I heard on 680 the fan this morning that Dusty Baker fined Phillips for not taking a pitch on a 3-0 count when Dusty gave him the take sign.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Bobby would do something like that with Francoeur and Diaz? Fine them for swinging at pitches that are in the left hand batters box?
Never will happen but just sharing something I heard this morning…
Thanks for the info — interesting stuff. (Though I disagree that it’s now conclusive that Cox/Pendleton are to blame on the basis of the team’s P/PA. I mean 5 of the team’s best hitters din’t make the top 300, and 1 didn’t even make the top 400.)
Do yourself a favor — learn the difference between At Bats (ABs) and Plate Apperances (PAs) and do not use them interchangeably.
Do ME (and him) a favor and never again refer to Chipper as “Chip”.
Slskel,
Contracts, my friend. Both of the players you mentioned are far out of our price range and it would gut our farm to put together a package for them plus their salary. Plus the Astros like to operate under the delusion that their roster is good enough to contend with. And they hardly ever go through fire sales. Though they should.
There has to be some teams asking about David Ross. The guy can definately hit. IMO Clint Sammons can be a useful back up and the Braves could use Ross and someone else to possibly go after a bat.
You know your biggest problem – COACH – is not what you say, it’s the concept of disagreeing in a discussion. You take everything so personal and launch into name-calling and child like nasty smart-mouthing. I don’t presume to know your age but if you are a senior citizen you would think that you would have learned something about decorum by now. Or maybe that’s why you live in the far reaches of America, you can’t get along with others.
And here is the sheer unadulterated hypocrisy of his statement:
Capt Caveman
June 16th, 2009
3:40 am
We also know COACH is a buffoon. He lives in the far reaches of the country in North Dakota. Or as I like to call it — Canada’s “taint” meat. LOL
Capt Caveman
June 10th, 2009
9:36 pm
YO PAUL LENTZ –
Anybody who spends this much time on the blog trying to convince us that you are the “daddy-mac” of hooking up , must be living in his parents basement.
Capt Caveman
June 11th, 2009
8:16 am
He says he is right most of the time?? Well all I can say is when you double talk every comment then you are right and wrong about everything. He’s a douchebag who lives alone in one of the Dakota’s. I would try to remember which one but does it really matter??
……..and I’m the one who launches into name-calling and child like nasty smart-mouthing???
OKEY DOKY
p.s. be sure your blogging sins will find you out!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exceptional job on the Jordan Schafer interview/piece. Keep those coming, it’s very insightful and you ask tough and fair questions. I know as a fan who knew little about Jordan (beyond what’s reported here online), I learned something about the character of this up and coming ball player. It’ll make me want to cheer for him to come back strong even more. Hope he stays a Brave too. We can use players who are about team play and success and not about their own fear of failure.
You’re welcome. I didn’t say it was conclusive. I said the controversy here and on other blogs sent me looking for a reason. My conclusion is-there are many reasons, this one included. Therefore, I didn’t state a conclusion, I just listed the facts as I found them.
We all can come up with fantasy trades, but unless we know the mindset of FW and the budget he has to answer to,we are living in a fantasy world. My feelings are Wren will not give up the farm to get a power hitter.Our strength is starting pitching- trade from that trying to match salaries with a hitter. We all know Hudson is coming back in August, trade one of the current starters.
“I know I’m not going to convince everybody that we need to keep him, but trading him for nothing is crazy when he still has options.”
wrong, trading him for nothing is the best thing we can get for him. HE’s the worst RF’r in baseball and we’d be getting rid of his $3.5 mil salary. Im sure he’ll be asking for a lot more in arb this offseason. Its either we trade him now and save some $$ the rest of the year or nontender him this offseason. The guy is selfish adn he’s not a good baseball player, time to move on. A minor league assignment wont work for this guy. He’ll complain the whole way there and the whole way back
unbelievable, if he performs as poorly as he has so far,has no trade value,what reason would have to keep him on the major league roster? I’m sorry if his feelings get hurt if he has to go to Gwinnett.
CB,
Wren has stated on record that all of the rotation is off limits. If you think we should trade a SP then say that (I don’t think it’s a terrible idea). But don’t say everyone else is in a fantasy world and you’re in the real world. Because reality is we’re not trading a SP.
As far as the P/PA info (Thanks Richbrave for getting that), but you would think that as a strategy, swinging at pitches early in the count would depend on the opposing pitcher, and opposing team strategy. A team playing the Braves would have an advantage knowing the Braves are so one-sided in that regard. I would think a hitting coach’s job would be to adjust that stategy based on situation. To me, it seems like a stategy the hitters are using (i,e, be aggressive at the plate) rather than a strategy the team is using (i.e. take some pitches to see more of what a pitcher has, and to wear him down). If that is the case then I think it does point to TP. As a team, the Braves can’t be so predictable at the plate.
I got my free birthday ticket for the July 17th game, though. If I’d known the 18th was that AAR concert, I would’ve gotten the ticket for then…
We’re going to that one but the concert wasn’t scheduled at the time we got our tickets. My daughter is furious that we’re taking “old people” and therefore won’t be staying for the concert.
good point PWH. I for one think it is a mistake to put the whole rotation off limits. I think the Braves will have to deal Vazquez (yes he has been our best pitcher to date) to get a significant bat for the OF. If this were the stock market FW would be looking like a genius – buying relatively low on Vazquez in the offseason and being able to sell high. With Peavy out with an injury and Oswalt looking like he is going to stay put, Vazquez and Bedard would probably be the two top pitchers on the market with Cliff Lee possibly being 3rd.
It is also fantasy to talk about trading Escobar (which I have done repeatedly) but if by some chance Buchholz was involved I think FW should make the trade.
The thing that JS was best at was planning 2-3 moves. One move would lead to another and remold the team. If Escobar was dealt for Buchholz (and hopefully another prospect or Lowrie as well) then that would give us the pitching depth to move Vazquez for a bat and prospects.
It is all fantasy world moves but I am sure that FW and his staff have planned all sorts of different possible moves and actions
PWH, I have many times stated we will have to use starting pitching for trade chips to improve offense. I have not seen or heard any reference that the starting pitching is off limits. As far as fantasy trades ,have you not been reading some of posters ideas,lol?
Isn’t everyone worried about the Braves thinking they are in it? What happens if they trade for Dye and give up the top prospects? I could see Wren and Bobby “going for it” and not caring about any of the farm. If they do that, then Furman Bisher’s article about the farm will make a lot more sense. I guess Furman had a crystal ball.
Talked to my friend from Seattle today about how my 62 year old legs could outrun Griffey now and certainly Loaf Anderson. I repeated my comment that Escobar is having to play not only shortstop but half of third and half of second. His response was that Escobar also has to play half of left field, and when I thought about that, I realized he also has to play some center because of McLouth’s weak arm. In addition, Yunel and McCann and Prado are the only guys hitting in the clutch with the occasional exception of Chipper when he is not intentionally walked. No wonder he has made mistakes. He is trying to cover for half the team. Trading him would be lunacy!
You know we keep talking trades, which I love to do, but honestly did anyone have the Mclouth move on their radar? I don’t think so. I know Capt. Caveman keeps promoting the Dye thing, but….
I think the move will come literally out of right field
There have been numerous reports that the entire rotation is off limits. I’d link you to one but I can’t accomplish that on my phone. And yes, you are correct, most of the trade proposals on here are ludicrous. I’m guilty of it from time to time as well.
PWHjort- Honestly, I have not seen statements from FW that all of our Starting Rotation is off limits. I could have missed them, but you know I like to keep up with this team.
BTW- last night on GPB they showed the Roberto Clemente documentary followed by a documentary on Japanese high school baseball. I think they are showing them again this week(thurs.?) If you haven’t seen them check it out. Really fascinating stuff.
Daniel,
It’s “literally” going to come out of right field? I guess they’ll re-locate the Braves bullpen and have all of the sanitation personell on deck in the current bullpen location in case any trade proposals magically appear in right field during the games.
We were discussing Mac’s defense vs. Casey Kotchman’s offense.
That comment (Mac being considered a defensive catcher in the minors) was not part of the conversation, thus me bringing it up was, well, a random thought. Perhaps you should fully understand the meaning of a word before you resort to name calling.
If we trade prospects for Dye, we will have fortified the White Sox farm system with Tyler Flowers, Lillibridge, and whoever goes in that deal if that deal gets done.
I was putting a hypothetical scenario out there, not making a logical suggestion about Lee and Berkman. It may be fantasy land but I would rather fantasize about those guys than Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida. As far as the rotation guys go, I wouldn’t want to move Vasquez, if anything you need to consider extending him at the end of the season. He has so far been our best pitcher, if I move anybody it would be Lowe. I loved the Lowe signing and still do, but I honestly didn’t expect Medlen to be any good this year and Hanson looks like he is going to get better with every start.
Last year everyone was harping about the pitching. Now we hear that some of the pitching should be given up for some hitting. This is a big mistake. There are not enough good hitters on the market that the Braves can sign and keep with Liberty Mutual’s tight pockets(witness Texira). This team is very bad. No hitting coach can fix the lack of talent that is characteristic of the Braves.TP cannot think and hit for these over paid prima donnas. Fox Sports has the audacity to rate the Braves as being better than eleven other teams in major league baseball. This should make all baseball fans cringe at the obvious decrease in the talent level across the board. The USA has not won the World baseball championship one time. I believe that the aluminum bats are the issue and not the hitting coaches. It is a big change to go from aluminum in high school and college to wood in the pros. Bring back the wood and recruit more Black and Latino guys with some power and speed.There is a lot of young talent that has come from playing with metal bats (Wright, Braun, Beckham, etc.). There are not enough white guys to go around who have their credentials. You cannot fool mother nature.
The Braves should concentrate on developing Heywood, Freeman and the others while being patient.
i think carlos lee in LF would make the braves the best team in the east, and possibly the best team in the NL. i really do. sadly, lee is making about $18mil per year, and i just dont know if the braves can do that. dang i wish they could though.
It would definitely fill a gaping hole, I just think too many things would have to happen for that to ever get done. It’s too bad we didn’t get him the Brewers a few years ago, then we never would have had to make the Tex trade and probably got a guy we could’ve resigned. Oh well, you know what they say about hindsight.
Do you think we could pry Matt Thornton or Scott Linebrink from them also? Linebrink would be too expensive, but sensible because Moylan hasn’t shown he can handle the 7th inning.
Just saw the Schafer Q&A, and have to say, I’m very impressed.
The kid has a very mature attitude about everything. Shows me he has a good head on his shoulders, and I’ll bet we see him back in Atlanta this year.
He also hinted without saying that the Braves have told him he’ll be back in center when he’s ready. I know we’ve beaten this issue to death, but it would make absolutely NO SENSE to put Schafer in a corner when he’s back.
McLouth is a good fielder with average range. Perfect fit for a corner. Schafer is already a superior defensive center fielder who can go get it. He’ll be in center for the next 10 years. Bank on it.
Daniel– If you think Loaf in left, McLouth’s weak arm, Chipper’s reduced skill, and KJ’s mediocrity do not put more burden on Escobar to cover for them on the defense, you have not been watching.
All of you advocating trading starting pitching because Hudson will “be back” in August-better not count on that. Too many problems can crop up normally in rehab-like tearing scar tissue. Hudson’s rehab has gone well to this point, but August will only be a year since the TJ surgery, which can easily take 1 1/2 years before a return to normal. Maybe it would be better if we just waited to see how he does (if he does and if he is in the rotation or pen), before we count his unhatched chickens and trade what has kept us this close to the leaders-our pitching.
I think trading Escobar would be a very stupid move. Has he had “lapses” in the field and on the bases…sure. Has he been great at the plate in clutch situations….sure. He is one of the few guys on the team that acts like he has a pulse (Which Cox seems to despise by the way). I just think with the ability and the contract Escobar has you have to keep him. Maybe if he just smiled all the time and never caused any problems like a few other Braves everything would be fine. He would then be considered a “professional” and he would fit right in with the Atlanta “Hopefully We’ll be .500″ Braves.
Rodney-Chipper still has the range-his errors are from flat out dropping the ball or weak throws-nothing Yunel could effect. KJ, while not a Gold Glover, has improved considerably at second, in particular going to his right-again nothing Yunel is compensating for. Maybe he just needs to learn to keep his head in the game and to worry about little things like covering the base when KJ makes a play and throwing where the runner is running rather than just standing there wondering what just happened.
As for covering for McLouth’s weak arm? Seriously, where did you pull that one from?
Do you guys really believe that the addition of one big bat will make the Braves a contender? You cannot be that blind to the fact that this team is devoid of major league talent at five of eight everyday starting positions.Chipper(if not injured),Escobar and McCann are the only keepers.
Yeah Shamus, when did they make you the GM? Seems if Wren thinks the rotation is off limits, is the one aspect of the game where we have done well and HE’S the one who makes the deals-well, figure it out.
Lew, I think most of us understand what you are saying about Hudson. We do not have much depth in the minors to trade any more prospects, I guess we will have to be very inventive,lol.
Tell It Like It is. We are only bad at 3 spots. LF, RF, and Second. Get it straight. If we got that proverbial big bat to replace one of those 3 spots, then yes, the Braves would be serious contenders. The starting pitching has done its job, we just need that one bat that solidifies the lineup. The one guy that can hit a homer more than his teammates can. So yes, the Braves are solid in pitching, just need that one big bopper to get over the hump.
Admit it ya’ll, the Braves are done. 30-32 and 7 games out in the division. 4 games out in the wild card. They are about to face the toughest part of the schedule. I know they won’t admit that they are sellers until after the mid July series against the Mets at home(need to sell those tickets!), but I bet my Heywood that they will be trading Soriano, Gonzo and Vasquez by July 31st.
tell it like it isDo you guys really believe that the addition of one big bat will make the Braves a contender?
yeah, i really do, if its the right bat.
the braves pitching is great. they just need to score a few more runs.
Chipper(if not injured),Escobar and McCann are the only keepers.
kotchman and mclouth are also keepers. also, diaz would be good to get some time in right for jeff. if that happend, and the braves had carlos lee, you mean to tell me that you dont think mclouth, escobar, chipper, lee, mccann, diaz, kotchman, johnson isnt a great lineup that can score ALOT of runs?
Did any of you guys see the “quote of the day” a couple of nights ago with Cox talking about the 3-run homer. Basically that stealing bases and moving runners is all fine and dandy, but the 3-run homer is a great weapon. No S*%t. The only problem is that someone forgot to tell him there are about 2 people on this team capable of hitting a 3-run homer. He still has the same philosophy he had when we had McGriff, Gant, Chipper (in his prime), Andruw, Klesko, LaRoche Gallaraga, Sheffield, Drew etc……over the years. Now we have Chipper (sometimes) and McCann who gets at least one day a week off. They have to do different things to score runs and Cox is not capable of changing.
I heard a rumor about the Braves trading Jo-Jo, Kotchman, and Bennett for Prince Fielder…
my source you ask? Well, I made the offer last night while playing “The Show” on my PS3…. I’ll let you all know how it turns out when I get home today.
Now that I have that little crazy trade out of me…
I’m looking for a possible sweep here in Cincy, but 2 out of 3 from them will be a good momentum builder going into the weekend. Nice refreshing day off yesterday, the team got a chance to relax a bit, get their minds off of baseball, and hopefully they come into this series(and next week) knowing that this is, in a sense, their season.
If the bat is a guy like Carlos Lee than yeah if we don’t give up too much off the big club. I really think he is one of the top 5 hitters in all of baseball right there with Manny. If it is a lesser bat like Mark DeRosa for example, than no we need more than that. You plug in Lee in left and Omar/Prado everyday at 2nd, preferably Omar and these young guys will look a lot better. Everybody was killing that Dodger team last year then they got Manny and looked a whole lot better.
I admire your loyalty, but I really believe that it is displaced when it comes to the players on the team now. To get a player like Lee, the Braves will have to give up a lot of pitching or some of the top players in the minors(Heywood, Freeman). This would be a huge mistake.
No team will trade for the guys in the present lineup except Chipper, Escobar and McCann. Why give them up for a big bopper? This will not strengthen the team. The other starters are slow and frankly not very talented. Infante and Prado are the best of the lot.
Another factor to consider is the remaining schedule. I believe that the majority of the teams they play are ranked above them. Also, the pitching staff will be giving up more runs as we move into the dog days of August and September.If you cannot keep Pittsburgh and Baltimore in check, then they are in big trouble. They have been pitching their tails off lately and it will come back to haunt them later. History will confirm this. There are simply too many holes in this team that could be filled with a trade.
I got my free ticket for the 17th too. My friends birthday is in Jan. But they haven’t registered for one yet. I’d do that but I’m afraid we wouldn’t get to sit by each other.
Hey Roman Gal, I just wanted to come back and add that she’s not really “furious” … I mean, that’s such a strong word – think Jules talking to flock of seagulls kid in Pulp Fiction…oh wait..you haven’t seen Pulp Fiction – that’s furious. She’s just like “aw man!” about it, kinda like you, but certainly not furious or mad at the old people, like what I wrote may have made it sound. She’s a great kid, (totally eye patch worthy) and I felt guilty about it sounding like that, even though I knew what I meant all along.
2,078 comments Add your comment
Renegator
June 16th, 2009
10:19 am
I heard on 680 the fan this morning that Dusty Baker fined Phillips for not taking a pitch on a 3-0 count when Dusty gave him the take sign.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Bobby would do something like that with Francoeur and Diaz? Fine them for swinging at pitches that are in the left hand batters box?
Never will happen but just sharing something I heard this morning…
Random
June 16th, 2009
10:21 am
richbrave (June 16th, 2009 9:51 am) –
Thanks for the info — interesting stuff. (Though I disagree that it’s now conclusive that Cox/Pendleton are to blame on the basis of the team’s P/PA. I mean 5 of the team’s best hitters din’t make the top 300, and 1 didn’t even make the top 400.)
Do yourself a favor — learn the difference between At Bats (ABs) and Plate Apperances (PAs) and do not use them interchangeably.
Do ME (and him) a favor and never again refer to Chipper as “Chip”.
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
10:23 am
Slskel,
Contracts, my friend. Both of the players you mentioned are far out of our price range and it would gut our farm to put together a package for them plus their salary. Plus the Astros like to operate under the delusion that their roster is good enough to contend with. And they hardly ever go through fire sales. Though they should.
sportsmandh
June 16th, 2009
10:23 am
Doc,
I was encouraged to see your post about the playoff chance percentage. 8.8% is higher than I would have figured!
(yesterday in one of my genious posts I estimated about a 5% chance)
B-rockGT
June 16th, 2009
10:36 am
There has to be some teams asking about David Ross. The guy can definately hit. IMO Clint Sammons can be a useful back up and the Braves could use Ross and someone else to possibly go after a bat.
Something drastic needs to be done quickly
Coach ( Moon Pie, Anyone?)
June 16th, 2009
10:37 am
Captain Caveman wrote:
You know your biggest problem – COACH – is not what you say, it’s the concept of disagreeing in a discussion. You take everything so personal and launch into name-calling and child like nasty smart-mouthing. I don’t presume to know your age but if you are a senior citizen you would think that you would have learned something about decorum by now. Or maybe that’s why you live in the far reaches of America, you can’t get along with others.
And here is the sheer unadulterated hypocrisy of his statement:
Capt Caveman
June 16th, 2009
3:40 am
We also know COACH is a buffoon. He lives in the far reaches of the country in North Dakota. Or as I like to call it — Canada’s “taint” meat. LOL
Capt Caveman
June 10th, 2009
9:36 pm
YO PAUL LENTZ –
Anybody who spends this much time on the blog trying to convince us that you are the “daddy-mac” of hooking up , must be living in his parents basement.
Capt Caveman
June 11th, 2009
8:16 am
He says he is right most of the time?? Well all I can say is when you double talk every comment then you are right and wrong about everything. He’s a douchebag who lives alone in one of the Dakota’s. I would try to remember which one but does it really matter??
……..and I’m the one who launches into name-calling and child like nasty smart-mouthing???
OKEY DOKY
p.s. be sure your blogging sins will find you out!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supes
June 16th, 2009
10:48 am
Carroll,
Exceptional job on the Jordan Schafer interview/piece. Keep those coming, it’s very insightful and you ask tough and fair questions. I know as a fan who knew little about Jordan (beyond what’s reported here online), I learned something about the character of this up and coming ball player. It’ll make me want to cheer for him to come back strong even more. Hope he stays a Brave too. We can use players who are about team play and success and not about their own fear of failure.
Again, thanks:)
richbrave
June 16th, 2009
10:49 am
RANDOM:
You’re welcome. I didn’t say it was conclusive. I said the controversy here and on other blogs sent me looking for a reason. My conclusion is-there are many reasons, this one included. Therefore, I didn’t state a conclusion, I just listed the facts as I found them.
CB
June 16th, 2009
10:52 am
We all can come up with fantasy trades, but unless we know the mindset of FW and the budget he has to answer to,we are living in a fantasy world. My feelings are Wren will not give up the farm to get a power hitter.Our strength is starting pitching- trade from that trying to match salaries with a hitter. We all know Hudson is coming back in August, trade one of the current starters.
richbrave
June 16th, 2009
10:53 am
RANDOM:
And don’t tell me what to do you prick.
unbelievable
June 16th, 2009
10:53 am
“I know I’m not going to convince everybody that we need to keep him, but trading him for nothing is crazy when he still has options.”
wrong, trading him for nothing is the best thing we can get for him. HE’s the worst RF’r in baseball and we’d be getting rid of his $3.5 mil salary. Im sure he’ll be asking for a lot more in arb this offseason. Its either we trade him now and save some $$ the rest of the year or nontender him this offseason. The guy is selfish adn he’s not a good baseball player, time to move on. A minor league assignment wont work for this guy. He’ll complain the whole way there and the whole way back
Salamander
June 16th, 2009
11:03 am
richbrave
nice post @ 9:51! I’m not surprised at the results of your research.
CB
June 16th, 2009
11:04 am
unbelievable, if he performs as poorly as he has so far,has no trade value,what reason would have to keep him on the major league roster? I’m sorry if his feelings get hurt if he has to go to Gwinnett.
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
11:09 am
Richbrave,
He didn’t say you drew any conclusions. He just said that he’s not convinced TP is the problem. It was just a point, don’t be so defensive.
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
11:12 am
CB,
Wren has stated on record that all of the rotation is off limits. If you think we should trade a SP then say that (I don’t think it’s a terrible idea). But don’t say everyone else is in a fantasy world and you’re in the real world. Because reality is we’re not trading a SP.
Lunatic Fringe
June 16th, 2009
11:19 am
As far as the P/PA info (Thanks Richbrave for getting that), but you would think that as a strategy, swinging at pitches early in the count would depend on the opposing pitcher, and opposing team strategy. A team playing the Braves would have an advantage knowing the Braves are so one-sided in that regard. I would think a hitting coach’s job would be to adjust that stategy based on situation. To me, it seems like a stategy the hitters are using (i,e, be aggressive at the plate) rather than a strategy the team is using (i.e. take some pitches to see more of what a pitcher has, and to wear him down). If that is the case then I think it does point to TP. As a team, the Braves can’t be so predictable at the plate.
RHR
June 16th, 2009
11:21 am
I got my free birthday ticket for the July 17th game, though. If I’d known the 18th was that AAR concert, I would’ve gotten the ticket for then…
We’re going to that one but the concert wasn’t scheduled at the time we got our tickets. My daughter is furious that we’re taking “old people” and therefore won’t be staying for the concert.
brian
June 16th, 2009
11:30 am
good point PWH. I for one think it is a mistake to put the whole rotation off limits. I think the Braves will have to deal Vazquez (yes he has been our best pitcher to date) to get a significant bat for the OF. If this were the stock market FW would be looking like a genius – buying relatively low on Vazquez in the offseason and being able to sell high. With Peavy out with an injury and Oswalt looking like he is going to stay put, Vazquez and Bedard would probably be the two top pitchers on the market with Cliff Lee possibly being 3rd.
It is also fantasy to talk about trading Escobar (which I have done repeatedly) but if by some chance Buchholz was involved I think FW should make the trade.
The thing that JS was best at was planning 2-3 moves. One move would lead to another and remold the team. If Escobar was dealt for Buchholz (and hopefully another prospect or Lowrie as well) then that would give us the pitching depth to move Vazquez for a bat and prospects.
It is all fantasy world moves but I am sure that FW and his staff have planned all sorts of different possible moves and actions
CB
June 16th, 2009
11:30 am
PWH, I have many times stated we will have to use starting pitching for trade chips to improve offense. I have not seen or heard any reference that the starting pitching is off limits. As far as fantasy trades ,have you not been reading some of posters ideas,lol?
The Truth
June 16th, 2009
11:31 am
Isn’t everyone worried about the Braves thinking they are in it? What happens if they trade for Dye and give up the top prospects? I could see Wren and Bobby “going for it” and not caring about any of the farm. If they do that, then Furman Bisher’s article about the farm will make a lot more sense. I guess Furman had a crystal ball.
brent a.
June 16th, 2009
11:33 am
No way we get Lance Berkman.
Plus, the Astros are only 4 games out. They’ve made a habit the past few years of playing surprisingly well after the break.
brent a.
June 16th, 2009
11:34 am
I’m not at all worried about the Braves thinking they are still “in it.”
But, that doesn’t mean that I want them to sell the farm.
We could improve without selling the farm; so, I’m happy if the Braves are looking to make moves to improve this team’s chance to win, this year.
Rodney Derrick
June 16th, 2009
11:35 am
Talked to my friend from Seattle today about how my 62 year old legs could outrun Griffey now and certainly Loaf Anderson. I repeated my comment that Escobar is having to play not only shortstop but half of third and half of second. His response was that Escobar also has to play half of left field, and when I thought about that, I realized he also has to play some center because of McLouth’s weak arm. In addition, Yunel and McCann and Prado are the only guys hitting in the clutch with the occasional exception of Chipper when he is not intentionally walked. No wonder he has made mistakes. He is trying to cover for half the team. Trading him would be lunacy!
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:38 am
Hey, salamander did you make the TOTR/Grizzly Bear show?
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:40 am
You know we keep talking trades, which I love to do, but honestly did anyone have the Mclouth move on their radar? I don’t think so. I know Capt. Caveman keeps promoting the Dye thing, but….
I think the move will come literally out of right field
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
11:41 am
There have been numerous reports that the entire rotation is off limits. I’d link you to one but I can’t accomplish that on my phone. And yes, you are correct, most of the trade proposals on here are ludicrous. I’m guilty of it from time to time as well.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:41 am
Rodney- Yunel is not over covering his position. That is a false observation.
CB
June 16th, 2009
11:43 am
Daniel,I agree,the Braves have a history of shocking trades.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:43 am
PWHjort- Honestly, I have not seen statements from FW that all of our Starting Rotation is off limits. I could have missed them, but you know I like to keep up with this team.
The Truth
June 16th, 2009
11:45 am
Hey Daniel! I bet the Braves make a move. They’ll trade our top prospects for Dye.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:45 am
BTW- last night on GPB they showed the Roberto Clemente documentary followed by a documentary on Japanese high school baseball. I think they are showing them again this week(thurs.?) If you haven’t seen them check it out. Really fascinating stuff.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:46 am
The Truth- I am fairly certain they won’t trade Freeman or Heyward. What other top prospects do you mean?
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
11:47 am
Daniel,
It’s “literally” going to come out of right field? I guess they’ll re-locate the Braves bullpen and have all of the sanitation personell on deck in the current bullpen location in case any trade proposals magically appear in right field during the games.
PWHjort
June 16th, 2009
11:49 am
Daniel,
I’m not making it up. Frank Wren has stated on record that all of the rotation is off-limits.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
11:50 am
The only thing coming out of RF will be Jeff Francoeur. But yes, if Braves make a deal, we may be surprised. The McLouth deal was a complete surprise.
cabravesfan
June 16th, 2009
11:50 am
Random-
“aside:” away from one’s thought or consideration
We were discussing Mac’s defense vs. Casey Kotchman’s offense.
That comment (Mac being considered a defensive catcher in the minors) was not part of the conversation, thus me bringing it up was, well, a random thought. Perhaps you should fully understand the meaning of a word before you resort to name calling.
CB
June 16th, 2009
11:51 am
PWH, I respect your posts are usually accurate,not reflecting on you personally. To give you a compliment, I enjoy your posts.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:51 am
PWH- I don’t doubt you have seen, just saying I haven’t.
No, the trade is going to come from the giant Cow. C’mon man everyone knows that.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
11:51 am
If we trade prospects for Dye, we will have fortified the White Sox farm system with Tyler Flowers, Lillibridge, and whoever goes in that deal if that deal gets done.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:52 am
getsomepower- that is what I meant.
Daniel
June 16th, 2009
11:53 am
yeah, and we will have gotten JJ and JD
CB
June 16th, 2009
11:58 am
Maybe the Cow and Jeffy for the San Diego chicken.lol
siskel_god
June 16th, 2009
11:58 am
PWHjort
I was putting a hypothetical scenario out there, not making a logical suggestion about Lee and Berkman. It may be fantasy land but I would rather fantasize about those guys than Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida. As far as the rotation guys go, I wouldn’t want to move Vasquez, if anything you need to consider extending him at the end of the season. He has so far been our best pitcher, if I move anybody it would be Lowe. I loved the Lowe signing and still do, but I honestly didn’t expect Medlen to be any good this year and Hanson looks like he is going to get better with every start.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
12:01 pm
We can still get Dye and not give up top prospects. He would be ABSOLUTELY what this lineup needs.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
12:03 pm
Stick him right in the #4 hole between Chipper and McCann. McCann would RAKE like he did in the second half of 06
Tell It Like It Is
June 16th, 2009
12:05 pm
Last year everyone was harping about the pitching. Now we hear that some of the pitching should be given up for some hitting. This is a big mistake. There are not enough good hitters on the market that the Braves can sign and keep with Liberty Mutual’s tight pockets(witness Texira). This team is very bad. No hitting coach can fix the lack of talent that is characteristic of the Braves.TP cannot think and hit for these over paid prima donnas. Fox Sports has the audacity to rate the Braves as being better than eleven other teams in major league baseball. This should make all baseball fans cringe at the obvious decrease in the talent level across the board. The USA has not won the World baseball championship one time. I believe that the aluminum bats are the issue and not the hitting coaches. It is a big change to go from aluminum in high school and college to wood in the pros. Bring back the wood and recruit more Black and Latino guys with some power and speed.There is a lot of young talent that has come from playing with metal bats (Wright, Braun, Beckham, etc.). There are not enough white guys to go around who have their credentials. You cannot fool mother nature.
The Braves should concentrate on developing Heywood, Freeman and the others while being patient.
DAP
June 16th, 2009
12:09 pm
siskel_god
i think carlos lee in LF would make the braves the best team in the east, and possibly the best team in the NL. i really do. sadly, lee is making about $18mil per year, and i just dont know if the braves can do that. dang i wish they could though.
Roman Gal
June 16th, 2009
12:10 pm
My daughter is furious that we’re taking “old people” and therefore won’t be staying for the concert. RHR
Haha…I would be, too. Hey, I like your daughter. You should give her an eye patch, too!
CB
June 16th, 2009
12:13 pm
DAP, Lowe and Jeff is how you do it, now would you make that trade?
siskel_god
June 16th, 2009
12:15 pm
DAP
It would definitely fill a gaping hole, I just think too many things would have to happen for that to ever get done. It’s too bad we didn’t get him the Brewers a few years ago, then we never would have had to make the Tex trade and probably got a guy we could’ve resigned. Oh well, you know what they say about hindsight.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
Do you think we could pry Matt Thornton or Scott Linebrink from them also? Linebrink would be too expensive, but sensible because Moylan hasn’t shown he can handle the 7th inning.
Buzzmeat
June 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
HAS THE ROSTER MOVE BEEN ANNOUNCED YET?
Buzzmeat
June 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
Sorry about caps…..
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
12:19 pm
Matt Thornton is a harder throwing Mike Remlinger. Then that would give us 3 lefties in the pen.
HuffBraves
June 16th, 2009
12:20 pm
Just saw the Schafer Q&A, and have to say, I’m very impressed.
The kid has a very mature attitude about everything. Shows me he has a good head on his shoulders, and I’ll bet we see him back in Atlanta this year.
He also hinted without saying that the Braves have told him he’ll be back in center when he’s ready. I know we’ve beaten this issue to death, but it would make absolutely NO SENSE to put Schafer in a corner when he’s back.
McLouth is a good fielder with average range. Perfect fit for a corner. Schafer is already a superior defensive center fielder who can go get it. He’ll be in center for the next 10 years. Bank on it.
Lew
June 16th, 2009
12:21 pm
Daniel-Wren has definitely made statements that our rotation is off limits.
Rodney Derrick
June 16th, 2009
12:22 pm
Daniel– If you think Loaf in left, McLouth’s weak arm, Chipper’s reduced skill, and KJ’s mediocrity do not put more burden on Escobar to cover for them on the defense, you have not been watching.
Lew
June 16th, 2009
12:25 pm
All of you advocating trading starting pitching because Hudson will “be back” in August-better not count on that. Too many problems can crop up normally in rehab-like tearing scar tissue. Hudson’s rehab has gone well to this point, but August will only be a year since the TJ surgery, which can easily take 1 1/2 years before a return to normal. Maybe it would be better if we just waited to see how he does (if he does and if he is in the rotation or pen), before we count his unhatched chickens and trade what has kept us this close to the leaders-our pitching.
TnVolsBraves
June 16th, 2009
12:25 pm
I think trading Escobar would be a very stupid move. Has he had “lapses” in the field and on the bases…sure. Has he been great at the plate in clutch situations….sure. He is one of the few guys on the team that acts like he has a pulse (Which Cox seems to despise by the way). I just think with the ability and the contract Escobar has you have to keep him. Maybe if he just smiled all the time and never caused any problems like a few other Braves everything would be fine. He would then be considered a “professional” and he would fit right in with the Atlanta “Hopefully We’ll be .500″ Braves.
Shamus Thacker
June 16th, 2009
12:26 pm
FW can say what he wants, but if the right deal presents itself the rotation will no longer be off-limits.
Lew
June 16th, 2009
12:28 pm
Rodney-Chipper still has the range-his errors are from flat out dropping the ball or weak throws-nothing Yunel could effect. KJ, while not a Gold Glover, has improved considerably at second, in particular going to his right-again nothing Yunel is compensating for. Maybe he just needs to learn to keep his head in the game and to worry about little things like covering the base when KJ makes a play and throwing where the runner is running rather than just standing there wondering what just happened.
As for covering for McLouth’s weak arm? Seriously, where did you pull that one from?
Tell It Like It Is
June 16th, 2009
12:29 pm
siskel_god/DAP
Do you guys really believe that the addition of one big bat will make the Braves a contender? You cannot be that blind to the fact that this team is devoid of major league talent at five of eight everyday starting positions.Chipper(if not injured),Escobar and McCann are the only keepers.
Lew
June 16th, 2009
12:30 pm
Yeah Shamus, when did they make you the GM? Seems if Wren thinks the rotation is off limits, is the one aspect of the game where we have done well and HE’S the one who makes the deals-well, figure it out.
DAP
June 16th, 2009
12:31 pm
CB Lowe and Jeff is how you do it, now would you make that trade?
no, i wouldnt do that. tempting, though.
CB
June 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
Lew, I think most of us understand what you are saying about Hudson. We do not have much depth in the minors to trade any more prospects, I guess we will have to be very inventive,lol.
Original Jon
June 16th, 2009
12:34 pm
Tell It Like It is. We are only bad at 3 spots. LF, RF, and Second. Get it straight. If we got that proverbial big bat to replace one of those 3 spots, then yes, the Braves would be serious contenders. The starting pitching has done its job, we just need that one bat that solidifies the lineup. The one guy that can hit a homer more than his teammates can. So yes, the Braves are solid in pitching, just need that one big bopper to get over the hump.
TnVolsBraves
June 16th, 2009
12:35 pm
Tell It Like It Is
I would add Mclouth as a keeper. Other than that you hit the nail on the head.
The Truth
June 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
Admit it ya’ll, the Braves are done. 30-32 and 7 games out in the division. 4 games out in the wild card. They are about to face the toughest part of the schedule. I know they won’t admit that they are sellers until after the mid July series against the Mets at home(need to sell those tickets!), but I bet my Heywood that they will be trading Soriano, Gonzo and Vasquez by July 31st.
DAP
June 16th, 2009
12:40 pm
tell it like it isDo you guys really believe that the addition of one big bat will make the Braves a contender?
yeah, i really do, if its the right bat.
the braves pitching is great. they just need to score a few more runs.
Chipper(if not injured),Escobar and McCann are the only keepers.
kotchman and mclouth are also keepers. also, diaz would be good to get some time in right for jeff. if that happend, and the braves had carlos lee, you mean to tell me that you dont think mclouth, escobar, chipper, lee, mccann, diaz, kotchman, johnson isnt a great lineup that can score ALOT of runs?
TnVolsBraves
June 16th, 2009
12:41 pm
Did any of you guys see the “quote of the day” a couple of nights ago with Cox talking about the 3-run homer. Basically that stealing bases and moving runners is all fine and dandy, but the 3-run homer is a great weapon. No S*%t. The only problem is that someone forgot to tell him there are about 2 people on this team capable of hitting a 3-run homer. He still has the same philosophy he had when we had McGriff, Gant, Chipper (in his prime), Andruw, Klesko, LaRoche Gallaraga, Sheffield, Drew etc……over the years. Now we have Chipper (sometimes) and McCann who gets at least one day a week off. They have to do different things to score runs and Cox is not capable of changing.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 16th, 2009
12:46 pm
I heard a rumor about the Braves trading Jo-Jo, Kotchman, and Bennett for Prince Fielder…
my source you ask? Well, I made the offer last night while playing “The Show” on my PS3…. I’ll let you all know how it turns out when I get home today.
Now that I have that little crazy trade out of me…
I’m looking for a possible sweep here in Cincy, but 2 out of 3 from them will be a good momentum builder going into the weekend. Nice refreshing day off yesterday, the team got a chance to relax a bit, get their minds off of baseball, and hopefully they come into this series(and next week) knowing that this is, in a sense, their season.
Carroll Rogers
June 16th, 2009
12:47 pm
new blog should be up….
siskel_god
June 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
Tell it like it is
If the bat is a guy like Carlos Lee than yeah if we don’t give up too much off the big club. I really think he is one of the top 5 hitters in all of baseball right there with Manny. If it is a lesser bat like Mark DeRosa for example, than no we need more than that. You plug in Lee in left and Omar/Prado everyday at 2nd, preferably Omar and these young guys will look a lot better. Everybody was killing that Dodger team last year then they got Manny and looked a whole lot better.
getsomepower
June 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
The Truth
June 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
Admit it ya’ll, the Braves are done. 30-32 and 7 games out in the division. 4 games out in the wild card.
Unfortunately, I might agree with that if we tank during this rough stretch of games.
Tell It Like It Is
June 16th, 2009
1:25 pm
Original Jon/ siskel_god/ DAP,
I admire your loyalty, but I really believe that it is displaced when it comes to the players on the team now. To get a player like Lee, the Braves will have to give up a lot of pitching or some of the top players in the minors(Heywood, Freeman). This would be a huge mistake.
No team will trade for the guys in the present lineup except Chipper, Escobar and McCann. Why give them up for a big bopper? This will not strengthen the team. The other starters are slow and frankly not very talented. Infante and Prado are the best of the lot.
Another factor to consider is the remaining schedule. I believe that the majority of the teams they play are ranked above them. Also, the pitching staff will be giving up more runs as we move into the dog days of August and September.If you cannot keep Pittsburgh and Baltimore in check, then they are in big trouble. They have been pitching their tails off lately and it will come back to haunt them later. History will confirm this. There are simply too many holes in this team that could be filled with a trade.
bravos2249
June 16th, 2009
1:56 pm
Roman Gal
I got my free ticket for the 17th too. My friends birthday is in Jan. But they haven’t registered for one yet. I’d do that but I’m afraid we wouldn’t get to sit by each other.
RHR
June 16th, 2009
2:41 pm
Hey Roman Gal, I just wanted to come back and add that she’s not really “furious” … I mean, that’s such a strong word – think Jules talking to flock of seagulls kid in Pulp Fiction…oh wait..you haven’t seen Pulp Fiction
– that’s furious. She’s just like “aw man!” about it, kinda like you, but certainly not furious or mad at the old people, like what I wrote may have made it sound. She’s a great kid, (totally eye patch worthy) and I felt guilty about it sounding like that, even though I knew what I meant all along.
Joey
June 25th, 2009
5:20 pm
God Jeff B, why didn’t you throw a right?