Chipper and Church rest, plus the Lowe-down

(more...)

2,867 comments Add your comment

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
12:53 am

Brad Komminsk was supposed to project out too, but see what he was.

Great argument! You’re forgetting that every player in the bigs was a minor league prospect at some point. It’s real easy to pull out a Komminsk-type player in support of your argument, but in reality, it’s a terrible way to build a ballclub.

Doc Holiday

July 28th, 2009
12:53 am

Im lost here………..

Why exactly do we have to trade for help?
Team is clicking pretty well, even KJ is hot. Infante and Huddie about to come back………..
Norton about to be released………….
Bullpen about to become stronger (either huddie or KK)………..
We are scoring tons of runs and suppressing offenses………….so what is all this trade stuff?

Bing Infante + Huddie + Conrad

Send Diory down and release Norton

And enjoy the playoffs!!!!!!!!!

Ron in mobile

July 28th, 2009
12:53 am

Has everyone seen the #1 story on the ajc website. Thats one of those terribly horrible stories that you cant look away from

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
12:54 am

I can give you more specs from the Braves, Mel Nieves, tony Tarasco, How bout Ron Wright, that guy could kill a baseball, but…….

braves fan lmh

July 28th, 2009
12:55 am

The one point I will agree with Joebrave on is if you can get an impact bat or an impact releiver without blowing up the team or damaging the future by trading a minor leaguer that is untouchable or should be considered untouchable. Then you make the deal if it is from a position of strength.

Wayne in Utah

July 28th, 2009
12:55 am

Joe

McLouth is not my idea of a long term CF’er. He is going to eventually have to move to a corner, as he doesn’t have exceptional range.

Schafer might not be all we were led to believe, but if we send him packing and he turns into another Grady Sizemore type CF’er, we are going to rue the day we dealt him.

Let’s give the dude one more shot, after making sure his wrist and experience were not the issues this year.

Later folks.

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
12:55 am

Shafer at this point is just what he is, a Prospect that may or may not pan out in the Bigs.

owl hunter

July 28th, 2009
12:56 am

Schafer and Medlen are young, talented CHEAP players who we can’t give up on yet, especially for guys like Konerko who sucks outside of Chicago. It doesn’t matter anyway, because these trades won’t happen. We’ll pick up some sort of reliever before September and that’s it.

braves fan lmh

July 28th, 2009
12:56 am

nolie,

you said that you don’t see medlin projecting to be a #3 starter why?

Andrew in P-tang

July 28th, 2009
12:56 am

I love casey’s glove work at first,but that is the only position that i think could use a serious offensive upgrade. I just dont see the Braves pulling off another deal though. Also what do you guys think the Braves will do with Hudson and Javy this offseason? Both have the same options. Will the Braves only pick up one or can they take both? With hudson and Javy in the same rotation next year along with Jurrjens,Lowe,and Hanson that is a nasty rotation. Maybe we could trade Kawakami and then be able to pick up both options,if not do the Braves pick Javy over Hudson? Man we could use a big bat at first.

fastasballs

July 28th, 2009
12:56 am

I long for the day Schafer is back in CF & leading off the game. If he bounces back from this wrist injury he is the center fielder of the future. McLouth will move to left & some guy named Heyward will be in right. All have plus arms, good range etc. That will be a great defensive outfield in the future.

The Braves need a lead off hitter. They have not had a good one since Furcal left. One thing all the teams during the streak had & that was a lead off hitter, someone to set the table. Schafer can be that guy. If he bounces back & can take that role next year McLouth can move down in the order & then the NL East teams have a real mess on their hands.

SoWeGa Fanatic

July 28th, 2009
12:56 am

Anders, we will trade you Paul Dentz for Frenchy, and we’ll throw in Chipper and Escobar if you will just take Dentz!

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
12:57 am

Ok…Tommy Hanson, Brian McCann, Evan Longoria, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Roy Halladay, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, David Wright, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester…shall I go on?

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
12:57 am

Deal Wayne let’s see in say september, and if he is still the second coming of Brent Lillibridge deal him ,

Doc Holiday

July 28th, 2009
12:58 am

Joe,

I think the pirates have pretty good scouts, maybe even as good as those of the braves………what they lack of is $$$$$$$.

Heath

July 28th, 2009
12:58 am

To get to 90 wins:

For East
PHI: 33-32 (.508)
ATL: 39-24 (.619)

For WC
COL: 36-27 (.571)
SFO: 37-26 (.587)
STL: 36-24 (.600)

For now I’ll keep using the 90-win plateau as an unofficial measuring stick for the teams with which ATL is competing for a playoff spot (both NL East and WC). With each passing day, it looks more and more like the Phillies would have to just fall flat on their faces and then some to lose the division. Could it happen? Yes, I suppose. Now that the Phillies basically only have to go .500 for the rest of the season to pretty much guarantee that the get into the post season, it is hard to imagine the Braves passing them, no matter how they perform in head-to-head games.

As for the WC, it’s a lot to ask ALL of the current WC teams to get to 90 wins, giving the Braves a pretty good chance. Why is 90 wins even a stretch? The team with the WC lead is only at .545 so far and would have to play even better than they have all year…and of course everyone else is near or above .600 to get to 90 wins. While I am not giving up on the division, I am really resigned to following the the WC more closely. Even the “ODDS” are starting to tilt more in favor of the WC for the Braves too:

Div: 14.6%
WC: 9.8:
Play-offs: 24.4%

(Odds were 3-1 in favor of division only a couple of weeks ago. Now, now only 3-2.)

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
12:59 am

David Wright? Gagging damn Steve did you have to go there??

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
1:00 am

Steve for every one of those types you named there are hundreds that fail, and brother I know firsthand.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
1:00 am

Winston,

Nice thought: death penalty v. twitter. I try to respect a good, outside-the-box idea. That one’s a keeper.

nolie,

so, you’re saying, can’t teach a 70-year-old, new, “third-order” tricks? I mean, I try to follow this stuff (I could hang with Shaun’s stuff), but “third-order?” Seriously? Dr. Steve, I believe the correlation, but my feeble mind doesn’t want to follow. It just keeps chanting “Anders is a douche-bag.”

Shamus,

It was hard for me to comprehend you posting serious stuff, even though it was on point. In the future, please maintain your always-for-the-laugh appoach; ’tis easier on my undersized brain. And, the ‘cue…every post should include the ‘cue; your thoughts on the crap that is served in California (I know you aren’t in CA, but use your imagination)?

uga, too infrequent? I’m here all-day, every-day. I’m Paul Lentz. The only difference is I’ve got a plus-70 IQ.

And, Anders, I begrudgingly admit that I’ve been reading your stuff lately. I can’t tell if it’s because this forum is declining, you’re improving, or I’m just an imbecile, but regardless, I appreciate you toning it down. Of course, as I type this drivel, it occurs to me that you’ve done so solely because your squad is disintegrating. So, I guess I’m saying, if the Mets lose 100 games, for as long as my sure-to-be-cirrhotic liver allows me to see, you and me are good (and, you’re still a douche-bag).

braves fan lmh

July 28th, 2009
1:00 am

If the braves don’t make a deal before the deadline, i wonder if the braves will opt for a waiver deal in august for a reliever like david weathers, or a reliever of his pedigree?

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:02 am

Oh, certainly a lot don’t pan out, but that’s what scouts are for, right? And the Braves have resisted trading Schafer before, and for good reason IMO. I think the kid’s got a real bright future.

And, I think the only thing that he and Littlebridge have in common is that they both look like they’re 12.

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
1:02 am

Yes they do Doc but scouts with an eye for other teams talent see Bay, Nady,Perez, and most of the Pittsburgh (Yankees). but as far as homegrown none since the glory days aside from Wilson, and Sanchez

Wayne in Utah

July 28th, 2009
1:03 am

lmh

I don’t think anybody on here would disagree with ya on that. If we can get that arm or bat without ripping apart the team, do it.

Sometimes we just end up trading some what-if’s for somebody else’s what-if’s. Sherrill or Qualls, I am all for. Saito or Baez or Mahay, no thanks.

I don’t think Toronto is going to let Lind go for anything less than a top 5 prospect. They don’t need our left overs (JoJo, BJones, Acosta, etc.)

G’nite.

(dang Joe, your so much more pleasant when your not going nuts!)

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:04 am

BAS–give me more credit, man! I admitted that it’s all hypothetical, LOL! Gotta take the good with the bad, the drawbacks with the positives, the blue label with the moonshine, my man.

(And I’m not a doctor, brah)

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
1:04 am

Steve we agree to disagree on Shafer, I don’t see the same thing. good night all workin the ATL tomorrow.

Jake W.

July 28th, 2009
1:04 am

owl hunter, Agree with what you said, most of these trades don’t make sense whether it be from our perspective or the other teams. We have made our big trades for the year. If we do something it will probably be small. I think one thing to point out though is that even with me made a trade for that big bat that people want it doesn’t gurantee you a playoff spot. Not when you are the team currently chasing like the Braves are. We did the same thing when we traded for Tex and still could not catch who we were chasing. It’s different for a team like the Phillies who are in the driver’s seat. A trade for Halladay solidifies their chances for a playoff spot and doing something in the playoffs. If we were in their position our thinking would probably be different and we would consider going after that big bat more seriously.

Joebrave

July 28th, 2009
1:05 am

Didn’t have to put up with inept baseball fielding tonite Wayne( WinkWink) just kidding!

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
1:06 am

did someone say blue-label?

gotta run.

braves fan lmh

July 28th, 2009
1:06 am

The reds have a young guy Yonder Alonso who looks like a power hitting young player. I wonder what the reds would want for either him or votto. I know votto is young and looks like a stud hitter but they need outfielders and middle infielders. I wonder if there is a match somewhere between the two teams?

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:06 am

BAS–this is the way I see it:

Anders>>>>>>>Paul Lentz, Unknown, Mfin09, etc. Yes, he is a filthy Met fan, but is capable of coherent, logical discussion–more and more a rarity these days. My brain is feeble, too, but not feeble enough to see Anders as a simple troll…

Heath

July 28th, 2009
1:08 am

Steve from OH -

I sheepishly wonder where I rank then? :neutral:

braves fan lmh

July 28th, 2009
1:09 am

See everyone tommorrow good night all!!

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:09 am

No need, Heath! I’ve made my feelings plain here, so I don’t feel as badly saying it again…

Doc Holiday

July 28th, 2009
1:10 am

Heath,

If braves keep up their current pace………they will win 92 games. I mean, they are playing .652 baseball in july. If this keeps up, they will end up at 92 wins……..not bad, very good chance to get into october baseball, but they need to keep this masterful music playing for 2 more months, and I really think they can, since they are getting 2 very very good players back in no more than 10-12 days.

Texas Nick

July 28th, 2009
1:11 am

Jason Frasor in Toronto looks like a logical choice in a trade.

Heath

July 28th, 2009
1:16 am

Doc -

Playing .652 ball in July is great. No doubt about it. The problem is that a .652 winning percentage is 106 wins over a 162-game season. Are the Braves that good? I’m a positive guy…try to be in every aspect of my life…but, this team, as constructed, is not a 106-win type of team. I suspect the Braves will cool off and be somewhere closer to 86-88 wins. Is that enough? Not for the division. For the WC? Hard to say without knowing for sure.

Heath

July 28th, 2009
1:16 am

Steve -

Not of me. Should I really ask? :neutral:

N8

July 28th, 2009
1:17 am

“I asked him if we might see Heyward up before the end of the year, and he said: “We just let young players play. There are no plans to promote him to AAA or the big leagues, but with our young players, we let them play until they tell us they need to get up here.”” Carroll

I think what is more telling in this statement, is that he didn’t say: “no, we have no intention on him coming up this year”.

I think we see him up in September. In the past 20 or so years, there have been two Braves that were touted as “can’t miss” guys they way Heyward has been. Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones.

Chipper made his debut at age 21 on September 11th, 1993, in the midst of the Braves historic second half surge. Chipper only received a handful of AB’s, and won the LF job in the spring of 94 after Gant did his Evil Knievel impersonation.

Andruw was called up at age 19 (in the middle of a run to the WS – defending the 95 WS title) on August 15th, after starting the year in A-ball and dominating EVERY level along the way up.

Would they “rush” Heyward in 2009? I don’t see why they wouldn’t if they think he’s ready. It’s not like they’ll have to make a “move” to make room for him when rosters expand, and there is no rule that says getting called up in 09, guarantees him a spot on the 2010 25 man roster.

I also don’t think that pennant race will be a factor one way or the other. If they think he can help, and won’t be in over his head, he’ll be up.

Let’s not forget that before Andruw put on his WS “show” for the world to see in Yankee Stadium, that he actually hit .217 with 5 HR and only 13 RBI in 31 games after his August 15th callup. What’s more shocking than him being called up, was the fact that he was put on the playoff roster based on his late season numbers. Nobody would have faulted Cox for leaving him off the 96 playoff roster. Yet, at that moment a star was born.

If Heyward is deemed ready, he’ll be up. If not? Then he won’t. It’s that simple. There will be no rushing him, there will be no holding him back. I’m sure of that.

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:20 am

Heath, you’re all good in my book, LOL! Chances are if I don’t completely lose it on one of your posts, you’re ok. But then again my opinion and a dollar will get you a dollar-menu cheeseburger.

Now, gotta go back and re-read Shamus’ posts and try to find something to pick apart…or that Roman Gal, she’s been ruffling my feathers lately…

8)

Steve from OH

July 28th, 2009
1:22 am

Ah, I’m re-reading your posts and see you said “then” and I thought you said “them.” I can see the source of your confusion, LOL!

Heath

July 28th, 2009
1:32 am

Alright…time for bed. Night all.

THWG

July 28th, 2009
1:48 am

Anyone see the catch during the Pittsburgh game? One of the best I’ve seen in awhile.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
2:28 am

WTF, nobody here, my post deleted…don’t leave this blog to me alone; I’ll turn into that dude homer…

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
2:28 am

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
2:29 am

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
2:30 am

Where McCarver at?

Love that dude (this makes me a numbletard; I’m aware).

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
2:57 am

Actually, I think I was tryin’ to give DOB some ‘ish.

Anybody find a link to the speech? Leather jacket? Diane Lane murmuring? Can you see him over the lectern? Tim Hudson with a sniper-rifle? McFann screaming Chief? Carroll Rogers pullin’ a Kerrigan? What happened folks; I was actually away from a television for an hour or two; give me some info.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:12 am

Steve from Ohio,

I know you’re not yet a doctor, and I know you’ve said so many times. But, stuff’s relative…so, long story short, you’re Dr. Steve.

Anyhoo, saw your posts about GA bein’ barely average, or below average so far; and I agree. I just feel the need to say, that with all the well-below average numbers we’ve seen from the OF the last coupla years, doesn’t average, or close-to, seem perfectly acceptable?

And, keep defending my boy skillet. Chase-light’s still possible. Recognition to RHR for the “Kelly’s gonna have a night.” League average defensive, I’d say; if he could just turn the corner with that stick. I’d say the next year is crucial for him; he’s either the guy we think he is, or he’s the guy that puts six good weeks among 30 not-so-much.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:31 am

Although, if KJ can fit 36 weeks of numbers into a 25-week season; he, and his agent, will make out just fine.

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
3:32 am

I think this year could easily be a playoff year, since the starting 5 we have are all capable of shutting down ANY lineup in the NL on any given night. We have 5 starters (with Huddy on the way back) that are legit starters…even starter #5 is top quality! Now that our hitting is chugging along, perhaps we can win the majority of our series left, get some sweeps against the Phillies, and creep up in the WC and NL East standings. With 9 games against the Phillies alone, the NL Crown is NOT out of reach. I like the Braves chances, without making a move.

GO BRAVES!

Andrew in P-tang

July 28th, 2009
3:37 am

I think bobby might let kawakami and huddy slipt starts

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:39 am

OK, three posts deleted (not to whine about it, all the while whining about it; think N8),

Basically, I was calling cabravesfan a whor… Even invented a word: whorogamy; somethin’ ’bout the ideal, assuming monogamy.

Joking, of course; but, it would seem advanced geometry is needed to determine the number of sides in that particular “triangle.”

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:41 am

Canadian Mist is good.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:42 am

I love bacon.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:43 am

Something is very wrong with me.

But, if you don’t love bacon, something is very wrong with you.

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
3:47 am

Bacon is good, and I prefer Crown Royal…but not with my bacon

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:51 am

Here, my semi-annual shout-out to those who’ve left us:

ChrisKlobawhollycowurnameislongerthanRiannVonFurstenberg’s, jjs, Bobj, CL, SG, SJA (ass-clown), Berigan, fbg, Gil, etc. Including the folks whose names the Canadian Mist has forced me to forget: Come back folks; you’re missed.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
3:55 am

abu, I can respect a no-bacon-with-whiskey policy.

But, your position on chocolate-covered bacon? Saw the Food-Network plug for it, gave it a shot, and, gotta say, far better than a Jeff321 post.

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
4:12 am

When it’s 1:00, and you should be to work at 8:00, and you’ve just finished your fifth glass of the Cheapest-Whiskey-Available, and you’re posting about bacon, there is no doubt, you should go to bed.

But, that would be quitting. And, I ain’t no quitter.

Refill!

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
4:15 am

Resist the temptation to quit, have another glass…unfortunately for me, I’m in a dry country at the moment, and can not partake in my beloved Crown Royal…chocolate-covered bacon-sounds tempting, tempting indeed…

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
4:19 am

Tuesday AM ownage.

Y’all “responsible” people sicken me.

Even the 127-year-old nolie has deserted. Bed shorted out?

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
4:28 am

Crown Royal.

I ain’t payin’ for nuttin’ outta no purple, velvet, drawstring bag. Gimme the cheapest Kentucky-80-proof, keep your brand-name. They oughta sell this crack in boxes, with a dispenser (like the high-quality wines).

Sorry for bein’ an ass, abu, but, it’s what I’m good at. You gotta go with your strengths.

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
4:30 am

I’m still here with ya Steve, until lunch, which is within the half hour…might have a BLT, with all this bacon talk…

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
4:31 am

oh no worries Steve, preferences are preferences…I just found out in college that when I pay a little more for my liqour, I feel a whole lot better the next day ;)

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
4:39 am

Steve…you didn’t end up face down in the couch, snoring in your own drool did you?

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
4:48 am

abu, us functioning alcoholics know where that “face down in the couch, snoring in your own drool” line is; I ain’t there yet. Last time I was, it seems like it was after reading a Robert-Donk post; luckily for me, he doesn’t show up for the night-shift. So, where in the world ya at, and, more importantly, what’s for lunch?

abudefdef

July 28th, 2009
4:53 am

Kuwait for a little while, lunch is going to be a BLT sammich, some vegetables, and perhaps a yogurt (trying to regain my college, well, early college, physique while here). All this talk of bacon makes me want a BLT…g’night Steve, I’m off to lunch!

GO BRAVES!!!

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2009
5:09 am

Braveheart,

First of all, in my self-professed (think Lentz), blog-expert opinion, you should stick to the one screen-name; it helps us 75-IQers follow the show.

More importantly, where do you get off with the “I don’t care if anybody likes me” and the “I’m just here for me” BS? There can be no doubt, in the final analysis, that all of you are here for my entertainment. But, how can you make it look that easy? You’re not even trying, and you’re a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer; I’ve been rewriting this post since the third-grade, and it’s still rubbish. As….(insert profanity here).

Random

July 28th, 2009
5:50 am

Wayne in Utah (July 28th, 2009 12:10 am): “(but don’t kid yourself, you have the data)”

Well of course you were right. That went without saying.

Couch Tater

July 28th, 2009
6:36 am

Omar Minaya had a Rubin sammich for lunch, yesterday. Now he’s asking, “Donde esta el whiskey?”

David O'Brien

July 28th, 2009
7:41 am

Bay Area Steve, in (lately) rare form last night/this morn. As you’re passing out, I’m about to board this jet for Ft. Liquordale. And the Braves’ blogulace 24-hour cycle grinds on. Gotta love it….

18 Wheels of Love

July 28th, 2009
7:44 am

What about using a minor league tactic with Hudson and Kawakami? Why not let them piggyback their starts? Let Kawakami go 4+ and then Huddy go 4+ in the same game. Hudson could use it to build up arm strength at a safe pace and Kawakami is usually effective for 4-5 innings anyway.

David O'Brien

July 28th, 2009
7:54 am

Couch Tater: Yeah, got a feeling Minaya might be feeling day-after regret after, uh, over-indulging on that Rubin. Not one of Omar’s finer moments. Some would say a fitting exclamation mark, if this is the end for him in that position.

philly fan doc

July 28th, 2009
8:20 am

. I really hope you guys don’t think your going to catch us.

Gov. Clinton Tyree

July 28th, 2009
8:25 am

Question about McLouth and his range.

I am aware that the defensive metrics show that he doesn’t get to enough balls to be considered a “high-end” CF. However, I know he’s fast, and smart, and probably well-positioned. My eyes tell me he catches everything he should and some stuff he shouldn’t. Can they be that wrong? Or are the metrics not quite right?

Does the fact that Braves have two extreme ground ball starters in Jurrjens and Lowe (and one overused reliever, Moylan) skew the metrics enough that he doesn’t stack up as well against other CFs who get more putouts because their staffs give up more fly balls?

Just thinking about it. I don’t think we are handicapped in any way with McLouth in CF, though my fondest wish is for J Schafer to push him to LF next spring and hit .300.

In Jordan

July 28th, 2009
8:25 am

abudefdef – I lived in Kuwait for almost 3 years – left in 2008. Nice to see another Bravos fan in the region.

Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)

July 28th, 2009
8:27 am

philly fan,

You guys are hot, but we have nine games left, correct? So we’ll see.

njbraves

July 28th, 2009
8:27 am

Hudson will be in the rotation when he returns. They are stretching him out in the minors for a reason. Assuming that Huddy is healthy when he gets back, he deserves to get a shot at starting. Let’s be honest, Huddy is a better pitcher than KK any way you look at it. I don’t hate KK, but he is painful to watch. Too many deep counts. He may not be the best optio for the bullpen, but I think it’s worth a shot…he can’t be worse then some of what’s already down there.

njbraves

July 28th, 2009
8:29 am

philly fan….unless you guys get Halladay, even you have to admit that your pitching is suspect. I respect Hammels, but the rest of that rotation is not very good. You guys did it last year with that group, but it will be tough to do again.

njbraves

July 28th, 2009
8:31 am

Anders…..go away. Let me know when you guys are relevant again. Nice job by your boy Omar yesterday. Mets continue to prove why they are a 2nd class organization.

siskel_god

July 28th, 2009
8:41 am

I doubt the Phillies make the Halladay trade as proposed. Their best players have been brought up through their organization (Hamels, Howard, Utley, Rollins) or guys like Werth and Victorino who were after thoughts and late bloomers. They usually don’t make the big splash and I know they have a rookie gm who wants to put his signature on this team but I think he did that already when he let Burrell leave and fleeced the league by signing Ibanez. Besides Happ seems to be pretty good and under control for a long time.

PWHjort

July 28th, 2009
8:46 am

Gov. Clinton Tyree,
My understanding is he played a great deal more shallow than most CF’s last year. He also had trouble playing balls off of the wall. The McLouth case is a very interesting one because the metrics showed he was the worst CF last year but he won the gold glove. Dewan studied the issue and concluded that while he’s still below-average, he’s not the worst in the game by any stretch. I have a feeling he’ll be above-average at a corner.

dap01

July 28th, 2009
8:49 am

Nothing sticks to Omar in NY. The Mets are a terribly run organization.

siskel_god

July 28th, 2009
8:52 am

DOB

What is Conrads status with the team contractually? He was a rule 5 pick right? I guess what I want to know is are we obligated to add him to the major league roster to keep him next year.

Random

July 28th, 2009
8:54 am

“Should the Braves make an effort to bolster the lineup at the trade deadline?”

Do you figure they mean “lineup” as opposed to “bench”, “rotation” or “bullpen” — the other components of the active roster?

If so, I say “no” to changing the lineup — but maybe trade to bolster the bench or ‘pen, depending on how much faith they put in Infante’s and Hudson’s eventual respective effectiveness.

PWHjort

July 28th, 2009
8:55 am

Siskel_god,
I agree. They went through a ~20 year period during which the only player they developed that was a star was Schmidt. They’re now enjoying the merits of developing your own players. I wouldn’t want to risk losing that either. Especially after 20 long years of never developing anyone.

Joe Friday

July 28th, 2009
8:56 am

Boog Schiambi scheduled to appear on 790theticket.com @ 9:15. This is a Marlins station

PWHjort

July 28th, 2009
8:57 am

No. Conrad is on a minor-league deal. Signed as a minor-league free agent this past off-season. I’m pretty sure he is on a 1-year deal.

brent a.

July 28th, 2009
9:01 am

An important next few days.

Cubs playing Astros
Cardinals playing Dodger
Mets playing Rockies

while Braves playing Marlins

We need the Cards to lose while it would help if the Astros and Cubs do some damage to each other.

We need the Mets to win for a couple of more days; but most importantly, we need to sweep the Fish.

If we don’t and the Mets win a couple more, we are in a heap of trouble in our quest to win the Wild Card.

Go Braves!

McFann ;Ô;

July 28th, 2009
9:01 am

fastasballs Even with Chipper or McCann sitting out the team still manages to score runs.

Their record when BMac doesn’t start is 11-16. :P

(Just busting your chops.)

Lew

July 28th, 2009
9:19 am

Nathan-Actually, the Braves WOULD have to make a move to bring Heyward up-even in September. He’s not on the 40 Man Roster yet. Someone would have to be taken off and Heyward put on before they could do a call up.

till think everyone’s putting the cart before the horse and counting unhatched chickens (So Many cliches to choose from) thinking Hudson will be back in former form so soon after surgery. Still a lot that could happen and even Hudson at his best won’t improve on the 3.20 ERA Kawakami has put up since the first of May -not to mention. Hudson can’t go five yet on a regular basis.

McFann ;Ô;

July 28th, 2009
9:23 am

fastasballs McLouth will move to left & some guy named Heyward will be in right.

Heyward’s got power, doesn’t he?

GboroBravo

July 28th, 2009
9:32 am

From MLBTR:

The Twins and Braves have checked in on Freddy Sanchez, but some executives believe the Pirates will have trouble moving him without contributing to the $8.1MM option for next year that’s likely to vest.

PWHjort

July 28th, 2009
9:36 am

I don’t believe for 1 second the Braves are seriously considering Sanchez.

6-4-3

July 28th, 2009
9:37 am

Why would we have interest in Sanchez? He’s good but we have about 5 second basemen currently, and Chipper at third. I don’t get it.

CB

July 28th, 2009
9:37 am

Lew, the Braves have some tough decisions to make over the rest of season and off-season,I know their first decision is what is best for rest of season. If they fall back a few more games they will probably use Hudson to find out if he will be able to come back to his normal self. They will have some tough decisions over the winter in regard to pitching. Do we keep Hudson, trade Vazquez,KK,or Lowe? It is going to be very interesting.

Jerry

July 28th, 2009
9:38 am

Morning folks. I’ve been reading back to the Schafer post of last night. Lets say he is hitting even what people on here are projecting he might someday. There is no way you can tell me he is better on defense than McLouth is RIGHT NOW. He could develop into a better cf but right now he’s not close in my book. Since I first saw him play in the minors I’ve thought he would slide over to left when he got to ATL. How wrong am I?

Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

July 28th, 2009
9:51 am

I have said recently if the Braves stand pat they can get into the playoffs. However, I think to make a legit run at a WS title they need a bit more.

I understand the desire to add a reliever. I think it would be a good idea. However, I still feel adding another bat couldn’t hurt. Somebody with either some power or who would be the prototypical leadoff hitter.

With the Cards acquiring Holliday I wonder if Ankiel would be more available now even though a right handed hitter wuold be preferred. Again, Josh Willingham and Cody Ross being the obvious targets but I still like the idea of Shelley Duncan from the Yanks.

Lew

July 28th, 2009
9:53 am

CB-No brainer to me. Let Hudson walk this winter, sign Vazquez to an extension and get that power we need.

I like Tim Hudson, make no mistake. He came over in an extremely Braves’ friendly deal and has performed, while not to his AL levels (still think all that foul territory in Oakland makes more difference to their pitching than most credit it for), he has performed pretty well-especially the past two seasons.

To me it’s a bird in the hand mentality-we have five effective ML starters under contract and healthy for 2010. We won’t be able to afford both Vazquez and Hudson. With Hudson you don’t know how well he will come back. We DO know he won’t be our “Ace” and that $12 mil for what, in essence, would be an injury returning fourth starter doesn’t fly.

Yes, Wren could work out a trade for Javy (though why he would want to after seeing what he has to offer as a Brave and in the NL, makes no sense), or he could just let Huddy go and collect the cash. NO contestr from my point of view.

Will Hudson come back to former levels? Maybe so. However, seeing the problems pitchers still have coming back a year (instead of 11/2 or more-and those being relievers, not neededing to be so stretched out) after sugery, you can’t count on him returning to form-at least probably NOT until the middle of 2010.

Hate to see him go, but we have 5 effective starting pitchers under contract in 2010. We have 4 under contract for 2011. Hudson is not needed for 2010 and would you try to sign him more long term afterwards? Would you do so with the injury history or go with Vazquez who doesn’t get hurt and try to extend him? So long Tim.

UNCBrave

July 28th, 2009
9:54 am

Why would the Braves need Sanchez? They have a surplus of IF, they need OF….

Offseason=Keep Vasquez and Hudson, TRADE Kawakami

Add your comment