Yardbarker: Atlanta Braves

The Boston Red Sox: Next "Evil Empire"?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:59:48 -0500

Those are harsh words to come Boston's way considering any comparison to the Bronx Bombers is nigh onto blasphemy for a Fenway Faithful. And no, I myself will not go so far as to say the Red Sox have reached the same degree of overspending and exorbinant Napoleonic efforts to corner every single Championship like the Yankees, but I will say there are some unnerving similarities. But you MUST read before you get too pissed at me, Red Sox Nation.

Out of the Box outfield idea.....

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:20:53 -0500

Much the same as I remember Ken Griffey Jr. with that infectious smile, bounding through the outfield in Seattle so are my initial memories of Andruw Jones. He was signed at 16 y/o and playing in the majors by 1996 where he was the youngest player to ever hit a home run in a World Series game. Although he made some incredible catches against us and had some clutch hits my venom for him never reach the same level as his teammate "Larry".

There's no hiding that Jones has had two very bad years, but I just don't buy that a guy talented enough to play since he was 19 y/o is done at 31 y/o ( call me naive). The first season I can right off to the emotional factor of a season long divorce between himself and the Braves, for someone who's basically grown up in an organization it had to have an impact. They sent a clear message to him that they no longer wanted him, there wasn't a prospect in the wings they went out and traded for Mark Kotsay (now with Boston). So his 2007 year in which he batted .222 with 94 RBIs and 26 HRs I can right off. But I have no explanation for this year where the Dodgers basically DLed him so they didn't eat his contract. He had his knee scoped and struggled with discomfort all season ( sounds like Castillo). Jones hit .158 in 75 gms with 3 HRs and 14 RBIs. Jones has definitely hit rock bottom but as I said before at one year older then Carlos Beltran I just can't believe he's done.......

Technically, Jones was disabled for the third time this year with tendinitis in his right knee, which also underwent arthroscopic surgery, a condition not needing surgery but extended rest. Realistically, the move was made to facilitate Saito's return without costing the Dodgers a player. source MLB.com

The Mets need a left fielder and a right handed bat, they also need to find a team stuck in a bad contract to swap Luis Castillo.

Jones is owed 18 mil for next season which is basically what is owed Castillo only over 3 years. It appears that the Dodgers could let Nomar and Kent retire at the end of the season. The current 3B Casey Blake is a free agent who the Dodgers will look to sign but after his contributions down the stretch will make him a hot commodity. Blake Dewitt is playing 2B but is a natural 3B who moved over when he was recalled after Blake had already come aboard. Castillo still has a great OBP, he could fill 2B and the clubhouse veteran spot.

At the least Jones would get Castillo out of New York, where he isn't a good fit and then be off the books next year. Most of us don't remember this but Jones played corner outfield when he first came up in 1996-1997 and if I remember correctly his defense was solid last year. You couldn't get any better defensively then an outfield of Beltran, Jones and Church with Chavy as the back-up.

If Jones can find his stroke he would be a solid right handed bat in the middle of the order. That's a huge if and benching him would mean the revolving door of Tatis, Pagan, Murphy and Evans in left again.

In 2004 Jones had what he considered a mediocre season and decided to work all off-season on improving offensively. The results were a BA .263 with 24 2B, 51 HRs and 128 RBIs while being discussed as an MVP candidate all season (ended up 2nd).

Jones came into this season with an altered stance, feet wider, hands repositioned after working all winter with teammates Eddie Perez and John Smoltz. He was determined to improve upon last season's so-so production of 29 homers, 91 RBIs, a .261 batting average, and a most troubling 147 strikeouts. source Chattanooga.com 9/20/05

That same determination that produced his 2005 season appears to be in the works this off-season. Jones is preparing to play winter ball to get himself ready for spring training, I can't remember the last time a star that big played winter ball. Jones wants to be a starter and I'm not sure if the Dodgers have room for him. That contract is going to be very hard to move and the Dodgers will have to find a team with one just as bad ( Castillo). With healthy knees, a winter of hitting under his belt and back in the familiar NL east would Jones be worth the risk...............

Signed by the Dodgers to a two-year, $36.2-million deal last winter, Jones said he is preparing his surgically repaired knee to play in the Dominican Republic in December. The last time he played winter ball was in 1996.

"I had a bad season and a terrible season back-to-back," Jones said. "I have to have a great season and show people I have baseball left in me."
"I'm an everyday guy or I need to move out," he said. source LA Times

Bruce Dal Canton

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:14:11 -0500

As if the news wasn't depressing enough this week, Bruce Dal Canton died the other day. Dal Canton pitched in the majors for 11 years for the Pirates, Royals, White Sox and Braves. But he was a friend of my family, having played college ball with my dad at a tiny public school near Pittsburgh. [...]

Burnett Waiting On Market?

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:19:29 -0500

According to a source close to Darren Braunecker, the agent of A.J. Burnett, they plan to let the market set the value of his pitcher, considering he is the next best pitcher behind CC Sabathia. The Yankees are believed to be interested, and rumors are swirling that they are more interested in him than Sabathia because of Burnett's competitive mindset. CC Sabathia is a great pitcher, but Yankee officials are concerned that he might be "too laid back" for the Yankees.

Anyways, the Blue Jays believe they can sign the pitcher, who was 38-26 with a 3.93 ERA in three seasons with the Jays. The Red Sox, Orioles, Braves, and Dodgers are among many teams interested in the pitcher, who is expected to get a five year deal worth about 15-17 million dollars annually. If the Yankees want him, they will get him. Money is no object, they have a new stadium, and the offense and bullpen to back him.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

2009 MLB Draft Order

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:19:29 -0500

Here is a quick look at the 2009 Draft Order. This will be in the Special Features tab on the right side of the site for you to look at down the road:

1. Washington Nationals

2. Seattle Mariners

3. San Diego Padres

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

5. Baltimore Orioles

6. San Francisco Giants

7. Atlanta Braves

8. Cincinnati Reds

9. Detroit Tigers

10. Washington Nationals

11. A Colorado Rockies

12. Kansas City Royals

13. Oakland Athletics

14. Texas Rangers

15. Cleveland Indians

16. Arizona Diamondbacks

17. Los Angeles Dodgers

18. Florida Marlins

19. St. Louis Cardinals

20. Toronto Blue Jays

21. Houston Astros

22. Seattle Mariners

23. Minnesota Twins

24. Chicago White Sox

25. New York Mets

26. New York Yankees

27. Milwaukee Brewers

28. Philadelphia Phillies

29. Boston Red Sox

30. Tampa Bay Rays

31. New York Yankees

32. Chicago Cubs

33. Los Angeles Angels

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

The Best World Series Ever

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:39:24 -0500

1991? 1960? Carlton Fisk in 1975? Which year did have the best World Series ever played?

Slow the Murphy wagon down.....

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:08:51 -0500

This isn't a knock Dan Murphy, in fact he's just the gritty, hard nosed type player that this team needs. But all over the Mets blogosphere I hear fans wanting to pencil him in all over the field as a starter. Some see him staying in left field, others hope he fills the hole at 2B and then there's been speculation that he could take over 1B if Delgado leaves.

There's no doubting that Murph got off to a great start, not many people can say they hit .313 in the major leagues. But I want to try and put a little perspective into the situation, it was 49 games. Remember the clamouring over Ruben Gotay after his hot start, well after that he hit .235 this year was out righted by the Braves to the minors. In August fans were demanding A. Reyes play second and after his .056 Sept. nobody is even mentioning him.

Murphy looks like a very good hitter but he came out of nowhere, he wasn't on anybodies radar. It was Murphy's luck that he was on the same team as Tony Bernazzard's son and the VP saw Murph hitting. But even after getting his break the scouts didn't recognize his potential, while in AA he didn't show on any ones top 10 prospect list for the Mets. The book on Murph is that he's a good hitting but that it will be hard to find a spot on the field for him....

I'm not saying he's isn't good or that he should be traded but I don't want the team to rely on a guy with 49 games under his belt and straight out of AA as a starter. I'd like to see him viewed as a super sub, getting his bat in the line-up on a regular basis ( at least 4 games a week) by giving players days off. Almost like a better hitting version of "Super Joe" McEwing. If he struggles then it's no big deal if has has to go down for a while and if he wins a starter spot then the bench is deep with a starter on the bench. After the last two years I want as few question marks as possible heading into next season....

Here's comments from someone who saw Murphy play the infield first hand (courtesy John Delcos blog comments section)....
paul October 9, 2008 12:43 am
i'm from binghamton and daniel murphy is probably the worst defender i've ever seen at 3b: he gets horrible jumps on ground balls (reaction time is almost nil), he's got concrete for hands, and his arm/accuracy is below average. we should trade him now while he's a unknown hot commodity. source Delcos NY Mets Report

Enemy Watch: Braves will look into a trade for Peavy!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:06:52 -0500

He's 27 years old, was a unanimous winner of the 2007 NL Cy Young Award, has averaged 192 innings and 194 strikeouts in six full seasons in the majors, and is under contract through 2011.

I don't know, but it seems like the only way Jake Peavy could be a more perfect fit for the pitching-hungry Braves would be if he were a native Southerner. What's that? He was born in, raised in, and still lives in Alabama? Well, hell, then what's the holdup? Get that boy in a Braves uni, stat. OK, so it's not going to be that easy. But for all the denizens out there who believe your Braves don't have a chance of prying Peavy out of San Diego and bringing home this native son -- hey, he's practically that -- to pitch in Atlanta, well, don't be so quick to dimiss the notion.

The Braves are holding organizational meetings this week at Dark Star (aka Lake Buena Vista, Fla.) and you can bet that Peavy's name is going to be discussed, as in, how serious are the Padres about the possibility of trading him, and what will they want in return?

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

News & Notes

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:40:37 -0500

- Crane Kenney says the Cubs will increase payroll next year regardless of an ownership change.

''And when it all works, this is what it looks like,'' he said, referring to back-to-back postseasons and a 97-win season. ''It's like the Braves. That's the model -- the Braves and the Red Sox and the Yankees. Play like a big market, flex your muscle like a big market and hopefully perform like one on the field.''

- Sullivan is hearing that the Cubs will pursue a left-handed outfield bat to compete with Fukudome and Fukudome doesn't really care.

"If it means that there will be competition in right field, all I have to do is win that competition," he replied.

- Carlos Marmol got banged up a bit in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.

"Out of precaution they did different studies on my body, and I don't have any kind of serious injury," Marmol wrote.

- The headline says it all - "Harden to visit Shoulder Specialist". Apparently the Cubs have until today to decide on his option. They have until after the World Series on Blanco's.A

- The same link says all the Cubs coaches have been asked back.

- Cubs organizational meetings begin October 19th in Arizona. A few rumors and notes in that link including...

Lee has a no-trade clause but could be asked to lift it if he's dealt to a team in California for pitching help. Lee lives in Sacramento, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Ronny Cedeno likely will be on the trade block again after yelling at trainer Mark O'Neal during a nasty exchange before a game in Milwaukee on the final weekend of the regular season.

Well that should add some fuel toA the sign Teixeira/deal Lee flames. Trading Cedeno, moving Theriot to the utility role and signing Furcal would be kind of neat too.

- Paul Sullivan and I agree on something. I'm not comfortable with this...

The Cubs players spent much of the season downplaying talk of the alleged curse, only to have Cubs brass bring out a Greek priest to spread holy water in their dugout the day of the start of the playoffs. What kind of a show of faith in the high-priced team was that? Piniella and the players were blind-sided by the stunt.

Enemy Watch: Braves will look into a trade for Peavy!

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:15:57 -0500

Metro (3A) Weekly Recap, Week 5

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:47:18 -0500

Every Monday SeaTown Sports will recap the previous week's 3A Metro's high school sports action.

Metro League Football Results

(MaxPrep Rankings [state], Record)

West Seattle (27, 5-0)--beats Ingraham, 32-6, T.J Lee scores 2TDs, he is a complete beast...
O'Dea (32, 4-1)--beats Seattle Prep 27-7, QB Gabe Lee runs for 1TD and throws for 2 as O'Dea extends their unbeaten streak against Seattle Prep to 28 years
Eastside Catholic (41, 4-1)--crushes Bainbridge 31-7, Marion Bactol scores 2TDs as the Crusaders anticipate a big game against O'Dea in two weeks
Bainbridge (105, 3-2)--loses against Eastside Catholic 31-7, Ross Cobb scores lone TD for Bainbridge
Bishop Blanchet (136, 2-3)--beats Lakeside 28-18, Cameron Cutler scores 2TDs for the Braves
Rainier Beach (135, 3-2)--gets a a wake up call from Wenatchee losing 34-12
Franklin (165, 2-3)--beats Cleveland 20-6
Nathan Hale (170, 2-3)--crushes Cheif Sealth 31-6, RB Michael Fiels scores 2TDs for the Raiders
Lakeside (174, 3-2)--loses against Bishop Blanchet 28-18, starting to face and lose against better teams
Seattle Prep (179, 1-4)--loses against O'Dea 27-7, nothing on offense for the Panthers, only bright spot remains Jonathan Humphrie who is playing his 1st year of high school football leading the Panthers in total offense
Cleveland (237, 2-3)--loses against Franklin 20-6
Ingraham (273, 1-4)--loses against top team West Seattle 33-6
Chief Sealth (292, 0-4)--The misery continues......look at Nathan Hale

Metro Volleyball Results/Rankings (State Ranking, Record in Parenthesis)

Eastside Catholic (8, 7-0)--beat Seattle Prep 3-2, beat Holy Names 3-0, stays perfect
Bishop Blanchet (9, 7-1)--beat Bainbridge 3-2, beat Holy Names 3-2
Lakeside (4-1)--beat Seattle Prep 3-0, beat Bainbridge 3-0
Nathan Hale (6-2)--swept Rainier Beach and Cleveland
Holy Names (4-3)--fell against both Eastside Catholic and Blanchet
Franklin (5-3)--beat Cheif Sealth 3-1, beat West Seattle 3-2
Rainier Beach (2-3)--lost to Nathan Hale, beat West Seattle 3-2
Seattle Prep (2-6)--fell against Eastside Catholic and Lakeside
West Seattle (3-6)--lost against Rainier Beach and Franklin
Ingraham (3-5)--beat Cheif Sealth 3-0, lost against Lindbergh 3-0
Bainbridge (2-4)--lost against Blanchet and Lakeside
Cheif Sealth (1-4)--lost against Ingraham and Franklin
Cleveland (0-8)--still hasn't recorded a match win since their first agme

Metro Girls Soccer Results/Rankings

Lakeside (8-0-1)--beat Eastside Catholic 2-0, beat Holy Names 3-0
Holy Names (3-2-1)--lost against Bainbridge 1-0, lost against Lakeside
Seattle Prep (5-2-2)--tied with Blanchet, beat Bainbridge 3-1
Bishop Blanchet (3-2-2)--tied with Seattle Prep 2-2, beat Eastside Catholic 2-1
Bainbridge (4-4-0)--beat Holy Names 1-0, lost against Seattle Prep 3-1
Eastside Catholic (2-2-1)--lost against Lakeside, lost against Seattle Prep
Nathan Hale (4-4-0)--beat West Seattle 2-1, beat Franklin 6-1
West Seattle (3-4-0)--lost against Nathan Hale 2-1, beat Ingraham 5-3
Ingraham (1-5-0)--beat Cheif Sealth 5-0, lost against West Seattle 5-3
Chief Sealth (1-5)--lost against Ingraham 5-0
Franklin (0-6-0)--lost against Nathan Hale

Metro X-Country

BOYS: At Lower Woodland Park

Team Scores: Bishop Blanchet 19, O'Dea 43, Eastside Catholic 94

S. Robinson- Blanchet (17:11)
Alex Duffy-O'Dea (17:25)
R. Bean- Blanchet (17:35)
N. Potter- Blanchet (17:48)
A. Galvan- Blanchet (17:54)

BOYS: At Lower Woodlanc Park
Team Scores: Seattle Prep 20, Lakeside 35, Bainbridge 74

L.Fischer- Lakeside (17:23)
Erik Berg- Seattle Prep (17:31)
Adam Eckmann- Seattle Prep (17:32)
Charlie McDonald- Seattle Prep (17:35)
Drew O'Donoghue-Mcdonald- Seattle Prep (17:37)
Brendan Ralph- Seattle Prep (17:58)
L. McGanny- Lakeside (17:59)

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Good Days of '08: Game 1

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:47:50 -0500

This is the first of a series called "Good Days of '08." As bad as the season was overall, we had our moments. The series will chronicle some of the better games of 2008.

-----
(John Bazemore/AP)
Game 1 coverage:
[GameDay]
[Liveblog]
[Recap]
[Box--Pirates 12, Braves 11--3/31/08]
-------
The Pirates are adopting a habit of winning crazy openers. This game was absolutely insane--and gave us pretty much everything we had been waiting for over the course of yet another loooonnnng offseason.
-
The game started off with ball one to leadoff man Nate McLouth, who we were happy and relieved to see playing in favor of Nyjer Morgan. Nate walked to begin his great year but was later picked off by the catcher.
-
Would you believe Adam LaRoche started off the year with 2 hits? Including a double in his first 2008 at-bat? It happened. That just means the stretch that ensued was just that much worse until he remembered how to hit late in the year.
-
Ian Snell was our opening day starter, and we were expecting him to be the ace (Ha!). Ian went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs--not great, but not exactly causing us to panic and fear the horrible year that he ended up having.
-
The Pirates scored first on an error by 2B Kelly Johnson on a grounder hit by Jack. Escobar hit a two run triple to take the lead away, and Chipper grounded him home to add another. Nate hit an RBI single to make it 3-2 Braves, but Brian McCann went deep off Snell to get that run right back. A Nady double led to a run to make 4-3, and the Pirates tied it on another Brave error later on. 4-4.
-
The wheels came off of the Braves. Nady hit a solo homer and McLouth hit a 3-run bomb. All of sudden the Bucs led 8-4 and we were going nuts. The score was 9-4 going into the bottom of the ninth (after announcers were wondering if the Pirates should not be pulling off the safety squeeze to get the extra run home)....
-
Marte came in to finish things off. He uncharacteristically walked two guys and got just one out. Capps came in and also walked two, gave up a hit, and got an out. With the tying run at first, a McCann pop-up simply fell in between Bay and Nate. It was completely routine, should have ended the game, they just pulled a little-leaguer and didn't call it. TIE GAME and Pirate fans were ready to shoot themselves. The Braves almost won on the next play, but Nate made a real nice catch.
-
Franquelis Osoria pitched a scoreless 10th and 11th. The Pirates did not score either. 12th inning, the man who loves opening day, Xavier Nady, hit a three run bomb. 12-9. Osoria remained in the game and promptly gave up a home run after 2 quick outs. He then gave up a couple hits until the tying run was on first. Finally, finally, FINALLY, Osoria got a pop up, and the Pirates improved to 1-0 and moved into first place.
---------
WIN: Osoria (1-0)
LOSS: Boyer (0-1)

Notes:
-Xavier Nady had two game winning hits, essentially. His solo shot broke the tie in the late innings, then he won the game again in the 12th. X-Man saved our skins on Opening Day last year, too, hitting a game tying homer off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning with two outs in a game the Bucs would eventually win.
-Nate McLouth also had a day. 3/5 plus a walk and 4 RBI's, and a homer. He also homered on Opening Day last year.
-Jason Bay went 0-for-6. Coming off a poor year, that was not an encouraging thing.
-Tyler Yates, a few days after being acquired, was a beast. Very impressive scoreless inning of work.
-We were pleasantly surprised to see Ryan Doumit getting the start instead of Ronny Paulino. Doumit went 3-for-7.
------
RECORD: 1-0

Postseason Provides Good Audition Stage for Free Agents

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:38:31 -0500

Some top names in this postseason will also be on the free agent market this winter. This is a good chance for my non contending Braves to take a look at some potential starting pitching.

CC Sabathia Is No John Smoltz

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:04:05 -0500

In the post-season, maybe no one's no John Smoltz.

Quick Hits

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:58:15 -0500

If the Mets are able to trade Luis Castillo, expect them to pursue Orlando Hudson as a replacement. Hudson will probably earn anywhere between 8-11 million dollars this off season, possibly more if a team really wants his services. However, Hudson is oft-injured and will be coming off surgery. The Indians are also expected to be interested.
The Rangers are looking for a hitting coach and may target Don Baylor as a replacement. This would allow the Rangers to have an experienced manager on their staff, as well as a solid former player who could help some of his younger pitchers. Also, if the Rangers were to fire Washington, they would be able to make a smooth transition with Baylor.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves would like to resign Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Mike Hampton. All three pitchers, if healthy, could make the Braves a playoff contender. Add Derek Lowe to the mix and you have one of the best rotations in the NL.
Although many believe Mike Mussina will retire, he is believed to be looking for a three year deal. According to several sources, Mike Mussina will retire this season, or play for three more to try and get 300 wins. Personally, it would be a great way to go out with 20-wins, but he obviously has enough left in the tank for one or two more.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.