2009 MLB season discussion*

[Stiker]

Hughes to the bullpen to be the 7/8th inning guy, Wang to the rotation, starts tomorrow. CC on Thurs against the Rays. Will be interesting to see how that goes.

That's a little shocking. Guess I'll thank my lucky stars we get to dodge CC though.

[Cephius]

Yeah, especially if we win tonight, I could see that being a "giveaway" game. Girardi is prone to resting guys prior to a big series, and we have 4 at home against TB and then up to Boston for 3. It may just be a game to see what Wang can do while Arod/Jeter/Damon get a day off. If the Yanks don't win today they might all play, though.

[Akiyama]

So the Braves released Tom Glavine today. All I have to say is the Glavine back in Atlanta experience didn't go well. They were partially right with letting Smoltz go, but Glavine too? I think he could have still pitched. He did okay in the Minors while recovering. I wonder what changed? Frank Wren isn't making a smart choice here imo.

[Cephius]

I'm honestly surprised by that. You'd think they'd keep him around just because of what he's done for the organization. Maybe he asked to be released? Why would they just let him go without even giving him a start this year? Very odd. Not like the Braves rotation is terribly deep behind Lowe, either.

[Headspace]

Salary issues.

[Viq]

They were partially right with letting Smoltz go, but Glavine too?

Smoltz is pitching his 2nd to last (most likely) rehab start Friday night in Pawtucket. God bless the PawSox for not touching their ticket prices in years, because I'll be chilling 5 rows behind the Sox dugout for that game, and it still only cost $10.

[Cephius]

Just saw that the Braves traded fir Nate McLouth from the pirates, he's a really good looking Lefty CF. Guess that's why they let Glavine go?

[Akiyama]

Just saw that the Braves traded fir Nate McLouth from the pirates, he's a really good looking Lefty CF. Guess that's why they let Glavine go?

Wait. Wait. What? We traded for Nate McLouth? You're kidding me. There's no way in hell that the Pirates would deal him unless the Braves gave a ton in return.

News: McLouth has been traded to the Braves for Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke, according to an Atlanta team press release.

And it seems we did. Charlie Morton had strong promise, and I believe Gorkys Hernandez was obtained in the deal with Detroit that landed the Braves Jair Jurrjens. I haven't seen him play, but I thought he was pretty good. Either way.. I dunno. The Braves needed pop in the OF, McLouth? He's struggling average wise. Granted he has more HR than the entire OF in Atlanta combined, but still. I dunno.

[Bregor]

Makes sense for both teams, the Pirates have a lot of good young OFs in their system, and the Braves needed a star-caliber guy to offset the Frenchy Show in their OF. I don't think Atlanta gave up that much either, Morton doesn't project as a #1-2 type guy, and who knows what career path the other two will take. I think Gorkys is a decent toolsy prospect, never heard of the other guy.

Just kind of begs the question as to if/when the Braves will ever go into full rebuild mode, McLouth turns 28 in the offseason and you have to wonder if he'll be around the next time they sniff the NLCS/World Series.

[Akiyama]

Yeah, I dunno. His deal is up through 2011 with a 2012 option. Do the Braves resign him? 27 isn't that old, and I still think he can improve even more. I liked him during his breakout season, and I didn't think he was a one trick pony. Also no, this isn't me being a Braves fan talking. I never like giving up three or four prospects for a single player, but this deal just screams out.. I dunno, pretty damn good? Morton is a #4-5 guy down in AAA, Gorkys Hernandez is a speed/defensive guy, and I'm not familiar with the other pitcher.

Either way, also hearing Tommy Hanson is scheduled to come up Saturday against the Brewers. Not exactly the team you want to face as your first start.

[Bregor]

Either way, also hearing Tommy Hanson is scheduled to come up Saturday against the Brewers. Not exactly the team you want to face as your first start.

As long as I don't see this picture on the Yahoo fantasy sports front page another dozen times:

http://images.dailyradar.com/media/u...96_feature.jpg

I'm all for it.

[Akiyama]

Yeah, but I don't want to see the Braves calling Hanson up, only to say "Fuck, we did it too early" and send him back down if he struggled on a couple starts. The kid has to get used to the Majors, so don't send him back down. That's the worst thing you can do with a starting pitcher; bring him up to the Majors from AAA, then send him back down.

[Bregor]

Totally agree, I think it's like the Yankees situation right now. They have six major league quality starters and they're probably going to be shuffling them between the rotation, bullpen and AAA all season. Granted, it's a good problem to have as an organization, but it may play hurt Joba's and/or Hughes's chances of being a starter long-term if they're banished to middle relief this early in their careers.

[Ensam]

Locke has the most upside of the bunch. He's a power throwing lefty who needs to figure out his control. He probably becomes a #3-#4ish starter, but could break out to be an ace or be nothing more than a LOOGY. He's about a B, B- spec.

Gorkys isn't very special. He's a borderline starting CF, most likely becoming a 4th OFer cuz of his defense. He really has no power at all, with an ISO under .1 this year. He's about a C+ spec.

Morton is basically fucked in the head for lack of better words lol. Good stuff, no confidence. Could be a #2 starter, might not ever be able to handle it. Probably lands in the back of the rotation as #4ish starter.

Really not all that much given up by the Braves. AVG doesn't really matter much, .819 OPS and 117 OPS+, aswell as having 3 years after this year of control over him, that's a good trade for the braves.

[Reality]

The news was not accompanied by any trumpets blaring or an official proclamation issued by Mayor Daley. It was a simple announcement made after the White Sox loss to Oakland on Wednesday.

Gordon Beckham is coming to the Majors.

The White Sox top pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and the eighth pick overall will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Charlotte prior to Thursday afternoon's contest and infielder Wilson Betemit will be designated for assignment. Beckham figures to get his primary playing time at third base but will see time across the infield and even as a designated hitter.

One thing is for certain--the White Sox did not call up Beckham to sit on the bench. He has a .326 average with 23 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBIs in 45 combined games this season between Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte. Beckham has a .322 average in 59 career Minor League games.

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[Brill Weave]

Typical Pirates. The MLB farm team baby yeah.

[Melena]

so Johnson gets to try again (weather permitting) to get win 300 today. Little side note I read on espn mobile yesterday, if he beats washington, he will become the first 300 game winnner who also has beaten every major league team.

[fren.]

Holy fuck, Burnett gets suspended 6 games for throwing at Cruz and Padilla gets nothing.

[Stiker]

Just heard the following on the radio regarding fallout from the Rangers/Yankee game on Tuesday:

Padilla was given an undisclosed fine for pegging Tex twice and Burnett is suspended for 6 games for throwing at Cruz's head.

Not a Yankee fan in the least, but that is some bullshit.

[Melena]

Padilla should get six as well but Burnett is a little bitch. Didn't his get reduced to five anyways cause I remember boston did some rotation juggling so he wouldn't miss a start