Braves look for outfield fix
San Francisco — When Jeff Francoeur and Jordan Schafer combined for an 0-for-8, six-strikeout performance in Monday’s loss to the Giants, it underscored the Braves’ serious need to add an outfield bat between now and the July 31 trade deadline, and ideally a lot closer to now than to July 31.
Yes, when your right fielder is hitting .259 with a .647 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), and your center fielder is hitting .205 with a .625 OPS, well, it’s a damn good thing that your left fielder is piling up big power numbers.
What’s that? Oh, yeah. The Braves’ left fielders are Garret Anderson (.256, .598 OPS) and Matt Diaz (solid at .299, .863 OPS).
If someone told you before the season that, 44 games into this thing, Diaz would be the only Braves outfielder with an OPS above .650, what would you have thought about the team’s chances of staying in the division race?
But he is, and they are. So they count their blessings and should leave no stone unturned in trying to fix this thing while there’s still plenty of time to make a run at a postseason berth.
They’re trying to do that, too. GM Frank Wren and his staff and scouts have been looking around for several weeks, at least, making calls and inquiring into what it would take to pry a legitimate power bat from a club that’s going nowhere and/or has a free-agent-to-be who’s expendable.
As you might imagine, the list is very limited with barely a quarter of the season completed. When teams are asking for major league pitching in exchange for a player such as utility man Mark DeRosa (as Cleveland reportedly is), then we can only imagine what they’re asking this early in the season for the likes of, say, outfielder Matt Holliday (Oakland). Holliday’s got six homers, 16 RBI and an .844 OPS in his past 24 games, after hitting no homers with 11 RBI and a .622 OPS in his first 17 games for the A’s.
Matt Holliday
Braves might have to wait a little longer, see what develops, see who might fall out of a race completely, or if someone like Detroit (and this seems unlikely to me, but just giving examples) decides that Magglio Ordonez’s remaining contract needs to be shed and the Braves decide he’s ready to turn things around this season and be something like the Magglio of old and … hey, I said it was unlikely.
To me, because Francoeur is at the middle of this problem/discussion, it always comes back to Kansas City and Dayton Moore. In other words, the Royals have a GM who was the Braves’ farm director when the so-called Baby Braves were signed and developed, and who is friends with Francoeur and still probably thinks more highly of Francoeur and his “upside” than any other baseball official on any team.
And if the Braves could get Moore to act, then perhaps they could actually get the Royals to part with something of valuable <em>and</em> pay the remainder of Francoeur’s $3.375 million contract this season.
But then, of course, you run into the problem of getting back someone to play RF, or needing to have another deal in place for a RF. Who are the Royals going to give up who can play RF and be an upgrade over Francoeur? 
Jose Guillen? He’s only got three homers and 20 RBI for the Royals, but he’s hitting .291 with an .827 OPS and more walks (17) than strikeouts (14), far improved in the walks category over his past futility in that area. Yes, that’s un upgrade. But at what price? Guillen is making – gulp — $12 million annually in a deal that runs through 2010. Way too much cheddar, folks, even if he had a solid 70 doubles, 46 homers and 196 RBI during the past two seasons. And we didn’t even mention the repored links to steroids in his past.
Then there’s David DeJesus, who’s development (or lack of) has been a disappointment for the Royals similar to Francoeur with the Braves. They’re making similar salaries and putting up similar numbers, including a .242 average and .678 OPS for DeJesus, with three homers and 18 RBI in 42 games, with three times as many strikeouts (30) than walks (10). I know. Not too appealing.
That is, unless you just want to shed Francoeur, and both teams hopes that the ol’ change of scenery might do something to energize both players. I said might.
Perhaps the Braves would consider Rick Ankiel, who just came off the DL for St. Louis and could be expendable after Ryan Ludwick comes off the DL Friday.
Ankiel are that he’s a Boras client and a free-agent-to-be, but Braves might be desperate enough (or perhaps should be) to make a deal for a guy who’ll probably walk at season’s end. They need help now in their outfield.
Other potential problem with Ankiel, however, is that he had just two homers, 11 RBI and a .723 OPS in 25 games (96 at-bats) before he crashed into that outfield wall and landed on the DL. But this is a guy who had an .843 OPS and 25 homers in 120 games in 2008 in his first full season as an outfielder.
So maybe you roll the dice.
As for Ludwick — I know someone will ask if I don’t mention him — do you really think the Cardinals would trade arguably their second-best hitter just beyond the quarter pole in the season, when they’re a game out of first place?
I don’t know how close the Braves actually got to pulling off a Kelly Johnson-for-Ludwick deal over the winter, but right about now, Ludwick’s .877 OPS, eight homers and 26 RBI would sure look good in the Brave’s outfield.
He’s not hitting yet like he did last year (40 doubles, 37 homers, 113 RBI, .966 OPS), and he’s on the DL (staying healthy was the big knock against him in trade discussions), but Ludwick would be far and away the best hitter in the Braves OF.
But again, I don’t think the Cardinals want to trade him. Opens a big hole in their lineup.
Like I said, this isn’t going to be easy for the Braves to fix this outfield at this juncture of the season, for them to upgrade and stay within their budget, and do it without giving up any of their untouchables, like Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward or Jair Jurrjens.
Hindsight being what it is — 20-20, and essentially worthless — the Braves could have signed Adam Dunn, defensive deficiencies be damned, or Raul Ibanez, payroll be damned (easy for me to say; it’s always easy to spend others’ money).
They had options this winter, explored plenty of them, and ended up with Garret Anderson. It’s early, and perhaps Anderson will end up having a solid season. But so far, there’s little reason to believe he’s going to provide much power in an outfield that’s been alarmingly punchless for a couple of years now.
Seven homers and .351 slugging percentage for Braves outfielders. Worst in the majors among outfielders, just as the Braves were last in those areas in 2008.
Even the aforementioned Royals outfielders (eight homers, .390 slugging) have been slightly better than the Braves this season. Every other team in the majors has double-digit oufield homers, and eight NL teams have a plus-.460 slugging.
♦ Tonight’s game: Kris Medlen makes his second major league start for the Braves, and does it against Giants ace Tim Lincecum. But this might not be as hopeless a proposition as some Braves fans fear. No, seriously.
Lincecum has no decisions and a 4.26 ERA in his past three starts, despite piling up 26 strikeouts with five walks in that span. Giants lost two of those games.
He allowed 10 hits and five runs in six innings of his last home start against the Mets on May 15.
In his past 23 starts, since July 26, Lincecum is just 10-3 despite a 2.78 ERA, .213 opponents’ average, and 198 strikeouts (50 walks) in 148-2/3 innings.
However, against the Braves, he’s never lost. In fact, he’s never not won, going 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts, with 27 strikeouts and 11 walks in 26-2/3 innings.
The Giants have provided more than six support runs per nine innings pitched for him in those games, which is an embarrassment of riches for Lincecum.
Will Chipper Jones play tonight? Don’t know, but I’d expect him in there Wednesday against Randy Johnson, unless that toe’s still absolutely killing him. He’s 13-for-33 with six homers against Big Unit. So if he doesn’t play, you’ll know that toe is still achin’ something fierce.
Anderson, by the way, is 3-for-21 with nine strikeouts against Johnson.
♦ Giants against Braves: Much like the Nationals, the Giants haven’t been as welcome an opponent for the Braves as you might expect. The Braves are just 9-13 with a 5.05 ERA against the Giants since the beginning of the 2006 season, including 4-8 at AT&T Park.
And what’s the deal with this Travis Ishikawa? His career-first four-hit game and three-run homer yesterday made him 9-for-18 with two homers and six RBI in five games against the Braves.
This is a guy with a .265 career average, four homers and 30 RBI in 219 major league at-bats, all with the Giants. But half of his homers have been against the Braves?
The other two were against San Diego, which makes a bit more sense, considering he’s played 12 games against them.
Maybe Ishikawa has been chatting with Giants outfielder (and Braves killer) Randy Winn, who has a .379 average with 14 extra-base hits (four homers), 15 RBI and a 1.009 OPS in 36 games against the Braves.
Speaking of outfielders who might help the Braves, perhaps the Giants would move Winn if they’re able to fill their own pursuit of a big bat. Oh, did we mention the Braves aren’t the only team looking for a big bat?
Giants have said publicly they’re looking hard for one.
♦ Mac is back: Brian McCann has hit .431 (22-for-51) with three homers, 11 RBI and a .491 OBP and .647 slugging percentage (1.138 OPS) in 15 May games since returning from the disabled list.
This after hitting .195 with a .748 OPS in 13 April games when his eyes were bothering him.
He’s got his season average up to .326 with five homers, 18 RBI and a .960 OPS. Still plenty of time for McCann to earn a fourth consecutive All-Star berth.
♦ Ugly stat update: While McCann is resurgent, Francoeur and Schafer are not.
Schafer is 12-for-80 (.150) with 32 strikeouts and a .430 OPS in 23 May games, after hitting .273 with an .854 OPS in April.
He’s hitting .161 with runners on base and .103 (4-for-39) with runners in scoring position, including 2-for-21 with RISP and two outs.
Against right-handers, he has 38 strikeouts in 99 at-bats.
With two strikes, he’s 9-for-82 (.110).
Only six major league players have more than 48 strikeouts, and four of the others on the list have at least 10 homers. Schafer has three more strikeouts than Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (52).
Francoeur was sent to the minors for a few days last July. Since he returned, he’s hit .251 with six homers and 51 RBI in 114 games, with a .295 OBP and .349 slugging percentage.
In 174 games since April 29, 2008, Francoeur has hit .235 with 11 homers, 73 RBI, one stolen base, and a .287 on-base percentage and .339 slugging percentage (.626 OPS).
He’s grounded into twice as double plays (22) as he’s hit homers in that span.
♦ Alright, that’s it for now. Gotta get a late breakfast or early lunch. Wanted to get a blog up for the denizens first. Have at it.
“LEFT OF THE DIAL” by Paul Westerberg (The Replacements)
Read about your band in some local page
Didn’t mention your name, didn’t mention your name
Sweet Georgia breezes, safe, cool and warm
I headed up north, you headed north
On and on and on and on
What side are you on?
On and on and on and on
What side are you on?
Weary voice that’s laughin’, on the radio once
We sounded drunk, never made it on
Passin’ through and it’s late, the station started to fade
Picked another one up in the very next state
On and on and on and on
What side are you on?
On and on and on and on and…
Pretty girl keep growin’ up, playin’ make-up, wearin’ guitar
Growin’ old in a bar, ya grow old in a bar
Headed out to San Francisco, definitely not L.A.
Didn’t mention your name, didn’t mention your name
And if I don’t see ya, in a long, long while
I’ll try to find you
Left of the dial
2,175 comments Add your comment
Rev. Otis Nixon
May 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
Goooooooooooooooo Braves, sic ‘em. tomahawk chop.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
2:23 pm
First?
chc4
May 26th, 2009
2:24 pm
I’d take Ankiel over Jeff in a heartbeat except for the fact that he’s another lefty. Not sure we can take another LH hitter in this lineup.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
First?
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
DOB, what woud the Astros ask for Berkman? Frenchy would do well in hitter’s park, plus Lance is a switchy
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
chc4: Why, the Braves have hit better against lefties this season than against righties. Quite a bit better, actually.
David-ATL14
May 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
I’d try my best to acquire Winn right now. He can play all 3 OF spots, then we can take another look in late June/early july when a big bat might be had.
No middle of the order hitters are going to be moved this early. winn would be a nice addition.
RC
May 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
I’d say that another LH hitter in our lineup is better than a RH black-hole in our lineup.
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
PWHjort you dont trade “ace” caliber pitchers unless you get a kings ransom.
Mc21
May 26th, 2009
2:32 pm
Brandon Jones, please.
Jeff has absolutely no trade value. Just send him somewhere for a bag of balls, call up Brandon Jones and give him a chance. He can’t be worse than Jeff, he would likely be better than Jeff, and it’d finally answer the question as to whether or not he could handle big league pitching.
If nothing else, it’d give us a little bit of time to ride him while he’s swinging a hot bat at Gwinnett and find something else on the trade block.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
Brooklyn: I don’t think the Astros would trade Berkman. He’s comparable to being their Chipper, in terms of ties and service to franchise, etc. With no Bagwell or Biggio, he’s the last one standing. Don’t see them trading him.
I could be wrong, but I don’t see it.
AustinBrave
May 26th, 2009
2:33 pm
I think the one team that has to many outfielders and needs pitching is the Yankees. Swisher, Damon, Cabrera, and possibly Nady.
flange1
May 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
Would you trade Frenchy for Winn straight up?
N8
May 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Not sure if anybody posted this on the other blog, but Douche Bag Dayn Perry gave his take on Six Trades that Should Happen:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9611414/These-deals-need-to-happen-now!
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
I figured Berkman jis just easier to move than Carlos Lee. Pence is a hitting machine and Lee is just HR beast. Tejada needs to be transitioned to either 2B or 1B.
Pete
May 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
From: DOB “Francoeur was sent to the minors for a few days last July. Since he returned, he’s hit .251 with six homers and 51 RBI in 114 games, with a .295 OBP and .349 slugging percentage.”
Ill always believe the Braves made a huge mistake last year bringing JF back after only 2-3 days in minors, due to someone getting hurt. What was the point in sending him down if its just for a weekend? Dumb.
X-Country Braves Fan
May 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Judging from what outfielders seem to be available currently. Is it far to say the Braves will have to overpay either in terms of who they give up or what they pay whomever they get in order to get a productive bat with power?
RC
May 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Brooklyn Braves Brawler,
I’ll be the first to say that I’d LOVE Berkman on the Braves. However, there are a few roadblocks that could prevent it from happening:
A) Berkman plays 1b for Houston. They already have Lee, Bourn, and Pence set in their OF, so no room for Francoeur (however, Berkman could play OF for the Braves, since he has in the past).
B) Berkman has a full no-trade clause, and has essentially lived his entire life in the Houston area. Played college ball at Rice, and has been with Houston his entire major league career. Not sure if he’d be willing to leave.
Reasons Berkman WOULD make sense on the Braves:
1) Switch-hitter with tons of power, great OBP and batting avg, and can play both OF corners. Basically would be like having Tex back in the lineup behind Chipper again.
2) Houston has a TERRIBLE farm system. The Braves have a very well stocked system. Plenty of opportunities to match up on prospects.
3) Berkman has another year, plus an option year, left on his contract. If they are willing to pay him the option year, Braves can keep him around for 3 playoff runs without having to deal with free agency.
BT
May 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
DOB do you think any trade would include getting rid of Frenchy. Would seem to me that the ideal situation would be to get an outfielder for someone like Gorky and excess pitching. JF is still only 25, Anderson isn’t.
Hillbilly
May 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
Well, [Chipper’s] 13-for-33 with six homers against Lincecum
No kidding? And Lincecum’s only been in the Majors for, what…2 years? I had no idea Chipper was bombing the kid like that. That’s ownership.
bali
May 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
good article on the state of the Braves outfield. Hard for me to see giving up on a player when he is 25 years old. I love watching Jeff hit the ball when he is on……….. hard to watch when he is off.
David
May 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
I think Schafer came up to soon so a trip to AAA wouldn’t be a bad thing for him… But i would have to say i would love to see Magglio Ordonez in a Braves uniform…
Spud Webb
May 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
You could get Swisher from the Yanks, but he’s as streaky as anyone and his OPS isn’t very good after an impressive start. They won’t trade Damon, having a great year, just my opinions.
Dave, love the blogs, keep up the good work.
I hope the Braves front office feels the same urgency we/you do. We cannot expect to stay in this race with some outfield production, ASAP.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
As for what the Padres can expect in return, a straight-up deal for the Mets’ top prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez, is better than what the White Sox were offering.
Really? Peavy-for-Martinez straight up is better than Peavy for Poreda, Richard, and say, Brandon Allen? Tyler Flowers? Jordan Danks? C’mon, Dayn, you’re killing me…
If I’m San Diego, no way I turn down a package of three or four highly rated prospects for one Fernando Martinez.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB.
If you see Medlen anywhere buy him a drink or 5 to help calm him before the game.
RC
May 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Brooklyn Braves Brawler,
I also agree that Berkman is easier to move than Lee. That contract is TERRIBLE.
Salamander
May 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
I’d say that another LH hitter in our lineup is better than a RH black-hole in our lineup. RC
This.
JEZ
May 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
I agree Pete, they should’ve kept him down until he actually started producing down there. Sending him for a weekend getaway was a slap on the wrist…nothing more…
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Sign Jim Edmonds to patrol CF for starts. Then work on a Holliday/RH Power bat for RF second…. Something needs to change before the weekend. Edmonds needs to be the stop-gap until Schafer stops K’ing 3 times per game.
DAP
May 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
austinbraveI think the one team that has to many outfielders and needs pitching is the Yankees. Swisher, Damon, Cabrera, and possibly Nady.
the problem is, nady is on the DL, damon is a free agent after this year, and swisher is tearing it up. the only guy worth having (swisher) is probably the one guy there is no way they are trading.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 26th, 2009
2:49 pm
Pete, as I recall, someone had to play the outfield and everyone was hurt.
Jeff
May 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
DOB…Why not just pull the trigger and bring up Jayson Heyward? He would be an upgrade offensively, and with our current outfield’s lack of production..wouldn’t really matter if he contributed right away..
Pete
May 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Enter your comments here
Lagert
May 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Andruw Jones, bring him home.
chris from md
May 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Here’s a to-do list for the Braves:
1. Give Schafer until the end of the week to see if he can turn things around. I don’t believe sending him to the minors will kill his confidence but I agree that letting him get two full months worth to prove himself was wise. But enough is enough if he can’t turn it around this week.
2. Send Carlyle down as soon as Glavine is activated (Medlen to the pen).
3. Give Frenchy a couple of more weeks. If he doesn’t improve I think their best package for an outfielder is Kelly Johnson (who’s stock is hopefully on the rise again), Morton or Medlen, and a single A pitcher. That might get us someone like Holiday. It will also get us closer to getting Infante back. Prado should be able to hold down 2b until then.
4. If no deal can possibly be made, I’d put Kelly in left and Omar at 2b when he returns.
chris from md
Hillbilly
May 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
DOB,
Just did some research on my 2:42 post. Those numbers (13-33 with 6 hrs) are Chipper’s numbers against Randy Johnson, not Lincecum. Still pretty impressive.
masivatack
May 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
I’ll take Nady. In a heartbeat.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
For those who check out the lyrics, I posted the correct ones just now. Somehow a song I’d already used got in there earlier.
DAP
May 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
I’ll take Nady. In a heartbeat.
yeah, he will look great on the DL for the braves.
njbraves
May 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Chuck James….if Edmonds had anything left don’t you think someone would have signed him by now? It really gets tiring reading dumb suggestion after dumb suggestion. The Braves do not need anymore lefties on this team. can people please stop bringing up LH hitters. i would love Holiday too, but at what cost? Everyone complains that we got killed in the Tex trade…Holliday would be the same thing. No way we can sign him long term. I’m not getting my hopes up for a big name bat to come to Atlanta. I hope I’m wrong.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Whoever used my name to make a post on the last blog(the last post under “my” name)… Grow up.
StingerSplash
May 26th, 2009
2:55 pm
Not exactly a buyer’s market for offense, is it?
But what is a more pressing need, corner outfield offense (yes, Ibanez would look good. Really would have had him over G. Anderson from the start, but like a smart guy said, it ain’t my dough to spend) or middle relief help, because the Moylan-Bennett-Carlyle triumvirate is more a three-headed monster against the Braves than for them.
Dooley
May 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Chipper is 2 for 7 with NO homers against Lincecum DOB. How could he have 33 at bats in Lincecum’s FOUR career starts against the Braves?
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
OK, let me fix this mess. Get Holliday for prospects for left, bat a discipline hitter type such as KJ 8th, move Shafer to 7th where he will get better pitches to hit, play Diaz a lot in right, and pray for Frenchy to revert to form. Hey, not perfect, but this would help, maybe a lot.
RC
May 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
Everyone, please stop asking for Jason Heyward! Many here have argued that the Braves brought Jordan Scafer too soon and are worried that his current struggles might affect his long-term potential. While I think that Schafer will end up being fine, with this OBVIOUS example of what can happen if a player doesn’t have enough seasoning in the minors, why on Earth would the Braves want to risk the ultimate potential of their #1 hitting prospect by bringing him up now? What if he comes up and struggles right away (which he likely would)? Do you just move on to the next prospect, leaving behind the shattered remains of what could be a VERY good major league career at some point? How many prospects do you destroy before you find the one-in-a-thousand that can make the transition from A-ball to the majors? The sign of a good organization is having a plan for player development and sticking to that plan. That’s what has made the Braves successful for years. Let’s let Heyward develop at his own pace, and not throw him to the lions before he’s ready.
J-X
May 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
I know holliday hasn’t put up coors field numbers so far this year, but I still like the prospects of him coming over. If the braves came in and offered the A’s something they may be able to steal him. Since the A’s are concerned that if his struggles continue his value will go down with it. I think he would help the team more simply with his presence in the line up behind chipper than anything else. No matter if he is producing or not he is still a force in the lineup, and opposing pitchers are gonna think twice before pitching around chipper and challenging him. Pitchers never wanna be the guy who a star breaks out of a slump against.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
What? Coach got credit for pushing for Cruz this past offseason? Where was I? I thought I was the one advocating him, posting his Abe Lincoln look-a-like article on here & so forth. Oh well…
Ya, I heard the “he’s too old, took him too long to be good, small sample size….” But after seeing him in so many Rangers/Angels games here on the west coast, you could tell the guy was a solid hitter by watching his at-bats. Sometimes hitters change. Cruz matured, as was the point of the Abe Lincoln article that displayed his amazing AAA numbers last year.
I didn’t know Coach did all that work…
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
Btw, good blog DOB.
Andy K.
May 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
I say package Francoeur, Gorkys, Jo-Jo, and Acosta for Matt Holliday and a low level prospect, but, Holiday must be willing to negotiate a long term deal before the trade is done. That is how the trade can work for both sides ans not come back to screw the Braves.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
2:57 pm
Chipper is 2-for-7 with a strikeout against Lincecum.
Salamander
May 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
Andruw Jones, bring him home. Lagert.
Hello – his home/road splits? Go check them out. However, his paltry road numbers are still a bit of an upgrade for our OF, which is sad.
Also, the persistent attitude of “bring xyz player home” that I see displayed on this blog constantly gets on my nerves to no end. How about Wren brings “home” the best player – not just a player that the organization is familiar with?
Dr. Braveslove
May 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
For what it’s worth, I think a trade for Brian Roberts might still make sense. Perry gives all of the reasons for Baltimore unloading him in his article, and we still need a leadoff hitter in a bad way. If we were willing to consider moving KJ to left for Furcal, surely we could do the same for Roberts. Then follow through with a trade for a power bat, even in a rental situation like Holliday, and suddenly we have addressed our two most pressing needs and added a great deal to the offense.
Pete
May 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic: “Pete, as I recall, someone had to play the outfield and everyone was hurt.”
Dont recall the details of who was hurt etc. but the TOP priority should have been getting JF straightened out. At that point Braves were going nowhere anyway, so wouldnt have mattered if he stayed down longer.
Also I believe it allowed JF to think the Braves admitted they made a mistake sending him down, and that he was right when he popped off about it. Not good for his mental state I dont think.
Andy K.
May 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
Or send Garret Anderson back to the AL where he can DH, and keep Frenchy, cuz I ike the guy.
AustinBrave
May 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
I like the idea of signing Edmonds to a minor league contract and once he starts warming up bring him up to help the kid. The boy is really lost.
Swisher is who I would like but very low average. We have the bait to trade for anybody, I just don’t want to give away the farm for a rental
RC
May 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
StingerSplash- Not fair to lump Moylan into that 3-headed monster of (non)relief pitching. After the first 2 games of the season, he has been very good this year.
Brian the Brain
May 26th, 2009
3:00 pm
Is there a reason why we can’t play Diaz in right and Anderson in left? I’m sure there is a very simple and valid explination (as i’m just a casual fan, not an expert).
Novice Ned
May 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
DOB, I’m not talking trade or even a demotion… but what is the plan to give Schaefer like a few innings off? Surely, he isn’t going to play every inning until Infante returns from the DL, is he?
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
Yeah Bobby’s, what’s up with that?
Ron Roberts
May 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
What about packaging a deal with the Orioles for Adam (not the PacMan) Jones? I imagine if we packaged Francoeur with a Medlen,Parr or Reyes-type pitcher (AAAA level), they might bite. I can’t find info on Jones’ contract status other than he makes darn-near the MLB minimum, but might be arbitration eligible, soon.
Then there’s the thought that (as Peter Gammons said) Francoeur was just brought up wayyyyy too soon and will eventually develop into what was expected of him. I see that NOW in Schafer’s situation, frankly. If we can go get a CF (like Jones) and send Scahfer down to the minors for more grooming, I think we’d be fine, frankly.
Braves73
May 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Right now, I’d take the Chick-fil-a cow in our outfield…couldn’t get any worse. I mean really, it’s embarrassing to think that we have fallen so far from grace. Frank, PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!! I can’t take it anymore.
Hillbilly
May 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
The only pitcher to give up more homers to Chipper than Randy Johnson is Steve Trachsel (7)
Jackie Treehorn
May 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
DOB, do you think Denard Span or Michael Cuddyer of the Twins would be a good fit?
Salamander
May 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
I think a trade for Brian Roberts might still make sense/ Dr. Braveslove
He is 31 and signed for another 3 years at 8-10mil per season. I like Roberts as well, but the money (and length of contract) will be a problem.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
O’Brien, you left out Brad Hawpe. Who in my opinion would be a great pick up.
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Brad_Hawpe
Per Ken Rosenthal:
Hawpe, signed for $5.5 million this season and $7.5 million next season with a $10 million club option for 2011, would be perfect for a team such as the Braves. He can void his option if he is traded and become a free agent after next season.
Lagert
May 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
Salamander relax, I like the guy, he is cheap, and doing better than what we have. It is not going to happen but it is a fun idea. Life is sort buddy a comment like mine should not get you so worked up.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:05 pm
Coach, do you want to take the Adam Jones idea or should I?
JEZ
May 26th, 2009
3:07 pm
I’m surprised no one has brought up trying to dump KK’s contract in the mix for a big outfield bat.
RC
May 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Concerning Adam Jones:
There is NO WAY the Orioles would be interested in trading him. He’s a 5-tool center fielder who is still 2 years away from arbitration, and appears to be “breaking out” this year. Considering that the Orioles are currently rebuilding, this is EXACTLY the type of player they need to keep, and will likely be a cornerstone for their franchise going forward. To suggest that they would trade him for ANY package of players including Francoeur is comical, especially since Francoeur is making about $3 million more than Jones this year, and will likely be making about $5-7 million more than Jones next year. Considering the job of the Orioles brass is to make THEIR team competitive, and not serve as a feeder system for the Atlanta Braves, there is NO chance of a trade like this happening.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Dooley, Chop Chop: Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Meant to write that about R.J. tomorrow — those are Chipper’s numbers against Randy Johnson, and Anderson’s numbers against him.
Not against Lincecum, obviously. Lincecum’s only given up one homer in four starts against Braves.
Glen W
May 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
Sorry if this discussed prior to today…
Anyone else notice that Frenchy was taking a pretty sound approach for the last several games, staying inside the ball, not over-swinging, hitting the ball hard to right field, etc… until Mac hit two dingers on Sunday? In Frenchy’s last at bat, he almost came out of his shoes. OK fine late in the game when your are up six runs or so. But yesterday, that approach carried over into critical at bats.
Looks to me like Frenchy is jealous of the attention Mac gets, maybe his contract? Because he could have really helped his team out yesterday and instead tried to hit the bejeezus out of the ball in situations that called for a flyball to right/rigth-center. No way he could have even seen the ball with his approach, much less hit it.
DAP
May 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
yeah, i havent heard much about kawakami since he matched halliday for 8 innings….i wasnt able to get on the blog that night or the next day, but i was wondering how some people were reacting…
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
Let’s get ready for tonights game
1. That was stupid cox. You can’t manage anymore
2. Why is Johnson playing. Prado should be playing 2nd
3. Another 1st pitch swing for Frenchy
4. Why can’t we ever work the count
5. Prado would gotten to that ball.
6. JA looks like he doesn’t want to be here.
7. JA just jogs after the ball
8. DFA Frenchy
9. Another strikeout. Send Kfer to AAA or DFA the bum
10. Why is Morlan in the game. He should be in AAA building arm strength
11. Lets trade Hansen
12. Bring up Jayson Heyward
13. Kotch can’t drive in runs bring up Freeman
14. Gotta replace Kfer with Gorky.
That should cover most of the rants for everyone
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
3:09 pm
I think I wrote this earlier about McCann, but in case I didn’t: He’s 5-for-9 against Lincecum. Francoeur is 1-for-10 with the only Braves homer off him. Kelly Johnson’s also 1-for-10 against him.
Salamander
May 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Life is short buddy a comment like mine should not get you so worked up. Langert
You haven’t seen me worked up. My comment is projected at my regular ‘inside’ voice volume.
I didn’t mean to pick on you, but I’m tired of the calls to sign every player whoever wore a braves uni at some point in their careers.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Take it Steve and try not to bloody the guy up too much, ok.
BamaBrave
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
I think getting Holliday would be as big as getting Fred McGriff back in The Day… I’m sure he was comfortable at Coors Field and had skewed numbers there, but the dude won a batting title. Get him back in the NL and I’m willing to bet he gets his mojo back. My only caveats…1) don’t include Hanson, and 2) don’t make the deal unless you can somehow lock Holliday into a multi-year commitment.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Thanks Steve!
sri
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
If Kawakami pitches like he has in May, does Vazquez for Nelson Cruz make sense for either team or does that weaken our rotation considerably?
DirtyDawg
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
As long as we’re startin’ rumors, and since Dusty Baker likes Kelly Johnson so much, and probably thinks that Cincy can turn Jeff around, how about we give both of them to them in return for Brandon Phillips? Would they do it – probably not, but who knows? That way we get some power, we fix second base and we can call up Hey-Man and let the kid get his career started. Of course, if we would at least try KJ in Center, we could move the kid (the Schafer one) to right…or try KJ in right, or left, anywhere to see if we can get something going in the OF.
The comment was made that we may have to wait to see whose ‘out of it’ after the all-star break to determine who will move whom…guess what?…my bet is that it’ll be us, and then it won’t really matter, will it? Then we’ll just be waitin’ for football to start.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
Right now, I’d take the Chick-fil-a cow in our outfield — Braves73
What, he hasn’t done enough damage looming over left field?
Besides, the Chick-fil-a cow is a Boras client. Tough to retain.
chuckw/deadjournalist
May 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
The interesting case of Barbaro Canizares:
Is he truly as mobile as a tree trunk in the field? His raw numbers would seem to have appeal to an AL team if the Braves deem his as unable to play the field.
For those who’ve seen him play – is he serviceable at 1st? Or is he DH only material?
On an unrelated note, I’m counting down the days until Vlad Nunez returns to the bullpen …
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
3:12 pm
Adam Jones ain’t going nowhere.
chuckw/deadjournalist
May 26th, 2009
3:12 pm
deem him*
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
Steve from OH, there is no way I would take one singular prospect back for Jake Peavy. Not a chance. But F-Mart has the highest ceiling of the prospects that you mentioned. But I get what you’re saying. Not sure how one prospect could be better than that. Imagine if the guy got hurt? You traded Jake Peavy for a constant DL member. Awful.
By the way, if F-Mart turns out to be really good….that would suck. He may be that 4th piece the Mets are looking for.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
Hawpe,Holliday,Ankiel, ME…anybody is better than Stenchy at this point! Look, I’m no Chipper Jones or Pujols, but I put the ball in play and run hard. I have occasional power and hit for a little average. Not good with fly balls, but Frenchy runs like a girl. I won’t cost an arm and a leg either.
JasonInFL
May 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
DOB, getting an OF bat is obviously the most important. I mentioned quite a while ago that I thought the Braves would end up getting Holliday. I still do…MoneyBall Beane and the Bravos have hooked up before…
I also think the Braves should hold truer to their word about using Soriano more in the 9th. Hey, if the other team has a couple of tough lefties coming up; great…use Gonzo. But, when healthy like he appears to be now; Soriano is the better option at this point. Do you think they will start using him more to close?
Ron Roberts
May 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
RC, I actually wasn’t sure of Jones’ contract status, other than his making the MLB minimum, frankly. I figured if he was due NEXT offseason to be arb eligible, they’d be more receptive to picking up young arms in the deal. IF he still has 2 yrs left before being arb eligible, you’re right.
Lagert
May 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
Sally,
You are right Andruw’s home away and splits are not great but his numbers with RISP and RISP with 2 outs are very impressive. It looks like he is not hitting into the double play as much as before.
Lag
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
You got it! Ron, the Orioles are not going to trade a young, cheap, under-club-control stud outfielder for our table scraps. They’ve been rebuilding for a while, and finally seem to have some good offensive pieces (Jones, Reimold, Weiters, Roberts, Markakis, etc.) ready to go with a LOT of good young pitching help in Matusz, Arrieta, Erbe and Tillman on the horizon. They’re only a year or two away from competition, so they’re not going to subtract a big piece like that, I wouldn’t imagine.
Well, certainly not for Francoeur and Reyes/Morton…
flange1
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
Andy K.,
Holliday’s agent is Scott Boras. No way he will sign a deal. He WANTS to be a FA.
If we acquire Holliday, it will be like the TEX deal if we would have kept him till the end of the year, we get Holliday for 1/2 a season, we offer arbitration, Holliday declines, we get 2 draft picks…..
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
Barbaro Canizares, quad A player. Enough said.
supa
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
Is Heyward ready?
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
Brian, no, there’s no reason the Braves can’t play Diaz in RF, if that’s what they want to do.
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
sri, I think we could do better than that for Vasquez….really, I do. But I think keeping Javy is the route we should go. This offseason? Sure, I could see them trading him. But I just think that would be too many moving parts.
AndyC
May 26th, 2009
3:15 pm
DOB
You might want to read through your blog again. You have a few akward sentences where it looks like you are missing some words like below:
“He’s grounded into twice as double plays (22) as he’s hit homers in that span.”
Not being critical. Trying to be helpful!
Erik
May 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
What are Frenchy’s numbers over the past week (>.400 avg) and past ten days (>.294 average). Before we throw him under the bus, I would see if he can continue what he has started over the past week. If he can stretch it into a bit of a hot streak, then it won’t take too long for his average to jump back up north of .275. If not, and if the numbers start diving again, then start looking around again. My issue is not so much that I’m enamored with Frenchy, but that I don’t think there is anything out there that won’t end up being a one-sided, one-year, rent-a-player deal that costs us way too much in terms of young talent at other positions. We haven’t done well with those trades recently; in fact, we have given away way too many good prospects for partial year rentals and we need to stop that trend now, even if it hurts us in the near term.
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
Steve, regarding your 3:14, I feel really bad for all the teams in the AL East. Just never a break in that division.
Canadaian braves fan
May 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
Fleming who is JA and Morlan? did we Josh Anderson back lol
Willie Coyote
May 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
Francoeur needs to listen to Chipper and HAVE A PLAN every at bat. He also needs to pay attention to what’s going on in the game. A pitcher could walk the bases loaded and he’s still swinging at the first pitch he sees. He still has the ability but is just not maintaining his plat discipline. If you bring up Brandon Jones then maybe you have a platoon situation in right; I am rooting hard for Jeff to break out of this (like I did for Andruw) but you can’t continue to spare his feelings/pride by not taking away some playing time. He needs to sit for a while, period.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
My favorite thing about the cow is the fact that its choppin’ leg is constantly in “Heil Hitler” position. Every night home game seems like it should have a torchlight parade and some goosestepping Nazis as the entertainment.
Maybe a “Nuremburg Rally Night at the Ted” promotion is in order?
The first 15,000 fans will receive a copy of Mein Kampf.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
DOB I think I wrote this earlier about McCann, but in case I didn’t: He’s 5-for-9 against Lincecum.
Yeah, with three doubles! Ya know, it’s been two weeks since he hit a double…he’s only got 5…
This time last year, he had like…18 doubles. He was leading the NL!
RC
May 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
Ron Roberts, no problem. My other point was that even if he was arb-eligbile next year, why would the Orioles take on Francoeur’s salary?
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
Efrim, I love F-Mart’s upside as much as the next guy. But why would you bank on it when you can get three guys with only a bit lower upside than him from someone else? Granted, Poreda and Richard aren’t all that and a bag of chips yet, but the Pads were getting two more prospects on top of them, and good ones too, I would think.
When you think about it, they’re not really making out from an on-the-field standpoint, trading an ace for a big bat. They need more pieces to build around, so a one-for-one doesn’t make any sense to me…
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
Supa, you need to go back and read yesterday’s blog, comments after about 11 p.m. last night. The Heyward situation covered at length.
JJ
May 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
Fleming –
A for effort. F for execution. At least get the names right. Dang. Morlan? JA? WTH?
BamaBrave
May 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Ugh…I forgot that Borass was Holliday’s agent… Never mind then. I don’t want Holliday for 4 months…
Evan
May 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Now I’d love Ankiel to be roaming our OF as much as anyone but wouldn’t he be just as great a threat to be the strikeout king of RF? 3.00 K/BB but I guess that looks pretty nice compared to Frenchy’s 4.80.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Chop Chop My favorite thing about the cow is the fact that its choppin’ leg is constantly in “Heil Hitler” position.
Haha! Yeah, that’s just wrong.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
I want a MASHA! Not little overpaid Brian Roberts or guy like that. We have Prado/KJ/Kotchman who all hit like him for the most part, just without the speed. Wren oughta just work on the speed thing in the offseason. And why is it that if something will NEVER happen some of ya’ll keep harping on it? Like that Bal. Adam Jones thing. STOP! think reality.
PMC
May 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
I don’t believe they have the money to add an outfield bat worth having before the trade deadline. Frank Wren has had this issue to deal with the last 2 years and he has chosen mainly not to address it with anyone of consequence. Seriously, they were out there and available the last two years. The first move was to go get Kotsay… that cost Joey Grand Slam Devine and we got around what 2.5 to 3 months out of him. Garrett Anderson was kind of the…oh crap we didn’t do anything else… let’s give him a million bucks and see what he’s got. Is Garrett Anderson somehow better defensively than Adam Dunn? No. Does Adam Dunn Strike out less than Francouer or Schaffer? NO. SO.. what’s the issue with Adam Dunn… they didn’t want to spend the money on Adam Dunn period.
Perhaps this year was the year they address pitching. I don’t see how Frank Wren could survive another year as GM fielding an outfield as anemic as the ones the Braves have trotted out the last 2 years. They haven’t been really good since the 90’s… I’m not sure they have been even sort of adequate the last several years.
Deal Maker
May 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
I’ve done the OBP, SLG, AVG, OPS thing and some number cruching…and here’s the deal.
Francouer, Vazquez, and a minor league arm or two to Oakland.
Holliday, Carbera to the Braves.
Holliday goes to right field; Cabrera backs up short and second…and Kelly spells Jordan in center occasionally until Infante gets back.
Braves starting staff: Lowe, Jurrjens, Kawakami, Hanson, Medlen/Glavine/Morton/Hudson (when/if available).
Dooley
May 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
DOB- that’s cool, I just figured you took a trip to Haight-Ashbury and enjoyed yourself a little too much!
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
Erik – It’s not that his average is up the last 10 days, It’s that he can’t seem to keep a constant approach from at bat to at bat. Either he uses the early season approach and slaps everything to right with no power or it’s the 08 version of closing your eyes and swinging hard in case you hit the ball. Yesterday with the bases loaded and no outs we got the 08 version and that happens much to often.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
Mein Kampf? That was written by Francoeur, right? Not sure why that would be a draw, seeing as how we’ve all had front row tickets to that “struggle” for some time now…
semiballcoach
May 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
mein kampf—–franceours last year and a half?
PMC
May 26th, 2009
3:24 pm
Thier best option having virtually no money in the budget is to continue to hope that internally they have guys that can get the job done. Pray Heyward is the savior we hope he could be in the Outfield. Maybe Gorkys Hernandez. I don’t know, but they have shown virtually zero interest in finding (paying) a relevant non geriatric Outfield free agent.
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
JJ - Fleming – A for effort. F for execution. At least get the names right. Dang. Morlan? JA? WTH?
JJ on this blog rants don’t require getting names or stats right. Don’t believe me??? Just tune in tonight to the ole blog if things start going bad.
Tomas
May 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
How about Jermaine Dye. Whitesox want a starting pitcher. How about a Jeff Francoeur, and Jo-jo Reyes or Charlie Morton(personaly I think Jo-jo has no trade vaule right now) for Jermaine Dye.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
Javier Vasquez is making 11.5 million. The A’s are a small market team. It’s a match made only in a fantasy league.
Eware
May 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
You guys remember when Frenchy hit that ball all the way to the kid in Norway or someother Scandinavian country? I bet that kid is pissed right now. Here he thinks he’s caught a ball from a superstar and was holding it to sell on ebay to feed his family… But now, he might only be able to get a KC Royals fleece pullover (like we’re about to get).
DAP
May 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
tomas
chi sox probably wont trade dye for awhile. quentin is hurt and dye is their best hitter. they are still in the race. unless they drop way out of it they will almost certainly hang onto dye.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
Matt Joyce on Tampa is very appealing, but he’s also a lefty.
Tampa is one team that also has an excess of outfielders. Maybe we could inquire about Ben Zobrist in a KJ/starting pitcher type deal now that Iwamura is out and they’re having problems with Kazmir and a less improved rotation from last season….
cvbraves
May 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
Anyone know what Holliday and Cabrera’s salaries are this year?
NCBravesFan
May 26th, 2009
3:32 pm
I still think the best move for this year, if a trade for a bat is to be made, is to get a player we can contractually control for longer than just this season. That is, unless we can get a rent-a-player fairly cheap (in terms of players or prospects).
In reading the Dayn Perry blog post posted earlier, I think you have to assume that the Phillies and/or Mets will be making a move to strengthen their pitching staffs. Both those teams are in a position to win this year and they will almost certainly go for it.
Not saying the Braves can’t win this year either – it’s just that I think they have to think in terms of a 3-5 year plan rather than a crapshoot in 2009 when it comes to player trades.
monty
May 26th, 2009
3:33 pm
Glen W
I think there may be something to the rivalry thing between Mac and Frenchy. I stated earlier today that he (to me) has a tendeny to have a good game, maybe hit a ball deep as he did Sunday and perhaps thinks “I’m seeing the ball better, I’m doing some things right, now I can start swinging for the fences( he really does have a huge desire to be the hero)but of course he isn’t ready and it takes him away from what works. I have said a few times this year that I’m not sure Jeff can be satisfied being a singles/doubles hitter and hit .290, and not a HR hitter.
PMC
May 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
I tend to wonder if and when they will start trying to Platoon Right Field.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
3:34 pm
Did we give up on the Josh Willingham idea? He’d be an upgrade at either corner, he’s fairly cheap, and he wouldn’t cost any top prospects.
Cameron
May 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
DOB:
What is the status on Escobar? When do you think he will be back playing? Thanks.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
Adam Jones and Nick Markakis are not getting traded. Neither is Matt Kemp or any other young stud Outfielder. Teams want to trade older more expensive players.
DAP
May 26th, 2009
3:35 pm
so is it just me and coach on the brad hawpe wagon?
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:36 pm
cvbraves, look it up.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
3:37 pm
Eware,
That’s pretty funny, however, a KC fleece pullover would sell for about $50. I’m not so sure the kid could get more than $30 for that ball right now.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
3:37 pm
For now DAP, but just wait, it’s gonna get crowded.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
I like Hawpe too, DAP. Not too sure I’m excited to see what he’d cost, though. Looking at a lot more than Gorkys Hernandez…
cs95
May 26th, 2009
3:38 pm
“so is it just me and coach on the brad hawpe wagon? ” DAP
i love the brad hawpe idea! i think he makes the most sense for a team like the braves.
LT-A blogger
May 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
DAP- I’ll Hawpe on that bandwagon. Sorry- know that was absolutley terrible. I’ll go back to non-blogging.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
Hey, here’s a photo of that play at the plate involving Fred Lewis. Looks out to me.
What say you?
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
3:39 pm
“Maybe we could inquire about Ben Zobrist in a KJ/starting pitcher type deal now that Iwamura is out and they’re having problems with Kazmir and a less improved rotation from last season….”
Yikes, buddy. I know you hate KJ, but come on. Johnson AND a starter for Ben Zobrist? Zobrist is what he is. A fourth outfielder who is having a great year. But I don’t trade Johnson for him. Nope. Zobrist hasn’t had more than 227 plate appearances in an entire year. Career .233/.299/.415 hitter in 652 PA’s. Bobby’s, do you really like utility players THAT much?
Thrillhouse44
May 26th, 2009
3:40 pm
I wouldn’t be mad at Brad Hawpe at all. I’d definitely rather have him than Holliday.
Alphare
May 26th, 2009
3:40 pm
Bases loaded with nobody out. Now comes Frankor. Swing 1st pitch regardless and misses. Swing 2nd pitch too hard that he actually spins like a ball. Now, he learns his lesson and decides not to swing, but it’s a good pitch. He is out!
AJK
May 26th, 2009
3:40 pm
DOB – might Jeremy Hermida of the Marlins or Josh Willingham of the Nationals be available and of interest to the Braves? Seems that Willingham, who’s struggling this year with limited playing time but has still belted 6 HRs in 94 at-bats, could be had relatively easily, given the Nat’s crowded OF situation.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
Thing is that if we are dealing for a LF, one of the LF has to go. We can have a team with 3 LF and then Norton…………We wont get a good RF for JF straight up, we will need to throw a really good pitcher from the minors to get it done. Or one of the bench guys. We could deal JF + bennett or carlyle + GA for a good RF or maybe JF + bennett + Norton for a RF.
RC
May 26th, 2009
3:41 pm
I like Hawpe, I just worry about:
A) One more LH bat in the lineup (but again, can’t be worse than the current bats)
and
B) He could be a Coors Field product. This worries me much more than the LH part.
El Bravo
May 26th, 2009
3:42 pm
Time to send Schaffer to AAA. Play Anderson in left, Diaz in Right, move Frenchy to center and bring up Jones to eventually take over Frenchy as he keeps strugling. As bad as Frenchy has been, Schafer has been exponentially worse and he could really use some time at AAA (Frenchy as well but I have a feeling that he won’t be a Brave much longer). This should at least hold us over until the trade deadline, when outfield talent will be more affordable. Bottom line, Frenchy and Schaffer will sink this team’s chances if they keep getting at bats, regardless of their defensive contributions… DOB, any insight from Cox as to whether he is contemplating benching either Frenchy or Schaffer for someone more competent with a bat?
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
Willingham, No. Hermida, No. Why? Inter-division trade. Both parties want none of that.
McPoyle
May 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
Prediction: Jordan will go 0-4 tonight, with 5 stikeouts. Not possible? We’ll see.
Tomas, I like the idea of bringing Dye back to Atl. But like DAP said, you might have a wait a while on that one. Then again, Kenny Williams is notorious for making wild, unpredictable moves. The guy is a proven run-producer, and even though his avg. has dipped a little this year, the power numbers are still there. Not sure what the story is with his salary and such, or how much it would take him to pull him away from the Southsiders, but he’d be a welcome addition.
flange1
May 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
What would it take to get Hawpe?
Gorky’s + Locke + Redman?
Is that enough?
AustinBrave
May 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
I think the Braves were about to make a trade for Hawpe. Hawpe for Medlen and Francouer. But when Medlen blew up the deal was over. Alot of Braves trading power got hurt or blew up.
masivatack
May 26th, 2009
3:44 pm
“I’ll take Nady. In a heartbeat.”
“yeah, he will look great on the DL for the braves.”
-DAP
I think I would rather have Nady for 60-75% of the season than any of our OFs for 95%. At least Nady has shown that he can hit with RISP. I don’t think it is a perfect fit considering he won’t be able to throw for a few weeks after coming off the DL. I just like how he plays. And yes, he’d look better on the DL than most of our guys do in the lineup. You are correct there.
I do believe Frenchy will be a serviceable outfielder and I wouldn’t mind it being with the braves, but we can’t have 3 OF players not only struggling to hit in RISP situations, but failing miserably. It just amplifies the problem. I know, Jeff is hitting .250 with RISP, which could be worse, but it is the unproductive outs that make things even uglier. I don’t want to pile on him, though. He is actually performing better than any OF on our team not named Diaz. : (
sri
May 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
Efrim, re Vazquez for Cruz. I agree that is too many moving parts, and like Braveheart pointed out a couple of blogs, we would basically trade run prevention for run creation and most likely weaken the team. But, if KK, Glavine, Medlen pan out in the next month I think it is worth considering a package around Vazquez and Cruz. Now Texas may not be even be thinking about trading the blog crush Cruz, but if Texas is still atop AL West, it may get desperate for pitching, and it will be even less likely to trade Cruz in the offseason. Since we are willing to trade Vazquez in the offseason, why not trade him 3 months earlier since Cruz can help out immediately and for the next 4 years. I think in the offseason we would most likely get back prospects for Vazquez, and Wren has to add to 2 OF’ers in the offseason, since most likely the Frenchy exp is in its last stages.
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
By the way, Martin Prado is hitting .209/.277/.419 in May(48 plate appearances).
Kelly Johnson – .299/.347/.478(72 plate appearances)
cs95
May 26th, 2009
3:46 pm
hawpe 2008
home: .279, 14HR, 49RBIs
away: .287, 11HR, 36RBIs
2009
home: .408, 2HR, 17RBIs
away: .275, 4HR, 17RBIs
McPoyle
May 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
i would worry about Hawpe too as a Coors product… but you look at his splits over the last 3 years, .288 on the road, .290 at home, 37 HR on the road, and 39 at home in a nearly identical amount of plate appearances (off by one). The guy can flat out hit no matter what field he’s on.
cpass
May 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
Honestly, it’s beyond me why everybody thinks that Dayton Moore has any interest in Frenchy. He doesn’t. It’s just wishful thinking. And the Royals have no need for another outfielder anyway. Now yes, I think they’d probably entertain an offer to rid themselves of Jose Guillen, but realistically that’s not likely to happen considering his contract, so Frenchy for Jose is out.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
njbrave
Uhhh, do you know what STOP-GAP CF’er means bud??? That means he would come in and play until Schafer (hopefully) figures things out. I wouldn’t say Edmonds is done being the fact he hit 20 HR’s last year and still can play very solid D. Would you rather have had Schafer the first 45 games or Edmonds? Do you honestly believe the Braves wouldn’t have about 3-5 ore wins had Edmonds had all Schafer’s AB’s?? You stay “stupid suggestion after stupid suggestion” what are you proposing fool? Obviously something needs to be done in CF and RF ASAP!!! The first order of measure and most realistic is getting Edmonds at league minimum and getting some productive AB’s out of the 8 hole, not automatic K’s and dinkers!
So next time you rip on someone with a good idea, which I believe signing Edmonds for league minimum as a stop-gap is, come up with a better idea. Also don’t you think Edmonds would be a phenomenal tutor to Schafer on how to play THE BEST CF you can possibly play? Edmonds can be a great influence on the kid and put up some very respectable numbers. Not to mention his clubhouse gamer leadership for what 400K? Get the papers ready for Jim to sign! Please anybody prove my theory wrong there, Schafer is CLEARLY not ready yet!
chc4
May 26th, 2009
3:47 pm
So DOB, you’d be in favor of a lineup that regularly features Kotchman, KJ, McCann, Schafer, Anderson and Ankiel? That’s 6 LH hitters. No way.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
Here’s a funnier picture of McCann.
Horner's Corner
May 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
Am I crazy or did DOB post the following, “He’s 13-for-33 with six homers against Big Unit.” And Randy Johnson is the Big Unit, right? So why all these post correcting him on this statement? Did DOB make an official scoring change later in the game?
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB, you didn’t mention Dye up top– what’s your opinion on him as a possible suitor in RF?
DAP, the White Sox apparantly need pitching and that’s what Wren has plenty of. I find it hard to believe that a package of Morton/Hernandez/Locke type wouldn’t get that deal done even if Quentin is DL’d.
Blackberry Cobbler
May 26th, 2009
3:48 pm
Francine and Shaffer are problems for the offense……………..
but, it would also help if we could keep Chipper in the lineup, shore up the pitching (Vasquez at 4-4 is a major disappointment and we still don’t have a reliable 5th starter), and teach McCann some defense (he’s got to one of the worst in the league)……………..
It would also help if Booby Cox would start playing small ball and learn how to manufacture runs. I am sick and tired of seeing 1 man on base or 2 on with none or only 1 out and we fail to move the runners up or most of the time don’t even try.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
Also, if you want, rip on me and tell me this is a stupid idea too. Since Infante is out 2 months and then when he comes back will not be at 100% for atleast a month. I say sign Ray Durham at the league minimum too. Another grizzly gamer vet, switch hitter who can play the infield spots respectively and still has very solid production in his bat. That couldn’t hurt having him because Diory isn’t going to cut it with the bat over the next 2-3 months when needed or called upon. Durhamn is a great fill-in and pinch-hitting threat.
Steve
May 26th, 2009
3:51 pm
I definitely agree that changes have to be made, but you can’t give away the entire house for a couple of months rent, if there is anything we learned from the Tex trade it is that. I would think that since he has experience pitching in the majors cleveland would probably take Morton and another mid to low level prospect.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
In my opinion we can’t trade Gorkys Hernandez. We have no idea if Schafer will be able to hit enough to be the CF of the future.
AustinBrave
May 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
Chuck James- I like the idea of Edmonds. I think we do it sooner than later.
Pete
May 26th, 2009
3:52 pm
chc4: “So DOB, you’d be in favor of a lineup that regularly features Kotchman, KJ, McCann, Schafer, Anderson and Ankiel? That’s 6 LH hitters. No way”
Not to mention Chipper. Since there are far more RH pitchers than LH, that makes 7 LH hitters when he’s not hurt.
McPoyle
May 26th, 2009
3:53 pm
Blackberry – are you saying Vasquez’s performance is a disappointment, or the fact that his record is only 4-4 is disappointing… because he’s been outstanding this season. He, Lowe, and JJ have been great…”a major disappointment” would not be the words i would use to describe Javy.
DAP
May 26th, 2009
3:53 pm
RCA) One more LH bat in the lineup (but again, can’t be worse than the current bats)
and
B) He could be a Coors Field product. This worries me much more than the LH part.
dont worry too much about that, RC. hawpe does struggle a little aginst lefties: .247 avg .762 OPS for his career, but is pretty good in his carrer away from colorado a .281 avg and .860 OPS.
but thats for his career. he has become a much better hitter since he started as a 25 year old. so far this season he is hitting .293 avg .964 OPS agsint lefties (you should see his vs righty numbers) and arespectable .275 avg .884 OPS away.
so he does have a difference in his splits, but he is hardly a scrub away from colorado. still very solid.
TBraveFan
May 26th, 2009
3:54 pm
Dear God,,, did I fall asleep for 4 months and it’s now September and we’re down to the wire? People — it’s the end of May and we’re 1 1/2 games out of FIRST PLACE IN OUR DIVISION… calm down, and stop all the panic talk….
yes, there are those in our outfield that probably shouldn’t be there, but Jeff isn’t one of them…. But there is a WHOLE lot more concern with what’s sitting in our bullpen right now. Buckett and Craplyle need to go…quickly… bring up Boone Logan to have another lefty in the pen, Campillo if he’s back to form for long relief. Sheesh… it ain’t rocket science – just calm down…it’s early and looks like we’re doing ok for a team that appears to be in such total disarray according to most of ya’ll…
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
Coach Dap – Check out Hawpe’s splits
Home – .431 .492 .725 1.217
Away – 275 .359 .525 .884
Much better than Frenchy’s but still there is a definite Coors factor involved.
WOW
May 26th, 2009
3:57 pm
Blackberry your an idiot. Vasquez has been solid this year, and his record for his career is below 500 with around a 420 or so career ERA so therefore he is what he is an inning eater so learn about the player before you make your stupid comments.
Glen W
May 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
Fleming – Check out Hawpe’s splits
Home – .431 .492 .725 1.217
Away – 275 .359 .525 .884
I’ll take 275/359/525… where do I sign up?
DAP
May 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
TnBrian but if they trade dye, and quentin is on the DL, who is gonna hit it for them?
its the same answer for folks who think the red sox will trade bay. hes their biggest bat right now, and they are in the hunt. they wont do it.
Bravesfan54
May 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
Jeff, that very thought was voiced again and again about Schafer and we found out he was not ready for prime time. Your seeking salvation in an untested AAA player is just not sound.
cvbraves
May 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
Coach (2010 or Bust): Thanks. Looked up Holliday and Cabrera’s salaries for this year. Holliday, $13.5 million; Cabrera, $4 million; total, $17.5 million.
…compared to Vazquez, $11.5; Francouer, $3.4; (plus couple of minor pitchers), $1 million; total, $15.9 million.
Looks to me like Oakland could handle this trade, considering they have options at year’s end.
MFin04
May 26th, 2009
4:00 pm
I’m not suggesting this, but just wondered about the possibility.
What if KJ went to play LF or RF and we played Omar (when he is back) or Prado (when Omar is back) every day at 2nd?
Also, is it really worth having Greg Norton on this team with Infante hurt? I’m not knocking the guy, but to never play in a game and only pinch hit, it seems we could use a roster spot to help get this offense going and to have a replacement in CF.
It might help to get him some more at bats against live pitching and we could spell Schafer in CF. Blanco isn’t hitting great in AAA. But it might help to get a little competition going on the big league club. He can’t do any worse than Schafer and is an average CF.
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
4:02 pm
Glen W – Didn’t say I wouldn’t jump on a Hawpe trade in a heartbeat but would have to temper my enthusiasm and thus what should be given in return due to the possibility of a Coors factor at least this year. In years past not near as big a difference.
Mitchie-san
May 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Hawpe? YES. Willingham? YES. Dye? YES. Holliday? No…. Stupid, Stupid Boras….
I sure do wish we could trade for a player about to be a FA and sign them to a long term contract immediatly.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
4:03 pm
Say what you will Efrim, but Cruz was no major leaguer until last year either. We’re back to the same damn argument: sample size and putting guys down for getting off to slow starts as young players with no regard for improvement.
Past performance doesn’t dictate future results as far as I’m concerned. Josh Hamilton, Ludwick, Quentin, Cruz, etc… should not have been given chances according to your theory on player development.
Over 650 PA (a major league season), Zobrist has totaled 23 HR, and that includes his 1st 2 “seasons” when he was considered a rookie still. I don’t care how Tampa has played him. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve had other options in the OF. The guy has turned a corner hitting 8 HR so far this year, and he could come for cheap. He’s got more walks this year in part time duty than Jeff’s had in his last 6 months playing everyday for us. He’s obviously an upgrade and he could come to us from a position of depth and strength in Tampa (OF) and a cost where we’re strong as well (2b). He’s cheap, he’s right handed, he can swipe some bags.
Don’t take it up with me about Kelly. All i do is point out what I see. DOB, Bowman, and other articles state he’s a piece that can be moved. Take it up with them, not with me who saw the writing on the wall long ago with all the lefties in the lineup and decent 2nd and 3rd options behind him.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
How about Sin Shoo Choo in Cleveland. Cleveland is going no where fast. They can give more at-bats to Matt La Porta. Choo is right handed, has some pop, and can swipe bags as well.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
Cameron, Escobar is day-to-day. Which means we’ll know more after clubhouse opens at 3:30 p.m., which is 6:30 p.m. East Coast Time. Could be back today, might be tomorrow, might not be.
Those asking about Dye — White Sox are near bottom of the league in most offensive categories. Where would they be without Dye?
TDub
May 26th, 2009
4:06 pm
Spilborghs will probably be available in July – not the best option, but an option. Seems like a trade of “different scenery” players would be likely, maybe Young from Arizona or DeJesus from KC as DB mentioned – unless Hanson comes up (and does well) and Huddy is looking good in July, and we decide we have enough starting pitching to trade. Having Holliday would make me the Happiest Boy in the World, though…
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
4:07 pm
TBravesFan, I answered your retort last night:
194 runs scored. ranked 10th place.
182 RBI. ranked 11th place.
.398 SLG. ranked 11th place.
33 HR’s. ranked 13th place.
586 total bases. ranked 13th place.
10 stolen bases. Dead frigging last.
Our entire outfield ( Frenchy, Diaz, Anderson, Schafer) has 7 HR’s and 53 RBI after 44 games.
This is why all the trade talk is ongoing.
ZC Rider
May 26th, 2009
4:11 pm
This may sound insane, but Texas has an outfield surplus that might have an affordable trade-piece. In just 69 at bats, Andruw is batting .290 with a .438 OBP, 4 dingers and 7 doubles. More importantly he would be an instant, if minimal, upgrade that we could get without mortgaging our future. It’s not exciting, but it sounds more realistic
gayle
May 26th, 2009
4:12 pm
DOB’s comments about the lack of offensive production in the outfield are hard to deny. Numbers don’t lie.
But it isn’t that the lack of outfield production is the ONLY missing piece with this team When your catcher is leading the team in stolen bases, that is a HUGE problem. When you have no threat at leadoff, that is also a HUGE problem.
So the Braves need to find a power hitting outfielder who can bat leadoff and steal bases. It ain’t Dunn and it ain’t Berkman, assuming of course that either would be available or affordable. Looking at this from fantasy land where most Braves’ fans are these days, why not pick up Soriano from the Cubs? Power bat, speed, leadoff hitter – he answers the three glaring needs, not just one.
The Cubs are for sale, so maybe they would love to unload Soriano’s big fat contract. Oh, I forgot, the Braves are for sale too!
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
4:12 pm
Efrim, I don’t care what Martin is hititng in May. He’s been hitting lots of line drives and still is trying to hit the ball to all fields, spraying grounders to 3rd, ss, 2nd, and 1b. He gives us good at-bats, decent defense, and will finish the year as a .300 hitter guaranteed. Let him play everyday and get comfortable, and you’ll see better results.
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
4:13 pm
The trade talk is nice and Wren is probably working hard trying to get it done but trade talk this early is scary. The price for anyone is gonna be a lot higher now than a month and a half from now. Hope we don’t give up too much for any pieces we trade for now when we’re still hanging in there only 1 1/2 out. But then you got to balance that with the fact that in a month and a half we may not be close enough to reap the benefits of waiting. Tough decision for Wren
BravesFan4Life
May 26th, 2009
4:15 pm
DOB,
We need to do something about our OF situation, and fast. If the Braves waited until the July 31st deadline to address that need, we could very well be out of the running for the division title, or the WC. We need a power bat, and soon..
MGL
May 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
I can’t see Kelly being traded or moved as long as Infante is out.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
By the way, it’s May 26th. The Colorado Rockies are 18-26. In last place in the N.L West at 12 games back. There is going to be a fire sale in Denver and soon.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
4:17 pm
Any one
How long can a player be listed as day to day before having to be placed on the DL?
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
4:17 pm
Those campaigning about Melky Cabrera last year also had a valid point…
Ron Roberts
May 26th, 2009
4:18 pm
RC, I wasn’t actually concerned about the Orioles picking up Francoeur’s salary; the thought being that we’d have to eat the salary and trade him w/a pitcher for a guy like Jones. Sorry I didn’t word it with more clarity.
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
4:19 pm
ZC, I can’t see the Braves trading away minor league prospects for a guy they had an opportunity to sign for the league minimum w/o giving up any players two months ago. I know he has played well the past two months, but he was terrible for the previous two years.
Fleming
May 26th, 2009
4:21 pm
I know our starting pitching is great right now, but talking about trading off surplus right now is scary after last year. Too many question marks going forward in the rotation. How is Medlin gonna do? Can Glavine make a return? Will KK’s shoulder hold up or is it gonna get tired again. Can Hanson live up to his promise? Right now we got a lot of options but suppose we trade Morton and Medlin and Glavine can’t return and KK’s shoulder gives out. Then it’s back to last year again.
Jfreak
May 26th, 2009
4:22 pm
Francoeur has proven that he has the ability to produce least we forget his first couple of seasons! I worry more about Jordan and Anderson. Jordan should platoon around the outfield giving all the guys a night off every once in a while. I like the idea of bringing up another bat from the minors but then who would you send down? You can’t send Francoeur down again and they’ve made their bed with Jordan! So a trade is all that’s left and from what I’ve seen there isn’t anyone out there that is going to produce any better unless the Braves care to give up some quality bait?? Are we really ready to give up on Francoeur? I’m not! We are still in the race and let’s see how the next few weeks go. Andruw Jones is an interesting idea???
Louisiana Boy
May 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
Brad Hawpe’s Career Stats are about a equal as you can get which helps to rule out the Coor’s field advantage. And when you look at his numbers at turner field he would be a steal, if he could post the same numbers. He is also making 5.5 million on the season which is not unreasonable. The Rockies would want pitching like almost everyone else. Maybe a package of Morton, Locke, Francouer (mostly salary purposes) and a lower level prospect would entice the Rockies to approach the table.
Away OBP .384 SLG .505 & OPS .889
Home OBP.384 SLG .531 & OPS .915
Turner Field Numbers OBP .419 SLG .696 & OPS 1.115
Plate Appearance
May 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
CENTER FIELD WOES
If we only had Josh Anderson back to play center field!
Great move Frank, trading away Josh!
Schafer needs to work out his hitting struggles in AAA. And why didn’t Bobby pinch hit for him yesterday with the bases loaded — and the Giants only ahead 3 to 2 at that point in the game?
Moreover, I too am in the camp of those who wish the Braves would have given Andruw a look in Spring Training. Project out his current part times stats with Texas over the course of a year (based on 550 at bats) and he would have close to 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in!
As for the possibility of getting Holliday, let’s not repeat the Tex blunder!
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
4:24 pm
Necromancer, you can list a player as day to day every day if you want to. It has no official meaning.
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
4:27 pm
JFreak, I don’t know what you mean by, “[Atlanta has] made their bed with Jordan.” They could easily send him back to the minors.
xx
May 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Enter your comments here
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
Those of you saying “bring back Andruw”, I urge you to check out his May numbers. His April numbers were rock solid. His May numbers stink. As of right now, his stats are headed in the downward direction.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
4:29 pm
How long can a player be listed as day to day before having to be placed on the DL?
Not sure exactly what you mean, but there are obviously no rules about how long a player can be termed “day-to-day” before going on the DL. Day to day is not an official designation, by the way, it’s just the player and/or the manager or other team official giving an estimate on when the player might be back, indicating it could be today, tomorrow, that it’s just not clear yet, but implying that he’s close to being ready.
BT
May 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
Please, no more 1/2 year rental!
KD
May 26th, 2009
4:31 pm
Get rid of Francoeur or send to the minors for a while and do something with Chipper and all his weird ailments !!!!!!
"The balls are bigger and slicker here," -Kawakami
May 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
You know what won’t make the Braves outfield better?? Complaining and whining about the Josh Anderson trade or the Texieria trade or the trade of Dominique to the Clippers.
Let. It. Go. Sheesh.
ZC Rider
May 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
The genius of Andruw is that the braves wouldn’t have to part with any real prospect. They might just be able to swap Frenchy, and if Andruw starts too stink he would be doing it for less money than Frenchy is.
ZC Rider
May 26th, 2009
4:33 pm
His May stinks b/c he almost never gets to play
Lew
May 26th, 2009
4:35 pm
McFann-Mac gave all his 09 doubles to Kotchman.
dap01
May 26th, 2009
4:40 pm
Francouer and Jordan should be sent to AAA. They need to stay there until they are seasoned enough to play at the major league level.
Get anybody to play CF and RF. Anybody will be an upgrade.
Don’t trade JF, let him learn to play and THINK in the minor leagues where he belongs.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 26th, 2009
4:44 pm
LOL, already making excuses for Andruw?
Chris
May 26th, 2009
4:45 pm
Since the Indians are being rumored to firesale if things dont turnaround, I would like the Braves to go for Grady Sizemore with a KJ/Morton/Reyes/throw-in package. We get a 30/30 guy and Prado/Infante plays everyday, and Schaefer gets a season in AAA, while we give Jeff a chance to turn it around. He protects Chipper, just dont know his contract situation. What do you think?
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
4:45 pm
Not sure if anyone has posted Brad Hawpe’s splits…
Home 51 ABs / .431 AVG / .725 SLG / 1.217 OPS / 2 HRs / 19 RBI
Away 80 ABs / .275 AVG / .525 SLG / 0.884 OPS / 4 HRs / 17 RBI
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
4:46 pm
ZC Rider
The genius of Andruw is that the braves wouldn’t have to part with any real prospect. They might just be able to swap Frenchy, and if Andruw starts too stink he would be doing it for less money than Frenchy is.
And what makes you think professionals who do such things for a living (namely the Texas GM) will not spot that vital 3 million difference.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
4:47 pm
so you guys have myspace or……….
Wes
May 26th, 2009
4:50 pm
good to see the same people writing the same things they spent a day and half writing on the last blog! We need a right handed bat in the OF. WE GET IT! Until someone does something about it, change the damn subject.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
Someone stole my handle (again) on that most recent post…. Sizemore is signed for a long time, the Indians won’t move him.
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
You can’t give up half the farm to improve the outfield. And there aren’t really any options in the minors. I think eventually one will become available via a trade that will be more valuable than Francoeur and Schafer and hopefully the Braves are still in it by then.
Erik, the problem is not Francoeur’s batting average. The problem is that his batting average isn’t much lower than his on-base percentage. Plus his slugging percentage is under .400.
Again, not many options right now. But I think maybe it’s time to give Brandon Jones and Diaz a shot to play most days.
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
4:52 pm
Chris, Sizemore would be a great pickup. Is he rumored to be available?
NorCal
May 26th, 2009
4:52 pm
McFann :Ô:
Yes, Fred Lewis is out! I don’t know what they mean by saying that he “avoided” the tag; he is clearly being tagged. That pic is on the sports page of the SF Chronicle today, why would they show that?
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
4:53 pm
No way the Indians are dealing Sizemore unless they get something like Hanson and Heyward, which isn’t happening. No chance in hell.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
4:53 pm
DOB
I guess I thought there was a certain time frame for the day to day status before having to be place on the DL.
Must be one of those “play it by ear” scenarios, right?
Thanks for the 411.
TUpac Urnhart Junior
May 26th, 2009
4:55 pm
BRAVES IT IS OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANTANCE TO US BRAVES FANS THAT SOMETHING IS DONE TO TO RECTIFY THIS FEEBLE HITTING OUT FIELD!!!!!!!
HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEIND GA,JF, IN A PAKCAGE DEAL! SEND CENTERFIELDEER BACK TO MINORS, HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
ZC Rider
May 26th, 2009
4:57 pm
The 3 million dollar difference would be offset with some minor prospects and the fact that Frenchy is only 25. That sliver of hope is worth something to both organizations.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
4:58 pm
Does any one remember when Smoltz was having problems back in the early 90’s?
He went to a sports psychologist and got straightened out.
Maybe the same could work for Frenchy.
I hate the fact that he’s going through stuff. But hey, maybe a little work on his mental state might do the trick.
Then again, what do I know?
CB
May 26th, 2009
4:58 pm
McFann if he was out MAC should have thrown a Yogi Berra fit. I thought he looked out also but neither BMac or Bobby argued.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
4:58 pm
Lew Mac gave all his 09 doubles to Kotchman.
Haha…apparently! Well, that was nice of him, but he needs to ask for a few back…
NorCal–
He is so out, it’s not even funny! I think somebody made that ump mad. But if they did, he needs to get over himself a little bit. Is he still peeved because the Braves wanted him to ask for help when Hammels or whoever ran out of the base-path on May 8? Sheesh…
Funny that they would put that picture on the cover…everyone’s gonna see it and go, “Whoa! He’s out!” Don’t know what Mr. Meals was thinkin’ there…
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
4:59 pm
I will defense Schuerholz and Wren until the “cows come home” but it’s hard for me to understand how they didn’t/don’t realize Francoeur wasn’t/isn’t ready; unless it’s purely a PR move. Either that or they are completely ignoring the ability-driven stats and paying way too much attention to the results-driven stats.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
5:00 pm
Sit Schafer and Frenchy immediately. Start Diaz in right field-I don’t want to hear about defense.diaz’s glove could not possibly hurt us asmuch as Fredo’s bat. Can Prado play center?
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
5:00 pm
good to see the same people writing the same things they spent a day and half writing on the last blog! Wes
Welcome to the blog, Wes.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:01 pm
CB–
I know what you mean…I’m not sure what’s with Bobby this year–he’s hardly argued at all!
I mean, maybe he did avoid the tag, but it sure doesn’t look like he did…perhaps McCann kept his mouth shut because he knew that umpire was already cheesed and he didn’t wanna cause him to make more bad calls on us (if that’s possible)…IDK. That’s kind of a stupid theory, I guess.
Buckind'ville
May 26th, 2009
5:03 pm
Hey O’brien nothing wrong with the column, but i believe “Left of The Dial” is actually on the album “Tim” not “Let it Be”
enjoy!
Dr. Hypno
May 26th, 2009
5:05 pm
watch the swinging watch
you are getting tired
you are getting sleepy
sleep
close your eyes and sleep
that’s it
sleep
now pick up the phone
call dayton moore
tell him
“jeff francoeur for twelve bats”
yes
that’s right
tell him “deal”
now hang up the phone
ok
when i snap my fingers
you will awake
snap
there
you feel much better now
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
5:06 pm
I feel kind of bad for Frenchy because he’s been given the impression by people who are supposed to know better that he can actually hit major league pitching at this point in his career.
Again, I think Scherholz is a Hall of Famer and Wren has made some brilliant moves. But the way the Braves have handled Francoeur since about this time in the 2006 season boggles the mind. 2005 had everyone believing. But after a while an OBP below .300 and a slugging that rarely touches .450 at any point in the 2006 season is a sign that maybe the player could use more seasoning.
Mrs. Cox
May 26th, 2009
5:07 pm
“I’m not sure what’s with Bobby this year–he’s hardly argued at all!”
Not true. The SOB is as argumentative as ever.
And he kicks the dogs.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:08 pm
Damn! Blog ate My post
I also believe in the Coors Field Factor regarding Hawpe…
M. Holliday on the other hand…Well at least he can run. I believe he stole over bases last year if i’m not mistaking…?
Rick Ankiel since He is a Borasshole client, I say Hell no to him…I smell another J.D. Screw Scenario writtin all over it…
Someone Mentioned G. Sizemore…I like the Idea but this isn’t “PS3 MLB The Show”…If the Indians are doing a fire-sale they will want 1/2 of our Farm system in return, No Chace In Hell! as Shaun put it…
Sizemore Is one of the Top-50 players of the game…He Just Doesn’t get the Props from BSPN because he doesn’t play in New Yawk or Boston…
However Something needs to be done NOW! K-Fer and Francoeur are Killing this Team “No Diggidity!”. “No Doubt!”
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:09 pm
From the “Official Site”:
The first set of early results provided by Major League Baseball on Tuesday showed that Jones ranks third among all National League third basemen, with 281,540 votes, and McCann ranks fifth among the NL catchers, with 227,564.
Fifth? McCann is freaking FIFTH?? Who the heck is in front of him? John Grove better not be in the top four! But he’s a “Cubby”, so people are gonna vote for him…Grrrrr…cursed eye issue.
Mike S
May 26th, 2009
5:09 pm
Shaun is back!!
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
Damn blog keeps eating my post
I also believe in the Coors Field Factor regarding B. Hawpe…
M. Holliday on the other hand…Well at least he can run. I believe he stole over bases last year if i’m not mistaking…?
Rick Ankiel since He is a Borasshole client, I say Hell no to him…I smell another J.D. Screw Scenario writtin all over it…
Someone Mentioned G. Sizemore…I like the Idea but this isn’t “PS3 MLB The Show”…If the Indians are doing a fire-sale they will want 1/2 of our Farm system in return, No Chace In Hell! as Shaun put it…
Sizemore Is one of the Top-50 players of the game…He Just Doesn’t get the Props from BSPN because he doesn’t play in New Yawk or Boston…
However Something needs to be done NOW! K-Fer and Francoeur are Killing this Team “No Diggidity!”. “No Doubt!”
Wrenterd
May 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
“…and Wren has made some brilliant moves.”
Yeah, when he plays checkers with 12 year olds.
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
Instead the powers that be with the Braves got caught up in the hype, the arm and the wrong batting stats and decided he was good enough to play in the majors until that point in 2008 when they finally sent him down (but not to stay). It really is sad for Francoeur because I believe he’s obviously trying. But this is one of the few players that a brilliant front office has mishandled since 2006.
bravesgirlnc
May 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
I love to laugh at all of you guys trying to put Reyes in a trade like he has value. He IS the “throw-in”
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
5:12 pm
I don’t see playing in the same division as an obstacle for a Willingham deal. If both teams improve their club, why would that hamper anything?
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
Bayou Brave: I’m not aware of any reputable source who’s indicated Sizemore is available. Only heard it among some folks here, where virtually everybody’s available who might possibly help the Braves.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
I think the Braves should trade a bag of balls and world series tickets to <insert team name here>’s right fielder (providing his salary isn’t too much) and send Jeff “$3.6M” Francœur to the minors to get his swing together.
There, I said it.
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
5:14 pm
McFann
Fifth? Who could possibly be ahead of him? Russel Martin probably…
abwright
May 26th, 2009
5:15 pm
McFann :Ô:, 5:09 pm…”Fifth? McCann is freaking FIFTH?? …Grrrrr…cursed eye issue.
I think you meant to say, “Dang your eyes!”
Dental Hygiene
May 26th, 2009
5:15 pm
I just flossed my teeth really well. I got out a lot of little pieces of last nights barbecue. I made a little pile of these bits on the bathroom counter.
Can I trade them for Jeff Francoeur?
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 26th, 2009
5:16 pm
DOB,
You mean Carlos Lee for some batting practice baseballs isn’t a viable rumor?
Looks like the bloggers have duped me again…….
For what it’s worth, I’d be on the Brad Hawpe bandwagon as well. Solid player, and I don’t think there is such a thing as a “coors field product” anymore. The humidore has really cut down on a lot of the offense in that park.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:16 pm
Ah-HA! I forgot Ivan was in this league now!
Top five vote-getters in the catching department:
1. Yadier Molina—-Cardinals—-451,368
2. Jason Kendall—-Brewers—-383,773
3. Ivan Rodriguez—-Astros—-292,496
4. Russell Martin—-Dodgers—-261,917
5. Brian McCann—-Braves—-227,564
At least Kendall is getting some consideration. But dangit…Martin is ahead of McCann? Arg…They need to not start the voting so freaking early. April? Come on!
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:17 pm
How about talking to the Reds about Micah Owings???
Not to bring in another pitcher, but convert him to the outfield… He has been struggling with his pitching for quite a while, after an incredible start, but dude can flat out rake….
He’s from the ATL originally, and kills when he has played here… And, he’s only making $420K….
The guy is a natural hitter, has plenty of pop, and has played the outfield plenty throughout his career, from high school to college, and, he’s got to be thinking about it himself – every team has always said they feel like they are giving up too big of a bat having him pitch… He’s even used as a primary pinch hitter in games…
Maybe send Frenchy their way??? And, maybe throw in someone like Jo Jo to fill the need for a fifth for the Reds??
If it worked, it would be genius! And, Frank Wren begins to cement his place in the ATL GM legacy line of shrewd maneuvering, wouldn’t you have to say??!
And, if not, he can’t be worse than what’s taking place now…
CorkylikesBeer
May 26th, 2009
5:18 pm
DOB..is Tori Hunter available/
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:19 pm
Roman Gal–
Yep. Martin is there, all right–fourth. Clint Hurdle must be on there constantly.
abwright–
Well, no…I didn’t quite mean it that way, I uh…it slipped out…
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:20 pm
How about this – Frank Wren signs an elephant to play right field. The elephant plays for peanuts. If it works out, then Wren will reall be aa genius.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
5:20 pm
McFann,
The four ahead of Mac are Yadier, Jason Kendall,Pudge and Martin (in that order).
Kinda surprised by that list but its early yet. Besides Mac gets noticed enough that he will find a way in. Dont worry.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
Saw you already got it Mcfann.
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
How about this – Hank Aaron in right field. Give him some HGH and he’s ready to go again. He’d be another Barry Bonds! This could be Wren’s all time maneuver.
Shaun
May 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
Seems like Owings is set on being a pitcher so I’m guessing it will take a lot of convincing for him to convert. Not saying it won’t happen eventually but I think it will be several years at least. Or may not happen unless he suffers some sort of injury. As long as teams give him a spot as a pitcher and he wants to pitch, he’ll pitch.
Also, we really don’t know how good he is. Could he be a good enough hitter to play first or DH or possibly corner-outfield (which I’m guessing are the only positions he could play defensively) everyday in the majors? Maybe he’s that good a hitter and maybe it’s worth giving it a shot eventually, but no one really knows.
ASG Guy
May 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
VOTE FOR MAC And CHIPPER ALL STAR GAME STL-09 noooooW!!! 2
Blair
May 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
LOL at everyone available DOB….
Kentavo
May 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
My vote is for Hawpe.
Then we can get a group of hearty hopped beer cans – such as an IPA – gather in the outfield and be Hawpes’ Hops.
Matt-In-SC
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
Scott Hairston would be a great pickup, he only make a lil over a mil, hes hitting .333 5hr 20rbi, and he was platooning early on with jody gerut before the pads traded gerut, im sure he could be had for cheap
abwright
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
CB, 4:58 pm…”if he was out MAC should have thrown a Yogi Berra fit. I thought he looked out also but neither BMac or Bobby argued.”
From the picture, which gives you an “umpire’s eye” view, he was out. From the 1000 different angles shown on the TV, in excruciating slo-mo, he was also out, unless you have poor vision and no corrective eye-wear.
However, BMac was interfered with twice in throwing to second, once deliberately (in my opinion). On the first interference, BMac discussed the non-call with the home plate ump.
I think both BMac and Bobby conceded that further argument might net them even more missed calls.
Did this umpire also blow the Hamels non-interference call that cost the Braves a Philthies’ game?
I also don’t think Chipper’s public statements over the blown call in NY on Beltran’s steal of third have helped the Braves reputation with the umps.
Maybe ESPN is paying off the umpires. If not for those blown calls in Philly and NY, the Braves would be leading the division.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
You know whats most aggravating about the all star voting?
Manny is 4th currently on the outfielders list. He would’ve completed his suspension by then. But still… what does he have to do to get off the list – strangle Bud Selig’s pet on national TV?
boutTHATmouf
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
frenchy is the braves vince young
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
Frank Wren has the brain…
Dude – the blog about Micah Owings wasn’t about making Frank Wren to be a genius… It was a thought on what might be a pretty good move outside the box to get the Braves some outfield pop…
Just a side comment that it would make Wren look pretty good at the same time…
How about some constructive comment about bringing Owings in??? Are you able to comment on that, or are you too worked up with ideas about Hank Aaron that don’t bring anything relevant to the blog????
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
Frank Wrens brilliant plan. Put an auxiliary fence running from the midpoint of the centerfield fence to the foul line just behind third base. Voila – no more right field. No need for a right fielder.
Just play another infielder. We have a bunch of those.
boutTHATmouf
May 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
frenchy is the braves vince young. good athletics got them this far but not enough brains to make it at the highest level
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
Saw on Mlbtraderumors that The Red Sox have an eye on Francoeur. Does anyone know what level of interest they have for him…?
diamondlady01
May 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
DOB_How about Gary Matthews, Jr as an outfielder? Isn’t he a man without a outfield position these days?
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
5:27 pm
Anybody tired of the Kincaide Phillies show on 680? All he does is pump how great the Phillies are even though they have the worst pitching in the NL right now. Only in Atlanta lol
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
Shaun,
From what I understand, Owings is open… It’s primarily been the teams who have decided to keep him pitching, but… you never know…
Like I said, just a thought outside the box… If it works, it’d be great… If not, can’t be worse than what we’ve got right now…
racists suck
May 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
“Chief Nock a Homa” is demeaning to Native Americans.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
Il Cattivo–
I was a little shocked by that list, too. At least the fans are smart enough to not have Grove in the top five…no offense to Grove, just sayin’…
Besides Mac gets noticed enough that he will find a way in.
He gets noticed by the players…the fans don’t seem to pay much attention. That’s why, even last year, he was a reserve (and a reserve in the extreme sense. Clint reserved him as long as he possibly could…). IMHO he shoulda started in ‘06, too.
But yeah, ya never know. Just gotta keep givin’ him support. Don’t tell DirtyDawg, but I’ve voted for him over 50 times, and I’m not stoppin’ till July 2nd!
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:29 pm
I also believe in the Coors Field Factor regarding Hawpe…He makes too much money for my liking, 12MM/Year thru 2010…I say No to that…
M. Holliday on the other hand…Well at least he can run. I believe he stole over bases last year if i’m not mistaking…?
Rick Ankiel since He is a Borasshole client, I say Hell no to him…I smell another J.D. Screw Scenario writtin all over it…
Someone Mentioned G. Sizemore…I like the Idea but this isn’t “PS3 MLB The Show”…If the Indians are doing a fire-sale they will want 1/2 of our Farm system in return, No Chace In Hell! as Shaun put it…
Sizemore Is one of the Top-50 players of the game…He Just Doesn’t get the Props from BSPN because he doesn’t play in New Yawk or Boston…
However Something needs to be done NOW! K-Fer and Francoeur are Killing this Team “No Diggidity!”. “No Doubt!”
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
I think the most realistic option in dealing Francoeur is in exchange for a minor leaguer from the Royals such as LHP, Daniel Cortes (ranked 90th by Baseball America) or at best 1B, Eric Hosmer (ranked 24th by BA). At least then we would have another chip to deal for a starting OF this year a la Matt Holliday.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
How about Jo Jo Reyes for Xavier Nady? They’re both on the DL, so it won’t really affect anybody.
And Jo Jo out to thrive in New York. Don’t they need pitching?
BT
May 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
When things get so bad that just to have an adequate outfielder people are proposing that we trade for a pitcher and convert him we have big big problems.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
Something needs to be done NOW! K-Fer and Francoeur are Killing this Team “No Diggidity!”,”No Doubt!”
Since Gary Matthews Jr got off the HGH/Roids his production went to the toilet. I say Hell No to that proposal
I also believe in the Coors Field Factor regarding Hawpe…He makes too much money for my liking, 12MM/Year thru 2010…I say No to that…
M. Holliday on the other hand…Well at least he can run. I believe he stole over bases last year if i’m not mistaking…?
Rick Ankiel since He is a Borasshole client, I say Hell no to him…I smell another J.D. Screw Scenario writtin all over it…
Someone Mentioned G. Sizemore…I like the Idea but this isn’t “PS3 MLB The Show”…If the Indians are doing a fire-sale they will want 1/2 of our Farm system in return, No Chace In Hell! as Shaun put it…
Sizemore Is one of the Top-50 players of the game…He Just Doesn’t get the Props from BSPN because he doesn’t play in New Yawk or Boston…
Kentavo
May 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
McCanns Cans and Hawpes Hops!
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:31 pm
“Racists Suck”,
Is that really you “Frank Wren has the brain of a … Wren” hiding behind a new name on the blog ????
Come on, don’t change personalities on us now…
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:32 pm
Since Gary Matthews Jr got off the HGH/Roids his production went to the toilet. I say Hell No to that proposal
I also believe in the Coors Field Factor regarding Hawpe…He makes too much money for my liking, 12MM/Year thru 2010…I say No to that…
M. Holliday on the other hand…Well at least he can run. I believe he stole over bases last year if i’m not mistaking…?
Rick Ankiel since He is a Borasshole client, I say Hell no to him…I smell another J.D. Screw Scenario writtin all over it…
Someone Mentioned G. Sizemore…I like the Idea but this isn’t “PS3 MLB The Show”…If the Indians are doing a fire-sale they will want 1/2 of our Farm system in return, No Chace In Hell! as Shaun put it…
Sizemore Is one of the Top-50 players of the game…He Just Doesn’t get the Props from BSPN because he doesn’t play in New Yawk or Boston…
However, Something needs to be done NOW! K-Fer and Francoeur are Killing this Team…
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
5:32 pm
Eric Hosmer for Francoeur? Dayton Moore would be shot!
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
Bayou Brave,
If the Royals traded a Baseball America Top 100 prospect for Jeff Francoeur, Dayton Moore would be escorted out of his office by security.
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
I wonder if this will work….
Comparison
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
5:33 pm
Yeah…or shot.
I was trying to be nice this time, Steve.
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:34 pm
BT,
Don’t you think things are in pretty desperate measure in the outfield???
And, when you don’t want to give up your farm to get a name, you think outside the box… the pitcher is an outfielder/pitcher all through his career and holds the GA state record for bombs in high school… The guy can play…
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 26th, 2009
5:34 pm
Sign Jim Edmonds as a stop-gap in CF so the team can get productive AB’s from the #8 hole and he can still play very solid D with pop in his bat. He will sign for the league minimum and give Jordan some AAA time and tutor him on how to be the best CF’er of his era. No brainer to me, no brainer. You upgrade the team by the end of the week and don’t give up anybody!!!
THEN you worry about acquiring a Holliday, Hawpe etc… Having guaranteed K’s in your #8/#9 80% of the time with Francoeur batting 7th is out of control!!!!
TN Jeff
May 26th, 2009
5:35 pm
Gayle, 4:12 pm
You speak so little these days – guess you’ve given up
I’m still a fan – your comments are always dead on!
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:35 pm
I have no opinion about Micah Owings. Maybe he can be another Dunn. But it would be a real gamble. He would have to spend a year in AAA.
I just can’t stand Frank Wren. He is not brilliant. He is a bumbling fool.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:35 pm
Diamondlady01
Hell No to Gary Matthews…Since he got busted for HGH/Steroid use his production has went to the toilet…He will be overpaid deadweight the Halos have to carry around when V. Guerrero gets back…
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
Wow! It did work. By the way, that’s the top 5 catchers numbers so far.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
Well, I don’t think they would really shoot him, Chop Chop…
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
Heyward goes 3-4 today and raised his average to .295
BT
May 26th, 2009
5:37 pm
Chief Nock I am definitely not saying things aren’t bad, real bad. I am just saying it is sad when converting a major leaguer during the season is an alternative to what we have. I haven’t heard any great ideas I will admit. I still think our biggest problem is in CF.
red chevy
May 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
Has anyone considered it might be time for a new hitting coach? How many players have had hitting declines over the past few years, TP’s ability to impact their approach seems to have run its course.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
Roman Gal–looks like the voting process is working well, huh?
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
Frank Wren has the brain of a… Wren
Understood, thanks for the clarification…
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
Wow, Joe Mauer’s stats are sick. Where did he develop that kind of power. In this day of baseball you have to wonder.
Nathan Proudfoot
May 26th, 2009
5:38 pm
The Braves should change their name to the “Caucasian Cowards”.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
5:39 pm
I would shoot him, Steve. I can’t abide stupid general managing.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
5:39 pm
Infante out = KJ future with the braves is safe for 2009…………all of it, specially now that Prado has shown son struggles.
Shamus Thacker
May 26th, 2009
5:40 pm
I think we should trade The Cow for The Big Chicken.
Used to be a KFC across from AFCS. Friends and I would arrive for night game around 2-pm. We’d tailgate (drink) till right before game-time. Then we’d grab a bucket at KFC and take it in. The first three innings were a feeding frenzy. Our shirts looked like we’d fought a battle with gravy-filled paintballs. Hands so greasy we couldn’t grip our beers. Slaw juice dripping down our cheeks. Biscuit crumbs littering everything and everyone around us. Oh the humanity….
Fun as Hell though… Don’t think the folks around us were too crazy bout; and we did tend to make a little noise….
Chief Nock A Homa
May 26th, 2009
5:40 pm
BT,
I agree… Just knowing the brass isn’t likely to trade major pieces and spend more, I thought it might be interesting to look outside the box a little…
I really don’t see why Heyward isn’t brought up and given a chance to see if he can do some damage… Couldn’t hurt – even if he bombs…
Ben
May 26th, 2009
5:40 pm
Rob Neyer:
The thing is, I’m not convinced that this thing can be fixed. Sure, if the Braves turn over enough stones they’ll find an outfielder eventually. But one’s not enough. They need at least two, and possibly two-and-a-half because Diaz isn’t really good enough to play regularly against right-handed pitching.
I’m not saying the Braves shouldn’t give it a shot. But they need help, they need lots of help, and they need lots of help soon. I don’t know that they can find help worth getting without trading away half their farm system. Especially before July. The front office made a bed that included an outfield consisting of Anderson, Schafer and Francoeur. Now they probably just have to lose in it.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
5:41 pm
Rob Neyer has a point
Del
May 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
In my opinion Frenchy’s problems all start and end between his ears. Will additional time in the bigs or elsewhere cure that problem? I have no idea, but if I was a betting man Id bet NOT CURED. He is more interested in his personal stats than helping the team IMHO.
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
Bobby’s, you can say whatever you want about Prado. He is a solid utility player, and might be a pretty good second baseman on another team, but I will never agree with you on this statement:
“Past performance doesn’t dictate future results as far as I’m concerned.”
Come on. Of course it does. At least a little. Anyway, If Zobrist were 24 instead of 28, I would of agreed with you. But my guess is that he does well because Tampa Bay doesn’t ask too much of him. When you stretch bench/utility players, their flaws come out and it gets bad. Zobrist would be a nice addition, I agree, but you said to trade Kelly Johnson and a starting pitcher for a 28 year old who hasn’t been used as a regular. So you are basically saying trade KJ and a starter for a utility player. I’m sorry man, I can’t and will not agree with you there. Trading Kelly might make some sense if you are getting some known value for him, but trading one of the better offensive second baseman in the league for a utility player makes no sense to me.
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
McFann :Ô:
Aside from Yadier whose a given….only Bengie and Ianetta should be ahead of Mac
The Kelly Johnson Man Love Association
May 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
Hooray! Infantes out. Prado is doing poorly.
Now our boy can suck as much as he pleases and still keep his job.
Hooray!
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
5:43 pm
And why is Mr. K man David Wright leading 3rd baseman..I mean I understand Chipper not but seriously.
BT
May 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
Chief I agree with you on Heyward or even Cody Johnson. What can happen, they strikeout with risp? Wow would that be unique! The last thing I want them to do is to do another Tex disastrous trade.
Ben
May 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
McCann getting whipped!
Yadier Molina 451,368
Jason Kendall 383,773
Ivan Rodriguez 292,496
Russell Martin 261,917
Brian McCann 227,564
McCann has easily the best stats too. Jason Kendall????
The All Star process is a joke
May 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
I get tired of having to say this every year.
The all star game is a joke.
The all star voting is a complete travesty.
It’s all about money. Don’t give this farce your time or attention.
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
5:45 pm
I still think Daniel Cortes for Frencoeur is plausible. And I said AT BEST we might get Eric Hosmer. Despite Francoeur’s considerable shortcomings he has had success in the past and he is still young, and Dayton Moore is rumored to be interested in him, and he’s not eligible for FA for another couple of years. While these are top prospects we are talking about, they are still just prospects.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:46 pm
Red Chevy:
After we drop 2 of 3 this series the “Fire TP” Posts will be in full effect, “Bank On It!”
I have noticed over the years that his influence on our hitters seems marginal and that’s putting it lightly
Efrim
May 26th, 2009
5:47 pm
Rob Neyer does have a point. But the Braves probably give themselves a better chance if they bring up Brandon Jones and acquire, at least, an average corner outfielder through trade.
And Eric Hosmer for Jeff Francoeur would get Dayton Moore fired. On the spot.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
5:47 pm
Roman Gal
That stat comparison tells a damning story doesnt it. All star voting is a travesty. Adrian Gonzalez isnt in the top 5 after his stunning start to this season. It seems like only Pujols is better, but still the media and fan bias offsets it.
What happend to the Braves....
May 26th, 2009
5:48 pm
What about Blanco…. why isn’t anybody saying anything about him? He looked pretty good when I saw him in Gwinnett.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
5:50 pm
Chief I agree with you on Heyward or even Cody Johnson. What can happen, they strikeout with risp?
Well, in the case of Johnson, he would strike out with RISP. He would strike out with none on. He would strike out with 1 out. 2 outs. Even zero outs, and our man Cody would K. And then, out of nowhere, he’d hit one off the Pagan Bovine in left. Then he’d strike out a bit more before hitting one off the Warehouse outside of Camden Yards (we’d be on a road trip at this point). And then…strikeouts. Oh, God, the strikeouts.
However, there is a silver lining! You (and bear with me, I know this is a radical idea) leave him in the minors for one, two, even three more seasons. Why? Well, you teach him how not to strike out, how to walk, and maybe even how to hit base hits when he’s not taking out satellites. Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Nah, we should totally let him wail away now…
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
Nice comparison, Roman Gal. Oy…That’s ridiculous. Russell Martin?
bravos2249–
For sure. Really, the only things Martin has on him are RBI (20), doubles (8), and stolen bases (6).
I’ll say it again–I can’t stand online voting, no matter how many times I use it.
The incredible shrinking manager
May 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
Not only is he less argumentative, but Bobby Cox is now 5 inches shorter than he was in 1991.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
I hope That Post about Bringing up Gregor Blanco was a Joke…
If It wasn’t, Then No Comment…Obviously who made that post hasn’t been keeping up with his stats or readiung this blog
JD
May 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
I think I might be one of the only ones, but I really believe that Francoeur is on the right track now. Last year was a humbling experience for him – it taught him that for the first time in his life he can’t just get by on his natural ability.
The past couple weeks have taught him that if he doesn’t stick to a different approach he’s going to….suck. Before yesterday, he was hitting over .500 during his hitting streak, with a lot of hits to right. I think pretty soon, once he gets more comfortable, the power’s gonna start showing up again. He’s showed both power (2006) and consistancy (2007) before so we know it’s there.
I just think (hope) JF’s about to break out and surprise us.
Shamus Thacker
May 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
The All-Star Game is not about putting the best players on the field. Too many variables influence vote totals. The selection process is a ridiculous joke….
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:52 pm
Wow…Nice comparison, Roman Gal. Oy…That’s telling. Russell Martin? What the heck?
bravos2249–
For sure. Really, the only things Martin has on him are RBI (20), doubles (8), and stolen bases (6).
I’ll say it again–I can’t stand online voting, no matter how many times I use it.
Bayou Brave
May 26th, 2009
5:52 pm
Apparently everyone knows more about this Hosmer kid than me, so I will drop it. How about Francoeur for KC hitting coach Kevin Seitzer?
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
5:52 pm
OKay how is Escobar not getting any love….JJ Hardy is hitting frickin .234…and when voting started he was hiting .156
Mort Merkel
May 26th, 2009
5:53 pm
Barry Bonds is still available, right?
bv
May 26th, 2009
5:54 pm
Shafer and Frenchy are the worst two of in baseball. they are getting worse by the week. Thank God for our incredible 1-2 punch of Lowe and JJ! How much longer til Shafer gets demoted. The guy is lost at the plate.
braves70
May 26th, 2009
5:54 pm
Frank Wren…….
How about a life size statue of Ty Cobb in RF. He was from Georgia. His scowl would probably intimidate many pitchers into a walk. He would have as much chance of getting a hit as our current RF or CF.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
5:55 pm
bravos2249 and when voting started he was hiting .156.
I rest my case–outside of Atlanta, McCann hardly gets any fan-love. At all.
He was hitting around .180 when the voting started. If JJ Hardy cann get votes hitting .156, why can’t McCann get any batting .180? Hmm.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
5:58 pm
Frank Wren better not trade Hanson, Heyward, or Gorkys Hernandez. Hopefully not Freddie Freeman either.
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:58 pm
braves70 – excellent suggestion!
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
5:59 pm
I am working on a deal to acquire Freddie Freeloader for right field.
Shamus Thacker
May 26th, 2009
5:59 pm
All-Star voting process is a joke. Too many variables play into vote totals.
Shamus Thacker
May 26th, 2009
6:02 pm
Who ya gonna trade Frank? Clem Cadiddlehopper?
Mort Merkel
May 26th, 2009
6:04 pm
Gertrude and Heathcliffe for Freddie.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
6:04 pm
The only way the All-Star voting process wouldn’t be a joke is if the NL was represented solely by Atlanta Braves.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
6:05 pm
Reyes, Church to the DL, Fernando Martinez promoted for the Mets…
CB
May 26th, 2009
6:06 pm
Steve good post at 550pm – too bad they didn’t apply that to Jeff F.
cd
May 26th, 2009
6:07 pm
hows it look for chipper tonight
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 26th, 2009
6:08 pm
Jim Edmonds in CF as a stop-gap, please. Now, at the league minimum. Can’t go wrong! I can’t say it enough. I want one person to give me one good reason why that would be a stupid or poor move (especially from njbrave, bring it bud!).
The One & Only Seattle Braves Fan... Thanks, I'll be here all week
May 26th, 2009
6:11 pm
I’m sure that no one cares, but… I went to high school and played on the same baseball team with Travis Ishakawa in my junior and senior year. As much as I love the Braves… it’s nice to Travis rake. It’s fun to see an old friend in the majors.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
6:14 pm
As much as I dislike the Mets, it seems like their squad is being decimated with injuries. They are going to struggle with defense,offense,speed and pitching. Lets see how resilient they are.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
6:15 pm
Four hours till the game starts…dangit…
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
6:15 pm
Hanson pitching tonight at 7et. A little doubleheader action.
http://www.streamaudio.com/Player/Player.aspx?Station=WDUN_AM&filename=&Optin=
stew
May 26th, 2009
6:16 pm
How about an outfield of Cody, Andruw, and the Hey man. It wouldn’t cost us anything. Send the Rangers JoJo and some other crap. Omar isn’t the answer. While we’re at it, bring up Freddy the Freeloader. All this talk about Schafer’s defense, is he truly anywhere near the ten gold glove winner Andruw. I know how everyone says Andruw’s bat is or was non-existent last year, but when did he become a scrub defensively.
interested in the giants
May 26th, 2009
6:16 pm
hey one & only seattle braves fan:
what’s the scoop on Ishikawa? He looks like an excellent defensive player and is a big guy and looks like he’s strong – why no power so far?
JD
May 26th, 2009
6:18 pm
I want one person to give me one good reason why that would be a stupid or poor move
He hasn’t hit above .260 in years. He’s about to be 39. He hasn’t played in a major league game in about 9 months.
oops…that was 3 reasons. But I’d rather watch Schafer learn and grow than watch Edmonds lay eggs and embarrass.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
6:19 pm
The List
Ankiel – nope
Ludwick – won’t happen
Dye – yes, if the money is right, only 1 more year under contract
Magglio – too expensive
Holliday – yes, but is he too costly for half a year? Tex version ‘09
Derosa – would be a good addition but not the solution – part of the solution
Guillen – not bad if KC would eat some salary…a lot of salary
Dejesus – not worth it for Frenchy
Willingham – lower cost fix
Hermida – a swap for Frenchy might not be bad
Kelly Johnson – Is Prado KJ better than Frenchy/KJ?
Bay – missed that boat last year
JD Drew – version 2.0?
Hawpe – lower cost but he is a lefty
Elijah Dukes – I would do it straight up for Frenchy
LaPorta – not proven and would be costly but a good long term pick-up
Rowand – good player bu not while SF is still in it
Delmon Young – swap Frenchy for another under performing, high upside OF’er?
Adrian Gonzales – would take giving up Kotch and for SD to fall, which will happen.
Conclusion? Shoulda made the Bay deal last year. Wither over pay in prospects or take on added salary…or both.
Carpe Diem
May 26th, 2009
6:20 pm
still don’t get all the f*&*#ng crap I’m getting about wanting to trade Jurrgens or Hanson. They’re only pitchers! (PW)
ONLY pitchers, huh? Pitching is the name of the game when it comes to good team. There are a whole lot more good hitters around than there are pitchers of JJ’s caliber. Teams with good pitching have won way more world series than teams that depend on good hitting.
Barry Bonds
May 26th, 2009
6:20 pm
Why dont you guys call me? Im clean I tell ya. Yall just scared Hank will get mad at you.
ol ' number six
May 26th, 2009
6:21 pm
Can anyone tell me why everyone keeps referring to David Justice out in right field as “Frenchy”? Am I missing some kind of joke.
And doesn’t Dale Murphy look real good since I moved him to second base. I love that guy.
Oh, and that Chipper Jones kid is really gonna be good one day. I just need to find a position for him.
hop
May 26th, 2009
6:21 pm
here we go again trading valuable pitching prospects for a one year or less solution.
that is why we are in the situation that we are in now,by trading four very good young players to texas and they are now in first place.
the braves need to be patient and NOT trade these great arms!!!
they need to move kelly johnson to the outfield and bring up another kid who is playing well in the minors now.
enough is enough, please!!!!
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 26th, 2009
6:22 pm
Will we actually benefit by bringing in anyone with what we could dangle that would be better than running Heyward or Johnson out there? Seriously, over the long run, who can we get? Don’t we run with youth in the RF or Diaz? Send Shaefer back to AAA and bring up Heyward. Did that with Andruw. Who’s to say it won’t work with a Heyward or someone of his ilk.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
6:23 pm
As much as I’ve missed seeing BMac hit doubles, I would be in no way hurt if he decided to hit a couple in these late-night games. Wouldn’t hardly mind missing an RBI double, either…
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
6:24 pm
Efrim,
I agree with most, or half of your last post. I didn’t really mean both KJ and a starter. More like KJ and if it wasn’t enough, then minor league pitching prospect like JoJo or Parr
I’m just saying, we’re not going to get a huge bat because of the cost salary-wise, and what it will cost us in prospects. A younger, cheaper, player like Zobrist would be an upgrade over Frenchy. Many players would be, and that’s the type of deal i think needs to be worked out…nothing like the big names being thrown around here. That’s where I’m coming from.
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
6:27 pm
If only all star-voters knew the wrath of McFann, then McCann would win the starting National League catcher’s role unanimously…
bravesgirlnc
May 26th, 2009
6:27 pm
Just took me 5 seconds to find out Zobrist is 3 years OLDER than Frenchy
frenchified
May 26th, 2009
6:29 pm
“Just took me 5 seconds to find out Zobrist is 3 years OLDER than Frenchy”
but frenchy is very mature for his age.
bravesgirlnc
May 26th, 2009
6:29 pm
oh, and all of you guys talking about getting Maggs have not been paying attention to the news out of Detroit (no, not THAT news) where they are calling to release him. Unless he turns things around, he would not be an upgrade over Frenchy.
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
6:30 pm
I hate the way the all-star game is set up. Bud Selig has his head so far up his badonkadonk that he doesn’t realize how completely ridiculous it is. I probably have 50 ballots sitting on my desk that I got from the game, and that’s on top of the 50 or so that I fill out every game I go to. I hate being that way, but at least I fill it out for players who deserve to be there. I hate it, hate it, hate it!!
Frankie Knuckles
May 26th, 2009
6:31 pm
Seattle Braves fan.
How good was Travis in high school? Did he pitch? Was he the kind of dude that you’re like, “he’s gonna make it.”?
Must be cool to point to the TV and say, ” I know that guy”.
Good stuff man
frenchified
May 26th, 2009
6:34 pm
in the long history of the braves, frenchy is just a bum burp. he will pass.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:37 pm
Im going to own the braves today. I’m goin to get 10 stike outs at least and get one hit off your rookie. yall don’t stand a chance. This is my house!!!!!!!
siskel_god
May 26th, 2009
6:37 pm
Why not just send Jeff down to Gwinnett instead of giving him away for nothing? He obviously has talent I really think he is just trying too hard. He is only 25 or 26 Nelson Cruz for the Rangers is 29 and he’s just starting to break out and Ludwick was 30 before his big year last season, the Braves get ripped on alot for trading Jermaine Dye but he was a late bloomer too, Carlos Quentin was given up on by the D-backs and he was almost the MVP last year. What would it really hurt just to send him down for a few years, play Diaz in right and when Omar comes back give him a shot in center every day let Shafer either go down or be the 4th outfielder. Giving a guy away who had back to back 100 rbi seasons is what people on this blog love to bash the braves for maybe that is why their is such an outcry to do it.
BT
May 26th, 2009
6:39 pm
I agree Siskel
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:40 pm
Just give me the CY Young after the game. There is no one better than me
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:41 pm
All i got to do is throw my glove on the mound and the braves are done
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
This win will be almost too easy
frenchified
May 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
if barney fife batted in the middle of the braves lineup over the last several years then he would have had 100 rbi’s per year too.
trapper
May 26th, 2009
6:42 pm
jose reyes on DL.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
6:43 pm
YO DOB
I just have to ask you this question, I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who works for the Texas Rangers and he said that Andruw Jones is available. They have David Murphy heating it up now and that they are open to considering a trade. According to my friend, the Rangers had always had AJ’s trade value in mind if he were to make the team but not make the everyday lineup.
If the Braves were to consider it at all, how much of a boost do you think bringing AJ would have if he were to come back?? Just food for thought.
OKGA
May 26th, 2009
6:44 pm
I am absolutely amazed to see Schafer in the line up game after game. Hasn’t he had enough of a chance? I know his defense is above avg., but c’mon. Personally, I’d prefer Francoeur stay rather than him. I’d even rather B. Jones or (gasp) Blanco in CF. Try something for fx sake B.C.
And watching Garrett Anderson tiredly jog the bases & after the ball in LF is painful to watch. I cannot wait til he time here is over.
rt
May 26th, 2009
6:44 pm
We have the worst outfield in mlb history!
jmart1951
May 26th, 2009
6:45 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing them send Frenchy to Gwinnett until the All Star break to work on his new approach. Bring B Jones up and let him and Diaz platoon right field.
If Jeff can regain his stroke great, if not see what comes available at the deadline and see if we are still in it this year.
In my opinion the Braves are getting ready to bring Glavine back. After June 1st we could have Hanson up without him becoming a Super 2 player. Glavine stops that move. In my opinion Hanson would win more than half of his games. Glavine will win less than 30%. Glavine will end his career being booed by the fans that cheered him for so many years. Its sad to see an athelete not know when to hang it up. Wren of course is the enabler in this instance (Overall, I feel that Wren has done well).
Carpe Diem
May 26th, 2009
6:46 pm
Francouer, Vazquez, and a minor league arm or two to Oakland.
Holliday, Carbera to the Braves Deal maker
you should have done the common sense part too. If Oakland is out of it enough to dump Holliday’s salary why in the world would they take on Vazquez’s and Frenchy’s?
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:46 pm
Everyone can go home early. This game is mine. It will be like pitching to a AA team. Braves are a disgrace
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
6:47 pm
Carpe Diem,
I didn’t post that. Someone else posted that under my handle. Very cute of them.
Corey
May 26th, 2009
6:47 pm
Shafer is hitting .205, Francoeur can’t get on base or hit for power, and Anderson is done. To all you out there who bashed me about wanting the Braves to sign Dunn in the offseason b/c of his defense… ha!
Our best option now? Matt Holliday. He gets on base, hits for power, and can play DEFENSE. With Holliday in left and Diaz in right, we’ll actually have a productive outfield, and that’s what it will take to be competitive in this division.
OKGA
May 26th, 2009
6:49 pm
Something else to think about: why the hell didn’t Wren pick Frank Cat when he was available after the Rangers released him?
trapper
May 26th, 2009
6:50 pm
beside GA the outfield is young. they might need developing in AAA but there here now. just be patient, we are still in the race and JF and JS can both improve greatly.
MP31
May 26th, 2009
6:50 pm
Wren won’t do anything to improve the club. Hes washed up. My opinion yall are wasting some time. Wren wants to build a team for 2010.
3pitch
May 26th, 2009
6:50 pm
Francouer just turned 25. He was rushed to the majors, and his best years are probably ahead of him. It would be a mistake to just dump him. The G-Braves would be a better option for a while rather than just give him away for nothing. Besides, there is progress with his hitting. His pitch selection is better, he makes much better contact, and he is taking a few walks.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
6:51 pm
You guys think YOU have outfield problems? Please. My Mets aren’t playing one guy who figured in their original outfield plans tonight.
BTW- They brought up Fernando martinez for tonights game. Should be interesting to see what he’s got.
Reid in EAV
May 26th, 2009
6:51 pm
“T. Lincecum” – The matchup may look like a gimme, but don’t write in the “W” until the last out. Just ask Roy Halladay.
MP31
May 26th, 2009
6:51 pm
This whole thing is about money. we don’t have any.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:52 pm
Im going to eat the braves alive. No shot what so ever.
Diceman
May 26th, 2009
6:53 pm
DOB: Can the Braves hope to see improvement from Jordan and Jeff? Can they remain competitive to be a contender? Why not just play Diaz more? I know he has his specialty but he is still flat out great!
Anders
May 26th, 2009
6:53 pm
Reyes, Church, Schneider, Perez, Delgado and cora on the DL. Beltran down for at least a couple of days. Here’s you chance Braves fans. Time to make your move.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
6:53 pm
I dont think neyer has a point. We dont need to. 1 good one would be enough. GA and Diaz are good enough, they can hit around .290 and lots of doubles……………thats enough for LF. What we need is a guy that can get 110 RBI that can hit 4th or 5th. I mean, Chipper 3rd, Cleanup hitter, mc , GA hitting 6th and protected by KJ or prado? that looks enough to me. Kotchman hitting 2nd and yunel leading off…………..whats the prob with that lineup? Go get a powerful RF and things will be OK. No need for 2 OF. Besides, Schafer will only get better and having Mc hitting 5th looks like a deep lineup to me. GA/Diaz and KJ 6th and 7th? That could bring enough production. No need to look like the yankees or phillies to win.
Look at the mets Beltran + Delgado+ Wright thats the core…………
Braves would be chipper + slugger + mc
That would match them easily. KJ has at least the same power as castillo and yunel more than reyes………much more.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:54 pm
Please my team can score a run
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
6:55 pm
Gday all – been out of action for a week or so, just moved into the house in the HaMPTONS
Anyway BRaves – have been quite impressive regardless of our abysmal OF
Frenchy/Froggy – seems to have lost the plot (again). His stance has closed up and his approach has changed back for the worse. Del, I have only watched the quicky replays of the last 10 games but after your comment reviewed Froggy’s at bats as best I could. Yes, he appears oblivious to advancing runners, putting the ball to the RHS of the infield in cases of 1 out and 2nd/3rd etc…. he is very frustrating………. but we did have the opportunity to dump him at the end of ‘08 or send him down long term last year…
Garrett, has been excellent post the injury problems and provides that “sacrifice it for the team” mentality that our RF should learn from
Schafer – just needs to shoretn up and stop dipping to golf scoop everything… he cannot hit a high pitch at the moment, but he will be okay in time
When is GLAV ready………… go the little dog tonight… kid has balls, love to see him paste “MY favorite color is green” guy
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
6:55 pm
Anders………..thats how we felt last season………….kind of ugly, right?
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
6:56 pm
All Star voting is any absolute joke. Look at shortstop. Escobar’s numbers are better than both Reyes and Rollins but they are in the top five and he’s not. For that matter Guzman from the Nats and Tejada from the Astros are in the same situation. Better stats than those two mentioned above but not in top five voting. No surprise though. You can’t take it seriously when somebody like Khalil Green is fifth and Hardy is first.
Green Giant
May 26th, 2009
6:56 pm
Can o’ corn.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
MP31,
I’ve never heard a GM referred to as “washed up”. I doubt Wren is either, he’s a rather young fella in the realm of Front Office Executives. Not important to my point, though. My point is you don’t spend 40 million dollars on pitching for 2009 and say, “eh, we’ll get ‘em next year”. Wren knows this and he’s doing everything he can to try and acquire a bat. Not saying he shouldn’t have had the foresight to see this occur and dealt with the problem during the off-season, but it’s probably more wrong than right to say he’s looking towards 2010 and views this season as a wash.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
Must I say this again. Im the best there is.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
6:58 pm
Exactly why didnt the braves get Ibañez? was he asking for to much?
Green Giant
May 26th, 2009
6:58 pm
“Gday all – been out of action for a week or so, just moved into the house in the HaMPTONS”
Sorry to hear that. Your house will be injured in a week or so.
The One & Only Seattle Braves Fan... Thanks, I'll be here all week
May 26th, 2009
6:58 pm
Interested in the Giants & Frankie Knuckles — In high school Ishy was a very good player, great defensive player, and had good offensive stats (nothing earth shattering though.) He wasn’t a pitcher persay…but I do remember him toeing the slab a few times when we had a blow out. The thing that I remember the scouts talking about was his unbelievable mechanics at the plate (meaning that he had very little movement and that if they tinkered with just a few things he’d have more power), and has a “baseball frame’… meaning that when he grew into this body the way they thought he could… he’s be a monster.
In the 2 years that I played with him in 2000 & 2001, we placed 1st and 2nd in state respectably. Out of that team… we had 3 players that were drafted out of high school, and out of that group… I though that he was the least likely to make it to the majors. It turns out he’s the only to to make it to the majors, and the other two flopped out after a coupler of years at A and AA. I also got to see Tim Lincecum pitch in high school… Luckily he wasn’t playing when I played… YOWZA!
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
6:59 pm
Anders,
I feel ya. That’s how we felt last season, except with our starting rotation. You had expect Delgado to land on the DL at some point in 2009 because he’s 38, but the rest of them are bummers.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
6:59 pm
COREY – this is hardly the forum for smart analysis, but it sounds good to me
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
6:59 pm
Doggs, is that like George Costanza’s house in the Hampton’s?
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
Doc Holiday,
No. The Phillies were just feeling very generous.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
Doc,
Money, bats left handed, doesn’t play great defense, never really had a spectacular season before the first two months of 2009, etc. Overall it just wasn’t an investment worth it at the time. If we knew he was going to belt 17 HR (which NOBODY thought he would), we’d have probably given him a longer look.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
Wes @ 4:54 – Good luck with that.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:01 pm
Green Giant – we bought a spec house that has nice things (chick things like a nice kitchen but no gas hook up etc) but has been dysfunctional, so this bloke has been working his ass off, but think 15 day DL and you would be right
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:01 pm
Doc- I can’t complain. The Mets core was relatively unscathed last year. You have to deal with this stuff. I’ll be happy if they stay close for the next couple of weeks. That’s all you can ask.
Tommy
May 26th, 2009
7:02 pm
Just please don’t give away any more prospects, especially to rent a player for the next 3-4 months! You’ve got 2 outfielders you can trade, 1 that needs time at AAA. Don’t screw up the future for a longshot now. Been there, done that and we are currently paying for it.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
7:02 pm
Bobby’s Cox–
You got that right!
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
7:03 pm
DOB, great blog today. You’ve obviously been working on you GM role play
I’m all in support of Holliday to the Braves. Easily the best option, I believe he is truely the guy who could carry this team to the playoffs. It’s obviously going to only be a one year rental though, unless Holliday decides Atlanta is the best place on earth and gives us a huge discount (he’s going to make BIG bucks the offseason). I don’t expect that to happen. And as FOX sports speculated in their recent article (in which they said the Braves need Holliday), we could end up having to give up Gorkys Hernandez + to get him from Billy Beane. I don’t know if a short rental of Holliday would be worth it, unless of course the Braves ended up winning the WS after getting Holliday. So is this team ready to win if Wren pulls off a trade?
Bobby's Cox
May 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
18 Wheels,
These would be on my list because of other teams having other options, their position, and the cost to us: Choo, Zobrist, Hunter Pence, Randy Winn(if SF takes on the 9.6 mil salary, he could hit leadoff), Jake Fox (could cost a lot, but the Cubs don’t have a spot for him anyway). I know some of these aren’t “proven” or aren’t true power bats, but they’re upgrades. I’d be surprised if the Braves can get more than these names.
I also wouldn’t mind seeing KJ back out in the outfield like you pointed out and others have mentioned, with Infante or Prado taking over at 2nd. That was gonna be the case anyway with the furcal mishap right – or was that propaganda by the front office until another trade was worked out?
Andruw Jones, as amazing as that sounds, could also be an option, but i’m still skeptical how he’d be without Jamarillo and his “selective” starts and at-bats…
MP31
May 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
All im saying is that there are goin to be 5 good hitting outfielders next offseason. My thinking is that you try to get one in the offseason instead of trading away good pieces in farm system.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:04 pm
I think DETROIT will win the WS in 2009 !!!
MP31
May 26th, 2009
7:06 pm
LOOK KAWAKAMI, MOYLAN, NORTON, FRANCOEUR, AND SCHAFER HAVE TO GO. AND SOON!!!!!!
pickles for breakfast
May 26th, 2009
7:06 pm
if mccann wants to be considered for the all star team, he better get his butt in gear
and tag out a few runners now and then
Cliff
May 26th, 2009
7:06 pm
The Braves definitely need to either send Franceour down or trade him.And they also need to bring up Gorky Hernandez and platoon him with Schaffer or just send Schaffer back down.Also if you look at the spring stats Jayson Heyward played good enough to have earned a spot on the major league roster.Bringing him up might not be a bad idea.Someone named Albert Pujols and Ken Griffey jr have made the jump.Heyward has that type of talent.
bravesgirlnc
May 26th, 2009
7:06 pm
Bowman has a new blog up. Apparently Francoeur is blaming some of his woes on hitting 7th. He thinks he does not get pitches to hit b/c of Schafer and the pitcher hitting behind him. I wish someone (like maybe his coaches?) would clue him in that HE is the real problem, not his position in the line-up.
Alpharetta
May 26th, 2009
7:08 pm
For a guy who does not have a smashing bat, isn’t OBP most important indicator for a hitter? here is what Frenchy has in the last 3 years:
2007: 338
2008: 294
2009: 282
So, he has not progressed, but get worse.
gruvy guy
May 26th, 2009
7:08 pm
get hunter pence man he’s got a cool name
Rick
May 26th, 2009
7:09 pm
Hey, I hear a couple of bats and balls are available for Francouer. What are the chances for making that deal?
Oh yea, I forgot about Bobby’s loyalty….
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
7:09 pm
pickles for breakfast–
Yeah yeah yeah…we’ve been all over that.
Marty Perez
May 26th, 2009
7:09 pm
Jeffy isn’t going to be sent down to AAA. He doesn’t take responsibility for himself, and he’d do a lot of public whining if that were to happen. He’d make it so that it would be less trouble to release him. Maybe some team will be dumb enough to trade for him, thinking that those 100 RBI seasons will come back. But it’s just as likely that he’ll get released. Good riddance.
Frenchy's pouty little mouth
May 26th, 2009
7:10 pm
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
It’s evrybody else’s fault.
Nobody likes me.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
I better than evrybody else. Why won’t they like me.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
amicusterrae
May 26th, 2009
7:10 pm
RE: Matt Holliday:
I live in Denver (transplanted Braves fan) and watch a lot of Rockies, too. Holliday has power, BUT he ain’t worth it! Check out his home/road splits over his career. He’s a Coors Field guy. Not gonna hit a lot of homers at the Ted. Now, put him in Philly or Cincy . . . . Yes, he gets on base, but his defense is VERY suspect. He botched a routine fly in that one game playoff against the Padres during “Rocktober” that would have cost the Rockies the game, if not for the extra-inning heroics (and the replays showed Holliday never touched home plate on the winning run!)
Bottom line–it’s slim pickens on OFs right now. We’re screwed, unless some team waves the white flag and will accept our 2d tier prospects.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
7:11 pm
Doesnt matter who yall get. You guys are goin no where this year. And Im goin to be a man and say niether are us. But no one is going to stop me from getting back-to-back CY Youngs
Frankie Knuckles
May 26th, 2009
7:13 pm
“LOOK KAWAKAMI, MOYLAN, NORTON, FRANCOEUR, AND SCHAFER”
Hey Bolds guy,
Did you see KK’s last start. Yea, he has to go now.
gruvy guy
May 26th, 2009
7:13 pm
hunter pence and khalil greene that’s a cool name too
man if we could only get coco crisp that would be outstanding
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:13 pm
We need to clone McCann
CB
May 26th, 2009
7:13 pm
With all of our complaints we do need to remember we are only a game and half out. As Anders said, Mets have more problems than we, Phillies pitching bad. A few good moves by our front office or a resurgence of a couple hitters and we will be there.
taxman kenneth
May 26th, 2009
7:13 pm
I read where Chipper is looking for all star votes. How can he play in the all star game when he can’t play in regular games? He is out of games more than he plays with what I think are phony injuries. Just how hurt is he? Does anyone really know? It seems these big contract players find excuses not to play. He would not get any votes from me thats for sure.
Bobby's Breath
May 26th, 2009
7:15 pm
“He’s a Coors Field guy.”
And I’m a Coors Light guy.
And the occasional bottle of George Dickel.
Rick
May 26th, 2009
7:15 pm
Hey Pickles, Are you paying attention?
McCann is the STUD on this weak hitting ballclub and just about the only one who has his “butt in gear”
The man’s offensive prowess overshadows any shortcomings he may have on the defensive end.
I wouldn’t worry about him…..
MP31
May 26th, 2009
7:16 pm
KK is responsible for 1/4 of the teams loses. hes being paid 8.3 million dollars. and to me he hasn’t been worth it yet.
Rick
May 26th, 2009
7:16 pm
CB,
And if the Phillies solve their pitching woes they will RUN away with the division….
RHR
May 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
Reyes, Church, Schneider, Perez, Delgado and cora on the DL. Beltran down for at least a couple of days.
Dang what happened? Did somebody bomb the Mets clubhouse? At least your golden boy is still golden!
Green Giant
May 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
If the All Star game was played via computer simulation, Chipper Jones would still get hurt.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
Anders – did the ‘mucils finally find out about Josie Reyes’ nostril prblems ???
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
7:17 pm
BravesGirlNC, that is actually an interesting concept. He really probably isn’t getting great pitching if pitchers are smart about that. But if he was a good batter he wouldn’t be swinging and missing at junk pitches that he can’t hit.
Should we worry about his mental state any time soon. I mean, he’s really been on the radar recently. I really didn’t expect him to be someone who would place blame elsewhere.
CB
May 26th, 2009
7:20 pm
And Rick if we could add a couple hitters we can run away with the division so we shall see.
pickles for breakfast
May 26th, 2009
7:20 pm
yeah – mccann’s been playing better than most braves (when he can see). but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be on the all star team.
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
7:20 pm
This came up recently in the comments of a entry on MLBtraderumors. Who is the Braves most untouchable player? Personally i think it should be JJ, with Heyward next and then Hanson. All untouchable, just a thing about who you think is more valueable.
Bravoravo
May 26th, 2009
7:21 pm
Braves should deal for Ankiel and send Schafer to AAA. end of story. the kid needs to develop some more and he isnt doing it in Atlanta
MP31
May 26th, 2009
7:22 pm
with the mets losing 2/3 of there starting lineup. This should be the braves chance to make a run at the division. Wren! Go get a bat soon
nostar ballot
May 26th, 2009
7:22 pm
Jordan Shafer for the nostar team. Greg Norton too.
Supes
May 26th, 2009
7:23 pm
Anders, since you are here…what’s the deal with Reyes. He’s killing my fantasy team this year!
amicusterrae said:
“RE: Matt Holliday:
I live in Denver (transplanted Braves fan) and watch a lot of Rockies, too. Holliday has power, BUT he ain’t worth it! Check out his home/road splits over his career. He’s a Coors Field guy. Not gonna hit a lot of homers at the Ted. Now, put him in Philly or Cincy . . . . Yes, he gets on base, but his defense is VERY suspect. He botched a routine fly in that one game playoff against the Padres during “Rocktober” that would have cost the Rockies the game, if not for the extra-inning heroics (and the replays showed Holliday never touched home plate on the winning run!)”
Hopefully Coach and anyone else clamoring for Holliday will actually listen to you and pipe down.
I’ve been saying it, he is not the short or long term answer for this Braves OF.
18 Wheels,
Thanks of the list. Pretty darn good list.
I say DeJesus from KC (straight up swap), or Delmond Young (straight up swap) could be done…also a trade with Washington for Willingham (I’d do that in a heart beat). Those 3 on your list seemed most realistic and intriguing.
I don’t see a big market team trading for Jeff (alone), now a packaged deal including a minor league arm…or a Jo-Jo Reyes…things change a bit.
Carpe Diem
May 26th, 2009
7:23 pm
The humidore has really cut down on a lot of the offense in that park. BUFFALO
then you aren’t paying attention enough. the humidor has indeed cut down the number of homers but batting averages and other offensive particulars are still high. It is still one of the best hitters parks in baseball. and there are still hitters who’s splits are very unbalanced
Frank Wren has the brain of a ... wren
May 26th, 2009
7:24 pm
Frank Wren is looking for a bat. He has his eye on a fruit bat.
DHD
May 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
It’s funny to read all of the suggestions. Thanks for the entertainment. Trade Chipper is my favorite. It reveals your ignorance.
braveshoo
May 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
Our OF is terrible but its too early to give up on Frenchy or Schaffer. I would get rid of Norton-he’s hitting .115. Bring up Blanco and let him platoon in CF and RF. He’s also good as a defensive replacement for Anderson. It will help Frenchy and Schaffer to have a few days off.
David-ATL14
May 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
Roster news:
Buddy Carlyle placed on DL
Jorge Campillo activated and available for tonight’s game.
Chipfan
May 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
Jack Cust?
Ed Glennon
May 26th, 2009
7:26 pm
I don’t know what is more excitng: watching our outfielders hit or Boog talking about his Facbook page.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
MP31 – the ‘mucils/mutts/losers ARE not the problem…
the pitcherless dogs in Filly are a huge one
Boo
May 26th, 2009
7:28 pm
Francoeur has negative trade value. Adding him to a deal means having to add more minor league talent. Over three million dollars for the king of outs? It’s almost like adding Barry Zito to a deal to “increase” the value of the proposal.
KC
May 26th, 2009
7:28 pm
Ed Glennon, funny stuff dude. Actually, I think the most exciting thing is listening to Bobby Cox talk about how all plumbers in the state of GA have to be licensed.
JD
May 26th, 2009
7:29 pm
The “Let’s trade (any player who’s not performing well) for a bag of balls” was funny at first, but is getting ridiculously old now. Please stop.
TommyP
May 26th, 2009
7:30 pm
I think DOB hits the deal when he suggests a possible Francoeur for DeJesus deal…a swap of underperforming guys.
I could also see Brad Hawpe in a Braves uni.
Paulding Paul
May 26th, 2009
7:30 pm
Denial:
An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings.
That is what is going on here …denial. There is no power bat coming the Braves way right now. If the Braves do make a trade for a power bat it will cost much much more than any of the loony trades proposed on the blog so far. Now where are all the people who were screaming to have Jordan Schafer be the starting CF? You need to acknowledge and own your obsession…and own it forever!Where are the ‘Druw haterz? Seems you were wrong too…how many balls you see bouncing off the wall when ‘Druw was in CF? Time to own up to the fact that you fans have 2/3’s of the outfield you wanted. Frenchie and Schafer were both wanted by the same people in denial now. Own your mistakes people. And realize that there is no trade coming anytime soon. The guys are going to have to get better and the Braves fortunes this season is going to ride in part with them.
Joe the Working Plumber
May 26th, 2009
7:31 pm
Assing Francoeur to a deal neither hurts nor helps it.
KC
May 26th, 2009
7:31 pm
Boo, I disagree completely. It was just 2007 when Francoeur last had an all-star caliber season. And it was just a month ago that he was hitting .300 and was tougher to fan than Albert Pujols.
He had the swing he needed in April. I don’t know what happened to it… but his talent has disappeared. It’s not at all the same situation as where Andruw was last year. At a little more than 3 mill, there are a number of teams who recognize his talent and would be happy to take a chance on Francoeur.
He doesn’t have much trade value, but it certainly isn’t negative.
KC
May 26th, 2009
7:32 pm
Joe the Working Plumber, are you licensed? If not, Bobby says “you’re out of here!”
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 26th, 2009
7:33 pm
Everyone commenting on here how the all-star game is a joke well you are absolutely correct. Nobody gives a damn anymore about the “all star game”. In fact it is a real travesty that the home field advantage in the world series goes to the league that wins this charade of a game.
Managers don’t manage to win the game. Players don’t play as if it was the end all of all games. There is no “good” time to play it. It is over-hyped to beat the band. Frankly, I don’t even know why it is played to be honest. Maybe it is an honor but in the end maybe 1/3 of all starters are out of the game because they are hurt or whatever and are replaced by others.
To wit, nowhere in the progression of a baseball player is an all-star game played in mid-season. Not Little League, not high school, nowhere. Nevertheless, we trot the MLB “all-stars ” out there at mid-season. Makes no sense. Kind of like the WBC. I would say play the all star game after the world series but since nobody cares about the NFL pro bowl I can’t see the all-star game faring any better there either.
cd
May 26th, 2009
7:33 pm
CHIPPER IS IN THE LINEUP
bigcooterb
May 26th, 2009
7:34 pm
The way most people on here think, the Braves could trade Frency for Albert Pujois even up.
cd
May 26th, 2009
7:35 pm
ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO
1. K. Johnson, 2B A. Rowand, CF
2. C. Kotchman, 1B E. Renteria, SS
3. C. Jones, 3B R. Winn, RF
4. B. McCann, C B. Molina, C
5. G. Anderson, LF F. Lewis, LF
6. J. Francoeur, RF J. Guzman, 1B
7. D. Hernandez, SS J. Uribe, 3B
8. J. Schafer, CF E. Burriss, 2B
9. K. Medlen, P T. Lincecum, P
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 26th, 2009
7:35 pm
Jmart…your 6:45 is right on the money! Don’t even get me started on Glavine. Wren is looking like an idiot with this signing. Damn, you got me going. No wait, I will stop and let it play out……….
cvbraves
May 26th, 2009
7:35 pm
Carpe Diem…Francouer, Vazquez, and a minor league arm or two to Oakland.
Holliday, Carbera to the Braves Deal maker
you should have done the common sense part too. If Oakland is out of it enough to dump Holliday’s salary why in the world would they take on Vazquez’s and Frenchy’s?
…common sense…Vazquez is making about 3 million less than Holliday this year, and Oakland would have an option to keep him next year. If not, they won’t have any problem trading him this year or next. Choice is can he help them or not, they decide. Jeff is making a few hundred thousand less than Cabrera, but is signed for the next few years. Again, if he develops into value, they gain. If he doesn’t they can trade him. Doubt they’d lose any dough in the long run and should show a gain.
Braves need is basically for this year only…so we take on a couple of rentals that may well help carry us to the playoffs. We’ve got some minor leaguers that may be ready for next year.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
Rock-On – Couldn’t agree more about the All Star game. I prefer my guys don’t make it and instead get a few days rest. Making it for home field in the WS is another criminal act by Bud Selig. The leader of the greedy band of owners who offer everything up for sale that’s not nailed down and then talk about the history and integrity of the sport when it suits them.
I say we send New Cars to pay the All Star game a visit!
Oh yeah, for full disclosure I have to admit I went to the All star game at Yankke stadium last year, but it was to entertain a client from Alabama who wanted to go.
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 26th, 2009
7:39 pm
CD…dude, that is one UGLY lineup. UGLY. That is the Aunt Esther of lineups. Break out the beads and pray for an earthquake. Ok sorry Cabraves maybe not an earthquake.
Paulding Paul
May 26th, 2009
7:40 pm
MP3
You are an idiot! No need to use all caps because we already know you are an idiot. If you are not an idiot, then why would you want to give away a pitcher who has given the team 6 quality starts out of 8 total. KK has had 1 bad game. You can’t blame him for lack of run support. Incredible. Idiot!
Wow!
May 26th, 2009
7:40 pm
I like the idea that the player stats by position are listed and can be clicked when casting the All-Star ballot.
The catcher voting is a joke! It becomes even more apparent when one clicks the stats links and sees McCann’s numbers next to the rest of the catchers out there who are leading him in the voting!
You can curse the Braves. You can root for the Braves. You can criticize the team. Or you can praise them even when the suck. The bottom line is that at this point in the season, you need to get your butt out there and vote for Mac! Why? Not just because he’s a Brave, but because he is the best catcher in the NL. Did I vote for Chipper? Nope. Zimmerman. Did I vote for any other Braves? Nope. So it isn’t a homer thing. It’s a fact that my home team catcher is the best candidate.
Boo
May 26th, 2009
7:40 pm
Assing Francoeur to a deal neither hurts nor helps it.
Eww….
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:41 pm
Fernando Martinez struck out in his first MLB at bat. Told you guys he’s as good as Schaefer.
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 26th, 2009
7:41 pm
New Cars, our denizen hit man, there’s your answer.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:42 pm
So Fernando Martinez KKKKs in his 1st MLB at bat
On the karma scale versus Schafer hitting a HR in his 1st MLB at bat, the Mets should expect big things
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
7:42 pm
I keep hearing rumors of this Francoeur for a bag of balls trade. Why hasn’t Wren pulled the trigger on this yet??
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
7:43 pm
KC,
You typed this:
He had the swing he needed in April. I don’t know what happened to it… but his talent has disappeared.
Loudspeaker: “Paging Dr. Freud…”
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:43 pm
I thought we had a deal on this forum that there is no such thing as “an idiot”
It is “AND IDIOT” YES ????
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:44 pm
Dogsbrekky watching Met games. Hmmmm….
Braveheart
May 26th, 2009
7:44 pm
All Star games, and all of these awards are nothing more than marketing gimmicks meant to make thirteen year old boys believe what they are watching is the greatest, greatest, greatest. At one time, I knew every Cy Young, MVP, Rookie of the Year, Heisman winner there ever was, but then I grew up, and realized who gives two sh!ts about these marketing gimmicks
Wow!
May 26th, 2009
7:44 pm
Anders,
I tried to help you out. I only voted for Beltran from the Mets.
MP31
May 26th, 2009
7:46 pm
Look at KK ERA compared to the rest of the starting staff.
Boo
May 26th, 2009
7:46 pm
YOUR AND IDIOT!
Holy Cornelia, you gotta be vorping kidding me: no Escobar again??
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:46 pm
Anders – When I can I watch all NY games, Braves, Tampa and Detroit
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:46 pm
Dogsbreky – You want to handle the update or shall I?
Nelson
May 26th, 2009
7:47 pm
I don’t know what has to be done, but definetely both Francoeur and Schafer, both have to be seated NOW!, PLEASE BOBBY JUST DO IT before it is too late, and bring somebody else, it can’t be worst, this team, actually not even the Yanks can have three automatic outs in a row.
This year the Braves has a chance because they have very good pitching, but if they don’t fix this huge offensive problem, the oportunity will be wasted once again, and we the fans are becoming tired of that inability to take right decisions on time!!!, Franchy had plenty of time to fix his troubles, now is time to think about the team not individuals, the boy (Schafer) also has to be seated or sended back to the minors, but right now !!!!!!, PLEASE.
For the moment send Kelly back to the outfield (Why not?), and when Escobar returns, move Hernandez to second base, he will be better than Kelly by far, it is so evident I don’t know why nobody in the front office suggest that to Bobby?
DirtyYuni
May 26th, 2009
7:47 pm
Brad Hawpe. Do it.
$5,500,000 contract this year. They’re out of contention. Hitting over .330 w/ some pop (1.000+ OPS). Rockies need pitching.
I’d do that in a heartbeat, assuming the rox are interested.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:48 pm
helps to have mlb.tv and saves me watching the missus’ crap like US Idol, Dancing with the 3rd raters, Housewives and Greys Fugglies
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
7:49 pm
Chipfan,
I like it, but I’d have to know how good his defense is before I’d really like it. I like his bat, but I don’t follow Oakland’s organization enough to know how capable Cust is in the field? Anyone? He hasn’t really played many defensive innings. The most at any position in the last 3 years was about 500 in 2008 when he was -8 runs on the +/- system. Which doesn’t help his case. Is he better than this? Small sample size? Or is he really horrific in the field? Anyone?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
7:49 pm
Dirty Yuni – That’s more than the money the Braves wouldn’t give Abreu.
BTW- What pitching would you offer?
mike mangan
May 26th, 2009
7:50 pm
Brad Hawpe will probably be available in the weeks to come unless the Rockies have a major resurrgence on the same token everyone is raving about Heyward who I watched play for the Pelicans against Wilmington in Myrtle beach last weekend only to be greatly surprised by Cody Johnson one of Heywards outfield mates who leads all minor league baseball with 16 home runs.He strikes out a lot but unlike Schaefer in Atlanta this guy has Adam Dunn type power.Remember his name Cody Johnson.Also could we pry Aubrey Huff away fron The Orioles.It feels like Frank Wren is trying to do his Monty Hall impression of Lets Make A deal.We have a bunch of good arms from low a ball in Rome thru Double AA Pearl that we could package along with Gwinnette outfielder Blanco and maybe come up with someone who we could actually re sign….mike
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
7:50 pm
It seems the blog ate my post about the all-star game. I’ll recap…
I hate the all-star game voting as is. Bud Selig has his head too far up his badonkadonk to realize how completely stupid all this nonsense is. I’ll be honest, I have about 50 ballots on my desk right now that I brought home with me from the game. I hate doing that, but at least I vote for people who deserve to be there, even in the American League. I hate it, hate it, hate it!!!
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
7:51 pm
Doc Holiday
IDK he did get 3 yrs 30 million and for a 36 yr old FA that’s a lot. Especially when you didn’t expect him to hit this well, if it was expected then no biggie. But to for sure say it’s a good signing we’ll have to see his next 2 yrs as well.
Boo
May 26th, 2009
7:52 pm
For the moment send Kelly back to the outfield (Why not?), and when Escobar returns, move Hernandez to second base, he will be better than Kelly by far,…
I’m confused. Bill James Online has Kotchman, Johnson and Prado (at third, not at second) in the top ten defensively at their positions. Escobar was there too until he missed these past few games.
But the point is: Kelly Johnson is in the top ten at second base defensively and is only one of two everyday Atlanta Braves currently on the list; with Kotchman. So what is with this myth of his awful defense?
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
7:52 pm
Where did y’all get the lineup at?
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
7:53 pm
Rick–
So true.
Pickles–
Look at the hitting stats for the other catchers, and tell me which ones derserve to go to the ASG instead of McCann and why.
PS: Are you DirtyDawg in disguise?
Wow!–
You’re so right–the catcher voting is a big-time joke…at least right now. That could change, of course.
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
7:54 pm
Anders
You have a good point about not wanting your players to go to the all-star game so they can actually rest. I know a lot of Braves fans want Jurrjens to go, but I really don’t. He’s still so young, and if he were to get hurt I would be extremely mad. Just look at what happened to Brad Lidge last year. Sure, he may not have gotten hurt but he threw way too many pitches. I don’t mind the position players playing, though. Because they’ll only play a couple of innings.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Anders,
A deal for Hawpe would be for minor-league pitching. Something like Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton, Jose Cabrera, and David Francis would probably net Hawpe and his salary for 2009.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Boo – just wait, KJ has been gr8 lately, but wait
Jack Cust outright sucks dead dogs “…..”
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Wow, are there really still people here that want to rush Gorkys in to play in Frenchy’s spot? Didn’t you guys learn from the guy you are trying to get rid of?
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 26th, 2009
7:58 pm
Hanson’s looking pretty sharp so far tonight.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
7:58 pm
dogsbrekky,
Not that OPS+ is a great metric, but Jack Cust’s career OPS+ is 128. It would be very difficult to “outright suck dead dogs” and attain that OPS+. (Not saying it isn’t possible).
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
Who’s mangaing the all star game this year? Isn’t it Charlie Manuel? Lets keep all of our guys away, he’ll overwork them so they can’t play well against the Phillies.
ANd yes I agree that allstar voting is crap. Completely based on the big market teams and the players that ESPN show all the time.
Nelson
May 26th, 2009
8:01 pm
Boo, sometimes the numbers doesn’t tell what actually happens in the field, and I belive that is the case with Kelly, If you believe he is a good second baseman, good that’s your opinion but not mine!, he doesn’t have the dynamics needed for that position compared to real secondbase players, sorry.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
8:02 pm
PWH – stats schmatz – I watch fatso Cust a lot, he sucks, no heart, zero d, just a fatty who connects sometimes
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
8:03 pm
Hanley Ramirez legs out an infield single and pulls a quad. Plays a half inning and has to come out of the game. Phillies 3 – 0.
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
8:03 pm
PWH- and i usually agree with you !
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
8:04 pm
——–IP–H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Hanson 3.0 1 0 0 1 4 0 1.43
Hanson looks good through 3
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
8:04 pm
Tommy Hanson can hit! Call him up now!
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
BTW – Cablevision creams TWC and others, awesome feed, picture and internet………… best thing on Long Island
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
8:05 pm
The Royals might be the top suitor for Jeff Francoeur if the Braves shop him, but not everyone in Kansas City’s front office is keen on him. The Red Sox are known to have an eye on Francoeur.
From mlbtr.com…
must be smoltz puttin in a good word ,so he will have a golf partner????
Boo
May 26th, 2009
8:06 pm
Boo, sometimes the numbers doesn’t tell what actually happens in the field, and I belive that is the case with Kelly, If you believe he is a good second baseman, good that’s your opinion but not mine!,
In my case, it isn’t a belief: it’s what the statistics and Bill James’ plus/minus system states as fact. As of now. Things can change.
Shannon
May 26th, 2009
8:08 pm
DAVE
My brother lives outside of Dallas and said that the sports radio stations and beat writers are saying everyday that Josh Hamilton is tradable for the right package.He has been hurt a lot and the offense has done well without him. Also, they really need pitching. So what about Hanson and Francoeur for Hamilton? We are doing well on the pitching front and this would really ignite our offense.
22
May 26th, 2009
8:08 pm
who would trade a solid OF for Francouer? Why would someone want someone that we don’t even want?
dogsbrekky
May 26th, 2009
8:08 pm
Okay – time for Orel and the mlb game Brewers vs Fatty Pujols, have a great night all
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
8:09 pm
Kelly Johnson’s UZR/150 is 9.3, fwiw…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:09 pm
Dogsbrekky – Ever get to them beaches out their on Long Island? Might want to give them a try before you settle for cable as their biggest contribution to your life in NY.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
8:10 pm
Well, dogsbrekky, I didn’t disagree with you. I just said it’s hard to suck with that kind of OPS+. But if there’s anyone who can suck with that OPS+, it’d probably be Jack Cust.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
8:10 pm
Where is the line up ?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:12 pm
Dogsbrekky – Is that a typo in your 8:08? Talk about sharing.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
8:13 pm
Don’t know if this has been posted yet, but the Braves have placed Buddy Carlyle on the 15-day DL with an upper back strain and have activated Jorge Campillo who will be at the park in time for tonight’s game. http://presspass.mlb.com/pp_viewer.asp?d=45402
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
8:14 pm
Hey DOB, you find any good restaurunts out by the ballpark yet? I chose the worng week to go out there and gotta know where to go next week.
CB
May 26th, 2009
8:14 pm
We have been told that Tommy Hanson is the real thing. I feel we need to put Vazquez on the trading block and get the best possible outfielder we can get for him. Once this deal is done,bring up Hanson. The Braves need to decide if they are seriousabout this season.
Nelson
May 26th, 2009
8:15 pm
But in favor of him (Kelly) I also believe he is a good hitter, and may be if the Braves release the pressure they wrongly placed on his shoulders when they moved to second and give a chance again at the outfield (I don’t know about his arm either, and that surgery he had), he will be also much better than Francoeur.
Lets be realistic the Braves want to keep Franchy because he has a very good arm for the position, but in a game he make one or two shots, but have a minimun of 4 poor quality plate appearances every day!!!, lets put that in a balance and the result is obviouos.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
Read this story about the Mets calling up Martinez. Manuel is a lot like Cox in his thinking, but with one huge difference! Read on…..
“Both Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel each said Martinez will receive his share of starts until Church returns.
“When I get a young player, I like to put him in the lineup right away — I like to put him in there and see what he can do,” Manuel said. “I think it’s important that he plays and gets an opportunity to get a feel for the Major Leagues. Once he gets that opportunity, he’ll determine the rest of the playing time.”
See that last sentence? “Once he gets that opportunity (the phenom) He’ll determine the rest of the playing time.”
That’s where Manuel and Cox differ. Manuel will let the guys’ play determine his future playing time. Cox, on the other hand, gets committed to a guy even if he performs like…..Jordan Shafer or even Frenchy last year! Robert is almost correct on Cox when he calls him donkey. Actually, it should be a mule. Cox is stubborn as a mule and it has hurt the Braves time and time again.
Sometimes, a young kid comes up and takes the bull by the horns and performs at a high level. Lots of the superstars of the game have done that. In most cases, they have played so well they put the manager in a spot where he couldn’t get the guy out of the lineup.
The Braves run a giant entitlement program. Don’t matter how you perform, if Bobby is sold on you, you’ll play no matter how you actually perform!
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
BTW- Omar Minaya is in the booth right now during the game giving a live full account of all the moves today etc.. You guys knock the Mets org and Minaya but you can’t beat this. I could be wrong but I don’t the Wren goes into the booth during a game give the fans first hand information.
This is the part of playing in a big market other guys don’t have to deal with. Manuel also has a full blown televised press conference after every game.
If I’m wrong let me know, but I’ll be surprised.
Erin
May 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
Seattle Braves Fan
You’re not the one and only…apparently there are two of us.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
No one commented on my last question ( I don’t think).
Smoltz, at one time, had problems pitching. He went to a sports psychologist and that seemed to help him.
What if the same thing was done for Frenchy?
If he got the things between his ears fixed, he just might come back around like Smoltz did.
I have been disappointed with Frenchy so far, but if he goes and sees a shrink, and gets fixed, why not?
That could be a last ditch effort. Then, if that doesn’t work, ship him off.
Shamus Thacker
May 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
How can the Braves justify keeping Pendleton for even one more game as batting coach?
Am I the only one amazed he’s still around, even with Bobby’s unwavering loyalty? Wren should step in and make a change immediately!
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
Chipper’s in lineup, said it felt a little better when he tested the toe doing some running and cutting before game. Still sore, but he says it’s good enough. Admitted there’s some pressure to get back in there when he sees the team struggle like it did yesterday, and especially to be back in there to face lefty like they did yesterday and will tomorrow.
Buddy Carlyle to the DL for a neck strain, injury he suffered last summer in that collision with Kouzminoff of the Padres. Had an injection at that time that got him through season, but it acted up again this spring and he said it’s affected his mechanics and his velocity for the past six weeks.
CAMPILLO is replacing him, scheduled to arrive before game tonight.
LINEUP
1. KJ, 2B
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. Anderson, LF
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Hernandez, SS
8. Schafer, CF
9. Medlen, RH
Oh, and talked to Huddy about his rehab. He’s about to throw a bullpen session during BP this afternoon (it’s 5:35 here). He’s throwing 15-20 pitch sessions today and tomorrow, only fastballs at about 50-percent effort. Then he’ll start to increase the number of pitches and gradually mix in his other pitches in a couple weeks.
Gonna work up to 75 pitches pretty quickly, by next week. But that won’t be a full effort, obviously. They’re still aiming for August, no sooner. And while Huddy mentioned possibility of coming back as a reliever initially, Bobby Cox said that hasn’t been discussed. Huddy said that’s just something he’s thought about, but pretty good sign that he’s that open-minded. Said he will do whatever is best to help the team.
Paulding Paul
May 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
Look at KK ERA compared to the rest of the starting staff.….<strong.MP31
How about we look at how he does at what he get’s paid for? Pitch against the competition, not have a comparable ERA. with fellow starters. That is just an idiotic way to judge a pitcher.He’s given the Braves a good chance to win in 7 of his 9 starts, that’s what they need. But ok, let’s play it your way. Take out his one bad game and what is is ERA then? I believe it’s under 3 or close to it. So, yeah, KK is holding his own.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
Time to send Schafer down, lets bring BJ up and let him play in CF. Or let JF play CF and BJ in right, Schafer needs a break.
DirtyYuni
May 26th, 2009
8:19 pm
$5.5 million is more than they’d give Abreu…when they didn’t know how bad their outfield would be.
You could trade Frenchy and save most of that. You could just suck it up and pay up the prorated portion of his salary. Or, depending on what you’re offering the rox, you get them to pay some (but probably not).
My thinking is you could get that deal done with Jojo+a few others, or Morton and not much else. The Rockies, seems to me, would love to add depth and youth to that rotation.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
8:19 pm
KJ Leading of Again, and Francoeur Hitting 6th….???? When Will Bobby Learn…He is fully barred up tonight with this lineup…
Come On!
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
Capt Caveman
One question.
I would be alright with Andruw coming back if the Brave go that way…but my question would be….as good as Andruw has been for the Rangers in a part-time role….how much of a revert(if there is such a word) back to his former self…if he’s away from Jaramillio(sp)?
And one more note….good to see ya Dadgum. You and me might not agree on Glavine….but nonetheless….you are becoming one of my favorite fellow bloggers.
Sam
May 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but what about going after Brad Hawpe?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:21 pm
Dirty Yuni – Wake up. It’s time for school.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
8:21 pm
Kelly Johnson’s UZR/150 is 9.3, fwiw… Steve in Ohio
What is that? Sounds like some kind of new tire ratings or something………….
I got some new UZR’s for my Porsche. 150 profile and I run 9.3 Kg/cm pressure in them.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
8:22 pm
PWHjort, 8:13 pm…”…the Braves have placed Buddy Carlyle on the 15-day DL…and have activated Jorge Campillo who will be at the park in time for tonight’s game.”
Hallelujah!
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
8:22 pm
Braves*
CD
May 26th, 2009
8:22 pm
Yeah, somebody must have launched a pretty successful “vote for brewers” campaign. That’s just nonsense….Everyone on their starting team is top 5…THIS Fan-Voting thing SUUUUUUUUUCKS
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
Oh, no! Tommy Hanson gave up a run! Trade him!!
WestPalmDawg
May 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
How has Frenchy hit at Coors lifetime? Would Frenchy/Hawpe straight up make sense?
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
Anders, Wren has been in the booth before and if a big enough deal or move were made, I think he would be in the booth again.
Oh and Bobby does have a post-game “get together” with the reporters. Not being a reporter who attends I can’t say for sure, but Bobby seems like he would rather be having a root canal than to be there answering questions, Like yesterday after the loss, he sat there looking away from the questioner. His answers were short and terse. After an answer he looks like he’s just daring someone to ask another question.
Paulding Paul
May 26th, 2009
8:24 pm
I hate when a player tells us that he has been hurt for a long period of time and instead of getting it fixed, he waits until his performance hurts the team and then decides to speak up.I hope we’ve seen the last of of Buddy-boy!
jtb
May 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
Anders
I know Wren went in the booth for about an inning at least once last year. I’m not sure about this year, but I have been at about 60% of the home games so it’s very possible that he has. Schuerholtz also went in the booth about twice a year during his tenure with the team.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
Get any fancy spinnin’ rims on those UZRs?
I got ‘em on my Fiat.
CB
May 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
I’M sorry Necromancer sorry to take anybody seriously talking about psychology with that name. lol
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
Whew boy…that line up has “loss” written all over it…
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:25 pm
Talked to Edgar Renteria at the batting cage just now. He’s same old Edgar, good spirits, made a joke about the Braves (bleeping) him by trading him to Detroit. I said, yeah, but the guys they got are quite good, Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez.
He said, “Oh, so [bleep] me?” And I said, “Yeah, pretty much.” He laughed.
They don’t make pitchers hit with other pitchers here, apparently, and Lincecum was in Edgar’s group. I swear, Lincecum looks like a member of a rock band who’s taking batting practice with the Giants. Baggy uni, looks shorter than 6 feet tall, and that long, straight hair. Unusual to see a cat like him in the cage, to say the least.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:26 pm
Interesting -Fair enough.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
8:26 pm
CB
Don’t be hatin’ on my moniker!
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:28 pm
Trivia from tonights Met game- Who was the only player to win three batting titles and not finish above .300 lifetime?
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:28 pm
Would Frenchy/Hawpe straight up make sense? – WestPalmDawg
I’m gonna assume you’re being serious. Colorado’s GM would be fired before the ink dried on that deal.
Paulding Paul
May 26th, 2009
8:29 pm
Yeah, somebody must have launched a pretty successful “vote for brewers” campaign. That’s just nonsense….Everyone on their starting team is top 5…THIS Fan-Voting thing SUUUUUUUUUCKS
Don’t hate on the Brewers fans. Braves fans could do the same thing but if this blog is any indication, they’d rather complain about their team and think talk about trades that will never happen than encouraging people to vote. The Braves fan base is much larger than the Brewers, no reason in the world except contempt and laziness keeping some of our guys from being in the hunt even though they may not deserve to be Top 5 either,
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:29 pm
DOB- By fired I assume you mean “lit on” ?
Jeff321
May 26th, 2009
8:31 pm
Francoeur provided opportunity: When Garret Anderson and Brian McCann returned to the lineup, Jeff Francoeur wasn’t happy about the fact that he was primarily hitting seventh, where he says pitchers were less apt to pitch to him because he had Jordan Schafer and the pitcher’s spot sitting behind him.
What about Frenchy’s PROTECTION??
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/medlen_ready_to_conquer_nerves.html
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:31 pm
Mets just nailed some guy at the plate. He had to slide around the bat in the batters box. Is moving the bat out of the way by the on deck hitter a lost art? I’ve seen this numerous times this year.
Bobby's Belly
May 26th, 2009
8:32 pm
PP – The Braves fan base is much larger than the Brewers.
I commend you for the glass half full mentality.
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
8:32 pm
affected his mechanics and his velocity for the past six weeks.
Yet Twiddle Dee (Roger) and Twiddle Dumb (Bobby) kept putting him out there.
Doc Holiday
May 26th, 2009
8:32 pm
muts and phillucks winning convincingly………….Id sayd they will both win tonight.
Braveheart
May 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Yeah, when the Braves make a big deal, Wren often goes in the broadcast booth, and also makes a point of calling in to both sports radio stations here. He even did it last season when the Frenchy to the minors thing went down. Didn’t go down in the broadcast booth if I recall correctly, but he was accountable and took his shots like a man on the sports radio stations. Schuerholz, on the other hand, rarely ever graced us common folk with his presence.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Trivia
Mickey Mantle?
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Goldenglove002: Very good Italian restaurant at the Weston Market Street, called Ducca.
And a great lunch place on Market street called Market Sellers, where they’ve got tasty (and supposedly healthy, organic or whatever) chicken and beef sandwiches, soups, stuff like that. Today I had a really good BBQ chicken sandwich and some of the best mac & cheese I’ve had in a while.
Anthony
May 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Everyone thinks that trading Francouer will save out season. Do we really think we can get a capable RF to replace him?? Diaz is not an everyday player, we saw that last yr. So whatever we get to replace him will not be enough, unless we package some young pitching together to get another rental, and we saw how that worked out with Tex.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
The irony/agony of this OF upgrade conversation is that Wren will probably be forced to wait until early July or the deadline to pull off a deal because there isn’t that much out there and many teams are still ‘in it’.
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
8:34 pm
Anders
Might be but the Ump can move the bat too. And sometimes the catcher if he’s in the right position will move it to prevent injuring himself.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:34 pm
Anders, precisely. No, actually, he’d probably be fired, then lit on fire, for making that deal.
WestPalmDawg
May 26th, 2009
8:34 pm
Only semi serious DOB- Frenchys a lifetime .213 hitter at Coors, pretty much like he is everywhere else.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
8:34 pm
YO DOB
I put this up a few pages back, I talked to a friend of mine that works for the Texas Rangers and he said that AJones was available. They got David Murphy doing well out there and he said that AJ was always on the Rangers mind as trade value if he made the team out of spring training but wasn’t playing everyday.
Question is — would the Braves consider doing that, and would the fact that the Tex deal is still lingering over Wren make an impact on doing a deal with Texas for any player, not just AJ??
CB
May 26th, 2009
8:35 pm
We love it ,bro.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:35 pm
bravos2249 -The bat sitting there helps the catcher and I don’t believe umps will move the bat on plays like that. Nor should they.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
8:36 pm
Man, I have no idea what to do with all this free time before the game…I’m actually able to watch the entire hockey game without interruption! Whoo Hoo real night games
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
8:37 pm
Thanks for the lineup and the news about Timmy, Chief!
I remember when that happened to Buddy…that was the day Smoltz was mic’d up in the dugout and Diaz got the walk-off hit.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
8:37 pm
No way Wren takes AJ back. He passed when he was nearly free, no way he would give up a prospect for him now.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
8:38 pm
A couple of days ago Joe and Boog were talking about how the fans in St. Louis were REAL, Knowledgeable fans.
Well those REAL and Knowledgeable fans have their undeserving catcher leading the voting for NL catchers! I might expect that kind of crap from Cubs fans but not from the REAL and Knowledgeable fans in St. Louis!
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
8:38 pm
Anders
Any hints?
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
8:38 pm
Anthony,
How does a season lost to injury prove Diaz isn’t an every-day player? I mean, I think you’re probably right in that he’s probably not an every-day player, but just how does last season prove that?
Joe
May 26th, 2009
8:39 pm
Frenchy,Morton,Parr,&Gorkys for Josh Hamilton
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:40 pm
Frank – Long Island born and bred.
oh SNAP!
May 26th, 2009
8:40 pm
Frenchy needs to stop “supposedly” (because we don’t know if he said it but I would not put it past him) blaming everyone else, Jeff you stink. You could put him in front of Chipper and he’d stink. If pitchers aren’t going to give you anything to hit with Jordan behind you, then why does he keep making outs and not walking.
So I guess it’s Mac’s, Kelly’s, Casey’s, Kotsay’s and Blanco’s fault he stunk last year too.
I mean Andruw did hit behind him for awhile in 2007 but Jeff still hit, it’s not them Frenchy it’s you.
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
8:42 pm
Anders
I think the Umps will only move it if it’s on the plate or in the left handed hitters box so no one will slide into it.
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
Lineup looks horrible tonight especially 5-9 spots.
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
DOB,
Any news on Escobar?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
DOB- Maybe you can help. Will/can the umps move a bat that’s in the way? I didn’t think so but I’m not sure.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
Hey Anders,
As a catcher I would kick the bat out of the way if it was in the box or in the line of the throw, anything behind me would usually get moved by the umpire if it was within reach. As long as moving the bat didn’t put the ump out of position. Also if a runner is coming in ahead of the play he would move it for his teammate attempting to score behind him.
As far as the on deck hitter, that is tricky. If the bat is in an area that might affect the play and the on deck hitter goes to move it, he could be called for interference if the ump feels that his actions affected the play in anyway. As a general rule, on deck hitters come closer to the plate to tell the runner to slide but must remember to use caution to not get to close to be penalized.
Hope that helps.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
Escobar still day-to-day, could be tomorrow, but Arizona more likely, Cox said.
DirtyYuni
May 26th, 2009
8:46 pm
Anders-
I’m not trying to be evasive or change the subject. But…
1. How’s the Mets outfield? Good? Is Beltran’s inflamed labi…errr, tibia healed yet?
2. Your “joke” about waking up for school didn’t make a whole lot of sense. My guess it’s meant to indicate that I’m dreaming. But Francis is out for the year, Ubaldo’s looked shaky, Cook’s solid, and then nothing. So you don’t think the Rockies would like to add a Charlie Morton who’s young, tearing up AAA, and cheap?
3. Hawpe makes $7.5 million next year. Team option for $10 million in 2011, with a $500k buyout. To me, that’s not a lot for a guy that’s 29, hitting well in the prime of his career, and solid defensively. If he’s awful/mediocre this year into next? Don’t renew the option. And assuming you can trade Frenchy and don’t have Anderson on the books next year, you’ve almost broken even. Plus, it’s not like you’ve lost much. You lost Morton and might get something in return from Frenchy. But something’s gotta be done to shake up the lineup.
Oh, and Anders?
Congratulations on the earth-shattering trade for Wilson Valdez. Phew. You guys won’t miss Reyes for a minute. Nothing like a .211 lifetime average to shore things up.
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
8:46 pm
Anders
Well..whoever it was that said *The Mick* is wrong. Mickey was born in Oklahoma.
Ummm….American League…National League? Outfielder? Infielder? Catcher?
monty
May 26th, 2009
8:47 pm
Paulding Paul
I agree with you about KK, however I disagree with you about Buddy not taking himself out on his own and placing himself on the DL. I guess that’s what you were implying. Most players try to play through their nagging injuries and when they don’t and they sit a few games they get reemed out, like many have done Chipper recently. What if a guy is in a slump for a couple of weeks by your criteria he should tell BC I need to sit.(his 0-fors are costing the team) That’s just not how it works in professional sports. I’m sure Buddy was getting treatment and trying to work through his problems but got to a point where it was fruitless. Moylan is pitching now with a surgically repaired arm at about 85-90% of what he was before surgery, guess he should not pitch until he starts throwing 94 mph again? According to you Chipper should sit tonight, he won’t be 100% either.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:48 pm
Capt Caveman -Thanks. In the instance tonight and last night the bat was laying right across the basepath in the RH batters box. Both runners came from 2nd so there was plenty of time. Both players had to slide around it and were just out so they would easily been safe.
Ron Darling blamed the on deck guy in both cases. He didn’t say anything about the ump. I thought even if the ump could get there it would be like assisting the team trying to score.
Braveheart
May 26th, 2009
8:49 pm
Gotta say that I love how much Hudson has been a team guy this year. Means alot to me that he’s been there in the dugout in almost every game I’ve seen. It’s always been a pet peeve of mine that guys don’t dress and hang with the team when they’re on the DL. It’s nice to hear him volunteering for the pen if that’s where they need and that’s where he’s at in the late summer. And even the thing with DOB, I don’t like the way he conducted himself and his wrongful, distorted perception of how DOB affected the Griffey thing, but at least alot of Hudson’s ire seemed to be caused by his belief that he needed to defend a guy (Blanco) who was a 25th man on the roster last year, and who ain’t even on the roster this year. Also, I’ve noticed that this season, when fielders make good plays, Jurrjens has taken to doing what Hudson often does by pointing at them as if to say good job, thanks. Have even noticed Vazquez doing that. With that being said, at least Jurrjens hasn’t yet cussed and glared at a fielder for dogging it like Hudson deservedly did last season in Wrigley to Francoeur. Will also never forget the occasional bewildered WTF looks of bemusement Hudson could shoot at Diaz when he screwed up plays in left.
njbraves
May 26th, 2009
8:49 pm
I love how all the guys who get bashed on her..Frenchy, Jo-Jo, Parr, etc….are now the guys you all want to trade for All Stars. Get a clue people. Nobody wants Francouer or JoJo. And stop complaining about the line-up….what do you want Bobby to do? Sixth is the only place for Frenchy to hit.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:49 pm
Frank – AL. Mostly outfielder.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
8:50 pm
Trivia
Carl Yastremski
Turtsnap
May 26th, 2009
8:50 pm
Ducca’s is good. If you like crab, check out Crustacean’s for their roasted crab and garlic noodles. It isn’t at Fisherman’s Wharf as one might think, it is in town, but I can’t remember what street.
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
8:50 pm
Thanks DOB. I’ll have to try the Italian place out (Mmm…)
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
8:50 pm
Braveheart, I agree. Well said.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
8:51 pm
The sad thing about Jeff’s bad play is that he still has a good chunk of our offensive numbers. Drop Frenchy and you throw away the guy near the top of our team in hits and RBI. The team as a whole, for the most part isn’t pulling their weight on offense. Frenchy is just the guy we focus on because he’s struggled since last season.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
8:53 pm
This from Buster Olney earlier today about Francoeur:
“He’s the easiest guy in the league to pitch to,” said one longtime talent evaluator, “because you know he’s going to swing.”
Carpe Diem
May 26th, 2009
8:53 pm
common sense…Vazquez is making about 3 million less than Holliday this year, and Oakland would have an option to keep him next year. If not, they won’t have any problem trading him this year or next
so they save a couple million, big deal. Somebody will give them a much better cheaper return which is what they will be looking for.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
8:53 pm
njbraves
Well, saying Frenchy is “hitting” is a little over exaggerated, right?
More like whiffing.
I still say he needs to see a shrink!
Anthony
May 26th, 2009
8:54 pm
Last season proved that Diaz wasn’t an everyday player because before he was injured the LF position was practically given to him and he couldn’t hit whatsoever. Diaz is a terrific part time player and can absolutely nail left-handed pitching. But if we ask too much of him, we may lose his great value off the bench.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:55 pm
Dirty Yuni – The wake up call was in reference to you expecting to trade Frenchy and his contract. No way. Unless you package him.
As for Hawpe -imo there is no way the Braves are taking that contract on in this environment. They’ll sit tight to see what breaks in late June or early July. This will be a buyers markket if you’ll take money on or give up prospects imo. Wren has resisted both so far.
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
8:55 pm
keylargo
Good answer..(Yas).
Anders……Jim Rice?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
Yaz it is. The potato farmer from the south fork of Long Island. Yes Dogsbrekky, in addition to cablevision LI offers some of the most beautiful farmlands and vineyards on it’s south fork.
Dunn just launched his 15th. 3-1 Mets.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
Frank – Maybe if I could spell it right, I’d win.
Jeff321
May 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
Dunn hits #15.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
Anders — after my playing days I was a HS/College Umpire and there is no rule about moving the bat. However there is a general safety guideline that is an inherent part of the umpires job. Moving the bat if it is a danger is just good umpiring, the chance of stepping on it by either the runner, catcher, or the umpire himself is a danger that can be avoided with a simple act. However, with that being said, it only occurs on a play where the ump has the time to do it. A runner on second trying to score on a hit, a tag play from third, or a runner from second going all the way around on a bunt that gets an infielder to throw to first are all plays where the ump has time if he deems it necessary. Any runner coming in from third on an infield ball would be too quick and therefore the bat just has to lay where it is. Even the catcher can’t move it in that situation sometimes.
There is a part of the batter’s job to try and toss the bat out of the way in situations where it can help his team.
We all remember Barry Bonds little son getting dragged out of the way in the playoffs trying to retrieve a bat while a ball was in play. Most of the time it is just human nature and reacting to help prevent injury be it a bat boy, a bat on the ground, or even some piece of equipment such as a catchers mask. That’s why you never see a catcher toss his mask until he is sure where the play is going to happen, to avoid injury to himself.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
Imagine Chipper’s slow drawl, and this is what he said when I asked him about being in the lineup today, after he’d tested his foot with some running on the field before BP:
“I’ll be treading lightly, but I felt like I could go out there and, you know, play,” he said.
Cuck-a-too
May 26th, 2009
8:59 pm
Hey Can we put Francoeur on the DL retroactive to Opening Day 2006 and collect insurance money? The day his career hit the dumpster
6-4-3
May 26th, 2009
8:59 pm
The Mets appear to be down on Ryan Church. I know they’re in our division but I think Church isn’t a bad option for us. Any possibility or interest at all in Church?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:02 pm
Captain – thanks for the info. good stuff. BTW- that was dusty Bakers son. Bond’s and shawon dunston’s kids were frolicking around that dugout too. That was a ridiculous scenario when you think about it. MLB playoff games mixed with a day camp.
Mr. Pootingfield
May 26th, 2009
9:02 pm
Lets bring back Raphael Ramirez!
gayle
May 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
**TN Jeff** Nice to know someone is paying attention. Nice to see you, too.
I’ve not given up on this team. I’ve never really cared for them much. I am only a fan of good baseball, not the Braves or the relic in the dugout.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
One last thing Anders —
The ump has to keep his eye on the play, as the plate umpire he has the ultimate final call on a play so he has to make sure he is watching, anything involving the bat is usually done out of the corner of his eye. It’s something that is easy to do, and sometimes the ump just doesn’t see it b/c his attention is focused elsewhere.
As far a Ron Darling, I always say it is easy to lay blame from the booth. He has to say something quick to sound important. After a little thought he might have said something different.
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
This is completely random speculation, but anyone think maybe the Braves would pursue Alex Rios of Toronto. He seems to be falling out of favor even though he’s having a decent season. Joe Inglett got the nod over him yesterday, and he’s been called out by the manager multiple times over the year.
The contract situation would be a little odd (signed through 2014 with a 2015 option, but it’s not an extremely expensive one, especially up until the end of next year. He’d probably be a great addition to the Braves, bringing both the speed and power elements.
Dawgdad
May 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
You can’t play Diaz in right on a regular basis, because God Love him, he throws like a girl.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
My in-laws have a beach house in the Hamptons. Being a Southern boy with no idea about Long Island, I was surprised on my first visit with all the farm land and produce grown on L.I. I felt almost at home there. The Hamptons, on the other hand, I could NEVER feel at home there!
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
njbraves I agree we have to realize nobody will want to trade for Frenchy, he will have to be a part of any serious trade as a throwin. Our only hope to get any really good hitter is to trade from our strength, either starting pitching or prospects.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
When was the last time we actually had a full time left fielder?
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
9:08 pm
I don’t know that the Braves would take on Alex Rios’ contract.
# 7 years/$69.835M (2008-14), plus 2015 club option
* signed extension with Toronto 4/4/08, re-working 2008 deal signed 2/5/08 ($3.5M signing bonus remains, 2008 salary reduced from $1.335M to $0.735M)
* 08:$0.735M, 09:$5.9M, 10:$9.7M, 11:$12M, 12:$12M, 13:$12.5M, 14:$12.5M, 15:$13.5M club option ($1M buyout)
* full no-trade clause, 2009-10
* limited no-trade clause, 2011 – end of deal (may block trades to 6 clubs)
Jack G.
May 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Put Diaz in RF. So he dosent hit righties to well. So whast Frenchy Dont hit righties or lefties.
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Necromancer
I’m guessing Ron Gant.
ben
May 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
I think too much is being made of the lack of power. True they lack it, but what kills them is easy out from the CF, RF, 2B. If francoeur, hit .280 with 8 hr I think the braves will be ok. The lineup is designed to have everyone hit singles and doubles and that can work. Power simple covers up when you cant string together hits.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
9:13 pm
The last time we had only one guy who was an every day left fielder would be… wait for it…
2003 — Chipper Jones 149 games started in LF
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:13 pm
Sheffield with a 3 iron 3 run HR. Nice 400K investment so far.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
ben…I agree with you. A little more power would be nice, but solid OBP and guys that “do the little things” is far more important. We often have big black holes in our line-up where a just a base hit or a productive out will do and the guys K or something else very unproductive.
Hakuna
May 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
heard that perfectly, DOB.
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
9:15 pm
ben
I’m one who can’t get over all the resistence to Kotchman. Altho I said on a past blog that 1st base is normally a power position…BUT Bream (altho he did hit a few HR’s) wasn’t a power-type 1st baseman like McGriff or Big Cat and they did just fine with him.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:15 pm
Yep, coulda had Sheff too.
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
9:16 pm
wainwright the cards pitcher just hit one out…..4th career homer
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:17 pm
Yep, Shef is paying off. Now if he had signed with the Braves, he would look like Anderson right now. Better yet, Raul Mondesi.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:18 pm
Anders, you can’t word-for-word repeat the guys on the MLB network and claim them as your own comments. That’s blog rule number 1.
Couch Tater
May 26th, 2009
9:18 pm
I hope….som’n……don’t..reach up’n bite Chipper. gotta dip?
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
Some interesting clauses I just noticed in Kenshin Kawakami’s contract. He can recieve bonuses for recieving a rolaids relief award. Maybe Wren was thinking he could end up as a reliever?
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
Well, Hanson’s night looks to be done…7IP, 5H, 1ER, 2BB, 9K. 105 pitches, 3 grounouts to 8 flyouts.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:22 pm
Sad part about it is there is no legitimate back up plan for the struggling Schaefer. I admit, I was one of the ones that was glad that he got the starting CF job over the other Anderson.
But now, as we all know..we are all eating a little bit more crow with each strikeout Schaefer accumulates.
It would be easy to send him down…but who could replace him….Blanco?
Sheah…don’t think so..
We need to do some damage control real soon before it’s too late…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:24 pm
18 Wheels – What are you talking about?
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:25 pm
Steve Hanson needs to be up with the Braves. He has nothing else to prove in the minors. The Braves need to find a trade partner and get this young man up here. What do you think?
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:26 pm
Your 9:13 was nearly verbatim what they said on MLB network at that very moment….3 iron shot, best 400k investment. Just bustin balls.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
9:27 pm
If you think we’re going to be a better team by calling up Gorkys and sending down Schafer. Well, I don’t know how to finish that thought, but you’re most likely wrong.
tvsportscaster
May 26th, 2009
9:28 pm
CB, It’s Tommy Hanson, not Steve
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:28 pm
18 Wheels – I haven’t turned the channel in an hour. I wrote that as he was rounding the bases. Perhaps those guys are reading the blog?
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:28 pm
Necromancer,
I wasn’t sold on Shafer as being the CF solution. I reasoned that Anderson was out of options and had some big league experience under his belt. That is why I wanted Anderson. I have to admit that Shafer won the job in the spring, but I just hated shipping Anderson off and in essence counting on Shafer to perform immediately.
The main problem I have with the situation is that the Braves went “all in” on Shafer, not having a backup plan in case he performed like he’s performing now.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:29 pm
There is a pro rugby player named Steve Hanson..but wrong sport…
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:30 pm
damnJerald
little frustrated, eh?
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:30 pm
You know Jerald you tell us you are a Braves fan but all you do is come on the blog spewing hatred, wishing people to die and calling it our team. YOU SIR, ARE AND IDIOT.
N8
May 26th, 2009
9:30 pm
I’m not sure who the hell Steve Hanson is or whether he belongs in the minors anymore. But I sure would like to see Tommy Hanson get called up.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
Livan with 8 complete. 1 run against the #2 team in runs scored in the NL. How ’bout dat?
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
I think the Braves need to get him up here before the middle of June, but I don’t think they need to trade any of their current SPs (JJ, Lowe, Vaz, KK) at the moment to faciliate that…
Horner's Corner
May 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
Goldenglove002 – Damn you, you stole my thought about Alex Rios. He’s had some success over the last several years and he has a little bit of speed as well. He’s off to a rough start this season and it appears his value may be down with the folks in Toronto. It may be the perfect time to make an offer.
I don’t know much about his defense, but I don’t think he’s as big a liability as what the Braves currently have in LF
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
Bring back Justice!
Daybed Wagmoe
May 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
Steve from OH, thanks for posting the info on Hanson. I was about to post it when I went back up to see if anyone else already did, so I saw that posting it wasn’t necessary. The kid had another good start and lowered his ERA to 1.48.
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
Sorry tvsportscaster meant to put a comma behind the Steve, was talking to Steve from Ohio.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
Put him out there with Nixon and Gant
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
Tim Dierkes at MLBtraderumors says that Hanson should no longer be super-two eligible if the Braves were to call him up right now. Now all we need is a opening to get him up here. He looked great in Gwinnett tonight.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
I’m fairly certain he wasn’t saying “Steve Hanson”. He just left out some punctuation. Probably meant “Steve, Hanson”
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
Has anyone looked at Anderson’s numbers lately? It would be like trying to decide whether you want a Hyundai or a Kia…
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
Man, we are getting ripped off by MLB-TV this year. I swear that I haven’t seen more than 1 game on my computer this season. And that’s not gonna change tonight either. Someone needs to explain to me how the Braves can play at 10:15pm in San Francisco and it not be a nationally televised game, but it still gets blacked out. What a waste of $139.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
Livan ain’t bad…… in the first half, but he’s been struggling the last few years in the second half. Enjoy him now.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
Yeah Interesting Philosophy
We pretty much shot ourselves in the foot. You would figure the Braves would, indeed, have had a viable back up plan.
But now, what do we do? Continue to watch Schaefer approach the Most Strike outs by a Rookie record?
This sucks on so many different levels…
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
Yeah n8 going back to grammer skool, heh heh.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
9:35 pm
I kinda feel bad saying it but does anybody else kinda wish Glavine would hang it up and save us that bonus money we’d owe him if he makes a start in the majors? Would also open up the spot for Hanson. Like I said, I feel bad even thinking it but.. still…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:35 pm
Livan now batting in the bottom of the 8th. yes, batting. Going for the complete game-wow. rare feat in these parts.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:36 pm
So Sean Casey says “That ’s a 3 iron right there….probably the best $400k investment by the Mets ever.” as he is watching the HR being hit.
Then at 9:13 you say “Sheffield with a 3 iron 3 run HR. Nice 400K investment so far.”
You claim they are getting ideas from the blog and repeating on air.
So either it is:
A) A crazy coincidence
B) Blagerism – same as plagerism but on a blog
C) Sean Casey stumbled into the Lost time travel warp and read your comments on the blog and then traveled back in time 5 minutes and then repeated them on air.
D) I’m bored waiting on the 10 PM game and am stirring up crap.
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
9:36 pm
Your welcome Horner’s Corner
. I wouldn’t worry much about his defense, considering he would probably more than make up for it with offense (or atleast I think he would). I haven’t heard anything about it, which means it probably isn’t too bad.
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:36 pm
thanks bravesfan I am and idiot
Daybed Wagmoe
May 26th, 2009
9:37 pm
“Livan with 8 complete. 1 run against the #2 team in runs scored in the NL. How ’bout dat?”
Anders — Livan’s pitching against the Phillies? Funny, I thought the Mets were playing the Nationals, who are the #6 team in runs scored in the NL.
Couch Tater
May 26th, 2009
9:37 pm
N8
He’s on to something, we need a rugby player in RF to lite a far into this team.
Greetings
May 26th, 2009
9:37 pm
Braves need to trade for Mark DeRosa…BRING BACK MARK….
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:37 pm
Come on, N8
Steve Hanson is the pro rugby player…duh
If you don’t believe me, just google it! LOL
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
9:38 pm
Phillies & Mets winning so looks like we will be out 2.5 games barring a miracle.
Horner's Corner
May 26th, 2009
9:39 pm
keylargo- Thanks for the Alex Rios contract information. It is a bit expensive and man, what a commitment. Through 2014? I guess if the Braves did get Rios we wouldn’t have to worry about LF for awhile.
N8
May 26th, 2009
9:39 pm
“Escobar still day-to-day, could be tomorrow, but Arizona more likely, Cox said.” DOB
So, in other words, he just had his knees replaced?
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
9:40 pm
The Gwinnett Braves have J.C. Holt playing in the outfield tonight. Could this be significant?
N8
May 26th, 2009
9:40 pm
CB, just giving you crap. Obviously, I knew who you meant.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:41 pm
Necro,
I would rather be proactive and have a plan going in than to be reactive and find yourself in the situation the Braves now find themselves in. What do we do now? Beats the hell out of me!
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
9:41 pm
I know we sort of drifted from the subject of All-Star voting, BUT for a limited time only, you cann download your own campaign bumper sticker here!
Hurry up! They are going fast…
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:41 pm
18 Wheels of Love
Good grief, my friend.
Could you ever try any harder to stir up some fecal matter?
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:41 pm
18 Wheels- Don’t know what else to say but when I posted my 9:13 those were my words. I haven’t watch MLB network tonight. If you watch the hit you’ll see that it does look like a golf shot. I’d say great minds think alike but Sean Casey ain’t all that great.
varoadrunner
May 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
DOB – very nice article on hte woes of the Braves outfield. I admire your candid approach to documenting a visible weakness that the Braves (might be trying to address) have not addressed. And the Braves are suffering because of it. Is it a Wren shortcoming? NM. moving on……
Gorkys could not be worse than Shafer right now and the experience could be injuring shafer for the future. Give the next kid a chance. But the big question to me is Chipper. In your opinion, and not based on his electing to not play, what is his condition? He can pinch hit and elects to stay in the game. Can he play 3B and hit? Chipper, and I am not being fair, but seems to have become a lazy premadona … Maybe he doesn’t want to hit against Linecum (??). I know that that’s extreme, but seems that Chipper sits rather than playing through the pain. If it would cause irrepaiable damage, I’ll give him a pass, but the Braves are in this thing and he’s NOT. I’d love your comments.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
PWH, my rational side says “Brandon Jones getting day off,” while my hardcore fan side says “ooh, ooh, Loaf Garret gone! Hooray! B. Jones comin up…world champs!”
Or something like that…
N8
May 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
“Phillies & Mets winning so looks like we will be out 2.5 games barring a miracle.
Beating Lincecum wouldn’t be a miracle. He’s lost before. Getting Escobar, G. Anderson, Chipper and Mac in the same lineup for more than two games in a row, might be the miracle we’re looking for.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
Like I said, stir crazy.
Goldenglove002
May 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
Rios’s contract is long, but they could get him and trade him after 2 years if they feel like they have prospects (say Heyward or Gorkys). I’d call it a tradeable contract if it came down to something like that.
Random
May 26th, 2009
9:43 pm
This comment never got posted yesterday –
“The noblest fate that a man can endure is to place his own mortal body between his loved home and war’s desolation.”
Hats off, and hearts open, to all those who served and never made it back home.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:43 pm
Interesting
I guess we have to watch Schaefer continue to rack up the strikeouts until he gets pissed off enough and does break out of it…
N8
May 26th, 2009
9:45 pm
18 Wheels of Love, since you brought it up, what’s your take on LOST’s season finale and where Abrams is leading the story?
I’ll wait to read your response, before I give you my take.
Horner's Corner
May 26th, 2009
9:45 pm
Bravesfan- Don’t feel bad about not being excited about Glavine’s return. In fact, I’m not sure many of us are. OK, I don’t want to speak for the rest, but I know I’m not. I have seen Tommy pitch over the last several years and it ain’t great. I would prefer to watch someone younger with his career ahead of him, not behind him. Medlen, Morton, Hanson, but maybe not Jo-Jo for awhile.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
9:45 pm
Daybed -coming into tonight what 5 NL teams were ahead of the Nats in runs scored?
varoadrunner
May 26th, 2009
9:46 pm
DOB – Sorry I missed your 8:58 post – but i also haven’t seen your official lineup yet either.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
Anders
Shame on you! Blagiarism is a crime punishable by getting a pair of Bobby Cox’s 3 day old underwear place on your head!
Okay, I’m just joking..
I was a bit juvenile with that, wasn’t I?
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
JC holt has 4 career homers ..
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
HOLY SH!*!! Mac is 5th in All-Star voting for catchers? I think some of you need to quit bitc#! and moaning about the Braves flaws and vote that boy in!
WestPalmDawg
May 26th, 2009
9:49 pm
Apparently the Orioles brought up Weiters today because he could no longer be a Super 2 at the end of 2011. Hanson’s in the same boat. Are we still going to wait on Tom Glavine?
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
9:50 pm
TnBrian–
I’m doing my part!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
TnBrian
That’s a big 10-4 there, buddy!
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
OK…tried to do my name as a link, but it didn’t work.
Daybed Wagmoe
May 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
Anders – looks like the Dodgers (261), Phillies (242), Rockies (218), Brewers (215), and Mets (213), who were actually tied with the Nationals (213). So they were tied for 5th best.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:52 pm
Hate to interject myself with the Anders-18Wheels thing, but I was watching MLB network myself when Casey commented on the Shef homer. I’m almost positive that Casey refered to it as a nine iron instead of a three iron.
Just my two cents.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
He said 3 iron…because of its low trajectory.
The Vulcan
May 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
I think DOB looks like Mr. Spock with those eyebrows.
Now he just needs the ears!
Live long and prosper, DOB!
BravesFanChris24
May 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
LOL Phillies
CB
May 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
Not when you spew wishing people to die,Jerald, but you really scare me on your side of the keyboard, lil buddy.
winterville
May 26th, 2009
9:54 pm
Anders
Congrats to your boy Livan for finishing what he started. Looks like it took him 127 pitches but if anyone can take it, he can.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
9:54 pm
Yes they are going to wait for Glavine – they’re paying him the money and that’s what it’s all about. This is the reason for keeping someone like Frenchy – he can sure sell some T-Shirts.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:55 pm
The trajectory was that of a three iron for sure and that’s why I thought it odd that Casey said a nine iron.
)
RHR
May 26th, 2009
9:55 pm
DOB @ 8:58 so funny. He talks slower than anybody ever. I’ve almost always lived in the south but I have to realllllllly listen to understand what he’s saying most of the time.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
9:56 pm
varoadrunner, official lineup was posted
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
9:57 pm
Looks like Shef and Livan remembered to take their Geritol today.
Seriously though, nice performance by Hernandez. (even though it was against the lowly Nats) I wish Adam Dunn and his 15 homers was on the Braves right now.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
9:57 pm
N8, I’ve been wrong on all of my Lost predictions. I’m intrigued with the loophole thing and how that guy came back as Locke to try and take out Jacob. But I have no clue….just enjoy watching it.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
9:57 pm
and Yes I was doin that on Porpoise!!!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
9:58 pm
Chipper also sounds like he smokes 3 packs a day.
I know he has to dip at least 5 cans of Copenhagen a game…
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
9:58 pm
Mike, if you want a Braves T-shirt at the game, you only have about 3 choices. They made 2 million Frenchy T-shirts and they are gonna sell every damn one of them before they print any with someone elses name on the back!
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
10:00 pm
I hear you on that one – Interesting Philosophy – I can’t find a Mac shirt anywhere.
Choppinmama
May 26th, 2009
10:01 pm
DOB: “Chipper’s slow drawl”……yeah, we CAN imagine! See if he has his cleats modified a la ‘big clown-toed’….like last year. Better on big, sore toes.
Hey, how did Lincecum look in the cage? Tonight is going to be SCARY! Here we go………good luck, kid. Did mom and dad stay away to change your luck tonight? Man up……….
MariettaDerick: Say it one time for Medlin…..
Daybed Wagmoe
May 26th, 2009
10:01 pm
I always thought Chipper was a Skoal man. No?
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
Seriously the best thing the Braves could do for Themselves, the fans, and Stenchcouer is get that boy the hell outta town!!!!
Uno-Ocho
May 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
I think Schafer just struck out again.
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3525475&cp=1452343.1452599
mac shirts …………..
Uno-Ocho
May 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
Jordan Schafer = Human Turnstile
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
Ole’ Bowman caused a massive uproar on Braves blogs with the “Frenchy’s days are numbered” stuff. Lord, if he just does half decent for the next month or so, he’s staying a Brave, at least for ‘09. Who knows, Wren might just sign a Luis Gonzalez type for Bobby to have other altenatives if a guy struggles.
Uno-Ocho
May 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
What’s Mark Kotsay doing right now?
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
10:04 pm
I have a four year old daughter and the only T-shirt I found at the game that would fit her was…… you guessed it…..Frenchy!
Oh well, it has “Braves” on the front. She’s only four. She doesn’t realize that she’ll never be able to hit major league pitching with that name on the back.
Share Your Francoeur Nicknames
May 26th, 2009
10:04 pm
Failcoeur
Stenchy
Out machine
Sir Outsalot
Andy
May 26th, 2009
10:04 pm
Schafer strike out already?
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
10:05 pm
I heard today the Braves needed to trade Frenchy for a bat. I’m thinking that may be a fair deal, just a bat. I’d even trade him for a maple bat at this point, even though they presumably break more often than the ash ones. At least it’d be given a chance to prove itself useful.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
10:06 pm
Is Jim Edmonds still a FA?
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:06 pm
Necromancer, Chipper would be smart if he’d just buy a can Wolf dip instead of that expensive Skoal/Copenhagen. Taste the same and gives you the same nicotine high.
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
10:06 pm
Uno-Ocho
May 26th, 2009
10:03 pm
What’s Mark Kotsay doing right now?
Mark and Smoltz are on the red sox DL
Choppinmama
May 26th, 2009
10:08 pm
…er…Medlen. well, he IS new and somewhat forgettable
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
10:09 pm
TnBrian, I think Chipper can afford 24k gold plated dip if he wanted it.
BossLady
May 26th, 2009
10:10 pm
Francoeur is so bad, Shaun had to come back to help out.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:10 pm
Here’s a first. The Nats threw over Tatis’ head after Sheffield’s homer. Warnings were issued. two pitches later tatis was hit with a pitch. No action taken by the ump. Next inning Hernandez hits a nat. still nothing from the ump. Neither guy deserved to get thrown out, but I thought it was kind of automatic? strange stuff.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:11 pm
TnBrian
I’m kind of a Longhorn man myself.
If I could post a smilycon that looked like it was dipping, I would post it!
Daybed Wagmoe
May 26th, 2009
10:12 pm
Which is the more realistic Francoeur situation that would occur first?
A) The Braves either bench him for any significant amount of time, send him to the minors, release him, or trade him, or
B) Francoeur has a good game — something like a 4-hit game with 4 RBI, a HR and a double — and the Braves are convinced that he’s turned a corner and decide to hang onto him.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
10:13 pm
Never should have been a warning in the first place in the Mets game. Watched the pitch in question on MLB. It was a curve. The ball just lollipoped over Tatis’ head. Ump warned both teams. May be the reason the ump didn’t enforce it. There should have been no warning in the first place.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:13 pm
Damn, I sounded redundant…
winterville
May 26th, 2009
10:14 pm
Anders
Were they breaking pitches or was it intentional as far as you could see? That is strange if they were throwing fastballs.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:14 pm
I have a feeling that the Mets will be the big suitors for Matt Holliday, granted that their farm system isn’t still depleted from dealing for Johan Santana…
Face It they have the money and in some aspects their offense has been just as bad as ours…
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
10:14 pm
I’d say option B on the Francoeur quiz.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
Agreed to whoever said that our 5-9 Slots in our lineup does look anemic…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
Interesting Philosophy – I agree 100%. But if the ump removed the warning he should have informed the fans. Wasn’t a big deal but it could have been.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
When did the Braves decide to toss their grey jerseys? They seem to wear their road alts all the time now.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
Play ball!
Horner's Corner
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
Daybed Wagmoe – The answer is B. And that one game will buy Frenchy another 200 AB’s in a Braves uniform.
By the way, what’s the over/under on the total number of K’s from the six and eight spot in tonight’s line-up. I’ll set the line at 6, will they be over or under??
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
I don’t want to alarm anyone, but I watched Medlen bounce three pitches past the catcher during his warmup in the bullpen.
He was throwing some hellacious curveballs. But he bounced one pitch at least two feet in front of the plate.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:16 pm
Lincecum looks like he has a mullet.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:16 pm
Yeah….1 pitch…1 one. Gonna be a great offensive night.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:16 pm
KJ, WTF Make his A…s Work, That’s the only way we are gonna beat this guy is making him throw a lot of pitches through the innings
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:16 pm
Just great !!!
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
I wonder how many Braves even know they’re facing Kelly Leak….
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
Hernandez’s was intentional in my book. It was at the legs which is cool. With a true warning he should have been gone. The ump over reacted in the first place but never publicly cleared it up. Like I said no big deal.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
Im going to mow you guys down like nothing. 3 K’s guaranteed
propp
May 26th, 2009
10:18 pm
NEW POLL QUESTION!!!!
Which will we see more this season?
a) back to back K’s from Francouer and Shafer
b) back to back home runs by any pair of Braves
c) Brian McCann stolen bases
Please text your answer to 8675309(eee-iiii-n)
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:18 pm
Damn, DOB..I hope that isn’t an omen..
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
DOB- Any truth to the rumor that the Braves asked for an air sickness bag in place of the rosin bag behind the mound for Medlen?
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
Thats was easy
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
Im not even going to break a sweat.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
The gun reading was 100 on that one, but I’m sure it was going out off Chipper’s bat, not the pitch itself.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
I like the idea of swinging on a 3-0 count…especially if you intend to only foul it off. Could help you get your timing down for the 3-1 pitch.
Interesting Philosophy
May 26th, 2009
10:19 pm
Anders,I just remembered. Seems like there was a Braves game earlier this year when warnings were issued and a player was hit later without an ejection. Even after a warning, it’s still the umps discretion as to the intent or lack of intent of a pitch that hits a batter.
LuisG
May 26th, 2009
10:20 pm
Chipper?!
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:20 pm
Its over
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:20 pm
Did Medlen seem as nervous as a prostitute in church again tonight, DOB?
I scanned quickly thru all the comments and thought I read all yours but may have missed it.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:20 pm
IP – I know that. But two batters? I’ve never seen that.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:21 pm
What’s going to be interesting about this game is how Lincecum is going to make Schaefer and Fracoeur look really bad on their AB’s…
bruce
May 26th, 2009
10:22 pm
on the replay of chipper’s hit, my computer froze for a moment, the umpire blinked on contact…. his eyes were closed.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:22 pm
Sit down Mccann!!! Not tonight!
What's wrong with Chipper is...
May 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
“Chipper also sounds like he smokes 3 packs a day. I know he has to dip at least 5 cans of Copenhagen a game…”
This messed up his immune system so his body can no longer repair itself.
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
Curses.
I…want…an…R…B…I…DOUBLE!!!
Schafer's Wafers
May 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
Please spell Schafers name right if you are gonna talk trash about him…Nothing more frustrating then reading his name misspelled and people throwing him under the bus.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
That Chipper can hit. He hasn’t been in a game (except to pinch hit twice) in a bunch of days. Facing a really good pitcher in Lincecum. Strokes a double on a tough pitch.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
Wow Joe and Boog are on facebook!?!? I had NO idea! They should announce that more often!
McFann :Ô:
May 26th, 2009
10:24 pm
RHR–
If McCann had a double for every time they mention Facebook…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:25 pm
Greinke gave up a run tonight -Can you say flash in the pan?
winterville
May 26th, 2009
10:25 pm
ATTN HAT FANS:
If any of y’all out there like to wear fitted hats and especially like older model or throwback style hats then you need to check this site out. It is called Mickey’s Place and they have a huge selection. They pretty much have any hat that a team has ever worn. They are really nice hats because they are made by New Era and fit like all their other hats. I love hats and have small collection. I don’t even know why I though of it but I figured I’d pass it along since this is a baseball blog. If you like hats, it’s worth a look.
http://www.mickeysplace.com/fitted-adjustable-hats-cooperstown-collection-c-3_6.html
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:25 pm
Medlen gets Rowand to fly out on the third pitch. None of those pitches came close to McCann’s target.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
Your rookie pitcher sucks.
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
Medlen has a diaper on under his uni pants.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
Finally a strike. I’m amazed the first batter didn’t take a strike.
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
What is it with short dudes lookin’ like “the penguin?” (Rowand)
They know how goofy that posture is?
I’m not done.
18 Wheels of Love
May 26th, 2009
10:26 pm
My favorite is Tanner Boyles rant/quote that is unprintable…from the 2nd BNB’s movie.
And that’s not even a mullet, more like a halibut.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:27 pm
Shafer, Chafer, Schifter, K’fer! nah nah nah boo boo!
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:27 pm
Gotta love baseball. They just showed the grizzled old man, Randy Johnson, with his craggy face, watching the kid do the same job that R.J. does. Half his age, and looks one-third his age.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:27 pm
Medlen has a good sequence to get Renteria. After his first two pitches missed, he was spot on.
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
I’m gonna have to gameday the Bravos until this Cavs game ends. Good one.
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
I prefer K-fer(ever)
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
They did us a favor I would have told the hitters to take 2 strikes before you swing
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:29 pm
Medlen is high on every pitch
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:29 pm
Every fastball is 90-92 mph so far. That changeup didn’t come out of his hand right.
Zephyr 8
May 26th, 2009
10:30 pm
Medlen seems to be falling off his front foot and hes definatley missing his spots so far as a result.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:30 pm
whew I’ll take it, I feel their hitters were way too aggressive for a guy who was so nervous last outing he wet his pants lol.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:30 pm
Good first inning.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:30 pm
Medlin looks like he doesn’t even have to shave!
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:31 pm
Just saw a highlight of Jason Giambi. That guy has lost like 30 pounds. Doesn’t even look like the body he played with for the Yanks. What a disgrace. I know it’s not news but he was clearly ‘roiding heavily.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:31 pm
Nice play, by the rook!
And lets be honest, Randy Johnson looks 3 times MY age. lol
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:31 pm
Listening to the Joe Simpson talk about Medlin, most people would feel for the guy. I’ll try to resist that temptation.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
Walks Winn and then gets a line out to end the inning.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
Randy Johnson looks like a buzzard in the face. Or a condor…
He ain’t too purdy, folks…
Anders
May 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
Enjoy your game Braves fans -later.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
What happened to you T.Lincecum ?!! Oh ! I know you will be back as soon as the Giant score !!! YELLOW COWARD !!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:33 pm
Scurd!!!! Boog Is Crazy!
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Did Anderson just hustle
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Anderson beats out an infield single.
Mike S
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Much better first inning than his last start… you can still see the nerves and adrenaline though, but a tiny bit more controlled this time out.
Would like to see the Braves give him a run or two to maybe take a little pressure off and let the kid throw.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Loaf Garrett doing some hustling..
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
wow GA the speedster lol
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Look at Loaf go.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Loaf Finally Hustling, even though It didn’t look like it
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Look at the old man busting down the line!
Boo
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Loaf made that close.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Shut up, Joe.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
Good play by Edgar, but not exactly Yunel-ish with the throw. GA on his horse, beats one out.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:34 pm
First pitch swing,shocker
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
Francœur lines out to left on the first pitch. He put a good swing on it.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
I’m tired of hearing that man play up Frenchy making decent contact with a baseball.
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
I don’t think Francoeur would take a first pitch if you paid him to.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
I can throw any pitch to jeff francoeur he will get himself out after one pitch.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
Well here we go again, first Kelly can’t take a damn pitch, and that doofass Stenchcouer cant either….
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
LOL love the slow mo on Jeff’s face. The expression went from YES! to defeat in 0.2 seconds.
Tip o' the cap
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
To Frenchy from Tim for the one pitch out.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:35 pm
man, i’m 36 and I never felt old until I joined this blog lol
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
Outs are innevitable…but make it productive out atleast please.
Couch Tater
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
DOB -
THAT would be a classic. Photo of Randy Johnson standing w/Medlen. I hope you’ve got a camera.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
Dora the Explora..woot woot
ND Braves
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
I sure hope the braves front office has learned their lesson the last couple of years and decide not to trade the farm (at least none of the top 5 prospects in the system) to try and get an outfield bat. As bad as we need one, I don’t want to have to watch the prospects the send out turn it to great players for other teams like the package of players with the rangers that were sent there in the tex trade.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
Diory hustles out a GIDP. Turn those four pitchers spots in a row over.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
All day baby. All day.
Jeff321
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
Loaf just pulled a Chipper Jones on that DP ball. He just made a U-turn about half way to second.
Meanwhile, Diory legs one out.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
here comes a strike out…
Boo
May 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
I’m tired of hearing that man play up Frenchy making decent contact with a baseball.
Amen.
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
Good thing it was a high-chopper. GA certainly wasn’t gonna try and take anybody out of the DP.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
Oh. Its jordan schafer. Easy K
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
Garret, at least make him go around you. If not, then wait and duck. Maybe?
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
That really was a solid swing from Frenchy. I’m usually all over Frenchy for swinging at the first pitch but that was a solid attempt.
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
At leas Diory beat it out at first so we can clear Schafer this inning.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
ball 4
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
Timmy doesn’t have pinpoint control this year like he did last year.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
No way
Andy
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
Way to not try and break up the double play, Garrett. Bench him immediately. His lackadasical attitude in the field and on the basepaths irks me.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
I stand corrected
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
Schafer singles. Get those four pitchers spot out of the way.
Jeff321
May 26th, 2009
10:38 pm
Wake up Schafer haters!
FaninFaytown
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
well hot dam
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
3 balls to Schafer?! Someone didn’t do his homework.
Nice AB there, take note Frenchy.
StingerSplash
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
“I’ll be treading lightly, but I felt like I could go out there and, you know, play,” he said.
Look, I know Chipper is from Deland — even if he went to, ahem, The Bolles School — but what else could he do if he, you know, went out there to play? Stand there and let the pigeons crap on him?
Nice AB, Schafer. Let that be the start of something.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
GA is about worthless…way to make an effort out there on the basepaths
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
I love that Medlen is a switch hitter
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
Rob from SC
WAAY!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:39 pm
Yeah, ole Loaf looks like he’s afraid to sacrifice his body or something.
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
Damn Schafer, how could you not strike out against Lincecum?
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
Nobody scores on me tonight!
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
Medlen strikes out swinging.
Boo
May 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
Quit hatin’ on Loaf.
steve_97060
May 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
the tales of old are true, that JS can actually hit a baseball..
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
I received a copy of the phone conversation transcript between Ken Rosenthal and the unnamed GM which prompted him to write that the Red Sox are eyeing Francoeur:
Rosenthal: Hi there, Mr. GM. What can you tell me about the market for Francoeur?
GM: Well, Ken, as you most probably know, there isn’t much of one. For some reason, Dayton Moore still loves him. I don’t know why.
Rosenthal: Come on, Mr. GM. Tell me something everyone doesn’t already know.
GM: That’s pretty much all I know, Ken. No team in their right mind really wants him.
Rosenthal: Can’t you give me ANYTHING?
GM: Well, this isn’t real news, but you might find it entertaining. At one point, the Red Sox actually looked at bringing Francoeur in. Can you imagine? I mean, talk about a player completely opposite their philosophy.
Rosenthal: I’ll go with that.
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
Francoeur might have 2 months, max. left with the Braves.
We can stop calling him “Frenchy” (ugh) now, it’ll make the transition easier.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
Lincecum wasn’t exactly dazzling that first time through the order. He’d better pick things up or we’re going to tee off against him tonight.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
GA stopping on that dp attempt totally represents his effort level all year imo. don’t dive for balls or get your uni dirty.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
did anyone see Medlen pitch at AAA. If so, what is he doing differently here
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
I guarantee 10 k’s today.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
We have a no hitter !!!
Whiskey Pete
May 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
So it’s ok to post spam here now?
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:43 pm
Medlen wears size 6 shoes.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:44 pm
Medlen strikes out Lewis swinging on a change up. Kid’s control looks to be getting better.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
As bad as Schafer has been, B.J. Upton has arguably been even worse. And considering how good Upton was last season and in the postseason, that’s just shocking to me. I thought he was ready to burst on the scene as the next superstar, the way he looked in the postseason.
Before today, Upton was hitting .197 with two homers, nine RBI, a .291 OBP and a .291 slugging percentage, with 52 strikeouts in 165 at-bats. Only thing he was doing better than Schafer was stealing bases (Upton had 14).
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
Hey DOB , Just got back to the blog and am still laughing about KELLY LEAK. LOL
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
Ishikawa gets a hit.
Mike S
May 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
Can’t miss in the middle of the plate in the Show kid…
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
10:45 pm
Ho-Hum, way to groove a fastball there kid, and Why does Medlin look like he’s going to cry every time he delivers a pitch???
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:46 pm
PWHjort, I don’t think it’s so much that Jeff is struggling why people gag at the thoguht of Frenchy as much as it’s people’s perception that the kid is so dang stubborn. He’s obviously giving that off to more than just us Braves fans. That whining he did last year after having to go to the minors definitely didn’t help.
Dwight Schrute
May 26th, 2009
10:46 pm
That dork Lincecum should be sent down for that stupid looking mullet of his alone.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:46 pm
You are just mad because everyone in the league says braves pitchers are living up to the hype !! And guess what ?!! That’s without Hudson, Hanson and Glavine !! They are coming baby to a show near you !!!
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
10:47 pm
Randy Johnson is the stunt double for Buford the Buzzard!!!
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:47 pm
Travis Ishikawa is 火に (en fuego).
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:48 pm
Uribe flies out to the warning track in right.
Mike S
May 26th, 2009
10:48 pm
Medlen’s curve looks Naaasssssssty, but he needs to put some movement on that fastball, they are getting some good hacks at it just sitting there.
winterville
May 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
Whiskey Pete
Are you referring to me with the spam comment?
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
Man That Nook Saved Us a run
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
DOB, you think Medlin may have been trying to deke you out with those curve balls in the dirt during warmups? His curves are actually pretty sharp.
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
Good bounce for Jeff or that’s a run.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:49 pm
Double. 2nd and 3rd, two out. Lucky bounce for the Braves, as the ball bounced right to Francœur.
Lincecum batting.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
Oh!!!Good Lord, Please throw strikes kid!!!! don’t make me go hatin on you too!!!
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
The Magic just nailed their 14th 3-pointer of the night. Sheesh.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:50 pm
Come On Kris…!
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
Jerald, I was in the pressbox watching (the bullpen is that close here, on the field in foul territory). So, no, he wasn’t trying to “deke” me.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
Do not walk Kelly Do not walk Kelly…..doh!
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
Medlen’s done folks.
Yeah really.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
Medlen couldn’t hit a barn right now.
Walks Lincecum.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
great…walk the pitcher to load the bases
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
uh oh
Zephyr 8
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
And “the wheels come off the cart”…
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:51 pm
He doesn’t have the head to pitch here
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Your pitcher is scared of me. And he should be
Mike S
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
UGH! Walk the pitcher. WHY THE H*LL ISN’T CHIPPER OR BRIAN OUT THERE CALMING HIM DOWN!
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Walking the pitcher, just beautiful.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Can we please call Hanson up now
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Here we go again.
Medlan is the New Goo
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Where’s the non-suck?
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
McDowell to the mound.
That scraping sound is the undercarriage of the Braves bus on asphault. The wheels have come off.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
40 pitches for Medlen already, he will be done by 5 at this pace, Not Good!
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
The 4th inning meltdown appears to have started 2 innings early. Lets see how he responds here. *Gulp*
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:52 pm
Game Over!
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Rowand double. 2 runs in.
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Now that is the Medlin I remember seeing last Thursday.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Well, at least I can go to sleep early now…
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Randy Johnson is the stunt double for Buford the Buzzard!!!
That was effing hilarious! I laughed out loud on that one!!!
Zephyr 8
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
This doesn’t seem worth staying up for….
scottbravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Send Medlin down the guy is not ready to pitch at this level. Walking the pitcher with two runners on come on. Send this guy down and call up Hanson.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
rediculous…
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:53 pm
Okay, who do we have for long relief???
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
Leave Medlen out there. Either he’ll get better or he’ll take his medicine.
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
Thats the ballgame. Jeez, this Medlen kid sucks.
bravesphanatic004
May 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
you just cant walk the pitcher in that situation….
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
10:54 pm
Well, if the plan was to showcase Medlen, it has gone up in smoke.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Dammit, McCann…
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
McCann sucks at D
Jeff321
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Gotta blame that on McCann.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Yikes.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Renteria singles. 2 more runs score.
Looks like Medlen’s had his cup of coffee. Next five starter option?
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
I calling the game already Normally I wait til the fifth or sixth. That just says how much faith I have in this Awfense Period, let alone against Linecum
Medlan is the New Goo
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
I’m going to bed.
I thought the Giants’ offense sucked? 12 runs now in less than 11 full innings.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Thats all the runs i need. Ill put this baby to bed early
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Medlen didn’t work out. Call up Hanson.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
They said on the radio Hanson won’t be called up for a while because it would make him eligible for arbitration earlier and it could cost the Braves $$$.
Rob in Mobile
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Randy Johnson is the stunt double for Buford the Buzzard!!!
Yeah, I see the resemblance.
And Medlen resembles a batting practice machine……
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
10:55 pm
Beautiful throw by Schafer. Mac just couldn’t hang onto it.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Winn gets the Braves out of the inning with a first pitch fly out to Anderson.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
I’ve said this before. Why does Brian McCann go out in front of the plate to get the throw?
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
McCann needs to keep his ass behind the plate. Is he scared of contact. We need a catching coach
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Can somebody tell McCann how to block the damn plate
Aaron Rowand
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
I will eat your lunch McCann!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Isn’t San Fran supposed to have the worst offense or one of the worst offenses in the league???
Jerald Holcombe
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Yep, I know Lincecum can count to 5 because he will shortly be 5-0 against the weakest Braves team I’ve seen in years.
lagnamor
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Damn GA should have got that fly ball! Out at home till Mc drops ball…no one help the pitcher!
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Medlen was Shooting himself in the Foot by walking Linecum, Nuff Said!
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
McCann is not going to get all star votes from his catching the last couple of days.
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
How did this game end before the Cavs game? Dang.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:56 pm
Some people can’t handle pressure !!! And he’s one of them !! I said it last week !!!
Justin B.
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Its like this ppl the braves suck there at best a .500 team and it will stay like that for years until they fire cox and get a Owner he gives a damn.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
We are making this AAA Giants Lineup look like an All-Star Team
bravesphanatic004
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
wow! mcann is garbage behind that plate!!!!! he cost us a game yesterday basically by himself. in the offseason he needs to go take lessons from a particular catcher in minnesota. mcann can hit but he cant catch, throw, block balls…. he is just a one tool player….
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Anyone who has read my posts no I usually dont overreact to the moment. Even Medlens last start I said that give him another shot but seriously how many minor leagurers have to fail before we go with the obvious choice and bring up Hanson. I just dont get it.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Medlen ain’t the answer – take him out now and hope other teams aren’t watching so we might be able to trade him.
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
um, sooo
hurry back Glavine!!
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Jordan has a big-league arm. Too bad we can’t …….uhh…. hold on to the ball.
Why does he HAVE to go out front to get the ball? Every freekin’ time!
It’ll get there Brian, really it will.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Game not over !!!!
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
BLAH BLAH BLAH…some of you need to come up with something original. Yes, Medeln flat out stinks right now, but it is what it is.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
10:57 pm
Medlen was Shooting himself in the Foot by walking Linecum, Nuff Said!
Thanks, because we’re all too stupid to figure that out ourselves…
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
“Looks like Medlen’s had his cup of coffee.”
More like a big bowl of barf.
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
Im calling it Hanson will start against the Dbacks on Sunday.
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
10:58 pm
1-2-3 inning. This team sucks, time to rebuild.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Good thing our 100 million dollar pitching staff can’t shut down this dead ball era offense.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Enough of the excuses from Frank Wren. Make room for Hanson. If Glavine comes back stick Kawakami in the pen.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
As usual COACH shows up just to be a douchebag, and the “plan” to showcase him was actually your idea from a few blogs back. Remember??
WOW
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
MAC is awful at defense it is really sad and medlen blows plus the braves cant hit and the giants were struggling to score runs, that is until the braves came to town.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
bravesphantic, I agree, Mac is a pretty bad defensive catcher. No way any Mac lovers can disagree with that.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Cavs season looks to be slipping away…just like this ballgame when they announced the starting pitchers.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Here come the K’s = looks like the Braves know it’s over too
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Nice change up tonight by Lincecum. Kelly whiffs.
jtb
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
I think McCann goes and gets the ball now because of the two times the past few years when he got lit up in collisions and got hurt. ie. Victorino and Burnes
WOW
May 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
complete game shutout i call it
Joe
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Had enough Medlenicine. Looks like he can’t calm down enough.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Signing Glavine is keeping Hanson at Gwinnett. That was a terrible signing.
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Dead team walking
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
KJ looking a lot like KJ tonight.
I hope Yunel doesn’t go on the DL.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Trade Chipper Jones ass too
Chucktown Brave
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Wow, Medlen sucks. This is embarrassing, looks like we will be trying to avoid the sweep to the subpar giants tomorrow.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Why the heck does Mac feel the need to leave the plate? Take the dang ball on a bounce and tag the guy out! geez
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Well Medlen has done good in both of his first innings of his two starts. Stick him in the pen.
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
This lineup is more screwed up than Lincecum’s teeth.
Cuck-a-too
May 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
Medlen’s not ready. He’s got the stuff, but not the mindset. It’s Hanson time.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
Man This is gonna be a snorefest…Watch Linecum take our AAA AWFense to School
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
1-2-3 inning. Good night people. This is my house!!!
Chucktown Brave
May 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
My guess on the final score is 11-0
Not Again
May 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
Oh well, that was a quick game. Medlen had better numbers than Hanson in AAA, who’s to say Hanson will do any better up here than Kris has.?Whichever way, Medlen has now lost most of his potential trade value with two very bad performances.Better not be trading any of out current starters cause we supposedly have so much depth in the minors.
Think I’ll go before the board becomes a slaughterhouse.
KKKK
May 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
Hang another K on the wall. Hang up another K. Another Braves’ up and sits right down. Put up another K on the wall.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
I agree Eric, looks like the projections were spot on. He’s looking more like a bullpen guy. Switch him and Campillio until Hanson comes up?
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Hmmm..Medlin for long relief?
Not as much pressure…that could work…
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:00 pm
Signing Glavine is keeping Hanson at Gwinnett. That was a terrible signing.
How in the hell is that possible keeping him at Gwinnett. Glavine hasnt played an inning yet. I dont know why Hanson is at Gwinett, but it isnt Tom Glavine. Actually I know why, they dont want his arbitration clock to start.
Chucktown Brave
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
The thing about Medlen is that he has no location. He is not even close to the targets that McCann is setting for him. The outs he has gotten are luck.
TNScott
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Now we’ve tried Reyes. That didn’t work. Tried Medlin. That hasn’t worked. All along we’ve heard all the excuses why Hanson shouldn’t be brought up as we continue to lose out of the #5 spot this season. What are the excuses now?
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
We should have brought up Charlie Morton, not Medlen.
Couch Tater
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
jtb,
I agree and I’ll bet he’s been instructed to do just what he did.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
Just out of curiosity, what are you all that are screaming for Hanson going to do if he comes up and struggles like Medlen has? It very easily could happen…
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
The only reason Medlen is up is because Frabk Wren wanted to showcase him for a potinetial trade. If he was smart he would of stuck with the great AAA numbers. But now people will question his ability to handle MLB pressure. Hanson is the effing answer been the answer for a month now. JO JO and Medlen have basically taken 5 games and put them straight in the loss column.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
Medlin needs more seasoning or something…too early to tell, yet..
Unknown
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
Time for Plan Z, bring in Morton.
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
That “very good” road record in danger of becoming “eh, it’s not bad”
lagnamor
May 26th, 2009
11:05 pm
Come on Kid!
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:05 pm
“Well Medlen has done good in both of his first innings of his two starts. Stick him in the pen.” Eric from MO
Totally agree. I think it’s where he is/was destined to be in the first place. At this point Medlen = Kyle Davies. FANTASTIC AAA pitcher. Not so much in the majors.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
11:05 pm
Joe Simpson is a dumbass too!!! Medlin settle down??? Randy Johnson’s nose will fall off first!!!
Rob in Mobile
May 26th, 2009
11:06 pm
Lincecum could have been gotten to in the first two innings, but he’s settling in now. Not good news.
Medlen looks like any prospect who has come up to the bigs – they take their lumps, adjust, and gain confidence. Remember, Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, and Avery resembled batting practice machines when they were brought up as well. I saw this guy in Mississippi last year, he looked great, and I think he’ll be fine in the long run. He’s got great stuff, he just needs to make the adjustment to big league hitting.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
11:06 pm
Give that Medlen kid a horse traquilizer. God ole’ mighty!
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:06 pm
Bravesfan
We should have brought up Charlie Morton, not Medlen
No! We should of brought up Hanson. Enough is enough.
nolie
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
Why the heck does Mac feel the need to leave the plate? Take the dang ball on a bounce and tag the guy out! geez (Bravesfan)
as a former catcher that is one of his foibles that annoys me a lot. He is always drifting too far from home. In most all cases you cannot catch a ball and move for the tag as quickly as the ball is already coming. I wish someone would work with him on that. Bad habit. CAVEMAN, get on out there and teach that boy some lessons about catching.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
Somebody please KNOCK JOE SIMPSON OUT!!!
Mike Hancho
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
Mac needs to head to the mound and hit Medlen right in the mcnuggests
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
cabravesfan—
Hanson has these to show why
12/10/2008 AFL Most Valuable Player
12/04/2008 AFL All-Prospect Team
11/24/2008 MLB.com Class A Adv. Best Single-Game Performer
10/23/2008 AFL Rising Stars
10/20/2008 AFL Pitcher of the Week
09/05/2008 Baseball America Minor League All-Star
08/11/2008 SOU Pitcher of the Week
06/30/2008 SOU Pitcher of the Week
04/21/2008 CAR Pitcher of the Week
04/14/2008 CAR Pitcher of the Week
06/19/2007 SAL Mid-Season All-Star
09/22/2006 Baseball America Rookie All-Star
Medlen has these
07/14/2008 SOU Pitcher of the Week
06/19/2007 SAL Mid-Season All-Star
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
Even the Rays have brought up Price and Hanson’s numbers are leaps and bounds better.
braves70
May 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
I suggest that we all get some sleep and turn off the Braves while they are out West. No need to add misery to our lives. They are not going to win any on this trip anyway.
oldschool
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
This is the perfect time for the rookie to figure some things out so stop whinnin about the game and let the kid get his feet wet.He hasn’t looked near as bad as uh oh reyes
braveshater
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
I mean just get over it people. Your Atlanta Braves suck. Your going to see how it felt being a Royals fan the past 15 years. They will never be as good as the Phillies or Marlins or Mets, while Franklin Wren is making decisions. I guess Glavine is supposed to be the answer-hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
Rob, when he’s making the adjustments to big league hitters, how about he make those adjustments by NOT leaving the ball over the fu*** plate. No way he was doing that in AAA.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
Tim Lincecum on the mound, up four runs. Not good.
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
Rob from SC: Stick Kawakami in the bullpen? Really? Have you been watching in May, or just in April?
Kawakami is 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA in four May starts, and pitched eight scoreless innings (three hits, seven strikeouts) to beat Toronto and Roy Halladay on Friday. If he didn’t have the third-worst run support in the NL, he’d have three or four wins this month.
Stick him in the bullpen after he literally outpitched Roy Halladay, huh? Yeah, that’s a great move. Anything to open a spot for Tommy Hanson. Because we know that Tommy Hanson will pitch better than Kawakami has this month, right?
He could do better than eight scoreless innings of three-hit, no-walk ball against the Blue Jays right now, right?
I agree with getting Hanson (or Morton) up here to replace Medlen. But that’s just illogical, the part about sticking Kawakami in the bullpen if Glavine comes back, in order to keep Hanson up. If Kawakami were pitching like he did in April, perhaps. But he’s not.
Mixxo
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
I’m pulling for the kid, but this looks just like his last start. He gets more nervous as the game goes on. He’ll be in a frenzy if he lasts two more innings.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
let me stick a fork in the braves they are done.
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
If Medlen had a group of fans at the park, they would call themselves the Medlen Cartel.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:08 pm
Simpson is right, Medlen is a spaz.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
Now if the Braves can just respond to these Giant’s runs.
This teams just lets itself get buried. They need to wake up and earn those obnoxious paychecks!
bravesphanatic004
May 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
cavs game getting good…lebron choking at the free throw line….again.
Vinings Jim
May 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
cabravesfan – I believe that would be like all the people begging for Schafer in ST turning into the anti-Schaferites they are now.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
Big comeback for CLE…’bout time ORL started missing some of those 3s… gonna be a nail-biter. Wish the Braves games was…ugh.
o-me
May 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
Give Medlin a break, he’s only pitched 8 inning in the majors and a little help from his teammates would help. He’s also going against the best pitcher in league. Damn get so runs and play DDDDD!
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
“Just out of curiosity, what are you all that are screaming for Hanson going to do if he comes up and struggles like Medlen has? It very easily could happen…” cabravesfan
You’re right. It could happen. But Hanson is better suited to get out of jams due to his K ability. Doesn’t mean he’ll have the same success with the Braves as he is at Gwinnett. But I find it hard to believe that he’s going to come up and not last more than 3 innings in either of his first two starts.
keylargo
May 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
They said on the radio Hanson won’t be called up for a while because it would make him eligible for arbitration earlier and it could cost the Braves $$$. groundfog
The money is a minority part of not calling him up but if you leave him in the minors for part of the year then he will not be eligible for arbitration until four years from now. If he plays the entire year in Atlanta he will be eligible in two additional years.
In other words you can have Tommy Hanson for part of 09 then 10 – 15. But if you call him up before the cutoff date, he will be here from 09 – 14.
I think the chance to have control of him in 2015, when he is a mature pitcher with 6 years of experience, overrides bringing him up before the cutoff date.
It is like Jordon Schafer. If they send him down this year, he will be a Brave in 2015 instead of a free agent.
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:04 pm
Just out of curiosity, what are you all that are screaming for Hanson going to do if he comes up and struggles like Medlen has? It very easily could happen…
With all do respect people, for anyone who has seen Hanson pitch knows he has better stuff. He has the pitches to be an ace in the bigs. Even when Medlen was brought up they said his career may be mostly a reliever. Just because Medlen had a slightly better ERA didnt mean he was better than Hanson.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
You can always tell when DOB gets riled up after a silly comment…
I like seeing the ole master in action…
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
Advice to Medlen:
1. Fix your dang hat
2. Slow down
3. Calm down dude.
braveshater
May 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
He hasnt looked as bad as Reyes, Wow, Jojo’s first two starts actually went pretty well. His fastball isnt going to gain any speed and that was a hanger. The Giants are one of the worst teams around, and we’re going to get swept. Sad time to be a Braves fan.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
Medlen throws a lot of pitches, but gets the Giants in order.
Joe was talking about how twitchy Medlen looks on the mound. He is hard to watch. Doesn’t look comfortable at all.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
keylargo thanks for the explanation.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:12 pm
a643dp-
Paper awards, while impressive, are not major league hitters. They do not guarantee success at this level. I believe hanson will be a very good major league pitcher. I also believe Kris Medlen will be a very good major league pitcher. But there is absolutly no way you can promise me Hanson would come up and be the lights out guy he is at AAA…and Medlen is the perfect example of that.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:12 pm
Kris Medlen + Garrett Anderson = 2 normal energy ball players
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:12 pm
Medlen needs whatever Garrett Andersen is taking.
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
Damn Mac is slower than a damn snail!!!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
I think if both Schaefer and Medlen wouldn’t wear their caps like thugs, they might perform better.
I dunno..the hat bill thing seemed like the common denominator here.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
Eric from MO-
My question had nothing to do with ability. Hanson obviously has a ton…so does Medlen. My point was there is no guarantee that he won’t struggle (in fact, he is more likely to have at least some trouble at first- most pitchers do)
Depressed In Wisconsin
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
Send Medlen down and bring up Hanson already.. The kid may have been 5-0 in the minors, but this is the big leagues and he is obviously not ready for the big leagues yet. I know we will be crowded if Glavine comes back and stays healthy, but if that is the case, then send Medlen down and let Campillo start until Glavine either proves he is healthy, or done.
We just sweep the AL’s best record team, and we get our asses handed to us by the damn Giants.. I seriously hope we get some help in the OF soon. The Braves screwed up by not going after Adam Dunn, and signing Anderson instead.. That was a huge mistake that kept our OF powerless..
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
I for one will choose to stick by my team and root the Braves on.
Because I am a real fan–not a fair-weather, jump at the first bad thing that happens, can’t wait to say it’s all Bobby’s fault, why the hell did they do that, get off the bandwagon, the season’s over with, IDIOT MORON !!
Joebrave
May 26th, 2009
11:14 pm
Clarence Jones anyone!!!
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:15 pm
Vinings Jim-
Hey! Didn’t see you there…finally some sanity on the blog
winterville
May 26th, 2009
11:15 pm
Magic lead by 2 with 4.1 left in the 4th.
o-me
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
Agree Vining Jim…never mind Josh hit 300 for astros and 300 for Braves in his call up, but 7 weeks of spring Training for Jordon got him the job…great call, thanks Bobby!
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
Man, watching Loaf makes me sleepy!
He’s the cure for insomnia, folks!
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
Wow…big shot by Orlando. 100-98 with 4.1 left. (Sorry, far more interesting than watching Linececum carve of the Braves.)
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
cabravesfan Hanson has had the better minor league career. He is the obvious choice. Not Medlen, that is why we are all mad.
Rob in Mobile
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
TnBrian, well, none of the aforementioned pitchers (Maddux, Glavine, et al) left balls over the plate in AAA either. You couple nerves, and pitching in a 45,000 seat stadium rather than the cozy confines of a 10,000 seat stadium, and you’re gonna leave a few balls over the plate, too. And Medlen’s a bit more nervy than most……he’ll calm down, or at least he’ll have to learn to calm down. I still think he’ll be fine.
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:16 pm
DOB, The question has to be who would be more productive in the 5-hole, Glavine or Hanson? At this point, they are both kind of unknown.
Hanson a beast, mowing them down in AAA, and Glavine a 43 year old HOF pitcher coming of the first major surgery in his career.
The second question, is if Hanson continues to dominate at Gwinnett, and Glavine struggles, how long is his leash from Bobby & Wren? Or do you think it won’t come to that and Glavine would step aside and retire, if he’s not getting the job done?
I really hope thta Glavine does OK, because he is probably more suited for the irregular time in between starts that the 5th starter needs, than having Hanson have big gaps in between starts.
Don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, because bottom line is Glavine is going to get EVERY chance to nail down the 5th spot in the rotation, no matter how much most of us want Hanson up.
But it’s going to get real interesting, I think.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
Anderson walks and Francœur takes a pitch. Stop the presses.
Then, F flies out to left.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
I have seen Hanson in interviews and he talks and looks like he’s not afraid of anything !!
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
The Magic have made 16 3’s. Exactly half of their shot attempts 3 pointers. 48 out of 100 points. Dang. 4.1 left, Cavs ball
Joe Simpson
May 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
That was the most Godly, best-looking, nicest and classiest fly-ball out I’ve ever seen hit there by Jeff Francoeur.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:18 pm
oooewww..Tim Lincecum is one ugly mother-well, you know…
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:18 pm
Lebron @ the line .5 left. down by 2
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:18 pm
Like I said before Francoeur is an easy out. He will get himself out
Vinings Jim
May 26th, 2009
11:18 pm
cabravesfan – I got home just before the game, and I’m doing some work on the computer, so I’m just briefly glancing at the blog.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:18 pm
Eric from MO-
I think the team made it pretty clear they didn’t want Hanson up for only a few starts. When he comes up, it will be for the rest of the season…and just for the record, I was on the Charlie Morton bandwagon- he had some experience, was on the 40 man, and was (is) pitching very well at Gwinnett but oh well
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:19 pm
I think Frenchy should be required to take two pitches per ab before being allowed to swing. Sure, he’ll be in a ton of 0-2 holes but those aren’t any worse than all the early count flyouts.
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:19 pm
N8 I would think that Glavine would pull a Maddux and go to the pen like he did last year with LA. Could be wrong but that would be my guess.
Cull
May 26th, 2009
11:19 pm
Jack Cust is good.
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:19 pm
sinks ‘em. Dang. This has been an excellent game.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:19 pm
Wow…gutsy call by refs….even more amazing free throws in that environment.
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Well CA I was on the Hanson bandwagon.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Vinings Jim-
Run, run while you still can!! Save yourself! For the love of god, man GET OUT!!!
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Clutch free throws by LeBron with .5 seconds left
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
LeBron just hit two of the most pressure-filled free throws imaginable, with .5 seconds left to tie. Wow. That game’s on on one of the five TVs hanging in front of the pressbox.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Eric from MO-
I never would have guessed
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Wow how brutal and getting worse by the minute…I had to laugh at the last two pages of the blog…no faith….don’t seem to have too many real fans on this blog
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Question:
Why is KJ leading off again?
Wasn’t he doing good at the 6 spot?
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
Looks like Medlen is settling in. too bad he walked Lincecum that changed everything.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
Where The Hell Is Bay Area Steve???
I don’t See The “Drunk 24:7″ Poster I advised him to bring to the park…
Cull
May 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
Yes to Jack Cust.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
Medlen looks much better now
nolie
May 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
and just for the record, I was on the Charlie Morton bandwagon- (CBF)
me too. it was logical, though I have a lot of questions about how good a pitcher he will be in the show.
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
cabravesfan— Im just saying you can not compare medlens pedigree to Hanson they are not in the same ballpark. But I do here what you say as far as nothing is certain.
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
Why do you guys keep talking about Lebron? I thought the NBA season was over?
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
JoeBrave — you couldn’t even come up with an original comment, you gotta copy from Coach?? well , then I guess you made my point for me.
Go Braves !!
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
Should have been a foul on Howard…Cle with free throws to win the game!!! Refs have a little less guts than I thought.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
Man We Make a team that was 9-11 coming into this series look like Pennant Contenders
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
If Lebron would’ve made another long 3 with 4 seconds left, he probably could run for president.
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
100% certain a foul would have been called had Orlando been doing that to Lebron
winterville
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
overtime.
brian
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
if the Braves arre going to part ways with Francouer DOB is right – he will go to KC. The Braves should accept the best prospects KC is willing to give which means they will probably need to be in A, in other words, not major league ready. No way they would give Moustakis or Danny Duffy. The Braves would have to make a second trade for someone like Cruz in Texas – who knows what that would take – Medlen and Brandon Jones, or probably much more (then Texas would have Elvis, Harrison, Salty, Medlen, Brandon Jones, with their best addition from the Braves being still in the minors – not bad for half a season of Mahay, 1 season of Tex, and Cruz)
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:22 pm
nolie-
I think he would have been fine for the 2 or 3 starts they needed
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Oh thanks for reminding us to look for BAS and the Whitesnake sign.
The kid seems to be settling down a little. If he can get this 3rd out quickly it might help his confidence thru the rest of the game. Its not out of reach if our bats will wake the hell up.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Where were those pitches last time Lincecum hit
Cull
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Oh sure, NOW he gets the pitcher out.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Medlen looking good..
wish the offense would pick him up, now…
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
those complaining about medlins pitch count look at licecum count…this game is far from over
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Should have been a foul on Howard
You’re tellin me. Magic fans wanted it on Varejao, but Dwight was tuggin on his arm.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Those Axe commercials are disgusting.
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
“Wow. That game’s on on one of the five TVs hanging in front of the pressbox.”
Is the Simpsons on one of the channels?
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
And maybe if this trend of beating good teams but losing to sucky teams holds true then that June freight train might not be so bad after all.
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
a643dp-
agree and that was my only point
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Medlen has an easy inning with the bottom of the Giants order. Some bad pitch swinging, though.
Maybe the real SF Giants are showing up.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
Necromancer, I guess Lincecum already knows he’s ugly so he figures…awww the heck with it, might as well go all out and grow a mullet to make the uglyness complete.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
N8
Agreed, I could Care less about the Farce that is known as the NBA…I guess there are so many fans bored to deaf watching this AWFense that they need other forms of entertainment…
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
DOB,
I was just telling my friend how Jordan never had to shoot FTs with that much pressure at the line. If he would have missed those FTs it would have left a small scare on his legacy.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
…and we’re going to get swept. Sad time to be a Braves fan. braveshater
Right because no team has ever come back from a 4-0 deficit after 4 innings to win. And ofcourse KK can outpitch Roy Halladay but not the relic Johnson (who has a 6.26 ERA with just 3 wins this year).
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
They’re not calling that one either way.
N8, no, it’s not over yet. We’re talking about Lebron, because he’s a lot more exciting than what’s going on in San Fran tonight so far, for us Braves fans anyways.
Lash La Rue
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
Get Medlin some runs!
Glavine will get his a@@ knocked out when he comes back.
Choppinmama
May 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
Necromancer @ 11:14: at least they’ve pulled the tags off. And Shaffer’s bends his ears.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
This game is out of reach. Just give me my W and call it a day
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
You know, with Hanson, Jurrjens, Kawakami, and Vazquez (assuming Glavine gets hurt or becomes ineffective within a month), Lowe could possibly be our worst starting pitcher by July 1. Not saying this is likely, but it’s conceivable.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
Poor Lebron. You’re never gonna be Michael Jordan buddy, even with that jersey number you wear. Still an elite player though.
sucky? who you calling sucky?
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
giants were 15-8 at home before tonight. better than the braves road record.
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
Are we watching the same game. Varejao was holding his arms and holding him down. Howard was just trying to jump. You cant hold a guy on the floor.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
Tomahawkin, give the “AWF”ense thing a rest. I enjoy your stuff, but it’s becoming less and less every day with your pummeling of the proverbial dead horse…
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
I actually think Medlen coming up was a showcase. Morton was the obvious choice, and Hanson is/was the obvious choice to be better prepared to make the jumb with his 4+ pitches.
I think the Braves officials overplayed their hand, and now may have a tough time having Medlen be the centerpiece of any trade to bring us a big bat.
I could be wrong. But the timing of him coming up, seems rather odd. The only logical reason, IMO, is that some other team wanted to see hi against big-league pitching. Unfortunately, they now have.
Of course, the Brave might have wanted to see him up close as well, just to know whether to put him on the “untouchable” list.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
We will sweep yall tomorrow. I got my buddy randy pitching tomorrow
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
Get Medlin some runs!
Give Medlen some respect and learn to spell his name first.
Rob from SC
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
that was not a strike
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
NO WAY THAT WAS A STRIKE.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
Sit down Schafer. Easiest K in my life
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
Schafer strikes out on an unhittable pitch. Tip the cap to L.
ese es fanatico
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
If there is any justice in the world the Braves will bring up Hanson and he’ll get the hell beat out of him. I’m so sick of all this Hanson worship bring him up already and lets see if he’s going to the HOF or not.Lord help me I’m a Braves fan, but I hope he comes up and bombs just to not have to read his name every other comment. Lets go ahead and add Medlen to the list…Davies, James, McBride, Boyer, Reyes, Morton, Ramirez, on and on.Bring u Hanson and lets be done with it already!
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
Glavine is checking to see what brand of diapers Medlin wears. He’ll need them when he comes back.
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
I’m not the world’s biggest NBA fan, but these games in the CLE-ORL series have been a lot of fun to watch.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
Im just to good for you
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
Why don’t the Cavs just put a step stool out for Howard?
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
Next victim
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:28 pm
Sorry guys. Not all of us are as gifted as me
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:29 pm
N8 my problem with Medlen being a showcase is why? Why do you need to showcase a guy that is 5-0 with an ERA under 1.5 in AAA. The only thing that could happen is his value depreciate as it has. Didnt make sense.
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:29 pm
WOW, what a horrible call.
bruce
May 26th, 2009
11:29 pm
David, Thanks for the repeating your update on Omar for me on yesterday’s blog. He missed a day to be with his wife during birth of his son, then gets blasted on the hand again… what a week for him. Hope he is doing ok… probably still taking some pain meds.
Do you know why Peachtree TV does not broadcast on Cable TV MLB national subscription? I would rather watch on my PC than listen to the opposing broadcasters… the home games carried by Fox Sports South are carried on Cable MLB TV subscription, but Peachtree TV is not? I am very tempted to cancel my subscription… thanks, Bruce
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:29 pm
Im making the braves look like a high school team. HAHAHAHAHA
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:30 pm
For the Record For those who wanted Pat Burell in the Offseason. I don’t even think he could’ve helped this Punchless lineup. As I recall Burrell has struggled so far with Tampa Bay…And would probably be Atlanta enemy #1 with his speed and poor defense
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
11:30 pm
Orlando being physical when they need it the most
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 26th, 2009
11:31 pm
heres you attention you so desperatly want lincecum ooIoo
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
TnBrian
Lincecum is indeed ugly, but Randy Johnson is on the cutting edge of ugly. He looks like a pterodactyl in the face.
Randy Johnson is so ugly, that there is parental discretion advised when he pitches a game.
Now that ain’t just ugly, that’s fugly, and I think you get my drift on that one.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
Oh sorry, sucky. All I know about the giants is that Barry Zito tweets about how they lost and how they’ll “get em tomorrow” just about every night. Except last night, of course.
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
“Poor Lebron. You’re never gonna be Michael Jordan buddy, even with that jersey number you wear. Still an elite player though.”
It doesn’t matter, because nobody is ever gonna care about the NBA the way they did in the 80’s and 90’s. Basketball is the only one of the major sports where the college game is WAY bigger than the NBA.
It’s close in football, but in the end, the NFL still rules. But make no mistake, if the Final Four was going on at the same time of the NBA finals, David Stern would be a very upset man. This country would watch the college game any day of the week over the NBA.
I’d say that college Hockey is more cared about than the NHL, but that’s just silly. Because according to TV ratings, nobody cares about either.
But yeah, I’m well aware of the NBA playoffs going on. Just don’t care. That being said, it more than likely is more exciting at this point.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
Don Sutton on Aaron Rowand
“…. looks like he learnt to hit on a milking stool”
That’s one funny description.
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
Cavs are falling apart. This isn’t the same team that whooped the Hawks.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
11:32 pm
Do not respond ! We don’t have our best pitcher tonight ! Plan and simple !!
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:33 pm
ABC television’s worst fear: a Lebron-less, Kobe-less NBA final (Denver vs Orlando).
Lash La Rue
May 26th, 2009
11:33 pm
Thanks JD. I’m not the only one! What would we do without u?
mustrdgasnroses
May 26th, 2009
11:33 pm
Anyone else think that Aaron Rowand looks like some sort of rodent?? Like a weasel, or something.
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 26th, 2009
11:33 pm
Apparently Joe & Boog have a Facebook page. Who knew?
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:34 pm
wow- kinda a shame one bad at bat (walking the pitcher) rattled Medlen so much because he looks good now
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:34 pm
N8 I normally dont like your posts but I love your 11:32 post on hockey.
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:34 pm
Giants know the Braves have given up, that’s why they’re not trying any more either.
abwright
May 26th, 2009
11:34 pm
Medlen has an easy 5th. He could qualify for the win!
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Medlen has retired 10 consecutive batters.
legalbuzz
May 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Medlin has actually calmed down a bit. 10 in a row retired. Unfortunately for him, a four run lead for Lich is like a 10 run lead for anyone else. Very hard to come back on, especially with our offense. BUT hey, hope springs eternal!
cabravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
ABC television’s worst fear: a Lebron-less, Kobe-less NBA final (Denver vs Orlando)
The mere thought caused a HUGE smile to break out on my face right now
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
unreal people giving up on Medlen and not even through his second start.He’s set down 10 in a row and if he didn’t walk Lincecum,well….
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Medlen has bounced back fairly well. Man that BB to Lincecum is really looming large. If only we could score.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:36 pm
Medlen has set down 10 straight. Even with the 4 runs he’s still lowered his ERA nearly 5 points.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
11:36 pm
Voyeur
Carmelo and Howard are quite good. Sort of like the Rays V Phillies I guess, instead of the Red Sox v Dodgers in the world series last year. It might still be interesting.
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
11:37 pm
“This has become a pretty good pitching duel. Unfortunately, the Giants put a 4 on the scoreboard before it did.” -Don Sutton
Haha…
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:37 pm
Yeah groundfog but like his first start the game was over after the 3rd inning. We arent going to overcome a 4 run deficet from Lincecum.
Dumbfound
May 26th, 2009
11:37 pm
te1.D.Lowe 2.Juir Jurrgens 3.Javier Vazguesz 4.KK 5.T.Glavine* 6.T.Hanson 7.T.Hudson* Tell me any other team that tops this !
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Regardless of who reaches the NBA Finals, I doubt the series can top this CLE-ORL series.
Choppinmama
May 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Dear All-Knowing DOB: do you know why DirectTV/national channels refuses to allow us local channel access?
Do you know why our golf card has suddenly stopped working? Is there any internet site that might help us with this problem?
What does your crystal ball say about the when, where and for who the Fracoeur PROBLEM will be resolved this season.
……..oh, and I’d like those answers posted by the end of the game. Thanks.
Capt Caveman
May 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Once again I continue to root for my Braves. Good to see Medlen showing what he’s made of here after 2 tough at-bats cost him in the 2nd.
Couch Tater
May 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
N8,
Speaking of the NFL, Check out #3 on this list of baseball records.
http://www.ahsaa.com/Sports/Baseball/Records/IndividualRecords/tabid/872/Default.aspx
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
ERic not his fault he is facing the cy young award winner lol
JD
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Man….a Denver/Orlando finals? The NBA would make about $12 for that.
BigMacAttack
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
braves being terribly boring to watch right now … so i’m not
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
“You know, with Hanson, Jurrjens, Kawakami, and Vazquez (assuming Glavine gets hurt or becomes ineffective within a month), Lowe could possibly be our worst starting pitcher by July 1. Not saying this is likely, but it’s conceivable.” PWHjort
It is also conceivable, that by July 1, Vazquez could revert to his career average and have an ERA in the around 4.50.
The are against Vazquez having a better ERA over Lowe by year’s end. Not saying it’s a lock. Lowe is much older. But if you look at each player’s history. In 10 of his 13 seasons, Lowe has had an ERA under 4.00. (and one at 4.02), with a lifetime ERA of 3.74.
Vazquez, in 12 seasons, has had 5 seasons with an ERA under 4.00 (with one at 4.05), with a lifetime ERA of 4.30.
Like I said. History says that at the end of the year, Lowe will have the better numbers.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Rowand looks more like a ferret…
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
We need McCann to have one of those 10 pitch at-bats.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Lincecum with straight gas to Chipper and Mac.
Frank from KS
May 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
WOW…there’s some definate nice scenery in Orlando……if ya all catch my drift.
Helloooooo!!!!!
Lol
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
Other than the Double I haven’t seen Chipper get Schooled like this in a awhile
Imagine How Much Press Linecum would get from BSPN if he Pitched in New York or Boston
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
Thanks Eric. For both the praise, and the honesty. LOL!
a643dp
May 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
Chipper just said in the dug out i read his lips “damn near unhittable that f@#%ing pitch” LOL
bravos2249
May 26th, 2009
11:40 pm
Tomahawkin
I’m pretty sure if Burrell had stayed in the NL he wouldn’t be struggling as much. And if he has played the outfield then that turf could not have been good.
mets fan in atlanta
May 26th, 2009
11:41 pm
Ummmmm, no such thing as a showcase, people. As you all know, a prospect is always worth most right before he makes the majors. The Braves promoted Medlen out of necessity–which is funny because all I heard all spring was depth, depth, depth. Funny how most of that depth has come and went, or never come at all.
Voyeur
May 26th, 2009
11:41 pm
“Carmelo and Howard are quite good. Sort of like the Rays V Phillies I guess, instead of the Red Sox v Dodgers in the world series last year. It might still be interesting.”
Agree. Just thinking that a lot of folks would only tune in to see LeBron and/or Kobe.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:41 pm
groundfog…hmm..isn’t that the stuff that comes out of the Braves dug out more specifically from the direction of Bobby Cox after he had too many Krystal burgers?
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Thing that sucks about this start is Medlen should only have given up 3 runs, which would be decent but for some reason McCann has to catch the ball way off the plate. Actually I think the reason is because McCann has had a few bad collisions at the plate and fears he will miss alot of time. If that is the case he should no longer be the catcher. Move him to first, Kotch to left and Ross as the catcher. By the way I know this will never happen, so no one needs to respond and tell me I am completely clueless.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Lincecum up to 89 pitches. He might have one more inning in him Let’s hope it’s zero.
the fuggs
May 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Bobby Cox is a SHOWCASE for good hygiene.
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Tomahawkin, he’ll be playing for the Yankees in a few year i’m sure-we’ll find out
N8
May 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
I was about to mock that Brett Favre commercial they always play on the Braves radio broadcasts, and how much he sounds like Forrest Gump. But then I saw my grammar and the way I phrased stuff in my 11:39 post, and thought better of it.
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:43 pm
Hoss’s hands seem to be alright.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
GroundFog, I agree…
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
Now what’s up with this? Oh well, got a little confidence built up there. Good for him.
Steve from OH
May 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
Keith Law’s projected 1st round has us taking Zack Wheeler, fwiw. Tyler Matzek going #6 and Bobby Borchering going at #4 as a surprise prediction…
woogidy
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
That shot by Lebron just now? Shheeesh. Too late though, maybe….
TBF(n)K as Billy
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
?? why yank the guy when he has set down 11 str8? Guess he protecting his arm?
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
Shocker! N8 hating on Vazquez for no reason and he wonders why I believe he hates Vazquez.
Il Cattivo
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
Boy – Medlen could’ve been left in for the rest of this inning. He was doing well wasnt he. Why EOF now?
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
Necromancer, np lol
Vinings Jim
May 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
How could Lebron miss an easy shot like that?
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
Bobby Is an Idiot!
Why The F are you taking Medlen Out when he’s keeping the team in the ballgame, at least let him finish the Inning…And Use O’Flaherty 2morrow…
I’d figure we are gonna need O’Flaherty if the game is close
David O'Brien
May 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
Medlen retired the last 11 he faced, finished with 5-1/3 innings, four runs, four hits, two walks, three strikeouts. Threw 49 strikes in 85 pitches.
Paul Lentz
May 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
Medlen is pitching decent. Sure he had the meltdown in the 2nd. However he has come back nicely the past 3 innings. If he can get through the 6th. Then 4 runs in 6 innings isnt that bad. I mean, do any of you think that Tom Glavine could do much better? Medlen can improve and is far cheaper. So I hope that the Braves keep throwing Medlen out there and letting him learn how to pitch up to his capabilities and resist the dumb temptation to add Glavine to the roster.
concerned braves fan
May 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
Maybe they are showcasing Medlen. He sure looks better now after retiring 11 in a row than an inning or so ago. Otherwise, it was a really worthless move.
StingerSplash
May 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
Nice bounceback by Medlen (even if he did put himself in a bad situation by walking the opposing pitcher). At least he’s got his ERA under 10 now.
Rob in Mobile
May 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
Wow, just saw where Zack Greinke threw his fifth complete game tonight. And Livan Hernandez of all people tossed one too for the Mets. Being old school, I hope this is a trend for all baseball clubs – more complete games, and less of these phony “quality starts.” To guys like Steve Carlton and Bob Gibson, a “quality start” was a game they started, finished, and won. Nowadays, you can technically toss a “quality start” and still be the losing pitcher. Not a whole lot of “quality” in that, eh?
bravefaninok
May 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
bring on EOF!!!!!!!!!!! must have reached his pitch count or bobby wanted to get him outta there after a few good innings 11 batters in a row set down.
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
Why did Medlen just get yanked? Pitch count? If we are showcasing him we need to let him get his ERA down.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 26th, 2009
11:48 pm
I have to say, I am a bit surprised at the 3-1 series lead by Orlando. If not for a miraculous shot in game 2, the series would be ova! Best hope for Cleveland…win game 5 at home…and have Howard get a technical foul in the game to cause him to miss game 6.
legalbuzz
May 26th, 2009
11:48 pm
Hanson isn’t coming until late June. The speculation is that the Braves don’t want him to be eligible for arbitration as a “super two” after the 2010 season and therefore have to wait until after the 2011 to deal with arbitration. Furthermore, I beleive this will tie him up from being a free agent until 2016 as instead of 2015. David O’Brien can probably shed some more light on this or let me know if I am way off base.
Tomahawkin
May 26th, 2009
11:49 pm
They Are making a Good Point on Chipper’s Defense At Third…Anyone who has played beyond Jr Babe Ruth league knows exactly what Joe and Boog are talking about the reduced reaction time at 3rd as compared to SS
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:49 pm
DOB:
You think Medlen earned another start with this performance?
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
11:49 pm
I have a feeling that Medlen is not going to be long for the rotation.
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:49 pm
If the Braves were gelling offensively and were ahead in this game…Medlen would be in line for a win here..
It was just that ONE inning that did it for him..
I hate that for him…I don’t think he should be given up on.
Chop Chop
May 26th, 2009
11:50 pm
I’m not giving up on Medlen, but Tommy Hanson is a better starting pitcher than Medlen.
Paul Lentz
May 26th, 2009
11:50 pm
Franceour, more bad at-bats. Pulls lazy fly-outs to left. When he tries to pull the ball, you get fly-outs, grounders to short, or strikeouts. If he tries to hit to right, at most you get a single. When are your Franceour supporters going to wake up? Are you Braves fans first or Franceour fans? I’m a Braves fan who wants to win. Franceour is not helping the Braves win.
PWHjort
May 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
N8,
Lowe did spend all but 3 of his seasons in the vastly tougher AL as a reliever and has spent the past 4 seasons in a pitcher’s park while Vazquez has spent the past 4 in hitters parks and 3 of them in the AL. Just a point. ERA without context isn’t comparable. But I agree with you that it is more likely that Lowe will have the better ERA. However, I really like what Vazquez has done so far and it wouldn’t SURPRISE me if he had a better ERA than Lowe.
TennesseePaul
May 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
Why’d they take Medlen out with only 85 pitches thrown and having punched out 11 straight?
Roman Gal
May 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
Ball 1. I bet that kid is starting to get tired.
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
Im going to finish this game. Im going to finish you. I dont need any help
CVan
May 26th, 2009
11:51 pm
Medlen just needs to settle down…I believe in a couple more starts he will be good…Doesn’t walk many and he is not hitting his spots…Will be solid
Necromancer
May 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
Lincecum looks kind of like a horse!
T. Lincecum
May 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
Straight up gas to you jeff. I hoped you liked it
Eric from MO
May 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
So why was Medlen allowed to pitch that last third of an inning? The only thing I can figure is so his ERA would be under 10. That one batter made the difference.
Bravesfan
May 26th, 2009
11:53 pm
I think we see Medlen Sunday against the D’backs.
TnBrian
May 26th, 2009
11:53 pm
Jeff just had the best at bat for the Braves in this game. Good job Jeffy boy!
groundfog
May 26th, 2009
11:54 pm
Francoer let’s keep him now. no trade. That was the greatest broken bat hit i’ve ever seen. Wow!!!
RHR
May 26th, 2009
11:54 pm
Frenchy took 6 pitches! That’s usually the number he takes to get 5 outs. Take notice, other teams.
Il Cattivo <