Latest Braves Rumor: Uggla; Swisher; Damon
by gondeee on Dec 21, 2009 2:33 PM EST
in Trade News
97 comments
K-Ros from the newly redisigned Fox Sports Buzz Blog gives us this rundown of some options the Atlanta Braves may be exploring:
The Braves have talked to the Marlins about Uggla, but one source describes Atlanta’s interest as only "mild." A trade for the Yankees’ Nick Swisher or the signing of free-agent left fielder Johnny Damon might be preferable to the Braves.
I'm not a huge fan of Dan Uggla, of course he's probably a tick above Nick Swisher or Johnny Damon. I would not, however, want the drama of "who's going to play second," all spring.
The main point of Rosenthal's article is that the Braves may have to get "creative" at finding players to plug the holes they need to plug, and that could include playing some folks out of position, like Uggla in left. It's a good thought, but there are still plenty of options out there right now, so I don't think desperate creativity is called for just yet.
0 recs |
97 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
In my opinion of candidates to play LF
Swisher > Uggla > Damon
In Frank Wren I trust.
by mvhsbball on Dec 21, 2009 2:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Swisher is so underrated, he might hit 250 but he gets on base .375 of the time and is a switch hitter and has major power…him behind and in front mccann could be deadly
if we could get swisher and uggla our team would be straight to keep uggla happy play him 2b prado 1b and swisher lf or w/e bobby likes most
Mclouth
Prado
Chipper
Swish
Mccann
Uggla
Yunel
Diaz/Heyward
WS contenders IMO
by JasonHeywardisGod on Dec 21, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
in that scenario, wouldn’t it make more sense to play Uggla at 1B? he seems like more of a first basemen than Marteeen does.
In Frank Wren I trust.
by mvhsbball on Dec 21, 2009 2:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
...except Prado's no better at second and has already played 1B well.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How many 5’6" first baseman do you know?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prado is 6'1"
I know you’re exaggerating, but that’s a big difference. Prado may not be the sexiest option for first base, but we wouldn’t have to sign or trade for a first baseman if Prado played there.
Also, Prince Fielder is sometimes listed as 5’11", and he plays first. Same with Swisher.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was refering to Uggla as 5’6".
by bbxxj on Dec 21, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, as bbxxj pointed out, I was referring to Uggla. Prado is 6’1", if not 6’2", he’s a big guy. They list Uggla at 5’11", which is an outright lie. Fielder is actually 5’11", maybe even 6’0".
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Count high school?
"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Dec 21, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, no.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well shit.
"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Dec 21, 2009 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think if we get Uggla, he will play 2B and Prado will play wherever we don’t find someone, be that 1B, LF, or RF as he can play really anywhere like Bobby keeps saying. It gives us alot of flexibility AND allows us to keep our nice #2 hitter in the lineup.
by bbxxj on Dec 21, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No way.
Hey you are crazy if you think that Swisher is going to be batting cleanup on a team with Uggla plus their is no way we get both of these guys it is going to be one or the other.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 21, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You are crazy.
But that is kinda besides the point.
We have the trade pieces to make both of those happen easily.
by Kelly's Big Johnson on Dec 21, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Swisher is an awesome clubhouse presence too. Maybe I overvalue that, but when the Yankees were in the playoffs I heard like once a game how much more fun they were having playing baseball, and Swish was a big part of that.
by McCann and McWill on Dec 21, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be all for Uggla if the Braves didn’t have to give up a ton to get him. You’d hope the Marlins were so intent on getting rid of the money they’d be willing to take less than you’d expect, but I guess if that were true the Giants would have already gotten him. Still, he’s a very consistent hitter, getting a little over .800 in OPS every year, 30 homers every year, 150 plus strikeouts every year. For better or worse you know what you’re gonna get out of him as a hitter.
I think he’d be best in left field, which is a problem since he probably wouldn’t want to play there, and it’s never good to trade for a guy and immediately piss him off. Also, he hasn’t played the outfield with any regularity so who knows how he’d actually be out there. I’d guess bad, but he couldn’t be worse than Anderson and at least his offense would make up for it.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 2:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If that were our solution...
I’d let him stay at second and put Martin at 1B. That was my plan for Kelly’s return too. Let’s not pretend Odarp is any good at 2B.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless I’m mis-recollecting, he has played ever defensive inning of his career at 2B.
by fandave on Dec 21, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, in the Majors he has. In the Minors (which may not be relevant since I pointed out the other day that it didn’t matter for Kelly Johnson) he played a handful, 20 games, of games in the outfield and actually played as much third base as he did second.
Still, I think he’s a worse defensive second baseman than Prado, so I’d go with the stronger on in the infield.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then again...
Uggla also hasn’t had a major injury that changed his ability to field other positions.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he pitches too much of a fit...
you could always leave him at 2nd, and let Prado go to LF. After all, he does play RF back home in Venezuela.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 21, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"I would not, however, want the drama of "who's going to play second," all spring."
Lord no. Not when you’ve got a couple of butchers like Uggla and Prado to choose from.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why keep callin Prado a butcher at 2B? Too small of a sample size to be sayin that crap. Lets see how he does full time at ONLY 2B before we call him a butcher eh?
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 21, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In the land of the blind......
Our eyes tell us that Prado is a butcher at second. He’s stiff and a tad clumsy, with very little range to his right.
by JFP on Dec 21, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really? 800 innings is too small a sample size?
I know people who’d kill to get the opportunity for such a small sample size.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
but not 800 innings in a row
not to excuse him completely, but being a utility player and playing a different position everyday takes a proven toll on a players defense, not to mention the inconsistency of his playing time in general.
Glenn Hubbard has been heralded by Braves personnel for teaching 2nd base to kj and marcus giles, both of whom were originally regarded as below average fielders, I don’t think its a stretch to say that he could do so to Prado as well.
Spending a full season as a starter IMO will/would have a very positive effect on Prado especially defensively.
by cirela20 on Dec 21, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So Hubbard's just been ignoring him even though it's been his primary position three of the past four years?
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or, he's been working as a utility man in spring...
focusing on 2nd, as well as 3rd, 1st, and the corner OF. This spring, he and Hubbard can focus exclusively on 2nd and it can enhance the effectiveness of the work.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 22, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love the bit farther down the page...
…where it says that the Braves are not interested in Byrd. I hope that is true.
by cavebird on Dec 21, 2009 3:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
To those who covet Dan Uggla...
Say no to crack, okay?
There is nothing to like about Uggla besides his good but not great power and decent plate discipline. He is a .257 career hitter and hit just .243 last year, along with 150 strikeouts. And he certainly doesn’t make up for it with his defense. If he has limited range at second base, there is on reason to believe he would be any better in left. Also, if we traded for Uggla, we would be trading with a division rival.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Batting average? Sure, have fun with that.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The only reason I have to like Uggla
He is from my hometown, and I love to see athletes from my city do well. But other than that, I have no interest at all.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aside from the obvious statistical things to like about him, Uggla is a good person and a good teammate. He works hard and doesn’t put up with teammates that don’t. He not only has things that show up in the stat line going for him, but the intangibles as well.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His career ISO is .225. Thats better than every Brave last year aside from 240 plate appearances from Adam LaRoche and 150 from David Ross.
by bigjoe on Dec 21, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, here goes nothing...
1. Defense: Uggla is not a elite defender at second. We get that. But saying he is awful is a bit misguided. In his full four years at 2B he has had UZR/150s of 7.1, -11.3, 2.0, and -9.6 for an average of -2.9. I think its as accurate to say he is a bit below average at second but can competently field the position WHILE not occupying a spot that you can find better hitters at like 1B or LF. This is the real value of keeping Uggla at 2B.
2. His BA is not good. Sure. We already have a ton of guys who hit a ton of singles and doubles with high batting averages. That does have value but when you have a team with little speed like we do, hitting singles all day isn’t going to cut it.
3. He doesn’t do the worst thing a hitter can do: make excessive amounts of outs. When searching for a hitter to go between Chipper and McCann you do not want someone producing outs while Chipper is on the pond in front of you and make outs while McCann and Co. are waiting behind you to drive you in.
4. As bigjoe noted, Uggla’s ISO is very good. This means when he does get a hit it has a good chance of going for extra bases. On a team needing to break up the station-to-station problem, extra base hits are sorely needed (along with speed).
5. Trends: Every year since he has been in the bigs his BB% has risen. Instead of pitchers figuring him out, he has figured pitchers out. His K% has stayed pretty well constant along with his HR production. I’m pointing this out because it shows a better chance of Uggla being a 30 HR guy with with a good walk rate again this year.
by bbxxj on Dec 21, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So what,
Everyone ignores batting average suddenly? It’s not everything, but still an important stat.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You take a team of .300 hitters that don’t walk and do nothing but hit singles. I’ll take a team of .200 hitters that walk 1/3 of the time and do nothing but hit doubles. My team will win 100% of the time.
by bigjoe on Dec 21, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is not true.
Neither of your teams have pitchers, so the games will be won based upon which team gets tired of scoring first.
by cavebird on Dec 21, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How do you think the Angels have been so successful?
Yep, they do it the National League way and play ABC baseball.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Remind me how many first round exits thats gotten them.
by bigjoe on Dec 21, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
true
but at least they make the playoffs. even though the Mariners are going to destroy them next season.
In Frank Wren I trust.
by mvhsbball on Dec 21, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course part of the reason they make the playoffs is that they’ve played in a relatively weak division, and had a top payroll for the last 6 years or so.
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yep
I just have always liked the Angels. If we got Mike Scosia (sp?) to be our manager in 2011, I’d be thrilled. It wont happen tho.
In Frank Wren I trust.
by mvhsbball on Dec 21, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha...you're right about that.
Under contract through 2018! Although he can opt out after the ’15 season. Ha.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
both the Angels and Mariners...
do so with more speed than the Braves. Until we get some of the kids up to get faster, the single hitting style won’t work for us.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 21, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The south makes kids fat and slow.
by McCann and McWill on Dec 21, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't adding the patient Abreu...
…jumpstart the Angels offense last season to the best performance it had in years. It wasn’t hitting a bunch of singles that got the Angels going, it was Figgins learning how to work the count and get on base, Abreu getting on base, and the power sources (Hunter, Morales, Rivera) providing power.
by cavebird on Dec 21, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They were 2nd in the AL in Runs and OPS last season, the previous year they were 10th in those categories.
Yeah, I know a few Angels fans that I talked to at the time we signed FUGA, blamed him for influencing young players (specifically Kotchman) to be less patient and more aggressive at the plate, and blamed working with Anderson on Kotchman’s drop in OBP from his 2007 season.
They basically swapped out Abreu for Anderson and their offense jumped forward, probably not a coincidence.
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, batting average just isn’t all that important, outside of what it shows you when used with other stats.
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is important, because hits are important. But I also think OBP and SLG are much more important.
by bbxxj on Dec 21, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Batting AVG is important and to say its not important and if anyone says its irrelevant is pretty naive. But ya i like OBP much more.
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 21, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
whats next
And next you’re gonna tell me that the new health care legislation is a great thing for all Americans? Batting average is a pretty little stat that everyone is familiar with since it involves basic math. Get to some advanced metrics and you may understand the lack of importance for batting average.
by JFP on Dec 21, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No political stuff. Make different analogies please.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
think what you want. If you wanna call it nothin then fine, i just so happen to think its important didn’t say greatly important but important enough to not call it irrelevant but say what you want…
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 22, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Batting average is very important…for guys who don’t walk or hit for extra bases. If you’re a little Juan Pierre type who’s value is entirely dependent on speed, stealing bases, taking the extra base on another batter’s hit, then batting average is a huge thing. If you’re a guy like Uggla who gets a good amount of walks and has a high slugging percentage, then average just isn’t that important.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 21, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
true but..
it deserves mentioning the impact that getting hits has on a game, putting the ball in play flat out makes things happen, it exposes the “all bat no-glove fielders” which increases fielding errors (and often more importantly throwing errors) and that lead to the extra bases that many teams lack. It also exposes weaker defensive strategy including shifts and decision making.
Granted batting average is tremendously overrated, but that doesn’t mean it deserves to be underrated, BA like all stats can be a great measure of ability when applied in certain situations.
In an obvious statement, if all other skills are equal I prefer contact to patience though unfortunately that seldom proves to be the case.
by cirela20 on Dec 21, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Swisher
I think that if the Braves traded for Swisher he could be a good and versatile fit. He is at least an average defender in the OF and at 1B. Getting him early would allow the Braves to be flexible when going after a second player.
As for Uggla and Prado…I think it would be a tragedy to play Prado at 1B. I realize he would be a cheaper, in house option, but if he is playing 1B on a regular basis in anything more then a platoon I would be upset. He has some offensive value as a 2B but as a 1B his value would be minimal. Yes-you are getting offense at 2B in Uggla but why would you play him at 1B when for a minimum investment you can get a 1B with more value-allowing Prado to back up at 1B, 2B, and 3B.
by calbers on Dec 21, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts . . .
Batting average is important because you have to have runners to drive in on base. When we hit last year, we scored, when we didn’t we lost. Prado and INfante takes care of second base really well so Ugly is not an option in my opinion. Swisher might be an option, but not if they want to see if Heyward is ready and if they intend on putting Diaz back in LF where he belongs. Better options are available, Dye moving to left and Diaz spelling LF and RF getting his ab’s is one. Get Dye on a short contract one or two years filled with incentives. At first, Troy Glaus or LaRoach would be my preferred players of choice, but Wren believes Freeman will be ready in 2011. I believe more like 2012 myself. The rotation is strong and the BP is too with the additions they have made.
by GeneN on Dec 21, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
your thoughts are contradictory
You know that Dye, Glaus and LaRoache all fall short of that magical .300 batting average criteria, right? You should have said that OBP is important because you have to have runners on base in order to drive them in. Which is stating the obvious, for if they weren’t on base there would be no need to drive them in. The Braves need patient power hitters in their lineup, not weak contact hitters.
by JFP on Dec 21, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Swisher is a far better player than Dye.
Period. Batting average is not that important in putting runners on base; OBP is. Walks are just as good as singles in getting runners on base. Both Dye and Swisher have power, but Swisher gets on base at a much better clip. Furthermore, Dye is a butcher in the field, while Swisher is average.
by cavebird on Dec 21, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Batting average is important.
I think OPS is probably the most ‘important’ stat, but you can’t just ignore a player’s BA. Unless the guy takes 80+ walks per year, you have to look at batting average.
by GouldisGold on Dec 21, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Damon no thanks, Swisher would be nice
Of the above opitions listed I would go with Swisher b/c he still has some major pop and we have liked him as a player for a long time. Now with being said I would prefer to see Swish in the OF and have Nady play first and have prado spell Nady when needed, plus Swisher is only 5-11 and Nady is 6-1 which makes a ton of difference when playing 1B but I would still take Swisher even if he could only play 1B for us.
M. Prado as our 1B would be a mistake not b/c of his offensive but defensively he is better suited to play 2B and not 1B.
Either way Lowe for Swisher would be nice just make the str8 up deal Wren come on and then have the money to sign Nady, and get Vasquez name on a contract extentsion.
J. Damon can go back to the Yankees and signing him would be a dumb move by F. Wren and getting D. Uggla would take more than just D. Lowe alone.
Go Braves.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 21, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
“getting D. Uggla would take more than just D. Lowe alone.”
Wait… so your sayin the Marlins would want Lowe in the deal? Your jokin right?
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 21, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Johnny Damon
Why would the Braves even consider this guy? He’s not much of an upgrade over GA. I saw a few Yankee games this past season and he makes a routine FB out an adventure.
by Jay212033 on Dec 21, 2009 4:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
This here
He’s a sideshow in LF. And his arm is so terrible, he looks like he’s actually right-handed.
by hoboken_wood on Dec 21, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, in all fairness he was a much better hitter than GA last year, and that’s just going off his ROAD stats.
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Johnny Damon
Why is everyone so down on Damon? He is a HUGE improvement over GA. For every 19 year old Andruw Jones there is 3 Jordan Schaffers, i’m not ready to pencil in Heyward as a starting outfielder.
Damon will be good for at least 20 HR’s and nearly every clutch hit you ask him to get, more than serviceable for the 7 spot which is where either LF or 1B will be hitting most likely. Don’t get too hung up in defense it does us no good when Utley and Howard are hitting 400 ft into the center field stands. We need to score runs if defense was enough we’d have won the NL east last year and Jeff Francoeur would be an all star.
Plus Damon is a name that will put fans in the seats, I was at many a game last year especially against, Phillies, Cubs, Yankees etc that I felt like I was the only Braves fan there, they aren;t going to show up for Uggla and Nick Swisher, whom are not an upgrade offensively over Damon.
by JD-ATL on Dec 21, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So many things wrong with this
Was this a joke?
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 7:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
-many
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 21, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Things wrong with this
1. Damon won’t hit near 20 HRs outside of the short porch/wind tunnel of Yankee Stadium.
2. Are you seriously saying that defense isn’t important because the other team hits home runs?
3. Our overall defense was not good last year, one of many problems this team had.
4. Jeff Francoeur is, at best, an average defender.
5. This is the one that made me think this was a joke post: You seriously think that people in Atlanta are going to come to the park just to see Johnny Damon? … Johnny Damon?
by Lennox on Dec 21, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
#2
Because one other team hits home runs.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 22, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Swisher is the better choice, but if you have to sign a free agent I thnk Damon is worth a one year deal. And yes, i’m not sure where you are from, but a lot of the fans here do what Braves marketing tells them to do (those that show up anyway) hence all the Francoeur jerseys at games, even still. If the Braves push Damon fans will jump on board, why do you think everyone was excited about Derek Lowe who it appears we are going to be stuck with now. And Damon would have been the better choice over extremely underwhelming Melky Cabrera.
by JD-ATL on Dec 22, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
At a much higher price without getting rid of any salary we needed to shed?
I don’t think Cabrera was an option compared to Damon, period.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 22, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
UGGLA IN LF/1B
(Assuming 1B)
Nate
Prado
Chip
Uggla
Mac
Esco
Diaz
Heyward
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
by nick9314 on Dec 21, 2009 6:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
well
Olney just tweeted that the Yankees are working hard tonight on a deal for a SP
Wouldn’t mind a Christmas present of Nick Swisher in our lineup
by drumzalicious on Dec 21, 2009 8:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
K-Ros tweets
That the yanks are in “active negotiations” for a pitcher through trade and its not Harrang
by drumzalicious on Dec 21, 2009 9:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Mine too. I’ve been a huge fan of his since he was on the A’s. Besides a OBP guy with decent power, he’s a great clubhouse presence. Keeping my fingers crossed…
by coldriver10 on Dec 21, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'd agree
someone brought up the possibility of getting swisher for Lowe and being able to sign Nady with the cash we save from moving Lowe’s contract. This would be a very favorable option IMO because if Nady struggles or hasn’t recovered from his injury we’d then have the option of bringing up Heyward (provided he’s not playing in the big leagues already) to play RF and moving Swisher to the infield to play first
by cirela20 on Dec 21, 2009 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If nady can’t throw we can put swish in LF and nady at 1st
by drumzalicious on Dec 21, 2009 9:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
There is no reason to have Swisher AND call up Heyward, Matt Diaz has more than proved he is an every day Outfielder
by JD-ATL on Dec 21, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He has? How?
He hasn’t held down an everyday spot in the lineup for more than a month at a time.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 22, 2009 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you watch the second half? Did you see Diaz after he got the everyday job? He is most definitely more than a bench player. You don’t relegate a .310 hitter who delivers clutch RBIs to the bench, especially in favor of an unknown player.
by JD-ATL on Dec 22, 2009 1:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He did wonderfully in August, sure...
But he was mediocre in July,and worse in September. Signs of a player who got worn down by the grind of playing everyday? I’m thinkin’ so.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 22, 2009 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just don’t think Heyward is the answer in Left Field from day one. I can’t imagine Bobby Cox is coming back for one more season to endure any rebuilding projects, he will inevitabley go through some serious struggles at some point at the plate, though hopefully not at the level Schafer did.
Nick Swisher for Derek Lowe would be great I just don’t see the HUGE difference offensivley from Damon. Obviously Swisher is the better choice because of his age and defense but if you had to sign a free agent outfielder instead of a trade I think Damon would be a great choice. He had 24 HR’s and 82 RBIs last season and can still be somewhat of a steal threat which the Braves seriously lack. All he really has to be is a solid bottom half of the order guy to keep LF warm for Heyward.
by JD-ATL on Dec 21, 2009 10:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Right field. Keep right field warm for Heyward.
by coldriver10 on Dec 21, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats what i meant I just had LF in my head because Diaz was in Right last season
by JD-ATL on Dec 21, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The thing with Swisher is that you can play him at any of the outfield positions (though mainly the corners) and 1B, whereas Damon is limited to playing LF because of his embarassingly weak arm. You make good points about Damon offensively, but I’d take Swish a million times first.
by coldriver10 on Dec 21, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Considering the stadium he played in and the lineup he hit in...
Those counting stats are less than impressive.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 22, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Remember all the players we have returning have found their niche in the batting order. McLouth is decent as a leadoff man, Prado is a great second hitter, Chipper batting 3rd and McCann cleanup and Yunel Escobar was on fire in the 6 spot. The new hitters don’t have to carry the load they just have to compliment what we already have.
by JD-ATL on Dec 21, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree Swisher is by far the better option. But if you get to a point where a Free Agent is your option I would take Johnny Damon for a one year deal like the Angels gave Abreu last year, which he may be willing to take if it gets into late February or early March.
by JD-ATL on Dec 22, 2009 1:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Rickey Henderson's 80-steal projection doesn't faze Rajai Davis
- Spring Snapshot: A's crossing fingers for comprehensive health
- Answer Man: Troy Tulowitzki talks brackets, Dirtbags and mullets
- Toyota sign proposal in Wrigley Field's bleachers in need of recall
- Andrew Bailey doesn't play tennis, but he does have tennis elbow
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
