It’s hot, but Braves’ bats are not
Phoenix – We’ve taken this roadie from the cool, crisp days and foggy nights in San Francisco to the 100-degree heat of Arizona, and the Braves can only hope their bats also experience a drastic warming trend.
How ugly was their offense in San Francisco? Very. The Braves hit .165 and scored five runs while being swept by the Giants at AT&T Park. Oh, it was bad.
This after they had hit .308 and scored 35 runs during a 5-1 finish to their homestand, including a sweep of the Blue Jays (which looks less impressive by the day, as Toronto continues to skid).
Chipper Jones, playing on a sprained right big toe, rarely looked as bad as he did during the San Francisco series, going 1-for-9 with six strikeouts, including his first four-strikeout Golden Sombrero last night, when he was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Randy Johnson (he hit six homers in 33 at-bats against Big Unit before last night). It took him 2,060 games to get one; Jordan Schafer already has two.
Chipper conceded afterward that he can’t push off with his right foot when batting right-handed, so I’d be surprised to see him in there Saturday against lefty Doug Davis, who’s scheduled to start the third game of the Arizona series.
Whether manager Bobby Cox saw enough last night to decide Jones shouldn’t play at all tonight remains to be seen. The Braves are set to face righties in the other games of the four-game series, including Dan Haren tonight and Jon Garland tomorrow. Chipper’s 2-for-4 with a homer off Haren, and hasn’t faced Garland.
Does everyone realize how much the Braves have missed utility man Omar Infante and shortstop Yunel Escobar? They hope to get Escobar back during the D’backs series, perhaps as soon as tonight.
But yesterday, Cox didn’t seen too confident that Escobar would be back before the weekend, and even hinted that the Braves could only carry him a few more days before they’d have to consider the DL.
How much did they miss him in San Francisco? Consider: the Braves went a heinous 3-for-23 with runners in scoring position against the Giants. Escobar ranks fourth in the NL with a .439 average (18-for-41) with runners in scoring position, and fifth with a .458 average (11-for-24) with RISP and two outs.
Schafer, poor dude, is 4-for-42 (.095) with runners in scoring position, fifth-lowest among NL qualifers.
How much have the Braves missed Infante? As much as they feared they would after he broke his hand and player after player described it as a “huge blow” to the team. He probably won’t be back before the All-Star break.
Not only is Infante versatile and a professional hitter, he also had one of the highest on-base percentages in the NL as a leadoff man, and has the Braves’ highest (and NL’s 10th-highest) average against lefties at .385 (15-for-39).
The Braves lost against two lefty starters in San Francisco, without Infante or Jones in the lineup for the opening games against Jonathan Sanchez and with a hobbled Jones and no Infante in the lineup last night against Johnson.
Jones said Johnson caught him and the Braves at a good time, and didn’t seem too concerned by losing three games at San Francisco, given the circumstances.
”We’re predominately left-handed,” he said. “They had the pitching matchups on us this series. They saw the bottom of our rotation, and we saw the top of theirs. It’s gonna happen sometimes.”
♣ Matt Diaz said while the Braves hate to put pressure on Derek Lowe, he was glad that Lowe was the starter for tonight’s series opener against Arizona. Because the Braves need a stopper, need their veteran, big-money pitcher to beat Dan Haren tonight and snap the three-game skid before it goes any longer.
”That’s one of the reasons we got him, for situations like this,” Diaz said.
Lowe is 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his past six starts against Arizona, including 3-1 in five last season with the Dodgers. He was 0-3 in seven starts at Phoenix before pitching six scoreless innings to win in his last start in the desert.
He’ll face Haren, who’s 0-1 with a 4.95 ERA in his past three starts, and got no decision Saturday when he allowed five runs and four homers in seven innings of a D’backs win at Oakland.
Against the Braves, Haren is 2-1 in three starts despite a 6.88 ERA. He lost his only start against them in 2008, allowing 10 hits and six runs in 5-1/3 innings.
Tomorrow, it’ll be Jair Jurrjens, the Braves’ potential All-Star (if he can just get some run support to notch a few more wins before All-Star pitchers are selected), going against Garland.
Jurrjens is 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA in five May starts. He hasn’t allowed more than two runs in eight starts in a row, producing a 1.98 ERA in that span. He’s 2-1 with a 1.30 ERA in five road starts, second-best road ERA among major league starters.
Meanwhile, Garland is 1-2 with a 6.32 ERA in his past three starts, with 24 hits (four homers) allowed in 15-2/3 innings, and more walks (six) than strikeouts (four).
The Braves won’t have pitching matchups as an excuse if they don’t win the first two games in this series.
They’ve also got a favorable matchup Saturday of Javier Vazquez (4-4, 3.80) against lefty Doug Davis (2-6, 3.77). Well, except for the lefty thing, unless Jones gets better in a hurry.
Then on Sunday, the interesting one — Kris Medlen (0-2, 9.72) against D’backs righty Max Scherzer (2-3, 3.38). If the Braves don’t replace Medlen for that start, it’ll be interesting to see if, in his third start, he can get through a game without having another of the alarming single innings that have undermined each of his first two starts. And if he walks or hits Scherzer with a pitch, well, then the Braves (or, rather, Medlen) might have issues to discuss.
♣ One other thing before we wrap this up and head to the ballpark: The Braves have now lost five in a row to the Giants going back to last season, when they lost to Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito in their last two games against the Giants. Those two games were in Atlanta in August.
Bravos hit .169 with a 5.36 ERA while being outscored 26-6 in that five-game stretch against the Giants.
Now, they turn attentions to a Diamondbacks team that has won six of its last eight road games, but lost seven of its past nine at the ginormous airplane hangar of a stadium known as Bank One.
♣ We’ll close with a gem by one of the great songwriters, Jimmy Webb. Johnny Rivers first sang this tune, but I love the versions by Glen Campbell, Isaac Hayes, and Nice Cave & The Bad Seeds (yes, this one definitely transcended genres). Oh, and I just saw that Lucinda Williams is playing in nearby Mesa, Ariz., on Saturday night. Gonna have to check into ticket availability. Hard to pass up a chance to see Lu.
“BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX” by Jimmy Webb
By the time I get to Phoenix she’ll be rising
She’ll find the note I left hangin’ on her door
She’ll laugh when she reads the part that says I’m leavin’
‘Cause I’ve left that girl so many times before
By the time I make Albuquerque she’ll be working
She’ll prob’ly stop at lunch and give me a call
But she’ll just hear that phone keep on ringin’
Off the wall that’s all
By the time I make Oklahoma she’ll be sleepin’
She’ll turn softly and call my name out loud
And she’ll cry just to think I’d really leave her
Tho’ time and time I try to tell her so
She just didn’t know I would really go.
1,631 comments Add your comment
cheld
May 28th, 2009
5:19 pm
First?
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
5:19 pm
This team is schizophrenic.
Is there a better word?
Nice Piece DOB, thanks as always…
Thrillhouse44
May 28th, 2009
5:20 pm
Diaz is right – this is why the Braves signed Lowe. Hopefully the offense wakes up and helps him out some.
McScared is scared to post under his/her real blog name.
RC
May 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
DOB,
Do you think the fact the Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will be selecting backup players for the All-Star game (i think) will help Jurrjiens chances of making the team, since he’s been able to see up close this year just how good Jurrjens has been, regardless of wins?
ZC Rider
May 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
I get to attend this game, and the Dbacks are bad enough to turn the Braves’ bats around.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
Escobar is almost as sorely missed as Chipper when he’s out.
I definitely realize it.
cheld
May 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
I just read the BA piece on Heyward / Freeman / Johnson. I’m glad those guys are doing so well. Do you think they’ll need a full season in hi-A or do you think they could be in Mississippi this season (not trying to rush them to the majors, just want to get them plenty of time with the staff in Pearl).
Taylor S
May 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
Glavine looked pretty good today.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:26 pm
Life is all about conquering your fears.
Fear of flying. Fear of spiders. Fear of heights. Fear of speedy hawaiin outfielders.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
5:27 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief!
Redstick19–
Thanks. Maybe I’ll go look for some ants after dinner…
jtb–
The collision with Byrnes was in ‘06. He missed 3 weeks, but his ankle bothered him for the rest of the year, and has acted up a few times since.
I would rather him go get the ball and try to apply a tag than risk injury in a collision.
Me, too. But I guess there does come a time when you have to take a small hit…but hopefully that time will be never…
Polterbubba–
Thank you very much. Yeah, I don’t know where all this crud came from all of the sudden.
I mean, again, McCann is one of the guys on our team who actually looks like he, ya know, cares.
On the other hand
May 28th, 2009
5:28 pm
“Escobar is almost as sorely missed as Chipper when he’s out.”
And Escobar is out because he’s as sore as Chipper when he’s missed.
Thrillhouse44
May 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
Diamondbacks have lost 7 of their last 9 at home? Sounds like the venue is right for the Braves.
McScared why are you fearful of posting under your typical blog name?
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
McCann’s favorite movie character is the Lion in the Wizard of Oz.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
I don’t have a “typical” blog name. I was absent on the day that blog names were handed out.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
5:32 pm
McScared–
Yeah? Well yours is the Scarecrow!!
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:33 pm
I’m kinda scared of incoming blogs that are critical of me.
I think I’ll stand here to the side and try to “tag” them after they go by.
monty
May 28th, 2009
5:33 pm
I’m predicting a 5-3 win tonight!
Sarge
May 28th, 2009
5:34 pm
I think the Scarecrow is more manly than the Lion. But let’s face it, Dorothy was the most manly of the bunch.
Thrillhouse44
May 28th, 2009
5:36 pm
A reference to ’shrooms on the last blog and now we’re talking about Wizard of Oz…I’ll be back after I get my Pink Floyd synched up.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:38 pm
My all time baseball hero is Jimmy Piersall. Do you know why?
wiki
May 28th, 2009
5:38 pm
The problem with Glavine on this team is that, at best, he is not the kind of pitcher that will shut down a team, especially at this point in his career. A best case expectation from him would be the minimum quality start (6 IP, 3 ER) criteria, which would be a sufficient result with the Phillies (see Jamie Moyer) or, say, the ‘03 Braves (see Russ Ortiz). With this inconsistent (to be generous) offense, that can’t work. To remain competitive, the Braves need pitchers who have the ability to dominate lineups, which they have to some extent in the first three starters…..win most of the 2-1s and 3-2s and hope to break even in the rest.
wiki
May 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
Piersall and Harry Caray were the most controversial and entertaining broadcasting tandem in ML history. Just saw the name and had to comment.
Now ranked 1,270 on Amazon.com...
May 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
Dub Side of the Moon
by Easy All Stars
Talk about high concept: this project features the house band of noted New York reggae label Easy Star covering Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in the same sequence and in recognizable but reggae fashion. Here, the All Stars turn Floyd’s strangely surreal world even stranger and more surreal, adorning the English band’s dark psychedelic music with slow reggae beats and head-spinning dub-style production that is both inspired and effective. “Money” opens with the sound of bong hits and coughing instead of the cash register, then grooves to a reggae beat as guitar and organ churn out the classic riff–there’s even the signatory sax break in the middle. The group hits it just right on “Great Gig In The Sky,” retaining the soaring gospel voice, while the remake of the chiming bells on “Time” reveals a bit of irreverent humor. Tearing away at the alienation of the original, this infusion of new personality makes it all work, elevating the album’s concept from the half-baked to visionary.
ZC Rider
May 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
I heard if you take shrooms, the Braves never disappoint
jtb
May 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
McFann
My bad about the years. I remember after that ankle injury his power wasn’t the same for the rest of the year. I feel the same about McCann blocking the plate as I do about Chip running out ground balls. Unless the game is on the line, take it easy because we need their bats.
Redstick19
May 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
McFann- hope you realize I was talking to McScared to go step in something, not you. Maybe if we all ignore McScared and stop responding (myself included), it will go away.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
I heard that there are scorpions in the desert. I’m not going to Arizona – Ross can do the catching.
ZC Rider
May 28th, 2009
5:44 pm
Hey, Glavine’s fastball touched 86. I guess the jokes about his velocity can stop.
wOw
May 28th, 2009
5:48 pm
86 yards per hour? Bobby Cox can walk faster than that.
Van the Man
May 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
5 scoreless for Glavine today. What say ye haters?
Duke
May 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
Nice heading
braves70
May 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
I’ll bet the Braves score zero tonight. A zero that looks just like a moon pie.
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
Don’t look now but Gregor Blanco is heating up. Just keep in mind that Schafer had more hits and less strikeouts than Chipper jones yesterday.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
I like the Black Moses’ version the best. Huge Isaac Hates fan. RIP brotha.
Lucinda can also “bring it.”
Lets win tonight guys…..JEEZ!
Steve
May 28th, 2009
5:52 pm
McScared: that’s hillarious. Your assumptions seem spot on to me.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
5:53 pm
jtb–
That’s OK. Yeah, it did take him about a month to get his power back. I see what you mean about the game being on the line and stuff.
Redstick19–
Yeah…I was gonna go step on some ants like, ya know, “Take THAT, Mac bashers!”
I’m doing my best to ignore it…just had to throw out the Scarecrow line (which wasn’t very nice, but hey, it needs to lay off my mann!).
Fans Against Bad Right Fielders
May 28th, 2009
5:53 pm
NO MORE FAILCOEUR! NO MORE FAILCOEUR!
Interesting note… Even if Jeff were hitting .300, Jordan Schafer would still have a higher OBP than him.
To which we’re reminded…
“If on-base percentage is so important than why don’t they put it on the scoreboard?” – Jeff Failcoeur
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
5:54 pm
siap…but on mlbtraderumors they are saying that carlos lee wont waive his no trade clause for anyone. how much would it take? probably too much…. we could have easily made this trade if wouldnt have given half of our farm to the rangers. i dont care what anyone says, we can all agree that carlos lee is a “big bat” and would be a great addition.
dream trades are always fun to think about but never happen…. damn this sucks.
dream trade #503
May 28th, 2009
5:57 pm
The ghost of Babe Ruth for the silhouette of Ted Williams.
Be-yotch Puh-leeze!
May 28th, 2009
5:57 pm
Somebody must have taken McScared’s meds away from him/her/it. Down boy/girl/thing!
Joebrave
May 28th, 2009
5:58 pm
Wonder how many runners Stenchy and Schitfer leave on base tonight??? I am taking the over at 9
Kotchfann
May 28th, 2009
5:58 pm
Casey’s on base percentage must be really high. He’s almost always on first base!
Joebrave
May 28th, 2009
5:59 pm
Note to the Braves Front Office, Please fire the lying scout that works from his basement in Gwinnett, Apparantly he thinks he knows Baseball, and must be Bobby’s Love child!!!!
McScared
May 28th, 2009
6:00 pm
Not to worry. I borrowed some xanax from my buddy Garret.
Joebrave
May 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
As for Last Night, YUCK!!! anytime a team can go to Six Flags and get Buford the Buzzard to shut your team down, Ya have a real problem, and Wren, YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM!!!!
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
May 28th, 2009
6:03 pm
I’m not sure I should be encouraging him, but McScared is pretty funny!
Buddy the bald eagle
May 28th, 2009
6:03 pm
The Braves WISH they had a 4th or 5th starter like Buford the Buzzard.
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
6:04 pm
can somebody link the BA Heyward article
McScared
May 28th, 2009
6:05 pm
Oh oh. I saw my shadow today. That means six more weeks of the Braves below .500.
Jackie Treehorn
May 28th, 2009
6:06 pm
DOB, assuming Oakland trades Holliday, what do you think it would take to get him? I would think a package of Kris Medlen and Charlie Morton plus a less developed minor league pitcher would probably get the job done.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
Oh my God! I just found out that diamondbacks are SNAKES!
MFin04
May 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
Just watched the Twins Red Sox highlights. Twins got screwed twice and get ejected after being right on both calls. Then the next inning, Red Sox argued a pitch that was probably 12-15 inches off the plate. Wasn’t anywhere close. They look so stupid arguing that strike call.
P-Town Brave
May 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
So I read about the Braves inquiring on DeRosa + (the other bat)….
My ? is this….
Is it feasible to believe the Braves have enough left in the bank to acquire DeRo (5.5M)+ another bat from somewhere else, even if they shed the contracts of Francoeur (3.375M) and Johnson (2.825M).
DeRosa is almost all but offset w/ the contracts of those two, however, I would imagine the big OF bat would be pretty hefty unless we somehow did get the Cards to re-establish talks for Ryan Ludwick(3.7M) or even Ankiel (2.825M)
JEB
May 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
Unless Frank Wrenn and can pull off some special magic – I really do not see anyone out there that we could possibly get without giving up a whole lot and getting back very little.
For the really good ones – I would say those teams are going to keep them. For a few of the others – teams will be asking a whole lot from us, knowing they can get what they like from someone else if not the Braves. There are a lot of teams out there looking for a big bat.
We may just have to wade this season out – and let something special develop in the winter (as hard as that is to bear!).
caseyskotch
May 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
chipper is one of the greatest but he needs to stop acting hurt all the time i mean ive played softball with turf toe before and i was playing for free hes making 11 million
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
6:08 pm
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera McScared is pretty funny!
No, it’s not.
Sarge
May 28th, 2009
6:10 pm
caseyskotch: You are more manly than Chipper.
caseyskotch
May 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
How about we show up at turner field and the braves will have the money to sign matt holliday long term does anyone know the average attendance this year?
Bay Area Steve
May 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
The madder the Unauthorized Turtle gets, the funnier the McScared becomes.
mets fan in atlanta
May 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
Medlen and Morton for Holliday???? That’s ridiculous. Medlen’s trade value is shot after the last two starts, and Morton’s was gone after he faded badly down the stretch last fall.
P-Town Brave
May 28th, 2009
6:14 pm
Jackie Treehorn-
LOVE your movies
Anyways, I am thinking Morton/Medlen/BJones + one more may get it done…just looking at their OF, after losing Holliday they will need some replenishment there at the corners…
In the case of what I said above at 6:07, I would rather give up say Medlen/Johnson to St. Louis for a bat (pref. Ludwick) and then Reyes(Morton)/Francoeur/Redmond or something like that to Cleveland for DeRosa…
The Ludwick scenario I would think would be virtually impossible w/o Kelly Johnson being in the mix plus another pitcher…the Cards need arms and middle infield help.
caseyskotch
May 28th, 2009
6:15 pm
hey sarge im not saying that. chippers my favorite player he just always puts on a show its like he wants people to know hes hurt hell be walked even more cause he cant run
McScared
May 28th, 2009
6:16 pm
“The Ludwick scenario”?
Isn’t that the new Matt Damon movie?
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
May 28th, 2009
6:19 pm
In all fairness, McFann, I think you’re a little too close to the subject. McCann seems like an unassuming guy — I’ll bet he’d laugh.
P-Town Brave
May 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
McScared-
You mean The Bourne Ludwick?
Supes
May 28th, 2009
6:26 pm
As much as I’d like to see Ryan Ludwick in LF here for the Braves in 2009, it’s not going to happen. Not during the season anyways.
Matt Holliday will be too expensive (as far as what the A’s will want, plus there are other teams who need corner OF help).
Market for Corner OF is going to be active, but there are only a few suitable candidates.
Josh Willingham, Jeremy Hermida are 2 players I hope the Braves consider. Neither will cost a lot, and both are “players who have yet to live up to their potential”. Speaking of Marlins players…Jorge Cantu for 2B (during or in the off-season is a move the Braves need to really think about, esp. if they end up trading KJ in some package for another player this year or in the off-season).
Frankie Knuckles
May 28th, 2009
6:31 pm
Oh my God! I just found out that diamondbacks are SNAKES!
- McScared
Aight, i laughed at this one. BMac has been fielding off the plate a little bit. Don’t know if its nerves or just bad catching.
Supes
May 28th, 2009
6:31 pm
DOB,
I’ll be shocked if Chipper is in the lineup the way he looked at the dish yesterday. It was beyond clear he was not able to swing the bat as usual due to the foot injury. No sense of having him play. Everyone knows it’s affecting him, pitchers will exploid it. If he bats LH, they’ll pitch him away (just like that last at bat during the game last night, and he’ll end up flailing b/c he can’t plant and push off)
I’d rather have Prado at 3B, Hernandez at SS and KJ at 2B tonight regardless of who is pitching on the mound for Arizona. Gotta go with the players who are healthy and able to play.
Mitchie-san
May 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
Hey McScared, I live in in Hawaii and have no idea what a “hawaiin” is. Mahalo.
rocky mtn braves fan
May 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
DOB – I know it’s still very early to discuss potential outfield solutions, but what do you think about Russell Branyan? He’s on a one year deal in Seattle, and has 11 Hr, 11 2B, 23 RBI, with a .331 average in 41 games for the mariners. He strikes out a good bit (46k in 41 games), but he certainly has pop in his bat (1.006 OPS). I think he would be a much cheaper option in terms of trade and salary($1.4M this year) than some of the other possibilities. Thoughts?
Cautious Catcher
May 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera McScared is pretty funny!
and true too.McCann is obviously scared of the plate He’s a dishophobic I don’t know what the fear of speeding baserunners is called, but they need to make him stay at home like an agoraphobic.
MGL
May 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
The Braves Supremacy starts at 9:40.
Jonathan Simeone
May 28th, 2009
6:38 pm
I am so tired of watching the same hitters have bad at bat after bad at bat. At this point, I just want to see new faces in the lineup. Gorkys Hernandez should be given a chance to play center–he can’t possibly be a weaker hitter than Schafer. Then I would try and trade Francoeur for Delmon Young. Both guys have much more talent than they’ve shown; maybe, a change would help both of them find their swings again. Something’s got to change.
curioso
May 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
Mitchie-san: which island do you live on?
csg
May 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
so we are upset the Braves rushed Schafer and our solution is to rush Gorkys now, thats just a great idea
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
The Braves Supremacy…..
damn thats funny!
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
As bad as the Braves offense was (and it were ugly against the Giants), they made the usually punchless Giants look like the Yankees by comparison. Good teams clobber run-of-the-mill, not-even-mediocre clubs like the Giants. The Braves are the biggest tease this side of a hot chick in high school — they do just enough to make you think something’s there (such as the recent homestand), and they turn ice cold against bad teams.
RCinATL
May 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
I think the Braves should go ahead and call up Gregor Blanco for Jordan Schafer. I GB has not had the best of starts in AAA, but he did prove last season that he is capable of hitting .250 consistently, not scared to bunt for a hit or take a walk .366 OBP, and HE CAN BAT LEADOFF!!! Even when Escobar is healthy, the Braves are a much better team when he hits second – and certainly much better when KJ hits 6th or 7th. We could do this RIGHT NOW and it would be a moderate upgrade over what we have now – and it would cost us merely pennies. Then, perhaps we can get by for a few more days or weeks while looking for a better solution in RF and perhaps even LF.
Cautious Catcher
May 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
am so tired of watching the same hitters have bad at bat after bad at bat. Jonathan
tough, deal with it. they aren’t gonna tear the team apart because of your ADD.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
6:41 pm
Don’t know if this is an omen or not but I killed a diamondback rattler on the patio last night
McChubb
May 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
It’s no fun getting hit. How would you people like to get hit by a big Hawaiian Punch?
Mitchie-san
May 28th, 2009
6:43 pm
curioso, I am stationed at Pearl Harbor on Oahu.
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
6:44 pm
And one more thing — Frenchy certainly can’t be on the BoSox radar screen. For starters, he doesn’t fit their mold of hitters, you know, patient, as in letting the pitcher’s pitch go by and making them come to you with what you want in your happy zone. Kotsay is almost ready to come off the DL, so they’ll have Bay (who is really good), Ellsbury (who is really fast and getting better) and the three-headed monster of doctor’s office regulars Drew, Baldelli and Kotsay. They don’t need Frenchy and there’s no one they’re willing to deal (like Bay, who should be in the MVP running this year) who would fill a Braves need right now. They’ve got gobs of talent down on the farm, but so do the Braves.
Maybe the deal is...
May 28th, 2009
6:47 pm
Baldelli for Frenchy, straight up.
Change of scenery might do them each good.
McScared
May 28th, 2009
6:48 pm
Whap! I could have had a V8.
On second thought, maybe not.
i cant take it anymore
May 28th, 2009
6:49 pm
i have consulted with a few different beers and we have decided that logan schafer’s problem
is his hat. The bill is a little too flat. It also seems to be causing problems with kris medlen on an inning by inning basis.
Cautious Catcher
May 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
Whap! I could have had a V8.
go with the straight six
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
Brett Myers may need hip surgery and could be done for the year:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20090528_Myers_may_need_surgery.html?cmpid=16339736
RCinATL
May 28th, 2009
6:52 pm
Another couple of ideas…
If we could somehow get DeRosa back here, could we not put him at second, which would make KJ expendable. It seems DeRo would be somewhat of an upgrade defensively, he’s right handed (which we need more of), and we wouldn’t be sacrificing hitting.
Also, if Greg Norton is not going to get going soon – and very soon – why not go ahead and call up Brian Barton? He would at least give us more speed to use late in games that Norton doesn’t have. Probably a significant defensive upgrade as well.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
6:54 pm
Great song, DOB.
savannah dawg
May 28th, 2009
6:54 pm
Amen RCinATL,I believe Blanco had 4 hits today for gwinnett.He heating up,now would be the perfect time for a call up.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
6:55 pm
Can’t wait to watch Dan Haren tonight. I’ve always loved watching him pitch. My post-11pm Braves protest lasted all of 1 night because I’m staying up to watch all of the innings he pitches.
caseyskotch
May 28th, 2009
6:55 pm
does anyone know average attendance this year at the ted compared to last year
Jerald Holcombe
May 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Not much is gonna improve the Braves unless you do something about the root problem. There has to change from within the coaching ranks and up to and including the GM. If it were up to me, I would remove Wren and replace him with Bobby Cox. Some don’t remember that Bobby was the architech of this team’s success initially. He built the minor league system to national prominence and that gave Schuerholz a lot of ammo to make a lot of the trades he made. Bobby also traded Doyle Alexander for Smoltz. He also drafted Chipper and most of our core players in the early 90s. The way I see it, we need a change and so does Bobby Cox. Also, I would replace Bobby with Chris Chambliss and get rid of Pendleton and McDowell and bring back Mazzone and Don Baylor.
Now, most of you may not agree with me, but it is my opinion. So please, agree if you like and disagree if you like, but try to keep it civil this time. Thanks.
CB
May 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Steve- may force Phillies to go to the trade market for sure.
P-Town Brave
May 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Supes-
Not to start an argument but Willingham and Hermida give me too much of a Francoeur vibe and Cantu can no longer play the middle infield.
RCinATL-
Good points there and exactly what I talked about in my 6:07 and 6:14
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
Don’t look now Schafer, but Gregor Blanco is fast approaching in your mirrors. Most would assume Blanco would replace Jordan. (and so would I) However, I would find it quite funny if Frenchy was the one replaced. Schafer has shown he’s able to adapt. There’s a tiny improvement going on in his game. Granted, you might need a microscope to see that improvement. Frenchy’s doing jack to improve his game and has had all sorts of opportunities.
Marty from Roc City
May 28th, 2009
7:02 pm
Hey DOB
Is there a way for you to know who the Gwinnett Braves probables are next week. I live in Rochester NY and the Braves are playing a series against the Red Wings starting on Tuesday. I’m really hoping to see Hanson pitch and possibly Glavine if he makes a rehab start too, If anyone else knows or knows where I could find that info that’d be great.
RCinATL
May 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
Savannahdawg, perhaps people have forgotten that Blanco finished 24th in OBP last year in all of MLB – with over 400 plate appearances. Now, I know this isn’t Jose Reyes material as a leadoff hitter, but lordy, he sure offers us some sense of competence there. Also, calling Barton up would help out in the outfield as he would be a better second option in CF than anyone else we have.
A wise person once told me, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” So we don’t have an Otis Nixon leading off. We don’t have a 40 HR guy on the corners. Ok, but we do have a kid close by that can do better than the one who is out there now.
Isenberg
May 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
Wiki, what are you basing your Glavine description on? You expect him to give up three earned runs every time out?
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera–
Ha! Like this guy would have the nerve say McCann’s a ‘fraidy cat to Mac’s face!
Cautious Catcher
May 28th, 2009
7:04 pm
My post-11pm Braves protest lasted all of 1 night because I’m staying up to watch all of the innings he pitches. PWH
did your mommy ok that?
bruce
May 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
McFann
I have not followed the blog all that closely since Brian’s interview was put on ajc.com, so I did not see what your thoughts were about it… I was very impressed… he declined to answer questions that he thought were inappropriate and seemed like a really nice guy… which I happen to think is true.
Nova Scotia Steve
May 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
That series in SF was a disaster…complete and utter disaster…I think we should all enjoy where we’re at right now…cause I have the strangest feeling that we started to see the beginning of the end for these Braves…I truly hope they prove me wrong!
Interested Observer
May 28th, 2009
7:06 pm
Is there any reason why we can’t call up Blanco (or Barton) and send down Reyes? Jo Jo’s pitched in like one blowout game in the past two weeks. Is having that extra guy sitting in the pen really that more important than having an extra bat and outfielder who can play CF and give Schafer a day off every now and then?
WTF
May 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Jayson Stark:
Brave old world: You can add the Braves to the list of teams with interest in their old buddy, Mark DeRosa. Cleveland wants pitching back, and the Braves are one club with a pitching surplus. But teams that have spoken with Atlanta say the Braves’ entire prospective rotation (including Tommy Hanson) is off-limits. And they would want a significant return for Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton or Kris Medlen.
As for those reports that the Braves are looking to move Jeff Francoeur, clubs we’ve talked to say they’re mostly listening, in part because they need to add bats, not subtract them, and in part because no one is too sure of Francoeur’s true value anymore, including the Braves themselves.
They want a “significant return” for Jo-Jo Reyes? That pretty much explains the Francoeur situation. The Braves have no clue how to evaluate their own players.
RCinATL
May 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Bravesfan, while I would like to see Schafer get some more minor league seasoning, your point about Blanco possibly replacing Francoeur is intriguing. It is outside the box, for sure, because then we REALLY would be challenged in the power department. But…all of a sudden, we would have two very fast guys in our lineup. And if Blanco led off, and Schafer still hit 8th, we would sure have a chance to create some havoc on the basepaths starting at the bottom of the lineup. If we did something like that, however, we would almost HAVE to get at least a 20 HR threat in left – and I am not so sure such an entity is available right now for what we want to give up and for what we have to spend.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Bruce–
I thought it was good! I need to watch it again, though…I was a little distracted the first time I watched it. But I agree–it was a good interview. And yeah, he’s a nice guy.
PS–You’ve got e-mail!
TennesseePaul
May 28th, 2009
7:08 pm
It’s a dry heat DOB. That’s what I keep hearing.
You know, people go to a sauna to look beautiful. They stick their head in an oven to end it all. Which one of those is a dry heat??
Hope the Braves win tonight. It’d make the trip that much more fun.
Cautious Catcher
May 28th, 2009
7:08 pm
Ha! Like this guy would have the nerve say McCann’s a ‘fraidy cat to Mac’s face! McFann
he sure acts scairt of the plate. If he isn’t then he needs to get his butt in there instead of wandering away cause that is very poor catching for whatever reason. I’m betting scaredy cat scaredy cat.
I Do Believe
May 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
I do believe the blogger who posted earlier about Schafer’s cap was on to something.
I mean come on… think about it! Could you imagine the blanket party a kid would get if he showed up and insisted on wearing his cap that way in 1965?
Think about it even further. Medlin-wears his hat goofy flat bill. Schafer-wears his hat goofy flat bill. Jo Jo Reyes-wears his hat goofy flat bill! This guys have been poor performers. If I were any of the Braves with tenure, I would take Schafer and Medlin aside (and Jo Jo IF he gets back) and show them how to wear their caps. If they resisted, I would sucker punch them until they spit out teeth!
Their lack of cap respect has put a curse on this team!
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Cautious Catcher,
Only if I finish my broccoli and drink a glass of milk.
Supes
May 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Not to start an argument but Willingham and Hermida give me too much of a Francoeur vibe and Cantu can no longer play the middle infield.
**********************************************
Exactly! What are you thinking you’ll get for Jeff at this point? My choices are actually players that could be included in a straight up deal or a packaged deal (depending on situation) It’s called being realistic about what Jeff’s value is.
One may argue that Hermida has never had a full healthy season with FLA, may need a change of scenery just like Jeff. As far as Willingham, he won’t get enough AB in that crowded Nats OF. If he’s healthy, he’s a dangerous hitter with good HR power.
and you know that Cantu can’t play 2B because? Give me a break, if KJ can learn to play 2B after never having played it at the major league level, why can’t Cantu play there. He used to play there prior to the move to 3B and 1B (now). He’a a legit 25HR RH bat that the Braves can surely use and won’t break the bank.
I’m not saying those are the best options, but they are affordable and fit the Braves payroll. Just trying to think realistically here. It’s not fantasy baseball ( if it were, I’d make the trade for Ludwick and Pujols and be done with it:)
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Cautious Catcher–
I get your freaking point! He needs to plant his butt behind the plate! OK! Go tell him that then! Gya…
I’m betting scaredy cat scaredy cat.
In the words of George Canstanza (sorry if it’s spelled wrong): “Well aren’t you something.”
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Wiki you are not going to get a “shut down” pitcher with your 5th starter. I say give Glavine a shot
Jerald explain why Wren needs to be fired. I know we need offense and so does he. He can’t make people come here. And he did a helluva job revamping the pitching staff. And I recall a litle trade he made with Detroit that’s looking pretty good.
hoho
May 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
JERALD- i like your ideas. many assume (i do) that TP is around as BC’s successor. that said, it’d be hard to fire the hitting coach who is the heir apparent. Chambliss is an interesting idea. don’t know about his mangerial exp., but he was a good player- a brave and a yankee- and on good staffs on NY.
Baylor would probably be a good fit, he was good when he was here as i recall (as much as i can recall about a hitting coach’s performance from 8 yrs ago!) who knows about Leo- he’s an ATL favorite. If McDowell gets chased it should be a possibility. Seems like some of our former pitchers have dogged him a little out of the corners of their mouth since he left though (smoltz comes to mind), but you can’t argue with success.
GO BRAVES!
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
7:13 pm
The Braves have no clue how to evaluate their own players.
The truth is always somewhere in the middle, of course. But “the middle” is a pretty broad area considering your perception of “the Braves overvalue their players” and “JoJo Reyes is a BUM.” I’d say Reyes and Francoeur both have some trade value, and it’s probably higher than a lot of bloggers think. Is it as high as the Braves FO thinks? Maybe not, but at least they’re not willing to sell low on their players.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
Is there any reason why we can’t call up Blanco (or Barton) and send down Reyes? – Interested Observer
Reyes is on the DL right now. He and Infante went on the DL when Medlen and Hernandez were called up.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
Barbaro Canizares is doing great down in Gwinnett. The guy might be lousy on defense but he couldn’t be any worse off the bench than Norton. Maybe we should call him up and see what he can do.
WTF
May 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
Maybe not, but at least they’re not willing to sell low on their players.
With Francoeur, like I said in the offseason, it’d be selling high. His trade value is going nowhere but down.
Braveheart
May 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
Joe Torre is a flat biller too
I Do Believe
May 28th, 2009
7:17 pm
I think any trade that involves Frenchy is probably going to be a “change of scenary” trade. Frenchy leaves and tries to revive thoughts that he might be something special with a new team while the Braves receive a guy who is trying to do the same.
Hope it works out better than the change of scenary trade involving Mckay McBride and Will Ledezma.
savannah dawg
May 28th, 2009
7:19 pm
andrew jones came to the majors at 19 years old.he was not a discipline hitter at the time.he got by on pure athletic ability.from all accounts,heyward has great plate discipline,a quick study,and great natural ability.i know i’m in the minority here,but i believe he can make the successful jump
Braveheart
May 28th, 2009
7:19 pm
What’s this? A George Constanza reference by McFann? Her parents have finally let her watch something other than dated shows from the 50s? Thank the Lord! Couldn’t take one more Leave it to Beaver reference.
Interested Observer
May 28th, 2009
7:21 pm
Thanks Bravesfan, I forgot about Jo Jo’s hammy issue. I still think we’d be better off with a 5th outfielder than the extra reliever.
2009 Sucks
May 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Leave to Beaver, I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith….they don’t make it now like they used to.
Will & Grace and Friends and all that…it’s the same dull sex jokes and unfunny humor.
LT- A Blogger
May 28th, 2009
7:24 pm
Folks willing to give up 2 top pitching plus a couple other decent prospects for a half season of Matt Holliday? No thanks.
Also, I remember watching Blanco last year and didn’t think he is anything but bench support. Rather see Schafer getting experience as long as it doesn’t appear to be hurting him long term.
If this team could ever get/stay healthy for an extended period of time, there is no reason they cannot compete to win this division.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
I Do Believe you might know what you are talking about before u shoot your mouth off about McBride Ledezma, I believe McBride had TJ surgery
Salamander
May 28th, 2009
7:28 pm
They want a “significant return” for Jo-Jo Reyes? That pretty much explains the Francoeur situation. The Braves have no clue how to evaluate their own players. WTF
Assuming Stark’s rumors are correct – I think Wren’s trade demands have less to do with player evaluation deficiencies on his part, and more to do with Wren positioning the Braves on the trade market. I suspect that the Braves are one of only a handful of teams with young pitching to spare, and Wren of course knows this. He likely won’t get his current asking price, but he can always lower his trade demands for Reyes et al. if the right deal (for the right bat) starts to materialize.
wiki
May 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
I agree that expectations for a 5th starter are low in relative terms. My comments are with respect to a SP on THIS team……that can’t consistently produce runs. You missed the point. I’berg missed the point as well. I wrote “at best”. For Glavine, for example, I would anticipate say 5 starts to run like this in IP, earned runs: 6,2…..4,4…..6,1…..2,7….5,4….realistically. On a team that can put runs on the board, Glavine would likely be of more value.
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
First off, Let me start by saying I think Frank Wren has done a great job protecting our young players. That is where my happiness ends. THere is no way this team is serious about winning because they are keeping Tommy Hanson in the minors. I am sorry but Tom Glavine should not be on this team. We deserve to lose every game started by a fifth starter until Hanson is called up. As much as I like Heyward and Hernandez, they belong in the minors for the whole season. Our offense sucks and their is no quick fix to solve the problem. I love this team and I will always believe we can compete, but the common sense in me knows it might take a few years of rebuilding.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
7:30 pm
A few trade options I thought of:
Mike Jacobs – The Royals have Billy Butler to play first base and DH. He is splitting time with Jacobs, but mainly DHing because of his poor defense. The Royals have trouble scoring themselves, but might part with Jacobs for Kotchman/Morton or something similar. Dayton Moore knows our organization inside and out, so if anything happens it would have to be a “fair” swap, or at least have that perception.
Conor Jackson – He is currently on the DL with some type of flu-like illness. He has lost 8 – 10 lbs. since getting sick. There is no telling how it will affect him. The good news, he plays LF and can play 1B if needed. He doesn’t have 35 HR potential, but can hit a legit 15 – 20, while hitting .300. I don’t know what it would take to get him. The Diamondbacks usually want pitching.
Chris B. Young – Of course, nobody would want him right now. But, if he gets out of his slump, he can hit 25 – 30 HRs, play a good CF or LF, and steal 15 – 20 bases. I don’t have much faith that TP can get him going, but we need to get creative.
Delmon Young – Of course, he hasn’t even been able to beat out Denard Span. But, he would probably be affordable. The Twins would want pitching, they always do. It probably could happen, but not anytime soon. They will try to stay in contention for as long as possible.
Jermaine Dye – not gonna happen
Matt Holliday – not gonna happen
michael
May 28th, 2009
7:34 pm
Rob…
It’s not going to do the Braves any good to bring up Hanson unless he can play outfield and can swing the stick. What good is it to bring him up here if we can’t score any runs for him? I say let Glavine have the 5th spot and then if we manage to bring in a bat or two that can jumpstart this offense…then bring up Hansen.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
7:35 pm
savannah dawg:
You are delusional. He is in High-A Myrtle Beach. Andruw was called up at the end of the year, when rosters could be expanded for the playoffs. He was not asked to do anything but get a taste of the big leagues. Did we think he could help us? Of course, or we wouldn’t have added him. But, we already had plenty of offense, with plenty of veterans. There was absolutely no pressure. Plus, he absolutely already belonged in the big leagues defensively. So even if he couldn’t hit, he could have been used as a late game defensive replacement or a pinch runner (he did have good speed when before he put on a bunch of wait and didn’t stay in shape). Heyward plays LF for a reason, that is where you put your worse defensive outfielder with the weakest arm. See Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Manny Ramirez, Jr. (this year), Pat Burrel, Garret Anderson, Matt Diaz, etc.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
michael
Don’t worry about it. Glavine is going to get every shot to lock down the 5th spot of the rotation. Hanson will not be called up until either Glavine fails/gets hurt, another pitcher suffers a significant injury (60-day DL), or Kawakami loses his spot due to ineffectiveness. The wild card would be if we traded a starter to get a bat.
savannah dawg
May 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
Does anyone know what happened to heyward at MB?He didnt play yesterday,and he’s not ine the lineup tonight.He’s missed quite a few games this year.Is he injury prone or what.Chipper 2.0
michael
May 28th, 2009
7:39 pm
Cameron…
Exactly…this is how it will go down. No doubt about it.
f.n.hale
May 28th, 2009
7:41 pm
When a person has had some success in whatever their chosen field may be, it is pretty difficult to totally change the way they operate. I think that is what Frenchy is attempting to do. How good he was in his first couple of years is arguable but what isn’t arguable is that folks were projecting him for great things. The fact that he is making the effort instead of being bullheaded and sticking to his guns tells me something about the guy. I don’t know the guy and only make guesses from what I see but it seems to me he has the intelligence and humility to have a reasonable chance of getting better. It looks like he still has to think about what he’s trying to do so his reaction time isn’t what it can be. In baseball a person can do everything right and still not have his hits fall and after a while get frustrated and get away from good fundamentals. He has lapsed already this year when things weren’t progressing but I like his approach o.k. again. I think the Red Sox can afford to gamble on a guy like that and maybe hit the jackpot. I would hate to see the Braves have to give up on him but I’m not sure they can afford the gamble if they’re committed to winning this year, which I’m not convinced they should be.
To go further with my “observation”, it looks like, to me, that Schafer’s stroke hasn’t changed dramatically thru his struggles. Whether he should change or not I don’t know but just wondering if anyone else is seeing it the same.
savannah dawg
May 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
Cameron-
heyward is playing RF,he’s even played center a few games this year.By all accounts,he’s suppose to be an above average fielder.five tools
bravito199
May 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
CAMERON
Actually Heyward plays RF and is good defensively with a good arm and has at least average speed
Danga
May 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
Salamander
There you guy implying that Wren has some level of competence. I don’t know if you have read the blog lately, but it is obvious from what I have read that Wren is clueless, Bobby is senile, and McCann is at best the 2nd best catcher on the team.
wiki
May 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
I do think a “centerpiece” bat would be a huge difference….thus making Glavine a realistic option. A true impact type cleanup hitter would allow the complimentary bats (mccann, chipper, yunel, KJ) to produce. Then the offense would be more consistent.
Erin
May 28th, 2009
7:44 pm
Medlen was pitching BETTER at AAA than Hanson, and look how his first two starts have gone. (okay, he didn’t pitch badly at times, but the overall results could have been better.) You can’t expect more than that from Hanson when he comes up either. Calling up Hanson is NOT going to be a cure-all for this team–likely wouldn’t be even if our problem was pitching.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
I didn’t miss the point wiki. You said that glavine is not the type of pitcher that will shut down a team. Obviosly he is not. But regardless of th offens on this team, NO 5th starter is a shut down pitcher and to use your stats if glavine gives us 6 innings and 3 runs we will be ahead of the game.
Jerald Holcombe
May 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
Anti-Negative Guy: I knew someone would ask why I would fire Wren. Actually I wouldn’t. I would find another position for him. It’s not that I think he did a bad job. Quite the contrary. I like the top 3 in the rotation and it won’t be long before Hanson will just make it an outstanding rotation. And if Hudson comes back strong, we could have one of the best 5-man rotations next year that we’ve ever had. But to be honest, I really don’t believe that the club will pick up the option on Hudson because that money will be needed elsewhere. Anyway, I think the team would have a hard time getting rid of Bobby because it would almost be a sin as long as he’s been here. So why not put him back in the front office. He really did a great job before being asked to return to the dugout. And his first official act could be dropping the hammer on McDowell and Pendleton.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
Sorry about that. I stand corrected. I thought he played LF for us in ST.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
Cameron Kotchman is not the problem on this team
Trey06
May 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
On my way to Chase Field (the stadium formerly known as Bank One) to check out Braves BP before the game.
Jerald Holcombe
May 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
hoho: Chambliss managed the Macon Braves at one point. I think Chipper was on that team. Anyway, as I recall, he was the first manager to win 100 games in that rung of the minors. Again, maybe someone can shed a little more light on that. Chambliss was also a decent hitting coach. I’ve always liked him and thought he had a level head on his shoulders. He was also one of my favorite Bronx Zoo players back in the latter 70s.
MGL
May 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
“To go further with my “observation”, it looks like, to me, that Schafer’s stroke hasn’t changed dramatically thru his struggles. Whether he should change or not I don’t know but just wondering if anyone else is seeing it the same.”
I think Schafer has the Furcal syndrome and is trying too hard to power his stroke. The worst think to happen to him was his first game HR, now he is trying too hard to do it more. I would like to see him shorten his swing and just focus on see the ball, hit the ball. Once he starts making regular contact, he can work on power.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
I respec your opinion Jerald but I believe Bobby would retire rather than go to the FO. And I believe Wren is doing a great job. But things are not going to happen overnight. I feel we have a good base both in the minors and the big team. But we obviously need more offense. The problem with that is it’s much easier to need it than to get it
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Both Chipper and Escobar are in the lineup, though there is another lineup, a backup plan in case Escobar isn’t feeling up to it after taking BP. Chipper’s playing. Just talked to him. He’s alright hitting left-handed.
LINEUP (for now, at least)
1. Johnson, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. Chipper, RF
4. McCann, C
5. Anderson, LF
6. Kotchman, 1B
7. Francoeur, RF
8. Schafer, CF
9. Lowe, RH
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
I never said he was. I think he is a good hitter and a gold glove first basemen. There are just no affordable, attainable options out there for LF. I think trading Frenchy is a mistake. I was trying to think outside of the box with a few assumptions: we need more power or speed, we aren’t going to get an impact LF, we are not going to purge our farm system like we did in the Tex trade. That is why I came up with Jacobs and Jackson. I only said to trade Kotchman, because you would have no need for two first basemen and the Royals would need a defensive 1B to replace Jacobs. Billy Butler is way below inadequate in the field.
MGL
May 28th, 2009
7:55 pm
Serious question here — Does anyone really know what a MLB hitting coach does? There are all kinds of players around MLB struggling and I was wondering if there are any regular duties that a hitting coach does either with the team or individual players.
Jerald Holcombe
May 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
2009 sucks: Friends was so freakin funny. That’s way it lasted as long as it did.
MGL
May 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
Perhap someone could forward this to Terry Pendleton —
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/05/06/padres-hitting-coach-blame-me/
Jerald Holcombe
May 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Rob from SC: I agree that Hanson should be brought up now. Some believe that he won’t be brought up until July because of the arbitration eligibility down the road, but that was the same issue that the club had with Schafer and he made the team anyway. So, I really don’t think that holds any water with the FO.
wiki
May 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
Yes anti-neg you did miss the point. 3 ER in 6 IP is not “ahead of the game” on this team as it stands. Did you see any of the SF series? Or the season for that matter? Even if the bullpen is perfect, the ERA is 4.5. This is a sub .500 team if it were to have a 4.5 ERA. It almost is with a 4.10 ERA! Again, if we’re talking about the Phillies, then 3 Runs in 6 would work.
mccan
May 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
why wont Mccan block the plate anymore? Is it because he was knocked silly last year? Now he wont block the plate for nothing.
That sounds like Mcscared.
mccan
May 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
put mccann at first and trade kotchman for a good outfielder.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Cameron, Kotchman is going to give us 15 homers 40-45 doubles 80 RBI’s and great defense. I understand we need more offense but I would rather have Kotch overall that Jacobs.. Maybe not as many homers but comperable production and tha defense is obvious
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Good reports on Glavine today. Worked at 82-83 mph with his fastball, but got one up to 86 in his last inning. He’s scheduled to make one more start, probably at Rome. Then it’s into Braves rotation, if no setbacks.
michael
May 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
Good to hear DOB…appreciate the report on Glavine.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Top two NL strikeout leaders are both in tonight’s game — Mark Reynolds (64) and Schafer (57). Third on list is Ryan Howard (54).
cs95
May 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
any reason KJ is back in the leadoff spot and kotchman is at the bottom?
f.n.hale
May 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
MGL “I think Schafer has the Furcal syndrome and is trying too hard to power his stroke”
You may be right, and I haven’t seen him until this year but he seems to me to be swinging just like he did in the Spring. Looks to me like the pitchers have found the holes in his swing (letter high/middle in and low and in) and he’s just missing. I agree though that he might be better served to shorten the swing, at least for the time being.
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
wiki……….5th starter dumdass!!!!!! He’s not a stopper he’s a 5th starter. don’t know the stats but I bet a 4.5 era for a 5th starter is average or better around tha league. It doesn’t matte what this team neesds he will be above average FOR A 5th STARTER!!!!!!!!
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
we should be trading away players and stocking our farm system for the future instead of destroying it so we finish in 3rd instead of 4th…. wouldnt this be the smartest move?????
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
cameron can give you 17 to 25 homers. kotchamn this year will give you 9 to 12 homeruns.
huge diference.
cs95
May 28th, 2009
8:17 pm
is there any truth to the possibility that schafer would hit better batting in the one or two spot ahead of chipper?
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
You never know. Moving Schafer up might actually work. Batting him in front of a good hitter might get him some better pitches. Also, as lead off the pressure of batting in runners certainly wouldn’t be there.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Gotta win 3 out of 4 in this series. It’s imperative. Go Braves!
AZ Braves Fan
May 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Hello everybody. Welcome to the desert. I’m looking forward to the good pitching matchup tonight. Going to see JJ pitch in person tomorrow night, bringing along my 83 yr old Braves-fan Mom from Marietta as well as my Braves-fan daughter.
DOB, let me know if you’re hankerin’ for some good ‘que. There are a few great ones out here.
O'brien
May 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
DOB, Any idea on if and when Bobby would give Schafer a day off? (I’m not sure who we could plug in center for a game or two, but dude seriously needs a day off in my opinion).
Scotty
May 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
Az braves fan where you from? I live in Tucson.
cs95
May 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
could be seen as a big deal: brett myers might not season ending hip surgery.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20090528_Myers_may_need_surgery.html?cmpid=16339736
Interested Observer
May 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
Chris Chambliss is managing the Charlotte Knights this year. They are the White Sox AAA affiliate.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
I just stole some weed.
AZ Braves Fan
May 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
Scotty,
I’m from Marietta, but I’ve lived in Mesa/Gilbert for 20 yrs. Are you traveling up?
toga party
May 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
I always think it’s fun to go back and read the blog the last time DOB used a certain song. Fun to see what the perspective was at the time, with the added filter of hindsight.
Blog from July 26th, 2007
Not a knock, btw. It’s inevitable that songs will be re-used over the years, especially really good ones. I just happened to remember reading those lyrics here before.
Good luck tonight Bravos! Go get ‘em Lowe.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
Ten girls in my Hummer is one for each toe.
Cameron
May 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
I agree with you on Kotchman’s numbers and that he is far superior defensively. But, you cannot underestimate the value of having power in your lineup. When you have a man on first with two outs a double may or may not score a run. A homer always does, and it scores two. When you are down by a run late in the game, facing a team’s best relievers, it is hard to string together a few hits to score a run, much less two or three. A homer scores one automatically, maybe more if people are on base.
Say we get Jacobs and he hits fifth. They have to pitch to Chipper cause McCann is behind him. They have to pitch to McCann because Jacobs is behind him. You put a man on in front of Jacobs, you may give up two runs on the next pitch. Escobar, Chipper, and McCann all are high on base guys and would give Jacobs plenty of RBI opportunities. Kotchman is solid and even comes through in the clutch, but Jacobs could go a long way towards legitimizing our lineup.
Scotty
May 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
Az fan, I’m going to the Sunday game. Just got out of school and took a little vacation to Cali for a week (I was at the San francisco game last night). Hopefully medlen can figure it out.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
If I ever fix the hole in my swing, I get to go back to my ghetto strut. Till then, just some F-Bomb Screams. Word.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
I sure hope the Braves play well tonight. Not many other games going on tonight. I don’t want another lousy performance plastered all over tv because they need something to talk about.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
I can slice a tomato with my baseball cap.
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
toga party
That’s interesting, but it also shows that you have WAY TOO MUCH time on your hands!!
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
If you put a flat-billed hat on this thing , you’d probably have a good rendition of Jordan Schafer.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Back when I played Hermie the Dentist, Santa wouldn’t let me thug that much. Punk*ss Santa.
Dipstick McGee
May 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
PWHjort– That pic you posted reminds me of an ex girlfriend.
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
You guys watching Glavine on CSS?
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
WTF, KJ Is leading off again…! Not Good! Why does Bobby continue to use the same struggling lineups, I mean, come on…
ANTI-NEGATIVE GUY
May 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
Cameron no way they are going to give good pitches to McCann because Jacobs is hitting behind him. Jacobs strikes out too much and is hitting 25o. Who would you rather face, Jacobs or McCann? Jacobs is at BEST an average first baseman and overall Kotchaman is above average. Find me someone other than you that makes that trade straight up
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
My Nike contract is dope. No, for real, it’s actually dope.
don pardo
May 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
Obrien:
Does Frenchy have minor league options? Why let him try to work in out in the minors rather than just giving him away?
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
My hat bill is aerodynamically shaped to keep my ears from blowing off when I run.
johnny bravo
May 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
jordan should attempt to bunt for a hit at least 3 times a game, like wesley snipes was required to do pushups everytime he hit a popup in major league. francine should be sent down, if he crys so be it. he can either work hard to get back or sit there, but they shouldn’t give him away. you know the phillies and mets are gonna be big players in some deals to put themselves over the top, hopefully the braves will do something.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
ESCOBAR SCRATCHED, which I’ve got to say isn’t too surprising after seeing how gingerly he took ground balls out there while ago. Diory’s in there again. Lineup to come.
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
don pardo,
Who would replace Frenchy if he went down to the minors? None of the OF at Gwinnett have shown any signs of doing better than Frenchy.
2009 Sucks
May 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
DOB @ 7:54 PM has Chipper Jones in right field.
Why not?
NO MORE STANKOEUR
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
I Think it will be imperative for the AWFense to spot D-lo a few runs early tonight so that the pressure will be off him to pitch like Cy Young…
There is nothing like feeling the pressure of giving up 2 to 3 runs knowing that that’s what the opposing pitcher needs to shut down our Anemic AWFense…
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
I made this face while I was doing some squats in the lift room and the sh*t got stuck like this.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
Braveheart–
Yeah, I’ve seen a few episodes of Sienfeld. Not the first time I’ve referenced it, either…
Thanks for the lineup, Chief!
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
NEW LINEUP
1. Johnson, 2B
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, 3B
4. McCann, C
5. Anderson, LF
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Diory Hernandez, SS
8. Schafer, CF
9. Lowe
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
Whoops…OK, guess my “Thanks for the lineup” was pre-mature!
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Erg! OK, for real:
Thanks for the lineup, Chief!
Tony LaRussa
May 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Might could try batting Lowe ahead of Schafer. Hell, it works for me.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
Steve Forbes’ Flat Tax cost me seb’mteen hats, yo.
Tony LaRussa
May 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
In case you didn’t know, I’m the smartest manager in the history of the game.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Oh, and the guy pitching for the D-Backs tonight was the first pitcher McCann ever faced in the Bigs! Gave Mac his first hit/RBI…intentional walk, too, I think.
Goldenglove002
May 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
I’d be putting this lineup out there now that Escobar is scratched. It definitely is nicer than last night even if we are missing him
1. Hernandez, SS
2. Kotchman, 1B
3. Chipper, RF
4. McCann, C
5. Anderson, LF
6. Francoeur, RF
7. Johnson, 2B
8. Schafer, CF
9. Lowe, RH
Francouer ahead of Johnson to evenly distribute the strikeouts. Not like Kelly could be useful with those 3 batters behind him. And who knows, maybe Francouer will get pitches to hit with someone out of the lineup (haha, I just love that he gave that excuse!)
Beach Dawg
May 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
So all say offense is a problem. So hitting is offense, right? So why is all the focus on the players and not the hitting coach? So what does the fact that Chipper goes to Pop when he has a hitting problem and McCann goes to his Pop for hitting issues and Francoeur goes to the Rangers hitting coach for help say about their confidence in TP??? And you expect TP to mentor the young ones like Schafer. I say time to replace TP – what say you DOB — you are certainly closer to the situation than any of us are?
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
I had a regular hat but I spilt some HGH drops on the bill and, SPOING!… it went like this.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
Is anybody saying how Yunel got this hip thing? I mean, I can imagine some scenarios but good lord. Really? It will be devastating with Yunel, Chipper and Infante all out at the same time for any length of time, especially when 3 spots in your regular lineup have the names Francoeur, Schafer, and Pitcher penciled in every day and that freight train of a June schedule that Coach dramatically warned us about.
Canadian Braves Fan
May 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
dawg people have been saying replace TP on here for weeks read
Tony LaRussa
May 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
People say I have a big head, but if I do it’s because I have a GINORMOUS brain.
McPappy
May 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Back in my day, we didn’t have enough money for musical instruments so we played the HAMBONE
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
D.O.B.
I hope Diory is in the leadoff spot…
I liked him there last night at least he worked the counts against Randy Johnson last night….
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Somebody tells me “stop looking at me like that” about 70 times a day.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:54 pm
One time I seen a mirror and thought it was some other dude and I said, “stop lookin’ at me like that.”
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
KJ in the leadoff Spot again…
You insert the result here…..
We go out in style losing tonight 1 run loss
D-Backs win 3-2 tonight
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
I gots a Hummer. What Josh Anderson gots?
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
McFann is dropping the heavy duty McCann trivia on us tonight!
wiki
May 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
ok anti-neg, what is your point?
The Humor Police
May 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
Fans Against Bad Right Fielders = funny
Schafer’s Facial Expression = Not funny
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
I use eleven parts of my tricep to strike out. Then I use nine neck muscles to cuss like a rich junior high kid with a drunkass daddy.
wiki
May 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
You want to start talking about league averages? Look at this team’s slugging pct, HRs, & SBs.
I like the guy….he was a big part of the lone WS title here….but he would be of more value to a team that can score runs consistently. All I’m saying…..I’ll bet that if he is in the rotation the rest of the year, he doesn’t win a fourth of his starts.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
Yep! BMac went 2-3 with an RBI and an intentional walk that night!
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
I’m'a hit The Humor Police wif my fly Hummer.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
9:05 pm
LOL the tshirts are out http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/5/23/884805/failcoeur-t-shirt-on-sale-contest
Redstick19
May 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
Humor Police-
yeah, but Schafer’s Facial Expression is good for web hits, so it’ll continue unfortunately. Dude’s probably got at least two pages worth… alos- haven’t seen McScary or Whatever post since Schafer’s showed up. Conincidence? Somebody’s been logged onto daddy’s laptop while he’s out.
Redstick19
May 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
dang, sorry about the spelling
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
9:09 pm
Disappointing Esco can’t go again tonight. I guess we need to give him time to fully heal, but we are missing him big time. Including Infante, but I guess the blog covered that information.
you can call me Al
May 28th, 2009
9:09 pm
I don’t think tradin for 1 guy or even 2 will not change the drive of this team. I think the offense is strill trying to find an identity and unfortunately it has revolved around Jeff.
Yes Kelly could be hitting better, but I place fault in where BC puts him in the order.
When wast the last time we had a good lead off hitter? And even then it wasn’t that good.
The pitching has been this good in quite some time and its a shame we can’t give then some run support.
I’m sorry if I’ve repeated a similiar interpretation recently.
“You can be my bodyguard and I can be your long last pal.”
D-rock
May 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Tomahawkin:
I agree, KJ is not a good leadoff hitter for whatever reason. But, what is the alternative? Schafer looks overmatched right now, Hernandez surely would be a liability this early in his ml career… not a better option I’m afraid. Should be a low-scoring one tonight.
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
McFann
Have you seen this picture? LOL!
http://www.talkingchop.com/photos/game-46-recap-giants-5-braves-3
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Everyone complains about the run support we give our starters, and I do agree the offense needs a shot in the arm from somewhere. But let’s not forget Lowe and Vazquez have gotten good run support throughout the season. Jurrjens and Kawakami is a different story.
Neon Deion
May 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Where McCarver at?
Redstick19
May 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
No offense, McFann, but that pic looks like something out of a horror movie. Scary.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
Aight, I’m'a go, but… when I fix my swing, I’m'a run this team. Watch. I’m'a be in the papers wif my punk noise makin’ my punk face. When Rollins and Reyes is like “we the team to beat,” I’m'a be like, naw WE the team to beat. And when old man Chipper get up in his rockin’ chair, I’m'a run EVATHANG. EVATHANG, BITCHESSSSSSSSSSS.
But if I don’t fix my swing, I’m'a be breakin’ off some HGH in tripass triple-A. Peacccccccce.
you can call me Al
May 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
Pryguy;
Are u sayin that if JJ n KK got the run support instead of Lowe n Vasq we would be in better shape? I think everyone would be more pi$$ed if they didn’t perform the way we expected.
Micki
May 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Francouer on the trade talk:
“I can’t worry about that… like I said before, there’s 30 MLB teams and I’d be honored to play on any one of them. Ya know I love playing here in Atlanta, but, ya never know what’s gonna happen but all I can do is play and do the best. If they feel they gotta make a move, then they gotta make a move.”
And we’d be honored if you played on any of the other 29, Jeff…PLEASE!!!
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Schafer’s Facial Expression
Is that you Urban Braves Fan?
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
I’m saying JJ could have more wins and Kawakami has kept the team in games where the offense scores 0-2 runs. I’m also saying Lowe has received great run support this season and Vazquez has to a lesser extent. Nothing to read into, but the offense has performed at times. If you read what I said before I made my argument, I agree the offense desperately needs someone/something to happen. Sooner rather than later.
Ambrosine
May 28th, 2009
9:24 pm
So ah’ wuz listenin’ t’de pregame show on de transista’ when ah’ heard uh Glavine’s puh’fo’mance today in de mino’s. ah’ may be da damn only one, but I’m not real impressed. Six hits in five innin’s t’AAA hitters plum isn’t dat good. Match him down against an above-average majo’ league offense and he’ll likesly git lit down likes some Christmas tree. Hopefully dat time when Tommy Hanson kin mosey on down down and not snatch away a controllable year be almost here.
you can call me Al
May 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
Ok wasn’t sure. But I think this offense is hit or miss.
LT- A Blogger
May 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
Good news about Glavine- I’m starting to think he can still help this team. They just have to stay close and have a healthy 2nd half and who knows? This division is still very wide open.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
I hate to keep bringing up this point, but damn, Sciambi has turned Joe Simpson completely into a stathead.
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
Ambrosine
Is that you also Urban Braves Fan? Quit playin games wit us.
Cactus Jack
May 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Remember when Fookie used to hit a homer and it would ruin his swing for a couple weeks? Schafer hit a homer his first AB of the season and has been garbage ever since.
Webster'sDictionary
May 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
Look, the cajun guy is back.
Cactus Jack
May 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
I miss Skip and Pete.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
Can Lowe pitch lights out tonight and bring this team a much needed W?
Ambrosine
May 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Is that you also Urban Braves Fan?
Yes. Ah’ said yesterday (in “Trade for bat might require patience”) dat ah’ wuz changin’ mah’ name fum Urban Braves Fan t’my real dojigger. Ah’ am NOT, however, Schafer’s Facial Expressions.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
AndyC–
Haha…think I might hafta go with Redstick19 on that one…
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
9:35 pm
Did Heyward re-injure himself? Second day in a row he is not in the lineup. Maybe he is going to Mississippi.
Goldenglove002
May 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
Anyone care to laugh at the Phillies? They don’t have any pitching anymore after losing Myers. Just Cole Hamels and some crap behind him. And they don’t have the pieces to acquire anyone good.
C’mon Wren, just get a bat and our only worry will be the mets not completely flopping in September (and what are the chances of that?)
Ambrosine
May 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
Look, the cajun guy
Does mah’ name sound male t’ya’? I’m Ambrosine, not Ambrose.
NRBQ
May 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
As to the opening comments, DOB:
I hope Bobby realizes we’re better off with Chipper batting lefty vs lefty than with whoever would sub for him.
BossLady
May 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Wow, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, just WOW
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Enter your comments here
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
No, i’m not about to laugh at the Phillies for having an injured player. It’s bad form to do something like that. If they play badly or do stupid things, then i’ll laugh, but never at injuries.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
Until We Get More Offense I’m not laughing at anyteam in the league…!
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Right on cue, Gimper Jones and a the GIDP.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Gawd this AWfense loves DP’s!
Rob from SC
May 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
I just don’t think there are any young impact bats that are available
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:47 pm
Everyone’s available. It’s just a matter of how much you’re going to overpay. In our case, we’re not acquiring a young bat. Not an old one, but not a YOUNG one.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
Well, we could always trade the Phils some pitching for some of their offense. hmm.. NAH
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
I looked that ball into my glove.
AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:50 pm
Boog: “On Base Percentage. On Base Percentage. Facebook Page. Trivia Question. Facebook Page. On Base Percentage. On Base Percentage. Facebook Page.”
Joe: “I agree.”
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
Oh man, I think Stephen Drew might have that same awful walk up music Frenchy uses.
Also, a couple of fly balls from a ground ball pitcher. I hope that’s not a sign of things to come.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
WTF? Really?
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:52 pm
Hah. Tony Armas Jr. ONLY gave up 6 runs in today’s Gwinnett Braves game.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
9:52 pm
Wow…Cleveland is playing like the Braves did quite a bit in the ’90s…dominate the regular season…and, well, not so much in the playoffs. The Cavs had a 22-point lead in the game and now only lead by 1 at half.
Cactus Jack
May 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
I say we trade Francouer to the Reds for Micah Owings and have him play RF. BANG! BANG!
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
ha ha ha! PWHjort…. really, that is all the guy talks about!
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
Trivia question: “Who did Stephen Drew room with at Florida State University?”
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
Good Play KJ…Nice!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
9:54 pm
BravesFan
What Song was it the Stephen Drew came out to…?
RHR
May 28th, 2009
9:55 pm
Trivia question: “Who did Stephen Drew room with at Florida State University?”
Somebody on Joe and Boog’s facebook page?
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
9:57 pm
That boy (Mac) is a hitter.
Frankie Knuckles
May 28th, 2009
9:57 pm
That Sports South Jeff Francoeur MLB debut video clip just seems to taunt now.
braves70
May 28th, 2009
9:57 pm
Tony LaRussa,
I’m calling you out. You knew exactly what was going on with steroids in the Oakland clubhouse and the problem strangely followed you to St. Louis. Your head is so big because you ingested too much HGH.
Necromancer
May 28th, 2009
9:58 pm
How bout some moon pies, folks???
Cardinal Umbertus Cunnilingus
May 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Drew roomed with Matty Diaz at FSU. Sancti Spirito
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
RHR,
Is Matt Diaz’s brother on the Joe and Boog facebook page?
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Come On AWFense NO MORE DP’S, Gracias
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
Rally Killer up, Lets See how it goes
Jonathan Simeone
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
I would not support rushing Hernandez under normal conditions. But Schafer’s struggles are beyond comparison. When you have a hitter who is on pace for roughly 175 strikeouts and 7 homers–something’s got to change. Also, Hernandez is a more accomplished base stealer and this team really needs that. If there were any other options that were not already established as good to average minor league players I would not suggest bringing Hernandez up. Besides, a guy who has that kind of speed, is willing to bunt, and makes some contact has a chance to run a .250 average. Remember, Schafer did not even hit .270 at Mississippi last year. So, it wa she who was rushed.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
frenchy turn it around here? big hit early on??
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
Franceour should bunt.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
Nobody ever misses ol’ Ernie but me…
Tony LaRussa
May 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
braves70……. Hey, I resemble those remarks.
JEB
May 28th, 2009
10:01 pm
I think as the year moves forward – we will like Garret Anderson quite a bit! He is starting to get in gear and looks like the true hitter he really is!
Ambrosine
May 28th, 2009
10:01 pm
Jeff Francoeur be killin’ dis team. Not coo’, bro.
Vinings Jim
May 28th, 2009
10:01 pm
Oy.
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:01 pm
Nice AB, Frenchy!!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
Fcking Frenchy…! Arrrghhh!
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
Francoeur: At least he don’t get hurt much.
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
how does he lay off the one before that but swings at that pitch?
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
Frenchy swings at one about two feet outside.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
true to form, struck him out! here come the rants…
Frankie Knuckles
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
Hey man, at least you got rich
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
…he shoulda bunted…
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
That might have been a foot outside, that pitch Francoeur swung at.
Catcher was setting up outside to begin with, and it was six inches beyond that.
Rob in Mobile
May 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
And the beat goes on………..
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
Jeffrey….raisin’ that trade value …..little by little.
i cant take it anymore
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
nice cut by frenchy with a runner on second
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
I’m going to keep posting the same thing every time people suggest Gorkys as a replacement for Schafer.
Career Minor League Stats:
Jordan Schafer: .270/.339/.447 – 178 ISOP, 69 Batter’s Eye
Gorkys Hernandez: .295/.354/.405 – 110 ISOP, 59 Batter’s Eye
Schafer had 2 and 2/3 full seasons plus a rookie league shortened season.
Gorkys has had 2 full seasons and a rookie league shortened season (plus this one).
AA stats:
Gorkys Hernandez: .339/.393/.417 – 78 ISOP, 54 Batter’s Eye
Jordan Schafer: .269/.378/.471 – 202 ISOP, 109 Batter’s Eye
Neither one of them is ready for the big leagues, but based on their minor league track records, Schafer is much more ready than Gorkys. Gorkys displays very, very little secondary offense (other than sb). He doesn’t hit for power, he doesn’t really draw that many walks, and most of his stats are batting-average driven. Part of the reason his average is so high is he legs out infield singles all the time. One of the biggest differences between minor league baseball and MLB is the defenses in MLB are far superior to those in MiLB. You can’t tell me that if Gorkys were called up today you’d expect him to fare better against MLB pitching than Schafer currently is. Take away a few singles and a few doubles from Gorkys just due to the better defenses, and he’s already looking like a replacement level player. And we haven’t even accounted for the fact that the pitchers are way, WAY better. Schafer is struggling right now because he can’t hit MLB pitching like he could hit MiLB pitching. But he’s providing secondary skills with his bat and in the field which make him not a total black hole of a roster spot. While Gorkys would provide a similar level of defense, he’s not really capable of providing the secondary offensive skills that Schafer possesses, and he ain’t going to jump into MLB from AA and hit .339 (which is what he has to do to be an above-average offensive player), or even .285, so calling up Gorkys is NOT the solution.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
Peanut Butter Moon Pies are very, very, very, very, very, good. Almost like what Ted Turner said bout the AOL/T-Warner deal. lol
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
Man It Is Painful watching this team hit with R.I.S.P and less than 2 outs!!!
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
DOB–
He sure is!
Necromancer
May 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
Awfense reeking yet again…
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
Here I go… gimme dat whiff juice.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
Automatic out
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
That third strike swing by Frenchy was just incredible. The pitch was almost in the first baseman’s hands.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
Don’t worry guys, K’fer will drive ‘em in.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
How can a team win with such ineptitude with their 6-8 hitters?
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
I felt a breeze in my living room from that Francoer k .
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
I do feel bad for him, because the guy (Francoeur) really does want to be good, and cares. This is killing him. He’s not just shrugging his shoulders and saying, “That’s baseball.” He really isn’t doing that. If all of you could see him on a daily basis, in the clubhouse, etc, you’d know what I mean.
Necromancer
May 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
Moon Pies rulez!!!
i cant take it anymore
May 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
nice cut by logan with the same runner on second. It’s the flat bill curse, the beer says…
Vinings Jim
May 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
Oy
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
GAWD THIS AWFENSE BLOWS!!!!
Frank Wren Do Something NOW!!! SHYT!!!
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
I can’t believe Schafer struck out w/men on base. Who’d have thunk it?
Necromancer
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Fathom that…another K’fer strikeout!
bravesphanatic004
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
it wasnt like he was late or anything.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Settin’ records, baby. Settin’ records.
FaninFaytown
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
I am sick of the damn strikeouts jesus christ!!!
Ambrosine
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Stenchy and K’fer: dynamic duo.
Loaf gots a hit dough.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Frenchy and Schafer strikeout when we need them, what’s new. It may have been Dan Haren pitching but I think they could have ran out one of their bat boys and got the same result.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Siddown Schafe!
My Gawd this is getting old folks! Yet, I keep watching…..
Cuck-a-too
May 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
Hey Look another Schafer Strikeout…the sun will come up this morning…
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
Just to compare the Dodgers lineup (without Manny) and the Braves.. Matt Kemp is batting 8th today.
Rob in Mobile
May 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
Lots of air being circulated in the desert this evening, courtesy of Huey, Dewey, and Louie, our 6-7-8 hitters…….
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
I suggest, FaninFaytown, that you find something else to watch then.
Tokyo Bravo
May 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
Bottom of the lineup not exactly Murderer’s Row is it?
Well, unless you mean by that that they’re killing US!
That was one ugly series of ABs.
RCinATL
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Yet another rally killed by the efforts of Francoeur and Schafer.
HuffBraves
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Bottom of the Braves lineup: where rallies go to die
Rob in Mobile
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Mixxo, it’s sort of like a train wreck. You want to turn the other way, but you can’t help yourself and you look anyway……..
keylargo
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Shafer is overmatched. He needs to be sent down to work on not only his hitting but his defense. Not a thing wrong with doing that and I see no reason why he can’t be a regular one day. Just not yet.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
D.O.B.
Agreed from one of your previous blogs our 6-8 hitters have to be last in the league in production no matter who hits in those slots. Our 6th through 8th sluts are Automatic outs and have been all season ever since the 6th game of the season…
TNScott
May 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Well, that was real Kute. But all too typical.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
DOB @ 10:04
I agree and I feel for the guy too. I’m out of answers however.
bravesgirlnc
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
You know, I have seen a couple of people say that Schafer is so bad and does not need to be hitting 1st and Kelly is the only option. Thing is, Kelly hits SO much better lower in the order, and Schafer is just about an automatic out hitting 1st or 8th. So, why not switch them! It would probably be less pressure on Kelly and thus give us some offense when he hits.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
The KKK is suin’ my ass for copyright infringement.
Jeff Francoeur's Mom
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
Time to pack it in boy, and come on home. You swing like a wash woman. I am embarrased to be your mother.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
Teams pitch to Frenchy the way they pitched to Dale Murphy at the end.
Murph would lunge at wild pitches outside…
Sativa Rose
May 28th, 2009
10:09 pm
Another K for Mark Reynolds
Phillip Jarrett
May 28th, 2009
10:10 pm
How can the Braves expect their fans to pay good money to watch the same lack of offense every single night?
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
10:10 pm
We can all feel bad for Frenchy, DOB, but the guy still is getting 3 1/2 million playing a game for seven months of the year. I expect most of us on the blog have not made even a million our entire work lives. So we are all frustrated too and fans are allowed to boo and to expect better.
pittifull
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
I was listening on tv and they said that the pitcher really toughened up after those 2 hits. hahahahaha
give me a break. Why cant these guys hit if they practice all the time.
I think the problem is terry pendleton. You never hear of him doing anything. I have heard of chipper going to shaffer and talking to him but never TP. come on guys…
Cactus Jack
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
Jim Edmonds is still a free agent
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
I’m beginning to wonder if the Phillies or Mets have an extra player in their salary book. Somebody check Frenchy’s banks account for bribe money.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
Francoeur, Diory, and Schafer. What a great trio of rookies to have all in a row …..
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
Gawd K-Fer’s Defense is Overrated!!! And has been all season
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
Reynolds strikes out a ton, but at least he offers pretty solid production around the strikeouts. He’s got an .890 OPS and 10 SB. Not bad at all.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
Schafer can’t even field. Ok, how did Schafer get a copy of the Bobby picture file?
keylargo
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
There is a perfect example of what Schafer needs. Tried to cut the ball off to quick and it got by to the wall for a triple instead of a double.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
Right on, Rodney @ 10:10
freshd
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
I think FRANCOEUR should see if CLEMSON is still holding that football scholarship for him. He could do a CHRIS WEINKE or QUINCY CARTER. He is big enough now to play linebcker. Oh wait a minute, linebackers have to hit somebody, FRENCHY can”t hit the side of a barn. FORGET THAT THOUGHT!
pittifull
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
lets bring up somebody and give them a chance. these guys have proved that they cant do it.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
When you join the Braves, do they hand out the Bobby pictures to everybody? geez
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
A “K” here from Lowe here would be nice…Franceour and Schafer have plenty to spare…
bravesgirlnc
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Agreed Tomahawkin. Agreed. He looks flat bad out there some days.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
This offense is bad, i mean horrible. Our 6, 7, 8 hitters are killing us.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Rob in Mobile – Man, you’re not kiddin’. I feel like one of those rubberneckers.
Wow! Ya’ll see the glare Lowe just shot at K’fer for that sad route to the ball?
If looks could kill…..
TNScott
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Although I hoped he would return to his 2007 form, it maybe time for him to be dealt for his own sanity ala Kyle Davies.
Frankie Knuckles
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Did ya’ll see Lowe give K’fer the stink eye after that poor route?
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
I think It was a year ago everyone and they mama was wanting us to trade for Eric Byrnes…Where did those talks go…?
I think he has fallen off bad from signing that big contract…
Dr. K
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Hard to believe….Braves Murderer’s Row Francouer-Hernandez-Schaeffer all strike out with two on. This Braves lineup is one of the worst in baseball history. No power, numerous strikeouts, hobbled star (Chipper), disinterested check-collector (Andersen). At least we have the most feared cleanup man in the game Martin Prado. What a disaster!
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Thats the ballgame.
Sativa Rose
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
They hand out Sativa Rose pictures
johnny bravo
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
why feel sorry for francine, millionaire, 3mill raise, could’ve bunted mccann over but didn’t wanna give up the out for the team, instead looked awful as usual
Necromancer
May 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
a 1-0 score will be too much for this awfense to overcome!
Zap Rowsdower
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
Wow loaf, great effort. Good flippin grief
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
Hope we find an offense before we face the Yankees and Red Sox.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
…I guess Lowe couldn’t get those guys to share.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
like i said, with runners on and those two comin up…might as well change the channel to another game because the score aint changing
Mark P.
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
I agree unknown. thats the ball game
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING HERE. I UNDERSTAND THAT WRENN CANT JUST CHANGE A TEAM OVER NIGHT. BUT GEEEZZZ… WE GOT TO DO SOMETHINNG AND DO IT QUICK. I UNDERSTAND OUTS BUT NOT THIS KIND OF STRIKE OUTS AND NON PRODUCTION.
Trey06
May 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
Oh well.
Gregor Blanco
May 28th, 2009
10:15 pm
I can’t believe this guy gets to play center while I rot in Gwinnett. Somebody please look at my recent stats, especially today’s game.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
10:15 pm
honestly…..maybe shaffer should just start bunting. Every single time he’s up. At least then hed know what CONTACT feels like
Frankie Knuckles
May 28th, 2009
10:15 pm
Mixxo,
Get out of my mind..
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:15 pm
BravesGurlNC
Another reason that K-FER needs to be in AAA…He is killing us in all aspects
He needs to work on his defense
He’s Overmatched at the Plate, He has No range , and If he was stealing bases he’d be ok but he even isn’t doing that…
nfieldr
May 28th, 2009
10:16 pm
Shamus… from the previous page, I’m hoping you’re referring to Ernie SR. If so, then yeah,
you’re not the only one who misses him.
The Truth
May 28th, 2009
10:16 pm
Is Jeff Francoeur better than Brandon Jones?
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:16 pm
Frankie Knuckles
Yeah I caught that. A stink-eye fer sure!
Don’t blame him a bit either. He’s also tired of losing.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:16 pm
Lowe gimme the stink eye, yeah, I seen it. I gave him two back. It was easy, just turned my head that way.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:16 pm
YEAH. AT LEAST BLANCO COULD GET ON BASE ON OCCASION
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
Tomahawkin–
Ugh…I was never in on those talks! I think Byrnes bugs me more than the Reaper does!
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
You know you’re struggling when you go 4/5 and it only raises your average to .243. (Gregor Blanco, I’m talking about you.)
18 Wheels of Love
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
Hey DOB,
I’m at Dark Star with the fam for a long weekend. There isn’t a channel guide in this room. Any idea what channel the game is on here? Just thought you’d know from all the time you spent here. Stars Wars weekend is coming up…wonder if I’ll see any geeks?
DALE MURPHY
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
I couldnt have swung at that outside pitch any better.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
Bob Marley is probably Loaf’s Music, Good Smokeout Music
Martin Prado is a good guess as well
And maybe Esco…
BravesDave
May 28th, 2009
10:17 pm
Opposing pitchers must get so excited when they see this Braves team on the schedule. They are facing half a lineup.
Mark P.
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
the only way we have a chance is for someone to hit a homerun
TNScott
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
The question of the night. Which will happen first: a Jeff Francoeur homerun with runners on or a Benji Molina infield single?
Pat
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
DOB, if Frenchy truly cares, he shouldn’t mind being sent down to AAA Gwinnett and try to figure things out…..somehow, I don’t think he “cares” that much
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
When I think of Francoeur I always think of this:
“Francoeur asked for $3.95 million and the team offered $2.8 million. He settled near the midpoint (one-year, $3.375 million contract), and can earn an additional $25,000 with 685 plate appearances”
Just think if he actually got his asking price of nearly 4 million.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
We need to cut the dead weight. Send Failcoeur, Queefer, and Norton Hears a Hoo to the minors and call up Barton, Blanco, & Carnivares (sp?). Maybe even Brandon Jones. Point being, this lineup needs to be shaken up before were 10 games out.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
Heck, is Jeff better than Greg Norton?
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
Mixxo, Get out of my mind.
Nothing gets by us!!
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:18 pm
Gregor Blanco’s OPS is now a pitiful .629. Schafer’s OPS is .623 right now, as awful as he’s been.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:19 pm
it just makes me not want to watch them. thats why i sit here and bash them and it makes me feel better
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:20 pm
Dass my charlie-sheen lookin’ brutha wit dat double. I’d'a went three, though. Strikes, I mean.
BossLady
May 28th, 2009
10:20 pm
Two men on, Francoeur, Hernandez and Shafer useless at-bats. I’ll watch Orlando & Cleveland. Good luck Braves though.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:20 pm
KJ is not a problem, as streaky as he may be. And I’m not saying that after his double.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:21 pm
McFann
I will Admit It I was on that Trade for Eric Byrnes Bandwagon…
Didn’t he hit 20 homers and steal 50 bases in 07…Hell he was probably on HGH or Ginseng….
Northern Braves fan
May 28th, 2009
10:21 pm
DOB, in your opinion what was a worse scam, Madoff’s ponzi scheme, or Francouers arbitration hearing in which he was able to up his salary?
Vinings Jim
May 28th, 2009
10:21 pm
Joe Simpson must think he’s on the blog.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
10:22 pm
Chipper, where you at?
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
10:22 pm
Nice to hear Frenchy’s not acting like Tex.
It’s easy to joke about somebody when it’s going badly, I do it myself, sometimes to the extreme. It’s getting past the joking stage with Jeff.
I feel sorry for the guy. He’s gotta be pressing like crazy. If he’s not, he’s not human.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:22 pm
I agree, why not KJ in center for at least a game. Schafer is an automatic out
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:22 pm
Northern Braves fan…. Braves and Francoeur settled without going to an arby hearing.
Tim McCarver
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
He’s with me. You’re a real man, PWH.
freshd
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Jordan Schafer, SPRING TRAINING PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
Madoff
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
what I did is nothing compared to Francoer’s thievery!
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Nice hit by Gimper!
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Mama there goes that man!!!!!!!
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Attaway Hoss!
Louisville brave
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Chippah!!!
Phillip Jarrett
May 28th, 2009
10:23 pm
Thanks Chipper.
Vinings Jim
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Northern Braves Fan – there was no arbitration hearing for Jeff – they reached an agreement on the number in the middle just before the hearing. GO Chipper!!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Hey, Wasn’t Norton the best Pinch hitter in the league last year as some of the bloggers claimed on here…
I’m not hatin on Nawton… But Pinch Hitting is a hard skill to perform as some people seem to not understand…
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Well, at least that rules out a shutout.
LT- A Blogger
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Just missed it- nice CJ.
Shamus Thacker
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
It’ll never get past the joking stage with Hammy btw…
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
Geez, Joe and his apologia on the TV. Saying Kelly made the right decision not to go to third on his drive to right. If he had been running full tilt at the start, there would not have been a question with their outfielder fumbling the ball. He would have scored from third on Casey’s grounder.
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
That’s the way to do it Hoss!
Ronald Millsaps
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
You only have 27 outs to work with in a game, and it makes all the sense in the world to use them effectively. Let’s look at the reigning champs for a minute; I’ve said it before and will again: A typical fly-ball to right by Shane Victorino last year had as much to do with their success as a typical three-run homer by Ryan Howard.
Nutritionists discuss calories vs. empty calories, and folks like me discuss outs vs. productive outs. I recommend bringing up Gregor Blanco to play center and bat leadoff and moving Jordan Schafer to Triple A in an effort to fill the holes in his swing.
Please don’t tell me about Blanco’s current numbers at Gwinnett, just like I’d rather not hear about Schafer’s numbers in spring training. Blanco has proven that he can play here; Schafer hasn’t–except defensively, an area which, to his credit, has been exceptional.
Blanco is also the fastest guy on our 40-man roster and the only guy you can look at as being a natural leadoff hitter. He also has productive at-bats consistently and fouls off a lot of pitches, which aggravates pitchers and gives teammates a bird’s-eye view of a pitcher’s repertoire (just ask Pete Van Wieren, who commented many times on Blanco’s fouling pitches to the same spot). Obviously, it’s one thing to lead the game off by grounding out on your second pitch and another to ground out on your ninth or tenth pitch.
I’d go: GREGOR BLANCO–CF; DIORY HERNANDEZ–2B (more speed); CHIPPER JONES–3B; JEFF FRANCOEUR–RF; BRIAN McCANN–C; YUNEL ESCOBAR–SS; CASEY KOTCHMAN–1B; KELLY JOHNSON–LF.
I wouldn’t trade Francoeur. As mentioned, his upside exceeds his downside, and his not batting cleanup is hurting him and the team. It really is. He also is a great role model and PR guy. When he said, “I just flat-out stink.” a year ago, the fact that he said “stink” and not the alternative speaks well of him.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:24 pm
There we go Hoss, About Time You do something…! Maybe this will get the Awfense going!
MBroswell
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Way to go Chipper!!! In any other park, that would have been a homer.
Eric from MO
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Northern I thought the Braves and Francouer avoided arbitration hearings? I could be wrong but I thought they agreed about a week before them.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Well we got our run for the night.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Top five batters all gots hits. Not us down here, though. We chill.
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
RHR,
That was hilarious! What a nut
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Again we have a bit of delay with the internet, and Chipper saves the day.
Heath (Cleveland)
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Braves have finally broke through against a very good pitcher…and…have caused him to throw 50 pitches so far here in the 3rd inning. The guys aren’t doing too bad.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Francoer does not handle pressure well. If we had an absolute power hitting left fielder, he could be fine maybe. He can’t handle the pressure imo-unfortunate!
Wes
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
might as well walk mccann and garret intentionally. guaranteed to limit the damage.
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:25 pm
Braves and Francoeur settled without going to an arby hearing.
Amazing too. The Braves met and the middle and vastly overpaid for what was probably the easiest, most slam-dunk arbitration case ever. Francoeur wanted 3.95 million and everyone agreed he had no shot to win.
But going to hearing would “destroy his confidence.” Gosh, what would he be playing like if his confidence was destroy in that arb. meeting?
Fluffy McNutter
May 28th, 2009
10:26 pm
Norton was the best pinch-hitter in the NL last year. It’s fact. It’s not opinion. Look it up.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
10:26 pm
Thank you Chipper. Even with a bad wheel he’s more productive than Schafer and Frenchy put together. Shoot, I think Chip could stroll up on crutches or roll up in a wheelchair and manage that.
Eric from MO
May 28th, 2009
10:27 pm
Tomahawkin I disagree with Pinch-hitting being a hard skill. I dont claim it isnt hard but I think it is more luck. With so few at-bats 4 hits can make a bad pinch hitter into a really good pinch hitter. This is just my opinion.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:27 pm
pryguy – that’s my favorite call in sports right now. Love it. lol
Brett
May 28th, 2009
10:27 pm
hey peter didnt realize you were such a huge braves fan…its brett. montag freshman year haha. nice blog by the way
pryguy
May 28th, 2009
10:28 pm
Haha, my buddies and I are using it as much as possible, it’s great.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
10:28 pm
Somebody please point out this bad defense Diory is supposed to have. I’ve yet to see it.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:29 pm
way to go we got a run!!!!! runs are about as little as money in our treasury.
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:29 pm
As mentioned, his upside exceeds
And what “upside” is that? Upside is used for younger players with little experience: not a player going on 26 who has played in nearly 600 games and has over 2,300 major league at-bats.
At some point, you gotta admit that the .309 career OBP is who Francoeur is. He is an out-maker.
BravesDave
May 28th, 2009
10:30 pm
Maybe Bobby Cox should consider separating the professional hitters in the lineup. Maybe alternating them (Chipper, McCann, Kotchman, and Anderson…possibly KJ) with the guys that are incapable of hitting major league pitching (Francoeur, Schafer, Hernandez, and the pitcher)…
Right now, putting Francoeur, Hernandez, Schafer, and the pitcher in consecutive spots in the order is literally giving the Braves 5-6 chances to hit in each game, rather than the 9 chances provided by the rulebook.
Dumbfound
May 28th, 2009
10:30 pm
Ronald Millsaps, even you can see that ! Oh ! wait a minute, He’s blind ! And so are you !!! You got to be kidding !!!!
johnny bravo
May 28th, 2009
10:30 pm
b.jones hitting over .300, over .340 against rightys and he’s down there and francine here, prima donna jordan waffer needs a reality check and a marta ride to gwinnett, fast
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
Eric From MO
Good Point…About the Luck thing and pinch hitting…
But to sit on the bench all game and then come out against a teams set up man or closer is hard to make the most out of 7 pitches max
is this love
May 28th, 2009
10:31 pm
i thought for sure it was going to be jeff porter
Northern Braves fan
May 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
Thanks for the correction guys, obviously the point was that it was a joke for Frenchy to make money after the season he had last year. If anything he should pay the people who bought tickets and MLBTV
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
where is brad komminsk when you need him?
The Truth
May 28th, 2009
10:32 pm
How about trading Francoeur straight up for Mark Derosa? Similar salaries. Although Cleveland doesn’t really need corner outfielders. They have LaPorta and the Choo Choo train.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
OMG they were Playing Old Bone Thugs N Harmony “Notorious Thugs” For Augie Ojeda
That damn Song is a classic Rap song…Great beat
D.O.B.
What You Know about that old Bone…?
keylargo
May 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
McFann
Times are so tought in the outfield, you might have to grit your teeth and welcome the Reaper with open arms if we could somehow get him in a trade.
But, we know you’ll never have to do that.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
Somebody get on base so I can get my whiff on.
MBroswell
May 28th, 2009
10:33 pm
Lowe rolling again. Great to see!
Pat
May 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
Let’s face it, with this lineup, there is no way we can compete in the division over 162 games. As tempting as it might seem, a trade is not going to change that. The past few yrs have shown that the Braves “buy high and sell low”….we would get nothing in return for Frenchy right now. It will be at least one more, probably two yrs before the young guns in the minors are ready to step up.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
The Truth
WnineBrenner and The Yanks will land Derosa, “Bank On It!”
MLBtraderumors.com has the lastest 411 about Winebrenner pursuing Derosa
Eric from MO
May 28th, 2009
10:34 pm
Bravesdave then they could just walk Chipper or Mac or who ever and pitch to Schafer or Francouer or the pitcher.
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
We gots one dumb outfield. Frenchy is country dumb. I’m city dumb. Garret… he just dumb dumb.
Louisville brave
May 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
Any Westminster grads on the blog tonight?
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:35 pm
trade kotchman and mccann at first. use him to get an outfielder…
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
I believe ChaseField has the Largest MLB VideoBoard Now… Looks Nice, I love Retractable roof stadiums BTW…
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
that is put Mccann at first and use sammons or ross at catcher.
Eric from MO
May 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
The Truth why would Cleveland trade DeRosa for Francouer?
Mark P.
May 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
Im going to predict the next innning. Anderson Groundout, Francoeur pop up. Hernadez groundout
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
jeff will strike out again
MBroswell
May 28th, 2009
10:37 pm
Anderson SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
Diory got to get on or I can’t strand nobody.
keylargo
May 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
Francoer does not handle pressure well. If we had an absolute power hitting left fielder, he could be fine maybe. He can’t handle the pressure imo-unfortunate! groundfog
When JF came up he was among the leaders for a couple of years in batting average with RISP. He was the man you wanted up with men on base. That disappeared with his power.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
I’m gonna Stop Commenting on Frenchy…! Words can even Express my opinions about him
And Joe Stop making excuses
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
C’mon Diory the Explora!
Mark P.
May 28th, 2009
10:39 pm
whats Francoeur’s states for the last 7 games. does anyone no. Is he like 0 for 20 or something? can someone verify that
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
its funny to watch the expressions in the dugout. they are all carrying a chip on their shoulders. they all know they stink
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
Keylargo as a rook he felt no pressure-now is quite different.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
no i don’t want to whiten my teeth. these ajc ads are killing me
Stimpy
May 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
The natural has naturally lost his abilities to play baseball. How sad.
turning the page.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
I hope I never sit near some of you at any game ever. I might get arrested, and I have never been arrested before.
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
10:41 pm
Francoeur is 8for26 his last 7 games before tonight.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6345
c jonze
May 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
I like Joe Simpson, but it seems to me he has become the biggest Jeff Francouer apologist anywhere…
BravesDave
May 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
Is Joe Simpson dating Jeff Francoeur?? Seriously, how many more excuses can he make for Jeff? Now, pitchers aren’t making any mistakes when they are facing Jeff? Ummmmmmmm, maybe that is because Jeff is such an easy out. The opposing pitcher can relax and throw the ball anywhere and Jeff will get himself out. There is no pressure to force a mistake.
Enough already. I can’t handle it anymore. I am a Dolphins fan and this is officially worse than watching Jay Fiedler try to fill Dan Marino’s shoes season after season after season when he was clearly an inadequate NFL QB. It is over. Francoeur needs to be removed from this team, regardless of how that is accomplished.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:42 pm
well you all saw what happened with andruw jones. he found himself on another team. Frenchy is a goner. its just a matter of time.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
RHR
LOL, I’m usually Chillax at the games checking out the Chicks while getting tuned up…! You don’t have to worry about me
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
All season, it has been painful to listen to the Braves announcers when Francoeur bats. It’s like listening to all 3 coaches and the parents of a 10th place hitter in a little league game.
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
If anything, Blanco is trade sweetener. He didn’t show that he could really handle big league pitching last year. I don’t see him as a short-term or long-term answer for the Braves’ ails. I’d much rather see Brandon Jones get some ABs.
(Russell Martin just had a very late slide into second base to break up a DP in the Cubs-Dodgers game. That’s the kind of shizzle that starts really good brawls. Musta been hangin out with Dahntay Jones).
But … did anyone know that Vick and the Human Society are ‘using each other’? Says so on the ajc.com/sports front page.
I’m glad the Humane Society is looking after animals. Maybe the Human Society is looking after the better interests of people. It’s about time!
The Truth
May 28th, 2009
10:43 pm
Dan Haren is going to go seven strong tonight.
Eric from MO- I don’t know. Thought maybe they would take the guy that is younger and controlled for two more seasons. But I have a feeling Jeff will be released by years end, regardless of what team he is on. No team is going to be willing to pay him more than 3 million. So he is really just a 4 months rental at this point.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
Brent A.
Agreed, I’m tired of this Atlanta “Golden Boy” Thing for Francoeur
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
Rodney Derrick: Where in my comment that you referenced did I say you weren’t allowed to boo Francoeur or anyone else, and to expect better — or expect whatever you want? You can expect him to be Mickey Mantle, for all I care. Seriously, your prerogative.
Where did I even suggest that? I just said I feel bad for the guy. If you don’t, perfectly fine by me. Then say it. But don’t try to suggest to me what I should think or write about the subject.
Doc Holiday
May 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
weak GA is already hitting .272………………just saying.
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
Kelly
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
Anyone seen the KJ “defensive” lovers?
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
kelly bobbled it. Trade HIM!!!
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
I am up for anyone to play outfield at this point. what about chief knockahoma
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
it must be the white shirts again
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
No Fcking Fundamentals, Nuff Said!!!
Schafer's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
At least we gots defense.
D. Lowe ’bout to get steamy into some ADD Meltdown Madness.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
I like Joe Simpson, but it seems to me he has become the biggest Jeff Francouer apologist anywhere…
Eh, I think everyone knows that Frenchy is awful, and there’s no reason to bash him like some here have on TV. Really not any need. I don’t see anything wrong with Joe rooting for him because 1) we do want him to do well and 2) everyone knows he’s not, so it’s not like Joe’s decieving anyone.
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
that look on Lowe’s face said, “remind me to call my agent.”
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
Ballgame.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
Jeff is 11 points away from his 08 season average. And he’s on pace to hit worse than last year …
keylargo
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
Schafer plays the ball badly off the wall.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
Trade LOWE. He’s done, stick a fork in him.
Vinings Jim
May 28th, 2009
10:45 pm
Not a tough lip read from DLowe there.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
OMG Now Our Defense Sucks!!!
Loaf and K-Fer, COME ON!!!!
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
lets trade him for a hot dog vendor.
Doc Holiday
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Hare 69 pitches in 4 innings………..way to go bravos
Cooper S
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Louisville-
What Westminster are you talking about?
NRBQ
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Condolences, Dave.
I can’t read this childish crap another moment.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
we pay for every friggin mistake lol
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Go ahead and change these runs to Kelly Johnson! Sheesh.
I hope no one honestly thinks this team can compete for anything other than third place with the defensive liability at second base. MOVE HIS ASS TO THE OUTFIELD PRONTO!
Garret's Facial Expression
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Dey livin’ it up at de Hotel California…….
What a lovely place…
I hate Bobby’s face….
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
This team is doomed.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
ball game. we cant score any runs so thats it.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
Lowe drops a major F-bomb after that. Can’t blame him.
yes
May 28th, 2009
10:46 pm
There’s your “plus” second baseman Braves fans! You’ve gotten the complete Kelly Johnson experience this game
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
I told you guys about 6 weeks ago that K-Fer’s Defense is Overrrated
Lowe's brain
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
was that extra year on the contract worth playing for this stinkin’ team?
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
I’ve been on Francoeur, but even I’m sick of mentioning him. He sucks to high heaven, is apparently never going away and what else can be said?
freshd
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
Garrett Anderson makes FRED SANFORD look fast.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
GAWD this team Sucks!
Doc Holiday
May 28th, 2009
10:47 pm
Fielding error by KJ…………thats a new one……….hhhhhmmmm………..maybe not………
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
10:48 pm
What a costly error by Kelly. Ouch. That’s just brutal, would-be double play.
hubris
May 28th, 2009
10:48 pm
so kj’s defense strikes again. sigh… at least 2 runs that shouldn’t have scored…
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
10:48 pm
This is truly embarrassing. We can’t beat subpar teams at all.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
10:48 pm
… is it Monday yet?
Stimpy
May 28th, 2009
10:48 pm
I want a pool at my stadium. waaa
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
Let’s lure maddox out of retirement. He’s the missing puzzle piece.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
Game Over!
Man Lowe Even is shrugging his shoulders in defeat…
The Truth
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
Quick question for the blog:
Do you all think Lowe/Vasquez/Jurrjens can keep this up every night? Shutting down our opponents? Nope. It isn’t going to happen. They are all good pitchers, but none of them are legit #1 starters. Therefore this offense needs to bail them out a few games a year.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
How come Byrnes is the only guy allowed greenies in baseball?
That guy would make nervous ….nervous.
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
Dbacks have scored 4 runs…game over. We can’t put more than 2 or 3 on the board in a single game.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
looks like a long losing streak a coming…
you cant win when you cant score.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:49 pm
How many runs has our defense given away the last few games? unreal
Pat
May 28th, 2009
10:50 pm
Mark my words, this losing stretch will be the beginning of the end for this team this year
Doc Holiday
May 28th, 2009
10:50 pm
Were freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
freeeeeee falliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg
were freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Free faaaaaaaaaaaalling yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
Chucktown Brave
Dan Haren Isn’t a Sub-par pitcher…The division winning squads could beat this guy but Not the 2009 AAA Braves
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
Would someone give Garret Anderson a can of Give-a-Damn?
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
I agree. It has been the June swoon the last few years, but it looks like we are getting started here in late May.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
yep. pat is right! this is the beginning of the end. we may lose 10 to 12 games in a row here. we have nothing to stop the bleeding.
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
10:51 pm
GA is hitting .272 — with a big, fat bagel in the HR column and five doubles in 90 at-bats for a robust .622. At 11 RBIs in the first 90 at-bats, he’d drive in about 66 runs for the season. Plus, he’s playing sterling defense. Getting to everything from the West End to Decatur. Nobody’s running on that hose of his. He’s worth every penny.
I am already weary of his tenure in a Braves uniform. If he was a horse, his nickname would be Glue Factory.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
Get Lowe out.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
why did we get anderson??? he cant field and is slow as christmas.
and we said we didnt want dunn because of his fielding???????
Doc Holiday
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
My favorite player at its best………… good thing is that with all his power this 3 unearned runs mean nothing………….goooooooooooo KJ
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
get lowe out of there. get him on a plane to Boston for JD Drew.
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
Forget the Indians’ 10-run comeback against the Rays recently; the Braves and their offense coming back from down at least three would be a way bigger comeback story.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
I was going to say Hanley Ramirez and Barry Larkin.
Ronald Millsaps
May 28th, 2009
10:52 pm
Eric from MO–You’re right, and the other guy was wrong; the Braves and Francoeur DID avoid arbitration.
“dumbfound”–You can try to insult my comments all you want, but you’re demonstrating reason in the process.
“stinger”–Blanco would help this offense significantly, for the reasons I mentioned.
Francoeur is a work in progress? What’s his upside???? His upside is that he can hit a lot of homers and drive in a lot of runs. He needs an identity and needs that identity to be that of a run-producer, not a run-scorer. Right now he looks ambivalent about what kind of hitter he’s going to be, and that indecisiveness is hurting him and a huge factor behind his tension at the plate. He’s going to have to relax and is going to have to be prepared in order to relax. His statistics aren’t all his fault. His not being used at cleanup, as I said, is hurting him and the team.
I wish he’d rest his chin over his left shoulder the way Matt Williams did. I think that very gesture would make a huge difference for him. I really do.
Mixxo
May 28th, 2009
10:53 pm
Go get Derek Bobby. He doesn’t deserve this kinda stuff, he’s a pro.
Kinda sad to see how this debacle is affecting him.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:53 pm
D-Lo will be out after 5, This will be painful to watch once the Blow-pen comes in
Elvis Presley
May 28th, 2009
10:53 pm
I was wondering if…. you’re loathesome tonight.
Mike Hancho
May 28th, 2009
10:53 pm
The one thing I can’t stand looking at anymore is GA on the field – he isn’t a baseball player anymore and looks more like a pale immitation of someone who used to love playing baseball.
Ronald Millsaps
May 28th, 2009
10:53 pm
not* demonstrating reason in the process (correction)
BravesDave
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
Anyone wondering how Wren could make such an idiotic comment about the outfielders that were available in free agency this offseason??? Basically saying that he didn’t feel that they could be trusted to play the outfield for a full season??
Have the Phillies been complaining about Ibanez’ defense all season? The Nats complaining about Dunn’s defense? Yet, Wren wants us to believe that he thought Garret Anderson could be trusted in the outfield?
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
That .622 in the previous post should have an OPS after it. Not the oops that Frank Wren is probably saying to himself after signing him.
And once again, a team with an anemic offense is stringing together hits when they need them against the Braves. I’m a big Lowe fan, but this is something that the Braves’ hitters cannot do, unless they’re named McCann or Escobar or sometimes Larry Jones Jr. This inning alone, a .214 hitter, a .171 hitter and a .237 hitter have hits against Lowe. I don’t see the dregs of the Braves lineup coming up with such hits off Haren this evening.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
millsaps needs to call terry pendleton and take his job
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
The Braves need to be sellers before the deadline so we can get rid of these guys and rebuild.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
Rest of the team’s incompetence finally rubbing off on our star pitcher
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
Another game that proves my fact that the Braves only come Correct when they play the good teams of the league…
Another game of unimspired baseball by the AAA braves!
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
10:54 pm
If Kelly Johnson is a major league 2nd baseman, Clay Aiken is WBC heavyweight champ.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
10:55 pm
Good thing our 60 million dollar pitching staff can’t shut down the NL West offensive juggernauts.
Ronald Millsaps
May 28th, 2009
10:55 pm
AGGHH!! That “Francoeur is a work in progress” was a statement, not a question. Omit the question mark for a period.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
10:55 pm
this Diamondback Juggernaut is unstoppable!!!
Boo
May 28th, 2009
10:55 pm
I wish Carlyle was still around. This is the perfect no-hoper game to bring him in for the laughs.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 28th, 2009
10:55 pm
Going to go check out the ORL vs CLE game … 4 qtr 9min 82 to 86….. I am outta.
Mike R
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
Does anyone else question Escobar’s desire/heart? He missed a lot of games last year with a shoulder injury. He as missed a lot of games this year with a muscle pull, (from jumping in the on-deck circle) and with a “hip flexor.” You can be sure that Cal Ripken would have played through all those “injuries.” I have followed basball intently for a long time and I can never remember any of these great SS missing time with these type “injuries” (See Pee Wee Reese, Luis Aparico, Alvin Dark, Mark Belanger, Dave Concepion, Ozzie Smith).
If Escobar takes this many games off at 24/25, what will he be like in his late 20’s and 30’s?
On another point when can the Braves get a 2nd baseman that can catch a ground ball? Flex Milan (1968 – 1971) would have caught that ball.
freshd
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
STICK A FORK IN THEM.
c jonze
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
These guys are scrappy. I wish our guys had more tenacity.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
bottom line is we suck. someone needs to start up the bag heads at the stadium again.
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
Oh, and Rodney Derrick: Comparing athletes/entertainers’ salaries to our own is pointless. Really, what does it mean? So Jennifer Aniston makes $10 million for working a couple months on a movie set, more than 5 firefighters or soldiers might make combined in their working lives. No, of course it’s not right. It’s absurd, really. But it’s the way it is, and has been for a very long time.
We, or at least many of us, pay large sums to be entertained by a relatively small group of people who can perform those tasks. We pay $10 to see a movie, $30-50 (or more) to see a concert, $12-15 for a CD, etc, because we want to be entertained. Same reason that most of the 30,000 or so people in this ballpark tonight have paid between $5 and $50 to see this ballgame, and some paid a lot more.
Can you expect more from a guy because he makes $3.5 million or whatever? Sure. Because he’s eating up part of the team’s overall payroll. But when he’s out there playing, I don’t think that he — no, I’m pretty certain of it — that he’s not playing or thinking or trying any more or less because he’s making this or that amount. So in that sense, the salary is a moot point in this discussion.
AndyC
May 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
I hate to be one of those pessimistic Braves fans…but the way this team is running on offense right now….. I think this game may be over. I think I will go to bed and hope to be surprised in the morning by a Braves comeback.
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
10:57 pm
DOB, I am sure you know we all appreciate your efforts, and I understand you were simply reporting the pain in Francoeur’s competitive heart from his difficulties. However, I was trying to explain why the attitudes among the fans are starting to harden. We know you do not soak us with the apologies of Joe and his fellow announcers. Yet, as several on the blog have pointed out, all you have to do is look at Derek Lowe’s expression, and it is clear some of the players are exceedingly frustrated too.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
10:57 pm
the braves are the new cure all for basement dwelling ball clubs
Jake W.
May 28th, 2009
10:57 pm
“Do you all think Lowe/Vasquez/Jurrjens can keep this up every night? Shutting down our opponents? Nope. It isn’t going to happen. They are all good pitchers, but none of them are legit #1 starters. Therefore this offense needs to bail them out a few games a year.”
Um, I think thats the case for just about every pitcher out there. Number ones or not, every pitcher needs to be bailed out every now and then. No secret there.
coach joe
May 28th, 2009
10:57 pm
Kelly error that costs us the ball game.Remember the dropped infield fly lasy year that cost us the game against the phillies and we went intio the tank..Kelly seems like a nice guy, but he is a defensive liability at second base.. same oh same oh.. as soon as i buy the baseball cable package, we drop four straight. so much fun..
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
here goes a 1-2-3 inning.
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
we will go 1 and 6 for this road trip. 5 behind 1st place behind the marlins in 4th.
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
Well, that was a quick out! Will Lowe bback out there in about 2 minutes?
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
At least Schafer made contact… 2 pitch flyout
RHR
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
So basically, Zambrano got suspended for 1 game. Guess we’ll see him Thursday night then.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
10:58 pm
Lets go trade for Luis Durango.
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
D Lowe 1 pitch flyout
K'fer
May 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
Hey! I got wood on it!
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
2 outs on 3 pitches, pathetic.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
Since Garret Anderson just stands around and watches the game, shouldn’t he have to buy a ticket?
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
10:59 pm
they need infante and yunel. baaaaaaaaaaaadddd
Wes
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
“its embarassing because we can’t beat a sup par team”
we ARE a sub par team!
Supes
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
Do you think the Cards will still take KJ and JoJo for Ludwick?
Wren should make that call:)
This game looks lost to me. Braves look completely overmatched with the exception of Chipper and B-Mac.
The Lower half of the order is like a black hole that doesn’t end…starts with Jeff, ends with the pitcher’s spot.
This team will be lucky to scratch 2-3 runs per night the way things are going.
Too bad, D-Lowe has been making pitches. Even the Double by Reynolds was a good slider low and away.
common sense
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
Dave…How can the ownership feel right about charging ticket prices that high for the quality of talent they are putting on the field.
I used to play ball in the yard as a kid and pretend to be the guys in the lineup. If I was a kid today I would find another team.
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
Kelly with a K to end the inning
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
The O-Dog would look so sweet at 2B right now. O wait, Frank Wren doesn’t take my advice.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
come on kelly good job
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:00 pm
lol.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:01 pm
Way to make up for that defensive mistake Kelly.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:01 pm
mark my words Diamondbacks: 2009 World Series Champions
RHR
May 28th, 2009
11:01 pm
Hey on the all star voting is it 25 times per day or 25 times total?
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
11:02 pm
Tomahawkin–
You were on the bandwagon? Man…Yeah, I mean, I would not want Byrnes…you couldn’t pay me to take him…
Elgth…and he always gets so many hits against us! I wish he was still with Oakland!
Keylargo–
Don’t know that I could welcome the Reaper with open arms, either, you’re right.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:02 pm
ha! i knew it would be a quick inning. Never fails, other team has a big inning and the braves go in order barely making the pitcher work.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:02 pm
curtis jones,
Great post.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
11:03 pm
bigmacattack: it would be rude for the braves to make the opposing pitcher work up a sweat in his home park
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
11:03 pm
RHR–
25 times total. BUT, if you change your e-mail address, you cann vote 25 more times!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:03 pm
Man! I’m getting Hot Flashes out of Anger watching this Pathetic team execute
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:03 pm
23-24, CHOO CHOO !
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:03 pm
why is Lowe still out there?!
chrisw148
May 28th, 2009
11:04 pm
This is the most inconsistent Braves team I have ever seen since I started watching games in 1991. This team looks great on day and looks bad for 5 straight. One thing is consistent you can’t win every game 2-1 or 1-0. I feel for the starting staff because the have no run support and must feel that have to pitch a no-hitter everytime out.
Supes
May 28th, 2009
11:04 pm
This season will make or break Wren. He will have a chance to make the rational, calculated decisons that will be huge for this year and the next.
Something radical must be done to send a msg. and fuel the desire and passion of this team. They seem to be just hanging their heads and can’t fight their way out of this hitting slump!
RHR
May 28th, 2009
11:04 pm
Thanks, McFann.
Boo
May 28th, 2009
11:04 pm
Eventually some of the blame needs to go to Derek Lowe. He ain’t looking good out there, error or no.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:05 pm
McFann
Yea, I will Man-Up to it and admit it…Most Bloggers won’t do that…
I was Also on the Bring Corey Patterson/Ryan Freel Bandwagon 2 years ago…
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:05 pm
that’s what i’ve been saying boo. we need to trade him for some wood
Trey06
May 28th, 2009
11:05 pm
So that’s 4 losses in a row. I’ll be sitting in better seats tomorrow to see loss number 5 tomorrow.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
Thats our 60 million dollar man!
RHR
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
I think my man Lowe is ’bout done for this night. They’re hitting everything he throws up there. Wish we could be so lucky.
jtb
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
RHR
If you just take a letter off of your email address after you vote 25 times you can vote a lot. Or just make up email addresses. It all works.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
DOB brought up a good point; what will the Brave’s excuses be this time when the top of the rotation won’t be able to get it done during this series?
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
Mexican Chippendale is warming up in the pen!
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:06 pm
Only 3.5 back, only one game under .500, we are gonna be fine.
AND PIGS CAN FLY !!!!!!!!!!
Boo
May 28th, 2009
11:07 pm
“Diamondbacks threatening to break it up.” -Boog
With the AWWfense, it has been broke open!
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:07 pm
The last 3 years the braves have been inconsistant…
My Boy just Pointed it out on Facebook
1st it was the Blow-pen
Then It was the Starting Pitching
Now its The AWFense
But One common denominator in the last three years in which the braves have sucked at is Fundamentals…The Braves have Sucked Since 2006 at doing the little things to win games…
StingerSplash
May 28th, 2009
11:08 pm
Blanco’s BA last year was .251 and he was 13-of-18 in steal attempts — that’s decent, not great. His OBP was not that bad at all at .366 (better than just about every other Braves OF right now). But his batting average of .243 and slugging percentage of .294 at Gwinnett don’t exactly make anyone else in Atlanta expendable right now. He has to become a better hitter to go with his very good eye and patience at the plate to become a true threat and force the Braves to play him in Atlanta on an everyday basis — and I don’t think he’s going to develop that.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:09 pm
Fire TP, Cox, and Wren!
kermit kelsey
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
Enter your comments here.
benoit jonathan
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
Enter your comments here
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
No fundamentals is bad coaching and that’s the managers fault.
Sam 95
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
I don’t have a clue how to fix this offense? I’m at a loss for words!!!! Schaffer and Frenchy are a joke.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
I don’t know what y’all are looking at, but I saw some great young competitors giving it their all tonight. They displayed courage, guts, a lot of heart, and didn’t give up when the odds were against them. Oh wait, that was the National Spelling Bee.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
Enter your comments here
Boy Who Just Pointed It Out On Facebook
May 28th, 2009
11:10 pm
This AWfense blows!!! SHYT!!!
algernon heung-do
May 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
Enter your comments here
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
curtis – haha, good one.
Wes
May 28th, 2009
11:11 pm
u guys want to laugh? check out the box score. Notice anything different between the top and bottom of the order?
Chucktown Brave
May 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
I agree, unknown!
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
trade the chipster while he’s got a good 300 games left in him
alfons murgatroyd
May 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Jake W.
May 28th, 2009
11:12 pm
“Thats our 60 million dollar man!”
Please, Lowe is not the problem so don’t even put this on him. Any simpleton can see what our problem is. If you must rant at least make it make sense.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
Coach, give the June freight train thing a rest. You’re impressing no one. Seriously. everyone knows the Yankees, Cubs, Sox, etc. are good. Quit acting like you’re the greatest baseball mind since Branch Rickey and contribute something useful to the conversation (you know, come up with an original and relevant statement, and cut down on the repetitivity (although the rest of the blog could use that lesson too)).
derk gaston
May 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
Kotchman: out
Chipper: out
That was quick.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:13 pm
Another quick inning. God, this is hard to watch. Its sad really.
Rodney Derrick
May 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
Maybe it is the time of year. Just saw Big Papi break his bat over his knee in the dugout. Add that to Zambrano who has always been explosive. So no surprise to see frustration on Bravos, though perhaps we all might feel better if someone on the team pulled something like that. Really, Bobby has not yet been booted. So much of the team must have that laid back, accept mediocrity Garrett Anderson attitude.
Bar Chung-ya
May 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
Sheesh, show some life even if you lose Braves.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:14 pm
The Braves should have a Verizon logo on their uniforms, because they’re phonin’ it in….
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:15 pm
where’s my rally monkey
c jonze
May 28th, 2009
11:15 pm
Bobby hasn’t been thrown out of a game in a while… Now might be a good time. Might get SOMEONE fired up.
Unknown
May 28th, 2009
11:15 pm
curtis, your on fire tonight brotha.
RHR (The Eternal Optimist)
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
Hey, at least the game is moving right along. No 3 hour game tonight!
guthry jon
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
this sucks
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
Kelly made an error, which is part of the game. Lowe’s giving up 9 hits so far may figure into the score as well.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
bobby should brake schafer over his knee like big papi broke his bat
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
6 runs in 4 games…! Someone Needs to be Fired For this Shyt!
I hate WhineBrenner but he would pull a trigger on a performance like this!
ARRRGHHHH!
6-4-3
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
Lowe was right. Jair Jurrgens is the ace of this staff. It was proven tonight.
Mitchell
May 28th, 2009
11:16 pm
I just spent about ten minutes trying to write something really clever but it wasn’t. It was long and boring.
What I really wanted to say is that Kelly sucks. Yeah, that’s it.
He totally sucks. It’s the truth.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
CHOO CHOO
Woop der it is, woop der it is, woop der it is.
McFann :Ô:
May 28th, 2009
11:17 pm
You’re welcome, RHR!
Tomahawkin–
Ryan Freel? So you were right there with Wayne, eh?
David O'Brien
May 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
By the way, I vastly overestimated attendance tonight: It’s only 19,452. My bad.
Hamish Lalitha
May 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
Boy is this going quick. Oh well, they’re not coming back anyways.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:18 pm
So this Glavine guy is almost ready to play? Cool. Can he bat fifth and play left field?
GOALTENDER
May 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
Anderson -doesn’t give a dam – puts me to sleep
Francoeur-useless – Boston please.
Schafer- hopeless at this age
Cox & Wren-watching the Titanic go down.
Make some changes boys-any change will be good
As somebody once said, we can lose with anybody.
I very seldom blog butfeel better now!
oldschool
May 28th, 2009
11:19 pm
The braves attitude, I’m afraid isn’t going to change until somebody gets traded or fired.Hap I don’t think playing with your monkey will help but you can try
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I love my baseball team.
I need some Valium.
Kaiser Septimus
May 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
Geez there are a lot of sponsors.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:20 pm
This team disgusts me.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:21 pm
1-2-3 inning 4 Lowe.
freshd
May 28th, 2009
11:22 pm
Maybe Bobby realizes that even if he gets thrown out of a game, he still has to wake up the next day and manage a roster that is full of crap. Why bother?
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:23 pm
remember that dude that killed himself that was traded for 10 maple bats? Sad.
c jonze
May 28th, 2009
11:24 pm
I just want to say for the record: I still love this team and believe they will sort it out. If not, the future still looks better than at any time over the past few years.
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:24 pm
I think I’m going to start looking at the braves as what they are: entertainment. And as such I currently find them more entertaining when they lose and an 0-7 road trip will be very entertaining. Kinda like soap opera story lines:
- What will Chipper’s next wild and crazy injury be?
- Will it be possible for Francoeur to bat .099 and still get worse?
- Can Schafer possibly strikeout more?
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:24 pm
we need:
2nd baseman
right field
left field
3 base
infante …..thats it.
N8
May 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
“Chipper’s playing. Just talked to him. He’s alright hitting left-handed.”
So let me get this right. Last week Chipper says the team is better off with him on the bench. And now it’s OK for him to hit left-handed? What? He doesn’t have to run when he hits left-handed?
Take a couple weeks off Chipper. The team needs you from June 1st until October if they have any intentions of needing you for most of October.
I’ve had Wren’s back for quite some time. Liked the moves before last season. But this team had more injuries than any team should have to endure, so I cut him some slack.
This year? Not excusable. He let this season “ride” on Francoer turning it around. And while I like him “gambling” on Schafer in CF, it is darn near criminal to not have a ML capable CF as a backup (with Infante out).
But that’s OK. It’s still early, right? No need to rush out and make a trade. Oh. That’s right. Nobody wants to make trades in May. Perhaps next year, he’ll put together a complete roster. If he still has a job.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
I feel like i’m watching part four of an in-depth documentary on how to fail at baseball.
LT- A Blogger
May 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
Trying to remain positive but the Kawakami/Halladay game may have been the high water mark for the season.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
Frenchy was thisclose that time to breaking out of it!!!!!!!
I think it was the new bat that messed him up that time. The old one messed him up, too. He just never seems to get a good pitch to hit.
He’s thisclose!!!!!!
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:25 pm
when you are re-building you don’t supose to spend 100 million
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:26 pm
kotchman, enough with infante. losing a good bench guy is what good teams get over quick.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:27 pm
This team disgusts me.
Then don’t watch them. It’s that simple! If you aren’t excited to watch your favorite team play ball, pick a new hobby. I can’t believe I still come here for legit baseball talk anymore. This place has disintegrated into post after post of juvenile B.S. Even the guy who claims to be a “veteran” “Coach” sounds like a 12-year old kid in his posts. Seriously, we’ve got one guy that only talks about June trains like he’s a freaking prophet, another guy that can’t make a post without AWFense, jubroni, shyt, or randomly capitalized words, and still thousands more that will tell us how much player X sucks or how employee Y should be fired. Whatever, cats. In the words of one of the few good bloggers left…”I’m surrounded by idiots.”
WREN
May 28th, 2009
11:27 pm
even if we trade for 1 bat… won’t make any diference. remember when we had tex, we still were .500 club
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:28 pm
Whatever you do, Bobby, don’t put that Matt Diaz guy out there. Might upset the chemistry of this lineup. And it could result in fewer quality at-bats for that Murderer’s Row outfield ya got out there.
Bravesfan
May 28th, 2009
11:28 pm
I think Frenchy needs a 150 pound bat. He can just stand there and take pitches. His obp would probably go up.
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:28 pm
at least we have schafer leading off the top of the next inning. Here’s hoping he’ll start a 5 run rally.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:29 pm
Neyer was right: this team made its bed when it started this season with Anderson, Schafer and Francoeur…now it has to lose in it.
WREN
May 28th, 2009
11:29 pm
brady, we are a good team, but we have no depth. and we miss him sooooo much.
we could make the play offs, if averything goes perfect.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
11:29 pm
A legitimate “true” fan can simultaneously be a fan of his team and be disgusted by it. The key is to expect bad things to happen. When good things happen, don’t expect them to continue. When good things continue, expect them to quit happening. When they don’t quit happening, buy the World Series Champion DVD.
N8
May 28th, 2009
11:29 pm
“The Braves should have a Verizon logo on their uniforms, because they’re phonin’ it in…”
Or because there are a ton of dead-zones in their lineup. Hey Francoeur!!! Lay off the low and outside slider!!!
Can you here me now?
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:30 pm
I feel for Jeff myself. He’s probably never tasted failure until the last few years. He came into the league as an immediate success, had a couple of productive years, and now can’t do anything right. Money aside, yeah I feel for him big time.
Mitchell
May 28th, 2009
11:30 pm
We are currently on the doorstep of another fourth place finish if they don’t ****ing start doing something about it now, this week… tomorrow.
This is slipping away and the Mets and Phillies don’t deserve to have us falling off the map. They’re not that good.
If we had Chipper relatively healthy, Escobar and Omar and Hudson healthy and somebody who could hit in the outfield and Kris Medlin not being in the rotation and Vasquez not having his trademark bad inning in an otherwise decent start we might be a second place team. Or at least something resembling respectability.
We are not going to win with Hernandez, Schafer and Francoeur at the bottom of the order, or the top, or the middle.
Why aren’t they doing anything about this ****!?
hawpeless
May 28th, 2009
11:30 pm
Steve from OH: your post DisgustS me as does this team full of people who should be fired and traded.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:31 pm
McFann
I’m Gonna Bring Up the Trade for Shane Victorino Bandwagon…!
Who’s On Board The HOOOOOOTRAIIIINNNNNNN?????
We need a Centerfielder, We Need a Leadoff Hitter, We Need More Spped…Shane Victorino Fits All Needs!!!!
Plus I love his grittyness, and his GO-ALL-OUT attitude which is what this team needs BAD!
Philly Needs some Pitching, Myers is Hurt… Trade Anyone other than our top 3 and Hanson…
Even though trades amongst rivals is rare, especially during the season but Something needs to be done NOW!!!
Thoughts…?
Including D.O.B.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
*SIGH*
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
we need speed, we need one bat and we need fans to follow the team. if they play at home or on the road, the games are quite and boring.
freshd
May 28th, 2009
11:32 pm
I believe that the way the BRAVES are playing on this west coast trip, that by the time they return home, we might be saying wait until next year.You can have all the good pitching in the world, but if you can hit you won”t win. REMEMBER, CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL.
Supes
May 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
It’s hard to watch and not be negative when you see how they approach each at bat, the results, and their attitude.
Garret Anderson seems like the laziest, most lackadasical person I’ve ever seen wear a baseball uniform.
At least D-Lowe let out an F-Bomb after the run double by Reynolds. He’s a competitor. He fraking cares and is like a bulldog on the mound. Now if this translated to any of our hitters outside of B-Mac and Chipper, we maybe able to field a competitive team.
This Road Trip is going to get off to an 0-4 start. Braves will be lucky to get a split in ‘Zona.
Jake W.
May 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
“kotchman, enough with infante. losing a good bench guy is what good teams get over quick.”
Not when the guy he is backing up gets hurt too. Losing Infante hurt because we lost depth on our bench. Then you lose Escobar who is your starting shortstop and that loss of that bench player becomes glaring. You are now down to your third string shortstop.
N8
May 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
Steve From OH, sounds like you’re “disgusted” with the old blog? Perhaps you should take your own advice? In no way am I telling you to go away. That would be sill, rude and pointless. I enjoy your “company”.
But somebody claims the Braves disgust him, yet continue to pay attention. And your advice is to find a new hobby. Yet here you are returning to a blog that you state “can’t believe I still come here for legit baseball talk anymore.”
Hypocracy? You tell me.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
Cry, Steve from OH.
Tomahawkin
May 28th, 2009
11:34 pm
4-29 Hitting w/ R.I.S.P. This roadtrip…?
T-Hawkin is getting another Hot-Flash thinking about that!!!!
Danga
May 28th, 2009
11:34 pm
Steve from Ohio…Amen on that 11.27 post.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:35 pm
I would like to know how TP is handling this. Who, if anyone, is he working with, and what is he telling them? How does he address such a disfunctional offense?
Supes
May 28th, 2009
11:35 pm
Hey, be of good cheer. 2011 we’ll actually have some talanted OF with power and a revamped roster! That’s only 2 MLB seasons away!
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:35 pm
N8, I should’ve specified “during game time.” Big omission. Lunchtime is a rather plesant time to blog.
PWH–I enjoy your input, I really do. Yours was just an easy one to pick on…
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:36 pm
You have to give Lowe credit. He’s hanging tuff.
LT- A Blogger
May 28th, 2009
11:36 pm
DOB should be proud!!!
Kansas’s Kavya Shivashankar spells “Laodicean” to win the National Spelling Bee Championship!!!
Though, she’s not nearly as hot as Anoushka Shankar. It probably would still have been more fun than watching this. I’m going to bed.
Jeff321
May 28th, 2009
11:36 pm
Haren hits the cold concrete.
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:37 pm
braves need to get some kind of spark or something, next month is bruuuuutal. we might be trading instead of looking for an outfielder in 30 days.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:38 pm
Steve from OH, I’m with you.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:38 pm
Haren hurt himself, but could have struck out Schaefer from a stretcher.
N8
May 28th, 2009
11:38 pm
Losing Infante WAS huge, because regardless of him being a “bench player”, he was our best hitting CF. Our best hitting 2B. Our backup 3B. And our backup SS. Along with not only our best leadoff hitter, but one of the better ones in the league (statistically in 2009, anyhow).
So yeah. It was a big deal.
“…losing a good bench guy is what good teams get over quick.”
Whoever stated that makes one VERY BIG incorrect assumption. This isn’t a good team. Yes. The Braves in 1995, would have “gotten over” losing their utility guy.
The way Wren constructed this team, no. They won’t get over it anytime soon.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:38 pm
I think you know I’m not one of the ones on here during games ripping people after every at-bat or constantly calling for people to be fired, etc. But the way this team is content to score 2 runs a game, the way we don’t work the count, and the way we just generally play with no passion whatsoever (except Mike Gonzalez) disgusts the hell out of me. It’s like I’m a bad guy for being disappointed when my team plays like crap. OK…..
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
11:38 pm
Day off for Schafer or fire Cox now!
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:39 pm
let’s send schafer to tex for andrew
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:39 pm
K’afer sighting. He just keeps getting better everyday
Danga
May 28th, 2009
11:40 pm
There are many intelligent bloggers here whom I really enjoy reading. It just seems that during streaks like the current one that the blog disintegrates into name calling and screeches for heads to roll. I suppose I should work on my scrolling down skills.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:40 pm
N8, I agree that losing Infante was huge. But it would hurt a lot less if Escobar wasn’t simultaneously hurt as well. GMs can’t really plan to have good options readily available when their top two SS go out at the same time.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
11:40 pm
Any idiot can see whatever they are doing with Schafer aint working-time to change it up-he is getting worse!
No More Bobby
May 28th, 2009
11:41 pm
Honestly we have had big bats, great pitchers and different coaches with no results for many years now. The one guy still here is the one that needs to go.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD – FIRE BOBBY COX!!!!!!!!!
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:41 pm
we need a 2 run shot..
Elvis Presley
May 28th, 2009
11:42 pm
Kelly got a triple double. That’s two doubles and a blown double play that cost the game/series/season. Again.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:42 pm
Our best hitting 2B.
Thus far this year until the injury, yeah. Overall no.
Guys, I know Infante was hitting some crazy-high stuff, but that is NOT who he really is.
FaninFaytown
May 28th, 2009
11:42 pm
Wow another K for Jordan. I wish I had a solution, as does everyone else here but theres just no quick fix. Kid has just got to learn to put the bat on the ball.
Committee on Redundancy Committee
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
“simultaneously hurt as well” -Steve from OH
Jake W.
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
At this point it may not hurt to switch Schafer out with Blanco. Schafer has the higher upside so you want to get him to work things out. It’s one thing not to hit but he’s really not even making contact. At this point I think going to Triple A and letting the kid get his head on right could help him.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
Pull Haren and turn Chipper around. That’s what I’d do.
alsim
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
Thru the lineup:
Kelly – up & down & down
Yunel – how can a guy 6′2, 200 only have 19 career HR. Too young to have so many injuries. Will he ever be an All-Star?
Chipper – stellar career is winding down, oft-injured.
McCann – awesome, no complaints.
Kotchman – 1st Basemen are supposed to hit 20+ HRs, 100 RBI. He does not.
Garret – going thru the motions.
Diaz – not enough power.
Frenchy – ’nuff said.
Schafer – not ready for the majors.
No base stealers. Just a bunch of singles hitters, half of Chipper & McCann = no playoffs.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
Losing Escobar is what bothers me a lot more than Infante.
Escobar this team really misses.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:43 pm
4-4 so far in making teams and pitchers seem better than their records. Cubs playing Dodgers now, they’re at .500 and could be below .500 when they come to Atlanta, which means the braves better watch out for them
jokes on us
May 28th, 2009
11:44 pm
what will really be funny is when Shelly and all the other 0-fers light it up for 2 months to finish the season when they are 20 games out of it and the season is already over. Then they finish with decent looking stats just like last year and we all fall for the same false hope for next year. People need to be traded or let go. HEads need to role. People dont feel they need to try because Bobby will never change as loyalty is # in his book. God i wish we had LaRussa or somebody firey like that. I effin hate Steve Spurrier but sometimes it takes punting on 3rd down to send a message.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:44 pm
PWH–there is a HUGE difference between being disappointed when your team plays like crap, saying you think a change needs to be made, etc. etc. (except stupid things like “fire Snitker” etc.) and saying it every 5 seconds of every game. It’s redundant and pointless and adds nothing to the conversation. At all. So you think the June schedule is tough? Cool. Great observation. Say it once and be done with it. The observant bloggers will notice and the ones that don’t, well, ya don’t need ‘em anyway. Saying it again and again does nothing to further the conversation. Again, not trying to lump you in with the bigtime negative posters of the world, it’s just that your post was a very easy one to use.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:44 pm
Everybody’s talking about how the loss of Infante is so huge. Great BA, great OPB. Agreed, he is a sparkplug. But few seem to recall that the Braves’ Hall of Fame manager rarely had the “team’s best leadoff hitter…in the freakin’ starting lineup!
Diaper Dan
May 28th, 2009
11:44 pm
Cox stopped goosing his pitchers when they leave the mound. Rumor has it, he squeezed on a dirty diaper and came away with stinky fingers.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
11:45 pm
Well, worked out for Haren. Good pitching.
Danga
May 28th, 2009
11:45 pm
Escobar’s loss has put a black hole from the 6th spot on down in the lineup. The opposing pitchers can pretty much coast through 1/2 of our lineup. We just aren’t deep enough offensively to lose any players.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:45 pm
Geez, Chipper has been “tutoring” K’fer a little too much.
Bravos33
May 28th, 2009
11:45 pm
That may not “be who Infante really is”, but he is certainly better than any of the performances we are currently receiving from the other members of the lineup.
braves70
May 28th, 2009
11:46 pm
Face it folks this group of Braves will be lucky to not finish 5th. This team stinks as much as any Braves team I have seen in my 39 years of following the Braves. Frank Wren should be canned immeadiately for putting together this monstrosity. Bobby Cox is already retired whether he knows it or not. The Braves would be wise to be sellers rather than buyers at the trade deadline. This season is OVER.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:46 pm
WOW! Braves are 5th in the league in OBP, but 14th in slugging %. Amazing.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:46 pm
Ah, I’ve been caught by the committee that caught me!
FaninFaytown
May 28th, 2009
11:46 pm
Shelly?
Zap Rowsdower
May 28th, 2009
11:47 pm
Escobar this team really misses.
Other teams miss him they do not
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:47 pm
we don’t supouse to know but losing is ok for this team. let’s make sure schafer, kotchman, JJ, hanson, freeman, heyward. and get rid of a few contracts like chipper (way too much money), vasquez, francoeur, Garret anderson, soriano (6.5 mill wow). and hopefully develope a couple more players in the next few years.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:47 pm
at 11:43, alsim wrote that Garret is “going through the motions.” I’m not even seeing a lot of motion.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:47 pm
Braves trend: get a run, give up a run. Will it continue?
phlegm
May 28th, 2009
11:47 pm
This would never happen:
Journalist: Mr. Cox, what do you think of your team’s execution tonight?
BC: I’m all for it.
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:48 pm
Oh, the Braves scored. So now it’s time to instantly give up the run.
curtis jones
May 28th, 2009
11:48 pm
Yep, Jorge Campillo’s back in midseason form.
Steve from OH
May 28th, 2009
11:49 pm
Now if you want to be negative, the 11:47 post is how it’s done!
N8
May 28th, 2009
11:49 pm
Steve, I gotcha. Like I said. Just pointing out the irony in it.
I’ve stopped blogging (about the current games) during game time. I’ll bitch about this game when it’s over. I’ve now broadened my groaning to just “general” Braves crap, during game time. LOL!
The sad thing, is that the only real reason I “pick” on Bobby, is because so many people want to praise him for the good old days, and give him a pass now (the irony in that kills me). So I try and be reasonable about it. That being said, there are things about Bobby I don’t like (some that I do like to go along with them), but I don’t think this mess is his fault.
Normally, I’d blame the players. But that is where Bobby could “help”. I blame Francoeur for being a horrible hitter in recent months. But who’s to blame? The guy that can’t hit? The guy that keeps putting him out there EVERY game? Or the GM who built his 2009 team with the assumption/hope that Jeff would turn it around?
I’m starting to think this mess is ALL on Wren. THE ONLY thing that’s gone his way since he took over for JS, is the Renteria for JJJ/Gorkys trade. That’s it. I guess he deserves a bit of credit for getting Kotchman out of Tex. I think he could have got more for him had he traded him BEFORE last season started, and was ridiculed for suggesting it.
But other than that. Things just haven’t gone so well. Furcal, Griffey Jr., Burnett, Smoltz, deciding to keep Francoeur, deciding to NOT keep Josh (not that big – but shouldn’t have been done without another viable CF option).
I take that back. He chose to sign Ross to back up McCann. THAT was a good move. Can’t complain there.
I’m not sure what deals were “on the table” this past off-season (or even right now). We probably will never know. Not like anybody would buy the Frank Wren biography where he could tell such tales. But if that Ludwick for KJ deal was an option this past off-season. That was a mistake to pass on.
Passing on Dunn, Abreu and Ibanez was silly at best. I feel like I’m forgetting some of them. If I am. Feel free to chime in.
Anyhow. The point of this post, is that unless he fixes this mess and fast (I know it’s going to be tough to do before mid-to-late June), he will be soley responsible for why a team with this much pitching depth consistently plays .500 baseball.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
I understand what you’re saying Steve. Completely. And I tend to agree. I just don’t see how my post illustrated that point.
Steve from HO
May 28th, 2009
11:50 pm
That June schedule sure is tough. Anybody check that out? The schedule? In June? Of the Braves? Brutal.
Bravos33
May 28th, 2009
11:51 pm
I wish I could say that we have a chance to improve with our current makeup, but it just simply isn’t possible. The only chance we have is for multiple guys to get hot, and the reality is that we do not have guys capable of that. We have too many mediocre hitters that we rely on. It is tough for Kotchman, Johnson, Francoeur, and LF platoon to all get somewhat hot at the same time. That is the reality of what we have to hope for. They simply cannot produce enough when they are not “going well.”
freshd
May 28th, 2009
11:51 pm
Im not hating on the braves, but even a blind man can see that GARRET ANDERSON isn”t playing hard and he wants to be somewhere else.I CALL THAT TOUGH LOVE!
jokes on us
May 28th, 2009
11:52 pm
yeah, you know, Shelly Johnson. That woman out there playing second base.
Jackie Moon
May 28th, 2009
11:52 pm
What does TP do? I know his title is “hitting coach”, but what does he actually do? Does he talk to the hitters? Does he work with them in batting practice? Does he do anything? Does he tell Francouer to lay off the first pitch after the batter before him gets walked? Is he held accountable when the offense doesn’t produce? What is his role? Do the players trust him? If so, why do they seek help from hitting coaches from other teams during the offseason? Are there still fans out there who think he’d be a good manager once Bobby is gone? Surely not. These are questions floating through my head during the past couple of weeks.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:52 pm
If nothing is done this inning, then again one inning has beaten us.
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:52 pm
i want my braves to develop players like the marlins, twin, brewers, cardinals, even if take years. than buying players left and right and getting nothing like cubs, yanks, mets, LA, dodgers.
let’s enjoy that we are developing a few players and others are young and future MLB stars.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:53 pm
Wow, I just read the funniest post of the night over at another blog:
“drew Says:
So Don is talking about Dan Haren, who apparently loves Seinfeld and has all the episodes. And he says, “to borrow a phrase from that show, Haren tonight has truly been ‘master of his domain’.”
Well, yes, I suppose so. Dan Haren has refrained from masturbating out on the pitcher’s mound. Good call, Don.”
mr baseball
May 28th, 2009
11:53 pm
The Braves have 2 OFs who are utterly useless on offense. They have an OF sitting on the bench all but a game or 2 a week batting close to .300. Why is that?
How does a team with a player so obviously overmatched offensively as Schafer send the kid out out day after day with the knowledge that’s he not going to be able to contribute anything at the plate. And unless I’ve missed something, he hasn’t been all that exceptional with the glove.
This is getting pretty ridiculous. With Blanco not any sort of reasonable alternative, the Braves don’t have much choice but to put someone in CF who is not really a CF, but at least might get a hit more than 2 or 3 times a week.
Or they can keep sending Schafer out until he crosses the Mendoza line, with the thoroughly befuddled RF not far behind him.
The possibility of any kind of trade for OF help is extremely remote, and the Braves don’t need to try another Teixeira trade. The best they can hope for is some kind of stop gap deal, because what they have in AAA is not the answer.
Anyone out there still think this is a playoff calieber team? Really? Please explain.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:54 pm
“That June schedule sure is tough”
maybe maybe not. braves are playing terrible against the bad teams and good against the good teams. Only bad teams in June are Baltimore and Pittsburgh for 7 games.
Guy On The Radio Just Said
May 28th, 2009
11:55 pm
“Haren just a little more dominant than Lowe tonight.” In other news, Obama’s a little more well spoken than G W Bush.
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:55 pm
Qualls in not that great. against good offensive teams
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:55 pm
“I wish I could say that we have a chance to improve with our current makeup, but it just simply isn’t possible.” (Bravos33)
Yeah, you’re right, I suppose it’s extremely difficult to find 2 MLB average corner outfielders to replace the corner OF group we’ve got. I mean, what’s rarer, a 300 game winner or a decent hitting corner outfielder?
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 28th, 2009
11:56 pm
Not a walk in the game. How often does that happen?
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
11:56 pm
hard to believe that Loadicean won the spelling bee title.
I’m not joking here. Most of the time, I don’t even know the word that wins it.
RHR
May 28th, 2009
11:57 pm
That boy has got heart, I’ll tell you that right now.
kotchman
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
GA 1ts homerun
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
KJ for Ludwick seems to be the new Rocco Baldelli thing: the rumor that died early and some won’t shut up about.
Stevie Wonder
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
I can’t see this team making the playoffs.
brent a.
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
PWJhort’s 11:53 is another example of why baseball is almost always more entertaining on the radio.
JD
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
PWH – That’s pretty funny
brady wilfred
May 28th, 2009
11:58 pm
LOAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Make the last out Francoeur, how fitting.
BigMacAttack
May 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
lol @ anderson trying to run fast.
PWHjort
May 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
Chad Qualls should kiss his middle infielders and 1B after this game.
JD
May 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
kotchman – That was a funny looking homerun there.
Chop Chop
May 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
That’s a benefit of the doubt call.
groundfog
May 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
We are getting robbed on those lol! At least GA showing some life
kotchman
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
why GA didn’t say anything, show some FFFFFFFIIIIIIIRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE. or bobby coooxie!!!!!
Elvis Presley
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
“hard to believe that Loadicean won the spelling bee title.”
What a racist thing to say. I’m Loadicean, and we’re plenty smart.
StingerSplash
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
And your Atlanta Braves are under .500 again right … about … now. Thank you, Frenchy.
freshd
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
GARRET ANDERSON JUST MADE SPORTCENTER, HE WAS CALLED OUT BECAUSE HE LOAFS TOO MUCH.GOOD NIGHT STENCHY!
BigMacAttack
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
lol @ Francoeur keeping on keeping on
groundfog
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
Jesus Francoer, three straight? I have no words
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:00 am
And Frenchy K’s his way into our hearts again.
brent a.
May 29th, 2009
12:01 am
two years in a row we begin a Memorial Day swoon
Mixxo
May 29th, 2009
12:01 am
Phew!
Glad that’s over with.
ABravesFan
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
Hey DOB can you please ask Jeff Francouer why he sucks?
Thanks in advance
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
And the sun will come up tomorrow too. But, it won’t be quite as bright.
groundfog
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
We have arguably the worst looking two hitters in baseball on our roster.
brent a.
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
Elvis,
are you joking, or did you misread my post. I’m confused. Note, I didn’t say, “a Loadicean”.
I hope you’re joking.
N8
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
Steve, I agree that having Escobar out magnifies Infante’s loss. But to ONLY call Infante the backup SS, is selling his importance to this team short.
I think Diory has filled in admirably at SS. But we could use Infante’s bat on occasion in LF, CF, RF, 3B, SS and 2B.
His precence “spells” (or can) all of those guys keeping them fresh, and he was producing while giving guys days off.
So while Escobar being the everyday SS is the obvious bummer in the injury category, Infante’s versatility is what this week hitting team is really missing right now.
After tonights, soon to be loss, we will be 3-5 since Infante went down. Not gonna say he’s the reason for our slide. But I don’t think it’s out of line to assume that he would have started SOMEWHERE in a couple of those games, and since he was batting .349 at the time of the injury, I think he might have made the difference in one of those games.
With the way this roster is constructed (with him being the uber-sub, spot starting in many positions), losing him for two months will cost us around 2-4 games I’m guessing.
Then again, if Chipper and Escobar stay hurt, Francoeur stays in the lineup, and Schafer continues to pile up the K’s? Those 2-4 games will be the difference of having 91 losses or 95 losses. LOL!
BigMacAttack
May 29th, 2009
12:02 am
The “French Retreat” is 8 points away from his 08 season average.
jukeandjive
May 29th, 2009
12:03 am
FRENCHY WILL BE FINE WITH ANOTHER HITTING COACH!!! Preferably a new on in Atlanta. If our hitters have to continue to go elsewhere to improve, and don’t improve under Pendleton, then isn’t it obvious??? These guys are not getting the right something or other that Rudy in TX and other guys in the big leagues are getting. When have the Braves under Pendleton been a good much less a great hitting team. IT’S OBVIOUS! Let’s try that before trading our talent. NOW! PLEASE!!!
Chop It Up All-star
May 29th, 2009
12:04 am
Wow, if only there were a fantasy league for number of strikeouts per game by a player – Francoeur and Schafer would be awesome!!
Stu Klitenic
May 29th, 2009
12:04 am
“Losing Infante WAS huge, because regardless of him being a “bench player”, he was our best hitting CF. ”
That would be true if Infante ever had the chance to play CF.
LuisG
May 29th, 2009
12:04 am
And now we’re back under .500. And after having one of the best road records our team has “managed” to lose 4 straight against two teams with losing records. It’s like this has been the Braves’ story the last couple of years. It this thing going to end?
PD: Still a Braves fan and always will be.
TNScott
May 29th, 2009
12:04 am
I’m guessing that Tom Hallion had dinner reservations somewhere.
Rafael Furcal
May 29th, 2009
12:05 am
i sho is glad i didnt sign with the braves
Elvis Presley
May 29th, 2009
12:05 am
DOB: Jeff, why is it that you suck?
Francoeur: Uhhh… well, you know, obviously when we’re out there, and, uh, obviously, it’s not something that I personally want to, uh, you know, keep on sucking like the sucking I’ve been obviously doing, you know, since last year, obviously. But, uh, you know, I just keep sticking with the uh, plan that the uh, you know, obviously, that hitting coach from a different team that doesn’t suck was telling me, and uh, I know that if I keep doing that, I’ll improve and keep improving my improvement level, obviously. *smiles*
N8
May 29th, 2009
12:06 am
“That would be true if Infante ever had the chance to play CF.”
Who’s to blame there?
AJ Burnett
May 29th, 2009
12:06 am
got that right fookie
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:07 am
N8, here’s my schtick:
I don’t think Bobby is a bad manager, but I’m not giving him cookie points for the 90’s. In my book, the role of the manager is simply not that important. Well, but fundamentals, I hear a lot of folks saying. But shouldn’t big-league players have learned those in, oh, I dunno, little league? High School? College? The minors? If they don’t know ‘em by now, I don’t know how much of a difference Bobby will make.
The players? Blaming them is a better idea. But replacing poorly-performing players (like Francoeur), especially those under club control, at the 40-game pole for a slow startisn’t sound organizational strategy. And you know that. Now Frenchy? Hasn’t really performed that well at all for the last couple of seasons, and even in the minors (look up his minor league numbers and tell me if anything screams “stud” to you). GA was a great player, but you can tell that his age is catching up with him. He’s got no projectability left. But I do, like a lot of people, feel as though Frenchy’s time is about up, and GA’s time is running out. So you don’t hear me getting after people for saying that. For saying it excessively, sure, but stating it? How can you argue? Calling for KJ to be replaced after 40 bad games? Laughable. Calling for Infante and his .306 career OBP to start everyday after a hot streak of small sample size? C’mon.
As for Wren, he had a LOT of fixing to do, and not all of that was his fault. Who left us with no everyday leftfielder since 2003? How was he to know that our everyday CF since 1996 was gonna fall flat on his face, leaving a huge void in CF that we haven’t filled yet? Hell, I think he’s done a wonderful job with what he’s had to work with. He has COMPLETELY overhauled the rotation (every single guy in it has been brought in by him. Think about that.) Hanson is coming up, too. Guess who wouldn’t trade him? Guess who salvaged the Tex deal for a decent, cheap, under-club-control 1B for the next 3 years? So he’s shored up the rotation and 1B in a mere two seasons while keeping the farm system arguably as strong as it’s ever been. How do you expect him to fix the outfield in that span as well? He’s not a miracle worker. And the reason that you can’t count “that many” great deals by him is because he hasn’t made that many deals to begin with. He’s been on the job two years! Haven’t you been reading in the press lately that Frank is trying to fix the outfield? I don’t mean to be rude, because it’s not you I’m directing this comment at, but it’s instant gratification sydrome again. I want it mommy and I want it now! You don’t replace two outfielders (along with a third who was supposed to be a staple in RF for a while) and fix a rotation in two years. You just don’t. FW has already made a huge overhaul and has somehow made the team somewhat of a contender while his “work” is still unfinished.
As for Josh Anderson man, c’mon. Redundant. Under .700 OPS. Haven’t we seen enough of that already?
Mark Derosa
May 29th, 2009
12:07 am
please dont trade for me frank
RHR
May 29th, 2009
12:08 am
I really do hope Jeffy goes to another team and does very well, meets all the expectations, becomes that star we all thought he would. I really mean that. And not to be mean but, the sooner, the better. For us and him. With every 0′fer, every boo at home, every story in the media about being traded or not meeting expectations is just chinking away at his head..and a man needs his head to play ball. Just ask Yogi.
oldschool
May 29th, 2009
12:08 am
Kk’s little skinny interpreter could’ve swung and missed three straight there frenchy way to go
Thunderbull56
May 29th, 2009
12:08 am
You all are like a bunch of bitchy little girls.Braves refuse to “Get It”.I rue the day TP turned down the interview with the Dodgers.Man, I was praying!Davy, love that you get so many responses.The look on D Lowe’s face tonight says it all.Sadly, as long as FW and BC are in denial, I must inform you all, it’s just going to be more of the same.Dave, you ever need a sub for your job, let me know.I too could dig lots of time to listen to music,smoke Camachos,and work on Carpel tunnel syndrome.
kotchman
May 29th, 2009
12:08 am
to get out of this bad streak. we need our pitcher to allow 1 or 2 runs per game.
N8
May 29th, 2009
12:08 am
That damn Snapper commercial kills me.
BRETT FAVRE: I like sna-apper mow-ers. Ma-ma says that they are like a box of choc-o-lates……
Rocky Balboe called and says that Brett should step his game up. He’s HORRIBLE in commercial format.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:09 am
Furcal, so are we. 3 yrs., $30M for a guy who has produced a .238/.299/.302 and 3 SB in 172 AB is a bit much. Oh, and Furcal has also missed about 10 games so far this season.
BigMacAttack
May 29th, 2009
12:09 am
“Dan Haren was on his game tonight”
As was Randy Johnson, as was Lincecum, and as was Jonathan Sanchez.
if 4 straight pitchers have been “on their game” it’s not the pitcher anymore …
Barbaro
May 29th, 2009
12:09 am
Call me up now Frank or im swimming back to cuba
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:10 am
Anyone who keeps blaming Frank Wren needs to read Mark Bradley’s article. Very well-written and very true.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:10 am
if 4 straight pitchers have been “on their game” it’s not the pitcher anymore …
It’s way more than 4 pitchers.
Stu Klitenic
May 29th, 2009
12:11 am
Infante’s sketchy defensive skills in CF? That’d be my guess, although I’d imagine that’s not the answer you were looking for.
kotchman
May 29th, 2009
12:12 am
steve you are right 100%. we need to understand that we are not a big market team and to be competitive will take a few years. and we are in the right way.
brady wilfred
May 29th, 2009
12:12 am
Francoeur: .619
END THIS ALREADY WREN.
Good f-ing God.
brady wilfred
May 29th, 2009
12:13 am
Francoeur: .619 OPS
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:13 am
And as for the outfield situation now…there’s a reason Frank is saying that he doesn’t expect a deal soon: because teams aren’t ready to trade their big pieces quite yet! It’s not like he doesn’t want to…it’s because he can’t! He can’t just call up Billy Beane and say, “I’m ready for Holliday now (we’ll give you Reyes and Scott Thorman’s old practice jerseys), whether you are or not!” Don’t you think it’s strange that trades rarely happen this time of year, but here we are bashing Frank Wren for not magically forcing opposing GMs to deal with him? And if he was able to, he’d have to overpay, and probably badly. It’s real simple guys, think before you post. It’s that easy.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:13 am
That’s for sure. It doesn’t matter which pitcher the Braves are facing these days. Haren is a helluva pitcher, but we couldn’t do anything last night against an OLD man with a 6+ ERA.
BigMacAttack
May 29th, 2009
12:15 am
It’s way more than 4 pitchers
well we don’t want to make them look to bad by counting the bullpens as well.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:16 am
Barbaro? The old racehorse?
kotchman
May 29th, 2009
12:16 am
k
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:17 am
Now I know we need to add speed to the lineup, but c’mon, a racehorse?
TnBrian
May 29th, 2009
12:17 am
I almost feel like Bobby should be ashamed of himself for running Francoeur out there, Schafer too. Heck, he oughta just demand that Wren bring up Barton/Blanco/B.Jones SOMEBODY to spare these boys all this humiliation. I feel like my first reaction if I were GM would be to do what it took to get both Derosa and maybe a Hawpe type guy. I know, easier said than done, but I’m almost to the point where I believe he’ll need to something like that to keep this teams head above water. This just ain’t purtty!
RHR
May 29th, 2009
12:18 am
Good posts tonight, as per usual, Ohio Steve.
How come no Fox post game show?
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:18 am
The business side of MLB isn’t like your baseball games. You can’t trade Kotchman and Campillo for Pujols, and have him playing 1B later that day.
Teams that know their out of the race aren’t going to trade their top players now. Why take the first offer when more and more teams will become interested and more desperate in a couple months?
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:20 am
BigMac – I wasn’t talking about the bullpens. I’m talking about just about every pitcher we face. Except for the occassional 5th or 6th game when we score like, 20 runs.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:20 am
JD, what fantasy league would allow a trade of Kotchman and Campillo for Pujols?
Elvis Presley
May 29th, 2009
12:20 am
“think before you post. It’s that easy.” Steve from OH
It’s easy for those who do it.
BigMacAttack
May 29th, 2009
12:20 am
Now I know we need to add speed to the lineup, but c’mon, a racehorse?
adding Barbaro to the lineup would decrease the speed … since he’s no longer among the living
N8
May 29th, 2009
12:21 am
Steve. Well stated post. Great points. Hadn’t really thought of the rotation as being “all Wren’s”. He deserves props for that.
But part of that is what’s caused the OF to be so bad. With a guy like Hanson waiting in the wings. Along with Glavine rehabbing, Jo-Jo, Morton and now even Medlen. Surely Wren could have passed on Kawakami and let the rotation’s 4 and 5 spots fix themselves via the farm or a trade, while shoring up the bullpen?
I’m not calling for instant gratification on the trade front. I realize that if he hurries to make a deal now, that he’ll greatly over-pay, and of course… I’d bitch about that. LOL!
But SO MANY people were not sold on ANY of the three OF spots this past off-season. There were options to fix it. He chose to gamble with the OF, and put all his chips into the rotation. A gross over-reaction to all the injuries the rotation had last year.
Not to sound like Mr. Miyagi, but this team has no balance. That’s on him.
But since you pointed out the rotation that has been put together on his watch, I’ll back off for a while. It’s not to late to fix this crap. But it might be in 2-3 weeks without some different “luck” (I don’t really believe in luck – but results seemed to obvious of a word to use). And in the end, he’s now trying to clean up the mess he essentialy made by not addressing it at all.
Like I said before. I like the guts of him and Bobby going with Jordan to start the year. But I don’t like not having a backup plan. As much as I like Infante in a “spot-start” super utility guy role, I wouldn’t even want him as the everyday CF if they needed to send Jordan down for a while.
So even saying that “they’re backup plan – Infante – is injured”, doesn’t fly with me. They needed a guy that could play CF everyday and get the “job” done.
Now, perhaps Gregor Blanco over the long haul, is every bit as viable as Josh Anderson was/is. But Anderson tearing it up for the first month of the season, while Schafer struggled, didn’t help matters in the fans eyes. So even if Josh would be “back to reality” in May and moving forward. Having Josh (assuming his results in Detroit would have been similar had he stayed), in April might have made the difference in a few games.
For this team, 4-5 games might be the “difference” come late September. Wren needed things to go perfectly in order for this roster to compete. Most of us knew that and stated it repeatedly all winter.
So far things haven’t gone so well half the time.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:21 am
Thanks, RHR.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:22 am
Well, there ya have it, BigMacAttack. Who was the person clamoring for Barbaro earlier?
TnBrian
May 29th, 2009
12:22 am
I also think even Bobby is in over his head with this bunch. Steve, yeah, Wren can’t demand other GM’s to pony up, but I think a lot frustration from people is that he signed Kawakami and Glavine, both who haven’t done jack sh!! except for a measley win or two. GA was/is a mistake but I’m sure even Wren/Cox knew that when he was signed, but had to add something,anything at that last second.
jokes on us
May 29th, 2009
12:22 am
at least we have Glavine coming back to block the way for a bit longer for what will be the lone bright spot on this disaster of a season
alsim
May 29th, 2009
12:23 am
Five more Ks from the outfield.
.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:24 am
Fluffy – I didn’t say fantasy. I said baseball games. Like X Box, Playstation, etc.
Ronald Millsaps
May 29th, 2009
12:24 am
I don’t see trading Francoeur as a good idea. He needs to lock his chin over his left shoulder and decide to try to drive the ball, not aim for right field. He’s trying to fill the role of an Edgar Renteria or Yunel Escobar when he needs to put up some slugging-percentage numbers.
I’m serious; I think Francoeur’s putting his chin over his left shoulder would do him a world of good–especially if he’s between Chipper and McCann in the lineup. We desperately need him at cleanup.
Nice to see the National Spelling Bee get more attention over the years. I was fortunate enough to have competed well in it when in middle school. Our “educational” system today seems to view proper spelling as a luxury, not a necessity. Nice to see it get attention even on this blog.
Right now I’m starting to wonder if “Win!” is spelled “When?”.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:25 am
Although on the blog fantasy league, I wouldn’t be surprised if that trade went through…
Duke
May 29th, 2009
12:25 am
yunel< frenchy< morton for upton and drew
Smuck Foltzie
May 29th, 2009
12:26 am
**John Fogerty can play Centerfield**
KSo (Vegas)
May 29th, 2009
12:26 am
Can we please send Jordan S. back down now? Don’t we have someone who can play center field and hit the ball?
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:26 am
N8, It’s important to remember the timeline of the pitching acquistions. Kawakami was signed BEFORE we signed Lowe and after we’d whiffed on Peavy and Burnett. If you keep the timeline in focus, it kinda shoots some holes in the hindsight game.
I’d agree though that in hindsight (knowing prior to signing KK that we’d sign Lowe days later), we would’ve been much better off signing Lowe, passing on KK, passing on Glavine and using KK and Glavine’s money to bolster the offense. No doubt about that.
Salt life
May 29th, 2009
12:27 am
Thanks for all the responses……..I know Milt Pappas didn’t play for the Braves……love the true fans……Biff Pocorba
Dumbfound
May 29th, 2009
12:27 am
Heard on satellite radio the braves are on the verge of signing Jim Edmonds ! And don’t start bitchin !! He’s better than anyother trash we have in the outfield.
Larry
May 29th, 2009
12:27 am
Help please?
I have “Hank Aaron” section season tickets on row 8 in section 132 right behind the plate and I cannot bear to go watch another Bobby Cox managed team (I’ve retained them the past few years hoping he’d retire or be retired, to no avail) and I can’t even sell them on StubHub and no one I try to give them to have any desire to watch this boring, predictable, and typical Bobby Cox managed team.
Any ideas?
Champ
May 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Crazy stats…
Take away the one seven run inning against Toronto and the Braves are averaging 1.87 runs a game over their last 8.
Have been shut out 5 times already less than two months into the season.
Have scored 2 runs or less in 18 of 47 games.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Bobby sounded after the game like he’s very close to disabling Escobar. If he doesn’t play tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s DL’d, though I’m not sure who they’d bring up.
Apparently it was still sore when he was fielding grounders, which is what thought I saw, him taking grounders gingerly, not moving real quickly. Cox said it didn’t hurt him to swing, but with Lowe pitching, all the grounders, going left and right, Escobar didn’t think he was ready.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:28 am
I gotcha, JD. Even on today’s video games, trades like that aren’t agreed upon unless you turn off the game’s AI. The video games are MUCH smarter now than they used to be.
jokes on us
May 29th, 2009
12:28 am
i think my biggest problem is Bobby’s unwillingness to shake things up and show some tough love and/or disclipline. Bench people for extended periods. send them down to triple-A. whatever it takes. These are grown men not babies. Cox has lost his edge. nobody is playing for their job which results in 0 emotion or hustle or even trying. If i failed at my job as much as French fries, JS or Shelly I would have been fired a long long time ago
Larry
May 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Correction: Section 102 (I was thinking of my Falcon Tickets).
Martin Prado smells like week old quiche
May 29th, 2009
12:30 am
It’s true. Prove it to yourself.
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
12:30 am
Im a huge huge Braves fan. Have been since I was a little kid. Iv always thought, hey if everyone will go to the games the Braves could get the money to sign a good player. Now I relize why would someone want to waste thier money to go see this team play. Untill the Braves get the balls to sign a power bat or trade for one they wont go anywhere. And as much as I love Bobby Cox, I think his time as the Manager is up. He keeps the same lineup out there day in and day out. Garret Anderson is not the answer, Schafer needs to go back to the minors. Kelly Johnson isnt the answer at 2nd or leadoff. This team just plain SUCKS and its getting to the point where im getting very frustrated. If the Braves get DeRosa I guess thats a way of takin the easy way out again. They need a bat like Holladay. And I dont know what to think of Francoeur anymore.
If I was the Manager this would be what I would be putting out there.
Lineup
1. Yunel Escobar – SS
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Matt Holladay – LF
5. Brian McCann – C
6. Casey Kotchman – 1B
7. Kelly Johnson – CF
8. Jeff Francoeur – RF
9. Pitcher
Rotation
1. Derek Lowe
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Javier Vasquez
4. Tom Glavine
5. Tommy Hanson
Im just a frustrated Braves fan.
Homer
May 29th, 2009
12:32 am
Dude, DOB, who cares about Escobar, ask Bobby the hard questions, ask him what the hell he’s going to do with the bottom half of his lineup that sucks major a$$ ….THAT’S THE PROBLEM!!!!
Sarge
May 29th, 2009
12:32 am
Well the Braves did not man up tonight. Bunch of lily livered pansies.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:33 am
The problem with your lineup, Cameron, is that we don’t have the money to pay Matt Holliday. Another thing to consider is Holliday’s home/away splits while w/the Rockies and his current numbers in Oakland. He’s still a good player, but he’s not as good as he was in Colorado. The numbers reflect that.
braves70
May 29th, 2009
12:34 am
I fault Frank Wren for gambling and losing. He knew we had OF problems but he gambled that 1)Francoeur would return to his form of 2-3 years ago, 2) Schafer would be ready to play every day in center, and 3) that he could pick up a cheap veteran LF who would produce. Frank drew lemons on all 3 gambles. 3 strikes and yer out in my book. I see why Baltimore canned him long ago.
Haystack Calhoun
May 29th, 2009
12:34 am
I’m a really big Braves fan.
Jo Jo is my favorite player.
jukeandjive
May 29th, 2009
12:35 am
DOB…
Any talk of the job, or lack thereof, Pendelton has done since he’s been the hitting coach for this team? When is management gonna look his way. The hitters never improve with few exceptions. I’m also a fan of the Red Sox, and it seems like everyone they bring up learns how to grind out at-bats like Mac’s been doing the last few nights. Any thoughts???
Yawn...
May 29th, 2009
12:35 am
The problem with your lineup, Cameron, is that only persons with OCD care about such things.
nolie
May 29th, 2009
12:36 am
Thanks for all the responses……..I know Milt Pappas didn’t play for the Braves……love the true fans……Biff Pocorba Salt Life
sure he did, I guess I’m missing something like usual.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
12:36 am
kelly, kelly, kelly, kellly, k,e,l,l,y because you are mine. woody?
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:37 am
What else was Wren to do though given last year’s pitching disaster and our limited budget, braves70? It’s not as simple as some like to believe it is. Wren can’t just say “we need an OF”, snap his fingers and magically one appears.
Daybed Wagmoe
May 29th, 2009
12:37 am
Can Frenchy pitch? Cause he’s hitting like a pitcher.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:37 am
N8, hindsight is always 20/20, in regards to Kawakami. But without him, we’ve still got three great starters, and two question marks in the back end. You’ve seen how our fifth starters have fared. So you replace KK with Hanson (a rookie) to start the season. You still have that fifth spot giving you trouble, but only now you don’t have Hanson waiting in the wings. And you’ve got Hanson, a rookie, that you’re depending on for quality innings in the fourth spot. Sure, same can be said for KK, and his contract, but I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to say that we may end up spending less on KK than we would on Hanson if he were a Super Two. Plus now we gain an extra season of club control over him.
Sure, you could try to fix that through a trade, but then we’re in the same spot as we are now in regards to the OF bat (though not nearly in as dire of a need). And signing one OF bat wouldn’t nearly fix our OF situation as it is. Still two underperforming spots. One, in Schafer, there isn’t anything to do about. He’s struggling, Blanco is struggling, Barton is struggling…he’s there to stay for the forseeable future, I think. And I’m ok with that. He’s got way more upside than any CF option currently available to us, so let’s go with that. And I wouldn’t want Infante as the everyday CF, either. Bloggers think this is just fantasy baseball where anyone can play anywhere, well, buddy, it don’t work like that. Infante ain’t a CF just like I don’t have the ability to be a deep-sea fisherman. So backup plans would be nice, but if we had them, he’d still be in AAA honing his game. And again, don’t give me that Josh Anderson crap. He hasn’t significantly outperformed any of our outfielders and Schafer has tons more upside. That’s a no-brainer.
5 Questions for Bobby Cox
May 29th, 2009
12:39 am
1. Boxers or briefs?
2. Should Turkey be admitted to the European Union?
3. What’s the second derivative of cos(3X)sec(2x)?
4. Why do people pay money to see Ben Stiller movies?
5. If you could be any animal, what would you be?
oldschool
May 29th, 2009
12:39 am
Isn’t it ironic that all of our sucky players never get hurt and our few good players always have something wrong
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:40 am
Good post, Steve from OH.
Yossarian
May 29th, 2009
12:41 am
Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
12:41 am
Well if not Holladay then a player like him. DeRosa wont cut it. Hes a better player it seems like but hes not that bat pitchers will be afraid off. What we really need more than anything is someone to get Ted Turner to buy the braves back after the contract is up. He actually loved to make the team better. You win the world series, then you get money right? More paying fans? You finish last in the league or 3rd or 4th and you get no paying fans. The braves shouldnt have signed Tom Glavine(and I may regret that if he pitches great) and they shouldnt have signed Garret Anderson. Or Kawakamii!!
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:41 am
DOB, that’s not surprising, given both your earlier comment and that one regarding his ginger movements. I think disabling him is probably the best idea. Gotta have him healthy and running him out there now carries significant risk. Plus, we can retro the DL assignment a few days (how many I’m not exactly sure, DOB would need to clarify). The only question is who would we bring up? We would need another shortstop and the only option (in my mind) is Brandon Hicks, who is currently underwhelming at AA…
DOB, any idea who would come up, or hasn’t that been discussed?
Ethyl
May 29th, 2009
12:42 am
Exactly how fluffy are you McNutter?
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
is it just me, or does schafer look like a boarder collie out there in center field chasing balls?
he takes angles like a dog chasing a tennis ball.
he runs as fast as he can. then realizes oops. it is even worse when it is over his head.
the ball hits the wall, then he does. looks like lassie out there.
Sushi Chef
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
ginger movements?
i give you plenty ginger and wasabi!!!
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
Steve,
If you think Vazquez is great, you have a different definition of great than I do.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
I’ll take a guess at Bobby’s answers to those 5 questions:
1) neither
2) Only if it’s Butterball
3) WTF knows
4) It’s better than watching us play.
5) T-Rex. Wait, do dinosaurs count?
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
Reading over my KK contract less than Hanson Super Two statement…that doesn’t make much sense. Scratch that. It’s late, and I’m becoming more confused by the minute. ‘Night, all!
N8
May 29th, 2009
12:43 am
“Bobby sounded after the game like he’s very close to disabling Escobar.” DOB
WOW. I know he had his “knees replaced” and all, but no need for him to go around threatening people. Who does he think he is, Steven Segal?
braves70
May 29th, 2009
12:45 am
You Frank Wren defenders keep up your fight. Just don’t say that we did not warn you when he sinks this club to 5th place. The man is a loser and I would not hire him to do anything for my team.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:45 am
N8 – still laughing at that one
LOL
May 29th, 2009
12:45 am
Let’s win one for the FLUFFER.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:45 am
Chop Chop, he has a good ERA this year, has already thrown a lot of innings, and has great peripherals. Not sure how you can call his acquisition bad at this point…
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
12:46 am
I’m not calling it bad. He’s just not a great pitcher. You said we have three great pitchers. We don’t even have one great pitcher. We have three good ones.
Thunderbull56
May 29th, 2009
12:47 am
Love your tongue in cheek, Haystack.Larry, have you tried Craigslist? I’ve spoken to folks all the way from Ellaville, and Albany going to G Braves games.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
12:47 am
steve,
i got the pens in six.
this quick turnaround might hurt the wings. if malkin continues to play this way it aint gonna be like last year.
not being nostradamus, but if the pens win game one watch out.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:47 am
He just doesn’t stand a lot of runners at this point. I don’t know if that’s a controllable stat like K/9 or a regression-based stat like BABIP, but it’s something to keep in mind, Chop Chop.
Brad Pitt
May 29th, 2009
12:48 am
“…and has great peripherals”
Angelina Jolie has GREAT peripherals.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:48 am
I’m not sure there are a whole lot of “Frank Wren defenders”. I think some of us realize the situation and circumstances he’s dealing with operating under a limited budget. The money’s not there to throw at all of these problems. He took the chance that he could get enough offense to win with a strong pitching staff. It hasn’t paid off thus far, but I’m not sure how much you could fault him for that, all things considered. I’ve disagreed with some of his moves, but without the benefit of hindsight, I can usually see his reasoning behind most of them.
mets fan in atlanta
May 29th, 2009
12:49 am
Fluffy McNutter,
You said a few pages back that Greg Norton was the best pinch-hitter last season in MLB. Someone else piped up that “check the stats–you’ll see he was the best.” All of you need to check, because Greg Dobbs was actually the MLB leader in pinch-hitting. Funny thing is, he didn’t have a very good start to the season either this year, and is currently batting .135 in 35 games this year. Sound familiar???
My point is pinch-hitting is like your 6th and 7th inning guys in the bullpen. It fluctuates wildly from year to year. If they were actually good, they would be closers or starters in the lineup, not pinchhitting.
But don’t change anything, please…….I enjoy watching Norton come up in crucial parts of games.
Jake W.
May 29th, 2009
12:49 am
“N8, It’s important to remember the timeline of the pitching acquistions. Kawakami was signed BEFORE we signed Lowe and after we’d whiffed on Peavy and Burnett. If you keep the timeline in focus, it kinda shoots some holes in the hindsight game.”
Thankyou for pointing this out. Maybe if you don’t sign KK you don’t get Lowe. We needed someone to come here and we currently had JJ and Vazquez as our only two set starting pitchers. Atlanta was definately not an attractive option and although we would up our offer to Lowe, I still feel personally the KK signing helped to seal the deal because Lowe knew he would be fronting what could turn out to be a very strong starting rotation. KK is not the bust here. This offense is. KJ, Frenchy, Schafer, and Anderson have underperformed up to this point. Couple that with untimely injuries to our key players like Mac, Chipper, Escobar, and Infante and this offense as a whole has just been overwhelmingly disappointing. If KK signs with the Phillies he has a winning record right now without a doubt. A lot of people bemoan his signing but I don’t. With what happened to our pitching last year I don’t blame Wren for overstocking. I mean if not for this pitching we would be know where near .500
Bravesfan
May 29th, 2009
12:50 am
I’d imagine DOB loves what he does every day. I have to wonder if he has moments like we fans do where all that runs through your head is “what did I do to deserve having to watch this crap?”
Frank Wren has the brain of a... wren
May 29th, 2009
12:50 am
I’m FW’s staunchest defender. No cat will get anywhere near his nest with me around.
oldschool
May 29th, 2009
12:51 am
What are the odds of a full speed collision between all three outfielders with extensive injuries? Not real good I would guess but we can only hope and stay positive
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:52 am
uga-brave, that series is going to be a lot closer than people think. The Wings are really banged up, and Crosby and Malkin are playing great. Not sure I like the Wings’ chances with Lidstrom and Datsyuk out (you know he’s gotta have a broken foot or something or he’d be in there), and Osgood is just not good. And I don’t like that with a team full of good shooters like Pittsburgh. I don’t think the Pens have the defensive capability to contain Hossa and Franzen, and I really like Darren Helm, but if the Wings have so many walking wounded and a bad goalie, it’s not a stretch at all to say they’ll lose.
Chop Chop–Jurrjens has been great so far. He might not sustain it, but he has been great, and “might not” isn’t here yet. The other two have been good. Take issue with my wording, fine, but FW did a good job with the rotation. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
J williams
May 29th, 2009
12:52 am
The Braves have managed a whopping 1.75 runs per game in the first four games of this road trip.
Why is it that baseball players are so eaisly injuried and have to sit out, when football players play with injuries that are much worse in a much tougher game?
Why is is that most baseballplayers don’t run hard out of the batter’s box on balls that look to be easy outs? Even if it is going to be an out, can you not run hard for 90 feet 3 – 4 times a game?
Why would Frenchy ask for almost $4,000,000 when he batted .239 with 11 homers and 71 rbi last season?
Does something seem askew about that?
Special K
May 29th, 2009
12:53 am
DOB, is it true that Kelly Johnson plays second base with a cereal box taped to his hand instead of a mitt?
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:53 am
I hear what you’re saying, Steve from OH, but a fairly low strand rate is the norm for Javy Vazquez. His strand rate this season is 69%. Compare that to 67% last year, 72% in 2007, 64% in 2006, 70% in 2005 and 66% in 2004. See what I mean? He’s kind of the exception to the rule. His peripheral stats almost always reflect a pitcher who should have a lower ERA than he does, but with the exception of 2007, he always underperforms his xERA.
MFin04
May 29th, 2009
12:53 am
The whole lineup sucked tonight. KJ and Kotchman got hits, but no one else really contributed at all. Can’t win games scoring only 2 runs. And you can’t win games when you don’t have anyone that can hit after the 4th or 5th guy in the order.
KJ needs to be down in the order to prevent this black whole of outs. We need someone new playing CF and RF. That’s the only way this gets solved.
DirtyYuni
May 29th, 2009
12:54 am
I know I’ll probably get lanced for saying this. But what would we have to do to get a guy like Hunter Pence? Would Frenchy and Morton get it done? Am I stupid for asking?
Sarge
May 29th, 2009
12:54 am
Generally speaking, baseball players are less manly than football players.
And football players are not as manly as rugby players.
Real men fight in tank battles.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:55 am
Don’t know if you guys saw SportsCenter, but Garret Anderson was #1 on the top 10 plays.
He got thrown out by Stephen Drew.
Roman Gal
May 29th, 2009
12:55 am
That June schedule sure is tough. Anybody check that out? The schedule? In June? Of the Braves? Brutal. Steve from OH
Really? Hmm…I hadn’t heard. We playin’ anybody I’ve heard of?
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:56 am
DirtyYuni–never. A casual fan can never be able to accurately assess value like a FO man can. You can agree/disagree with a post, and make an argument for it. Just as long as the proposal isn’t absurd, like Frenchy/Morton for Adam Jones or something, it’s ok.
That said, I don’t think that would get it done.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
12:56 am
Steve,
I know Vazquez drives statheads insane. His peripherals are nearly always great. The proof is in the pudding. He has a 4.30 career ERA. His BABIP goes up and down. His won/loss record may not mean as much as Joe Morgan might think, but it’s not as impressive as you think it would be for a guy with the strikeout and WHIP numbers he posts. He’s an enigmatic dude. The only thing that could explain Vazquez not being great is a lack of focus at certain times in ballgames. The lack of focus doesn’t always bite him, but it bites him enough to keep from being an elite pitcher.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
12:56 am
mets fan in atlanta– Norton had a higher OPS than Dobbs as a PH. That’s what I was going by. But you’re right that both of them have struggled so far this year.
What does Bobby call Jordan Shafer?
May 29th, 2009
12:57 am
Shayf?
Jor?
Kid?
Hey you?
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:57 am
Players like Hunter Pence are building blocks for teams. He’s what Jeff Francoeur should be now. No way he’s traded. He’s young, relatively inexpensive, and locked up for awhile.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:57 am
Roman Gal, that wasn’t me but that’s what I’m hearing around these parts from some self-proclaimed Einsteins, so…
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
12:57 am
By the BABIP going up and down comment, I mean that Vazquez isn’t just a victim of bad luck or something.
escobars bat
May 29th, 2009
12:57 am
Damn dude we weren’t even close!open your eyes frenchy!
Falconi
May 29th, 2009
12:58 am
“He’s young, relatively inexpensive, and locked up for awhile.”
No. That’s Michael Vick you’re describing.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:58 am
Bobby calls Schafer “You’ll get em next time”
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:58 am
Nah, Vick’s only locked up for another month.
JD
May 29th, 2009
12:59 am
I hear he lays a mean brick, though.
Steve from OH
May 29th, 2009
12:59 am
Sure, but he’s been good this year, closer to what his peripherals suggest he would be, and FW did mention that when he discussed that trade when it was made. Call his career bad, but there’s reason to suggest he’d improve. He has, thus far. Call it luck or skill on FW’s part, he made the deal, and (though still too early to evaluate it of course) if bloggers are gonna blast him for not doing this or that or whatever, they should give him props when it’s due. For the package he gave up, I think this deserves props so far.
Experts are overrated
May 29th, 2009
1:00 am
“A casual fan can never be able to accurately assess value like a FO man can.”
That’s why you give your money to an expert like Bernie Madoff.
MFin04
May 29th, 2009
1:01 am
This team makes me sad
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:01 am
Steve from OH, another thing I meant to include in my previous post to you about Vazquez being the exception to the rule and always (except for 2007) underperforming his xERA is that the main reason for him doing that is his propensity to give up the big inning. He has a tendency to struggle w/men on base and that’s often when he allows HR–rather than solo HR, they’re multi-run HR.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:02 am
what if molly fetcher would of said yes, we should do this.
who is molly fletcher?
Roman Gal
May 29th, 2009
1:02 am
Steve, hmm…it seems we have a moniker-thief around these parts. Maybe we could get the culprit banned.
…1 down, 10,000 to go.
DirtyYuni
May 29th, 2009
1:02 am
“Players like Hunter Pence are building blocks for teams. He’s what Jeff Francoeur should be now.”
That’s actually a really good point.
And Steve, I appreciate the sentiment.
I’ve actually spent the last few nights scouring other teams’ rosters and trying to figure out how the hell we fix ours. And I’ve got nothing. I envy Wren’s paycheck, but I don’t envy his position right now. Just too many teams still in contention and two gaping holes to fill on our own.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:04 am
what if mcfann had been fancoueur?
think about it on a daily basis.
Frank Wren: front orifice man
May 29th, 2009
1:04 am
“…and two gaping holes to fill on our own.”
Yes. Frank Wren’s corn and pie holes.
JD
May 29th, 2009
1:05 am
what if mcfann had been fancoueur?
Or fanKolb
Brian Francoeur and Jeff McCann
May 29th, 2009
1:06 am
“what if mcfann had been fancoueur?”
what if they had been switched at birth?
braves70
May 29th, 2009
1:08 am
a little about Frank Wren’s firing in Baltimore
In the incident involving Cal Ripken, the Orioles’ chartered jet was waiting to take off for California at 8 a.m. on Sept. 17, when Ripken called saying he was stuck in traffic and would be arriving in the next five to 10 minutes.
“At Wren’s order, the plan[e] took off without Cal, who arrived at the gate a few minutes later. Cal was then forced to make his own cross-country travel arrangements,” Foss said in the release.
” . . . In the opinion of management, there was no need for such an arbitrary and inflexible decision. In the meeting [on Tuesday], Wren defiantly dismissed our concerns [and] characterized them as ’silly.’ . . .
“The Orioles management cannot and will not abide having a general manager operate in such an unreasonable, authoritarian manner and treat anyone in this way, especially someone such as Cal who has done so much for the Orioles and for baseball.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/orioles/daily/oct99/08/os8.htm
Listen
May 29th, 2009
1:08 am
I think Fluffy McNutter is really Bobby Cox!
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:09 am
we got lucky.
molly fletcher, francoeur’s agent in her infinite wisdom thought francoeur should get david wright money and decided to wait a year.
then again she is qualified she played tennis for michigan state, but she is also smoltz’s agent.
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2009
1:09 am
Maybe I missed it, when did Acosta get called up? I thought he was in the minors all this time…
Frank Wren is an officious tool
May 29th, 2009
1:09 am
I hate that guy!
JD
May 29th, 2009
1:11 am
Fluffy McNutter was blogging during the game. If he was Bobby Cox, that would mean that Bobby doesn’t pay attention.
Oh wait…
Rock on
May 29th, 2009
1:11 am
Molly Fletcher was a Southern Rock band from the seventies.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:12 am
What does Molly Fletcher look like? She hot?
Brad Pitts to the Chesty
May 29th, 2009
1:13 am
“What does Molly Fletcher look like? She hot?”
She has good peripherals.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:13 am
TennPaul,
Acosta was called up so kirkinga get a rise in his Levi’s. Also, Parr had thrown too many pitches (91 or something…during Medlen’s first start) in a relief outing. They needed someone who could pitch out of the pen the next day.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:14 am
She make you want to reach out and grab her peripherals, Brad?
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:17 am
BTW, I found a pic of Molly Fletcher. I’d have to strongly disagree with Brad regarding Molly’s peripherals. http://www.mollyfletcher.com/
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:17 am
so all of us got lucky, we have a agent that represents francoeur that did us a favor and we gained the most loyal player fan i have ever seen.
mcfann, i mean that as a complement.
pretty sure that old thristy horse agrees.
TennesseePaul
May 29th, 2009
1:17 am
Was this today? Who went down?
Francoeur totally looked bummed out there today. I could see he was trying, but watching him in between innings, he just seemed defeated in a way. Not that he’d given up, but… I don’t know, just not happy about it all.
I hate his foot tap. I thought Rudy banished that thing anyway.
TnBrian
May 29th, 2009
1:19 am
braves70, you’re about a year to late on “wren’s firing in Baltimore”. We’ve read that at least ten seperate times on this blog.
DOB, I’m with ya bro. I feel so bad for Jeff, especially watching Jerome J. interview him before the game tonight. He looked like he seriously needed a hug. I truly believe it’s time to leave the guy alone. And DOB, you may not agree with me on this but Bobby should be ashamed running him out there to get humiliated. I realize that’s not Bobby’s intention whatsoever, but it’s obvious JF needs a breather right now. I’d just let Diaz take RF for a few games and let JF get away for little bit. My God, I’ve been through a lot in my short life and know that us human beings need to clear our minds sometimes. I think JF is a very good person and wish him the best, always!
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:19 am
Paul, Acosta was recalled when Buddy Carlyle went on the DL a couple days ago.
Sarge
May 29th, 2009
1:20 am
Molly Fletcher looks more manly than half the Braves.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:21 am
Oh, yeah. Carlyle got hurt. Nevermind.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:22 am
Wait. That’s not right. Campillo was called up for Carlyle.
Frank Wren: not ready for prime time
May 29th, 2009
1:23 am
“…you’re about a year to late on “wren’s firing in Baltimore”. We’ve read that at least ten seperate times on this blog.”
But we’re waiting for the made-for-TV movie.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:23 am
I had it right the first time.
JD
May 29th, 2009
1:24 am
So I just found this odd picture of Brian McCann….
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_lTcR9KZTUBfZmjzbkF/SIG=12nfd8li7/EXP=1243661011/**http%3A//www.radiocult.com/images/celebrities/bravesbrianmccann01.jpg
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:24 am
Yeah, you’re right, Chop. Acosta for Parr and Campillo for Carlyle.
JD
May 29th, 2009
1:25 am
Try this link
http://www.genterine.com/radiocult/images/celebrities/bravesbrianmccann01.jpg
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
1:27 am
Any talk of the job, or lack thereof, Pendelton has done since he’s been the hitting coach for this team? — JukeandJive
Honestly, I hear more talk about Pendleton here on the blog in one day probably than i do in talking to players, coaches, scouts or front-office officials with the Braves and all other teams combined in the course of a full season, including spring training. And I’m not exaggerating when I say that.
I don’t think most people see the problems that certain hitters on this team have had as being caused by or exacerbated by Pendleton. At least I don’t hear anyone saying that.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
1:28 am
Generally speaking, baseball players are less manly than football players.
And football players are not as manly as rugby players.
Real men fight in tank battles. — Sarge
Come on, Sarge. You should know that real men fight with bayonets and hand-to-hand combat.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:30 am
In case you missed the Spelling Bee earlier tonight, here’s a pic of Erin Andrews talking to some kid. Note the look on the kid’s face… http://deadspin.com/photogallery/spellingbee09/1008470387
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2009
1:30 am
I’m Gonna Bring Up the Trade for Shane Victorino Bandwagon…!
Who’s On Board The HOOOOOOTRAIIIINNNNNNN?????
We need a Centerfielder, We Need a Leadoff Hitter, We Need More Spped…Shane Victorino Fits All Needs!!!!
Plus I love his grittyness, and his GO-ALL-OUT attitude which is what this team needs BAD!
Philly Needs some Pitching, Myers is Hurt… Trade Anyone other than our top 3 and Hanson…
Even though trades amongst rivals is rare, especially during the season but Something needs to be done NOW!!!
Thoughts…?
Including D.O.B.
TnBrian
May 29th, 2009
1:31 am
Jeff’s struggles remind me a little of when Dion Sanders K’d like every other at bat…remember that? Now, you’re talking about two completely different personalities and I would proudly boo a arrogant, selfish prick like Dion was then, but JF is totally opposite and people, including myself sometimes, need to realize he’s only 25 and might have something wrong upstairs that isn’t his fault. And he’s clearly just a piece of what’s wrong with this team…big piece, little piece, that’s anybody’s opinion.
braves70
May 29th, 2009
1:33 am
I loved Deion. He was one of the most clutch hitters we had. He was a winner. Francoeur is a loser in my book.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
1:34 am
Francoeur, Diory and Schafer all strike out with two runners on in the second inning, and end up a combined 0-for-10 with six srikeouts on the night.
Schafer’s down to .205 now, with 59 strikeouts and a .612 OPS in 156 at-bats.
Francoeur is down to .247 with a .269 OBP and a .615 OPS.
Garret Anderson is hitting .266 with a .617 OPS.
That’s three starting outfielders who have an OPS between .612 and .617 more than a quarter of the way into the season. On the same team. I didn’t think that was possible.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:35 am
Tomahawkin, the Phillies aren’t gonna trade Victorino. They most definitely need pitching help, but why would they weaken their current roster to get it? It wouldn’t make a bit of sense from their perspective. They’ll trade prospects to upgrade their pitching, not key everyday players.
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:36 am
I can’t feel bad for Francoeur now. To me, it would be kinda like me feeling bad for a crappy rock band that is getting paid good money despite the fact that it reeks like all hell. I just can’t do it.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
1:36 am
Meanwhile, the catcher who had all the vision problems, who had a stint on the 15-day DL and had to start wearing glasses to hit in the middle of the season — wearing glasses to hit or the first time in his life — is batting .317 with a .932 OPS.
TnBrian
May 29th, 2009
1:37 am
braves70, well, Bobby didn’t and I heard a lot of the players didn’t either. That was so long ago that I can’t remember too much on details but I knew he missed a playoff game for something. Correct me if I’m wrong. That’s cool you liked him though.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:38 am
tennpaul,
all kidding aside. i called this two years ago. major mechanic problems that wont last in the league.
certain guys can overcome it, certain cant.
i still am not sure on which side he will fall.
failure sucks. for most of us in happens early.
not for him. won everything at parkview.
first round draft pick. homerun in his first game. cover of sports illustrated.
failure is not the right word. he has had more success under his right fingernail then many of us will ever experience.
the right word is humility.
the braves organization has given him more chances then anyone else would of.
there is no shame in going down to aaa and working things out.
that tirade last year sealed his fate. gotta wonder who his advisors are.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:38 am
braves70, without even getting into the fallacy that Deion was clutch (.732 career OPS w/RISP), it’s ridiculous to call Francoeur a loser. Sure, he’s not playing well, but calling him a loser? That’s probably says more about you than it does him.
Sarge
May 29th, 2009
1:40 am
Pound for pound, Shane Victorino is one of the manliest men in baseball.
Coach (Moon Pie, anyone?)
May 29th, 2009
1:41 am
Hey, I didn’t think it was possible for this team to finish with a losing record. But I’m beginning to reassess the possibility.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:44 am
dob,
you are in scottsdale right?
stayed at the marriot suites, for the dawgs arizonia state game.
right across the street from old town.
there is a boardeline biker landmark, called the rusty spur there.
total dive but live music, mostly cover but fun.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2009
1:44 am
Fluffy McNutter
Would the Phillies even trade Jason Werth…
Philly fans want ot get rid of him and he still has potential, Plus he has speed….
Whaddya you guys think…?
Chop Chop
May 29th, 2009
1:47 am
Tomahawkin,
The odds of the Braves and Phillies making a trade are zero.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:48 am
I don’t see why they’d trade Werth either. Where did you hear that they want to get rid of Werth? Seems silly since he’s one of their most productive OF. I could see them using John Mayberry as part of a deal to bring in pitching help.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
1:48 am
chop chop,
a braveheart moment for j.f. mercy, mercy, mercy.
i listened to the day crew destroy him on 790 today.
even i can see it aint effort.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
1:50 am
Meant to say Werth is one of their most productive “hitters” not “OF.”
JD
May 29th, 2009
1:54 am
Philly trading Victorino is like the Braves trading McCann.
Jason
May 29th, 2009
1:56 am
Why didn’t Braves call up hot slugger-Barbaro Rafael Canizares?
.337/7HRs/30 RBIs
Like Norton, he did not field.
Canizares will be the protential good PH and back up 1st baseman.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2009
1:56 am
Chop Chop…
Yea I know about how odd the chances are but I’ve gotten tired of the previous trade talk…
And I was putting into perspective that no one thought the Millwood to philly deal would happen in that offseason, so anything in possible
Jerry McManus
May 29th, 2009
1:58 am
This is a sorry team. Other than Chipper and McCann no one on this team could make the starting team on a major league team. This is a team of tenth and eleventh player players.
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2009
1:59 am
Fluffy McNutter here’s the link
http://forums.philly.com/kr-phillies/start/
Phillies fans are sick of Werth and want pitching bad!
Tomahawkin
May 29th, 2009
2:05 am
Aight You guys I’m gonna chill out to some old Sade (Old R&B For people who don’t know nothing about smooth R&B)
Catch up with you peeps tomorrow…
D.O.B. Have Fun out there at the Paris Hilton Clubs in Phoenix, I wish I was there…
Oh yea D.O.B.
Are you Not a Fan Of Old Bone Thugs N Harmony…?
It’s good Rap just like old Outkast was….
N8
May 29th, 2009
2:06 am
“I don’t think most people see the problems that certain hitters on this team have had as being caused by or exacerbated by Pendleton. At least I don’t hear anyone saying that.” DOB
I guess I’ve never accused TP of “causing” anybody’s problems. Just been more curious as to why or how he can’t occasionally “fix” some of them.
Then again. For all I know, Francoeur would be REALLY bad without TP, right?
“That’s three starting outfielders who have an OPS between .612 and .617 more than a quarter of the way into the season. On the same team. I didn’t think that was possible.” DOB
That’s what you get when you spend all that money on pitching, go shopping at the bargain bin for your LF, give the CF job to a kid with very little AAA experience, and count on a guy with one of the worst approaches at the plate in both leagues to “rebound”.
I’m not trying to be a smartass, and I really thought that Jeff couldn’t get any worse than last year, Schafer was more ready than he is, and Garret had a little more left in the tank than he does.
But I’m just a blogger. These strange guys swinging at a ball with clubs frighten me.
Fluffy McNutter
May 29th, 2009
2:11 am
Tomahawkin, I have no idea why the Philly fans would want to run Werth out of town. He’s been very productive for them. Even if the fans want him gone, I don’t see why Phillies management would share that view. When you’re trying to bolster your team for a possible playoff run, you don’t subtract a key member from your team to do it. You trade prospects and that’s why I think John Mayberry would be a logical choice for trade bait from Philly’s perspective. He’s a 25-year-old who still has a work to do on his offensive game and his speed is average-slightly below average. With Victorino unable to become a free agent until 2012, Ibanez signed to that huge contract through 2011 and Werth signed through 2010, there’s no place for Mayberry to play, barring injury to their current OF, until 2011 at the earliest. By then, Mayberry would be 27 years old. Using Mayberry as trade bait makes a ton of sense for them. Trading one of their current starting OF does not.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
2:15 am
DOB,
this is the delta tau chi pledge class?
DEAN WREN’S office.
Mr. Anderson, congratulations you are at the head of the delta tau chi pledge class, with a .617 .ops. GA: I know sir. our mid terms are slightly less then expected.
DEAN WREN: jeff flounceor, .615 .ops, son hubris and lack of humility is no way to go through life.
DEAN WREN: jordan schafer, has no .ops all strikeouts.
i cant believe i threw up in DEAN WREN’s office.
face it floundceour you threw up on DEAN WREN.
toga
JD
May 29th, 2009
2:18 am
I don’t think most people see the problems that certain hitters on this team have had as being caused by or exacerbated by Pendleton. At least I don’t hear anyone saying that.
DOB – Can you give any insight as to how Pendleton is handling Schafer and Francoeur’s struggles?
We give him a lot of flack on this blog because we see players who have previously had success struggle for extended periods of time (Andruw, Francoeur, Kelly, etc). We also hear about players turning to other sources, but not to TP. Like Francoeur actually going to another team’s hitting coach, Andruw succeeding under that same coach, McCann and other players learning from Chipper, Chipper going to his dad, etc. It seems like we’ve been hearing the same song over and over for years.
JD
May 29th, 2009
2:20 am
uga brave – ……what??
JD
May 29th, 2009
2:28 am
For all I know, Francoeur would be REALLY bad without TP, right? N8
There’s a thought. Maybe TP is a mastermind and his players are just naturally awful. Without TP:
-Chipper wins the Mendoza award last season. He also can’t switch hit.
-Jordan Schafer is the first player to strikeout 100 times in a month.
-Brian McCann doesn’t have a beard.
-Jeff Francoeur is the first player in major league history to actually have a negative batting average.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
2:29 am
kelly johnson’s comment’s,
“i was trying to make the best play possible, whether that was at first or second,”
“you gotta give them credit, they had guys on base and did not miss.”
well gotta love a guy that is honest, and touches cloth in major situations.
uga-brave
May 29th, 2009
2:34 am
jd,
if you dont know old movies you well…
MontanaBravo
May 29th, 2009
2:44 am
Judging by the pitching of the Phils and Mets, I think the Braves can stay in the hunt for this thing.
Having said that, if Wren does make a move do we look for going for it this year or look to the future too?
I feel bad for Frenchy but sadly believe that he is done. Put a fork in him he was done in by the SI jinx. I’m not sure if he has any value at this point. I hope Jordan will a fixture in CF. He is a defensive whiz and a pleasure to watch – of course so was Langerhans once. Hopefully he will just keep getting better.
Back on the whole trade for an offensive force (and I don’t mean offensive as to anyones sensabilities). We have “some” pitching to deal: Reyes, Morton, Campillo, Acosta – nothing special about any of them. We should trade them now when they have some worth. I’ve read that the Marlins are tired of Hermida, any possibility of bringing him back home to Atlanta. Holliday would be awesome but he is a Boras guy and if it could be avoided the Braves should never ever deal with him again. Do you think that Huff or Roberts can be had with a good package from the Orioles? Maybe Huff can still play some LF or RF. Roberts would be great leadership and leadoff until someone else is ready. KJ can move back to the OF. The Twins have a crowded OF with Gomez and Span competing for ABs but I can’t see them wanting anyone from our farm that they can’t get from theirs. I think the Rox will want way too much for Hawpe.
Rose colored glasses from the Rocky mountains in spring: I think that the Braves starting pitching can keep them in contention this year. Huddy/Hanson/Glavine avail soon – whoo hoo! Our kingdom for a bat.
Scotty
May 29th, 2009
3:24 am
We suck. The end.
DirtyDawg
May 29th, 2009
4:13 am
I managed to avoid my usual outrage over tonight’s loss…I didn’t watch it and didn’t TIVO it. Saw the score on ESPN and their ‘highlight’ piece – or in our case the lowlights – and witnessed the utter frustration on Lowe’s face following KJ’s error. We talk about KK, and JoJO, and what are we gonna do with Glavine, and for what? It ain’t the pitching – at least not the starters – and any conversation about this team begins and ends with a lousy offense.
We’ve go so many holes that it’s ridiculous to think we can fix ‘em with trades. Plus, our track record on trades of desperation lately doesn’t give me any confidence at all. I say bring up every top prospect, at any level, and give ‘em a month. If we catch lightening in a bottle, great…if not then what have we lost? This business of bringing people up too soon and ruining their careers is BS to me. Tell ‘em up front, don’t worry if you fail, we’re with you. If for any reason you have to go back down it’s no big deal – we’ll just fit you back into the development schedule we had you on.
The way things are going, my guess is that the only Braves player(s) that’ll be on the all-star team will be a pitcher, or perhaps pitchers. Not a single position player – not McCann, not Jones, not anybody. Bring the kids up and give us something to look forward to…the excitement of these young guys going hell-for-leather for a month or so and see what happens.
And finally, Bobby, as much as I respect him, has got to be tired of this mess. Yeah, he still does his ‘chatter’ thing when we’re at bat, but when was the last time you saw him charge out to criticize a call, let alone get thrown out of a game. Bobby, you’ve got to overcome this lethargy and depression if you expect things to change.
Mitch
May 29th, 2009
4:14 am
After watching nearly every inning of the games at home during the last homestand, I find myself turning the TV off early this week. Four in a row is getting ugly. Yes, we know this is the difficult West Coast, but San Francisco and Arizona are not.. the Dodgers.
I really.. really hope we win some games this weekend. (At least a split, hopefully, so we dont go home 0-7. We have another stretch of many home games after this road trip. Hopefully things will pick up, and our guys will get healthy.
I’m glad Glav’s rehab start went well last night. We need him. Hopefully Bobby will feel Tommy only needs one more rehab start before he’s ready to join us. 43 and coming off surgery or not, I will feel a lot better trotting Tommy Glavine, 305 game winner out there, than Kris Medlen.
Mitch
Bobby's Cox
May 29th, 2009
4:40 am
uga,
great post at 1:38.
Btw, what was that oil stock you told us all to buy a few weeks back?
Kevin
May 29th, 2009
4:45 am
Braves lose lose way to go Bobby cox n friends oh Mike wren said we got lowe to contend u mean pretend n challebge washington for last place….I hope lowe has a clause states he can opt out n go elsewhere to pitch Now!
Bravo Nam
May 29th, 2009
5:57 am
DOB
Great song choice. Like Glen Campbell’s version the best…incredibly moving.
BATS
The Bravos can’t wait for Infante to get back, for Chipper to get better, for Yunel to return, for Frenchie and Schafer to get their acts together. A combination of trades, demotion to AAA and a severe kick up the ar*e from our man Bobby has gotta start now. This current hitting line-up wouldn’t scare a team of gals from an Arizona nursing home net alone the DBacks.
theriddler
May 29th, 2009
5:59 am
Went to the GBraves game yesterday. Other than Hanson/Glavine and maybe a DH the cupboards bare at AAA.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
6:03 am
3.5 games out and counting. Hey, it’s only May……Right?
ncgary
May 29th, 2009
6:20 am
ralph garr was a pretty good leadoff hitter, so i guess 34 years ago to whoever asked when was the last time we had a good leadoff hitter, unfortunately back then he was the only decent hitter on the team
Braveheart
May 29th, 2009
6:29 am
51-67 with the Rally Turtle. The rally turtle sucks more than Francoeur.
Bill M.
May 29th, 2009
6:31 am
One bat will make no difference with this team. They are like dead fish, no life. If they continue down this path, they will be sellers at deadline. I think there will be a shakeup very soon. Cox should retire after this season and fire the whole coaching staff. Wren’s hands are tied with no funds. This team is going nowhere until it is sold.
tootle loo
May 29th, 2009
6:57 am
Send Frenchy, Kelly Johnson, and JoJo Reyes to Houston for Hunter Pence and a minor league reliever. If Houston wants more, then give them Morton instead of JoJo or (gulp) Medlen if we can add Keppinger (utility guy/solid bat)
The lineup will be better with both Prado and Pence in it everyday. This lineup needs some guys that hit for average on a consistent basis and that make pitchers work. Do that, then just watch the power numbers soar from Chipper, Mac, and Kotch.
Pence can even play center for the time being. Then we can call up B Jones for RF and send Schafer down for more seasoning. If Brandon produces then we can ship him later to restock on pitching if and when Schafer adjusts. We can then get our power bat in the offseason, or just settle with Diaz until Heyward is ready.
Pence is the perfect fit. Boston doesn’t need anything they already have and I don’t see them giving us anything for Frenchy unless we pack a guy like KJ, but they already have Pedroia. They’re sure as hell ain’t giving us their pitching prospects for French, and I don’t want Kotsay or JD Drew back.
Houston could use a 2nd baseman and pitching, and we could lose a left handed bat. Makes sense for me on all sides of the ball. There’s no way we’re gonna get a power bat this early in the year and by only giving up Frenchy and not Hanson or Medlen. A smaller, .300 bat that steals bases is what we need, and all we can get right now. You replace Schafer and frenchy’s K’s with RISP, as well as KJ’s streaks, and just think of how many games we’d be in 1st by.
Braveheart
May 29th, 2009
6:57 am
Wellman needs to launch a grenade into the dugout. That would be the manly thing to do.
Jimmy the c
May 29th, 2009
6:58 am
Message to media: “Knock it OFF”
I think its your rumor mongering that’s getting in the way. I swear, with your help and the other media posters, no wonder these guys are looking over their shoulders. And this started right when they came back from a decent road trip and an OK home stand.
If you could give a break to Schaffer and let Francour get some confidence back, they might start doing better and not thinking they are going to get traded or sent down.
Why not concentrate on the positives like Glavine coming back, or Hudson? I am a Brave fan since the Dusty Baker days and want nothing more to return to the top like the 90s, but back then our writers were not trying to find stories to generate distrust within the organization.
Flowers (Macon Georgia)
May 29th, 2009
7:20 am
I’m not paying another penny to see these Braves unless thet make some changes fast, the philly and mets will soon ride and coast on, the braves are still waiting and standing around. We all know we need a bat, what so hard to see bout that. It cost to much to see loosers at Turner Field. Braves Fans you deserve better go on strike until they make a move.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
7:22 am
Oh the insanity……….
AMG
May 29th, 2009
7:29 am
At what point should the Braves really worry about disrupting the development of Jordan Schafer? He looks totally lost at the plate now and probably has lost some confidence. I would hate to see him loose more confidence and start to develop doubt in his ability.
I miss Omar. . .
JJ
May 29th, 2009
7:34 am
Another shorthanded game…another loss. We’ve got a AAA CFer, an over the hill, past his prime, washed up LFer, and a talented, but severely underachieving and undisciplined RFer. Not to mention a rookie fill-in shortstop. So basically we’re playing 4 on 8 until Esco gets back and even then we’re playing 5 on 8.
It’s going to be a LONG summer if Wren waits til July to make changes. Waiting to July to make a trade may be SOP for most every team, but no other teams are THIS shorthanded. By July, it may not matter what trades Wren can make. We need help NOW.
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
7:40 am
I wonder if Hudson would agree to re-structure his contract. Something like 4 million guaranteed in 2010 with 2 million dollar bonuses for every 100, 125, 150, and 175 innings he pitched, then 2 club options which he can both void (so basically mutual options) for 2011 and 2012 for, say, 14 million with a rather large buyout attached, 4 million. That way he still gets 12 million guaranteed, has options for 2011 and 2012, and can earn up to 40 million dollars in the next 3 years. Would he do it?
Couch Tater
May 29th, 2009
7:42 am
I really thought Jeff couldn’t get any worse than last year, Schafer was more ready than he is, and Garret had a little more left in the tank than he does.
N8 – Frank & Bobby are probably having these same thoughts. Jeff ended 2008 on a high note. Shafer tore it up in ST. G. Anderson they rolled the dice and so far, 6’s or 8’s.
One thing that I think gets lost is the Furcal deal (or no deal). In a weak free-agent market, that piece would have given Frank a lot more flexability to make trades. But, how would the blog be melting down with Furcal batting .238 with a .299 OBP?
Greg
May 29th, 2009
7:47 am
I’M GOING TO TYPE THIS IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I AM SCREAMING. WE NEED TO START A FAN PETITION TO FIRE TERRY PENDLETON. It’s clear that not a single Braves player has confidence in him as a hitting coach. Why else are they going to see Texas Ranger coach Rudy Jaramillo? There has got to be a better coach out there than pendleton. I turned off last night’s game after three Braves hitters made Dan Haren look like Sandy Koufax as they whiffed with runners in scoring position. They looked absolutely lost at the plate. Pendleton has to go.
Rick
May 29th, 2009
7:52 am
OK let me get this straight. 2008 =90 losses
Winter : fix rotation- done & bullpen gets healthy- done
keep guys in key positions that can field the ball-mostly done
Improve the offesnse- oops the season has started –no time left to do that just yet- let’s see if some people bounce back or have career years.Ummm that’s not happened
current loss pace = 81 games
OK, so a slight impovement, but not enough to win a WC or Div
Looks like the Fraves will have to deal for offense. BUT will that improve wins another 9-12 games to get into the play offs ?
They probably need to play .590-.600 ball to get into the playoffs from here on out to assure themselves a spot.
I think they will wait until next year to try for that big of an improvement.
Everybody settle down and enjoy .500 baseball the rest of the year.
theriddler
May 29th, 2009
8:07 am
The Future:
Jurrjens/Hanson/McCann and a couple of AA maybe’s. What happened to this organization?
David
May 29th, 2009
8:13 am
They wonder why they are selling no tickets at Turner. 4 years and no playoffs. They did a decent job on the pitching staff but failed miserably on the lineup. They were depending upon a RF that hit terrible last year, a CF who is a rookie and a LF with no power that has never played the NL. It’s a joke.
Bill in VA
May 29th, 2009
8:34 am
MY TRIP TO ATLANTA for a homestand is off, for this year!!
Original Jon
May 29th, 2009
8:39 am
The Braves should bring up Barton or Blanco if they DL Esco. Let Diory continue at SS and bring up a back up CF to give Schafer a rest.
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
8:43 am
Bringing up Blanco or Barton won’t accomplish anything other than giving Schafer a rest. And if we can avoid DLing Escobar we should.
Jersey Gil
May 29th, 2009
8:50 am
I just watch two inning last night…Second Inning man in first and second no outs and we can moved the runner…that it…i know the Braves going to loss again….Not to many time that happen to me, i’m a good Atlanta Braves fan, no matter what i’m there, but last night i have this feeling to no watch this team…..
Did anyone heard this morning in ESPN Mike/Mike what Mark Texeira say about that Joe Girardi is the Best Manager that he play for…..WOW…
Billy Walsh
May 29th, 2009
8:52 am
As professionals..the brave hitters should not have to rely on a hitting coach for confidence. Is it TP’s fault that this lineup has not scored runs? Everyone knew that one of the biggest question marks was going to be the braves lineup. The braves front office rolled dice…and for the first 47 games it has not paid off. Dan Haren is a very good pitcher. 16-8 with a 3.33 era last year is not bad.
Rob from SC
May 29th, 2009
8:59 am
The only player I hate worse than Teixeira is his teamate Rodriguez
Poorjeff
May 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Jersey girl, its about time someone tells the truth…..thanks Tex! Bobby’s had his best days, time to retire.
cvbraves
May 29th, 2009
9:04 am
Neither Frank Wren, Bobby Cox nor Terry Pendleton are responsible for the injuries to Omar, Chipper and Yunel…and we were doing pretty good the last time the three of them were playing daily.
Poorjeff
May 29th, 2009
9:07 am
Rob from SC, would you take less money to play for Braves are BC ? What other reason do you hate the man? He didn’t make the trade!
siskel_god
May 29th, 2009
9:09 am
One more week and then I can finally start to panic because then it won’t only be May.
siskel_god
May 29th, 2009
9:11 am
“Neither Frank Wren, Bobby Cox nor Terry Pendleton are responsible for the injuries to Omar, Chipper and Yunel”
The Mets have way more injuries to more important pieces than the Braves and they are getting by pretty good huh?
Joe
May 29th, 2009
9:11 am
Why wasn’t Francouer bunting last night with men on 1st and 2nd an nobody out?
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
9:13 am
No offense, but the braves have no offense……
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
9:13 am
If Yunel can get healthy and back in the lineup, this offense should start to score some more runs. My concern is that the June schedule gets tougher, and if no one is willing to make a trade at this point, I’m not sure our starting pitching will be able to overcome the lack of run production when we start to face above average offensive teams. I believe we have a pretty tough stretch from June 15th-July 2nd where we play @ Cincy and @Boston(6 games), and then home vs. Boston, New York and Philly(9 games).
PMC
May 29th, 2009
9:15 am
This team is what it is, Frank knows the issues, they knew them going in to the season. They had absolutely zero room for injury and a very thin margin that could make them competitive. They will absolutley win 10-12 games more than last year but there really is no need to get too down here. Even with TP… it’s pretty tough to teach guys how to hit in the majors. The teams that have good plate dicipline generally make it a huge part of thier minor league instruction. We just have a great deal of average talent and no room for error. This year as opposed to last we actually have solid pitching so even though the team can’t generally hit to save it’s life (consistantly anyway) they are in more games. I fully expect some changes to be made, I’m just not sure they will be anywhere near the deadline this year unless there is a really good deal on the table. Most teams really aren’t interested in giving up what we need in the major league form, so likely it’s going to have to be a minor leaguer or several outfield draft picks because the last few haven’t panned out yet anyway. We can’t get too down on them with these injuries, they have shown when healthy they can compete, and usually when the Braves are competitive, after the AS Break is when they come alive. Keep the faith, keep plugging away. They have shown the ability to string wins toegther and they have the pitching to do it.
Murph 3
May 29th, 2009
9:17 am
I have never been a coach basher (being a HS baseball coach myself) but as a coach you need to cater to your team strengths and weaknesses. Bobby needs to rethink how he handles some offensive situations, I would never take the bat out of Chip and McCann’s hands but everyone else in the line up is fair game for bunts and Hit and runs. Also JS has blazing speed but I have never seen him try a base hit bunt. Ah the days of Jones, Jones, Sheffield, Lopez theose are the games where you sit back………No longer
ncscoots
May 29th, 2009
9:19 am
Three decisions on the OF in March: Francoeur would improve, Schafer would be at least league-average with the bat, and a Diaz/Anderson platoon in LF would improve the 2008 numbers from that position. A GM might not expect that all three forecasts would come to fruition, but, he wouldn’t expect all three to go bust, either. If only one of those scenarios had held so far, the Braves are probably in first.
Those three scenarios, by the way, are basically what 95% of the front-running hind-sighters on this blog forecast, too. Seems to me that, if you’re going to castigate Wren for those decisions, you might want to save some of the lashes for yourselves.
Billy Walsh
May 29th, 2009
9:21 am
PMC,
I totally agree. A bat (Hawpe?) would make a big difference in the lineup. They have the pitching…unlike 2007 when the starting pitching was a mash unit when they traded for Tex.
RHR
May 29th, 2009
9:23 am
It’s going to be a LONG summer if Wren waits til July to make changes. Waiting to July to make a trade may be SOP for most every team, but no other teams are THIS shorthanded. By July, it may not matter what trades Wren can make. We need help NOW.
But like DOB said yesterday, Wren is aware of the fact that we need help but that doesn’t mean other teams are just going to bend over and say “Oh sorry Frank, I wasn’t aware your team needed help! Here, take whoever you want from us! Next time let us know you need someone sooner and we’ll throw in the towel even earlier. Good luck Frank, I hope you win it all!”
ElonBrave
May 29th, 2009
9:24 am
Kelly Johnson is not playing like a guy who may be traded. I can take the error, but jogging into second base when the right fielder bobbles the ball…. that should have been a stand up triple. There wouldn’t have been a throw.
Love your neighbor, treat women well, and run the bases hard – life is simple.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
9:24 am
How much have the Braves missed Infante? As much as they feared they would after he broke his hand and player after player described it as a “huge blow” to the team. He probably won’t be back before the All-Star break.
Not only is Infante versatile and a professional hitter, he also had one of the highest on-base percentages in the NL as a leadoff man, and has the Braves’ highest (and NL’s 10th-highest) average against lefties at .385 (15-for-39).
Not trying to knock Infante. He’s a fine player. But does anyone really think he would have kept up that pace? Key number in those sentences: 39…as in only 39 at-bats. He only had 71 plate appearances as a leadoff man this year. His career on-base is .309 (with a career slugging of .392).
Infante’s loss hurts because they don’t have a very good and versatile bench player/spot starter. But it could in a sense be a blessing because the better player will now play more at secondbase.
Billy Walsh
May 29th, 2009
9:25 am
Murph 3,
Being a high school baseball coach (JV) too..I can see your points. However, out of all the sports I truly believe that a baseball coach has the least impact on the outcome of a game. Sure, you can tweak the lineup or pick a spot to hit and run. However, if your pitcher can’t throw strikes and your defense throws the ball all over the field..it doesnt matter much. A 5-12 record for my team this year.
ElonBrave
May 29th, 2009
9:26 am
Or… Love your neighbor, treat women well, and protect with two strikes. Either of those work for me.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
9:29 am
i remembered talking about anderson in the off season, and how he had a slow start in 2008, but a really good 2nd half, so i decided to go check it out.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=3129&type=batting&year=2008
thats his splits page for 2008.
if he does that again this year, it will be worth it to hang onto him…
Justafan
May 29th, 2009
9:30 am
Hire Ned Yost Mgr. and Pat Corrales back and fire BC, TP, RM and you will see a big improve in players and their attitude. The Braves are dead just going through the motions. Braves need some new life, new blood to get out of there rut. There’s nothing exciting about the Braves anymore, no chemistry.
The D-Backs had that emotion last night. The Braves back to the 70’s.
RHR
May 29th, 2009
9:30 am
And it’s not like we have better options in the minor leagues, if we did I’m certain they would already be up.
Remember last year and the year before when we didn’t have much on the pitching front and everyone was blaming Roger and crying for the return of Leo? Now that Wren has shored up the pitching staff you don’t hear much about firing Roger anymore, suddenly it’s all TP’s fault. This isn’t t-ball. When a man makes it all the way to the big show there’s only so much “coaching” that can be done. At the end of the day, the ability of the player stands alone.
BigJake
May 29th, 2009
9:31 am
With all of the negatives being thrown about, what I feel the Braves need right now is better coaching. I watch some of the younger players demonstrate their lack of experience at the plate, and even a player that has been here a couple of years, whose name is being mentioned in trade rumors (bad idea). As a long-time youth baseball coach, I tell my players that if the pitcher cannot find the strike zone, do not help him by swinging at the first pitch you see, no matter how anxious you are to get a hit and help your team. You can best help your team by taking a few, not swinging until you see a strike. Perhaps the young CF may need some more time in AAA and let someone with more experience take his place until the roster expansion in September. I am thankful for the leadership that Chipper provides in the dugout, and when we get Glavine and Hudson back, we will improve there as well.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2009
9:33 am
It’s going to be a LONG summer if Wren waits til July to make changes.
What will make a long summer is reading the 8 gazillion posts telling us that Wren shouldn’t wait to pull the trigger on a blinkin’ trade. Because he is, of course, in total control of that, and only hesitates in order to see how many bloggers he can cause to stroke out.
60 days to the trade deadline? Holy Cornelia.
6-4-3
May 29th, 2009
9:33 am
Why do they insist on having that sissy picture of Franceour on the homepage here?
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
9:34 am
Justafan—–*The braves back to the 70’s*…..Back to the 80’s is what I had in mind.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:34 am
Braves need to call up Jack Lewellen, Smoltz’s shrink of old, because our boys have become head cases, especially Frenchy and Shafer.
Big Easy
May 29th, 2009
9:36 am
Scoots, I gotta agree. Bloggers must have short memories.
I love how so many people were talking in spring training about how dumb it would be to send Schafer to AAA because Josh Anderson was out of options. Now, how many of those people are screaming about Wren being an idiot for dumping Anderson, because he should have known Schafer wasn’t ready.
Honestly, this blog is full of people just like my 2-year old — they are always right, always know best, and never think anyone could possibly have a better idea than they do, especially if that person might actually be the person running the team (Bobby Cox or Frank Wren). I mean, seriously, the thought that some blogger knows more about the situation than the people who are directly involved? Give me a break.
Now, am I disappointed in the Braves’ play so far? Of course! Would I like to see our outfield break out of their funk? Yes! Would I enjoy watching our 4th and 5th starters not get shelacked? It’d be great! But that doesn’t mean I know more about the team that Wren or Cox.
Of course, I guess we could always trade. I mean, a three way that sends Frenchy to the Philies for Ryan Howard and Jason Werth, and JoJo to the Mets for David Wright and Johan Santana. That’d work, right?
~E~
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
9:37 am
What the Braves need right now is a more talented outfield offensively. But it’s hard to blame the front office for not wanting to overpay for guys like Adam Dunn (who adds nothing defensively or on the basepaths) when you have guys like Heyward, Cody Johnson and Hernandez coming up within the next couple of years.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
9:39 am
Braves need to call up Jack Lewellen, Smoltz’s shrink of old, because our boys have become head cases, especially Frenchy and Shafer.
It couldn’t be that Schafer just isn’t ready and that Francoeur wasn’t all that talented in the first place could it? It all has to do with psychology, huh?
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:40 am
“Did anyone heard this morning in ESPN Mike/Mike what Mark Texeira say about that Joe Girardi is the Best Manager that he play for…..WOW…”
Playing for Girardi now, he would be a fool to say anything else.
richbrave
May 29th, 2009
9:41 am
So what I’m reading here in the past 48 is that the BRAVES lost in SF because their aces were too much for our batters, and the end of our rotation. Now its head to head in ARIZONA, their best against our best, and their best “really got tough later in the game” preventing our poor little attack from generating any offense.
So the jist of the information from my perspective is that we’re only gonna’ win when our top of the rotation starters go against the other teams bottom feeders thereby allowing us to win by scores such as 4-3 or 2-1. We are not going to win 86 games that way, nor even 72. I sense the urgency in DOB’s words matching my own from last week before we swept the now suspect JAYS.
Solutions best be had now and not before the JULY trade dead-line, or “#1 METS TROLL AND PROUD OF IT” will be back with reinforcements and we’ll be swimming with the FISH for third place in the NL east rather than contending for first with the MELTS and FILTHIES….Just statin’ the obvious.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
9:41 am
By the end of June the braves will become sellers, if they haven’t already…..
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:42 am
80% of the game is between the ears at this point. Every MLer can play.
6-4-3
May 29th, 2009
9:42 am
I have a little more faith in Schafer turning it around than Frenchy, but not much. I’m not talking long term, just this year.
They’ve both been awful this past month.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:45 am
If the Braves had won the last 4 instead of losing them, they would be in first ahead of the Melts.
That’s how close these teams are in the standings. One good/bad week at any point makes a huge difference. A week from now, who knows? I recall the Fish opened 11-1.
Josh H
May 29th, 2009
9:45 am
ElonBrave: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/05/28/its-hot-but-braves-are-not/comment-page-11/#comment-113648 at 9:24
Were we watching the same play? Upton had the ball in his hands by the time Kelly was halfway to second. The ball bounced right to Upton. He slowed down to come in to 2nd…I don’t know…not hurt. By the way Upton has a cannon. He bobbled that ball for a second, maybe two. Kelly would have been thrown out going to third on that play. Period. It isn’t a “standup triple”. Besides, why take the chance? 1 out with Kotchman and Chipper coming up to drive you in.
Blame Kelly on the error. But he isn’t the loafer on this team collecting a paycheck. That would be Garrett Anderson.
Speaking of that…the Braves need to send a message. Bench GA every time he loafs. If that doesn’t work, cut him. Its not like he’s any better than Matt Diaz or Brandon Jones…at this point in his career.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
9:46 am
80% of the game is between the ears at this point. Every MLer can play.
80 percent? Really? So basically every major leaguer is an Albert Pujols but Pujols just has something much better “between the ears”? Does that really seem likely to you?
Lew
May 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Floundcoeur?
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Richbrave—–I’m just trying to keep it real. Too many in this blog live in a fantasy world. The braves are the 3rd/4th best team in the division. It was the case during spring training. All you read here was how the braves were as good as the phils and definitly better than the Mets even though the proof was visible with the records of the last three season as obvious as the sun. The kind of play you’re seeing from the braves is what you get from a 3rd or 4th place team.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
9:49 am
Seems to me, bats 1-5 are pretty solid. #6 (Frenchy) is a joke. #7 (Hernandez) is a minor league fill in. #8 (Schafer) is completely lost. When we get Escobar back that will solve one spot in the line up. Harden pitched a good game last night but our offense played metaphorically with one arm behind its back.
Jeff Francoeur only hurts this lineup(two strikeouts and two weak ground balls). Brandon Jones can play his position. He will have about the same batting average but he’ll have a higher on base percentage; better pitch selection and recognition; and, he’ll not be a giant hole in the lineup.
Interesting suggestion during the game last night by Joe Simpson: Move Kelly Johnson to center for a few days and play Prado at 2nd. It would be a huge improvement where our offense is concerned.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:50 am
“The suspension began Thursday night, leaving Zambrano available to pitch for the Cubs next Thursday in Atlanta.”
That’s just great.
Anders
May 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Efrim- I pointed out that schedule sunami (sp.) yesterday. Braves have a couple of tough series they’re coming home to next week also. They might fall out of this thing by early July. The Glavine and Hudson possibilities are all well and good but this could be over (or at least a much longer shot) by the time those guys have any effect, if at all. If the Braves are serious about this season then they have to swallow hard and overpay for a bat now. Either with prospects or by taking big $’s back. They can’t wait for the normal market timeframe imo.
Personally I don’t think they’ll do either. Mainly because the key guy in their lineup, Chipper, can’t stay healthy. So why take the risk?
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
9:51 am
SoWeGa Fanatic—— One word…..IF
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:52 am
“80% of the game is between the ears at this point. Every MLer can play.
80 percent? Really? So basically every major leaguer is an Albert Pujols but Pujols just has something much better “between the ears”? Does that really seem likely to you?”
Exteme, but something like that. Never played, have you.
Josh H
May 29th, 2009
9:52 am
To clarify, since my last post to ElonBrave seemed a bit harsh:
I was screaming at the TV last night when I saw GA on that “double” to left-center after Kelly’s error. The ball gets over his head, and GA starts a slow trot to get back there.
Heck, the announcer’s even blamed Schafer on that play for “overrunning” the ball. He had to. GA was making no attempt to play it.
So point is, I think SI.com released an article of the top 5 baserunners in baseball, excluding stolen bases. These were the guys who make it from 1st to 3rd on a single, 1st to home on a double more often than anyone else. Kelly was on that list. He runs the bases hard.
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
9:53 am
“SoWeGa Fanatic—— One word…..IF”
Just making a point, but touche anyway.
RHR
May 29th, 2009
9:54 am
The thing is, the Braves play the tough teams very well. It’s the mediocre teams they roll over and play dead for. I’m ready for that tough June schedule so they can start looking alive again.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
9:54 am
shaunNot trying to knock Infante. He’s a fine player. But does anyone really think he would have kept up that pace?
probably not, but he was playing well and had been for a long stretch there. i really dont understand your thinking that a player who had been playing so well for us getting hurt is a blessing, so that the guy who hasnt been playing as well…though he has better career numbers…can play. infante was showing no signs of slowing down, so i dont care what his career numbers are, i wish he was still in the lineup.
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Anders, I haven’t checked, but don’t the Mets have a tough June schedule too?
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
9:57 am
SoWeGa Fanatic, only up to high school. But doesn’t seem very likely that the differences between major leaguers can be explained mostly by what’s “between the ears.” Carl Crawford steals more bases than Matt Diaz mostly because of something “between the ears?” Chipper is a better hitter than Dallas McPhearson mostly because of what’s “between the ears?” Adam Dunn has more plate discipline than Francoeur mostly because of something “between the ears?” None of that seems likely. That’s a very simplistic explanation of what makes certain players better than others.
richbrave
May 29th, 2009
9:57 am
#1 METS TROLL:
Can’t disagree with that. But the brass is on it. IF it can be fixed it will be, just don’t know who it will take, or when that may occur. It is obvious that some of the ???? from ST were hits(LOWE, VASQUEZ, INFANTE for example) and some fizzled(FRANCOUER, SCHAFER, KAWAKAMI).
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:00 am
DAP, totally agree about Infante. He knows how to play the game. Most at bats, he doesn’t get cheated.
RHR
May 29th, 2009
10:01 am
I couldn’t tell you who the Mets play tonight, much less who they play in June. It’s amusing how Mets fans not only have their team to worry about but have to constantly look over their shoulders at what the Braves and Phillies are doing. The Fear of The Choke starts early in Flushing, I suppose. There should be a name for that condition. Oh wait, there is. Pnigophobia. See your doctors, Mets fans. Maybe she can prescribe something.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:03 am
only problem with that, NCSCOOTS, is that no one on this blog gets paid (and paid well) to make those decisions. You want to give me the money Wren makes and the budget he gets to work with? I guarantee you we never would have been Furcalled or Burnetted…..mostly because AJ Burnett never would have been near the list of possible FA’s I’d have brought in.
Certainly not bragging, not one bit, but having plenty of baseball playing experience and managerial experience as well I woulda wiggled a much different lineup out of this off season.
First the starts would be:
*Lowe (can’t tell you how much i BEGGED for the braves to get him)
*JJJJJJJ (kid is/will be terrific)
*Insert lefty here* Oliver Perez comes to mind, I still say the kid has talent. Pat Maholm wouldn’t have been UNattainable (especially considering Francoeur HAD trade value this offseason).
*Vasquez (Great Trade)
*Morton (kid had enough time up here last year and showed enough to earn that 5 spot)
Bullpen would be about the same, except with a flip flop of Soriano and Gonzo. Gonzo is too streaky to be a closer in my book. Soriano, now that he’s healthy, is as much of a sure thing as you can get.
Lineup –
1. Furcal- 2b (NEVER would have let him slide if he was that close to a contract)
2. J. Shaffer-CF (I don’t care what anyone says, give him Chipper, Dunn and McCann behind him and the kid will get pitches to hit. He also can bunt, although he hasn’t done much of that this year)
3. Chipper-3b
4. Adam Dunn-RF (how this man did not get signed I still don’t understand)
5. McCann-C
6. Escobar-SS (would love to see him get more at bats with runners on base- as I’m sure all of you would)
7. Kelly Johnson- LF (where he belongs- both in lineup and on field)
8. Kotchman-1b (great at getting on base to turn that lineup over)
Bench: *Infante (who I have always LOVED since he came up with Detroit and can play anywhere on the field—catcher included—, *Prado (Kid can hit given some playing time, *D. Ross (best ‘backup’ catcher in baseball right now), and *Greg Norton (I know he’s off to a slow start but the guy is great off the bench)
That right there, with only a few minor changes (and would actually be cheaper removing KK, Garrett and Francoeur) seems a whole hell of a lot better to me.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
10:04 am
one thing that frustrates me is that i feel like there are things the braves can do to improve them team without trading for or signing anyone. they need to bring in some reinforcements, and begin platooning frenchy with b. jones. doing little things that this may help the braves stay in it until they can make a move. greg norton isnt doing anything to help the team win, so weve got to get a contributor in here.
Doc Holiday
May 29th, 2009
10:04 am
This team only has 3 offensive weapons, that would be chipper, Mc and yunel+Infante=1…and they all have gone down……………those are the regulars that have played fewer games (well infante is not a regular)………….why doesnt JF, KJ, Schafer or kotchman go down?
This team scks…………….BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ElonBrave
May 29th, 2009
10:04 am
Josh H., Kelly started slowing down about 20 feet from the bag, then the ball was bobbled at the WALL. I don’t care if the right fielder has a catapult, he’s not throwing out a runner rounding second from the wall. He’s got to hit the cut off man with a perfect throw and then the cutoff man has to make a perfect throw from the edge of the grass to third base.
Maybe it’s the 3B coaches fault (probably, actually), but when you’re facing a superstar pitcher who isn’t giving you anything to hit, you manufacture runs, you take advantage of mistakes. You especially do this when you’re on the road, your team is in a three game skid, you’ve got NO power, your ace is on the mound, AND you haven’t been doing your job very well.
Its a risk, sure, but I’d much rather see a player BUST IT to third base trying to make something happen when he’s given a chance than for him to lumber into second thinking “well, I did the bare minimum…”
I think what really bothers me is the mentality of it. Not just with KJ either, but with the team. There’s no fire. Not even with Bobby.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
10:05 am
Richbrave—-The braves just don’t have any power from their outfielders or first base. When you look at the braves line-up, outside of chipper there isn’t anyone that scares you. Basically you pitch around chipper and challenge the rest of the line-up to beat you.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:05 am
DAP, no way Infante’s injury is a blessing because they are still losing a very good player. That was a bad choice of words on my part. But I still contend Johnson is the much better player.
Not sure why you don’t care about his career numbers. They tell us a great deal about what kind of player Infante is–one of the best utility guys in the game and a solid spot starter. They certainly tell us more than two months.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2009
10:06 am
Schafer lost? I doubt it. I’d guess that’s confusing out-of-whack swing mechanics with lack of ability. There’s nothing foundationally wrong with his swing (never has been), but, he’s having some trouble taking his BP work into the games. Shoot, it may take him all year to get right, for all I know. So what? The struggles of an 8-hole rookie aren’t the root of this team’s offensive problems.
In any event, the kid can hit. And it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go .270+ after the ASB.
Just a note on hitting as a rookie: Chipper was hitting under .240 as late as July in his rookie year. It just ain’t that easy, folks.
buzzmeat (BMAC AT CLEANUP!)
May 29th, 2009
10:07 am
Man these braves just arent playing “smart” lately. Dumb mistakes
McFann :Ô:
May 29th, 2009
10:07 am
Uga-Brave–
Thank you. I’m sure glad BMac took that contract! I cann see him being a Brave his entire career.
Ah, that ol’ Thirsty Horse…he was a bit of a character. Wonder where he rode off to.
Haha…and me “Fancoeur”? No way…I liked him OK when he first came up, but Mac’s Homer off Roger Clemens in the playoffs and an article I read on March 5, 2006 by Ms. Rogers really opened the door for this fann.
6-4-3
May 29th, 2009
10:08 am
If the Braves do become sellers at the deadline, what players do we have that other teams want, besides Chipper and McCann?
I say Vasquez, Gonzalez, and Soriano could possibly be sought after. And as for position players probably Kelly Johnson and Escobar, although Escobar would most likely not be made available.
We better turns things around pretty soon here. Can’t wait too long for the help to arrive here.
buzzmeat (BMAC AT CLEANUP!)
May 29th, 2009
10:09 am
DOB,
How does Moylan get an 1,000 dollar Traffic ticket???? (SI Pop-Culture Grid) Arent you the one who sends it to SI? or was that a one time thing you did with Kelly earlier in ST this year? anyways… Find out what he did, seems rather HIGH for a traffic violation
SoWeGa Fanatic
May 29th, 2009
10:10 am
“Adam Dunn has more plate discipline than Francoeur mostly because of something “between the ears?””
Absolutely. What, you think it’s his athleticism>?
Anders
May 29th, 2009
10:10 am
Efrim – Mets have 27 games in June. 10 against Pit, Wash, Balt. 17 against Phils, Yanks, St. L, Mil, and Tampa.
Tampa could almost go on the weaker side now. Looks like it might not happen for them.
Anyway, other than Delgado the Mets are expecting most of their guys back in the next week. As I said yesterday if Reyes, Beltran or Church are out for an extended time then they will have to make move too.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:13 am
Adam Dunn-RF (how this man did not get signed I still don’t understand)
Dunn’s contract averages out to $10 million a year for two years. He will cost his team runs on defense and possibly on the basepaths, where he certainly doesn’t help a team. So basically they would have given $10 million a year to a one-dimensional, 29-year-old player.
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
10:14 am
Anders, that is a tough 17 games. I think the Braves have 7 games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Joe Fan
May 29th, 2009
10:15 am
What a boring and lethargic team. Time to experiment folks as this season is nearly done. You can just about stick a fork in it. Bring up the future and let them play. It would certainly be more fun and entertaining. Way better to watch than these supposedly “big leaguers” go through the motions. At the same time tell Bobby its time to go and to take his coaching staff with him.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:16 am
He costs his team runs? you mean kind of like bobbling half the basehits that come your way, over running flyballs, UNDERrunning flyballs and then pouting like our current RF? yeah those 45 hrs and 110 RBI’s he’s gonna have with the NATIONALS…….you’re right, we couldn’t use that.
buzzmeat (BMAC AT CLEANUP!)
May 29th, 2009
10:17 am
Dunn HAS to be and I mean HAS TO BE faster than Garret Anderson. That man walks in the outfield most of the time. In my opinion, with schafer and frenchys goot arms and speed, DUNN’s below average defense wouldnt matter as much for ATL becuase of the POWER he brings.
ncscoots
May 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Well, Wes, congratulations. You spent $30MM+ more on Furcal, Dunn, and a lefty starter, made the corner OF positions as defensively deficient as you could for a new pitching staff, and managed to make the offense even more left-handed than it is now. Good work.
Admit it, you’re really Steve Phillips, aren’t you, LOL.
buzzmeat (BMAC AT CLEANUP!)
May 29th, 2009
10:18 am
well said WES…
we think alike.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Shaun, I’m just curious…….if given a choice between Jeff Francoeur or Adam Dunn……who would you choose?
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
May 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Anders, I think you’re right that Wren shouldn’t wait until July to make a deal for a hitter and should be prepared to overpay– at least slightly — for one if the goal is to win in 2009.
Chipper’s clearly hobbling out there. If he’s not a full strength or has to go on the DL to let his foot heal then the offense becomes more punchless. We all know about the woes of Schafer and Frenchy. The club could lose 12 out of 15 and be 9-10 games out by mid-June. Don’t care what you say, this team as currently constructed cannot going to make up a deficit that large.
I’m not saying trade Hanson or Heyward or even Freeman for a mid-level upgrade, but don’t grow so attached to the other guys in the system who may or may not ever become major league regulars if you can get someone who can truly help the team now (and, hopefully, another year or so).
And yes, it’s easy for me to run the team from my computer, I know, but still …
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:19 am
“Adam Dunn has more plate discipline than Francoeur mostly because of something “between the ears?””
Absolutely. What, you think it’s his athleticism>?
Not athleticism, per se. But I think the evidence is strong that plate discipline is not simply something “between the ears.” It’s pitch recognition, it’s an ability to stay back and be quick, it’s reflexes (if you have to start your swing early, it’s hard to wait longer and determine if the pitch is a strike), it’s being able to recognize what a pitch is going to do. What’s between the ears is only part of the equation. Guys rarely drastically improve their walk rate and often the same guys consistently have good walk rates. That would seem to indicate it’s not something you can improve just by being “mentally better” than someone else.
Josh H
May 29th, 2009
10:21 am
ElonBrave:
I do see your point. I could be confusing Escobar’s base running skills with Kelly’s (who is a sure out at 3rd on that play).
I still think Upton makes that throw but, I have no problem admitting that I have no baseball “instincts” for that sort of play. Joe Simpson didn’t think Kelly would have made it (but of course, based this decision after Kelly had already slowed down). But then again, he might have gotten the stop sign from Snitker.
But its really not much of a point. Kelly got on base twice, and scored twice. He got in scoring position for Kotchman and Chipper. And Chipper delivered. Actually, Kotchman smoked his ball too, and Kelly scores if it gets through the infield.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:21 am
Shaun, I’m just curious…….if given a choice between Jeff Francoeur or Adam Dunn……who would you choose?
Adam Dunn. But that’s not the same question as whether the Braves should have signed Adam Dunn. Signing a player has more factors than if that player is better than someone else. I’d rather have Teixeira than Kotchman but I don’t think it would have been wise for the Braves to pay what Teixeira wanted.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:22 am
nscoots- not even close. I dumped Francoeur and KK (which is about 20 mil in itself) not to mention the 2 we gave Garret.
You people speak of Dunn as a defensive liability in the corner outfield posistions. HAVE YOU NOT WATCHED A BRAVE GAME YET THIS YEAR?? We have ZERO corner defensive capability to begin with.
“he’d cost us runs on the basepaths.” Yeah, you’re right again. I forgot about all those stolen bases JF and GA have. Ya got me there.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
10:22 am
wes your plan wouldnt have been cheaper with oliver perez in the mix…and your assuming you could trade francouer for mahlom…never would have happened. also, have you seen what furcal has done this year? im thinking your plan would have been a disaster. but, youd be on the right track if you wouldnt have signed kawakami, and spent that money on a bat.
what if the braves had signed orlando hudson with that money, and then used kelly johnson as a trade piece for an outfielder… wed have money left over.
BrianT
May 29th, 2009
10:23 am
Sucks to be a Braves fan these days!! Why can’t we just get back to the glory years of losing Wold Series?
Renegator
May 29th, 2009
10:23 am
I hope Wren does not pull the trigger on a trade now because in all honesty – this team needs to be a seller at the deadline. This team is going nowhere this year scoring only 2 runs a game. Might as well sell off a starter at the deadline (probably Vasquez) to get an OF prospect that can play CF and back up Schafer. This organization needs someone else that can play CF other than Schafer because he is grossly overmatched.
This team needs to look ahead to 2010 and hope that Wren can fix the offense during the off-season. We need at least two new corner outfielders and some depth at CF.
monty
May 29th, 2009
10:23 am
Braves are on pace to score the least amount of runs since the 1992 team that went to the WS and lost. However, that team’s great pitching staff gave up about 100 runs less than this present team is going to give up. This team just refuses to score runs(seemingly). You could really see the frustration in Lowe last night after he gave up a couple of runs, he knew he was toast and his team wasn’t going to comeback, he gave a couple of glares to whoever didn’t make the play he thought they should have made.(once to Schafer for not cutting the ball off before it got to the wall and became a triple. I don’t agree with that. Schafer didn’t hang that curveball.
lagnamor
May 29th, 2009
10:24 am
Shaun…. get your head out of the sand.
The Truth
May 29th, 2009
10:25 am
Adam Dunn’s average contract number is 10 million dollars.
Jeff Francoeur and Garrett Anderson are making a combined 5.8 million.
Shaun, are you honestly going to say that 4.2 million is enough of a reason not to sign a 29 year old Adam Dunn to a short two year contract?
What is Kawakami making? 8.3 million? So Kawakami, Francoeur, Anderson are making 14.1 million. I’ll take that 14.1 million and sign Dunn, give RF to Diaz/Jones and use Hanson as the #4 starter.
ElonBrave
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
Josh H., yeah… it doesn’t really matter anymore. Like everyone else on the blog, I just have an emotional investment with the team. They have a lot of potential but they’ve got to do things differently to win. But when it comes down to it, it’s really up to the front office to turn this team into a contender. If they could win they would win… they’re .500.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
wesI dumped Francoeur and KK (which is about 20 mil in itself)
you mean about $12mil? those two and anderson’s add up to around $15mil
BT
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
DOB, I am with you on Frenchy. I can imagine how down on himself he really is right now. Bobby has given Schafer and Frenchy ample opportunity to “play” his way out of this disaster. I doubt that many baseball people would disagree that Jordan was rushed. He needs sometime in Gwinnett just to get comfortable again as does Frenchy.
Legitimate question: Teams have “hidden” good hitters but poor fielders in left field for decades. Adam Dunn is a recent example, Yogi Berra did the same thing in the sixties. If we are ever going to get anything for Canizares what would be the harm of sticking him in LF for a few weeks? Blanco has brought his average up 40 points in the last two weeks. These are stop gap measures to be sure but we are getting killed by the lack of production from the outfield.
LT- A Blogger
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
The OF in 88′ was worse than this one.
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
Wes, apart from having no regard to the financial state of the club during the offseason (aka you’re about 15 million over budget), there’s no evidence that that team is any better than the one we’ve currently got.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
Shaun, I’m just curious…….if given a choice between Jeff Francoeur or Adam Dunn……who would you choose?
See this question is what is wrong with a lot of the naysayers on here. To you baseball is as simple as getting the best players and not the best contracts or building the team with the best chance to reach the playoffs and win a World Series.
The question is not whether Dunn is better than Francoeur or Anderson or Diaz. The question is would the Braves chances of winning a World Series in the near future be hurt by signing Dunn and how much would Dunn really have increased their chances relative to what he would have costs (in terms of payroll flexibility, lost draft picks, loss of runs on defense and on the bases).
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
10:27 am
I’M GOING TO TYPE THIS IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I AM SCREAMING. WE NEED TO START A FAN PETITION TO FIRE TERRY PENDLETON. It’s clear that not a single Braves player has confidence in him as a hitting coach. Why else are they going to see Texas Ranger coach Rudy Jaramillo? — Greg
Who is “they”? Did some other current Brave besides Francoeur go to see the Texas hitting coach?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:27 am
You can’t base what Furcal is doing for another team on another COAST of the country on what this PAST offseason decions would have been.
Every brave fan reading this knows that Glead with joy the instant the FURCAL TO ATLANTA train reved its engines last winter.
Oliver Perez was just a left name to throw out there, lol, I’m writing this at work so he’s a name that popped into my head quickly. And you say Francoeur for Maholm wouldn’t have happened? We got Gonza for Adam Laroche from the same team! Plus we could have thrown a Medlin in there or something else to sweeten the pot.
Renegator
May 29th, 2009
10:28 am
Also, Bobby Cox, please retire after this year and take that waste of space Terry Pendleton with you. How does he (TP) even still have a job?
Oh yeah, that’s right – there is no accountibility in this organization.
CB
May 29th, 2009
10:28 am
Wes, Oliver Perez huh? Boy, we really need you. Looked like Steve from Ohio tried to fight the good fight last night- props to him for that. Four games ago most of us were feeling better about the team,I refuse to throw the towel in four games later. A few changes could be made for the immediate future like releasing Norton and calling up either Barton or B.Jones. Now is not the time to panic,give Jordan and Jeff some days off to relieve the stress.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:30 am
But, Shaun, Where else were the braves going to get “a bat” in the off season? Ibanez signed with Philly pretty early in the off season. They tried to sign Griffey. Francoeur had no trade value after his poor 08 season. Dunn wasn’t signed until late. I think if he had been offered a contract by the Braves, or any other possible contender, I think he would have signed for less.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:31 am
CB: OFFSEASON decisions are not based on Current stats.
#1 METS TROLL (And Proud Of It)
May 29th, 2009
10:31 am
Average’s over the last three seasons….Francoeur: (HR’s 19 AVG .264 RBI’S 93 Strike outs 124) Dunn: (40 HR’s AVG .244 RBI’s 99 Strikeouts 174)
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:32 am
You’re probably right though. I’d hate to have McDowell throw a left into our rotation who hits 97 on a gun. You stick with your left who we gave what, 8 MILLION to? who prays at night to be able to pop 81.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:33 am
and apparently the Y key is not working on my keyboard, lol
benchwarmer
May 29th, 2009
10:33 am
Wes, I like your thoughts. In general I don’t believe Braves had much faith in Dunn. Chipper is getting older and lacks the homerun stroke he once had. All around the Braves have too many undisciplined hitters starting. Sit them down until they clear their head and remember the basics. Do like a previous poster said and bring in reenforcments. There are too many problems to be fixed by a midseason trade. This will take more time. I do wonder if the coaching staff is up to the job.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:34 am
Shaun, are you honestly going to say that 4.2 million is enough of a reason not to sign a 29 year old Adam Dunn to a short two year contract?
First of all the Braves don’t subtract Francoeur’s contract if they sign Dunn, so add his dollars back in to your equation.
Second, $4.2 million could probably net the Braves a player with at least 70 percent of Dunn’s value. Say Holliday becomes available; the Braves don’t have to give up a Heyward, Hanson, Schafer or Hernandez to get him; and they are still in the race. It’s hard to imagine they would have the flexibility to go after a Holliday if they had signed Dunn. $4.2 million is a significant number…but the number would be higher because the only contract that you could subtract from the equation is Anderson’s. Also, it’s quite possible that Lowe or Vazquez wouldn’t be here had the Braves signed Dunn.
benchwarmer
May 29th, 2009
10:35 am
Wes, O. Perez?
freshd
May 29th, 2009
10:35 am
The current braves are living off the brave”s past glory, and they will never return until the front office do three things. One, sign a legitimate leadoff hitter with speed. Two, sign a proven power hitter to protect Chipper, and three,bat KELLY 6 or 7, and ESCOBAR 2nd. Schafer is gonna be a good player but he is not ready and should be sent to AAA. The braves should have took a page from the White Soxs with Gordon Beckham. He started in AA, and now he”s in AAA, and he probably will make the big club before the season is over. I also think he will have a better career than Schafer.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 29th, 2009
10:36 am
I’m waiting for the KJ apologists today to get on, like Shaun and those other guys. DOB even said it that Omar and Yunel are the missed players right now as fas OPS and clutch hitting.
I like KJ and think he is a really good player and great athlete, I would much rather have him in LF than G. Anderson, he just sux as a 2B.
Frenchy is a lost cause right now.
I actually like the way Diory Hernandez is playing.
Still think that KK is pitching pretty good baseball, just not getting any run support. If you can hold team to an average of 3 runs per start with a suspect defense behind you that boots the ball at least once a night in a big spot and can’t hit, then that is a quality starter.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:36 am
Shaun, if the Braves signed Dunn, they would have been able to unload Francoeur, so yes his contract would be off the books. Remember, he actually, for some unknown reason, HAD trade value this past winter.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:37 am
benchwarmer: don’t comment unless you read them all
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:38 am
Brooklyn, would rather the Braves spent the money that they did on KK for a little bit above average pitcher (when Morton is more than capable of putting up the stats KK has) or that they spent extra to get a slugger in the outfield?
CB
May 29th, 2009
10:39 am
Wes I wouldn’t have done that in the OFFSEASON either.
benchwarmer
May 29th, 2009
10:39 am
Wes, what is all?
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
10:39 am
DOB, he’s using the royal “they”. You know, the editorial….
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:40 am
ppaddy123, at what cost should the Braves have improved their outfield? None of the free agent outfielders were very attractive options given what they were asking. I think Wren did the right thing by taking a chance on Anderson and going with what he had. And lots of times corner outfielders become available during the season when you don’t have to pay the full year’s salary.
I would just add that I do think it’s time to give Brandon Jones a shot at semi-regular duty with the struggles of the current outfield.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
10:40 am
shaunNot sure why you don’t care about his career numbers.
i only dont care in the context that infante was hot and helping us win games. i dont want to put a guy with good career numbers out there every night and wait until his career numbers are bad to sit him. infante deserved the playing time he was getting.
and ill add this, there were enough guys in the lineup struggling, that bobby should have been able to put kelly AND infante in the lineup at times, to give kelly a chance to get hot. infante could have played in left, canter a few games, as well as for chipper when he was hurt, but, infante was and should have been in the lineup every night while he was playing well.
The Truth
May 29th, 2009
10:41 am
Shaun- That is bogus logic. You saying they couldn’t of traded away Francoeur? And you cherry picked and never addressed the signings of Garrett Anderson for 2.5 million and Kenshin Kawakami for 3 years and 23 million. Bad moves over signing Adam Dunn for 2/20 million and giving RF to Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz. Signing Dunn would of won this team the division given their pitching. Hanson could of taken Kawakami’s spot. Morton could of too. 400K of Charlie Morton over 8.3 million of Kawakami.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:41 am
Wes, by unloading Francoeur, you mean release him, right? Dude had no trade value
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:42 am
he did the right thing by dropping 2 mill into a player who, not only missed a lot of time last year, but was so NOT himself anymore that the team he was successful on for upwards of 15 years DIDN’T want him anymore?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:43 am
yes he did
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:43 am
and since this is baseball, not the nfl, releasing him would not affect his payroll figure
flange1
May 29th, 2009
10:43 am
Morning All,
Shaun, FIGHT them! I agree with you on Dunn 100%.
If you folks didn’t read Steve from OH’s post from last night at 12:07, I am re-posting it here. VERY well thought out..I agree with all of it.
When it comes to signing or not signing KK, if my memory is correct, the Braves traded for Javy first, then lost AJ, then did the deal with KK, THEN signed Lowe.
IF they had signed Lowe first, I don’t think KK would have happened, but FW wanted to revamp the rotation as his FIRST priority.
Here is Steve’s post:
N8, here’s my schtick:
I don’t think Bobby is a bad manager, but I’m not giving him cookie points for the 90’s. In my book, the role of the manager is simply not that important. Well, but fundamentals, I hear a lot of folks saying. But shouldn’t big-league players have learned those in, oh, I dunno, little league? High School? College? The minors? If they don’t know ‘em by now, I don’t know how much of a difference Bobby will make.
The players? Blaming them is a better idea. But replacing poorly-performing players (like Francoeur), especially those under club control, at the 40-game pole for a slow startisn’t sound organizational strategy. And you know that. Now Frenchy? Hasn’t really performed that well at all for the last couple of seasons, and even in the minors (look up his minor league numbers and tell me if anything screams “stud” to you). GA was a great player, but you can tell that his age is catching up with him. He’s got no projectability left. But I do, like a lot of people, feel as though Frenchy’s time is about up, and GA’s time is running out. So you don’t hear me getting after people for saying that. For saying it excessively, sure, but stating it? How can you argue? Calling for KJ to be replaced after 40 bad games? Laughable. Calling for Infante and his .306 career OBP to start everyday after a hot streak of small sample size? C’mon.
As for Wren, he had a LOT of fixing to do, and not all of that was his fault. Who left us with no everyday leftfielder since 2003? How was he to know that our everyday CF since 1996 was gonna fall flat on his face, leaving a huge void in CF that we haven’t filled yet? Hell, I think he’s done a wonderful job with what he’s had to work with. He has COMPLETELY overhauled the rotation (every single guy in it has been brought in by him. Think about that.) Hanson is coming up, too. Guess who wouldn’t trade him? Guess who salvaged the Tex deal for a decent, cheap, under-club-control 1B for the next 3 years? So he’s shored up the rotation and 1B in a mere two seasons while keeping the farm system arguably as strong as it’s ever been. How do you expect him to fix the outfield in that span as well? He’s not a miracle worker. And the reason that you can’t count “that many” great deals by him is because he hasn’t made that many deals to begin with. He’s been on the job two years! Haven’t you been reading in the press lately that Frank is trying to fix the outfield? I don’t mean to be rude, because it’s not you I’m directing this comment at, but it’s instant gratification sydrome again. I want it mommy and I want it now! You don’t replace two outfielders (along with a third who was supposed to be a staple in RF for a while) and fix a rotation in two years. You just don’t. FW has already made a huge overhaul and has somehow made the team somewhat of a contender while his “work” is still unfinished.
As for Josh Anderson man, c’mon. Redundant. Under .700 OPS. Haven’t we seen enough of that already?
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
Wes, who would have taken Francoeur and given the Braves much of anything for him?
Brooklyn Braves Brawler, what are you basing your opinions of Johnson on? Certainly not on his track record and ability. Look at the evidence and it’s clear KJ is a very good player. But I suppose you have your own ideas of what a good player is that has nothing to do with objective evidence.
The Truth
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
dob- I would of played Diaz and Jones in RF. Dunn in LF. Hanson or Morton at #4 starter. Wren could of gotten a fifth starter type for Francoeur.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
we’re not talking about a bag of BP balls, are we?
ncscoots
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
Apparently, you would have had Adam Dunn play both left field and right field — at the same time?
Why not, LOL? How is that any more bizarre than some of the stuff we see here, as a matter of course?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
DOB- Are the nights there colder than the Braves OF bats?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:45 am
DOB- HAHA, are you saying having Dunn try and play BOTH RF and LF would be WORSE than what’s out there now?
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 29th, 2009
10:46 am
Pitchers are paid at a premium right mow and corner OF’s were easy to find. Did the Braves overpay for KK, sure they did. They went on the cheap last year and it bit them in the arse. You have to overpay pitchers to come to Atlanta. We are not a choice spot anymore. Pure and simple. I knew what KK was going to provide, 6 inning 3-4 runs per. He’s a 12-12 pitcher when he get’s run support. There weren’t any other options pitching wise, garland and Oli Perez werent viable options and Peavy wanted the farm.
Lew
May 29th, 2009
10:47 am
Uh Wes-Not all of us were in favor of signing an overpaid, too often injured Furcal.
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
10:47 am
PWHjort: regarding your 10:39 comment … Huh?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:47 am
I’m also sick of the “Francoeur performing poorly” talk. He’s not performing “poorly.” His performance IS what he IS. In order to perform poorly you have to have the ability to perform better than you are currently performing. It’s been 4 years. He does NOT have that ability.
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
10:48 am
Dunn is a good offensive player, and I did want him this past offseason, but I understand that Wren didn’t want to overpay for a corner outfielder. They are almost always available through the trade market……except in May.
And it is time to bring up Brandon Jones. If Escobar goes on the DL, it would be nice to see him come up and get part time at bats with Francoeur.
DAP
May 29th, 2009
10:48 am
wesyou say Francoeur for Maholm wouldn’t have happened? We got Gonza for Adam Laroche from the same team!
so what? laroche was coming off his best year, and we got a an injured closer and scrub SS for him. francouer was coming off his worst season, and you thinking the pirates would trade a solid lefty starter for him? never would have happened. ever. and whos medlin?
OFFSEASON decisions are not based on Current stats.
yeah, but we can look and say they wouldnt have been good moves…
I’d hate to have McDowell throw a left into our rotation who hits 97 on a gun. You stick with your left who we gave what, 8 MILLION to? who prays at night to be able to pop 81.
what in the world are you talking about?
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:49 am
Lew- liar
Josh from Columbus
May 29th, 2009
10:49 am
Is there any team out there that would be intersted in a package of Francoeur/Medlen/G.Hernandez or D.Hernandez?
I hope so.
We need to aquire a power hitting OF for about a season and a half to allow time for Heyward to develop.
Also, has anyone thought about our possible August rotation: Lowe, Vazquez, Juirrjens, Huddy, and Hanson? Nice!
Lew
May 29th, 2009
10:49 am
Wes-One more thing Dude-when we traded La Roche to Pittsburgh, he had just come off of a 30 HR season-Francoeur? Not quite that many in his recent past.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
10:49 am
The Truth, bottom line is Dunn isn’t worth $10 million a year to the Braves. Maybe to some other team but not the Braves. If they wanted to overpay and lose flexibility, they should have signed Dunn or Manny Ramirez or Bonds. But I would much rather have seen them overpay for pitchers who could provide decent innings than a one-dimensional corner outfielder. Again, eventually they will find outfielders who provide decent production.
ppaddy123
May 29th, 2009
10:50 am
BBB…aren’t the Braves paying Kamakami about $8MM a year? He’s not over powering but he does show promise.
Anders
May 29th, 2009
10:50 am
Efrim- Those are 14 – 17 tough games for the Mets in June. But they are better eqipped to be competitive in those games than the Braves right now imo. Again, assuming Reyes, Beltran and Church play most. Sheffiled has picked up the slack from the Delgado injury. Risky wether he can stay healthy. If he can’t then the Mets will be shopping for power.
Lew
May 29th, 2009
10:52 am
Wes-I’m a liar? Just go back and look at some of my posts about the Furcal situation and maybe you might see you don’t know your behind from the 18th hole at your favorite golf course. I made numerous posts about how he had missed a good bit of time during the 07 and 08 seasons and how he was a poor risk. Others had the same sentiments whether or not you chose to ignore them at the time. I wasn’t in favor of dumping Josh Anderson and throwing Schafer into the fray yet, either, but I guess I was wrong on that too, wasn’t I?
The Truth
May 29th, 2009
10:54 am
The outfield has 7 homers. Wren decides to tender Francoeur a contract and sign Anderson for a combined totoal of 5.8 million. Don’t tell me Dunn couldn’t of helped this team. Two year contract is not a burden and doesn’t block anyone. wasted money on Kenshin. Kawakami is making 8.3 million. 14.1 million of Anderson Francoeur and Kawakami.
Anders
May 29th, 2009
10:54 am
Lew- I heard something on the radio this morning that I thought you’d enjoy. Tex, who’s played for both Bobby Cox and Steve Scoscia in his career stated in the NY Post that Joe Girardi is the best manager he’s ever played for. Joe freaking Girardi! Tex has gone completely pinstripe now.
You were the one who pointed out Girardi’s penchant to destroy pitching staffs to me. He was well on his way to doing that with the Yanks this season until they started scoring 8 runs in the first two innings every night when A-Rod returned.
BT
May 29th, 2009
10:55 am
DOB: don’t think most people see the problems that certain hitters on this team have had as being caused by or exacerbated by Pendleton. At least I don’t hear anyone saying that.
Yes DOB but has he helped anyone?
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Shaun,
We maybe arguing different sides of the same coin. KJ is a good player, granted only batting .245 going into last night’s game but none the less a really good athlete. He’s way too streaky to be counted on, which is what the Braves are forced to do. He’s not a 2B, and should be LF rather than GA. have that being said, he is the Braves most viable trade piece. KJ gives effort, and even when he makes errors it is not cause he is not trying. I just believe that Omar and Martin are better players/more valuable to the Braves team. On another team that dosen’t have the deficiencies that the Braves have, Kelly would be a lot more valuable.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Lew- every single ‘expert’ that would talk about him said Francoeur was geering up for a huge, comback season. He has plenty of value.
Currently- we’d be lucky to convince a team to send a nice set of golf clubs for him.
Laroche was a fluke. Every person in the Braves world knew it. Every “expert” knew it……and they were actually right about him. Maholm (again is just a lefty that came to mind quickly) is 100% attainable from Pittsburgh. Isn’t this his walk year? You think he’ll play for the 400K he makes this year just to stay in Pittsburgh and lose 90 games next year? He could come to Atlanta to do that!!!!!
David O'Brien
May 29th, 2009
10:56 am
RHR: Fox Sports South doesn’t do postgame shows for the West Coast night games because of the late starts. Just not enough people gonna stay up to watch a postgame show at 1 a.m.
tony
May 29th, 2009
10:56 am
PLEASE GET RID OF TERRY NOW!!!!!! What a joke of a hitting coach.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:57 am
HAD* plenty of value
Lew
May 29th, 2009
10:57 am
Anders-Yeah, I saw that. Never really felt Tex was all that insightful, anyway. Tex just better be careful GI Joe doesn’t turn him into a pitcher a rip his arm off, too-maybe put him in to pitch in the 13th Inning some night.
sportsmandh
May 29th, 2009
10:57 am
Josh from Columbus
I like your idea of shopping a group of Francoeur/Medlen/G.Hernandez or D.Hernandez. I think there may be some teams interested in that.
I’m not sure bout trading Gorky given our need for a real leadoff hitter, sounds like he might could develop into one down the line. I’m also not totatlly against the idea either though.
My only untradeables would be Hanson, Morton, and Heyward.
benchwarmer
May 29th, 2009
10:58 am
wes, “Lew-liar”? How old are you?
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
10:58 am
Anders, I’m not sure how they are better equiped. They are getting some guys playing out of their heads right now. It amazes me how good Beltran and Wright are. It really does. Maine and Pelfrey have pitched better, which overall is the reason as to why they have been able to win games with all of the injuries.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
10:59 am
thanks for the informative opinion on the baseball talk, benchwarmer. Please drop another baseball oriented bomb on us like that.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
May 29th, 2009
10:59 am
ppdaddy123,
He’s right at that price range, which is the going rate for a .500 pitcher in the MLB. It’s a bargain if you can catch lightening in a bottle and he win 17-18. I like KK, he competes. That’s all you can ask.
Wes
May 29th, 2009
11:00 am
lew, lol, didn’t Tex pitch a little bit at Georgia Tech?
ElonBrave
May 29th, 2009
11:00 am
I work for a nonprofit…. maybe we could get a power hitting outfielder donated in-kind for a tax write-off?
Problem solved.
Efrim
May 29th, 2009
11:00 am
And Anders, who ya got in the finals? Wings or Pens?
freshd
May 29th, 2009
11:00 am
I can”t believe that a part time player Andrew Jones has more homers (4) than the braves full time OF. Thats AWFUL!!!!
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
11:00 am
It’s a Big Lebowski quote turned misquote turned joke.
RHR
May 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Oh thanks, DOB. last night was the first night I didn’t immediately turn off the tv and go to bed after a west coast game. Good reasoning though.
Lew
May 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Wes-Whether or not Roachy was a fluke is totally immaterial to anything you’ve pontificated upon this morning. He DID have a 30 HR season immediately prior to his trade for Gonzo and Lillibridge. You actually think that Frenchy would bring Maholm after putting up the numbers he did last year? Really? I guess you think much more highly of those 12 HR and infitesimal OBP Frenchy put up last year if you think the Pirates would trade arguably their best pitcher for him-even anticipating a return to his norm? Do you understand delusional? Maybe we could trade JoJo and Diory for Peavy, too.
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
11:03 am
For the record, whoever was posting with my screen name between 12:30 ans 1 am is not me. I don’t know who that is and what they were trying to accomplish. I guess I should change my screen name until it happens again. I in no way endorse going after Holliday. Do we need him? Yes. But, we would have to mortgage the future to get him and would only have him for a month or two or three at the most. Then, we wouldn’t be able to sign him. He is a Boras client. I would rather sit back and get creative or wait til next year. Unfortunately, even considering how pissed off I get every time they lose or put together a string of bad games like this.
BBFCFM
May 29th, 2009
11:03 am
Wes, I’ve been reading up your posts here for the last 15 minutes or so, and I just wanted to let you know that
A: We have already broached every topic you have brought up here- days to weeks ago
B: You were already being a curt prick- which is tolerable to some degree- but now your just being a jackazz, with nothing to say
C: get off of your high horse. I believe you might have chosen a shetland anyway.
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
11:04 am
every single ‘expert’ that would talk about him said Francoeur was geering up for a huge, comback season. He has plenty of value.
Really? Teams were lining up to acquire a guy coming off a .239/.294/.359 season and who was at .268/.312/.434 for his career? Yeah, I’m sure the Braves really missed out on an opportunity to acquire a ton a value for that.
JD
May 29th, 2009
11:05 am
Just not enough people gonna stay up to watch a postgame show at 1 a.m.
But they stay up late to watch poker?
DAP
May 29th, 2009
11:06 am
wesLaroche was a fluke. Every person in the Braves world knew it. Every “expert” knew it……and they were actually right about him.
actually, laroche has put up pretty good numbers since leaving atlanta. hes very streaky, but has been solid for the pirates.
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
11:07 am
DOB:
Just out of curiosity, if you would oblige, if you had the keys to this team, what would you try to do to improve the lineup?
Shaun
May 29th, 2009
11:10 am
Wes, the Braves traded LaRoche because they thought Thorman was ready and they acquired Mike Gonzalez and Lillibridge. I don’t think it had much to do with LaRoche’s abilities at least not directly. If they had a problem with LaRoche, they wouldn’t have stuck with him for almost three full seasons. It had more to do with what they got in return for LaRoche than LaRoche himself.
JD
May 29th, 2009
11:11 am
DOB – You said last night that you only hear Pendleton complaints on this blog and not in the clubhouse. If TP’s doing a decent job and the best he can do, can you at least tell us exactly what he does to help hitters? We don’t see what goes on behind the scenes. We just see players who have been great in the past go through epic struggles.
You have to understand our frustration. Andruw goes from MVP runner up to practically dead. Francoeur goes from superstar potential to the hate of the town. Kelly only has great months or awful months…nothing in between. Schafer looks like he’s never played above little league. Just to name a few frustrations.
PWHjort
May 29th, 2009
11:11 am
Cameron,
Changing your handle won’t stop people from stealing it and making posts they think are hilarious. The best thing to do is make it be known that it wasn’t you and don’t give them the satisfaction by getting angry. Which you’re doing, so kudos to you.