Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5,393 comments Add your comment
keylargo
October 18th, 2010
6:17 pm
Everything you need to know about Yunnel Escobar and Alex Gonzalez was said by the Braves players when AG was given a standing ovation by the players the first day he walked into clubhouse after the trade.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
6:18 pm
I think Rain-man Spandex Funkyburger will be our knight in shining armour in a year or so.
that would likely make RG happy, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen
VaBravesFan
October 18th, 2010
6:18 pm
Forget about Crawford and Werth its not happening.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
6:20 pm
How’d FF do today down in the desert?
DOB
Will there be any sort of news/insight to come out of the org meetings this week? I am assuming the answer is no, that they are all getting on the same page with what we have and what we do not have.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
6:22 pm
Don’t tell RG, but I’d have to agree. Heck, I’d be happy if Elephant Ears Schafer has a decent return to form. Not going to go to Vegas on that one either……..
keylargo
October 18th, 2010
6:24 pm
Heck, I’d be happy if Elephant Ears Schafer has a decent return to form.
Again, it’s not that his ears are big, HIS HEAD IS SMALL!!!!!
Ray Parker Jr.
October 18th, 2010
6:26 pm
Rob from SC – Bring back Fulton County Stadium
Agreed. Miss those tacky upper level seats. Fills strange each time I park in the Turner green lot knowing I watched games there as a kid.
Rob from SC
October 18th, 2010
6:28 pm
Did Freeman get hurt. He was pulled after he hit the triple. DOB I need answers
Danga
October 18th, 2010
6:32 pm
Better to overpay for Crawford or Werth than to be stuck with a outfield comprised of guys like Melky Cabrera, Nate Mclouth, and Rick Ankiel.
That is a false choice. There are plenty of guys in between those two groups of players. Free agents like those guys are a big risk. The money doesn’t make me nearly as nervous as the length on those kinds of contracts. Werth is already 31. Crawford’s game is built mostly on his speed. He may age gracefully, he may not. High reward, high risk. Hard to stomach for a franchise that has seen most of these types of investments blow up in its face here recently.
DawgDad
October 18th, 2010
6:38 pm
Sure the Braves played exciting games this year, but they played an awful lot of dud games, too. Aside from all the tight low-score games in the late innings their brand of baseball is by-and-large BORING. Take a look at September, or game 3 against the Giants. The team did nothing (nothing!) for five innings, and all the offensive excitement was in the eighth and ninth. This is plodding, offensively challenged, fundamentally unsound, sloppy, achy team, and if they doesn’t compete for a playoff spot the fans will exit in droves. Braves need an infusion of youth, speed, defense, and aggressive attitude.
I’ll give Heyward his due. He runs the bases aggressively and crashes into walls, and if unchained I suspect he’d steal a few bases, too. He was the single biggest fan attraction on the team, by far and away head and shoulders above any of the plodding veterans. In short, he generates excitement and enthusiasm.
I think the Braves CAN win with Infante, Gonzalez, and Prado on the infield, if they fix the outfield. They’d be a lot better with a young defensive middle infielder thrown into the mix.
DAP
October 18th, 2010
6:49 pm
reddjonn68 do you watch baseball other than the Braves, Texas just stole home in game 2 against New York Duhhhh !!!! Also you may want check the season stats J-Hey also stole home this year,
yeah, i watch alot of baseball and know that “the basics” include getting on base and hitting for power, which will score you more runs than stealing bases, which dont score any runs by themselves, about 99% of the time.
McFann O O – 6
October 18th, 2010
6:53 pm
RIP June Cleaver. 94 years old…
balla1881
October 18th, 2010
6:57 pm
I’m still stuck on Chris Young, AZ outfielder. He hit .283 with 20 of his 27 bombs at home. Ok. His home/road splits don’t bode well for getting out of the bandbox that is the Arizona bandbox but, the kid had over 25 at bats in each position in the batting order 1-7. He’s a versatile center fielder with power and speed. Makes more sense then the people on here talking about Crawford or Werth. Also his contract is not outrageous 2011: 5 million, 2012: $7 million, 2013: $8.5 million, 2014: $11 million club option ($1.5 million buyout) but considering this type of money guaranteed to Mclouth that now seems high what do we really know about long term contracts? I like the idea of him coming in from Arizona and untapping some of that talent
Chipper's ACL
October 18th, 2010
6:58 pm
Saito would be a nice re-sign but he’s rated as an A free agent. Gonzalez and Lee are both B’s. We need some top draft picks. Too many holes with position players. The Braves have pieces to trade, if they’re willing to deal. Infante’s value has never been higher. A player without a position. Diaz is great to have around but due a raise after making 2.5mil this season? Sorry. As I’ve stated on most posts let Gonzo walk, take the draft pick, and offer Diaz to TB for Bartlett. The deal would be accepted. Sure he makes a little more but he’s a contact hitter and has some speed. Gonzo had a good year but don’t expect him to play 120 games in ‘11. Infante could be packaged to land one OF. Being realistic next season isn’t the one the Braves will win. With KK and McLouth coming off the books at the end of ‘11, Huddy and Lowe down to one season, next winter could be the year to make large strides. Teheran and Delgado should be ready and an outside shot on Vizcaino. The only position that would need to be filled is Chipper’s replacement at third. ‘12 could be the year.
Rob from SC
October 18th, 2010
6:59 pm
Any Freeman updates?
balla1881
October 18th, 2010
6:59 pm
DawgDad
I think your young defensive stud up the middle is busy playing for SS for the Rangers in the NLCS. As time goes on the Tex trade continues to look worse…
keylargo
October 18th, 2010
7:00 pm
McFann
Did you ever see June C. in Airplane?
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=1392
By the way, I’m pretty sure Tomahawkin is the passenger on the right.
jeffrey d
October 18th, 2010
7:06 pm
I’m pretty sure Tomahawkin is the passenger on the right
BravesFanChris26
October 18th, 2010
7:09 pm
Welp, I’m rooting for a Giants/Rangers WS just because >_>
I can’t wait till the WS is over so the wheeling and dealing can begin.
ChipperSu__cKs.com
October 18th, 2010
7:10 pm
When we review our options for next year we see Chipper as a roadblock….. If Chipper is the great person people claim why does he not get out of the way….. He appears to be a blowhard that thinks his skills are not diminished……….. Why don’t we have more fans of Braves baseball asking Chipper to move on……… Retire and come back later in the year with a restructured deal if needed…….. I would love for Chipper to sit out work hard and come back after the AllStar Break…….. He can do this if he his not greedy…… Money paid over an extended time (I hope he does not need it) and a position with the Braves……… Chipper man up!
Braves Fan Since "80
October 18th, 2010
7:13 pm
ChipperSu__cKs.com
I agree but show the man respect for all that he has done…… He needs to take less of a role and be removed as a defensive liability from time to time…….
BINGO!
October 18th, 2010
7:16 pm
Naive, naive, naive. It’s sad to know so little about how things work.
Crime Dog
October 18th, 2010
7:16 pm
ChipperSu_cks.com-
Yeah, exactly. Just the other day at work, I was telling my boss how much I wanted him to cut my salary so we could hire more workers and put out a better product. Oh wait, no I didn’t.
Rob from SC
October 18th, 2010
7:18 pm
No Freeman news
Braves Fan Since "80
October 18th, 2010
7:19 pm
DawgDad
I think your young defensive stud up the middle is busy playing for SS for the Rangers in the NLCS. As time goes on the Tex trade continues to look worse…
===========
Blame Kelly Johnson, Escobar and Chipper……. If they had played as advertised we would not know his name!
ccrider
October 18th, 2010
7:19 pm
I can see one reasonable answer to the outfield next year. Chipper comes back healthy, Infante takes over at 2nd, Prado moves to LF (he has played the outfield for years in the winter leagues), the Braves trade, Beachy, Bethancourt ( they are looking for a future replacement for Russell Martin), JJ Hoover, Cory Gearrin. The parts may need changing, but the Dodgers get a top young starting pitcher(that i would hate to give up,but), a VERY promising young catcher with gold glove skills, a pitcher in Hoover with very good upside and a very good reliever.
2b Infante
Rf Heyward
3B Chipper
C McCann
Cf Kemp
1B Freeman
2B Prado
22 Gonzalez
Its a situation where the Dodgers acquired 2 players that can help right away, and 2 with excellant upside
The Braves get a righthanded power bat with some baggage and Prado is a big upgrade over McLouth
The Lineup is solid 1-9, the rotation is Hudson, Lowe,, Hanson, Jurjjens and Minor( or maybe a bargin Vazquez signing)
The money works: Kemp $6.95 Million and enough for Vazquez at a discounted price, plus a vet reliever or bench upgrade
Braves Fan Since "80
October 18th, 2010
7:21 pm
October 18th, 2010
7:16 pm
ChipperSu_cks.com-
Yeah, exactly. Just the other day at work, I was telling my boss how much I wanted him to cut my salary so we could hire more workers and put out a better product. Oh wait, no I didn’t.
======
Crime dog….. your boss could just fire you at will!
Stanley Crowe
October 18th, 2010
7:23 pm
I think that a healthy Chipper Jones would be an asset next year. In fact, I worry more about his staying healthy than I worry about his not producing if he IS healthy. And the unmoveable Nate McLouth? I say we keep him, and I think he hits better next year. How much better is hard to say, but if we could get just ONE productive outfielder, we could be fine. Actually, I wouldn’t be averse to playing Infante as the regular LF — then we could get a more powerful hitter for center and use Nate to spell the new guy and Infante. An infield of Freeman, Prado, A. Gonzalez, and Chipper looks good to me. McCann and Ross are a nice combo at catcher, with David PH-ing on occasion. Bottom line: we’re one good center fielder away. I hate it that it seems that Werth and Crawford are out of reach.
Crime Dog
October 18th, 2010
7:28 pm
Crime dog….. your boss could just fire you at will!
Of course he could. But it’s not Chipper’s fault the Braves offered him that much money for that amount of time. I don’t know why anyone would just expect him to turn that down, especially considering how most of the contracts he signed during his career were for less than what he could have made elsewhere. He’s earned every cent and I hope he plays until the contract is done.
Efrim
October 18th, 2010
7:29 pm
Rob, if Freeman is hurt, my guess is he’ll be ready for Spring Training. It’s a long time till Feb.
gcs
October 18th, 2010
7:33 pm
Wren, DON’T BE AN IMBECILE! Resign Hinske!
He made $1 million in 2010. A new contract will not be that much more and I can’t imagine you getting anyone else cheaper/better to back up Freddie Freeman at first.
Furthermore, Freeman is a great prospect but he has yet to prove he can hit Major League hitting.
“It’s way too early to even contemplate what we might do, because you just don’t know,” Wren said. Does he think he gets the winter off?? The time is now. You get a head start on the Phillies. Get to work.
.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:34 pm
Infante at second base weakens the position defensively, and also weakens the bench (no Infante). I’d be OK with Kemp, but give me a normal hitting McLouth in CF, Kemp in LF and Infante on the bench. That would be a big improvement.
McLouth
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Kemp
McCann
Gonzalez
Freeman
That lineup has the potential to either A)Blow up in our faces or B)Do OK!
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:36 pm
Hinske would be a good resign, though he bats left. I like what he brings to the club off the field.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:37 pm
In my scenario, the bench would be Ross, Infante, Conrad, Hinske and Young (insert Diaz for Hinske??)
McFann O O – 6
October 18th, 2010
7:39 pm
Keylargo—
Hahahaha…that’s funny!
I’m pretty sure Tomahawkin is the passenger on the right.
CB
October 18th, 2010
7:40 pm
DS1,Hinske in charge of the buffet?
Gary O
October 18th, 2010
7:42 pm
Gcs,
They want Freddie’s backup to be right handed, and preferably hit lefties well (even if they haven’t said so). Hinske is left handed.
I don’t want the Guy from Arizona. Look at what KJ’s stats in Arizona were. Its too hard to tell if they can hit outside of Arizona.
And that’s one reason why Werth’s contract will be too high. Look at his average outside of Philly. And how will he hit when he doesn’t have that lineup around him.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:42 pm
CB
Darn straight! Can’t you tell he’s a burrito man too!
Danga
October 18th, 2010
7:45 pm
Hinske looks like Kevin James, but he was definitely one of my favorites by the end of the season.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 18th, 2010
7:45 pm
The reason we had such great teams back then was from the big 4 Avery, maddux, glavine, smoltz
they also had finalization of a championship team . There is no way to fix the past . The last 11 years have been really sad . No world series in 11 years . But that does not mean the braves will never go back . They may get lucky . But until they get there roster in order and get the right guys to play . Then no more world series . The 1990s is over . That was the golden years of the Braves . I do not see that ever anymore . but can they win another one ? Yes ..But only if they go after the right players ..You can not make it to the world series playing 50 50 ball . 75 or more . And sometimes that will not get u there…In the future is hard to predict looking at the past
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:46 pm
Boy I am sure hoping that Cliff Lee handcuffs the Yankees tonight! Giants v Rangers World Serious would be awesome four shore!
nolie
October 18th, 2010
7:47 pm
As time goes on the Tex trade continues to look worse… balla
I guess we don’t agree on anything. only guy I really miss is Feliz and we have 3 more that are almost as good perhaps. . Andrus regressed defensively this year and has not hit all that well, again considering that he is in an extreme hitters park, he’s a 634 career hitter away from home. , as Young is a career 719 hitter (675 this year) away. We could do worse I guess considering their usually good D (both Gonzo and Esco outplayed Andrus this year) but I ain’t very excited by either one at this point in their careers. and I do not think either one is an impact player on this team.
Jake W.
October 18th, 2010
7:47 pm
Not that i’m rotting for a Texas-Philly World Series but wouldn’t it be something if Texas were to pull off the upset and beat the heavily favored phils and the difference in the series be Cliff Lee. I know baseball wants the Yankees there for ratings but in terms of drama I think thats the best matchup. Still pulling for a Giants/Texas series but that other one could provide such better theater imo.
Danga
October 18th, 2010
7:48 pm
No way I’m rooting for the Giants. I’d much rather see the Phillies go just in order to watch better baseball.
Jake W.
October 18th, 2010
7:49 pm
rotting, geez, horrible spelling, i’m rooting
nolie
October 18th, 2010
7:50 pm
me too Danga.
Jake W.
October 18th, 2010
7:51 pm
No way I’m rooting for the Giants. I’d much rather see the Phillies go just in order to watch better baseball
Why, they’ve been almost identical teams this postseason. They have won behind not much offense, great pitching, and capitalizing on other teams mistakes.
ccrider
October 18th, 2010
7:51 pm
DS1: can’t agree with playing McLouth everyday over Infante and Infante isn’t that much difference at 2nd base over Prado defensively. McLouth as a sub is bad enough, but his defense has been poor, his arm is worse and his hitting speaks for itself.
The lineup I suggested with Infante rather than McLouth has no holes in it offensively and Kemp in CF is better than McLouth.
Danga
October 18th, 2010
7:51 pm
Agree 100% nolie…Texas got a lot of names in that deal, but Feliz is the only true difference maker in that group.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:52 pm
Our biggest albatross right now is paying Chipper for questionable output. Not that I lay any fault on him or the Braves. It is what it is. And having a couple of other guys eat upwards of another 15 million for minimal output: McLouth and Kawakami.
I like both those players, but not sure they are going to put it all together in ATL. FW seems to have given up on Kawakami. Not sure why, but he must have his reasons. He truly didn’t pitch nearly as bad as his record indicates last year.
And if we can just get McLouth to listen to Chipper more, maybe he can find his pre-Atlanta stroke.
Otherwise, I like that we are building from within. Prado, McCann, Heyward, Freeman, Hanson, Medlen, Minor, Venters, Kimbrel, etc.
FW needs to just resist the urge to trade away too many of our hot prospects. A couple would be OK for a bat, but hang onto as many of them as possible.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
7:53 pm
main thing that bothers me about Young is that he had a worse season this year away from ‘zona than his already poor career. In my mind that does not bode well for acquiring him, though you never know for sure until its all over
Danga
October 18th, 2010
7:56 pm
Really? Phillies scored 2nd most runs in the NL, Giants 9th. And that lineup wasn’t even healthy till the stretch run.
Atlanta braves fan of south
October 18th, 2010
7:56 pm
I think a lot of other teams fans was happy to see Atlanta get worse tho like the fans that do not like them . Having seem them in the world series in 5 times in the 1990s must have made most of the teams mad . But that is a story for another day .
nolie
October 18th, 2010
7:56 pm
Our biggest albatross right now is paying Chipper for questionable output DS
if he can play 125 games and hit close to what he was doing for the 6 weeks B4 he got hurt, I’ll be more than happy with his contract.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
7:57 pm
ccrider
You must be watching the good defensive twin of Omar Infante if you truly don’t see much difference between him and Prado.
And McLouth only plays if he returns to his pre-Atlanta form. Otherwise, he will be sent down or released.
I love what Infante has meant to the club, but he is my ace in the hole to rest/replace Chipper. Unless we pick up another corner infielder to be Chipper and Freeman’s caddie.
CB
October 18th, 2010
8:01 pm
I would love to get a Luke Scott type LF to go with Diaz,we can dream higher but realistically we will not get Crawford or Werth. It would give us a more solid lineup to go with great pitching and hope Nate can revert to norms. My next choice would be Hunter Pence.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
8:01 pm
if he can play 125 games and hit close to what he was doing for the 6 weeks B4 he got hurt, I’ll be more than happy with his contract.—nolie
Me too. Most definitely! My point was he is such an unknown until he gets back out on the field. Like Crime Dog stated, I hope he plays the next 2 years and gets his full pay. I think that helps the Braves a ton.
nolie
Have you ever checked the splits from home to away for ALL baseball players? I was just wondering. For the most part, most guys perform to a higher level in their own comfort zone.
I too am critical of guys with poor home/away splits, but I have started to wonder if that is a fair evaluation??
Where would you find that data?
Jake W.
October 18th, 2010
8:02 pm
Really? Phillies scored 2nd most runs in the NL, Giants 9th. And that lineup wasn’t even healthy till the stretch run
I was referring to the postseason only but I believe yahoo had a comparison between the two teams before their series began and it was surprising how alike the two teams were. Just watching that game Saturday, given the location of the four homers hit by both teams, if that game was played in San Fran Lincecum pitches another shutout because he gave up two opposite field homers that are easy outs in their cavernous ballpark and Ross’s since they were pulled down the left field line are still likely out. Gotta lead me to believe that although philly is known for the more potent offense that they also took advantage of playing in that bandbox. Besides their offense hasn’t been nearly as good as years past, a lot of the same names but just not that same blow you out every game lineup. Pitching has been their calling card this season.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
8:02 pm
And McLouth only plays if he returns to his pre-Atlanta form. Otherwise, he will be sent down or released
they are VERY unlikely to eat almost 8mil by releasing him
nolie
October 18th, 2010
8:10 pm
it’s a fair evaluation if a guy has splits much more that 100 points apart. actually it isn’t always the splits, I am more interested in what he does away. For instance a few years ago Young had very similar splits…because he absolutely sucked at home too.
I agree that a guy might do better after getting used to another park, but in general just as Melkey showed this year, take a guy out of a hitters park when most of his production has been at that park, and his numbers are most likely not gonna be anywhere near as good as they were. They are gonna be closer to his away numbers than to his combined numbers. I’m sure there has been some exceptions, but they more or less prove the rule rather than refute it, and who can afford to take that chance.
and like I said I was especially unhappy to see Young actually regress from his career numbers.
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
8:14 pm
Here is a quick remedy to KK,McClouth and Lowe guaranteed contract problem.
KK owed $7Mill next year
Mclouth owed $6Mill next year
Lowe owed 30Mill next 2 years
Renegotiate Lowe’s contract to be spread out over 3 years instead of two. That pays him $10Mill a year for 3 years. Take out Hampton insurance policy in case his arm blows out. The guy has a rubber arm that allows him to throw 85-89mph sinker and get major league hitters out. Will be able to throw that until he is 39 which is 3 years from now. Take the $10Mill saved over next 2 years and pay half of KK and Mclouth saleries for team that takes them and gives back a prospect or two. _ ijudgenot
Is this a serious comment? Shouldn’t there be a wink , an lol, or something following. I mean I’m all for letting jokes stand on their on, but damn, I’m not sure it is.
Last year the Braves tried to trade Lowe, which I don’t think he was to happy about, and now you want him to add a year for free. Because he just loves the hell out of us fans and all? Is that it?
Why not ask Nate to tack on 3 or 4 years to his deal for nothing, he’s the one that sucks. KK too, 3 years damn it, for free. Do it, do it now. My god
jeffrey d
October 18th, 2010
8:15 pm
HR Hamilton!! I love that guy
ccrider
October 18th, 2010
8:20 pm
DS1: Infante would be more consistent playing one position, he is a decent defensive player, but moving constantly from 2B, to SS , to 3B makes it really hard to excel at any position. The turn of the double play started by Glaus was a beautiful play. Plus, his bat far exceeds McLouth
McLouth misjudges balls constantly, has a noodle for an arm and doesn’t throw accurately.
I will be much happier with Infante’s defense over McLouth!
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
8:27 pm
yeah that “big bat” never materialized last year did it? unless Bat Masterson on the board was a stand in _ nolie
nolie_
I try not to take it personally when people say we need another Bat.
There are probably some that think one Bat is one to many.
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
October 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
Hillbilly re: your 4:26 pm
Now who are those two? Don’t think I know who they are…..
Frank from KS (now living in CO)
October 18th, 2010
8:38 pm
DSI
I agree with what you said about McClouth having a comeback year. I think he will also.
DS1
October 18th, 2010
8:47 pm
ccrider
I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree. I think Infante’s arm is not much better than Nate’s. Infante made a great turn on the DP in the playoffs sure, but he isn’t nearly as polished around the bag as Prado, and his throwing to first is much more erratic.
I don’t know what happened to Nate this year. When they played him in LF, he definitely looked bad. But he covers a lot of ground in CF, where a strong arm is not quite as critical.
Yes, I have my doubts about McLouth in the outfield, but who are you going to use to spell Chipper if Infante is your regular second baseman and Prado your left fielder.
Let’s just keep guys in their best positions. We don’t need too much fantasy moving folks around. Errors and missed plays count in real baseball.
Gary O
October 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
DS1,nolie,
Except for the 6 week stretch u mentioned, the chipper of 2010 looked a lot like the chipper of 2009.
So I am not expecting much from him next season. If he plays 130 games, I will be pleasantly surprised. And if he hits . 285, I will be pleasantly surprised.
I am a fan of chipper, and I appreciate what he has done for the braves. But I think we would be better off if he retired and became the hitting coach.
jeffrey d
October 18th, 2010
8:57 pm
If anything, we need more Bat Mastersons on here
Good stuff
October 18th, 2010
9:00 pm
Good stuff… I truly appreciate the thorough job you do on the Braves. It was a long article that took a great deal of time. I read every word and enjoy all the info you provide. Keep up the good work. As far as the Braves are concerned …most likely we want be able to really get over the hump until we get rid of Chipper’s, Lowe, McClouth and Kawakami’s contracts. However, once those are off the books this team could really get back in the mix.
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
October 18th, 2010
9:00 pm
The trade for Nate McLouth will and is starting to haunt the Braves already. Charlie Morton finally turned the corner on a horrible season by posting an ERA of 3.99 in his last five starts, four of which were quality starts.
I for one have always believed Morton would turn out to be a middle of the rotation starter and he will. Nate’s a good outfielder but I do believe the Pirates are going to come out ahead in this trade.
Shot Thru the Lockhart
October 18th, 2010
9:10 pm
I don’t think 5 starts of 3.99 ERA against watered down September line-ups quite offsets all the poor performances Morton has had throughout his career. He’s not even that young anymore. 27 next season.
Rodney Derrick
October 18th, 2010
9:12 pm
For those like me now having to wait until next year for more Mad Men and more Rubicon, one excellent option is the 6 part mini-series “Luther” which premiered Sunday on BBC America. Starring the everywhere (sort of like Johnny Venters) incredible actor and surely one of DOB’s favorites, Idris Elba (The Wire and currently The Big C and Boardwalk Empire, just to cite a few of his roles), and with a wonderful villainous Ruth Wilson plus the thoroughly exotic Indira Varma (Karma Sutra and Rome), you will surely be able to catch repeats this week before next Sunday’s second episode
Coach (2011 and Fredi G. a GO!)
October 18th, 2010
9:19 pm
Lockhart, you have a point. However, Morton’s resurgence came after a stint in the minors and the Pirates new pitching coach didn’t hurt either. So when Atlanta made the trade they knew what Morton was…..an enigma. A 6-5 right hander with absolute electric stuff, ten cent head and a million dollar arm. My opinion, he’s gonna figure it out one of these days and my Braves will be eating crow.
By the way, Derek Lowe didn’t become a full time starter until the age of 29, so Morton’s age is irrelevant.
DMBJAMS
October 18th, 2010
9:19 pm
I need some BIG Braves news in the next couple of weeks. I know Fredi was big news, but I guess I’m an addict.
Hello. My name is DMBJAMS and I’m a Braves baseballaholic.
I feel better.
DC Brave
October 18th, 2010
9:27 pm
Hi DMBJAMS! Admitting the problem is the first step.
My problem is that I am a Chipper Jones optimist on a board of pessimists.
Chipper will return next year, he will be good enough defensively, and he’s going to have an OBP of 400 on his way towards 25 HRs and 103 RBIs. And somehow, someway, it will be Chipper that delivers that key single that turns a 1 run inning into a 3 run inning. Oh yeah, he’s gonna play in 140 games too. BANK ON IT.
P'cola Brave
October 18th, 2010
9:29 pm
I know Werth, Crawford and Dunn aren’t going to happen for the Braves. Too tight a payroll. We’ll just have to wait until after the 2012 season when the money is free to sign a big FA. But the outfield was terrible again this year and their aren’t that many big difference makers available if any. Do the Braves settle for someone that would be an improvement in the OF or try to trade away some top prospects for an above average power bat. With that said, who is even possibly available?
Some decent names out there in Mags and Scotty Pods that I wouldn’t mind seeing signed. The problem with Podsednik is he has no power.
Crime Dog
October 18th, 2010
9:31 pm
More idiots on the field in the northeast. Why does this only happen up there?
P'cola Brave
October 18th, 2010
9:31 pm
DC Brave
Chipper has a chance to do something next year. Getting some time off and a constant workout due to rehab might help bring some of that power back. Rehabing that knee is a lot of lower body strength. I think he’ll end up with around 15-20 HR. I just hope is average comes back. I’ll take a high average with plenty of doubles out of him.
keylargo
October 18th, 2010
9:37 pm
A 6-5 right hander with absolute electric stuff, ten cent head and a million dollar arm.
A 6-5, 139 pound right hander with absolute……………………
If the pitching gig goes south, he could always be a marathoner. He already looks like the Ethiopians.
DC Brave
October 18th, 2010
9:39 pm
P’cola – I hear you. How are things down there by the way? They get the beaches clean yet?
As for Chipper…yeah, I’d take a lot of doubles. Based on everything we’ve been given to read about Chipper it just seems apparent that he is determined to go out with a bang. He wants to be known as a “dangerous” hitter the day before he retires…I think he’ll make it happen next year.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
Charlie Morton finally turned the corner on a horrible season by posting an ERA of 3.99 in his last five starts, four of which were quality starts.
5 starts after all that crappy pitching? I think I’ll wait a bit thank you
braveshoo
October 18th, 2010
9:49 pm
I would play Infante in LF, and then you only need a CF. I would go after Jason Werth. He can play CF; bats RH; hits for average and power; and can steal a base when you need him to. I think you can get him for 15 million per year for 3-4 years, and I think we should do it. With our pitching, Infante and Prado setting the table, McCann and Werth and Heyward and Chipper driving them in, we could be really good. I want us to get Werth.
Kenny Powers
October 18th, 2010
9:52 pm
braveshoo –
We’ve been talking about Werth for weeks. It just isn’t plausible — the Braves can’t afford him. Your $15 mil a year for 3-4 years is very naive. Several other teams with a much higher payroll will pay much more for his services, and for 5-6 years.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
9:54 pm
Werth will likely get a 5 or 6 year contract
MikeInFl
October 18th, 2010
10:01 pm
Where in the list that includes Jurrjens, Lowe, Hanson, Hudson, Medlen, Beachy, Minor, Teheran, Delgado, Hoover and Vizcaino, would you insert Charlie Morton. Are we really lamenting the loss of Charlie Morton?
I guess there’s a lot to complain about with the Braves (or so I read), but I just don’t see losing Charlie Morton as very high on the list.
Hobo
October 18th, 2010
10:04 pm
Yes, Andrus is an atrocious hitter, finished 143/149 in OPS in ALL of baseball, and I think most of us would not enjoy watching him hit over 162 games.
P'cola Brave
October 18th, 2010
10:08 pm
DC Brave
The beaches are great. I just attended the Brad Paisley concert on the Beach last night. The beaches are clean and look great. The clean up crews did a good job keeping them clean. You may get a tar ball here and there but for the most part everythings great. Just waiting for the tourism to pick back up.
UKUGA
October 18th, 2010
10:09 pm
I’d love to see Chipper play until the end of his contract, as well.
But “play” is the operative word here.
I want him playing. Not soaking his bunions, or massaging his obliques. Playing.
Third base. For the Atlanta Braves.
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
10:12 pm
Thanks, jeffery d
David O'Brien
October 18th, 2010
10:23 pm
Freddie Freeman injured his left thumb on slide at third base in a Fall League game today. They’re calling it sprain for now; Braves official said he’d be examined further tomorrow.
nolie
October 18th, 2010
10:24 pm
given what non-PED players usually do in their real late thirties, I think you have to be realistic about what he will produce. Eddie Mathews retired around 36 done after 3 or 4 pretty mediocre years. Chipper will likely not hit 290 or 18 homers but he should still be valuable betting on base. Hopefully the will bat him second as so many here have wanted. 125 games of 380 or so OBP might not be worth the contract amount but will still help the team a lot.
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
10:26 pm
That’s just great ………. Hope it’s not a bone bruise. Head first slide?
richbrave
October 18th, 2010
10:26 pm
CHARLIE MORTON to the rescue. My main man. Glad to see his good kicker to end the season. Are we penciling him into the KK slot on the roster, a #6 starter? Or would he be a #7 SP?
Or are we losing JJ to shoulder and knee miseries?
richbrave
October 18th, 2010
10:26 pm
1
McFann O O – 6
October 18th, 2010
10:28 pm
DOB Freddie Freeman injured his left thumb on slide at third base
Oh good lord…
richbrave
October 18th, 2010
10:28 pm
David O’Brien
October 18th, 2010
10:23 pm
Freddie Freeman injured his left thumb on slide at third base in a Fall League game today. They’re calling it sprain for now; Braves official said he’d be examined further tomorrow
My grandson broke his left wrist sliding into second this weekend.
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
10:29 pm
Sorry to hear that richbrave. Been there, it sucks.
Bat Masterson
October 18th, 2010
10:30 pm
999
Looking Forward to Freddies (both of them)
October 18th, 2010
10:31 pm
Any particular reason why the name “Cory Hart” does not show up when we are talking about bringing a a big right-handed bat for the OF. He seems to have all of those attributes and is languishing in Milwaukee. Plus he does not have the maturity/personality problems that Colby Rasmus at Matt Kemp have (not that I dislike the idea of Rasmus or Kemp).
That being said, I am one of the few that believe that McClouth has turned a page. If he can hang out with Chipper more I think we will see his production mirror what he did upon his recall from AAA.