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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,325 comments Add your comment
Efrim
July 29th, 2009
11:43 am
Halladay to the Phils in a 5 player deal?
owl hunter
July 29th, 2009
11:45 am
I’m scared of the Phils with Halladay. Not so much with Lee.
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
11:45 am
Where you reading that, Efrim? If so, I’d say Taylor, Knapp/Happ, Carrasco, Donald, Marson.
Efrim
July 29th, 2009
11:48 am
Came across my friend’s bloomberg, but I have a feeling it’s bogus. I haven’t seen anything yet.
And if it actually did happen, that’s a pretty bad haul for Halladay, imo.
Rock On....the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
July 29th, 2009
11:49 am
Had to laugh at Soriano’s comment about his home run pitch. Fell behind 3-1 and had to throw a strike? Really? What pitching school has he been going to? Stupid. No, you throw a pitch that may look like a strike but if he takes then you have the DP set up with the runner at 1st and 2nd and 1 out. Instead he throws a straight 90 mph 4 seamer that any decent high school player could hit. If Soriano is thinking like that as our closer I would look to fire McDowell on the spot or get a new closer. Surely our esteemed pitching coach and manager had something to say about that pitch. Hopefully. That was pathetic thinking from a major league closer.
Capt Caveman
July 29th, 2009
11:50 am
YO DOB — The Braves have had a good record recently on after dealine trades in August. Do you think that KJ could still be on the table then as part of a roster move to make room for Huddy and Infante when they come back ?? I know that waiver deals are iffy sometimes but the Braves seem to have a particularly good feel for making them. What do you think??
owl hunter
July 29th, 2009
11:50 am
He blew his second save. Relax.
GboroBravo
July 29th, 2009
11:51 am
10:52am: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report that Jason Knapp is the centerpiece of the Phillies’ offer for Lee. The Phils, who are also involved in talks for Jarrod Washburn, would also deal other pieces to the Indians.
Original Jon
July 29th, 2009
11:52 am
Looks as if the Phillies are going harder after Lee and Washburn than Halladay.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
11:53 am
MFin04,
That is an excellent article.
Though it’s just one of the reasons mentioned in the article, I do think the shrinking strike zone has had a huge effect on pitching and pitch counts. Look at rebroadcasts of games from the late ’80s and early ’90s. The letter-high pitch was called a strike. Today a lot of belt-buckle-high pitches are called balls. Those letter-high pitches would typically be weak popups. Now there’s no reason for hitters to offer at them.
With a smaller strike zone that’s primarily in the hitter’s wheelhouse, it’s harder for pitchers to economically get outs. Unless they’re pitching to Frenchy. (Zing.)
Original Jon
July 29th, 2009
11:53 am
Rock on, that pitch was actually 96.
blazon
July 29th, 2009
11:56 am
for those who’ve seen Heyward and his .443…
does he hit to the opposite field with any regularity? with power?
the numbers are getting dizzying.
Rock On....the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
July 29th, 2009
12:00 pm
KJ will not clear waivers but could bring some middle relief in trade or prospects if paired with say a Medlen type. Can’t see the Braves offering up KJ to waivers at all if there is any hope of getting anything of value for him. Besides, I feel pretty sure that the Braves will put Hudson in the pen anyway so perhaps there is no need for a middle relief guy.
Original Jon
July 29th, 2009
12:00 pm
Here is the thing I don’t get, the Phillies are basically running away with the division and yet they are still trying to acquire Halladay or Lee. While the Braves are 8 back in the division and only 3 out of the wild card but are content at standing pat with the team they have. Seems to me as if they are sending out the message that if we cant compete with this squad, then oh well, wait till next year. Instead of going out and getting that reliever or bat that could definitely put us in a good position to win this year.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
12:01 pm
cphizzle,
If Francouer has an OPS of .877 at the end of the season, I’ll eat one of my Braves hats. More likely he’ll be in the mid-.700s at best — which was better than the numbers he put up with the Braves the past two seasons, and the reason he was traded. He wasn’t doing the job here, plain and simple.
owl hunter
July 29th, 2009
12:01 pm
They haven’t NOT acquired a reliever yet. What bats are out there? Reasonably.
Anders
July 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
Efrim- How’s things? I still stand by what I said about Soriano. Wren didn’t need to sign him to that two year deal back then and the fact that Soriano gave away his first year of FA as a closer for $6 mil smelled funny to me. .(DOB derided me during that off season about this as well. “How the hell would you know Anders?” etc…) Then he showed up hurt to ST just as I suspected he would. He pitched all of 14 innings in 2008. It was a smart move by his agent. This year he looks like he’s pitching well. But he still only has 14 saves so I wouldn’t put him in the upper echelon just yet. He still needs to show he can pitch for three months straight under the stressful conditions that closers live in. I’m not sold yet that he has that in him physically or mentally. The mental part played out just last night with the media in only his second blown save.
But as for the contract, the Braves will pay him a total of $9 mil for the last two years (17 total saves so far) and now he can walk this year. You think that was a good deal knowing what relievers settled for last off season? Certainly too early to call it that imo. Not a crippling contract by any means but I’m just answering your post.
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
V. Jim–
Oh good.
UNCBrave
July 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
If you read the Bowman article, when Hudson comes back, he will go into the starting rotation (WHICH HE SHOULD) and KK to the bullpen…
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090728&content_id=6109584&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
12:04 pm
Instead of going out and getting that reliever or bat that could definitely put us in a good position to win this year.
A reliever won’t (in all likelihood) gain us any appreciable win value compared to what we’ve already got and need to catch the Phils, and the cost of a bat would likely be prohibitive in both prospects (especially for us, as our system is thin) and cash, which we don’t have, while certainly not guaranteeing a playoff berth. The Phillies, OTOH, are pretty much a lock for the playoffs and adding another pitcher would be a huge boost for their chances of making a deep push, whereas now they’re looking at sending Hamels, Blanton and Moyer to the hill against their first-round foe. Doesn’t give you a fuzzy feeling, does it?
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:04 pm
ahh too much expected of him to early is what got the best of him. he started listening to his hometown neighbors and the pressure got to him
dmack2027
July 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
Here is my take on the Braves making a trade.
I do not think they need to make a trade to improve the team. I think they should consider trading Vazquez while his value is so remarkably high, if they can get a decent player/haul for him. The problem is that the Braves do not have a replacement for Javy right now in the rotation or on the farm. JoJo Reyes is rehabbing. Morton is in Pittsburg.
If they do not trade him now, I suspect they trade him this Winter. This staff with Tim Hudson looks incredibly strong. I really hope they pick up Huddy’s option, but to do so, they will need to trade Vazquez.
Rock On....the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
July 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
Original Jon….Ok 96, makes no difference. 1st base was open and one pitch could have gotten you out of the game by setting up the DP possibility. You never throw a strike in that situation at any speed. He threw the only pitch he could have gotten beat on- a “96″ mph 4-seamer right down Peachtree. Flat out stupid.
curtis jones
July 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
DOB: Calm down, man. It’s only baseball. Face it, most player “on the record” interviews are background noise and cliches. The best beat reporting is background info and behind-the-scenes nuggets, and you do a good job with that.
MFin04 at 11:16 am: GREAT post. You gave a brief analysis of the Braves’ continued inability to manufacture and score runs. Your post is the actual story of last night’s game; it is not Soriano’s fat pitch, his refusal to chat with the beat reporter, or an umpire’s wee strike zone. It is the fact that the Braves, dominated by slow-footed, bunt-challenged banjo hitters, have difficulty scoring runs in close games. A couple of long balls with nobody on, and runners stranded or doubled up throughout the game.
Meanwhile, Kotchman’s mom and agent keep posting his amazing fielding stats on here, to divert attention from his weak bat. He knocks in one run every three games. But my, all the runs he saves! And thanks in part to a kind official scorer in Atlanta, he has ZERO errors in 720 chances (despite the fact we all saw two last week).
Let’s compare with some other first basemen who also hit for a living:
Prince Fielder: 4 errors in 916 chances. (What a glove man (?)yes, he has only four more errors than the Kotch-Rocket.)
James Loney: 3 errors in 864 chances.
Todd Helton: 2 errors in 921 chances.
Mark Texiera: 1 error in 823 chances.
Meanwhile, the Braves have The Greatest Fielding First Baseman in Baseball. And a .500 record. Whatever makes you happy.
MFin04
July 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
Piedmont Blues – I agree. Take last night’s game for instance. Jair probably should have gotten 3-4 strikeout calls but didn’t due to the strike zone being so small. Back in the day Glavine and Maddux lived on the corners and got strikeout after strikeout. Now the pitch on the corners is being called less and less.
Steve from OH
July 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
But he still only has 14 saves so I wouldn’t put him in the upper echelon just yet
C’mon, dude, you can do better than that…
Fangraphs has him valued at 7MM already this season and .5MM last year. So in all likelihood we’ll get the value of that contract in just this season.
Thrillhouse44
July 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
Anders, how do you feel about Putz’ contract and performance? Fairly similar money compared with Soriano, right?
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
MFin04,
That home plate ump last night was a disgrace to the uniform. Seems like his strike zone changed from batter to batter.
N8
July 29th, 2009
12:12 pm
“Here is the thing I don’t get, the Phillies are basically running away with the division and yet they are still trying to acquire Halladay or Lee. While the Braves are 8 back in the division and only 3 out of the wild card but are content at standing pat with the team they have.” Original Jon
The Phillies realize that even with their recent surge, their pitching is shaky at best, and certainly doesn’t compare to the rotation/squad that won the WS last year. While the Braves seem to think that their squad is good enough, and just hasn’t put it all together yet.
Are the Braves good enough to win the wild card? Sure they are. Doesn’t mean that they’re going to succeed in winning it. But this rotation and lineup is good enough if Bobby pushes the right buttons, and the players respond.
But make no mistake, the Phillies looking at Halladay or Lee has way more to do with repeating as WS champions than actually making the playoffs. I don’t think they would publicly state so, but I find it hard to believe that they’re really worried about the Marlins or Braves actually catching them at this point.
I wouldn’t be if I were them.
Anders
July 29th, 2009
12:12 pm
Thrillhouse – Putz is actually more expensive than Soriano. Not a great deal for the Mets. They better hope his elbow issue is cured now. I think they’ll try to move him to a team that needs a closer in the off season if he shows he’s back to form in August/September. They might hev to eat some of the $’s to do this. Otherwise they’ll wait until next years deadline. Closers are usually in some demand.
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:12 pm
soriano lights out this year victim a jacked up strikezone lastnight
Crazy Trades McGee
July 29th, 2009
12:13 pm
As you can see by my name, this is my favorite time of the year.
The braves should now trade Mike Gonzalez for Joey Devine.
Allen - Calif.
July 29th, 2009
12:13 pm
seems that the braves bullpen has about 10+ blown saves this year. Lowe, Jurrjens, Kawakami could each have 2-3 more wins, as well as another 2 wins for Hanson. If the braves can play well in August, September – seems like they do have a legitimate chance at the wild card at least.
MFin04
July 29th, 2009
12:14 pm
Curtis Jones – lol. Agreed, Casey Kotchman’s error-less days with the Braves ended last week. And we really need better production out of him in the lineup. Say what you will, he doesn’t drive in as many runs as he should, and all his hits seem to be weak bloops when they count.
Braves eventually need some power at first. Obviously there aren’t any other options currently, and trading away Hanson and others for A. Gonzalez isn’t a great idea, but one more consistent powerful bat in the lineup would help.
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:16 pm
RHR/ McFann-
I understand you were looking for me? What did I miss? (too lazy to scroll back through several pages of blog…)
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
12:17 pm
Still thinking about the heartbreaker last night….I think I’m taking this a little too serious….had a litle trouble sleeping…
But yeah…a tough one
Jake W.
July 29th, 2009
12:17 pm
“BTW- Santana going tonight. Hopefully the Mets keep their end of the bargain up. You guys beat the Marlins and the Mets close ground on a number of WC contenders this week.”
You know what would have actually have been nice, If the Marlins and Mets didn’t completely fall falt on their face when they played the Phils. Each had their chance to make this division more competitive. That sweep from the Braves brought Philly square back into the pack. They then used their series against the Mets and Marlins to springboard back above everyone and seperate themselves in the division. Yeah would have much rathered the Marlins and Mets to get competitive a little earlier.
N8
July 29th, 2009
12:17 pm
Dadgum, I was thinking the same thing, remembering the Glavinism “never give in”. Why groove one? To show the ump up? Wow. He really showed him, huh?
It’s like the kid wanting a new glove from his parents and when they don’t give it to him, he drops the next fly ball intentionally, to prove that he NEEDED the new glove.
I hope it’s a one time event with Soriano and not the beginning of a Frenchy like “whiner, feel sorry for me” trend.
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:17 pm
herd all about heyward in ms. hows freddie doing?
Rock On....the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
July 29th, 2009
12:18 pm
DMACK…..the Braves are not trading Vazquez this season. Hudson has a lot of work to do to convince Braves’ management that he is worthy of replacing Vazquez should any future trade present itself. Don’t be mislead by any rehab reports. The Braves are not going to ditch Vazquez until a large sampling of Hudson’s post TJ pitching has been analyzed. Even then, I would keep them both and trade KK if that is the choice. Wren most likely will be looking to rework contracts to accomplish just that. The big bat the Braves need is arriving next year(or Sept.)and his name is something like Heyward.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
12:19 pm
Actually…now that I think about it…we’re all in this thing together…tough loss for everybody…
Let’s hope we can come up with a big comeback win tonight
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:21 pm
Piedmont Blues @ 12:07–
Yeah! That was some of the worst ball-strike calling I’ve ever seen! I mean, I’m sorry to the guy–nobody’s perfect, but geezaloo…
Seems like his strike zone changed from batter to batter.
I know that it was the same on two of BMac’s AB, one of GA’s, and one of Kotchman’s…at least GA had the decency to homer in that AB. But they got that outside pitch called a strike on them…I would like to know how BMac’s first AB would have ended up if the count woulda been 3-1, like it shoulda been, instead of 1-3.
And maybe if Mr. Meals wouldn’t have kneeled down behind the catcher…
jimmya
July 29th, 2009
12:21 pm
bring up the kids thats hitting everything in the minors now
Thrillhouse44
July 29th, 2009
12:21 pm
Anders, thanks for the honesty.
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:23 pm
cabravesfan–
We’re on the warpath…well, here’s RHR’s post explaining the situation.
BRB!
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:25 pm
McFann-
count me in
N8
July 29th, 2009
12:25 pm
Why is Kotchman getting blamed for his “lack of power” when Chipper is on pace for only 23 HR? Isn’t he the big money guy in our everyday lineup? Isn’t he the one who just signed a 3 year extension for big dollars? Isn’t he the one whose defense is on the decline?
Chipper has 32 XBH in 88 games. Kotchman has 24 XBH in 85 games. Seems to me, that for the “dollar value” at lease some of the venom that is directed on a daily basis towards Kotch (and his GG defense), should be directed at Chipper.
What gives?
Crazy Trades McGee
July 29th, 2009
12:27 pm
Anybody heard anything about Jordan Schafer recently?
Jake W.
July 29th, 2009
12:28 pm
Oh and to the phillie fan, yes you guys probably will win the division. Great, as you might have realized from the Braves nice little run its not that hard to do. Only problem is your possible matchups in the postseason don’t look that good for you with your current rotation. The Dodgers won their season series versus you. I’m picking the Cards and their revamped lineup to overtake the underachieving Cubs and win the Central. I know you took 2 out of 3 from them so you are happy. But truth be told you faced the 3, 4, and 5 starters in their rotation and missed Wainwright and Carpenter their 1 and 2 pitchers. You lost to Piniero their number 3. In the playoffs there would be know Wellemyer or Lohse to beat up on barring injury. Wild Card is to close to call but you guys better hope for your sake you get another pitcher. I for one don’t see you having any chance of repeating without one.
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
12:28 pm
Four ladies on the warpath??
Could you ladies do something about implementing term limits while your at it??
Rock On....the denizen formerly known as Dadgum
July 29th, 2009
12:28 pm
N8….yeah you can’t wind up and chunk the ball as hard as you can this day and age. This isn’t the Nolan Ryan era. Watched Buerhle set ‘em up last night then sneak in a 89 mph “heater” and got them swinging at high strikes. I know Soriano isn’t a starter but damn you just can’t throw that pitch in that situation. Soriano has been very effective so he gets the pass for sure but that loss was crucial as it puts the Braves in 5th place in teh Wild Card chase. Ouch!
braves fan lmh
July 29th, 2009
12:30 pm
The rays are looking for pitching help. It was reported that they are looking to shed some payroll in the process. It was also reported in the right deal they would deal Carl Crawford. I’m wondering if the braves would have enough to make that deal without endangering the future? what do you guys think?
TexasBrave
July 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
curtis jones I would imagine that the stats you put up also include throws to first base and while he would be charged an error if he dropped a throw he wouldn’t have if the throw was bounced and not dug out. I contend that he also saves many errors for the infielders that throw to him. That means less base runners and less chances to score thus saving runs.
I am also not enamored by his hitting prowess and if this was a severely weak hitting team then I too would be wanting a better bat at first. However, the rest of the team has shown that it can score enough runs that it can stand to have a first baseman that saves as many runs or more than he produces.
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:32 pm
Wayne-
Send a memo- we will consider it for our agenda at the next gathering…
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
And how about whurlled peas?
N8
July 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
Chipper has 49 RBI in 88 games, Kotch has 38 in 85 games and DOESN’T bat in the 3-hole or cleanup spot. In fact, he spent 57 games batting 6th or lower, and 8 games in the 2-hole (setting up Chipper and Mac).
Chipper is making 10 million (according to ESPN), Kotchman is making 2.85 million.
I’d say the “return” on the investment based on XBH, RBI and defense, has been much greater on Kotchman than on Chipper.
I’m not a Chipper basher. Believe me. But it astounds me how much of a “pass” he’s getting this year, and guys like Kotchman get ripped on a daily basis. Bat Kotchman 3rd for 88 games, and I bet he has 49 RBI just like Chipper (but people would still bitch).
blazon
July 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
Crazy Trades
yup, he’s been traded to the Muts for PTBNL
Nova Scotia Steve
July 29th, 2009
12:33 pm
I have to say Frank Drebin showed up AGAIN in Florida last night…Well in the 9th inning anyway.
Its like the stunt he pulled to try and delay the game before the 7th inning stretch in the Police Squad movie
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:34 pm
no room for crawford with nate jordan and heyward in the future
blazon
July 29th, 2009
12:34 pm
doesn’t anyone know if Heyward goes the other way with power??
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
July 29th, 2009
12:35 pm
Crazy Trades McGee,
Schafer was in a cast and should be getting it off sometime soon. I would think he’ll be a September call up after playing most of August in AAA.
Pretty sure that is the time table for him at this point.
Paul Lentz
July 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
Anders………….you are simply (and I have refrained from using this word for about a week now)………a MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enough said.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
but that loss was crucial as it puts the Braves in 5th place in teh Wild Card chase. Ouch!
That’s kind of misleading. Yes, the Braves are in “5th place in the Wild Card chase” but they are only three back. And yes there are four teams ahead of them but they have a better run differential than all but one of them (Colorado) and were projected in the pre-season to be better than all but another of them (the Cubs). Not saying the Braves have a clear path to a playoff berth nor am I predicting they will win the Wild Card, but they have about as good a shot as anyone considering they really have no glaring weakness and they are probably at least as talented as the teams ahead of them. Of course every loss hurts but last night’s game did little to hurt their chances at this point.
semiballcoach
July 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
cphizzle—trade nate for crawford
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
July 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
N8,
You’re better than that, man.
Chipper has 13 HR, 17 2B, 2 3B, 53 RS and 61 BB in 362 plate appearances.
Casey has 5 HR, 19 2B, 0 3B, 26 RS and 30 BB in 291 PAs.
Casey’s done OK, but no better than expected. He’s not a big run producer and never will be. Besides, Casey’s under team control and has never been a free agent, so the salary comparison is meaningless.
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
cabravesfan–
I knew we could count on you!
Neight@ 12:33–
Good points. I gotta look on baseball-reference.com to see how many guys have been on base in front of Kotchy and Chipper.
While we’re on the subject, if a guy has 235 men on base in front of him, what would be a “decent” number of RBI for that player?
Vinings Jim
July 29th, 2009
12:41 pm
cabravesfan – stirring up trouble already, I see. Or, at least, contributing to it.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
I’d say the “return” on the investment based on XBH, RBI and defense, has been much greater on Kotchman than on Chipper.
N8, I’m fine with Kotchman. He’s far from a great player but he’ll do just fine.
Still, you can’t use RBI as justification that Kotchman has been remotely close in value to Chipper. I will constantly preach this until it doesn’t need to be preached anymore: RBI are highly context-dependent! Kotchman has as many RBI because he’s hitting behind McLouth, Chipper, McCann, Escobar and lately Prado.
Kotchman is far from a good hitter for a firstbaseman. But he’s not bad either. And his defense offsets some of his shortcomings on offense. So I don’t consider Kotchman a huge weakness. Just wanted to clear up the fact that Kotchman’s RBI total tells us nothing about his production.
braves fan lmh
July 29th, 2009
12:43 pm
Here’s my logic. You trade for Carl Crawford and put him in the leadoff spot allowing Mclouth down in the lineup which would help since he drives in a good bit of runs. With Crawford next year in left field you could have Schafer in center field (if he appears ready) and Mclouth in right field. That would be a elite defensive outfield. If Heyward appears ready around this time next year you could trade crawford for prospects or pitching help for the bullpen
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:44 pm
VJ-
you know I like causing trouble
Better then working, for sure
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
12:45 pm
Yes, the Braves are in “5th place in the Wild Card chase” but they are only three back, which essentially means they are tied with five other teams. Of course they aren’t literally tied with those other teams and most of us here would rather them be at the top, but three games is nothing with a little over two months left. If any one of those teams has a 5-10 game winning streak, that team will take control of the race. If any one of those teams has a 5-10 game losing streak, they are in a hole.
Vinings Jim
July 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
czabravesfan – make sure you don’t get fired – keep in mind that I’m counting on you to support me when I quit my job and fly out there with Heath to randomly search the coastline for you.
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
i dont like it i would have to hang onto nate…crawford scares me with the injuries
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
braves fan lmh, as I pointed out yesterday Crawford has been about a league average hitter in his career and at 27 he isn’t likely to get better. This is all fine and dandy. I wouldn’t mind having Crawford in left; he’s a fine player. The problem is he’s not worth what the Braves would have to give up to get him.
Original Jon
July 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
Rock On, i definitely agree with you. I dont think Soriano should have thrown the pitch down the middle, the worst that happens is he walks a guy and then gets a double play or a fly ball out or whatnot to the next two guys. You should never throw a pitch down the middle and say, ‘Ok, hit it if you can’ when that guy is the winning run. Now, it would have been different if he just gave up the tying homerun by saying, just hit it if you can. But with a runner on base, you cant just throw it down the middle.
curtis jones
July 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
Texas Brave at 12:31: you are aware of the Braves current won-loss record and position in the standings, right? And the fact they have some of the best starting pitchers in baseball, right? Just checking. I’m seeing a lot of folks on hear who seem content with a .500 record. Can’t figure out why.
It looks like many people are pleased that the only post-season trophy the Braves will be getting this year is Kotchman’s Gold Glove. If you’re happy with that, rock on.
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
VJ-
who is czabravesfan and should I be offended? Or will I just have to hunt her down? And I’m pretty sure I can’t get fired if neither of my bosses are in the office…
Wayne in Utah
July 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
Imh
Or, instead of trading Crawford again, put Heyward at first base.
DAP
July 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
anders
i always find it funny when you criticize bad contracts.
honestly, soriano has shown that he is a dominant reliever, and has been great for the braves in the set up/closer role.
cphizzle
July 29th, 2009
12:50 pm
i dont like that. would have to hang onto nate. crawford scares me with the injuries
jimmya
July 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
no tradesjut bring up the kida and FIRE WREN
semiballcoach
July 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
nate–too many popups/flyballs and strikeouts
Anders
July 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
Anders………….you are simply (and I have refrained from using this word for about a week now)………a MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enough said. (Paul Lentz)
Thanks, coming from you this means absolutely nothing since you’ve called almost all detractors from you ramblings the same thing.
I will say that your post was about the simplest and shortest I’ve ever seen you write. We might be making progress here after all.
BTW-will you be attending the Frenchy Day parade in the Canyon Of Heroes this Saturday afternoon? I’ll save you a seat.
Shaun
July 29th, 2009
12:51 pm
braves fan lmh, from the Rays’ perspective why would they trade Crawford unless they get a better leftfielder plus at least one other solid player?
Vinings Jim
July 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
cabravesfan – that’s Czech Republic Braves fan – it might be a long trip, but I’ll go along if you would like.
Roman Gal
July 29th, 2009
12:52 pm
4 mad women can take over the world most days. RHR
Good point…and they can destroy the world if together once a month.
braves fan lmh
July 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
Shaun,
Have you looked at crawford’s number’s this year? He is having one of his best season’s ever. It has been rumored that the rays will pick up crawford’s option and then possibly trade him, so how much would it cost to get him in terms of prospects? PLUS the rays really want to get Lee and V-Mart and need to shed payroll quickly before the phillies pick up Lee
semiballcoach
July 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
shaun–rays are trying to get v martinez and lee and need to drop payroll
Capt Caveman
July 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
OK girls — if your going on the warpath I want to join, kinda be like Bosley with Charlies Angels……
Do I need to submit a resume or will my “body of work” here on the blog suffice ??
cabravesfan
July 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
VJ-
you can stay home…might get messy
Anders
July 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
DAP – He pitched 14 innings last year? Total. He has 30 career saves. Total. Dominant? Can we let him pitch for just a little while longer before we compare him to the elite group?
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:55 pm
OK, in fairness to Chipper, he has had fewer men on base in front of him, yet driven in more than Kotchman.
Chipper–219 men on base in front of him, he’s driven in 36 of them.
Kotchman–237 men on base in front of him, he’s driven in 33 of them.
braves fan lmh
July 29th, 2009
12:56 pm
They would trade crawford to get an Elite Pitcher like halladay or go for Lee and V-Mart not to mention they have crawford’s future replacement in the Jenning’s kid. So they would probably look to do what the braves are doing by getting a veteran stop gap (Loaf) until Jennings is ready. Any prospects the rays get from the braves could be used in a trade package
Mitchie-san
July 29th, 2009
12:57 pm
For those who care, Big trade with Pirates and Mariners…
Paul Lentz
July 29th, 2009
12:57 pm
David O’Brien……..I understand your point about the average fan wanting to hear from players after the game. However, I am in the minority that what matters most is that they help us win. I could care less about how moody they are with you guys (I know, you have to make a living…..I’m just saying how I feel from my “selfish” standpoint).
I have no problem with Rafael Soriano. He has been lights out for most of the year for us. He blew one last night. It happens. Blown saves from your closer is expected from time to time.
However, using Greg Norton as a pinch hitter in the top of the 7th after Ryan Church drew a walk with no outs in a 2-2 game……….was simply the wrong move to make, at the time. In that case, I’d have used Kelly Johnson (who can bunt a runner over…and be used to hit and run with) instead. While a 2 run bomb would have been nice (in theory, if Norton could hit a homer), playing for one run was the smart thing to do.
Bobby had already planned on using Gonzalez in the 7th (because a number of lefties were coming up), going with Moylan in the 8th, and Soriano in the 9th. Getting that one run would have been nice. Plus we could have gotten more that inning, depending on how the pitcher pitches with a runner on 2nd with one out. However, after Norton hit into the double play, basically the inning was over.
Using Greg Norton has cost the Braves a number of shots to score runs and win games since he was called up right before the All-Star Break. If you want to see the IMPACT a quality pinch hitter can have in a game………all you have to do is look at the end of last night’s game, when Gload’s pinch hit homer won the game for the Marlins. Or back to Brooks Conrad’s pinch hit 3 run homer that helped us win that game against Washington.
A pinch hitter can either positively or negatively affect a game. Just go back to the Saturday game against the Mets, bottom of the 8th, 2 outs, bases loaded, score 2-1 Mets, 3-1 count. The struggling Mets pitcher threw Norton 2 fastballs RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. Norton whiffed through both of them. BALLGAME.
Yet many of you cant see how having Norton on the roster is KILLING us in tight games. All you can see is that we have won a number of blowout games and that we are playing better this month than in previous months. However, you refuse to see how the Braves could have done even better if Greg freaking Norton wasnt on the team. Pathetic.
Anders
July 29th, 2009
12:58 pm
You know, in retrospect if Wren had just traded Pendleton for Hojo instead of Frenchy for Church you guys would have that productive bat in the outfield you need. {:
Wow is this gonna be bitter when I have to eat all this crow.
McFann Ô
July 29th, 2009
12:58 pm
Roman Gal–
So, cann we count you in?
Capt. Caveman–
Hmm…there will have to be a meeting of the elect.
curtis jones
July 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
Looks like neither Chipper nor the Kotch-rocket have anything to brag about when it comes to driving folks in. Those stats basically prove Chipper is on the way down, while Kotch, at age 26, is about as good (and as fast) as he’ll ever be.
By the way, does Elias have any stats on what percentage of Kotchman’s at-bats result in a weak grounder to second? That’s about all I ever see him produce.
Shamus Thacker
July 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
McFann: Blech!
Gesundheit!
Capt Caveman
July 29th, 2009
1:00 pm
YO Original Jon — I usually refrain from responding to you but in this instance your lack of knowledge is just GLARING !!!
At every level of professional ball you are taught, coached, and lectured about the same facts of the game. One constant being that you NEVER walk the winning run onto base. Absolutely Never. Ask any reliever in the game and they will tell you they would rather see the winning run come on a homer than from a walk and then an extra base hit. Runner on first scores on a double.
If you are going to sit back and be a “couch coach” you need to learn the basic rules and truths of the game first.