Braves react to Phillies trade for Oswalt

Washington – As if a seven-game winning streak by the Phillies wasn’t enough to tighten the screws on the Braves, how about a trade for Roy Oswalt?

The Phillies acquired the standout Astros pitcher Thursday and cash for left-hander J.A. Happ and minor leaguers Anthony Gose, and Jonathan Villar, giving them an imposing rotation with Roy Halladay, Oswalt, and Cole Hamels at the top.

(Gose was subsequently traded to Toronto for minor league first baseman Brett Wallace.)

While Oswalt was packing his belongings to fly to Washington to pitch for the Phillies against the Nationals on Friday, the Braves were packing their things to fly out of Washington after a second consecutive series loss, dropping two of three to the Nationals.

The Braves’ NL East lead was down to three games on the Phillies, who played Thursday night. That’s the closest it’s been since the first week of July.

“To go to the playoffs you’ve got to beat good pitching,” Braves catcher David Ross said. “They have Roy Oswalt, so what? They’ve got Roy Halladay. You’re going to have to beat somebody. If you’re sitting in this locker room, and you’re thinking you’ve got a chance to win a world championship, which we feel that we have a good enough team to (do), then you’re going to have to beat good pitchers period, the best.”

Braves pitcher Derek Lowe said the Braves have known this was coming for a while, given the speculation they’ve heard for weeks.

“It was just a matter of who they were going to give up,” Lowe said. “…If we play the way we should and take care of our own games, we’re still in first place right now. We’ve got a long way to go. It’s definitely going to help their team; there’s no doubt about it.”

The Braves have been looking to improve their team but on a smaller scale, since they already traded for shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

The Braves, who just sent struggling center fielder Nate McLouth to Triple-A Gwinnett, are in the market for an outfielder but have watched several players they were interested in drop out of the picture because of injuries, including David DeJesus of the Royals and Cody Ross of the Marlins because of an injury to his teammate Chris Coghlan.

Braves general manager Frank Wren indicated Thursday the Braves are still actively looking. Their wants include the outfield and possibly a reliever.

“We’re still looking to improve the club,” Wren said in an e-mail.

Wren had returned to Atlanta Wednesday night after spending two days with the Braves in Washington. When chips around baseball started to fall late Wednesday afternoon, Wren had said it was a matter of seeing if trade partners would lower their asking price by 4 p.m. Saturday.

“We know what’s out there,” Wren said. “Whether the price will come down where it makes it reasonable and things fit for us, I don’t know.”

With Oswalt set to make $16 million next season, and the Braves unable to unload contracts of Kenshin Kawakami or McLouth, the Braves weren’t in the running for a big-name pickup like Oswalt, even with the cash the Astros were offering (they’re reportedly paying $11 million of the $23 million he’s owed through 2011.)

The Braves are also hesitant to part with the prospects necessary to land a big piece, like a Mike Minor, Julio Teheran or Freddie Freeman.

Still a little chippy from Thursday’s loss, Braves third baseman Chipper Jones sounded like he was in no mood to start worrying about the Phillies and Oswalt.

“We don’t play the Phillies until late September,” Jones said. “Good pick up for them. I’m happy for them.”

Actually, the Braves have actually fared well against Oswalt. He’s 0-3 with a 7.58 ERA in seven regular season starts against the Braves for his career, his highest career ERA against any team.

171 comments Add your comment

muchacho

July 29th, 2010
6:10 pm

Ross says you have to be able to beat the best..What about the mediocre (National’s pitchers)?

Fan since 1977

July 29th, 2010
6:13 pm

FirstHater

July 29th, 2010
6:14 pm

TRADE TIME!!!!!!!

July 29th, 2010
6:16 pm

A TRADE IS APPROACHING GUYS!!!!!!!! I CAN SMELL IT!!!!!!

muchacho

July 29th, 2010
6:17 pm

What makes you think so, TRADE?

Keith

July 29th, 2010
6:25 pm

Here’s the thing guys. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction saying that we absolutely HAVE to get a bat now that they got Oswalt. Remember when we were in 1st place by .5 game, 1 game, 2 games? It was back and forth for a while…then in a week it JUMPED to 6-7 games…in the same week, now, it’s back to 3 games. Still have around 60 games left.

However, I’ve always felt that we needed a bat if we are shooting to win the WS. I look at the AL lineups of the rangers, yanks, and rays, and think we sure could use another bat. However, you also need to think about the expanded rosters and guys we could bring up like Freeman or a Minor.

I’m still conflicted on what will happen, but I’d like to see us get a good bat (I’m not talking Cody Ross….but maybe Willingham, Dunn, or Berkman (if he can play every day). Get us over the hump to have a real shot to win the Fall Classic.

So we’re ok for now, but we need something extra to win it all IMO. :)

TRADE TIME!!!!!!!

July 29th, 2010
6:25 pm

did u not read the article. Frank Wren siad hes got the deal in place its just a matter of “lowering the prices”. And I also heard on the braves radio station that Frank Wren plans to call up Freddie Freeman. If you dont believe me go on the radio station abd listen for yourself. 680 am/ 100.7 fm

The Dude

July 29th, 2010
6:27 pm

If the Braves don’t make a move the Phils will catch them. They have the best line up in the National league. I know they have dealt with injuries this season, but they are all getting healthy at the right time. Now they also have a dominant pitching rotation.

We need an impact bat without letting our young pitchers go. I’d let Freeman go for the right price, you can always find a servicable 1st baseman. Medlen wouldn’t be a bad piece either..he’s never going to be a number one or two starter but could draw some high intrest.

NC Braves Fan

July 29th, 2010
6:28 pm

Who cares about Oswalt. We can’t beat the Marlins or the Nats.. PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?

barnyard

July 29th, 2010
6:30 pm

like i said the phillies will be in first before the week is out.

amicusterrae

July 29th, 2010
6:32 pm

“you can always find a servicable 1st baseman”

yeah. no problem.

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:33 pm

If Diaz played every day he’d have 40 homers this season. He can’t though, ’cause he’s got “Not an everyday player” tattooed on his ass according to Bobby.

Fan since 1977

July 29th, 2010
6:34 pm

Man, David Ross hit it right on the head, and I agree with him. SO WHAT? You let that deal make you wet your britches you ain’t a major leaguer. You want to be the best, then beat the best. If we are going to win this division, we gotta beat the Phillies. Pretty simple.

Right now our biggest obstacle is our manager. Sorry if that offends anyone. This constant righty-lefty lineup crap is killing us. PLAY YOUR BEST PLAYERS! Matt Diaz is hitting .380 since he came off the DL – he is not instant out against righties – PLAY HIM!! God bless him, Glaus is a big tired thug. Rest him for the stretch run!! We have a gazillion options at 1st – Hinske, Prado, Diaz, hell teach BMac the position and let Ross catch. And let’s not forget a certain 1st baseman in waiting in Gwinnett.

The fact Bobby wanted an all righty lineup today (Heyward only played because Gonzales got the flu, so Infante moved to short) shows he follows Casey Stengel BS strategy from the 50’s. He was actually going to bench Heyward!! That’s insane.

We would have won 2 additional WS in the 90’s but for Bobby. Now he’s got a team who get him back to the WS and he is f—ing it up royally. E.g., loyalty to Chipper and McLouth (although the latter situation got resolved, thank goodness). Does everyone know 3rd is Prado’s natural position? Has everyone seen the stats showing Chipper is as a pinch hitter? He’s been GREAT! Our EVERYDAY lineup should be:

Prado 3B
Infante 2B
Heyward RF
McCann C (I know Ross will rest him, thank goodness we re-signed the best backup catcher in MLB)
Glaus/Hinske 1B (depends who is on mound, righty or lefty)
Diaz LF
Gonzales SS
Cabrera CF

With this pitching and the depth of this bench, if we do not go to the WS then this will be Booby”s WORST managing job. Ever. Thank goodness Roger has done a good jon with the pitchers (e.g., fixing Hanson just by telling him to move over to other side of rubber). See, that’s what position coaches do. Unlike TP, who is stealing $$ and justifies his existence by throwing soft toss under the bleachers. Chipper will make a great hitting coach next year under Freddy.

Can’t wait for your return, Gregor.

Charles

July 29th, 2010
6:34 pm

Hey Braves, the object in your rearview mirror is now MUCH larger than it seems with the big O on the phils. Who you gonna go out and get now? Even A-Rod could not help your team. Hey Jason heyward… When you are a FA, we might have a bench spot open if you want to play for a champion.

Ben Hill, Been Real

July 29th, 2010
6:35 pm

Simply tired of Lowe man he is a guaranteed 4 runs. Tired of his one pitch: hanging sinker, dirt sinker

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:36 pm

Charles! How uncouth!

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:37 pm

Lowe has got to be good. He’s making 15 million a year.

Yoda

July 29th, 2010
6:37 pm

Braves should worry….Chumper & McCant can’t hit Oswalt either!!!!

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:39 pm

Is Oswalt gonna pitch every game? Wow! He really is good.

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:40 pm

He’s gonna sling lightning bolts and poot thunder!

Donny Corleone

July 29th, 2010
6:41 pm

And he’s only one million a year better than Lowe.

Fan since 1977

July 29th, 2010
6:42 pm

Donny, you’re right. Ross said it, too. They got Oswalt. BFD. We control our own destiny.

derrick

July 29th, 2010
6:42 pm

There is no way they are going to let Freeman go. That kid is a solid player. I am pretty sure they plan on bringing him up and having Glaus ready to take chippers place when he goes on his usual DL the second half of the year to focus on his softball. I personally would love to see them pick up Hart. Hart, Cabrerra & heyward would be a heck of an outfield. But Im not sure where the Brews are with him right now. I know they are trying to untie some money to keep Prince…so who knows. They might strike a deal with Hart…?

derrick

July 29th, 2010
6:44 pm

Oh and i agree…BFD about Oswalt. We have had his number for a while now.

Fan since 1977

July 29th, 2010
6:47 pm

Last game I saw Oswalt pitch Cincy lit him up like a Christmas tree.

dawg4u

July 29th, 2010
6:48 pm

What in the world has happened to Troy Glaus. He has just totally slipped off the radar. I always thought we would need another bat if we made it to the WS but now we probably need another one just to beat the Phils. Thank goodness the Phils traded Cliff Lee last year or I would really be worried. Still a lot of games left and anything can happen. Break up the Nationals!

Chip4Prez

July 29th, 2010
6:49 pm

DLowe is our achilles heel. He doesn’t go late into games. He sucks at pitching. He can’t win any pitching matchup. He eats up $15M a year in salary… GASP! Oswalt is cheaper than that this year. Talk about overpaid… he is killing us…

BravesAreDone

July 29th, 2010
6:49 pm

Who cares what Lowe says… he’s worthless to this team.

CTBRAVESFAN

July 29th, 2010
6:51 pm

Move Heyward to center and trade for bautista and put him in right. I like medlen but minor is doing well at AAA. would hate to see him leave but it would be nice to have a guy leading the majors in hrs. You could also but him in LF and leave Heyward in RF. Also could try and pry marlon byrd away from the cubs he is a plus defender and he hits for average and has a little power

corkylovesbeer

July 29th, 2010
6:52 pm

we have team chemistry

Tim Hudson

July 29th, 2010
6:52 pm

Guys, chill.

Their rotation: Halliday, Hamels, Oswalt, ….?

Ours: Me, JJ, Tommy, Derrick/Medlen

I kind of like things from where I sit.

Y’all have a good day, and please contribute to Childrens Hospital System of Atlanta.

Thank you,
Tim Hudson

Worshipping at the Temple of Frank Wren's Kool Aid Thermos

July 29th, 2010
6:52 pm

Anyone who thinks that Oswalt is not going to help the Phillies win more games is delusional! Braves will probably see Oswalt 2 or 3 times this season, but it’s not the head to head matchup thats important. It’s that Oswalt will get 15-20 starts with the Phils and give them a great chance to win each of those starts.

The Abs Man

July 29th, 2010
6:53 pm

Totally agree+ sick of this Bobby Cox righty-lefty nonsense.
Diaz is one of the most streaky hitters in MLB…PLay him daily, no matter who pitches…play Eric at first, Glaus obviously needs time off…play Infante every single damn day…no matter who pitches….
Your best offensive outfield is Diaz, Infante and Heyward.

And the Braves need some offense.

JeanE

July 29th, 2010
6:53 pm

I’m not afraid of Oswalt, guy has back problems all the time. Totally AGREE with guys who say Matty Diaz should play regularly. Dude can flat out hit, doesn’t matter, lefty right, whatever. And Troy the Man-tree is tired. It’s written all over his face and knees. Great guy, helped the team a bunch, time to overide his “I’m fine” and sit his ass down for Hinske. No crazy desperation trades are necessary, we got all the parts right here without mortgaging the future! Just need to plug them in the right way, and off we go.I even like the Melk-Dud and he’s just a pup. Do NOT make any dumb boneheaded gotta do something because the Phils did, trades.

freddie freeman

July 29th, 2010
6:54 pm

what’s this about me being called up? is this true?

Charles

July 29th, 2010
6:54 pm

The braves control their own destiny? Haha…language like that comes a week or two before the season ends. Now that phils got O, the braves season is over!!!

Jonny

July 29th, 2010
6:54 pm

LOL at David Ross talking arrogantly.

Keep sticking your head in the sand, Braves. Make a move, or we’ll be looking back fondly at the first 2/3 of the season while others are still playing.

The Abs Man

July 29th, 2010
6:55 pm

After giving away two games in Florida earlier this week, do you folks now understand how poorly Cox manages games….?

Losing 2of-3 to the stinky Nats….granted both loses legit, but games given away to Marlins come back to bite you in ass.

Michael D

July 29th, 2010
6:57 pm

It’s been a fun run. The Braves will soon fade into 3rd place. Bobby will retire with pleasant memories. Chipper will head off quietly into the sunset.
Going forward it will be hard to build a championship team when so much money is invested in Lowe, Kawakami and Mc Clouth. The Braves will continue to be a few pieces short of a winning team.

ijudgenot

July 29th, 2010
6:57 pm

I hope Liberty’s cheapness and Wren’s gunshyness from the Texiera trade keeps the Braves from overeacting. Since KK has been kept out of games for the past 2 weeks lets hope some west coast team like Angels or Seattle that are .500 teams in divison owned by Texas will give us Tori Hunter(Angels) or Milton Bradley(Seattle) for KK and Dunn/Collins. Los Angeles has large asian population and maybe KK would be revitalized there.

corkylovesbeer

July 29th, 2010
6:58 pm

still early in the season…

Sarah Palin

July 29th, 2010
6:58 pm

I look great naked. And I like that Matt Diaz. Should play every day. You betcha.

Who’s Roy Oswalt? Who gives a damn? What has he won?

JD

July 29th, 2010
6:59 pm

Where is Dave O’Brien??

Eli

July 29th, 2010
7:03 pm

Maybe it will light a fire under their butts. We’ll see.
The Braves cannot lose a series to the Nats at this point. But they did. Get over it, move on and look to the next opponent. The Braves are still in first place today, no matter what.

Eli

July 29th, 2010
7:05 pm

ijudgenot – do you really think a man trained and raised by JS is gunshy of any trade? He’s got a leash, it’s called money from the suits.

Baller

July 29th, 2010
7:07 pm

Carroll, what exactly are the Braves’ plans for Kawakami? He’s not doing the Braves any good by sitting in the bullpen and not pitching. I’ve been surprised recently that he’s pitched so little, and Chavez so much. Is there reasoning behind this?

Carroll Rogers

July 29th, 2010
7:08 pm

and another thing Markie mark, my editor posted a “burst” about McLouth in the afternoon while i was in the clubhouse as well. Which i fed him information to and he added. ….

TampaGator

July 29th, 2010
7:10 pm

The key for the Braves….does Troy Glaus remain an occasional singles hitter or does he break out with some much needed power during the stretch run? Is he hurt? Is he just tired?

George

July 29th, 2010
7:16 pm

Sorry but not enough consistent fire power as the team now stands. If the Braves are going to the playoffs they need help. With that said I am a fan win or lose and will continue to support the team.

Ryan

July 29th, 2010
7:17 pm

Braves blow against their own division. Too bad we have tons more games to go against the NL East. The Nats and Fish will probably end up with winning records against ATL.

BraveMan

July 29th, 2010
7:18 pm

matt kemp trade was in the works… its now off.

my sources tell me the dodgers wanted schafer, mclouth and jo jo reyes. my sources told me that trading jo jo to the blue birds was an absolute deal breaker.

wren really screwed the pooch on this one…

Wooderson

July 29th, 2010
7:27 pm

SHUT THE **** UP DEREK LOWE!!!! YOU KNOW WHAT IM GONNA START CALLING YOU?? “GUARANTEED 4″ BECAUSE THAT’S HOW MANY RUNS YOU GIVE UP EVERY START!! AT THE LEAST!! I HOPE YOU SHOW UP IN A SKI MASK WHEN YOU PICK UP THAT CHECK!!

ryan

July 29th, 2010
7:33 pm

If the Braves don’t do anything i possibly see the Braves playing for a wild card because the Philly’s will get everyone back and you can’t count out the Mets oh and the Marlins are dangerous with Josh Johnson piching .

JohnSmith

July 29th, 2010
7:33 pm

Kemp or Bautista for a package of Medlen, Dunn, and Lowe (w/Braves paying about half his salary).

Derek Lowe

July 29th, 2010
7:34 pm

Don’t you tell ME to shut up, Wooderson! I won a WS ring with Boston, dammit!

BravesAreDone

July 29th, 2010
7:37 pm

Why not try Diaz at first base and give Glaus a little break.

redd34

July 29th, 2010
7:38 pm

Less face it the Braves are done if they don’t get another BAT… And even then i still say the Braves will get LUKY to finish in the playoff race. And DLowe you need to give back some money to the CLUB, y
our are not worth the money u are geting.

redd34

July 29th, 2010
7:43 pm

Dlowe needs to take some advice from Chipper…Atleast Chipper can come out and say that he should play better with the money he is geting. WHY can’t you. It just shows me that your are about the CASH…

Steve

July 29th, 2010
7:44 pm

Can the Braves trade Wren? How many times have they been to the playoffs under his oversight?

McFann :Ô: :Ô:

July 29th, 2010
7:44 pm

Yoda Chumper & McCant can’t hit Oswalt either!!!!

Well, I don’t know about those two, but as for Chipper and McCann again Oswalt…

Regular Season Play

Chipper: 4-15 (.267) with a double, 3 RBI, 2 BB, and 3 K’s

McCann: 2-2 with a Double and an RBI

BravesWillGo0-58!!!!!

July 29th, 2010
7:45 pm

IT’S THE END! THE END, I TELLS YA! OH GOD! WE’RE DOOMED! WE’RE–

Oh, wait. Oswalt’s numbers against Atlanta are horrid.

Oh, wait. We play the Phils HOW many times over the next two months…many of those games at home, where our record is outstanding?

Oh, wait. Utley doesn’t come back for HOW many weeks? And Moyer and Happ are now out of the picture too?

Oh, wait. Frank Wren might still make a deal? Hmm.

Gosh. Gee. Hrmph. Maybe…maybe…

Derek Lowe

July 29th, 2010
7:49 pm

No one’s trading me ANYwhere, dammit! I like it here in Atlanta, with your Bigboi and your peach cobbler.

redd34

July 29th, 2010
7:50 pm

WE ARE DONE just look at the recent numbers they have put up….I think the OLDER players are getting worn down.

NNY Braves Fan

July 29th, 2010
7:50 pm

Seriously people, relax. Wren has a knack for pulling out deals when nobody expects it. He knows what this season means to the fans and especially Bobby Cox. I guarantee, he does not stand pat and does go out and get some help. He’s a smart man and will get something done, soon.

bulldog bubba

July 29th, 2010
7:51 pm

WE NEED DAVID O’BRIEN BACK WITH THE TEAM AND BREAK THIS LOSING ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stew

July 29th, 2010
7:59 pm

Let’s not panic. Phils are hot and we lost a couple. Wags blew a couple of saves. The problem is when McCann sits our cleanup hitter sits. I like Blanco’s game more than Melky’s. Maybe the player to get is Hart. We need to make some changes now that Glaus hasn’t done dick for 6 weeks. Freeman for Glaus and Hart for Melky would turn things around. I hope if we do make the playoffs Lowe doesn’t get to sniff a baseball.

redd34

July 29th, 2010
8:00 pm

WE NEED A BAT now, and im not talking about a MELKY bat either… Although Melky has done well…

VinceVanGo

July 29th, 2010
8:04 pm

I’ve been saying all year, play Infante every day. I am also laughing at Matt Diaz being a streaky hitter comments. I agree completely and also believe like many of you that he should be playing everyday. But Bobby Cox is stubborn and it won’t happen. I would also like to offer that Bobby Cox is a streaky manager. What a streak of division winners and what a streak(save one) of never winning the world series. Bobby Cox has been a very good manager for a very long time, but the only reason he won all the division titles and one world series is because he had 3 future hall of famers in one starting rotation(Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz). No manager in baseball history had such a loaded staff. I spent the entire 90’s telling my family & friends that I could have managed the Braves as good as Bobby Cox with the pitchers he had. I still believe that. And many of you could have to.

Mark in mid-town

July 29th, 2010
8:09 pm

I don’t think the Braves need to panic over the Phillies picking up Oswalt. That will help the Phillies on the margins. What’s really hurt the Braves, imo, is that they traded away Escobar who I think would have been the best and most clutch player the Braves would have had for the 2nd half of the year, regardless of his horrible first half. That was not a good move. It lacked vision. Regardless of the horrible first half, he’s one of the more talented players in the game. Escobar could have potentially carried the Braves the 2nd half of the year.

Roy Oswalt

July 29th, 2010
8:09 pm

Sorry about the trade, guys. Truth be told, I wanted to play for the Cardinals.

Jeremy

July 29th, 2010
8:11 pm

Let’s make a deal. Give the nationals what they want for Dunn…even if it means Medlen and a couple of farm hands (as long as it doesnt compromise the future) I like this line up. 1. Prado 2B 2. Blanco CF 3. Heyward RF 4. Dunn 1B 5. McCann C 6. Glaus 3B 7. C Jones LF 8. Gonzalez SS 9. (Hudson, JJ, Lowe, Hanson, or MINOR -Replacing Medlen) Chipper played LF for a couple of seasons. That sounds like a very potent lineup. Any takers?

redd34

July 29th, 2010
8:12 pm

Escobar needed to go… He is talented player, but he is in his own world. And hard to deal with Bluejays will find out.

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:16 pm

The Padres got Miguel Tejada. Everybody making their teams better except the cheap ass Braves.

I agree about Diaz. He should play every day. Bobby’s runing his career by platooning him just like he ruined Ryan Klesko’s…

A lot of good players available (OF’s and relievers). Just don’t trade prospects for a rest of the season. Trade for a player under contract for 2 years minimum.

jay sikes

July 29th, 2010
8:19 pm

Lowe is 1 for hil last 6. Today Nats had runners at 2nd and third with one out. Firsty bas op[en and No8 hitter coming to bat. Instead of walking him and pitching to the pitcher, Cox pitches to the No 8 hitter who singles in the two runners. I strongly disagree with Cox handling of pitchers. Just this week he pulled a pitcher who just struck out the side and hopes the next guy will do the same. I have watched him do this for years. Thank GOD this is his last year.

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:20 pm

If the Braves had an offense they would be 15 games up. Nobody but Diaz in the line-up is hot right now. They are all slumping. Bad timing with the Phillies charging.

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:24 pm

Lowe showed us his true colors saying some games he loses focus (with big leads). Any good pitcher never loses focus no matter what the score is. A pitcher’s job is all scoreless innings against the opposing offense. The scoring by your offense is irrelevant.

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:26 pm

When disappearing Dave comes back from his 3 month vacation, can we talk about politics and religion ?

braves70

July 29th, 2010
8:28 pm

Marlins just traded Jorge Cantu to the Rangers. Maybe Florida has given up and might be willing to deal some players.

SRF

July 29th, 2010
8:30 pm

I had high hopes this year but once again the Braves will be hoping for a wildcard

The Dude

July 29th, 2010
8:31 pm

You guys just don’t understand what Oswalt does for the Phils. It’s not about head to head competition…it’s about having an ace pitch instead of JA Happ every 5th day. That means less tax on their bad bullpen and more wins in general. Their line up is so good and now they have a great starting cast, it’s going to be tough to hold them off unless we better our line up. Put it this way, what dug out would you rather be in if it Lowe vs. Oswalt.

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:32 pm

Trade a bunch of pitching and Gonzalez for Hanley Ramirez.

Carroll Rogers

July 29th, 2010
8:32 pm

robdawg08

July 29th, 2010
8:34 pm

Oswalt was 6-12 because he pitched for sorry Astros. His 3.42 era is decent.

Largo

July 29th, 2010
8:35 pm

We just don’t do well against the Nats. Remember the last series the braves played in 2009, we were swept by the Nats.

ray

July 29th, 2010
8:41 pm

I don’t see how the Astros could only get Happ and 2 class A prospects (with no power and excessive strikeouts) for a #1 starter who is not a rental. If we were trading with the Astros, Wren would have given them Minor, Freeman and Teheran.
A panic move is coming Friday or Saturday. Be prepared for it. The other problem is we can’t afford to keep anyone we trade for (Drew, Teixeira, Sheffield)

phil fan

July 29th, 2010
8:41 pm

sorry all braves fan its over now theirs no deal out their that can beat ours yall picthing staff is suspect an yall deff cant hit. their no one in yall lineup that scard no one yall will be lucky to make the WILD CARD……………GO PILLYS

Ease® in Woodstock

July 29th, 2010
8:44 pm

Hi guys…I am new here…What happens to the August and September games on the schedule? Do they just get canceled? I dunno, seems like still alot of baseball to be played yet.

Umm, Go Falcons?

SRF

July 29th, 2010
8:56 pm

Ease – no they will be played – and the Braves will lose many of them like they have on this pathetic road trip

dylan

July 29th, 2010
8:56 pm

Brewers are not selling anymore reports Olney! OH NO

James

July 29th, 2010
8:56 pm

Why did Chipper say he’s happy that the Phillies got Roy Oswalt? I don’t get why he said that. Does he want to play for them to maybe the Braves should trade Chipper to the Phillies.

James

July 29th, 2010
9:01 pm

Ned Colletti could trade Matt Kemp to the Braves, who are deep in young pitching, in need of a right-handed hitting outfielder and in position to exchange a center fielder, Melky Cabrera, who played for Dodgers manager Joe Torre in New York.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/los-angeles-dodgers-should-trade-matt-kemp-062510

nate

July 29th, 2010
9:27 pm

they need too grt ride of lowe

nate

July 29th, 2010
9:29 pm

hey phill fan your a idea it and you will get beat buy us in the playoff dumb ass

JRW7

July 29th, 2010
9:39 pm

You are talking about PLAYOFFS, PLAYOFFS, with the way our team, THE BRAVES, have played the last 10 games, 3 wins out of 10, we have went back to our play in April. I hope we can turn this thing around, but i don’t think so. Maybe Wren can get us some more hitting.. I didn’t feel good about the Yunel trade for AG at the time, and now I wish we would have kept Yunel, maybe that trade messed up team chemistry. Don’t know, but we sure are not playing like we were before the trade.

Fan since 1977

July 29th, 2010
9:43 pm

@ Vince van Gogh

Agree with you completely. Wish everyone recognized the future Hall of Fame emperor is not wearing any clothes. His misuse of this roster is abyssmal.

Sarah Palin

July 29th, 2010
9:45 pm

I’m not wearing any clothes, either!!!! Can I be president?

Herschel Talker

July 29th, 2010
9:49 pm

VinceVanGo at 8:04:

Nothing more needs to be said. You have completely nailed it.

HT

no name

July 29th, 2010
9:56 pm

The Braves have a few very good players but Cox uses them sparingly. Diaz, Hinski, and Infante should be playing every day. Glaus has just about worn his legs out, but he keeps playing the best he can. He needs some rest. Under the way Cox is managing I see us finishing in third place in the East and we can forget about the playoffs.

UGA Bail Bonds

July 29th, 2010
9:58 pm

Looks like everybody is in panic mode, like they were back in April. Relax people, time is running out but there is still time to turn this team slump around.

Freddie Freeman not the answer at 1st!

July 29th, 2010
10:05 pm

I wouldn’t worry about Freddie Freeman. When was the last time the Braves brought up a decent 1B? It was Ryan Klesko, and Bobby Cox never gave him a legit chance……though he did space cadet Adam La-lazy-roche! Trade Freeman for some decent bat we can use for a World Series run. If we can trade Freeman for an OF, lets do it. Or will Frank Wren just mystify us again by standing pat? Possibly another Vazquez-Melky+ hurt teen? What about the next to meaningless Yunel-Alex Gonzalez thing? I thought Gonzalez had some power???

We could’ve traded for Podsednik, given up very little and had a starter in the OF batting .300 w/30 steals and 40 RBI. I’m really losing my patience with this team, it’s folding badly and Wren’s done nothing productive!!!

William in Pasadena

July 29th, 2010
10:14 pm

I have been talling you guys for years that BC is not a great manager. Over a 162-game season he probably blows 15 to 20, enough to miss the playoffs. He is decent (I’m being generous) during the regular season. The Braves need a stud hitter in the middle of the lineup. Every playoff-caliber team has at least one. You guys should stop worrying about stockpiling a bunch of above-average pitchers. Package a deal to get Hanley Ramirez or Kemp or somebody. Why do you all buy the crap from Chipper, David Ross and other Braves players? Beat the best…heck, they can’t even beat the worst. Get some good players and get rid of the scrubs. Come playoff time, every team will have good pitching. We DO NOT have a stud pitcher, and until J-Hey matures, we DO NOT have a stud hitter. Braves managemnet does just enough to keep you guys wishing. What’s better, chemistry or talent? You guys are so in love with Chipper. He makes about as much as Lowe. He now has so much to say. He should shut his over-the-hill, injury-prone mouth and let his hitting do the talking. Oh, I’m sorry…his hitting can’t talk because he hasn’t been doing much of that. Come on guys, I love the Braves (since ‘66). But which team would you bet $10,000 on to win the division right now, the Braves or the Phillies?

Trade Hanson not Medlen!

July 29th, 2010
10:16 pm

The talk of trading Medlen is just nuts. Have you not been watching? One of our young pitchers looks impressive, and has gone deep into quite a few starts. The other is overrated, can’t throw a curve that doesn’t hang, gets tagged for 10 runs a handful of times an can’t go more than 6 innings on his best day. Trade Hanson……so overrated it’s just not funny. He and Lowe are virtually identical. You can count on both going about 5 innings, giving up around 4 runs.

Jhey kid

July 29th, 2010
10:16 pm

Nats jus traded matt capps!!! That was a few hours to late maybe we could have got a 9th inng ralley

hank44

July 29th, 2010
10:18 pm

What happened today in the 8th? Down a run with nobody out and a runner on first, Diaz batting -although he’s been a hot hitter lately, why didn’t BC bunt him over? We all know what happened…. Oswalt, no problem – he’ll probably end up on the DL.

Jhey kid

July 29th, 2010
10:25 pm

Damnit walk off win for phills!! Please wren get us some help!!!!

William in Pasadena

July 29th, 2010
10:31 pm

I agree with you “Trade Hanson Not Medlen”. Everybody on the tean should be available except J-Hey, Prado, B-Mac, Freeman, Teheran and a couple of other minor league pitchers. We have enough young talent to get a very good power hitter and protect the future at the same time. Stockpiling 7’s and 8’s will never win a WS. You need a couple of 9’s or a 10 to get to the next level. Just making the playoffs is not quite good enough. That what you get with 7’s and 8’s. By the way, I don’t hear any other GM’s making excuses about asking price. If Wren is going to pull the Braves’ usual and get another 7 to appease us, he might as well sit pat.

cdog

July 29th, 2010
10:36 pm

ONE THING ABOUT FRANK WREN, HE WILL GO OUT AND GET PLAYERS NEEDED TO HELP THE BRAVES WIN.WREN SHOULD BE GM FOR THE HAWKS INSTEAD OF RICK SUND.I GUARANTEE YOU THE HAWKS WOULD HAVE THE PLAYERS THEY NEED TO WIN.THE FANS SHOULD BOYCOTT THE HAWKS UNTIL SUND IS FIRED.IN THE MEANTIME,I HOPE THE BRAVES WILL LEARN TO BEAT THESE RINKY DINK TEAMS LIKE THE NAYTIONALS.THAT CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO BOBBY COX LACK OF PREPARATION FOR HIS TEAM. HE’S NOT DOING WHAT HE CAN TO WIN.SOMETIMES I WONDER DOES HE CARE ABOUT

James

July 29th, 2010
10:36 pm

Posednik would’ve helped but they would have another corner outfielder, Braves have a bunch of those. Posednik can’t play CF, esp in Atlanta. Kemp would make the most sense but I don’t think he is/will be available. Matt Diaz isn’t an everyday player, people have to realize he excels in the role he is in. The Braves gave him the starting LF job last year and he was horrible, then got injured and played how we are seeing him now. That to me means he isn’t an everyday player

William in Pasadena

July 29th, 2010
10:41 pm

Call me butter. I’m on a roll today. Hank 44, this is one of the other problems I have been saying. The same thing happened in Fla. No team speed. If you had a speedy pinch runner, you steal second (at least attempt to). Then you could either bunt him to 3rd, or you have 3 chances to drive him in from 2nd. Who knows, the catcher might throw it into center. But not good ole no-steal, no hit and run Bobby. The runner dies on 1st or is erased on a double play while Bobby waits for a homerun. Remember, he costs us 15 to 20 per season.

Ron Hicks

July 29th, 2010
10:46 pm

Can we send the ENTIRE Braves team down to AAA?

Bobbeeee's Cox

July 29th, 2010
10:52 pm

It’s not a matter of how well the Braves do against Oswalt. they may see him what, once maybe twice?

It’s that they now have Halladay, oswalt, and Hamels in that rotation. They will be beating up on other teams, and that’s what hurts. We better play well in August with all those home games…

benchwarmer

July 29th, 2010
10:58 pm

Have you ever heard from so many crybabies all at once? Bloggers must mostly be basement dwellers with social problems. Wa wa wa

Alpha9

July 29th, 2010
11:08 pm

I guess because we live in Georgia nascar rules apply..the Phillies don’t get credit for leading the division with 62 games left so if they take over the top spot it means nothing.Now if they have the top spot last day of the season the did something..Also Corey Hart has a wrist injury and likely won’t be traded..So stop pining for him..If you don’t like the manager or players on this team stop watching.It’s obvious most of you are fairweather It’s almost like you want to see the Braves struggle so you can actually be right about something..I feel sorry for your families for having to know you

Braves Fan Since "80

July 29th, 2010
11:10 pm

Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp, BJ Upton, Yunel ESCOBAR all have in common, drawing fire for not hustling but one got traded….. what does that say about your team that was the best team in baseball….. I think the Braves would stand up and Cheer if Chipper got traded for Escobar….. you guys wanted it…. hey WEB GEM …. Has gonzales every been nominated??????

Bad Trade…. worst than the TEX trade

Phillies Suck

July 29th, 2010
11:22 pm

Phillies fans are obnoxious sons of *******.They think just because they got oswalt they think there the ****.The braves will get trade for a productive player and next time we play the Phillies in September we will straight up kick some ***!Hey Phillies fans why dont you all run on the field the same time and maybe you all can get tazered LOL!

hangman

July 29th, 2010
11:33 pm

my five reasons for blowing the lead is becoming more and more real each game. The only way the BraVES ARE GOING TO WIN this thing is to get some better quality players!!!!!!!!!!!!!

charles

July 29th, 2010
11:45 pm

Hey Jeremy, I like your lineup with Dunn in there to add power but it pales in comparison to this lineup…
Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Brown/Victorino, Ruiz. Throw in Halladay. Hamels, The Big O and you now have 10 All-stars, 2 MVPs, WS MVP, HR leader last 5 yrs. What do you guys have? The second coming of Hank Aaron and what does he do? He warms the bench. I’ll take Domonic “The Demon” Brown over Wayward Heyward. I’ll be back when we play you guys and whoop you!!!
To all of you who think Oswalt wont help the Phils,
CHOP THIS!

charles

July 29th, 2010
11:51 pm

Hey “Phillies suck,”
We’ll gladly get tasered when all of you Georgians wear your white hoods and show up to support your team. AT least if we do something stupid we have the balls to show our face.

charles

July 29th, 2010
11:52 pm

By the way, we thought we were the **** BEFORE we got Oswalt. I’d rather be the **** than throw **** like Derek Lowe does.

Jake

July 29th, 2010
11:54 pm

Like i said charles.Why dont all you phillies fans run on the field at the same time and maybe you all will get tazered!

Jake

July 29th, 2010
11:59 pm

Ohhh yeah do you mean the guy that embarrassed you guys last year on opening day?

phil fan

July 30th, 2010
12:02 am

hey charles we will be back infirst monday dont worry about the braves fans like i said b4 the braves have no one that our pitcher are afraid of.frank couldnt possibe make a deal like we have GO PHILLYS

Jake

July 30th, 2010
12:03 am

Did you also know Oswalt is 0-3 vs the braves and is era sucks vs the braves

charles

July 30th, 2010
12:09 am

did you know he did that with a poor offensive AND defensive team that was out of the playoff picture by May? Put a championship caliber team with both offensive and defensive credentials (thats Gold Gloves for people like you Jake) plus sellout 90 plus home games in a row and Oswalt will not be the Oswalt you saw play against your pitiful Braves of late.

phil fan

July 30th, 2010
12:09 am

TIM HUDSON thats it we got the big 3 in pilly.who the braves got HUDSON THATS IT.even yall braves fan on this blog agree hanson suck lowe sucks chipper needs to retire an you never no what macann gonna do an GLAUS…….HAHA WASH UP…..GO PHILLY

Jake

July 30th, 2010
12:37 am

Dude,Phillies bullpen Sucks A** and you guys think brown better than heyward?!?!?Who got a Home run on the 1st at bat?

Jake

July 30th, 2010
12:39 am

Even Jon Kruk said Phillies Bullpen suck.Braves are going after a relief pitcher and a OF.Watch tomorrow and you will see.

charles

July 30th, 2010
12:56 am

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. By then, the phils will be in 1st place Y’ALLLLL!

James

July 30th, 2010
12:59 am

I got a feeling Matt Kemp is gonna be coming to Atlanta.

BobtheBlogger

July 30th, 2010
1:05 am

The tag on Diaz is that he can’t hit right hand pitching, but from 2006 when he came to the Braves, through the end of 2009, he had a .288 average against righties! That pales in comparison to the .349 average against lefties for the same period of time, but that shouldn’t mask the value of hitting .288 against righties. His power is lower and his strike outs are high against right handers, but that’s about it. McLouth had a career average of .235 against righties and .257 against lefties, but he was an automatic starter until he was “knocked out” of the line-up. Not that Diaz can play CF, but hopefully you can see the lack of logic in keeping Diaz on the bench.

By the way, Infante hits LH and RH almost identically. Let’s play the guys who can hit if we need hitting. When Glaus is in a funk, move Hinske or Prado to first, and put in Diaz at LF or Infante at 2nd. Play the hot hand.

Lou from Philly

July 30th, 2010
7:21 am

Getting a little tight boys! We’re coming you can not hide! 2010 Eastern Division Champions!

Yogi

July 30th, 2010
7:51 am

Get Dunn ..Trade Glaus, KK,McClouth….Diaz would hit 300 if he played everyday

BobtheBlogger

July 30th, 2010
7:59 am

Yogi – if you were a GM for another team, would you take KK with his salary in a trade? Would you take McLouth with his salary in a trade? Who would trade for a .150 hitter making $5 million?

Coach

July 30th, 2010
8:12 am

They’ve blown this…should’ve never brought McClouth back…serious rally killer. Should’be sent him down to AAA sooner and left Blanco alone. Glaus is a bum again…we gotta do something there at 1st. And, Lowe is not dependable…no way we’re gonna win anything depending on him.

DaveInDalllas(NC)

July 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Enter your comments here

DaveInDallas(NC)

July 30th, 2010
8:38 am

Why is no one talking up the Michael Noboa trade?

Ted Abernathy

July 30th, 2010
9:02 am

Ever thought of sitting Glaus down for agame or two?

Arkie

July 30th, 2010
9:06 am

I think most of our comment writers agree!! – Management has been the problem with our Braves for YEARS. They have traded good players for rentals – OVER PAID KK and Lowe who are junk ball throwers that are consistant losers. Prado could be playing 3rd base – Infante could be at 2nd – Escobar at short. – Diaz, Heyward and Gregor, O F – McCann at first(he will always be an average catcher and his career will be longer at first. I see two good starting pitchers, (can Venters start?)Ross catching Next Year Clean the House new management and coaches that do not think they owe players. Don’t sacrifice the future now for a rental fix or a maybe hitter. we have plenty. We have a great bench, but needs are evident. Bobby you should have retired years ago. Pitching, Power and Defense are needed.

fieldofdreams

July 30th, 2010
9:11 am

Oswalt commands attention but he’s not Don Drysdale, or Roger Clemens. He can be beat. The real issue is whether Troy Glaus can emerge from this funk he’s in. He’s the reason they got and stayed hot. Without him hitting we might finish 10 games back. We need some thunder. Chipper can no longer do it and McCann never could. Come on Troy. Act like it’s 2002!

John in NY

July 30th, 2010
9:11 am

If the price for Greinke isnt ridiculous, why don’t the Braves just go after him? I know we’d have to give up at least Medlen but he would be a fantastic addition to the staff. Him, Hudson, JJ, Lowe, hanson…very impressive.

Billy

July 30th, 2010
9:14 am

CHILL BRAVES FANS!!!

lar

July 30th, 2010
9:40 am

Just a matter of time until the Phillies pass the Braves. The only reason your 2 1/2 up is because of all the injuries the phillies have had. And now we have oswalt and dominic brown. Shoot for the wild card.

games missed
polonco 27
rollins 59
utley 30 and still out
victorino is out
madson set up guy missed 3 months
ruiz missed 25 games

WTF

July 30th, 2010
9:43 am

Get rid of Lowe that’ll make the Braves better

Tim

July 30th, 2010
10:03 am

Someone mentioned they thought Gonzalez had power. He did until he met the wonderful pitching coach of the Braves. Godd ole TP has struck again. I say trade Pendleton, Roger McDowell, Lowe, and KK for a bag of balls and maybe some chaulk to line the fields. We’d get the better end of that deal by far.

Wreckmaniac

July 30th, 2010
10:13 am

Oswalt is having a miserable season and a “change in scenery” makes no difference. The Phils are on one of those 20 wins – 5 loss tears that really good teams do. They will be 3-4 games ahead of Atl by
mid-Aug. The question is what happens after this Philly run ends. The Braves are still probably playing for the wild card which is fine. The Braves are terrified by the Marlins and Nationals.

Wreckmaniac

July 30th, 2010
10:17 am

Even if Oswalt somehow turns himself around, the Phils still have to pitch Blanton and whoever their
#5 starter is and that in itself should make Charlie Manual stay nervous.

Wreckmaniac

July 30th, 2010
10:18 am

Oh yea Moyer is #4 followed by Blanton. That should keep any mananger awake at night.

Golf-one

July 30th, 2010
10:25 am

Baller
That is what happens when you get on the wrong side of Cox,Remember Frenchy, You sit period until he can find some one to trade you too

Phils still wont go to the ws

July 30th, 2010
11:23 am

halladay will not be effective in the playoffs for the phils (if at all they make it). The phils overuse him way too much, he has like 4 starts where he’s forced to go 9 complete innings. Not sure the phils bullpen is good enough, that’s just my opinion. Brad lidge is a choke ever since the phils won the ws, and they really haven’t determined their closer yet. The phils have more problems than the braves pitching wise. Go braves let’s get a slugger for some pitching prospects.

ms.shirley

July 30th, 2010
11:27 am

DOB – this has probably been blogged, but Oswalt has 2 wins against the Braves in the post season – when and where it counts the most.

Phils still wont go to the ws

July 30th, 2010
11:33 am

the phils next year need to really clean up their bullpen in their early offseason this year. Get rid of lidge, get a legit closer, get rid of any crappy pitchers (which they have a lot of), and get younger. The phils average age is like 30. Ruben amaro has to somehow get good prospects because their farm is really dry on young talent. The phils care too much on the present and not too much on what the future is of this franchise. Howard, ibanez, utley, and j-ro wont be there in the next ten years so they have to get prospects. In the long term 10-20 yrs, the braves have a way brighter looking future than the phils.

Phils still wont go to the ws

July 30th, 2010
11:37 am

ruben amaro is an OK gm because he gives away too much prospects for good players (which isn’t bad for the present) but in the long term they are losing future stars and franchise players of their team. He’s not exactly a visionary, and if he kept cliff lee they would have doc, hamels, oswalt, and lee easily the best rotation in baseball but he’s not realistic and neither is he a visionary.

Jeff

July 30th, 2010
11:52 am

Why was Lowe interviewed for this article. Does anyone here care what he thinks or says. He just needs to shut his mouth and pitch like he deserves the money we are paying him. I especially do not want to read comments from him about how the Braves playing the way they should. He needs to follow his own advice in my opion. He should be thanking mother nature for saving him from himself yesterday.

Memphis

July 30th, 2010
11:53 am

Phillies fans aren’t even just obnoxious fans. There obnoxious human beings in general. It’s been awful quiet the past few days. With literaly “zero” Braves trade rumors. That could mean nothing, but I’m thinking it’s something big.

Phils still wont go to the ws

July 30th, 2010
11:54 am

i know how you feel, memphis. Man, espn acts as if the phils will win the ws just cuz they got oswalt

Jeff

July 30th, 2010
11:55 am

Tim I don’t think Pendleton is the issue with Gonzalez. I think the issue is he was playing in a bunch of home run parks and now he is not. Wren probably is not smart enough to notice that before hand though. I will still this kid at short over Yunel every day of the week.

Gary

July 30th, 2010
12:11 pm

Save your breath everyone because the Braves are standing pat. If any moves are made, it will be to bring Blanco back up once they can do it. Melky, Diaz, and Hinske are the OF that will be playing along side of Heyward.

Unless someone with HR power falls into their lap, the Braves will make minimal internal moves at best.

William in Pasadena

July 30th, 2010
12:19 pm

Some of you guys on this blogger are just plain dumb. Maybe TP is a problem but, think about it. Prado, Heyward, Infante, Hinske, Diaz and McCann have the same hitting coach as the rest of the team. The GM goes the cheap route (don’t blame Liberty when he gave all that money to Lowe & Kawakami) and bring in guys like Glaus, and trade a future superdtar for a scrub because you don’t like his attitude. (the guy that mentioned Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Upton drawing fire for not hustling was absolutely correct, did those guys get traded?) Most of you dummies agreed with the Escobar trade. You got what you deserved. After you get these scrubs, then you want TP to work a miracle. They are scrubs perpertrating as superstars. How do you make it to the major leagues and don’t know how to hit?

Eric C.

July 30th, 2010
12:36 pm

William in Pasadena…I wouldn’t call Alex Gonzalez a scrub.

darrell starks

July 30th, 2010
12:57 pm

TIME 2 CHANGE THE BATTING LINE UP.
1.MARTIN PRADO 2B
2.OMAR INFANTE RIGHT FIELD
3.JASON HEYWARD CENTER FIELD
4.BRIAN MCCANN CATCHER
5.CHIPPER JONES 3B
6.TROY GLAUS 1B
7.ALEX GONZALEZ SHORTSTOP
8.MATT DIAZ LEFT FIELD
Matt diaz should play every day with omar infante.
GO BRAVE!!!!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

July 30th, 2010
1:00 pm

Erik hinske should move 2 first base.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff

July 30th, 2010
1:24 pm

Yea and we missed our ace for almost 3 months, Heyward for almost one, Cjipper off and on for pretty much one and we lost Diaz for almost 2 months, O’ Flaherty has missed alot too, forget you lar,
we have outplayed yall, get over it, dont blame it on injuries, we have had just as much, you have been outplayed get over it

P-Town Brave

July 30th, 2010
1:30 pm

Tommy Hanson and Melky Cabrera for Matt Kemp and Kenley Janson/James McDonald…

Who’s in?

P-Town Brave

July 30th, 2010
1:32 pm

That gives us this lineup…

Notice I also am cutting ties with Glaus as we already have an OLD MAN taking up space in the infield…


Prado 2b
Heyward rf
Jones 3b
Kemp cf
McCann c
Diaz lf
Freeman 1b
Gonzalez ss

Freddie : G

July 30th, 2010
3:07 pm

It is without a doubt that Oswalt will make the Phillies a better team, but I agree with Ross that it should not cause a panic in the Braves front office or the clubhouse. The game we blew against the Padres and two against Florida were unfortunate but all part of Baseball. We could have swept Florida and Padres and those got away. I am a troy Glaus fan but i must agree that it is time he starts producing or cox needs to give him some bench time. Chipper also needs to pick it up, he seems unhappy and you can tell the poor season is having a toll on him. What Cox does may be a bigger problem down the stretch than whatever the Phils have done. The players he pencils in and his pitching changes have always been questionable. However there is very little to question him about so far this season, he had to see what McLouth could do and the same for Hinske, Melky, Glaus. I agree that Diaz needs to play more and that Hinske should spell Glaus more at first. It may also help to have Infante and Conrad spell Chipper more regularly unless he starts hitting. Diaz, Melky and Heyward should be getting most of the playing time down the stretch. I am not convinced that Frank Wren needs to do anything as some on this blog is calling for. Frank please do not mortgage the Farm as we know the years of greatness are before us.

Freddie : G

July 30th, 2010
3:22 pm

All the people on here calling for the Braves to do something, seems to forget that we did that to get Tex and we again did that to get J.D. Drew, both of whom were rentals. We do not need to make any move just to be in the playoffs, we can make the playoffs with what we have now, and for the next ten years we will rule the NL. Next year we can trade some of our minor league talent for talent who can improve the Ball Club long term. To trade now may be too expensive and who to say these guys will be better than Diaz, Infante, Hinske and Conrad.

braveshoo

July 30th, 2010
6:20 pm

I dont like any of the trade options out there, but we do need to make changes. Infante should play somewhere everyday. Henske or Freeman should be playing 1B on a regular basis. Diaz needs to play everyday. Make these changes and we will start playing better.
We also have a problem with KK, McClouth, and Lowe taking up so much of our payroll this year and next. We may have to package them with one of our young pitchers to get another team to take the excess payroll off of us so we can get some guys to help us. For the salary of KK and Lowe, we could afford Carl Crawford.

Thursday Links (A Day Late) »

July 30th, 2010
6:23 pm

[...] Dave O’Brien of the AJC states that Frank Wren is still on the hunt. [...]

How quickly the bandwagon empties

July 30th, 2010
7:11 pm

Wow, we go on the best run in the majors after April, without jay-Hey or J.J. for most of it, not to mention Matt Diaz and now were a third-place team. Just as I told people in the 9-game season ending streak (lol) in April. IT IS A LONG SEASON!!! Every team goes through a down-turn at some point. And the Phils just happen to streak the other way. I’m not saying the Phils aren’t a good team, no doubt about that, but I think we are very strong as well. A few weeks ago we looked unstoppable, and I don’t think it was a fluke. Bring Freeman up and rest Glaus, play Hinske more, and if we can pick up an outfielder who can produce decent numbers with speed and solid defense without selling the future great, but I still think this team has a great mix. Don’t panic over a 10 game stretch whether in April or July or you show ignorance of true baseball knowledge, because it is far from a benchmark of a teams strength.

How quickly the bandwagon empties

July 30th, 2010
9:52 pm

Good thing for “Chumper and Mcannt” tonight huh? You never know, its a team effort. Oh and I’ll take that effort, or lack thereof from Oswalt tonight anytime. Let’s remember he has lost more games than any major league pitcher all year. You don’t do that just for lack of run support. I know he has been a dominant pitcher for years, but he’s doing something wrong. Funny, if we weren’t paying Kawakami to sit the bench, I’m sure he would be all up in that race though…

Nova Scotia Steve - At the Bar

July 31st, 2010
12:56 am

Pretty bombed here folks – watched the entire game at the bar!!!! Thanks the holy lord for a victory tonight.

Just so everyone know there lots of Braves fans in Canada!!!!

Did i tell you guys i love you all…..(in a drunk slurring voice)

Even through the Cox moves…the Nate McLouth months…double plays across the board….Saito being 40….Nate and Mithcell’s ballgame calls….YOUR AND IDIOT….BARTISTA from the National beating us….Kawakami need more mummification than King Tut…Raul Mondesi….Woody Woodward….DOB’s leave of absence…and the imminent feel of absolute doom….

Hugs to all – let do a tequila 8O

Sweet Jesus

Add your comment