Should Jermaine Dye be on Braves’ radar?
Jermaine Dye still has power and isn't ready to say goodbye yet.
The other day, in the aftermath of Johnny Damon’s decision to sign with the Detroit Tigers, we asked you to pick your favorite for the Braves’ leadoff hitter. Your overwhelming choice was Nate McLouth (49 percent), who finished just slightly ahead of my outside-the-box pick of Yunel Escobar (13 percent).
I’m leaving the poll open in case there’s a late run on Escobar votes. I hear the polls never close in Havana.
Today, we go in a different direction. Many of you do not feel comfortable with this Braves team, primarily because of the seeming lack of offense and trades like Javier Vazquez-for-Melky Cabrera.
The chances of another trade at this point are relatively non-existent. But there’s a significant number of unsigned veterans still on the market. Do I think Frank Wren will sign one? No, not for some time anyway. Damon was his one shot, and even then Wren wanted him only at discount.
But with spring training now open, there are still several free agents left on the market. The most intriguing name out there from a Braves’ perspective probably is Jermaine Dye. Many of you have pushed for Dye’s signing in the past. I considered Damon more important because I thought — and still think — the leadoff position in this lineup is more important than adding power.
That said, Dye is still out there. The Chicago White Sox considered bringing him back but ironically, are hoping two ex-Braves, Andruw Jones and Mark Kotsay, can fill the offensive void at designated hitter and in the outfield. They bought out Dye for $950,000 rather than pick up a $12 million option.
But even White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said, “I am shocked that Jermaine Dye is still out there. Somebody is going to get a [heck] of a player.”
Dye played 141 games last season. He hit only .250 but he showed he still has power (27 homers, .453 slugging percentage, .793 OPS).
If Dye doesn’t do it for you, there are several ex Braves still unsigned, including Gary Sheffield, Garrett Anderson, Paul Bako, John Smoltz and Russ Springer.
Or how about Mike Hampton? (That was a joke.)
Below is the list of unsigned players. All have obvious issues (age, injury, declining production, combination thereof.).
What do you think of Dye? Or should the Braves just stand pat for now and see how things develop?
♦
UPDATE: Not that’s we’ve discussed Aaron Boone, but he just retired and will join ESPN as an on-air analyst.♦
Outfielders Pos. Age Last Team Garret Anderson LF 37 Atlanta Rocco Baldelli RF 28 Boston Darin Erstad LF 35 Houston Jermaine Dye RF 36 Chicago Sox Gary Sheffield LF 41 NY Mets
♦ Infielders Pos. Age Last Team Rich Aurilia 1B 38 San Francisco Hank Blalock 1B 29 Texas Joe Crede 3B 31 Minnesota Carlos Delgado 1B 37 NY Mets Nomar Garciaparra 1B 36 Oakland Felipe Lopez 2B 29 Milwaukee Ramon Martinez SS 37 NY Mets Dmitri Young 1B 36 Washington
♦ Catchers Pos. Age Last Team Paul Bako C 37 Philadelphia Rod Barajas C 34 Toronto Shawn Riggans C 29 Tampa Bay ♦ Pitchers Pos. Age Last team Joe Beimel RP 32 Colorado Chad Bradford RP 35 Tampa Bay Paul Byrd SP 39 Boston Kiko Calero RP 35 Florida Chad Fox RP 39 Chicago Cubs Mike Hampton SP 37 Houston Livan Hernandez SP 35 Washington Jason Isringhausen RP 37 Tampa Bay Braden Looper SP 35 Milwaukee Alan Embree RP 40 Colorado Ron Mahay RP 38 Minnesota Pedro Martinez SP 38 Philadelphia Eric Milton SP 34 LA Dodgers Tomo Ohka SP 33 Cleveland Troy Percival RP 40 Tampa Bay John Smoltz SP 42 St. Louis Russ Springer RP 41 Tampa Bay Brett Tomko SP 36 Oakland Jarrod Washburn SP 35 Detroit David Weathers RP 40 Milwaukee
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131 comments Add your comment
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
February 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
First.
Andrew
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
I think the likes of Pedro Martinez would be a good boost to the players in the bullpen, Pedro would be a good closer, or setup man. His veteran status would help out alot of the struggling relivers in the pen.
Joe Crede would be a good backup at 3b for Chipper as we know chipper will miss some games, An having Crede to backup isnt a bad idea.
Ted M
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
NO – Jordan Schaefer should be!
TommyP
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
I’ve read where Dye is now without a position. Sounds like a DH to me.
sunday
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
Second. And Jermaine Dye would be an awesome pickup. So would Baldelli, even with his illness!
Mitchell
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
I like Joe Crede to back up Chipper at third. Also a member of the World Champion Sox team of ‘05. Nothing wrong with that.
sunday
February 23rd, 2010
1:29 pm
Or fifth.
tmack652
February 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
eighth!!!
UA Alum92
February 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
They’ll sign whoever helps us stay firmly in the middle of the pack. Not the Phillies and not the Nationals. Honestly, I think the Braves are just phoning it in now. Where do I turn in my tomahawk?
I’ve said it before, but trying to be loyal to the Braves is like trying to be loyal to Delta. Atlanta franchises, same colors, grew up with them, etc.; however, they’re also both way too old, overpriced, and sooner or later are going to screw you.
tmack652
February 23rd, 2010
1:31 pm
thats my best clock-in yet!
Mitchell
February 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
Hey, Andrew. That’s my brother’s name.
We think alike. You and I that is, not the other Andrew.
Oh, we get along. He’s a Falcon fan though. That douche.
Crede’s a damn good player and makes contact. Hank Blaylock would be interesting to back up Glaus. Just as long as he hits those moon shots like he did in the all star game off Gagne.
Andrew
February 23rd, 2010
1:36 pm
Thanks Mitchell, An Crede is 31 years old so even after chipper retires or gets hurt bad enough for the last time an retires (which will probably be in the next 2 years, Then Crede will still be a young guy that can stay with the Bravos for a few more years while a HOT new prospect is learning the ropes to take over at 3B.
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
February 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
My second first, all in two days. If Jason Heyward takes over right field, then no, the Braves shouldn’t pick up Jermaine Dye. Last I checked, he plays right. It would only make sense if Frank hadn’t traded away our top pitcher from last year for a fourth outfielder and a 19 y/o prospect.
Clay
February 23rd, 2010
1:41 pm
Jeff, is $4.5M gonna get him? Didn’t think so …
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
February 23rd, 2010
1:43 pm
Waaaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaa!
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
February 23rd, 2010
1:45 pm
Waaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaa!
JEZ
February 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
Crede gets hurt more than Chipper does!! No thanks!
I think give the Stud a chance, Dye’s defense is not that good.
PMC
February 23rd, 2010
1:48 pm
IF 4.5 million with some deffered will get him into camp ABSOFRIGGINLUTELY!
They shouldn’t have dumped him to begin with look at the garbage we have had in the OF since.
PMC
February 23rd, 2010
1:49 pm
It’s not like the defense is going to get much worse than it was last year.
PMC
February 23rd, 2010
1:50 pm
Say Heyward is ready and he can play everyday… you still SUBSTANTIALLY upgrade your bench with a bat like Dye. He just might cost more than we can spend and it might limit what they might be able to do around the deadline. Sure wish he was a left fielder.
PMC
February 23rd, 2010
1:51 pm
Maybe he can play 1st?
Fed Up With "Fed Up With Wren (Again)"
February 23rd, 2010
1:53 pm
Key words there, Fed. “top pitcher from last year.” Raffy always has an off year after a good one. If he broke his trend and had another good year in this, the last year of his contract, the Yankees would have still out-bid us to get him and we would get zilch. Also, we got Melky, the 19 yr old (who, by the way was the Yankees #1 pitching prospect in their #1 rated farm system), AND Mike Dunn, a hard-throwing lefty who will make the opening day bull pen. Wren has done pretty good for a GM on a fairly low budget.
Kenbud
February 23rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Couldn’t agree more …. I can’t remember the last time the Braves had a TRUE leadoff hitter (that stole bases and got the game going)
Novice Ned
February 23rd, 2010
2:15 pm
Sheffield. He was a good citizen during his previous stay here and Bobby is good about getting veterans at bats.
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
I’m going to slam my head through my computer screen if everybody doesn’t stop calling the Vazquez-for-Vizcaino, Dunn, and Melky trade the Vazquez-for-Melky trade. We traded one year of a season-of-his-life pitcher for the Yankees’ top pitching prospect. One year of a valuable guy — for many years of a valuable guy (debate the values, sure, but please at least start there). Dunn and Melky juiced the pot. These facts are not that elusive.
bravedawg
February 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Good grief, people…
Jermaine Dye can’t play defense. He’s a DH. He’s not getting interest from NL teams because all he can do is DH.
And Joe Crede to back up Chipper? That’s what we signed Eric Hinske for.
Pay attention, folks. I know things move fast in this information age, but try to keep up.
bravedawg
February 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
And Roodge Owns…….FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with you. My God, Schultz is paid to know things like this. And he still gets it wrong. Vazquez was a 12-12, 4.32 ERA 180ks per year pitcher before last year. In 3 years when Aroldys is pitching in the bigs, I guess people will just think he fell out of the sky for us.
Hollywould
February 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
The braves need to let the young guys play. Every time an almost over the hill player is available most people say pick him up. There is normally a reason he is out there. Reminds me of Chris Mcallister in football. Most of the bloggers thought the Falcons were crazy not to sign him. I think he played one game for the Saints. There is usually a reason. Dye should stay in the AL.
Alan
February 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
I’d pass on Dye, another way-past-his-prime-time player. Baldelli, though, intrigues me even though he’s injury-prone. Also, I’m surprised that Blalock and Lopez haven’t signed with someone by now.
Ray Pugh
February 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
I’m getting so tires of these blogs because it’s clear 75% of Braves fans don’t know $hit about baseball…
Bobby Cox
February 23rd, 2010
2:40 pm
I’d take Sheffield or Jermaine Dye and trade this Melky Cabrera crap
ChippersLoveChild
February 23rd, 2010
2:42 pm
Braves should sign Felipe Lopez to play second and keep Prado as a super sub, which is the spot that fits him best, imo. Lopez fills your void at leadoff and also hits close to .300. That would be the move I’d make. That being said, I’m sure the Braves stay put with what they have.
Bobby Cox
February 23rd, 2010
2:42 pm
Vizciaino was the Yankees #3 prospect….fed up with fed up
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
2:43 pm
“In 3 years when Aroldys is pitching in the bigs, I guess people will just think he fell out of the sky for us.” -bravedog
You’re right. People just can’t think about future value. Does not compute. All baseball moves not concerned with present year are whale poop. Of course future value is always more of a risk than proven MLB guys, but people act like Wren and the Yankees had Melky and Dunn on the table, and then the Yankees were like, “okay, tell you what… we’ll toss in this Vizcaino fella. What’ya say?” He’s a celebrated guy. He’s the clear centerpiece of the trade. “I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!”
Like you say, if/ when he’s pitching in the top of our rotation, folks will shrug it off like he came up through our farm. Except for Yankee fans stuck at the ugly end of those giganormous FA pitching contracts. They might remember the trade.
Really?
February 23rd, 2010
2:44 pm
Ray Pugh- Classy screen name. How old are you? 15?
BSIATL
February 23rd, 2010
2:45 pm
Why on Earth would we sign Jermaine Dye? Did I miss the rule change last night that allows National League teams to play a DH? We have Heyward in RF, McLouth in CF and a platoon of Diaz and Cabrera in LF. Where’s Dye supposed to play? Shortstop? Catcher?
Innocent Bystander
February 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
I still don’t get why people aren’t comfortable with Matt Diaz taking the leadoff spot. He did excellent in limited time there last year. I’m not sure why people seem to believe that he is a fourth outfielder at best.
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
“Vizciaino was the Yankees #3 prospect” -Bobby Cox
Was he? Okay, I read some bad ink. Still. He’s what Vazquez was traded for. At the very least, it’s nuts to keep acting like it was Vaz for Melky. If that was the case, why weren’t the Yankees able to hold on to their young stud pitcher and give us Melky with something lesser attached? Because they just didn’t care for the guy? I’ve seen more Vizcaino raves on last year’s Yankee blogs than I can count. They loved him.
Suppose we were offered Jake Peavy for Diaz, Tehrehan and Medlen. Who would you reckon the other team was after?
(Not that I’m assigning you the whole thrust of that argument just cuz you corrected me on Vizcaino’s prospect status with the Yanks.)
JeffInRaleigh
February 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Whole lot of ex-Braves on that list of “hanger-oners”…wonder what (if anything) that means ?
Aundray Bruce's Mother
February 23rd, 2010
2:56 pm
I just used to love watchin’ Spud Webb runnin’ the court.
What about Lou Brock?
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
2:58 pm
bravedawg, not dog. Sorry, yo.
tom
February 23rd, 2010
2:59 pm
I’m ready to go forward with what we have today. I would give the KID the RF job today, and let the platoon work itself out in Left. Biggest fear is management telling us he is not ready just like Medlin/Hanson last year……..we coulda’ been a contendah!!!!!!
Ted M
February 23rd, 2010
3:01 pm
I wonder is Dmitri Young weighs 375 lbs
T-Bone
February 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
In a perfect world–meaning without considering finances–I’d sign Dye and Smoltz.
Fed Up With "Fed Up With Wren (Again)"
February 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
Right, Bobby, but #1 PITCHING prospect, right?
T.O
February 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
If we wouldn’t have given Melky 3 mill we could have offered and signed Damon for 7.5 mill and went with Damon, McClouth and Diaz/Hayward. Wren doesn’t have a clue. 15 million a year to D. Lowe has handicapped our franchise for the next 3 years.
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
OH…
Yeah! What he said!
Aundray Bruce's Mother
February 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Jordan Schafer is pretty fast. He tore it up in spring training last year, and then tried to play with an injured wrist. I don’t understand why he’s been totally overlooked by the pundits.
Let’s quit trying to rally the people to support signing an over-the-hill, past-his-prime, out-to-pasture pretender. We need to play our young prospects each and every day, and the sky will truly be the limit.
Seems that everyone wants instant gratification.
And Roodge Owns
February 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
T.O. I don’t think Lowe’s contract is crippling. It’s bad, for sure. But add up the salary of the pitching rotation and divide by 5. Not a bad price for this staff. Most teams have a regrettable contract or two.
Clay
February 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
Jeez, T.O, Lowe had a bit of an off year and still won 15 games. If anyone is “handicapping our franchise”, look at Chipper and his .265 BA for $15M. How about watch what Melky can do in the NL East (as compared to the toughest division in MLB) before kicking him to the curb …
F-105 Thunderchief
February 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
Yes, what the heck can it hurt? He’s not going to cost a lot and still has some pop.
Bobby Cox
February 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
Gee, Skip. I hear Raul Mondesi has been tearing up the Barbados/Aruba Winter League. Maybe Frank can give him a call. Duh.
Clay
February 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
I’m with you on Damon, Aundray Bruce’s Mother, but wish Schafer would have told the Braves about the injury right away. Instead, all we can remember about his stint last year is that he looked as silly as Frenchy waving at low-and-outside pitches.
Branch Rickey
February 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Dye or Damon would only impede the progress of Heyward and Schafer. Lets play the guys with some UPSIDE for once ! Enough of the old, washed-up hasbeens that Bobby Cox likes to surround himself with !
Frank Wren
February 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Gee, Skip. I hear Raul Mondesi has been tearing up the Barbados/Aruba Winter League. Maybe Frank can give him a call. Duh.
Sorry, Bobby. He’d wreck the budget.
bali
February 23rd, 2010
3:24 pm
maybe dye would be the dymond in the rough and propell the braves to new heights.. nah……………me thinks it will be a long long season………… bet the braves lead the league with players on the injured list tho
Jesse Stone
February 23rd, 2010
3:26 pm
Clay, Don’t judge a pitcher by the number of wins he got. That number is misleading.
Whatever
February 23rd, 2010
3:28 pm
Braves ain’t gonna do squat, period. They made a half-ass offer to Damon just so they could tell their fans: We tried to get Damon. We are trying to make our ball-club better. Whatever!
Jesse Stone
February 23rd, 2010
3:29 pm
A 4.67 ERA and a WHIP over 1.5 are more telling of the year he had. He may have also led the league in hits allowed.
Steve
February 23rd, 2010
3:29 pm
Got to hand it to the sports writers for the AJC, they sur know how to stir up the pot with absolute idiocy. Sadly, it works judging by most of the posters.
As ‘Fed Up’ noted, this was not a Vazquez for Melky trade. You can look at it one of two ways considering the money savings. It was either:
1) Vazquez and Logan for Hudson, Cabrera, Dunn, Vizcaino. This trade is basically what it worked out to be.
or
2) If you don’t think you can include the Hudson part because the money for Hudson was already spent, then you have to then admit that the monetary savings from the trade allowed us to sign Glaus and Hinske. Thus making the trade Vazquez and Logan for Glaus, Hinske, Cabrera, Dunn, and Viscaino.
Simply calling it a Vazquez for Melky trade like Schultzie did is ridiculous. Even worse, falling for Schultzie’s bait shows just how ignorant of baseball most of the people on this board are. I pity you, I really do.
I haven’t even addressed the part that the Braves were going to trade Vazquez for much less mid-season, or lose him to free agency and get nothing back (they would not have tendered, so no draft picks). Seriously people, even if Vazquez pitches lights out it was still a good move given our depth in the rotation and all the holes elsewhere. Add to this the fact that Vazquez career numbers are a run per game higher than last year and he likely won’t come close to repeating that, and you have a great trade. This will be like when the Braves decided not to keep Avery, Mercker, Moss, Chen, Perez and a host of other pitchers around that everyone thought were going to be great. The Braves have made mostly great decisions in the last two decades when it comes to pitching, and I believe by mid-season people will be glad this trade was made. They should already be glad if they could learn to think for themselves and not clamp down on the bait these AJC writers keep throwing them. So sad.
Walker, Texas Ranger
February 23rd, 2010
3:32 pm
get Dye or Shefield? Trade Melkey, I agree with the post earlier, Braves don’t know their a$$ from a hole in the ground.
VirginiaBrave
February 23rd, 2010
3:33 pm
Folks, It would not surprise me to see an opening day outfield of Schafer in left, McLouth in center, and Heyward in right…If Schafer has reacquired the swing he lost while trying to play through the wrist problem, he may be hard to keep out of the lineup, only time and spring training will settle the issue…Patience, friends, patience
Tailback U
February 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
Felt we should have reaquired him some time back.
Not sure that it’s an idea whose time is past but
hey , I don’t think we run the risk of screwing up
a champiomship lineup by giving it a try.
Frank Wren's Conscience
February 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
My, God ! I’ve tied up ONE-THIRD (29 million) of the 2010 team payroll in washed-up hasbeens like Derek Lowe & Chipper Jones, paying them salaries that premier players get. No wonder I have nothing left to spend to improve the team !
SMH
February 23rd, 2010
3:35 pm
We don’t need 156 outfielders. Let Heyward play!
VirginiaBrave
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
I am not at a place to have statistics available…someone please show me the comparisons between Damon, Dye, and Diaz..Last years figures.thanks
GetwhatUpayfor
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
No to Dye and the rest of the free agents.No to Schafer until after he plays AAA ball for a while. He has only played 3 months out of two years and needs time on Farm.
If we get a power hitter it will be by a trade. Never happy until maybe July.
Otis Nixon
February 23rd, 2010
3:40 pm
PUT ME IN (sniff), I’LL LIGHT THAT A$$ UP!!!!!!
MLH
February 23rd, 2010
3:41 pm
I’ve never seen so many baseball ignorant posts in my life. And that’s including the actual blog.
.
February 23rd, 2010
3:42 pm
Neither do you Ranger!
Clay
February 23rd, 2010
3:42 pm
That’s my point. An off year, yet he won 15 games. Maybe I’m old school, but if my 5 starters win 15 games each, I make the playoffs. I don’t care what their ERAs are. Just win, baby.
Town Character Art Leo
February 23rd, 2010
3:45 pm
Jeff, the trade you consistently refer to as “Vasquez for Melky Cabrera” is actually more than that, as you know. The key for the Braves was the young pitcher they received from New York. It won’t help the Braves this year, but stop making it sound like all the Braves received in the trade is the regretably nicknamed “Melkman”.
matt r
February 23rd, 2010
3:51 pm
I hear the polls never *open in Havana.
There, fixed for you.
Ted Striker
February 23rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Is Dye still playing, man? If he is, heck yeah…give him a shot. For that matter, give those 2 coeds I ran into at lunch at 5 Points Deli at shot at me later tonight.
Woot!
John
February 23rd, 2010
3:57 pm
I really think 1B is where we have the biggest whole. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think Glaus is going to bring much offensively, and definately not defensively. By the end of the year, I bet Prado is playing first, with Infante at second.
collegeballfan
February 23rd, 2010
3:57 pm
Hold off for now & lets see what Heyward & others do.
John
February 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
What I was trying to say two posts up is that we do not need to sign any outfielders. We have enough with McLouth, Diaz, Cabrera, Heyward, and Schaeffer. I think we will be wishing Wren had resigned LaRoche.
mn possum
February 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
Since we are dealing with former Braves and “older” players, let’s bring back Ralph Garr.
John
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
How about taking a chance on Dmitri Young ? He had a heck of a year a couple years back, I know he had some health problems, but could be a good risk if he signs a minor league contract.
John L
February 23rd, 2010
4:17 pm
That 4.12 post should have read John L
cliff clavin
February 23rd, 2010
4:18 pm
It’s a little know fact . . . but Mike Hampton was up for the part in the movie “Unbreakable” but they gave it to Samuel L. Jackson.
angry banker
February 23rd, 2010
4:19 pm
Think we already made the move to bring in a vet OF w/ Cabrera. Don’t think we need a 2nd unless they want someone to platoon with Diaz. They did that last year with G.A., and Diaz outplayed him. Should be fine assuming either Schaffer or Heyward pan out for this year.
LETS GET SOME HELP AT FIRST!! Glaus is a patch at best. Injury prone and not that great at DEF. We’ll need someone to back him up through the year.
I agree with John, we’ll probably wind up with Prado at first by the end of year… maybe the all-star break
VirginiaBrave
February 23rd, 2010
4:25 pm
angry banker,,I will have to give you that how Glaus will play defense at 1st is yet to be determined…but look at his 3rd base defense…almost, if not, gold glove..if he can do it on that side, he can do it on the other..if you are an athlete, you can play different positions…and being a patch, yes…that is what he was signed for..to be a patch until Freeman is ready..and we have Hinske to back him up..Just wait…I would bet that all these negative posts, before these players have a chance to show what they can (or cannot) do, will be eating some of these words…..
Gil Garrido
February 23rd, 2010
4:26 pm
Perhaps Julio Franco is still available. That dude could hit. And by the end of April, when Kelly is released, we can pick him back up and start him at second, relegating Prado to the bench. I also hear Jeff Burroughs is interested in a comeback. He’s probably 55 or so, but he had power twenty years ago. Or, hey, here’s an idea: What’s Murph doing these days?
JMar
February 23rd, 2010
4:27 pm
This article completely fails to acknowledge that Jermaine Dye is a Type A free agent that would cost a draft pick.
Jeff Walker
February 23rd, 2010
4:28 pm
Only sign Dye if we can move our 4th outfielder that makes $3.1M (Melky). What kind of mid market team with a sub-$100M payroll can afford a weak hitting 4th outfielder at that price? Trade him and then you can sign Dye
Jeff Walker
February 23rd, 2010
4:29 pm
JMAR: Dye wasn’t not offered arbitration if im thinking right. Why would the chi sox decline his $12M option, and then offer arbitration? I don’t think you checked your facts
BobL
February 23rd, 2010
4:30 pm
Heck yes. We never should have let him go!
VirginiaBrave
February 23rd, 2010
4:44 pm
Check Dye,s defense…another Garrett Anderson, and that is only if he is capable of playing left…no way would Dye beat out Heyward, defensively or offensively, We need to think before we type…would we be better off with Dye in left rather than Diaz/Cabera…somehow I do not think so..Cabera has speed and better deense, and his batting average is higher. not as much power, but will not give up the runs either…Diaz, wow, look at his average last year..and defense is quite adequate..either of these options alone is better than Dye, just not as much power…
Chris
February 23rd, 2010
4:45 pm
Hmm…an over-the-hill no defense OF who we’d sign on a one-year deal in order to bolster the middle of the lineup.
Because it worked so well last year.
JAXBrave
February 23rd, 2010
4:46 pm
Go get Felipe Lopez. He can play three infield spots well and is a solid bat. Also, get Hank Blalock some left handed pop is what we need. Isn’t that the reason that we traded for LaRoche last year and then turn around and sign right-handed hitting Troy Glaus? If you ask me Frank Wren should take a big shot of RETIREMENT.
N
February 23rd, 2010
4:46 pm
I feel comfortable with this Team and am not so worried about the offense as some. Sure feel a lot better with the offense then a year ago. Javier trade doesn’t bother me, I liked it, made a lot of sense when Vasquez was in his last year.
N
February 23rd, 2010
4:49 pm
We Signed Glaus because we badly needed a right handed power hitter, not Left handed. Our lineup is full of left handed hitters.
N
February 23rd, 2010
4:51 pm
Yep, sure did work well last year, I’m glad we had Anderson in left and average production as opposed to the other options, namely Frenchy or Schaefer.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
February 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
Ted, Olde Towne Tavern in Kennesaw on Saturday. Still thinking about her today. Yowsa!
Hank44
February 23rd, 2010
5:04 pm
Dye no, Smoltz yes and Crede would be a good bat off the bench and could play the field and is actually fairly young at 31.
Nathan Mayer
February 23rd, 2010
5:04 pm
Forget Dye, I can’t believe Pedro Martinez is still out there. He didn’t look great in cold weather but his stuff looked filthy last year.
180 innings, 3.3 ERA all for $3 million. That makes the Lowe deal look like a disaster.
N
February 23rd, 2010
5:15 pm
Where would Crede fit. You only get 25 spots. Means you have to drop someone like Infante, Hinske or leave Heyward down on the farm. I’d like Crede too but the spots seem to be filled, barring injury.
Hank44
February 23rd, 2010
5:16 pm
Smoltz needs to go out as a Brave and eventually we will need him and can use him this season in some capacity.
N
February 23rd, 2010
5:16 pm
Same reason Pedro was available a year ago probably, he is holding out for too much money.
Hank44
February 23rd, 2010
5:17 pm
Crede might not fit because of limited spots, but I’d sure like him in there somewhere.
bvillebaron
February 23rd, 2010
5:21 pm
Sign Dye? In a word: NO!
Joey M
February 23rd, 2010
5:31 pm
We are done signing veterans. We have enough of them. Out outfield is set. Worst case scenario is Heyward stays in Gwinnett till June. We have an outfield with Diaz, Cabrera, McLouth, Hinske, and Schafer. There will be some platooning and lineup changes. The infield is as fine as health goes. Chipper is a trip over the ottoman away from becoming an insurance reimbursement. Glaus is hit & miss. He can either hit 30+ and drive in 100+ or he is released mid-season and we bring up Freeman. This is not a fair sendoff to Bobby Cox. But it is what it is. The best Liberty Media is willing to do for it’s fans.
Space Monkey
February 23rd, 2010
5:39 pm
Smoltz. It kills me to see him in another uni.
DamYankee
February 23rd, 2010
5:48 pm
Viginia Brave:
Dye: .250 Avg. .340 OBP, .453 SLG, .826 OPS, 27 HR, 81 RBI in 503 AB’s
Damon: .282, .365, .489, .854, 24, 82 in 550 AB’s
Diaz: .313, .390, .488, .878, 13, 58 in 371 AB’s
IMO, the Braves already have the better hitter, get him 500+ AB’s, sit back & watch the fun!
Raymond Crabtree
February 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
I don’t see where it makes any difference. Why not see if Bob Horner is available. Why not Murph or even Bartkowski. Anyone but the whiffers we had last year.
Dan Schlossberg
February 23rd, 2010
10:17 pm
Hank Blalock is 29, plays both infield corners, and is still unsigned? Is Frank Wren waiting for an engraved invitation?
trainman
February 24th, 2010
12:18 am
Lineup: Nate (cf), Martin (2b), Chipper (3b), Tony (1b), Mac (c), Escobar (ss), Matt (lf), The Hulk (rf), Pitcher. Play Ball. And keep the Hulk from McDonough here in Atlanta. Rather have him hit .250 and 15 homers than over the hill options discussed here (Dye, etc.).
Joe
February 24th, 2010
1:17 am
Yes this braves should sign Jermaine Dye he can provide the team with some power in the outfield and he don’t have to play everyday he can platoon with Eric Hinske.
Kevlar
February 24th, 2010
2:35 am
Yes. Worthwhile for $3.5M. Could easily hit 30 homeruns. $3.5M can’t get you a waterboy these days in MLB.
TommyJack
February 24th, 2010
8:11 am
No former braves. No sirree.
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
February 24th, 2010
8:43 am
Yeah, what is the deal with Hank Blaylock? Is he a butthole, injured, what? Why is he still available?
bruce
February 24th, 2010
9:05 am
I only see moves to add if we have another injury…. diory’s injury is probably covered with existing backup capability. While we may have bullpen depth to offer, I hope we do not do that.
JC
February 24th, 2010
9:41 am
Im concerned that nobody is giving Melky a chance. The guy played in NY and was the 8the best player on an ALL-STAR team. That is nothing to be ashamed about! And do we really want another outfielder hitting .250 (Dye)? I think Shafer will prove he is ready to be in the majors and he will make the team out of spring because of his speed and what he may be able to bring to the top of the lineup. Plus, I really like alot of the talent we have in the outfield, especially at the minor league level. I really liked what Brooks Conrad brought to the table last year. Showed alot of determination for a pretty inexperienced guy.
JC
February 24th, 2010
9:55 am
Plus, 32 homers from a 20 year old (Cody Johnson) out of A ball last year. We are putting so much pressure on another 20 year old, with little experience over A ball. Who’s to say that this guy wont be ready in another year or two? I think McLouth will return to All-Star form this year, Diaz will be Diaz, and Melky will be better than you think. Let Heyward progress! He will be great but do we need him great on opening day? I dont think so!
FSU FOOTBALL #1
February 24th, 2010
10:01 am
I like the idea of signing Dye if not him Blaylock. People who is still dogging Melky give him a chance its not his fault he is hear and dont need to be critized like this.
JeanE
February 24th, 2010
10:16 am
Jeff, I usually like your stuff but lately, you seem desperate to stir something up. Here’s my take on your attempt to stir interest in yet another washed up hasbeen player: NO NO NO NO NO. That emphatic enough? We have no need for another veteran past his prime player who will eat up salary. We are fine as is, we have some versatile players and Mac will be back, I think Chipper will resurrect himself for Bobby’s last year, Nate can SEE (who knew he couldn’t, not me) and Diaz will be back to Captain Caveman as usual. Go Braves!
Furman Bisher
February 24th, 2010
12:57 pm
“I considered Damon more important because I thought — and still think — the leadoff position in this lineup is more important than adding power.” -Schultz
This is documented proof that you really didn’t see a lot of Braves games the last two years. Do you work in the Sports department?
Also, has anybody seen my bedpan?!
Bravesfan36
February 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
No I don’t think we need to add anyone else. I feel we need to give Shafer another chance, if he proves he is ready in spring training. I think Shafer can match the defense in certerfield of McClouth, plus Shafer also has a much better arm. If Shafer proves he is not ready then Diaz and Melky can definitely fill the LF roll just as well as anyone availble. I know a lot of people have given up on Shafer, but you can tell the kid is a ballplayer. He let his enthusasm outweigh any common sense he had. In my opinion I think our best outfield would be McClouth LF, Shafer CF, and Heyward RF. How many times did people watch a game last year and wonder why McClouth did not make throws. Then when he did we knew why. He did not have the arm to make the throws. He is a much better fit in LF due to his arm strength. Like I said, this is my opinion and what I would like to see. I know it probably will not happen this year, I just hope we don’t give up on Shafer and trade him.
Ted Striker
February 24th, 2010
2:20 pm
Barnacle Bill — Just saw your comment. Wish I’d been there. Send me a postcard, or at least some video from your iPhone.
Mark
February 24th, 2010
2:57 pm
Dye and Sheffield have the potential pop that could help the Braves. I’m sorry but you can’t argue that Glaus is any better of a pickup than one of these 2 IF they will come at a substantially lower salary than they are used to making.
Those of you expecting Heyward to come in and hit .290/25/85 are dreaming. Their is absolutely no rush to bring this kid up. It’s not like it’s now or never with this kid. It’s not as if he is the missing piece to a championship team.
Mark
February 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
This team needs a bonified ML slugger to compete and they didn’t get one. Heyward is not goint to be the 30/100 guy this team desperately needs. Not as a rookie at least.
Brian
February 24th, 2010
3:40 pm
Whole article without one mention of the reason he is not signed: he can’t play defense. Even if he hits 25 HR, his defense will be so bad that he will still make the team worse. Teams know this, and that’s why he hasn’t been signed. The Braves don’t have an open DH spot.
ugaaccountant
February 24th, 2010
4:51 pm
absolutely not. He was one of the worst players in baseball the second half of 2009. At his age, it’s unlikely he improves.
Marvin Mangrum
February 24th, 2010
5:11 pm
You know, years ago we to Florida to see the Braves in spring training, they had a right field candidate, do think it was Jermaine Dye, during bp he hit balls that sounded like a cannon going off, each one just flew out. Then it seems he made the team. Then weeks later twas an article about him living in the center fielders house till he got his own house. He was gone within 10 days. Since that time I do not believe that all the Braves, I said all of the Braves outfielders have hit as many homers as him. I have this trade Bobby, or is that boobie, then get Mr Dye before he dies of old age. Yeah, dats my Braves, Frank Wren old GM at Baltimore, yeah, yeah all those championships. Yeah, yeah! If you believe in this bunch to win, God help you.
MitchC
February 24th, 2010
5:51 pm
I”d try Rocco Badelli. Yes, he had injury issues last year, but, he’s not that old, and has good power. The Braves can use another power bat in the lineup. Our starting pitching and bullpen seem to be set. Why not take a shot at spending a few mil on someone in the one area we need, power hitting?
jojo
February 25th, 2010
4:45 pm
I think we are set with position players, I am more concerned with back up starting pitching. Maybe Washburn or Smoltz for no more than 2 -2 1/2 mil for one year. It does not appear that there is a long line to sign either.
01HAWK
February 25th, 2010
4:47 pm
BRAVES will finish 3rd or 4th. No money to compete. Chipper needs to reture, PHILLIES win again
Navigator
March 13th, 2010
9:25 am
They can’t get Jermaine Dye, are you kidding, BCox got rid of the talentless outfielder for some old has been, so the Braves can’t bring him back. That would be admitting they were stupid in the first place!!! They can find some old cast off and res-erect their career and be BCox’s new star, platooning him with some other has been or never will be. Am I the only one that can’t wait to see his retirement from the Braves. I know he’s one of the greatest managers of all time, yeah and Casey Stengel was a bum, Not!!!
ET
March 13th, 2010
11:55 am
This blog shows why you can’t run a team by referendum. There are too many ill informed fans out there. Glaus has torn up the spring season so far. He is batting .750 and hitting the ball hard. A slight (Millimeters) adjustment in his swing and the ball will fly out of the ball park…yet posters say that is our weak spot on the roster? Really? Glaus was an all star at third base. So he had surgery last year and had to recover…so what? This guy can hit. Plus the adjustment from being an all star third baseman to an all star first baseman isn’t as difficult as you guys think it is. When you look back at this season you will see that worrying about Glaus was just wasted energy…trust me.
Plus the posters who keep saying that the Braves are a losing organization simply don’t know history. Most teams would sell their souls to be the team that has the 14 year streak of winning their division. No other team in any pro sport can claim that honor expect the Braves. If you guys don’t like the Braves or how they are run, then I suggest you go root for another team…say maybe the Pirates or the Giants…just get the heck out of here.
Go Braves (& thanks Mr. Wren)
Lol at ET
April 26th, 2010
6:00 am
LOL at Glaus tearing it up in Spring Training. Glaus sucks.. The outfield sucks too. I want Dye.