Disqus - Latest Comments for grantmc

Re: Padres, Braves Favorites For Jorge Cantu: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:07:28 -0000

I cringe every time I think about having McLouth on the roster.

Re: Quick Hits: Yankees, Bradley, Padres, Teheran: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 01:22:32 -0000

Apparently, no one has broken the story that any player at any age can decline. Oh, and get this, for a variety of reasons. After the initial shock wears off, I think there's a story here.

Re: AL East Notes: Jays, Soriano, Farnsworth, Arroyo: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:14:18 -0000

There are exceptions to every rule.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:34:30 -0000

Overall, he got rid of spare parts for a couple of players who could help for the stretch run. It's impossible to hang on to every piece of talent, so I guess it's time to wait and see what happens.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:47:06 -0000

Eventually you have to take potential in one hand and results in the other and decide what is important today and in the future. That happened with Escobar. He was abysmal with the bat this year and prone to mental lapses in the field on multiple occasions this year (and in the past). I wouldn't want to be in Wren's shoes and thinking a few years down the road, "We were so sure Escobar was the guy," and actually have been dead wrong. I like the move and I think the Braves will generate an internal longterm solution to SS whenever Gonzalez moves on. Not to mention the Collins and Pastornicky could well contribute in the future. Collins is unbelievable.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:41:37 -0000

"Below" payroll is a relative term. It's not like using a gift card approach to acquiring players each winter. Having some flexibility right about now could be a good thing. And yes, I'd rather be under payroll than paying Soriano upwards of $7mm to set-up Wagner.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:03:10 -0000

I'll take Wagner over Soriano, personally.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:01:33 -0000

What great sacrifices have they made? Farm system is intact, if not stronger from deals over the past year. Wren has also done a very good job of creating a playoff contender. I have a hard time seeing why anybody would be upset at the way this season is playing out thus far, but it's how you finish that will tell the tale.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:57:16 -0000

In order: No, NO, and NOOOOO.

Re: Reasonable Chance Of Braves Deal: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:44:32 -0000

Something off the radar seems most likely, but it's always nice to be surprised by something big and impactful.

Re: Baldelli To Sign Minor League Contract With Rays: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:45:35 -0000

The guy is 28 years old. Give him a break, it's not like he's Jim Palmer trying to come back with the Orioles in 1991. If he thinks there is still something to offer at his age, he's owes it to himself to find out now. Good for Rocco.

Re: Dodgers Notes: Ramirez, Belliard, Belisario: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:21:42 -0000

Last year, when it was reported that Manny's daily off-season regimen included playing video games and watching cartoons as Boras tried to find somebody to leverage against the Dodgers, I got a pretty good idea of just how seriously Manny takes the business of baseball. And hey, he got an extra 50 days worth of cartoons and games during the season. What a bonus!

Re: Johnny Damon Rumors: Wednesday: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:12:13 -0000

Melky would somehow become a cult hero like Vazquez has if he is traded away - because everyone will immediately hate whoever/whatever comes in return.

Everyone should be aware that Vazquez had a career-year but is still not a true ace. That term is and always has been relative. The chances of him repeating last season are extremely unlikely based on track record. He wasn't going to bring back a ridiculous bounty of prospects in a trade because baseball executives are aware of the fact that he is not Roy Halladay. That is an ace. A year ago, everyone was complaining that Wren acquired Vazquez to begin with. I'm just tired of hearing about it. The rotation looks good to me.

Re: Nationals, Dunn Talking Extension: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 01:39:23 -0000

My original question was a joke; 38 homers, 40 homers, who cares. The Nationals like his power and they want to keep him. I'm saying nothing changed since he signed there last year. He has never been much of a defender. Is every defensively challenged slugger over 30 years old only allowed to sign longterm deals in DH-land?

Re: Nationals, Dunn Talking Extension: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

grantmc — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:54:18 -0000

Now that he only hit 38 homers, the Nationals can't afford his defensive liability? It's not like anything has changed about his skill set since he signed with them a year ago.

Re: Norton Will Return To Anchor Bravos’ Bench

grantmc — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:57:24 -0000

A very good move to boost the reserve corps. Nice write-up.

Re: Perhaps the Braves Spoke to Soon…

grantmc — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:06:21 -0000

One word, "DEBACLE!"

Re: Welcome Back, Furcal

grantmc — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:37:17 -0000

If you've watched the same team I have, one without a lead-off hitter since Furcal left prior to 2006, then this move is anything but desperate or stupid. The Braves need a table-setter.

Re: If Smoltz Walks Out… He’s Taking My Battered and Bloody Heart With Him

grantmc — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:28:14 -0000

It's on these kinds of slow news days (and weeks) that one can always write a good piece about the next free-agent(s) would/could sign with the Yankees.

Re: If Smoltz Walks Out… He’s Taking My Battered and Bloody Heart With Him

grantmc — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:21:36 -0000

Hard to argue with Koufax. Too bad Clemens didn't take that route.

Re: If Smoltz Walks Out… He’s Taking My Battered and Bloody Heart With Him

grantmc — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:07:27 -0000

It would certainly be weird for John Smoltz to be pitching for any team other than the Braves next year, but I have a feeling it's going to work out for him to stay in Atlanta. I think the Braves will work out a deal that allows him to get back into the rotation and back to the business of carving up line-ups. I don't know if you saw the fun I had with photoshop on my Day 3: Winter Meetings blog on Smoltz. It might make you cry inside though! Bottom line, I think he will be staying.

Re: A Tribute To The Professor

grantmc — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:06:13 -0000

Would love to see Maddux get 100% of the vote - and he should. I feel sorry for the idiot(s) who will probably try to be "creative" with their vote and leave him off.

Re: Playing the Waiting Game

grantmc — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:16:17 -0000

Looks like things have heated up. Just sifted through a ton of it over on my page. There are alot of experts out there that seem to be thinking Smoltz is seriously considering moving on too? This day has been a complete downer.

Re: Winter Meetings Begin

grantmc — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:44:19 -0000

That A.J Burnett sweepstakes is certainly getting a little more crazy. If the Braves end up in a bidding war for his services, I'd say allow him to go elsewhere and work on a secondary pitcher. This may not be a win-now-year for Atlanta, although we'd all like it to be.

Outfield wise, you know Jermaine Dye is my pick, but I'm kind of doubting it happens for a number of reasons. I'm thinking there will be an off the radar move that fills this void. But there are a number of free agents who could be a good one year fix and allow the Braves to make a more significant move next year. Wren won't even mess with Burrell or Dunn in all likelyhood.

Definitely hope the Braves are able to bring back Norton. One would think his price could not be any higher than that of super sub Mark Loretta. Seems like Furcal is going to be a pricey signing wherever he goes, which may just be back to the Dodgers.

As far as the pen goes, I think Ohman's return - or maybe taking a look at Joe Biemel - would be a good move. But after last year, I expect very little in the way of performance from Rafael Soriano. Of course, his walk year is a big deal for his career and his next contract.

Re: Burnett Likely A Brave Sooner Than Later

grantmc — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:41:32 -0000

One of the things I think gets lost in the shuffle with Lowe is that he likely wants to sign with an immediate winner. And that's not to say the Braves can't win - it's just to say that if he has the choice of joining a team coming off the post-season in 2008 (ie. the Red Sox) then he would look to sign there in what will likely be the last contract of his career. Frankly, despite his solid work in L.A. with the Dodgers, Lowe is not a staff ace. And he's not getting any younger. I like Burnett for the 4-years with a vesting. He is an impact arm.