Derek Lowe Gets DUI

"The Georgia State Patrol says Atlanta Braves pitcher Derek Lowe has been charged with drunken driving. State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright says a trooper stopped the 37-year-old Lowe's vehicle about 10 p.m. Thursday on an Atlanta street.

Wright says that during the course of the traffic stop, the trooper detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and administered a field sobriety test and Lowe was arrested. Wright says Lowe declined to take a breath test. He says Lowe was charged with DUI, reckless driving and improper lane change. He was released, and Wright didn't know if Lowe had an attorney (WEEI)."

From his time time the Sox this shouldn't be all that shocking, there were always rumors about Lowe having a drinking problem, and being very hungover on days he wasn't pitching. The Braves organization has had a rough week, they already had a coach making homophobic remark and scaring kids, and now you have one of your top pitcher getting a DUI. I doubt much will come of this, but it's just another distraction.

Here's A Quick Way To Get Fired

"Justin Quinn, 33, of Fresno said he was in the stands at AT&T Park in San Francisco during pregame batting practice with his wife and 9-year-old twin daughters when he noticed Roger McDowell (Atlanta Braves pitching coach) hectoring three men and asking them, "Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?"

Quinn said McDowell proceeded to make crude sexual gestures with his hips and a bat.

Quinn, who was down in front of the field, then shouted, "Hey, there are kids out here," he said during a news conference at the Los Angeles office of noted attorney Gloria Allred.

Quinn alleged that the coach replied that kids don't belong at a baseball park, picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, "How much are your teeth worth (ESPN)?"

Wow. I mean there is dumb, and then there is this. Did he really think that no one would complain about him making these remarks and gestures? Then on top of that say you are going to knock a fans teeth out that is at the game with his kids. Jesus, this guy had to been drunk or something. Either way, he should probably be suspended for the rest of the season, because that is so way over the line that I just don't see how he could ever justify it. The league shouldn't even have to step in here, the Braves should get rid of him ASAP, because this is a black eye to the entire organization.

"How much are your teeth worth" is a great line though...

MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves

2010 record: 91-71

Offense:
Projected Lineup
LF Martin Prado
CF Nate McLouth
3B Chipper Jones
2B Dan Uggla
C Brian McCann
RF Jason Heyward
SS Alex Gonzalez
1B Freddie Freeman

I like the line up a lot especially with the addition of Dan Uggla, he will provide a lot of power and protection for Jayson Heyward. I don't expect Chipper Jones to be who he was but I like the upside of Freddie Freeman. Although Heyward, Jones and Freeman are wildcard, if they click this could be a very solid line up.

Pitching:
RHP Tim Hudson
RHP Derek Lowe
RHP Jair Jurrjens
RHP Tommy Hanson
LHP Mike Minor

Tim Hudson won't have the same year he had last year. No way, I refuse to believe it. Derek Lowe did improve in his 2nd season as a Brave but even if he's solid, I don't expect him to be a make or break guy. Tommy Hanson is the guy I'm most excited about as he can take claim as ace of the staff this year. He had a 3.3 era last year and I expect him to improve on that. Jurrjens and Minor are both question marks, but with decent upside. Jurrjens struggled with injuries last year, but is only 1 year removed from his excellent 2009 season (2.60 ERA, 215 IP). If healthy, he should at least be an above average starter.

Overall:
I like the Braves, unfortunately they are in the same division as the Phillies who are already in the World Series. I think they take a small step back just because they will have to play against Cliff Lee a couple of games.

88-74

TOP 25 UNDER 25 - #8 Jason Heyward

JASON HEYWARD - Right Fielder, Atlanta Braves



Number 8 on the list comes to us via Major League Baseball which, much like the NBA, is going through a bit of a resurgence of young talent. The Jeters and ARods of the world are getting older and perhaps at the forefront of the influx of young talent is our next guy on the list - Jason Heyward. Some may see him as a bit too high on this list, but based on his potential and what he was able to do already in MLB I think he is deserving of the spot.

Baseball scouts began to take notice of Heyward as a young 1st baseman at Henry County High School, about 30 miles south of Atlanta, GA. Prior to that he was a young standout in youth travel leagues in the Atlanta area. He played so much baseball as a youngster that his father left his engineering job and became a consultant so he could set his own schedule around Jason's baseball games and practices. (Good move, old man.) The Atlanta Braves made Heyward their first selection in the 2007 MLB draft, #14 over all.




Heyward tuned up minor league pitchers from the jump, and it was painfully evident that he was just cooling his heels and biding his time before Atlanta made the call for him to join the big club. That call finally came after Heyward secured the Opening Day job in Right Field, in what should be his spot for the next decade or so.

Heyward burst on the scene in Atlanta in the most prolific way imaginable. I'm pretty sure the Atlanta tv guys had orgasms in the booth as they witnessed his first ever big league at-bat. (Sorry you can't hear the TV call...MLB sucks like that)
Check it out...

"Welcome to the show..." indeed! *Apologies for the "home video".*
(I'll say it again...MLB really needs to stop being youtube Nazis! They wonder why they're having trouble growing the game and spreading into urban areas. NBA, NFL, NHL all embrace the youtube generation while baseball remains crusty.)

You gotta love when someone steps up and delivers on all the hype, and Heyward did that and some as a rookie in 2010. If I told you that throughout the season Heyward would battle through knee and thumb injuries and spent the month of June hitting .181 you would probably assume that his rookie season was a disaster. Yet, that couldn't be any further from the truth. He finished the year with a robust .277 average - very respectable considering it was his first look at big league pitching - and a .456 slugging and a .393 OBP. His numbers in the 2nd half got even better. After the break he hit .302 and had an OPS of .876. All that was good for runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year Award (Buster Posey). Had he not spent some time on the 15 day DL in the middle of the summer, Heyward would likely have been the winner. He did however, win the Baseball America Rookie of the Year and was also named to the Topps All-Rookie team.

Heyward, has drawn comparisons to players like Ken Griffey Jr and even Hank Aaron for his 5 tool ability and the way he sprays line drives all over the field. He has a chance to be among those ranks when his career is all said and done. He only needs to avoid the injuries that held Griffey back from being a Top 5 all-time player. His ceiling is THAT high. In the next decade or so baseball fans should be hearing plenty from Mr. Heyward, and Atlanta fans are hoping that he can help usher in the next great era in Braves baseball. At just 21 years old he definitely has time on his side.

Fredi Gonzalez Taking Over For A "Legend"

The Atlanta Braves are hiring fired Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez for the wife beater and highly overrated Braves coach/gimic Bobby Cox.

Gonzalez was a minor league manager in the Braves organization and did an apprenticeship as Cox's third-base coach from 2003-06. He still lives in suburban Atlanta, remained tight with Cox and frequently turned up at Turner Field after being dumped by the Marlins.

I like Gonzalez and feel like he got unfairly fired in Florida, and he will do a decent job for Atlanta. However, as long as the Phillies are in the East I don't see Atlanta taking them out.

Did I mention I hate Bobby Cox.

Chipper Jones Not Retiring

Earlier in the year Chipper Jones came out and said this was most likely his last year, but he seems to have changed his mind...

"I don't want the last memory of me to be laying out behind third base. On top of that, I was playing really well and I was swinging the bat really well. I was healthy and I was running the bases good. My frame of mind was really focused. I just want to keep going," said the 38-year-old.

I don't blame him. He has had a great career and that's not the way he wants to see it end. Plus this is a very good, and young team, so most likely they will be in it again next year.

Jones has two years remaining on his deal and is guaranteed to make $13MM for each of those seasons, which probably didn't hurt his decision to come back.

MLB Playoff Recaps

3 Giants, 2 Braves (Giants win series 3-1)

I'm glad Bobby Cox the wife beater didn't advance to the next round. He deflects questions, he makes excuses and is/ was the most overrated coach in the MLB for some time. In fact his last game as a manager he decided to leave Derrick Lowe high and dry as he was pitching no hit ball until the seventh when he ran into some trouble. The Giants showed some class as they tipped their caps to the retiring manager. Now we can all look forward to the Phillies/ Giants pitching duel starting with Roy Halladay vs Tim Lincecum.

So far all my predictions are on pace.

The Yankees beat up the Twins in the second sweep in 2 years.

And the Rays/ Rangers go to game 5 with David Price vs Cliff Lee.

MLB Playoff Recaps: Tim Lincecum Is Alright At Baseball

1 San Fransisco, 0 Atlanta Braves

Tim Lincecum pitched a two-hitter and struck out 14 in a dominating postseason debut, and the Giants scored their only run after a questionable umpiring call to beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 in Game 1 of their NL division series Thursday night.

Cody Ross singled in the only run Lincecum needed in the fourth after Buster Posey was called safe by umpire Paul Emmel on a steal of second. Which was a questionable call at best.

6 Texas, 0 Rays
Big Game James was anything but on Thursday as he let up 4 runs in 4 innings pitched as the Rangers coasted for the 2nd win in this series. CJ Wilson pitched a heck of a game for the Rangers going 6.2 letting up 2 hits, 0 runs and striking out 7. The Rays are not going to be able to recover and if Matt Garza has one of those inconsistent games, they will be in huge trouble.

5 Yankees, 2 Twins
The Yankees won again. Carl Pavano lost.

Braves Close To Trading For Derrek Lee

CSN Chicago is reporting that the Cubs and Braves are close to a deal that would send first baseman Derrek Lee to the Braves, who are seeking a bat to make up for the loss of Chipper Jones.

This has a lot more to do with the poor play for Troy Glaus then it does with the injury to Chipper Jones. Glaus can no longer play 3rd on a regular basis, so if Lee comes over he will be splitting time with Glaus. In my opinion both these guys suck, and there won't be much of a difference.

Chipper Jones Career Might Be Over

Chipper Jones will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. He had said earlier in the year that he would retire at the end of the year. If he sticks to that obviously his career is over. I think he will, and I really feel bad that his great career is going to end this way. I always have a lot of respect for any player that sticks with 1 team for their entire career. If this is the end, here are his career stats...

.306 BA 436 HRS 1,491 RBIs .405 OBP.

Think he'll get in to the Hall of Fame? Because I think of him as a Hall of Famer.

Florida Marlins Fire Manager Fredi Gonzalez

Well, Hanley must be happy..

The Florida Marlins have fired manager Fredi Gonzalez, bench coach Carlos Tosca and hitting coach Jim Presley. The Marlins are having a bit of a tough season with a 34-36, but I don't know what the Marlins can really expect from a team that has the 6th lowest payroll in the MLB, but I guess that is more then they usually spend. Florida was 87-75 and finished 2nd in the NL East.

The Marlins have a lot of the pieces to be a good team, so maybe this little shakeup will get them going. The team said Edwin Rodriguez had been named interim manager, with Brandon Hyde and John Mallee the interim bench and hitting coaches.

Don't feel too bad for Gonzalez, as he spent 5 seasons as a coach for the Braves, including 4 seasons as third base coach. He is reported to have remained a favorite of the Braves organization and could receive strong consideration as the replacement for Bobby Cox, who is retiring after this season.

Chipper Jones To Retire

Reports are coming out that Chipper Jones will announce later today that he will retire at the conclusion of this season. Chipper is now 38 years old, and only has 3 HRs on the season. He has been an incredible player for the Braves and will be missed, but I think he is doing the right thing here.

The question now is whether or not Chipper Jones is a Hall of Famer. I am kind of on the fence in this one. So, I turn the question to you guys...

Is Chipper Jones a Hall of Famer?

2010 MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves

2009 Record: 86-76

Lineup:
CF Nate McLouth
2B Martin Prado
3B Chipper Jones
1B Troy Glaus
C Brian McCann
SS Yunel Escobar
RF Jason Heyward
LF Matt Diaz or Melky Cabrera

This team is ancient in the middle of the order. Chipper Jones had an awful second half of the year and you really have to question what he has left in the tank. Heyward is the future, and he had a huge spring, but still he is very young and is going to have his up and downs. Brian McCann has made the All-Star team each of his four full seasons in the majors, the first Brave to do that, but I just don't trust this lineup. The players are either too young or too old to be a serious contender.

Pitching:
RHP Derek Lowe
RHP Jair Jurrjens
RHP Tommy Hanson
RHP Tim Hudson
RHP Kenshin Kawakami

Closer:
RHP Billy Wagner

I like this rotation a lot, and in the NL that can be a huge difference. Lowe needs to have a bounce back year, but I think he will be very solid. Hanson is one of the best young arms in the majors, and Jair Jurrjens is up there too (though no one talks about him). The Braves return four starters from a rotation that led the majors with a 3.52 ERA last season, but they lost Javier Vazquez, who was last year’s ace with his 15 wins and 2.87 ERA. Still, this rotation should be very good. The thing that worries me is their bullpen. They lost Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, but signed Saito and Wagner. At best this could be a push, but I think they took a huge step back. Wagner is really old, and so is Saito. Plus Saito's arm is hanging by a thread. All that that would make me very worried if I was a Braves fan.

Overall:

I like their rotation, and that will keep them in it, but there are just too many questions in their lineup and bullpen for me to make them a playoff team.

2010 Record: 82-80

Interesting Rumor: Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon got offered a 1 year, 4.5 million dollar deal from the Atlanta Braves. It's interesting because I think it's the most money Johnny Damon can get, but I don't know if he'll be able to hold up as an everyday OF in the NL.

I will assume some AL team will offer him a similar contract and he'll go there, but Johnny Damon is this years idiot Boras client. He has came off as a money hungry asshole. Sometimes Boras can kill a clients credibility and I'm glad it happened to Johnny Damon. Fucking Judas.

Yankees Acquire Javier Vazquez

The New York Yankees have acquired right-hander Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Melky Cabrera and left-hander Mike Dunn, sources told ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney.

The Braves also are sending right-hander Boone Logan to the Yankees, sources said, and the Yankees are sending the Braves $500,000 in the transaction. ESPN

We have already seen this movie before. Vazquez pitched for the Yankees in 2004, when he went 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA. I like Javier, I do, but he isn't going to be successful in New York. You can't argue with a rotation of CC, Burnett, Pettite, and now Vazquez, but I feel New York made this move to make a move.

Rafael Soriano To Red Sox

"Right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano surprised the Braves on Monday night when he accepted arbitration. Under the rules, he is now committed to a one-year contract. If the sides can't agree to a deal, a three-person panel would determine his salary. Because Soriano made $6.1 last season and pitched well, he will get a raise and make between $7-$8 million next season.

This is a problem for the Braves, who spent $10.2 million to sign Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito for their bullpen. They can't afford to have $17 or $18 million tied up with three relievers. Soriano can't be traded without his permission before June 15. But GM Frank Wren has made it clear that he wants to make a deal. "That's the thing about having good players — when you have good players, you can trade them," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The Red Sox were interested in Soriano as a free agent. Now that he is not, perhaps they could try and work a trade (Boston.com)."

I thought this idea was dead once he took arbitration, but it seems like this still might get done. Atlanta does not want to pay him that much for next season, but the Sox certainly would. A bullpen that has Bard, Soriano Okajima and Papelbon would be very solid. I don't think the Sox would have to give up that much in this deal, since Atlanta is so willing to trade him. It'll be interesting to see if this story develops.

Braves Sign Saito

"New Braves closer Billy Wagner has a new set-up man. It's former Sox teammate Takashi Saito. He agreed today on a one-year deal worth $3 million. Given the season-to-season inconsistency of relievers, Saito should be fairly easy to replace and is not a great loss (Boston.com)."

This might not be a terrible thing for the Sox. I don't think most people thought he would be back, and most likely this means the Braves know they are going to lose relievers like Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez, both of whom I am sure the Sox will take a look at.

Braves Sign Wagner

The Atlanta Braves reportedly have landed Billy Wagner to be their new closer.

FoxSports.com says that Wagner, who finished last season with the Boston Red Sox, has reached preliminary agreement on a one-year, $7 million deal with a vesting option for 2011. ESPN

I don't know if the asking price was too much, or he wasn't interested in being a set up man, but I really liked Billy Wagner last year for the Sox even though I was very skeptical of him at first. With the Sox losing Wagner, and potentially Saito, they better start making moves soon. Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano are both available from ATL, we should probably sign them both so we can focus on more important things like offense and getting Roy Halladay.


BMack's Take:


"The Atlanta Braves have reached agreement on a one-year contract with veteran reliever Billy Wagner pending a physical exam, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com. The deal, which was first reported by FoxSports.com, will pay Wagner $7 million in 2010 and includes a $6.5 million vesting option for 2011 (ESPN)."

This is great news. Wagner wants the chance to close, and Atlanta has signed him in case they can't bring back Rafael Soriano (which I am not sure they can), but the real reason I love this is for the Sox. Boston will now receive a first-round draft pick plus a supplemental pick as compensation, since they offered Wagner arbitration. Once again the Sox are doing a good job of stock piling young talent. It probably won't pay off for 3-4 years, but we could look back at this and think of what a steal it was to get Wagner from the Mets (poor Mets).

Atlanta Gives Hudson 3 Year Deal

"Tim Hudson agreed to a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, giving the team a wealth of starting pitching and setting up a likely trade to bolster the offense. Hudson could have returned to the Braves under a $12 million mutual option, but the two sides focused on a longer deal after the right-hander showed he had overcome major elbow surgery. They worked out an agreement through 2012, with a club option for 2013. Financial terms were not immediately available, but the sides were thought to be discussing a contract between $9 million and $10 million a season (ESPN)."

Tim Hudson is an injury concern and he is starting to get older, but I still don't think this is a terrible deal for the Braves. They have a lot of solid pitching now, and they might be able to move some of it to bolster that terrible offense. The Braves apparently think he is healthy enough now, and it is just so hard to get good pitching that I think they had to at least give this a shot...

Bobby Cox To Retire After 2010 Season

"After 50 years in baseball, Bobby Cox figured the only way he would ever give up managing was to pick a specific time and announce it publicly. So that's what he did Wednesday, revealing his plans to retire as manager of the Atlanta Braves after next season. Now comes the hard part: sticking to it.

"There is a little bit of relief once you come to grips with announcing it," Cox said. "I've never lost the love to manage, period. But you have to make a decision. At my age, you have to make a decision. Somebody a little younger can start up (Sportsline)."

Bobby Cox has had a hell of a career and I always respect a guy who coaches the same team for this long. I really hope somehow the Braves can make the playoffs next year (thought that looks unlikely). Anyways, Cox is a Hall of Famer with his 14 consecutive postseason appearances (1991-2005) and the 1995 World Series title. He should have won more titles, but in the end it is impressive to have your team in the playoffs every year.