picked up a game on the mets tonight and guess what!!? it was the same braves we had before our magnificent trades! GO BRAVES! I am happy to announce that i get to see the braves in september for the first time in 2 years. my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and myself just bought the labor day 4 pack which is a great deal. we will be sitting in the outfield pavillion (136) for the friday, saturday, and sunday mets games, and mondays phillies game. the pack only cost 304 buck (19 dollars a seat). i thought that was a pretty sweet deal. sorry to share my story with a bunch of guys i dont know personally, but i am just too excited. 🙂 🙂 🙂
csg
on August 1, 2007 at 12:04 am
“picked up a game on the mets tonight”
and the Phils who are now without Utley Victorino and Bourn
I think Thorman’s the odd man out here. Woodward has to stay because of his ability to play the infield positions (although not very well).
KLB
on August 1, 2007 at 12:57 am
I agree it will be probably be Thorman for that reason, though I would rather it be Woodward. It’s not like Woodward is a late-inning defensive replacement, so to me, it would seem to make more sense to keep the lefty on the bench who could supply power in a pinch-hitting role.
However, here’s a thought. The current roster (as of tonight) has 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Would the Braves consider carrying 13 pitchers and 12 position players, whereby Woodward and Thorman would be DFA’ed?
The only reason I mention that is that the Braves’ only noticeable weakness right now is in the starting pitching (spots 3,4,5) not giving enough innings in their starts. Carrying the 8 relievers would help to keep the bullpen fresh (especially in the 3,4,5 starts until September 1st when additional bullpen help (Paronto, Ring, Devine) can be called up.
kc
on August 1, 2007 at 1:10 am
I actually think it will be Woodward who will be DFA because Harris can play infield if needed. Woodward was signed as a backup shortstop, and we have Yunel who can handle that role now. Don’t forget Thorman played some leftfield in his first season. Also, Thorman is a good left-handed bat off the bench. With Julio and Diaz, Woodward’s bat, which was useless anyway, is no longer needed.
Most important of all, I don’t think the Braves will dfa their former first round pick just like that.
Nick
on August 1, 2007 at 1:53 am
We would be so ridiculously short on the bench if that happened, KLB. We really have to DFA one of them, and I’m guessing it’s Thorman.
Nick
on August 1, 2007 at 1:55 am
He’s not a first-round pick anymore, as far as I’m concerned. He’s a windmill-swinging lummox who has absolutely no use to this team whatsoever. The fact that he was picked in the first round shouldn’t really have much of a bearing.
kc
on August 1, 2007 at 2:01 am
How about the fact that thorman is the only left handed bat off the bench? Come on, you have to support the idea of dumping Woodward!!! 🙂
KLB
on August 1, 2007 at 2:18 am
I realize the bench would be ridiculously short with carrying 12 position players, but that was the point of asking the question of what would be more helpful to this team – having 13 position players or 13 pitchers? What is typical for most MLB teams: 14, 13, or 12 positional players?
My point was that I could justify only carrying the 12 position players because the starting rotation needs a lot more relief help than the position players. There are absolutely no weaknesses in this line-up with Teixeira. (Yes, you could say Andruw is a weak link, but it’s not like there are altneratives to him)
Would anyone really be upset that neither Woodward nor Thorman were on the bench? It’s not like anyone wants them pinch-hitting when you have the non-playing LF and 2B platoon members and Franco on the bench for every game.
Bench (in order of importance)
KJ/Diaz (the one not starting)
Willie/Escobar (the one not starting)
Franco
Miller
That basically gives you 3 pinch hitters a game. Do you really need anymore?
KLB
on August 1, 2007 at 2:28 am
I misspoke about one thing – there will be a weakness in this line-up every 5th day when Corky Miller gets a start at catcher. Ugh.
Ron
on August 1, 2007 at 5:45 am
Thorman is out of options. If they were going to give up on him, they would have traded him yesterday. I’d be pretty surprised if it’s him who’s DFA. I’d guess Ascanio and Yates. Or if Yates has no options, then Woodward.
picked up a game on the mets tonight and guess what!!? it was the same braves we had before our magnificent trades! GO BRAVES! I am happy to announce that i get to see the braves in september for the first time in 2 years. my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and myself just bought the labor day 4 pack which is a great deal. we will be sitting in the outfield pavillion (136) for the friday, saturday, and sunday mets games, and mondays phillies game. the pack only cost 304 buck (19 dollars a seat). i thought that was a pretty sweet deal. sorry to share my story with a bunch of guys i dont know personally, but i am just too excited. 🙂 🙂 🙂
“picked up a game on the mets tonight”
and the Phils who are now without Utley Victorino and Bourn
good stuff in here
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2121596&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Ring, who should be promoted from Triple-A Richmond soon
And whose spot is he going to take?
And even before that that happens, who is getting sent down tomorrow? Obviously Dotel will take Ascanio’s spot, but who will Mahay replace?
a) DFA Woodward
b) DFA Thorman
c) Other (another trade?)
I think Thorman’s the odd man out here. Woodward has to stay because of his ability to play the infield positions (although not very well).
I agree it will be probably be Thorman for that reason, though I would rather it be Woodward. It’s not like Woodward is a late-inning defensive replacement, so to me, it would seem to make more sense to keep the lefty on the bench who could supply power in a pinch-hitting role.
However, here’s a thought. The current roster (as of tonight) has 11 pitchers and 14 position players. Would the Braves consider carrying 13 pitchers and 12 position players, whereby Woodward and Thorman would be DFA’ed?
The only reason I mention that is that the Braves’ only noticeable weakness right now is in the starting pitching (spots 3,4,5) not giving enough innings in their starts. Carrying the 8 relievers would help to keep the bullpen fresh (especially in the 3,4,5 starts until September 1st when additional bullpen help (Paronto, Ring, Devine) can be called up.
I actually think it will be Woodward who will be DFA because Harris can play infield if needed. Woodward was signed as a backup shortstop, and we have Yunel who can handle that role now. Don’t forget Thorman played some leftfield in his first season. Also, Thorman is a good left-handed bat off the bench. With Julio and Diaz, Woodward’s bat, which was useless anyway, is no longer needed.
Most important of all, I don’t think the Braves will dfa their former first round pick just like that.
We would be so ridiculously short on the bench if that happened, KLB. We really have to DFA one of them, and I’m guessing it’s Thorman.
He’s not a first-round pick anymore, as far as I’m concerned. He’s a windmill-swinging lummox who has absolutely no use to this team whatsoever. The fact that he was picked in the first round shouldn’t really have much of a bearing.
How about the fact that thorman is the only left handed bat off the bench? Come on, you have to support the idea of dumping Woodward!!! 🙂
I realize the bench would be ridiculously short with carrying 12 position players, but that was the point of asking the question of what would be more helpful to this team – having 13 position players or 13 pitchers? What is typical for most MLB teams: 14, 13, or 12 positional players?
My point was that I could justify only carrying the 12 position players because the starting rotation needs a lot more relief help than the position players. There are absolutely no weaknesses in this line-up with Teixeira. (Yes, you could say Andruw is a weak link, but it’s not like there are altneratives to him)
Would anyone really be upset that neither Woodward nor Thorman were on the bench? It’s not like anyone wants them pinch-hitting when you have the non-playing LF and 2B platoon members and Franco on the bench for every game.
Look at the lineup/bench:
Line-up
Willie/Escobar
Renteria
Chipper
Tex
Andruw
McCann
Francouer
KJ/Diaz
Bench (in order of importance)
KJ/Diaz (the one not starting)
Willie/Escobar (the one not starting)
Franco
Miller
That basically gives you 3 pinch hitters a game. Do you really need anymore?
I misspoke about one thing – there will be a weakness in this line-up every 5th day when Corky Miller gets a start at catcher. Ugh.
Thorman is out of options. If they were going to give up on him, they would have traded him yesterday. I’d be pretty surprised if it’s him who’s DFA. I’d guess Ascanio and Yates. Or if Yates has no options, then Woodward.
new thread up.