A year later, Heyward’s future seems less certain
Last winter and at spring training, Braves general manager Frank Wren was asked if he’d try to sign Jason Heyward to a long-term contract, as Tampa Bay did with Evan Longoria early in his rookie season and Milwaukee did with Ryan Braun after his rookie year.
Last week, Wren was asked about a rumor that the Braves might consider trading Heyward after a disappointing, injury-plagued second season.
“We’ve never had one discussion about trading Jason Heyward,” he scoffed. “That’s the furthest thing from our mind. That’s never come up. Nobody’s contemplated it.”
The mere fact that there was even mention of the possibility – rumored or otherwise – says something of how bad a season Heyward had, and how perception of the 22-year-old has already changed in some quarters.
Few people in baseball will be shocked if Heyward bounces back from an alarming second season – .227 average, .319 on-base percentage, 34 extra-base hits, 42 RBIs – with a performance in 2012 that more closely resembles his ‘10 season — .277/.393/52/72 — when he was The Sporting News’ major league rookie of the year.
But at the same time, there are plenty who question whether Heyward has all that it takes, including physical and mental toughness, to become a consistent, elite player year after year in the 162-game grind of major league baseball.
Moments after quashing the trade rumor, Wren said this about Heyward in 2012: “The reality is Jason made some progress this season; he’s got to continue to make progress. And he’s going to be in a battle unless he continues to progress at a good rate.”
Almost as if to underscore what he’d just said to a few reporters still processing that information, Wren continued: “He’s going to be in a battle for a position. It’s not a given he’s our right fielder. We’re going to go into the offseason planning with it in mind that we’ve got to have offensive production from right field. And we didn’t get that.”
Heyward was slowed by thumb-ligament injury that diminished his power for part of his rookie season (he still hit for high average and OBP in that period), and then slowed by a shoulder injury early in the 2011 season that eventually landed him on the disabled list.
It was during Heyward’s DL stint in June when veteran third baseman Chipper Jones commented publicly that Heyward might need to learn to play while hurt, because he could still contribute plenty and teammates regularly played through various aches.
Heyward was back in the lineup less than a week after Jones’ comments. He hit .234 with seven homers, 28 RBIs and a .321 OBP in 83 games after returning from the DL on June 15, including a two-week period in August when he played sparingly. Hot-hitting Jose Constanza was in the regular lineup then, while Heyward did extra work in the batting cage.
After returning to the regular lineup Aug. 19, Heyward hit .253 with two homers in his last 33 games, though he did show better plate discipline and had a .340 OBP in that period – far below his rookie standard, but better than what he’d posted for most of 2011.
Last week, a day after the Braves’ season ended, manager Fredi Gonzalez was asked if Heyward’s season could just be written off as a “sophomore slump.”
“No, I don’t think you write it off,” Gonzalez said. “There’s stuff that we tried during the year to try to fix him and get him better. But he’s too good of a baseball player, too good of a hitter to just write it off as sophomore jinx or whatever.
“He’s only 22. It’s not like he’s over-the-hill and he’s never going to get it fixed. This guy is still young. He’s just a puppy…. I think this is going to be a big offseason for him, to hopefully sell out [accept everything the Braves are suggesting] and make the changes we want him to make and that he wants to make, and come back better.”
Was Wren serving notice that Heyward really would be competing for a job in spring training — Wren said offseason priorities are shortstop and outfield — or just lighting a fire beneath him to make sure Heyward does all he needs to do this winter?
“Some people are like, Jason needs to forget about this season,” said Heyward’ agent, Victor Menocal. “I had a great talk with Jason and he doesn’t want to forget about it, he wants to learn. It was good for him as far as his growth and what he wants to do to have a successful career. Getting to know his body better, what he needs to work on.”
Heyward said late in the same that he wasn’t back to feeling comfortable hitting, not the way he felt as a rookie, but that he was headed in the right direction. He said he’d take the season as a learning experience.
“I mean, that’s what it is,” he said. “Every day, whether you have a good game or an off game, or good season or not-so-good season.”
When Wren was asked if the Braves might suggest that Heyward play winter ball, the GM said he’d reserve comment for now.
In the final week of the season, Heyward was asked about his offseason plans.
“First, heal,” he said. “Figure out if there’s anything else I can do to get healthy. Then just go to work. I feel like I’ll most definitely put more time in in the cage. Not that I ever slacked off at any point, it’s just that when you have injuries and get away from your confidence level, you’ve got to work twice as hard to get it back. So most definitely do that.
“Other than that, working out and staying in shape has never been a problem. I’ve always had a good work ethic. But as far as the cage goes, just get after it, take my time and pay a lot of attention to detail.”
Heal? Did that mean something still felt wrong with the shoulder?
“I don’t know if it’s back-related, neck-related or whatever,” Heyward said. “I just feel like, get to the bottom of whatever it is. I mean, because I don’t feel like it’s better, as far as 100 percent. It still nags me. I just want to get to the root of the problem. Just take the time, because it’s my career and I owe it to myself to most definitely get that checked. I just want to know, is there anything I can do to feel better?”
“Like I said, naturally heal up and then put some work in. I enjoy it. I’ve always enjoyed practice; I’ve always enjoyed working on something, whether things are going well or not for me. So that’s going to be nothing new. It’s going to be a fun challenge.”
Menocal said Heyward would be examined early this winter, but didn’t elaborate. He said Heyward would do exercises to strengthen the shoulder that gave him trouble.
When Wren was asked last week if the Braves would have Heyward examined this winter, he said, “There are no health issues.”
Wren’s comments regarding Heyward’s status for 2012 were heretofore unheard of in Braves circles, at least publicly. Ever since he made former manager Bobby Cox’s opening-day lineup as a 20-year-old in 2010 – and hit a tape-measure homer in his first at-bat – the consensus was that the “J-Hey Kid” would become a franchise institution, a superstar to inherit the Golden Boy label from Chipper Jones.
Even last spring and early in the season, new manager Gonzalez made it clear Heyward was a full-time starter who’d face right-handed and left-handed pitchers, not any sort of platoon player. That was, of course, before Heyward struggled mightily against lefties this season and eventually had a seat on the bench when facing some lefties, and then when facing some righties, too.
He hitt .192 with a .270 OBP against lefties this season, compared to .249 with a .356 OBP in 2010. Heyward also hit .218 with runners in scoring position this season, after ranking second among Braves regulars with a .306 average in 2010.
“He’s a young guy with a lot of potential,” Wren said last week. “And at the major league level, managers and general managers will tell you, potential is great, but we need production. That’s kind of where we are. We have to see production.”
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221 comments Add your comment
DHD
October 4th, 2011
6:30 pm
Winter ball could help. We really need him to step up in 2012. I believe he will. Now is not the time to trade him. His value is low.
Frediot
October 4th, 2011
6:33 pm
Heywurd is just not good enough. Should of plays Constanza mores. All about teh speedz!!
tomo hawk
October 4th, 2011
6:38 pm
Good to see Wren speak candidly. No just sweep it under the rug and forget about it. Heyward needs to feel a little pressure.
Brandon
October 4th, 2011
6:45 pm
I’ve said all along, dude was not healthy and rushed back because Chipper basically gave him no choice. Would you speak up and say something was still bothering you after you got killed in the media because of what the franchise icon said? He toughed it out, and now isn’t even gonna make the excuse. Gotta respect him…I hope he comes back blazing and healthy!
LAG
October 4th, 2011
6:50 pm
DHD – Agree, some form of winter ball would help tremendously.
Brownie
October 4th, 2011
6:56 pm
Fans and media are always too quick to judge or label an athlete, either as the “next whomever” or as a bust. With today’s technology and 24/7 focus on everything, we just don’t have enough patience to see how things play out.
Heyward is only 22 yrs old, and has played in under 300 MLB games – had some success and some failure. With rare exception, every player has struggled at one time or another in his career, and usually early on (or very late). He’s got too much talent and promise to give up on him now.
But I do think the candid talk from Fredi and Wren is very helpful, because IF Heyward is the type to feel intitlement because of his early success he now knows it will take maximum effort to reach his potential.
It’s pretty simple: he’s got too much talent to end up being just average. He’ll probably either be a star or a Francouer. We’ll likely know by the end of the 2012 season.
smyrnabob
October 4th, 2011
6:56 pm
Shafer taught me that a lid is a felony in Florida.
Thinking about that Teixera trade again while watching the Rangers win today.
Elvis is the SS the Braves could use. Harrison with his 15th win, Felix with his 35 save, and Saltalamacchia solid in Boston. No playoffs that year either, I believe.
Bobby Bobby
October 4th, 2011
7:00 pm
No one said first. JeyHey will be fine. He just needs attention and a decent hitting coach
Rowsdower
October 4th, 2011
7:00 pm
He doesn’t need to be playing winter ball if he isn’t 100%. Take the time to figure out what is physically hindering his swing and get ready for spring training. He needs to be completely healthy and ready to go when the bell rings.
Brownie
October 4th, 2011
7:05 pm
Smyrnabob – I’ve pointed to that trade many times as a watershed (bad) moment for the Braves. For all the great moves Schuerholz made in the 90’s (with a big budget), that one was horrible. Tex played well for us, but didn’t make enough impact to get us into the playoffs. That team was on the down-slide, and it was JS’s final attempt to get another WS chance for Bobby – understand the intent, but poor execution on the trade.
Wren catches a lot of flack, but I feel he’s doing a great job on a very limited budget. Time for Liberty Media to realize their tax break and sell the team to someone who cares. Braves have a very good foundation – commitment from new owners will give Wren the ability to get to the big dance.
Kimbrel rocks
October 4th, 2011
7:10 pm
trade
buckhead benny
October 4th, 2011
7:18 pm
Dude is a sell out- Well quit going out to the clubs in Buckhead and Atlanta then dude- It is a known fact I have seen him out partying till the wee hours- Ask anyone at Tongue and Groove if they ever see Heyward they late at night? Answer is yes- I just lost all respect what little I had for him-
Dude aint no more hurt- He doesn’t even get close to the ball swinging- You know how many doctors and physical therapists the Braves have on their team- It would be documented per league policy.
In my opinion might want to drug check the dude- He may or may not be hanging with his boy Shaefer-
You don’t just drop off productivity and hitting the club scene…. like that- then blaming shoulder problems- dude couldn’t even take a walk man.. that has nothing to do with your shoulder- thats your freaking eyes dude.
Dennis Reynolds
October 4th, 2011
7:22 pm
BUUSSSTTTTT. We passed on Mike Stanton for Heyward. Ok? Mike Stanton.
Hesalive
October 4th, 2011
7:25 pm
Apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
Reality Check
October 4th, 2011
7:41 pm
Mike Stanton is nothing but the new Rob Deer or Adam Dunn. Anyone who think Constanza has a better long term future than Heyward needs their head examined.
What If...
October 4th, 2011
7:41 pm
I hate agents and the players union. let teams offer production based contracts with escape clauses for players who just quit performing. it’s too bad the Braves can’t just release players like KK or Lowe or McClouth after their numbers hit certain lows without having to finish paying their salaries. if I quit performing at work, I wouldn’t get paid millions to just show up and fill a spot. …. I’d be collecting my unemployment.
Michael, The Abbreviation
October 4th, 2011
7:47 pm
Reality Check – um dude, ill give u a reality check Stanton 2011 – .260 , 34HR, 87 RBI
Heyward 2011 – .227, 14HR, 32 RBI
l jones
October 4th, 2011
8:00 pm
Isn’t there an obvious problem when the GM is saying “There are no health problems” while the player is saying the injury still nags him, and he wants to get to the root of the problem? Isn’t one of them a liar?
smallmouth6
October 4th, 2011
8:00 pm
Reality Check Constanza was better this year, and this year that’s all that mattered.
George Stein
October 4th, 2011
8:02 pm
Frank and Fredi are dumping on Heyward to cover themselves. He didn’t perform well, but he was better than several others in the lineup and they aren’t getting dumped on like he is. That just reeks as two guys who are worried for themselves and trying to deflect blame.
If Heyward is/was hurt, he needs to get well.
George Stein
October 4th, 2011
8:04 pm
No, he was not, smallmouth6.
The market is preventing non-guaranteed contracts, What if. Nothing is keeping anyone from offering Pujols a one year deal this winter. They just won’t get his services because someone else will give him more. It’s not his problem some team is going to give him eight years and the last few might not be worth it.
RHR
October 4th, 2011
8:23 pm
20 years later and we’re still looking for the “next” Chipper. Says more about how special Chipper is than anything else.
RHR
October 4th, 2011
8:24 pm
Reality Check Constanza was better
this yearfor a month, and this year that’s all that mattered.Fixed it for ya.
since1966 fan
October 4th, 2011
8:28 pm
If J-who was hurt he should have said so. Don’t blame Chipper thats just another excuse. Remember when Schaler the ,druggie, played hurt and had to stay out over half a year. J-who should’ remember that and not played. Constanza should have been playing and with a good mgr he would have . We Might have made the play-off.
Fire Fredi and McDowell. I will not spend another penny on any Braves games are caps, shirts etc till his as@ is gone. 44 years of waiting till next year with only one WS..not very good odds
M10
October 4th, 2011
8:38 pm
If I was Heyward I would’nt mind getting traded away from these losers.If chipper would’ve kept his mouth shut about his injury when he does’t play enough himself.Cox telling him to be more agressive was the mistake.Heyward shoud’nt listen to anyone and go back to what made him sucessful.Get far away from these losers as you can.
billy
October 4th, 2011
8:45 pm
How many times are the Braves going to bring someone up and claim he is going to be the next Aaron..Hitting cars in spring training and all that BS and he falls on his face. Frenchy, Schafer, Brad K, Heyward and many more. That crap gets old. Save the Ice Cream till he proves himself. Heyward should have been in AAA this year after injury.
Tough Decisions
October 4th, 2011
8:45 pm
”
What If…
October 4th, 2011
7:41 pm
I hate agents and the players union. let teams offer production based contracts with escape clauses for players who just quit performing. it’s too bad the Braves can’t just release players like KK or Lowe or McClouth after their numbers hit certain lows without having to finish paying their salaries. if I quit performing at work, I wouldn’t get paid millions to just show up and fill a spot. …. I’d be collecting my unemployment.”
“Disgraced HP CEO To Get About 28 Million in Cash and Stock”
HP said Friday that it ousted Hurd after its investigation of a sexual harassment complaint found he had falsified expense reports and other documents to conceal a relationship with a contractor. Hurd also allegedly helped the woman get paid for work she didn’t do.
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/business-finance-investing/1052375-golden-parachutes-hp-ceo-given-28-a.html#ixzz1ZrbQo3Fc
So if it’s the CEO that gets a golden parachute for screwing up it’s ok but not a ballplayer?
tdc
October 4th, 2011
8:49 pm
Jason Heyward THE GREAT BLACK HOPE!
billy
October 4th, 2011
8:50 pm
“If chipper would have kept his mouth shut”…lol…. Chipper didn’t made him do a damn thing, Chipper don’t make out the line-up. Fredi does that. I wish J-Hey would get away and Fredi too.
billy
October 4th, 2011
8:56 pm
@8:45 Both CEO and Players should go to jail..A city clerk steals $570,000 and get 5 month probation in my little town.
billy
October 4th, 2011
8:56 pm
got
Octavius
October 4th, 2011
8:58 pm
Hey Wren! I read where you are talking about Jason and how he needs to improve. How about you? Speaking for a lot of us fans are, you ain’t exactly been tearing things up during your tenure. To name a few of your screw ups so far:
K.K., McOut, Lowe, Fredi
Astro Joe
October 4th, 2011
9:06 pm
Obviously, Hayward had a very disappointing season and my comments aren’t to suggest that his performance was acceptable. It feels, however, that Wren is still looking to place blame/fault on the non-playoff berth. If Hayward’s issues were so pronounced that he enters Spring Training in the Ryan Langerhans territory, then why didn’t the Braves send him to AAA during the season? And his .340 OBP during that last stretch is fairly strong. It is comparable to what Freeman and McCann did during the entire season. Again, something was clearly wrong and the notion that the player seems to believe that his body isn’t right while the front office is quick to dismiss that possibility is very, very problematic. I hope the Braves aren’t expecting the 22 year-old to respond to his first bout of athletic adversity with the same maturity of a 28 year-old. And I hope that they allow Heyward to rest his body this off-season and start anew in spring training.
Boo
October 4th, 2011
9:15 pm
Personally, I say give him the off season to reach a point where HE feels comfortable with any of his injuries/ailments. I’m with him. It’s his career, and HE knows his body. Give the kid a chance.
concern
October 4th, 2011
9:15 pm
Lots of players share in the meltdown. When Jones said Braves would beat Philles in the division playoffs knew something was amiss. The great one do more than talk.
GT23
October 4th, 2011
9:17 pm
I read the first paragraph and that’s all. Jason has played just about enough major league baseball for teams to get a good scouting report on him. This whole report stinks! Jason is not any different than any other player that made waves as a rookie. Teams study them during the off season and they look for ways to pitch them. Players make adjustments and come back stronger or they take time to learn their way. We gave up on Frenchy too early, because we needed him to produce as a young player. Do we do the same with Jason? If we do, we will be regressed when he hits for average and leads the league in doubles and hits 20 HR’s per year. Jason will be fine if he gets AB’s. I’m most concerned that he didn’t get the AB’s when he needed them most this year. He is a dynamic player that can be great or he can be a bust if we don’t give him the AB’s required to learn his way after the “league” has adjusted to him. Play him and play him everyday and let him hit. He has the talent, but we have to allow for him to learn how to be successful at the MLB level! Rookie year bust outs are not the answer. Jason will be great, if we give him the time needed to be great.
Doc
October 4th, 2011
9:30 pm
He will be traded before the start of the season!! In other words, stick a fork in him, He’s Done!!!
Old Jax Braves Fan
October 4th, 2011
9:31 pm
The jusy may be out on this young lad but let’s remember the debacle with another phenom, Jeff Francouer. He went through the sophomore slump but went into another season where he virtually died at the plate (comparatively speaking) and was traded. He’s doing great in KC (or, rather much better than with the Bravos) and, I suspect, if Jason is traded, watch out. He sure as hell will haunt us if he’s still in the NL.
Of course, had the Braves had a hitting coach, Heyward may have had a much better year. We’ll never know.
JF McNamara
October 4th, 2011
9:31 pm
They rushed him through the minors. He never struggled, and then he was expected to make a major adjustment against major league pitching. They knew he had a hole in his swing. They should have fixed it before they promoted him.
He and Freeman could’ve both been called up this year, but they desperately needed and OF last year. If this is the approach they are taking, I wish they would trade him now. He’ll be a better player somewhere else.
BobT
October 4th, 2011
9:35 pm
Heward and Francouer were both supposed to be the next Chipper. Other than that, they are complete opposites. One swings at everything and one takes everything. One mopes around and one is the life of the party. One is always hurt and the other never missed a game. Maybe the bottom line is that nobody is going to be the next Chipper and just accept our RFs for what they are. At this point, Francouer is the more productive player, but he isn’t and never will be in Chipper’s league. Likely that Heward won’t either.
BobT
October 4th, 2011
9:37 pm
I actually know how to spell Heyward…as opposed to what I wrote earlier (Heward).
GT23
October 4th, 2011
9:38 pm
I would have loved having JF and JH on the corners this year! Fact is, we are not at the level of Philly this year. Should we shop the farm for next season? NO! We should get better with our young talent. Let’s give them the time that we gave Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Chipper, and others such as Justice, Ron Gant, and others to work on their skills. We can add to what we need in additions like we did with Crime Dog! We can’t expect draft picks to come on the scene be like Chipper or Murphy. These guys are far and few! They are HOF material and they still needed time to adjust. We gave these other guys time, because we didn’t have great expectations. We do have expectations for JH, but it doesn’t make the learning curve any different.
TP
October 4th, 2011
9:41 pm
He needs to get the hell out of the ATL, ASAP.
Somehow, I hear the words of Marvin Freeman……….
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
9:45 pm
Hey Brownie. Got some numbers for you from the 2011 regular season. How would you like to have had a right fielder who played in 153 games, had a .285 avg., .329 obp, .476 slg. 171 hits, scored 77 runs, 87 RBI’s, 20 HR, 47 doubles, 4 triples, and 22 stolen bases? That would be the guy you dumped on in one of your earlier comments. I can only hope that Heyward becomes another Francouer. And as far as Schueholz goes, that Texeira trade was emblematic of the way the old “genius” went about his business. Ever hear of Jermaine Dye? We traded him for MIchael Tucker, got J. D. Drew as a rent a player for Adam Wainwright. The 6 player trade for Tex was just the icing on the cake. Take away the years that Cox was GM and laid the foundation for the braves of the 90’s and Schuerholz would have been managing another KC franchise like the one he left in shambles. And payroll is not the issue here. 2 of the 6 playoff teams had payrolls under 54 million. Heck, Wren spent more on McLouth, Lowe, Chipper, Kawakami, and McCann than the Rays spent on their entire team. But the only guy you’ll ever in the front office admit to making a mistake used to own the team. Ted Turner is the only one I’ve ever heard say that he screwed up when he fired Cox the first time around. You’ll never hear Wren or Schuerholz say they made a mistake. It’s always somebody else’s fault.
Gimme a Break
October 4th, 2011
9:48 pm
All you have to do is watch the division series and see all the former Braves players excelling on other teams. The Braves no longer have any swagger and teams don’t fear them like they used to. Fredi Gonzalez is a nice enough guy, but the Braves had the chance to shake it up and bring in some fire. Frankly, I am not sure what McDowell does. He seems to be working crossword puzzles in the dugout.
The only time the Braves had some spark this year was when Constanza and Bourn were lighting up the bases, creating runs. Well, that didn’t last long. Back to swinging for the fences. Braves need to learn how to play small ball when needed and manufacture runs.
I won’t watch a game next year until they clinch a playoff spot.
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
9:48 pm
Chipper is like the 2nd or 3rd best switch hitter in the history of the game…….that’s over 100 years of baseball. Not many are going to be in his league offensively. Why burden someone with the comparison. Just let players be who they were made to be and we might be surprised what they can do. The Braves tinkered with Francouer and messed with his swing until he wasn’t sure what he was doing anymore. That’s why he went outside the organization for some coaching and that’s why he was traded for basically nothing in return. Where did Ryan Church play this year?
GT23
October 4th, 2011
9:51 pm
MLB = The best baseball players on planet earth! Pitchers…The best! IF… the best! OF… the best. These organizations are the best of the best! Hitters must adjust! Pitchers must adjust! Coaches must adjust! Managers must adjust and make the hardest decisions! This is why they make Millions$!
It’s very easy for us as fans to be next day critics!
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
9:52 pm
I’ve said for some time that when the braves care more about winning than projecting a “professional demeanor” we will finally be onto something. When we see some passion out of this bunch instead of the businesslike attitude then maybe we will win some championships. This was a much better team this year than the one Cox took to the playoffs with last year giving the eventual champs all they could handle. But the team followed the leader last year. Cox was always talking up the players and thought nothing of going out there and fighting for the guys and getting thrown out of the game. I don’t know why Gonzalez even left the dugout this year when an ump screwed up. It looked like he trotted out there, the ump said “go sit down Fredi” and that’s what he would do.
TomTomClub
October 4th, 2011
9:52 pm
Trade Heyward to the Chisox for Carlos Quentin. We need a RH power bat to balance our lineup and they need a left handed power source. Would be a great move for both teams!!
Jack Fate
October 4th, 2011
9:52 pm
Maybe I’m reading into the tone of Wren’s comments, but he sounds like a dude that just walked in on his wife cheating on him, and without getting a chance to take a few days to rest, people are asking him about it.
I think both he and Heyward could visit a head doctor.
Biff Pocoroba
October 4th, 2011
9:54 pm
Who the heck is Marvin Freeman, and what did he say?
Bravos
October 4th, 2011
9:55 pm
Wren tryna lite a fire under his butt…its all a psycological ploy to motivate a lazy,conceited,overhyped,bad defensive right fielder. It should work!
Line Drive
October 4th, 2011
9:57 pm
My 2 Cents…..that’s about what Heyward is worth
Bravos
October 4th, 2011
9:57 pm
Should we sign furcal this year? Fucal,bourn and constanza together..beep!beep!
Bravos
October 4th, 2011
9:57 pm
Marvin freeman…lol
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
9:57 pm
Freeman was a pitcher who had a 10 year big league career pitching for the phillies, braves, and rockies as a starter and reliever. But I don’t remember what he said.
bravo bravos
October 4th, 2011
9:58 pm
Heyward says that something physically is not right regardless of what Wren says. He needs to get checked out thoroughly and do so now. Don’t wait 2 or 3 months. If something is wrong that requires surgery then get it done. If it can heal through rest, therapy or both then do so. He should rest the body as much as needed to heal, then begin work on his swing/approach with some help. Heyward has way too much potential and has already shown what he can do to give up on. The Braves gave up on Frenchy too soon. His approach last year was solid. He was patient and had good pitch selection as indicated by the high OBP. He arrived to the Show with good idea of what he wanted to do at the plate and Pendleton help reinforce the patient approach. This yea,r be it the injuries, the hitting coach or whatever, he did not have the same approach as last year and seemed not to have an idea about what he wanted to do at the plate.
Also, the comment from Hoss calling out Heyward publicly was out of line. If the vet had issues with the kid he should have pulled him aside and talked with him about it. In the past if the Braves had issues it was handled in the clubhouse not in the press. It is especially ironic considering the number of times through the years Chipper has been out of the lineup with injuries both great and small.
extremus
October 4th, 2011
9:58 pm
The Braves have no one but themselves to blame for Jason Heyward wasting an entire dismal season at the big league level; contrary to Chipper Jones’ statement, 80 percent of Jason Heyward is NOT better than the majority of Major League outfielders right now; he should have been in Gwinnett back in May. Unfortunately, once the Braves decided to bring him north with them after Spring Training and literally handed him the keys to the city, there was no going back where the front office was concerned. And they owe Heyward an apology for that.
I don’t say this because I hate Heyward or wish him ill; on the contrary, I still feel he COULD someday be the superstar we all hope he can be. But yet another year under an inept batting coach combined with the pressure of producing at the MLB level robbed him and the fans of Atlanta of at least one more season of promise. Now it’s no longer a matter of “adjusting” or a “overcoming a slow start”; Heyward is facing the very real possibility of seeing his entire career go up in smoke pending what happens in the next one or two seasons.
The worst thing I think that could have happened to Jason Heyward was catching that first pitch from Hank Aaron and hitting that home run last season; it was wonderful in the moment, but in retrospect it’s been a benchmark he just cannot consistently match. And let’s be honest here, a lot of folks expected him to. No young and untested player should ever have the level of hopes pinned on him that Heyward did; it’s a recipe for disaster. I think when all is said and done the Washington Nationals will benefit much more from giving Bryce Harper time in the minors to fully develop than the Braves will by having rushed Heyward based on the great performance of a single Spring Training.
Winter ball is a must for Heyward; he must do everything within his power to prove he still belongs in a Major League uniform; forget for the moment about any aspirations of greatness. Let him have to win a job once again and see if he rises to the occasion. If not, concede that at the very least he needs more time where he CAN become ready.
CoachOnTheGo
October 4th, 2011
9:58 pm
I really don’t think Jason was ever physically healthy after the shoulder injury. He came back…tried to play through the pain…and suffered. He just missed pitches he’d normally hit. When you’re hurt…that’s what happens. Also, looks like he’s got a little “hitch” in his swing which makes it tough to hit the hard stuff on the inner half of the plate. If the Braves need a hitting coach…I am available. Just say’n…
Bravos
October 4th, 2011
10:00 pm
Hey buck whats the tongue n groove like?
BRAVESFAN
October 4th, 2011
10:02 pm
I’ll be wearing my Heyward jersey and cheering him on in 2012.
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:09 pm
I’m not sure even the thumb ever healed completely. That kind of injury can be very problematic. I was at Turner Field in Feb. before the season and some braves’ employees were talking about Heyward and his thumb still giving him trouble. If he doesn’t make it here, he’ll make it somewhere. I’ll never forget what Francouer said after leaving here and arriving in New York. The manager told him they didn’t care if he hit for average or not, just drive in runs and that’s what he did. He’s done it everywhere he’s played. The braves apparently are satisfied to have a guy hit .230 and drive in runs if his name is Uggla and they just paid him about $60 million, but it was never enough with Francouer.
Truenobleman
October 4th, 2011
10:10 pm
Perhaps He could be taught to S Hit, like Chipper in winter ball, sometimes swinging from the other side let’s one time their swing better. hope I’am wrong about J-Hay and he is not bust,BUT THE INJURY bug he us’es sounds bogas. Braves fan since 1965. Might give up on this team, early next seson, sad to admitt, but cannot take much more also ran’s.
chemprof
October 4th, 2011
10:12 pm
I hope the Braves don’t give up on Jason too soon. Both Melkie Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur had very solid seasons for Kansas City this past year, both much better full seasons than any Braves’ outfielder in 2011 with BA of .285+, 40+ doubles, 18+ HR, 20+ SB, 75+ runs and 87 RBI. Just think what the Braves’ season would look like if we had some production like that this past season!
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:17 pm
Royals just hired the braves’ former bench coach, Cadahia. Don’t know who the hitting coach is, but anyone that could help Melky get untracked is a miracle worker. I think Melky’s problem was the pre and post game buffets while he was here in Atlanta. By the end of 2010, when Melky ran the bases my TV jiggled. I think that is McCann’s problem, too.
Coach B
October 4th, 2011
10:25 pm
Heyward needs to work hard in the weight room. He doesn’t look strong in his chest, arms, and shoulders. He almost looks disproportionate for his height. His build looks more like a basketball player than a baseball player. The hands are there, get stronger, and come back raking next year. I want him to be the force in RF I thought we farmed. Don’t hit 250 balls a day in a cage. Build some muscle and take 100 swings a day.
alan dorfman
October 4th, 2011
10:29 pm
Braves could have sent Heyward to the Astros for Hunter Pence then we could have had Bourn and Pence together in our outfield
Jo Bling
October 4th, 2011
10:30 pm
I thought this statement from Fredi was the most important line of the whole (excellent) column:
“I think this is going to be a big offseason for him, to hopefully sell out [accept everything the Braves are suggesting] and make the changes we want him to make and that he wants to make, and come back better.”
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:31 pm
I agree, coach. When I hear one of these major leaguers talk about “getting in the cage” I know they are not talking about serious off season training. I’m sure that’s what Brian Jordan was talking about when he made the comments about Chipper last year. After Chipper’s injury in 2010, he probably had to train harder than he ever had in the off season and I think that is why he had as good a year as he did. This off season, I predict Chipper will get a lot of time in the cage and lots of that strenuous conditioning called getting into and out of a deer stand and, consequently, I believe Chipper’s 2012 will look a lot more like his 2010 season.
Jo Bling
October 4th, 2011
10:33 pm
Hey, Dorfman, what the hell do you know? Are you Frank Wren’s pseudonym? If not, then quit posting stupid comments about things you know nothing about.
athdog
October 4th, 2011
10:34 pm
I’m not saying the Constanza has a brighter future than Heyward, even though he hit .320 in AAA, I don’t think Heyward has hit that well since high school. What I notice is that Heyward, through his struggles this year, lost his hustle. How many times did you see him jog down the first base line after yet another ground ball to short/second? Constanza NEVER jogged, and caused defenses to make throwing errors or fielding errors because they had to rush to try to throw him out. He got on base because of his hustle. I saw it last year with Heyward, not so much this year, however. It’s like the old high school coach said, and it’s true at every level. ‘Hustle makes good things happen’. Hopefully he remembers that next season.
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:38 pm
I agree with that comment about hustle, too. I think it was the next to last game against the Phils that a ball was hit to Heyward and he just loafed on it when if he had hustled and thrown to the plate he would have probably thrown out Victorino. But his throws were off base this year, too. Sometimes I think our guys just aren’t that bright. They tend to struggle with concentration.
athdog
October 4th, 2011
10:38 pm
I don’t think it was the fans ‘annointing’ JHey, Frenchy, Komminsk, etc..as the next ‘Aaron’, ‘Mays’, or Chipper. I think, at least with Frenchy and JHey, I know, it was the media. Of course, we jumped on the wagon, but our friends of the inky fingers can’t wait to name someone ‘best since…’ especially in this sports starved town
Steve
October 4th, 2011
10:39 pm
Blame his shoulder all you want, I could stomach the absence of offense if he was anywhere near as good defensively as the hype. He doesn’t cover nearly as much area as he should, and his arm isn’t anywhere near as good as advertised (he made one or two good throws as a rookie, but he was garbage in the field this year).
I am starting to believe that he and JJ are the same. Instead of the injuries causing the slumps, the slumps are causing the injuries. As in, every time they go thru a tough stretch they come up with some sort of injury. They are beginning to remind me of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack.
Columbus
October 4th, 2011
10:41 pm
Francoeur II? Hope its only a sophomore slump. Maybe its adjusting to Bobby not being there.
From my many years of experience playing baseball, when you suck one year, you come out mentally tough and focused the next season and have a helluva year and grow on that the next couple years also. We will see if that is what happens with Heyward or if it is indeed Fracouer II.
No mentions of the striking similarities between him and Frenchy have been made that I have seen.
Poorbrave
October 4th, 2011
10:42 pm
HIRE GREG WALKER and I’ll bet my wife he turns the Braves hitting around. The Man is good and can produce results. Just ask Konerko, Beckham and Lillibridge who credits Walker with resurrecting their offensive game in 2011.. He is ready and waiting for the call.
Wren Make the Call..
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:49 pm
Hey Columbus, I invite you to go check out Francouer’s career stats. Even the year the braves traded him, he drove in 76 runs for Atlanta and New York. And the next year in 139 games for New York and Texas he drove in 65. If Francoeur plays he drives in runs, period.
Brave New World
October 4th, 2011
10:52 pm
I hope Heyward turns things around in 2012. He has a ton of talent, but looked lost most of this past year. Larry Parrish obviously was not the person to work with Brave hitters. I don’t understand the hate for Heyward. A true Braves fan would want him to do well so it would help the team.
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
10:53 pm
Does your wife know you’re placing bets with her as the winnings? Reminds me of that Nicholas Cage movie with Sarah Jessica Parker and James Caan.
Maria
October 4th, 2011
10:54 pm
While Mike Stanton’s numbers are better than Heyward’s, take a look at who had a winning record and who didn’t. Stanton’s numbers did nothing to make Florida have a winning season.
I still think Heyward can be something special but it is awfully hard to do anything with a sore shoulder. I have trouble with mine from hurting it when I was a kid. There are days when I can’t stand to move my arm because it hurts so bad. Hopefully, he’ll be sent to a specialist who will take care of the problem. I still see him and Freddie Freeman as being the future of this ball team and Freeman is about to enter his second year. Is everybody gonna say if he has a bad second year to get rid of him too like they are saying about Heyward right now?
tdmorgan
October 4th, 2011
11:00 pm
since1966 fan, if you really think Constanza was the missing link for us making the playoffs then you may want to go back and look at the way he played after the ankle injury.
UKUGA
October 4th, 2011
11:05 pm
I love how Heyward indicates he has a physical problem, while Wren, who is not Heyward, says, “There are no health issues.”
Wookie Ninja
October 4th, 2011
11:15 pm
Damn!It is utterly amazing how many people have no damn clue! Constanza? really? dude had a hot little streak, but is no more a major league ball player than Greg Norton!
Pastornicky???? How many have seen this kid play? I have! this dude is the next Jordan Schafer, without the defense, has brick glove, poor recognition on defense, and range leaves a lot to be desired!
Good grief, you guys stop hugging every damn prospect that Wren and co. decide to feed the masses ignorant fodder about!
This kid is never going to be the starting SS for the Braves! He is TRADE FODDER!
now to Heyward, Too Much Too Soon! that is all that is wrong with this kid, Pushed at 20-21, fell on his ass this year, I say give him time, and everyone will be happy, now if he continues to regress, and becomes Francouer II then deal him before his stock plummets!
The one player I would get gone from here pretty quickly is Martin Prado! Prado is no more than a .278 hitter without power! nothing more , nothing less! He has high trade value, and should be traded, very poor defense, adequate hitter, Call Cashman, Wren and peddle Prado, and Varvaro for Brandon Laird, and Eduardo Nunez! You will be glad you did! Remember Chippah is an old ass man with crippled knees!
Wookie Ninja
October 4th, 2011
11:28 pm
no that I have Cantstandya out of my system, Here are some moves Wren should enquire on.
1. call the cubs, give em 7.5 mil Derek Lowe& a prospect lower level for Marlon Byrd.
2.Prado/Varvaro to Yanks for Nunez/Laird if Cash will do it.
3.Jurrjens to KC for L.Cain/Moustaskas( again Chipper is an old ass man with crippled knees)
4.Call Oakland, time for a blockbuster here Hanson/Cain/Constanza/Hoover for Gio Gonzalez/Willingham./Wuertz
5. sign Ty Wigginton, and bring back Gonzo only as a backup.
6.if Adam Wainwright is available sign him up!
7. The Dodgers (in Bankruptcy and facing an ultimatum) they cannot fork out the buck for Kemp, I wuld offer Heyward, Pastornicky,Bethancourt for Kemp/Guerrier, but only if he will play RF, and sign an Uggla type extension.
this would give you a lineup as follows.
cf.Bourn
ss.Nunez
1B Freeman
rf.Kemp
3b Jones
2b Uggla
c McCann
lf Willngham
starters
Hudson
Gonzalez
Wainwright
Minor
Delgado/Beachy/Teheran
Bench:
Hinske
Ross
Byrd
Gonzalez
Wigginton
Pen
Medlen
Guerrier
Wuertz
Martinez
OFlaherty
Venters
Kimbrel
I know wishful thinking, but no more preosterous than Constanza/Conrad/Diaz/Wilson/and even remotely thinking that Prado will ever be a productive full time 3B
Larry30
October 4th, 2011
11:55 pm
The people who show they know nothing about the players who come through here are the ones who continue to make a reference to someone who gets worse and worse as Francouer II. Here are the facts: 2005: 45 rbi’s and 41 runs in 70 games. 2006: 103 rbi’s and 83 runs in 162 games. 2007: 105 rbi’s and 84 runs in 162 games. 2008: (when the tinkering began) 71 rbi’s and 70 runs scored in 155 games. 2009: 35 rbi’s and 32 runs in 82 games for the braves; 41 rbi’s and 40 runs in 75 games for the Mets for a total of 76 rbi’s and 72 runs in 157 games. All Francoeur has done is drive in runs and show up for work for every team he has played for.
captguitarman
October 5th, 2011
12:14 am
Squirrels running wild in his head. Begin therapy ASAP. A new batting coach is a futile gesture for Heyward and for all of them — but someone’s head had to roll. They all had the skills, the ability, the talent, the drive. August was not a fluke. They kicked butt and came back from behind to win more than a few times. Where in the heck did those guys go? They all just need a dark and quiet room, a comfortable sofa, a gentle, calm, and understanding voice, and a box of tissue. They should talk about their childhoods, their little league struggles, the constant pressure to perform, and then the huge disgrace of the 2011 division race collapse, and then just cry it all out. Then it will all be better.
BIG DOG
October 5th, 2011
12:36 am
You guys don’t tell me that Heyward be hangin out with Schaffer.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
October 5th, 2011
12:38 am
Heyward get your self together brother and stay out of streets of ATL it’s to much drama.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
October 5th, 2011
12:45 am
Constanza is the man, a blind man can see that the guy started for the braves and it was the most exciting baseball i have seen, then he get hurt and for some reason Fredi never play him again, then baseball in Atlanta was the most boring offense i have seen avg 2 runs a game.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
bravesfaninNashville
October 5th, 2011
2:23 am
Jason if you’re reading this blog I hope you are taking to heart the people on here who see how talented you really are. I also hope that you’ll return to what got you to the big leagues so young. Plate discipline and pitch recognition. You used to be so patient and let the game come to you. You didn’t jump at pitches out of the zone. It seemed you were on course to be a left handed Albert Pujols and I personally believe that’s how high your ceiling is. I for one hope that you will just enjoy the game and let your natural ability take over and that includes your intellect for the game of baseball. Best of luck to you… and a healthy offseason…
20 out
October 5th, 2011
2:40 am
I think this is just Wren’s way of lighting a fire under J-Hey. But, the most disconcerting part of this is that shoulder problem, or non-problem according to Wren. What’s the deal with that?
Hugo
October 5th, 2011
3:32 am
Am I missing something or did most of the Braves struggle at the plate. Why are others getting a pass but the concentration on Heyward. Every other day Chipper is hurt and he has the audacity to complain when someone else is hurt. Heyward is a young kid and will have growing pains but when it comes to certain players the learning curve is extremely short.
With the addition of Broun maybe the Braves have reached their African American quota.
bring back blauser
October 5th, 2011
3:58 am
you need to give credit where credit is deserved……..heyward was well scouted and they saw his flaws and milked it…..heyward never adjusted….adjust and things will be fine, but till then they will pitch to his weakness
59bulldawg
October 5th, 2011
4:49 am
Wow! There seems to be an underlying tone to comments by the Braves that attitude and a willingness to go “all out” may be a problem with Heyward. Hope that’s not the case!
Bill M.
October 5th, 2011
6:13 am
Constanza is not the answer, he’s a career minor leaguer. I to think Greg Walker would be a good batting coach. There will be alot of new faces come spring training. They should not even think about trading JH. Give him time.
BravesFan
October 5th, 2011
6:25 am
Giving up on a dude after one bad injury plague season is ludicrous. He obivously has the tools to be successful. Just look at his rookie year. If you gave up on everyone that had one bad year there would be really no one left in the MLB. A couple of bad years is a different story. As mentioned before, the kid’s only 22 yrs. old. Look at all you guys that gave up on Francour. Look what he did this past year. Give him the beneift of doubt and one more year to adjust and get healthy. Then we’ll talk.
Dub366
October 5th, 2011
7:37 am
THE GREAT CHIPPER IS THE CANCER OF THIS TEAM. UNTIL HE LEAVES THE BRAVES WILL BE JUST WHAT THEY ARE LOSER.
Do not give up on Heyward--be forewarned
October 5th, 2011
7:46 am
sophmore slump—mark my words—HE WILL BUST OUT A BIG 3RD SEASON—do not trade him
Arkie
October 5th, 2011
8:10 am
Jason, we all want you to succeed. You remind me of Granderson – Yankees. Their hitting coach help him redo his swing to a shorter more compact one. It will take some time but you can make adjustments. You are young, still learning and can make necessary hitting changes. Do it the right way with a coach that you believe in. It is your career. We want it to be a GREAT one. You are not the next Chipper, Frenchy 11, etc. Be Jason and you will do well.
Aaron
October 5th, 2011
8:12 am
Jason’s the reason I got back into baseball last year after my interest gradually deteriorated to the point that I’d check to see if the Braves won or lost and that was it. Watching the interviews and stuff with him, seemed like a good Christian young man with a level head that you couldn’t help but like. So I listened to Opening Day, have Jim Powell’s call of his home run burned into my memory. Ended up that I’m back to being the same big Braves fan and lover of baseball I was in the mid-late ’90s when I was a kid. Owe it all to the J-Hey Kid.
I know patience is a forgotten virtue, it seems, but I wish folks had more patience. Yes, if Jason had produced last year, there is a pretty good chance we would be following our team’s battle with the Brewers right about now. But for a second-year player, who’s just 22, I wish folks would give him at least till the All-Star break next season before they write him off.
phil
October 5th, 2011
8:41 am
Blah, blah, blah, blah….
Finally, an admission that the shoulder is still an issue. Of course, at the same time, we’re told that health is NOT an issue.
I don’t believe one word Wayward says. It’s not his shoulder. He’s overmatched up here because he isn’t putting in the time and effort it takes to succeed. Too much partying, drinking, carousing, doing whatever he’s doing other than focusing on his game is the problem.
This time next year, we’re going to be saying the same things and wondering what’s wrong now. In other words, his days in Atlanta will be numbered. In fact, they already are.
What a huge disappointment this guy has been.
And fire FG….
Obee
October 5th, 2011
8:44 am
Why do you think Heyward is out partying?
phil
October 5th, 2011
8:53 am
Because he’s 22 years old, that’s why.
I could be dead wrong, but I sure saw few signs that he was doing much about his game.
At some point, the stupid excuses get old and aren’t believable any longer. I’m personally at that point.
old scout
October 5th, 2011
9:02 am
Heyward is Dave Kingman without the 40 home runs a year. Has anyone ever seen a productive hitter who stands as far from the plate as possible, then leans his upper body back, and then leans his head back even further? Heyward couldn’t reach a strike on the outer half of the plate if he had a bat 44″ long. He can be pitched inside at least a foot out of the strike zone. With his approach, it is purely an accident when he makes good contact (thus the 220 B.A.). A few times this year he forgot his usual approach and actually leaned his upper body and head toward the plate; these at bats usually produced hard hit balls. I’m sure the Braves management is aware of what he is doing and have tried to correct this. Unfortunately, it just might be that the young man is a little afraid of major league fastballs. If so, they won’t be able to turn him around.
Juan
October 5th, 2011
9:09 am
Wow…FW telling Heyward in his second year that he has to earn his position for 2012….I like to see FW telling Grag Maddux in his second yr slump (6-14 5.61 era) to earn his position in the rotation in 1987…..We need a new GM
Astro Joe
October 5th, 2011
9:25 am
I wonder how many guys were giving Hayward advice during the season. Chipper telling him to swing a certain way (and play regardless of health), Parrish suggesting that he stand a certain way, McCann and his father weighing in on how to hold his hands and Freeman in the corner trying to ignore it all and stay focused on his own stroke. That is why dude should have been sent down to AAA where he could have had a single person coaching him up in an environment with virtually no pressure to live up to the hype (and produce in the absence of guys like Uggla, Chipper & McCann, each of whom took several weeks off during the season… in terms of production).
derk
October 5th, 2011
9:26 am
Hold on, where is the article about Prado’s future being uncertain? He had a lower OPS this year than Heyward, yet somehow he has the perception of being untouchable. Have we forgotten A-Gon as well? Uggla got the Braves through a month but would’ve been booted out of the city if his name was Andruw Jones. I am ready and prepared for each of those articles.
Astro Joe
October 5th, 2011
9:27 am
Funny how so many have convinced themselves that at the old age of 23, a baseball player is incapable of improving. How stupid is that?
Atlanta Braves
October 5th, 2011
9:39 am
Heyward could very well be the next Ralph Garr…
bravefan1
October 5th, 2011
9:42 am
Time to drop Chipper to the 5 or 6 slot in the batting order. Too early to give up on JH.
THE MAJOR
October 5th, 2011
9:44 am
The Braves need to hire Heyward a keeper, to kepp him out of the bars in Buckhead till 6 in the morning on game days! Tongue and Groove, Tavern 99 and a list of others.
Time for him to realize it is a job.
Versiroth
October 5th, 2011
9:51 am
Is anyone ever going to ask Wren about Prado’s awful year? I mean, he was worse than Heyward and yet he seems to still have a guaranteed job! It’s crazy.
bill
October 5th, 2011
9:52 am
If Jason had played two years of AAA ball and hit .300 with 30 hr would we be fussing about how he could have gotten more experience in the majors. Heyward was a disppointment this year but did we really think he was the next Hank Aaron or even David Justice? He will hit or not. If the Braves had managed the season and played the hot hand they would have won he wild card. Fredi is even more stubborn than Bobby and I really believe there were times this year when he let that stubborness put an inferior team on the field just to show the writers and fans that he was in charge. We have coach at NCState that ran off this year’s Heisman trophy winner becausehe wanted to play baseball too. He said that would not lead to a successful season with the Wolfpack. ” On Wisconsin” should ring in that ahole’s ears for many years to come. He is in charge but just like Fredi he is clueless.
bill
October 5th, 2011
9:55 am
THE MAJOR tell me more first I have heard of Jason’s nightlife.
Lemke's Knuckler
October 5th, 2011
9:59 am
Heyward is still an immense talent. When he makes contact, the ball still comes off his bat harder than 98% of the players out there. That’s special and you can’t teach that. I think we saw a combination of a few things this year…a nagging shoulder injury, a hitting coach without a plan, and maybe even a little stubbornness out of Jason about adjusting his approach at the plate.
I’m not a hitting coach, but it seems like Jason has a lot of moving parts (the bat waggle, diving into the plate from the stance, etc.). Simplify, simplify, simplify…
Rufio
October 5th, 2011
10:00 am
The Braves and media have been doing this player is the (insert name here). Remember Brad Kominsk, Johnny Estrada, Francoer and recently Jordan Schafer. BTW, Schafer just arrested for pot Reeses cups. How stupid……that is the end of his career
Back to Heyward, he certainly scouted and looked great on paper. He will probably will never see a perfect day like opening day of 2010. All players mentioned above with the exception of maybe Estada were rushed to big leagues. The pressure at 20 years old must be unbelievable. These guys were great everywhere except where they dreamed of playing. Smolts was another young head case. I think Bobby Cox did a great job putting no pressure on Andrew Jones when he came onto the scene. He kept saying the Braves brought him up for his defense not his bat and he was able to find his groove.
I think Heyward is suffering from the same thing Frenchy went through……..to many people messing with his swing. He has had 2 batting coaches in the majors and a 3rd next year. Plus, why tell a 21-22 year old he has the job? I would think every position is open to the best player. Nothing wrong with a little pressure. Look how many players seem to perform great in there contract ending year.
Thanks for the column and blog Dave ! Not sure what I am going to read at work now, LOL.
Felix
October 5th, 2011
10:08 am
The Braves need to give Jason time to develop. Right now MLB pitchers have the upper hand, but he will figure it out. The Braves lose patience too soon and trade talent away that then comes back to haunt us. The list of good to great players we traded away is long. Just look at the current playoffs—I see ex Braves everywhere.
Jason is going to be very good in one to two years and then he will be very good for many years.
wjones
October 5th, 2011
10:12 am
“Versiroth
October 5th, 2011
9:51 am
Is anyone ever going to ask Wren about Prado’s awful year? I mean, he was worse than Heyward and yet he seems to still have a guaranteed job! It’s crazy.”
If you had bothered to read the article, you would have known what Wren said about Prado. He surmised that a lot of what affected Prado was the staph infection, having to have it cut out of his leg, and to recuperate and get his timing and strength back. Makes a lot of sense, and it will be interesting to see how he bounces back after getting a few months of rest behind him.
phil
October 5th, 2011
10:14 am
THE MAJOR
October 5th, 2011
9:44 am
The Braves need to hire Heyward a keeper, to kepp him out of the bars in Buckhead till 6 in the morning on game days! Tongue and Groove, Tavern 99 and a list of others.
Time for him to realize it is a job.
*************************
Sounds like some folks have seen Wayward doing just what I surmised.
Exactly. Get out of the bars and get in the cage.
You doofs who keep giving him a pass because he’s “only 22″ and “will” get better had best start working on your train of excuses for why he will stink next year too….
phil
October 5th, 2011
10:16 am
For the kind of money these guys get paid and stand to get paid, I don’t want to hear about pressure.
Spare us.
Produce or get a real job like the rest of us. Well….some of us.
bvillebaron
October 5th, 2011
10:24 am
David:
Another day, another article about “uncertainty” about Heyward; Heyward isn’t guaranteed a starting job, etc. You took umbrage the other day about my comments that Wren’s critical public comments about Heyward were unnecessary and stupid by claiming that they were only unnecessary or stupid for those who blindly believe Heyward should be coddled, should always start regardless of performance and should never be criticized and that Wren’s comments were refreshing to those who care about the actual state of the team. Although I have generally supported Wren, I stand by and expound upon those comments. While I don’t have the same access to information that you do as a Braves’ fan for more than 50 years, I do care about the actual state of the team and that is precisely why I make these comments.
As I mentioned before, I don’t believe that Heyward should be coddled or start regardless of performance and in fact posted several times this summer that they should send him to AAA ratther than play him sporadically. If Heyward has, in fact ,been coddled to this point of his carreer, then the blame for that falls squarely on Wren and the rest of the Braves’ management for permitting that to happen in the first place.
I get the sense that internally the Braves feel that Heyward is slow to listen to advice and they are frustrated by that. I understand that but trying to “remedy” that situation by engaging in classic passive/aggressive behavior by publicly criticizing Heyward (rather than doing something constructive like airing those complaints privately and/or sending him back to AAA as a wake up call) is a you know what poor way of trying to put the genie back in the lamp. .
Wren now compounds this stupidity by tersely stating publicly that there are no health issues when Heyward’s agent said they plan to have his shoulder checked out this winter. What was the point of that, David, especailly when several former players and GMs on XM radio have stated/speculated that Heyward’s shoulder has been a problem all year? I don’t understand why Wren chooses to publicly criticize a 22 year old kid while publicly treating veteans who choked miserably in September with kid gloves. Maybe I missed something , but I don’t recall Heyward ever once complaining publicly about the fact that he was puclicly criticized by Chipper for not playing while hurt (love Chipper but that’s a little like the pot calling the kettle black) and for being benched and only playing sporadically this year.
Am I the only one who understands that Heyward is still only 22 years old and already has spent almost 2 years in the bigs at an age when most prospects haven’t even had a sniff of the majors and that this year was probably the first time in his career that he has had to deal with failure? Time will tell whether Heyward turns out to be the player we all hoped, but I don’t see any of Wren’s critical comments about him being either necessary or constructive. IMHO opinion Heyward at age 22 has handled what obviously had to have been a frustrating year for him with more maturity than Wren and the rest of the Braves’ management.
Dr.EFP
October 5th, 2011
10:47 am
I agree with other blogger that Greg Walker would make a great hitting coach for Braves.
DawgDad
October 5th, 2011
10:48 am
The ONLY problem with Heyward is he isn’t living up to expectations of stardom soon enough for some people. He is NOT unusual in this regard. I’m not saying he’s going to be a Hall-of-Famer, but go look at what the Hall-of-Famers were doing at age 22. Some had great years, some did not. Check out Willie McCovey; and yes, I believe Heyward has that kind of power. For that matter, check out what the Braves veterans did this year, they’re worthy of a lot more scrutiny than Heyward deserves. Let the kid play, he’s the only potential 5-tool player on this team, and he didn’t stink up this season any worse than Uggla or McCann or Prado or others did.
Bill
October 5th, 2011
10:49 am
Lets just wait and see what J-Hey does when Spring training starts.
judy
October 5th, 2011
10:53 am
Why is everyone picking on J-Hey?He wasn’t the only one that didn’t hit the ball.I think you need to look at the whole team.I will still be honor to wear J-Hey jersey next year.Come on J-Hey get some rest and come back strong in spring training.I know you can do it. GO J-HEY AND BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CajunStorm
October 5th, 2011
10:53 am
What’s funny to me is that the blame for Heyward’s struggles should be placed in no other place but with the entire Braves organization. They put so much on this kid that they were afraid to do what they should’ve done….sent him down to AAA.
You CANNOT let a youngster figure out his troubles on the fly except for rare exceptions. What happens is that they stop learning how to correct themselves and just TRY to correct their swing with experimentation. This ultimately leads to bad habits. The slumps become more difficult to get out of. I said this of Jeff Francouer. He is just now figuring out what makes him successful. A veteran, like Uggs, can work things out because of experience. What experience did Jason relate to…breaking out of his slump against Lovejoy High 4 years ago? That’s about the only time he’s had an experience like he did this year.
The young Man will be fine. As long as the Braves develop him into the star he has potential to be rather than assuming Jason is already there.
phil
October 5th, 2011
10:54 am
bvillebaron – Excellent post, though I maintain that Wayward is as much to blame for his failures as anyone else may be.
Sure, let’s just wait and see, Bill. Keep expecting something different. Don’t bet on it.
phil
October 5th, 2011
10:57 am
Wait, Cajunstorm!
Wayward is a hall of famer and you know it. Everyone with any sense has known it since day 1.
Isn’t it obvious? Hall of famers don’t have to worry about slumps and having no perspective and silly stuff like that which average players like Chipper don’t ever have to consider….
There is and was no slump. He had a great year 2 years in a row. Next year will be even greater. Just you wait and see.
Shaun
October 5th, 2011
10:57 am
If the Braves had gotten typical leftfield production from their leftfielder and decent production from centerfield all season, would the focus be on Heyward’s down year or would we be considering this a down year from a talented player in his early 20’s who was still able to hold his own in the majors?
Perhaps the Braves’ front office deserves some blame here, if they were expecting Heyward to be one of the big-time bats. He’s in his early 20’s. The fact that he can hold his own in the majors and had one of the highest walk rates on the team is impressive, if we ignore all the hype and media BS, we are able to realize this. The bad news was that Heyward was the best Braves outfielder this season as a 21-22-year-old having a down season.
Mr. October
October 5th, 2011
10:59 am
I can’t help but chuckle watching the non-Braves playoffs and see how many ex-Braves are participating – particularly from that fabulous deadline deal that brought Texiera to Atlanta from Texas.
All the players are gone – Texiera never had any intention of staying here or anywhere else besides New York and the players we sent to Texas have alot to do with the fact that Texas was in the World Series last year and are a good shot to return this year.
I wonder how much different this Braves team would be had this deal not been made. Had this desperate attept to give Cox one more shot at a title not have made everyone in the front office so blind to what was best for this team and not this manager.
We’d be playing right now, that’s where we would be!
Shaun
October 5th, 2011
11:04 am
The negatives on Heyward: He didn’t put up an All-Star or MVP-type season as a 21-22-year-old.
The positive: He held his own as a 21-22-year-old playing his second year in the majors.
I’m not saying the front office should have expected a 95 OPS+. But they should have been prepared for it, accepted it as a somewhat positive sign that their 21-22-year-old rightfielder held his own against major league pitching and put better hitters at some other key offensive positions anticipating that their extremely young rightfielder wouldn’t be an MVP-type right away.
63 year Braves fan
October 5th, 2011
11:05 am
Wookie Ninja: I love your trade ideas
Shaun
October 5th, 2011
11:13 am
I’m much more concerned about whether Prado is miscast as a leftfielder than I am about rightfield.
Yes, Prado missed time with the infection and that surely hurt him, but he was also is in what should been the middle of his prime and he was noticeably worse than the extremely young rightfielder having a down season. Prado’s offensive production was equal to that of Nate McLouth’s, when converted to rate form. Both Prado and McLouth had OPS+ of 89.
J T Ellenwood
October 5th, 2011
11:20 am
One thing we can do get Jason go down to Flordia with David Justice and let David work with him and teach him not try pull everything. Teach him cut down his swing and get closer to plate so he want be fool by outside Pitches David is one of best spread hitter to play the game.
Josh
October 5th, 2011
11:24 am
Baseball, and sports in general, are really weird when it comes to loyalty. In Heyward’s case, last year, we were ready to give him the keys to the kingdom. This year, he’s the jester. He’s barely done growing as a man and we’re ready to trade the guy. Chipper, the bedrock of this team, is treated like a dog after a hall of fame career. So it all didn’t come together this year. Did these guys contribute – or not contribute – in a way that drove us to love them more? No. Big deal. Chipper will retire soon and should be a great coach – hey, hire him as our hitting coach! Heyward will figure it out. Let him finish puberty, learn to shave and to be a consistent patient hitter. The team will be fine.
Wookie Ninja – find a hobby or a girlfriend.
DawgDad
October 5th, 2011
11:43 am
Playing outfield for the Braves, particularly left field, is fast becoming a curse. Even Bourn faded at the end.
O'flarity's water bottle
October 5th, 2011
12:04 pm
Mr. October
October 5th, 2011
10:59 am
I agree with you. Its not just FW, its the braves organization that should be in question. Do they know talent? Anybody could say a non-turbo porsche is fast, but how fast is it?
john
October 5th, 2011
12:04 pm
DO NOT TRADE JASON – HE HAS TOP LEVEL BASEBALL SKILLS -he nees to mature MENTALLY , same as Jurgens , Francouer, Hansen, etc Maybe Freddie F. is different but we shall see….
If Jason is playing hurt just because Chipper ioened his mouth -Freddi G. has to MANAGE the situation-I do not think Jason had serious physical injury-problem probably is in his Head…
CajunStorm
October 5th, 2011
12:06 pm
Phil….only you could make sarcasm sound soooo articulate. Lol. You sir, know the game and know the deal. Unlike so many people who get PAID to know these things. As you stated, as I stated, and how eloquently bvillebaron stated….the problem this year was lack of institutional development. As soon as the Braveauxs stop thinking that just because the best scouting dept in the league, and best coached farm system continues to bring you hot prospect after hit prospect…don’t ever forget the most important words of any business, “You are what you make it!”
That Gumbo they putting on the table started out with all the right ingredients and prep….the dang cook don’t know a cayenne pepper from a gummy bear.
And where I’m from…that there dog just ain’t goin hunt!
jeff
October 5th, 2011
12:19 pm
He will be an all star for years to come. It’s hard to get stats while sitting behind morons like Diaz & Hinkse.
Ozzie
October 5th, 2011
12:36 pm
Wren is on Heyward b/c he was counting on a 21you kid to carry the OF offense. How dare Heyward not live up to that expectation.
No one put a gun to Wren’s head telling him to rush Heyward along and ignore his history of chronic injuries in the minors.
Does Wren even read scouting reports, his own?
Wren looks like a putz now b/c he turned his nose up at every decent OF in the FA or trade markets (until Bourne) assuming Heyward and then FF (two babies) would waltz in here and cover up the holes in the offense.
So of course he is upset and calling people out.
Prado, Mac, Uggla and Chipper each in their own way screwed up this season more so than Jason.
But like a good bully Wren can pick on Heyward b/c he is a kid.
If he called out Chipper, Mac or any of Bobby’s coaches (when BC was still here) it would be the last thing he did. Only JS was allowed to be stern in public.
The whole team fell apart at the end and Uggla hitting .233 after a 32 game hitting streak is still pathetic and not worth what he is being paid.
Wren built this machine and now he is realizing it doesn’t run. Sadly he lacks the cash to spend his way out of this mess.
mike
October 5th, 2011
12:50 pm
Trading Heyward? Wow I bet 31 teams would line up at the door for that one. His stock is rock bottom and has great potential. I am a transplant Yankees fan here in ATL, but RF seems to be a place where players just go to die at Turner Field…1st Francour and now possibly Heyward? I would trade just about anyone on the Yankees + farm team for a chance at Heyward, but doubt the Braves more him…too valuable for the return he would net.
mudcat
October 5th, 2011
12:53 pm
Heyward is soft. He stands about 3 feet away from the plate because he’s afraid to get hit. How many times did he swing at those low and away pitches over the plate and make an out-a ton! Pitchers adjusted to him and are now getting him out easily and he refuses to make adjustments to the pitchers. If he doesn’t adjust soon he’s going to be a 4th OF for someone.
mike
October 5th, 2011
12:59 pm
Texeria as a Brave – 103 games, 20 HRs, 78 rbis, BA .283
Players traded away -
Saltalamacchia: .235/16HR/65/RBI
Andrus: .279/5HR/60RBI/96runs
Feliz: ERA 2.74 32 saves
Harrison: ERA 3.39, 14-9
WOW…Ouch!
wjones
October 5th, 2011
1:15 pm
“mike
October 5th, 2011
12:59 pm
Texeria as a Brave – 103 games, 20 HRs, 78 rbis, BA .283
Players traded away -
Saltalamacchia: .235/16HR/65/RBI
Andrus: .279/5HR/60RBI/96runs
Feliz: ERA 2.74 32 saves
Harrison: ERA 3.39, 14-9
WOW…Ouch!”
Mike, don’t think you are looking at all of his stats. Did you pull both 2007 & 2008, or just 2008? Without looking, it appears you just pulled up his 2008 numbers.
wjones
October 5th, 2011
1:28 pm
Just answered my own question—-you had only pulled up his 2008 numbers. If you combine 2007 & 2008, you get this:
157 games played/691 plate appearances
.295//395/.548/.943 OPS/146 OPS+
37 HR/134 RBI/101 R/174 H/36 D/92W/323 TB
Now the combo of our entire starting rotation going down with injury and the realization that Tex was going to sign for the big money forced Wren to trade him away in 2008, after what amounted to him being here for a full season spread over two years (got him at the 2007 deadline, traded him at the 2008 deadline). But can’t really complain about that production over a 162 game schedule, which was pretty close to what he spent here. Yeah, it appears that JS gave away too much for what amounted to a rental, but you roll the dice, and JS came out good on a lot of those deals (see McGriff, Fred).
alex
October 5th, 2011
1:48 pm
@ozzie, agree, unless FW has a secret stash, he’s locked into chipper, lowe and uggla,basically 1/2 of our payroll. Blaming JH for a total team meltdown appears naive .
FIRE FW
Kentavo
October 5th, 2011
1:49 pm
I still don’t know what to make of this situation. It seems very odd for GM to say there are no health issues and the player to say he doesn’t feel healthy.
Very weird.
It’s almost like The Who, where Daltrey says Townshend can’t tour bc of hearing trouble; and Townshend said he’s fine.
Which is it?
Octavius
October 5th, 2011
2:11 pm
These young guys, when they first come up, are paid too much! Pay them a base salary of $30-40K with the opportunity to earn significantly more compensation dependent on performance-i.e. base salary plus bonus.
Even the veterans should get paid using the same approach, but with higher base salaries based on their performance histories.
We would see totally different outcomes as this approach (widely used in industry) would light a fire under them. I think some of these guys with these obscene guaranteed salaries/contracts are too comfortable, get lazy and complacent.
michael green
October 5th, 2011
2:27 pm
I am pulling for Jason but I worry this may be Frenchy all over again.
cristianlobo
October 5th, 2011
2:29 pm
Heyward will work it out, but he’s got a tall order to not only get well but make adjustments. Prado was superman in 2010, but he never got back on track in 2011 after that staff thing. He is immensely talented and he’s got drive. He’ll straighten it out over the winter, too. McCann got screwed up on his oblique injury from that 19 inning game in late July. He was double tough prior to that, and he will come back solid. Since Chipper needs spotted regularly to save those knees, why not platoon Prado at third and use some of our pitching surpluss to acquire a big bopper for left field? We got like two rotations worth of depth and about ten million loose dollars to work with. After a change like that, there would only be to sign Alex Gonzalez again for a reasonable amount to hold us over one more year and let Pastornicky polish up.
michael green
October 5th, 2011
2:34 pm
Good comments. The young Braves have given us some wonderful games to enjoy in 2011. Next year looks to be better.
bvillebaron
October 5th, 2011
2:46 pm
Phil:
Thanks for the comments. I agree that if, as it appears, Heyward has been reluctant to listen to the advice that he has been receiving, then he is primarily, and not merely as, responsible for his on-field failures this season. That however doesn’t in my mind justify Wren’s decision to criticize him publicly while many veterans who failed as much if not more than Heyward in September are apparently immunce from his public criticism. It’s one thing for fans and bloggers to criticize a 22 year old kid who is still learning how to play at this level and quite another for management to do that.
M10
October 5th, 2011
3:02 pm
How the h** Wren knows it not a health issue.Are you Heyward no.Wren needs to shut his d*** mouth you see why this franchise is going down hill with a idiot like that in the front offiie.
wjones
October 5th, 2011
3:05 pm
I saw over on the twitter where they were kicking around (for fun, this isn’t an official rumor or anything) whether the Astros would swap us Carlos Lee for Derek Lowe. What would everyone think about it, just for fun? Lee is 35 years old, and like Lowe, in the last year of his contract–the Astros will owe him $18.5 million for 2012. He is listed as 6′2″, 265 pounds, but I read last week that Lee worked in the offseason to lose weight, which gave him better LF defensive numbers, and also showed up in his 4 triples and hitting into only 9 double plays. His numbers for 2011:
155 games, 653 PA. He has played 13 years, and except for 2008, when he was injured, has played in at least 155 games every year. This year he split time between LF and 1B.
.275/.342/.446/.788/117 OPS+ Not his greatest year, but an improvement over his career worst 2010, and the impetus for his getting back into shape. Preceding that, he had hit over .300 for 4 straight years.
18 HR/ 94 RBI/ 66 R/ 161 H/ 38 D/ 59 W/ 60 K/ 261 TB/ 9 DP/ 6 SF This was the second worst HR year of his career; his rookie year he hit 16. For the other 11 seasons, he hit anywhere from 24 to 37. He is a doubles machine, and this year marked the 9th season in which he hit at least 30 (with a career high of 41 in 2005). The other 4 seasons he hit 29, 29, 27, and 26. 6 times over the course of his career he has driven in over 100 runs. The other 7 seasons? 99, 94, 92, 89, 84, 84, and 80. Over the course of his career he has steadily increased his walks and steadily decreased his strikeouts, until now they are virutally the same. His 6 SF are not an unusually high number for him, as he has reached double figures three times in his career, and let the league twice.
So this is a player who has only one year left on his contract, who hits for a decent average, who is a proven runs producer over a 13 year career, who consistently hits 25 to 30 homers, 30 to 35 doubles, walks some, doesn’t strike out much, doesn’t hit into many DP’s, hits SF—he would seem to fit a need in our current offensive structure. Defensively, he won’t win any gold gloves, but would be serviceable in LF, could spell Freeman at 1B against lefties, and would allow Prado to go to the super-utility role again, spelling Chipper at 3B, Lee at LF, maybe Uggla occasionally at 2B or Heyward in RF. And if we were successful in a swap for Lowe, this production would only cost us $3.5 million over what we are paying Lowe, who is very replaceable at this point.
Now, the $3.5 million question—-is there any reason why Houston would agree to do this?
Cecil34
October 5th, 2011
3:07 pm
I don’t understand the reluctance by Braves management to send Heyward down to AAA or AA and let him get himself together, both mentally and physically.
It would have made more sense than keeping him up here on the bench.
I think the organization at least needs to keep him thru 2012, to truly determine what kind of player he really is.
An argument could be made that he was brought up to the majors too soon, but then the Braves didn’t have many options for right field at the time.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
October 5th, 2011
3:16 pm
First off, Heyward is 21 not 22. Second his sophomore slump was comparable to that of Brian McCann who was of course a year older when he played his first full season.
McCann’s BA dropped 63 points compared to Heyward’s 50. McCann’s OPS also dropped 181 points compared to Heywards 141. Heyward was also hurt dropping his number of games played and plate appearances, while both statistics for McCann went up in his second season.
So why all the moaning, groaning and gnashing of teeth concerning Jason Heyward when McCann didn’t get roasted??????
BECAUSE, HEYWARD IS BLACK, and in reality most of your white fan base is gonna expect the negro man to produce at higher level. That is the truth, period.
TPic
October 5th, 2011
3:16 pm
Clearly, there are several things going on here. It is true the outfield ofense was (again) dreadful. But no team should be pinning their wishes on a 22 year old who obviously has several holes in his game. I’m not sure what changed offensively from last season, other than maybe pitchers taking him for granted and tossing grapefruits up to the plate. But clearly, the kid is lost in the batter’s box – he’s practically out before the pitcher throws him anything. My bigger concern is his apparent lack of conditioning. I fail to understand how someone so young (and allegedly in such good shape) can be hurt all the time. This lack of toughness tells me more about him as a player than ny stats will. When I watch young players, I expect them to fail; it’s HOW THEY PLAY that matters. This kid says he wants to fix his offense, ok, let’s wait and see. But what about the fielding? He is not even an average right fielder, especially in terms of arm strength. And when I watch him loaf after balls and one hand his catches,I can only be reminded of Andruw Jones. And we all know how that turned out.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. FAILED)
October 5th, 2011
3:18 pm
First off, Heyward is 22 but played most of the 2011 season at age 21. Second his sophomore slump was comparable to that of Brian McCann who was of course a year older when he played his first full season.
McCann’s BA dropped 63 points compared to Heyward’s 50. McCann’s OPS also dropped 181 points compared to Heywards 141. Heyward was also hurt dropping his number of games played and plate appearances, while both statistics for McCann went up in his second season.
So why all the moaning, groaning and gnashing of teeth concerning Jason Heyward when McCann didn’t get roasted??????
BECAUSE, HEYWARD IS BLACK, and in reality most of your white fan base is gonna expect the negro man to produce at higher level. That is the truth, period.
TPic
October 5th, 2011
3:21 pm
I feel sory for you, coach. That must be some miserable life you have to live. Maybe Heyward is geting blasted here because that’s who the article is about. I’m pretty sure you’d see others (including myself) taking shots at McCann as well. Not because he’s white – because he’s fat.
jazzward10
October 5th, 2011
3:24 pm
I think that Heyward will be ok next year.One approach he needs to make is to get closer to the plate.Maybe Wren needs to get a real hitting coach,because just about every player that comes to Atlanta forget how to hit.Take a look at Melky and Franceur.They had very good years.Wren shouldnt just blame Heyward,every hitter on the team need to learn to hit better.They all need to play winter ball.Everyone of them had a chance to get a clutch hit and nobody got one.Bourn couldnt get a clutch hit to save his life,Prado and McCann were worse than Heyward down the stretch.Chipper swinging at every first pitch,even after a pitcher have thrown 8 straight balls and grounding into double plays.Just throw Agon breaking balls.Uggla striking out with runners on third with less than 2 outs and only hitting solo homers.I really like Freeman.Conrad and Hinske striking out every pinch hit at bat.Constanza cant hi the ball out the infield.Scoring 1 run against Detwiler and Wang in back to back games.Philles brought in AAA pitchers from the ninth inning on the last game and couldnt score 1 run.One hitter with 80 RBIs.Thats why all the pressure on the bull pen.MVP of this team was Kimbrel,Venters,and O,Flaherty.Terry.Pendleton is the happiest man in the Braves organization now.Atlanta needs to move Prado,get a SS that can hit,get Chipper to retire and we just might make the playoffs.
TPic
October 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
Jazzward10, I would agree with you regarding where Heyward stands; he is in great position to crush inside fastballs but anything out from the plate (and especially up) leave him vulnerable. I don’t think he is pull-conscious as much as he fails to adjust during the course of an at bat. I would disagree about Uggla, though. If you look at his career path, this year was really not much different than his pattern. He has always been a feast or famine hitter with lots of power and plenty of Ks, but more RBI. I think that number suffered in line with the even lower than normal BA.
JJ
October 5th, 2011
3:41 pm
I find it interesting to find so much Brave talk is directed at Heyward.He is a second year player that had some injury problems and he also struggled at the plate.The thing I find interesting is the apparant disconnect between he and Wren.Wren is definately not backing Heyward like he backed McCann about him possibly being injured.I just can’t figure why Heyward has been called out by Chipper and then throwed under bus by Wren.What’s going on here?Something stinks when all the focus of the end of year slide has been focused on Jason.McCann has been protected by Wren and the press concerning his two year slide,but Jason all that is being talked about.Oh yeah he has company,Prado and the guy who really earned his money,D-LOWE. But the guy we should be looking at is Mr Wren.He is the one that straped this franchise with salaries that are choking the life out of this FRANCHISE.We are paying a 3rd baseman money that he is not earning,playing parttime,Lowe,and thank goodness the contracts of KK and McLOUGH are coming off books.Wren has also made some duzzies of trades that helped teams in American League get better.He also got us a SS at the end of his career for one just getting started.Thanks Bobby Cox.But before I forget this whole off-season talk has been about Heyward.AMAZING. And now we get the best CF since Andruw and we probably will not keep him because of some project in minors that won’t make it.Oh yeah,Borne is the best lead-off hitter we have had since Fucal.But all the GM and PRESS can talk about is Heyward.Mr wren,what kind of season did you have?As a matter of fact,just what kind of career ?Are you injuried or is it that the League have adjusted?Just asking?GO BRAVES
southern hope
October 5th, 2011
3:46 pm
I’ve missed this blog.
I have been thinking about my ideal World Series (well, given the reality of where we are):
Tigers vs. Cardinals
lots of reasons…including the humiliation of the teams they’d have to beat to get there.
iTiSi
October 5th, 2011
3:49 pm
This headline would be more accurate and appropo if it said, ” A Year Later Fredi Gonzalez Future Seems Less Certain”.
Brave New World
October 5th, 2011
4:14 pm
All of us know we’d be highly motivated if one of the “higher ups” of the organization we worked for said our job was not a given. Most of us would much rather have that approach than people supporting us and working with us to improve our performance.
veer
October 5th, 2011
4:16 pm
Why didn’t Fredie Gonzalez walk Pence and pitch to martinez?
This is the question that will live in Braves heart for a while.
Heyward is finished but there isn’t an OF in the market that we can afford who can make an impact unless you are talking about a .240 hitter.
veer
October 5th, 2011
4:20 pm
Johnny Damon is a perfect candidate for the Braves. A low costing free agent OF who is still productive.
JJ
October 5th, 2011
4:31 pm
Reading these posts on this blog tells me all I want to know why The ATL Sports Teams ,except The Dream,are mostly failures. GO BRAVES
jim
October 5th, 2011
4:48 pm
Lowe for Lee — the salary dump duo.
“Is there any reason for Houston to do this?”
NO!!!!
bvillebaron
October 5th, 2011
5:11 pm
TPic:
Everyone knows Heyward struggled this year, but you and I must have watched a different player since I didn’t see any evidence that his issues were due to a lack of effort either in the field or at the plate. Perhaps your comments about Andruw Jones merely confirm that point.
Despite his lack of success later in his career, particularly offensively, you must have been doing a Rip Van Winkle during those years when he was probably the best overall centerfielder in baseball and was widely acclaimed by many, including those who played with Willie Mays, as the greatest defensive centerfielder who ever played the game.
Chunichi
October 5th, 2011
5:30 pm
There are lots of possible explanations for Jason’s non-performance. Injuries, he’s new, he’s young, yada yada yada. I think it’s nothing more than complacency. Same thing happened with Andruw Jones, he got comfortable with the fan adoration and the big paycheck and just started phoning it in.
When Jason starts flashing the signature Andruw Jones s##t eatin grin as he schleps away from yet another strikeout he will have arrived.
b
October 5th, 2011
5:52 pm
I’ve been saying this for two years:
The thing I’m most concerned with on Heyward is that he is very injury prone.
He was hurt constantly in the minors and big leagues.
Shoulder, knee, thumb, back, etc, He’s had all these injuries.
That does not bode well for a 22 yr.old.
Some people are JUST PLAIN INJURY PRONE.
I was that way myself.
b
October 5th, 2011
6:02 pm
I love Prado, but he looked like he put on weight at end of year
and he is slow as Christmas running to first base.
ISH
October 5th, 2011
6:34 pm
I’ve seen no evidence nor heard anyone in the Braves organization say that there’s ANYTHING physically wrong with Jason.. except Jason and his agent. The kid is 22 freaking years old! With his size and stature he should be like an ironman. He needs to be SENT to play winter ball, not asked. He’s been reading his own press too much as a youngster and his ego and work ethic have suffered.
Preston Thompson
October 5th, 2011
7:09 pm
Realitycheck……….are you a total idiot or just enjoy acting like one? You don’t play some ballplayer because he’ll be a good player in his later years. You play to win. But in your case you play not to hurt hanks feelings. He put his stamp of approval on Haywood and that makes his the next savior of the Atlanta Braves. Constanza was what I felt was the sparkplug we lost when Shafer was traded. He’s another one I don’t think got a fair shake. To tell the truth, the trades Wren has made has just about got me so disgusted I’m to a point to where I don’t care. With the Braves winning is not the main issue. It’s playing the one that make big money and have to be played because hank said so.
Zenman
October 5th, 2011
7:44 pm
Jordan, Smoking a joint with your window open in Florida, puts you at the top of the moron list. Next time brother look me up, I’ll guide you around the city. It is legal though to text and drive in Fl.. Florida is like a fourth world country.
Justafan
October 5th, 2011
9:43 pm
Why don’t the AJC sports carry anything about play-offs? Cards looking good!
Prado is a utilty player and thats all..proved this year.
J-Hey is in the same rut as Frenchy, Nate, A Jones, Schafer, Brad K,and many more. He better turn it around soon are he’ll be gone. They need to hire Greg Walker to work with him this summer are hire Greg as Hitting Coach.
Someone said trade McCann..That might not be a bad idea as he is probably one of few that has any value. Plus he is getting slower and everyone steals on him. He don’t block the ball are plate since getting hurt.
Fredi and the pitching Coach have problems (beside their nasty mouth)..Both need to go.
The Coach@3:18 is the most racist person on blog. If you can’t find any other reason you can always play the Race Card..99% its not white thats racist but Black…But I”m Voting for HERMAN CAIN. Now I know I piss a few off.
JJ
October 5th, 2011
10:52 pm
How can so many say that Jason has gotten fat and full f himself.?Are you in his head or is that the way you would be if you had the talent?Prado and Jason were hurt this year and had a bad year but McCANN and Chipper were hurt and one stay hurt so much he catches the FLU for one game and no one cares.People talk about Andruw as if he did not produce in Atlanta.Well check how many GOLD GLOVES he earned by backing that great pitching staff and he played hurt when the great one said his hangnail or some other phantom injury kept him off the field.Andruw always was on the field and as for Hank,I don’t even have to go there .He is Mr Aaron.Oh yeah,Jason is not making what McCann is making and Mac did not have to wait for his arbitration date to get anywhere close before he was offered a big money deal.Frenchie was so full of himself he turned his chance to make early money down.Heck Prado was an ALL-Star and he got just what he could and not a big money deal and neither did Escvabor get a raise when he had to do what they were paying Chipper and McCANN to do,drive in runs.He along with Prado were the MVP’s for the Braves and one has been shipped and now the masses want Prado gone.And the beat goes on.Now I don’t Freeman will experience what Jason is experiencing because the pattern has been set with McCann and I truely believe Freddie is going to be a STAR.Oh yeah,Coach ain’t racist I belioeve.I believe he is a realist.GO BRAVE Maybe the one’s that call him a racist should look at the man in the mirrow!They might not like what they see.GO BRAVES
Chief Noc-A Homa
October 5th, 2011
10:58 pm
noway, braves announcers said he was a great player
Really?
October 5th, 2011
11:22 pm
Reality Check Constanza was better this year for a month, and this year that’s all that mattered.
Fixed it for ya. RHR
What’s your point? He only started in 28 games.
Really?
October 5th, 2011
11:26 pm
Heyward is still an immense talent. When he makes contact, the ball still comes off his bat harder than 98% of the players out there.
No, he’s not and no, it doesn’t. When he makes contact, he usually pops up or grounds out to 2B. He’s shown little power this season.
Really?
October 5th, 2011
11:48 pm
Gonzalez’ and Wrens’ comments suggest there may be more to this story than is being divulged to the public. Strange that Heyward would claim to be injured and Wren would say there are no medical problems. I know that he had two separate MRIs on his shoulder which showed nothing wrong. Is the guy a malingerer? Also strange is Fredi’s comment that they hope Heyward accepts all the things the Braves are trying to get him to do over the off-season. I mean, has this been a problem in the past? Is he not receptive to efforts to help him? The reports from some here that they’ve seen him partying all night in Buckhead are also concerting. Nothing wrong with that during the off-season, but he was doing it during the season? Hmmm…
Logan
October 6th, 2011
12:22 am
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/10/03/1762634/braves-shake-up-under-way.html
Has Fredi Gonzalez Become a Lame Duck Manager? | mlbvideo.net
October 6th, 2011
3:55 am
[...] forthcoming with both fans and media about the Braves September struggles, as evidenced by his interview with Dave O’ Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It seems very clear that Wren is [...]
davidinvirginia
October 6th, 2011
7:42 am
Any yapping by Wren about Heyward’s bad year needs to include a question or two about how stupid Wren had to be to have hired the zero-experience “hitting coach” who helped Jason have his terrible season, and who apparently had no earthly idea what to do to fix him.
Why should Wren’s job be safe next year either? He’s the dolt who gave us Parrish and Fredi.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
October 6th, 2011
8:55 am
I AM STILL TO SICK TO THINK ABOUT BRAVES…..MAYBE WHISKEY WILL HELP…..
bvillebaron
October 6th, 2011
9:03 am
Chunici:
What big paycheck are you talking about? As a second year player who is not arbitration eligible, Heyward hasn’t received the big ” paycheck” yet.
STRETCH
October 6th, 2011
9:11 am
This might be off subject and it is, but the Dream lost another game they should have won last night in the WNBA Championship. I for one, will admit that i dont watch women’s BB and havent since high school, but i kinda got behind this team cause they are the only team in Georgia doing anything remotely close to winning a championship.
And just when i get behind them, they choke away 2 games they should have won. ONLY IN ATLANTA does these things happen. What a LOSERVILLE this place is.
John A.
October 6th, 2011
9:37 am
Since management couldn’t see the forrest for the trees, JHEY will (hopefully) get the necessary guidance over the winter that will enable him to have a successful spring traing and season.
In my opinion, management should have seen the problems Heyward was experiencing early on, and sent him down for some fine tuning. He needed help and the coahing staff (LP) had not a clue as to how to correct his swing. Hopefully John/Frank will find a hitting instructor that knows what he’s doing instead of a good-ole-boy drawing a paycheck.
While i’m on the coaching staff…..let’s look at the lack of leadership demonstrated by the pitching coach.
Our pitchers (including the veterans) should have a conditioning program that would eliminate these silly injuries. How does a pitcher hurt his knee? What did he hit?
Chipper is a Redneck
October 6th, 2011
10:01 am
Ya think?
Everyone said Heyward was the next big thing. That’s what they said about Francoeur, I said. Oh no, Heyward is different, they said. Why? I said. He just is, they said. Terrific logic.
I hope people are learning a lesson and ratcheting down their expectations of Freddie Freeman.
fan since 1966
October 6th, 2011
10:27 am
I didn’t say Constanza was the answer..I said if he had continued to play we “might” have made play off. Thats because I believe he would have been the difference in us winning at least a couple games. Might….read!
Couldn’t have been as bad as J-Hey…….and for racist both are Bk.
robrob
October 6th, 2011
10:43 am
Heyward, I’m with you! You have what it takes to be a great ballplayer. This season was a tough one, but you are a young player and you have to learn from it. Go out this offseason and get healthy and then work your butt off. A new batting coach will certainly help the whole team. I’m not a batting coach or anything but I know a lot about hitting. Not sure if it was the injury or what but seems to me like, you need to step in closer to the plate if you’re going to try and pull that outside pitch. Take that pitch to left field. The way it is now, you were hitting the ball on the ground. I know you will get it right because I have faith in you.
jb
October 6th, 2011
10:51 am
Hope Heyward don’t take up Schafer’s habit?
loyal fan
October 6th, 2011
10:54 am
Greg Walker will solve alot of Braves problems. Hire Walker hitting coach.
robrob
October 6th, 2011
11:05 am
Wren and Freedie, GROW SOME Manberries in the offseason!
Lobosolo
October 6th, 2011
11:16 am
Wow, phil.. you’re starting to poach into alexis territory with your stupid posts… Do you really thimk that just because YOU think something that it is true? Do you really go around presenting speculation as fact in your working world… What an idiot… Just like the rest of the TOTAL IDIOTS on this blog that think they know so much and think that they know what is going on in a player’s head by watching them play a game on TV… YOU GUYS ARE SO PATHETIC THAT IT BORDERS ON HILARITY!!! Y’all should get a job at the fair, telling fortunes and other such idiot stuff…
Powder Blue
October 6th, 2011
1:02 pm
Heycoeur sucks. Just one of many outfield busts for the Braves.
A.C.
October 6th, 2011
2:19 pm
What’s that????? Heyward is a problem???? Time to ship this problem to Toronto where the best GM in baseball will gladly take this problem off of Atlanta’s hands… I hear the phone ringing in Braves’ headquarters…
Jerry
October 6th, 2011
4:50 pm
There are plenty of players that aren’t even in the league at his currect age, and he’s already had 2 full seasons. I think a lot of growing/learning that players do in AA-AAA, Heyward has done in the majors in the view of everyone.
I got very frustrated with him this season. I started thinking he just thought he didn’t have to work hard, that he was a natural after living up to the hype in ‘10. He always has a semi-focused look about him, and he doesn’t hustle.
He needs to get his head out, and realize that he has to work hard and run hard.
Web Masters
October 6th, 2011
10:11 pm
“Pay them a base salary of $30-40K with the opportunity to earn significantly more compensation dependent on performance-i.e. base salary plus bonus.”
oMy Idea–Potential Salary/162 Times Games Won = Money Earned Simple terms–PS $162.00/162 = dollar a game. Win 89, you make $89.00.
afan
October 7th, 2011
10:00 am
How bout a blog on current free agents and who the braves could potentially go after. Something that would spart some motivation in this off season.
I would love to see the braves pick up a strong outfielder and a strong pitcher. We need another ace on this staff. That was evident late in the season. We were using to many youngsters.
Steve
October 7th, 2011
11:18 am
The Braves have made the playoffs Once under Frank Wren. Is it possible he is the problem?
Jay Dubu
October 7th, 2011
11:54 am
” But at the same time, there are plenty who question whether Heyward has all that it takes, including physical and mental toughness, to become a consistent, elite player year after year in the 162-game grind of major league baseball. ”
Without question, these are some of the same people that were talking him up before and during his rookie season. Telling all who would listen, that he was the next great one…and now he doesn’t have what it takes?
Either they didn’t know what they were talking about during his rookie season, or they don’t know what they are talking about now. Either way, they have no credibility. They are just talkers, and will not allow their to be any dead air.
Phil57
October 7th, 2011
1:22 pm
This kid is going to be OK. Don’t be surprised if he hits .280 with 35 HRS and 100 RBIs in 2012. Just sayin.
vesaversa
October 7th, 2011
4:28 pm
Sure the Braves would try to use their rookie right fielder as their scape goat . Gonzales and the Braves entire coaching staff is directly responsible for the Braves collapse .
Stumpknocker
October 7th, 2011
11:20 pm
Sure the Braves choked this year, but only 5 games before Philadelphia ………How bout dem Willies
GAVE UP
October 8th, 2011
9:33 am
Wow everyone hating on Heyward. The reason we slid out of the playoffs is because Brian McMann, Prado, and Chipper flat out couldn’t hit a lick down the stretch. McCann’s avg. dropped almost 50 pts. after the allstar break, and Prado’s dropped almost 20. Look back at how many times they came up in crucial situations with runners in scoring position and failed miserably. These two are the goats the last 2-3 wks. And I guess you could add Kembral to the list for blowing the saves against the Cardinals, and the Phillies. Most of you jerks are the same ones that threw Uggla under the bus when he was struggling. Get rid of the jerk we payed way to much for the bum. What an idiot he made you all out to be. I’m sticking with Heyward like I did with Uggla. Give the kid some slack he’s only 22.
Bob the Blogger
October 8th, 2011
8:35 pm
The fact is, most prospects Heyward’s age are still in AA or AAA. Heck, some are still in A ball. He obviously has some work to do on his swing, but he is an intelligent young man and has a much better approach to hitting than Francoeur. I think once he makes his swing more compact, he’ll be a threat.
A year later, Heyward?s future seems less certain | Absolute Baseball Update
October 9th, 2011
12:12 am
[...] More… October 8, 2011 | admin | Tags: Evan Longoria, Jason Heyward, Papantonio Black Tide Bp Oil Spill One Year, Ryan Braun, Tampa Bay | No Comments » [...]
A year later, Heyward?s future seems less certain | Absolute Baseball Update
October 9th, 2011
12:52 am
[...] More… October 8, 2011 | admin | Tags: Evan Longoria, Frank Wren, Jason Heyward, Papantonio Black Tide Bp Oil Spill One Year, Ryan Braun | No Comments » [...]
da-fan
October 9th, 2011
11:20 am
As a team game, all the braves player need to step up next season.
Not just dog J-hey kid, Every member of the 2011 team should learn from this experience
and moved forward, that include the GM, Mgr, and Coaches, and stop making excuses.
The problem too me is everybody too layed back, Time too whole your player accountable and
your leader got to come from the next generation players.
A-Ville Ranger
October 9th, 2011
11:28 pm
I said spring of 2010 Hayward’s size might be a problem in the outfield long term. I said spring of this year his swing is very long, has holes and MLB pitchers might be a problem for him long term. I’d take one Freddy Freeman with his short swing over two JH’s right now.
Myers
October 10th, 2011
8:18 pm
The Braves have more problems than to worry about Heyward now, The whole team needs to learn how to hit, and know when to hit the ball where it is pitched instead of trying to hit it out of the stadium with guys in scoring position!
Bill
October 11th, 2011
11:40 am
Hire greg Walker..he can help J-Hey..bet on it.
Atlantarama
October 11th, 2011
3:01 pm
I get the impression that the early attention went to the kid’s head. Maybe Heyward thinks he can coast through the next few years until the Yankees sign him.
Harvey's
October 11th, 2011
3:54 pm
When is the last time Heyward smiled????
jason
October 11th, 2011
4:27 pm
I blame Heyward`s production on the front office (should`ve sent him down to get ABs instead of platoon), the manager (Fredi for not addressing the situation), and of course the hitting coach who is gone. Hopefully Jason won`t tank like some fast start hitters who disappeared pretty fast. He`s 22 and I think he`s more willing to learn unlike Andruw. Maybe he needs to hang out with Chipper in the off season or an actual good hitting coach. He definatly needs winter ball if he`s healthy.
coach13
October 12th, 2011
10:01 am
It should seem less certain. Francoueur had back to back 100 RBI seasons in his first 2 full seasons and then slumped in his 3rd and was gone.
TONE-TONE
October 13th, 2011
5:47 am
HEYWARD is not the main reason the BRAVES CHOKED!
THEY choked for poor excution!
Let:s rank the starting eight from 1-10.
BOURNE—-6
PRADO——5
CHIPPER—6
MCCANN—4
UGGLA—–5
FREEMAN-6
HEYWARD-3
GONZALEZ-4
Jason Heyward deserves some draft love « RotoDiamond
January 9th, 2012
10:36 am
[...] to improve himself. And I think it’s great that GM Frank Wren has publicly said Heyward will have to prove himself in spring training to earn a full-time job — the more motivation, the better, [...]