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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,958 comments Add your comment
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
N8, it’s not that I don’t believe in clutch. It’s that I don’t think one major league player has significantly more of a “clutch ability” than another. All plays in the majors are pressure-packed. In order to reach the majors I think any player has to be “clutch.” I think coming through in clutch situations can be explained by random variation or possibly skill set more than some sort of clutch ability. But most of you’ve heard me spout that argument.
I think Francoeur helps to support that argument. I don’t think Francoeur all of the sudden lost some sort “clutch” ability. I believe him coming through in the clutch had more to do with random variation–he just happened to do his damage when he had clutch opportunities and not because of he had some magical ability when he got in those situations. His abilities did not change.
Roman Gal
May 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
Bay Area Steve,
You have a good point, but I feel like if he’d thrown to second as soon as he got the ball they would’ve had two. Who knows?
By the way, I’m very disappointed you didn’t take a sign.
CB
May 28th, 2009
2:57 pm
Gotcha, DOB. That is their choice and as a fan I hope he is what the Braves think he is.
Jackie Treehorn
May 28th, 2009
2:58 pm
DOB, do you think the Athletics would accept an offer of Kris Medlen, Charlie Morton, and Brandon Jones for Matt Holliday, or do you think it will take more than that?
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
2:59 pm
Jackie, I think that is too much for Holliday.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
3:00 pm
The problem with the Tex trade is that the Braves didn’t take advantage of having him on the team. Also, the Braves traded four (when Neftali Feliz gets called up) big leaguers for Tex.
By any standard, that is a terrible trade for the Braves. Some here can hem and haw over how Harrison is a mid-rotation guy, how Salty isn’t all that great (I’d say he’s a plus offensive catcher…certainly no McCann, but a valuable commodity nonetheless), or maybe about how Elvis Andrus would have been “blocked” because of Escobar (that dismissal sort of boggles my mind), but the good Lord knows that, if the shoe was on the other foot, the reaction here would be to rejoice in how wonderful that trade was.
Mike
May 28th, 2009
3:01 pm
This up and down stuff with this team will drive you off a cliff. This team is like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. More like Dr. Feast and Mr. Famine. They play to their competition. They sweep the Jays, and get swept by the Giants. No two series better encompasses the mental screw job that is our Braves. So which team are they??? My guess…the one in the middle. The problem is that they will almost never play like the one in the middle, so as a fan its impossible to adjust your expectations. They are sweeping the Yanks and Bosox on some nights, and getting swept by the O’s and A’s on others. Then they really piss you off by handing out comments like…”they were just better tonight”, or “it was the bottom of our rotation against the top of theirs” etc. etc. blah blah blah, crap crap crap. Good teams beat the bad teams most of the times regardless of who’s pitching. They will either be Dr. Feast, or Mr. Famine. So therefore I have finally come to the obvious conclusion that as we stand we are a .500 team. Period!
THE OFFENSE!!!
Great pitching, poor offense. True…we have been bitten by a small injury bug again that has kept out Mac and GA, then Chip and Yunel. And all the while our team players are shuffled around and it seems that the guys that are really hurting the team (ie…Schafer and Frenchy) always stay healthy (not that I want them to get hurt, just pointing out how its always the guy(s) that you need that get hurt). But even when they are all in the line up, the strong parts don’t outweigh the weak ones. When a line up has several strong players, it raises the playing level of the weaker ones. But our line up has too many either weak or non-impact parts, that the strong parts (ie…Chip, Mac, Yunel) are dragged down. We have no true lead off man, and no speed. We have no true clean up hitter, and no power. These are some of the most important attributes of a line-up and we have neither. How FW or us thought this would do, is beyond me. I guess we were excited about a new season and saw things through rose colored glasses. I know I did. It was “and if Frenchy can just” and “with Schafer at lead-off” and “if Chipper can stay healthy” and “if KJ can stay consistent”. Well, we are what we are. Chipper’s great but gets hurt a lot, Schafer is still young and was rushed up, Frenchy still hasn’t fixed anything, and KJ is just inconsistant. We didnt look at it rationally. FW missed several opportunities and made some bad calls on trying to fix the OF. Just about any of the OF other than GA would have been better. Some more expensive, some affordable, and some cheap…all better. Dunn, Ibanez, Abreu…hell…even Sheffield. But there is nothing we can do about that now but try and fix it without sacrificing our future to badly. I am not one for giving up easily, and especially not this early.
What would be awesome is if we could swing a deal for Holiday and then sign him to an extension. I know that is unlikely with Boras leading the way, but we can dream right? Or hey do you think the Nats would trade Dunn. Hes not that expensive and signed for another year. They did say recently that they would trade ANYONE if they could get back the right pieces. I am fine with giving up good pieces not named Hanson, or Heyward, as long as it makes sense, and ideally for a GOOD-GREAT player that is NOT a 4 month rental. Even just one really good-great player with power to put in the number 4 spot could have a ripple effect that gets this team going offensively.
Lets hope that FW can get this fixed, as it should have been in the offseason. And lets all hope its sooner rather than later, or we shall just have to endure Dr. Feast and Mr. Hyde’s company for the rest of the season.
GO BRAVES!!!
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 28th, 2009
3:01 pm
Anders
You’re team has the most intense schedule between now and the AS Break. The Braves have a tough 1-12 game stretch but starting after the first week of June the Mets have the most ferocious schedule. Nothing but great teams.
You talk about Chipper being dinged up, not to mention Esco too, but a Met fan should be the last person knockin a team because 2 players are day-to-day. Reyes is on DL Beltran is having problems now just had an MRI I believe, Delgado out 3 months. Daniel Murphy at 1rst, Castillo everyday 2B, Ramon Martinez at SS. Also Church has been struggling and if I’m not mistaken is hurt as well. So watch your own team. Congrats on moving up to 1rst by sweeping those dominant Nationals.
N8
May 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Noah, everybody is aware of what Medlen did at AAA this year. Nobody is disputing it. But some guys just don’t have what it takes to have those numbers ans success follow them to the big leagues.
Not saying that Medlen won’t have a fine career. He might. Hell, when it’s all said and done, maybe he winds up being the more successful major league pitcher between he and Hanson.
But Hanson has four “+” pitches, which is HUGE in the majors. Dude to when certain pitches aren’t working for him, he can change gears and still get people out. His stuff is electric and has movement. Another staple for getting big league hitters out.
But back to the minor league numbers.
John Smoltz was 21-25 with a 3.91 ERA in the minor leagues. Kyle Davies on the other hand was 45-23 with a 2.86 career ERA in the minors. So while, it’s hard for me to sit here and say ignore Medlen’s numbers, yet pay attention to Hanson’s.
My point is that, Hanson just looks, acts and appears to be the better pitcher of the two. Scouts and anybody with something to “say” about it, are ALL drooling over Hanson, yet Medlen seems to be an afterthought? Why is that? You don’t think that they have access to the same numbers we see?
Medlen is destined to be a ML relief pitcher. Not enough pitches in his arsenal to get guys out three times through a batting order. Long relief and spot start duties are where he’ll eventually end up.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
Efrim, I really hope they don’t draft White. Wheeler or Miller are fine by me.
Pete
May 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
LukeMerriman: “The Braves have no excuses for being in the position they are in. The Braves had a chance to bring in two powerful bats: Gary Sheffield and Barry Bonds but refused to offer either player a contract.”
You cant be serious about Bonds, can you? No way the Braves (or any team, but especially the Braves) will put up with that circus in the clubhouse, and rightfully so.
Not sure what Sheffield is making, but in hindsight, he would have been worth a look.
RowlandOffice
May 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
The Braves are toast because they simply dont have enough solid bats in the lineup. Over the past couple of years, the Braves have gotten rid of great bats; Mark Texiera, Edgar Renteria, Jermaine Dye, Wilson Bettement and Rafael Furcal. Most of these guys have been all-stars and would give the Braves lineup the punch that it needs.
N8
May 28th, 2009
3:04 pm
Shaun, I agree with you. When Francoeur appeared to be “clutch”, he was hitting well in general. Before pitchers figured him out.
Now, he just isn’t hitting at all, but it’s magnified with runners out there to be knocked in, thus he’s giving the appearance that he’s not as clutch.
Nope. Just can’t hit. Regardless of how many outs and who’s on base.
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
Lol, Bay Area Steve, that’s funny we were typing the same thing at the same time, lol.
Noah
May 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
Medlen is destined to be a ML relief pitcher. Not enough pitches in his arsenal to get guys out three times through a batting order. Long relief and spot start duties are where he’ll eventually end up.
Your probably right and time will tell. Although I know many great starters who didn’t have 3 or 4 pitches. Granted they had good stuff.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
DOB – after a night/morning like that I’d take a nap in the few hours I had between now and going to the park if I were you. No sense in reading all this mess, trust me, you’ve seen it all before lol.
DAP
May 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
andersThey could be well out by then.
i agree with you to…unfortunately, we may just have to wait and see where the braves are at that point. as DOB has pointed out, theres not alot that happens this early. it COULD happen, but more than likely wont. im hoping for a trade soon, but not expecting one.
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:07 pm
Chop Chop, right, if the shoe were on the other foot, people would have been happy to receive the players the Braves got in the Tex trade…because the Braves would have been 16 games out of a playoff spot and would have been able to trade their most valuable commodity to reload their farm system. You can’t ignore context. The Braves weren’t in the same position as the Rangers in 2007.
And last I checked the Braves did take advantage of having Tex on the team–they played him virtually every day. Things didn’t work out with the rest of the team.
Il Cattivo
May 28th, 2009
3:08 pm
Russell Branyan
People seem to think that he is doing well because he is playing everyday. Also the clock might strike 12 on him anytime now. People didnt doubt his power potential, only that he whiffs way too much. In that sense coming back to the braves might end up being bad for him because .. well Bobby Cox might not trust him in a full time role.Besides, career stats are as follows: .236 Avg .332 OBP .493 SLG. Never averaged higher than.257. He’s batting .311 now. If he continues to produce like he is now (he is actually unfortunate to have only 22 RBIs because he has Beltre and Griffey in front of him) he would be a solution. But its almost sure to drop-off and when it does, it will be one precipitous fall.
Bravetiger
May 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
Tom Glavine looks good in Gwinnett. Scattered five hits through four innings with a 2-3 K’s and no walks. Has gotten help from 2-3 double plays. Brian Jordan said he’s been as high as 84 on radar gun.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
May 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
Steve from OH,
Saw Alex White get *lit up* last Friday in the ACC tournament. Virginia sent 15 hitters to the plate in the third inning. Struck out four or five in the first two frames and then couldn’t will one over the plate. I haven’t followed him closely all season, but a friend who was in our group said when he has a bad outing he tends to lose it entirely — can’t find the strike zone and seems to try to get out of trouble by overthrowing.
I’m always a bit skeptical of drafting college pitchers in the early rounds because you have no idea how they’ve been used (or abused), and whether they’ll be able to effectively pitch to all parts of the strike zone. White’s no exception.
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Can’t believe folks still want to debate the Tex trade. I challenge anyone to convince us that the players the Braves traded away would be making the team significantly better right now.
N8
May 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
II Cattivo, that is why Branyan would be PERFECT to platoon with Francoeur. Jeff is hitting .321 against LHP, and Branyan is hitting .323 against RHP. Like I said. PERFECT match. Both are cheap, and we wouldn’t have to give up a ton for Branyan. Plus it allows us to keep Jeff, rather than “giving up” on him. He’d have to deal with platooning (which I’m not sure he is capable of handling – but so what?).
For the record, anybody who cares, Glavine has pitched 4 shutout innings for Gwinnett (listening to it online) and has a low pitchcount. He’s been helped out with double plays in the 3rd and 4th inning. Got out of a 1st and 3rd (with nobody out) jam in the 3rd.
Bay Area Steve
May 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
The Tex trade?
seriously?
still?
Anybody had a moon-pie today? And HTH is RC Cola still in business? Is TAB still around?
Or BBQ, anybody know of a good rib place in the SF Bay Area? I need some fall-off-the-bone ribs.
Roman Gal, I don’t know what I’m more ashamed of: not bringing the sign, or the fact that I just agreed with MFin09. OK, yes I do.
Il Cattivo
May 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
RowlandOffice
Wilson Bettement (sic). Do you actually think he has done well since he left. Grante he hasnt fallen off the map like Andy Marte but he was yet another product of the Braves prospect sale-spiel. Yeah he got a few HRs with the yankees but overall he’s not even been close to the other names you mentioned. Go look up his stats.
Oh and you may want to look for “Wilson Betemit”.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
Piedmont, I’ve read multiple people say they think White will eventually be a reliever. He’s got a fastball around 92 when he starts but I’ve read that in relief he humps it up to around 96. Has a great splitter too. I suppose he could end up being a JJ Putz type in the ‘pen, but you don’t waste first round picks on pitchers you think may be relievers, imo.
I agree on the abuse factor for college pitchers. I have a suspicion that the Braves aren’t fond of the idea, either.
Daslied
May 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
“Over the past couple of years, the Braves have gotten rid of great bats; Mark Texiera, Edgar Renteria, Jermaine Dye, Wilson Bettement and Rafael Furcal.”
Teixeira wasn’t going to sign, Renteria netted us a far more valuable #2 (or #1) starter, Dye was nothing special in Atlanta, Betemit was a bust and Furcal left as a free agent before years later Furcaling us.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
The Braves need to swing a deal for Brad Hawpe, it is a no-brainer. His contract is ridiculously low and affordable for the Braves, he is only 30 and in his prime years locked up for 2-3 more I believe. Escobar, Kotchman, Chipper, Hawpe, McCann, Anderson, KJ, Schafer is pretty darn solid if you ask me.
I don’t think it would cost very solid prospects like Holliday will either. Morton, Gorkys, JoJo could do it easily. Hawpes contract is right up the Braves alley and can play in the post season and knows how to win. He fits right in with this team and no matter how you give up you know you have Hawpe locked up for a few years and cheap. Not like Holliday who is bolting the stadium the last game of the year for the biggest check with Boras.
flange1
May 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
I think the Stark article is EXACTLY what is going on with the Braves front office right now.
From reading that, I don’t expect a trade for a while.
Almost sounds like the Braves front office has learned from the Astros, Pirates and Padres how to overvalue your own folks.
Yikes! That is not the group of clubs the Braves want to get lumped in with…..
An I agree with Anders, the sooner the Braves get a bat (heck even Brandon Jones) the better.
N8
May 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
Shaun, I don’t contend that the players we gave up would be making a difference. But I might contend that we might have been able to package some of them for something better than Kotchman at some point last off-season.
Or having Andrus, would have allowed us the luxury of moving Escobar.
But no. Those guys wouldnt mean much difference on their own. But the end result of what we “netted” for them, could have.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
BAS, don’t talk smack about RC Cola. That stuff is awesome. Heck, I probably keep them in business, and I don’t really drink pop.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Oh lord, we’re not doing “does clutch hitting exist” again, are we?
Jonathon
May 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Check out Gorkys rockin’ the powder blue uni for the M-Braves yesterday in Birmingham! Braves beat the Barons in the Rickwood Classic.
http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/2009/05/rickwood_classic_20.html
They aren’t exactly like the ‘82 Atlanta road unis, but they still look good.
http://photos.al.com/birmingham-news/2009/05/rickwood_classic_23.html
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:16 pm
Gregor Blanco batting .354 last 9 games with Gwinnett
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
flange1, I’m not sure how they can keep Brandon Jones and his .400 OBP in AAA much longer the way things are going…and I’m not one to demand a player be cut or p!ss-and-moan about a prospect not being called up…
N8
May 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
Noah, I could be wrong about Medlen. Maddux was never the scouts favorite guy either. Small guy, not overpowering.
But I can tell you this. I doubt Maddux ever had an inning like Medlen did….two games in a row. I never saw one with a Braves uniform on.
If a guy like Medlen is gonna be half the pitcher that Maddux was, that control better get a little better (like it was at AAA) fast.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
Gregor Blanco batting .354 last 9 games with Gwinnett
Well clearly he’s been DVRing the Braves games. “Nows my chance! Smack!”
don
May 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
Please, no more dumb butt Drew or Teixeira trades. the outcome of those trades was obvious befo0re they were made.
ppaddy123
May 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
Shaun, I agree with your 3:11 post. Salty would still be blocked. Harrison’s 5.43 ERA and 1.54 WHIP aren’t good enough to supplant a veteran. Andrus is having a pretty good season, but he too would be blocked. The Ranger played these “kids” because they’ve got nothing to loose.
WHY bother
May 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
LINEUP
1. Diory Hernandez, SS = AA
2. Kotchman, 1B = ml’er
3. Chipper, 3B = ml’er
4. Prado, 2B = AAAA
5. Diaz, LF = AAA
6. Francoeur, RF = High A
7. Ross, C = ml’er
8. Schafer, CF = AA
9. Kawakami, RHP
Would’ve loved to see R. Johnsons reaction when he saw that lineup. He musta thought either he was in the wrong ballpark, or it was his birthday.
Smart move by Bobby Cox to sit B’Mac, KJ, and GA all on the same day. Talking about throwing in the towel. WOW.
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
Neftali Feliz could be a very good. Andrus could be good; in the Yunel class at Yunel’s best. Salty could be an above average catcher. I think it’s clear Harrison isn’t a dominant pitcher; he is more of a mid-rotation guy at best. And Beau Jones is a year or two away and his control is not exactly pinpoint.
The only player the Braves could have had use for the next few years is Feliz. Andrus isn’t obviously better than Yunel, especially not the next few years. And does anyone want to take Salty over McCann at any point over the next 8-10 years?
The only argument you folks have is the the Braves didn’t get enough young talent in return. But I think it’s silly to think the trade was a terrible mistake.
beachcomber
May 28th, 2009
3:20 pm
II Cattivo – You make a good point we Braves fans often forget – some of the stiffs we traded away – often for good return. Like the trio we traded for Tim Hudson. I think one of them is doing mop up for the Marlins now. And, as you mentioned the best dump in the last 15 years – Andy Marte who brought us a more than adequate shortstop for two years.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
mlb trade rumors discuss the braves options…
Roman Gal
May 28th, 2009
3:24 pm
I don’t know what I’m more ashamed of: not bringing the sign, or the fact that I just agreed with MFin09. OK, yes I do. BAS
Don’t feel bad, I just agreed with Anders.
…and I don’t really drink pop.
Steve from OH, it ain’t “pop” around these parts, ya hear?
beachcomber
May 28th, 2009
3:24 pm
Coda to my 3:20 post. Should have said a more than adequate shortstop who, in turn, brought us a kid who should be one of the pitchers on the NL All Star team this summer.
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:25 pm
WHY bother, are you aware of what Randy Johnson has done throughout his career against left-handed hitters? It’s true he’s no longer in his prime. But he’s still a big lefty that can strike guys out.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
3:25 pm
Let’s trade for Bay. Oh wait, we tried that last year.
Il Cattivo
May 28th, 2009
3:25 pm
N8
I understand your argument for Branyan, but his average against RHP is higher than its ever been. He’s got a career avg of .239 against RHP. Also his avg seems to have some relation to where he plays on the field. He hits .262 as a 1B (probably augmented by his current streak) and batting .197 as a RF (in 66 Games), which is where you want to platoon him. If he works the same Norton worked for us last year, sure go for it. But just betting based on track record, I’d say Seattle would be selling high and Wren would end up looking like a clown for giving up prospects for him.
RLPmetro
May 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
DOB,
I know Francouer is a polarizing figure with the Braves fans. But I, for one, would be disappointed to see him get traded. Do you think the fans are so hateful towards him because so much was expected of him? If there were a productive hitter in that outfield already, do you think it would cover up Francouer a bit? I think he is getting the majority of the blame for the outfield’s inadequacies, and, while he deserves some of the blame, he doesn’t deserve it all.
proeye
May 28th, 2009
3:26 pm
I hope we are considering reasonable options such as Adam Dunn (yeah I know–the Braves could have signed him–too late now) or Brad Hawpe.
We could make a deal now but it all depends on what the Nationals and Rockies would be willing to do. It also depends on what combination of players they would want. June is not too early to make a trade.
Man, we are definitely seeing the results of some poor decisions in the off season with our outfield.
I would be willing to give up any combination of Francoeur, Johnson, Reyes, Redmond, Morton, or Medlen. Heyward, Freeman, or Hanson are on my no trade list. I would even consider trading Vasquez for the right player because he is worth $11.5 million. Combined with Frenchy’s salary that’s nearly $15 million which would bring us a pretty darn good player.
I think we have more than enough pitching to make up for the loss of Vasquez.
Lowe
Jurrjens
KK
Glavine
Hanson
Medlen
Hudson (in the fall)
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:27 pm
Glavine has been pitching so well today, he is going to get to pitch the 5th after scheduled to pitch 3 or 4 innings. He’s looking great!
VegasBrave
May 28th, 2009
3:27 pm
I’m headed over to Phoenix to watch the Saturday game. Does anyone know at what point they close the roof over at Chase? Its supposed to be over 100 for the weekend, which isn’t bad once you get used to the heat out here, but I won’t knock sitting in the A/C either!
Anders
May 28th, 2009
3:27 pm
Chuck James – If the Mets don’t think they’re going to get Reyes, Church and Beltran back full time I agree with you that they need to make a move as well. I was only talking about the Braves because that’s what Efrim’s post was about.
BTW- The Mets also took 3 of 4 from the Giants a week ago, including Lincecum and RJ and 2 of 3 from the Red Sox on the way to 1st with their dinged up lineup. Perhaps you missed those games?
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
3:28 pm
Roman Gal, I can’t think of a snarky remark, so I’ll apologize?
semiballcoach
May 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
marcus thames—on dl now, detroit in first w/o him…..upgrade or not
Roman Gal
May 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
Steve, just don’t let it happen again.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
Shaun, Neftali Feliz is to the Rangers as Tommy Hanson is to the Braves. As for Elvis Andrus, he can run circles around Yunel Escobar on defense. The dude is Gold Glove caliber.
Bobbymahlon
May 28th, 2009
3:32 pm
Ron E : Your idea of having Diaz,Blanco,Jones in the outfield is a bad one at the best. None of them will the long ball,Blanco is a singles hitter who is hitting .214 in the minors,Diaz is a poor fielder and Jones is unproven but shows possibilities although I do not like his lack of hustle. To be a winner we have got to do better than that combination. Of course you are intitled to your opinion but so am I to mine.
flange1
May 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
Steve,
I really think if the Braves put Norton on waivers, they could sneak him through and send him to Gwinnett if he would accept the assignment.
Either way, it is time to cut bait and bring up Brandon Jones.
Lowermanor
May 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
Bay Area Steve,
You want to get ribs and brisket at Memphis Minnies BBQ Joint. Tell’em KPIG send you and you’ll get treated like royalty. 576 Haight Street (x Steiner and FIllmore). They make the Q the way it is supposed to be made…slow and with smoke
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
THATABOY Glavine!!!!! 5 innings, no runs, 3 GIDP, and he had a sac bunt.
Il Cattivo
May 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
Tommy G thru 5 – 6H, 1 BB, 2 K. 67 Pitches, 41 strikes.
Seemed to be running out of gas in the 5th inning and walked a batter, but a DP helped him out ( 3 DPs turned in total). Looks like he will be pitching for Atlanta pretty soon.
DAP
May 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
coachAs for Elvis Andrus, he can run circles around Yunel Escobar on defense. The dude is Gold Glove caliber.
and what exactly is escobar? im pretty sure you are exaggerating on this one. i doubt there is anyone in the game right now that can “run circles around” escobar
timthebrave
May 28th, 2009
3:41 pm
chop chop, I’m not saying it was a good trade. It’s obvious that it wasn’t because we didn’t make the playoffs. I just think it was a good move at the time. Would you trade a backup catcher, backup ss, and 5th starting pitcher for 2 division titles and a starting first baseman in Kotchman. I would. I think it was the move to make at the time. We dealt from a position of depth. Like now most of you want to trade good starting pitching(our strength) for some hitting(weakness). Same thing IMO. Go Braves
6-4-3
May 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
Bit off topic but I have to say that Eric O’Flaherty has been pretty good this year. Has actually pitched about as well as Ohman pitched last year. I have to give Wren credit there. I didn’t believe that would be the case at all.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
Frenchy isn’t that bad. Let’s give JF another chance. I hope JF breaks out because he’s a good guy.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but whenever i start reading anyone’s posts on this site and they begin with one of those phrases—i immediately skip down to the next comment.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
DAP, I knew somebody would question me on this. Unfortunately, I’m not exaggerating in the least bit.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/prospects/y2009/profile.jsp?t=p_top&pid=462101
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
MFin04 (sorry for the late response–we just slipped out for a bit)–
Wow…wish I coulda seen that at-bat (darn the 10:15 start)! Maybe they’ll re-show it when he comes up to bat tonight. I know that won’t do it justice, but still, they might show it.
He better make the ASG, even as a reserve. Don’t give me that crud about his defense (DirtyDawg). No, he’s not near perfect (and neither is David “the catcher with an arm” Ross, as we saw last night), he’s D does leave plenty to be desired, but come on–he gives you his all every night. He goes on the DL batting .195 and within 3 weeks after his return, he gets that AVG up to .320–that’s a rise of 125 points!
VOTE McCANN 2009!!
DAP
May 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
coachNeftali Feliz is to the Rangers as Tommy Hanson is to the Braves.
this is also a stretch. they are both top 10 rated prospects, but they are both in their first stint at AAA, and hanson is WAY out performing feliz. granted, feliz is a year younger than hanson, and isnt pitching terribly, just nowhere near hanson.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
Obviously, there is not a lot of options out there for a power hitting LF. I also am part of the camp that believes we would be much better served helping Frenchy get right than trading him. You are not going to get value for his full potential, but with some help you might be able to get him to realize his full potential. Of course, that would mean getting a new hitting coach that is much more competent than the one we have.
So we need to look at improving other areas. Two options: trade for Bourn/Juan Pierre and add speed to our lineup or trade for Mike Jacobs. Jacobs has legit power and RBI potential. We could probably trade Kotchman and a young arm for him. They have Billy Butler to split time at first and DH. Kotchman can play the field and Butler can DH. Jacobs isn’t as good of a fielder as Kotchman, but he has a lot more power. Like 35-40 HR power. Maybe Morton/Kotchman for Jacobs.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
3:45 pm
643- Eric O’Flaherty has been terrific. Hope we can lock him up long term. He was solid the end of last season and is our only CONSISTENT arm out of the pen this year.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
3:46 pm
Roman Gal Steve from OH, it ain’t “pop” around these parts, ya hear?
Wes
May 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
yeah i spelled consistant wrong. Big whoop. wanna fight about it?
DAP
May 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
coach
nice link, but nowhere on there does it say andrus is (or will be) the best defensive short stop in the majors, able to run circles around any current major league SS. ok, so he is a gold glove caliber SS. so is escobar!
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
“Shaun, I don’t contend that the players we gave up would be making a difference. But I might contend that we might have been able to package some of them for something better than Kotchman at some point last off-season.
“Or having Andrus, would have allowed us the luxury of moving Escobar.
“But no. Those guys wouldnt mean much difference on their own. But the end result of what we ‘netted’ for them, could have.”
N8, the problem with this way of thinking is that if the Braves had waited until last offseason, they would have got nothing for August through the end of 2007 and throughout 2008.
You trade prospects when their value is their highest, when the player(s) you can get is the best possible return and when you have a shot at winning something. In hindsight the Braves obviously didn’t win anything in 2007. But when they made the trade they were 4.5 out and clearly had the talent to make the playoffs by adding Tex. Not making a move because they didn’t want to give up any expendable prospects because they thought they could get something in a year would have been a mistake.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
3:50 pm
Elvis Andrus on defense, and believe me this clip is miraculous:
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4548897
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:50 pm
It’s not pop or soda in GA, it’s Coke right? Everything is Coke. That’s what I learned when I was there, at least.
timthebrave
May 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
Wes, are you sure JF is done? I don’t think anyone knows. Will he break out of it this week?..no…6 months….maybe…We might end up regretting trading him. I just don’t think he should be in there full time. I think it is a mistake to trade him for a rent a player. If you get an outfielder that is signed for 3+ years then of course you consider it. Otherwise he is hitting .250 with 20 rbi which is better than your other 2 outfielders. As bad as he has been he is still been our best outfielder. You tell me who we have better in the outfield and why
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
3:51 pm
I said it was a terrible trade. I didn’t say it was a terrible mistake. Schuerholz wanted to get the team to the postseason. For that, he is to be commended. Unfortunately, the deal didn’t work out. That’s life, **** happens, etc.
Willy Wally
May 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
It’s not pop or soda in GA, it’s Coke right? Everything is Coke. That’s what I learned when I was there, at least. (MFin04)
Used to be that way, but now everything is Coke only in the burbs. In the city, Crack is everything. In the rural areas, Meth is everything.
monty
May 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
Greg Maddux didn’t throw 90+ or have a slider he depended on, he threw 2 different fastballs and a great change up with an occassional 2-3 times a game curve. Not unlike a CHris Medlen. Glavine won 300 games with a non plus fastball and a good change. He hardly ever owned both sides of the plate, hitters knew what was coming and where it would be, still he got them out. Medlen can be that type pitcher if he get’s his nerves under control and gets more precise with his control. The beauty of Maddux was he knew how to set you up and then get you to hit his pitch exactly where he wanted you to hit it, same with Tommy.
To be effective coming out of the bullpen you have to have at least one plus pitch(heavy sinker- Moylan 2 years ago,a great slider like Taveres, Smoltz, a 94+fastball- Smoltz, great changeup like Hoffman,etc.)and be willing to challenge hitters, you can’t feel your way through by nibbling at every hitter. That’s why Maddux and Glavine were starters. Remember Glavine giving up most of his runs in the 1st inning before he had a chance to “settle in,” to get a rhythm going. Medlen is a rhythm pitcher too, after his bad 2nd inning he got into a rhythm and retired 11 in a row.
Many bloggers want new pitchers and new players to be instant successes coming up from AAA, but that is the exception and not the rule. The problem is when the team isn’t hitting then every player’s performance is magnified. I can remeber past Braves teams where you had role players who hit .219 or .235 and all their hits would be singles, but they played because of defense and because you had a Hank Aaron-Orlando Cepeda or a Dale Murphy-Bob Horner to supply the power,or a Chipper-McGriff. Oh, for that today!
proeye
May 28th, 2009
3:53 pm
Wes.. You know what they say, “Nice guys finish last!”
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
Gregor Blanco batting .375 in the last 9 games for the Gwinnett Braves.
Bay Area Steve
May 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
Wes, I think that might me irony.
Though, I have a hard time consistently differentiating between coincidence and irony.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
3:55 pm
Willy Wally–
That was beyond unnecessary.
Bay Area Steve
May 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
Hey, we like our meth in the city, too, WW.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
DAP, do you always talk out your rear end?
YOU have no idea what in the world you are talking about. Not one damn clue.
Ignorance is bliss is all I can say. Another jaded Braves fan looking through rose colored glasses.
Shaun
May 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
Shaun, Neftali Feliz is to the Rangers as Tommy Hanson is to the Braves. As for Elvis Andrus, he can run circles around Yunel Escobar on defense. The dude is Gold Glove caliber.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?), Really? Escobar outhit Andrus at every level. Andrus may be better defensively but is it enough to offset the offensive advantage Escobar has? It’s not like Escobar is a slouch with the glove.
And Feliz is the Rangers’ best pitching prospect but he’s not as highly regarded as Hanson. And Hanson has better numbers in the minors. They are only similar in that they are their organizations top pitching prospects. But Hanson is clearly regarded as the better player.
Bay Area Steve
May 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
Sorry, McFann, that was unnecessary too.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
And one more thing, this blog format sucks AZZ.
Every other post just up and vanishes. It’s a frigging waste of time and effort.
AZBravoFan
May 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
Vegas Brave:
I’ll be there Saturday as well. The roof will be closed for sure.
timthebrave
May 28th, 2009
3:59 pm
coach, Would you trade yunel for andrus?
Redstick19
May 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
If this team pulls off a trade for an OF bat- I’m pretty sure that Francouer will not be involved. Who would trade a power-hitting OF to get Francouer back in return? In my opinion, it’s best for both Francouer and the Atlanta Braves that he stay with ATL. We’d not get too much in return for him, plus what if this is really just an adjustment period for him and he goes on to have 10 seasons of All-Star numbers? I’s say keep French, and focus on acquiring a viable average-power hitting outfielder that might actually push Frenchy to become better. Truth is, the rest of the OF we have is not threatening to take his place because they suck as well.
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
McFann – what is the correct term for carbonated beverages in GA?
DAP
May 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
coachDAP, do you always talk out your rear end?
why you need someone to relate to?
if thats all you have then ive successfully shut you up.
randy
May 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
i think that chipper is so slow they should make him be catcher and maybe mccann can go to first base. he’ll have to buy a new mitt. will the braves buy it for him? i wonder.
Willy Wally
May 28th, 2009
4:01 pm
McFann, not anymore unncessary than the rally turtle that has never started a rally.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
Bay Area Steve–
Yeah…but it was almost funny, too…can’t really put my finger on why…
MiaBchBravesFan
May 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
Close the book on Glavine: five innings of six-hit ball, and a low pitch count to boot (67). The best news we’ve had in a while is Glavine preparing to make his next start in an Atlanta uniform. So before we bring Charlie Morton up, let Medlen have one more start before he is sent down; hell, Jo-Jo got more than three chances and all he did was get worse; at least Medlen improved from game one to game two.
As for trade talk, I like the shakeup of B. Jones in RF, Blanco in center, and keep the Diaz/Anderson LF platoon intact. If Francoeur does not like the notion of finding his opposite field swing at Gwinnett, he needs to be traded immediately for a bag of balls and a fungo bat. I am sure that Schaefer would benefit from some seasoning at Gwinnett.
Frankly, it’s too early to push the panic button on a trade that will leave us barren. The Teixeira trade was unforgiveable in that regard.
the blog sprite
May 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
“carbonated beverages in GA”?
I thought Garret Anderson (GA) did not drink carbonated beverages. They give him gas and that slows him down further than his usual laconic pace.