SB Nation User Blog: someguy917

The Braves need another pitcher this offseason.

someguy917 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:26:04 -0000

Specifically Greg Maddux, as a coach

The reasons are plentiful and I could go on and on about how great of a pitcher he was and how he knows every hitter, how he's future Hall of Famer, or how he's the only one of our awesome three pitchers we haven't had to kick out the door. However, I recently stumbled upon the Wikipedia article about Derek Lowe, which adds a little more reason to hire Maddux. Apparently, not only are Lowe and Maddux friends, but Maddux may be able to help Derek Lowe significantly with his pitching performance.

Both times that the Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux midseason, Lowe performed visibly better afterwards. He indicated that Maddux helps him considerably, and Maddux was often seen sitting next to him in the dugout.

That quote is taken right from Wikipedia so you know its true.

Slowing the game down is one of future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux's trade secrets, and Lowe watchers recall he went 8-1 over the two months that Maddux was a Dodger and Lowe's dugout companion.

And that quote is actually from a real baseball writer with the Dodgers' Official Site. But what is actually interesting is what I found after I took a little visit to ESPN bestowed with this wonderful new knowledge.

Now because these aren't seasonal stats, I can't do a ridiculously in-depth analysis, but I can calculate some ERAs and WHIPs enough to prove a point. But first some history, Lowe and Maddux have been teammates twice, both times with the Dodgers. The first was in 2006 and the second was in 2008, so there is a pretty good sample size of 125.2 innings.

During the first stint as teammates, in which Maddux is aquired at the All Star Break, DLowe went 8-1 with a tidy 2.38 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Not bad when you consider his career averages of 3.82 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Perhaps his WHIP is a little high, but DLowe always has groundballs that find holes. His groundball to flyball percentages were also quite good at 2.49:1 or 72% groundball.

The second stint also spells out some good news, the difference here is that Maddux doesn't join the team until August 19, so I had to adjust accordingly. Lowe went 6-2. His ERA was a tiny 0.88 and his WHIP was 0.81. Remember to look back at those career numbers from before (most effective if you gasp while looking.) The groundball to flyball ratio is a less impressive, but still good, 1.67:1 or 63% groundball, right in line with his career averages. Someone pitching with those stats would surely be worth 15 million dollars a year, if they are maintainable.

Greg Maddux may bring more to the table than intangibles. He may also be able to help us get the most out of our "ace" starting pitcher. Perhaps, he can help the other guys just as much. But at this point I am no longer analyzing and merely speculating.

There is also always an outside chance that I am wrong (highly unlikely) and Derek Lowe is just a very strong second half pitcher, he does have good second half numbers in all seasons except 2009 and 2007, so this could all be coincidence, although the jumps aren't quite as large as when Maddux is his teammate. Either way, the pros of bringing in a guy like Maddux have to outweigh the cons.

Hopefully, this hasn't already been addressed, be nice.

The Untouchables

someguy917 — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:38:20 -0000

Since the whole Furcal thing didn't happen, FW is pissed. He is not dealing with any of the Kinzer/Tellum clients:

Aaron Boone, Alex Escobar, Alexis Rios, Aramis Ramirez, Brandon Morrow, Brenden Ryan, Carlos Lee, Carmen Cali, Chase Utley, Craig Monroe, Delmon Young, DJ Houlton, Dmitri Young, Edinson Volquez, Edwin Encarnacion, Esteban German, Eugenio Velez, Francisco Rodriguez, Francisco Rosario, Frank Thomas, Garrett Olsen, Geoff Bloom, Geovany Soto, Greg Aquino, Guillermo Mota, Hanley Ramirez, Hector Carrasco, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Jason Hirsh, Jason Kendall, Jason Kubel, Jason Michaels, Joel Pineiro, John Grabow, Jose Guillen, Josh Towers, Juan Miranda, Kazuo Matsui, Kei Igawa, Kory Casto, Lou Marson, Matt Treanor, Matthew Capps, Max Ramirez, Michael Rivera, Mike Lieberthal, Mike Mussina, Nomar Garciaparra, Omar Vizquel, Peter Moylan, Rafael Furcal, Ramon Ramirez, Randy Wolf, Reed Johnson, Rick VandenHurk, Roman Colon, Ryan Tucker, Sammy Sosa, Shawn Hill, Tony Blanco, Tyler Lumsden, Vicente Padilla, Wilson Betemit, Wily Mo Pena

This is quite an extensive list. I don't know what this means for Peter Moylan, but I bolded the names we have been connected to (no matter how informally), and are likely not interested in now. There may be more we have been connected to, but I do not know of them. No matter what there are a lot of good players on this list.

Peavy's Not Going to the Cubs Either

someguy917 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:06:07 -0000

Peavy's Not Going to the Cubs Either

It looks like Towers is never going to find a suitor.

Ten Reasons I'm Thankful this Offseason

someguy917 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:40:31 -0000

Count your blessings not your problems.

1. Tommy Hanson - What a pleasant surprise this guy has been. After going 5-0 in the AFL I have gotten more and more excited about his future in Atlanta.

2. Jair Jurrjens - At least we know we have one quality starter on the team. He was our ace and has been a reason to believe in the future of Atlanta pitching, with Hanson on the way the future is even brighter.

3. Injured Players Return - We could see Soriano, Moylan, and Smoltz (assuming he returns) on Opening Day and of course Hudson will be back at some point. All the bullpen help will make players who got stretched too far better (i.e. Boyer). Mike Gonzalez could also return to dominate form.

4. Chipper Jones - Say what you will, but he was the best hitter in the majors this year.

5. Tyler Flowers - It's nice to know you are deep at a position but when have Heap and a guy who can flat rake, things really look up.

6. Outfield Depth - Jeff Franceour, Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco, Matt Diaz, Jordan Schafer, and Gorkys Hernandez. Having all these guys makes it easier to build the outfield we need, yeah we have a hole, but having guys like this make it easier to sign someone like Adam Dunn, so we can play someone with better defense later in games, or platoon him with someone.

7. The Other Prospects - Heyward, Freeman, Rohrbough, Locke, Medlen. These guys are the future, and the future looks pretty bright. Some of these guys could see time this year. Most likely Medlen.

8. Options - You have to admit there are a lot of options for us to take advantage of. In the pitching department, we could have Sheets, Lowe, Burnett, Vasquez, Peavy, or some of the lower tier starters. As for power hitting outfielders, there are Dunn, Ibanez, Burrell, Dye, and Ludwick. These options have made the offseason at the very least exciting. Just think if we were Milwaukee Brewers fans or worse Padres fans. These teams are doomed to boring offseasons. Even if we don't get what we need, at least we have something to talk about.

9. Brian McCann - I can't respect this guy enough. After coming off an All Star year, he is committed to improving even more. He has already lost 20 pounds, and is focusing on defense. I can't wait to see him in a Braves jersey for years to come.

10. Frank Wren - I could write a whole post about how impressed with him I have been. Either he is very decieving, or he is a tactical mastermind. This is what I have seen so far this offseason. He takes an interest in Peavy. He establishes who the main competitiors are and notes that it is the Cubs, so what does he do? He goes after the guy who they need to resign Ryan Dempster, by putting the pressure on the Cubs, this takes pressure off of Peavy. Then, he doesn't give in when Towers started asking for a ridiculous package. He has held out for two weeks, and hasn't given us a reason that he will ever cave. He has been aggressive with Burnett and Tazawa (but it looks like we never had a chance with him). He is still putting the pressure on Towers, by pursuing Furcal, he is saying that Escobar (the player Towers wants most) could be on the move in a deal for Ludwick or Dye for example. All of these things give me the impression that he is going to make good decisions.

Well thats why I'm thankful. Thanks for bearing with me, its been a long typo filled post. What are you guys thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving.

Tazawa pitches complete game shut out

someguy917 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:31:57 -0000

According to folks over at the Boston Herald, Junichi Tazawa has pitched a complete game shut out in the quarter finals of a tournament he is competeing in presently. Tazawa cannot be signed until the tournament is over. 4 hits, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts.

I consider it a failure of an offseason if this kid and Hanson are not present in spring training this year. This guy is way more valuable than all the Burnetts, Lowes, and Sheets in the world. I really hope our offer to him impresses him. I like that Frank Wren is already agressive, but if he can't seal the deal. I will me more than disappointed.

How do you feel about Braves TV announcers?

someguy917 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:50:27 -0000

There's Chip Carey, Joe Simpson, and John Sciambi and all TBS hate aside, I think when Sciambi and Simpson take the mic, they do an excellent job. Joe Simpson is a fine straight man, and Sciambi is pretty good at making me laugh. I find myself laughing at the ridiculous things they get away with, and often find myself saying wait isn't there a baseball game going on? (This is really helpful when the Braves have a 90 loss season.) Of course they are no match for Skip and Pete, but who is? You know you will never think any announcer ever will be, so give these guys a chance.

Anecdote time. Did anyone watch the game where J&B (Joe & Boog) were showing off the Suntrust seats and they got the feeds to those TV's changed, so the viewers could see them waving? It doesn't really sound that funny, but at the time it was hilarious. So yeah, feelings, concerns? This may have come up a lot before, but I am new here.