Archive for November 17th, 2009

CHRIS PUMMER: If Lowe can either regain the feel for his slider, or adjust for not being able to throw it as often, he should be an effective pitcher again in 2010. He’ll still have to keep fighting off age to keep his contract from being a disaster for the Braves. But that he threw almost 200 healthy innings in 2009, while Perez must return from an injury, makes him a better bet to approximate the value of his contract.

HOWARD MEGDAL: Well, Chris and I don’t disagree much about the numbers- Lowe’s down across the board, and turning 37. Whether that is a reason for optimism or not is another story. I think it represents the likelihood that Lowe, fresh off of an 88 ERA+, is likely to be around that or below it for the remainder of his three years and $45 million.

That sets a bar Oliver Perez is likely to clear with room to spare over the final two years of his contract- at half the price of Derek Lowe- $24 million.

AKIE BERMISS: Let me cut right to the pith of things: I was impressed. I feel sort of weird admitting it and I think its weird for me to HAVE to say it, but my first reaction as this interview is drawing to a close is: that wasn’t bad. And that’s saying something. Pretty much anytime I see Sarah Palin on television, I expect to have a grand ol’ time guffawing my way through it (and taking copious mental notes to guffaw with friends later). This interview was actually pretty informative, sensitive, and — dare I say? — interesting. I’ve always had respect for Oprah as an interviewer (she sure puts Tavis Smiley to shame) and this only increased my appreciation for her as a television personality. And MOST of this interview’s success is because of her.

HOWARD MEGDAL: While I agree with Akie on just how awful this makes the McCain campaign look- imagine if Palin had given this interview instead of the ones she did- Palin certainly didn’t impress me. She was able to handle a softball interview. Congratulations. That doesn’t mean much, does it? I can hit a softball. It doesn’t mean I should play in the major leagues.