I don’t really have anything. I’m just so full of cheer about the Chris Woodward signing. Open thread, here’s a video.
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I don’t really have anything. I’m just so full of cheer about the Chris Woodward signing. Open thread, here’s a video.
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
That was like one collectively bad hair day. Did all the hairstylists go on strike before that video was shot, or what?
Might as well throw this link up:
Frugal Braves “Retooling” Without Busting Budget
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9884772
Nothing too much new there, but here’s the money-shot:
“Minnesota seems to always put a team together that wins. Oakland does. We don’t need to follow the big-market teams. We don’t have the resources they do, so that’s not a valid comparison.”–Schuerholz of the small market Braves
Small-market Braves? SMALL market?! What is this, 1990?!
Aaah, for the days of Bono rockin’ a mullet. Enjoy.
http://www.mulletsgalore.com
Well here’s better news. Hopefully it works out and KJ is the answer to our 2B/leadoff quandry:
• The Braves will see what develops at second base in the post-Marcus Giles era, but they’re confident that Kelly Johnson can make a strong conversion from the outfield to the infield. “He signed as a shortstop,” Braves GM John Schuerholz says. “We like his bat a lot. And (coach) Glenn Hubbard has been working with him — the same guy who took Marcus Giles and transferred him from a guy who couldn’t catch a cold at second base into an All-Star (in 2003).”
I’m interested… What position did Giles come in at?
Giles was always a second baseman, but he was so bad that for a time I know they considered moving him to left field.
Not taking away from Giles defensively, but he made the all star team for his bat, not his glove
Small market Braves? I don’t think they’re a small market team, I think they’re a Ebenezer Scrooge type team.
Running off for the Holidaze…
No matter which one(s) you celebrate—best to everyone.
Actually, I think Marcus played outfield in high school. Not certain of it, though. I should point out that since KJ won’t be able to throw (watch Luis Gonzalez for an example) second might be the best place for him. If it works, then the Braves are in good shape.
I thought that I’d read that Giles was an outfielder when they signed him.
I’m really pulling for KJ. If I could I would will him to win the 2b job.
Merry Christmas everyone! I know that’s not PC but this is what this season is about.
Actually, Johnny, Merry Christmas is perfectly PC.
“May all your Christmases be white”–well, maybe not.
Second base is the only logical position for KJ. The competition should really be between KJ and Aybar and not involving Orr and Prado.
Braves Opening Day lineup
“Braves Opening Day lineup”
1B- Chris Woodward
2B- Martin Prado
SS- Pete Orr
3B- Willy Aybar
LF- Matt Diaz
CF- Ryan Langerhans
RF- T.J. Bohns
C- Corky Miller
SP- Lance Cormier
Kidding…
Braves Opening Day lineup
2B-Aybar CP-Wickman
SS-Renteria SP- Smoltz,Hudson,
3B-C. Jones Ramirez,Hampton?,
CF-A. Jones James
C-McCann
RF-Francoeur
1B-Laroche?
LF- Who knows!
I screwed up that last comment I made. I’m sorry!!
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/21/D8M5GC301.html
Apparently McDonald’s was low on McNuggets
I hope that mlbtraderumors site is full of it again…..
I think that’s a safe assumption.
For some reason I thought that was going to be Chris Woodward singing.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas….LaRoche for Melky???? I dont think so
From MLB.com
Pirates-Braves: The ongoing saga involving Pirates reliever Mike Gonzalez has slowed again. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Friday that the Pirates’ attempts to trade Gonzalez for a left-handed power hitter have dried up. Pittsburgh had been in discussions with the Yankees about Melky Cabrera and the Braves about Adam LaRoche, but the paper reports no meaningful discussions have taken place this week. The Braves won’t trade LaRoche to Pittsburgh for Gonzalez alone, and want the Pirates to include another player in the deal. If the Braves are going to trade LaRoche, it appears the best suitor will be the Angels, who could be willing to provide both Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman
“News” on Bama HC:
http://memphistider.blogspot.com/
“Asst. Coaches?
Planes from Tuscaloosa in both Fayetteville, AR and Columbia, SC.
From what I hear, they’re for assistant coaches, not head coaches.
In Columbia, they’re talking to Steve Spurrier, Jr to take over as Offensive Coordinator. In Fayetteville, they’re talking to Tracy Rocker, the defensive line coach. He played at Auburn and was all-world. Auburn has passed him over time and time again, and his defensive lines consistently can stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.
Word is that Stoops is the one sending out these planes for now because he is still in bowl preparations.
Still not sold on it…but we’ll see what happens. This is interesting stuff. Could the Saban stuff be another Neinas smoke screen?”
People really believe this stuff too – amazing.
Totally
In
Denial
Everyday
Did we come to the conclusion in an earlier thread that this Buccoblog thing is unreliable rubbish? I can’t remember. But as of 9:59 PM, the writer is saying that three-way is “now said by one source to be nearly complete as all sides work on minor issues.”
I hope it is unreliable rubbish, because that’s not a good trade for us, IMO.
Maybe JS is allowing these talks to pick up steam to force the hand of another deal, from the O’s or Angels perhaps
the throw-in Pirate better be Jason Bay if we are giving up LaRoche for Mekly
Some kickin’ stat-analysis in the comments there. Melky > Tony Gwynn, Reggie Smith. 5-tool player.
Oh goodie. We’re going to give up LaRoche for basically Melky Cabrera. A downgrade in offense and no improvement in pitching. That’s a real smart move.
I really hope this is just some BS blog-thing. Schuerholz has no good justification for this. I’d rather have Mike Gonzalez ten-fold than Cabrera. In fact, the Yankees and Pirates are getting a good deal at the expense of the Braves.
Now if the “throw-in” from the Pirates is Paul Maholm, like the Braves wanted in earlier rumors, that is a different story.
MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates/Yankees/Braves Deal About Complete
Bucco Blog is reporting tonight that the oft rumored three-team trade between the Yankees, Braves, and Pirates is all but complete.
Mike Gonzalez is taking a requested physical for the Yankees today and, if he passes, it looks like he will be a Yankee for Christmas. The Pirates will be getting Adam LaRoche and the Braves will get Melky Cabrera and at least one unidentified Pirate who is thought to be either Nate McLouth or Jose Castillo. There are a couple versions of this trade running according to Bucco Blog so more as we hear it.
Take with a grain of salt, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette says that talks with the Yankees and Braves are cooling. And the story is only two hours old.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06357/748487-63.stm
I pray for cooling.
This would be a monumentally stupid deal, IMO. Like Dan says, there is no good justification for a LaRoche for Melky + garbage swap. Absolutely none.
There are so many LaRoche rumors that i believe that some portion of them must be true–but why would the Braves ever trade for Nate McLouth or Jose Castiilo. For some quality pitching…maybe…
Watch us trade LaRoche for Melky, so we can free up 1.5 mil to resign Reitsma. I think I’ll puke!
$1.5M?! Reitsma?! Is that how much he will pay the Braves to be on the team?
Smail market is as small market does.
Atlanta MSA is 10th largest in the country with 4.8 million people. 9th is big market Boston 4.8 million people.
The Braves have taken on the low rent small market team attitude over the past 10 years but they are not in a small market. In fact they may have one of the biggest geographic advantages of any team. They have no MLB team (FL excluded) in their geographic area to compete against. With a little marketing they could easily be the South’s team.
I really don’t think that deal would happen. Cabrera aint a bad player, but why the hell would we need another second baseman or another crappy outfielder? especially if we were already getting Cabrera? I think its safe to say JS would be clinically retarted to make this move.
Rumor Central’s headline on ESPN.com right now is:
“Angels still have interest in Helton.”
Don’t see why. LaRoche is a cheaper option.
Sorry to pile on JS but not only would this deal(Laroche for Cabrera) be clinically retarded but monumentally stupid for the Braves. Why would we trade for a DOWNGRADE from our current LF situation?(such as it is).
Also about the Bama case, I know they’ve only been mediocre since Shula took over but they were on “heavy” probation the whole time(and won 10 games one year!) It kills me to say this but I think they can be a great program again with the right coach. FYR, this comes from an Auburn grad and fan(but I was born and raised Bama–we all have our dark secrets).
Braves current depth chart…
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/depth?team=atl
the only possible reason i could see us trading for melky would be to secure a centerfielder for post andruw years. it could be one of those blessing in disguise trades where throman steps up and produces, laroche gets off his medication and slumps with the pirates, and melky leads off for us and dominates. then js will look like a genius. but, as of now, it looks like an odd trade.
unless the throw in is someone like Capps or Proctor, then its not looking good.
Liberty Media news
http://insidedenver.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_5233606,00.html
Dayn Perry says we wont be in “sniffing” distance of the Mets next year
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6292962
Re Liberty Media and it’s increasing ownership of Directv. Well, I’ll be happy if the Braves become “Directv America’s Team” because I have Directv, and because maybe it could give them a bigger national platform like they had ten years ago. But I don’t think it works that way. I really hate these regional networks, given that I live in NJ. I seem to see the Braves on the Mets Channel more than on TBS.
Perry is an idiot. ANd he’s wrong. The Phils and the fish are better contenders for the division next year than the aging expensive mets.
Does Perry really think Pete Orr is going to be our everyday first baseman? Of all of the names mentioned, I don’t think anyone has said his name as our second baseman. Perry has no idea what he is talking about. Lets look at the Mets: Good offense-mediocre pitching. Glavine is a year older, Pedro is out until at least June, Bannister is gone, Wagner sucks (remember how awful he was in October?) Oliver Perez, Last I checked, was still Oliver Perez. Which means he is not a real threat. They lost Darren Oliver, who really got them out of some long-relief jams, Sanchez is coming off of injury, and Mota is a cheater and will also be out til almost June. Wright, reyes, Delgado and Beltran are studs, not doubt about that. But I don’t think they are any better off than we are.
-second baseman, not first
I was about to post that editorial by Perry. People like him drive me insane. Like he has the slightest idea of who will win what in 2007.
I wonder if Mr. Perry said the Tigers were going anywhere before the 2006 season…..
Also, keep in mind that Perry predicted us to win the World Series last year in 6 games. Of course he has no clue, I like it when people say that the Braves have no chance, thats when they succeed.
Also, its interesting that ESPN wants everyone to chase the big bucks and they think its a great idea that JD left the Dodgers to go to the Red Sox for more money, but when it comes to Zito he should take less money and go to the Mets. They think Zito should chase the Ring instead of the money, give me a break!
Bob Ley says AJC criticism of espn’s LaRoche ADD report is unfounded:
http://www.sportsmediaguide.com/12212006-BobLey.asp
csg,
Don’t worry, we’ll get a lot of people saying the Braves have no chance. Which would be a good thing. 🙂
All the media seems to be lobbying Zito. Steve Phillips, Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal have all basically said Zito would be a complete idiot to go to the Rangers for 25-30 million more.
I surmise that Phillips and Olney, not sure about Rosenthal, thought Smoltz was an idiot for choosing the Braves over the Yankees.
Bucco Blog updated thier blog complaing that some Sports writer for some Pennsylvania newspaper called Mike Gonzalez and asked him about the “Gonzalez had a physical with the Yankees” BS that blog put out. He is already doing damage control, saying he doesn’t buy it.
http://buccoblog.mlblogs.com/
I think it’s all been a total load, and the sources are in the guy’s head. Schuerholz, sorry for the thoughts I had about you when I first read about this on MLB Trade Rumors.
Big trade happened today:
TEX- Brandon McCarthy
CHW- Jim Danks, Nick Massett,
oops…
TEX- P Brandon McCarthy, OF David Paisano
CHW- P Jim Danks, P Nick Massett, P Jacob Rasner
Some of you may remember…McCarthy was the guy that we almost traded Andruw for..well him and other players but he was a major part of the deal…
Well I gotta run out and get a couple more gifts…Happy Holidays to everyone….and let’s hope the Braves don’t make a bad deal…
Jay, I am very sure the trade was Andruw and Ortiz for Ordonez and Jon Rauch.
KC,
Oh ok…I could’ve sworn that last year there were talks of us shipping Andruw to CHW for McCarthy, Brian Anderson and maybe someone else, but CHW backed out cause they weren’t sure of dealing McCarthy yet…
You’re both right in a sense. The Rauch/Ordonez trade was rumored right before Andruw broke out and Ordonez got hurt. The McCarthy deal was rumored this offseason, with the MLB Trade Rumors idiot saying that the Braves could want Brian “Can’t Hit At All” Anderson.
I think the point about Zito going to Texas is that it’s such a difficult park to pitch in that he would be better off in NY. I don’t think that’s unreasonable and, frankly, I would rather see players make decisions based on where they will be happier and more successful than simply on where they can get a couple million extra bucks. I don’t recall anyone in the media saying a particular player should go elsewhere for the money other than pointing out that so and so could make more if he went to such and such team. People get too bent out of shape over this perceived media bias, especially toward the Mets. And who cares if someone predicts that our team won’t win? It’s not like it has some effect on the field. People pick games every week and people for some reason are offended when their team is picked to lose.
I’m not entirely sure that Barry Zito will be happy in New York. He’s a finesse lefty and occasional head case who could barely handle the fame he got as a Cy winner in Oakland; in New York they’ll kill him if he doesn’t live up to his Scott Boras-negotiated overpriced deal. If he ends up disappointing expectations, which he is almost guaranteed to do given the amount of money he’ll get, he’s going to be very depressed very quickly. In Texas he may get hammered, but in New York he’ll get run out of town.
Thanks for the clarification Mac. I never care about any “rumor” posted on that website. That’s why I couldn’t recall there was such a “rumor”!!!
Zito has an 11-1 record in the Texas Rangers’ ballpark with an ERA under three.
Merry Christmas to all on the best sports journal on the web!
Motion seconded. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Motion seconded. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Oops. Bad connection. Oh, well, double the posts equals double the cheer!
Merry Xmas, Braves Journalers!
Merry Christmas, everybody.