28 Mar
In case you missed it…
Jurrjens makes Braves roster, in disbelief | ajc.com
Jurrjens has won a job in the starting rotation. I guess he’s technically the fifth starter, but will actually begin in the third spot due to Smoltz’s DL stint and Bobby wanting to put a righthander between Glavine and Hampton.
I say let Smoltz be the fith guy untill the All-Star break. It wouldn’t hurt him to miss a few starts here and there so we can have him in September.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:22 amI’m not surprised that Jair got the spot over James, but if James was fully healthy it would be hard to justify it. Jair is young, but his overall stats from last year or ST dont really stand out. I really think if James and Jair both we in the rotation that James would have a better overall year. I like the potential that Jair has and could someday see him as a #2, where as James looks destined to be a #3 or 4 guy
March 28th, 2008 at 8:34 amAlso, i’m pretty sure I’ll be by myself on this one, but Bennett would probably be the best choice as a #5 guy right now. The guy has really put a lot of effort getting back in shape and is throwing as well as anyone. Let Jair and Chuck start in AAA and it’ll let us keep our extra reliever for a few extra weeks
March 28th, 2008 at 8:37 amugly stat for the day
Braves pinch hitters hit only .213 last year, which ranked 13th in the National League, with a league-worst 20 RBIs. Their three homers tied them for worst in the NL.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:39 amSo I guess Jurjjens silenced his critics then?
I say we only pitch Smoltz when we’re out of first place by more than 3 games in the first half of the season. Keep him loose by having him throw on the side all week and unleash him on the league in the second half. He’ll go 10 every game.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:51 amcsg,
I think you hit the nail on the head. We need to make a move for a solid bat off the bench. Thorman ain’t going to cut it.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:51 amOh, he’ll cut it. He just won’t make contact.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:54 amI definitely look forward to see what Jurrjens has got in Atlanta. He’s been kind of hot and cold during preseason, but I think he has great potential to fill a rotation spot. Let’s see what he’s got.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:00 amJurrjens has won a job in the starting rotation. I guess he’s technically the fifth starter, but will actually begin in the third spot due to Smoltz’s DL stint and Bobby wanting to put a righthander between Glavine and Hampton.
This just points out how silly the whole bit about a 2 starter, a 3 starter, etc. is when discussing the regular season.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:12 amAgreed. It only matters in the playoffs. Hampton will be the Braves 3rd start in the playoffs this year.
Count it.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:34 amAgreed, Dix.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:53 amThis is kind of ridiculous. Make Bonds any kind of offer. Low ball him. Offer him two million. Less, even.
It looks like all you have to do is outbid Japan, if that. For a guy who could very well be a top ten hitter this season.
I’m glad Jurrjens won a spot. Hopefully by the time Chuck is ready, we’ll know more what we have with Jurrjens, Hampton, and Glavine and better know which of those three need replacing (if any).
March 28th, 2008 at 9:58 amEvery time I saw James pitch all I could think of was batting practice.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:03 amwould feds consider going to Japan flight to avoid prosecution?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:24 amI need a computer savy persons help. At work when I come to this page it automatically updates itself and I never have to refresh the page. At home, however, I always have to refresh the page. Even if I havent visited the site for a few days it always takes me to the last post that I could view. I then have to refresh the page. What do I need to do to change this?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:36 amReboot. If that fails, you need a new computer.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:39 amI wonder if we are looking to trade James?
March 28th, 2008 at 10:47 amDon’t know if any of you caught this bit on DOB’s blog a few days ago:
Chipper Jones was dressing this morning in the clubhouse and Tex was sitting at his stall across the way.
“I just read a magazine where they predicted you’d be the National League MVP this year,” Chipper said.
“Whoopidy-do,” Teixeira replied, and both of them laughed.
“You should be flattered they think highly enough of you to predict you’ll be the MVP,” Chipper said, with his familiar smirk.
“You want to hit fourth and I’ll hit third, then maybe it’ll happen,” Teixeira said, smiling.
Chipper shook his head no, and smiled.
Protection is pretty much a myth (see JC’s work) but Chipper and Tex seem to think it matters. But think about what their talk implies about how well they think Frenchy (projected to hit 5th) would protect them. Ouch!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:08 amFrank, are you sure about that? McCann’s batted 5th a lot this spring in the lineups that looked like the real thing.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:14 amNew poll.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:17 amAAR–fair question. It may vary but Frenchy has been in the 5 hole lately. I think we’re likely to see Tex, Francoeur, McC, Diaz, Kotsay, and pitcher.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:26 amAnybody heard or seen any mention of Skip Caray this spring?
March 28th, 2008 at 11:51 amRosenthal picks the Braves
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7951230/Braves-have-the-goods-to-be-October-surprise
March 28th, 2008 at 11:54 amis someone seriously suggesting the braves sign bonds??? i’ve put up with sheffield(although i was happy to see him go) and various other a-holes over the years but if they were to sign bonds i might be rooting for them to finish 2-160.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pmWhy were you happy to see Sheffield go? As far I remember, he wasn’t really a problem when he was here.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:53 pmBraves pick up Gotay from Mets off waivers…
March 28th, 2008 at 12:53 pmAssuming that this is true (there is no confirmation from the Braves’ side of things)… Eh. Gotay’s a better hitter than Prado but a worse fielder. Like Prado, he can’t play short.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pmI think Gotay knocks Lillibridge to Richmond or makes Prado part of a trade deal.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pmSomeone for Cox to platoon with KJ.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pmI won’t write a post until there’s a formal announcement or DOB/Carroll/Peanut has a story, but it’s possible that the Braves would trade Gotay on to an AL team.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pmI sure hope not (to the platoon w/ KJ).
For what it’s worth, Gotay got in to 5 games at SS w/ the Mets last season.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:06 pmWikipedia makes it official:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rub%C3%A9n_Gotay
March 28th, 2008 at 1:07 pmIn which he showed that he isn’t a shortstop.
At any event, if the Braves keep Gotay, they would need to clear a 40-man roster spot. I guess they could put Gonzalez on the 60-day DL, but more likely they would trade a reliever.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:07 pmOh, we aren’t going to start with the Wikipediaing again, are we?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:08 pmI write school reports using Wikipedia. Its accurate enough for me.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pmjjb–me neither–I was being sarcastic
March 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pmmike………….i think sheffields the kind of guy who leaves a room and EVERYONE is happy to see him go. well, that and his expecting a big raise after a 3-30 playoff performance. he wasnt much better for the yankees and the tigers better not be counting on him in big games either.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pmSheffield got along well enough with the Braves, and everyone knew he’d be heading on.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pmYeah, I know, but Bobby likes his platoons…
March 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pmGotay isn’t good, but he’s the sort of guy that teams always think they need, until, inevitably, they’re stuck with him (with a name like “Pete Orr” or “Nick Green” or “Marco Scutaro” or, best case scenario, “Tony Graffanino”) and they realize that he isn’t good.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:14 pmI write school reports using Wikipedia. Its accurate enough for me.
No reputable institution or publication will allow you to use Wikipedia as a source.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pmHas there been any word on the lettering that will be used for the players’ names on the backs of the jerseys this year? I am hoping they will switch back to the type of lettering they used before 2006.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI’d rather have Prado, but I bet we get them both.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pmWell Stu,
You can use Wikipedia as secondary source.
I just thought it was funny that Gotay wa already listed as a Brave on there.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pmCrazily enough, my English professor freshman year allowed us to use Wikipedia as a source. Of course, this was a first time professor at Georgia Tech, a place where they don’t take English classes very seriously.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pmHasn’t the whole Mets cast-offs thing gone pretty badly for us over the lst few years?
Gotay? Are you SURE.
Maybe Wren thought somebody said “goat cheese” and he thought a nice spread of feta in the clubhouse would be good.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pmI must admit, Cliff, that it pains me to be picking up yet another Mets cast-off. It’s not like they’re casting of David Wrights.
Smitty,
March 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pmI really wasn’t meaning to address you with that. I’ll frequently go to Wikipedia to do a bit of research, see if what it says is sourced, and then track for a legitimate source from there. It’s a great research tool; it’s just not something you can rely on 100% without back-up.
I dont see how Gotay could give us something that Prado couldnt. Hopefully it means a trade that will benefit us more, but its hard to see that at this time. With Infante, Lillibridge, and Prado already here I dont understand the move
March 28th, 2008 at 1:36 pmDont we have to work out a trade for him? Wonder what we’re offering
March 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pmYea wikipedia is a good source for sources. Let other people do the research for you, then plagarize their research.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pmYou don’t have to work out a trade. The Mets can call him back if they wish, but then would have to send down or waive someone else. I speculated that an AL team might want Gotay and we could claim him then deal him for a prospect.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pmI was just giving you a hard time Stu.
I say we trade him for Crisp and put Kotsay’s ass on the bench.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pmRe: Wikipedia
I am with you Stu…yes as a research tool, but completely unreliable in that any person off the street can post something on there. I could go right now and post that Mac and Stu are in a ‘Civil Union’ and plan to adopt Suri Cruise, and someone might think that was true.
As I mention to Mac over email this morning, Baseball Tonight’s resident midget, Tom Kurkjian (their mascot?) PICKED the Braves to finish 3rd in the NL East, though added ‘we have a chance and are still dangerous’.
WHATEVER, Tim.
Yay, Ken Rosenthal.
re: Jurrjens
I for one am excited what I heard about this Spring and far more excited to have this kid in the rotation than “Mr. 5 Innings” Chuck James.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pmGotay = Woodward.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:47 pmI could go right now and post that Mac and Stu are in a ‘Civil Union’ and plan to adopt Suri Cruise, and someone might think that was true.
Unfortunately, too few of Stu’s dreams have become reality.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:48 pmSo I was about to make a Nats/Dodgers joke because of this article:
http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/03/28/stanton_0328.html
Seeing as Stanton is an EX Brave, I was going to joke that he’ll of course end up back in DC or in L.A.
But I was dumbstruck to see the words, “Reds Manager, Dusty Baker”.
I’m completely embarrassed to admit this, but I had no idea Baker was running the Reds now. Seriously.
My next question is why?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pmUh… I really don’t know what to say about that.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm#55
Stu, Well, I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go with Shiloh Pitt then!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:50 pmMac, I was going to put you in a civil union with Mike Hampton, but then, that would have been TOO obvious
March 28th, 2008 at 1:50 pmAlex R,
The Reds decided that they hate Homer Bailey and wanted to ruin his arm.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pmSo going back to the original post, I like Jair as the “5th” starter. We all knew he’d get it even though he had some less than exceptional last two starts he was still getting 4+ innings worth of work.
Bennett will be in the bullpen but ready for starter duty and you’re right, he’s worked very hard, lost a lot of weight and if you’ll recall was very good in his September start in ’07.
Smoltz should be back on April 6 is what I hear. Anyone confirm that?
I’m wondering a little bit more though if Jair is MLB ready but I guess we’ll see when the third spot comes up against Pitt (a good team to debut against).
March 28th, 2008 at 1:58 pmNew post. Gotay confirmed; Thorman clears waivers, sent to Richmond. New poll.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pmMac,
Actually, the correct answer is, “Thorman swung wildly at waivers, missed by a mile, and made it down to Richmond, untouched.”
March 28th, 2008 at 2:06 pmAlex,
March 28th, 2008 at 2:19 pmI like that better! Ha!