Braves Post - Meet some new, strange faces

[Oxford Godfrey]

Are some baseball writers trying to imply we should be excited about an aging Derek Lowe and a totally unproven Japanese kid anchoring a rotation when we failed to get the two biggest free agents on the market this offseason?

If Glavine doesn't re-sign there is no trace of the '91 crew. I am now old, for I have seen the rise, reign and fall of a baseball dynasty. The first person who mentions the single world title gets an internet punch in the face.

<span class="subHeadLite">2008 record</span>
72-90, fourth place in NL East</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected batting order</span>
1. SS Yunel Escobar:
.288 BA, .366 OBP, .401 SLG, 10 HR, 60 RBIs in 2008
2. 2B Kelly Johnson:
.287 BA, .349 OBP, .446 SLG, 12 HR, 69 RBIs in 2008
3. 3B Chipper Jones:
.364 BA, .470 OBP, .574 SLG, 22 HR, 75 RBIs in 2008
4. LF TBD
5. C Brian McCann:
.301 BA, .373 OBP, .523 SLG, 23 HR, 87 RBIs in 2008
6. RF Jeff Francoeur:
.239 BA, .294 OBP, .359 SLG, 11 HR, 71 RBIs in 2008
7. 1B Casey Kotchman:
.272 BA, .328 OBP, .410 SLG, 14 HR, 74 RBIs in 2008
8. CF Josh Anderson :
.294 BA, .338 OBP, .426 SLG, 3 HR, 12 RBIs in 2008
</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected rotation</span>
1. Derek Lowe, 14-11, 3.24 ERA in 2008
2. Javier Vazquez, 12-16, 4.67 ERA in 2008
3. Jair Jurrjens, 13-10, 3.68 ERA in 2008
4. Kenshin Kawakami, 9-5, 2.30 ERA in Japan in 2008
5. Jo-Jo Reyes, 3-11, 5.81 ERA in 2008</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected bullpen</span>
Closer: Mike Gonzalez, 14/16 saves, 4.28 ERA in 2008
RH setup man: Rafael Soriano, 2.57 ERA in 2008
LH setup man: Boone Logan, 5.95 ERA in 2008</p>

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[Oxford Godfrey]

Are some baseball writers trying to imply we should be excited about an aging Derek Lowe and a totally unproven Japanese kid anchoring a rotation when we failed to get the two biggest free agents on the market this offseason?

If Glavine doesn't re-sign there is no trace of the '91 crew. I am now old, for I have seen the rise, reign and fall of a baseball dynasty. The first person who mentions the single world title gets an internet punch in the face.

<span class="subHeadLite">2008 record</span>
72-90, fourth place in NL East</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected batting order</span>
1. SS Yunel Escobar:
.288 BA, .366 OBP, .401 SLG, 10 HR, 60 RBIs in 2008
2. 2B Kelly Johnson:
.287 BA, .349 OBP, .446 SLG, 12 HR, 69 RBIs in 2008
3. 3B Chipper Jones:
.364 BA, .470 OBP, .574 SLG, 22 HR, 75 RBIs in 2008
4. LF TBD
5. C Brian McCann:
.301 BA, .373 OBP, .523 SLG, 23 HR, 87 RBIs in 2008
6. RF Jeff Francoeur:
.239 BA, .294 OBP, .359 SLG, 11 HR, 71 RBIs in 2008
7. 1B Casey Kotchman:
.272 BA, .328 OBP, .410 SLG, 14 HR, 74 RBIs in 2008
8. CF Josh Anderson :
.294 BA, .338 OBP, .426 SLG, 3 HR, 12 RBIs in 2008
</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected rotation</span>
1. Derek Lowe, 14-11, 3.24 ERA in 2008
2. Javier Vazquez, 12-16, 4.67 ERA in 2008
3. Jair Jurrjens, 13-10, 3.68 ERA in 2008
4. Kenshin Kawakami, 9-5, 2.30 ERA in Japan in 2008
5. Jo-Jo Reyes, 3-11, 5.81 ERA in 2008</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected bullpen</span>
Closer: Mike Gonzalez, 14/16 saves, 4.28 ERA in 2008
RH setup man: Rafael Soriano, 2.57 ERA in 2008
LH setup man: Boone Logan, 5.95 ERA in 2008</p>

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</p>

 

[Oxford Godfrey]

Are some baseball writers trying to imply we should be excited about an aging Derek Lowe and a totally unproven Japanese kid anchoring a rotation when we failed to get the two biggest free agents on the market this offseason?

If Glavine doesn't re-sign there is no trace of the '91 crew. I am now old, for I have seen the rise, reign and fall of a baseball dynasty. The first person who mentions the single world title gets an internet punch in the face.

<span class="subHeadLite">2008 record</span>
72-90, fourth place in NL East</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected batting order</span>
1. SS Yunel Escobar:
.288 BA, .366 OBP, .401 SLG, 10 HR, 60 RBIs in 2008
2. 2B Kelly Johnson:
.287 BA, .349 OBP, .446 SLG, 12 HR, 69 RBIs in 2008
3. 3B Chipper Jones:
.364 BA, .470 OBP, .574 SLG, 22 HR, 75 RBIs in 2008
4. LF TBD
5. C Brian McCann:
.301 BA, .373 OBP, .523 SLG, 23 HR, 87 RBIs in 2008
6. RF Jeff Francoeur:
.239 BA, .294 OBP, .359 SLG, 11 HR, 71 RBIs in 2008
7. 1B Casey Kotchman:
.272 BA, .328 OBP, .410 SLG, 14 HR, 74 RBIs in 2008
8. CF Josh Anderson :
.294 BA, .338 OBP, .426 SLG, 3 HR, 12 RBIs in 2008
</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected rotation</span>
1. Derek Lowe, 14-11, 3.24 ERA in 2008
2. Javier Vazquez, 12-16, 4.67 ERA in 2008
3. Jair Jurrjens, 13-10, 3.68 ERA in 2008
4. Kenshin Kawakami, 9-5, 2.30 ERA in Japan in 2008
5. Jo-Jo Reyes, 3-11, 5.81 ERA in 2008</p>

<span class="subHeadLite">Projected bullpen</span>
Closer: Mike Gonzalez, 14/16 saves, 4.28 ERA in 2008
RH setup man: Rafael Soriano, 2.57 ERA in 2008
LH setup man: Boone Logan, 5.95 ERA in 2008</p>

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[MSUCostanza]

As long as they are facing AA batters.

It is shocking how badly this franchise has been run in the last 5-6 years. I say 66-68 wins tops with this group of clowns (aside from Chipper). How in the hell is your cleanup hitter "TBD" in freakin February?

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

The Astros are old AND their farm system is pathetic. Not a good combo.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

In February.

Brian Jordan anyone?

 

[Oxford Godfrey]

Remember all those years when Justice, Gant, Klekso, Sheffield, Cabrera, McGriff and company could all underperform in run production? That's because we had the best rotation in baseball (and possibly ever at that time).

Talk about small ball.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

Thread hijack for Stros fans:

I'm interested to see how Blum does as an everyday 3b. I'm assuming Tejada gets probation, and Kaz doesn't have any more "anal fissures" (seriously) so the infield COULD be solid both offensively and defensively. The Bullpen will be extremely strong but the rotation literally dies after O and Wandy; I really wish we could've kept Randy Wolf, he was solid during the 2nd half of last year. Hopefully Bourne's success this Winter in the dominican league can translate into a better performance in the bigs, but its yet to be known if he's worth a damn at the plate.

2 young prospects in spring camp that I'm looking forward to seeing their performance are bud norris and i think his name is chris johnson. I dont see johnson making the roster at 3b though because we picked up aaron boone as a backup this offseason.

But outside of the Cub$, the Central sucks donkey nuts this year. Maybe we can put something together and compete for a WC spot or something.

 

[HighPointDawg]

1- Kelly Johnson - 2B
2- Yunel Escobar - SS
3- Chipper Jones - 3B
4- Brian McCann - C
5- Jeff Francouer - RF
6- Kasey Kotchman - 1B
7- Brandon Jones/Matt Diaz - LF
8- Gregor Blanco/John Anderson/Jordan Schafer - CF

yeah it's still gross.

1- Lowe
2- Vazquez
3- Jurrigens
4- Kawakami
5- Campillo/Tommy Hanson

The bullpen will be fine and they probably sign Ohman soon too..

Adam Dunn anybody??

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Now there are hardly any pieces to move. Lee is virtually untradable. Pence is the only young talent. Roy and Berkman are lifers you just can't trade.

What a mistake Tejada was.

The stros were rumored to have been moving in on Houston native Adam Dunn, but apparently they will not subject our pitchers to an outfield with the fleet-footed Dunn and Lee on the corners.

 

[MSUArrowCS]

It's not as bad as simply having a gaping hole in the middle, but there's still very little pop. Also, Kochman is a .300 hitter that will bat behind McCann, whether that's 5 or 6. Adam Dunn or any other LF with pop would do wonders for the lineup. And JoJo as the #5? He'd have to beat out Campillo first, like you said. I don't look for them to rush Hanson just so he can pitch 5th in the rotation. If Kawakami doesn't pan out or some injury happens, that's another story.

I'm ready to see if Schafer is going to win the starting spot in CF or if he or Anderson can bat leadoff. Having a spark up top would also help the lineup.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

I'm not convinced Tejada was a mistake...yet. He was an extremely vocal leader last year, something that Berkman is not, and maybe his impending indictment messed with his head some because he had hot months and cold months. Either way, I like him there better than Adam Everett if for nothing else because he's a vocal figure.

With his guilty plea behind him, maybe he can focus soley on baseball now. You going to any series this year? I'm in Jackson and may take Southwest over for one or two at MMP

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

to a game there. Maybe I will make one this year.

Screw Tejada. He is now just an average hitter and average fielder. It was just the wrong move bringing in another aging star. And what we got for Lidge? Ugh. There has been some poor management lately.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

I went to a Cubs series last year, had a blast. The B.U.S. bar right outside the stadium is an awesome pre and post-game place and supposedly it's owned by an MSU guy, cause there is State **** all over the place.

In hindsight, yea, we got robbed in the Lidge deal, but the way his head was screwed up while he was in Houston, there was nothing we could do. He was pitching like **** and a prospect like Bourne and Geoff Geary is about all we could ask for him.

I'd be down for planning a Astros trip from Jackson if there are a few more fans. Depending who the opponent is (especially if its the cubs) i'm sure we could get more people to go.

 

[Ice fishing and 40 ozs]

Derek Lowe was a bargain pickup I think . He's a great ground ball pitcher with solid defense up the middle. The bullpen should be strong as long ol Tommy John stays the +@$$ away this year.

 

[The Byrne Center]

That is the dumbest horse **** I have ever heard of. I don't care what the reason is. He should be pitching for the Braves even if he wanted to throw left-handed. The first jersey that I ever owned was a John Smoltz jersey. I thought that Jo-Jo was going to be traded.</p>

 

[cdhmsu]

you can find half our team at luby's eating dinner at 4:30pm.

 

[Todd4State]

many that you probably don't want to hear, but he's old, injury prone and expensive.

Reyes is young and cheap.

 

[youngster]

i agree that the hitting lineup is going to be garbage, but the outfield is going to be worse. gregor blanco/ no name/ no name. are you kidding me. frenchy is gonna suck it up again, chipper will miss half of the season due to the dl and our starting rotation is just as bad if not worse than last year. lowe must feel bad about signing. look, we need a new owner and gm. spend some money. no not yankee's type money but more than they have in the offseason.

 

[MSUCostanza]

Smoltz has had some injury problems, but he was leading the NL in ERA (or close to it.. I remember it was about 2.50) before he got hurt last year. He's always been very upfront and honest with Braves management about his injuries, he's always worked his tail off to rehab, and he's always come back strongly. Plus, he wanted to play for Atlanta, but the new management wouldn't even negotiate with him.

 

[2state7]

I think as far as a hitting line up goes, Chipper and McCann are the only guys on the team to even build around right now and chipper is getting too old and injury prone to lean on him too much.

 

[Ice fishing and 40 ozs]

We just got a new owner and GM.......and Shuerholtz still has some influence on Wren.

 

[Ol Blue.sixpack]

his favorite team is pinning their entire starting pitching hopes on a guy who's old, injury prone, and expensive.

Smoltz has missed a lot less time than Chris Carpenter.

 

[Todd4State]

he doesn't have that many seasons left even if he didn't have injuries. And just because he has come back from injuries before doesn't necessarily mean that he will come back from this one. The team that signed him, the Red Sox, don't even know if he will come back. He's going to miss the first part of the season, so what good would he have done the Braves by sitting in the dugout?

Now the Braves management may have messed him over, and that's unfotunate, but the team has to look out for their best interests, and by resigning Smoltz it may have put them in a crunch where they couldn't have signed a guy like Lowe, who while he may not be a fan favorite, is at least healthy and can eat innings. Very few people leave an organization the way they want to.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

[No message]

 

[The Byrne Center]

mentioned that he would be willing to come back in a closing role. I know that he is injury prone but so are half of the damn players in baseball. The bottom-line is he should still be playing for the Braves.

 

[Todd4State]

is also 7-8 years younger is at least on a throwing program right now. Odds are a lot better that Carpenter will be more productive than Smoltz next year.

 

[TheHorrorTheHorror]

lead off guy. last year, the few games he batted 2nd, or 3rd, he seemed more in his element. he seems to press beiing slotted first. nice pop for a shortstop too (this side of the obvious stars).
i was kinda hoping they would land someone who fits the leadoff role better...
we'll how it goes, though.

 

[TheHorrorTheHorror]

this year will be a bonus. mulder was an absolute train wreck... to think haren was dealt for him...
as far as i know, stl hasnt signed a closer. i wouldnt be shocked if Carp is in that role until Perez & the other young guys get it levelled out.

 

[Ol Blue.sixpack]

is also 7-8 years younger is at least on a throwing program right now. Odds are a lot better that Carpenter will be more productive than Smoltz next year.

You peed all over yourself when he was on a throwing program last year. I remember telling you how bad his mechanics looked in the game he pitched against the Cubs. It was clear that he shouldn't have been out there, but you argued and argued that he was going to save the Cardinals down the stretch. He pitched - what - 5 innings after that?

I don't care how much younger he is than Smoltz or what kind of throwing program he is on. There is nothing in his history that would make anybody believe - other than a homer like you and an ownership group who signed him to a long term contract - that he will come back and be effective long term.

 

[KurtRambis4]

the braves' fault that smoltz left...

 

[Todd4State]

this year will be a bonus. mulder was an absolute train wreck... to think haren was dealt for him...

as far as i know, stl hasnt signed a closer. i wouldnt be shocked if Carp is in that role until Perez & the other young guys get it levelled out.

I know that putting Carpenter in the bullpen has been talked about. I think what will end up happening is that Perez will take over as the closer and LaRussa will just deal with it.

I think if there's any mistake about the Carpenter situation that the Cardinals have made thus far, it's not getting someone as back up plan in case he can't pitch. I don't know if they're going to try someone from AAA or if they're going to try to pick someone up off the free agent scrap heap to be the back-up plan or what.

I'm actually more concerned about Troy Glaus than I am Carpenter, as odd as that may sound. I think David Freese is going to be starting third baseman on opening day, and I don't think he has ever played in a Big League game. Brett Wallace will eventually be the third baseman, but I'm pretty sure that he will start in either AA or AAA, unless he has a spring training like Pujols in 2001 where he hits so well that they have to give him a shot.

Second base is also a concern as well. I'm glad that they released Kennedy, which I what I have wanted them to do since it was obvious that there was no trade market for him, but they're talking about moving Skip Shumaker there? That would be interesting. If I was the GM, I'd go get Orlando Hudson, but it sounds like they want to find someone in house. I think Brian Barton might get a look at second to. At least he some infield in college at Miami.

 

[Rebheaded Stranger]

Including widespread access to massage parlors, cheap knockoff anything in Chinatown, and the actual anonymity of Alcoholics Anonymous when you're not in a city of 15,000 people, going to a Astros game immediately after work and grabbing beers at the B.U.S. is the one I miss most. Especially Roy Oswalt games because he works faster than meth addicts screw and I could make it back to the house and in bed by 10:30.

I'm not sure if the fact that the same long neck beer was going to cost you four times as much inside the stadium that made the beer at The BUS taste quite so good, but I loved going by there before games. Not to mention the actual games themselves. As much fun as SEC games are, there's nothing like watching the best guys in the world play baseball regularly. Plays that would garner a standing O at college games, are routinely clapped for.

Wow. That's the first time I've ever articulated that I actually miss something about Houston other than tacos.

What the hell?

The end times must be near.

 

[Todd4State]

You peed all over yourself when he was on a throwing program last year. I remember telling you how bad his mechanics looked in the game he pitched against the
Cubs. It was clear that he shouldn't have been out there, but you argued and argued that he was going to save the Cardinals down the stretch.

I never said that. You're full of ****.

You can get Ronny to help you with that if you want.

The first throwing program he was on was because of Tommy John surgery which was of course, an elbow injury. He came back and threw, I believe two games and looked pretty good.

Then Carpenter suffered a SHOULDER injury not related to his first injury, which is why he is on his current throwing program.

And because you were SO right about his mechanics being SO bad, Carpenter somehow in three starts put up an ERA of 1.76. And in his three starts he gave up a total of 1 earned run, 0 earned runs, and two earned runs in 16 innings. Bad control is often times an indicator of poor mechnaics, and he had strikeout to walk ratio that was almost 2:1- 7K's/4BB's. His velocity was also in the mid 90's.

You also told me that Chris Perez was not the best option to be the Cardinals closer because his slider "wasn't ready" and all he did is save 8 games for them down the stretch and was their most reliable relief pitcher in Sept.

 

[Ol Blue.sixpack]

You peed all over yourself when he was on a throwing program last year. I remember telling you how bad his mechanics looked in the game he pitched against the
Cubs. It was clear that he shouldn't have been out there, but you argued and argued that he was going to save the Cardinals down the stretch.

I never said that. You're full of ****.

You can get Ronny to help you with that if you want.

The first throwing program he was on was because of Tommy John surgery which was of course, an elbow injury. He came back and threw, I believe two games and looked pretty good.

Then Carpenter suffered a SHOULDER injury not related to his first injury, which is why he is on his current throwing program.

And because you were SO right about his mechanics being SO bad, Carpenter somehow in three starts put up an ERA of 1.76. And in his three starts he gave up a total of 1 earned run, 0 earned runs, and two earned runs in 16 innings. Bad control is often times an indicator of poor mechnaics, and he had strikeout to walk ratio that was almost 2:1- 7K's/4BB's. His velocity was also in the mid 90's.

You also told me that Chris Perez was not the best option to be the Cardinals closer because his slider "wasn't ready" and all he did is save 8 games for them down the stretch and was their most reliable relief pitcher in Sept.

First of all, I don't need stats to tell me if someone doesn't look good on the mound. I said something looked wrong and inside of a week he was pretty much shut down for the year.

And as for Chris Perez, I was right about that, too. And his pitching coach agrees with me.

</a><a href="http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ml-cardinals&tid=92512">http://www.forums.mlb.com...l-cardinals&tid=92512

The problem with so many baseball fans is that they spend too much time looking at the box scores and not enough time watching the games.

Keep serving 'em up there, Toddy, and I'll keep hittin' 'em out of the ballpark.

 

[Ol Blue.sixpack]

this year will be a bonus. mulder was an absolute train wreck... to think haren was dealt for him...

as far as i know, stl hasnt signed a closer. i wouldnt be shocked if Carp is in that role until Perez & the other young guys get it levelled out.

Second base is also a concern as well. I'm glad that they released Kennedy, which I what I have wanted them to do since it was obvious that there was no trade market for him, but they're talking about moving Skip Shumaker there? That would be interesting. If I was the GM, I'd go get Orlando Hudson, but it sounds like they want to find someone in house. I think Brian Barton might get a look at second to. At least he some infield in college at Miami.

Brian Barton is an outfielder. Brian Barden is in the hunt for the second base job.

And here's more on that major league ready slider you say Perez has:

</a><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-points/2009/02/5-minutes-for-blogging-dave-duncans-thoughts-2-3/">http://www.stltoday.com/b...ave-duncans-thoughts-2-3/

Boom. There goes another one.

 

[Todd4State]

"You don't need stats to tell you that someone looked bad".

Especially when those stats contradict your arguement and prove that you were wrong.

 

[Todd4State]

I WAS talking about Brian Barton the outfielder. He did play middle infield at college when he was at Miami. He also is in a crowded outfield and has some ability- in particular speed.

You're talking about the white dude who the Cardinals got from the D-backs a couple of years ago.

I'm talking about the dude with dreadlocks. While there may not be talk about it now, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cardinals give him a look there, because he's not going to take over for Ludwick, Ankiel, and Shumaker and maybe Colby Rasmus. Heck, it's not more far fetched than Shumaker being the second baseman.

And reading that article, it seems to me that Duncan is more concerned about his youth than anything. And while his slider may not have been Steve Carlton-esque, he still stepped up and got the job done, like I said he would. I have no reason at this point to believe that he won't get better.

And aGAIN you're putting words into my mouth. I didn't say that his slider was major league ready, I said that he was the best option for the closer job, and I was right.

Edit for clarification: I am NOT saying that Brian BarTON the outfielder WILL BE the Cardinals second baseman and will hit .424 for them. I AM saying that it is a POSSIBILITY since some people on this board like to make up things to try to "win" their arguement and I can see them coming back in May and saying something to the effect "Well, you said that Brian Barton will be the second baseman".

 

[Frances Drebin]

I believe Derek Lowe will be one of the best free agent signings in baseball. The Mets did a better job at addressing needs by picking up JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, but Derek Lowe was probably the best pitcher on the free agent market.

In the lineup, I think Kotchman will play better than expected and will end up hitting higher than 7th. Francoeur also should have a bounce-back year. Chipper's best days are behind him, though.

I see the Braves and the Nationals slugging it out for the basement. The good news for them is that the NL East will be down this year. The Phillies will regress, and they start the season with Utley on the DL. The Mets are the Mets, but they really beefed up their bullpen. 90 wins may take the East.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

If you think 35 year old Derek Lowe is a better pitcher than CC Sabathia, Ryan Dempster, AJ Burnett, Ben Sheets and John Smoltz........well I will disagree with you. I'll give you Sheets since his arm is made of Jello

I expect Kotchman to hit about .270 with 12 homers and 70 RBI which is shameful for a ML first baseman. So maybe he will do better than expected because he ain't expected to do much.
.
Francoeur is young enough to turn it around but he looked hopeless last year. I mean completely hopeless. 11 homers??? At least he was down to 111 strikeouts.

The Braves will finish ahead of the Nats unless Dunn and Zimmerman hit about 70 homers each and Lannan, Olsen and Cabrera all of a sudden turn into Maddux, Glavine annd Smoltz.