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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,141 comments Add your comment
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
10:25 am
scoots – Yep! You get on the schydt list here (and that’s easy to do), and some people never let it go, no matter what you do in a positive way.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
10:27 am
Fredi needs to make whatever changes he needs to make so that Medlen pitches the WC game.
I finally got to watch a Medlen start the other day in it’s entirety and now I realize why he’s drawing so many Maddux comparisons. The movement on his fastball is absolutely 100% Maddux-esque. The way it tails back into the zone at the last second… hitters either just sit there and watch it called for strike 3 or they swing so late there’s no chance of them doing anything with the pitch.
I know Hudson is the elder statesman of the rotation, that he’s put in the time and earned the chance and blah blah blah… but this isn’t about egos, this is about getting to that next step, and there’s nobody on the staff who gives the team a better shot at winning an elimination game that Medlen. It’s going to be hard to come back and beat the Cardinals, or whoever, facing a 4-0 first inning deficit compliments of Mr Hudson.
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:29 am
Mitch Williams to Dan Patrick:
To me, Kris Medlen is the best pitcher in baseball…
Juan
September 17th, 2012
10:31 am
Question of the day……It the Braves are better winning the WC or winning the Division?….With the WC we has to play one game at home and if we win will start at home for two game.With the Division we start at the road the first two…..all Scenario with the Nat. ….
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
10:31 am
Hate to say it but this is going to be a boring two weeks of the season for the Braves. I suppose we can keep throwing Tommy Hanson out there for entertainment value.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
10:33 am
From Ryan Zimmerman on the series:
“I think they played well and we didn’t play that great.”
Or, “We lost it more than they won it”. Got some of that from the Nats’ postgame show on Friday, too. Spoke of how it took the Braves’ best pitcher plus a late error to “lose” the game, and that they (the announcers) were feeling good about the next two games in the series. Oops.
Swagger is fine and all, but it’s newly-found for these guys. I wonder if a few losses in the next two weeks will put a dent in it.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
10:34 am
“To me, Kris Medlen is the best pitcher in baseball…”
Sad part is that most Braves fans new that in Spring Training. Not the front office though…
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:36 am
Hanson is at that point with some posters now, that a good performance is ignored and anything less is reviled.
TOBF has gathered up the tar and feathers, MFin04 has the rail.
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:36 am
In case this went unnoticed last night (as most of my late evening posts properly should be):
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Danny Espinosa will receive an MRI on his left shoulder today, likely to miss at least the Dodgers series
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:37 am
Even cab, who loves Meds to death, would not have said that in ST…
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:38 am
“They played well,” Ryan Zimmerman said. “And we didn’t play that great. If you don’t play good, they’re not going to give you any breaks.”
Juan
September 17th, 2012
10:38 am
Hey guys…Did we call up Teheran/Delgado?….. We can use one of this guy to skid Medlen and set him for the WC Game…
DAP
September 17th, 2012
10:39 am
scoots I like this. No, not Maxwell, just the idea of everyone posting their scrub CF pick
i say we bring mike cameron out of retirement!
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:40 am
Stroman85
7:12 AM PDT
Yes, its time to panic. We are a sinking ship, and have been ever since the idiotic decision to quit on realistically winning the World Series by sitting Strasburg. A loser mentality breeds losers, and that’s the way the team is reacting right now.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
10:42 am
Sounds so familiar…
Jeff R
September 17th, 2012
10:44 am
goes to show what a difference strong pitching can make in a short series.
Yes, but it also shows how twitchy those low-scoring close games can be. Outcome can turn on the luck of an error, the grazing of a jersey, a bad bounce, all sorts of stuff, most of which has little to do with the quality of the teams involved.
That’s something the small-ball aficianados should keep in the mind. They never do, though.
Yes, close games generally can at times hinge on the seemingly trivial.
I like an offense to generate a lot of hits… singles and doubles… Ain’t anti-homer by any stretch, but with the long ball, there can be feast or famine.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
10:45 am
Nats’ blog posters probably will go Chernobyl if the Dodgers manage to win the next series, LOL.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
10:45 am
Can Xavier Nady play CF? If so, he’s my pick.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:46 am
scoots_
Did you read the new Dark Tower novel?
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
10:47 am
Did you read the new Dark Tower novel?
I haven’t. Is it out?
Jeff R
September 17th, 2012
10:48 am
3 things could happen with Hanson –
I think Hanson works in the off-season to adjust his delivery, which I’ve heard Smoltz say he must do.
And I think that Wren attempts to use Hanson as trade bait.
If Hanson adapts, I think his future looks better. If not, he’s increasingly marginal.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
10:48 am
MFin – There’s a lot of evidence they DID know it. 1) They needed to find out what they had with JJ, Hanson, Delgado, etc. and 2) by playing it the way they did (INTENTIONALLY OR NOT) we have a fresh Medlen with no “too many innings pitched” issues.
I suggest you get over it, and enjoy it now.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
10:51 am
Go Dodgers!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:51 am
It came out last March I think.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
10:51 am
scoots, weve been waiting all season for gio to start walking the park, right? finally did it last night. his control was way off.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
10:52 am
actually, i dont think tommy has had a “bad” start all month. in 3 starts, hes gone 16 1/3 innings and given up 6 runs. not dominating, but he certainly isnt getting lit up, and he is striking out alot of guys.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
10:53 am
Braves could be playoffs’ surprise team:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/28950/braves-could-be-playoffs-surprise-team
Love that term. The “Coin Flip” Game.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
10:54 am
weve been waiting all season for gio to start walking the park, right? finally did it last night. his control was way off.
Give him credit, though, he made us wait five-plus months to do it, LOL. Maybe I’ll have to change my perception of him a little, he’s really cut down on his walk rate the last couple of years.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
10:55 am
Hanson has done exactly what he has needed to do so far in September. A solid 3 starts. Just need 3 similar ones to end the season and he has restored some value.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
10:55 am
A lot of bad rotations out there. Hanson has a lot more value right now than many here believe. If he makes adjustments during off season, so much the better. He may be worth more to us as trade bait, than in our rotation in the future.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
10:56 am
It came out last March I think.
What?!? I must have been off the planet or something. Be assured that I’ll pick it up this week.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
10:56 am
Gio has to be considered a strong #2 starter at this point – if not more.
It’s the 2nd best 1-2-3 in the sport. Maybe the best, given the age of Lee and Halladay.
phil
September 17th, 2012
10:56 am
Perhaps we sweep the Marlins, Nats drop 2 of the next three?
If that happens, and it could, things become exceedingly interesting again.
Of course, we could BE swept, or drop one or two and nothing much changes from the current one game elimination thrill upcoming on the 5th.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
10:56 am
juan We can use one of this guy to skid Medlen and set him for the WC Game…
all they have to do is skip hanson once. there are off days in the right spots so that we can skip hanson once and still have everybody on regular rest. it would line medlen up to start on oct. 5th with regular rest.
Jeff R
September 17th, 2012
10:56 am
actually, i dont think tommy has had a “bad” start all month. in 3 starts, hes gone 16 1/3 innings and given up 6 runs. not dominating, but he certainly isnt getting lit up, and he is striking out alot of guys.
Smoltz was pointing out on MLB Network a couple of weeks ago that shoulder strain is going to have a cumulative effect on Hanson if he doesn’t make adjustments to his delivery.
No Hanson isn’t pitching poorly lately, but he needs to modify his mechanics or he’s going to have greater trouble, I think.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:57 am
I like an offense to generate a lot of hits… singles and doubles… Ain’t anti-homer by any stretch, but with the long ball, there can be feast or famine.
One of my favorite comments from the Nats blog, last night.
Jeez … Bourn beats the tag.
Little things are beating the Nats this series.
Small ball and non-stop pressure. The Braves have that style down …
Juan
September 17th, 2012
10:58 am
Braves could be playoffs’ surprise team…..Yes….ESPN now think that when they saw that the Braves has the third Best Record in MLB….Better than the Yankee and LAA.
abeeeewright
September 17th, 2012
11:00 am
“Ghost of Chipper Jones, September 17th, 2012, 9:56 am … “BRAVES don’t know how to handle pitchers. Shouild be the starter, MEDS reliefer.”
Fire Roger McDowell.
Hire Leo back. Things haven’t been the same since Leo left. Injuries. ERA over 2. When’s the last Cy Young award?
Happy now?
MikeInFl
September 17th, 2012
11:04 am
actually, i dont think tommy has had a “bad” start all month. in 3 starts, hes gone 16 1/3 innings and given up 6 runs. not dominating, but he certainly isnt getting lit up, and he is striking out alot of guys.
Fredi’s been very quick with the hook on Tommy the last month or so. I think 3 or 4 times he’s pulled him in the 5th or 6th with 2 out and runners on; and the ‘pen has done the job pretty much every time.
His ERA in the 6th inning is 10.29; and in the 7th, it’s 9.00. Until and unless he finds some efficiency and stamina, Fredi’s handling him just right.
But yeah, up until that point about 5+ innings in, he’s been pretty good.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
11:04 am
but with the long ball, there can be feast or famine.
Yeah, I know. Still, I find it ironic that success in playoff baseball, where runs may be at a premium, depend more on dingers than anything else. It’s much, much harder to string together multiple hits against playoff pitching than it is to go deep.
Lew
September 17th, 2012
11:04 am
We NEW that in Spring Training? Yeah, new revisionist thinking. Never heard a single person claim Medlen was the best pitcher in baseball this spring or at any time prior to his current run.
And let’s also give a shout out to those who proclaimed him best pitcher in baseball during his stretch from May 24 through June 30 where he gave up 8 ER in 14 IP – as a reliever – when he had pitched more than 2 innings 3 times.
MikeInFl
September 17th, 2012
11:05 am
actually, i dont think tommy has had a “bad” start all month. in 3 starts, hes gone 16 1/3 innings and given up 6 runs. not dominating, but he certainly isnt getting lit up, and he is striking out alot of guys.
Fredi’s been very quick with the hook on Tommy the last month or so. I think 3 or 4 times he’s pulled him in the 5th or 6th with 2 out and runners on; and the ‘pen has done the job pretty much every time.
His ERA in the 6th inning is 10.29; and in the 7th, it’s 9.00. Until and unless he finds some efficiency and stamina (and maybe good health), Fredi’s handling him just right.
But yeah, up until that point about 5+ innings in, he’s been pretty good.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
11:07 am
abeeee – Rest assured, our friend Ghost was being highly sarcastic with his Medlen remarks. Trying to get a rise out of the “We knew Meds should have been starting all along” crowd. He has more baseball knowledge than the vast majority here.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
11:11 am
Of course, we could BE swept, or drop one or two and nothing much changes from the current one game elimination thrill upcoming on the 5th.
You were missed over the weekend, phil.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
11:14 am
He has more baseball knowledge than the vast majority here.
Is that N8 or richbrave? I forget…
DAP
September 17th, 2012
11:15 am
yeah, the braves have been one of the best teams in baseball most of the season, and they could really be a “surprise” to espn. c’mon man.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
11:22 am
mikeinFL But yeah, up until that point about 5+ innings in, he’s been pretty good.
i think he is obviously our 5th best starter right now. pitch into the 6th with a chance to win the game, and ill be really happy with that. all of us should be.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
11:27 am
yeah, the braves have been one of the best teams in baseball most of the season, and they could really be a “surprise” to espn. c’mon man.
Too many other storylines this year for the Braves to get much ink. Nats, Orioles, Pirates, A’s, and like that.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
11:30 am
“Gio has to be considered a strong #2 starter at this point – if not more.”
Guy should win the Cy Young (or at least come in 2nd) and still is a #2? That’s interesting. I’m assuming it will be Dickey because of his story and the knuckleball.
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
11:30 am
I enjoyed the lengthy two-segment baseball discussion on the DP Show earlier, but it pales in comparison to Melissa Stark cooking omelets for the guys…
(wow – originally typed in “omelettes” – got the squiggly lines – one of my replacement options was “letterbombs”)…
DAP
September 17th, 2012
11:33 am
scoots Too many other storylines this year for the Braves to get much ink
thats fine. i just dont know why, when they do get ink, they are a surprise.
bill arp
September 17th, 2012
11:33 am
Can the Braves go 10-5 or 11-4 to finish out the year? Don’t know if you’ve seen the Nats schedule, but it looks pretty tough. I can see them losing 9-10 to close it out…They’ve got the Dodgers(3), Brewers(4), Phillies(6), and the Cards(3)..
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
11:33 am
I’m surprised half the blog isn’t trying to trade Medlen or suggesting to trade him since his value is at its highest.
I suppose when you can deal Jack Wilson and Tommy Hanson for the same player you could deal Medlen for, you mine as well trade the previous two guys.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
11:35 am
I’m surprised half the blog isn’t trying to trade Medlen or suggesting to trade him since his value is at its highest.
It’s true that, this offseason, his value will never be higher.
CB
September 17th, 2012
11:36 am
Imagine Medlen’s trade value would be pretty high right now, according to Mitch Williams.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
11:39 am
Murph – It’s richbrave…seems obvious, based on my evaluation of his baseball knowledge.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:39 am
Ward 2:34 am No, on Greinke, because he’s inconsistant, and can’t put together long winning streaks when he pitches.
Inconsistent? Can’t put together long winning streaks? Yeah…. must be talking about a certain pitcher on our staff.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
11:41 am
Damien Moss. 12-6 in 2002, fifth in the ROY, traded by the Braves in the offseason (I forget for whom). Managed to win another ten games total in the bigs.
And no, I’m not comparing Medlen to Moss. Simply showing that the Braves are not above trading a player who had a good season.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
11:43 am
I’ll sign Greinke for $100 million if he can promise to have an ERA under 4 and pitch more than 5 2/3 innings, not throw a homer-curve-ball, and get Tommy Hanson off this roster.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:43 am
He (Hanson) may be worth more to us as trade bait, than in our rotation in the future.
Definitely. Especially if we can “steal” a good prospect for him.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:45 am
He has given up some gophers MFin, but he’s gotten better lately. Averaging almost 6.1 IP a game, and nearly 7 a game since he joined a good team, the Angels.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:47 am
He has given up some gophers MFin, but he’s gotten better lately. Averaging almost 6.1 IP a game, and nearly 7 a game since he joined a good team, the Angels.
He’s had 3 more starts than Tommy Hanson and has pitched 34 more innings than Tommy, allowing 7 less HR, and posting a better ERA and periphs.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
11:47 am
You da’ man.
I know
no “that’s what she said” ?
toast
September 17th, 2012
11:47 am
To me, Kris Medlen is the best pitcher in baseball…”
Sad part is that most Braves fans new that in Spring Training. Not the front office though…
ahhh yeah okay. where is the s&p 500 going to end up at the end of the year again?
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
11:51 am
I hav equestioned Greinke as a true top of rotation guy. However, I admit that he is looking pretty great lately, in a simi-high pressure situation, on a team that has underachieved all season.
IF I am indeed wrong about his ability long-term, then it comes down to a cost analysis situation. I doubt that he passes this test, at least for the Braves. I feel that the outfield is a more urgent situation for 2013.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
11:57 am
Murph – It’s richbrave…seems obvious, based on my evaluation of his baseball knowledge.
There are just so many people here who fit your description, thought I’d seek confirmation.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
11:57 am
Hopefully Ben Sheets starts getting some starts again. No reason at this point for him not to be in the rotation.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
11:57 am
Braves are probably better off hoping that Hanson returns to form than signing Greinke.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
11:58 am
We should wait until we have the playoff spot actually clinched before we go throwing Sheets back out there.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:00 pm
I think we can win the Div….In order to do that the Braves has to finish 11-4 in there 15 games and the Nats 5-11 in there 16 games left. Braves will end with 95-67 and the nats 94-68. Anything can happen…until the Fat Lady sing…..GO BRAVES
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:00 pm
I think we can win the Div….In order to do that the Braves has to finish 11-4 in there 15 games and the Nats 5-11 in there 16 games left. Braves will end with 95-67 and the nats 94-68. Anything can happen…until the Fat Lady sing…..GO BRAVES
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
12:00 pm
TOBF @11:47 – Even I will admit that Greinke is CLEARLY a better pitcher than Hanson, at least right now. What’s your point?
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:01 pm
Sorry for Double Post…what this happen
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
12:05 pm
Guy should win the Cy Young (or at least come in 2nd) and still is a #2? That’s interesting. I’m assuming it will be Dickey because of his story and the knuckleball.
I have trouble calling him a #1 starter with that walk rate. He’s awesome – but maybe I’ll wait for season #2 outside of that football stadium in Oakland and sans the 90+ walks per season.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
12:07 pm
Buster Olney Blog
Who will get Josh Hamilton?
A general manager preparing for the offseason recently asked others in his organization what they thought of Josh Hamilton, and of course, the response was nothing but raves for Hamilton, as a player. They talked about the damage he can do at the plate, his ability to carry a team, his ridiculous strength. Hamilton leads the majors with 42 homers and 123 RBIs, and it’s within the realm of possibility that he’ll finish the year with 50 homers and 140 RBIs.
But Hamilton’s ability as a hitter is almost a given, so the next question the GM asked might be the more important one, and maybe even the most asked question of the offseason:
How many years in a contract would you give Hamilton?
If Major League Baseball’s contracts were structured like those in the National Football League, Hamilton would draw some level of interest from almost all teams on a short-term deal. But baseball contracts are fully guaranteed, unlike NFL contracts, so that if Hamilton goes into serious regression or has some sort of lingering off-field issues, his next team could be on the hook for years.
The Texas Rangers clearly have their doubts about how long they want to invest in Hamilton, because they are preparing for Plan Bs: They have done background work on Justin Upton and Jacoby Ellsbury and others, knowing that they may be in the market for an impact outfielder if somebody outbids them for Hamilton.
“I think they already have a very defined set of parameters on what they want to do with him,” said an AL official last week. “I don’t think they’ll budge from those.”
Does that mean they’ll offer him a high salary for two years? Three? Four? Hamilton turned 31 in May, and the Rangers have the strongest sense of how much his off-field issues are a day-to-day factor. Tim Raines and Darryl Strawberry played together with the Yankees and they both were, by definition, recovering addicts. The Yankees didn’t worry about Raines at all — and on the other hand, Strawberry’s demons lingered constantly.
Where does Hamilton stand? For a team that will be asked to invest $20 million to $25 million annually, over the course of a multi-year deal, it’s a major consideration.
One executive said earlier this summer, “He’s so athletic, and there isn’t anything he can’t do on a baseball field. But he was out of the game for a long time because of [his substance abuse problems], and you have to ask, what kind of a toll did that take on his body?”
The potential market for Hamilton is murky. The Los Angeles Dodgers are out, having locked themselves into an outfield of Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford (and even before adding Crawford, they had no intention of bidding on Hamilton this winter). The Los Angeles Angels would seem to be a longshot, given their relative glut of OF-DH types: Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Vernon Wells, Kendrys Morales. Torii Hunter has expressed a desire to come back, too, and he’s a productive player.
The Boston Red Sox have the money to sign Hamilton, having created the payroll flexibility with the Gonzalez/Beckett/Crawford trade, but it makes no sense for Boston to veer away from pricey contracts on older players — and then immediately dive back into another long-term deal with a player beyond his 30th birthday. Boston is probably out.
The New York Yankees have money to spend, always, but their offseason focus will be on locking up Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, within the confines of the luxury-tax cap (a perspective that could change dramatically if the Yankees don’t make the playoffs.) The New York Mets are expected to be very conservative in their player movement this winter, as they wait for the Johan Santana and Jason Bay deals to expire. The Philadelphia Phillies doesn’t have a lot of payroll flexibility, given their long-term investments in Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. The St. Louis Cardinals ‘ payroll already includes significant obligations to Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday, and available funds will be devoted to pitching.
There are many teams that wouldn’t conceive of taking on a massive long-term contract: Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins (who have been in cutback mode after bloating their payroll last winter), Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays. Milwaukee’s focus is on starting pitching. The Houston Astros have money to spend and could really use a marquee name to draw some fans — as we’ve seen in the Clemens flirtations — but to date, the Astros have signaled their intentions to build organically. The Minnesota Twins are paying Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
That leaves the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Atlanta has some expiring contracts, with the retirement of Chipper Jones and the impending free agency of Michael Bourn, but its budget hasn’t grown beyond the $85-90 million range in years; it’s hard to imagine the Braves extending themselves for Hamilton, who would be another left-handed hitter in a lineup that already is heavy in lefties.
If the Nationals have one true need, it’s for a true center fielder, and given the team’s long-term investment in corner outfielders Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper, the pursuit of Hamilton seems very unlikely.
The Cubs are at the outset of a long-term rebuilding plan and may not be competitive for a couple of years, at least, and so paying Hamilton $20-$25 million would make little sense other than to provide a Sammy Sosa-like presence for the daily matinees. Keep in mind, too, that Theo Epstein has spoken of veering off course in the last years in Boston, when the Red Sox signed players to long-term, big-money deals — and that last winter, the Cubs never really got serious about Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder.
The Giants’ future business model is to build around pitching and Buster Posey, and there will be efforts made in the future to get Posey locked up to a long-term deal. As with the Cubs, it’s possible for the Giants to find budget space for Hamilton, but the guess here is that if San Francisco has interest in Hamilton, it will be conservative.
The Orioles have made some inroads toward winning back their fans. But manager Buck Showalter places a high value on stability and predictability, and so long as he has an influential voice, signing Hamilton — who could reach 150 games played for the second time in his career in the last days of the regular season — wouldn’t seem to be his typical choice.
The Mariners could use Hamilton’s power, of course, but it’s unclear whether Seattle will be in the market for a big-money free agent — or whether Hamilton would be open to the idea, because a lot of marquee hitters have had no interest in going to Safeco Field.
The White Sox have salary flexibility forthcoming, with the contracts of Jake Peavy and A.J. Pierzynski set to expire. But while Chicago has players in the $12-14 million range in Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn, there has been no indication they are ready to jump into the $20-$25 million neighborhood.
Detroit? “They’re always the wildcard, aren’t they?” said a GM.
Yep. And Hamilton could play left field for the Tigers, given Austin Jackson’s presence in center field. Only Mike Illitch knows if he’d be willing to give yet another slugger huge dollars, as he did with Fielder last winter.
All it took for Fielder to get a $214 million contract last winter was the sudden and surprising interest of Detroit. All that Pujols needed to get a $248 million deal was the sudden and surprising interest of Angels owner Arte Moreno.
That’s all it will take for Hamilton. But there would appear to be a very confined field of potential bidders.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
12:08 pm
Thought this was a good part of that:
That leaves the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Atlanta has some expiring contracts, with the retirement of Chipper Jones and the impending free agency of Michael Bourn, but its budget hasn’t grown beyond the $85-90 million range in years; it’s hard to imagine the Braves extending themselves for Hamilton, who would be another left-handed hitter in a lineup that already is heavy in lefties.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
12:08 pm
Guy should win the Cy Young (or at least come in 2nd) and still is a #2?
didn’t that 3.5 scrub greinke win Cy Young earlier?
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:11 pm
Here how i see it :ATL: In Miami Series 2-1, In Phillis 2-1, at home with Miami we need to sweep the Marlin 3-0, with the Mets at home 2-1 and in Pitts 2-1 for a 11-4 end.The NATS has to go LAd series 1-2, the Brewers series 1-3, Phillis 1-2, STL 1-2, and Phillis 1-2…ending 5-11.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
12:11 pm
“Braves are probably better off hoping that Hanson returns to form than signing Greinke.”
I’d rather wait and see if Jair Jurrjens returns to form. At least he can hold runners and go deep in games.
Tommy Hanson is impossible to watch pitch. Well he is fun when we play Miami and they try and steal every other pitch.
Hillbilly
September 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
So many ways the Braves can manipulate the rotation to get it lined up for the playoffs, but they’ve got to get Medlen, Hudson, and Minor going back to back in some order. I guess it would depend on how the next week goes, and whether they are in the running for the division. Here’s one option:
17th Hudson
18th Maholm
19th Medlen
20th Off
21st Hanson
22nd Minor
23rd Hudson
24th Off
25th Medlen
26th Hanson
27th Minor
28th Hudson
29th Maholm
30th Medlen
1st Hanson
2nd Minor
3rd Sheets
4th Off
5th Medlen
6th Minor
7th Hudson
DAP
September 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
did y’all see gio tip his cap to chipper while he was walking off the field last night? i dont think ive ever seen anything like that. dudes having a bad start and gets yanked, but makes sure to acknowledge chipper, whos standing on third base, before he leaves.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:21 pm
DAP….That was a Class Act for a Young Player that love the Game…..Gio know and racknowledge Chipper carrier….Good to see that from a young Player.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
12:21 pm
Not including this year, Brian McCann hit .250/.323/.411 vs. LHP 2009-2011. Dan Uggla vs. LHP in that same time period: .236/.344/.442.
Then of course, we have Heyward and Freeman who are young LH hitters.
Prado could very well be our leadoff hitter in 2013. Simmons in the 8-hole.
Yes, a RH middle of the order banger is absolutely necessary.
Lew
September 17th, 2012
12:21 pm
DAP yep, class move by Gio.
Hillbilly
September 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
Here are three options side by side for comparison:
Date Opt A Opt B Opt C
17th Hudson Hudson Hudson
18th Maholm Maholm Maholm
19th Medlen Medlen Medlen
20th Off Off Off
21st Hanson Hanson Hanson
22nd Minor Minor Minor
23rd Hudson Maholm Maholm
24th Off Off Off
25th Medlen Medlen Hudson
26th Hanson Hudson Medlen
27th Minor Minor Minor
28th Hudson Hanson Maholm
29th Maholm Maholm Hanson
30th Medlen Medlen Hudson
1st Hanson Hudson Medlen
2nd Minor Minor Minor
3rd Sheets Hanson Maholm
4th Off Off Off
5th Medlen Medlen Hudson
6th Minor Hudson Medlen
7th Hudson Minor Minor
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
DAP – I saw that. A pure 24 carat gold class act.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
12:24 pm
and give ESPN credit too, they got a great shot of the cap tip from gio.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
12:25 pm
Also don’t forgot that Gio Gonzalez is from Florida…he problaly follow the Braves as a young teenager.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
12:26 pm
I’d rather wait and see if Jair Jurrjens returns to form.
Blinded by The Hanson Hate, LOL. Certainly, the shoulder might be a limiting factor for Hanson for the rest of his career. If it turns out otherwise, though, and he gets his WHIP back to under 1.2? Very solid guy.
Probably only the FO knows the probability of that. You guys see a bad year from anybody and simply figure he’s cooked.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
12:29 pm
Efrim – I agree completely, RE middle of lineup RH hitter, preferrably LF. I rate that a higher priority than pitcher, with Post bone-spur Huddy, Mdlen, Minor all returning at top of rotation, in addition to a combination of Teheran/Maholm/Delgado/GilMartin…and eventual return of Beachy. Oh, and Hanson may figure it out, as well.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
12:31 pm
You guys see a bad year from anybody and simply figure he’s cooked
Or see a great year and determine they are Randy Johnson from here on forward.
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
12:32 pm
And no, I’m not comparing Medlen to Moss. Simply showing that the Braves are not above trading a player who had a good season.
Scoots! The pain of it all. There is no similarity here between Moss and Medlen… and what bums me out most about this post is, Moss was traded for Russ Ortiz. Just brutal.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
12:32 pm
“You guys see a bad year from anybody and simply figure he’s cooked”
Nah, I just can’t stand to watch him pitch. Takes soo long to throw each pitch. It’s like pulling teeth. And it always ends up the same. 100 pitches 5 2/3 a homer or two and some stolen bases. We need better. We deserve better.
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
Or see a great year and determine they are Randy Johnson from here on forward.
Calm down there Ef. You know full well that a “great year” is a misstatement. All that is needed is a great start.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
RBF: It was a comparison of sorts between the 2 showing their differences. Greinke has put up very good numbers. I just took MFin’s previous post and ran with it.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
Medlen has been great…and many claim to have known it all along…OK, I won’t argue that, I’ll just enjoy the ride.
BUT…how many (besides Braves FO) dreamed Minor would become this good? At least a solid #3 for almost any rotation, at least for now. Just think….if Delgado continues to develope and/or if Teheran actually figures it out, and lives up to near expectations.
Lew
September 17th, 2012
12:35 pm
The Braves are 19-9 in Hanson’s starts this year. I seriously doubt they view him anywhere near as negatively as some of the Domm and Glom Fantasy baseballers here in DOBLand.
Lew
September 17th, 2012
12:36 pm
Despite what the keyboard Gremlins say – it was Doom and Gloomers.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
12:36 pm
Or see a great year and determine they are Randy Johnson from here on forward.
A year? Folks had Sheets penciled in for 2013 after three starts.
Jurrjens and Hanson both had plenty of calls to be extended, arb years bought out, and the like. Heck, for that matter, some here were ready to bring up the Latin Trio all at one time and stick ‘em in the rotation, and they hadn’t pitched one big-league inning.
Yes, I’d say the blog opinion pendulum swings in a mighty long arc, both good and bad.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
12:36 pm
“The Braves are 19-9 in Hanson’s starts this year.”
And Hanson is clearly 19-9 this year? Nope, because he can’t make it through 5 innings to get a darn win.