Atlanta Braves

Chop-n-Change

ALL
OUTSIDER

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

With word that the Los Angeles Dodgers have restructured outfielder Andruw Jones' contract to an affordable $5 million deal (with the rest of the $15 million deferred over the next six years without interest) and a pledge by the Dodgers to release or trade Jones so he can land with a new team, which teams seem like fits for Jones?There are a couple criteria that need to be met to fit for Jones. One is that Jones is primarily a centerfielder, although we won't let that play too much into our fits -- outfielders, centerfielders most notably, tend to move around the outfield corners more often than infielders do.Secondly, Jones has expressed a desire to start and will control his fate if he is released. Only through the trade market would a team be able to secure him as a fourth outfielder if they promised to give him ample playing...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers

Andruw Jones: Should the Marlins roll the dice?

By Alex Carver | January 5, 2009 | Marlins Today

What do Andruw Jones and the current economic status of the United States have in common? They have both recessed a historical amount over the past two years. After hitting .263/.355/.908 with 92 homers and getting 380 combined MVP points in 2005 and 2006, the 30-year-old outfielder only managed to squeeze out a .190/.283/.614 line with 29 homers in 2007 and 2008 earning him a one way ticket out of Atlanta and most recently, one out of Los Angeles as well. It was announced on Friday that Jones and the Dodgers have reached an agreement that will defer the remainder of his backloaded two year $36 million contract while making it certain that he will not be in L.A. next season. Jones will be out approximately $21 million. Spring training is six weeks away. Thanks to the slowing economy, the free agent market is still loaded. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB

Links for 1/4: Lowe, Jones, Peavy, Kawakami

By Will Schaffer | January 4, 2009 | Chop-n-Change

Update: Dave O'Brien says that Kawakami will narrow his offers down this week, but talked to the pitcher's agent yesterday and he said that the Braves were still in the mix. It's been a little slow around the blog lately, largely a product of there being little new news to report. Here's a couple links to hold you over until something substantial happens.SI's Jon Heyman listed the Braves as one of the Mets' biggest competitors for free agent starter Derek Lowe. Mark Bowman chimed in also, saying that the Braves aren't liking the price tag, but after missing out on Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett, Lowe may be Frank Wren's only good option. I just can't believe that we haven't yet heard any rumors of the Braves showing serious interest in another top free agent or trade target after missing out on those two.The other news to come out recently...

Read more | 30 Comments | Tags: Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves, Kenshin Kawakami, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Whoa! Some Pointless Stuff Happened!

By Alex Remington | December 31, 2008 | Chop-n-Change

Man, the Chicago Cubs are like the center of the universe right now! They were so mortified at having lost out on Jake Peavy that they traded Jason Marquis to the Rockies for Luis Vizcaino (the reliever, not the infielder), traded Mark Derosa to the Indians for three minor league pitchers (Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub), and signed Aaron Miles to a two-year deal to replace DeRosa. ESPN thinks all this might end up with them signing Milton Bradley.Meanwhile, the Rockies decided to keep Marquis company by signing Luis Gonzalez (the utility infielder, not the outfielder). Somehow I doubt that Gonzalez will be able to help Marquis improve his atrocious K/BB or K/9. The Dodgers stuck their tongue out at Derek Lowe by signing ex-Expo Claudio Vargas (who's basically a right-handed Randy Wolf) for $400,000 -- not bad at the price, I guess -- and the Orioles improved...

Read more | 20 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves

Slow News Month

By Alex Remington | December 30, 2008 | Chop-n-Change

Man, has it been slow on the hot stove the past few weeks. I'm sorry we haven't given you guys much to look at.The Mets were thinking about an Andruw Experience for about 15 seconds before changing their minds;the Dodgers are thinking about Dunn and Abreu because they can't seem to get Manny to make up his mind (good luck);the Yankees are shopping Xavier Nady (who, because he hits lefties, could be a good pickup for the Braves if he were cheap, but since he's a Boras client he won't be);the Red Sox signed Brad Penny for $5 mill, and he'll get another $3 mill if he goes 160 innings -- that's 6th starter money for a guy who's a #2/#3 if he's healthy;the San Diego Padres signed Atlanta native Michael Barrett to a minor league contract, and if you think I'd prefer him to Dave Ross, you know me...

Read more | 34 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves

Legal Ramifications of Schuerholz's Promise

By Will Schaffer | December 22, 2008 | Chop-n-Change

By now, you all know the situation between the Braves and Rafael Furcal. Public posturing by the two parties quickly evolved from simple "he said, she said", to a heated exchange through the media. Frank Wren and John Schuerholz promised that the Braves would never again deal with the Wasserman Media Group (Furcal's agency), while Arn Tellem (head of WMG's baseball division) replied that carrying through with that promise could have legal ramifications for the Braves. This got me thinking about whether there was anything to substantiate Tellem's implied threat of legal action within baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement.There are a number of sections within the CBA that deal with player representation, the first of which is Article IV: "A Player, if he so desires, may designate an agent to conduct on his behalf, or to assist him in, the negotiation of an individual salary and/or Special Covenants to be included...

Read more | 8 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Rafael Furcal

Do They Know It's Almost Christmas?

By Alex Remington | December 22, 2008 | Chop-n-Change

It's December 22 already. Nearly every chocolate window has been poked out of Frank Wren's Advent calendar, John Schuerholz is making his famous spiked egg nog, Bobby Cox's wife is carefully stocking up on chocolate-covered pretzels, and the Braves roster looks a whole lot like the guys who stunk up the joint this year.It's been a tough offseason, the one unambiguously good move -- acquiring Javier Vazquez to eat innings, and hopefully pitch a few good ones, in a very unsteady rotation -- entirely overshadowed by the disappointment over Kevin Towers continually upping the price for Jake Peavy even though no one else would come close, the frustration of the Yankees' overspending for A.J. Burnett, and the slap in the face of the unprofessional tactics of Rafael Furcal's agents. (Those three were so massive, they even outweighed another disappointment: Junichi Tazawa siding with the Red Sox over us, because he...

Read more | 33 Comments | Tags: 2008 offseason, Atlanta Braves

Winter of our discontent

By TD | December 21, 2008 | Rain Delay

So lets take a little check list.AJ Burnett = FailRafael Furcal = FailSigned Greg Norton = Sorta FailWell OK, so resigning Greg Norton isn't that big of a deal and not really a fail unless Bobby once again decides to misuse Mr. Norton. He should not be starting, unless it's an emergency. I really did enjoy what he brought off the bench as far as pinch hitting goes. But other than that he shouldn't be in the game - I mean in LF he makes Raul Ibanez look like a perennial gold glove winner. The only positive so far this winter is the trade for Javier Vasquez - he's not a #1 or #2 but he'll fit into the rotation nicely and (hopefully) take some pressure off Jair Jurrjens.I'm not bummed about Furcal deciding to sign with the Dodgers, honestly going after him was a mistake anyways. It just didn't...

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: AJ Burnett, Atlanta Braves, Brian McCann, Greg Norton, Jair Jurrjens, Joe Mauer, Kelly Johnson, Rafael Furcal, Raul Ibanez, World Baseball Classic

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

See you in five years, Greg

By Alan Smodic | December 6, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Dave Nelson/Flickr.com

If you're around the same age as I am, then you grew up as a youngster watching baseball in the 90s. And if you were the type of player I was, then you weren't idolizing the long ball. You didn't tune into games to watch Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire.I was a pitcher. I first started pitching at age nine. By that time, Greg Maddux had already entrenched himself as arguably the best in the game. It was around then when Maddux became my favorite player.I grew up outside of Pittsburgh and have always been a Pirates fan. I wasn't on a Braves bandwagon. In fact, I still disliked the Braves for my first MLB memory -- the slide. But I loved Maddux.I tuned into TBS to watch the Braves every time he pitched. My parents got me tickets to Pirates/Braves at Three Rivers Stadium anytime he was scheduled to start. He...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Greg Maddux, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, San Diego Padres

Hot Stove Dishes - November 22, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: The Giants are the dark horse to be big time players this offseason.Out of nowhere, rumors swirled that the Giants would be inserting themselves into the CC Sabathia chase. San Francisco already went out and signed one of the better lefty relievers on the market. Besides Sabathia, the Giants are after Edgar Renteria and might jump into the fray on another higher end infielder to fill their middle infield needs. If the Giants land Sabathia, they would instantly be contenders in the National League West. Mike Mussina retires!We can move on from the discussion of will Mike Mussina return to the Yankees or not for 2009 since he officially announced his retirement this week. The 270-game winner now will be discussed based on his merits for Hall of...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Edgar Renteria, Francisco Rodriguez, Joe Beimel, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Hampton, Mike Mussina, MLB, MLB Playoffs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Ramon Vazquez, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Trever Miller

Hot Stove Dishes - November 14, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Yankees out to buy back in to playoffs, offer Sabathia record deal The New York Yankees are tired of missing the playoffs. The one-year absence has driven them to offer CC Sabathia a six-year, $140-million contract to bring his talent to the Bronx. The Brewers want to keep Sabathia but can they afford the price of competing with the Yankees in the free agent market. Better yet, can anyone? Padres go one way with offering Peavy, Braves go the other At some point in the past seven days there was buzz that the Braves and Padres were very close to a deal that would send Padres ace Jake Peavy to Atlanta. After an entire offseason of talks, the Braves announced that they were calling off their pursuit of...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Braves, BBWAA, CC Sabathia, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Dayan Viciedo, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manager, Manny Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Scott Boras, Trevor Hoffman

Friday's Hot Stove Dishes - November 7, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 7, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Check MVN Outsider ever Friday for the ten hottest rumors during the Hot Stove League and a recap of all of the latest moves in Major League Baseball: Peavy's days numbered in San Diego. Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves highlight possible destinations. As San Diego Padres GM has stated, the Jake Peavy "train has kind of left the station." Since the Peavy rumors started, he has informed the Padres that he will lift his no-trade clause for seven teams -- the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Of that group, the Braves and Cubs have emerged as the front-runners. The Braves seem to be dangling Yunel Escobar and young pitching but not prospect Tommy Hanson who the Padres have been rumored to be interested in. Also, the talk of Escobar being part of the deal has Peavy concerned about Atlanta's...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andy Sonnanstine, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Coco Crisp, Colorado Rockies, Edwin Jackson, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Jason Varitek, Junichi Tazawa, Matt Holliday, MLB, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers

Being the GM: 2009 Atlanta Braves

By Evan | October 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

This series is predicated on educated guesses, past history of the team/general manager, rumors that have been out there for a while, and actions that I feel could be taken. This exercise is me playing GM to inspire conversation and a new way of approaching things. Moves that I complete as previous GMs of teams will carry over here. Trades only include principal, significant players. The Atlanta Braves were supposed to come roaring back in 2008 after an off 2007. Whoops. 90 games later, the Braves have roughly $45 million to spend, and they plan on doing just that --- spending --- to get back to where they were for the entire decade of the 1990s. How will they do it? Atlanta Braves sign pitcher Oliver Perez. Step one is to bring in a pitcher worthy of being called one of the team's better pitchers. After an impressive 2004 with...Read more

Read more | 17 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves, MLB

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags:

MVN: Most Valuable Network