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
2,171 comments Add your comment
kdbanks
July 22nd, 2009
10:43 am
DOB, How is Kotchman able to make so many good plays while being hindered by his equipment? It must be hard fielding balls while carrying a gold-plated mitt.
PWHjort
July 22nd, 2009
10:45 am
Lew,
I don’t think it matters who you call ace. I think the notion that you need an ace is a stupid one. I’ll even take it a step farther and say I don’t think it matters who you call what number in the rotation. It’s the quality of the rotation of a whole that matters, not these silly labels the media likes to apply. Whether or not Lowe is overpayed is debatable (I’m on record saying we overpayed, which is not to say that HE is overpayed, just that the market was depressed and I feel like we could’ve signed him to a smaller contract had we taken the time to negotiate properly). The point was to scoff at notion of the Ace label, not to demean Lowe. Or anyone. Except Harold Reynolds.
McPoyle
July 22nd, 2009
10:45 am
Last episode of Entourage, Turtle was having a hard time figuring why in “Knocked Up” Katherine Heigl would hook up with Seth Rogan’s character. Now I offer you this, I’m having a hard time with why Sloan would have ever hooked up with E. He’s like 4 inches taller than her, and what does he bring to the table besides a bitchy attitude? C’mon, Sloan is way too fine for his whack ass.
McPoyle
July 22nd, 2009
10:45 am
shorter* i meant
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
10:46 am
i still would be ok with a trade of kotchman and johnson for a power first baseman.
Soph
July 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
McFann, I had to hold my computer speakers to my ears just to make sure I heard him correctly. That was the weirdest highlight ever just because of that sentence.
PWHjort
July 22nd, 2009
10:48 am
DOB,
Seeing as the D-Backs just traded their 2B, would KJ for one of their late-innings guys (Qualls or Rauch) make sense?
monty
July 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
Cubs got 12 innings of great pitching against the Phils they just don’t have much going offensively. They looked pretty inept.(Can’t see them making the playoffs) On the other hand you knew it was just a matter of time playing in that band box that someone would hit one out for the Phils and Werth did.
flange1
July 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
DOB, thanks for the response. I had a feeling that KJ might be on the way out.
Wonder if we could get Juan Cruz from the Royals for KJ?
monty
July 22nd, 2009
10:51 am
BEAT THE FREAK!!
beekay
July 22nd, 2009
10:52 am
Kstan
Thats the #’s of the starting pitchers
BravoMan
July 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
PWHjort,
I too have thought of this. The D-Backs may want a guy who doesn’t make a lot and is under control from the next few years. It’s gonna take more than Kelly to get Qualls considering everyone’s interested in him.
jason
July 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
McFann missed the game but saw BMac’s line. Good game? 2B and a HR.
Epinephrine
July 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
ND, you can expect it all you want-nobody said you had to be rational. But the facts are pretty simple: when your team plays against Lincecum, the odds increase dramatically that you will lose. It gives the Braves a far lower margin of error. Can they win? Of course. He’s just a good pitcher. But the odds are they will lose when they face pitchers like Tiny Tim, Santana, Carpenter, Haren, etc. In those games, the Braves will put fewer balls in play and score fewer runs.
But there isn’t anything wrong with that. What is important is coming through on the games they should win. It makes a world of difference winning the first two games–had the Braves lost one, they would be looking at tonight as a “must win”-ie lose, and you are hoping just to split the series, and oh by the way, the Phils are now 10 games up or whatever. Looking ahead–if we can sneak one by Tim, awesome, but even if that doesn’t happen, still in a great position to take another 4 game series.
TnBrian
July 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
KJ still has value because of his age and he started off fine this year. If he does go for a reliever I hope it isn’t for a mop up kinda guy… I think he’s worth a very good MRP that we’d have for 2010.
kstan
July 22nd, 2009
10:55 am
thx beekay.
BUZZMEAT
July 22nd, 2009
10:55 am
KJ is too streaky for me, Im a fan of Brook Conrad though. But he need to play more before I vote him over Kelly.
ND
July 22nd, 2009
10:58 am
Epinephrine- All I am saying is if the players feel the odds are they are going to lose then they are beaten before the even take the field. Just hoping they don’t have your mindset.
Shamus Thacker
July 22nd, 2009
10:59 am
“”I believe they are going to start showing the first season of Sons of Anarchy on FX soon”"
Does this show by any chance depict a southern family ripped apart by differing philosophies (pulled/sliced) on delicious pit-cooked pork barbecue?
If so, they’re good as sued!
Efrim
July 22nd, 2009
10:59 am
I hate that Kelly Johnson is probably on the block at this point. But he isn’t going to be a regular on this team the rest of the season, and if that’s the case, given his salary, it makes sense to trade him now. They could bring him in and give him a bench/spot starter type role, but then he’ll end up being a non tender at the end of the year, because I doubt the Braves would be willing to pay him 4 million to share time with Prado(and I don’t think he will get another shot there). So trading him for a relief pitcher(clear need for this team in my opinion), makes sense. I don’t like it because I am a big Kelly Johnson fan, but I do understand that they are hitting a crossroads with the guy. Prado is a year younger, cheaper, and is just as productive(or at least is for the time being, I still think Johnson has the higher ceiling).
I’m not sure Arizona would give up Qualls for Johnson. They would probably want an additional piece. But given that both our back end guys are free agents at the end of the year, and Qualls is not a free agent until after 2010, I think that is a guy I would target. He induces ground balls at a high rate, doesn’t walk anyone, misses enough bats. A good target.
McFann ;Ô;
July 22nd, 2009
11:00 am
Soph–
LOL! Yeah, definitely the weirdest ever.
Jason–
You missed the game? Tragic, man, tragic! It was great! Yep, BMac with the RBI double in the first to give the Braves the lead, and then the big 3-run homer in the 4th to seal the deal!
Not to mention he doubled his walk total for the month with those two BB last night.
Ah…just hope they cann keep it going against the Freak tonight…
Steve from OH
July 22nd, 2009
11:02 am
Well Steve, Jurrjens had better bring his “A” game tonight. He is gonna need it.
Gee Coach, I agree, except that wasn’t me. The idiot couldn’t even get my name right. LOL!
jason
July 22nd, 2009
11:03 am
Yeah, doing some last minute shopping for vacation this weekend;Going to Disney World. I saw like 7 on, and nothing was happening. The misses didn’t set it up to record for me. What ya do? She runs the house…
AndyC
July 22nd, 2009
11:03 am
Shamus Thacker
It’s called realistic expectations and besides, if they do beat The Freak then I will be pleasantly surprised.
Tomahawk1310
July 22nd, 2009
11:03 am
DOB
Have you heard any updates to how McLOUTH’s back is doing? Have you talked to him about it and how severe it might be?
Thrillhouse44(not a fan of parenthesis, but a KJ Fan)
July 22nd, 2009
11:06 am
Sadly, Efrim, I agree. It’s a shame that KJ just can’t be consistent enough to warrant starting everyday.
beekay
July 22nd, 2009
11:06 am
I guess this answers my question on our #1 pick
It would seem like [2009 Atlanta Braves first round pick] Mike Minor and [Reds 1st round pick] Mike Leake, at 7 and 8, wouldn’t be tough signs, but things are taking a little longer. My guess is Leake’s camp is waiting to see what Minor signs for and perhaps neither wants to set the “college arm” bar.
First-round info from Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com
This piggybacks on the info that we got last week from Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus who said that some of these guys may already be signed for above slot, but either MLB or the team is holding the deal until just before the deadline. Either way, it certainly seems that his signing will drag out until just before the deadline.
Original Jon
July 22nd, 2009
11:07 am
Hey DOB, I am just saying that tonight will really show what the Braves are made of. I am glad they have been on this awesome run just as much as the next guy, but I want them to win against the great pitchers as well, not just the so so ones.
flange1
July 22nd, 2009
11:08 am
Efrim,
I think Qualls is the guy the Braves should target. The D’backs have always liked KJ.
I like Juan Cruz, but he is on a 1 year deal so FA after the year. Qualls makes sense as long as we don’t have to ante up a big prospect piece.
Lew
July 22nd, 2009
11:09 am
PWH-I see your point.
Tootsie Footsie Ice Cream? A major case of toe trifling. What would Journalist Jimmy Smith say?
Salamander
July 22nd, 2009
11:10 am
Exactly: with Lincecum on the mound it is a given win against the braves. Matter of fact, every time he’s pitched against them, he has won! Pretty amazing for the Freak.
Have you seen the Giants at the plate lately? Jurrjens Isn’t on the same level as Lincecum, but he isn’t exactly chopped liver either. Assuming JJ is on his game tonight (and pitching against Lincecum I bet he his), the Giants might get shut out. It could be a great pitching duel where neither team scores until the 7th inning or so.
The match-up favors the Giants, but they have to get their offense going on the road against a very good pitcher. No small order for either team tonight.
PWHjort
July 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
Heh, RHR.
Rob from SC
July 22nd, 2009
11:11 am
Cruz is not a free agent after this season
Tomahawk1310
July 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
RHR
Please this is not that kind of blog. Go to the Giants or Cubs blog for those kind of questions.
monty
July 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
JJ on the mound, team hitting well up and down the lineup, a key hit here and there,good defense,why not? “You got to Believe!”
Efrim
July 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
Flange1, Qualls is making 2.5 million, so the salaries almost match. Not a fan of Rauch, at all. I like Cruz, but he hasn’t really had a great season and is a free agent after the year ends. Some type of reliever is needed though.
kdbanks
July 22nd, 2009
11:12 am
Anyone remember when Doc Halladay came to town? We won that game. Is “The Freak” better than Doc? I don’t think so. And I do think JJ is better than KK. This should be a good matchup, but the Braves should certainly be favored.
PWHjort
July 22nd, 2009
11:13 am
It’s worth noting that KJ is under team control for a year longer than Qualls. And the same amount of time as Rauch.
McFann ;Ô;
July 22nd, 2009
11:14 am
Lew–
Ha! Yeah, I mean…was this poor guy saving that one for something big, or did it just slip out of his mouth?
Efrim
July 22nd, 2009
11:14 am
Rob in SC, you’re right. He is signed for 3.25 million for next season and has a 4 million dollar club option in 2011. I almost think that makes him less attractive to teams.
Original Jon
July 22nd, 2009
11:16 am
I say it will probably be a pitchers duel into the 7th, score tied at 0-0, the Giants get two men on against Jair and they have to pinch hit for Lincecum. The pinch hitter makes an out and the Braves enter the bottom of the 7th with Lincecum out of the game, we score against their bullpen, our bullpen shuts em down. We win. Lincecum gets no decision and everyone is happy.
At least thats how it happens in my dream. lol.
Epinephrine
July 22nd, 2009
11:16 am
ND–I agree with that. And given how well they are playing, I doubt they expect to lose. One thing in our favor-both Mac and Church hit Lincecum pretty well.
Paul Lentz
July 22nd, 2009
11:17 am
Andrew in P-tang………….If Tom Glavine, had anything left in the tank, why hasnt any team signed him? I know, lol,, I’ve heard about how he “only” wanted to play for Atlanta and no one else, lol. However since Glavine put forth all that rehab time and was “ready” to play, and according to him, he still had something “left in the tank”, and he also said that a few teams contacted him after his release from the Braves………………..one would think that a number of teams desperate for pitching would have signed him.
Yet after few days, not a peep. It’s been over 6 weeks, still no word.
So, while I may not be a Major League scout, I pay attention to “other things”. And those “other things” are telling me that if Tom Glavine were to pitch right now, he would get ROCKED. He’s too old and his arm isnt what it used to be.
I have nothing against him. It was just time for him to go. Nothing more.
Marc
July 22nd, 2009
11:20 am
Every time I read a Fox Sports article I can feel my intelligence diminish a little. They think our pressing need is an outfielder? We have four good ones and really five once Infante comes back. I won’t cry if we trade for Matt Holliday, he could help us as an everyday player, but I don’t think he’d be a “major” upgrade in any way and wouldn’t want us to give up much for him.
I don’t know if we really need anything of significance. Maybe Kotch’s trade value has gone up and with Huddy coming back we can trade Kotch, KJ, and an arm for a big bopper bat at 1B. I wouldn’t complain if we do nothing though. The only way I even see that trade is if we throw in Vasquez to the Brewers for Fielder. They probably need pitching more than any team in contention still and have enough power to compensate for Kotchman.
jacket3
July 22nd, 2009
11:23 am
Dave …..you are absolutely right in your assessments of the bloggers, me included. That said, the Braves are winning because of fundamental baseball. Bunting….stealing…and just putting the ball in play. The long ball helps a whole bunch…but praise on the defense…especially Jones’s bunt plays, Escobar’s arm, Prado scrambling and our first baseman who ever plays that day. Mac seems to really love his position and has made a concerted effort to talk to the pitchers more. Our fielding is solid and the plays are being made now.
The braves do not look like a sandlot team anymore. Maybe they among themselves decided to make a run after hearing all of our embellishments…maybe not…but somewhere I believe someone really reads these blogs and pays attention. Maybe we are has beens and never will bee’s but we do know what it takes to win…and that means everyone plays together as a team.
If the braves do get the wild card and the phillies do not collapse then my memory says it will be the first time the braves have ever made the cut at the end…and with that the BRAVES now remind me of the Marlins run when they took the trophy home and everyone was in disbelief.
Paul Lentz
July 22nd, 2009
11:24 am
Capt Caveman…………..the Chipper quotes from your 4:28am posting were dead on. Since late May, I had been preaching to the blog about how a pitching being able to take a breather by having 4 easy hitters to face every night makes it harder for the 5 productive guys in our order to produce.
I know that it must have been frustrating for the players who were producing to have to endure night after night of Bobby’s guys being given chance after chance to stink up the place.
While most of that is gone, I sill see Greg Norton being given pinch hitting at-bats over Brooks Conrad. I can only imagine how frustrating it was for the other players to see Greg Norton up at the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th against the Mets on Saturday when the score was 2-1.
Shamus Thacker
July 22nd, 2009
11:26 am
This “freak” is just a souped-up geek. I know a real freak when I see one.
philly fan doc
July 22nd, 2009
11:27 am
I really hope you don’t think your going anywhere. We are the best in the League. Period. Timely hitting,Great Defense, Quality Starts from our starters and a top Notch Bullpen. No one can beat us in a 5 to 7 game seies. So don’t get your hopes up to high. It’s not the 90’s anymore Toto.
Tomahawk1310
July 22nd, 2009
11:27 am
Marc
So you’re saying KJ, Kotchman, and Vasquez for Fielder? I wonder if the Brewers would consider it and if we would do it? Thoughts? I might pull the trigger on a deal like this as a Braves fan.
Fran Wren
July 22nd, 2009
11:29 am
Man thank god I didnt listen to you fools this year. We would have Glavine instead of Hanson. Smoltz with his 6 + era would be here.
This team was 18 games under .500 last year. Now they are 2 games over.
THATS A 20 GAME IMPROVEMENT. Im gonna win GM of the year for sure.
owl hunter
July 22nd, 2009
11:29 am
philly fan
I agree you guys are doing well, but to call your bullpen top notch. Eh…
McFann ;Ô;
July 22nd, 2009
11:29 am
jacket3 Mac seems to really love his position and has made a concerted effort to talk to the pitchers more.
He does. He takes great pride in his catching…always works hard to improve. That’s why our pitchers drive me crazy when they allow base-runners to get such big leads.
OK, and I know every player takes pride in his position and wants to do the very best he cann, but does it seem like pitchers, catchers, and maybe shortstops take more pride in it than any one else? I’m prob’ly wrong, and maybe it’s just ’cause I pay closer attention to catchers, but I’ve just sort of gotten that impression.
TnBrian
July 22nd, 2009
11:31 am
I like the KJ for Qualls or Rauch deal. I’d have been bashed for even mentioning that a couple of months ago but that shows how much he’s fallen and how much Prado has risen, then you throw in the fact that Infante will be back soon and it’s a no brainer.
Steve from OH
July 22nd, 2009
11:32 am
Who is Fran Wren and why is she pretending to be a GM?
abby
July 22nd, 2009
11:33 am
Fran Wren:
I’m no genius, but I don’t think we were 18 games under .500 last yeat at THIS point of the season. In the words of Paul Lentz: “You are a MORON.”
JPS
July 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
McFanny
Where do you stand on BMac becoming a first baseman? I just think he will ewear down before his time catching almost every day. I sure would like to have his bat in the lineup for a long time.
SanFranFan
July 22nd, 2009
11:40 am
philly fan: we have the best pitching in the Majors Hands down.
Roman Gal
July 22nd, 2009
11:41 am
where are som pix of you in a Braves gear? nolie
They’re around here somewhere…
beekay
July 22nd, 2009
11:41 am
More draft news…18 of 22 signed!
The Braves may have already agreed to terms with their first round pick, Mike Minor
by gondeee on Jul 17, 2009 4:17 PM EDT in Minor League News 20 comments
From Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein, we get this note that could explain why a lot of first round picks have yet to sign this year, including the Braves first round pick, Mike Minor:
What they might be waiting for is simply a deal that matches last year’s slot, as opposed to the ten percent reductions, which in the cases of Minor and Leake are differences approaching $250,000, not exactly a trivial sum of money. Still it’s enough to create either a situation [where] there is a stalemate between the team and the player, or in many cases, there may already be a deal in place, but Major League Baseball will not recognize it until late in the signing period, for fear of a domino effect of over-slot bonuses, which of course will happen anyway.
Some have called this the “Jason Heyward effect,” referring to the Braves’ first-round pick in 2007, also a year in which the slots were reduced by ten percent. The Braves and Heyward agreed early to a deal for the previous year’s slot, but could not announce the signing until the deadline approached. “It’s monumentally stupid,” said one front-office official. “Everybody talks to each other, everybody knows who is going to sign for what, all this does is hinder a kid’s development.”
I guess every team wants to “pretend” to play by the rules, until they can claim an 11th hour necessity to spend more money. At least that’s the illusion that MLB wants to create. With as close as Minor is supposed to be to the majors, missing half a season is a big deal, so yeah — this is monumentally stupid.
Speaking of Jason Heyward, Goldstein also passes along this note in another column about how hot Heyward is in double-A:
In his first 10 Double-A games, the 19-year-old outfielder is batting .417/.476/.639. He’s suddenly developing at a tremendous pace, and one has to wonder if he’s suddenly in line for a September look, as one of the reasons he stayed with the big league team so long this spring is that manager Bobby Cox just liked watching him play so much.
Yeah, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense for the Braves to see if Heyward can (a) hit major league pitching and (b) help them in any potential playoff run. If he keeps hitting .400, then, yeah, he’ll be up.
Meanwhile, our 2nd pick in this year’s draft (3rd round), David Hale, signed for exact 2009 slot money — $405,000.
The Braves have now signed 18 of their first 22 picks. Along with Minor, 6th round pick Ryan Wooley, 15th round pick Bennett Pickar, and 22nd round pick Ryan Weber remain unsigned.
owl hunter
July 22nd, 2009
11:41 am
Don’t you Philly and SF fans have your own blog? I think you’re lost.
David O'Brien
July 22nd, 2009
11:42 am
Tomahawk: Cox said in the postgame that McLouth could be back in the lineup tonight. It’s not severe.
Rodney Derrick
July 22nd, 2009
11:44 am
DOB– I agree with your and others assessment of Sloan on Entourage. For the last several years she has been clearly the class of all the women on the show as far as her appearance. Of course, for acting skills, the fabulous Carla Gugino making her occasional appearances is the best actress clearly. Fun also to see Jamie Gertz show up on the show as Andrew’s wife. Interestingly, several of the weekly blogs on the show, such as New York Magazine’s version, are bored with Sloan. And everyone is a bit weirded out by Jamie Lynn Sigler with Turtle.
However, the very hottest of the hot was Lizzy Kaplan as Amy Burleigh on the final arc of episodes on True Blood’s first season.
zamboni
July 22nd, 2009
11:48 am
I have a similar problem as McLouth with the back problem. I am on business in Toronto and my back hurts from a crappy bed. But yet I made to the office to learn I don’t know what. Kind of similar to speaking to Escobar in spanish. Really don’t understand much.
Tony Almeida
July 22nd, 2009
11:48 am
8-1 and 11-3, yep hands down.
keylargo
July 22nd, 2009
11:50 am
I cringe every time I hear about trading Kotchman. Now I see people are talking about trading our best Pitcher, KJ who is still a MLB starter in my opinion and Kotchman for Prince Fielder. A health problem waiting to happen. 5′ 9″ and 280 lbs.
Martin Prado is now thought of as GOD on the blog. He has hit .351 with a .936 OPS. Casey Kotchman has hit. 349 with an OPS of .984. Slightly better than GOD. And with way more than slightly good defense and not an error this year.
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
11:50 am
Does anybody else find it irritating to listen to the commentators on radio stations. I heard this morning on my XM radio the announcers stated that the Phillies had the division and the Braves were just a possible wildcard team. They stated that the braves were 8 back in the loss column.
What I find interesting is that there are 68 games left in the season. This is an eternity!!
Do you realize how fast an injury can take place and your team go in the tank.
I do believe that being just 6 and half games back in our division and less than that in the wild card race that the Braves are in a race. But there is a lottttttt of baseball left before people can start saying that they have won the division. Now if your 20 games up on someone then start running your mouth but one sweep of the phillies and your right there.
keylargo
July 22nd, 2009
11:52 am
Prado and Kotchman numbers are for July.
Original Jon
July 22nd, 2009
11:52 am
Those of you thinking we can trade KJ for Qualls are completely dreaming. They want prospects for him, not an inconsistent 2nd baseman.
Tomahawk1310
July 22nd, 2009
11:52 am
Thanks DOB
Heading your way from Chicago for Thursday’s day game in about an hour and would like to see McLOUTH and Chipper in the line-up. Hopefully going for the sweep but I know we have a tough one tonight, but the way we’ve been playing and the way everyone in the dugout seems to be upbeat and ready to make a run I think we could pull out a win tonight. Hey lets not forget we have our ace going for us tonight as well.
fifthbusiness
July 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
hey all you music buffs. Asheville, NC has Bele Chere this weekend. Its loaded with great music for three days and its all free. Great way to spend the weekend if you are in the area.
http://belecherefestival.com/
Lew
July 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
Tomahawk1310-The Brewers would be damned fools to do that deal. First of all, it’s hardly equitable from their point of view and while Vazquez would boost their rotation, the loss of Fielder from their lineup would negate any benefit whatsoever. It would, in effect, take them out of the race for their division AND the Wild Card.
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
kotchman is hitting 281 with only 4 homers and 35 RBI’s. His numbers are just marginal.
Wayne in Utah
July 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
Could the Braves be interested in LaRoche?
jeffrey d
July 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
Good news, Braves fans…check out this headline:
AirTran posts profit
Hopefully this means they’ll pony up some money for a new commercial and we won’t have to see “How bout foosball?” 32849237489 times a game.
Andy K.
July 22nd, 2009
11:59 am
MLBTR says Adam LaRoche could be traded soon. How about KJ, Kotchman, Reyes for LaRoche and cash? Or a reliever? LaRoche gives the guys a familiar face, so it’s not like the team is broken up, and a power bat to play with. We’ll miss Kotch’s defense, of course, but it would be worth it in the long run…If he’s on, Laroche is the kind of guy who can help push us over the top.
McLouth-CF
Prado-2B
Jones-3B
McCann-C
Escobar-SS
LaRoche-1B
Anderson-LF
Church-RF
Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty
July 22nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Its been fun to watch the Braves again…playing very well…Prado has really energized the line-up and I think Escobar in the 5-6 hole is great! Could not be happier about the way they are playing right now!
Andy K.
July 22nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Could Roachie be coming home? He was pulled from today’s lineup…
Original Diamondbacks GM
July 22nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Yeah, we don’t want no Kelly Johnson. Despite numerous reports that we’re high on him and just traded away our 2nd baseman, we don’t want him. You’re dreaming if you think so. Listen to what Original Jon said. He’s my cousin.
Super Mac
July 22nd, 2009
12:00 pm
LaRoche traded.
Efrim
July 22nd, 2009
12:01 pm
According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Dejan Kovacevic, there is reason to believe first baseman Adam LaRoche has been traded.
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/archive/2009/07/22/adam-laroche-trade-close.aspx
I think the Red Sox were interested in him, per Buster Olney.
monty
July 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
Interesting that a Phillie fan checked onto our blog. I can’t really believe for a second that if I was sure my team had the division wrapped up that I would be checking into the 2nd place team’s blog. There can only be one explanation: The Phillies are winning but they can’t sew this thing up because the Braves refuse to lose!
Bravesfan1984
July 22nd, 2009
12:02 pm
just hearing laroche has been traded…hopefully not to atlanta
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
12:03 pm
laroache would be a great to be back in atlanta. We could have some power back at first base.
Paul Lentz
July 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
Capt Caveman…………you 6:55am posting was “a lot” to process. If “some” of what your “sources” say come true, then I feel that I will have been vindicated concerning a number of things.
I love Escobar being moved to the bottom of the order. I proposed that months ago.
Norton being released…..enough said.
At this point, Paul Konerko would be the only one of the tandem of Dye, Holliday, and Konerko that I would want the Braves to go after. While Kotchman is playing good defense for the Braves, Konerko simply has too much power to ignore. If the Braves were to acquire Konerko, I assume that Kotchman would be included in any package going to the White Sox. My only concern would be who else we would have to give up. If the right deal can be done without giving up too much, I can see Frank Wren trying to acquire Paul Konerko. Having him bat clean-up, in between Chipper and McCann……..would be freaking GREAT, lol.
The big issue here is would Braves management be willing to add additional payroll? We’d have to pay Konerko the prorated portion of his $12 mil salary (approximately $5.03 mil if the trade was made today), whereas we would still be paying Kotchman the prorated portion of his $2.885 mil salary (approximately $1.21 mil if the trade was made today). The Braves would be adding about $3.8 mil to this year’s payroll (unless they gave up other Major League players in the trade). This gives Frank Wren a lot to ponder
I’m not sure that I would want to see our outfield broken up. Right now, Bobby has flexibility in the guys we have out there. It will only get better when Infante comes back (he can play both infield and outfield). I just dont see Frank Wren trading for an outfielder at this point. I could be wrong.
I can only “dream” about your source being correct about Tim Hudson being moved to pitch in short relief when he comes back. I’ve said enough as to how I feel about that. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Finally, I will agree about the unpredictibility of Frank Wren. You cant accuse the man of being lazy or not being creative.
Original Jon
July 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
Yeah, just because a team is high on a player doesnt mean they will trade their best reliever for only said player, what a dolt you are to believe that.
Kieran: Long Island Braves Fan
July 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
In the spirit of Alice and Chains, it should be:
“BLEED THE FREAK”
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
your looking at a guy who bats over 300 almost every second half and hits about 25 homers a year.
MFin04
July 22nd, 2009
12:05 pm
Some of you don’t notice WHEN Kotchman gets hits. He consistently leaves men on base. That’s why people want a new first baseman. He hits for a good average and plays great defense, but he never seems to get the big hit to drive in a run or multiple runs. (Similar to Loaf, although he seems to be slowly coming around). Kotchman left 4 men on base last night. He gets a key two out hit and the Braves score 2 to 3 more runs last night.
Efrim
July 22nd, 2009
12:06 pm
Laroche has a 329 OBP and a 441 SLG and his 2009 contract was for 7 million. Anyone really think that is an upgrade? Please.
Sounds like he was dealt to San Fran. We might see him in ATL tomorrow.
Andy K.
July 22nd, 2009
12:07 pm
I mean, even though he has stellar D, I’d take LaRoche over Kotch any day, because of the thump in the bat, and right now, thats what we need. i mean, roachie isn’t great at 1B, but he’s not bad.
Shamus Thacker
July 22nd, 2009
12:08 pm
Here’s a link to an SI piece on best/worst fielders in baseball.
Though McLouth won GG, they say he was the worst CF in majors last year. Also mentioned are Chipper and B-Mac at their respective positions. They list Elvis Andrus as the best fielding SS in the AL.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/cliff_corcoran/07/21/gold.glovers/index.html
Richie
July 22nd, 2009
12:08 pm
The Pittsburgh newspapers are saying LaRoche has been traded. They haven’t said to what team though
monty
July 22nd, 2009
12:09 pm
Laroche not coming here, bank on it, or FW isn’t as clever as I think he is. Read the blogs in the Pittsburgh papers, they want Adam gone like most Brave’s fans wanted Frenchy gone.(yesterday)
keylargo
July 22nd, 2009
12:10 pm
Norris do you read the BLOG – the part that DOB writes? Those numbers for July were taken directly from his story. My point was that Kotchman has contributed more than Prado this month offensively and MORE defensively.
Prado continues to sizzle, batting .351 with 10 extra-base hits and a .936 OPS in 17 July games. Casey Kotchman has hit .349 with a .984 OPS in July DOB
McFann ;Ô;
July 22nd, 2009
12:10 pm
OK, apparently my last post didn’t go through.
JPS–
Eh, I’m not in favor of that move, at least not now. I cann see him being moved to play some first later on in his career, though…like Johnny Bench did.
I’ll tell you this–I’d rather him be moved to first later on than see him go to the AL to DH. Although I don’t see him ever becoming a DH. I think he’s a Brave for life.
PS–The name’s McFann. No “y”.
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
kotchmans obp is 352 and slg percentage is 396.
so obp is not much different but slg percentage is much better for laroache.
and thats what we want.
NORRIS
July 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
kotchmans obp is 352 and slg percentage is 396.
so obp is not much different but slg percentage is much better for laroache.
and thats what we want.
jeffrey d
July 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
Some of you don’t notice WHEN Kotchman gets hits. He consistently leaves men on base.
Kotch is hitting .316 with runners on. I’d like a lot more power from a 1B, but Kotchman is pretty consistant. He’s just so slow and boring.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7293/situational;_ylt=Agkv_ZN9HMfYsiIEtUqAxRKFCLcF?year=2009&type=Batting
TurnThePage
July 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
I’m with Efrim. LaRoche would not be an upgrade. As far as average goes, Casey Kotchman is hitting for a higher average than LaRoche. I’m not a huge fan of Kotchman from an offensive perspective but neither am I clammoring to bring back LaRoche. I don’t even know if any moves are going to made at this point. The Braves are playing good baseball and even Chipper Jones said they are playing for 2010 and beyond. Don’t mess up the chemistry while they are playing good!
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
July 22nd, 2009
12:12 pm
I would prefer to see KJ traded for another bat such as Willingham or even Andruw. Either could platoon in leftfield with Anderson.