is Lowe likely to get traded? Probably not unles like I said, it is part of a “bigger” plan. But it’s not impossible based on past decisions like you say.
Until the Tex trade, JS had never traded 5 prospects that had as high of ceilings as those prospects did for 1.5 years of a superstar either. JS pretty much NEVER traded elite prospects that were worth a damn for guys he didn’t think he could re-sign longterm.
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
4:22 am
sic ‘en N8
N8
July 18th, 2011
4:25 am
Haven’t scrolled back far enough yet nolie….
what’s your “short take” on the possibility of Wren moving Lowe mid-season?
noleeee
July 18th, 2011
4:30 am
likely pretty much same as yours. unlikely unless another deal is in the works for which he needs payroll flexibility. I don’t think he’ll do it just to dump payroll. but hey the guy surprises sometimes so who knows?
N8
July 18th, 2011
4:39 am
Then I’m not crazy? LOL.
Obviously, during the off-season, I think he would dump him for little or nothing, simply to make room for either Medlen, Minor or Teheran. Assuming that Minor isn’t the arm going the other way in a soon to be mid-season trade for a bat.
But I’m also of the belief that he’s not going to trade his first 1st round pick as GM (Minor) unless it’s for a huge bat that’s under control for similar length that Minor would be under control for (3-4 more seasons).
I know it seems highly unlikely, but I have a gut feeling that if Wren’s intentions are to move Lowe this off-season anyhow, and he REALLY wanted to call up Teheran to start every 5th day in the next few weeks, that he might even consider moving Lowe to bullpen for stretch run and certainly use him out of the pen in the post-season.
It’s a tough call, because clearly he seems like the 5th best starter in the rotation at this time. But knowing how “money” he’s been in the post-season, it’s a toss up on whether he’d start him over say Beachy come playoffs.
But to just “move him” now to make room for Minor or Teheran is highly unlikely. Unless like we agree, it’s to make room to take on a contract similar to Lowe’s. In both dollars and length of deal.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go)
July 18th, 2011
5:23 am
Comparing Derek Lowe to Doyle Alexander? Yes. Because unlike the nonsense written by N8 I happen to actually know who Alexander is. His record was 5-10 when traded with an ERA of 4.13.
I also happen to do my homework, unlike N8 who makes it a habit to talk out his a-ss most of the time. I mean, aren’t you the same rabid blogger who swore up and down for days one end as to why Roger McDowell would be fired? That prediction didn’t hold water.
Apparently 24 years of history didn’t register with you at all. So I’ll be blunt. In two weeks, Derek Lowe will still be pitching for my Braves and you can take your anger issues to a shrink. Good day sir.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
7:55 am
[if Wren] REALLY wanted to call up Teheran to start every 5th day in the next few weeks,
Think that’s kinda unlikely. Teheran threw 140 last year, and I doubt they would want him throwing September starter innings this year. Too possible that his arm would be fatigued at exactly the wrong time of year, that is, if you were willing to pile innings on him, in the first place.
In the minors, they can manage his innings much more effectively and maybe get him ready for next year. Everybody here but me wants to see him with the big club next year, right, LOL?
MikeInFl
July 18th, 2011
8:00 am
Everybody here but me wants to see him with the big club next year, right, LOL?
Not me, ’scoots. Things are moving a little quick for many of our young arms, IMO.
As to Lowe, I think Wren would trade him in a heartbeat if he can do so without eating too much of his salary. Minor is as ready as he’s gonna get, and Martinez is a decent fallback position.
Trojan
July 18th, 2011
8:03 am
I like Lowe but he is our LEAST dependable starter and he is by far the most expensive. If Frank can dump him, he will in a second.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
8:11 am
In a vacuum, a trade of Lowe seems chancy, in the context of this season alone. Regardless of any struggles this year, he’s still a vet who is more likely than not to answer the bell when it signals crunch time. I know youth must be served and all, but the thought of down the stretch with a couple of rooks at the back end does not a warm fuzzy feeling make.
Now, if Lowe is traded and there is some follow-on offensive move, that changes the dynamic. Then, any loss in run prevention ability might be made up by the addition of some run creation ability. Lots of ways to go about this whole thing, but I don’t know that a Lowe trade is a no-brainer.
Ease
July 18th, 2011
8:18 am
scoots…Shhhhhhhhh. That is not what people want to hear, and you know this.
MikeInFl
July 18th, 2011
8:27 am
I would assume that moving Lowe would be accompanied by a move for offense. It would also give Wren some flexibility to go after a guy now who is under contract for 2012. Right now, he’s probably limited to 2-month rental guys because I doubt he has much play at all in the ‘12 payroll.
But yeah, it’s a big deal to upset one of the best rotations in baseball, so I’ll back off my “in a heartbeat” sentiment.
Jay Dubu
July 18th, 2011
8:32 am
D. Lowe needs to go out and pitch like the veteran that he is tonight, and earn the #1 starter spot that the Braves signed him to.
TommyP
July 18th, 2011
8:45 am
MikeInFl: Kawakami is off the books next year. ($7 mil) McLouth is off the books next year. ($1.25 buyout) Trade Lowe and you just cleared $15 mil more)
McLouth is due to make $10+ next year but we’ll gladly take that buyout.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
8:45 am
Ease, it’s OK. Nobody listens to me, anyway. I do this strictly for my own entertainment.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
July 18th, 2011
8:46 am
in the minors, they can manage his innings (Teheran) much more effectively and maybe get him ready for next year. Everybody here but me wants to see him with the big club next year, right, LOL?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yes sir ncscoots. Come November I want Derek Lowe pitching for someone else, not because of the man himself, but because 15 million can be better spent elsewhere during the off season. Then Teheran and Minor can battle it out for the fifth spot during spring training of 2012. As for right now the last thing I want is for the best pitching staff in baseball to take a hit over payroll. Not to mention upsetting the entire Braves clubhouse.
Efrim
July 18th, 2011
8:49 am
Not sure if it will be easier for Wren to trade Lowe now, or in the offseason. In the offseason, Detroit may take a step back and realize that they want more of a top flight arm to pair with Verlander. That may not be available to them now, so they might settle with a vet like Lowe. I think if Wren can get the team to take on enough money so he can go get a bat this month, then he’ll do it. I don’t think he trades any pitching prospects of value before 7/31.
Efrim
July 18th, 2011
8:56 am
Kawakami is off the books next year. ($7 mil) McLouth is off the books next year. ($1.25 buyout) Trade Lowe and you just cleared $15 mil more)
If payroll remains around the 92 million mark, Wren isn’t going to have more than 8-10 million to spend this offseason. Even with Kenshin and McLouth off of the books. Arb. raises to Jurrjens, Prado and EOF take care of a good bit of that, and remember that we now have Dan Uggla getting a solid salary increase.
O.J.
July 18th, 2011
9:08 am
TommyP, you cannot just trade Lowe and get 15 million, Frank is going to have to kick in some money to trade Lowe.
Brian from SC
July 18th, 2011
9:10 am
A little standings trivia this morning, somewhat inspired by the resurgent Pirates. Care to take some guesses, without looking them up?
1. Who are the only two teams that have NEVER won 95 or more games in a season? (Neither have ever finished in first place)
2. Besides the two teams from #1, what is the only other team that has NEVER finished in first place?
3. Of the remaining teams who have finished in first place at some point, who has gone the longest since doing so?
4. The Braves, Yankees, and Cardinals, all consistently good franchises in this era, all finished in last place in 1990. Who are the only two teams whose most recent last place finish was before 1990? This may surprise you. (All teams in MLB have finished last at some point)
5. Which team hasn’t had a really bad (95+ losses) team in 98 years?
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:11 am
Then Teheran and Minor can battle it out for the fifth spot during spring training of 2012.
If that holds true, that will an awfully inexperienced staff. Even Hanson won’t have as many as 100 big-league starts, and Jurrjens will barely have that many. Add a second-year starter and another rook, and, well, let’s just hope they are all as good as we hope they are.
CB
July 18th, 2011
9:13 am
Frank Wren trades Lowe and gets another team to tale all of Lowe’s contract he should be voted GM of the year. Not going to happen.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
July 18th, 2011
9:14 am
Efrim, if you look at the off season free agent market for outfielders, it’s uninspiring to say the least. The big free agents are at 1st base and SS.
Brian from SC
July 18th, 2011
9:16 am
In 2008, the Rays won the AL East despite have zero pitchers with 100 major league starts going into the season (Kazmir began the year with 98). Last year, they won it again, with just one pitcher going into the season with 100+ starts (James Shields).
CB
July 18th, 2011
9:17 am
scoots, would that be a big issue in the last two months? Playoffs are usually 3 pitchers, can’t believe Braves would give the ball to Lowe ahead of Hanson, JJ, or Hudson.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a go!)
July 18th, 2011
9:20 am
If that holds true, that will an awfully inexperienced staff. Even Hanson won’t have as many as 100 big-league starts, and Jurrjens will barely have that many. Add a second-year starter and another rook, and, well, let’s just hope they are all as good as we hope they are.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The very same thing could have been said about those great pitching staffs of the early nineties. You know, those youngsters named Glavine, Smoltz, Avery and Pete Smith. They did pretty well with the only veteran being Leibrandt.
TommyP
July 18th, 2011
9:21 am
Detroit is a big spender. Lowe has $6 mil left on that contract for this year. Wren would’ve had to kick in a ton if he dealt him in January of this year but it should be easier now. Especially to a big-spending contender like Detroit.
Won’t take as much as cash as so many seem to think. Unless we’re trying to get a really good player for Lowe. (I’d imagine low prospect or 2)
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:27 am
See ya, Lowe.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:29 am
I’m not saying that a young staff can’t be successful. I’m saying that just because they wear the tomahawk doesn’t mean that they are immune to young-pitcher struggles. The two instances cited above were both teams which had very few expectations at the time. That those teams were able to be successful with such young staffs seems to me to be th exception that proves the rule.
On the other hand, the Reds are a more recent example in which guys such as Volquez, Cueto, et al (pitchers who are undeniably talented) have indeed had to work through some struggles, on a team having playoff aspirations.
Wouldn’t surprise that you guys are right and that scenario is the way the Braves will go. I’d only say that my personal expectations for that young a staff would be tempered somewhat. How’s that?
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:30 am
Do you guys seriously think that the Braves will hang onto Lowe for the possible 10 starts he would make from August to September even if they were to have an offer where they pay the remainder of his contract this year and recieve a good return? Get serious… it won’t happen!! and they’d be stupid to pass it up.
Efrim
July 18th, 2011
9:32 am
if you look at the off season free agent market for outfielders, it’s uninspiring to say the least. The big free agents are at 1st base and SS.
I think they’ll have to make a trade for a CF. Only thing is, if Lowe is already gone, then you’re going to have to use more pitching in a trade for a bat, so it could get tricky for Frank.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:37 am
Playoffs are usually 3 pitchers, can’t believe Braves would give the ball to Lowe ahead of Hanson, JJ, or Hudson.
Might want to see how they all pitch the last 70 before setting the playoff roster.
The fourth starter is going to get at least a couple of starts in the playoffs, especially on a team with a rotation this deep in quality. Some other teams, maybe the back-end wouldn’t, and you go with three and short rest. Don’t think the Braves would go that route, though.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:40 am
ncscoots, I’m not sure they would go on short rest unless we were on the verge of elimination.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:40 am
Only thing is, if Lowe is already gone, then you’re going to have to use more pitching in a trade for a bat, so it could get tricky for Frank.
Maybe Wren gets some return in a Lowe trade that he could spin off in a follow-on. That might give him at least a little relief from using up all the pitching surplus.
Murph
July 18th, 2011
9:47 am
The fourth starter is going to get at least a couple of starts in the playoffs, especially on a team with a rotation this deep in quality.
And that fourth starter, as things stand now, would have to be Beachy over Lowe.
Lowe could turn things around like he did last year, but right now he’s the 5th best starter.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:48 am
ncscoots, that was my thought on moving Lowe.. possibly get a useful piece for another trade for a bat. That way we won’t have to cut as far into our pitching depth.
I’d still like to see us come up with a trade for Uehara. It’d be a great addition for our pen.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:50 am
Murph, what’s up… your on early this morning. Still cooking down there?
Murph
July 18th, 2011
9:53 am
Hey AT! Yeah, I’m on mandatory overtime at work, so rather than working into the night I’ve been coming in at 6am so I can leave at 6 or 7pm.
It’s totally cooking down here. 105, no rain, 30 something straight days. My lawn looks like crap. How are things there?
I just bought the newest Grand Theft Auto game for PS3. Had it on 360, but since selling the Xbox I’ve been feeling the need to play. Got it new for $10. Gotta love that.
What’ve you been up to?
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:54 am
that was my thought on moving Lowe.. possibly get a useful piece for another trade for a bat.
I doubt Wren will be able to have his cake and eat it, too. Decent or better prospects coming back means sending some money with Lowe; sending no money means the return (other than payroll relief) will probably be marginal. Just depends on which way they want to view such a trade: as an in-season move or next-year move. CB is right, if Wren can make a deal that fits both contexts, he’s a beast.
TennesseePaul
July 18th, 2011
9:54 am
I agree with scoots on this. I don’t see Lowe being traded during the season. He offers the vet-leadership this team likes to have. Plus he has a “big game” rep which he displayed just last September. I certainly don’t see a mid season trade of Lowe for a couple of prospects. If he is traded mid-season, it’ll be for a player or players who can help the team this season.
As to next season, it’s hard to say if the team would move Lowe and go in with a young staff. Here is the 1991 comparison:
In 1991 the team went into the season with 1 pitcher over the age of 25. The other four were 25 and younger.
Leibrandt (the Vet): 300 games, 1735 innings.
Smith: 79 games, 446 innings.
Smoltz: 75 games, 504 innings.
Glavine: 105 games, 646 innings.
Average: 29 games, 99 innings.
Total: 588 games, 3,430 innings.
In 2012, sans Lowe the team would have 1 pitcher over the age of 26. The rest would be 26 and younger.
Hudson (the Vet): 364+ games, 2400+ innings
Jurrjens: 109+ games, 660+ innings.
Hanson: 75+ games, 440+ innings.
Beachy: 20+ games, 100+ innings.
Minor: 15+ games, 75+ innings.
Total: ~520+ games, ~3,675+ innings.
Potentially fewer games of experience but more innings. However the distribution of experience is not as even as it was in 1991.
ncscoots
July 18th, 2011
9:55 am
Assuming they trade Lowe at all this season, of course.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
9:58 am
We’re cooking here too. I think they were calling for 104 to 110 this week. No rain here either, it’s been a little over a month.. It’s crazy after all the flooding we had earlier in the spring.
I gave up on my yard weeks ago, one good thing about it is it’s not growing so I don’t have to worry about cutting it. Sux paying for yard service when there’s no service needed, but oh well it is what it is.
I haven’t played much on PS3 except the new zombie game and every once in a while I’ll get a few games of MAG in. You need to join up with us on the zombie game, we had a spot open lastnight.
TennesseePaul
July 18th, 2011
10:00 am
Leibrandt (7 games, 41 innings) was the only pitcher in 1991 on the starting staff with post season experience. By comparison the potential 2012 starting staff will have Hanson (1 game, 4 innings), and Hudson (10 games, 54 innings) with post season experience.
flange1
July 18th, 2011
10:01 am
While I think that trading DLowe during the season might slightly diminish the talent level of the ML team, it would definitely diminish the experience level of the club.
But I think there are now and will be so few teams that will be interested in Lowe (or that can afford him) that I think FW will make a Lowe trade ASAP.
I think FW will eat up to half of this year’s remaining salary to get some sort of decent prospect that could be needed or not (we would take a C or 1B prospect even if they are blocked at the ML level.
Then later (either later this year or in the winter) he can make a trade for a solution in CF or SS.
I think he will find a backup CF who is RH to platoon with Schafer for the rest of this year.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
10:02 am
ncscoots, that’s why I would propose to pay all of the remainder for this year. Meaning they get Lowe like for like a price of 8mil or so next season, pro-rated of course.
MikeInFl
July 18th, 2011
10:02 am
I think the whole reason Detroit might be interested in Lowe is that they might prefer to spend money rather than prospects. There are probably a lot of better options if they are willing to give up quality prospects.
I would expect a couple of players to come back but probably nothing more than organizational filler; or maybe a “flawed” prospect who has some upside but is a longshot for some reason.
TennesseePaul
July 18th, 2011
10:02 am
There should be pluses next to Hanson and Hudson on their post season experience. As well as potentially Beachy with post season experience and of course Jurrjens. And it should be noted that all these guys going into 2012 will be coming of a WS championship team which will make them more experienced. It might be more difficult for them to pitch, though, with those rings on their fingers.
Murph
July 18th, 2011
10:11 am
AT, what zombie game are you playing?
I pitched a game last year called Zombies vs Hippies, where you are the zombie killing all the hippies. It was deemed to be “too offensive”. My response was that hippies don’t play games, so who’s going to be offended?
chatt matt
July 18th, 2011
10:12 am
No show Lowe you are the weakest link goodbye.
Jeff R
July 18th, 2011
10:14 am
Lowe in the stretch last season was the reason why the Braves made it to the post season. I’m not sure Minor or Teheran are up to carrying their weight through a pennant drive… unfair to them, really.
I understand Wren would be eager to unload Lowe’s salary – or a portion thereof. But it’s risky proposition taking a veteran arm out of the rotation and substituting a kid, no matter how talented.
Arkansas Transplant
July 18th, 2011
10:14 am
It’s the newest one for Call of Duty… I think it’s called “Call of the Dead”.
Tommy T
July 18th, 2011
10:17 am
I’m scared to death of the thought of trading Lowe in season. Remember, Lowe was pitching like crap this time last year too, only to be the Braves best starter down the stretch. If Lowe is traded and even one of the other starters goes down, the back end of the rotation becomes very thin and inexperienced. Plus, Lowe could be a very valuable bullpen piece come playoff time given his experience in that role and the relative lack of playoff experience in Atlanta’s current pen.
Fish Bisch
July 18th, 2011
10:21 am
Trading Lowe would be a huge mistake. He is money down the stretch and in the post season. If we are to trade a starter I would rather the Braves trade Hansen Or JJ. Please don’t trade Lowe!…Unless it is for Asdruwbell Cabrera.
chatt matt
July 18th, 2011
10:23 am
I hear everybody say Lowe is a vet and will turn it around.Every time he pitches he gives up 5 runs and maybe goes 5 innings.I want to give him a chance but i think he is about washed up.Tell me your not worried he will get shelled tonight against the Rocks.
Fish Bisch
July 18th, 2011
10:24 am
Murph, I played duke nukem forever over the weekend. I’m sure your zombies vs. hippies idea wasn’t as potentially offensive as DNF. I however loved the game.
Jeff R
July 18th, 2011
10:26 am
I could understand trading Lowe if the Braves were falling out of contention. Dump Lowe’s salary, at least, but see if Wren could snag a solid prospect or two.
But Wren would be taking a gamble moving Lowe with the Braves only 3.5 games off the Phillies’ pace. Do we really want two rookies in the rotation going into the stretch?
Jeff R
July 18th, 2011
10:30 am
I think Lowe’s perfomring the way he typically performs this time of year. No, he’s not impressive right now. But I think he’ll turn in some solid perfomances in the stretch.
ChillyMutt
July 18th, 2011
10:30 am
I had no idea that Lowe pitched that well in the postseason.
When his sinker is working, he’s good … very, very good. When its not working, OUCH.
unbelievable
July 18th, 2011
10:33 am
Lowe is an $8-10mil pitcher making $15m. If there is a possibilty of trading him and getting his salary off the books then they should absolutely do so. Do you trust Lowe over any other starter in the rotation right now? Minor/Teheran can give you the starts that Lowe is providing for us right now. Outside of last Sept, he’s been very average in his stint with the Braves.
David O'Brien
July 18th, 2011
10:33 am
Woody, are you talking about Fresh Air BBQ? That’s about the best I’ve had in Ga. Awesome place. Original one is in Jackson, Ga., but there’s also one in Macon and another in Athens. The one in Jackson, I’m told, is the best. (That’s one we went to.)
DAP
July 18th, 2011
10:33 am
chatt matt, derek lowe last september was 5-0 in 5 starts with a 1.17 ERA.
up to that point he was 11-12 with a 4.53.
point is, he can dominate for a stretch with no warning.
chatt matt
July 18th, 2011
10:33 am
When Lowe starts the offense needs to score about 7 runs to have a chance.He will give up about 6 before the 5 inning tonight.
O.J.
July 18th, 2011
10:34 am
Jeff R, the rookies cannot be any worse than what Lowe is right now. and they wouldnt be making as much.
Murph
July 18th, 2011
10:35 am
Fish, you liked DNF? I’ve been thinking about getting it, mainly because I want to see the game that took sooooooo long to develop and play it for myself. I remember reading about it when I first got into the industry some 10+ years ago.
George
July 18th, 2011
10:37 am
Good morning all
GOOD WIN. OH FREDDY and BRIAN. Good FREDI used KIMBREL with game tied, he should have done it a week ago Friday. Good he listened to me and learned. If he continues to listen he will become intelligent and a good MGR.
chatt matt
July 18th, 2011
10:38 am
I dont think any team will take his salary so for all us Braves fans lets hope he can turn it on and find some of that 60 million dollar magic.
Jeff R
July 18th, 2011
10:40 am
The rookies could possibly be worse, O.J. Lowe has performed well in stretch drives. Teheran – top talent – really? Minor – soild talent – but really? Up against a veteran Phils ball club? Beachy and Minor or Teheran every five days?
My sense is that if Wren trades Lowe now, he’s making an organizational decision more than a pennant-drive decision. He’s essentially making a budget decision.
Brian from SC
July 18th, 2011
10:45 am
George, he wasn’t listening to you. Using the closer in the 9th inning of a tie game at home is the book move…90% of managers would do that. Last Friday was a road game, in which the possibility of a save in extra innings remained. 90% of managers would NOT use a closer in a tie game on the road unless it went a bunch of innings.
Richmond Braves Fan
July 18th, 2011
10:47 am
Dave did you watch The Killing on AMC? I have it on DVR but was not sure if worth watching.
Fish Bisch
July 18th, 2011
10:50 am
Murph, If you have played and enjoyed DN3D then you would like DNF. Most critics have bashed it from what I have read, but I thought it was fun. Nothing groundbreaking as far as what’s in it, but it’s the same old Duke that we all love.
AtlYnkHtr
July 18th, 2011
10:56 am
Seems to me for Wren to trade Lowe midseason, as unusual as it would be, has to mean there is a pending move for a bat. Whomever Wren is trying to acquire can’t be fit into the budget, so he has to trade Lowe before he can do it.
I agree with the move either way, he is not likely to get the ball in the playoffs and replacing him with Minor might cost us a few wins, but the salary relief is worth the risk with a 5 game lead.
monty
July 18th, 2011
11:00 am
Lot of what GM’s do and don’t do(IMO) is based on fear. Fear of what if I do this and it backfires on me and I get called a DO-DO head or worse. The fear of making a bad move hinders risk taking. Worst case scenario: Wren trades Lowe, moves up Minor or Teheran to take his place, they tank, and Lowe goes onto help some team win in the playoffs. Never hear the end of that one. Because of that unless Wren can get a player that everyone says is a no-brainer of a deal he doesn’t trade Lowe until the off season. He sits back and tries to find a bench platoon guy that can play CF and hit LHP well, or perhaps another bullpen arm, but nothing major.
Tommy T
July 18th, 2011
11:02 am
“I agree with the move either way, he is not likely to get the ball in the playoffs and replacing him with Minor might cost us a few wins, but the salary relief is worth the risk with a 5 game lead.” – AtlYnkHtr
I could not disagree with the premise of this statement more than I do. IMO, contending teams should never make an in-season move simple for salary relief purposes. If Wren moves Lowe, I think it will be to free up salary to add a bat. I see no way the move is made just to free payroll.