tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56770615236697876542023-06-21T00:01:23.168-04:00Carolina Co-OpCarolina Co-op is a duo of high school juniors discussing baseball, football, basketball, and other random sports thoughts.
The Atlanta Braves, North Carolina State University Athletics, the Carolina Panthers, and North Davidson High School Football are what we consider to be our specialties...and we've got 'em covered from top-to-bottom.Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-71217536239320471672010-03-13T22:24:00.001-05:002010-03-13T22:25:42.531-05:00Atlanta Braves X-Factors: Billy WagnerWho else remembers Billy Wagner's first appearance back from the disabled list last season?<div><br /></div><div>Metallica's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3LAFJbKyY">Enter Sandman</a>" blaring over the Citi Field speakers before the 5'11" (generously) lefty dismantled the Braves' eighth inning threesome of Reid Gorecki, Chipper Jones, and Brian McCann (striking out the first and last dudes mentioned).</div><div><br /></div><div>About an appearance later, Wagner was placed on waivers and traded to the Boston Red Sox.</div><div><br /></div><div>All told, Wagner appeared to be "back," as he managed 26 Ks to eight walks in 15.2 innings while posting a sparkling 1.72 ERA.</div><div><br /></div><div>With those stats as their sample, the Atlanta Braves jumped on Wagner as soon as he started fielding offers and inked the 38-year-old Virginia-native to a one-year deal that is set to pay him $7 million in 2010 (with an option for 2011 that kicks in if and when he finishes 50 games).</div><div><br /></div><div>But, were those numbers flukes?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the Braves just throw away close to ten million dollars that could have been put to the, at least right now, questionable offense?</div><div><br /></div><div>Will Billy Wagner come close to the pre-Tommy John surgery years?</div><div><br /></div><div>To answer those questions, I'll say: "probably not," "no," and "sure, why not."</div><div><br /></div><div>Wagner, upon his return, was throwing in the mid- to upper-90s as he had in his glory days (although, 100 was more the norm back in the day) with the same cutting slider and loopy curve that made him one of the greatest door-closers of all time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would you expect <a href="http://thebiglead.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Billy-Wagner-wants-to-kick-your-ass1.jpg">Cowboy Billy</a> to be anything less than what he was in '05, '06, '07 after that kind of showing?</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep in mind that Tommy John Surgery has about a <a href="http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/05/05_chae_tommyjohn/">93 percent</a> success rate and we, as Braves fans, have seen the likes of Mike Gonzalez and Peter Moylan have a ton of success in the past two years following the ligament replacement procedure.</div><div><br /></div><div>I look for Wagner to have a strong campaign with the Braves in 2010...and I have little doubt in my mind that he won't at least approach 40 saves for the club.</div><div><br /></div><div>A 2.75-3.00 ERA with something like 95 Ks in 70 or so appearances seems like a fair bet for Wagner.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, his potential for on-the-field success isn't the only reason for his appearance on my list of Braves X-Factors.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not even close.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking at the impact he could have as a leader in the Braves' clubhouse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though he has made some, let's say, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3FmLIeRa0I&feature=related">obscure</a> comments over the years, he seems to respect people who are accountable for their actions (not always prevalent in the Mets' clubhouse) and, by all accounts, carries out his business the "right way" (hustling out all of the spring drills et all).</div><div><br /></div><div>In an environment where he'll be around up-and-coming relievers like Eric O'Flaherty, Jesse Chavez, Kris Medlen, and closer-in-waiting (and fellow short dude) Craig Kimbrel, you have to figure that his simple presence and apparent work ethic will leak into these guys and help out their performance in the majors.</div><div><br /></div><div>If he can couple that sort of "mentorship" with his potential on the field this season, then I think we're talking about the steal of the offseason.</div><div><br /></div><div>An anchor at the end of the 'pen and an exceptional teacher and influence?</div><div><br /></div><div>For $7 million?</div><div><br /></div><div>Eat your heart out (insert name of a GM/owner overpaying for any closer).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, to couple one of the most dramatic 9th inning presences of all time, I present one of the most dramatic songs of all time (and my personal favorite)...</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Waq_z7lvxjw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Waq_z7lvxjw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>Up next in this series, the man, the myth, the Hey...a top-to-bottom look at what Jason Heyward brings to the Braves in 2010.</div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-14190458000111466272010-03-06T01:20:00.000-05:002010-03-06T01:20:40.475-05:00The Jason Heyward Situation: My Take<div>It's becoming more and more obvious with each passing batting practice 450 foot, car-demolishing blast and Spring Training walk and slash, that Jason <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Heyward</span> is becoming, and will likely remain such for the next decade or two, the apple of Braves Nations' eye.</div><div><br /></div><div>The big-boned Atlanta prospect looks to be, even at a mere 20 years of age, the real deal.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, with that, is looking more and more like one of the, as Braves officials have, in a somewhat round-about way, coined it "best 25 men in camp."</div><div><br /></div><div>So, it's a no-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">brainer</span> that he starts the season at the Ted against the Chicago Cubs, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Not so fast...</div><div><br /></div><div>In his most recent downer-blog, venerable Atlanta-Journal Constitution writer Mark Bradley profiled the dilemma that henceforth shall be referred to the J-Hey Conundrum.</div><div><br /></div><div>I encourage you, provided your view on the world is of a cynical nature, to read <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/03/05/why-jason-heyward-might-not-be-here-on-opening-day/">it</a> and the caption from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ESPN's</span> Rob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Neyer</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>(For the record, Bradley does present his facts in a straight-forward manner, very professional...but it's so depressing to read one of his columns. Give him and David O'Brien the same stats and information, and you'll walk away from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DOB's</span> piece thinking positively...as opposed to the sluggish sensation you get as you navigate away from Bradley's publications.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway (I wrote a blog a couple of weeks back that I was too embarrassed to let tough B/R because of the utter disgust I heard when I read it back...I don't want to let this one get to that point), back to the downer-blog...</div><div><br /></div><div>In it, Bradley (through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Neyer</span>, who wrote his lecture through Bryan Smith) likens the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Heyward</span> situation to that of both Tommy Hanson last season and Evan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Longoria</span> in 2008.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which I get.</div><div><br /></div><div>In both of those cases, the teams (the Braves and Rays, respectively) were looking to sacrifice a little bit of production in the beginning of their 162-game campaigns to save a little money down the line.</div><div><br /></div><div>But consider the cost, beyond just dollars, in both cases.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Rays, as we all know, inked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Longo</span> to a nine-year, $44 million-plus contract days after calling him up to make the entire "service time" situation moot (172 days is a full year...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Longo</span> would have had 170 if anyone had been counting upon a contract falling trough back in '08 or whatnot)--and I know that's what everyone in Atlanta and the entire southeast (and pretty much everyone who brandishes a cap with a fancy "A" nationwide) would like to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>And in the end, not calling him up didn't hurt the eventual '08 AL Champs at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>They got their affordable deal for an up-and-coming MVP <i>and</i> a berth in the World Series.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then look at Tommy Hanson who has yet to make any sort of long-term (as in, beyond his arbitration years) commitment with the Bravos.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, the team keeps nasty arbitration hearings out of the picture for another season, but the Braves were also, for my money, kept out of the 2009 playoffs because of this decision.</div><div><br /></div><div>Think about it...give Hanson 10 more starts last season to build on his stellar 2.89 ERA and 8.2 K/9 rate and we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">could've</span> been talking about a deep run for the Braves and that staff that so elegantly graced the field last season.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's not to say that he <i>definitely</i> would have propelled the Braves to the few additional games they needed to clinch a spot; I'm just saying that the spark Hanson provided was something to behold and would have brought about more positive ramifications than any uninspired Jo-Jo Reyes start. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that brings us back to the J-Hey Conundrum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Should the Braves be sweetening the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kool</span>-Aid all of the residences of Braves Nation have been drinking...even though it is somewhat of a risky (no guarantees <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Heyward</span> is as accommodating as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Longoria</span>) route, and call the J-Hey Kid up while Super-Two and "early-arbitration/free agency" loom heavy?</div><div><br /></div><div>Or should they pour all of the hype and anticipation down the sink in an effort to delay big-time, high-pressure contract negotiations?</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, the answer is simple--bring out the Domino!</div><div><br /></div><div>I can admit that I come within an inch of peeing myself every time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Heyward</span> comes to bat and does something (be it a single, double, stolen base, walk, or pop out) because of my school girl-like giddiness over the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">McDonough</span> Man-Child (there's a nickname for ya).</div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm sure I'm not alone in that sensation (though most dudes probably would not liken themselves to a school girl publicly).</div><div><br /></div><div>But, the reasoning (though paralleling that in a way) goes much deeper than just my own personal man-crush on J-Word.</div><div><br /></div><div>It goes beyond, as one commenter on Bradley's blog put it (this dude was anti-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Heyward</span> in the majors, for the record) "[Giving] 14 days and getting 365."</div><div><br /></div><div>It goes to the state of the pissed off, foaming-at-the-mouth, hungry Braves' fan-base that lets its "trollish" wrath be heard daily around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">interweb</span>, and the atmosphere down at Disney that you feel radiating out of any of the veteran Braves' comments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since 2005, when can you remember THIS sort of utter joy and giddiness radiating from the depths of Braves forums?</div><div><br /></div><div>When is the last time that you've heard so much national interest in the franchise?</div><div><br /></div><div>When is the last time you've seen such an immaculate talent rise through the Braves' farm system?</div><div><br /></div><div>Exactly.<br /><br /></div><div>It's been a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>At some point, you have to reach out to the fan base and say "we're really trying" (not that I doubt that).</div><div><br /></div><div>Say that "you know what, we are a better team with this guy than without...even if we lose out a little on the back end."</div><div><br /></div><div>Even without the emotional ties, the dude, with his .352/.446/.611 line at AA last year and incredible maturity (both on- and off the field, by all reports), has proved that he, at the very least, deserves an unbiased (from a cash perspective) look.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's proven that age is just a number with his "30 ought six" shots to the outfield and high praise (I think they're too much of s stretch, so I'm not going to specifically mention them) from the man that should be his manager on April 5, Bobby Cox.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Even more than all of that, he brings a quiet confidence and a "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Francoeur</span>-like" energy that doesn't always seem to be readily available when you look at any of the Braves' starters </div><div><br /></div><div>As <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Heyward</span> says on his Twitter account, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; ">it all feels the same, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">enjoyin</span> the game i love."</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>And looking at all of the smiles in every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">BP</span> photo and autograph signing you see of him, you believe that.</div><div><br /></div><div>As long as he doesn't go 0-for the rest of the spring (though one-for would probably not be acceptable, either), he is the best option available for the Braves in right field...regardless of any cash concerns...and should have a number "nine" penciled in next to his name come Opening Day as he runs onto the grass of Turner Field.</div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-82750486762060213962010-03-01T18:24:00.000-05:002010-03-01T18:24:20.758-05:00Atlanta Braves X-Factors: Chipper JonesThis past season was rough, to say the least, for Chipper Jones.<div><br /></div><div>The venerable Braves third baseman posted the lowest batting average (.264) and slugging percentage (.430) that his 16-year (including the eight games in '93) has ever seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>The now-37-year-old Jones also saw his first sub-20 homer season as a full-time player.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, '09 was so bad for the face (at least until J-Word starts tearing it up) of the franchise, that retirement talks were being floated by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hoss</span> himself this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">offseason</span> as he enters the first year of a three-year extension.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even with these pint-sized numbers, the Braves as a whole really did not suffer the fate many would have expected with those abysmal numbers from No. 10.</div><div><br /></div><div>They still won 86 games and were well within striking distance during the season's final weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, imagine what this past season could have been with the Chipper we've come to know and love over the past few years in Atlanta's three hole.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know, that .320, 20 homer guy that slices up defenses with teardrop bloopers, screaming <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gappers</span>, and the occasional 400-foot blast.</div><div><br /></div><div>The guy that can carry the team when it occasionally finds itself sans-B-Mac, -<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Escobar</span>, or -clean-up hitter.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had you plugged that into the line-up the Braves featured in the second half of 2009, and we may be talking about the deep playoff run the Braves and their exceptional pitching staff had in the 2009 postseason...but I digress.</div><div><br /></div><div>We all know what C. Jones means to the Braves.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's the guy that leads all of the young guys with his actions and is always accountable for his actions...a true professional.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, he is getting up there in age and is now looking down the barrel of Bobby Cox's final season...you know, his second father who has served as his only <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MLB</span> manager.</div><div><br /></div><div>You have to wonder if he can handle the pressure that's going to stem from 2009, Cox, and his birth certificate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because, if he can't, you're likely looking at another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">postseasonless</span> season in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hotlanta</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>This really is the dude that can push the Braves over the line of mediocrity if he can come in and post something close to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">afore</span> mentioned "norm" that Braves fans have come to expect from their aging star.</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I think he's got enough in the tank to do <i>something</i> this season.</div><div><br /></div><div>We certainly can't expect anything close to his '99 MVP season as a 27-year-old, and I don't think any of us really are.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, when you consider the pressure a legitimate bat like Troy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Glaus</span> take off of Jones' shoulders (who has admitted to attempting to boost his power numbers with a "bigger," if you will, swing) and the work he put in this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">offseason</span> to fix some flaws in his swing, you have to think that .290-.310 and 20-25 homers is well within the realm of possibilities.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I had to put money down on it, I think .307 (that <i>is</i> his career BA) with 21 homers and an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">OBP</span> in the neighborhood of .420 would be completely reasonable.</div><div><br /></div><div>That average falls short of his '06-'08 and those homers would match his 2005 (when he batted .296).</div><div><br /></div><div>He won't (and I think you can mark that down) set the world on fire...but he also shouldn't be the, let's say, anti-Chipper that we saw in 2009...at least I hope.</div><div><br /></div><div>And...well...I can't think of any good way to slip this video in here other than to say that I really like the song...</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1a76FeV2-Dw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1a76FeV2-Dw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I think we'll be looking at Billy Wagner in our next edition of Atlanta Braves X-Factors...be sure to check back.</div><div><br /></div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-10643947642491520662010-02-22T22:57:00.002-05:002010-02-22T22:59:19.362-05:00Musings on the Atlanta Braves as Players Report<div>This is my favorite time of year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pitchers are throwing to <i>real</i> catchers for the first time in months.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rookies are gearing up for their first shots.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aging vets are getting ready to fight to prove that they can still do what they've been doing since they were five-years-old.</div><div><br /></div><div>And news is actually readily available without having to BS a ton. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the first musing that I've put out in some time, so I actually have some real topics to discuss (exciting, right?) without the previously mentioned BS (though I did throw some of that in here).</div><div><br /></div><div>First thing, <b>Johnny Damon</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The saga that most Braves fans have been emerging ourselves in has been that of the newly-christened Detroit Tiger, Johnny Damon.</div><div><br /></div><div>I said before it started that the whole story seemed like a good setup to get my hopes up before throwing them to the floor in a fiery menagerie of frustration and disappointment.</div><div><br /></div><div>And guess what?</div><div><br /></div><div>That's not exactly what happened...which is a good thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, I had figured that (even though I really wanted him at the top of the Braves' order) the formerly-bearded one would spurn the Atlanta ballclub for greener outfields in the American League.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, when Damon signed a one year, $8 MM deal with the Tigers this past week, I just sort of shrugged and just reminded myself that I would probably take four times (depending on the report you read) the guaranteed that the Braves were offering to play for Jim Leyland and his crew as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was disappointed, don't get me wrong on that front, because I saw Damon as a legitimate option to improve the club...but I didn't get too worked up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I still think this club is well-constructed enough to contend...just glad that ordeal's over.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that brings me to my second thought...<b>fan support</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to ask that you scroll through a few Braves blogs (Mark Bradley, David O'Brien, and Mark Bowman would be the "beat guys" I would suggest with any Braves-related threads on MLB Trade Rumors being the other source I would recommend) and tell me if you don't get disgusted with some of the pessimistic and "woe is us" comments from the fans on there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Frank "Do Nothing" Wren.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third Place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Terrible pitching staff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fourth Place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Atrocious line-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even a few folks calling fifth place for the Braves.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the words of Keyshawn Johnson, COME ON MAN!</div><div><br /></div><div>The months leading up to the season (unless Dayton Moore is your GM) are cause for optimism.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the time when you start to think about how awesome a little October glory would be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not when you're calling for the cellar for your "team" (because I don't think some of the people really <i>like</i> the Braves)...especially for a team that's as talented as the 2010 Atlanta Braves.</div><div><br /></div><div>I mean, seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look at the corps going into battle this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>You're going to have one of the top-five rotations in baseball backed by Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Peter Moylan, and Eric O'Flaherty in the 'pen and Yunel Escobar, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, and Troy Glaus, to name a few, in the line-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>You're telling me that's back-end-of-the-division quality?</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not...have a little faith (and no, I'm not bringing George Michael back again).</div><div><br /></div><div>Next thing, <b>Edward Salcedo</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>If this kid's half of what he's being <a href="http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=123749">billed</a> as, then the Braves may have found their long-term solution for third base...or at least part of it (more on that in just a second).</div><div><br /></div><div>He projects to have solid power and is said to handle short-stop exceptionally well even at 18 (which is his age...no controversy now).</div><div><br /></div><div>His body size, though, has led many to call him a 3B down the line (that has yet to be seen, obviously).</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine if he pans out, though, and the talent an infield of Salcedo, Escobar (or those two could be switched since both are "big" dudes and Escobar has that epic arm), Prado, and Freeman would come up and slam on the table (since this would go beyond "bringing" something to the table).</div><div><br /></div><div>And a potential OF of Johnson (I'm thinking without all of the Ks while retaining his mammoth power)-Schafer-Heyward with B-Mac behind the plate coupled with a rotation anchored by Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson?</div><div><br /></div><div>Talk about talent...</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all being eager (and, more than likely, overly-so), but it <i>is</i> nice to have an above-average infield prospect in the Braves' system now as opposed to hoping for some miracle pick in the draft.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last thing, <b>the first prediction on the record</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay (and this related to the second "point" I made), this is what I'm calling for the Braves in 2010...</div><div><br /></div><div>Based on the incredibly strong staff and more-than-solid supporting cast, I'm marking the Braves down for <b>91 wins</b>...good for second in the division and a berth in the playoffs via the wild card.</div><div><br /></div><div>They came close last season, and I have a ton more confidence in this group than the one that hit the field to start the 2009 season in Philadelphia, so I'm expecting the Braves to <i>do</i> a little more this year than last.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who knows, they may even run this league in the playoffs (sorry for the bad lead-up to this video)...</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yVA-xTBeHyM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yVA-xTBeHyM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>...with their mix of vigorous youth and proven veteran talent.</div><div> </div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-32823850170454635632010-02-21T22:31:00.000-05:002010-02-21T22:31:56.548-05:00Atlanta Braves X-Factors: Eric HinskeThe Atlanta Braves, in what has proved to be their last notable signing of the 2009-10 offseason, signed a one-year, $1 million contract back in January.<div><br /></div><div>And it really didn't send any sort of shockwaves through the Major League Baseball community.</div><div><br /></div><div>A 32-year-old bench-rider signing a microscopic (relatively speaking, I'd love a million dollars) contract with Johnny Damon still on the market (remember, the rumors for him started churning about the time Hinske was signed before signing with Detroit earlier this month) isn't exactly going to make the pundits on MLB Tonight and Hot Stove rant and rave.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I don't think the lack of publicity this move received should be allowed to downplay the significance of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Think about it...</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a guy that is going to be relied on to fill holes at first, third, left, and right whenever they may pop up.</div><div><br /></div><div>And with the question marks being what they are at both corners of the infield with Chipper Jones and Troy Glaus' recent injury histories (even though Chipper led the Bravos in games played last season), you have to figure the Braves are expecting this guy to be ready at all times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, ad did I mention that he's likely to be the primary pinch-hitter?</div><div><br /></div><div>Dude's got a lot on his plate.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's why I'm expecting him to get into 90-120 games this season (15-25 at the hot corner, 15-35 for Glaus, 15-20 in the outfield, and 45-75 games as a pinch-hitter--depending on his playing time in the field).</div><div><br /></div><div>And if he does that, then I think that we have to hope for more than the (granted, most of this was as a PH, though he did play 56 of his 93 games in the field at some point last season) .242 average, eight homers, and 52:27 K:BB ratio he posted last season in a season split between Pittsburgh and the World Champion Yankees (the third time in three years with his third different team that he's gone to the Series...confusing enough phrasing?...thought so).</div><div><br /></div><div>His talent isn't what you could call elite, so I'm not calling on him to replicate his 2002 Rookie of the Year campaign in which he hit .274 with 24 homers and 13 steals.</div><div><br /></div><div>But something similar to his 2006 when he split time between a near-full-time role in Toronto and a bench role in Boston and hit .271 with 13 homers from the left side of the plate in 109 games would, for me, be more than passable for any ailments the Braves' may suffer from at any of the corners in 2010.</div><div><br /></div><div>No matter how many games he ends up playing, I believe that he's going to be pivotal in determining the Braves' October chances when he does get his chances.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be they from the bench in the eighth and ninth or in the field when Chipper strains a muscle, his chances will be coming when the tension's tightest and pressure is highest...and his performance in those situations will, without a doubt, affect the outcome of plenty of games in Hotlanta this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xtrEN-YKLBM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xtrEN-YKLBM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, with the "pressure" segue out of the way, I'll get to work on the next X-Factor...Chipper Jones and his (hopeful) comeback.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-45396140430717962342010-02-13T22:50:00.004-05:002010-02-14T00:03:46.492-05:00Felipe Lopez and the Atlanta Braves: Just ThinkingLet me preface this by saying that I have seen no linkage of any kind between the Atlanta Braves and Felipe Lopez.<div><br /></div><div>This is all speculation/thinking on my part.</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, now we can start...</div><div><br /></div><div>With the Johnny Damon saga seemingly headed towards a two year, $14 million resolution in Motown, the Atlanta Braves appear to have been left with a hole that they were willing to commit about $5 million to fixing at the top of the line-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, they sit in the same position they found themselves in about six weeks ago when Troy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Glaus</span> donned his new jersey during a press conference at Turner Field (save the minor inking of Eric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hinske</span>).</div><div><br /></div><div>Ever since that time we've heard they the team "likes where they are."</div><div><br /></div><div>But, apparently, the club liked itself better with a more legitimate lead-off hitter, as evidenced by the previously stated offer to Johnny Damon.</div><div><br /></div><div>With that ship sailing slowly down the Detroit River, I (and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/99761-gavin-andrews">Gavin Andrews</a>) have started thinking about what else is "out there" to fill the hole the Braves have shown their hand at having at the top of the order.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the one name that keeps coming around is Felipe Lopez.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know, the dude that just dropped super-agent Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Boras</span> for the illustrious Beverly Hills Sports Council.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 29-year-old Lopez seems like the ideal offensive fit to bat at the head of the line-up for the Braves.</div><div><br /></div><div>His .310 average last season would have been second to only Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Diaz</span> among players who appeared in at least 100 games last year in Atlanta and his .383 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">OBP</span> would have landed him right between Chipper Jones and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yunel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Escobar</span> for third among players who meet the same criteria previously stated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and his six stolen bases would have made him fourth on the team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds like a lead-off hitter to me (especially since his 155 games played would have bested the best the Braves had to offer, Chipper Jones, by 12 games)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, before we move forward here, I'm going to let you know a couple of things.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that Felipe is an infielder.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know the Braves' infield is crowded.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that doesn't really seem to make a ton of sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>But consider this proposition (in the form of a PA announcement at the Ted): "Now batting for the Atlanta Braves, left fielder, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Marteeeeeen</span> Prado."</div><div><br /></div><div>Before you angrily comment about that, I ask that you consider this: Martin Prado plays right field in the <a href="http://www.kffl.com/player/14142/mlb">Venezuelan Winter Leagues</a> and has mustered a total of five games (four in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bigs</span>) in the outfield in his professional career. </div><div><br /></div><div>The dude also hasn't proved to be (statistically speaking) the best infielder...posting a -1.4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">UZR</span> (I hate this stat too...I find it useful for some comparisons, though) compared to Lopez's 7.8 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">UZR</span> at second base this past season.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, how would all of this fall into place?</div><div><br /></div><div>I think of it this way...</div><div><br /></div><div>You sign Lopez to a one-year deal in the range of $3-4 MM with an eye to the future (moving Prado back to second and having an OF of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">McLouth</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Schafer</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Heyward</span> in 2011).</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, you trade one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Diaz</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Leche</span> to free up a spot (if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Heyward</span> wins a job out of Spring Training)...this sort of move would only preempt a move that would come with the OF I mentioned coming in another year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, you set the line-up like this:</div><div><br /></div><div>S 2B Felipe Lopez<br />R <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LF</span> Martin Prado<br />S 3B Chipper Jones<br />R 1B Troy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Glaus</span><br />L C Brian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">McCann</span><br />R SS <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Yunel</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Escobar</span><br />L CF Nate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">McLouth</span><br />L/R/S RF <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Heyward</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Diaz</span>/Cabrera</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, you may be asking how that would help the team.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, having an inexperienced left fielder (even if he is a solid athlete...and many of us--myself included--thought Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Uggla</span> could be a fit in left just a month ago) would be compromising to the team's defense (like Loaf wasn't...) and neither of these guys would supply any additional power (Lopez only had nine homers last year).</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, with a team that will (barring Damon choosing to sign for fewer years and dollars with the Braves) be relying on near total run "production," having one more high average/high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">OBP</span> guy at the top of the order that has averaged 18 stolen bases per year over the course of his career wouldn't hurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Add to that his durability (at least 143 games in every "full" season) and consistency (only one sub-.274 year in any full season and one sub-.342 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">OBP</span> season), and you would have the only "guaranteed" top-of-the-order option on the Braves' roster.</div><div><br /></div><div>The questionable attitude's legitimacy is brought into question depending on where you go (though, the Braves have a solid foundation and the "issues" pop up in places that have nothing to play for), so I will leave that hit to people that know the dude.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not saying that the Braves <i>need</i> to go out and ink the inked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Puerto</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Rican</span>, but I do believe that his presence would positively impact the Braves' efforts for postseason baseball.</div><div><br /></div><div>That impact wouldn't be as great as Damon (who would complicate things a little less and be a very strong clubhouse influence), but, for me, his numbers during full-time play when his efforts <i>mean</i> something speak for themselves when it comes to discussing him as a lead-off option. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other news...this is the first article that I've written since surpassing the one-year mark on Bleacher Report.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know, it's hard to believe that people have been reading my baseball poop for over 365 days...and its an experience that can best be likened to this...</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rN0eBPF3gyo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rN0eBPF3gyo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>OK, maybe it's been better than that...thanks for reading, and Happy Valentine's Day.</div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-64230949662857944792010-02-08T20:55:00.002-05:002010-02-08T20:58:39.689-05:00Musings on the Atlanta Braves with 11 Days Left Until Spring Training<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As with many of the late musings, little has happened in Bravesland.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well, I should say that little had happened transaction/real news-wise...the blogosphere always yeilds something to discuss.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This musing is a day late, so I did have time to find one big-time juicy nugget to work with.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With that said, I see no other direction to go other than right into the content...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">First thing, the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Braves' Caravan</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No. I am not from the Braves' PR Department.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, let me tell you, this is quite an experience.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though the event I want to in Charlotte this past Wednesday didn't have the cream of the Braves' traveling crop (Peter Moylan, Brooks Conrad, Otis Nixon, Eric O'Flaherty, Terry Pendleton, Zane Smith, and Frank Wren--who is surprisingly short...I'm 6'1" and when he walked by me before the autographs started he was probably a little above my shoulder), just to see the people that you've admired and followed in person is pretty cool.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maybe that feeling came from the fact that I've never gotten any kind of autograph before...but still.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If the Caravan is going to come anywhere close to you in it's </span><a href="http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ticketing/caravan.jsp?loc=schedule"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">final week</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, I would highly recommend that you attend...you get to speak to the players, to get them to sign your stuff, and (if you're fortunate enough to have the event you attend be at a Wild Wing Cafe) great food.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I mean, look at how much fun homer was having...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><object width="320" height="240"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/105405402811680"><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/105405402811680" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="240"></embed></object></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">...as I filmed him on my low-quality cell phone camcorder (just so you know why the quality's so bad).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh, and, no, I wasn't skipping school...we had a snowday but the highways going from Winston to Charlotte were clear so a friend and I decided to go.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Second thing, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">what's with all the criticism of the Braves' rotation</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, this isn't the first time I've seen something like this quote I read from </span><a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/02/08/bradleys-buzz-sis-heyman-calls-braves-offseason-cheap/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mark Bradley</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'s blog today.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, it is the first time that I've seen an "expert" say this and I feel that this is a good base from which I can fully assert my opinions on this matter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here's the meat of Bradley's blog (which totaled 285 of his own words) in which he responded to/agreed wit Jon Heyman's analysis of the Braves' offseason:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "></p><blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"My two cents (hey, I’m cheap, too!): Even if the Vazquez trade helps the Braves down the road — I’m thinking of prospect Arodys Vizcaino — there was no way they should have surrendered the man who might well have been their Opening Day starting pitcher without getting a starting position player in return. (Cabrera is seen as a fourth outfielder.) </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And I don’t buy the argument that the Braves’ rotation will be just as strong without Vazquez.</span></span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With Vazquez, the fourth and fifth starters would have been Lowe, who even in a down year won 15 games, and Tim Hudson, who had Tommy John surgery in 2008. Without Vazquez, those two must move up a slot and Kenshin Kawakami, who won seven games last season, again becomes the No. 5 starter. I’m sorry, but that’s a downgrade."</span></span></p></blockquote><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, I'm not going to say that I have no idea where he's coming from with this...because I do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This reaction (especially the part about KK only winning seven games last season...I'll go into more in a second) just strikes me as something that a very, very, very lazy person would write, though.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not a paid sports journalist.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And I have some serious qualms with someone with the stage and "influence," if you will, of Bradley spewing something of this low of a caliber out (not saying that I'm the be-all, end-all of the Atlanta Braves or anything) without any </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">real</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> statistical backing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I can tell you with full confidence that the 2010 version of the Braves' starting rotation will be just as strong and reliable as the 2009 version.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWr-Cr4mZzE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Timmy Hudson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a career 3.49 pitcher with 148 wins and served as (virtually) the Braves' ace from about 2006 until his Tommy John Surgery, posting 13, 16, and 11 wins in those seasons (with a 3.17 ERA through 22 starts in the 11-win campaign).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Right there is your replacement for Javy Vazquez who was due for a regression following a season in which he posted career bests in ERA, walks allowed, H/9, and HR/9 and his second best K total.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jair Jurrjens is, simply put, Jair Jurrjens.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There's no reason his stuff, command, and mound presence shouldn't improve.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tommy Hanson...see JJ.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He's young, his stuff's dynamic, and he didn't bat an eye against some of the best hitters the bigs have to offer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Derek Lowe should gravitate back towards his career norms as Vazquez will.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't want to carry on for too long here, so I'll give you this </span><a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2010/02/atlanta-braves-x-factors-derek-lowe.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">link</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> that gives you a nice, long explanation, if you care to read it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now we come to Kenshin Kawakami.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though the Japanese right-hander only posted seven wins last season, I'd like for you to examine this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the months of April, May, June, July, and August, Pitcher A started: 5, 6, 5, 5, and 5 games; posting an ERA of 3.38, 3.76, 1.98, 2.94, and 3.03; K totals of 42, 44, 39, 33, and 34; and 2, 2, 1, 3, and 3 wins in those months (this pitcher had 32 starts total).</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pitcher B started 4, 5, 5, 5, and 6 games with ERAs of 7.05, 3.03, 3.33, 4.72, and 2.87 with Ks totaling 18, 26, 16, 16, and 22 with 1, 2, 1, 1, and 2 wins (this pitcher had 32 starts total with some of his appearances in August coming in relief).</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pitcher C started 5, 6, 5, 6, and 6 games with 1.72, 3.38, 3.68, 2.09, and 3.65 ERAs, totaled 16, 24, 28, 25, and 29 Ks and had 2, 3, 0, 4, and 1 wins (this pitcher had 34 starts total).</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Notice that if you throw out the highs and lows in ERA between A and B and do the same for strikeouts between B and C, you'll find that those pitchers (for either category) compare quite favorably.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's obvious that Pitcher B was Kawakami, but when compared directly to Javier Vazquez (A) and Jair Jurrjens (C), he doesn't look too bad.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If he can continue to adjust to all of the factors that were working against him last season (culture and baseball), then he should only see improvement.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There's more to dissect in his blog, but I've already offered more in my rebuttal, if you will, than he typed up, so I'll stop with this here.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(That wasn't necessarily all about "calling out" Mark Bradley, it was more about this growing idea that the 2010 team lacks something the 2009 team had)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Last thing...</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This isn't really so much of a "point," as much as it is a general question.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But, what's your favorite spring training facility?</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 20px; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've only been to Legends Field (now Steinbrenner Field) in Tampa, but if I were to go back down, where would you say is the best place to see a game?</span></span></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; "></p></span></div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-72069326771362869442010-02-04T23:08:00.000-05:002010-02-04T23:08:54.730-05:00Atlanta Braves X-Factors: Derek LoweAn X-Factor is, according to <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_X_Factor">wiki.answers.com</a>, an "unknown factor...which adds a a certain value to [an] object, element, or person."<br /><br /><div>(I know it's a general term, but bear with me...this is a poor attempt at a "hook" for this series)<br /><br />For the Atlanta Braves, I believe there are several players (I think I've settled on five) that could easily have the word "X-Factor" slipped into their description for the upcoming season.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the first edition of this series, I am going to be running up and down Derek Lowe and his potential impact on the team in 2010.</div><div><br /></div><div>To avoid me rambling on for 200-300 words here, I think it's best that we go ahead and begin...</div><div><br /></div><div>Last offseason the Braves, in haste following the less-than-pleasant departure of John Smoltz, inked then-35-year-old Derek Lowe to a four-year, $60 million deal to serve as the team's ace in front of the likes of Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez, Kenshin Kawakami (who was signed shortly after Lowe), and one of two Tommy's (Glavine and/or Hanson).</div><div><br /></div><div>And Lowe delivered...a 4.67 ERA with 111 Ks (to 63 BBs) while allowing a league-high 232 in 194.2 innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>But hey, at least he...uhh...got 15 wins?</div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't take too much to recognize that Lowe had a pretty bad year...especially at $15 million.</div><div><br /></div><div>It looked even worse next to his teammates who posted 2.60, 2.87, 3.86, and 2.89 ERAs (respective to the order I had above). </div><div><br /></div><div>That's why the Braves did everything they could to dump Lowe off to a team willing to take on the majority of the right-hander's ace-like deal after they inked Tim Hudson to an extension.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, when the Braves could find no takers, they had to move down to their other non-cornerstone, move-able starter and deal Javier Vazquez to the New York Yankees for Melky Cabrera and a pair of Minor Leaguers (Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino).</div><div><br /></div><div>So, as it stands right now, the Bravos are heading into Spring Training with a rotation looking a little like this:<br /><br />1 R Tim Hudson<br />2 R Jair Jurrjens<br />3 R Tommy Hanson<br />4 R Derek Lowe<br />5 R Kenshin Kawakami</div><div><br /></div><div>And for 1, 2, 3, and 5, you have to expect some special things.<br /><br />Hudson's just that much further away from Tommy John Surgery; Jair Jurrjens' and Tommy Hanson's dynamic arms should only come out with more firepower in '10; and Kenshin Kawakami only improved last year as he adjusted to the cultural aspects, ball, mound, and hitters of Major League Baseball last season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lowe, the guy that was expected to be the "given" for the Braves' rotation for the next three years when he signed last offseason, stands as the only real "iffy" factor in the Braves' rotation as we look upon it here two weeks prior to pitchers and catchers reporting.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what should we be looking for from Derek Lowe in 2010?</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, he's not getting any younger and hitter's aren't going to be cutting he any slack.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I have a couple of thoughts...<br /><br />First thing, <b>I'm expecting the sinker to be a little more effective this go-'round</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last season, Lowe had the lowest ground ball rate of his career (well, for as long as <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=199&position=P">FanGraphs</a> has been keeping up with GB%) at 56.3%.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's compared to (including last season) a 63.4% career rate.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you recall, the Jon and Boog (who has been replaced by the utterly disgraceful Chip Caray) discussed Lowe "tinkering" with his grip on his trademark sinker because of the increasing "sloppiness" from using his other grip.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was around late-June and early-July.</div><div><br /></div><div>And if you look at his month-by-month ERAs, you can see where this tinkering worked a bit.<br /><br />In April and May, the Michigan native had very Lowe-like numbers as he posted 3.10 and 3.76 earned run averages, respectively.</div><div><br /></div><div>In June, his ERA jumped to a Jo-Jo Reyes-esq 6.54 ERA, his worst numbers of any month in which he started more than one game.</div><div><br /></div><div>If he did indeed make the adjustments that I just mentioned around the time that I stated, then it shows, as his ERA fell down to a very respectable 3.38.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, in August and September, his three digits went back to 5.08 and 5.61.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were probably a variety of reasons for this, as he was probably <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww2prhAWEA">runnin' on empty</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OyN7PM6Uh4">losing heart</a> before ultimately becoming <i>completely</i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NYLrTdzsgA">heartless</a> (the first link is for classic rock lovers, the second for modern pop-rock lovers, the last for Kanye fans).</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I think the biggest factors were cropping up on the tips of D-Lowe's fingers in the form of blisters developing from his "adjusted" grip on his sinker.</div><div><br /></div><div>This season, given nearly five full months to fix mechanical and grip-based issues, I think we can expect Lowe to come close to logging of full season's worth of 2009's positive months while reverting to his usual plus-60 groundball rate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Number two, <b>Lowe's got a chip on his shoulder</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In an interview with Mark Bowman this offseason, Lowe expressed his displeasure with the trade winds blowing through his backyard.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the Vazquez trade he spoke with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien and, basically, said that everything was in the past and he was excited about the upcoming season as he threw in a couple of other cliches that PO-ed ballplayers always use.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know about you, but Lowe seems to have the personality conducive to turning anger into positive results.</div><div><br /></div><div>That tenacity on the mound, you know.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know the guy personally, so I cannot say that with certainty...but the TV tells me that it's there.</div><div><br /></div><div>And if it <i>is</i> really there, then I think Lowe will have a very, very, very, (x10), strong season just so he can prove his critics wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cy Young?<br /><br />Probably not.</div><div><br /></div><div>But a strong veteran presence putting up better-than-league-average numbers?</div><div><br /></div><div>Definitely.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To sum it up...<br /></b><br />I'm not looking for Lowe to come in and dominate the league like his contract suggests he should (as he's making $1 million less than Justin Verlander's average salary shiny new 5-year extension in Mo-Town).</div><div><br /></div><div>Those days are behind him.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I am expecting Lowe to come into with a fire inside and a nasty, non-blister-inducing sinker ready to join his fellow Brave starters in posting all sub-4.00 ERAs (you know, to make it a set).</div><div><br /></div><div>If he can do that, I can live with saying "hey, if you average it out, JJ, Hanson, and Lowe average out to about $5 MM a piece...that's pretty reasonable" for another couple of years because that would mean that the Braves would have the best starting rotation in baseball.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a toast to D-Lowe...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LoFhNepDTuE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LoFhNepDTuE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>...as we move on to Troy Glaus in the next "Atlanta Braves X-Factors."</div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-3289891534841860962010-01-31T01:13:00.002-05:002010-01-31T01:19:35.574-05:00Musings on the Atlanta Braves with 18 Days Left Until Spring TrainingI think that this title should read "Musings on the Atlanta Braves with 18 Days Left Until Spring Training...and Some Other Stuff," but that goes beyond the B/R character limit for titles. <div><br /></div><div>After all, not much has happened over the past six days since I wrote my <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2010/01/musings-on-atlanta-braves-with-24-days.html">last</a> piece.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, that itching feelings getting into my head...and I have to write <i>something</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, here we go, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div>First thing, <b>new series</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next couple of weeks (probably until pitchers and catchers report), I will be writing a series of articles called "The Six [or Five, or Ten, or...I haven't decided] X-Factors for the Atlanta Braves in 2010," hopefully with a much better title than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>In it, I'm going to break down a number of things (gimme a number and I'll shoot for it, I guess) that I think will, at some point, have a huge impact on the Braves at some point this upcoming season.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far, I know I'm going to do Troy Glaus, Derek Lowe, Chipper Jones' (hopeful) rebound, the Rookies, and a couple of other things (once again, no number, suggestions would be nice).</div><div><br /></div><div>Why am I telling you this?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was wondering the same thing as I typed and thinking "who's really going to care?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Second thing, <b>Jonathan Mayo's Top-50 Prospects List</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that a professional really needs my opinion to reassure his analysis, but it was good to see Jason Heyward at the top.</div><div><br /></div><div>Was it a surprise?</div><div><br /></div><div>No, not really.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, I think the surprise would have been if someone else was at the top.</div><div><br /></div><div>But just to see even more confirmation that we haven't been bull-s%$#&ed by the Atlanta media and ourselves (and most other prospect rankings) with the confirmation of a major outlet feels great.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even if Mayo did say on the MLB Network special that Strasburg and Heyward were "close" for the No. 1 spot (we saw my opinion on that in the last musing), to see the Atlanta farm system carrying a future (recognized) stud to full term makes me smile.</div><div><br /></div><div>The thought of him in Atlanta come June (or earlier) makes me more excited about a season than I think I have ever been.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, <b>advice</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't me tooting my own horn or anything about my "experience" on Bleacher Report or anything, so go ahead and put your rocks down.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is just something that I think needs to be said to the up-and-comers who may be reading this: don't use up all of your "stories" in your first two weeks on the site.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember when I first signed up...I was writing two and three articles a day (I had something like 16 articles after nine days).</div><div><br /></div><div>And when I did that, I used up all of my good "this is why I feel this way," "my favorite player is," and "the five greatest Braves of all time" topics.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever you do...save those for later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or else you'll end up writing articles like this when you get that itch to write.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last thing...ummm...</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I have failed to find a good segue in which I could use this:</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HHpM5US2HDs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HHpM5US2HDs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I could not fulfill Joe Yanarella's request to infuse other forms of media into my articles while staying on topic.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I'll just leave this final section blank and go ahead and sign off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for bearing with the stupidity.</div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-26116679171364777802010-01-25T17:32:00.005-05:002010-01-25T18:50:20.353-05:00Musings on the Atlanta Braves with 24 Days Left Until Spring Training<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another news-less week has left me with little to say that hasn't already been at least mentioned before.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But, with</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> these</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> bland, beaten-to-death topics, old topics, comes some new perspective.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes me wish I had some contacts...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyway, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm ready for the </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Johnny Damon</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> saga to end.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's starting to feel a little bit like Jake Peavy 2.0...with less coverage from the media.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not so much that I want the Braves to get him (though it would be nice), I just want the sense of uneasiness and anticipation that comes with a situation like this one to stop.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I just want to see MLB Trade Rumors or </span></span><a href="http://www.hotstove.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">hotstove.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (the new site I will be contributing to following Braves transactions--that's called a segue) featuring the headline "_____, Johnny Damon Agree to Terms" so I can either type up a positive reaction or stop checking my e-mail/MLBTR every two minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If this drags out into mid-February, I might blow a gasket...though, I think that I've said that a couple of times now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Next thing, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jair Jurrjens</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was reading </span></span><a href="http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100125&content_id=7964692&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mark Bowman's inbox</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> today, and the first question was concerning the need to extend JJ a long-term contract.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bowman basically said that the Braves will probably end up waiting to see whether or not JJ and, for that matter, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tommy Hanson</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, are going to be the real deal into the future.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now, the Braves obviously are too limited by funds to risk dishing out $7-9 million per year over the next four to seven years (I'm thinking Evan Longoria, Ryan Braun length-deals at Cole Hamels salaries) and having either JJ or Big Red going down with catastrophic arm injuries.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But, these two have shown the abilities in their limited big league-showcases of number one's and two's that should only improve.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's not my money, but I think that big-time extensions </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">need</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to come in the next two to three years (which is what Bowman basically suggested).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Braves cannot afford to lose this kind of talent (no s*@%, right?), and locking them up at this stage of their careers is going to be the only way to keep them from going to the New York's, Los Angele's, and Boston's of the world.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After all, Atlanta, especially sans-Cox, won't have the nostalgia it did when the Braves were able to get Greg Maddux and John Smoltz to come/stick around at sub-market value.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last thing...</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stephen Strasbug</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> hype.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was checking the prospect rankings today and found </span></span><a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/01/25/the-top-100-prospects-of-2010-1-25/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> little nugget.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you don't feel like opening that link up, this is what the author</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Frankie Piliere, said about the top-five prospects in the game (with their outstanding MiLB stats to the side):</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Jesus Montero, C, NYY (.389 OBP, 17 homers)<br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (.408, 17 homers)</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />3. Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (.401 OBP, 52 steals)<br />2. Mike Stanton, OF, FLA (.341 OBP, 28 homers)<br />1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, WSH (college)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now I don't want to sound too whiny about one dude's top-5, but come on.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All five of these guys are special talents, but Heyward at four?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's not my main gripe, though (it's probably No. 2).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My gripe is the overwhelming amount of feet-kissing for Strasburg.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I understand that he can throw 100 and that he has outstanding breaking stuff for his age (21), but did anyone see what he did in the Arizona Fall League (aka his only professional experience)?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dude had a 4.26 ERA with 23 Ks in 19 innings.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a point, Tommy Hanson's 0.63 ERA with 49 Ks in 28.2 innings barely got him into the top-5 in most rankings.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Look, I'm not trying to be overly nit-picky about meaningless projections, but I just don't think a guy can go from college phenom (you know, the place where talent is AA and less) to the next great thing for the Majors.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No doubt, I think this needs to be said, that his pure stuff makes him appealing...but can we let the guy get a few successful pro performances under his belt before putting him ahead of guys like Stanton, Jennings, and Heyward?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And in the words of my good friend Forrest Gump...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WJ_yQ02xwsM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WJ_yQ02xwsM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></span></span></div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-25214377665257302402010-01-23T13:28:00.001-05:002010-01-23T22:48:54.099-05:00No. 17 Breaks Records With His Unorthodox Throwing Motion<p classname="" class="">Philip Rivers is possibly the most underrated quarterback in the NFL, and he is my choice for the best athlete to wear number seventeen.<br /><br />I understand this will be a very unpopular pick with Basketball Hall of Framer John Havlicek, Pro Football Hall of Framer Red Badgro, and Former Pitcher Dizzy Dean all wearing the number seventeen.<br /><br />Philip Rivers was arguably the best quarterback in North Carolina State history, demolishing almost every NC State and ACC passing record.<br /><br />He also set a new benchmark for consistency in college football quarterbacks, setting a collegiate record 51 starts.<br /><br />Under River’s leadership the Wolfpack went to four consecutive bowl games, winning three of them, including my favorite a New Year’s Day victory over the Norte Dame in the 2003 Gator Bowl.<br /><br />He won many awards while at NC State including ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Athlete of the Year, MVP of Two Tangerine Bowls, and MVP of the 2003 Gator Bowl.<br /><br />Rivers finished his career with 13,484 passing yards (4th all-time among Division 1-A quarterbacks, he was 2nd at the end of his collegiate career) and 95 touchdown passes, which ties him for eighth all-time with Kliff Kingsbury and Brady Quinn.<br /><br />Coming into the 2004 NFL Draft, Rivers was projected to be an early first round draft pick in a quarterback class that included Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.</p> <p>After many questions about his arm strength and unorthodox throwing motion, the pre-draft consensus was that Rivers could be selected with the 11th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.<br /><br />Then Eli Manning said that if picked by the San Diego Chargers he would not sign with them, he was then traded to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers and draft picks that would be used on Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding.<br /><br />Rivers sent most of the 2004 and 2005 NFL seasons on the bench watching Drew Brees lead the Chargers into NFL supremacy, but after a dislocated shoulder to Brees the Chargers choose not to re-sign him and named Rivers the starter for the 2006 season.<br /><br />Coming into the 2006 season Rivers had only five NFL starts, but that didn’t stop him from becoming an elite quarterback by throwing for over 3,000 yards with 22 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions that season.</p> <p>Philip Rivers has only looked better since that season throwing a combined 55 touchdowns and 7,161 yards in the 2007 and 2008 NFL seasons.</p> <p>In 2009 he throw for 4,254 yards and 28 touchdowns, making this season his second consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards.<br /><br />Philip Rivers’ future is looking brighter every game, and he also has some of the most talented receivers, backs, and tight ends in the NFL to help with his success.</p> <p>Rivers shows excellent pocket presence and has a quick release, so for Philip Rivers the sky is the limit.</p>Allen Lopphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187045728576554961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-77912302575308210922010-01-22T18:15:00.003-05:002010-01-23T22:49:45.232-05:00North Carolina State Wolfpack Football: 2010 Top Recruits<div class="slide-description"><div> <p>The NC State Football program is coming off a very disappointing season where they won only fives game and lost seven.</p> <p>Tom O’Brien’s team failed to earn a bid to a bowl game mainly because they failed to stop opposing offenses and they also struggled to protect Russell Wilson. That is very uncharacteristic of a team coached by Tom O’Brien.</p> <p>O’Brien has seemed to what to improve these issues as four of his top five recruits are offensive lineman or defensive players</p> <div> <ul><li>Robert Crisp is an offensive tackle out of Chapel Hill, N.C. and he is 6′7″, 302 lbs.</li></ul> <p>Crisp is a talented offensive lineman that will probably start out as a right tackle at N.C. State.</p> <p>He has incredible height and athleticism, and his weight gives him a huge advantage especially in pass protection, where he is very consistent at leading with the hands and striking the defender first.</p> <p>He possesses upper body strength and is impossible to power rush in drop back protection. And his huge wingspan keeps defenders from getting to his frame.</p> <p>Crisp does a good job of locking out the pass rusher that comes straight ahead and setting back with quickness from both the three and two-point stance.</p> <p>Though he anchors down in good leverage position, he sometimes still gets beat on the edge by speed rushers.</p> <p>He gets caught flat footed and can’t recover, and needs to narrow his base once anchored in order to shuffle and change direction.</p> <p>Currently more consistent in quick set than deep drop protection, he demonstrates good foot agility in the run game.</p> <p>He gets good knock-back off the line of scrimmage when pads stay down and is powerful enough to drive defenders to the second level.</p> <p>He is still inconsistent at finishing blocks but, at times, completely dominates the opponent.</p> <p>His athleticism shows in pulls and traps, and he displays good knee bend when delivering a blow at the second level or down field.</p> <p>Crisp has the potential to be an outstanding offensive lineman once he gets more consistent in the passing game.</p> <p>He has very sound fundamentals and good quickness for such a large man.</p> <div> <ul><li>Fre’Shad Hunter is a defensive lineman out of Cary High School in Cary, North Carolina.</li></ul> <p>He is 6′4″, 250 pounds, and he runs a 40-yard dash in 4.93 seconds.</p> <p>Hunter is a versatile defensive lineman, he played both defensive tackle and defensive end while in high school.</p> <p>He has good size, he has shown good strength, and many scouts say he has “more room to grow.”</p> <p>Hunter has a good first step and when he rushes the passer he has a nice set of moves.</p> <p>He does need to work on his hand movement and his flexibility, but besides that he has a ton of potential.</p> <div> <ul><li>Tony Creecy is a wide receiver/running back from Durham, North Carolina and he is 6′0″ tall, he weighs 195 pounds, and his 40-yard dash time is 4.45 seconds.</li></ul> <p>Creecy is the definition of a utility player and while in high school he played many positions but his two best ones are wide receiver and running back.</p> <p>He has the hands of a receive, but he also has the lower body strength of a running back.</p> <p>Many scouts believe he has field vision and toughness to be a 20-carry back, but he also has the smarts of a wide receiver.</p> <p>His skill set makes him best suited as a slot receiver, that is best as NC State has an overload at running back.</p> <div> <ul><li>David Amerson is a free safety from Dudley High School in Dudley, North Carolina. He is 6′1″, 182 pounds, and he runs a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.</li></ul> <p>Amerson is tall and athletic, which is very impressive as he is a free safety.</p> <p>He is a true “centerfielder” that understands route progression and anticipates the quarterbacks release of the football.</p> <p>Amerson breaks quickly on the pass and is impressive at undercutting the receiver to defend the pass or to create an interception.</p> <p>He says he can bench 275 pounds, squat 455 and claims a 36-inch vertical jump.</p> <p>Amerson has stated that he would like to get bigger, to add about 20 pounds of muscle.</p> <div> <ul><li>Torian Box is a offensive guard from North Clayton High School in College Park, Georgia.</li></ul> <p>Box is 6′3″, 294 pounds, and he runs a 40-yard dash in 5.31 seconds.</p> <p>Torian Box is a good offensive lineman and he projects as an offensive guard.</p> <p>Box isn’t the tallest offensive lineman but he plays well for his size, he also has a strong upper body and has active feet.</p> <p>Box at times plays a little high and needs to work on his flexibility, but other then that he should be a nice addition to Tom O’Brien’s team.</p> <div> <ul><li>Dontae Johnson is a safety from The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey.</li></ul> <p>Johnson is 6′3″, 180 pounder, and he runs a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.</p> <p>Dontae is a big intimidating safety who could one day learn to become an outside linebacker.</p> <p>Johnson is very physical safety and he like to make contact and is also very aggressive.</p> <p>He calms to be able to bench 215 pounds and to have a vertical jump of 34 inches.</p> <p>Johnson also is a forward for his AAU basketball team, that also is a good sign as it means he is very athletic.</p> <div> <ul><li>Tyler Brosius is Quarterback from Tuscola High School in Waynesville, NC. He is 6′3″, 232 pounder, and his 40 yard dash time is unknown.</li></ul> <p>Brosius is a really productive quarterback with very good overall size</p> <p>He has good arm strength and the ability to make plays despite him lacking of consistent mechanics and fundamentals.</p> <p>He is thickly built and tall enough to see the field, his only downfall is his riverboat gambler quarterbacking style.</p> <div> <ul><li>Thomas Teal is a defensive tackle from Malboro County High School in Bennettsville, South Carolina.</li></ul> <p>Teal is 6′1″, 330 pounder, and he runs a 40-yard dash in 5.50 seconds.</p> <p>Teal is an interesting prospect, he is a big boy who carries a large amount of bulk for his build.</p> <p>On film though he seems to carry his weight well for a kid well over 300 pounds.</p> <p>He has played offensive guard before but he fits better as a defensive lineman, but he could make the transition if necessary.</p> <div> <ul><li>Andy Jomantas—DE/OT, Chaminade Julienne High School (Dayton, Ohio), 6′8″, 250 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>D.J. Green—Safety, Westside HS (Macon, GA), 6′4″, 202 pounds, 4.77 seconds(40-yard dash).</li></ul> <ul><li>Reggie Wilkins—Cornerback, Crest Senior HS(Shelby, NC), 5′11″, 180 pounds, Soft Verbal</li></ul> <ul><li>A.J. Ferguson – Defensive End, Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA), 6′3″, 250 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Tyson Chandler—Offensive Tackle, Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA), 6′6″, 340 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Raynard Randolph—Defensive Tackle, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA), 6′2″, 325 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Tobais Palmer—Runningback, Georgia Military (Milledgeville, GA), 5′10″, 165 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Logan Winkles—Fullback, Upson-Lee High School (Thomaston, GA), 6′1″, 245 pounds, 4.70 seconds (40-yard dash time).</li></ul> <ul><li>Pete Singer—Safety, Athens Drive High School (Raleigh, NC), 5′11″, 175 pounds, 4.50 seconds (40-yard dash time).</li></ul> <ul><li>Theo Rich—Defensive End, Portal Middle/High School (Portal, GA), 6′2″, 225 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Mikel Overgaard—Offensive Tackle, Snow (Ephraim, UT), 6′6″, 270 pounds.</li></ul> <ul><li>Artemus Norman—Defensive End, Chamblee High School (Chamblee, GA), 6′0″, 205 pounds, 4.87 seconds (40-yard dash time).</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></div>Allen Lopphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187045728576554961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-76491263846459053782010-01-18T22:11:00.001-05:002010-01-18T22:17:05.391-05:00Musings on the Atlanta Braves with 31 Days Left Until Spring TrainingToday has been one of those days where I've been opening up my phone every five or ten minutes checking MLB Trade Rumors or checking my e-mail to see if Joe Yanarella has sent me some big topic to write about as it breaks.<div><br /></div><div>And by "big topic," I mean a Johnny Damon signing.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, that didn't happen and I've been "left at the alter," if you will.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, the only pressing issue I've got to talk about is the one remaining arbitration eligible player for the Braves: <b>Peter Moylan</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's not going to be all that interesting...there's little doubt in my mind that the Bravos and the Aussie will settle in the next day or two and Bobby Cox's go-to side-armer will be back in the Braves' 'pen for yet another season.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just don't think this can be said enough: Peter Moylan is a premiere reliever with a great attitude and an even greater work ethic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tallying the second-most appearances in the National League with 87 this past season, Moylan once again (the other time being in his first full season in 2007) proved to be <i>the</i> guy in the 'pen in the sixth and seventh (and sometimes the eighth) innings.</div><div><br /></div><div>As long as he doesn't have to worry about arm troubles after another large workload (though he pitched in 17 fewer innings than his 90 in 2007 this past season), we should expect the same 0.4 HR/9 rate that we've all come to know and love from the tattooed right-hander.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe went off on a bit of a tangent there with my proclamation of a man-crush on Moylan, but a musing <i>is </i>a "thoughtfully abstracted" (from Merriam-Webster) thought...and that should qualify as that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next order of business...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Jordan Schafer</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I know that a lot of you are probably cringing at that name and wanting to start a big-ol' chant like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wptsxgLRXcI">this</a> crowd (sorry for putting wrestling in here, I hate it too...stop it at 0:18, that much gets my point across).</div><div><br /></div><div>But, he kinda seems like the forgotten man to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's not to say that I think he deserves a MLB spot from day one (499 ABs since the start of 2008 say enough about that).</div><div><br /></div><div>But I do think that Schafer needs to be in the back of everyone's mind come September or a McLouth/Diaz/Cabrera/Heyward injury.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dude still has incredible tools in terms of speed, power, fielding, arm strength, and discipline (remember, he had 27 walks in addition to those 63 whiffs when he was sent to AAA...good for a top-ten in baseball if my memory serves me correctly) and still has an above-average ceiling.</div><div><br /></div><div>And when Nate McLouth's price begins to rise in his contract, Schafer is probably going to be "the guy" in center once again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just another reason a Johnny Damon sighting in Atlanta is once again looking like a stretch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last thing...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>J-Word</b> (shout-out to Michael Arm, once again). </div><div><br /></div><div>Kind of an odd thing here...but what number do you guys think he should wear (Nate McLouth, too, since Nate-Dogg handed 13 over to Wagner)?</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, as long as it's not 7, 17 (not that Hubbard would give it up), 27 (not that Diory would give it up), 37, etc. I'm good.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I'll go ahead and say that I want my Heyward jersey (I plan on buying one) to have one of these brandished on the back: 2, 22, or 28.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, I like the number two and hate the number seven.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, a bit weird...but these are the things I have to think about during this stage of the offseason to keep from going insane. </div><div><br /></div></div>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-16543197206119307152010-01-14T22:33:00.000-05:002010-01-14T22:34:35.380-05:00Johnny Damon to the Atlanta Braves: Looking More Reasonable<em><blockquote><em>"Can we just let he Johnny Damon -to-Braves rumors die?... </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>But it's a bit unreasonable (and perfectly designed to bring my hopes<br />up before crushing them into a burning pile of flames), don't you<br />think? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I get that Wren could be bluffing by saying he has nothing else to<br />spend, but with the market being as it is and the Braves being in the market<br />that they are (i.e. poor attendance), that just doesn't seem to be the<br />case."</em><br /></blockquote></em><br />This is a direct quote from <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/323732-musings-on-the-atlanta-braves-with-39-days-left-until-spring-training">this</a> article I wrote just three (soon to be four) days ago.<br /><br />Now, I'm not saying that I'm rescinding all of that just yet (and the crushing my dreams part seems to be coming true), but I'm now really starting to think about Johnny Damon in Atlanta.<br /><br />Thinking hard about it.<br /><br />Even though I still think a Damon return to the Yankees (despite "budget" concerns on the Yankees' part) is coming, several reports have indicated that the Braves, who had virtually said they were done for the offseason not even two weeks ago, are still talking to the veteran outfielder.<br /><br />One report, Frankie Piliere of FanHouse, even suggests that talks are "<a href="http://twitter.com/FrankiePiliere/status/7754347620">progressing." </a><br /><br />And with the level of secrecy the Braves have carried this offseason, there is a distinct possibility that Frank Wren and Scott Boras (who have a historically good relationship) could be in a backroom somewhere hammering out the details on a contract (one I would expect to be one year at $4-7 MM with a mutual option for 2011).<br /><br />As I just said, I think the Yankees are still the likely spot for Damon (and I would probably put the Tigers a little ahead of the Braves as well), but imagine this as the Braves' Opening Day line-up with the formerly-bearded wonder:<br /><br />LF L Johnny Damon<br />2B R Martin Prado<br />3B S Chipper Jones<br />1B R Troy Glaus<br />C L Brian McCann<br />SS R Yunel Escobar<br />CF L Nate McLouth<br />RF L OR R Jason Heyward OR Matt Diaz<br /><br /><br />Obviously, the Braves would be forced to make a move with either Matt Diaz or Melky Cabrera (both of whom have nice, new, arbitration-avoiding contracts...and by moving either of these guys, the Braves would, technically only be adding $2-4 MM to their payroll) before Opening Day if the Braves choose to allow Jason Heyward to start the season in the majors (and before Heyward's call-up, otherwise), but that's not what I'm focusing on here.<br /><br />What I'm focusing on is Damon's potential for 35-40 doubles and 5-10 triples (with 12-20 stolen bases at a batting average of about .280) and how they would be an awesome addition to a Braves team that features a ton of slap-hitters and only a few big time power threats (maybe three).<br /><br />I'm looking at the "winning attitude" he would bring to the clubhouse.<br /><br />And the influence the 36-year-old would have on the left-hand hitting prodigy J-word (shout-out to Michael Arm for that one).<br /><br />I said in <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/318427-who-ya-got-looking-at-the-options-for-the-braves-outfield-in-2010">The Atlanta Braves' Outfield in 2010: Who Ya Got?</a>, concerning Damon, that<br /><em><blockquote><em>"... if he were to drop his asking price to maybe one year at six or seven<br />million...it would make a lot of sense for the Braves."</em></blockquote></em>With Adam LaRoche taking a small deal to go to Arizona (a much bigger power threat than Damon) and Aubrey Huff taking away a serious suitor for Damon in the Giants, it seems that this very thing may have happened.<br /><br />I'll say it for a third time, though (get that I'm trying to ehphasize this): I am still hesitant to call Damon anything other than a Yankee (even with the chances of that diminishing as I write this), but the whispers going around...well...everywhere, have really gotten me thinking that this could be an almost perfect match for both parties.<br /><br />The girly arm is not a plus, but extra-base hits and fair speed?<br /><br />Gimmie (especially if my price guess is close to right).<br /><br />Provided he grows the beard and hair back, that is.Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-52470083313754759212009-12-13T17:03:00.001-05:002009-12-13T17:03:57.212-05:00Can the Wolfpack Compete in the ACC?<p classname="" class="">The NC State Wolfpack is set to enter ACC play against Wake Forest with an 8-1 record, provided State takes care of business at home against Georgia State and Elon.</p> <p>The Wolfpack is coming off a surprising upset victory on the road against a tough Marquette team, and the game before that, the Pack lost a very winnable game at home against Northwestern.</p> <p>Those past two games the Wolfpack looked like two totally different teams, against Marquette the team shot 53.6 percent, and against Northwestern it shot 33.9 percent.</p> <p>The Wolfpack also played much better on the defensive end against Marquette, allowing the Golden Eagles to shoot only 37.9 percent, while Northwestern shot 49 percent in State's previous matchup.</p> <p>Javier Gonzalez is a very important part of this young Wolfpack team.</p> <p>He is one of the team's veteran leaders, and he is needed to step up and make plays, whether that means for him to drive to the basket and score, or for him to step back and make the occasional three, or even to be a better "field general" by making better passes and limiting turnovers.</p> <p>Javier played well against the Golden Eagles, scoring 15 points while shooting 5-of-8 from the field, 3-of-5 from the three-point line, along with having an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.75.</p> <p>The Northwestern game was a different story. Javier scored 10 points, but shot 3-of-12 from the field, and 2-of-6 from the three-point line while having a lesser assist to turnover ratio of 1.5.</p> <p>Another key for the Wolfpack is that its bench plays a more important role, specifically players such as Josh Davis, DeShawn Painter, Richard Howell, and Jordan Vandenberg.</p> <p>I like Dennis Horner as much as the next guy, but I don't think he can bang inside with the big guys on teams like North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Florida.</p> <p>A combination of DeShawn Painter and Richard Howell and even Jordan Vandenberg should prove sufficient against those teams.</p> <p>My take on Scott Wood is that he is talented and young, but he needs to take smarter shots, and maybe even fewer shots because he is costing the team valuable possessions.</p> <p>Josh Davis is a better player right now because of his ability to drive to the basket, his ball handling skills, and his ability to step back and make mid-range jump shots.</p> <p>I really feel that, at this point in the season, Josh Davis is the better overall player, and could contribute more.</p>Allen Lopphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187045728576554961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-90487762491421849252009-12-10T17:16:00.005-05:002009-12-10T18:06:27.932-05:00Rafael Soriano for Jesse Chavez: Braves Drop ex-Closer for...Who?I learned of the news today in my fourth period AP US History Class.<br /><br />And when I saw it, I scratched my head a bit.<br /><br />"So, the Braves just traded what likely would've been the second-hottest closer commodity for...Jesse Chavez?"<br /><br />I'm sure many of you shared the same sentiment.<br /><br />So, I did what comes natural.<br /><br />I googled Jesse Chavez.<br /><br />This is what I saw: 26 years old, only one sub-three ERA year in the minors (2.22 in eleven appearances a couple of years back), and lots of home runs.<br /><br />"What's this crap?!?!"<br /><br />I was a bit perplexed, so I sat back and thought.<br /><br />"Elite--for ehh...experience--for not so much...expensive...EXPENSIVE...THAT'S IT!"<br /><br />It was then that I began to put all of the pieces together that had fallen down in the past few hours following Rafael Soriano accepting the Braves' arbitration offer.<br /><br />Every team that was interested in trading for Soriano knew that the Braves were desperately (no matter what they said) trying to become sans-Soriano.<br /><br />Every team also knew that they didn't want to be pegged with all of his eventual salary PLUS loose a couple of descent pieces.<br /><br />So, a day passed, and most team were probably saying things like "Frankie, we'll give you good Prospect A as long as you eat half of the salary the arbitrator hands it out," or "Wren, we'll give you Bat B if you eat half of Soriano's salary AND throw in one of your bench players or MiLB pitchers."<br /><br />Then the Rays probably came along and said "Hey, here's a guy to give you some depth where you're losing it...and we'll take on his entire post-arbitration salary."<br /><br />When you weigh the options, the option the Rays offered really isn't half bad.<br /><br />While it's not likely as good as what the Braves' scouting team could have turned the two picks Raffy would've netted into, it's better than A) eating a pretty big chunk salary for someone else, or B) non-tendering Soriano and getting jack-squat.<br /><br />While this certainly isn't a blockbuster by any stretch of the imagination, at some point, you have to acknowledge that there would be no David Wright's coming in, and that the Braves really don't have the financial flexibility to keep all of the guys they have AND add a couple of other pieces.<br /><br />This move, despite the small return, gives the Braves the ability to go get two descent-to-above-average players to man left and first base.<br /><br />For that, I like it.Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-70331476288887237552009-12-08T18:52:00.001-05:002009-12-08T18:52:49.162-05:00Granderson Lands In The Bronx As Part Of Blockerbuster Deal<div id="create-poll" style="display: none;"> <h3>Create a new poll:</h3> <div id="error-messages" style="display: none;"> <p><strong>ALERT: Your poll was not submitted!</strong></p> <ul><li>Make sure you do not have repeat answers</li><li>Makre sure you included a question</li><li>Contact us if you think this was a mistake</li></ul> </div> <div id="server-error" style="display: none;"> <p><strong>ALERT: There was an error connecting to the server, please try again.</strong></p> </div> <ol id="poll-form"><li> <label for="poll-question"><strong>Question:</strong></label> <ul id="poll-question-list"><li><input id="poll-question" class="text-input" type="text"></li></ul> </li><li> <label><strong>Choices:</strong></label> <ul id="poll-choice-list"><li><input class="text-input" id="choice0" type="text"></li></ul> </li></ol> <div id="poll-review" style="display: none;"> </div> <div id="buttons"> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305173-granderson-lands-in-the-bronx-as-part-of-blockerbuster-deal?just_published=1#" id="review-poll">Preview</a> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305173-granderson-lands-in-the-bronx-as-part-of-blockerbuster-deal?just_published=1#" id="save-poll" style="display: none;">Confirm & Save</a> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305173-granderson-lands-in-the-bronx-as-part-of-blockerbuster-deal?just_published=1#" id="edit-poll" style="display: none;">Make Changes</a> <span id="poll-messages" style="display: none;"><img src="http://bleacherreport.com/images/spinner.gif" alt="saving your poll" /> saving...</span> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> document.observe('dom:loaded', function() { var createPoll = new BR.CreatePoll({articleId: 305173}); });</script><img alt="ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 27: Center fielder Curtis Granderson #28 of the Detroit Tigers on July 27, 2009 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)" class="article-photo" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/images/photos/000/771/310/89451989.jpg.16138.0_feature.jpg?1260313404" width="340" height="235" /> <span>Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</span><div class="article-photo-wrapper"><br /> </div> <p classname="" class="">The Tigers, Yankees, and the Diamondbacks have came together during this years winter meetings and have agreed on a major blockbuster trade.</p> <p>The Yankees get speedy center-fielder Curtis Granderson, while giving up Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, and Ian Kennedy. Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy were sent to the Diamondbacks and the Tigers get Ma Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke<strong>.</strong></p> <p>This trade was pulled off without the Yankees having to give up Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, or Mike Dunn which came as a surprise to many including myself</p> <p>Curtis Granderson is a speedy center-fielders who also possess the ability to hit the long ball, which was indicated in his 30 home runs this past season.</p> <p>Granderson did have an off year in terms of batting average he hit a horrible .249, but in terms of his career averages he has hit .280 and .302 in his previous full major league seasons.</p> <p>Granderson still has three years of guaranteed contact left before his 2013 club option, in terms of money Granderson is owed 5.5 million in 2010, 8.25 million in 2011, and $10 million in 2012, with a $13 million club option/$2 million buyout for 2013.</p> <p>This trade leaves one of my favorite Yankees left out for dry as Melky Cabrera no longer has a job as starting center-fielder, and may be expendable as these winter meetings continue on.</p> <p>In my opinion, I'm not a fan this trade because not only are the Yankees giving up a good relief pitcher but they also are giving up another young talented player in Austin Jackson. My main problem in giving up Austin Jackson is that he was an important part of the package that would have been involved in acquiring Roy Halladay.</p> <p>This also makes me wonder if they are going to bring back Johnny Damon and/or Hideki Matsui.</p> <p>Let me know how you feel about this trade, whether you a fan of the Yankees or not all comments are appreciated</p>Allen Lopphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187045728576554961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-89037143384440874432009-11-28T00:20:00.000-05:002009-11-28T00:23:51.764-05:00What Would it Take to Get Carl Crawford to Brandish a Tomahawk?For those of you who have actually looked over my profile, you know that Carl Crawford listed first on my Short List under "Favorite Athletes".<br /><br />To expand on that positioning, Carl Crawford is my <em>favorite</em> baseball player/athlete/celebrity/everything.<br /><br />Speed, defense, average, a little pop, and hustle.<br /><br />What's not to love?<br /><br />So, when I saw <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-plan-to-be-aggressive-in-addressing-bullpen-catcher/1053598">this article</a> on the St. Pete Time's site, you can believe that a smile ran across my face.<br /><br />Now, that piece says that the Braves and Mets have only expressed interest in the 2009 All Star Game MVP.<br /><br />That doesn't mean that anything in imminent, nor does it mean that any names have been exchanged in trade negotiations.<br /><br />I know that.<br /><br />But, it is interesting to think about what it would take to acquire the left-handed outfielder.<br /><br />Let's start by talking about why this implications this would have for Atlanta.<br /><br /><strong>Pros:</strong> Speed, Hitting, Fielding, 'Swag'<br /><br />Carl Crawford brings all of those things to that table.<br /><br />The dude has epic speed (362 stolen bases in six-and-a-half years), which is something that the Braves have been lacking since Rafael Furcal's final season in '05.<br /><br />The guy is also a perennial .300 hitter who is a lock for 15 homers (not exceptional, but the speed, average, and doubles and triples (36) make up for it) who can get to a lot of balls.<br /><br />Put all of that together, and you have a complete package.<br /><br />And add that package to Heyward and McLouth(possibly down the road), and you have the best outfield in the National League.<br /><br />He may not fill the "right-handed, power-hitting bat" card, but he is a dynamic outfielder who has been great for his entire career.<br /><em></em><br /><em>(sorry about the bit of bias there)</em><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Cons: </strong>Package(s), One Year?<br /><br />We all know about the Floridian mantra (since it applies to both the Rays and Marlins).<br /><br />Pay less, trade more.<br /><br />That's why this rumor even has the bit of legs it possesses.<br /><br />But it's also what makes this deal questionable.<br /><br />The Rays will (likely) not accept any veterans with salaries exceeding about $6 MM.<br /><br />We're talking the Julio Tehran's, Jordan Schafer's, and Craig Kimbrel's of the world (but not necessarily those guys).<br /><br />And with only one year left on his contract, is he worth that type of talent?<br /><br />That's up for debate...<br /><br /><br />Now, let's discuss a potential deal.<br /><br />As we just established, the Rays will likely be seeking <span style="color:#ffff00;">top-flight</span> talent.<br /><br />For only one year of Crawford, however, I think any deal could be leveraged into one blue-chip prospect, and three "above-average" prospects (remember, Mark Teixeira, with 1.5 years left, came over for five prospects).<br /><br />So, this is, from the Braves' perspective, as far as I would go if trading for Crawford (and Crawford only) this offseason:<br /><br /><strong>Braves Get: </strong>Carl Crawford, Ramon Ramirez<br /><strong>Rays Get: </strong>Julio Tehran, Kris Medlen, Jordan Schafer, Brandon Hicks<br /><br />There's your primo, possible Neftali Feliz-type regret, good MLB-ready arm, MLB-ready replacement (if they do choose to deal BJ Upton as well), and some organizational depth for the Rays.<br /><br />Add in the fact that this type of move would absolutely require the departure of Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez (it was probably going to happen anyway, but still...) and you have some questions to ask yourself (all asked as if I were Frank Wren) of you want to pull the trigger:<br /><br />Are we sure we can get this guy to stick around? (a must)<br />Could we wait until July and possibly give up a little bit less?<br />Can we compete next offseason if he were to become a free agent?<br />Will this guy's skill set age well?<br /><br /><br />My ten cents?<br /><br />Wait.<br /><br />As much as a guy like Crawford would bring to the table, the risk-over-reward factor would make many fans (including myself) flash back to the summer of '07 when Mark T. came over.<br /><br />With retain-ability and organizational depth both issues in any blockbuster like this, I would probably drop the gun and walk away.<br /><br />Besides, the Braves have just as much of a shot at keeping him (in a trade) as they would acquiring him through free agency.<br /><br />As hyped as I may have seemed at the beginning of this, thinking about all of that talent going to the Rays really took the wind out of my sails.<br /><br />As I said...wait and try to get him in a year (by then, you may no longer need him for the offense if Cody Johnson, Jason Heyward, Jordan Schafer, and Freddie Freeman all show signs of panning out).Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-68958827777840903102009-11-25T19:18:00.001-05:002009-11-26T00:32:45.194-05:00Billy Wagner in Atlanta: A Perfect Fit?With Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez's departures nearly a given in Atlanta, the Braves have to look towards the Free Agent market for their closer.<br /><br />(Well, they don't <em>have </em>to, but who is going to trade away a legitimate closer this offseason?)<br /><br />Names that jump out include Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney, and Jose Valverde.<br /><br />But combinations of ability and contractual issues make these guys relatively poor fits.<br /><br />One name that has been established through various media outlets for the Braves, though, is Billy Wagner.<br /><br />The 38-year-old lefty has drawn interest from various teams and, according to MLB Trade Rumors, is prepared to begin fielding offers next week.<br /><br />The Hot Stove's beginning to heat up, no?<br /><br />The one hitch that comes along with Wagner is that he is coming back from Tommy John Surgery.<br /><br />But with a success rate in the 90's for TJS and a solid 17-game exposition (1.72 ERA, 26:8 K:BB, in 15.2 innings) at the end of the '09 season, the qualms many should have should be quieted a bit.<br /><br />That's not to say that he should be given a $15 MM annual salary, it just means that the operation shouldn't stop anyone from making him an offer.<br /><br />Anyway, here's a few reasons as to why Wagner makes sense for the Braves:<br /><br /><br /><strong>1.</strong> Despite his type-A (if the Red Sox choose to offer him arbitration), the Braves need not worry.<br /><br />They'll be getting four picks from whomever signs Gonzo and Soriano, so that is not an issue.<br /><br /><br /><strong>2.</strong> According to David O'Brien, Wagner is a "FOC (Friend of Chipper) and has made it known that he'd like to pitch for Bobby Cox."<br /><br />Does that necessarily mean that he'll take a discount?<br /><br />No, but it does mean that the Braves have a little leverage over some other clubs.<br /><br /><br /><strong>3.</strong> He's only (39) saves away from John Franco for the all-time lead for most saves as a left-handed pitcher.<br /><br />I'm not naming that for the novelty of having Wagner set a record in a Braves' uni.<br /><br />I'm saying that that means that he'll want the ball.<br /><br />Then again, Bob Wickman also wanted the ball...just only in save situations (but Wagner didn't record a save in his late-season return with K-Rod and Papelbon ahead of him and didn't complain, so...).<br /><br /><br /><br />Are there better options on the market?<br /><br />Yeah, and two of them will be departing Atlanta (most likely) in the coming weeks.<br /><br />But there is no other option out there that makes as much sense for the Braves.<br /><br />The team saw Peter Moylan succeed in '09 after his surgery, and I would expect Wagner to do the same.<br /><br />The dude is still nasty, as evidenced by his K:BB above, and has always been "mean" enough to take the ball in the ninth.<br /><br />Other clubs (Cubs, Tigers, other clubs with closer-holes since he doesn't want to be a set-up-only guy) may come knocking with more cash, but the Braves come knocking with Chipper, Bobby Cox's last go-'round, and a Championship-caliber rotation (and an offense that's primed to be the same once a move or two is made).<br /><br />If I'm Frank Wren, I say "Hey Bean [Stringfellow, Wagner's agent and holder of the "best name for an agent in baseball" award], how does Billy feel about a two-year contract at $15 million guaranteed to play here in Atlanta?<br /><br />"We'll even throw in a third-year mutual option and performance-based incentives each year along the way that could bring each up to...say...about $9 MM?<br /><br />"C'mon."<br /><br />(Okay, maybe the negotiations would go a little deeper than that...but you get my point)Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-38505761806871922152009-11-14T19:02:00.002-05:002009-11-14T19:06:07.785-05:00Assembling the Atlanta Braves' 2010 RosterFor those of you who follow me, you know that I've been taking a close look at the Braves' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> options over the past few weeks.<br /><br />I made one swooping<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/257596-the-second-edition-of-the-braves-2009-2010-offseason-moves"> prediction/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">suggestion</span> </a>about a month ago.<br /><br />And looking back now...I hate it.<br /><br />And in another month, I'll hate this one.<br /><br />But it's all in good fun.<br /><br />So, let's recap what I've done (remember, I'm playing GM) thus far.<br /><br />I'll highlight, in <em>italics</em>, the<strong> </strong>money associated with each move.<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Players Acquired:</strong> Jorge Cantu (<em>3.5 MM</em>), Juan Rivera (<em>3.25 MM</em>), Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bulger</span> (<em>~400 K</em>), Brian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanches</span> (~<em>400 K</em>).<br /><br /><strong>Players Departing: </strong>Kris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span>, Cody Johnson, Brandon Hicks, Randall Delgado, James Parr, a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">MiLB</span> pitcher of the Marlins choice (combined for a total <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span> impact of ~<em>400 K</em>), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenshin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span> (the Braves would be eating part of his salary, so about <em>$4 MM </em>departing), Adam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> (<em>$7 MM</em>)<br /><br />That's a difference of -3.85 for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span> payroll.<br /><br /><br />That's what I've done so far, now, let's talk about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">what'll</span> be happening elsewhere on the Braves' roster.<br /><br />Keep in mind now: the Braves had a payroll of about $96.7 MM in '09, and a significant rise shouldn't be expected.<br /><br />Let's start out with the arbitration-eligible players (these are a what I would do).<br /><br /><p><strong>Matt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Diaz</span>--</strong> This one's really a no-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">brainer</span>. Matt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Diaz</span> was a major part of the Braves' second-half run in '09 and has always been a more-than-serviceable fourth outfielder. Even with Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> at or near Major-League readiness, Matt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Diaz</span> will be an important piece to the Braves' puzzle. Coming off of a .313 year in which he slugged 13 homers and stole 12 bags, I expect a rise in his $1.2 MM salary...I'm thinking $2.5 MM for '10 (a rise of <em>$1.3 MM</em>).</p><p><strong>Kelly Johnson-- </strong>This decision is a little tougher. Kelly Johnson plays hard...but plays so inconsistently that he makes you want to puke. That trait cost him his job to Martin Prado and does not bode well for a role as a bench player. I think he'll be non-tendered (he's not a Type-A or -B, so there's not point in risking him taking the offer) and his <em>$2.8 MM</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">salary</span> will be off the books.</p><p><strong>Boone Logan-- </strong>With Eric <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">O'Flaherty</span> stepping up and having an outstanding campaign in '09, Logan was a forgotten man. His 5.19 ERA may look scary, but he was more than passable as a straight-up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOOGY</span> (with a .231 average against him from lefties). In most situations, I'd let a guy like Boone walk, but he's only 25 and has a good (not great) left-handed arm. He only made the league minimum (~400K) this past season, and with only 20 games to go on, I don't see how he could get much of a raise (in other words, <em>no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">noticeable</span> difference</em>, just a guy who could make an impact in '10)</p><p><strong>Ryan Church-- </strong>Ryan Church played well after coming over from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mets</span>. But, injuries got him at the end of the year, and his numbers (.270-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span> with single-digit homers) and defense are easily replaceable (Jordan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schafer</span>, anyone?). He and his <em>$2.8 MM</em> salary should be hitting the road.</p><p><strong>Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moylan</span>-- </strong>Do I really need to explain this one? He'll be back. His '09 salary was the league minimum, and I expect no less than $2 MM coming his way in 2010 (<em>$1.6 MM</em> increase).</p><p><strong>Rafael <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soriano</span>-- </strong>Despite his performance in '09 (which was very good), I think <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soriano</span> will be too hot of a commodity on the free agent market for the Braves to retain (as in they'll try to sign him but someone else will outbid them--100+ Ks in ~75 innings is going to be in high demand). I think the Braves offer him a small increase over his <em>$6.5 MM</em> from '09, he'll reject it, and the Braves will get two draft picks when some one signs him.</p><p><strong>Mike Gonzalez-- </strong>Like his late-inning partner in crime above him, Mike Gonzalez was very good for the Braves in the '09 campaign. He made $3.4 MM for his services and will likely stick his foot in the free agency waters. I can see the Braves offering him about $5MM before he rejects and heads towards FA. However, I would be willing to enter a mini-bidding war with other teams and use the team's potential to leverage him into a 2 year, $6.8 MM per contract (<em>$3.4 MM</em> increase). Oh, and I would hope he accepts the offer of $5 MM to stay, I'm just saying I would be willing to go to $6.8 MM on the open market (and we'll use that to tally the dollars).</p><p>All of these moves means a net of: -$5.6 MM (and two draft picks)</p><p>Oh, and lest we forget Garret Anderson's <em>$2.5 MM</em> salary coming off books along with Greg Norton's <em>800K.</em></p><p>That's a total of $11.95 MM to work with on the open market (arbitration changes and trade additions included).</p><p>Not too bad.</p><p>Now, in my world as GM, this is what we're looking at for the start of the '09 campaign (a + indicates replacing a hole left by a departing player, a ++ means a $400 K salary for a departing player player's replacement, ? means "could be exchanged for another ?"):</p><p>C Brian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">McCann</span><br />1B Jorge Cantu +<br />2B Martin Prado<br />3B Chipper Jones<br />SS <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yunel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Escobar</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">LF</span> Juan Rivera +<br />CF Nate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">McLouth</span><br />RF Matt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Diaz</span><br /><br />INF Omar <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Infante</span><br />OF Jordan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schafer</span> ++<br />OF Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span>? ++<br />PH Brooks Conrad ++<br /></p><p>Rotation<br />1 Tim Hudson<br />2 Javier Vazquez<br />3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jair</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jurrjens</span><br />4 Tommy Hanson<br />5 Derek Lowe<br /><br />Bullpen<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">LRP</span> Todd Redmond (exiting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span> was the same)<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">RHP</span> Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bulger</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">RHP</span> Brian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanches</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">LHP</span> Eric <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">O'Flaherty</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">LOOGY</span> Boone Logan?<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">RHSU</span> Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moylan</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">LHSU</span> Mike Gonzalez<br />CL _____________</p><p>We've already established that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soriano</span> will command quite a bit (my guess will be $10 MM-which some team will undoubetly offer him).</p><p>And the only viable option on the market is Jose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valverde</span> (who will also cost a lot).</p><p>This one has me truly stumped.</p><p>Would you push harder to keep <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soriano</span>, or go hard after <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valverde</span> (or someone else).</p><p>You've seen the money the Braves have under my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">scenario</span>, tell me what you think.</p><p></p><p>(Based on the results of this open-ended question, I will assemble my 2010 Atlanta Braves on a pretty little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">slide show--I really don't know what I should do</span>)</p>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-32930421312266985422009-11-09T23:30:00.000-05:002009-11-09T23:28:58.777-05:00Chips on the Table: The Braves' "Tradeable" PlayersSo, we've already gotten through the <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2009/11/adam-laroche-situation-in-atlanta-and.html">Adam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> situation</a>.<br /><br />Now, let's talk about the guys the Braves could be shipping out for some hole-filling.<br /><br />Here, in my mind, are the guys on the block from the Braves' '09 payroll.<br /><br /><ol><li><strong>Derek Lowe</strong><br />Bad contract coming of a bad year; this one's pretty simple.<br />But who would want him?<br />Brewers? Cubs? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mets</span>?<br />You've gotta think "money-absorbing" over "talent-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">laden</span>" in Lowe's situation when you're looking at potential suitors.</li></ol><p>Yeah...that's pretty much it.</p><p>Coming off an 86-win season, you don't want to mess too much up.</p><p></p><p>Here are the potential "centerpieces" in deals for a middle-of-the-order hitter.</p><ol><li><strong>Javier Vazquez<br /></strong>Spectacular career-year in '09, and, at this point, his value has never been higher.<br />Why trade him then?<br />For me, Vazquez's '09 is too much unlike his career numbers to tell me that he'll sustain it for an extended period of time.<br />It's either address the team's needs now, or wait until mid-July when Vazquez may have a 4.00 ERA (on the same hand, he may have a 1.02 with another team and make me look like an idiot).<br />You've gotta sell-high on this guy if you are given the opportunity to get a legit-hitter.</li><li><strong>Kris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span><br /></strong>It's not so much that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span> would be a "centerpiece" as much as he would be a "very tempting piece to get the other guys to take less."<br />He's young with a live arm and experienced success in his stint in the Big Leagues; or just what a rebuilding team with a large contract on the books is looking for.</li><li><strong>Martin Prado<br /></strong>Prado's situation, in my opinion, is like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen's</span> and Vazquez's rolled into one.<br />He wouldn't be the one guy that could almost get a deal done on his own as much as he is, when paired with another guy, an enticing entity.<br />Add to that the potential for a one-and-done-year career, and you have another perfect sell-high opportunity.<br />Yeah, he played hard, and yeah, he earned his keep, but if the, just an example, Cardinals come shopping Albert <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pujols</span> and say "We want X, Y, Z, C, and Martin Prado," you'd have to think about letting him go (and, yes, I know that situation would never come up).</li></ol><p>These are guys that would be traded if and only if the right player were to come along.</p><p>I'd rather not see any of them traded, but, as the old baseball cliche goes, you have to give up value to get value.</p><p></p><p>Now come the biggest part in any trade talk: the complementary pieces.</p><ol><li><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenshin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span><br /></strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenshin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span> is neither an elite pitcher nor an immaculate prospect.<br />But what he is is a very solid three or four starter in any rotation outside of Atlanta, and that is something a lot of teams would be looking for in the trade market.</li><li><strong>Cody Johnson<br /></strong>Power? Check.<br />K's? Unfortunately, also a check.<br />Cody Johnson is a frustrating guy to evaluate.<br />He's got a shot at being the next Adam Dunn, but he could also strike out 250 times.<br />With Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> and Jordan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schafer</span> already on the verge of Major League readiness, this is a guy you'd have to call expendable, and if a suitor with a little time to spare in the outfield comes knocking, I'd let him go.</li><li><strong>Brandon Hicks</strong><br />Yet another frustrating prospect.<br />His bat has been projected as above-average and his defense as epic.<br />So far, he's at the latter and struggling to make it to the former.<br />Right now, he would be serviceable as a back-up middle-infielder and could become a lighter-hitting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yunel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Escobar</span>.<br />You'd like to keep him as an emergency future-3B (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">catastrophic</span> injury to Jones) or as an option at 2B down the road, but neither of these are things the Braves need at this juncture, so he is expendable,</li><li>This is going to be a small wad of pitching prospects that could have value in the right deal (in order of best-to-least-value):<br /><strong>Julio <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Teheran</span>, </strong><strong>Randall Delgado, Todd Redmond, James Parr, Jo-Jo Reyes<br /></strong>Here, I have potential stud, potential stud, good long-relief/5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>-starter option, OK ceiling, and Jo-Jo.<br />All are guys that could make-or-break a deal (OK, maybe I'm exaggerating about Reyes...but you get my point).</li></ol><p>These are the guys that wouldn't catch the headlines in any deal, but they would mean a lot to the teams getting them.</p><p></p><p>As GM (this IS part of that series), this would be a relatively tough decision.</p><p>The talent the Braves have warming in the minors and the talent that's already roaming the Ted make you pause when you're looking at trades, but here is what I propose to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as my one "blockbuster trade":</p><p><a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-angel-in-outfield-making-case.html">Right here</a>.</p><p>Yeah, that's right.</p><p>I had the audacity to link an old article from Carolina Co-Op.</p><p>There, I outlined my ideas <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">thoroughly</span>, so you can read (it was written about two weeks ago, so some of the info is outdated).</p><p>Here, I'll give you the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">gist</span> of what I said.</p><p><strong>Braves Get: </strong>Juan Rivera, Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bulger</span><br /><strong>Angels Get: </strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenshin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span>, Kris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span>, Cody Johnson, Randall Delgado</p><p>Here, I will also just give you the Braves' perspective.</p><p>The Braves, while giving up a lot of talent, would be netting what they'll be pursuing this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> in a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter (Rivera is a consistent .280/25 homer guy when he's been given his shots in crowded outfields) and a bullpen arm (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bulger</span> is a little older, but he has potential).</p><p>Unable to find a taker for Lowe, I have also decided to keep him (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">JJ</span> and Hanson kinda balance him out...right?).</p><p>So let's recap the moves by the Cameron Britt-run Braves thus far:</p><p>We've traded, all told, Kris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Medlen</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kenshin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span>, Cody Johnson, Brandon Hicks, Cody Johnson, Randall Delgado, James Parr, and a A-ball pitcher of the Marlins' choice for Jorge Cantu (new 1B), Juan Rivera (new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">LF</span>), Brian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanches</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">RHP</span>), and Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bulger</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">RHP</span>).</p><p>We've also retained Tim Hudson (as the real-life Braves did) and Derek Lowe, and let Adam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> walk.</p><p><strong>Next up</strong>: The other Free Agents to-be</p>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-39072621553996779492009-11-02T23:58:00.002-05:002009-11-03T00:00:58.075-05:00The Adam LaRoche Situation in Atlanta and My First Move as GMAs <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2009/10/with-hudson-domino-set-to-fall-whats.html">promised</a>, here is the early-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> decision-making series.<br /><br />Let's go in the order of the questions I posed in the linked piece above, and start with Adam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> was, arguably, the best offensive deadline acquisition of any team in the Majors when he was sent to Atlanta from Boston for Casey <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kotchman</span>.<br /><br />As the Braves had hoped, Adam's annual second-half "show-up" <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">happened</span>, as he knocked 12 homers, drove in 40 runs, and hit a robust .325 in 57 games (while <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">committing</span> one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">error</span> to boot).<br /><br />As Braves' fans re-discovered the love for their former first baseman, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> seemed to re-discover his love for the town that gave him his first professional shot.<br /><br />With all of these factors swirling around <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche's</span> free-agent-to-be head (along with a Chipper Jones endorsement), it seems like a given that the Braves will retain their late-'09 power threat.<br /><br />Right?<br /><br />Not so fast.<br /><br />As I see it right now, there are two factors that could potentially lead Adam to a city outside of Atlanta: his staple first-half blues, and Freddie Freeman.<br /><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> is and always has been a second-half hitter.<br /><br />His '09 splits define him perfectly.<br /><br /><strong>In 87 games with Pittsburgh: </strong>.247/12 HR/38 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">XBH</span><br /><strong>In 63 games with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">BOS</span> & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ATL</span>: </strong>.320/12 HR/24 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">XBH</span><br /><br />Yeah...<br /><br />Maybe you can put it on his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">comfort</span> in Atlanta, but I put it on the man himself.<br /><br />Just look at his average and homers in these seasons:<br /><br /><strong>2008: </strong>.251 & 11 vs. .304 & 14<br /><strong>2007: </strong>.239 & 13 vs. .312 & 8<br /><strong>2006: </strong>.251 & 13 vs. .323 & 19<br /><br />It's not that he wouldn't be GOOD in the first half, it's just that his average wouldn't make him a great option in the heart of the order (3, 4, 5)<br /><br />That becomes a moot point if the Braves were to get a legit 4 hitter and would be able to move Adam to the six hole to slack (not that he's lazy) for the first half.<br /><br />Still, how much love would Braves' fans give the son of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaLob</span> is he hits for his .240 with six or seven home runs?<br /><br />My guess would be: Not very much.<br /><br /><br />Secondly, you must consider the fact that the Braves currently have a 6'5" big-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">bopper</span> in waiting sitting in AA in Freddie Freeman.<br /><br />Granted, the 19-year-old first baseman struggled a bit with Mississippi, but I think a lot of that has to do with a wrist injury and having to play next to Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> (who is a freak of nature).<br /><br />I'd put Freddie's ETA at June 2011 right now with the potential for full-time duties to start 2012.<br /><br />What does that have to do with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span>?<br /><br />Lots.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> is exiting his 29-year-old season, and will be hitting the Free Agent market looking for two things: years (first and foremost) and green.<br /><br />These are two things that the Braves, who could have a cheaper stud in a couple of years, may not have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span>.<br /><br />With names like Vazquez (at least in 2010), Lowe, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kawakami</span> eating up significant portions of the Braves always-sub-100MM payroll, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> may not, financially, be a fit.<br /><br />If I were a betting man, I'd say that the Braves would want to offer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> a two-year deal at about 7.5 or 8 MM (that's a pretty generous hometown discount) per season with a third-year club option if they either decide to let Freeman heat up longer or throw him in the "fail" can.<br /><br />I'd also say that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> is probably looking for a deal in the neighborhood of four years at an annual salary at or around 9.5 or 10 MM per.<br /><br />Those, from my analysis (and probably your own as well), are two fundamentally different deals.<br /><br /><br />That, my friends, is why I say this:<br /><br />I put the odds of an Adam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> return in real life at 33%, and why I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">choose</span> not to retain him in my GM world.<br /><br />I think that, even though a mutual desire for each other's services may be there, the two sides are looking for two different things this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span>, and that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rochey</span> isn't going to be waiting for a Braves counter-offer if a team like the Mutts...erm...Mets, Blue Jays, White <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sox</span>, or Giants come knocking.<br /><br />Instead, I look to the free agent market (with meager names like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Millar</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branyan</span>-no confidence in this guy, and Nick Johnson <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span>).<br /><br />Names like Jorge Cantu, Adam Dunn (40 homers and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ridiculous</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">OBP</span> make up for the low average (and 12 MM for his player-type is fair), plus he could man <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">LF</span> with a possibility of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schafer</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> in center and right in the future), and <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/search/label/Prince%20Fielder">Prince Fielder</a> (though this one is highly, highly unlikely-and Freeman would be gone in this scenario) all possibilities on the block.<br /><br />My choice: Jorge Cantu.<br /><br /><strong>Braves Get:</strong> Jorge Cantu, Brian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanches</span><br /><strong>Fish Get: </strong>James Parr, Brandon Hicks, A pitcher (their choice)<br /><br />Twenty homers and a .290 average would be expected out of Cantu on a full-time at first base, and at a very reasonable $4-5MM <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">salary</span> (through arbitration), and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sanches</span> (31) could serve as a solid right-handed middle reliever (the Peter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moylan</span> role if the Braves decide to split closing opportunities with the Aussie and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">O'Flaherty</span>-or just another reliever if the Bravos retain Gonzalez...more on that later in the series).<br /><br />The Marlins, who have a great eye for talent, would probably be happy with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span>-ready starter with 3-spot ceiling, a great-fielding middle-infielder with a little pop (especially if they trade <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Uggla</span>), and their specialty: napping up far-away talent.<br /><br />So, let's re-cap the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> so far:<br />Hudson retained (this is real-life)<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaRoche</span> out, Cantu at first (my head)<br /><br />Next up: The BIG trade-chips.Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-37136814572732423522009-10-31T22:01:00.003-04:002009-10-31T22:04:00.072-04:00With the Hudson Domino Set to Fall, What's Next for the Braves?If you believe Dave O'Brien, Mark Bowman, and the ever so unreliable Ken Rosenthal, Tim Hudson is set to sign a three-year extension with the Atlanat Braves in the neighborhood of $27MM.<br />I don't know about you, but that's a big relief.<br />Locking up an elite (provided he looks like his seven starts at the end of '09) two or three starter for under $10MM is always good.<br />When you add in the fact that he's locked up for under the salary of two of your potential offseason trade chips (Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez), it's even better.<br />So that's one thing this offseason down...999,999 more to go, right?<br />Still, it's good to see one of the issues that was going to affect later moves get close to knocked out before the World Series even ends.<br />But now come the tough decisions.<br />Will the Braves try to re-sign Adam LaRoche?<br />Which of the three big chips (Vazquez, Lowe, Kawakami) will be on the outs--and for who?<br />What'll happen to Kelly Johnson, Boone Logan, Mike Gonzalez, and Rafael Soriano?<br />What guys will get their shots this spring?<br />These are all things to consider...even if it is only November (at least it will be in about two-and-a-half hours).<br />In an upcoming series, I will address all of these issues as if I were Frank Wren, and then I will give you my 2010 Atlanta Braves (for, what, about the 18th time?).Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-68992637393427538642009-10-20T16:49:00.006-04:002009-10-20T18:39:15.865-04:00Examining What Nelson Cruz Would Bring to the BravesSo far, we've looked at two names that the Atlanta Braves could pursue this offseason in <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2009/10/third-edition-of-atlantas-offseason.html">Prince Fielder</a> and <a href="http://carolinaco-op.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-angel-in-outfield-making-case.html">Juan Rivera</a>.<br /><br />We'll continue in the Juan Rivera-Esq direction (as in realistic options) with this piece.<br /><br />Now, I know that I made a small case against him in the Juan Rivera article, but today we are going to talk about Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz.<br /><br />In his first full-time role with the Rangers in 2009, Cruz posted a very respectable .260/.332/.524 line with 33 home runs and 20 stolen bases.<br />Perfect fit for the Braves, right?<br /><br />Right-handed, powerful, can run...what do the Rangers want?<br /><br />Well, I have some reservations that need to be addressed before I'm willing to say "gimmie gimmie gimmie"<br /><br />Consider these facts:<br /><ol><li>Nelson Cruz played the majority of his games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (obviously).<br />Here are his Home/Road splits for average, slugging percentage, and homers:<br />.286/.232, .568/.478, 18/15<br />By the way, about 44% of balls he put in play were in the air (his home park helped that average, no question).<br />Now, Cruz was by no means "useless" on the road, but he wasn't what he was at home (wow, bad crammer).</li><li>He's not exactly "young."<br />One of the big things you hear about when Braves' fans talk about Cruz is that he's a "young" power option.<br />I'm not saying that 28-going-on-29 is "old," but you have to consider this when you look at his last few seasons.<br />From his 25-year-old to his 27-year-old seasons, Cruz averaged a home run every 25 at-bats with a .251 average.<br />All of a sudden (granted, when hitting an age where many players hit their prime), he goes down to a homer every 13 at-bats while hitting .260.<br />Not that he couldn't do what he did in '09 again, but you have to admit that Cruz, in his past-prospect stage of development, may have experienced a fluke.</li><li>The strikeouts.<br />Even with the superb 2009, he had a strikeout (approximately) once every four at-bats.<br />As a reference point for Braves' fans, Jeff Francoeur had one every 6.5 at-bats.<br />Do I need to say any more?</li><li>The durability.<br />In addition to having his own, if you will, shortcomings as a player, he has also had to deal with issues with his body.<br />All of his stats came in 128 games (which make them a little more impressive).<br />That came from shared time in the outfield with Marlon Byrd, Andruw Jones, Josh Hamilton, and others as well as, as manager Ron Washington said, his body breaking down.<br />That's not to say that he hasn't built up strength or that he wouldn't last 145 games, but it makes you wonder.</li></ol><p>Let me get one thing straight, though: Cruz is talented and would fit nicely, I just cant say that I'm 100% sure 2009 wasn't a fluke.</p><p>OK, now we have my objections out of the way, let's talk about what would have to ha pen to get him.</p><p>We all know about the Braves' situation: too much pitching, not enough pop, blah, blah, blah.</p><p>Let's talk about how Texas' outfield looks next season.</p><p>I think it's safe to assume that Julio Borbon and Josh Hamilton (if healthy) are locks for the Rangers outfield.</p><p>Cruz is on the fringe.</p><p>Not because he wasn't valuable or anything, but because he could bring back a nice package of prospects if the Rangers choose to trade him.</p><p>If they do, where does that leave them?</p><p>They don't have any CLOSE outfield prospects of blue-chip status (Engel Beltre has only seen four games in AA), and they would be strapped for someone to fill the void left by Cruz in their outfield.</p><p>That is, unless they retain Marlon Byrd.</p><p>That'll be the key, in my opinion, to any hope of a Braves prospects-for-Cruz swap.</p><p>If they keep Byrd, which is what I'm banking on, the Braves could probably get away with a little less than what would be required to get him if the Rangers choose not to retain him.</p><p>Still, I think a good mixture of OF potential and MLB-ready and mid-potential pitching would be needed to get Cruz (unless the Rangers want to thank the Braves for the Teixeira deal and take a little less...and I just cried a little thinking of Neftali Feliz).</p><p><strong>Here's the Deal:</strong></p><p><strong>Rangers get:</strong> Kris Medlen (RHP), Todd Redmond (RHP), Cody Johnson (OF), David Francis (RHP)<br /><strong>Braves get: </strong>Nelson Cruz</p><p>As I've said before: I think Kris Medlen will be the centerpiece of any deal for a bat.</p><p>You have to let go of talent to get any in return, and Kris Medlen definitely has that.</p><p>Redmond would be a nice swing-man for the Rangers, while Cody Johnson and David Francis are both mid-to-high potential prospects that will be (or soon will be) blocked.</p><p>The Braves get their outfielder, the Rangers get more of the Braves' prospects.</p><p><strong>Bottom line:</strong> While I certainly don't think that Nelson Cruz is the best option available to the Braves (Juan Rivera-for the consistency, Matt Holliday-for being Matt Holliday, etc.), there is no doubt that he could make a huge impact in Atlanta.</p><p>Now, let's hear some opinions.<br /></p>Carolina Co-Ophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08341949949112111503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5677061523669787654.post-71146946986287020062009-10-17T10:16:00.004-04:002009-10-17T10:26:34.418-04:002009-2010 North Carolina State Wolfpack Basketball PreviewNC State is coming off another disappointing losing season, but they have some of the best young talent in the ACC.<br /><br />The Wolfpack have only two returning starters off last years squad, Javier Gonzalez and Tracy Smith.<br /><br />They added two four star recruits in Richard Howell and DeShawn Painter, and talent forwards Josh Davis and Scott Wood.<br /><br />The projected back court of the Wolfpack is probably the most experienced part of the team. They were also a weakness of last years team with Javier Gonzalez managing the point.<br /><br />Although at the end of the season it looked like Javier had made some major steps forward in becoming a leader and a play maker instead of a turnover machine.<br /><br />Another Interesting thing to watch for in the backcourt is the development of the two guard C.J. Williams and point guard/two guard Julius Mays.<br /><br />C.J. Saw extended playing time last year until an unfortunate injury, and he was really starting to impress me. Mays saw extended playing time at the point last year, although his natural position is at the two guard. This year he could play either with point being crowded and state being thin at the two guard.<br /><br />The Wolfpack are the youngest and most inexperienced inside the paint. They will largely depend on Junior Center Tracy Smith for majority of the scoring because of him being the only low post player with any college experience besides Dennis Horner.<br /><br />The Wolfpack have the potential to be one of the ACC's best in teams in the low post with talented freshman forwards DeShawn Painter, Richard Howell, and Scott Wood. They also have junior center Tracy Smith returning, at times last year he was dominant down low scoring as many as 31 points in one game. He has to step up and be the leader for this young wolfpack team on the court.<br /><br />I believe that this year will tell a lot about Sidney Lowe and what type kind of coach he really is. He really has his work cut out for him this year, but as I have previously said they have tons of potential and could be a top ACC team.<br /><br />I think that the Wolfpack can finish at .500 or better, with a tougher non-conference schedule then years past with games against Akron, at Auburn, at Marquette, and Northwestern. I think this will help them prepare for their conference opponents.Allen Lopphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16187045728576554961noreply@blogger.com0