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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,596 comments Add your comment
THWG
July 5th, 2009
3:21 am
ccrider
You beat me to the punch. Cot’s baseball Contracts (very reliable) doesn’t say anything about any no-trade clauses for anyone (Lowe included) except for JV’s limited no-trade clause, which of course is because his contract was originally made with the White Sox.
Salamander
July 5th, 2009
3:22 am
Actually, Let me correct my last statement – Piazza MIGHT have naturally hit all those home runs. Lopez almost certainly did not. His contract year when he hit 40+? Give me a break – the dude was on something.
Rob from SC (Please don't trade Escobar)
July 5th, 2009
3:28 am
Time for Lowe to oitch like the 60 million dollar man. We sometimes have trouble with Olsen. There have been games where he flat out shuts us down. Lowe needs to throw a shutout.
Salamander
July 5th, 2009
3:38 am
We sometimes have trouble with [teams we should beat with our eyes closed]
Fixed.
I see trading Vazquez is still dominating the boards… better to wait till the offseason folks. I don’t see the impact bat (that isn’t a rental) manifesting before the trade deadline. In the offseason more teams can get involved on the bidding, and Vazquez can be more easily replaced while the winter months pass slowly by versus trading arguably the team’s best starter during a dogfight for the division title.
Talk about hoping Hudson bounces back quickly if we trade Vazquez – that’s a lot of faith to put in a recently repaired arm.
THWG
July 5th, 2009
3:40 am
http://www.tenandfiveguys.com/2009/06/lamentations-book-of-jeff.html
The best article about Jeff Francoeur I’ve ever read.
Salamander
July 5th, 2009
3:48 am
The article is annoying to read, but the embedded stats are pretty solid. The author needs to get the stick out of his ass and learn how to write without throwing a dictionary at his readers.
uga-brave
July 5th, 2009
4:40 am
the real bobby,
yeah they did. they were twins both around 90. they were a landmark.
the ajc did a story about them.
they are sorely missed.
uga-brave
July 5th, 2009
4:56 am
salamader,
i agree, i a am not sure about hudson.
vazquez is arguably our best pitcher.
as for the javier lopez thing, he was our best offensive catcher.
dont know about the ped thing. who really cares?
they all did it.
my bet is on half the players.
you hear about the everyday guys. but what about the tweeners and the pitchers?
eric gagne? marcus giles?
maybe javy he did it or he did not. but he put up monster numbers as our catcher.
just saying that macc aint a cleanup guy.
Ronald Millsaps
July 5th, 2009
4:59 am
Infuriating loss today. Mike Gonzalez has GOT to get his control back, and I wouldn’t have brought in Peter Moylan at the time; he has struggled with his control lately also. I would’ve gone straight to Rafael Soriano.
Gonzalez and Moylan are two of our very-top players; we can’t have them struggling like this.
Ronald Millsaps
July 5th, 2009
5:08 am
By the way, trading Javier Vazquez would be STUPID! We’d have to get some MAJOR return even to CONSIDER doing so, and if we trade him, we nullify a HUGE offseason acquisition and basically have Tyler Flowers in the same category as Elvis Andrus.
I like our roster, but I still wonder why this team ignored Adam Dunn this offseason. Here’s a guy who might go for 40/140 in Atlanta, and we hear that Frank Wren’s not interested. Wren’s a smart guy, and I can make a case for and against pursuing the guy, but given Atlanta’s lack of home-run output, you’d think they’d have done so.
I put a post on here the other day which apparently got deleted. Maybe it was too serious and didn’t match the adolescent topic, but among other things, I recommended Mark Bowman’s columns, which are good reads. I got frustrated last year when he said the Teixeira trade basically symbolized Atlanta’s waving the white flag, but I can see essentially where he was coming from.
I’d like to see Blanco in left and at leadoff, Prado playing and batting second, and Nate McLouth in center and batting third. Chipper and McCann could bat fourth and fifth, respectively, and Chipper could have some serious RBI chances when he comes up, not that McLouth couldn’t knock runners in.
semiballcoach
July 5th, 2009
6:37 am
this jsut in—the mississippi braves aren’t interested in francoeur either
ttom
July 5th, 2009
6:44 am
Someone tell my why we don’t let McCouth straight steal more. He led off the eigth with a hit yesterday, the usual reliable Prado couldn’t bunt him over then hits into a DP. If McClouth steals second at worst we have a runner on second with one out. I’m a bobby cox fan but I do think we need to be more aggresive in the stealing dept.
semiballcoach
July 5th, 2009
6:55 am
ttom
here is your multiple choice answer as to the reason for lack of steals from mclouth
a. bobby cox
b. #6
c. a players manager
d. the nose picker
e. all of the above
semiballcoach
July 5th, 2009
6:58 am
i am also sorry that you are a bobby cox fan…he prefers waiting for a 3-run homer and a steal attempt is a potential out….conrad will always be one of bobby’s boys now that he hit the shot heard around the capitol…but there is a smidgen of hope for the stolen base, since the braves have bunted more in the past week
Lumpy Rutherford
July 5th, 2009
7:00 am
Can’t fault Moylan yesterday. He got the ground ball that would have ended the inning, it just found a hole.
- Has anybody seen willieg today? That “betting genius” posted the eight games that he was betting to rake in the cash yesterday. He lost 5 of 8 games.
richbrave
July 5th, 2009
7:07 am
I am not a BLANCO believer long-term.
richbrave
July 5th, 2009
7:09 am
GUIDO wants to know the same thing.
Lumpy Rutherford
July 5th, 2009
7:13 am
deceased gorilla willie b coulda picked the games better than willieg
AndyC
July 5th, 2009
7:28 am
richbrave
I agree that Blanco is not a solution long term. I like him. He’s solid defensively. A speedy baserunner. Works the count well and will take quite a few walks, but he has zero pop in his bat and is essentially a singles hitter. Now if this team was loaded with hitters and all you needed was for him to get on base and score runs, then I think he could work but this team needs all the guys it can get to drive in runs.
Runnin
July 5th, 2009
7:46 am
McLouth’s hamstring is still sore. That’s probably why he didn’t steal yesterday.
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
7:55 am
Lumpy – well-stated on Moylan.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
7:56 am
IF THE BRAVES DONT WIN SUNDAY WITH LOWE GOING THEY NEED TO TURN IN THERE UNIFORMS AND GIVE THEM TO 25 MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS THAT WANT TO WIN,CHIPPER NEEDS TO GO,ANYWHERE BUT ATLANTA, AND WE WILL TAKE HANSON OFF YOUR HANDS,A NEW YORK YANKEE FAN,REMEMBER BRAVES FANS THE REDSOX SOLD BABE RUTH REMEMBER BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY.since your owner wont buy a major league hitter turn in your tickets the season is over 3 out might as well be 20 out.
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
7:57 am
But not as well-stated as the brilliant strategery of willieg.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
7:59 am
LOOK DUMPY IHSAD WASHINTON YESTERDAY, YANKEES ,AND DODGERS, SO IMADE MORE IN ONE DAY THAN YOUR IDIOTIC BRAIN MAKES IN ONE YEAR ON YOUR ROTO ROOTER JOB.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:00 am
mclouth ,if his hamtring is sore why is he playing ,oh i forgot ,you have no hitters sorry.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:01 am
thank you jim.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:02 am
the braves are done.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:03 am
wow, you have a team in atlanta.balls,bats and uniforms,wow.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:05 am
gee ,you people have a blog,the writer is way better than your team.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:08 am
whats the matter dumpy ,oh must have dial up ,you cant afford ,dsl,sorry i forgot there are alot of poor people in georgia,except the over paid braves.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:09 am
your team is a piece of ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, go DODGERS AND YANKEES.
Braveheart
July 5th, 2009
8:09 am
I don’t know, it seems as though we have a great one, two punch, in JJ & Vazquez, for the first time in years.
In years, huh? Gimme Smoltz and Hudson everyday over Jurrjens and Vazquez
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:10 am
you people are slower than the POPE.
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
8:11 am
I certainly don’t always agree with Kincaid (680 the Fan and Sundays on ESPN radio), but he had a nice anti-Manny rant this morning – more of a anti-Manny-lover rant, I suppose. He also git a nice dig in at the NL East not being the strongest division in basball.
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
8:13 am
Wow – make that “an anti-Manny…” and got, not git. I am glad cabravesfan is not here to jump on me for those.
dr.phil
July 5th, 2009
8:14 am
Observe and learn . . . never smoke crack and get on a blog site.
willieg
July 5th, 2009
8:17 am
iwill give you an article,last week,an INDIANS pitcher was was pulled ,he told his manager he wasnt tired,the manager said quote,yes but my outfielders are reminds me of BOBBY COX GIONG TO THE MOUND AND CHANGING PITCHERS 5TIMES A GAME ,THE ONLY__REASON YOU WON A WS IN THE NINTIES WAS BECAUSE YOU WERE PLAYING THE INDIANS INSTEAD OF THE YANKEES.__________
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
8:17 am
And early morning wisdom from dr.phil – thank you for caring enough to share with us.
New blog, pretty please?
July 5th, 2009
8:18 am
Could we get a new blog soon, please? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Runnin
July 5th, 2009
8:21 am
willieg, how much did you lose in the Phillies series?
dr.phil
July 5th, 2009
8:23 am
No problem, Vinings Jim . . . and buy my new book, ummkay? It’s called “Why Yankee Fans Are So Loud.”
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
8:32 am
New blog – Carroll promised last night she’d get one up this morning, so just hang in there, and everything will be okay. Besides, it’s not like willieg won’t find a new blog.
Vinings Jim
July 5th, 2009
8:34 am
dr.phil – I grew up on Long Island – I don’t need to read the book, but thanks, anyway.
18 Wheels of Love
July 5th, 2009
8:46 am
Nelson Cruz is someone that Wren hopefully has inquired about.
I would like for DOB to expound on his statement from a few days ago about the Braves looking into a bat that would ‘not be a free agent’.
Also, I’d like to hear thoughts on fixing 1B before RF…seems like it might be an easier position to upgrade.
Braveheart
July 5th, 2009
8:46 am
If you are gonna taunt Braves fans, willieg, a.k.a. Lou Vales, can you at least do it with the intelligence of Anders?
jason
July 5th, 2009
9:08 am
THWG, Good article. I felt I was in Sunday School. Tha obvious thing with Francouer is his aggogance. He is self absorbed and full of himself. Hi not going to change, he doesn’t want to. He probably has never worked a day in his life, and it shows. Beacuse even as he is struggling, He is refusing to work and make adjustments to make his game better. If Francouer was serious about improving and working hard to become a better player, then why doesn’t this hard work show up on game day. The interesting line about ” who cares about OBP, it’s not on the score board” says all you need to know about him. He is all about HIm and noone else, not even the team. Self gratifacation, is all he cares, and even then he is to sorry to even work for that. Talent will only get you so far fi you are not willing to work hard to get better. Everyone harps on Yunel and his attitude as becoming a cancer. The truth is Francouer’s selfishness is the real cancer that is running through the clubhouse, and I think everyone including Chipper is growing tired of making excuses for the absolute worst player in MLB.
Jay212033
July 5th, 2009
9:08 am
Ronald Millsaps
I know why Wren didn’t consider Dunn this offseason, you guys complain about Garrett Anderson’s defense in LF but Dunn is worse that Anderson out there. Also to me Dunn is looking to take the walk in key situations instead of actually hitting the damn ball. His HR this series have come with none on, in his clutch situation in game one against a tired Soriano he failed to produce. Dunn is not the answer for 10 mil.
To me the answer to our OF problem would be Choo or Cruz and I personally think Choo would be easier to obtain given the OF depth in Cleveland but they need bullpen help so i’d offer a package of Francoeur(stop gap until Laporta is called up in Sept.), Medlen and Reyes/Parr/Redmond.
my impression of willieg
July 5th, 2009
9:09 am
I NO LOSE MONEY ON GAMES I GAMBLE SMART I MAKE LOTS OF MONEY, Braves are bad team they lose too much no hitting you’re hitters are bad, BOBBY IS STUPID HE USE GONZO TO MUCH, YOU BRAVES FAN ARE DUMB YOU’RE INTERNET IS TO SLOW, SLOWER THAN A RAT, you people in ga is stupid, you rednecks, I SMART, I BET GOOD, I MAKE MONEY WITH TAMPA BAY, DODGERS, YANKEES, TEXAS, you people in ga bet stoopid, you lose money, GO YANKEES……GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!
jason
July 5th, 2009
9:15 am
Jay212033, That is interesting, and a good point. But if CLE is looking for young BP help you will have to offer more, say Acosta with KJ instead of Francouer, and Redmond. The reason is if CLE has all these OFs they wouldn’t need JF in return. You maybe will have to use Medlen also. In order to move either KJ or JF, you will have to overpay a little because they are so bad right now.
I was looking at a trade yesterday with KC giving us Teahen and Cruz; with us giving Francouer, Acosta, and a midlevel starting pitching prospect. I would overpay a little to offset the lack of production by Francouer just to rid Francouer of the team.
But if we could get Choo, I think this would be a better way. I could be wrong, but that’s why I toss it out there, to see what others think.
jason
July 5th, 2009
9:21 am
Jay212033, Also I think Parr and Reyes are both hurt and DLed, But by the trade deadline both might be healthy again. I wanted to use Reyes in the KC deal, but he is hurt.
coach smith
July 5th, 2009
9:24 am
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4305723&name=olney_buster
here is that Olney link i was talking about
coach smith
July 5th, 2009
9:26 am
If you want to know how crazy OLNEY is look at that article
I mean who is in the mood to trade ESCOBAR for CORY HART? or ESCOBAr for JACOBY ELSBARY?
Give me a break OLNEY
jason
July 5th, 2009
9:39 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/211854-stoking-the-fires-special-edition-atlanta-braves-trade-wishlist
coach smith have a look at this one. Sorry can’t seem to link it this morning. This guy is a boob. Talks about trading JV for Nelson Cruz straight up. also alot of other trades that are not going to happen.
jason
July 5th, 2009
9:43 am
The only trade I saw on both of those articles was a possible with KC, because of the fact that Dayton likes JF, and we are also in need of middle relief pitching. He threw out Mahay and or Cruz with Teahen for Francouer and others. I was looking at Francouer, Reyes, and a mid level starting pitcher. Then I remembered Reyes is hurt, so I went with Acosta to open up a spot for Cruz. I also chose Cruz ove Mahay because we already have 3 lefties in the BP.
Lumpy Rutherford
July 5th, 2009
9:55 am
I’m not going to go back and search for willieg’s bets yesterday, but just before 5:30 yesterday morning, he posted 8 teams that were going to win him money. I actually wrote them down because I was going to call him on it. he went 3 for 8. He’s eating Ramen noodles today.
Lumpy Rutherford
July 5th, 2009
9:57 am
Lou Vales must have ben away from his computer the entire month of May.
AndyC
July 5th, 2009
10:04 am
Betting on baseball is for suckers. Any team can win on any day regardless of who’s pitching. There are too many variables to take into consideration. The Braves had that game locked up yesterday until the 8th and the bullpen blew it.
Piedmont Blues (x-BFIR)
July 5th, 2009
10:15 am
Happy 5th, denizens –
We all remember 2008, when the bullpen was hopelessly overworked because of the thin rotation?
Well, we’re on pace to overwork even more guys in 2009, when the depth of the starting staff may be the envy of the NL (if not baseball).
Last season, three Braves made more than 70 appearances (Boyer, Bennett, Ohman) and Gonzo made 36 in less than half a season.
In 2009, we’re not even at the All-Star break and three Braves have already more than 40 appearances (O’Flaherty, Moylan, Gonzalez) and two others (Soriano and Bennett) more than 30 — and remember, Bennett’s on the DL.
Sure, you can say the weak offense tempts Bobby to use his best relievers more often than he would if the club regularly had three or four run leads late in games. But I truly believe Bobby does not have the capacity to manage a bullpen in this era or 6-inning starters — or at least he can’t discipline himself to pace the usage of his staff to handle a six-month season.
Dr. James Andrews should be able to handle payments for that new boat, no problem.
Piedmont Blues (x-BFIR)
July 5th, 2009
10:16 am
… in this era of 6-inning starters …
Black Like Me
July 5th, 2009
10:32 am
I see that the Braves have not traded Yunel yet. Its best for both sides that they do. Has anyone heard anything? Since Adam Dunn launched two moon shots over the past two days, I would think that the Braves would have cut a deal while in DC. Stan Kasten must be licking his chops at getting Yunel with his paltry $400,000 salary over the next year and a half. How about a straight up trade with the Red Sox for Ellsbury? In either case, the Braves would be getting another franchise face. The other teams would be getting a franchise player.
PWHjort
July 5th, 2009
10:34 am
x-BFIR,
Exactly my issue with Bobby’s bullpen management. Too short-sighted. Use them all today and don’t worry about tomorrow.
PWHjort
July 5th, 2009
10:36 am
Black Like Me,
The last thing we need is ANOTHER CF. We need a power-hitting corner OF. Not a speedy, powerless, CF. We’ve already got Schafer and McLouth.
cvbraves
July 5th, 2009
10:37 am
Believe Frank Wren will take some time and not make any moves until around July 25…and then only if Hudson looks good in rehab start(s) and Braves are still in it.
richbrave
July 5th, 2009
10:40 am
BRAVEHEART:
Gotta’ disagree both in the present and even in the historical sense. I think HANSON and JURRJENS with match both SMOLTZ and HUDSON, and that’s saying something. IMO of course. I hope the limb I’m on doesn’t break, and no money on it willyg. Time will tell.
richbrave
July 5th, 2009
10:43 am
Ah, the gadfly that is willieg. Still smokin’ from last night’s pipe my man?
buzzmeat
July 5th, 2009
10:43 am
I hate the allstar selcetion show is an hour, they are milking that one for sure!!!!
McFann Ô
July 5th, 2009
10:45 am
Uga-Brave brian mcaann is NOT A CLEANUP HITTER.
Brian McCann isn’t, either.
I’ve been saying that for a long time…HE’S A NUMBER FIVE HITTER. I loved it when he batted fifth! He was more comfortable there…he tries to do too much in the cleanup spot, and we’ve seen how that goes…
he will not hit 20 dingers this year.
Man, you don’t know that. Remember, he only had 6 HR at the ASB in 2006.
Of course, if he goes all 2008 on us, then he’ll be lucky to end up with 15 this year, but I’m just sayin’…
the real Bobby However, if you keep spelling her mann’s name so atrociously…
My name, too…
McFann Ô
July 5th, 2009
10:46 am
Buzzmeat I hate the allstar selcetion show is an hour, they are milking that one for sure!!!!
Um…it starts at 1 o’clock…
Doesn’t it?
buzzmeat
July 5th, 2009
10:47 am
I think McCann is capable of batting cleanup, More so that Chipper at his age and high injurys
buzzmeat
July 5th, 2009
10:48 am
mcfann it starts 30 min before the braves game (but same time as braves live) so we should see only the starters. We will miss wheter Soriano makes the game, and thats what im curious of.
That show could easily be done in 30 min, no excuse to use an hour.
Randy
July 5th, 2009
10:49 am
How about Francour, Yunel, Kotchman, Vasquez and Gonzalez to Boston for Nick Green, elsbury, Youkilis and minor leaguers?
RHR
July 5th, 2009
10:50 am
According to my calculations, I’ll be seeing KK pitch vs the Mets on the 18th. Boo. I wanted it to be Hanson or JJ.
RHR
July 5th, 2009
10:51 am
No wait, it would be Lowe.
RHR
July 5th, 2009
10:53 am
I hope that was a joke, Randy.
Carroll Rogers
July 5th, 2009
10:53 am
you mercifully have a new blog. Thanks for your patience…..Francoeur is out of the lineup again today.
jason
July 5th, 2009
10:54 am
yeah, If only Hanson could pitch everyday. Maybe a 3 man rotation with Hanson, JJ, and JV. I mean we have a good rotation all the way around, but from visual; Hanson, JJ, and JV are the best tp watch.
buzzmeat
July 5th, 2009
10:54 am
Randy,
No way possible!!!! i hope that was a joke. Boston will not let go Youk and the already have too many starters, why would they want a 7th with Vasquez?They also have a good closer and setup man. Gonzo is not on thier radar!
McFann Ô
July 5th, 2009
10:55 am
Buzzmeat–
He is…but he’s better in the fifth spot. Problem is that the Braves don’t really have anybody who is a typical cleanup hitter.
Here are McCann’s stats batting in different spots in the lineup.
Only thing is (and I found this one odd), he K’s once every 8.11 AB batting cleanup, and once every 7.24 AB batting fifth. I would have thought he K’d more often batting cleanup…maybe that’s ’cause of this recent strikeout binge that he’s been on…
buzzmeat
July 5th, 2009
10:56 am
McFann i Was not disagreeing with you. Just saying he is our only option at cleanup.
RHR
July 5th, 2009
10:59 am
Francoeur is out of the lineup again today.
Celebrate good times come on! just went thru my head as I read that. Truth. No shame.
Black Like Me
July 5th, 2009
11:00 am
PWHjort,
I thought Dunn was a corner outfielder with power. Would not his big stick be more appropriate for Atlanta? McLouth is no centerfielder. Also, I hear that Schafer is hurt again. The lack of drug enhancements may be catching up to him. The Braves had better start looking for another outfielder to cover centerfield in the future. Do they have anyone in the minors with speed and power other than Heywood?
bruce
July 5th, 2009
11:13 am
mcfann…
I was close enough yesterday for the players to definitely hear what I was saying… Brian was out at least twice to warm up the pitcher for David and I got to lead the cheering section behind the dugout to cheer him when he returned to the dugout… second time, he acknowledged me/us. David also said thanks for cheering his great throw to first on that bunt.
I am in the same row today (second behind dugout) but a bit more toward the outfield, so I should be in camera line for right handed batters. This is the closest/best ever seats for me. I am taking my wife’s sister who is a huge baseball fan (mets fan), but she follows it really well. My wife made other plans with some friends before we knew the weather was going to be so nice… I was not encouraging her for day games in July, and it did not work out yesterday… Heading out shortly…See ya… Bruce
joe
July 5th, 2009
12:04 pm
where is the new blog Carroll promised us?
Hawk01
July 5th, 2009
12:11 pm
Francine……..Francis…………Failcouer…………Out of the lineup today !!!!!! Here are some excerpts on his production:
Francoeur is hitting .248 with five homers, and his OPS is the third worst among all regular outfielders, at .620; he ranks ahead of leadoff-type Willy Taveras, who has 12 extra-base hits for the season, and Brian Giles, whose career is nearing an end.
AWFUL. He is only ahead of 2 other outfielders !!!! He should be embarassed, He should do like Ian Snell of the Pirates and ask to be sent down to the minors so that he can get his act together. Even Garrett Anderson has some trade value due to he can RAKE it. Francine is not even being considered by anyone. Sad day for him and the Braves.
Hawk01
July 5th, 2009
12:25 pm
18 walks in 32 innings pitched for Peter “FAT BOY” Moylan. He has a 4.41 ERA and Acosta has a 2.30 ERA. Medlen has a 5.88 ERA…………………Medlen is not ready for the Majors. Booby Cox and Wren felt the need to call up Medlen before Hamson…………………Are you kidding me !!!
Maybe Francine should use a heavier bat like Chipper Jones. Jones got the idea in his first spring training from Willie Stargell who used to be a Braves coach and is now deceased. Look at the career Chipper has had. Chipper even gave one of his bats to JROLLINS when the Phils were in town.Stargell told Jones to swing the heaviest bat he could to get around on the pitch. Makes sense…………….More wood maybe means more pop off the bat.
Hawk01
July 5th, 2009
12:31 pm
How long will Cox go with Moylan with a 4.41 ERA ? Acosta has a 2.30 ERA.
Chipper gave one of his bats to JROLL while the Phillies were in town. JROLL is in a terrible slump. Chipper swings one of the heaviest bats. He got the idea of a heavier bat from HOF Willie Stargell while Stargell was a coach in the Braves system. Maybe Francine needs to go to a heavier bat.
keylargo
July 5th, 2009
12:55 pm
The Tour de France started yesterday and even if you are not a fan of bike racing, you would have to be impressed with the coverage it is getting. Directv channel 603 is Versus HD and it is doing an excellent job with the broadcast. It started in Monaco yesterday and is now going along southern France.
These riders are the best conditioned athletes in the world and this three week race is one of the most demanding events of the year.
a643dp
July 5th, 2009
1:04 pm
Trading Escobar would be the biggest mistake of Frank Wren’s life. You can’t draft or teach players to succeed in pressure situation. Escobar is 2nd in MLB behind Hanley Ramirez and 81 points higher than the next closest player (Youkilus) with RISP. That company is stellar. We haven’t had a chance to see how good Escobar could be in the playoffs and this Braves team has never had a consistent clutch postseason player that didn’t hit .230 during the regular season. (lemke) Everybody seems to not want to trade 3 players for a rental player, well I don’t want to trade a good player because a coach with one foot out the door says so. Escobar is a special player he is young there are language barriers so we need to be patient, and news flash we don’t have the big 3 on the hill any more. So the days of stubborn principal needs to take a distant back seat to execution. Bobby has never had a team that scored in the postseason. Bobby needs to play the best team not the team he feels plays the game right. This is a multimillion dollar business not high school sports where lessons are to be taught. This is the time Bobby needs to be the one shown the door or shut up and use the best tools available.
Wes
July 5th, 2009
1:17 pm
I’d trade Yunel to the Red Sox for Clay Buchholz (sp?). This could give Atlanta a rotation of Lowe, Jurrjens, Hanson, Kawakami, Buchholz (and at some point Hudson). Javy Vasquez could be moved to the Rangers who need a starter for elvis andrus + a prospect. The Rangers could then call up Justin Smoak and move Chris Davis, and put Michael Young back at short.
I think this makes since for all three teams.
Wes
July 5th, 2009
1:43 pm
who is this WES impostor again? The REAL Wes is here
NO MORE BOBBY
July 5th, 2009
1:44 pm
These runners left on base is killing us!!!!
NO MORE BOBBY
July 5th, 2009
1:50 pm
Yes Im going to be that guy. Unload for KJ and French boy for anything so we can free up cash to get Dunn. Him hitting after Chipper and before Mac would complete this lineup. Our starting pitching with this lineup……… Nice!!
N. McLouth CF
M. Prado 2B
C. Jones 3B
A. Dunn RF
B. McCann C
Y. Escobar SS
G. Anderson / M. Diaz LF
C. Kotchman 1B
Curtis Jones
July 5th, 2009
2:06 pm
Derek Lowe: Ace? My A$$.
KJ+Frenchy=Garbage
July 5th, 2009
2:09 pm
well if you look at it we cant blame the bats too much, our so call ACE and most dependable pitcher DLowe hasnt even pitched solid in his last 5 starts. no team wins in his 5 gms. thats a big differense in the standings and when we cant hanlde the Nats we dont deserve to win
scottbravesfan
July 5th, 2009
9:44 pm
Wow, yesterday’s blog had a ton of comments. Guess the bullpen screwing up a game for Tommy Hanson got everyone pissed. I was pissed as well but had family stuff to do. Sucks he pitches great and then loses the game.
David O'Brien
July 6th, 2009
7:53 am
Just walked up to the Clear lane at Atlanta airport and noticed there were signs taped to the monitors and an attendant in front of a rope directing traffic to other areas. I asked if the Clear lane was down, and he said, “Clear went under two weeks ago. You didn’t hear about that?”
Well, no, or I wouldn’t have asked. But anyway, Clear’s done. Kaput. Glad I didn’t renew; my contract was coming up in a month. The Orlando airport is officially hell again (that was the one, more than any other airport, where Clear lane was worth the annual price)….
Flight’s on time, should be at my Chicago hotel by noon Chicago time. Game starts at 6 out there….
Wayne, I see you’ve had such a warm exchange with so many here the last couple days. Good thing that your need to express your beliefs in politics and/or religion supersedes the rules that almost everyone else here follows. Worked out well when you pushed your beliefs in a forum where the vast majority of people come to get away from such debate. Thanks, man. Thanks a lot….
THWG: There’s not a no-trade clause in Lowe’s contract or any other contract the Braves have written for any player. Only in a few players over the years that they’ve acquired from other teams who were already under contract, including Vazquez….