Well the Braves lost a marathon final game 7-6 when Louisville native Chris Burke hit a walk off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning. I had honestly expected them to lose as soon as Kyle Farnsworth gave up the tying run in the 9th…. I just didn’t think it would take so long. It is appropriate that the Braves season ended after a bullpen meltdown – giving up 5 runs in 8th and 9th innings. But the Braves had plenty of other chances (they left 18 men on base). The Astros were a better team and deserved to win. Now I’ll root for them to get their first World Series. Hey, at least the Yankees lost.
So as the players hit the links, I offer a few thoughts on the Braves’ offseason:
* The biggest decision this offseason is whether or not the cost-conscious Braves will pony up to re-sign Rafael Furcal. (If Ted Turner still owned the team it would be a foregone conclusion… I don’t like Ted Turner except for as a baseball owner and a resterantuer… but I digress). They should sign him, but unless he offers a home-town discount, I imagine he’ll be elsewhere.
* Another decision involves the starting rotation. Will the Braves sign a veteran (probably a retread – they’ve had success with that in the past) or go with Kyle Davies as a regular #5 starter? Or will they audition other rookies like Chuck James?
* What wils they do with the Bullpen??? Cut ’em all loose except the rookies – they deserve another chance – especially poor Joey Devine, who was too hastily brought along. I feel sorry for the only major leaguer to ever give up grand slams in his first two outings, not to mention a season ending home run.
* They could be active in trading for pitchers – trading someone like Johnny Estrada or even Andy Marte (unless they move him to the outfield and trade Kelly Johnson).
* Will the rookies keep it going next year? I honestly think they’re all legit.
* Next year’s lineup: 1. Ryan Langerhans (LF), 2. Marcus Giles (2b), 3. Chipper (3b), 4. Andruw Jones (CF), 5. Adam Laroche (1b), 6. Jeff Francouer (RF), 7. Wilson Betemit (SS), 8. Brian McCann (C).
* Andruw probably won’t win MVP (Pujols) and Francouer won’t the Rookie of the Year (Tavares). Can’t really argue with those winners though. Cox will be Manager of the year.
UPDATE: Interestingly enough, I recently discovered that the Braves pitching staff pitched no-hit baseball for what would normally be nearly a whole game (8 innings) – unfortunately bookended by the tying homer in the 9th and the winning homer in the 18th.