Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,442 comments Add your comment
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
Paul Lentz,
Please stop posting “books” and start posting no more than 1 paragraph at a time. This is not your blog, idiot.
Russell
July 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
What do you guys think should happen when Hudson comes back? Is he in the rotation or bullpen? Could there be a trade brewing (Vasquez)in anticipation of getting Hudson back?
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:03 pm
I am. He was projected to be a pitcher before he was drafted, but the Braves made him into a hitter and he’s progressed at every step of the ladder prior to his promotion. He’s got great defensive tools, good power for a CF, and great plate discipline. Really good speed. There’s a lot to like there. A lot to like. Even if he only pans out as a league-average hitter, he’ll still be an above-average player overall due to his good defense.
A rough introduction to the bigs at age 22 is not a cause for worry, IMO.
Roy Hobbs
July 20th, 2009
4:03 pm
Fleming……in addition, many people are calling for Prado to play first base. I love watching Prado. Its great seeing someone provide spark and play hard like that, but it would not be long before people were pointing out that Prado was providing no power at 1b and saying he also needed to be moved.
I dont love Kotchman, but the guy is actually playing above his career numbers, and showing a little improvement over last year, and he plays great defense. If what he is doing is not what the Braves expected they were not doing thier homework. I think they are hoping he will grow into a 40 double 20 HR guy who can hit .280, draw some walks, and play gold glove defense at 1B. He is not there, but he is not light years away either.
Wayne in Utah
July 20th, 2009
4:04 pm
Robert (CITB) I don’t know if I’d call our offense great last year. We seemed to have a lot of trouble hitting in critical situations.
I would give equal blame last year to our pitching AND our clutch hitting.
Baba O'Riley
July 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
nolie- I didn’t read your entire post, just the first couple of paragraphs. One of my pet peeves is “combo stats”. Example: Player X is one of 4 major leaguers with 200 HR, 600 doubles, 300 SB, 900 runs and 200 go ahead RBI.
ncscoots
July 20th, 2009
4:05 pm
In fact, though, some Jurrjens’ stats ARE worrisome, LOL. Just not panic-some.
RHR
July 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Red Sox release or DFA Smoltz and back to Atlanta as a reliever maybe???
Then trade Gonzalez for a BAT
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Leo Mazzone…………If you dont like my posts, take it to AJC management.
Rodney Derrick
July 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Jersey Gil– Thanks for the correction on Cepeda. I suppose I should have done a Wikipedia check before that post, but somehow he seemed Cuban to me. I loved watching him play for the Braves. But my favorite in those days was the great Rico Carty.
The Love Child of Dale Murphy and Johnny Cash
July 20th, 2009
4:07 pm
By the way, did you guys notice Murph at the Maddux ceremony? I bet he could still out homer any outfielder currently on the Braves roster.
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:07 pm
nolie, I get a kick out of those weird “the Braves are 14-3 in day games starting with “S” in June” or whatever. Seems to be really prevalent in football.
scoots–yeah, some of JJ’s peripherals are a bit worrisome…
KennyP
July 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
who the heck reads those 9 paragraph posts anyway
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
Roy–I think we’ll regret Andrus and Feliz, but not Harrison or Salty. I know we’ve got Yunel, but never hurts to have a good amount of depth, especially given Yunel’s recent shenanigans…
abwright
July 20th, 2009
4:09 pm
The Philthies are looking awfully good through this 12-1 run. However, they have had winning streaks before. Those are usually followed by losing streaks. If the Philthies have a once-in-a-generation, Colorado-Rockies-esque 20-4 streak, then they win the division and good for them.
I don’t think that’s going to happen, and they should come back to earth before too much longer.
Braves need to stay with them for a while longer. Even if the Braves fall 8-9 back, that will be a short-lived deficit (barring a 20-4 run, which is very unlikely).
Stick a fork in the Mets, they’re done for this season. If they get their line-up back in August, they’ll be a great spoiler. But, they look so feeble, they’ll be lucky to play .500 ball til then.
The Marvins are impossible to figure. After getting swept by the Phils, they might go on their own 12-1 run. Or, they might just fade into oblivion. I cannot figure why they win, when they win, or why they lose when they lose. Inconsistency, thy name is Marvin.
owl hunter
July 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
Paul Lentz
Get some new material. You’ve used that Tex trade post before. You’re getting lazy. How will Braves management take you seriously now?
Wayne in Utah
July 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
Steve
I am also having a lot of trouble with my “peripherals” too!
dogsbrekky
July 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
nolie – PBR = ????????
Jersey Gil
July 20th, 2009
4:11 pm
Rodney Derrick …Yeah the Great Rico Carty…I was station in Fort Benning back in the 68′ 70′,and saw the Great Cepeda/Carty play in the Old Fulton county Satdium, also Felix Millan in second Base…Felix is old friend of mine from the Island.
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
I can’t say enough about Martin Prado! Can this guy hit or what? He seems to have a real level swing in that he doesn’t try to uppercut the ball, just hit it solidly. Also, you have to give Mr. Wren a lot of credit for obtaining McLouth and replacing Francoeur. The Braves are definitely still in it, however, I fear if they don’t win at least 3 of 4 from the Giants (payback’s a b*tch), then their season will be done.
Jaglawyer
July 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
Memo to Paul Lentz:
Good assesment of the Texeria trade at 3:59. People are going to complain about that trade regardless of the facts. The JD Drew/ Eli Marrero trade for Marquis and Wainwirght is the one that stings to me, even if Drew helped the Braves makes the postseason. Wainwright, from my home town, is going to be a stud for a long time and Marquis leads the majors with 12 wins.
Baba O'Riley
July 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
Speaking of the Marlins, where is Lou Vales? Does he only come around when they’re winning?
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
Wayne–a good pair of Rec Specs should take care of that…
Frustrated Braves Fan
July 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
Carroll — On you’re exuse on Escobar’s language barrier. How is that you have time to find a translator when he does bad, but when he does good there are other players who speak english that might have had a good day also. Come on. Give me a better exuse.
Roy Hobbs
July 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
Paul Lentz
I appreciate your response, and your ideas. I guess my view of the trade is not based on what Tex did while he was here, its more based on the fact that the trade did not put us in the playoffs and now we have Kotchman for 5 “prospects.”
I actually like Kotchman more than some on here, and I agree there is no guarantee that the prospects will turn out. I have no idea how Salty will turn out, so I did not say much about him, but even leaving him out, I still think it will go down as a horrible trade for the Braves, but you are correct in saying time will tell.
Here is one thing you are leaving out when you call it a wash. If we had Andrus and Neftali in the Braves farm system today, either/both could be easily traded for a big bat. Its easy to argue that Andrus wont turn out by pointing out his MLB stats, but that leaves out the fact that he is 20 and was projected to be in AA right now, and the Rangers though enough of him to make him the starting SS on a team contending for the playoffs, and move thier existing SS to 3B.
I think you might be selling some of these prospects a little short. Even if they dont pan out, they would be worth solid gold in the farm system right now.
RHR
July 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
Hey winterville, no problem.
Heath (Cleveland)
July 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
Carroll -
Any lineup updates? My guess:
1. McLouth
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Escobar
6. Diaz
7. Church
8. Kotchman
Personally, I would switch McCann and Esco…
nolie
July 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
You’re wrong. There are certain pitches that you do not swing at on a hit/run (not sure the pitch Yunel declined on qualifies, though).
I’m telling you this because I know for a fact. (Slugger)
now that’s kinda interesting. I played catcher through college, worked in the minors and scouted for years, I never heard a coach say anything along the lines of “You don’t need to protect the runner in a H&R if you don’t like the pitch.”
fleming
July 20th, 2009
4:16 pm
Roy Hobb – I think they are hoping he will grow into a 40 double 20 HR guy who can hit .280, draw some walks, and play gold glove defense at 1B.
If I remember correctly that was the talk from Braves management about Kotchman when the trade was announced.
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:16 pm
Russell………..I’ve already stated my case for Tim Hudson returning as a short reliever to help Soriano and Gonzalez close games.
However, I recognize that Bobby Cox wants him to be a starter. Plus, I’m sure that Tim Hudson wants to “audition” as a starter in case the Braves dont pick up his 2010 option. If he gets a few starts before the end of he season, then if he pitches well, his agent will be able to get a good contract for him from another team.
I know that Tim Hudson is a better starting pitcher than Kenshin Kawakami. However, our problem isnt starting pitching. We are not losing games because of starting pitching. The main problems have been hitting and wearing out the back end of our bullpen. The hitting has been addressed with the McLouth trade, the Francouer trade, and Prado replacing Kelly Johnson. Plus Omar Infante is expected back soon.
However, we still need to address our short relief. A big “move” was Jeff Bennett breaking his hand. The question is if Frank Wren can acquire a short reliever to help Soriano and Gonzalez out? That is why I suggested using Tim Hudson as a short reliever. He has the mentality and stuff to help close out games. Plus the bullpen gets addressed without having to make a trade.
Horner's Corner
July 20th, 2009
4:16 pm
OK, the support for Kotchman’s glove work is getting a little out of hand. I agree that he is pretty smooth around the back, but this isn’t 1977 when 1B was usually manned by the most uncoordinated guy on the roster. Most 1B playing today are pretty graceful around the bag while producing offensively as well. Here are the guys who’ve won a Gold Glove at 1B over the last 4 years. Adrian Gonzalez, Derek Lee, Albert Pujols, Todd Helton, Carlos Pena, Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira. Kotchman may be on par with these guys with the glove (although I might questions that as well), but he pales in compairison as a hitter.
Jaglawyer
July 20th, 2009
4:17 pm
I don’t think it can necessarily be assumed that Hudson will immediately be a better starter than KK this season coming off the surgery . . .
McFann :Ô:
July 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
Paul L. I see no reason to lose any sleep over trading him.
I never did.
Baba O'Riley
July 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
Not upset about giving up on Marquis. Before this season he was 65-55 since leaving the Braves. He is having an outstanding year from a “wins” standpoint. Wins may be the most overrated stat when it comes to pitchers. It takes offense to get wins. I would gladly take a 7-7 Javy before a 12-6 Marquis.
Epinephrine
July 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
Braves should be able to take 3/4 games this series. They really should. Giants have a terrible offense minus Sandoval, and we miss Matt Cain. They should win the Lincecum matchup. Their rookies have been impressive, but Sanchez no hitter was a fluke, and people are going to get the book on those guys. Zito isn’t good. Big opportunity for the Braves.
Wayne in Utah
July 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
Jersey Gil
Felix Millan (little kitten) was one of my favorite players when I was a kid. Tell him he is fondly remembered.
Jaglawyer
OK, so you like Jason Marquis TODAY. Would you be willing to put up with his mediocre numbers for the past how many years??? Gotta take the good with the bad, can’t have it just one way.
Same thing with Wainwright’s injury history.
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:19 pm
KennyP………..to answer your question of “who the heck reads those 9 paragraph posts anyway?”. My answer would be “anyone who doesnt have ADD”.
Roy Hobbs
July 20th, 2009
4:19 pm
Jaglawyer…….if the JD Drew trade stings now, revisit the Tex trade in 3 or 4 years.
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
Will McCann get the day off today? I hope not. We’re facing a guy coming off a no-hitter, we need all the offense we can muster. If McCann doesn’t start, we’ll have trouble scoring runs, I guarantee it.
Heath (Cleveland)
July 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
Any doubt Peyton Manning is the BEST sports personality for commercials these days. The guy is MONEY every time I see him.
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
if the JD Drew trade stings now, revisit the Tex trade in 3 or 4 years.
Like I said, I don’t think you’ll miss Salty or Harrison, but yeah, Feliz and Andrus will probably sting a little bit, even if we have a better player in Yunel.
Jersey Gil
July 20th, 2009
4:21 pm
Wayne in Utah …I will..in the Winter..when i visit my family, he is the GM on one team in Winter Ball in Puerto Rico.
McFann :Ô:
July 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
Leo Will McCann get the day off today?
Um…I doubt it…no reason why he should.
RHR
July 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
nolie, that 4:00 article is great LOL
Chop Chop’s reasons for posting here are great as well. ha.
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:23 pm
owl hunter………….Sometimes people need to be “reminded”, particularly when they keep posting incorrectly why the Tex trade was a bad trade for the Braves. While you may have read a past posting of mine that detailed my take on the Tex trade…………..a number of people on here may not have.
You have to realize that not every reads these blogs every single day. Kind of like when ESPN runs back-to-back-to-back episodes of Sportscenter. You may think, damn I just got done watching that. However, others may have missed it.
Russell
July 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
Paul Lentz…..The hitting has been “addressed” but the problem not solved. I like the moves you mentioned, but we still don’t have the offense it will take to make it to the postseason (unless we get lucky). Prado is hot right now, what happend when he cools off? I don’t think Church will end up being very productive at all.
Horner's Corner
July 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
Roy Hobbs – “I dont love Kotchman, but the guy is actually playing above his career numbers, and showing a little improvement over last year, and he plays great defense.”
I concur 100%. Casey is providing exactly what should have been expected (maybe even a bit more) based on his track record. And considering the Braves are getting this production from the 7th or 8th hitter, they should be pretty satisfied.
Wayne in Utah
July 20th, 2009
4:24 pm
KennyP
Haven’t you heard, the Braves front office is constantly reading the blog, and acting on our suggestions. They definitely read those long posts.
I am thinking about writing some really long posts, so that my point of view will be considered. I am hoping to get an Assistant GM job out of the deal.
(join most of us in just disregarding some screen names, you will be happy you did!)
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:25 pm
Hanson must, I repeat, MUST not walk the Giants hitters. The Giants actually have fewer HR’S and have scored fewer runs than the Braves (WOW). The key tonight is to keep the Giants off base and don’t allow Kung-fu Panda to beat you.
Rodney Derrick
July 20th, 2009
4:26 pm
Jersey Gil– Felix Millan was terrific, and so was Sandy Alomar (father of two more greats at second and catcher) at second a few years later. Felix never got the credit he deserved. Smooth as silk in the field and a good hitter too. Those Braves had some really good players. Guy named Aaron and Joe Torre and Eddie Mathews (can not remember when he retired though I sure remember his first game as player-manager with the storm delayed home run to defeat Sandy Koufax for Denny Lemaster.
Jaglawyer
July 20th, 2009
4:27 pm
You have to bet big to win big.
By the way, Wainwright was the much bigger loss in that deal . . . injury issues? Best of my recollection Wainwirght hurt his finger last season, but has been relatively immune to injury. I’m sure some geek will research his medical records and prove otherwise but who believes he isn’t a gamer?
Shamus Thacker
July 20th, 2009
4:28 pm
LOL Wayne in Utah
KennyP
July 20th, 2009
4:29 pm
I kind of thought that blogs were geared towards people with ADD. Sounds like im hitting on a nerve there!
Why all the hate on Kotchman today in the middle of an 11 game hit streak? Esco is playing well and Frenchy is gone, so now we have to hate someone new?
i found paul lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:29 pm
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1623129198&hiq=paul%2Clentz&ref=search
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
Paul Lentz,
We get it. The Braves got shafted in the Tex deal, who cares? The real issue with the Braves is tonight, facing the wild card leader, hoping to rebound from the sweep earlier this year in SF. If we take at least 3/4, I think the Braves will be feeling real good about themselves and poised to return the playoffs this year.
Efrim
July 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
“In fact, though, some Jurrjens’ stats ARE worrisome, LOL. Just not panic-some.”
He worries me. But I TRY not to be worried about it because he has still been pretty darn good(and people here will yell at me if I say that Jurrjens hasn’t been PHENOMENAL, like his 2.77 ERA indicates). That said, I’d like to see some more strikeouts and a little less walks. He’s been a bit Matt Cain-ish this year. Very good. But not very great.
RHR
July 20th, 2009
4:31 pm
While you may have read a past posting of mine that detailed my take on the Tex trade…………..a number of people on here may not have.
You have to realize that not every reads these blogs every single day. Kind of like when ESPN runs back-to-back-to-back episodes of Sportscenter. You may think, damn I just got done watching that. However, others may have missed it.
Ha. Wow.
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:31 pm
Jaglawyer……..In hindsight, the JD Drew trade wasnt one of Schuerholtz’s better trades. While Adam Wainwright will probably have a nice career………Jason Marquis was harder to foresee. Until this year, he has pretty much been a pitcher who gave up a lot of runs, yet was the beneficiary of good run support.
Regardless, John Schuerholtz is not different than players who go through slumps. Schuerholtz got the best of SO MANY TRADES that he deserved a “pass” when he made a bad trade. Not every trade was going to pan out He rolled the dice on acquiring JD Drew. He gave ended up giving up too much. Still he did get value from Drew (even if it was for only one year).
Schuerholtz made a number of great trades. The few he made that werent great, you have to chalk up to the man being a “human”. Just like when Chipper and McCann go through stretches where they dont deliver in the clutch and go through slumps…………in the whole scheme of things, I focus more on the fact that Chipper and McCann are GREAT players who will produce over the long haul.
Frank Wren has shown that he has the makings of a GREAT GM.
Wayne in Utah
July 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
Rodney
Unfortunately, Eddie Mathews only got to play 1 season in Atlanta, before he was dealt to the Astros after the 1966 season. Sad that he passed away at such an early age back in 2001.
Rico’s name was Ricardo Aldolpho Jacobo Carty. Love it!
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
My error, we lost 3/4, we didn’t get swept in SF. There, AJC auditors.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
I don’t read the “Novel posts” either…too long = too boring!…unless its written by DOB or CR…And I also enjoy several regular bloggers on this site…
Let’s Go Bravos…Big series here against SF…
Epinephrine
July 20th, 2009
4:32 pm
I don’t know why people are afraid of Sanchez. He threw a no hitter, but before that he was basically forced out of the rotation. And he did it against the Padres, which are by far and away the most pathetic offense in the major leagues–even more pathetic than the Mets (due to the fact that Adrian Gonzales has been pretty shaky the last few months. Despite the no hitter, he has a 4.59 ERA. We should beat him.
Efrim
July 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Anyone think this team might be better served if they just add another bullpen arm at the deadline? I know they need offense(really, I do), but is it realistic to expect Wren to obtain an impact slugger who doesn’t cost much at all, yet would also cost prospects that we really can’t give up?
TurnThePage
July 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Mrs. Rogers, Barbaro Canizares was up earlier this year. He hit the ball reasonably well and didn’t kill them in the field. No one would argue that Casey Kotchman is a fine defensive first baseman but he’s about as much a threat to do damage at the bat as Rafael Belliard was in his Atlanta days. In fact, they are about the same type player. Great defense, extremely light hitting. Problem is most major league teams are willing to accept light hitting from a shortstop as a trade off for defense but not so much from a first baseman.
Jersey Gil
July 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Rodney Derrick …I remember a Game in 1974-or 1975 that Joe Torre hit to Record 4 double play and in the Interview he said that he Thanks Feliz Millan for that…Felix Hit four Hit in that Game batting i think in front of Joe.
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
That said, I’d like to see some more strikeouts and a little less walks. He’s been a bit Matt Cain-ish this year. Very good. But not very great.
Well put. His strand rate is a bit high, too. Low BABIP. That ERA will probably go up. I wouldn’t expect to see him end up any higher than 3.15-3.25 though, which would still be outstanding for a 23-year old.
chc4
July 20th, 2009
4:33 pm
Kotch is a great fielder but his range is very limited. He gobbles up everything in a small area but has far less range than most 1Bs.
Heath (Cleveland)
July 20th, 2009
4:34 pm
Epinephrine -
I’m not afraid of Sanchez. I think we perform very well against him tonight.
Duke
July 20th, 2009
4:35 pm
Sure would be nice to have some power at 2B like a Brandon Phillips and slide Prado over to 1B.
ncscoots
July 20th, 2009
4:36 pm
But does Wainwright really impress you as a top-of-the-rotation guy? If the Braves had traded a true stud, CY-caliber, perennial All-Star for Drew, then I’d probably be banging on the trade, too. Wainwright, on the other hand, seems interchangeable with any number of good, solid pitchers. Not irreplaceable.
Efrim
July 20th, 2009
4:37 pm
“Well put. His strand rate is a bit high, too. Low BABIP. That ERA will probably go up. I wouldn’t expect to see him end up any higher than 3.15-3.25 though, which would still be outstanding for a 23-year old.”
Steve from OH, yup. Jurrjens and Hanson both under our control for a while. A very good thing.
And to my point about adding another pen arm, as long as it wouldn’t cost Freeman, Schafer or Heyward, I’d like to get a guy like Chad Qualls who could also be with us next year.
TnBrian
July 20th, 2009
4:38 pm
TurnThePage, I don’t think Carrol is gonna respond to you… she’s too busy…(sniff).
Brian Kenny
July 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
This just in to SportsCenter…
Paul Lentz has posted another comment.
Leo Mazzone
July 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS:
Unless you are DOB, please stop with the mile-long posts. If you want to write a synopsis or short-story, I think the AJC hiring. There, I said it.
Jaglawyer
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
ncscoots:
Wainwright is most definitely a top of the rotation type pitcher. Are you serious?
Roy Hobbs
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Paul Lentz, I hope we are both posting here in a couple years. I think Neftali Feliz and Elvis Andrus will make every one of us regret that trade. Anything Harrison and Salty do will simply be salt in the wound.
Its easy to recover from bad trades if you have an unlimited payroll. Its to bad the Braves no longer fall in that category.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Brian Kenny
July 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
This just in to SportsCenter…
Paul Lentz has posted another comment.
LOL
Paul Lentz
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
Roy Hobbs………..I took into account the age of Elvis Andrus and the potential trade value of Andrus and Perez if we kept them. However again, you have to factor in the performance that Texeria gave us the year he was with us. It wasnt his fault that we couldnt make a run to the 2007 play-offs. Chipper and Smoltz getting hurt played a huge factor.
None of those guys that we traded for Tex have shown me that I will come to regret Schuerholtz making that trade.
However, let’s take a look at a trade that happened after the 2007 season that shows one team having regret making the trade. Detroit trading Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez to the Braves for Edgar Renteria. Jurrjens has ALREADY provided MORE DIVIDENDS from that trade to the Braves…….then all 5 of those prospects have provided for the Rangers combined. Pus, Frank Wren was able to parlay Gorkys Hernandez along with Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke into acquiring Nate McLouth, who has helped solidy CF while providing offense in the lead off position.
So if you want to look at it this way……..Frank Wren was able to acquire Jair Jurrgens and Nate McLouth for Edgar Renteria, Charlie Morton, and Jeff Locke (you cant include Hernandez because the Braves did not originally have him before the first trade was made). Renteria is no longer with Detroit.
fleming
July 20th, 2009
4:40 pm
No one would argue that Casey Kotchman is a fine defensive first baseman but he’s about as much a threat to do damage at the bat as Rafael Belliard was in his Atlanta days.
Wrong. You do remember Rafael playing don’t you. Kotchman, though not great and injured a lot this year still fits in the top 50% of Major League hitters in both avg and OBP. Not that I think he’s great or anything but he isn’t nearly as bad offensively as some want to portray. His biggest downfall is lack of HR power but to be fair he hasn’t really had a chance to get into much rhythm due to the missed time.
Salamander
July 20th, 2009
4:41 pm
(join most of us in just disregarding some screen names, you will be happy you did!)
The man speaks the truth. Certain people should just be scrolled over without consideration, and if you do happen to read some of their post, its best to avoid the temptation of starting an argument.
Sometimes that person will relax and become ‘readable’ again, but often this is not the case. There are about 5-7 regular posters that I ignore 95% of the time… some of the names would probably surprise, some of the names would be obvious.
Shamus Thacker
July 20th, 2009
4:41 pm
“”who the heck reads those 9 paragraph posts anyway”"
Depends on who wrote em.
I’m sure many of my posts are read past the first paragraph by the proof-reader (me) and nobody else.
I don’t blame ya. lol
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
Ha. Wow.
Makes ya giggle a little bit, don’t it?
ncscoots
July 20th, 2009
4:43 pm
Wainwright is most definitely a top of the rotation type pitcher. Are you serious?
Guess it depends on your definition, son. Maybe you could compare him to someone, so that I can get a read on who you consider front-line.
Steve from OH
July 20th, 2009
4:44 pm
Can we stop calling Neftali Feliz “Perez,” people?
Curtis Jones
July 20th, 2009
4:44 pm
1. To all the Kotchman defenders here. Come on. Let’s say it’s late in the game. Braves batting. One out, down by one run. Kotchman singles (seeing eye grounder past an out-of-position second baseman). What good does it do? You HAVE to pinch-run for him. So if you do tie the game, you lose his amazing defense for the rest of the game.
And, thank you Horner’s Corner at 4:16 pm. Most of those first basemen you mentioned are far better hitters, equal defenders, and damn sure better baserunners.
2. For those of you who are still high after winning 3 of 4 from the Mets, here’s a wake up call. They’re the 2009 Mets. The roster is a joke. We should have swept, but well, there’s the Cox factor. And bragging on Church/McLouth getting six walks? Folks: did you notice who was pitching out there? Aunt Betty could have drawn six walks.
3. Reality check: The Braves are .500, barely in the race in July. This despite a first-rate pitching staff that didn’t exist last year. If you’re happy with that, you should work for Liberty Media, because they’re apparently OK with it too.
Rodney Derrick
July 20th, 2009
4:44 pm
Wayne– While Eddie did not get to play here a long time for the Braves, he did play for the Crackers in the early 50s. I saw him hit that homer over the magnolia tree in center at Ponce. But my favorite with the Crackers was Chuck Tanner with his ability to scale the right field wall. I remembered being so excited when he homered in his first at bat with the Braves when they called him up. He became a real good manager too.
Heath (Cleveland)
July 20th, 2009
4:44 pm
OK, change of pace. Who thinks Pujols actually completes the triple crown?
Baba O'Riley
July 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
scoots- jaglawyer says he is from the same hometown (brunswick) as AW, so he has some bias. I think AW is a solid #2. The only connection I have to AW is….his ex-stepmom’s mother was my next door neighbor growing up in VIDALIA!
chilidog75
July 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
I think it’s easy for us to judge trades FIVE years after the fact.
But you have to look at context — the Braves don’t sniff the playoffs in 2004 without J.D. Drew. Was it good for the franchise to trade Wainwright for basically one year of Drew? Well, no. Because, looking back, we now know that Wainwright is a viable No. 2 or No. 3 Major League starter and Drew left after 500 or so at-bats. But that’s hindsight for ya. At the time, the trade DID continue the Braves’ division championship streak, which was sort of a big deal.
RHR
July 20th, 2009
4:47 pm
Not just a little bit, Steve. I mean…wow.
Efrim
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
“Can we stop calling Neftali Feliz “Perez,” people?”
Amen to that. I have never seen a prospect’s last name been screwed up so much.
zookey
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
Come on Paul,now you are comparing yourself to ESPN reruns….
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
Don’t mess with the lineup too much! Leave it be. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And over the last week, it ain’t broke.
Interested Observer
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
Carroll: With all due respect, I don’t think we can assume that Yunel’s not swinging on the hit and run cost the Braves a baserunner. Hernandez was thrown out by a rather large margin on a pitch that was already a difficult one for a catcher to throw on. I don’t think a feeble swing attempt by Yunel would have made much of a difference. He may have fouled it off but that cannot be assumed either especially on a pitch that was that far inside.
Efrim
July 20th, 2009
4:49 pm
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2009-mlb-trade-value-5-1
Eva is #1!
I mean, Evan.
Rodney Derrick
July 20th, 2009
4:49 pm
For science fiction fans, especially cabravesfan, tonight begins the five night in a row season of “Torchwood” on BBCAmerica.
Original Jon
July 20th, 2009
4:50 pm
ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS:
Unless you are actually Leo Mazzone, stop posting as him.
Thank you.
I Appreciate
July 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
Paul Lentz posts.
"Paul Lentz"
July 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
How you have felt, oh men of Atlanta, at hearing the speeches of my accusers, I cannot tell; but I know that their persuasive words almost made me forget who I was – such was the effect of them; and yet they have hardly spoken a word of truth. But many as their falsehoods were, there was one of them which quite amazed me; – I mean when they told you to be upon your guard, and not to let yourselves be deceived by the force of my eloquence. They ought to have been ashamed of saying this, because they were sure to be detected as soon as I opened my lips and displayed my deficiency; they certainly did appear to be most shameless in saying this, unless by the force of eloquence they mean the force of truth; for then I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. But in how different a way from theirs!
Well, as I was saying, they have hardly uttered a word, or not more than a word, of truth; but you shall hear from me the whole truth: not, however, delivered after their manner, in a set oration duly ornamented with words and phrases. No indeed! but I shall use the words and arguments which occur to me at the moment; for I am certain that this is right, and that at my time of life I ought not to be appearing before you, O men of Atlanta, in the character of a juvenile orator – let no one expect this of me.
And I must beg of you to grant me one favor, which is this – If you hear me using the same words in my defence which I have been in the habit of using, and which most of you may have heard in the agora, and at the tables of the money-changers, or anywhere else, I would ask you not to be surprised at this, and not to interrupt me. For I am more than seventy years of age, and this is the first time that I have ever appeared in a court of law, and I am quite a stranger to the ways of the place; and therefore I would have you regard me as if I were really a stranger, whom you would excuse if he spoke in his native tongue, and after the fashion of his country; – that I think is not an unfair request. Never mind the manner, which may or may not be good; but think only of the justice of my cause, and give heed to that: let the judge decide justly and the speaker speak truly. And first, I have to reply to the older charges and to my first accusers, and then I will go to the later ones.
For I have had many accusers,who accused me of old, and their false charges have continued during many years; and I am more afraid of them than of willieg and his associates, who are dangerous, too, in their own way. But far more dangerous are these, who began when you were children, and took possession of your minds with their falsehoods, telling of one Mark Lemke, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath, and made the worse appear the better cause. These are the accusers whom I dread; for they are the circulators of this rumor, and their hearers are too apt to fancy that speculators of this sort do not believe in the gods. And they are many, and their charges against me are of ancient date, and they made them in days when you were impressible – in childhood, or perhaps in youth – and the cause when heard went by default, for there was none to answer. And, hardest of all,their names I do not know and cannot tell; unless in the chance of a comic poet.
But the main body of these slanderers who from envy and malice have wrought upon you – and there are some of them who are convinced themselves,and impart their convictions to others – all these, I say, are most difficult to deal with; for I cannot have them up here, and examine them, and therefore I must simply fight with shadows in my own defence, and examine when there is no one who answers. I will ask you then to assume with me, as I was saying,that my opponents are of two kinds – one recent, the other ancient; and I hope that you will see the propriety of my answering the latter first, for these accusations you heard long before the others, and much oftener. Well, then, I will make my defence, and I will endeavor in the short time which is allowed to do away with this evil opinion of me which you have held for such a long time; and I hope I may succeed, if this be well for you and me, and that my words may find favor with you. But I know that to accomplish this is not easy – I quite see the nature of the task. Let the event be as God wills: in obedience to the law I make my defence.
I will begin at the beginning, and ask what the accusation is which has given rise to this slander of me, and which has encouraged nolie to proceed against me. What do the slanderers say? They shall be my prosecutors, and I will sum up their words in an affidavit. “RHR is an evil-doer, and a curious person, who searches into things under the earth and in heaven, and he makes the worse appear the better cause; and he teaches the aforesaid doctrines to others.” That is the nature of the accusation, and that is what you have seen yourselves in the comedy of Snitker; who has introduced a man whom he calls Marquis Grissom, going about and saying that he can walk in the air, and talking a deal of nonsense concerning matters of which I do not pretend to know either much or little – not that I mean to say anything disparaging of anyone who is a student of natural philosophy. I should be very sorry if Bobby could lay that to my charge.
The Bird and Indian
July 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
Curtis Jones: Oh great another negative prick on here. Wait did you just say we were barely in the race? Oh I didn’t know that 7 back in the division and 4.5 back in the wild card with 70 games to play was barely in the race. Casey Kotchman is easily in the top 5 fielding 1st basemen if not the best. Nobody is happy about 500. ball but at the same time we realize it was worse than that a month ago and we are one of the hotter teams in baseball.