SB Nation User Blog: jeg

Cardinals hire Mark McGwire as hitting coach

jeg — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:02:51 -0000

Cardinals hire Mark McGwire as hitting coach

Interesting to see McGwire's hiring after being relatively incognito the past few years during the steroid scandals. Since he wasn't there to talk about the past back when, he better be prepared to be asked about it now.

2010 Player Projections

jeg — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:33:38 -0000

Can you project stats better than the Bill James Handbook? Project these 13 players statistics for the 2010 season and we will compare them at the end of next season. What is a hit and a miss is somewhat subjective but it will be interesting to see how accurate our projections turn out to be.

For hitters: post BA, OBP, SLUG, HR's, RBI's, AB''s

For pitchers: post ERA, H's, BB's, SO's, IP

Braves in the Futures Game

jeg — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:35:41 -0000

Jason Heyward and Barbaro Canizares represented the Braves in the Futures Game today. Canizares started at first base and went 1-2 with an RBI single. Heyward started in RF and went 1-2 with a single. Heyward hit the ball hard in both AB's, singling to center in his first AB and grounding out sharply in his second. World team 2B Starlin Castro made a nice play to retire Heyward in his second AB, snagging a line drive on the short hop and throwing Jason out at first. Heyward was impressive all around.

Former Braves, Tyler Flowers and Neftali Feliz also competed and played well. Feliz threw a scoreless inning, striking out 2. The stadium guns were showing Feliz's velocity in the mid 90's while pitch f/x had him up to 100. Flowers started at catcher for the US team and went 1-2 with a single.

The game was nearly rained out but after a 4 hour rain delay, play began. The game was shortened to 7 innings because of the delay. The World Team won the game 7-5.

Aroldis (Albertin) Chapman Defects from Cuba

jeg — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:06:06 -0000

Aroldis (Albertin) Chapman Defects from Cuba

21 year old LHP Aroldis Chapman defects from Cuba. Not exactly a Braves' story but its news.

Crasnick on Francoeur

jeg — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:40:01 -0000

Crasnick on Francoeur

Crasnick talks about the work Francoeur has done on his approach as well as Chipper's influence. One nice quote from Frenchy "If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?". I'm hoping that was a joke.

Kawakami's Next Start to be Pushed Back

jeg — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:43:29 -0000

Kawakami has a sore right shoulder and his next start has been pushed back three days to next Tuesday. This is the second time, including ST, that Kawakami has had shoulder issues. Its not believed to be a serious problem but should it continue to nag Kenshin, Tommy Hanson could receive an opportunity to make his ML debut.

This should satisfy some Talking Chop members, or at least one, who suggested that Kawakami be pushed back in the rotation.

Angels' Pitcher Killed in Car Accident

jeg — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:53:08 -0000

Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed along with two others in a car accident last night in a hit and run. Adenhart was 22 years old and fresh off the best performance of his promising young career. A mini-van struck Adenhart's vehicle while running a red light. The driver of the mini-van is in custody after he was caught attempting to flee on foot.

This news isn't exactly Braves-related but its a major story in baseball. I send my condolences to Adenhart's family and friends, the Angels organization, and the families of the others killed in the accident.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-nick-adenhart-killed10-2009apr10,0,5362563.story

Reminder...

jeg — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:21:56 -0000

for all participating in the Talking Chop/ Good Phight fantasy league. The draft is tonight at 7:00. Hope everyone in the league is able to participate. Good luck

Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves

Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs

Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves Go Braves

Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs Go Dawgs

Ohman Agrees to Minor League Deal with Dodgers

jeg — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:08:10 -0000

The deal is reportedly worth 1.35M base if he makes the team, with another 200k in incentives. The Dodgers also have a 2M option for 2010 with a 200k buyout.

Its suprising to me that its just a minor league deal. At the price, I could certainly see the Braves experiencing non-buyer's remorse with the uncertainty surrounding our current LOOGY options. Ohman should provide good value for the Dodgers, replacing Joey Beimel who signed with the Nats for 2M.

Changing Landscape

jeg — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:47:52 -0000

In light of the recent signings of Abreu and Dunn, I came to consider another option for LF. Swapping Kelly Johnson and a prospect or perhaps two for Alex Rios makes increasing sense for both the Braves and Blue Jays.

First of all, I'm well aware that Rios signed a 7 year extension prior to last season but things have changed dramatically for the Blue Jays since last spring. When Rios, 28 in a week, signed, the Jays were hell bent on contending and were pushing the payroll beyond their ideal level. Injuries sunk the Jays hopes of contending in 08' and with the loss of Burnett, improvement of the Rays, additions of the Yankees, and the presence of the Red Sox, the Jays may be looking to retool at some point later in the year. Analysts such as Keith Law have speculated that they would look to move Halladay and/or Vernon Wells if they were to struggle in 09’. Realistically, Wells' contract isn't mobile in the current economic climate and the organization has been unwilling to unload the face of the franchise, Roy Halladay. While I’m sure in the event of a roster reconstruction the Jays would look to move Wells first, Rios may be the only one of the two that they could move to create financial flexibility. The have a couple of young corner outfield prospects in Lind and Snider who are either ready or near ready to take over starting roles. Their farm system is not particularly deep, though they have a few impact prospects. Bottom line, Rios is a player they could move to shore up other areas while not leaving a gaping hole in his place.

Rios' contract is worth $65M over the next 6 years but only $5.9M in 09'. Though the Blue Jays are unwilling to begin roster reconstruction at present time, if they are in 4th place in June, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the likes of Wells, Halladay, Rios, and B.J. Ryan made available. Kelly is the type of cheap, on-base oriented player the Jays covet and the Jays are rumored to have been interested in him in past years. The Jays also have a shortage of CF prospects and basestealers, making Gorkys a likely target if we were to engage in trade talks. While they wouldn’t be quite the player Kelly is, some combination of Infante and Prado would be serviceable at second base.

Maybe Rios is a player the Braves are targeting or just wishful thinking on my part. However, whether it be now or at midseason, Rios would be a great addition to our OF and the two organizations match up well in terms of needs. My point is, perhaps standing pat and not acquiring suspect players for the sake of immediate "help" is the better option. Rios is just an example of the type of player that could be available a few months down the road and surely there will be others we have not considered. Given the likelihood that more talented players could soon be available, I think the organization would be best served to pass on the likes of Nady and Swisher and make a strong run at a player who could really be a difference maker.