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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,563 comments Add your comment
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
10:31 am
glord1, I have a feeling that this years starting staff will be just as good as last years or better.
Lowe (he is bound to bounce back from off year)
Jurrjens (He easily takes the place of Vazquez’ place with run support)
Hanson (Easily takes the place of Jurrjens as 3rd starter)
Huddy (Easily is better than KK)
KK (He is gonna improve on last year)
That rotation honestly looks better than last years if you think of it that way.
DAP
January 7th, 2010
10:31 am
noahRegarding Kotchman and LaRoche. Was lead to believe they were steller defensive players last year but reading this year that many rank them average to below average and the advanced defensive stats show that to be the case.
dont believe those ranks. alot of that is based and range, which nethier kotchman or laroche had much of.
but, both were very good with the glove, and very rarely made mistakes. good at digging out the low throw and being where they are supposed to be, and laroche also has a great arm. not all that important for a 1st baseman, but it helps to have a guy with a cannon cutting off throws from the outfield and charging bunt.
i also heard a stat im not sure i can verify, but i heard that since his time in the majors, laroche started more double plays than any other 1st baseman. theres the strong, accurate arm again.
Ease in Buckhead
January 7th, 2010
10:31 am
Random, hear that? DOB is going to the dentist…it will be up to you to fill us in on any breaking news…Step up…!
:raz:
Ease in Buckhead
January 7th, 2010
10:32 am
Macon Braves (RIP)
January 7th, 2010
10:34 am
Mabye I’m just being pessimistic.
Ya think?
Daybed Wagmoe
January 7th, 2010
10:36 am
Hillbilly — I didn’t even know about the “Live at Cooley’s House” thing, but I just found it somewhere and downloaded it. Thanks man. Next on the to-do list is most likely using the remainder of my iTunes gift card on “Murdering Oscar.”
RC
January 7th, 2010
10:36 am
O.J., I agree with you with one HUGE exception:
Hanson (Easily takes the place of Jurrjens as 3rd starter)
I think Hanson will be good, but nobody “easily” replaces the season JJJ had last year.
McFann O
January 7th, 2010
10:37 am
DOB Still, going to the dentist is going to the dentist.
So true…I’m so sorry to hear you’ve gotta go…
My Brother’s going this afternoon–and my Sister went to the orthodontist yesterday. But I’m clean!!
Daslied
January 7th, 2010
10:38 am
DOB, you sure it was the same “Robert”?
If so, that dude’s got a crazy switch somewhere.
sportsmandh
January 7th, 2010
10:38 am
My 2 cents on the HOF debates. I apologize if this is a re-hash of any previous posts, I haven’t read some of the pages.
Dawson should be in, and I will tell you why.
Just a couple of examples: Kirby Puckett. No doubt in my mind Kirby Puckett was deserving, but when he was elected, at the time a lot of the justification was on his career being shortened by his vision problems. If you look at the career totals, they were limited by injury. Other example of this type, Sandy Kofax, short career but no doubt hall of famer. No question he should be in, but his career totals are much less than many other pitchers due to years played. So, it depends on how a voter chooses to weigh career stats.
As DOB pointed out in one of his posts, there is no telling what Dawson would’ve put up with 2 good knees. He probably would’ve been over 500 homers, and had a higher AVG and OPS, b/c they declined in his later years when he could no longer hardly run. As far as a 5 tool player, Dawson is a caliber player in the league of Barry Bonds and Willie Mays. He also did not as much exposure or recognition in his prime years b/c he was playing in Montreal. And, if you compare him to two recently elected sluggerers, who did not strubble with injuries for years like Dawson, he still compiled numbers equal to and better in some areas even with the injuries.
Player, runs, avg, hr, rbi, sb, OPS
Jim Rice 1272, .279, 379, 1652, 49, .804
Tony Perez 1249, .298, 382, 1451, 58, .854
Ander Dawson 1373, .279, 438, 1591, 314, .806
By the way, Dawson as compared to the Rice and Perez examples. Dawson = 8 gold gloves. 0 for the other 2 guys.
And by the way, my argument for Dawson has nothing to do with that for Murphy. I would have no problem if Murphy was elected. I know it’s hard to argue between positions, i.e. pithcer vs. position players. But if a guy like Bruce Sutter is elected to the Hall of Fame, I think Murphy should be in.
McFann O
January 7th, 2010
10:38 am
Oh, and isn’t this comic for today ironic, after out discussion last night:
http://www.gocomics.com/comic_page/explore/652772?page=4
sportsmandh
January 7th, 2010
10:41 am
Sorry for the typos, anyway to spell check within the blog?
Maybe I should type it up in Word in the future and paste it in.
Lew
January 7th, 2010
10:41 am
HomeofDaBrave-But do you seriously believe that Roach was going to post that .957 OPS throughout the first half of 2010, much less for the entire season? He was just happy to see Chipper and talk deer with him.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
10:41 am
RC, I was just saying that a full season of Hanson could easily produce 18 wins and ERA of under 3.
I mean, the guy went 11-4 with an ERA under 3 in 21 starts. Imagine if he had another 11 starts on the season, he could have easily won at least 6 of those.
So yeah, I think he easily replaces the production of Jurrjens.
Hillbilly
January 7th, 2010
10:42 am
Daybed,
That Cooley’s House thing was a bootleg from 2003. It’s basically a raw, drunken, informal party. I think it was actually sort of an audition for Shonna before she officially joined the band. You can hear Isbell teaching them the chords during some of the songs. Those versions “Danko/Manuel” and “GD Lonely Love” blow the studio versions out of the water. Accoustic “Uncle Frank” is something to behold as well. Awesome stuff.
Noah
January 7th, 2010
10:43 am
DOB: Agree that you need to take the advanced defensive metrics for what they are but they can be useful, they do tell you if a player is above average, has good range etc. So what if the didn’t make mistakes, if they didn’t get to balls someone else would have are they really better then someone who gets to more balls.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
10:44 am
Heres a hypothetical question though. I know we all think Hanson will be penciled in automatically as the 3rd starter, but what if he has a crappy spring training (not likely) and then starts the season off on a 1-5 start? Would he be sent back down to AAA to work on some things or would Bobby let him try to work it out in the Majors. Not saying I think this will happen at all, just hypothetical.
Noah
January 7th, 2010
10:45 am
oops, my should have been addressed to DAP, not DOB
jeffrey d
January 7th, 2010
10:47 am
I mean, the guy went 11-4 with an ERA under 3 in 21 starts. Imagine if he had another 11 starts on the season, he could have easily won at least 6 of those.
They call it “sophomore” slump for a reason. We’ll see how he does once the batters get to know him.
RC
January 7th, 2010
10:49 am
O.J.,
I’m not disagreeing that Hanson COULD have that season, I’m just saying that nobody EASILY wins 15 with an ERA under 3.
RC
January 7th, 2010
10:51 am
O.J.,
I think Bobby would let Hanson work in out in the majors. I mean, how bad would he have to be to make Jo-Jo Reyes a better option?
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
10:52 am
LOL, good point RC about Reyes, lol
jeffrey d, Jurrjens had no such ‘Sophomore slump’ So why would you think Hanson would, who purely has better stuff.
McFann O
January 7th, 2010
10:53 am
jeffrey d They call it “sophomore” slump for a reason. We’ll see how he does once the batters get to know him.
Some players don’t have sophomore slumps, per se…
DAP
January 7th, 2010
10:57 am
noah So what if the didn’t make mistakes, if they didn’t get to balls someone else would have are they really better then someone who gets to more balls
no, not necessarily, im just saying that those defensive metrics have alot to do with range, which is a minor component in 1B defense. there are alot of reasons laroche and kotchman may be ranked lower than they really should be, which i pointed out. 1B defense is just a tricky thing. the #1 most important thing for a 1st baseman defensively is being able to handle imperfect throws. thats hard to measure, because who gets the errors when the 1st baseman misses a bad or even simply a low throw? the guy who threw it gets the error, not the 1st baseman. but, if kotchman is getting outs on throws that no one else could handle, to me, he is more valuable defensively than the guy who stops the grounder in the gap, but gets handcuffed by a short hop throw from yunel.
see what im saying? basically, dont put stock in those rankings. theres alot of things they dont take into account, and defense for 1st baseman is a little hard to measure anyways.
glord1
January 7th, 2010
10:58 am
Lew
January 7th, 2010
10:31 am
GLord-I don;t see McLouth hitting 25 HR’s-not while playing half his games at The Ted (see his .214 BA in Atlanta last year). At this point, I’d be happy if he hits that .265. THAT would be a significant improvement right there.
Lew – you might be right about 25 being wishful thinking but I think he is capable even at the TED I like McLouth as a player but he never seemed quite right last year. I think with a combination of a healthy hamstring, eyes and a full spring with the Braves he could have a really good year. I just wish Bobby would take him out of the lead off spot.
TommyP
January 7th, 2010
10:59 am
So I guess when Melky’s in the lineup, he’ll lead off? And when it’s Diaz and Heyward in the corners, McClouth leads off?
Just wondering…
RC
January 7th, 2010
10:59 am
The one thing that Jurrjens has over Hanson to me is control….Hanson has incredible stuff, but he still walks way too many guys to be an “elite” pitcher. I’m hoping that will improve in his 2nd season in the majors though.
RC
January 7th, 2010
11:02 am
TommyP,
My guess would be that Melky/Diaz will be either the 7 or 8 hitter from the start. If I was making out the lineup, I’d go with the following:
1. McLouth
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. Glaus
5. McCann
6. Escobar
7. Heyward
8. Diaz/Cabrera
9. Pitcher
With that lineup you never had two righties or two lefties in a row, except for the pitcher (and even then you wouldn’t if Cabrera is playing).
DAP
January 7th, 2010
11:04 am
jeffery d We’ll see how he does once the batters get to know him.
last 6 starts for tommy hanson, 2-1, 2.31 ERA and 43 Ks in 39 innings.
this isnt the old days. with video scouting, word get outs pretty quick about guys. it seems like someone would have caught on after 15 starts if they were going to.
not saying hanson might not have a few set backs, but i dont know if it will because guys suddenly “figure him out”.
zmerk
January 7th, 2010
11:05 am
sportsmandh
If you use Firefox as your browser, it will auto spell check everything you type in. Even though it is a small feature, it is unbelievable how much it helps you all over the internet. Might want to try it.
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
11:07 am
Heyward will not and should not hit 8th, so yes, I think RC hit the nail on the head with his lineup…
Great job once again RC, and thanks for not givin me too much crap for putting McGriff, Gant, and Justice in my 2000’s team of the decade lineup
Still can’t believe I did that! 
Fourbee
January 7th, 2010
11:11 am
Many folks talk about the last half of last season, waxing poetic about scoring more runs than the rest of the ML. However, how many here actually think that they will repeat this fantastic scenario? Now that Cox has an option, do you actually think that Matt Diaz will play every day, or simply play against lefties? Cox loves platoons and will run Melky out against righties when Diaz has a better OBA against them. Further, Cox will run Saito (his nickname is Sammy) out every day until he’s exhausted or his arm drops off. Boston was extremely careful in managing his work load. Also, do you honestly believe that Cox will not bring Mitch Jones north at the end of ST? Cox lives and dies by the three run homer (his words, not mine). Is there any way Cox doesn’t trot out an unproven minor league lifer as a pinch hitter in the hopes of that 3 run homer?
I’ve been a Braves fan since they moved here from Milwaukee, but I’m also a realist. IMO, this year’s team is an exercise in mediocrity.But, as many of you, I will watch and root for the team as I always have. I just don’t see investing $100 per person to go to the Ted to see a medicre team lose.
zmerk13
January 7th, 2010
11:11 am
I think Tommy has too good stuff to have a sophomore slump. He is young and will, in all likelihood have a few stretches where he struggles. With that being said, his stuff is unhittable and his control is only going to get better.
Just think how good he was last year while walking 3.2 per 9 innings. That is a lot of walks, yet he still managed to dazzle…. If he cuts those walks down, watch out!
sportsmandh
January 7th, 2010
11:12 am
zmerk,
don’t have that on my work laptop but can from home. thanks for the tip.
Maybe the denizens won’t hate on me to much, I’m a product of Tennessee public schools so maybe I get a little pass.
Rock On......
January 7th, 2010
11:15 am
“So, tell me, have we upgraded one bit this offseason? And don’t mention Heyward because he’s just a kid that shouldn’t be a solution to this teams offense for at least another year when he’s actually faced a MLB pitch.” GatorBrave
Well, let’s visit this comment again about say April. Right now he is, as I see it, the Braves go to guy for RF heading into ST. He would have to fall on his face not to open in RF for Atlanta. Could happen but I am buying into the scouting hype on this kid until he proves otherwise. The real question is will Wren eschew the arb clock and start him? My guess is yes but, hell, I had him being called up in Sept.
While an argument can be made that we are not as strong offensively as we finished up in 2009 the gambles, if they manifest themselves correctly, could prove that we are. However, we should be better than we started the 2009 campaign. An outfield of Heyward in RF, McClouth in CF, and Diaz in LF with Melkey as the 4th guy to me sure beats the heck out of Francouer, Shaefer, and Loaf. Throw in a full-time Prado at 2nd and Glaus at 1st (who certainly is an offensive upgrade over Kotchman and a woeful 1st half LaRoche)and you have some serious upgrade. Assuming Chipper benefits from Glaus and produces and McCann and Escobar keep hitting well, this team should be strong.
My big concern is the pitching quite honestly in Hudson and Lowe. Hudson must make up for Vazquez and Lowe must pitch solid with normal run support as opposed to the inflated support he received last year. Should the above mentioned offense come together and the pitching not drop off then this could very well be the WS caliber team that pundits were saying last fall that we could be with just a couple of additional bats last fall.
Rock on…..agree with Lew on Nats and Pirates. Gotta win more against those guys. Didn’t we have the same record against the Nats as we did against the Phillies in ‘09. Not going to look it up right now but I think it was close given the year-end implosion and all.
jeffrey d
January 7th, 2010
11:17 am
Good heavens, people. I didn’t say that the sophomore slump was an inevitable fact that affects all professional players. I was just saying it was something to look out for before we start pencilling Hanson in for 18 wins.
tiger297
January 7th, 2010
11:17 am
fourbee $100 per person??? with $20 outfiled seats you can drink alot of beer and still be under $100 a person
McFann O
January 7th, 2010
11:19 am
jeffrey d–
Holler, but don’t hit!
No, I know what you meant…I just like to show off those 2006 numbers whenever I get the chance.
18 Wheels of Love
January 7th, 2010
11:21 am
Murphy was idol growing up but I dont think he should be in the HOF. Hard for me to say that but he doesn’t have the numbers. Not in my opinion.
bravofan
January 7th, 2010
11:27 am
Is it snowing where any of you Braves fans are?
ncscoots
January 7th, 2010
11:28 am
I was just saying it was something to look out for before we start pencilling Hanson in for 18 wins.
And you would be correct is doing so. He threw a lot of innings in the minors and majors in 2009, and he’ll be seeing some teams 3, maybe even 4, times in the same season in 2010. Something he didn’t have to do last year. He’ll be throwing more stress innings, and more will be expected of him. Dude is going to slump at some point (he’s human, contrary to some bloggers) and he’ll have to adjust, and it’s still unknown how he’ll be at that.
Lots of things can go wrong, even for a pitcher of his talent. Ignoring the possibility of that is whistling past the graveyard.
Rock On......
January 7th, 2010
11:28 am
OJ….agree with your staff assessment potential. Given what we have to start 2009 that is. I agree that Lowe is probably the #1 starter and will open the 2010 campaign followed by JJ and Hanson. Putting Hudson as the #4 guy is perfect as it is simply too ambitious to have him #1 to start the year. He has the past numbers support and talent to get there should he show no effects from post-TJ. KK is the #5 in just about everyone’s eyes and a damn good option for the back-end of the rotation.
Still the rotation was stronger with Vazquez but that’s peanut shells on the floor now but if Hudson and Lowe rebound well respectively then the rotation should again be the NL best top to bottom.
Rock On......
January 7th, 2010
11:29 am
Given what we have to start 2009 that is.—make that 2010.
KC
January 7th, 2010
11:30 am
Rock On: “So, tell me, have we upgraded one bit this offseason?”
If the new additions remain healthy, yes. If they’re not healthy, no.
And while I’m sorry to disobey, Heyward is likely to have some impact. How great, we’ll just have to wait and see. But he could have a bigger impact than a guy like Damon.
DAP
January 7th, 2010
11:30 am
jeffery I was just saying it was something to look out for before we start pencilling Hanson in for 18 wins.
yeah of course. its rare for any pitcher to win 18, and so much has to go right, beyond pitching well. but, ill bet he does his part, and i think its very likely for him to post a sub-3.50 ERA and pile up the K’s.
ncscoots
January 7th, 2010
11:35 am
Putting Hudson as the #4 guy is perfect as it is simply too ambitious to have him #1 to start the year.
Geez, you’ll still be characterizing Hudson as a 4th starter until April, huh, LOL? The day 6 slots two guys with 100 starts between them ahead of Tim Hudson, I’d look to see what alien has taken over his body.
abwright
January 7th, 2010
11:36 am
I generally agree with DAP’s post on 1B defense.
I would say that the most important thing is to catch everything from 3B/SS that gets within his vicinity. Second most important thing is to get to lots of ground balls, especially near the line, which usually go for doubles if they get past 1B. Finally, can the guy throw strongly and accurately to second and to home.
Kotchman seemed to be great at the first thing, below average at the second thing, and well below average at the third thing.
LaRoche seemed to be very good at the first thing, below average at the second thing, and average at the third thing.
Glaus (a very, very good third baseman) will be unknown at the first thing, above average at the second thing, and well above average at the third thing.
We’ll know shortly into spring training how he does at the most important thing (catching throws from 3B and SS).
But seriously, is fielding a short hop grounder at third or a wicked line drive that much different than fielding an errant throw from the third baseman?
bravofan
January 7th, 2010
11:36 am
it would be pretty cool if the “Big Cat” got in the hall one day!
DAP
January 7th, 2010
11:41 am
i honestly think its kind of silly to do it this way…but have we improved? id say yeah…if melky replaces garret anderson, that an upgrade big time on defense and a little on offense. that should help our run differential. if hinske replaces greg norton, that is a big upgrade. the real question is glaus. he is almost sure to not be as good defensively as laroche, and since you could pretty much guarantee laroche giving you about a .850 OPS over the course of the season, glaus will have to top that to make up for the difference defensively. id say that over all, these 3 guys will help our run differential a little bit, but not much.
as far as pitching, i do think its a wash. hanson instead of jojo, medlen whoever for 11 starts will make up for the performance gap between huddy and what vazquez did last season, and the bullpen is pretty deep, especially considering proctor returning at some point.
i think we have improved, but not by as much as i would have liked, and not by as much as i think we could have. heyward’s performance will have alot to do with it.
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
11:41 am
Bravofan-
Yeah, another 10 inches of snow between last night and early morning and still snowing while I sit here at work.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
11:42 am
I don’t think I would bat Prado 2nd. Think I would have to go with either Cabrera/Diaz in that spot. Both are contact hitters and know how to get on base. Prado would most likely be moved to the bottom of the order, probably batting 8th.
Rock On......
January 7th, 2010
11:43 am
KC….I was actually responding to GatorBrave with the quote but no doubt health is the central theme with both pitching and offense and how that all plays out and junk. The Heyward impact is hard to predict for sure but I still think he starts in RF and bats 7th. It will take some time to get acclamated and the Braves won’t bat him higher so he should be able to come along nicely at his own pace. Just seems the right thing to do but obviously Wren has quit listening to me as he traded Vazquez. Oh well……
DAP
January 7th, 2010
11:44 am
abwright
laroche is not an average thrower. he is above average, with a cannon. dude’s a pitcher, you know.
raleighbravefan
January 7th, 2010
11:46 am
Vazquez had a career year in 2009. Would he repeat that in 2010? Doubtful. Hudson has been an ace. Will he repeat that? He should at least be solid. For JV, we got a decent OF starter, a potential decent contributor to the bullpen (which should be our strongest ever), a top pitching prospect for the future, and $$ to sign Glause and Hinke. Pretty good in my view, especially considering JV never has had great back to back years, and is a FA in 2011.
I think the 2010 team has good if not great potential, and I like the long-term plan being persued (not 1 year and done), especially with the current budget. Long-term key depends on strong minor league, which we have gone a long way to rebuild since the Tex fiasco. If we get a new owner with increase in payroll great, but FW must assume not for now. Great job so far in my view. Wish list for most of you is useless and unrealistic.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
11:47 am
Arkansas Transplant????? Did you watch Prado in the 2 hole last year? Dude sparked the offense big time when inserted permanently. he is our #2 hitter, no doubt.
zmerk13
January 7th, 2010
11:50 am
jeffrey d,
I agree, i think you can only pencil in 12-13 wins for Hanson, if that.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
11:50 am
O.J.,
Don’t agree with you.
AustinBrave
January 7th, 2010
11:55 am
Bravofan-
Its not snowing, but 40 mph winds and 20 degrees in Austin, TX is to cold for me. Setting a record cold wave in Texas.
DAP
January 7th, 2010
11:55 am
arkansas transplant I don’t think I would bat Prado 2nd. Think I would have to go with either Cabrera/Diaz in that spot. Both are contact hitters and know how to get on base.
thats doesnt describe prado as well? martin is much more of a contact hitter than diaz, and much better at getting on base than melky.
richbrave
January 7th, 2010
11:58 am
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
10:31 am
glord1, I have a feeling that this years starting staff will be just as good as last years or better.
That rotation honestly looks better than last years if you think of it that way.
And I do. I’m with you.
CABRERA is better defensively and his bat should be better than LOAFS in the first half.
GLAUS is hopefully an upgrade over KOTCHMAN/LaROCHE.
SAITO/WAGNER is a big unknown at this point. Iffy, IMHO.
Bench minus NORTON has to be an upgrade. And I think that’s where another move may be made before February. ROSS and INFANTE are set. JONES maybe out of ST. We’ll see.
Overall, slightly sanguine about this years prospects, but mainly because of the PHILLIES and METS moves. They are improved.
Rock On......
January 7th, 2010
11:58 am
ncscoots….well, yep he looks to project as the #4 guy in April unless you have seen an indication last fall he shouldn’t be. Again, not saying he couldn’t be an ace like pre-2008 but if you are ranking pitchers today on this team and projecting them in April then #4 is where I have Hudson. If you have him higher ranked or hold him in higher esteem then that is cool. Frankly I don’t think Lowe is our top pitcher but I think Cox begins 2010 with a veteran on the mound and IMO that will be Lowe. Who knows, when ST all shakes out it could be Hudson that gets the start.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:02 pm
Don’t think your going to move a guy that had a nearly .500 OBP against lefties to the 8 hole. That would be totally insane.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
12:02 pm
You dont have to, its proven.
bravofan
January 7th, 2010
12:03 pm
P-town: lucky for you I was wondering about here in and around the Atlanta area. I’m sitting in class wondering if we will have school tomorrow.
Nova Scotia Steve - Roy Halladay wins 2010 NL Cy Young Award -
January 7th, 2010
12:04 pm
I agree Prado helped the offense.
But it wasn’t Pardo alone.
Remove Francouer, Johnson and Kotchman from our line-up and add Prado, McLouth and LaRoche.
Those are MAJOR upgrades that Prado definitely a part of.
But I don’t believe he sparked the offense alone.
The emergence of Escobar can’t be forgotten
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:05 pm
DAP, you just might want to check those numbers again. Diaz’s OBP is nearly .500 against leftys which is when he’ll play. Sorry but Prado doesn’t even come close to that. I’ll bet ya that Prado doesn’t hit over .290 and Diaz will once again be over .300.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
12:08 pm
Arkansas Transplant, that would be about as crazy as having a guy that hit .311 with 13 hr’s, 44 RBI’s and .915 OPS in the second half in the 6th spot or lower. Oh wait, that actually happened with Adam LaRoche. Next!
N8
January 7th, 2010
12:09 pm
“N8………..If memory serves me correctly, the Braves went 7-2 against the Phillies the first part of the season. then we finished up 3-6.” .P.a.u.l .L.e.n.t.z
It didn’t serve you correctly. Before June 28th, we went 5-4 against them. After June 28th, we went 5-4 against them. We did however, go 2-4 against them in the two series later in the year. So yeah, we didn’t exactly push them hard down the stretch.
But if June 28th is the consensus “turning point” of the season, we split it pretty evenly against them.
Bottom line, is that over the course of the 162 game schedule, the Braves went 22-15 against the NL playoff qualifiers. So don’t give me the crap (not you – debbie downers in general), that we didn’t and can’t compete with the NL’s elite teams.
Not saying or guaranteeing that the Braves will overtake the Phils or even win the wild card. But they WILL compete, and teams will NOT want to face the Braves’ pitching down the stretch if we’re out of the race.
Obsessed blogger
January 7th, 2010
12:11 pm
Why wouldn’t you want Prado in the 2 hole? As long as he keeps that OBP around .360 with a sub-12% strikeout ratio as he did last year and has done for his career, he seems like an ideal #2 hitter. What we don’t have on this team is an ideal leadoff man.
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
12:12 pm
I agree w/ O.J.
Prado is our #2 hitter
abwright
January 7th, 2010
12:13 pm
DAP, January 7th, 2010, 11:44 am … “laroche is not an average thrower. he is above average, with a cannon.”
I missed that. I was more focused on Kotchman being below average in that department. I remember at least two critical throws last year that Kotchman botched that allowed runs to score.
I cannot say the same for Roachy. I don’t remember throwing being an issue, so I called him as average.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:15 pm
O.J.
That’s almost like saying, let’s put someone that’s caught stealing 75 percent of the time in the 2 spot over someone that successful nearly 75 percent of the time… oh wait… your wanting to do just that! nuff said!
GatorBrave
January 7th, 2010
12:17 pm
DOB, “cut your underwear” means you’re uptight and maybe losening your tight briefs could help with that problem. Whatever, you need to go to the dentist so maybe they can give you some of that drugged up gas stuff. Anything to help with that filthy attitude you’ve presented around here lately. I hope you don’t use that arrogant sarcasm in the real world, sir.
zmerk13
January 7th, 2010
12:17 pm
DAP,
I agree with most of your post on the team improving. The only thing I disagree with is that you can’t “pretty much guarantee” that Laroche will give you an .850 OPS. He has only done it once in his career….
Where as Glaus has hit over .850 6 times. I think it is fairly safe to say that Glaus, if healthy, will be better a good deal better than Adam in that regard. Especially early in the season.
But there is that “if healthy” line again. Remember what happened to the rotation of “if healthy’s” two years ago? Not saying it will happen, but you have to be worried a bit.
N8
January 7th, 2010
12:18 pm
“N8: Great couple of posts late last night/early this morning. Almost couldn’t believe how upbeat you seemed. Especially considering the momentum the Minnesota Favres have going into the playoffs. (smile).” DOB
Thanks. But hey, I’m not promising that I won’t still be the same in-game griper I’ve been in the past. In fact, I know that I will be. But I not only like what Wren has done to give Bobby a fighting chance this year (lot of IF’s but if those IF’s pan out – this will be a dominant team), and has not only NOT sacrificed any future, he’s strengthened it by adding guys like Dunn and Vizcaino.
You know from my past posts over the last couple of years, that I’m a youth guy and can tolerate young guys growing on the job (provided there is a cutoff point – as in sitting a guy like Jeff or KJ when struggling really bad and using the minor leagues to develop them more if need be). My tolerance for high priced veterans is much less.
As for the Vikings? As you may have seen the other night. I am now rooting for the Vikings purely for the sake of rubbing Lentz’s nose in it when all is said and done. Go Favre! My new favorite player. Besides, the Chiefs allegedly hiring Charlie Weis to be the OC is a great move, and I’m glad Haley is willing to give up the OC job. As bad as Notre Dame was under Weis’ command, their offense was still pretty stellar, so I have no worries about him jumping back on the saddle as an OC in the NFL.
zmerk13
January 7th, 2010
12:23 pm
DAP,
I agree with most of your post on the team improving. The only thing I disagree with is that you can’t “pretty much guarantee” that Laroche will give you an .850 OPS. He has only done it once in his career….
Where as Glaus has hit over .850 6 times. I think it is fairly safe to say that Glaus, if healthy, will be better than Adam.
But there is that “if healthy” line again. Remember what happened to the rotation of “if healthy’s” two years ago? Not saying it will happen, but you have to be worried a bit.
MZ
January 7th, 2010
12:27 pm
GatorBrave … you’re a trip, dude … not the good kind of trip … the kind where luggage gets lost, the weather is dreadful and the flight attendants think they’re better than you
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:33 pm
zmerk13,
You make excellent sense.
dmack2027
January 7th, 2010
12:34 pm
For those who are saying the Braves are going to allowe Heyward to start the season with the Braves, consider this…..
Matt Diaz has proven he is a productive outfielder who needs to play everyday. McClouth is entrenched in CF. The Braves accept a trade for Melky Cabrera. I highly doubt, and would be disappointed, if they keep Melky as a 4th outfielder. Although he may not be much more than that, right now, his value is certainly higher.
If the Braves are going to allow J-hey to stay with the club when they break for Atlanta, I imagine they will ship Melky for prospects. Keeping him as a backup/platoon player will only decrease his trade value.
Barring any additional signings, unless you see Mekly traded before the season starts, I think Hewyard starts in the minors. Lots of money at stake for the Braves. They could decrease the scrutiny of sending Heyward down if they could sign someone like Damon.
jeffrey d
January 7th, 2010
12:38 pm
i think its very likely for him to post a sub-3.50 ERA and pile up the K’s.
I was thinking around 3.40s-3.50s ERA for Hanson
DAP
January 7th, 2010
12:42 pm
arkansas transplant you just might want to check those numbers again. Diaz’s OBP is nearly .500 against leftys which is when he’ll play. Sorry but Prado doesn’t even come close to that.
i simply said prado was more of a contact hitter than diaz. i said nothing about diaz’s OBP. check this number: 90 strikeouts in 371 ABs for diaz, 59 in 450 ABs for prado.
zmerk13 The only thing I disagree with is that you can’t “pretty much guarantee” that Laroche will give you an .850 OPS. He has only done it once in his career….
you are absolutely right. his career mark is .834, so i should have said like .830 or something. im pretty sure glaus will do better than that, but he has to do enough better to offset the defense in order to actually improve the run differential. its definitely possible.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
12:44 pm
Arkansas Transplant, you obviously know nothing about this team or you would know that Bobby Cox does not let his players steal that often. And another thing, the 2 hole isnt the guy you want up there stealing bases, causing the pitcher to pitch around the 3 hole guy.
Do you know anything about baseball?
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:44 pm
dmack2027
I agree about Heyward unfortunately, but I know they have to play Melky to keep his value up, but I think they could move him very easily during the season if need be. Problem is I like having him as a 4th OF, so who knows. I’m really just keeping my fingers crossed that we don’t move too quickly this time.
Tom Waits wears Redwing boots
January 7th, 2010
12:44 pm
N8-
Lots of money to be won by placing your bet on the Braves to win the yellow, swallowtail flag. 1969 Braves OF: Carty/Lum in LF, Alou CF, Aaron RF. Heyward in RF will play like Aaron in 1957.
O.J.
January 7th, 2010
12:48 pm
Well, I shouldnt say about baseball, but about this team in general?
DAP
January 7th, 2010
12:48 pm
dmack j-hey? please dont.
i think the braves are more concerned with winning games than melky cabrera’s trade value. he isnt going to play everyday, weather heyward starts out of spring training or not. at least he better not.
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
12:49 pm
Arkansas-
Your point is pretty invalid considering Bobby isn’t sending runners in front of Chipper, Troy, and BMac anyways…
Billy Walsh
January 7th, 2010
12:50 pm
In lieu of Randy Johnson retiring…there has been a lot of discussion of where he ranks among all time pitchers. On ESPN, Gammons, stark, Olney and other analysts said Johnson was the second greatest power pitcher. The first is Nolan Ryan. Really? There is no way that Ryan was a better pitcher than Johnson. None..
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
12:53 pm
Arkansas-
Also, have you seen Matt Diaz bunt?
He’s about the worst player you can put in the 2-hole given what Bobby likes to do.
Tom Waits wears Redwing boots
January 7th, 2010
12:55 pm
By the way, Aaron was naturally left handed. He hit from the risght side with his hands crossed over the wrong way. When he played in the minors, the Braves corrected his hand position. When his illustrious career ended as the greatest Baseball player ever, he regretted not becomming a switch hitter. Some say he developed tremendous wrist strength because he gripped the bat incorrectly as a youth.
KC
January 7th, 2010
12:56 pm
Rock On, I agree… I think Heyward should hit 7th. There’s a chance he’ll hit 8th to start out, though I hope not. I think we’re better off with Diaz hitting 8th because he’s uniquely wired to succeed in that position. Being a rookie, I’d hate to see Heyward stuck in a slot in the order where he’s not going to see anything good to hit very often.
As for what kind of impact he’ll make, I’ve heard scouts and baseball analysts alike state a belief that his impact will be similar to Tommy Hanson’s. If that turns out to be the case, that’s be pretty damned significant. I sure hope so.
A .275+ average and 20+ homers from Heyward could have a big impact on this lineup. Here’s hoping.
DAP
January 7th, 2010
12:58 pm
billy walshThere is no way that Ryan was a better pitcher than Johnson. None..
the better pitcher thing i guess could be debated…ryan bested johnson in several categories, but since they specified “power pitcher”, how can you argue? the #1 power pitcher stat is strikouts, and nolan ryan has almost 1000 more of them in his career than randy johnson.
by the way “in lieu of” means “instead of” not “because of”.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
12:59 pm
Since O.J. obviously doesn’t understand the in’s and out’s of this game. I’ll excuse his ignorance just this once.
DAP,
You could very well be correct that Glaus could produce an OBS of .830 plus. Glaus will be in an ideal situation hitting between Chipper and McCann. He should see a lot of hittable pitches.
Ease in Buckhead
January 7th, 2010
1:01 pm
weather heyward
Sounds like a storm is brewin’…I like it!
Fourbee
January 7th, 2010
1:03 pm
Tiger297
I only sit in the dugout level seats. I want to be close to the plate so that I can: A) razz the ump on a missed call; B) actually have the players hear my vocal support and C) have Bobby Cox and his staff hear the invective that I usually hurl at them. Simply put, I like to be closer to the game than in the outfield. It’s just a matter of choice.
I don’t dislike the team or anyone on it. I actually think that Cox does a great job in assessing talent and placing it where it will be most productive. Sometimes, the talent fails to live up to it’s potential and/or hype. But, I reserve the right to be critical of a person when he makes bone-headed plays or moves. I’m afraid I have to be critical of the off-season moves (and non-moves) by Frank Wren, though.
Arkansas Transplant
January 7th, 2010
1:03 pm
I’d love for them to pitch around the 3rd hole, that’s just more opportunity for more runs. It’s obvious, the more guys on base, the better the pitchs to the guy at the plate. You think they want to take a chance to load the bases with McCann on deck? I sure hope that’s what happens. I’ll take bases loaded with one out and McCann on deck any day.
brent a.
January 7th, 2010
1:04 pm
So the good news is, all of the Braves pitchers are going to be better, except for JJ, but he’ll get more run support.
At this rate, I don’t know why we let KJ go. He was definitely gonna bounce back, as well.
Also, we can be certain that Chipper will have his monster rebound he is predicting.
And McCann, no reason to not expect a repeat of 2008, his eyes will be fine.
And McLouth, no hamstring issues at all. And Turner Field is not an issue whatsoever. He’s fixed.
No reason to be concerned about Glaus, either. Bobby knew him almost 10 years ago when he was a stud. He’ll hit 25 homers because he has no restrictions.
Wow! All is fixed!
Go Braves!
P-Town Brave
January 7th, 2010
1:05 pm
Yeah, imagine how juicy the pitches for BMac and Yunel are gonna be if the real Chipper returns and Glaus is healthy
Tom Waits wears Redwing boots
January 7th, 2010
1:06 pm
Arkansas Transplant-
As long as Mccann keeps the ball off the ground.
David O'Brien
January 7th, 2010
1:06 pm
Well, that was relatively painless. Knew I was going to have to get another crown, but also have to get a filling. Had some decay under a 35-year-old filling.
Hey, what are you gonna do? Gotta have it done, or face much worse later. I think I’ll get another gold crown to match the one I got last year. Nice and shiny, and lasts a little longer than the porcelain kind….
Gatorbrave: Thanks for clarifying on the meaning of “cut your underwear.” Interesting.