Javy Lopez signed to Minor League Deal

[SamtheBravesFan]

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071217&content_id=2328686&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

A classic case of seeing if an old friend has anything left in the tank. He probably doesn't, but it's a low-risk signing.

[Wren Mafia]

I like it. He will make a good coach

[Extra Innings]

Javy has been a fan favorite before and has a history with Glavine and Smoltz. I think its worth a shot to see if he has anything left. I don't think he'll make it through ST, but if he can prove otherwise then give him the backup duties.

[chip&smoltz95]

i was a little surprised to see this signing, but I must say i like it. all the best, hope he makes it.

[Wren Mafia]

I was and still am a big Javy fan but let's be honest, this is a Julio Franco signing, a courtesy. I just hope they have more class than to send him to Rome. I wish Javy the best of luck, but he will be a good coach.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I was and still am a big Javy fan but let's be honest, this is a Julio Franco signing, a courtesy. I just hope they have more class than to send him to Rome. I wish Javy the best of luck, but he will be a good coach.

I resent that idea, and not just because I lived near Rome when I went to Berry College. How many times minor league fans get to see players like that. Is it classless for Chipper Jones to be sent there on a rehab assignment?

[Wren Mafia]

Not on a rehab assignment. I too spent time on Martha Berry but going down on rehab and going down because you still want to play the game (Franco) ,but they have no place for you, are too different concepts.

Chipper is a superstar. People from Dalton to Valdosta probably went to see him. I went to see John Thompson rehab in Rome in front of a crowd of about 500. There's a difference.

[SamtheBravesFan]

But not much. Franco was essentially on a rehab assignment too. It's possible to look at it that way. Besides, who WOULDN'T want to see a man more than twice his opponent's age hold his own? ;) Even at a shell of his former self, the Rome fans would still get to see Javy Lopez.

Bottom line, I don't think there is much of a difference between that at all. You seem to be splitting hairs on that.

[Wren Mafia]

You of all people should know better than to say Franco was there on a rehab assignment. Rehabbing his pride maybe. This man loves to play the game and the Braves knew that. He would go anywhere to play as long as he can still swing a bat.

I can't see Javy taking the same assignment

[SamtheBravesFan]

You of all people should know better than to say Franco was there on a rehab assignment. Rehabbing his pride maybe. This man loves to play the game and the Braves knew that. He would go anywhere to play as long as he can still swing a bat.

I can't see Javy taking the same assignment

I didn't say it was a rehab assignment for real.

Lopez hasn't played in the game for a year. How can you not see him taking the same thing if he wants to get back into the game. For all intents and purposes, as of this moment, Javy Lopez is as good as Julio Franco until otherwise noted.

[PureBaseballFan]

Also Franco from what I understand was sent down to try and help tutor younger hitters. Franco was not being disrespected but given a chance to start learning something he wants to do after his baseball career is over. (being a Baseball Manager)

[Wren Mafia]

Franco didn't need to go to Rome to learn how to be a manager. He's been around long enough he could probably manage the Braves if he had to. It is a nice thought to think he was sent down to be a tudor, but in actuality, the Braves didn't have room for him in Atlanta until Sept.

You don't think all guys on the 15day DL are actually hurt do you?

[PureBaseballFan]

If waht you say is true then why didn't they just send him to AAA with all the rest of the AAAA players or aging veterans?

Thanks for telling me that some players put on the DL aren't actually hurt that was eye opening for me. :bowdown::bowdown:

[Wren Mafia]

Logistics

They wanted him in Atlanta, but no room. What AAAA player are you referring to?

[PureBaseballFan]

Logistics

They wanted him in Atlanta, but no room. What AAAA player are you referring to?I was just talking about what type of players often play in AAA. A lot of guys that excel in AAA but stink in the majors means they are AAAA players at least in my book.

[Wren Mafia]

I know what AAAA players are, but I mistakenly thought you might have actual players you knew that went to Richmond. You asked why he went to Rome instead of Richmond. Why not Mississippi? He went to Rome because he was coming right back up in Sept and they had room for him. He didn't go to be a tudor.

Logistics

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&qq=hltF3hzNT9tNhURP0HLlhh9UYBmHRqyBceg4Gkon14D8uew Lk7pjHQ%253d%253d&ct=NA&rsres=1&1y=US&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=Rome&1s=ga&1z=&2y=US&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Atlanta&2s=ga&2z=&r=f

Rome to Atlanta - 70 mi

[PureBaseballFan]

I know what AAAA players are, but I mistakenly thought you might have actual players you knew that went to Richmond. You asked why he went to Rome instead of Richmond. Why not Mississippi? He went to Rome because he was coming right back up in Sept and they had room for him. He didn't go to be a tudor.

Logistics

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&qq=hltF3hzNT9tNhURP0HLlhh9UYBmHRqyBceg4Gkon14D8uew Lk7pjHQ%253d%253d&ct=NA&rsres=1&1y=US&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=Rome&1s=ga&1z=&2y=US&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Atlanta&2s=ga&2z=&r=f

Rome to Atlanta - 70 miSorry I didn't understand if you were asking for actual players. Here are some from last year.

Larry Bigbie
Trey Hodges
Wes Timmons
Doug Clark
Willie Harris

I will agree with you that he was sent down to Rome partly because it was so close but I think they also think they wanted him to give some of his experience on hitting and just being a professional.