Talking Chop: FanShotsThe Atlanta Braves blog of record2009-11-07T03:04:34Zhttp://www.talkingchop.com/rss/fanshots2009-11-07T03:04:34Z2009-11-07T03:04:34ZCross this one off the list<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors">Cross this one off the list</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Well, Hardy is no longer with the Brew Crew, so this should pretty much eliminate all trade talk of Yunel...although there hasn't been any such talk for some time now...</p>
<p>"The Minnesota Twins completed a trade Friday to acquire shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for centerfielder Carlos Gomez.</p>
<p>Hardy's presence means Orlando Cabrera will not be back in Minnesota, and that the Brewers are indeed moving forward with Alcides Escobar as their shortstop.</p>
<p>It's also a sign that Denard Span is going to play center for the Twins in 2010, unless they acquire one this winter. Here's where Mike Cameron's name is a fit, but Minnesota's payroll just went up with the addition of Hardy, who could make as much as $7 million via arbitration.</p>
<p>Gomez gives the Brewers a plus defender in center field, but his offensive struggles are a concern."</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/6/1120005/cross-this-one-off-the-listjustincredubil022009-11-05T22:59:41Z2009-11-05T22:59:41ZJim Callis on Mike Minor and the Draft<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2009/269099.html">Jim Callis on Mike Minor and the Draft</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>From the latest ask BA. Callis always kills me.</p>
<p> With a good showing after he signed and a fine performance in the Arizona Fall League, has lefthander Mike Minor shed the notion that he wasn’t worthy of being drafted seventh overall by the Braves?</p>
<p> Phil Jones
<br /> Burke, Va.</p>
<p> ————————</p>
<p> No one ever has disputed the fact that Minor can really pitch. He does a nice job of mixing and locating his fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. He has been very impressive in four starts at low Class A Rome (though that’s a small sample size) and in four brief outings in the AFL (a smaller sample size, and you shouldn’t read too much into AFL stats).</p>
<p> Still, Minor doesn’t have a true plus pitch beyond his changeup and his fastball usually operates in the upper 80s. His realistic ceiling is as a No. 3 starter, it’s easier to project him as a No. 4 and it’s not difficult to draw parallels between him and another Vanderbilt finesse lefthander who was a top-10 choice, Jeremy Sowers.</p>
<p> Was Minor a worthy first-rounder? Yes. Would have I taken him seventh overall? Not a chance. One of the reasons teams complain that the draft doesn’t distribute talent equitably is the clubs won’t take the best player available. Atlanta wouldn’t exceed MLB’s bonus recommendation at No. 7, though they mistakenly budgeted for the 2008 figure ($2.42 million) rather than the reduced 2009 number ($2.178 million) because the commissioner’s office didn’t give them the amount quickly enough. That limited their choices, though former Braves scouting director Roy Clark (now assistant GM with the Nationals) was a big believer in Minor. Clark loved Tyler Matzek, too, but didn’t have the budget to sign him.</blockquote</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/5/1117865/jim-callis-on-mike-minor-and-thePWHjort2009-11-05T20:03:29Z2009-11-05T20:03:29ZRiaan Spanjer-Furstenburg named Topps Appy League Player of the Year<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091105&content_id=7626652&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp">Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg named Topps Appy League Player of the Year</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Our South African slugger receives an honor for the good year he had at Danville.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/5/1117590/riaan-spanjer-furstenburg-namedgondeee2009-11-04T22:29:03Z2009-11-04T22:29:03ZUggla for Javy? Keep dreaming FLA<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091104&content_id=7616436&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla">Uggla for Javy? Keep dreaming FLA</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Marlins beat writer mentions that a swap of Uggla for Vazquez would make sense for both teams. I'd never do this trade, unless Uggla learned LF.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/4/1115113/uggla-for-javy-keep-dreaming-flanick93142009-11-04T13:14:07Z2009-11-04T13:14:07ZMark Bowman on winter targets...<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091102&content_id=7606324&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnerId=rss_atl">Mark Bowman on winter targets...</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Sounds like the club will offer arbitration to both Gonzo and Soriano, and expects to resign neither, nor do they expect to resign LaRoche (indicating a 1 year offer). Also, maybe Wagner or Capps (or both) to replace Soriano and Gonzo? He also seems to think there will be a longer than normal list of non-tendered players to pick from.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/4/1114266/mark-bowman-on-winter-targetsMr. Sanchez2009-11-04T05:39:16Z2009-11-04T05:39:16ZSchafer chomping at the bit<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091103&content_id=7611546&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl">Schafer chomping at the bit</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Another great article on Logan's injury and progress.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/4/1114033/schafer-chomping-at-the-bitBravely going forward2009-11-04T03:31:37Z2009-11-04T03:31:37ZMinor League Transactions Oct. 6-25
Granted free agency: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle,...<img alt="3283598748_67ccd71f79_b" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/84148/3283598748_67ccd71f79_b.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p>Minor League Transactions Oct. 6-25</p>
<p>Granted free agency: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle, RHP Vladimir Nunez
<br />Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle, RHP Vladimir Nunez, OF Reid Gorecki</p>
<p>Campillo, Carlyle and Gorecki served the Braves well as minor league free agent signs who contributed to the big league club in supporting roles over the past two years.</p>
<p>Granted free agency: OF Reid Gorecki</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/3/1113892/minor-league-transactions-oct-6-25jmorris8112009-11-04T02:55:19Z2009-11-04T02:55:19ZPirates get Akinori Iwamura<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20091103&content_id=7614896&vkey=pr_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit">Pirates get Akinori Iwamura</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Anyone think we should've made a deal to get him?</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/3/1113851/pirates-get-akinori-iwamuraGoBravesNY2009-11-03T05:05:43Z2009-11-03T05:05:43ZWren: We're not interested in Aroldis Chapman<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/braves_deny_interest_in_chapma.html">Wren: We're not interested in Aroldis Chapman</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>I'd never heard of Melissa Segura from SI.com (who broke the story earlier today), and it's not that surprising that this rumor was debunked by FW. Honestly, Chapman would be nice to have, but we don't have a need for him. I'd much rather spend the money on a closer, 1B or OF.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/3/1112371/wren-were-not-interested-inmvhsbball2009-11-03T00:35:51Z2009-11-03T00:35:51ZBraves 1st-round lefty Mike Minor will get the start for the West Division<blockquote>
<p>Braves 1st-round lefty Mike Minor will get the start for the West Division</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="source"><p><a href="http://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/5377631461">Ben Badler Tweets us this note...</a>
<br />...about Mike Minor starting in the AFL Rising Stars game this Saturday. The game will be televised at 8pm on the MLB Network. For most of us this will be our first chance to watch our top draft pick pitch.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/2/1112042/braves-1st-round-lefty-mike-minorgondeee2009-11-03T00:17:52Z2009-11-03T00:17:52ZWhoops! Nothing like cocky idiots.
Yes, I realize this was from game 2, but always a good time to...<img alt="Yanks-avert-sweep" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/83860/yanks-avert-sweep.jpg" />
<div class="source source-img"><p>Whoops! Nothing like cocky idiots.
<br />Yes, I realize this was from game 2, but always a good time to bash PHI, right?</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/2/1112017/whoops-nothing-like-cocky-idiotsGoBravesNY2009-11-03T00:11:07Z2009-11-03T00:11:07ZAthletics Nation with a good take on Game 4<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/2009/11/1/1110699/manuel-lidge-get-what-they-deserve">Athletics Nation with a good take on Game 4</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/2/1111998/athletics-nation-with-a-good-takeZeus128882009-11-02T19:28:13Z2009-11-02T19:28:13ZBA's Braves top-10<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269097.html">BA's Braves top-10</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>1. Jason Heyward, of
<br />2. Freddie Freeman, 1b
<br />3. Julio Teheran, rhp
<br />4. Mike Minor, lhp
<br />5. Craig Kimbrel, rhp
<br />6. Christian Bethancourt, c
<br />7. Randall Delgado, rhp
<br />8. Zeke Spruill, rhp
<br />9. Cody Johnson, of
<br />10. Adam Milligan, of</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/2/1111482/bas-braves-top-10PWHjort2009-11-01T15:21:19Z2009-11-01T15:21:19ZProspects progressing <h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/top-draft-pick-minor-180441.html">Prospects progressing </a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>DOB has an interesting writeup in today's AJC, with individual commentary of each of our youngsters in the AZ Fall League.</p>
<p>Worth a read.</p>
<p>Teaser: Frank Wren on Mike Minor: "He's not Cole Hamels today, but he has that kind of ability." </p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/11/1/1109787/prospects-progressingfandave2009-10-30T19:55:09Z2009-10-30T19:55:09ZBraves offseason outlook at MLBTR<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/10/offseason-outlook-atlanta-braves.html">Braves offseason outlook at MLBTR</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Nothing new, just a nice summary.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/30/1108079/braves-offseason-outlook-at-mlbtrTradeAndruw2009-10-30T00:04:34Z2009-10-30T00:04:34ZOdds and ends: Former Braves, Mike Mordecai, who played in Atlanta from 1994-97, has been hired as...<blockquote>
<p>Odds and ends: Former Braves, Mike Mordecai, who played in Atlanta from 1994-97, has been hired as Toronto's bench coach...GM Frank Wren, Bobby Cox and some of the club's other execs are currently holding meeting in Sea Island...Jon "Boog" Sciambi is handling some broadcast duties for his new full-time employer ESPN during this week's World Series...Checked with Fox Sports South this week and didn't gain any indication about who might replace Boog on next year's Braves broadcasts.</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="source"><p><a href="http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/10/now_its_the_braves_fans_who_ar.html">Mark Bowman passes along some interesting tid-bits</a>
<br />I really hope they get someone good to replace Boog. He is a great play-by-play guy and he will be hard to replace. Let's hope <a href="http://rowlandsoffice.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/broadcastron-3000-retained/" target="new">this joke from Rowland's Office</a> does not come true.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/29/1106930/odds-and-ends-former-braves-mikegondeee2009-10-28T19:18:39Z2009-10-28T19:18:39ZThe Source of Baseballs Magic Mud<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/28/baseball.mud/index.html">The Source of Baseballs Magic Mud</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Pretty interesting story about the origin of the rubbing mud required to be used on every baseball before it is put into play.</p>
<p>Theres a quote from Tim Hudson included, as well as a braves assistant coach.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/28/1105003/the-source-of-baseballs-magic-mudSid Bream's Moustache2009-10-28T02:16:54Z2009-10-28T02:16:54ZOh, how cute....<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Phillies-Shane-Victorino-not-amused-with-New-Yo?urn=mlb,198583">Oh, how cute....</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Does anyone else find this amusing?</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/27/1104007/oh-how-cutesddbaker2009-10-27T00:24:24Z2009-10-27T00:24:24ZTYIB Awards<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/awards/y2009/tyib/index.jsp">TYIB Awards</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Hanson, Javy, Bobby, Franky up for awards. Vote</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/26/1102228/tyib-awardsGoBravesNY2009-10-26T19:27:15Z2009-10-26T19:27:15ZSteve Phillips: Worst Personnel Evaluator Ever<h3 class="link-title"><a href="http://www.takeyourskirtofftombrady.com/?p=178">Steve Phillips: Worst Personnel Evaluator Ever</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p>Well, I for one never tire of some Steve Phillips schadenfreude. Pretty funny article, written by a Braves fan.</p>
<p>*Sigh* if only he could have been dismissed before the last 5 Sunday night baseball broadcasts I inflicted on myself.</p></div>
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/10/26/1101776/steve-phillips-worst-personnelSid Bream's Moustache