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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,246 comments Add your comment
Mama Cox
August 1st, 2009
7:44 am
Now don’t y’all be calling my boys wussies. Anybody can be one hit by a 36 year old with arm trouble. Calling my boys names hurts their feelings and they start to cry. At least they won’t have to play with them mean ol’ Yankee boys anymore this year. They are so mean to my boys. But Mama loves her boys and Mama’s boys love Mama Cox.
Shamus Thacker
August 1st, 2009
7:46 am
Roman Gal: I have to admit I’m a little surprised by all the people who hate this trade. You’d think we just acquired the Swine Flu or something instead of a good (not great) ballplayer.
Couldn’t we still swap LaRetch for Swine Flu if they cleared waivers?
Shamus Thacker
August 1st, 2009
7:57 am
Roman Gal: Shamus, you ok pal? We’re here for ya…
Thanks RG! Yeah, I’m OK I guess, just worried bout allowing Swine Flu to slip from our grasps. And for what? A ham-handed first baseman who hits like Stenchy.
Hooter Girl
August 1st, 2009
7:57 am
Anybody who gets laid in SF is probably gay.
richbrave
August 1st, 2009
8:03 am
Hey RANDOM:
SYCOPHANT means lying suck-up URIAH HEEP types, no?
Shamus Thacker
August 1st, 2009
8:10 am
Random: Lou Vales (August 1st, 2009 1:55 am): “That is why when I hear sycophants like Scott Boras talking about how salaries should not be affected . . . “
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
Random, I believe he simply got words confused, meant to say “smartypants….”
richbrave
August 1st, 2009
8:15 am
Lou VALES:
Congrats on beating the big “C”. I’m FOR National Health insurance, but it’s gonna’ turn stories like yours on its ear. Can’t deliver that type of care to everyone for nothing. Things are going to change and soon. Not necessarily for the better for those who have health care now. We put off taking care of the cost of medical care in AMERICA far too long. 20+% of GDP in the health arena just can’t be sustained.
Random
August 1st, 2009
8:15 am
Mel on a car phone (August 1st, 2009 2:03 am): “Check further up in this blog. DOB made a post about it. DOB also included it in his article on the trade. “The Red Sox also gave the Braves approximately $1.5 million to cover the difference in the remaining salary the players are owed this season.” http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-trade-kotchman-for-105483.html I’d consider DOB a credible source.”
. . . Ahem, well. (Uncomfortable silence)
“Kotchman has played in 130 total games as a Brave. As I said before, he has hit .267 with 8 HR, 61 RBI and OPS around .700 in 130 games with the Braves. You honestly think that level of production, especially on a team with a tight budget, is worth $4M? Kotchman has delivered several key hits this season, but that doesn’t overshadow his body of work over the course of 130 games in Atlanta, IMO.”
First, let’s focus on this year — last year had plenty of unique disruptive events that affected his performance (the trade, his Mom, etc). (Or consider his entire career performance — >272/.340/.412/.752 — not just two fragments of seasons.)
Second — “several key hits”?
12 Apr v WAS, Braves up 7-5, bottom 8th, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 8th (insurance) run;
15 Apr v FLO, Braves down 4-1, bottom 5th, 0 outs, Kotchman doubles to drive in Braves’ 2nd run;
19 Apr @ PIT, Braves up 2-0, bottom 1st, 2 outs, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 3rd run;
21 Apr @ WAS, 0-0, top 1st, Kotchman doubles in Braves’ 1st run, scores Braves’ 3rd run;
7 May @ FLO — Braves win 4-2, Kotchman 3 for 4 (1B, 2B, HR), 2 RBIs, 1 R;
8 May @ PHI, Braves down 10-3, top 9th, 0 out, Kotchman hits 3-R HR;
10 May @ PHI — Braves win 4-2, Kotchman 3 for 5 (1B, 2 2Bs), 3 RBIs;
11 May @ NYN, Braves up 3-1, top 7th, 2 out, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 4th & 5th runs;
12 May @ NYN, 0-0, top 4th, 2 out, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 1st run;
19 May v COL, 0-0, bottom 1st, Kotchman doubles, scores Braves 1st run;
Braves up 2-0, bottom 2nd, Kotchman singles in Braves 3rd run;
22 May v TOR — Braves win 1-0, Kotchman 1-3 (1B), 1 RBI;
23 May v TOR — Braves win 4-3, Kotchman 1 for 4 (2B), 2 RBIs;
25 May @ SFN, Braves down 3-1, top 6th, 1 out, Kotchman walks “driving” in Braves 2nd run;
27 May @SFN, Braves down 2-0, top 6th, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 1st run;
28 May @ ARI, Braves down 5-1, top 8th, Kotchman singles in Braves’ 2nd run;
18 Jun @ CIN, 0-0, top 2nd, Kotchman SF “drives” in Braves’ 1st run;
25 Jun v NYA, Braves down 8-1, bottom 4th, Kotchman doubles in Braves’ 2nd & 3rd runs, scores Braves’ 4th run;
2 Jul v PHI, 0-0, bottom 4th, Kotchman homers driving in Braves’ 1st 2 runs.
Yes — “several” (note sarcasm). This year. Before the ASG break. (Additionally, there are literally “several” additional games after the break in which “Kotchman has delivered several key hits.”
“I’m sure the Braves can find someone who can produce at the level Kotchman has over the past 130 games to serve as a stopgap until Freeman is ready.”
And they will get what they pay for. Or rather, they won’t get what they don’t pay for. Probably.
“The argument about Kotchman being under team control through 2011 has come up often today. Having a guy under team control for multiple years is great when that player is providing strong production. Kotchman hasn’t. [Yes -- yes, he has.] Sure he’s got a great glove, but check those numbers with the bat I cited above. Not what you’re looking for out of first base unless you’ve got a stacked offensive lineup.
You check those numbers with the bat I posted above. And recall that his offensive performance has been trending up the past two months, while (so far) LaRoche has been trending down. For example, SLG. CK’s and LR’s trend lines for AVG/OPB/SLG/OPS all cross in July.
We’ll see, huh?
dogsbrekky
August 1st, 2009
8:17 am
Casey >> La Roche in all ways except hr and speed
Efrim
August 1st, 2009
8:45 am
I guess Cliff Lee was a good trade by the Phils? Some difference maker, eh?
CallUpConrad
August 1st, 2009
8:50 am
ESPN’s Buster Olney was asked last night by Steve Berthume who was one one of the teams that their moves are underrated and he said, “The Atlanta Braves with Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche.” Tim Kurkjian added, “Also the St. Louis Cardinals with Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa.” Berthume said, “Don’t forget about Julio Lugo.” Kurkjian and Olney laughed.
Random
August 1st, 2009
8:54 am
Shamus Thacker, richbrave –
Droll, fellas — very droll.
Atticus
August 1st, 2009
8:55 am
4 years, no playoffs. Great management.
They went into this season with 3 players out of their league, 2 of which there is no excuse. KJ had a good 2nd half last year but Frenchy was clueless and that had a CF that had never played above AA.
Nice job Frank.
Random
August 1st, 2009
9:01 am
Errata: “CK’s and LR’s trend lines for AVG/OPB/SLG/OPS all cross in July.”
My Bad — their SLG (& OPS) lines have not yet crossed.
Marc in FL
August 1st, 2009
9:03 am
Ah, a new day, the glorious sun and no work for two days! Still a big confused about the trade yesterday, everything was pointing to Kotchman heating up and Laroche cooling off (not that he’s ever been hot this year). But, for the sake of the Braves and their fans, let’s hope Frank and Bobby are right and Laroche has a bit second half. Personally I don’t think it matters a whole lot which one of them plays 1B, it’s still going to be up to McCann, Chipper, and Escobar, and Prado to ignite this offense, Anderson’s hitting like himself, but McLouth needs to figure out what is wrong cause he’s looking lost up there lately.
Marc in FL
August 1st, 2009
9:09 am
Oh and you’re wrong Lou, the Marlins have the 3rd largest TV market in baseball, that’s where most of their money comes from (as anyone who’s seen their stadium attendance could probably guess.
brent a.
August 1st, 2009
9:17 am
My understanding is that the Marlins are highly popular in terms of TV ratings, they just don’t draw, due largely to weather issues.
McCann Fan
August 1st, 2009
9:19 am
I can’t look back and see what everyone else thinks about the trade, but personally I don’t like it. I’ll take .282, a current hot bat, and zero errors over .249 and the potential to hit a few more home runs all day.
brent a.
August 1st, 2009
9:20 am
Not sure if Carroll mentioned it last night during the game; but, when the LaRoche trade was shown on the big screen, it was met with pretty solid applause. The applause level was somewhere between the boo level that Furcal rec’d and what Manny rec’d.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
9:33 am
Im sorry for not replying last night anymore………..just fell asleep………sorry to the guys that addressed their comments to me. Apologies.
Robert
August 1st, 2009
9:44 am
“RHR, Has Chipper charged the mound yet? ”
Oh no. Chippey gets VERY angry at the other team when he perceives they dis his Braves. But he does it from the safety of the dugout.
To actually go out there and DO something about it – might involve getting his uni dirty – and then Bobby would get upset. Cant have that
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
9:45 am
Efrim,
The guy seals the regular season deal for them before august arrives……….thats pretty solid.
We still are in good position to make a run……….. with a little more power now at 1b and some help in the horizon (Infante + Hudson).
Its a shame Hudson and Infante could not get here faster, it would have been a difference.
AndyC
August 1st, 2009
9:47 am
Lee was dominant last night for the Phils. I said on the day of the trade that he could go on a Sabathia-like run. I predict he will finish 8-2 for the Phils and lead them to the WS.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
9:49 am
AndyC,
He shut down one of the worse offensive teams on the league……….give me a break……….guy is good, but dont be so sure just yet. Remember he will have to make lots of starts at philly
AndyC
August 1st, 2009
9:49 am
Lee was dominate for the Phils last night. I said on the day of the trade that he could go on a Sabathia-like run. I predict he will finish 8-2 for the Phils and lead them to the WS.
Buzzmeat
August 1st, 2009
9:50 am
Ya know i didnt think about speed in the trade. I did always hate having Kotchman on 1st with 2 outs. LaRoche I bet can scored from 1st waaaay better than Casey.
AndyC
August 1st, 2009
9:50 am
Sorry for the double post. This thing is acting weird this morning.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
9:54 am
Doc H. I hate strike out batters and Adam is one of them……….he loves to K
jeffrey d Geeeeze….LaRoche has 83 K’s. The next closest Brave has 49
Oooo…that leader better watch out! BMac is hot on his trail…and determined to pass him, apparently.
Jake W. McCann didn’t helplessly swing at a ball inches off the plate…
He did to start the AB…it was pretty close, but low and off the outside corner, and no doubt would have been ball one. He takes that pitch, then even after that “borderline” pitch, his count would have been 3-2, provided that “borderline” pitch is still called a strike.
I’m just baffled at this–he’s K’ing almost once a game, and he’s not the clutch hitter he was in years past. He has a very good game like Thursday, and then he follows it up with something like that. No men left on base to 5 men left on base. I don’t get it, and I don’t like it.
And if he is in the cleanup spot against the lefty today…
DirtyDawg
August 1st, 2009
9:54 am
If we can’t hit a washed-up Jason Schmidt it doesn’t matter what Philadelphia has pitching for them, or anybody we’re behind for the Wild Card either. Pathetic.
AndyC
August 1st, 2009
9:56 am
Doc Holiday
With the kind of offensive support he is going to get, he doesn’t have to shutout anyone. Moyer has 10 wins on this team with a 5.32 ERA. If he pitches every five days he will get 12 more starts. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that he will finish with 8 wins. In fact that may be conservative.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
9:56 am
McFann Ô,
McCann has looked little bad lately………but Chipper? man, he is way short to what he should be producing
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
9:58 am
Chipper not going after that line drive over 3B a couple of games ago made him look like GA…….. it should have never been called a double, but defensive indiference (Chipper)
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
10:00 am
AndyC,
We shall see
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:01 am
Doc H.–
Yeah, Chipper is falling short…don’t know what’s up with those two…
And I know Frank Wren has made some good moves, got us some dang good pitching…but I would like to have a sit-down with him and ask him why in the name of all that is holy did he think it was a good idea to enter the season with the catcher as the cleanup hitter!!
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
10:04 am
McFann,
Its time for Braves fans to start noticing that some of our lack of power comes from Chipper and McCann hypersubpar season………they are just not doing what Wren expected out of them……….specially chipper.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
10:05 am
I sense lots of frustration on chippers playing performance……..he is not concentrating………he is thinking about his frustrations or something. Not trying hard enough everyday.
Buster Brown
August 1st, 2009
10:05 am
Guys,guys, lets just enjoy the rest of the season. Its over and we need to look towards next year. Call up Heyward in Sept, get a looksy at Huddy, and start thinking about what power bat we can add in the off season. The future is bright because we didnt screw the pooch and make some crazy deal & for the fact that almost every deal that Wren tried (Peavy, Furcal, Burnett, Smoltz) didnt happen. Consider us lucky.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
10:05 am
Not seen that out of him before.
Doc Holiday
August 1st, 2009
10:06 am
With a win today a some help around the league we could still put ourselves 3 games out of the WC………not bad………
Buster Brown
August 1st, 2009
10:07 am
McCann is a #5 hitter. We need a strong right handed power bat in cleanup.
Buster Brown
August 1st, 2009
10:08 am
If we have any chance at the Wild Card this year we have to have everybody in. You see what happens with our two best hitters out (Prado m& Escobar). Ugly.
Lash La Rue
August 1st, 2009
10:09 am
I heard the Fat Lady singing: “Just one Rose will do.”
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:11 am
Doc H.–
Huh, I’ve noticed it…and it’s got me really bugged. I mean, Chipper’s getting old and BMac’s a catcher, so how could Wren think that he could count on them to be the top power guys? It’s beyond me…BMac led the team in HR last year, but that was only 23–it’s not like he hit 40 or something…if he’da hit 40, I wouldn’t blame Wren for thinking that.
I wish I knew–I wish anybody knew what was wrong…
Buster Brown McCann is a #5 hitter. We need a strong right handed power bat in cleanup.
No kidding. I believe I’ve been saying that since the season began.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:12 am
Hmm. McCann’s 4-5 with a homer, a double, 4 RBI, 2 walks, and a HBP against Wolf. But that was before this year…that was when he could still hit lefties.
Buster Brown
August 1st, 2009
10:15 am
If you go and look at the potential 2010 free agents there really isnt a good option for right handed power in the outfield or first base. It will have to come in a trade in the winter, cost us one of our arms and I am sure that Hudsons progress can have a lot to do with it. It they dont take the option on Hudson then about 13 million is freed up right there.
JayDubu
August 1st, 2009
10:15 am
The Braves offense has score zero runs in Hanson’s past two starts. Two shutouts.
JayDubu
August 1st, 2009
10:17 am
The Braves started the second half the same as they did the first. Hot out of the gate, and then Florida shuts them down, and they fall into the win one, lose two pattern.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:18 am
Is Heyward a righty? Please tell me he’s a righty.
JayDubu
August 1st, 2009
10:21 am
Just looking over the schedules, and the stats, and simply put, the Braves are the third best team in the NL East, with the Mets in their current injury status, 4th best otherwise.
Lew
August 1st, 2009
10:21 am
The Phils pick up Cliff Lee for the stretch run. The Cards pick up DeRosa and Halladay. The White Sox pick up Peavy. The Red Sox pick up Victor Martinez. The Braves get Adam LaRoche. Does something here look out of place or is it just me?
JayDubu
August 1st, 2009
10:21 am
Heyward’s a lefty!
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:22 am
Did the Braves change where they stay in New York after that bed disabled Chipper? I wonder if the Braves provide Chipper with a list of do and don’t when he is home with his wife? It would really be hard to explain that one. Although the attack of the batting cage was really bizarre. Chipper may be called “Hoss” but not “Iron Hoss”.
AndyC
August 1st, 2009
10:23 am
Based on my math, both Chipper and BMac are on pace to pretty much duplicate their numbers from last year in terms of RBI and homers to a lesser extent. BMac’s homers and RBI are down a little this year but given his eye issues and the time he missed I don’t think you can blame him for that. His OPS and AVG are identical to last year. Chipper’s OPS is down a fair amount this year but given his age I don’t think we can count on Chipper to put up the kind of numbers he has in the past. I think the blame for this season falls mostly on the outfield and first base to a lesser extent.
Lew
August 1st, 2009
10:25 am
Lou Vales-It comes from being around Terry Pendleton. He once got caught in a tarp rolling machine before a game.
Lew
August 1st, 2009
10:26 am
Or from proximity to Smoltz all of those years, who burned himself while trying to iron a shirt-that he was wearing.
# 31
August 1st, 2009
10:26 am
With a win today a some help around the league we could still put ourselves 3 games out of the WC………not bad……… – Doc Holiday
…and with a win and no help we could be 4 games out and still not bad. Apparently though, according to most around here, its over after every single loss. I’m just glad the players don’t give up as easily.
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:26 am
The Marlins are actually having the Village People perform after the Cubs game tonight. I’ll be there. I believe Bill Hohn has left town.
Mike
August 1st, 2009
10:27 am
Who is writing the headlines for the Braves columns in the AJC? Dodgers outslug Braves? This wasn’t a 8-7 ballgame folks. Get a clue.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:27 am
JayDubu Heyward’s a lefty!
DANGIT!
semiballcoach
August 1st, 2009
10:28 am
buster
the right handed bat is going to have to at first base, unless wren cons someone into trading for mcclouth or shafer
Mike
August 1st, 2009
10:29 am
#31- It isn’t the games back that is the mountain. The mountain is the number of teams in front of the Braves. It isn’t over, but other than a mild streak coming out of the All-Star break, this team doesn’t show any signs of playoff potential.
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:29 am
Has coitus ever been listed as causing an injury? If Chipper plays long enough, I would say that is in play. Mantle and Jones both switch hitters. Both highly productive and clutch performers,however, I somehow think the Mick would have got a kick out of Larry’s “toughness”.
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:34 am
Lew, I’m betting you are over 60. “Lew” is a very distinguished nmame that has almost disappeared. I’m over 60 and “Lou” has almost disappeared. If i appear at many more Braves games in Florida, sitting behind the Braves’dugout and posing questions about Hooter’s –I might disappear. Nice bunch of guys and Cox is great. Should have held up a sign for DOB–He remains very dismissive of me. bet he would love me in person. Everybody does and Dave and I used to love Tom’s in Boca.
semiballcoach
August 1st, 2009
10:35 am
lew–it was vince coleman who got rolled up by the tarp
# 31
August 1st, 2009
10:36 am
I know this Mike…but its the same with the wild card every year. There are a lot of flawed teams around .500, bunched up together. Then towards the end of the season one of these teams wins seven in a row, or nine out of ten. I’m not going to give up and say that can’t be the Braves. Only two teams in the National League have shown that they are playoff worthy so far. These two teams won’t have to worry about the wild card anyway.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
10:37 am
Funny–BMac’s AVG with RISP is actually 12 points higher this year than it was last year. Never would have guessed…
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:39 am
Have you ever noticed how GUTLESS people are. People who will hide on the Net and insult people will not show up in person and stand in first row before the game and discuss “subject matter” with people they give “blank” to on Blogs. Gutless!! I try not to be gutless. Although the Meadowlands for a Jets-Dolphins game does bring out the discretion in me.
NORRIS
August 1st, 2009
10:40 am
so what are the expectations for next year? we would still be looking at several positions that are unknown. 2 outfielders and a first base position. even if our rookies are ready to be brought up. they are still going to be rookies. unless we get some power somewhere we will lose again next year.
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:40 am
We aren’t talking about the current TARP??
Marc in FL
August 1st, 2009
10:41 am
K, your options are Adam Laroche, Nick Johnson, Casey Kotchman, and Aubrey Huff, which do you go with?
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:44 am
If the Braves can not win the World Series in a particular year and one of the following teams has to win it who would you want it to be:
Cubs
Mets
Yankees
Red Sox
Phillies
I want the Cubs to NEVER win a Series, Yankees have won only 1 this century and want to keep it that way, the Mets still have a lot of followers who move to S. Florida and say “That’s not the way we do it in New York” so I’m saying no to them. Would probably want Boston over the Phillies but it is close.
Lou Vales
August 1st, 2009
10:47 am
Johnson–Although the spectre of injury always lingers.
LaRoche–Although the casting call for “Hills Have Eyes” may take him away.
Kotchman-Still think he can get it.
Huff–May be done.
dogsbrekky
August 1st, 2009
10:52 am
DFA Norton and play the Derby horse off the bench as a pinch hitter, he can at last make solid contact with the peanut
Marc in FL
August 1st, 2009
10:55 am
Growing up I had a lil bit of a soft spot for the Cubbies, so that’d be my prick probably.
CrimeDog
August 1st, 2009
11:07 am
Your prick eh?
jeffrey d
August 1st, 2009
11:10 am
It just wouldn’t be the AJC without a gross picture of that old man’s shingles everywhere you go.
jeffrey d
August 1st, 2009
11:13 am
DFA Norton and play the Derby horse off the bench as a pinch hitter, he can at last make solid contact with the peanut
Barbaro the horse is dead.
Oh wait…I’d still rather have him hitting than Norton.
Daybed Wagmoe
August 1st, 2009
11:18 am
For those of you who say that ESPN has a bias for the Red Sox and Yankees, go to ESPN.com and watch last night’s Web Gems. The #4 web gem is Jacoby Ellsbury making a leaping catch at the wall, and Karl Ravich and the other guys say, “THAT’s only number 4?!?!?” and Buck Showalter says, “That’s right it’s only number 4, just cause it’s a Red Sox player doesn’t mean it has to be number one!” And then later he says something else along the same lines. Check it out — good stuff.
Fred Claus
August 1st, 2009
11:20 am
The fork is out of the dishwasher and hovering over this team again. Many have said and I will agree that sending down Conrad, recalling Norton and KJ took the momentum out of this ball club.
The numbers prove it (W-L) and how they are playing. There was a little momentum left in the tank after the ill advised promos/demos but is has long since left.
If not for the pissed off swing that resulted in McCann’s HR they would have been swept by the Marlin’s.
KJ is back to his 0-4 ways and mental lapses at 2B.
You don’t mess with what is working and they did. Wheeling Adam LaRoche in here to watch his one hand O-lay strike outs is going to fix that?
Casey was dumped b/c they didn’t like him in he club house and the feeling was mutual. This was not a baseball move that made sense it is a chemistry hail mary move.
Now Wren goes into the offseason with no 1B. Casey was not the answer but neither is LaRoche.
If Casey stayed hot for the rest of the season you could trade him in December if needed. Adam will just walk for the highest offer.
Wren shows more and more his is primarily reacting to the world around him yet many are viewing his moves as premeditated and thoughtful.
The last non-reactionary trade this man has made was for JJ and he should get all the credit in the world for that one.
Vaz was traded for when Hampton told the Braves he was looking elsewhere. Good trade in hindsight but not a master plan move. He also deserves kudos but Hampton forced his hand.
Lowe was his last resort after missing out on his two preferred targets. Lowe is a good pitcher but very much over paid. Ok this one was face saving so what can you do.
KK was a planned move but not a thoughtful one. He overpaid for a 5 inning pitcher to open up the doors to Japan. Going into a recession with no OFer you could count on was a silly move and KK sealed the deal in terms of having no money for a bat.
Now they are stuck with KK or at best they will have to move him to the pen.
Ross was good pick up so gold star there.
GA was a last ditch effort to have something in the OF especially after Junior passed over the Braves.
Turned out ok but more lucky than smart.
The Mets called about Jeff and kicked off that deal.
The Pirates called about moving McLouth though I am sure it was after early discussions with the Braves. The Braves were lucky that Pittsburgh decided to sell early. In hindsight Wren used is best trade package for a guy that is a nice player but so far is not having a major impact.
That same package could have landed VMART. Would you rather have Church in CF and VMART at 1B? Tough one but I say VMART.
So what we have is a guy with not enough money with no clear plan (bad combo).
He is not building a quick club, a small ball club a HR club, or gritty club. He is an opportunist who primarily (not always) makes moves when its obvious something has totally & completely failed.
He is randomly collecting pieces and biding his time until the day Heyward and FF save his bacon.
It (his job) will very much come down to those two guys. If they do not come to ATL early and start impossibly strong this team as constructed and financed will play .500 ball for a long time and Wren will be working some place else.
That is what happens when your plans change with the direction of the wind.
I know the guy is trying but he gets one more season IMHO to have the club stand for something and stop the bipolar performances.
ijudgenot
August 1st, 2009
11:22 am
Wren said in an interview “When completing the deal that brings LaRoche back to Atlanta, Wren said that he considered the fact that the 29-year-old first baseman was a popular clubhouse figure while playing for the Braves from 2004-06.
“This club does get along very well,” Wren said. “We’ve got very good chemistry on the team, and I think once you get that, you want to hold onto it. This is one of those situations where you wouldn’t bring somebody else in unless you were certain they wouldn’t disturb that chemistry.”
The only players on the team now that were here when LaRoche was here are Chipper and Mac, So this means team chemistry is if Chipper likes having you as a teammate then everyone else sure as hell must like you also. Listen, I disagree with the trade because I think it creates a hole in the lineup now that was not there after taking out Schaeffer,Francour and KJohnaon, but I can understand making a move to try to satisfy those who wanted more power in Lieup, i.e. Dunn, Gonzalez, etc. when you were constrained by money and did not want to give up prospects, but please don’t say it was for team chemistry.
Mike
August 1st, 2009
11:23 am
I like Buster Olney, but McLouth and LaRoche? Bringing back LaRoche is like putting spoiled milk back in the refrigerator………….because maybe it will be better tomorrow.
Roman Gal
August 1st, 2009
11:27 am
Shamus-
You’re a hoot.
Roman Gal
August 1st, 2009
11:30 am
Oh, and I don’t know about trading Laroche for the swine flu…maybe if we keep Chipper in a bubble or something.
dogsbrekky
August 1st, 2009
11:30 am
The average Braves fan picks up tonight’s line up and thinks oh great La Roche, It must be 2005 again
then you wake up and say
bollocks
BravoMan
August 1st, 2009
11:33 am
ijudgenot,
No the move wasn’t made for the sake of team chemistry. He’s just adressing his comment that he made earlier when he said if he made a deal it was going to be one that wouldn’t affect a team that’s starting to come together(when everyone’s in there and healthy). No the move was made because of the team’s lack of pop. LaRoche provides that without giving up the defence, but losing a little average. I have no doubt that Chip influenced this deal, but It’s an understandable one none the less.
Adding LaRoche also gives us the flexiblity in the offseason to resign him for a year til Freeman’s ready or let him go. Kotchman was under control for awhile. Overall this move makes a lot of since for us. I will admit at first I was like WTF???????
TnBrian
August 1st, 2009
11:34 am
Some of you ar going to analyze the LaRoche trade to death before the guy even sees one pitch. Those talking about V.Martinez should remember that getting into a bidding war with Boston would’ve been a nightmare for a GM not wanting to trade his best prospects. Some of ya’ll just want, want, want without looking at reality. To me, the reality is that Cox just doesn’t have it anymore. Can’t blame Wren, “Fred Claus”, for not having the dollars like JS had when he was GM. Bobby has just lost his fire and leadership abilities is all I can think of as to why this team plays so dang inconsistant.
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
11:35 am
4 1/2 hours till the game starts…anxious to see the lineup, I guess.
Shamus Thacker
August 1st, 2009
11:35 am
AndyC: Sorry for the double post. This thing is acting weird this morning.
Sure you ain’t just and idiot?
If so, welcome aboard!
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
11:40 am
You could refresh again, and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings…
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
11:40 am
Or not…
jeffrey d
August 1st, 2009
11:42 am
4 1/2 hours till the game starts…anxious to see the lineup, I guess.
Well, it’s a lefty so McCann will be batting cleanup. Because he rakes against lefties.
Fred Claus
August 1st, 2009
11:44 am
VMART would have been worth the risk of a bidding war. That said who is to say if they had offered the McLouth package (with some extra tweaks) to Cleveland in late June/early July a bidding war could have been avoided.
Anyway that is just an example of what happens when your strategy is more reactionary than premeditated + being broke.
Anyway its all moot I guess b/c this is really it (the team) for the rest of the season. The fate of this season in a way was decided when Wren kept JF & KJ (during the off season) and decided Schafer could make the leap from AA to ATL.
Had even one of the three worked out much better the season & team may have looked a lot different Two of three don’t flop and you could have easily chased and likely landed Vmart.
I am not expecting much but I hope they at least don’t embarrass themselves and fall out of contention in the next few weeks.
Wren needs to develop a better eye for players and BC needs to retire b/c the guess we double down with often just lay eggs. Teams with froze payrolls cannot afford to bet wrong that often.
UNCBrave
August 1st, 2009
11:45 am
What roster move did the Braves make to bring Canizares up?
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
11:45 am
jeffrey d Well, it’s a lefty so McCann will be batting cleanup.
Oh goody! Do ya really think so?
Because he rakes against lefties.
I mean, yeah. Even though today’s a DGANG, he’ll prob’ly still be in there…
Vinings Jim
August 1st, 2009
11:48 am
UNCBrave – they traded Casey Kotchman (LaRoche not yet activated)
Steve from OH
August 1st, 2009
11:53 am
maybe if we keep Chipper in a bubble or something.
We may want to do this anyway…at the very least, at least his toes.
Shamus Thacker
August 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
Roman Gal: Oh, and I don’t know about trading Laroche for the swine flu…maybe if we keep Chipper in a bubble or something.
RG, I’d rather we put LaRetch in a bubble, then fill it with super-mojo helium and wave goodbye as he zips into the clouds..
McFann Ô
August 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
Refresh, dangit!
BravoMan
August 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Well there’s only one word that I can use to describe lastnight’s game…pitiful. That’s because we’re missing two catalyst in Escobar and Prado, and it seemed like they were just missing pitches or havin balls hit right at people. O well we’ll having Roche and prolly Prado in there today. My line-up guess is…
1.McLouth
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.McCann
5.Anderson
6.Diaz
7.LaRoche
8.Hernandez
brian
August 1st, 2009
12:07 pm
a headline on the Braves webpage here – “Dodgers outslug the Braves” would imply that the braves actually did some slugging last night. Did I watch a different game?