Rowland's Office

I never have and never will root for the Mets. But I do hope Glavine wins 300. He’ll try tonight.

No doubt Glavine will go into Cooperstown as a Brave. It’s here he won 242 of his games, or 81 percent as of now. It’s here he pitched the greatest game in Atlanta Braves history. It’s here he came into the big leagues and honed the craft that’s made him one of the greatest left handers ever.

It’s also here that some people still jeer him. In today’s local organ, Tommy tells Tim Tucker that the boos he hears on Hank Aaron Drive bother him.

People buy a ticket they can do what they want. I understand a lot of people resent Glavine’s outspoken role during the ‘94 strike. I get that. I also get the notion some have, including me to some degree, that he on some level chose loyalty to the players union over the Braves when he left for the Mets.

Truth is, though, that none of us knows exactly what happened between Tommy and the Bravos’ brass. The home team ultimately offered him 3 years, $30 million, just $5 mill less over three years than the Mets paid him. But I don’t know how they got there, or what conditions were attached. I’m sure JS and Stan Kasten, who was still team president in 2002, are not exactly chummy to deal with in contract talks.

Bottom line: I would never boo Glavine. The guy was, as much as any one player, responsible for the Braves becoming the Braves of the ’90s-’00s. For me, there are countless indelible memories of Tommy the Brave, the two warmest being the ‘95 Series clincher, or course, and him and The Hammer carrying home plate from Old Blue into Turner Field before the first game at the new yard. When they walked through the center field wall, if you didn’t feel chills and your eyes didn’t water, at least a little, you’re not a true Braves fan.

Still, I get the resentment. He left for the Mets, for more money. Players do it all the time. If you want to boo him, boo him. I wish people wouldn’t though. As Tommy points out, Julio went to the Mets for more money, too. Julio’s done about 1/1,000th as much as Glavine did for the Braves. Yet Julio is greeted as a returning hero.

Atlanta fans are, to put it kindly, odd sometimes.

–CD

Baseball trades are, by nature, a risk. After all, the other team is not out to help you; they’re looking after their own interests.

Ideally, a trade helps both sides. Sometimes, they actually do. Often, that ain’t so. In JS’s history pulling levers for the Bravos, few of the prospects and young major leaguers he’s dealt have achieved stardom, or even solid big league careers. The first category would include: Jermaine Dye and Jason Schmidt. That’s it. Now, Adam Wainwright could join them, but that’s to be determined. So could Salty and Andrus. We’ll see. 

The list of prospects and young big leaguers JS has traded that had solid careers is as short as Chris Crapward’s list of big hits: Tony Tarasco and Turk Wendell. Again, that’s about it. Odalis Perez had a good season or two with the Dodgers. Jason Marquis had a decent year with the Cardinals and is doing OK with the Cubs this season, but  he has so far not authored what you’d call a solid career.

Granted, not all the guys traded were first-tier prospects when dealt. Some were, though, and never came to much. Here are players JS bartered for significant big leaguers: Jimmy Kremers (traded for Otis), Joe Roa (Al Pena in ‘91), Nate Minchey and Sean Ross (Reardon), Mel Nieves, Donnie Elliott and Vince Moore (McGriff), Tarasco and Esteban Yan (Grissom), Troy Hughes (Luis Polonia), Andre King (Mike Deveraux), Chad Fox (Gerald Williams), Micah Bowie, Ruben Quebedo and Joey Nation (Mulholland and Jose Hernandez), Fernando Lunar and Luis Rivera (B.J. Surhoff), Tim Spooneybarger and Ryan Baker (Hampton), Damian Moss and Merkin Valdez (Russ Ortiz), Jung Bong and Bubba Nelson (Reitsma; I didn’t say all the guys we got worked out), Dan Meyer and Charles Thomas (Hudson), Roman Colon and Zach Miner (Farnsworth), Andy Marte (Renteria), Ricardo Rodriguez (Diaz), Max Ramirez (Wickman).

Several of those players were highly regarded when JS dealt them, including Marte, Meyer, Nelson, Valdez, Rivera, Tarasco, Nieves, Spooneybarger, Moss and Kremers.

This, of course, doesn’t mean the Tex trade is going to work out. Many of those deals were for players not of Tex’s caliber and, therefore, you would figure to surrender lesser prospects to get them.

JS isn’t perfect. Nevertheless, this history shows that he has, more often than not, chosen the right prospects to keep. That list would include Chipper, Klesko, Javy, Andruw, McCann, Francoeur, Avery, Chucky, and most recently, KJ and Yesco. Let’s hope he keeps that up.

–CD    

As of about 12:45, it seems the deal actually is done. Or so the local organ is reporting. And the trade does include Harrison: Salty, Elvis, Harrison and a "lesser" pitching prospect. So that probably isn’t Hanson or Reyes.

The Fort-Worth Star Telegram, citing a Rangers source, is reporting that the Rangers will get 19-year-old right-hander Nestali Feliz. Feliz has good numbers at rookie league Danville. I confess I know nothing about the guy. With a kid that young, you never know how he’ll turn out. 

That’s a hefty price, but we can sure use Tex and Mahay.

…Pending physicals, etc. This doesn’t mean it’s really done, but looks like it might well be. Sounds good if he’s got it right: Tex and lefty reliever Mahay for Salty, Elvis and a pair of unnamed pitching prospects. Good, assuming the pitchers do not include Reyes. Apparently, Harrison is not part of this.

JS is giving up the organization’s top two prospects. It’s a gamble, but any trade is. As good as Salty and Andrus might ultimately be — and chances are both will not be stars — they both have young players in front of them who appear destined to be very good to great big leaguers in McCann and Yesco. Of course, we lack is a foundation of young pitching, so if Thomas Hanson is gone, that hurts.

Still, I say good move, especially if there’s a chance we keep Tex beyond next season. Which there could be with Hampton’s and Andruw’s contracts coming off the books. What do y’all think?

–CD

Yeah, you’d get your ass kicked saying something like that.

Ah, there’s never a bad time for an Office Space reference.

Re matters Bravo, I have little to add on the Tex speculation, but I’ll add it. I hope we get the guy. I hope we don’t give up too much to get him. Genuis, eh?

Just like everyone else, if we deal Salty and Elvis, I would demand a reliever in the trade. SI.com’s Jon Heyman writes that one GM told him Salty might not be all that. I’m sure one GM said Smoltz, Chipper, Glavine and Maddux weren’t so geat when they were coming up. Who the hell knows?

I do know that Tex would make this lineup rock solid. My suspicion is if we do get him, it’ll be just him and not a reliever alongside. But it sounds like JS is scouring the world for relief help, so I’m guessing he comes up with something there regardless of whether we land Tex.

Also on that point, apologies to Julio — CB wrote that letter, by the way — but it is curious to me whey he’s become the starting first baseman. Salty was not a disaster defensively. Has JS told Bobby that Salty is as good as gone, so let’s not get him hurt? Does Bobby really believe the team has a better chance of winning with Julio’s bat in the lineup rather than Salty’s? 

Bravo matter No. 2: I understand Bobby’s rationale for not using his closer in tied extra-inning games on the road. You have to score, then hold the home team. Therefore, if you use Wickman when it’s tied he’d have to go two innings for a save. Or you burn him and have to use someone else if you go ahead a couple innings later.

On the other hand, you can end up losing without using your, theoretically at least, best reliever. That’s what happened twice in Arizona. Ledezma, probably our worst reliever, lost a game. And Yates and Paronto, at best our fourth and fifth best relievers, conspired to cough up another. Meanwhile, a well-rested Wickman worked one inning in the series, in a 14-0 game. Bobby’s approach is the percentage play. I don’t know exactly how often it works, and we generally defer to the Skipper, but it did not work in either of those games.

As for Sunday, the Braves had to have that game and got it, emphatically. It’s good to see the club go berserk in a nearly must-win game. Still, we’re over halfway through the supposedly soft — so proclaimed by yours truly, among others — post all-star bresk stretch and the home team is just 8-9.

Suddenly, the Rockies look formidable next weekend. If the Braves don’t do well during this six-game homestand the trip to New York and Philly could be a punch in the gut. It’s going to be crucial. We need a nice 8-2 or 10-5 type stretch. Maybe Tex could spark that. McGriff’s arrival spurred an 11-2 run. Their stats are similar. In the four years leading up to his acquisition, Crime Dog averaged about 35-100-high .280s. Tex in his first four big league seasons, before this one, averaged 35-113-about .280.

One huge difference: The 1993 Braves had four No. 1 starters — Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery. The ‘07 Braves do not.

–CD

Before "Baseball Tonight," there was "This Week in Baseball." With no national highlights, save for a rare glimpse on the nightly local news, "TWIB" was where you first saw George Brett’s pine tar meltdown, or Philly’s 23-22 win over the Cubs in 1979.

Beyond that, it had the great Mel Allen (the best voice, ever, in baseball) hosting and a pretty cool theme song — listen here.

There’s Michael Vick and Barry Bonds. Bad men.

Then there’s Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Great men. Role models. Never spectacular, but always productive. And getting their due at just the right time. 

Regrettably, consistency has become quaint. Ripken and Gwynn embodied it, Two players, two teams. One barely ever missed a game. The other barely ever played a game in which he didn’t get a hit.

I never got to see Ripken play, unfortunately, but I did make a point of seeing one of Gwynn’s last games in LA. He singled to right. I couldn’t have asked for more.

The Office salutes two of baseball’s most worthy Hall of Famers. Thank God Mark McGwire (first-year eligible) won’t be there to taint a celebration of what baseball players should be — not what too many of them have become.

–CB

That’s right, it’s the Old Man, What you got against me, CD? And if you going to be so critical, at least print your full name. I may be old, but I bet there’s nothing you can do better than me on a baseball field. I’m trying to inspire people, chulo. And you’re trying to bring us all down.

Is it because I testify on behalf of our our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? You an atheist, man? I bet you even criticize Santa Claus.

Hope you stayed up late last night to watch the game. I think I showed you who’s old and washed up.

Yours in Christ,

Julio Franco

It’s nice the Braves brought back Julio. It’s cool to have him again.

But Bobby needs to stop playing him. Julio has started every game but one since rejoining the home team. He has more at-bats than McCann since he came back, 23 to 18. Meanwhile, Salty has just 12 at-bats. I know it’s only a week, just seven games. I know Bobby is trying to get Julio some swings to get him sharp for the stretch.

Enough already.

Julio’s finished.He’s hit .174 since he came back. He had hit .200 for the Mets. His bat is slow. He can’t hit a fastball over 91 mph. He can’t pull anything. Do you want Julio getting twice as many at-bats as Salty, for any portion of the season? I don’t. And he damn sure shouldn’t be on the field more than McCann. While they don’t play the same position, Julio’s playing time diminishes McCann’s because if the Old Man’s at first, the only place for Salty to play is catcher, meaning McCann doesn’t play when Salty does.

We love Julio. It’s neat having a guy who’s almost 50. But he’s played enough. He should pinch hit, play first once every couple of weeks maybe, and that’s all. This club needs every game it can get from here on out. Salty and McCann can help this team make the playoffs. Julio can’t. Here’s hoping he’s not in the lineup tonight. 

–CD

Hearing and reading all the trade chatter, it seems as if the Braves are emerging as the most logical landing spot for the Texas first baseman, henceforth known as "Tex." You try committing the spelling of Teixeira to memory.

Last night on "BBTN," Petah and the manchild Kurkjian said the Braves were indeed players for Tex, but each doubted JS would trade Salty. I disagree. If you’re going to deal for Tex, where does that leave Salty? Catcher’s occupied, and even if Salty could play the outfield, it’s not like there’s a need. So if you want Tex, it makes sense to trade Salty, even though he could turn out to be every bit as good; each are switch hitters with power. Tex is better defensively, and he’s only 26. His career projects similarly to Chipper, who has few years left as an offensive linchpin (considering his age and injury history). Tex would be the heir apparent, which the Braves need. McCann and Frenchy are going to continue to improve, but neither belong in the third spot in the batting order. I don’t see Salty as a fit there, either. 

Andruw, we know, is gone next year. After 2008, when Tex becomes a free agent, the home team will finally be rid of the albatross formerly known as Mike Hampton. Kurkjian expects Tex to get $20 million a  year, but I doubt that. Considering his position — and the fact that, good as he is, he’s no Albert Pujols, or Ryan Howard. I think 6 years at $16 mil per would get him signed; While Scott Boras doesn’t do hometown discounts, it can’t hurt that Tex played at Georgia Tech and his wife grew up in Atlanta.

Assuming the Bravos agree to give up Salty, JS might have some room to maneuver. The Dodgers could really use Tex, but aren’t willing to part with James Loney or Matt Kemp. Boston and the Yanks are interested, but reluctant to deal the young pitching Texas seeks.

So, by giving the Rangers Salty, JS should move to pad the deal, asking for former closer Akinori Otsuka, who has been relgated to a set-up role with Eric Gagne returning to form. Hard thrower Joaquin Benoit has finally put up some impressive numbers and could turn into a closer down the road.

Otsuka should be the priority, even though he’s missed considerable time this season to injury. He’s due back within the week. He’s closed before, and was impressive. And Otsuka would make a nice replacement for Wickman next season (the former Japanese League closer still needs two years of Major League service before qualifying for free agency).

If the Rangers refuse to part with him, I’d take Benoit, who is younger and still has a high ceiling. The Braves were previously rumored to be pursuing Texas southpaw C.J. Wilson, though I assume free agent-to be Ron Mahay would be a much easier get. The former Red Sox outfielder is quite capable at retiring lefties.

Time to put a deal on the table: Salty, Matt Harrison, Davies and Thorman for Tex, Benoit and Mahay. It might take more (Rangers GM Jon Daniels is still smarting from one of the worst deals in the past five years: Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez to San Diego for Adam Eaton and Otsuka), but I doubt Texas gets a better offer. .

I don’t think we’re going to get a starter by the first of August. Mahay’s acquisition would allow the Bravos to give Ledezma a shot in the rotation (he’s done well as a starter in limited appearances). Maybe Cormier can find his mojo. Tanyon Sturtze never had any, and he’s getting bombed in rehab (obligatory Lindsay Lohan reference). Not that big of a deal, assuming Buddy C. continues to impress. Postseasons have never been decided by fifth starters (although I’m sure someone will prove me wrong within the day). .

If desperate enough, I’m sure JS could import a Woody Williams-type, giving up a marginal prospect at most. But no pitcher currently on the market is worth Salty, or Yesco.

Tex will likely to be the only impact player to swtich teams af the deadline. The Bravos would suddenly have the best everyday line-up in the NL, and a deep bullpen, with power in the middle (Soriano and/or Benoit) or moxie setting up (Moylan and/or Otsuka). And, finally, a useful southpaw.

–CB.

As Bonds nears 755, we’ll reminisce about Henry Louis Aaron’s approach to 715. Since Bonds’ next will put him one behind, here’s a look at Hank’s 713th.

It came on Sept. 29, 1973, the next-to-last game that season, at home against Jerry Reuss and the Astros. Hank went 3-for-3 with 3 RBI that day, the home team won 7-0 to improve to 76-84, 22.5 games out. The round tripper was the 40th that season for the 39-year-old Hammer, who hit .301 with 40 bombs and 96 RBI in just 392 at-bats. On that Saturday, 17,836 showed up at Ol’ Blue. The next day, with 714 in sight, more than 40,000 came down to then-Capital Avenue.

On the Saturday Hank moved to within one of the Babe, Carl Morton shut out Houston on six hits to go to 15-10.

–CD