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Notes from reporting day
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Topic Started: Feb 14 2008, 09:04 PM (374 Views)
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Murph2TheHall
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Feb 14 2008, 09:04 PM
Post #1
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Da Boss
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Got this off Dave O's blog on ajc.com
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Out of options: Cox said things could get “interesting” in a few position battles that include players out of minor league options.
Here are the ones you folks should keep in mind, the relevant out-of-options players who I’m guessing could be traded if the Braves don’t plan to keep them on the 25-man roster: relievers Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop and lefty Royce Ring; first baseman Scott Thorman, and catcher/utility man Brayan Pena.
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Mohawks, briefly: Three Braves pitchers — towering Aussie Phil Stockman, Hawaii native Tyler Yates, and young Jo-Jo Reyes — attended their first hockey game Saturday when they saw the Thrashers play at Philips Arena. They loved it.
They were apparently so caught up in the excitement, all three decided to get Mohawk haircuts at a booth set up at the arena by a hair-salon chain.
But when they got down here to camp, Yates was the only one who still had the Mohawk. Stockman had trimmed his hair to a military-length buzz and Reyes had his shaved.
Yates kept his for one day at Dark Star on Wednesday, but made sure he kept his Braves cap on the entire time he was at the ballpark, for fear Cox would see the haircut. On Thursday, Yates showed up with a shaved dome.
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Bennett loses weight, gains options: Actually, Jeff Bennett hasn’t gained any minor-league options. He already had two remaining, contrary to some reports.
There was confusion in some quarters this winter about his options status. It was reported he was out of them. He’s not. Has two left.
That means if Hampton were healthy and, say, Jair Jurrjens or Chuck James outpitched Bennett for the final rotation spot, the Braves could have Bennett start the season as a long reliever — or as a starter at Class AAA Richmond.
In fact, since he has two options they could do the same thing in 2009. They don’t have to worry about exposing him to waivers before sending him down.
Of course, that’s not how Bennett’s thinking entering spring training.
He pitched great for Richmond in the postseason last year (2-0, 1.04 ERA in three Governors Cup starts), went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three games (two starts) for Atlanta in a September callup, then pitched extremely well in four of his six starts in the Venezuelan Winter League.
He’s 27 now, and worked hard to drop 60 pounds since early last season, down to 210, including 15 pounds trimmed since September due largely to his chicken-and-rice diet in Venezuela.
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HeidiHavoc
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Feb 14 2008, 10:28 PM
Post #2
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High A Myrtle Beach
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Thanks for the update. I'm so excited that baseball season will be back soon!
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So say hello to all the boys at the top of this table that your under Lipstick lullabies This is sorry for the last time ~Mayday Parade
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ttiger2004
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Feb 14 2008, 11:37 PM
Post #3
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Manager
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If Murph won't mind, I am going to add, this little tid bit I found on AJC.com to go with Notes from Reporting Day.
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"I think the potential is unbelievable," Yates said. "If Moylan puts up any kind of year like he did last year, then Acosta and Soriano — those three guys are studs. Then if Gonzo gets back ..."
Yates said if Ohman can neutralize some potent left-handed hitters in the NL East, the Braves' bullpen will be more formidable.
When you see guys talking like that, they see the potential that they have to be possibly the best. Even Yates thinks Acosta is going to make the team, now that is speaking highly of this kid.
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Bennett said he's noticed how much easier it is to pitch with his improved physique, but said he's glad he got plump for a period, because the girth forced him to shorten his delivery.
"I was too long in my mechanics before when I was skinny," said the right-hander, who's maintained his new delivery while losing weight.
"I'm gonna try my best to get that starting spot," Bennett said. "But whatever Bobby needs me to do, I'm gonna do it, without any questions. There's definitely a [rotation] spot open, though."
Love this guy's attitude. He has two options left, so if he don't make it, we can send him back down but I think he has a goal and purpose this spring training, to make the big club.
Bobby did some walking throught the clubhouse and it was like certain guys never left, such as Tommy and Javy.
I am starting to get excited for spring training and the games that come with it.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/02/14/braves_0215.html
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Braves N 10
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Feb 15 2008, 01:26 PM
Post #4
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The Show
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- Quote:
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Out of options: Cox said things could get “interesting” in a few position battles that include players out of minor league options.
Here are the ones you folks should keep in mind, the relevant out-of-options players who I’m guessing could be traded if the Braves don’t plan to keep them on the 25-man roster: relievers Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop and lefty Royce Ring; first baseman Scott Thorman, and catcher/utility man Brayan Pena.
That quote got me thinking, what would we get in return none of those players are really worth anything at this time.
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 BRAVES FOREVER
YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU ARE TALKING TO ME.
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ttiger2004
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Feb 15 2008, 08:05 PM
Post #5
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Manager
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It seems some of the position players have shown up early, namely Frenchy and Kotsay. Both look in good shape. I think these guys mean business. Everyone has added upper body strength this off season.
Hampton and Smoltz threw off the mound today. That is a good sign. Glavine reported to camp, he was the first one in the clubhouse and got right to work.
I found something interesting in DOB's blog, when Glavine was doing an interview session.
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Glavine said if the Braves hadn’t been interested in bringing him back this season, he would have retired.
Smart move Frank Wren to bring Tommy back.
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Kotsay, Frenchy here: Most or all of the Braves’ outfield is here, after new center fielder Mark Kotsay and Jeff Francoeur reported and suited up this morning, six days before position players are required to report.
Left fielder Matt Diaz was the first non-catching position player in camp, arriving three days ago (but he lives just down the road).
Both Kotsay and Francoeur appear to be in outstanding condition. Francoeur, as I noted earlier, has added about 10-15 pounds of muscle, and it’s evident in the way he feels out his uni. Kotsay is about the same as I remembered him years ago when he was with the Marlins, except for the full beard (which I’d imagine won’t last long, since John Smoltz is the only one that gets away with that.)
(Well, sort of. Brian McCann grows his during the season, so it’s not really noticed. Next thing you know, he has a full beard and no one says anything. But I saw McCann with a beard yesterday, too.)
If Kotsay is in outstanding condition, just imagine what we are going to have in this lineup. From 1-8, we could be potent. Then our bench could be equally just as strong. Infante is in camp also. Cast on the hand, he is working out. Love our guys. Reporting early. They definitely mean business.
Looking at the pictures on AJC.com, Javy looks good too.
DOB posted this at 11:57 am. Got to love the attitude of our guys.
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Just asked Smoltz if he had any preferences for rotation order and if he thought he knew what Bobby would do. Smoltz said it’s a “no-brainer” that Hudson gets the opening day nod, said because of where Hudson’s at in his career, the year he had in ‘07, etc.
Smoltz said he’s past caring about opening day assignments and doesn’t care where he’s slotted, and he actually sounded like he meant it.
HAMPTON threw off mound today, faced a few hitters (Kotsay, Corky Miller, Huddy). He’s gonna do everything other pitchers are doing except PFP (pitchers’ fielding practice), which he’ll ease into over next week or so.
Hampton said he thinks there’s “very good” chance he’ll be in rotation when Grapefruit League season starts, that his arm feels great, only issue is making sure they don’t overdo the hammy.
I also asked him about fact that most people say they’d be thrilled if he made 20 starts, that plenty believe he won’t pitch at all, and what his own goals were in terms of starts.
He said, “30 to 32, normal. Whether they slot me in the third of fourth spot, whatever, my plan is to take my turn every fifth day.
“With the things I’ve done the past two years, I should be able to make that. I feel strong.”
Good point about Hampton. When he came back a year ago, the arm never felt right, but he and Braves assumed it was just scar tissue breaking up that forced him to abort that instructional league start previous fall. Actually it was a tendon tearing away from bone near the elbow….
Anyway, there is more reason this spring to hope, at least. I’ll still believe it when I see it with him, just because of the long list of injuries.
Kotsay looked fine, no sign of back issues when he was at the plate or running. I asked and he said absolutely no restrictions on what he can do, whether lifting, running, etc. He said he feels good, no problems.
When he came into the clubhouse, bunch of us were talking to Hudson, and Hudson joked to Kotsay: “They’re waiting with that cortisone shot for your back that you asked about.”
Kotsay laughed and said, “Good. I can’t miss any games this year.”…
Oh, one more thing: I asked Cox if anyone had caught his eye today, and he mentioned how great Charlie Morton’s stuff was. When I asked if Charlie might be a candidate for the bullpen, or if the Braves believe he needs to be in a rotation, Cox said in his opinion he needs to keep starting because eventually he sees him being an impact guy in the Braves rotation.
In other words, don’t expect him to be a bullpen candidate this spring. He’ll begin the season in a minor league starting rotation.
Some good stuff there guys. Nice to know we will have another young stud coming up.
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/02/15/with_glavine_ba.html
Sorry for the length but 1st full day of training camp, just some good and interesting stuff, didn't want to miss anything.
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Braves N 10
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Feb 15 2008, 11:36 PM
Post #6
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The Show
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Oh Oh Hammy sounds good im telling ya (will contiue to tell you too:)) is going to be key this year. Sounds good that kotsay is going good also. So far so good.
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