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5,809 comments Add your comment
Efrim
October 14th, 2011
7:53 pm
That’s not too bad, CC. Neither player is that great, and it would speak volumes to how his value has dropped, but both of them are useful pieces. Maybe if they threw in a high upside low minors guy I could deal with it….
HARRY KALAS
October 14th, 2011
7:53 pm
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THEY SAY THE UNION IN MLB IS TOO STRONG FOR THE OWNERS TO FORCE A SALARYCAP SAY 75 MILL LOW 190 MILL HIGH, ITS THE 1 PART OF BASEBALL I HATE,IF THE OWNERS CLOSE SHOP FOR A YEAR LIKE NHL DID A FEW YEARS AGO WHATS THE PROBLEM, I HATE NO SALARY CAP
David O'Brien
October 14th, 2011
7:59 pm
Shaun, I don’t want to put words in DOB’s mouth, but I think his “Unbelievable” comment had more to do with your complete lack of comprehension regarding the basics of team sports than it does anything else. – Murph
Exactly right. Thank you, Murph.
ccrider
October 14th, 2011
8:10 pm
Efrim: Thanks, I think if either player became a productive starter and the other became a low cost contributer combined with the salary savings(To get Cuddyer?) it would work by solving the 2 spots SS and LF in one move. I am high on Lowrie, in 2010 in started and carried the Red Sox for almost a month, including a bunch of HR’s
HARRY KALAS
October 14th, 2011
8:48 pm
DAM CARDS I HATE THEM
nolie
October 14th, 2011
9:13 pm
Autism is usually apparent early in life Jed, and nothing I’ve ever read about Greinke indicates that he was afflicted with it.
. Most autism and especially Aspergers presents with physical clumsiness too.
I’ve worked with kids at the treatment center with social anxiety disorders and that “flat” effect is almost always present to one degree or another.
It would be extremely unlikely that any child with ant type of autism would be able to perform well enough to understand and excel in any sport well enough to become a pro.
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 14th, 2011
9:18 pm
I’m reading “Moneyball” and there is a part in there that reminds me of Heyward’s struggles. Something to the effect that even the best hitters have to make adjustments to the holes in their swings, or they won’t hang in the Bigs.
Shaun
October 14th, 2011
9:19 pm
Murph and DOB, I understand that a lot of the players probably think the whole Boston story is blown out of proportion and think it’s ridiculous for the media to smear their teammates and manager, regardless of how they feel about the situation or the clubhouse rules.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
9:28 pm
at least they weren’t trading families in the clubhouse…………
TnBrian
October 14th, 2011
9:32 pm
I had never heard of this aspergers syndrome until Jed brought it up. Pretty interesting stuff since I do know a few people that have some of those symtoms. Not saying they have this, but who knows.
Hey, after these playoffs are over, Yadier Molina will be the “best catcher in baseball” to a lot a people. That is until next season when hopefully Macstays away from the flukey injury stuff.
McFann O O o
October 14th, 2011
9:35 pm
TnBrian next season when hopefully Mac stays away from the flukey injury stuff.
I’m all for that!
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 14th, 2011
9:35 pm
HARRY KALAS,
Look at your keyboard, on the left about half way up. Push the button that reads “caps lock”. Thanks.
kenhotlanta
October 14th, 2011
9:39 pm
DOB: Regarding the Red Sox clubhouse situation: It a manager knew that was going on and wanted to do something about it or make a statement, couldn’t he have a game situation where he could use a pinch runner and call for one of the guys he knew was back in the clubhouse and possibly drinking? Then if that guy didn’t respond or was not in condition to enter the game, he could be called out and fined or suspended in order to prove a point or reestablish control ot the team.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
9:41 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt7viU91DTg
Emmylou Harris Wayfaring Stranger
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 14th, 2011
9:43 pm
Somebody got a link to this Red Sox story. I missed it, I guess.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
9:44 pm
since I do know a few people that have some of those symtoms. Not saying they have this, but who knows…TnB
this is relatively rare . much more likely it’s an anxiety disorder
nolie
October 14th, 2011
9:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2z4fiot8A8
Celtic Woman – Danny Boy
interested bystanderss
October 14th, 2011
10:05 pm
I did not see the red sox article. But if those guys were wrong. There are outside venues where they could do this mess without their workplace. Sorry to hear about francona health problem
Moe Berg
October 14th, 2011
10:07 pm
nolie, years ago when i lived in boston. my local pub–the druid–was owned by someone of irish descent. so every friday and saturday evening, a group of grizzled irish guys would show up with an array of instruments and play/sing old irish folk songs (obviously including danny boy). i loved going down there to grab a pint of guinness and just hear the place with half the crowd singing along.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
10:12 pm
thanx for the story Moe. One of the most touching songs ever written IMO.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
10:16 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1yR6ay13bM
Willie Nelson………Amazing Grace
Moe Berg
October 14th, 2011
10:16 pm
nolie, I agree. My sister’s father-in-law came to the US from Northern Ireland, when he was in his late teens/early twenties. Whenever I hear ‘Danny Boy’, I always picture Mr. O’Brien’s smiling visage. That, or the Black Rose–another Irish Pub in downtown Boston. Even Seamus Heaney used to frequent it. Something about the song is just sublime.
Moe Berg
October 14th, 2011
10:18 pm
nolie–I’ll have to grab dinner in a minute. But something on a more baseball front. If St. Louis takes the game tonight, which looks likely. Do you think the Brewers have much of a chance at all?
interested bystanderss
October 14th, 2011
10:22 pm
Feel bad for Brewer pitcher
nolie
October 14th, 2011
10:42 pm
well since I’m rootin for St Louis I hope not Moe, but the truth is that anything can happen in a short series so I hafta sat yeah they will still have a chance
I always remember the 1960 series. The Yanks were heavy favorites and won three games all by very lopsided scores but the Pirates keep winning the others by a run or two and ended it with Maz’s walk off homer .
Ya just never know
David O'Brien
October 14th, 2011
10:55 pm
From Elias: Greinke’s 6.48 ERA this postseason is 2nd-highest ever by a pitcher that won the Cy Young the previous season.
cabravesfan
October 14th, 2011
11:02 pm
Those of you that watch American Horror Story, I feel the (jealous) need to point out that Bianca Lawson, who apparently plays a high school student in it, is 32 years old. That’s not fair…
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:04 pm
Which she points out because they went to high school together…
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:10 pm
you were 32 in high school????
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:13 pm
Sure you know Kim and Bianca, but did you ever date a model
MIBravesFan
October 14th, 2011
11:14 pm
I just read Carroll’s story about Wags texting Craig after the game. Billy is, IMO, just one heck of a good guy, and I will always be happy that his last season was as a Brave. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving . . . .
David O'Brien
October 14th, 2011
11:14 pm
Of course, Elias stat on Greinke has one complication: He didn’t win Cy Young in 2010. He won it in 2009.
Oh, well.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:15 pm
they were trying to trick you DOB
kenhotlanta
October 14th, 2011
11:16 pm
cab, that’s scary, and Jessica Lange is 62 years old and (can) still look sexy to this old geezer.
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:20 pm
King Kog & Tootsie
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:20 pm
If she was 32 in HS, she must have started within the past 6 months…
Unless I have been stunningly misled…
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:21 pm
Good old Kog…
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:21 pm
King Kong
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:22 pm
you know girls and their ages VJ…….
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:24 pm
There is this look that Jessica gives Dustin at the end of Tootsie, out on the street, that is one of my favorite looks ever in a movie, as she’s about to ask to borrow the dress…
The woman who played the soap opera director died last week…
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:24 pm
nolie – as long as she thinks I’m only 73…
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:28 pm
DOB – agreed on the Brian Wilson commercials…
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:28 pm
probably my all time favorite comedy. and I know the look you mean
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:30 pm
Doris Belack? I hadn’t seen that. RIP
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:32 pm
Gonna watch some TJ Hooker and The Fall Guy tonight in the battle of the Heathers woooeee
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:34 pm
nolie – indeed on Doris Belack…looked at the picture on the NY Times obit and thought I knew her…
battle of the Heathers
At first I thought you meant Winona Ryder and Shannen Doherty…
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:37 pm
Liked Heathers the movie very much.
Venice Jim
October 14th, 2011
11:38 pm
Christian Slater = Jack Nicholson at its epitome…
HARRY KALAS
October 14th, 2011
11:39 pm
DAM CARDS, I HATE THEM
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:42 pm
Funny about Slater. he looked like a coming very big thing but burned out fairly quickly. I liked him a lot. loved True Romance
SoWEGa Fanatic
October 14th, 2011
11:45 pm
Gotta go my inflate a mate is a waiting
nolie
October 14th, 2011
11:47 pm
don’t get out of breath b4 you even get to start………..
N8
October 15th, 2011
12:20 am
I don’t know Greinke personally, so to assume anything about his intelligence or anything else is probably unfair. But having listened to KC talk radio for the past 5 years to get my Chiefs fix, I’ve heard several interviews with Greinke and obviously in the past he was the main topic in many a radio shows over time.
He’s never struck me as an incredibly intelligent person and while Milwaukee seems like a nice place in terms of being laid back like KC, the spotlight of the post-season appears to have gotten the better of him.
As a fan of people, I wish him well.
As a fan of the Braves, who hopes every team in the NL has “issues” to deal with in 2012…. I hope his mental illness causes the Brewers to lose games when it counts.
That all being said, I was rooting for the Brewers to win the whole damn thing. But feel a tiny bit of comfort knowing the team that skimmed past the Braves to sneak in, is actually doing well with their opportunity.
N8
October 15th, 2011
12:25 am
““With the contracts of Nate McLouth and Kenshin Kawakami coming off the books, general manager Frank Wren has a rumored $10 million to add to the payroll for 2012.””
To which Jeff R responded:
“I think that’s where to thinking comes about additional budget. But that’s from savings, not an increase in budget.”
I disagree. On the surface it’s not an increase in overall budget. But it would be an increase in the budget of players that might actually be on the active 25 man roster.
No too ways about it. That 12 or so million dollars spent on Nate and KK was a complete waste. Even D-Lowe provided more (ahem) “value” than those guys.
Those guys are now gone. And if Wren wants the payroll to remain in the same ballpark, it will require him to add a player to the 25 man roster. Since those guys were MIA most of the season.
Then if you add in any savings by moving Lowe? There actually is plenty of room for Wren to make a semi-big splash in the trade front this winter, and not diminish our pitching depth too much.
Gonna get fun in about two weeks or so…
nolie
October 15th, 2011
12:58 am
But that’s from savings, not an increase in budget.”…Jeff R
exactly. It is NOT an increase in the budget. If I pay off one credit card I might have more to spend but I still have the same budget unless I decide to add more to my top spendable amount. I doubt they change that top amount all that much
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:00 am
N8, yeah I agree. Configuring it all out like you did concerning the teams payroll increase does make me think Braves could very well be on a verge of a possible big signing or trade. Not that I see a super star OF or say a SS coming this way, but a guy who could give us an edge we didn’t have this year.
But maybe this is just me wanting this to happen more than the actual reality of it …
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:03 am
nolie, plus the raises guys like McCann,Prado, etc. will be due next year too, right?
See, my wanting probably overlooks reality sometimes.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
1:10 am
Uggla’s raise + Heap’s raise and bonus is what, 8 maybe 9 million
Jj and prado burn up the rest.
Look somewhere else
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:11 am
Anxiety is bad. Having it a long time like Greinke apparantly has would probably screw your head up. Plus some medicines can have a real weird effect on the brain.
I went through a ton of anxiety problems in my teenage years and then had all the thyroid problems flare up, so the anxiety tripled. Mostly social anxiety as a kid and then just anxiety attacks whenever the shi* felt like happening.
Im better these days, but still get those feelings now and again.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:13 am
I’m not seeing that they are gonna have a whole lot to use to get other players unless they actually do raise the budget Brian. Maybe they will. Dumping KK & McNate is not a budget increase. It might give them some money left over after raises etc are paid, but not a whole lot as far as I can see. Now if they take that savings and then do actually raise the budget a few mil, then we might have a shot at someone decent.
The thing is as I see it, is that most average type players like what we might afford often come to the Ted and perform less than expected for whatever realy to afford the quality player who might be immune to slacking off here.
It will keep the winter interesting though. and I too would like to see a boorah bat in left
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:14 am
There is some hope that as you get into your forties Brian that you might experience a slacking off the the panic attacks. Seems to work that way for some folks. Here’s hoping.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:15 am
nolie, you are right. It’s not an increase in budget. But it will be an increase in the use of those funds.
You used the credit card example. Let me use a car loan example.
A couple is content with making two car payments per month. They’ve simply planned for this to be the “norm” for them. If something happens to one of those cars that renders it useless, they might be out of luck as they cannot afford a 3rd car payment.
The “loan” on the KK and McLouth “car” simply has run out. Wren is now allowed to use that money he was using making a “payment” on a pair of lemons, to attempt to put it to good use on a player or two that might actually help.
So yeah, the budget hasn’t gone up at all. But if he plays his cards right, he now won’t be making a payment on a car that doesn’t work, and won’t have to settle for finding a temporary replacement on the scrap heap (IE: a late season trade for Matt Diaz, settling for Scott Proctor, etc….)
Obviously, with Mac’s, Prado and Uggla’s raises, along with Bourn’s contract now being probably a tad higher, there isn’t a ton of room to maneuver. But there is room to not have to settle for a guy like Diaz for a platoon role. And if Lowe could be moved, there is even more room.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:18 am
Well N8, as Bat said most of what we save on KK and McNate is already spoken for in raises and bonuses, so we need an actual budget increase and/or a very astute trade if we are gonna add an improvement
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:20 am
I might be wrong, but the best trade piece would likely have been JJ, but IMO he has little trade value at this point, way less than his potential future value to the team if he gets healthy again.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:21 am
What I see happening nolie, is if say there is around 5 million left over (just picking a number) after raises and what not. They could make a trade for a guy like Bourn.
An upgrade who is in his 2nd or 3rd year of arbitration. So short term it won’t cost them a ton. Then if it does increase AFTER 2012, Lowe will be gone, so it won’t much matter. Then when Chipper leaves (either after 2012 or 2013), that “budget” or allocation of the current budget will be much more flexible.
But yeah, unless they can find a way to move most of Lowe’s money, there isn’t going to be any huge contracts being taken on.
I still think DOB is closer to the “truth” with the possiblity of the Braves swapping bad contracts.
Like Lowe for Carlos Lee or something like that. Certainly not a great move or a long-term move. But at least a guy like Lee (or somebody similar to him – big money – one year left on deal), has a bettter shot at helping us than Lowe will be given the opportunity to.
It’s just crazy to think that if JJ were to be traded in the next year or so, and with Chipper, Lowe, McLouth and KK coming off the books, there is about 45 million (damn near half) going “away” in the next year or so.
Pretty exciting if the payroll is going to continue to be around 90 million or so. Of course some of that will go to raises. But not all of it.
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:22 am
nolie, I see.
And thanks. Yeah, I have heard the older some people get the lesser the panic gets. My sister and I have the thyroid problems which causes the anxiety. Like I say, much better now,but I might wake up in a few hours in a sweaty panic. Weird stuff. I used to describe it as a living nightmare. Sort of an out of body experience.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:22 am
Agree on JJ nolie. It’s funny. I was stating it like crazy around the all-star break that his stock would never be higher.
Hindsight is a bitch, but they should have moved him then. Oh well.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:26 am
I think Wren has a couple of “touch” decisions to make on guys like Prado and Hinske.
If Wren is going to upgrade LF and one can assume that Chipper is the regular 3B… if Prado was to be the super utility guy, they could let Hinske walk. Prado could back up 1B short term if need be. A guy like Constanza could be kept around for outfield depth.
Lets not forget that it is now likely that Moylan gets DFA’d and that money will come off. So even with raises, they are about even.
Then when you factor in that a trade or two are likely? They’ll be some money. Not a lot. But enough to make a move or two with frontloaded deals or like I said before 2nd or 3rd year ARB guys that won’t see an increase until Lowe’s and Chipper’s money is long gone.
If Wren wants a guy that’s out there to be had, he’ll find a way to make it happen.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:27 am
as somebody said earlier this year, it woulda taken a huge set of brass cojones to make that trade while in the middle of the pennant race
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:29 am
I’ll believe change when I see it I guess. I hope I’m wrong, but I kinda expect the same lineup back except for possibly a average type LFer or SS.
nolie
October 15th, 2011
1:33 am
If they could find the right multi-player deal it wouldn’t surprise me to see Prado traded, though his value is down some too
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:38 am
the postman always rings twice.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:39 am
“Uggla’s raise + Heap’s raise and bonus is what, 8 maybe 9 million “
Actually according to Cot’s baseball contracts, Uggla’s increase is from 9.2 to 13.2 million and Mac goes from 6.6 to 8.6.
So the increase there is 6 million. Now, on paper, Nate and KK combined for 14.3 million in 2011.
Nate has a 1.25 million dollar buy out. So when you factor in the 14.3 million minus the buyout, that leaves you with a 13 million dollar savings.
Minus the Mac and Uggla increases of 6 million, leaves you with about 7 million left. Which probably gets gobbled up by Jair, Prado and O’Flaherty’s arbitration increase. But….
then when you factor in the other possible guys that will simply go away (or could go away), and be replaced with league minimum guys that likely provide similar production?
Linebrink: 5.5 million
Agon: 2.5 million
Moylan: 2 million
Hinske: 1.3 million
Sherrill: 1.2 million
That’s 12. 5 million right there. ALL of the relief pitchers will be replaced by guys already on the staff that cost considerably less. That’s 8.6 million for Linebrink, Moylan and Sherrill. Likely to be replaced by guys like Vizcaino, Varvaro and Medlen. In other words, guys that will combine to make about 1.5 million at most next year.
I honestly think that if Wren sticks with the 90-91 million dollar payroll, when the dust settles, he’ll have about 7-11 million to spend on SS, LF and bench upgrade. All of the pitching “fixes” will come from younger, cheaper guys.
He might bring in a veteran to “compete” but it won’t likely be a guy that commands 2-4 million dollars. Hell, might end up being D-Lowe as the “veteran” in the pen.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
1:42 am
Yeah who knows, nolie
Maybe wren makes something happen but I swear it would not surprise me to see the same strating 8 next year
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:45 am
tnbrian, anxiety problems? really.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
1:46 am
N8__
Heap will be getting a 2.5 to 3.5 million bonus. So 8.5 to 9.5 to heap and uggla
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:47 am
BAS, you want to chime in here?
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:49 am
so ward and murph shares a brain. maybe the half ward has should of said duck.
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:50 am
I just find it very odd anybody can blame Wren for anything to do with that collapse they had. I know I have read some people doing just that. The team he assembled was plenty good enough. Question the manager, question the players involved. GM got it right in my book.
I mean damn, he got Uggla (power RH bat) annd Bourn (speedy leadoff hitter), two areas to fill and he did without trading any top talent. Still, they choked? This is what makes me leery of Fred now. Fair or not, it’s how I feel about the man.
N8
October 15th, 2011
1:52 am
“Maybe wren makes something happen but I swear it would not surprise me to see the same strating 8 next year.”
I’d be surprised Bat. Wren seems to make quick, brash decisions. I’m also not immune to the thought that perhaps the BEST move is to at least start the season with the same starting 8.
I think by default of not having Lowe out there, having better options in the pen other than Proctor and Linebrink, and the thought that no way can Uggla start that slowly again, the team would probably be fine early on. Especially when you factor Bourn in the lineup from the get go.
It’s at least worth seeing if Prado and Heyward can bounce back, if Chipper can hold up again and so on…
I wouldn’t be offended if Wren “saved” any additional money to make an in season move, with the thought that Lowe and Chipper’s contracts might be gone after 2012.
Seriously? If JJ starts off the year strong again? Wren could sell high and dump him ASAP and insert Teheran or Medlen or Delgado. Whoever isn’t already in the rotation.
But like I said. I think he’ll “gamble” on not alienating fans by giving up on at least one of the everyday 8.
It might be as simple as letting Agon walk and finding another similar replacement that is temporary until Pastornicky is ready. It might be as simple as trading Agon at the end of spring training if Pastornicky looks ready then?
Or it might be more of a gamble in trading Prado for a better LF option, with the thought that if Chipper goes down long-term, he could use a young pitcher as trade bait for a longer term replacement for Chipper.
I have to believe that Wren and company might be having doubts about how much of a long-term replacement for Chipper that Prado can be at 3B.
I’m not going to say I’d be shocked if it is the same everyday 8. But I’d be surprised if Wren doesn’t already have deals in motion that might shake that everyday 8 up a bit. He’s going to seriously look into doing so. Whether he pulls the trigger is a whole different thing all together. LOL
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:55 am
tnbrian, they blew a 9 game lead and wren and fredi said look to the east.
the braves got bailed out nationally because of the sox.
the media is focused on boston. we are a after thougt.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
1:56 am
well we have diaz back. celebrate.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
1:58 am
And what will the braves pay bourn next year? That will have to be in nates neighborhood making it damn near a wash
I seem to recall the braves only paying 2 or 2m5 of linebrink’s salary. Is that right?
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
1:59 am
uga, hereditary. I now am certain the thyroid was the problem my whole life. We never knew why the anxiety and depression was so bad growing up and into my eearly twenties. Thyroid gland has to do with hormones, hormones shoot to your brain and if you get too much hormone, like I apparantly did, it causes rapid thinking. I was like a car in park but the pedal to the floor.
I Thank God I found a good doctor who cured this thing. All that mess because of an overactive thyroid.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:00 am
Bat, I’m not arguing with you. Cot’s says:
“McCann may earn additional $3M in 2012 based on Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers & All-Star selections in 2007-11″”
Where are the specifics about how much he “can” get based on what he has done with the Silver Slugger and AS awards?
But even so. That still leaves 2.5 million “left over” from the Nate and KK contracts. Add to that the possible guys they’d let go.
Even if they sign Agon for around his 2.5 million. They still might have the ability to have 5-10 million for upgrading bench and bullpenif they choose, along with LF.
For example, lets say they solve the empty bullpen spots in house with cheaper, younger guys. And even if they keep Hinske. If there is 4 or 5 million left over AND they choose to trade Prado?
That leaves them about 10 million to find a new LF. That’s a ton of money if they make a trade for another arbitration eligible player who better fits what they want in LF (speed and defense).
And lets not take what Wren has stated about Lowe lightly. I think they will seriously consider eating half, maybe more on Lowe to simply go with addition by subtraction. Let’s say for example Wren is willing to “eat” 10 million of that remaining 15 million?
As shrewd and silly as that may seem, it STILL could be a good move. It would free up 5 more million for raises and taking on another player, along with clearing the way for a younger guy that will likely do no worse than Lowe.
I think a half dozen or more teams would lineup to take Lowe at around 5-6 million dollars to anchor the 5th spot of a rotation lacking arms. One team’s trash might be just what the doctor ordered for another team.
TnBrian
October 15th, 2011
2:02 am
uga, I thought Fredi just said “ya know”?
Diaz should’ve stayed in Pittsburgh.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:04 am
“I seem to recall the braves only paying 2 or 2m5 of linebrink’s salary. Is that right?”
You’re probably right on that count. I wish Cot’s site would show who is paying what on the salaries. But from what I gather it doesn’t. Perhaps there is another site that does?
But yeah. Bourn will probably simply offset Nate’s contract, especially when you factor in the buyout at 1.25 million.
Leaving KK’s and Linebrink’s deals to offest Mac and Uggla’s increase.
So it comes down to trading a guy like Prado and deciding if Hinske is worth keeping around.
I think Conrad could be short term replacement for Chipper. Meaning if Chipper can play in 130 games, I’d be OK with Conrad playing in 30 or so games at 3B. But if Chipper can only start around 100 games? I’m not sure I want Conrad starting 60 or so.
Maybe they keep a guy like Jack Wilson around, simply for late inning defense if Conrad has to start?
So many ways to go. I can’t wait to see what Wren has in mind.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:06 am
BAS, google the jwh fund. the john henry global fund.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:08 am
i have traded managed futures for years. JWH is the king.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:10 am
tnbrian, diaz fits our M.O.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:11 am
TnBrian, I agree on Wren. I think he got it right based on what we had in 2010 and what he added to the mix, both last winter and during the season.
My only question is who had the final decision on Lowe? Do you want your GM stepping in and telling the manager who to start? Is that truly his job?
Ultimately it simply comes down to how this team failed to knock in big runs in certain situations. When you miss out of the playoffs by one game, and you lost 73 games, there is PLENTY of games to look at and wonder where it all went wrong.
I’m hoping that overall things just shape out differently next year in terms of our bullpen getting overused.
Better offense, starters going deeper and more reliable 6th and 7th inning guys in the pen that allow Fredi to not have to lean on the big-3.
Add to that, Kimbrel and Venters now have some experience with the grind of the long season. No doubt that last month wore them down. As hard as it was to watch Kimbrel fail down the stretch, I’m actually glad it didn’t happen in October with the national spotlight on him. If that makes any sense.
Now he has to simply learn how to last out the grind of the season, rather than live with blowing close games in the playoffs and doubt himself moving forward.
Bat Masterson
October 15th, 2011
2:12 am
N8__
It’s just an assumption on heap’s bonus from memory. If its 3 max then maybe he gets 2
Just a guess based on the all stars and silver sluggers
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:13 am
Either way Bat, I was overlooking the bonus aspect. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 2 or 3 million, either way it makes a difference.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:14 am
I was also overlooking Bourn’s contract. If you go to Cot’s page on the “2011″ Braves, Bourn isn’t listed there. So I overlooked it.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0Ah4PW47PiAi-dEpLMUV5NDlubmF0YmpGQ21FYW1lOGc&output=html
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:15 am
BAS, by the way check out john henry’s performance on the JWH fund.
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:18 am
N8,
you know what is wrong with this team? you know it.
we dont have a 3, and 4 hitter.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:18 am
Another thing to maybe factor with Mac is that he’s got a 13 million dollar club option for 2013. Maybe they work out another long-term contract with him and back load it a bit?
Not sure how much that would actually save, if anything. But depends on how much Wren wants to get creative with it. Maybe guaranteeing him a few years at 15 million after 2012 would allow him to take less for the 2012 season. I’m sure Mac is excited to get paid more, but some more long-term security might help out the club a bit.
Just depends if the team wants to commit to him being the guy for that long. I would think they would. But who knows?
uga-brave
October 15th, 2011
2:19 am
uggla is a five hole guy and macc is a six hole guy.
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:21 am
You might be right uga. But it could also be simply having a lack of anybody batting 6-8 as well? LOL
What’s more important? Two thumpers and reliable hitters in the 3-4 spot or a really solid lineup up and down?
I think with our pitching, some lineup “balance” and consistency might serve us better than two more big guns in the middle.
I think Uggla is fine in the middle of the order, provided he has some backup protection for when he fails (which he will often do). But when you have guys like Heyward, Gonzo and the like stinking it up for most of the year down in the order, there is ZERO reason to pitch to Chipper or Uggla.
Would a guy like Pujols make a difference for our lineup? Sure he would. But why would teams pitch to him either?
N8
October 15th, 2011
2:22 am
“uggla is a five hole guy and macc is a six hole guy”
I agree on a “stacked” lineup team. I’m just not sure we need our lineup to be stacked. We just need it to not be so crappy and unproductive top to bottom.