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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,545 comments Add your comment
BFChris26
July 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
JeffSchultzAJC Jeff Schultz
Frank Wren, Bruce Manno came downstairs, talked to Fredi Gonzalez for 5 mins, went straight back to office. That’s all I know. #Braves
The Dude Abides
July 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
We would get Infante to play SS before Bonifacio, Infante is a proven playmaker when the pressures on.
hamm
July 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
People who know baseball know that ages 24-29 are the peek years for a player to show his true talents
RC
July 28th, 2011
4:53 pm
Shaun, I also watch every game and there is a huge diffrerence. I wish you boy Heyward was half of what he should be right now.
Shaun’s poing is this isn’t about what Heyward “should be”. It’s about what he HAS been this year, which is roughly equal to Prado in terms of performance.
If someone “should be” the next Cy Young, but they only materialize into the next Curt Schilling, does that mean the Braves should send that guy down for someone who is “gritty” but pitches like Jo-Jo Reyes?
Efrim
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
I think I hear a limb snapping…
Yup. I think they absolutely believe Heyward can’t help this team right now and they need to get his swing fixed. But of course, Martin Prado, Jordan Schafer and Alex Gonzalez can stay with the big club.
kelevra
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
chipper update?
Dumbfound
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
The Mets swept the Reds in a 4 game set @ Cincy. But we lost 2 out of 3 @ Cincy ! Anyone struggling, play the Braves !
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
RC, expectations and lots of other things seem to be clouding the views of Heyward compared to Prado. Seriously, I can’t think of any other reason one would think Prado has been better this season except for tradition (that foolishly tells them batting average and RBI are the most important stats), Prado is smaller, Prado gets dirtier, Prado shows more emotion and Prado is more versatile. I suppose all of those things are more important than one player performing as well as another and one being clearly more talented.
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
please define “udder MORAN”
Isn’t that a band?
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
Dennis I think I speak for most on this blog, you are here by allowed to leave at any time
richbrave
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
O.K. now were getting somewhere on the trade rumor front.
Let’s put one pitcher of MINOR, DELGADO, OBERHOLTZER, and SPRUILL out there along with position players SS PASTORNICKY, OF RAMIREZ, OF YOUNG, OF CONSTANZA, 1B GOMEZ, plus one of McLOUTH, SCHAFER and see what comes back from the pale hose. Hey we could throw in KK and eat a million of his remaining also.
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
RC, people trust their own narrow perceptions and tradition over overwhelming evidence. Either that or they are just too lazy to dig into the evidence.
noleeee
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
If Dennis is not Dentz , he is his illegitimate son
faninva
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
Bart -
thank you for the comment on Prado…better than i could possibly put it.
Borno
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
Would love to have Quentin, but lets get real for a second. JHey isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be in RF the rest of the year.
Bay Area Steve
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
nolie,
We’ve decided that’s Lou, right? Had to switch since Uggla remembered how to hit?
Dennis Reynolds
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
Amidst all this argument, this is a pretty exciting time to be a Braves fan. No matter how stupid you may be…(sweet ga peach)
Stizz
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
Denard Span would be nice.
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
RC, this is why I’m glad a vast majority of fans will never be GM’s or will never work in the Braves’ front office.
Josh
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
Bfchris, sounds like we may have a deal soon. Lets hop
Brownie
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
Lots of opinions here today….some of them even entertaining. However, the only sane blogger I’ve read was Prospect Lover at 4:30. I love the Braves, and certainly hope for a WS trophy, but I really think they are about a year or so away…..LOTS of young talent ready to come together.
Once Chipper, Lowe, Kawakami and Gonzales are off the payroll, Wren will have tons to spend to keep the right youngsters we’re now developing AND go out to get the BEST big RH bat. Wren needs to show a little patience, and so do all of you fans.
Folks, you are drunk if you think that Heyward, Prado and Schafer are not great young players! How many GREAT players have you seen in the majors at their age EVER?? Give them some time. Specifically Schafer – yeah he’s struggling trying to figure it all out, but he’s outstanding defensively, got a huge arm, confidence, and most importantly SPEED (which if you haven’t been paying attention, the Braves have none elsewhere). They didn’t stick with him thru HGH suspensions, wrist injuries, etc. to give up on him now – he’s a major talent, just hasn’t quite figured it all out yet.
I think Wren is building a repeat of the Braves in the 90’s…stay tuned.
Josh
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
hope
noleeee
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
Noleeee, I don’t see Atlanta doing that because of the way Furcal and his agent handled the free agency situation a couple years ago…Teheran Time
exactly
J
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
Shaun, you must be correct. I wish all of our players were as great as Heyward. We could be the next Nationals team…And yes, I would expect him to do much better than .220. I am guessing you think he is also better than Freeman too, right?
richbrave
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
please define “udder MORAN”
Isn’t that a band?
Sounds like he has a dairyman’s background.
Brava
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
It’s silly season on the blog. Please, Wren, just do it. Whatever it is.
George Stein
July 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
Prado can bunt, too, Shaun! That makes him even more awesome!
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:57 pm
J, you watch every game and you still think Prado has vastly out-performed Heyward? Have you had an eye exam within the last several years?
Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)
July 28th, 2011
4:57 pm
Heyward’s struggles are:
33.3 % Mental
33.3 % His downward chopping swing
33.3 % standing so far away from the @@@@ING plate.
ADJUST ALREADY
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
4:57 pm
No way I include SS PASTORNICKY in a trade right now. He might be our starting SS next year
J
July 28th, 2011
4:57 pm
Shaun, I would love to see you as a GM vs an oxygen thief.
Richie
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
The Braves are not driving up the prices for any other teams, and that is a stupid notion to put out there. If the Phillies gave up more for Pence or Quentin and got him and we didn’t, the fact is they still have either one of them and we don’t. Let’s dis-spell that notion. They don’t want to gut their farm system.
faninva
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
RC, this is why I’m glad a vast majority of fans will never be GM’s or will never work in the Braves’ front office.
…and this is why it saddens me that people like this have the right to vote.
Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Nolee
What does Heyward need to do to get back on track?
Ghostrider
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
I like it….need to get him now before we lose him. And were not giving up a whole lot. Make the Deal NOW ….
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
I’m with Brava. Otherwise, I may start feeling very postal.
Braves95WS
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
Frank Wren needs to acquire Hunter Pence before the Phillies do.
Brava
July 28th, 2011
4:58 pm
I watch all the games and I think Prado outperforms Heyward too, Shaun. It’s not even close.
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
I feel like the only non-basement dweller in here sometimes
Great post….but I think a few people in here may be hanging out in the tool shed out back!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Prado even going 0-9 has more value at this point an dtime to th eBraves than Heyward. No question. Prado can play 2B,3B,1B and LF. His bat if left by IF standards alone is in the the upper echelon. Prado is a stud and needs left out of the complaining.
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
J, who said Heyward has performed “great.” My point is that Prado and Heyward have performed the same, in terms of overall value, this season. I’m not talking about greatness or whether you think Heyward should have a higher batting average. I’m talking about the performance of Heyward and Prado this season.
RC
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Shaun,
For what it’s worth, I do think that Prado’s versatility has a lot of value for the Braves that Heyward can’t offer, and I’m not entirely sold on WAR because I think it uses a flawed methodogly to account for defense. What was ironic to me is that anyone is suggesting Heyward OR Prado be sent down, yet make no mention of McLouth or Schafer. Aside from Schafer’s defense and baserunning, neither of them bring anything to the table that Heyward or Prado don’t bring more of.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Hey richbrave, dont ever mention KK in a trade again. That is one way to kill it
Bay Area Steve
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Efrim,
I simply can’t believe my organization would believe that. Even if it happens, I’ll be in denial. But, I’m at least going to wait until it happens.
I’ve come to know that most of what comes out of the Braves organization is spin, and I’m going to give ‘em the benefit of the doubt, for now…
Arkansas Transplant
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
Charlie Kelly, I’d take a strong pitching staff over the options for a hitter being throw around in here anyday. Just look at what it’s done for the Phillies… best record in baseball. They have no offense either and didn’t need pitching in the offseason but signed Lee and look how that turned out.
Plus, Ubaldo won’t be a rental. He’s under team control for the next 3 years at a payroll friendly amount. You put him in a rotation with JJ, Hanson, Hudson and you’ve got yourself a fearsome foursome with contributions from either Lowe/Teheran/Minor/Vizcaino.
Fish Bisch
July 28th, 2011
4:59 pm
The Pirate’s lone all star is pitching tonight against us. I hope we are not owned by him.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
5:00 pm
Prado out performs Heyward for sure
David O'Brien
July 28th, 2011
5:00 pm
Don’t know significance, but Wren & asst. GM Manno just walked w/ sense of purpose to field to talk w/ Fredi for few minutes by batting cage, then both went back upstairs. Not the typical hanging around by the cage, just quick stop to tell him something, then back up.
Efrim
July 28th, 2011
5:00 pm
So, if we get Pence, do we trade him this offseason just like we were to do if we acquired Carlos Quentin?
Or maybe we just trade Heyward……
Kurt
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
Maybe Prado moves to Centerfield and they keep McClouth around for late game defense? Both Quentin and Heyward play?
JMF
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
DOB OR ANYBODY. WHY NOT BRING UP JOSE CONSTANZA WHO IS BATTING .317 AT GWINNETT AND .318 AAA LAST YEAR WITH 23 SB THIS YEAR? I HAVE ASKED THAT ON SEVERAL BLOGS WITH NO ANSWER, SEEMS LIKE AN EXCELLENT LEAD OFF CF. WHAT DON’T I KNOW?
RC
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
…and this is why it saddens me that people like this have the right to vote. – faninva
Commie
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
Thanks. Looks like it on!!!!
TROTTINGHOME
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
What about Matsui from Oakland
George Stein
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
Batting average tells us very little, J.
Before you post about batting average next time, ask yourself whether or not a single is equal in value to a home run, because batting average assumes they are equal.
Arkansas Transplant
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
And if I remember right, didn’t the Giants ride the backs of their pitchers to the WS?
Richie
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
Brownie
I agree with you. That is why I want Pence to be apart of this group. Another young veteran piece to this team and franchise. The Braves are on the verge of big, things to come and they are winning now.
Shaun
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
RC, yeah, I think Schafer makes a lot more sense. I think he has a somewhat promising future and he needs to be the one developing everyday in the minors while not costing the major league team.
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
I can’t believe this has turned into a referendum on Prado versus Heyward, fercrissake. What’s next, you guys start eating your young?
The Dude Abides
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
You people are really bashing Prado? GTFO
PDOG
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
TehranTime,
Please look at the numbers then talk. Bonafacio can play all 3 outfield spots as well as SS, 3B, 2B. He is batting over 280 and can steal bases but I guess Lugo is a better choice!!!!
Heisenberg
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
4:54 pm
please define “udder MORAN”
I think that describes a body part on former Happy Days star Erin Moran now that she has gotten older..
RC
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
Maybe Prado moves to Centerfield and they keep McClouth around for late game defense?
I’d rather Prado stay in CF for defense than McLouth. And I don’t think Prado can play CF. That’s how bad McLouth’s CF defense is.
unbelievable
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
Sure doesnt make sense to bench or demote Heyward, but yet they are enamored with Jordan Schafer. Nate and Schafer are sooooo much worse than Jason and have been all season.
tylu13
July 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
Dennis: Im not ready to give up on heyward, but his swing is continuing to struggle right now. He is not balanced at the plate, he cannot touch a fastball middle-in right now. He is rolling over a lot of balls right now. Im sure its all mental right now, there are people in braves organization right now that know more about hitting than me, so im sure they are continuing to work things out. Timing is key, and remember, my college coach preached “fastball then adjust”
Efrim
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
BAS, believe it my friend. It’s happening. Not sure if it’s Fredo in his skull, or it’s somebody else.
Not the typical hanging around by the cage, just quick stop to tell him something, then back up.
Give me Hunter Pence for Julio Teheran and Jason Heyward!
Why? Pence has grit. Just like Prado.
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
Rob from SC
What about the other .1%
The Dude Abides
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
Heyward is 21 years old, He’s not a freaking God like you think he is, give the guy time and leave him in the lineup. His mere presence helps this team out tremendously.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
Prado just needs to be our super itility guy. Chipper is hurt every other day and we could rest Agone every game for all I care. Keep Scheffer in center, Quinton in LF and Heyward in right.
Bay Area Steve
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
I think we’re gettin’ Hanley…
faninva
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
5:01 pm
I can’t believe this has turned into a referendum on Prado versus Heyward, fercrissake. What’s next, you guys start eating your young?
amen.
Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Nolee
Is Heyward’s swing fixable
don
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
So Quentin is now the big, slow dud of the day who is being pictured as a great addition. I believe we can print out all of these sportswriter comments and posts, shred them, and use them as fertilizer in our gardens. No responsible GM would give up anything of value for Quentin or for Ludwig. Unfortunately, we are dealing with Wren.
I would also like to nominate the “we must get Pence so the Phillies don’t get him” crowd for the award as dunces of the year.
Furman Bitcher
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Heyward and Teheran traded? You are high.
mike
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Seriously? Comparing Heyward, Gonzalez and Schafer’s lack of production to Prado?
Kawasucki Heyward
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Kawasucki and Heyward and Schafer……from heros to ABSOLUTE ZEROS…….to bad we can’t get a bag of balls and bats for them……
David O'Brien
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
BRAVES LINEUP
1. McLouth CF
2. Prado 3B
3. Freeman 1B
4. Uggla 2B
5. Hinske LF
6. Ross C
7. Heyward RF
8. Gonzalez SS
9. Lowe RHP
RC
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Shaun,
I agree with you on Schafer. Also glad to hear you say you think he’s developing, because in the past I’ve worried that you were too focused on numbers to realize that. He has been rapidly improving, but the team is not in a position right now where they can afford having him in that learning phase at the ML level.
I think the wrist injury might be a nice way for them to send him down for a month also.
bravofan
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Sounds like were getting close to something !
Efrim
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
The Astros appear to be moving closer to trading Pence, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Six teams are involved, but no deal is imminent.
This is going to be awesome…..
…awesome like the flu…….
Bob
July 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
’scoots…good for you! Glad to see you make an actual statement rather than the usual Alan Alda retort of someone else’s comment.
Chop Chop
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
Wren: Fredi, we got Francoeur and Melky.
Fredi: Did we really, Frank? Did we really?
(faints)
Braves win.
The end.
hamm
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
I agree with Kurt. Just move Prado to CF, hell he can play anywhere!!!
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
think we’re gettin’ Hanley…
I’d be happy with that, just for the pure devilment of it.
The Dude Abides
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
@Bay Area Steve
I think you’re on crack.
Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
CrαZy
July 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
Rob from SC
What about the other .1%
Larry Parrish
Ronald Millsaps
July 28th, 2011
5:05 pm
Not a bad blog; as usual, though, the music reference is irrelevant and without substance.
I’d like for this team to do its best with what it has. If we acquire Carlos Quentin, then what? Will strategy improve? Will chemistry improve? Will execution improve?
Terry Pendleton was a fine hitting coach and is a fine managerial candidate. He wasn’t a basestealer. He’s the first-base coach. As mentioned, I’d like to see Otis Nixon be our first-base coach; at least make him an offer.
Dan Uggla was allegedly our final piece of the puzzle. I think he indeed was and that this team just isn’t strategizing, executing, etc. properly and that an insatiable desire to improve the team via trades/free agency, etc. exists. They keep buying their proverbial final lottery ticket.
They’re not alone. Many confuse winning a championship with being the best TEAM. The best team plays the game the best and runs like clockwork the most. This team needs to improve its fundamentals and strengthen its confusion. Acquiring more talent is a bit of a smokescreen to the real problem.
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
5:06 pm
Bite me, Bob. How’s that for original?
The Dude Abides
July 28th, 2011
5:06 pm
Hunter Pence will arrive here and not hit whatsoever, go after a guy like Quentin.
Jeff R
July 28th, 2011
5:06 pm
Quentin. Better than Beltran. But would it be a straight up Quentin for Minor deal (I presume that’s who the WS would want)? Or a package that includes Minor?
Ronald Millsaps
July 28th, 2011
5:06 pm
er, cohesion* (distracted)
Another GM
July 28th, 2011
5:06 pm
Why would the Sox trade Quentin at 3.5 games out?
Well they have his replacement ready in the minors to come up now and if they could add another piecce—-say a lefty, they believe they could inprove the club.
Bob
July 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
“scoots…you are the greatest!
RC
July 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
For maybe the first time this year, I actually think I like the lineup that Fredi G. has put together. At least from the options available to him.
George Stein
July 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
Shaefer’s value to the Braves right now is that he gets to balls in center that McLouth couldn’t get to in his wildest dreams. Anything he gives the team offensively is a bonus.
Danga
July 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
Prado does get a large amount of slack from folks. He has definitely underpeformed to this point this season but what is the point of arguing who has been worse this season, him or Heyward? Both have been disappointing. And both could be realistically expected to get something going here soon. I think if the Braves do choose to trade for Quentin it will be mostly be a wash even if all players play to their current ratios. Quentin won’t play as good as D as Jason so you’ll lose a bit there, but that will be more than compensated for his O. The real damage would be from continuing to run the McLouth/Schafer platoon out there. Those are the two hurting the team. Not Heyward. Not Prado. League average in CF would go a long way.
Efrim
July 28th, 2011
5:08 pm
Wasn’t Ludwick out of the lineup? Maybe it’s him.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 28th, 2011
5:08 pm
Frank Wren & Bruce Manno walked quickly down to talk to Fredi Gonzalez in Sec.123. Not sure what means, but might be trading spicy chicken for waffle fries.
More to come
ncscoots
July 28th, 2011
5:08 pm
Thanks, Bob, I do it all for you, you know. Nothing but love, brother.
admiral
July 28th, 2011
5:08 pm
lol @ chop chop