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3,704 comments Add your comment
RufinoLinares
June 27th, 2009
10:44 am
jason, that lineup would be more inept than the one they currently have. Let’s hope that those deals don’t occur.
jason
June 27th, 2009
10:45 am
bravesfanforever, I agree with your post. Coming in I thought we would score. Maybe not like 7-8 runs per, but enough for our Rotation to give us a chance to win nightly. We all know that hitters will slump. I just never expected to see the offense be so inconsistent. The hitters as a whole have a decent track record for being good to decent hitters, not great. The only ? being Francouer. I never expected to KJ struggle so much. I never expected for Chipper to age so fast that he looks older than Loaf sometimes. I never expected for Kotchman to lose what little power he had. It’s not like ATL has had some crushing injury to deal with. The most significant one was BMac’s vision. That was taken care rather quickly. I have no answer to why the offense is so weak.
Robert
June 27th, 2009
10:51 am
“We are 5 games under .500 and are contenders because the Mets are fielding a Triple-A squad and the Phillies are slumping”
Wrong. Even if we somehow made the playoffs, we wouldnt be contenders
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
10:52 am
There is no way I’d ever go to a Yankees game…unless I knew that the Braves were going to crush them and BMac was gonna hit a bases loaded double. Otherwise…
Steve from OH
June 27th, 2009
10:54 am
I just can’t understand why everyone either wants to trade/release/retire/shoot Chipper. The dude is top-15 in the NL in EqA according to BP (McCann is ninth). Why do you trade this player? Why do you not like this player? Why are you so stupid? Inquiring minds want to know.
(Thanks for the shout-out BAS)
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
10:56 am
GA is like a cleaning lady/guy who doesn’t do windows.
He doesn’t do outfields.
jason
June 27th, 2009
10:57 am
RufinoLinares, Like I said it was a dream. I don’t look for ATL to be seious contenders for at least 2 years. They just don’t have the money to go sign a rare 40HR guy. Funny thing is, by the time Heyward, Freeman, and or Johnson get up her, ATL will have to find pitching. Because If Lowe is here with Vasquez and Huddy… they will most likely be at the end of their careers. Right now, ATL doesn’t necessarly need that 40 HR guy. They need some professional hitters that are consistent. They could use a guy with 20=25 HR power as long as he is consistent. ATL doesn’t do the little things. That;s why I am not opposed to BC leaving. You have to change the philosophy of the organization as a whole. You have to learn to play some small ball. You have to be able to work counts. Some things ATL doesn’t teach in the minors. In the post steroid era you are not going to find 40 HR hitters looking for work. They will almost be as rare as the dinosaur.
Jason Bay, he is on pace to hit over 40 HRs this year. Seasonal 30 HR guy most years. How many HR do you think he would have playing a full season at Turner field? Just curious.
jason
June 27th, 2009
10:58 am
RufinoLinares, also, how is that team wosre than the one that is playing now?
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:01 am
McFann :Ô:, Good morning. It’s morning for me. I live in San Antonio. I also slept in after that frustrating game last night. I sent you post on MCCann, thought you left for the night. They said flu symptoms. I was glad. I was beginning to worry about a slight concussion from the wall.
Livin in AL
June 27th, 2009
11:01 am
We signed Anderson, who is a DH, so we have 2 outfielders and a big open space. Our hitters have made no adjustments at the plate for different pitchers all season. I finally go back to some predictions of the team in preseason as being mediocre. This team is mediocre.
Roman Gal
June 27th, 2009
11:03 am
Not nearly as — how do we say this nicely — raucous a crowd?
DOB-
Are you saying that the Red Sox fans weren’t as raucous or Yankees fans?
semiballcoach
June 27th, 2009
11:05 am
dob—need to call rocker to get his description of yankee fans
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:06 am
Steve from OH, I like Chipper. I know I was on him pretty hard lastnight. I don’t like his demeanor this season. He does look disinterested. I think the play of the team as a whole as taken a toll. He also seems to be talking to the media a lot about things that should be kept internal. I think he is ready to retire. I think he is playing because he is the ultra competetor. From a playing stand point, his defense has really dropped off. I also think I see that his bat has really slowed. He doesn’t seem to be able to turn on good fastballs, and also seems to can’t make the adjustment to a good breaking ball. I could be wrong. He could be tired. He has stayed relatively healthy this year. Maybe he needs a day off due to playing so much. This is the most I have seen him play at one stint in a long time.
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:09 am
Some of Chippers comments about retiring could be coming from the way Smoltzie and Glavine were released. Maybe, he doesn’t want to go out like that. I can’t blame him. I agree that neither had a place on ATL this year, but the way Glavine was treated, that was brutal. You don’t have to traet your team Icons like that. There is a thing called TACT.
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:10 am
Jason–
Morning! It’s still kinda morning here…it’s before noon, anyway…
I saw your post to me from last night–left you a response on page 18.
I was beginning to worry about a slight concussion from the wall.
That crossed my mind, as well–he did hit his face. But yeah, thankfully it was “just” flu-like symptoms. Hope he cann play today and get a hit or two with RISP. No more K’s, BMac…
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:12 am
RufinoLinares, maybe you could work a trade for KJ. I saw a lineup like this:
CF Schaefer
2B KJ/ Infante
LF McLouth
RF Cruz
C McCann
SS Escobar
3B Teahen
1B Kotchman/ Prado
Just a dream…
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:13 am
Hey, I just thought of something–For you West Coast people, does the time under the date of each post show up in East Coast time or in your time? Just curious…
Roman Gal–
Were you wanting to know how to make smilies?
If so, click here.
glord
June 27th, 2009
11:13 am
This team is what it is. They are just a very below average offensive team. The line up we entered the year with had to have everything go right to be productive. Nothing has gone right so far. Sometimes that happens and you cant do anything about it during the season. You just have to say go get them next year.
Here is my only complaint. I love Yunel but wish he was a little more mature sometimes. I was very critical of his behavior the other night worrying about that error ruling. In hindsight I do not believe ANY Braves player can be called out or disciplined until something is done about Garrett Anderson making no effort in LF.
If Kelly cant hit its not because he is not trying. Does anyone think Francouer does not want to make the adjustments he needs to make. We may be frustrated with them but they are trying. Anderson is another matter. If Bobby Cox can watch Anderson give the Sox a run because he refuses to back up a ground ball how can he discipline Yunel for being a knucklehead when he is producing.
If this guy can stand in LF and let outs become singles, singles become doubles and doubles become triples how does BC have any control of his team. It is not like you are dealing with a “Manny being Manny ” thing. Its Garrett Freaking Anderson with a sub .700 OPS. If you are slow fine but you can run full speed. Fine him and put his butt on the bench until he give at least a mediocre effort. You cant control slumps but you can control effort.
OK rant over.
Roman Gal
June 27th, 2009
11:14 am
I’m guessing you were calling the Yankees fans raucous.
I was only at the first game against the Yankees, but I expected the fans to be louder than they were. I felt like there were more Braves fans at that game and Yankee fans. Last night was just terrible. I didn’t think the Red Sox fans were rude or anything like that, but they were loud as all get out…and they were persistant little buggers.
Then again, my opinion might be scewed due to the fact that one game was a win and the other a terrible loss…
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:15 am
This is such a frustrating team. I think so because you can see the potential from the young guys. They just haven’t produced. I am not going to bash FW, but I think his worst move was the knee jerk reaction to sign Loaf because he had to sign an OF.
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:15 am
OK, click here.
Steve from OH
June 27th, 2009
11:17 am
Jason, Teahen would be lucky to post half the numbers Chipper will post this year. Just a thought. You don’t get rid of hitters like Chipper for hitters like Teahen. Actually, for Teahen’s career, he has given the Royals less value than Chipper gave us just last year. Case in point: Chipper Jones WAR 2008: 7.6. Mark Teahen, WAR career: 5.6. So yeah, let’s dump Chipper for Teahen yesterday…
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:19 am
McFann :Ô:, East coast time. Living in S.A. I get confused sometimes when I am posting.
bravefaninok
June 27th, 2009
11:19 am
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:13 am
Hey, I just thought of something–For you West Coast people, does the time under the date of each post show up in East Coast time or in your time? Just curious…
Roman Gal–
Were you wanting to know how to make smilies?
If so, click here.
I’m in the central time zone….all post show up as eastern time
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:26 am
Steve from OH, I see what you are saying. I am saying this season is shot and Chipper wants to win again. His defense is substandard, and he looks to be nothing more than a singles hitter now. If we could trade him to say BOS, and get some prospects, why not? Next year will be a year older, and HOF skills eroded even more. Teahen may have been the wrong option. Where can ATL find a young 3B? There is not one in the minors that I have heard of. Even if Chipper stays, he won’t forever. So where will his replacement come from?
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
11:27 am
Braveheart… your earlier post about Chipper’s contract versus the average: thanks for the info.
Ages of players in 2010… A few older players are skewing your sample. I’ll bet either Hudson or Kawakami aren’t with the club in ‘10. Heyward and Freeman may have a shot at making the club in ‘10, too, bringing your average down further. Schafer will most certainly return (barring a poor performance at Gwinnett).
Francouer and Johnson may not be on the roster, either. Anderson most certainly will not be with the Bravos.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
11:28 am
The Braves should put a “shock-collar” on GA and give remotes to the first 40,000 fans.
They could bill it as “GA Motivational Jolt Night.”
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
11:30 am
News: Reyes, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 21, re-injured his right hamstring on Tuesday in his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett. He aggravated the injury while covering first base against the first batter he faced. (STATS – Sat. Jun 27, 2009)
glord
June 27th, 2009
11:31 am
Shamus Thacker – I will buy ten tickets if I get ten turns with the remote.
DAP
June 27th, 2009
11:32 am
does anyone think the brewers would trade fielder for vazquez and kotchman in thhe offseason? is that realistic trade?
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:33 am
Jason, bravefaninok–
Thanks! I thought maybe it just showed up as ECT, but I wasn’t sure.
Steve from OH
June 27th, 2009
11:33 am
we could trade him to say BOS, and get some prospects, why not?
Because right now our club needs good hitters (which Chipper is) and not prospects?
I do not think Chipper’s skills have eroded to nearly the level of abysmality (yes, I just made that word up) that many bloggers here have. He’s in a slump. Period. Even in his slump he’s one of the top 15 or so hitters in the league. His OBP is above .400, for pete’s sake. That’s awesome. As for his defense, it has been substandard, but since 2006 the Dewan fielding bible has him at one run saved above average. He is an average defender. Not in this 1/3 of a season, but he is overall. And I expect to see average defense from here on out.
Actually, when he was trying to beat out that in-between grounder to 1B last night, his speed suprised me a bit. He’s not done, folks. Far from it. I’ve seen nothing to suggest it, and the statistics disgree too.
That said, our 3B depth in the minors is pretty bad. I’d be looking to acquire a 3B at about the hi-A level or so. None of the options in our system are particularly exciting.
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:34 am
Doc Holiday, glord, I would mash the shock button just for the hell of it. Bet we get to see Loaf be not so Loaf.
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:34 am
DAP does anyone think the brewers would trade fielder for vazquez and kotchman in the offseason?
Oh mercy…these Bloggers gave McCann a hard time for being “fat”, imagine what they’d do to Fielder!
TnBrian
June 27th, 2009
11:35 am
glord, good point about Loaf. Players make mistakes, but the replay they showed of that lifeless piece of sh** in left was not a mistake. He just doesn’t give a crap, which is nothing new, but he took it to a new level.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
11:36 am
Giants have the 2nd best record in the NL.
This league is having a very very bad 1st half………..no team dominating but the dodgers………all other teams look bad……….Cardinals atop central were almost swept by the ailing muts. I think the team that gets the better deals will prevail. Everything is there for the taking……..but nobody wants to give……..I would take………..This is a good season to get into playoffs………..weak teams all over the place, why not go for the kill?
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
11:36 am
Right now, the pitiful Pirates and the Braves have identical records. Of course, the Pirates have a much lower payroll.
Braves still need to play .630 ball the rest of the way to win 90 games, which is a reasonable mark for having a shot at post season.
Got to believe Wren is a seller at the trade deadline.
glord
June 27th, 2009
11:38 am
Steve – I agree that Chipper will rebound. Two weeks ago against the Brewers he put on a hitting clinic. That said I would not mind seeing him get delt for a Lars Anderson and a solid outfield prospect from Boston. FW has already started displacing the 90’s Icons and BC and Chipper would be the last to go. Chipper might enjoy playing meaningful games again and he would be huge for the right AL team in the hunt. That contract is going to hurt just like D Lowes in a year or two.
I just wish someone in the NL East would get hot to stick a fork in us so we could fix this team for next year.
no crying in baseball
June 27th, 2009
11:39 am
I hate to say it, but after watching the yankee series it was pretty obvious; We suck! Our team is playiing Bad Baseball! We just aren’t playing good enough to win anything. We don’t get the hits, we swing at bad pitches, hit into double plays, fail to advance the runners, we don’t make the pitch, and we don’t make the play when we have to. We have the talent to do it but we aren’t doing it! We need a Kirk Gibson or Bob Gibson type to come in and kick butt and take names! This isn’t suppose to be happy happy land. Its baseball. If you screw up go sit down…. for a month.
I can forgive almost everything in life …except bad baseball!
varodrunner
June 27th, 2009
11:40 am
How can the Braves be only four games behind after their level of play? Has the NL East become a laughing stock?
With that said, The Braves are still in it. Just think about the next five games – They, in all likelihood will become sellers. Let’s hope not.
jason
June 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Steve from OH, Question then. He has been susprisingly healthy this year. Could the increased playing time due to that be causing the slump due to fatigue and tiredness? He is 37 afterall. He will always hit. He will get out of bed hitting. He has lost some power, but he has adjusted. So, I guess fatigue would cause the decrease in bat spped that I have been seeing.
It is great to have an intelligent debate with a knowledgable baseball mind. I don’t mind being wrong when it comes in respectful context.
Supes
June 27th, 2009
11:41 am
McFann,
I don’t think people will give Fielder a hard time b/c he can average 40HR per season:)
I like the “shock collar” idea for Anderson:LMAO: He wouldn’t make it past 1 inning though, everyone would want to “give him a jolt” :SMIRK:
Jason,
Those are NOT good trade propsals. More like Fantasy Baseball. Dream on.
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
11:41 am
DAP… We have Freeman coming up, perhaps in ‘10 and most likely in ‘11. His upside, beyond his talent, is that he doesn’t drain the budget for six seasons. Fielder would.
Vazquez? I don’t believe that Wren will actively shop him at deadline, but I imagine he’ll get more than a few calls from GMs about his availability. IF Wren decides to move him, it would be at deadline, when he can get a better return from contenders.
McFann :Ô:
June 27th, 2009
11:43 am
Supes–
Huh…yeah, well…
Lew
June 27th, 2009
11:44 am
StevefromOH-You’re right about Chipper, but throwing soap to theunwashed masses will only result in them eating the soap. Why bother? You need to check out the band Dragonforce. Imagine if Yngwie actually could write songs and play in something more coherent that an instructional video.
varodrunner
June 27th, 2009
11:44 am
DOB 10:42
Boston is a sophisticated NY. Both love their baseball teams, but NY is just that, OBNOXIOUS AND POMPOUS
Altho, the Braves can lose to either equally well. The only similarities.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
11:44 am
As I pointed last week……..I think braves, with all their pitching, have the edge. Our pitching is already good enough, we just lack 1 more reliever, if campillo was around, we would be in 1st place already. Our pitching will be facing weaker teams since as time goes by, teams get hurt, like the muts. Our offense is to face more tired pitchers, staff with more injured guys.
You would say, yeah but our team is also injury prone and our pitchers also get tired. Yeah, but we have the pitching depth to overcome that. For example, last night JJJ gave BP a well needed rest. Vazquez will pitch into the 7th today, and so on.
Infante is coming back in less than 2 weeks, that will help rest Prado, KJ and Yunel…….whom are banged up.
Last but not least…………..Bennett is gone.
Supes
June 27th, 2009
11:44 am
Steve from OH,
I have no doubt Chipper can rebound. While I question his motivation, his desire to be here and be a part of this team, I don’t question his abilities. Yes, he has diminished a bit from his peak years.
If he had any decent protection in the lineup (Sorry, with Mac catching and missing at least 1-2 games per week, plus the 20 days on the DL, that doesn’t cut it) He could once again finish above .300 average, hit around 20HR, put up excellent OBP and a decent slugging %. If some of the bums infront of him would get on more consistantly, he could drive in a good amount of RBI’s as well.
The way we were lineup wise, is we had 3 good hitters in Yunel, Chipper and Mac (when all healthy and in there). Now we can add McLouth. So that’s 4 players all together. Not good enough.
Mitchell
June 27th, 2009
11:46 am
DOB, I unfortunately didn’t read your blog last night. It’s so long man.
Anyway, about the all star game, if the National League wants the damn home field advantage in the World Series they better damn well have Brian, Chipper, McLouth, JJ, Vasquez, Soriano and, I’ll say it, Yunel Escobar.
I don’t care that he’s a deranged lunatic, he’s an all-star. And Bud Selig needs to stop pretending like baseball has become more popular than ever as he often says because it’s not and if the all-star game is going to effect the World Series then the fans need to stop being allowed to vote.
I feel like an old school NL guy. I know it doesn’t really matter that much anymore and it doesn’t hold the weight it used to but I ****ing hate the AL, we need to win this damn game and if we want to have any chance of doing it we need the very best players regardless of their current stats.
If it were up to me I’d have the starters go at least five innings if not six at a minimum. In a perfect world it would be Lincecum, Pujols, Utley, Ramerez, Chipper, Brian, Braun, Dunn and Ibanez.
Can’t wait to watch Fox Saturday Baseball. They do such a great job.
Lew
June 27th, 2009
11:46 am
Boston sophisticated? Have you ever been there? Just because they have more colleges and universities per square foot than anywhere else doesn’t mean it’s the residents who are attending.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
11:47 am
On the other hand……….I dont wanna sound negative, but chipper might be due to start aching. He has been healthier this last 2 months than CK, KJ, Yunel, Prado, Infante, Campillo, and GA,
As I mention GA, I think this guy is not running hard to protect his hamstring, not because he is hurt but to prevent it from getting hurt again.
Supes
June 27th, 2009
11:47 am
I think NY Yankees fans are nicer than Red Sox fans. Just my personal observation. Red Soxs fans still have a chip on their shoulder, plus their bandwagon fans are obnoxious like nobody’s business. Must be b/c they were so “repressed” for so many years until their WS title in 04.
At least NY Yankees fans have all those championships, they are a bit more casual.
glord
June 27th, 2009
11:47 am
TnBrian I will pay good money to watch a mediocre MLB team because they always have some great players on it. I am not a bandwagon guy. I am a baseball fan and not matter if we win or lose I get to watch “greatness” in Chipper (yes still) and McCann every night as well as some very good pitchers being the best at what they do. I also get to watch Jeter, Pedroia, Braun and Pujols when they are in town and that makes it worth it when the Braves are not great. What pi$$es me off is to watch a professional athelete mail it in. It is my money and there is nothing “great” about watching a guy not give a crap. What makes me even more angry is to watch the manager enable him to do it every night but pick other players to discipline.
Shamus Thacker
June 27th, 2009
11:48 am
Prince (Pork) Fielder
cabravesfan
June 27th, 2009
11:51 am
Morning all-
Just catching up on some highly entertaining late night blogging-
Bay Area Steve- I have toned down the Saturday Fox rants thanks to P-Town Brave, who provided my with an internet site to watch the games that I don’t get…although if I thought you’d be around, I’m sure I could post one for old-time’s sake…and if you ever do get those 50 yard line tickets, I’m there
Rodney Derrick- Thanks for the Dr. Who heads up- I was unaware there was a new episode tonight and it wasn’t going to record it for me- I owe you one
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
11:51 am
Further consideration… I think Liberty Media is closing in on the five-year requirement for owning the Braves that Bud Selig set as a condition of the purchase. I wouldn’t be surprised if Liberty Media didn’t post a “For Sale” sign on the club the minute after the requirement lapses.
What does that have to do with anything? None of us know what’s happening behind the scenes in the Braves front office, so can’t say entirely what is driving management’s decisions on player personnel, payroll, etc. Can’t say if Liberty Media has been prodding management to contend now to drive up the team’s value once it puts the team on the market, versus going young and positioning for the future.
JS and Wren know the formula that worked for the Braves in the early 90s: build through the farm system and add a couple of veterans to fill in holes.
With the older arms in the rotation, they’re certainly approaching the game differently.
Lew
June 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Doc-Good point about Anderson. I’d like to see Matt Diaz get some more playing time, though. Garrett really IS a detriment in left-no matter the reason. He’s finally hitting well, but still without the power.
glord
June 27th, 2009
11:55 am
It could be worse. At least we have not traded Haywood, Freeman or Hanson. There is hope for the future.
I just can’t believe the team we put on the field has a 96 million salary.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
11:55 am
Jeff R,
No way we are sellers with all this pitching. They know they are a great bat or 2 above average bats and 1 middle reliever away from WS.
If we are so high on Heyward, Schafer and Canizales……..why not deal JF, CK and Diaz/GA?
Braves WILL deal CK or canizales before the deadline. They will also deal Prado or KJ before the deadline. And they might deal somebody we have in the pen………Acosta? Gonzo? The braves will move some of their guys, Im pretty sure.
They know they cant just keep waiting for them to click.
TnBrian
June 27th, 2009
11:56 am
glord, I don’t know about Bobby as a person, but as a manager, he’ll drive you nuts. Yunel does have a bad attitude so lets get that straight. My girlfriend pays no attention to the tv when the Braves are playing and she even said he looks like a whiny and arrogant person. I can see how the kid can get under the skipper’s skin. But, he has more hustle and passion in his fingernail most of the time than that sorry sack of sh** leftfielder has and I haven’t seen him benched once. That, I don’t get either.
Mitchell
June 27th, 2009
11:59 am
This team just has to be ready for Philly. I don’t see those douche bags winning a game in Toronto this weekend.
We’ll probably get swept too but we can still beat the Phillies and as if it needed to be said, we must beat the Phillies.
It sounds crazy but it still is pretty early. I still don’t have any reason to believe that we’re going to come close to winning this division but we still have a lot of games to play against the team that now may or may not even be in first place anymore. I have no idea at this point. And hey, if it’s the Mets, even better.
My only hope for this season was that we wouldn’t have to be sellers again and even if we get our **** together we might still be.
As DOB once said, I’d gladly take a first round exit in the playoffs just to have had the chance to be there. I definitely wouldn’t turn it down.
And in a alternate reality I can only imagine what it would take to get this team to the World Series. I know it’s not happening but I would give anything to see how we would match up. I still think Lowe at his best or even slightly above average, Jurrjens, Vasquez, KK and Hanson is a killer post-season rotation.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
12:00 pm
Lew,
I thing the only place GA can play is in the AL and the only field he can put a glove on is fenway park, where he doesnt have to run a lot to cover his ground.
Expect JF, CK, GA, Diaz or KJ to be dealt sometime soon……..mark my words down…….you can add prado to that list. 2 of those guy might be hitting the road pretty soon.
Bad thing about Bennetts injury is that we cant deal him………….he could have been thrown as a bonus on any deal.
DAP
June 27th, 2009
12:00 pm
jeff r
but fielder would be a free agent after 2010. he would be blocking freeman if he was ready. i was thinking more of an offseason trade than a deadline trade, since i dont think the brewers will be selling.
just thinking of possible ways to improve the team and i think that first base has to at least be considered for an upgrade…
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
12:01 pm
glord… Keep in mind that Baseball America and others picked the Braves to finish third in the division and win in the mid 80s. That would certainly be a significant improvement over ‘08.
Pre-season, on paper, the club looked capable of doing at least third with a a Pct. in the mid 80s.
On paper is one thing, obviously; in the field is another.
Others and I have written this before, but it bears repeating: Management has been trying to contend and rebuild at the same time. Most clubs don’t attempt to do so. It’s a tough trick to pull off, as Braves fans are seeing.
TnBrian
June 27th, 2009
12:03 pm
Mitchell, the Braves will hit Wakefield just like they did in Boston. If I remember, the announcers said Wakefield pitches much better at home than on the road this year, so we have a chance this afternoon. Vazquez is going and I believe he’ll have enough run support to get the win. Tomorrow isn’t looking too bad either…Hanson needs to walk less guys, obviously, and the Braves have always hit Penny pretty well. We’ll see.
David O'Brien
June 27th, 2009
12:06 pm
Roman Gal: Red Sox fans not quite as rowdy as Yankee fans, is what I meant.
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
12:07 pm
DAP… Understand. I’m trying to put myself in Wren’s shoes. Vazquez is having a stellar season. When is his value highest? Just before summer trade deadline, when the pressure is on the contenders to make that one deal that puts them over the top, or in the winter when the heat isn’t as great?
I think it’s more likely that Vazquez moves this summer, if at all.
Freeman showed some real poise during the spring, if you recall. He may be ready to go in ‘10. Kotchman is a place holder. He’s very good defensively and, yes, has light power but is a reasonably good contact hitter. He’s not costing the Braves much.
I just don’t see Wren going in the direction you suggest… just a guess, though.
Steve from OH
June 27th, 2009
12:10 pm
Jason–I would say that’s why it is so important to get Kelly back hitting again and Prado (reasonably) healthy, because we need Prado to not only spell Kelly but be ready to back up Chipper. And those WAR numbers I cited account for the games Chipper has missed. So, for example, if he plays 150 games (for easy math), 12 games of replacement-level 3B play are factored in to his overall WAR calculation (at least I think so). So even playing 120 or whatever games, he was still worth 2 more wins last year than Teahen was in his career. Never mind that Prado is way better than a replacement-level fill-in.
Lew, I prefer Yngwie to Dragonforce. I like ‘em (though I’m not as familiar with a lot of their work as I should be) but to me they’re as shred-happy as Yngwie. And I do think Yngwie has come up with quite a bit of very melodic and interesting riffs. He tends to go overboard (and it’s quite hilarious to watch a fat, middle-aged Swede dressed like Bach to cheesy 80’s stage acts), but I really enjoy his playing. I dunno, though, I prefer Lynch and EVH to Yngwie, even if they’re technically inferior (though Lynch is inferior to very few).
David O'Brien
June 27th, 2009
12:10 pm
Further consideration… I think Liberty Media is closing in on the five-year requirement for owning the Braves that Bud Selig set as a condition of the purchase. I wouldn’t be surprised if Liberty Media didn’t post a “For Sale” sign on the club the minute after the requirement lapses. <em– Jeff R
In THIS economy? Can’t see a corporate owner selling until economy turns around, not unless they were bankrupt and had to sell. As far as I know, that’s not the case. If I had to guess, I’d say they might get $100 mill more two years from now than they would now for the Braves. If not more than that. You don’t see a lot sports teams being sold right now, not while things are as they are today.
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
12:12 pm
DOB… solid point regarding the sale… The economy is a big factor.
Steve from OH
June 27th, 2009
12:13 pm
Though they remind me of Vinnie Moore a bit. Though IMO Vinnie is a better writer/composer/more melodic/whatever. Love Vinnie’s stuff…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKBE7u7byTk
Salamander
June 27th, 2009
12:16 pm
Boston sophisticated? Have you ever been there? Just because they have more colleges and universities per square foot than anywhere else doesn’t mean it’s the residents who are attending, Lew
Its not like most college kids are prize citizens anyway. Teenage mentalities extend until about 25 for many kids.
PWHjort
June 27th, 2009
12:16 pm
Steve from OH,
I think the lack of infield depth, particularly 3rd, 2nd, and SS, is why we took a bunch of high school and Juco SS in the middle rounds of the draft.
Jeff R
June 27th, 2009
12:18 pm
PWHjort… think you’re right regarding the draft.
Mitchell
June 27th, 2009
12:19 pm
Supes
June 27th, 2009
11:47 am
I think NY Yankees fans are nicer than Red Sox fans. Just my personal observation. Red Soxs fans still have a chip on their shoulder, plus their bandwagon fans are obnoxious like nobody’s business. Must be b/c they were so “repressed” for so many years until their WS title in 04.
At least NY Yankees fans have all those championships, they are a bit more casual.
Supes, I find it very hard to believe that Red Sox fans could be worse than Yankee fans. I would have to disagree with you in fact.
I was fortunate enough to see the Braves at Fenway in ‘02 (we swept ‘em) and not to say that they are entirely a learned, well-heeled bunch but they’re definitely not in line with the unmistakable brand of degenerate low-lifes you often find wearing Yankee gear.
In fact, I sat next to a guy who told me how much he wished his Sawx could be more like the Braves. Of course that was before they finally broke the so-called curse which opened the door to countless frontrunning jackasses who’ve probably never even heard the name Bill Buckner not to mention Bucky Dent.
At least NY Yankees fans have all those championships, they are a bit more casual.
I don’t know what you’re talking about but you would certainly think they might show a little class every once in a while. Maybe you’re friends with Paul Simon or something. I don’t know, the ones I see act like they’ve never been there before, so to speak.
There was a photo gallery of the first game against them on Tuesday and the one that really stood out was a college aged kid in a Yankee jersey reaching out for a ball in batting practice in front of a ten year old in a Braves jersey.
That’s the Yankees I know. And we let ‘em off the hook as Dennis Green would say. I don’t care how many guys they have on their team or how many all-star games they’ve been to or how many steroids they’ve taken, we should have won that series.
Mitchell
June 27th, 2009
12:23 pm
TnBrian, I agree we should beat Wakefield but with Diory and Gregor in the line-up? Not so sure about that.
I’m assuming Gregor will be playing. I don’t know, hopefully Nate hurt himself too bad… or good. Gotta work on the English.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
12:25 pm
And dont forget………Chipper might need a rest pretty soon also.
jason
June 27th, 2009
12:26 pm
If we are so high on Heyward, Schafer and Canizales……..why not deal JF, CK and Diaz/GA?
The problem there is that there is no value except for CK whinch would be minium. Ny that I mean a playoff bound team looking for a late inning defensive replacement. The others would be like cutting bait. You are not realy freeing up salary, because that group is not making a whole lot. If you deal JF to KC, you might have promise because of the GM’s infatuation with Freanchy.
jason
June 27th, 2009
12:35 pm
I like the deal for DeRosa. I don’t like how much it would cost. DeRosa is the super sub with pop. He could spell Chipper at 3B. Play 2B, SS as well as OF and possible 1B. As much as I love Prado and what he brings. He provides no pop for filling in at 1B or 3B.
The biggest thing for the Braves as of now is getting Schaefer back up and hopefully hitting. That allows for more correction to the offense and the defense.
I like the fact of Schaefer playing CF, Moving McLouth to LF and rotating the other spot with whomever is hot. If you have Schaefer and Mclouth in two spots it wouldn’t hurt to have Loaf or Diaz playing one corner. I haven’t forgotten about JF. He would still get ABs in RF. You could just either move McLouth to RF or play Diaz there for a game or two.
Also if Schaefer is hitting you could work a lineup like this:
CF Schaefer
2B KJ/ Prado
LF McLouth
3B Jones
C McCann
SS Escobar
RF JF
1B CK
Or you could go
LF McLouth
CF Schaefer
3B Jones
C McCann
SS Escobar
1B CK
RF JF
2B KJ/ Prado
Salamander
June 27th, 2009
12:38 pm
DeRosa will cost too much in terms of talent and I doubt that he would suddenly put this team over the top.
Better to wait to the offseason to fix this leaky ship.
RHR
June 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
was kicked out of the bar last night, empty-handed, for being “obnoxious.”
No way! I’m absolutely stunned.
cabravesfan
June 27th, 2009
12:41 pm
RHR-
Wait, who was kicked out of the bar??
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
If there is a God…………he will give our great starting 5 all those wins they have earned.
Horner's Corner
June 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
Page 19 has provided some thoughtful, insightful reading. A suggestion I want to toss out is moving Esco to 3B once Chipper retires. He has got the arm for it (obviously) and with his size, I see his range declining rather fast. Plus it will be difficult to plug anyone, especially a prospect, into the position just vacated by the face of the franchise. By replacing the SS, it may defuse some of the pressure of having to fill Chipper’s shoes.
Speaking of Chipper, I agree that his pros still out way his cons, but does anyone seriously believe he can continue playing 3B past next season? I believe that if doesn’t retire after the 2010 season then he will have to move to 1B or DH. Isn’t Kotchman signed through 2010, might be a perfect time to move Hoss over? And maybe I’m wrong, maybe playing 1B isn’t any easier (thus no more beneficial to Chipper) than playing third. Give me some thoughts.
Doc Holiday
June 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
I like a lot nexts moth schedule……….not as tough, except for brewers and LA………..hope we can do beter against SF this time around.
cvbraves
June 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
I agree with the odds on today’s games in the St. Augustine (FL) paper, i.e., Braves Win! Phils, Mets, Marlins, Nats lose. Braves 2 out.
Last night, Braves lost to the No. 1 in the AL East and baseball in general, 4-1. Phils lost 6-1 to the AL East No. 3; Mets lost 9-1 to the AL East No. 2; and Marlins lost to the AL East No. 4, 7-3.
And by mid July or so, we’ll have Francouer back (chuckle), Omar and Hudson back or close to back. We be okay!
glord
June 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
There is no way Sox fans reach the obnoxiousness level of Yankee fans. I know this is an isolated incident but here is my latest Yankee fan experience.
After a USA WBC warm up game in Florida Johnathon Broxton threw the ball into the stands. It came right to me but after I caught it I saw a young kid next to me trying to get it. I flipped it to him and some 35 year old guy decked out in Yankee garb head to toe grabbed the ball in mid flight and ran up the stadium steps yelling “that was dumb buddy”.
That will forever define my definition of a Yankee fan.
RHR
June 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
BAS -
I’ve never checked the vent, but great find about Bennett’s pitching/non-pitching hand.
Oh you should always check the vent, its pretty hilarious sometimes.
Run Heap, I’m starting to wonder about your DOB-curse theory.
It’s been in effect I’d say on about 75-80% of the blogs he’s written this season. He better hope that Lowe and Heap don’t find out about this. And if he writes some sh!t about how great Hoss is, after the way Hoss talked about “the media” on Rome the other day? Ass whoopin. Better hide.
DOB, can we get some sort of “The Braves May Never Win Again” blog?
Or, even better, a “Robert Won’t Ever Post Again” blog?
I’ve begged for this numerous times. He ignores me. But then, he’s a Mets fan so why would he want to reverse the curse?
jason
June 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
Salamander, I like DeRosa. But yes, to much to pay. He would fit nicely though. Being able to play multiple positions.
Horner’s Corner, I agree with your thoughts on Escobar. I have said them myself. The question is will he be around? I think he has the ability to hit 20 HRs. That’s about it. It’s not like ATL has a 3B burning it up in the minors. About moving Chipper to 1B… I don’t know. He has been reluctant to make that move. And if CK is signed through 2010 as you say, then Freeman should be ready about that time. I don’t see Chipper playing 3B much longer. If he is not traded to an Al team to DH, he would probably retire before his contract expires.
Question
June 27th, 2009
12:55 pm
Hey DOB..why doesnt Bobby Cox use David Ross as a pinch hitter more often? I mean i know of his not wanting to use the backup catcher in case something happens to the starting catcher theory but we see McCann pinch hit all the time.. i mean Ross could be getting some late inning game changing hits or HR’s. Hey i mean why not give it a try? Any chance you can ask why he’s only ph once?
PWHjort
June 27th, 2009
12:58 pm
Will Escobar ever hit enough to play 3B? By the way, did anyone see Bowman’s latest about Escobar? Apparently he got chewed out.
Chipper Jizzle's number one Fizzle
June 27th, 2009
12:59 pm
Jason
I don’t disagree with your logic regarding DeRosa, but his contract only runs through this year. I don’t see the point of giving up good prospects for a guy that can walk at year’s end unless he is the piece that gets the Braves deep into the playoffs… I don’t think adding DeRosa would even get this team to .500 the way they have looked lately.
jason
June 27th, 2009
1:00 pm
PWHjort, I think he will. He might not hit 30+ bombs, but he has already showed what he can do with runners on. There is more to baseball than hitting HRs. I know the Braves are power starved, but I could see 20 HR with 85-100 RBIs.
jason
June 27th, 2009
1:02 pm
Chipper Jizzle’s number one Fizzle, I agree. I was not saying we had to go and get him. I was saying he would perfect for this team. Playing all those positions and providing power. That would be crazy to give all that up for less than a year. That would be quite the steal for CLE.
Atticus
June 27th, 2009
1:02 pm
DOB, are you EVER going to address the fact Bobby is B-R-U-T-A-L? EVER???
I love your music, your writing is excellent…but will anyone in this town hold the manager accountable? You never write about the fact that Bobby is a poor manager, and I don’t give a rats a$$ what other players or “baseball men” say about him. He was a good manager…WAS but he has lost it, I have never seen such a poor game manager. He gets credit for winning ONE WS with 3 HOF pitchers, so why is it not brought up when we suck and for four years now?
I understand we don’t have the talent to compete but he is getting the least out of most players with the exception of Mac.
4 years out of the playoffs is unacceptable, and even if they get in the playoffs this team is a house of cards.
DOB, just answer me this question and I will drop it?
2 on, no outs. You are going against Beckett who you have scored 2 runs in 50+ innings against….NO OUTS and Franc comes up. If that is Game 7, you bunt them over, I guarantee it. So why not now? That’s it. he is not hungry to win.
I have seen little league coaches that seem to understand how to manufacture runs more than Bobby.
Horner's Corner
June 27th, 2009
1:04 pm
DOB, are you out there? Would you please suggest to McLouth that he use Beck’s “¿Qué onda Guero?” song for his plate appearances? This slang expression is a term of endearment that loosely translates to “What’s up white boy?” or “What’s up blonde?” Or so I’ve read. Seeing as McLouth is the only white player that is capable of rapping with the Latin guys, I thought this song would be perfect. Give it a listen it’s pretty funny. It appears on his Guero album.
Atticus
June 27th, 2009
1:04 pm
Oh, and he doesn’t bunt them over because we don’t practice bunting enough, and Bobby doesn’t hold players accountable (he will for Yunel but not GA)
SCJ
June 27th, 2009
1:07 pm
We had a guy in front of us last night that was worse than any Yankees fan I came across. After yelling “OH FOR FOUR, CHIPPER!” a million times every time he was on deck, Chipper finally turned around and pointed to his ears and shrugged his shoulders, insinuating he couldn’t hear the guy.
And of course, Chipper then struck out and the guy got even more obnoxious…
Salamander
June 27th, 2009
1:12 pm
SCJ
And guys like that are allowed to breed. I’m sure he sets a great example for his kids when he hangs out with Willieg behind Best Buy.
David O'Brien
June 27th, 2009
1:14 pm
Escobar out of lineup again, Mac back in
1. Blanco
2. Prado, 2B
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Anderson
6. Kotchman
7. Francoeur
8. Hernandez, SS
9. Vazquez