Baez likely done with Braves

[Braveheart]

"They signed [Bob] Wickman already, and I want to be a closer," said Baez, who saved 71 games during 2004-05 with Tampa Bay but struggled this season with the Dodgers and lost the closer job after four consecutive blown saves in a two-week span.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2006/09/22/0923bravesnotes.html

[BGarrett7]

I'm not going to bitch and complain about it, our bullpen -- if healthy -- looks to be stellar next season.

[Jsh1284]

Good luck losing your closers job again next year, Danny.

I like Willy .. but now that deadline deal is really lookin lousy.

[BGarrett7]

I still don't see why everyone says this was such a horrible trade for us. Even if it ends up being Aybar-for-Betemit straight-up if Baez ends up somewhere else, we hardly got f'd over in this deal.

Betemit's OBP with the Dodgers has been absolutely atrocious. We're talking some Frenchy-level shit here. And his OPS has been nearly .100 points lower than it was while he was in Atlanta. His BBs are down, his Ks are up. Just about the only thing he has improved on -- aside from HRs -- is his fielding.

Aybar on the the other hand, has been a consitent one or two hitter for us, and has gotten on base a much better clip than Betemit was. Does he lack the pop that Betemit does? Absolutely, but with our lineup being as stacked as it is, he provides us with a decent leadoff hitter, which is something we needed a lot more than someone else who can hit the longball.

You can have your Betemit, I'll take my Aybar.

[Braveheart]

I like Aybar, I just like Betemit better. :D

[McCarroll21]

I think Aybar will be the same or better than Betemit. He's got better plate discipline and he's developing power. More importantly, he will stay cheaper for longer ... which makes him a better fit for our backup 2B/3B at this point in time.

As far as Baez goes, I'm not that disappointed. I wasn't too fond of his control issues and wouldn't want to rely on him in a big spot. We've got enough arms down there, if healthy, to not need to spend $4M+ on Baez in a setup role.

Wickman
Boyer
Devine
McBride
Yates
Paronto

And lots of good arms competing for that 7th spot in ST.

Foster
Villarreal
Startup
Lerew
Cormier
Ray
Stockman
Moylan
etc.

[hawki]

Betemit is so over-rated by Braves fans its a joke. He was on pace to make 65 errors at SS

[hotcorner33]

Betemit could flat-out hit. He will be the next Edgar Renteria, and the Braves organization will be sorry they ever let go of him. Mark my words.

[McCarroll21]

Betemit could flat-out hit. He will be the next Edgar Renteria, and the Braves organization will be sorry they ever let go of him. Mark my words.
Can I make you eat your words instead?

Edit: Since the trade...

Wilson Betemit
<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 816pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1088"><col style="width: 48pt;" span="17" width="64"> <tbody align="center"><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 48pt;" x:str="G " height="17" width="64">G </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="AB " width="64">AB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="R " width="64">R </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="H " width="64">H </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="2B " width="64">2B </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="3B " width="64">3B </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="HR " width="64">HR </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="RBI " width="64">RBI </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="TB " width="64">TB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="BB " width="64">BB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SO " width="64">SO </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SB " width="64">SB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="CS " width="64">CS </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">AVG</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" x:str="OBP " width="64">OBP </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SLG " width="64">SLG </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">OPS</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">47</td> <td x:num="">149</td> <td x:num="">16</td> <td x:num="">36</td> <td x:num="">6</td> <td x:num="">0</td> <td x:num="">8</td> <td x:num="">20</td> <td x:num="">66</td> <td x:num="">14</td> <td x:num="">39</td> <td x:num="">1</td> <td x:num="">0</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.24199999999999999">0.242</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.30299999999999999">0.303</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.443">0.443</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.746">0.746</td> </tr> </tbody></table>


Willy Aybar
<table x:str="" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 816pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1088"><col style="width: 48pt;" span="17" width="64"> <tbody align="center"><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 48pt;" x:str="G " height="17" width="64">G </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="AB " width="64">AB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="R " width="64">R </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="H " width="64">H </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="2B " width="64">2B </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="3B " width="64">3B </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="HR " width="64">HR </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="RBI " width="64">RBI </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="TB " width="64">TB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="BB " width="64">BB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SO " width="64">SO </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SB " width="64">SB </td> <td style="width: 48pt;" x:str="CS " width="64">CS </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">AVG</td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" x:str="OBP " width="64">OBP </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" x:str="SLG " width="64">SLG </td> <td class="xl24" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">OPS</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" x:num="" height="17">30</td> <td x:num="">101</td> <td x:num="">13</td> <td x:num="">29</td> <td x:num="">4</td> <td x:num="">0</td> <td x:num="">0</td> <td x:num="">6</td> <td x:num="">33</td> <td x:num="">7</td> <td x:num="">16</td> <td x:num="">0</td> <td x:num="">2</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.28699999999999998">0.287</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.33900000000000002">0.339</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.32700000000000001">0.327</td> <td class="xl24" x:num="0.66600000000000004">0.666</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

You can have your pick, but I'll take the player with the higher AVG and OBP, while also being the younger and cheaper player. He may not have the HR totals that Betemit does, but his power is/has been developing. I think after you see Willy for a full year, you'll be wishing you didn't say that. Also, keep in mind that Willy played every game he played with the Braves, except for his very first, up until he went on the DL with a broken finger.

You were probably one that was pissed that JS and Bobby traded Nick Green for Jorge Sosa leaving ST a few years ago to make room to keep Betemit since he didn't have any option years left. This is the same story, Aybar will be put in a position to succeed here in Atlanta, and succeed he will.

[oyhstah crachah]

They both suck. End of discussion. Bring back Fookie.

[ReunitetheBravesBigThree]

I dont care what Danys says. He would return to Atlanta for something like 3y/4.5 mil. per year

[vnodnarb]

i honestly dont think he is worth it

[McCarroll21]

I dont care what Danys says. He would return to Atlanta for something like 3y/4.5 mil. per year
And we don't need to lock up an erratic setup man for that type of money with our financial situation.

[TheMatrix31]

I just want Jeff Blauser.

[hotcorner33]

Baez is too erractic to be effective.

[McCarroll21]

I just want Jeff Blauser.
You may get your wish.