Show #133: Our Interview with Marlins Beat Writer Clark Spencer

December 04, 2010

Show #133: Our Interview with Marlins Beat Writer Clark Spencer

Clark Spencer from the Miami Herald joins us to compare and contrast Bobby and Fredi Gonzalez and to discuss the Dan Uggla acquisition.

Show #133 [ 21:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

147 Responses to “Show #133: Our Interview with Marlins Beat Writer Clark Spencer”

1
Curt Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 1:02 am
great stuff
2
Leah Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Can’t wait to listen. May take a while though…Tis the season to be crazy busy.
3
Leah Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Nice interview! I’m more excited than ever about His Name is Dan Uggla. I didn’t understand what he was talking about as far as the “bat” Fredi carries around. Not being funny…really didn’t know what he was talking about. He made Fredi sound a lot like BC. Can someone please reiterate the differences, and quick?
4
Leah Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
What relief, Jason Werth won’t be a Phillie anymore. Just…fantastic. *blast*

http://bit.ly/fv4nyT
5
Bubdylan Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Ugh. Why couldn’t he at least say Fredi doesn’t ride the hot bullpen arm? Go back and make him change that.

Dr. Andrews, there’s a Mr. Venters here to speak with you…
6
Ham Says:
December 5th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Way to sell out Werth. The Nats! Enjoy those paychecks and those free Octobers.

At least, now we can say that the Phils are werthless.
7
Curt Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 12:17 am
I give that marriage 3 years.
8
Leah Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Then can we swoop in and have an affair?
9
Leah Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 9:02 am
He can play CF…right?
10
Steve Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Leah – I like the affair angle with Werth in 2015. I’m on-board.

I read somewhere last night that the Nats’ offer was so above and beyond anyone else’s that Boras didn’t even go back to the original suitors to see if they’d match. But I’m with you all on the money grab. At some point, when you’re signing a 9 DIGIT CONTRACT don’t you go to a contender instead for a little less?

Ham – I recorded the Walking Dead marathon last night and watched the premiere. Loved the hell out of it. Absolutely terrific. The missus sat down right about when the lead guy walked out of the hospital and she got hooked as well. It is really great. And some of the downtown Atlanta scenes are like 2 blocks from Coke on Marietta St. That’s fun, too.
11
Ham Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 10:45 am
i know – it is satisfying on so many levels. I missed last night – can’t wait to watch it tonight.
12
Steve Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Rosenthal is reporting that the Royals, Rockies and Phillies are interested in Frenchy. Please Phillies, please!!!
13
Ham Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
This joke doesn’t get old for me . . . can’t you see Frenchy getting signed by the Phillies and showing up in Pittsburgh instead, because it is further south and a little inside.
14
Leah Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Ham…that’s awesome.
15
Curt Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
The Royals should just fill their roster with the Baby Braves, sans McCain. I hear Macay McBride is looking for work.
16
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Ham, I love #13.
17
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
If the Phillies sign Jeff Francoeur to replace (on any level) Jason Werth, I won’t stop laughing for days.
18
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Pray that this Lorenzo Cain rumor has legs or grows them. I love that guy.
19
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Mama, you’ll be proud to know I’m pulling for your boys in the National Championship game. Seeing them in the picture on ESPN across from the Ducks about to play for it all, I was like, huh, that’s so weird looking. Auburn.

I had some mushy nostalgia come over me or something.

I lived two blocks from Jordan Hare and used to open up the windows in my apartment and listen to the crowd noise.

Did I tell you (I probably did) I broke into Jordan Hare in the middle of the night and went and laid under the stars on the 50 yard line listening to my walkman? Then I climbed to the top of the seating and bounced loose change down the aluminum benches; it sounded like a Star Wars laser gun battle.

Of course, me pulling for them is the kiss of death.

War Eagle.
20
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Philly fans giving themselves the “hey, maybe Frenchy will snap out of it if we get him” pep talk. I just read and smile gets bigger and bigger.
21
Leah Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
How are you an Alabama fan with a story like that? Did I tell you that my brother in law, who is a huge Bama fan, was in town during the Iron Bowl? I lierally had to clean dip spittle off the tv screen when he left. I wish I was kidding.

War Eagle indeed! If they lose I will hole you personally responsible.
22
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Please don’t hole me. I’ll be good.

I was a Bama fan the first 20 years of my life. But when I lived in Auburn I tried to switch, with some success, just to enjoy the atmosphere, etc. Then when I left, well 3 years in a football town doesn’t erase 20 years of wearing crimson.

Is a “lie rally” something to do with Congress?
23
Leah Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Haha…the really funny thing is it took me a minute. I was like “hole me”? What the…!!!! That’s what I get for posting while loading the dishwasher.
24
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Scott Linebrink played a gig at something called “Woodjock 2010″ as the lead of a country band. He sang a Billy Joe Shaver song, some John Prine, and some Merle Haggard.

I now like the trade. (I’m such a girl…)
25
Steve Says:
December 6th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Does KK really go to Pittsburgh? It will probably cost them around 3MM. He certainly showed brilliance in ’09 and had only one great game in ’10 (his final start against the Tigers). Seems a pretty steep price to me.
26
Bubdylan Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 12:12 am
Steve, do you have new info? Because I’m guessing Pittsb. pays nowhere near 3 million for KK. I’m guessing we’re gonna eat all but 1-2 million just to get it done.
27
Bubdylan Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 12:13 am
The ATB time stamp is wack. Especially if you’re in ALA. I’m always like “CRAP I’ve got to get to bed…”
28
Bubdylan Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 12:13 am
ABT, I meant.
29
Curt Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 1:13 am
DOB has a good piece on Schafer today:

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/12/06/remember-jordan-schafer-cf-is-prepping-for-big-return/

And an older piece on Uggla I liked:

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14306926/ugglas-power-immediately-makes-atlanta-a-better-team

“Uggla plays second base. He’s not great defensively, but as one scout said Tuesday, “He’s a Gold Glove second baseman — when he’s in the batter’s box.”
30
Nate Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
1. Who rebounds first, McOut or Frenchy?

2. Who is out of baseball first, McOut or Frenchy?

Answer whichever question you find most appropriate…
31
Steve Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Bub – re #26: I read somewhere that the Braves assumed they’d pick up 4.5MM and his 2011 salary is 6.67 (I was thinking it was 7.5).

Re #29:

1. McOut never rebounds, Frenchy remains the hitter he is today.
2. McOut is out of baseball first. People will remain enamored with Frenchy’s power and arm.
32
Bubdylan Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
A Philly beat writer suggests the Phil are out on Diaz. Let’s hope this is right.
33
Nate Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Steve, I thought the same thing after I asked on #29. Frenchy offers enough defensively for some team to want him for a 4th outfielder. Plus, he is decent against lefties, but will Frenchy accept being a 4th outfielder?

Nate McLouth, as I’ve stated before, is terrible at everything related to baseball: hitting, fielding, throwing, and running. He somehow became a worse base-stealer in 2010, which, at the time, was probably the only upside to his game. If you put him in as a defensive sub he will refuse to attempt to throw runners out and probably lose a pop up in the outfield, which ends up being a 3 base error and possibly costs the team multiple runs. If you pinch hit him he will strike out, most likely with two outs and runners in scoring position in a 1 run game, or he will hit into a dp and kill what could have been a promising inning. If you put him in to pinch run he will get out somehow: miss a sign on a hit and run, get a terrible jump, or trip over his own feet. Nate McLouth is a trainwreck in the form of a baseball player. At least Frenchy can throw.
34
Steve Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Nate – I agree 100% on your Nate assessment. HOWEVER . . . his one week of incredible offensive production in September this year was really weird.
35
Danny Says:
December 7th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Nice interview Steve! I must admit, however, I did not get the answers that I WANTED. Sounds like Fredi will be a younger Bobby! I am still a homer when I talk about next year, but come on! We just have to hope that, unlike Bobby, Fredi will realize that he has too many good bullpen arms to run the best two or three into the ground by July.

By the way, I would rather have Frenchy too, Nate.
36
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 1:09 am
Matty D is a Pirate.

Cue Jimmy Buffett:

“Yes I am a Pirate.
100 years to late.
Honus don’t play there
nobody stays there,
I’m a non-tendered victim of fate.

Arriving too late. Arriving too late.”
37
Curt Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 8:49 am
There’s a trade in your future, dear Matty, dear Matty
There’s a trade in your future, dear Matty, a trade
38
Leah Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 8:55 am
That’s depressing. Poor Matty D. deserves a better fate.
39
Anne Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Well, at least he’ll be their best player…for a little while. The sausage races are the best things going on in THAT ballpark. This is worse than losing him.
40
Leah Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I’ll miss Diaz less if he takes KK with him.
41
Leah Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
#Braves are negotiating with former Orioles LH closer George Sherrill, who had career-worst 6.69 ERA in 65 apps in 2010 for Dodgers

…fantastic…
42
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
No worries, Leah. He’d be a LOOGY and those stats were great even in his terrible year. He might bounce back against righties, but if he doesn’t, I wouldn’t look for him to be used against them.
43
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Left Handed batters hit just .192 against Sherrill last year, with a superyuck .286 OBP. That’s All-Star numbers.

Right Handed batters, however, batted a gargantuan .427(!) and got on base 51%(!!!) of the time against him.

In spite of this, Torre pitched him against MORE right handed batters than left!

His career splits look even better versus lefties, and before last year he was fine against all batters.

I like the signing, IF Fredi uses him smartly.
44
Leah Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
” IF Fredi uses him smartly.” there’s the rub.
45
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
twss
46
Leah Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I just beat the whole family at “Living room putt-putt”. The Rev is sulking.
47
Steve Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
IMO, there’s no reason to be anything happy about the Sherril signing. Fredi is not a fool. He will know how to use him. This is good, good, good.
48
Steve Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
IMO, there’s no reason to be anything BUT happy…
49
Ham Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I’m with Stevie – I like the Sherril signing. a lot. Wren is a beast. YOu all better hope that he doesn’t want you, cuz if he does, he’s going to get you.
50
Steve Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Then again … http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/atlanta-adds-a-true-loogy-in-sherill/
51
Steve Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Pretty great JPos article on the Frenchy signing. http://bit.ly/fwlfW1
52
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Steve, the article on Sherrill you linked closes with this:

“However, it will likely be very difficult for Fredi Gonzalez to properly balance keeping the rest of his bullpen healthy and properly using Sherrill. Particularly in the National League, where reliever substitutions happen quite often in the late game due to pinch hitting, Sherrill’s skills just don’t seem to provide enough given his limitations and the scarcity of roster spots.”

I have to call B.S.

He’s taking a very opaque route to just repeat “don’t use the guy against righties.” Any club who carries a LOOGY deals with that. If he’s the only guy that can’t be put in against righties, that’s the least of their worries. Every bullpen in the league has a mop-up, or “oh no” bullpen arm, and some have two or three (Florida had five I think). We have none this year. Remember that there is no Chavez, no Kawakami, no arm in the pen that is anything less than a legit option against most any hitter, besides Sherrill, who positively owns lefties.

Yeah, if Venters or Kimbrel falter, we’ll have issues. We would have anyway, though, and we weren’t gonna get that solved any better than this for a million clams.

I don’t just love the signing. But I think it’s pretty good, with a potential to be brilliant.
53
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
p.s. The National Leagues habit of changing pitchers more often late in the game gives Atlanta more, not less, opportunity for using Sherrill wisely. I like fangraphs a lot, but I’m not so sure about this guy/article.
54
Steve Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Bub – I have to admit that it simultaneously rattles me and calms me when you’re more positive about a move than I am.
55
Bubdylan Says:
December 8th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
“it simultaneously rattles me and calms me ”

I’m like spiked coffee I suppose…
56
Curt Says:
December 9th, 2010 at 10:04 am
So mark Carl Carwford off our list. I was SO certain that was Wren’s next move…..

Come on Rangers. Don’t let Cliff Lee become a Yank
57
Ham Says:
December 9th, 2010 at 10:56 am
it’s gonna happen. I would be amazed if Lee was anything but a Yankee. After losing out on Werth, Crawford, and Diaz, there is no way they don’t throw the bank at him. Throw in his relationship with Sabathia, and the fact that they probably offer him 8 years for 175 mil, I dare say it is a foregone conclusion.
58
Steve Says:
December 9th, 2010 at 11:11 am
The Yanks will definitely get Lee. And I bet it happens today. I’ve seen multiple reports this morning that the Yankees have upped their offer from 6 to 7 years, which gets them up to the max number of years he’s being offered from any team. Again, it is a foregone conclusion.
59
Bubdylan Says:
December 9th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I’m just happy it’s all happening in the American League. It’s a travesty that there is nothing in place to keep this from happening over and over, but it looks like the National League is being protected from it by the baseball gods.

Only the Mets threatened to join that Buy Everybody freak show, and they fizzled out before they even got a foothold. The Phillies spend a lot, but A) they do have some restraints and B) that horrible Howard contract is going to make those restraints that much more palpable very soon.

So as it turns out, the Braves and their fellow NL’ers only have to worry about the World Series. And anybody with good pitching can win one of those once they get to it.
60
Bubdylan Says:
December 9th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
In the year 2015:

Tex, 22.5 million, 36 years old
Sabathia 23 million, 35 years old (and large)
A-Rod 21 million, 40 years old
Lee (probably) 23 million, 37 years old

Should be interesting.
61
Nate Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 1:15 am
So Fredi G mentions Jordan Schafer as a possible back-up option to McLouth…. I don’t know which is more terrifying, going into the season with McLouth as our starting CF or Schafer as his back-up. Yikes. Fredi must think he can do some serious head out of rear end pulling with some of our biggest disappointments the last 2 seasons.
62
Bubdylan Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Nate, it sounds like we will have a black hole in the line up and that’s just all there is to it. Let’s just pray it finds its way to the 8th place in the line up.

I have comforting news: At the end of the month in which Nate McLouth had the most plate appearances in 2010, we took over first place. Why? Cuz we had a slugger. For two whole months we had a slugger in Atlanta.

In 2011, we have a slugger from beginning to end.
63
Steve Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Nate – it is also conceivable that Schafer can come back. The stuff about needing a full 12 months of recovery from his wrist injury is pretty compelling in DOB’s latest blog. And it’s easy to forget, but he looked great in Spring Training of ’09 and even better that first week of the season. It could all still be there.
64
Nate Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Steve, I just read the BIG Schafer piece from DOB. Last night I had only read the stuff from Fredi G. The guy is obviously working his butt off to get back to the big leagues. I wish him the best. Schafer has an unbelievable amount of talent. I hope he puts it all together. That said, I want to see it to believe it. Hope is one thing, belief is another.
65
Bubdylan Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I mostly think the Schafer ship has sailed. But if he can out-defend Nate and match him (puke) offensively, I’d rather have him out there chasing down flies.
66
Steve Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Official Braves Release about the George Sherrill signing:

Braves Agree To Terms With Left-Handed Pitcher George Sherrill
Tennessee Native Joins Braves Bullpen

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have agreed to terms with free-agent left-handed pitcher George Sherrill on a one-year contract for the 2011 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.
Sherrill, 33, went 2-2 with a 6.69 ERA last season with the Dodgers as he led the team with 65 appearances. He has pitched in parts of seven seasons in the major leagues, including a postseason appearance in 2009.
A 2008 All-Star, Sherrill owns the lowest opponents’ batting average (.160) against left-handed batters since 2006. Over his career, he has held left-handers to a .167 average, including a .192 (14-for-73) mark last season.
“George gives us a left-handed reliever that has experience closing and his 51 saves in the American League East in 2008 and 2009 have demonstrated his effectiveness,” Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren said. “He and Scott Linebrink add the veteran leadership we were looking for.”
The Tennessee native has appeared in 389 career major-league games with the Seattle Mariners, the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He owns a 16-16 record and a 3.76 ERA in 287.0 innings of work. A graduate of Austin Peay State University, Sherrill was originally signed by Seattle as a non-drafted free agent in 2003 after pitching for five seasons in independent leagues.
67
Leah Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Very difficult to look past that ERA but I’ll trust Fredi never to use him against righties.
68
Steve Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Great interview. Braves front office stats guy: http://bit.ly/e2dE0g
69
Bubdylan Says:
December 10th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
That was nice reading, Steve. I see that Eno guy pop up with a lot of Braves articles on fangraphs. Do you know if he’s from the ATL?
70
Bubdylan Says:
December 11th, 2010 at 1:26 am
Here’s a weird split for ya: Kawakami has a 3.92 ERA when McCann is catching for him, which was most of his starts.

He’s got a 5.43 ERA when Ross catches for him.

It’s not like the rest of the pitching staff splits up that way – it’s about even, with Lowe and Hanson doing a little better with McCann and Hudson and Jurrjens doing a little better with Ross.

Anyway… I’m bored, so, yeah.
71
Leah Says:
December 11th, 2010 at 9:49 am
If only someone with similar literary appreciation had a good book to recommend. If…only…
72
Nate Says:
December 11th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Royals… wow.
73
Steve Says:
December 11th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Royals … wow. Indeed. And it gets stranger with every signing.

Curt – loved your tweet about it.

Bub, re #69, no idea.
74
Leah Says:
December 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Post.
75
Bubdylan Says:
December 12th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Post-Leah’s post post.
76
Leah Says:
December 12th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Post in response to Bub’s post. Basically a post trifecta.
77
Bubdylan Says:
December 12th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
“Post in response to Bub’s post.”

heh…
78
Leah Says:
December 12th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
In the words of Charlie Brown, “good grief.”
79
Leah Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 1:10 am
…can’t sleep…somebody tell me a story. Hello? Anybody?
80
Curt Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 9:59 am
There once was a man named Enos…
81
Leah Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Zzzzzzzzzzz…
82
Bubdylan Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
What’s this shizcrackle about Lee and the Phillies? If that happens, I’ll pull my lips over my head and staple them there.
83
Leah Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Oh my goodness…please tell me you don’t think that will happen.
84
Steve Says:
December 13th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
I don’t think the Phillies thing will happen because, if they are indeed the “mystery” team, they are not offering as many years as the Rangers or Yankees.
85
Bubdylan Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Lee to the Phillies. Well, **** baseball.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/agree-to-sign-cliff-lee.html
86
Bubdylan Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 3:13 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Vlt-lpVOY
87
Kate Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 7:25 am
I hate baseball.
88
Curt Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Steve, are you ever right?

Hello, wild card. What a cataclysmic event for the Braves. Not sure I like our chances when they throw Hamels, Halladay and Lee at us and we counter with Hanson, Beachy and Minor. Just brutal.
89
Steve Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Yeah, I called that one exactly, eh?

Good Lord, this is an absolute disaster. No other way to spin it. And I was so excited about the season a mere 12 hours ago.
90
Nate Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Suddenly the Uggla acquisition doesn’t look quite as big.

The Halladay/Lee combo is very reminiscent of the Randy Johnson/Schilling combo that worked out so well for the D’backs.
91
Steve Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 10:55 am
The Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hamels combo is very reminiscent of getting hit in the face with a 2 x 4. Or watching McLouth face a pitcher of any talent.
92
Curt Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 11:17 am
“On paper” that’s a better rotation than the Braves of the 90s. It’s absurd.
93
baseball gods Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
We just don’t like Georgia. It’s nothing personal.
94
Leah Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I’m with Kate.
95
Leah Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
The Rev has informed me, I’m not allowed to get this bummed about baseball in December.
96
Leah Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Sad thing is, it’s a classy move and I’d love him going to another team when the Yanks offered him lots more $. It’s really too bad.
97
Bub Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
1. The Braves can and should win the Wild Card.

2. The Braves clobbered Lee in his 2009 campaign with the Phillies (1.027 OPS, 7 runs in 9 innings across two games)

3. How do you win only one championship with Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux? The same way you don’t necessarily win a 7 game series with Lee, Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels: because that’s baseball.

The only thing sealed, or really even made greatly more likely, is that Philly will win the division. And that is almost certain. Barring injury, you can take that to Vegas right now and, whatever the pitiful return for betting your farm, bet it. The Phils will be very great, and this is their regular season dynasty we’re in the middle of right now. We are going to feel what all those teams felt under the Braves for all those years.

The crappiest part: the two biggest examples in the last 5 years of a player taking less than he could have gotten elsewhere, are the Phillies’ Lee and Halladay. Go figure that, a bandbox ballpark where the fans boo their own players: that’s the situation drawing superstar pitchers away from their money.

It’s enough to make your head hurt.
98
Curt Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
One more thing – if Brown doesn’t make the roster, the Phils won’t have any starters under 30. Their window is closing. They are also trying to move Fat Joe and Ibanez to clear up money. Their payroll is $170 mill with Lee.
99
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I hate this. I hate it with the hating hatefulness of hatey-hate hatred. The city that booed Santa Claus gets the best Christmas.
100
Curt Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/12/14/braves-again-watch-while-phillies-sign-lee-spend-millions/
101
Leah Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Me too…what he said. I’m too depressed to look at tweets or read DOB. I don’t even want to know. I’m pretending I never heard of baseball.
102
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 14th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
The basic complaint against Liberty Media I am squarely behind.

However, the specific complaint about them “standing by” while the Phillies spend millions this year is not so clear. Until the freak deal of the decade landed in Philly’s lap, the Braves, pulling in way fewer ticket and concession dollars, were yet in position to go head to head with the big spenders in PA.
103
will Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Go Falcons!
104
Curt Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 2:41 am
It’s going to be interesting going forward with the Phils operating this way. Karl Ravech (sp?) described them as the Yankees of the NL, and the Mets are apt to spend as much money as they do, despite the results. So where does that leave the Liberty Media version of the Braves? They aren’t going to just dump money, which is their perogative, but how consistently competitive can they expect to be? Are they the Rays? Hoping to strike gold with a core that plays together until its parts outprice themselves?

I just don’t know how satisfied I am going to be hoping to be the WC team every year.
105
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Curt, if the McCann/Heyward/Hanson/Freeman/Minor/Teheran/Jurrjens/Prado core strikes gold, I imagine Liberty will sell just before the out-pricing takes hold.

The real question is: assuming a baseball lover buys the Braves from Liberty, how much of an operating budget is available to a profit-turning Braves team?

I have no idea how to guess at that. They say that ballteams make a killing and that most every franchise could afford to field a nice team.
106
will Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Steve – would Coke buy the Braves? Atlanta company, etc. Coke has some money as I recall. Would it be too limiting as far as marketing? As in the 90% of America who dont like the Braves might start drinking Pepsi? Im sure this is an old question that has a simple answer…I cant remember tho.
107
Curt Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Here’s hoping Liberty sells after this season. The Braves win the WC, their attendance is up, their brand is up, and Liberty gets out of the baseball business. Their farm system is in great shape, so that will all add to their worth since the team owns all of its minor league affiliates.

Arthur Blank is a legitimate candidate. He wants to own that team. Can he afford it right now? No clue. But as I have witnessed from being a Falcons fan, he will spend the money and he can turn it around quick. Think that it was only a couple a few years ago where the Vick/Petrino fiasco had gripped this team, and here we are at 11-2. The Braves are a lot closer. Beyond him, Ted Turner? Why not? But when you find out the CEO of Liberty got paid more than the entire team, it pisses me off as a fan. Not that he got paid so much, but that they clearly have billions to spend and can’t throw another $20 mill into the payroll.
108
Leah Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Phillies sold 35,000 tickets today. They sold 1,500 yesterday before news of Cliff Lee broke.
109
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Braves sold 17 tickets the day after the Uggla trade. The day before that, only 4. So two can play at that game, Mr. Hotshot Pitcher Signer.
110
Curt Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
15 of those were his extended family from TN.
111
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 3:05 am
And the other 2 were Cubs fans.
112
Steve Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Will – I don’t know if your Coke question was serious, but I’ll answer it as if it was. In a word, no. Coke owned non beverage assets in the ’80′s like Columbia Pictures and a snack company (Eagle Brand, I think) and have since moved away from that strategy. If it ain’t non-alcoholic beverages, they’re not going to be involved.

I agree that the Wild Card is ours for the taking. And, who knows, Oswalt’s rejuvination may not carry over to 2011 and maybe, um, Cole Hamels will trip and fall down some stairs or something.
113
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
A cautious tweet from Bowman says an Uggla extension might be close.

That would soothe my baseball ouchy.
114
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I’m changing my mind on McLouth. I feel the pendelum swinging. I say he will perform well again.
115
Curt Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I have so much more faith in Shafer bouncing back than McLouth. And yes, I just typed that.
116
will Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
steve – yeah i was totally serious…sort of a random thought really..but mostly given the hometown angle. I guess its obvious that Coke being from Atlanta doesnt really have anything to do with the appeal of coke..its just something people from Atlanta are aware of…

They might have alot to gain by being associated with dipping Copenhagen and using steroids. And petulant behaviour. Perhaps an energy drink that captures that spirit would be a big hit… “Free Agent” or “Big Bopper” or something…lots of Vitamin C, nicotine, caffeine and sugar.

I am just looking at the Coke share price chart right now…talk about steroids.
117
will Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
my colleague from Philly has twice today referred to the Phils as World Series Bound Phils..

I said that all it takes is one fastball to the wrist from one of our crappy middle relief.. Butterfingers. Phily’s own Bobby Clarke style. Just break their ankles, easier to win that way.
118
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 12:09 am
Curt, I will bet you a hundred dollars of real live money that McLouth has more major league at bats over the next two years than Jordan Schafer.
119
Steve Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Bub, #117 is pretty enticing. So, why do u think that? Is it more about believing Nate rebounds? Not believing the Braves will sit him if he sucks ala 2010? Or not believing that Jordan shows well in ST?
120
Nate Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I would take that bet, Bub. Jordan has an injury to use as an excuse. McLouth is just bad. Jordan might rebound if healthy. McLouth is one of the worst everyday starters I have ever seen.
121
Curt Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 11:59 am
I think the money McLouth is owed will cloud that bet somewhat. I know they sent him down last year, but he is already being given the CF job again. So once again he is going to have to stink it up so bad that he forces them to sit him. Schafer doesn’t have that luxury right now. He has to prove himself all over again – as he should – but so should McLouth. 20 ABs in September should not grant him anything. I am just encouraged by the reports about Schafer in a way I didn’t think I would be. And that might be due to the face that I have to put my hope somewhere, and Nate ain’t getting it.
122
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Steve, it’s a combination of both. I am as over Jordan Schafer as any of you could be with Nate. The ajc puff piece was a reach in my opinion.

Nate has done it at the major league level for longer than he … hasn’t done it. It takes a special slump to never come back to that, even to just decent production. And decent is all he’ll have to be to keep the job.

If he weren’t getting on base, I’d think another Frenchy was in the works, but Nate gets his walks. He sees the strike zone. I believe he will recover enough to keep his job.

Curt, I know the bet would be clouded in the first year by Nate’s contract, that’s why I gave Jordan a second year to catch up.
123
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
We can make it 3 years if you like. That would only be 33 dollars per year, less than a dollar a week lost for the loser.
124
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Did you know:

Nate McLouth earned 4 hits and 4 walks in his last 15 at bats? (.533 OBP) I know it’s a ridiculous sample size, but people keep saying his post-injury resurgence is tainted by him falling apart again at the very end.

Just want to point out that the VERY end of the very end, he was doing alright.

In short, the walks is why I think he’ll recover. The ability to take a walk is a super indicator from minor leagues all the way to late career evaluations (think of Chipper Jones’ value even as he wanes.)

Heh… as he wanes… and his name is… Wayne.
125
Curt Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Bub, I’m all for hoping for the resurrection of Nate, I just don’t believe it. Nothing personal.

Dr. Joseph Dolan: You know, it’s a shame about Ed.
Fletch: Oh, it was. Yeah, it was really a shame. To go so suddenly like that.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was dying for years.
Fletch: Sure, but… the end was very… very sudden.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was in intensive care for eight weeks.
Fletch: Yeah, but I mean the very end, when he actually died. That was extremely sudden.
126
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Ha, the Fletch dialogue is a great touch. +100, as they say in message board world.
127
Leah Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Are we happy with Uggla’s deal? I’m a bit behind in the baseball world so sorry if this is old news.
128
Bursted Bub Bull Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
The deal’s not done yet, Leah. It could drag out.

The rumor is 5 years, 60 million if that’s what we get done. I’m happy with it. But I understand the concerns of those who wouldn’t like to commit that kind of dough to a brick-handed infielder in his 30′s.

I have a suspicion we will exceed those numbers and overpay.
129
will Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I like Braves getting more serious about locking in good players rather riding on a constant treadmill of high risk experiments.
130
will Says:
December 17th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
rather than….

no good Engrish glammer
131
Steve Says:
December 18th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Will, re #128: I agree 100%. While I think 4 years certainly would have been preferable to 5 given his age, it’s not egregious and I’m happy to have that spot in place for years to come.
132
Nate Says:
December 19th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Falcons. Awesome.
133
cheap fashion clothes Says:
December 19th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Hey, I just wanted to leave a quick comment to say that I really enjoyed reading your post. There is a lot of good information here for anyone interested in this topic. Keep up the good work.
134
Leah Says:
December 19th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Sorry to interrupt all the chatter but this kid is amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtLLYtssnQU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
135
Steve Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Leah – pretty amazing video.

Two unrelated questions for a Monday morning.

1. I absolutely hate Chip’s “welcome to the show!” call of Heyward’s first homer. To me it sounds inauthentic and more of his trying to sound like a broadcaster instead of just naturally being one. Who’s with me on this?

2. After a flurry of articles and tweets about an Uggla extension last week, it’s all gone very quiet. Do you think this means they’ve hit a snag?
136
will Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:06 am
steve- (1) that call gave me goosebumps & nearly made me cry so we are tomato/tomato on that one….but i can definitely see and respect your point..especially as a skeptic/cynic…I could see a scenario where Chip prepared for the game…if he hits a homer, I will say “welcome to the show”…if he strikes out I will say “xxxx”..etc…but it sounded pretty spontaneous at the time, as in he had no thinking time..and so what came out was from the heart.
(2) no idea, hope not.

And (3) why cant the braves manage this? Whole lotta cheeze but I love it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flBXW78dVEc&feature=related
137
Steve Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Will – re that Falcons clip. I agree 100%. I think it’s the best team marketing campaign I’ve ever seen. And there are a number of other radio spots that are part of the campaign that are terrific as well.
138
Steve Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Depressing fact of the day, courtesy of Jayson Stark:

Just in the span of the first six ground balls hit to him in Game 3 of the NLDS, Braves second baseman Brooks Conrad committed as many errors (three) as Robinson Cano committed all season — in 1,393 innings.
139
Bubdylan Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Steve, I hate Chip’s call. I was fortunate enough to be on radio when it happened, though, so have zero nostalgia for it, AND I got to hear Jim Powell’s instead “… and this stadium is UPSIDE DOWN!!!” My favorite homerun call of all time, as far as ones I actually heard while it was happening.

If the Uggla negotiations have hit a snag, I honestly hope Wren holds firm at 5/60. More than that would be crazy. The guys over a Talking Chop put together a pretty convincing article concluding that about 50% of hitters of Uggla’s age, type, and experience fall way, way off in their mid thirties.

I’m comfortable with 5/60 only because he’ll only be our main hitter for about two years (after that I expect Heyward to be Pujolsing the ball all over the place and Lowe/Chipper’s money to be 20+ million dollars worth of left field power, approximately.

But more than that, I would rather have the draft picks AND have Uggla performing in a contract year.

Any hitter who is all power, little average, and no defense is a risk. They’d be crazy to go over 5/60. For that reason, I’m comfortable with hitting a “snag.” Hope Wren is firm.
140
will Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
The “Rise Up” clip is so cheezygood it should be called Le Royale with Cheeze.
141
Steve Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
From DOB at 7pm tonight: Uggla and #Braves are still negotiating extension. Wren said it’s been steady progress, no setbacks. But he indicated nothing’s imminent.
142
Steve Says:
December 20th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
New show tomorrow night. Cliff Lee, Diaz, bullpen additions.
143
Curt Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 11:17 am
I think he says “Welcome to MY show.” Has he ever clarified that he says THE show? Listen to it again, because I swear it sounds like “my show.” Either way, I wasn’t a big fan of the call. I think guys have all of this stuff written down now. Costas started all that with his bloviating.
144
Bubdylan Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
*looks up “bloviating”*

Yes, I agree.

But I would totally have mine prepared. And it would be pun city.

“Grand SLAM! And the score to this one just got UGGLY, UGGLY, UGGLY!”

“Back, and back, and HEYWHER’D THAT BASEBALL GO?!!!”

“Get out of here, ball, and PRADON’T come BACK!!!”

(okay, the last one made me cry a little…)
145
Curt Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
“And the Braves have McLouthed there way out of another scoring opportunity here in the 5th.”
146
Curt Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 6:42 pm
*their*
147
Steve Says:
December 21st, 2010 at 11:28 pm
PRADON’T is really inspired. Nice job, Bub.

Show #133: Our Interview with Marlins Beat Writer Clark Spencer

147 Responses to “Show #133: Our Interview with Marlins Beat Writer Clark Spencer”

Leave a Reply

Recent Podcasts

Recent Blogs

Archives

Recent Tweets

Blog Directory

Social Media

Friends of the Show

Music of the Show

Feeds

Atlanta Braves News

Admin