Comments on: No Griffey….Now What?

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:15:05 +0000

I wouldn't mind going after Anderson. Him and Diaz together could give us a very formidable left field. They would put up numbers together that would be around what Abreu would have given us. If not Anderson, I say let the kids duke it out and if that doesn't work trade for swish.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:29:58 +0000

Would the Royals trade David Dejesus? I heard early on in the yeah that the Yankees might deal for him. He is a solid defender, can play multiple out field positions. Two years ago he scored over 100 runs as the Royals lead off man. Also his salary doesnt really break the bank at I think under $3 mill.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:21:14 +0000

I do what I can, don't want to steal credit for other people's work.

By: josh

josh — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:48:26 +0000

Nice read Kent!!! nice post Jonathan LOL

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:17:51 +0000

I know nothing about Blanco personally. I'm sure he's a great guy… but I'm not taken with him as a player. My problem with his game is that he's a speedy slap hitter who doesn't really steal bases.

Josh Anderson stole 10 bases in 136 at-bats. Blanco stole 13 in 430 at-bats.

Also, Anderson's slugging % last year was .426 last year, compared to Blanco's .309. Neither have HR power, but Anderson racks up more extra-base hits overall.

So if it comes down to either Anderson or Blanco, I have to side with Anderson. And personally, I'm hoping Schafer wins CF so (assuming we don't sign a LF'er) we don't have to see Jones or Blanco in left.

Again, nothing against those guys personally, but they just don't impress me.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:15:12 +0000

I thought about Schafer too, but that might be more pressure than the Braves are willing to on him. I do like Escobar anywhere in the lineup – I think he is one of the smartest baserunners and he can come through when needed but just isn't the typical leadoff man. I just think that whoever gets the leadoff job better have a good season. That position is going to determine the season…someone has to be one base for Chip, Mac, or this new power hitting outfielder.

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:11:24 +0000

I think the Braves are making the right move here. The absolute last thing I want is to have to trade a prospect to the Yankees for one of their two possibilities and after the whole Griffey ordeal renting an aging vet suddenly doesn't sound very appealing.

I figure with the amount of young talent we have somebody is bound to break through and make a statement.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:06:01 +0000

I know it's a pretty good possibility that he won't be around this season, but I love Gregor and hope he somehow gets onto the roster somehow.

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:00:44 +0000

CORRECTION: There's a possibility I missed when I wrote this… That is the slight possibility of Brandon Jones in the outfield. Here's how I see the "Let the kids play" scenario:

I think (not positive) that Gregor Blanco is out of options. so he will have to play out of his mind and convincingly outshine Anderson if he is to remain with the Braves. Assuming Blanco is gone, as I think he will be, the real battle may be between Jordan Schafer and Brandon Jones.

If Schafer wins the CF job, Anderson will likely platoon with Diaz in left, pushing B.Jones back to AAA.

If Schafer doesn't win the CF job, Anderson will assume Center, and B.Jones may platoon with Diaz in Left.

I must admit that I'm not a big Brandon Jones believer, so personally, I'll pulling for Jordan!

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:41:42 +0000

Well there's certainly a decent chance that Schafer could win the CF job. And if he does, he very well may hit leadoff. He has the speed.

If not Anderson or Schafer…. Escobar could again handle the role. Some have pointed out that he didn't hit as well in the leadoff spot last year as he did when hitting second. But I that may be mere coincidence, since he tore it up in the leadoff spot in 2007.

That said, it is very much preferable to have a true leadoff hitter at the top of the lineup. That's certainly the type of hitter Josh Anderson is, if he can keep his OBP in the .360's or better. I love having his speed in the lineup.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:19:25 +0000

They need to let the kids play. From what I can figure the Braves season is going depend on how well Josh Anderson does in the leadoff spot. That's a position that really hurt the Braves last year and something they really need to get a handle on this season. Other than Josh, I don't see another 'good' canidate for the spot.

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:18:35 +0000

I would add, though, that I think we can get away with letting the kids play for now, PROVIDED Francoeur rebounds.

Look at that 89-win Padres team from a couple years ago. I don't think their pitching was any better than Atlanta's is now. And if Francoeur bounces back, I think these Braves have at least a bit more offense than that Padres team had.

My point is that even if the Braves ultimately need to swing a deal for a bat mid-season, I think they'll be able to stay right there in the thick of the NL East race long enough to make that happen.

And if they save the 3 million or so they're estimated to have on hand until the middle of the season, they'll be able to accommodate a 6 million dollar player at that point. And they certainly have the trading chips.

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:08:58 +0000

If it were up to me, I think I'd like to see Garrett Anderson in a Bravos uni. Is he the cleanup hitter we want? Of course not. But having an Anderson/Diaz 2-headed monster in left would give the Braves 4 positions from which they could expect:

.275-305 average, 13-20 homers, 65-85 RBI, 25-40 doubles

Put the solid production from those 4 positions with our 3 big run producers (Chipper, McCann, and -HOPEFULLY- Francoeur)… and that's not a bad offense folks. Especially if we then get solid production from CF (Anderson/Schafer).

By: Kent Covington

Kent Covington — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:57:03 +0000

Yeah, I appreciated Mr. Wren saying that right after I had finished writing this!!! lol

By: Shaun

Shaun — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:39:50 +0000

Somebody asked me a couple weeks ago how I'd feel about Jim Edmonds. I said, "Well, do we get the version that was so bad that the Padres released him or the version that tore it up in Chicago?" I'd say he's a very iffy prospect.

Given the options left, I'd say let the kids play is probably the best choice, and if none of them have a good spring, then we can make an April move. The Yankees will still be overstocked then, given their demands.

By: dave

dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:17:27 +0000

I think things are gonna be just fine. I believe we all have vented, and are now ready to move on with our young outfielders, and see what happens. If we still have a need in 2 to 3 weeks I believe Edmonds, or Alou are good older player options. I do not know much about Anderson, I still believe it is for now and for the futures sake in the Braves best interest to sign a older player cheap, and if necessary give the farm 1 more year to grow. It is going to be OK. I firmly believe we will be in the playoffs. GO BRAVES!!!

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:22:15 +0000

I don't think there's any need to make a move for a week or two. All those players named in the blog will likely still be available then, as well. If the kids look ready, let them have a go at it. If not, my preference would be Edmonds. He can play CF too, is solid defensively at the corner OF position and still has quite a bit of pop in his bat.

Unless the Yankees back off their demands quite a bit, I would rather not trade anybody at this point.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:11:18 +0000

I'm definitely fine with that strategy as well. We have a lot of young talent and a little competition for spots is always a good thing. I didn't realize Anderson was out of options so that makes me lean a little more towards keeping him around. On top of being a decently solid player, he was a really pleasant guy to be around when we met him at the end of last season.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:10:12 +0000

Thanks, but I can't take the credit for writing this one. Kent put this piece together for us yesterday, I was just too tired to remember to change the author while posting it.

By: Colin Ake

Colin Ake — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:58:18 +0000

Frank Wren and Bobby Cox were quoted yesterday in saying that they were going to let the kids play for a while in spring training before deciding whether or not to pursue anybody else. I'm perfectly fine with that strategy – someone needs to grow up and step into the shoes that are waiting for them.