The Atlanta Braves are definitely taking all necessary measures just in case they lose Greg Maddux after Tom Glavine had jumped ship. So they've gone out and traded Damian Moss for Russ Ortiz, who was a bust in the World Series last year. Then they went out today and signed the former Royals ace Paul Byrd. Another former Met. You know the Braves just love to bring in former Mets just to stick it to them. Mike Hampton, Matt Franco and now Paul Byrd.


[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: amazin12 ]

Y'know, I had been looking forward to the Braves drifting toward old, boring and uncompetitive status, with their geriatric pitching staff and limited money due to the AOL/Time-Warner fiasco. But this offseason, no team in baseball has done more to improve itself at this point than the Braves -- and they already were pretty damn good to begin with.

They acquired Mike Hampton for nothing, maybe a couple of shares of AOL stock -- all while managing to get the money-strapped Jeff Loria Marlins to pay a bunch of his salary. They got Russ Ortiz for the price of an over-aged rookie who'll be a one-season flash. Now they signed Paul Byrd, the only legit pitcher K.C. has had since, well, John Schuerholz ran the Royals and they had a young and healthy Bret Saberhagen.

I hope the Phillies can upgrade their pitching so the Braves don't run away with NL East.

Well CITT, Rob Neyer thinks the Braves must sign Maddux to have a first-place rotation, since Byrd looks fragile, Ortiz has a poor recent non-Pac Bell history, and Hampton... well, all we know for sure about him in '03 is that his butt will look great.

And they did. Maddux accepted arbitration with the Braves, which essentially binds him to the Braves for another year.

The word on espn.com is that the Braves will now shop one of the insurance pitchers they recently picked up. The AOL Braves are still looking to cut salary and keeping Maddux won't do much toward achieving that goal. I'm thinking they'll move Ortiz, because Hampton won't cost them much, with the Rocks and Baseball Fish paying much of his 2003 salary, and Hampton does have a much higher upside.

[quote]Originally posted by Charlie in the Trees:
I hope the Phillies can upgrade their pitching so the Braves don't run away with NL East.

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Well, I think Chuck Finley's still available.

I have no idea what they're doing. I wasn't too upset at losing Glavine since I sort of think his career has started its downward slide. I was a bit annoyed that Moyer re-signed with Seattle and Byrd chose Atlanta. And despite some media bluster early on, they don't seem to be remotely in the running for the Expos' Colon or Vazquez. They can't go into the season without better pitching.

In the cases of Glavine, Moyer and Byrd each time the local papers had articles which indicated that the Phils would be the ones to sign them, based on various factors. And another example of this occurred yesterday when Doug Glanville signed with Texas, a day after they reported that he was close to re-signing with the Phils as a backup. The bench is looking awfully thin as well.

Maybe the Phillies are going wih the Rangers approach to building a team... all you need is a good offense! Well, it didn't work the first time.....

The Braves have proven for 11 straight years now that all it takes is good pitching, even though they haven't had enough offense to win the WS. I wouldn't count out Byrd, Ortiz, or Hampton with Maddux resigned, and Mazzone as the pitching coach. I'm looking forward to a new, different Braves staff next year and another NL East crown!

[quote]Originally posted by MSUBulldog:

The Braves have proven for 11 straight years now that all it takes is good pitching...

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Pitching is never "all," as remarkable as their core staff has been... The Braves need to find increased offense in their lineup's weak spots, and both Joneses need to be healthy and productive. Less so if they manage to pry Colon or Vazquez from Montreal.

[quote]Originally posted by MSUBulldog:
The Braves have proven for 11 straight years now that all it takes is good pitching, even though they haven't had enough offense to win the WS.

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I think I said that, didn't I?

[quote]Originally posted by amazin12:
Russ Ortiz, who was a bust in the World Series last year.

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HUH?? Actually, it was Dusty Baker who was a bust for taking Ortiz out when he shoulda left him in. Giants fans would have MUCH preferred trading Livan and keeping Russ.