Would you pay $75 million for Pete Harnisch?

11/26/2008 at 4:40 am | In free agents | 4 Comments

Of course not, but the Braves might actually spend that much — over five years — to land A.J. Burnett. The oft-injured righty has become the team’s primary target, according to several sources.

I’m opposed. Damn, damn opposed. Burnett has topped 200 innings three times out of seven complete seasons. Two of those times came on the eve of his walk year. Until winning 18 in ‘08, Burnett had never topped 12 wins. His career ERA: 3.81.

Yes, his stuff is fantastic, and he was dominant in the second half last season, compiling a 2.86 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 82 innings. But the risk is too great, and signing him for five years would be asking for trouble.

What about me?

What about me?

The last Braves pitcher to sign for five years? Greg Maddux. A.J. Burnett is no Greg Maddux. Obviously. Hell, Zane Smith had a better career ERA than the flaky former Marlin.

Why not take a chance on Ben Sheets instead? No one seems that interested in the Milwaukee ace, who’s nearly two years younger than Burnett and has better career numbers. He’s not asking for five years, and seemingly won’t get anything close to what Burnett appears poised to receive.

Granted, he suffered a muscle tear near his elbow that hindered him down the stretch, but there’s no ligament damage. Sheets pitched over 200 innings three times, and he would’ve accomplished his fourth such season had he pitched two more innings in ‘08.

If you’re going to take a chance on an oft-injured starter, go with the more affordable option.

–CB

Could Peavy package net Dye and Vasquez?

11/25/2008 at 8:17 am | In Frenchy, prospects, trades | 4 Comments

Bowman’s latest mailbag got me thinking.

Wren has said that he’s had multiple discussions with White Sox GM Kenny Williams, and you can be assured that the conversation has included both Vazquez and outfielder Jermaine Dye.

Dye is as solid as they come, and while Vasquez hasn’t fulfilled his ace potential, he remains a dependable innings-eater. Williams says he wants to get younger and more athletic, and the Sox need a shortstop badly.

Yesco and Gorkys sound like the kind of players Williams is after. Add in Reyes and Boyer (too wishful?) and the Sox might bite.

I’d rather have Peavy, but Wren is right to move on.

In other news …

*I’m okay with trading Tyler Flowers. His stock may never get higher, and the Braves could probably get a significant contributor in return.

*Has anyone ever heard Brewers announcer Jim Powell call a game? Let us know if you have; Bowman says the UGA grad is a contender to fill one of the broadcasting vacancies.

*Most underrated stat? Batting with RISP. DOB reminds us, via Gammons by way of Elias, just how bad Frenchy was in ‘08.

Hitters who came to bat with the most runners on base: 1. Justin Morneau, 558; 2. Garrett Atkins, 515; 3. David Wright, 508; 4. Mark Teixeira; 5. Carlos Beltran, .498; 6. Jeff Francoeur, 494; 7. Ryan Howard, 483; 8. Carlos Delgado, 480.

So I took that stat and went and looked at what all those guys hit with runners on base and how many RBI they finished with in 2008.

The envelope, please:

Morneau: .330 with runners on, 129 RBI.

Atkins: .256, 99 RBI.

Wright: .290, 124 RBI.

Teixeira: .303, 121 RBI.

Beltran: .283, 112 RBI.

Francoeur: .203, 71 RBI.

Howard: .309, 146 RBI.

Delgado: .285, 115 RBI.

Trade Frenchy while you can; Jonathan Sanchez would do nicely.

–CB

A Rowland factoid

11/25/2008 at 7:46 am | In Rowland | Leave a Comment

 

Warren Cromartie couldnt hold my cup!

Warren Cromartie couldn't hold my cup!

According to Rowland’s Wikipedia entry, Jerry Royster and our namesake played against each other in high school, in the highly competitive Metro League of Sacramento, California. They were Braves teammates from 1976 to ‘79.

 

–CB

F the Sox!

11/25/2008 at 5:46 am | In prospects | 2 Comments

Heralded Japanese amateur Junichi Tazawa is reportedly going to sign with the Red Sox.

According to the source linked above, Atlanta offered the second best deal, in terms of money and length. Texas’ offer was highest, but Tazawa preferred “Boston’s development plan”.

–CB

Braves make offer to Fukey?

11/25/2008 at 1:59 am | In free agents, rumors | 3 Comments

Four years, $52 mil, according to a popular Latin baseball site. That’s basically the same terms he received from Los Angeles in 2006, plus an additional year.

–CB

Looking sharp, as always

11/24/2008 at 5:10 am | In Rowland | Leave a Comment

A new Rowland find, from Check Out My Cards, among the links we’ve added.

What times Sanford on?

What time's Sanford on?

too bad it’s not 2002

11/24/2008 at 2:08 am | In trades | 1 Comment
If Im our best pitcher were in big trouble!

If I'm our best pitcher we're in big trouble!

Kevin Millwood has three outstanding seasons on his resume: 1999, 2002 and 2005. Those are also the only times in his 12-year career that Millwood posted an ERA under 4.00.

He’s been awful the last two years, albeit in a hitter-friendly park. In 340+ IP as the de facto ace of the Rangers staff, Millwood, who turns 34 in December, has allowed 433 hits, with an ERA over 5.00.

Hard to understand why the Braves would be interested in bringing the sweaty northpaw back to Atlanta, as has been reported. Granted, I’d rather see him return than Paul Byrd, who the team has “discussed,” Frank Wren confirmed in a recent online chat.

His rumored interest in Vincente Padilla also doesn’t square. Padilla’s stats compare to Jason Marquis and Len Barker, according to Baseball Reference. Enough said. 

Padilla and Millwood are both in the last year of their contracts, and contenders needing a fourth starter could do worse. That’s not the Braves.

Besides, haven’t we given the Rangers enough prospects? Unless they’ll take Adrian Devine or Sugar Bear Blanks again, Wren should look elsewhere.

–CB

Obvious question, not yet asked

11/22/2008 at 8:22 am | In nostalgia | 6 Comments

All-time Brave? Hank Aaron, no question.
All-time Atlanta Brave? Hard to argue with these five nominees: Aaron, Niekro, Murphy, Smoltz and Chipper.
I gotta go with Smoltzie. Game 7, 1991 was a preview of more than 15 years to come.

–CB

JD Drew’s offseason diary

11/21/2008 at 5:39 pm | In JD's Diary | 3 Comments
I wish I was in Hahira

I wish I was in Hahira

Hey fellow Christians, it’s ol’ JD. Been awhile, I know, but as you can imagine I’ve been resting up from that long season. Boy I tell ya, 109 games sure is a lot.

I slept for about two weeks, then slowly worked my way into the normal routine — goin’ to Bass Pro Shop with Stephen and Tim, lunch at the new Golden Corral off 122, nap, listen to Sean Hannity, dinner, bed.

Like you I’m real worried about this Obamo fella. Mr. Scott says he’s gonna be taking more of our money, and that ain’t right. What’s more, it ain’t Christian, but what do you expect from an Islam?

Anyway, if that’s the case, Ol’ JD better get a raise. I mean, if I have to pay more taxes, I’m earning less money and the team should make up for that, right? Where’s JD’s bailout?

I’m still waiting to hear back on that from Mr. Scott. Things is kinda tense with him right now. He’s got this T. Share fella out there asking for $200 mil, which is a lot more than ol’ JD makes. Tim says he should be trying to get me that much money, too, especially with all the leverage I’ve got. You know, after saving the team with my hit against the Buccaneers in overtime.

The fans really like me now, but ol’ JD don’t forget how they booed him last year. Goes to show you how us Christians are persecuted in these times, which I like to call the end times.

You can learn all about it in Revolution. We been reading up on it in Bible Study, though I miss some classes ’cause I’m still plum tired.

Well, my fingers are cramping up real bad, and I think I’m developing flebitis and maybe a little gout. Time for a nap.

Yours in Christ,
Ol’ JD

Hanson’s not the only Brave dealing in ‘zona

11/21/2008 at 3:27 am | In prospects | 4 Comments

Stephen Marek and Kris Medlen fly under the prospects radar, but both could end up in Atlanta next year.

They’ve bolstered their chances with strong performances in the AFL. Marek, acquired in the Tex deal, has pitched 11 scoreless innings, while Medlen has struck out 20 — with only one walk — in 18 IP. The smallish northpaw, who thrived once he was moved into Mississippi’s rotation last year, has a 2.50 ERA.

–CB

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