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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,953 comments Add your comment
Lew
March 28th, 2012
9:29 am
Hugo – There may be more sports franchises than copies of Action Comics #1.
richbrave
March 28th, 2012
9:31 am
Ease:
ROBERT FISH. Well if TJ is in the future, I’d keep him too. Never know what a year and a half can bring. He just might come back better than ever.
richbrave
March 28th, 2012
9:32 am
LEW:
Doesn’t look like I’m getting a new e-mail anytime soon. You’ve got my snail-mail address right?
Trader Jack
March 28th, 2012
9:35 am
Lew
According to the 2010 Census, Atlanta is the 9th largest MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), larger than Boston, San Fran/Oakland, Detroit, Phoenix.
The national TV deal does involve revenue sharing
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
9:36 am
yeah lew and they are getting one/thirtieth of mlb deal, (guessing somehwere in the neighborhood of 2 billion annually divided 30 ways) which would be around 67 million and thats all before ticket sales parking whatever vending contracts they have etc…..
no money to be made here , move along lmao
Patrick
March 28th, 2012
9:36 am
Giving up Medlen to acquire Byrd would be a very very bad trade for the Braves.
Bryd has started to decline and who knows how fast that will continue. And Medlen’s best days are ahead of him.
I still firmly believe that Meds should be in the rotation come opening day.
The only problem is that now the cubs are run by competent people, so making a treade with them won’t be as easy as it used to be.
But if that’s they price for Byrd…I’d have no problem letting him fly away
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
9:39 am
yankees at dark star today. whose on the mound starting? beachey?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 28th, 2012
9:40 am
After extensive research (i.e. more than sixty seconds worth), I have learned that the estimate is 50-100 copies of Action #1 in existence. The copy that was owned by actor Nicolas Cage sold for 2.16 mil about three months ago. It originally sold for 10 cents in 1938. I haven’t figured out the price appreciation of that vs. a successful sport franchise from 1938.
RC
March 28th, 2012
9:41 am
The only problem is that now the cubs are run by competent people, so making a treade with them won’t be as easy as it used to be.
Or it could be much easier. You might not be able to “fleece” a competent team, but you are much more likely to be able to agree on a player’s value, and not be asked for the moon and stars for a good/not great player (I’m looking at you Baltimore….).
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
9:42 am
I’ll take the Medlen/Hinske combo over the Marlon Byrd/Todd Redmond replacement combo any ol’ day of the week.
richbrave
March 28th, 2012
9:42 am
YANKEES? Dang, bound to be on ESPN then!
RC
March 28th, 2012
9:43 am
I haven’t figured out the price appreciation of that vs. a successful sport franchise from 1938.
Going to be a hard calculation to make, since a sports franchise has both revenues and expenses over time, and a comic book has neither (except the expense of those little plastic baggies).
David O'Brien
March 28th, 2012
9:43 am
Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Prado 3b, McCann c, Uggla 2b, Freeman 1b, Heyward rf, Simmons ss, Constanza lf, Beachy rhp
Lew
March 28th, 2012
9:44 am
Trader Jack – I still contend that those market figures are just flat wrong. I just can’t accept that Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas are metro Atlanta.
I’m also not convinced that there is no money to be had without a huge TV deal. Seems to me that attendance is what leads to money for payroll – most of your teams with huge payrolls have great attendance. We’re 15th in attendance and 15th in payroll.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
9:45 am
HUgo – Well, not even the Yankees can colpete with Superman – especially a very young Superman still in his prime, right?
brian
March 28th, 2012
9:48 am
unless the Cubs throw in a major prospect in the deal, no way I deal Medlen for Byrd
CrαZy
March 28th, 2012
9:48 am
Lew — you’re right about the nationwide thing… but I do think they could get a very lucrative deal right now if they were able to do so. I’m not worried about it though teams have proven that you can win as a mid payroll team so as long as that’s where we are we can win. Hopefully one day we’ll get an owner that continues to run a smart organization, but is willing to spend money when needed.
Amgmeg1
March 28th, 2012
9:49 am
Enter your comments here
Ease
March 28th, 2012
9:49 am
Lew…
The Atlanta metropolitan area, officially (as designated by the US Census Bureau) known as the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metropolitan Statistical Area and unofficially known as metro Atlanta, is the most populous metro area in the U.S. state of Georgia and the ninth-largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States.
The Atlanta metropolitan area spans up to 28 counties in north Georgia and had a total 2010 population of 5,268,860.[2]According to the 2010 ranking of world cities undertaken by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network, Atlanta is considered an “Alpha- World City.”[3][4]
Atlanta’s larger combined statistical area (CSA) adds the Gainesville, Georgia MSA, and the LaGrange, Georgia, Thomaston Georgia, Cedartown, Georgia, and Valley, Alabama micropolitan areas, for a total 2009 estimated population of 5,831,778.[5] The CSA also abuts the Athens, Macon, and Columbus MSAs. The region is the central metropolis of the Southeastern United States, and is the largest metropolitan area in the emerging megalopolis known as the Piedmont Atlantic MegaRegion along the I-85 Corridor.
CrαZy
March 28th, 2012
9:51 am
Even though Meds is one of my favorite Braves, I’ll be ok if he gets traded….. Just not for someone like Byrd!! Surely Meds is more valuable than that!!
Duke
March 28th, 2012
9:55 am
Meds for Byrd would be dumb, dumb, dumb. Now, Meds, Simmons, and picking up some of Bryds contract for Starling Castro and Byrd would be nice.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 28th, 2012
9:56 am
Morning all, did anyone bother to read the comments made by Greg Walker, the Braves’ new hitting coach, about Freddie Freeman? After Freddie hitting two out yesterday to center and left center he was talking about FF learning to pull the ball….. I nearly gagged… Have not we seen enough pull happy players to last a lifetime in Atlanta?
Our own acknowledged hitting Guru, Chipper Jones, as well as Terry Pendleton have preached for years the value of going the other way with the ball. Seeing the ball longer. Even Matt Diaz said he became too pull happy last season and suffered as a result of it.
Why does Frank Wren insist on bringing in guys who have proven only to screw up players swings? If Walker’s hitting philosophy prevails, I see an even longer fall into the depths than last season.
As for Meds for Byrd… It would take the Cubs paying all of Byrd’s salary for the season to make it a nearly fair trade. Even then, I think the Cubs would be a real winner. Only push is Med’s having a low ceiling on innings this year coming off Tommy John surgery. Dr. Andrews recommends a pitcher not exceed 160 inning pitched the year following TJ.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
9:58 am
Ease – You do realize that the I 85 corridor includes the Carolinas? And go check out the most populous cities in the U.S. I think you’ll be surprised at who has a much bigger population than ATL – metro or otherwise.
David O'Brien
March 28th, 2012
9:58 am
Hulk Hogan just walked on field. Wearing a black do-rag and shades. Whatev. He ain’t no “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes or “King of Memphis” Jerry Lawler.
Monty
March 28th, 2012
10:00 am
Medlen is gone IMO. He will be traded to bring in someone who can play LF,CF,or 3rd or any combination of the 3 when CHipper is out. FW cannot depend on Chipper being in the lineup. Whatever Chipper gives us will be gravy. The Braves FO obviously feel that with Minor blossoming and with Teheran/Degado having more upside(no pun intended) than Medlen, and the two are almost there as starters that Medlen is the “odd man” out. His value is as a starter, not some 3rd man on the totem-pole guy in the pen. Just my opinion. And for whatever it’s worth, (zip),I feel the Braves will be making a big mistake.
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
10:05 am
really monty, my sentiments exactly
Ease
March 28th, 2012
10:06 am
Metropolitan Statistical Areas of the United States of America
Rank Metropolitan Statistical Area/2010/Pop 2000/Pop Change/Combined Statistical Area
1 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA MSA 18,897,109 18,323,002 +3.13% New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA
2 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA 12,828,837 12,365,627 +3.75% Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, CA CSA
3 Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI MSA 9,461,105 9,098,316 +3.99% Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, IL-IN-WI CSA
4 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA 6,371,773 5,161,544 +23.45% Dallas-Fort Worth, TX CSA
5 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA 5,965,343 5,687,147 +4.89% Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA
6 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX MSA 5,946,800 4,715,407 +26.11% Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA
7 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA 5,582,170 4,796,183 +16.39% Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV CSA
8 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL MSA 5,564,635 5,007,564 +11.12% primary census statistical area
9 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA MSA 5,268,860 4,247,981 +24.03% Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, GA-AL CSA
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:06 am
Byrd isn’t worth Medlen. Consider that Medlen is talked about as a swing guy – bullpen to rotation. Are we certain about Hanson’s health? Jurrjens’? Hudson’s? Granted, Medlen spent last year recuperating from Tommy John surgery, but he appears to have recovered.
Who would Wren and Gonzalez prefer to take a rotation spot, if need be, Medlen or one of the prospects? Or anyone really want a reprise of Buddy Carlyle?
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
10:06 am
although the trade scenario duke offered up i would consider trading meds if he brought back a starling castro type, but cubbies aint that stooopid
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:08 am
Guess it depends on whether or not you think the Braves are a stronger, more competitive team with a solid play like Byrd in the outfield or Meds pitching.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:11 am
Ease – I know – I’ve read the lists numerous times – just don’t really agree all that much with them.
However, erven so – notice that Houston,Miami and DC are all above us in the lists and still have much lower payrolls than the Braves.
Just not seeing a correlation to that list and attendance or how much teams spend.
Monty
March 28th, 2012
10:11 am
Braves already have a swingman in Christian Martinez, or just bring up one of the 2 guys from AAA in JT or RD if a starter gets injured after Huddy come off IR.
jeffrey d
March 28th, 2012
10:12 am
YANKEES? Dang, bound to be on ESPN then!
It’s like they’re not even trying to shoot down their image. When Favre was reportedly about to sign with Minnesota, they had nonstop coverage of that and countlessly replayed the video of him getting off the airplane. The only time they interrupted Favre watch was to recap the Yankees/Red Sox game, then they went back to Favre.
Tomahawkin, what’s your take on ESPN?
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:12 am
“Medlen is gone IMO. He will be traded to bring in someone who can play LF,CF,or 3rd or any combination of the 3 when CHipper is out.”
Monty, as long as his name isn’t “Marlon.” Further, I can’t see Wren trying to obtain a 3B when Prado is capable of manning the position. Wren’s after outfield help, as I gather.
Medlen’s not off-limits in a trade, IMO, but the return has to be more than Marlon Byrd. Like I wrote earlier, Wren got Bourn for a lot less than the likes of Medlen.
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:13 am
I think Medlen is a better pitcher than Martinez, and the kids are kids… who knows if they’re ready for prime time now?
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:14 am
Not to mention that there’s a substantial difference between the top several areas on that list and the last several. Atlanta less than a third as many as NY. That’s huge disparity.
We need a salary cap.
brian
March 28th, 2012
10:14 am
an old NWA / turner sports wrestling fan are you DOB??? Dusty Rhodes made a mint out of being a fat slob but he was good on camera.
I was always more an old WWF growing up – Hulk Hogan, the Iron Shiek, Junkyard Dog, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, etc. Peaked at Wrestlemania 1.
Maybe at a game this year we can see DOB rip away a tear away shirt??
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:15 am
Jeff R – The Braves weren’t dealing with Theo Epstein, et al when they got Bourn.
jeffrey d
March 28th, 2012
10:17 am
Monty, as long as his name isn’t “Marlon.”
So that eliminates Byrd and Wayans….
David O'Brien
March 28th, 2012
10:17 am
“You detest the fact that I’ve got more cars than most of you have friends.” – Ric Flair
Danga
March 28th, 2012
10:18 am
OPS + of Marlon Byrd last season 96. OPS + of Jason Heyward last season 95.
jeffrey d
March 28th, 2012
10:18 am
The top 3 on that list also have 2 teams each.
Danga
March 28th, 2012
10:19 am
WOOO!
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:20 am
jeffrey d – Yeah, but have three times the population to lean on. And ask the Mets how much they have to spend.
Danga
March 28th, 2012
10:21 am
In all honesty, Medlen is an undersized pitcher coming off major surgery. We may value him a bit more here on the blog than folks in the baseball world.
Monty
March 28th, 2012
10:21 am
Jeff R
I don’t disagree with anything you have said. Just trying to look at it from what I have observed from the BRaves(FO) point of view, and that (to me anyway,highly subjective I know) the feeling I get is they are determined for both JT and RD to be starters by next season, and not so much KM. If Chipper was starting the season healthy then Medlen would be a nice luxury to have to FW. But I don’t believe KM is anywhere in FW’s plans as a future starter for this team.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:24 am
Do we need more offense and outfield defense or do we need the extra pitching? The answer to that question will determine if we keep Medlen or not. From all I’ve heard, they’re looking for the outfield option.
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
10:24 am
Occupying two bullpen spots with Ascencio and Gearrin already decreases the warm fuzzies. Taking out Medlen and replacing him with the likes of a Flande, Carlyle, or Redmond really gives me the heebie-jeebies.
JRW
March 28th, 2012
10:25 am
Lew – Agreed. There’s a big difference making a deal with Ed Wade over Theo Epstein.
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
10:26 am
maddux was an undersized pitcher with a medium speed fastball.
how’d that workout for him/?
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:27 am
JRW – Definitely.
Hillbilly – Everyone keeps forgetting Varvaro, noit realiing he did great last year despite having a terrible spring.
jeffrey d
March 28th, 2012
10:27 am
Ric Flair was one of the best to watch in the 80’s and 90’s, but he hung on way too long. It’s a tough buy for me to believe that this guy could compete with athletic 20-somethings
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Ric_Flair_vs_Doug_Williams_3.jpg
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
10:28 am
i can see letting ,meds go, but it better be a lot better option than marlon
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:29 am
Lew… yes, but how badly does Wren want Byrd? No offer good options out there in baseball-dom than Byrd for Meds?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 28th, 2012
10:31 am
Marlon Byrd’s OPS+ has been in decline for three straight seasons. If you really want him, you better not give up a lot.
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:32 am
Monty,
I’m restricting my thoughts about Medlen to this season. I agree that Delgado and Teheran are rotation guys next season. Again, though, I’m not sure that either is ready to step into a starting role this season at Atlanta. But maybe. And I’m not against trading Medlen. Yes, Medlen’s coming off surgery, so that diminishes his value somewhat, but isn’t he worth more than Byrd?
RC
March 28th, 2012
10:35 am
maddux was an undersized pitcher with a medium speed fastball.
how’d that workout for him/?
Awesome, we’ve reached the point in the blog where current players are compared to Maddux.
While the statement above is true, how did being a undersized pitcher with a medium speed fastball work out for the few thousands guys who WEREN’T Greg Maddux? I’m going to go out on a huge limb here and say that Medlen is probably a lot closer to those guys than he is to Maddux (and I actually like Medlen…that was just a comparison that invites criticism).
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
March 28th, 2012
10:36 am
Flair once mooned us … or Bret Hart pulled his trunks down and gave everybody a scare. Pale white butt and flabby. But at least Flair and others like Hart could wrestle and had talent in a ring, unlike Hogan.
I’d really like to see Byrd in our OF, but CJ will be back in a few weeks. Where would that leave Byrd and/or Prado. Neither are really bench players.
Murph
March 28th, 2012
10:38 am
Our players compare more favorably to Gary Maddox than they do Greg Maddux.
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnwwdtHjOh1qbl67ao1_400.jpg
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:39 am
It has to do with what you need and what you have available to give up for that need. The Braves need a solid outfielder and Byrd is better by far than any other option we have. Medlen is not essential.
I’d rather not have to trade Medlen, preferring instead to see a deal like was made for Bourn. However, I don’t see that happening. We’re going to have to give up a piece we’d rather keep. Just the price you pay when you have a glaring need that just started to glare even more.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:40 am
Murph – I wouldn’t mind having Gary Maddox in his prime right about now. Great defender and decent hitter.
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
10:40 am
Lew, I haven’t forgotten about him. I’m just hesitant to go north with him and hope he repeats that trend. If he earns the call from Gwinnett, I’d be more than happy to see him back in Atlanta.
unbelievable
March 28th, 2012
10:41 am
Prado can spell 1b, 2b, 3b, and LF. Byrd could spell all 3 OF positions. All could get plenty of playing time. This really shouldve been addressed a couple of months ago. Chipper will not play more than 120-125 games. We have 9 potential SP’s and sometimes you have to move one of those guys. Pitching will not be our issue and I highly doubt that Fredi is smart enough to use Medlen out of the pen correctly anyways.
Trader Jack
March 28th, 2012
10:41 am
One final comment on the Dodgers deal. The Johnson/Kasten group had the least amount of cash on the table out of the three groups bidding. We’ll see how things work out for them down the road.
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:43 am
A little bit of the thinking about Byrd on the blog seems to be that Epstein and the Cubs have the leverage. Let’s not forget that the Cubs probably wouldn’t mind being relieved of some of Byrd’s salary and clearing his roster spot. I haven’t read anything that suggests that the Cubs are saying, “Medlen for Byrd, take it or leave it.”
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:44 am
The word is that the Nats are also interested in Byrd. So many seem to believe theat they are better than the Braves, so maybe he has more worth than some think he does?
Murph
March 28th, 2012
10:45 am
Lew, I’ve actually got a Gary Maddox rookie card. Mrs Murph thought she was buying me a really nice gift to go with my Greg Maddux “shrine” that I have in my home office….
Needless to say that she now knows the difference between the two.
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:46 am
The Nats outfield isn’t that strong, IMO. I could see why they’d have an interest in Byrd (and others), too.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:46 am
Hillbilly – Maybe Varvaro is a later in the season Dude, but he damned well pitched great for us last year, despite having an atrocious spring. I think there’s much more to him than some believe is all. Plus he pitches multiple innings – a good thing especially if Medlen is dealt.
Murph
March 28th, 2012
10:47 am
What about Gilmartin? Or Gilmartin and Gattis or some other combo instead of Meds? Given that the Cubs are in full-on rebuilding, I’d think they wouldn’t be averse to a package of mid-level prospects for Byrd instead of a guy like Medlen alone.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:48 am
Murph – But “water covers two thirds of the world andf Gary Maddox covers the other third” – No one ever said that about Greg.
But yeah, I’d love to have a young Greg Maddux again. Where’s that time machine when we really need it?
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:49 am
I think they’d proably prefer to keep Gilmartin instead of Medlen.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 28th, 2012
10:50 am
I could point out that Byrd’s s.t. OPS is currently .650. Of course, in the interest of fairness, I could also point out that Joe Mather’s is 1.197. Hey…
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:51 am
Sounds almost like a December conversation this morning.
unbelievable
March 28th, 2012
10:51 am
Byrd plays a premium position. He’s above average in both CF and RF. According to WAR values he’s well worth the money that he’s being paid. The problem is the Braves budget once again isnt capable of absorbing any more salary and we’ve brought back basically the same team that wasnt good enough last year. If the Braves are wanting the Cubs to pick up the majority of the salary then they will have to give up a decent arm.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:52 am
JeffR – And our outfield is strong?
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:53 am
unbelievable – You just hit the proverbial nail on it’s sweet spot. Got to pay – one way or another.
unbelievable
March 28th, 2012
10:53 am
Lew, I agree with your thoughts on Varvaro. He’s a good arm that has just had a bad spring. You cant base judgement on 6IP of Spring Training statistics.
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
10:54 am
Lew,
and I think we agree on all of that, but I just want to see it a second time before I jettison a proven major league arm. Maybe last season was his norm and he’s a slow starter. Maybe last season was a fluke and he’s going to Kyle Davies us. If Moylan was healthy and reliable, it would be easier to take that risk, I guess.
Murph
March 28th, 2012
10:55 am
Does Gilmartin have more potential than Medlen? I don’t know, haven’t really seen him pitch…
There has to be some non-Medlen combo of prospects that would get their attention.
Jeff R
March 28th, 2012
10:57 am
Lew… depends. Does Heyward stay healthy and produce as hoped? Can’t say. Bourn have a marquee contract year? I think so. Prado returns to form? I believe so, though he logs considerable time at third.
Not saying adding another outfielder, including Byrd, isn’t smart, given Chipper’s status. Just questioning value exchanged (Medlen) for Byrd.
unbelievable
March 28th, 2012
10:58 am
Whats more important to this team? Medlen pitching every couple of days in the 6th inning or us upgrading the offense with a LF bat to play the 50 games or so that Chipper/Prado/Heyward will miss? I dont want to see Diaz in LF
Lew
March 28th, 2012
10:58 am
Hillbilly – Thing is that you aren’t jettisoning said arm just to put Varvaro in the pen – you’re doing it to strengthen your outfield in particular and your team in general. The appropriate question is is your team stronger with Byrd in the outfield and Varvaro in the pen or with Medlen in the pen and Diaz/HInske/Durango/Constanza/Parraz in the field?
I think the answer would be Byrd and Varvaro – but of course, that is mere speculation at this point. Be nice if there were parrallel universes we could visit to see the results ahead of time for comparison.
Where is Zelazny’s Amber and Shadow when we really need them?
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
11:02 am
There has to be some non-Medlen combo of prospects that would get their attention.
Yes I agree, and you’re about to force me onto my “JJ Hoover-should-have-remained-a-starter” soapbox. I get really ugly there.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 28th, 2012
11:07 am
Okay, you guys have been beating this dead horse long enough. We all want maximum return for our guys. So do the other teams. The Nations have an interest in Byrd because Lance Nix is gone and Morse is hurt right now. They have been looking for a centerfielder for 3 years. Likely will pay for Bourn next year when he becomes a free agent. Their current stopgap is Rick Ankiel.
They are holding Bryce Harper back so they can retain control over him longer. No “Super Two”…..
It is all about the Benjamins for Lerner.
Murph
March 28th, 2012
11:08 am
How many years of control does Medlen have left? That has to factor into the decision, at least a little.
My reasons for not wanting to ship Medlen off are: I don’t think either Delgado or Teheran are ready, I don’t think Hudson/Hanson/JJ will be healthy all season, I want a backup plan in case Minor’s strong spring does not carry over to the regular season, and I don’t trust Varvaro with the ball in a scary situation.
Monty
March 28th, 2012
11:09 am
Lot of undersized players in the past(especially by todays standards) have achieved great success. Look at the picture of Glavine compared to Smoltz or even Maddux who wan’t a big guy either. Hudson was so undersized coming out of highschool he wasn’t even drafted. Whitey Ford won 300 games at 5′10″ tall. Heck by todays fetish for size, guys like Willie Mays 5′10″ 170 and Aaron 5′11″ in his cleats might not have been given a fair shake when compared physically with a JHEY prototype player. Size truly doesn’t matter in baseball. Think Jimmy Wynn (the toy cannon). It’s whether or not you can play the game. But most people(FO people,scouts, mgrs.and fans) allow size to color their interpretation of a players ability and how they project their future. Compare Medlen’s minor league stats(and major league for that matter)with Hanson’s, Delgados, and Teheran’s and see how they compare. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Gil in Mechanicsville
March 28th, 2012
11:09 am
Okay, time for a nap….
Hillbilly
March 28th, 2012
11:10 am
Lew, I guess I’m beating around the bush here. I think Byrd could be had without giving up Medlen. Yes the club would be stronger with Byrd, but the bullpen stamina was a big concern last year, and Medlen is supposed to be the solution to that. And if J.J. Hoover were getting starter innings like he should have been getting all along, he would be a damn good trade candidate. And now I’m getting mad just thinking about that again.
unbelievable
March 28th, 2012
11:12 am
Hillbilly, Byrd could be had without giving up Medlen for sure. However, if we want them to pick up the majority of the salary then of course the situation changes dramatically. Byrd is worth the $6mil he’s getting paid and Theo/Wren both know that.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
March 28th, 2012
11:19 am
Lew, you’re not being obscure enough. Where’s L. Sprague DeCamp when you need him?
CrαZy
March 28th, 2012
11:22 am
I think Byrd could be had without giving up Medlen. Yes the club would be stronger with Byrd, but the bullpen stamina was a big concern last year
I agree with that and to add to it what are the odds that Eric O, Venters and Kimbrel are as dominate as they were last year?? I think Meds could be a very important pitcher out of the pen if that’s where he stays all year!! I’d much rather see an unproven minor league pitcher or 2 go for Byrd instead!!
Lew
March 28th, 2012
11:24 am
Let me preface this by saying I’m a Medlen fan and really like him – would love to keep him in our pen. However…..
It is entirely possible that despite how much we all like Meds, tht opposing teams will view him as a pitcher coming off of serious surgery and who owns a 9-7 career mark with an ERA just south of 4 at 3.85 with damned little MLB experience.
Yeah, I know – he’s ors and carried the My Little Pony back pack and we won lots of his starts before he was hurt. But……….that may not nbe how everyone else views him and maybe it shouldn’t be.
Murph
March 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Lew, stop being so logical. Makes you stick out like a sore thumb around here.
Lew
March 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Hugo – Old Sprague, huh? Vultured a lot of Howard’s Conan stories and while doing so, introduced him to a huge audience. He and Lin Carter probably did more for Howard’s popularity than all the editors who bought REH’s work.
I knew Roger Zelazny, though – met him on several occasionas and corresponded with him for 15 years – and got to illustrate the Amber novels. His son is FB friend and a pretty good author in his own right (or is that write?).
Lew
March 28th, 2012
11:30 am
Murph – Im sorry. I think we might get Byrd for a bag of balls if we tried hard enough and Frank Wren didn’t suck at his job.
Better?
TheOnlyBravesFan
March 28th, 2012
11:31 am
LOL Murph. But I do agree with Lew, as another baseball FO, I’d look at Meds as “damaged” goods, and not untouchable.
ncgary
March 28th, 2012
11:32 am
think or scrutinize whatever. i don’t remember comparing maddux to medlin, just the fact they were undersized and didn’t have an overwhelming fastball. but draw your own conclusions. i say let the nats have marlon, good deal , that way they get fleeced instead of braves
BravePack(FreeFan)
March 28th, 2012
11:32 am
I wouldn’t give Meds up for 1 year of Byrd. Plus where does he go when Chipper comes back and Heyward does the unthinkable and hits well? Medlen is a nice insurance policy to have if someone else goes down which is inevitable.
So I was reading Fredi’s comments on the SS battle and it sounds to me like Simmons will go up north. Why you ask? Because he made the comments that the Braves don’t need the SS to hit .290 and do a lot offensively but what’s more important is they need him to play well on defense which to me sounds like Simmons won the job if that is the case. It’s pretty obvious that Simmons is the better player defensively. I guess we will see who wins.
Coach (2012 Fredi's beisbol fandango)
March 28th, 2012
11:33 am
Byrd sucks, go Yankees!……..
No wait, that came out wrong