For the record, Andruw Jones is a
- Thread starter rugbdawg
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knew what he was doing. Have the Braves ever lost a free agent that has gone on to a great career? Maddux and Glavine did decent, and now Glavine is back. JD Drew sucked when he left, Furcal sucked when he left, Gary Sheffield has stayed hurt.
A few I can think of:
Ron Gant played with the Reds for several year and did fairly well.
David Justice played for the Indians (and maybe the A's later) and I think got a WS ring.
The hispanic 3rd baseman (his name escapes me) who played for the Rockies.
But you're right. The Braves usually do pretty well in evaluating who can play and who can't. And in Andrew's case, it was pretty easy to see the decline over the past few years.</p>
Ron Gant played with the Reds for several year and did fairly well.
David Justice played for the Indians (and maybe the A's later) and I think got a WS ring.
The hispanic 3rd baseman (his name escapes me) who played for the Rockies.
But you're right. The Braves usually do pretty well in evaluating who can play and who can't. And in Andrew's case, it was pretty easy to see the decline over the past few years.</p>
....was worthless outside of his glove in centerfield. The smartest move the Braves have made in years was to dump that head case. He may hit fine for a while at times, but before you know it he's swinging at pitches 10 feet off the plate again and making MLB pitchers' jobs really easy. He'll never learn to be consistent, and the Braves finally woke up to that fact.
Ron Gant really didn't do much after leaving Atlanta. Dave Justice did have a few really good years in Cleveland and one good year in NY, then tailed off. Vinny Castilla is the guy you're thinking of, and he did do pretty well in Colorado and the other 27 teams he played for.
Other than that, the Braves have pulled the trigger at just the right time on most guys they have let go. However, it didn't take a soothsayer to see Andruw Jones sliding into irrelevance once the 'roids wore off.
Gant also formed the worst double-play combo in the history of baseball with Andres Thomas in the glorious 1988-89 Braves squads. I think they combined for 5000 errors in those two years.
Other than that, the Braves have pulled the trigger at just the right time on most guys they have let go. However, it didn't take a soothsayer to see Andruw Jones sliding into irrelevance once the 'roids wore off.
Gant also formed the worst double-play combo in the history of baseball with Andres Thomas in the glorious 1988-89 Braves squads. I think they combined for 5000 errors in those two years.
had a few productive years for the Cardinals after he was with the Reds for a year. He was a free swinger, but he would also hit about 20 home runs, and was pretty good in LF. Gant also played for the Phillies as well, and maybe the Rockies. Not a bad player at all.
I agree about Andruw Jones. The Braves announcers would get all excited when he would come up to bat, and as a fan for the Cardinals, I always thought it was funny because I wanted to see him at the plate. Throw some balls out of the zone and don't let him extend his arms, and he was a pretty easy out. Yes, he was awesome defensively, but at the same time he's lazy.
The Braves got rid of Justice at the right time because he still had value, but he was getting older.
I will say as a Cardinals fan that we are thankful that they traded Adam Wainwright for one year of JD Drew. Especially since everyone has to hear about Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz ad nauseum.
I agree about Andruw Jones. The Braves announcers would get all excited when he would come up to bat, and as a fan for the Cardinals, I always thought it was funny because I wanted to see him at the plate. Throw some balls out of the zone and don't let him extend his arms, and he was a pretty easy out. Yes, he was awesome defensively, but at the same time he's lazy.
The Braves got rid of Justice at the right time because he still had value, but he was getting older.
I will say as a Cardinals fan that we are thankful that they traded Adam Wainwright for one year of JD Drew. Especially since everyone has to hear about Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz ad nauseum.
Bruce Chen, a pitcher we had circa '96 or '97. When the Braves traded him the media went nuts, saying how we would regret it for years to come. Chen went on to do diddly squat the rest of his career.
Kevin Millwood. This was a move that even Braves fans went nuts over, but Millwood never really did anything after leaving Atlanta. He was a decent at best pitcher that I was never impressed with when he did pitch for the Braves.
There is a whole list of players that did ok, but weren't that great after leaving Atlanta. Maddux, Glavine, CF from '95 team whose name escapes me, Justice, McGriff, etc. With the restrictions on the payroll under Time Warner the Braves had to be good at player evaluation to stay competitive.
Kevin Millwood. This was a move that even Braves fans went nuts over, but Millwood never really did anything after leaving Atlanta. He was a decent at best pitcher that I was never impressed with when he did pitch for the Braves.
There is a whole list of players that did ok, but weren't that great after leaving Atlanta. Maddux, Glavine, CF from '95 team whose name escapes me, Justice, McGriff, etc. With the restrictions on the payroll under Time Warner the Braves had to be good at player evaluation to stay competitive.
I hated losing Schmidt more than I did Millwood. I know he hasn't had a great career but I think he would have, if he would have stayed in Atlanta.
Marquis Grissom was the CF in '95 and had a pretty decent career after leaving the braves. What did the big cat do after he left Atlanta? I can't remember.CF from '95 team whose name escapes me,
he still might be a sleeper. Jones is lazy and didn't do crap the whole offseason. He still has a ton of naturual ability and the season will force him to get in shape. Once he does, he might play better.
I don't think Jones was a steroid guy. I think he is just really lazy and has declined because he hasn't done the work neccassary to maintain himself as a professional athlete.
I don't think Jones was a steroid guy. I think he is just really lazy and has declined because he hasn't done the work neccassary to maintain himself as a professional athlete.
G
Goat Holder
Guest
with Jones and the Braves that I completely quit watching them, like I did with Haslett/Brooks and the Saints. Almost. I got back on the wagon this year.</p>
Agree on Andrew, right time to dump him. Justice was a good one to let go as he had good
value but was known to be lazy and dog it some games. Couldn't keep Halle happy either.
JD Drew was overpaid in Atlanta and everywhere else he has gone. Furcal has issues but is
a great player. Marcus Giles thought he was a homerun king and, at last check was cut by
San Diego.
For the most part the braves did a good job of unloading at the right time over the past 10 years.
value but was known to be lazy and dog it some games. Couldn't keep Halle happy either.
JD Drew was overpaid in Atlanta and everywhere else he has gone. Furcal has issues but is
a great player. Marcus Giles thought he was a homerun king and, at last check was cut by
San Diego.
For the most part the braves did a good job of unloading at the right time over the past 10 years.
the Braves have basically been refusing to overpay once their players enter free agency. That was also the reason they lost Glavine and Furcal, if I remember correctly When AJ wanted to start contract talks at $20M, Scherholz laughed in his/Boras' face ... knowing that someone was probably willing to pay it, but in the Braves' lineup, Andruw was batting 7th and batting < .230.
The funny thing will be if and when the Braves try to re-sign Tex after this season, who is also represented by Boras and will be looking for a big payday. Scott Thorman and maybe Brayan Pena are all the Braves have behind Tex at first, so I bet it's a case where they'd at least like to pony up.
The funny thing will be if and when the Braves try to re-sign Tex after this season, who is also represented by Boras and will be looking for a big payday. Scott Thorman and maybe Brayan Pena are all the Braves have behind Tex at first, so I bet it's a case where they'd at least like to pony up.
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