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2,669 comments Add your comment
Nate the GR8
June 25th, 2009
3:13 am
Coach,
Seriously,
This team is close with the pitching they have. They are on the cusp of breaking through. We have a better running game with McLouth. A run producer would put this over the top. I dont know where you get we have to play .600 ball. NEWSFLASH!! We are 4 games out.
nolie
June 25th, 2009
3:21 am
(DOC)
I am not as high on DeRo as some on here are, but he would be a decent addition. The problem as I see it is for no more of a help he would likely be and for only three months, I do not want to give much for him. They say they want a MLB ready SP, I would not not give Medlen up for just a three month rental, so who does that leave? They aren’t gonna take Bennett or JoJo if they have any sense and some contending team with more flexibility will likely offer more than he is really worth.
I have to admit that I will be surprised if a bat of any consequence is added unless Frank gets lucky finding just the right situation. I could deal with Swisher, though I’m not really a fan, but I have no interest in Melky.
AZBravoFan
June 25th, 2009
3:22 am
Lots of comments about Bennett throwing another fastball right down the middle. I thought his best pitch was a sinker. Shouldn’t he have been trying to get A-Rod to roll over one to end the inning? Bennett wasn’t put in there to get a strikeout. Time to start exploring some other options in middle relief.
hmmmm
June 25th, 2009
3:24 am
I say offer Freeman, Medlen and Kotchman for Adrian Gonzalez. Offer Parr for Sanchez it Pittsburgh or DeRosa in Cleveland. Give away Franc. Cut KJ and call up Jones and Schafer for RF.
Jalb3rt
June 25th, 2009
3:36 am
Dan Kolb
Chris Reitsma
Bob Wickman
Blaine Boyer
Jeff Bennett
The only way to get that stupid, idiot, piece of $hit old man to stop using the first 4 on that list, was by releasing them… The Braves may happen to have a big problem with their offense, but it wont make any good to have a couple of more usefull bats while the REAL PROBLEM still manages the team… Yeah, the Braves real problem is the manager, i cant wait for Bobby to retire, it will be a happy day! The Braves had good hitting a couple of years ago and still were losing because of Cox’s misshandleling of the bullpen, i remember Bob Wickman going night after night out there and blowing games, most of those, games that Hudson left with the lead, i remember Hudson going crazy in the dogout in Florida a couple of years ago after Wickman blew a 3-0 lead. The same happened with Reitsman for almost an entire season. Bobby hurts the team even more than Francoeur, Bennett and Johnson combined.
Jalb3rt
June 25th, 2009
3:40 am
hmmmm,
Freeman? are you for real? Give up the future for one winning season this year? Then lets trade Heyward, Freeman, C. Johnson, Hicks, Escobar, C. Jones, McLouth, McCann and Schuerholz for the Yankees Payroll, how about that?
N8
June 25th, 2009
3:41 am
Nate the GR8, first of all, I have to say that I love your moniker (how couldn’t I?).
You’re right. We have the pitching to get it done. I think Cox needs one more arm he trusts (that actually can get the job done) in the bullpen, because Bobby has shown that (ahem) ability to overuse Moylan, Soriano and Gonzo in games they are not needed in, and then be left with literally none of them available in a game where they ARE needed, like tonight.
I don’t think we’re doing Medlen any favors. If the plan is for him to be a reliever, he should go back to AAA for a couple of weeks and get back into a routine of pitching and inning or two every other day.
Worst thing you can do to a “control” pitcher is to have him go 10 days in between outings.
As for pitch selection for Bennett against Aroid? I don’t know if throwing the fastball there is a horrible idea. But the location and excecution were frickin horrible. Why not waste a pitch? Why not see if he chases one at his eyes? But why on earth would you throw him a “strike” with a fastball on an 0-2 count?
Shame on McCann for not calling for a “chase” pitch. And if he DID call for it out of the zone, shame on Bennett for being that bad, that he can’t execute such a pitch with arguably one of the greatest hitters in the game at the plate with the sacks full, and the game on the line.
Don’t forget about the horrible cutoff throw, or Loafs inability to get to that ball in the gap. I know I’m one of the people saying that Diaz should get some more starts in RF. But hell, our outfield defense is so damn bad already, I’m not so sure that keeping Francoeur out there isn’t the best option at this point. Sad as that is.
It’s too bad that Schafer got hurt. Because I really think the plan was for him to come back up fairly quick, and man a corner OF spot (or move McLouth to one of the corners). Because at this point, just having McLouth in LF and Schafer in CF would have saved a couple of runs tonight.
I’m not about to rag on young Hanson. But him not going 6 innings cost us some of tonights game perhaps. Moylan had to pitch 1.2 innings, and with the lead only being 3-0 after 7 innings, bringing in Gonzo in the 8th was the right call. Now one could argue that bringing Soriano in the 9th with a 4-0 lead was wrong. But he was already warming up, so might as well bring him in, right?
But had Hasnon gone 6, and Moylan pitched the 7th and 8th. That would have left Gonzo available tonight to fact Arod (or Tex).
Not blaming. Just saying that similar to last year, in order for us to “maximize” the strength of our “big 3″ in the pen, the starters HAVE TO go 6 innings (at least).
Hanson will come around. He’s got the stuff, and obviously, after that first rough outing, he’s shown he’s capable of getting guys out, without total command of his fastball. Kid is going to be special.
Then compound that with the sudden exit of KK, and you’ve got a taxed bullpen.
N8
June 25th, 2009
3:54 am
Not to state the obvious, but Hanson’s walks are what are killing him. He has been allowed to go in between 90-100 pitches per outing and hasn’t lasted longer than 6 innings in any start. Not getting out of the 6th in 2 of his 3 victories.
But in his 3 W’s, he has an ERA of 1.06, totally 17 innings, and allowing only 16 hits. However, he has 14 walks with only 11 K’s in those 3 starts.
As soon as he gains command of his fastball, and learns to get a few more 1 and 2 pitch outs, this kid is gonna be Linceum “like”. He obviously has it in him, judging by his puny total of 17 BB in 60 IP at AAA this year. Obvously AAA pitchers are less patient, but he’s admitted to being pretty amped up in a couple of his starts.
I suspect that in about 4 or 5 more starts, he’ll get locked in and THEN the expectations are gonna fly through the roof heading into next year. As they should. He’s that good. But it’s gonna take some time for him to get on track.
The scary thing, is that he’s been pretty damn good after the couple of rough innings in his debut, and like all other “promotions” it’s take him time to adjust. Like I said. This kid is the real deal, and I’m very excited to watch his career take off.
Jalb3rt
June 25th, 2009
4:09 am
in 1914, the Braves put together one of the most memorable seasons in baseball history. After a dismal 4-18 start, the Braves seemed to be on pace for a last place finish. On July 4, 1914, the Braves lost both games of a doubleheader to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The consecutive losses put their record at 26-40 and the Braves were in last place, 15 games behind the league-leading New York Giants, who had won the previous three league pennants. After a day off, the Braves started to put together a hot streak, and from July 6 through September 5, the Braves went 41-12.[6] On September 7th and 8th, the Braves took 2 of 3 from the New York Giants and moved into first place. The Braves tore through September and early October, closing with 25 wins against 6 losses, while the Giants went 16-16.[7] They are the only team to win a pennant after being in last place on the Fourth of July. They were in last place as late as July 18, but were close to the pack, moving into fourth on July 21 and second place on August 12.[8]
Despite their amazing comeback, the Braves entered the World Series as a heavy underdog to Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s. Nevertheless, the Braves swept the Athletics.
Hahaha, just dreaming…
GermanBravesFan
June 25th, 2009
4:40 am
Good article on Bobby Cox on YahooSports… Here is a short paragraph:
“While his critics point to his lone Series ring as a symbol of failure, the more widely held view in baseball is that the consecutive division titles have always been a better barometer of Cox’s managerial skills. In a three-tiered playoff system of short series, there are too many variables that come into play to make a Series title the sole measure of a manager’s worth.”
The entire article can be found here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AqG4ukBtBu0s6c0a7NNbf_05nYcB?slug=ge-fullcount062309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
5:04 am
Why does everyone want us to trade for Derosa?!?! I don’t get it, he’s a solid utility type player but he’s not a savior! Now on the other hand I would trade Jeff Francoeur, Kris Medlen, Kelly Johnson and Jo-Jo Reyes for Matt Holiday and we should be able to resign in the offseason with all the money coming off the books. Man Holiday hitting behind Chipper would be awesome!
the real Andy
June 25th, 2009
5:14 am
the bullpen showed pretty solidly tonight why Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez are overworked – Bobby can’t really trust anybody else. (with the possible exception of o’flaherty)
it’s a dangerous game at this point – all 3 have recent arm troubles and Soriano and Gonzalez are headed for career highs in games and IP. (at this rate, they’ll get there by august).
bobby’s in a tough spot – overwork the good pitchers or let games (and possibly the season) slip away.
oh well, Go Braves!
the real Andy
June 25th, 2009
5:17 am
Jay – i think it’s gonna take more than that to get Holliday – bats are scarce in this market. though of course, i was shocked by how little atlanta gave up for hudson a few years back, so who knows?
seems like Franceour is the anti-A though, doesn’t it? low OBP, doesn’t work counts, etc.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
6:06 am
The Real Andy
Francoeur has been ok lately but he’s too inconsistant just like KJ with those two in the lineup you know there are going to be some quick outs. Prado is so good at working the count even if he doesn’t get on he still allow the hitters to see more pitches from the pitcher. Here are the guys I would go after and what I’d give up to get them(minus Holliday which I’ve already posted)
Jeff Francoeur, Casey Kotchman, Kris Medlen, Freddie Freeman and Cole Rohrbough for Adrian Gonzalez or Victor Martinez
PWHjort
June 25th, 2009
7:33 am
“Why does everyone want us to trade for Derosa?!?! I don’t get it, he’s a solid utility type player but he’s not a savior! Now on the other hand I would trade Jeff Francoeur, Kris Medlen, Kelly Johnson and Jo-Jo Reyes for Matt Holiday and we should be able to resign in the offseason with all the money coming off the books. Man Holiday hitting behind Chipper would be awesome!” (Jay212033)
This is the kind of post where I start reading and I get my hopes up, maybe we’ve found a new decent blogger who knows what he’s talking about, only for it all to come crashing down. The first two sentences I completely agree with. Even though he’d be a massive upgrade over Fr4nc000r. After that, you make the mistake everyone does. Billy Beane doesn’t want any damn MLB players for Holliday. He wants prospects. If they make money (like Fr4nc000r and KJ who are both in their first year of arbitration), Billy Beane doesn’t want them. Also, Holliday is probably going to command something like 5 years 90 million. Have you got that sitting around? And what are these contracts coming off the book you speak of? The only free agents to be are Gonzalez (3.45 million) and Soriano (6.1 million). Not quite enough for a Matt Holliday.
PWHjort
June 25th, 2009
7:41 am
“We had one bad pitch with an 0-2 count, a pitch that came back over the plate, and we didn’t cover first – that cost us two runs. Other than that, we played a good game.” (Bobby Cox)
You see, this is what I’m talking about when I say I get sick of the excuses. We didn’t play a good game. We were retarded on defense ALL NIGHT, it wasn’t just that play. Garret Anderson continues to be lackadaisical in the field and everything hit his way is an adventure yet Bobby Cox decides it’s a better idea to substitute Diaz for Fr4nc000r in the late innings (another one that makes you want to throw a brick at the TV). Most of our players were completely uninterested in working the count offensively. And Jeff Bennett was serving up meatballs all night. That was not a well-played game, Bobby. And don’t try to tell me it was. I know you want to defend your players, but don’t f’n lie to me. You think we’re that stupid?
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
7:53 am
“Also, Holliday is probably going to command something like 5 years 90 million. Have you got that sitting around? And what are these contracts coming off the book you speak of? The only free agents to be are Gonzalez (3.45 million) and Soriano (6.1 million). Not quite enough for a Matt Holliday.”
Holliday can command all he wants but if this past years market was not one OFer got that kind of money and not one will get it this upcoming offseason. His numbers are not all that great since leaving Coors so I really doubt he get that kind of money. Also in terms of prospects look at what they gave up to get Holliday and for us to trade for him for a half season they definitely won’t get nearly what you think they will, I thought you were a smart poster sir!
Space Monkey
June 25th, 2009
8:01 am
Leave it to Bobby Cox to help A-Rod out of his slump. All the boy needed was Jeff Bennett. So nice of Bobby to supply a batting practice pitcher at a key point in the game. Helped the Yankees and A-Rod. Heck of a coaching job, Coxie.
ThePattyCakeMan
June 25th, 2009
8:22 am
Im sorry, but Im about ready for Bobby to go. There is NO reason whatsoever to have Kelly Johnson in the starting lineup when you have Martin Prado on your bench.
Prado is the 4th best hitter on the team behind Chipper, McCann, and Escobar. It makes me sick to my stomach. Also, how do the braves have NO power and NO speed? Pretty obvious to me when you combine the lack of skill set and the bonehead managing decisions why we cant take advantage of the Mets and Phillies floundering around.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
8:26 am
Jay212033- Prado is so good at working the count.
What is “Working the Count”? Does that mean taking pitches down the middle on the first pitch when the pitcher is trying to get ahead in the count? Does that mean not swinging at anything until you get two strikes? Does that mean you take 1 pitch? two pitches? Three pitches? You do realize that many times the first pitch in an at bat is the best pitch you see for the entire at bat. You do realize that stats prove that batters have a much higher batting average with no strikes than with 1 strike and a better batting average with 1 strike than 2 strikes. The word is selective. You should be selective and hit your pitch reguardless of count.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
8:30 am
Sorry about the rant but I get POed when people keep beating the mythical “Working the Count” to death. No such thing and no good hitter I know of will pass up a good pitch regardless of count. Frenchy and others on the Braves have a definite problem with being selective but that has no relation to working the count.
Crazy Trades McGee
June 25th, 2009
8:32 am
hmmmm, now you’re thinking like me.
PWHjort
June 25th, 2009
8:35 am
Fleming,
Working the count means two things to me. Number one, and probably the most important offensive concept in baseball, is you don’t swing at bad pitches. If you can’t do anything with it, don’t swing. The other thing is you adjust to the count. Don’t look to hit a HR 0-2, don’t swing 3-0 if he’s just walked two batters, be selective early in the count and expand your zone with 2 strikes, etc..
18 Wheels of Love
June 25th, 2009
8:35 am
Anyone checked out Patterson Hood’s solo album that came out Tuesday? I just downloaded it and will give it a spin soon.
Billy Walsh
June 25th, 2009
8:35 am
Because of Holiday’s struggles away from Coors Field..I think you could probably sign him for less. However, to sign him to a long term deal..do you really want to let Hudson, Soriano, and Gonzalez walk? The A’s would want Hanson or Heyward at the center of any package.
PWHjort
June 25th, 2009
8:44 am
There was only 1 outfielder as good as Matt Holliday last off-season and he had burned most of his bridges. Yet he still got 25 million guaranteed for ONE YEAR. Scott Boras will do his thing and Matt Holliday will get a huge payday. Much more than the Braves can afford. There’s soon to be no room in the outfield anyway.
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
8:46 am
As other posters have stated previously, I also would like to see Matt Holliday in a Brave uniform, however I disagree with trading for him. I think the better alternative would be to sign him as a free agent in the off season.
Was to pay for his salary would to not offer Frenchy arb. and of course Garrett ‘loaf’ Anderson would not be re-signed. Only re-sign one of our closers and someone in the starting rotation would have to be moved unless Hudson is just not offered another contract.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
8:46 am
PWHjort – Working the count means two things to me.
That’s not called working the count. Working the count is a mythical term that means absolutely nothing to me because whenever a batter be it Frenchy, McCann or Chipper swings at the first pitch the first words on the blog is they didn’t work the count. Doesn’t matter if the pitch is a fastball in the wheelhouse, they didn’t work the count. That’s stupid. You are correct in that you be selective but unless you are Julio Franco you don’t just automatically take pitches to work the count. Major league pitchers (Most anyway) throw strikes. Good ones throw strikes on the corners and you need to be ready to hit the mistakes whenever they make them regardless of count. And I don’t necessarily totally agree with always taking on a 3 and 0 count even if the pitcher just threw 8 consecutive balls. Especially when 2 outs and behind by two. You need two runs to tie and three to lead and the pitcher doesn’t won’t to walk the tying run to second so adds are in your favor that you are gonna get one down the middle with a little taken off just to get that strike (Unless the pitcher is one that refuses to give in aka Glavine). And as I said in an earlier post, the odds of a hit is higher the less strikes you have.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
8:52 am
The deadbeat Francoeur had two RBIs last night including a HR.
The REAL deadbeat is Bennett. It’s his pitch selection. No better way to wake a sleeping giant like A-Rod than to throw 4 straight fastballs down the middle instead of throwing him a breaking ball out of the strike zone to chase. I can’t see how a guy that throws mid 90s get hit and give up runs time and time again.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
8:54 am
Billy Walsh
What did Adam Dunn ASK for? What did Bobby Abreu ASK for? Hell what did most of the top FA outfielders ASK for? How many of them got what they ASKED for? Before the offseason Dunn was Asking for 100 mil it’s safe to say he didn’t even come close to that number.
Also the A’s didn’t give up a Heyward or Hanson type to get him what makes them think in their right mind that’s what they will get for a half season of Matt Holliday who’s struggling right now. All we got for Tex last season is Casey Kotchman and a mediocre prospect in Stephen Marek and Tex is a far better hitter than Holliday.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
8:56 am
Lamar1Banks2 -
Braves will getting rid of a good chunk of salary this offseason, so we WILL have the money for Holliday, but will we have the money for anyone else?
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
8:56 am
Working the count is a mythical term that means absolutely nothing to “me”
BINGO
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
8:58 am
Working the count is relative, because sometimes the best pitch to hit will be the first pitch they see, so I am not against them swinging at it.
Tommy Wildfire Rich
June 25th, 2009
8:59 am
fleming- I like your thinking. Some people just regurgitate what they hear from the media. I like and agree with your original thoughts on working the count.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:00 am
And replacing Bennett’s role in the pen will be something that we need to address. I thought going into the season he would be a prime candidate to set up the closer because he did it well over the past two months of the 2008 season.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
9:00 am
getsomewins
You and fleming are both missing the point
Efrim
June 25th, 2009
9:00 am
I’d really like to call the Braves a contender. But it’s hard when you see them in fourth place and three games under .500. I know Philly has their flaws, but come on. I’ve enjoyed watching this team more than any year since 2005 though. I hope they can work a deal for another bat asap so that we can see as much of a sample before the deadline. It’d just be awful to see the Braves finish with like 75 wins and see Soriano and Gonzo leave via free agency, when we could of gotten something for them.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:01 am
And I would say “work the count” if a pitcher is having trouble throwing strikes. Joba Chamberlain wasn’t having that trouble last night.
Matty
June 25th, 2009
9:02 am
I was at the game last night sitting right down the left field line and nothing bothered me more all night than see GA not even try for that ball that Nick S. barely hit out off the yellow mark. It was hit high enough that any other LF (Diaz or Blanco) would have rushed back there and made a jumping effort. I am not saying it could have caught 100% percent of the time, maybe not even 5% of the time, but make a freagin effort you lazy douche. As for Kelly Johnson, I just do not get it. What else does Prado have to do to get in the line up. You can not even throw out the platoon was the reason he was not in there because Kelly is worse againts righties. I have never wanted to get rid of BC as much as I do now. I told my wife last night if he is still the manager next year the season tickets are out.
BravesFan
June 25th, 2009
9:02 am
IF the braves have the money for Holliday but hes gona cost about $160 mil. theres no way we can resign anybody or sign anybody including Soriano/Gonzo.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
9:03 am
Jay212033 – Working the count is a mythical term that means absolutely nothing to “me”.
And not only to me. Ask Slugger and Caveman about it sometime. They were two good ball players with a lot of knowledge on the subject and I bet they tell you the correct term is “selective” not the mythical working the count. Nothing wrong with swinging at the first pitch if it is the pitch you are looking for in the spot you are looking at.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:04 am
Let’s face it, Holliday will not be a Brave next season. He is more likely to end up, of course, a Yankee or a Red Sox.
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:04 am
Getsomewins
The money I see leaving is One of the closers and the corner outfielders. Management has previously stated that the would like to resign Hudson. Did I miss something?
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
9:05 am
So when a batter fights off several tough pitches and comes back from an 0-2 hole to WORK the count back into his favor that’s what I mean by WORKING THE COUNT!
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:07 am
Should Braves focus more on speedy outfielders who hit well and can create havoc on the basepaths? A Carl Crawford or a Chone Figgins type? (both FAs at the end of the season). Michael Kay said Turner Field is “Cavernous”, so we need speed to cover our cavernous outfield.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
9:08 am
getsomewins – And I would say “work the count” if a pitcher is having trouble throwing strikes.
And I wouldn’t ever say it then. You be more selective sure but if the pitcher is having problems throwing strikes odds are he is gonna start taking something off the pitch and quit nibbling at the corners to try and get ahead so you get a better pitch to swing at early in the count. Plus if he is having problems throwing strikes then the odds of a mistake pitch go up.
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:09 am
Getsomewins
Well we know he(Holliday) won’t be a Red Sox because they will re-sign Jason Bay.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
9:10 am
Um………I played ball as well and it’s different strokes for different folk. They can call it “selective” all they want I know what my team and my coach called it!
Billy Walsh
June 25th, 2009
9:11 am
Jay,
Good point about the other FA outfielders. However, the other FA’s do not have Scott Boras as their agent. Boras will make sure that Holiday gets the most years and the most money that he can possibly get. Beane got fleeced by the braves, he is not going to get burned again. A package of an ailing Reyes, Medlen, and whoever else you want to throw in their is not going to get it done…regardless if he is a rental or not.
fleming
June 25th, 2009
9:12 am
Jay212033 – So when a batter fights off several tough pitches and comes back from an 0-2 hole to WORK the count back into his favor that’s what I mean by WORKING THE COUNT!
But if he got to two strikes by using the blog term working the count and took two strikes because we would complain mightily if he swung at a pitch down the middle, then is that a good thing.
BravesFan
June 25th, 2009
9:12 am
Repost maybe-
WOrking the count is useless. Poeple talk about 6 pitch atbats being “quality” but how “quality” is that 6 pitch at bat when you stare at a pitch down the middle then “work” the count to 2-2 and strike out with a man on 2nd? YOu see your pitch you hit it, dont dance around the pitcher and see pitches. 2 strikes is where you protect but you should still look for a pitch to drive
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:12 am
Chone Figgins is not a good outfield(weak arm and makes bad reads) and is better in the infield and Carl Crawford has an option and I don’t think he will get to see FA this time around.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:13 am
Lamar1Banks2
I also would be very surprised if they keep Frenchy, KJ, and Bennett (close to 9 million off of the payroll plus our own free agents leaving), but Braves have more needs they need to address and probably won’t be inclined to tie up all the money into one player.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:15 am
And is it me, or is Frenchy really really that bad? Although he hit a HR and a hard hit RBI single, he was late on Joba fastballs down the middle, and he never used to be like that. What has happened to him?
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
9:17 am
But given the context that I just explained to you not the “blog” term then it’s correct. Don’t you agree?
fleming
June 25th, 2009
9:17 am
Jay212033
Now that you are explaining what you mean by working the count, I think the problem here is not what you are calling Work the count and I’m calling be selective. They appear to be basically the same thing. What I’m complaining about and have quit often here is the blog reference. To them anytime a batter swings at the first pitch or doesn’t see 5 pitches in an at bat then he’s not “Working the Count”.
Jay212033
June 25th, 2009
9:20 am
If we had someone in RF who could hit 30+ HR already then I wouldn’t mind a Figgins or Crawford type.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:20 am
Braves are 3-3 in their last 6 games against Red Sox, Cubs, and Yankees.
My observations: they’re showing more fight than they have all season long, and I hope it continues. I think Lowe can quiet the Yankee bats tonight, but will our bats be enough to win?
And I think Swisher wants to play for us lol. He made his case last night.
Wes
June 25th, 2009
9:21 am
getsomewins: thanks for making me NOT the only person that noticed that Francoeur saw nothing but fastballs last night and missed everyone of them by about a foot and a half. That homerun: complete fluke. Want proof – check out the look on his face. He was surprised and astonished at himself that he even made contact.
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:21 am
Getsomewins
But none more pressing than a corner outfielder.
The braves will also have Hudson’s contract off. I’m sure he will probably be re-signed but closer to 8m per season than the 15m he just made.
Tommy Wildfire Rich
June 25th, 2009
9:24 am
Homerun was not a fluke. Chamberlain hung one and he banged it. You actually read surprise and astonishment on his face?
DAP
June 25th, 2009
9:26 am
PWHjortAnd what are these contracts coming off the book you speak of? The only free agents to be are Gonzalez (3.45 million) and Soriano (6.1 million). Not quite enough for a Matt Holliday.
dont forget about garrett anderson ($2.5mil), greg norton($0.8mil), and lets assume jeff francouer gets released…i mean, we KNOW he wont be getting $3.375mil again. add to those guys either hudson, or vazquez (they wont both stay. we’ll just say $11.5mil), and suddenly, you have $32.225mil coming off the books next year.
yeah, thats enough to sign holliday. i dont think we will, but we could.
Wes
June 25th, 2009
9:26 am
yeah, considering he wore an ear to ear smile about it for 2 innings afterward
DAP
June 25th, 2009
9:27 am
coachOur Braves would have to play .600 baseball for the rest of the season and they haven’t done that since 2004.
this is a myth based on a premise that is also a myth.
JJ (WTH is Jeff Bennett still on the roster??)
June 25th, 2009
9:29 am
Well, it’s almost 9:30. Any news on Loser Bennett? Still on the team?
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:29 am
For those of us who were clamoring for Jose Guillen to replace Jeff Francoeur, here’s some quick stats (the bottom line stats)
Guillen has .257 avg 8 HR, 33 RBIs in 56 games .714 OPS
Francoeur .250, 5 HR 32 RBIs. in 69 games .634 OPS
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:31 am
Maybe Yankees caught a break when Kawakami got taken out of the game. he was pitching lights out. So our STARTERS haven’t given up a run in the last 3 games.
JJ (WTH is Jeff Bennett still on the roster??)
June 25th, 2009
9:32 am
DAP –
Correct. I’ll be completely SHOCKED if anyone in the division wins 95 games this year. Right now, the NL east reeks of 82-85 wins for the champ. Too many holes on the phils, Braves, and fish and too many injuries on the muts.
Chip is a WANK
June 25th, 2009
9:33 am
I understand Chip has to do his job but to mention how the spankees do not have a hit EVERY BATTER was a little much last night. First time I have ever missed Boog.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
9:34 am
Braves have to play .600 ball, but 2009 this team ain’t good as those other teams in the 90s were. Those teams could do it. I remember Braves would consistently win 2 of 3 (game series), especially after the All Star Break. They would go the whole second half of a season and I could count on half of one hand how many series they lost. I’m sorry but I don’t think this team is good enough to do that.
that said, I DO like the fight they are showing these upper echelon baseball teams. Who knows? they could catch a spark and make a good run.
PWHjort
June 25th, 2009
9:35 am
Fleming,
Yes, the way most people use the term is silly. If the first pitch is something you can hit, swing away. Most people don’t understand swinging at the first pitch isn’t always a bad thing. The good hitters go to the plate looking for a pitch. If the pitcher throws it 0-0, you better swing at it. Taking pitches for the sake of taking pitches is stupid. But so is swinging at pitches you can’t do anything with. I don’t use the term “working the count” liberally. It means adjusting to
the count you’re in, not taking pitches. People frequently confuse working count and selectivity. Bottom line is a 3-1 fastball over the plate shouldn’t stay in the ballpark and an 0-2 breaking ball in the dirt shouldn’t be swung on (unless the breaking ball is from Ben Sheets, then I can understand).
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:36 am
I think any non drunk or high fans with any real knowledge of Brave baseball wants Jose Guillen. They may NOT want Frency but the damn sure don’t want Guillen.
Chip is a WANK
June 25th, 2009
9:37 am
Oh and all the Frenchy talk being late on fastballs just cracks me up. I watched Schafer do that all year he was up on the team and everyone on here thinks “he is the future” once he develops. And just remember, he has ALREADY took the juice.
Crazy Trades McGee
June 25th, 2009
9:41 am
Let’s trade Bennett and Francoeur for Robinson Tejada
Slugger www.theweeklyscene.com
June 25th, 2009
9:42 am
Kelly played b/c Prado’s still probably recovering from his groin or quad thing.
Didn’t get to watch the game last night, but what’d Escobar do defensively to get some folks TO’d?
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
9:43 am
Wow…I had a horrible dream last night. I dreamt that KK had to leave the game early after getting hit with a line-drive off the Yankees’ pitcher, BMac struck out three times and made two throwing errors, the bullpen unraveled and–
What? Oh crud.
Crazy Trades McGee
June 25th, 2009
9:44 am
Let’s trade Acosta and Francoeur for Rafael Perez and Cliff Lee
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
9:45 am
Baseball-reference.com hasn’t even updated BMac’s page yet. Guess they’re still in a state of shock…or trying to pretend last night never happened.
Slugger www.theweeklyscene.com
June 25th, 2009
9:46 am
Tickets still available for upcoming Mets, Dodgers and Phillies series. $6 for Thurs, $8 for Fri-Sat.
Make sure to go to theweeklyscene.com on Monday of that week’s games and we’ll have the link up for those tickets.
Lamar1Banks2
June 25th, 2009
9:46 am
Slugger
The only play I saw from Escobar was that he double clutched a throw to 1st on a Derek Jeter groundball.
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
9:47 am
beachcomber I do agree with Sutcliffe’s remark tonight that BMac looks like a guy badly in need of a day off.
He had a freaking “day off” on Sunday.
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
9:49 am
Jason I am about to get on McFann’s bad side. BMac [stunk] tonight.
Hey, man, I know that as well as anybody. Don’t think you cann accuse him of having no heart, though…
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 25th, 2009
9:49 am
DAP , evidently math wasn’t your strong suit in school.
Efrim
June 25th, 2009
9:50 am
DAP, doesn’t McLouth, McCann, Chipper, Johnson, Kotchman, Diaz and Infante get some sort of raise?
Packerman
June 25th, 2009
9:54 am
Can we please DFA Jeff Bennett now? Seriously what’s stopping us from dropping him? When Jo-Jo come off the DL Bennett has to be DFAed. Not that Jo-Jo is any better, but Bennett is a plague on this team.
DirtyDawg
June 25th, 2009
9:58 am
Excuses, yeah they’re just that…excuses. You’re right about Anderson, that guy is the sorriest, laziest outfielder I’ve seen…ever. Has he ever made a play that wasn’t hit right to him? The announcers made the, facetious, comment on that ball that, basically, rolled past GA in left, ‘it was just a littel too far for McLouth to get to’…Hell, he woulda’ had to run behind Anderson – and often does. As for not substituting Diaz for him instead of Francoeur – fact is JF had just hit, we were still behind, and, at least, Anderson has shown that he can hit the ball from time to time. As it worked out, it was the wrong move – the right move is to find somebody in the AL that want’s this MFer for a DH and get him the hell away from here.
The play, or more appropos, the non-play at first is unconscionable. Somebody has to do something on a play like that. The pitcher needs to know who’s running…the second and first baseman also needs to know and decide where to play him. Kotchman had to make the play too far away from the bag…if played correctly, Johnson should have been able to field it and throw to Kotchman, and/or the pitcher should have left the mound on a dead run – cause that Yankee sure was.
And that play at second that allowed Jeter to advance to third – as much as I like to cut Escobar some slack, the announcers were right. He blew it – again – and Jeter ended up scoring. Of course he probably would have anyway on the hit.
DAP
June 25th, 2009
9:59 am
coach its not that, its that i dont agree with your assumption that the NL east division winner will win 88-90 games.
you throwing out these winning percentages the braves are going have to reach in order to win the division is nothing more than a guess on your part, based on what you think it will take to win the division. the truth is, you have no way of knowing that, and the braves are 4 games out with 91 games left…mathematically, they still have a pretty good chance of winning it.
DAP
June 25th, 2009
10:00 am
efrim yes, but thats beside the point. the question was salary coming off the books.
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
10:00 am
McCann did the trey-strikeout trick three times last year, the last one being on Sept. 6 against Washington. We were at the game on June 25 when he did it.
Can’t remember if he’s ever made 2 errors in one game, and there’s no real sane way to find out.
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
10:03 am
DirtyDawg And that play at second that allowed Jeter to advance to third – as much as I like to cut Escobar some slack, the announcers were right. He blew it – again – and Jeter ended up scoring.
Oh, lovely. I didn’t see that play more than once. After it happened, I left the room (think that’s the first time I’ve ever left the game and not come back to it). So Escobar blew it but McCann gets the error?
Efrim
June 25th, 2009
10:08 am
DAP, well I was just kind of trying to figure out how much real money the Braves had to play with. I don’t think it’s as much as people think. That was my point.
lagnamor
June 25th, 2009
10:18 am
How about this Fans.
Trade KJ, Frenchy, Bennett to Royals for 2b Alberto Callaspo 306 ba,26 rbi, 29 runs, 4 hrs,switch hitter in 64 games.
McCann Fan
June 25th, 2009
10:18 am
You can probably tell by the name that McCann is my favorite player. The dude will be a perennial all-star, and with health a Hall Of Famer!
RHR
June 25th, 2009
10:19 am
That homerun: complete fluke. Want proof – check out the look on his face. He was surprised and astonished at himself that he even made contact.
That was hilarious. His face was priceless. I agree. He was absolutely stunned. I don’t know if this pic DOB used with the game story was from the HR or not but lol
http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/03/23/97/image_8597233.jpg
McFann Ô
June 25th, 2009
10:22 am
McCann Fan–
Mine, too…I could not believe my eyes last night…
I agree with your last sentence, too.
DAP
June 25th, 2009
10:25 am
efrim well its definitely not $32mil. even that was assuming they cut frenchy and either trade vazquez or release hudson. im pretty sure they will do those things though.
some quick number crunching tells me mac will get $2.5mil, chipper will get $3mil, mclouth $1mil, infante $.06mil, and diaz and kotchman i believe are arbitration cases but together they might get like $2mil extra. thats $9.1mil in raises already, which brings my original figure down to $23.1mil, which is still a nice little chunk, considering our rotation is set, and we really will just need an outfielder and a closer. and then maybe another outfielder
Doc Holiday
June 25th, 2009
10:25 am
Im posting this again from last night, I thought it was interesting:
The Braves Kelly Johnson is an albatross in the lineup
Gondeee_tiny by gondeee on Jun 24, 2009 5:01 PM EDT Comment 31 comments
The guys over at Rowland’s Office came up with these pitiful numbers about our second baseman, Kelly Johnson:
20 — Games since Kelly Johnson had an RBI hit.
17 – Games since Kelly got more than one hit in a game.
19 — Games since Kelly got 3 hits in a game.
4 — Hits by Martin Prado in his past 5 at-bats.
4 — Hits by Kelly in his past 35 at-bats.
7 — RBIs for Kelly in the season’s first 7 games.
8 — RBIs for Kelly in his past 26 games.
.203, .297, .138 — Kelly’s batting averages for the months of April, May and June.
2/12 — Kelly’s RBIs and total bases in June.
3/13 — Backup catcher David Ross’s RBIs and total bases in June.
220 — National Leaguers with better on base percentages than Kelly.
Jame Moyer — the person just ahead of Kelly on the NL OBP list.
Guess who’s starting at second tonight?
Yuck. But Bobby Cox just keeps trotting him out there every day hoping he will play his way out of his funk.
lagnamor
June 25th, 2009
10:28 am
RHR, right on. JF looks wild, in shock………….
McCann fan…Great kid, player, agree 100%. TEAM player!
DAP
June 25th, 2009
10:31 am
doc holliday i totally agree with you, kelly is killing us. but, i honestly think prado is only not playing because he is hurting. last night after his single, he got a pinch runner. hes not normally a slow guy…i think he is just hurting to much to be starting games.
getsomewins
June 25th, 2009
10:34 am
lagnamor
June 25th, 2009
10:18 am
How about this Fans.
Trade KJ, Frenchy, Bennett to Royals for 2b Alberto Callaspo 306 ba,26 rbi, 29 runs, 4 hrs,switch hitter in 64 games.
Royals would take that deal and I think it would actually be a good deal for the Braves.