Since the next 24 hours will likely be a drunken blur I suppose I best get a post up that can stand the test of time. I've been thinking for several days about who else the Braves should sign to fill out their roster. They reportedly still have anywhere from $7 to $9 million to spend on a free agent or free agents, and there are several interesting names still on the board. Here's the list in alphabetical order:
Rick Ankiel - He's a Boras client with moderate pop, though he took a huge step backwards last year. That off-year could have him searching for a one-year get-right contract at a discount.
Rocco Baldelli - The picture of unfulfilled potential, perhaps Atlanta could be the right fit. We know that the Braves have historically had interest in him.
Marlon Byrd - He's more of a fourth outfielder who got real lucky playing in a hitter friendly stadium last year. Every time I hear his name all I think about is Garry Mathews Jr.
Johnny Damon - A solid above average performer. If he would take a one-year deal he might be a nice addition who brings good power and speed. If Wren signs him, he must insist that Damon grows his Jesus beard back out.
Jermaine Dye - He started his career in the ATL, perhaps he'd like to finish it here. His bat still has some pop, and he's still only 36.
Eric Hinske - He would be more of a bench bat, but perhaps a very good bench bat. If we go the route of signing a couple of guys to platoon and pinch hit, then he would likely be an inexpensive option.
Reed Johnson - Like Hinske, Johnson would be another low cost swing guy on the bench, though he probably doesn't have enough power to add any value to the Braves roster.
Xavier Nady - I thought he'd be a Brave already, but the team went with Troy Glaus instead. They could still come back around to Nady, but Boras may be asking for too much.
Gary Sheffield - Oh yes, I went there. At this point in his career he may not be much better than Garret Anderson, but Sheff always seemed his most comfortable in Atlanta, perhaps there's still some mutual interest here.
Randy Winn - He's probably too much of a light-hitting option than we would want, and he's not getting any younger.
So those are the options as I see them. Feel free to bring up anyone else you think would make a good fit (within the realm of sanity). Other than that, have a Happy New Year!
0 recs | 426 comments
Johnny Damon and his Jesus beard.
And Julio Franco.
PWHjort - December 31, 2009
I'd take Julio again before Johnny Damon
If you look at Damon’s HR charts (just spent 15 minutes trying to find the ESPN link, cannot) somewhere around 17 of them last year were into the short porch in right at New Yankee Stadium. Looking closer, looking at how far those were hit and the conditions in which they were hit and we could reasonably expect 2-4 of those 17 to actually make it out of the yard in Turner. He’s put together a surprisingly nice career but he’s in a decline that will only be exacerbated by leaving New York and last year was a Marlon Byrd-esque stadium fluke. I don’t want him anywhere near our outfield unless he’s playing there on the road for another club.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
FWIW
Damon’s 2009 HR’s w/ Turner Field dimensions overlay:
PWHjort - January 1, 2010
So does that mean you are in favor of signing Damon?
bravesforever16 - January 1, 2010
Probably just that Lockhart was entirely wrong
acie4mvp - January 1, 2010
Whoops
yeah just saw that.
but we should probably take into account of that so called “Wind Tunnel” Yankee Stadium produced but that could all be BS.
bravesforever16 - January 1, 2010
No, neither of these things
Damon hit 17 home runs at Yankee Stadium in 2009, and all of his HR’s regardless of ballpark were to right field.
In Turner field a lot of those aren’t HR’s. All of the ones in front or on the line aren’t home runs. He probably loses 6-12 home runs by moving from Yankee Stadium to Turner Field.
I still like signing Damon because of his .366 on base average the past 6 years. If the Braves can expect .290/.366/.430 from Damon, he’s worth signing, I would think.
PWHjort - January 1, 2010
Yeah
well I wonder how much money he would want?
bravesforever16 - January 1, 2010
I would go as high as a 1 year 6 million contract, with a team option for a second year.
His arm may suck, but his UZR is not bad aside from last year. (7.5, 6.7, -9.2). I don’t think he would hurt us badly in the field, and not nearly as much as FUGA last year. We talk about his home run totals as if that is what we want him to do for us. He would be or leadoff hitter, if he signed. His job would be to get on base. In his last 6 years, he hasn’t had an OBP below .350. Nat’s highest in his career is .356.
As much as I hate the yankees, (and I really really really do) i do think Damon could be a valuable player for us, given the right price. He would get on base in front of Prado, Chipper, Glaus and McCann, thus giving them more pitches to hit.
Alas, IMHO, we won’t be able to sign Damon anyways, b/c he will demand a higher contract, and get it from somewhere else. So, all of this is probably moot anyways.
dlkinser86 - January 1, 2010
It helps if you don’t think of him as a Yankee, but rather an A.
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
I like to think of him as a Royal, cause that’s where he started out. And nobody thinks of anyone in the last 20 years as a Royal, except Mike Sweeney.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
I didn’t know he started with them. I just remember him being with the A’s back when they were a fun team to cheer for and watch.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
He spent his first 6 years as a Royal (only 1 as an A)...
which considering our exchange program with KC is a nice bonus. Came to Oakland a year before becomming a FA in a big trade that sent Damon, Mark Ellis, and Cory Lidle to Oakland, Ben Grieve to Tampa, and Angel Berroa, AJ Hinch, and Roberto Hernandez to the Royals.
Mr. Sanchez - January 2, 2010
Dang…I suck.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
no
his defense is terrible. there is no getting around it. he cant throw a ball more than 30 feet
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
however
Yankee stadium was/is a gigantic wind tunnel meaning all of those balls got a little help from the wind that constantly is blowing out. It was well documented that if a ball got just a little bit of lift it could carry far in that park. He could hit like 10 HR’s with us.
I just dont want ppl thinking this guy will hit another 20+ HR’s if we sign him. Also realize that his defense is DEPLORABLE. No joke. Watch some of those World Series games
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
Why does this say 2006 in the upper right? Are we sure it’s the right graph?
Yakker - January 2, 2010
I think that is just the Copyright date.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Yes, Justin is correct.
That’s the copyright date for this particular style of plot.
PWHjort - January 2, 2010
definitly johnny damon. he can lead off and let mclouth slide down in the lineup.
a lineup like this would be very nice
damon
prado
chipper
glaus
mac
mclouth
esco
diaz/heyward/melky
longshotsmith - December 31, 2009
How about...
Damon
Chipper
Escobar
Glaus
McCann
Diaz
Prado
McLouth
I know it will never happen, but I really like line-ups with Chipper hitting 2nd. They’re interesting to me.
PWHjort - December 31, 2009
Why debate this?...
barring injury or a strong spring from Heyward or Schafer, we’re looking at
McCann
Glaus
Prado
Escobar
Jones
Diaz
McLouth
Cabrera
in some order 1-8, with Chipper, Glaus, McCann forming 3, 4, 5.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
I don’t think Melky should start. He should be traded now, while we can get something.
JKowalek - December 31, 2009
I wouldn’t mind that, except flip Melky for prospects and cash savings, in case we need to make a run at someone during the season.
ChrisK562 - December 31, 2009
Trade the Milk Man
Trade Milky while he still has that Yankee Aura on him. By doing so I will free up an additional $3million and will give us a total of somewhere in the neighborhood $10 million to spend.
That should go towards an OF bat. I am thinking Jermaine Dye in left field and MDiaz and Heyward in Right.
McClouth
Prado
Chipper
Troy Glaus
Brian McCann
Jermaine Dye
Escobar
Matt/Jason Heyward
Pitcher
That’s deep
AlRoBraves95 - January 1, 2010 via mobile
That’s a deep lineup, but that is a shallow D. I see no need to max out our budget on someone like Jermaine Dye.
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
forget deep
that lineup is overly right handed. and i do agree to not sign dye.
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
Deep matters little there.
Diaz and Heyward are both better than Dye when defense is included (and Diaz is league average defensively at best). Why sign Dye? Even if his offense rebounds, his defense makes him no more than replacement level.
cavebird - January 1, 2010
same
with Damon.
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
That’s a decent lineup with a decent backend that could definately drive in some runs. I don’t doubt Damon’s HR total last year was aided by the new Yankee launching pad, but coming over to the NL I don’t think 18 HR or so would be a stretch. Plus he’s got speed on the basepaths. I like Hinske as a bench option too.
HansonManCrush - December 31, 2009 via mobile
If we get Hinske, he takes us to the World Series.
We’ve all heard about his crazy hoodoo with October baseball.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
That’s a ridiculous lineup, you’ve got the two worst hitters at the top and two of the best at the bottom.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
Which line up are you referring to? I’m in favor of having prado bat second and moving escobar to six or seven so he can drive in runs
HansonManCrush - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Sorry.
Nevermindclearly my brain isn’t working properly today, for some reason I thought you were talking about having Melky lead off and McLouth bat 2. I don’t even know why I read it like that.
Not that I’m a fan of bringing in Damon, too much money for not enough production. Still don’t see any reason for Diaz to be hitting 8th though, guy put up a .390 OBP last year.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
I like Diaz at the top of the lineup too, and I think he’s more than proven capable of being an everyday player. He’s got good speed thanks to his PSX 90 program or whatever it is. But he does make mistakes on the basepaths like that play at third to end the Marlins series a few months back. But who doesn’t make mistakes!
HansonManCrush - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Snitker is not a very good 3B coach, I doubt that debacle was entirely Matt’s fault.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
Agreed.
Snitker really wore thin on me last year. Get me Sid Bream. That man knows how to round third base and score a freaking run.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
P-90X…it is awesome!
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
My interenet sarcasm detector is malfunctioning… If you’re serious, how well did it work for you? I’ve been intrigued by that for a while, but haven’t convinced myself to pull the trigger and do it.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
no sarcasm goggles needed. The program is seriously legit – if you stick to it.
It is one of the toughest workouts I have done.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Well, I’m convinced. New project for the semester.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
I'm intrigued...
What is this workout you’re speaking of? I’d like to try it, always up for something new!
Mark Lempke - December 31, 2009
I've had a couple friends do P-90X
And it did a lot for both of them. I hear it can humble you though.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
Pliometrics will own your ass
At least the first few times around. The workout as a whole is completely legit, but because so few people have the dedication to give 90 days to something so strenuous, so few actually ever figure it out. I did it for about a month before I quit my job and started effing up my daily routine to where I couldn’t do it anymore, but the results were prevalent in that amount of time.
royhobbs - December 31, 2009
So you went from 400 to 350?
10-4 - December 31, 2009
Haha.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
Naw
Baby steps, remember. It was 527 to 499
royhobbs - January 2, 2010
+1
buzzdeadwax - January 2, 2010
naw its not, unless you wanna lose weight
SayHeyWerd - December 31, 2009
Or trim fat, or get in the best shape of your life.
If you are trying to build muscle mass and be jacked, this won’t work for you, because it isn’t designed for that.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
He made one high profile mistake on the base paths, and afterward a lot of the talk was that it was extra painful he was actually one of the best base runners on the team.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
THIS
And by the way, if he gets bumped from the leadoff spot, there’s no way in hell McLouth hits higher than Escobar in the lineup.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
That whole list makes my stomach churn..
Damon or Nady… Damon over Nady.
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
What’s Melky’s OBP like? Could he be a leadoff candidate? Or have I just started drinking way too early?
HansonManCrush - December 31, 2009 via mobile
.340-.350 would be asking him ALOT…
bwellnjonesco - December 31, 2009
he's done well there in the past...
and he might adapt well to the NL. It’s doubtful, but possible.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
There’s always that hope…
bwellnjonesco - December 31, 2009
Hope is a dangerous thing.
Hope can drive a man insane.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
I’m sorry, I forgot how serious this can be.
bwellnjonesco - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Pretty sure that was a Shawshank Redemption quote.
Skyagusta - December 31, 2009
You are correct.
Sparhawk - December 31, 2009
Excellent work sir.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
lets go with Damon
we have money for him from that JV trade and we need more big bats
southman - December 31, 2009
Damon isn’t a big bat …
Lennox - December 31, 2009
His 24 HRs last season would have led our team in that statistic..
bwellnjonesco - December 31, 2009
but he hit 17 of those 24 in the launching pad that is New Yankee Stadium. He is not a big bat by any stretch of the imagination, and I think that whatever team signs him is going to be disappointed.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
this
I was typing that exact same thing out. I could have hit 17 homers in that tiny place.
MTSU11 - December 31, 2009
Isn't it the same dimensions as the old park?
I thought there was some weird wind tunnel effect that caused all the HRs.
Salty - December 31, 2009
true
I forgot about that…
bwellnjonesco - December 31, 2009 via mobile
If all our left handed hitters got to play half their games at NuYankee Stadium we’d probably lead the majors in home runs.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
continuing futher: just look at his season-by-season HR totals…he is all over the dang place, never hitting more than 24 (twice he has done this).
Going back over the past 10 years (Random number chosen by me)
00 – 16
01 – 9
02 – 14
03 – 12
04 – 20
05 – 10
06 – 24
07 – 12
08 – 17
09 – 24
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
I want another proven bullpen arm, who’s still out there?
TradeAndruw - December 31, 2009
Kiko.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Yes!
ATLforlife - December 31, 2009
Pedro Borbon Jr.
!Vive la Francoeur! - December 31, 2009
This.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
the downside of melky...
bobby will play him way too much if he’s on the roster. out of that group, i think you have to go with guy that provides the most flexibility in case of injury and that would be Nady. however Nady and Sheffield could both be signed for approx. 7 mil together and that would be insurance on top of insurance.
i like the idea of damon as well. i guess he could play some first if glaus goes down.
chipper in the 2 hole would be nice, however he needs some protection with power behind him. pitchers wont be afraid to pitch to him if escobar is in the on deck circle.
ryan c - December 31, 2009
Hinske is the most "flexible" of the list...
plenty of time at 3rd and 1st, plus the OF corners.
I honestly think if we sign someone for anything other than $1m or less, they’ll be capable of 1st. That is the only spot where we really don’t have a decent second option. Infante can cover 2nd, SS, and 3rd, we’ve got plenty of OF versatility with Melky able to play all 3, plus Heyward and Schafer ready or near ready. Ross and Sammons are a decent 2nd and 3rd behind McCann. We really could use a backup 1B, especially one that could double as a backup OF until the kids arrive. Nady, Hinske, among others seems absolutely perfect for that role if they’ll sign something like Glaus or smaller.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
Prado could play 1st and then you shift Infante to second… but ur right we have no real backup for 1st (as I dont consider Prado a legit 1B)
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Mitch? (depends on your def. of “real”)
carpengui - December 31, 2009
i have little confidence in Mitch at this point… one of those things where im gonna compeltely temper my expectations to set myself up to be pleasantyl surprised if anyting good happens
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Ryan Garko?...
whoever we sign, I doubt they’d be a pure OF. Those able to play somewhere in the IF too would be best, since there is the obvious Schafer/Heyward pairing able to come up for CF and RF sometime soon, Diaz can play both corners, Melky can play all 3, McLouth is a solid CF, and there’s Blanco/Infante/Brandon Jones/Mitch Jones/etc that could fill in a pinch if we want Heyward/Schafer to get a little more time before coming up. For that reason, drop Damon, Byrd, Ankiel, Winn, and Johnson.
Add in Glaus is likely a starter, and you must count his incentives reducing the remaining $5+m, with the unlikelihood we spend more on a bench bat than we just did on a starter, I’d say we’re likely to wait and see who gets really cheap in the next few weeks. Nady has the ability to backup Glaus, which we currently don’t have unless we consider Prado, Infante (or Canizares or Mitch Jones) fills that role. Jermaine Dye has said he’d play 1st, Rocco Baldelli played 3 innings at 3rd for Boston last year and might be capable of playing 1st, Sheff is a former IF with 9 games experience at 1st, Garko is mostly a 1B, while Hinske has 3rd, 1st, and the corner OF.
I could see anyone like those guys, capable of multiple positions including 1st as a veteran backup to Glaus. Otherwise may as well just wait and see who will become desperate and take a deal at or below $1m in the next month be they veteran bat or veteran arm. We’ve got a full 40 man roster, so I don’t see Wren rushing to make a move.
(Oh, and this will be real good for the spreading rosterbation mess)
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
A couple other names
Ryan Garko-Could be in the OF/1b variety we are looking at.
Johnny Gomes-Just a name, probably no better than Mitch Jones.
Aubrey Huff-Probably no better than GA.
Marcus Thames- Again, prolly a wash with Jones.
I like the idea of Garko the best out of these, and could see hime as a rather nice bargain option if Boras gets redic with Nady’s asking price.
'hawkchop - December 31, 2009
Ooh, Marcus Thames. I like that. He can play 1B and OF.
ChrisK562 - December 31, 2009
Johnny Gomes and Marcus Thames have proven track records in the majors… so by that alone they are better than Mitch Jones… remember for all the mashing Jones did, he hasnt really played in the Majors that much…theres probably a reason for that besides teams hate him. Especially considering you are looking at Jones to be like Gomes or Thames… we know Gomes or Thames can do that pinch hitting reserve OF role with good pop in their bat, we think Mitch Jones can do that, but we really don’t kno.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
I kind of like what Thames has to offer as well as Huff if he is cheap.
chopc - December 31, 2009
We need...
A leadoff guy, so we can drop mclouth in the lineup, I think he and the braves would benefit from that kind of move alot..What’s available in that aspect as a leadoff hitter/outfielder? Or do we already have him in schaefer or cabrera(yuck)?
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Rajai Davis is available that would fit that mold… i dont advocate that move, but thats a good guy to get if thats the direction we are going.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
no more old/injured
We have enough old or rehabbed players. We have a surplus of pitchers and if Heyward is available, outfielders. I would like Wren to trade Cabrera or McLouth plus a prospect pitcher for another super utility infielder. That’s where we are most vulnerable to injury. Brewers could use pitching and a centerfield, I’d like to see Casey McGehee in Atlanta. Versitile, young, solid player, controllable.
bighop - December 31, 2009
McGehee is tabbed as the future 3B of the Brewers as of right now… I dont see them trading him… they think pretty highly of him it seems.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
From what I’ve seen over at brewcrewball they seem pretty split on the availability of McGehee. Some of them still seem enamored with Gamel as their 3B of the future. I havent seen either play but McGehee had a very solid rookie year .301/.360/.499 He is also older than i thought he was. He’s 27.
!Vive la Francoeur! - December 31, 2009
That’s why I don’t get everyone’s love for him. Sure, he had a great year, and good for him, but he overplayed his Minor League numbers by a lot. His .774 OPS at AAA in 08 was the second highest of his career, behind the .776 he put up at AA in 05, which is way below the .859 he threw up for the Brewers. For whatever reason he was hitting homers at a much higher clip, racking up 16 in just 394 plate appearances when he’d never hit more than 12 in Minor League seasons where he had around 500 at bats. It could be that he just all of the sudden got it at 26 but who knows?
cbwilk - January 1, 2010
Changed to a whole new stance. And the difference in OPS was slugging. He’s always hit well. But I’m sure every GM wonders just like you do.
Salty - January 1, 2010
Man, that’s a good stance. He should teach that to everyone, adding nearly 100 points of OPS is no joke.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
We’ll see if the stance really was it I guess.
Salty - January 2, 2010
Gamel’s gotta move to 1B, he’s probably not good enough to stick at 3B with his glove.
Yakker - January 2, 2010
He might stick. He’s one of those guys who can make all the plays, but is inconsistent.
Salty - January 2, 2010
The best FA choices are Garko and Hinske: solid veteran low cost/low risk bench depth.
Rather than a shot-in-the-dark type of FA signing (Nady, Byrd, Ankiel, etc.) or over-spending type of FA signing (Dye or Damon), the Braves should look to trades for young, controllable, inexpensive talent. I propose bundling McLouth or Melkman with 2 or 3 AAA pitchers or non-top 10 prospects and attempting to land a starting LFer or a legit 3B prospect.
The other best option is stand pat, possibly using some of the extra money to try to extend and lock up Yunel or JJ, or just waiting to see if better choices might become available in March or July.
Last season, the record after June 27th was 52-36, the third best in the National League, surpassed only by the Phillies (55-36) and the Rockies (53-35). This off-season, even the loss of LaRoche and Vazquez, the team – on balance – seems just as strong as we were in the 2d half of ’09, maybe even slightly stronger.
So, even without any additional moves, the Braves should be in excellent position to compete for at minimum the WC; and there is simply no need to take any wild shot-in-the-dark or option limiting over-spending steps that could only maybe (or just as likely not) improve the team.
fandave - December 31, 2009
THIS...
I have no problem standing pat and going at it with what we got. If we get some injuries or have someone struggle, we still have the payroll flexibility to add a salary. We’ve got the pieces to make a trade if a good one comes available. Wren can be pretty picky right now, and I hope he takes advantage of that to make some shrewd moves in the next month.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
This works for me as well.
I really like the idea of Garko, with Hinske as a similar, cheaper option. I think the back-up corner is what we need more than anything else, I am not sure why gondee went all nuts on the outfielders—-we already have the following possible major-league ready guys who can play OF on our roster: McLouth, Diaz, Cabrera, M. Jones, Infante, Heyward, Schafer.
I think a back-up 1B or 1B/3B like Garko or Hinske works. Both Glaus and Chipper have injury concerns, and since Glaus can play first, a back-up 1B could fill in when either Glaus or Chipper is hurt.
Not sure about the trade option you mention, however. Bundling Melky is okay, but only if we know one of the kids is ready. But bundling McLouth seems questionable; I don’t want Melky as our every day centerfielder and if we don’t get a CF back, that would be it unless the plan of getting Schafer some AAA at-bats is thrown out the window.
Your back-up plan of standing pat and signing a corner infielder sounds good to me.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
I’m by no means advocating a dump of either Nate or Melky.
The point I was trying to make is that a trade may be a better option than a FA signing and we should look at that possibility with some real flexibility as to who we might be willing to move for the right deal.
If the trade was for a young RH bat with power who could be a long-term fixture in LF, that would be ideal. Getting a top prospect who could be the long-term solution at 3B would be almost as good, although not as beneficial in the short-term. In either case, to get that sort of real quality, we might need to part with McLouth, who is not coincidently set to make $6M+ in the 2011 season, which means moving him gives us even more payroll flexibility and maneuvering room.
Would a move like that actually hurt us in the short-term, say the 1st half of the 2010 season? I’d say yes, possibly, but maybe not that much. Melky wouldn’t hurt us defensively in CF as compared to McLouth and I’m assuming by the 2d half, Heyward or – more likely – both Heyward and Schafer will be more than ready and able to make substantial contributions.
I also seriously question whether we can really count on McLouth to give us much more offensively than he did last season, which in turn reduces what we would need to get elsewhere, production-wise, to replace him.
fandave - December 31, 2009
If we move McLouth, we would need Schafer to be ready...
…I don’t see anyone else who could man center full time. Melky can do it in a pinch for a couple of months, but he is a bit stretched there and his bad is meh. Heyward hasn’t been playing center, and while he could do it in a pinch, it probably isn’t a good idea to go that way with a rookie.
If we could get a great corner OF bat or a top 3B prospect, it could be tempting, but I would want someone really good in that kind of deal. (Not saying that I am disagreeing with you here, that seems to be what you mean.)
cavebird - December 31, 2009
To me, Schafer is far superior defensively than McLouth. Not necessarily sure, but McLouth and Cabrera seem more or less equal, although Nate’s arm is a major negative and I understand Melky has a plus arm.
Offensively, Nate’s slash for ‘09 was a pretty medicore .256/ .352/ .436/ .788 v. Melky’s .274/.336/ .416/ .752. Again, not that big of a drop-off. And, although this is contra to popular opinion around here, I view Melky, who is only 25, as having significant upside in terms of improving his offensive production.
And yes, I want to trade – if at all – for someone really good.
fandave - December 31, 2009
with Melky age isn't the issue,...
it’s experience. After almost 2000 at bats, he pretty much has shown who he is in all likelihood. He may get a little better, but I’d doubt much of an increase.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
sorry, but that doesn’t make any sense to me. Most players don’t reach the majors until 24 or 25, accumulate 2000 ABs in the minors and are expected to come into their own at 28 or 29. Melky came up early to the biggest team and performed on the biggest stage in MLB, and now has a fresh start. He should just now being reaching full physical maturity. I see no reason at all why he shouldn’t be expected to improve.
fandave - December 31, 2009
In the best of both worlds, we find a guy who can play OF/1B. I think there’s no way Schaefer is going to start the season in the majors, not with the nightmare of a season he had last year when he clearly wasnt ready. From what I hear I doubt Heyward will either as the team would prefer he gets a few months in AAA to prove he’s ready. That leaves us with Diaz, McLouth, Cabrera and a bunch of question marks (Mitch Jones, Brandon Jones?). And if we are starting Diaz and Cabrera I think we’re in trouble. Neither has proven to be a reliable starting OFer, they’re both more bench/platoon types. A diaz/cabrera platoon may work though and then bring in one more guy who can start in the other corner.
chopc - January 1, 2010
I agree with this. The question should be, who are we going to sign, and what price, to be a placeholder for when Heyward gets the call up. I think, in order to sign a guy like Nady, we will have to have a contract similar to Glaus, 2mill guaranteed plus incentives. Is that too much money to spend on a placeholder?
I don’t think think we can win a WS with Diaz and Cabrera starting. But, I do think we can be competitive, especially with our starting rotation. Let both Heyward and Schafer get some ab’s at AAA and see what happens. That way, we save a little money to use during the season in case someone gets hurt.
dlkinser86 - January 1, 2010
question?
has Diaz ever had a season where he was the designated “starting” OF’er or has he always been in a platoon role? And if he’s always been a platoon player then how do we know that he wouldn’t be a reliable starter? Personally I think he could handle a starting role but I’m a predjudiced Diaz supporter.
adc62 - January 2, 2010
I thought he was the starter in 2008…
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
was that the year he had the knee injury when he slid into the left field foul territory wall?
adc62 - January 2, 2010
Yep
frickin’ Brewers.
J-Freak - January 2, 2010
If you are saying that’s why he had a bad year, he had the knee injury after he stunk it up as a starter. It frankly seemed like good timing to end that awful season of his. Not sure if he was putting extra pressure on himself or what but it didn’t work that year. Maybe it was just coincidental and he just got into a funk like all players do from time to time.
If you are simply asking if this was the year then the answer is “yep” like J-Freak says…
proeye - January 3, 2010
Yes, but he was also putting up...
BY FAR his worst numbers as a Brave. .244/.264/.304, with 2 HR and 2 2B in 135 ABs, 3 walks to 32 Ks, an OPS of .568 and ops+ of 50. Even without the knee injury, he wasn’t going to be starting much longer. FUGA last year was better than Diaz in 08.
Mr. Sanchez - January 3, 2010
payroll
I wonder if Wren is saving that money to give the team the flexibility to take on a contract at mid-season if need be. Wren’s MO does seem to be “trade for what we need.” I guess we’ll see.
beeswax - December 31, 2009
I would prefer the money be stashed for June/July purposes. I think we are good enough now to, at worst, stay afloat until then.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Smart
Trade deadline in July is the smart move, we know who is working out and we know what we need. Don’t spend like a kid in the candy store.
bighop - December 31, 2009
Agreed.. also I fully expect j. Hey and schaefer
To be on the team by then… I honestly don’t think a gomes or garko production would be any different than a healthy Jordan or Jason..I mean most of those guys are either old or sporadic at best.. If someone can be had for cheap go ahead.. Otherwise save the money.
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Would like to add a cheap veteran bat that can backup 1B and LF...
and that shouldn’t cost much still leaving money to add salary in June/July if the need arises. Other than that, sit back and see how the die roll with this crew (unless a great deal comes up).
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
lf?
I can see Diaz and Cabrera having left field covered. Assuming Heyward starts in Atlanta out of ST. Corner infield makes me nervous. If Chipper and Glaus have a problem, Infante can’t play both. Mitch Jones can spell Glaus I guess.
bighop - December 31, 2009
Then Hinske makes a lot of sense...
and assuming Heyward makes the opening day roster seems a big assumption.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
With Diaz, McLouth, Heyward, Cabrera, Schafer, B Jones and M Jones, spending on an outfielder seems crazy to me. Even if Heyward is held back, I’d spend on the infield (young and versitile only) before I spend another penny on the outfield.
bighop - December 31, 2009
Sure, but...
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/2010-mlb-free-a.html
Do you see an IF “young and versatile only” on that list? I don’t. And a trade means we have to give up someone. I’d love a deal sending one of our blocked AAAA OFs like Blanco or B Jones for someone else’s blocked AAAA IF of a similar ilk (like say Lillibridge).
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
McGehee
Brewers could use a centerfielder, we have 3 or 4, McG plays 1b, 2b, 3b, rf for $425,000. .301 avg and 16 HR in 115 games. Brewers always want pitching, we have tons.
bighop - December 31, 2009
They'd trade him if the offer was good enough
but I doubt they move him without some serious motivation. Gamel struggled as a hitter in a part time role – I’d guess they view him as not ready. They do have other options. But what they need is starting pitching of the variety that isn’t bottom of the rotation.
In CF, they just traded for Gomez so despite his stat line, they think he can play. They also have a couple good CFs in the minors who will be ready in a year or two.
I imagine GMs would have the same concerns as many posters – will he produce like last year.
Salty - December 31, 2009
We don't really need versitle.
We just need someone who can play first. Glaus can play first or third, so a 1B can cover when Glaus or Chipper are hurt. A 1B + Infante can cover when both are hurt. The MI is okay with Prado, Escobar and Infante, with Diorys in AAA in case a couple of injuries strike at once.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
true...
but when if all things are equal, and one is more versatile than the other, you go with more versatility. Infante, Chipper, and Glaus can all play 3rd, or they could all be on the DL considering their history. Adding someone capable of playing all corners like Hinske makes a ton of sense, especially if he’ll be for $1m or less.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
No doubt about that.
All things being equal, the more versatile guy is better. I think Garko is a better hitter than Hinske however. On the other hand, given the comparative costs, Hinske may be the better bet, and Garko may be looking for a starting job, while Hinkse knows he will be in a utility role.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Nady if he doesn’t cost much
bravesforever16 - December 31, 2009
I’d sign Hinske, he’d be a solid LH pinch hitter who can play all the corner positions if needed, and would be a solid stop gap starter if needed in that role.
I don’t see a reason to invest money in a full time starter with both Heyward and Schafer waiting for a chance.
I’ve also been kind of fascinated by Marcus Thames if he and his crazy power could be had as a cheap bench player. Yeah, he can’t play D and doesn’t get on base, but the idea of having him come off the bench to attempt to hit a ball in to orbit once a night sort of appeals to me.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
I wonder if “Put-up-ya-Dukes” could be had at a reasonable price…
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Well, he had a .729 OPS last year, and has that history of off the field problems, so I’d think he’d be pretty easy to get.
Lennox - December 31, 2009
I wouldn't go there, but there's another Nat of poss. interest
It’s pretty well acknowledged in Nat-land that Adam Dunn is not going to be with the team the entire year. They will be unloading him. Okay, he’s a tree stump in the field (whether LF or 1B) and he strikes out a ton, but he’s got an unmistakable Big Bat. Half a year’s salary is $4mill this year. I don’t go the whole year with him, but a 3 month rental isn’t a bad idea.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
his salary in 2010 is 12M.. i think…so half would be 6M
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Dang – still thinking 2009… but still…
carpengui - December 31, 2009
i agree its not that much money and he could spell glaus at 1B, and play OF every other day… i just don’t see it happening… we easily could have signed him ourselves and didnt theres a reason for that i assume.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
There is a good reason.
There are bad fielders, like say Uggla and Prado. There are really bad fielders like Garrett Anderson. Then there are abysmal fielders like Jermaine Dye. Then there is Adam Dunn. He is historically bad. Both in metrics like UZR and just watching him play, he is quite possibly the worst fielder to play regularly in the past 30-50 years. His bat is big, and he is a great hitter, but he really does give all the runs back in the field.
(For reference, UZR’s put Uggla and Prado a little bit negative, FUGA last year was about -11, Dye has consistently been -20, and Adam Dunn the past two years has averaged over -30. He really makes FUGA look like a Gold Glover.)
cavebird - December 31, 2009
ya i didnt say i didnt know they reason i just said there is a reason…but his defense is really bad… i wonder why no AL wanted him… it bottles my mind
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
I think he purposefully chose to stay in the NL.
IIRC, he wants to be a “real” baseball player and not a DH, and he knows that’s where any AL club would stick him. I admire him for his stance and for really trying to work on his fielding, but the results have been horrific.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
I will say this… Rob Dibble does broadcasts for the Nats, and said on air with XM on Tuesday that Dunn was indeed abysmal in LF at the beginning of the year. However, he’s worked his tail off and has apparently gotten a lot better… probably up to “adequate” given his lack of range and speed. So yeah, this is a thought about offense alone, but I’ll give the guy credit for the effort.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
I’m not buying it. I was at some Nats games in Septemeber, he (and actually the whole Nats team) was still awful. He’s actually worse at 1B.
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
not to mention that dibble rarely seems to know what he's talking about
when i lived in md, i watched a lot of nats broadcasts…dibble is horrid
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
He’s beyond awful. He’s probably the worst guy working today. I had another Joe Morgan/Jeff Blauser moment when I met him in September. I really wanted to tell him how bad he sucks but he was so nice. He actually seems like an awesome guy but wow, bad at his job.
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
Agree – hard to criticize that kind of enthusiasm from anyone in any role, but he is beyond unlistenable.
Sir Stealth - December 31, 2009
Fair enough — and even with the other comments, I still characterized his play as a ‘tree stump’, so I’m still trying to figure myself if the bat if worth the fielding liability.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
This
I’m with you here. We don’t need to sign a full time starter. Our outfield is already crouded with at least Diaz/McLouth/Cabrera starting and hopefully sometime next season it will look like McLouth/Schafer/Heyward with Diaz getting a ton of time in LF/RF against LHP and perhaps Melky traded.
We could use a corner player (LF/RF/1B/3B) for depth purposes as Chipper and Glaus come with some health risk and our C-OFers aren’t a sure thing etc etc.. we all know this.
Hinkse like you noted would be nice because our bench is mainly right handed (seems wierd huh?) and a lefty in there would be nice. He can also play 1B/LF/RF and maybe 3B in a pinch.
Getting guys who are just 1B/LF might not be such a bad idea because if Chipper goes down we can slide Glaus over and put new guy at 1B or if Glaus goes down the new guy can just fill in for him. So in short getting a bench 1B might be easier and would cover 3B as well though Glaus’s versatility. In this role I think Garko makes the most sense.
Anyways, we need to just stand pat and wait for a bargain if one appears. We don’t really have a huge need anywhere so we can afford to wait.
bbxxj - December 31, 2009
I really hope there a better options via a trade. Those options are all terrible.
tennesseejed1 - December 31, 2009
cannot agree more, I don’t want any of these guys.
bighop - December 31, 2009
I was staunchly against Nady when word first came out, but if he comes for under 2M to be a backup I’d be OK with it. Not thrilled, but OK. My fear was that they were going to get him to be our starting 1B, but now that that’s covered he’s got more upside than a typical bench guy, and less playing time would hopefully help him avoid the injury bug. If he comes cheap, I say sign him, call it an offseason, and save that other 5-7M for potential moves in July. If he wants more money, though, PASS.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
These options look terrible, probably because gondee...
…left the best option (Garko) out.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Payroll can change throughout the course
Of a year correct? Depending on revenue generated throughout the season?
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
and other factors, such as Liberty Media being flush and/or its Chairman deciding the team definitely has legit post-season potential.
also, its not like there has been any press release stating what our payroll budget really is or how much, if any, flexibility exists. that info is top secret.
fandave - December 31, 2009
We should trade Prado/Schafer/Medlen.
TradeAndruw - December 31, 2009
hell yeah
who wants young players anyway
bighop - December 31, 2009
I think I have seen this before somewhere…
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
This coming from a guy with a handle...
….“TradeAndruw”. Anyone else you want to trade? Maybe we can move one of these guys to the Sox for Andruw after the June deadline allowing Andruw to be traded (since he signed as FA he can’t be traded until then) and then you can go back to suggesting that we trade Andruw. ;)
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Inside joke. I was mocking BRAVESheart who suggested this in every single thread last week.
TradeAndruw - December 31, 2009
Sorry.
I read the Bravesheart threads (and mocked him for being from Oconee County, lol) but didn’t get the reference. My bad.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
what's wrong with Oconee County?
Skyagusta - December 31, 2009
Had to have a little fun with him...
…because he ended a fanpost with (all caps in original) “ATHENS SUBURBS REPRESENT!” Having grown up in Athens itself, I just don’t buy that Athens has suburbs—-sadly we’ll be an Atlanta suburb soon enough, the last time I was there, there was about 10 miles of undeveloped land on GA 316 and that was years ago.
Growing up in Clarke, sometimes you just have to take a shot at Oconee. ;)
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Ah
I thought you meant Oconee County SC. That place isn’t bad
Skyagusta - December 31, 2009
really?
youre talking about a county whose highlight, as far as i can tell, is the wonderful town of seneca…
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
Nothing wrong with being country
Those are good, hardworking people.
Skyagusta - December 31, 2009
dont really see how thats relevant
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
I was saying why I think it's a nice place
I’m sure they are very disappointed there aren’t enough shopping malls to appeal to you
Skyagusta - January 1, 2010
yeah bc its shopping malls that i need
good hardworking people have nothing to do with a place being a nice place to live. there are plenty of good hardworking people in newark…it’s still a shithole.
sorry for being cynical…i originally wasnt being serious but i get irritated with the “those are hardworking people” retort…i hear it a lot and it never seems to apply to whatever im talking about, but people use it like it makes everything ok..kinda a pet peeve of mine that you unknowingly stepped into
Doghnut - January 1, 2010
I don’t see how the people living in a place have no bearing on whether or not that place is a nice place to live.
Skyagusta - January 1, 2010
*shrug* they dont for me
Doghnut - January 1, 2010
That we do...
fools always trying to claim Athens, when they’re from Watkinsville, or Hull, or Colbert.
But Athens will never be an Atlanta suburb. Unfortunately, we are now just a training ground for their fool kids. Atlanta has to eat up Walton County, then Oconee, before it ever gets to the Classic City.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
Its expensive to live there for one.
10-4 - December 31, 2009
how many Athens people do we have on here?
Mr. Sanchez - January 1, 2010
i’m from athens, as well, and 10-4 is right, it is expensive, as a matter of fact, oconee is the wealthiest county in the state, and cavebird is right, too, we don’t really have any suburbs except watkinsville to speak of, the rest of the surrounding counties are mostly rural. it kind of makes me curious where that bravesheart guy was trying to “represent”…
Bravely going forward - January 1, 2010
about 30 minutes south, in Greene. I work in Athens though.
10-4 - January 4, 2010
Uuuggggggghhhhhh...
Why are you arguing about left over table scraps? Damon is the only signing on that list that might look good reheated.
GORILLATUX - December 31, 2009
Damon is a dish best served cold.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
ha!
GORILLATUX - December 31, 2009
"left over table scraps"
exactly right
bighop - December 31, 2009
I would rather have Diaz and 6-10M in LF than Damon. I just don’t think we have room for another starter.
bbxxj - December 31, 2009
All that money might get in the way. What if it blows away?
blitzerlover - December 31, 2009
The seagulls may fly away with it.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
I would like McCann-eque contracts given out to Jurrjens and Escobar. Keep our own guys.
bbxxj - December 31, 2009
Probably too smart an idea. We are weak in the minors in infield prospects, extendind Escobar like we did McCann would be brilliant if he will consider it.
bighop - December 31, 2009
one more year would make sense… we need to make sure he continues to develop emotionally first… i think he scares the crap out of the organization with his antics… and they dont want to commit a ton of money long term to him just yet… not sayin i agreee that just seems to be their opinion.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Yeah Damon will look good until he has something hit to him in the outfield, and can’t hit the cutoff man with that noodle arm of his.
tennesseejed1 - December 31, 2009
Can u imagine the log-jam of jones' we
could have if c. Jones, b. Jones, and m. Jones. Are all In the lineup lmao.. Radio would literally have to call them by first name.
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
I can hear it now
“Atlanta has enjoyed a great year, while the rest of the NL is just trying to keep up with the jones’ "
SidKotchman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
There was a day in 2007 where brandon was in the lineup, so A. B. and C. Jones were all in the lineup at once.
J-Freak - December 31, 2009
How about Mike Lowell?...
If the Red Sox are willing to pay all but $2-3m of his salary, with just one year remaining on the deal, he could be a good fit in an rotating injury line with Glaus and Chipper.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
smart
that’s the kind of trade Wren needs to be thinking about
bighop - December 31, 2009
and it will be a rotating injury line… sad face
GORILLATUX - December 31, 2009
but so long as 2 of the 3 are in the lineup...
with Infante to fill in the month where 2 are out, it’s not a bad set up.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
That makes some sense.
While a less injured guy like Garko might make more sense, Lowell definitely has more upside.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
What about a pitcher?
One of our own, that is.
7-9 Million could go a long way towards locking up JJ well past arbitration, and allows the team to be more definite about their upcoming payroll for future signings. He’s obviously not the big bat we’re all looking for, but I haven’t seen a big bat I like anywhere I’ve looked.
TexUGAn - December 31, 2009
In theory, the player is in charge...
…but he IS a Boras client, so that’s an unfortunate reach. Not that I wouldn’t ask.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
I say just sign either Nady/Hinske/Thames and keep the rest of the money to buy a new reliever after Bobby Cox kills one.
ChrisK562 - December 31, 2009
Jermaine Dye
I happen to think the first couple of games is typical of what Jordan Schafer is capable of and that the wrist injury robbed him of any hitting power. I sincerely hope that his wrist is healthy enough that he can lock down left field and the Braves either trade Melky and sign Jermaine Dye to hold down right until Heyward is ready or just let Melky play right until Heyward is ready.
REG233710 - December 31, 2009
I wonder
What kind of player, long-term, is Jordan Schaefer really? At Pearl, he hit a respectable, but not great, .269, but who knows what the wrist weakness did to the BA?
Buddy Holly - December 31, 2009
i think with Jordan we are looking at a guy who will be a 270/370/450 type of player…thats certainly not his ceiling, and its not his middle projection, its probably somewhere in between with a side of caution thrown in…his ceiling is easy to predict…he turns into Grady Sizemore.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Baldelli isnt a bad idea...
very cheap. Hits leftys well. Can platoon with melky whos hits rightys better. I could see that
BHbeast25 - December 31, 2009
Heyward
Didn’t Wren and Cox both say that if Heyward does well in ST that they will not hold him back? i understand the monetary issues of a super-two, but holding Hanson back last year, while it helped him some, also cost us some possible wins. And I agree on Shafer, he and Heyward will be awesome in our outfield for the next few years. I’m for letting the youth movement in Atlanta start the takeover of the team. Schafer and Heyward by June at the latest, Freeman in Sept.
bighop - December 31, 2009
I doubt Freeman makes it up this year...
…although if he rakes, he could get a cup of coffee in September or come up if Glaus or Chipper goes down for an extended time period. I would guess we don’t give him a cup of coffee at the end of the year because we usually don’t do that, although I am not sure why, I don’t think that counts towards service time.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
THANK GOD!!!
take Marlon Byrd off that list! Marlon is now a Cub, hahaha on the Cubs!
GORILLATUX - December 31, 2009
Rec,THis, Effing THis, All day long This,
Oh and if you want to look into a leadoff option, would not at all mind randy winn. He had decent OBP skills, at least average defense, decent average, will probably lead the team in steals. I honestly think he would be a cheaper version of damon.
'hawkchop - December 31, 2009
booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
bbbbbbbbbbbbbboooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
GORILLATUX - December 31, 2009
I’m gonna recommend decafe.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
If we dealt an OF, I wouldn't mind Winn...
would think he’d look for a better opportunity to play than here though.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
Try flipping Melky to the Cubs for SS Lee, and SS Flaherty.
If we could get Dammon for 1 year 5 million + incentives (possibly even a option year that kicks in by performance) then okay, otherwise try getting Gomes for 1 year 3 million with a team option, and bring in Ankiel or Baldelli whichever will sign the cheaper 1 year contract.
Rocky1013 - December 31, 2009
That’s a bit of overkill, don’t you think?
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
why would the cubs give up two of their better prospects to add another crappy OFer… they already have soo many. Fukudome and Soriano are clogging their payroll, the recent signing of Byrd thats their three spots. they also have Micah Hoffpauir. we might be able to get one of those guys if the Cubs are drunk when we ask…but theres no way they give up two players
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
Right. But then again, they did sign Byrd….
carpengui - December 31, 2009
Flaherty has falln a bit, and neither would be there top ss would be one of the reasons they would consider it. Even if it was a Lee or Flaherty, and another prospect i believe it would be worth it, and there isn;t really a reason to think they do ot like Melky. They do have 3 OF, but they do not have a 4th, and Melky could be a good 4th, as well as being insurance for Byrd not living up to potential, and the fact that Soriano is getting old, and never really was a great of to begin with.
Rocky1013 - December 31, 2009
In all seriousness, would flipping Melky for prospects put the braves OF at risk? Is he the flexibility/insurance policy guy while we watch the clock for the Heyward/Schaefer eras to begin? In other words, should we keep Melky for the same reason the Cubs might want him?
carpengui - December 31, 2009
Considering we signed Mitch Jones, and still have Blanco, and Brandon Jones I’d say no. Especially if we signed Gomes to play LF, and brought in Baldelli, Ankiel, Huff, or Hinske.
Likely thinking would be Huff or Hienske with a small outside chance at Baldelli.
Jones and whomever we signed would be the backups at the corners. Baldelli could back up any of the 3, and we still have Infnate for a few starts/an emergeny in CF. And Blanco would never be far away in AAA.
Melky is suppose to make between 3 and 4 million I would think we may be able to get Gomes and one of the others for 5-6 still leaving us with 7-8 million in case someone becomes available during the season.
Plus Lee would likely become our SS of the future with Flaherty battling for 3rd in the future with Hicks.
Rocky1013 - January 1, 2010
The problem is that we don't want Gomes in LF.
His defense is horrible. He’s a DH.
cavebird - January 1, 2010
Gomes defense
is not as bad as people think, I’ve seen him play a lot when he was here with the Rays. He is by no means great, but I’d say average…comparable to Klesko, but with better speed.
Personally, I think they should go after Fernando Perez and Elliot Johnson from the Rays. Perez has great speed and is solid in the field, and Johnson is versitile.
Blue or CONKZILLA - January 1, 2010
Because Jim Hendry
is their GM?
Blue or CONKZILLA - January 1, 2010
Please NO DAMON!
We need someone who can actually catch the ball and then throw it in.
Ankiel would be my choice. He would be relatively cheap and wouldnt block anyone by looking for a multi year deal. He has the potential to hit 20 or so HR’s and give us excellent defense in the outfield.
I do not want to sign a 36 year old coming of a year of hitting in Coor’s East protected in one of the best line up in all of baseball. Also his defense is TERRIBLE!!!! During the WS the Phillies were getting all kinds of extra bases off his arm and Swisher. Im talking dudes scoring standing up and the ball just getting to 3rd base.
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
Wouldn’t that be ARoids fault then? Lol but I agree with you. No Damon. The Only guy I think is worth taking a risk on is Xavier Nady.
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
lol
not really just A-Rod i mean the guy was hitting in front of Tex who was having a career year so of course he is going to get pitches to hit. Just look what it did for Chipper.
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
ANkiel’s defense isnt that good…its probably slightly above avg on the corners its hard to tell bc he has soo few innigns on the corners (although in his small sample he has played pretty well)… the one thing we know is he is not a CF.
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
his arm
is at least better than damon’s.
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
so is mine
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
honestly
i wouldnt be surprised
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
He’s got a gun for an arm.
Salty - December 31, 2009
yea i know
could you imagine his arm and heyward’s arms at the corners? Then if McLouth gets injured Ankiel, Schafer and Heyward? WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?
Talk about Defense
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
Is it a squirt gun or a rocket launcher?
ATLforlife - January 1, 2010
Rifle.
Salty - January 1, 2010
No joke. Saw a lot of him in Memphis in 07 before his callup. 2 things were readily apparent- he’s got a cannon, and he absolutely cannot lay off a high fastball. He swung-and-missed at a metric ton of them that summer.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
he used to be a pitcher
and that would explain his arm. Same with Frenchy
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
I don't know about that
is this a UZR thing because he sure looks talented watching him.
Salty - December 31, 2009
either way
he is def better than Damon and most def FUGA
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
Ankiel posted a...
….285 OBP last year. I’d pass. We really need a back-up corner more than another OF anyway.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
No we dont. If all we are going for is a back up we have 2 already. blanco and b. jones.
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
I mean a back-up corner infielder.
First or third base. As you mention, we don’t really need another back-up corner OF.
cavebird - January 1, 2010
Don't sign anybody.
I’m fine with our opening day lineup, assuming Heyward is in it.
McLouth
Prado
Chipper
Glaus
BMac
Escobar
Heyward
Diaz
Great balance: L/R/S/R/L/R/L/R. It’s amazing how much better our lineup will be without FYF, FUGA and KJ. It also leaves us plenty of money to make a move at the trade deadline.
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
yea i agree
if we are def looking to sign someone then i say ankiel other wise stand pat.
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
I mean, which one of these guys could outperform MattyD or Jason Heyward? I don’t think any of them could, with the exception of Damon.
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Damon would be OK offensively but in the field he would give back just as many if not more runs than he produces
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
Bat with Pop
Why do we never hear comments about…..Thames, Branyan, Gohmes…seems like we could get these guys on the cheap and they have Huge HR to AB ratios
Youth move - December 31, 2009
Branyan wants to be a starter...
…and will want too much money. He is pretty much out of the picture. Gomes has a live bat but is pretty much a DH. Thames has a career OBP of .306 and has a total WAR the past three years of -0.2.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Question
Anyone know the official list of ppl invited to spring training? Like is Freeman, Heyward, and Schafer all invited still?
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
It'll be announced in February or so
But I’d be willing to bet you $5 that all 3 of those guys get an invite.
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Just curious. Would love to see all 3 tear it up
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009
I hope Freddie tears it up just so he gets some love and respect back. No one even talks about him since he struggled in AA but he was hurt. I don’t get why some people don’t get this.
Scott Coleman - December 31, 2009 via mobile
It’s baffling how dumb some people are. It’s like, “Oh my god, he wasn’t amazing at AA as a 20 year old! What a loser! What, he had a wrist injury? That makes him even more of a loser!” My favorite is the “Well, he’s never played without Heyward, so who knows if he’s really that good?” That’s ridiculous logic, cause you could pretty much say the same thing about Heyward, who knows if he’s good without Freeman?
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
stop being logical cb
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
I wonder if those ppl realize that most of the time Freeman was hitting BEHIND Heyward. That means he isn’t protected by Heyward
drumzalicious - December 31, 2009 via mobile
They all were there last year...
…absolutely no reason to think they won’t this year.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Also...why didn't we get Fox from the cubs?
He was dirt cheap and will hit 30 homers in Oakland
Youth move - December 31, 2009
Because he’s now with the A’s.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
I’ll be more serious: Fox is truly a DH… he really can’t play the field.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
Hinske, the ultimate good luck charm.
blitzerlover - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Aubrey Huff
How much money and how many years would it take to sign him?
tmc5837 - December 31, 2009
Dye
Was on my fantasy team and did well before the trade deadline.
DrB - December 31, 2009
Your fantasy league...
…obviously did not include defense.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
So why even mention Randy Winn?
He has no value to us.
Johnny Damon all the way.
Jareth Cutestory - December 31, 2009
Just get a bench bat who can play the field once in a while depending on matchups.
Aka, Eric Hinske.
ATLforlife - December 31, 2009
New Name
It seem that many are in favor of Hinske because of his ability to play all corner position. What about Chad Tracy? From NC, should be cheap, 1B/3B, LH power on bench, good hitter before 3 years of injuries.
If Cabrera’s value is in a trade which I think it is (Mclouth, Schafer, Blanco, Infante can play CF), another corner OF is necessary.
I would take Nady and Hinske/Tracy.
waysouth - December 31, 2009 via mobile
I could be happy with Tracy.
I would say one of him, Garko, Hinske or Nady (depending on health) would be fine. What we really need is a back-up corner infielder/pinch hitter type. I don’t think Melky has that much trade value and is more valuable as a fourth OF, but if someone offered us enough, I would have no problem moving him.
cavebird - December 31, 2009
Good.
Do that and tie a bow around the off-season. 46 days until pitchers and catchers report?
carpengui - December 31, 2009
What about
Nick Green for a utility guy?
bravesforever16 - December 31, 2009
Shoulda just went after KJ in that case.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
NIck Green is a true utility guy tho… KJ isnt… and he signed with the Dbacks give it up…
Swo12bv - December 31, 2009
let me stay on my soap box at least for the rest of this year!
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Seriously, utility guys do more than just play 2B.
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
I though Green played SS for the Red Soxs last year.
bravesforever16 - December 31, 2009
He did, he’s played SS, 2B, and 3B a fair amount in his career. I was arguing that Kelly Johnson wouldn’t make a very good utility player at the moment because he’s only played 2B the last 3 years.
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
What I am saying is that I don’t think we are going after a super utility guy since we didn’t even try to bring KJ back. Infante and Prado are both super utility guys. If we had deemed a super utility guy a need (and by we, I mean they), I would think that they would bring KJ back for 2B and have Prado fill the big role of SUG.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
unless its better to have prado play fulltime bc kj sucks
sorry…i just couldnt pass up the opportunity to get under your skin
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
I have developed a filter…
: )
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
infante and prado are super utility guys already…
lemke2blauser2bream - December 31, 2009
sorry for the repeat, ill remember to read b4 posting next time…:)
lemke2blauser2bream - December 31, 2009
At that price, I wonder why we didn't.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
The bad thing about Damon
is that he may block the way for Heyman this year especially if Diaz plays this year like he did last year. I’m beginning to think we should let Melky, Diaz, Schafer and Heyward fight it out until june, then spend some money this summer if we need to. I don’t think Damon will necessarily have a better year than a couple of these guys.
tmc5837 - December 31, 2009
I am sure Jon Heyman...
…will continue to write for SI and not be blocked whether we sign Damon or not. (Sorry, couldn’t help it.)
cavebird - December 31, 2009
If signing Damon shuts Heyman up, ...
let’s start the collection. His salary will be covered quick.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
Damn straight
I got about tree fitty
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
Well we missed this boat (sarc)
Phillies Sign Tagg Bozied
By Tim Dierkes [December 31, 2009 at 11:51am CST]
“The Phillies signed Tagg Bozied today, MLBTR has learned. Bozied, 30, hit .288/.360/.447 in 240 plate appearances for the Pirates’ Triple A club this year after starting the year in Taiwan. He mainly played first base and the outfield corners. Bozied hit .306/.382/.569 for the Marlins’ Triple A club in ’08.
“Bozied was a big-time power prospect in the Padres system several years ago, but he ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee in July of ’04 jumping on home plate to celebrate a game-winning grand slam.”
The Phillies version of Mitch Jones.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
We did lose this one…Tagg is a much cooler name than Mitch.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Is he related to Martin Gramatica?
blitzerlover - December 31, 2009
Whoa
that dude went to my High School
bravesforever16 - December 31, 2009
He’s a little embarrassed about that but really it could have happened to anyone. Like he said, he’s seen a hundred guys do it an he’s the only one he knows of who ever hurt himself. Tagg’s a good guy, but yeah, not much more than a AAA player.
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
is there a baseball player on the planet that you haven’t met or taken a photo of???
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
I mean, yeah, but why talk about them?
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
lol. You should seriously consider writing a book on the Braves minor league system.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
What about it? I’d obviously be interested in something like that but it had never really occurred to me before. What kind of book about the minor league system do you think I should write?
cbwilk - December 31, 2009
Hmmm…I don’t know for sure. Maybe a book similar to Moneyball but dealing with the Braves. Like a “10 steps for having a successful MLB franchise” or something like that.
Or maybe, just a scouting-type book from a fan’s perspective.
Or, maybe a book about your personal experiences with the players of the Braves organization and watching them grow through the system.
I know your book you just published was along those lines (following a guy through his minor league adventures), but maybe a true story about several players could work.
Just some random ideas….
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
I’ll give it some thought guys. They’re interesting ideas. It almost seems like one of those things that I’m so close to I wouldn’t have the ability to have any perspective on. I don’t know, I’ll definitely think about it.
cbwilk - January 1, 2010
Could just be a collection of stories...
ever read “A Book of Tails”, by an old Allman Brothers roadie, Red Dog?
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
That is how “Almost Famous” was made – a collection of stories by the Rolling Stones writer whose life the movie is based on.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
i hate to be debbie downer
but its very difficult to write a book like this…i know cb has seen a lot of different players play, but does he have something interesting to say about each of them? it’s not enough to say ’yeah i saw adam dunn play boy he was such a nice guy"…
Doghnut - January 1, 2010
Yeah, that’s exactly my thought. Although, in 13 years of going to games, I’ve certainly got a few stories, I’m just not sure I can put them together coherently.
cbwilk - January 1, 2010
If you could get permission from the participants...
I’m sure you’ve heard plenty more too. That could be where the gold is, tales from the minor league road.
Mr. Sanchez - January 1, 2010
This is why I just like fiction. At a certain point you just become a journalist, which is cool, but not really what I want to do as far as writing.
cbwilk - January 1, 2010
you dont need permission from the participants, btw
you just better make sure that you have every fact straight
Doghnut - January 1, 2010
Yeah, I didn’t think I did. I’m not sure it’s something I’d ever do anyway, but I will mull it over. I’m working on another book that has absolutely nothing to do with baseball, and I’ve got another one planned that has nothing to do with baseball. If I ever do write another book about baseball it probably won’t be for a while anyway.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
Not really...
especially if some of the players would rather not have their name involved. I was thinking possibly something “based on true stories”, and create a fictional minor league team that has lots of crazy nights that are eerily similar (with a little more colorful embellishment) to a collection of crazy stories heard from guys on the road.
Mr. Sanchez - January 2, 2010
There was on story about tequilla that was pretty good. And a few from this season and a top O’s prospect about strippers.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
no teasing man...
that’s just not right.
Mr. Sanchez - January 2, 2010
ofc
once you write that book, they will never speak to you again….
Doghnut - January 3, 2010
Tucker Max 2: The Gwinnet Braves
bwellnjonesco - January 4, 2010
Haha, possibly, but not that I’ve been made aware of. Well…I’ve said too much.
cbwilk - January 4, 2010
Is that title a reference to groupies and/or other women?
Salty - December 31, 2009
haha
+1
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
Maybe closer to Milton Bradley, LOL!
carpengui - December 31, 2009
Sheffield? Absolutely not. Hinske? Definitely!
I watched sheff with the mets last year and I can honestly say that i’d rather see FUGA in LF. Hinske would add some pop to a very powerless bench. D-Ross has some pop, but Bobby doesnt pinch hit with him. Def would like to see “Hinske with your best shot” in ATL next year.
nick9314 - December 31, 2009
Jack Cust
He’d be fun to watch play left field at least.
BravesFan - December 31, 2009
He'd be much more fun to watch...
…playing left field for our opponents!
cavebird - December 31, 2009
THIS
Unfortunately, I fear the Mets’ reported interest in him died when they signed Bay. Guess we’ll have to pick less worthy opponents.
Someone give Jim Hendry a call- he’s making a career out of bad outfielder signings.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
At least we can still...
…hit the ball to first base against the Nats. ;)
cavebird - January 1, 2010
SAY NO TO DAMON....
JKowalek - December 31, 2009
depending on price Carlos Delgado could be had as Glaus insurance/platoon. If we could get the two of them for $3-4 mill combined one of them is sure to pan out.
Damon is overrated, Baldelli, Winn, Johnson, Sheffield =barf. Hinske could be useful, Ankiel at a discounted rate could be a ok fit.
Dye is old, fragile, and an albatross that our pitchers will loathe. Jose Arredondo could be a nice cheap lottery ticket. Nady could be good, but must come cheap.
Really I think the thing to do is keep the payroll low now then if we need to trade for a piece, we have money. If we need a player in may, or if a starter goes down in april the team would be much better off with $4mill to spend then with an extra bat kicking around on the bench.
heapofoatmeal - December 31, 2009
Delgado
While MLBTR reports that he’s about to start winter ball, I heard a report yesterday suggesting that he had had a rehab setback (shoulder?) and would not be playing yet.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
correction: Hip.
carpengui - December 31, 2009
Delgado may finally play in Puerto Rico next week...
we’ll see if that’s finally true.
Mr. Sanchez - December 31, 2009
Baldelli is good
problem is how much he can play with the mytocondrial disorder that saps the strength from his legs, though it does seem to have improved over the last 2 years. Rocco has a cannon for an arm, good power, if the legs are healthy this season, he has had good speed.
Blue or CONKZILLA - January 1, 2010
The only guy I like off this list is Jermaine Dye, mostly for sentimental reasons (I liked him when he first came up and he played great with the White Sox, my favorite AL team, in 2005), and I’m not sure I’d even go for him. Byrd signed with the Cubs earlier today, so he’s off the list anyway. Garko’d be interesting; still, I’d see what the Braves could get via a trade and hold off on free agent signings until spring training.
John Holton - December 31, 2009
Sense this is the Braves...
They will probably sign the cheapest bat with the most upside(ala Glaus), so I think that it will either be Dye or Nady and he’ll be in left field. Complain all you want about Dye’s second half but that isn’t the norm for him and your not going to find a cheaper 25-35 hrs and he’ll cost less than Damon.
I want nothing to do with Damon, not for the price tag and he hit only 7 homers away from home.
Magoo12218 - December 31, 2009
This makes since.
justincredubil02 - December 31, 2009
+1
Doghnut - December 31, 2009
Hank Blalock
If he’s cheap.
Yakker - December 31, 2009
I wouldnt mind Blalock either if he comes cheaper than his norms.. Left handed power ab on the bench or backup for Glaus depending on Matchups and if Glaus gets injuried
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
I assume he can't play 3rd anymore though
Mr. Sanchez - January 1, 2010
A new idea!
Rather than scavenging from this putrid dump of free agents, why dont we save the money to allow flexibility for a potential mid-season move? Last year the Red Sox saved alot of payroll when Tex chose to sign with the Yankees instead. Rather than spend that money on the dregs of the free agent market, they saved it and as a result were able to add Victor Martinez at the trade deadline.
I could easily envision a similar situation occuring this year. What if come mid-July the Brewers are out of contention and feel they wont be able to resign Fielder at year’s end? A half-year rental of Prince Fielder would be quite possible, if we had room in the payroll. Prince is just one example, there could be a number of options opening up around the trade deadline.
Why do we have this use-it-or-lose-it mentality at the beginning of the season when it comes to our funding? I dont our FO is going to operate with a pork-barrel spending mentality.
!Vive la Francoeur! - December 31, 2009
I agree we should try and save money, but I also think that we need at least 1 more vetran bench bat.
blitzerlover - December 31, 2009 via mobile
Dang…4 of us in this thread should have thought of that new idea already.
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
Did someone else already say that?
If so, sorry. I dont actually read any of what y’all say. I just assume everyone else is an idiot and only I am capable of coming up with good ideas.
….sbnation really needs to come up with a sarcasm font. Im tired of worrying if I am beingtoo dry.
!Vive la Francoeur! - January 1, 2010
lol
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
Thing is...
we have enough money left to sign someone “from this putrid dump of free agents”, or even 2-3 of them, and still have flexibility for a mid season move.
Mr. Sanchez - January 1, 2010
I’ve said this before… Hudson to play second… and then bring in someone like Dimitri Young for good insurance depth some power off the bench and insurance agaisnt a Glaus injury.
Look if this is truley Bobby’s last Why not just get bench depth. Bring in huddy, Nomar, Giles, and Hairston jr. you can sign both nomar and giles on minor league contracts right now. and gives us so much flexibiltiy leadership and a desire to win. our bench is pathetically weak and most of those guys could use more seasoning to start the year anyway. Of course infante stays up for his UT capabilites.
If we dont go after Dye then we need to think Depth… Hudson gives us a leadoff hitter…Schafer may be decent but he showed he was over matched after two good weeks.
rudy21usmc - December 31, 2009
We still screwed up when we didnt get Figgins… and we screwed up when we didnt throw in another piece to get Nyjer Morgan from Pittsburgh in our McClouth trade. I think we keep worrying about power but we are forgetting that we dont have a legit leadoff hitter and havnt for years… Hell even with the money the dodgers were giving up to trade pierre I would’ve loved to have him…. just playn with my thoughts that I have had over the offseason. We have to many players that are type 3 hole or type 6 hole hitters
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
We’ve got a couple of guys who might blossom there given the opportunity in Escobar and Diaz. Both are near or best on the team in OBP. I don’t think we’ll see Escobar moved there because he’s become a reliable RBI man, and with his still-developing power he needs to remain a run-producer. Diaz, however, ought to get a look at leading off. Realistically I doubt it’s done, but it really is a disservice to both him and the team to not at least experiment with that for a couple or three weeks. At the very least he ought to slot in there against left-handed pitchers given how well he gets on base against them in particular.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
I dont disagree with that too much.. given that our other options right now are melky and McClouth.. McClouth is a number three or six hitter.. Diaz as a good OBP % but he is not going to steal to many bases or at least not put pressure on the defense and I strongly believe that is something we have lacked since hell otis nixon
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
Don’t forget about Furcal, he had a great set of wheels for us, he just broke down in LA. Matt is a very good baserunner and he did steal 12 bases last year. If he were to become the leadoff man I think that’s an area of his game he would step up and given that and more playing time he could be a 20+ steal man, which is what McLouth and his lower OBP would give us anyway. He’s no speed demon, but he could still be a more than adequate table setter, and he’s a definite improvement over Nate. I’m not even gonna discuss Melky leading off, cuz if that’s what it comes too we’re screwed anyway.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
And I concur that escobar is not the answer.. he is still to much of a free swinger and is better suited for 6th or 7th in a lineup…
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
He still had an OPS of .812. Just from a cursory glance at his stats, it looks like he improved in most major batting areas. And he has a fantastic arm (sometimes too fantastic.)
ATLforlife - January 1, 2010
the problem w his arm is he knows its fantastic
Swo12bv - January 1, 2010
DYE
Dye is this years abreu that everyone is talking about… problem being is our front office has never like to bring back players they let go…
But if we get Dye… we just moved Diaz to left and let melky come off the bench…we then can get hudson… and we can move prado to wherever we might need him on days off, injuries, matchups and ect…
1) Hudson 2b
2) Diaz LF
3) Chipper 3b
4) Dye RF
5) Glaus 1B
6) McCann C
7) Escobar SS
8) McClouth CF
To me Diaz and McClouth can be switched… Chipper could be moved to fourth
1)Hudson
2)Diaz
3) McClouth
4) Chipper
5)Dye
6) McCann
7) Glaus
8) Escobar
Now that deep lineup rivals everyone in East…. if Glaus is healthy.. But with this if not you have prado to play first… our Dye with Melky takin LF and Diaz takin RF..
Our bench is deeper with this scenario and when we mix the lineup up we have power on the bench which is nonexistent right now… Now throw in a D. Young signing with this and we are deep…
Thanks gents.. and its newyears day for me in japan.. but happy newyears too you.. and hopefully we get some deals done with our supposive 9mil left…
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
We’re beating a dead horse at this point, but Dye is a terrible option due to his defense. Any runs over replacement level he produces with the bat he’ll pretty much give back .If he can’t find a DH job he’s gonna be hard-pressed getting a team to put him in the field again. His awful 2nd half last year isn’t gonna make any team feel better about signing him because there will be that fear that that decline was more than just a fluke, meaning he’s potentially a black hole- a guy who will give up runs defensively and fail to produce in the lineup. We need to stay far away from him.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
THIS
ppl we need to have great defense as well as great offense.
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
I dont know about staying far away form him… his defense is better than francouers and he still has a decent arm… francy better but better than diaz … less range yes…. but if nothing else.. for about 4-5 mil… he will provide power… and if its not for his second half collapse he was lookn at 15-18mil. but know he can be had for probably the 4-5 mil if not the 2.5mil range… so anyway you look at it.. he is either another great power option at first if glaus goes down.. or another righthanded stud in RF that will provide power all year.. and still protection.. i agree i dont want to beat a dead horse… its just a thought that does not descredit your thought process… but I honestly believe it would be better than not having him at all… and i could give a damn about WAR.. and all that other crap cause it changes from year to year and is based on varibles that are non existent….bottom line its depth that we dont have now.. and power possiblities that we dont have now… its a weak market and all these options are one year options that we have to look at afte trading our best pitcher for melky.. and glaus… Lowe will be better this though so no worries…
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
who are you talking about???
?
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
read all the comments first.. j freak and i were commenting on dye
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
ok
use the reply button the next time. it makes it easier to follow. his defense is terrible btw
drumzalicious - January 1, 2010
Gotcha thanks… okay that was my response though.. we lived with francy’s horrible de but great arm and horrible bat ….. he can always be replaced in the late innings if its that bad.. but realistically its no worse than francy and he will hit and diaz is really not that much better in right field nor would melky be
rudy21usmc - January 1, 2010
And we got rid of French for a reason...
why do people keep bringing up Player X is as good as FUGA or French, when we got rid of them for a reason (i.e. they stunk).
Mr. Sanchez - January 1, 2010
We didn’t live with Frenchy. We died with him.
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
Thats deep, bro.
!Vive la Francoeur! - January 1, 2010
Franceour's defense is far, far, far better than Dye's.
Dye’s is significantly worse that FUGA’s was last year and has been consistently.
cavebird - January 1, 2010
Laroche
Just sign Adam Laroche. He isn’t getting the 3 year, $30 million offer he wants elsewhere. He should be receptive to a 1 or 2 year deal with the Braves that would be within their budget. Glaus isn’t a true first baseman and could play LF.
redwards95 - January 1, 2010
Glaus can play Left? I thought the whole point of moving him to first was to reduce the wear and tear on his bod so he can stay healthy.
ATLforlife - January 1, 2010
I feel like Glaus in left would not end well.
blitzerlover - January 1, 2010
This
He’s been an excellent defensive 3B, so the logic in moving him to 1B was he would probably shine there as well while putting less wear and tear on him. Him in the outfield is not, and should not be, part of the plan.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
This is true.
If we signed the LaRoche, the only way to fit everyone in the field is to move Glaus to third and Chipper to left. And we really, really don’t want to do that.
cavebird - January 1, 2010
I’m about as big of a LaRoche fan as they come, but there’s just no room for him with Glaus on board. If Glaus fails his physical, give Roachie a call. Otherwise let’s move on to more pressing matters, like who to slough off Melky to.
J-Freak - January 1, 2010
One name you left off within reason actually two.....
Hank Blaylock and Johnny Gnomes Melky or Jordan Schafer, though I like Jordan and feel he did not get a fair shake due to injury, are two names that would be power bats and definately help. Yes, Blaylock is one of those injury plagued stars that everyone seems to whine about no matter what blog site I am on, but he can slide from first to third and add power when healthy. As for Gnomes he provides us decent power and not bad defense as well as allows us to move Melky or Jordan Schafer lets say for a bullpen piece as insurance for our two back end members of the AARP.
RazorbackBrave80 - January 1, 2010
Gomes is how that player’s name is spelt. The Braves need full-sized players, not gnomes, midgets or other halfings.
fandave - January 1, 2010
I feel like a little person could play a mean second base. And their OBP would be 1.000 cause they’d walk every time.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
Like that midget that the Cardinals PH with back in the day (like the 40s or 50s)…he walked and then they pinch-ran for him.
I think MLB passed a rule that outlawed that soon after.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
I’d like to read that rule. “No player shorter than 5’0”." I mean really, what kind of rule can they make? If the team wants to spend a roster spot on a guy like that it’s their business. With all the specialization in the game I can’t believe something like this hasn’t happened recently.
cbwilk - January 2, 2010
Found a pic
Eddie Gaedel was his name, and he was only 3’ and some change….I can’t find anything about the rule though. MLB did terminate his contract though, and he was striken from the books as if he had never played. He was re-inserted a few years later…
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gaedel
There was no rule, if there were it would probably get stricken down as discrimination pretty quick.
Lennox - January 2, 2010
It was the St Louis Browns, not the Cardinals…my bust on that one.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Owned by Bill Veck...
later of Disco night fame when he owned the White Sox
Mr. Sanchez - January 2, 2010
Gondeee the first line of this post made me laugh out loud.
The Keith Lockhart Era - January 1, 2010
well
we need a right handed power bat, yeah i know we got glaus but i would give sheff a try if the price is right
C Shint - January 1, 2010
Hmm not sure about names listed.
I guessing that Nady is not healthy enough and may want to much cash for his history of injuries. Glaus is our 1B and what we still need is either a Dan Uggla type (not crazy about due to his lack of good defense and I believe this is his last season of arb. eligiblity.
Byrd got a 3 yr deal with the Cubs what are they crazy ? M. Bryd and a 3yr contract plz.
I think we should trade Melky for some type of decent veteran or put him towards the Uggla deal that I am no longer super excited about.
Go Braves.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - January 1, 2010
Cuddyer
Prado, Diaz and Medlen would get Cuddyer.
Then the Braves could expand the budget a bit and trade for Uggla(as much as I don’t want him). Say Acosta, Spruill and Delgado for Uggla.
Lineup:
Cabrera – RF
Escobar – SS
Jones – 3B
Cuddyer – LF
McCann – C
Uggla – 2B
Glaus – 1B
McLouth – CF
That lineup would be one of the best in baseball also one of the most injury prone too lol! It won’t happen but it would be sweet!
Jay212033 - January 1, 2010
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
“Then the Braves could expand the budget a bit”
Like that would ever happen.
Also, I’ve heard a lot of people throw out Cuddyer’s name. I want to point out that he is due to make 8.5 million this year, and 10.5 million next year. We would have no flexibility at all. Trading for Cuddyer makes no sense, whatsoever. Then throwing on top of all of that, trading for Uggla.. we would be well over-budget and not very much improved.
dlkinser86 - January 1, 2010
Not to mention a depleted farm system after those two trades.
justincredubil02 - January 1, 2010
Only one trade
Really involves prospects and that’s the Uggla deal which everyone seems to want anyway.
Jay212033 - January 1, 2010
Only one trade involves prospects? We would trade some prospects for Uggla for sure. But you are offering 2 starters and a good reliever with upside as a starter for us to nab Cuddyer. That is not a good deal at all.
dlkinser86 - January 2, 2010
Have you taken a look at Cuddyer's numbers?
Because his numbers were better than Diaz and Prado combined. Plus in the deal we’d be replacing Prado with Uggla. Also we have tons of relievers with upside to replace Medlen. Look I stated very clearly that I know this idea wouldn’t happen but I said it would be nice.
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
It would also be nice if we could get Adrian Gonzales and Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun. It won’t happen, but it would be nice.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Have you taken a look at Cuddyer's numbers before 2009?
2009 was a career year for him; it is not like he is young anymore, so it wasn’t a breakout season, it was just a career year. Why pay top dollar for a guy coming off a season he is highly unlikely to repeat?
cavebird - January 2, 2010
everyone seems to want
opinion seems to be split on uggla to me
Doghnut - January 2, 2010
And exactly how do you know
How much flexibility The Braves/Wren has?
Jay212033 - January 1, 2010
its been heavily reported that they have between 7 and 9 million left
…and if you dont trust that, you can do the math yourself
Doghnut - January 1, 2010
By reporters who don't know themselves
The Braves ended last season with a payroll a little over 100 mil who’s to say they won’t keep it there? Liberty Media nor Frank Wren has come out and said what the payroll will be so there’s no math to be done until then.
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
Their payroll was not over $100M and hasn’t been for a few years now.
I would imagine that Mark Bradley or DOB has a pretty good grasp on the payroll situation that the Braves find themselves in, so for you to simply say that they don’t know what they are talking about is a little off-base.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Oh No
Here’s a link for the Braves End of the Season salary totals.
http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3874:end-of-year-salary-totals-for-mlb-over-11-years-1999-2009&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
How did the Braves add nearly $6M in payroll from April to October?
They got McLouth and added some, I know, but not that much. The LaRoche deal was a wash in terms of money too.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Um.....
There are such things as performance raises you know.
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
um….I do know that. What performance raises did we give out?
If you want, you could drop the sarcasm and realize that I was asking a serious question up there.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
Well lets see
There’s McCann making the all-star team, Escobar receiving votes in the MVP race, Vazquez also in the Cy Young race. And I’m not being sarcastic but when you say a person doesn’t know what they are talking about…….well we’ll just leave it there. This is a blog for Braves fans and we should all get along so no hard feeling right?
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
None at all. Do you know what those incentives added up to, or where to find it?
I just am really skeptical that the Braves started 2009 with the 12th highest payroll and ended up 5th.
Also, it doesn’t help my search into payrolls when I have found 3 different websites that have the Braves’ starting payroll at 3 different amounts.
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
“If you want, you could drop the sarcasm and realize that I was asking a serious question up there.”
Oh man, this has to be the quote of the year… Right after you just said, “It would also be nice if we could get Adrian Gonzales and Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun. It won’t happen, but it would be nice.”
LOL
proeye - January 2, 2010
Because the two are related…?
justincredubil02 - January 2, 2010
No because you insist that others be nice to you but not in reverse…
proeye - January 3, 2010
ok.
justincredubil02 - January 3, 2010
Glad we agree… Bout time… ;-)
proeye - January 3, 2010
It says those figures are for the 40-Man roster, not the 25, which is where people get the $96.7 MM figure for last year.
So, in addition to additions like McLouth and incentives, you’ve got to account for an extra 15 guys getting paid in the EOY totals.
Really, the practical difference between our opening and closing salaries for the 25-Man roster is just Nate’s $2 MM (they might also be putting an extra million against our payroll for his signing bonus on this contract, though the Pirates are the ones who actually paid it), plus whatever minor incentives people picked up.
Also, you’re probably getting different totals because some opening day figures may or may not have included guys who started the season on the DL and prorated signing bonuses for people on the roster.
Lennox - January 2, 2010
I don’t really see Liberty raising our budget over last year. But for argument’s sake, say they raised it a bit. There would be better ways to spend the money. Such as looking up some of our younger players to long term deals. We have a very good nucleus of players in Escobar, McCann, Hanson, JJ, Prado, Heyward, Schafer, Freeman, and about 6 other SP’s that profile as possibly being TOR starters within a couple or 3 years.
dlkinser86 - January 2, 2010
Heck No
No way we give up Spruill AND Delgado for Uggla. Uggla is not the answer to our problems. Especially if he is going to cost THAT.
I would be fine getting Cuddyer however I don’t believe that package would get him
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010 via mobile
Uggla WILL NOT come cheap
I guess you guys keep thinking this but he will not.
Also the package for Cuddyer is a little light but you’ll still have Braves homers saying it too much.
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
yeah
this will not happen not even close…. ankiel…. or the Dye scenario is little more realistic and likely..
Even Hudson is more likely… but thats only if Wren see’s Prado for what he is which is depth, versatility, and insurance at first
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
i know
he wont come cheap and thats one of my main reasons for not wanting him because IMO he isnt worth what he will cost
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
Which Delgado?...
we have two, and one seems to have a higher upside than the other.
Mr. Sanchez - January 2, 2010
I still say Hudson
and strengthen our bench with minor league contracts to nomar, giles, then bring in huddy and hairston jr.. or Dimtri Young..
Depth ,flexibitliy, desire for some of the vets…. and strengthens our bench by putting caberera and prado there.. then days off… matchups… and the inevitable injury we are lookn good
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
You have to leave some of those names off the list.
Nomar and Giles are pretty much completely done as major league baseball players. Don’t know if Dmitri Young has any use anymore either. I don’t know how much leadership those guys provide, but since their fielding, hitting, and ability to stay healthy are all severely questionable, I don’t see how they add anything to the team.
cavebird - January 2, 2010
Hell its bobby’s last season.. try something… all these guys can be had on 1yr deals or incentive laden deals that dont hamstring us the next year so we can start locking players up on good deals that are 3-4 yrs at lenght
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
Yes, we want to win this year.
That’s why we don’t go anywhere near Nomar Garciapara, either Giles, or Dmitri Young. They don’t help you win at all.
cavebird - January 2, 2010
Going through these posts
I still believe Ankiel would be the best choice for a various amount of reasons.
- he is coming of an injury shortened season and would be more likely to take a 1yr contract with some incentives so that he can hit the market next year. Maybe something like 3.5 mil with another 1.5-2mil in incentives.
- he provides a good amount of power and would be a great option to have hit clean up behind chipper if Glaus is injured for an extended period of time.
The only other person ppl really seem to be stuck on is Damon. Damon would be good for the top of our lineup giving us the ability to move McLouth down in the order however he would prob be the most expensive out of the bunch and cripple us in 2011 by wanting at least a 2yr deal.
However in addition to that I believe that his defense would completely negate his offensive contributions. He takes horrible routes and can barely throw a ball 30ft and we already have nate in CF who doesn’t like to throw out runners. Ankiel however has a cannon of an arm and has been at least a league average CF and should be even better covering a smaller area in LF.
Damon’s only advantage over Ankiel is his OBP which isn’t to pretty however IF we are going to decide between the two I say lower OBP, more Power and great DEF over just good OBP.
And for those thinking Damon will hit another 20hrs try 10 away from Yankee stadium. That park is a wind tunnel meaning if you put the ball in the air towards right field its gone.
Almost forgot about Nady. He would be ok as well I just worry if his arm would be strong enough to play the OF.
I propose:
McLouth CF
Prado 2B
Chip 3B
Glaus 1B
Ankiel LF
Escobar SS
McCann C
Diaz RF
P
For those wondering why I have McCann 7th I explained it in my “Slugger/Table Setter” fanpost.
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010 via mobile
I dont mind ankiel either Dye or Ankiel is this years abreu that everyone is talking about… problem being is our front office has never like to bring back players they let go…so Ankiel is probably a closer bet.. but Ankiel is just another Left Hander.. I like his power
But if we get Dye… we just moved Diaz to left and let melky come off the bench…we then can get hudson… and we can move prado to wherever we might need him on days off, injuries, matchups and ect…
1) Hudson 2b
2) Diaz LF
3) Chipper 3b
4) Dye RF
5) Glaus 1B
6) McCann C
7) Escobar SS
8) McClouth CF
To me Diaz and McClouth can be switched… Chipper could be moved to fourth
1)Hudson
2)Diaz
3) McClouth
4) Chipper
5)Dye
6) McCann
7) Glaus
8) Escobar
Now that deep lineup rivals everyone in East…. if Glaus is healthy.. But with this if not you have prado to play first… our Dye with Melky takin LF and Diaz takin RF..
Our bench is deeper with this scenario and when we mix the lineup up we have power on the bench which is nonexistent right now… Now throw in a D. Young signing with this and we are deep…
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
Dye in RF
is about as bad if not worse than Damon in LF
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
Dye in RF is far worse than Damon in LF.
For the past four years, Dye has consistently been one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball. Once you remove Adam Dunn for the equation as a horrific defensive freak, Dye is in the running for next worst and has a pretty good case for it.
cavebird - January 3, 2010
Even if they were to sign Ankiel
He definitely wouldn’t be batting ahead of Mac. Swap Ankiel and Mac and I’d take that team any day.
Jay212033 - January 2, 2010
well
i did say there was a reason why i did that here is a quote from a post i made explaining why
I am leaving McLouth and McCann interchangeable for one reason. With McCann likely being the player to get the most off days out of anyone in the lineup I personally believe it would be beneficial to have the top 5-6 spots of the lineup be as least tampered with as possible so when McCann has his off days it doesnt really affect the core of the lineup.
That may make sense to some and not to others
drumzalicious - January 2, 2010
It makes far less sense....
…than putting a good OBP guy with power like McCann behind a guy with a .300 OBP like Ankiel. The power but no OBP guy should be the last decent hitter in the lineup, because he doesn’t tend to leave much for the guys behind him to do.
cavebird - January 2, 2010
my thoughts on this matter
ok, ive been holding my tongue for a very long time on here, and have finally decided to post my thoughts on all of these matters.
1. do NOT sign jermaine dye, period, end of story. his defense is absolutely horid, and he needs to find a job in the junior circuit where he can DH, thats all he is good for anymore.
2. we do have a good leadoff guy in matty d, he has earned his spot on this team and a spot on the everyday roster, he deserves that spot as much as anyone else does, period, end of story.
3. im quite happy with the signing of glaus to play first, i have a feeling mitch jones is going to surprise all of us come spring training, there’s our backup.
4. im also happy to see that chipper realizes that age is catching up to him and that he’s not going to be one of those players who prolongue their careers as long as they can, kudos to chipper for that, and we all love you dude, your the face of the franchise, no ifs ands or buts on that one.
5. yes, im sad to see JV leave us, but, we picked up a great prospect in arodys, im quite happy with that, cause in just a few years, we will have the best rotation in MLB history with hanson, arodys, julio, delgado and minor as our 1-5 starters.
6. stay the hell away from dan ugly, he’s got a decent bat, but thats about it, and what it would cost us to get him from florida, HELL NO.
our team, as it stands now, will give any team out there a run for its money in any 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 game series. the FO needs to stand pat and hold on to the money it has.
and for all of you folks who want the front office to sign more and more people or trade for more and people, are you insane? do you really want to kill our farm system just to make you happy? is that what you really want? do you want to look like the phillies in a few years? they’re farm system is trashed cause of the 2 big trades they pulled off this year, do you really want that? those young kids in the farm our the future, end of the story.
our lineup as it stands now looks pretty damn good to me.
1) Diaz LF
2) Prado 2B
3) Chipper 3B
4) Glaus 1B
5) McCann C
6) McLouth CF
7) Escobar SS
8) Heyward RF
and yes, im one of those people who believe that the Jay Hey Kid will be ready to go by spring training, im also very optimistic about Schaefer as well, if he tears the hell outta the ball come ST, well, looks like nate either gets traded or becomes the 4th OF, as i personally dont believe that matty d should be put back on the bench, he’s earned that spot, and it shouldnt be taken away from him unless he gets hurt or just royally tanks it in ST.
and that ends my rant, you can trash me all you want, but thats my thoughts on the matter.
good night and have a happy new year folks
MO'toole - January 2, 2010
oh, and stay the hell away from johnny damon. stay the hell away from anymore free agents this offseason, whats left is really the dregs, besides from holliday, and honestly, i dont want him on this team anyway.
again, thank you and have a good night
MO'toole - January 2, 2010
I dont want Uggla.. I agree.. to much money…and yes interdivision trade would not work… (by the way) phillies still have a decent farm system…
Diaz to “me” is not a leadoff hitter… I do not want him replaced in the lineup… I want prado to be more of what he is and thats kinda of our DeRosa… can play everywhere.. good pop… good glove, but not outstanding at one postion… great to mix and match and give guys day offs and replace during injuries…
Diaz is a number 2-3/6-7 hitter…
I actually like the JV trade given we get more bench help or a leadoff hitter
Signing people wont hurt the farm system.. maybe the pocket book, but if we can actually get the braves fans excited again and come out to the freakn park.. then that wont matter
Agree that if Heyward is ready and doesnt stumble like Brandon Jones has since 06 and not become what he was touted to be than great.. we dont need another corner outfielder..
I dont want to sell the farm.. but you hurt no one by bringing in expirence and competition on minor league deal vets that are not guareented contracts… thats all i was saying with.. giles, nomar…. it was a throw out and not a solution but depth and competition if the young guys faulter at the beginnning…
I agree with alot of what you are saying.. but have waited for a a couple of moves that " I " like..
Doesnt mean Im right.. doesnt mean your wrong.. doesnt mean management is wrong…
Maybe just something to get me excited…. like the lowe and vazquez signing.. the McClouth trade.. I love me some nate and a full year in atlanta he will show what he is capable of if he gets to hit in the right spot in the lineup… thats 3rd.. or 5th and 6th..
have a good one MO’toole and happy new years as well… and bring home at least a playoff appreance this year BRAVES!!!
I dont want johnny damon.. horrible fit…
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
the problem with a lot of those veterans your talking about is that they are extremely prideful, could you really see someone like jermaine dye or nomar signing a minor league deal with a ST invite?
and FYI, vazquez wasnt signed lol he was traded for, we gave up tyler flowers for him, our top catching prospect.
and as for the phillies farm system, well, the guys they got for cliff lee might make it into our top 50, but they wont make it into the top 15, possibly not even the top 20, and they gave up what was it, 6 of their top guys? to get both lee and halladay, and then promptly gave lee away as soon as the season was over, great move on their part, im sure.
MO'toole - January 2, 2010
Okay.. thats fine… tyler flowers… didnt need him….lol..
Dye wont be a minor league deal no.. didnt say he would… nomar and giles.. would take one at this point..
Okay.. thats fine… tyler flowers… didnt need him….lol..
Dye wont be a minor league deal no.. didnt say he would… nomar and giles.. would take one at this point..And the thing about prospects is once they make it to the big leagues then we find out how good they really are.. they are nothing more than draft ratings…lol
Okay.. thats fine… tyler flowers… didnt need him….lol..
Dye wont be a minor league deal no.. didnt say he would… nomar and giles.. would take one at this point..And the thing about prospects is once they make it to the big leagues then we find out how good they really are.. they are nothing more than draft ratings…loland the phillies still have john mayberry.. there real number one prospect.. who right now is rated higher than any of our guys cause of what he has already done in spot duty in the big leagues.. just saying.. lol
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
if you dont get that… its kinda of a joke.. .211 average.. but the guy looks promising
rudy21usmc - January 2, 2010
Right now its looking like Wren may make a few lesser moves but save the money and hold on to for the deadline or in season
Braves are god of the ATL - January 2, 2010
I don’t think we are going to know anything until this week (first week of January). Wren is supposedly on vacation—as far as we know.
proeye - January 3, 2010
400+ comments? NOICE.
Scott Coleman - January 2, 2010
The present players is the key
We need no one else.
We have to have the present players to play up from their ability or to their ability.
If this happens the Braves will compete with any team in the NL.
Starting Pitching is a Check.
Relief Pitching is a Check.
Closing is a Check.
Hitting is a Check, if the players play to their ability.
(Chipper will have a better year, Glaus will have a better year, Escobar, Prado, Heyward are all still improving, McLouth will get back into a Pirate form, McCann and Diaz will do what they do)
IF all of the above is true the Braves will be fine with the present roster.
dapreacher - January 3, 2010
I still think we could use a minor move.
And get a reserve corner infielder, since Chipper and Glaus both have had injury issues. Beyond that, I think we are pretty good to go.
cavebird - January 3, 2010
Carl Crawford
My thought: I do not feel we have a lead-off hitter and seriously need one. I would love to trade Melky and Kris Medlen for Crawford. Not sure if this would be enough in a trade for Tampa but I would be interested to know what it would take to get him. He is such a versitle player and would be big in our line-up. He can hit anywhere in our line-up but I would put him in the leadoff spot. Last years stats: .364 OBP, .305 AVG, 15 HRS, 60 stolen bases, he walked only 51 times and struck out 99 times in 606 AB’s. Although he would be another left handed bat, this is not that much of an issue in my opinion because the newly aquired Troy Glaus is a right handed hitter. The down side – just had his option picked up by Tampa for $10 million, will be a free agent at seasons end and will get a raise next season to maybe $12 to 15 mil? Can we afford him at that point? I would think we could but who knows.
Thebigejr - January 3, 2010
i have been an advocate for Crawford for a little while and my thought process with him is that we only need him for one year. Next year Schafer will be starting in CF and can step into the lead-off role so we dont need Crawford to really stick around. Plus the 2 draft picks we would get for him would be great
drumzalicious - January 3, 2010
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