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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,220 comments Add your comment
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:31 am
Uga-brave: I don’t have to wear a hockey helmet to work, because I have nothing to be a shamed of. I wear my caps win or loose when Im puit them on.I’m a proud Braves fan, and It doesn’t matter how the season is.I’ll go down with them, and I will go up with them.Baseball is a game of fun. God I Love baseball………
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:32 am
Correction put them on. Typed the keys fast there.
Braint
May 1st, 2011
1:34 am
Why did Fredi even have Kimbrell in the game when it was tied? He blew a save less than 14 hours prior and you put him in the 9th when it’s tied? Another of a long list of question marks on decisions the skipper has made. I’m not a “bring Bobby back” guy but someone with a history of winning and more than 3 years under their belt would have been appreciated.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:34 am
If you love baseball it shouldn’t matter how the wins or loses come. Let’s all relax , and have fun……. New day tomorrow, and some more fun. This is an exciting year, and” I Thank God I’m a Braves fan…………”
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:34 am
tit for tat, you have to bring in venters. not when the bunt was on.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:37 am
Look there are people who don’t have homes ,because of Tornados, and people are crying over a Braves game……It’s not the end Of the World you know……..
Mike S
May 1st, 2011
1:38 am
just rewatched that gonzo atbat in the ninth. that last pitch was low. it was ridiculous. that’s the tying run on base with one out. bad time for a blown call for bravos.
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:39 am
ward, i stil you with hockey helmet. dont tell steve.
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:41 am
mike s, got a empty uniform managing this team
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:42 am
I know your pain,but are we men or mice. It’s a wonderful night,and the night is young, and tomorrow is a brand new day……
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:44 am
eYesterday happened it’s in the past. Nothing we can do or change. New day tomorrow….
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:44 am
ward you where a hockey helmut.
Moe Berg
May 1st, 2011
1:44 am
“but someone with a history of winning and more than 3 years under their belt would have been appreciated.”
And beyond Moylan, to whom in the Braves bullpen do you refer?
Mike S
May 1st, 2011
1:44 am
idk, I’m still giving fredi the benefit of the doubt. he’s made some questionable moves at times, but it’s still early and he’s learning this team. but i’ll admit, he hasn’t been doing himself many favors so far this season.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:45 am
Let’s go fly a Kite tomorrow……
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:45 am
dont tell BAS.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:46 am
Mike S: I agree wwith you on that. We just have to wait, and see only time can tell with Fredi….Bobby got the same scrutiny last year…….
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:47 am
uga-brave don’t need a hockey helmet………
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:47 am
MOE, smokrise?
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:49 am
Pablo Sand. Out for the San Fran. Giants Broken wrist……
uga-brave
May 1st, 2011
1:49 am
ward my bad.
Moe Berg
May 1st, 2011
1:54 am
uga-brave–Even if we are both from there, no one in Smoke Rise will solve the Braves’ problems.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:55 am
uga-brave: Kimbrel cant’ save all the games. He’s going to blow a few. It happens to all the closers…….
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:56 am
It happens to the best closers. Just ask Wilson from the Giants……
Ward
May 1st, 2011
1:57 am
Braves have to win their selves. All we can do is cheer them on……
Yunel's Frosted Tips
May 1st, 2011
2:08 am
The balling and striking has been awful the last 2 days……and not only on Freeman and Gonzolez……..the clown ump with the slow calls last night needs to be told to quit hotdogging and stylin on the calls and make them prompt my MLB……it is affecting the game
Ward
May 1st, 2011
2:12 am
I noticed that the Umps stike zones, have been all over this year. The Umps have to do a better job. Good point Yunel’s Frosted Tips……
Murph
May 1st, 2011
2:25 am
So last year’s team had some sort of angel on its shoulder come the end of the game, winning time and time again in the last at-bat… this year’s team feels like a polar opposite, where if the game is close they are going to lose in the 9th time and time again.
I know it’s early and all, but damn, the April Braves weren’t much fun to watch. Can’t hit for sh*t, can close out games.
I sure hope the May Braves pick it up a little bit. If their relievers can’t hold a 2 run lead, then maybe the Braves should try and score more than 2 runs per game. That’s a good place to start.
Oh, and high Ward. Wanted to aknawlej your presents before you said buy buy.
Ward
May 1st, 2011
2:35 am
Murph: Your alright! I apologize for ripping you the other day. Some times I need to cool it too……Murph Your cool……
Ward
May 1st, 2011
2:37 am
Just didn’t like some one using my name, but It’s all dune with. It’s a new day…..
Ward
May 1st, 2011
2:39 am
May ,and June will tell who the Braves are. I’m waiting til the All Star Break,but I will still with hold my opinions until the end of the year. I’m looking for positive things……
Ward
May 1st, 2011
3:32 am
Well all have a good one! I’m going to close tonight with one of my favorite songs from The Phantom Of The Opera. “In The Music Of The Night”………..
///////keylargo\\\\\\\
May 1st, 2011
3:35 am
You’re doing a fine job Ward!
Back to baseball and Game 2 of the Cardinals series | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
May 1st, 2011
4:28 am
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
haggard
May 1st, 2011
5:26 am
In the wee small hours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqmgldSVgXM
TeheranTime
May 1st, 2011
6:40 am
Yunel, you’re correct. Friday night was particularly horrible as far as the umpiring goes. Not only the ball and strike calls but also the delays in making the calls. At one point, Freeman was called out on a third strike- which was low and outside- and the delay was such that Uggla had started to second base. The St. Louis catcher almost threw him out at first. Friday night was the worst all around job I have seen by a home plate umpire for so many different reasons.
David O'Brien
May 1st, 2011
8:55 am
Braves have blown 5 of 12 save opps.; only NL teams that have blown as many or more are Nats, Astros, Cardinals
David O'Brien
May 1st, 2011
9:18 am
Derek Lowe is 1-7 with a 6.85 ERA vs. St. Louis, his worst record and ERA against any team.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
9:20 am
We have as many blown saves (5) as stolen bases (also 5), lol!
We have been caught stealing 9 times, making us the only team BY FAR that has a less than 50% stolen base rate in the National League.
Collectively, the National League per team average when it comes to stolen bases is 19. 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our 5 looks pathetically slow.
Yet trading for someone like Jose Reyes APPALLS many of you? Whatever.
David O'Brien
May 1st, 2011
9:22 am
Heyward has hit .400 w/ 3 HRs, 7 RBI, 1.161 OPS in past 8 gms, after hitting .149 w/ 2 RBI and .571 OPS in previous 14 gms
Wow..
May 1st, 2011
9:27 am
So much for that great Braves bullpen.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
9:28 am
David O’Brien…….I know that we’ve had our words in the past. Given that it’s a little slow going on here this morning….I was wondering if you would take a look at the following proposed trade idea that I posted yesterday and let me know what you think?
……………..
I know, the following proposal would be really OUT THERE to consider…..however, if the Braves were to be willing to accept K-Rod’s contract in a Jose Reyes trade…..I’m sure that the Braves wouldnt have to give up NEARLY AS MUCH to the Mets in talent ..as they would if they only traded for Reyes.
Sure, K-Rod is making $11.5 mil this season (minus 1 month that the Mets have already paid him). He’s due a $3.5 mil buyout (he needs to finish 46 more games this year in order to get the $17.5 mil option guaranteed…which isnt going to happen).
Reyes is making $11 mil this year (minus 1 month that the Mets have already paid him). Hypothetically speaking, if the Braves were to trade for Reyes and K-Rod TODAY, the Mets would be getting a net salary relief of approximately $20 mil ($18.5 mil prorated for this year, plus K-Rod’s $3.5 mil 2012 buyout…..minus Alex Gonzalez’s $2 mil prorated for the rest of this year).
Sure, the Braves 2011 payroll would increase by approximately $16.5 mil (the $3.5 mil K-Rod 2012 buyout wouldnt be on the books until 2012) if the trade was made TODAY.
However, if the trade was made TODAY, as opposed to waiting until late July to make this proposed trade, when the $16.5 mil added payroll figure would be cut by 3/5th (5 months left in the season from today, minus 3 months passing until the end of July from today)….then the Mets would really end up saving approximately $9.9 mil by making the trade TODAY, instead of waiting until the end of July to make any deals involving K-Rod and Reyes.
Money is the big issue here because the Mets are in dire financial straights. Their attendance is WAY DOWN. They are bleeding money. If Frank Wren were to swing that trade today (which would result in the Mets saving $9.9 mil by doing a deal TODAY instead of waiting until late July….AND….save the them $16.5 mil over the rest of the season…AND save them $20 mil overall, when factoring in K-Rod’s 2012 buyout)….then one can stand to reason that when factoring in the amount of money the Mets would be saving by making that trade TODAY, the Braves wouldnt have to give up NEARLY the talent level of prospects that they would have to give up…if they waited until late July to make this deal.
Having Reyes bat lead-off would infuse some much needed speed in the top of our line-up. Also, having K-Rod close games for us would this year would give Venters and Kimbrel ANOTHER year of grooming (imagine having Kimbrell and Venters slotted for the 7th and 8th innings….our bullpen would be hella nasty, especially when Moylan returns, as well as EOF).
Sure, some of you may knock K-Rod, however dude gets the job done. He’s won a World Series in 2002, he’s the record holder most saves in a season. Plus, I’d like to see some attitude and cockiness on the field. When on, I feel that K-Rod can electrify our crowd.
Also, Frank Wren could decide to trade Derek Lowe if he didnt want to take on so much payroll (not saying that he should, just saying that it was an option). My point is that waiting for our hitters to start hitting isnt a great game plan. I feel that even if we start hitting, we’re going to struggle to be anything other than a .500 team.
Shaking up the Braves roster would definitely take the focus off of what’s happened (both on and off the field)…….and put the focus on putting some fear AND notice into the Phillies and Marlins.
Now would be the time for Frank Wren to try and sell to Liberty the benefit of increasing the payroll in the manner I just suggested. Dont you guys want to see an electrifying team on the field who isnt afraid of bringing some intensity to the other team? As it is right now, we have a bunch of zombies playing for us right now, lol!
1. Reyes
2. Heyward
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Uggla
6. Freeman
7. Prado
8. McLouth
Closer…K-Rod
7th-8th…Kimbrel/Venters
5th-6th…Moylan/EOF (if starter is struggling and we need to keep the game close)
Sherill/Limebrink/etc….mop up duty
Now isnt that MUCH BETTER than what we currently have?
Playoffs!!!!
May 1st, 2011
9:37 am
Tough lefty pitching today for the Cardinals. I wonder, DOB, if we might see a few of our bench players in there today. Shake it up, a little bit. Maybe give Mather or Conrad a start?
Lew
May 1st, 2011
9:38 am
Are you still pushing that absurd trade that has as much chance of every happening as MIxxo or Nck actually making an intelligent comment?
Wow..
May 1st, 2011
9:48 am
I’d be all for the Braves going after Jose Reyes, but K-Rod? No
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
9:55 am
Lew…….why would my trade proposal be so “absurd” (as you put it)? Are you really happy with what we have right now? Do you really think that trying to look into the possibility of acquiring Jose Reyes and K-Rod is “absurd”?
Why not be bold at a time where it wouldnt potentially cost us a whole lot (other than money) when it came to talent that we’d have to give up? Sometimes conventional thinking (you know, like waiting until the end of July to make a trade….or…..waiting for our hitting to come around) isnt the way to go.
Sure, I recognize that my proposed Reyes/K-Rod has a very slim chance of happening. However, that DOES NOT MEAN that it shouldnt happen. Trading for Reyes now would give us 5 months to evaluate him and see if he would be a good fit for us to sign after the season to a long term deal. Also, acquiring K-Rod would give us IMMEDIATE experience from a former All-Star closer who has the mentality to handle being a closer…as well as give Kimbrel and Venters another year of grooming.
Reyes would do wonders fixing the lead-off spot (again just imagine Reyes AND Heyward’s speed at the top of the order)……K-Rod would solidify and strengthen our bullpen.
For that kind of value…why not risk the dollars AND prospects? We need to put MORE PRESSURE on the Fish and Philly…..and what better way to send them a message of how serious we are….then by making a BOLD A## move like this?
Trey
May 1st, 2011
10:00 am
Lew, hilarious 9:38. I think Mixxo is a little bit more intelligent than Nick. At least his vocabulary is much bigger than “ball game”.
David O'Brien
May 1st, 2011
10:00 am
1. Martin Prado (R) LF
2. Jason Heyward (L) RF
3. Chipper Jones 3B
4. Brian McCann C
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Alex Gonzalez SS
7. Joe Mather 1B
8. Nate McLouth CF
9. Derek Lowe RHP
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:04 am
It’s absurd because
a. It will never happen
b. they will not boost payroll “only” $16.5 million – especially at this point of the season
c. Gonzalez is already signed and plays considerably better defense than Reyes
d. They already have enough behavioral issues and
e. this trade won’t take the spotlight off of them as you claim
f. The problem we truly have right now is that Prado’s BABIPis fluctuating and Uggla isn’;t hitting to his capabilities that
g. these acquisitions will not help in the least
h. Kimbrel has blown only two of 9 save opportuinities and
i. They won’t give up on a kid who until this week has been lights out and throws 97 on a regular basis and makes the MLB minimum to take on all Rodriguez’s salary and domestic issues.
Is that enough?
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:06 am
Good Morning all
Where is everybody? The blog was slow last night…I Hope people haven’t started calling “Season Over” yet? We are only through 1/6 of the season…We still have that Wildcard “On Lock and will still end up 93-69. However we gotta go 80-54 to get there. Its gonna happen (Pointing Finger) You just Watch!
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:09 am
Damn, Lew
You just Broke it Down DX Style!
its Wayyy to early to be talking about trading for people/breaking the team up….I will once again in July be lusting for Andrew McCutchen
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:12 am
THawkin- Now THAT one might just work and if Chipper goers down to injury and Martin has to move to third, might just be the most intelligent move they could make at the time and one worth giving up some of that Minor League talent that Frank Wren is loathe to give up..
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:14 am
Wow….addressing your 9:48am post, there are several reasons why I included K-Rod in the trade proposal I posted.
1. The Braves willingness to include K-Rod in a Reyes trade would save the Mets over $9.5 mil right now (in addition to $3.5 mil due when his $17.5 mil 2012 option is declined). By being willing to take on that financial obligation, Frank Wren could insist that any prospects given up by the Braves be of the “second tier” variety.
However, if the Mets wanted better quality prospects from us, then Frank Wren could insist that the Mets eat a significant part of those contracts.
It really depends on what Frank Wren is willing to pay (cash OR our best prospects) in order to SIGNIFICANTLY improve our team by adding Reyes AND K-Rod.
2. Kimbrell and Venters are great young arms. However, they are just that, YOUNG ARMS. Sure, it was nice that Venters (Kimbrell was there for only a short time last year) had Billy Wagner to mentor him last year. However, being a bonified Major League closer isnt something that one can easily learn in just one year of mentoring. Having K-Rod for the last 5 months of the season would give both Kimbrel and Venters additional grooming, without putting the pressure on them to be perfect (given how flawed we are right now as a team).
3. As I’ve said before, we look like “dead man walking” out there on the field. No passion, just going through the motions. And we’re slow as molasses out there on the base baths. We need some passion and intensity out there on the field. Reyes AND K-Rod both bring that on the field.
4. A message needs to be sent to the Fish and Philly that we are a team to be taken seriously. Making this trade would do that.
5. I keep hearing from people on here that we (Braves fans) need to show Liberty that we’re going to support this team (by showing up at the park) in order for Liberty to want to invest more in payroll.
Well I say BS!!!!!!!! I feel that Liberty should INVEST in payroll by making a bold acquisition like Reyes and K-Rod…..showing US (the paying fan) that they are serious about building a winner for this season….showing us that they want us to come to the park and financially support them. If Liberty were to put a product on the field that excites the fan….the fan will come.
However, do you really think that the fans are going to come in droves this summer to watch this bunch of zombies scuffling to score 2-3 runs a game..game after game?
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:14 am
Trey – That may be, but they both eat from the same huge, bottomless bowl of sad with a side order of pissed off..
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:15 am
1/6 of the season has gone by, and with a nasty pitching staff, we gotta improve our record in 1 run games, nuff said. Its imperativethat a team that is built on pitching at least have a .550 winning percentage in those types of games
Not to mention one bad habit (excluding the last 5 games or so) the braves have so far is playing that catch-up game and winning games in our final at bat…We led the majors lastb year in final at bat wins last year with 25. Having a good bench goes a long ways in inflating that stat. We havent had that kind of luck so far this year off the bench nor the offense coming from behind overall to win games, hence our record
hopefully 2 games under is the furthest we will fall…
Trey
May 1st, 2011
10:16 am
That’s true Lew. Hell, Ward could teach them both a thing or two.
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:17 am
Dude – If the Braves were in first all by themselves with a ten game lead, the fans wouldn’t be coming out in droves. They are broke and attendance throughout baseball shows as much.
You think that even with the Mets eating considerable salary (why would they do that if they need the salary relief?) that Wren would all of a sudden decide to trade the pieces he’s hoarded like a miser with a treasure of gold hidden in buried Mason jars (how’s that for some good ole southern swamp imagery?) so he could add to the behavioral issues he already has to deal with? Why do you think this?
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:18 am
Lew
“THawkin- Now THAT one might just work and if Chipper goers down to injury and Martin has to move to third, ”
Chipper is due to go down anytime…Just when he starts hitting he goes down…Only a few knew about the knee bursitis until he was forced to take a day off…My Big Boy gut tells me his knees will be the main factor as far as how many games he plays this year, I’m still banking on 125-130 with 120 of those being the games he starts in
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:21 am
P–L
“However, do you really think that the fans are going to come in droves this summer to watch this bunch of zombies scuffling to score 2-3 runs a game..game after game?”
I sure as hell won’t, My Ventures at Lake Lanier will hopefully start next weekend…And I think the last game I’m going to go to for a while will be the Saturday Game against Philly in 2 weeks
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:22 am
Last year the Braves drew a bit more than 2, 500, 000 fans to Turner Field. The highest attendance they ever had, even inm their hey day of the 90’s and early 2000’s was a bit over 3 million. Do you seriously bel;ieve that even if they raised attendance to their highest levels that the extra half mil or so fans would come close to paying for the addition of the “Only” $16.5 million that they would increase their payroll by making this deal?
That would be one hell of a lot of beer sales.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:24 am
Lew….you’re looking at this all wrong. Reyes is a DYNAMIC lead-off hitter who, combined with Jason Heyward, would electrify the top of our batting order. Imagine those 2 batting in front of Chipper, McCann and a hopefully soon to be rejuvenated Dan Uggla?
Sure, I like Alex Gonzalez’s defense. However, if we were to keep Gonzalez and not trade for Reyes…..then answer this: How do we address our lack of a lead-off hitter AND lack of team speed? Do we just “hope for our hitters to come around” (meaning that we are going to rely on power to compensated for the fact that we play quicksand baseball)?
Or do you have someone in mind that can improve our team? If so, please offer a suggestion. Who does he replace and how do the Braves get him (in other words, make a legit proposed acquisition)?
Behavioral issues? What do you think a manager’s job is? To just sit back and sing KUMBA YAH with his players?
If the Braves wait until later in the season to make a trade, what we’re going to have to give up talent wise is going to be more expensive (because other teams are going to want to make a trade as well….and the amount of salary relief the Mets are going to get is going to be less because they would have already paid 4 months of Reyes’ and K-Rod’s salary for 2011).
Pro sports are littered with players who have attitude and legal issues. And besides, what did K-Rod was no different than what Bobby Cox did back in 1995. Many of you gave Bobby Cox another chance….why not K-Rod?
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:25 am
The one thing I do feel bad about with the lack of offense costing us games is the fact that our starting staff has pitched quality starts in ten of our last eleven games – a huge majority of them being 2 runs or less.
auburnbrave
May 1st, 2011
10:27 am
You know, here it is, only May 1st and I’m already thinking I’m done following this team for the season. I keep hoping they are close to turning things around, it’s always been just one thing in the games they’ve lost, mostly bad hitting or the starters having an off day when the offense did come around, but they’ve played well below their potential so far this season, and the off the field troubles are leaving a bad taste in my mouth… we’ll see.
Also, on Leo Mazzone, I don’t think he’d be such a brilliant choice, especially now. I remember the last few years after The Big Three had broken up things weren’t going well and there were rumblings that he was too intimidating to the younger pitchers just coming up, which we have a slew of coming up soon, and also the bullpen was never as stable in his tenure as it has been the last few years.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:28 am
Tomahawkin and Lew…………I’m lusting after Kate Middleton’s hot sister…..however I have NO CHANCE IN HELL of ever meeting her, lol.
And if you two think that the Braves are going to be able to acquire Andrew McClutchen from the Pirates, then you might want to talk to your “dealer” because the stuff you’re smoking has twisted your sense of reality.
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:29 am
Dude – I’ll try to say this in a tone that doesnt indicate I think you’re insane or just totally ignorant of how the Braves operations run with their payroll. . It isn’t happening for all of the reasons I already mentioned.
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:31 am
Yeah right. This (10:28 post) from someone who thinks that Ryes and KRod to the Braves is any more feasible than a snowball surviving the Peachtree Road Race.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:31 am
Lew……the next two weeks will show what kind of heart that we really have. We have some tough series coming up. We play the Phillies twice (here and there) during that time. If we stand pat right now and dont make a move………how far from 1st place (and the Wild Card) do you think we’ll be by then?
Trey
May 1st, 2011
10:32 am
Tomahawkin, do you remember this game?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-hCeNn6a8
Jeff321
May 1st, 2011
10:32 am
Reyes isn’t a bad idea but we don’t need another high priced reliever. Btw, Pippa looks so good because Kate looks so bad.
///////keylargo\\\\\\\
May 1st, 2011
10:32 am
Using that absurd logic, why not have the Mets include Johan Santana too? Knowing Liberty Media is not going to increase the payroll 25% would not prevent your fantasy baseball league thinking from having the Braves take on another $22 million this season.
Bat Masterson
May 1st, 2011
10:33 am
The Braves drew 3.9 million in 93. The last year they drew 3 million plus was 2000.
Attendance will have to pick up on the weekends and week night games during the summer if the Braves are to hit 2.4 to 2.6.
It probably will but I would not expect much improvement what with high gas prices and a weak economy.
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:33 am
No the next two weeks won’t show the kind of heart the team has, it will show if our offense gets going or not.
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:38 am
Mike S
“how about the frickin umpires? that’s two games in a row they’ve made some poor calls that have hurt the braves pretty big.”
Agreed, Normally McClellan is Good Behind the Plate, But LaRussa Must had Shots “On Deck!” For him in Buckhead after Friday nights game in all those F’d Up calls he made
Kat
May 1st, 2011
10:39 am
MLB Trade Rumors this morning…
“The Braves could look to trade Derek Lowe even if they’re still in the playoff hunt, according to a scout who follows the team. Ken Davidoff of Newsday says the Yankees, who “negotiated seriously” with Lowe when he was a free agent, would be an obvious candidate to kick the tires on the right-hander if he’s available.” http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/new-york-notes-lowe-reyes-mets-ownership.html
Newsday link they refer to… http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=7B67B2F191758716C752.3083?site=newsday&view=yankees_item&feed:a=newsday_5min&feed:c=yankees&feed:i=1.2849374&nopaging=1
///////keylargo\\\\\\\
May 1st, 2011
10:42 am
……………and the first poster who links Derek Lowe’s performance to his DUI wins a date with the guy from SF.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:43 am
Lew……I already stated that I didnt think the trade was going to go down.. However, just because I dont think it will happen…doesnt mean that it shouldnt happen.
All I know is that if we just stand pat….we’re done for 2011. We are very flawed. As good as our starting pitching is, we have little margin for error when it comes to whether we win. In other words, given that we arent hitting right now….we need basic perfection from our starting AND relief pitching…..or we dont win.
However, look at the Phillies. They arent hitting either right now. Their bullpen is in disarray. Their Disabled List looks like a M.A.S.H. Unit, lol! However, their starting pitching is SO DOMINANT, that they dont have to be PERFECT in order to win night after night.
Keep waiting for our hitting to “come around”. Philly fans will just continue to see their team WIN AND RUN AWAY WITH THINGS. By the time we start hitting again, Utley, Lidge, Blanton, Contraras and company will be back for the Phillies. And then what excuse will we have?
Winners in life are PROACTIVE. They dont wait to react to a situation. They make others react to them. Winners are in charge and take the offensive. If Frank Wren cant sell it to Liberty how much sense it makes to make a trade like this…..then we will be in for a long summer.
Other than Moylan, we’ve been pretty injury free in 2011. Do you really think that it’s going to stay that way? What happens if Chipper gets hurt….or someone has an injury similar to the one that Kris Medlen suffered last August? Or McCann gets his hand broken by a pitch that runs too far inside?
I’m not saying that we should play scared. I’m saying that hoping that no one else gets hurt AND waiting for our hitting to “come around” isnt the way to go.
Kat
May 1st, 2011
10:44 am
jeffrey d ..great seats..I may have missed it but which sec and row where you sitting in? I got tix I think in the sec you were in for June when I come down to ATL and was wondering what the view would be like compared to where you were sitting.
///////keylargo\\\\\\\
May 1st, 2011
10:47 am
From the MLB Trade Rumors article Kat posted -
Another scout told Davidoff that it’s been years since he’s seen Jose Reyes, who can be a free agent at season’s end, play as hard as he’s playing now.
Isn’t that just what we DON’T want? A guy who cruises for a few years then turns it up a notch in his contract year?
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:48 am
Lew…….is there any legit reason to think that our offense the next two weeks WONT BE ANY DIFFERENT than our offense the first month of the season?
Two weeks from now, we will still be a SLOW, STATION TO STATION, NO HIT AND RUNNING team who cant run the bases properly. Unless our offense turns into the 1927 Yankees, we are still going to struggle to win games……UNLESS our starting pitching continues to pitch lights out the whole season (without any bad stretches) AND we suffer no further injuries (meaning that we stay completely healthy).
Is it realistic to assume that if our offense comes around (like many of you expect it to do)…..that our health and starting pitching will stay intact the rest of 2011?
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
10:49 am
@Trey
Yes, That play was TBS…(Total BS)
Jeff321
May 1st, 2011
10:49 am
Braves attendance this year comes down to McDowell. If he’s on the team I could see lots of people that were offended finding something else to do.
Btw, I think he’s going to return due to the fact Fredi basically stuck up for him. What kind of message would Wren be sending to get rid of McDowell after Fredi wants him to stay?
Question is: Did Cox advise Fredi to stick up for McDowell? Or is our manager thinking on his own now?
Lastly, I expected Fredi to just stay neutral and let it play out.
smits
May 1st, 2011
10:50 am
todays brief update on my fanstasy board says Chipper jones admitted to feeling pain and soreness in his surgically repaired knee, not the other as has been reported here. is this true?
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
10:50 am
///////keylargo\\\\\\\………….I’d rather have the Jose Reyes that is playing hard RIGHT NOW (even it is his contract year)..than have what we currently have (a boring, slow as molasses, station to station, bad base running team…that is pretty much guaranteed to miss the playoffs this year).
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:54 am
No, there’s no reason to think so if you’re a totally pessimistic person.
Do you seriously believe that Uggla will have a season like Nate’s 2010 after hitting 29 or more HR his entire career?
Do you seriously believe that Martin Prado, who lead the NL in hitting last year for most of the season will continue to hit everything hard right at a defender?
Do you seriously believe that McCann, who lead the team in HR and RBI last year, even without a decent hitter hitting behind him will continue much longer with only 3 XBH while hitting over .300?
No, of course it’s as improbable as Nate turning things around or Chipper coming back from a knee reconstruction at age 39. What’s that? You mean they have? So much for that theory.
Trey
May 1st, 2011
10:55 am
T’Hawkin, I don’t understand why the umpire changed his call from a strike out to a walk.
Lew
May 1st, 2011
10:57 am
And of course, the answer to all problems is to take two of the Mets’ most expensive players off of their hands. That’s two of the last place Mets’ most expensive players.
Bravefaninok
May 1st, 2011
10:59 am
todays brief update on my fanstasy board says Chipper jones admitted to feeling pain and soreness in his surgically repaired knee, not the other as has been reported here. is this true?`
The Man is 39 yrs old…….I bet he has had some pain and soreness in several parts of his body.
He obviously wants to go out on his own terms,I doubt he would put himself in a situation that could end his career by lying about his knee.
Tomas
May 1st, 2011
11:10 am
Braves need a walkoff, a chemistry booster. Braves haven’t been very good from the 7th inning on with the exception of a couple of games.
O.J.
May 1st, 2011
11:14 am
I know the fastball is Kimbrel’s best pitch, but he also has another devastating pitch in the slider. He has to throw that for strikes, get the hitters off of his fastball. Because to me, it seems as if they have the fastball timed perfectly now. Thats all they go up there looking for because thats all Mac calls. It seems like the blown saves and the loss for Kimbrel have come on the fastball. He has got to get more confidence with the slider.
He just has to.
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
11:18 am
I can taste a Blowout Win today…Our offense is that Inconsistant…
6-2, bank on it
Tomas
May 1st, 2011
11:27 am
I would love Jose Reyes to be a Brave, he is everything the Braves have needed since Furcal and he is better. He manufactures runs.
But no way, this is the Braves, they don’t have the money to keep him long term, and as for a rental, the Mets are gonna ask for the world.
Why can’t the Braves have a 150 million payroll that would make life easier like the Phillies, Yankees, and Boston…..
Tomas
May 1st, 2011
11:28 am
Jaime Garcia dominated ATL last year, he is tough
VaBravesFan
May 1st, 2011
11:32 am
Maybe Mather has a big game vs his old team today.
VaBravesFan
May 1st, 2011
11:33 am
I agee will prolly score 10 or more runs tonight and then score 6 total in the next 4 games or something.
Tomas
May 1st, 2011
11:42 am
How about signing Jimmy Rollins after this season. I know he is 33 yrs old for next season, but he can still run and play good defense.
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
11:42 am
Gonzalez Hitting 6th? Really?
Mather and Gonzo batting ahead of Nate-Dawg? Really?
Crappy bottom of the order
It should be:
6th-Nate-Dawg
7th-Gonzo
8th-Mather
I have little patience with Mather, If we get Clowned, He will have already crossed the Gun Line With me…
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
11:43 am
Kat…….interesting link that you provided earlier in your 10:39am post detailing the Yankees potential interest in Derek Lowe SHOULD the Braves be willing to deal him.
I said the EXACT same thing during the winter. I was RIPPED for even suggesting that the Braves should entertain the idea of trading Lowe, given how well he pitched for us in September and the post season.
I didnt advocate trading Lowe because I was unhappy with him (just like I’m not unhappy with Alex Gonzalez when I suggested that we include him in any trade for Jose Reyes). I just felt that with Lowe’s value being at it’s highest (combined with the Yankees need for quality starting pitching behind Sabathia/Hughes/Burnett)……trading Lowe (freeing up his salary) would allow the Braves the opportunity to get a decent player in return AND use the money to improve the offense (as well as free up even more money for the 2011 off season).
Yet many on here couldnt see that. All they could see was “why would you want to get rid of our best pitcher”?
Same thing with Lew’s assertion that we shouldnt trade Gonzo because he’s playing good defense. Here’s a news flash for you Lew: Gonzo’s defense isnt going to help us get to the playoffs. Our line-up is in DESPERATE need of speedy lead-off hitter who can get on base and wreck havoc on the starting pitching.
Imagine the number of fastballs that Heyward would get to hit with Reyes on base in front of him? Imagine the number of fastballs that Chipper would get to hit when hitting with Reyes AND Heyward on base?
And besides, our defense wasnt so great last year…..and we still made the playoffs, lol! Sure, I’m not saying that having a sloppy defense is a good plan of action, lol! What I am saying is that the offense that Reyes would bring to the Braves would more than offset what we would lose in defense in trading Gonzo to the Mets.
Tomahawkin
May 1st, 2011
11:44 am
VaBravesFan
“I agee will prolly score 10 or more runs tonight and then score 6 total in the next 4 games or something.”
Agreed, because we are facing those Filthy Milwaukee Pitchers ths week…
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
11:44 am
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=7B67B2F191758716C752.3083?site=newsday&view=yankees_item&feed:a=newsday_5min&feed:c=yankees&feed:i=1.2849374&nopaging=1
Kat posted the above earlier. An interesting read at the end was titled “Three Obvious Contenders Needs”. #3 was “The Cardinals Bullpen”…..”they have really struggled to close games”.
Really? Against us, we’ve made them look like candidates for the Rolaids Fireman Relief Pitchers of the Year Award. Talk about ironic, lol!
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
May 1st, 2011
11:46 am
Lew….just because something is expensive (Reyes and K-Rod) doesnt mean that they cant produce.
Then again, we’re paying Kawakami and McLouth a combined $13.17 mil in 2011.