Cambridge's Scott Thorman hit 11 homers for the Atlanta Braves this season and had the longest average homer in the NL at 409 feet
Ohhhh, the LAH. How the hell didn't that make it to the back of his baseball card?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Strangest Stat Ever
This from the TorontoSun.com -
Ohhhh, the LAH. How the hell didn't that make it to the back of his baseball card?
Ohhhh, the LAH. How the hell didn't that make it to the back of his baseball card?
Blaine Boyer Speaks!
Choptalk got Blaine Boyer to write a column for them. Apparently, they needed some filler. The column was then put up at the Braves site.
In general, a simple look at what Boyer went through injury-wise and how he is feeling right now. He says he'd be okay with starting or relieving. Actually, I think he wouldn't mind being the bullpen catcher the way his last couple of years went.
In general, a simple look at what Boyer went through injury-wise and how he is feeling right now. He says he'd be okay with starting or relieving. Actually, I think he wouldn't mind being the bullpen catcher the way his last couple of years went.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Mark Kotsay More and More Likely
According to DOB, it's nearly a done deal. DOB says he just talked to Kotsay and there will be an MRI and all that, but it looks like a mid-level prospect and the A's picking up a bunch of the check.
Liking it, Frank. Liking it.
(hattip to Bravestud at Chopnation for the link)
1:10 AM Update: The Braves official forum seems concerned it will be Joey Devine. I personally doubt it. I am thinking more along the lines of the players I included in the 21-30 top prospects. Gregor Blanco could be interesting to Billy Beane, but I think it will be J.C. Cuevas or Charlie Morton. Possibly Zach Schreiber or Moises Hernandez.
Another name I've read...Brent Lillibridge.
Ha.
Liking it, Frank. Liking it.
(hattip to Bravestud at Chopnation for the link)
1:10 AM Update: The Braves official forum seems concerned it will be Joey Devine. I personally doubt it. I am thinking more along the lines of the players I included in the 21-30 top prospects. Gregor Blanco could be interesting to Billy Beane, but I think it will be J.C. Cuevas or Charlie Morton. Possibly Zach Schreiber or Moises Hernandez.
Another name I've read...Brent Lillibridge.
Ha.
By the way...
Mac at the uberly good BravesJournal.com has started his yearly player analysis. If you missed it, he started with McCann and is moving his way over the infield now.
Elsewhere, my second part of my prospect list is up here.
Elsewhere, my second part of my prospect list is up here.
CF and other stuff
-Happy Friday to ya. Since Andruw Jones left, center field has remained a big question mark. Well, according to DOB, the Braves are possibly considering Mark Kotsay and Corey Patterson. I have spoke on Patterson often because I can't possibly fathom why people continue to talk him up when his career OBP is under .300. Not a typo, kids. Kotsay, on the other hand, is a perfect addition on paper. You look at what he brings to the table and while it won't aw you, it certainly will be productive.
.282/.337/.415 career, .264 career EQA, formally an above average CF.
The last three years have been trying for Kotsay, but he is obviously the best player for what he brings, for how long the Braves need to commit, and money invested (surely Oaktown would pick up half of the check or sent a grade B prospect to give the Braves some kind of compensation for Kotsay's salary). I am not saying I would do it...but dammit, I'm considering it.
-MLB Trade Rumors talks up Mike Cameron to the Braves. As I have said, I am back-and-forth on Cameron. He's not as bad as some make him, not as good as others make him. But he truly is a poor man's Andruw who is faster on the basepaths. Not a terrible direction to go. He also as a suspension over his head. Eiii...
-A couple of 2006 Braves signed new contracts. Marcus Giles, who spent last year with the Pads, signed with the Rockies for a measly minor league contract and spring training invite. Braves fans have spoke of Giles often with the steroid label. I think it is probably accurate, though he was one of my favorite Braves. It's pretty sad how his career has tapered off despite the fact he is just 29. Elsewhere, Chris Reitsma reups with the Mariners. Here's hoping he has success.
-Sean Livingstone of the USA Today penned a organizational report. There is literally nothing in this report that is all that interesting. But read it if you want a cheat sheet on everything you already know.
.282/.337/.415 career, .264 career EQA, formally an above average CF.
The last three years have been trying for Kotsay, but he is obviously the best player for what he brings, for how long the Braves need to commit, and money invested (surely Oaktown would pick up half of the check or sent a grade B prospect to give the Braves some kind of compensation for Kotsay's salary). I am not saying I would do it...but dammit, I'm considering it.
-MLB Trade Rumors talks up Mike Cameron to the Braves. As I have said, I am back-and-forth on Cameron. He's not as bad as some make him, not as good as others make him. But he truly is a poor man's Andruw who is faster on the basepaths. Not a terrible direction to go. He also as a suspension over his head. Eiii...
-A couple of 2006 Braves signed new contracts. Marcus Giles, who spent last year with the Pads, signed with the Rockies for a measly minor league contract and spring training invite. Braves fans have spoke of Giles often with the steroid label. I think it is probably accurate, though he was one of my favorite Braves. It's pretty sad how his career has tapered off despite the fact he is just 29. Elsewhere, Chris Reitsma reups with the Mariners. Here's hoping he has success.
-Sean Livingstone of the USA Today penned a organizational report. There is literally nothing in this report that is all that interesting. But read it if you want a cheat sheet on everything you already know.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Links A'Hoy!
Lots of random links since the beginning of the new year.
-The Herald Sun out of Australia has an article on Peter Moylan out. Your basic "God, this Aussie is ever so cool" article with movie references. Sorry Lauren, not much new info here.
-DOB talks about Braves FanFest and the players that will be, but also touches on Jeff Francoeur. Nothing really amazing, just a look back at Francoeur and nothing on a possible contract. I wonder if this season is the season Francoeur signs or drags it through arbitration first.
-Ohhh, a DOB reference _AND_ a Bowman one. Marky boy is out with a look at the Braves catchers. If Bowman is the propaganda specialist for the Braves, Javy Lopez is the backup catcher as I said. Some have commented that Javy's going to have to *earn* his shot, but even if he's outplayed, I believe he has it clinched.
While McCann is certainly an adept offensive catcher, he has room for improvement from a defensive perspective. His .987 fielding percentage ranked second-worst among NL catchers. In addition, only Milwaukee's Johnny Estrada and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba had a worse caught-stealing percentage.
While I agree he badly needs to improve, what the hell does fielding percentage tell you about a catcher? I don't mind people not using stats or hating stats all together. But if you choose to use them, at least use reasonable ones. Caught-stealing percentage is decent, though you can't ignore the pitchers' impact on things.
Still, McCann's knowledge of pitchers allowed Braves pitchers to produce a 3.90 ERA when he was behind the plate. That figure ranked first among all NL catchers.
Ahjesus, not catcher's ERA. Pick a stat that tells you something ABOUT the catcher's ability, Mark.
-Scott Proctor's Arm, a blog on the Yankees, has this tidbit. "Matt DeSalvo also signed a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves." Baseball America confirms it. I'd do a Meet and Greet, but not a lot to meet. He had a couple of decent games with the Yanks last year, but is all guts no talent, it seems.
-Oh, my first ten prospects of my Top 30 prospect list is finally up at chopnation.
-And buh bye.
-The Herald Sun out of Australia has an article on Peter Moylan out. Your basic "God, this Aussie is ever so cool" article with movie references. Sorry Lauren, not much new info here.
-DOB talks about Braves FanFest and the players that will be, but also touches on Jeff Francoeur. Nothing really amazing, just a look back at Francoeur and nothing on a possible contract. I wonder if this season is the season Francoeur signs or drags it through arbitration first.
-Ohhh, a DOB reference _AND_ a Bowman one. Marky boy is out with a look at the Braves catchers. If Bowman is the propaganda specialist for the Braves, Javy Lopez is the backup catcher as I said. Some have commented that Javy's going to have to *earn* his shot, but even if he's outplayed, I believe he has it clinched.
While McCann is certainly an adept offensive catcher, he has room for improvement from a defensive perspective. His .987 fielding percentage ranked second-worst among NL catchers. In addition, only Milwaukee's Johnny Estrada and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba had a worse caught-stealing percentage.
While I agree he badly needs to improve, what the hell does fielding percentage tell you about a catcher? I don't mind people not using stats or hating stats all together. But if you choose to use them, at least use reasonable ones. Caught-stealing percentage is decent, though you can't ignore the pitchers' impact on things.
Still, McCann's knowledge of pitchers allowed Braves pitchers to produce a 3.90 ERA when he was behind the plate. That figure ranked first among all NL catchers.
Ahjesus, not catcher's ERA. Pick a stat that tells you something ABOUT the catcher's ability, Mark.
-Scott Proctor's Arm, a blog on the Yankees, has this tidbit. "Matt DeSalvo also signed a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves." Baseball America confirms it. I'd do a Meet and Greet, but not a lot to meet. He had a couple of decent games with the Yanks last year, but is all guts no talent, it seems.
-Oh, my first ten prospects of my Top 30 prospect list is finally up at chopnation.
-And buh bye.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Congrats FJM
The great folks at FireJoeMorgan.com have won Busted Coverage's 2007 Sports Blog of the Year. Presidential elections never elect the right guys, but Busted Coverage got it right with this one. They beat the very solid Metsblog.com. I like to both of them...so...um, I am super smart.
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