SB Nation User Blog: darthspiderman

Adam Wainwright

darthspiderman — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:57:21 -0000

for JD Drew....... How the crap did we let that happen - considering we are usually good at trading players that don't pan out in the long run.

Now he's got a 4-year deal to be the Cardinal's ace. I want Atlanta to have a young homegrown ace again.

Our Future Coaching Staff

darthspiderman — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:54:02 -0000

As much as I want Bobby Cox to manage forever, I know it ain't happening. Then I was reading an article on ajc.com about Chipper being the leader in the clubhouse and another hitting coach to the younger players.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/sportscolumns/entries/2008/03/13/chipper_more_co.h tml

It got me thinking after the part about Pendelton passing the torch to Justice... Chipper HAS to be our next hitting coach. Why do I say this? Well, back of my mind tells me Terry will inherit the Manager's role when Bobby is ready to give it to him. On top of that, many of you will probably say Smoltzie should get this job, but no (he is focusing on his school in Alpharetta when he retires), Maddux is the pitching coach. Wouldn't that be flippin sweet? Then Blauser can be the bench coach.

We can stack that coaching staff with Brave greats. (Keep Hubbard of course)

Just a thought.

Dixon

darthspiderman — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:20:14 -0000

Does anyone know what happenned to that Quarterback from Oregon, Dixon (can't remember his first name)?

He was drafted by Atlanta his senior year I think, and he was playing in the summer instructional league; with the intent at one point to pursue a baseball career. Since he banged up his knee I haven't heard anything about him.

Did Atlanta drop him?

July 31, 2008

darthspiderman — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:17:41 -0000

I think if Frank Wren can't sign Texiera to an extension by then, I would imagine we would trade him. Unless of course they deemed the pennant was in the balance if we lost him, but I would rather trade him for a butt load of higher end prospects or high caliber pitching or something. Yay or nay? Who do you think we could land if that were to be the case. Obviously it would be a large market team. BoSox? Say maybe Clay Bucholz or Jon Lester. Yanks? Phil HUghes or JOba Chamberlain? I would imagine it could potentially be another Santana race.

Someone thinks positively of our trades

darthspiderman — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:57:20 -0000

According to this article on FOX Sports, Ken Rosenthal seems to approve of Atlanta's moves this offseason.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7703798

Read the last paragraph which is all about the Atlanta Braves. I do agree with him about Mike Gonzalez; we have a pretty solid bullpen, and it will only be bolstered when he gets back - sorta like a deadline deal.

Andruw's #25

darthspiderman — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:33:33 -0000

I got this from another board, and thought it was interesting:

Will jersey #25 get re-issued? A careful observer might have noticed that the Braves have not re-issued #31 since Maddux left, and hadn't re-issued #47 since Glavine left until Glavine re-claimed it this offseason. The reason is obvious - those numbers will be retired after the players themselves retire. Hopefully #29, #31, and #47 will all be retired together in one big ceremony, perhaps alongside #6 if the timing works out that way. #10 will join them a few years later.

So will the Braves retire #25 for Andruw Jones? Statistically, he's very similar to Dale Murphy. I think I'd have to vote yes.

Any thoughts?

Javy Lopez

darthspiderman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:43:12 -0000

Javy's back, and I'm not so sure its a good thing.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/12/17/lopez_1218.html

To be quite honest, I would rather us go after Damien Miller or someone more defensive like we always do for our backup. But I guess we do have Corky Miller for that as a possibility, but he pretty much an instant out - while Miller of maybe Lieberthal (is he still available) can still hit .250 and I'll settle. Too many questions concerning Javy's health & knee & declining (if ever existing) defense make me a believer that he will make it out of spring training as a backup.

This sounds like another respect signing by the Braves, only Glavine will probably contribute a whole lot more than Javy (Javy's situation seems more like when we resigned Avery to a minor league deal before he called it quits).

Steroids

darthspiderman — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:07:36 -0000

I know the trainer that is implicated belongs to the mets, but I'm just lovin how amny of the names surfaced right now have at one point or another played for the mets. all that trash talk and money for a bunch of cheaters. dont get me wrong, Im sure atlanta has their notches, but so far I'm reading met after met after met.

again dont ge tme wrong in my dark humor, steroids have ruined the game I love, and I will never look at it the same way again. BUT the fact that many met players are implicated is just a sweet irony. gawd I hate the mets.

Glavine

darthspiderman — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:10:48 -0000

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack...

The braves haven't made an official annoucement yet, but according to Foxsports, ESPN ,and CNNsi he has agreed to a 1 year/8Million deal with no incentive based pay.

Looks like its the final dance before retirement.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7464350

Braves & Athletics

darthspiderman — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:23:18 -0000

this is what Id like to see:

Chuck James
Brent Lillibridge
Thorman/Prospect

Kotsay
Haren/Blanton

We take on A's salaries (both players are 2 years away from Free Agency), and we add another dependable starter that will fill the 3rd starter role when Glavine retires. Thorman is a good DH type that needs at-bats to go along 3with that power.

So our Rotation would be:

2008
Hudson
Smoltz
Glavine
Haren/Blanton
Hampton

2009
Hudson
Smoltz/Glavine (Im assuming one will retire)
Haren/Blanton
Jurryjens
Jojo Reyes

I dont know what Smotz & Glavine's long terms plans are, but Haren/Blanton will be inexpensive options (Haren - he's signed for the next three years at $16.25M total) if we can get them to sign long-term contracts as opposed to seeking replacements on the freeagent market in 2010.

We get Kotsay in CF for a year, until Shaffer is ready. I would also throw in Diaz if we can get an adequate replacement in Left, but Im not seeing anyhing viable on the FA market or in a trade unless that Anderson kid from Houston is acceptable.

The central aspect of this trade is bolstering the rotation as soon as the aging duo retire (which is sooner than people think i would imagine). From what Ive read Shaffer is only a year away, so a one year stopgap with Kotsay is alright - granted he was out all last yea. Kotsay's defense is there and he hits better than .250 and has average power 14-17HRs or so. Sounds like REnteria with a worse average, could work into our lineup in the 8-hole. And he is different in that he providesmore experince to the lineup than say Anderson or Blanco. Yea its 8mill more, but its a year and we land a top notch pitcher under control for 3 years - and a solid up an coming prospect in Shaffer soon as he leaves. And with another SP we can make sure Jurryjens & Reyes are actually ready to start in the majors with another year of seasoning in richmond, or probabably jurryjens would be in Long relief for a year to take oscar v's spot.

THe center piece of my proposal is lillibridge, to replace the A's sucky crosby. He is blocked by yunel & KJ, and it doesnt seem likely Wren wants to move him to the OF, not with newly acquired youngns Gorkys & Anderson. Wren said that he wanted a veteran in the mix if possible for a shortterm bridge, and I cant think of anyone but Kotsay - and considering the Braves are increasing payroll, 8mill for a year doesnt sound too bad for just a year. Remember, Shaffer is waiting in the wings, and he will cost a mere fraction of Kotsay's price, and giving atlanta the ability to use that money to resign Tex. Coco's contract is for another 3 years, too long for atlanta's liking. Yes he could be a candidate to be traded in a yea or 2, but my gut is telling me Atlanta may want to get another young starter in preperation for the exit of smoltz and glavine - and i dont think boston is willing to part with bucholz or lester.

Essentially, we will have up to 2 SP to replace if a prospect isnt ready - and the Free Agent market will cost us MUCH MUCH more than 8Million Kotsay is owed to go after say a Peavy or Santana (not that the braves would go after them, but its possible). Gil Meche got a whopping 55million for pretty much 500 record. The money we save in acquiring Haren/Blanton is worht the 8million to Kotsay for a year I think.

It WILL sting atlanta that we gave up a draft pick to (of all teams) the Mets by signing Glavine, and not having a lights out young pitcher to replace glavine & smoltz when they retire. Think the whole DOyle Alexander & Smoltz trade; we need someone that is a sure thing for aonther 10 years 15+ wins a year.