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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,461 comments Add your comment
DAP
June 19th, 2009
3:22 pm
chophasfloppedIt’s funny that everyone is dogging Frenchy and rightfully so, but he’s one of their top hitters of late. He’s hitting something like .350 over the last month. Chipper is hitting .140 and no one every approaches the subject of Chipper Jones not producing.
wow, where did you get that from? crunching the numbers since may 18th says that chipper is hitting .302 over the last month, while frenchy is hitting .208. youre way off, here.
McLouth of the South
June 19th, 2009
3:23 pm
I would tell any of them that we’re looking for two of their top 5 prospects. Remember, the Brewers just gave up their no. 1 prospect and one of the top in baseball for 2 months of CC last year. Now I know Javy ain’t no CC, but it was two months!
monty
June 19th, 2009
3:24 pm
If you were ever going to move Lowe, between now and the deadline would be the time to do it. Some pitching starved team with deep pockets won’t think twice about his contract if we insist Vasquez is off limits. I know Vazquez is only signed through next year (I believe) but we could offer him a contract extension, and if yes, we trade Lowe who is older and has more salary due him.That 4th year thing isn’t looking great right now. To me JAvy is more stable than Lowe and seems to be coming into his own as a pitcher right now. Nothing like the pressure of a pennant race to make a team do strange things. Remember Texiera.
Original Jon
June 19th, 2009
3:26 pm
Monty, really????? Trade Lowe?!?!?! I do not think the team signed him for 4 years to turn around and trade him this early.
monty
June 19th, 2009
3:26 pm
Announcers did say Jeff was batting .350 (I believe) in June.
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
3:28 pm
cphizzle
What, you don’t want to deal Frenchy (non-performing OF’er) and JoJo (injured, non-performing starter) to a team that doesn’t need them for one of their top prospects????
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
3:29 pm
monty
Frenchy is hitting a weak .300 for the past few weeks. Lowe is going nowhere.
McLouth of the South
June 19th, 2009
3:30 pm
Trade Frenchy for a PTBNL and I’ll lay $20 that he becomes the PTBNL and comes right back.
Efrim
June 19th, 2009
3:31 pm
“My personal opinion is that Vazquez will get worse as the weather heats up. Trading him, then using the money to help turn Escobar and Kotchman, two somewhat attractive commodities, into two power bats along the lines of a Ross and LaRoche as I mentioned before, would make the Braves better THIS YEAR while also clearing payroll for this offseason to spend on a hitter.”
McLouth of the South, using the money to help turn Escobar and Kotchman? I didn’t see that. Why would we want to trade Escobar? How is he just “somewhat” attractive? Ross(Cody?) and Laroche(Adam?)?
monty
June 19th, 2009
3:32 pm
Original JOn
Did they sign VAzquez or KK to trade this early, either? THose names keep getting mentioned regularly on this blog.Personally I hope we can keep both but that seems unlikely now. However, Lowe has an ERA over 4, not exactly what we wanted our “ace” to have at this point.Especially considering what we are paying him over the next 31/2 years.Has he been bad? NO! But Vazquez has outpitched him to this point. And is younger, why trade him if some team would give us something comparable for Lowe?
Efrim
June 19th, 2009
3:33 pm
Trading Lowe? Why? I thought we signed him to contend the next few years.?
getsomepower
June 19th, 2009
3:36 pm
We KEEP Lowe for the duration of the contract.
DAP
June 19th, 2009
3:37 pm
montyAnnouncers did say Jeff was batting .350 (I believe) in June.
if they did, thats also false. hes batting .255 in june with a .667 OPS. his OBP is fine at .333, but he is just slugging .333, which is very bad.
The Truth
June 19th, 2009
3:37 pm
Ephraim –
You don’t know what you are talking about. The Braves best chance to compete in 2010 is by doing what I have been saying for weeks now:
TRADE SORIANO
TRADE GONZO
TRADE VASQUEZ
Get prospects back that can help in 2010 and beyond.
Canadaian braves fan
June 19th, 2009
3:38 pm
keep voting at http://www.newblogofbraves.blogspot.com for which Brave might get traded first
getsomepower
June 19th, 2009
3:39 pm
monty
Lowe has had two bad starts which have inflated his ERA, but he is 7-4, and he has been solid for the Braves.
Vazquez has also been solid, but the problem is the same, Braves can’t score enough runs to win.
AndyC
June 19th, 2009
3:39 pm
Frenchy is hitting .346 over the last 7 games. I beleive this is the stat we are looking for….only .255 for the entire month of June.
DAP
June 19th, 2009
3:39 pm
maybe they said over his last 7 games, in which he is hitting .346 (with one extra base hit, a double)? but thats not a month, and thats not even in june.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 19th, 2009
3:41 pm
Our Braves need some speed and base running at the top of their order. The solution to this problem is named Luis Durango and yea, I’m way ahead of the curve on this one.
Who is Luis Durango? Well, they call him the Panamaniac, for obvious reasons. The 5-9 switch hitter is undoubtedly one of the fastest players in baseball, not just the minors. He has been clocked at 6.22 seconds in the 60 yard dash and 3.6 seconds from home to first base. By comparison, the Seattle Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki, considered one of the speediest players in the majors, has been clocked in 3.7 seconds.
He has what scouts refer to as “Game breaking speed” and it’s a gift, not something which can be taught or learned. The scary part is, he’s raw and still learning the finer nuances of the game. Durango has mastered the art of slapping the ball the other way and not hitting it in the air. He was signed out of Panama as an undrafted free agent for the paltry sum of twelve thousand dollars back in 2005.
His days of flying under the radar are over as the Padres added him to their 40 man roster this past off-season. The two time minor league batting champion has everything one would look for in the prototypical lead type hitter. Blazing speed, exceptional hand-eye coordination, magic hands, plate discipline and the ability to bunt for a hit and beat it out. Did I mention his .344 batting average or eye popping .435 OBP? How about the fact that the 23 year old has 192 career walks versus 155 K’s. He has never hit lower than .305 during his five years in the minors.
His minor league numbers speak for themselves. Durango has excelled at every level and continues to improve his game as the Padres well know. “He’s our little Juan Pierre except faster,” said Grady Fuson, the Padres’ vice president of scouting and player development. “He can absolutely fly. And he’s really mastered, in the last couple of years, the ability to get the bat on the ball and keep it out of the air.”
So why am I bleating on and on about the guy? Because he is buried in the Padres depth charts and they have nowhere to play him. Meanwhile, our outfield continues to be a complete disaster and while Nate McLouth is a fine player, he ain’t no lead off hitter. We need one as the ghost of Rafael Furcal continues to haunt the Braves. Luis Durango has big league written all over him. He’s Otis Nixon cloned. Even an idiot like me can see that.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Luis-Durango.shtml
richbrave
June 19th, 2009
3:43 pm
Who the hell is THE TRUTH – METS TROLL incognito?
TnBrian
June 19th, 2009
3:43 pm
I think some people just type the first thing that comes to their minds. Like, trading Lowe who we just signed for 4 years? No, maybe Vazquez because he’s a FA after 2010 and it just makes more sense than trading Lowe…don’t ask why, it just does. Hey, their not trading anybody to help this ‘09 team if they don’t start winning and right now. They go in to Boston and get swept or lose the series, their confidence will be shot going to Chicago who’s playing a little better right now. The Yankees might put the nail in the coffin back in Atlanta. But, maybe it all goes the other way and tonight starts the turing point in the season for the better. We need Jesus!
unbelievable
June 19th, 2009
3:43 pm
Braves sign Chris Burke, Id take him over Diory
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/6/19/918098/braves-sign-ss-chris-burke
Chop Chop
June 19th, 2009
3:44 pm
So why am I bleating on and on about the guy?
Because you ain’t right in the head.
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
3:44 pm
Coach
It’s Deja vu all over again!
siskel_god
June 19th, 2009
3:45 pm
Jeff has hit some balls pretty hard lately he’s just hitting them right at people. If he ever learns to hit without getting into an 0-2 hole he may be alright.
Supes
June 19th, 2009
3:46 pm
Coach = man crush on Lois Durango.
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
I liked Chris Burke before I forgot about him.
Paul Lentz
June 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
Despite Francoeur’s recent “hot streak”, the fact remains that for the WHOLE month of June, he has 1 homer and 1 double. THAT’S IT!
Is a singles hitter who hits .250 worth the potential $6-7 mil that he is likely to be awarded in salary arbitration?
I know, many of you Francoeur supporters will say that the Braves got a bargain during Francoeur first 2 pre-salary arbitration years. No doubt. However the Braves are not getting value for the $3.375 mil that they are paying Francoeur this year.
Dude has 4 homers ALL YEAR LONG. In a third of the at-bats, David Ross, back-up catcher, has 5 homers.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
Right Chop Chop and your not a Braves fan.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
“I have no idea how old you are but I graduated in 91.”
Whoa, I’m old enough to be your Dad . . . what’s your mama’s name?????
monty
June 19th, 2009
3:50 pm
Seems my information about JF (as given by Joe Simpson) was wrong, he isn’t hitting anywhere near .300 in June he is actually hitting .243 by my calculations according to baseball reference, with just 2 multi hit games in June and 2 extra base hits. 1 HR and just 1 double. Pretty puny stuff.
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 19th, 2009
3:50 pm
Supes, I got a yard long hard on for Luis Durango ( figuratively speaking). I’m an unabashed Whitey Herzog disciple and DAMN PROUD OF IT
unbelievable
June 19th, 2009
3:51 pm
even when Jeff doesnt suck, he still sucks.
Supes
June 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
Coach, it’s all good. Just busting your chops b/c you seem to post that every other blog. Same stuff about the same player.
TN Jeff
June 19th, 2009
3:53 pm
2 Words for Braves next 13 games -
Bru & Tal
cricket
June 19th, 2009
3:53 pm
Canadaian braves fan
I voted on your site but here’s an unsolicited suggestion – please change the strong red background color of the page, it’s really tough on eyes.
David O'Brien
June 19th, 2009
3:54 pm
NEW BLOG SHOULD BE UP
McFann :Ô:
June 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
Paul L. the fact remains that for the WHOLE month of June, [Fancoeur] has 1 homer and 1 double.
Whoa…and I thought McCann’s power numbers were down…
Knowitall
June 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
Whoa, I’m old enough to be your Dad. Lol.
My mom was 19 when she had me so I guess she would have been graduating around 71 or 72.
HuffBraves
June 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
Seriously, Chris Burke???
The same Chris Burke who hit the last pitch a Brave has thrown in the playoffs?
Jersey Gil
June 19th, 2009
3:59 pm
Hey guys i have a dilema today..my employer has a “Employee Day” today at Citezen bank Park ,to see the Phillis & Baltimore,as much of you Know my wife is a Phillis Fan…my Dilema is ..Can i wear my Braves Cap & Jersey..or i go incognito with other team Cap?…I have a WBC Puerto Rican Cap & Jersey…can i wear that?….I don’t want to upset any of my co-worker…I Need your opinion…
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
3:59 pm
Coach
A thought or two. I do the same thing you do. I pour through other teams rosters in search of players I think would help the Braves.
Here is where you go south on this. You come on and start talking about how you discovered this guy or that guy (last year it was Cruz, and this year it’s Durango) as if anything you have to say really counts for anything.
The Braves haven’t called either one of us for our thoughts on this player or that player. Until they do, it’s all an exercise in creating a discussion on the blog.
Herein the problem lies. You come on here and start talking about your guy, and treating everybody else like your whipping boys, as if you have actually accomplished something by bringing a name up.
Throw out your ideas for players you would like to see on the Braves, offer creative ways we might could acquire them, and let’s discuss it.
When you have done it that way, you are very enjoyable to chat with. Most of the time though, you come on here being a condescending azz and nobody wants to talk to you.
Take this as it is intended, as some friendly advice.
monty
June 19th, 2009
4:00 pm
“I thought we signed Lowe to contend for the next 4 years.”
We did,we also signed Vazquez and KK for 2 and 3 years respectively, I think, but everyone is talking about trading “them?” So, why all the fuss about 1 more year on a contract? Hey, I don’t won’t to trade either one, but if we are talking about trading pitchers and freeing up some money, why not trade your highest priced pitcher, if he hasn’t been dominant? And keep the younger guy who strikes out 10-12 per game?It’s not that stupid! It was just a thought, but as rational as most on this blog.
fleming
June 19th, 2009
4:01 pm
siskel_god – If he ever learns to hit without getting into an 0-2 hole he may be alright.
Don’t you read the blog. Everyone here complains mightily that Frenchy doesn’t “Work the Count”. If the pitcher throws strikes and you are “Working the Count” then how do you keep from getting 2 strikes when hitting?
getsomepower
June 19th, 2009
4:02 pm
2006 doesn’t ring a bell huh when we had all those closer issues. Things straightened out when we acquired Wickman that year.
I don’t see why people want Gonzo and Soriano traded. We need to re-sign one of them at least and build the pen off of the closer.
The three players I would trade on the roster:
Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, Casey Kotchman
Heath (Cleveland)
June 19th, 2009
4:02 pm
Mets have a tough series this weekend…Rays have been playing a lot better the past few weeks. The O’s could end up with some surprising results against the Phils with the O’s having some success in the last week and the Phils playing poorly… The problem though, the Braves play the Red Sox. The Braves would “seem” to have a pitching advantage in at least 2 of the 3 match-ups with a even to slight advantage to the Red Sox in the middle game of the series. I’m not going to get my hopes up…but, I will say that at the end of this weekend, it will be interesting to see how things shape out.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19th, 2009
4:02 pm
“Whoa, I’m old enough to be your Dad. Lol.
My mom was 19 when she had me so I guess she would have been graduating around 71 or 72.”
Uh-oh, this is getting scary. You don’t have hazel eyes, do you????
RHR
June 19th, 2009
4:03 pm
wow, where did you get that from? crunching the numbers since may 18th says that chipper is hitting .302 over the last month, while frenchy is hitting .208. youre way off, here.
lol I was thinking maybe more like .350 over the last 3 days maybe, I knew that couldn’t possibly be right, glad someone verified that it wasn’t.
Wayne in Utah
June 19th, 2009
4:04 pm
Jersey
Depends on how big and bad you are!!
RHR
June 19th, 2009
4:05 pm
Gil – wear your Braves cap.
Jersey Gil
June 19th, 2009
4:08 pm
Wayne in Utah ..Let me tell you ..I’m 5′11 220…I was a Airborne in Vietnam…. i one of the Fire Base Ripcorn survivior in 1970…If this answer you ????
Paul Lentz
June 19th, 2009
4:09 pm
I feel that the Braves will score runs this series. Boston’s starting pitching is suspect. I could see the Braves easily taking 2 out of 3 in this series.
Horner's Corner
June 19th, 2009
4:27 pm
We finally fix our starting pitching and now folks want to start trading them away for this mythical offensive stud that is on the trading block. So then what, we score a few more runs and our starting staff can’t hold the lead. Before we just give the rotation away, why not try some moves that may work with the players we have.
1) Play Martin Prado at 2B. I don’t care who wrecked KJ’s hitting approach or why it happened, I just know that he is lost at the plate. Martin is a great contact hitter, he has gap power, he actually seems to enjoy playing the game (unlike some other Braves players) and he is probably an upgrade defensively.
2 Have a platoon system in LF & RF. Diaz and Anderson can continue to platoon in LF while Francoeur platoons in RF. This individual could either be Brandon Jones or the recently benched Kelly Johnson.
3) If Gregor Blanco remains on the roster, Bobby needs to insert him into LF as a defensive replacement by the 7th inning whenever the Braves have the lead.
Marc
June 19th, 2009
4:32 pm
Trading anyone for prospects at this point is just stupid. If we were going to go that route than we should have held on to the 10+ prospects we’ve traded in the last few years. Like it or not we’re built to win now. I know it doesn’t look that way, lol, but in the office staff’s minds we’re build to win now and the next couple of years. If the Braves are going to do anything it will be to add more, not subtract.
If we’re 14 games out of it by the trade deadline it could force Wren’s hand a bit, but unless we really fall flat on our face the idea is to keep pushing forward. Bare in mind our division is weak this year, and to a GM who’s already seen most his good prospects perish the only logical thing to do is to go for it. Rebuilding at this point would set us back to 2012 or more before we could be factors again.
Marc
June 19th, 2009
4:35 pm
Horner, I like Prado, but he’s not an upgrade defensivly. I know he has flashes now and then, but it’s his defense that keeps him as an utility man right now. Mark my words, two months of him as a full-time second baseman and he’ll be boo’d into submission.
Marc
June 19th, 2009
4:37 pm
Gil – don’t worry about it, wear your pride!
Lew
June 19th, 2009
4:47 pm
monty-Just because names are mentioned in trade scenarios on this blog really doesn’t mean a thing. Some names mentioned the past several years include Rocco Baldelli, Ryan Freel, Coco Crisp, Chone Figgins, Willy Taveras and others too numerous to mention (nor would we want to).
Another player mentioned many times was Casey Kotchman. Now everyone wants him gone, too. Whatever.
Horner's Corner
June 19th, 2009
4:52 pm
Marc- Interesting opinion. I have not seen Prado enough to know his full defensive ability (or lack there of), but I do know that Kelly is a liability. I don’t want to open a can `o worms with the KJ lovers, but he makes a lot of mistakes that aren’t counted as errors and his range isn’t great.
By the way, a quick point to the folks who keep clamoring for the Braves to trade for or draft a 3B prospect. The Braves third baseman of the future is currently playing SS.
Marc
June 19th, 2009
4:58 pm
Horner – When I see Prado at third I’m a lot more comfortable than I am when he’s at second. I will give him credit for improving since he first came up, but I think he needs a year or two more before can be reliable enough to play everyday. Of course the counter arguement could be he needs to play everyday now to improve quickly. Then again, you have to pretty much give up on KJ to afford Prado that chance. We have a little bit of time till the deadline to see what Wren’s master plan is I guess.
Interesting thought about Yunel as our 3B of the future; very well could be.
Travis
June 19th, 2009
5:50 pm
we already have the pieces in camp to put Ross and Mcann in the lineup except for a back up catcher. Mac is not going to be able to spend his entire career behind the plate so it’s time to consider putting his bat in the lineup permanent. If he can play it…he belongs at first. Taking chipper and Mac out of the lineup when Chipper is out and Mac is taking his day off pulls two 300 hitters out of the lineup…that is just stupid.
Kathy Likos
April 27th, 2013
12:20 am
Franchisees will need an operator’s manual telling them exactly how to run one of your franchises. Starting that documentation process now will save time and money later, especially when you turn your work over to a consultant to produce the finished product. Be detailed and thorough. “Start with an outline on how to prepare the food, fix the problem or perform the service that is the backbone of your business,” .^
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