Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,246 comments Add your comment
Driver8
August 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
Mixxo we see you… i have had the same things. Just a bit tardy on the posts from me too.
Brightside
August 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
Thanks TnBrian. I figured it was something like that. As you can tell I’m not hip. But hearing Boortz talk about how most yankees think we’re all stupid, I wasn’t sure. Sorry.
the hopes of the braves nation rest in your hands mr. hanson
August 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
The A Bomb,
im with you…
i cant stand that song. and southern women put mid western women and the like to shame…
RHR
August 1st, 2009
11:34 pm
When I see Saltalamacchia’s name on the back of his jersey…it just looks odd…it is too long.
That ain’t nothing. Wait til you see Rainy Day Woman Dionne Von Furstenburg’s name on his jersey.
Driver8
August 1st, 2009
11:35 pm
What about Matt Holliday and his impact so far with the Red Birds…. have to say I thought him coming back to the NL was going to help them but not this quick! … Geez look at his numbers since he has been with STL.
The A Bomb
August 1st, 2009
11:35 pm
Actually, out here in L.A. they aren’t bad either. . .
the hopes of the braves nation rest in your hands mr. hanson
August 1st, 2009
11:46 pm
never been west of vegas…. so i really shouldnt comment on the west coast. i will be heading to seattle next week though, get to see what northwestern women look like. i imagine they are gloomy…
i imagine LA women as fake for some reason… i know thats not fair and im sure there are some beautiful women out there. but nothing….and i mean nothing is as beautiful as a natural, southern, blonde haired, blue eyed, big breasted, firm bottomed woman.
MiaBchBravesFan
August 1st, 2009
11:46 pm
Who could the Braves poossibly want from another team during the waiver period that could help in the bullpen? Either they’ll be too expensive, or another team will block the trade by making a waiver claim.
Here’s to a healthy Buddy Carlyle and Tim Hudson.
abwright
August 1st, 2009
11:48 pm
Braves hit the Marlins right when they were starting to play good ball again. Maybe the Cubs have thrown them out of sync.
Braves have looked dreadful from the home run given up by Soriano in the first game of the Marlins series until about midway through tonight’s game. If it weren’t for BMac’s homer in the tenth and Norton’s single tonight, they could easily be riding a five game losing streak.
I watched the Phillies the other night, and they looked like the wheels had fallen off their cart. They’re due for a little bit of a funk, even though Cliff Lee is a big pick-up for them.
Braves absolutely need to win the rubber game against the Dodgers tomorrow. Jurrjens versus Billingsley. If JJ can hold the Dodgers down, Braves should be able to do some damage against the pen.
First two pitchers in the Padres series are unknowns who have pitched a few good games. Braves going west after an ESPN night game + KK who has not been that great lately (fatigue?) does not bode well for the first game of the series. Hanson and Vazquez should dominate, just hope the offense wakes up after its recent cold spell.
If the Braves want to compete in the post-season, they have to stomp the Padres. No more excuses.
RHR
August 1st, 2009
11:48 pm
he said lets go on down to the DIRTY south.
You’ve never heard that? I’m damn near 40 years old and that phrase was around even back in my heyday. Originated by all the hip hop artists from the south…
nolie
August 1st, 2009
11:51 pm
Both are more than solid fielding.
It amazes me that people keep saying this. There is no comparison between the two as fielders. Kotchman is way above Roachie. Any scout or stat-guy will tell you the same thing.
nolie
August 1st, 2009
11:52 pm
4000 posts – this has to be close to the record for this blog.(scalp)
we broke 5000 a week or two ago
MiaBchBravesFan
August 1st, 2009
11:54 pm
For those watching ESPN, Braves’ highlights coming up next. . .
nolie
August 1st, 2009
11:56 pm
I tried to tell her, nolie (RHR)
well, she’s a youngun…but shows a lot of promise. Maybe someday she will be in our class….if she doesn’t get toooo carried away with using smilies all the time.
RHR
August 2nd, 2009
12:03 am
TMI, Mr Hanson hopes. TMI.
Hey yall help some damsels in distress – is this lamp shade black or brown. I can’t decide. My daughter wants this thing if its black. I think its brown.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gorgeous-Eiffel-Tower-Lamp-with-Chic-Shade_W0QQitemZ250474500140QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLamps_US?hash=item3a5171902c&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
MiaBchBravesFan
August 2nd, 2009
12:05 am
Man, watching LaRoche score the tying run made me think that Sid Bream – with a knee brace – is faster than LaRoche.
Wow, come to think of it, Bream and LaRoche were both Pirate/Braves. Kooky.
Chop Chop
August 2nd, 2009
12:09 am
I don’t know if it’s black or brown, RHR. Alls I know is that it looks like it should come in a box that says “Fragile.”
(That’s pronounced FRAH-GEE-LAY.)
Must be Italian.
Braveheart
August 2nd, 2009
12:10 am
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but when Fox did their open this afternoon, I think the guy’s name was Chris Rose or something. As he was talking about the three games on Fox, he said lets go on down to the DIRTY south. Whats up with that?
So when Goodie Mob asks “what you brothers know about the Dirty South?”, I’m guessing Brightside doesn’t have an answer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J89f_8Pp55A
MiaBchBravesFan
August 2nd, 2009
12:10 am
The light makes the feathers look light. Looks black and sheer to me.
cabravesfan
August 2nd, 2009
12:12 am
RHR-
Give him my address? It’s way more fun to make him look
and the lampshade looks brown to me…
cabravesfan
August 2nd, 2009
12:13 am
Oh and to whomever said LA women are fake- not all of us are my dear! (although I do understand the thought
)
Braveheart
August 2nd, 2009
12:14 am
It amazes me that people keep saying this. There is no comparison between the two as fielders. Kotchman is way above Roachie. Any scout or stat-guy will tell you the same thing.
You can have your scouts and stat geeks, nolie. I’m sticking with the propagandists on this one.
Rob from SC
August 2nd, 2009
12:20 am
We need one more bat. If we can’t get one on waivers, there is only one option. Jason Heyward. I understand the financial aspect of keeping him in the minors in order to avoid Super Two status. However we have a pitching staff that can do damage in the playoffs, and two closers waiting in the bullpen. Scouts say he is about ready. He is more than ready physically and appears to be ready mentally. Diaz and Church are not the answer. If we call him up we can bat him third so he will be protected by Chipper Jones.
1 – McLouth
2 – Prado
3 – Heyward
4 – Chipper Jones
5 – McCann
6 – Escobar
7 – Anderson
8 – LaRoche
That isa really deep lineup. Everyone of those players can take you deep. Steve from Ohio said he would rather have him in 2016. First off we have no idea how our team will look in 2016, plus we can always sign him to a contract extension. When a team has a chance to make the playoffs you need to go for it. From everything I have read from Baseball America and other reports, the kid can handle the jump. If he is still hot in three weeks, call him up Frank Wren.
Vinings Jim
August 2nd, 2009
12:22 am
RHR – she puts up a good front, doesn’t she? I don’t think I’ll be looking (I mean, I would be looking) for long.
The Bird and Indian
August 2nd, 2009
12:24 am
Adam has more range than Kotchman, no doubt. Adam is also a better throwing target also. Casey just makes the plays that he can at a high rate. It aint pretty a lot of times, but he gets it done. We still don’t lose a whole lot of fielding with Roachy though.
RHR
August 2nd, 2009
12:24 am
LOL Chop Chop – the browns won..she didn’t buy it.
RHR
August 2nd, 2009
12:26 am
“The light makes the feathers look light. Looks black and sheer to me.”
Yeah I thought that might be it too, oh well. I’m sure there are other lamps in the sea.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
12:35 am
We still don’t lose a whole lot of fielding with Roachy though. (Bird/Indian)
Fielding Bible says he is the 25th worst fielder over the last three years, and all defensive stats include range which is not as important at first as good hands.Roachie can not field errant throws like Casey can. I made my living on knowing how players play. There is a lot of differencebetween the two, though I do not think he is 25th, he is no more than average.
Rob from SC
August 2nd, 2009
12:36 am
nolie
Have you seen Heyward play live?
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
12:37 am
(RHR)
whu would you want a lamp saturated with saly water? seems counterproductive.
Vinings Jim
August 2nd, 2009
12:41 am
cabravesfan – what are you doing up so late? Oh, wait, I’m the one who’s up late (maybe it’s almost time to cease the martinis) – I have trouble with the whole three hour difference. By the way, no classes tomorrow – you’re stuck with me all day
.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
12:42 am
(Rob)
only about 5-6 games. He made one excellent throw. Looks like a good OFer from what little I saw. I was very impressed with him overall. Very polished for a guy as young as he was. I think he might be a keeper…but then I thought Marte would be an average MLB player which he did not become. Never thought he would be a star, but, but I thought .260/20/75-80 type guy. Never came close. Some of them will fool ya.
cabravesfan
August 2nd, 2009
12:42 am
VJ-
all day? hmmm- that sounds promising
Mitchell
August 2nd, 2009
12:43 am
Amybody see the Web Gem worthy catch by another old Brave, Ryan Langerhaans, against the Rangers?
He’s still got the glove. I always thought that he had the makings to be a great hitter. Such a sweet swing but I don’t know. He can’t hit @#$%.
Mitchell
August 2nd, 2009
12:45 am
I’m so tired.
Did we really win today or was that a dream?
Better damn win tomorrow, damn it. Anything less of a sweep in San Diego is a disgrace. A disgrace.
cabravesfan
August 2nd, 2009
12:48 am
alright y’all- been having some annoying computer problems today so I’m going to sign off for the night.
later all!
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
12:50 am
He’s still got the glove. I always thought that he had the makings to be a great hitter. Such a sweet swing but I don’t know. He can’t hit @#$ (Mitchell)
Ryan is another one who I thought would be some better than he has been so far. Like you say though, very good D.
Vinings Jim
August 2nd, 2009
12:51 am
cabravesfan – sounds like an even better idea for me. ‘Night, everyone.
Rob from SC
August 2nd, 2009
12:51 am
nolie
Andy Marte put up impressive numbers this year in AAA. That being said he has spent enough time there so he should put up numbers. I am very interested to see what he does now that he has been called up.
DO you think Heyward would produce enough to warrant a callup now. take out financial concerns.
learner
August 2nd, 2009
12:51 am
nolie,
It is interesting to understand what scouts see. What do you see when you watch LaRoche?
The A Bomb
August 2nd, 2009
12:51 am
Just looked up MLB umpiring crews. . . they designated each crew by a letter — A through Q. . .
Darling, Hohn, Meals, Emmel is CREW F. . . Hmm. . . maybe MLB knew something before we did?
GUESS WHO’S UMPING THE PLATE TOMORROW????
Mixxo
August 2nd, 2009
12:53 am
Just heard Rickey’s speech in Oakland. What’s with his third-person references all the time?
He really trying to distance himself……..from himself?
*confused*
The A Bomb
August 2nd, 2009
12:56 am
SAN DIEGO 4 MILWAUKEE 2 FINAL
The Brewers have been awful lately — against bad teams.
Mixxo
August 2nd, 2009
1:00 am
GUESS WHO’S FIST PUMPING AT THE PLATE TOMORROW???? – The A Bomb
fixed!
Paul Lentz
August 2nd, 2009
1:02 am
Rob from SC……………the only way I would EVEN consider bringing up Jason Heyward now (assuming I had Frank Wren’s job, lol), would be if Braves management felt that Heyward was going to make the team out of Spring Training next year (which would mean that he would be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2012).
If that is the case, then if Braves management felt that Heyward could help the Braves NOW, then I could see them bringing him up sometime this month.
However, barring that unlikely scenario, I would bring him along the same path that the Braves brought along Tommy Hanson.
The A Bomb
August 2nd, 2009
1:17 am
You know, I was really against the LaRoche trade until I gave it a little thought. . .
We put our cleanup hitter on the bench around once a week. . . Championship-caliber teams don’t normally do that. Having LaRoche will at least give us a power threat on the days Cox gives McCann off. . . We won today but benching your cleanup hitter when you are banged up already really hurts.
The A Bomb
August 2nd, 2009
1:19 am
Lentz — CREW F? Too appropriate unless we were to rename them THE F TROOP or something like that.
Roman Gal
August 2nd, 2009
1:26 am
Maybe someday she will be in our class….if she doesn’t get toooo carried away with using smilies all the time. nolie
Ouch! This hurts me…
Although, I suppose since you’re touting your scouting skills I should be flattered…but I
really just want to shove a smiley face up your rearam not going to say anything.nolie
August 2nd, 2009
1:57 am
DO you think Heyward would produce enough to warrant a callup now. take out financial concerns (Rob)
Since I haven’t seen him this year, I can’t say for sure. He obviously is not gonna continue hitting like he has so far, so at some point he will likely slump a bit. I’m rather coservative about bringing up prospects too early so I would not like to see him come up and have his slump here. Likely not a real big thing, but I believe it should be kept as positive as posible. So if it were me, I’d keep him an AA most of the rest of this season, perhaps with a congrats move to AAA near the end like last year. Play him in the AFL and give him a good long look in the spring. Probably start him in AAA for a few months and if at that point all is working well, bring him up. Like I said that is the conservative approach but it still gets him here about half a year ahead of the original tentative timetable of spring 2011.
He might indeed be able to come up now and hold his own, but I see no real reason to try that. I personally don’t think the club is gonna make it to the post season, on the other hand if they play well enough to get close do you want to break up a team performing that well to start a new untried player?
I have no idea what will happen as I do not know anyone in the Braves org well enough to find out. Each of us have a different idea of how it should play out and several might be more or less correct.
I guess to give a straight answer to your question, I think it might be a stretch for him right now, but I freely admit that i could be wrong.
I too am interested to see how Marte does. Like you said he has been at that level long enough that he should do well. Most times guys like that come up and at best have a decent year or two and fade away, and that is likely more apt to happen now that drug testing is in vogue. Fewer Big Papi scenarios are likely now.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
2:04 am
I suppose since you’re touting your scouting skills (RG)
you are right, I had a couple of glasses of vino and got too talkative. I should shut up about it right now, and I will. But I do have high hopes for both Heyward and you.
Roman Gal
August 2nd, 2009
2:11 am
I know the conversation here right now is so riveting (I mean, even I get excited to talk to me), but I know a lot of you are wondering how Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg is doing…I will enlighten you.
Even though he’s 1 for his last 10, he’s 14 for his last 39…which is only a .359 avg.
For the season, he’s hitting .389/.439/.595 which adds up to (for those DOB mathletes) a 1.035 OPS.
In 33 games (131 AB) he has 51 hits, 24 runs scored, 9 doubles, 6 homers, 32 rbi, 7 walks, and 23 strikeouts.
The Danville coaches have told him that he needs to work on his “After-the-Strikeout Smirk” some…he’s been watching plenty of film of Andruw and Francoeur, but he keeps trying to scowl and we all know Bobby won’t tolerate that nonsense. So, needless to say, that’s why he has so many strikeouts.
Roman Gal
August 2nd, 2009
2:18 am
But I do have high hopes for both Heyward and you. nolie
Shucks!
jeffrey d
August 2nd, 2009
2:18 am
Any word on how the smirk’s coming along?
Roman Gal
August 2nd, 2009
2:22 am
jeffrey-
Well, he got a lot of practice with it on Thursday when he decided to take the Golden Sombrero. I hear it’s going quite well. He hasn’t practiced it since then, though…I hope he doesn’t get rusty.
Roman Gal
August 2nd, 2009
2:26 am
Rudy Darrow, the guy we got for Josh Anderson, looks
really goodlike he’s gonna be one heck of a ballplayer!uga-brave
August 2nd, 2009
2:27 am
i see lentz is doing the san fran night scene again. all those beautiful women out there right?
mr baseball
August 2nd, 2009
2:38 am
Nolie:
You’re one of my favorite guys on the blog, but I have to disagree with you on Kotchman vs. LaRoche defensively. I would probably give Kotchman a very slight edge with the glove (both are first rate), but he has one problem I haven’t seen mentioned yet.
He throws like a girl (not really, but almost). He can’t make the 3-6-3 DP, and he’s not so hot on trying to throw home after a ground ball. Remember the lollipop toss he made on a bunt less than a week ago that I think contributed to a loss.
Offensively, there’s no comparison. LaRoche is an actual offensive threat and will fit in nicely hitting behind Escobar.
Kotchman is a detriment at the plate. He simply does not drive in enough runs to justify playing 1B. When he’s hot, which he is on occasion, he produces at about an average rate for a 1B. When he’s not, he’s useless offensively, in part because of his snail-like speed.
As slow as LaRoche is, Kotchman would not have scored on the hit to RF today, and it tyically takes about 3 hits to score him from 1B.
LaRoche is streaky but has a definite upside, and his second half history makes him an improvement over Kotchman, who is barely mediocre by 1B standards when he’s at the top of his game.
On another topic, anybody else catch Green Day last night in Gwinnett. Took my teen-age son and a good time was had by all. Some of Billie Joe’s antics are kind of juvenile, but there are times when they sound like a cross between the Who and the Ramones, which makes for an interesting combination.
Guy’s a good songwriter as well, although some on here would likely be offended by his language and political leanings. Great live band.
uga-brave
August 2nd, 2009
2:53 am
the wild card is coming from the central.
uga-brave
August 2nd, 2009
2:55 am
if green day was playing in by back yard i would not notice.
mr baseball
August 2nd, 2009
3:16 am
uga:
Wrong (probably) on both counts. Cards more than likely, not so sure about the Cubs. Given their schedules, can’t sse both the Giants & Rockies tanking, although the Cubs & Cards have it about as easy within their division.
As for Green Day, it’s your loss. Guessing Journey is more your speed.
uga-brave
August 2nd, 2009
3:26 am
actually mr. baseball,
i profess to be a r.e.m. fan.
journey aint bad. and i like the boss. never a green day fan.
as for the central. the cards have carp, wainright, and pinero throwing well.
they now have the man, and holliday. that team will make the playoffs.
the cubs will be right there. aramis is back. they just need a back of the bullpen.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
4:15 am
He throws like a girl (not really, but almost). He can’t make the 3-6-3 DP, and he’s not so hot on trying to throw home after a ground ball. Remember the lollipop toss he made on a bunt less than a week ago that I think contributed to a loss. (Mr Baseball)
the Yanks devised a system in the 50s that is still pretty much followed that ranks tools in positional priority. First base was ranked
Power
Hitting for Average
Defense
Arm
Speed
Range and arm are nice of course, but the glove and the ability to handle poor throws is much more important at first and Kotchman is much better in those areas than Roachie. Like I said I am not big on defensive stats, but when a guy is ranked 25th for a three year period, it is a strong indicator that he is not in the elite or near elite defensively. On the other hand when a guy is ranked in the top 5 it indicates that he likely is. Even stretching each rating back to the middle leaves Casey much higher. Don’t know what else to say, but I believe that most analysts who have no bias either way agree that there is a significant difference between the two.
Offensively I agree that Roachie is a plus especially in the second half,which I am sure is what Wren was going for.
uga-brave
August 2nd, 2009
4:46 am
nolie,
i agree the trade was based on who might pop one. who is more likely to hit that 3 run dinger.
richbrave
August 2nd, 2009
6:39 am
STEVE said that HEYWARD should not be up before 2016? He’ll be ready way before then. I think JASON needs to be called up with the expansion roster this year. The BB-SO ratio tells me that he’s a very disciplined hitter, but I still don’t believe he should be playing in ATLANTA on a regular basis ’till 2011.
ncscoots
August 2nd, 2009
7:14 am
Some pretty good posts amid the flotsam, over the last few pages. I really enjoyed Braveheart’s post on correspondence of scouting scale to WAR. Regardless of the actual relationship between the two, I won’t feel quite so dinosaurish now, when I see a a prospect and think “50, 60, 60, 40, 40″, LOL.
And thanks to nolie for some good stuff, too. I think my bud is sometimes reluctant to parade his expertise here (a humble smart guy is hard to find. And I oughta know.), and I really enjoy it when he does. BTW, I’ve never thought LaRoche was quite as good with the glove as many thought, but, somehow I can’t see the huge gulf between him and Kotchman, as portrayed by the fielding stats, either. Maybe Adam just “looks” good, LOL.
richbrave
August 2nd, 2009
7:37 am
DOWN ON THE FARM:
CALEB BREWER has bounced back from back-to-back rough outings in mid-JULY with two superior performances in late July and August. Now has a 2.49 ERA in seven games, his last start was significant as he performed well on the road. He has been perfection in three games at home this season. CALEB’s last outing against the PIRATES went 6.0 innings with one earned run on two hits, two BB and nine SO’s.
CB
August 2nd, 2009
7:45 am
richbrave, I agree don’t want to worry about 2016 with Heyward,some of us old timers may not be around to see it,lol. On the subject of Kotchman and LaRoche, as a fan of the Braves I always had a soft spot for Casey. I guess he for whatever reason did not fit in with the Braves plans for the future,I am really dumb founded why a player with good upside and low salary and team control was traded. As a Braves fan, we just root for the next guy.
AndyC
August 2nd, 2009
8:07 am
CB
I think Kotchman was projected to make about $4.5M next year with arbitration and I guess the Braves decided that they didn’t want to pay that kind of money to a guy that was going to hit 10 homers and drive in 65-70 runs. It has been discussed here much that Casey was one of the least productive first basemen in the league offensively. I think they knew that they were going in a different direction after the season and thought that LaRoche would give they more production over the last two months of the season.
I don’t think it’s fair to trash they guy and say he “didn’t fit in” just because he was quiet and didn’t socialize much. As long as he comes to the park everyday and plays hard, who cares if he’s not BFF’s with everyone on the team.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
8:48 am
TEVE said that HEYWARD should not be up before 2016? (Rich)
that had to be a typo Rich. Steve thinks later next year I think. Either he mistyped or you read a 0 as a six. Anyway I’m sure he did not mean 2016.
Rahul
August 2nd, 2009
9:15 am
what Steve meant was that if we bring Heyward up this year his clock will start and he won’t be under team control by 2016, but if we wait until next year to bring him up (next June or so, actually), he will still be under control in 2016.
CallUpConrad
August 2nd, 2009
9:19 am
I have seen one other Braves prospect come up as young as Jason Heyward and if I’m not mistaken, he was brought up toward the end of the season and he performed fairly well that postseason. His name? Andruw Jones. Wasn’t he brought during August that year? I still don’t like the idea of bringing Heyward up this season.
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
Maybe Adam just “looks” good, LOL. (SCOOT)
actually ol’buddy I think you nailed much of it right there. Adam is usually smooth looking. He makes most of the plays and he looks so good doing it that when he misses a bad throw for instance we tend to think that it was just not doable. Krotch is not as smooth, looks awkward at times, but he will make some plays that Roachie won’t and they are often two base plays…the difference between an out and a guy on second.
BTW you are for sure the only person in the world who ever suggested that I might be humble. believe me, I ain’t
nolie
August 2nd, 2009
9:38 am
what Steve meant was that if we bring Heyward up this year his clock will start and he won’t be under team control by 2016, (RAHUL)
ok that makes sense.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
9:40 am
I’m still not convinced that either Andruw or Furcal (more definite there) were even 19 when they were brought up. Considering that Andruw pretty well fell apart the minute he hit 30, he may have been somewhat older than 19 when he arrived.
I’ve been totally against Heyward’s early arrival. However, I’d ship him up to Gwinnett (not too sure what else he could show us even after this short time at AA) and see how he does throughout August. If he’s tearing up AAA at Sept. 1, I think his time has come, if not, we’ll definitively know he’s not ready.
Efrim
August 2nd, 2009
9:57 am
I would rather Heyward not come up until June 2010. But I guess it’s pretty hard to ignore what the kid is doing down there. I’m interested to see how they approach this offseason with him in mind. Schafer’s injury kind of changes the way they may have looked at the outfield for 2010 too.
Rick
August 2nd, 2009
10:11 am
First and foremost the Braves need to get a manager that KNOWS baseball and how to win more than just divisional titles. Unless you win the World Series you are a failure as a manager. Cox should have been canned after 1996 at least. That is why the Yankees are so successful. They have an owner that would not tolerate a constant loser like Cox.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:12 am
Efrim-And becoming even more difficult to ignore, considering our on again, off again offense. Should he be ready, it would make some difference in how Frank Wren approaches the off season. Maybe that quick promotion to Gwinnett would tell us what we need to know. Question is-Freeman has also performed very well (though not quite to the level of his buddy). Do you promote him and see if he’s ready for 2010 call up? It would make a difference this winter as well, were he ready to take over first base.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:13 am
Rick, meet Robert. Robert, meet Rick. Both of you go away.
Marc from FL
August 2nd, 2009
10:14 am
I think the Red Sox’s and Braves’ scouting and development departments knows what they’re doing, and they think Kotchman is superior defensivly over Laroche, I’ll take their word for it.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:14 am
Or do you chance bringing up TWO rookies to take over those positions at the same time?
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:15 am
From Yahoo Sports:
“They’re the same player defensively,” Chipper Jones(notes) says. “They’re really slick-fielding first basemen. Enough can’t be said about the job Kotch did defensively here. He didn’t make an error the whole time he was here.
“Having a first baseman you can rely on is very valuable to a team. I’ve often compared LaRoche to J.T. Snow(notes). He’s got great hands, very fluid.”
This is a deal for the immediate future—as in the next few weeks. Because it LaRoche doesn’t deliver the power the Braves need from that position. Manager Bobby Cox could move Martin Prado(notes) there when Omar Infante(notes) returns, and start Infante at second.
But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Infante has to rehab from his broken left hand first.
Marc from FL
August 2nd, 2009
10:16 am
And if they’re smart and lock up Hewyard when he gets called up (like Tampa did with Longoria), then it doesn’t matter when his clock starts.
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:22 am
We still have to win tonight and sweep SD to keep pace with the .666 we need to play the rest of the way.
Efrim
August 2nd, 2009
10:23 am
Lew, I wouldn’t want to chance bringing up both of them, but mostly because Freeman doesn’t seem to be ready for that. I think his ETA is more spring of 2011. Although if he becomes hard to ignore next season then you never know.
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:25 am
Have you people notice how phillies pitching has picked up 5 notches on the ERA ranking? They are getting much better pitching from their staff……….maybe thats why they are so hot.
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:28 am
I just dont see bobby moving Prado to 1b and play infante……… that yahoo column is kind of odd.
I just cant wait anymore until infante and huddie get back, we need their help.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:29 am
Marc-I wouldn’t go rushing out there like the Rays did with Evan. Consider The Mysterious Case of Jeff “Frenchy” Francoeur. Had he signed that long term deal with the Braves when Mac signed his, think of the shape we’d be in right now.
No need to go that fast. Heyward (or anyone else ) is under contract for at least five+ years (Super Two players) and six for most. No need to jump the gun when they’re making minimum salaries. Give them two years and see where they shake out. You’d still be buying out an arbitration year, as well as how ever many Free Agent years and still not spend much more $$$$$ doing it.
Now would be a good time to lock up Jurrjens were he not a Boras client.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:30 am
Doc-It hasn’t hurt them. However, they can’t have Jamie Moyer making 32 starts a year against the Marlins.
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:30 am
I prefer SF beats the phillies today………..then see what happens after that. 6 games out with 2 months to play wouldnt be that bad. At least it might be much better than having to overcome the 4 teams ahead of us in the WC.
richbrave
August 2nd, 2009
10:32 am
Agree LEW:
Let’s see what he’s got in GWINNETT.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:32 am
Excuse me-you’d still be buying out ALL their arbitration years.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:34 am
richbrave-I’m just not sure what else he has to prove at AA. Even if he tails off significantly at Gwinnett, it would still be a reasonable option to try. Not too sure there’s really a downside to the move.
Jaglawyer
August 2nd, 2009
10:35 am
Rick’s 10:11 a.m post early candidate for “idiot post of the day” award
Doc Holiday
August 2nd, 2009
10:36 am
Lew,
This is sick……….this team is good enough to get things done in october………..I just hope we get there. IMO this is a much better team than the 2005 team that made it to the playoffs………..
Go Bravos…………..make it happen
Jay212033
August 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
On the Heyward situation I’m really not understanding why people are complaining about calling him up in Sept. Miss has basically no shot of making the playoffs and Gwinnett has a slim chance why not let the kid get his feet wet in Sept. when the rosters expand?!?! If he wets the bed it’s still no harm done, it will not go against his service time. But what if he gives us an Evan Longoria type boost and propels us into the playoffs. Either way their is still no harm in letting him try. Also the AFL really doesn’t tell a whole lot especially about a hitter, being as though it’s a hitters league and most organizations don’t send their top pitching prospects there.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:40 am
Doc-If we can get the consistent offense we’re capable of putting up we’ll be fine. If not………We definitely have the starting pitching to do well in the playoffs.
TommyP
August 2nd, 2009
10:42 am
Been involved in the moving process all week so I’ve missed most of what’s gone on here lately. I did see the meltdown during the Kotchman trade. LOL Hilarious. I guess nobody looked at the splits of LaRoche. I’ve been on Wren a few times and will give him his due when appropriate: good trade. How he got a starting player for Kotchman is beyond me.
Lew: Changed your tune on Philly yet? They still got an ace and got him for a great price. Amaro makes trade of the year with that one. Oh yeah…and their pitching has done much better which was bound to happen.
If Heyward is going to be brought up, folks, it needs to be done August 31st, not September 1st. He’s on the playoff roster if we bring him up before September. That is if we’re fortunate enough to still be in this thing.
Lew
August 2nd, 2009
10:43 am
Jay-It has to do with placing him on the 40 Man Roster and starting option clocks, etc. Maybe someone else has the details better than I do and can fill you in on the complexities. Also, look at Schafer’s early performance and he was 3 years older than Heyward and Freeman are. There can be adverse effects.
richbrave
August 2nd, 2009
10:45 am
With minor leaguers it’s pretty much a wait and see game. Many of the individuals I’m high-lighted this year in the minors have fallen back. HEYWARD is one exception that has blossomed. FREEMAN is holding his own. That’s usually the right ratio. One or two in hundreds. If ALL these guys with promise became gamers in the ML, hell the franchise would be worth the moon, and everybody else would be hiring our management and coaches. TORRE, LaRUSSA, GASTON, BAKER, WILLIAMS, YOST, LaMARR, GONZALEZ, KASTEN – humm, maybe we’re onto something here.
richbrave
August 2nd, 2009
10:51 am
LEW:
O.K. Hey BOBBY. Reading this? The old-timers here say its time to bust a move where HEYWARD’s concerned. Put him in AAA now, and move him onto the expanded roster in September. Let’s see where he is developmentally.