Talking Chop: FanShots

Cross this one off the list

2009-11-07T03:04:34Z

Cross this one off the list

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...

"The Minnesota Twins completed a trade Friday to acquire shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for centerfielder Carlos Gomez.

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.

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.

Gomez gives the Brewers a plus defender in center field, but his offensive struggles are a concern."

Jim Callis on Mike Minor and the Draft

2009-11-05T22:59:41Z

Jim Callis on Mike Minor and the Draft

From the latest ask BA. Callis always kills me.

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?

Phil Jones
Burke, Va.

————————

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).

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.

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

Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg named Topps Appy League Player of the Year

2009-11-05T20:03:29Z

Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg named Topps Appy League Player of the Year

Our South African slugger receives an honor for the good year he had at Danville.

Uggla for Javy? Keep dreaming FLA

2009-11-04T22:29:03Z

Uggla for Javy? Keep dreaming FLA

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.

Mark Bowman on winter targets...

2009-11-04T13:14:07Z

Mark Bowman on winter targets...

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.

Schafer chomping at the bit

2009-11-04T05:39:16Z

Schafer chomping at the bit

Another great article on Logan's injury and progress.

Minor League Transactions Oct. 6-25 Granted free agency: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle,...

2009-11-04T03:31:37Z

Minor League Transactions Oct. 6-25

Granted free agency: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle, RHP Vladimir Nunez
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Jorge Campillo, RHP Buddy Carlyle, RHP Vladimir Nunez, OF Reid Gorecki

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.

Granted free agency: OF Reid Gorecki

Pirates get Akinori Iwamura

2009-11-04T02:55:19Z

Pirates get Akinori Iwamura

Anyone think we should've made a deal to get him?

Wren: We're not interested in Aroldis Chapman

2009-11-03T05:05:43Z

Wren: We're not interested in Aroldis Chapman

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.

Braves 1st-round lefty Mike Minor will get the start for the West Division

2009-11-03T00:35:51Z

Braves 1st-round lefty Mike Minor will get the start for the West Division

Ben Badler Tweets us this note...
...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.

Whoops! Nothing like cocky idiots. Yes, I realize this was from game 2, but always a good time to...

2009-11-03T00:17:52Z

Whoops! Nothing like cocky idiots.
Yes, I realize this was from game 2, but always a good time to bash PHI, right?

Athletics Nation with a good take on Game 4

2009-11-03T00:11:07Z

Athletics Nation with a good take on Game 4

BA's Braves top-10

2009-11-02T19:28:13Z

BA's Braves top-10

1. Jason Heyward, of
2. Freddie Freeman, 1b
3. Julio Teheran, rhp
4. Mike Minor, lhp
5. Craig Kimbrel, rhp
6. Christian Bethancourt, c
7. Randall Delgado, rhp
8. Zeke Spruill, rhp
9. Cody Johnson, of
10. Adam Milligan, of

Prospects progressing

2009-11-01T15:21:19Z

Prospects progressing

DOB has an interesting writeup in today's AJC, with individual commentary of each of our youngsters in the AZ Fall League.

Worth a read.

Teaser: Frank Wren on Mike Minor: "He's not Cole Hamels today, but he has that kind of ability."

Braves offseason outlook at MLBTR

2009-10-30T19:55:09Z

Braves offseason outlook at MLBTR

Nothing new, just a nice summary.

Odds and ends: Former Braves, Mike Mordecai, who played in Atlanta from 1994-97, has been hired as...

2009-10-30T00:04:34Z

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.

Mark Bowman passes along some interesting tid-bits
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 this joke from Rowland's Office does not come true.

The Source of Baseballs Magic Mud

2009-10-28T19:18:39Z

The Source of Baseballs Magic Mud

Pretty interesting story about the origin of the rubbing mud required to be used on every baseball before it is put into play.

Theres a quote from Tim Hudson included, as well as a braves assistant coach.

Oh, how cute....

2009-10-28T02:16:54Z

Oh, how cute....

Does anyone else find this amusing?

TYIB Awards

2009-10-27T00:24:24Z

TYIB Awards

Hanson, Javy, Bobby, Franky up for awards. Vote

Steve Phillips: Worst Personnel Evaluator Ever

2009-10-26T19:27:15Z

Steve Phillips: Worst Personnel Evaluator Ever

Well, I for one never tire of some Steve Phillips schadenfreude. Pretty funny article, written by a Braves fan.

*Sigh* if only he could have been dismissed before the last 5 Sunday night baseball broadcasts I inflicted on myself.