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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
576 comments Add your comment
Brave4life
October 15th, 2010
12:01 am
Damn, I HATE Liberty Media
Our revenue goes up but not our payroll
FUGG YOU LIBERTY MEDIA
gotigers72
October 15th, 2010
12:03 am
I personally never saw the “great” defense that Alex Gonzalez was supposed to provide. Didn’t he make 2 errors in the last game? Wasn’t he the guy that failed to run out a pop up or groundball or whatever? I really thought the Braves could’ve done better by trade than the Sea Bass.
If you can’t hustle for 2.5 million, you don’t deserve to be on the field.
Pitching beats Hitting
October 15th, 2010
12:03 am
Thundersticks the braves should make that deal to seattle, it would make the braves better head to head vs Philly
Kevin
October 15th, 2010
12:03 am
We need Ted Turner back as owner. He lets us spend money to build great teams. Now this Liberty Media keeps a tight payroll and didn’t even show up to any of the playoff games. Or even get Arthur Blank. Both of those guys care more about the team winning than money.
count_schemula
October 15th, 2010
12:04 am
If we can get Chipper to retire after next season and take $1m/yr for 20 years, like the Mets did with Bobby Bonilla. Then in 2012 Chipper, McLouth and KK come off the books. We only really have to cover the expense of Crawford for 1 year, and winning can cover that.
ryan
October 15th, 2010
12:04 am
braves have needed about 2 big bats for about 5 years now, i doubt they get one.
o-me
October 15th, 2010
12:05 am
What has hitting coach got to do with stealing bases? Otis..he!!
Jason
October 15th, 2010
12:06 am
I personally wouldn’t mind getting magglio in the outfield, he is flying under the radar. I have been reading some posts about felix hernandez and if the braves made that deal it could be huge
Thundersticks
October 15th, 2010
12:07 am
“Pitching beats Hitting
October 15th, 2010
12:03 am
Thundersticks the braves should make that deal to seattle, it would make the braves better head to head vs Philly”
For about 2 years and then what? Who is going to replace Lowe and Hudson? That would be the Teixeira deal all over again.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:07 am
all star game 2011 . I think Chipper Jones could make it . If he bats 320 and gets around 17 home runs before the all star game .
Thundersticks
October 15th, 2010
12:07 am
“Jason
October 15th, 2010
12:06 am
I personally wouldn’t mind getting magglio in the outfield, he is flying under the radar.”
No thanks. He’s 37 years old.
Pitching beats Hitting
October 15th, 2010
12:09 am
For about 2 years and then what? Who is going to replace Lowe and Hudson? That would be the Teixeira deal all over again.
We could have a great chance to win it all with a trade like that and plus we can finally win the division again and stop signing these dirtbag pitchers
Damn
October 15th, 2010
12:11 am
Trade Jason Heyward or BMac for some bats and get another good arm
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:11 am
After 2011 . The rest of the years are really out if our hands . I think the Braves must win 2011 . All . After that . The best team. I think will be Nationals .
Thundersticks
October 15th, 2010
12:11 am
“Pitching beats Hitting
We could have a great chance to win it all with a trade like that and plus we can finally win the division again and stop signing these dirtbag pitchers”
After two years we will have Felix, Jurrjens, and to sign 3 dirtbag pitchers.
WTF??
October 15th, 2010
12:14 am
For the people saying pitching doesn’t beat hitting must didn’t see Philly sweep the reds. They couldn’t hit nuthin, the braves need a top rotation guy. Thats why the braves are out and the phillies aren’t
Jason
October 15th, 2010
12:16 am
Make the trade for Felix, we need to win now. Hudson and Lowe aren’t getting any younger and their arms aren’t either. We need to win now
Thundersticks
October 15th, 2010
12:16 am
Good night all!! Time to hit the sack.
Fins and Chins
October 15th, 2010
12:17 am
1. Get rid of Jeff Francoeur Jr.
WTF??
October 15th, 2010
12:18 am
Oct. 6 Phillies 4, Reds 0
Oct. 8 Phillies 7, Reds 4
Oct. 10 Phillies 2, Reds 0
We need another arm and these scores prove that we do, thats why we are at home now
o-me
October 15th, 2010
12:19 am
Good night Thunder..it was fun.
o-me
October 15th, 2010
12:22 am
WTF?? lets us see on Felix deal……………..
ronaldh
October 15th, 2010
12:22 am
Gee, I wonder why we do not have the funds available to go after a legitimate outfield free agent with a big bat? How much are we paying Kawakami? Really! And who is responsible for that? We owe Mcclouth how much? No way, you mean we’re paying that much to the worst center fielder we’ve had in some time, and he can’t hit a lick? Wow, who’se responsible for that? I think you get the point. Frank, the bird, Wren gave us the likes of Kawakami, a pitcher who CANNOT get out major league hitters. Frank, the bird, Wren gave us Nate McOut. Both of these are over paid. Both of these are untradable because no team would have them. It is time for ownership to hold Mr. Wren accountable for garbage like that.
o-me
October 15th, 2010
12:23 am
damn I’m already asleep.
sorry, Let us sleep on the felix deal.
Ty
October 15th, 2010
12:25 am
Alex Gonzales showed in game 4 he is a mediocre player defensively. More importantly he showed he was an emotional player lacking effort when he failed to run out his soft liner to Uribe that was mishandled. His mediocre defense and laziness cost the team game 4. I’d rather see anyone other than Alex Gonzalez play SS next year or the Braves. Wren is being ridiculous in his praise.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:25 am
I think chipper Jones will retire when he can no longer produce a 300 Average season . That remains to be seen . until he is healthy . I think he can last 300 a year season until age 42. But that is just me. we are all free to express out views
ronaldh
October 15th, 2010
12:25 am
David, I hate to disagree with you but the Braves next priority is getting rid of Frank, the bird, Wren.
Bring the Jones brothers back
October 15th, 2010
12:27 am
WE WANT ANDRUW JONES BACK!!!!!
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:29 am
will chipper retire as a brave ? If he last until he is older than 40 . That would be a question for another day
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:34 am
Jeff Treadway would also be a good hitting coach . He was form the 1991 braves team. He batted 320 in 1991 . He was 2n base .
The Dude
October 15th, 2010
12:35 am
PEOPLE…FORGET ABOUT CRAWFORD! NOT GONNA HAPPEN! He will be a Yankee. Keep JJ and take a page out of the Marlins or Rays playbook. Build a team for 2012. Obviously the team the Braves have is competitive…they did make the playoffs and aren’t losing anyone. Adding an outfielder is not going to get them to the WS…so don’t let go of the young talent we have.
Hit the ball
October 15th, 2010
12:36 am
Chipper Jones for hitting coach
Hobo
October 15th, 2010
12:38 am
I think chipper Jones will retire when he can no longer produce a 300 Average season . That remains to be seen . until he is healthy . I think he can last 300 a year season until age 42. But that is just me. we are all free to express out views
it would be nice to know what you base your views on, however. Chipper batted .264 in 2009 and .265 in 2010, though his overall hitting stats still are productive for a 3B in the NL. That is his OPS is still over .800.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:39 am
Chipper Jones can not be hitting coach when he is hitting the home runs . He will be a player for a while . I think he can hit until early 40s. He is still young . late 30s . He is the force of the team
WTF??
October 15th, 2010
12:41 am
Chipper either needs to take a pay cut or bbe the hitting coach and he should be the hitting coach for next year
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:42 am
chipper Jones had 10 seasons batting over 300 . With a few 200s here and there. His life time average is 306. I mean as long as he can have 1 300 average season left even if he has a 200 average a year season . Meaning . He is the best or 1 of the best hitters atlanta has ever had..He still is good
Hit the ball
October 15th, 2010
12:45 am
Chipper is our next hitting coach and I hope he is for next season
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:48 am
Chipper Jones still needs to play . Until your done . He is one of the best hitters ever in Atlanta . He needs to play until he cant . so at the end of his time . we can look back and compare how good is was . If he plays a few more years he could get to 500 home runs in his life time
Reid Adair
October 15th, 2010
12:51 am
Frank Wren’s most recent outfield “improvements” … Nate McLouth, Melky Cabrera and Rick Ankiel (.210 with Braves).
Now, how many have any confidence that he’ll make a good deal, especially if he ships out Jair Jurrjens?
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
12:51 am
Kudzu Wildcat: I’ll try to make it through the rest of the week without medication.
Seriously, do you really think I live and die with this KU football team? If your boys thump us like that in hoops, it would sting. But we both know that won’t happen. And, by the way, the hoops games should be quite good this year. K-State is ranked in the top 10 in most polls. Your boy Jacob Pullen’s a bad dude, Big 12 preeseason Player of the Year. But football? Whatever. Turner Gill will need a couple of years to get anything going in Lawrence.
Good move
October 15th, 2010
12:51 am
Maybe chipper could be a pinch hitter since he stays hurt so much
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
12:53 am
plus . There will never be another Chipper Jones . I mean there will be new guys come ..But to have a player having that sort of record is hard….we should be asking him to come back …He is on the Hall of fame level . he is the sort of like the derek Jeter of the south. He is a team leader , And a good player
Jimmy
October 15th, 2010
12:54 am
David,
Do you think the braves could put a deal together for feliz hernandez?
Jimmy
October 15th, 2010
12:54 am
Chipper Jones can be a hitting coach
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
1:01 am
Way too many holes in DOB’s article. Every now and then I’d like to see a little ‘tude in the reporting and questioning.
1. They’re counting on Chipper to be healthy? In what year, 1999? — curtis jones
I’d offer to explain the difference between a beat reporter and columnist, how a “little ‘tude in the reporting” isn’t really appropriate when someone is reporting news. But you’re in that group that can’t or simply doesn’t want to acknowledge that difference, or to understand that the world of journalism isn’t all blogs and editorializing.
Whether Curtis Jones or David O’Brien believes Chipper will be healthy is entirely beside the point, Curtis. Because what I told you is that the Braves are operating under the assumption that Chipper will be healthy, because they don’t have much choice — he’s planning to come back, his rehab is reportedly on schedule, and they’re going to have to pay him $28 mill over the next two seasons if he’s not on the DL or retired. They’re not going to pay him that and have him sit on the bench.
If he pulls the plug on it and retires, that’s another thing entirely. Then they could make a move to get another third baseman. But I don’t see how they could or would get another third baseman until then. They’ve already got Prado and Infante, either of whom could play the position if adjustments have to be made late.
Again, what you or I or any other fan thinks about the situation is irrelevant in a news story where I’m simply telling you what the team is doing, how they’re planning, according to the GM. If you don’t want to hear what he has to say about those plans, well, don’t read it. But I wasn’t writing a column suggesting the Braves do this or that. It was a story about what they say they’re doing, not what I or you or anyone else thinks they should be doing.
$$$$$$$
October 15th, 2010
1:02 am
I think its great to hear what the Braves want and what they think they can get blah blah blah…the Braves however will sit on the sidelines as they usually do and watch players like a Crawford, Dunn and any other potential free agents sign with other teams waiting for the dollar amount on that particular player to decline or come down FACT; Liberty Media is CHEAP and they do not care about the Braves organzation…Until Arthur Blank can buy the Braves or someone that cares about winning…the Braves aren’t going to have financial support.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
1:03 am
I do not think Chipper Jones should be hitting coach until he retires . I think Chipper is still a baby until he turns 40 . He is still a young man to me until he reaches 40 years old. He is only 38 . He still has 2 Long years until the big 40 . That means its a real long time until he turns 40 . 2 years is long . that would be 2 full seasons and lots of games . Lots of hits and lots of home runs .
Matt the Brave
October 15th, 2010
1:04 am
Ok folks, are y’all going to pay the $100m over the next 6 years for Crawford? Because that’s the LEAST he’s going to get. It’s just not going to happen. I see Yankees or Red Sox, with the possibility of Detroit if they get rid of Magglio.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 15th, 2010
1:05 am
If he last until 42 . He still could have 4 seasons left maybe 5 seasons if he lasted to 43 years old . Chipper is man . But he is no place near old yet .
Mike S
October 15th, 2010
1:06 am
DOB, you a fan of Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan? I just got a ticket to see them in Brooklyn on Sunday with my wife and brother-in-law. He’s a fan and said we had to go (and we had no choice cause we’re staying with him for the weekend!). Should be fun. Just listened to a bit now, but it sounds like something you’d like.
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
1:11 am
Mike S: I’m a fan of everything Lanegan’s done, back to the Screaming Trees albums in the ’80s. That one with Isobel Campbell is good stuff. That’ll be a cool show.
Gene
October 15th, 2010
1:13 am
I absolutely love reading the garbage that you idiots write. And by the way, this is only directed at the morons who can’t type complete sentences. It’s hilarious how you think other people are going to take you seriously. Signing Andruw Jones? Trading Brian McCann? Otis Nixon as hitting coach? You guys are seriously retarded.
myra
October 15th, 2010
1:13 am
Since there are some extremely amusing ‘trades’ that Frankster should do….I’ll put mine in:
Josh Hamilton
*sigh*
He could b CF,hitting coach,director of customer Relations,and would beautify Atlanta’s billboard scenery.
Oh and he’ll raise revenue too. I’d buy season tickets on row14 outfield right away.
Its perfect.
Dmack2027
October 15th, 2010
1:14 am
Dob,
1 Have you heard that liberty media plans to sell the team? If that happens is there any chance it sells in time for the new owner to spend on free agents.
2. Even if chipper returns the braves have got to find someone who can take over at third when hoss does hang them up. They also need fo figure out if Mycal jones will be ready to take over for Alex after next year.
3. Any idea what fredi thought about Jeremy Hermida. He was just released and might be a nice cheap option for the outfield next year.
4. Regarding trading jj, I think much depends on how long wren thinks it will take Julio Teheran to make it to Atlanta (Delgado too). I suspect that you won’t see a trade like that until they are sure that they can replace jj. I doubt they think beachy is a long term solution for a rotation spot.
Wonder
October 15th, 2010
1:14 am
Atlanta braves fan of south chipper can’t win by himself like he used to do, his power numbers are down and plus he can’t stop being hurt
Mike S
October 15th, 2010
1:18 am
Going to be up there for a week and will get to see Muse twice next weekend too. Really looking forward to that. Should be a fun week of concert going…
Just listened to Deus Ibi Est by Campbell and Lanegan, man does that one have some Johnny Cash sound to it!
Punchless
October 15th, 2010
1:22 am
Where is this “Chipper should be the batting coach” notion coming from? Hell, he has to call his own Daddy everytime he goes into a funk. How is he going to impart wisdom to other players when he can’t figure out his own batting woes?
Be Realistic!!!
October 15th, 2010
1:24 am
Reality Check!!! If the Yankees want Crawford, the Yankees WILL GET CRAWFORD no matter how much the braves offer, the Yankees can (and will) top it, plus its more attractive for him to go to the team with the best chance at a World Series, and with the team they field year in and year out, that is the yankees.
We all want a power bat but you have to be realistic.
ps whoever said we should trade McCann…SERIOUSLY??
Kevin
October 15th, 2010
1:51 am
Easy solution for LF. Buy low on Brad Hawpe. Give him a Troy Glaus type contract that is incentive based. When healthy he bats at least .280 will hit 20 HR’s and drive in 80 runs on more. Plus he is only 31.
Just saying...
October 15th, 2010
1:52 am
“I think Alex will be what he’s always been. He’ll be somewhere between .260-.270, hit 15-20 home runs, drive in 70, 75, 80, and play really good shortstop.”
Alex did not perform offensively which you can make excuses for. Say he tried to do too much, blah, blah, blah…but he didn’t perform his strength, defensively! And did anyone see him not run out the crucial at bat in the final game when the shortstop muffed his ball…even the man from 1st made it to 2nd. His range is terrible and lack of hustle is unforgiveable. We need to upgrade at SS.
We need to acquire either Werth or Crawford (I would prefer Werth). If McLouth works hard with the new hitting coach, gets away from his upward swing for the fences, and continues to have the attitude and work ethic he had in August, he may be alright.
Heyward has great potential and should improve greatly…but has got to quit looking at called 3rd strikes, and needs to improve defensively. Yes, defensively. He has trouble playing the warning track and the wall; his inability to break on Huff’s soft liner on Sunday night probably cost us the series. I know I am the lone wolf on the last points, because the Braves so much want him to be the new golden boy (and I, also, wish him great success in Atlanta and a long career), but I don’t think he is there yet (at his age he can develop if he remains hungry).
Get off some of that money and get a productive outfielder without giving up JJ or a prospect. I have never seen a single team that had too much good pitching.
Drew
October 15th, 2010
2:26 am
I would love Crawford, but you know that his price is going to get driven up because there’s basically him and Werth in this FA pool. Braves aren’t exactly big-spenders anymore either, so I don’t won’t to overpay for a guy like this and cripple the team’s finances for 5-7 years (not that it wouldn’t be awesome to have Crawford and Heyward in out OF)
If the Braves weren’t in so dire need of a RH bat, I’d suggest trading for Shin-Soo Choo. He’s explicitly stated interest in playing for a contending team (not Cleveland) and he hits for a great average (~.300), great OBP (~.400), and is a 20 steal/20 homer guy. Could prob stick him in LF and not have to worry about the spot being an offensive and defensive black hole. Just spit-balling and he’s a guy I haven’t heard suggested, but totally wouldn’t mind getting (and could be had for a reasonable price)
curtis jones
October 15th, 2010
5:30 am
“Just saying” at 1:52…you took the words right out of me. Another of the great untold stories of the 2010 Braves was Heyward’s poor outfield play. The hype machine told us how great he was. Can anyone recall a memorable play? Other than the oft-repeated line, “Heyward’s throw to the plate is off-line…”
Out of all the subpar outfielders the Braves sent out there this year, only Ankiel was above average…and he was only that; above average. Hinske has no range, and no arm. Diaz is average at best. He made one great throw this year (most were rainbows), and then got pulled for the incredibly awful Melky Cabrera. To think that Melky once roamed the outfield for the Yankees, is as weird as the fact that McLouth won a Gold Glove one year. Evidently they had a drawing for the winner that year.
An earlier comment was on the money. The Braves have had few quality outfielders since Andruw Jones was in his prime….and the HOF trio of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz should absolutely thank him when they’re giving their speeches in Cooperstown.
Stizz
October 15th, 2010
5:51 am
I’d take a flyer on one of those two centerfielders in Milwaukee. One might be expendable with Braun and Hart flanking them, and I would preferrably want Cain. He tore it up against us when we played them.
October 15th, 2010
6:17 am
We need to get rid of MELKY CABRERA keep matty d in center then go for power hitting CF Andruw Jones and we should be good we would have a gold glove outfield
Reality 4
October 15th, 2010
6:42 am
I think there may be a couple of Japanese professional teams that are interested in KK. Can we make a trade with a foreign team?
Jeff R
October 15th, 2010
6:59 am
DOB sums it up nicely about the Chipper dilemma in his 1;01 am post. Hence, it’s up to Chipper. Hence, I hope sanity grabs hold and Chipper retires.
JaxBrave
October 15th, 2010
7:08 am
It amazes me how many people will entertain trading JJ but will balk at considering putting McCann on the table. All I’m saying is this:
Payroll’s not going to get alot better, and little flexibility with Lowe, Jones, McClouth, and KK
Braves need more than just one more bat (and we don’t have a great 1-4)
Braves were defensively one of the worst teams in the NL
So to me, I’d rather have two more everyday bats w/pop and a solid defensive team than a talented catcher. That’s all I’m saying. Heresy, mabe. “Not gonna happen” – you’re probably right. And certainly not the only idea out there. But everyone knows we not going to grow the payroll to $120-150M. And I’m not too excited about the single addition of a middle-of-the-road OF. If that’s the case, let’s skip 2011 and play two 2012’s (when Chipper’s off the payroll) .
Bill M.
October 15th, 2010
7:28 am
Trade McCann, KK & McClouth to Dodgers for Kemp. I know Kemp could be a problem. Trade JJ to Cardinals for Rasmus. You could’t beat an OF of Kemp, Rasmus & Heyward. That would be a great defensive OF. Catchers are dime a dozen. Find a good lefthanded catcher to go with Ross.
Saint Dawg>>
October 15th, 2010
7:57 am
Heres a idea if they want to improve,an get great young players…== Trade B-MAC,Jordon S.,Nate M. and 1 minor Pitcher to San Fran… For Buster P.,Cody R. an they have AA minor L. Infielder that they are high on,{can’t remember his name}…This would take care of alot of the braves problems..then the Braves would have some cap money to fill in the rest of their holes,and also maybe Carl Crawford..And the Braves would be very hard to beat…
Marvin Mangrum
October 15th, 2010
8:06 am
I would release McCloth if it cost me 25 mil, I would release Kawakami if it cost even more. To me, you loose all credibility when you suggest keeping the bum. I believe with all my heart he cost the braves untold games with his lack of hitting. All the games Kamakami lost, how much was that worth. You know if you need a center fielder or a left fielder find them where the Braves found Heyworth and Freeman. Quit giving away the future with all the freaking trades. 3 months of Texiera for a freaking team. And dang, closer to now, who the heck traded for Ankiel and Farnsworth, and at what price. And one last thing. How much has it cost the Braves because Booby Cox evidently didnt care if players were hurt. We could go on till tomorrow. In addition to all else had a star in center, a freaking star. Before the 3rd game he broke his hand, played 3 months, Bobby saying, bum cant play hurt, and now where is the guy? Is he close enuff to still be on earth. I appreciate that you can write, but there might need to be some other requirements for the job.
curtis jones
October 15th, 2010
8:17 am
Chipper Jones has become the Eddie Matthews of the 21st century. A once-great Braves 3rd baseman, staying way too long at the party. Don’t continue to embarrass yourself Hoss…we’d rather remember you as a great player, instead of a greedy, injury-prone payroll hog.
Atticus
October 15th, 2010
8:30 am
CARL CRAWFORD……DO IT. One deal…….done.
NORRIS
October 15th, 2010
8:30 am
Come on. The braves need more than an outfielder. We need two outfielders. Also Chipper hasnt played a full season in how many years now. You need a third baseman. You saw what happened this year. We ended up with Conrad out there. we gotta have more than just an outfielder…
Hanshin Tigers
October 15th, 2010
8:36 am
I read in a Japanese newspaper about a month ago that Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Professional League was scouting KK. Can we just trade KK to them? They have Matt Murton, a former McDounough/Tech outfielder. Unfortunately, Murton established the Japanese League record in the number of hits in a season this year, so I don’t think they will give him up…
jj
October 15th, 2010
8:40 am
Why is JJ the pitcher that is being targeted to be traded?After coming off an injury plagued season I was wondering if you would get value for him.Let’s get radical here and let’s see what we can get for Hanson or Hudson?I know some of you are about to have a hissy fit,but this is bizness,not a personality issue.Also I was wondering why everybody was nuttin up about Hubbard but no concern about the bench coach losing his job?Just asking!I also wonder why DOB started that blog just mentioning TP and Glen as if these were the only moves?I have two(2)wishes….1.Liberty Media sell the Team to an individual and 2.Chipper either retire or redo his contract to allow the TEAM to get players that are greatly needed and I am going to add a third and this is for us fans.#3principle over personality,that is lets treat all Braves the same and not make everything Black or White.Good luck Mr.Wren and Coach F.Gonzales.GO BRAVES.. Oh Yeah,for all of you that don’t know,Andruw gave his all to the Braves when he should have been a little selfish about playing when he was not 100% as some has done their whole career.He was also the only one that gave the Braves a discount when others that line the wall did not.Bobby did the same with Jason when he was hurt.He should have been sitting but BC kept him out there.It could have ruined his career by having him adjust his machanics.These guys need to learn from Chipper,when you hurt,sit.
meh
October 15th, 2010
8:44 am
would anyone take McLouth if the Braves sent some cash with him?
stew
October 15th, 2010
8:55 am
Hey everybody Omar can’t play the outfield. He’s had one year where he hit for average. He doesn’t have enough power for us to stick in left field over a bat like Braun. We need two bats not one. One of our weaknesses is that McCann is the cleanup hitter. You can’t have your cleanup hitter sitting every 5 days. It decimates your lineup. We need Braun and Zimmermann. We have the chips to trade for both. Lowe can be a piece in one of those deals. Remember Prado was our leadoff hitter when we got hot. Look at this lineup Prado, Heyward, Zimm, Braun, McCann, Gonzo, Freddie, and McLouth (assuming we can’t dump him). McLouth’s problem defensively is that he simply can not throw. He can cover ground but I don’t remember him throwing anyone out in 2010. There were plays where he didn’t even make a throw. I can’t look at Melky, Matty, or Ankiel anymore. Melky is the worst crap I’ve ever seen. A couple of years ago, he was leading off for the Yanks and seemed to be decent. I think the Braves became obsessed with him and were thrilled to have the chance to get him in the Vasquez deal. Hopefully, the Braves have seen enough to know that he is a bust.
NORRIS
October 15th, 2010
9:10 am
stew is so right. We need outfield bats and sitting the cleanup hitter every 5 days is a joke.
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:11 am
I say go after both the Upton boys. What an outfield we would have.
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:12 am
That way their mom and dad can come to one park and see both boys play.
Space Monkey
October 15th, 2010
9:13 am
This is the state of our team. We have to trade JJ for a mediocre bat. We have no other choice. The owners will not put up the money for a top-tier player. The Phillies will sign a top tier free agent to replace Werth, or they’ll re-sign Werth. Crawford will go to Yanks or Mets. And we will settle for trading JJ for Rasmus because that’s all we can do. We can’t get better. All we can do is tread water. That’s the reality of this team’s budget. We need power and speed, and we won’t get either.
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:16 am
Then we can get the Laroach boys in here as well and maybe the Giles brothers also. Our lineup could be:
LF – Upton
RF _ B Giles
CF – BJ Upton
1st – Adam Laroach
Catcher McCann
3rd – Andy Laroach
ss – Alex Gonzalez
2nd – Marcus Giles
What a lineup and it would confuse all the other teams.
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:21 am
Enter your comments here
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:22 am
We may could even think about bring in a couple of the Molina brothers to catch, but rotate them everyday. Man the other team wouldn’t know what hit them.
Total Grace
October 15th, 2010
9:24 am
Greg Maddux may have one more good year in him, then Mike Maddux could be the pitching coach.
Dromio94
October 15th, 2010
9:32 am
I seem to have missed the name of Infante in DOB’s article. All the little guy did was carry the otherwise comatose offense (with Prado until he went down). IF Chipper comes back and seals his claim to the 3B position (but not necessarily to the 3-spot in the batting order?), we are going to need serious, everready backup for him. Also, I am not so convinced as every one seems to be that Freeman is really ready for the big time on a daily basis. If Lee goes (I had no big problem with him; check stats), and Glaus disappears from the radar screen, another serious backup is needed at 1B. The bench saved what was saved of the Braves’ season this year. Don’t make the mistake of selling all that off for one big (?) bat. And don’t give away the pitching: all those fabled division crowns, it was pitching, not slugging that did it.
NORRIS
October 15th, 2010
9:39 am
Yes it was pitching that won it for the Braves But we had hitters too. Something that we dont have now. You cant win with no hitters. Look at this series with the Giants. If we had any offense at all we would have won. You gotta have bats. So what do we do?
meh
October 15th, 2010
9:40 am
hey total grace don’t forget about the Hoffmans. Trevor as the closer and Glen to coach 3rd.
GSU-Lee
October 15th, 2010
9:49 am
DOB -
What is Hinske’s status?
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
9:50 am
Dromio94: Why are you and others here so surprised that I didn’t mention Infante in the article? The article wasn’t a complete rundown of everyone that’s going to be on the team, but rather a story that points out what the Braves’ priority is — to get an outfielder — and how they can focus on that because the infield and pitching staff are largely set. You saw the quote from Wren, where he said that infield — Freeman, Prado, Gonzalez, Chipper — is the one they hope to have. So where was I supposed to put Infante in that mix? I didn’t list the backups, nor did I list him as a starting outfielder, since the Brave have Heyward in RF and McLouth presumably playing either LF or CF. But obviously if McLouth stinks again, they’re going to have to play someone else there.
Infante’s been a standout backup on this team, and performed splendidly when given a chance to play every day this season, at least until September when he tailed off. But his big strength is still his versatility, and there are worse things than the Braves going into the season not knowing where he’s going to play, but certainly knowing he will play plenty, either as a backup at a variety of positions, or as a regular in the event that they have an injury, or if Chipper’s not ready, or perhaps if they can’t fill one of those outfield spots.
PMC
October 15th, 2010
9:50 am
No one is saying pitching isn’t paramount to winning. The only reason this team did ANYTHING this year is because of pitching.
But look at the garbage on this roster. The defense is deplorable.
It’s a miracle that they managed to score runs after the all star break at all.
THEY HAVE to get 2 starting outfielders this offseason. They HAVE to find another 3rd baseman somewhere and they have to decide if Infante will play short next season or come off the bench. If that happens they need to replace Gonzo because he doesn’t have the power they thought and he doesn’t hit for average… and he’s a fairly poor short stop too. His defense was awful.
dpelfrey
October 15th, 2010
9:52 am
In my opinion, it’s going to be nearly impossible to find a right-handed power bat to play outfield and the Braves are going to be lefty heavy regardless of what they do. My suggestion would be to take a flyer on a speedster to hit leadoff. Don’t know who might be available for that role, but this teams need to produce more runs. If you can’t do it with power, then do it with speed. I bet Rickey Henderson is still in shape.
PMC
October 15th, 2010
9:52 am
So I guess Infante will be backing up Chipper and Gonzo again if they keep Gonzo…
I guess we can look foward to a lot of Furcalesque throws and a lot of boots backed up with loads of strikeouts from shortstop…. but hey… he’s a great clubhouse guy… awesome.
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
9:53 am
Dob,
1 Have you heard that liberty media plans to sell the team? — Dmack2027
No, I have not heard of them planning to sell anytime soon. They agreed to keep it at least through the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December 2011. But Terry McGuirk has said many times that he doesn’t think they’ll sell at that point. That could obviously change at any point, but last time I spoke to him about it, that was still what he was saying.
David O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
9:55 am
Oh, and Dmack: Tyler Pastornicky is the Braves’ next-level-down shortstop now, the one whom they view as closest to being ready to take over.
PMC
October 15th, 2010
9:57 am
So I guess they will work in the offseason to find two bats….at least one from the right side.
We need Filet Mignon to compete… but we’re going to end up with cold spam. Oh well. Another owner surely must be around the corner.
PMC
October 15th, 2010
10:02 am
Anyone we face in the postseason is going to have great pitching.
The Giants…The Phillies…they aren’t going away.
The Giants can’t hit either and thier pitching bested ours.
The Phillies…when healthy…have by far the best lineup in baseball.
We haven’t exactly spent the last several drafts finding great position players to make up for the guys we have….
Again.. a miracle to win 91 games. These guys played thier guts out… but that was the absolute cieling. If they want to compete for championships we can either go sign a guy like Carl Crawford…or we can wait 5 years and hope one develops.
Chipper can’t do it forever…and he can’t be trusted to even play 100 games.. IF he comes back at all.
PMC
October 15th, 2010
10:03 am
I said the Phillies lineup…one possible Exception (Yankees lineup) especially after they grab Crawford.
JoJo the Godfather
October 15th, 2010
10:13 am
Defense & small ball should be our direction with the pitching staff we have…There are two guys on the Padres that interest me and could be available…Everth Cabrera (SS) & Luis Durango (CF) are both switch hitters with raw natural speed…Both have plus defense…Both need help with their stolen base %’s, but have 30+ potential easy…Durango walked more than he struck out in the minors and reports to be a hard worker…Gonzo may interest the Padres as PART of a return package depending on what they do with Tejada.
curtis jones
October 15th, 2010
10:20 am
Well, there you go. The MVP of this year’s “playoff” team isn’t even assured a spot in the lineup in 2011.
Instead, Wren intends to trot out an unproven 1st baseman, a pouting, no-contact, error-prone shortstop, a feeble 3rd baseman who may be good for 40 games, a black hole in left field, an albatross in center, Jason “his throw was off-line” Heyward in right, and the poor fielding, 75 RBI cleanup hitting catcher.
That’s where it stands folks, trades must be made.