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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,246 comments Add your comment
Joe Fan
July 31st, 2009
6:52 pm
Laroche is a free agent after this season. So it will be telling to see if the Braves attempt to resign him or open the door for Freeman to make the jump. It could be their way of saying with both Francoeur and Kotchman gone that the future arrives in 2010.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
6:55 pm
Gone Viral……..your 4:29pm posting was ABSOLUTELY CORRECT concerning team chemistry.
After all, the Yankees of 1977-1978 had “great team chemistry”, right?
David..(Athens, AL)
July 31st, 2009
6:55 pm
well said Paul … agree with your assessment!
Vinings Jim
July 31st, 2009
6:56 pm
Wow, Shamus – I didn’t realize the Armageddon was upon us. On the other hand, enjoy the barbeque.
Shane
July 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
Any news on who will replace Jeff Bennett on the 40 man roster???
Jurrjens4NLCY
July 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
Fantasy 411 on MLB home plate guy thinks the Kotch trade was all about Boston… BS. This trade effects the Braves more, It was because of the Braves, and they didn’t just do it to get LaRoche to play everyday…
willy
July 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
jb,
It is just another Church for Francouer type of deal. The Braves give up nothing of value, but create a great deal of flexibility for next year. If they do not re-sign Laroche they may receive a type B draft selection. If Freeman is the first baseman of the future, then the Braves have lost nothing and get an additional draft pick next year. But, most believe that Laroche will be a bigger run producer than Kotchman down the stretch this year. If Kotchman is good, then why is Boston turning him into a bench player and paying Laroche’s salary.
Baba O'Riley
July 31st, 2009
6:57 pm
Can’t see how this is an awful trade. Some of you just enjoy b!thchin.
Baba O'Riley
July 31st, 2009
6:58 pm
kwitcher bitchin
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
6:58 pm
Paul Lentz
Your 6:51 post….
That’s a good perspective there. I do agree with that as well. I just go a bit more in depth. I figured neither would be a Brave beyond this year, so why not increase chances for this year and then have payroll flexibility for next year.
This is a good trade long term and a low risk-high reward short term trade.
HarveyWallBanger
July 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
Don’t boo Raffy. Let’s give him a standing ovation for not coming back.
Chris from the Rock
July 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
But once you make a trade like this, doesn’t one guy automatically have to go on the roster after you trade the other? So it’s like Kotchman and LaRoche are in some sort of “roster limbo?” Hmmmm…
Gone Viral
July 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
“After all, the Yankees of 1977-1978 had “great team chemistry”, right?”
It happened once 31 years ago! That’s totally enough!
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
UMPIRES. . .
HP – Cuzzi
1B – Hallion
2B – Barry
3B – Crawford
In case you’re wondering the UMPS FROM HELL will be screwing up the Houston-St Louis series this weekend. Boy, can’t wait to see Hohn umping Sunday in the St. Louis heat. Should be about 130. He should be pleasant.
NO MORE BOBBY
July 31st, 2009
6:59 pm
Well at least one Brave will be in the playoffs this October.
Congratulations Kotchman for getting out of here.
Vinings Jim
July 31st, 2009
7:00 pm
“Let’s see what happens” – Paul Lentz, the voice of reason (and I’m serious, for a change)
cabravesfan – pure coincidence I posted this two minutes after you left for home
NCBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:00 pm
I’m with willy on this one. I don’t think this is necessarily about what LaRoche might do for us this year, but it’s a matter of judging that Kotchman wasn’t going to be anything more for us than what he already was – and in the Braves’ judgment that wasn’t good enough to justify the raise he would get in arbitration next year.
And I don’t think it means that Freeman will necessarily be here next year, either. I just think it means the Braves will worry about getting a 1B for 2010 in the offseason.
Same kind of deal as with Francouer. The salary > the value.
ThrillsforPhills
July 31st, 2009
7:00 pm
MLB tonight is really handing it to the Braves for making this incredibly stupid trade. Thank You, Frank Wren!!
Daybed Wagmoe
July 31st, 2009
7:00 pm
“MLB.TV users, is todays game blacked out?” — Jurrjens4NLCY
It shouldn’t be, unless you live in the Atlanta broadcast area or Los Angeles broadcast area.
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
7:01 pm
My man, CHARLIE MORTON lasted six in his last outing, a loss. Record 2-3 this season, but his cumulative ERA of 3.72 in 38.2 IP is about 45% lower than last year. So he continues to progress at his usual methodical pace. Allowed two earned with three walks, five strikeouts and one HR. I know, I know. Who gives a rip. Old news. And I know we’re better off with McLOUTH – maybe.
JayDubu
July 31st, 2009
7:02 pm
Has the lineup been posted??
McFann :Ô:
July 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
“Umps from Hell”…hee hee…
Course, if Cowboy Joe West and Billy the Kid Hohn were in the same crew, that would REALLY be umps from hell…
Jurrjens4NLCY
July 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
Dear Tommy Hanson, If you bean Furcal, I’ll give you $12.05 for a 90mph fastball in the ribs, ok? Every 10 inches up from there is an extra $5. Multiply that by the speed for every mph by $10. We have a deal?
Baba O'Riley
July 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
ThrillsforPhills- you speak as though MLBTV’s opinion is the gospel.
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
7:03 pm
NCBRAVESFAN:
Your 7:00 p.m. Ding!
NORRIS
July 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
its all who you talk to because on every show since 4 oclock on xm radio they couldnt say enough about how great a trade it was for the braves. we upgraded in the clubhouse and on the field
Duder
July 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
NCBRaves Fan- MLBN also has an idiot analyst (Harold Reynolds) who predicted that Roy Halladay would pitch a perfect game against us when TOR was here, so I wouldn’t put much stock into what they have to say.
Jurrjens4NLCY
July 31st, 2009
7:05 pm
Daybed Wagmoe, Thank you, I though it was on Fox though, which would mean I have to watch whatever Chicago puts up.
VP
July 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
@Jurrjens4NLCY,
I am will match whatever your paying Hanson if smacks around that pig Furcal.
Duder
July 31st, 2009
7:06 pm
Why does anyone care what any analayst on tv says? Those guys aren’t gms, they aren’t getting paid by a MLB team to make decisions. Just like Keith Law, if he was such an amazing judge of talent and rating of prospects, why isn’t he a scout or in baseball ops somewhere?
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
NCBRAVESFAN:
Wow. Did you catch DUDER’s take on what you wrote? Wow.
CrimeDog
July 31st, 2009
7:09 pm
Duder-
Not saying Keith Law is smart, but some guys do TV because it pays a lot more and they are relatively “famous”
willy
July 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
Just Think, if we had signed Furcal, we might not have had the money for the pitching we have now. Also, we might have never realized how good Martin Prado is!!!
Baba O'Riley
July 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
……or they have 2nd hand info provided by scouts.
Jurrjens4NLCY
July 31st, 2009
7:10 pm
VP, Well it matters what Hanson does…. Well see, I’m about to offer Hanson a bonus for throwing a bottle of Jack Daniels at the vistors’ dugout while saying, “I got your DUI, right here,” and then gesture to his crotch.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:11 pm
In order to call up Canizares……….the Braves had to make a roster move. Who did the Braves get rid of?
I know that Kotchman was traded for LaRoche. However, that leaves the Braves a man short for tonight. Canizares cant be called up to replace Kotchman’s spot. Someone else has to get the heave ho.
Kelly Johnson Conspiracy
July 31st, 2009
7:12 pm
It’s easy! LaRoche plays out this season in ATL. He leaves, Bobby moves Prado to first and gets to put his GOLDEN BOY Kelly Johnson back full time at 2nd base.
Braveheart
July 31st, 2009
7:12 pm
We all wished Kotchman was the next Mark Grace, but was he ever really gonna be anything more than the next Doug Mientkiewicz?
NCBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:12 pm
Duder: I didn’t hear what MLB had to say about the trade. Can you fill me in?
To me, this trade is about the long-term and Casey not being a part of it. I guess you could say Adam brings a little more power to a “power”position, but it’s not like the Braves are starving for runs lately either.
Why do you trade Kotch when the Braves’ offense has been one of the best in the NL over the past several weeks, unless you think he is not a part of your 2010 planning?
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
7:12 pm
From MLBTR and Jon Heyman via Twitter under “Failed Deadline Deals”
Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus. Wow.
NCBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
richbrave: Yeah and I can’t figure out what Duder’s talking about. But then again, I don’t know what I’m talking about most of the time, either.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
Carroll Rogers………..your 6:15pm posting does not sound right. When the trade was made, LaRoche immediately took Kotchman’s spot on the roster. I am almost positive that the Braves cannot call someone up……just because LaRoche isnt in Atlanta yet. LaRoche is on the 25 man roster.
Someone had to be demoted to make room for Barbaro Canizares.
Will
July 31st, 2009
7:15 pm
Well Paul, Canizares did replace Kotchman. LaRoche hasn’t been activated yet
John Heyman IS On Crack
July 31st, 2009
7:16 pm
“Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus. Wow.”
This report has to be plain and simply a lie….either that or Heyman is on crack!!!…..end of story!
No team leading the division like the Dodgers are move Loney, Martin and DeWitt for a questionable closer and Gonzo.
Braveheart
July 31st, 2009
7:16 pm
Laroche hasn’t been the same since he left Terry Pendleton. Let’s see how he does now with his old hitting coach helping him again
CrimeDog
July 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
Paul-
You’re wrong. But good job insinuating you know more than a beat writer.
Braveheart
July 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
I would’ve liked Nick Johnson much more than Laroche though
Will
July 31st, 2009
7:17 pm
LaRoche is on the 40 man but not active
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
NEWS FLASH. . .
The Braves have called St. Louis. . .
Hohn gets to pick who goes down.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
JayDubu
July 31st, 2009
7:02 pm
Has the lineup been posted??
you don’t want to see it…trust me
NORRIS
July 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
pendleton help somebody…hahahahahahaha that is hilarious.
UGASlobberknocker
July 31st, 2009
7:18 pm
Frank Wren must be brain dead to make this trade. We trade a gold glover who is just heating up for a guy who isnt any better hitter, a worse fielder, and a guy who cant remember to put his pants on. Godawful trade. I just dont get it. The only happy one about this is Kochman.
Shane
July 31st, 2009
7:19 pm
Paul there is a 72 hour window for a player to be activated thats why Freddy Sanchez isnt on the giants roster yet.
hoho
July 31st, 2009
7:19 pm
stand back and let paul do is work y’all.
hoho
July 31st, 2009
7:20 pm
or do his work.
(somebody ain’t proofreadin’ up in here)
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
Almost game time….EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK
NCBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
Braveheart @ 7:17 – me too. NJ, when healthy, is the same type of hitter as Kotch – only quite a bit better at it.
NORRIS
July 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
he averages about 270 a season and hits 25 homers. not bad if you ask me.
Baba O'Riley
July 31st, 2009
7:21 pm
UGA- Kwitcherbitchen. You can’t change it.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:23 pm
BravesFanChris24………thanks for the props. I will say that as far as long term implications, this trade had no bearing on that. I do not feel that Kotchman would have been tendered in the winter. Braves management would be very aware of the raise that Kotchman would get in salary arbitration.
The only bearing I see this trade as having is if LaRoche were to sign a decent 1 year contract for 2010 (assuming he has a decent final 2 months for us) without having to possibly give up a draft pick if the trade wasnt made.
Memphis
July 31st, 2009
7:23 pm
I’m tired of people acting like Casey Kotchman is even on the level of a “Mark Grace” . Kotchman couldn’t hold Mark Grace’s jock. We are trying to upgrade power here for the remainder of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if we went into next season with Freeman as our 1B even though he’s currently at AA. Or maybe we see Wren try to package Freeman in a deal with Medlen for Gonzalez in the off season. You know with Peavy being dealt, it’s just a matter of time before Gonzalez is gone as well.
Laroche always seemed like one of those players who benefited for playing with Bobby Cox.
Stay positive people!
Geeze!
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
Bar-BAH-ROE!!! This goofy lineup will win tonight, with hits from unexpected places. . .
‘CEPT NORTON!!! HE CAN’T HIT!!! CUT NORTON!!! CAL UP CONRAD!!!
Steve in NC
July 31st, 2009
7:25 pm
The over-reactors are out in full-force. Brain dead to make this trade? Wrenn is out from under Kotchman AND Frenchy’s contracts at the end of the year. Clever maneuvering, with negligable net-loss in production with both deals. You have to think about the big picture. You aren’t winning a play-off series with Kotchman any more than you are with LaRoche. Big deal.
DP
July 31st, 2009
7:26 pm
Don’t know why everybody is getting so worked up over a swap of two mediocre first basemen. Wren said on 680 that LaRoche’s greater power was the motivating factor; I suspect the added roster and salary flexibility for next year and the year after was an added bonus. I see no reason not to give Wren the benefit of the doubt on this one.
Hopefully when Infante is ready to go again he can platoon with LaRoche, whether Prado plays first and Infante is at second or vice versa.
ACCTDAWG
July 31st, 2009
7:26 pm
I’m sure this has already been posted before, but I will mention it again. For the Dish Network people out there, the Peachtree broadcasts have been on 450 lately. I’m not sure if its permanent, but just thought I would share.
Let the fun begin...
July 31st, 2009
7:26 pm
****Please people let Bill Hohn know how real southern hospitatlity goes****
Willaim John Hohn
1406 ROYAL OAK DR
BLUE BELL, PA 19422
NCBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
As for tonight’s game: Jason Schmidt has been having a really bad time of it. He might be done in fact. We should get some pitches to hit I would think.
Vinings Jim
July 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
Paul Lentz – have you considered that maybe Carroll knows something you don’t – no, I didn’t think so.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
Will…………As soon as the trade went down, LaRoche took Kotchman’s spot on the 25 man roster. It doesnt matter if he is in Atlanta or not. The only way that someone could be called up to replace LaRoche is for him to either go on the disabled list….or….be on bereavement leave. Being in transit does not qualify as a reason to call someone up to play until you get to Atlanta.
Jake W.
July 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
“MLB tonight is really handing it to the Braves for making this incredibly stupid trade. Thank You, Frank Wren!!”
Yeah because they said we traded Saltalamachhia, Andrus, Feliz, Jones, and Harrison for Tex, then traded Tex for Kotchman, then traded Kotchman for LaRoche. Of course they are missing a fews names in their so called six degrees of seperation. It wasn’t just Tex straight up for 5 players and we got a prospect with Kotchman. Somehow I think they are missing the fact that we traded LaRoche away for Gonzo and Lillibridge. He didn’t just walk, we got something for him. Yeah the Tex trade was bad in that we didn’t make the playoffs with him and he went elsewhere but we didn’t completely decimate our farm.
Taylor S
July 31st, 2009
7:27 pm
Im about 20 minutes south of Turner Field and the weather is horrible … Any body know what the weather is doing at the Ted ?
Remember?
July 31st, 2009
7:28 pm
Have we forgotten the LaRoche who forgot his meds, zoned out while fielding a bunt only to turn his back on the baserunner and jog toward first with the ball, to have the hitter run past him to be safe at first, causing Bobby to go into hyperspace? This is the guy we want instead of Koch?
Braveheart
July 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
After the last four years of waiting for the Baby Braves to blossom, I’m not terribly excited about the possibility of seeing Freeman, Schafer and Heyward penciled in the lineup everyday next year, and waiting another half decade to see if they blossom. Well, I’m excited beyond belief to see Heyward, but not the other two.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
Crime Dog…………while I could be wrong on the roster spot thing……..it is possible for a beat write to be wrong. No one is perfect. That is why I asked. I would like some clarification as to the rules concerning trade and roster moves.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
NC Steve: Nice try.
Frenchy was still arbitration-eligible, which means if the Braves did not want him, all they had to do was non-tender him. Same with Kotchman. The Braves had all the power. Even w/o the trades, the Braves could’ve been off the hook for 2010.
I think I know what you meant, but your logic was flawed.
John Heyman IS On Crack
July 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
So you’re getting all this salary flexibility by dumping Kotchman and 3 mil in contract responsibility? You get salary flexibility by dumping 8-10-12 mil in salary PEOPLE!!!! Geez everyone on this blog is on fricken crack!
Heath
July 31st, 2009
7:29 pm
Almost game time… LET’S GO BRAVES!!!!
chris from md
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
Logan,
Thanks for the free baseball website!
Chris from MD
Poorjeff
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
No Escobar are Prado in line up tonight.
CrimeDog
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
Paul-
There’s no debating here. Barbaro is occupying Kotchman’s spot. There was no other move. Amazing you’re actually arguing against reality.
ppaddy123
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOO!
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
Shane……..a player has 72 hours to report to the team. It does not mean that he isnt on the 25 man roster. What happens is that a team is usually a player short when a trade goes down on the same day.
McFann :Ô:
July 31st, 2009
7:30 pm
Oh yeah…forgot I get to see my old pal Russell Martin this weekend.
Chop Chop
July 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
It’s more amazing that you’d find it amazing, CrimeDog.
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
7:31 pm
BTW as far as chemistry ask Don Sutton how much chemistry he and Steve Garvey had in 1978 on the way to the NL pennant.
Chemistry.
mustrdgasnroses
July 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
Oh greaaat…Chip Carey.
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
I got the Dodgers’ feed tonight. Is that a good thing? ~_~
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
Vinings Jim…….that is why I asked for clarification on the rules regarding roster moves after a trade has been made.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:32 pm
VOTE BARBARO FOR 2010!!!
Braveheart
July 31st, 2009
7:33 pm
Does Laroche project as a Type A , Type B free agent, or neither?
CrimeDog
July 31st, 2009
7:34 pm
Mac just fist bumped the home plate ump in the chest. Not kidding.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
CrimeDog…….when the Francoeur trade was made, the Braves were a man short that night against the Rockies. Church reported the next day and was in the line-up.
o-me
July 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
Paul, sorry i said anything this morning. Didn’t know someone was using your name. Your cool.
ncscoots
July 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
As soon as the trade went down, LaRoche took Kotchman’s spot on the 25 man roster.
Wrong, as usual. Google must have missed “transaction rules” when you did the search, I guess.
Shane
July 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
Paul read this YOU ARE WRONG!
Newly acquired second baseman Freddy Sanchez was expected to use most or all of the 72-hour period that Major League rules allow him before he officially reports to the Giants.
To avoid playing shorthanded, the Giants won’t drop a player from their active 25-man roster to accommodate Sanchez until he’s fit. They did clear a spot on the 40-man roster by reinstating right-hander Billy Sadler from the Minor League disabled list and designating him for assignment. Sadler was 5-3 with a 5.34 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A Fresno.
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090730&content_id=6157890&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf
Heath
July 31st, 2009
7:36 pm
Braveheart -
I think it was already mentioned that he is neither at this moment, but a typical second half could elevate him to a Type-B guy.
Rob from SC
July 31st, 2009
7:36 pm
I wonder why Hanson isn’t striking out more batters
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
Doesn’t matter, Braveheart. Braves will non-tender LaRoche. No draft picks. . .
Embrace The Barbaro in 2010!
Heath
July 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
4 pitches…2 outs.
Mitchell
July 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
See, I predict a win last night even in the midst of Kelly Johnson created trouble and then a sweep of the Dodgers and then what happens? Martin and Yunel get injured and the Braves trade Kotchman.
There’s no reason not to pummel Jason Schmidt into the ground tonight but, uh, KJ batting second, Barbaro and let’s not forget Diory Hernandez all in the line-up tonight. Not good.
Couldn’t they have waited so that we would have either Kotchman or LaRoche tonight? Okay, obviously not.
And why didn’t Braves fans boo Furcal’s ass off the field. Come on Braves fans!
Why are all the real Braves fans, us, never at the games?