If McLouth skid continues, might Cabrera’s role grow?
Dunedin, Fla. – Nate McLouth’s spring-training slump has become so deep, he can probably forget hitting his weight. He’s barely hitting his age (28).
The Braves center fielder went 0-for-4 in Saturday’s game against Toronto to drop his spring-training average to .029. McLouth has one hit and 14 strikeouts in 35 at-bats.
“He’s pressing a little bit,” said manager Bobby Cox, who moved McLouth back to the leadoff spot Saturday after batting him lower last week and resting him Friday.
The spring funk has gone unabated, and strikeouts are piling up. McLouth struck out twice in four of his past six games, and he’s 0-for-28 since a March 6 double.
His average was so low (.029) after he reached 1-for-34 Saturday, it remained .029 when he went to 1-for-35.
“Keep working,” hitting coach Terry Pendleton said, when asked what McLouth could do to get turned around. “We walked off the bus here today and right into the [batting] cage. We’re just trying to get him comfortable with staying tall and not dipping down.”
Pendleton said he’s bending his knees and going too low in his swing.
“He stays tall here [in the cage] but in the game, he wants to dip down, that old muscle memory,” he said. “We have to continue to work to get that out of him, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
He said McLouth did the same thing in September, when he hit .255 with 21 strikeouts and six extra-base hits in 94 at-bats.
“He strides out, and as soon as he does that he collapses and can’t get to the balls he wants to,” Pendleton said, “and when he does [get to them] it’s reaching, or he’s topping balls.”
Cox has said nothing to indicate McLouth’s leadoff or center-field jobs could be in jeopardy. But the Braves have Melky Cabrera available as an option, if necessary.
Acquired from the New York Yankees as part of the December trade for Javier Vazquez, Cabrera is a strong-armed, versatile outfielder the Braves expect to use plenty in left field with Matt Diaz, and also play some in center field and right field.
Switch-hitting Cabrera could get starts in right field against difficult lefties in place of rookie Jason Heyward, who will presumably be the lineup regular.
“I heard [Cabrera] was a good defensive player,” said Cox, who agreed with that assessment after seeing him for the past four weeks. “He’s solid. Very good arm. He’s a solid, all-around player.
“He played a lot for the Yankees. Didn’t he get, like, 500 at-bats?”
Cabrera hit .274 with 28 doubles, 13 homers and 68 RBIs in 485 at-bats for the Yankees in 2009.
While his .336 on-base percentage last season wasn’t what teams look for in a leadoff hitter, he has a .373 OBP in 255 career at-bats from the leadoff position.
Cabrera has hit .300 with 12 hits (two doubles), five walks and only three strikeouts in a team-high 40 at-bats this spring. He’s shown a penchant for hitting balls to gaps and the opposite field.
“I’ve been impressed this spring with him,” Pendleton said. “He works at it. He knows how to play baseball. He takes what you give him, but he hits the ball hard.”
But again, the Braves aren’t ready to bench McLouth based on 35 spring at-bats. McLouth said if he had such a spell at midseason, it wouldn’t be a big deal — and general manager Frank Wren agreed.
“I’ve seen it a lot over the years,” Wren said. “Guys are going to have bad 30-at-bat periods. If he gets two hits for a couple of days in a row, it’s forgotten.”
Meanwhile, the Braves at least have Cabrera as a proven option should McLouth’s struggles continue into the season. They also have 2009 opening-day center fielder Jordan Schafer healing from September hand surgery and expected to be ready early in the season.
“All of of a sudden Schafe’s back in the mix when he gets healthy,” Wren said. “It adds to our overall depth. I’m as pleased about [the team's improved depth] as anything.”
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87 comments Add your comment
willie martinez
March 20th, 2010
4:49 pm
i can play cf!!!
Buzz
March 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
Well, if you are getting hitting advice from someone (Pendleton) with a lower career batting average than Jeff Francoeur, you are doomed.
william
March 20th, 2010
4:52 pm
It’s still Spring…
Elliot Garcia
March 20th, 2010
4:55 pm
another low-budget deal blows up in the Braves face!
shawn
March 20th, 2010
5:04 pm
I was never impressed about Nate. He should be a leadoff hitter and he does hit for power. Overal, not a great trade.
JP
March 20th, 2010
5:11 pm
I was never a fan of the McLouth trade either. The guy doesn’t hit for average.
Oldbravesbag
March 20th, 2010
5:14 pm
Uh…you’re supposed to bend your knees with a tall upper body, TP…..maybe that’s the trouble….UGH….Hope TP is not the hitting coach next year…..
willieg hates bill shanks
March 20th, 2010
5:16 pm
trade the whole team for albert pujhos,we will take 8minor league players ,and puhos and win it is better than they have right now.
willieg hates bill shanks
March 20th, 2010
5:18 pm
this team needs jesus to win this year, and iesus cant play all 9 positions a third place team.
GovClintonTyree
March 20th, 2010
5:29 pm
Well, I was giddy – downright ecstatic – about the McLouth deal. And I still am. He’ll work through it and start hitting again.
I didn’t like the “standing tall” thing either. Don’t want to change your eye level with an overstride. Pendleton may be messing him up.
NORRIS
March 20th, 2010
5:33 pm
Looks like Terry Pendleton is destroying another player. How many is that now?
Showdawg
March 20th, 2010
5:51 pm
What are Heyward’s numbers this spring and what do you think the opening day lineup will be?
leland
March 20th, 2010
5:55 pm
Nate will never skid, though he may slip and slide from time to time.
justin1
March 20th, 2010
6:01 pm
I agree. Terry was an average, maybe a tad above average player. Certainly not the best option the Braves have for a hitting coach. We shouldve signed Jarammillo.
JohnA
March 20th, 2010
6:07 pm
Everybody’s got an opinion and suggestions. Let’s let the pro do what they think is best. Nate’s great. Terry’s got plenty of experience. The Braves are going to be exciting. Thanks Bobby and all the staff.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 20th, 2010
6:14 pm
I’m beginning to miss Norton’s big bat.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 20th, 2010
6:16 pm
Pendleton is the Manchurian Pitching Coach.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
March 20th, 2010
6:18 pm
Guess I should say Batting Coach. JD is kicking me hard.
Braves82
March 20th, 2010
6:30 pm
Well if any of you IDIOTS think you can do any better, why don’t you just run on down to Orlando. I’m sure Bobby would love to have you,,,,,jeez!!
Braves One
March 20th, 2010
6:32 pm
Come on…lets first give Frank Wren some credit. He has put together a contender. So says the Braves players who are commenting openly about the team’s enthusiasm and other team managers. There is a positive buzz in the national league about the Braves this year. We were critical with every move Frank made over the winter, yet two weeks till opening day and we are getting “giddy” about the Braves. Secondly McLouth is a pro and a good one. Maybe he should be put into the lower part of the order to start, to relax some pressure) but he belongs in center field come opening day; we can see what happens from there.
Kyle
March 20th, 2010
6:51 pm
hmm i brought this up the other day in the blog and ppl hated the idea…..
Jase
March 20th, 2010
6:54 pm
Mclouth is not a lead off hitting he bats best 3rd or 6th so considering chipper aint moving in the lineup i would say bat him 6th and let diaz/melky bat leadoff!
Roy Hobbs
March 20th, 2010
6:55 pm
One more player Pendelton can add to his list of young careers derailed. How many young hitters will be ruined by this guy before the Braves realize he is not a hitting coach.
rainman
March 20th, 2010
7:02 pm
Boy, y’all are in rare form today — cold-blooded hatin’ on TP.
The comment about missing Norton’s bat cracked me up!
Hinske's Banana Republic Underwear
March 20th, 2010
7:07 pm
Put me in coach, I’m ready to play…
Put me in coach, I’m ready to play…today…centerfield.
I actually hate that song. But it works in this blog, right?
Paddy O
March 20th, 2010
7:32 pm
McLouth is NOT a good pro – he is distinctly below average; my braves line up (first 2 weeks, after, Heyward will be called up):
Prado / Escobar / Diaz / McCann / Glaus / Chipper / Cabrea / McLouth
Paddy O
March 20th, 2010
7:33 pm
with Heyward:
Prado / Escobar / McCann / Glaus / Heyward / Chipper / Cabrea / McLouth
Paddy O
March 20th, 2010
7:35 pm
with Heyward, week 3 of the season & onward:
Prado / Escobar / MCcann / Glaus / Heyward / Chipper / Cabrea / McLouth – Diaz
Paddy O
March 20th, 2010
7:38 pm
Braves should have hired the guy from Texas, he gets the most out of his players.
JohnSmith
March 20th, 2010
8:00 pm
C’mon, seriously? TP won a batting title and MVP at one time, so he’s no slouch. While it’s true that there are days when I kinda miss Don Baylor, I’d also have to say that Pendleton’s still one of the better hitting coaches we’ve had during the Cox years. Besides, isn’t it more likely that Francoeur and McLouth have only themselves to blame when it comes to feeling overpressured and underperforming at the plate?
DaveInDallas(NC)
March 20th, 2010
8:09 pm
Wow. It’s only Spring Training and the Terry Pendleton vultures are already circling.
rico43
March 20th, 2010
8:13 pm
Haven’t we read that McLouth is wearing contacts for the first time this spring. With all due respect to the Braves’ know-it-alls, I would smash those things with the biggest hammer I can find.
ExBraves Fan
March 20th, 2010
8:25 pm
Cox: “He’s pressing a bit.” HOLY COW!!!! UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR WINNER!!!
TheBigBat
March 20th, 2010
8:51 pm
TP said, if they hit for high average, home runs and rbi’s, it because they listen to me. If they stink, it’s because they didn’t. TP’s job is like Federal employment. No need for results.
Citizen
March 20th, 2010
9:00 pm
I’m sure all you haters will be ecstatic when he’s manager next year.
Rick
March 20th, 2010
10:10 pm
Hope Nate can turn it around come regular season.if not trade him n get another front line starter r a decent bat.but i feel confident he will turn it around.
Matt the Brave
March 20th, 2010
10:29 pm
I’m getting a bit worried when the guy who’s supposed to be our starting CFer is not even getting hits against minor leaguers. I’m pretty sure that Cabrera will get a LOT of at bats if McClouth gets cut.
Anthony
March 20th, 2010
10:39 pm
It’s a joke these people criticizing the Mclouth trade. He had a good year for us and was an all star at Pittsburgh. This is only spring training and he will turn it around. I actually think it was a great trade and he will do good for us this year. I’m not like the idiot fans above who think if someone has a few bad games then their careers are over..
Keith
March 20th, 2010
11:54 pm
How many times through the years have we seen it both ways. Guy hits 10 HR’s in March and hits 10 from April through September. McLouth should be fine. Get the bugs out now. He will probably hit .300 out of the box.
Alaska Braves Fan
March 20th, 2010
11:59 pm
As a FAN, and not a baseball expert, I am concerned about Nate. I just have a bad feeling. Still, the folks who have indicated that we shouldn’t worry overmuch about a bad stretch over 35 at-bats are absolutely correct. Nate’s a pro who is working hard. There probably isn’t anyone, except perhaps his parents, who want him to hit well as much as Nate himself does. Still, it is very, very comforting to have someone of Melky’s caliber queued up to step in if McLouth cannot get into gear.
Frank Wren has miles to go to prove himself as a general manager, but his winter’s work was excellent. He absolutely must work within the spending limits set by the owners. Yeah, we all would like to have unlimited budgets, but to get all bent out of shape because we have to work within a budget is right silly. Within those constraints, Wren has put together a fine team with a good chance to win and to make the playoffs. No guarantees, of course, but when were there ever?
ABF
GT71
March 21st, 2010
12:12 am
The Braves ownership doesn’t care – to them it’s a tax write-off. The Braves management is incompetent – see Hank Aaron and the little bigboy Wren. The Braves coaches – Pendelton most especially – can’t coach. The line-up, top to bottom is WAY below average. And you wonder and blather about a journeyman outfielder in a ’slump’? We got more to worry about than ole’ Nate. Empty seats coming…many, many of them. And a 5th place finish.
Sell the team, Liberty. Fire the suits in the office. Clean out the dugout. Turn the team over. Keep only Hansen and the new phenom hitter whose name can’t even be remmebered – and shouldn’t be, yet – and re-build around them. And be competitive in 2012.
Richard Simmons
March 21st, 2010
12:34 am
Lay off the crack prior to posting next time GT71. I got scatterbrained myself just reading that junk.
The Dude
March 21st, 2010
12:37 am
Why is Prado not being mentioned as the leadoff hitter. The guy is a .300 hitter with speed and is tough to strike out. Wouldn’t McLouth, Cabrera, Escobar or whoever else has manned the leadoff spot be better suited down in the order in an RBI spot.
One concern I have is the middle of the order with Jones, McCann, and Glause…no speed and that clogs the basepaths….we are gonna have to hit a lot of doubles to score.
The Dude
March 21st, 2010
12:40 am
Prado
Escobar
Jones
McCann
Heyward
Diaz
Glause
McLouth
chuck the barber
March 21st, 2010
12:40 am
has anyone improved under TP’s coaching?
wjones
March 21st, 2010
12:50 am
“GT71
March 21st, 2010
12:12 am
The Braves ownership doesn’t care – to them it’s a tax write-off. The Braves management is incompetent – see Hank Aaron and the little bigboy Wren. The Braves coaches – Pendelton most especially – can’t coach. The line-up, top to bottom is WAY below average. And you wonder and blather about a journeyman outfielder in a ’slump’? We got more to worry about than ole’ Nate. Empty seats coming…many, many of them. And a 5th place finish.
Sell the team, Liberty. Fire the suits in the office. Clean out the dugout. Turn the team over. Keep only Hansen and the new phenom hitter whose name can’t even be remmebered – and shouldn’t be, yet – and re-build around them. And be competitive in 2012.”
You might want to try following the team for a month or so before you become such an expert. At least learning the players’ names might help. BTW. we won 86 games last year with a much less imposing lineup.
just me
March 21st, 2010
1:34 am
I don’t know if TP has ever helped anyone, but the TP statement about “if they hit for high average, home runs and rbi’s, it because they listen to me. If they stink, it’s because they didn’t.” sounds extremely defensive and egotistical to me. A good coach makes the player(s) better. Just because someone can play the game doesn’t mean they can coach the game. I have seen good coaches make average players good and bad coaches make great players horrible. Many of us forget that their are politics that control decisions about the team we love. Those politics rarely allow for things to happen that will bring about quick positive results. As a fan I would hope that those whose job it is to perform on the field work hard to perform to the best of their ability, and those whose job it is to help those player improve will strive to help each player perform to the best of their ability. As a coach it saddens me to see other coaches who don’t coach with an open mind and who can’t see how to help their players improve because they only see one way to teach something. If you’re not playing or coaching for the love of the game then you are in it for the wrong reasons and should reevaluate your choices. Sadly enough that last sentence probably fits the majority of players and coaches at the professional level.
It’s a game it should BE FUN!!! Sorry for the hour long comment.
Paddy O
March 21st, 2010
1:37 am
we should be competitive in 10. However, McLouth is not someone you trade for. YOu stick by him if you develop him, but he still would not be your lead off guy. He reminds a little of Paul Blair, but not as good defensively. And Dude, read my line up – similar to yours, but Chipper is lower in the Batting order.
Patrick
March 21st, 2010
1:43 am
GT71 is proof that any idiot can type on a blog
Jeff
March 21st, 2010
1:57 am
I’m not a McLouth hater, but somebody needs to tell Anthony above (10:39 p.m.) that the only reason Nate was an All-Star in Pittsburgh is because MLB says you HAVE to have an All-Star from every team. And let’s be honest, I like the guy, but he’s not one of the top-10 centerfielders in the game… heck, he may not be top-20! I think as Braves fans, we can and should expect better. This team found a way to get the most feared hitter in the game (Fred McGriff) to come to Atlanta with a trade in 1993… can we not demand that Wren & the front office work a trade nowadays to bring in a top caliber All-Star along the lines of Pujols, Jason Bay, Josh Hamilton, Roy Halladay, Mark Buehrle, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Morneau, etc.?
As much as I’m trying to be excited about this team, I think we’re too thin and depending on too many guys to be injury-free (Chipper, Glaus, Hudson, etc.) If we stay healthy, we could win 90 games and be in the wild-card race in the final weeks. If not, we’re a 78-win team that’s back to the drawing board.
Jeff
March 21st, 2010
1:58 am
P.S. By the way, I’m not saying any of those above all-stars are AVAILABLE right now, nor were they necessarily available in the offseason… but THOSE are the types of guys we SHOULD be trying to bring in here, not friggin’ Melky Cabrera.
Paddy O
March 21st, 2010
2:16 am
Jeff – my thoughts precisely.
Mitchell
March 21st, 2010
2:55 am
Has Bobby Cox ever considered actually looking at stats? What other manager talks in these terms?
I mean, there are baseball cliches and then there’s Bobby Cox. He takes it to the next level, every time.
Alaska Braves Fan
March 21st, 2010
3:35 am
I sure hope none of the Braves ever reads these comments. If I were a player and I read so many comments dripping with vitriol and maliciousness I would be out somewhere driving a nail into my head.
If you are determined to see only gloom and disaster, please don’t share that with those of us who see a good team with a chance to win. What a bunch of unrealistic downers. You are eating way too many potato chips and drinking too much beer.
ABF
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
7:43 am
can we not demand that Wren & the front office work a trade nowadays to bring in a top caliber All-Star along the lines of Pujols, Jason Bay, Josh Hamilton, Roy Halladay, Mark Buehrle, Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Morneau, etc.? — Jeff
You mean like Mark Teixeira? Or J.D. Drew?
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2010
7:44 am
Sell the team, Liberty. Fire the suits in the office. Clean out the dugout. Turn the team over. Keep only Hansen and the new phenom hitter whose name can’t even be remmebered – and shouldn’t be, yet – and re-build around them. And be competitive in 2012.” — GT71
Wow. Do all that and be competitive two seasons from now? That’s some mighty quick strip-and-rebuild project you’ve proposed.
And what about the cow above left field? You keeping it or selling to highest bidder?
chuck the barber
March 21st, 2010
8:05 am
Just Me – Very good analysis. Thanks
Clay
March 21st, 2010
8:20 am
The kiss of death – TP’s on the case.
Coach D
March 21st, 2010
8:39 am
Buzz, I’m sure your batting average is better than Pendleton’s also.
Farris
March 21st, 2010
8:41 am
Everyone needs to call the f**k down. Although Mclouth sees better with his contacts, it might take him a little bit to get used too. Plus, hitting a slump at the same time? Even if they have to send him to Gwinnett to get some reps in, I think Nate will be fine. I would like to see him become more consistent. Usually I am very pessimistic, but for some reason I think this will be a great year.
Jeff
March 21st, 2010
8:42 am
Dear Frank Wren,
I DEMAND you do the following:
Trade Glause for Pujols or Tex
Trade JoJo Reyes for Halladay
Trade Infante for Jason Bay
Trade Prado for Adrian Gonzalez
Trade Melky for Josh Hamilton
Trade KK for Santana
etc
etc
etc
Clay
March 21st, 2010
8:46 am
“A tax write-off”? A $100M tax write-off? Jeez, how old are some of you guys, 17?
Clay
March 21st, 2010
8:51 am
DOB, I know you feel a little overmatched by the brain-power generating some of these comments, but just stay focused and do the best you can …
I don't care...
March 21st, 2010
8:52 am
I’d still rather have McLouth than Melky in center
Ted
March 21st, 2010
10:16 am
Nate was 40 th in the NL for On Base Percentage. That does not hack it as lead off guy. He has 1 K for every 5 AB’s not lead off numbers.
Jeff R
March 21st, 2010
10:43 am
Cox needs to play the hot hand. If it’s Melky, fine.
bradman
March 21st, 2010
11:11 am
So much wisdom in the comments here. I hope the Braves front office is taking full advantage.
justin1
March 21st, 2010
11:36 am
lifetime braves fan..but most of you fans on here know nothing about baseball..hate the yankees but i wish our fans were even half as passionate as theirs..ive never seen fans openly criticize players, coaches, andthe front office so often. come on
justin1
March 21st, 2010
11:38 am
I mean, how many of you ACTUALLY go the game?? I’d bet 90% of you just watch on TV and wait anxiously for DOB to put out articles so you can bash.
justin1
March 21st, 2010
11:42 am
And I hate to keep hating…but i just read Jeff’s comment about 10 or so up….WOW.
Andy Messersmith's Jealous Contract
March 21st, 2010
12:26 pm
Jeff’s comment is funny….he’s being sarcastic!!! Most of the morons on here think they can trade average players for all-stars.
I am concerned about Nate but not giving up hope yet. He has had only one good season 2008, and last year was average. I agree he really hasn’t shown the kind of ability to be a leadoff guy. I would much rater see Diaz in that role. Diaz is a hacker but he’s a .300 hitting hacker.
Also the McLouth trade was still great regardless of what happens with him. We were getting a player coming off an all-star year, in his prime, with Jordan Schaefer in free fall and nobody on the farm to replace him. Remember we only gave up minor leaguers to get him, Gorkys Hernandez (still a year or two away from getting to the majors), Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke (Morton might make the Pirates roster this year and Locke is still a prospect) From where Wren was sitting with 8 or so quality arms on the roster and at AAA, you make that deal any day of the week. If you disagree with that, well you just aren’t someone who can make reasoned and calculated decisions.
Steve
March 21st, 2010
12:35 pm
If anything, Melky should have been the clear CF option from the beginning with McClouth in left and, after three weeks at AAA, Heyward in right.
Doug
March 21st, 2010
1:10 pm
This is what happens when you deal with the pirates.
Clay
March 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Yeah, Andy, most of them go like this: “Package Acosta and Reyes for CC Sabathia and if you have to, throw in Norton …….
Ted
March 21st, 2010
1:55 pm
Justin
Some of the folks who comment here are not as ignorant of baseball as you may believe.
Rich Mccay
March 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Not sure if TP is the best person for the job, but for all the TP haters; who would be better?
If TP ruins careers why did he only ruin Frenchy and not B. Mac’s? They joined the team at the same time, from the same background, and Frenchy was the star. Yet B. Mac excelled and Jeff floundered. I think that supports TP credentials. A coach is tasked with extracting the most from players by assisting and guiding the player. But the player has to be willing to listen and work to overcome deficiencies. While Jeff was struggling the camera would cut to show Brian shacking his head, almost saying “come on, when are you going to wake up!?” Yet time and time again Jeff ignored. B. Mac became 4 time all-star.
With TP as the hitting coach what great hitter has come to the braves, been terrible, then become great again once they left the braves? Kenny Lofton? (joke, but im still bitter about that whole trade)
I guess chipper won his first batting title by ignoring TP? Or McCann uses earplugs when TP talks to him? Yunel doesn’t seem to regress, nor Prado, Diaz, Glaus, Heyward, Melky, Ross, LaRoche, Infante, etc.
Some people can’t cut it. It might not be the coach. Frenchy put too much pressure on himself, Kelly Johnson wasn’t as good as we thought, A. Jones skills left him after years of excellence and abuse during fielding.
I guess we should blame TP for not making batting champions out Langerhans, Betemit, Willie Harris, Marcus Giles, Pete Orr, Ruben Gotay, Lillibridge, etc.
These players went to a bunch of other hitting coaches and still stunk. I guess they should all be fired.
Oh and for all the talk about the Texas hitting coach, Elvis Andrus hit .267 and Salty hit .233. Maybe the braves just do a great job of marketing prospects.
3DawgKnight
March 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
Mr. O’Brien – What trade value does McLouth have @ this point?
Stumpknocker
March 21st, 2010
4:59 pm
That’s right TP, fill McClouth full of that Bull S$iT your famous for. “Make sure when you come to the plate that you have both eyes open.” Make sure that you have a bat in your hands.” ect ect ect
bugman
March 21st, 2010
7:54 pm
Oh boy, TP is gonna get him fixed right up and batting .400 before May 15th.
That’s like Tiger Woods training monks on celibacy.
Imaginary Diamond » Blog Archive » Atlanta Braves outfielder Nate McLouth is putting fantasy owners in a tight spot
March 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
[...] average can’t be discounted. McLouth is struggling with his approach and mechanics, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and could be in jeopardy of losing at-bats to newly-acquired Melky [...]
Jeff
March 22nd, 2010
5:23 pm
Lineup:
Cabrera
Prado
Jones
Glaus
McCann
Escobar
Heyward
Diaz
FORGET MCLOUTH HE SUCKS!, im sure if u trade him u can get somethin fro him, a pitcher or somethin
bvillebaron
March 23rd, 2010
9:54 am
Jeff:
Since you are so smart, list for me the 10 centerfielders who are better than Nate McLouth. Take as much time as you like.
delv
March 23rd, 2010
1:55 pm
Heyward is historically way better against lefties, so platooning him with Melky is dumb.
this is new?
March 23rd, 2010
3:51 pm
Nate struggled at the end of last season, i’m pretty sure these issues didn’t sneak up on the braves and that’s why we picked up melky in the o.s.
this took no time at all-
March 23rd, 2010
3:58 pm
how’s this for a list bvillebaron?
matt kemp,grady sizemore, curtis granderson,bj upton,jocoby ellsbury, jason worth, ben zobrist, adam jones, carlos beltran, shane victorino, franklin guitierez, carlos gonzalez, andrew mcCutchen
none of them play center for los bravos.
might as well add melky cabrera to the list too since he’s clearly earning the job in center.
by the way...
March 23rd, 2010
4:01 pm
no way you trade an all-star center fielder because he “sucks” for a few at bats in the spring. this is his career, he will figure it out. anybody calling to trade mccann last year when he “sucked” at the plate? huh? get real folks!
LFP6
March 24th, 2010
10:18 am
Hey DOB, just out of curiosity, where was Heyward’s spot in the batting linup when he was in the minors?
As for McLouth….well let me say two things.
1. The trade that got us Melky is looking more like a blessing in disguise; should things not pan out in the regular season, we have someone to take McLouth’s place.
2. In 1991, I think I remember that Glavine was having a HORRIBLE spring, with him being wild all over the place. He went on to win the Cy Young that year, going 20-11 with an ERA well under 3. Just sayin’….