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2,249 comments Add your comment
MiaBchBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:18 pm
ncscoots: “the no code, no character” line was in the context of Escobar’s failings as an individual playing on a team.
Subsequent to that statement, I proceeded to make a larger statement as to how castro’s Cuba destroyed mores and values in many Cubans who suffered the ravages of his iron rule. Ya need to read a little more carefully and not take my words out of context. OK to disagree with me, just have clarity before you bash me.
Lawton
July 14th, 2010
9:19 pm
thanks, Ivan. Hope you are doing well tonight.
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
9:19 pm
I call GOMEZ ‘45′ because his first name in MAURO which reminds me of MOROS, the southern PHILLIPINES rebels who fought the UNITED STATES ownership of the islands in the 1898-1907 era. The ‘45′ automatic pistol was developed by the army for shock power to stop the natives at close range.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:20 pm
“The Braves are likely to fall victim to a drop in power from Alex Gonzalez,”
Gee, fangraphs needed a fancy HR distance chart to figure this out? All they needed to do was take one effing look at his stat sheet. The dude is OBPing .296(!) this year.
Lose a Frenchy, gain a Frenchy (and the people will hail you as a genius for it!).
billy
July 14th, 2010
9:22 pm
Hey Braves Fans come join BRAVES COUNTRY ON Facebook link below
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THIS-IS-BRAVES-COUNTRY/114786261880224?ref=ts
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:22 pm
Know I have been MIA lately, but I would like to go on blog record as really disliking this trade. Except for the Jojo part.
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:23 pm
Woody– see my 9:13…………….
Was surprised when I heard around lunch about the trade…..
If the dude hit 17 hr’s before the AS game , give us 12-14 down the streatch, drive in 35-40 , play solid “D”, yeah, I think we did good………
We need to score some more runs …Mets and Phils aint gonna lie down…
billy (TBFKB)
July 14th, 2010
9:23 pm
Those bashing the trade, consider this:
The braves are no worse/better offensively and negligibly worse/better* on defense than they were before the All-Star Break after this trade. As most of the sane people know there are no guarantees when it comes to baseball and nobody can claim Yunel would re-emerge as the catalyst he was last year, just as we cant predict our new short stop to continue what he was doing for the Blue Jays. The only difference we have in the vaccume of this season is we added two minor league prospects basically for free. However, I understand this ignores the potential of Escobars prime years which in my mind is mitigated by dropping pop ups, getting throw out due to lack of hustle on a routine double, and more importantly almost injuring your starting 1B and arguably team MVP due to lack of focus for what ever reason. This doesn’t take into account the clubhouse effect he has, which I think the Braves front office and players hold with such high regard.
Jvan
July 14th, 2010
9:23 pm
@Steve McP : spot-on w/ ” that Glaus to Escobar look..” & Cox’s ever protective (painful to witness at times) tact,” I don’t know what happened there…..” comments…wtf about hardball does #6 NOT know@this juncture? Very little except how to deal w/apathy for the game.
I think Yunel shoulda gotten RosettaStone three years ago & it woulda helped his teammates at least be able to curse/yell/berate/calm/beckon&simple TALK to him thus seeming to be one of us….he always reminded me of tht SNL (Garrett Anderson) chrctr who’s social misgivings+ineptitude were scapegoated by lack of Engrish…ai~carumba!Basebaaw BeenBerryBerryGudTuMeMeMeMe….como es BoobyCoox?
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
9:24 pm
Bro, I didn’t even see the second, larger context post. Honest. I was probably writing mine at the time. Whatever, I didn’t see it, and it had no connection to what I wrote. I was just trying to say that, of the Latin men I’ve known, questioning their character to their face is not usually a good idea.
Now It Comes Out!
July 14th, 2010
9:24 pm
“He was slow to learn to be a professional. How many times do you have to be told to hustle — a concept that should be universal — before it’s clear you just don’t care to do it?
No one can suggest the Braves didn’t give him a fair chance. He played 446 big-league games for this club, and his excesses worsened over time. And it’s one thing to hang on to a problem if the problem is hitting and driving in runs, but at age 27 Escobar had ceased doing that. He has no home runs, 19 RBIs.”
“A tiny example: On a Sunday afternoon earlier this season, Escobar drove a ball in the gap in left-center. His hit brought home the go-ahead run, but somehow he managed to get thrown out at second base on a ball so perfectly placed that it would have been a double for anybody else in the big leagues. (Put it this way: Sid Bream would have made it.) Escobar got thrown out because he watched the flight of the ball and admired his work, as opposed to running hard. The Braves noticed. The Braves always noticed. As one man in the clubhouse said afterward, exasperation in his voice: “He has been told time and time again.”
“This is a happier clubhouse than it has been in years, and not just because the team is in first place. Because these guys like and respect one another. The one guy who didn’t fit — and who was never going to fit, no matter how many chances the Braves offered — just got traded.”
With all this out and in the open, is it any wonder the Braves traded the guy when they saw they could get a veteran shortstop in return?
Bartholomew (Bat) Masterson
July 14th, 2010
9:24 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
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. Gone Viral
When I literally hear that from a braves source, well so shall I.
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:25 pm
That’s a good point Danga – I think the one thing everyone can agree on here is everyone is okay with the JoJo part, unfortunately for JoJo.
haggard
July 14th, 2010
9:25 pm
McFann
For so long she’d quoted “RISP”
And commented none so subtle,
Then her mann felt the heat of the national stage
And smote a base-clearing double !
Reality Check
July 14th, 2010
9:25 pm
ncscoots – Look, after a rocky start this afternoon, I learned to respect your opinions. I believe, truly, that you are an intelligent man with a vast amount of knowledge. But the constant one-upping you constantly engage in is in poor taste. There just isn’t a need for it. We’re here to talk Braves – not to compare IQ’s or make ourselves look better than everybody else. We live in a world of different opinions, and how we respond to the opinions with which we disagree says a lot about who we are. I like having you on the blog because you offer an interesting perspective, but your perspectives are getting lost in your desire to be the smartest man in the room.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:25 pm
The career year is a baseball phenomenon that exists.
Prove it. Furthermore, give me one tangible scrap of evidence that a player with more than 5,000 career PA is having a sustainable “career year” when:
His BA is within 10 points of his career average.
His OBP is within 2 points of his career average.
His SLG is 95(!) points above his career average.
What’s gonna give here? Really? You know the answer.
Numbers don’t lie.
westgadave
July 14th, 2010
9:26 pm
Laeton—I have had mixed feelings about this thing all day–but what what you said at 9 13 I think is pretty well on the money—another reason Im anxious to hear DOB’s take and insight about the clubhouse atmosphere among the players toward Yunel
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
July 14th, 2010
9:26 pm
Bruce right now DOB’s game story highlighting Brian is the number two most popular story on the ajc site…
Sweet! Yeah, he’s the toast of the Sports World right now…and rightfully so!
BUT Two base hit with two outs to go ahead by two is number two. Two too much, maybe.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
9:27 pm
I’m a woman and I know more than some of you men ! 0 h!omeruns ! 0 ! Alex Gonzalez 17 homeruns ! What makes you think Yunel was going to do anything ! Huh !?!
Ahh. Just stop…
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:27 pm
ESPY are hilarious right now…..Steve Caroll is awesome
westgadave
July 14th, 2010
9:27 pm
sorry Lawton/LOL
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:27 pm
I also kept waiting on the long ball from Yunel this year, just didn’t seem to get his pitch or something…..
I give Coxie some credit……….
He didn’t kill his ass or drag his dirty laundry through the press…
You could tell when he was pissed when asked about him at times………..
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
July 14th, 2010
9:28 pm
I feel like a psychic when it comes to Nate. He’s gonna suck.
It’s a mental thing with him now. New scenery is his only hope.
And how can an outfielder be deployed who’s not even a
THREAT to throw the ball? Not throw somebody out, but just THROW the damn thing, just to keep them honest.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:28 pm
Larry King looked so dejected when he had to break off an actual news discussion for a Bristol Palin engagement special.
I can see why he’s retiring.
And I can see where ESPN gets their business model from.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:28 pm
No need to argue about the trade. There are upsides for both the teams.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
July 14th, 2010
9:29 pm
haggard–
Haha! Great poem!!
Thanks!
Turn it up!!
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
9:29 pm
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.
I’m afraid your assessment is correct regarding the Pastornicky kid. Patience at the plate seems his strong point, 102 minor league BB – 127 SO. That’s not going to sit very well with the BRAVES philosophy of hitting ( see: JASON HEYWARD).
I think the BRAVES just didn’t care to have ESCOBAR’s smiling face in the clubhouse anymore, and were willing to move him for anything they could get. I said all along, I didn’t think he fit in in ATLANTA, and would bail as soon as he had FA. Apparantly, others may have felt the same way. Just my humble opinion of course.
So Cal Brave
July 14th, 2010
9:31 pm
I’m sad to see Yunel go, as he was my favorite Brave last year. But he’s not gonna turn it around in Atlanta, it’s the whole Frenchy situation all over again. I’m glad he’s gonna get a chance for a fresh start in Toronto. We will be fine at shortstop in the long run, Alex is fairly cheap at 2.5 mil for next year and we have a young SS from Cuba that should be ready by 2012. The 2 prospects we got are also solid and should make it to the majors, although neither one will ever be a starter. My main concern is that I always saw Escobar as Chipper’s replacement at 3rd when he retires.
peter nincompoop
July 14th, 2010
9:31 pm
If Escobar was uncomfortable in Atlanta just wait to he gets a look at all the white folks and weather in Canada.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
9:31 pm
I would like to go on blog record as really disliking this trade. Except for the Jojo part.
I can agree with that sentiment, Danga.
billy (TBFKB)
July 14th, 2010
9:31 pm
Steve from OH
“A lot of you are banking on a continuation of Gonzalez’s subconscious first half.”
Problem is you appear to be banking on a resurgence from a lackadaisical player. A. Gonzalez will likely be no worse than Yunesl Escobar was in the first half of the season with out the distractions Escobar created for himself.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:32 pm
Ah, JoJo. He was comically inept.
Who will we trade for Pujols now? Noooo!
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
9:32 pm
Reality, that’s just who I am, man. I tend not to suffer fools, and, if that makes my contributions appear to be in poor taste, well, so be it. I truly am an arrogant, egotistical sumbee, and that’s a fact, but I’ve learned to live with it, LOL.
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:33 pm
With all this out and in the open, is it any wonder the Braves traded the guy when they saw they could get a veteran shortstop in return?
All that info was already out in the open and any of the rest of it is just Bradley giving his opinion. My major concern is that we have one too many number 8 hitters on this team. Maybe Mclouth rebounds and has a productive second half, but Gonzalez will only be valuable to the Braves on defense. For that we lose 3 years of arb eligible Escobar? I hope he this guy isn’t our starting SS next season.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:33 pm
A. Gonzalez will likely be no worse than Yunesl Escobar was in the first half of the season with out the distractions Escobar created for himself.
You just made my point for me. Which means (given your prediction that they’ll perform the same) we just added 5 years to our shortstops age and about 120 OPS points off his projection. Not good.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:33 pm
Ivan–”I give Coxie some credit……….
He didn’t kill his ass or drag his dirty laundry through the press…
You could tell when he was pissed when asked about him at times………..”
You’re on the money. Not Cox’s style. But he was an unhappy man last Sat.
Woody Woodward
July 14th, 2010
9:36 pm
Peter–Toronto is a very cosmopolitan city. Ain’t like he’s goin’ to Iceland.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
July 14th, 2010
9:37 pm
Career-years do exist, they’re AKA contract-years.
That’s the only time some players give max effort. Shame.
Tommeee O'Hawkeee
July 14th, 2010
9:37 pm
Hello LAd & LAdy
There seems to be a lot of posts on here, for a non-game day. Anything going on?
McFann
I knew IF you were able to sleep, you’d have pleasant dreams. In the future, to ward off the nightmares whenever he has an O-for, play back Mac’s ASG double before you go to bed.
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
9:38 pm
Well to take a page from Lovie Smith, “Alex Gonzalez is our shortstop”.
As long as he isn’t out at shortstop rocking back and forth like Gonzo of last year we should be good(at least defensively). Not going to lie though, was hoping for A-Gon as in Adrian not Alex. Whatever, welcome to the braves new Gonzo.
Efrim
July 14th, 2010
9:38 pm
I hope he this guy isn’t our starting SS next season.
Wren brought up the 2.5 million dollar 2011 club option as one of the reasons why he made the trade. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if AGon is our starting SS next year…
Frankie Wren
July 14th, 2010
9:38 pm
Good night folks. When we wake up tomorrow morning, our team will still have the best record in the National league. This trade good or bad hopefully doesn’t change that. Lets open a can of whupa– on the brewcrew.
Rob from SC
July 14th, 2010
9:39 pm
Steve from OH
You are really fired up over this trade. Settle down. We will be a better team now.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:40 pm
Now It Comes Out: Wow, right on! I was one of the guys bashing the Braves in April for their ineptitude – which makes me a run-of-the-mill fan more than any kind of an expert. That said, I’ll bet that their camaraderie in the face of team adversity – i.e., all the things you delineated so well – allowed the Braves to make the splendid rebound that they made. What does it say to all of us as Braves fans that Yunel played little to no part in the clubhouse bromance that allowed the Braves to be where they are right now.
Adios, Yuni.
Wayne in Utah
July 14th, 2010
9:40 pm
Personally, I think both SS’s will prosper in their new environs. I don’t think we will lose a thing in AG, except for the possible resentment from his teammates to his attitude.
Good luck Yunel, I will remember fondly your good days!
Now, JoJo is a different story. I have been the lone wolf in the forest thinking that JoJo might someday figure it out. I suspect he will pitch in the majors soon, and probably do OK.
Bill S
July 14th, 2010
9:40 pm
Great trade for the Braves. This is the year to win. Gonzalez is a veteran shortstop with postseason experience who has a great glove. Any offense Gonzalez generates willl be a bonus, especially considering Yunel is hitting .240 with zero homeruns. Even if Yunel goes onto to be a respected shortstop in the upcoming years, he has displayed nothing but a care-free, lazy attitude this season and has only the hurt Braves since his opening day performance where he apparently peaked with 5 rbi.
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:40 pm
I know. I need to simmer, Rob.
billy (TBFKB)
July 14th, 2010
9:41 pm
You forget the added minor league depth. In a vaccume this season. If you want to win this season who do you take if both are going to be exactly the same? The person who almost injures one of the main reasons your team is in first place with yet another in a long list of poor choices and bad play or the other guy who by all accounts is a good team guy.
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:41 pm
We will be a better team now.
I don’t see how.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Tom O’Hawke–
Yes, actually falling asleep was key there, but it did happen…eventually.
In the future, to ward off the nightmares whenever he has an O-for, play back Mac’s ASG double before you go to bed.
Sounds good! Maybe I should book mark that page!
I would LOVE for iTunes to add that to their “Games of the Year”, but I don’t know if they’ll do an All-Star Game…
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Danga, the thing about that “arb eligible” thing with Esco is, while it’s good they’re not free agents yet, that tab sometimes seriously exceeds the value of what the player has actually produced, so that’s not necessarily a good thing. For example, I can’t help but wonder if Frenchy will get non-tendered this off-season by his current team, rather than pick up that tab. It was that way with KJ. Not worth the arb salary he was going to get (certainly not to the Braves) and you couldn’t trade him because the other teams knew they could sign him for less as a non-tender.
Rob from SC
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Forget Gonzalez and Escobar… The man beast returns tomorrow.
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Oh yeah Woodie, remember Jerome Jerinovich askink Coxie about Yunel’s defense maybe helping his offense?
Thought he was gonna have a shiet hemmorage with his answer… Definately pissed when asked…
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Ha! FauxFrankWren always calms me down:
“Guess Toronto missed our new stat. ESCOBAR: Emperical System of Counting Official Bat-flips And Reprimands”
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
9:43 pm
Ah, JoJo. He was comically inept.
Jojo will be the next Cliff Lee, bank on it. All those worrying about Escobar or Gonzalez are missing the biggest part to this trade and its that Toronto just aquired a future left handed stud who will showcase those great talents in the best divison in baseball, the AL beast.
(and for those who have a hard time picking up sarcasm, well…..)
Wayne in Utah
July 14th, 2010
9:44 pm
I don’t have the time to peruse the blog much tonight, but I am guessing there are the pro’s and con’s on the deal.
What is DOB saying about the deal, from the insiders perspective? What are some of the players saying “off the record”?
I am in a hotel room looking down right into Petco Park, but the darned Padres are having an extra day off tomorrow, so I will leave without a chance to catch a game there…………
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM:
DANVILLE wins 3-2, seven hits for the BRAVES. Multi-hit games by two players. DH RYAN DELGADO (.351 BA) 2-4, double (5), run scored. 3B JOE TERDOSLAVICH (.268 BA) 3-4, double (3), RBI (9), run scored.
CARLOS PEREZ (2-0, 0.36 ERA) excellent start today, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO. Big (6′ 4″ 210) rookie KYLE FARRELL (SV 1, 4.50 ERA) finishes with 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR.
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
That’s funny, Jake.
David O'Brien
July 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
I know DOB was traveling today–but did the damn plane get lost or what….would sure like his insight on the trade. — westgadave
Not sure if you’re familiar with coast-to-coast travel, westga, but I had a 10:45 a.m. (Pacific Time) flight, which landed in Atlanta at 6 p.m. I walked in my house at 7 p.m. Sorry I haven’t provided you with insight into the trade.
The Braves traded a shortstop (Escobar) who’s failed to develop into the player they envisioned, a player who has continued to frustrate team officials and teammates with his often-cavalier attitude, his sometime-sullen demeanor, and his occasional mental lapses and failure to hustle at random times.
They traded A player who had the lowest slugging percentage (.284) in the National League, to go with a .238 average and a .334 OBP that would be fine if he hit for any power or drove in runs or did anything else offensively. This year, and the last month of last season, he has not done much of anything offensively.
Yunel’s defense is great, no question. But the shortstop they got, Alex Gonzalez, plays strong defense. (Not as strong as Yunel’s D, and not as good as Gonzalez played D when I covered him in his first seasons with the Marlins, but it’s still well above average D). And while Yunel has 12 extra-base hits (all doubles), 19 RBIs and a .618 OPS, Gonzalez has 43 extra-base hits (17 homers), 50 RBIs and a .793 OPS. And a better attitude.
This trade is about winning this season, and Gonzalez improves the offense significantly. With Heyward returning and Diaz looking in the past couple weeks like the old Diaz, the biggest remaining weakness in the lineup was shortstop. Instead of trading a top pitching prospect, a pitcher like Minor that the Braves believe could be a top-half-of-rotation for years to come, for an outfielder, the Braves traded a struggling shortstop with attitude problems for a shortstop having a career-best season, in hopes that he’ll add some right-handed power to their lineup.
Unlike some fans, there were no longer Braves players saying you shouldn’t trade Escobar because of his high ceiling. Because they have seen him fail to mature and develop as a player.
David O'Brien
July 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
As for the other pieces of the trade, the 20-year-old lefty, Tim Collins, has posted some impressive numbers in Double-A this season — a .174 opponents’ average and 73 strikeouts with 16 walks in 43 innings. They traded away Jo-Jo Reyes and added him.
IVAN ...
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
2 good things happening tomorrow…………..
(hopefully a new POWER hitting SS,………….
AND THE RETURN OF JEY HEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta go…….
Go Braves……..
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
McFann-
No need to worry about the newly acquired catcher Shawn McGill, he started tonight at Myrtle and so far has gone 0-3 with 3 strikeouts.
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
At least you are in San Diego, Wayne.
David O'Brien
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
A note of caution about Gonzalez’s homeruns.. — sri
at the risk of sounding like a smart arse, here’s a note of caution about Escobar’s home runs: He hasn’t hit one in 101 games and 353 at-bats.
TnBrian
July 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
Buttermaker, I’m not a Yunel lover. Yeah, it is true that Chipper gets a pass by the media for what clearly appears to be a casual type approach to grounders.
Steve from OH, we just traded 2 headcases for 17 HR and two decent prospects. What’s not to like about it?
Wayne in Utah
July 14th, 2010
9:47 pm
I could be wrong, but I think Escobar might have gotten his panties all in a wad when he got 5 RBI’s on opening day, and everybody clamoured over to talk to the new kid in the clubhouse.
His season has been subpar since that game.
Whaddya think folks?
Innocent Bystander
July 14th, 2010
9:48 pm
This trade doesn’t really push the Braves any closer to the WS, but it does remove some distractions that might have hung us up along the way.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the first step in some more moves. I hope this is the first step in some more moves, because the teams in our division aren’t getting any worse.
Dumbfound
July 14th, 2010
9:48 pm
@RomanGaL, That’s my opinion !
MIBravesFan
July 14th, 2010
9:49 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, DOB is in the house!
billy (TBFKB)
July 14th, 2010
9:50 pm
Heck five home runs for the rest of he season from the SS position will be a drastic improvement for the eyar.
Reality Check
July 14th, 2010
9:50 pm
Fair enough, Scoots. It’s your life. I hope that frequently showcasing your backside brings you much happiness and fulfillment. Use your powers for good, my friend!
Josh
July 14th, 2010
9:50 pm
thanks for the breakdown DOB.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:50 pm
DOB
Any word on adding an OF, i understand we have like 5 OF, but none of them are really fit to be everyday OF. Please tell me what you think of this
RF- Josh Willingham
CF- Jason Heyward
LF- Hinske/Diaz
Innocent Bystander
July 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
Jim Joyce and Armando Gallarraga on stage together to present an ESPY.
Wayne in Utah
July 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
Danga
Excellent point! Never a bad day in San Diego!
ncscoots
July 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
know. I need to simmer, Rob.
Exactly. And I can say that because I spent the earlier part of the day off the launch pad on this thing, with a lot more heat than you.
But, in the end, this guy isn’t going to be the difference in the season, either way. He can make it a little harder or a little easier, but he isn’t the tipping point. Get the guys who are supposed carry the team, carrying the team, and the trade won’t matter. If they don’t, it won’t matter, either. Finis.
Gone Viral
July 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
“Prove it. Furthermore, give me one tangible scrap of evidence that a player with more than 5,000 career PA is having a sustainable “career year” when:”
I’m not going to bother looking to see if Blauser meets the criteria you list. If it’s important enough to you, feel free to do so. What I will state a second time is that Blauser’s final season as a Brave was over 200 points higher in terms of OPS than he had ever had before.
I mentioned the other day that I agree with the Moneyball philosophy that scouting has its flaws. The same is true of statistics-based analysis. It relies on a belief that everything can be explained mathematically. This works akin to a poker pro being furious when they believe they have played a hand by the book and lost to bad luck. Things happen in nature that are difficult to quantify. Among them is that an athlete will occasionally have everything go his way for a period of time. If you don’t believe in this, such is your right, but we will be as diametrically opposed on the subject as we are about the impact of team chemistry.
Josh
July 14th, 2010
9:51 pm
DOB, how do you think Gonazalez will fit in the clubhouse?
richbrave
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:32 pm
Ah, JoJo. He was comically inept.
I once catagorized JoJO most harshly. I apologize.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
DOB
Obviously J-Hey is a beast i meant the other 2 positions
Buttermaker
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
Yeah, it is true that Chipper gets a pass by the media for what clearly appears to be a casual type approach to grounders.-TnBrian
Nonsense. But again, if it makes you feel better…………
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
RF- Josh Willingham
CF- Jason Heyward
LF- Hinske/Diaz
This would be the worst defensive outfield in baseball. Even High School.
westgadave
July 14th, 2010
9:52 pm
glad ur back DOB
Wayne in Utah
July 14th, 2010
9:53 pm
DOB
Thanks for the comments. And I know about those long airport days, as I covered the West out of SC for a year right after 9-11. Your efforts are appreciated.
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
July 14th, 2010
9:53 pm
thinbreakness No need to worry about the newly acquired catcher Shawn McGill, he started tonight at Myrtle and so far has gone 0-3 with 3 strikeouts.
Ew…I had forgotten about K’s…
Danga
July 14th, 2010
9:53 pm
With that OF I would hope all the Braves starting pitchers are throwing all sinkers or strikeouts.
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:54 pm
T for Texas
Heyward can cover the lack off defense from the other players.
Pameeeeeeeeee
July 14th, 2010
9:54 pm
Well Done
Jake W.
July 14th, 2010
9:54 pm
Hey Danga, folks aren’t looking big picture at this thing. Giving up Jojo Reyes will come back to bite this team in the but, big time. Cy Young award winner in three years, mark that down.
steve_97060
July 14th, 2010
9:55 pm
it’s too bad it had to work out this way for Yunel, but you could see the writing on the wall, this was going to happen eventually. Hopefully AG can continue to provide more offense then Yunel was capable of.
Now to the important issue for some on this blog, what is the new Shortstops UGR (Ultimate Grittiness Rating)?
Steve from OH
July 14th, 2010
9:56 pm
GV–I really don’t think we’re as far apart as you think. I am a stats guy, yes, but I think scouting is vital to a big-league club. I’ve stated that stance here before and I don’t need to re-hash it.
Anyway, I just think Gonzalez’s first half is one of the most blatant examples of an unsustainable performance that I’ve seen. But it takes a lot of cajones to trade Yunel Escobar for that guy with the hope that it’ll continue long enough to help you into the playoffs and offset the potential future loss of performance with Yunel.
sidslidkid
July 14th, 2010
9:56 pm
DOB, how does this team’s chemistry rank (especially now that Esco is gone) as far as teams that you’ve covered or been around?
bruce
July 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
McFann — also check out the Braves vent…. that one might be worth saving/printing.
http://projects.ajc.com/vent/sports/braves/2010/07/14/#925146
T for Texas
July 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
B41995:
No. He can’t. No one can. Not Andruw, or Willie, or The Mick. Not cover TWO slow corner outfielders that can’t throw. And Jason isn’t Andruw or Willie or The Mick on defense. All the guys on your list are weak, weak left fielders at best.
Dawg4life
July 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
Not so sure on this one. Escobar has been struggling, but I would think he would break out of it at some point. Maybe plug in Infante for a few games and send him down to Gwinnett so he can get his head right. I don’t know much about Gonzalez, but 33? That is awful old (in baseball years), especially now that the “steroid era” is over. I am just of the mindset that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. I think a legitimate CF would be nice….
Brave4life-1995 all over again??
July 14th, 2010
9:58 pm
T for Texas
What do you propose, we obviously need another bat in the OF. No one is tearing it up out there other than J-hey
Chip Caray's Eyebrows
July 14th, 2010
9:58 pm
Will you Escobar supporters please listen to the stats DOB just said, and listen to the dang undertone of how the whole frontoffice/coaching staff/players felt about this guy in his LATE TWENTIES. I mean it’s fine to support a player, but you can’t act like a jilted lover just because your team decides to get a player having a better year in every statistical category, and who does not have an attitude problem. The Braves got better today, and Escobar hopefully learned a lesson that will make him a better player in the future. It the attitude of his “high ceiling” blah blah blah that enabled him to get away with so much and probably hampered his development anyway.
thinbreakness
July 14th, 2010
9:58 pm
ncscoots-
you can be arrogant if you’re right, then you’re just a smartarse. When you’re arrogant and wrong, you’re a smartassdumbass.
Roman Gal
July 14th, 2010
9:58 pm
I need to simmer
Me too, Steve.
Vol_in_Ohio
July 14th, 2010
9:59 pm
Appreciate the update, DOB. Glad you are back on and can’t wait to read more.
Would you still add an OF?