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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,256 comments Add your comment
Shaun
March 1st, 2011
2:37 pm
timthebrave, I love chatting about Francoeur for the exact reasons Posnanski lays out in his piece. He is just an intriguing player. Lots of personality, lots of energy, lots of effort, I think he wants to be a great player, very “athletic.” But unfortunately for all of us that root for him and want him to be a great player, he just probably doesn’t, never had and never will have the skills to be an everyday major leaguer. His lack of skill was there long before the Braves decided to send him to the minors. He just never had command of the strikezone. That’s a skill as important as hitting for power or speed or throwing well.
richbrave
March 1st, 2011
2:38 pm
98
baxter my little gentleman
March 1st, 2011
2:38 pm
i’m out
gotta go to a meeting
JC from DR!
March 1st, 2011
2:39 pm
Freeman looks good so far!
SouthGaBrave
March 1st, 2011
2:39 pm
Great to see Heyward hitting line drives all over the field today. Hopefully McLouth can close the gap in returning to his ‘08 form. If he’s anything close to that, this could be one scary lineup for the opposition this year! Go Braves!
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
2:39 pm
Three consecutive two-out line drives by Heyward, Mather, Freeman (RBI single) puts Braves up 2-0
wheelz007
March 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
Nice. Good job guys.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
2:42 pm
GT Alum – From what I’ve read, it all got started by several New York sports writers who indicated that the Yankees might have an interest in him. No one has approached the Cards about it, but some sports writers in St Louis asked him about it over the weekend. That’s when he said he would waive his no-trade clause – if asked.
Also: “The Cardinals also must decide after this season whether to assume the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner’s $15 million option for 2012. Carpenter did not say whether any trade acceptance would be conditional on a new team assuming the option.”
Robert
March 1st, 2011
2:42 pm
“He is just an intriguing player. Lots of personality, lots of energy, lots of effort, I think he wants to be a great player, very “athletic.”
He is an illustration of the difference between tools and skills
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
2:42 pm
Bethancourt draws a two-out walk to load the bases in his first AB of spring, in big league camp.
BravePack
March 1st, 2011
2:42 pm
CR
Everything alright with Uggla? Left the game after only 2 AB’s.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
SouthGaBrave – how “south” are you?
JC from DR!
March 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
Diory Hernandez drove in a run with a sacrifice fly… it’s a miracleee!
Fargo
March 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
South GA Braves….Doesn’t it seem like the NY press drums up all this commotion!? I live in Twins territory, and everyone is up in arms the last couple of days because they are spreading some Liriano trade rumor…
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
BravePack
It’s spring…he was probably only scheduled for 2 ABs
smalltownbravesfan
March 1st, 2011
2:48 pm
Hazlehurst, GA here. Bethancourt suppose to be future catcher or back-up to McCann, good to see him getting an ab
Runnin
March 1st, 2011
2:49 pm
Kissimmee, Florida. The home of Vassar Clements.
Robert
March 1st, 2011
2:49 pm
I wouldnt make anything particular out of Uggla getting only 2AB’s today – that’s not at all unusual at this stage of ST
rob from sc
March 1st, 2011
2:49 pm
I would guess Linbrink is a lock…But is Sherrill?
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
2:50 pm
Brave pack, i’m reading that as two ABs because of spring training game. third game in a row….Chipper would have taken two ABs if he weren’t just DHing….
I was mistaken in saying those last hits all came with two outs. I wrote down Conrad’s out twice….because it’s spring training and I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning!
Diory’s sac flyball was to the wall. showing some pop
Lew
March 1st, 2011
2:51 pm
cab – I’m not so sure what the Cards are up to, either. I thought it was strange giving Holiday that huge contract with Albert’s time being so short instead of going out and getting more pitching – especially since even with Albert, they have gone to the Series once – and that with a barely .500 record.
Apparently all that power and offense hasn’t helped them and the extra pitching might have.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
2:52 pm
Fargo – Yeah, it is the NY press no doubt. They got to sell them papers! I read about the Liriano rumors too. I hear the Yanks talked to the Twins in the offseason and the Twinkies weren’t interested.
I think he is a FA after 2012 and the Yanks might think they can pry him away.
But then again, the Yankees are rumored to be after any starting pitching they can get. Including Josh Johnson.
And they wouldn’t offer Millwood a major league contract?
GT Alum
March 1st, 2011
2:52 pm
south georgia braves -
Ahh, so this is something NY sportswriters cooked up, not anything there’s any indication the Cards are actually looking to do this. Wonder if the sportswriters have any theories about who the Yanks would offer in return. Unless they’re completely out of it before the deadline, I would think it would have to be a very attractive package.
Deedle Nick
March 1st, 2011
2:53 pm
Chipley, FL here in the Panhandle. Home of the first kudzu in the U.S.
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
Cards Front office has their work cut out for them..
BravePack
March 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
cabravesfan Robert CR
Thanks for info just wasn’t sure since everyone else was getting 3 AB’s. Thanks.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
Runnin – I think very few people on here know who Vassar Clements was. Sad…but true. They know Roger, but not the great Vassar.
smalltownbravesfan
March 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
I woke up @ 5:00 am once and then went back to sleep
bravesgrl4life
March 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
I know it’s meaningless, by I love seeing that the Tigers are up 6-1 over Philly! The Tigers train in my home area of Lakeland, FL, so I sort of like them. And anybody who whips up on the Philthies is just fine with me
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
Millwoods best days are behind him.
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
BravePack, Uggla came out because he’s played the last two days and he’s making the trip tomorrow to Ft. Myers. Just a breather.
Shaun
March 1st, 2011
2:56 pm
Robert, I think Francoeur is also an illustration that baseball players don’t come in with a blank slate and to a large degree can’t simply be coached to be great, at least not by the time they are drafted and playing pro ball. They come into it with certain skills. Yes, to some degree coaches and a player’s discipline and work habits can improve skills enough for the player to take some drastic steps. But those things can only take players so far. Command of the strikezone and plate discipline are a lot like other skills, such as power or a good throwing arm. A player either has it or he doesn’t, for the most part.
Yes, every now and then a coach or some work by the player can improve plate discipline and command of the strikezone in a player enough so that, if things line up just right and a player has the right skill set, the player can put together some good or even great seasons. (See Sammy Sosa.) But saying Francoeur’s problems are just a matter of coaching or a lack of discipline or work on his part, is overlooking the fact that Francoeur never has had discipline and command of the strikezone at any level, at any place, under any coach, ever. When you see that, you know that Francoeur’s struggles very likely have nothing to do with his coaching, coachability, desire, work ethic, etc. It’s more to do with what he came into pro ball with and without.
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
2:56 pm
I bet the Cards end up tradeing Card to the Yankees
Lew
March 1st, 2011
2:57 pm
SGBraves – Was just thinking the same thing about Clements. I wasn’t aware he was from Kissimee, but certainly knew who he was. Just haven’t heard anything about him for years.
GT Alum
March 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
Deedle Nick -
Surprised there’s still a town left.
smalltownbravesfan
March 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
bravesgrl4life: me thinks the Tigers are going to have a good year.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
GT – yeah, the only reason I brought it up is I thought it ironic that Carpenter would say that this past weekend, then have to leave the game early today…with a possible injury. Karma?
Lew
March 1st, 2011
2:59 pm
Life is getting interesting if the Cards are looking to trade Carpenter and the Mets might have to go through a firesale.
Sure wouldn’t mind David Wright replacing Chipper when the time comes. Not sure what we’d do with him in the meantime, though.
Does he play any other position?
Fargo
March 1st, 2011
3:00 pm
bravesgrl4life….They are even doing it with a split squad!
GT Alum
March 1st, 2011
3:01 pm
Well, and it seems like Francoeur’s had so much success at every level that he’s had a hard time adjusting to the fact that he’s not successful at this level. Someone who has to adjust and focus on improving his game at every level naturally does that if he reaches this level. For someone who’s always had success, I could see it being a difficult adjustment.
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
Game update??
smalltownbravesfan
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
David Wright in a Braves uniform. Now that i would love to see.
bravesgrl4life
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
I second Mike, please.
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
David Wright will never wear a Braves uni.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
Lew – he passed away a few years back. I guess some may know him from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and such.
Chubby Wise is from down that way too I think.
Obviously, I’m in to bluegrass.
BravePack
March 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
CR
Thanks again for all the quick updates…great job.
Murph
March 1st, 2011
3:03 pm
Conrad got a double
Murph
March 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
Mycal Jones at the plate
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
Where you at Carroll?? We need an update.
bravesgrl4life
March 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
Yeah, Brooksie!!!!
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:04 pm
3-0 Braves??
GT Alum
March 1st, 2011
3:05 pm
south georgia braves -
Idk, not sure how it would be karma. Reading his quote, it sounded more like he was saying I’m not going to stand in their way if they think that’s the best thing for the team. He definitely wasn’t demanding a trade or anything like that.
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
3:05 pm
Double for Brooks Conrad, his first hit of spring.
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
Score? Inning? Damn spring ball not being on the television!
Murph
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
Diving catch in CF, inning over, 3-0 Braves still going to bottom of the 8th
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
David Wright in a Braves uniform will be the same as Glavine was wearing a Mets Uniform.
How much Does David make compared to Chipper?
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
Thanks, Murph.
Deedle Nick
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
GT Alum -
Actually, with the exception of some isolated lots it’s pretty much under control here in town. Driving through SE Alabama and SW Georgia is a whole nutha story!
It was brought here from Asia in the early 20th century as a high-protein forage plant.
There’s a roadside marker in town about 1/4 mile from my home. Here’s a link:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7Z6M_KUDZU_DEVELOPED_HERE
Robert
March 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
“Robert, I think Francoeur is also an illustration that baseball players don’t come in with a blank slate and to a large degree can’t simply be coached to be great”
There’s a good bit of truth to this. “Moneyball” talked about it – the way the scouts would always dream of what a player some big strapping would become if only he could learn strike zone discipline – and how unrealistic that hope is in most cases
Some of it comes down to baseball smarts – some guys have it, some dont. On the other hand, some of it, like executing fundamental plays, is mostly practice.
Guy flubs a bunch of ground balls – he shouldnt be playing golf until he’s fielded 1000 grounders cleanly fifty nights in a row
What I dont want though is for this to be used as an excuse to absolve coaches and managers at the higher levels of baseball from repsonsibility. They can teach, and moreover, they can reward and punish – in other words, as manager, maybe I cant singlehandedly change Frenchy’s poor habits this late in his careerm but I can certainly let him know he wont be playing if he has a three to one K to BB ratio or if he cant lay down a bunt
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
Wright is due to make $15 mil next year. No thanks.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
GT – No, he is not looking to be traded (M. Young). But if they wanted to, he would.
Mekons5
March 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
Carpenter told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch that “there was no way he could have gone on,” so at the very least he’s unlikely to make another start for a couple weeks.
Strained hamstring.
cabravesfan
March 1st, 2011
3:08 pm
David Wright’s making $14 million this year and $15 million next year with a $16 million option for 2013 ($1 million buyout)
Robert
March 1st, 2011
3:09 pm
“is overlooking the fact that Francoeur never has had discipline and command of the strikezone at any level, at any place, under any coach, ever.”
That doesnt mean the manager has to play him 150 games a year.
Arkansas Transplant
March 1st, 2011
3:10 pm
Braveone, nice job on the stats.
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:11 pm
Which means to take on that Wright’s salary for next year you’d have to sign him to an extension. He’ll probably want five years (at least) and a ton of money. I wouldn’t be very excited about that as a Braves fan.
Arkansas Transplant
March 1st, 2011
3:11 pm
Lew, I’m hoping you see the package today but it’s probably going to be more like this saturday. At least it’s not a time sensitive item.
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
3:12 pm
Im not sure David is worth that kinda money.Now getting the cubs to trade Starlin Castro to play 3b for the braves is a good option if the cubs tank this season.
Lew
March 1st, 2011
3:12 pm
sgbarves- I saw Nitty Gritty way back in the dusty past at Mercer, in a – shall we say- extremely altered state. Great show – enjoyed it immensely, even though I’m a hard rocker..
Mekons5
March 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
And Mitchell Boggs goes down in relief of Carpenter. Back injury. At this rate, the Cards should have their players show up at the park, but never, ever actually play.
wheelz007
March 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
Is it 3-0 Braves?
baxter my little gentleman
March 1st, 2011
3:13 pm
im back…short meeting
3-0 braves top 9
mather up
Arkansas Transplant
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
I’d have to agree, it would be nice to see Wright hold down the hot corner when Chipper’s ready to call it quits.
Murph
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
Top o’ the 9th, Mather up to bat, no outs, 3-0 Braves
GT Alum
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
Robert -
Yeah, but the fact that he complains and requests to be traded when he’s placed in a platoon/back-up role means that there’s not much point in signing him if you’re not going to play him 150 games, unless you really want a malcontent in the clubhouse.
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
How does this sound: Wright to the hated Yanks, Arod back to short and Jeter to centerfield?
Wright is not a good fit for the Braves. I’d rather have Ike Davis and his salary, but we don’t need another 1b.
Mekons5
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
The Cubs are not trading Starlin Castro. Unless we offered, oh, Julio Teheran.
Arkansas Transplant
March 1st, 2011
3:14 pm
Murph, have you given MLB ‘11 a go yet?
let's go bravos
March 1st, 2011
3:15 pm
Enter your comments here
timthebrave
March 1st, 2011
3:15 pm
Shaun, Good points. The only thing is that he hits like crazy for a month where he is even walking and seems to be recognizing pitchers better. Just a really strange case where I personally just can’t write him off as an awful player
Lew
March 1st, 2011
3:15 pm
Mike – Well, like you say, it probably wouldn’t ever happen, but given the amount of bucks coming off the books the next couple of years (as much as $45-50 mil- it could be done, especially since pitching will be relatively cheap for a good while (during that time frame).
Hate the Mets, but would love seeing Wright as a Brave.
CB
March 1st, 2011
3:15 pm
Who have been the Braves pitchers so far today?
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:16 pm
AR transplant…you really want to see all of Chipper’s salary tied up in David Wright for the next five years? Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t see Wright producing that much for that much longer.
P-Town Brave ©
March 1st, 2011
3:16 pm
AT-
What are you sending out?
Murph
March 1st, 2011
3:17 pm
AT, haven’t had time yet. Been meaning to download the demo, but I hear it’s massive. Might do so tonight.
What do you think of it so far? Notice any big differences?
south georgia braves
March 1st, 2011
3:17 pm
Baxter, could you please, in the future, schedule your meetings around Braves Baseball.
I mean, where are your priorities man??
Lew
March 1st, 2011
3:17 pm
cab – No big deal. Nate and KK are gone next year and that’s $13 mil right there. In 2013, we lose (probably) Chipper’s and Lowe’s salaries – another $29 mil. It’s doable.
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:17 pm
The Braves could afford him for sure when Lowe and Chipper come off the books, but I’m for spreading the wealth a little bit. I’d much prefer to move Prado to third and pay the big bucks for a couple of bats in the OF.
Carroll Rogers
March 1st, 2011
3:17 pm
Chipper continues to progress at the plate as DH and is eyeing a return to third this weekend, perhaps as early as Friday vs. Toronto.
Robert
March 1st, 2011
3:18 pm
“Yeah, but the fact that he complains and requests to be traded when he’s placed in a platoon/back-up ”
There’s a great example of how a manager CAN affect a player
Frenchy got demoted and whined – and his reward was that Bobby Cox got him called back up. That never shouldve happened
Mekons5
March 1st, 2011
3:18 pm
CB: Hanson, Venters, Marek, Broadway, someone else…
Mattatrab1985
March 1st, 2011
3:18 pm
Will Heyward want Pujols type money in a few years?
P'cola Brave
March 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
Wright is only 27 and really coming into his prime. The next few years he will be one of the best 3B in the league.
baxter my little gentleman
March 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
bwahahaha
no kidding right?
baxter my little gentleman
March 1st, 2011
3:19 pm
going to the bottom of the 9th
braves went 1-2-3
Mike
March 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
He may want it, but unless he hits 40 homers, drives in 150, and hits for a 315 avg. or better for the next five years he’s not going to get it. Pujols is a different cat.
bravesgrl4life
March 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
Sure hope our closer for the 9th holds this 3-0 shutout.
P-Town Brave ©
March 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
Murph-
I’ve decided I’m gonna start the game cold…no demo
We’ll just see if I can get all my packing done in advance and be able to pick it up and play a couple days before my trip to FL
CB
March 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
Mekons5,thanks.
timthebrave
March 1st, 2011
3:20 pm
Robert….You know you want to say Jeff’s problems are all …….
Bobby Cox’s fault