Disqus - Latest Comments for grantmc

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

PWHjort — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:16:26 -0000

That'd be all of them. Seriously, are the Yankees ever NOT in on a big-time free agent?

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

jaqbaldwin — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:35:12 -0000

Deep down I think you're right. I just hate this kind of talk every free agent year. I wonder if it's because DOB has nothing better to right about with this bummer of an offseason so far.

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.

Re: Braves Set to Pick Up Vazquez

jaqbaldwin — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:43:04 -0000

Great observation, Grant. It's not an impact move but it's a move to get a proven starter who has remained healthy for years. I believe he'll be a #3 but with all the DL time we had last year, adding someone who most likely get us 30 starts will be very nice.

Re: Braves Set to Pick Up Vazquez

grantmc — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:58:56 -0000

It was a perfect time for the Braves to sell high on Flowers, as he was never a big part of the future plans. He has some power, but a decent season in the mid-minors and a good showing in the AFL are hardly cause to make him an untouchable. Vazquez = innings. His run in the NL represented the best years of his career, and the Braves have coveted him since 2003 when he was dealt to New York. This is not the impact move, but it puts the club in a place to assemble a much more sound rotation for 2009.

Re: Braves Set to Pick Up Vazquez

grantmc — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:32:40 -0000

Looks like the Braves will be keeping Reyes, giving up Flowers, Lillibridge, Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez.

Re: Lets Play a Little Game of “What If?”

grantmc — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:57:00 -0000

Looking forward to your posts here, so I will try to keep up. Winter Meetings should be a plenty to write about... let's hope.

Re: Tears of Joy

Grant — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:52:55 -0000

I guess after seven years, everyone deserves a day in the sun. Now can we get back to our regularly scheduled Braves baseball fun?

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Grant — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:51:26 -0000

I would boil it all down to one word: injuries.

This season has turned into a regular train wreck, and it's like I can't help but keep looking. Here's to retooling and reloading if it can be done this off-season. Could be a slow build to get back to October.

Check out my latest blog for more thoughts like yours.

Good stuff as always,
G-Mc

Re: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Grant — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:51:26 -0000