Braves need to make a run at Johnny Damon
How much better would Braves' lineup be with Johnny Damon?
So I listened to Braves general manager Frank Wren on 790 The Zone Wednesday morning, hearing him touch on many of the same themes he said two weeks ago when I spoke to him about the team’s offseason moves, and he concluded, “I think we’re better.”
I don’t agree. Most don’t agree. When a team adds Billy Wagner, Troy Glaus and Melky Cabrera and subtracts Javier Vazquez, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, the math doesn’t work out.
If Wren really wants to convince people the Braves will be better this season, here’s an idea: sign Johnny Damon.
Barring any significant move, this team has three significant questions going into the season: Leadoff hitter (Nate McLouth), cleanup hitter (Glaus) and closer (Wagner). McLouth looked average for most of last season. Glaus and Wagner represent medical roulette.
I haven’t written much on Damon in
Loading ...part because it was presumed he would simply re-sign with the New York Yankees and, with Scott Boras as his agent, he would ask for an obscene amount of money on the open market. But he’s still out there, with spring training a month away. The asking price — once believed to be in the two-year, $14 million range — almost certainly has come way down.
The Braves are at their self-imposed payroll limit ($90 million). But there’s a difference between being fiscally smart and just plain cheap. Adding Damon makes the Braves better. If they’re better, they win more games and sell more tickets. Maybe they even make the playoffs.
Now there’s a concept.
The Braves have not had a legitimate leadoff hitter since Rafael Furcal left town after the 2005 season. That’s also the last season they made the playoffs. Funny how that works out.
When I asked Wren about Damon a couple of weeks ago, he said only, “We like the way our club has come together.”
How can that be with so many questions? Damon is 36. He is not a long-term solution. This is about now. He hit .282 last season with an on-base percentage of .365. He also tied a career-high with 24 homers (granted, aided by the short right field in new Yankee Stadium) and had 82 RBI, third-most in his career. McLouth could still start in center field. Damon could play in left. Jason Heyward: right field. Melky Cabrera? We’ve got your resume, we’ll get back to you.
The Braves have questions, and right now Wren is just counting on too many things going right. Damon eliminates one of the doubts.
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305 comments Add your comment
Bravesfan101
January 20th, 2010
5:07 pm
Just remember Xavier Nady is a free agent he is their for anybody to sign if the braves don’t get Johnny Damon they should get Nady or maybe even Jermaine Dye.
SimpleDawg
January 20th, 2010
5:07 pm
STOOOPID Idea.
Damon’s old, has a noodle arm, and will not have Jeter, A-Rod, et al hitting behind him.
We already have outfielders who are average players….why add another?
JOn
January 20th, 2010
5:15 pm
Sign Damon see what happens with Melky. By the trade deadline use one as bait to fix whatever is broken. We need a bat and I don’t think Melky is the answer.
DamYankee
January 20th, 2010
5:18 pm
I’m baffled by the Cabrera acquisition, but I think Glaus can be an upgrade over LaRoche and we didn’t have to give him a 3-4 year deal when we have the kid waiting in the wings. If Lowe can just produce at his career numbers level and Hudson’s return is for real, the rotation will be better than last year. Without the almost guaranteed outs that Johnson, Frenchy and Schaefer provided over the first half last year, I think the order is stronger as well. We already have a center fielder with a weak arm (McLouth), what do we need with another for more $$? Damon is a defensive liability and IMO not a proven leadoff hitter. I also agree with those posters who wonder when Diaz will be given an everyday spot in the lineup, he and Prado were the most clutch hitters on the club last year and when Diaz gets his AB’s he’s a .300+ hitter with the kind of attitude the Braves need. The Braves will never be the Yankees with a $200 million+ payroll and I for one am glad of it. Screw the Yankees and the horse that’ll carry Steinbrenner outta here!
the real Andy
January 20th, 2010
5:21 pm
“Get out to the $%#@ ballpark and support your team, and payroll will go up.”
Couldn’t agree more Mr. Grinch. Well said!
Braves fan since '66
January 20th, 2010
5:25 pm
I think we should all get mad with the company that owns the Braves. Losers! Would like for Mr. Blank to buy the Braves.
Bravesfan101
January 20th, 2010
5:30 pm
In order for people to come out and support the braves the organization have to put a good product on the field that’s when people will start supporting the team again. I don’t blame the fans for not coming out to the park supporting the team cause the team is not performing like the did in the past and the fans have gotten spoiled by the past success. The braves organization should spend the money and stop being so cheap and get the team back where it belongs which is #1 in the NL East.
Bravesfan101
January 20th, 2010
5:32 pm
I would rather see Mark Cuban own the braves he is a passionate owner.
The Grinch
January 20th, 2010
5:36 pm
What up, Robert! Been a while. Not gonna cut Bobby any slack for his farewell tour, I see.
The Grinch
January 20th, 2010
5:39 pm
Thank you, Andy.
BravesFan101, unfortunately that isn’t how it’s going to work. Businessmen don’t throw their money out there and then hope it comes back. Not when they’re the only ticket in town, anyway. And if you are indeed a true fan, you should be out there cheering Prado and Diaz as much as you would Holliday or Pujols.
bring back Bob Horner
January 20th, 2010
5:46 pm
Jeff – love the idea of speed and swager he’ll add at leadoff spot. Didn’t he still steal some significant bases last year?
Bravesfan101
January 20th, 2010
5:50 pm
2010 is Bobby Cox last year The Braves organization should have raised the payroll this year therefore coach cox can have the best chance of making the playoffs.
stinkie
January 20th, 2010
5:55 pm
someone must be drinking out of the same bong as Dob(ra). if johnny damon is the answer, the braves ought to liquidate and do a marlins impersonation.
Shane
January 20th, 2010
6:04 pm
Melky Cabrera? We’ve got your resume, we’ll get back to you.
The guy hasnt even played a game yet and he is thrown under the bus. All I know is Yankee fans loved the guys hustle. Thats something the Braves have been in short supply of lately.
1st 2010
January 20th, 2010
6:45 pm
i think if its not damon it should be nady!
taxman kenneth
January 20th, 2010
6:59 pm
I guess Damon would fit in with some of the other castoffs the braves have signed. His wife in the stands would make the crowd look better if nothing else.
readsbraves
January 20th, 2010
7:10 pm
I’d rather go with nady. dont know about damons split stats vs righties and lefties but would rather get a right handed bat. secondly, he plays both 1st and the outfield. insurance for 1st that id like even though we got hinske. so if hes more possible and cheaper, id definitely be alright with that.
Ken Stallings
January 20th, 2010
7:20 pm
Of course the Braves need to sign Johnny Damon on a one-year contract. Many have been saying that for several weeks now. That’s not the issue. The issue is that the Braves will not. I wrote that point at this very location a month ago, saying that the Braves were too constrained by Liberty Media’s arbitrary but unyeilding budget restrictions. I also made the point that Wren’s sin is rank dishonesty by refusing to tell the fans the truth — that his hands are tied.
This is why the Braves will never go to the World Series, nor likely the playoffs again until this destructive ownership group sells the team to someone who gives a damn!
BobtheBlogger
January 20th, 2010
7:31 pm
I don’t think Damon represents as big an upgrade to Cabrera as some might think. Look at their career stats per 500 PA:
R 2B HR RBI SB CS BB SO
Cabrera 58 21 8 53 10 3 40 57
Damon 79 24 11 53 20 5 46 56
While Damon has the edge in most areas, consider the age difference. Cabrera is just entering his prime (25) and Damon is leaving his (36). The run differential is largely explained by lineup position. The stolan bases are a plus, but, alas, BC does not allow his players to run. Also, consider the defense, especially the arm. Damon throws like a middle age guy playing church softball. And we really do not need another left handed bat with Heyward and Schafer in the wings. Although the trade for Cabrera was not what I had hoped for, I don’t think that Damon is the player we need.
Bobby's Cox
January 20th, 2010
7:39 pm
BobtheBlogger,
Good point.
bob
January 20th, 2010
7:43 pm
It is a tough time to be a Braves fan.
I can understand the need to save money and spend wisely. I am comfortable with the pitching. I am less comfortable with the line up. Damon might be more than the team wants to spend but I tend to think that he is worth the money for a two year bridge. I would carry 5 outfielders since Diaz can play first in a pinch and I would play the 5 in a regular fashion.
Damon gives the team some experience and some good at bats. If he doesn’t work out we can trade him in the season to an AL team which is in the hunt.
Pull the trigger and sign him….even if boros is the agent.
Goldenglove002
January 20th, 2010
7:59 pm
Reasons Damon makes the team better:
1. He improves the whole lineup. In the leadoff spot he will pretty consistently be on base with Prado, Chipper, Glaus behind him. Great leadoff hitter. It also allows McLouth to get moved down in the order to a spot where he can hit more RBI’s (where he is a better fit than leadoff) Damon, Prado, Chipper, Glaus, McCann, McLouth, Escobar, Diaz/Cabrera is a very good lineup.
2. He’ll be fine with defense. He can still run down fly balls, his arm just isn’t going to dazzle. But how often is his arm going to lose a game?? He’s much better than Anderson last year and would be a better defender than Diaz as an everyday starter.
3. It allows Heyward to develop a little longer in AAA. We won’t have to depend on Heyward to start the season in Atlanta and on fire. He can be called up around late May/early June and have a rotation going in the OF to keep everyone fresh (Damon)
4. Adds some flexibilty come mid-season. If Heyward is completely ready to go in June, the Braves will have 5 capable OF. Someone could then be used in a trade if needed (particularly watching the right side of the infield).
Tyler
January 20th, 2010
8:49 pm
1) Damon
Glaus
2) Prado
3) Jones
4) McCann
5) Escobar
6) McLouth
7) Diaz
Trade Cabrera, and platoon Diaz and Heyward once Heyward is called up
v8dreaming
January 20th, 2010
9:03 pm
With all the talk about outfielders and lead off hitters etc., what about Diaz? He did a good enough job in right last year and he hits for a higher average than anybody else we have in the outfield. Why,all of a sudden, is he the forgotten outfielder?
heartofdarkness
January 20th, 2010
9:16 pm
“… the Yanks know that Damon, now 36 years old, will need both regular rest and regular time as a designated hitter. He does not possess the versatility that manager Joe Girardi craves.”
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
Jeff, I think you know how Old Mother Hubbard felt searching for that dog bone. Damon is not really the answer to much of the Braves needs, and given the Braves don’t play in the American League, but for one sixth of the season, he is less valuable here than in New York [no DH]. And he may be the best option the Braves could obtain, but not one that would be worth more than the two million the Yankees have slotted for left.
BIOMASS
January 20th, 2010
9:34 pm
Damon? Didn’t you see Rosemary’s Baby? Or was it the Boys from Brazil? Either way, NO NO NO NO! You’ll send Atlanta into a hellish infinite vortex….You’ll attract, ugh, well………
Hey, looking forward to another mediocre, meaningless season. Anyone that buys a ticket to this sham is a fool.
Matt the Brave
January 20th, 2010
10:54 pm
As much as I like McClouth, I like him a WHOLE lot better at the #2 spot. He has a bit of pop in his bat, has a little speed, but not enough to be a true #1 threat. Put Damon #1, McClouth #2, and Chipper #3, we might just have one of the best top of the orders in the majors. I still don’t know if you trust Glaus yet, but we’ll see how he fares in spring training. I just hope he stays healthy enough through it so that we aren’t scrambling for a first baseman towards April.
Steve
January 20th, 2010
10:54 pm
Just because many bloggers don’t believe the Braves are better off than last year doesn’t mean it isn’t true. The problem with most bloggers is they have short memories.
First off, Wren was talking about the year as a whole .. not just the part after we brought up Hanson, traded for McLouth, and sent Frenchy far away.
Any sane person who looks at the team right now and compares it to the team that Atlanta fielded up to the day they traded for McLouth has to say the team is better.
1b – Glaus > Kotchman >>>>>> Kelly Johnson. This one isn’t even close. A career .300 hitter in the minors versus a good guy that has had only one season in his entire career that was comparable to the many years of solid hitting by Prado. I am just glad injuries finally helped get Prado a shot.
SS – Escobar 2010 is likely better than Escobar 2009. He is one year stronger and more mature. his numbers last year were very good, but he isn’t likely to drop much.
3B – I would like to think Chipper 2010 will be better because it was a horrible year for him in 2009. That being said, if I am playing the more mature card for Escobar I have to play the one year older card for Chipper.
C – McCann is hitting his prime and Ross is a better backup offensively than we have had in a while. Add to this that McCann started off very slow due to his eye issue and it’s easy to imagine we will be stronger at that position this year.
So, in the infield, I see upgrades at at least 4 of the 5 positions. While it is conceivable that Escobar might slide back a little, it’s also very conceivable that Chipper will play far better than last year.
OF – Cabrera/McLouth/Diaz ~= Anderson, Schafer, Frenchy. While this might have been different had Anderson and Schafer not gotten hurt, the reality is they did. I am by no means overwhelmed with our OF, but they aren’t likely to be any worse that what we ran out there for the first two months of last year. We did finish the season stronger after getting McLouth and getting rid of Mr. Rally Killer, but again that’s only part of the season.
As for starting pitching, Lowe, Kawakami and Jurrgens will be roughly a wash, where I see Lowe pitching better this year, offset by a backslide of small amount for Jurrgens. That leaves the other two spots. Vazquez (career ERA close to 4) and Jojo Reyes versus Hanson and Hudson. Ughhhh .. this is not even close.
Sorry, but I have to agree with some of the more logical posters on this board. The Braves are better than the way they started last season. You can’t compare using the team that finished the season, because the Braves have many months to go before we get to the trading deadline. We may make trades, or we may have a couple of young guys storming the scene like we had last year.
Steve
January 20th, 2010
10:58 pm
Whoa .. my post got mangled. I mentioned that Glaus was better than Kotchman, as was a bucket of water soaked baseballs. Glaus will better Kotchmans number in a month. You can’t count LaRoche because he wasn’t on the team until the last two months.
The second part was that Prado is far better than KJ.
MitchC
January 21st, 2010
12:45 am
Jeff, you make a good point. I’d take a shot at Damon. He’s worth a gamble.
Let’s be realistic though: When, since Glavine left town the first time in 2002, and the team went with their scaled back payroll that they still maintain, have the Braves taken a real shot, and gone five or ten mil above their payroll “limit” to sign anyone? It hasn’t happened in the past seven years, and I doubt it will happen now.
You might write about it, but, in the end, I don’t see it happening. They will likely just stick with what they have, and try to remain “competetive” instead of really going for it, to try and make the playoffs in Bobby’s last season.
jtard
January 21st, 2010
1:33 am
Jeff-You say you think the braves didnt improve any over the off season. I don’t know if you are trying to leave important points out of your article on purpose or you are just trying to get a quick cheap story out. Look the real facts are this…the reason the braves got rid of vasquez is cause TIM HUDSON is back healthy. So they lose Javy but gain Huddy. IMO thats a wash. (look at career stats). They couldnt trade lowe thats another story. They lost Soriano and Gonzo but they gained Wagner and Saito. Thats an upgrade. Those guys are no more of an injury risk than Soriano or Gonzo. Look at past few years!! Finally the braves added Melky Cabrera whos an upgrade over Garrett Anderson on offense and defense.They added Troy Glaus who will hit 25-35 HR and drive in 90-100 runs this year. The bench gets waaaayy better by replacing Norton with Hinske. Also the Braves will call up Jason Heyward at some point. So tell me once more how the Braves didnt get any better!? Feel free to look at incoming players and out going players stats and compare them and please explain how the Atlanta Braves are not any better than last year. Please.
jtard
January 21st, 2010
1:49 am
Based on Bill James projections for 2010
Melky Cabrera- 11 HR- 62 RBI- 10 SB- .278 AVG- .341 OBP
Johnny Damon- 17 HR- 70 RBI- 16 SB- .278 AVG- .355 OBP
Melky Cabrera is a better defender with more range and a better arm than Johnny Damon as well. So why does everyone want Damon sooooo bad?! I’ll admit these are just predictions and Damon is an upgrade over Melky but not much of an upgrade. Melky plays wayyyy better defense and offense is very even.
Richard Nieh
January 21st, 2010
2:36 am
Braves needs power. Their BA is just fine as a team but the team is below average in power department. I believe they are faster than it seems and their SB total is low because of Bobby’s conservative running games and I don’t really blame him. His just has different style.
Not Damon does not bring power to the team but bring good BA and OBP and average defense. In the Braves line-up, he will have a lot less support from the line-up than Yankees so you can consider his below average power number is gone to abysmal. He is asking money almost as much as Derek Lee but he will contribute so much less than average power hitters to the Braves.
When you look at Braves line-up, it is really not that bad. They are all professional hitters and know how to hit. Adding Demon and invest almost 10 millions is really pointless. Braves is better with Hanson and Hudson for whole season and bullpen is actually healthier and more stable than the beginning of 2009 and line-up is better without Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francourer and Jordan Schafer (I am not saying Jordon won’t imrpove and he had bad season). Bobby was forced to make some moves without flexibility and he won’t need to do that this year. He is known for managing a good team and he got it in 2010.
jt
January 21st, 2010
5:40 am
Sign Damon and trade for Uggla
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 21st, 2010
7:55 am
And Jeff, which one of these rag arms are you going to put in right Diaz? Damon? Move McClouth there? I guess Cabrera? Signing Damon is a joke unless we get someone for right or Heyward starts the year there.
come on braves
January 21st, 2010
8:06 am
i am a life long braves fan but we keep puting a dollar general team on the the feild and they expect us to go watch a .500 or a little over .500 team. Wren can say we are better, but wrap a turd up in tin foil and call it candy, its stll a turd
Frist
January 21st, 2010
8:25 am
OK, so not only was I first on this post yesterday, but this morning, I solved the Pick 5 Challenge with 15 seconds to spare. Ahhh. Life’s important triumphs.
stew
January 21st, 2010
9:11 am
Just what we need another left handed bat for left field another retread. Just because the best little whorehouse in NY doesn’t want him we get him. We get their crap and they get our studs (Vasquez). I wouldn’t care if we lost 120 games this year if we were playing our future. The prospects are gonna struggle their first year in the bigs anyway. Why not play them. How many old players can we add to the team this year. Melky, Glaus, Saito, Wagner, Chipper, Diaz, Hinske, Ross, Thurston, Infante, Conrad et al are iffy players at best. Let’s bring on Jay Hey, Freddie, Kimbrel, Delgado, and company and see what they can do. I don’t care about fracturing their egos (i.e. destroying their confidence). Just play them and see what they can do. I’m tired of the retreads.
VoiceOfSanity
January 21st, 2010
9:14 am
Mr. Schultz, while a agree with you assessment that Atlanta needs a leadoff hitter, I don’t think that Johnny Damon is the player. Damon is a decent offensive player. He hits SOME home runs, has slightly above average speed and in that sense he would be a good leadoff hitter. Taking the whole picture into account, Damon is a below average defensive outfielder. He’s even worse with his throwing. While Atlanta STILL needs some speed and power in their lineup, Damon would hurt the Braves in two vitally important areas: catching the ball and throwing the ball. The Braves had some problems in both of these areas at times last season. If you look back to the Braves’ glory years, their two staples were solid defense and excellent pitching. The staff in 2010 won’t approach the lofty status of Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux but they could be one of the best starting staffs in baseball- even without 2009 workhorse Javier Vazquez. IF Jason Heyward makes the team out of Spring Training- some believe he will- why not look at someone like Orlando Hudson who is a Gold Glove second baseman and leadoff hitter? You strengthen your team with a leadoff hitter, a solid defensive player and also make your bench stronger by moving Martin Prado back to a super utility player. Here’s the potential lineup:
2B Orlando Hudson
CF Nate McLouth
3B Chipper Jones
1B Troy Glaus
C Brian McCann
SS Yunel Escobar
RF Jason Heyward
LF Matt Diaz
It looks pretty good at the plate and in the field.
STRETCH
January 21st, 2010
9:27 am
Voice,
I like that lineup!
carmatter
January 21st, 2010
9:49 am
Maybe this “We’re happy the way things are” is the new FW – close to the vest, don’t let anyone know we’re desperate”. Not to say lying, but let’s say coy. He knows what’s up with the outfield and batting order. But if he deals, hopefully he’s dealing from a stronger position – maybe he’s learned something from the previous fleecings.
Nah, I doubt it.
your old friend jack
January 21st, 2010
10:00 am
geez jeff…. when was the last time you saw damon throw. you got to stop drinking so much.
morton
January 21st, 2010
10:39 am
I know you keep questioning the Wagner pickup but did you see him pitch last season? He’ll be fine and I would put money on him being better then Rafael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez. I understand you think Damon is the answer but if he comes here I betting on him not even coming close to hitting 20+ homers. Also he has one of the poorest throwing arms in the league. At least Melky Cabrera can throw people out and is a all around better player then Damon right now. Sometimes you really need to look at what the Braves really have and then you’ll see it’s shaping up to be a pretty good team. Much better then last years.
GPB
January 21st, 2010
10:41 am
If the fans want the Braves to spend more, perhaps they should fill some seats. No one will just bailout the Braves and making moves just to make moves is just dumb. Local blackouts for games selling less than 60% could be considered to fill seats.
Yankees and Red Sox fans fill the house and therefore can spend what the fans want. Though I disapprove the soaring salaries in baseball, it’s certainly what the market will bear. I don’t like a salary cap and would prefer the luxury tax cap just be decreased. It was $162M in 2009, meaning only the Yankees were penalized (same for 2008 with a $148M cap).
Funny that Florida finished 1 game ahead of the Braves with almost 40% of the payroll.
shelbydawkins
January 21st, 2010
10:47 am
Excuse the poor grammar and shouting: H#LL YES SIGN THAT SUMBITCH RIGHT NOW G*DD*MITT THIS JUST MAKES GOOD SENSE HE WILL PUT BUTTS IN THE SEATS GUARANTEED!! THIS IS A F*CKIN NO BRAINER!!
Fillin' up @ Juniors
January 21st, 2010
10:51 am
most of you are horrible fans, with a shameful baseball mind, that can’t balance talent with budget… You leave room so that you can make moves before the deadline to answer the questions you have before the last half of the season. Sign Damon and do what with Diaz?…Heyword…? Melky…? How many outfielders can you seriously afford? You play with what you got, you leave room to manuever through out the year. The idea that you should stay home because your team is not good makes you terrible fans. Go because they are your team, and go because when they get good, and in Atlanta it is only a matter of time, it will make the good seasons all the sweeter. Rememeber ‘91. No I doubt many of you remember 2007 much less ‘91. Well I remember 91 and I was freaking 8 years old. But I went with my family to the terrible 80’s and my earliest memories of my bravos was us getting puned by the freaking expos. It just made the 90’s better to live through the 80’s. (as a braves fan) I am going to the games whether they are last or first. Freaking far weather fans make me want to puke.
david
January 21st, 2010
11:35 am
Never understood the matt diaz worship that some people do. He strikes out WAY too much. 3 strike outs to every 1 walk. Plus, his bone headed baserunning ended our season last year. That was by far the worst running mistake I have ever seen, including lonnie smith in 1991
Jim
January 21st, 2010
11:39 am
Damon would give the Braves a professional hitter, a good teammate and a player that would help put behinds in seats. Isn’t that just what the Braves need?
dawgrific
January 21st, 2010
11:47 am
Any player that did a guest spot on Arthur HAS to know what he is doing. Seriously though, I realize his limitations, but I agree, at least he would provide some legitimacy to our leadoff spot.
screw foam tamohawks, lets bring in real ones
January 21st, 2010
11:49 am
nice article, Agree 100% . Our Leadoff spot has been a position much overlooked for much the offseason by fans and wren alike. Mclouth is a self-proclaimed bottom of the line-up guy. Ok maybe #2 slot, but not leadoff. his number are horrendous and are rivaled by newly acquired Melky Cabrera whom has received no credit for his abilities, yet seems to fit the leadoff role better. Bringing in Damon would allow Schafer whom i still believe to be the future CF/leadoff man to develop his offense further, with the guidance of a championship proven veteran. Schafer is already the best defensive outfielder dawning a braves jersey! Honestly think the outfield slots should be in the air this spring, earn it!
Mclouth, Diaz, Heyward, Schafer, Cabrera, and hopefully Damon are all suitable pieces to our puzzle piece future.. A Mclouth/Cabrera, Heyward, Schafer OF looks mighty fine nice in a couple years…
One more thing, who thinks Schafer still has G. Sizemore potential, or more?