Braves reactions to Michael Bourn trade
***JORDAN SCHAFER
On when he found out
“Frank called me this morning and told me, probably around 9.”
“It hurts, no doubt. It’s the only place I’ve know, so obviously it hurts. I thank the Braves for sticking by me the entire time. With everything I’ve been through, they’ve been great to me. It’s a business. They have to do what’s best for the team. They have to what’s best to try to win a World Series this year.
“It sucks, truthfully. I was comfortable here. At the same time I’m excited to go there. Any time you get traded the team obviously wants you. I’m excited to go over there and start fresh and try to start winning.”
“I don’t know if the injuries had anything to do with it. The first one set things back quite a bit. Like I said, it’s a business. It happens. I’m not the first player to be traded. I’m not going to be the last. I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me.”
***ERIC HINSKE
On Bourn
“Good player, good leadoff hitter. Happy to have him.”
“He’s the fastest guy in the game. He’ll definitely help, for sure. It’s a good addition, no doubt.”
His type of speed can change the game sometimes?
“Not sometimes, all the time. He’s a game-changer. Playing against him, the only way it’s easy is if you keep him off the base. When he gets on first base, it’s fits for the pitchers. They have to slide-step, watch what he’s doing. Sometimes that makes pitchers throw the ball over the plate for us next guys in the lineup. So he’s going to fit in well.”
“If you walk him, it’s a double [because he’ll steal second]. That’s basically how it goes. So it’s going to be good for us. Good job [getting him].”
***DAVID ROSS
“We are so banged up right now, a move for a guy that has some gold gloves out there, a true leadoff hitter, is something we’ve been lacking. They like to put [Martin] Prado in the two-hole and I think that makes our lineup a lot deeper – getting a true leadoff hitter, someone who can steal bags, someone who is healthy. We are looking forward to that.
“It’s stinks to lose Schaf. We enjoy each other in here and we are a real close-knit group. When you lose a teammate it’s never fun. It’s one of those things that it’s part of baseball. We will move on. He will move on. We wish him the best. Hopefully Michael Bourn gets in here soon and contributes.
“[Schafer] was getting a real chance here. I think they liked him. He did some good things for us this year. He scored a lot of runs. He stole some bags while he was here. He was starting to come into his own. He’s had to learn on the fly a little bit with some guys down, but he was doing a good job with it. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
***DAN UGGLA
“Michael Bourn is a great player. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him as a person, too. We are excited to have him. We are sad to lose Schaf. He worked his butt off to get up here.
“Michael is going to help us out a lot. He is a legit gold glove center fielder. We are excited to have him. … He’s established. He’s one of the fastest guys in the league. He plays an unbelievable center field. He’s going to put together good ABs and get on base. That’s what he’s always done.
“[Schafer] might be a little frustrated because we all know how much he loved it here. We all loved him just as much. He has really improved his game since the last time I saw him in 2009.”
***CHIPPER JONES
“I feel bad for the kid [Schafer]. He worked hard to get here, and unfortunately got hurt. Bourn’s a dynamic player, steals a lot of bases, gives us some speed at the type of the lineup, the ability to manufacture some runs. Kind of like what Schafer gave us. It’s going to help our ballclub.”
“If he’s on base, he’s definitely a threat. The last time I looked he was leading the league in steals. We haven’t had that type of threat at the top of our lineup in a long time, consistently anyway. We’ll see how it all turns out.”
If that’s the only move, are you a better club today?
“Talk to me in two months.”
On Schafer’s injuries
“It’s the same old story for him. Seems like he had it going in the right direction, and another injury kind of knocks him off track. He certainly showed a lot of improvement and some promise this year. I was proud of him. He set out in spring training to make difference, and you can honestly say he did that.”
*** JAIR JURRJENS
On what it was like facing Bourn
“He’s one of those guys you try to be super-aggressive with, to make him swing at the first couple of pitches. And then you can get him off your mind. Because the more you go deeper in the count, the better chance he has to get a hit or a walk. The deeper you work in a count, the more it’s in his favor to get on base.”
So you’re glad to have him on your team now?
“Yeah. Every guy that can fly like that … it’s a good thing we’re going to have a table-setter. It sucks seeing Schafer leave; he did a good job. But he got hurt. It’s a business and we have to keep moving. Having Bourn, who’s an All-Star player and a Gold Glover … he’s got a good arm, good range. He’s got experience and the All-Star tag, the only things Schafer didn’t have [defensively].”
He’s a game-changer?
“Oh, yes. After Reyes. If you compare Reyes and Bourn, Reyes is more of a complete hitter. Bourn is still learning, it’s only his fourth or fifth year in the big leagues. But from his first year to the big leagues to now, you can see the improvement in his average, his stolen bases. And I think he’s still going to get better.
“With Martin hitting behind him, he’s going to get more fastballs and get on base. And Uggla. I think for sure people are going to try to challenge [Bourn] here more.”
***FREDI GONZALEZ
“I know the numbers [stats]. But I’m really excited about not only the numbers he brings but the quality of person that he is. I got off the phone with [the Astros’] hitting coach Mike Barnett. He told me he is one of the best people you ever want to meet and be around. A hell of a teammate, a leader, a quality guy, a hard worker type of players we want to have in the Atlanta Braves organization.”
“This guy is a quality guy and I think the town here is really going to embrace him because he is a solid citizen among being a good baseball player.”
“He is the type of player, when I sat down with Frank 10 months ago, these are the types of players we want in the organization.”
“He gets on base and creates havoc and maybe get some other guys get some fastballs because we have a legit threat.”
“With Schafer, it’s a business. To me, he’s made a lot of strides. Not knowing it coming in, you hear about the Schafer of the past, my relationship with him in spring training through July 31 has been great. I told him that. I told him ‘Schaf, you are a major leaguer. You are going to get an opportunity to go to Houston and play every day. You belong in the major leagues.’ He has matured. He wants it. He wants to improve.”
“Solid outfielder. I don’t think we lose anything defensively. [Bourn] has some hardware.”
“Schafer is also a prototypical leadoff hitter. But now you got a guy that has done it in the major leagues and has the numbers to back it in the major leagues. Just put him in there. Then you work [the lineup] the rest of the way down. He makes the defense do different things that you don’t want to do. The infield has to play in and that creates some holes. He creates havoc on base. There is going to be some pitches that the pitchers don’t want to throw because they want to prevent him from stealing a bag.”
“I’m really excited to talk to him. I left him a message and I’m looking forward to seeing him in Washington.”
“I sense the clubhouse is energized a little bit. I do sense that. Also, some sadness because I think Schafer had become a nice part of this team. Very few of us get to stay with the same organization.”
“I think it was a good trade for both clubs. I think we got the guy we wanted. I think they got a nice young player that is going to play with them for awhile.”
***BROOKS CONRAD
On Bourn
“He’s an unbelievable baseball player. Great center fielder, leadoff guy, get on base and steal a whole lot of bases. Just a dynamic guy at the top of the lineup for us. I think he’ll fit right in in our clubhouse.
“Playing against him, he puts a whole lot of pressure on us every time we play him, so to get a guy like that on our side is good. Obviously we’re going to miss Schafer; he came in and did a good job for us this year. But having him come over should be a great fit for us.”
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160 comments Add your comment
Prince Fielder
July 31st, 2011
3:08 pm
FIRST SON
Pudge McCracken
July 31st, 2011
3:11 pm
MIDDLE CHILD
Najeh Davenpoop
July 31st, 2011
3:13 pm
THIRD DAUGHTER
Nick Saban
July 31st, 2011
3:16 pm
BABY BROTHER
Josh
July 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
eat a donut Prince
Not Don Waddell
July 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
We traded a poor man’s Bourn for Bourn without giving up anything. Sounds good to me.
Jimmy Beam, you are my friend
July 31st, 2011
3:18 pm
WHIPPED PUPPY
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
FOURTH OUTFIELDER
Needanother Player
July 31st, 2011
3:21 pm
BULLPEN CATCHER
charlie
July 31st, 2011
3:21 pm
hi, here to ruin your caps lock fun
5nd
Ernest
July 31st, 2011
3:21 pm
If the Braves can resign Bourn to a reaonable, multi year contract, this has the potential to go down as one of their best. Getting a good leadoff hitter with speed that also plays gold glove defense for what we gave the Astros was great, considering what other clubs paid for their trades this go around.
Good job Wren!!!
DHD
July 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
Stupid Frank Wren. He’s like that stupid Bobby Cox. he has no clue giving away all of our good players. Schafer is going to the Hall of Fame. We BLEW it.
I’m not watching another game ever again.
Greg
July 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
My only concern is that he’s coming to a contender from a team out of contention. We’ve traded for guys who put up good stats on crappy teams before(Dan Kolb and Nate McLouth come to mind immediately) and they become the butt of jokes when they get to ATL.
JackDennis
July 31st, 2011
3:28 pm
Why does this thread bring out the children?
originalatlbravefan
July 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
Lord have mercy are DHD and Greg for real. Sure they are still complaining about that Fred McGriff trade.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
You will not be missed DHD. I sure you already have your ticket to the ceremony for Schafer. Enjoy and bring us all a postcard. Dumb.
Jack, because they think they are funny and smart. Yup showing immaturity is real funny.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
3:34 pm
As opposed to all the elitists and know-it-alls on the other threads?
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
good point @. I came here to see if there was any word on another trade at the last second and I read this. Maybe the adults are watching the game or at the game. Ok back to the game. Still time to pull this one out.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
3:42 pm
Heyward having a good game today, his swing looking alot better too… If we don’t get anymore trades today I’d expect a couple of waiver wire moves later on.
bigd
July 31st, 2011
3:43 pm
Come on dhd schafer got caught for roids a couple years ago I don’t care how good you are if you get caught doping your not gonna make the hall. Bourn is a great player with amazing speed and a gold glove. Speed is the only thing the braves needed plus didn’t have to give up top prospects for him
Conyers Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
3:44 pm
DHD and Greg: you can say what you want to say and so can too. I say to you: I am sorry for you. Have a blessed day.
Bravesfan HD
July 31st, 2011
3:45 pm
please score this runner.
Bravesfan HD
July 31st, 2011
3:46 pm
wow
Conyers Braves Fan
July 31st, 2011
3:46 pm
Correction: you can say what you want to say and I( not so) can too.
Pudge McCracken
July 31st, 2011
3:48 pm
I thought DHD’s post was pure sarcasm, but maybe I misunderstood.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
3:49 pm
I don’t care how good you are if you get caught doping your not gonna make the hall
UNLESS you’re a Yankee… Even though ARod got caught red handed and admitted he was a juicer you can often hear sportswriters giving him a pass. I don’t agree with it, but I think he’ll get in.
#1 Schaf Fan
July 31st, 2011
3:52 pm
Horrible trade! Yeah the last few years haven’t been as good, but remember back when MLB turned a blind eye to steroids… Schaf was real good! Braves will be extremely disappointed if they make steroids legal again and this guy goes back to form.
SB75
July 31st, 2011
3:53 pm
bigd………. I’m not supporting dhd on his comments, but Schafer didn’t get caught doing roids. He just didn’t tell on someone he knew that was.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
3:56 pm
SB he was caught with HGH. Positive test.
clay dalrymple
July 31st, 2011
3:57 pm
why are none of the blogs talking about the game, i think we all agree a great deal was made, got the speed, leadoff and cf we needed. now lets stop making mistakes, running, bunting (lack of) and play some baseball.
SB75
July 31st, 2011
3:59 pm
Joseph….. I heard that report and it turned out to be false. The reason listed for him being suspended was that he knowing covered up the steroid use of another player. But if you have a new link or proof, please post it. This debate has been going on forever on what he was actually caught doing. I would like for us all to be correct either way.
Gabriel Elijah
July 31st, 2011
4:00 pm
What our healthy lineup should look like:
1. Bourne CF
2. Prado LF
3. Mac C
4. Uggla 2nd (if he keeps hittin likes he’s been of late)
5. Freeman 1st
6. Chipper 3rd (if uggla drops off then bat chip 4th & uggs 6th)
7. Heyward RF
8. Gonzo SS
Pitcher rotation
1. JJ
2. Hudy
3. Hanson
4. Lowe
5. Beachy
This actually looks like we got a chance this year! Are Boston & Philli better? probably–but this certainly make tha Braves arguably tha 3rd best team in baseball–& in tha playoffs its all about whose hot—not always whose tha best on paper!
Largo
July 31st, 2011
4:01 pm
I am not disappointed at all that we got Bourn. He looks like a winner. Now if we could just get Pukey Stagg for the bullpin.
northbeach Scott
July 31st, 2011
4:05 pm
Joseph, you are a moron. There is no test for HGH.
Schafer was essentially accused of hanging out with know juicers, no direct evidence of his usage of any performance enhancing drugs has ever been revealed.
Hope Schafer can use the fresh start to put stupid sh*t comments like this behind him.
bigd
July 31st, 2011
4:05 pm
He was suspended 50 games while he was in double A after he was sent down by the big club
northbeach Scott
July 31st, 2011
4:12 pm
bigd, another mouth breather, with bad information. Schafer was suspended for 50 games in 2008 while he was in AA. He made the major leagues for the first time coming out of Spring Training in 2009.
Rue
July 31st, 2011
4:12 pm
I hate losen Schafer—but all things considered (not given up any of tha big 6)—this might be Wrens best move of his Braves career! Now lets just hope (as has already ben pointed out) that Bourne’s stats will hold up now he’s not playn for a beer league softball team anymore!
Azim
July 31st, 2011
4:17 pm
Prince is first in the buffet line.
bruce
July 31st, 2011
4:21 pm
thanks Dave
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
4:23 pm
Northbeach……Oh people are morons for facts. He was suspended 50 games for USING HGH. Period. He denied it (what else is he going to say? You caught me?) His father denies it (what else he going to say….yup my son used HGH?) Frank Wren said in an interview to ESPN.com in 08 after the suspension that he was disappointed in Schafer and it in no way reflects the way this organization is built. He supports the anti-drug program of MLB and will work harder to educate the young players better.
You made up your mind. Excuse this “moron” for looking at facts,
Joseph's 4th grade special ed teacher
July 31st, 2011
4:23 pm
Joseph, you little ‘tard. Stop spewing your silly drivel at these nice adults. Wipe your drool from you chin, take you hand out of your pants and get off the internet.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
4:31 pm
For your information…..I didn’t have a special ed teacher until the 7th grade. Please know facts before you try and attack me. Personal attacks are all you can come up with? Try fact, it works better.
Jordan
July 31st, 2011
4:39 pm
OMG…. I used to pop roids like pez back in AA!
Braves fill leadoff void, acquire Astros’ Bourn – MLB.com
July 31st, 2011
4:40 pm
[...] dealReutersBraves land Bourn in traffic deadline dealFox Newsmsnbc.com -SportingNews.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 430 headlines [...]
01HAWK
July 31st, 2011
4:41 pm
Can we please DESIGNATE FOR ASSIGNMENT NATE MCOUT and keep CONSTANZZA.
If we have to eat the 6 million, then do it.
Constanzza puts pressure on the defense. He can bat 2nd behind BOURNE.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
4:44 pm
Not a good day for Nate McClouth at all… Not only do the Braves get a full time CF but Constanza could very easily replace him on the bench. Ouch!!
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
4:50 pm
@__ISH__ will be interesting tonight to see who gets sent down to make room for Bourne. I know easy choice is Lugo, but like it or not he is a defensive infielder. Hate his bat, but he can play defense to spell 2B, 3B and SS. Wish we had a better offensive guy but such is life, so who goes?
SB75
July 31st, 2011
5:01 pm
Joseph…. We had a good convo going, don’t get destracted. There isn’t a failed test out there by Jordan, if you have a link or proof……. Please post it. It pains me that the kid is being blamed for something he didn’t do. If they had proof, His father and himself would not have gone through such links to say he didn’t do it.
Here s what I could find……. Note they did say it was a gag order, if had actually done it they would have outted him lke they did everyone else.
.There are several stories out there this morning about our former top prospect Jordan Schafer and his suspension for HGH last year. He is essentially proclaiming his innocence in actually doing any drug, but admitting his guilt by association:
[Jordan Schafer says,] “So I was taking responsibility for what I did — and I was wrong for being around that. I should’ve never gotten around the situation. I never took a steroid or anything to make me better. But at the same time, I knew what was going on and I hung around those people and I didn’t say anything.”
He declined to go into further detail about what he knew, but said: “Somebody out there was trying to get me. Somebody was trying to attack me. It was totally wrong. But again, nobody forced me to make those decisions and hang around those people. I accept that responsibility.”
From the beginning this has been a cryptic suspension, since there is no test that MLB uses which can detect HGH. We know that most of the pushers of illegal stimulants hang around gyms, and we also know that Schafer is a “cage rat” and perhaps a “gym rat.” There could be a connection between the folks who Jordan hangs out with at the gym and banned substances. At this point all we can do is guess, unfortuantely MLB has put a gag order on Jordan as part of the suspension. Acutally, I’m surprised he felt that he could say the stuff he said this week.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
5:02 pm
I don’t have a clue… From what I saw out of Constanza today, I hope he stays with the big club.. Brings up some questions I know.
SB75
July 31st, 2011
5:04 pm
Prospect Q&A: Jordan Schafer
Braves outfielder speaks about 50-game suspension
By Ben Badler
August 21, 2008
E-mail Print
After a breakout season last year, Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer ranked as the top prospect in the organization and the No. 25 overall prospect in baseball. But since spring training, Schafer’s life changed. Schafer played in four games in April for Double-A Mississippi, then was suspended for 50 games for an HGH-related infraction. He returned to the field on June 2, but the 21-year-old Schafer had slumped to a .209/.348/.368 batting line by June 23.
Notice they said related…….. I haven’t seen anywhere where someone said he failed a test.
daddyrich9999
July 31st, 2011
5:07 pm
Great trade exept schafer will be great.the trade block finally helped franceour.and constanza shld stay but linebrink needs to go.
daddyrich9999
July 31st, 2011
5:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
5:09 pm
Sb, with all due respect and no malice intended. MLB has never spoken about any suspension in the anti-drug program except to say that this player has been suspended for …………use. It is illegal for MLB or any team to go into details. He was suspended 50 games by MLB for HGH use. That is a fact. Of course there is a gag order and players and people close to him will always deny.
That said, He is a good kid who made a mistake. Whatever the mistake was, he obviously made a HUGE mistake to get a 50 game suspension. I didn’t like him until this year, I grew to love his mindset and attitude. But the fact is he never cut it as a lead-off hitter. Wren said as much by saying that they have been looking for a real lead-off guy for years. That tells me that Schafer was a mere stop-gap and hope for the best guy. I hope he does well. Maybe he has learned whatever lesson he had to learn from his suspension. But the fact is he was not getting the job done here.
@ish…Fredi said that he hopes Constanza stays. Hope it works out that way. Maybe they make a decision tonight before bedtime. It would have been cool to at least have Bourne come to ATL today and be in the dugout, even if it was in the middle of the game. But can’t wait to see what line-up they use tomorrow night with a real lead-off guy. He just might be the answer this team needs.
Dennis Reynolds
July 31st, 2011
5:11 pm
UNBELIEVEABLE MOVE!!!
I never shouldve doubted FW. He really pulled off a steal and Bourn is going to help us score a lot more runs. Great move.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
5:13 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3336898
of course both he and his father denies everything, but he was supsended for HGH use. That is his past, and I think the kid has moved on. But it is a fact. I hope he learned whatever lessen he needed to learn. Maybe going to Houston will help this kid know that nothing is given it has to be earned. Like I said, I love his attitude this year. Until this year he was a cocky little kid, but this year he was finally getting it. Just didn’t produce.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
5:15 pm
I like this trade, but watching Bourn standing at 3rd with less than 2 outs and seeing pop ups and Ks won’t help this team win.
14 hits today (Constanza’s bunt was a hit) and 1 fluffin run. Countless opportunities with runners on 3rd and nothing. The only run scored on a GBDP. How embarrassing…
This team has to get better at situational hitting. PERIOD. Bourn will bring excitement and great defense, but it will be moot if we can’t drive him in.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
5:16 pm
Joseph, The trade REALLY has me excited.. Not just for this year but the future as well. We desperately needed a solid CF and leadoff man, I’m optimistic that we can sign Bourn long term too. With CJ & DLowe coming off the books after next season (if not sooner) we have alot more $ to spend and we’ve a TON of young and affordable pitching too. I’m a happy man today.
daddyrich9999
July 31st, 2011
5:18 pm
Shafer learned a lesson.bourn is gna be good for us but we need bullpen help cretain ones havd workd olot
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
5:22 pm
Rowsdower…….Sir, at some point you have to give a pitcher credit. Nolasco is no slouch. Yes we should have won. Had way too many opportunities, but Nolasco was on his game today. 0 walks. He is a good pitcher. Sometimes you just get beat. 2 out of 3 isn’t bad. Was hoping for a sweep, but can’t complain about 2 out of 3.
SB75
July 31st, 2011
5:22 pm
Joseph….. With all the respect I can give you, He never failed a test. So you can’t say HGH use, that is not a fact and simply un-true. And yes they have reported on ESPN severel players that have failed the test. With Jordan they always said a link to PED’s. Never that he used them. The mistake he made by not snitching on his team mate is questionable and turned out bad for him. But he did not use PED’s, HGH or anything else. There isn not even an accurate repotr that says he did, yet there are several that say he didn’t.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
5:28 pm
I didn’t say HGH use….MLB did. That is the press release from them in 08. No MLB never reported anything. A “source” leaked all of that information violating a court order, yet no “source” was ever named. There was no reference in the article from ESPN.com that I posted that said there was anything to do with snitching.
SB. He was suspended for use, whether he used or not or whatever. The fact is he was suspended for use. End of story. Of course everybody is going to mount a defense. It is their right in this country. He was never in court so all we can go by is the findings of MLB. Does that make it fair? NO. Let’s move on. Like I said the kid made a mistake and hope he has learned his lesson. Maybe Houston is the better spot for him to start a career. He wasn’t traded away because of the suspension, he was traded away because he was not getting the job done.
alexcox
July 31st, 2011
5:29 pm
BUEN TRATO pero falta QUIETIN. ysalir kawakami nate protocor.
@___ISH___
July 31st, 2011
5:30 pm
“They are who we thought they were”
This team hasn’t been a clutch or situational hitting team all year.. that’s not gonna change much even though Bourn should score alot of runs hitting in fron of Prado and CJ/FF/BM/DU.
Tom
July 31st, 2011
5:36 pm
Is Bourn really faster than Constanza? I find that hard to believe? But several others and I got it right about bringing up Constanza and Gartrell. See, listen to what I have to say, it is the gospel folks!! Gartrell should be next?
Hooters Insider
July 31st, 2011
5:42 pm
Leave it to Chipper to not get excited about this. Chipper is a cancer on this team. He has handcuffed this team for years. Get rid of him. He is injured half of the time, anyway. This team could use his salary. What a joke. We get a great ballplayer and Chipper doesn’t want to welcome him in. He is such a classless redneck. Chipper can’t wait to get into that deer stand or get some wings at Hooters.
Welcome Bourn. Us Braves fans are very happy to have you here where you will actually produce, unlike someone we all have been putting up with for years.
Go Braves. This is a better fit than Beltran and Pence.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
5:55 pm
Chipper is a cancer on this team???? ARE YOU DRUNK ALREADY HOOTERS? I mean it is not even 6pm. Slow down man.
Tom
July 31st, 2011
5:57 pm
Joseph – I was right about Constanza brother. So maybe my comments about KC’s guys( Gordon, Frenchy, Cabrera) were not far off base either.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
6:00 pm
@Joseph – If this was an isolated incident, I would definitely give credit to Nolasco. He pitched great when he was in jams, but even an average hitting team would capitalize on a couple of those opportunities. It is statistically damn near impossible to get 14 hits and score only 1 run.
This has been a problem for the Braves for years. They are subpar (i’m being very kind) with runners at 3rd and less than 2 outs. It really shouldn’t be this difficult to hit a fly ball in those situations. Hell, the game’s tied if they grounded into double plays with 1st and 3rd and no outs the other 2 times. Instead we get a pop up and a K. Thank you, drive thru.
This game just further proves that batting average means nothing. Baseball is about situational hitting. Until we improve there, we won’t get over the hump.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
6:04 pm
Let me expand on the fly ball thing. I was playing a game last summer and I came up with a runner on 3rd and 1 out. I’m a pitcher, so my coach calls time and asks me if I want to squeeze. I said, “no, I can hit a fly ball off this guy.” I flied out to left and we scored the run.
I wasn’t trying to hit a homer. I focused on driving the ball to the outfield.
Yes, the league I play in isn’t the Majors, but it is full of former college and pro players. Again, it shouldn’t be this damn difficult to hit a fly ball. Did I mention i’m a pitcher?
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
6:06 pm
Rowsdower…you are right. Situational hitting is important. Gonzo’s pop-up hurt. So did Boscan’s strikeout. Those were quality pitches. But not excusing the lack of production, just pointing out that Nolasco made amazing pitches when he had to. The man was on his game today. Also keep in mind that Chipper was out of the line-up and so was McCann…….both are batting over .366 against Nolasco. 2 Huge holes, but that happens in baseball. You are right it is statistically near impossible to get 14 hits and score only 1 run. That is more a credit to Nolasco on this ONE DAY…than blame. Heck failing 70% of the time is a success in hitting. 0.300 AVG. We should have won no doubt, but hey it happens. 2 out of 3 against a division rival isn’t too shaby. If we can do that each series on this road trip……can anybody really complain?
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
6:18 pm
That’s what I called for before this series. 12 of 16. .750 ball against these teams should be extremely doable.
That said, you have to take advantage of opportunities to win when they present themselves. In the immortal words of Meatloaf, 2 out of 3 aint bad, but a sweep would be better.
Failing 7 out of 10 times is fine. .300 lifetime average will get you into the HoF. So will 1,500 RBI and the only way to achieve that is to drive in those cheap runs. We don’t drive in enough cheap runs. I’ll take a .250 run producer over a .300 hitter that doesn’t produce runs. Bourn is a fine addition and fills our 2 biggest holes in CF and leadoff. The problem is he can’t drive himself in. I do like this lineup a lot if Chipper and Mac get healthy and Freeman and Uggla keep hitting. Heyward looked a little less lost today and Gonzo actually had a few hits.
Get those cheapies boys and we’re gonna go a LONG way.
Cory
July 31st, 2011
6:20 pm
I would of traded Heyward before Schafer. I’m gonna miss him. Good trade, but we traded the wrong guy.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
6:25 pm
Cory that is why you have no chance to ever be a GM of even a little league team.
Rowdower. I agree with you. I am just saying some of those pitches that Nolasco was throwing when he was in a jam were either a strike-out or a pop-up if they swung. Dud had his game on today when he got in trouble. Maybe Trader Jack should have him pitch only from the stretch. The offense as a whole failed to get the job done, but I do give credit to Nolasco. He was really good. Bourn changes everything, and just imagine Bourn leading off and Constanza playing LF and batting 2nd and Prado batting 3rd playing 3B tomorrow night. Fredi has hinted that it is possible. That is something to drool over there.
BravesGurl1983
July 31st, 2011
6:30 pm
From an ESPN article about Jordan…
“I’ve never failed a test. I’ve taken 20 drug tests, and I’ve never failed one. I didn’t take anything,” Schafer said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Schafer did not test positive for HGH. Rather, he was suspended after Major League Baseball probed anecdotal evidence of HGH use by Schafer, two sources familiar with Schafer’s case told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney last year.
Human growth hormone is a banned substance under the current drug-testing agreement between the owners and players, but the sport, like other professional sports leagues in the U.S., does not test for HGH.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3859231
Good luck to you, Jordan Schafer!!! I hope you become an All Star down in Houston!
smallmouth6
July 31st, 2011
6:38 pm
There are some folks on here who don’t have a clue about baseball. I hope, and think, most of them are teenagers (or younger).
Baseball for Braves fans should be fun the next couple of months—this is from an old guy who respects the Braves.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
6:44 pm
Having Bourn and Constanza in there together would be sick. Nothing would drop in the OF and they would be burning up the bases all night. I said impact player or stand pat and Wren made it happen. I am infinitely excited about this team down the stretch, in the playoffs and the next decade. As I said everywhere else, it’s a good time to be a Braves fan!
Schafer’s suspension did not derail his career with the Braves. His inability to stay healthy and hit the ball on the ground did. He is an awesome OF and a great kid. I wish him the best in Houston as well. If he ends up being Bourn Part II in Houston, that would be great. This team needed a finished product. Bourn will be a force on this team for years to come (yes, I expect us to sign him to an extension).
Oh, and to the tool that said trade Heyward and keep Schafer. My god is all that comes to mind. Heyward is 21. He has a bright future. It’s in a Braves uniform. In a few years Bourn will be the oldest guy on the team..AT 30!?! A perennial playoff team with everyone entering or in their prime sounds pretty good to me.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
6:46 pm
Rowsdower…There is only one thing I can say to that sir…………Hoorah!
NickB
July 31st, 2011
6:47 pm
@ rowsdower- RBI’s are a product of a team rather than an individual though. So your comment about taking a .250 run producer over a .300 hitter that doesn’t produce runs is kinda silly. If you hit .300 (and have a respectable OBP of like .340+) and actually have people on base in front of you, you will produce more runs than a .250 hitter with the same OBP….. (because it’s better to accumulate OBP via hits than walks, tho walks are very valuable as well).
This team just seems to only get on base in front of the bottom 3rd of the order is the biggest problem. Being the bottom 3rd, they aren’t very good and therefore don’t get many hits or on base much to produce any runs. The addition of Bourn will improve this by increasing the number of times our 2-5 hitters come up to bat with not only someone on base, but also in scoring position. Not to mention the psychological affect having a fast guy on has on the pitcher. It also means more fastballs and less nibbling for fear of creating big innings. There’s a reason that Bourn has a 4.3 WAR 2/3rds of the way throug the season!! He creates offensive chances for those who bat behind him!
NickB
July 31st, 2011
6:50 pm
also, batting avg is fairly worthless at describing a player production offensively… I know a lot of old timers don’t like to hear that, heck I used to not like it either (and I’m 38) but , the old counting stats are fairly poor at defining the true value and productivity of an individual player’s production.
Yunel #1 Fan
July 31st, 2011
6:56 pm
DHD you are one retarded SOB!! I dont have to defened Bobby, we all know who he is. And Wren has made some mistakes but he is doing a good job overall. And this last one is a great one.
And Schaffer will NEVER be a HOF guy. NOT EVEN CLOSE. He is just NOT a good hitter and he never will be.
We got a great player who fits us like a glove and we still have our top prospects. GREAT JOB!!!
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
7:23 pm
Say goodbye Daniel. Racist.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
7:24 pm
@NickB – I agree. Batting average means very little, thus the .300 hitter that doesn’t produce runs statement.
Run producers don’t just drive in runs, they score runs. The problem with this team is that we are not a good situational hitting team. RBI are a function of team rather than individual, but this is a team game that is won and lost on runs scored and runs allowed. 14 hits and 1 run is a team failure. I’m not placing the blame on any individual. And, again, if this was a one game thing, I would chalk it up to bad luck, but this has been going on for YEARS.
I’m clearly nitpicking a team that is 3.5 games up in the wild card race. It’s just frustrating seeing this team fail time after time in run scoring situations. You don’t have to get a hit to drive in those runs. That’s the most painful part of it…
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
7:32 pm
Rowsdower, I agree with you it is frustrating. But considering this team has the record they have while not having a real lead-off man and only having a starting 8 together a mere 11 times all year might have a lot to do with it. I hope we can get fully healthy with no setbacks by the end of August when Moylan comes back. It just would be nice to see Bourn with Chipper and McCann in the lineup at the same time. I do believe the guys that were out today in those situations (or even Ross) would have come through at least 2 times.
bigbrave
July 31st, 2011
7:46 pm
Great trade! Bourn is the needed bat, speed and glove we have been missing. Bring back the exciting days of Neon Deion and Otis Nixon!
cutty
July 31st, 2011
7:46 pm
“On whether getting Chipper Jones back makes the Braves a better team?” Check with me in a couple of months, assuming he can stay in the line-up that long.
Marcus Giles
July 31st, 2011
7:52 pm
Jordan Schafer? Oh that guy was definitely on the juice.
Parent John
July 31st, 2011
8:00 pm
So happy to see Schafer go. Drug users like he, Manny Ramirez, Josh Hamilton, ARod, etc, etc should be permanently banned from the game. It’s a shame our kids have to watch absolute morons like these get paid millions for being degenerate lowlife cheaters. I don’t know much about Bourn, but I’d rather my kid learn to play some small ball rather than get the small balls from putting illegal drugs into your system.
braveheart11
July 31st, 2011
8:04 pm
Great looking lineup. Come on Heyward start hitting like we know you can and we will pass the Phillies!!
CF Bourne
LF Prado
3B Chipper
C McCann
1B Freeman
2B Uggla
RF Heyward
SS Gonzalez
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
8:07 pm
Braveheart11……That is a good line-up. There are so many different possibilities like Freeman 3rd or Mac 3rd Uggla 4th or 5th……No way to go wrong either way. Get the guys healthy and dang this could be a fun line-up to watch.
Omar
July 31st, 2011
8:09 pm
This lineup still needs a healthy Chipper, he is one of the few hitters on this team who can handle lefties.
Bobbys Wisdom
July 31st, 2011
8:10 pm
I would keep Constanza as the backup CF and put McLouth on the bench as backup to Prado/Hinkse!
jsimpkins73
July 31st, 2011
8:14 pm
It’s not Channel 17’s fault that The Atlanta Braves have MLB’s best management team. Bourn puts them deep in the playoffs …eat it haters.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
8:27 pm
This is interesting. Here are the WAR numbers for the 3 players the Braves were after:
Carlos Beltran – 3.7
Michael Bourn – 3.6
Hunter Pence – 2.5
Considering what the Giants and Phillies gave up vs. what the Braves gave up, the salaries of the players and the fact that Bourn fills 2 HUGE holes for the Braves, I think Wren did alright.
Phillies fans can spin it however they want, but they gave up more for a more expensive, lesser player. Way to go Wren. You didn’t show your hand early and you won on the river. Kudos!
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
8:33 pm
I tried to follow the SABER thing, although in my opinion it is super over analyitcal, but guess I might be showing my age,
Rowsdower what is WAR numbers? Again I repeat I do not agree with the Saber thing. Over analyzing in my opinion. I do understand how some can get into it and if it brings the younger kids into baseball cool, but for me personally I just don’t see it. But would like to know what WAR is.
milo
July 31st, 2011
8:36 pm
Ok, I am glad we got Bourn but we still lack in a rh hitter that can produce runs. Bourn will get on base and steal and whatever, but who is hitting him in?? Braves had 13 hits today and scored 1 run?? Costanza was 3 for 5 at leadoff and we scored 1 run??? All of us just had this discussion the other night on how long it had been for someone to hit a SAC FLY… 2 months? That is unheard of. What are the braves batting with runnners in scoring position? Michael Bourn is an upgrade no doubt BUT who is going to hit him in? Who is going to hit the other guys in? Bourn wont, not his job. Maybe we can pick up another bat off the waiver wire later on. Once again, I love the trade but not sure how much it will help if we cant hit him in.
jsimpkins73
July 31st, 2011
8:38 pm
^^^
The RH hitter they just added is Uggla, pay attention.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
8:48 pm
WAR is Wins Above Replacement. It takes into account all facets of offense and defense and is a strong metric for determining the value of a player against an average player at that position. Needless to say Bourn is FAR more valuable when you consider he’s replacing McLouth and Schafer:
Schafer – .7 WAR
McLouth – .3 WAR
For reference, Corey Patterson is a .4 WAR and nobody wants him.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
8:55 pm
Rowsdower….ok. But I do have a question then. I have read and heard several interviews that the creators of Saber have given especially on ESPN Radio’s Collin Cowherd’s show. The creators of SABER have stated that the metrics for defense are inconclusive at best. There is no way possible to ever determine someones defensive success/fail rate by using SABER. So how can those numbers be trusted? Again I think they are just over analytical numbers, but if they bring in the youngsters and help them love this beautiful game of baseball, then I am for them. I as just 1 person speaking, do not get them (both understanding and relevence). Again if you subscribe to them that is cool. I do not disparage any that do, I just speaking for me personally. Heck, my wife made me get an I-phone and I freaking hate it as well. I want so bad to just get my old flip-phone back, but she insists the I-phone is so much better. Maybe I am just old-fashioned.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
8:58 pm
Oh by the way…..Wins Above Replacement…..are whom the pitcher for the team that day or the opposing pitcher taken into account? Or the record of said team at the time of replacement? How are those numbers produced? It is easy to just point out 3.7 or whatever, but how was that specific number derived upon?
Hooters Insider
July 31st, 2011
9:04 pm
Not drunk. Just tired of hearing Chipper’s blabber mouth from the bench. If I see one more lineup with Chipper third, I’m gonna puke. The guy is a number 2 or number 6 hitter. But no, we’ll see him batting third with less than 15 homers for the year. Barf indeed.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
I’m not a zealot when it comes to sabermetrics, I just found it interesting when comparing the 3 players the Braves were after. Yes, it is difficult to quantify defense, that’s why we have the eye test. Bourn is a great CF because he covers a ton of ground and gets to balls that most CF wouldn’t. The eye test also says hes a far superior offensive player than McLouth and Schafer this year.
I’m not an expert on it either, but if someone smarter than me says that Bourn is 3 wins more valuable than what we have/had and 1 win more valuable than Pence, i’ll take their word for it. I don’t need a metric to tell me that, but it does appear that the Phoolies overpaid for a less valuable, more expensive player.
Flo-Rio-Duh
July 31st, 2011
9:07 pm
Good luck to Schafer. This will be a good deal if the Braves can sign Bourn to a long term DEAL and not just an end of the year rental.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
Flo – Bourn isn’t a rental. He is signed through next year and is arbitration eligible. He is making $4.4M this year and the Astros are paying most of that. He will get something around $6M next year which is very reasonable for a Gold Glove CF that leads the league in SBs every year.
I am confident the Braves will try to negotiate an extension since there are no CF prospects close to MLB ready. He’s 28 and could be a contributor to this team for a while.
jsimpkins73
July 31st, 2011
9:10 pm
…Wren did all this on a budget.
…eat it haters.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
9:11 pm
Rowsdower, I believe the eye test more than anything. The approaches in an at bat can not be quantified by any statistic. BUt like I said, if some that believe them, wonderful. If it brings some younger kids into the game and help them fall in love with it like us old guys love it……..BEAUTIFUL. I just think it is a bunch of over analyzing numbers that are questionable.
By the eye test….Bourn is the guy we needed for the past 2 years. Dang, even if he goes 0-5 tomorrow, I’m still excited about the chances he has just added to this team. Both offensively and deffensively
jsimpkins73
July 31st, 2011
9:13 pm
I hate piling it on….but.
“On a team that’s poised to win,” Wren said, “we need the finished product.”
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
9:23 pm
As a baseball player, I agree Joseph. I can tell what a good player is without statistics and metrics. Without looking at Uggla’s stats the last month anyone with any baseball knowledge could tell he’s playing well just by seeing how he’s swinging right now. He isn’t on one knee half the time anymore.
I’m also a firm believer that going the other way and up the middle are good signs for a hitter. Really liked what I saw from Heyward today. Need that to continue…
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
9:34 pm
Please do not take this the wrong way Rowsdower………As a baseball player? How old are you? Again I am not trying to insult you at all.
Uggla’s streak starting long before 21 games ago if people watched the games. At the beginning of June, he stopped moving his head during his swing. Yes it took some time for things to work out, but that was the start of it. Heyward is working extra, so give the KID time. Batting him 7th right now is wonderful and let him work his way out of his first time in his life of playing hurt and playing through a slump. Let’s just wait and see what this kid is made of mentally. That is where it is now. He is struggling. I believe in him to pull through and chalk this up to a sophomore slump, but he has to prove it. Maybe this is what he needs to get going. I hope so.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
9:43 pm
I’m 36. I still play here in Austin, Texas. I also play on a traveling tournament team. It’s not my job, but i’m gonna keep pitching until I can’t get people out anymore.
I’m certainly not giving up on Heyward like some of these jackwagons on here. I remember what I was doing at 21 and it wasn’t playing RF for a playoff team. In fact, I was coming off my 2nd of 3 shoulder surgeries. I just really liked his approach today. He stayed on the ball and didn’t get beat like he has the last few weeks.
I liked the comment Simpson made during the game that he needs to not worry about his stats to date and focus on the next 2+ months of the season. No one remembers how you started, but they definitely remember how you finish.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
9:48 pm
That is the same talk Fredi (I say this for the ……..others) the (idiot stupid worst manager ever) had with Uggla. Forget what your numbers are right now. Today starts a new season. Not long after that talk Uggla is doing what he is doing. I keep forgetting Fredi is stupid so why did I just give him any credit? HAHAHAHA. But seriously, Heyward has been working, and it takes time to put batting cage work into a live game. Baseball is a humbling game.
kami
July 31st, 2011
9:57 pm
sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3336898
Bench Heyward
July 31st, 2011
9:59 pm
Bench the NON productive Messiah of the Team – the sissy Heyward. Send him down to the minors where he can get a good kick in the can and maybe he will get his head screwed on straight lest he turn into another Francouer – who also was dubbed the Messiah……
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
10:04 pm
Bench………WHO IS USING THE WORD “MESSIAH” FOR ANY FREAKING BASEBALL PLAYER????? Nobody is the Messiah except one. Grow up and stop your have a rational thought for once please.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
10:11 pm
Yeah, Fredi gets it from the Monday Morning QBs on here, but really, he did an excellent job with a low rent Marlins team and is showing this year what he can do with a real team.
No doubt baseball is a humbling game. Everytime I’ve felt like I have it figured out, I get ransacked. Heyward is far too talented to not figure it out. I think with his upbringing he won’t have any trouble handling the mental challenges. His problem might be overthinking and not letting his natural ability take over. Then again, who am I to say…
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
10:16 pm
I never thought of the overthinking aspect. Might be possible. But give the kid time.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
10:38 pm
Another reason I don’t trust sabermetrics…they rate Freeman the worst fielding 1B in baseball. HA! Maybe they should ask Chipper, Alex and Uggla how many errors he’s saved them.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
10:44 pm
Like I said Rowsdower, if it is something that brings the kids to the game, then I am for it. I just personally don’t see the relevance. I mean no disrespect to anybody that follows those numbers or anything, that is just me.
Braves rule
July 31st, 2011
10:48 pm
They should have kept Schafer and given up McDUDD. Jordan will be a all star, count on it. As far as Chipper, why do you all think he will be batting anywhere. For the last two years all hes done is sit on the bench when we need him the most. Hes done and I wish he would move on. Because of Chipper, we have had two to three players on the DL all year. If we have a healthy 3rd baseman instead of CHipper the DL king then maybe we would be in first right now.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
10:51 pm
If by McDudd you mean McLouth, why would the Astros want him? He makes $7M. They are rebuilding and don’t need a washed up, expensive 30 year old player. This isn’t a video game where you can just package all your bad players and get Albert Pujols…
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
10:52 pm
“We’re really struggling to get runners in from third with less than two outs,” Uggla said. “We’ve got to start doing that in order to win some ballgames.”
Thank you captain obvious :b
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
10:55 pm
Ok Ok…Please someone smarter than me help me understand this…..please……..”Because of Chipper, we have had two to three players on the DL all year.” WHAT???/ How can any one player be blamed for 2 or 3 other players getting hurt? That is the most stupid comment I have ever heard.
Rowsdower
July 31st, 2011
11:07 pm
It’s easy, Joseph. Chipper stepped on Schafer’s finger and tickled Mac and McLouth while they were trying to throw causing them to pull muscles. He stomped on Moylan’s back, and…
…Yeah, that was a pretty asinine comment. Not the prize winner, but pretty damn dumb.
Joseph
July 31st, 2011
11:10 pm
Rowsdower……after having DOB single me out for half a comment that he had every right to take as offensive, which wasn’t my intent. I thank you for making me laugh. That was hilarious.
Bob the Blogger
July 31st, 2011
11:53 pm
Here’s an interesting stat: Bourn’s on base percentage is .363, McLouth’s is .344. (Other than that, it’s pretty lopsided.)
Stevie
July 31st, 2011
11:53 pm
This is an AWESOME trade! I’m so glad Schafer is GONE! We got a REAL centerfield now.
NickB
August 1st, 2011
12:00 am
@ Rowsdower well, UZR has Freddy down there, because it puts (IMO) too much emphasis on left to right range. It punishes Freddy for being a big guy as he doesn’t have the left to right range of some other 1st basemen. +/- (or DSR) measures runs saved and he’s near the top on that. It weighs plays made ,chances, putouts and other things…. But it’s true that defensive sbaermetrics are very very primitive (however they are loads better than fielding percentage, now THAT’S a worthless statistic!!! an actual statue who only fielded balls hit into its baseball sized hole and then shot them to first base like a pitching machine could have a 1.000 fielding %, but not really much range heh? lol) I tend to not use combined WAR bu rather oWAR to avoid having UZR or wtvr hold too much sway. Oh and Joseph, I’m 38 and I have learned to accept the saber stats because they give a more accurate picture of the game and it’s players. Two different players can hit .300, but only one of them could actually be worth a crap. Batting avg, RBI’s, pitching Wins, heck even ERA alone can be misleading stats. (like ERA is fairly worthless for relievers as they don’t get charged runs when they allow inherited runners to score).
Some of the stats can be a bit hard to get a handle on . But if you goto a site like fangraphs.com and go to the glossary, it explains what many of them mean. It basically gives you,as a fan, the tools to figure out more about the true quality of a players production! (like how BABIP (bat. avg on balls in play) shows that not only is Heyward struggling, he’s also been very unlucky)
NickB
August 1st, 2011
12:02 am
especially since we all can’t watch EVERY PLAYER across the league. Highlights are misleading cuz you only see the best. Stats are what we have, and when forming an opinion, don’t you want to have the highest quality most accurate information you can?
NickB
August 1st, 2011
12:07 am
BTW, I’m hearing if the White Sox don’t make the playoffs they may do a ground up rebuild next year. If that happens, I wouldn’t mind trying to grab Alexei Ramirez. Guy is as good a fielder as Gonzo and can actually hit a wee bit. Prolly wouldn’t be a prospect breaker either. Might take Pastornicky and a low level guy or two…. Just a thought (heck why not make a package deal for he and Quentin and throw in Delgado) think of this lineup
Bourn-cf
Prado-3b
McCann-c
Uggla-2b
Freeman-1b
Quentin-lf
Heyward-rf
Ramirez-ss
sweet jesus that team would score a ton of runs!!!!! Oh dear I’ve gone and wet myself!!! soooo, let’s root for a Chi-sox epic fail!!!!!!!!!!!! lol, jk
Joseph
August 1st, 2011
12:07 am
NickB..So if I may…….you are saying that Freeman is a stud defensively at 1B. You used some numbers and equations that I have never heard of to get to that point? Please correct me if I am wrong there. I can tell Freeman is a gold glove talent 1B with my eyes. I don’t need some weird numbers to prove it even though you admit they are primitive with regard to defensive stats.
Rowsdower
August 1st, 2011
12:18 am
Yeah, but that’s why I prefer the eye test. I have watched Freddie save countless errors and make some pretty slick plays at 1B. Sure, he doesn’t have great range, but what 1B does? Most 1B are there because they are subpar defensively and need a position for their bat.
I don’t need to see every player to know which ones can play. Metrics give us an indication, but like all numbers, can be manipulated and gamed.
It’s like they say, “Numbers don’t lie, but people that manipulate them do.” Just look at our government…
Bourne Supremacy
August 1st, 2011
1:12 am
I love this trade, didn’t give up top prospects and got a great player in return. I did liked Jordan and he showed at times that he had the stuff to be in the majors and be good as F.Gonzalez said but he just wasnt the right piece to the puzzle to help us go deep into the playoffs. I believe Bourne can be that gut and for those who are thinking that he may not be able to produce for a contender, the guy was on the phillies team when they began their playoff runs and i believe he was on their world series team producing. As for tonights game, yea we should of won that game but when we make errors on the basepaths and dont score runners from third with less than 2 outs then we wont have a good second half. I love constanzas hustle but he made a pretty big mistake at trying to advance to third with no outs; i know we left a lot of men on base tonight but that was mainly thanks to Gonzos inability to wait for a pitch he can actually hit and a seasoned rookie in boscan not being able to put the ball in play, we kept getting people on base only to have our 7 and 8 guys suck it up. Who knows what would of happened if we could have somehow gotten these people on with less than 2 outs with prado, freeman, uggla, and the way heyward hit tonight (i mean even though it was a double play at least freeman put the ball in play so that we could get one run). Cant wait for the game tomorrow and see what lineup is announced.
Ill go with
1 Bourne CF
2 Constanza LF
3 Prado 3B
4 Uggla 2B
5 Freeman 1B
6 Heyward RF
7 Ross C
8 Gonzalez SS
9 J.J P
P. Bull Terrier
August 1st, 2011
1:27 am
Who appointed Joseph “Captain of the Blog” tonight? I know I’m late to jump in on the Schafer argument, but I can’t stand when someone claims their personal opinion is a “fact”. I think we can all agree that Schafer was suspended for 50 games for something having to do with banned substances, but I have never seen anything that substantiates the claim that he tested positive or was caught using anything. Maybe he was using something. Maybe his story is true and he was punished simply for being around it. The “fact” is that we don’t have any “facts” to prove either side of the story. We can choose to believe whatever we want, but that doesn’t make what we believe a “fact”. I think it’s likely that Schafer got caught using something, so I don’t disagree with Joseph’s opinion – just his overuse of the word “fact”. And that’s a fact.
On another note, I was surprised at how popular Schafer seemed to be in the clubhouse. It sounded like everyone was really rooting for him. I hope that doesn’t make it difficult for anyone to make Bourn feel welcome. From everything I have read, it sounds like Bourn is a good guy who should fit in well in the clubhouse, but chemestry can be a strange thing.
Rowsdower
August 1st, 2011
1:28 am
As Braves fans I think it would be the Southern, gracious thing to do and learn how to spell our new player’s name. It’s Michael Bourn. There is no E.
I will say that this team has a new Identity. We sent an Ultimatum to the Phillies and Giants that we are out for Supremacy.
gophils
August 1st, 2011
1:46 am
i guess the braves need to look behind them instead of looking ahead at the phillies.
braves 3.5 up in wild card
if the phillies go 29 and 26(which would be a collapse)
and the braves go 33 and 20 phils win division
if phils go 32 and 23 braves would have to go 37 and 16 to tie the phils(not happening)
Rowsdower
August 1st, 2011
2:08 am
Not all that concerned with catching the Phillies. If it happens, great. If not, just as good. It’s about making the playoffs and our chances just improved considerably. The Giants and Diamondbacks are gonna beat up on each other. I like our chances.
You didn’t really think the Braves were just gonna fade away, did you?
Scott
August 1st, 2011
3:00 am
You should try to catch the Phils. I know anything can happen in the poststseason you really don’t want a play gm 6 and 7 in CBP especially the way we’ve played there in the past in September.
Harrison Dangler
August 1st, 2011
6:09 am
Somewhere a village is missing an idiot–Joseph.
Sailor
August 1st, 2011
6:57 am
Great move for you guys…now take care of the Giants in the NLDS and we will see you in the NLCS…GO PHILS
dub366
August 1st, 2011
8:24 am
you need to talk about your SS
ijudgenot
August 1st, 2011
8:52 am
The remarks from Chipper indicate that he was not consulted before the trade was made and he seems a little miffed about it.
I have waited 24 hours to read some comments from Bourn himself and there is nothing, even in the Houston papers. This concerms me because this young man is a Houston native, born and raised, and went to college there. He has never left home to play anywhere. It maybe a shock to leave there right now and it will take time before he gets his feet grounded in Atlanta. The “wait and see” remark by Chipper, hopefully will not pressure this guy to think he has to hit .400 in Atlanta. He needs to just do what he was doing in Houston. I was pleased to here the comments from Wren and Gonzalez about the Braves transitioning to a team with speed. With McCann, Prado, Freeman, Uggla, Heyward and Bourn they have 6 solid starters for the future. Prado should take over thirdbase next year and Pastornicky is improving everyday at shortstop and should be ready by next year. That leaves leftfield to be filled. I say bring back Frenchy over the winter with a trade for Minor. This gets him out of NL so Braves won’t have to face him like they have to be reminded each time they play the Cardinals.
Von Trapp
August 1st, 2011
9:04 am
Das good news on getting Bourn. Das should keep Bones Jones from coming back too soon off das DL
panamajack
August 1st, 2011
9:44 am
I just want to say that Fank Wren is a whole lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for being. The way he pulled this trade off without giving up any of the top prospects was brilliant, what he did for about a month before the deadline was to lay a smoke screen to make Wade think we were desperate for Pence while Wren really wanted Bourn. By not giving in to the extremely high asking price for Pence it actually lowered the price for Bourn. If Wade had known how bad Wren wanted Bourn the price would have been much higher but he made it look like he was seeking Bourn only as a booby prize and Wade thought if he wouldn’t give up any of the top 6 prospects for Pence he surely wouldn’t for Bourn. Great deception Frank, I have a lot more respect for you now.
Rowsdower
August 1st, 2011
10:14 am
@Scott – Didn’t you guys have home field advantage in the NLCS last year? How’d that work out? It really doesn’t matter where the games are played. The Phillies and Braves have split this year. You have a good team. We have a good team. See you in the playoffs.
To the gracious Phillie fans, good luck to you as well. It should be fun.
Doug
August 1st, 2011
11:08 am
We will have to revisit this trade in two more years, Bourn is already fully established and Schaffer could eventually be the same type player for Houston.
The key could be the three arms we added to the so called pot, this gives the Astros a chance at a number 3 or 4 pitcher in their future, maybe even a 2 and 3 ? Thats the unknown factor as the pitchers are still very young.
One thing is certain, we have not had a CF who will be this disruptive to other staffs since Otis Nixon, and Nixon gave Atlanta a big spark.
We may have found our extra relief pitcher in C. Martinez, he has been super of late. Peter Moylan will be back soon……….. for those who think he shall help?
Would have been nice to add a power hitter but every team wanted our best young arms and glad we kept them no matter how this season plays out. The future is always important.
If we ever get 100% healthy again maybe we will start scoreing runs and take some pressure off the staff who have done a fantastic job this season.
jt
August 1st, 2011
11:18 am
WTF is Freddie thinking about, starting two rookies, who are definitely not major league calibur. and losing the freakin game. Now we are 6 back and more importantly (we will never catch the Phillies) we are only 3.5 in front of D’Baks for wild card.
This team really SUCKS, I hate the Philllies, but you gotta give them credit (or tip the damn hat) they give you the feeling they are never out of any game and yesterday was a real example of that. Anyone in lineup can hurt you and drive in runs.
Wouldn’t it be great to, for once, have a team like that? Oh boy we got Bourne, is that Jason, or who is this guy. Think we needed a little more fire power, don’t you?????
jt
August 1st, 2011
11:18 am
WTF is Freddie thinking about, starting two rookies, who are definitely not major league calibur. and losing the freakin game. Now we are 6 back and more importantly (we will never catch the Phillies) we are only 3.5 in front of D’Baks for wild card.
This team really SUCKS, I hate the Philllies, but you gotta give them credit (or tip the damn hat) they give you the feeling they are never out of any game and yesterday was a real example of that. Anyone in lineup can hurt you and drive in runs.
Wouldn’t it be great to, for once, have a team like that? Oh boy we got Bourne, is that Jason, or who is this guy. Think we needed a little more fire power, don’t you?????
John
August 1st, 2011
11:34 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3338621&source=MLBHeadlines
joseph proves himself to be an idiot, yet again.
BraveinPA
August 1st, 2011
11:53 am
@Ijudgenot- Bourn was in the Phillies organization- he was part of the Brad Lidge deal when Gillick was the GM in Philly.
Spud Webb
August 1st, 2011
11:57 am
Great dialogue from Joseph & Rowsdower, good stuff!
Agree w most. The one problem I have with Freddi is the over use in the pen. Going to catch up to us at some point.
jt
August 1st, 2011
12:00 pm
Doug:
Scoring runs and Atlanta Braves, isn’t that an oxymoron?
BraveinPA
August 1st, 2011
12:01 pm
@ Spudd Webb- You could use that same argument about the starters in Philly then could you not? The top 3 are on schedule for over 250 inns each. I’ve said all along that will be there down fall- all I hear up hear is we finally get our starting line up on the field- well the Bravos have played 11 games with their starting line up? I think we will match up pretty darn good with whoever- the one team that has been a thorn in our side is who we have next 3 games- so lets see- I can say the Phillies thought the same thing about Bourn as Braves did Shaf- going to be good just not yet-
Don
August 1st, 2011
12:04 pm
To DHD. And I hope I never ahve to read another uninformed comment from you.
nashvillewill
August 1st, 2011
12:07 pm
Bourn will help and is of course an upgrade. The real problem for the Braves, though, is situational hitting and HTM (hits that matter). They have done nothing to addresss this except shuffle Uggla and Freeman in the order. Still a crying need for a right-handed power bat. So I think, bottom line, Phils made a better deal and remain East champs. Braves will struggle to win wild card and, I think, will blow it.
Don
August 1st, 2011
12:13 pm
To DHD and I hope to never have to read another uninformed comment from you.
Jack Lill
August 1st, 2011
1:28 pm
I am glad Wren got Borne, but the best move he made was getting rid of Scahfer
Capt. Obvious
August 1st, 2011
1:32 pm
Chipper does carry a big stick ON THE BENCH.
Seattle Braves
August 1st, 2011
2:03 pm
Michael Bourn is “The Bourn Express”. It will catch on.
Eric Hinskie is “The Kevin James of Baseball”
We also have Thunder and Lightning (Venters and Kimbrel)
WS bound I see….
dino
August 1st, 2011
3:48 pm
schafer and McClouth couldn’t hit there way out of a wet paper bag yo, little flares and tapouts is what you get with those two lightweights, they need to sit McClouth down for the rest of the year.
chuck
August 1st, 2011
4:54 pm
Who’s going to knock him in? 13 hits Sunday and one run. That’s pathetic. They need another bat.
Black Mountain Bulldog
August 1st, 2011
4:59 pm
Chipper should bat sixth.
He is upset because he took Schafer under his wing.
He was also upset when they let his hunting buddy Adam Larouce (spelling) go.
Hey Chipper how has that Freddie Freeman worked out?