Goodbye Andruw...

by Hizilla on Oct 2, 2007 5:11 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

Per the AJC and ESPN - the Braves will not attempt to re-sign Andrw Jones.
Rather than offer my opinion on the matter - I will say that Andruw has had a great career in Atlanta, and I wish him well wherever he ends up. Anyone have any thoughts as to who will be playing CF in 2008? Please don't say Frenchy - it won't happen.

0 recs | Comment 13 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Post Andruw

Well, it's been a nice run and if the price was right, it would have been nice to resign him, but AJ is gone and it's time to look forward. Schaeffer is still at least a year and maybe 2 away. If they could get a Rowand, that wouldn't be bad. The D would slip a little, but still be solid. But I think he would bring some energy to the team as well. Hell, if the price was cheap enough, and it should be, I'd even be ok with Baldelli. Granted, the 4th OF would have to be capable in CF to compensate for the 40-162 games he'd miss, but it might be worth the gamble.
It will be a shock to look up on opening day and not see AJ out there.

by NorCalAtlFan on Oct 2, 2007 6:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rocco

I would be fine with Rocco as well, but last time these rumors were floated, the price was too high in terms of prospects and players going the other way. Money wise, his contract is not bad at all.

by VegasAces on Oct 2, 2007 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rocco???

...no way jose. Why take a risk on a guy that can't even stay healthier than Chipper? We'd spend more times running out a back up than Rocco himself.

I'm just not sure what the big deal is about this guy. Last year he played in 96 games, this year 35.

No thanks...next.

Two Teams, Two Coasts - One Obsession

by Rain Delay on Oct 3, 2007 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JS

I like the way he handled it. Day after the season, no dice. Good luck and good bye. F you Boras. Of course if AJ had a better season and was a better hitter, I'd be a bit put off, but the fact is he's regressing. And while I'm sure he has more 30-100 seasons in him. They won't be worth the 15+ he's going to be making.
That said, good luck AJ.

by NorCalAtlFan on Oct 2, 2007 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I will be curious

to see what somebody gives him...it will be way way more than he is worth. The way free agency has been the past few years - things are out of hand. I am happy to see JS exercising some restraint.

by Hizilla on Oct 2, 2007 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

asdf

Sign one of these free-agents to a 1-year contract ... Rowand, Cameron, or trade for Rocco.

by RehabReject on Oct 2, 2007 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bittersweet...

That Andruw - though he had a tough year and really could have handled himself with his mouth a little better, too - is history. He really gave us a lot of joy in the last ten years. He's been very exciting, sometimes infuriating, but a real part of Brave history. JS really did handle it well though. You said it correctly: Ef You, Boras! I hope Andruw finds what he's looking for. I think he'll be in pinstripes next year and because I live in NYC, it'll be interesting to see how he handles himself when the press comes down on him. It can get brutal. Oh yeah, I have no ideas, yet, on the replacement. Definitely not Francouer.

by finchy on Oct 3, 2007 12:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So long

I think his defense in center is worth a ton, but his lack of consistent offense isn't worth paying for - and it really hasn't just been this year. Even in his near MVP year, there were stretches where he was awful - I think it was when Chipper was in the lineup. Sure, he'd carry the load when Chipper went down back then, but he didn't do that this year. Heck, for even $10 million a year I'd prefer more consistency at the plate.

My hope is we don't go get anybody with a long term deal in place. Francoeur played tons of center in the minors, so he'd actually be okay in my book until Schafer is ready, which I sure hope isn't too far away.

by secondbass on Oct 3, 2007 5:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just Say No?

Rowand will cost more than he's worth and require a longer contract than what we should give out. His age implies that his production this season is not a breakout, but rather an anomaly; can you say contract year? He's played in hitter friendly ballparks throughout his career and his 2007 Home/Away splits show that. He's not the model of consistency and he'd need to bat 2nd in the line-up to be most effective. His Zone Rating has been in decline and is not longer good, by the way.

Cameron was even more inconsistent in 2007 (three terrific months and three terrible ones) and his Zone Rating has been unacceptable for four years now. His career line, something he's likely to replicate at best, is probably not worth the contract he'll command (even though it'll be better than Rowand's) this offseason. It looks like he's best batting clean-up now, something he would certainly not get close to doing in ATL.

Baldelli has played 263 games out of a possible 648 in the past four years. His only full season was his rookie year and his exceptional production from 2006 is now tempered by his awful play in 2007. Still, his career line rivals Cameron's, he's only 26 (his prime is probably yet to come) and his contract is very reasonable.

He'll cost $2.25M in '08 with an option for '09 worth either $6M or a $4M buyout that must be excersized by Opening Day 2008. If the '09 option is accepted (which is extremely likely) that would add a dual option worth $8M in 2010 and $9M in 2011 or a $2M buyout. In other words, he could be a Brave in each of the following permutations: 1/$6.25M, 2/$10.25M or 4/$25.25M.

Considering that, if the price is right in the trade market (highly unlikely with the Devil Rays) then I say we could take a chance on him. TB needs to free up AB in the OF and, considering the high number of CF FA and his tough luck, Baldelli's value might be more reasonable than ever. They seem to want pitching and I think we can give some relief arms. Hopefully we can convince them to take Yates and Paronto, but it could cost Moylan or Devine. Thoughts?

Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!

by ejruiz on Oct 3, 2007 6:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re: Just Say No

I hadn't looked very closely at Rowands stats. But you're right. Then again, IF he was willing to come for 2 years at a reasonable price, I'd do it.
As for Baldelli. Moylan and Devine is too much. They may not have proven much yet, but they are cheap and have high ceilings(relatively speaking) for relievers. Now, if it took Moylan OR Devine and player x and they took Yates or Paronto too? By all means!!!
Baldelli is the bold, aggressive move that JS is prone to do. I think that's a good thing. If Baldelli got hurt again, at least he took the chance. I'd have no quams.
Another guy who is probably not available, but I'd inquire about is David DeJesus. Not a star, but he's be an asset.

by NorCalAtlFan on Oct 3, 2007 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dejesus

Could be a nice option, and Moore could get Schuerholz get him for a cheaper price than another team. I'd be all for it, great idea.

by bigjoe on Oct 3, 2007 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moylan

is gonna be a huge part of the BP next yr. He's another JS gem. Imagine Moylan, Gonzales, Soriano, Acosta..maybe even mahay... a bullpen w/ all ERA's being between 1.80-3.00 sounds good to me.. oh btw the 1.8 is Moylan in 90 innings.

by chance13ga on Oct 4, 2007 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Projecting the bullpen.

RP are notoriously difficult to project. ERa does not corrolate well from one year to the next. I like Moylan as much as the next guy and think he could be an important part of the bullpen as well, but to expect continued dominance might be a bit much considering his peripherals. I'd be more than willing to include him in a deal that made the team better elsewhere.

Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!

by ejruiz on Oct 4, 2007 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs