Braves again watch while Phillies sign Lee, spend millions
If the Braves win a World Series with Liberty Media as the owner, it won't be because they spent millions in free agency. (AJC photo)
Let’s start with the obvious: Baseball teams don’t win championships in December.
If they did, the World Series would be on a consistent rotation between the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox, often coming down to which team lost a pitcher to a hyper-extended elbow at the drive-thru ATM.
But December says a lot about aspirations and expectations, and the Braves’ owners, in the holiday spirit, once again look like Mr. Potter telling George Bailey to stick it.
The Philadelphia Phillies – whose team payroll already was about $58 million more than the Braves’ last season – just added Cliff Lee to their pitching staff. It gives them four pitchers (Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels) in their starting rotation who have combined for three Cy Young Awards, 13 All-Star games, two NLCS MVP awards and one World Series MVP.
It turns the Phillies — pending any other acquisitions of Albert Pujols or a Swiss Bank — into the overwhelming favorites to win the National League East, the N.L. pennant and the World Series, after which they can move onto other solar systems.
But this isn’t about a division rival adding one pitcher. It’s about the Braves being stuck with one owner.
General manager Frank Wren has conceded several times that he has to work within the confines of a budget, while trying not to step on the Bruno Magli covered toes of team owner Liberty Media. Fans may live for checkbook roster building in the winter, but the Braves don’t have that option.
This is Greg Maffei. He makes more than the entire Braves' roster.
Liberty Media doesn’t really care about you, or the product, or the fact that the Phillies’ team payroll has jumped from $89 million in 2007 to $142 million last season. They don’t hand out peanuts and foam tomahawks at stockholders meetings. They hand out profit-and-loss statements.
In sports, we want owners who are as passionate as the guy who’ll show up for the Tuesday night game against the Florida Marlins. Sorry. You get the owner whose luxury suite remains empty on a summer weekend.
A recent Wall Street Journal survey of the nation’s top 10 paid CEOs showed Liberty Media’s Gregory Maffei’s total compensation was $87.1 million, four times his financial take of the year before. The Braves’ total payroll last year: $84 million.
Question: Can Maffei play center field or hit leadoff, because the Braves are still a bit thin in those areas?
Somebody once said money doesn’t buy happiness but it enables one to pick their own misery. Applying that to sports: Money doesn’t guarantee the Phillies are going to win the World Series, but it gives them a significant advantage over the Braves when they go shopping.
Wren told our Carroll Rogers that the Lee signing, “really has no impact on the construction of our roster.”
What would you expect him to say? “Dang! We should’ve signed Carl Crawford!”
Wren robbed the Marlins of Dan Uggla. That strengthened their lineup and will enable them to move Martin Prado to either left field or third base. But they’ve still got issues. They’re banking on Chipper Jones being able to come back from a torn ACL, and he turns 39 in April. They’re banking of Freddie Freeman being ready at first base. Most of all, they’re banking on some combination of Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer not being a train wreck again in center.
With the Phillies signing Lee, some are now screaming for the Braves to acquire Zack Greinke from Kansas City. But the Braves really don’t need another starting pitcher. The rotation of Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe and Jair Jurrjens doesn’t have the marquee value of Lee-Halladay-Oswalt-Hamels. But it’s better than most. What the Braves really need is a proven center fielder and/or leadoff hitter and/or another bat (especially if Jones can’t come back). But the lack of cash flow precluded them from going after somebody like Crawford or even Jayson Werth in free agency, or absorbing a big contract in a trade.
Once again, the Braves must shop with coupons. Sometimes that works. But it’s not the way to build hope.
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312 comments Add your comment
Braverman
December 14th, 2010
3:39 pm
If salary should be based on attendance then
2009 Atlanta regular season attendance 2,373,631 avg 29,304,
2010 Atlanta regular season attendance 2,510,119 avg 30,989
6% increase in attendance should mean atleast that much in salary increase? That would equate to 5million more than last year. Anyone know where we are today in salary for 2011? Anyone still to go to arbitration and get big increase?
Ron Roberts
December 14th, 2010
3:39 pm
The Braves aren’t quite the Tampa Bay Rays – having to wait on prospects to get good enough to become a formidable team before we lose ‘em to free agency; but they’ re very much somewhere between Tampa and the Phree-spending Philths, Sawx and Yanks, for sure.
But “big picture,” here…what’s the goal? We can’t shed any of our prospects for fear they’ll win us a World Series in the immediate future after 2011? Who cares WHEN we win a World Series, so long as we win, right? If there’s a big-hitting outfielder out there available to us for 1-2 years at the expense of a couple of top-tier prospects, or a prospect and a Beachy or Minor… aren’t we well-stocked at pitching that we could handle that loss and do quite fine, anyhow?
I mean, at some point and time, you have to either make room in Atlanta FOR these prospects or move them for guys that can help you win now.
I’m concerned about Chipper’s return; I’m concerned about Freddie Freeman being our everyday 1B, with only the safety net of Eric Hinske behind him; I’m concerned about “hoping” Nate McLouth gets it back together; I’m very much concerned about our bobbling SS and our error-prone 2B.
Prado, Heyward, McCann are all gamers, but boy we sure have a lot of “ifs” in the other starting five spots. Things could go well for some or most, or dramatically bad; same for our rotation – JJ could be great (again) or not; Derek Lowe may have found his groove (or somehow lost again in the off-season); and which Tommy Hanson will show? And what to make of the “chances” we’re taking in the bullpen?
PMC
December 14th, 2010
3:42 pm
Let’s trade Ed Wade an old Craig Biggio rookie card for Michael Bourne!
NCBravesFan
December 14th, 2010
3:43 pm
As much as it pains me, I gotta tip my cap to the Phillies for going all in to try and win a title. They’ve been to the playoffs the past two years with nothing to show for it, so they went out and made a move to get better while their core group is in their prime.
As for the Braves, they should be in pretty good shape to contend for the WC. The WC is a little more dicey in some ways in that a team’s final record is reflective of both how talented the roster is AND the strength of the division they happen to play in.
Braverman
December 14th, 2010
3:46 pm
Agree we had plenty to be thankful for in the 90’s and definitely underappreciated what we had. But 1 series crown in 15 straight years of division titles isn’t exactly coming through. And this is a “what have you done for me lately” world afterall. If they want my $60.00 for a ticket don’t sale me on Maddux and Glavine anymore. Its a new era and we dont have much to show for it.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
3:46 pm
If you can tell anything from payrolls, it’s you have to spend a little to be competitive, but once you reach the playoffs, it’s anybodies ballgame.
2010 Giants 9th in Payroll – $99 million
2009 Yankees 1st in Payroll – $201 million
2008 Phillies 12th in Payroll – $98 million
2007 Red Sox 2nd in Payroll – $143 million
2006 Cardinals 11th in Payroll – $89 million
2005 White Sox 13th in Payroll – $75 million
2004 Red Sox 2nd in Payroll – $127 million
2003 Marlins 25th in Payroll – $49 million
2002 Angels 15th in Payroll – $62 million
2001 Diamondbacks 8th in Payroll – $85 million
2000 Yankees 1st in Payroll – $93 million
1999 Yankees 1st in Payroll – $88 million
1998 Yankees 2nd in Payroll – $63 million
1997 Marlins 7th in Payroll – $59 million
1996 Yankees 1st in Payroll – $52 million
1995 Braves 3rd in Payroll – $45 million
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
3:48 pm
“owners” Multiple shareholders in Liberty Media
Braves vs. Phills
December 14th, 2010
3:49 pm
Gotta give it to AJC writers & most of the Braves bloggers the glass is half always half empty! Minnesota Twins & the Tampa Bay Rays players are on a small market team, don’t whine about off-season or ownership they just show up to every game & compete at high levels.
Johng
December 14th, 2010
3:49 pm
Nicely said Com” on man.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
3:50 pm
“Gotta give it to AJC writers & most of the Braves bloggers the glass is half always half empty! Minnesota Twins & the Tampa Bay Rays players are on a small market team, don’t whine about off-season or ownership they just show up to every game & compete at high levels.”
AMEN!!! although I see great struggles in the future for Tampa Bay.
Dan11991
December 14th, 2010
3:51 pm
Philly fan, The difference between smoltz/glavine/maddux and lee/halladay/etc., Is that we drafted them and raised them. Philly just pulled out their checkbook. I hate Philly fans, Disrespectful, worthless, stupidest people on earth
James
December 14th, 2010
3:51 pm
Braves should sign Manny Ramirez.
Brent
December 14th, 2010
3:53 pm
Jeff,
One thing we seem to be missing here: Phillies attendence 3,647,249, Braves attendence 2,510,119. That extra million fans per year brings in a lot of extra revenue for Philly to spend. It isn’t all about the owner’s willingness to spend, a lot of it is about the fans willingness to spend.
James
December 14th, 2010
3:55 pm
Braves should sign Adam LaRoche to play 1B.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
3:55 pm
15 of the past 16 World Series Champions have been in the upper half of payroll salaries, but it has no direct correlation to who wins it once the playoffs start. Sure you can ALMOST pay for playoff appearances, but it takes a little luck and heart to win the whole thing. Braves fans, you all should be excited and optimistic about the product the Braves put on the field. At the least, the Braves have a excellent shot.
steve
December 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
Baseball has needed a salary cap for 10 years, there are so many teams that have no chance at winning a World Series because spending money to buy a championship has gotten so far out of control, hard to develop players and then watch them leave the team that took a chance on them by drafting and working with them so they had a chance to be good only to lose them in a bidding war when they became good, makes no sense and why would Pittsburgh or Kansas City fans bother spending money to go to the ball park when you know you have 0 chance to win , baseball had better wake-up before it is too late because there is no fairness in the way this sport is run.
Johng
December 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
dab11991
Only Cliff Lee was signed as a free agent. Philly traded 2 top prospects for Halladay, traded for Oswalt mid season, and Hamels came from the farm system. BTW, since you are such an educated fan, you may want to check the careers of your own players….maddux came from Chicago, Glavine was a rule 5 draft, only Avery came out of your farm system…you do your town proud buddy!
hop
December 14th, 2010
3:59 pm
I am not one if your fans,but you have expressed the views of many who know this is a true statement.
arthur blank attempted to buy the team but was turned down,and we will continue to play second fiddle to the phillies and other teams who are committed to win.
JP
December 14th, 2010
4:00 pm
I just can’t care enough to be a Braves fan. We have a crappy fan base and crappy ownership. I’m not a fair-weather fan, I’m a fair-owner fan. I support the Falcons through good times and bad because the ownership is good and Blank wants to put a good product on the field. Hawks, Thrashers, Braves … what a mess.
Braves vs. Phills
December 14th, 2010
4:02 pm
Sorry Jeff Shultz your a good journalist, but I think this article is strictly for the “Panic Depressants” ! Man up Braves fans, we haven’t even thrown the first pitch of Spring Training & your crying & whining.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:03 pm
Too late for a salary cap. Yankees and Red Sox would have to cut too much. Would eventually lead to a strike.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:04 pm
“Dan11991
December 14th, 2010
3:51 pm
Philly fan, The difference between smoltz/glavine/maddux and lee/halladay/etc., Is that we drafted them and raised them. Philly just pulled out their checkbook. I hate Philly fans, Disrespectful, worthless, stupidest people on earth”
MORON!!!!!!!
alex
December 14th, 2010
4:05 pm
More power to them. But when you go all in like this, you’d better win. And even if you do, it’s a Celtic’s win with the big three kind of win. A solid “meh” on the inspiration meter.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:06 pm
Does anyone agree that Cliff Lee is OVERRATED???? mediocre regular season numbers…
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:08 pm
Cliff Lee Career ERA of almost 4!!!!
Braves vs. Phills
December 14th, 2010
4:08 pm
@ steve great point about Pitts & KC, but remember that great pitching staff we put together when made our great playoff runs, we still only won one ring. Baseball still comes down to making good contact, putting the ball in play, & scoring runs no matter who’s in your batting order.
Kyle
December 14th, 2010
4:12 pm
Even before the Phils signed Lee, I was thinking the Braves should buddy up with the Yanks for Gardner…I still think it. Who to trade? Jair maybe? I mean, if you can’t beat em with pitching anyway, beat em with offense…and in theory, the Braves have a better lineup already.
Cecil34
December 14th, 2010
4:13 pm
Sanford Drive – you are correct Sir!
Atlanta sealed the Braves fate 45 years ago by stealing the land from the inhabitants there because Atlanta civic and political leaders were el-cheapo good ‘ol boys…..
and plopped the stadium down in the at-that-time worst area in the whole what-was-then metro area.
The Braves had poor teams in the 70’s, but you were taking your life in your hands to attend a night game there. You had better go then with buddies. I saw personally some bad things go down there in the parking lots.
No wonder attendance has been such a challenge there.
Building a stadium anywhere else (mid or north side) makes too much sense, but with this city government, you can guarantee the Ted will collapse on itself before the Braves move elsewhere. They have blocked preliminary fact-finding on this subject many times.
Schultzie – you should write a book about how that first stadium got built and how they came to put it there – it would blow your and our minds.
Oh, about the payroll – this is the new world order. Expect nothing else.
Bernard
December 14th, 2010
4:14 pm
Arthur Blank HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHelp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liberty SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSucks!!!!!!!!!!!
Braves vs. Phills
December 14th, 2010
4:16 pm
@ Come’on Man Most of these part-time baseball fans don’t realize he is overrated, because they only tune in to baseball during the postseason. Oh Yeah the reason there is no salary cap & steroids ran rampant is because MLB is ran by Bud Selig the “Collusion King”
Cecil34
December 14th, 2010
4:17 pm
Schultzie, I forgot to mention one of your AJC forefathers, the great Jesse Outlar was shot in the parking lot in the 70’s after a Falcons game – against the Rams if I remember correctly.
meh
December 14th, 2010
4:18 pm
probably never gonna happen but here’s my idea. But if the Yankees will go for it, trade McLouth, KK, and Beachy or some other minor league dude like Barbaro Canizares to the Yankees for Brett Gardner. stick Gardner in CF. Then take all the money they saved by dumping McLouth and KK on the Yankees and sign a decent free agent to play LF.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:20 pm
meh – No one will take those salaries. Com’on man think logically.
ga gator
December 14th, 2010
4:21 pm
With the Phillies adding another quality left handed pitcher, it makes the Braves letting Matt Diaz go appear even dumber than before. He might be an average at best Left fielder, but we really dont know what Prado can do there and Diaz was one of the best right handed hitters against left handed pitchers in the NL.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:22 pm
ga gator – I love Diaz to death, but he was terrible, I think Barbara Walters played a better LF. Prado will be a significant upgrade.
meh
December 14th, 2010
4:22 pm
logic smogic
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:25 pm
meh – you mean to tell me you would take on all that salary? There is a reason KK and Mclouth cant be moved anywhere…
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:28 pm
Plus, the day fans become satisfied with .250 15 homers and 75 runs scored is the day McLouth lives up to his expectations. Too many people overhyped him from the get go. He is a above average player thats all he has ever been. You didnt expect Otis Nixon to hit .300 with 30 bombs and 100 RBI so dont rely on McLouth.
meh
December 14th, 2010
4:29 pm
we’ll tell the Yank’s if they want some of our good young pitching then they have to take are overpaid sacks of crap as well.
wesley
December 14th, 2010
4:29 pm
Amen Sanford Drive, ive been saying it for years!!! I live North Metro ATL and Maybe make it to 2-3 games a year. I know a lot of people who like myself would love to go more games, however are just not comfortable in thug village. The enviroment for baseball just isnt there. I think a move a lttle north would increase attendence substantailly. I could at least by a couple hot dogs instead of more rounds for my ak47.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
I dont think the yanks really care at this point. I expect a steady decline for the Yankees with Hal in charge.
Braves vs. Phills
December 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
My proposal is since there isn’t anything left out there power wise on the market, go get an OF who has above average speed & plays solid defense. When Chipper returns we will have one of the slowest lineups in the NL, gotta keep them honest on basepaths Heyward is all we have as threat. To many times after a good double guys already on first still still ended up stranded at third!
MitchC
December 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Jeff, the most sickening part of your article, was seeing how much the compensation package of Liberty Media’s CEO is. Twenty five players on the Braves, while hardly “hard up” make less combined then one CEO of a company that bought the Braves merely for tax advantages, while trying to field a “team” by shopping at the discount store!
The thing is… even with the acquistion of Uggla.. I still didn’t think the Braves had enough to win the East, even before the Phillies got Lee. My thought about Uggla was “Good move to get a bat. We should now be the Wild Card favorites, but the Phillies are still the team to beat..until we prove otherwise”.
I’m not “dejected”, because to me, it doesnt change the picture, really. The Braves.. a team that won 91 games in 2010, got better by acquiring the bat we needed. We are a mid market team, that greatly improved ourselves. The thing is.. the Phillies.. are now one of the biggest market teams, except for the Yankees. Big market teams get marquee players with huge salaries. Thats how things are in baseball.
People are going to not like me for saying this, and I know it’s not going to happen.. but.. part of me keeps wishing that Chipper would retire, so that we can take the 10 mil plus he earns, and spend it on a younger, more productive bat. I know that wont happen… but…
Hopefully, if everyone on the Braves produces as they should, if Heyward doesn’t have a major soph slump, if Lowe is Lowe, and if Venters/Kimbrel can replace Wagner, we should be fine.
I dont see that things have changed for the Braves. Our team improved with Uggla. Philly just has more money, and is better than us, is all. It likely will turn out as last year, except maybe without the Braves blowing the seven game East lead. Philly should win 100 games, and the East.. easily, and the Braves should win 90 to 95, and the wild card. We just have to hope that the three teams behind us, dont make too much noise, to close the gap with us.
Jeff Schultz
December 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Braverman — Good question. One answer: players union never has been as strong as baseball’s.
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Cecil34, wesley, – http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/fans-residents-hope-for-440441.html
Jeff Schultz
December 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Southern Hope — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
December 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
Com’on Man — I don’t see that happening.
Jeff Schultz
December 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
Com’on Man — (part 2) Phillies are going to try to deal Blanton. But down the line (or sooner) they also could deal Cole Hamels, who’s 2 years away from free agency, I think.
Jeff Schultz
December 14th, 2010
4:38 pm
Here’s Liberty Media contact info for those inquiring:
12300 Liberty Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80112
Phone: 720-875-5400
Fax: 720-875-5401
Com'on Man
December 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
Braves vs. Phills – In my opinion, the only addition i foresee may be a utility infielder on the bench. Diory and Brooks dont seem to be the answer if someone goes down in the middle. I believe the CF position will eventually fall to McLouth or a much improved Schafer (both can provide speed) Rotation looks good, the pen looks good, and the lineup looks improved from last year.