Back Off, We Want Manny (and Furcal)
Written by Colin on October 7, 2008 – 9:08 amI have to write this.
The Ropolitans wrote recently that the Mets must sign Manny at all costs in 2009. I see where he’s coming from, but I have something to say about it.
The Braves need to line up for long-term success. The Braves need a power bat in the outfield, and they need it now. The Braves need Manny to push their offense from good to absolutely pummeling. The Braves should also spend some cash and re-sign Rafael Furcal to play up the middle of the infield with Yunel (sorry, all you KJ lovers). That’d be just fun to watch.
Imagine the lineup:
Rafael Furcal
Yunel Escobar
Chipper Jones
Manny Ramirez
Brian McCann
Gregor Blanco / Josh Anderson
Casey Kotchman
Jeff Francoeur
That’s a scary lineup from a power aspect. That’s a scary lineup from a speed aspect. That lineup could just plain rake. And, we’d still have some money to get some young pitchers and an ace (hopefully) to bolster the rotation.
Have I mentioned that we have TONS of money to spend this offseason? Let’s get creative and build a fun-to-watch Braves team in 2009. Watch out, Mets. You have competition (I hope).
Tags: Manny Ramirez, Rafael Furcal
Posted in Speculation | 8 Comments »
By FiSH on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
You said watch out Mets but the Mets didn't make the postseason either. Spending tons of money on one free agent hardly ever works. We need to have pitching at the top of our needs list. If we are going to go all out for a FA why not say CC Sabathia? I'd rather go for him and possibly Jason Bay than going for Manny (I play when I feel like it ) Ramirez and Rafael Furcal who is getting a little bit long in the tooth himself.
By Rue on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Keep in mind that CC also PH's right now. And he's really not bad… at all. If i cared to research, I'd say 7 HR's (I don't care to research at the moment… i'm at work) this past season and a 0.235 average? I'd like to see Sabathia in our lineup.
I still hate Kelly Johnson though. Let's rid ourselves of him so that I can enjoy his absence.
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Well how else are you going to do it?
Not every team has a spectacular farm system teeming with players ready to make the jump to the MLB.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I have to agree with Andrew on this one – no, the Mets didn't make the postseason, but signing free agents augments/complements your home-grown players. There can be good free agent signings – you just can't rely on them solely.
We have some home-grown players in Yunel, McCann, Blanco/Anderson, and dare I even say Francoeur that will grow into solid players for years to come. Just need to augment that with some power. Not to mention Chipper is home-grown.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Very true – CC can hit something ridiculous.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
So can Micah Owings
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
How about Xavier Nady?
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Nady would work. He's probably cheaper than some of the other options out there, too.