No Griffey? Be happy, Frank! Be happy!
The guess is that one or two folks will regard this latest incompletion as further evidence Frank Wren doesn’t know what he’s doing. The belief here is that Wren keeps getting lucky like a … well, if not quite like a fox, then certainly like the luckiest dog this side of NASCAR.
Twice now an object of Wren’s affection has done an about-face. The belief here is that the Braves are better off without Ken Griffey Jr., just as they’re better off without Rafael Furcal. (As you know, I had deep reservations about Griffey and even deeper ones about Furcal.) But Wren wanted both, and what does that say about him?
It says he’s trying too hard. That’s understandable. He succeeded the matchless John Schuerholz and proceeded to put together a roster that fell apart due to injuries. Now Wren is trying to recapture all lost ground in the span of one offseason. Pursuing Jake Peavy made sense because Jake Peavy is 28; pursuing Furcal and Griffey, both on the back nine of their careers, made infinitely less.
Wren needs to step back, take a deep breath and do nothing. He has made the one move he had to make by signing Derek Lowe. Everything else can wait. The Braves don’t open until April 6. Let’s see what happens in Florida after the exhibitions begin.
This week Matt Diaz was asked how he felt when he hears Wren say — and Wren has said it time and again — that the Braves need another bat in the outfield. “As a player, you want the chance to provide that bat,” Diaz said, and we all know the man can hit lefthanders and at worst be half of a left-field platoon.
More Diaz: “I think we have a pretty adequate outfield. Jeff Francoeur drove in 70 runs last year, and that was the worst year of his career. We have [Josh] Anderson and [Jordan] Schafer and [Gregor] Blanco in center field, and when I was down in the minors doing my rehab last year I saw Schafer take over a couple of games. And in left, hopefully you’ll have me as part of a platoon. That might not strike a ton of fear into opponents, but it’s a capable outfield.”
If the pitching is as good as the Braves hope and the infield/catching is as good as Wren claims — “As good there as any team in our league or in baseball,” he said last month — a capable outfield would more than suffice. This team went into the offseason lacking players, but in Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami and Javier Vazquez the Braves have found most of what they needed.
The belief here is that Wren could do far worse than to trust his farm system and give Schafer and Anderson and Tommy Hanson a shot. (Really, who would you rather see as the Braves’ fifth starter in the year 2009 — Tommy Hanson or Tommy Glavine?) There’s no cause to chase every aging player who might come on the cheap. There’s no reason to mess with what is shaping up as a solid club just for the sake of messing.
Frank Wren has been around baseball for a long time, and he knows the game and the business. All he lacks is a dollop of patience. He should take the Griffey fizzle the same way he should have taken the Furcal fiasco — as a sign that sometimes less is more.
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101 comments Add your comment
Poorjeff
February 19th, 2009
10:02 am
So the Braves give in to Frenchy…..what a d@#$ joke!!!!
Whopper Dawg
February 19th, 2009
10:11 am
Mark,
I agree. Most of the errors the Braves have made the past five years or so are trading prospects for the perceived one piece or two pieces that will put them in the chase when in reality it only depleted the club to stay about the same level of performance. Stand pat, Let the kids play.
Whopper
Jeff
February 19th, 2009
10:13 am
More and more, this offseason is reminding a lot of what the Thrashers went through during their latest offseason. The Thrashers, being the laughing stock of the NHL, weren’t able to lure anybody to Atlanta unless they substantially overpaid for their services. In fact, the NHL has a MINIMUM salary cap that the Thrash were in danger of not meeting…thus not being eligible for any revenue sharing. In fact D-man Brian Campbell signed with the Blackhawks for roughly $5M less than what we offered. The same seems to be happening to the Braves (with the exception of the Burnett element). Why is it that players simply do not seem to want to come and play for the Braves?
And are we just stuck with the two worst GM’s in Waddell and Wren? Is there something in the water in Atlanta? Maybe Thomas Dimitroff should stay as far away from Wren and Waddell as possible.
Father of 5
February 19th, 2009
10:15 am
So the best you can say about Wren is that he keeps getting lucky . . . that instills confidence. You left out his attempt to nickel and dime Atlanta’s greatest icon ever and force him to much greener pasture. Fools will believe the hype and support this team in April. By June this team will be so far out of the race that the Gwinnett team will look pretty attractive. But then some people will give credit to Wren for helping to get the Gwinnett team off to a good start — all part of his plan. Or maybe he really is a clown.
null
February 19th, 2009
10:17 am
The best thing that happened to Wren was giving Hampton away. What a waste of money.
Daniel
February 19th, 2009
10:20 am
Griffey is done period! The Braves are in a rebuilding process. They are at best the 3rd best team in the east, Losing Furcal or griffey wasnt going to leap frog them to a division title. The Braves are limited with the cash resources Liberty has awared them, Certainly not as bad as Kanas City or Pittsburg, But not in the same league as the yankees, Cubs, mets or Dodgers. Best thing the Braves can do is sit back draft wisely, develope the players and stock pile the minor league system.With the current ownership, not expext to see a player whose stardom they manufactured stay in Atlanta after they achive free agent status. Those days under Turner are over. Keeping the rising stars and adding some other teams raising stars. Tampa Bay is where the Braves want to be. Develope the youngers , Don”t expext them to stay after 6 years, and when they sign with the Yankees for 100 mil, Move the next raising star in to replace. I do miss the regime of ted turner, but that is now of past, These are now different days and a very different Braves Organization. At least we havent reverted back to the mid to late 80″s Braves, 50 to 60 wins, crowds of 12 to 15,ooo, Not yet I hope
PMC
February 19th, 2009
10:27 am
an adequate outfield? Matt… you blew your knee out and the rest of the group hit what? 27 homers?
That’s the worst outfield production EVER. They may need 3 more bats in the outfield.
I agree with you long term Mark but scoring 3 to 4 runs a game for this team is going to be like pulling teeth. Hopefully this year they can manage to hang in 1 run games.
Ultrasuede
February 19th, 2009
10:27 am
I agree with you, Mark, that the Braves are better off without the aging Griffey. I wasn’t bummed that they didn’t get Furcal, either. And I hope that Tom Glavine does not sign with the Braves, because he’s way over the hill. I thank Tommy for his wonderful years with the Braves, but the Braves need to let the younger guys play and not sign a 40-something pitcher who doesn’t have it anymore.
I think they overpaid for Derek Lowe, too, and while Lowe will help them for a while, I think we’ll be saying in three years that it was a mistake to pay him that kind of money.
I also am not thrilled with the trade for Javier Vasquez (jeez, I don’t like any of the Braves’ moves this past offseason!)…I live in Chicago and saw Vasquez wet the bed time and time again with the White Sox.
All in all, I’d have rather seen the Braves rebuild with the youngsters, although I realize that they needed to get a veteran pitcher or two for the starting rotation — especially because they lost Smoltzie.
Ultrasuede
February 19th, 2009
10:31 am
PMC, speaking of Matt Diaz, I was at the Braves-Brewers game in Milwaukee last May when Diaz slid trying to catch a ball, and hit the wall down the leftfield line. I was at the Brave-Brewers game in 2007 when Smoltzie injured his shoulder warming up before an inning and walked off the field and onto the disabled list. I wonder what disaster I’ll see when I go to a Braves-Brewers game in Brew Town this year. Maybe I better stay away.
Robert M
February 19th, 2009
10:34 am
I keep hearing how the Braves have made mistakes over the past five years of trading prospects to rent players. I don’t like the rent-a-player scheme either, but tell me this….. Other than possibly Adam Wainwright, what prospects have gone on to other teams and done well?
DirtyDawg
February 19th, 2009
10:36 am
Hey, I got an idea…since Kelly Johnson ain’t worth spit as a second baseman, and since he’s got about as sweet a swing from the left side of the plate as there is in baseball, then why not let him and Diaz do their thing in left field…at least start out the season that way, and along with the development of whomever will show something in center and, obviously, a rejuvenated Francoeur in right (heh, heh, heh), we’ll be just fine….ya think?
Bill
February 19th, 2009
10:37 am
Mr. Bradley, does the newspaper really pay you to do this? Geez.. they get rid of Tony Barnhart but leave you, Moore, and Schultz? And people wonder why this newspaper is struggling. Wonder how much the Gwinnett daily Post’s subscription costs?
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
10:37 am
Let’s not compare the Braves to the Thrashers just yet.
BugKiller
February 19th, 2009
10:39 am
It is interesting though, how Wren cannot or will not close deals.
Furcal. Smoltz. Peavy. Burnett. Griffey.
In the end, the variable that remains the same is Wren.
He overpays for Derek Lowe by about 20 million dollars, when an extra 10 would have done the job.
His track record at other places (ahem, Baltimore) is dreadful.
It reminds me of Vince Dooley and Ray Goff. As good a person as Ray Goff is, and he is a good person, and he knows a lot about football, I mean, he guided Georgia to perhaps their least likely SEC Championship as a Veer QB in 1976, and he was on Coach Dooley’s staff for years, learning from a great coach, and in the end, it didn’t matter.
Frank Wren “learned” from The Genius for how many years?
In the end, it hasn’t mattered.
You can’t learn genius. And sometimes, you can’t learn from a genius, because their genius is so innate, it comes as second nature to them so much so that they don’t know how to teach it.
Wren is not the guy. More and more I am coming to that conclusion. Wren is not the guy.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
10:41 am
So what if Wren overpaid for Lowe? Everybody always overpays for free agents. The bottom line is that Wren got the guy he needed to get.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
February 19th, 2009
10:47 am
I agree with ya Mark. I have to admit I was pissed when Griffey didn’t come through; I thought it was going to be a good fit for our team. But in reality, it would be better to let the guys we have take positions out there. As you pointed out, if our pitching and infield is as good as it should be, having an average at best outfield will be sufficient, and to be honest I can’t see Frenchy having a season like he did last year, considering all the different steps he has taken this offseason to get ready.
Ryan in TN
February 19th, 2009
10:48 am
What people need to do is make up their mind!! Either rebuild and let your young kids play(don’t resign Chipper) or Put the pieces together and make a run at the playoffs. You cant go half and half it needs to be one or the other. Glavine gives them a far better option on paper as a fifth starter, than a rookie who has hardly made a start above “A” ball. Griffey is a far better option than most players we had a chance at. His presence at camp would have been very valuable to Heyward, giving the fact he may be in ATL next season. I think Wren has done a good job with what cards he was dealt. Hey, at least he didn’t trade the farm for Teixeira and get absolutly nothing in return.
don
February 19th, 2009
10:50 am
If Wren had stepped back and taken a deep breath rather than make the ridiculous Teixeira and Drew deals (neither produced anything), the team would be far better today and in the future.
Murph
February 19th, 2009
10:52 am
I agree completely. When you stop and think about it, guys like Griffey and Glavine are just names now. They aren’t the players they once were.
Sure, Griffey would have brought some intangibles to the team, but are you telling me that there aren’t guys in the Braves system who could outperform him on a nightly basis? Heyward is young, but from everything I’ve read, he’s got the tools to play in the majors. Why not give him a shot? So what if he only hits .250 during his rookie year?
I like Bobby Cox, I like Chipper Jones, but it’s time to bring some new blood onto this team. I’m sick of hearing how the veterans in Atlanta are so business-like. Get after it. Show some emotion. Play to have fun. The rest will take care of itself.
Matty
February 19th, 2009
10:53 am
Mark- can you please pass what ever it is you are smoking. There is no way this outfield is enough. You have the potential to have an outfield with a .240 average and 25 home runs, best case scenario .285 with 50hrs……no where near enough in this division.
Homer Simpson
February 19th, 2009
10:54 am
I lived in the Seattle area during Griffey’s Mariner days. Saw a lot of games in person and many more on TV. Griffey was the best, in those days. Now, he is simply an over weight, broken down, former great. Reminds me of Willie Mays trying to hang on those last couple of years and looking so bad. This is not a loss for Atlanta. They should have been after Bobby Abreu. He at least had something left. The guy did have a decent year last year. Now, all that is left out there are older, broken down, or un productive players. Fat chance on improvement this year.
jtb
February 19th, 2009
10:56 am
great idea mark….let the worst outfield in baseball just play ball. josh anderson? brandon jones? who the hell are these guys? wren needs to get on the horn and either sign garrett anderson, who hit almost .300 last year with about 15 homers and 85 rbi’s, or make a trade for nick swisher.
Coastal
February 19th, 2009
10:56 am
Is Ricky Henderson still available?
Mac
February 19th, 2009
10:58 am
If Frenchy becomes Frenchy again, rather than Brad Komminsk, everything’s OK. I’d love for one of the young guys to play his way into the lineup and the rookie of the year award. If that happens and the new pitchers pan out, it’s contender time.
richbrave
February 19th, 2009
10:58 am
For once I agree with you BRADLEY. Lets move on.
Jones
February 19th, 2009
10:59 am
I agree that Junior was not going to get this team to the playoffs, but he would have sold some tickets and could have been a good role model for the youngsters, however the way he treated the Braves recently begs to differ.
This team is really not any better than last years on paper so another 70-80 win season is in our future. People who just love to watch baseball will probably turn their attention more to Gwinnett Braves. Not downtown and much cheaper.
As far as Wren is concern what did we expect to get from him after his stay w/the O’s. Similar things happened to him when he was in control there.
Charles
February 19th, 2009
11:00 am
Frank Wren doesn’t know how to close a deal. Maybe the braves need to close their deal with him. I’ll never get over what he did to John Smoltz. Ever.
Tracy
February 19th, 2009
11:00 am
I’m a bit confused by those who cry that Smoltz is gone, but say the Braves don’t need a 40 something old pitcher in Glavine. What age again is Smoltz?
BugKiller
February 19th, 2009
11:03 am
Mark,
I understand you sometimes have to overpay for guys. It’s baseball. Compared to football and hockey, they’re ALL overpaid (not as badly as second contract guys in basketball, though).
But even you have to admit that Wren signing Lowe the way he did, overpaying him by THAT MUCH, smacked of desperation and emotionality from getting spurned by Furcal and screwing up the Smoltz negotiations.
Like he had to say, “Aha! I can close a deal! I can, I can, I can!!!”
And that’s exactly what the Lowe signing was about. No one offered him 20 million dollars close to what the Braves gave him. An extra 10 would have done, but probably have cost Wren another couple of days of waiting and haggling, but in the end, he would have gotten him, because, again, it would have been 10 million more than anyone else.
I maintain that the lone variable that remains the same in the comedy of errors that has been the Braves offseason has been Frank Wren.
In the end, it all comes back to Frank Wren.
And I maintain that my Vince Dooley-Ray Goff analogy works best.
The Braves would do well to cut bait with Wren, the sooner the better.
Otherwise, well, we’ve seen what can happen when someone who’s in over his head is made GM of a team and given carte blanche for 10 years.
As much as I abhor Bobby Cox as a manager, and I do believe he is the single-most overrated manager in the history of baseball, he has a good eye for talent, and I believe, after this year, it may be best for the organization that he return to his post as GM for a a few years to oversee an organizational restructuring that takes on a model like that of Minnesota or Tampa Bay, teams that rely soley on great defense, good pitching, and timely hitting (small ball), and not, as he does as a manager, on the three run homer, which hasn’t worked in years.
Bobby Cox for GM.
Greg Weis
February 19th, 2009
11:05 am
Mark, you write: “There’s no cause to chase every aging player who might come on the cheap. There’s no reason to mess with what is shaping up as a solid club just for the sake of messing.” Amen to the first statement. The second statement is also true, but with the clarification that “solid club” probably means finishing out of the money again at the end of the season. More and more it’s the case that you can’t build a winner just through the farm system, but have to pay big for at least a few proven free agents. The Braves corporate owners won’t do so as long as people keep watching on TV and coming in reasonable numbers to the stadium. Can’t really blame them…they’re in business to make money, after all.
DMac
February 19th, 2009
11:06 am
The Braves front office has turned a once proud organization into the laughingstocks of MLB. If the team had a real owner, the John and Frank show would have been cancelled long ago.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
11:06 am
Frank Wren didn’t make the J.D. Drew trade or the Mark Teixeira trade. John Schuerholz did.
David
February 19th, 2009
11:08 am
Mark now that Giffey is out of the picture, do You think the braves will go after Xavier Nady?
The GM
February 19th, 2009
11:09 am
Wren has been fortunate in dodging the missed signings of Griffy, Furcal, and Smoltz plus others. All injury prone over the hill or on there way there. And while his luck is holding Wren should not extend Chipper’s contract. If there ever was a player that needs to go to the AL and become a DH it is Chipper. There might be a trade there that would benefit both sides. It is time to refurbish the Braves with the next wave of young talent such as Hanson and Heyward. Toss them out there and give them time to mature. With the right manager it will be more fun to watch than older players trying to stay at the party one more season….see Tampa and Florida. Give Glavine and Cox a pat on the back and wish them well.
doc
February 19th, 2009
11:10 am
mark, i said when griff was bought up that he had a decision to make whether to play and compete in he came with the braves or retire to the mariners and go out gently. i am glad he realized he has very little left and decided to take the path of less pressure because by the outcry of his coming the expectations would have been huge. good riddance. now to find someone that is a major league player to help in left and strengthen the bench for when we have to go into the american league parks.
any extra money to revive the braves went into the sirrius radio salvage plan yesterday. get over it these are tough times. time for players in the system to step up is my guess.
Fire Frank Wren
February 19th, 2009
11:10 am
While the Braves might be better off without Griffey or without Furcal, the Braves would definitely be better off without Wren.
Wren is getting used over and over again. He’s that desperate kid in elementary school who wants everyone to like him, so he hangs on to one kid after another until they each tell him to go away. Do the Braves not see that Wren is doing irreparable damage to the organization that will last for years to come? Does the AJC not have the stones to publicly call for Wren’s resignation after one disaster after another?
Opening Day should be Publix Brown Paper Sack night. Just make sure you put it over your head and cut out the eye holes on your way to your seat.
Travis
February 19th, 2009
11:11 am
Mark,
You talk about griffey and furcal in their back 9, well what about lowe he is a 35 yr old that just got a 4 yr deal. I hope that works out but he is not going to be our ace for the next 4 yrs.
Kurt
February 19th, 2009
11:11 am
You need veterans to help the young ones along. I would rather them stay with what they have than trade more prospects for another bat.
The Teixeira and Drew deals were NOT done by Frank Wren, moron. The Jair Jurrjens steal, however, was.
And my God, people. Everyone in Atlanta has whined for years at how the Braves are penny pinchers. They finally throw some money at somebody, and everyone jumps on him for overpaying. So what? We have a solid rotation, a very good infield, and if Francoeur can return to form, an adequate outfield.
Moira
February 19th, 2009
11:11 am
What humiliating debacle is next for FRANK “WRONG AGAIN” WREN ?
My guess would be signing MICHAEL VICK as your new leadoff hitter and starting center fielder.
—-
Please commit suicide, MR. WREN.
TM
February 19th, 2009
11:14 am
I think you are on the right track MB with this article. I have my concerns about Frank Wren and his failed signings and some of his decisions to either go after a certain player or let one go (see John Smoltz). I have voiced my anger with the Smoltz situation, no need to rehash that. But, at some point when do we start looking at the person behind the moves or snubs?
I don’t share your optimism about the all snubs not being a bad thing. I don’t think we needed Furcal or Andruw Jones… I do believe this Braves team is over rated by it’s fans. 3 years missing the playoffs is not a coincidence. This team is still not improved from the last 3 years. We lost a major piece in the pitching staff in Smoltz both on the field and off. Picked up good pitcher in Lowe and an average pitcher in Vasquez. We have not improved our offense at all.
When does Frank Wren get held to the fire?
Also, I don’t think it was a coincidence that John Scherholtz moved upstairs. Not to attack JS at all, but I believe they (Braves upper mgt) knew they needed time before they would compete for title’s again. Bringing in a new G.M. gave them a “built-in” excuse for mediocrity for a few years. That is where this team is right now and the free agent players in the MLB know it. That is why you see all the snubs, period.
Rip D.
February 19th, 2009
11:14 am
two words ,GET MANNY !
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
11:15 am
I’d rather see them pursue Nady (or Garret Anderson, or Nick Swisher) than Griffey, David. But I contend the best course for now is to sit tight.
And for those who say the Braves’ outfield was terrible last season — it was, but that was last season. Francoeur will be better this year, and Diaz should be, too. And if Schafer is half as good as people seem to think, why not give him a long look?
Chixlovethebraves2
February 19th, 2009
11:17 am
What a great assessment, Mr. Bradley. My first reaction was not a good one when I first heard of the Griffey deal gone bad. But in reality, he would of sold a few more tickets but ticket-buyers dont win ballgames. The players on the field do. With Hanson and Heywood waiting in the wings, added with Lowe McCann Frenchy Escobar Johnson Shaefer Anderson…….goodness we may not win the WS this year but this talent we have now and on the horizon is unbeleivable. Let ‘em play!!!
Kurt
February 19th, 2009
11:17 am
Not resigning Chipper Jones would be a travesty. You’ll never attract anyone to come to Atlanta if they see how you treat your icons. If Smoltz had wanted to end his career here, he would have. As Chipper said, we were willing to pay him the same as Boston to play, just not as much to NOT play.
You have to show loyalty to the people that have shown you loyalty. Chipper is a Braves icon. Not bringing him back would be a PR disaster, and you show the rest of MLB how poorly you treat your best employees.
Scott
February 19th, 2009
11:19 am
GET NADY! Trade them Blanco, Morton and JoJo.
KennyP
February 19th, 2009
11:19 am
Just got off the phone with a friend of a friend of someone who knows Frank Wren, says he is very happy.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
11:21 am
Here’s my thinking, such as it is: The Braves lost 90 games last season. It isn’t often you turn around and win 90 games the next year. I’d rather see them building for something than to be playing old guys who won’t be here in 2010 and beyond. (And that’s why, as much as I like and respect Tom Glavine, I really don’t feel signing him is a pressing need.)
Joe
February 19th, 2009
11:24 am
As a loyal Braves fan I’ am happy Ken Griffey Jr. is returning to Seattle because that is wear he belongs and should end his career there. I think now GM Frank Wren should look at other options such as Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson, Trade for Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady I would like it if they got both Jim Edmonds and Garret Anderson.
Poorjeff
February 19th, 2009
11:26 am
Everybody always overpays for free agents?!?!**MB**..If thats the case why didn’t we get the other FA we wanted? **Smoltz** etc. Mark, you sound like the Pres and Congress. Is that your new Stimulus Plan, it ok to over pay?!?! Yes, we over paid and now don’t have enough money to get a LF. What about tickets, hot dogs, etc its alright to over pay? Have fun at the Park this year, see how many show up and over pay.
TM
February 19th, 2009
11:28 am
Let’s get this straight…
John Schuerholz created the current team and situation for all the past trades/signing’s and let go’s.
Frank Wren is responsible for letting Smoltz go and the lack of signing players this off season.
If you can’t grasp this… you probably think this Atlanta Braves team will compete for the NL East title.
I do like the idea of Bobby Cox going back to GM and saying so long to Mr. Wren. But based on almost all of the decisions that have happened in the last few years with the Braves, that will most likely not happen.
Kevin Taylor
February 19th, 2009
11:29 am
I am somewhat disappointed in the overall moves (not) made by Mr. Wren. While getting some good starters in this off season, allowing John Smoltz to leave Atlanta was a huge mistake. Just having John on the team at the same level he’s presently experiencing in Boston would have been worth the risk. With the depth in the starting rotation, and the hopeful emergence of Tommy Hanson, the Braves could have made a spot for Smoltz.
In light of the recent Griffey situation, I feel that the Braves will be fine without him. I believed that Griffey would have made a good impact in Atlanta but it’s his fault if he didn’t come to Atlanta, not Frank Wren’s. However, I do fault Wren for not getting Bobby Abreu. He, alone, would have given us what Griffey and Diaz combined would have given us (300 B.A. 20 homers and 100 R.B.I’s.
The solution in my opinion is to move Kelly Johnson to left and platoon with Diaz and sign another good free agent just waiting for someone to sign him, Orlando Hudson (if someone hasn’t already signed him). In Hudson, you have a very good fielder, a good solid bat (perfect leadoff)and an overall good teammate who can steal bases. Kelly and Diaz together can do as much as or even more than Griffey and Diaz.
We may not have a very powerful line up (though Chipper, McCann, and hopefully Francoeur can give 25 homers 100 r.b.i’s) but we’ll have speed, and potentially good production from every spot in the line up. With the solid starting pitching and a strong bullpen, the Braves will have what it takes to get back to the playoffs.
Regardless, Wren must make a good move to shore up left field if the Braves are to make the playoofs in 2009.
Capt Caveman
February 19th, 2009
11:31 am
I agree with you Mark. I’ve been saying all winter that the Bravos should let their young stars compete and fill out the roster.
David
February 19th, 2009
11:32 am
I still think sitting and doing nothing is the wrong answer. The braves need to get somebody other that Freny that can be a true leader and still can produce for that out field.
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
11:34 am
Mark has contradicted himself consistently since the Smoltz fiasco. As good a journalist as he is, he is just as stubborn. Lowe was the “one free agent the Braves needed to get”? Really? After you said it was good for the Braves to “start moving forward” by letting Smoltz go? A 36 year old free agent pitcher is really looking towards the future. I’ll let it go when you stop contradicting yourself Mark, I really will. Let me ask again… when do we stop blaming Smoltz for being arrogant, Furcal’s agent for lying, and the AJC (really, we are blaming a newspaper?) for Griffey, and start laying the blame on Frank Wren?
hawesg
February 19th, 2009
11:36 am
What a collosal pattern of failure on Wren’s part. Why are we constantly reading about whom he’s targeting? I’m sure Schuerholz got stiffed on deals over the years, too. But we never heard about it in the paper. We never hear when playes turn down deals from the Red Sox either. Wren has improved this team on the field, sure. But he has damaged the franchise’s reputation by appearing amateurish and unable to close a deal with players.
Did Griffey bolt from Atlanta’s offer because of a report in the AJC, or because it looked like yet another jump-the-gun clusterfrack at 755 Henry Aaron Way.
Jeff
February 19th, 2009
11:39 am
Frank Wren has got to be the worst GM in Baseball, heck in any sport, please Braves bring John Scheurholz as Gm and President, we have lost too many players this offseason, I am slowly losing my interest in th eBraves because of Wrenn.
Jones
February 19th, 2009
11:40 am
Mark, should we really trust that Wren is the man to rebuild this franchise?
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
11:40 am
This is a repost I made from one of the older blogs that I put up towards the end of it’s life. I feel strongly about it, so it bears repeating:
Well my friends, today is a happy day for Mr. Bradley. Not only did the Braves “start looking forward” this off-season by letting Smoltz go – ah let’s forget the fact they signed a 36 year old starting pitcher whose career doesn’t hold a candle to JS’s to a 3 year deal and then have it hailed as a great sign – they now have missed out on the active career homerun leader who, while past his prime, just didn’t pass the “Bradley Seal of Approval”. In all seriousness though, make no mistake about it, between giving up one of our best prospects for the immortally mediocre Javier Vasquez, and the Furcal, Smoltz, and now Griffey fiascos, that you have to start considering the fact that Frank Wren has absolutely no idea how to run a ball club. Before you bash me, ask yourself, what professional club has had themselves so publicly embarassed with 3 separate free agents over the course of five years as the Braves have been this ONE year? And I’m not even counting the entire Peavy thing. It’s an absolute joke. But hey, we signed a 33 year old overseas pitcher that nobody had ever heard a thing about right?
My Red Stapler
February 19th, 2009
11:42 am
Millions of intelligent, educated, skilled, professional, COMPETENT Americans are currently out of work, but FRANK WREN is still gainfully employed.
Anyone else here see anything wrong with that?
Steve
February 19th, 2009
11:43 am
Does anyone else agree with me that the Atlanta Journal Constitution ble it BIGTIME with the Griffey signing? Had it not been for this newspaper stating that we “signed” Griffey, Frank Wren would be holding a news conference today putting a Braves Jersey on a 600 Homerun Club member. Now we have to settle again with another mediocre outfield! Way to go AJC! Thanks for ruining out team!!
Coondawg69
February 19th, 2009
11:43 am
The bigger picture is that Frank Wren not getting the job done. Is it his fault?? That is up for debate. It seems to me that they are losing guys to other teams for “not much” money. Pay a little more for John Smoltz and Griffey and both probably would have come here. Griffey definitely would be an up grade, even if in a platoon situation. He could also help mentor some of the younger talent as well. Three maybe four 30+ yr olds starting do not need Smoltz’s mentoring, but he’s still the class of the organization.
It seems to me that the Braves are quickly becoming the late 80’s Braves in that only $$ will bring folks here. Dollar for dollar will no longer get it done. That, I think is attributable to Frank Wren.
Steve
February 19th, 2009
11:47 am
And please do not say that it is Frank Wren’s fault for John Smoltz leaving. At the end of the day, with all of the millions Smoltz made from Turner and the Braves, and all this city has given him….John Smoltz is a sell out. Plain and simple a SELL OUT!!! With incentives, he would have made just as much if not more with the Braves, but he took the easy road out with more guarenteed money. We will be better off with out “The Shadow of Maddux and Glavine” since his shoulder will blow out again in September. What a disgrace.
rhynster
February 19th, 2009
11:48 am
Wait a second…
Missing out on Furcal and Griffey was good, because they were “on their back nine”?
But signing Derek Lowe was the one move he had to make?
Um, OK.
schuerholzfan
February 19th, 2009
11:50 am
Remember how JS used to keep his mouth shut about negotiations? When the head guy does that, the rest of the org tends to follow. That looks to be the better way to negotiate. Too much press gives the other side negotiating room. John, your student might not be ready for graduate work. How about stepping in and giving him a few more pointers!
Braves + Frank Wren = No Playoffs
February 19th, 2009
11:53 am
Frank Wren = Sharp DOWNGRADE at General Manager Position from John Schuerholz
Barry Bonds
February 19th, 2009
11:53 am
I still want to play and don’t have a job. Keep me in mind.
Chris
February 19th, 2009
11:53 am
Hey Yall got to remember that the Braves are Owned by a Bunch of Out of Town Idiots. They Think that They are Going to Break the Liberty Media Bank. I Think that They Could of resigned Smoltz but Stupid Wren couldn’t get him signed because He was Scared that Smoltz would be asking to much to resign. Remember Ken Griffey Jr Did this to us Before He wanted to come to Atlanta but wound up signing with The Reds.
PMC
February 19th, 2009
11:58 am
Ultrasuede… yikes. Perhaps go to a game other than Braves vs Brewers if you can help it?
Or, I maybe try exorcising your favorite jersey or something… bad ju ju I guess.
Hopefully this year won’t bring a bad injury to anyone.
Tony in Johns Creek
February 19th, 2009
11:58 am
Come on Mark, you’re thinking this outfield is adequate?
It’s the worst offensive productive outfield in baseball arguably!
Hoping Frenchy comes back to his old self could be pie in the sky thinking. Major League pitchers have found his weakness. His numbers showed that last year. See Andruw Jones. Griffey was a short bridge contract and we could have used his veteran presence in the clubhouse. The offense once again will be weak for the Braves this year and will be our Achilles heel.
This lineup is not very good as is Mark.
Back in 3rd place for the foreseeable near future until we see what the youth coming along will be able to do and that’s no guarantee of success. How exciting…. I may just settle with the Gwinnett Braves for the time being.
Frank Wren needs to find this ridiculous leak that keeps on happening with his dealings and the AJC needs temper it’s assumptions because we’re getting tired of being played.
The GM
February 19th, 2009
12:00 pm
Replacing Wren with Cox as GM is an excellent idea and while we are at it lets see if Freddy Gonzales wants to leave the Marlins and come home.
As far as retaining Chipper, he is, to say the least, injury prone and is much better suited to being a DH at this stage of his career. There is no sound financial reason to keep paying a player who may spend most of the season on the DL….see Mike Hampton. When his playing days are over the Braves can bring him back as hitting coach. I don’t believe Braves fans will boycott the Braves if Chipper isn’t here especially if they put a winning product on the field. Remember that baseball is an entertaiment product and with this economy the product needs to be a good one. Otherwise Chipper or no Chipper, fans will stay away.
Poorjeff
February 19th, 2009
12:00 pm
I agree with Kevin Taylor @ 11:29am.
Frenchy will be better this year. “Mark B”. Is that a Fact are just your opinion? don’t bet on it.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
12:07 pm
I know for a fact that Jeff Francoeur will hit .289 with 104 RBIs this season. I know this because my name is Karnak the Magnificent.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
12:10 pm
Derek Lowe is 36 but has never been on the disabled list. Has Rafael Furcal been on the disabled list? (Why, yes, for much of last season.) Has John Smoltz? (Yes again.) Has Ken Griffey Jr.? (Yes once more.)
On The Mark
February 19th, 2009
12:11 pm
Who is getting burned here, Wren or the AJC? The AJC is making a fool of itself printing rumors only for them to be revealed for what they are — uh, rumors.
matt r
February 19th, 2009
12:16 pm
I understand the ‘let the kids play’ argument, but you still need to get guys in who are legit major league players. You need to send a signal to the fans that you are trying to win, especially in Atlanta, or people won’t show up. I don’t want us to become one of the many teams that is indefinitely waiting for the young talent to gel. Last year’s Rays were the exception to the rule.
Smiba
February 19th, 2009
12:16 pm
FIRE FRANK WREN NOW!!! he is terrible!! Time to start the website http://www.firefrankwren.com!!
Dr. Henry < Augusta
February 19th, 2009
12:17 pm
Good column Mark!!You’re right on with your comments. personally the most missed member of the organization this yr. will be Pete Van Wiren. Don S. is still coming isn’t he?? Smoltz is a close second for me…and I’m with you concerning all the overpaid overhyped overthirty ballplayers who spurned us. What happened to the best minor league system in baseball?? As far as Griffey goes I’d just as well see Brian Jordan or Ron Gant try a comeback….should be an interesting season.
one fan
February 19th, 2009
12:18 pm
Couldn’t be more happy about the tired old “kid” signing with Seattle. Let the real kids play in ATL. I am excited about the new blood. Reminds me a bit of the early nineties when the Braves pitched and played defense with a group of young, talented kids. Go Braves!
Jim
February 19th, 2009
12:20 pm
Play the young players!!! I agree. With Griffey, Glavine, and Smoltz we still finish no better than 3rd in the division and we block the progress of Hanson, Morton, Shaefer, and perhaps one or two others like Brandon Jones and Medlen. Give these guys a year of experience before you expect them to be ready to compete for a title. Isn’t this what happened with Glavine, Avery, Smoltz, Gant, and Justice etc in the late 80’s? Morton, in particular seemed to emerge in AAA last year and came up and pitched OK until an injury sapped the velocity on his fastball. It is a bit early to start writing him off because he did not have immediate success. (For the person who wants to platoon KJ against right handed hitters, didn’t he have the highest BA for lefties against lefties in the league last year? KJ will be a strength on this team even with adequate defense at 2B.)
James Bond is my hero
February 19th, 2009
12:23 pm
What about Brandon Jones? He seems like the forgotten outfielder.
Poorjeff
February 19th, 2009
12:33 pm
Hope your right 11:15 On Frenchy being better Mark… AKA… The Great Karnak the Magnificent.
richbrave
February 19th, 2009
12:35 pm
MARK BRADLEY:
Your 12;10 p.m. LOWE’s due – ssshhh!!!! You’ll jinx the guy. KARNAK? A JOHNNY CARSON disciple huh?
CJ
February 19th, 2009
12:36 pm
I’m a Matt Diaz fan but do not believe he can do it everyday, last year at the start of the season he was healthy and struggled mightily. Blanco is a nice slap hitter but strikes out a ton and no pop. I hope Schafer wins the cf job but I would’nt mind seeing Garrett Anderson platoon in left. If the Braves were going to commit to rebuild they should’ve started it three years ago, it’s too late now to waste another three years, if they do I’ll probably lose interest and I’ve been a die hard Braves fan since 1980.
Geezer
February 19th, 2009
12:37 pm
Another Golden Moment in the Frank “Can’t Close the Deal” Wren’s legacy. Anybody can close this deal Sticker Price $12,000 “I’ll Pay You $25,000″ said Frank Wren
matt
February 19th, 2009
12:41 pm
Right now you are returning the worst offensive OF in MLB a 1b who doesn’t hit for power a pitching staff who is more known for eating innings than winning and an aging veteran 3b who can’t play more than about 110 games a year. Possible scenarios are A) The exact opposite of last year happens (everybody is healthy and produces) B) The prospects ball out and become every dayers and then still ball out or C) They lose miserably and lock up a top 5 or 10 draft pick and continue to stock pile their farm system. Which scenario seems the most likely????
Now what? « Rowland’s Office
February 19th, 2009
12:46 pm
[...] pat, as Mark Bradley suggests, should not be an option. Brandon Jones hit .260 with a middling .748 OPS at Richmond last year. [...]
Dan
February 19th, 2009
12:47 pm
Mark – Tom Glavine had never been on the DL before last year….what is your point. Obviously there is a risk in signing any player to a long term contract. I think you are right about Griffey. The one thing I did like about him was that he would have put more fans in the seats. But with an owner that isn’t going to turn around and put that money back into the team, what does it matter anyway?
Dack Jerrick
February 19th, 2009
12:47 pm
JS also traded Jermaine Dye to Kansas City for Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart. Nobody bats a thousand.
walt
February 19th, 2009
12:47 pm
You are right! What about Jason Heyward in left with Matt Diaz?
Mitchell
February 19th, 2009
12:49 pm
Hey Mark, have you thought about changing your name to Mark O’Bradley?
I’m not one of the DOB haters, I support mr. O’B. We just need to have a nickname for you. I’m liking MOB.
What’ya think? Help us out here. See, you’re more like the boring teacher and DOB’s the substitute that everybody actually likes who doesn’t give out homework and lets everybody go home early on Friday afternoon.
I don’t know where I’m going with this.
T.C
February 19th, 2009
12:50 pm
Im done with baseball.All i have to say is one down 103 players to go related to who used performance drugs.They dragged A-rod name all over the news for two weeks like he’s the only one who used them.Go after one,go after them all.Baseball has lost credits and trying to hide names to save the game.When you watch the game of baseball, are you watching the players perform or drugs perform?And speaking of the sorry braves,until you shop and bring in talent you will be a below average team.People are trying to bash griffy because he didn’t sign with the braves but your comments were different yesterday.Nobody wants to play for the braves nomore.
William
February 19th, 2009
12:51 pm
Thank you for a very well-written article, Mr. Bradley. I hope that the Braves will continue to develop their own talent. I know that a lot of fans are sentimental, but it does seem that we will be overpaying for Glavine by a substantial margin when we have more than enough candidates to fill the fifth spot in the rotation. Otherwise, fans do need to remember that Wren did magnificently in his trades with the Cubs and Tigers after taking over as GM.
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
12:57 pm
Mark, your seeming lack of respect for Smoltz is astounding. Yeah, he’s been on the DL in his career. He also pitched most of the last 3 years with a bum shoulder… and was a workhorse, and the Braves best pitcher, leader, and instructor while doing so. Now he gets a clean shoulder, comes at a next to nothing price tag, and it’s “so long take care, but welcome mr lowe! I’m sure at 36 your best years are ahead of you!” And, knock on wood, if Lowe does go on the DL, who do you trust to come back from it more effectively… him or Smoltz? Smoltz has done it countless times, and, amazingly, has usually come back BETTER. But yeah, the Braves are better off without him. Sure.
Art
February 19th, 2009
1:08 pm
Why not trade for Swisher and get him for one year. Hopefully he hits big time and is an A player and the Braves get 2 draft picks for him when he hits free agency next year. By then one of the young Braves outfielders hopefully develops this year and is ready in 10
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
1:11 pm
Thanks, William. Thanks, Dr. Henry.
matt
February 19th, 2009
1:12 pm
Brewdawg- the incentives in the contract from the Red Sox were much more attainable and therefore is going to pay him more than double what he would’ve been paid here. So, actually he wasn’t coming at a nothing price. You think it would’ve been smart to re-sign Smoltz for $10 million when he won’t be Ready till the All-Star break????? He’s been on the DL 11 times!!!! 5 arm surgeries!!!! 42 years old!!!
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
1:15 pm
Matt, if you think it would have ever wound up costing the Braves 10 million to keep Smoltz, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
1:15 pm
And Mitchell, I must report that I’ve never had much of a nickname. Bobby Cox, the world’s worst nickname, calls me … pause for shock value … Brad.
On the other hand, my middle name is Andrew. So I could be MAB, as opposed to MOB. Or you could just call me Mark. (As long as you don’t call me late for dinner. And as long as Ted Striker doesn’t call me Shirley.)
Royu
February 19th, 2009
1:16 pm
Wren may be the nicest and most intelligent person in the world. HOWEVER, too many things have gone against the Braves in player dealings these past few months and two and two to me add up to a problem with the man representing the Braves. We might be lucky with present players on the field but when we have to shore up this team, will we have another Furcal, Peavy, Griffey? There is a pattern that needs to be corrected ASAP!!!
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
1:17 pm
And Mitchell, if you think I’m boring … well, you’re right. I’m unbelievably boring. I bore myself. I sleep 18 hours a day. The other six hours I sit around being bored.
Spook
February 19th, 2009
1:19 pm
Almost all posters agree that the Braves are at least a 3rd place team for the next year or two. Since expectations are so low, why not use this time to see how the young players we already have perform. One more season out of the playoffs won’t kill us and the young players will be exciting to watch. Then we look at what’s available in free agency and trades for next season. I also think we need to revamp our coaching staff. Cox to GM, Gonzales to Mgr, Smoltz to Bull Pen Coach, Glavine to Pitching Coach, and Jones to Batting Coach.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
1:30 pm
Bradley, I ain’t calling you Shirley and for that matter — I ain’t calling you at all — till you pay your half of the bar tab.
Kyian
February 19th, 2009
1:33 pm
Fellas, living so close to Cincy they are sort of Louisville’s team. I have watched Griffey play all of these years since his return to Cincy and although still quite capable and still posesses a very quick bat, he is light years from his glory. Let the farm system sort out the right couple of guys for that spot and determine who’s job it is.
L
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
1:34 pm
Spook, you inspired me, but I have my own wishlist:
Eddie Perez= MGR
Smoltz= pitching coach
How fun would that clubhouse be? (It would also be pretty well run I might add)
Jared
February 19th, 2009
1:34 pm
Daniel, dude. Your comparing our situation with Tampa Bay’s? I agree that they did it the “right” way. However, the Braves still work with an annual budget at around 100 million every year. They do have to be more fiscally responsible than the Yankees, but they’ll never just lose a can’t miss prospect. Unless they trade him away. If Lowe was 30 instead of 36, they would’ve offered him probably 100 for 6 years. They get who they really want. They just refuse to break the bank.
fordcobra
February 19th, 2009
1:47 pm
You know, if you looked at the picture of Wren and Shurholtz at the cage it ought to tell you something, John is involved in if not consulted on all if not most all of these deals. Everyone says how great John was but truth is he is still involved. Get off of Wren. How many 1 run games did the Braves lose last year, how many significant injuries did they have etc. I am a Braves fan let’s support them and continue to pull for them.
GO BRAVES
kirkinga
February 19th, 2009
1:49 pm
To answer your Hanson or Glavine question, I say Glavine. Give me the guy who has won over 300 games and in 2007 was a league leader in Quality Starts over some prospect that hasn’t pitched much in the high minors.
Give me Glavine because he is battle-tested and knows how to win and that is a trait that is in short supply on this young team.
Hanson may turn out to be great. Though I get really nervous when there i so much hype about a prospect, particularly a starting pitcher. This goes doubly so given the Braves recent track record with developing starters.
Glavine is the one you want now if you believe you can contend now. If the Braves truly believed Hanson to be ready, they wouldn’t have signed Kawakami because his signing, not Glavine’s is the oddest of all if Hanson is ready to pitch now.
DaleM
February 19th, 2009
1:59 pm
They are rejoicing in Seattle…and ATLANTA!
.
getnathan
February 19th, 2009
2:06 pm
Braves won all their 1 run games in September (the first against the METS of course).
A deeper bullpen, moving runners over, and clutch hitting should be better this year, and more speed on the roster will also help.
Braves Fan
February 19th, 2009
2:11 pm
When JS was the GM we didn’t see dramas play out like we do with FW as GM. Not sure what or who let the drama out of the bag. I’d personally like to see the drama back in it.
Mark Windsor
February 19th, 2009
2:13 pm
I think on paper team loks pretty good on paper Im not sure what all the meanness is here..its about pitching and defense up the middle..We havent seen what alot of our players are capable of playing a whole seasonWe might not hit as many homers as some teams but Im thinking we got doubles and higher batting avg. players up and down line up yes the key is Frenchy and maybe if the deal is right a power hitter.., the Braves have done what they truely need to doand that put togeather a pitching staff that might be best in their division..funny most people whining on here just dont know the game you dont need a homerun every game to win I think thats where we went wrong its pirtching and solid defense and as well solid club house attitude…Go BRAVES in 09
Spook
February 19th, 2009
2:16 pm
brewdawg….re your 1:34.
You just might be right. I forgot about Eddie. The choices we have among the glory days men could add much to the team spirit and personality, and fill a lot of seats too. Eddie has proved that it could work.
we have options and our back is not against the wall.
DaleM
February 19th, 2009
2:19 pm
Why are you all clamoring Nick Swisher? He hit .219 last season! Not only that, the Braves would have to trade yet MORE prospects to get him.
.
Mark Windsor
February 19th, 2009
2:22 pm
just one more comment this blog is terrible all of you almost must be misable or had a bad day..Mark keep up the good work man…sorry you have to read some of this trash..and too seems to me Wren has been doing pretty good job..maybwe those of you who dont know about our new guy from japan blog the japan papers…do something..you need help…lol..GO BRAVES in 09
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 19th, 2009
2:26 pm
Bradley, I totally agree on Griffy. The Braves should go with the kids in the outfield.
Since some seem to be wondering, the Braves were 11-30 in one run games last year. To say that our Bravos are in need of an infusion of talent, speed, youth and defense is an understatement. Griffy would have met none of these needs.
This obsession with the long ball by some of the blogger’s borders on the edge of insanity. It takes more than just the HR. Speed, aggressiveness and solid base running at the top of the order will do much toward scoring more runs. Not to mention that Chipper, McCann and Francoeur will see far more fastballs, thereby resulting in more HR’s.
The 2008 Minnesota Twins are direct evidence of this phenomenon. They hit 111 HR’s, stole 101 bases and hit 298 Doubles, resulting in 791 RBI.
Compared to the Braves 130 HR’s, 58 stolen bases and 316 doubles, resulting in 721 RBI.
That speed and aggressiveness more than made up for the lack HR’s from the Twins offense.
I would absolutely love to see what Josh Anderson and Jordan Schafer could accomplish if a certain Hall of Fame manager would turn them lose like he did with Otis Nixon and Deion Sanders.
If the 2008 Braves would have had any semblance of a running game, they could have potentially turned some of those 30 one run losses into victories. Even splitting half would have resulted in the 2008 Braves finishing 87-75.
As they say, speed kills, it never slumps and it doesn’t take the day off. It is no coincidence that the Mets and Phillies are two of top three fastest teams in the N.L. Guys like Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes are just totally devastating offensive catalyst for their respective teams. Our Braves have not been keeping up with the JONES, so to speak. They need to get with the program and I’m talking about the fast track…… if you know what I mean.
Mitchell
February 19th, 2009
2:38 pm
Oh cheer up Brad, I was only joshing.
You do have some personality after all I guess. Besides you can’t possibly be as boring as Jeff Schultz. Everytime I would hear DOB on the radio I always pictured JS for some reason. I knew someone who looked like Jeff Schultz couldn’t have such hip taste in music. He looks like he just replaced a hip.
Oh you’re boring according to your own assessment. Me? I’m just desperate for human interaction. In the absence of Katy Temple, you’ll have to do.
Okay, now that’s just sad.
Skeezix
February 19th, 2009
2:41 pm
Mark: Be honest with the public, frank wren is terrible at this job. I know he is following a legend in JS, but he ain’t even average. He needs to be reassigned to equipment or locker room manager. He has moderately improved our pitching staff–but should never have let Smoltz get away. Also, the outfield has been our biggest weakness and he has done zero to fix it. Instead, he has wasted tons of effort on projects like Furcal that never made any sense to anyone (except wren) and now the aging overweight Griffey. Also, with both Furcal and Griffey, the Braves come out looking like jilted lovers because wren can’t properly control/manage the messages that are getting out.
Larry J
February 19th, 2009
2:58 pm
Mark, of course your story NOW is that the Braves are better off without Griffey. This after the AJC reported he was coming, and the next day – despite Griffey’s denial – you wrote here that you stood by the paper’s “source.”
Flip-flopping isn’t a good thing.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
2:59 pm
I didn’t fault the Braves for making the Teixeira trade. The Braves seemed perhaps one key cog away from making a deep run into the playoffs. However, a gasket blew, 3 wheels fell off & even had Tex been ‘the guy’ — which he wasn’t — it mightn’t have mattered.
Wren? He’s doing a pretty good job. He got blamed for ‘losing Smoltz’ but the Braves need horses to win 90 — not a pitcher 17 fastballs away from being medically certified as a source of glue.
BIG DRE
February 19th, 2009
2:59 pm
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO SEE JR.IN THE BRAVES OUTFIELD BUT HE WAS NOT THE ANSWER. LET’S SEE WHAT OUR YOUNG GUY’S CAN DO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE NEED TO GET YOUNGER AND FASTER IN THE FIELD AND I LIKE THE MIXTURE ON THE MOUND.WHY DID’NT WE PURSUE ORLANDO HUDSON TO SURE UP THE MIDDLE AND HAVE A LEGIT LEAD-OFF HITTER.WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE! MY SERVICE’S ARE AVAILABLE MR. WREN.
getnathan
February 19th, 2009
3:04 pm
BIG DRE are you really Jim Edmonds?
PMC
February 19th, 2009
3:04 pm
man is it disapointing we couldn’t trade for Nady or Bay last year when they were available.
b
February 19th, 2009
3:09 pm
Stop trying to convince us that we should thank you for sticking your nose into this deal and causing Griffy to pull out. You should be FIRED!
Rabon
February 19th, 2009
3:21 pm
we can always pick up a bat during the season if we are in contention.
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
3:29 pm
Larry J.,
Right after the announcement that the Braves were going to sign Griffey(inaccurate as it turned out to be), Mark published a story almost immediately saying how he thought the Braves would be better off without Griffey. He didn’t wait until it turned out Griffey was going to Seattle.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
3:30 pm
Larry, you must have missed Tuesday’s column. (It’s linked in the text above.) The headline: “He’s not the Griffey of old; he’s an older Griffey.” I believe I’ve been consistent on this point, if no other.
Joe Bragg
February 19th, 2009
3:42 pm
Wren isn’t doing that badly, we have a rejuvenated Starting rotation….and the bad PR that the braves have gotten this year are because Wren doesn’t know how to shut up about the deals he’s tried to get. would you be hating the moves he’s made if you didn’t hear about all the “misses” we’ve had? This guy isn’t screwing up with anything other than letting the news get out.
and Griffey would’ve helped the team had we gotten him…. He still ripped righties better than 75% of the players in the game. But this is in the past now, and although I hate to see Griffey not come to Atlanta, I’m glad it’ll end where it all began.
samurai99
February 19th, 2009
3:45 pm
This is a good read. MAB: I am interested in what you think is the real reason that Jr. decided to go to the Mariners? $, AJC(!), management, location ?
GameTime
February 19th, 2009
3:50 pm
How does Francouer get a $500,000 increase in pay after the year he had? What a joke. Baseball’s salary structure makes no sense but even in that context this increase is crazy. And I have no respect for Fancouer for asking for almost $4M after the year he had.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
3:51 pm
Samurai, this is just a guess, but: I’d say it’s the difference between going to a city where he’s as revered as Willie Mays, as opposed to going to a place where he hasn’t played and might just be remembered as the guy who came to town and had absolutely nothing left. And I think the DH was a factor: Griffey might not get through 50 games playing the field, but he could double that if he only had to hit.
Coach joe
February 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
Thanks for the story. You and Terrence seem to draw the most hate blog. (my observation from new orleans)..
I agree -Braves need to move on and play the kids. WE got good pitching this year-bull pen won’t wear out in the 2nd half and the kids will be hitting by then. I do like Tom Glavine but we really don’t need him except for the fact we need a left handed starter to throw out there to keep the other teams honest.. again- thanks for your comments
Go Braves. How can you not get excited about Spring training. Every team is 0-0..
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
Thanks, Coach Joe.
And a special salute here to BrewDawg, with whom I disagree on a certain major issue (John Smoltz) but who was kind enough to say something in my defense just now. Glad to know there’s a place on these blogs for civility.
Bibb Dawg
February 19th, 2009
4:11 pm
Where is Claudell Washington when you need him?
TBraveFan
February 19th, 2009
4:12 pm
two thoughts on your posed question of who I would really rather see in the rotation Glavine or Hanson…
GLAVINE hands down —
when it comes to Hanson, not saying he’s not good, but does the name Joey Devine ring any bells?? Another promise that blew up because he was rushed up…
**GLAVINE hands down!!!!!!**
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
4:20 pm
Thanks for the input, TBraveFan. But I wonder if you’ll say the same after you’ve seen Tommy Hanson.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
4:31 pm
Bradley — That’s a salient point about the DH with Griffey and the Mariners. I’m embarrassed to admit it hadn’t even crossed my mind till you mentioned it. (Ok, not that embarrassed.)
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
Don’t be embarrassed, Ted. And don’t be afraid to buy a round of drinks next time.
brewdawg
February 19th, 2009
4:40 pm
Mark thanks for the salute. I know I come off kind of harsh when it comes to Smoltz, but it’s only because I feel passionately about the subject.
While I admit I wanted Griffey, it’s a bit perplexing to me why the Braves aren’t willing to let some of the younger guys have a shot in the outfield, and haven’t been for a couple of years now. We can’t go to retreads there forever right? Maybe we can save money AND get a better player by seeing what one of our prospects can do.
Brookhaven Braves Fan
February 19th, 2009
4:45 pm
Mark:
I agree with you, Griffey is basically done. Unlike Mondesi, it would have been a PR nightmare to bench or release Griffey. So the Braves would have been stuck with him. However, Swisher is not done and that is who the Braves should be after. After reading Moneyball a few years ago, I wanted the Braves to go after him – we need a guy who knows the strike zone and doesn’t get himself out – after suffering with Andruw Jones for the last few years. And I say that as a major Andruw Jones fan. I was hoping the team would bring him back.
Coxlover
February 19th, 2009
4:54 pm
I think Francouer will be better this year. I think he’ll hit around .250, 15 HR’s, 75 RBI’s.
DirtyDawg
February 19th, 2009
4:57 pm
Hey Mark, how’s about a little feedback on the idea of Kelly Johnson platooning, or starting everyday, in left? I mean we all know the kid’s a lousy second-baseman, and you don’t need much of an arm in left to begin with. His speed is of no real advantage at second given that his reactions and instincts were never up to the task. The Braves have at least two guys on the roster that can do the job better – Infante and Prado – and both have got adequate 2B offense. Let’s use the money we’ve just given him to use – in the outfield.
tlj
February 19th, 2009
5:00 pm
I have never seen so many unhappy people in my life. The country is in a crisis due to the economy, thousands of people are losing their jobs and half of the people on this blog want somebody else fired. The sad part is most of you have no idea what you are talking about. All you can think of let’s blame somebody for this or somebody for that. If the braves management traded the entire organization for the yankee organization, the boston organization, etc, some of you idots would still be complaining. There is an old saying, lead, follow or get out of the way. It is obvious from your post that you can’t lead so get the hell out of the way.
Mikey Mike
February 19th, 2009
5:01 pm
Griffey will regret his decision. Furcal’s back will not hold up. Smoltz will get homesick (guaranteed). Hampton is already falling apart with a new ailment. And Lowe was better acquisition. So at the end of the day, we get to see what our young studs can do. It’s put up or shut up time.
My bigger concern is that the Braves don’t seem to value the minds of Maddux and Glavine. One should be the next manager and the other should be the next pitching coach. Either order would do.
Mike
February 19th, 2009
5:05 pm
Get over it Atlanta. He did what he wanted to do. Return to his home of Seattle… Just play baseball with who you have and win games. People in Seattle have lost Randy J. Alex Rod. and many others and have moved on. You never had him and seems like you never will. Let Chipper take you to the promise land!
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
5:06 pm
Bibb Dawg: “Where is Claudell Washington when you need him?” I wish I knew, I wish I knew. Freebie trivia: During his career, CW was traded for Bobby Bonds (father of Barry) and Ken Griffey Sr (father of Junior). He hit the 10,000th home run in Yankees history. He played for 8 MLB teams. He played in an all-star game with Hank Aaron. He struck out against Nolan Ryan more times than any other player (39) to which he said: “That’s all? I thought I struck out a lot more. More CW trivia?: Game footage of CW appears in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ — when Bueller supposedly catches a foul ball hit by Washington. Where have you gone, CW?
Bradley — Buying the first round of drinks never bothers me. It’s buying the 7th round that bankrupts. (The one with the ‘creative accounting’ from the hot waitress).
Mike
February 19th, 2009
5:09 pm
To Mark:
Griffey has not played for Seattle this season yet so to say he has nothing left is not true. Maybe you guys should give him a chance before saying he is done. If he has a great year, I hope you will print that you were wrong~!
kenny from athens
February 19th, 2009
5:10 pm
The most egregious error. Getting rejected by Mike Hampton. Hey, here’s an idea. Let’s go after Mike Hampton and then jerk around with Smoltz and Glavine. What’s next? Let’s go screw with Chipper Jones by going after Nick Esascky. Nice work Wren.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
5:11 pm
Ted, seeing as how we’re drinking buddies and all, feel free to call me Mark.
Mariners1
February 19th, 2009
5:15 pm
Heres to all the Braves fans (braves1090 especially, what a Gooch) who said the Mariners have no shot at getting Griffey back…Succck it! Hehe;P
Mariners1
February 19th, 2009
5:18 pm
P.S Good luck with Derek Blowe
Zach
February 19th, 2009
5:19 pm
Mark,
Don’t you think that Diaz full time is better than other other option we have out there in left? I’m not a big fan for Diaz part time. I think he can work out there full time way better than he can work out there part time with the likes of brandon jones. (who by the way looks like he can’t determine if he’s playing baseball or chess)
Patience
February 19th, 2009
5:24 pm
We need a right handed power bat. Smoltz was overpaid by Boston. Wren did nothing wrong there. Glavin will have a better year than Smoltz, as will Hampton who I don’t miss. We overpaid for Lowe, but when you are bidding against the Red Sox, you have to if you really want someone. If you only try for the players the Pirates and Royals bid on you end up with a roster like theirs. I liked Griffey, but I’m not worried because he didn’t come here. There will be outfielders available by opening day. We will have something of value to give up… Boyer, Bennett, Jojo, Morton to name some possibilities. We currently have a surplus of good arms. Some outfielder will suprise this Spring for us or for someone else and there will be a good fit for a trade. Hanson completely dominated top prospects in Arizona where hitters thrive. He is obviously a horse, but should begin the season in AAA. There will be a time this year when help is needed from the minors, and he should be ready. Let’s hope that is not until after the All-Star break. He needs more success in the minors. He has not been successful but a little over 1 year. He reminds me of Smoltz who was not successful in A ball. At least not in won/loss terms. This year should see the Braves near the top of the league in starting pitching and relief pitching. The offense has so many question marks. Frenchy, Diaz, and all of the centerfielders, KJ’s consistency, and Chipper’s health are such huge factors in whether this team can play with the very beatable Mets and Phillies. I believe any of the 1991 through 2003 Braves teams would have walked away with this division, but this team needs a lot to go right to win.
Kentavo
February 19th, 2009
5:26 pm
As soon as Bobby Cox realizes we’re not in the ’90s anymore – the better.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
5:29 pm
I think Bobby Cox has decided Diaz is a classic platoon player, and I think Diaz accepts his role.
Conan438
February 19th, 2009
5:35 pm
Frank Wrenn is a complete joke….How does this guy have a job…wasn’t he fired by Baltimore? He’s screwed up an awful lot in a little over a year.
Top 10 Screwups by the great Wren…
#10 Did we really pay a bouncer (Corky Miller) for a full year?
#9 Current OF debacle – worst OF in the major leagues, maybe in history of MLB.
#8 Failure to sign Josh Fields from UGA – who needs a reliever that throws 100 mph anyway?
#7 Signing Tom Glavine last year and losing a first round pick, unbelievable.
#6 Mark Texeira trade… couldn’t get more than another stiff for 1st base
#5 Rafael Furcal almost never was trade.
#4 Ken Griffey almost never was signing.
#3 Javier Vasquez trade…gave up the #1 power hitter in minor league baseball for 12-16 and an era of almost 5? + 14 years in age??? WTF???
#2 Francouer embarassement – 3 days in the minors – lost all respect for him at that point.
#1 Smoltz divorce – ’nuff said’
Wren is a joke as a GM – - – is Billy Knight available…oh wait, he sucks too…Don Waddell? Oh he sucks too…Atlanta, GA where GM’s come to destroy franchises.
MOwen117
February 19th, 2009
5:35 pm
I really don’t see the hype over Nick Swisher. His 24 home runs last year were respectable, but his average has never been over .262. His postseason numbers are terrible. His performance is no better than that of a washed up Andruw Jones. Should we really pursue Nady? Can we afford to resign him after 1 year because he is a Boras client? Unless they are willing to fork over the cash go for the temporary fix in Garrett Anderson and develop the farm system.
samurai99
February 19th, 2009
5:37 pm
Wow. The signal to noise ratio on this blog is great. I can almost hear myself think. So, I am starting to get the feeling that the ‘09 Braves will be in a “rebuilding” mode… or can I expect more? And the pool of free agents out there is slim it seems, do we stand pat? Thanks for the civil place to chime in.
Mr Smarty Pants
February 19th, 2009
5:37 pm
Hey all of the Seattle fans out there, congratulations on landing Griffey. We obviously don’t know how much he has left. He had little last year, had the knee fixed, and might be better. However, no matter at what level he plays the Mariners are doomed to finish last in a weak divison. The Braves could finish anywhere from First to Fourth, but they won’t finish last. Oh, and their division is loaded.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
5:48 pm
Mark/Bradley/Brad/Shirley: Consider the official reference title thingy resolved. You’re “Mark” from here on out. My word is stronger than oak.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
5:48 pm
I think Kelly Johnson could play left field, but the problem with that is that he’s just beginning to hit. (Or at least he was at the end of last season.) You don’t want to tamper too much, and I think the Braves prefer Johnson playing every day as a second baseman as opposed to splitting time with Diaz in the outfield. (And I think they really like Diaz playing against lefthanders.)
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
5:54 pm
Roger, Ted. Roger, Roger. Vector, Victor.
Skeezix
February 19th, 2009
6:05 pm
I am so glad that this year when I look at the bench, I will not see Hampton sitting there in a braves uniform. Looks like even the insurance co. ain’t gonna reimburse the Braves for his salary. Must have been a clause in there about goldbrickers. I see where he is already coming down with new ailments-good luck Astros trying to get this guy to do his job.
Navigator
February 19th, 2009
6:06 pm
It won’t take long this season for the Braves to be glad they didn’t make the deal with Griffey. I don’t even think he will make it to summer before going on the long term DL. Even if he limps through the year, his impact will only be what a journeyman player would make.
roman88
February 19th, 2009
6:15 pm
alot better pitching and depth and not to mention team speed, shaefer, anderson. tampa didn’t have much outfield power last year, but they did have pitching and speed, and the desire, I’m for one anxious to see these young guys, and hanson soon. they have alot of depth for any possible trade later too, alot of people out there wanna rip francoeur but he’ll bounce back with 20hr and 80rbi and that 3.3 mil won’t seem like much then. let the washed up guys stay away,
gayle
February 19th, 2009
6:17 pm
Comments about Wren and Scherholz notwithstanding, it is important to recognize that Atlanta and the Braves are not the favored destination they were in the 1990’s.
Remember Maddox passing on the Yankees to take less money from the Braves? That doesn’t happen anymore.
Free agents passing on Atlanta has reflected on the performance of the team, particularly in the post season. The Braves are 0-7 in the World Series since the infamous Leyritz home run in 1996, losers in the first round in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 – and not in the post season since.
Who would want to come here unless they were way overpaid?
This team needs a heck of alot more than an extra bat in the outfield.
fieldofdreams
February 19th, 2009
6:23 pm
Totally agree. Give those innings to a young player. Save the money for the mid-season, when a truly worthwhile deal will almost certainly present itself. Regarding our lousy right-fielder: hitting a curve ball in the clutch has nothing to do with his stance; Francoeur’s just in over his head. However, since he does possess a cannon for an arm, why not send him to Mississippi to learn how to throw curves, and fastballs, as a closer?
RexZeitgeist
February 19th, 2009
6:29 pm
Face it Atlanta, your city is a dump, your state is a toilet. Griffey was just playing with you inbred idiots.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
6:34 pm
Zeitgeist — (sigh) Did the monkey take your xanax?
RexZeitgeist
February 19th, 2009
6:45 pm
It just makes me feel good to laugh at your pain.
TUFFY
February 19th, 2009
7:04 pm
**Go get the O-dog, Orlando Hudson…move Johnson back to the OF, its his natural position. Hudson is a SC native and would bring the passion and spark this team sometimes lacks**
BravesFan79
February 19th, 2009
7:12 pm
Rex: have fun in last place all year. Griffey proved to everyone that he just does not have the heart of a winner when he bounces from one constant looser to another.
The Braves are ALOT better off relying on the youngsters until the summer…. when there will certainly be alot of teams wanting to dump salary. And just say NO to Swisher!!
Poorbrave
February 19th, 2009
7:21 pm
Two years ago CW was in Southern California. Had two BMW dealerships living the life of a king. Have not been able to call him since 2007.
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
7:29 pm
I know I just advised against tampering with K. Johnson, but … the Orlando Hudson scenario is mighty tantalizing. Why does he not have a job?
BraveFan73
February 19th, 2009
7:40 pm
Let me get this straight Mark, you are placing acquiring Raphael Furcal (who carried the LA Dodgers in the 2nd half of last season) in the same category as acquiring a legendary platoon player who would have sold a boat load of tickets in a town that can’t even sellout a playoff opener? Interesting.
If we had signed Furcal, we would have traded Escobar (who I believe is the best all-around player in a Brave uniform) for Jake Peavy (who would be te best pitcher in a Brave uniform). Furcal and Peavy are greater than Escobar. End of story.
Frank Wren is not lucky like a fox. He is staggering like a college girl who has had one to many shots. He chased AJ Burnett, who has been on the DL for a decade (10 straight seasons). Burnett would have been Mike Hampton all over again. We needed Peavy. We needed Lowe. If we expect to compete in the NL, we need a rotation that looks like Peavy, Lowe, Vasquez, Kawak, and Jurrjens. We need to allow Tommy Hanson the opportunity to make his mark (Tommy Glavine will be on the DL by mid May).
Most important, Atlanta needs to support one of the best franchises in all of sports. If Atlanta sold 40,000 tickets per game (in a stadium that holds 55,000), we would be in a financial position to sign however we wanted. We are cash strapped because our fanbase is a borderline joke. Someone compared the Braves and the Thrashers. Give me a break! The Thrashers have made it to one playoff series. The Braves are the oldest team in American sports! They won 14 straight division titles and are known across the globe. The Braves are not the Thrashers! By the way Mark, Frank Wren is not going to be in his job very long if this continues.
Good luck to Ken Griffey Jr. At his age, I would play in the American League too. He is a class act, who is clearly the best player of his time. He did not use steroids, like so many of his contemporaries. He has over 600 HRs and we wish him the best. It would have been nice to see him at Turner Field. Nonetheless, we need to move on and we still need more bats. Mr. Steroids, I mean Jordan Schafer, is not the answer and I am expecting little to nothing from Jeff Francoeur.
LlivininAL
February 19th, 2009
7:46 pm
No stat man here, I agree with you Mark, Wren needs to exhale relax and watch some spring games. I think he has done a good job, rebuilding the pitching staff with the loss of only one promising minor league catcher. One point on win/losses vs. last year, I think this years starters and yes, the bullpen too, are going to allow fewer runs scored. So we need to play a little better defense and improve on offense some. The outfield will improve after enduring and learning from the misery of last year. All the young outfielders showed some promise at times,but the team was mentally defeated the last half of the season before taking the field. And Griffey as a Mariner is fine.
Ed
February 19th, 2009
7:47 pm
Couldn’t agree more…give the young kids a chance. Look no further than last year’s darlings Tampa Bay Rays to see that it works.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
8:01 pm
Zeitybaby — If you’re laughing at my pains, you need to reimburse your ether provider. I ain’t hurt since 2006.
Ted Striker
February 19th, 2009
8:05 pm
“Mark” — On Orlando Hudson: I have no idea. Then again, Julia Roberts claimed she was an ugly ducking back in high school.
CharlieAlphaBravo
February 19th, 2009
8:57 pm
Sorry, I don’t believe it’s possible to “(try) too hard” as a GM in Baseball, or any other professional sport. There’s a difference between being patient and standing around with your hand in your pants while all the proven outfield power gets bought up for next to nothing.
Los Bravos went into last season with a young, unproven (but promising) outfield and what did that get them? 27 dingers, that’s what. Combined…. We need a consistant outfield bat with some power, and there’s no need to trade away our depth at other positions when there’s supposedly $3-5 million left in the bank.
If Frank Wren seems impatient, it’s probably because he’s sick of losing.
playoffs, are you kidding me, playoffs?
February 19th, 2009
8:59 pm
The braves will be fine, I like to see the team have more speed now, the pitching is very deep and hudson will be back later too, I just wanna see the mets fall flat on their a$$es again, last year was the biggest collapse in history,
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
9:06 pm
Orlando Hudson … Orlando Hudson … I’m starting to warm to this, I must tell you.
playoffs, are you kidding me, playoffs?
February 19th, 2009
9:07 pm
no seriously though, jair and campillo and the bullpen were way over used, this year should lighten the load alot, I just wanna see the guys hustle and play with desire, the young guys especially will, get off to a good start, and the depth can provide possible trade bait, if needed later
marseilles mutt
February 19th, 2009
9:11 pm
“Willie the Bard” said something about “…much ado about nothing” i.e. Griffey goes to Seattle, so, so what? I kind of thought it would be a good signing from both the economic side and also what he could bring to the team, both on the field and off. Didn’t happen! Big deal! So we move on.
From looking at Griffey first hand on the White Sox last year, I can assure you he did little to help them. He did win one game for them with a home run, and beyond that he contributed less than nothing. Having said that, the make up of the Sox is primarily veteran; he probably could have added stability to a rather young and probably somewhat insecure Braves outfield. Especially after last year!
See MB, yesterday I disagreed with you but today I couldn’t agree more, although I have always liked Garrett Anderson. As for nicknames, call me either ‘Wishy’, or ‘Washy’.
By the way if your readers don’t like the AJC, they should try the Chicago mess, er media on for size. Or have to isten to three clowns like Maxine, Jerko and Harriet on ‘the best of talk radio’. Don’t wish for something else gang, you might actually get it. And that goes for GMs as well.
playoffs, are you kidding me, playoffs?
February 19th, 2009
9:19 pm
Surely you guys aren’t serious about orlando hudson, while a .300 hitter, he had only 8HR, 40RBI, 8 stolen bases, how’s that any upgrade.
playoffs, are you kidding me, playoffs?
February 19th, 2009
9:29 pm
mark, according to fox sports, o-hudson is in talks with the dodgers and wants 4-5 mill, with incentives to reach 8mill. why would the braves need that, for a 8hr, 40 rbi guy coming off an injury?
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
9:29 pm
Playoffs, how many times do I have to say it? Don’t call me Shirley
tlj
February 19th, 2009
9:38 pm
Bravefan 73, if I understand your post, the braves were going to sign Furcal and trade Escobar to the Padres for Peavey. Didn’t Towers say Peavey did not want to go to the braves. I think Peavey actually wanted to pitch for the cubs and because he has a no trade clause and I’m pretty sure he can decide where he wants to play. I think I remember something about the braves would not agree a no trade clause and I don’t think they really wanted to pick up the option year.
I think you are assuming that is why the braves wanted to sign Furcal, the braves went on record as stating they wanted Furcal to play second and move Johnson to the outfield.
they can but will they?
February 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
sure, we are better off without Griffey, he’s old, perpetually hurt, and can’t hit a good fastball anymore, can’t hit anything from lefties anymore. we will be much faster in the outfield than in many years, maybe ever, but can Bobby manage a team built that way? He’s always been reluctant to run, save a year or two from Otis, and more apt to sit back and wait on the two or three run dinger. This year, we may be effective playing small ball, but will Bobby do it?
Mark Bradley
February 19th, 2009
9:55 pm
Yes, I saw the item on Orlando Hudson. And if that’s true, he’s probably out of the Braves’ price range.
Thanks for passing it along, Playoffs.
BravNatMarPhilMet
February 19th, 2009
10:36 pm
orlando Hudson is also a class A free agent. He costs a first round pick unless we can get him in a sign and trade deal. He is not our guy. We need a power Right handed hitting outfielder like Nady, but not Nady.
Chris Broe
February 19th, 2009
11:06 pm
We should be grateful to Aroid and Burris. A baseball cap and a political swell. They’re the techno twins of honesty and they represent all the “come-clean” this country can stand. We should take it slowly, because we are all so accustomed to lies and fraud and cheating and we should appreciate the last refuge of our best scoundrels: personal responsibility! Aroid did good, (sort of). Burris showed his cards, (a little). Why are we so shocked at Burris’s arrogance when he came recommended from the most arrogant man Illinois has ever produced? (blago). Aroid didn’t name his cousin. That means he is holding back the entire story of his ‘roid use. So what? He used roids. More than we’ll know, but he admitted it so we can assume the worst. (did he really think we wouldn’t discover who his conspirator/cousin was? bwa!)
We will turn our great country around two men at a time. So Aroid cheated. So Burris lied So Aroid lied. So Burris cheated. Good! Let them pay the price. No hall of fame for Aroid, and no seat for Burris, and both have to be the bat boy for opposing girl’s softball teams on their intersecting days off. So it is written, so it is done!
Now on to Cheney/bush: An open judgement about Cheney/bush: just confess. You both sold America down the river to the Saudis. Admit it. Renounce your citizen-ships, and move to Dubai. If we never have to look at the two of you ever again, it will be worth you getting away so enriched.
Bush and Cheney are the fortunate ones: Lord they learned to help themselves!
playoffs, are you kidding me, playoffs?
February 19th, 2009
11:10 pm
thanks mark, you answered, maybe some teams pitching will go down and look to the braves many choices, but hey still excited about the season, the young guys will sink or swim
stew
February 19th, 2009
11:35 pm
Mark, Please publish a editorial degrading the Yankees and Aroid. My wifes uncle from the Bronx go’s crazy over your Yankee bashing. It’s great fun. Signed, A former Met fan, Yankee hater and current Brave fan.
Larry J
February 19th, 2009
11:52 pm
Mark, in your Tuesday column, you said you thought most fans were expecting the Griffey of the mid ’90s. I replied there that most of the rational, reasonably intelligent Braves fans I know knew the team was getting an older Griffey who would platoon in left field.
I notice you didn’t talk about the fact that in that Tuesday column you said you stood by the paper’s source?
Chris Broe
February 20th, 2009
12:29 am
Griffey has been a disappointing underachiever his entire career. He’s the new darryl strawberry. He’s good. that’s all. My grandma was good. (long ball). But I dont see her getting a contract. So what if a player is just good? I’m sick of this Mohammad Ali worship of a sports figure who never really delivers. If you look at the films of the old Ali fights, he didn’t win those fights, it was the myth of Ali that blinded the judges who gave Ali those decisions. it’s a disgrace. We worship soap figures and creatures of coca cola.
there’s only the written word, after all, it’s the purest form of humanism. It’s where stars are born: in the conjured conjunctions and the preposterous phrases……that’s where greatness lives. not on the field. they’re taking ‘roids. they’re pretending. They’re popping up with the bases loaded, and fumbling on the goal line.
The fix is in. the fix is on. Every sport is corrupt. I believe in wrestlemania more than I believe the Steelers won that superbowl fair and square. Dig deep and you’ll find a ref was paid off, or a lineman let up a little, or a safety let his shoelaces get tied together. Payola reigns!
I dont believe. And I never will. This is the cause of the credit crisis, the depression, the stock market crash, and the entire new era of disbelief.
We have to reset the clock. Reset the trust. Reset the entire game.
If not, we’re finished.
74Dawg
February 20th, 2009
12:47 am
Ted Stryker will surely call you Shirley,Mark. But Furcal and Griffey will be soon forgotten
Ted Striker
February 20th, 2009
2:56 am
74Dawg: “The fate of the Braves doesn’t depend on Furcal or Griffey. It depends on someone who can hit, field, pitch, fly a plane, and also — who didn’t have fish for dinner.”
fieldofdreams
February 20th, 2009
7:12 am
RexZeit: Your “toilet” post clearly indicates that you write with the POV of a decomposing turd.
Dave
February 20th, 2009
7:36 am
I don’t get the fans who think not signing Griffey who has a bad knee at 39 years old or Smoltz at 42 coming off Elbow surgery is a disaster. We are a team that needs to look to the future we signed Galvine as our old age project and Derek Lowe to replace Smoltz we don’t need any more players that are no more than one year players on this team.
Mark Bradley
February 20th, 2009
8:23 am
I don’t think I could say anything about Alex Rodriguez that hasn’t already been said a hundred thousand million times.
varoadrunner
February 20th, 2009
8:55 am
Hey **Mark**
What “reporter” was it that Hudson got so irritated with? I have to agree with Tim, maybe during a decision making time in which the Braves were looking to at least increase ticket sales by acquiring Griffey, articles about what he WAS and what he would have been NOW, should wait until after the decision was made by the player. Clearly the Braves wanted Griffey and for a$$hole reporter to assist in potentially ruining it, truly sucks.
Please pass along my sentiments to the a$$hole reporter.
Thanks
Tuffy
February 20th, 2009
10:04 am
**Let me get this right…We are paying Francouer (.239 11 hr) 3.4 million, Diaz (.244 2hr, 14rbi) 1.5 million, David Ross (.230 3 hr, 13 rbi)1.6 million, would have paid Griffey (.249 18 hr) more than 2 million, just signed Glavine (43 yrs old,2-4 5.54 ERA)to what might amount to 3.5 million…i could go on. But you people think Orlando Hudson would be too expensive???!!!….hey why stop here, there are plenty of over the hill free agents that would love to pocket 4 million or so for about 15 games worth of production, take your pick Frank Wren……..http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/2009-mlb-free-a.html**
varoadrunner
February 20th, 2009
11:10 am
Mark
If you notice my 8:55 post, there was a question there. Can you please answer it?
peedie mac
February 20th, 2009
11:26 am
I don’t beleive Frenchie’s training,fitness, or lack there of had anything much to do with what we saw last year. I remember what Dale Murphy looked like when all the teams figured out how to throw that low and away curveball, and Frenchie didn’t look much different. He has to learn to adjust his swing, now that the pitchers have figured him out. The day the Braves lost Smoltz, I felt like there was no longer a reason to follow them anymore, but I now realise Wren has adjusted and has made offers commensurate with the potential benefit. When the offer was marginal, that was because he didn’t see a high % to the benefit.I feel better about him, since I saw him come off the hip with Lowe and others. Thanks Mr. Wren
ChopShop860
February 20th, 2009
11:43 am
Mark, does Tim Hudson have a temper that fans don’t see that you guys might? He’d probably be the 25th guy..actually, 26 after Bobby, that I would have guessed would need to be restrained. And who else has secret anger issues on the team? I’m guessing Moylan.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
12:22 pm
Braves are the oldest sport organization in America??? Ummm You might want to reconsider that. Have you noticed that the Reds always play their first game at home and until recent years (because of some games played in other countries) they play the very first game of the season in all of MLB. There is a reason for that.
Chris, I will only respond to what you have said about A-rod. It will surprise me if A-rod pays much more of a price. If you have not noticed, the Yankee players and fans are giving A-rod the nod on his “confession”. Though it is very plain that it was a calculated decision to “come clean” based on the cost of denial as experienced thus far by McGuire and Rocket, and Bonds, etc. He was caught red handed and they even knew what specific PEDs he took. But now many, many think he “did the right thing” and “should be forgiven” since he admitted that he took steroids. His career will no longer be questioned in terms of HoF, etc.
It is strange to me that “fans” really don’t care about these things. It is strange that they tend to see it as an individual issue. Yet, it is not a matter just of an individual, it erodes the very idea of “sport”. How many games did the Rangers win because of the production of someone who was cheating? It will never happen, but I would like for MLB to tie in forfeiture of games to teams whose players use PEDs or are later found to have used them somewhere along the line since their use of PEDs affects the outcome of the game. Not only is PED a team and “sport” issue, it is also a legal issue. Again, people seem to just look over this. It is against the law to use the PEDs that A-rod used. Yet nothing will be done to him legally. Notice that Bonds and Rocket have not been threatened with legal issues because of their possible use of PEDs, but because of their lying about it. (Yet another reason for A-rod to “confess”.)
But to get to the basic response to your posts, “fans” are growing weary of hearing about steroids. Baseball is depending on it. Baseball has hidden the problem for a long time. They will sit on it as long as they can. It probably will never get cleaned up. If anyone knows anything about PEDs the testing will not expose as much as people are led to believe. Testing is not the answer. If they want to know, there are ways to know. But there are too many ways to get around testing. HGH doesn’t even have a test yet… and other PEDs are being developed all the time. Testing will not keep up with it. But because “fans” don’t want to hear about it, it will not be stopped.
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
12:22 pm
Btw, Patience, good post yesterday @ about 5:30pm (can’t remember exactly).
PTBNL
February 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Hudson was not restrained, according to the reporter that he argued with. It was raised voices and someone stepped between them. That is different from restraint in my mind.
Mark Bradley
February 20th, 2009
12:33 pm
I flew home from Florida on Wednesday night. I wasn’t at Disney on Thursday, so I’m not sure what did (or did not) happen.
Chris Broe
February 21st, 2009
8:24 pm
Maybe, PTBNL. I think if we disqualify for life, Mr. Aroid’s bid for the hall of fame now, then that will be the first step in our country’s rise from this era of total mistrust of our institutions. Including baseball.
We have to act decisively. Time’s a wasting. Just disqualify him. Ban him now, from baseball, or force him to play for the braves, (same thing). . I dont think we’ll miss him.
We’ve got to get serious as a country soon, now, tomorrow, or we’re finished. The markets are holding at the lows of the last crash. But unless we can see trust rebounding, then no vague bank fix is going to assure is. Ban Aroid. Prosecute Cheney. And maybe people start realizing their role in the concept of personal responsibility. Sports is larger than the diamond. All of Americana is connected. The best thing that happened to baseball and this country was when Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis banned the great Blacksock, Shoeless Joe Jackson. The country realized that there’s a price to pay for your actions, and we entered the roaring twenties.
We’ve lost that cause/effect notion of personal responsibility. I think Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis was a great American. Make the media stars pay. The word gets out.
Frank
February 23rd, 2009
4:44 am
Nice Braves site, lots of minor league stuff:
http://minorsandmajors.com