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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,669 comments Add your comment
TexasBrave
June 24th, 2009
5:09 pm
oklahomabrave – Right now Prado has a strained groin and the Braves are probably trying to get it healed before putting him into any further action because they will need him if Chipper or Casey goes down.
But I agree Prado deserves a look over at second for at least a series or two. Perhaps a couple of series off will do KJ some good. However, if Prado is delivering like he usually does then he should keep it for as long as he is playing well. I know a lot on here will say that it will be a step down defensively but to me it’s a wash between them both.
cabravesfan
June 24th, 2009
5:09 pm
McFann-
Since you brought it up I feel the need to share- 76 and beautiful out here again today
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
5:13 pm
TBrown -
I love grilled vegetables. The key is to put the “meat” side down first to sear in the juices.
nolie
June 24th, 2009
5:13 pm
NEFTALI FELIZ is moving to the Ranger’s bullpen (EPI)
Feliz is young for AAA which might be much of the problem. I think there is still a good chance that he will be an above average pitcher if he stays healthy. I do agree pretty much with your take on the trade overall.
jmart1951
June 24th, 2009
5:13 pm
nscoots says …Do folks really think that Cox would continue running these guys out there if there were players available who were obviously head-and-shoulders above the guys in question? That the man would just disregard the fortunes of his team because he “likes” a player? I mean, do folks really think that?
Yes and he has done it for years … can anybody say Jerry Royster?
Prado is in the middle of a hitting streak and Cox is not optimizing this time period by starting him.
This at a time when the Braves can’t seem to score more than 0 to 4 runs a night.
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
Vasquez is going no where. What BC needs to do concerning the BP is simpily let the startres go longer. With KK an d Hanson I understand as far as pitch counts. But Lowe, JJ, and Javy could go 8 or 9 if they are pitching good. If the game is close don’t pinch hit for the sake of a miracle HR. Continue with good starting pitching. The dumbest play in baseball is to pull your strater out after a dominating outing for a pinch hitter when there is 2 outs in the inning.
PWHjort
June 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
Willy Wally,
Contracts my friend. All the players we gave up are going to be around for a whole heck of a lot longer than the ones we netted. We basically traded 6+ years of Beau Jones, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, and Elvis Andrus plus 5 years of Jarrod Saltalamacchia for 3 and a half years of Casey Kotchman, 1 year of Mark Teixeira, 6 years of Stephen Marek (who has completely fallen off the prospect map), and 28 INNINGS from Ron Mahay. Like any trade, you can’t properly evaluate it until all of the involved players’ careers are finished. And as it stands RIGHT NOW, we’ve netted wins. But when it’s all said and done, if we came out of this one on top, I’ll be extremely surprised. It’d be different if we made the post-season. But we didn’t. And we pissed a ton of talent down the drain upgrading our 3rd or 4th biggest need.
CLE
June 24th, 2009
5:16 pm
Hey Heath, I’m in Cleveland, too — want to share some of those brats you’re grilling up?
PWHjort
June 24th, 2009
5:16 pm
And Willy Wally, in regards to the last two paragraphs of your post:
HUH?!?!?!?!
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
CLE
I’ve got 10 of ‘em on the grill right now. Servin’ up some macorini and potato salad with ‘em tonight.
Where in CLE? I am actually more in the Akron area.
N8
June 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
T-Brown, I don’t remember if we got anything for Mahay or not. To me, Salty and Harrison were the two “throw ins” in the Tex deal. Ironically, I think Gorkys was the “throw in” in the Renteria trade from Detroit. Yet he helped us net McLouth.
I should point out that I’m not one of these guys that whine about trades, and think that we should always be fleecing the other GM/team. Perhaps it’s karma for all those trades JS did in the 90’s?
For all of the prospects that we gave up for Tex (which became Kotchman).
We basically turned Andy Marte into JJJ and McLouth. Add in the fact that inbetween, we got to use Renteria for CHEAP (while Boston ate a bunch of his salary), for two seasons to help bridge the gap from Furcal to Escobar.
Not a bad return on a guy (Marte) who has amounted to NOTHING in the big leagues.
Also, keep in mind that had Tex led us to the playoffs and STILL left via free agency, I’d still feel we gave up too much for it (long-term). Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. But since draft picks are not tradeable and you lose them for signing free agents, I think your prospects (if your good at drafting and developing) are more important than people think for long-term success to a team that has payroll limitations.
Look at the Twins and Marlins, and more recently the Rays. Three teams that the Braves need to model themselves after, if they are going to continue to be owned by LM. Hang on to prospects and if you have somebody capable in your system of replacing somebody on your 25 man roster, trade that player away for more prospects and to clear a path for your up and coming player.
One might say that it’s a flawed system, and doesn’t allow the fans to get “attached” to their players long-term. But need I point out that since 1995, we have one WS title, and the Marlins have two?
I’ll also point out, that since the beginning of the 2006 season, the Braves are 269-287. While the Marlins are 269-288.
Not that we should strive to be a 3rd place team rather than a 4th place team. But my point, is that with ALL of the moves and drama that this team has had. The Marlins have been every bit as good as us, with half the payroll.
Who out there would be willing to sell off the older veterans (or just stop signing them and trading for them), and go through about 2 or 3 years of stockpiling prospects. Keeping the payroll around 50 million (I’ll also point out that the Marlins have spent as much on payroll – around 100 million – in the last 4 seasons, as we are this year), and THEN when a nucleus is ready to roll, add some free agents or make a couple of trades to make a REAL push for the playoffs.
After all, we have more flexibility than the Marlins do. Why not build the team up again from the ground, and then pour it on?
It just seems that when expectations are high, due to additions in the winter, the fall from grace is a lot harder to swallow. The Braves organization and players should be embarrassd that a team that had a payroll of 80 million less than them last year, finished that far ahead of them, and then this year STILL a game ahead of us, even though they are 60 million below us in payroll.
Talk about Braves fans getting “ripped” off on the value of their dollar.
rammerjammer
June 24th, 2009
5:20 pm
Bobby is the last to give up on someone who has produced. And he probably believes Kelly is far from finished and that Kelly has more tools that Martin. He also likes the versatility that Martin offers, especially valuable with Omar out.
So I think Kelly has until Omar returns to get back to his old form. If he’s still struggling then, Prado goes to 2b and Kelly becomes the utility guy with Omar.
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:20 pm
Another thing if you carry 6 or 7 in the BP, why use 4 guys. WE have Sori, Gonzo, Moylan, Bennett, O’flar, Acosta, and Medlen. That is 7 guys. I think O’Flar could be used more along with Medlen and Acosta. Bennete should be the one held in reserve.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
5:20 pm
McFann
Where are you located?
Atrosh-Ish
June 24th, 2009
5:21 pm
KeyLargo: I loved Mahay last year too, and was sad to see him go, but his numbers aren’t that hot this year, O’Flaherty is better. O’F is also better than Wil Ohman this year
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:21 pm
RHR
Jonas Brother! Where?!
Seriously, though, I can understand why the front office gets excited, because the Yankees are a big draw. I guess it just annoys me that people are so wound up about facing them…I mean, they’re not even in our league.
Capt Caveman
June 24th, 2009
5:21 pm
If any of you missed the chance to watch the USA soccer team beat #1 ranked Spain you missed an awesome game. Spain’s superior talent and experience was evident from the get-go but Team USA had all of the grit and resolve and posted a truly awesome win today 2-0.
U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A
True American
June 24th, 2009
5:22 pm
Soccer is for pansies.
braves fan lmh
June 24th, 2009
5:23 pm
Why don’t the braves do this trade:
Braves get: Matt Murton
Garrett Atkins
Rockies get: Kelly Johnson
Manny Acosta
James Parr
Low level prospect
beekay
June 24th, 2009
5:24 pm
Gwinett Braves update
Norton batting .500 with HR and pinch hit triple….Shaf 4-13 so far….Valdez 13 saves and Brandon Jones batting .304
CLE
June 24th, 2009
5:26 pm
Heath — I live in Cleveland Heights and work in North Olmsted. It’s my second summer up here and so far, it beats the summers in Atlanta! I chuckle when I hear folks up here complain about the humidity.
beekay
June 24th, 2009
5:26 pm
Marek has 5.27 era at AA Mississippi……I thought he was good?
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 24th, 2009
5:26 pm
braves fan lmh,
why the hell would we want either of those guys? avg is crap, power is crap.
Goldenglove002
June 24th, 2009
5:27 pm
DOB, I can’t believe you brought up Mauer vs. McCann. I really hope we can see them square off during the All-Star game.
Gotta miss the first part of this game, but I wish I wasn’t. Is it just me, or does Kawakami seem to do great in the important matchups. I haven’t paid much attention to Joba this year, but if he lived up to his hype this has the potential to be a great pitchers duel. Hope I’m not wrong.
Kentavo
June 24th, 2009
5:27 pm
I love it when Braves are on; each night I come home, forget about work, my wife has something ready for me to throw on the grill and a frosty High LIfe ready, we eat, play with the toddler and watch the Braves game.
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:28 pm
rammerjammer, liked your response to the KJ/Prado debate. I agree. Now why is Diaz not in RF in place of Frenchy?
NotAgain
June 24th, 2009
5:28 pm
Sorry. Didn’t mean to “yell” that post. Damn format (N8)
BS. nobody else does that once a day and then cries accident. There is nothing in the format that makes anybody else scream all the time. Are you and idiot or what? If so why am I reading your posts? Just stop it right now I tell you.
Mike Mike Bo
June 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
DOB,
Do you know if the Braves have any interest in Russel Branyan in Seattle?
bravos2249
June 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
GT
lol…I just put it that way cause they sometimes refer to the stadium being in downtown
Supes
June 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
Josh Willingham or Cody Ross would be an upgrade over the bum currently starting in RF.
Jeff and KJ must have some daming evidence against Bobby Cox, b/c no matter how much they both continue to SUCK, they sure do find their way in the lineup.
Diaz and Prado should start in their place!
Atrosh-Ish
June 24th, 2009
5:30 pm
Imh: Atkins is hitting .206? And he plays 3rd base? wtf?
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:31 pm
No way has building the Ted at its current location helped that area down there. A northside stadium would help the bottom line tremendously….. GT
I think it’s wrong to say that the stadium being built where it is hasn’t helped the area. It’s just not true. It may not be as nice as mid-town or wherever, but it’s gotten nicer in the last decade or so. I do, however, agree that a stadium on the northside where it’s a lot nicer would probably bring in more revenue. I don’t think it’ll ever happen, but it’s interesting to speculate…
alvin
June 24th, 2009
5:31 pm
PWHjort-
Your keen sense of hindsight is amazing!! Where can I pick up that skill?
N8
June 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
Keylargo, I guess I didn’t remember him being that good. Probably because the team didn’t do much in the W-L column. But either way, all we got was 2 months out of him, and six months of Tex (season months). Not enough for what we gave up.
Besides. Have you looked at Mahay’s stats from last year and this year? THAT is why you don’t pay a guy 8 million dollars for what he did after being thrust into a playoff run. Guy has been mediocre at best for the Royals.
Eric O’Flaherty is outperforming Mahay, and making about 3.6 million less. Just think. If Mayhay is on this team, no room for McLouth’s salary.
I don’t think the bullpen should be built on the cheap like ours was in the 90’s. I think you need a good closer and one good setup man. If you don’t have young (cheap) guys to fill those roles, you better “buy” them. The other spots can be filled with veterans and youngsters.
So, I don’t even for a second disagree with us not signing Mahay to an extension at that price. Nor do I think the Braves should have given Will Ohman, either. So many were steaming that we didn’t give him the cash. Imagine the anger if he and his 5.84 ERA in were to have been signed for a few million bucks? Good gawd.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
The Tex trade is soooo 2006.
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
Prado plays 2B, 3B, and 1B. KJ plays 2B and LF? That’s why KJ is starting. Also Prado has a bad groin. When Infante gets back, KJ could be benched if he is still struggling. Frenchy… I have no clue.
TexasBrave
June 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
ncscoots – While I will agree that putting in Prado and Diaz would not be a huge increase in offense, I would surmise that since they are more consistent than KJ and Jeff that our offensive output would increase slightly with them in the line up on a regular bases. And really, in my opinion, is what we need, just a little more offense. Look at the numbers:
AB 2B HR BB OBP SLG
JF 256 7 4 12 .281 .336
Diaz 124 6 3 12 .345 .427
KJ 225 15 5 20 .298 .373
Prado 120 11 3 12 .348 .450
Now while these numbers are not a “huge” difference. They do show that Diaz and Prado give the Braves more offense and greater chances to score. And with our pitching staff a little more is what we need to be contenders in the NL East.
braves fan lmh
June 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
I will admit Atkins is struggling but look at his numbers in the past. Also in spring training he played some at second base. With Murton look at the year he got full playing time. His numbers are better than francoeur’s. Plus he is cheap and team controlled to Heyward is ready in rf.
keylargo
June 24th, 2009
5:34 pm
I love it when Braves are on; each night I come home, forget about work, my wife has something ready for me to throw on the grill and a frosty High LIfe ready, we eat, play with the toddler and watch the Braves game. Kentavo
Quit Bragging! LOL, no I hope you enjoy yourselves as that sounds about as good as it gets.
Epinephrine
June 24th, 2009
5:35 pm
It’s impossible to evaluate the trade from win share right now given the uncertain status of the major players of the deal. My only point is the trade, like so many others, has moved from Unbelieveable Disaster mode to Status Uncertain mode.
Again, my ONLY POINT was that prospects whose future looked so gilded only a few months ago have now declined somewhat. And as a result, it is now POSSIBLE to envision a scenario in which the combination of Tex, Kotchman, and Marek actually pushes the Braves into positive win-share territory.
But I will say this–anyone, and I mean anyone who was watching the Braves two years ago knew that the Salty/Thorman platoon was a flat out disaster. Salty only seemed to hit when he was playing catcher-not first base. Time has suggested he would have stopped hitting as a catcher, too (currently at a banner year of .254/.300/.386 with 6 HR, in Texas no less). He was also an extremely poor fielder.
And Scott Thorman made Francoeur look like Albert Pujols. The trade was a mistake if the goal was to reach the playoffs, or secure a future with Tex. No doubt about that. But the POINT is that the COST of the trade appears to be diminishing by the month. That is all.
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:36 pm
…but they need to put it where the olympic centennial park thingy is now, near the aquarium, cnn center, phillis arena and georgia dome…those thing could be bunched together to create a better atmosphere OUTSIDE the ball park. DAP
I like your idea, too. I don’t really mind where the stadium is, I just wish there was more to do right outside of it. If they put a bunch of restaurants and stuff out there it would help bring more people to the game.
N8
June 24th, 2009
5:36 pm
NotAgain, if you’re so damn smart, how come you didn’t italicize the quote, or make the “quotee” in bold. Kinda hard to decipher what is typed from you, or who you’re quoting.
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:37 pm
Elton John said that Mauer was the best catcher in baseball and he wishes he played for the Braves. McFann
What? He really said that? Why? Is he a Braves fan?
braves fan lmh
June 24th, 2009
5:37 pm
DOB,
Do you know if the braves are interested in Scott Hairston, an what it would take to acquire him?
Lamar1Banks2
June 24th, 2009
5:39 pm
People that keep saying get over the Tex trade, when did u want people to evaluate the talent? When the were in the minors.
What you did before affects today.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
5:40 pm
Heath–
I can’t tell you how incredibly stupid I feel for asking that question…
We live in Gwinnett County, GA–Lawrenceville, to be exact.
cabravesfan–
Oh, goody-goody for you!
We’re at 90, “feels like 91″ out here…cold front happening, apparently. 
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:41 pm
Always good to hear from Greg in TN.
rammerjammer
June 24th, 2009
5:41 pm
jason,
I think Bobby sees Francoeur as having more tools than Diaz and that it’s only a matter of time before he starts producing better results.
Diaz had his shot at everyday status last season and didn’t produce, so Bobby may feel justified in believing Diaz is a role player.
Unless Frank makes a deal, I think Francoeur is the rightfielder for the rest of the season.
cabravesfan
June 24th, 2009
5:42 pm
McFann-
In about a month it’ll be that hot here (”here” being downtown LA- at home it’ll still be 76 and beautiful
)
Heath (Cleveland)
June 24th, 2009
5:42 pm
McFann -
Don’t feel stupid, there is Cleveland, Mississippi and that IS Braves country also.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
5:43 pm
Roman Gal Is [Elton John] a Braves fan?
Allegedly.
Robert (Minneapolis)
June 24th, 2009
5:44 pm
I am a recent Minneapolis transplant from Atlanta… and you should hear the sports talk radio go ON and ON and ON about Mauer. He is an amazing player and a great individual but they have dubbed him “the baby jesus”… while they say it jokingly I think its a bit much for such a young player…. Sports nuts up here also are extremely fond of any players that are “one of us” — A player born and raised the great state of MN. I think we love Atlanta and Georgia bred talent as much as any other homer… but they are REALLY proud of locals.
Capt Caveman
June 24th, 2009
5:45 pm
I gotta say that I cracked up at T.O. getting dissed to his face on camera by that little diva model. That was freakin’ HILARIOUS !!
Lamar1Banks2
June 24th, 2009
5:45 pm
Scott Thorman was bad come to think of it so was Horacio Ramirez/Kyle Davies/Ryan Langerhans/Mark Redmen/Dan Kolb and Bob Wickman.
wow those teams were terrible.
N8
June 24th, 2009
5:45 pm
And Scott Thorman made Francoeur look like Albert Pujols. Epinephrine
I disagree. In 2007, in 287 AB’s, Thorman batted .216 with 11 HR and 36 RBI, OBP of .258, SLG of .394 and and OPS of .652.
This year in 256 AB, Jeff is batting .246, with 4 HR, 30 RBI, .281 OBP, .336 SLG, and a .617 OPS.
I would say it’ the other way around. Jeff Makes me wish we had Thorman playing in LF. LOL!
It really does make one ask the question. Why was Thorman dumped upon and even before the Tex trade, forced into a platoon? While Jeff is allowed to rack up almost as many AB’s in half the games? (Thorman’s stats were over 120 games.)
Jeff’s defense isn’t THAT good anymore.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
cabravesfan–
“76 and beautiful”…blah blah blah!
It should not be this hot this early here!
I can’t stand heat (I’m about as hot-natured as you cann be–gets annoying when I’m drawing and the paper gets all wet or I can’t get a good grip on the pencil!).
Heath–
Whew! That makes me feel better!
Wayne in Utah
June 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
jason
In support of rammerjammer’s comment, do you really want Garret Anderson in left and Diaz in right in the same game. Maybe once in a while, but not long term.
As bad as Francoeur can be, he is our best corner outfielder by far.
I do think that Prado should get some starts, but maybe KJ is being played to try to get him out of his funk. Could be a ploy to increase his trade value.
Chop Chop
June 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
McFann,
Check out this page. It’s from a couple of years ago, I guess.
JeanE
June 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
Also…Garrett “Loaf” Anderson might be a doubles machine but he’s a wretched left fielder & I cringe every time a ball is hit his way!!!!
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
I agree that Diaz is not an everyday player. I also think Diaz being hurt last year played a lot into his struggles as an everyday player. How long do you wait and hope for production before you have to try something different. I am saying start Diaz for a series or a week. Let Frenchy sit and clear his head. His problems are all mental.
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:48 pm
Allegedly. McFann
You know, now that you mention it, I’m pretty sure I knew that.
Epinephrine
June 24th, 2009
5:49 pm
N8,
It was a joke. But the reason is because Thorman never did anything to impress talent evaluators and scouts. Francouer, for better or for worse, did. And because the Braves are loathe to give up on someone who could feasibly once again display that prowess, he gets a longer look.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
June 24th, 2009
5:49 pm
N8,
Frenchy had the Delta commercial, the SI cover, the whole Golden Boy thing going on about the time Thorman tanked. He probably still sells some merchandise for the Braves. I’m sure plenty of small kids who don’t know much about baseball still think Jeff’s a great player. Since there’s no obvious replacement ready in the system, hawking those jerseys may be reason enough (in the view of the suits, mind you, not mine) to keep running him out there instead of giving Diaz or Brandon Jones a chance to play and benching Frenchy.
N8
June 24th, 2009
5:50 pm
“Diaz had his shot at everyday status last season and didn’t produce, so Bobby may feel justified in believing Diaz is a role player. rammerjammer
You may be right. But that’s just BS. Diaz had a fine Mar/April last year (.292 BA, 2 HR and 12 RBI in 25 games), then stumbled in May before getting hurt.
Jeff has had MUCH more time to “show what he can do”, regardless of his tools. If they think Jeff has better tools, how about let him refine using them in Gwynnett?
Capt Caveman
June 24th, 2009
5:50 pm
YO jmart1951 — don’t be dissin my boy Jerry Royster. He was the bomb diggity. I mean , what’s next , you gonna tell us that MIKE LUM didn’t deserve to have a Bat Day. LOL
You know I think I still have that ugly little Mike Lum bat in the garage. LOL
Roman Gal
June 24th, 2009
5:51 pm
Garrett “Loaf” Anderson might be a doubles machine but he’s a wretched left fielder & I cringe every time a ball is hit his way!!!!
Me too. And every time a ball that he should have cut off gets to the wall and he lobs it in to second base instead of attempting to throw out the runner at the plate, I tell all the people around me how much I hate him in LF.
I liked him just fine as the DH…
jason
June 24th, 2009
5:52 pm
I am not talking about a full benching. I think ATL is going to go with what they have now. It will take an overwhelming trade for FW to do something. And that something will not invole moving any pitching.
TBrown
June 24th, 2009
5:53 pm
Lay off Loaf “no time for defense” Anderson. He just uses his field time to get his mind right for his next AB. He doesn’t like to DH cause his Blackberry distracts him in the dugout. That’s how he always ends up posting on the blog..
Wayne in Utah
June 24th, 2009
5:54 pm
Please, denizens, let’s not let our displeasure with JF cloud our opinion of the fact that Matty Diaz is NOT a right fielder, excepting for an occasional game here or there.
IS Brandon Jones any better in the field??? I would rather try him than Diaz out there. BUT, truth be told, I think either a trade will solve this issue, or the return of Schafer. Just my opinion.
J-MAN
June 24th, 2009
5:55 pm
We need to resign Soriano and Gonzalaz ASAP!!!
wow
June 24th, 2009
5:55 pm
USA was brilliant shocking spain and the rest of the world finals sunday GO USA. GO Braves we need a sweep or two!!
cabravesfan
June 24th, 2009
5:56 pm
McFann-
we had several days last month when it hit 90 by 8:00 in the morning…and come September, when you all have that great fall weather, it will still be close to 100 here (our really hot months are August and September)
hmmmm
June 24th, 2009
5:57 pm
How about you just freaking get someone to take KJ and Franc for nothing. Just get rid of the dollars and free it up for someone else. Dye is the RF solution but we really could use another 1b too
bravos2249
June 24th, 2009
5:58 pm
Chop Chop
In the Thumbs up vid…JS admits the Dye trade was dumb….
rammerjammer
June 24th, 2009
5:58 pm
Wayne, I read (was it that Gordon Edes column?) where Bobby is already penciling Nate in LF and Jordan in CF next season. Rightfield was not mentioned. An oversight or an ominous vision of the future??? (cue Twilight Zone music…)
hmmmm
June 24th, 2009
5:59 pm
and at this point Schafer is no worse than those two crap machines … bring him back.
David O'Brien
June 24th, 2009
5:59 pm
I asked Bobby about Prado not playing this game or last night, whether he was trying to get him some rest for the sore groin, etc. He said, yeah, that he was.
I asked Prado if it was hurting any more than usual and he said no. You people and me aren’t the only ones wondering why Prado wouldn’t have played against one of the right-handers they faced in first two games of this series, believe me.
N8
June 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
Epinephrine, I got it was a joke. No malace intended with my post. I just wanted to point out that NOBODY was making Jeff look like Pujols in recent memory. Not even Thor.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR), I’m not buying it. If Wren and Liberty Media were about selling tickets and marketing, then Smoltz and Glavine would be in Braves uniforms this year. Might even had tried to talk Maddux out of retirement. LOL!
But if you are correct, that is sad. Very sad. That’s a big bowl of unacceptable sad, imo.
Lamar1Banks2
June 24th, 2009
6:03 pm
Garrett Anderson is a terrible outfielder I wish the braves could have Anderson bat when it Frenchy’s turn at bat and Frenchy could just play defense. The braves then might have one complete player.
CorkylikesBeer
June 24th, 2009
6:04 pm
Tbrown…loaf is a professional hitter and doesn’t have time for fielding
TexasBrave
June 24th, 2009
6:04 pm
Wayne while I completely agree that Diaz is nowhere near the fielder that Jeff is, I believe then increased offense that Matt produces will offset his defensive challenges. As I said before we need more offense, pure and simple, and Jeff is just not doing it for us.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
6:04 pm
Roman Gal–
Yeah…I just said “allegedly” ’cause how cann you wish we had anybody but BMac behind the plate and call yourself a Braves fan?
cabravesfan–
Think we had it at 98 at 8:30 a couple days ago…dang! I hate it…
when you all have that great fall weather, it will still be close to 100 here
Chop Chop–
I’ll see if I cann get it to work…so far, no luck…
CorkylikesBeer
June 24th, 2009
6:05 pm
KJ and Frenchy both had good at bats last night..hit the ball hard but right at people…still early in the season..they will come around…bobby cox
cabravesfan
June 24th, 2009
6:06 pm
McFann-
Of course, come December, it will be back to 76 and beautiful…
N8
June 24th, 2009
6:07 pm
Wayne in Utah, one could certainly argue that Jeff is a worse hitter than Diaz is a RF. I’m not really arguing with you. I think Diaz would be pretty rough (arm wise) in RF. But that’s how down I am on Jeff. I don’t care anymore about the defense. And I’m a HUGE defense guy. Jeff is just that bad.
From what we’re told, Brandon isn’t much better.
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
6:07 pm
Hey, the popup video worked…the hypocrite! He told JS “good boy” for signing BMac to a long-term deal, and now…?
Guess it’s whatever fits the moment, eh, John?
bravefaninok
June 24th, 2009
6:07 pm
hmmmm
June 24th, 2009
5:59 pm
and at this point Schafer is no worse than those two crap machines … bring him back.
NO….we need shaf to get right,he will be a superstar if let properly develop. next season he will be our stating CF,mclouth will be our stating LF.
Wayne in Utah
June 24th, 2009
6:08 pm
hmmmm
Let me splain it to you, my friend. Any team that is in the hunt will have a second baseman or a left fielder that are better than our two guys. Those teams will not want either of our guys. They will not pay that salary for a player who will not play.
As for teams that are NOT in the hunt, they are not in a hurry to add players. Their additions will only be smart ones, after some other team releases such players so they will not have to pay their full salaries. So, they will wait for us to releast these guys before they would take them.
Really, the only chance we have of dealing them, would be for them to improve their performance first, in which case we would then probably keep them for the rest of the year.
So, our choices are to play them, send them to AAA, or package them in a larger deal. Or, we could deal them and send along some cash to help defer their salary.
If I were a team that wanted KJ or JF, I would wait until they are non-tendered next winter, and make them a reasonable offer or a minor league contract next winter.
Hope that makes sense….
McFann ;Ô;
June 24th, 2009
6:09 pm
cabravesfan–
We’ll have some below-freezing and beautiful! (But I think we’ve had 70’s in December before…)
hmmmm
June 24th, 2009
6:09 pm
OK heres my 2nd base/OF solution …send Kotchman and Medlin, Parr to Pirates for Sanchez then Pirates send LaRouche and Zach Duke to LA Angels and Angels send Figgins and Matthews Jr. to the Braves and pay most of Matthews salary.
I know I am not the GM – that is what blogs are for …
RJB in DC
June 24th, 2009
6:09 pm
The Ted-
In my view, the reason why the Ted hasn’t fully taken off with the neighborhood is two-fold. First, thier own parking lots create nearly a 3/4 mile long asphalt barrier between the stadium and the rest of downtown. If they built parking decks, they could develop the remaining land with attractions or commerce to draw people beyond just games. Second is the lack of direct Marta rail access. I can’t tell you how many fans ride to the DC stadium on the green line.
Will be interesting to see how they develop the new porposed stadium site in Miami for the fins. The old Orange Bowl site was in a very depressed neighborhood. They now plan to re-develop the whole area so it has a draw 24 hours daily.
hmmmm
June 24th, 2009
6:09 pm
Oh Chipper moves to 1st by the way
Chop Chop
June 24th, 2009
6:10 pm
McFann,
If Sir Elton doesn’t understand that you can’t have two star players playing full-time at the same position, that doesn’t make him much different than many of those who post on this blog. I guess he just likes good players, especially catchers.
(Yeah. There’s a joke. Ba-dum-bum.)
Bobby's Cox
June 24th, 2009
6:12 pm
And he probably believes Kelly is far from finished and that Kelly has more tools that Martin. He also likes the versatility that Martin offers, especially valuable with Omar out.
Lets be clear….If Prado starts, that does not mean we lose his versatility. If someone were to get hurt, etc, then you simply move Prado to that position, then bring in the backup (johnson) to play 2nd. I don’t get the logic that if you start Prado, then you lose the versatility….
TexasBrave
June 24th, 2009
6:12 pm
DOB thanks for doing that follow up with Bobby and Prado. Do you know if Prado is still having the leg wrapped for each game? If it is then I can understand a little why Bobby is not playing him more until it is fully healed.
I think I and the rest of the denizens here would love to here from you when you think Prado is full healed are ready to play everyday at full strength. I think that would be a truer mark as to question why Bobby is still playing KJ instead of Prado.
Henry D.
June 24th, 2009
6:14 pm
The reason KJ keeps his job and Prado can’t get a break is because Cox either made the decision or helped make the decision to move KJ from the outfield to 2nd base. If he doesn’t play, Cox is shown to be the failure he is as a manager.
Either that, or KJ has some major nudy pictures of Cox.
Wayne in Utah
June 24th, 2009
6:15 pm
N8 and Texasbrave
Guys, I too am frustrated with JF. He is hitting like a 300 hitting singles hitter right now. Certainly not enough for a corner outfielder, but I wish there were some way of determining how many runs a guy like Jeff saves on average per game.
Could Diaz make up for that many runs??? Is Diaz an 80 RBI guy? That’s a half a run per game. If Jeff is a 60 RBI guy, then he only would need to save 20+ runs per season to be better overall.
Just thinkin out loud. I really don’t think we can afford Matty and Diaz together too many days per week. Maybe once or twice a week, but no more.
DOB Is KJ being played to allow him to improve, so as to show case him for a deal??? He’s got a dang long way to go to get back to his normal numbers. Very curious indeed.
Logan
June 24th, 2009
6:18 pm
New braves third baseman on fast tract to majors. (day one of the gulf coast league)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Dalfonso%20%203B&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=571599
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 24th, 2009
6:19 pm
Branyan has attractive numbers, but he’s too old. If we trade for a power bat, we need someone we can keep for 3-5 years. That means <30 years old.
joe
June 24th, 2009
6:19 pm
DOB,
Any chance that Bobby and front office is trying to get KJ on track a little bit, get him on one of his hot streaks, then use the context of how KJ heats it up in the second half and put him on the block? It really is the only thing I can think of. KJ is not better than Prado at this point in any phase of the game.