Alas, my mini wintertime "summer of George" is coming to a close in a couple of days, and work will start back, and with it... more work. Things have been slow in the baseball world, but here are a few links to soothe the troubled Braves fan:
- A Texas sports writer thinks the Rangers will send starting pitcher Kevin Millwood to Atlanta for... wait for it... wait for it... none other than Josh Anderson... yes, Millwood straight up for Anderson. Hey, I thought I'd start out with something that was not only feel-good, but far-fetched. The guy is making a bunch of crazy predictions about the upcoming year, so I guess this is more about taking 200 shots in the dark and hoping maybe one will hit something so he can write another column saying "I told you so."
- Here's a nice short home-town fluff piece about Buddy Carlyle. Believe it or not, this will be Buddy's third year with the Braves.
- Chipper Jones ended up as one of the top photos from "the year in photos" article put out by the West Volusia Beacon... don't worry, that's just one of my daily reads...
- Here's an interesting read about a young Australian we signed last year, James Linger. He hasn't played in the US yet, but he's still pretty young. In looking through the Google, we apparently signed him last January to a $120,000 contract. We may get a chance to see him in the WBC this spring, though he is not yet listed on the official roster.
- Lastly, there's this whole Andruw Jones story this morning. It is nicely summed up here by MLBTR. I know there's already been one fanpost calling for us to go get him, but I'd like to call for patience. There are not going to be a lot, if any takers for Jones' services, and the Dodgers will likely release him before spring training. Most teams will not want to take a chance on him, and if he is going to try and come back, he will likely want to try it with the Braves. It is Andruw that will choose us, and we'll get him for the minimum. There's no reason for the Braves to rush out and try to get him.
There’s no point in releasing him before spring training. If he shows he can play in March, there actually will be suitors for him; if not, then you can release him.
17843 - January 3, 2009
It’s part of the agreement that he be released… click here.
gondeee - January 3, 2009
Oh, and be released before spring training.
gondeee - January 3, 2009
*or traded
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
League Minimum huh?
I hate to say it but I think you’re right. Andruw’s only logical destination is Atlanta, at least in my opinion. For the record I don’t really want him back, but I’ll admit I could grow to be OK with the move if it is in conjunction with the signing of Dunn. Otherwise why take the risk? Our entire 2009 would be dependent upon AJ and whether he rebounds, whereas adding Dunn would make AJ a luxury (assuming he does rebound, which is assuming a LOT). Oh well, that’s enough rambling from this old fart.
scstrato - January 3, 2009
its awesome that the newspaper mentioned chipper as a pitcher
heap16 - January 3, 2009
He’s a solid #3
Bobby Cocks - January 3, 2009
and he would still get to hit.
who plays third though?
heap16 - January 3, 2009
i guess we would just need a 3B every fifth day. he could probably rotate between SP, 3B, and LF
heap16 - January 3, 2009
prado, of course
WHAT CAN’T HE DO!?!?!?!?
i hope he plays for venezuela in the WBC and blows his knee out
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
lol, why the hate for martin?
heap16 - January 3, 2009
you’re kinda new, so i’ll spare you the grief…but in a nutshell…
if he starts, the braves will be sorely disappointed with what they’ll get in return.
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
yes i am kinda new here, but i am an avid fan.
you do nice work by the way.
heap16 - January 3, 2009
You can ignore bigjoe, he hates everyone and has no faith in any player except Albert Pujols…. oh, and he’s a closeted Philly’s phan.
gondeee - January 3, 2009
hey now.
i havent actively cheered for the phillies in 15 years
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
how do you put the quote at the end of every comment. like bigjoe’s says BIG JOE SUCK ONE
heap16 - January 3, 2009
click your name at the top of the screen, then hit edit profile. theres a signature field in there.
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
thanks
heap16 - January 3, 2009
Haha I’m glad someone here appreciates Step Brothers!
jjcollins - January 3, 2009
Please do not talk smack about Nitram Odarp!
mvandonsel - January 4, 2009
Yeah
He’s one of the best dancers this team has!
Lizziebeth - January 4, 2009
Caminiti
too soon?
Bobby Cocks - January 3, 2009
oohhh
heap16 - January 3, 2009
although i have to admit i giggled a little bit
heap16 - January 3, 2009
how do you delete a post? not that i want it deleted, i just want need it moved to the appropriate spot
Bobby Cocks - January 3, 2009
you don’t.
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
Who do you all honestly believe will be our LF this year?
heap16 - January 3, 2009
honestly?
i don’t think wren does a thing, and we’re looking at the same thing we had last year.
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
I think he’ll trade for somebody with a career best 20 HR season and claim it’s the solution to our power problems in LF. I like Wren, but I just don’t know why he’s scared of the big sticks out there.
Bobby Cocks - January 3, 2009
so you think the OF will pretty much be comprised of blanco, anderson, diaz and frenchy?
i hope you’re wrong, but i’m starting to get the feeling that you might be exactly right
heap16 - January 3, 2009
no, i think andruw comes back and plays center. for better or worse…one year stopgap, jordan takes over if andruw is ineffective or in 2010.
i think theres an all-out war for that LF position, and someone ends up going. probably anderson, with diaz starting 2 or so games a week and pinch hitting, and blanco leading off…when diaz is starting, i can only assume escobar leads off with KJ in the 2-hole.
bigjoe - January 3, 2009
that almost smells like rosterbating…. and dare i say u are driving the Andruw and Borchard bandwagon?… theres an OF for ya
Swo12bv - January 3, 2009
only thing is, mine’s realistic and not something along the lines of ZOMG SIGN SHEETS, DUNN, GARLAND, HOFFMAN AND TRADE FOR PEAVY
bigjoe - January 4, 2009
but are u in fact driving said bandwagon?
Swo12bv - January 4, 2009
i’m driving the JO-BO bandwagon for sure…andruw? i’m in the first 2 rows of seats
bigjoe - January 4, 2009
I know it's just the Bellvue Leader...
…but does the reporter actually get paid for this?
“I always feel like I’m auditioning myself because you want to keep that edge, but it does take some of the pressure off because they know you’re history and know what you’re capable of.”
Buddy, if we had a good pitching staff, then the coaches would know you’re history.
Euruproktos - January 4, 2009
Clap clap.
Lizziebeth - January 4, 2009
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