Why Not Cliff Lee?

[Snaggletiger]

Okay Braves fans.  Why have I heard no talk of Atlanta trying to lure Cliff Lee to The Ted?  They're in first and it looks like they'll at least stay in contention over the long haul.  I don't know if the Braves are even in the market for landing someone before the trade deadline, but I never see their name mentioned when there's talk of who Lee will wind up with.  He was instrumental in putting the Phillies in the Series last year and I do believe he would fit nicely in a rotation of:

Tim Hudson
Derrick Lowe
Tommy Hanson
Cliff Lee

I'd much prefer them to get a bona fide #1 guy to finish the season than trying to find a stick.  Anyone heard anything?

[Thrilla]

Not one mention of it in any Atlanta papers or newscasts.  In fact, I haven't heard about them going after anybody "big name".   

[chinook]

braves perspective:  they don't need a pitcher.  they have a fantastic rotation plus they have several prospects on the farm.  of coarse, major money is involved when bringing in a guy like lee short term and / or long term.

any deal the braves make will be sending an infielder for an outfielder.  

please note:  i'm only a fantasy baseball expert.  

[GH2001]

braves perspective:  they don't need a pitcher.  they have a fantastic rotation plus they have several prospects on the farm.  of coarse, major money is involved when bringing in a guy like lee short term and / or long term.

any deal the braves make will be sending an infielder for an outfielder.  

please note:  i'm only a fantasy baseball expert.  

See - I was thinking just opposite. I think we need another pitcher to get the full 'lock down' rotation. We'd be untouchable. Let the O score enough runs to win. Just like the Braves of old.

[Snaggletiger]

See - I was thinking just opposite. I think we need another pitcher to get the full 'lock down' rotation. We'd be untouchable. Let the O score enough runs to win. Just like the Braves of old.

The Braves of old always evaluated at mid-season and tried to go out and land the big bat or a big time arm.  With this season, I think they have enough hitting to carry them.  A big stick would help but Cliff Lee would virtually guarantee getting this team to a penant or at the very least, the wildcard.  If they got him, we may never have to see Danielsan Fujito Kawakakamahuro again. Oh, and I left out Jurgens, who just got back.  That's 5 bad azzez taking the mound.

[GH2001]

The Braves of old always evaluated at mid-season and tried to go out and land the big bat or a big time arm.  With this season, I think they have enough hitting to carry them.  A big stick would help but Cliff Lee would virtually guarantee getting this team to a penant or at the very least, the wildcard.  If they got him, we may never have to see Danielsan Fujito Kawakakamahuro again. Oh, and I left out Jurgens, who just got back.  That's 5 bad azzez taking the mound.

Zack Lee

[chinook]

The Braves of old always evaluated at mid-season and tried to go out and land the big bat or a big time arm.  With this season, I think they have enough hitting to carry them.  A big stick would help but Cliff Lee would virtually guarantee getting this team to a penant or at the very least, the wildcard.  If they got him, we may never have to see Danielsan Fujito Kawakakamahuro again. Oh, and I left out Jurgens, who just got back.  That's 5 bad azzez taking the mound.

i don't disagree about the braves of old or bringing in lee, but you no longer have the presence of buffalo ted nor the braves being america's team.  in addition, "the ted" isn't selling 40k plus tickets for each game. the revenue needs to be there and salary room made to bring in a guy like lee.  plus, hudson and lowe will stay with the braves through their lofty contracts...plus no one in mlb wants those aging arms.  

i still think the braves will deal an infielder for a bat.  

i'll disagree about the bats.  they still need someone and get matt diaz back on track.  the braves pitching is ranked 4th or 5th in the majors.  

[Snaggletiger]

Here's the breakdown.  Kawanakamura Tikashi at $7.3?  Holy crap.

Derek Lowe $15,000,000
Chipper Jones $13,000,000
Tim Hudson $9,000,000
Kenshin Kawakami $7,333,667
Billy Wagner $6,750,000
Brian McCann $5,666,667
Nate McLouth $5,000,000
Takashi Saito $3,200,000
Melky Cabrera $3,100,000
Matt Diaz $2,500,000
Omar Infante $2,225,000
Troy Glaus $1,750,000
David Ross $1,600,000
Edward Salcedo $1,600,000
Peter Moylan $1,150,000
Eric Hinske $1,000,000
Scott Proctor $750,000
Eric O'Flaherty $440,000
Martin Prado $440,000
Tommy Hanson $435,000
Jesse Chavez $415,000
Kris Medlen $407,500
Jason Heyward $400,000
Brooks Conrad $400,000
Jorge Campillo $400,000
Yunel Escobar $400,000
Jair Jurrjens $400,000
James Parr $400,000
Jo-Jo Reyes $400,000
Melky Cabrera (previous team owes) -$500,000
TOTAL $85,062,834
Players that we currently don't have a salary for, are not included.

[Thrilla]

The rotation will be probably be set at the following after the All-Star Break:

Tim Hudson
Derek Lowe
Jair Jurrjens
Tommy Hanson
Kris Medlen

Medlen should take over for Kenwakami Shinkamakazi in the 5th spot, as his recent games have been fairly lights out and he was brought up last year from the minors to be a SP anyway.  Kenmakazi Kawakashimazi will most likely move to the bullpen and play a strong role as a middle reliever.  You have to figure with his arm and experience he can fill in when necessary in going 2-5 innings if a starter happens to have a bad game.  Granted, his SP W/L is right at 1-9 through 15 games, but much of that is attributed to all around bad luck with run support, errors by the defense, and 1 or 2 run losses.  In summary, I am very pleased with this proposed rotation, our Bullpen improves with the addition of Shinkeen Kamakshitoky and remains strong with the likes of Venters, Chavez, and Wagner...so it makes sense to go after a decent bat that brings some speed and defensive abilities to the team as well.

[Buzz Killington]

Carlos Zambrano may be available...just sayin.

[Thrilla]

Carlos Zambrano may be available...just sayin.

He's a real team motivator.

[Snaggletiger]

He's a real team motivator.

It's just Carlos bein' Carlos.

[Thrilla]

It's just Carlos bein' Carlos.

[Tiger Wench]

Here's the solution for you....

Carlos Lee.

You get a Carlos.

You get a Lee.

Genius.

[chinook]

Here's the solution for you....

Carlos Lee.

You get a Carlos.

You get a Lee.

Genius.

he's sandbagging...he wants to be on a winning team. 

[Thrilla]

Here's the solution for you....

Carlos Lee.

You get a Carlos.

You get a Lee.

Genius.

A+ for effort, Wench.   

[Tiger Wench]

he's sandbagging...he wants to be on a winning team. 

If we had a few young prospects instead of the waste of money that is his salary for doing fucking NOTHING, we might BE a winning team.

[Tiger Wench]

A+ for effort, Wench.   

Somebody just tell me what I gotta do to get that phat phuck off my team and I will do it!!!!   

[Token]

I'm just not convinced the Braves need another arm in the rotation right now.  With Jurrjens back and Chris Medlen pitching as strong as he has, I'm with Thrilla.  Move Kawa1-15 to the pen and let him come on in long relief.  Honestly, even the pen is in damn good shape.  We have Moylan (RHP) and O'Flaherty (LHP) in for middle relief, and Venters (LHP) and Saito (RHP) in as set up guys.  There isn't really a need on the pitching side. 

As for another bat....  I say put McLouth and Escobar on the trading block and get a true centerfielder.  Give Omar the starting SS position and move him permanently into the #2 spot.  Continue to let Melky and Hinske rotate in the LF spot.  If Diaz can get back in a groove let him rotate with Melky and use Hinske as Troy's backup and let him be the first bat off the bench each night.  Between him and Conrad, our pinch hitting has been phenomenal. 

IMO, Bobby has the tools this season to at least make the NLCS.  If Troy and Chipper can stay healthy, the bats and pitching is there. 

[War Eagle!!!]

Heard on ESPN Radio that he will probably be a Yankee by the end of the day.