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3,102 comments Add your comment
Random
June 21st, 2009
7:31 am
Heath (Cleveland) (June 21st, 2009 7:12 am): “typos all over the place in that post…oh well, you can tell what I meant to type.”
Relative pronouns? Feh — who needs ‘em? We knew what you meant. Thanks.
And as for “Anyone thing that McCann”? Speaking only for myself (and perhaps for McFann), I surely always do.
Random
June 21st, 2009
7:36 am
Capt Caveman –
I was thinking that perhaps YOU were Slugger393.
If I’m wrong, check out their comments on page 8, and let us know what YOU think.
If you don’t mind? Thanks.
jon
June 21st, 2009
7:52 am
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been wrong. Although I have not posted on the blog, I have been in hopes that the Braves would add a piece or two and make a run after the all star break. After last night I see that it would be a futile effort at this point. My new opinion, Sell Sell Sell! Get younger and more athletic. Trade our aging players for as much farm talent as we can get. Trade Lowe, Vazquez, GA, Diaz, for all the farm talent that can be had. If some one wants him, trade Chipper too but we would need MLB ready YOUNG talent for him.
I know this is not a popular opinion and I don’t rally care what’s popular at this point, we need to TRUELY rebuild this organization. Chipper is my all time favorite player and the Braves are my favorite team so it is hard for me to say this but he deserves another shot at a WS ring and that’s not going to happen in ATL for many years. We have given away way too much young talent for star players for 1 1/2 years of production just to see them leave after signing a huge contract.
Take what ever you can get for Frenchy, KJ and Escobar! Maybe if you package them you could get a AAA relief pitcher, if we’re lucky
Bill M.
June 21st, 2009
7:53 am
If I were the Braves, I wouldn’t make any trades until close to deadline. If they are within 4-5 games then try making a trade. If Braves are way out they have alot of trading chips. If the Brewers are still in first or close, they are looking for pitching. I like Gamel and their SS prospect Escobar. If the Braves could swing this trade, they would have Of-3rd baseman and shortstop, if they are hell bent on trading Escobar(Braves). Then they have Soriano & Gonzales.
jon
June 21st, 2009
7:56 am
No way the braves are that close at the break! They will be at least 10 back by then.
Random
June 21st, 2009
8:02 am
jon (June 21st, 2009 7:52 am): “Trade Lowe, Vazquez, GA, Diaz, for all the farm talent that can be had. If some one wants him, trade Chipper too but we would need MLB ready YOUNG talent for him. . . . Take what ever you can get for Frenchy, KJ and Escobar! Maybe if you package them you could get a AAA relief pitcher, if we’re lucky”
Jon, Your And Idiot. Period. The End.
In addition to “Although I have not posted on the blog”, it is also obvious that “I [that is, YOU], have never read a single word posted on the blog”. And “I know fuggall about Major League Baseball”. And “Ise And Idiot”.
Vent on the friggin “Vent”, why dontcha???????
jon
June 21st, 2009
8:04 am
Need to speed up Heyward’s and Freeman’s path to the show. They need to be at AA Pearl by the all star break and each needs and full year at AAA next year. We need them in the MLB
jon
June 21st, 2009
8:06 am
Random your just a jack a**. Just becauase my opinion is different than yours you’ve got to act like a prick!!!! What an intollerant SOB!!!
Random
June 21st, 2009
8:13 am
jon (June 21st, 2009
8:06 am): ” your just a jack a**. Just becauase my opinion is different than yours you’ve got to act like a prick!!!! What an intollerant SOB!!!”
Be that as it may, Your STILL And Idiot.
jon
June 21st, 2009
8:20 am
And you’re still a jack a**
Random
June 21st, 2009
8:26 am
jon (June 21st, 2009 8:06 am): “your just a jack a**. Just becauase my opinion is different than yours you’ve got to act like a prick!!!! What an intollerant SOB!!!”
And by the way, as an aside or post script — THIS is how you react to criticism of a suggestion which YOU YOURSELF characterize as “I know this is not a popular opinion and I don’t rally care what’s popular at this point”?!?!?!?
Whatever, dude. Heat, kitchen, etc, etc.
CB
June 21st, 2009
8:27 am
Can’t we just get along? jon, it’s still early to totally give up on this season, but Random he only expressed an opinion. He didn’t use bad language or call anybody names. Lighten up on this Sunday morning,please.
Capt Caveman
June 21st, 2009
8:32 am
RANDOM — don’t listen to CB. He’s playing the part of the good angel on your shoulder, I will be the devil on the other side and say — Rip JON a new one buddy !! You know what you call the un-fired barrel on a double barrel shotgun ?? Wasted ammo !!! Blast away Random !!!!!
CB
June 21st, 2009
8:36 am
Thanks, Captain Caveman, in grade school you were the one cheering on when the little kid fought the bully,right? lol
Capt Caveman
June 21st, 2009
8:41 am
Random — as far as the slugger393 dude, it wasn’t me. At first I couldn’t figure out what he was talkling about with the shoulder thing. I think he means Kelly is swinging the bat with a golf type swing.
I’ve never heard it described like that. I’m not going to say he’s right or wrong from the way he said that.
Maybe he should have said that Kelly’s using all upper body and not following through with his hips. It would also make a difference is slugger boy is a right handed hitter. The left handed swing is just different in appearance and while swing mechanics are the same for everyone they don’t always look the same when done from opposite sides of the plate. As far as opening the eyes, well duhh, but Kelly doesn’t bat with his eyes closed so maybe he means that he should turn his head more toward the pitcher to get both eyes on the ball. When you only look out of one eye it affects your depth perception and causes you to misjudge the speed of the ball.
Again we could both be saying the same thing, it’s all just in how you explain it.
Capt Caveman
June 21st, 2009
8:42 am
HEY CB — I was the that little kid. LOL
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
8:45 am
Steve from OH,
I chuckled your post regarding Kelly Johnson and Bobby Cox. You’re right that it is too early to give up on him, but do you really think Bobby Cox is saying “his BABIP is down”? Has Bobby ever even heard of BABIP? I’d pay 100$ to see Bobby Cox give a sabermetric explanation of anything.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
8:55 am
Damn-It actually took until Random’s 8:02 comment before some of these knuckle dragging, illiterate, morons were called And Idiots. Must have a bunch of Newbies here or something. I’m seriously starting to believe that the end of the world is almost upon us if willieg is indicative of what the Gene Pool has to offer. The Idiocracy is upon us. If he TRULY (catch the correct spelling?) has reproduced like he claims, we may well be doomed.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
8:57 am
Maybe that’s willieg’s problem-his BABIP has fluctuated and has hit rock bottom.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:16 am
DOB, that 12:11 cracked me up. Well done.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:19 am
PWH–maybe not, but you’re not giving Bobby enough credit. He’s been in the game, what, 40 years? You think he’s never heard of any of that? I’m sure he has. Whether he uses it or not, that’s a different story…
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
9:24 am
Hopefully last night was one the guys can let go and get back to hitting today. phils and mets lost so no harm done. When Beckett’s on, not alot can be done about it. After all the struggling, whining, complaining, trade this and that..we’re 4 and a half out. Simply being .500 would make us only 3 back. The phils have hit a rough stretch and maybe they’ll continue to play bad through this tough schedule for us and take a little pressure off. If the phils or mets were on a tear, I’d be a lot more worried given the upcoming games, but we need to just hang around. Win some and play the rest close. Pick up some confidence, hang in in the standings, and go on a run afterwards.
Marlins are starting to worry me. Josh Johnson has been dominant and ricky nolasco appears to have figured things out. They could very well be in this thing to the end as well.
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
9:25 am
Steve-
At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if the only thing bobby used was a magic 8 ball
Lew
June 21st, 2009
9:27 am
CaveDude-How about this-if he opens his stance somewhat, he’d be facing the pitcher more fully and might see the ball better and making him less susceptible to the inside pitch?
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:30 am
Haha, yeah, Bobby’s stupid, has no idea what he’s doing, is a donkey, etc., etc…
[Sarcasm]
Gee, haven’t we heard this before?
[Yawn]
f.n.hale
June 21st, 2009
9:31 am
Can’t really say if I agree with Slugger’s assessment of Kelly or not. Since I’m not a trained hitting instructor and may not have seen the finer points he may be right. His pitch selection doesn’t appear to be too bad, but his timing seems to be off and mechanics would seem a likely explanation for that. I really think Pendleton may be right in that, if he’s putting too much pressure on himself and tensing up that would slow down his swing. The other thing I’ve noticed in this Boston series is their apparent decision to try and work the count. That’s great if the pitcher is all over the place, but with Beckett last night, the Dude was hitting his spots, thanks partly to a generous strike zone by his friend in blue, but give him credit for taking what the ump was giving. Most of the times when the Braves don’t hit the announcers and especially Bobby give credit to the opposing pitchers. I understand Bobby doing that, it’s just good sportsmanship but the announcers should call a spade a spade and just say, “we just stunk tonight”. That’s the main reason I miss the old crew. Last night that wasn’t the case though. Beckett didn’t give much to hit but it seemed his best pitches were on the first couple every at bat and the Braves were taking too many, especially Kelly and McCann. Chipper and McCann had a couple pitches that were hittable and just missed them but mostly Beckett was unhittable. Agree or disagree?
JerseyGil
June 21st, 2009
9:34 am
Happy Father Day Y all…..Cody Jonhson With two Homer again last night…..Now he has 20 in Myrtle Beach….When the Braves going to Moved This Kid to AA?.
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
9:35 am
Irrellivent weather or not Bobby’s heard of it. Bobby knows KJ is getting unlucky. He just uses less statistically inclined explanations. Like: “Kelly hit the ball hard it was just right at someone”. I would just really like to hear Bobby Cox say: “Kelly’s BABIP is down, but his K% is down and his LD% is still the same, he’ll start getting luckier soon”. That’d be hilarious to me. Kind of like the time I heard Frank Wren say the word “saber” TWICE in a radio interview.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:38 am
PWH–I’m pretty confident that Wren uses those kinds of stats when he’s making decisions. I know a lot of folks on the board disagree with me there, but I think he does. You’re right about Cox, I don’t think he uses them by name like Theo or Manny Acta would, but his moves do have some “saber” undertones to them…
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
9:39 am
Steve – I don’t think he’s dumb, etc everything else said on this blog, but I’d settle on stubborn. He’s stubborn. Guess that’s where donkey comes in.
As far as kelly goes, I just think there’s too much going on in his head. He has a nice swing and good pitch recognition. I think he’s trying to be patient and aggressive at the same time. He’s doing something different every day or possibly even every AB. He knows he’s struggling and is harder on himself than we are on him. He needs to relax and go back to doing what he does. Sure he’s always been streaky, but the guy can hit.
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
9:41 am
fn hale – I agree Beckett was a buzzsaw last night. Very methodical and efficient. We weren’t going to wear him down, might as well hit the best pitch you’re gonna get. Even if it’s the first one.
Steve – I agree completely that Wren uses saber stuff. Not just the interviews. IMO, you can tell by his persona.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:42 am
JerseyGil–I’d like to see Johnson kept in hi-A all season. His game has improved tremendously so far this season, so I’d like to see him stay where he’s at to both build confidence and reinforce what he’s been working on. His walk rate is as high as it’s ever been, and he’s hitting for a much better average. I think throwing him into AA right now would be a detriment to his development. Let him have more time to work on his game in hi-A before having him make the very difficult jump to AA.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:44 am
TBrown–agree on Kelly. He’s always had very good plate discipline and I do like his swing. He’s just pressing right now and not getting much luck to go along with it. What needs to be done to fix it? I dunno. Not a hitting instructor. Hope he gets it turned around, though.
f.n.hale
June 21st, 2009
9:45 am
Steve from OH
I think Bobby sees how a guy is hitting the ball and goes with that. He may not translate it to BABIP but he knows what he’s seeing, I think, and I’m guessing he sees it better than I do. For most of us, stats can translate where a guy fits, but for guys like Bobby, they just know. What most people here don’t realize is that nobody is going to be successful MOST of the time in this game but they expect Bobby to push the right button every time. Hell, he’s just guessing like we are, but his guesses are a lot more educated than most every other person on the planet. BTW, if I haven’t said it before, I really appreciate the work you and the other stat heads here put in to, not only give us meaningful stats, but to break them down for us. Anybody can look them up but either aren’t able or willing to put them in context.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
9:45 am
The only thing about Kelly is that we know he can be absolutely the hottest hitter around when he goes on one of his tears. He’s due. If he were to hit a hot streak right about now while the Phillies and Mets are doing so poorly, we’d be in first in a week. Every day that goes by with Kelly in the doldrums brings us one day closer to one of his typical streaks. I would say that this fact alone keeps him in the lineup. Hope it comes soon.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:47 am
fnhale–I agree with that. I think that he’s just able to realize that stuff from experience.
Frankie Knuckles
June 21st, 2009
9:48 am
Jersey G,
Those 86 K’s in single A aren’t helping the cause, but the OBP is good. Would like to see him move up though. He has a 10/10 HR split. 10 HR is more than solid at a coastal ballpark.
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
9:48 am
Ya Frank Wren takes sabermetrics into consideration, especially on moves like the Vazquez one. But not as much as he probably should.
Kudzu Wildcat
June 21st, 2009
9:50 am
In today’s game, the Braves will face Tim Wakefield, who is 9-3. Wakefield is a knucleball specialist with an ERA of 4.39, however in his last three games he is 3-0 and has given up 2 runs to Florida, 2 runs to the Yankees and 3 runs to the Tigers. He averages 6+ innings per game and seems to “own” Fenway Park. I see the Braves swinging at a lot of empty air, due to our being impatient at the plate.
If JJ keeps the ball on the ground and the Braves can score early, we have a chance for the win, if not, loss number 2 in a row to Boston. Prediction: Boston 5 Braves 1.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
9:50 am
It’s like with Kotchman the other night. He hit two rocket shots right at defenders. His BABIP was non-existent, but he was still making great contact. BABIP can give a false impression of what’s really going on with a player, but observation would lead you to not be worried. Not everyone thinks in terms of esoteric stats, but still have a pretty damned good idea of what’s going on. It’s very easy to watch a game and to realize Francoeur leaves many runners on base. It’s not necessary to know what his BA with RISP is to know he’s been sucking.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:51 am
Enter your comments here
keylargo
June 21st, 2009
9:52 am
The only thing about Kelly is that we know he can be absolutely the hottest hitter around when he goes on one of his tears. He’s due. Lew
And when he gets hot again, if Bobby starts moving him around, up to leadoff, down to eighth, back to second, you’ll hear my first criticism ever of Bobby.
keylargo
June 21st, 2009
9:54 am
I think Kelly’s roaming around the batting order has had more negative effect on him than any other problem. Leave him in the fifth or sixth spot and let him get accustomed to the demands of ONE place in the order.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
9:54 am
keylargo-I think now that we have McLouth leading off (and performing pretty well), Bobby won’t bat Kelly in the leadoff spot (or second-Yunel has it locked up) when Kelly comes back. I’m thing 5th or 6th.
Lew
June 21st, 2009
9:55 am
keylargo=Looks liike we’re on the same page-as usual.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
9:56 am
Lew–I’d be fine with Kelly hitting fifth. When Schafer returns and proves himself, I’d like to see him lead off and have McLouth hit 5th, but we can’t have GA/Frenchy hitting in that spot. It’s too important in our lineup.
Frankie Knuckles
June 21st, 2009
9:56 am
The thing about KJ, IMO, he seems to go on those streaks when the pressure is off. What happens to the guy in the post season? – Question was semi rhetorical.
My take – I think he needs a shrink.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
9:57 am
In his past 40 (FORTY) games, Kelly is 33-for-147 (.224) with two homers, 11 RBIs, a .277 OBP, and a .354 slugging percentage.
In his past 14 games, he’s hit .120 (6-for-50) with one extra-base hit (double), one RBI, a .211 OBP, and a .140 slugging percentage.
Shamus Thacker
June 21st, 2009
9:57 am
How do folks like wiilieg find this, or any other blog? Can he actually manipulate a mouse, keyboard, stylus, or even his finger on a touch-screen?
Computer literacy has found its way to the lowest common denominator, and he is wiilieg.
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
9:58 am
Not the most detailed stat ever, but the on-going discussion reminded me of last night when bennett was in. Joe simp said “lot of baserunners on when bennett pictches” or somethin along those lines. Doesn’t require specific stat citations to understand whats going on.
That being said, I do appreciate the stat analysis and breakdowns on here. And the minor league reports. I enjoy knowing what’s going on on the farm, and I can come here and see without having to look everything up. So thanks to those that contribute to that.
f.n.hale
June 21st, 2009
10:01 am
Shamus
He obviously has a sophisticated voice recognition program that he has trained to his whiny tone.
f.n.hale
June 21st, 2009
10:02 am
TBrown
Tru dat
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
10:02 am
I agree with Steve again. I like Schafer at leadoff and Nate 5th. Hittin 5th allows him to utilize his speed swipe bases (leading off innings, not taking the bat out of esco/chip’s hands, etc) and still have enough pop to provide protection to mac.
John Deere Green
June 21st, 2009
10:02 am
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all You Father’s out there…..
Have a wonderful day with your children, relax and enjoy he day..
Maybe we all get a gift from Wren today and Frenchy gets his plague removed from the Braves Clubhouse and dumped on someone else…
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
10:03 am
And about the minor leagues- any projections on Kevin Gunderson, if he projects at all? Last time I checked, I remembered his minor league numbers being pretty good.
bravesfanforever
June 21st, 2009
10:03 am
Random said, “Be that as it may, Your STILL And Idiot.”
It’s “You’re still an idiot.”
LOL
semiballcoach
June 21st, 2009
10:04 am
francoeur vs knuckleball—who ya got?
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
10:06 am
Here we go, your line-up today:
1. Jordan Schafer CF
2. Yunel Escobar SS
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Freddie Freeman 1B
5. Brian McCann C
6. Jason Heyward RF
7. Cody Johnson DH
8. Nate McLouth LF
9. Travis Jones 2B
Kris Medlen RHP
John Deere Green
June 21st, 2009
10:07 am
I will be taking the Knuckle Ball on that one ,semi…
Jeff R
June 21st, 2009
10:08 am
I think Johnson did this last year, if I recall correctly. Had a relatively poor first half and began hitting in the second half. Let’s hope that’s the case. He doesn’t have that good of a glove to keep him in the line up otherwise.
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
10:08 am
TBrown, he’s a reliever at best.
semiballcoach
June 21st, 2009
10:10 am
jordan k-fer at lead off instead nate….don’t see it
bravesfanforever
June 21st, 2009
10:10 am
jon… I’m on your side. Your points are very valid.
Need a friend? I’ll befriend anyone who gets ripped like that. Very unfair. It’s really unfortunate that bad behavior is allowed on the blogs. If you wouldn’t do it in person, then you shouldn’t do it hiding behind a computer. Very cowardly.
JerseyGil
June 21st, 2009
10:11 am
Frankie Knuckles ….I take anyone in my team with 86k and 20hr , 47rbi, 2 error. Slugger always has a high count of K’s…I wish Jordan Schafer has this kind of number.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
10:12 am
semi–not at first, of course. Once he proves he can hit big league pitching…
JerseyGil
June 21st, 2009
10:15 am
PWHjort …What year is that/// 2012?
John Deere Green
June 21st, 2009
10:16 am
Speak your peace Jon, not every Braves fan thinks Bobby cox is in his right mind, and that Jeff Failurecouer is a f’kn Supastah!!!
In fact the majority believes the time has come for Booby to take residence in the Care Home for the Elderly, and that Roy Clark should be nuetered for even thinking the Pickle Nose was ever a BallPlaya!!!
Rave on Jon!!!
John Deere Green
June 21st, 2009
10:17 am
Francisco Cabrera for Braves Manager!!!! er Sid Bream anyone??Anyone????
Lew
June 21st, 2009
10:19 am
bravesfanforever-Must be a newbie. YOUR AND IDIOT is an old blog standard. It was a mistake someone made several years back and has become a catch phrase for And Idiots here on the blog.
Shamus Thacker
June 21st, 2009
10:19 am
As quickly as the knuckleball changes direction, it’s very possible that enough last-second movement could carry it into the path of Frenchy’s bat, no matter the gross errancy of the swing.
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
10:21 am
Franceour for Jose Guillen? OMG, no way! Trade one head case for another and for 12M? Who would do that xcept for Wren. My new strategy would be to trade Chipper and get as much as you can and then bring up all the AAA guys that MIGHT be ready. Try to finish with the worst record in baseball (if the Nationals will allow us to) and then get the top pick. Keep McCann, Excobar, McClouth and out starting pitching. It’s a tossup as to who to keep in the bullpen, but this type of baseball has to be turned around. BUILD a winning team and because of players like Franceour, Kelly and Garrett Anderson among a few others, this team will lose for years to come unless the GM starts doing his Fn job.
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
10:24 am
PWH – He was a closer at oregon state and has been a reliever all through the minors. I know that he’s a relief pitcher. I was just curious as to what, if anything, could be expected out of him at the majors in the future?
TBrown
June 21st, 2009
10:24 am
varodrunner – have you looked at our AAA roster lately?
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
10:27 am
Who is bravesfanforever? My goodness, is this a child? I know you weren’t talking to me but the comment ” If you wouldn’t do it in person, then you shouldn’t do it hiding behind a computer. Very cowardly.” was very childish. I would say anything I say on here to anyone I talk to. Be it another poster or Frank Wren or Bobby Cox. Please give me Franceour for about 30 minutes with a baseball and a bat.
Maybe you should stay on the kiddie pages fan, this is not the place for you. We tell it like it is and I don’t remember many people getting their little feelings hurt.
OldBravesBag
June 21st, 2009
10:30 am
I see Kelly dropping his hands right at approach…..creating an L shape in his swing. His hands are up….and instead of moving them back slightly at approach like McLouth does…he drops them down slightly behind his shoulder. Therefore, they are not free to attack the ball…it’s an extra step in his swing that he didn’t have last Aug-Sept. when he was hitting the crap out of the ball. His hands were high and he went right to the ball…..
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
10:33 am
TBROWN
No, but I’ve looked at the Braves roster and the point was to rebuild. We aren’t winning and wouldn’t with the AAA people. Except for the players I suggested we keep, get rid of the holes, clear up some money and get some players. Then build. I have been here through the losing years and I DIDN’T like it a bit. Now that we have been treated to the 14 years of winning, I am spoiled and want more. A sub 500 team is unacceptable in the NL East. We can get better, but not by Wren’s inability to act on smart choices. The latest, as much as I think Frenchy needs new scenery, will be just plain stupid for this team. Do you thin the addition of Jose Guillen would make this team a winner. He’s a head case and that’s teh last thing this team needs right now. We need some young firecrackers that can have fun and know about winning. Clear the room for them and then use the money to go get them.
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
10:38 am
DOB
I need a realistic number man, I keep hearing the Braves are giving up on Jeff Francoeur so what do you think the odds are he gets moved. I just can’t imagine them giving up on the guy, they must still have a sour taste in their mouths about the arbitration stuff. Do you not agree that he has made strides this year? I know there is always room for improvement but he really seems to be getting better every game. If he ever learns how to stay out of those 0-2 holes he can be real good. I know everybody on this blog will throw out a obp, or an ops but just watching him, he is taking more pitches, laying off the high heat, and making better contact, his decision making at the plate is all that needs to be tweaked. Stop getting 2 strikes before you start being selective and realize that it’s ok to take a walk, you don’t have to drive all those runs in yourself. Last night hitting into the dp with a 3-1 count was an example, he wants to help the team so bad that I think it’s having an opposite effect. Anyways what do you think, and please don’t tell me that Jose Guillen will be a Brave, I don’t think I could take that.
Doc Holiday
June 21st, 2009
10:43 am
PWHjort,
Did I fell asleep for 3 years? What year is it?
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
10:45 am
PWHjort
I hope that lineup is a joke, Schafer has proven he needs more time in the minors and I’m not interested in ruining Heyward, Freeman, and Johnson by bringing them up straight from A-ball. Johnson especially, if that guy learns how to make consistent contact and cut down on his strikeouts, he has the power bat be incredible, no way I shatter what confidence he has.
i cant take it anymore
June 21st, 2009
10:49 am
how about the willie posts last night? good lord…
DOB…wasn’t Beckett with the Marlins when you covered them? If so, what type of guy is he to work with? He gives me the “I date supermodels, no comment, I have dr. seuss chin-hair feeling”.
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
10:56 am
Yes, the line-up is a joke. It loses what little humor it had when I have to explain it’s a joke. But it is. Just like all of the other fake line-ups I post nearly every morning.
nolie
June 21st, 2009
10:57 am
(RANDOM)
c’mon dude, posturing and pandering is where it’s at.and girly giggling is just plain fun. gotta stay in touch with your feminine side dontcha know
Frankie Knuckles
June 21st, 2009
10:59 am
Gil,
When you compare his K’s to his teammates with similar AB #’s it up there. Point still stands – he can mash..
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
11:07 am
Siskel: The arbitration situation has absolutely nothing to do with anything going on with Frenchy and the team. Seriously, it has zero to do with it. That was just business, though overblown because it was Francoeur, like everything else, good and bad, is overblown in regards to him.
If the Braves trade him — and I do think they would if they could get a decent deal — it will simply be because they don’t expect to tender him this winter because he isn’t going to be worth a $5-mill plus arb salary next year and they want more production from their corner outfield positions.
Only way I think Braves would do Francoeur-for-Guillen is if Royals pick up a big chunk of his $12 mill salary next year, and I don’t think Royals would ever do that. Royals would just be trying to dump a big salary and hope they could get an upturn from Francoeur.
I think that’s unlikely, that deal.
semiballcoach
June 21st, 2009
11:09 am
dob—raining in boston yet?
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:10 am
Randon does seem to be a bit obnoxious
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:13 am
DOB, Hope you’re right on the Franceour – Guillen trade rumor. Hopefully it’s just something someone started. It would make sense that of all theMLB clubs, the Royals would be the most interested in Jeffy. Let’s just hope Mr Wren smartens up a bit before making this one. Or, does he have the ability? my bad. Sorry Frankie
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
11:14 am
Is there any way an arbitrator will seriously give Francoeur a raise. If they decide to tender him, I’d offer him 80% of his current salary and tell him to take it or embarass yourself in an arbitration hearing.
Frenchy
June 21st, 2009
11:14 am
DOB, how’s the weather looking? It’s after midnight here in Jpan. Trying to decide if I should stay up or not. Looks like both the Braves game and the US Open are in jeopardy.
Frankie Knuckles
June 21st, 2009
11:14 am
Randon – radon meets random
Lew
June 21st, 2009
11:16 am
varodrunner-And being obnoxious on this blog isolates Random exactly how? He has much more to say of worth than many others and is no more obnoxious at his worst as some And Idiots here are at their best.
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:18 am
Looking at the radar for the boston area, it looks like they might get the game in. any thoughts?
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:19 am
Ok Lew, give him a kiss and a hug
semiballcoach
June 21st, 2009
11:20 am
maybe humidity will flatten knuckleball
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:22 am
good point Semiballcoach
Or if the wind is blowing in, it will/might help flatten it
Supes
June 21st, 2009
11:23 am
Paul Lentz,
you are right about one thing. The most critical game situations have a way of “finding Jeff”’s spot in the lineup. Just like last night during the 8th inning, Braves were starting to get to Beckett just a little bit with the 2 on 1 out situation. Too bad they didn’t have B-Mac or Chipper up in that spot. Just someone with a better understanding of
1. the game situation
2. knowledge of the strike zone
Either way, if we are lucky this will be Jeff’s last season as a Brave. Him being gone will be addition by subtraction. Much like Kelly Johnson when you plug in an Omar Infante.
Hell no to the 12M that Guillen is due to make next year. Royals can keep that.
Hope Wren is exploring ways of how he can pry either Dunn (preferrably) or Willingham(option B when healthy) from the Nats.
If the Marlins fall out of it (which doesn’t seem likely)…I wonder how interested they’d be in dealing Jorge Cantu. In the off-season, Braves should explore possibilities to try and acquire him and either move KJ to LF or deal KJ to another team. Enough of the “hot and cold routine”.
Oh, and the difference between Jeff and Kelly right now…is that when Jeff is “hot…he goes 1HR, 1 Double, 5 RBI for the week and a bunch of singles while hitting .300 or there about. When Kelly is “hot…he goes mutli HR, multil Doubles, hitting well over .400 and getting on base via walks”. Which is why tolerating Kelly’s “cold stretch” and waiting around for him to “heat up” is different than “waiting around on Jeff”.
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
11:24 am
I’m with you PWH, I don’t see how with the market for outfielders, and his production he can get any kind of raise. What happens if we send him to Gwinnett? Is he still arb eligible, and do you still have to pay him the full amount? I know when guys get called up their salary gets moved up to a minimum, but does the same thing happen when you go back down or is JF’s deal guaranteed? I assume he is still working off his original deal he signed out of highschool since he hasn’t signed long term, or does the arb thing guarantee you a major league salary regardless of being in AAA?
Lew
June 21st, 2009
11:24 am
varodrunner-Quit being obnoxious.
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:29 am
I was pissed last night. After calming down, I realized… Becket was dealing. He was nasty. That was a tough loss for Lowe. I am starting to worry about Lowe. It may just be me, but I noticed that past month that he is not challangeing hitters. He is nibbling to much. He has to good of a sinker. Throw it and let them pound it into the ground.
I am trying to hold out hope for this season. But it is going to be hard scoring runs when you have basicly 3 automatic outs in the line up. Frenchy seems to only hit with nothing on the line. KJ is just sad. Sadder than Frenchy. Then you have the pitcher.
To people that don’t like KK… WTF? What does he have to do? It is not like he has runs to work with. Like all the starters, they have to be damn near perfect for a chance to win. With each start he gets better, more comfortable. He is going to be good next year. He is perfect for the #4. Especially with Huddy as the ace, and JJ Lowe in front. With Hanson at #4 or #5. KK would be the best #4 or #5 in MLB. Not to bad. Only ? is, where is the offense going to come from?
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
11:32 am
Lew – Make it a real sloopy kiss
Supes – Gotta agree with you. If there’s a senario where se keep one and trade/demote/shoot the other, it would be keep Kelly. His streakiness is painful, but he does have his ups. Franceour seem to be consistently bad in critical situations. I missed the last of the game yestersay and had to catch up online. But I can imagine that Beckett gave him one low and outside and instead of trying to hit to the off field, he tried to pull it and grounded back to becket. Anyone see the pitch? Where was it?