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
1,786 comments Add your comment
chipontheroad
September 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
Maybe while Chipper is teaching Shea to bat switch,he could teach Hanson to throw southpaw
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
If we sign Bourn, I’d say that would end talks of upgrading greatly at either LF or SP. Not unless we start trading arb. eligible players. Which I guess is possible, Hanson being the most likely.
John Leonard
September 13th, 2012
1:45 pm
Thats what winners do ncscoots,and the losers go home.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
Not unless we start trading arb. eligible players. Which I guess is possible, Hanson being the most likely.
If I were a Braves’ pitcher, at any level, I wouldn’t be signing any long-term leases. Pitching is their bank, and they’re gonna have to come off their hip with some of it.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:50 pm
One-gamer is the cost of being second-best, so they’ll just have to bear down and deal.
Like I said to TenneseePaul yesterday, the potential for 1 playoff series in three years with the win totals being 91, 89, 90+ is going to be incredibly frustrating on Saturday morning, October 6th. Like fist through the sheetrock frustrating.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
Getting a starter is going to cost a boatload in prospects or free agency dollars.
And with our farm not being that deep, I think I’d rather pay the dollars.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
Like fist through the sheetrock frustrating.
I’m not sure you should be watching that play-in game, my brother.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
I think the worst possible thing that could happen is to see us miss the playoffs with the Phillies making it….
I think a humanity ending meteor would be much worse.
But I posted the numbers yesterday, and for that to happen the Braves would have to play somethng like .250 ball and the Phillies would have to play .800
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
1:57 pm
But I posted the numbers yesterday, and for that to happen the Braves would have to play somethng like .250 ball and the Phillies would have to play .800
“So, you’re saying there’s a chance?”
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
1:58 pm
I’m not sure you should be watching that play-in game, my brother.
Just sayin…..looking at the last three years on a whole with one playoff series appearance, of which we were 2 men down – I mean, come on…..
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
three years with the win totals being 91, 89, 90+
I think you miscounted the 16-2 stretch that the team is about to embark upon.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
That’ll still put us at 90+ wins
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:03 pm
I’m think it’ll be better than 9-9 down the stretch. 12 games vs. the Marlins, Mets and Pirates should take care of it.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:07 pm
Ryan Howard is hitting .227/.308/.415 in 57 games, 234 plate appearances this year. Chase Utley is hitting .254/.362/.449 in 64 games, 279 plate appearances.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
16-2? I’ll take that… hottest team going into the playoffss. 18-0 would be better though…
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
2:09 pm
Efrim, nah, I’m gonna go with the 16-2 thing. Live big and dream bigger. I’m going to make a life-sized cutout of Mitchell, like with Major League, and rip off a piece of virtual skin every time the Braves win one. 16 wins, and I’ll have the sucker down to capillaries.
So, win a couple, you cringing cur dogs! Dangit!
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:11 pm
Howard is owed $105 million through 2016……
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Getting a starter is going to cost a boatload in prospects or free agency dollars.
We’ve been lectured all day that if we like the player, he isn’t coming to Atlanta. And also that there is no money to spend. So just get ready for Gilmartin in the rotation, Biff in center and Francisco at third with Prado in left…. and a lot of comments about how you aren’t a real fan of the Braves if you don’t think all those players are the best.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
So, win a couple, you cringing cur dogs! Dangit!
How about just beat the Nationals in a series at home this weekened? Would love to start there.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
Efrim brought up our 1 recent playoff appearance… we got screwed in the 1st game on a bad call at 2nd base. What if that’s what makes the difference in the 1-game playoff? Some people aren’t gonna be real happy about that. Series allow you to come back from those mistakes.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:14 pm
Ryan Howard is hitting .227/.308/.415 in 57 games, 234 plate appearances this year
But he was injured Ef. He has an excuse and you have to let him have that excuse.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
So just get ready for Gilmartin in the rotation, Biff in center and Francisco at third with Prado in left…. and a lot of comments about how you aren’t a real fan of the Braves if you don’t think all those players are the best.
Do you own a pistol, or will you need to borrow one of mine to put me out of my misery?
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
Some people aren’t gonna be real happy about that. Series allow you to come back from those mistakes.
screw ‘em.
A whole season lets you come back from mistakes… perhaps they should work it out to where, after all 30 teams compete over 162 games, the best two teams of each league play in a 7 game world championship.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
We’ve been lectured all day that if we like the player, he isn’t coming to Atlanta.
Indeed… they’re trying to destroy my hopes.
Another great post 10Paul.
UKUGA
September 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
I don’t like that the Oct. 5 play-off game could get moved to October 6.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:16 pm
and a lot of comments about how you aren’t a real fan of the Braves if you don’t think all those players are the best.
What were we doing between 2008 and 2011? 4 drafts? And we have Jose Constanza and Juan Francisco atop the depth charts in CF and at 3B.
Nevermind. Let me stop before I get yelled at about how Heyward and Freeman leaving our farm system and becoming star players makes it okay that we have no position player depth…..
(even though they were drafted 5.5 years ago right before the Tex trade for crying out loud)
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
Mycal Jones just didn’t pan out, I guess.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:19 pm
Do you own a pistol, or will you need to borrow one of mine to put me out of my misery?
You’ll just need to show up at my bar on game day and get between me and the panel. You’ll be out of your misery well before I’ve ordered all 20 of my beers. And the bar keep will engrave on your stone a nice note about saving him some money on flat screens.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
But he was injured Ef. He has an excuse and you have to let him have that excuse.
I give him a pass fror this year. It’s the next four years that I have trouble giving him a pass for. Him or Amaro Jr.
But Ruben should have “Hey, it’s the next GM’s problem” tattooed on his back.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
screw ‘em. A whole season lets you come back from mistakes
Got that right. Think the division winners are gonna be happy about going back home down 2-0, facing an elimination game before they sell the first bag of popcorn? Tough snookums.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
Got my good friends wedding in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 6th. Really hoping the drive down will be pleasant. Really hoping……
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
Let me stop before I get yelled at about how Heyward and Freeman leaving our farm system and becoming star players makes it okay that we have no position player depth…
It sound logic, Ef. Once Delgado and Teheran exit the system, the Braves won’t need to draft any more pitchers either. In fact, they can just opt out of the entire draft business and save that money for some bench players.
flange1
September 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
With the loss of Chipper and Bourn and with the salary raises that we will see for 2013, I think we as fans can expect one of the replacements for these 2 to be either very young or very cheap.
The Braves FO will exercise the options for McCann and Hudson and tell us they have limited funds for other players. They will say McCann will be back to 100% and that he at 100% will help replace the loss of Chipper.
I could see a situation where they use some sort of platoon with Prado, Francisco and a RH outfielder (Gattis?, Reed Johnson?) for LF and 3B and then spend a touch of $$$ on a CF.
Or they could try to sign Tori Hunter to a 2 year deal and treat him like they did Chipper this year using Prado and Francisco to “platoon” with Tori.
I think they trade for a pitcher.
The only way the team will improve next year is if more than a couple guys have career years.
The TV deal is going to start to hurt next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
screw ‘em.
Why? The purpose is to see who the best team is…. series determine that, not 1 game. If they’re gonna do that, just eliminate the regular season and have the playoffs…. single elimination. Go from there. Watch the Royals and Padres go to the World Series.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
perhaps they should work it out to where, after all 30 teams compete over 162 games, the best two teams of each league play in a 7 game world championship.
I’m okay with eliminating playoffs entirely……..
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
2:27 pm
The purpose is to see who the best team is….
The purpose of the playoffs hasn’t been about “best team” since divisions were created.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:28 pm
The purpose is to see who the best team is…. series determine that, not 1 game.
I hate the one gamer, but even series don’t show you who the best team is.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:28 pm
Why? The purpose is to see who the best team is…
That’s why you play 162 games… The rest is just exhibition.
I can tell you right now the top two teams: Nationals, Rangers. The rest of this business is merely for the money.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:34 pm
I can tell you right now the top two teams: Nationals, Rangers. The rest of this business is merely for the money.
Agreed.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
keithlaw @keithlaw
Yes. “@SBS0311: @keithlaw Does Matt Harvey have ace upside?”
Didn’t think he was going to, but from what I’ve seen of that kid – nasty, nasty stuff.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
2:38 pm
Meanwhile, Julio Teheran went from having nasty stuff to nasty (bad) results.
beekay
September 13th, 2012
2:43 pm
I think Bourn cost himself a cool 15 million with this prolonged slump….5 yrs 75mm is now 5 yrs 60mm imo
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
Current standings are such that we would be the WC team under the old rules.
We are subject to the same rules as everyone else…don’t win the division…then don’t whine about it, just go out and win the play-in game. You then get the first 2 in best 3 of 5 at home. Win those too, and you only need 1 of 3 away. You will have had 3 home games at that point, and division winner may only get 1 at home. Fair?…or not…that’s the way it is, so you deal with it. Whining doesn’t help.
NO MORE FREDI
September 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
I repeat… Why do you want to see this team in the playoffs? The Phillies are showing it’s not how you start the season but end it. Would like to see them get in (even though I hate them). They dropped dead weight in July and started kicking butt. Braves would never give up on any of these losers. Hope they sink with them AGAIN.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
We are subject to the same rules as everyone else…don’t win the division…then don’t whine about it
Word.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
beekay – I doubt he’s lost anywhere near $15M, and Scott Boras will explain to us why.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
No More Fredi – Your logic, or lack thereof, is too ridiculous to warrent a response.
raleighbravefan
September 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Gotta go. Later, friends.
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
2:49 pm
Braves would never give up on any of these losers. Hope they sink with them AGAIN.
What a horrible “fan”
jeffrey d
September 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
I feel like some people – the louder minority – are hoping the Braves fail so that they have something to complain about.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
And the broken record award (what’s a record?) in the “it ain’t going to happen” category, goes to….wait, it’s a tie:
AT, for “trade Uggla to Detroit”, and TOBF for “sign Greinke”.
Yes I know, this organization isn’t going to do anything because we have depth. Cause everyone knows, “quantity equals quality” and we don’t need no stinken ace.
beekay
September 13th, 2012
2:54 pm
Raleigh
Do you think the Nats or Phils will pony up that much? Boras owns the Nats but to give that type of cash to a guy who has slumped for months and strikes out like a power hitter? If im the Braves offer 4 yrs 45 million and then make the Phils or Nats over pay. I still don’t see him getting more than 5 nd 60 if he finishes as bad as he has been the next 20 games
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
Cause everyone knows, “quantity equals quality”
Isn’t the premise behind trading Uggla for Infante and a bunch minor leaguers? ( :
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
I hate the one gamer, but even series don’t show you who the best team is.
But that one-gamer ought to have some clutch, no? Heck, it’s a whole game’s worth of clutch, LOL. I mean, if you can still find your spit in the seventh of a one-nothing wild-card play-in game, I say you be strong, dog.
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
We are subject to the same rules as everyone else…don’t win the division…then don’t whine about it
If a team is clearly one of the best three teams in the league but doesn’t win a division and therefore has to play in a one-game playoff, I think that team has every right to whine. Them not winning a division has to do with geography more than it does the quality of their team.
This is a more distinct possibility in the AL. There is a chance the Yankees or Rays or both could have to play in a one-game playoff, though they are clearly better than the AL Central winner and are probably on par with the AL West winner. The Yankees and Rays are going to be forced in to a one-game playoff not because they aren’t good enough to win a division title but because geographically they are in the wrong division.
But I guess MLB doesn’t want a league that gives the best chance in the postseason to teams that had the most success in the regular season.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
Byron (The College of New Jersey)
Any chance Kris Medlen wins the NL Cy Young? What if he throws 3 perfect games between now and the end of the season?
David Schoenfield (3:09 PM)
OK, let’s be realistic and say he wins three more starts and finishes 11-1 with 1.78 ERA and 135 innings or so. I don’t think that’s enough; there’s never been a pitcher of that type to win. Relievers have won with fewer innings, but they have saves. So I think Medlen maybe gets some down-the-ballot support, but not enough first- and second-place votes to win.
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
I hate the one gamer, but even series don’t show you who the best team is.
I agree with this and think it’s pretty obviously the case. However, you want to at least give the best teams the best chance to win in the playoffs. And the more games you play, the better the chance of the best team winning.
There needs to be a balance, if you want playoffs. You want some randomness in the playoffs so that the best team doesn’t always win, otherwise what’s the point of a playoff system. But you also want to make it so that the best teams are rewarded in the playoffs. Certainly having three divisions and two wild cards with those wild cards playing a one-game playoff doesn’t do much to make sure the best teams are rewarded.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
Three weeks from today and tomorrow should be a blast on this blog, eh?
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:22 pm
Jason (Atlanta)
I’m refuse to panic about the Brewers sweep of the Braves. Instead, I’m boldly looking ahead to the postseason. Who do you see in the Braves playoff rotation? Medlen, Hudson and Minor? Maholm as the 4th?
David Schoenfield (3:17 PM)
I’d make Medlen the No. 1 (for the one-game wild card), which would set up Hudson for the potential two starts in the Division Series. As for the two lefties, I think it depends on who you play. Not sure I’d want to throw two lefties against the Reds, who are predominately right-handed. But that means starting Hanson? Hmm … well, yes, probably Minor and Maholm then. Wouldn’t trust Hanson right now.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
Wayne (TENN)
Hey Dave… Once my pathetic braves choke again this would be the right time to clean house… Chipper and Bourn will be gone… They should decline Hudson and McCann’s option really clean house, of course all this should happen after Fredi is fired..
David Schoenfield (3:18 PM)
Somebody sounds a little worried … the Braves will make it. But I’m still not sure that means Fredi keeps his job.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
3:27 pm
Isn’t the premise behind trading Uggla for Infante and a bunch minor leaguers?
Not exactly, it was also about signing Greinke or Haren.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:27 pm
Wouldn’t trust Hanson right now.
David Schoenfield has it right… no reason to trust Hanson right now, in the regular season, and definitely not in the playoffs
Venice Jim
September 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
Orioles take lead – next inning Rays get leadoff walk, passed ball, steal of 3rd on K, infield single to tie game at 2…
Bay Area Steve
September 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
“no reason to trust Hanson right now”
No idea you felt this way. Might you repeat it 30 times a blog just in case, you know, somebody missed it?
JRW
September 13th, 2012
3:30 pm
I never understand why everyone on here cares how much money any team pays any player in MLB. It’s not your money. Who cares how people with money beyond our imagination spend it. And I believe the Fielder and Pujols contracts are much worse than Howards, not because of the money but because of the terms.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
3:33 pm
John Leonard – You’re worried about incurring MY wrath by thinking MInor has a higher upside? You obviously have me confused with Efrim. I’m a MInor supporter and think he can be much more than what many have believed him to be since he was drafted. You’re preaching to the choir. I agree with you.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
3:34 pm
But I guess MLB doesn’t want a league that gives the best chance in the postseason to teams that had the most success in the regular season.
If they were, they’d get rid of the divisional format entirely and rid themselves of the play offs reverting back to strictly the World Series. But it’s about money, and that is what the MLB is about.
JRW
September 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
The NFL playoffs are all one and done games. No series. As is the NCAA Basketball Tournament. And they are both seen as a more exciting playoff system than Baseball, Basketball and Hockey. I think it’s the finality that comes with each game that makes it that much more exciting.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
No idea you felt this way.
Ha!
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
3:35 pm
Not exactly, it was also about signing Greinke or Haren.
If rumor is correct and this team has $20+M available to spend, then they have the ability to sign Greinke or Haren without trading anyone.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
3:39 pm
then they have the ability to sign Greinke or Haren without trading anyone.
Plus, Uggla is just about the last offensive piece that would go on the trading block.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:41 pm
After you factor in Jurrjens getting non-tendered, that will make a total of around 45 million coming off the books.
TennesseePaul
September 13th, 2012
3:43 pm
Plus, Uggla is just about the last offensive piece that would go on the trading block.
Pretty much. Either he’s good enough to bring back talent, in which case he should stay with the Braves or he isn’t good enough… in which case he’ll bring back nothing and require money to move him, while still requiring this team to pay someone to replace him, netting no savings.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:45 pm
There’s a good chance Rafael Soriano will exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the Yankees after the season and hit free agency early, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Soriano must choose between another year in New York with a salary of $14MM and opting out for a $1.5MM buyout and the uncertainty of the open market.
VaBravesFan
September 13th, 2012
3:46 pm
That’s pretty crazy that a Yankee’s relief pitcher makes more a season than any Brave.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
3:46 pm
this team has $20+M available to spend
I’m all for using some of that to acquire him but I’m concerned if we did, what it might mean the year after. I guess if Hudson was to walk we’d have that space for arb eligible or extension and such but I’m just not sure. But I’d also like what it might bring us in return if we were to trade him, I mean outside of Infante and someone like McCann that could give us organizational depth at catcher, but someone like Garcia that could potentially be exactly what were looking for to play LF as soon as possibly next season if he continues to develop. I’d also like to see us work a trade with Texas for Gentry which would give us a very good( and even better a controllable) outfield for a good forseeable future. All without having to give up much to do so.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
3:49 pm
Pretty much.
They aren’t trading RH power, when it’s such a scarce commodity. That would be insane. Uggla would have to be well and truly cooked for all time, for the team to even consider it. He isn’t, so they won’t.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
3:50 pm
I see Uggla more as a complimentary piece, not so much as a center piece.
If we had more offense around him to offset his long slumps, then I’d be alright with retaining him. But I just don’t see the value he brings to this lineup as the supposedly right handed run producer.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
3:51 pm
I know he can be valuable at times but this club needs more of an even keel type hitter. at least in my opinion.
Arkansas Transplant
September 13th, 2012
3:53 pm
Uggla would have to be well and truly cooked for all time, for the team to even consider it.
If that was the case, then he’d really be of more value to this club cause you wouldn’t gain anything from moving him.
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
3:53 pm
But I guess MLB doesn’t want a league that gives the best chance in the postseason to teams that had the most success in the regular season. –Me
If they were, they’d get rid of the divisional format entirely and rid themselves of the play offs reverting back to strictly the World Series. But it’s about money, and that is what the MLB is about. –TennesseePaul
Well, there has to be a happy medium where MLB can still have its playoffs (and it’s money) and where success over the long haul of the regular season is more fairly rewarded in the postseason, where the best teams get the best chance to win.
JRW, I would argue that one-game finality doesn’t work in baseball, at least when it’s contrived and constructed. That sort of finality in baseball only works when it comes at the end of a 162-game race. If MLB is trying to construct that finality, most fans are smart enough to realize it’s not as meaningful because it opens up the game to the possibility of a mediocre team beating a great team to advance; and that just annoys most of the loyal baseball fans.
I have to wonder how much of the decline of playoff ratings is a result of MLB expanding the playoffs and fans getting smarter about the randomness (i.e., meaninglessness, in terms of an indication of which team is better) of 5-game and 7-game series.
Venice Jim
September 13th, 2012
3:54 pm
Tom @Haudricourt
Glad I could play small role in Chipper Jones getting retirement gift he wanted from the #Brewers. Fire up the grill!
cowdogit
September 13th, 2012
4:04 pm
A good manager could take this team to the world series, It’s unfortunate the braves manager will keep playing the same fatboy lineup, always hoping that the results will be different. I guess with his one track mine, he’s caugh up with Chipper’s farewell tour.
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
Pretty much. Either he’s good enough to bring back talent, in which case he should stay with the Braves or he isn’t good enough… in which case he’ll bring back nothing and require money to move him, while still requiring this team to pay someone to replace him, netting no savings.
I’m not so sure. I think there is a chance that could move Uggla in a deal that would be favorable, in terms of shedding salary, bringing back players or both. I also think there is a good chance that such a deal isn’t out there.
I don’t think it’s necessarily true that Uggla is either too good or too bad for the Braves to make a favorable trade. I don’t think it’s definitive either way. I could certainly see a team giving up something that would peak the Braves’ interest in order to get Uggla and the Braves being able to fill his spot with fair production, on the cheap.
John Leonard
September 13th, 2012
4:08 pm
Lew: I’m old and decrepit(sp) and just having some fun with Ef.But what I said about Minor is what I believe.
Venice Jim
September 13th, 2012
4:09 pm
I usually think of Big Thunder Mountain as a one track mine…
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
4:10 pm
A good manager could take this team to the world series, It’s unfortunate the braves manager will keep playing the same fatboy lineup, always hoping that the results will be different. I guess with his one track mine, he’s caugh up with Chipper’s farewell tour.
I’m no huge fan of Fredi, though I think he’s improved quite a bit from last season. However, what manager could make this Braves team more of a World Series contender than they already are? And what is your reason for believing that there is such a manager out there? I would love to hear your reasoning because I don’t see it.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
4:11 pm
most fans are smart enough to realize it’s not as meaningful…and that just annoys most of the loyal baseball fans.
There are several women I’ve dated in my life who might say they know just what you’re talking about, LOL. Because they were all about “meaningful”.
Baseball fans, not so much.
JRW
September 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
Shaun please don’t mis interpret me I wouldn’t mind doing away with the wildcard all together and go back to east/west division series again. I like baseball series playoffs especially since the sport is played in series all year long. I was just making the point that the one and done format is very popular, as proven by vegas betting and tv ratings.
UKUGA
September 13th, 2012
4:16 pm
Different Day. Same Shaun.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
playing the same fatboy lineup
I kinda hate to give this guy any props, but that has a certain ring to it. Not in the derogatory way he meant it, of course, but in a good way.
In the “I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player!” way.
Sic ‘em, fatboys!
keyLargo
September 13th, 2012
4:18 pm
That’s pretty crazy that a Yankee’s relief pitcher (Rafael Soriano) makes more a season than any Brave.
And even crazier that the Braves traded Soriano for Jesse Chavez.
ncscoots
September 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
Here’s hoping they can use the off day to unlimber a little fatboy lumber.
Otherwise, it might be time for high socks, shaved heads, and live chickens in the clubhouse.
count_schemula
September 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
All that talk about Greinke’s wife does bring up a valid point. We do need a player with a hot piece.
What about Evan Longoria for 3rd base?
Lew
September 13th, 2012
4:28 pm
One track mine? Oh! The geology.
Lew
September 13th, 2012
4:29 pm
Since they were going to let Soriano walk anyway, what’s it matter what they did or didn’t get for him?
keyLargo
September 13th, 2012
4:33 pm
Maybe it means they shouldn’t have let him walk. Everyone in baseball knew he was a budding SuperStar.
Efrim
September 13th, 2012
4:34 pm
And even crazier that the Braves traded Soriano for Jesse Chavez.
And Mark Teixiera for Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. Pretty much the equal of giving Michael Bourn a 7 year, $126 million dollar contract.
Shaun
September 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
JRW, I’m not saying I think you want the one-game playoff. I’m just saying it may not work as well in baseball as in other sports, in terms of ratings, etc. What might happen is that the ratings will be rather high for the one-game playoff but will be worse for the rest of the postseason. In other words, I think it’s very possible this is a short-sighted move to increase ratings at one point but will overall cause a slight decline in the ratings of the playoffs as a whole.
It does seem possible that MLB has made the playoffs less interesting by including more teams (more less-than-great teams) and that may be the reason TV ratings for the playoffs haven’t been all that high in recent years.
Baseball would be better off playing up intriguing match-ups and story lines than trying to gin up excitement for a one-and-done situation that only waters down the playoffs.
By the way, I’d be okay with a one-game playoff, if done more fairly. For instance, make sure the one-gamer is between two teams that are inferior to other playoff teams. Do away with the possibility that the second-best team in the league could be playing in a one-game playoff while the 3rd- or 4th-best team gets a pass.
Bay Area Steve
September 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
“Everyone in baseball knew he was a budding SuperStar.”
Please tell me this was sarcasm. My detector may need calibration.