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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,472 comments Add your comment
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
1:00 pm
jeffrey D:
jeffrey d
July 6th, 2012
12:53 pm
“…..And if Ease leaves, I leave…..”
You can’t go….all the plants are gonna’ die – STRIPES
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:02 pm
RichBrave steps up. Well played sir.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
1:03 pm
Unless Chipper gets hurt and misses significant time, the Braves’ position players are pretty much entrenched this season. I would think a guy like Headley would be more of a potential target in the off-season. I think the Braves will focus on pitching for the deadline, and filling a hole or two in the lineup in the winter.
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
1:03 pm
I’ve been looking for MOYLAN’s line…..uh-h-h, maybe not.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
And Brian said he’s not a General Manager
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
FRANKIE:
You left off the MAUER part. Heh!
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
Hello! Anyone have their feelings hurt today? .
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
1:05 pm
Wouldn’t put any stock on Moylan’s numbers first time out. Right now just make sure you can pitch and not be hurting afterward. Then start getting command back in your pitches.
john r smith
July 6th, 2012
1:05 pm
Well–It (July 5th) wasn’t !!!
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
1:05 pm
FRANKIE:
I dunno’ could BRIAN in SC actually be FW in disguise? Pretty sweet lines he’s laying on the old blog today.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:08 pm
Philly winning 9 of last 10 series against Braves. Nuff of that
Shaun
July 6th, 2012
1:08 pm
Headley’s worst full season in the majors is almost as good as a typical Delmon Young season. (97 OPS+ for Headley in his worst full season and a 99 career OPS+ for Young).
Headley has posted an OPS+ over 101 in 4 of his last 5 seasons. And posted an OPS+ of 97 in the other.
Young has posted an OPS+ over 92 just twice in any seasons in which he’s had over 131 PA.
It’s true that Young’s best season (2010) was about as good as Headley’s best seasons (last year and this year). But that’s really the only season where he’s been any good. Whereas Headley has been at least a decent player every season except the 8 games when he was first called up in 2007.
It’s true that Delmon Young should be entering his prime years while Headley is towards the end of his prime, but the difference in the quality of these players is so much, even if Headley declines, he’s still likely to be better than Young for a while.
richbrave
July 6th, 2012
1:09 pm
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
“….Hello! Anyone have their feelings hurt today? …..”
Yeah,” My feelin’s already hurt by being here wit’ yu’” – Say Man BO DIDDLEY
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:11 pm
rb- some say here on this very blog that management listens to all the expertise that is spewed, could be. Actually Palmetto brian is pretty astute guy.
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
1:11 pm
Kyle Kendrick has had a bad year, but he really has pitched well against Atlanta. He’s 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves.
Arkansas Transplant
July 6th, 2012
1:13 pm
He’s 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves.
Then I’d say it’s about time for that trend to change.
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:13 pm
Damned shame if Ease and jeffrey d leave. DAMNED shame!
Brian from SC
July 6th, 2012
1:15 pm
Kendrick has never given up more than 3 runs in a game against the Braves.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:17 pm
“Damned shame if Ease and jeffrey d leave. DAMNED shame”
It would be akin to Barry Sanders leaving the Lions. I think a good night’s sleep would benefit everybody before making such a decision.
Mark
July 6th, 2012
1:21 pm
The Good, The Bad and The Uggla
The Good – Chipper will hopefully be the All Time Leading RBI Man among 3B passing Schmidt and Brett – They were prett good too!
The Bad – Not playing very consistently or like a playoff contender. Hopefully we’ll turn that around before the break!
The Uggla – Will most definately reach and pass the 100 strikeout mark before the break. Hopefully, I’ll be wrong on this one and he’ll contribute to the Bad getting turned around!
George
July 6th, 2012
1:23 pm
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:13 pm
Damned shame if Ease and jeffrey d leave. DAMNED shame!
**************************************
They don’t like me, but would not like to see jeffery leave, his posts are funny.
CB
July 6th, 2012
1:30 pm
Not as funny as yours, George.
flange1
July 6th, 2012
1:30 pm
Was Ease being serious?
George
July 6th, 2012
1:34 pm
Thanks CB, I think. lol
George
July 6th, 2012
1:34 pm
Thanks CB, I think. lol
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:37 pm
George – Many of us often disagree with you… I wouldn’t say they don’t like you…At least I wouldn’t say that myself. A heated disagreement doesn’t neccessarily indicate that. There are very few here that I truly don’t like…and it would be pretty dull without the differences of opinions…even the misguided ones
I can, however, see how DOB, Ease Lew and many others, myself included, tire of some of the vitriol.
David O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
1:40 pm
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:13 pm
Damned shame if Ease and jeffrey d leave. DAMNED shame!
Yes, but as long as we don’t lose ACE. Pleasant fella, entertaining and wide-ranging comments, makes the day brighter.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
raleigh- see your point but why do people engage? Really some of it you really have to laugh at. Can’t take this stuff all too serious really.
The guy who says he’s leaving was on all morning and what really was vitriol? Sensitivity here is beyond laughable at times.
George
July 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
David O’Brien
July 6th, 2012
1:40 pm
Good one DOB.
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
“Damned shame if Ease and jeffrey d leave. DAMNED shame”
It would be akin to Barry Sanders leaving the Lions. I think a good night’s sleep would benefit everybody before making such a decision.”
Ahhh the drama! Everyone should wear black arm bands.
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
1:44 pm
Yeah, what Frankie said!
ncbravesfan90
July 6th, 2012
1:47 pm
Winning would cure everything.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:49 pm
Right on nc 90- now lets go Dempster for the love of Mike.
cricket
July 6th, 2012
1:49 pm
as soon as i find my ball, i’m leaving too…wait, that doesn’t sound right
tony austin
July 6th, 2012
1:50 pm
Mark – The Uggla – Will most definately reach and pass the 100 strikeout mark before the break.
Before the break? He should reach that mark tonight.
When I was looking for Uggla’s K amount (97 leads the team, 4th most in Majors), I was surprised to see Bourn second on the team with 73. No surprise Freeman and Heyward are T3 with 70. Thats 310 outs, 34.44 games, without putting the ball in play.
By comparison, Franscisco is 5th with 38, 32 less Ks than #3.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
1:51 pm
is it red and yellow? Sorry my 5 yr old likes to hit in the backyard with his bat. Must have rolled in the yard.
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:53 pm
DOB – Ahhh, yes. Let’s hear it for ACE, and the other “enlightened ones”, who know how to do your job better than you can. It’s kinda pittiful, really.
cricket
July 6th, 2012
1:53 pm
trade Juan Francisco for Hanley and mid-level prospect
tony austin
July 6th, 2012
1:53 pm
I guess the Francisco comparison is not a fair one, he’s had 167 less AB than Heyward, so I change it to Prado, 311 AB only 36Ks.
brian
July 6th, 2012
1:54 pm
it would be a shame if Ease left
and it is a shame people cannot act like mature adults debating things here on the blog or anywhere else
raleighbravefan
July 6th, 2012
1:56 pm
brian – Yeah, I LOVE a good discussion (that’s how you learn things). I HATE an argument.
NickB
July 6th, 2012
1:56 pm
since everybody is spitballing ideas today for 2013 here’s a few:
assuming no Greinke of course,
trade or non-tender JJ and EOF
depending on Sheet’s production offer him a fair , but below market rate for one year with an option, around $5mill
If the Mets let David Wright go(which they won’t) that would be my number one priority, but since thats a silly plan……
trade:Bethancourt and a mid level arm to the Angels for Peter Bourjos and Keven Jepsen (minor league pen arm with a high K rate)
Diaz gone, Hinske gone, Wilson gone
Lyle Overbay for $1.5 mill off the bench
invite Evan Gattis to spring training to see if he can nab a bench spot, if not, plenty of cheap corner option there (like Reed Johnson)
call up the Rev,
offer Cody Ross 2 years $6 mill to backup and provide insurance in case Bourjos doesn’t hit as much as we’d like ,plus, he’s an excellent bench bat and corner OF’er
Prado to 3rd
Nick Swisher 4 years $48 mill
Rotation:
Huddy
Hanson
Sheets
Delgado
Minor/Teheran
lineup:
Bourjos
Prado
Heyward
Swisher
Mac
Uggla
Freeman
Simmons
Pen:
Kimbrel
Venters
Moylan
Jepsen
Varvaro
Flande
Medlen
Pen:
Ross
Ross
Overbay
Gattis/Kotsay or somebody
Rev
that team would be pretty darn good and would be under budget
Fish Bisch
July 6th, 2012
1:57 pm
Crime shame indeed.
cricket
July 6th, 2012
1:57 pm
By comparison, Franscisco is 5th with 38, 32 less Ks than #3.
shouldn’t you consider number of ABs in that comparison? his K% should not be much different than Uggla’s.
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
1:58 pm
I have been coming here since the inception of the board. I change names so often I can’t even remember how many names I have used. I come here primarily to see the DOB updates. Sometimes I catch some news from people who post here besides DOB. Sometimes I post a sincere opinion. Sometimes, I post something just to get people stirred up. When I see someone post who seems to be a know-it-all or come off with “this is our blog” stuff, I enjoy coming back with something to rile them up. It’s amazing how easy it is to get some of these people going. I have never attacked or agitated anyone on this board who has been kind and respectful. I love going after the grouches and morons. You might wonder how the best way is to get these guys going? Simple, find out who their favorite player is or something they feel strongly about, then slam them or it really hard!
In closing, here is my favorite.
“Who are you? You won’t even post with your real name! You are posting with at least 3 names, probably more! You are lame and a chicken! Unlike you, everyone here knows me, I’ve been posting here for 5 years! Just ask anyone, they know who the SC Chicken Plucker is!”
Ahhhh yeah, sure
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
2:00 pm
Huddy, Dempster and Hanson games 1,2 and 3. Braves kryptonite that nobody has, Kimbrel. Keep ole Craig around 60 something appearances and these 3 horses will get you a pennant. C’mon DOB, let’s get this done.
Whose with me, lets goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
What happen to the Braves blog that I use to know? NO Frankie, we’re too scared……..
Well I’m taking this crap
Nats Dead!, Red’s Dead! GIANTTTTTTTTTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Mark
July 6th, 2012
2:01 pm
Yeah Tony you are probably right. I keep his poor play in the forefront but almost feel bad because he does try hard physically. It just doesn’t appear that he tries to make adjustments. So often he will take Fastballs and then have to offer at off speed or he will be ahead in the count 0 – 2 and swing at off speed and curves.
Bourns Ks, as much as I like him now, is one reason why I would sell him to a contender at the deadline unless we really turn it around. The main reason is he is 30 will get a long term deal for a lot of money and whoever does it will regret it I think 3 years from now or so.
As for Francisco, not very good. Too slow. Does have some pop and can hit the long ball occasionally but wont be consistent especially only getting to play when Chipper is out. For all the bragging about fouling off all the pitches in those 2 ABs – many times that is just due to the fact that he doesn’t square the ball up very often. Not like he was spoiling great pitches, he was just missing them.
tony austin
July 6th, 2012
2:01 pm
Cricket – I realized that after I posted it, so I changed to Prado’s numbers, 311AB only 36 Ks.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
2:03 pm
Finally, some pub for Merejo:
Luis Merejo, lhp, Braves: When we reviewed Atlanta’s 2011 international signings (subscription required), we tabbed Merejo as the sleeper of the group. Signed for $65,000 last October, Merejo earned an aggressive assignment to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and has not disappointed. Through four outings, Merejo has a 2.25 ERA and a stellar 25-1 K-BB mark in 20 innings. He’s only 6 feet, 175 pounds, but both his feel for pitching and his stuff are advanced for a 17-year-old. Merejo commands a fastball that sits in the low-90s and backs it up with two potentially above-average secondary pitches in his curveball and changeup. Merejo may not be a widely-known prospect yet, but that could change very, very soon.
CB
July 6th, 2012
2:03 pm
I like this Vacillating guy.
Efrim
July 6th, 2012
2:04 pm
Atlanta Braves
Top signing: OF Victor Reyes, Venezuela, $365,000.
July 2 eligible six-figure signings: OF Jesus Heredia (Dominican Republic), Iosif Bernal (Panama), SS Luis Monasterio (Venezuela), RHP Jesus Jones (Dominican Republic), RHP Francisco Gonzalez (Venezuela).
Other six-figure signings: RHP Darrel Leiva (Nicaragua).
Atlanta’s three best prospects are all Latin American. While righthander Arodys Vizcaino came to the Braves through a trade, righthanders Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado were both products of Atlanta’s international scouting department. The Braves’ most expensive international signing last year was 17-year-old Victor Reyes, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound switch-hitter who signed for $365,000 out of Venezuela on July 2. Reyes trained with Ricardo Petit, who is the brother of Rolando Petit, the Braves’ assistant director of Latin American operations based in Venezuela. Reyes stands out for his size and power potential. He runs well for now, though as he fills out he figures to slow down and projects as a corner outfielder with an average arm.
Like Reyes, Venezuelan shortstop Luis Monasterio also trained with Ricardo Petit. Monasterio, 17, signed for $230,000 in July and is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound spray hitter who works the alleys with his righthanded stroke. With his frame, he could add another 20 pounds and grow into some power. While he has good hands and a strong arm, he’s around an average runner and could end up sliding to either second or third base depending on how his body develops.
Jesus Heredia, who signed out of the Dominican Republic in July for $280,000 is 6-foot-2, 170 pounds and is a quality defender in center field. He has good speed and at least a plus arm that’s already among the best in the Braves organization. Heredia, 17, doesn’t have Reyes’ power potential but he can work the gaps from the right side and should be able to take advantage of his speed.
The Braves scout Panama better than anyone, and their prize this year from the country is 17-year-old outfielder Iosif Bernal (video), who trained with Emilio Sempris and signed for $230,000 on July 2. Bernal is big and physical at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and projects as a power righthanded bat. He doesn’t load his hands much, but he has hit in games and shows the ability to drive the ball with authority with good bat speed. His arm grades out around average and he’s a 50 runner on the 20-80 scale for now, but with his size he projects as a left fielder.
Jesus Jones ran the 60-yard dash in 6.6 seconds when he was an outfielder in the Dominican Republic, but he raised his stock by moving to the mound and signed with the Braves for $125,000 in July. A 16-year-old righthander from Santo Domingo who trained at La Academia, Jones is a lanky 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. He was throwing in the high-80s and touched 90 mph as July 2 approached, and his velocity has continued to increase. His athleticism has helped him make the transition to the mound and he shows a breaking ball with three-quarters action.
The Braves blanket Latin America’s less heavily-recruited countries outside of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, including Panama, Colombia and Nicaragua. The Braves signed a few players last year from Nicaragua, most notably righthander Darrel Leiva for $120,000 in July. Leiva, 17, is 6 feet, 185 pounds and is a strike-thrower with good pitchability. He was pitching at 87-89 mph when he signed but now gets his fastball into the low 90s and mixes in a curveball as well. Venezuelan righthander Francisco Gonzalez, a 17-year-old who signed for $100,000 in July, is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with a fastball that was up to 89-90 mph when he signed and now reaches a few ticks higher, along with a curveball and a changeup that he’s still working on.
One sleeper from last year’s class could be Luis Merejo, a 17-year-old Dominican lefty who cost the Braves just $65,000 in October. Merejo throws 88-91 mph, touches 93, flashes an above-average curveball and changeup and has good command for his age. He’s advanced enough that he’s expected to debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.
Frankie
July 6th, 2012
2:07 pm
“or come off with “this is our blog” stuff, I enjoy coming back with something to rile them up. It’s amazing ”
Good stuff
cricket
July 6th, 2012
2:07 pm
Bourns Ks, as much as I like him now, is one reason why I would sell him to a contender at the deadline unless we really turn it around.
when is the deadline? what “real turn around” do you expect by then? have you given up on this season as of now?
i don’t see Bourn coming back, will get paid more by some other team. i also don’t see him traded as braves know he gives better chance of winning this year over whatever replacement we may get and they are not about to concede this season.
NickB
July 6th, 2012
2:08 pm
what’s the odds that Fredi uses Avilan against both lefties and righties, ruins his confidence and the end result is he get’s sent back to the minors too quickly?
a smart manager would start him off as a LOOGY, and let him work his way into going entire innings, but we know this won’t happen
Mark
July 6th, 2012
2:13 pm
cricket
The way we are playing now we have absolutely no chance of getting into the playoffs. Not hitting consistently, doing any little things right to create runs and our pitching is more suspect now than I remember.
So, no way I keep him for a chance to finish 3rd or lower in the division and just let him walk for the big money he’ll get from the Yankees or others with big bucks without getting some prospects for him.
NickB
July 6th, 2012
2:15 pm
Mark
you have nothing to backup why a team who played on of the hardest first half schedules in the NL above .500 and faces one of the easiest schedules in the second half, can’t make the playoffs.
they have a very good shot of making the playoffs
cricket
July 6th, 2012
2:17 pm
love it how super-smart resident ML managers prosecute, convict and sentence Fredi for the crimes they are sure he will commit. and here i thought there were only 3 precogs.
cricket
July 6th, 2012
2:18 pm
Mark
they drive me crazy too but they still have realistic chance of reaching playoffs
Wolf
July 6th, 2012
2:19 pm
Dan Uggla is 32 years old, and he has that stocky, big-arm, chesty build. Somerimes, guys like him, at that age, with that build, and with that kind of swing-hard-all-the-time mentality, find that their bat speed slows down somewhat in their early to mid-30’s. The good ones learn to compensate in various ways and often go on to do well for several more years, into their late 30’s. Others do NOT and become marginal players or are forced into early retirement.
The Marlins management seemed to think this would happen withUggla. They said that if the Braves wanted to give him that long contract for big money, they would be stuck with it as Uggla got into the “dangerous” ages (and he would also get even slower in the field).
When I see Uggla batting and fielding, I think, “How much better would it be to have Prado at 2B and some really good power hitter in LF for the money Atlanta is paying to Uggla?” That would have been the deal to make 2 years ago!
flange1
July 6th, 2012
2:22 pm
Wolf,
I think if you go back and look the Braves have been looking for that RH LF bat for many years and have not found one.
Not sure how many of those are better hitters than Uggs, now or then.
Mark
July 6th, 2012
2:23 pm
They have a chance. Never said they didn’t unless they play like they have been playing, it wont happen.
Vacillating Screen Name
July 6th, 2012
2:31 pm
Do some of you find civil discourse boring? Just sayin’
MikeInFl
July 6th, 2012
2:31 pm
Nick, hard to use guys too exclusively by matchup when you’re starters average just 5.8 innings, and you have just 2 LH relievers, both of whom probably should be loogy’s.
I would expect to see Avilan face some rh batters, since he’ll (hopefully) not be pitching in the most high-leverage situations. Now, if he’s facing Ruiz or Pence in a crucial situation, that’s another story.
We’re already using almost 4 relievers per game. Can’t really specialize too much more and expect to have reasonably fresh arms from one game to the next.
Mark
July 6th, 2012
2:34 pm
Wolf
I think you are right on.
Thats why I think, if we are out of it, we can get help with Bourn because sometimes people, and fancy GMs in suits are no different, want to make something happen that’ll be good when deep down they know its a stretch.
Now that steroids are more controlled you’ll start seeing the decline of players start around 30 or a little after again and those long term deals for 30 year olds are going to hurt. Look at Chipper, he is about as good of an example of a guy going as long as they can without chemicals that you’ll see again for a long time. He is special and started nticeably declining a while back. He was still good but not what he was.
Carroll Rogers
July 6th, 2012
2:34 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/06/braves-to-face-phillies-with-howard-utley-back/
new blog is up from the city o brotherly love
Lee in S GA
July 6th, 2012
2:43 pm
“Winning would cure everything.”
—————————————–
no someone would complain about a person’s weight or Chip’s announcing or the color of the Braves uniform or the bat boy
nolie
July 6th, 2012
2:49 pm
Given Bethancourt’s defensive prowess, he could, at the very least, be another Charles Johnson…jeff R
more likely at the very most, not the very least
nolie
July 6th, 2012
2:54 pm
not so sure that Greinke, who pitched poorly against the Fish the other night,a team we would need him to excel against, is enough of a difference maker to warrant what it would take. Guy knew he had a bunch of scouts watching him and he had one of his poorer games this season.
nolie
July 6th, 2012
2:58 pm
folks who throw Baltimore around when discussing Wren have no clue at all what that hell hole was like
NickB
July 6th, 2012
2:59 pm
MikeinFl
well sure, except that Fredi needs to work the new kid in slowly, most lefty’s have a problem getting righties out, and I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the team for him to face a righty yet, unless it’s between to lefty’s, not until he gets his feet wet,
Fredi already made this mistake with Gearrin, a guy who destroys right handed batters, and is very hittable by lefty
NickB
July 6th, 2012
3:01 pm
nolie
no kidding, one of the most meddling owners in the game circumventing his every move, Wren was probably glad to get out of there.
I was glad to see Rosenthals statement about FW’s tenure, I have always been adefender about what a good job I think he has done with a limited budget
Capt.Mudd
July 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
Vacillated or dilated it’s all good; for Pete sakes—keep things moving…..no constipationists allowed.