Here’s why Carlos Quentin makes sense for Braves

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faninva

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

mmmmmmm….waffle fries….

CrαZy

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

JMF

Constanza is having the same year Matt Young had last year. Ever heard of him? They don’t think it will translate to the next level. Same thing for Gartrell hits bombs in AAA but also K’s a bunch there’s a reason there both over 27 years old they’re AAAA players.

PDOG

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

What to the top three teams in NL have in common? Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. Giants won last year with pitching. You people have to stop thinking this is fantasy baseball where you just plug in stats and you win. In order for the Braves to win they need to be able to manufacture runs then shut down the other team from the 7th inning on. Bring in someone to replace Lugo and find one more arm for the pen.

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

Heyward will be fine. Wren and Co. would be making a huge mistake by sending him down or benching him. Its not like he’s in Dan Uggla territory in BA. Not bashing Uggla. He’s hot as fire right now and will be the guy who carries this team while Mac is out.

Point is, you have to ride this out. It would be a big blow to confidence for Heyward to send him down. Not only from just a hitting stand point, but how his organization feels about him. It just would not be a wise move.

Also, if you’re not talking about sending Gonzo down, then theres NO way Heyward should be.

Brava

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

I can’t believe anyone would diss Prado. That guy brings everything he has, every single game. He’s not been himself since coming back from the DL, but I’m sure he’ll come around.

Lew

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

Well, finally someone made an intelligent suggestion – adding a Varsity would be a great idea, Bream Team.

Larry

July 28th, 2011
5:09 pm

And for all of those who have repeatedly slammed Schafer, look how this offense has fared since his thumb injury has taken him out of the lineup?

Schafer is just fine in CF, especially if we get some production out of the corner OF spots!

Heisenberg

July 28th, 2011
5:10 pm

Maybe if we do a deal with WSox we can get them to throw in that baby faced kid we gave them in the Vasquez trade. He could play a decent SS and hit better than AGon.

Brava

July 28th, 2011
5:10 pm

Ronald Millsaps

July 28th, 2011
5:10 pm

By the way, since the Falcons insist on improving their chances of beating Green Bay by adding offense instead of defense, Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Plaxico Burress, etc. are available, and I’d take any one of those guys, especially Moss. Trading five draft picks for Julio Jones was more than questionable, but if the goal is to bolster the offense, don’t pass up the chance to get a real sign, which one of these guys would be. Adding one of the above guys would be somewhat comparable to the ‘99 Rams’ bunch, though Matt Ryan is NOWHERE NEAR the quarterback Kurt Warner was.

Nova Scotia Steve

July 28th, 2011
5:10 pm

HEARD THIS: Fredi Gonzalez nixed the deal. He wants to keep the Spicy Chicken.

Manno and Wren back the the drawing board.

Chop Chop

July 28th, 2011
5:10 pm

I’m sick of Prado. He has a damn commercial and he’s not hitting.

Trade his sorry a** before the commercial bump fades away.

Jeff R

July 28th, 2011
5:11 pm

“Not a bad blog; as usual, though, the music reference is irrelevant and without substance.”

What the hell do you do, Ronald, teach English or something? Any symbolism you can find in DOB’s post you’d like to critique?

Some of you guys are ingrates.

Bob

July 28th, 2011
5:11 pm

I’m thinking Wren and Manno are a big part of our problem. Maybe it’s time to flush the old Braves’ thinking and bring in some fresh ideas. Go back and look at these blogs the past 8 years…same comments, same false optimism, same pretenders. Oh, if we only had a hitter.

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:11 pm

Nova Scotia Steve:
Hilarious

nick

July 28th, 2011
5:11 pm

Wren would have stayed longer but felt massive dump coming on…. Manno left to because he is right hand man.

Richie

July 28th, 2011
5:11 pm

Hopefully Pastornicky does get a shot to be the SS next year. Let him play in the AFL, like Heyward, Hanson did and how Freeman started to do before he got hurt last year.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

So Quentin replaces Heyward for this year but where do you play Quentin next year ?

Makes more sense to get a CF lead off guy than to deal for Quentin. I would prefer Michael Bourne but appearently the Braves have this love affair with Jordan Schaffer which I do not understand at all.

Schaffer is not a major leaguer folks…..

Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

I am beginning to think Stanton is better than Heyward

TampaDAWG

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

Bourn is not a power hitter, so being in a hitters ball park doesn’t really matter. Whats so special about him is A.) He plays great defense B) He is a great lead off hitter and C) He leads the league in steals. Jordan Shafer has an OBP of less than 300. When he gets on base the Braves score more runs because of his speed. Imagine that with a faster, better hitting player. The only reason not to trade for Bourn would be if his contract ends this year. That part I don’t know but if he is signed through at least 2012 then it helps the team a lot more than a corner outfielder could.

bvillebaron

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

DOB:

I enjoy your blogs and this one is no different. I disagree with your proposition that acquiring Quentin makes sense. Everyone knows we need a CF, not another LF or RF. Quentin is not a good defensive player and comments like his offense will make up for any defensive deficiences are nonsensical. You simply don’t platoon a 21 year old kid like Heyward. If you are unhappy with his play, then you send him back to AAA. However, if you do that, you may not have an upgrade in RF (or one that is not significant) and you still have the same issue in CF.

I have been harping on this frequently lately, but I think the Braves would be much better off acquiring Marlon Byrd who is a true CF, has a career BA close to .300 and a good OBP and is a good clubhouse guy. You should also be able to get him for less than one of your 4 premium pitching prospects.

P.S. I would reconsider if Kenny Williams is willing to essentially “give away” Quentin and Frasor for next to nothing like he did in yesterday’s deals.

Heath

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

Don’t know significance, but Wren & asst. GM Manno walked w/ sense of purpose to field to talk w/ Fredi for few minutes, then back upstairs -DOB

Now THAT’S a tweet. ;)

noleeee

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

Heyward is perhaps getting too handsy with his swing, getting too far out in front pretty regularly. He needs to stay back and unload just prior to the ball arriving,
I also think that some of it is mental to Rob.
I don’t tape the games to play his at bats over again and just watching tv is a poor way to try to analyze a problem.

Stizz

July 28th, 2011
5:12 pm

BAS my boy, what’s up?

And that would be nice but not too sure Florida would part with him. Sure would be great for somebody to replace the current SS options we have.

Lollygagger

July 28th, 2011
5:13 pm

spicy chicken? Were Wren and Manno getting his dinner order?

Rusty

July 28th, 2011
5:13 pm

Why dont we trade Jason Heyward for him… He just doesnt seem to want to play hard and when Chipper called him out in the media that should be a sign to us all he isnt the player we thought he would be…

Big Tater

July 28th, 2011
5:13 pm

“It’s too late in the season to worry about feelings and stepping on toes, don’t you think?”

A concept Bobby Cox never seemed to grasp.

FREE HEYWARD

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

SI.COM JON HEYMAN REPORTING BRAVES TO ACQUIRE HUNTER PENCE FOR JASON HEYWARD, AND 2 PROSPECTS.

http://twitter.com/#!/SI_JonHeyman

Dan_in_NC

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

I smell a 3 way deal where we get Quentin and get a bullpen arm from a 3rd team. One of our stud prospects will be dealt and Nate McLouth…

Jeff R

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

Bourn ain’t coming to Atlanta; at least, I’d be surprised if he did.

ncscoots

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

I am beginning to think Stanton is better than Heyward

Well, there it is. rob from sc if off Heyward. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the beginning of the end. Heyward’s toast.

Eric

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

Why am I getting this feeling that Pence will be headed to the Phils…

faninva

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

Don’t know significance, but Wren & asst. GM Manno walked w/ sense of purpose to field to talk w/ Fredi for few minutes, then back upstairs -DOB

how does one actually define “sense of purpose”…walking very fast with eyes staring at shoelaces?

carlchamblee

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm

McMidget has hit 229 in 2 1/2 years as a Brave, Schafer can’t hit period, but Heyward is the guy who shouldn’t be out there down the stretch if we get Quenton. Oooookkkkk….

Lew

July 28th, 2011
5:15 pm

Batting average assumes that a single is as important than a HR? NO, Batting Average assumes nothing. It tells you what percentage of base hits a player has in his total Official At Bats

bravofan

July 28th, 2011
5:15 pm

Rusty: I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

It would really instill some hope if Wren got Bourn or Pence. Bourn would obviously be the full-time leadoff man playing CF. Pence would fit just about anywhere in the order and could play CF while Chipper is in and LF when he’s not.

1.Bourn
2.Prado
3.Chipper
4.Mac
5.Uggla
6.Freeman
7.Heyward
8.Gonzo

1.Prado
2.Pence
3.Mac
4.Uggla
5.Freeman
6.Heyward
7.Gonzo
8.Nate…Schafer sucks

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

faninva:
lol

Mitch McConnell's Chins

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

Prado isn’t going anywhere. Schafer, when he can swing the bat again, has to play center. He isn’t yet the hitter he will be someday, it’s true, but it isn’t a learning curve for him on defense. He is by far the best CF in the system and one of the best in the league. If you know baseball, you know how valuable that is, especially when no one else on the team can play even average center field.

Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

noleeee

Heyward just has such a downward chop on the ball

CrαZy

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

Ronald Millsaps

Wrong blog!

sweet georgia peach

July 28th, 2011
5:16 pm

PENCE WE JUST GOT PENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND HURTWARD IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sweet georgia peach

July 28th, 2011
5:17 pm

I HOPE WE SENT DENNIS WITH HIM!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

This time of the year its truly amazing… Not too long ago we were talking about what we were going to do if we bring Carlos Quentin to our roster and now we’re talking about Hunter Pence again.

Obee

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

noleeee

We’re you a batting instructor at one point?

ncscoots

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

peach, couldn’t you disengage that caps lock. a little?

Larry

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

PDOG

Here’s how you can manufacture some runs in well pitched games in the playoffs:

Schafer CF
Prado SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Quentin RF
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
McLouth LF

It’s time for some honesty and that’s Gonzalez and Heyward are just killing this offense and the goober, Fruity, in the dugout needs to stop batting these dolts at #2 in the lineup…if they’re not in the lineup he can’t screw it up!

Put in Hinske to give them a breather!

sweet georgia peach

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

PENCE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter

July 28th, 2011
5:18 pm

bvillebaron :

Marlon Byrd is a great mention, however, wouldn’t solve your problem with leadoff hitter. Although makes more sense than Quentin, but would still prefer Michael Bourne.

Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Beltran...Get a Shortstop)

July 28th, 2011
5:19 pm

ncscoots

July 28th, 2011
5:14 pm
I am beginning to think Stanton is better than Heyward

Well, there it is. rob from sc if off Heyward. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the beginning of the end. Heyward’s toast.

I still like Heyward, just concerned

Memphis

July 28th, 2011
5:19 pm

How bout Hunter Pence and Carlos Quintin?

Bay Area Steve

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

rob,

you gotta update that Beltran thing. I suggest replacing Beltran with Pence…

Bobby Bobby

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

Thumbs up to Wren! You have 1 pitcher that is 40. One that is 38 and 2 that are Boras guys. Keep your young pitchers unless you trade for a young guy that will be here a while. If Braves could get Denard Span go for it. Otherwise keep your pitchers and try to get Marlon Byrd.

noleeee

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

…and this is why it saddens me that people like this have the right to vote. – faninva

and women too. can you imagine??

Efrim

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

So, we’ve traded Heyward for Pence? Makes sense. Why send him to the minors? We have Gartrell there.

cabravesfan

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

Not sure what’s worse, people demanding we get players we either can’t afford or not available, or people making up trades… :roll:

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:20 pm

noleeee:

Heyward is getting too handsy, ay? Wow. Just…wow.

Really showing how little you know this evening. He needs to be MORE handsy. He’s out in front because he’s using all body in his swing and cheating on the fastball.

Go tell Freddie Freeman to stop being so “handsy”.

RC

July 28th, 2011
5:21 pm

I’m waiting for the “Player X has been removed from tonights lineup” tweets to start hitting….

Stizz

July 28th, 2011
5:21 pm

We’re not trading Heyward bozos. Good fake link genius.

David O'Brien

July 28th, 2011
5:21 pm

I don’t see that Ludwick, circa 2011, would be a big boost for the Braves. But if they could got him along with one of those relievers, Bell or Adams, now that’s a deal that could certainly help.

RC

July 28th, 2011
5:21 pm

I hate to agree with Dennis Reynolds today, but he’s absolutely right with his 5:20pm.

fairweatherfan

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

heyward is putting up horrible numbers but so is Gonzales. Both are virtually guaranteed to hit into a double play or strike out with runners on base. Bring Frenchy back! Look at his numbers. A capable fielder as well…..

Kentavo

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

I like Quentin, get him if the price is not too high.
But I say, go outside the box, too – go get Aramis Ramirez bc we all know that Chipper is going to get injured again. Go to Chipper tell him this is the best move to get him another WS ring and have him accept a utility role – he can play SS to spell Gonzo (he came up as SS); he can play some 3rd and we know he can play LF whether he wants to or not. I know he’s an expensive utility guy, but the uncertainty of his availability really does hamstring this team. Remember when Yanks beat us in ‘96? They had future hall of famer 3rd sacker Wade Boggs – who was platoone with Charlie Hayes? Is Charlie Hayes going to the HOF? No, but he’s got a ring.

CrαZy

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

If you look to the left side of your keyboard you’ll find a button that says in plain english Caps Lock. Push it dochenozzle!!

Heath

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

Link for trade?

Lowcountry Bulldawg

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

Bourn over the past month has a sexxy .364 average but he has only swiped 5 bags. Also he has only scored 13 runs. Now if he is so good at enabling a lineup to manufacture runs why hasn’t he …. scored more runs and secondly stolen more bases for that sole purpose? He is a solid player but not the answer to the Braves issue.

Ronald Millsaps

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

Quentin would be a nice pickup, but yeah, we do lack a real catalyst. Do we have ANYONE (I really haven’t looked) in the minors who could bat leadoff, anyone who has the prototypical leadoff build? If we have anyone in the minors who even looks like Rafael Furcal (from 2000, anyway), call him up–regardless of any of his statistics; a lot of guys have hit better in the pros than in the minors, i.e. Gregor Blanco, who, I might add, had that aforementioned leadoff-hitter’s build.

I’d even consider Heyward at leadoff.

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:22 pm

I at least have faith Wren will not let the Phillies get their hands on Pence. If Pence is actually available, we will get him.

sweet georgia peach

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

stfu crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

unbelievable

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

Heyward is putting up much better numbers than Gonzo, Schafer, and Nate.

Josh B

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

Anyone know why Marlins Logan Morrison just tweeted that he’s off to Atlanta? And said that he hates goodbyes? I hope this isn’t our trade..

Nick

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

Yahoo! Sports reporting we got Pence.

sweet georgia peach

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

bobby cerasuolo

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

How bout Minor Oberholtzer Hicks and Lipka to Chicago for Carlos Quentin Lastinge Milledge Eduardo Escobar and Jesse Crain. Then Trade Gonzo Lowe and Delgado to Texas for Yoshinori Tateyama Darren O’Day and Craig Gentry.

NORRIS

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

where is the news on this move?

Mixxo

July 28th, 2011
5:23 pm

I “walk with a sense of purpoise” around the aquarium.

Heath

July 28th, 2011
5:24 pm

Oh… Misread DOB…but yeah, Ludwick and Adams would be a good pick up as a combo.

Blankster

July 28th, 2011
5:24 pm

If they get quentin I think heyward goes down till september. I think they will keep mclotuh and schafer around

Kentavo

July 28th, 2011
5:24 pm

Ludwick only plays well against the Braves.Plus, he kinda looks like…the dude who played Cameron in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

KC

July 28th, 2011
5:24 pm

J-Hey can’t get his feelings hurt if he goes to Triple-A! You can only live on potential for so long. Eventually you have to produce.

Mixxo

July 28th, 2011
5:24 pm

….and a “sense of purpose” to the bathroom. :oops:

Richie

July 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

If/when we get Pence, it won’t be for Heyward. Also, I don’t like the implication, from the media, of the Phillies having the Astros like they are their farm system or something. Our prospects are known to be better. If that were the case we would have Strasburg, or any one big with the KC Royals

Dennis Reynolds

July 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

Hmmm. Maybe b/c were playing FLA tomorrow…..

He was saying goodbye to the praying mantis.

Ronald Millsaps

July 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

Forget about a CF; we already have one, and the guy might not be an MLB-ready hitter yet, but he’s improving. Defensively, he thrives. Anyway, this team’s problems cover a lot more than Schafer’s flaws.

Acquiring a bat is more important than the alleged need to acquire a CF. This team needs more power and more speed. Heyward’s would-be resurgence would accommodate both needs greatly.

Josh B

July 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

Never mind, found out the Marlins are coming into town tomorrow.

Mixxo

July 28th, 2011
5:25 pm

KC – True that!

Get Quentin. Sit Jason.

Brava

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

Chipper playing SS? That’s a joke, right?

Efrim

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

I don’t see that Ludwick, circa 2011, would be a big boost for the Braves. But if they could got him along with one of those relievers, Bell or Adams, now that’s a deal that could certainly help.

I’ll take Bell over Adams.

Ronald Millsaps

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

“RC”– Yeah, he was right with his 5:20 post. Of course, if you refute the person he refuted, you generally are right.

Eric

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

Heyward has not been producing but lets not give up on him so easily. I know we’re pushing towards playoffs but lets hope he’ll come around to play better for last part of season

tomahawKY

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

If Quentin falls through, what about Furcal and Rivera from LA? Shouldn’t have to give up a lot… quick fix at SS and a RH OF

Arkansas Transplant

July 28th, 2011
5:26 pm

It looks like Upton to Atlanta.

Mixxo

July 28th, 2011
5:27 pm

Brava, Chipper came up as a SS. Don’t think he could play it these days though.

RC

July 28th, 2011
5:27 pm

Bourn over the past month has a sexxy .364 average but he has only swiped 5 bags. Also he has only scored 13 runs. Now if he is so good at enabling a lineup to manufacture runs why hasn’t he …. scored more runs and secondly stolen more bases for that sole purpose? He is a solid player but not the answer to the Braves issue.

The reason he hasn’t scored any runs is because the rest of his lineup is terrible. Getting on base and having 3 K’s behind you makes it hard to score.

Anyone know why Marlins Logan Morrison just tweeted that he’s off to Atlanta? And said that he hates goodbyes? I hope this isn’t our trade..

Morrison is headed to Atlanta because we are playing the Marlins tomorrow. And why would you NOT want that to be our trade? He’s a better hitter than anyone who’s been mentioned outside of Pence, and he’s under team control for the next 5 years. The Marlins would be crazy to trade him, but if we got him it would be a stellar acquisition.

Rob from SC (Wren...Forget Hitting...Get a Shortstop and RH reliever)

July 28th, 2011
5:27 pm

Please stop making up trade rumors

Lew

July 28th, 2011
5:28 pm

Just read where they’re coming out with a Casey Anthony Halloween mask. Must be the same sick mind that determined mixing transmission fluid with cold meds would make a good drug.

Mixxo

July 28th, 2011
5:28 pm

It looks like Upton to Atlanta. – Arkansas Transplant

Please no, not that thug. :(

Chop Chop

July 28th, 2011
5:28 pm

Chipper would be a good shortstop. The first time he tries to get to a ball he can’t reach, he tears his knee up for good. That solves a big problem right there.

southern hope

July 28th, 2011
5:28 pm

This is a very exciting day on the blog!

(and before I get too wrapped up in the rumors, DOB, another great blog! Truly, my love of baseball is 70% the game itself and 30% your interpretation of it.)

RC

July 28th, 2011
5:28 pm

AT, where did you get the idea that it’s Upton…?

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