The Johnny Damon Saga is Over
by gondeee on Feb 20, 2010 5:57 PM EST
in Braves Related Free Agents
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PrintAfter the last 24 hours saw the Braves beat writers saying that Atlanta still had a stake in the Johnny Damon sweepstakes, the Detroit Tigers have apparently signed the veteran outfielder to a one-year $7 million contract, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports.
Consider this blogger vindicated and satisfied. This clears the path for Jason Heyward, and sets up a nice platoon in left with Melky Cabrera and Matt Diaz. I think that's just as good as Damon, and certainly more forward-looking. Nate McLouth will handle the leadoff role just fine.
Carry on.
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i wonder if it would make sense to have Melky lead off on days he plays….this is predicated on the fact that his OBP should go up going to an easier league/division…if he’s at 340 or so that close to where McLouth would be and McLouth’s power would play better further down in the lineup.
I don’t really know, just kinda wanted to throw that out there
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
Its a good thought
His OBP isnt great for his career at .331 as opposed to Mclouth who is a.342 for his career (still not great). I agree that Mclouth’s power would be great lower in the lineup, but the leadoff role is so important, I’d like to see it go to one guy on a pretty consistent basis and if I had to guess, that guy will be Mclouth. But its a possibility since the Braves STILL dont have a great leadoff hitter since Furcal left after the ’05 season.
Look at the last 3 years instead of career average, often gives a little more accurate picture of what to expect.
Melky’s OBP in 07, 08, 09 .327 .301 and .336
Nate’s .351 .356 and .352
I think keeping Nate in the 1 hole will prove the better choice on days they are both in the lineup.
Shouldn't Reid Gorecki get a shot in RF before that Heyward kid everybody talks about?
YEEEEEES!!!!!
but now the possible bad news is that DOB and Bowman will start damon-to-the-braves-in-midseason rumors
Don't worry...
…the contract supposedly has a no-trade clause. And the AL Central is pretty weak, the Tigers shouldn’t fall out of the race early.
Now that Damon has signed elsewhere, does someone need to talk DOB off a ledge somewhere?
"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Feb 20, 2010 6:17 PM EST reply actions
Why talk him down? Just let him jump.
"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 Feb 20, 2010 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
I dont mean this as a criticism of your opinion, but rather as an actual question: What’s the purpose of platooning Melky with Matty? If I remember correctly, Melky’s vs. RHP is only minimally better than Matty’s.
"Now, here's a fellow attempting to ride a bicycle. But he's having some trouble, isn't he? And do you know why? "
~sighs~ "Why?"
"Because he's a Scot!"
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Feb 20, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions
No, criticize...
I’d rather have Diaz playing everyday and Melky giving him a rest every now and then. I hate platoon play.
makes more sense with a better left handed hitter….like with FUGA last year…..
Pujols is NOT God.... sure he'll hit .350, hit 50 bombs, and drive in a 125....but then again...so will Heyward..
by lemke2blauser2bream on Feb 20, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Sure if Diaz can't handle it do a platoon.
But if he does well then let’s have him out there everyday.
I think what we’ll actually see won’t be so much a straight-up Diaz/Cabrera platoon as a “Cabrera gives everybody 1 day off a week” kind of situation, give or take, based on matchups. The good thing about Cabrera is he’s the same LH and RH, so we can play him against anyone without worrying about splits. I’m guessing that McLouth gets 600+ ABs, Diaz and Heyward 500+, Cabrera in the 300-400 range.
As for Melky vs. Diaz, don’t forget that Melky is only 25, while Matty is 31. Matt is probably more likely to regress than improve, and Melky is much more likely to improve than regress. Also, Melky is coming to the easier league, which might help. A platoon wouldn’t be any worse than just Diaz, and might be better.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Feb 20, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
Oh yeah, we get MattyD in left! I am honestly really pumped about seeing what he can do out there with a ton of at bats.
by bbxxj on Feb 20, 2010 6:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
over/under .380 OBP for mattyd this year?
Pujols is NOT God.... sure he'll hit .350, hit 50 bombs, and drive in a 125....but then again...so will Heyward..
by lemke2blauser2bream on Feb 20, 2010 6:39 PM EST reply actions
Depends on if he's platooned...
If he gets half his at bats or more against lefties, I’ll take the over. Less than that, I’ll take the under.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Feb 20, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
7 million?
good lord. i wouldn’t have paid more than $3MM for him
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 20, 2010 6:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i heard it was 8M
Pujols is NOT God.... sure he'll hit .350, hit 50 bombs, and drive in a 125....but then again...so will Heyward..
by lemke2blauser2bream on Feb 20, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
Either way, Comerica ain't New Yankee Stadium
Whether it’s $7 million or $8 million, that’s a lot for a guy who’s gonna get you 8 homers, 60 rbi and 20 steals.
"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Feb 21, 2010 3:21 AM EST up reply actions
Thank goodness. I was really worried with all of Damon’s silence that he would come play for Bobby in his last year. Now we don’t have to worry about that.
by forgotten_glory on Feb 20, 2010 7:39 PM EST reply actions
Somewhere
Jason Heyward is probably extremely happy about this, all while eating his mild boneless buffalo wings and chicken ceaser salad from Applebee’s.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
Somewhere
Jason Heyward is probably extremely happy about this, all while eatinghis mild boneless buffalo wings and chicken ceaser salad from Applebee’s. Other the NL pitcher’s fastballs from CBP.
FTFY
"Batting second and playing shortstop-he's Cuban. Yeah, his name's Pablo...no, eh, Yunel Escobar, sorry"
wait what?
All while eating other the NL pitcher’s fastballs from CBP.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 20, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
eating- pwning
CBP- Citizens Bank Park
Lord, I knew it was bad, but I thought you’d at least get it…
"Batting second and playing shortstop-he's Cuban. Yeah, his name's Pablo...no, eh, Yunel Escobar, sorry"
Hahah nope, but I got it now. For some reason I kept thinking CBP was food or something…like California Pizza Kitchen. I do hate Citizens Bank Bandbox tho.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 20, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
applebees lol
"Dum spiro spero"
by Bravely going forward on Feb 20, 2010 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Well, this is about how it was going to turn out.
Damon made only mild sense for us if he was very cheap, and someone was going to pay more for him. I think even the pro-Damon faction here is glad we didn’t pony up $8 million (none deferred) for him like the Tigers did. Now that this is done, we can start our crazy hyping of everything Jason does in spring training!
Thank God. Viva la Diaz.
Viva los Bravos ~
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Feb 20, 2010 8:31 PM EST reply actions
That's going to catch on.
We need Diaz shirts that say such, with his picture Obamacon’d or whatever they call those fancy red white and blue renderings.
"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Feb 22, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
Thank heaven Johnny Damon got a job and it ain’t with the Braves. Or the White Sox (I’m a former South Sider).
I love he didn't go the White Sox...
…because he puts Andruw on the bench. (Yeah, I am still hopeful for an Andruw comeback.)
Same here. Andruw’s still a young man and I think he has a few more good years in him. Damon’s an old has-been.
by John Holton on Feb 21, 2010 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
Personally
I think the smarter thing to do would be to platoon Melky with Nate in CF. Matt’s much stronger against RHPs, especially last year, than Nate is against LHPs. Melky was actually stronger against lefties than righties last year.
Of course, for his career, Melky is generally weaker against lefties, so that might not work out.
It means that FUGA or Johnny Damon isn’t getting the significant playing time?
"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 Feb 20, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
Was FUGA getting significant playing time a possibility?
And Damon getting playing time instead of Melky would have been a very good thing.
Well, that’s bunk. Philly’s outfield last year is living proof of what you can do with three solid starters and no platoons, and we don’t have to contend with Ibanez’s age. Let Diaz play, he earned at least that much last year.
Agreed. Emphasis on at least.
"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia
by The Keith Lockhart Era on Feb 23, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
brand new on this site…been a braves fan since childhood, when florida didn’t have a baseball team. i would have liked if the braves had kept javy v in the rotation and not acquired melky but, what’s done is done. as for damon, good thing we didn’t get him – our outfield is fine. Heyward is going to be such an impact player for us and i’m really looking forward to watching it happen.
So now it safe to say...
our outfiled may look something like this
Nasty Nate-CF
Heyward-RF
MattyD-LF
Melky and Hinske to fill in when needed
Jordan Schaffer, Mitch Jones, and Gregor Blanco all in AAA and called up if needed. Not sure if that makes logistical snense with space on the 40 man roster, but that will get worked out in Spring Training. Im so pumped abouth the ’10 season and cant wait to see chipper getting back to his old self!
Also...
Sorry for the spelleing errors, and I think if Schaffer plays well enough, he may get a September call up. His development is important since Melky and Hinske may not be around after this year
we still luv u.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 21, 2010 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
And in even better news,
pictures are trickling in, via the AJC, from Spring Training 2010:
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/atlanta-braves-022010/
Thanks LT at BravesLove for the heads up!
by Lizziebeth on Feb 21, 2010 12:12 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for posting this link
I got excited just seeing the guys in their practice uni’s getting ready for the season to begin!
I for one, can’t wait for opening day!
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
BMac looks good
It looks like he lost a little bit more weight too. Im sure his knees will thank him when August and September role around.
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 21, 2010 2:13 AM EST up reply actions
Mac is definitely a candidate for the annual BSOHL award. (Best Shape of his Life)
"Now, here's a fellow attempting to ride a bicycle. But he's having some trouble, isn't he? And do you know why? "
~sighs~ "Why?"
"Because he's a Scot!"
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Feb 21, 2010 8:57 AM EST up reply actions
Ha!
I absolutely love that pic of Billy Wagner in the cowboy getup with the bluetooth hanging from his ear.
"Now, here's a fellow attempting to ride a bicycle. But he's having some trouble, isn't he? And do you know why? "
~sighs~ "Why?"
"Because he's a Scot!"
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Feb 21, 2010 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
Those hats are awful.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
Seriously
Those hats are fucking ugly. They better not switch up the road hats on us.
Viva los Bravos ~
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Feb 21, 2010 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
That 21st shot of Mac could be a poster
Viva los Bravos ~
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Feb 21, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
BWag looks fierce…
Pujols is NOT God.... sure he'll hit .350, hit 50 bombs, and drive in a 125....but then again...so will Heyward..
by lemke2blauser2bream on Feb 21, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Fantastic News!
I’ve been waiting for a couple weeks now to hear that Damon had signed elsewhere. Signing Damon would have 1) Taken playing time from Matt Diaz, 2) Impeded Jason Heyward’s arrival in the majors and 3) Used up the last of the team’s payroll, which could be saved for a stop-gap at the trading deadline, and all of this for little to no net gain. I literally jumped off my couch and cheered when I read the Damon to Tigers headline!
In other news, this is my first post here. I’ve been a lurker at Talking Chop for about two years now, and I’ve been a Braves fan for about twenty years. I watched every single game on television (regular and post season) in the 1990s, but my interest and available time both dwindled last decade. I think part of me grew too disheartened from watching the Braves lose in the play-offs every year. Something changed last year, though. I started watching the games again, and I actually went to a game for the first time in my life – Braves/Orioles in Baltimore, last June – Braves lost. Still, I had hope in the team again, all the way until the last week when they were realistically eliminated and started phoning the remaining games in. I’ve spent most of this off-season following the discussions here on TC and excitedly rosterbating along with everyone else. I just finally broke down and made an account.
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Feb 21, 2010 12:32 AM EST reply actions
looks like somebody just lost their TC v-card!
Omar Minaya is my hero!
by Scott Coleman on Feb 21, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
Wasnt Eric Gregg that really fat black umpire who lost an ass-load of weight and then lost his job cause he ump’d during the strike?
"Now, here's a fellow attempting to ride a bicycle. But he's having some trouble, isn't he? And do you know why? "
~sighs~ "Why?"
"Because he's a Scot!"
by !Vive la Francoeur! on Feb 21, 2010 8:53 AM EST up reply actions
He didn’t ump during the strike, I don’t think. He’s the man who famously umpired the 1997 NLCS and gave Livan Hernandez a strike zone 6 feet wide, so he ended up with 14 strikeouts. The last pitch of the gamewas so far outside that it had the Marlins’s catcher (his name evades me at the moment) almost falling down as he reached out to catch it, but it was called strike 3 regardless.
In response to severe complaints from the Braves and question from the media, he said “They should know my strike zone by now.” And the entire umpire’s union and MLB winced, since the strike zone is in the rulebook, not the umpire’s discretion. QUESTEC really gained a lot of steam after that.
you are looking for CHarles Johnson i believe
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
No, it was definitely Eric Gregg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Gregg
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Feb 21, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, you meant the Marlin’s catcher…my bad (realized the second I posted).
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Feb 21, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, it was 15 strike outs, and I believe his strike zone was about 9 feet wide.
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Feb 21, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Is it just me
Or does heap look really kinda thin in the dugout walk out pic?
by Braves Equals Life! on Feb 21, 2010 2:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions
That's actually not HEAP
It’s Will Champion at Fantasy Camp week ….
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
Finally Damon gets his money and too much of it at that.
1year $8 million for a 36yr old Damon ? Are the Tigers nuts or are they just that hard up for veteran. This signing really feels like what the Braves did with G. Anderson last offseason. We waited so late to feel our need and their was really nobody on the market as good as G. Anderson at least in our view which was a little bit blinded to say the least seeing as how G. Anderson still is without a team for the 2010 season.
Anyway I think the Tigers really overpaided here and we are now set in our OF considering that Heyward makes the team out of spring training which I believe he will.
Go Braves.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Feb 21, 2010 9:15 PM EST reply actions
Didn't think I'd see the day
when this blog described Melky as a nice platoon partner. Welcome to reality. The last time we were talking about Melky here he was worse than Francoeur and we would have been better off bringing Otis Nixon back than giving Melky a chance.
if we are bringing an old guy out of retirement, we are obviously bringing Rickey back….
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
Ricky says that Ricky never left.
"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 Feb 22, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
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