A peek into Braves’ future (and they’re a bit unsettled)
Chipper needs to have a bounce-back year.
Warning: This is blog is not for the Braves’ fan who sleeps in his Braves pajamas and puts his head on his Braves’ pillow case and rocks himself to sleep by repeating, “It’s not over ’til it’s over. It’s not over ’til it’s over…” This is for the rest of you, who I’d venture to say are most of you, who are realists.
Heading out to Turner Field later because it has been a while since I’ve seen the Braves play, and it could be a while before I see them again (April?).
This blog looks to next season, and here’s my question: How set are the Braves really? Most of the conversation has been about what to do with the starting rotation, and how horrible it would be if the Braves had to trade Javier Vazquez. But Chipper Jones’ season and talk of retirement and the recent return to earth of Martin Prado
Ready to commit to LaRoche again?
made me start to wonder.
So here we go. Tell me what you think. I considered a poll but figured I would have to put up several polls, so we’re just going with comments on this one.
♦ FIRST BASE: Adam LaRoche (maybe). LaRoche’s three-team batting averages this season: .247 with Pittsburgh, .263 with Boston, .333 with the Braves. He also has 10 homers and 27 RBIs since being acquired from Boston. Obviously, that trade has worked out. It would be an unusual for a team to decide that somebody they once soured on is suddenly the answer. But that may be the case. The unknown factor: Can the Braves afford him?
♦ SECOND BASE: Martin Prado (maybe). Economics and shakey performances may lead to Kelly Johnson’s exit. That leaves Martin Prado. But for what it’s worth, his batting average has gone from .328 (July) to .291 (August) to .178 (September). He
Prado has fallen off of late.
might still be best in a utility role. But he looks like the easiest answer.
♦ THIRD BASE: Chipper Jones (maybe). He’s having such a dreadful season that he said he will consider retirement if he doesn’t believe he can be a productive player. I doubt that’s going to happen before next season. That said, you can’t feel comfortable when potentially the team’s best player who was coming off a .364 season suddenly has those thoughts. Candidate
Norton: .145. Not the answer.
for a replacement: None.
♦ SHORTSTOP: Yunel Escobar. He can be a knucklehead at times, but his talent, potential and what he contributes already is too great to let go of. The hope is just that he matures.
♦ LEFT FIELD: (Vacant) Garret Anderson jas been a servicable stopgap but I’ve seen 6-year-olds move faster on their Big Wheel. One and done. Candidate: None.
♦ CENTER FIELD: Nate McLouth. A strong in-season acquisition after the early crash of rookie Jordan Shafer. If he can stay healthy a full season, production shouldn’t be a problem.
♦ RIGHT FIELD: (Vacant) If Shafer finally can show that he’s ready, pencil him into a corner outfield spot. But there’s no way to be sure. And everybody else has fourth outfielder at best stamped on their forehead: Ryan Church, Matt Diaz, Greg Norton. Not really on Norton. I just wanted to scare you.
♦ CATCHER: Brian McCann. Duh.
So there’s the eight positions. Totals: three definites (Escobar, McClouth, McCann), three maybes (LaRoche, Prado, Jones), two vacants (left field, right field).
You’ll notice I didn’t include two highly touted prospects — outfielder Jason Heyward or first baseman Freddie Freeman. If you want to take that leap, have at it. But Heyward has only 11 at-bats at the Triple-A level and that’s 11 more than Freeman. I tend to be little more conservative in these situations.
In addition to settling the above issues and the starting rotation, general manager Frank Wren also has two signicant members of the bullpen, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, going into free agency.
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149 comments Add your comment
Greg
September 15th, 2009
1:30 pm
Jeez…McLouth is it in center, huh? Last season .276. Is that the best we can even hope for?
Mitchell
September 15th, 2009
1:31 pm
First and only.
Hey maybe I should read it before I post anything.
Great idea Mitchell.
Wow, that’s sad.
Football Ken
September 15th, 2009
1:36 pm
Hey Jeff,
Real Braves fan here, I like M. Diaz in left, good stick. Keep him there full time. Time to bring Heyward up to Bigs. From what i hear, he has a good since of the strike zone, the thing that hurt Schafer and Frenchy. Gonzo doesn’t have it anymore , all that bouncing around on the mound is to throw people off that his fast ball is gone. Soriano should re-up 1 more year, seems like he pitches better when games means something. The thing that scares me is our reluctant supastar #10.We don’t have a prospect close or ready for 3rd base. Maybe we move Escobar to 3rd and trade Kawakami, or Lowe for top SS prospect. Anyway 4 years no playoffs is getting old, not letting number #6 off the hook either, should have a short list for him as well.
Escobar Rocks
September 15th, 2009
1:37 pm
I definitely think that the Braves need to try and re-sign LaRoche. He isn’t great but he does give the team at least 25 home runs from the first baseman, more than they would have with any other option at 1B. Freeman is probably still at least two years away.
The starting pitching is the big dilemma. Do you trade Vazquez for a young outfielder? This would also give the team salary some salary relief to re-sign LaRoche and one of the closers. Trading KK is another possibility, but he wouldn’t bring as much in return as Vazquez. He also wouldn’t clear as much salary from the payroll.
I’m not sure about Prado. He seemed to go in the tank after his mother moved back to Venezuela. Is a trade for Uggla possible?
Hopefully Jason Heyward can start next season but I fully expect Diaz to start in RF with Heyward getting a later call-up.
Sleeze
September 15th, 2009
1:37 pm
Greg, Agree with your concern about McLouth supposedly being “set” at center, but at this point, beggars can’t be choosy. And with so many other holes to fill on a limited budget, The Braves are definitely beggars right now.
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:37 pm
Let Gonzo go. Move Lowe to the pen or trade him.
gayle
September 15th, 2009
1:37 pm
A rational peak into the future, but the glaring omission is the dugout.
This team has had so many band-aids applied over the years (Drew, Sheffield, Texiera, Kolb, etc) that only a top (especially the top) to bottom housecleaning and rebranding of this team will suffice.
And please lose the chop and stop playing in a venue more like Six Flags than a baseball park.
Lose the Skipper and Chipper and start to truly rebuild with this great core of young players.
Brian
September 15th, 2009
1:40 pm
Free agent options are dicey for next year. At 1B, besides Adam LaRoche, the only alternative that is remotely attractive to me is Nick Johnson, and he has a huge injury history. Carlos Delgado will be out there, but kills you on defense and has injury concerns. The Mets and Giants will be the Braves’ biggest competition for a bat at 1B, IMO. Look for LaRoche to wind up with one of these three teams.
The outfield is market is a little better. Holliday and Bay are the jewels and are out of the Braves’ price range. Abreu probably stays in LA, and Damon with the Yankees. Rick Ankiel is an interesting option. Mike Cameron might have something left. The rest (Vlad, Matsui) are DH’s now. I think the Braves will be content with Church and Diaz in one of the corner spots until Heyward’s ready.
I think the Braves will try to re-sign either Gonzalez or Soriano. If they get out of range, Billy Wagner is intriguing, or you can take a flyer on someone more unestablished. For closers, that often works.
It would be really nice if the Braves could sign LaRoche. He’s just a good fit. If it takes multiple years, you can hope he’ll be a valuable trade piece when Freeman’s ready. For the outfield, I still think the Braves should and will use their pitching depth to acquire a corner outfielder. Anyone’s guess is good there…Brad Hawpe and Jermaine Dye are two names off the top of my head.
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:42 pm
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« Tigers Sign Matt Treanor | Main | A Look At The 2010 Free Agent Class »
2010 MLB Free Agents
By Tim Dierkes [December 18, 2008 at 12:53pm CST]
2010 MLB free agents – MLBTR’s up-to-date list is below. These are players who are eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. The player’s 2010 age is in parentheses and Scott Boras clients are bolded. Current free agents who have not yet signed are not on this list. If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us.
Updated 9-14-09
Catchers
Brad Ausmus (41)
Paul Bako (38)
Rod Barajas (34)
Josh Bard (32)
Michael Barrett (33) – club option
Henry Blanco (38)
Ramon Castro (34)
Sal Fasano (38)
Toby Hall (34)
Ramon Hernandez (34) – $8.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Jason Kendall (36)
Jason LaRue (36)
Victor Martinez (31) – $7.7MM club option with a $250K buyout
Bengie Molina (35)
Jose Molina (35)
Miguel Olivo (31) – $3.25MM mutual option
Mike Redmond (39)
Ivan Rodriguez (38)
Brian Schneider (33)
Yorvit Torrealba (31) – $4MM mutual option with a $500K buyout
Javier Valentin (34)
Jason Varitek (38) – $5MM club/$3MM player option plus incentives
Vance Wilson (37)
Gregg Zaun (39) – $2MM club option with a $500K buyout
First basemen
Rich Aurilia (38)
Hank Blalock (29)
Russell Branyan (34)
Miguel Cairo (36)
Frank Catalanotto (36)
Tony Clark (38)
Carlos Delgado (38)
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Ross Gload (34) – $2.6MM club option
Eric Hinske (32)
Nick Johnson (31)
Adam LaRoche (30)
Doug Mientkiewicz (36)
Kevin Millar (38)
Chad Tracy (30) – $7MM option with a $1MM buyout
Daryle Ward (35)
Dmitri Young (36)
Second basemen
Ronnie Belliard (35)
Jamey Carroll (36)
Alex Cora (34)
Craig Counsell (39)
Mark DeRosa (35)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34)
Orlando Hudson (32)
Akinori Iwamura (31) – $4.25MM club option with a $250K buyout
Adam Kennedy (34)
Felipe Lopez (30)
Mark Loretta (38)
Pablo Ozuna (35)
Placido Polanco (34)
Freddy Sanchez (32) – $8MM club option with a $600K buyout; vests with 600 PAs
Juan Uribe (31)
Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (35)
Alex Cora (34)
Craig Counsell (39)
Bobby Crosby (30)
Adam Everett (33)
Chris Gomez (39)
Alex Gonzalez (32) – $6MM mutual option with a $500K buyout
Khalil Greene (30)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34)
John McDonald (35)
Marco Scutaro (34)
Miguel Tejada (36)
Omar Vizquel (43)
Jack Wilson (32) – $8.4MM club option with a $600K buyout
Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (38)
Adrian Beltre (31)
Geoff Blum (37)
Aaron Boone (37)
Craig Counsell (39)
Joe Crede (32)
Bobby Crosby (30)
Pedro Feliz (35) – $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chone Figgins (32)
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Troy Glaus (33)
Adam Kennedy (34)
Mike Lamb (34)
Mark Loretta (38)
Melvin Mora (38) – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Pablo Ozuna (35)
Robb Quinlan (33)
Miguel Tejada (36)
Juan Uribe (31)
Left fielders
Garret Anderson (38)
Marlon Anderson (36)
Jason Bay (31)
Emil Brown (35)
Carl Crawford (28) – $10MM club option with a $1.25MM buyout
Johnny Damon (36)
David Dellucci (36)
Cliff Floyd (37)
Matt Holliday (30)
Jacque Jones (35)
Gabe Kapler (34)
Greg Norton (37)
Wily Mo Pena (28)
Manny Ramirez (38) – $20MM player option
Dave Roberts (38)
Fernando Tatis (35)
Center fielders
Rick Ankiel (30)
Rocco Baldelli (28)
Marlon Byrd (32)
Mike Cameron (37)
Endy Chavez (32)
Coco Crisp (30) – $8MM club option with a $500K buyout
Darin Erstad (36)
Ryan Freel (34)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34)
Reed Johnson (33)
Andruw Jones (33)
Gabe Kapler (34)
Mark Kotsay (34)
Corey Patterson (30)
Scott Podsednik (34)
Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (36)
Jermaine Dye (36) – $12MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Brian Giles (39)
Vladimir Guerrero (34)
Eric Hinske (32)
Geoff Jenkins (35) – $7.5MM mutual option with a $1.25MM buyout
Gabe Kapler (34)
Austin Kearns (30) – $10MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Jason Michaels (34)
Xavier Nady (31)
Magglio Ordonez (36) – $18MM club/vesting option with a $3MM buyout
Randy Winn (36)
Escobar Rocks
September 15th, 2009
1:42 pm
What is everyone’s problem with McLouth?? I would consider him to be one of the core young players on the team (McCann, Escobar, McLouth, Hanson, and Jurrjens). He is a potential 25/25 hitter with decent defense in CF. Most teams would love to have him.
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:44 pm
Closers
Mike Gonzalez (32)
Kevin Gregg (32)
Trevor Hoffman (42)
Fernando Rodney (33)
Rafael Soriano (30)
Jose Valverde (32)
Billy Wagner (38) – $8MM club option with a $1MM buyout
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:45 pm
They could take a chance on a Mark Prior and convert him to the pen. Or maybe offer Hoffman a one year deal
midnite
September 15th, 2009
1:46 pm
Soriano and Gonzales both scare the heck out of me. They can be lights out but on the flip side can be quite hittable also. They cost too much so I say Moylan for closer in 2010.
I Have Given UP
September 15th, 2009
1:47 pm
1)Terminate the old codger, Bobby Cox. He has not been good since 1995.
2) Trade/Release Chipper, he stopped being good when steroids were banned.
3) Here’s something you AJC guys refuse to address, the Braves are too white. The team is comprised of slow footed white guys suited for a small ballpark. i.e. Boston Redsocks. The Braves will never be good until they realize that an “almost” entirely white team will never win achampionships in this day and age.
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:48 pm
Moylan? isn’t his era like 5?
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:48 pm
Fire TP
Coop
September 15th, 2009
1:49 pm
1B – Laroche (pay him)
2B – Prado
SS – Escobar
3B – Chipper (if he wants to stay, don’t give up on him till he quits on himself)
LF – Schafer (gotta be ready to play the bigs next year, or we broke him)
CF – McClouth
RF – FA or Trade
4th OF – Diaz
C – McCann
BUC – Sammons
SP – Jurjiens
SP – Hanson
SP – Vasquez
SP – Lowe (assuming we can’t trade for value)
SP – Hudson
RP – Kawakami (assuming you can’t trade for value)
RP – Medlen (5th starter if we can trade Lowe)
RP – Moylan
RP – Bennett
RP – O’Flaherty
Closer – Soriano
Brian
September 15th, 2009
1:49 pm
midnite, I would be a lot more confident of Moylan as a closer with an improved defense. Moylan will not strike out as many guys as some of the other options, and needs the defense behind him.
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:50 pm
The Braves could take another look at Nady. Since he was hurt all season maybe they could get a good deal.
Brian
September 15th, 2009
1:52 pm
Coop, I would think that if Schafer was ready to play next year, he would play CF with McLouth in LF, given that Schafer is the superior defensive player. Also, the Braves will not be able to afford LaRoche, Soriano, and a FA right fielder. Like you said, they could trade for a RF, but in your scenario, they didn’t trade anyone (i.e. Javier Vazquez).
NY Frenchy
September 15th, 2009
1:52 pm
Gotta keep Vasquez, hes our best pitcher. Diaz, Church, & McClouth are ok IF we get a BIG BAT in left field, Garret has got to go, he cant run, cant throw anyone out. Resign Roche, maybe for 2 years until Freeman shows he can hit at this level, but third base is going to be a problem cause whatever you get from Chipper is just going to be what you get, hes not going anywhere & noone wants him at his huge salary so were stuck with each other kinda like a bad marriage!
hmmmm.......
September 15th, 2009
1:54 pm
Sammons? buc? Ross signed a two year last season so he’ll be back.
Joe Fan
September 15th, 2009
1:59 pm
Heyward unless he regresses will claim the RF slot in June. Banking on the Braves keeping him in the minors until June like they did with Hanson. Schafer may make a claim on the other corner but wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves make a trade here to bolster the offense. Diaz again becomes the 4th outfielder. 1st, 2nd and even third are questions marks that will need answering during the winter. Infante and Prado will get consideration but wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one position filled via trade and LaRoche sigend to a 3 year contract pending Freeman’s development.
Coop
September 15th, 2009
1:59 pm
Brian. Agree on the Schafer/McClouth comment (thanks). Your also most likely right with the trade for the FA. I would trade Lowe or Kawakami for an OF in a heartbeat, but it is doubtful we get anyone better than Diaz. I’d rather keep Vazquez and have a hole in the OF though. I’d also rather have Laroche (good D and can be a good stick) and a solid closer than a top OF.
elviskl
September 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
does anyone want the rest of my season tickets? im serious…..fire bobby cox and frank wren……im going to throw up……….omg i just shi…………..myself
elviskl
September 15th, 2009
2:01 pm
does anyone want the rest of my season tickets? im serious…..fire bobby cox and frank wren……im going to throw up……….omg i just shi…………..myself
IlliniBrave
September 15th, 2009
2:04 pm
Jeff: Thanks for the hyper-realistic assessment. You do know how to bring a guy down for the day! Tony Robbins you are not, but your take on the Braves this year has been uncannily accurate. (Sorry DOB and MB). Unfortunately, I think without a major upgrade (internally or externally) at the outfield corners, we are going to have a repeat of this year.
Calvin
September 15th, 2009
2:04 pm
If that Bennett is for Jeff Bennett, he got released earlier this year and is currently playing for the Rays.
Chris
September 15th, 2009
2:04 pm
If there is a way to get Renteria back, we need to do it. The guy was a solid .300 hitter and always came through in the clutch. Anybody see the World Series when he was with the Marlins? Plus he is solid in the field. This would allow you to move Escobar to 3rd and there is your replacement for Chipper.
Lowe, Jurrgens, Vazquez, & Hudson are your starting rotation. If you can trade Kawakami then do it now. We need a bat in left with power and that should be our biggest focus in the offseason. Kelly Johnson as been given ample opportunity so its time to say bye, bye. I know Prado hasn’t had the best September but he has earned the shot at being the every day guy in 2010.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 15th, 2009
2:04 pm
How bout Sammons backing up Ross, McCann to first???
Ross is clutch and MUCH better defensively.
Brian
September 15th, 2009
2:06 pm
By the way, to the people mentioning Uggla. I agree that is something to think about, because the Marlins will surely be eager to part with him, and the Braves could use his pop. The trick is what will it take to land him. The Marlins will not want Vazquez or Kawakami…they’ll want prospects. It’s a different situation than trading with a team that needs starting pitching help and doesn’t have a 20 million dollar payroll.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 15th, 2009
2:07 pm
I like Prado as a utility guy. Playing everyday has exposed him up and in.
Joe Fan
September 15th, 2009
2:09 pm
Another player the Braves are sending to the AFL is Mike Minor. Looks like he could be on the fast track and could give the Braves even more flexibility in how they configure their starting rotation expecially after the 2010 All-Star break.
Pop Fly
September 15th, 2009
2:09 pm
Jeff, resort to whatever you have to to try to influence the Braves to keep Vasquez. Slander, libel, dirty tricks, anything short of a mob hit.
I Have Given UP
September 15th, 2009
2:10 pm
This team gives up on Black players so fast, I wonder why? Yes I know that some of these guys are not knocking the ball out of the park. But to keep the Nortons and Blancos around is foolish. Some Black players dumped by Cox and John Scherhoultz:
R. Furcal, J. Dye, A. Jones, W. Aybar, W. Harris, G. Shefffield, Wilson Betemit, Andy Marte, Daryle Ward, Dewayne Wise
Brian
September 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Ouch, Chris. Renteria has been one of the worst hitters in the NL this year (not an exaggeration), and he’s been below average defensively. And he’s making 9 million dollars next year. The 1997 World Series was 12 years ago. Move Escobar to 3rd? That’d be like moving Ozzie Smith to 3rd base to make room for Walt Weiss. Horrible, horrible idea.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Liberty Media needs to come off 12 mil or so, so that any trade of Vasquez could be considered next June allowing them to re-up Huddy and recieve the sky for Vasquez.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
September 15th, 2009
2:11 pm
Prado is not the answer, he is showing why he was a utility guy. Infante is closer to the answer. We can’t tolerate LaRoche and another slow start. Plus LF and RF need a serious upgrade if McClouth is the CF.
Mitch C
September 15th, 2009
2:13 pm
Jeff, I’ve been a Braves fan for 27 years, and I’ve always been a realist. That being said, I was disappointed in the Braves this year, because I thought we should have won the wild card.
The two things I see we need to do are to definitely sign Laroche, and one of the closers. I’d personally rather see Soriano, because he’s pitched better this year. Beyond that, we will probably have to make do with either rookies, or cheap options, in right and left field. If Chipper retires, that takes 15 mil off the payroll, and means we would be able to sign a high price free agent for third base. The question is, where do we get him? I personally hope Chipper doesnt retire, because he can still be productive, even with his slumps.
I have this feeling that FW is going to trade Javy Vazquez to fill a hole either in the outfield, or at third, if Chipper goes, even though if that happens, we’d have a lot of money to sign someone. I’ve said all summer that I think trading Javy would be a mistake.
The Phillies likely have the division for the next few years, unless the Mets get healthy next year and challenge them. As for us, I still think we have a shot at the wild card next year, if we make some shrewd deals, Chipper stays, or we get a good option to replace him if he retires, and the hitting picks up.
IlliniBrave
September 15th, 2009
2:21 pm
Some White players dumped by Cox and Scherholtz and Wren:
Marcus Giles, Jason Marquis, Joey Devine, Kyle Davies, Javy Lopez, Eddie Perez, Josh Anderson, John Smoltz, Adam LaRoche (got him back), and Tom Glavine (dumped twice).
Vince
September 15th, 2009
2:24 pm
I wonder what we could get for Bobby Cox, Terry Pendleton, Greg Norton, and Kelley Johnson in a package deal? Those four vacancies might just turn the team around next year.
Escobar Rocks
September 15th, 2009
2:32 pm
“This team gives up on Black players so fast, I wonder why? Yes I know that some of these guys are not knocking the ball out of the park. But to keep the Nortons and Blancos around is foolish. Some Black players dumped by Cox and John Scherhoultz:
R. Furcal, J. Dye, A. Jones, W. Aybar, W. Harris, G. Shefffield, Wilson Betemit, Andy Marte, Daryle Ward, Dewayne Wise”
———————————————————————
1. Furcal, Betemit, Marte and Aybar aren’t black, they are Dominican.
2. Furcal and Jones chose to leave for more money in free agency.
3. The best prospect on the farm is Jason Heyward. He should make you happy.
Phil
September 15th, 2009
2:34 pm
As long as Bobby Bowden, I mean Cox, is the manager, does it matter? We’re going nowhere until that loser retires.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 15th, 2009
2:35 pm
Don’t boot me Jeff, But I have to know, how black a player is being referred to here?
Me, I don’t care if you’ve got a forearm growing out of your forehead.
The batting helmet might become an issue though.
Ugaman
September 15th, 2009
2:39 pm
I Have Given Up,
Please quit with the race thing here. Furcal, Andruw, Betemit, and Marte are not black. They are Hispanic. Also, the Braves are not mostly white. The list of non-white players are Escobar, Prado, Infante, Anderson, Gonzalez, Soriano, Acosta, Kawakami, Jurjjens, Vazques. The top prospect in the organization is black (Heyward) and he is considered untouchable. The fact is, there really isn’t that many black players in baseball percentage-wise. You can look at any other team in the league, and you will find the same thing. It isn’t about color, it’s about production. I’m an umpire in high school ball and there just isn’t that many black kids playing baseball today. Black kids are playing football and basketball. If you’re going to pull the race card in baseball, then turn it around on yourself and look at professional basketball. Don’t mention the fact that good, white, basketball players just aren’t as common as good, black, basketball players. In fact, in baseball, you can start to see that even white baseball players are being caught be hispanic baseball players in terms of numbers. Race really doesn’t matter at all. If someone can play, I want them on my team, regardless of race. Most of us are past this and don’t even see color anymore. I just want good baseball players on our team~!
Phil
September 15th, 2009
2:43 pm
“Chef”,
Your name rings a bell down here in the southwest corner of the state. Ever had a radio show?
Herschel Talker
September 15th, 2009
2:43 pm
I Have Given Up:
You nailed it. Schuerholz is a racist. Has to explain what’s going on. Oh…wait a minute. Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe you’re the racist, piece of garbage. Oh yeah, that’s what it is. Maybe you should go back to watching basketball and stop worrying about the sport that seems to hate blacks, you loser. And you like men.
Raider Fan
September 15th, 2009
2:46 pm
Jeff, can you PLEASE spell Jordan SCHAFER’s name correctly? thank you.
LexaPro
September 15th, 2009
2:52 pm
Trade Lowe for one experienced decent guy (any position, the anti-Norton) and prospects, and eat part, or most, of the salary. Chipper has American League written all over him. Trade him for a thumper who can at least stand up without assistance in left field (Greg Luzinski comes to mind…played with his back to the foul line for great Phillies teams – I was there). I don’t think Schaefer is the answer to any question, so trade bait, before he completely disproves himself. Keep LaRoche for at least 2 more years. Trade Gonzo for a younger lefty to a team that desperately needs late inning help. Without Cox’s abuse of the pitching staff, he may thrive somewhere else. Keep Prado…he’s a 3 out of 5 game starter, at multiple positions. Get Kelly Johnson into psychoanalysis. He has talent, like the young Smoltzie did, and look how that worked out (well, not HOF talent). McLouth should be fine…I like his fire and speed. All that Escobar lacks is mentoring. Did you notice how sullen Chipper looked in the dugout all this season? That’s a problem. Maybe HE needs Lexapro. Free JJ and Hanson! Stop this 7 innings BS and let the the kids pitch! Man, Steve Carlton could not/would not have played for Bobby Cox. He wanted a 4-man rotation and 9-inning games out of Danny Ozark.
LexaPro
September 15th, 2009
2:57 pm
Oops…my bad. Jordan “Schaefer” is the answer to a question, and it’s the wrong answer: How do you spell “Jordan Shafer”?