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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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John Smoltz departs from the Braves after over 20 seasons

Pat:

I think Jereme said it best last week in the show when he mentioned how much baseball has changed and how he missed the way things used to be. With the news that John Smoltz will be headed north to Boston, I couldn’t help but to think what it now takes for a player to play an entire career with the same team. Yes I realize he was part of the Tigers organization to start with, but Smoltz is and will always be a Brave in my eyes. I have read several reports stating that Atlanta’s offer was nowhere in the same ballpark as the Redsox. I have to believe that Smoltz was keeping the Braves informed of potential clubs interest and probably gave the Braves a chance to match or come close. This is just another big disappointment in what has been a very hard off-season for Braves fans. Frank Wren will now turn his attention to signing Derek Lowe. Although the move would still be positive for the Braves, it really doesn’t seem to matter as much now!!!

Jereme:

This Morning when I woke up it was hard to believe that the long time Braves Pitcher John Smoltz was no longer with us. Now I am not going to lie, I am a little bitter. I mean the way this off-season has gone its hard for even the most loyal Braves fan to not have some bitterness in them. I am torn on who to really blame. Is it fair to blame Smoltz, or the front office of the Braves? Who is to blame will come out later this week as the Braves say they offered him an incentive based deal and Smoltz says that there are large gaps in the offer. The one thing that I can say with a Definite is that Atlanta Braves fans have lost a true contender. One that was passionate about the game, and treated the fans to 200 wins, 3000 strikeouts, and several key wins (both in the regular season and post season). To say Smoltz will be missed is an understatement, but as a fan of the game and the player I wish Smoltz all the luck this season.

Bert:

It looks as though the Atlanta sports landscape will never again be the same. After twenty plus years with the Braves John Smoltz will be leaving. One of the staples in Atlanta will never wear the tomahawk across his chest. Not like when two other greats of the mound, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux John was more than an every five day player. If you ever had a chance to see this guy pitch whether it is from the first inning on or in the bottom of the ninth you saw a warrior on the rubber. His departure is a shocking but truth shaking moment for the Braves faithful as we all see the lack of enthusiasm of the front office. I guess you can say the Braves got beat out on two wonderful pitchers for a combined six million dollars. And this is a team that right before the season was over said that they was going to have sufficient funds to build a competing team in 09. From a huge fan base that Atlanta had in the postseason runs in the 1990s to the dwindling few that is still there now we will all miss the great starter and of course the ninth inning when we all stood up to the sound of thunderstruck.

Video Blog: CSS’S Chris Dimino on Smoltz Leaving Atlanta

Time is ticking on the Braves off-season!

Happy New Year to all Braves Fans! With the change of the calendar it now means we are a month closer to baseball returning. It may seem a while a way but pitchers and catchers are only six weeks away from reporting to camp with spring training only a couple weeks behind.  This means it is officially time to start worrying if the braves and Gm Frank Wren are going to make anymore off-season moves to bolster the 09 roster. So far fans are extremely disappointed in how the off-season has gone so far. Not only have the braves not significantly improved their club, the other teams in the division have! Both the Mets and (World Series Champion) Phillies have improved their biggest weaknesses over this winter. It appears the Braves are now down to plan C. That plan being; go with what you got and hope for the best! What the braves have are a couple of huge holes. Starting pitching and power is the obvious two. I am sure that Braves are closely monitoring the status of John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. Both pitchers have expressed interest in returning to the club in 09 if healthy. These two guys may now have to be relied on to be a big part of this upcoming season’s starting rotation. We all know how that worked out last year. I can’t remember such a disappointing off-season in quite a few years.

With the thought of relying on unstable pitching, it is just as uncomforting to know that this year’s Braves team will not be able to slug it out with any of the strong clubs in baseball. I don’t want to see a Brandon Jones, and Matt Diaz platoon in the outfield. I don’t want to see a Matt Diaz and Greg Norton platoon either! I want to see a trade or free agent acquisition that makes since. The Braves have been rumored to have interest in names like Dye, Ankiel, Cameron, and others. So far we are stuck watching the same outfield that produced one of Major League Baseball’s weakest outfields and one of the weakest Atlanta Braves outfield in quite some time. How about we get rid of some of the unproven talent on the team such as pitchers Reyes, or even Morton or position players like Blanco or Brandon Jones and include them as a trade for a quality player. These guys would be great for a team rebuilding and looking to cut payroll or take chances on young unproven talent.

With time ticking closer to the 09 season it is easy to see that the Braves Christmas Wishlist has not come true. I think Santa must have thought that Frank Wren was a bad boy or maybe just a bad GM so far? My question to anyone and everyone who reads this just this: with the minimal time remaining in the off-season what should Frank Wren focus on? He can still try to acquire a starting pitcher or a power hitter by trade, or maybe focus on the health of the current players such as Smoltz, Glavine, Moylan and Soriano. Whatever happens from here I will support my home town team and hope for the best, and I hope you will do the same.        

One of the road blocks in getting Peavy was trading away our shortstop to get him.  Peavy likes to have defense behind him so he was a little worried.  Cannot blame him can you?  Well our backup shortstop was involved in one of the worst trades in recent memory to get the before said pitcher, which leads me to the next joy ride in this off season.

Remember Fookie.  We almost had him. Almost!  So it was said that Wren had a deal in place for three years and an option for a fourth.  Sound good?  Wren was in discussions with Mr. Kizner and then sent a signed term sheet.  Just about the equivalent of a handshake, a done deal.  Pat was exited, he called me I was exited.  Wait for it, Fookie is going to be wearing Dodger blue for the next few years and not the tomahawk.

So this pretty much puts me where I wanted to start this write-up.  How much can an agent get by with.  How much does the client know what is really going on?  Why exactly do we even call it free agency?  I asked a friend of mine who has seen and been around more baseball than I about such said questions and I still do not understand most of this crap.  I mean I get it but why.  Did you see the numbers on some of these guys?  Sabathia is getting like nine million or some unbelievable number before he even pitches.  By the way he can walk away from his seven year contract after the 2011 season.  So I really have to ask why do teams have to put up all this guaranteed money and guaranteed years to outbid other teams and then a it in their contract that they can walk early?  A ton of questions I know.

As the Braves off season continues we await what is supposed to be the “Big Move”. This past week the Braves made a move by trading for starting pitcher Javier Vazquez. The trade brings over a pitcher that will not be a solid number 1 or 2 starter in National League. In fact Vazquez numbers shows him to be more along the lines on a 4 or 5 in the Braves new potential rotation. Vazquez has a career loosing record at 127-129. There are a few positives to the deal. Vazquez is still a young pitcher and should be considered an innings eater. Last year he pitched in 33 ball games and completed over 208 innings. Something that will be needed with the lack of consistency in the Braves starting rotation. The deal send 2 of the organizations better prospects to another team. That may make things more difficult in future trade talks. The move was the first to add starting pitching for the 2009 season. General Manger Frank Wren has mentioned numerous amounts of times that he is looking for 2 front end starters. I dont believe this is that deal. Time and options are running out on some of the free agent pitchers and also trade options. Many believe (including me) that the Jake Peavy trade will be completed eventually. With the winter meeting coming up soon, it will mark a time where many free agents will be on the move and trades will take place. The Braves have made an offer the pitcher A.J. Burnett but he is not expected to sign with anyone till other free agent starters begin signing. The next 30 days or so should determine what kind of team we put on the field for 09. According to the Braves official website, John Smoltz is doing not only well but better than expected for his rehab. He should be 100% for the start of Spring Training. There is the whole contract situation that still will have to be addressed. Initially I thought the Braves may see how Smoltz felt about returning to the bullpen, but with the lack of off season activity he may be needed more in the starting rotation. To give your thoughts on the Vazquez trade clickon the “Comments Section”.

Last week’s Bravescast will go down as one of the most memorable for me. After shooting the show on Sunday evening I got home and settled in. I decided to cut on the news and see what is going on over the weekend. That’s when I got the shock that everyone else received. After watching the news story, I had such a mix of sudden emotions at once. I was feeling Sadness, denial, confusion and more. For most people they lost a great sportscaster and long time voice of the Braves and Hawks. For me, Skip was that and a whole lot more.

I grew up in a small town outside the Atlanta area. Much like Skip, I shared an enormous passion for sports. It is a passion that grew more and more as I got older. I was only 8 years old when I started keeping up with the braves in 1991. The worst to first year was some of my first memories as a braves fan. Throughout my early childhood the only time I was not planted in front of a tv at game time was when I was at practice. Like most kids in sports, I wanted to be a pro athlete. As the years pasts I knew that it was not going to happen and started thinking what do I want to do when I grow up? My parents and other relatives always mentioned to me that if I really should try to become a sports broadcaster. There came a certain point in my life where I decided to change my role models and idols. I stopped “wanting to be like Mike” and started “wanting to be like Skip”.

Skip Caray was the biggest influence I had in wanting to be a broadcaster. There were many nights when my bed time came around at 10:00pm, my mom would make me cut my tv off but allowed my radio to be on. I would always stay up till early in the morning when the Braves were playing on the west coast. Skip was there day after day and game after game. As I entered High School the Braves were still in the middle of the greatest playoff run pro sports has seen. As I got older I really began to respect Skip and the other Braves broadcasters more and more. I think we had the best in the business. I also began to get more of the jokes and sarcastic things that made Skip who he is. He was a very clever broadcaster who could always keep you entertained no matter what the score was. I hated missing a Braves game because there was no telling what Skip may have said that I missed. After I graduated high school I went into broadcasting school and took up a high school writing position at a local newspaper. This was the point in my life where I really started paying attention to broadcasters and their styles. Skip had a style all to himself. There will never be another Skip Caray. When I got my first play by play job I tried to take all the positive things from broadcasters that I have learned from over the years. Skip use to give some occasional advice during broadcast and on his “ask Skip” segment. He made me realize that you don’t have to have an outstanding voice to make it. He mentioned that it was all about passion and being able to make someone feel as they were there. Skip was the greatest at that.

When I watch all the great calls he has had on tv I can still imagine I was there. I knew that as bad as I felt after getting knocked out the playoffs he felt the same. He was honest and always told it like it was. I always wanted to be able to tell Skip how much he meant to me. I wanted him to know he is the main reason why I became a broadcast journalist. I thought about writing a letter or e-mail, but I decided I would do it in person. I got to see Skip at fan fest. My friend Chris and I waited to the end of the autograph line so we would have a chance to really talk with him. Skip autographed his shirt and I never said anything to him about his influence on my life. I thought maybe it wasn’t the right time or it might sound corny or something. I sure wish I would have said something now! I will never ever forget Skip Caray and what he meant to both me and the city of Atlanta. I am grateful I am living in the “you tube” times. I can flip on a computer and hear his voice with only a few short clicks. We will be having a special Skip tribute of our own this weekend. It should be ready on Monday. Please feel free to leave you comments and special Skip moments of your own.

Here are some great places to hear other tributes to Skip:

Skip Caray Braves Video Tributes
Skip Caray Hawks Broadcast Highlights
Skip Caray Radio Tribute Braves Radio Network
Skip Caray Radio Tribute WSB

The Braves offense picked a great time to awaken for a year long slump. It could not have been a worse time for the bullpen to struggle though. Things on the injury front were starting to look up with the return of Hampton and Soriano plus Glavine not far behind. The lost on Sunday to me, means that the Braves should now start to put their focus on 2009. A possible trade of Texeria would mean possible filling some whole on the roster. Where do you turn though? The Braves have the best hitting catcher in baseball, a multi –time allstar at third base, young pitching in the starting rotation and 2 possible great closers in the bullpen. If Tex is gone, there will obviously be a whole at first base and also the cleanup spot. The Braves have a ton of talent in the minors and it is always refreshing to see the young guns. This series was one that could have built a ton of momentum. Instead the Braves loose 2 of 3 and see their all star catcher injured. Most people are scared of the word “rebuild” when it come to pro sports. For the Braves it is a different scenario. The nucleus will stay in tact. For those of you who think that the Braves should keep Tex and resign him, look at the Money that Andruw Jones got after having a very disappointing season. The Braves will always pride themselves in building from within. 2008 will go down as a year with ton of potential but an unreal amount of injuries and lack of clutch hitting. In reality the Braves, Marlins, and Phillies are only on good streak away from taking control of the division away from the Mets. Can this Braves team win 6 in a row or 8 out of 10? To me the answer is no. Win series and play 500% on the road are the keys to winning in the MLB. It was also the Braves calling card more the 90’s and early this decade. I welcome your thoughts on my comments and whether you think it is now time to be sellers and not buyers.

Bert’s Trivia Question of the Week

Last week:Who was the first DH in MLB history?

This week:What year did both leagues in MLB first count a foul ball as an official strike? 

This Week’s Question:Would went on the DL to allow Hank Aaron to be called up & what average did Aaron hit that season?

10. The Five Minute High Five In The Dugout

Some of the greatest feats in baseball has been done by the most gracious ball players.  Then you have a guy that gets a solo homer in the third inning in a six to nothing game and he acts like it was the end of the cold war.  That type of celebration is way too much!

9.  Time Of The Game

Baseball has taken some measures in correcting this problem.  I do not mind a one to nothing ballgame that takes two and a half hours.  I just hate the games that are prolonged by pitchers that take a tour of the mound after every pitch and batters adjusting their batting gloves and helmets even when they watch a pitch go by. (Nomar)

8.  The Shift

You can make all the changes in the world on defense but here is my opinion.  By doing that you are forcing your pitcher to throw the ball where the batter wants it.  Smart?  And it seems to me every time a grounder is hit it would be right at where the second baseman should already be at.

7.  New Ballparks

They are great, they look nice, they bring in a ton of money and they make baseball so different than most other sports.  They should not build them to specify one hitter on your team  This is one of the main reasons people want replay in baseball.  The walls are so different and they have such crazy angles and corners that even the umps don’t know what call to make.

6.  Pickoffs

Not the normal throw to first.  I hate the fake to third and fake to first move.  Can anyone remember the last time that worked?  If you fake to more than one base that should be a balk.

5. Schedules

I said before I think a third grader is in a dark room throwing darts at a schedule.  I say no more two game series and no more interleague.  You are taking away time with your respective league.  Not to mention the whole world series thing.4. All Star Game

4. All Star Game

Suppose to be an exhibition between the best in both leagues voted by the fans.  Then our friend Bud makes it count by awarding the winning league home field advantage in the world series.  If they end in another tie who gets it then Bud?  How about the winners get extra sunflower seeds in the dugout.  I know since the fans put the teams together give them something.  Obviously they did better putting a team together than over half of the general managers in their careers.

3.  Ticket Prices I say the real fan only makes about 30000 to 40000 a year.  Tickets for a good seat start at about thirty right here in Atlanta.  Don’t forget about parking and food prices.  If you out price yourself the game will look a lot better on that HDTV you got at your house.  Why charge more for the games on Friday and Saturday, are the teams going to put better players on the field than say Monday or Tuesday?  I can tell you no on that one especially in Atlanta.

2.  Day Night Doubleheader

Doubleheaders use to be the best thing in baseball, until lights and greedy owners came along.  The first game usually starts about twelve or one o’clock, everyone is at work so who is going to show up?  How about the real fan, yes the guy who cannot afford a good seat is usually in the nose bleed section screaming his lungs out on the close play at first.  Then you want to clear the stadium wait an hour or so and do it again and charge twice.  How about the first game be charged ten bucks and let it be a first come first serve on all seats and give a nice discount on the “nightcap.”  That may smooth things over with the average Joe.

1.    Designated Hitter

Since the start of the 1973 season I have hated this rule.  Well I would if I was alive since the start of it.  A team over pays for their star pitcher, he plays once every five days and he plays half of those games?  Oh yeah and to pick up that mess you have to pay millions for a guy to sit and drink water or Gatorade, stick gum on someone’s cap, light a teammates shoe lace on fire and finally come in and hit?  I always thought pitchers were athletes too.  Only in half of Major League Baseball!