Mailbag: Can Andruw be brought back? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers Braves fans' questions By Mark Bowman / MLB.com 原文出处：http://0rz.tw/483jR Is there any truth to the rumors that the Braves and Liberty Media made a surplus of millions of dollars this year and would be able to afford to offer Andruw Jones arbitration? -- Michael A., LaGrange, Ga. So far, the Braves and Liberty Media have formed a relationship that has been financially pleasing for both parties. But it's not as if they're raking in boatloads of extra cash that could lead them to offer arbitration to Jones and then be forced to pay him a one-year deal that would be in the neighborhood of $16 million. Two days after the regular season concluded -- when the Braves announced they weren't going to negotiate with Jones -- the Gold Glove center fielder's days in Atlanta officially ended. Despite all of the struggles he endured last season, he still would make approximately $16 million via arbitration, and the Braves definitely aren't in a position to take this kind of gamble on a player who has defined his consistency by hitting less than .265 in six of the past seven seasons. Earlier this week in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves CEO Terry McGuirk indicated that the club will spend "many millions more" on next year's payroll. Factually, this is correct, as the Braves are expected to increase their payroll from $84 million to the $92-million range. With this $8 million boost, which was aided by a rise in attendance, the Braves have the opportunity to sign Tom Glavine and take care of the raises owed to Tim Hudson, John Smoltz and Mark Teixeira. As an arbitration-eligible player, Teixeira could compensate for a majority of the $14 million salary that Jones was paid in 2007. There's a chance $2 million will be saved. The contract extension that Smoltz signed in April bumps his salary from $8 million to $14 million. Hudson's back-loaded contract calls for his salary to jump from $6 million to $13 million in 2008. Still, while there might be some financial restrictions, the Braves are definitely in a much better situation than they were the last few years, when they were one of Time Warner's forgotten products and under the rule of a strict financial plan. Liberty Media acquired the Braves from Time Warner in May, and their financial records show that the Braves have provided a significant profit during that span. But these records don't include this current financial period, which is one in which Major League organizations incur their greatest costs. 大意大概是，因为今年进场人数成长的关系，东家Liberty Media龙心大悦，预估会将 payroll从84M增加到92M，至於有没有可能给安猪薪资仲裁呢？基本上在官方宣布不会跟 安猪进行任何协商时，安猪在亚特兰大的日子就已经结束了，透过薪资仲裁，安猪大概得 花上我们个16M左右。从现实层面来考量，勇士签回老葛花了8M，安猪'07的薪水差不多会 等於铁爷明年薪资仲裁所能拿到的，老史明年要花14M，蜜蜂要13M。即便经济状况比起前 几年要来的好，要球团花大钱去赌一个生涯.260的家伙？No way！ Do you think there is any chance of the Braves signing Kenny Lofton to fill the void in center field until one of their prospects is ready to take over? -- Matt D., Rock Hill, S.C. When it comes to short-term solutions in center, there isn't any current player more qualified than Lofton, who has played for nine different organizations since the start of the 2002 season. Having participated in the postseason during 11 of the past 13 years, it can be argued that he's any organization's ticket to October. What can't be argued is the reality that Lofton was one of the most disliked players the Braves' clubhouse has ever seen. Whether around stadium workers, teammates or coaches, the speedy outfielder made sure you knew he was great. Of course, while he was in the field, he made sure you had reason to wonder why people were considering him to be the game's best defensive center fielder. Enough about Lofton. I don't see him on Atlanta's radar screen, and at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if the club starts the season with Josh Anderson in center. When he acquired Anderson from the Astros on Friday, Braves general manager Frank Wren made it known that he'd continue looking for a more experienced option on the trade market. But if a trade never materializes, the Braves could at least start the season with the speedy Anderson in center and possibly move him midseason, if Jordan Schafer gives reason to believe he's ready for the Majors. Anderson definitely has a chance to bring the Braves lineup the stolen-base threat that has been absent since Rafael Furcal left to sign with the Dodgers. 勇士会不会找Lofton回来担任中外野手？不会，他不在勇士的目标当中，虽然勇士还想要 在市场上找个更有经验的家伙，不过让拥有一双腿的Josh Anderson来担任这个位置也是 不错，他会让勇士找回自从Furcal以来快被遗忘的盗垒威胁性，不然的话季中让Schafer 上来证明一下自己也是不赖。 I saw a very shocking stat that said that Matt Diaz had the best batting average in the Major Leagues over the past two years. What else could he do to earn an everyday spot in left field? -- Weston H., Dalton, Ga. Actually, since the start of the 2006 season, Diaz ranks fourth among Major Leaguers with a .333 batting average. The three players in front of him are Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter and Matt Holliday. Of course, it must be noted that he has done this while compiling half the number of at-bats totaled by this trio of big leaguers. Diaz has certainly given plenty of reason to believe he can handle an everyday role, and he might get one this season if the left-handed-hitting Brandon Jones isn't ready for the Majors. There's no reason to worry about Diaz defensively, and statistically, he's proven that he can hit right-handed and left-handed pitchers with similar consistency. To answer your question, Diaz can't do much more to earn an everyday role. But for now, there's no reason to mess with a good thing, and he'll be the first to admit that the platoon was definitely a great thing for his career. 没有爱的Diaz有没有可能成为每日先发？他能做的事情都做了，从'06以来高居全联盟第 四的打率，防守也没问题。只要Brandon Jones还未准备好，他会有机会打满整季的。另 外，platoon对於他的职业生涯而言，实在是件 "棒" 的不得了的事。 What is the status of Mike Gonzalez for the 2008 season? -- Greg B., Cumming, Ga. Gonzalez isn't expected to return from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery until June, and like every other pitcher who has come back from this surgical procedure, he faces an uncertain immediate future. The first season back from this surgery is often a rocky one, filled with many inconstancies and struggles. Thus, while the Braves are hopeful Gonzalez provides a benefit to their bullpen, his best contributions might have to wait until 2009. Gonzo明年的状况如何？天知道，从汤米强手术回来的投手总是充满变数，把对他的期待 摆在'09吧。 I was wondering how Willy Aybar is doing after an eventful season last year? Is he expected to be part of the Braves' 25-man roster next year? -- Brian F., Winston Salem, N.C. It appears Aybar is handling himself well in his native Dominican Republic. In 12 games with Licey, he has hit .282 with a .391 on-base percentage. Considering he missed all of this past season while battling substance-abuse problems and a hand injury that required surgery, it will likely take him some time before he really begins to feel comfortable at the plate. A healthy and dedicated Aybar could certainly be a benefit for the Braves next year. He provides a solid bat off the bench and could definitely serve as a valuable backup for Chipper Jones at third base. Aybar明年能不能进25-man roster？看起来是没问题的，他在多明尼加冬季联盟干的不错 ，健康的他会是老大珍贵的替补(比Prado好太多了)。 -- W L ERA G SV SVO IP H R ER HR HBP BB SO WHIP AVG K/9 H/9 1 3 2.13 47 2 --- 38.0 22 10 9 4 3 22 42 1.16 .172 9.95 5.21 4 5 2.49 74 38 45 72.1 47 24 20 5 1 37 104 1.16 .180 12.94 5.85 1 2 2.89 59 24 27 53.0 42 25 17 5 2 48 77 1.70 .210 13.08 7.13 2 2 3.09 30 19 23 32.0 25 13 11 2 2 16 36 1.28 .216 10.13 7.03 Atlanta Braves 49 John Rocker --

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