After the last 24 hours saw the Braves beat writers saying that Atlanta still had a stake in the Johnny Damon sweepstakes, the Detroit Tigers have apparently signed the veteran outfielder to a one-year $7 million contract, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports.
Consider this blogger vindicated and satisfied. This clears the path for Jason Heyward, and sets up a nice platoon in left with Melky Cabrera and Matt Diaz. I think that's just as good as Damon, and certainly more forward-looking. Nate McLouth will handle the leadoff role just fine.
Carry on.
0 recs | 97 comments
i wonder if it would make sense to have Melky lead off on days he plays….this is predicated on the fact that his OBP should go up going to an easier league/division…if he’s at 340 or so that close to where McLouth would be and McLouth’s power would play better further down in the lineup.
I don’t really know, just kinda wanted to throw that out there
Swo12bv - February 20, 2010
Its a good thought
His OBP isnt great for his career at .331 as opposed to Mclouth who is a.342 for his career (still not great). I agree that Mclouth’s power would be great lower in the lineup, but the leadoff role is so important, I’d like to see it go to one guy on a pretty consistent basis and if I had to guess, that guy will be Mclouth. But its a possibility since the Braves STILL dont have a great leadoff hitter since Furcal left after the ’05 season.
Shoert - February 20, 2010
Look at the last 3 years instead of career average, often gives a little more accurate picture of what to expect.
Melky’s OBP in 07, 08, 09 .327 .301 and .336
Nate’s .351 .356 and .352
I think keeping Nate in the 1 hole will prove the better choice on days they are both in the lineup.
Rhyno18 - February 20, 2010
YEEEEEES!!!!!
but now the possible bad news is that DOB and Bowman will start damon-to-the-braves-in-midseason rumors
hawves - February 20, 2010
This
GoBravesNY - February 20, 2010
No.....
they’re just going to resign and work press in the Detroit area.
secondbass - February 20, 2010
Don't worry...
…the contract supposedly has a no-trade clause. And the AL Central is pretty weak, the Tigers shouldn’t fall out of the race early.
cavebird - February 20, 2010
thanks
i needed to hear that
hawves - February 20, 2010
Now that Damon has signed elsewhere, does someone need to talk DOB off a ledge somewhere?
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 20, 2010
More than likely...
J-Freak - February 20, 2010
Why talk him down? Just let him jump.
justincredubil02 - February 20, 2010
I dont mean this as a criticism of your opinion, but rather as an actual question: What’s the purpose of platooning Melky with Matty? If I remember correctly, Melky’s vs. RHP is only minimally better than Matty’s.
!Vive la Francoeur! - February 20, 2010
No, criticize...
I’d rather have Diaz playing everyday and Melky giving him a rest every now and then. I hate platoon play.
taney71 - February 20, 2010
makes more sense with a better left handed hitter….
like with FUGA last year…..lemke2blauser2bream - February 20, 2010
Sure if Diaz can't handle it do a platoon.
But if he does well then let’s have him out there everyday.
taney71 - February 20, 2010
Cox just has to have a platoon ever year. He can’t help himself.
Rhyno18 - February 20, 2010
I think what we’ll actually see won’t be so much a straight-up Diaz/Cabrera platoon as a “Cabrera gives everybody 1 day off a week” kind of situation, give or take, based on matchups. The good thing about Cabrera is he’s the same LH and RH, so we can play him against anyone without worrying about splits. I’m guessing that McLouth gets 600+ ABs, Diaz and Heyward 500+, Cabrera in the 300-400 range.
As for Melky vs. Diaz, don’t forget that Melky is only 25, while Matty is 31. Matt is probably more likely to regress than improve, and Melky is much more likely to improve than regress. Also, Melky is coming to the easier league, which might help. A platoon wouldn’t be any worse than just Diaz, and might be better.
Jacob Peterson - February 20, 2010
Oh yeah, we get MattyD in left! I am honestly really pumped about seeing what he can do out there with a ton of at bats.
bbxxj - February 20, 2010 via mobile
over/under .380 OBP for mattyd this year?
lemke2blauser2bream - February 20, 2010
Depends on if he's platooned...
If he gets half his at bats or more against lefties, I’ll take the over. Less than that, I’ll take the under.
Jacob Peterson - February 20, 2010
And keep in mind
About 1/3 of his PAs last year were against righties. Just saying.
Bronn - February 20, 2010
That is
1/3 against lefties, whom he owned. 2/3 of his PAs last year came against righties…and he was still awesome.
Bronn - February 20, 2010
7 million?
good lord. i wouldn’t have paid more than $3MM for him
Scott Coleman - February 20, 2010 via mobile
i heard it was 8M
lemke2blauser2bream - February 20, 2010
ouch.
Scott Coleman - February 20, 2010
Yup
ESPN text alert said 8. What’s the bet Dombrowski doesn’t live out this year as GM?
J-Freak - February 20, 2010
Either way, Comerica ain't New Yankee Stadium
Whether it’s $7 million or $8 million, that’s a lot for a guy who’s gonna get you 8 homers, 60 rbi and 20 steals.
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 21, 2010
Yo are being generous. I say more like 10 seals. This move makes no sense. They might as well have kept Curtis.
FitzFan - February 21, 2010
YAY
That is all
Erihury - February 20, 2010
Thank God that’s over….
Dale Murphy for HOF - February 20, 2010
+1
Schizachyrium - February 20, 2010
Thank goodness. I was really worried with all of Damon’s silence that he would come play for Bobby in his last year. Now we don’t have to worry about that.
forgotten_glory - February 20, 2010
Somewhere
Jason Heyward is probably extremely happy about this, all while eating his mild boneless buffalo wings and chicken ceaser salad from Applebee’s.
Scott Coleman - February 20, 2010
FTFY
GoBravesNY - February 20, 2010
wait what?
All while eating other the NL pitcher’s fastballs from CBP.
Scott Coleman - February 20, 2010
eating- pwning
CBP- Citizens Bank Park
Lord, I knew it was bad, but I thought you’d at least get it…
GoBravesNY - February 20, 2010
Hahah nope, but I got it now. For some reason I kept thinking CBP was food or something…like California Pizza Kitchen. I do hate Citizens Bank Bandbox tho.
Scott Coleman - February 20, 2010
applebees lol
Bravely going forward - February 20, 2010
Well, this is about how it was going to turn out.
Damon made only mild sense for us if he was very cheap, and someone was going to pay more for him. I think even the pro-Damon faction here is glad we didn’t pony up $8 million (none deferred) for him like the Tigers did. Now that this is done, we can start our crazy hyping of everything Jason does in spring training!
cavebird - February 20, 2010
Thank God. Viva la Diaz.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - February 20, 2010
THIS
J-Freak - February 20, 2010
!!Viva la Diaz!!
bbxxj - February 21, 2010
That's going to catch on.
We need Diaz shirts that say such, with his picture Obamacon’d or whatever they call those fancy red white and blue renderings.
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 22, 2010
Thank heaven Johnny Damon got a job and it ain’t with the Braves. Or the White Sox (I’m a former South Sider).
John Holton - February 20, 2010
I love he didn't go the White Sox...
…because he puts Andruw on the bench. (Yeah, I am still hopeful for an Andruw comeback.)
cavebird - February 20, 2010
Same here. Andruw’s still a young man and I think he has a few more good years in him. Damon’s an old has-been.
John Holton - February 21, 2010
Personally
I think the smarter thing to do would be to platoon Melky with Nate in CF. Matt’s much stronger against RHPs, especially last year, than Nate is against LHPs. Melky was actually stronger against lefties than righties last year.
Of course, for his career, Melky is generally weaker against lefties, so that might not work out.
Bronn - February 20, 2010
i think you just talked yourself out of your own argument
Swo12bv - February 20, 2010
I said it once and ill say it again
get Mike Hampton FW he can hit and pitch
Erihury - February 20, 2010
Or he can...
…sit on the DL as usual.
cavebird - February 20, 2010
What exactly is nice about Melky Cabrera seeing significant playing time?
Lennox - February 20, 2010
Nothing at all
Erihury - February 20, 2010
It means that FUGA or Johnny Damon isn’t getting the significant playing time?
justincredubil02 - February 20, 2010
You never
know Fren could make a bold move and resign FUGA
Erihury - February 20, 2010
Was FUGA getting significant playing time a possibility?
And Damon getting playing time instead of Melky would have been a very good thing.
Lennox - February 20, 2010
Not that I’m saying that we should have signed Damon at that price, but he’s clearly been the better hitter of the two.
Lennox - February 20, 2010
But why not Diaz instead of Damon OR Melky?
Just sayin’.
J-Freak - February 20, 2010
Because Bobby loves to have a platoon going.
Lennox - February 21, 2010
Well, that’s bunk. Philly’s outfield last year is living proof of what you can do with three solid starters and no platoons, and we don’t have to contend with Ibanez’s age. Let Diaz play, he earned at least that much last year.
J-Freak - February 21, 2010
Agreed. Emphasis on at least.
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 23, 2010
A little part of me was hoping he’d fall to us for a bargain price. The larger part of me wants Jason Heyward to start kicking ass.. so yeah
BigG1392 - February 20, 2010
You’re welcome.
10-4 - February 20, 2010
brand new on this site…been a braves fan since childhood, when florida didn’t have a baseball team. i would have liked if the braves had kept javy v in the rotation and not acquired melky but, what’s done is done. as for damon, good thing we didn’t get him – our outfield is fine. Heyward is going to be such an impact player for us and i’m really looking forward to watching it happen.
BronxBraveFan - February 20, 2010
So now it safe to say...
our outfiled may look something like this
Nasty Nate-CF
Heyward-RF
MattyD-LF
Melky and Hinske to fill in when needed
Jordan Schaffer, Mitch Jones, and Gregor Blanco all in AAA and called up if needed. Not sure if that makes logistical snense with space on the 40 man roster, but that will get worked out in Spring Training. Im so pumped abouth the ’10 season and cant wait to see chipper getting back to his old self!
Shoert - February 20, 2010
Also...
Sorry for the spelleing errors, and I think if Schaffer plays well enough, he may get a September call up. His development is important since Melky and Hinske may not be around after this year
Shoert - February 21, 2010
Ironically...
I spelled “spelling” wrong, I’m a jackass
Shoert - February 21, 2010
Classic!
Lizziebeth - February 21, 2010
we still luv u.
Scott Coleman - February 21, 2010
And in even better news,
pictures are trickling in, via the AJC, from Spring Training 2010:
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/atlanta-braves-022010/
Thanks LT at BravesLove for the heads up!
Lizziebeth - February 21, 2010
Thanks for posting this link
I got excited just seeing the guys in their practice uni’s getting ready for the season to begin!
I for one, can’t wait for opening day!
HEYJUDE - February 21, 2010
BMac looks good
It looks like he lost a little bit more weight too. Im sure his knees will thank him when August and September role around.
Scott Coleman - February 21, 2010
Mac is definitely a candidate for the annual BSOHL award. (Best Shape of his Life)
!Vive la Francoeur! - February 21, 2010
Thanks!
fandave - February 21, 2010
Ha!
I absolutely love that pic of Billy Wagner in the cowboy getup with the bluetooth hanging from his ear.
!Vive la Francoeur! - February 21, 2010
Another great shot was the BMac / Brooks Conrad man hug.
fandave - February 21, 2010
Those hats are awful.
cbwilk - February 21, 2010
Seriously
Those hats are fucking ugly. They better not switch up the road hats on us.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - February 21, 2010
That 21st shot of Mac could be a poster
Chief Noc-A-Homa - February 21, 2010
BWag looks fierce…
lemke2blauser2bream - February 21, 2010
Fantastic News!
I’ve been waiting for a couple weeks now to hear that Damon had signed elsewhere. Signing Damon would have 1) Taken playing time from Matt Diaz, 2) Impeded Jason Heyward’s arrival in the majors and 3) Used up the last of the team’s payroll, which could be saved for a stop-gap at the trading deadline, and all of this for little to no net gain. I literally jumped off my couch and cheered when I read the Damon to Tigers headline!
In other news, this is my first post here. I’ve been a lurker at Talking Chop for about two years now, and I’ve been a Braves fan for about twenty years. I watched every single game on television (regular and post season) in the 1990s, but my interest and available time both dwindled last decade. I think part of me grew too disheartened from watching the Braves lose in the play-offs every year. Something changed last year, though. I started watching the games again, and I actually went to a game for the first time in my life – Braves/Orioles in Baltimore, last June – Braves lost. Still, I had hope in the team again, all the way until the last week when they were realistically eliminated and started phoning the remaining games in. I’ve spent most of this off-season following the discussions here on TC and excitedly rosterbating along with everyone else. I just finally broke down and made an account.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - February 21, 2010
looks like somebody just lost their TC v-card!
Scott Coleman - February 21, 2010
Wasnt Eric Gregg that really fat black umpire who lost an ass-load of weight and then lost his job cause he ump’d during the strike?
!Vive la Francoeur! - February 21, 2010
He didn’t ump during the strike, I don’t think. He’s the man who famously umpired the 1997 NLCS and gave Livan Hernandez a strike zone 6 feet wide, so he ended up with 14 strikeouts. The last pitch of the gamewas so far outside that it had the Marlins’s catcher (his name evades me at the moment) almost falling down as he reached out to catch it, but it was called strike 3 regardless.
In response to severe complaints from the Braves and question from the media, he said “They should know my strike zone by now.” And the entire umpire’s union and MLB winced, since the strike zone is in the rulebook, not the umpire’s discretion. QUESTEC really gained a lot of steam after that.
Bronn - February 21, 2010
you are looking for CHarles Johnson i believe
Swo12bv - February 21, 2010
No, it was definitely Eric Gregg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Gregg
EricGreggWasPaidOff - February 21, 2010
Wait, you meant the Marlin’s catcher…my bad (realized the second I posted).
EricGreggWasPaidOff - February 21, 2010
Actually, it was 15 strike outs, and I believe his strike zone was about 9 feet wide.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - February 21, 2010
Is it just me
Or does heap look really kinda thin in the dugout walk out pic?
Braves Equals Life! - February 21, 2010 via mobile
That's actually not HEAP
It’s Will Champion at Fantasy Camp week ….
scstrato - February 21, 2010
lets see
how improved Nate’s eyes are . and schaffer will be up by june or september .
~~banditwolf~~ - February 21, 2010
Finally…
JKowalek - February 21, 2010
Finally Damon gets his money and too much of it at that.
1year $8 million for a 36yr old Damon ? Are the Tigers nuts or are they just that hard up for veteran. This signing really feels like what the Braves did with G. Anderson last offseason. We waited so late to feel our need and their was really nobody on the market as good as G. Anderson at least in our view which was a little bit blinded to say the least seeing as how G. Anderson still is without a team for the 2010 season.
Anyway I think the Tigers really overpaided here and we are now set in our OF considering that Heyward makes the team out of spring training which I believe he will.
Go Braves.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - February 21, 2010
Sorry dude, but I have to make that my sig!
scstrato - February 21, 2010
Didn't think I'd see the day
when this blog described Melky as a nice platoon partner. Welcome to reality. The last time we were talking about Melky here he was worse than Francoeur and we would have been better off bringing Otis Nixon back than giving Melky a chance.
ajones2522 - February 22, 2010
if we are bringing an old guy out of retirement, we are obviously bringing Rickey back….
Swo12bv - February 22, 2010
Ricky says that Ricky never left.
justincredubil02 - February 22, 2010
Ricky didn’t. That dude never retired.
cbwilk - February 22, 2010
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