Show #86: Checking in on the 2009 Braves’ Off Season

November 22, 2009

Show #86: Checking in on the 2009 Braves’ Off Season

Tim Hudson’s extension. Trading Lowe or Vazquez? Outfield acquisitions. The closer situation. And the 2010 broadcast team.

Show #86 [ 50:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

110 Responses to “Show #86: Checking in on the 2009 Braves’ Off Season”

1
Will Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
Good show.

Nippon Ham is the nickname of a big food company called Nippon Meat Packers.

So its like saying the Oscar Meyer Fighters.
2
Will Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
If he has a good spring, I’m for taking a risk, starting Heyward and setting the roster early. Isn’t he supposedly very mentally mature/of above average intelligence? I guess you can platoon him or send him down quickly if he strikes out like Shafer. I know we cant make the mistake we did this year which was leaving Shafer and Frenchy in too long. But just because Shafer was a bust won’t mean Heyward is. Would be good risk/reward balance to have Heyward + another proven expensive big bat + McClouth.
3
Will Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 am
meaning by setting the roster that I’d love to see us do less tinkering with the outfield roster. Do the Braves tinker more than other clubs?
4
Steve Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Will, if we go “Heyward + another proven expensive big bat + McClouth” where does that leave Diaz? Do you want him on the bench? It’s possible that his everyday production last season was an anomaly, but I think he should be starting. I don’t think the Braves tinker more or less than other clubs given their payroll and the unique situations of farm talent, injuries, etc.
5
Hammy Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:32 am
I wish their nickname was just the Nippon Meat Packers. I mean, come on. The jokes would just write themselves.
6
Leah Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Great show! I feel like I’ve been binge drinking. So much info I’m going to have to listen again. I go back and forth about Heyward as well. Will, you make an excellent point about being willing to take a risk but will BC send him back down if he starts striking out? I’m thinking no. I’m with Stevie re: Matty D. He was so great starting last year and I’m sure he wants to redeem himself after the base running mistake that made me cry the last week of the season. I’m ready for the predicted big move
in the weeks to come

Oh and don’t forget about the potential closer DOB was talking about from the Minors. Hyde?
7
Leah Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I guess maybe sending guys back down isn’t BC’s decision. Who decides these things? So much I have to learn. How do you people put up with me.

Curt, I hope your hour under the knife was uneventful and your recovery is swift.
8
Anne Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 8:28 am
“Can we re-sign Garrett Anderson and trade him for [Willingham]??” Holy crap that made my drive to work worthwhile. Hilarious. Thank you, Hamilton!!
9
Will Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Steve…good point. How about Heyward/Diaz/proven expensive bat and nix McClouth? He sort of underwhelmed, no? I know he had a ham problem. Or was it a meat packing problem? badumpump….tsshhh….I digress… I have to re-listen to the cast. Did you guys pass judgement on McClouth? I most likely spaced out when you got to him…

But I agree about Diaz. Totally worth keeping him in full time. He was consistent, not a fluke I think.

Get well soon, Curtis.
10
Leah Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
“The thing that turned me off Willingham was his stats cause he sucks.”
11
Anne Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Oh, and re: TV commentary for the coming year…another reason I’m thrilled I have season tickets so I won’t miss Boog so much. I guess Simpson doesn’t have much say-so, since he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who enjoys sitting in the booth with an idiot. He clicked really well with Boog and Chip, so we’ll see how this goes. Where’s Don Sutton in all this mix? Did we lose him AGAIN?
12
Curt Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Back home and feeling well, all things considered. Thanks for the well wishes.

Don will continue to do radio with Jim (did we ever figure his name out). I think TV and radio are now completely independent of each other. Hence why there is no cross over between the crews. Rathbun is awful though. I’m deeply disappointed by this move. It is such a lazy effort on the Braves part to just resign him.
13
Curt Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I dont think DOB was talking about Hyde as a closer per se. I think he was just discussing his importance for the future. I’m not sure he will even be with the Braves this season. But good lefty relievers are nice to have.
14
Anne Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Curt – good to hear you’re doing well. Just puttin’ it out there: I work for a healthcare institution in Atlanta – the one connected to the University – and I can pull strings. If you’re being seen here, awesome – let me know if they are treating you well. If you’re not, that’s fine too. Just sayin’.
15
Curt Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Thanks Anne. I was actually at the directionally named facility in Sandy Springs. I feel pretty well. The landscape of my belly button has been permanently altered, but other that that everything seems to be functioning properly. Thanks for the offer. If I need anything I might take you up on the offer. I’m right around the corner from you.
16
Tcc Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
ABT guys, thanks for the podcast and update. Great to hear your thoughts again about the future. Curt, get some rest after losing your “non vital” organ. You may be sore but it’s not like losing a short series in the playoffs to the Astros! Easy for me to say, yes! I still have mine!

Nippon Ham??? Whatever happened to good old Country Ham??? BTW, Curt, that’s off your menu now for a little while!

I agree we still should spend some bucks on a 25+ HR guy for the outfield, but why not bring Heyward up to platoon with Diaz. Matty was very good last year on his own, but has also been great off the bench. If Heyward needs more work just send him over the county line for some fine tuning. I think Diaz could be a great mentor for an up coming guy.

Rathbun…really!!! Are we talking about “Combover Rathbun”?? No prob. I’ll just turn down the sound of the tv and listen to Joe and the other guy on the radio and I don’t give a damn about the delay.

Go Braves.
17
Leah Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Huh…I could not pick Curt out of a line up yet I know that he has an altered belly button. Funny…the nature of an Internet community.
18
Steve Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Non-baseball topic for a moment. Has anyone read, “The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo?” Not for the feint of heart but, dear God, it is some of the best fiction I’ve read in a long time. On the surface, it is a mass market thriller. But, it is EXTREMELY well done and interesting.

Leah – Curt has model-good looks and a chiseled body. This news of the belly button mutilation is an absolute crime.
19
Curt Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 12:13 am
It’s true. It’s like they painted a mustache on the Mona Lisa.
20
Tcc Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Steve, I’ve had that one recommended to me. Speaking of the not for the feint of heart, have you tried “Blood Meridian”?

Back to BB, just heard that Andruw has signed a one year deal with the Pale Hose for half a mil.
21
Steve Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Tcc – thanks for the recommendation. I’ve not read it (nor have I read any of his stuff). Here’s a review for those that care: http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/28/books/mccarthy-meridian.html

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
22
Leah Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Same to you Steve and all you other ABTers. And…Go Braves!
23
Tcc Says:
November 26th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. Big article on Jason Heyward in this month’s edition of Chop Talk. I saw him play one game this Summer against the Tn Smokies. He truly looked like a man among boys. Freddy Freeman is big too but not nearly as athletic.

Steve, you should check out McCarthy but please don’t start with “Blood Meridian”! Get a used copy of “The Road”, or “No Country for Old Men”. A better introduction I think..

Go Braves!
24
Leah Says:
November 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Watching the Alabama Auburn game and wondering how many F-bombs Bub’s dropped during the first half.
25
Leah Says:
November 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Bub, I sure hope you’re happy cause my 8yo has shed his tears and is now being hateful to everyone he comes across. WDE! Good game.
26
Tcc Says:
November 27th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Leah, sorry about your WDE’s!! They scared the crap out of ‘Bama. I’m a Clemson fan but I always pull for “Tiger” teams. I don’t care if it’s Clemson (Auburn with a Lake), Auburn, Princeton, Missouri, Hanshin and (forgive me) even LSU. Did I mention Tiger Woods?
So, who do you pull for in the SECCG?
27
Leah Says:
November 27th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Not Bama. Not Florida. Tim Tebow?
28
Wiley Says:
November 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I am going for Bama because our good family friends are die hard, but I am ultimately hoping for a good game. More importantly though, I am praying for GT victory this week. To be honest we could lose to Clemson by 30 (which could happen, yes Tcc, it could), but I only care about the UGA game. I went last year and it felt so sweet to be among the bulldog faithful when we ended the streak.

Firstly, I love Medlen and I am with Stevie in that I hope he is part of the rotation soon. Secondly, I agree that Lowe or Vazquez will not return, but I can’t decide who’d I rather see go. Obviously Lowe, but at the same time I don’t know if we oughta take a chance on him and get a bat for JV. I guess all I can hope for is a good decision by Wren.

As for Closer, I vote Gonzo, if we can get him. I have heard from a team doctor that Soriano is a big time complainer and I like Gonzo’s intensity, even though it leads to sticky situations every so often. Correct me if I am wrong on this, but wouldn’t he be cheaper.

Lastly, is there anything to look forward to in the Rule 5 or 2010 draft for potential 3B prospects, because I think it is a likely possibility that if Chipper doesn’t have a year he is content with that he will leave with BC.

P.S. Thanks for the shoutout in show 85, listened to it again and didn’t catch it the first time.
29
Steve Says:
November 28th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Wiley – say more about, “I have heard from a team doctor that Soriano is a big time complainer…”
30
Wiley Says:
November 28th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I don’t know, it was a brief comment on his part, but he basically said that Soriano was sort of a hypochondriac and didn’t really want to pitch, but that was actually during the beginning of the season, so it might have had something to do with him not getting the closer’s job.
31
Tcc Says:
November 28th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Wiley..maybe they should just call off the ACCCG. Clemson was shellacked by USC today and going into the 4th quarter UGA is up by 10 over GT. There was a lot of talk by the announcers during the CU/USC game about how the SEC is so much better than the ACC and that USC had played close games against UF, Bama and beat Ole Miss. Can’t argue with that. dammit.

There’s no way to know which pitcher to keep and which to trade/sell. Lowe and Vazquez had similar stats except JV had a ton more K’s. Lowe seems more likely to be consistent and Vazquez more likely to have a good year and then falter?

I’m with you on Gonzo. Weird, but he’s our weird.

Chipper will be back to his normal self next year, probably, I think. 280-25-95 would be super.

Update: UGA 30-GT 17 in the 4th Q. Next week we’ll see..
32
Leah Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Itching for rumors…
33
Steve Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Hey Leah, here’s all I’ve got. From the baseball insider at Newsday:

Once John Lackey chooses a team, the Braves will shop Derek Lowe more aggressively, hoping that, say, three years and $39 million for Lowe (with Atlanta picking up the remaining $6 million) will be more appealing than the risky commodities out there like Jason Marquis, Randy Wolf or Joel Pineiro.
34
Anne Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Good lord, Steve – I read “Randy Wolf” and thought you typed “Randy Johnson.” Whew!! Now, THAT’d be a risky move, since The Unit went to kindergarten with, like, Julio Franco…
35
Steve Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
From DOB: “Chip Caray’s not being brought back by Turner Sports. That means Turner Sports will hire a new play-by-play man for Braves games on Peachtree TV, as well as Sunday TBS games and the postseason games on TBS.”

I called that sh*t to a T!!!!
36
Steve Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Hammy – where did you see that report about Bob Rathbun? I can’t find it and see it nowhere on the web.
37
Curt Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Wonder if they would do this to him if Skip was still alive.
38
Leah Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Steve, yeah ya did. We see your brilliance once again. So, Lowe’s not risky or not AS risky?
39
Curt Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Dear god, Matt Ryan has been ruled out for the Eagles game. Yikes. Good thing it isn’t a must win.
40
Steve Says:
November 30th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Hammy – I think you were drunk again prepping for the show. I don’t think they’ve made any decisions on who’s replacing Boog. This is from the MLB.com article about TBS releasing Chip Caray: “With Jon “Boog” Sciambi’s departure to ESPN, the Braves are currently in need of a play-by-play analyst to handle their games televised by Fox Sports South and SportSouth. This would be an opportunity that would provide Caray the chance to once again be around the game and the Braves on a daily basis.”
41
Will Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 8:30 am
I’m usually drunk listening to the show…so let’s not throw stones.
42
Will Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 8:57 am
re-listening to pcast to see what you said about McClouth… notice in all the whinging about the Yanks you didn’t at least throw your Japanese fan-base a bone about Godzilla. It wasn’t all about A-Rod… Matsui’s performance was fun to watch, no?

you only mention McClouth once (Ham)…without a glowing review…

so new expensive bat (Dye) + Heyward + Diaz.

Can we use McClouth to get Wagner?
43
Leah Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 9:23 am
Awe Will…I love watching McLouth…once he get’s on base. This is why women don’t run baseball. Emotionally based decisions never bode well.
44
Curt Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
heyward can’t play center. he’s not ready for that gig and i am not sure he has the range to cover all the ground in CF at Turner Field. and man would that outfield be brutal with those three out there. lot of gappers.

Mclouth has a long way to go to sell me. He’s rather average, and if he is injury prone he becomes a liability.

Word I’m hearing is that they offer Gonzalez, Soriano and LaRoche arbitration, with the expectation that they lose Gonzo and get the pick, have Soriano as the closer and settle on a year year deal with LaRoche with Freeman in the wings.
45
Curt Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
year year?

one year, make that
46
Steve Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Curt – I’ve seen some FA lists out there that rank Soriano as more favorable than Gonzo. I think he will decline arb as well. Kevin Gregg will be our closer next year (the Cubs did not offer him arbitration – so no loss of picks on him).
47
Leah Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 5:36 pm
DOB just tweeted that the Braves offered arbitration to Soriano, Gonzo but not to LaRoche.
48
Hammy Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Okay – a few things r.e. my gaffe . . .

1 – I am drunk. Always. It makes looking at pictures of Curt’s midsection “beautiful”.

2 – I fell for an internet joke. I googled “replacing Boog Sciambi” and the following link came up (http://rowlandsoffice.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/broadcastron-3000-retained/). I realize now I might should have looked for some corroboration from a more legitimate news source, but see bullet number 1.

3 – Nevertheless, I am relieved – even if this means that Steve called something to a T.

4 – Having said all of this – Bob Rathbun as the Braves announcer in 2010 is not outside the realm of possibility. Just saying.
49
Curt Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 11:46 pm
If we have to go thru next season with Kevin Gregg as our closer and a big hole at first….have we learned nothing?
50
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hammy, you’re forgiven. I agree about Kevin Gregg…didn’t our lineup knock him around a good bit last year?
51
Curt Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 am
Um, yes please on the 1-year deal the Braves just signed with BILLY WAGNER

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/report-braves-land-closer-221814.html

so as (I) said, we lose the pick to sign Wagner, and pick up 2 should Gonzo and Soriano sign elsewhere. Hizzah.
52
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 am
B. Wagner in route to the ATL for a physical.
53
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Oh…guess I should read comments already posted b4 posting my own. I forget Curt and DOB are tight.
54
Steve Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
He’s no Kevin Gregg, but ok.
55
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
“He’s no Kevin Gregg, but ok.”
still laughing…
56
Hammy Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I actually put some pressure on Frank W. to make the Wagner deal so that it would distract from “Rathbun-gate”. Mission accomplished.

Having said that – WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

We are officially Buster Olney’s sleeper pick in the NL.
57
Steve Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I am just more and more giddy as the day goes on about Wagner. And I forgot about the Scott Proctor signing a month ago as well. Let’s sign one more cheap set up guy and the bullpen is looking sweet. I vote for Saito, btw.
58
Tcc Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Good news on Wagner. I guess Nate McLouth just got a new jersey number?
59
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I’m in love with B Dub. I love his accent, his facial hair and especially the way his pointy ears stick up above the edge of his cap.
Are we nervous/disappointed about LaRoche? I need you all to tell me how I feel. I’m the Tin Man during the off season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgLnXOrXW7I&feature=related
60
Anonymous Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Leah – I’m kind of ambivalent about LaRoche. He was amazing last year, but his poor first halves scare me. It all depends on the other moves that are made, plus what we’d end up signing him for – it’s all way too early to tell. But I will tell you that I have 150% confidence in Frank “pull the trigger fast and be the first real story of the off-season” Wren.
61
Leah Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Anonymous…you’re Steve right? I can totally tell by the voice inflection. It does feel good to have a major move made and let the baseball world know the tomahawks are chopping early.

Also, and more importantly, always good to see Bobby so spiffy sporting his coat and tie.
62
Steve Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Leah – yeah, that was me. And I’m with you on Bobby and the sportscoat/tie. And styled hair. It’s all kind of jarring.
63
Anne Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Leah: B Dub threw me off for a minute and I thought you had left The Rev for OUR Bub. Can I suggest: “B Wags,” if only for my sanity??
64
Leah Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
Lord yes!! I had a prof we called C Dub so B Dub came quite naturally for me. However B Wags is fine as well. Besides I’m mad as hell at Bubdylan.
65
Anne Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 am
I’m mad, too. That was a poor excuse for a “Christmas” album. Oh, wait. That was the OTHER Dylan…
66
Steve Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Braves just signed Saito! http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091203&content_id=7750588&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

I can’t even stand to be around myself right now. For my next prediction: Mike Cameron will be our big bat outfielder acquisition.
67
Wiley Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Does this acquistion mean that Kenshin will be back for us this year, because I think it does. Which would narrow it down to Vazquez and Lowe!
68
Bubdylan Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Steve = Solid in the MLBrain.

Bob Dylan’s Christmas Album = “It’s All Over Now, Baby Jesus.”

Wren = Ink-slingin’ Badass

Leah = Mad at me for trying to win at life? WWJD?

Bubdylan = Gone Again

*poof*
69
Anne Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
My jury is out on Saito. “Saito Unseen,” as it were. I can’t be as excited about him as young Steve up there in the #66 slot.

That said…I just posted 69. Heh heh.
70
Mad Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I was feeding off of Steve’s enthusiasm but Anne’s a smart girl…now I need a tie breaker. He does seem a little old…ya know, for baseball.
71
Anne Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pm
They’re also going to run out of room on the dugout bench/bullpen bench with TWO interpreters.
72
Wiley Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
But he’s joining the Senior Circuit which could help, I mean look at what it did Javy.
73
Curt Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
In two days, the Braves signed two relievers to one-year contracts worth about $10 million. Between them, Wagner and Saito have 77 years, seven children, 468 saves and 1,389 strikeouts in 1,079 innings. (Saito has three children, all daughters.)
74
Tcc Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
You pays your money, you takes your chances. Wren rolls the dice.
75
Wiley Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 7:08 am
And I Like It!!!!!
76
Steve Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Anne – great comment about the interpreters! Maybe they’ll save some money for first base and just use one between them.
77
Anne Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:10 am
(this one might be a step too far) If Curt’s right about all daughters in the Saito house, clearly he’s been kicked out of Japan for the shame of producing no male children.
78
Steve Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Did you all see that Barbaro Canizares was released yesterday to make room for Saito? There’s one guy off the possible 1st base list …
79
Mad Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 11:06 am
1st base is driving me crazy. I’m going to have to relisten to the podcast to remind myself of the plethora of possabilities.
80
Curt Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I have some ideas brewing. More to come on Sunday.
81
Mad Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
*gasp* does that mean a new show on Sunday?
82
Steve Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Yes – new show on Sunday. Tell all of your friends. Gots to talk Wagner, Saito, LaRoche and, of course, the fact that some black market selling ninjas snuck into Curt’s bedroom last week and stole his gall bladder. Not cool, ninjas!

Loved this from DOB about how the lead up to both the Wagner and Saito signings were very quiet:

Shouldn’t have been too surprising if you consider that a week earlier, Braves brass including Wren and a not-exactly-inconspicuous Bobby Cox managed to fly to Charlottesville, meet Wagner at the small-town country club where he’s a member, sit in a room with him for two hours with plenty of other members around, and get out of town and back to Atlanta without word of it leaking to a single media member — not to Virginia media, not a national guys, and not to us in Atlanta. Not even a mention by anyone in a chat room or on a blog who might have been there or whose dad might have been there.

Pretty amazing in this day and age, with two guys as prominent as Wagner and Cox, in a small town in Virginia.
83
M@BD Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Maybe I’ll head up to Virginia and have a little chat with Billy. It’s not far and seems so effortless.
So excited for a new show!
84
Steve Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Leah – I like your various pseudonyms. I’ll remember never to cross you.
85
M@BD Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Steve, the weeks are filled with days of uncertainty. One minute I’m ecstatic and the next I’m terrified. WWJD? I’ll tell ya what he wouldn’t do…and that is leave his community when they’re damn near bipolar.

*There’s actually no way to do justice to that question but I’ll leave the theology to my better half.

Will, everytime I’m running and a dude passes me I wonder if he’s waiting to round the corner and blow snot out of his naked nostril. If he does will he aim for the woods or just blow on the path?
86
Will Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I saw this posted somewhere else…so don’t call me a total lunatic…partial is fine.

but how about Matsui as our big bat!!! FKKNA World Series MVP, yes please.

I know he cant run, but one of the companies I have looked at over here has invented fake cartiledge that you inject in knees to repair them…well actually they take a biopsy of your own cartiledge and then grow it in a dish and then shoot it in your knees…

Ham, can you call Frank Wren and get this deal done?
87
Will Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 2:05 am
sorry its spelled cartilage
88
Will Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 7:42 am
sorry, as to the projectile I guess it depends on the nostril…

right nostril, left hand will cover left nostril, snot flies to the right…etc.
89
M@BD Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Yes please indeed! If he hits the ball far enough it doesn’t matter how fast he runs.
90
Bubdylan Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
It isn’t like that, Leah. Yeesh. It’s just a regular old neurotic battle against your run-of-the-mill internet addiction/ sports obsession. Ya nutcase.

But if Bama wins today, it’s all gonna collapse on me. Just hook me up to an I.V. of ramen noodle juice and replace my eyeballs every couple of weeks so I can keep staring at the monitor. Go Gators?
91
Wiley Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Tcc- Today is the Day. I would say for us at least, if we lose today our season was for nothing. It is a must win

So if we don’t sign Laroche does that mean we are soon to be closing a deal for Adrian Gonzalez? (just trying to think optomistically)

AnywayI will be at the dome today and tomorrow. Go Falcs, Roll Tide, and most importantly Give em Hell Tech! (sorry Tcc)
92
M@BD Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
…silence…
93
Bubdylan Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Sigh. Roll Tide. I guess.

Leah, I know sometimes it’s gonna rain, but I can’t sleep through the pain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc0uPY10mGI
94
Anne Says:
December 5th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Bub, clearly Leah’s not in her right mind, so don’t take it personally. You can tell because somewhere up there she wrote, “Anne’s a smart girl,” which is clearly delusionary. Poor, poor woman…
95
Fighting for nothin Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Days go by…you don’t write you don’t call. Ok fine. I’ll let go of my virtual anger. Catch us up on your bball thoughts. Should we have held onto LaRoche? Are you as excited as Steve about Saito? Enquiring minds want to know.
96
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Saito & Wagner I like. But I always like the new guys. Can’t think of one I didn’t. So, I’m a homer.

My excitement over having Tim Hudson back is actually going through some kind of delayed surge. I mean, it kind of seemed half-granted, so it’s easy to skip over it. But Hudson potentially adds a lot – A LOT – of foundation to our staff. A better veteran leader than Lowe (whether Lowe is there with him or not), and if he pitches at 90% of his old self, or better, I mean what a pitching staff! Hudson is a great interview, too. A good figurehead. That stuff is important to a long season.

Honestly, Hudson coming back really does make Lowe look like a very servicable #4 pitcher. Wouldn’t be as sexy as Hudson+Javy+Hanson+Jurrjens, but it would be plenty great. I can see Lowe rebounding just fine at that slot.

I doubt the offensive upgrade is going to be exciting, but maybe Wren will pull some magic. If the added bat(s) are only decent and not great, it will give the team the benefit of NOT being predicted by every swinging ink pen to win the whole shabang. I HATE when that happens. For Pete’s sake, let the Phillies be picked to win the East by the majority.

To me, the pitching arrangement alone coupled with last year’s second-half offense or slightly better = playoffs. But then, I’m a homer.

Lastly, the lack of left-side-infield talent in the minors makes me half hope it IS Javy that gets traded, if they’ll do use it for that. Would be very shrewd. Then, we can try to trade the Javy-haul for a big bat, but if we failed to find what we wanted, we could sign decent FA bats and increase the farm talent where we need it most.
97
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
*That last sentence isn’t clear. What I mean is, if we tried to use the return on Javy to trade for a big bat, and it didn’t work out, we could just keep the return minor leaguers (grab a couple 2nd tier FA bats) and brighten the future that much more. Particularly if they were left side infielders.
98
Tcc Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Wiley, you got 2/3 of your weekend wishes. Tech and Bama won, but the Falcons are anemic without their studs. I didn’t fare as well but last night was a great game and you have to agree that C J Spiller is a pretty special guy..consolation prize was the Tigers beat the Gamecocks today in roundball.

Bub, I think the big bat is really important. A great pitching staff is wonderful, but I’m tired of losing 3-1 games! At the major league level, 5-7 runs a night is what you need to win a division.
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Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
If Soriano’s agent is to be believed, Wren is about to look about as clumsy as this time last year. Nothing can be easy, can it?
100
Steve Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Bub – don’t believe it. It ain’t happening. New show in about 45 minutes.
101
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Tcc, if my math is right, these are the runs scored during Atlanta & Philadelphia’s last 81 games, respectively: 391, 388.

Of course, we lost Laroche probably, but still. It’s not an ocean of 3-1 games you’re looking at with McCann, McLouth, Escobar, Prado, Diaz, & Chipper anchoring the line-up. I know it’s not imposing, but it isn’t anemic. And with Huddy-JJ-Hanson + Javy/Lowe + Wagner-Saito-Moylan (Soriano, lol?), the team will compete.

Yes, I want a big bat, though. I don’t think we’re getting one. Not a big one.
102
I like baseball Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I will personally feel cheated if we don’t get a big bat this offseason. I want Adrian Gonzalez at first. How can we make that happen?
103
Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
ILB, Vito Corleone couldn’t swing that deal for less than Heyward+
104
Steve Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I agree with Bub on Gonzalez. He’s real good and relatively cheap. And Freeman is in the wings. There’s no way the Braves will part with the required talent to get him.
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I like baseball Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I’m a believer. I think Wren can work his magic.
Good to have you back Bub even if your Crimson Tide had to win to make it happen.
106
I like baseball Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Steve, Freeman’s in the wings but why not get Gonzalez for a year. Padres don’t need pitchers?
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Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Thanks. Bad to be back.
108
I like baseball Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Awe Bub…embrace the addiction.
109
I like baseball Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Can’t wait to hear the show tomorrow! Good night Mr. Grumpy Gills.
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Bubdylan Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
“Had to make peace with my enemies, it ain’t an easy road when you quit.”

Oh, wait, reverse that.

Show #86: Checking in on the 2009 Braves’ Off Season

110 Responses to “Show #86: Checking in on the 2009 Braves’ Off Season”

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