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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,249 comments Add your comment
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:33 pm
There’s a poll on Bradley’s blog. Single and homerun have about 40% each, whiff has about 20%
Right now, I’d call it a single with the potential for a Kelly Johnson dropped pop-up.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:33 pm
“one American League scout questioned Wednesday afternoon”
That was my initial reaction as well. I was kind of shocked when I found out what we had gotten back.
RHR
July 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
But don’t despair! We’ll have Alex Gonzalez.
One of Frank Wren’s most brilliant moves!
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
I don’t mean to come off as snarky, but I can’t believe that 80% of the people think this is a good trade
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
ncscoots-
maybe
Tomas
July 14th, 2010
8:35 pm
jeffrescobar d
, those are guys who seem to have some kind of value, and I wouldn’t feel bad about trading them.
Stephen Marek seems to me he should be in the big league’s in somebody’s bullpen. In 37 games so far in AA/AAA he has a 0.69 ERA 5 wins 0 losses, 45 strikeouts, 11 WALKS, 8 saves, in 39 innings.
Chris Resop is a guy that needs to get traded. He was 5-2 with a 1.84 ERA in 73.1 innings, with 81 strikeouts and 27 walks. And I know he was called up and gave up 5 runs in 2 innings and got injured…..Don’t you all think the reason he gave up 5 runs was he was already hurt?
Todd Redmond threw a no hitter in May 28. He was named the International league pitcher of the week in the first week of June. Two years ago he was named the Southern league most outstanding pitcher. So far he is 8-8 with a 4.25 ERA, 87 strikeouts, 24 walks in 103.2 innings.
Melky Cabrera, capable 4th outfielder. Plays all three outfield positions well, very good arm, and his bat is okay. This season in a pitcher friendly ballpark he is hitting 259 with 3 homeruns and 24 RBI’s.
Nate Mclouth, allstar two years ago, won a gold glove. He has power, but he is just having an awful season. A team could buy low and take a risk, maybe he has a typical Nate Mclouth second half.
They’re the prime of the crop, but they’re not washups….And Stephen Marek is having an unbelievable year in AAA, with so many teams looking for bullpen help he should be an extremely attractive product for other teams.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:35 pm
Steve, I guess that’s where we differ the most. I don’t think he did go out and do his job on a daily basis and he certainly wasn’t producing.
I think he did, excepting two plays this season. And if you want to talk about his offensive performance, look no further than Gonzalez’s career statistics.
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:35 pm
Haughty is the word I meant….not snarky
depp
July 14th, 2010
8:36 pm
I mean the people beating the drum for Yunel realize he has 0 homeruns and 19 rbis right? I know people have bad years but thats beyond bad. Combine that with his who gives a crap attitude, not running out balls hit in the infield, and not playing smart baseball and you can get out. We have waited him out long enough this year. this move is about this year and doesn’t cripple us in the future
Doug
July 14th, 2010
8:36 pm
The worst part of this is Wren is planning on picking up the option on Gonzalez.
I wonder what it would have taken to get Stephen Drew
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
8:37 pm
Stick to whatcha know, big guy.
I was thinking more of the “no code, no character” line. Big guy.
Lived there a long time, so I got a little context. Just sayin’.
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
8:38 pm
“Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:33 pm
There’s a poll on Bradley’s blog. Single and homerun have about 40% each, whiff has about 20%
Right now, I’d call it a single with the potential for a Kelly Johnson dropped pop-up.”
Lol
I sure don’t miss those! I wonder how many of the Escobar bashers today were the KJ could-do-no-wrong crowd. Not that I’m a fan of how Esco had been playing recently, particularly in that NY series. But some of this stuff posted today . . . .
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:38 pm
That was my initial reaction as well. I was kind of shocked when I found out what we had gotten back.
I’m sorry dude, but what?
We got a SS with a sub-.700 career OPS (sub-.300 career OBP), a minor league reliever, and a minor league SS that, currently, has shown no ability to hit in the minors. Granted, I’m all about projection and player development and all that jazz, but if you know some great secret about this Pastornicky kid, I’d love to hear it. It might have an effect on my thinking about this deal.
JasonInFL
July 14th, 2010
8:39 pm
Good night all. Here’s to a great 2nd half and hopefully Gonzalez continues to hit over his head so we can make the WS. Get an OF and let’s play ball! 3 out of 4 against the Brewers!
And I think there were more than 2 plays… (:
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:39 pm
When I first saw that we trade Escobar for Gonzalez I got pretty excited. Then I realized it wasn’t Adrian
Fred
July 14th, 2010
8:40 pm
Denizens, I don’t think you can minimize the importance of attitude in any employment situation. Most of us have probably worked with people who gossip, backstab, or have psychological issues. One of my former co-workers used to cry and curse during staff meetings which affected everyone’s productivity. She also refused to complete certain job responsibilities, while others had to pick up the slack. Despite the fact that she generally did good work, she was fired. If Escobar was truly a clubhouse cancer, I say good riddance.
Drastic Measures
July 14th, 2010
8:40 pm
“But hey, it’s only the players. The real experts on this matter are the people on this blog.
Well, let’s see, we’ve had at least one former scout, at least a couple of former minor leaguers, a number of former Division I college players, and at least one former major leaguer (that I know for a fact) post here. They all idiots, too?”
Current Braves players seem to have a problem with Escobar. I’ll take their opinion over your Division 1 college player and an least one former major leaguer. And last but not least, if you say it’s a bad move, I say it MUST be a good move. You’ve been wrong about most everything else you opined about here.
Oh yeah…. this is the internet. I’m a current major league player who is on the AS break. You can bank on that as fact! (rolling eyes at this idiot!)
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
“I can’t believe that 80% of the people think this is a good trade”
That’s how I feel about the other 20%. This is why there are 17 brands of ketchup at the grocery store, too.
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
What do you think of the move?
Good trade (82%, 3,516 Votes)
Bad trade (18%, 748 Votes)
Total Voters: 4,264
That is on this blog
The A Bomb
July 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
Love the debate on this deal but this is one trade in which there will be more publicly unsaid than said. Lots of underlying questions and who knows, we might even find out someday that Yunel speaks fluent English!
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:41 pm
And I’m Prince Harry
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
8:42 pm
And last but not least, if you say it’s a bad move, I say it MUST be a good move. You’ve been wrong about most everything else you opined about here.
Name one, LOL.
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:42 pm
That’s how I feel about the other 20%. This is why there are 17 brands of ketchup at the grocery store, too.
Yeah, but everyone only buys Heinz or Hunt’s
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
8:42 pm
Obviously, we’re diametrically opposed on this, but I am curious. Did you see the Buster Olney anecdote mentioned a couple of boards ago? Chemistry impacts on-field play in myriad ways.
We are in first place, what on-field play was Escobar affecting? These are grown men, right? I think they could handle Escobar but maybe i’m wrong. They looked like they were handling him or not letting him bring them down. I don’t know, unless he had been going all Milton Bradley and we didn’t see it I don’t think Escobar was having much if any affect on how his other teammates were playing. They may have hoped he played and did better himself but I seriously doubt the other guys in that locker room were letting one guy rain on their parade.
Sopheeeeap
July 14th, 2010
8:43 pm
I’m still sad.
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
8:43 pm
Maybe it’s like the all stars….. if you are happy vote a lot
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
8:43 pm
The Braves’ real trade candidates are:
Randall Delgado
Christian Bethancourt
Robinson Lopez
Steve Marek
Nate McLouth (doubtful)
Melky Cabrera (please, Frank, do it for the stathead
Replace Randall Delgado with J.J. Hoover and you’re right on track! Seriously though, Delgado is behind Teheran and Vizcaino in terms of ceiling, but I’m still not trading that guy. Hoover is 23, or at least close to turning 23 years old and hasn’t broken into Double-A yet. I’d rather include him in a deal…
Anyway, I take it your not a fan of the trade my friend? Yeah…me neither.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:44 pm
“I think he did, excepting two plays this season.”
He had four mental letdowns in the same game last week. The Glaus one is getting magnified but him not rushing the double play infuriated me. And it’s clear in culling all of the stories from people who casually cover the Braves that the opinion of Yunel in the clubhouse is unfavorable.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:44 pm
I guess I’ll just say this:
I think Yunel gives the Braves a better chance to win than Gonzalez. If he’s really that bad in the clubhouse (I will readily admit that I have no idea what happened there; I’ve only seen what O’Brien reports, which I know excludes a lot of off-the-record stuff), then he had to go. No arguments there.
Like I said a few posts ago, most of my disdain stems from the fact that I’m mad it had to end this way. I see the potential in Yunel and I’m sad that he had to go because he couldn’t get along with everyone else. But in the end, I’m a Braves fan, and if the Braves don’t like him, then I don’t like him.
Kick some ass in the 2nd half, boys!
westgadave
July 14th, 2010
8:47 pm
591: I suspect you are right–at least on the DOB part–but I know David covered Gonzalez in Miaimi and knows something about him–also curious about what he may now tell us concerning Yunel in the clubhouse and other players feelings……ie what Bowman mentioned earlier
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
And I’m Prince Harry jeffery d
We’ve know that all along.
Jvan
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
Anyone of you/us that truly follows this organization should laugh at all this rhetoric & missed-pointism; prime directive ? Mleague championship title. Prime motivator? Cox (who ,as a man whom LaRussa says would try to kick his mom’s behind if she were an opposing mngr) wants another trip to the top;a last hurrah is as good excuse as any to get back to postseason. Tools available? Upstairs FW +JS & field/clubhouse Hoss/TP. The brass goes &gets who he wants based on his & Chips judgement/inner knowledge. They have purposefully surrounded themselves w/decisive & carefully chosen TEAM minded pros. Anyone NOT FOCUSED IN by this time or not participating is gone. We need no prima donnas. We need no ego. We win together and if press inquires those that are true to this will not ever answer outside,”I’m happy my team benefits..” or,” I am not concerned w/myself-did ya see tht play so&so turned?”….this is unfamiliar as much as one mngr or player stayin with same team is thus baffles the majority. This ,Braves fans,is how those legends are made & by God you’d better take this mans skills in while you can. He is gonna gift all of us for his last hurrah. (Yunel didn’t play his butt off too many times; that includes adjusting to the situation & he was frozen in his own glory. Plus ,he’s become an easy out & we are not easyouts this season,Cox’s last)
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
You guys are funny, like Wren traded Esco to hurt, damage the team and the organization’s future. Who cares if you lived somewhere or know of scouts, players – minor or major that visit this blog. None of these people know sh!t about what happened to precipitate this trade. Everyone in Esco’s corner taking his trade personally like you’ve played 78 games with him. Maybe the former major leaguer could weigh in.
Mark in mid-town
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
I don’t think I like this trade at all. Escobar was having a terrible year, but there was so much upside potential for the 2nd half if he reverted back to being an incredibly clutch hitter able to hit good pitching in close games. I fear that while Gonzalez will hit more home runs, most will come in games which are not close, and that in close games against good pitching, he will not be clutch at all.
jeffrescobar d :|
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
The worst part is we’ve still got about 22 hours of debating this until gametime
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
Efrim–I cannot in good conscience put my long-touted sleeper prospect pick on the market! He’s just starting to get some attention!
hAL
July 14th, 2010
8:50 pm
i live in canada and so have watchewd almost every jays game gonzalez will be an upgrade on offence if he hits like he did for the jays on defences hes depenable but not near as flashy as esco arms dont even go there lol he seemed to play hard enough for the jays who are never in a race anyways lol but he did play for a winner with the marlins so for this year i think frank got every bit he could for escvo although i will personally miss him all the posters talkin about his lack of effeort should watch the guy at third closely when balls rooll by that he judges no worthy of bending over to get lol
Drastic Measures
July 14th, 2010
8:50 pm
“I was thinking more of the “no code, no character” line. Big guy.
Lived there a long time, so I got a little context. Just sayin’.”
That’s great dude! You know more about the Cuban community than the Cuban community. You really don’t have a clue, do you?
There is your perfect example of YOU being wrong! You’re making this too easy, Rocket Scientist! lol
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
8:50 pm
Pretty good article by Matt Eddy on BaseballAmerica.com about Braves RHP prospect Brandon Beachy. Kind of a late bloomer since moving to a starting role, but his numbers have been really good at Double -A Mississippi.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:50 pm
The worst part is we’ve still got about 22 hours of debating this until gametime
And then two pitches until “ballgame!”
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:51 pm
“We got a SS with a sub-.700 career OPS (sub-.300 career OBP), a minor league reliever, and a minor league SS that, currently, has shown no ability to hit in the minors.”
First of all, we potentially undid some of the damage in the Tex disaster by bringing out a kid who has struck 295 in 195 innings. As I said earlier, I simply cannot understand how a team out of playoff contention trades a piece like that. With regards to the speedy infield prospect, I think Ricciardi is biased on him, but if he is a potential starter, he’s like Gorkys Hernandez and Brent Lillibridge. If somebody else likes him well enough, he’s 25-33% of what we need to get somebody we like.
As for Gonzalez, I believe in the “object in motion stays in motion” philosophy as it comes to career years, just as I said about Corey Hart last week. People can keep talking up Yunel’s 2009 all they want, but I remember it as the roller coaster ride it was rather than the demonstration of dominance it is being revised to be. He did the same nonsense then because this is who he is. I am ecstatic that we learned our lesson from the Francoeur fiasco and cut ties before he washed up all his trade value. We just sold him at 2009 prices despite his dreadful 2010 performance. It’s a masterstroke.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:53 pm
It’s a masterstroke.
Then you have low standards, my friend.
bruce
July 14th, 2010
8:54 pm
McFannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn —-
don’t know if anyone did the above for you in celebration of all-star, THE double, and MVP, (since we were doing Marteeeeen) But anyway… there it is. Also, did I not hear that it was the announcer said it was the biggest hit for the NL in 16 years? (not sure about the quantity of years, but it would be a good choice!!) (oops just checked, he said 13 years, but I like my quote better)
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
8:54 pm
That’s great dude! You know more about the Cuban community than the Cuban community. You really don’t have a clue, do you?
That’s it? Even Dentz was stronger than this, my man.
Jvan
July 14th, 2010
8:54 pm
* don’t forget Cox’s BlueJay days left Toronto in debt to him; he designed that team tht went to the playoffs the year after he left & he seems the kinda guy an entire ballclub wouldn’t mind his finally callin onna debt owed….I’m bettin smewhere in that deal SOMEone said,” ah heck- its for Bobby so if it helps let ‘em go…”
He is that revered,I’m willing to bet.
RHR
July 14th, 2010
8:54 pm
Where’s Random when you need him?
I would love to know because I’d ask him to do his magic and find the spin from the day we acquired Nate McLouth. People were as excited then about him being an ALL STAR and a GOLD GLOVER and a GREAT LEADOFF HITTER as they are now about those 17 HR.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:55 pm
“We are in first place, what on-field play was Escobar affecting?”
Dude. If this weren’t an issue in hurting our chances at winning, why would the veterans on the team all be telling management they’d rather he not be here? You don’t believe it’s a coincidence this was done during the All-Star Break, do you? They literally did not want him to play one more game in a Braves jersey. That’s telling, whether a few folks here want to acknowledge or not.
Buttermaker
July 14th, 2010
8:56 pm
I fear that while Gonzalez will hit more home runs, most will come in games which are not close, and that in close games against good pitching, he will not be clutch at all.-Mark
Yunel was really clutch this year. Gonzalez has big shoes to fill.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
8:57 pm
“Then you have low standards, my friend.”
Master. Stroke.
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
8:57 pm
As for Gonzalez, I believe in the “object in motion stays in motion” philosophy as it comes to career years, just as I said about Corey Hart last week. People can keep talking up Yunel’s 2009 all they want, but I remember it as the roller coaster ride it was rather than the demonstration of dominance it is being revised to be. He did the same nonsense then because this is who he is. I am ecstatic that we learned our lesson from the Francoeur fiasco and cut ties before he washed up all his trade value. We just sold him at 2009 prices despite his dreadful 2010 performance. It’s a masterstroke.
Dude, just as much as Escobar can turn out being another Frenchy situation Gonzalez can turn out being another McLouth situation. For what its worth i’m hoping Gonzalez is everything and better here than he was in Toronto because I want the braves to do well. But nothing is guranteed about what anyone involved in this trade will do. I hope it works out for the braves of course. I just think the irony of all ironies though wouuld be for Jojo Reyes to turn into Cliff Lee. Forget Escobar and Gonzalez, if that happens i don’t know what I will do.
Steve McP
July 14th, 2010
8:57 pm
I think for Escobar it is more what the Braves were not saying than what they were saying that is most important in considering how he was viewed by the club. Every other player that has been having a bad run (Glaus, McCann, Chipper, Melky, McClouth et al) has been lauded for “hitting the ball hard at players”, “failing to find the gaps”, “getting solid connections” or “making all the defensive plays” (that for McClouth, even when he was failing to throw the ball in), but with Escobar there was never a comment and the failings were never mentioned, how many times when DOB was talking to Cox about an Escobar “moment” has #6 said something along the lines of “I don’t know what happened there”, that is as near as you are going to get to “WTF was he doing”.
The Glaus toss was the final straw, remember that look from Glaus to Escobar, from that moment I think Wren’s decision was made to make the best deal he could, we don’t know if this will be a brilliant deal until we see if Gonzalez continues to hit in the second half (in which case it does work even if Escobar goes on to be an All-Star) or if either of the prospects make an impression in the majors, until we see how the guys play it is impossible to rate the deal on a playing front, but on the team front it looks like a good move to improve the clubhouse and team psyche.
RHR
July 14th, 2010
8:58 pm
But hey, it’s only the players. The real experts on this matter are the people on this blog.
You got that ish right.
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
8:58 pm
It’s a masterstroke.
If they had thrown in Brett Wallace, then that would be considered a masterstroke….
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
8:58 pm
Gone Viral – where are you getting that info?
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
8:58 pm
Master. Stroke
We shall see.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
8:59 pm
Steve–Clubhouse, schmubhouse–who the heck knows.
I just got the sense, based on nothing more than the shortness of Bobby’s answers after Yunel’s poor showing in game three against the Mets, that the ol’ manager was fed up. If Bobby’s fed up, the player is gone.
Hopefully a change of scenery will do him good, but the Braves are playing for this year right now.
Do you think that they will shop for an outfielder now? My gut tells me they’ll wait to see what McLouth does, then decide. Unlike others on on blog, I’m not unhappy with the outfield right now and I also think McLouth will bounce back.
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
8:59 pm
They literally did not want him to play one more game in a Braves jersey. That’s telling, whether a few folks here want to acknowledge or not. _ Gone Viral
Do you have a source for that bit of hyperbole, other than you butt, I mean.
Reality Check
July 14th, 2010
8:59 pm
The bottom line here is that the proof of how good or bad this trade is will be seen in how the 2nd half plays out – and how things progress, or don’t, from there. I know that logic is kinda “well duh,” but we’ve been on this blog for hours debating the merits of the trade, and what exactly do we know now that we didn’t know when the news broke? Nothing, that’s what. Neither Esco nor Gonzalez has swung the bat or fielded a grounder with his new team. All we have is the hearsay of passionate, dedicated fans who hold a particular view one way or the other. That’s it. And while it’s fun to debate, our back and forth will have exactly zero effect on what happens between the lines tomorrow.
But it IS fun to share ideas. I think the Braves have upgraded, perhaps not massively, but upgraded nonetheless – especially in the power area. I hope that Escobar breaks out in Toronto, but I have my doubts. I’m just not convinced he has the mental game and the attitude to reach the level of play we all thought he would. We shall see. In the meantime, welcome to Atlanta, Alex Gonzalez! Let’s go win a championship!
westgadave
July 14th, 2010
8:59 pm
Boatdoc—I am old enough to be considered one of those greybeards you refer to. I said something similar on here a week or so ago–not about the journey–although I agree with you on that—but about the bad old days……where year after year I listened to some variation of Skip and Ernie and Pete as we lost 100 games a year –but I watched or listened to every stinking game even though we were awful ……I also recall Bobby Cox is who put that 82 team together and I dont mean any disrespect for Joe Torre cause Joe is a great manager his record speaks for itself— but Ted fired Bobby right after the 81 season cause they didnt make the playoffs—and Bobby came to the press conference with Ted—that tells you a lot about 6 that I dont think a lot of fans today even realize cause it was damn near 30 years ago.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:00 pm
“Yunel was really clutch this year. Gonzalez has big shoes to fill.”
In 2010, Yunel hit .208 with RISP; that numbers drops to .188 for two outs and RISP situations. His OPS in those two situations were .623 and .585, respectively. Those big shoes must be made of concrete.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
July 14th, 2010
9:00 pm
bruce McFannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn —-
don’t know if anyone did the above for you in celebration of all-star, THE double, and MVP, (since we were doing Marteeeeen) But anyway… there it is.
Thanks!
Yeah, I like your quote better, too.
But even still…I LOVE that a Brave got the Hit, and I love it EVEN MORE that BMac was that Brave! And a bases-loaded, two out Double, no less! It doesn’t get any better than that! 
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:01 pm
Do you think that they will shop for an outfielder now? My gut tells me they’ll wait to see what McLouth does, then decide. Unlike others on on blog, I’m not unhappy with the outfield right now and I also think McLouth will bounce back.
Hey! I get to agree with someone tonight!
I think if McLouth gets it together, the offseason is a better time to go shopping for an OF. More stores will be open then.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:02 pm
“Dude, just as much as Escobar can turn out being another Frenchy situation Gonzalez can turn out being another McLouth situation.”
This is true of any move in sports (or life, for that matter). The point is that I’ll gladly play the odds that the guy with 17 homers helps the team more than the guy with 0 homers, all other things being (relatively) equal.
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
9:03 pm
Dude. If this weren’t an issue in hurting our chances at winning, why would the veterans on the team all be telling management they’d rather he not be here? You don’t believe it’s a coincidence this was done during the All-Star Break, do you? They literally did not want him to play one more game in a Braves jersey. That’s telling, whether a few folks here want to acknowledge or not.
The only thing we have on record is one random player from Bowman saying that he would be easier to tolerate if he was playing better, right? None of us are in that clubhouse so lets not assume we know what every player in there thinks of this guy. Not many are bold enough on or off the record to come up and speak against the wishes of a manager or a few veterans. Obviously some players had a problem with him, how many i don’t know so i’m not going to jump to the conclusion that everyone in that clubhouse hated him and he just had to go. Whatever, he’s gone now, just don’t hope we end up regretting this trade.
TnBrian
July 14th, 2010
9:03 pm
Hal, agreed. Chipper gets lazy at times and almost never gets called out for it by the media. Make that a definite never.
Buttermaker
July 14th, 2010
9:03 pm
Turn on your sarcasm detector, Gone Viral.
Drastic Measures
July 14th, 2010
9:04 pm
“That’s great dude! You know more about the Cuban community than the Cuban community. You really don’t have a clue, do you?
That’s it? Even Dentz was stronger than this, my man.”
First off, i’m not your man. And secondly, I stand by my post. You aren’t Cuban, yet you claim to have your pulse on what the Cuban community thinks. That is the ultimate display of arrogance. So does no one listen to you away from the internet so you have this need to be the “all knowing” presence on this blog? You aren’t Cuban but you know what Cubans think? You know even more than Cubans what Cubans feel? Want?
Keep talking small guy. Your intelligence or lack thereof keeps shining through!
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
9:04 pm
ncscoots-
How where you able to live in Cuba, it’s been illegal for most of the past 50 years for Americans to go there, you can’t get more than a tourist visa now.
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:04 pm
So when did DOB board that plane and how long a flight is it anyway? “Paging DOB” “Paging DOB” (in that airport monotone).
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:05 pm
Secret to making good red sauce–throw some chopped anchovy in there.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:05 pm
“Do you have a source for that bit of hyperbole, other than you butt, I mean.”
Would it matter if I did? You’re going to believe what you want.
Baldemar Huerta
July 14th, 2010
9:05 pm
Now if we could just trade Booby for a pack of gum.
Frankie Wren
July 14th, 2010
9:07 pm
Worse case scenario is that if Gonzalez fails offensively, he still is going to play solid defensively. That’s all I care about. The guy can D folks. He’s not as flashy and won’t make the ESPN highlight doubleplays as Escobar, but so what. That worse case scenario is currently what we are experiencing this year. I can see Gonzalez winning 3 or 4 games just with his bat down the stretch. Just win baby, this makeup right now is a contender to play in the fall classic. Worry about next year and changes in the winter.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:07 pm
“Turn on your sarcasm detector, Gone Viral.”
Heh, totally my fault then.
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
9:07 pm
Gone Viral-
Excellent points at 8:51, My brother and I were talking and he pointed out many of the same things regarding the trade.
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:07 pm
“Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:05 pm
“Do you have a source for that bit of hyperbole, other than you butt, I mean.”
Would it matter if I did? You’re going to believe what you want.”
Which is I take it your way of saying you don’t.
Buttermaker
July 14th, 2010
9:08 pm
Chipper gets lazy at times and almost never gets called out for it by the media.-TnBrian
This is simply not true, but if it makes a Yunel lover feel better, so be it.
DoninToccoa
July 14th, 2010
9:08 pm
Gotta say it’s gonna pay off big time! He was unhappy or “something” but the Braves are
much better off. What happened I don’t know but Bobby and those close to the team saw the unhappy play and lack of production! Escobar stopped getting better.
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
9:09 pm
How where you able to live in Cuba
Didn’t, nor said so. Lived in Miami, responding to a poster from Miami Beach. Some miscommunication about the post to which I was referring, I guess, for which Drastic Measures has taken me to task. I actually was hoping he would find one of the many baseball subjects in which he finds me in error, so I can learn from my mistakes. Alas, I must wallow in my ignorance, yet.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:09 pm
“The only thing we have on record is one random player from Bowman saying that he would be easier to tolerate if he was playing better, right?”
For the record, it was one of the first things out of Buster Olney’s mouth when ESPN first broke the news.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:09 pm
“Which is I take it your way of saying you don’t.”
You had a 50/50 chance.
bruce
July 14th, 2010
9:10 pm
McFann — also, right now DOB’s game story highlighting Brian is the number two most popular story on the ajc site… the number one story is too sad to mention. BUT Two base hit with two outs to go ahead by two is number two. Two too much, maybe.
Steve McP
July 14th, 2010
9:11 pm
I think we are shopping for an OF, now that we have Gonzalez there is less necessity for him bat RH which may open previously unexplored avenues, also extra trade chips are on hand with the prospects. I think GM’s might be approaching FW knowing the depth, especially in pitching and trying to prize out one or two good prospects, but my impression is that he loves prospects and is not going to sell them short.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:11 pm
I’ll say one last thing:
A lot of you are banking on a continuation of Gonzalez’s subconscious first half. What makes you think he will? That he’s a Brave now? You have no objective way of showing that he won’t revert to his career numbers, which I don’t think anyone can say are good.
Believe in the “objects in motion” philosophy all you want. But you can’t back it up. It’s just a gut feeling in the end. And I don’t want my GM making moves based on his gut feeling.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:11 pm
Escobar is 27. Did age have anything to do with Wren’s decision to part ways with Esco? Is a 28 year-old player who has fits of boner-itis worth keeping around?
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
9:12 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM:
DSL
BRAVES stomp BLUE JAYS 13-5. RAFA “SECOND’ BRICENO (3.07 ERA) is gaining traction as he wins number four to offset three losses.
BRAVES hitters go 8-19 with RISP. 17 hits. All but two hitters have multi-hit games. Solid 1B ARIS ALCANTARA (.325 BA) has a triple (4), 3-5, RBI (27). Lead-off GERARDO REYES (.299 BA) 2-5, double (7), RBI (15), run scored. CF HECTOR GARCIA (.271 BA), 2-5, double (2), RBI (6), 2 runs scored.
GCL
BRAVES best YANKEES once again 3-0. SS MATT LIPKA (.304 BA) is 1-4 today. C CORY BROWNSTEN (.364 BA) goes 1-3, BB. Local mid-Virginia product KURT FLEMING (.254 BA) is 2-3 today, BB, and a run scored. LF/1B DAVID ROHM (.299 BA) has a double (2), and run scored in four AB’s.
ROOKIE ‘HORSE’ (6′ 4″, 225) WINNIE (3.78 ERA) wins number three against zero losses. He goes 5.0 IP, 2 H, O ER, 2 BB, 4 SO. TYLER HESS (SV 1, 5.40 ERA) goes 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO. Two outstanding pitching lines today.
DANVILLE
8th inning, BRAVES 3, ELIZABETHTON 1.
ROME
R-BRAVES down to HAGERSTOWN 3-5 due mainly toi two fielding errors and a sac fly which lead to four of five runs plated by HAGERSTOWN. In the sixth.
MYRTLE BEACH
LYNCHBURG HILLCATS blanking the PELICANS 5-0 in th seventh. Three hits so far for the BRAVES.
MISSISSIPPI
BRAVES up on the HUNTSVILLE STARZ 3-1 in the fourth. ‘45′ GOMEZ unholsters his six-guns and drills a double, plating two as the BRAVES are up 3-1.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:12 pm
Is a 28 year-old player who has fits of boner-itis worth keeping around?
That sounds serious. He should go to the ER.
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
9:12 pm
Would it matter if I did? You’re going to believe what you want.
Yeah it would matter. If Braves players said that,if if was sourced as” some Braves players say” I would believe it. You are putting words in someone else mouth, when it’s just your opinion.
Baldemar Huerta
July 14th, 2010
9:13 pm
“And I don’t want my GM making moves based on his gut feeling.”
And in this case, the gut feeling is like eating Krystal chili cheese fries at 2:30 AM after a night of partying.
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:13 pm
Time will tell………..
Wish Yunel nothing but the best…..
Hate it didn’t work out here….
How long do yall give him before he starts hittin homers again??
Something was going on with him….
Dont know if it was Yunel, his problems with going dumb at times , Coxie on his ass, dealing with Pendle-less, or what……
Congrads to B-Mac, glad he got it done for NL….
And glad streak is over..
Need to crank it up starting tomorrow night.
Go gett-um Braves !!!!!!!!
Lawton
July 14th, 2010
9:13 pm
I’m disappointed that things worked out the way they did with Yunel. I’m disappointed this trade was necessitated. But, Its seems to me that this trade did become necessary. Yunel should be one of the best shortstops in baseball. But he isn’t.
I don’t think the trade was necessitated by a few on-field blunders. I think it has more to do with how Yunel carries himself, how he prepares himself to play every day, how he responds to leadership from coaches and veteran players, etc. I would guess that the off-the-field issues put him on thin ice and the on-the-field issues broke the ice for him.
I’ve always felt that if the Braves traded Yunel this season, they would need to get a major league SS who can handle the position defensively and provide some offensive production in return. They got that in Gonzales.
Given the circumstances, I think that Wren did very well in this trade. Again, this trade makes me sick when I think of what might have been. But, ultimately, I think the trade had to be made. I think they are a better team for the balance of the season with Gonzales playing SS rather than Yunel. And this season has a chance to be pretty special.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:14 pm
Do veterans tend to get energized when traded in mid-season to teams with the kind of chemistry and attitude now on display with the Braves?
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:14 pm
What up Woody W. ……………………..
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:15 pm
“You are putting words in someone else mouth, when it’s just your opinion.”
When the stories filter in after the fact, remember that you said this. I will be gracious about it the next time you bring it up.
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:16 pm
Good post Lawton………..
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
9:16 pm
For the record, it was one of the first things out of Buster Olney’s mouth when ESPN first broke the news.
I don’t know when Olney broke the news but people like Olney say stuff that isn’t true all the time. That whole “speculation” thing is what these people get paid to do. How long has he been in the braves clubhouse or did he hear it from this guy who heard it from that guy. What “sources” was he quoting? I don’t really care. Like I said, its whatever now because he’s gone.
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:16 pm
I’m really interested in seeing what DOB’s more in-depth comments on this are, because of his actual interaction with the players on a basically daily basis and his knowledge of the new guy from when they were both in Florida. He certainly has his personal opinions based on his interactions with the players, but that’s what’s so valuable about the blog, he can say that stuff (up to a point at least). It’s just his opinion, but it’s more informed than ours because it’s based on inside stuff we all know nothing about.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:16 pm
IVAN–Hey, HEY, hey. Thoughts on the trade?
sri
July 14th, 2010
9:17 pm
A note of caution about Gonzalez’s homeruns..
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/beware-the-jays-sluggers/
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:17 pm
“Believe in the “objects in motion” philosophy all you want. But you can’t back it up.”
The career year is a baseball phenomenon that exists. Jeff Blauser has been mentioned several times for a reason. His final year with us was like 200 points of OPS higher than the rest of his career.