Get your future bets in now people, I (homer) think this changes the balance of power in the East...
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7074846
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7074846
Name me a better lineup:
1. Willie Harris (.329/.399/.429)
1a. Yunel Escobar (.317/.360/.403)
2. Edgar Renteria (.333/.388/.482)
3. Chipper Jones (.341/.430/.592)
4. Mark Teixeira (.299/.397/.524)
5. Andruw Jones (.216/.319/.428)
6. Jeff Francoeur (.297/.339/.440)
7. Brian McCann (.263/.315/.448)
8. Kelly Johnson (.287/.386/.476)
8a. Matt Diaz (.341/.364/.464)
Pretty scary when the easiest out in that lineup (Andruw Jones) is gonna hit 35HR and drive in 110RBI's this year, and your 2-time all-star catcher is batting #7.
Certainly not a better lineup in the NL, one could make a case for Boston or Detroit in the AL...frighteningly good.
Earl, you forget that we have one of, if not the best young catcher in the game who's signed for 6 years. Salty is blocked in the extreme at his natural position, and he was clearly uncomfortable at 1B when he played there this season. And yes, I do wish we could have done this deal without including Elvis, but the same is true for him. We currently have Renteria for another year, and after him Escobar who has proven his mettle this year against ML pitching--something Escobar hasn't done against A-ball pitching--and behind him, Brent Lillibridge who we are supposedly very high on.
Combine that with the fact that he's 18 and probably won't see ML service for 3-4 years, and I can swallow trading him for one of the best 1B in the game.
1. Willie Harris (.329/.399/.429)
1a. Yunel Escobar (.317/.360/.403)
2. Edgar Renteria (.333/.388/.482)
3. Chipper Jones (.341/.430/.592)
4. Mark Teixeira (.299/.397/.524)
5. Andruw Jones (.216/.319/.428)
6. Jeff Francoeur (.297/.339/.440)
7. Brian McCann (.263/.315/.448)
8. Kelly Johnson (.287/.386/.476)
8a. Matt Diaz (.341/.364/.464)
Pretty scary when the easiest out in that lineup (Andruw Jones) is gonna hit 35HR and drive in 110RBI's this year, and your 2-time all-star catcher is batting #7.
Certainly not a better lineup in the NL, one could make a case for Boston or Detroit in the AL...frighteningly good.
Earl, you forget that we have one of, if not the best young catcher in the game who's signed for 6 years. Salty is blocked in the extreme at his natural position, and he was clearly uncomfortable at 1B when he played there this season. And yes, I do wish we could have done this deal without including Elvis, but the same is true for him. We currently have Renteria for another year, and after him Escobar who has proven his mettle this year against ML pitching--something Escobar hasn't done against A-ball pitching--and behind him, Brent Lillibridge who we are supposedly very high on.
Combine that with the fact that he's 18 and probably won't see ML service for 3-4 years, and I can swallow trading him for one of the best 1B in the game.
Actually, Renteria is 2 in the lineup with the #5 avg in the NL. Harris and Escobar platoon at the leadoff spot. And both are batting over .300 ... and the "rental" is a year and a half, Teixeira's contract isn't up until after 2008.
Also, wouldn't be at all surprised if the Braves get Teixeira to ink an extension before free agency. Braves have a TON of contracts coming off the books in the next year or two:
A. Jones $13.5m (2007)
Wickman $6.5m (2007)
Hampton $15m (2008)
Renteria $8m (2008)
Let's assume they don't resign any of those players. That is $43m off of payroll on a yearly basis. Let's further assume they get a few guys from FA (likely, however, that Escobar will play SS, and minor leaguers will fill out the bullpen) and spend, oh, say, $20m per year on them. That's GENEROUS considering we're talking about 2 positions (CF and #3/#4 SP).
That leaves over $20m per year to lock up Teixeira and just a few other guys who aren't signed past 2008...not at all out of the realm of possibility.
Not to mention, all reports indicate that the Braves' new owners are going to be adding between $10m and $20m to payroll.
no way they make this deal if they dont think they have a legit shot at signing him long term... this acquisition makes their lineup much better than the mets in my opinion... now go get dotel or gagne or someone to get this bum wickman out of the closers role (even put soriano in there) and there is no doubt in my mind they have the best team in the nl...and to boss hog, there is no way i take lee, helton, or kotchman over tex... i agree with howard, fielder, pujols, and morneau...
I'll give you Lee and Pujols, but that's it (and check Lee out this year...:aktion033 ).
And as far as Kotchman goes, you forget that Teixeira missed 15-20(?) games this season, so let's stick with comparing rate stats...
Howard and Fielder can obviously mash a lot more, but defensively? Both are liabilities compared to Teixeira. And especially with Fielder, the power comes at the expense of average.
Not to mention, .300/30/100 who SWITCH HIT are quite a rarity. Guess who the switch-hitting leaders in OPS are this season?
1. Chipper Jones
2. Jorge Posada
3. Mark Teixeira
I'll take 2 of 3 :thumbsup:
