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2,249 comments Add your comment
NC Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
I can’t wait for DOB’s plane to land and for him to blog about this. Since he has covered both players and has tweeted today that this is one of Wren’s best trades, I expect what he has to say will be quite interesting!
CB
July 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
That is why I prefer to be more a fan of the Braves than a fan of the players. Players get traded,released and retire. The Braves will be here when Escobar and others are gone.
flangeeeeeee1
July 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
By getting rid of Yunel and JoJo and adding AG and 2 lower level minor leaguers, didn’t the Braves just open up a spot on the 40 man roster?
Alaska Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
Even ancient peoples who were scrambling to find enough to eat played games. We humans just like to have fun. If you don’t like having fun, there’s always that monastery in Conyers.
ABF
SoWeGa Fanatic
July 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
Anders, Dickey is a 35 year old journeyman pitching over his head (so far), Beltran will be a part-time player this year, Pelfrey is coming back to norm, Frenchy may hit today (or he may not for a month), etc. Your guys are lucky to even be smelling the Braves lower butts now. Won’t last long.
Lpad
July 14th, 2010
4:31 pm
Shaun it isn’t about comparing across positions but comparing where they will hit in the batting order. Each slot much produce a certain amount for a team to be successful.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Gonzalez at least has the potential to be an outstanding power hitter for a shortstop
He’s 33 with 4700 ABs….I think we’ve seen what Gonzalez has to offer.
And the Francoeur comparisons were that people got fed up with Francoeur and his low average/OBP. Do you think the same people are going to say “He’s only got a .290 OBP!! Oh that’s okay, he’s a shortstop.” No…they’re going to get fed up with him very quickly if he performs like his career numbers would indicate.
Bobbeeee's Cox
July 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
It was only a matter of time before we saw a Bryan Pena reference relating to Yunel. It took 11 pages. Well done Gwinnett Braves Bible.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
there are some serious arms down there
I tell you what, I’ve been most impressed (and surprised) with Dunn. I didn’t really have any expectations for him after we got him, but I certainly wouldn’t have expected what he’s done so far. I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten the call over Chavez. I guess they want him to continue working on something…
CraZyTRaDeMaN
July 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Alex Gonzalez could easily return to his normal form which is lots of strike outs little power and a LOW obp. Worse than Frenchy type numbers! You people are going to bash this guy if he hits 5 HR the rest of the way.
Yunel Escobar could easily return to previous form which was Clutch, Good OBP, little to good power. Again if Yunel hits 10 HR in Toronto you people are going to bash FW.
It’s a crap shoot! IDK I guess it’s a good deal if it’s better for the clubhouse.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Yahoo’s sports page has the main story “Brave New World”
That’s pretty clever….I wonder if they thought of it themselves
Bobby
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Get rid of top-flight young talent having a bad year for soon-to-be over the hill talent hitting in the .250s. Hmmm, where are Ryan Church and Nate McClouth?
Gary
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
@Johnny Oh! I’m just yanking Canuk chains, got nothing against Toronto. Brrrrrrrrrr….LOL
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Just as with Francoeur, Escobar may blossom with the Blue Jays, but without a change of scenery, it seemed it just wasn’t going to happen.
Whoa, Francoeur has blossomed, into what, a stink weed? I wish Escobar a hell’va lot better than that.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
I mean really….can the Braves do something big without getting that “Brave New World” headline?
Memphis
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
The comment about 25 Hustling Brooks Conrads is ludicris. The main core of this team is Prado, McCann, Heyward, Jones and Glaus. Escobar was a secondary piece. He played good defense at short and had a cannon. He’s 28 (or he may be older) We don’t really know how old he is. The Braves are trying to win now. No matter how you slice it a .240 batting average with 19 RBIS at the break is not getting it done. He could’ve improved the 2nd half, but if you had Infante starting at SS the 1st half, his numbers would’ve been much better.
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
I wonder if Alex Gonzalez being from Prado’s and Infante’s (and Gregor Blanco’s) home country of Venezuela had any bearing on this trade? Wonder if Marteen and Omar had any input?
Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
July 14th, 2010
4:33 pm
Jeffrescobar d,
I respect your comment about talent trumps attitude, but I respectfully disagree with you and I guess judging by the trade today, so do the Braves.
Tale of Woe
July 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
How long do you wait for upside potential to turn to reality? We had to make this trade to see if we could win it this year. Yunel wouldn’t have been our SS in 2 years anyway. Get something for him now and see if we can win. If Gonzalez can hit better than .240 0HR and 19RBI’s in the second half then it was a win for the Braves.
Whoever thinks Yunel is a great defensive SS – I think he has the most errors of any SS this year or is at least in the top 3 or 4. He made some great plays (don’t most SS’s?) and he made some lousy plays.
I don’t see a huge downside to this.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
Predicting the future is a wonderful way to makes oneself look stupid, but I like our chances at making the playoffs, and, yes, even the Series, better now that Wren made the deal for Gonzalez. It won’t be an easy second half, and we’ll have our ups and downs, but in the end, I think we’ll take the NL East.
ABF
Travis
July 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
lpad….you really missed the boat on that one….Yunel’s bad attitude was there everyday, all day and the big boys got tired of it. The only thing that comes close to the distraction was Rocker and he is gone. Chipper adressed his short comings with the public and apologized. Yunel wouldn’t even talk to the media and left the dirty work for other players. Not a team player….is his inability to communicate with the language barrier a problem?
TheAntiMe
July 14th, 2010
4:34 pm
It has colder weather, but it also has a lot more culture and is much more cosmopolitan, not to mention a more sophisticated population.
Hey, Atlanta is cosmopolitan too. They have an art museum and at least a couple of Olive Garden restaurants. It don’t get much more sophisticated than that, bubba.
SoWeGa Fanatic
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
Toronto has a pretty weak lineup, I believe. AG will be surrounded by better hitters, making him better.
Herbert Junior Junior
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
Here’s what some of the national reporters are saying about the trade that’s so impressive to some here:
“First impression of the deal: I think the Braves are selling low on Escobar and that he’s quite capable of putting up some great numbers at some point. It would have been nice to see him do it in a Braves uniform, but if I’ve learned anything from watching this team over the past 25 years, I’ve learned that when they lose confidence in someone, they are 100% certain to ship them out, so waiting for him to rebound was never in the cards. Basically, the Braves have opted for likely unimpressive but nonetheless stable play of Gonzalez at shortstop over the the bi-polar stylings of Escobar. Say what you will, but it’s a move totally in keeping with the Braves’ organizational philosophy.
- Craig Calcaterra – NBC Hardball Talk – Jul. 14, 2010, 12:22 PM ET
Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
Memphis,
I like your 4:33 post
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
Whoa, Francoeur has blossomed, into what, a stink weed?
Okay, I still like Francoeur, but I laughed pretty big at that one
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
That is why I prefer to be more a fan of the Braves than a fan of the players. Players get traded,released and retire.
This is true, and I’ll always cheer for the name on the front of the jersey moreso than the name on the back. That’s why it’s ridiculous that people are suggesting that we become Jays fans after this. It’s inevitable that you’re going to fall in love with certain players. Escobar just happened to be one of those for me.
Paddy O
July 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
Willy some reality here. Nomar was a clubhouse cancer. did not give a rats ass in 04, most likely because of contract dispute. We traded him for a guy very similar to Gonzalez – Orlando Cabrera, who I would have liked to see us sign. Most Sox fans agreed it was time for Nomar to go. It was a good deal – Nomar became exceptionally injury prone.
If you were a scout – would your report indicate the multitude of mental errors, poor play, and bad attitude that Escobar showed? I think so. YOu would summarize by saying “Good bat most of the time, slick fielder. Baserunning is atrocious mostly because he takes substantial amounts of time during the game off – which also affect his fielding occasionally.” Do NOT RECOMMEND.
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
Everybody’s working down on the farm tonight except GWINNETT.
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
Yahoo’s sports page has the main story “Brave New World”
That’s pretty clever….I wonder if they thought of it themselves
I’m afraid Aldous Huxley beat then to the punch by 78 years.
Anders
July 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
Toronto has a pretty weak lineup, I believe. AG will be surrounded by better hitters, making him better (SoWeGaFanatic)
Where did he hit in that Toronto line up? Where will he hit with the Braves?
.591
July 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
T for Texas – I wonder if Alex Gonzalez being from Prado’s and Infante’s (and Gregor Blanco’s) home country of Venezuela had any bearing on this trade? Wonder if Marteen and Omar had any input?
Dunno, but if they said, ‘….he’s good…get him…,’ I’ll take their word for it.
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
Maybe we had to trade Esco because of his “attitude” this year. But I wonder if a little more support and a few more “atta-boys” when he was carrying the team last year, instead of complaints about jumping in the on-deck circle, and whistling in the field might have fixed that “attitude.”
For my money the Braves mishandled Yunel. But oh well, now…..
Go Alex!
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
4:38 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic
July 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
Toronto has a pretty weak lineup, I believe. AG will be surrounded by better hitters, making him better.
I’ll wait for those improved numbers says the Zen-Master.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:38 pm
I mean, it was a Brave New World when we didn’t win the division in 2006. Then it was a Brave New World when we traded for Teixeira. Then it was a Brave New World when Furcal gave us the finger.
Chop Chop
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
This is odd. Some people are comparing Gonzalez to Francoeur (low OBP), while others are comparing Yunel to Francoeur (headcase, failing to live up to expectations at moment of departure).
Neither comparison is accurate, but it’s odd. Keep ‘em coming.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
The more I think about this trade, the better I like it. Gonzalez may not knock the cover off, but I was very weary of the expression on Escobar’s face. He seemed disgusted with the people around him, and he clearly wasn’t the most wonderful of team players. Who knows how well Gonzalez actually will perform? No one, of course, but the odds are good that we’ll get better production from him. He has 50 RBI to Yunel’s 19. Gonzalez rate of production sure looks better in that comparison.
ABF
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
.591
I hope the guys endorsed the trade too. It would go a long way toward making me buy it as a good deal,
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
I mean really….can the Braves do something big without getting that “Brave New World” headline?
Mmm….no. I loved how a lot of the all-star headlines had something to do with the NL being Brave, or something like that. Loved it.
TennesseePaul
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
Another long shot is once highly rated outfielder Jordan Schafer, who is doing nothing at Triple-A this year except producing ugly scouting reports; he could be an extra player in a deal with a team willing to take a chance.
That’s generous of Goldstein. After watching him play, I wouldn’t have his value that high.
Tyler Flowers is hitting just .198 since May 1 and…
Ouch. Forgot about this guy. He was hyped up pretty good right before the deal.
Where did he hit in that Toronto line up? Where will he hit with the Braves?
He’ll be protected by the pitcher in the Braves lineup… that or Melky.
Johnny Oh!
July 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
NYUK NYUK NYUK… The baaaable belt… sophisticated?? LOL
Rob from SC
July 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
I would not trade Craig Kimbrel either!
Paddy O
July 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
Francoer is still better than the CF or LF we have. FYI, he is hitting the same as Heyward, with only a few RBI’s less. He is a 260 hitter with occasional power and will typically drive in 80 runs a year.
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
Anders
July 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
Toronto has a pretty weak lineup, I believe. AG will be surrounded by better hitters, making him better (SoWeGaFanatic)
Where did he hit in that Toronto line up? Where will he hit with the Braves?
Probably seventh or eighth until he gets his feet wet and BOBBY can see what he’s actually got.
Shaun
July 14th, 2010
4:40 pm
Shaun it isn’t about comparing across positions but comparing where they will hit in the batting order. Each slot much produce a certain amount for a team to be successful.
Lpad, you’ll essentially get the same answers by comparing players across batting orders and positions. Because you can also say each defensive position must produce a certain amount for a team to be successful. Actually that’s more appropriate to look at than batting order because a player outperforming other players at his position is going to be more important than a player outperforming other players in his batting order spot. Why? Because a shortstop who hits like a typical firstbaseman is a lot more valuable than a firstbaseman who hits like a typical firstbaseman.
kirkinga
July 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
I’m pulling for Gonzalez the same as I pulled for Yunel. I always pull for whoever is playing for the Braves.
I’m proud that I can say that I have never felt anything more negative than disappointed by a player’s performance on the field.It is clear that not every fan of this team can say that. Didn’t matter how bad they performed on the field, I never started to make up personal things about a player just for the heck of it.
It really is sad to see some are trying really hard to make it seem like it’s a bad thing to support a player while he still wears a Braves uniform.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
Yikes….AG is hitting .213 against lefties this year. And .241 for his career
Bruce Chen
July 14th, 2010
4:42 pm
DOB is going straight to the Scorpions/Ratt concert…
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:42 pm
I hope the guys endorsed the trade too. It would go a long way toward making me buy it as a good deal,
That’s kind of giving a big “FU!!” to their former teammate
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:42 pm
Where did he hit in that Toronto line up? Where will he hit with the Braves?
Looks like he hit at the top of the lineup for the Jays. 2nd or 3rd, usually. If Heyward is back in the 2-spot, then Gonzalez will probably hit 7th. I could see him hitting 2nd initially, because Bobby likes to do that sort of thing to instill confidence in new players.
Bobbeeee's Cox
July 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
Just for the sake of splits (we were having a splits discussion here the other day)
Of Gonzalez’s 17 HR, 15 have been outdoors, while 2 have been indoors (Toronto has a retractable roof)
He’s hitting .277 outdoors, and .209 indoors. .273 away, and .243 at the Sky dome, .274 on grass, .247 on turf. Though, most of his RBI have come at home & on turf (29 at home, 21 on road)), he’s hit 9 HR away from home, and 8 at home (6 with roof open).
The alarming thing… .213/.234/.480 vs. Lefties with 4 HR and 8 RBI. The Braves already aren’t as good vs. lefties.
Gary
July 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
@Johnny Oh! …Ya gotta work with what ya got Frosty.
RW
July 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
First we trade Furcal now Escobar. I dont like it.
iopbrave
July 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
great trade- just think how fast esco will be in a few years – he runs like a catcher- esco has a great arm and is steady in the field but he has gone backwards this season with the hitting – do baseball players take the wonderlic test – I’d be curious as to how esco would fare –
I guess Wren knew it wasn’t going to work when trying to get Furcal awhile back- makes pretty good sense now- still need another hitter in the outfield with some pop-
go braves!
Shaun
July 14th, 2010
4:44 pm
Lpad, the Phillies reached the World Series last year with their leadoff hitter having an awful year.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:44 pm
I would not trade Craig Kimbrel either!
I’m not saying I would either, but the emergence of Johnny Venters has made Kimbrel a little more tradeable.
Paddy O
July 14th, 2010
4:44 pm
yi
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
RW – We never traded Furcal…he signed with the Dodgers for a lot of money
Sopheeeeap
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
We didn’t trade Furcal.
Alaska Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
Best I can tell, Gonzalez most often batted 2nd for the Blue Jays, but he also was in the three hole some.
ABF
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
Beat you to it Soph
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
I loved how a lot of the all-star headlines had something to do with the NL being Brave, or something like that. Loved it
My favorite was ESPN’s “McCann Do Attitude”
Wild
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
also who will be the braves SS next year braves have no SS ready to make the majors. The braves now need to go trade or sign a SS and 3B for next year
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
jeffrescobar d
Not saying that Omar and Marteen should throw Yunel under the bus publicly at all! I wish we wouldn’t have traded him. Just saying if those guys know Alex and think the trade is good then I might be less mad.
Sopheeeeap
July 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
No, same time! Jinx, you owe me a soda.
Paddy O
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
yo
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
Francoer is still better than the CF or LF we have. FYI, he is hitting the same as Heyward, with only a few RBI’s less. He is a 260 hitter with occasional power and will typically drive in 80 runs a year.
He’s an out making machine, that is likely to be pulling splinters out of his butt for the rest of the year.
curt moore
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
This was a deal made over the past few games. Dropped pop fly, poor throw to first almost breaking the left wrist of Glaus, etc, etc,…….A great talent but just not a fit for the Braves. These bloggers that criticize Gonzalez defense must have been smoking funny weed. This guy is a real pro, he will flourish with the Braves. Thanks Frank another great deal.
Lpad
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
Yunel wouldn’t even talk to the media and left the dirty work for other players. Not a team player….is his inability to communicate with the language barrier a problem?” – Travis
Last week DOB said he didn’t want to talk to Yunel, he didn’t have enough time. Why did the Latin players stick up for Yunel last year? It is not Yunel’s fault the media was too lazy to talk to Braves PR guy to get an interpreter. In a major media market like NY, Chicago, LA that would never fly.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
Didn’t see that one, jeffresco. They should’ve added …and Jorge Cantu! to the end of it.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:47 pm
Texas – I hear ya….I just can’t get past that OBP
Remember when all the Chipper bashers came out earlier, and we pointed to his OBP to say that he was still valuable, and how OBP is a lot better than AVG?
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
Except Jorge Cantu had nothing to do with that rally
I know I know….wet blanket. Sorry
Nöcho
July 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
“FYI, he is hitting the same as Heyward, with only a few RBI’s less.” Paddy O
You’re leaving out one part of the equation. The walks.
In 3264 career plate appearances, Jeff has 157 career walks. 30 of which are/were intentional. His career high is 42 BB in 2006, a season in which he played in all 162 games.
Heyward, as a rookie (a 20 year old one at that), has 42 BB in 303 plate appearances, 2 of which are intentional. He’s played in 71 games.
To compare Heyward and Francoeur is silly at best. One guy has taken a BB every 25 PA, the other takes one every 7 PA.
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
If Gonzalez can hit better than .240 0HR and 19RBI’s in the second half then it was a win for the Braves.
That’s fairly dangerous thinking. If the best you get is the traded player’s worst, then, how is that good? That’s the “well, he can’t be any worse” philosophy, when what you need is for the new guy to be significantly better. Significantly.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:49 pm
National League puts up a Brave Front.
That’s the headline I was trying to remember…
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:50 pm
jeffrescobar d
OBP is my main contention too. This is an OBP team. Getting men on in every inning so we can score runs even when we are not hitting well with RISP is the formula for offensive succes for this team. Bring in a guy who does not share the team offensive philospohy could be very dangerous.
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
4:50 pm
I guess the reason I don’t really care about Collins is because we already have some guys in Gwinnett who are throwing the ball really, really well. Dunn, Marek and Kimbrell are all having great seasons in the bullpen.
Fair point. But again, these guys are all currency and can be used for future trades this offseason when the Braves have other needs.
dpelfrey
July 14th, 2010
4:50 pm
Here’s how I see it. Gonzalez will be a steady player that won’t do anything spectacular, but he also won’t do anything boneheaded to lose games. Escobar was always good for at least one bone-head play a week, although it seems like the Braves picked him up most times and he didn’t really cost them a lot of games.
The only thing that troubles me is that when Escobar is on his game, he’s an absolute impact player. Gonzalez isn’t that type of player. So having a steady Gonzalez may be the best thing to get through the next 75 games and get into the postseason. But the Braves might end up missing the impact talent that Escobar could have brought come October (assuming he gets hot again).
But the important thing is doing what’s best for the next 75 games so they can get to the postseason, so I don’t fault Wren at all for this move.
MFin04
July 14th, 2010
4:50 pm
It would be nice to see some opinions based on facts/stats. The Escobar attitude argument is getting old. So he might have had a bad attitude and made some bonehead plays, but lets look at career numbers, age, defensive range, etc.
If you’re going to say this is a great trade back it up. Does anyone really think Escobar’s numbers are going to stay the same in the 2nd half? More than likely he will hit closer to his career average and so will Gonzalez. Unfortunately for the Braves, Gonzalez’s current numbers are going to go way down.
Yunel’s has better career numbers with average, on base, and slugging. Yunel has a better arm, and being younger should have better range defensively. Traded a guy who having a career low season for a guy that is having a career best season is pretty darn risky, especially when it is likely that their first half trends will go in opposite directions.
jeffrescobar d :(
July 14th, 2010
4:51 pm
Soph – hope RC cola’s OK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTioAkhnF6k
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:52 pm
jeffresco (that’s what I’m calling you now)-
I know. That’s just the thing that other fans like to do.
-Who in the world can hit that well?
-Brian McCann.
-And Jorge Cantu!
Haha…(she says rolling her eyes)
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Also worries me that just about anyone who knows a lick of baseball on this blog is concerned about the trade.
MFin04
July 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Alex Gonzalez is a right handed bat that struggles against lefties as well. Braves He is hitting .213 against lefties. Escobar is hitting .273 vs lefties. This team is consistently bad against lefties. Still need a RH bat that solves that problem. This trade has only made the Braves worse against lefties.
ramrod
July 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
If it helps Braves get to World Series it will be a great trade.
IS THIS THE BIG BAT WREN PROMISED?
Still should trade a couple on the deadwood outfielders……….
Bobbeeee's Cox
July 14th, 2010
4:53 pm
Still can’t decide if I like this deal or not. Time will tell. I’m leaning towards no though.
Kind of hoped we’d get an outfielder for Yunel if we were to deal him, and put Infante at SS. Nonetheless, the consensus in Atl around the clubhouse and front office must’ve been to deal the kid.
If Yunel was a cancer and the reason for the trade, the team wasn’t playing like he was a cancer.
If power was a reason, the team wasn’t playing like they lacked it (50 HR in past 54 games and best record in baseball?) So, I just don’t know. It’s questionable, and risky IMO, especially reading from Jays fans that Gonzalez’s defense has slipped substantially this year.
Those comments are here: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AodjUv_Lqmw_q3zmUYoPfK4RvLYF?slug=ap-bluejays-bravestrade#mwpphu-container
Rob from SC
July 14th, 2010
4:54 pm
Roman Gal
Venters is a LH. He has nothing to do with Kimbrel.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:54 pm
…these guys are all currency and can be used for future trades this offseason when the Braves have other needs. Efrim
I know, that’s what I’m trying to keep in mind. It helps that he’s a lefty. That automatically makes him more valuable…even if he is a midget.
Shaun
July 14th, 2010
4:55 pm
OBP is my main contention too. This is an OBP team. Getting men on in every inning so we can score runs even when we are not hitting well with RISP is the formula for offensive succes for this team. Bring in a guy who does not share the team offensive philospohy could be very dangerous.
Slugging is also an important part of offense. The Braves take a little bit of a hit in on-base for a chance to increase slugging. That’s what this is all about.
The “philosophy” should be to score runs and a team scores runs by getting on base often and slugging high.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
4:55 pm
The more I ponder the trade, the more brilliant it becomes. The Blue Jays wanted to get younger and cheaper, so they were willing to take on the risk of Yunel’s disruptive mindset.
The fact that either Eddie Perez or Fredi Gonzalez could be the manager of the Braves next year, and the fact that as Hispanics one would think that they could get more out of Yunel than Bobby could – Yunel’s issue, not Bobby’s – and still trade him anyway regardless of his ceiling speaks to what a rotten presence Escobar was in the clubhouse. Those of us that remember know that Escobar’s exploits date back to the minors, when he was surly even then.
At the end of the day, when you are a misanthrope, you are a misanthrope. If it were possible to do such things, it would be awesome to ship Escobar back to Cuba to play on those national industrial teams for an extra monthly ration of exactly one pound of beans or rice – horse meat if he’s really good and lucky.
The Dowdle comment mentioned above rings true – if you can’t play for Bobby Cox, you can’t play for anyone. Folks, the world is full of people who don’t get it – even if you draw them a picture with crayons. I will not miss Señor Escobar one bit, even if he is an All-Star for the next 10 years.
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
That automatically makes him more valuable…even if he is a midget.
Yeah, I’m excited to see the kid pitch. I mean, 5′7”(and I hear that’s generous) throwing 92-93mph with a nasty 12-6 curve. How does he stay on top of the ball at that height?
Tale of Woe
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
[i]That’s fairly dangerous thinking. If the best you get is the traded player’s worst, then, how is that good? That’s the “well, he can’t be any worse” philosophy, when what you need is for the new guy to be significantly better. Significantly.[/i}
Of course – it is the addition by subtraction thought process. Who said he needs to be significantly better? He just needs to be as good without the headaches.
When you spend all your time managing one person it can distract you from everyone else — you never see Chipper go over and tell McLouth to keep his head up (because he doesn’t need to)
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
even if he is a midget.
The vertically-challenged have value, also, you know.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
Venters is a LH. He has nothing to do with Kimbrel.
What does that have to do with anything? Are you saying left-handers can’t close? Because at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Venters has moved ahead of Kimbrel in the future closer department.
Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
July 14th, 2010
4:56 pm
Doves,
I’ve seen several games of every minor league team in the Braves system(except for the Gulf coast and Dabville teams). I haven’t seen any SS that really stands out, with the exception of Diory Hernandez at Gwinnett (I think he might be a 4A player, but could be wrong). Salcedo is going to be a stud down the road, but he might outgrow his SS position and move to 3B.
MFin04
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
Braves are 14th in the NL vs lefties in Avg and Slugging, 12th in OB%, and 13th in OPS.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
The vertically-challenged have value, also, you know.
Hey, take your logic and reason elsewhere, mister!
Anders
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
BTW- Way back in the spring I warned you guys about Melky. It was said more than once by those in the know up this way that the Yanks traded Melky as much for the bad influence he was on Cano as they did for him being no more than a 4th outfielder/caddy. Cano sure has had a much more focused and productive year without his running mate around.
You better hope the Braves didn’t jettison the wrong guy!
Bobbeeee's Cox
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
My favorite was ESPN’s “McCann Do Attitude
Mine was Yahoo’s last night: “McCann of the Hour”
Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
July 14th, 2010
4:57 pm
Roman Gal,
I agree with your comment about Venters. It’s good that the Braves have so many options though.
Jerry
July 14th, 2010
4:58 pm
For the record, I would not have done this trade. I understand that Escobar has been in season long slump, but we all know that the guy can hit and we all know that he is a great defensive SS. But, I’m sure the team is looking at staying away Yunel entering arbitration where he could have made a killing. AG cannot be expected to hit homers here. Just not gonna happen. He will probably hit in Escobar’s spot in the order. I’m concerned with the SS position until Salcedo gets here. I hope the Braves have thought it through for the next several seasons.
I also heard a rumor, but can’t swear to the validity of it. Diaz and Mike Minor for either Josh Willingham or Corey Hart. The only reason why I would put any stock in the rumor is that both those teams need pitching for the future and neither team is going anywhere anytime soon, and with our pitching depth in the minors, we could afford the move. But, it still bugs me every time I see Wainwright’s stats and know that he should be here.