Comments on: So Long, Smoltz http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/ Economic Thinking about Baseball Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kyle James http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105724 Kyle James Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:35:48 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105724 This move was not about the money.  It was because Boston has a better shot at the postseason that Atlanta and it's that simple.  Best of luck to him, I hate it for the Braves, but I understand. This move was not about the money.  It was because Boston has a better shot at the postseason that Atlanta and it’s that simple.  Best of luck to him, I hate it for the Braves, but I understand.

]]> By: Marc Schneider http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105699 Marc Schneider Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:48:35 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105699 The players are mostly adults; unlike fans, they realize it's a business.  If McCann can't get over not playing with his "idol" he better get in another business.  The players are mostly adults; unlike fans, they realize it’s a business.  If McCann can’t get over not playing with his “idol” he better get in another business. 

]]> By: Heath http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105687 Heath Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:19:07 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105687 P.S. Sign Orlando Hudson, move Kelly to left field. 2-time Gold-glove winner at second that will bat .300 with 15 homers and probably flirt with 100 runs scored if he stays healthy for a full year in Atlanta's offense. I like the strategy Mr. Wren, just not on Furcal. Use it on O-dog and that will be a much needed offensive boost. P.S. Sign Orlando Hudson, move Kelly to left field. 2-time Gold-glove winner at second that will bat .300 with 15 homers and probably flirt with 100 runs scored if he stays healthy for a full year in Atlanta’s offense. I like the strategy Mr. Wren, just not on Furcal. Use it on O-dog and that will be a much needed offensive boost.

]]> By: Heath http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105685 Heath Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:56:17 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105685 Can we all stop for a moment to consider that sports is not purely a stats game? That sometimes things don't make sense on paper? It's called intangibles people! Smoltz has what it takes. He's come back from every injury thus far in his career (ahead of schedule), and I expect this time to be no different. Who among any of you can throw a football 55 yards? Smoltzie was doing that a month ago...and impressing Bobby Cox with his throwing off the mound. It doesn't make any sense to let Smoltz go now. He hasn't exactly been the picture of health the past couple of years, and we've been patient with him then...why stop now? 3 million for an icon is worth it; for him, for the fans, and more importantly, for the TEAM. Look at the reaction by Chipper Jones already. And imagine what it must feel like for McCann to lose a guy like Smoltz, that he has looked up to since childhood. I assume many of the other guys will feel the same. Deflated, dejected. Yep, that's how I want to begin my 2009 season. Signing Derek Lowe or any other free agent isn't going to change that feeling right away. I'm afraid this will be a deep wound that won't heal quickly in Atlanta. Can we all stop for a moment to consider that sports is not purely a stats game? That sometimes things don’t make sense on paper? It’s called intangibles people! Smoltz has what it takes. He’s come back from every injury thus far in his career (ahead of schedule), and I expect this time to be no different. Who among any of you can throw a football 55 yards? Smoltzie was doing that a month ago…and impressing Bobby Cox with his throwing off the mound. It doesn’t make any sense to let Smoltz go now. He hasn’t exactly been the picture of health the past couple of years, and we’ve been patient with him then…why stop now? 3 million for an icon is worth it; for him, for the fans, and more importantly, for the TEAM. Look at the reaction by Chipper Jones already. And imagine what it must feel like for McCann to lose a guy like Smoltz, that he has looked up to since childhood. I assume many of the other guys will feel the same. Deflated, dejected. Yep, that’s how I want to begin my 2009 season. Signing Derek Lowe or any other free agent isn’t going to change that feeling right away. I’m afraid this will be a deep wound that won’t heal quickly in Atlanta.

]]> By: Gary http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105684 Gary Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:44:08 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105684 JC, I couldn't disagree with you more. With a player like John Smoltz, the money shouldn't matter unless it's a ridiculous amount. 5.5 million, the Braves should have matched that in a heartbeat. This is a player that has been in your organization since 1987! He has taken less money in the past to stay with the Braves. Screw Jeff Francoeur, John Smoltz is the face of the franchise. I understand he is coming off a major injury and that he only pitched 20 some innings last year, that's why you don't offer him 15 million a year. 5.5 is more than reasonable. Schuerholz, Wren, McGuirk, Liberty Media...I don't know who to blame but someone that doesn't wear a uniform is destroying this franchise slowly but surely. JC,
I couldn’t disagree with you more. With a player like John Smoltz, the money shouldn’t matter unless it’s a ridiculous amount. 5.5 million, the Braves should have matched that in a heartbeat. This is a player that has been in your organization since 1987! He has taken less money in the past to stay with the Braves. Screw Jeff Francoeur, John Smoltz is the face of the franchise. I understand he is coming off a major injury and that he only pitched 20 some innings last year, that’s why you don’t offer him 15 million a year. 5.5 is more than reasonable. Schuerholz, Wren, McGuirk, Liberty Media…I don’t know who to blame but someone that doesn’t wear a uniform is destroying this franchise slowly but surely.

]]> By: Johnny http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105683 Johnny Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:32:03 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105683 JC, Great analysis.  As a longtime Braves fan, John Smoltz will always be a favorite.  Along with Henry Aaron, Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Andruw Jones, Javier Lopez .... you know all those guys that either left via free agency or were traded.  The Braves are a business and Frank Wren is a business man.  Its that simple.  I can't fault the guy for Smoltz's decision.  If the reports are true he made what I would consider a decent offer.  Wren has been taking heat for the deals that haven't gotten done.  That is Ridiculous.  Its also probably fortuitous.  AJ Burnett 80 million..... please, our entire farm system for Jake Peavey...... get real, sign Rafael Furcal then trade Yunel Escobar ok there was some merit to that one but lets face it, Wren would have looked like a dumbass if Escobar had played to his potential and Raffy hurt his back again and we were treated to watching Omar Infante try to play short.  My only questioning of Frank Wren's off season so far is the very fact that he is under the delusion that the Braves are close to contention. JC,
Great analysis.  As a longtime Braves fan, John Smoltz will always be a favorite.  Along with Henry Aaron, Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Andruw Jones, Javier Lopez …. you know all those guys that either left via free agency or were traded.  The Braves are a business and Frank Wren is a business man.  Its that simple.  I can’t fault the guy for Smoltz’s decision.  If the reports are true he made what I would consider a decent offer.  Wren has been taking heat for the deals that haven’t gotten done.  That is Ridiculous.  Its also probably fortuitous.  AJ Burnett 80 million….. please, our entire farm system for Jake Peavey…… get real, sign Rafael Furcal then trade Yunel Escobar ok there was some merit to that one but lets face it, Wren would have looked like a dumbass if Escobar had played to his potential and Raffy hurt his back again and we were treated to watching Omar Infante try to play short.  My only questioning of Frank Wren’s off season so far is the very fact that he is under the delusion that the Braves are close to contention.

]]> By: leviinalaska http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105682 leviinalaska Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:03:46 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105682 FWIW: I want the Braves to win. But reality bites...this isn't our year. (To say the least.) I wish that Wren and the team would have done what they needed to keep John Smoltz a Brave. At least I might be inclined to watch every 5th game...now I don't know what to think. >shrugs shoulders and tries to imagine listening to new announcers on MLB Gameday talking about Javier Vasquez pitching to avoid the sweep< I'm not a fairweather fan...but I am extremely busy, and the 2009 Braves aren't going to successfully compete for too much of my attention. FWIW: I want the Braves to win. But reality bites…this isn’t our year. (To say the least.) I wish that Wren and the team would have done what they needed to keep John Smoltz a Brave. At least I might be inclined to watch every 5th game…now I don’t know what to think. >shrugs shoulders and tries to imagine listening to new announcers on MLB Gameday talking about Javier Vasquez pitching to avoid the sweep< I’m not a fairweather fan…but I am extremely busy, and the 2009 Braves aren’t going to successfully compete for too much of my attention.

]]> By: mravery http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105681 mravery Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:10:21 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105681 Just to reiterate, my (and that of most intelligent fans, IMO) desire to pay Smoltz more money than we should is an emotional reaction to being a big fan of him. That means it isn't entirely rational if "rational" means "only wants to win ballgames/championships". But I don't think that matters particularly much here, since being a fan is all about reacting emotionally. I'd almost rather lose with Smoltz than win without him. Just to reiterate, my (and that of most intelligent fans, IMO) desire to pay Smoltz more money than we should is an emotional reaction to being a big fan of him. That means it isn’t entirely rational if “rational” means “only wants to win ballgames/championships”.

But I don’t think that matters particularly much here, since being a fan is all about reacting emotionally. I’d almost rather lose with Smoltz than win without him.

]]> By: JJ http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105680 JJ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:23:33 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105680 http://www.petitiononline.com/FireWren/petition.html http://www.petitiononline.com/FireWren/petition.html

]]> By: David http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2009/01/so-long-smoltz/comment-page-1/#comment-105679 David Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:35:17 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/?p=1282#comment-105679 The Red Sox probably think Smoltz will recover, but one can't help but wonder if they're also considering his PVL™ (proven veteran leadership)prowess.  Specifically, Josh Beckett always misses a couple starts because he gets blisters on his fingers, whereas Smoltz (and for that matter Maddux and Glavine) played golf all the time and it doesn't seem to be quite as much of a problem for him.  Maybe the risk was worth about $4.5 million, and Beckett's extra 2 or 3 starts were worth $1 million.  Or something.   Just a thought. The Red Sox probably think Smoltz will recover, but one can’t help but wonder if they’re also considering his PVL™ (proven veteran leadership)prowess.  Specifically, Josh Beckett always misses a couple starts because he gets blisters on his fingers, whereas Smoltz (and for that matter Maddux and Glavine) played golf all the time and it doesn’t seem to be quite as much of a problem for him.  Maybe the risk was worth about $4.5 million, and Beckett’s extra 2 or 3 starts were worth $1 million.  Or something.   Just a thought.

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