Takashi Saito Joins the Braves Bullpen
by gondeee on Dec 3, 2009 5:02 PM EST
in Free Agents
267 comments
Here is the Atlanta Braves newest bullpen pitcher, Takashi Saito:
He looks good in 40.... which will also be his age next year, in case you needed a reminder.
Here are some paraphrased quotes from the presser:
- Wagner and Saito got to be good friends when they pitched together last year in Boston.
- Bobby said when Wagner's not closing, Saito will be closing, and they may set up for each other as well.
- The Braves were working to sign Saito way before they were working to sign Wagner.
- Bobby said they will not need to work much more on the pen.
- Cox did let out a little rumor of sorts saying, "Frank and Bruce are working on something else right now giving us a chance to score some more runs."
- Saito and Kenshin talked about a week ago about being on the Braves, and have touched base via phone since then. Those conversations helped sway Saito towards Atlanta.
- His nickname is "Sammy," but don't ask him why, it's a long story.
[UPDATE: 6PM]
Ken Rosenthal updates us on the details of Saito's contract:
Saito terms: $3.2 million base plus $2.3 million incentives - all but $500,000 of those based on games finished - Wagner's department!
That could be why Cox felt he needed to make the statement about Saito closing sometimes.
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working on something else right now giving us a chance to score some more runs
Here are Pujols's stats: 1.000/1.000/4.000/5.000. That's right. He is batting a thousand, with a thousand OBP (naturally), and every hit has been a home run, and thus his OPS is a perfect 5.000.
by TradeAndruw on Dec 3, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He may be my new favorite hilarious Brave.
I love this:
His nickname is “Sammy,” but don’t ask him why, it’s a long story.
I assume someone at the PC asked him to explain his nickname and he refused, citing the story’s length as restrictive. If so, that’s very funny.
http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/
by PWHjort on Dec 3, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t seem like a long story to me…am I missing something?
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 3, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, he’s just another quirky player.
http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/
by PWHjort on Dec 3, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats on Saito
I loved him as a Dodger. Here is some info on the origin of the Sammy nickname, from 2006 in the Orange County Register:
Saito’s outgoing personality made it easy for teammates to welcome him. From a spring Karaoke Night outing at a Vero Beach bar with Brad Penny and other teammates to being re-named “Sammy” Saito by fellow rookies Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, Saito has fit in well.
“Me being a new guy (acquired from the Oakland A’s), him being a new guy and with our lockers next to each other – it was natural to start talking and make friends,” Ethier said. “Me and Kemp, we thought he needed a nickname. Sammy Saito sounded good, kind of like Sammy Sosa.”
Saito returned the favor by writing Ethier’s name in Japanese characters on a sheet of paper. Ethier had the pages framed for hanging at home
Saito is the kind of guy you will like, because he always seems to be having fun on the field. If he’s not smiling, it is a rare occurrence.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 3, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A far departure from Garrett Anderson’s countenance!
by ATLforlife on Dec 4, 2009 12:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Wren is the man.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Dec 3, 2009 5:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me or does Bobby look really weird in that picture?
by blitzerlover on Dec 3, 2009 5:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He does look weird, like he’s trying to muffle a fart.
-Go Braves!
by ChrisK562 on Dec 3, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he does. i also like wren’s smirk. it’s almost like he’s saying, “just wait ’til tomorrow”
by heap16 on Dec 3, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha me too. seems like bobby was alluding to something….
by heap16 on Dec 3, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bobby is wearing a suit for the second day in a row. That’s it.
by fandave on Dec 3, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s tired of driving to Turner Field for all these press conferences. Old men are cranky.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 4, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So, I’m confused. Why pay Wagner twice the money to set up for Saito? And what’s with the games finished incentives in both their contracts?
by Bmacbandwagon on Dec 3, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I imagine Saito will only close regularly if Wagner gets hurt. Those incentives are there to say, “hey, if you end up the closer, we’ll pay you more like one.”
by FineHamAbounds on Dec 3, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Games finished is not the same thing as saves.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 3, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bobby could also play the R/L matchups like he did with Raf and Gonzo to an extent.
I thought hurricane season was over........
by bravesguy311 on Dec 4, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is prolly a “cover your ass” quote. If Wags doesn’t do as well due to the TJ, Saito can step in. It could also be a fatigue move, since they’re both getting long in the tooth maybe. IDK how much Wags could command on the market, but a few sites were placing him in the top 3 relievers/closer ratings. Don’t ask me to name them, i can’t remember. lol
by ROBravo on Dec 3, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I hope it means...
…is that Wagner pitches the eighth when the eighth is Utley and Howard. I am not optimistic, but that is the smartest way to go.
by cavebird on Dec 3, 2009 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice.
2010. You best Recognize, fool.
Somebody around here is more anal than the mom on 7th heaven. Freakin' A. lol
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Dec 3, 2009 5:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Refresh my memory
is EOF under team control this year?
If so, I’m guessing the bullpen is basically set: Wagner, Saito, Moylan, O’Flaherty, Medlen, Logan, filler (Scott Proctor, Luis Valdez, James Parr, Todd Redmond, etc.)
by Bronn on Dec 3, 2009 5:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yep we get another year of watching him trying to gag himself
by Slee on Dec 3, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HA
yeah. I love EOF
Somebody around here is more anal than the mom on 7th heaven. Freakin' A. lol
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Dec 4, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't been here for a while.
But damn, good job Braves. Spending some money on the bullpen. I like.
Headlining the Campaign for the return of Ryan Langerhans! MVP 2011!
by RichmondBraves on Dec 3, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Unshun
im guessing since u dont like the wagner move…. you really like this one
SHUN!
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 3, 2009 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
*Unshun
First, stop copying my shunning. Second, I like having these two guys and feel very comfortable with our BP right now, but I don’t like that we just spent $10M in 2 days on something that could have been had for much cheaper…
*Resume shunning.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we do have some money to spend…
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Dec 3, 2009 6:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
We did last year too, and ended up with Garret Anderson…I’m just saying…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lets not talk about that lol.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Dec 3, 2009 6:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s not bring that up anymore, mmkay?
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 3, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude…when did you get back? Aint seen you in forever.
7/10/09-A New Dawn.
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Dec 3, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just ignore him and maybe he’ll go away again.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 4, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It is good to see you back sir
I thought hurricane season was over........
by bravesguy311 on Dec 4, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
/hattip
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So, who is going to be our “Adam Dunn” for the next few months?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still hold out a small sliver of hope that it will be, in fact, Adam Dunn. But I’ll find someone else in the meantime.
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You have no idea the pain you caused when you left without saying a word. And now you show up out of nowhere like you never left? I just don’t know if i’m ready. I don’t wanna hurt like that again.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 4, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We can’t quit him.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, at least he hasn’t said “Baby, it’ll be different this time, i promise”
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 4, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oops…
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Baby, it’ll be different this time…I promise.
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Hit me again Ike, and put some steak on it!”
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 4, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think the line is and put some stank on it.
but thats my interpretation
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 5, 2009 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 5, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
You put steak on a black eye.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 6, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it's "stank on it"
seriously, look it up
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 6, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why don’t you do it for me?
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 7, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Because I don't care if you're wrong...
it’s called google, and it’s pretty easy. Check it out.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 7, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently you do. And Google isn’t the gospel unless it leads to me the official script for Liar Liar.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 7, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you wanna go around being wrong,...
have at it. But look up that line with “steak”, and “stank” and see the difference.
And is there any other source for the line besides that movie?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 7, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t know. I found 2 scripts sites. The first is one where a person put it together himself, and it has the “stank” line. The other was a film database site that was more official, and it has no mention of the line. So, it quite possibly could be a Jim Carrey ad-lib that was not in the original script, and it sounds like “steak” to me.
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
by 10-4 on Dec 7, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I echo
this sentiment.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Dec 4, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
soriano and gonzalez cost the same thing last year
their combined contracts totaled to about 10M, I actually find the spending reassuring. It leads me to believe the next move to be announced might be that Derek Lowe’s monster contract just got traded for a bat!
(hopefully)
by cirela20 on Dec 3, 2009 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just updated the main story with this:
[UPDATE: 6PM]
Ken Rosenthal updates us on the details of Saito’s contract:
Saito terms: $3.2 million base plus $2.3 million incentives – all but $500,000 of those based on games finished – Wagner’s department!
That could be why Cox felt he needed to make the statement about Saito closing sometimes.
by gondeee on Dec 3, 2009 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
wow…$5.5M for a setup man???
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, 3.2 million for a helluva setup man. Only way he gets 5 mil is if Wagner goes down and Saito closes for most of the year, in which case the 5 mil for how good he is will be worth it.
60% of the time, it works every time
by ATLandUNC on Dec 3, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love the arms, but not the dollar amounts given to them…unless, the coffers have been opened and Wren know he has more cash to spend.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
but so much of that money is redundant...
if Wagner is healthy and closing, Saito is more likely 3.2 instead of the 5.5 (depending on the threshold) and Wagner’s option for next year comes. If Wagner isn’t healthy, next year’s option never comes but Saito gets his 5.5. It’s one or the other, not both.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 3, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still don’t like spending millions on those positions…unless, of course, there is more money where this money came from.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THIS
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
by buzzdeadwax on Dec 4, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
going out on a limb...or a twig
I think the front office has been digging in the pockets a little deeper (but not telling anyone lest some agents find out and start holding out for more?) to insure that Bobby leaves baseball with a ring….I do hope my intuition is right on this one!
by bravestatoo on Dec 5, 2009 1:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is way too much for Saito, IMO. Also, recognize that games finished and closing are not the same thing.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 3, 2009 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not gonna lie, I definitely got a little geeked when Bobby made that statement on Frank working on doing something to help us score more runs. That grin he had as well as Frank’s when the camera went by were quite telling. I can’t wait!
"These two teams are constantly going at each other verbally. You know, win with class, lose with class. Just keep your mouth shut and go play your game."--Chipper Jones, commenting on the Muts/Phaillies verbal girl fight.
by King Size on Dec 3, 2009 6:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I understand that there is a free agent leftfielder
that has played for the Rockies, A’s and Cardinals that is apparently a good hitter, be nice if it’s him….Matt something or other.
by Blue or CONKZILLA on Dec 4, 2009 8:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have to think we have a little more payroll flexibility than any of us imagined, or else we wouldn’t spend all this cash.
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 6:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yup…I am with you there.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Or we already know we can dump some salary.
by bravesfan91 on Dec 3, 2009 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 3, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Liberty Media
Just this year Liberty Media completed a merger deal with Direct Tv and bought out a European cable company. Apparently they are feeling good with their money and have the money to expand. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of that is trickling down to the Braves
60% of the time, it works every time
by ATLandUNC on Dec 3, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe since it’s Bobby’s last year they are more willing to shell out the cash?
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like this
Frank Wren has gone out and addressed the most important thing we were missing on our team which was a solid back end of the bullpen.
People are also forgetting that we are basically breaking even here because Soriano and Gonzo made like 8 mil combined and we are up to 10 mil now and with more consistent/better relievers.
We had an est 15 mil without raising pay roll. if we non tender KJ and Church that goes up to 20 mil. we have spent 10 mil. do not forget that one of our starters WILL be traded. so even if we eat 5 mil of Lowe’s salary or trade Javy we are still looking at 10 mil being moved.
Frank Wren has it all under control folks
by drumzalicious on Dec 3, 2009 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There is no guarantee that one of our starters “WILL” be traded, and I think non-tendering either KJ or Church would be a big mistake.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we have no need for either.
We could of course trade them but they will most likely not be tendered if we dont trade them because we have no need for them.
by drumzalicious on Dec 3, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We have no need for either? Based on what? We have virtually no bench right now (without those two) and we don’t have a 4th OFer, so the demand for Church (who, coincidentally would be a great choice for a leadoff hitter), and KJ is a very valuable piece of insurance in case of injury to any of the IFers.
Besides, I am not quite convinced that Prado is the starting 2B after spring training. I am looking forward to seeing a nice battle develope, hopefully, without any KJ line drives knocking Prado out of contention.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
-.-
im not going to get into the KJ/Prado debate. But the team apparently already views Prado as their starting 2B.
If we get an OF’er and a 1B we will not have need for either.
There are cheaper options for our 4th OF’er in guys like Blanco and Brandon Jones. Also if Heyward comes and wins the job in ST the 4th OF’er will be Diaz.
As far as the infield. We already have Infante as a capable utility man and there are once again cheaper options that we could utilize in Hicks, and Diory.
Now im not saying any of these other options are better however they are cheaper and thats what the team could be looking at
by drumzalicious on Dec 3, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There arecheaperworse options for our 4th OF’er in guys like Blanco and Brandon Jones. Also if Heyward comes and wins the job in ST the 4th OF’er will be Diaz.
Fixed it for ya.
Also, if anyone is counting on Heyward to be a key part of this offense right out of the gate, we are in for a rough ride. I like the guy, but he hasn’t seen pitching above AA yet, and we are all assuming he is going to be the answer we were missing last year?
Any team that would rather have Hicks and Diory on their roster than KJ is insane. Yeah, they are cheaper, but hell, if you have Diory out there you may as well just cut him and give Bobby a glove and bat – it wouldn’t add to the payroll and he could be just as productive.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you're missing the point
so re-read that last sentence cause you just said a long version of my last sentence
by drumzalicious on Dec 4, 2009 12:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hate to tell you
but Heyward HAS seen pitching above AA. He’s seen AAA pitching.
3 games, .364/.462/.825.
While it’s only 3 games and a ridiculously small sample size, he HAS seen pitching above AA. We’re not assuming he’s the answer, we’re hoping. Just like we hoped Chipper would be (didn’t disappoint) and Justice (who was) and Andruw (who sort of was) and Schafer (epic Fail).
Heyward, it seems, is more likely to go down the road of the great prospects of the Braves’ recent past as opposed to Schafer.
To think otherwise is not only pessimistic, but also shows little faith in scouting and our Front Office.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Dec 4, 2009 3:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To think otherwise isn’t pessimistic, as I am one of the most optimistic around. To think otherwise is responsible and being a realist.
Heyward should be considered Plan B at this point, not Plan A.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 7:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know that figuring out if he’s plan A or B is really the way to look at it. It seems there is a very good chance he’ll be starting in right this year regardless of what else happens. If that’s the case, we still need to focus on adding a bat, and Heyward then is not a fallback option, but any contributions he makes become icing on the cake. Realistically he’s not going to solve all our problems so we need to quit acting like it and add a vet of some kind, but that doesn’t mean he won’t show up ready play and contribute above what we all expect. That’s the key- him contributing is POSSIBLE, but not definite.
by J-Freak on Dec 4, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That is better said.
Although, I am not sure if you saw this or not, but last night on BBTN Frank Wren said that Heyward will be contributing to the offense at some point this season, but he made sure to say “I don’t know if he will be our starting right fielder on opening day or not, but certainly in the near future” he will be contributing.
Unless he is making some sort of GM smoke-screen, I take that to mean Heyward will be in AAA at the beginning of the 2010 season.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless he just bombs ST, there’s really no reason to keep him down unless they’re trying to avoid Super Two status, and I for one hope they learned their lesson when they delayed Hanson. That move cost us a few wins, hopefully we won’t do that again. It hinges on ST- if he proves he’s ready, just let the boy play. We’ll sort out the fallout later.
by J-Freak on Dec 4, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There are two sides to that though:
1. Delaying Hanson cost us a few wins
2. Bringing up Schafer cost us a few wins
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Schafer got hurt. If we look at how he did in ST and before he got hurt we see that he was ready to be in the Bigs.
by bravesfan91 on Dec 4, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
small sample size...
we see he can, but nothing for certain. And he’s missed a lot of baseball the last two years.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the main reason – he has been out of the game for so long.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 5, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But...
if he’s healthy and able to resume baseball activity (like swinging a bat) by Christmas, with his fancy pitching machine and spring training, that gives him plenty of time to get back up to speed. Not saying it’s ideal, but especially with McLouth a more than capable CF, and Diaz and then Heyward or whoever else, that can be enough to give him some rest here and there if we have to work him a lot early on in February and March.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is true.
Another OF is a want, not a need. A 1B is a need. I still want Cameron and a 1B, but I am allowed to be greedy. ;)
by cavebird on Dec 5, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like this argument
It’s too opinionated with little facts. There is no proof that Hanson would have had more wins if brought up earlier. It’s easy to speculate that would be the case but it’s not fact. The more likely outcome of the matter is it could save us 10’s of millions of dollars by controlling an extra year of his service time (assuming he stays healthy and reaches his potential).
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
by scstrato on Dec 4, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know about you, but I would have taken more Hanson starts over Jo-Jo every day of the week and twice on Sunday, arbitration eligibility be damned. Hanson for sure couldn’t have been worse than Jo-Jo, so it’s an easy risk to take to see if Hanson could have been better.
by J-Freak on Dec 5, 2009 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not a question of whether or not Hanson would have been better than JoJo at the start of the year. I think Hanson would have been too. It’s a question of what’s best for Hanson’s long term growth and the only conclusion that anyone can logically reach, given the facts of what happened in reality, is that Hanson was benefited by his time in AAA at the start of the year.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 1:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that on a purely logical scale that’s the only conclusion you can draw, because we can’t go back and have him start the year here and see how things would have played out that way. We’re stuck with the way things were, and while I’m not saying AAA didn’t help him at all, I still hold that based on how he handled himslef in the AFL and ST, it would not have significantly hindered his development to just spend those two months in Atlanta. I could be wrong, and we’ll never know, but it’s hard to extrapolate the poise he showed and the results he was getting leading to a disastrous conclusion in 09.
by J-Freak on Dec 5, 2009 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t even necessarily disagree with that. My guess if if Tommy started the year out in the Majors he’d have been fine too. But, he didn’t, and I think that was probably the best thing for him in the long term and the best for the Braves in the long term too, both in terms of having him be ready from the second he showed up to having him at an extra year cheaper, which is no small matter when we could be talking about the difference between 500K and over 10 million if he really ends up as good as we all think he will be. Look at Lincencum, he’s talking about wanting 23 million in arbitration (and he should get it, probably won’t but he should). It’s not just saving some money, it’s saving an insane amount of money. I hope they do the same thing with Heyward, and that’s not even about the money to me, I think, especially as a hitter, there’s a lot he can learn in two months of AAA that will help him rake from day 1 in the bigs.
Also, I really appreciate you articulating yourself more than logically on this subject. So many other times this particular argument has been derailed on this site by short-sighted foolishness and fallible thought processes. Even if I disagree with someone on a particular issue, I still want to respect them in the morning, so good job.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 2:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As for Heyward...
…I think his performance will tell the tale. I think the plan is to give him a month or two at AAA, but Heyward can speed up the timetable with his play during spring training and in April at AAA if he is there to start. Playing well probably won’t force the Braves’ hand, but absolutely torching spring training or AAA could.
by cavebird on Dec 5, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the hat tip, I’m glad I’m giving off that impression.
by J-Freak on Dec 6, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that's specious reasoning...
but what happened happened and it worked out well. There’s no denying that. Whether Hanson wouldn’t have been as successful if he came up early, no one will ever know, so the true benefit of his time in AAA can never be measured because we have no other reality to judge it against.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s my point, which I why I don’t understand why there’s been so much debate about it, there’s only one thing that happened in reality, therefore only a limited number of conclusions you can come to.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not disagreeing with you, at least not completely
just trying to make a different point. It is absolutely reasonable to assume Hanson would have been better than Jo Jo, no argument there. So let’s guesstimate a bit.
If Hanson were in the rotation at the start of the year he probably would have only had 9 more starts at best (4 in April and 5 in May) and probably a more realistic assumption is lower than that but we’ll use 9. Is it likely he would have won all 9 games started? Probably not, though it’s not impossible. So based on what we know happened this year, is it likely that Tommy would have won enough games to overcome our 7 game deficit? Probably not IMO.
There is no way for us to know what would have happened in this scenario but from my perspective it is a safe guess to assume TH would not have helped us enough to make the playoffs. Fair? The bottom line here is that, at best, we would have had Tommy for 9 additional starts this year.
Now to my point. Which would we, as Braves fans, rather have? Nine more 2009 starts that may or may not have made a difference this year (OR) 30 starts in 2015? By keeping him down for those nine starts we get a FULL extra year of TH in his peak performance years. That much we KNOW to be true.
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
by scstrato on Dec 5, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
but what offensive problems do we really have?...
with our pitching staff, we don’t have the drains that Francouer and Kotchman were in the meat of our order, or Schafer with his bum wrist. If Prado can maintain his form, or KJ refind his, plus Diaz keep his hitting up, add McLouth, a healthy McCann, a rebounding Chipper, Escobar, find someone who isn’t another Kotch to play 1st and what offensive problem do we really have?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lack of power. We have a severe lack of a true power-threat. Sure we have a lineup that anyone could hit 15-20 dingers, but beyond McCann and MAYBE Nate, you can’t count on anyone to hit any more than that.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Power schmower...
just score runs. I think that lineup, depending on the 1B can be just fine. And you never know if the 1B isn’t a power threat to fill that void, as even a guy like Glaus could be a 35+ HR guy. Plus add in our pitching, that’s enough to win, in the least until June/July when we can reassess our needs, the progress of Heyward and others, and make moves accordingly.
And Chipper can certainly hit more than that when he’s actually playing well, which he wasn’t last year.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I said the exact same thing going into the 2009 season. Let’s just say I believe we need more power now.
:)
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As did I,...
but then you’ve got to add the better 1B into the equation. And we never really saw how that theory would work in practice in 2009 since Chipper struggled a good bit below his career norm, and then we had multiple massive holes forming 1/3 of the order for much of the first half with French, KJ, and Logan, not to mention Kotch and GA grossly underperfoming in the power department.
I know, lots of IFs, but you can at least hope for
Diaz > French
McLouth > Schafer
Prado (and KJ?) > KJ last year
Heyward > GA
LaRoche/Glaus/fill in FA name > Kotch
And does that not fix the supposed offensive problem, especially if you can get 2010 Chipper > 2009 Chipper?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn, and I have made the point a few times that I don’t think we necessarily need an impact bat as much as everyone seems to think.
But, that doesn’t mean that our offense doesn’t have a lack of power. I could care less how we score runs (either the long ball or get ‘em on and get ’em in), but we still don’t have a legit power threat – which is a weakness.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Add WHAT better first baseman into the mix? Right now we don’t have one, and no one in the system who is ready to go, so we’re currently staring down a downgrade from Kotchman, which is about as horrifying a prospect as there is…
by J-Freak on Dec 5, 2009 12:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So you seriously expect us to go into February..
without having added ANYONE to play 1B? Really? I don’t, and assume they’ll be more productive at the plate than Casey Kotchman. Hell even if we go out and sign Kotch on the cheap, he has to be at least a little better than the Rafael Belliard like power he showed last year.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we can’t sign Kotch unless Boston releases him, he’s under team control for 3 years. But no, I don’t necessarily think Nick Johnson or Aubrey Huff will do much better, I think Carlos Delgado is too big a risk with his age and injury, etc. I have nightmares about us getting stuck with one of the non-LaRoche free agents. It’s a dreadful market for that position this year.
And no, if we got Kotchman he wouldn’t have to be at least a little better. With his defense and half-decent contact rate but no power, he’s destined to be a defensive backup/role player.
by J-Freak on Dec 6, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He actually saw more AAA pitching than that...
…as he playing in the AAA playoffs for a few games as well. I don’t think that is counted in the official stats.
by cavebird on Dec 4, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KJ sucks. Go Marteeen Prado!
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Dec 3, 2009 7:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Not today, my friend!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the 12th is going to be a very busy day for you.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 3, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I may just refuse to turn my computer on that day…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 8:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
rec’d. KJ is a one man double play.
by someguy917 on Dec 3, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 7:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
in 2009, in 346 plate appearances, KJ hit into 4 double plays…
Your boy, Prado, in 2009 and 503 PAs hit into 17.
Ye another false accusatio against KJ and ignorant support of Prado…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And for anyone who actually cares about the stats, in 1,902 career Plate Appearances, KJ has hit into 26 double plays.
Sure sounds like a double-play waiting to happen, doesn’t it!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yay for you!
Thank you for dealing out the truth!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Dec 4, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a bit more of an expression than a stat. Because I don’t hate Yunel for for hitting into double plays all the time, he makes up for it. And was better this year too.
by someguy917 on Dec 5, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, that’s an expression I have never heard. And, it really doesn’t even make sense…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 5, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m with you. We don’t have to get rid of every single person who isn’t in the starting lineup. (And I’m with you, I think 2B is far from decided.)
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man come on justincredubil02
Man please Church and Johnson are gone b/c even with their declining play in a arb case they will still see their salaries rise and plus they both suck and always have. Only reason we got Church was to dump Frenchy and with Prado, Infante and Conrad or something similar such as Uggla type we don’t need Johnson anymore.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 3, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude...
“both suck and always have”? You are practically begging people to throw some KJ stats at you from ’07.
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't care Johnson is garbage and you had better be glad b/c we got to see that Prado is the real deal thanks to Johnson bad season. I am not gonna read or care about their opinons I am just posting my own.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 3, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh boy
Johnson is garbage???
I mean, I prefer Prado over Johnson as our starting 2B, but Johnson is not garbage…
Better idea: I will take a vow of silence.
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i am not going to read or care about your opinions either because they are stupid and you write like a three year old notice this is a run on sentence and that i am doing this on purpose because it is what every single one of your posts look like except i am actually making sense and not using a 2nd grader’s level of writing ability to do this oh and !!!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude ease up
There was a period in his last sentence. It’s ok. I don’t think we’re dumb enough to just non-tender him, so either we keep him, or trade him. If we keep him, and when Prado inevitably struggles next year, we have a replacement
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prado struggle? What have you been smoking? Hall of Famers don’t struggle.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol since when did anyone ever call him a Hall of Famer?
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 3, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To some people on here, he was inducted straight out of his mother’s womb.
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haven't you looked up Prado on baseball-reference lately?
Similar players through age 25:
Joe Morgan
Lou Gehrig
Willie Mays
Satchel Paige
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Does Francoeur also make that list?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha
yeah throw Frenchy in there between Paige and Mays
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha yikes I just checked
and you’re right, not impressive at all. Except Todd Walker did place 3rd in sacrifice flies in 2003, that’s something to get excited about!
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, you actually made me go look at that, just to see who he really is compared to. I’ve barely heard of any of them, except Seitzer and Walker, who aren’t exactly all time studs.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 3, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
huge reply fail
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(on my part)
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to go ahead and apologize for this right now. It was a little extreme and uncalled for…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lol
I think we all just hope whoever ends up better is the one out at 2B in an Atlanta jersey
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take ‘07 Johnson over Prado any day of the week. That said, ’07 Johnson hasn’t been seen in 2 years.
by FineHamAbounds on Dec 3, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Smoltz ‘07 season was good as well, doesn’t mean i want him for the ’09 season though ;)
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 4, 2009 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not ’09, meant ’10 season, sorry.
braves#1
by rockybull on Dec 4, 2009 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, there is an obvious age and injury concern there too…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All of your statements in your posts are ridiculous
and you should feel ridiculous
Also, dont trade javier vazquez.
by esadb on Dec 3, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously? Brooks Conrad and some mythical Uggla type are going to replace KJ?
Have fun with that.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brooks Conrad was OMFG awesome in his 12 at-bats though!!!!!!!!
by eaheckman10 on Dec 3, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HAHA! Exactly!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty sure Brooks Conrad didn’t get one hit after he got called up in September.
by bigjoe on Dec 5, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You sir, are correct. After his Sept call-up, he was 0-22.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 5, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why do guys always get raises in arbitration?....
Are the arbiters just MLBPA lackeys? Are the owners making that much cash?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 3, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The thing that I really like about these two deals is that there is no long term commitment involved.
And there is a lot of upside.
But damn do their ages and durability scare me.
by get swoll yunel on Dec 3, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Still the same thing I cannot get out of my mind either get swoll tunnel I pointed that out last night in a post about Wagner but if they can stay healthy we have a great pen the big question is "IF"
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 3, 2009 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude. Punctuation is your friend. Be not afraid of the period…
by J-Freak on Dec 4, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it’s just me but I’d love to still add Kiko Calero to the mix. Obviously after we’ve settled the 1B issue but the thought of Moylan, Calero, Saito, and Wagner in the same bullpen would make me feel sorry for opposing offenses given our already dominant starting pitching. It’d take a payroll increase or Lowe trade for it to be feasible though
by McCann's the Man on Dec 3, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i would like you to explain ur mancrush on Calero… ive looked at his stats and they are decent, but his HR/9 was way too low in 09 and his BABIP was .259, 08 he didnt pitch and 07 was poor
he walks a fair amount of guys, while he does strike guys out, so i guess it balances itself.
there seems to be a fair amount of crushing on the guy over his 09 which has glaring holes in it. He was pretty good from 03-06, but that was a while ago and im not quite sure what the deal is.
so please enlighten me,
PSA no sarcasm was intended here
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 3, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a mancrush on Calero, too...
…so let me answer. The overall numbers for his career (I am not looking for a repeat of 2009) are much better than what he appears to be going to make on the market this year. If he is too expensive, pass, but if he is $2-3 million, then I am all for it.
by cavebird on Dec 3, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not going to try and contend that Calero is without flaws but we’re talking about a guy who based on career numbers has been pretty damn good outside of a season or two. Probably the biggest reason I like him is that so far no market is developing for him at all or at least none appears to be surfacing. Calero is the one guy who I feel might be flying under the radar and get passed over bc he lacks closer experience allowing someone to get him on a steal at say 3M per season, I’d want the braves to be that team.
by McCann's the Man on Dec 3, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not Sure Not really in love with this either
Wren seems like to old “Crafty” veterans. Who are all an injury concern. I dont think we should be looking at these types of players, because with our payroll we cant afford to have two closers on the DL.
by UltimaParadox on Dec 3, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well I admit I was questioning this at first BUT.
But Wren has made good use of people he has signed and traded for this far and expect Wagner and Saito to be nothing but the same. Saito is going to be 40 matching his number LOL to funny but he has only be in the MLB since 2006 and doesn’t look or have the wear and tear of a 40 worn out pitcher. Granted he battled some arm problems with the Dodgers and nearly threw his arm away but that was the Dodgers fault and I can remember this guy back in 06 & 07 just having lights out stuff. Proven arm with track record and at a cost that will not break the bank .
Wagner + Saito may not be the best ever Braves bullpen but it is certainly not the worst either. I believe if we can trade D. Lowe and acquire a Dan Uggla or something similar like a 1B with some pop we have to be one of the favorites this season.
Go Braves and Wren lets see the moves keep on coming .
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 3, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just wondering what the power or "Cox Quote means "
Has to be the Angels and I would love to get Morales from them but it would take more than D. Lowe for sure. Of course the Angels have a way of developing good not great 1B in the past couple of seasons so maybe they are looking to deal. Lowe is a good fit for them but not ideal and I would also like to get Rivera but I believe that we need Morales more.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Dec 3, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Either one or Wood + would make me a happy guy
by graf on Dec 3, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure why everyone likes this trade
Saito’s numbers were all down big time except for his ERA, caused just by luckiness and pitching in non-stress situations. Hopefully, he will bounce back and i pray he will
by acie4mvp on Dec 3, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t like the trade, but the free agent signing isn’t too bad…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
:)
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t care much for the last update, and I thought 3M was too much.
Here are Pujols's stats: 1.000/1.000/4.000/5.000. That's right. He is batting a thousand, with a thousand OBP (naturally), and every hit has been a home run, and thus his OPS is a perfect 5.000.
by TradeAndruw on Dec 3, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i dont think the odds of him tapping into his bonuses are that high, but he might make 1M more (and i think thats unliekly) assuming Wagner is healthy all year.
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 3, 2009 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
who knows...
all those incentives might be the only thing that stops Bobby from overusing the bullpen this year
by cirela20 on Dec 3, 2009 10:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it
Would not surprise me at all if Bobby eventually uses Wagner and Saito in 3, maybe 4 consectutive days.
by SmithnCompany on Dec 3, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope he does – that would mean we are winning 3 and 4 consecutive games.
Silver linings, my friends, silver linings!
:)
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 3, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They'll get plenty of rest
when we get swept by the Nationals!
Suppressed…end of season memories….
"Sometimes I wonder what'd it be like to be outside and not hear the birds chirping...I think it'd be kind of nice."
by alligatorimpersonator on Dec 3, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
when we get swept by theNationalsNatinals!
Fixed.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 4, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
nice
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it'd be nice if we actually use the depth..
to keep from overworking guys. If Medlen and EOF emerge (or others), AND Moylan, Saito, Wagner can all stay healthy, we don’t have to send anyone out there 70+ games, especially with a starting staff that can often pitch 6-7+.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 3, 2009 11:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was the main issue with the starting staff
Very rarely it seemed like any of them would pitch past the 7th inning, sometimes not even into the 7th. It’s time for guys like Kawakami, Lowe and Jurrjens to go deeper into games.
by SmithnCompany on Dec 3, 2009 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not like they can't...
they just don’t. Maybe next year.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 3, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it isn’t like it is their decision to come out of games. I can’t remember too many games that got out of hand early, forcing a pitching change. Most of the time, Bobby would lift them for a PH in later innings, or because we were at that magical inning where only certain people can/are allowed to pitch.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lack of offense may have necessitated early removal of P in hopes of generating runs…?
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 4, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. That too – which still points to the fact that it is kinda silly to blame the SPs (especially ours from last year) for not going deeper into games.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is awesome. Christmas is coming early.
At this rate, Frank the Wrench might have us a bat by the end of the weekend.
"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Dec 3, 2009 11:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Get me Carl Crawford.
"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Dec 3, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Crawford will hit as many HRs as Prado. Wanna bat him cleanup? We need more powah.
by FineHamAbounds on Dec 3, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Crawford scores runs...
I don’t care how fast they’re moving when they do it, so long as they cross the plate. Personally I’d rather another Rays OF, for handedness, age, and cost.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 3, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beej?
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 4, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Most excellent.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 4, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just thinking...
the age becomes a much bigger factor in guys like BJ Upton and Carl Crawford, where so much of their value is in their speed, especially if you think Crawford is starting to break down. Then add he’s righty, which we lack both now and coming up, seems more like a leadoff hitter (which we also lack) as Crawford seems more comfortable as a 2/3 hitter, and I think would be much less pricey in terms of both contract and prospects in a trade.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man I don’t like BJ. Such a d-bag.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 4, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But a townie, and that is always a plus.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think adding either one would be worth it...
but if picking between the two.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, Bossman can flat pick it in CF.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 4, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The funny thing was he could pick it at SS, as long as he didn’t have to think about it. A bang-bang play he was great, but anything else it would roll between his legs or he’d throw it in the stands.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 4, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
2B?
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
by Yakker on Dec 4, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anywhere in the infield would be a disaster for him. If he hadn’t been stubborn he could have had two extra years in the Majors that he instead spent in AAA trying to become a better SS. His brother was smart and just went to the OF to start so he was up and raking at 20.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 4, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So provided he's not a clubhouse cancer...
defensively going Upton/Schafer/Heyward in the OF covers a LOT of ground. And if he can get the bat on the ball better than last year, he could be a successful leadoff hitter this club simply doesn’t have right now. Not sure what type of package he’d require, maybe he’d require Schafer (not sure I’d want to trade JS’s future for Bossman Jr’s), but a lineup on opening day of….
Upton
McLouth
Chipper
Glaus/LaRoche?
Escobar
McCann
Diaz
Prado
looks pretty good to me.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also...
people have mentioned Milton Bradley, and claimed Sheffield as an example of how we can keep him relatively calm in Atlanta, but I’d think Upton is more comparable to Sheffield personality wise than the bat sh*t crazy Bradley.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that assessment, BJ isn’t ridiculous like Bradley (which I hate to say because Bradley has always been incredibly nice to me while BJ has been nothing but a d-bag).
And I doubt the Rays would want Schafer back since they have Desmond Jennings. I don’t know what they’d want. Pitching is always good. They’d probably love Freddie Freeman, but to hell 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 5, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll take that bet.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless he gets traded...
…Medlen is going to be a huge help in the pen, too. I’d even argue that in the event of an injury to Wagner/Saito, he could even be counted on for a few saves. He was really good out of the bullpen last year, especially toward the end of the season when he got rid of the jitters and remembered how not to walk guys.
by FineHamAbounds on Dec 3, 2009 11:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Saito looks mad fresh in that pic.
MATT DIAZ IS THE F**K*NG MAN.
They made me change my signature...
by nick9314 on Dec 3, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
there’s no way hes 40.
"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"
by mvhsbball on Dec 3, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s just say that, theoretically, Gonzo and Soriano did both take ARB.
Would a bullpen of Wagner, Gonzo, Soriano, Saito, EOF, and Moylan actually be a Bobby-proof bullpen?
by Lennox on Dec 4, 2009 1:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
no.
you’d still need Pujols, Christie Matheson, Cy Young, Ty Cobb and Jesus Christ splitting time with Muhammad to get a bullpen Bobby-proof.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Dec 4, 2009 3:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we still need
a big right handed bat who can hit 30 homers . Doesnt matter if Heyward makes the team out of spring training we still need a big bat because theres no guarnatee that heyward doesnt start slow .
by ~~banditwolf~~ on Dec 4, 2009 3:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Even if Heyward starts fast and stays hot..
..he’ll never be a right-handed bat who can hit 30 homers.
by cavebird on Dec 4, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not this year anyway.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
[Scene: Spring training 2011, the 2010 NL rookie of the year strolls to the plate after hitting .330, with 26 2B, 5 3B, 18 HR, and 72 RBI in 94 games]
Opposing Catcher: “Why are you smiling?”
Jay Hey kid: “Because I know something you don’t.”
Opposing Catcher: “And what is that?”
Jay Hey kid: “I am not left-handed”
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
hahaha.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
anytime.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
...Sigh...
Can we please go a day without a Princess Bride reference?
…On a side not, well played, Sir.
7/10/09-A New Dawn.
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Dec 4, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no we cannot
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 5, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously. And why should we?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 1:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry...
just thought justin set that one up WAY to well with his “not this year anyway”, as if Heyward has just been toying with the minors using his weaker hand and will soon show us his true self, the greatest switch hitter of all time. After all, when Greg Oden broke his wrist as a FR at Ohio St, he spent the rest of the year shooting free throws lefty despite being a natural righty.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If the Braves are just gonna sign old farts, then bring back Smoltz.
I like the signings, but I’m still a bit worried them making it through the year without injuries. But I guess as long as their is a Bob Evans close buy, we should be ok.
by Sparhawk on Dec 4, 2009 7:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Frank Wren on BBTN: He said that Heyward probably won’t make the team out of Spring Training – which is a move I agree with.
Now, who is going to be the bat, if it is not Jay-Hey?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 8:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Starting Heyward in AAA is tricky for one point...
…because he will be up playing full time at some point barring an injury, we will probably have to use a stopgap measure until he is here; no point having four starting outfielders.
by cavebird on Dec 4, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don't forget Schafer too...
he could probably use some time in AAA too, but do we really need another starting OF with those two so close? I’m not against signing an OF, but I’d prefer they be capable of playing 1B or 3B too.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point about Logan.
If he is ready, McLouth could be great trade-bait at midseason. Possibly bringing in our future 3B?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How bad is it that I actually forgot Schafer’s real first name for a split second.
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
its not good
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
by Swo12bv on Dec 4, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry...
Jon Miller does it all the time.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I almost replied
that Joe Morgan does it too but then I remembered it’s “Joe Morgan”. He never knew his name to begin with.
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
by scstrato on Dec 4, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was talking to him on FB one day, and actually typed out “Log” before I realized what I was doing.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Am I supposed to be impressed that you and him are friends on Facebook? I talk to Damon Berryhill on there all the time. I also have many leather bound books, and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know I don’t speak Spanish.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is it weird that I think it’d be awesome if Damon Berryhill was on FB?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 4, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not at all.
"The Free Willy song was good." ~ The Surgeon
by Smoltz's Beard on Dec 4, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, but I’d still love you anyway.
by Lizziebeth on Dec 5, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet. Now is it weird that I checked to see if he actually was on there?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't find him either.
Is Greg Olson on there? And if so, is it Greg or Gregg?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 5, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it was ‘Gregg’. I’ve never met either so I wouldn’t have bothered them, I was just curious.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gregg with 2 G’s is the pitcher. One G is the HARD gangsta with the bum knee and chop skills.
by FineHamAbounds on Dec 5, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, I forgot about the catcher. That makes more sense with the Berryhill reference. How odd is it that we had two guys named Greg(g) Olson in the late 80s?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 6, 2009 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I believev they were both in the 90s...
Greg early and Gregg in the middle.
And I meant both. Any idea what either is up to these days? Is Greg the C still managing?
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 6, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’m pretty sure the catcher is a manager in the Rangers system and the pitcher is a scout for somebody.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 6, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gingko Biloba
Great for memory. And libido.
7/10/09-A New Dawn.
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Dec 4, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Which is exactly why I like having Ryan Church – the OF can be Diaz, Church and Nate every day until Heyward is ready with Infante (or maybe even KJ?) serving as a 4th OF when needed. Once Heyward comes up and proves he can handle it, Church becomes expendable (hopefully around the July time-frame?)
But, doing that would require we upgrade at 1B (or at least, retain Adam).
I think our offense with Adam COULD be good enough to get us to the top, but that would require a bounce-back from Chipper, no injuries and better production from McLouth.
LaRoche cannot reasonably be expected to hit like he did in the 2nd half with us (An OBP like 1.500 or something close to that) and I don’t think we can count on Prado just yet either.
In other words, a lot of things would have to go right, but I think it can be done.
If not, we’d better sign/trade for a bopper for 1B.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In that scenario...
….we bring up Heyward early after the inevitable Church injury or suckitude? (Sorry, Church fantasy owner from last year with him stuck in my lineup by league rules for the entire season!!!)
by cavebird on Dec 4, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn’t that really the only time he got hurt though – and it stemmed from the collision with Esco, IIRC.
I could be way off on that one though…
I like the OBP that Church brings to the table. He isn’t the best hitter, or most powerful guy in the lineup, but he is a very solid major league hitter with a plus arm in the OF (Francoeurish) with decent defense.
He is more of a role-player than anything, but I like him. I think he would be a great leadoff man.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and do we need more than a role player...
stop gaps aren’t ideal, but what do we do with Schafer and Heyward on the cusp of the roster as they are.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I would like to see them in AAA to start the season, and bring them up when they have proven they can handle it – much the same way Tommy was brought up last year.
Once that happens (theoretically around the June-July time frame) Nate and Church become tradeable commodities that somebody will want/need.
I would be hesitant to bring up both Logan and Heyward as starters that would be depended on (relying on 2 rookies as keys to your offense just isn’t smart), but certainly one of them could earn a starting spot – presumably Heyward.
I would not have a problem with Schafer staying in AAA for the whole season and trading Nate in the offseason next year with the plan to bring up Logan for 2011.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The difference between Hasnon...
and these guys though, is that at least in my opinion, it’s much easier to work 1 starter into a group of 5 mid year than it is to supplant everyday position players (barring a mid year injury). Now, if someone lacks production in the first half, it’s easier to replace them, but you still had to deal with subpar performance for half the year.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 4, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Heyward, as good a prospect as he is, needs at least a larger number of at-bats at AAA before we should call him up. Shafer needs a healthy year in AAA.
If we sign an OF/trade for one, it’ll all but seal it – he’ll be in AAA at the beginning of the year.
Also, I don’t know about you all, but I’d be in love with a McLouth-Schafer-Heyward outfield, Diaz as the fourth man, sometime around 2011.
In my perfect world, we’d sign a guy who can give us quality production for a year with McLouth and Diaz in the lineup for half the season. Call up Heyward after he’s done mashing AAA pitching into paste, and the next year we’d have my dream outfield.
by ATLforlife on Dec 4, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prove themselves?
Just a little fatherly advice… ;-) Don’t get unnerved about what I’m going to say. I don’t argue with anyone… ;-)
What about spring training? Isn’t that possibly a step above AAA? If Heyward has a great spring, why not keep him at the major league level and see what he can do? Chipper and Andruw didn’t have a problem with major league pitching once they were brought up.
I think there can be a problem with TOO much caution. I feel that if a person has it in their make up they will be a major leaguer. Babying a guy doesn’t necessary make or break him. I feel that they either have the balls to show what they can do or they get sent back down. What is wrong with that? I don’t think any player was ever destroyed by moving them too quickly through the system. But then that doesn’t mean we just throw someone into the majors from A ball every time they show a spark of talent. Of course not. I’m saying that at some point you just gotta take a chance that things will work out fine and I think Heyward is right on the cusp of being our regular right fielder. If he does great in spring, then bring him up, if he doesn’t, send him down to Gwinnett. No big deal.
I believe that management had him tagged to be their right fielder before he was injured in the AFL (just my feeling). Now it’s all up to him performing in spring. I’m sure management said, “_________” since I’m sure they wanted all the talk to be about Heyward this off season. Now there is some doubt to his status and it may put a tiny bit more pressure on them to make the right move for power hitter.
I don’t believe that Schafer will be affected by his demotion. He had his issues and if he has the drive and the talent, he will be back. I mean, he definitely has the arrogance to be with the Braves (not that there is anything wrong with that!) But who really knows? Maybe he won’t ever make it or he’ll end up on someone else’s bench at some point.
Man, these guys just need to suck it up and and take no prisoners. Do you want to be a major leaguer or not?!
Anyway… I have this feeling that you have been affected by Schafer’s problems and may feel that we need to be more cautious with Heyward. Take it easy man! I don’t believe there is any comparison. Heyward may be the second coming of Hank Aaron so I wouldn’t get too antsy about the Braves penciling him into RF after spring in 2010.
GET EXCITED! GO BRAVES!!
-----
Braves Fan Since 1982. Go Braves!
"All opinions welcome..."
by proeye on Dec 5, 2009 8:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I pretty much disagree completely. I think the Braves plan, probably since before this season, was that Heyward will come up in June of 2010. The AFL wasn’t going to change anything, just like it didn’t for Hanson.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
by cbwilk on Dec 5, 2009 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think we can accutarely say...
That may be the plan, but personally I’m not sure. Hanson was mid year, but I maintain it is MUCH easier to work an elite pitching prospect into the rotation mid year (where it is almost a certainty you have one guy go down or under perform, especially when Jojo Reyes is opening in the 5 slot for you) than it is to bring up an every day player. If the plan is to bring up Heyward in June, that means you sacrifice with a lesser player before then. Look at the past young position players, and how many were called up in June vs. Sep/opening day—Furcal, Andruw, Schafer. The “baby Braves” in 05 were mid season call ups, but then that team kind of fell apart for injuries—Estrada, Jordan, Mondesi, opening the jobs.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 6, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wow, this has to be one of the top bullpens on paper in the big leagues, we have 3 guys who could arguably be closer. is any of this an indication that one of the 6 starters will be traded and not sent to the bullpen..i just dont see any room with Wagner, Saito, Moylan, EOF, Medlen, Proctor, and probably Valdez
"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly
by Hcgadawgs on Dec 4, 2009 8:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I said last offseason that Kenshin would help land other Japanese players and I got a little bit of “nah, he won’t”…looks like I was right to whoever disagreed with me about that. ;)
"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host
by bwellnjonesco on Dec 4, 2009 10:30 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, it isn’t like you were the only one saying that…in fact, if I recall correctly, there were VERY few people who didn’t think that…
But yeah, “I told you so” is always a nice thing to be able to say.
:)
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Dec 4, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I did too
“I told you first….so des ne (JP)
by bravestatoo on Dec 5, 2009 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats not fair!
I was the ONLY one that said that…the only person on the internet.
"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host
by bwellnjonesco on Dec 5, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
These 2 moves obviously require the age gods to smile down on wagner
and saito which I believe they will. Buying time for medlen, kimbrel, valdez
and gearrin to season at AAA or at the big show.
If Heyward has a strong spring in my view he will come up to ATL and
begin a stellar career in RF. Mclouth will hold CF adequately for the present.
My guess is a move for a LF with speed and some power, perhaps crawford.
This will never happen but for me it would be fun to see the lead footed
Canizares at 1B bless his cuban heart while we watch F Freeman improve
and refine his swing in AAA or fade into AAAA oblivon. Diaz and Infante anchor the
bench or find themselves in a BC platoon. looks ok from here.
by sealift67 on Dec 4, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Canizares was outrighted off of the 40-man for Saito, Freeman will play in AA this year and currently is in no danger of becoming a AAAA player in even the remote future. Our LF with speed and power should be McLouth and we should get a better defensive CF, like Mike Cameron, to take his place.
by bravesfan91 on Dec 5, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Freeman needs to play in AA
At least at the start of the season, just to play there healthy. If he does well, they’ll probably bring him up to Gwinnett at midseason. Freeman is at least a year and probably a year and half or two years away, assuming continuing progress. Obviously regression could slow down the timetable further, but AAAA status isn’t in the cards anytime soon, he is still very young.
by cavebird on Dec 5, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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