Odds and Ends: Elias, Izzy, Silva, Colletti

Damn't Pudge, start hitting please, so we can get another 1st rder out of you, thanks.

I wish you wouldn't like to ESPN insider articles Tim. You're such a tease!

Bradbury's plan for the Braves is interesting, but ain't happening. Chipper won't be dealt...period. He's not just a star, he's an institution. Nah. And why deal Kotchman? Freddie Freeman is years away still.

For that matter, I really think Bradbury underestimates the Atlanta lineup at large- and let me add that I'm in no way a fan of the Braves. I'll be the lone voice of dissent as it pertains to Francouer. He may not be the superstar the Braves thought he'd be, but I DO think he's salvageable...and pretty good. Why does everyone assume this is anything more than a down year? It's not as if his numbers coming into '08 demonstrated similar futility. OK...he's not very disciplined (understatement of the year). And it may be a stretch to think he'll ever post truly respectable OBPs. Nevertheless, the kid DOES have some pop in his bat, plays a solid right field, and has a cannon for an arm. AND, he's still only 24! Let's not rush to judgment!!!

The infield looks excellent- Kotchman, Johnson, and Escobar are all young and talented, if overlooked, players and Jones is obviously...Jones. He's awesome. One big outfield bat and you're starting lineup compares favorably with most contenders.

On the hill, Jurrjens is a beast. Give him an experienced frontline partner and it hardly seems unreasonable to think the Braves could stick with the likes of the Phillies and Mets- talented teams but hardly dominant.

BTW- that revers Elias thing is pretty cool, Tim. If you get a chance, keep linking to those.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see Ramon as a Type A! I only wish he were a FA NOW instead of having to wait another year...and risking a drop. Still, pretty good double whammy out of the position for '09. Wieters takes over for the foreseeable future and Ramon turns into draft picks! Presto chango!

LOL- When I saw "IZZY" I thought Izzy Alcantara.

You remember him right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EUr6xsp3mg

I guess no one really is understanding the Type A/B stuff still. Even if Pudge/Varitek pick it up at the end of the year no one is going to offer Arbitration. Which is needed to do if they are going to get compensation picks. If they did both players would most likely accept and not decline. Since they would be making as much if not more then they did this season.

Do you think Boston wants to pay 'Tek more then the $10.5 mil he got this season? Or the Yankees want to pay Pudge more then the $12.4 mil he is getting?

Neither guy would make that on the open market.

"Do you think Boston wants to pay 'Tek more then the $10.5 mil he got this season?"

No, but I think Boston will offer him a lot of money to be a bench player. I'm betting he gets an incentive laden contract including a 2 yr, 3 to 4 M per year base. Basically have him train a the next generation behind the plate.

IMO Tek is staying in Boston. It's a symbolic thing more than anything. They won't offer arbitration, but they'll offer Tek more than market value.

I want to see the reverse Elias thing for starting pitchers, even though that will be deep and long.

How the hell is Varitek a first rounder. Hes battin .220. Really can someone explain this to me.

"Since they would be making as much if not more then they did this season."

Just want to point out it is my understanding you can offer players up to, but no more than a 25% pay cut. Still, that means at least $9.3m for Pudge and about $7.9 mil for Varitek. Still, the point remains that these salaries are way to high to offer arbitration.

is paul byrd a type b fa? if so the red sox made n very nice move