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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,788 comments Add your comment
Joey
October 17th, 2011
9:35 am
“Great hitters can shine brightest in postseason”
**********************************
Braves Fans: Really? That really happens?
Gary O
October 17th, 2011
9:37 am
Say what you want about the Red Sox collapse, but they were scoring runs in September. So Magadan might be a good option. And Bourn might be our version of Jacoby Ellsbury.
Gary O
October 17th, 2011
9:40 am
Unfortunately for us Braves fans, Wren does not have the budget like we had when Ted Turner was here.
So I think Prado will be our starting LF again, and I am ok with that. However, Wren needs to get a legit backup LF, or a legit backup 3B, because somebody will have to spell Chipper for 40 games at 3B.
Dawg Whisperer
October 17th, 2011
9:42 am
I’m not a big fan of any team – Cards or anyone else – that make a season ending run after playing mediocre ball most of the season but then sweep through the playoffs because they happen to hit their stride at the right time of the year. This playoff system seems to reward timing more than the fruits of an overall successful season. We may as well play (3) 50 game seasons than one long season.
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
9:46 am
The cost has to be lower, because you’re suddenly escalating the cost of your bench enormously.
They sent a $7M pitcher to the minors. I know teams don’t plan to over spend on the bench, but I haven’t seen Wren utilize a salary as a reason for player positioning. If so, then Lowe must be a starter next year simply because of his paycheck. There would no possibility of Lowe going to the pen or basically, not starting. I don’t think Wren is going to build the team that way. I could see him working a budget, filling out the team with what he can, then putting the pieces together as best as possible regardless of what each one makes.
Ralph
October 17th, 2011
9:48 am
Great baseball so far in this post season, sure glad our braves weren’t there to embarase us by loseing three stright and out. Our pitching wore completely out trying to carry the weight of our sorry offense. Next season will be no better or not as good as this year because of having to carry the payroll of worthless D Lowe and over the hill Chipper Jones, maybe 2013 when they along with Hudsons $15 mil is gone we can get back on top. Whoever was responsible for not fireing Parish before the all star break should also be fired
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
9:49 am
However, Wren needs to get a legit backup LF
My guess would be Wren is going to look for a legit corner outfielder to split time with Heyward, and cover LF when Prado goes to 3B. The outfield has been a wasteland for offense for quite some time. A neglected part of the team.
Delbert D.
October 17th, 2011
9:54 am
I wouldn’t do anything on the basis of a Bowman card. My collection is exclusively Topps. I’m not sure if anybody from 1962 or before is in the running, however.
Drew
October 17th, 2011
9:55 am
At least the Braves should enter next season with a better team than this years and last years NL champion.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
9:56 am
I’d like to see us get a full time, productive and capable LF.
Bobcat
October 17th, 2011
10:02 am
DAP, I think the bull pen was overused to a degree. More importantly, the starting pitching was underused. In today’s game of specialization no longer are starting pitchers allowed to pitch out of jams or go deep into the game because the Mgr want to save them for the future. Therefore, the bull pen is called into play too early in the game and too offend.
Solution: Get rid of the pitch count and if you are going to pay a starting pitcher ‘BIG BUCKS’ then make him earn it. Requiring a pitcher to go deep into the game (7innings or longer) takes the stress off of the bull pen and allows them to be fresher throughout the season and when they are REALLY needed. In the old days there was no pitch count and the starters would go the full game and extra innings if needed. Also, they had a four man rotation. We’re much too soft on the starters. When the pitch count entered into baseball the quality of pitching began to decline.
Lew
October 17th, 2011
10:06 am
Damn – Lots of people here must have found weevils in their corn flakes this morning and had nothing but sour milk to pour on them. Or maybe their favorite football teams lost this weekend.
Lots of vitriol and negativity. But, it IS Monday.
Delbert D.
October 17th, 2011
10:07 am
Steve Carlton didn’t have a pitch count.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
10:13 am
According to Cots…
2001 – Opening day payroll $91,936,167.00.
2011 – Opening day payroll $91,044,524.00.
“It will go up.”
Hah!
LJ
October 17th, 2011
10:14 am
Warren Spahn”I don’t need no stinkin’ pitch count” had more complete games than victories–and by the way, winningest lefty ever.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
10:19 am
I could see the Braves paying a decent price for Alex Gordon; perhaps one of their young pitchers and a couple of other legit, halfway decent prospects. That’s probably who I would like to see them target. I think it makes some sense on a number of levels.
He’s young but he’s not so extremely young that they would have to give up a ton of really great prospects. Granted, they are still going to have to give up a decent haul. He’s just now arb eligible this offseason, from what I understand, so the Royals may sell high on him now for some salary relief. He’s been viewed as a disappointment, which may suppress his value compared to other talented corner-outfield options with really high upside. And, although I don’t think this will come in to play in a major way, it probably doesn”t hurt that the Royals and the Braves know each others systems and have a comfort level in dealing with each other.
Drexel Gal
October 17th, 2011
10:20 am
I was hoping that the Brewers would have prevailed in the NL — not because I don’t like the Cardinals, but, because a Brewers – Rangers World Series would have guaranteed that 2011 would produce a first-time World Series champion.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
10:22 am
Shaun, Why would you want Gordon? He’s only had one good season.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
10:28 am
Arkansas Transplant, because he’ll be 28 next season, has all the tools and skills to be a legit well-above-average bat and his trade value might be relatively low compared to other players of his age with his tools and skills.
You look at his career up to this point, he was sort of jerked around between the minors and majors and between third and left; not that he completely gets a pass. It’s just that it seems like the Royals were a little too excited about him and just brought him along too quickly, in hindsight, which was certainly understandable from their perspective. This season they penciled him in to left and just let him play.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
10:31 am
Shaun, why did Alex Gordon miss so much time in 2009 and 2010?
I just looked up his numbers and, last year, they were really good. Not too shabby in 2008 either. I admittedly don’t know much about the guy, but it looks like he can play LF/3B and even some 1B if needed.
Don’t the Braves already have that exact guy in Prado?
Perfect Solution
October 17th, 2011
10:32 am
“Strongly encourage” Chipper to retire – and take over as hitting coach. It’s a win all the way around – keeps him from hurting himself – and our day-to-day lineup – with his fragility, keeps him in the game and around the team, which we all know he can’t live without, and the dude knows what he’s talking about when it comes to hitting. He’s just too old to do it day in and day out anymore.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
10:33 am
I could see the Braves paying a decent price for Alex Gordon; perhaps one of their young pitchers and a couple of other legit, halfway decent prospects. That’s probably who I would like to see them target. I think it makes some sense on a number of levels.
It’d be a great move for Moore if he could get one of Delgado, Vizcaino or Teheran plus others for Alex Gordon. They have quite a bit of outfielders: Gordon, Cabrera, Francouer, Cain, Dyson, Myers. The last three being their best outfield prospects at Double-A or higher. Be a really smart move by him.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
10:34 am
And what would you consider a decent haul? Specially for a flier on a guy your hoping continues to progress.
southgabrave
October 17th, 2011
10:34 am
I would like to see the Braves trade for Michael Young at Texas. He could play SS until Pastornicky is ready then move to 3rd next year when Chipper retires. Young has played 3rd, 2nd and SS a couple years ago for Texas. He also plays some 1st this year. He was a man without a position this year when Texas got A. Beltran. He asked for a trade at the beginning of spring training. He wouldn’t come cheap but he is an extra piece for the Rangers. HIs salary is not cheap either.
Maybe with the Rangers needing pitching (CJ Wilson is going to be a FA) we could trade either JJ or Hanson along with Lowe (salary swap) and a low level minor league player for him. The 3rd player so they would take a chance on Lowe.
JJ or Hanson, maybe both, will believing in a few years anyway as FA’s (Boras as an agent). Don’t trade our young pitchers now, go ahead and trade one of JJ or Hanson.
I wouldn’t want to trade a quality pitcher to the Mets in our same division. That could come back to hurt the Bravos. They play 18 times a year. Turner field would help David Wrights HR numbers though. Beside the Bravos aren’t sitting Chipper down.
If the Ranger trade could happen we would still have payroll flexibility to get another OFer to play when Heyward doesn’t or Prado play 3rd for Chipper.
Mixxo
October 17th, 2011
10:36 am
Congrats to the Cards. See what happens when a team hits?
Amazing concept.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
10:38 am
I like Michael Young too, but $16mil over the next 2 seasons is a tough sell… especially for the cash strapped Braves. They’d have to include someone making a big chunk of change in the trade to be able to afford him, and the one guy who’s making enough to make the deal realistic is not someone the Rangers would want.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2011
10:39 am
Thoughts and prayers to Mac Thomason at Braves Journal. He’s battling cancer, and got bad news this past week.
http://www.bravesjournal.com/?p=7469
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
10:40 am
Magadan would be awesome. Every team he has been in has done one thing, and that is battle, elevate pitchers pitch counts, and take a lot of walks.
Really if the Red Sox let him go they’re stupid. The only guy who has drastically struggled under his tutelage is Carl Crawford, and I don’t blame him at all for that.
McFann O O o
October 17th, 2011
10:42 am
DOB—
Wow…that’s very sad indeed. Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2011
10:44 am
Maybe with the Rangers needing pitching (CJ Wilson is going to be a FA) we could trade either JJ or Hanson along with Lowe (salary swap) and a low level minor league player for him. The 3rd player so they would take a chance on Lowe. — southgabrave
I don’t see the Rangers trading Michael Young, period. But if they do, they certainly wouldn’t trade him for that package of a young pitcher who ended the season injured (or in JJ’s case, the past two seasons), a 38-year-old pitcher coming off his worst season, and a low-level minor leaguer.
Michael Young was an All-Star in 2011 with a .338 batting average, .380 OBP, 41 doubles, 6 triples, 11 homers and a career-high 106 RBIs. Think about those stats compared to Braves hitters.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
10:44 am
Murph, Gordon is more talented than Prado. And I think Gordon’s days as a thirdbaseman are more or less over.
Essentially, I think what happened was that he was this hot prospect and the Royals got a little overzealous promoting him. They’ve been so bad for so long and he represented hope and all that. But defensively, he obviously wasn’t a thirdbaseman. When he started to fail early on they decided to bounce him around between the majors and minors, then they started to bounce him around between positions. This was the first year they basically told him he was the leftfielder and just told him to “go get it.”
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
10:44 am
southgabrave, while I love Michael Young, he can’t really play SS everyday now, or at least not well. Options are limited so I’m hoping for Alex Gonzalez to come back next year and tutelage Tyler Pastornicky. (like Omar Vizquel did with Elvis Andrus).
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
10:45 am
Every team he has been in has done one thing, and that is battle, elevate pitchers pitch counts, and take a lot of walks.
If some of you guys think three-run dingers are boring, wait until you get one of those 4.5-hour games, LOL.
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
10:47 am
Shaun, I like Gordon, always had believed in him, but Braves would be stupid to add yet another, left handed bat.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
10:49 am
Gordon is more talented than Prado.
Define “more talented”.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
10:53 am
Requiring a pitcher to go deep into the game (7innings or longer)
So, it’s OK if the pitcher gets shelled, as long as he’s still getting shelled in the 7th?
Rufio
October 17th, 2011
10:53 am
As a long time Braves Fan……..I was not pleased with the September Collapse. One of things I like about baseball is the mathematics of the game. I always liked listening to the Pete’s Commentary because it usually involved the numbers of the game. I ran Fredi’s number as a Major League Manager. He is a very consistent manager in regards to Won/Loss record by each month played. His worse months are in fact May and August. His records during these two months are at or above .500 avg. His teams come out of the gate in April well in April with .530 winning percentage. His teams close above average in September with a .510 average including this season. You take out the 2011 collapse…….His average is .570……That is pretty strong with some lousy teams in Florida.
BTW, I am not his agent or with the Braves. The baseball gods taught them that all 162 games are important you can’t phone it in with a 10 game lead.
Like the idea of Chris Chambliss (not sure if he is still under contract with Seattle) he lives in Alpharetta, experience in both leagues, quality hitting coaching with Yankees during some hot years. Also, I would love to see Fred Mcgriff in a Braves Uniform as a batting coach. Both of them have strong ties to Atlanta and could be a great influence on Heyward , Freeman and Mccann for years to come.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
10:53 am
Another thing, I don’t think Michael Young is an everyday shortstop at this point in his career. He hasn’t been a full-time shortstop since 2008. He’s played 1 game at short since Opening Day of 2009. Not that he couldn’t handle short. But he’s probably not a very good one at this point in his career. So the Braves don’t really have a spot for him. He’s very good in the role he is in for the Rangers but he’s not really an outfielder and he probably wouldn’t get enough playing time with the Braves as a backup thirdbaseman//firstbaseman/secondbaseman to make it worth their while, given what they would have to give up.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
10:55 am
Shaun, the two seem pretty comparable to me. Gordon had a great year, no doubt about it, but it wasn’t leaps and bounds above the year Prado had when he moved into the starting lineup fulltime.
Personally, I’d hope if the Braves choose to upgrade their offense that they do so in a significant way. Gordon may have a bit more raw ability than Prado, but I don’t see how adding him to the roster drastically improves the Braves chances of victory.
a fan
October 17th, 2011
10:57 am
Just think thanks to bud selig we have a wild card team with home field advantage in the world series
absurd
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
10:58 am
I think what happened [to Gordon] was that he was this hot prospect and the Royals got a little overzealous promoting him
Gordon came up with fan-fare and hoopla as a powerful lefty… with a hole in his swing. If you read the reports at the time, he was highly thought of, but there were some who figured he’d run into trouble with his swing. The Royals sent him back down when the hole became exploited to no end. Now he is finding success. But at age 28 he’s also half way through a major league career. I wouldn’t trade too much for him.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
10:59 am
I could see [Wren] working a budget, filling out the team with what he can, then putting the pieces together as best as possible regardless of what each one makes.
I don’t disagree with that. My point was that moving Prado to the bench would make that task tougher, not that there wasn’t any way to do it.
Heck, somebody might Lowe at full salary, for all I know.
cricket
October 17th, 2011
11:02 am
CC will replace CJ, not JJ nor TH
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
11:02 am
So, it’s OK if the pitcher gets shelled, as long as he’s still getting shelled in the 7th?
I actually wouldn’t mind this. Sometimes I think the hook is used way too soon. I don’t see it being an issue much anyway. If a pitcher is repeatedly getting shelled, he isn’t going to be in the rotation long anyway. The Tee proved that…. despite a vacant spot, injured staff, and an all-star appearance.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
11:03 am
It’d be a great move for Moore if he could get one of Delgado, Vizcaino or Teheran plus others for Alex Gordon.
Exec Of The Year and Pillager Of The Week awards, LOL.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:03 am
ncscoots, Gordon’s tools are better, except for maybe his speed but even that’s close, his plate discipline is better, he just has better baseball skills and tools than Prado. Obviously he didn’t put it all together until this past season. But I think he’s settled in and more comfortable now as a big league knowing he’s a leftfielder and knowing he’s going to be in the majors and not bouncing around trying to learn different positions, etc.
Tomas, I think keeping Prado around would be great for Gordon, as Prado can pick up the slack against leftties. Plus, this past season Gordon was outstanding against lefties, some metrics had him better against lefties, actually.
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
11:05 am
Heck, somebody might Lowe at full salary, for all I know.
I’m wondering about that. Makes me wish he was put on waivers and claimed… and Wren pulled a Rios.
keylargo
October 17th, 2011
11:10 am
“Strongly encourage” Chipper to retire – and take over as hitting coach. It’s a win all the way around
Yeah, Chipper would probably do that if you would pick up the $13 M difference between what a Hitting Coach makes and Chipper’s contract.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
11:11 am
DOB, kinda puts everything into perspective.. doesn’t it? Puts the offseason worries and concerns on the burner.
That type of stuff can really take a toll on you.. even if your not the one sick. My dad was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis about 5 years ago and life expectancy is usually only up to 3 years and 5 being rare cases. It’s an awful disease with the destuction it takes on the body. I think it would be much easier being the one sick than having to watch someone go through this,, much less your father. We’ve called in Hospice to help care for him and make him comfortable, we’re hoping that he can make it through the holidays one last time. It’s truly horrible to watch someone as they fight for air. Me and my family could use your prayers, as yesterday morning I got word that my uncle was hospitalized with an aneurysm in his stomach. Doctors say it’s not a matter of if but a matter of time before it ruptures. They have been advised to stay close to the hospital so they can get him there when it does occur. They can’t do surgery now because of one he has close to the heart and they are fearful he won’t make it off the operation table. So all prayers would be welcomed.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
11:12 am
But at age 28 he’s also half way through a major league career. I wouldn’t trade too much for him.
I wouldn’t trade any of Teheran, Delgado, or Vizcaino for him. Nor would I deal Minor.
Exec Of The Year and Pillager Of The Week awards, LOL.
Yeah, that’s kinda what I was getting at, but you summed it up quite nicely. No way should Wren trade significant minor leaguers for Gordon, imo.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:14 am
Murph, well, Prado’s skills are all based on the hit tool with some pop, which is obviously fine. But Gordon is about Prado’s equal in terms of the hit tool, he has more power and he’s a more disciplined hitter. It was just a matter of him putting it all together, getting enough reps against major league pitching and concentrating on one defensive position, I think.
TennesseePaul, the Royals basically treated him like a yo-yo his first four seasons. Not that there weren’t holes in his game but I’m guessing that certainly didn’t help his development. I would tend to bet on him remaining a well-above-average player for another 5 years or so over him reverting back to what he did when he was being bounced around levels and positions at young ages. Anything is possible, obviously. But I think he’s more likely to be a solid player than he is to look like he looked before his peak ages.
DAP
October 17th, 2011
11:14 am
bobcat In today’s game of specialization no longer are starting pitchers allowed to pitch out of jams or go deep into the game because the Mgr want to save them for the future.
i think managers often dont let their pitchers pitch out of jams because they have really good pitchers in the bullpen. also, with an awesome bullpen, how can we not use it?
personally, im not sure i want my SP struggling and battling to get outs in the 7th when ive got sit down, shut up, and go home ready to go.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:16 am
The most I would do is Minor, Bethancourt and another okay prospect. Nothing more than that, and I would prefer less.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
11:16 am
What is it that I’m not seeing here, Shaun? Is Gordon’s discipline better because he took 30 more walks than Prado this season? If that’s the case then what about his 80+ more K’s than Prado?
They both seem to K at about a 2:1 ratio over taking a walk.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:16 am
Another guy the Braves should target: BJ Upton
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
11:17 am
he’s a more disciplined hitter
Shaun, how do you come to this conclusion?
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2011
11:19 am
Anyone else think The Walking Dead season premiere really dragged? 90 minutes instead of 60, and less action than any of the 60-minute episodes. Just needed editing, too many repetitive scenes. And I’m a big fan of the show.
Meanwhile, Boardwalk Empire just keeps getting better. Terrific season so far. Last night’s episode was riveting, start to finish.
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
11:19 am
I would trade JJ. His arm is just weak, he lost 4-6 mph on his fastball, and still couldn’t stay healthy.
By that reason I would think his trade value is low, but maybe Dayton Moore’s Royals could be interested. It’s a gamble for them, but it’s a gamble they should take, their rotation is just awful, and JJ has a big upside, even with an 88mph fastball he was 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA with an allstar appearance. He knows how to pitch, and maybe if they can heal that leg/shoulder/whatever then maybe he can start throwing 90-94mph again.
As for what the Braves will get, well I can tell you one thing, it’s not gonna be any mlb can’t miss stuff. The Royals have a but load of talented outfielders in their system, and guys like Lorenzo Cain are blocked.
The guy had a great season in AAA this year. Hit 312 with 16HR, 16 SB, 380OBP, 497 SLG%, first year he started to hit for power. He is right handed, plays CF, and he is 25 years old.
25 years old, is the biggy here. 25 years old is very old for a prospect, and when they have speedsters like Jarrod Dyson ready to take over CF, they could trade Cain. I’m sure their plan is to not resign Melky and platoon Dyson and Cain, although those guys have no real weaknesses vs one type of pitcher, but they have 2 good CF prospects ready to play everyday.
So, a trade of JJ to the Royals for Lorenzo Cain, and a low level prospect(with potential). I’d do it, save 4-5 million in arb, and get a 4th outfielder for next season, and a possible a CF replacement when Bourn leaves. And instead of JJ in the rotation, it’ll be Randall Delgado or Julio Teheran.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:20 am
Murph, look at their walk rates. It’s not all that close: 9.8 percent for Gordon, 6.6 for Prado. I’m not too concerned about strikeouts because Gordon has more power and he walks a lot more often. And when he puts everything together, he’s capable of hitting for at least as high an average, if not higher, as we saw this past season.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
11:20 am
Shaun, do you have research to back up your “Gordon struggled because he switched positions” theory? Prado played 2B, 3B, and even 1B in 2009, and it was one of his better offensive seasons. Chipper also had one of his best seasons at the plate when he made the switch from 3B to LF.
It’s odd that a position change affects some players but not others, especially when I was under the impression that, once they made it to the majors, they dealt with adversity with a robot-like demeanor.
Shaun
October 17th, 2011
11:21 am
Shaun, how do you come to this conclusion?
See my 11:20am post. It’s fairly obvious.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
11:21 am
Sorry, when did striking out a lot equal good plate discipline?
Gary O
October 17th, 2011
11:21 am
Murph,
Don’t the Braves already have that exact guy in Prado?.
I don’t know much about Gordon, but with Chipper probably missing 40+ guys, we need 2 guys like that, because Prado will be a starter, so the other guy could replace Prado when Prado replaces Chipper (Prado could also give Uggla a break), and Heyward will need breaks as well.
Plus you would have a RH and a LH.
Lew
October 17th, 2011
11:23 am
Lack of innings pitched by the starters definitely had an effect on the bullpen fatigue, but how it happened is somewhat interesting and may not be as tough to remedy as some seem to think.
Hudson started 33 games and in 14 of those starts he pitched 7 or more innings. In another 11 starts he went 6 or more IP. (25 of 33 6 or more)
Hanson had 22 starts and in 7 he went 7 or more IP and in another 8 went 6 or more IP (15 of 22 6 or more).
Jurrjens had 23 starts and in 9 of them went 7 or more IP and in another 10 went 6 or more IP (19 of 23 6 or more IP).
Then came the rookies with limited IP due to age and lack of experience.
Beachy had 25 starts in 2 went 7 or more IP and in 14 more went 6 or more IP (21 of 25 6 or more IP)
Teheran had 3 starts and went 4.2, 4 and 5.1 IP ( 0 for 3 6 IP or more)
Delgado had 7 starts and went 6 or more IP in ONE (1 – 7 6 IP or more)
Minor had 15 starts and went 7+ IP in ONE game and 6+ in 4 more (5-15 6IP or more)
Then we had Lowe – 34 starts (more than any other pitcher) and had 3 with 7+ IP, 16 with 6+ IP (19-34 with 6IP or more).
Seems to me that there were three factors at play here limiting starters IP – Lowe, injuries to Hanson and Jurrjens and having to pitch rookies.
Now the rookies will go further this year as they are stretched out and Beachy in particular should be fine in the IP category. Lowe will hopefully not be in the rotation. Add to this that we are going to be much deeper in the pen, taking some IP from OVentbrel and I think 2012 will see a considerable improvement and less wear and tear on the Big Three.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
11:23 am
Shaun, could it be that Prado’s walk rate is lower because his hit rate is higher?
Bat Masterson
October 17th, 2011
11:23 am
AT_
I’ve been there, both ways, hospice and the hospital. My prayers are sent
Doc Holliday
October 17th, 2011
11:24 am
I’m surprised that Dale Murphy’s name hasn’t been mentioned for hitting coach.
Lew
October 17th, 2011
11:25 am
One correction – Beachy went 16 of 25 with 6 or more IP and not 21.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
11:26 am
DOB, I’m not even sure The Walking Dead season premiere was any longer than a normal hour show. It seemed they were running about 4 minutes of show then about 5 minutes of commerical. They had to have made a killing on commerical sponsors last night.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
11:27 am
Bat, Thanks… I appreciate it.
DAP
October 17th, 2011
11:29 am
if the braves trade for a ranger, it should be elvis andrus.
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
11:30 am
But Shaun, it’s not rally a matter of if he can hit lefties. Look, McCann and Freeman are decent vs lefties, still it’s a big difference when a lefty is in the mound. If Alex Gordon was in the lineup, opposing managers would be more inclined to bring left handed relievers in, therefore affecting the rest of the lineup. Without balance of R/L they will always be susceptible to that.
Arkansas Transplant
October 17th, 2011
11:30 am
as we saw this past season.
How about the seasons before? And Prado is only 1 year older. This is a lot like the flier we took on Melky.
flange1
October 17th, 2011
11:30 am
AT,
I also have been there on both counts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I will tell you, try to find humor in everything you can when you are around your ailing relatives. It really helps everyone to laugh even for just a minute.
monty
October 17th, 2011
11:33 am
A worn down catcher come playoff time,a 39 year old on his last leg(no pun intended)and a good power guy who doesn’t hit for avg.or get on base very often and is susteptible to extended cold snaps (as he is hot streaks). Not much of a potent mixture when compared to other playoff caliber team’s 3,4, and 5 guys.
Lew
October 17th, 2011
11:34 am
Transplant – Sorry to hear about your Dad. You’re right about the fact how hard it is to see it happening to someone you love and not being able to do a damned thing about it. Hang in there.
Murph
October 17th, 2011
11:35 am
Damn AT… I feel for ya man. I went through something similar when my dad passed in 2008 from lung cancer. It’s really toughing watching someone you grew up thinking was Superman deteriorate like that, right in front of your eyes.
If you ever need to chat you know where to find me.
P-Town Brave ©
October 17th, 2011
11:41 am
AT-
I know exactly how that is….
One of my great friends and what used to be the other half of my double play combo found out two days after he was married that he had rare bone cancer….
He lasted two years, but we all knew that the odds were not great and we lost him back in June….he had just turned 27.
Life is really rough sometimes and we just don’t know why things happen to such great people….but my prayers are with you as times like these are certainly something that no one should have to go through, but certainly not alone.
Bobcat
October 17th, 2011
11:41 am
DAP’
“personally, im not sure i want my SP struggling and battling to get outs in the 7th when ive got sit down, shut up, and go home ready to go.”
I do agree with you to a point However, if FG had let the SP’s work out of jams in the early part of the season it is possible that the pen would have been rested down the stretch and we could have won two or more games. A little timely hitting would have been nice as well.
McFann O O o
October 17th, 2011
11:42 am
Thoughts and prayers with you all. I can’t even imagine what that’s like…
My Grandma (Dad’s Mom) died of a stroke in 2007. That was a hard thing to watch.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
11:44 am
Not much of a potent mixture when compared to other playoff caliber team’s 3,4, and 5 guys.
Me, if I’m sending Chipper, Uggla, McCann, Heyward, and Freeman out there in a gaggle, and they are hitting to their capabilities, I’d take that over most lineups.
P-Town Brave ©
October 17th, 2011
11:44 am
AT-
I also then lost my grandma less than a couple months later to deteriorating conditions of Alzheimers and Parkinsons…..
So it seems that 2011 has not been too kind to many of us.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
11:47 am
However, if FG had let the SP’s work out of jams in the early part of the season
All you need is a crystal ball.
I’m not defending Fredo, but, the only game you can manage is the one in front of you. I don’t doubt that some pitchers might have worked out of some jams in some games, but the manager and the pitching coach have to make that determination on the fly. It ain’t that easy.
RC
October 17th, 2011
11:48 am
DOB,
I actually like the Walking Dead premier a lot. I felt like the long, drawn out scenes lead to greater suspense and echoed the theme that nothing is really changing for the survivors, that they are just biding time until losing the next person.
But I could see how someone would think it dragged a bit.
McFann O O o
October 17th, 2011
11:49 am
monty A worn down catcher come playoff time
BMac’s gonna be himself again next year! This second “half” was a fluke…
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
11:52 am
I have 2 scenarios of how this offseason should go:
1.
Braves trade JJ for Lorenzo Cain, and release Derek Lowe as they weren’t able to find anybody that stupid. They resign Eric Hinske, and send Conrad to AAA. Resign Alex Gonzalez, sign Nick Punto, Mark DeRossa, and bring back Mike Gonzalez.
Cain will be a backup OF, and if he shows he is capable, he could become the CF when Bourn leaves for FA. Bench will improve a lot, defensively, and offensively. And the addition of Mike Gonzalez will be a serious improvement over lefty specialist Sherril(who didn’t do a bad job but only pitched 36 IP).
2.
Braves trade Derek Lowe and are able to save 3-4 million. They sign Josh Willingham, Nick Punto, Wilson Beitemit, and Alex Gonzalez. Hinske and Conrad will leave or go to AAA(conrad).
Willingham is an awesome bat. He could be a 1B/OF type, give Freeman a day off against a tough lefty, or play in LF everyday. He needs a lot of days off though, so that means Prado will still be busy as a super utility player.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
11:52 am
I’m pretty sure that the best September that McCann has had occurred in the year he caught the most games. The fact is that he’s had as many good Septembers as bad, so the whole premise that he fades down the stretch is probably flawed.
SR
October 17th, 2011
11:53 am
Look how striking the difference is between the Braves and the Cardinals. Anybody else notice? And the Cardinals didn’t whine about losing their ace for the entire year, unlike the Braves whining about losing Jurrjens and Hanson for a period of time. And anybody else notice how the Cardinals actually have professional hitters who rake, unlike the Braves pitiful excuses for hitters? The Cardinals are who the Braves want to be when they grow up.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
11:53 am
The most I would do is Minor, Bethancourt and another okay prospect. Nothing more than that, and I would prefer less.
Less, please. That’s probably our best positional prospect given his position and tools, and one of our more major league ready starters. I think that’s too much for Alex Gordon.
P-Town Brave ©
October 17th, 2011
11:53 am
Nick Punto, Wilson Betemit, and Mark DeRosa
Lew
October 17th, 2011
11:54 am
Tomas – Why re-sign HInske? Dudes’ an offensive black hole in August and September for a team that’s twice faded late in the season.
Lew
October 17th, 2011
11:55 am
SR — And who do you want to be?
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
11:55 am
Anyone else think The Walking Dead season premiere really dragged? 90 minutes instead of 60, and less action than any of the 60-minute episodes. Just needed editing, too many repetitive scenes. And I’m a big fan of the show.
I felt the same way. First 25 minutes were excellent and then it kind of dragged. Last half hour especially.
ncscoots
October 17th, 2011
11:57 am
First 25 minutes were excellent and then it kind of dragged. Last half hour especially.
Maybe they had short response on the cattle call for zombies, during filming.
David O'Brien
October 17th, 2011
11:57 am
if the braves trade for a ranger, it should be elvis andrus. — DAP
Well, that’s not going to happen, obviously.
TennesseePaul
October 17th, 2011
11:58 am
the Royals basically treated him like a yo-yo his first four seasons. Not that there weren’t holes in his game but
So, your day job is a paralegal for a union lawyer. The “yo-yo” blame-game for why the kid couldn’t cut it at the majors until his “prime” seasons.
He wasn’t up because he had holes in his game. The team moved him around trying to get him up there, but the holes in his game kept knocking him back down. And also more talented players came along forcing position changes. Had Gordon maximized his tools and not been riddled with holes, he would have stayed up. I think the Royals were right to send him down to work on his game.
Tomas
October 17th, 2011
11:58 am
Lew, to be fair, everybody in the team(except Alex Gonzalez) was a black hole in August and September. Pinch hitting is tough, but I believe he can bounce back and regain his 2010 form when he was one of the best pinch hitters in the game. And they need at least one good left handed bat in the bench.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
11:58 am
I’d bet they probably decide to pass on Hinske’s option. I still disliked that we re-acquired Matt Diaz. He just hasn’t been good since 2009. Ross, Diaz, Conrad, a utlilty infielder and 4th outfielder for the bench.
Leigh
October 17th, 2011
11:59 am
If I remember correctly Jurrjens was leading the league in wins and ERA going into the All-star game and many braves fans felt he should have been the starting pitcher.
Who here thinks that had Jurrjens been healthy during the second half of the season we would have made the playoffs(and had a more rested bullpen)?
So, then why is everyone talking about trading this guy? This is absurd. He ended the season injured and his trade value is miniscule compared to what it can be if he comes back healthy next year. In addition, his salary is very fair and not holding us back from making any moves. The bottom line is when he has been healthy he has consistently been one of our better pitchers with an ERA similar to if not better than Hudson.
Efrim
October 17th, 2011
12:00 pm
Maybe they had short response on the cattle call for zombies, during filming.
I heard they cut the budget and one of the executive producers quit. At least that’s what my brother told me.