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913 comments Add your comment
Daslied
September 21st, 2009
5:17 pm
O’Brien – I agree that KJ shouldn’t be relied on as a major offensive cog. The distorted perception here is that he SHOULD be. He can be a really nice bottom-of-the-order hitter. If we had the big sluggers 3-4-5 KJ wouldn’t look to be so much of a disappointment, or whatever people think he is. He’s not Utley or Kinsler, but he shouldn’t have to be. He’s a guy with gap power, some pop and some speed, and he’d be just wonderful lower in the order. If he can bounce back from this year, of course. I think he can.
monty
September 21st, 2009
5:18 pm
I’d take a 2nd baseman who hits more consistently over the course of a season and can hit in the 2 hole than one who hits 8th with power 3 games out of every 40 he plays in and strikes out or makes weak outs the rest of the time.You can’t platoon KJ because he hits LH better than RH thereby messing up the lefty righty matchup deal. If we cut Prado a little slack during the time immediately following the headache deal, he has performed very well!
Arizona Brave
September 21st, 2009
5:20 pm
I know this is a Braves blog, but as a Niners fan I can’t pass up someone bring em up. GO 49ers! Gore is a beast when he play Seattle. K, got it out of my system.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:20 pm
Hey DOB,
I know this may not be high on your priority list – But any word on LaRoche? -
Trying to set my fantasy league for the week…
BIll Heller
September 21st, 2009
5:20 pm
Having power hitters DOESN’T MEAN SQUAT if you bat them leading off (McLouth) or in the 7th/8th spot (LaRoche).
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
5:21 pm
cabravesfan – what’s the forecast for early November?
monty
September 21st, 2009
5:21 pm
Oh yeh! I forgot KJ cost us way too much to ride the pines.Can’t have a guy making almost 4 mil/year fighting for a starting job or at least you shouldn’t.
Soph
September 21st, 2009
5:21 pm
It’s okay jeffrey. I root for Marteen the way you root for Kelly so I understand. I do like Kelly though. He’s handled himself well through losing his starting job and all.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:21 pm
Goooo 9ers
Big road game against the Viks next week!!!
Mike in LA
September 21st, 2009
5:21 pm
I don’t think that Lowe’s contract is going to be as difficult an obstacle in a trade as most people do. Think about it. After John Lackey who is the next best free agent pitcher? Randy Wolf maybe? Everyone needs pitching and while 3 years at 15 mil for Lowe is a little too much he’s still durable and keeps his team in most games. I’m sure the Dodgers wouldn’t mind having him back given that he had 3 solid seasons with them and was well liked. Look at the other horrible contracts they’ve had there. Pierre, Jason Schimdt, etc…The Braves can trade him but simply can’t expect much in a return. A decent midlevel prospect would do. Kawakami and Schafer are also trade chips the Braves can utilize to get a solid reliever. The two of them could net Heath Bell and prospects. Freeing up those salaries would allow the Braves to make Laroche a fair two year deal and resign Gonzalez or Soriano to share the closing duties with a Bell type of a reliever. And I agree with starting Heyward from the get go. His plate disclipine is far superior to Schafer’s and he won’t be overwhelmed like he was. 2010 Team should be:
Mcclouth CF
Prado 2B
Chipper 3B
Escobar SS
Mccann C
Laroche 1B
Diaz LF
Heyward RF
Rotation: Vasquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Hudson, Medlan
Bullpen: Bell, Gonzalez or Soriano, Moylan, Oflaherty, and take your pick of the next best three arms on the team
unbelievable
September 21st, 2009
5:22 pm
several things:
Jordan Schafer has a 0% chance of being our starting CF’r at the beginning of next season. He may be called up, but the Braves will want to see he’s healthy and not living on ST fastballs first.
Plenty of teams would be interested in taking Kawakami off our hands. Take away his april starts and you’ve got someone with a 3.50 era or so with a reasonable contract. We wouldnt have to eat any of that deal to move him
Prado at $400K is a hell of a lot better than KJ at $3.5 mil for next season. If Prado cant cut it, we’ve got Infante, if he cant maybe Conrad.
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
5:23 pm
gosh, now cabravesfan has an opportunity to talk ‘Niners and forget her Trojans…
Tomas
September 21st, 2009
5:24 pm
Unfortunately Kelly is going to get non-tendered. He is a good player to have in the bench. He runs well, hits for occasional power, and has quality at bats most of the time, but the Braves aren’t going to pay him 3 million or more.
Tomas
September 21st, 2009
5:26 pm
Can a player be non-tendered and then signed as a free agent by the same team?
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:26 pm
I do like Kelly though. He’s handled himself well through losing his starting job and all.
And getting called to pinch hit after Norton. That’s gotta be depressing.
P. W. Hjort
September 21st, 2009
5:27 pm
The Braves have made 4 rather significant playing time decisions throughout the course of the season. First, they optioned Schafer to AAA and acquired Nate McLouth. Second, they benched Kelly Johnson in favor of Martin Prado. Third, they traded Jeff Francoeur for Ryan Church. Lastly, they traded Casey Kotchman for Adam LaRoche.
For the first 50 games, the 50 games preceding the first major roster change, the Braves were typically using a line-up that looked like this:
1. Kelly Johnson – 2B
2. Yunel Escobar – SS
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Jeff Francoeur – RF
7. Casey Kotchman – 1B
8. Jordan Schafer – CF
They went 25-25 in those 50 games, a .500 winning percentage. After McLouth was acquired, the line-up typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Yunel Escobar – SS
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Casey Kotchman – 1B
7. Jeff Francoeur – RF
8. Kelly Johnson – 2B
The Braves went 11-15 over their next 26 games, a .423 winning percentage. The Braves then benched Kelly Johnson in favor of Martin Prado. The line-up then typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Casey Kotchman – 1B
8. Jeff Francoeur – RF
9 games later, the Braves had gone 5-4, a .566 winning percentage, when they traded Jeff Francoeur for Ryan Church. The line-up then typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Mayan Diurch – RF
8. Casey Kotchman – 1B
After 18 more games, and going 11-7 (.611 W%) in those 18 games, the Braves pulled the deadline deal swapping LaRoche for Kotchman. The line-up has since typically looked like this:
1. Nate McLouth – CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones – 3B
4. Brian McCann – C
5. Garret Anderson – LF
6. Yunel Escobar – SS
7. Adam LaRoche – 1B
8. Mayan Diurch – RF
The Braves have gone 27-19 with this line-up, a .587 winning percentage.
Overall, the Braves have gone 54-45 (.545) since they got rid of Schafer, 43-30 (.589) since they benched KJ, 38-26 (.594) since they got rid of Francoeur, and 27-19 (.587) since they acquired LaRoche.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:27 pm
Awesome…looks like I’m not working tomorrow either. I got bills to pay, rain….
glove51
September 21st, 2009
5:27 pm
I didn’t mention Conrad.
Infante has been much better than Johnson with the bat this season and better than Johnson most of last season. Infante and Diory, along with Prado obviously, make Johnson expendable.
N8
September 21st, 2009
5:27 pm
I just spent a half hour looking for You Are All blah blah’s post. Kind find it. Please help?
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:28 pm
cabravesfan, how bout those Niners?
Efrim-
looking pretty good, especially on defense- this week will be a great test for them but being 2-0 in the division is fantastic
VJ-
Novemeber is pretty much like every other month out here- sunny, warm, highs around 75…cooler in the evenings (and by “cooler” I mean 60)
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:28 pm
N8
You Are All blah blah’s = You Are All Cox Apologists
I think anyway
Jake W.
September 21st, 2009
5:29 pm
“Prado and Johnson are pretty comparable offensively.”
But a place where we can say for sure that they are not comparable is when it comes to salary. Oh and one is left handed and one is right handed. The money that we save not paying KJ can help us with our main other needs like a corner outfielder or a 1st baseman or a relief pitcher. 2nd baseman isn’t that big of a problem when you look at those other needs so going with Prado for next season if you address those other needs is not a bad deal in my view.
Arizona Brave
September 21st, 2009
5:29 pm
What say the people on Chone Figgins?
Daslied
September 21st, 2009
5:29 pm
Monty, I’m not arguing about who should be the starting 2B. In fact, in my first post I said something like “I’m fine with Prado starting”. I just don’t agree that KJ sucks, streaky or not. I don’t agree with that at all. Unless you’re Pujols you’re going to have slumps at some point.
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
5:30 pm
N8 – 3:45 pm
Mike in LA
September 21st, 2009
5:30 pm
cv Braves, great posts! Couldn’t agree more. Like most I’m dissapointed that our team is probably not going to get to the playoffs because that’s what you hope for as a fan but this year has been a tremendous improvement from last year and the organization is clearly headed in a positive direction. And Bobby Cox is was separates this organization from others. His optimism has never wavered, it doesn’t matter if they were winning divisions every year or not making the playoffs the last few. How many organizations do you see that when a team struggles players’ performances are called out in the media or teamates bicker and finger point at one another. That has never happened in Atlanta and never will under Bobby Cox. They’ve won as a team and lost as a team because of their manager and the man deserves to have his job as long as he wants it. Couldn’t be prouder to be a Braves fan.
Soph
September 21st, 2009
5:31 pm
Wait, you already know you don’t have work tomorrow? I want a rainy day off too!
CB
September 21st, 2009
5:32 pm
PWH,excellent post but who is Mayan Diurch?
P. W. Hjort
September 21st, 2009
5:32 pm
But a place where we can say for sure that they are not comparable is when it comes to salary. Oh and one is left handed and one is right handed. The money that we save not paying KJ can help us with our main other needs like a corner outfielder or a 1st baseman or a relief pitcher. 2nd baseman isn’t that big of a problem when you look at those other needs so going with Prado for next season if you address those other needs is not a bad deal in my view.
True, but Kelly Johnson is the better upside play than Prado. And I really don’t think he’s more of a bust potential than Prado. I’m just saying you lose a really valuable commodity if you get rid of Johnson, a left-handed hitting middle infielder with power potential and plate discipline. And it’d be stupid to just get rid of him just because you want to save $3 million. Odds are you’re better off economically if you keep Johnson and cash him in for either on-field value or trade value later.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:33 pm
Yes….and I didn’t know I wasn’t working today until I got there. Rainy days off are nice, but if I don’t work I don’t get paid!
Stoned Mountain
September 21st, 2009
5:33 pm
More long distance hitting? OK. But what this team needs most is speed. Speed doesn’t slump. Speed gets you to more balls in the outfield, speeds destroys pitcher concentration, speed gets us runs on singles when fast guys are on second. Speed is modern and exciting. Sitting back waiting for homers old, fleeting and boring.
Daslied
September 21st, 2009
5:33 pm
glove51 – I assumed Conrad was one of “the others”, or whatever you called them.
And Infante was in no way better offensively than KJ last year.
Once again – not arguing for Prado or KJ. Just trying to point out that KJ doesn’t suck…
JEB
September 21st, 2009
5:33 pm
P. W. Hjort
You did a lot of good home work!
We could have given you the blog for the day – all of that brings up a lot of conversation!
Good Job!
CB
September 21st, 2009
5:34 pm
PWH,just kidding.
Efrim
September 21st, 2009
5:34 pm
What say the people on Chone Figgins?
Nice player, but not what we need.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:35 pm
I’m no Chone Figgins expert, but I think he’s Omar Infante with speed
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:35 pm
And aging too
Panties in a wad
September 21st, 2009
5:35 pm
“Forget the Fielder talk. Don’t wanna deal with Boras.”
If that’s the case he would be another one season rental. Wren will not deal on Boras’ terms. Dont trade for Fielder.
P. W. Hjort
September 21st, 2009
5:35 pm
Stoned Mountain -
Funny name, by the way.
More long distance hitting? OK. But what this team needs most is speed. Speed doesn’t slump. Speed gets you to more balls in the outfield, speeds destroys pitcher concentration, speed gets us runs on singles when fast guys are on second. Speed is modern and exciting. Sitting back waiting for homers old, fleeting and boring.
All these things are basically true (except the what this team needs most is speed part), but if you’re concerned with actually winning games, power is what’s more important. No matter how boring it may be.
Soph
September 21st, 2009
5:36 pm
Well, that sucks. If I don’t have work tomorrow, they need to let me know tonight. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow then find out. I know schools and universities ae closed tomorrow.
monty
September 21st, 2009
5:36 pm
I haven’t heard much mention about Diaz being trade bait but it only makes sense if you trade for a big bopper to play LF or CF with Heyward coming on to play RF at some point next year. McLouth could move to LF if we get a CF. But either way Diaz could start for some team and hit.300 with 20 HR’s.(think of Josh Willingham) If we don’t get an OF then Diaz goes to LF when Heyward comes up. If we don’t get a big bopper in the OF then that leaves 1b, Adam will likely hit 25-30 next year, only an Adrian Gonzales type would hit more.It would also be nice to have a replacement for Chipper waiting in the wings someone with pop who could fill in and not be a power drain when Chipper isn’t in the lineup. Someone who could play 40 games and us not miss a beat power wise.
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
5:36 pm
cabravesfan – I’m filling a suitcase with rainwater to bring out with me…maybe that will help…wait, what if it goes over the weight limit?
Efrim
September 21st, 2009
5:36 pm
cabravesfan, did they rush the passer well yesterday? I don’t get to watch the games because I live on the East Coast, but I heard via Maicco and Barrows blog that they had trouble keeping Kerney away from Hill. I wanted a Right Tackle this past offseason, and I hope that is something they target this upcoming offseason. I like Snyder, but I just think he fits better at guard.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:37 pm
Isn’t Jair Jurrjens a Boras client –
uuhhhhh ohhhhhhh
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:38 pm
There ain’t no elephant in here.
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:39 pm
I’m no Chone Figgins expert, but I think he’s Omar Infante with speed
And no glove…guy cannot play the infield at all
Alonso
September 21st, 2009
5:41 pm
Is Laroche starting?
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:41 pm
And no glove…guy cannot play the infield at all
Really? But I was made to believe that speed alone makes one a good defender…or is that just talk from folks who didn’t play?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:41 pm
jeffrey d – lol
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/f/f/4/4/121617897960609915lemmling_2D_cartoon_elephant.svg.hi.png
There is now
Katie
September 21st, 2009
5:41 pm
Just read Bradley’s 5 guys he would want to replace Bobby. Any (intelligent) thoughts on that?
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:42 pm
Just checked Jair Jurrjens on Wikipedia to check that he’s a Boras client (he is)
Poor guy is pictured with Corky
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:42 pm
I wanted a Right Tackle this past offseason
SO DID I!!! As soon as the Crabtree pick was announced I sent a text to my cousin (a die hard 49ers fan who grew up in the Bay Area) that would not be suitable for a family-or-McFann-friendly blog…WE NEED O-LINE HELP!!! (OK sorry for the rant!)
Hill was sacked 4 times but at least one was his own fault (stepped right into the rusher)…they looked much better but still aren’t throwing much downfield- it will come
glove51
September 21st, 2009
5:43 pm
“Just read Bradley’s 5 guys he would want to replace Bobby. Any (intelligent) thoughts on that?”
Out of the guys listed, I’d pick Oquendo.
McFann :Ô:
September 21st, 2009
5:43 pm
jeffrey d Wasn’t it?? It kept me up for about 2 hours. Drove the dog crazy too.
Kept me up for close 5 hours, I think…eh, maybe like 3.5–I dozed off a few times…
The Bird slept through it (well, he might have been awake, but the important thing is he didn’t have a freak-out), and the Gerbil likes storms, so he was prob’ly up playing the whole time.
Soph The yard seems to be going underwater.
Same here…
I heard the thunder last night but I actually fell back asleep. Normally, I’d be wide-awake.
I’m always awake during thunder (doze a little bit)…hate hate hate it! It was right on top of us…
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:43 pm
Speaking of speed making guys incredible players, what’s Josh Anderson up to?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:43 pm
RE: 49ers
Seattle had 4 sacks yesterday…Hill ain’t gunna last long if that keeps up.
Vikings game is goin to be a tough one…Down with Brett Farve
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:44 pm
jeffrey d–Cot’s lists the player’s agents on the spreadsheet feature if they have ‘em. It’s a good place to check.
Alonso
September 21st, 2009
5:45 pm
I wasn’t blown away by any of Bradley’s picks, mainly b/c I’d rather Cox come back next year. That being said, picking a would be successor to the Red Sox or Cardinals is not a bad place to look. We have fallen off a bit the last few years, but with our rising talent and our history, we should have no problem getting the best manager available.
Jake W.
September 21st, 2009
5:45 pm
“True, but Kelly Johnson is the better upside play than Prado. And I really don’t think he’s more of a bust potential than Prado. I’m just saying you lose a really valuable commodity if you get rid of Johnson, a left-handed hitting middle infielder with power potential and plate discipline. And it’d be stupid to just get rid of him just because you want to save $3 million. Odds are you’re better off economically if you keep Johnson and cash him in for either on-field value or trade value later.”
But thats assuming that you are currently looking for a longterm solution at second. I don’t think that is what the braves are doing which is why I said Prado would be good there for next season. He could turn out to be a longterm solution but nobody knows that so take it one year at the time with that position. We have seen how trying to play musical outfielders has not helped us so I think the braves would rather invest more money into finding a longer term solution out there than the one-year thing that they have done with Kotsay and now Anderson. Our infield is pretty productive. Especially if we can keep LaRoche next season. Our outfield though has problems.
And it would not be stupid to let KJ walk. The braves aren’t financially strapped liked the marlins but they still have to be smart with their investments. They can not afford to wait out another season to see if KJ puts its together. Not if they want to improve offensively at other positions. They can however afford to see if Prado pans out. Thats my opinion though. They could choose to give KJ another chance.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:46 pm
Turtles, birds, gerbils, etc….
Is anybody else picturing McFann’s house to look like Ace Ventura’s?
http://thecia.com.au/reviews/a/images/ace-ventura-pet-detective-5.jpg
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:46 pm
Nova Scotia Steve-
ShaunHill is tough- he’ll hold up ok (and if Frank Gore keeps running like that sacks won’t be much of a problem
)
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:47 pm
RE: Turtles, birds, gerbils, etc….
Be even funnier if the Braves were on in the background…
Alonso
September 21st, 2009
5:47 pm
If we add another power bat + Heyward, I think Ted Turner could manage to 2010 Braves into the playoffs.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:48 pm
Or an elephant
TnBrian(Vazquez ace 2010)
September 21st, 2009
5:49 pm
I know I’m not alone when I say that I hope we keep the same starting pitching in tact heading into 2010. So, why not resign LaRoche, Gonzo and go out and get a guy like Mike Cameron? If Heyward isn’t on the team coming out of ST, then they could plug Diaz is LF, Nate in CF and Cameron in RF. It gives them plenty of options and is very doable.
jeffrey d
September 21st, 2009
5:50 pm
Why would Ted Turner manage the Braves?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:50 pm
RE: Or an elephant
Worthy adversary
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:50 pm
VJ-
By all means bring your rain water! My lawn is getting crunchy…
Efrim
September 21st, 2009
5:50 pm
Nova Scotia Steve and cabravesfan, I think they will have to throw downfield at some point. I like that Singletary is making them more of a physical smashmouth team, but you need to air it out to put up some serious points. Josh Morgan has to be more involved. What’s your takes on Haralson? I’m a big fan, from what I’ve seen and read.
McFann :Ô:
September 21st, 2009
5:50 pm
jeffrey d–
NSS Be even funnier if the Braves were on in the background…
Totally…Animals + Braves = McFann heaven.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried about the Perverbial Elephant in the Room
September 21st, 2009
5:51 pm
Mike Cameron would be a nice pick-up
Arizona Brave
September 21st, 2009
5:51 pm
JJ is a Boras client, but that’s a bit down the road.
monty
September 21st, 2009
5:52 pm
Daslied
My comments about KJ were not directed at anything you said about him, just how I feel. I supported KJ early on this year at the beginning of his slide(he’s a hitting machine when he is on)but too often for me it seems like someone pulls the plug on the machine! I enjoy reading your comments!!
Space Monkey
September 21st, 2009
5:53 pm
Impact power is essential, but we also really need impact speed. This team couldn’t win a 100-meter dash against a squad of senior citizens.
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:53 pm
CBF–the only IF position Figgins is above-average at (according to UZR) is 3B. Below-average at all OF positions…
Efrim
September 21st, 2009
5:53 pm
So, why not resign LaRoche, Gonzo and go out and get a guy like Mike Cameron?
I’m for resigning Laroche, but Cameron isn’t the big basher I was thinking. His age might show at some point.
Alonso
September 21st, 2009
5:53 pm
obviously being facetious on bringing Ted to The Ted, though it would certainly be entertaining. just making the point that if we add some O, even the mouth of the south could get us into october.
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:54 pm
Impact power is essential, but we also really need impact speed. This team couldn’t win a 100-meter dash against a squad of senior citizens.
I would write this as “impact power is essential; impact speed is a luxury.” Impact speed is nice, but not a necessity.
nolie
September 21st, 2009
5:54 pm
if he cant maybe Conrad. (UNB)
that had to be the most amazing 34 at bats in the history of baseball
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:55 pm
Efrim-
Big fan of Harleson, big fan of Justin Smith, Pat Willis may already be the best middle linebacker in the NFL. I really like the way the D is looking…
I agree they will need to air it out- Morgan & Davis need to be more involved in the offense but Singletary made it clear they will be a run first team and so far that seems to be working
Lew
September 21st, 2009
5:55 pm
scoots-Certainly not for Prince Fielder anyway.
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
5:56 pm
cabravesfan – I might not have room for Yumi if I do that…
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:57 pm
Steve-
I’m assuming that means you are agreeing with me? He’s terrible in the field
nolie
September 21st, 2009
5:57 pm
What say the people on Chone Figgins? (ARIZ)
not until he learns to spell his first name correctly, actually not then either
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
5:58 pm
VJ-
Fed Ex her
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:58 pm
Yeah, I’m agreeing w/you, CBF. You say he sucks and so do the stats…what more do I need? LOL!
(My first comment was extreme sarcasm)
Efrim
September 21st, 2009
5:58 pm
cabravesfan, I’m certainly happy with the results. Moving in the right direction is all I am hoping for. I love the progress of Staley too.
Steve from OH
September 21st, 2009
5:58 pm
No on Figgins, in case you hadn’t already figgered it out…
TnBrian(Vazquez ace 2010)
September 21st, 2009
6:00 pm
Efrim, I just don’t know for sure how much cash they’ll have left if they sign LaRoche and Gonzo on top of Lowe/KK/Javy/CJ heavy contracts so a guy like Cameron who won’t cost top prospects and a lot of money might be their best best. Think… LaRoche and McLouth for a full season and McCann and CJ almost have to improve their numbers from ‘09, you would think.
cabravesfan
September 21st, 2009
6:01 pm
Steve-
Forgive me if I’m a bit slow- it’s Monday…
Efrim-
Staley has turned into a very good player- glad the 49ers had the sense to lock him up for a while (and while we are on teh subject of positive moves- Jed York has been brilliant since he took over the day to day operations of the team…nice to see someone in the family has Eddie’s smarts because his sister clearly didn’t get them!)
BravesfaninWis
September 21st, 2009
6:01 pm
I feel not one ounce of pit for the Braves and here is why.. They had a very realistic shot at landing a power bat in the form of Adam Dunn.. They had the chance and passed to go after a less expensive, less productive bat in Garrett Anderson.. So with that gamble here is where we sit.. Dunn would have given Chipper the protection he needed, and perhaps we could be talking different numbers for Chipper had Adam Dunn been lurking in the cleanup spot..
The thing is, the Braves don’t do the right things at the right times.. Trading for LaRoche was smart.. Kotchman is not a power hitter, and LaRoche’s defense is right up there as well.. Will they keep LaRoche or rush the young Freeman along just because he will be cheaper? It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they do the latter just to save some money even though Freeman is not proven against ML pitching..
The one big reason I heard the Braves were passing on Dunn is because of his defense.. Sadly, they went after a older and perhaps slower version of Adam Dunn just because he was cheaper.. So right there is the main reason I could care less that the Braves will not make the playoffs.. The Braves FO had the chance to bring in a proven power bat like Dunn, and they failed.. Maybe this winter they will finally get it right.. Imagine this year what it would have looked like after the trade deadline..
1. Nate McLouth- CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones -3B
4. Adam Dunn – LF
5. Brian McCann -C
6. Adam LaRoche – 1B
7. Yunel Escobar – SS
8. Diaz/Church – RF
9. Pitcher
Oh what could have been..
Arizona Brave
September 21st, 2009
6:05 pm
If its “No” on Figgins, then do we look for a power hitter or a speed guy? Discussions on the month to month numbers of Prado and KJ seem trivial and boring. Kelly is gone with that salary number and Prado stays with his. Come on people, let’s get a creative.
P. W. Hjort
September 21st, 2009
6:05 pm
1. Nate McLouth- CF
2. Martin Prado – 2B
3. Chipper Jones -3B
4. Adam Dunn – LF
5. Brian McCann -C
6. Adam LaRoche – 1B
7. Yunel Escobar – SS
8. Diaz/Church – RF
9. Pitcher
That team’s defense is SO bad. Like, really bad. Not a single plus defender except your SS and half of your RF platoon. Of course, the other half of the platoon is very bad. And your Catcher is not so great. And your 3B is aging and having a terrible time with the glove. And your 2B is average at best. And your CF is below-average. And your LF is one of the worst defensive players in the game. And your 1B is average at best.
David O'Brien
September 21st, 2009
6:06 pm
Kawakami is on standby to start if Lowe has any problem with that finger warming up. Kawakami will go to the bullpen with Lowe when he goes to warm up, and will be ready to step in if necessary….
Hanson will make his next turn. He’s getting an extra day of rest with the off day Thursday, plus only went five innings because of the rain delay yesterday….
LaRoche is back in lineup. Came in today and told Cox, “Put me in.”
LINEUP
1. McLouth
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Escobar
6. Anderson
7. LaRoche
8. Diaz
9. Lowe
Vinings Jim
September 21st, 2009
6:08 pm
Like Lazarus rising from the dead, certain bloggers keep coming back after saying goodbye until next year…
McFann :Ô:
September 21st, 2009
6:08 pm
Thanks for the lineup, Chief.
Bay Area Steve
September 21st, 2009
6:10 pm
All this football talk on a Braves blog is ridiculous; have a little respect, people.
Oh wait, it’s about the 49ers?
NINERS
P. W. Hjort
September 21st, 2009
6:10 pm
One of this team’s biggest systematic weaknesses that largely gets overlooked is the fact that they are very bad at playing defense. I expect Chipper to get better next year (to a tolerable level), Yunel too (to the GG level). That’s about it. They can’t afford to be adding DH’s and trying to stick them in LF or at 1B.
Alonso
September 21st, 2009
6:12 pm
Love it, Roachie. Way to man up and get on the field!
Roman Gal
September 21st, 2009
6:12 pm
It would not surprise me at all if the Braves pull a “Hansen” next year with Hayworth.
This gave me a good chuckle…especially since Hansen is a porn star and Hayworth is a femme fatale.