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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,027 comments Add your comment
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:27 am
Arkansas Transplant,
Blogsters make the point that the Braves are still very much in the hunt and no team in the NL East has broken away. Many of the same blogsters say the Braves “need to go for it now.”
Fair enough. But going for it now means more than a middling move or two in an effort to shore up the rotation. I think it means making a bold move: Greinke, if possible, or Garza. Either would come with higher price tags, and Greinke would need to agree to a new contract as a condition of coming south.
As to what one better starting pitcher does for the Braves, well, he joins Hudson and Hanson in giving the Braves a solid starting three. Medlen could move into the 4-spot, and either Delgado or Minor take up the rear – or whoever’s not traded.
If not the Braves make smaller moves and hope the competition remains relatively weak.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
10:27 am
Murph, I think Greinke would help two fold.. one, he’s a true ace shutdown starter and two, he’d eliminate the waste at the back of our rotation. And your right, we don’t need to spot there. I think we should also look at Willingham too.
Venice Jim
July 3rd, 2012
10:28 am
If you’ve never heard Andy sing the theme song to the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PVUit1-0Ck
Farnsworthy
July 3rd, 2012
10:28 am
Yeah. They need more than pitching. Need hitters too. This line has way too many holes.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:28 am
I wasn’t in here yesterday to be able to chime in with my negative comment when the Braves PISS ME OFF
Aww, too bad for us!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 3rd, 2012
10:29 am
Aw, RIP “Ange”…
I’ll try to get Petey to belt out his best Andy Griffith Show whistle…
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:30 am
This has to be one of the most inconsistent Braves teams in the last 20 years. Up and down, up and down… 10 runs, 1 run, 15 hits, 1 hit, pitchers that look lights out, then give up a giant inning.
I might go along with you on the pitching, but not the offense.
I guess it all depends on what you call “consistent”. The team has been scoring 4 or more runs in nearly two-thirds of its games this year, and that ratio has been fairly constant over different periods. You aren’t going to get much more consistent than that. Anyone who wants to check, I think you’ll find that teams such as the Rangers run about the same ratio.
Baseball is a game of “more often than not”, not “always”. If one expects some sort of different, more “consistent” outcome, one is bound to be disappointed.
Venice Jim
July 3rd, 2012
10:30 am
Atlanta Braves @Braves
RT @MLB: #FinalVote 1st rd results AL: 1. Darvish 2. Peavy 3. Hammel 4. Frieri 5. Broxton.NL: 1. Chipper 2. Freese 3. Bryce 4. Hill 5. Bourn
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:30 am
Andy Griffith, R.I.P.
Farnsworthy
July 3rd, 2012
10:30 am
Uggla as the starting NL 2B in the all star game shows what a joke the game has become.
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
10:31 am
I will say this, McCann will have a monster year in 2013. It just seems to happen that way to alot of players.
Of course he will… it’s a contract year.
McCann has been a great Brave, I like him a lot, but if the team signs him to a high-dollar extension after next season I’m not gonna be too happy. I’d rather the team go with a reasonably priced catcher and spend the money elsewhere.
Salty will be hitting free agency in 2014.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:32 am
Hey, death doesn’t have to be all sad…he’s in a place with no more hurt
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
10:32 am
Jeff R, don’t forget, we may have a healthy JJ back now. He’s looked pretty good over the last 2 starts. That would be huge if we acquired Greinke and placed in the rotation with a 1 through 4 of Hudson, Hanson, JJ and himself. As far as the 5th spot there would be may options at that point with Delgado, Sheets, Medlen or possibly Teheran.
Frankie Wren
July 3rd, 2012
10:32 am
Hope that B Mac has a strong first half next season than on the trade block at deadline.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:33 am
Arkansas Transplant, yes, I did forget about Jurrjens and shouldn’t have.
Capt.Mudd
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
Andy of Mayberry…..what a great actor, RIP sir.
Ease
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
Damn it Andy, you were supposed to live forever. RIP my good man.
Atlanta Braves @Braves
RT @MLB: #FinalVote 1st rd results AL: 1. Darvish 2. Peavy 3. Hammel 4. Frieri 5. Broxton.NL: 1. Chipper 2. Freese 3. Bryce 4. Hill 5. Bourn
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
Transplant – I’m multi -tasking – I walk a mile to a mile and a half while I blog, make breakfast, take my insulin, clean the house and research the (according to TenPaul) the BS I post.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
don’t forget, we may have a healthy JJ back now. He’s looked pretty good over the last 2 starts.
A-wishin’ and a-hopin’.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
I still think striking fast is of urgency.
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:34 am
Farnsworthy…
Uggla’s going because he GETS ON BASE. Yes, he has the third lowest AVG in the NL for 2B, but at the end of the day, getting on base is all that matters. Who the hell cares how you get there?
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Yes, it’s a sad day learning that Andy Griffith died.
Venice Jim
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Thanks for posting the voting, Ease!
CrαZy
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Am I the only on that wants to see some changes to the bench?
David O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
NL Final Vote standings so far — NL: 1. Chipper 2. Freese 3. Bryce 4. Hill 5. Bourn.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
I’m a little surprised…I thought Harper would win the last vote, but according to this ESPN poll (and VJ) Chipper’s beating Harper 59% to 41%
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=sportsnation&pollId=142250
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Hey, death doesn’t have to be all sad…he’s in a place with no more hurt
And Barney, Floyd, Goober, and I think, Helen Crump are there, too.
Seriously, the Griffith show is a wonderful memory from my kidhood.
Sopheee
July 3rd, 2012
10:36 am
Cards fans at it too.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:37 am
Am I the only on that wants to see some changes to the bench?
Maybe some reclining seats?
Capt.Mudd
July 3rd, 2012
10:37 am
@Lew….Not BS Lew; more like Ph.D.
Ease
July 3rd, 2012
10:37 am
Dang Lew, can you play short?
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:37 am
Lest I forget Aunt Bea, who shuffled off this mortal coil years ago.
Arkansas Transplant
July 3rd, 2012
10:38 am
Am I the only on that wants to see some changes to the bench?
Ummm, nope.
Ease
July 3rd, 2012
10:38 am
Dagnabbit! That wascally VJ.
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:39 am
Only one left is Ron Howard.
Capt.Mudd
July 3rd, 2012
10:39 am
@Jeffreyd……Yes, me to….I’d like bench/seat change……zero gravity will do!
Ease
July 3rd, 2012
10:39 am
Am I the only on that wants to see some changes to the bench?
I’d like to see an impact hammer on the bench.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:40 am
I had the great good fortune to meet Andy Griffith many years ago, and to share a meal and conversation with him. I enjoyed the occasion, and I liked the man. He’ll be missed, especially on the NC coast.
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:40 am
Maybe they’ll make a select-comfort bench like they do the beds.
kenhotlanta
July 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
RIP: Andy Griffith at 86. Another big part of my youth gone, he will be missed.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
With a fridge built into the side
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
ncscoots…
you an outer-banks guy?
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
Ease – Well, I could take up a good bit of the space between second and third, anyway. But I’ve got no range, can’t see my toes much less touch them and my shoulder is shot to hell – also, 61 is a bit old for a rookie.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:41 am
ncscoots, any stories to share abut your conversation with Andy?
Venice Jim
July 3rd, 2012
10:42 am
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
All-Star umps: Gerry Davis, plate; Jim Joyce, 1B; Brian Runge, 2B; Tony Randazzo, 3B; Lance Barksdale, LF; Brian Knight, RF.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
you an outer-banks guy?
I don’t live there, no, but I have a number of friends who either live down there or have places there. I’ve spent a lot time around that area in the last 20+ years, and consider the Outer Banks one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
TennesseePaul
July 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
“We love you Matlock, Oh yes we do”
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
Only one left is Ron Howard.
Nope, Gomer’s alive, long retired from the U.S.M.C. and living in Hawaii, I believe. And what about Barney’s girlfriend, Thelma Lu?
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
Andy Griffith was one of, if not the first show we ever really watched (aside from Barney and Winnie-the-Pooh and the like
). One of the best shows of all time (when it was in B&W), and really brings back memories.
Murph
July 3rd, 2012
10:44 am
scoots, the Braves have such a high runs per game number because of an early outburst of offense that saw them score 62 runs in 5 games.
Take away those games where they scored 10, 13, 15 runs and the runs per game drops drastically.
I did just that… threw those 5 wins out the window along with 5 times the Braves have been shutout and, what do you know, they have the same runs per game average as the lowly Phillies.
It’s not as bad as it sounds since it’s right at the league average… but league average offense with a below average pitching staff ain’t gonna get the team to October.
The Cardinals win with offense, Washington is winning with pitching, and the Braves are on a course of breaking even with an average offense and below average pitching.
ncbravesfan
July 3rd, 2012
10:45 am
People keep talking about “Braves should add so and so”, but it really won’t matter who they add if they do not subtract Gonzalez. It’s like fixing the exterior of a car whose motor is shot – it may look better, but it ain’t going anywhere.
TennesseePaul
July 3rd, 2012
10:45 am
and consider the Outer Banks one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Obviously you’ve never been to South Compton, or Watts. ( :
UKUGA
July 3rd, 2012
10:45 am
All-Star game is in Kansas City.
IIRC, that is the only major league city where the Braves have not played since Interleague play began.
Chipper would get to play in every ML city if he makes the All-Star team.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
Jeff, he was a good bit, well, earthier than you might expect from Mayberry Andy.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
Obviously you’ve never been to South Compton, or Watts.
Both lovely, particularly at night. Great places just to stroll.
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
And Barney, Floyd, Goober, and I think, Helen Crump are there, too.
Are you iffy on Helen Crump being alive or ………….. I mean she was a bit of a grouch……….. I mean …. never mind…………
Capt.Mudd
July 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
@ncscoots……If you will, was Andy a baseball fan? If so, was he a Braves supporter?
Brava
July 3rd, 2012
10:47 am
Sad news about Andy Griffith. He was a huge part of my childhood. RIP.
Good to hear Chipper is leading the pack in final voting, but let’s not get complacent. Keep voting for Chipper until the deadline.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
Obviously you’ve never been to South Compton, or Watts.
This is the fault of my travel agent, and i will rectify that shortly.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
ncscoots, Ah! Must have been fun chatting with him! Earthy’s okay.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
Bat M.—
Ouch, man!…
Venice Jim
July 3rd, 2012
10:49 am
Fun video with Andy (quasi-singing) and Brad Paisley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-C-IbkuNWs
Jay Dubu
July 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
Keep sending those text messages Chipper!!!! Send enough, and you’ll get that last spot on the All-Star team to go with your tour.
It’s all about you Hoss. Never mind what the stats say, it’s all about you!
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
If you will, was Andy a baseball fan?
That I couldn’t tell you, Capt. Topic never came up.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
Bat Masterson, Helen was Andy’s girl, right? Are is my memory fading?
Pretty sure Helen crossed over a number of years ago. Goober just died down in Nashville recently.
CrαZy
July 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
NL Final Vote standings so far — NL: 1. Chipper 2. Freese 3. Bryce 4. Hill 5. Bourn.
Since they seem to have nothing better to do I’m sure the Cards fans will be voting like crazy when they see there boy behind Chipper!!
Guess I need to create a few new Email addresses and get to voting!!
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
Only one left is Ron Howard.
I’m pretty sure Howard’s PB&J sandwich loving, unfortunate looking, little brother is around, though he was a bit player.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:52 am
Jay Dubu, you shameless cheerleader for “Hoss.” Why, you should blush.
David O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
10:53 am
Keep sending those text messages Chipper!!!! Send enough, and you’ll get that last spot on the All-Star team to go with your tour.
It’s all about you Hoss. Never mind what the stats say, it’s all about you! — Jay Dubu
So Chipper is asked by reporter if he saw the comments that Harper made about how he’d vote for Chipper, and Chipper responds by saying he appreciated it and told Harper in a text. And somehow you twist that into Chipper sending out texts in a campaign to get on the All-Star team?
Interesting view you have.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:53 am
Guess I need to create a few new Email addresses and get to voting!!
I’m not bashing any of us for doing this (I’ll be doing it too), but come on….how is this a way to determine who the better baseball player is? This system is stupid
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:54 am
Clint Howard be Ron’s lil’ brother. He’s actually one funny guy. Plays the goofiest characters in comedies.
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
10:54 am
Jeff R _
I’m just kidding about Helen Crump. A lot of people didn’t like her character. Though she was way to grouchy and bossy for Andy.
JoeFan
July 3rd, 2012
10:54 am
Been saying all along that the Braves have to many holes to fill by just adding at best an average starting pitcher. The bench borders on being awful. The bullpen has few reliable arms and there always seems to be several of the position starters going through slumps. Wren is responsible for the teams makeup including hiring Fredi. So this mess is really on his watch. The Braves need to be restructured from the front office down but seeing that is unlikely, fans are going to have to wait until 2013 when Wren will have more money to toss around. Given his track record, I want hold my breath. As for 2012 this season is toast.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
10:55 am
A view riddled with hemmorhoids, nou doubt.
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:55 am
Wasn’t Clint the balding read head in Waterboy?
CrαZy
July 3rd, 2012
10:55 am
I’ve never once watched a complete episode of Andy Griffith!! Just bits and pieces during rain delays when I was a kid!!
My Grandma watched Matlock every day so I did watch ( was forced to watch) that show!!
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:56 am
redhead*
jeffrey d
July 3rd, 2012
10:56 am
redhead*
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
10:56 am
Efrim, your opinion on “Dominican third baseman Kelvin Esteves signed with the Braves for a $300K bonus, Badler writes. Badler praises Esteves’ bat speed and raw power from the right side.”?
Don’t know a ton about him, but my take on all international signings and prospects is that all I ask of the Braves is to spend the max on international free agents – 2.9 million. If they want to spread that around and avoid guys taht will require half of their budget, then that is okay with me. This process is much different from the Rule 4 draft – these kids are 16 years old and difficult to project. Part luck to be honest. I just hope they spend the full amount that they are allowed. They’ve actually spent Top 10-12 money in this market over the last couple years, they just haven’t been as lucky as usual.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
10:57 am
Bat Masterson,
Well, I always though Helen was kinda of attractive. I think she might have become grouchy and bossy because Andy dated her for something like eight years. She wanted that ring.
usnavyvolfaninva
July 3rd, 2012
10:57 am
DOB,
Seems like there’s a lot of that going around lately (twisting words)
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
10:58 am
I might go along with you on the pitching, but not the offense.
I guess it all depends on what you call “consistent”.
Exactly. Perfectly happy with the offense. The pitching has been pretty terrible. Inconsistent, at best, to describe this bunch.
Shaun
July 3rd, 2012
10:58 am
Interesting take by Fangraphs on what to do if the game really does count and the leagues really needed to win, rather than treating the All-Star game like a showcase. In other words, selecting the players based on talent level and not based on rewarding players for their performances over the first three months.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/if-it-really-counted-nl-edition/
The Braves whom writer Wendy Thurm selected: Kimbrel, Bourn, Prado and Heyward.
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
10:59 am
Jeff R
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
10:59 am
Buster Olney’s blog this morning:
Potential All-In Buyers:
3. Atlanta Braves: They collapsed last September and were among the most disappointing teams in the majors. Chipper Jones remains an important piece of their lineup, but he is retiring after the season. Michael Bourn is likely headed into free agency, and Brian McCann will be eligible to walk away after next season. Atlanta has been to the postseason once in the past six years, and the time is right for it to make another push. The Braves are scouting Greinke, who grew up near Atlanta’s spring training home, and trading for him with someone like Randall Delgado makes complete sense. A run into the postseason would help fog over the ugliness of 2011.
The Braves are trying to fix their pitching, but David O’Brien wonders what they can do to fix their offense.
Greinke is in a waiting game.
Jeff R
July 3rd, 2012
11:00 am
Shaun, might you step away from metrics and merit this morning and share your thoughts with us on the passing of Andy Griffith?
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
11:01 am
I think she might have become grouchy and bossy because Andy dated her for something like eight years. She wanted that ring.
Art mimics life.
I saw her in some old B-movie once upon a time, and was completely shocked. Couldn’t get my head around the idea of not-Helen. ‘Course, the movie was completely forgettable, and I imagine her performance was, also. So, probably good that she didn’t give up the day job.
richbrave
July 3rd, 2012
11:01 am
Enter your comments here
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
11:01 am
Ouch, man!
Couldn’t resist, McFann
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
11:02 am
CrαZy
July 3rd, 2012
11:02 am
I love how people try to pretend that the all star game is for the players who had the best first half!! Yes many players make it because of the way they play, but many make it because they’re popular.
I have no problem with voting Chipper to the team… It’s no worse than Cal Ripken Jr being named a freaking starter in 2001 when he was hitting .217 with 4 HR’s.
Bat Masterson
July 3rd, 2012
11:03 am
What the heck ………..
Efrim
July 3rd, 2012
11:04 am
Not saying I agree with trading Randall Delgado for Zack Greinke……
However, 100% agree with Buster that the Braves need to be all-in over the next 13 months. That includes this offseason and next years trading deadline.
They’ve been to the playoffs once since 2005. And only once in Frank Wren’s five year tenure. I understand that they have had an absurd amount of young players on this roster over the last few years and with young players, you get inconsistency. But given the state of the farm system and with all of the young players here, right now, it makes sense to do whatever they can to win in 2012 and 2013. If that means emptying the farm(they don’t have any players I’d miss other than Teheran and Vizcaino), then by all means – please do, Frank.
Frankie Wren
July 3rd, 2012
11:04 am
Any studies been done on the correlation of people who vote often for All-star games that also attend dragon*con annually?
David O'Brien
July 3rd, 2012
11:05 am
I still doubt Braves would offer Greinke $20 million or more annually in a long-term contract extension, and I believe another team or teams will. But now I believe Braves are seriously considering trading for him even if re-signing is not guaranteed or even likely. They want that badly to go to postseason and have a chance to win when they get there.
Also — and this is an important part of it — the Braves just are not as certain about a couple of the prospects that it might take to get Greinke as they were a year ago.
richbrave
July 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
haggard:
These two are for you. I’m on the road again, Goin’ up the country – Canned Heat.
Ease
July 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
I still doubt #Braves would offer Greinke $20M per in long ext., but believe they’re seriously considering trade even if re-sign not assured
keylargo
July 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
The Phillies are going right back where they came from. They’ve played nearly 20,000 games since their inception in 1893 and are over 1064 games below .500.
ALL they did was bought a couple of World Series teams and now they headed right back to their heritage – sub .500 baseball.
ncscoots
July 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
Any studies been done on the correlation of people who vote often for All-star games that also attend dragon*con annually?
No, but I’ll bet a good grant-writer could whip up some money for me to do one, LOL.
Lew
July 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
Can’t forget the movie that might have been the spark for Mayberry – No Time For Sergeants.