Towers will have to make the call...

by TheSportsIdiot on Dec 11, 2008 4:39 PM EST Comment 72 comments

if he wants Wren to talk about Peavy again.

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/braves_still_not_ready_to_revi.html

Basically, Escobar is off the table now, and Wren said he won't call Towers, that Towers has to initiate contact. I agree with that, and with Escobar being off the table.

Make the full court press on Sheets, and let the Yanks overpay for AJ. Go after RJ too, though, and Greinke as well. F it. Go after everyone everywhere.

All I know is that the Braves can't enter the season with:

Smoltz

Vazquez

Campillo/Reyes/Morton battling for the last two spots?

F me in the eye with a broken spoon.

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There’s even a chance Smoltz isn’t on our roster next year…

by coldriver10 on Dec 11, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yep

and I started to leave him off but my eyes started to bleed.

MLB, ACC and national sports thoughts, from an idiot's point of view

by TheSportsIdiot on Dec 11, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I say

Forget signing an outfielder. Sign 2 of Sheets/Burnett/Lowe. Spend the money. Damnit.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So you’re cool with FYF in right, Blanco/Anderson/Schafer in center, and Diaz/B. Jones in left?

I’m not.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Me either

by Rhyno18 on Dec 11, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I look at our current lineup and I don’t see how this team competes. Period. If they don’t add a bat in left, and Frenchie doesn’t become Dale Murphy while Cotchman turns into Pujols, this team is going no where fast. They will be lucky to score five runs a week.

MLB, ACC and national sports thoughts, from an idiot's point of view

by TheSportsIdiot on Dec 11, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kotchman doesn't have to be Pujols

He just needs to be Kevin Youkilis, James Loney, or hell even Adam LaRoche.

by KC Ryan on Dec 11, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

kevin youkilis was the runner up in MVP voting. so uh, yeah. bad example

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was talking more along the lines of Youk’s career averages.

by KC Ryan on Dec 11, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like how Youk won the Hank Aaron award (best hitter in his league), but failed to win the Silver Slugger for his position. Same with A-Ram.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

chipper won the batting title and didnt win the silver slugger

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

did u just use batt avg to try to prove chipper was good…. i feel abandoned

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 12, 2008 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YES

Pitching wins championships. Diaz was very respectable offensively before he got hurt. I honestly believe a platoon of Diaz/Blanco would work just fine in LF if we have some exceptional pitching (see: we sign 2 of Burnett/Lowe/Sheets). Schafer’s time has come. I think it’s his job to lose. And YES, believe it or not, I have faith that FYF isn’t damned too a mediocre career. Look at Carlos Quentin … perfect example of a player reaching his potential a little late. Obviously you probably don’t agree w/ a number of the assertions I’m making … but if we can’t/don’t sign Dunn, what other viable, sure-shot options are there? Dye? I’ll substitute a little offense for a substantially improved defense.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Balance wins championships.

by soup du jour on Dec 11, 2008 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

and the pitching side of the scale needs some help …

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so does the offensive side

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 12, 2008 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with Diaz is the value you’re talking about is based on two season with a insanely high BABIP. In 2007 it was .378 and in 2006 it was .367. Those numbers right there are heavily inflating his BA and OBP. He walked in only 4% of his PAs in 2006 and 2007. That’s worse than FYF last season. His XBH’s account for roughly 27% of his hits in both of those years as well…also worse than FYF last season.When the BABPI goes back to around .310 you’re going to see him for who he really is…which is a guy who can’t get on base enough to merit a corner OF position.

He actually isn’t as bad of a defender as I had expected according to +/- so he’s got that going for him, I guess.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Valid point

Well stated. But what happens when we sign Dye or another aging OF as “the solution” and he disappoints?

It just seems safer, I guess … to go after the stud pitchers on the mkt.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

(and sacrifice some offense ...)

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That certainly is a possibility. If it were up to me we’d have Adam Dunn in red and blue already, but who knows what Wren has up his sleeve. You’re right in the fact that the options aren’t all that enticing. Ibanez? Guillen? Ugh. I guess I just think that closing the book on offense entirely this offseason isn’t the best tactic when we had the worst RF and second to worst LH according to OPS. We’ll see.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LH = LF

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Quentin is awesome, Frenchy blows

Quentin was a “late” bloomer at age 25 because his shoulder was messed up in 2007. His minors line looks like this .313/.413/.527.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

/hater

Keep throwin’ bad mo jo at Frenchy. It helps. Really, it does.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No reason to drag down Quentin to try to boost up Frenchy. Actually I have no problem with Frenchy as a player, but most players blow if you put them in the same sentence as Quentin. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being an average corner outfielder like Frenchy is. It’s his whiny, prissy prima donna attitude that I can’t stand.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. If we’re gonna take it at the level of their personality, Frenchy is one of the nicest and most down to earth ballplayers I’ve ever met, and Quentin is a total dick that his own teammates don’t like.

by cbwilk on Dec 11, 2008 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I apologize for overstating my point

I’ve never met the guy and it’s not fair for me to put it that, but I feel like Francoeur is a little egotistical after he turned down the contract. His reaction to getting sent down to the minors gave me the same impression, along with a huge lack of maturity and being whiny.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whiny? Prissy?

Back those statements up w/ something. You referring to how he didn’t want to sign the long-term deal the Bravos offered him a couple of years back?

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Basically what he said after getting sent down to the Minors was the turning point for me

The contract was part of it too since he wanted David Wright money. That’s the problem with Francoeur: his expectations are out of whack with reality. I was probably a little harsh though. Here’s some of the quotes:

"This has really put a damper on my relationship with the Atlanta Braves," Francoeur told the AJC.

"I do not agree with this, but I have to do what I have to do," Francoeur said.

"After three years, after playing hurt, playing every day, going in every day whether I got a hit and never complaining, I just played because Bobby [Cox] kept putting me in the lineup," Francoeur said. "But I just felt like a little three-minute thing — ‘Hey, you’re going down’ — I feel like after three years, I was owed a little more of an explanation. But that’s Frank’s deal and that’s what I guess they decided to do.

"My question is, what if I had hit a home run or had two hits [Thursday night]? Does it delay it one day, until I was 0-for-4? I was left standing outside in the dark on that. You almost felt like they had made [their minds] up before the game. That’s where I felt frustrated, where I felt a little betrayed."

And then they called him back up basically 3 days later at least partially because of his hissy fit, which just made it more annoying for me.

Sorry if I derailed the thread, but whenever someone says “What if [anyone] is like Quentin/Ludwick/Werth,” it gets my attention.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to disagree

I personally thought he was right. I thought Wren should have given him sore more explanation. I thought the whole deal was fairly shady since he was back w/in a week. But you obviously disagree. Which is fair.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what, you mean “you’re playing real fucking shitty, you have no power, you don’t know how to walk, you strike out too much, and your fielding has fallen off a cliff” isn’t good enough?

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They definitely needed to bench him or something. It’s because he ran to the media and cried about it that I don’t like. Huge lack of maturity meets his ego. Imagine of Joey Devine or Phil Stockman did that every time they got ping ponged up and down.

What explanation did he need though? That he stunk? It was pretty obvious.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, Frenchy is one of my favorites on the team, one of my favorites probably ever with the Braves, and it was horrible watching him this season. But, more than anything, I felt bad for him; failing on a public scale is no fun.
With that in mind, I had a hard time taking anything he said around that time with too much seriousness. He was doing poorly, had no idea how to turn things around, and had no idea how to handle failure.
I actually got the new Chop Talk today and they had a pretty long interview with Francoeur where he sounded a lot more level headed than he did at any point in the season. He admitted that he stunk and didn’t know what to do about it. He also brought up a fairly good point, he could have handled being send down if somebody in AAA was killing the ball, but they basically sent him down with no plan, and that was more obvious when the brought him back up so quick.
The whole situation stunk and hopefully it’s behind him and he plays well.

by cbwilk on Dec 11, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m still holding out hope for Brenteria.

by 10-4 on Dec 11, 2008 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We agree...

I think everyone knew FA SP was going to be iffy this year, but there’s no reason we should not be able to drastically improve LF. This could be more important than SP if we can just get some of the young guys more confident and stay healthy. And, what’s his name in RF has to contribute a little more next year!

by BBFAN46 on Dec 12, 2008 7:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I personally think that even with Burnett on our next year we wouldn’t compete. If we were able to sign Burnett have Vazquez and Jurrjens on the roster, but after those to the rotation tales off a lot. I think Campilo is a bit of a fluke, Morton is inexperienced, Glavine was mostly ineffective last year, and Smoltz can’t be counted on to last a full season anymore. Offensively outside of Chipper and McCann our offense isn’t great. Kotchman is average, Johnson is average, Escobar has the potential to be above average, and the outfield is a mess. Francoeur may or may not be good next year, and Anderson and Blanco are about the same player. I still advocate for saving money and letting the young guys develope and then lock them up long term.

by jack dein on Dec 11, 2008 5:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

KJ is an average offensive 2B? Gotta disagree with you there.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen!

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 11, 2008 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He is probably an above average second baseman but there aren’t that many good offensive second baseman in baseball. If you look at his numbers though nothing about them stand out. Power is okay, average is okay, he does an average job of stealing bases, and has a good OBP. I really like him and don’t think we have anyone currently on the roster that could replace him. I personally think we need to start trimming away the parts that aren’t going to be able to help us in the future. I really don’t have a problem with letting Smoltz, and Glavine leave. I like both players but for what they would cost I just don’t think that they would be worth it. Chipper is also getting to the point where we should be looking for a replacement. I really don’t even want Francouer on the roster. He just makes to many dumb outs. And I would like to chose one of Anderson or Blanco.

by jack dein on Dec 11, 2008 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He is probably an above average second baseman but there aren’t that many good offensive second baseman in baseball.

This right here is what makes him above average.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If fluke is 4-4.1 ERA pitcher putting up a 3.9 ERA

then I guess Campillo is a fluke.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Frank Wren

If we end up getting Peavy for cheaper than we would have 7 weeks ago, Frank Wren will be even higher in my book than he already is now.

by nick9314 on Dec 11, 2008 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

FrankyWren I totally agree with you about pitching. If we are able to get Burnett and Sheets who gives a shit about how many runs we get a game we would be loaded. Jeff will turn it around we just cant be like New York fans and boo the shit out of him because he is under performing. Adam Dunn would be valuable but look at the hitters we have to face in the east. Utley/Howard/Hanely/Ugla/Wright/Beltran/Delgado. We cant go home run for home run with these guys. We have to counter attack with good pitching.

by That a boy on Dec 11, 2008 6:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

we’re not gonna win many games if we can’t score 4 runs a game.

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll drink to that

aw hell, I’m drinking because of the Braves months before spring training even starts. This will not end well.

by Rhyno18 on Dec 11, 2008 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i might drink myself into blindness if fuck wreck plans on going into the season with an OF comprised of 3 players who combined for 15 homers and an OPS lower than 760.

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he doesn't do something with the outfield

And by something, I don’t mean a scrub like Ibanez, I’m going to have to start shooting smack by the time the game threads roll back around.

by Rhyno18 on Dec 11, 2008 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

big power hitting left fielder…hm, i have an idea. he’s already signed for next season, AND HE’S A SWITCH HITTER!!!

PERFECT!~!!!!!

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Rhyno18

and I approved this message!

by Rhyno18 on Dec 11, 2008 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you KNOW i’m doing this to piss beard off

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Royhobbs should be here any time now with his conductors hat.

Dude looks like a pothead, he can’t be all bad.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 11, 2008 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

/Channeling Chong

Heeyyy Maannnn …. uh, what was I saying again …

by scstrato on Dec 11, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

…and some Funyuns, man.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 12, 2008 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dazed and Confused

A far better stoner flick.

What, this has nothing to do with the Braves?

Uh.. the little kid stoner’s little league team was the Braves…

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 12, 2008 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Better?

One of my all time favs! Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck are priceless.

“You’d be a lot cooler if you did …”

by scstrato on Dec 12, 2008 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"That's what I love about high school girls"

“I keep gettin’ older, but they just stay the same.”

by Rhyno18 on Dec 12, 2008 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s all about that little hand gesture he does when he says it. It’s like the universal sign for all men.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 12, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

It’s the pants. Money, I gotta get me a pair-a-them pants!

by scstrato on Dec 12, 2008 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be cool with him lighting up in the field if

he hits 25 HR
750 OPS
and doesn’t whine like a bitch.

by Charmin519 on Dec 12, 2008 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

750 OPS isnt very good…actually its bad

"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."

by Swo12bv on Dec 12, 2008 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but not whining like a bitch...

is worth 75.6 OPS (just so you know)

by someguy917 on Dec 12, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

suck one

BIG JOE SUCK ONE

by bigjoe on Dec 12, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No....

BIG JOE SUCK ONE

by mvandonsel on Dec 12, 2008 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Borch is a late bloomer!

by get swoll yunel on Dec 11, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

check the new fanpost. its all spelled out quite succintly

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Since they got rid of Greene

they might just keep Peavy now.

by VictorW on Dec 11, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm bored

Let’s trade Kotchman for Tim Wakefield.

by TradeAndruw on Dec 11, 2008 6:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ok the deal is done

I like TIm Wakefield, and I usually hate Red Sox. But I mostly just respect the knuckleball.

by someguy917 on Dec 11, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lets trade kotchman for a pile of rocks and give tex 10/200

I probably care about sports way too much. Like, waaaaaaaaay too much.

by bigjoe on Dec 11, 2008 7:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

..and then the pile of rocks can play RF, eliminating a huge hole out there.

by matches on Dec 12, 2008 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So if we take the pile of rocks, and spread it out finely, and during the course of play, if a fly ball lands in the pile of rocks, does it count as an out for the opposition? If so, that would be awesome.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Dec 12, 2008 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs