Extension with Chipper nears completion

03/30/2009 at 11:42 pm | In Chipper | 4 Comments
Hell do what Aaron, Smoltz, Murphy, Glavine, Mathews and Spahn couldnt

He'll do what Aaron, Smoltz, Murphy, Niekro, Glavine, Mathews and Spahn couldn't

I love the idea of Chipper staying with the Braves his whole career, but a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth, worries me.

The guy’s a certain Hall of Famer, and quite possibly the most talented Atlanta Brave ever — outside of the Hammer. Too bad he’s  averaged only 124 games over the past five years — a quarter of each season missed to injury, and he’s already flirted with the DL this spring.

Anyone think that’s going to change as he gets older? Not unless he juices.

Not that I’m disappointed he’ll be staying. I don’t see him ever becoming a drain on the line-up — at least when he’s in it. (This extension should make Martin Prado much less expendable;  a quality reserve at the hot corner is a must with Chipper around.) 

All that said, you can’t ignore his performance when healthy. Chipper has improved his batting average at least 13 points in each of the last five years: .248 (how the hell did that happen), .296, .324, .337, .364. How many lifetime hitters, in their 30s, have managed that? 

–CB

Another gift from the Tigers?

03/30/2009 at 5:27 pm | In trades | 3 Comments

Frank Wren needs to keep trading with his old boss, Dave Dombrowski. He may never make a better trade than the Edgar for JJ and Gorkys swap, and while today’s deal doesn’t compare, it looks like the Braves might actually have gotten good value for a player with no remaining options.

Darrow is a former college wrestler who is listed at 5′10″, 180 lbs. The Tommy John survivor uses a sidearm delivery to touch 94, and Baseball America suggests he could pitch in the Majors this year.

–CB

We learned a lot today

03/30/2009 at 5:16 pm | In 2009, Andruw, Frenchy | 5 Comments

1. As already noted, it appears Jordan Schafer will be the Opening Day center fielder.

2. Manny Acosta is unlikely to join him on the 25-man roster after another uninspiring effort. When he gets hit, the ball tends to go far.

3. Gonzo is rounding into dominant form, striking out the side. And Eric O’Flaherty likely earned himself a spot in the ‘pen after striking out four of six batters faced. Outside of that one abysmal outing vs. the Mets, the former Mariner has been effective.

(I’m beginning to think the Braves haven’t pursued Ohman because they overworked him last year and are concerned he might not be as effective this season.)

4. There’s even greater reason to be optimistic about Frenchy. I had not heard before today that he worked with famed Rangers batting instructor Rudy Jaramillo this offseason. Jaramillo is to hitting what Leo was to pitching, resurrecting the careers of everyone from DeRo and Gary Matthews, Jr. to Lee Stevens and Mickey Tettleton. Jeff Bagwell credits Jaramillo for helping him transform into a power threat.

And now he may save Andruw’s career. While he’s still striking out a ton, Andruw is hitting .277 this spring, a very encouraging sign considering how lost he looked in L.A.

As for Francoeur, his two strikeouts today against Dice-K doubled his total for the spring: four K’s, seven walks and a .333 BA.

–CB

So long, Josh

03/30/2009 at 2:38 pm | In The outfield | 6 Comments

The Bravos traded Josh Anderson to Detroit today for minor league reliever Rudy Darrow, who’s posted some fantastic numbers in the minors. But considering his age, 25, and the sorry state of the Tigers bullpen, I wouldn’t get too excited.

The Braves aren’t saying whether Jordan Schafer has won the job, but I’d be very disappointed to see Gregor Blanco patrolling center on opening day. Schafer could be the next Grady Sizemore; Blanco is a poor man’s Dion James. And, unlike J. Anderson, he has options remaining.

–CB

Linescore du jour

03/26/2009 at 2:35 pm | In Bullpen | 3 Comments

From today’s game vs. Toronto:

Logan 0.2 4 3 3 1 2 0 7.71

Not good, but Eric O’Flaherty’s ERA is worse.

Paging Will Ohman.

Another good start

03/25/2009 at 7:53 pm | In The rotation | 3 Comments

Kenshin Kawakami was dominant tonight for the Bravos, limiting the Natspos to one hit and one run in five innings. This follows another strong outing by Javy Vazquez last night — and five no-hit innings by Tommy Hanson against the Buford Braves.

The bullpen is another matter. Sori got knocked around Tuesday, while Gonzo allowed five hits and three runs in tonight’s game (ongoing). Meanwhile, Eric O’Flaherty and Boone Logan haven’t distinguished themselves in their bid to be Atlanta’s second bullpen southpaw.

Shoulda re-signed Ohman, though a trade is certainly possible.

–CB

Marquis: Great Brave, Great Guy

03/24/2009 at 3:18 pm | In ex-Braves | 13 Comments

Tip o’ the Bravos cap to J. Graham for the heads-up on this. The Washington Post has a great piece about Marquis Grissom, now first-base coach for the Nats.

Let’s hope he ends up back with the Braves.

J.D. Drew’s Spring Training Diary

03/22/2009 at 6:58 pm | In JD's Diary | 6 Comments
Id rather be in Hahira

I'd rather be in Hahira

Greetings, fellow Christians. Ol’ JD here, writing to you even though I’m in excruciating pain. Well, I’m not really typing, just dictating to brother Tim.

As you might have read it’s been a tough spring for Ol’ JD. On Saturday some dude pitching for the Pittsburgh Penguins plunked me on the hand. It hurts so dang bad. Doc diagnosed it as a contusion, but I think it’s probably broken.

Earlier in the spring my glove hand was aching something awful. I had to sit out for two weeks — probably came back too soon. My back’s been acting up, too. I think it’s ’cause they work us so hard in Spring Training.

And now they want us to work even more. For free. They asked me to play in this World Baseball thing, which I had never even heard of. I asked one simple question: How much you gonna pay me? Nothing, they said. I was outraged.

I asked Mr. Scott to file a grievance, but he said that wasn’t a good idea. He said people might question my patriotism.

Can you believe that? Heck, I voted for Bush twice. I woulda voted for Sarah Palin if she had been running for president, but I wasn’t gonna risk hurting my back pulling the lever for that McKay guy. He’s too liberal for ‘Ol JD.

Anyway, I told Mr. Scott that no one loves their country more than me. “Have You Forgotten” is my favorite song, after “God Bless the U.S.A.” of course. And I’m reading Glenn Beck’s new book, even though I don’t like books. I just don’t think a man should do something for free. I mean, they pay the troops, don’t they?

Tim says we’re playing the Japanese tonight. All I gotta say is Remember 9/11!

Well, I guess I better get back to rehabbing. They say I should be ready by Opening Day, but this cut on my pinkie is looking really bad. It might be May before I feel good enough to play. That’d work out good, ’cause April in Boston is too cold for Ol’ JD. I swear I got frostbite last year, but, competitor that I am, I finished the inning.

Now if you’ll excuse me Tim and I are heading to Golden Corral for all-you-can-eat fried shrimp. In tough times like these we try to stick to buffets. I even tried to cook once, in one of those Fry Daddies, but some hot grease popped out and burned my forearm. I had to go to the emergency room and everything. They said it wasn’t serious, but doctors always say that.

Yours in Christ,
‘Ol JD

Rickey says Rickey rules, and Rickey’s right

03/22/2009 at 12:06 am | In HOF | 1 Comment

Yeah, he dogged it at times, and I’m not usually fond of people who speak of themselves in the first person, but Rickey Henderson gets a pass.
–CB

A great day at Disney

03/21/2009 at 5:37 pm | In Spring Training | 2 Comments

You couldn’t ask for a better afternoon:

  • In his spring debut, Tommy G. was sharp, tossing three scoreless innings.
  • Frenchy continued his resurgence, with two hits and three RBI. He’s now hitting .368.
  • Rehabbing reliever Peter Moylan tossed a scoreless frame.
  • John Maine, the Mets’ second starter, gave up six hits, five runs and three walks in four innings. His Grapefruit League ERA: 10.28. 
  • Josh Anderson smashed a three-run homer to lift his average to .295, still 90 points below Jordan Schafer, who was 1-for-4.  
  • They both trail Brandon Jones, now batting .400 after a two-hit day.
  • Oh, and the Braves won, 12-1.

–CB

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