I know, I’ve been very bad about updating this blog over the past say 10 days, but such is the nature of blogging about a team that missed the postseason for the third year in a row. (Also I’ve been kind of busy at work.) So let me back track a little bit. The last time I left the Braves, Chipper Jones had won the NL batting title, four out of the five projected star
ters out of spring training had hit the DL, Jeff Francoeur went MIA (but he’s totally promising to make at least a cameo in 2009), Brian McCann rebounded nicely from a disappointing 2007, the Braves traded away a couple of players that made postseason appearances (Mark Teixeira and Mark Kotsay) and the Phillies were once again the lone representative of the NL East for the 2008 postseason. Have we all caught up now?
As the team disperses to play golf, take a stab at being the color commentator (PS-How good was John Smoltz doing the Phillies/Brewers games? Like I repeat, I’m up in Jersey so I don’t get to watch the broadcasts he does on I guess SS, but he was great. I’d love to see him join Ron Darling and Chip Caray and do the ALCS, but I don’t think that’s happening), or whatever else it is these guys do in the offseason, let’s take some time out to talk about 2009.
GM Frank Wren said the major focus for this offseason is pitching, which is a good place for us to start.
The 2009 rotation is looking a little barren. You’ve got Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo, two righties who were rather solid in 2008. Then there’s Tim Hudson who at the very best would return mid-season. And that’s about it. So the Braves would be in need of at least two starters and some lefties thrown in there. (I'm refusing to think that Mike Hampton will be apart of this rotation despite what Wren may say.)
The AJC brought up Jake Peavy, who may or may not be on the market. (I’ve seen conflicting
reports) The good things about Jake Peavy are that he’s a #1 pitcher, he’s signed through 2011 and that he’s from Alabama. The bad, he becomes expensive, especially after 2009. As his deal is currently structured, he’d be making $11 million next season, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011. Also he’s a righty. Plus this could be like Tim Hudson 2.0 and well we’ve all seen how that worked out (took a while for Huddy to adjust and now he’s out for a year.) Not to mention the parade of prospects that would have to be sent to the west coast in exchange for his services.
Another name brought up that would come via trade would be the Giants Matt
Cain. He would be someone I’d be more willing to trade for. He’s cheap, he’s talented and he’s super young. You know how people say not to look at win-loss records; well he’s a fine example. I remember last year watching a game where he lost 1-0 to the Red Sox. He’s totally the poster child for bad luck, but maybe he could turn that around with a move to Atlanta.
Then we turn to free agents. As I perused a list of upcoming free agents, I started to get a little nervous. As you may guess, a bunch of these guys are not spring chickens and some are slightly injury prone: Carl Pavano, Livan and Orlando Hernandez, Jamie Moyer, Mark Mulder, Bartolo Colon, Ben Sheets and Freddy Garcia. Not to mention the only lefties are like Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton and I’m good, no need to go down that road again.
Of the names I saw, I liked only a few. Ryan Dempster would be one. I believe he had Tommy John surgery a couple of years ago, but seems to have rebounded well.
He spent most of his time with the Cubs coming out of the bullpen before returning to the starting rotation in 2008. He wouldn’t be incredibly expensive and could prove to be a reliable addition. Brad Penny could be another one, depending on how much he’s demanding and whether his health will play a factor. If Derek Lowe does well throughout the rest of the postseason, I’d say he may get more expensive than he’s probably worth. And the Braves are so not getting Sabathia (even though he’s beyond the perfect fit) and the Yankees will probably over bid for A.J. Burnett if he opts out his contract so that's about it.
I’d take an Olly Perez if a) his agent wasn’t Scott Boras - $15 million my…b) he wasn’t so all over the place c) the Braves had more pitching depth. He is such an all or nothing type
of player who can completely wow you one minute and have you scratching your head the next minute and this is literally all in one or two innings. If ever there was a guy who was susceptible to one bad inning, it’s Ollie. He’s also shown that he can flip a switch and deliver a knock out performance like game 6 of the 2006 NLCS. He’s dominant against good teams and like a high school freshman up against bad teams. But and here’s a big plus for Perez, he’s a lefty whose name is not Mike Hampton! If he was like $4- 5 million, I’d say go for it (and I bet the Mets would, too), but Boras is rumored to want $15 million so I’d say next!
The other big gapping hole is an outfielder with a big bat. Even if Francoeur decides to go back to being a professional player (and honestly, I think he will) the Braves still have a large hole in their lineup and I’d like that filled with a veteran bat as opposed to a Jordan Shafer. Looking through the possible free agent outfielders and I’m thinking the Braves will probably need to make a trade. (Although don’t throw stuff at me, but I’d take Pat Burrell for a reduced salary. He’s kind of streaky, and I’m sure he’d give a discount to the Phillies well before talking to another team, but he has proven to have some major pop and he’s not a compete buffoon in the outfield.) Also looking at those names makes me even more upset the Braves weren’t able to bring in Jason Bay. So close, but so far. He’s really making waves up in Boston. And I'm not competely sold on brining Matt Holiday over from Colorado.
The 2009 rotation is looking a little barren. You’ve got Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo, two righties who were rather solid in 2008. Then there’s Tim Hudson who at the very best would return mid-season. And that’s about it. So the Braves would be in need of at least two starters and some lefties thrown in there. (I'm refusing to think that Mike Hampton will be apart of this rotation despite what Wren may say.)
The AJC brought up Jake Peavy, who may or may not be on the market. (I’ve seen conflicting
reports) The good things about Jake Peavy are that he’s a #1 pitcher, he’s signed through 2011 and that he’s from Alabama. The bad, he becomes expensive, especially after 2009. As his deal is currently structured, he’d be making $11 million next season, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011. Also he’s a righty. Plus this could be like Tim Hudson 2.0 and well we’ve all seen how that worked out (took a while for Huddy to adjust and now he’s out for a year.) Not to mention the parade of prospects that would have to be sent to the west coast in exchange for his services.Another name brought up that would come via trade would be the Giants Matt
Cain. He would be someone I’d be more willing to trade for. He’s cheap, he’s talented and he’s super young. You know how people say not to look at win-loss records; well he’s a fine example. I remember last year watching a game where he lost 1-0 to the Red Sox. He’s totally the poster child for bad luck, but maybe he could turn that around with a move to Atlanta.Then we turn to free agents. As I perused a list of upcoming free agents, I started to get a little nervous. As you may guess, a bunch of these guys are not spring chickens and some are slightly injury prone: Carl Pavano, Livan and Orlando Hernandez, Jamie Moyer, Mark Mulder, Bartolo Colon, Ben Sheets and Freddy Garcia. Not to mention the only lefties are like Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton and I’m good, no need to go down that road again.
Of the names I saw, I liked only a few. Ryan Dempster would be one. I believe he had Tommy John surgery a couple of years ago, but seems to have rebounded well.
He spent most of his time with the Cubs coming out of the bullpen before returning to the starting rotation in 2008. He wouldn’t be incredibly expensive and could prove to be a reliable addition. Brad Penny could be another one, depending on how much he’s demanding and whether his health will play a factor. If Derek Lowe does well throughout the rest of the postseason, I’d say he may get more expensive than he’s probably worth. And the Braves are so not getting Sabathia (even though he’s beyond the perfect fit) and the Yankees will probably over bid for A.J. Burnett if he opts out his contract so that's about it.I’d take an Olly Perez if a) his agent wasn’t Scott Boras - $15 million my…b) he wasn’t so all over the place c) the Braves had more pitching depth. He is such an all or nothing type
of player who can completely wow you one minute and have you scratching your head the next minute and this is literally all in one or two innings. If ever there was a guy who was susceptible to one bad inning, it’s Ollie. He’s also shown that he can flip a switch and deliver a knock out performance like game 6 of the 2006 NLCS. He’s dominant against good teams and like a high school freshman up against bad teams. But and here’s a big plus for Perez, he’s a lefty whose name is not Mike Hampton! If he was like $4- 5 million, I’d say go for it (and I bet the Mets would, too), but Boras is rumored to want $15 million so I’d say next!The other big gapping hole is an outfielder with a big bat. Even if Francoeur decides to go back to being a professional player (and honestly, I think he will) the Braves still have a large hole in their lineup and I’d like that filled with a veteran bat as opposed to a Jordan Shafer. Looking through the possible free agent outfielders and I’m thinking the Braves will probably need to make a trade. (Although don’t throw stuff at me, but I’d take Pat Burrell for a reduced salary. He’s kind of streaky, and I’m sure he’d give a discount to the Phillies well before talking to another team, but he has proven to have some major pop and he’s not a compete buffoon in the outfield.) Also looking at those names makes me even more upset the Braves weren’t able to bring in Jason Bay. So close, but so far. He’s really making waves up in Boston. And I'm not competely sold on brining Matt Holiday over from Colorado.
I think I’ve done enough typing. Put your thoughts in the comments section below, and like the title says, don’t kick me!
Oh and on a competely different note, John Smotlz's jersey worn when he scored his 3,000th strike out will be among several items featured at Cooperstown.
(source)
Photos: Chipper Jones - Getty Images; Jake Peavy - AP/Denis Poroy; Matt Cain - AP/Ben Margot; Ryan Dempster - Ap/Nam Y. Huh; Oliver Perez - AP/Seth Wenig
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