A Claudell flashback

07/31/2009 at 5:46 pm | In ex-Braves, trades | 12 Comments

The Kotchman for LaRoche deal reminds me of a trade made by Bobby some 23 years ago: Claudell and Paul Zuvella for Ken Griffey Sr. and Andre Robertson, who, as I recall, was an African-American version of Paul Zuvella, except not as good. As for the principals, Griffey was a few years older and Claudell partied more, but that was about it. They were two slightly above average RF’s with decent speed and power who hit from the left side.

Claudell’s average season: .278-14-70; Griffey Sr.: .296-12-66.

–CB

Will LaRoche be a Brave again?

07/31/2009 at 3:36 pm | In trades | 11 Comments

Wren just said on radio that the deal was about adding pop. Adam’s splits are dramatically different:

Before all-star break: .252 BA, .326 OBP, .773 OPS

After all-star break: .295, .356, 899.

He has 52 career homers in April-June, 72 in July-September.

We gain pop, lose a bit of average, a tad of defense — though LaRoche is certainly not bad. I don’t think it was a bad deal, just a tad unusual. As for moving Freeman, I hope not, and I don’t think it’ll happen. Wren also said the asking price in prospects for relievers was too high. I like that way of thinking. After JS’s Borasbot deal, Wren might be gun shy, and he should be.  Plus, Boston is picking up much of the tab financially.

–CD

With Victor Martinez headed to Boston, SI’s Jon Heyman said the Sox and Braves are talking about a deal for Adam LaRoche. Interesting. He has more power than Kotchman, but is much streakier. Not sure what to make of this one.

–CB

Braves kick ineffective ingrate to the curb

07/30/2009 at 10:11 pm | In Bullpen, ex-Braves | 15 Comments

I read this just as B-Mac launched his 10th inning bomb. Suddenly, everything’s right with the world.

Jeff Bennett, aka Rick Luecken 2.0, is an ex-Brave!

The Braves didn’t announce it at the time, but they suspended his pay beginning June 25. He filed a grievance with the players association and continued his rehab, including two recent minor-league appearances.

When the grievance was heard, the Braves were directed to either “cure the default” by giving him his back pay for the period he was suspended, or allow him to become a free agent. Braves media-relations director Brad Hainje said Bennett requested the team release him from his contract, which they did.

Like anyone’s going to sign him.

–CB

My reaction after KJ’s 9th inning error

07/30/2009 at 10:03 pm | In KJ | 3 Comments

Sorry, I couldn’t find a YouTube video depicting a grown man screaming: “You suck Kelly Johnson!”

–CB

Fire Bill Hohn!

07/30/2009 at 10:01 pm | In Rogue umps | 2 Comments

Seriously. This is so obviously over the line it’s ridiculous. Chipper better not get suspended for speaking the truth:

“Shocking,” Jones said of the Hohn-Baker fist bump after Nate McLouth struck out to end the game. “But it kind of makes sense, [considering] how the ebb and flow of the game went, the way the game was called.” …

“Never seen it before in my 16 years,” Jones said. “[Players and umpires] exchange banter all the time. But never a handshake or a fist bump. I guess Baker thought he deserved a hand shake.”

–CB

My reaction following the 8th inning

07/30/2009 at 9:46 pm | In 2009 | 1 Comment

Right after Chipper’s Ken Caminiti (circa 2001 w/ the Braves) impression:

Big Fraud

07/30/2009 at 4:26 pm | In PED's | 8 Comments

Anyone surprised?

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the sluggers who led Boston to a pair of World Series championships, were among the more than 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to a report in The New York Times.

Thursday thoughts

07/30/2009 at 10:03 am | In 2009 | 5 Comments

1. Kenshin Soul Brother No. 1 promised to put his soul into every pitch. His soul has lapses of concentration. Kawakami is an average major league pitcher, which is fine. When your worst starter is average, that’s not a problem. Problem was he was facing the other team’s best pitcher. So last night’s game was one of those 54 — of the “every team is just going to lose 54, win 54 and then the other 54 will tell the tale” theory — that you’re just going to lose.  Not an awful night at the plate, putting up 3 against one of the NL’s best in six innings.

2. Which makes Tuesday’s game all the more painful.

3. Which also makes tonight’s game as close as you can get to a must-win in late July, and also makes it Vazquez’s biggest start as a Brave.

4. Bill Hahn is a titanic ass, with a cheesy mustache to boot. Has anyone ever seen a big league ump walk to the dugout to provoke an argument, with his lineup out, obviously knowing he’s going to eject someone? Hahn clearly hates himself and is profoundly unhappy. Not only that, but is he aiming for the Burt Reynolds look? Or Schneider from One Day at a Time? Every day I move closer to Rankin Rob’s position on umps: Fire ‘em all and install lasers and robots. 

–CD

Reaching the playoffs just got tougher

07/29/2009 at 8:29 pm | In 2009, Wild Card | 8 Comments

We ain’t catching the Phils, not with Cliff Lee joining their rotation. I’m more troubled by San Francisco’s acquisitions of Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez. Neither are susperstars, but both are having solid seasons, and the Giants have the pitching to sustain what now qualifies as a mediocre line-up.

–CB

Duane’s cousin Horace weighs in

07/29/2009 at 9:44 am | In 2009, Duane | 18 Comments
CSA Gen. Jubal Early, my hero. I wish I was named Jubal.

CSA Gen. Jubal Early, my hero. I wish I was named Jubal.

First off, trade Sorry-ano while somebody still wants him. You CAN’T blow big games like that. Duane, my sorry-ass cousin y’all might know, talked me into watching the Braves last night, told me how they playing good now, hitting some home runs, blah, blah. Then that relief pitcher comes in and bam!

Cox shoulda left that Morler in there. Hell, he pitched good. Why they switch all the time? Duane tried to explain it, but it just sounded like a buncha excuses to me.

I perdict the Braves go in the tank from here on out. That loss was a back breaker. Trade Sorry-ano, trade Escobar — he didn’t get no good hits last night, loser — fire Bobby Cox and get some guys in here that know how to win. Get that Big Poppy guy. I like him. He’s got personality. And play more country music like they used to do when Jeff Francoor come up to bat.

Where’d he go anyway? I thought he was pretty good.

Well, I gotta run. Today’s the day me and Duane have our big talk about him moving out of my place. Says he’s got a apartment. I ain’t sure.

–Horace from LaGrange

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