LATEST STORIES FROM THE LAUNCHING PAD
Peter’s New Year’s Resolutions
December 25, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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First of all, Merry Christmas everyone.
Norton Will Return To Anchor Bravos? Bench
December 20, 2008 by
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While Frank Wren may be still searching for that impact bat, still searching for that starting pitching ace, and still griping about how he was mistreated in the Furcal saga, he has one less thing to worry about.? Frank Wren took the first step towards keeping the current group of Braves ...
Braves to Welcome Back, Furcal
December 17, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Every thing is in place but the ink on the paper hasn?t quite dried?so don?t get TOO excited? But the Braves have reached an agreement this week that will bring fan favorite?Furcal, the?2000 NL ROY, back to where he started it all. What? Yea? that was my first thought too. True, we do ...
So… Now What?
December 14, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Well, the Winter Meetings are over. I don
If Smoltz Walks Outa?? He's Taking My Battered and Bloody Heart With Him
December 11, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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It's unfathomable. Unthinkable. It would be even more bizarro than watching Glavine depart for the Mets after 2002. He's my favorite. He a The Murph share a distinct place in my heart. Mr. 3000. Mr. Brave. An idol I've admired from childhood to adulthood and for all those...
A Tribute To The Professor
December 09, 2008 by
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Yesterday at the Winter Meetings, Greg Maddux officially announced his retirement from the sport of baseball. In his storied, incredible career, Maddux put up numbers that would make most people think he's the greatest pitcher ever. Weather or not you believe so I'll leave...
Winter Meetings Begin
December 08, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Looking towards the 2009 season, top executives from all 30 MLB clubs and the agents of players all began their annual Winter Meetings this morning. The Winter Meetings run from December 8 through the end of the week, culminating with the Rule 5 Draft on December 11. These meetings are ...
Playing the Waiting Game
December 06, 2008 by
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It's on the table. $60 MM for 4 years and a 5th year option. Meaning if AJ accepts we'd have him for quite some time and presumably as our #1 starter. Bolstering a staff that currently touts little more than freshman Brave Javier Vazquez and sophmore Jair Jurrjens. But it&...
Five Reasons Why The Braves Should Consider Casey Blake
December 06, 2008 by
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Casey Blake is largely seen as a third-baseman.A However, he has played in the outfield before and with much success.A He got the bulk of his games in the outfield in 2005 where he was the Indian's starting Right Fielder and he played 138 games of +8 defense (that is, he made 8 more plays [...]
Burnett still sniffing out Atlanta's deal
December 06, 2008 by
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It's on the table now. 4 years for $60 MM with a 5th year option. Question is: Is it good enough for AJ?
Burnett Likely A Brave Sooner Than Later
December 05, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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It appears that A. J. Burnett may soon sign a contract with the Atlanta Braves. David O'Brien has reported that the Braves have offered Burnett a 4 year/60 million dollar contract with a 5th year "easily" vesting option worth between 15 and 20 million. This would give...
Vazquez Will Benefit From Braves' Above-Average Defense
December 04, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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In an effort to further project how Javier Vazquez will contribute in 2009, it is important to understand that a team's goal is to score more runs than the opposition. In doing so there are 2 facets, offense and defense. While offense is another subject, a team's pitching alone...
Javier Vazquez Trade: Brilliant or Bust?
December 03, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Yesterday the Braves completed a trade for right-handed starting pitcher Javier Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan by sending prospects Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Jon Gilmore, and Santos Rodriguez to the Chicago White Sox. So, what does this mean for our immediate and long-term ...
Braves Set to Pick Up Vazquez
December 02, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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We wasted no time moving on. Before any proverbial shed tears that could've possibly be wept over Hampton's departure to Houston could dry, the pieces are put together for Javier Vasquez to join Atlanta and boost the starting rotation. So pending a physical and completion of...
The Hampton Era Comes To a Close
December 02, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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It's Tuesday, it's December, but the fun is just getting started. All you Mike Hampton haters can forget about the idea of seeing Hampton's comeback completed in Atlanta. He's gone. Announced today, Mike Hampton will don a Houston Astros uniform for the second time...
Some Insight On Mike Hampton's Signing
December 02, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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As many of you know, Mike Hampton just signed a 1 year 2 million dollar deal plus another 2 million dollars worth of incentives with the Houston Astros yesterday and pending a physical will be under their control until 15 days after next year's World Series. I was personally disappointed...
Tears of Joy
November 29, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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It didn't end with a trip to the ACC title match to be played in Tampa, but Paul Johnson's first regular season with the White and Gold was capitalized today on a high notea?? a VERY high note thanks to a beautiful win in Athens today. Words cannot express how happy this Braves...
Lets Play a Little Game of "What If?"
November 27, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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A Happy Thanksgiving everyone.A With the Winter Meetings rapidly approaching, much speculation exists about what would happen should certain scenarios play out.A What if the Braves trade for Peavy?A What if the Braves trade for Dye?A What if the Braves trade for Cain?A Well, we've played ...
What To Expect From Jurrjens and Campillo in 2009
November 24, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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In 2008 Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo both had very sufficient seasons. Jair Jurrjens was shipped to Atlanta in the Edgar Renteria trade before 2008 and going into spring training, Jurrjens was not expected to make the starting rotation. By the end of the season Jurrjens was the ace of the ...
The Future of the Braves' Catching Situation
November 19, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Ladies and Gentleman, it is extremely cold outside and this Georgia native doesn't like it one bit!A That being said, lets get to it. While the offseason may be a dull time in that there are no major league baseball games are being played, plenty is still going on in the baseball...
Furcal Back With the Braves?
November 18, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Could Rafael Furcal wind up back in Atlanta? Perhaps.
Furcal Back with the Braves?
November 17, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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It's Monday, the middle of November and JB is feeling inspired. Perhaps this kid could walk for to raise money for the Braves' offseason spending. Or maybe I should do my own walkathon. So even though the Peavy talks have cooled off don't think Escobar has immunity from...
Offseason Updates
November 16, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Yes there was a lot to be downhearted about last year but here are some reasons to keep your chins up. McCann wins the Silver Slugger So he got snubbed at the All Star game by both the fans and Clint Hurdle. Who cares? He's the best hitting catcher in the NL and he's wearing a Braves [...]
Wren Won't Give In. No Peavy
November 14, 2008 by
The Launching Pad
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Unless the Padres all of a sudden cave in and lower their asking price, we won't see Peavy make his way to Atlanta any time soona??. or presumably ever. Here's what Wren the man himself said. "Jake Peavy is obviously a quality top-of-the-rotation pitcher. But our focus...
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