Very early offseason rosterbation
Hey everyone. The offseason hasn't even started and already we have a variety of posts speculating at possible targets for the Braves this offseason.
Some holes we will have to fill
1. Closer
2. Center Field
3. Left Field
4. Possibly 3B
Right now we project as such
C: Brian McCann
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Martin Prado
SS: Alex Gonzalez
3B: Possibly Chipper Jones
RF: Jason Heyward
CF: ???
LF: ???
Starting Pitching:
1. Tim Hudson
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Tommy Hanson
4. Derek Lowe
5. Mike Minor
Relief Pitching:
RHP: Peter Moylan
RHP: Scott Proctor
RHP: Christhian Martinez
LHP: Eric O'Flaherty
LHP: Johnny Venters
Bench:
C: David Ross
INF: Brooks Conrad
INF: Omar Infante
People we don't know what to do with:
Brandon Beachy
READY! AIM! FIRE!!!!!
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
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I think...
Venters = closer
And Diory seems easy to know what to do with, keep him as is (the reserve IF that goes up and down 85 as injuries dictate)
lol
I said that part because depending on what happens with Chipper we could have him up here full time if the team decides to give the job to Infante.
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually think it would be Saito in the closer role, with Venters eventually stepping in if his arm doesn’t fall off. Either way, I don’t see any reason for the Braves to look outside the organization for a closer.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 7, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Saito cant go back to back games which is crucial in a closer
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish
we were an AL team. We would have an easy choice of just putting him at DH
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
If we managed to get rid of all the excess salary
that the team has pumped into Lowe, KK, and McLouth, we could sign a big name free agent OF like Carl Crawford or try and trade for somebody like Colby Rasmus- guys who could be true centerfielders for us instead of Ankiel
"That's my teammate, man... That's my quarterback"
1. We aren’t going to get rid of Lowe especially with his pronounced arm troubles.
2. Personally I don’t believe Crawford will be worth the contract he’s going to get.
3. Ankiel will not be in a Braves uniform next year. You don’t have to worry about that.
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Ankiel has struck out in 34.4% of his 180 AB for the season vs. 26.% of his 372 AB in ‘09; and his aggregate OPS over the same time period is .686. I’m wondering if he will be able to find a job anywhere in the big leagues.
Convert back to pitching?
by DreamWithinADream on Sep 7, 2010 12:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah....he does know how to throw strikes from centerfield
I have this idea that he could learn to throw the knuckleball…or at least be a closer?
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
If Lowe comes back healthy and pitches good, you don’t think we could trade him if we eat some salary? Because I’m sure hoping that happens
I’m talking in the offseason. Next year during the season is a complete different thing
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s the direction I’d like to see. Even if the Braves had to pay a small portion of Lowe’s and Kawakami’s salaries in order to make them go away, it’d be addition by subtraction. Then make a serious run at a free agent outfielder.
I say Nyger Morgan or Co-Co crisp in center and Jayson Werth(if cheap enough) or Xavier Nady in left and resign Derrek Lee to mentor Freddie Freeman and back him up but Freeman gets most of the time.The center fielders i named would give u speed and stolen bases with some pop
I stopped reading at “Nyjer Morgan”
"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010
Id love to have a guy like Nyger Morgan. Provided of course he was nothing like Nyger Morgan
by thenightstallion on Sep 7, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Nyjer Morgan beat out that creepy psychic guy (john edward maybe?) for biggest douche in the universe
Jason Heyward is so good, he makes David Wright piss in Ryan Howard’s pants
Its nice to see a player not into the dirty, beanball thing. Guys who throw at hitters deserve to get a couple teeth knocked back.
i'm a little confused...
are you siding with Morgan?
Jason Heyward is so good, he makes David Wright piss in Ryan Howard’s pants
For charging the mound, I would...
throw at a guy once, you get your point across. Go after him again the next at bat, and you’ve got to respond.
His other actions I’d probably disagree with, but the simple charging of the mound on Volstad for a pitch behind his back when they’d already plunked him, I’d agree.
Yeah
the Marlins went too far there. You make your point once, and they already hit him. Morgan probably shouldn’t have charged the mound, but I don’t blame him either.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 7, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
interesting..
i hadn’t thought about that. it was still a pretty cool clothesline from Gaby though.
Jason Heyward is so good, he makes David Wright piss in Ryan Howard’s pants
i agree
charging the mound was fine. its just the way he left the field that was out of line
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions
And a guy who acts like a douche & goes out of his way to take out players deserves to get plunked multiple times.
The only thing Volstad did wrong was not actually hitting him the 2nd time.
He wasn't plunked for bumping the Cards catcher
He was plunked because the other team are whiny douches. They pulled out the 65 pound book of unofficial doucheiness in baseball and it said that if you’re down by too much you shouldn’t steal bases. That’s bizzarely douchey. Its douchey to defend that rule. Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with punching any pitcher who beans a batter even once.
he would need to "restructure his contract so it was like 5mil...up to 8 with incentives?
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
I'd love Rasmus in Center.
Jordan Schafer and Vizcaino for Rasmus. What do yalll think?
I’d do that in a heartbeat, but I doubt the Cards would. Schafer hasn’t shown that he can even play at the AAA level, and as good as Vizzy appears, he’s still an A ball prospect. Players like Rasmus(minimum salary, proven MLB-er, plays premium defensive position, power hitting CFer) just don’t become available. Its going to take quite a haul to get him I’m afraid.
"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010
not really
the team still can just hold on to him. It would be a distraction but by no means would they be forced to move him for a package that isnt of equal value for him
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Vizcaino
maybe needs Tommy John?
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 7, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
IMO...
if Pujols says get out, they go. It’d be like Michael Jordan wanting someone off his 90s Bulls, or Peyton Manning saying I will no longer work with Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark. Yeah, Clark and Wayne are great players, but when your franchise says leave, they go.
And Vizcaino may have reinjured himself...
possibly signficantly, and Schafer looks like a never will be. Of course that looks like a great trade, for us.
I think after this "falling" out with their "the Machine" they will listen to All reasonable offers
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
No way
it would take a guy like Prado or Delgado and a guy like Kimbrel or Venters.
People seem to forget that Rasmus was a top-5 prospect just a year ago. He was the guy in front of Hanson and Heyward on BA’s Top 100 for 2009. Imagine if we were to trade one of them. Would you honestly want a 19-year old who’s battled injuries his whole career and a guy who can’t even hit AA pitching anymore?
"Based on stereotypes that are totally untrue and I do not agree with, you would maybe-not be a very good driver..."
"Oh man am I a woman?!"
by Scott Coleman on Sep 6, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd do Delgado and Kimbrel for Rasmus
I almost feel like it would take more than that, but if Venters can close than a non-Teheran SP prospect and a potential closer are not a lot to give up for a 5-tool CF under team control for the next 4 years or so
you're missing it
we would need to send them someone of ML capability that is proven. Rasmus has proven over the last season and a half that he can handle the bigs so therefore we would need to send them back someone that is capable of playing in the major leagues.
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Mclouth Melky KK
Following the infamous "astroglide" comment and the challenge for use of word:
no way the Astros glide into the playoffs.
by BrockSamson on Aug 29, 2010 3:26 PM PDT
Prado
is an interesting choice seeing as how they need MI help but I doubt our FO does that. They would be more likely to give up J.J. then fill his spot with Beachy or something next year.
by drumzalicious on Sep 6, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
i'd do a
JJ for Rasmus straight up.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 7, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Just looking at the starting position players for next year...
i think we really need a right handed bat, although i dont think that it will come through free agency. I, personally, hate jayson werth and i believe that his character is too sketchy for the braves to pursue him. But with Heyward, McCann, and Freeman all being left handed we need a right handed hitter. 3 doesnt seem like too many left handed hitters but if chipper doesnt make a comeback then we are looking at those 3 guys batting 3-4-5 in the order and that would make it very easy for a manager late in the game to bring in a lefty to face those 3. we need a right handed CF/LF who can bat 4/5. Any thoughts???
I'd love to get Swisher
and would settle for Nady, but doubt either happens.
by DreamWithinADream on Sep 7, 2010 12:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bad list...
Nady looks pretty done, Choo is lefty and won’t be available as he goes into arb for the first time this winter, Swisher is under contract for $9m next year with an option of just over $10m or a $1m buyout for 2012.
How is that a bad list?
Choo i forgot was LH so that is my bad.
Nady has starting hitting great since getting regular AB’s when Lee was traded.
Swisher will become expendable if the Yankees sign Werth or Crawford.
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Choo—not available, why would the Indians trade a cheap player who’s among the best in baseball?
Nady—fair enough, although SSS
Swisher would be too expensive at over $10m
if the team non-tenders Diaz and Melky we will have room to take on Swisher. Honestly he would be the best option IMO out of anyone that could possibly be available.
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we finish this season first? I mean, we’re going to have months and months without baseball to come up with all kinds of scenarios that aren’t going to happen. Can’t we just enjoy watching baseball while we still have it, argue about who’s better than who and why, and worry about the moves we think they should make after the season after the season?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
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Well we were getting different trade scenarios in different fanposts so i thought it would help to have them all in one place. feel free to delete the post
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
i'm intrigued...
by colby rasmus, but he really does nothing for our lineup who projects to have 3 full-time lh power hitters already. i could see a potential match with st. louis. if we were able to give infante the full-time ss position, they could be intrigued by a cheap ss option in alex g.
for rosterbation purposes, let’s say my fantasy trade happens:
rasmus for alex g. and a prospect.
assuming the infield is set at chipper, infante, prado, and freeman, we’ll need a serious backup for the 3 positions, and that role will go to…..edgar renteria.
last, but not least. the braves will be looking to add some serious rh power. keeping the venezuelan theme alive, the braves will sign magglio ordonez to man left field
additions in 2011: colby rasmus, edgar renteria, magglio ordonez, matt young, stephen marek, craig kimbrel, and brandon beachy
subtractions in 2011: MELKY, billy, saito, diaz, ankiel, farnsworth, and hinske.
rotation: huddy, hanson, jj, lowe, minor
bullpen: jonny (closer), o’flaherty, moylan, kimbrel, martinez, beachy, and marek
lineup: infante, prado, heyward, magglio, bmac, chipper, freeman, rasmus
bench: renteria, matt young, conrad, ross, mclouth
kawakami is packaged with barbaro canizares to an AL team for a salary dump.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
WHAT??
Alex Gonzalez and a prospect for Rasmus??? That won’t happen even in fantasy world. Besides, no one (except the Braves) would want a guy who IN A CAREER YEAR can barely manage a .300 OBP
by DreamWithinADream on Sep 7, 2010 12:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i'm not so sure this is true anymore...
with the way the game is changing, there might be many teams who are willing to sacrifice obp at ss for power and above average defensive skills. it might be shocking to hear this, but alex’s .781 ops ranks 4th in the majors for qualifield ss and his hr are tied for first.
and, according to fangraphs, alex is the 3rd most valuable ss this year.
if put on the trade market, alex could be a very hot commodity.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
Tommy Hanson
for Jesus Montero (who we move to LF) and Manny Banuelos (power lefty)
Now, I know what you’re thinking: what? give up on Hanson when he’s almost at stardom? My point is that Hanson’s value will never be higher. The Yankees need cheap, controllable pitchers and we need a RH power bat (Montero) and Banuelos is a stud in the making.
With Beachy at AAA and our pitching depth (I bet Teheran and Delgado come up some time next year) we can afford to let Hanson go.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 7, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Montero is a stud
But there is no way that happens
by DreamWithinADream on Sep 7, 2010 12:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Montero can’t play LF. He’s going to have to be a DH because he’s so immobile and awkward as a fielder.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
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www.dropoutproductions.com
true
but you never know. good CF and RF defense can cover up A LOT of crappy LF (see Ramirez, Manny) and with his bat, wow.
it’s just rosterbation. not going to happen. Rather than Montero or the Yankees, would anyone do a Mike Minor for Michael Young swap this off-season?
I know Young is older (34), but he’s got 3-4 years left in him and he can man 3B until Chipper comes back and he’s versatile enough to play SS in a pinch (and I bet he could learn LF easily).
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 7, 2010 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Montero in LF would be Adam Dunn bad. So unless we’re talking 90s Andruw Jones in CF, and the guy had a 1.200 OPS, then it wouldn’t work.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
You pick that to call out for being unrealistic?...
Come on man, it’s fantasy anyway, why should any dose of actual reality be involved?
I’ve always hated the “it’s just rosterbation” excuse. I mean, if we’re doing that, then I want Hank Aaron from the 60s in the outfield next year. And Spahn and Sain and Pray For Rain in the rotation.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
which is about as realistic as some of these proposals anyway...
including some of mine in all likelihood.
My comment was more, you pick this one over others to call out for being unrealistic, with so many other options to choose from.
Because people are always wanting to move guys to LF who could never play there, which they would know if they took a few minutes to find out about the guy. Most of these ridiculous scenarios will never happen and are so unlikely to happen they’re not even worth reading, but at least there’s a chance they could happen. GMs make terrible personnel decisions all the time. But a guy like Montero could never play LF with any regularity.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
really?
i’ve always hated it when people use analogies just to be argumentative.
and, fwiw, Montero and Banuelos for Hanson is much more realistic than you think. i can’t help it if you don’t read up on the Yankees. they desperately NEED a controllable innings-eating young pitcher who projects to be a cheap #1 or #2 for the next 5-7 years. They would give up A LOT to get that pitcher.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 8, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Yankees suck.....but ex yankees retire after they play there ...or should
Which brings us to a possible right hand pwr bat for next season….Marcus Thames…who has found a surge of 5 homeruns in his last 9 games…I wish our ex yankee would developed like that!
He is listed as a LF or RF…age is a little problem being 33 now and will turn 34 before next season. He has a plus 300 average in 170+ at bats….and did I mention he is getting hot in September?
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
how many people on here want to move montero to Left?
or are you the same guy?
Following the infamous "astroglide" comment and the challenge for use of word:
no way the Astros glide into the playoffs.
by BrockSamson on Aug 29, 2010 3:26 PM PDT
not the same guy
but many people project him as a LF or DH. Some people claim that his defense is SOOO bad that he’ll HAVE to be a DH. Consider him, they say, the 2010’s version of Edgar Martinez.
However, I’m a believer that you can teach defense to a player who wants to learn. Montero is YOUNG. You do remember that we trotted out a former catcher to play CF (Murphy) and the guy learned CF very well. Montero couldn’t play CF, but he might be able to play passable LF.
And for those of you who say that the Yankees wouldn’t trade Montero to us, think again. They were including him (and 2 other prospects) in a Lee deal. I figure that Hanson is slightly below Lee (right now) but is MUCH cheaper, so the Yankees would HAVE to include two very good prospects.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 8, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Lee
was playing for an American League team, negating the Montero horrible defense argument. Furthermore, it was a team with a heavy need at the catcher position, where he actually can play.
What works for one team doesn’t necessarily work for another. A C/DH type that would be horrible playing any other position might be a great fit for the Mariners in the AL, but not for the Braves in the NL.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
I'll take that bet
“JT and Delgado come up next year” basically handing me money(if it were a legit bet)
Jason Heyward...great guy
I'd take that bet too
I don’t see either of them playing a game in the bigs next season.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 9, 2010 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Why can't infante play lf?
kimbrel or dunn won’t pitch for us next year?
KK will be traded for a cheap releaver. loads of teams will want KK.
KK/Melky, Vizcaino and Schafer/CoJo fo Rasmus
if he complains and wants out, you guys don’t think they would do it?
Following the infamous "astroglide" comment and the challenge for use of word:
no way the Astros glide into the playoffs.
by BrockSamson on Aug 29, 2010 3:26 PM PDT
No, they wouldn't
KK wouldn’t be wanted unless we paid the majority of his salary. Melky maybe but doubtful, and not as any more than a throw in. Vizcaino is pretty worthless until he proves healthy thanks to the reports of him leaving his last start with Rome the other day because of an arm injury. And neither Schafer nor CoJo has much value now either until they prove they can hit again. So would you like this big pile of trash for a talented young player? I know, it’s trash, but look at the size of the pile.
I disagree...
with your assessment on paying KK’s salary in a trade, but otherwise this is spot-on.
KK can likely get moved to a team with no major salary relief. He’s had one bad year, but only by our standards. Plenty of other teams would probably take his production at that salary. We’d get a middle relief project (not prospect) guy in return, not anything more. If we wanted a true usable part, I imagine we would take on a significant chunk of salary.
That said, I can’t see any team taking KK as the centerpiece of a trade involving a five-tool player that plays a defense-intensive position.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
With the way we've handled him...
I think Kawakami’s value diminishes, and we’re looking at a bad salary swap, or someone demanding we pay salary if they’re sending anything of quality.
His value with us...
Diminishes, obviously, but I think there’s still plenty of suitors willing to give up a bag of bolts to take on the guy, even with the salary.
I don’t think we’ll get anything for him in return, other than a token player sent over. Given a fresh start, I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that he can’t pitch like a $7M veteran MLB pitcher.
Hell, given a fresh start with the Braves next season, I don’t see why he couldn’t do it. The only things that derailed him, i.e. our offense and Bobby Cox, shouldn’t be an issue going forward in a new season.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
His efforts
were probably better than average for most of MLB’s fifth starter. An ERA of 4.5 prior to getting yanked out of the rotation isn’t exactly horrid. He was coming off a gem in which he pitched 7 innings and allowed just five runners.
By no means am I saying he’s been a great pitcher and it’s all the Braves fault, but he had quite a few good starts that simply went for naught. Bobby also had a propensity to pull him earlier for a PH than most starters. Usually he allows the pitcher the opportunity to stay in there and pick up the win if it’s close, but not with KK.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
Right now the worth of KK is "up side down"
don’t know if he can come back but I still contend that we could sell him to some AL team claiming that he is that type of pitcher?…hee hee
The biggest thing now is that he is taking up a roster spot where we may have better options with another more talented less expensive #5 starter or someone from our farm.
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)
THIS IDEA IS SO AWESOME IT NEEDZ CAPITALS!
FRANK REN NEEDS TO PUT THE FRANCHISE OPTION TO FORCE TRADES TO YES. THEN HE CAN TRADE KK TO FLORIDA FOR CAMERIN MAYBEEN!
DO IT REN!
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
AWESOME TO THE MAX!
THEN HE CAN SEND MCCLOWTH AND DLEE TO THE CARDINALS FOR PUHOLS!!!
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 7, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Adding a note to my earlier rosterbation..
STL had interest in Alex Gonzalez when the Jays made him available. I could seriously see a potential match for an Alex G+prospect for Colby Rasmus deal.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
Just because they were interested
doesn’t mean they were Colby Rasmus interested. I’m pretty sure that the Jays would have taken any deal with Rasmus over any of ours with Escobar if it was offered.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 7, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So who plays SS for the Braves then?
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
my proposal...
was to move infante at short and sign someone such as renteria to back up all 4 positions (or, when chipper sits, move renteria to short and have infante play 3rd). then you have real money to sign a legit rh power bat, like magglio.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
But you have a substandard defender at one of the most important defensive positions in that scenario. That’s not really the best plan.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
according to fangraphs....
his collective stats at short says he’s pretty average. of course it will be a downgrade defensively from the 2 ss we’ve seen play this year.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
176 of his 225 career games at SS all came before joining the Braves in 2008. And as I understand UZR, 225 games over 9 seasons is hardly enough data to judge a player’s defense. He’d be 29 next year with only 49 games at SS (plus whatever he plays the rest of this year, which really won’t be that many) in the last 3 seasons. Realistically, he would be a major downgrade defensively at shortstop, one that would devalue what he adds with his bat.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
if we're getting Rasmus, i don't care
(not that it was realistic)
by kbertling353 on Sep 8, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
in atlanta...
we’ve seen great shortstops for the majority of the last 15 years (with yunel, furcal, and alex g), so we’ve been very fortunate to put a top 3-5 defensive ss out almost every year. infante could probably be average…
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
Probably not though. He’s been just barely average in a small sample size that was mostly from 3 years ago. If he played there regularly he’d be below average.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com
might not be the best scenario...
to put infante at short especially with a questionable chipper at 3rd. it just seems to me that the braves need to find space to play martin, infante, and chipper all at the same time rather than 2 of the 3 on the field. the defense is weakened considerably, but if it puts 2 quality outfielders in right and left, wouldnt it be worth it? with a player like renteria (or derosa for that matter..he might be available) who could cover multiple positions and provide some pop, our offense would be a major upgrade.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
and with a real centerfielder...
such as rasmus, we might actually catch a ball or 2 in the outfield.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
and thats
IF his bat even stays at its .38x BAbip level
by drumzalicious on Sep 8, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a pretty good feeling
the Cardinals will want more than Alex Gonzalez and a “prospect” for Rasmus.
For Bobby.
by Scott Coleman on Sep 8, 2010 3:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Depends on the prospect...
and if they are named Julio JJ Randall Mycal Teheran Hoover Delgado Jones.
Outside the box here
1. Trade Jair Jurrjens to the A’s for Grant Green and Michael Taylor. The A’s covet cheap young pitching. Green had an outstanding season this year and is primed to win a spot at short in the spring and although Taylor had a down season he’s a tremendous talent and has awesome power.
2. Trade Kenshin Kawakami and Nate McLouth to the Mariners for Brandon League
3. Sign Carl Crawford
Lineup:
Crawford – LF
Prado – 2B
Heyward – CF
Jones – 3B
McCann – C
Gonzalez – SS
Taylor – RF
Bench:
Ross – C
Infante – Super Utility
Cabrera – OF
Diaz – OF
Conrad – IF
Rotation:
Hudson – RHP
Hanson – RHP
Lowe – RHP
Minor – LHP
Beachy – RHP
Bullpen:
Martinez – LRP
Dunn – LOOGY
Kimbrel – MRP
O’Flaherty – SUP
Moylan – SUP
League – SUP
Venters – CP
1-Sign Coco Crisp to a cheap 1 year deal and platoon with McLouth
2-Sign a power hitting left fielder who is right handed
3-Resign Glaus or Lee to mentor Freeman and back him up
4-Acquire a right handed set up man like Jesse Crain
5-Resign Melky as the 5th outfielder and resign Eric Hinske
1-Crisp/McLouth-CF
2-Prado-2B
3-Jones-3B
4-McCann-C
5-Power hitting Left fielder
6-Heyward-RF
7-1B-Freeman
8-Gonzalez-SS
9-Pitcher Spot
Pitching Staff remains the same and the bench is same which will continue to be one of the best lead by Infante.The only question is who is the power hitting left fielder?????
5th outfielder...
at 4 million would be quite a lot of money, especially one that doesnt play any position well.
Smelky is not a good player. Noone can convince me otherwise.
so do u agree with the roster other than that?
You can restructure it for cheaper plus if we sign CoCo Crisp for cheap enough it wont really matter
the problem is
2-Sign a power hitting left fielder who is right handed
who that be? the only one out there is Werth. If you mean Werth, say it.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Sep 8, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I watch the A's alot. They desperately need hitting much more than pithing. They've got the cheap young itching covered.
I don’t see them doing that deal. they are more likely to trade one of their pitchers for some hitting.
Werth would be nice...very nice....but there are others
Magglio Ordonez is going to be a free agent because he wont have enough plate appearances.Xavier Nady could also be considered one but his power is decreasing.So yes i do want Werth and if not get Magglio Ordonez.
Maggs
got old fast. His defense is terrible and his bat isn’t going to be a plus for too much longer.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 8, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
your opening day lineup would look like this with Werth and if we can sign CoCo Crisp
1-Crisp/McLouth-CF
2-Prado-2B
3-Jones-3B
4-McCann-C
5-Jayson Werth-LF
6-Heyward-RF
7-1B-Freeman
8-Gonzalez-SS
9-Pitcher Spot
WTF you want Crisp for?
McLouth leading off? Yea I bet
JHEy batting 6th? Yea I bet
Chip batting 3rd opening day? Yea I bet
/sarcasm
Jason Heyward...great guy
Why would you McLouth when he has struggled all year???????????
1-Why not get CoCo Crisp he provides speed at the top of the order which is something we need desperately and he can steal bases plus McLouth has struggled all year so you tell me why not?
2-Its either him or Prado and Heyward is more of a middle of the order hitter
3-Where the hell else would you bat him?…..Heyward wont move to the 3 spot until Chipper retires
NOT SARCASM SO GET AT ME
Crisp was last good on Cleveland 5 years ago...
Prado seems perfectly capable leading off, unless you haven’t realized
Since when is “middle of the order” batting 6th? Middle of the order is 3,4,5
Chip is toast, alright he’s batting .240 , he’ll do much worse after coming back from a torn ACL
Jason Heyward...great guy
I love how everyone is saying “sign this person, sign that person” forgetting that we have been cutting payroll for the last 4-5 years. wouldnt be surprised to see us at 80 mil next year
We WILL NOT be cutting payroll
And i’ll take that to the bank!
That is yet to be seen
I hope the Braves ownership doesn’t cut payroll again. A post-season spot may keep them from doing so by adding revenue.
by Andy Braves Fan on Sep 9, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
A playoff run, especially deep in the playoffs...
would hopefully allow for more money to be made, and therefore spent (see Philly).
But.....when we win a pennant we don't have a fire sale afterward!
it just felt right and the chance to go to the postseason is hard to pass up. I’ve always respected their orginization… and Bobby…I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it...Derrek Lee (at press conference sayiing he had been traded to the Braves)

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