Posts tagged ‘Braves 2009’

Will the Braves offer Andruw a contract?

Andruw’s (Horrible) Audio Interview on 790 The Zone Click Here

Sometimes it is amazing to see what a difference 2 years could make. At the end of the 2006 season Braves fans were furious when Andruw Jones was not resigned by the Braves. I was mad, and chances are you were too. Now only 2 short years later a possible return of Andruw Jones to the club has caused an outburst on message boards, and bloggers all around. Should the Braves bring back the 10 time gold glover and runner up to the 2005 MVP?  

Andruw recently went on an interview on an Atlanta radio station and mentioned that he was not willing to sign a minor league contract with the Braves. He also stated that he would like to be back in Atlanta mainly because it is comfortable for him, and his home is in Atlanta. With the Braves longtime history of bringing back previous players it would not surprise me if Atlanta at least offers a minor league contract. The Braves do not seem to be willing to offer a major league deal due to the penalties that may come if he was to be cut. I think the only way Andruw is to return to the Braves is by excepting a Javy Lopez type contract. Meaning a minor league contract with the chance to make the club in spring training. I do believe Andruw will get the Major League contract he is seeking. There are clubs that will take a chance on his defense alone. Andrruw should not bring a high priced contract this year. A team like the Marlins would probably be willing to take the chance.

Andruw Jones was once one of the most beloved Braves of all time. His physical condition has changed since the skinny kid who hit 2 homeruns in the World Series. Andruw had gained a ton of weight and also had to have knee surgery recently. In a recent video now posted on the website, it showed Andruw still on the hefty side, but in a recently video posted on Braves.com the former center field slugger seemed to be in a lot better shape. Beating the weight is only the first obstacle on a long road back. Andruw was reported as being “uncoachable” during the end of his Braves career. Will he now start listening to his next hitting coach?  Some will say that Andruw’s mental side will be the determining factor in deciding the fate of the rest of his career. I wish Andruw the best but wonder if he will ever be the same? What is your take on a possible Andruw Jones return? To leave a comment click the “add your” link under this blog.

Andruw Jones in a video from early winter ball with former Brave Furcal

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This week's Guest Rue Grant from Bravesblast with Braves GM Frank Wren

Do you think it is time to apologize to Frank Wren and his front office goons after the signing of Derek Lowe? If you are one of those fans that just wanted an ace at the top of the rotation then I say fo ahead. After all that we said about Wren he just spent $83mm to bring in two pitchers.
We picked up our first ever Japanese born player in Kenshin Kawakami and signed him for three years and around the $23mm range according to a few sources. He is in his mid thirties and for the last year he pitched on a six man rotation. He has pitched every five days before and in 2006 is when he won the equivalent of the Cy Young award. He has not stated any specific goals for the upcoming year but he did say that he wanted to stay in the rotation all year. Well given any for seen circumstances I think he will have no problem at all in achieving that.
Our biggest pick up is Derek Lowe the 33 year old veteran from L.A. This guy really is a workhorse, something that this rotation needs more than anything else. Remember the work load that our bullpen had last year. I seen a crazy stat earlier in the week and I hope I do not get it wrong. Since 2002 Lowe is third or tied with third in wins among all starters. That is amazing. I was happy we got Lowe. Other than the possibility of Peavy I was really hoping to get this guy. I just don’t understand why the Braves was not interested in him before the Smoltz thing went down. The Braves put in a huge offer of four years for $60mm and it has been passed around that the Braves did that just so Lowe can accept the offer quickly. A little paranoid there Wren?
Lowe is like Smoltz. A closer to start his career in Boston, well from 1999 to 2001 and now an accomplished starter.
I am sad to see number 29 go off to what might be greener land up in Boston but you know there is nothing that I can do about that. Just to break up a little contract numbers check this out. Smoltz left the Braves for $5.5mm and the Braves offered around the $2.5mm range. Difference of $2mm. Omar Infante signed for two years with a third year option for around $4.35mm. Smoltz only wanted a one year deal and instead of giving
Smoltz the chance of retiring at the end of the year as a Brave (if that is what Smoltz is going to do) they give the cash to a backup infielder. And the third year option is a club option and it is for $2.5mm. Just thought you might like to know where that $40mm went to.

Derek Lowe in an apperance in Atlanta.

With the departure of John Smoltz things have seemed to pick up lately with other free agent pitchers. The Braves met with free agent pitcher Derek Lowe formally of the Dodgers. Lowe is probably the top pitcher on the still on the market now. The Braves did not seem to show much interest in Lowe at first, but things changed as the Mets made an offer and the Braves lost Smoltz to the RedSox. Lowe would provide an “ace” type pitcher that is severely needed in the starting rotation. Lowe can provide both quality starts, and many innings pitched throughout the year. He is most noted for his durability over his career. Even with an addition of Lowe the Braves still have a need for more quality starting. In another deal, the Braves are reported as being close to signing free agent pitcher Kenshen Kawakami from Japan.

Kawakami is a largely scouted pitcher in Japan that has the MLB equivalent of a Cy Young award. He brings many good potential qualities to an MLB club. He is still young at only 33, and a few players in MLB baseball have ever faced him. He features a fast ball that tops out around 90 mph, and a great curveball. He also has a typical deceptive motion as much of the Japanese pitchers feature. There are some negatives to this deal however, in Japan pitchers work on a 6 or even 7 day rotation compared to 5 or sometimes even 4 in MLB. Along with this, communication is always an issue with foreign players. I don’t know how much English he knows, but I am willing to bet catcher Brian McCann does not know much. Kawakami is supposed to meet with the Braves over the weekend in Atlanta and pending a physical could be signed as early as next week. Let’s hope these deals get done and the Braves can then turn their focus on acquiring a power hitting left fielder. Jereme will have a full rumor mill update on the next available show.

Video Highlights of Kenshen Kawakami Pitching in Japan

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