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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,268 comments Add your comment
CB
May 30th, 2009
9:08 pm
Steve he meant 1.40
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
9:09 pm
Wes,
I never saw a scouting report or anything I could trust about Francoeur’s high school days, but someone told me he threw 97. I thought it was an exaggeration (and it probably was, but not by much) because when scouts see someone throwing 97 they don’t say, boy, we need to get this kid in the outfield, they say, this kid needs to be on a mound. I don’t know why the organization didn’t put him on the mound in the first place if he could really throw 95+.
tvsportscaster
May 30th, 2009
9:09 pm
DOB, I’m glad to hear the Braves took the loss hard, at least we know the have a pulse. I’m so tired of them showing no emotion. Perhaps it would have beeen better if David Ross would have bitten someone’s head off. Someone needs to go into the clubhouse and throw some furniture. That way we’ll at least no someone cares. Good grief this team sucks right now.
kirkinga
May 30th, 2009
9:13 pm
If your IQ really was 140, you would know that “posts” doesn’t have an apostrophe.
Good stuff! Lol!
McFann :Ô:
May 30th, 2009
9:14 pm
PWHjort–
Yeah…
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
9:15 pm
Steve from OH-
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say you’re pulling for the Wings?
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
9:16 pm
What was your first clue?
David O'Brien
May 30th, 2009
9:18 pm
Regarding the 7:56 comment from screen name Thank you AJC. I got on it as soon as I saw the garbage. Had been writing and following the late innings of the game, so didn’t realize that bile was being spewed by a couple of … a couple of people.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
9:18 pm
Steve from OH-
If it makes a difference, I actually like the Wings too…but I like the Pens more
Braveheart
May 30th, 2009
9:20 pm
PWHjort, he threw about 95+, but very straight. It’s what makes his arm so strong and so accurate as an outfielder – he throws straight over the top which removes all wiggle, tail, sink, rise and movement from the throw (or pitch).
Bobby Cox
May 30th, 2009
9:23 pm
In case you’re wondering why no intentional walk: I was eating fried chicken today in the dugout in the 7th inning.
Seriously.
Vinings Jim
May 30th, 2009
9:24 pm
cabravesfan – now this will sound like I’m just trying to get on your good side (as if I wasn’t already), but my inclination is to root for the Penguins because I’d like to see Crosby win. Then, next year I’ll root for Ovechkin.
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
9:25 pm
Gotta love that my boys Darren Helm and Val Filppula came to play.
Shamus Thacker
May 30th, 2009
9:25 pm
Ever since the conversation over what constitutes a “real” fan, I’ve thought about the makeup of our Bravosphere.
There are stat-heads, crack-heads, s__t-heads, and groupies. There are optimists, pessimists, narcissists, and sadists. There are street-wise, naive, hawkish, and dovish, all in one magnificent pile of lovely baseball squishiness.
Ahhhhhh, home sweet home…..
Too happy to worry bout today; y’all should follow suit. Beautiful night….
Adios!
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
9:27 pm
Vinings Jim-
You had me at “crosby” but quickly went to my doghouse (OK, not really) with “ovechkin”…admire the talent but not a fan
Boo
May 30th, 2009
9:31 pm
I don’t get the power-rankings. Who says the Braves are 16th and what qualifies them to say it?
Regardless, this team is (barely) under .500 and four games out of first. 24-25 is mediocre.
Kyle
May 30th, 2009
9:31 pm
its been said many times but boy do we need an impact bat…we have 2 guys that can win games by themselves …a 3 run homer in that game wins the game…I know Bobby waits for that, but man I’ve never seen a Braves team that is so hard pressed to get that 3 run bomb.
Vinings Jim
May 30th, 2009
9:32 pm
cabravesfan – I only say that because of the talent – the Washington Post is one of my usual visits, so I know more about him than I should being in Atlanta. I’ve totally lost whatever connection I used to have with the Rangers, and, while I like to hear that the Thrashers win, I don’t really care.
a643dp
May 30th, 2009
9:35 pm
Pathetic managing pathetic hitting pathetic road trip. Most of all a reflection of the Braves Pathetic GM.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
9:36 pm
Vinings Jim-
yeah, used to be a much bigger fan but like I said- Hockey’s not real big out here…I just like watching good games and I try to catch whatever of the play offs I can- but I do like certain players.
I can’t actually remember the last regular season game I watched in it’s entirety…but there is just something about playoff hocky that I love
frenchy
May 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
I’m a head case and never going to change. I don’t care I was a high school legend!
Boo
May 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
The only thing that speaks poorly of Wren to me personally is Francoeur. Why is Wren letting this guy stick around?
Wes
May 30th, 2009
9:48 pm
PWH
I don’t know if you ever read Josh Hamilton’s book but should if you have not. He mentions he also threw 95-97 in high school and that was from the left side. I’m not sure exactly how scouts project a player one way or the other but there are several examples in MLB. I hope Francoeur can turn it around.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Usually when scouts see left handers that can throw 95+ they immediately want them on the mound. Most left handers that have good arms wind up on the mound. Kind of my theory why you have never seen a left-handed catcher. I imagine Hamilton was a special case because he’s such a tremendous talent (and so is Francoeur, he’s just so stupid and stubborn).
RHR
May 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Law have mercy I’d hate to see a head case like Jeff pitching. He can’t handle the pressure of batting 7th and we want him pitching? Ha Ha! NO.
I do hope he can turn it around though, on an AL team.
Elvis Presley
May 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Rotten Tomatoes lists the running time of Monsters vs Aliens at one minute and thirty-four seconds.
Anonymous Tipster
May 30th, 2009
9:56 pm
Bill Shanks is editing his own Wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Shanks&action=history
McFann :Ô:
May 30th, 2009
9:56 pm
PWHjort Kind of my theory why you have never seen a left-handed catcher.
Except, on the side of Turner Field, ya know how they have those drawing-thingies of baseball players? Well, the catcher has his glove on his right hand! Drives me insane…
N8
May 30th, 2009
9:58 pm
The team doesn’t suck people. It’s mediocre. Has been for over 3 years. August 1st of 2005, as a matter of fact.
However, certain players on the current 25 man roster, have currently been sucking for a while. But unfortunately, when you have players that aren’t playing very good, most teams can exploit that. Sometimes a team with poor players (or players playing poorly for extended periods of time), can get away with it, with some really GREAT players carrying the load.
This is not the case as well, when discussing the Braves’ fortunes.
Very good pitching staff. Not quite great, because as of right now 20 percent of it is not helping matters, and 20 more percent (Kawakami) is not completely consistent with his production. The back end of the bullpen is very good as well. In between? Not so much.
In the lineup, we’ve got Mac….and…… uh….. well, you get the picture. Chipper and Escobar are good hitters that haven’t been very available lately. The rest? Oh yeah….Gilmore…. BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR!
To repeat and condence. Average team (doesn’t get much more average than they have, in terms of W/L record). With some really good pitchers. Some really bad pitchers. Three (at most) really good hitters, and some REALLY bad hitters.
But to say this team “sucks”, is not fair to the guys doing their job. To even say the offense sucks, isn’t fair. Portions of the team and portions of the offense, do suck. Or have been playing pretty sucky.
Three OF bats and another starting pitcher (Glavine or Hanson – either one will do), will solve most of the issues.
I’ll let you guys discuss whether you think Wren can find the three outfielders needed.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
9:59 pm
Really, McFann? I’ve never noticed that. I’m going to start pointing that out to people. Thanks for the tip.
McFann :Ô:
May 30th, 2009
10:02 pm
PWHjort–
You’re welcome. Yeah, I noticed it last week when we went to the airport. I was like, “That’s not right…” And the next two times we went to the airport I looked at it again to be sure, and yep–on the right hand. Sheesh…
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:02 pm
N8,
Plenty of teams have been able to succeed with 1 poor hitter in their line-up at a defensive first position, so long as he actually plays good defense. And if we find 2 productive, at least league average (for the position) outfield bats, I think we’ll have a good team. A win-the-NL-East good team.
Efrim
May 30th, 2009
10:05 pm
Two awful bounces. Not Fleury’s fault.
Braveheart
May 30th, 2009
10:07 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Wren, Scheurholz, and McGuirk take matters into their own hands by jogging out themselves to assume outfield positions tomorrow.
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:07 pm
I’ll let you guys discuss whether you think Wren can find the three outfielders needed
Call up Brandon Jones, play Diaz most days, and trade for Hawpe/Holliday/whoever. Problem solved.
N8
May 30th, 2009
10:12 pm
PWHjort, yeah I know. I’ve been saying the same thing for two months (assuming your talking about Schafer – who imo, isn’t the worst of the 3 OF’s). But NOBODY wants to hear it.
So I thought I’d join in. Where do I sign up for the “Schafer SUCKS” club? After all, all I like to do is complain. No sense in keeping it real.
It’s only black or white on the blog. This team (and everybody associated with it), either sucks ass, or is the greatest thing since sliced bread (only with bad luck), right?
My main thought process (to get back to actually baseball talk – instead of idiot bashing), in Wren needing 3 OF’s, is that it wouldn’t hurt us to have 3 viable options for platooning all three spots.
No. I’m not talking about carrying 6 outfielders. But similarily to how Infante could “hold down” CF if needed, he wasn’t technically listed as an OF.
I’m still of the belief that DeRosa and Branyan, are two guys that could fill many roles (including replacing Infante’s job as super-utility guy). But mainly because I don’t think that there is an outfielder out there that is currently available, that is going to actually help. Besides, like DOB stated (and common sense dictates), to find and “impact” player at any posisition via trade before June 1st, is going to cost too much. Not gonna happen.
And when players are more readily available (late June, and into July), it might be too late.
Francoeur or BUST people. Furman Bisher says be patient. So I must. For he is smart.
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:18 pm
Steve from OH
Ya can add Dye to that list. I know, I know….his contract is of importance, and what the Braves would possibly give up to get him…..but as I mentioned before…he’s hitting a nice .297, with 13 HR’s and 33 RBI’s so far this season for the W. Sox.
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:19 pm
Frank–he qualifies as “whoever.” My mind is elsewhere right now.
Efrim
May 30th, 2009
10:20 pm
Steve, you have to admit, three bounces for the Wings on those goals.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:21 pm
N8, I was talking about Schafer. And no, he isn’t the worst OF on our team. He’s actually the second-most-productive OF on our team with the bat and easily the best defensive OF on our team (not that ACHE, Diaz, and Francoeur are much competition in the defensive department. Maybe pre-2008 Francoeur, but his range has diminished a ton since he put that weight on for the 2008 campaign and he’s never returned to form).
Here’s how our OF’s stand with the bat based on Runs Created per 27 outs (a rate stat):
4) Jeff Francoeur: 2.81 (76 of 92 outfielders in the NL)
3) ACHE: 3.11 (72 of 92)
2) Jordan Schafer: 3.45 (69 of 92)
1) Matt Diaz: 6.17 (28 of 92)
Efrim
May 30th, 2009
10:22 pm
And everyone keeps saying the Pens are so much more focused than last year, maybe Crosby and Malkin, but that defense has been rather unimpressive.
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:23 pm
They’re tired, Efrim. Lucky tonight, for sure. Pens will win tomorrow, Wings won’t have any legs. That last goal was earned, Abdelkader should’ve been cleared out long before he even catches the puck. Got kinda screwed by the NHL’s scheduling thing, so they need all of the luck they can get.
Isn’t it scary that Helm, Leino, Abdelkader, and Ericsson spent most of the year at Grand Rapids? The beast keeps adding new weapons…
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:24 pm
Steve from OH – “Frank–he qualifies as “whoever.” My mind is elsewhere right now.”
Alllrighty then. Excuse me for talking to you at this point in time.
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:26 pm
Haha Frank, no sarcasm intended, just watching hockey and not really concentrating on potential trade targets right now!
Anders
May 30th, 2009
10:28 pm
Efrim/Steve from OH – Just got back in. I see the Wings are up 3-1. Good game?
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:29 pm
Very entertaining.
Boo
May 30th, 2009
10:29 pm
Who is ACHE? Anderson?
I thought he was Loaf.
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:29 pm
Then Steve
if your so into watching hockey right now…..why are ya on your computer and writing on a sports blog?
Steve from OH
May 30th, 2009
10:31 pm
Laptop w/game, Frank. Stopped in to read during intermission and…I’m still here…
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
10:33 pm
Anders-
It’s a good game if you like watching goals scored because the puck keeps bouncing off the boards and setting the Wings up for open shots (or in the case of the first goal, bouncing off the boards, off Fleury and into the net without anyone touching it…not that I’m bitter!)
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:34 pm
Steve
Ahh…okay, Gotcha.
Anders
May 30th, 2009
10:34 pm
Glad I didn’t have to pay the new high prices at CitiField today. No Delagado,Reyes,Church,Wright,Sheffield and Redding starting (possibly for the last time). Manuel used today as a throw away game which I get but it really sucks for the fans who might get to one game all year and today was the day.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:35 pm
I just watched Russel Branyan’s first 2 AB’s thusfar tonight. Folks, it’s a limited sample size, but he looks good at the plate. Selective, not swinging at junk. And a great 2-strike approach. I think he could rake in the NL.
RHR
May 30th, 2009
10:35 pm
N8 @ 9:58 If Wren would just do something it wouldn’t be so dang frustrating. I know his hands are kind of tied regarding trades right now and I know we don’t have all that much in the minors for those positions but, like Chipper said at the start of the season, it seems like some of these guys are just happy to be playing in the show. They need a fire lit under their asses, they need to be sent down, replaced by a guy in AA or AAA, they need to approach every game as if they are playing for their job. As it is, Frenchy has been benched what? Once? And it was described as “just a day off, nothing more”. What? F that! IMO he is the WORST of the 3, worse than the old loafy veteran and worse than the 22 year old rookie who is #2 in K’s in all of baseball. Stop coddling these babies! So what if Jeff gets his feelings hurt?! I mean, it’s not like he can possibly be any more of a headcase than he already is. Honestly, I know it seems like I rip on Jeff constantly and I know he’s a nice guy and I know he’s trying and I know this is tearing him up but sweet mother of god when will it end? As much as I can’t stand the Mets or Phillies do you think for a minute this ish would fly in Flushing or in Philly? Heck, it doesn’t even fly in DC! And they KNOW they don’t have a shot. Seriously. Enough is enough. Do something about it!
Anders
May 30th, 2009
10:36 pm
Cabravesfan – Want to see something? Jurrjens. See, I’ve been practicing.
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:37 pm
cabravesfan
How far are ya from Medosto(sp)? The city where Laci and the sicko Peterson lived.
I read Amber Frey’s book. Pretty good read. I feel bad for her for getting mixed up with the sicko/jack***.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
10:38 pm
Anders-
Impressive! I still can’t spell it without looking it up first…I stick to JJ
MFin04
May 30th, 2009
10:38 pm
Quite a hockey game! Lots of lucky bounces for the Red Wings.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
10:41 pm
Frank-
Modesto? about 5 hours…it’s in Northern California, about 60 miles from Sacramento- I’m in Los Angeles
brian
May 30th, 2009
10:43 pm
I still say that the only way we are going to acquire a decent bat, a significant upgrade, is by trading Vazquez.
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:43 pm
cabravesfan
Ahhh…okay. Been wanting to ask that…just out of curiousity.
MFin04
May 30th, 2009
10:45 pm
Can’t believe the Pens kept the puck out of the empty net there! Wow.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:45 pm
Boo, my bad. I forgot we don’t use that abbreviation here. Yes, ACHE is Mac Thompson’s nickname for Garret Anderson. And it stands for Anderson, Cleanup Hitter Extraordinaire.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:47 pm
brian,
Most of the types of bats we’re targeting are held by teams not in contention. So why would they want to add Vazquez’s salary? They would want prospects, not a MLB veteran making MLB veteran money.
Anders
May 30th, 2009
10:47 pm
Brian- And I still say at about $6 mil left this year and another $11.5 mil next year for a .500 pitcher you can’t get much of a bat for Vasquez. He’s over paid in this new economy. Every team got guys like that he’s one the Braves have.
Nick C.
May 30th, 2009
10:50 pm
Bobby seems to have lost a touch over the years. His loyalty to his players (some of them) is becoming above absurd. That works when you have 3 future CY Young award winners, and some pop here and there in your lineup (Chipper, McGriff, Sheffield…..) but that doesn’t work when you have players like Frenchy and Jeff Bennett on your roster. Failcouer is an automatic out every time through the lineup. He’s so miserably lost at the plate, most of us actually hope he’ll strike out when he comes to the plate with runners on the ponds, in order to ensure he doesn’t hit into a double play and end the inning. Oh, but he’ll get a hit in that situation if we’ve already plated ten in the contest. You just can’t have rally killers like that all the way up and down the lineup.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:51 pm
Wow, I just saw something pretty funny. King Felix pitching, Vladimir Guerrero hitting. King Felix makes him look stupid on the first 2, gets him to chase a high and outside fastball that he fouls off (still 0-2), then strikes him out with a breaking ball about a foot in front of the plate. The ball is so far in front of the plate it bounces in the dirt and off the catcher’s MASK then rolls all the way to the wall and Vlad reaches on a strikeout. Just an awful plate appearance that he reaches base on. Why does that rule exist, again?
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:54 pm
Anders, not true. Fangraphs has had Vazquez at 12.3 Million, 17.9 Million, 21.3 Million, and 21.9 Million the past 4 seasons and 9.7 Million already in the first 2 months of this season.
Frank from KS
May 30th, 2009
10:55 pm
Nick C.
Maybe as I said on a past blog….maybe Bobby and Frank Wren could talk Justice out of retirement and play the rest of the season.
He couldn’t do much worse than Frenchy.
Lol
Thirsty Horse
May 30th, 2009
10:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Nick C.
May 30th, 2009
10:56 pm
There are players on our team who just serve absolutely NO PURPOSE, except that they eat up a spot on our 25 man roster, for some unbeknown reason to the rest of us. Players like Greg Norton. The dude’s useless. He can’t even play in the field. He’s supposed to be our “pinch hitting” expert. Are you kidding me? Just the fact that HE is our late inning threat off the bench, should tell everyone all they need to know about our offensive capabilities. The Mariners lost a trillion games last year, and even they cut bait with the dude.
brian
May 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
Anders – the LA Dodgers would be the perfect fit for Vazquez. A package with kemp or ethier plus a prospect or two. They can afford his salary and I do not think that Vazquez at $11.5 million is overpaid in this baseball economy. If he hit the open market with the way he pitched so far this year he would get that. He would not get Lowe’s contract but he would get a 3 year $36 million contract. Look at what Olivier Perez got with the Muts bidding against themselves, and he has no where near the resume that Vazquez has currently
MFin04
May 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
Vazquez is much better than a .500 pitcher with a team with a consistent offense.
Earned runs given up in the games he’s pitched. (The guy could be 8-3.)
3 (W)
3 (W)
0 (W)
1 (W)
5 (L)
6 (L)
2 (W)
2 (W)
0 (W)
5 (L)
2 (W)
Anders
May 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
PWHjort – Those numbers are way, way off. Over $20 mil for Vasquez? Think about that. He makes $11.5 mil per. Look it up on Cots MLB players salaries.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
Russel Branyan just missed a home run. By 2 feet. It was a well-hit one too, not a kind of pop-up that he over-swung at.
Thirsty Horse
May 30th, 2009
11:00 pm
Where uga brave at?
This team needs David Ross in the lineup every day. Feisty is what we need. Don’t worry McFann, your boy needs to be in there every day too. Either McCann at first base or Ross at first base. I’d prefer BMac at first. Then his specs wouldn’t get all foggy and Ross could throw’em out at second.
Anders
May 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
Vasquez is a .500 lifetime pitcher (give or take some). He’s an inning eater, gets lots of strike outs but somehow ends up around .500.
I told you that before the year started and it stands now. Short of an injury to a key pitcher the Dodgers are not giving the Braves Ethier or Kemp with prospects for Vasquez – no way. That’s a self serving dreaming.
Chop Chop
May 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
PWH thinks Vazquez is some kind of pitching deity.
Area Scout
May 30th, 2009
11:04 pm
Most left handers that have good arms wind up on the mound. Kind of my theory why you have never seen a left-handed catcher. PWHjort
seriously? That’s your idea of why you don’t see left-handed throwing catchers? Really? Maybe you should look the real reason up. And you write stuff about baseball and want people to read it? You are pontificating on what scouts usually do. Man you haven’t got a clue.
If a guy isn’t a pitcher, you don’t make him into one just because he throws hard. The fastball is the easiest pitch to learn to throw, it takes years and years to get a handle on other pitches. Francoeur’s over the top delivery wouldn’t even put much movement on the ball. That leaves out the fact that the player would have to willing and enthusiastic about pitching. Damn boy, you need to talk about something that you actually know something about cause you are totally embarrassing yourself.
I have to say that the ignorant posturing of some of you people absolutely amazes me.
Efrim
May 30th, 2009
11:05 pm
“the LA Dodgers would be the perfect fit for Vazquez. A package with kemp or ethier plus a prospect or two.”
You aren’t getting that for Vasquez. But….
“And I still say at about $6 mil left this year and another $11.5 mil next year for a .500 pitcher you can’t get much of a bat for Vasquez. He’s over paid in this new economy. Every team got guys like that he’s one the Braves have.”
He is 16th in the NL in ERA. He is a very good #3 starter. They get paid 11.5 million.
Anders
May 30th, 2009
11:07 pm
If Wang isn’t effective when he comes back and the Yanks need to move Joba to the pen then you might have a trade partner. I don’t think they’ll give a whole lot but they would help clear his contract off the Braves books which would allow them to add salary in another move for the bat they need. Plus if the bat is only for 2009 then they would have the 4’s to re-up Hudson.
If Wren is reading the blog hope he gives me props when he’s running this by JS.
Efrim
May 30th, 2009
11:08 pm
“Vasquez is a .500 lifetime pitcher (give or take some). He’s an inning eater, gets lots of strike outs but somehow ends up around .500.”
Determining a pitchers worth by their win/loss record is not the way to evaluate a pitcher in my opinion. Sure, he isn’t great. But he has pitched in some AWFUL pitchers parks the last 4 years and now he is showing you what he can do. An ERA in the mid-high 3’s and lots of strikeouts. I’d pay 11.5 million a year for that. Hell, I wish the Braves didn’t have too and they had a bunch of young pitchers making nothing and dominating, but that isn’t the case. I think you are being way too hard on Javy.
bravos2249
May 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
DOB
That hit that won the game would NOT have happened had Bobby brought one of the OF’s in to play up the middle. Yes it’s a risk cause they don’t play infield, but more than likely if it’s hit into the OF the other team will win.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
brian-
I think the dodgers are pretty satisified with their current roster…doubt they will be looking to make any big moves, barring injury
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
11:13 pm
I know what he makes, Anders. And Chop Chop, I’m just telling you what fangraphs has him valued at. Not what I value him at. The problem with Vazquez is he does all the things that statheads agree that a pitcher can control very well (except HR% and HR/FB) but does none of the things that statheads agree a pitcher can’t control well. I kind of think he’s worse from the stretch than the wind-up which leads to his very low strand %. He always seems to get lit up with a bunch of bloop singles and groundball singles. I don’t know. Nobody knows anything. I must say Vazquez has not lived up to my expectations. But he’s preformed better than his career numbers suggest. And I don’t think he’s some kind of pitching diety. I’ve stopped drinking the Vazquez kool-aid.
Area Scout
May 30th, 2009
11:13 pm
I just watched Russel Branyan’s first 2 AB’s thusfar tonight. Folks, it’s a limited sample size, but he looks good at the plate. Selective, not swinging at junk. And a great 2-strike approach. I think he could rake in the NL. PWHjort
This is the Russell Branyan with a ten year career .236 BA and 3 times as many Ks as BBs? A good two-strike approach? You think the Braves should actually give up prospects to get this guy? Boy, you just keep getting worse. Have you actually ever played in a organized baseball game above grade school? If so why didn’t you learn anything?
Anders
May 30th, 2009
11:18 pm
Lebron is out. What will ESPN do with all that video stored for the finals?
Chop Chop
May 30th, 2009
11:20 pm
Salary valuations are meaningless to me, PWH. I know they aren’t to others, but I don’t think Wren’s looking at that number right now and thinking about the wonderful bargain he got.
Vazquez can’t be broken down by his K/9 or his K/BB or his WHIP. It just doesn’t work that way with him. He is a statistical anomaly. He should be better than he is, but he isn’t. Therefore, I expect him to be the dude with the black cloud over his head. Whether it’s bad luck, a bad inning, a brain fart or all of the above, Javier Vazquez finds a way not to be great. I really think the Braves need him to be great. He’s been very good so far, but you never know when the other shoe is going to drop. By wasting so many of his good outings, the Braves have set themselves up to get burned by him later on.
Or maybe he’ll just start shutting everybody out and dominating.
**** if I know.
MFin04
May 30th, 2009
11:22 pm
Philadelphia 27 20
NY Mets 27 21 .5
Atlanta 24 25 4
Florida 23 27 5.5
Braves better get their act together soon or they’re gonig to be looking up at 3 teams instead of two.
bravos2249
May 30th, 2009
11:25 pm
I’m glad the Magic advanced. I didn’t like they beat Boston, but hey if they beat the Cavs AND Lakers…I like that. IMO the Cavs deserved to be there more than LA.
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
11:26 pm
Area Scout,
What is the real reason there are no left-handed catchers? Because I can’t think of any reason. And neither can most people. The only reason I’ve ever heard is that it’d be difficult to throw down to a base on a steal or pick-off play with a right-handed hitter at the plate. But it’s just as difficult for a right-handed catcher to do so with a left-handed hitter at the plate. Of course, there are more right-handed batters than left-handed batters, but that’s seriously not enough of a reason to completely disqualify the notion that a left-handed thrower could play behind the plate. And you are right, you don’t make a pitcher out of someone just because they’ve got a good arm. If a scout looks at a left-hander with a good arm who can throw 91 MPH but has a flat fastball, hasn’t developed a breaking ball, and shows no feel for a change-up, they aren’t going to see a pitcher. But they’re also not going to see a catcher either, even if they have the perfect body type, skill set, and make-up to play the position, and I can’t really think of a reason why. That theory about left-handers with good arms all being pitchers was sort of a joke, but the part about there being no better explanation for there not being left-handed catchers was not. Because there isn’t.
cabravesfan
May 30th, 2009
11:27 pm
Go Magic!
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
11:29 pm
“You think the Braves should actually give up prospects to get this guy?” (Area Scout)
Did I say that? Wanna quit putting words in my mouth? You insufferable condescending prig.
brian
May 30th, 2009
11:34 pm
The Dodgers are still commonly mentioned as wanting more pitching, especially Peavy. Vazquez of course is not Peavy but San Diego will not move Peavy to the Dodgers.
Vazquez and the Yankees did not mesh well the first time around so I doubt that would come about. The White Sox want pitching but of course they just dealt Vazquez to us.
Texas would be interesting if they decide to make a big run in their division but I do not think they need a #3 starter. I also would be surprised if they want to add payroll and trade prospects right now.
Unfortunately there will not be a big market for Francoeur – we will be lucky to get a couple single A level prospects for him (Boston has some pitching prospects I would love to take from them). There will not be a big market for Morton or Reyes. If Medlen pitches well then he could be moved but again probably not the return we will be looking for.
Local Fireman
May 30th, 2009
11:34 pm
Hey! None of you guys know what you’re talking about. I run into burning buildings to save people’s lives. Get over yourselves.
Local Fisherman
May 30th, 2009
11:36 pm
Burning buildings? Whatever dude. I live dangerously. Hope you all like shrimp. I work my ass off for you all to be able to eat it.
Local Burglar
May 30th, 2009
11:37 pm
Funny. While you guys are all blogging, I’m climbing back out your window with all of your jewelry. Ha!
JD
May 30th, 2009
11:38 pm
cabravesfan – Does this mean you’re a Magic fan now?
brian
May 30th, 2009
11:39 pm
Baseball America’s latest hot sheet with Hanson
The Scoop: Hanson still being in the minor leagues is becoming a bit absurd, given that his stuff is among the best in baseball and that his command has shown improvement recently as well. In his first six starts, Hanson walked 9.2 percent of the batters he faced. In his last four starts, he’s shaved his walk rate to 4.9 percent in those outings. His numbers are just silly, with a 1.48 ERA, 82 strikeouts and 17 walks in 60 2/3 innings. As long as Hanson keeps dominating Triple-A hitters, we’ll be putting him on the Hot Sheet, but really, he belongs in the big leagues
PWHjort
May 30th, 2009
11:39 pm
Is that you, Chop Chop?
Whoever it is, it’s funny.