In RF on Opening Day, Jason Heyward! Hip, hip, hooray!
Jason Heyward smiles. So do we. (AJC photo by Phil Skinner)
Let’s hear it for the cheapskate Braves, and let’s, in honor of the occasion, remove the adjective. Down the road, it would have made monetary sense to park Jason Heyward in Gwinnett for two weeks. But dollars and cents would have been the only reason for not having Heyward in right field at Turner Field on Opening Day, and credit the Braves for grasping that they weren’t reason enough.
There have been other stories in Lake Buena Vista this spring, but there was only one real story: Jason Heyward. Guy shows up and goes demolition derby on the cars parked behind the right-field fence. Guy gets a hit almost every time out. Guy gives all of us marooned here in Atlanta cause to say, “I’ve got to see this guy.”
Indeed, that’s pretty much what Frank Wren said to an inquiring correspondent last August, when Heyward was tearing up the minors. The correspondent noted that the Mississippi Braves were due to come through Chattanooga soon and wondered if Heyward was worth driving 110 miles to observe. “Mark,” Wren said, “you need to see this guy.”
And now he’ll be here April 5. (Game’s at 4:10 p.m. Tickets still available. Hint, hint.)
Earlier this month Bryan Smith of FanGraphs made a strong case as to why the Braves shouldn’t let Heyward start this season in the majors. The crux of his argument was the crux of every argument in 21st Century baseball: Money.
A player is eligible for free agency after six full big-league seasons. A full big-league season constitutes 172 service days. If the Braves would have stashed Heyward in Gwinnett until, say, April 17, he’d have finished 2010 with 170 big-league service days. (Assuming he didn’t pull a Jordan Schafer and get demoted.) He would not be eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season.
Wrote Smith: “There is simply no argument to be made that the marginal value gained by playing Jason Heyward over Matt Diaz for three weeks in April is worth losing Heyward’s rights for the 2016 season.”
That’s a logical and reasoned conclusion. It’s also bloodless. It doesn’t take into account the anticipation building here in the A-T-L for the guy from McDonough, and somehow saying, “Don’t worry — you’ll get your first glimpse of Jason Heyward in a real big-league game against the Rockies on Saturday night, April 17th,” doesn’t have the oomph of this:
“Starting in right field on Opening Day, Jason Heyward!”
The Braves have had big prospects before. Andruw Jones was twice the minor league player of the year, but he arrived in the middle of a season and joined a team coming off a World Series title. Chipper Jones was a big deal, but he likewise joined a team grown accustomed to winning. Jeff Francoeur was the hometown hero, the Golden Child, but he arrived in midyear to bolster a team working on its 14th consecutive division title. Heyward is different.
He could be the man — technically he’s only 20, but that’s close enough — who leads the Braves up from mediocrity. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2005, and they’re coming off an offseason in which their maneuvers did not, shall we say, meet with unanimous approval. Put simply, Braves fans need a jolt. And here he comes:
Joltin’ Jason, the J-Hey Kid.
As Bobby Cox told esteemed colleague Carroll Rogers: “I would have had to have been blind to not see what he showed.”
Yes, and the Braves would have had to have been tone-deaf not to acknowledge the yearning emanating from their fans. Jason Heyward is the most eagerly awaited Brave since … who, Chipper? Bob Horner? Dale Murphy? (I won’t mention Brad Komminsk if you won’t.) To have sent him to the minors for the sake of saving a few service days would have made business sense, but nobody buys a ticket to watch an accountant balance the ledger.
Forget 2016. In the year 2010, the Atlanta Braves needed to give us a reason to snap to attention on Day 1. And they just did.
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153 comments Add your comment
SEC Rules!
March 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
first??
early
March 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
yippee!
SEC Rules!
March 26th, 2010
12:53 pm
Weird – I agree with you Mark. Just kidding….
If the Braves really want to make a playoff push, then every game this year will be important. They should put their best team on the field every chance they can, and at this point having Heyward in the opening day lineup accomplishes that.
Liz
March 26th, 2010
12:54 pm
Third… oh well, so close yet so far away. GO BRAVES!
Jamaaliver
March 26th, 2010
12:54 pm
I still would feel more comfortable putting him in the minors for a month or two to start the season. But who am I to question Bob Cox or John Scherholz? Two of the best in the business.
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 26th, 2010
1:02 pm
We really do need an article on Brad Komminsk. There’s an entire generation of fans that won’t, and can’t, understand.
BO
March 26th, 2010
1:03 pm
Mark…good article. I have to say as an African American male I’ve not gone to a Braves game in 3 years. I don’t enjoy baseball that much…I’d much rather spend my money going to Hawks and Falcons games. I have to admit that at the very least I’ll be at probably 10 – 15 games this season to check out the young slugger. Kudos to the Braves for handling business in a manner that puts winning ahead of saving money!
JH in Murray
March 26th, 2010
1:04 pm
Basically, the Braves are getting 50 ABs from a 20 year slugger in exchange for 500 ABs from a 26 year old slugger. And this makes sense . . . how?
larocheisabeast
March 26th, 2010
1:04 pm
blah blah blah blah blah….i seem to remember an article from you only a few days ago about why jason heyward would not be on the opening day roster…you contradict yourself again.
Baseball Mom #17
March 26th, 2010
1:08 pm
McDonough is SO proud of Jason Heyward! He is a wonderful person- not just a great player. Our family traveled to Chattanooga last fall to see him play. We ran into his family. What a great, friendly, down to earth family. They simply raised a good boy and taught him to work. His talent is God given- his work ethic is family driven. Jason is a great testimony to our boys. Thanks Jason and family! Enjoy YOUR moment!
Lost KSU fan
March 26th, 2010
1:13 pm
Finally! A Bradley column not about Paul Hewitt.
Hope all goes well for this kid.
chem
March 26th, 2010
1:14 pm
This is a big PR move. By the way, the difference between April 5 and April 17th is 10 games. Pujols averages 0.5 wins above replacement per 10 games. Even if Heyward played like Pujols (unlikely) he wouldn’t make more than a tiny contribution over 10 games. Baseball seasons are about the long haul.
Mark Bradley
March 26th, 2010
1:16 pm
SEC Rules! earns the kudos.
PMC
March 26th, 2010
1:16 pm
wait, I thought this was going to be about Paul Hewitt?
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:18 pm
This is all about PR, trying to give J-Hey the best shot at ROY he can have. I’ts also about the fact that Bobby wants Jason for his last season and Bobby has a lot of power.
In a long view without taking Public Relations into account, it makes no sense. Whether it makes sense taking public relations into account is an entirely different, and nearly impossible to answer question.
I am excited about seeing him in the opening day lineup. Whether or not that excitement is worth the $5 mill we’d have to spend on another player in 2016 is hard to say.
Fed Up With Wren (Again)
March 26th, 2010
1:18 pm
I still hate Frank Wren. Glad to see one decision made for the fans and winning and not for the bottom line. And I hope that if Jason turns out to be everything that is expected, the extra year won’t matter because the front office will figure out a way to make him a Brave for life.
chem
March 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Brad, It’d be fun to pull an old article from the archives about Andruw Jones from ‘95-’97. I think it would be interesting to compare what was written then to what is written now about Andruw (and Heyward). I remember thinking Andruw was going to be the best player to ever play the game. I’m sure you wrote a few of these!
Dice
March 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Even with positive new, you still come off as being so negative Bradley. I’m tired of it.
leland
March 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Dear Mr. MB–it grieves me to say that I’m not in agreement with you this time. Your pal, Leland
J-Hey Kid
March 26th, 2010
1:20 pm
Get your J-Hey Kid shirts now!!! Portion of all proceeds goes to the American Cancer Society.
http://sportscrack.com/tees_j-heykid.html
Mark Bradley
March 26th, 2010
1:20 pm
Not as much as it grieves me, I’m afraid, Leland.
Heyward Fan & Wren Hater
March 26th, 2010
1:21 pm
Congratulations, Young Jason!
Go, Braves!
Just be sure to stay away from the prostitutes.
And the golddiggers.
And Buckhead.
And Dogfighting.
And McDonald’s.
And Mark McGwire.
And “The Real Housewives of The ATL.”
And the very lonely & disappointed Mrs. Wren.
And politicians.
And Cynthia Tucker.
And the left-wing crybaby known as Jeff Schultz.
And my duplicitous, cheating ex-girlfriend.
And people with more gold than education.
And Hooters. (Just ask Chipper.)
Mark Bradley
March 26th, 2010
1:22 pm
I don’t know that I ever said Andruw was going to be the best player ever. But I did liken the 1996 Braves to the 1927 Yankees — right before the 1996 Braves lost four consecutive games to the 1996 Yankees.
GT3O
March 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
I heard that the “Grim Reaper” (J-Hey), is the one behind the terrorist attacks on the WTC. He was actually just stopping by for a cup of coffee, but accidentally tripped over a briefcase and his sheer power upon impact with the floor sent electromagnetic waves that scrambled two nearby airplanes computers causing them to get sucked into a vacuum of some sort that surrounded the WTC and subsequently caused the planes to crash into the buildings.
In that two seconds, J-Hey actually ran up 100 flights of stairs but wasn’t able to save the destruction.
George Bush called Bobby Cox and Cox told Bush that the taliban did it and he must cover it up if the world of baseball was ever going to see the next great player. Luckily this happened for all Braves fans, because J-Hey was in New York talking with the Yankee’s.
And that my friends is how the WTC “terrorist attacks” happened. J-Hey also doesn’t age. He’s been the same age for god knows how long. The doctors tried to get him a birth certificate upon his birth, but “Grim Reaper” threw a box of syringes at them every time they tried. Subsequent attempts to make a certificate also failed.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:25 pm
@Fed Up With Wren, No matter if we lock Heyward up or not, it WILL MATTER. If we lock Heyward up, his contract in 2016 is going to cost us a lot more than it would if he was not going to be FA eligible.
Again, this decision matters just as much, if not more, if we decide to lock him up long term. It will effect his price in 2016 if we lock him up. Look at McCann’s deal and Longoria’s deal. The years that would have been FA years cost a lot more than what the would have been arbitration years cost. It’s a big bump. Most reasonable estimates put it at about $5mill of a difference for a talent like Heywards.
So, I will continue my crusade as long as people keep saying “it won’t matter because we’re going to lock him up long term.” It will still matter, even if we lock him up long term.
BullDog Brandon
March 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
If JayHey didn’t make the team, he would know that it’s because of money. Do you think that he would forget that when it comes contract time. Although his Arb clock will start sooner, we may end up saving money by starting him opening day. When you do dirty business, it will bite you in the butt. This kid deserves to start, and Bobby and Frank are making the right choice.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
@heyward fan & wren hater: The Buckhead you are referring to isn’t there any more. All the clubs were demolished in favor of future upscale shopping that was then never built because of the economic downturn. Buckhead is now just another upper middle class yuppie neighborhood in atlanta.
Bill
March 26th, 2010
1:28 pm
GREAT !!!!! Looking forward to watching the kid play. Go Braves.
AlternateReality
March 26th, 2010
1:29 pm
Jason Heyward is the most eagerly awaited Brave since … Brett Butler.
His last year in the minors was a strike year, and TBS showed Richmond Braves games to fill the void, so he got a lot of exposure. I was at the stadium the night he made his debut. Hit a triple into the right field corner and all 5,000 fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:30 pm
BullDog Brandon, Evan Longoria was a similar level prospect, they did the same thing with him, when it was completely 100% obvious he was talented enough to start on the team out of spring training that year, and he still signed a long term contract with the rays. Do you think Heyward would be more unreasonable than Longoria, even though ATL is Heyward’s “hometown” and tampa was not Longoria’s? What reason do you have for thinking that?
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
Double-dueces for everyone courtesy of the Chef!
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
March 26th, 2010
1:32 pm
BullDog Brandon …I agree w/ you 100%…..
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
anybody know if the kid can coach mens basketball and special teams in football in his off time . fans know what I am talking about.
BullDog Brandon
March 26th, 2010
1:50 pm
FJR, my reasoning is that he know’s he is 100% ready. He know’s his hype. And he know’s that money is the only reason he wouldn’t start. He know’s that starting in AAA will rob him of a year of getting PAID. I believe that the following year he will want to make up for that year he got robbed. By starting him sooner and paying him sooner, he will know that the Braves are trusting his abilities and putting faith in him because he has earned the starting job. When it comes time to negotiate, he will know that he is negotiating with an organization that has always had faith in him. An organization that cares more about winning than money. And I think that it will make a difference in negotiating. You’re right FJR, Longoria did sign a team friendly contract, but you cant expect JayHey to do that just because Longoria did.
Dean
March 26th, 2010
1:51 pm
So maybe this really isn’t Cox’s last year?
Rich Clary
March 26th, 2010
1:53 pm
Okay, if J-Hey has some struggles during the season, Bobby will stick with him just like the great Leo Durocher did with ‘the Say-Hey’ kid during Willie’s first year…and likewise, it will pay off bigtime.
SC Smith
March 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
Some of you fans keep beating the drum about contract in 2016, like if Heyward is as good as we all hope, the Braves will have to pay a year early. BIG DEAL!!!! By then Chipper, Lowe, Wagner and Hudson will all be retired. So the money will be there for the new wave Heyward, JJ, McCann, Hanson, Freeman, ect…… It aint our money anyway. Win now baby.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:58 pm
BullDog Brandon, I can see that logic, but I think you also can’t assume that he would get angry about not making the team to the point of being obstinate in contract negotiations. I believe he would by now, but that’s because its been obvious that is what they were going to do from day one. I think if they had went into camp with the mentality of “he hasn’t played but a few ABs in AAA yet, we’re being careful here.” and then started the season with him there, everything would be fine. You then let him play for a bit and say “yep, he’s ready” and then sign the LTR for $5 mill less.
Now I’m not saying that would have definitely been better or worse, jsut saying it could have easily been done that way. I don’t buy at all that this move will save money in the short or long term, unless you’re factoring in possible value of a Heyward ROY that he wouldn’t have won had he started the season in the minors.
The Dogfighter Returns
March 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
BO you forgot to provide, your weight, height, occupation, gang affiliation, social security number, and sexual orientation.
Remember a guy by the name of Jeff Francouer?
History repeats itself.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
1:59 pm
@SC Smith, I also plan on being a Braves fan in 2016. Having $5 mill for another player to team with J-Hey then might help us win then. When I still plan on being a fan.
BullDog Brandon
March 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
You’re right FJR. I am assuming that Heyward would be pissed, but I believe that it’s better to be safe than sorry. The Yankee’s pay their players. They take care of them. And they win. I dont think the braves should start paying $200 million contracts to everyone, but I also dont think that they should pinch pennies. All this is assuming Heyward pans out too. Chances are that he will, but there is still the possibility of Frenchy part 2.
Ted M
March 26th, 2010
2:06 pm
Mark,
Who made the announcement?
SC Smith
March 26th, 2010
2:08 pm
Understand that FJR, but if he can help the team win now, that’s the main thing. Heck we all my not even be here in 2016 “God forbid” but hey the future is now.
Hank Aaron = My Hero
March 26th, 2010
2:15 pm
BO @ 1:03pm –
So, you are saying you ONLY go to Braves games to support the team IF there is at least one player who LOOKS a certain way of which you happen to approve?
Stay with the Hawks and Falcons, BO. We need baseball fans, not “your kind,” at Turner Field.
Scared of Jet Jaguar
March 26th, 2010
2:15 pm
DO you think in 2016 the braves will be able to resign Heyward or is there a chance he will bolt for NY or Boston?
BullDog Brandon
March 26th, 2010
2:18 pm
When the Braves were winning in the 90’s, they paid their players fair market value. Chip, MadDog, Tommy G, Smoltzie, they all stayed around because we paid them fairly. Smoltzie could have gotten more from the Yanks, but stayed with us because he knew we would do what it took to win, even if that meant making the big trade or signing the big free agent. Tommy G left because at that time he didnt have the same confidence in the organization. We dont need to give Heyward that perception. He know’s he’s ready and he knows management know’s it. By keeping him down for financial reasons will send him a message that “were going to build the team around you but were going to save as much money as we can while doing that”. Instead, they are now sending the message that “were going to groom you to be the face of the franchise and were going to do what it takes to win, even if it means spending a few extra dollars”.
Mr. Obvious
March 26th, 2010
2:24 pm
The poster known as “BO” seems like the Braves equivalent of “FALCONS SORRY.”
Mike Jay
March 26th, 2010
2:25 pm
Bo, did you really just say you haven’t been to Braves game in years because you won’t pay to watch non African Americans play?
My word if I said the revers my psot would have been deleted.
Steve
March 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
At what point Heyward becomes a free agent is really meaningless because the Braves will try to nail him down to long-term contract long before he’s eligible.
Mike Jay
March 26th, 2010
2:31 pm
Take a look at Mccans current contract. If the Braves had waited until after he was FA eleigible to sign him long term they would be paying him signifigantly more per season. Instead, they inked him early on potential and will be saving a bundle on the alst couple years of his deal. The same will happen with Heyward. By the time he is a FA he could be a 2-3 time all star. with inflation he could demand 20 mil a season. So instead you sign him before he even hits arbitration and pay hm half that. In other words a 5 year contract signed today would not be the same $ per year for a 7 year contract signed in two years. you might pay more initially but over the term of the contract it should be overall cheaper.
Steve
March 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
Mark,
How are ticket sales going for the Braves so far? Like regarding the home opener and season ticket sales. Sure would be nice to have at least 30,000 for each game.
JASon
March 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
It could be a big season for the braves. But I hate Bobby Cox. I feel that he is going to make stupid decisions this year that will cost us games.
Nick Esasky got rich and dizzy
March 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
Glad to see it. Good kid. Hope he’s the next coming of Hank Aaron.
Steve
March 26th, 2010
2:39 pm
Mark,
Do you know how ticket sales have gone? Like for opening day and season ticket sales? Would be nice to have 30,000 a night at Turner Field.
THE Braves Fan
March 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
“Starting in right field, number seventy-one, JASON HEYWARD!!!”
I think I just wet my pants…
I’m not even from Atlanta (I’m from Richmond VA) but as a lifelong Braves fan, I can tell you and a proud to say I’ve been excited about this guy since I saw the Bravos draft him in 2007 on ESPN. And ever since I saw him play in spring training last year, I think I could kiss the guy. Just saw him single off of Verlander… just dirty… adjusted off the changeup from a K in his last AB and rips a liner to left center… He could hit .320 rookie year with a .400 OBP… I CAN’T WAIT FOR OPENING DAY!!!
Steve
March 26th, 2010
2:47 pm
He is # 22 THE Braves Fan.
THE Braves Fan
March 26th, 2010
2:53 pm
@JASon 2:36
Are you serious??? You hate BOBBY COX!!!???!!!???!!! How can you hate a legend like that??? Chipper Jones is contemplating RETIREMENT because he won’t play for anyone else and you hate BOBBY??? That is what MAKES A COACH!!! Anybody can put together a line-up but not anybody can interact with players and Bobby is THE BEST and the Braves would have NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS won 14 STRAIGHT DIVISION TITLES without him, END OF STORY.
All I'm Saying Is...
March 26th, 2010
3:01 pm
On one hand, this is a dumb financial and baseball move. Should have sent Heyward to Gwinnett until April 17th to earn that extra year. A move like this would have been different from last year where leaving Hanson down-on-the-farm until June may have cost us the wild card. If you believe in the veterans brought in, then they ought to have been able to hold the fort until after tax day.
On the other hand, if you believe in Heyward’s abilities, then you want to see them at the Major League level sooner than later because they should make your team better and you will probably reward him in a couple of years with a long term deal like they did with McCann and Chipper and void some of the arb-eligible years anyway.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
SC Ace
March 26th, 2010
3:05 pm
Maybe by 2016 the team will be owned by a genuine, living-breathing person in the city of Atlanta. But I bet J-Hey signs a fat long term deal in the next 2 years anyway.
EW
March 26th, 2010
3:06 pm
Butts in seats, #22 Jerseys flying off the shelves..yeah I think Wren made a wise decision moneywise even though you were right about parking him early and saving an extra year of control over him in the future.
1990_Champs_GT
March 26th, 2010
3:13 pm
Heyward could be what David Justice was in 1989: The start of something good for the Bravos.
Maybe Heyward can help bring us more than one championship, too!
chem
March 26th, 2010
3:15 pm
Oh, and this news may serve as a pleasant distraction from the Deunte Heath arrest last night.
George
March 26th, 2010
3:23 pm
Finally!! Let’s now concentrate on a REAL sport. Good for the Braves, good for the fans, good for Atlanta. If the beer weren’t so darn expensive, I’d attend more games. Thanks, Mark, for a well written article.
FJR
March 26th, 2010
3:37 pm
How many times does it need to be said that this STILL MATTERS if he signs a long term contract. BullDog Brandon, I understand your point, I’m kind of torn between the two sides on that issue.
However, it makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER, for all the other people who keep repeating the mantra that “it doesn’t matter because we will sign him long term.” Heyward’s agent will ask for more during his would be free agent years than his would be arbitration years. That is a given. Every single player who has ever signed a long term deal prior to arbitration has done this. Look at McCann. His would be free agency years are substantially higher than his would be arbitration years. Same for Evan Longoria. I defy anyone to find a player who signed a long term deal prior to arbitration that this WASN’T the case for.
Saying this is irrelevant because we’re going to sign him to a long term deal is not only counting your chickens before they hatch, its just plain wrong, even if you assume that we are going to sign him long term. It still matters. It will still cost the braves a lot more money.
Again, that money may be worth it. Two weeks might be worth $5 mill in 2016, all things considered. But the point is that the difference is there, regardless of whether or not we sign him to a long term contract. It either means we pay him a lot more in 2016 or it means that he plays on a different team in 2016.
Stephen
March 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
You know what excites fans? Winning. You know how you win? You make smart business decisions.
The hands-down smart business decision here was to leave Hey out and to keep control of his soon-to-be ludicrously low contract for an extra year. I love Wren and am a huge fan, but this is unacceptable sentimentality.
When Hey departs a year early on free agency or takes us to the cleaners a year early on this magical long term deal that you all are fantasizing about, we’re going to remember this article and say “Wow! At least we put 100 extra butts in the seats for 10 games in April!” and “Boy, I sure am glad that Hey played for those ten games instead of Diaz!”
@MB: Any thoughts on the astute replies that your article has gotten? Do you really think that feel-good April attendance is more important than making the correct business decision? I really like how you often engage the readers with actual debate- so I’m looking forward to your reply.
Also, big ups on being FanGraphs-literate. Don’t forget the lowly comment boarders who turned you on to FanGraphs even though you initially scoffed. (And then the lowly comment boarder promptly overreacted and promptly apologized. =)
Stephen
March 26th, 2010
3:47 pm
Here’s another reply to the “we’ll sign him to a long term contract” crowd:
You know how we convinced people like Tommy and Smoltz to stay here, even though they could make bank elsewhere? They knew that we were going to be a competitive team that could win championships. You know how you field a competitive team? Smart business decisions.
By making this terrible decision, Wren makes it more likely that we’re looking at the next Mark Texiera, rather than the next Smoltz. The money we could have saved on Hey is money that we can use to say “Look, we’re signing XYZ because we’re going to do something special here next year, so you should stay for less money.”
FJR
March 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
@stephen
I mostly agree with you, but I also think Wren’s hands were tied here. Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones, amongst others had gotten this thing to the point where it would have been a big deal had he NOT been the starting RF.
If the entirety of Braves camp had taken the approach of “well, he looks good, but he’s spent a couple of weeks at AAA, we want to make sure we don’t rush him.” from day 1, the story may have been different. He may have been able to quietly go down for 10-15 games, let Diaz play, get a few ABs against near MLB ready pitching and then come up with plenty of time to make a difference.
Bobby clearly wanted him from day 1 in his last season, and he had the power to leverage there. Wren is starting to become slightly unpopular and I think thus had to somewhat cave to Bobby. It’s one thing to have a tiff with Smoltz and Glavine. Quite another to have a tiff with Bobby Cox. Having a power struggle over Heyward in Bobby’s last year could have very well been the end for Wren.
Conyers Braves Fan
March 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
Heyward has never yet had a regular season major league at bat. As a fan I cannot say its a good or bad move for him to start the season in ATL but I do believe this decision puts a tremendous amount of pressure on a 20 year old. Not taking into account the financial pros and cons, I hope all those who are touting this as a great move will show great patience in case he does not preform as
he has done in spring training. There is a lot of difference in these games and the regular season games.
ASHEVILLE DAWG
March 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
It seems that the Braves actually might CARE what the fans think. The kid sure did earn his starting position from his play this spring.
Mitchell
March 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
If we were any other team in baseball right now we would be picked to win the World Series.
But according to ESPN we’ll be looking up at the Giants and Cubs for the Wild Card spot come October.
What more do they want from us? We have two of the best young pitchers in the game, a Hall of Fame closer, a homerun hitting first baseman, a deep bench, Brian McCann, the best bullpen probably in the game and a Willie McCovey starting in right field.
Hello?! You play to win the game!!!
Playoffs? You’re talkin’ about playoffs?!
Hell yes, I’m talking about the playoffs, Jim Mora Sr.
Wait, what? Sorry, changed sports there.
Conyers Braves Fan
March 26th, 2010
4:29 pm
Mitchell….just a thought about our ” Hall of Fame closer. Based on his work so far, he is not going to be as good as we had last year.
Jeff
March 26th, 2010
4:35 pm
I like the last week of spring training… the anticipation, the water-cooler talk, and it means that spring and summer are almost here!
First, I want to address Mitchell above, who said “What more do they want from us? We have two of the best young pitchers in the game, a Hall of Fame closer, a homerun hitting first baseman, a deep bench, Brian McCann, the best bullpen probably in the game and a Willie McCovey starting in right field.”
Ok, Mitchell, I’ll agree that Hanson and Jurrjens are great young pitchers, but they have yet to prove that they are 20-game winners like Glavine and Maddux. Let’s have them win more than a dozen games before assuming they are top-3 in the National League.
Second, Wagner may be a good closer now, but he’s older and injury-prone… I worry a bit about that part of our bullpen. We don’t have a mid-20s Papelbon back there, it’s a guy my age who has had arm issues. Let’s not say our closer situation is a sure-fire thing quite yet.
Third, yeah Glaus can hit, but again, he’s coming off an injury and playing a new position… this isn’t Albert Pujols, this is a mid-30s guy who had a major loss of power with his shoulder and is apt to make some defensive mistakes at first. Again, let’s wait and see.
Finally, you said we have the best bullpen in the game? C’mon, Mitch, I don’t think the rest of the baseball world is cringing because “here come the Braves with Medlen and O’Flaherty and Chavez and Saito! Sorry, this bullpen is not the quality of the mid-90s Braves with Bedrosian and McMichael and Wohlers. I think it’s a marginally better bullpen than last year, but I don’t think I would ever say “Hey, the Braves relievers are air-tight! no worries there!”
I am very excited about this team, and you are right about McCann and Heyward, those are TREMENDOUS young players. But give this team about 2 or 3 more years to develop to good YOUNG pitchers (no Wagner, no Saito, no Lowe), and we can say they are a championsip-caliber team. Right now, my prediction? Lot of exciting games, some definite growth, some definite improvements, but still an 85-88 win team that may sneak in the wild-card by a game or two. But in a full series, I don’t think we’d do well against the Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox or Yankees.
Go Braves!!!
SavannahBravesFan
March 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
I look at the situation like this, whenever 2016 gets here, Chipper Jones is sure to be retired. If J-Hey is as good as we expect him to be, we can just replace Chipper’s salary with J-Hey’s salary. I don’t see any reason to hold him back just to save some money.
EW
March 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Sick of all the hypocrits…if Wren sends him down for a few weeks, I’d be reading how we should crucify our GM…we reward the kid for earning the starting job and the armchair GM bloggers are telling us how smart business people would have made the moneywise decision. Regardless of what you think folks, you don’t get to be an MLB GM without being a good businessman. Rewarding the kid with the opening day job is the RIGHT MOVE, end of story.
Jeff
March 26th, 2010
4:55 pm
Well-said EW… Heyward earned his spot. This is not a PR move, this is a sound baseball move… he is the best option for us in right field RIGHT NOW. If he was hitting .266 instead of .366, I could see some doubt, but the kid has great plate presence, can hit for average and power, can run the bases and plays great defense. I am very much looking forward to him being a cornerstone for the Braves for a decade or two, very much like Aaron or Murphy or Chipper.
Stephen
March 26th, 2010
5:03 pm
FJR, spot on. Props on a really good argument. The AJC should hire you and me to do a “point counterpoint” response to MB’s article.
Can I also say- this is the best comment board exchange I’ve read in a really really long time on the AJC, so nice work MB for sparking a good discussion and nice work everyone above.
Jeff
March 26th, 2010
5:10 pm
True, Stephen, it’s been a very good discussion, I like these kinds of blogs.
Question for you and FJR, since you both seem to have some doubt about this move… do you think that Heyward’s approach, his maturity and his ease with which he’s played this spring training had a big part in this? I mean, I know Bobby really supported Heyward and wanted this move, but if he was batting .250 and had struggled at times and was still “learning to play the game”… don’t you think the organization would have agreed that hey, a month or so in the minors would be the best start?
I really don’t see a lot of politics in this… I see a big, strong, sound, intelligent ballplayer who really has a grasp on how to play the right way and is a solid offensive player. As long as we (and the team) don’t expect him to be a .350, 40-homer, All-Star-every-year kind of guy, I think we (and Jason) will be fine.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
5:35 pm
If I were Heyward, and they sent me down to knock a year off my earning potential, I’d look at it as a cold, hard, slap in the face. He’s done everything they’ve asked of him, he’s prepared mentally and physically, and he deserves this good-will gesture by the Braves. Maybe he’ll look kindly on them for it 6-years down the road. Could make the difference between his staying and leaving, you never know…
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
5:44 pm
By then, he’d probably be getting 30-mil in arbitration anyway… lol
thunderbull56
March 26th, 2010
5:59 pm
A.It is not any of you all’s money. B.If and remember, if a frog had wings,if J is the sensation we all hope and dream he will be, then C.The man will more than pay his way, in a simple economics kind of way.D. Who we got putting fannies in seats and turning on the tube for now? Chipper, pulling up lame? Other than Brian and Jair and Tommy,we’re pretty lame.But please, please don’t make rookie of the year.That can be a curse in it’s own right.
Benjamin
March 26th, 2010
6:00 pm
Am gonna be in section 115 on Opening Day, behind the Braves dugout… and looking forward to seeing the next Pujols in his MLB debut.!
(…and yes, I realize that it’s lofty talk to say such things. At this point, though, a guy can dream….)
Stephen
March 26th, 2010
6:04 pm
@Jeff: I think everyone would agree that, absent this quirky “days served in the majors” rule, Hey would be the starter. Most people think he’ll be (marginally) better than Diaz, even from day 1, and that he’ll improve from there. Funnily enough, from your earlier argument that “if he was hitting .266, I’d understand”, .266 is actually pretty close to what most people are predicting for him, for his first few months.
We don’t see any politics in this- but that’s the problem: Wren should have taken advantage of that rule and kept him down for a couple of weeks.
@Turnip: Other people have answered your argument above: (1) Longoria understood the politics and didn’t flip out. Ballplayers understand that it’s just business. (2) Hey seems like a great guy who loves his hometown, so it might not be a big deal and (3) Anyone speculating about his emotional reaction is just speculating, so that’s not very valuable for the discussion.
@EW: Many GM’s are tremendously smart, and I have a lot of respect for Wren, in particular. I think FJR’s analysis is a great explanation of how a smart, savvy GM came to this decision. However, it’s still the wrong decision in the long run, from a purely baseball-business standpoint. Bobby and Chipper’s emotions have screwed us on this one.
thunderbull56
March 26th, 2010
6:14 pm
On the subject of Andruw Jones, no one is more dissapointed than me.And sadly a prime example of how hitting the lottery and not the cage can change people.I was so impressed with him early on, that I felt he did indeed have a chance to be one of the best ever.Sadly, the same happened to the Gants and Justices.Now, has anyone noticed how much of the Texas Rangers roster we stocked for Tex’s rental? I’m just wistfully wondering what kind of roster we could have opening day with Heyward and those departed in the interest of one last hurrah for the old guard?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2010
6:23 pm
Really looking forward to the Jason Heyward era. From everything I’ve seen and heard he has the plate discipline and mentality to go with his physical abilities, which is something Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur never had.
Jeff
March 26th, 2010
6:29 pm
Stephen — well said, but I still think with Heyward’s maturity, baseball knowledge and how quickly he’s adapted to the major-league competition he’s faced, he will definitely be an impact player, even as a rookie.
I am sure you and others may be a bit worried that he takes the same course as Francoeur (hometown guy, fast rise, immediate MLB success, etc.), but i think Heyward has a little more ability and a higher sense of the “feel” for the game than Frenchy.
And I know you’d like him to have more seasoning, but I don’t know how much Heyward would benefit from two or three weeks in the minors… it would only be 50-60 at-bats. I think he’s shown enough ability this spring to earn this shot.
And I think his hitting-for-average has surprised everyone, Stephen… I honestly think he’ll be closer to a .290-.300 hitter than just a .265 guy with 40-homer power.
Just my opinion though… I hope the best for him because he’s a great kid!
sidslidkid
March 26th, 2010
6:40 pm
Bradley, how do you make everything sound so negative and cynical? Maybe you should leave the Braves to BOB and Carroll… keep on being ole Bark Madley.
fieldofdreams
March 26th, 2010
6:56 pm
Why not try him at lead-off?
Had To Be Done
March 26th, 2010
7:06 pm
J-Hey had to be added to the team. I understand the financial reasons, and the maturity reasons…..but this kid is way mature beyond his years. He speaks as if he has been in the MLB for 15 years.
J-Hey….we love you and welcome to Atlanta!!!!!!!!
Officially
Gman
March 26th, 2010
7:26 pm
This kid is really gonna be something special – watch his discipline at the plate, it’s real impressive and he is so @@#$% big he can flat out crush the ball! Plus he obviously has a good head on his shoulders from the interviews I have seen and I have heard his play in the field is also strong to quite strong. And he played ball up at East Cobb growing up, the best amateur program in the country – look for Jason to be a better version of Ryan Howard, I think he will hit for a better average than Ryan. Cant wait to watch him all year!
TheTruth
March 26th, 2010
7:33 pm
Way to go Bradley, you post something worth reading completely.
Tron5000
March 26th, 2010
8:02 pm
The service time is not a big deal at all. He’ll sign a long-term deal before the 2016 season, as McCann did, and he’ll be locked up in Atlanta. It real is a non-issue, except for anyone who thinks the Braves will let him play through the 2015 season and become a free agent. That ain’t happening.
dawg 4 u
March 26th, 2010
8:04 pm
I don’t think that any Braves player has been more heralded with expectation level higher than Jason Heyward with the possible exception of Bob Horner. Horner came here in June of 1978 and hit a home run off of Bert Blyleven in his first game in the majors and the expectations were high from that point on but Heyward is being shown more love by the press than any player I have seen in a long while. Let’s just hope he lives up to the hype. I think he will but we should have put him on the shelf for a couple of weeks for the season of 2016.
playmeortrademe
March 26th, 2010
8:04 pm
Friends, this is why I bought opening day tickets. I want to be there to see this kid. I think he’ll be one of those “I saw him when” players. I think we’re fortunate as fans that he’s a Brave and hopefully he won’t have to wait years to see the playoffs like Griffey.
Gman
March 26th, 2010
8:12 pm
I think he will be the next long term staple on the club just like Chipper has been – they will not let him get away. Him and McCann will likely be with the Braves their entire career, two local guys that can play some serious ball……
Chief Nocahoma
March 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
Dear Mr Bradley,
Thank you so much for pumping me up with a great article. The longing of a spring overdue hearkens the start of baseball season and the introduction of Big Jase bellowing over the loud speakers at Turner Field (or will that be McDavid field soon?).
I was all fired up till you mentioned the unmentionable again regarding that article you wrote in 1996 that is burned in mind. And glowed like burning coal pouring off every page like it was written in my soul from me to you…Burned so hot that I can’t even remember what Princess Winnalotta looks like any more. Please keep the comparisons of Big Jace and Albert Pujols to yourself – at least till Jason retires.
Thank you.
Steve
March 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
Thank God the Gold Club is no more. Andruw Jones’ down fall was that club. Heyward will now have some cleaner fun on his off days and nights.
Money Ball Is For Losers
March 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
For all of those who seem to be dumbfounded that the Braves would start the season with Heyward in ATL and have him become a FA a year early, go ask Billy Beane how many World Series the A’s have appeared in playing the money ball thing? WELL …. How many?
Divisions are won and lost by single digit game margins. Wild Cards are won by single digit game margins. Having Heyward sit in Gwinnett for a dozen games could mean the difference between making the playoffs and sitting home in October. The Braves are a team that can contend this year. What will they look like in 2016? Who knows,,, they could be the Charlotte Braves or the Memphis Braves in 2016. They could be owned by Loria in 2016 and have a payroll of 48 mil. Screw playing for 2016!
So for all you frustrated accountants out there who want to be the next Billy Beane THAT IS WHY you start the season with Heyward in ATL.
Now what is the next moronic problem that needs solving?
Newbomb Turk
March 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
Mark, do you have any colleagues that are not esteemed?
BravesFan79
March 26th, 2010
9:27 pm
Evan Turner is a little Btch! First he dosent kick the ball back to the white dude for a WIDE open 3 to tie… and he gets his sht stuffed like a btch!!
If he would of been a ball hog against GT like he was against Tenn we would of won easily!!
GT is better than BOTH OSU and Tenn!! AHHHHHHHHHHH Screw u Hewitt!!
Tweets that mention In RF on Opening Day, Jason Heyward! Hip, hip, hooray! | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
March 26th, 2010
9:32 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, jimlast, HowieBruce, Stephen, Bradley Speers and others. Bradley Speers said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: In RF on Opening Day, Jason Heyward! Hip, hip, hooray! http://bit.ly/arhIDW [...]
cdog
March 26th, 2010
9:33 pm
mark, show you how much you know. you probably would have someone like matt diaz starting over that kind of talent, jason heyward.you need to get out of atlanta.
Stephen
March 26th, 2010
9:34 pm
@Moneyball You want a team that’s really embraced Moneyball recently, look no further than the Boston Red Sox. You also kinda missed the point of the book: a small market team DID compete with the big boys because they were smarter. And the post-season is a crap shoot as Braves fans should know. Someone above made the point- but even if Hey is Pujols good, 10 games of Hey vs Diaz just isn’t make a difference.
Pretty bad argument senor.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
9:38 pm
Braves are getting more national press than any time since Aaron’s final countdown. One of SI’s two lead stories is Heyward and the Braves. This kid is gonna sell LOTS of T-shirts, and put LOTS of warm fannies in otherwise empty seats. I predict a ton of sellouts this season!
Here’s the SI link, if you give a crap… http://xrl.us/Heyward
NoCoach Blewitt
March 26th, 2010
9:40 pm
Please kindly sent Melky back to the Bronx ….. We need a left fielder…. Thanks
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
9:43 pm
Here’s a direct link to the Heyward/Braves story. The previous one is to the SI Homepage. Sowwy.
http://xrl.us/ImAnIdiot
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
9:45 pm
One more thang.
SPOOON!!!
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 26th, 2010
9:56 pm
OK, two more.
Heyward is the type player who can catch the imagination of kids. If things go as planned, every kid on every baseball field will be Jason Heyward. The Braves have always needed a certain type player (very young, uber-talented, super-cool temperament off the field, keg of dynamite on it) to build a young, long-lasting, fan base. They’ve finally got one…
AGTFan
March 26th, 2010
10:20 pm
@Stephen – Moneyball works real well when you spend more money a season than most 3rd world countries. There’s a huge difference between the money ball of nickel and diming your way through contracts and using statistical analysis to enable you to spend more money than all other teams with one exception. If Boston had Heyward right now, he would be starting this season.
Hire Mark Price
March 26th, 2010
10:51 pm
GTfan for Price as part of the program
Mike Jay
March 26th, 2010
11:33 pm
I think you all thinking this is a bad move financially are being a little short sided. You are looking at about 5-10 mil in 2016 money. I guarantee you the money that would be lost by not starting him off in the ATL will easily surpass that. Crazy thought but hear me out….
Imagine a team that is mostly terrible for basically ever. sure they had their 2 -3 year stretches here and there but over the course of half a lifetime they are mostly awful and occasionally mediocre. Then the unthinkable happens. The same owner who watched them mostly struggle for years. The same owner who took over as manager of the team before MLB said get the hell out of the dugout, brings in some brilliant baseball people. Gives the mostly a blank checkbook and gets outta the way. 14 glorious years of great baseball follow. However, over the last bit fans be came spoiled and disappointed in the teams lackluster playoff performance. Attendance goes down and the owner sells the team to a faceless corporation. The team goes on a four year run off missing the playoffs. New ownership ‘group’ lacks the previous owner’s desire to win and becomes more bottom line minded. All the while fans become more and more apathetic.
That is where this Franchise is at now. Starting the best talent in AAA to come through the organization in years for what would be purely financial reasons could cause long term damage to the Braves. This fan base is teetering on the brink, they ‘need’ a reason to come back to the ballpark. Recall the backlash for not starting Hanson right away. That is nothing compared to what would happen if they did that with Heyward. He is the talk of MLB., not just Atlanta. There will be more sellouts, more merchandise, more national televised games, etc. And not just for those 10 games.
That’s just the impact to the fans. What about the impact to the clubhouse? Wildcard races are always close. It could literally come down to a game or two. It ’s easy for us to say, big deal it’s not that big of an upgrade over Diaz for 10 games. I guarantee you those players in the clubhouse don’t think like that. Team chemistry and a will to succeed are what separate good teams from Championship teams. Not making this move would hurt both of those. Heyward has excelled at every stop. Everyone on the field stops and watches him take batting practice. 14 year vets! He’s ready for the next step and they all know it. It’s one thing to know your ball club has a fixed budget that doesn’t allow yo to spend whatever you want. It’s whole nother thing to basically tell your team that while you would really like to win as many games as possible this year, but for the first ten games you need to play a man short so we can potentially save a little $ in 2016.
Keith
March 27th, 2010
12:51 am
If memory serves, Brad Komminsk opened his major league career against…………Fernando Valenzuela and the Dodgers. He struck out each time. That screwball messed his swing for good. Offspeed pitches became fastballs that he consistently missed. Remind us of another outfielder in New York. Heyward just needs to relax and play ball. Most real fans understand that he may not be the next Aaron or Mays (Bobby didn’t help him in that respect) but 20-25 hrs and 80-90 rbi this year would be a good start. I hope the rest of the lineup can take the burden off this 20 year old phenom.
Youngerthan Thatnow
March 27th, 2010
1:29 am
Damned if you do… damned if you don’t!!
It doesn’t matter what decision was made on Jason Heyward in this situation… the Braves were going to be condemned either way. And I honestly believe that some of you here were waiting for the decision to come down just so you could bee-otch and moan about it, supporting the opposite alternative.
I come here every night to get my comic relief… some here amuse me that much!!
scottbravesfan
March 27th, 2010
2:08 am
Maybe if people in Atlanta actually went to some games they could afford to keep their players. But no one supports any of the four teams. Come the summer the regional fans will once again boost the Braves attendance over 2 million but the locals can’t be depended on actually going to any games for any sport.
SHO-NUFF
March 27th, 2010
8:17 am
Maybe if people could actually afford to go some games, then a lot more would. Maybe the problem with fan attendance is the high price of admission, for quality seats and concessions. Perhaps if the organization didn’t have to pay some players $10,000 to $15,000 per AB, or per inning pitched, a ticket wouldn’t be so excessive.
Stephen
March 27th, 2010
10:25 am
The passion of fans wanting to win and get excited is awesome. I’m a die hard Braves fan and will root for them this year even if they start a surgically repaired and detoxed Otis Nixon in left field.
Part of good decision making is thinking about risk and reward: If you hold out on Hey for 10 days, you’re guaranteed a good chunk of money and it’s very unlikely that you’ll lose any of those 10 games by starting Diaz not Hey (Can we please keep in mind that he is a rookie and unlikely to step up to the majors sporting a .300 from day 1?).
On the other hand, you have the potential to possibly have a more impassioned fan base and more motivated clubhouse for a little bit of extra time?
The emotional fan motivation side of this debate has been blown way out of proportion. In concrete terms, even if we accept the lowball estimate of “5 million 2016 dollars: (which I think is inaccurate), consider that we signed Wagner for 7 million, and the same emotional lot that love Hey in April are the ones touting that signing of Wagner.
Also, anti money ball arguments aren’t really relevant, so you should drop them. Moneyball has nothing to do with whether or not this is a good decision.
Ralph
March 27th, 2010
11:07 am
Mark, I don’t know how you put an “s” behind “car”.
Navigator
March 27th, 2010
12:32 pm
I sure would like to have seen the discussion that had Heyward start, and I’m sure BCox was miffed that he has this rookie on this team. He’s knows that an old veteran could do a better job, maybe he’ll platoon him with a .200 hitter.
mark
March 27th, 2010
12:43 pm
Go Braves! I expect a lot from you guys this season!
PlusSizeModel
March 27th, 2010
12:56 pm
Dude already looks like he’s 28 anyway. Might as well bring him up.
Warren Buffett
March 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
Two weeks in April 2010 will be a scant memory in 2016. We did what?
Spankees
March 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
If I’m not mistaken, this means the Yankees will get Heyward and Hanson after the 2015 season. We need to enjoy their talents while we can.
bvillebaron
March 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Spankees:
What I Yankee fan on this board. It’s a good thing for them they have all this money to spend so they can try to swoop up all the good players that other teams develop and they can’t. The Braves have a good history of finding a way to keep their best home grown talent around (e.g. Chipper, Glavine, Andrew) while they are still productive (which is why Mark I kept telling you all winter it made no sense to spend big bucks on the overrated talent availble this offseason). Unfortunately, for the Yankees, Hanson and Heyward will be just like Joe Mauer. They ain’t going nowhere.
NO 3 MAN RUSH EVER
March 27th, 2010
4:12 pm
BRADLEY ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP THIS UO FIR A MONTH LIKE THE ONE ON KY BASKETBALL? THAT THING IS UP SO LONG THAT I AM STARTING TO ROOT AGAINST THEM.
Your Brave
March 27th, 2010
6:36 pm
TECH SUCKS
DAWGS RULE
butch.from.the.cape
March 27th, 2010
7:49 pm
Brian McCann was a FOOL to sign that contract with the Braves. Dont get me wrong, as a Braves fan who wants to see the Braves win, I’m glad that he did. However, Jeff Francoeur has shown that it isnt much of a gamble for a player to risk going for the big pay day.
For example…….in 2009 Jeff Francoeur made $3.375 while McCann made $3.5 mil. This year, Francoeur is going to make $5 mil while McCann’s making $5.5 mil. If Francoeur ends up having a good year this year, he will be in line to BLOW PAST the $6.5 mil that McCann is scheduled to make in 2011. McCann is 5 times the player that Francoeur is. However, McCann is barely making more than Francoeur.
Even though Francoeur sacrificed a little money by not signing a McCann like contract with the Braves, the potential reward (the money Francoeur could have made if he progressed in a similar fashion as McCann) is much greater than the money he gave up by doing the 1 year contract route.
Also, in 2007, McCann signed a 5 year, $28.5 mil contract. In Feb. of this year, Tim Linecum signed a 2 year, $23 mil contract. If Jason Heyward turns out to be the real deal, the Braves will either have to pay him Tim Linecum money (I can only imagine what Linecum will end up being paid during the last 2 years of arbitration before he is eligible for free agency) during his arbitration years………or the Braves will end up signing Heyward to a Joe Mauer type contract before Heyward is eligible for arbitration.
Either way, the Braves are gambling big time that Heyward is going to be open to signing the old hometown discount. The big question is how much of a discount will it be?
butch.from.the.cape
March 27th, 2010
8:07 pm
I’m sure that Tommy Hanson, despite finishing 3rd in the Rookie of the Year race in 2009, is THRILLED that Jason Heyward will be eligible for arbitration the same year (2012) he is.
Sure, catering to the Braves fan whose emotions want to see Heyward on the Opening Day roster will provide a temporary fix for them. However, what happens if Heyward gets off to a slow start to begin the 2010 season? I feel that Heyward will have a pretty good rookie season. However, it is not unreasonable to assume that he may struggle the first month of the season or so, like most rookies do.
If that happens, then the Braves would have ended up paying $9 mil dollars for 6 weeks of Jason Heyward…….because instead of being eligible for arbitration after the 2013 season……he’ll be eligible after the 2012 season……………which means that instead of paying Heyward $600-$700K in 2013, they’ll end up paying him at least $10 mil (again, if he’s as good as advertised, just look at Tim Linecum as the perfect example).
It’s a HUGE gamble to assume that Heyward is going to sign a hometown discount contract. If Heyward is as good as advertised, I just dont see him being in any rush to sign a discounted contract.
Also, one needs to remember that Heyward’s family is from New Jersey. Just imagine Heyward in a Yankees uniform. Imagine how many homers he could hit what that short right field porch. Imagine the endorsement opportunities awaiting Heyward if he waits for free agency and signs with the Yankees. He could end up making A-Rod money when he is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season.
ET
March 27th, 2010
10:52 pm
You guys are forgetting one thing about 2016 and Haywards contract potential. That is the year that the Oboma tax kicks in for luxury healthcare plans like what the bball players get. It doesn’t matter what he signs for because most of it will go to the government to pay for the budget breaking health care plan. Heyward will be lucky to have enough left over to buy a moon pie and an RC…God I loved eating moon pies and drinking RC Colas…a match made in heaven, which is where we will end up if we catch something serious in 2016…did I mention the health care cost?
Elmore Spencer
March 27th, 2010
10:57 pm
Brian McCann was a FOOL to sign that contract with the Braves.
huh? IM glad everyone has a crystal ball and can see into the future so well. McCann did the smart thing by taking the guaranteed money. He could have gotten hurt the day after he signed that contract and would have still gotten the money. That money is financial security for his family for the rest of their lives. How is that foolish?
I mean good grief Heyward hasn’t even played a game in the pros yet and we already have him playing for the Yankees in 5 years. I need to go to Vegas with you people sometime.
Elmore Spencer
March 27th, 2010
11:01 pm
You guys are forgetting one thing about 2016 and Haywards contract potential. That is the year that the Oboma tax kicks in for luxury healthcare plans like what the bball players get. It doesn’t matter what he signs for because most of it will go to the government to pay for the budget breaking health care plan. Heyward will be lucky to have enough left over to buy a moon pie and an RC…God I loved eating moon pies and drinking RC Colas…a match made in heaven, which is where we will end up if we catch something serious in 2016…did I mention the health care cost?
You know what really broke the budget. Trillion dollar wars looking for weapons buried in the sand that didnt even exist. Im sure Jason Heyward and his millions will be just fine. Rich people dont pay taxes anyway. They just move the money from one pocket to the other when the tax man comes.
Elmore Spencer
March 27th, 2010
11:03 pm
which is where we will end up if we catch something serious in 2016
As opposed to now where insurance companies cancel your coverage if you get sick or deny you coverage if you have a preexisting condition? You know what the Republican health care plan is?
Dont get sick.
Rusty
March 27th, 2010
11:45 pm
This is terrible news. I was SOO looking forward to the 2016 season. This makes absolutely no sense. The best right fielder should NOT have made this team. The best player on this team should NOT have made this team. However, I will pay to see this kid on opening day. Thank You BRAVES.
kjb
March 28th, 2010
12:34 am
I’m sick of you so call braves fan talking about a player on your braves team because of the color of their skin, so what if Jason Heyward is an african american, it shouldn’t matter if you love the braves & the game of baseball!!!! I’m an african american myself & I’ve been a diehard braves fan since about 1983 (7yrsold)& will be to the day I die. Dale Murphy, Bob Horner, Bruce Benedict, Sid Bream, Jeff Blauser, Mark Lemke, Glenn Hubbard, Chipper Jones, the big 3 Jsmoltz, Tglavine, & Gmaddux & even some of the new braves Brian McCann, Tommy Hanson are some of my favorite braves for the past & present & their all white players!!! Dion James, Deion Sanders, Terry Harper, Chris Chambliss, Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield, David Justice, Terry Pendleton, Brian Jordan, Claudell Washington, Ken Griffey Sr.,Lonnie Smith, & Ron Gant were also some of my favorite braves, all black players. We have had alot of latins play for the braves that I like, Javy Lopez, the 3 Raphaels’ Ramirez, Belliard, & Furcal, Andruw Jones, Ozzie Guillen, & now Yunell Escobar @ JJ just to name a few. That’s coming from a black man that love the game of baseball & the Atlanta Braves til the day I die period!!! So if you love the braves & the game of baseball like I do, it shouldn’t matter who plays for them period!!! I wanted Jordan Shaefer to make it last year & still hopes he ends up being our cf for the near future cause I think the potential is there in him. I can’t wait to see Freddie Freeman come up. Yes Jason Heyward is black, yes he will struggle every now & then, that’s part of the game, but be honest braves fans, this young man is very mature for his age, very polite, loves to play the game, respects his elders, respects the game, not an arrogant person, & most important, he’s a Bobby Cox type of player (very humble & plays the game the right way) & I’m not saying that because I’m black, it’s because of what I’ve seen in him so far!!! From what I’ve seen so far, Jason Heyward will be a great player in this game & for the Braves for years to come & even Bobby & Chipper thinks he will. Chipper Jones have had struggles before & I pulled for him every time he came to bat. So let’s cheer for the young man & Chipper & the braves to have a wonderful year for Bobby Cox!!!! Go Braves!!! A diehard braves’ fan for life period!!!
WonderDawg
March 28th, 2010
8:37 am
Nice read, Mark. I, for one can’t read enough about Jason Heyward. I hope he, the Braves and Cox have a year to remember.
WonderDawg
March 28th, 2010
8:42 am
The top 10% of wage earners in the US pay over 85% of the total income tax, Elmore Spencer. Why don’t you educate yourself before you spew such stupidity?
Navigator
March 28th, 2010
8:57 am
KJB: You have a big problem if you thing majority of post are about race, is that your first thought everytime folks are discussing the future of the braves?? If Heyward turns out to be the next Chipper Jones or better, the Braves will ante up the money and the fans will cheer loudly. I’m so tired of people like you using a race card when the situation is not race related. As far as paying a rookie a big salary to prevent the Yankees from grabbing him, that situation exist with any player and the Braves have a decision to make. The Braves record in recent years a signing big bonuses have not been good ones, so paying big bucks for an untried player is a concern for all of the fans. As far as not supporting an African American player is ridiculous in this time period, just ridiculous as the African American community not supporting players of color because they come from outside the contiguous borders of the continental USA, or we shouldn’t support white players that come from Canada, South American, Australia or anywhere else they may come from.
Braves #1
March 28th, 2010
9:08 am
The Bravo’s are the team to beat in the Nat’l League this year….mark your calendars for October..Boys and Girls…………………….!
BobtheBlogger
March 28th, 2010
9:29 am
As I recall, the Braves won one of their division championships by one game, and one or two by two games. What if the Braves waited two weeks to bring up Heyward, and then lost the wild card by a game or two? Sure, it’s a long season, but if you lose by one or two games, any game you could have won is important.
If Heyward starts to get pitched around in the 7 hole this year, I’d like to see him in the #2 spot. While he is not a prototypical #2 hitter, it would be nice seeing pitchers having to deal with him with Chipper and Glaus on deck.
ET
March 28th, 2010
9:51 am
WonderDawg…thanks for setting “tickle me Elmore ” straight. These guys won’t face the fact that Oboma is breaking the bank. They continue to blame it on Bush. Heyward will be paying 60-70% taxes after you add up sales , state & federal taxes. Plus get ready for a new VOC tax (value added tax). In Europe it goes as high as 20% added onto everything that is sold in those countries. It’s not just a sales tax, it adds taxes at every step of the manufacturing or assembly process. It is the only way that Oboma can pay for these policies that he is implimenting. That is what this committee he has formed will come up with. Just wait and see…
jim
March 28th, 2010
3:20 pm
Great news regarding Heyward. My son and I have tickets for Opening Day and they are in Right Field – thanks Braves! One other thing – lets kick some National League East butt this year. Go Bravos!!!!
tnt
March 28th, 2010
3:39 pm
J-Hey, Drop the World…
Jopper
March 28th, 2010
5:01 pm
I disagree. If he’s that good… let’s not lose him a year earlier than we have to! Braves fans just have to have him in the lineup on Opening Day to make it out to the ballpark and support this team? Ridiculous. The fans should support this team either way and look forward to April 17th when he joins the club AND look forward to 2016 when he’s playing for us rather than the Yankees.
Decatur Tech Fan
March 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
Hey SEC Rules….how many players off of Tenn and KY BB teams will earn a college degree?
Answer…same number that are in the Final Four… ZERO. Hahahahahaaha lol.
Decatur Tech Fan
March 28th, 2010
5:36 pm
IMO……Heyward > Justice. Go Braves….beat Phillies!
butch.from.the.cape
March 28th, 2010
5:43 pm
I find it interesting that Braves management would suspend that minor leaguer who was caught with the prostitute.
By the way, what did the Braves do when Bobby Cox was charged with punching his wife in 1995? He was ordered to attend alcohol and domestic abuse counseling…….however no suspension from either the Braves or MLB.
I would consider punching your wife to be a more “suspendable” offense than hooking up with a prostitute.
Malted Falcon
March 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
Where is Brad Komminsk? Does anyone know???
MightyQuinn
March 28th, 2010
8:15 pm
Saw Brad Komminsk coaching AA in the minors, still looked like he could go out and play. Was in great shape.
Coach (2011 or Bust)
March 29th, 2010
12:57 am
Great news concerning Jason Heyward. I agree that he should start the season in Atlanta.
That said, the Braves offense appears to be in trouble and nobody is talking about it. With twenty-four spring training games under their belt the Atlanta offense ranks right in the middle of the 30 team pack in runs scored and RBI.
But even more disconcerting is the one extra base hit in 37 at bats from Troy Glaus. Our hour hole clean up hitter looks like his power stroke is missing in action. Combine this with the spring training struggles so far from Nate McLouth, and this fan must give pause when remembering the struggles by the 2009 offense in the first half of their season.
Power and speed were problems last year and so far they look like this Braves vehicle is still in need of some major engine upgrades.
Mark
March 29th, 2010
7:32 am
It should be Jeff Francoeur in right field.
Bob
March 29th, 2010
8:37 am
I am sure though Booby Cox will find a reason to play Melky ahead of Heyward at some point this season, since Cox so favors veterans over rookies, regardless if they are producing or not.
ugaaccountant
March 29th, 2010
10:15 am
Coach – Were you really expecting a top tier offense this year? Really? The idea all along was clearly top tier pitching, middle of the pack offense. Heyward was, is, and will be our only chance at top tier hitting. We paid for middle of the pack hitting, so unless Heyward blows us away the organization never was counting on being a great hitting team.
D-Nice
March 29th, 2010
11:10 am
Why are you all so concerned about money that you dont have to pay. Let him worry about playing and not about salary. Francouer may have done better if not all the worries. If Jason puts up and helps the team win then guess what Brainos???? Yes that means that more people at the gate, more playoff revenue, etc… Winning teams get good owners so if the current group doesnt want to spend then maybe Arthur Blank invests and buys the team or Ted Turner comes back and re-claims his team.
You put the best team on the field regardless of money as I am sure the Braves wish they could have gotten those games back from Hanson last year. Yeah people will say that he would have only accounted for 1-3 more wins but momentum is a different animal. You get a hot shot prospect and the club house dynamics changes just as they will with Heyward and they also did when Francouer came up that summer.
Again people lets let the team play and be thankful that Brad Clontz or Chris Reitsma are not on the team (smile).
Ryan
March 29th, 2010
11:16 am
Y’all are forgetting that this was an easy decision to make because ownership will change before 2016.
It’s easy to commit now when you’re spending someone else’s money.
But honestly there is no way to predict the dynamics of 6 years from now.
latisse online
April 12th, 2010
11:04 am
works for me